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Chinese-built Air Traffic Management System project near completion in South Sudan

Xinhua) 08:28, January 13, 2022

JUBA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan is revamping its necessary aviation infrastructure across the country in order to fully manage and control its airspace thanks to the contractor, China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) Limited, who is about to complete the construction of the country's Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) project.

Athuai Deng Akok, a local employee working with CHEC) Limited, said that upon completion of the project, Juba will be able to manage domestic and international civil aviation aircraft for the first time.

Deng said the ATMS project that commenced in June 2020 is a cooperation project between the South Sudan and Chinese government that includes training of South Sudanese technicians to prepare them for management of the air space by 2023.

"In the initial stage of operation, Chinese and South Sudanese personnel will work together, and Chinese personnel will provide on-job training for South Sudanese employees during the process," Deng told Xinhua in Juba on Tuesday.

The project also consists of the construction of Juba ATMS center, new Air Traffic control tower and operation building, surveillance system, navigation system, communication system and the civil engineering and supporting facilities required by the equipment such as meteorological facilities, calibration flight test and personnel training.

"All types of equipment are consistent with the civil aviation management equipment of all countries in the world. The goal of interconnection with all countries will be achieved after completion," Deng said.

Wu Ge, the CHEC chief engineer of ATMS project, said that they have managed to complete half of the work despite pandemic-related hitches.

"Every part of the project has been progressing steadily and around half of the work has been completed. The concrete structure of the Juba ATMS center was completed last year," said Wu. The ATMS equipment was being manufactured and will be shipped to South Sudan later this year.

Wu added that the ATMS project will also boost non-oil revenue collection, in addition to contributing to the economic and social development of the world's youngest country.

Xie Naisi, the marketing officer of CHEC in South Sudan, said they have been involved in social responsibility activities that have seen them support local communities. He revealed the donation of some 20,000 sandbags and three water pumps to Panyagor community for flood prevention and five tons of rice including three tons of cornmeal.

Xie added that they also drilled two wells in Wau communities.

"We will keep on making contributions to better the lives of local people," he said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

A large number of the Armenian army weapons and ammunition have been found in liberated Khojavand region, Baku-based news website Day.az has reported.

Officers from the Khojavand region police department seized a mortar device, two grenades, eight artillery shells, and 6,200 cartridges of different calibers and handed them over to the relevant authorities, the report added.

The local police continue taking appropriate measures to detect weapons on the territories liberated from the Armenian occupation.

Azerbaijan earlier made public the number of weapons found in 2021 on the liberated territories. A total of 225 assault rifles, 102 grenade launchers, 68 machine guns, 64 anti-tank and anti-personnel guided missile systems, 10 mortar installations, eight air defence systems, 721 grenades, 129 mines, tens of thousands of shells and cartridges of various calibers were found on the liberated territories.

As a result of the measures also taken in the liberated lands, about 17 tons of wild hemp plants were burned and destroyed.

During its 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories, Armenia used Karabakh and adjacent seven regions for its illegal activities, including arms and drugs trafficking. Although Azerbaijan repeatedly raised the issue before the international organizations, Armenia continued in the same vein, creating all the necessary conditions there for the illegal cultivation, production, and further distribution of narcotic substances.

Azerbaijan and Armenia resumed the second war after the latter started firing at Azerbaijani civilians and military positions starting September 27, 2020. The war ended on November 10 with the signing of a trilateral ceasefire deal by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders.

The ceasefire agreement stipulated the return of Azerbaijan's Armenian-occupied Kalbajar, Aghdam and Lachin regions. Before the signing of the deal, the Azerbaijani army had liberated around 300 villages, settlements, city centers, and historic Shusha city. The Azerbaijani army declared a victory against the Armenian troops.

The signed agreement obliged Armenia to withdraw all its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it had occupied since the early 1990s.




The car on the hoist at Capital Heights Auto Clinic in Bismarck, North Dakota needs a new catalytic converter. Morgan Kraft -- an air wrench in her hands and a penlight in her mouth -- wastes little time in getting the old converter out and the new one in.

Its not something she thought shed be doing eight months ago when she started doing oil changes in the shops lube department. Shes the lone woman among seven mechanics at the shop.

In 2020, about 9% of workers in the U.S. automotive repair and maintenance industry were women, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are about 743,000 automotive technicians in the U.S. and less than 2% -- fewer than 15,000 -- are women.

Kraft in April joined the staff and thought shed be staying in the lube department. Her transition to what she calls actual repairs started with her boss one day saying, Go do this, Kraft said.

I figured it out, she said.

She soon found herself working on tires and brakes and doing wheel alignments. She now does exhaust work, front end repairs and lots of spark plugs.

I like it, she said. To me its like taking apart a puzzle and putting it back together.

Kraft, like many women in the auto technician field, got interested with help and guidance from a family member. Her father taught her how to change a flat, put the winter tires on and change her oil. Thats how it played out for Autumn Goecke, 22, of Bismarck, a second-year auto technician student at Bismarck State College.

He taught me all the easy stuff, oil changes, brakes, regular maintenance on your vehicle, Goecke said.

Goecke is the only woman in her class. Shes been an apprentice technician at Eide Chrysler for more than a year and said there arent any barriers that would keep a woman from advancing in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field.

Its all on ability and how well you work, she said.

Veterans in the industry seem to agree. Women in the automotive repair field often bring -- in addition to mechanic skills -- a certain comfort level with customers, especially women, said Peter Mandt, associate professor at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton.

They understand the viewpoint, he said.

Theres a perception about the old-fashioned mechanic that steers some young people away from the field, Mandt said. It often takes someone to spark their interest and show them the rewards. Thats what led three young women to enroll in BSCs auto collision course. Hannah Deicherts grandfather and stepfather are mechanics, but her interest in body work came up when her mothers co-worker backed into her car. She was a senior in high school and got to work on her own car in the auto body class.

I realized this is pretty fun, Deichert, 18, said. I like seeing the finished project, putting the hard work into it and making it look good.

It was much the same for Carly Seidler, whose interest in cars started when she was small. She attended car shows with her grandfather and liked the satisfaction of taking something not so great and you fix it up and make it look brand new, she said.

Alexys Kramber, 18, of Garrison, North Dakota, brings experience with an airbrush to the body shop. She painted fishing lures with her father, which made her realize what can be accomplished with a paint gun. Women should get outside their comfort zone and just do what they gotta do, Kramber said.

You cant be bad at something you never try, and you cant be good at something youre never willing to learn, she said.

Seidler and Kramber plan to take their studies another step. Seidler is eyeing an auto technician associate degree, and Kamber wants to add upholstery skills to her resume. Both said paying attention to details is one of the traits that set women apart from men. Bismarck and Mandan Tire and Auto Center owner Rachel Gietzen agrees. She said thats one reason shed not hesitate to hire a woman for her shop.

Everyone has different strengths they bring to the table, man or woman, Gietzen said. To me, a good team is a diverse team.

The demand for auto technicians is high and the supply is short, Gietzen said. The field is "very different than that of yesteryear," because mechanics have to have computer knowledge, understand complicated vehicle systems and adapt to changes as new models are produced.

"They're not just tightening bolts," she said. "It's a field where you can make a great career."

The collision students have studied a number of subjects including metal finishing, welding, surface preparation and cost estimating. No woman in this or previous classes would have to take a backseat to anyone, said instructor Richard Bahm.

Theyre right up to snuff with anybody, he said.

Kraft has eased into her role at Capital Heights and said the men she works with are always willing to answer questions. More women should give the field a try, she said.

Its kinda cool that you know what youre talking about when it comes to vehicles, she said.

The men and women in the collision class get along fine, encourage and compliment each other on their work, Kamber said. There is some banter, to be sure, but Kamber said the women often stay one step ahead of the men.

Sometimes they (the men) dont even know what to say, she said.

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Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Hank Worsech, when referring to the state of elk management in Montana, has repeatedly evoked a quote attributed to Einstein: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity.

We have to try something different, claims Worsech.

While we agree that its foolish to repeat ineffective actions, it may be equally foolish to try something different without first recognizing the real problem.

On the eve of December's Fish & Wildlife Commission meeting, after a last-minute work session between the commission and FWP, a controversial proposal was tabled that would have allowed general bull elk harvests on private lands only, while forcing public hunters to fight over a 50% reduction in limited permits valid only on public land.

Thankfully, the commissioners saw right through this, likely a direct result of hunters speaking up in force, what Director Worsech called a firestorm. We commend the commission for listening as well as Montana hunters for speaking up.

However, what followed were hastily developed alternative proposals to solve the stated problem of too many elk on private lands, out for public comment now. These include removing archery permits and changing them to a general season (no special permit required) in many areas and increasing rifle bull permits by 50% in some districts.

We predict this alternative will be equally unpopular and, more importantly, fail to solve the stated problem of too many elk on private land. In fact, it may exacerbate the situation as it expands opportunities to hunt bull elk (not the problem) rather than cows (the problem). Moreover, increased pressure due to more hunters on the landscape will likely lead to greater concentrations of elk on private lands, not reduce it. All of this is further intensified by an outdated elk management plan being used as faulty justification.

FWPs leadership is unwilling to admit that the real "problem" is not too many elk per se; rather, its the feeling that those who care about or are affected by elk don't have enough of a say in our elk. Neither the landowner, nor the outfitter, nor the average Montana elk hunter believes theyre getting what they want and think they deserve. It's time we agree on what problem we actually face: Its the equitable opportunity to hunt elk. In other words, the problem here is access to elk, not the number of elk.

Under the guise of wanting to address too many elk on private land, what FWPs leadership is really after is a way to satisfy the interests of groups like United Property Owners of Montana and Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, large landowners and outfitters.

By using an underhanded scheme to privatize and commercialize a public resource that belongs to all Montanans, these proposals would shift the public-private balance. This growing inequality of who has access to elk has put Montana on the path of creating a class system of the haves and the have nots of who gets to hunt elk  reminiscent of the days of the Kings deer of feudal Europe, or modern-day New Mexico. Having fought back the monetizing of our public resources for more than 100 years now, Montana hunters can see right through this.

So what do we do? How do we address the real problem? How do we move beyond this insanity of favoring some at the expense of others? How do we achieve an equitable distribution of access to elk for both private and public interests?

For one, we need to pump the brakes. FWP needs to admit that trying to throw solutions at a problem that is not actually the problem is what really amounts to insanity here. We need to agree first on what the actual problem is. This can only happen when landowners, hunters, outfitters and others come together to discuss what it is that they want and need. A well-crafted statement of the problem up front ensures that stakeholders start with a shared understanding of what needs to be solved.

Second, we need a new elk management plan. For years, FWP has promised to revise this outdated plan. Until we have a new elk plan finished, Montana hunters should reject the FWP elk season proposals outright, and ask that the existing seasons/permits be kept in place. In our view, its irresponsible to offer poorly guided solutions not even aimed at the correct problem.

To stop the insanity surrounding elk management, its time to find real solutions to the real problem of who gets to hunt elk in Montana. Let us start there.

Thomas Baumeister is the Capital Chapter leader for the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

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Texas Sen. Ted Cruz Alex Brandon/AP

Democrats tanked Ted Cruz's bill to sanction Nord Stream 2, a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.

The White House and its Democratic allies said the bill would hurt diplomatic efforts.

There are serious concerns that Russia is on the verge of invading Ukraine.

Senate Democrats on Thursday ensured that GOP Sen. Ted Cruz's bill to sanction the Nord Stream 2 pipeline failed, accusing the Texas Republican of attempting to hurt President Joe Biden by compromising transatlantic ties amid sensitive diplomatic talks aimed at preventing a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Though the Biden administration pushed heavily for Senate Democrats to oppose the Cruz's legislation, the bill barely fell short of the 60-vote threshold necessary for it to pass. More senators voted for the bill, including a number of Democrats, than against it (55 for and 43 against, with the vote still open on Thursday evening).

The fact a majority of senators voted for the bill in a Democratic-controlled Senate highlights the bipartisan appetite for penalizing Russia at present. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly urged the Senate to pass Cruz's bill, which may have also helped it generate support.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a call with reporters following the vote said he was glad the bill failed. He said Cruz's bill effectively sanctioned Germany, not Russia.

"Unfortunately, there are a handful of Republicans that consistently put hurting President Biden ahead of protecting the nation," Murphy said.

In separate comments on the Senate floor, Murphy decried Cruz's bill as "bad diplomacy."

"We need to be sending a message to Vladimir Putin that the United States and Europe are together and that we are going to deliver a crushing package of sanctions if you enter Ukraine any further," Murphy said. "This would be a gift to Vladimir Putin because it's a signal of division at a moment when we need to be standing together."

Story continues

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, who sits on the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, voted against Cruz's bill despite previously working with him on sanctions legislation to stop Nord Stream 2  an undersea pipeline transporting gas from Russia to Germany.

Shaheen in remarks on the Senate floor on Thursday characterized herself as a "strong and longstanding opponent of Nord Stream 2," but added that Cruz's bill would "undermine the current diplomatic situation that is absolutely critical if we are going to respond to the Russian threat."

'Putin's getting nervous'

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a concert marking the seventh anniversary of the Crimea annexation on March 18, 2021 in Moscow, Russia. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Thursday's vote occurred amid a week of diplomatic discussions in Europe on the Ukraine crisis. Tens of thousands of Russian troops have gathered along Ukraine's border in recent weeks. Russia, which invaded and annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, claims it has no plans to stage yet another military incursion into the former Soviet republic. But tensions remain high and European leaders warn that there's a serious risk of violent conflict.

The US has told Russia it will face severe economic consequences if it invades Ukraine. But the White House has urged Congress against targeting Nord Stream 2 as it's prioritized keeping Berlin close to maintain a unified front against Russia.

The controversial pipeline is completed but not yet operational, pending certification by the German government. Opponents of Nord Stream 2 contend that it will give Russia dangerous leverage over Europe at a time when tensions between Moscow and the West have reached historic heights.

As an alternative to Cruz's legislation, top Senate Democrats on Wednesday unveiled a sanctions bill that would penalize top Russian officials  including Russian President Vladimir Putin  in the event of an invasion of Ukraine. The bill was introduced by Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Russian government has seemingly been closely watching the debate over sanctions in the US. The Kremlin on Thursday warned that if the Washington moves forward with sanctions against Putin it could completely sever US-Russia ties.

Murphy, who strongly supports the Menendez bill, told Insider that "Russia should be treated as a pariah state if it chooses to march an army into a neighboring nation." The Connecticut Democrat said it should be made clear to Putin that an invasion of Ukraine would make his relationship with the US and the world "fundamentally different."

"I think Putin's getting nervous. I think he's seeing the world aligning against him," Murphy added. "And he's starting to make threats with the intent of trying to scare the rest of the world into changing behavior. We see this for what it is. Putin is inventing threats to his country that don't exist. He's threatening a neighbor with conventional military force and we need to be incredibly strong and united."

Cruz: 'Biden has decided to capitulate to Putin'

Cruz ripped into Democrats in comments to Insider ahead of the vote, heavily criticizing the sanctions bill they introduced.

"They're desperately looking for political cover, because the White House does not want them to vote against the president," Cruz said. "President Biden has decided to capitulate to Putin on Nord Stream 2. And this bill is designed to be a smokescreen."

GOP Sen. Joni Ernst said she supported Cruz's bill because it pushed for sanctions before, not after, a hypothetical Russian invasion of Ukraine. "We don't want them to invade. Once they've invaded, that means lives have been lost. It's a little too late," Ernst told Insider.

But Democrats said Cruz was playing politics and putting US efforts to prevent a Russian invasion in jeopardy, while contending that Menendez's bill was more substantive in terms of penalizing Moscow.

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Insider that Menendez's sanctions bill was "more comprehensive" and gives the US "diplomatic flexibility."

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucy joined Democrats in opposing Cruz's bill. The "best way" to "deter Russian aggression in Ukraine ... is to work with Germany," Paul told Insider.

Meanwhile, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina in comments to Insider suggested that parts of the bill Menendez introduced should be applied on Russia now "for the provocation of having troops on the border" with Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
There are many dogs and cats are available for adoption at Burke County Animal Services.

Trinity Johnson, BCAS shelter technician, wants all of the animals in the shelter to find a loving fur-ever home. These are the animals she chose to spotlight this week.

Our dog of the week is Bully, Johnson said. Hes is a 10-month-old black lab mix male. Bully is a very shy and gentle boy that takes a bit of time to come out of his shell. Bully loves to play outside, chew on bones, and even gets along with other dogs. Bullys adoption has been sponsored, meaning there is no charge to adopt him. He would make a great family dog and is currently one of our longer shelter residents. Bully would like to get adopted as soon as possible!

All animals brought to BCAS come from different backgrounds and are in different physical condition. The agencys staff works to ensure all animals are taken care of while theyre in the shelter and in preparation to be adopted into their forever homes.

Our cat of the week is Peppermint, Johnson said. He is a 3-year-old beautiful Siamese, long-haired cat with blue eyes. He is a very sweet cat that loves to be held, enjoys being petted, and loves to take long cat naps.

Peppermint came to Burke County Animal Services in very rough conditions and was in need of our help. BCAS treated Peppermint and worked with him and now he is in the best conditions hes ever been in. All Peppermint needs now is a furever home.

Peppermints adoption fee is only $90, and that includes up-to-date vaccines, flea control, deworming, and his neutering.

In addition to this weeks pets of the week, there are many dogs and cats are available for adoption at Burke County Animal Services.

BCAS tries to take in as many animals as it can, and with the help of foster home volunteers it is able to care for more animals.

There are different fees for those interested in adopting a dog or a cat from animal services. The adoption fee for any adult dog or puppy is $125. The adoption fee for any adult cat or kitten is $90.

All animals come up-to-date on vaccines, flea control, and deworming, as well as being spayed and neutered.

BCAS also offers foster programs for members of the community to help the animals of the shelter without having to make a lifelong commitment. Fosters are only required to give a copy of a valid ID with address and phone number and to sign their foster agreement.

Fostering is free, and animal services provides all needed supplies, including litter boxes, litter and food and the same for dogs, the agencys policy says. Crates are provided, if available. Fosters are just asked to transport the animal either to vet appointments or back to animal services for updated vaccines and deworming.

For more information on Bully, Peppermint or any other adoption or foster-related questions, call BCAS at 828-764-9588 or visit its website at burkenc.org/animalservices. Visit its Facebook page at Burke County Animal Services for information on adoptable animals or upcoming adoption events.
Livingston rancher, beef producer and multi-tasker Matt Pierson took questions while shoveling gravel to pour cement for The Producer Partnership, Inc.s new upcoming beef processing plant at his Highland Livestock ranch, located 12 miles east of town.

This will be the first federally inspected, fully purchased and operated non-profit processing facility in the US. said Pierson, the sound of gravel hitting its target over the phone call.

The modular plant, scheduled for set-up by the end of December, is a dream come true for Pierson, his wife Kris Pierson and partner Dan Walker  leaders of an all-volunteer five-member nonprofit board, whose ultimate mission is to help end hunger throughout Montana.

The Town Pump Charitable Foundation donated $30,000 to The Producer Partnership that will make a big dent in processing the donated meat.

Not bad for an organization founded only nine months earlier, said Pierson. Since the beginning of February 2021, we have received, processed, and distributed over 20,000 pounds of meat, supported by generous operating cost donations.

The new USDA-approved, local plant will allow the organization to process on-site its own beef, rather than outsourcing it to other processing plants, which can get expensive.

Creating a local, USDA-approved nonprofit facility bolsters our work, but does not compete with other small Montana-based processors, said Pierson.

All the hamburger then is donated locally and to the Montana Food Bank Network. The Livingston Food Resource Center was the first recipient.

Generous ranchers donate their cull cattle to the cause, then The Producer Partnership facilitates the processing of the meat.

The donated $30,000 is to help for processing, so we use that money, Pierson said. Weve already used most of it up on processing. We have not stopped processing animals, even though were building this (plant).

"This protein is so important and provides tremendous nutritional value found in Montana grown and raised, high-quality, beef and pork which otherwise they would not be able to afford." - Brent Weisgram Vice President / COO Montana Food Bank Network

As of November, The Producer Partnerships ongoing capital campaign had raised nearly $2 million of a $2.2 million goal to cover the operations budget for the new processing facility, he said. A long list of donors big and small appears at ProducerPartnership.com.

Last year, we turned away more live animals than Id like to admit because we couldnt find and kill and process date, so we were forced to go to an expensive processor out of state. I knew we needed something of our own to reduce processing fees, insure we could process animals on demand, and if we truly want to end hunger in Montana, at least with hamburger, we needed our own processing plant.

The Montana Food Bank Network next takes the reigns.

Then we recover the donations when ready and use our statewide distribution network of over 150 statewide community pantries, shelters, and senior centers, who then ensure it is getting to those truly in need, said Brent Weisgram, MFBN vice president/COO.

Currently, Producer Partnership contracts with federally inspected processing plants, including Yellowstone River Beef in Williston, ND, which he called awesome.

Within the next month, well begin the long process of putting (the plant) together. The best way to think of it is as a giant Lego set. It will have the capacity of doing 15 head of cattle per day and it will be a multi-use facility -- everything from a goat to a bison. We have processed some other animals, but getting them in to these other facilities due to hunting season is pretty much impossible.

Pierson, a fifth-generation cattle ranch-statewide network of farmers and ranchers working to end hunger in Montana.

In 2020 alone, after Pierson and friend conjured the idea for the nonprofit, 28 donor-producers and the Produce Partnership processed 138 animals, generating 53,345 pounds of donated meat to those experiencing food insecurity.

Were hitting the high time of the yearthe end of the year when people start culling other animals. Everything goes into the foodbank; everything we do will help with the holidays.

On top of those stunning numbers, a total of 64 individuals, foundations and corporations contributed $150,794 in cash, covering all the costs of animal processing for the year.

The Producer Partnership processes custom beef orders, too, and sells directly to the consumer.

Thats the farm-to-plate business model that we work with, said Pierson.

Partnerships with several key players in the beef industry bolsters the organizations gravitas: Northern Ag Network, Montana Beef Council, American Farm Bureau and the Montana Stock Growers Association endorses the building firm north of Seattle is constructing the modular unit, eventually moved to Livingston for set-up sometime during the holidays.

Pierson, who serves as president of The Producer Partnership board alongside Vice President Walker, Treasurer Kris Pierson and board members Scott Kessler and Anne Buckley, foresees great production in the near future.

We hope to start processing our donated livestock by the end of 2021. Phase One of our processing plant will have the capacity to process up to 300 animals per month, easily meeting the protein needs of all Montanans served by the Montana Food Bank Network, said Pierson.

As for production, The Producer Partnership had secured 22,822 pounds of hamburger as of mid-November leading up to the holidays to provide Montana Food Bank Network, located in Missoula. Our second-year stretch goal is provide the MFBN with 106,700 pounds of hamburger for the entire year, he said. Under the current processing fee ($3 per pound), it will cost $320,000 to process all this meat, he said.

Deep in the middle of the holidays, hunting season and winter, Producer Partnership and dedicated donors such as Town Pump  volunteers, board directors, producers and collaborative processors provide much-needed food for Montanans struggling with food insecurity.

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Butte police reports

Man with machete

On Wednesday morning, it is alleged that Brenden Lee White, 30, of Butte threatened two people with a machete at a residence on 6th Street. He then reportedly took a drill from the residence and damaged a table and a tree during the disturbance.

White was jailed on two counts of felony assault with a weapon and the misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and theft.

Aggravated DUI

At around 6 a.m. Tuesday, Spencer William Cox, 28, of Butte, was involved in an accident near the intersection of Harrison and Harvard. He was arrested nearby in a parking lot.

Cox was jailed for the misdemeanor offenses of aggravated driving under the influence, open container in vehicle, failure to identify himself and vehicle after being involved in an accident, and careless driving.

Stolen vehicle

Officers received a call at noon Monday about a suspicious female in the 1300 block of Grizzly Trail.

When they arrived, Jessica Raylene Smith, 24, of Butte was sleeping in a car that had been reported stolen out of Anaconda.

Smith was arrested for the felony offenses of possession of stolen property and parole violation. She also had a misdemeanor Montana Highway Patrol warrant out for her arrest.

Crimes and misdemeanors

Late Monday afternoon, someone took a cord that was plugged into a car parked in the Trinity Loop area.

Just after 8 p.m. Monday, a call came in regarding a man and woman having a loud verbal argument in the 600 block of South Wyoming. When officers arrived, the man had already left.

A trailer was taken Tuesday from the 1900 block of South Warren Avenue. It was later recovered in the area of Garrison and C Streets.

It was reported Tuesday morning that someone had slashed tires on seven vehicles parked at Health & Human Services, 700 Casey St.

On Wednesday morning, a gray 2022 Ram pickup was taken from the Hampton Inn, 3499 Harrison Ave. The truck was later recovered in Missoula.

A rental property in the 600 block of South Main Street was broken into sometime early Wednesday, but nothing was missing.

A man refused to put on a mask and get off a Butte-Silver Bow transit bus early Wednesday afternoon. He was finally convinced to exit the bus.

Eggs were thrown at a vehicle parked in the 1300 block of Kaw Avenue Wednesday evening. The egg thrower also broke a window of a residence in the same location.

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A pair of Republican state lawmakers received a combined $1,500 in state funds for traveling to a symposium to hear election fraud conspiracy theories in South Dakota last summer.

The payments to Reps. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, and Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, were paid out of the legislators constituent services allowances. The reimbursements were first reported by the Montana Free Press.

Montana legislators are given biennial allowances to cover the costs of activities that benefit their constituents. The report, generated by the states Legislative Services Division, shows many Montana lawmakers have used those accounts to cover the costs of meeting with constituents, attending conferences or traveling to events like ceremonial bill signings in Helena.

Rep. Bob Phalen, a Republican from Lindsay, was reimbursed $979.37 of his allotted $2,000 for lodging and mileage to attend the event, hosted by businessman and outspoken Trump supporter Mike Lindell. Lindell, along with many of the speakers he hosted at the August 2021 event, has advanced unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud during the 2020 general election after former President Donald Trump lost.

None of those theories have held up to court scrutiny despite dozens of legal challenges and other attempts across the country to find evidence of malfeasance in the election. Nonpartisan elections experts have debunked many of those claims, yet they have found lasting traction among many Trump supporters who believe the election was stolen from him.

In an interview Wednesday, Phalen said he believed the information provided during the three-day conference to be credible, and said he has been putting that time and money to use by spreading it to his constituents in the months since he returned.

We have held seven election integrity meetings here in eastern Montana, and not a person has said it was a waste of time. So we did it for the people, we didnt do it for ourselves, Phalen said, noting that other state lawmakers who attended the conference have also helped organize meetings in the state.

He also rejected the suggestion that continuing to push election fraud theories without evidence could undermine voters faith in the democratic process.

No matter how you try to twist it, if you want to be honest with yourself, you know for a fact that there were problems, and there were problems in Montana too, Phalen said.

Phalen was one of six Republican lawmakers who attended the South Dakota event. The only other one who claimed the expenses on his constituency services account, Fielder, was reimbursed $528.04 to attend. He did not return a voice mail requesting comment on Wednesday.

Other lawmakers that attended the conference have been highly visible in recent months as they sought to drum up support for a special legislative committee to probe the security of Montanas elections during the interim. Sen. Theresa Manzella, a Hamilton Republican, emceed a September event in Hamilton that drew about 200 attendees.

Manzella has helped to spearhead the effort to form a special committee, which Republican legislative leadership has not yet indicated they will do. In September all but a dozen of the states 98 Republican lawmakers signed onto a letter asking their leadership to appoint a special committee.

A legal analysis requested by the leaders of the GOP-dominated House and Senate determined that a joint committee of members from both chambers would likely be impossible outside the every-other-year legislative session, although the leader of the Senate has the power to appoint one solely in that chamber.

Correction This story has been corrected to reflect the correct amount Rep. Bob Phalen was reimbursed for travel to the "election symposium" event in South Dakota last summer. A corrected report from the state's Legislative Services Division shows that Phalen was only reimbursed $979.37 of the $1,325.98 he requested.

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A three-judge panel on Thursday continued blocking the Secretary of State from certifying candidates for the two Public Service Commission districts up for election this year.

In their order, U.S. District Court Judges Donald Molloy and Brian Morrison, along with Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Paul Watford, wrote that given the candidate filing period for Montana  which opened Thursday and runs through March 14  the rest of the legal process to determine how to deal with PSC districts that have unequal populations needs to happen quickly.

The judges set a deadline for a bench trial or hearing on the outcome of the case for March 4 at 9 a.m.

In a December lawsuit, plaintiffs including former GOP Secretary of State Bob Brown, former Republican Gallatin County Commissioner Donald Seifert and Gallatin County resident Hailey Sinoff, sued the Secretary of State. They said 2020 Census data showed the states five PSC districts did not have close-to-equal populations, which violates the one person, one vote principle in the Fourteenth Amendment.

Also Thursday, the Legislative Council  a group of legislative leadership and other lawmakers that provides direction and oversight  met but did not take any action to determine the Legislature's role in any possible setting of new districts.

While lawmakers indicated looking toward their next regular session in 2023 to address the population disparity in districts, echoing the approach pushed by the Attorney Generals Office as it represented the Secretary of State last week in court, the three judges in their order wrote it would not wait.

While the Legislature has an interest in involvement in the redistricting process, the publics interest in effective representation and equal voting strength outweighs that interest right now," the judges wrote.

The justices also noting nothing was stopping the Legislature or governor from calling lawmakers back into a special session if they wanted to act before 2023, noting thats happened 33 times since 1903, for things ranging from miscellaneous apportions to correct action on vehicle fees.

The Legislative Council on Thursday did not mention the possibility of a special session, but did point to another discussion on the lawsuit in an agenda item for the interim legislative committee that oversees the PSC. That committee meets Jan. 18.

The Attorney Generals Office said in court last week that arguments based on the 2020 census should be viewed in the light of the fact the population estimates from that count werent available until late 2021, months after the Legislature adjourned its most recent session. But the courts order Thursday pointed out earlier census data also showed the districts were not balanced and the Legislature has failed to act in the past.

The court also said that while emails from late December after the lawsuit was filed showed at least one legislator has requested a bill be prepared for 2023 to redraw the PSC districts, that didnt solve the issue that the districts are not equal as this year's election unfolds.

While the communications from (lawmakers)  or any like action from other state legislators  may be the impetus for future events that have the potential to render plaintiffs present action moot, those communications and the legislators purported intent have no effect on the ripeness of this action, the judges wrote.

On Dec. 22, state Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, submitted a draft request for a bill with the intent to "redistrict the PSC districts."

The last time the Legislature adjusted the districts was 2003. A bill that failed in the 2013 session would have redrawn the districts in an attempt at population equity and set up a process to review the districts. While Montana law sets a schedule for when and how to redistrict legislative and congressional areas, it is silent on PSC boundaries.

A year ago, Sen. Doug Kary, a Billings Republican, brought a bill that would have revised the PSC to be appointed positions, eliminating the one-person, one-vote concern. While that bill cleared a committee by one vote, it failed in the Senate.

State Senate President Mark Blasdel, a Republican from Kalispell, said during Thursdays meeting before the judges order was published that he anticipated the Legislature addressing the issue next year.

With all sincerity we recognize this is something that has to come during the 2023 session, Blasdel said.

PSC Commissioner Randy Pinocci, whose district is up for re-election and covers a huge swath of northeast Montana, said Thursday the courts should not touch the districts but allow the Legislature to redraw them in the 2023 session. Or, he suggests, lawmakers can hold a special session to redraw them ahead of the election, but Pinocci wagers taxpayers would rather vote with imbalanced districts than pay for a special session.

"Here's another thing we should ask ourselves," Pinocci said. "If we go ahead and change a district, will there be a vote outcome difference in the Public Service Commission? Probably not.  I think the voters would encourage we wait until the next legislative session."

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Holly Michels Head of the Montana State News Bureau State Bureau reporter for Lee Newspapers of Montana. Follow Holly Michels 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
Candidate filing opened Thursday in Montana, formally kicking off the 2022 election season.

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen said 81 candidates filed for office on the opening day. Of those 81, 12 filed in person at the Secretary of State's Office at the state Capitol. The rest filed online.

The state's highest-profile race may be for the new congressional seat, and campaign season is already well underway. The new western district, known as District 1, returned to Montana through a population increase tracked by the U.S. census after the state spent 32 years with just one seat in the U.S. House. The state's redistricting commission settled on a map in November that largely followed the Continental Divide.

Democrats this cycle will have a lot of ground to make up with voters, who delivered all five statewide offices to Republicans in 2020 by decisive margins.

Cora Neumann, a Democratic candidate in the new district, said after filing with the Montana Secretary of State on Thursday morning that she feels good about Democrats' chances in the west. The district holds Missoula and Butte, two Democratic strongholds, along with Bozeman's ballooning population that trends blue.

"It's definitely a district that we can win and I'm proud of that," Neumann told reporters.

Neumann said she's familiar with issues facing residents in the western district, like lack of access to health care and affordable housing. Neumann is a public health expert who ran on the Democratic ticket for U.S. Senate in 2020 before she and most other candidates bowed out of the race once former Gov. Steve Bullock entered the field.

Al Olszewski, a former Republican lawmaker and 2020 candidate for governor, also arrived at the state Capitol on Thursday to get his name on the ballot in his bid for Congress. He faces former congressman and Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior Ryan Zinke, but on Thursday Olszewski rejected the notion that Zinke is expected to win.

"He's the favorite establishment candidate," Olszewski said.

Olszewski said he'll try to cast himself as the "wingman" to Rep. Matt Rosendale, incumbent in the Eastern District who claimed 56% of the vote in the 2020 election. That means focusing on immigration, limited government and Second Amendment issues.

Zinke already has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. In 2018, Zinke resigned from his post in Trump's cabinet amid several investigations, and previously said he left the office so not to be a distraction. When Zinke announced his bid for Congress last year, he said he believes voters will shrug off those scandals as partisan attacks.

Democrats Monica Tranel and Tom Winter have also announced their bids for the new district. Tranel is a Missoula lawyer and former Public Service Commission staff attorney; Winter is a former Democratic state lawmaker from Missoula.

Rosendale, of Glendive, is seeking re-election in what is now the Eastern District. Democrats Jack Ballard, an outdoor writer from Red Lodge, Penny Ronning, a Billings City Council member, and Skylar Williams, of Billings, are each seeking to unseat Rosendale in the eastern district.

In statewide elections, District 1 and District 5 on the Public Service Commission are up for election and as well as two Montana Supreme Court seats. The PSC seats are four-year terms, and the Supreme Court justices are elected to eight-year terms.

But a wrench has been thrown into this year's PSC races after a lawsuit challenged the districts as unconstitutionally disproportionate. The districts haven't been redrawn since 2003 and are uneven in population, in some districts by as much as 50,000 people. Voters who filed the lawsuit and Montana Secretary of State agree that the districts violate the 14th Amendment's one-person, one-vote provision. But federal justices have not yet determined whether the courts should recalibrate the districts in an election year, as the plaintiffs have asked, or give state lawmakers, who by law balance the districts, another year to do so.

Candidate filing closes March 14. Montana's primary election is set for June 7.

Citizen initiated ballot petitions could begin circulating in June, 2021. Petition signatures are due to county election administrators by June 17. County election officials then must file those initiative petitions with the Secretary of State by July 15 in order to appear on the general election ballot on Nov. 8.

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By Trend

Turkey and Azerbaijan will continue to cooperate in all spheres, the Turkish Presidential Administration told TurkicWorld in connection with the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Today, the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are at the highest level and they will continue to develop, the administration said.

The administration added that the joint efforts of Baku and Ankara contribute to the prosperity of all peoples living in the region.

Turkey will continue to support fraternal Azerbaijan, the administration said. The Azerbaijani people supported Turkey in the most difficult days.

The 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey is being celebrated on Jan. 14.
ARCHIVED - The devastating environmental impact of macro-farms in Spain



Could manufactured meat be the answer to the problems generated by intensive farming?

The industrial livestock sector in Spain has created controversy for many years due to its fierce environmental impact, and giant pig farms are once again in the spotlight following comments from the Minister of Consumption, Alberto Garzon, that Spain exports poor quality meat that comes from ill-treated animals . With widespread claims of animal abuse, contamination of underground water and excessive CO2 generation, many experts point out that this intensive farming is the direct opposite of what traditional, sustainable and environmentally friendly livestock represents.

Pig farms with more than 2,000 head or more than 750 breeding sows with piglets have to be catalogued in the State Register of Pollutant Emissions and Sources (PRTR). There are currently around 3,000 of these facilities in Spain and so-called macro-farms emitted 96,158 tonnes of methane in 2019 alone  thats 45% of the total emissions from all pig farming in the country.

These set-ups are designed to fatten up the animals until they reach the appropriate weight to be sent to the slaughterhouse, but they leave a wave of destruction in their wake, not least of which is the often cruel treatment and poor living condition of the animals.

The slurry (organic waste produced by the pigs) seeps into the subsoil and consequently gets washed into the aquifers. The material typically contains a high level of nitrates that pollutes the water.

These macro-farms have also been blamed for the destruction of a huge amount of forest land due to the amount of space needed to grow crops to feed the animals, and deforestation increases CO2 emissions significantly.

It comes as no surprise that the union representing livestock farmers has greatly played down the impact of macro-farms, concluding that in Spain the sector only generates 8% of greenhouse gas emissions, compared to 27% from transport, 19% from industry and 17% from energy generation.

Moreover, the union claims that it is hypocritical to put the overall emphasis on 2,800 Spanish intensive livestock farms and not on the six million air conditioners that we have operating in Spain in August.

The unavoidable fact, according to many experts, is that, at a climactic level, food that comes from animals accounts for 45% of the carbon footprint of this country; each person generates 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per year by consuming meat.

To combat this environmental impact, companies like Future Meats are developing a revolutionary meat product that is artificially manufactured without using actual animals. Their meat is made up of natural animal cells without genetic modifications and, unlike plant-based imitation products, it has exactly the same composition as animal meat.

While the company is still a long way off from being able to replicate world-famous Galician beef steaks or a Guijuelo jamon, its overall aim is to reduce our dependency on the kind of intensive farming that is such a cause for concern in Spain.

Our mission is to create a more sustainable future for generations. Our technology can produce meat on a fraction of the land that is currently used for meat production, Future Meats claims.

Image 1: Archive

Image 2: Wikimedia commons
ROME (AP)  Pope Francis has long lamented that he can't walk around town unnoticed like he used to before becoming pope. But he seems to have nevertheless kept his sense of humor after he was caught on camera making an unannounced visit to a Rome record shop this week.

Francis wrote a note to the Vatican reporter who happened to be in the right place at the right time Tuesday evening when the pope slipped out of the Vatican to bless the newly renovated Stereo Sound shop near the Pantheon.

Javier Martinez-Brocal, director of the Rome Reports news agency, filmed Francis leaving the shop, in footage that went viral and even got written up in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.

Keep scrolling for a gallery of photo highlights from the life of Pope Francis

Martinez-Brocal wrote the pope a note afterward, explaining that he wasn't a paparazzo and regretting Francis can't move around unnoticed anymore, but adding that the story provided a much-needed dose of good news for a world inundated with tragedy.

"I won't deny that it was (bad luck) that after taking all the precautions, there was a journalist waiting for someone on the taxi line," Francis replied. But he added: "You can't lose your sense of humor."

Writing in his trademark tiny script, Francis then repeated that what he misses most about being pope is no longer being able to take walks, as he used to do in Buenos Aires. The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was known for taking public transport around the Argentine capital, eschewing the private cars that fellow cardinals usually take to visit parishes. He became pope in 2013.

Francis acknowledged that Martinez-Brocal was only doing his job as a journalist when he recorded the event. "Thank you for doing your vocation, even if it put the pope in difficulty," he quipped.

The shop owners later told The Associated Press that Francis had arrived unannounced at around 7 p.m., after he had told them during a previous encounter at the Vatican that he would come to visit. "He walked in the shop and it was an amazing meeting. And as he promised, he blessed the shop," said shop owner Tiziana Esposito.

Co-owner Danilo Genio said Francis was a longtime customer who had popped in whenever he was in Rome for meetings at the Vatican when he was a priest, archbishop and then cardinal in Buenos Aires.

"When he came to Rome to go to the Vatican he used to come here first to buy some gifts," he said.

Francis, who grew up listening to opera on the radio and loves tango, Mozart and Wagner, didn't buy anything this time around. But the shop owners gave him a CD of classical music.

***

Paolo Santalucia contributed to this story.

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DES MOINES  When life handed the judicial system lemons in the form of COVID-19, Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen formed a lemonade task force to review the emergency rules it had been operating under for more than a year.

Its not real original, but it seems appropriate, the chief justice told legislators Wednesday during her second annual Condition of the Judiciary speech at the Iowa Capitol.

In reviewing the emergency orders for emerging from a COVID-19 world, we may have jumped the gun a bit, she said. The panel instead recommended which rules should be made permanent, modified or kicked to the curb.

As a result, Christensen issued an order recognizing the court system is 100 percent fully operational, but we are continuing some practices adopted on an emergency basis to keep proceedings moving without jeopardizing health or conflicting with their work schedules.

The rules are consistent with her personal mission of providing Iowans with a sense of peace that we've got this, Christensen told legislators. The Judicial Branch will continue to block out all the noise brought on by the pandemic and we will continue to stay laser focused on our steadfast commitment to ensure each and every Iowan has meaningful access to justice.

She said she would continue to prioritize juvenile justice to ensure that Iowa stands out among all the other states in implementing Family First, a federal funding bill based on the belief that kids do best with their families. The 2018 Family First Prevention Services Act was intended, in part, to keep children out of foster care or, in cases were foster care was needed, to redirect federal funds to family-based settings.

I am so thrilled to stand up here today and say, We can start to check that box off, she said. Based in part on asking why cant this child go home today? removals of children from their homes have been cut nearly in half.

The chief justice also has established a task force to undertake a comprehensive, holistic review of the juvenile justice system for the first time in 30 years. Some children are in the justice system because they are what is referred to as a Child in Need of Assistance, needing protection from someone else  often another family member. Others are delinquent and society needs protection from them, Christensen explained.

Oftentimes, children are living in both of those worlds, she said.

The Juvenile Justice Task Force will look at the continuum of care in the juvenile justice system and make recommendations to improve services, governance, funding and data collection as well as address the system's racial and gender disparities, Christensen said. In addition to people who work in the juvenile justice system, Christensen has included legislators because she anticipates revisions to current law will be necessary.

Christensen also is asking legislators for a 6.7 percent increase for the Judicial Branch for fiscal 2023, from its current $189,640,252 budget to $202,468,895. She wants to fill vacancies that were held open to balance the current budget; provide a 5.9 percent salary hike for judicial officers; continue a five-year plan to add four district associate judges and 10 staff members; a family treatment court coordinator as well as staff support in court administration; and staff attorneys for the business court, Appeals Court and Supreme Court.

Legislative appropriations committees have not started their budget work, but Rep. Gary Worthan, R-Storm Lake, who chairs a subcommittee that drafts the court systems budget, said there are good things happening in the court system. At least 90 percent of the court systems budget is for salaries, and House Republicans want to maintain staffing levels and courtroom hours in the courthouses in all 99 counties.

There are a couple of things theyre asking for that are kind of out there in terms of the reality of the budget, Worthan told Radio Iowa.

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Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar and the American public grows ever wearier of pandemic-related restrictions.

Much of the debate centers around the nation's schools, some of which have closed due to infection-related staffing issues. In a variety of places, mask mandates are being lifted or voted down.

The changes come as the federal government assesses the supply of medical-grade respirator face coverings, such as N95 or KN95 masks. During a briefing Wednesday, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said officials were strongly considering options to make more high-quality masks available to all Americans," noting the government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks.

As of Tuesday, just over 17% of U.S. children ages 5 to 11 were fully vaccinated, more than two months after shots became available to the age group. While Vermont is at 48%, California is just shy of 19% and Mississippi is at only 5%.

Vaccinations among the elementary school set surged after the shots were introduced in the fall, but the numbers have crept up slowly since then, and omicrons explosive spread appears to have had little effect.

The low rates are very disturbing, said Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director for the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. Its just amazing."

Parents who hesitate are taking an enormous risk and continuing to fuel the pandemic, Murphy said.

And, inflation jumped at its fastest pace in nearly 40 years last month, a 7% spike from a year earlier that is increasing household expenses, eating into wage gains and heaping pressure on President Joe Biden and the Federal Reserve to address what has become the biggest threat to the U.S. economy.

Prices rose sharply in 2021 for cars, gas, food and furniture as part of a rapid recovery from the pandemic recession. Vast infusions of government aid and ultra-low interest rates helped spur demand for goods, while vaccinations gave people confidence to dine out and travel.

As Americans ramped up spending, supply chains remained squeezed by shortages of workers and raw materials and this magnified price pressures.
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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

President Ilham Aliyev has underlined very serious progress in Azerbaijan's relations with Ukraine and said that the two countries have high-level political dialogue.

He made the remarks while making press statements with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following the ceremony of signing documents on Kyiv as part of his visit to Ukraine.

I am very glad that there is very serious progress in Ukrainian-Azerbaijani relations. We have a high-level political dialogue.  As a result of the wide-ranging exchange of views we had..., I am confident that we will witness new and wonderful events in the near future, he said.

Mentioning that February 6 will mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Aliyev noted that Ukraine and Azerbaijan have always supported each other, each others independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. He emphasized that this support is reflected in the Joint Declaration signed on January 14, 2022.

Our peoples are bound together by friendly ties, and as you know, there is a great interest and respect for the culture of the Ukrainian people in Azerbaijan. This respect can also be seen in Baku. A monument to the great Ukrainian son Taras Shevchenko has been erected in one of the central parks of Baku.  At the same time, one of the largest squares in Baku is named after Ukraine, he said.

The president noted that relevant instructions have been given to develop a specific action program in all areas that were discussed.

Noting that there are plans in the energy field, which is a traditional area of cooperation, Aliyev stated that the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) intends to expand its activities in Ukraine.

At present, SOCAR has an extensive network of filling stations in Ukraine, and, of course, the new steps in the export and processing of oil and oil products will further deepen our cooperation, he said.

At the same time, the president underlined that the bilateral trade turnover increased by more than 20 percent last year, despite the pandemic, stressing the hope that it will reach the level of $1 billion, or even more, in the near future.

Aliyev highlighted the belief that the agreements on food security reached will allow Azerbaijan to ensure its food security to a greater extent.

He added that the groundwork has been laid for the establishment of joint ventures, joint activities related to the processing and export of agricultural products.

This is a novelty. I think it is one of the most important steps in our relations in this area. We are open to cooperation in all other areas, he said.

I want to say again that our cooperation is based on friendly relations, and I do hope that this visit, which is taking place at the beginning of the year, will serve to complete this year with good results on a bilateral level and will provide a good basis for future years, he added.

In turn, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the result of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries gives high-quality substance to bilateral partnership.

We have signed a Joint Declaration of presidents of Ukraine and Azerbaijan enshrining the commitment to provide reciprocal support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our countries within internationally recognized borders, joint efforts to combat hybrid threats, aspiration to maintain peace and security in the Black Sea and Caspian region and beyond, he said.

Zelenskyy stressed that this and other items of the declaration testify to the unity and similarity of views on many issues and challenges.

He also added that six bilateral documents on cooperation, agriculture, energy, and trade were signed.

Their implementation will simplify investment activity, which is very important. We have a lot of plans that we have extensively discussed with the President of Azerbaijan. It will also strengthen food and energy security, increase bilateral trade turnover... As evidenced by the new ambitious goal that we have determined which is to double the bilateral trade by 2024, he said.

The president noted that the two countries also seek to increase the amount of bilateral investment in a number of joint large-scale projects.

As early as the first part of this year we have agreed on holding a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. The next step is the organization of the meeting of the Council of Presidents of Ukraine, and Azerbaijan, he said.

Noting that another topical issue is the development of transit potential and the creation of relevant cutting edge infrastructure, Zelenskyy noted the need to intensify bilateral cooperation in the field of international automobile, rail freight, as well as in the aviation field.

We will continue working together on a number of initiatives such as the creation of transport corridor within the framework of GUAM bringing together Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova, he said.




South Africas new drivers licence card system is scheduled to go live in October 2022, according to a Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) tender document.

The tender document outlines the new cards design and the production systems requirements  including a timeline.

According to the specified timeline, the winning bidder will have three months from January 2022 to manufacture and assemble the system, after which it will be installed from April 2022.

The smart drivers licence personalisation system will begin a testing and piloting phase in July 2022 and then go live in October 2022.

According to the document, the tender value is expected to exceed R50 million (including all applicable taxes).

South Africas massive backlog of drivers licence applications has been primarily because the country only has one 20-year-old printing machine, which is currently in Germany for repairs.

Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse CEO Wayne Duvenage believes there is only one machine that can print driving licence cards to avoid giving corrupt officials a gap to flood the country with fraudulent drivers licences.

To counter the backlog, the government plans several measures to ease it, including interim changes to temporary licences and rolling out a new licence card.

Im going to be announcing the temporary measures with regards to the temporary licence, but we are moving ahead at full speed with the new drivers licence card, which I will also announce in public, said transport minister Fikile Mbalula.

The plans include bringing a new drivers licence card printing machine to South Africa.

The machine that produces drivers licences is the old machine. No other country in the world is still using that machine, Mbalula said.

That is why we are producing a new card.

There is going to be a new card and a new machine, which is at par with the developed world, Mbalula added.

According to the DLCA, the new licence cards will be aligned with international practices and incorporate new technologies. The licence card design will also be changed.

It added that the project would allow for the adoption of digital technologies such as blockchain and other related technologies, forming the platform for an integrated transport system.

The introduction of the new driving licence involves a new design of the driving licence card and the re-engineering of processes to allow for agility and focus on delivering services efficiently and quickly, it said.

The only hurdle to introducing the revamped drivers licence and procuring a new card printer is obtaining Cabinet approval, according to Mbalula.

The minister said he had asked President Cyril Ramaphosa for an opportunity to fast-track the process at any Cabinet meeting.

Mbalula made a separate announcement relating to implementing a new online payment system to allow South African motorists to renew and pay for their vehicle licence discs and drivers licence cards online.

According to Mbalula, the service will be launching soon. It will support motor vehicle licence disc and drivers licence card renewals and payment for learners and drivers licence tests.

Motorists will also be able to have their licence card delivered to their door, the minister said.

In addition to a redesigned licence card, South Africa will introduce a new mobile or e-driving licence.

Now read: Hacker claims he remotely breached 25 Teslas in 13 countries
David Colombo, a 19-year-old cybersecurity researcher in Germany, came upon the biggest discovery of his young career by accident.

He was performing a security audit for a French company when he noticed something unusual: a software program on the companys network that exposed all the data about the chief technology officers Tesla Inc. vehicle.

The data included a full history of where the car had been driven and its precise location at that moment.

But that wasnt all. As Colombo dug deeper he realized that he could push commands to Tesla vehicles whose owners were using the program.

That capability enabled him to hijack some functions on those cars, including opening and closing the doors, turning up the music and disabling security features. (He couldnt take over the cars steering, braking or other operations, however.)

The discovery, which Colombo published on Twitter this week, triggered a vigorous discussion online as the latest example of hacking risks associated with the so-called Internet of Things, where seemingly every product  from refrigerators to doorbells  now have an internet connection.

Im not sure I would send that tweet again, said Colombo, who began programming when he was 10.

The response was crazy. Somewhere in the comments I have pro- and anti-Tesla arguing very heatedly. It just got blown up so much.

Colombo said he found more than 25 Teslas in 13 countries throughout Europe and North America that were vulnerable to attack, and that subsequent analysis indicated there could have been hundreds more.

The flaws arent in Teslas vehicles or the companys network but rather in a piece of open-source software that allows them to collect and analyze data about their own vehicles.

Tesla didnt respond to requests for comment.

Colombo said a member of the companys security team contacted him and that he shared his findings.

A spokesperson for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has been in contact with Tesla about the matter and that the agencys cybersecurity technical team would assist with the evaluation and review of the information.

Colombo provided screenshots and other documents detailing his findings and identifying the maker of the affected third-party software, but he asked that Bloomberg not publish specifics because the flaws hadnt yet been fixed.

A self-described Tesla fan from Dinkelsbuhl  which he described as having one of the most beautiful old towns in all of Germany  Colombo said his mother developed breast cancer when he was 13, and he immersed himself further in coding to help distract himself. (She died the following year, he said.)

Bored by school, he said he and his father successfully petitioned the government when he was 15 to allow him to go just two days per week and spend the rest of his time expanding his cybersecurity skills and building a consulting firm, which he named Colombo Technology.

I was having to learn Latin and literary analysis, and I was like, Why? I could be protecting companies, building secure stuff,' he said, adding that he concluded that school was a waste of time.

Colombo said he has participated in several bug bounties  programs where companies pay independent security researchers for weaknesses found in their products  and consulted for companies helping them assess their security.

This isnt the first time that potentially serious security vulnerabilities involving internet-connected automobiles have been disclosed.

In 2015, a pair of security researchers revealed an attack where they remotely took control of a Jeep Cherokee and killed the engine as a journalist for Wired drove the vehicle at 70 miles per hour down a highway in the U.S.

The shocking demonstration, which was possible because of flaws in the internet-connected infotainment systems, led to the automaker recalling 1.4 million cars and trucks  the first auto recall prompted by cybersecurity concerns.

Since then, researchers have disclosed numerous other hacking risks theyve discovered with the sophisticated electronics that are increasingly being added to automobiles.

Shortly after the Jeep hack was made public, a different pair of researchers disclosed software flaws in Teslas Model S that could have allowed hackers to shut down a moving cars engine.

The researchers coordinated with Tesla, which issued a software fix at the same time.

Colombo said he was able to contact three Tesla owners  in Germany, the U.S. and Ireland  before disclosing what he had discovered.

He showed Bloomberg screenshots of a private conversation on Twitter where one affected owner allowed him to remotely honk the cars horn to confirm the vulnerability.

He said he decided to publish his findings after failing to find contact information for most of the other Tesla owners whose data was exposed.

I wanted to report it to the owners  thats the whole story, he said.

Because if I dont do it, maybe someone with malicious intent will find those system vulnerabilities and do malicious stuff. Imagine theres someone who can go up to the Tesla, unlock the doors and take it for a drive.
The Automobile Association of South Africa still supports a drivers licence points-demerit system for South Africa, despite the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (Aarto) and its amendments being declared unconstitutional and unlawful.

The Pretoria High Court ruled this week that the original Act and amendment unlawfully intruded upon local and provincial governments exclusive executive and legislative competence.

It declared the laws unconstitutional, effectively bringing an end to the legitimacy of the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) and any authority it had in terms of the administration of traffic fines.

The AA welcomed the decision, reiterating its position over many years that the Aarto Act was drafted without sufficient care.

As early as a few months after the 2008 launch of the Aarto pilot project in the Johannesburg and Tshwane Metros, the shortcomings of the Act became clear in practice, the AA said.

The Association described Aarto as unworkable and geared towards revenue collection instead of promoting road safety.

The AA stood by its previous stance that traffic fines must be dealt with in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, as is currently the case in most of the country.

However, it believes Parliament can make some legislative amendments to protect motorists in cases where delivery of fines and service of summons were not conducted according to the law.

One of the aspects of Aarto, which the AA is still in full support of, is the points-demerit system.

Under this system, drivers found guilty of specific offences would be handed a certain amount of penalty points on their licence, in addition to a fine.

If the driver exceeded 15 points, their licence would be suspended.

Licences suspended three times could be cancelled, and motorists would have to reapply and retest to get a new one.

Therefore, the purpose of the points-demerit system is to encourage responsible driving behaviour and punish those who repeatedly commit offences and endanger other motorists by keeping them off the countrys roads.

The AA said the points-demerit system could still be implemented as part of a judicial process.

That means the courts could rule on offences and penalise a motorist with points instead of the RTIA.

This is how points-demerit has been implemented in other parts of the world for half a century or longer, the Association explained.

The AA itself called for such a system as long ago as 1963, and we would be willing to work with the government to help create it, just as we have assisted in developing many other aspects of traffic law, notes the Association.

It also labelled the acts as a vast waste of taxpayers money which did nothing to remedy South Africas shocking road death rate.

There is no evidence that the Aarto pilot project has saved a single life, said the AA.

The AA said there was no point attempting to rectify the issues in Aarto, as the court found the deficiencies were not curable.

After almost a quarter of a century of failure, the government would be wise to concede defeat, the Association said.
The nonprofit Paulin Center for the Arts in Angwin is accepting applications to their strings studios for violin, cello, and viola lessons for musicians of all ages and experience levels.

PCA has been providing arts instruction to the Upvalley since 1984. Rates are $39 per 30-minute lesson (45- and 60-minute lessons also available). Limited scholarships are available on a need-based system.

Lessons are private, in-person, and one-on-one with experienced, highly qualified instructors. Instruments are available to rent for a small fee. Contact the office for registration information: music@puc.edu or 707-965-6201.

Dr. Rachelle Berthelsen Davis, advanced violin and viola instructor, holds degrees in music from University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University-Bloomington, and Pacific Union College (PUC). She has served as concertmaster in Carnegie Hall, and currently directs the orchestra and teaches at PUC. As soloist, concertmaster, and chamber musician, Berthelsen Davis has toured the world, and enjoys practicing and teaching improvisation in a variety of styles.

Rocio Lopez Sanchez, cello instructor, hails from Madrid, Spain, and holds degrees and artist certificates in music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music as well as four schools of music in Spain. She has been part of master classes and music festivals across Europe, teaching and performing in England, Germany, Spain, and France, as well as with Juilliard and Ying Quartets.

Anna Washburn, violin and viola instructor, completed her degrees at Boston University and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She regularly performs with several ensembles including Agave, a baroque chamber group, whose most recent album, American Originals, was nominated for a GRAMMY (results to be announced later this month). Washburn has appeared on stage with Sting, Chicago, John Vanderslice, Third Eye Blind, and hip-hop/opera group Ensemble Mik Nawooj, among others.

The Paulin Center for the Arts is based in Paulin Hall on the PUC campus.
Napa County supervisors approved a Napa Valley groundwater plan amid a deceptively quiet and quick session, given the stakes for vineyards, wineries, the environment, and other water users.

That's because supervisors acted Tuesday after closing the public hearing on Dec. 7 and receiving written comments until Dec. 14. The county faces a Jan. 31 deadline to submit the 5,000-page plan to the state and has been told loading it onto the state website could take two weeks.

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But critics  many from the environmental community  and supporters have already spent months commenting. Theyll have still more chances as county officials enact what they called a living, dynamic document.

This is not the end of the process; its the end of the beginning, said Saintsbury winery co-founder David Graves, chairperson of a 25-person advisory committee that worked on the plan.

County supervisors took action as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

California is requiring communities all over the state to prepare plans for certain groundwater basins. The goal is to avoid such undesirable results such as plummeting well levels and sinking land.

Napa Valley sub-basin runs beneath the valley floor from Napa to Calistoga. It provides water for vineyards and wineries that fuel the local economy and for rural homes, as well as for the Napa River and streams.

Although the public was quiet during Tuesdays meeting, various individuals and groups opined on the draft plan in recent months. The county released a 68-page report compiling verbal and written comments and addressing the various issues raised.

Some criticized the plan as being too narrow in outlook by focusing on the valley floor. They argued the entire Napa River watershed should be included, given the link between the watershed and groundwater availability.

Two-thirds of the water used for crop irrigation on the valley floor comes from the hillsides, the Center for Biological Diversity wrote on Dec. 6. Yet this watershed, with its forests and wildland open spaces that help recharge the aquifer, is not included in the scope of the plan.

This disconnect allows the county to continue to approve projects that deforest critical recharge areas for vineyards and wineries, the letter said.

The county responded that the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency is authorized to develop and implement a plan for the state-defined Napa Valley sub-basin only. Still, hydrological models include the influence of the larger watershed.

Gary Stern of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries in a Dec. 7 letter expressed concern that the plan might not adequately protect steelhead trout. Groundwater feeds the Napa River and creeks during dry times.

The county responded by citing sections of the plan that it believes addresses the stream-groundwater connection.

This is a timely issue, given that stretches of the Napa River and some creeks went bone-dry in 2021. The challenge is figuring out how much of this, if any, stemmed from groundwater pumping as opposed to the drought, diversions to reservoirs, and other factors.

Paul Brophy, an independent groundwater professional, supported the county plan. While not perfect, it is thorough, comprehensive, and well-reasoned, given time constraints and the inherent uncertainties in interpreting groundwater conditions, he wrote on Dec. 12.

Comment acknowledged, the county responded.

Growers/Vintners for Responsible Agriculture in a Dec. 6 letter said the plan uses multi-year averages when looking at groundwater conditions. That minimizes the worrisome conditions seen in the Napa River and its tributaries.

It only takes one year of disastrous conditions to lose a large population of aquatic life and species, the group wrote.

The county responded by citing dozens of tables and figures in the plan detailing annual seasonal and surface water conditions, including streamflow data going back to 1929. It cited various sections of the plan.

Michelle Benvenuto of Winegrowers of Napa County at the Dec. 7 Groundwater Sustainability Agency meeting urged supervisor to adopt the plan. While not perfect, it is a step forward, she said.

She also addressed those who might think the wine industry would put economic gain over the health of the sub-basin.

The idea that the agricultural users wants to exacerbate our groundwater is incredibly ill-conceived, Benvenuto said. We are completely dependent and heavily invested in assuring this incredibly valuable resource is sustainably managed.

The state Department of Water Resources has up to two years to review the countys groundwater plan. In the meantime, the county intends to start implementing the plan, including doing such things as closing data gaps and refining groundwater estimates.

You can reach Barry Eberling at 256-2253 or beberling@napanews.com.

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There will be hot races up and down the California ballot in the June 7 primary election and later in the November runoffs. But not in the highest-profile races for the two most powerful jobs on the line this year.

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Right now, mere weeks before the March 11 filing deadline, it appears Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will have nothing to fear either in the spring or fall. The same with U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat appointed by Newsom after former Sen. Kamala Harris became vice president.

Yes, there will still be competition here and there. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara faces a serious challenge from fellow Democrat Marc Levine, a Marin County assemblyman, and very likely another from former Commissioner Steve Poizner, beaten by Lara in 2018.

Appointed Attorney General Rob Bonta, named to his current job after Xavier Becerra left to become President Bidens secretary of Health and Human Services, will have at least one major rival, Sacramento Countys longtime District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, running with no party preference.

The openly gay Schubert is best known for using genetics to crack the Golden State Killer case, seeing Joseph DeAngelo plead guilty in 2020 after being charged with 13 murders and 13 rape-related offenses.

So there are no guarantees of election or reelection to top statewide office this time, unless your name is Newsom or Padilla. Newsom right now has no significant declared opponent, while Padillas lone experienced challenger is Jerome Horton, a former member of the state Board of Equalization and a fellow Democrat.

Newsoms lack of significant challengers is the more unusual. Far-right talk show host Larry Elder, who led would-be replacement governor candidates with 48.4 percent of the vote in the September attempt to oust Newsom, has begged off another race even though he said months ago he likely would run. But Newsom never had reason to fear Elder, whose vote total last fall was far less than half the number opting to retain Newsom.

Other declared candidates include San Diego County businessman John Cox, twice beaten by Newsom and the sixth-place finisher among wanna-be recall replacements. The mostly self-funded Cox was best known for using a Kodiak bear as a campaign prop last summer.

Also on the Republican side is ex-San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who drew one-seventh as many votes as Elder.

Other possibilities include Democrat John Chiang, a former state treasurer who dropped out of the 2018 race early, and Republican Kevin Kiley, an assemblyman from the Sacramento suburbs who pulled a measly 3.5 percent of the recall replacement vote.

None of them spurs any fear in Newsom. That might explain some of his behavior over the latter part of 2021. First came a last-moment pullout from a world climate change meeting in Scotland, saying his family didnt want him to leave at Halloween. Trick or treating with the kids took precedence over an issue Newsom calls existential.

Then he took his family to Mexico for six days over Thanksgiving week, while flash mobs conducted numerous smash-and-grab burglaries at high-end stores around the state. Few other governors would have passed up the chance to grandstand as a sympathetic law enforcement figure at a time like that, but Newsom again preferred being with his wife and kids.

Later, he was a no-show when other state officials using his authority reinstated Californias indoor masking mandate just before Christmas. That contrasted sharply with his behavior through the coronavirus pandemics first 18 months, when he overexposed himself on television or the Internet almost daily with Covid pronouncements others could have made.

If all this means Newsom is coasting, taking his reelection for granted, it would be understandable considering that he survived months of concerted attacks during the recall campaign.

For sure, there would be much more tension about this years campaign if the recall vote had been closer or never taken place at all.

This also leaves Newsom very few places to look if he wants political advancement. About the only office that might interest him is the presidency, now occupied by a fellow Democrat.

But its doubtful Newsom would run against Harris in 2024 even if President Biden were to step aside and she then sought to keep the job. Which goes far toward explaining Newsoms relaxed demeanor.

Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. He is author of the book, The Burzynski Breakthrough: The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It. Readers may reach him at tdelias@aol.com.
The pogroms of Armenians in Baku, which started 32 years ago on this day, were a direct consequence of state-sponsored Armenophobia. Today marks the 32nd anniversary of those pogromsthe third, after the 1905 and 1918 mass pogroms of Armenians in Baku. The Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, wrote this on Facebook. He added as follows:

Many Armenians were killed, deprived of their belongings, and tortured as a result of the Armenian pogroms in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on January 13-19, 1990, and up to 20. Before those atrocities, 230-250 thousand Armenians lived in Baku.

The facts confirm that the pogroms of Armenians in Baku was organized by the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (PFA), and [Azerbaijani] the authorities backed them.

During the January 11 rally of the National Front of Azerbaijan, calls were made for the expulsion of Armenians from Baku and a large-scale armed campaign toward Karabakh.

On January 13, the pogroms of Armenians in Baku already became organized and widespread. That same evening, about 50,000 crowd gathered in Baku's Lenin Square for a rally, chanting "Glory to the heroes of Sumgait," "Long live Baku without Armenians," and other slogans.

Then, splitting into groups led by the activists of the Front, the destroyers began to consistently "clean" the cityfrom house to houseof Armenians. There is ample evidence of atrocities and murders committed with exceptional brutality. For example, cases of throwing people out of windows, killing them with iron rods and knives, raping women, burning alive.

Etibar Mammadov, one of the leaders of the Front, said in January 1990: "I personally witnessed when two Armenians were killed not far from the train station. The crowd had gathered, poured gasoline on them and burned them, whereas two hundred meters away was the police station of Nasim district, there were 400-500 soldiers of the internal troops there, who drove 20 meters past those charred corpses, and no one tried to disperse the crowd. (Gazeta.ru).

According to the testimonies of the Armenian refugees of Baku, at first a group of 10-20 people broke into the apartment, and started beating, committing atrocities.

Then the representative of the National Front appeared, as a rule, with already properly worded documents on the exchange or alleged sale of the apartment, after which the landlords were offered to leave the apartment immediately and go to the port. People were mostly allowed to take personal belongings, but at the same time, they were taking away [their] money, valuables, and savings books.

The facts show that the pogroms were assisted by [Azerbaijani] law enforcement agencies, public utility workers (they provided the addresses of the Armenians' apartments), and ambulance doctors (they presented the deaths of the Armenians as heart disorders). According to various data, up to 450 or more people were killed.

The facts prove that we are talking about the Azerbaijani policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide, which was based on state-sponsored Armenophobia against Armenians.

The evidence confirms that not only has Armenophobic sentiment not diminished [in Azerbaijan] since then, but we have witnessed more brutal manifestations in subsequent years.

The Armenocide, the torture of an Armenian by nationality have been encouraged by the Azerbaijani authorities agencies..

A concrete proof of this is the brutal murderduring an international training course in Budapest in February 2004of Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan by an Azerbaijani army officer with an axe in his hotel room while he was sleeping. He [i.e., the Azerbaijani officer] was later extradited to Azerbaijan, and after that he was not only released, but also deserved a high level of heroism.

During the April 2016 and September-November-2016 wars against the population of Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], the staff of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia recorded objective evidence which testify to numerous cases of atrocities by the Azerbaijani armed forces on the basis of ethnicityincluding numerous cases of brutal killings, torture, disrespect toward the bodies of the civilians and servicemen of the Armenian side.

The international world community, especially international organizations with a mandate to protect human rights, need to contribute, with decisive steps, to the prevention of the reprehensible propaganda of Armenophobia and enmity towards.
Sirusho: Today I will join our compatriots in France Square

Third meeting of Armenia and Turkey special representatives held in Vienna

Dollar rises slightly after long decline, euro also goes up in Armenia

Civil disobedience actions in regions: Yerevan-Goris highway blocked

Azerbaijan settling occupied Armenian Hadrut, Shushi cities of Artsakh

New colors and new services: Team Telecom Armenia completes rebranding

Armenia legislature speaker receives France-Armenia Friendship Group delegation

France senator: We are leaving for Armenia with Senate group

Putin signs decree on economic measures against unfriendly countries

Armenia legislature speaker: Authorities have repeatedly proposed dialogue to opposition

Backpack action of protest being held outside Armenia parliament (PHOTOS)

Armenia defense ministry: Azerbaijan MOD statement does not correspond to reality

Armenia defense minister receives Kansas National Guard delegation

Armenia Police: Yerevan-Sevan motorway reopened

Ned Price: Mirzoyan-Blinken meeting will launch US-Armenia strategic dialogue

Mirzoyan, Nuland discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement process

Civil disobedience actions are carried out in some Armenia cities

Armenia 2nd-President Kocharyan, ex-deputy PM and now lawmaker Gevorgyan trial to resume

Pashinyan to Morawiecki: This year we mark 30th anniversary of Armenia-Poland diplomatic relations

No new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Armenia Central Bank leaves refinancing rate unchanged at 9.25%

Demonstrators demanding PM Pashinyan's resignation block Sevan-Yerevan motorway

Police: 117 demonstrators apprehended in Yerevan

Kansas National Guard leadership visiting Armenia

Bloomberg: EU new gas partners

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Italian PM slams Lavrov for his 'Hitler' statements in interview with local television

South Korea and US plan to start air force exercises on May 9

Police special forces apprehend Armenia ex-president Robert Kocharyans son

Police: 70 people apprehended from Yerevan streets

World Press Freedom Index 2022: Journalism as a profession is humiliated in Armenia

Newspaper: Armenia ruling party MPs are worried

Borrell speaks on possible disconnection from SWIFT of new Russian banks

Cyprus becomes first EU country with full 5G coverage

Police apprehending participants of civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

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

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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

Police beat reporters, obstruct their work in Yerevan

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

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

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

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

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Cavusoglu claims there is agreement to clarify Armenia-Turkey border

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By Trend

The commissioning of a high-speed railway in Turkey, which will connect Ankara and Sivas province, is scheduled for 2023, the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure told Trend on Jan. 14.

According to the ministry, the length of the railway line, the construction of which was launched in 2007, will reach 393 kilometers. The new high-speed railway will pass through Kirikkale, Yozgat and Sivas provinces.

The total cost of the project is 18.1 billion Turkish lira ($1.3 billion), the ministry said. The project costs reached 2.05 billion Turkish lira ($151.5 million) as of 2021 while 15.2 billion Turkish lira ($1.1 billion) in 2020," the ministry said.

Some 42.5 billion Turkish lira ($3.1 billion) were allocated for the implementation of transport and infrastructure projects in Turkey in 2021, of which 5.9 billion Turkish lira ($435.9 million) accounted for foreign loans.

Moreover, 282.8 billion Turkish liras ($20.9 billion) were allocated for the implementation of transport and infrastructure projects in Turkey in 2020, of which 56.8 billion Turkish lira ($4.2 billion) accounted for foreign loans.

(1 USD = 13.5644TL on Jan. 14)
The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) National Assembly factions on Friday issued a joint statement on the destructive and aggressive policy of the political leadership of Azerbaijan. The statement reads as follows:

After the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan regularly creates tense situations on the borders of the Artsakh Republic and the Republic of Armenia, targeting mainly the civilian population of the two Armenian republics.

Such provocations, which have become more frequent in recent days, show that Azerbaijan has not renounced its decades-long anti-Armenian policy, which calls into question the military-political leadership of the country over peace agendas, the sincerity of the statements that are sometimes made for international organizations.

Despite the peace efforts of one of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the Russian Federation, the Azeri aggression unleashed against the people of Artsakh in the fall of 2020 with the participation of Turkey and international terrorists, accompanied by massive human rights violations, continues with other methods. All this is regularly inflamed by the constant threats particularly made by the leader of Azerbaijan, thus questioning the security of the corridor controlled by Russian peacekeepers.

The neglect of all this by the Armenian leadership, international organizations and influential countries and the lack of adequate responses, have become the wrong signal for the leader of the neighboring country, who, forgetting the commitments made by his country when joining authoritative European structures, is currently claiming to limit the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, consisting of three permanent members of the UN Security Council - Russia, the United States and France.

We consider such a disparaging attitude towards the above-mentioned authoritative structure, which has contributed to regional stability over a long period of time on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict since 1992, inadmissible and assess it as an open contempt for the international law and the efforts of the international community.

Condemning such behavior of the Azerbaijani leadership, we call on Minsk Group Co-Chairs to take practical steps to neutralize Azerbaijan's destructive policy in order to prevent new tensions in the region and return those in charge of that country to the field of international law.

"Free Motherland-UCA"

"United Motherland"

Justice

Armenian Revolutionary Federation

Democratic Party of Artsakh
YEREVAN.  The second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, was in custody for a long time through the fault of the prosecutor's office, Kocharyan's lawyer Hayk Alumyan said in an interview.

The attorney noted that the prosecutor's office was behaving inadequately, expressing different opinions on a Criminal Code article. As per Alumyan, on the one hand, the prosecutor's office says that Article 300.1which came into force in 2009could be applied to the tragic events of March 2008 in Yerevan, but, on the other hand, when several others were charged under the same article, the prosecutor's office had dropped the charges, the lawyer recalled.

Speaking about the Constitutional Court decision by which the aforesaid article has been deemed unconstitutional, Alumyan noted that the prosecutor's office should sense the degree of its fault.

"It did not see, assess the unconstitutionality of the article. It did not see it. We raised this issue at the prosecutor's office, but the prosecutor's office did not see it even after that. That is, the prosecutor's office made a very serious professional mistake. Regardless whether it was the result of poor analysis, misinterpretation of the law, or intent, the degree of fault can vary. But it is clear that they are at fault for this omission. As a result, a personthe second president of the countrywas in custody for a long time as a result of this mistake," the lawyer emphasized.
By Trend





A meeting of special envoys of Turkey and Armenia, Serdar Kilic and Ruben Rubinyan, began in Moscow on January 14 to normalize relations between the two countries, Trend reports citing Turkish media.

According to the media, during the first meeting, the parties will discuss the steps to be taken in the process of normalizing relations, and their details.

Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the country is interested in continuing such contacts.

Economic issues are also expected to be discussed at the meeting.
YEREVAN.  Hayk Alumyan, the lawyer of second President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia, does not rule out that Kocharyan's current lawsuit against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's slanderous statements will end like the previous one. The attorney expressed his respective view in an interview.

According to him, there are signs that Pashinyan will attempt to saythrough his legal representative in courtthat he did not mean Kocharyan in the aforesaid statements. To note, this is exactly what happened last time.

The aforesaid civil lawsuit refers to the slanderous remarks made by Pashinyan during the rally in Yerevan's Republic Square on March 1 last year. In April, Kocharyan's lawyer, Hayk Alumyan, had filed a lawsuit with a request to defend his clients honor and dignity from public expressed slander and a compensation for non-pecuniary damage caused by this slander.

And speaking about the pressure put on the Armenian opposition, the lawyer noted that ever since 2018, the incumbent authorities say that in the new scene in Armenia the opinion of the people is decisive, and the elections are now open, transparent, and fair.

"Lets assume this is so. But what is the point of holding such elections if the condition is the following: if the opposition wins, they should be arrested? Another hypocrisy," Alumyan concluded.
The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Bill Papastergiadis, and the Cypriot Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Theo Theophanous, with the support of the Pontian Federations of Australia, sent a letter to the Prime Minister urging the government to officially recognize the genocides committed by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923 against Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks, and other Christian minorities, neoskosmos reported.

This followed a motion passed unanimously by the House of Representatives on November 29, 2021, calling for the government to officially recognize the acts of genocide.

The proposal was supported by both sides of Parliament.

As of 2021, 31 countries around the world have recognized these genocides, including the United States, France, Italy, Brazil, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, and the Vatican.

All we have asked of the Prime Minister and in fact we also ask of the Leader of the Opposition is that they respect the unanimous motion passed by the parliament and act upon it, the community presidents said in a joint statement.

In their letter to the Prime Minister, they stated the following:

As Presidents of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria and the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria together with the Presidents of the Pontian Federations of Australia, we write to you to urge you to act on the motion that was passed by the House of Representatives on 29th November 2021 calling on the Government to formally recognise the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides committed by the Ottoman empire in the period 1915 to 1923.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia on Friday issued a statement on the 32nd anniversary of the anti-Armenian massacres in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. The statement reads as follows:

32 years ago during these days mass pogroms against Armenians began in Baku, which became the culmination of the policy of annihilation and forcible displacement of the Armenian population living in Azerbaijani SSR. Hundreds of people were murdered, mutilated and disappeared among the Armenian population as a result of week-long bloody mass atrocities. These massacres, as a result of which half a million Armenians became refugees, completed the process of annihilation of Armenians from Azerbaijan.

The consistent denial of the Baku massacres and other crimes against Armenians, the glorification of their masterminds, the continuous insinuation of hatred against Armenians are still state policy in Azerbaijan. It is manifested in hate speech and aggressive policy towards Armenia and Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], which is a threat to peace and stability in our region.

Today we pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of the anti-Armenian massacres in Baku, and reaffirm the united commitment of Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenians all over the world to ensure the right of all Armenians to free, safe and dignified life in their homeland.
We are in favor of the soonest start of the demarcation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday.

"It does not refer to the Karabakh region and the [conflict] settlement issues. This is a purely bilateral issue which we have been proposing to start working on for about a year now, setting up a [border] delimitation and demarcation commission for it, and offering us as a consultant in that commissiongiven that the General Staff and other structures of the Russian Federation have maps that reflect the different stages of the formation of the Soviet Union, and the changes in its administrative borders and the borders between the Union republics. Just yesterday I communicated with my Armenian colleague on this topic. There are corresponding proposals from the parties, as in order to create a commission, first of all, it is necessary to agree on which conditions. These conditions are now being discussed. There are disagreements there. Our position is clear: there is a need to sit down and resolve, within the framework of the officially created commission, all the issues that have not been agreed yet," Lavrov added.

According to him, a respective agreement in principle was reached during the meeting of the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in Sochi, Russiain December 2021.

"And even during the communication with the press, a hope was expressed that the commission will be established by the end of 2021. But again life is more complicated, the Armenian side has new proposals, we are passing them on to Baku. Let's see how to do so that it [i.e. the commission] it is launched as soon as possible. Let me repeat that there are disagreements about what needs to be done so that it starts working. It will be hard. During the discussion of this topic, we were convinced that it would probably be optimal to set up that commission, including on its agenda issues that require priority solution," the Russian FM concluded.
Russia unconditionally supports the efforts in the "3+3" format and actively participates in them, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at a summing-up press conference Friday.

"They [i.e., these efforts] contribute to the normalization of the situation in the South Caucasus, and contribute to the creation of conditions to resolve long-term political issues much more actively, effectivelyincluding through the development of economic and other cooperation between the three South Caucasus countries [i.e., Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan] and their three big neighbors: Russia, Iran, and Turkey," he added.

Lavrov recalled that Russia actively supported the idea of the "3+3" format, "when it was first mentioned by [Azerbaijani] President Aliyev, then by [Turkish] President Erdogan."

"The processes launched in the 3 + 3 format are much more significant, as the development prospects of the whole region are being discussed [with this format]. Now that peace agreements have been reached, when, with the support of the President of the Russian Federation, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have signed agreements on the cessation of hostilities and the development of economic ties, the unblocking of all routes in the region, it opens opportunities in which Turkey, Russia, Iran, Georgia are all interested. (). We have appealed with a request to our Turkish, Azerbaijani friendsArmenia can also helpby asking them to explain to our Georgian neighbors the advantagesfor them as well as for all of usof joining this format, which will not obligate them in any way," the Russian FM added.
Moscow helps to establish a direct dialogue between Yerevan and Ankara, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during press conference.

According to him, Russia helped in reaching an agreement on appointing special representatives of Armenia and Turkey to start the process of normalizing relations between the countries.

He said that they are happy that the first meeting is taking place in Moscow because their role is to help establish a direct dialogue. The Minister expressed hope that it will be successful.

The first meeting between Yerevan and Ankara special envoys is being held in Moscow on January 14.

The Armenian special envoy is Ruben Rubinyan, deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament, and the Turkish envoy is Serdar Kilic, former ambassador to the US.
By Trend

Russia greatly welcomes the meeting of the special representatives of Turkey and Armenia in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, Trend reports.

Lavrov made the remark at a press conference on the results of the activities of Russian diplomacy in 2021.

"Turkey and Armenia have appointed their special representatives. Russia helped to reach such an agreement. Our role is to help establish the direct dialogue. I hope that this will be successful," he said.

A meeting of special envoys of Turkey and Armenia, Serdar Kilic and Ruben Rubinyan, began in Moscow on January 14 to normalize relations between the two countries.

During the first meeting, the parties will discuss the steps to be taken in the process of normalizing relations, and their details.

Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the country is interested in continuing such contacts.

Economic issues are also expected to be discussed at the meeting.
Special Representatives for the normalization process between Armenia and Turkey, Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Ruben Rubinyan and Ambassador Serdar Kilic, respectively, have met Friday in Moscow. Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned about this from the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

During their first meeting, conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the Special Representatives exchanged their preliminary views regarding the normalization process through dialogue between Armenia and Turkey. Parties agreed to continue negotiations without preconditions aiming at full normalization.

Date and venue of their second meeting will be decided in due time through diplomatic channels, the respective statement also reads.
The European Union welcomed the first meeting of the special envoys of Armenia and Turkey in Moscow on normalization of relations, press secretary of European diplomacy chief Peter Stano said.

"EU welcomes the willingness of Armenia and Turkey to work on the normalisation of their relations. Today's meeting of the Special Envoys was an important step forward & we encourage Ankara & Yerevan to make further efforts in this regard," Stano said on Twitter.

He added that further concrete steps to normalize relations would be good news for regional stability and prospects for reconciliation and economic development and added that the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey is key to the EU's engagement with both countries.

Since 2014, the EU has provided more than EUR 4.5 million to projects aiming to prepare the ground for the normalisation of relations in a number of areas such as economy, culture, education, and communication exchange. The EU stands ready to provide further support to possible additional steps towards normalisation of relations," Stano said in a statement.
Motivated by collaborative work he experienced during a leadership conference in China during high school, Oscar Escobar spent his four years at Emory University pursuing similar international interactions.

Many times the Florida native and 2020 graduate in international relations and East Asian studies was the only domestic student in groups and at events. That experience will continue with Escobars selection as a 2022 Rangel Graduate Fellow, the U.S. State Departments prestigious early-career program for aspiring diplomats.

I am very thankful to Emory for showing me how to take this route to public service by following what I love, people-to-people exchanges, says Escobar, the son of immigrants from Ecuador and Nicaragua. Im honored to continue working with diverse groups of people.

He is Emorys third recipient of the highly competitive Rangel Fellowship, which provides funding for two years of graduate study as well as mentoring, professional development and a domestic internship.

Escobar plans to pursue a masters degree in public administration or international affairs, with a focus on security policy. Following his studies, he will begin a five-year commitment to the U.S. Foreign Service. The assignment could take him to nearly any country for service  especially given he already speaks Japanese, Korean and Spanish  but he is hopeful to start in Asia.

An interest in Asia sparked at Emory

The region first drew his attention during a meeting with Frank Gaertner, associate director of academic advising in the Office for Undergraduate Education, during fall semester of his first year.

Escobar was not assigned to work with Gaertner, an advisor to international students, but was looking for a staff member to help him organize the Hult Prize, an annual college competition to tackle global social issues.

They met in Gaertners office, decorated with items from his many trips to Asia and a poster of the Korean alphabet. Intrigued by the 24 curved letters, designed to mimic the shape of the mouth when speaking, Escobar decided to add Korean classes to his study of Japanese language and culture.

Escobar went on to take several advanced courses on Korea, studied abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul and served as a leader on the International Student Leadership and Advocacy Board and Emorys Student Government Association.

Gaertner, who helped Escobar with his role as campus director for the Hult Prize, worked with him for three years as an Academic Fellow, which provides incoming international students with student mentors. During that time, Escobar also founded Emory Global Ambassadors, which pairs first-year students with international students who have similar interests.

Oscar sets his sights on a task and hes very quiet, but hes tenacious in working on it, Gaertner says. Its his hallmark, to always be smiling and always be persistent on figuring things out.

Active in Atlanta and beyond

Escobars interest in public service and global issues has continued at ReGeneration Movement, an Atlanta-based organization founded by fellow Emory graduate Jongdae JD Kim, who earned degrees from Oxford College in 2007, Emory College in 2011 and Goizueta Business School's evening MBA program in 2017. Emory College 2020 graduate Mary Bohn, who worked alongside Escobar and Kim, received a similar State Department fellowship last year.

As director of advocacy and events for the nonprofit, Escobar splits his time between mentoring and tutoring programs for immigrant and refugee students and advocating and promoting peace on the Korean peninsula.

Ive known Oscar from his time as an undergraduate leader, and he always intrigued me with his passion for peace in the Korean peninsula as a non-Korean, Kim says. Soon, I was able to see how he reconciles and extends his own identity as a second-generation Latino immigrant into having a broader perspective for looking at the world and passion for global peace.

Working at the grassroots level broadened Escobars interest in policy work and additional volunteer efforts with organizations such as the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies and Aurora NK, an international, student-run organization empowering North Korean refugee populations around the world.

Oscar approaches diplomacy with deep thoughtfulness and knowledge, says Olivia Hendricks, the former fellowship advisor in Emory Colleges Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships who is now a visiting assistant professor of English at Oxford College. He has built relationships with a network of Emory alumni who share similar interests in thinking globally.

The Rangel Fellowship will allow him to expand his interest in diversity and public service even further, Escobar says.

Emory has given me these opportunities that I prize, bringing my passions of international education and international affairs together but always with a focus on people. Its inspiring to think I will be able to share those opportunities on behalf of the United States. I cant wait.
Only Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu can describe the first voting experience as something like falling in love. This gentle giant was a teacher, Anglican bishop, archbishop, Nobel Laureate (1984), fearless defender of the defenseless, and a voice of the voiceless.

He was an apostle of civil rights when the dogs of war had been unleashed on South Africans of color by a shamelessly white supremacist government that believed in separateness.

Edmund Abaka

If there were a one-line summation of the life and legacy of Tutu, it would be that he opened his mouth for the voiceless who were under the heel of apartheid, a political system of racial discrimination that turned people of color in South Africa into second- and third-class citizens whose rights, if they had any at all, no white person was bound to respect.

What made Tutu an influential world-historical figure was his adherence to the principles of truth, righteousness, and moralityprinciples by which he lived and died. He used those principles to fight against the awfulness of apartheid and the gravy train mentality of the African National Congress, South Africas post-apartheid ruling government.

One surprising thing about Tutu registered vividly in my mind when I had the distinct honor of meeting him at Florida International University a few years back. From newspaper and television reporting of the work of this larger-than-life figure who heroically and courageously confronted the evils of apartheid, one gets the impression of an imposing individual and a commanding presence.

But the revered archbishop was relatively diminutive and often dressed simply in a purplish shirt and a clerical collar, sometimes topped with a suit jacket. The point? The simplicity and humility of so enormously popular an advocate of social justice, of equal rights, of the humanity of people, of a rainbow nation in which people of all races would proudly feel part of, and of the goodness of humanity (while cognizant of the evils of humanity) is overwhelming.

He was against the oppression of black by white and white by black. He personified a worldview animated by a popular African philosophy: I am, because we are; and since we are, therefore I am. By implication, ours is a shared responsibility and shared humanity. Any injustice or discrimination diminishes us all. That personifies the world champion of the rights of oppressed people that Tutu was.

The smiling archbishopand I call him the dancing archbishop with the wicked sense of humorhas taught us what we can be, in our own right, in our work, and in our lives. He would ask us to see the humanity of people, eschew acts of intolerance, pursue knowledge in areas where we fall shortincluding biasand nurture inclusiveness to make the world a better place for all. It is not for nothing that the University of Miami conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Tutu at the 2018 spring commencement ceremony.

A graduate of the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa, Edmund Abaka is an associate professor of history in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Ukraine reports massive cyber attack on govt websites

The websites of the ministry of foreign affairs was among those targeted in the reported cyber attack. Image: Shutterstock

A mass cyberattack was carried out on Thursday night on websites of the Ukrainian government, some of which were not accessible on Friday morning.



The websites of the ministry of foreign affairs, the cabinet of ministers, agrarian policy, security and defence council and the ministry of education all appeared to be not working.



"Due to the global attack on the night of Jan. 13-14, 2022, the official website of the Ministry of Education and Science is temporarily down," the ministry said on Facebook.



On some of the websites is a text in three languages - Ukrainian, Polish and Russian - saying all data of Ukrainians uploaded to the network had become public.



Security officials were not immediately available for comment. (Reuters)
By Trend

The first meeting of the emissaries of Ankara and Yerevan to normalize the relations was held in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports citing TASS.

During the talks in Moscow, Ankara and Yerevan agreed to continue to hold meetings.

The special representatives of Turkey and Armenia during these first talks, which were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere, exchanged the views on the normalization of the ties through a dialogue, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
Melvin Cox traces his passion for Africa back to the late 1960s when he was one of the early students at Merrill College at the new UC Santa Cruz. He was surrounded by professors who were noted Africa scholars, including the late John Marcum.

Now, Cox, a documentary filmmaker, is inspiring a new generation of students to take an interest in the continent by helping organize cultural exchanges through Merrill College. Merrill is offering two Global Classrooms  courses developed with the support of the Global Engagement division that involve online collaboration between students from UC Santa Cruz and the Co-Operative University of Kenya. Merrill is also organizing a faculty-led study abroad program in Africa in summer 2023.

Cox, who teaches the Focus on Africa Global Classroom and has taken students to Africa, said he is passionate about raising the profile of the continent in the psyche of the average American.

We want to recreate a constituency for Africa both on campus at UC Santa Cruz and in the home communities of the students who are participating, he said.

Focus on Africa is a two-credit course that is intended to equip students with the skills and background necessary to be informed observers and chroniclers of current affairs on the African continent.

Cox has drawn on more than 30 years of contacts to put together the course and to develop the material. The online collaboration involving international students has been a godsend, he said. He hopes that alliances will be formed there that will last the students a lifetime. If nothing else, these students will walk away with a much better understanding of how truly interconnected our world is, he said.

Jesus Membrillo Ortiz, a UC Santa Cruz student in Focus on Africa, said he has learned from the Kenyan students in the class that their experiences are similar to what he experienced as a child growing up in Mexico. Both areas have widespread poverty and a colonial history that resulted in oppression of the native population. Everything they describe is very similar, he said. Mexico is a Third World country. We understand Africa, its the same thing."

Ortiz said he became interested in Africa because there was a big Afro-Mexican community in Jalisco where he grew up. He would like to help get more investors interested in Africa and help bring electricity to those on the continent that dont have it.

Emma Castleberry, another UC Santa Cruz student in the class, said she has gained a different experience on current events from the Kenyan students, including learning about the November suicide bombings in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. She said it was also interesting hearing the students experiences dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kenyan students talked about the continents low vaccination rate and how some leaders have spread false information about vaccines.

Cox will lead another Focus on Africa Global Classroom this summer which will include an in-depth study of the Kenya General Election slated for Aug. 9. Voters will elect a new president, members of the National Assembly and Senate, county governors and members of 47 county assemblies.

The other Global Classroom that combines students from UC Santa Cruz and Co-Operative University of Kenya is one section of Merrill 1, the five-credit Merrill Core course. Merrill College Provost Elizabeth Abrams said the students in the course are working to create a field guide to understanding the other. Students learn how to confidently communicate and engage with others across differences.

Mercy Jebichii Kiprotich, a Kenyan student, said she appreciates the chance to improve her critical thinking skills besides her synthesis skills. She is glad to interact with my fellow students from outside my continent and share our ideas together.

Abrams, Cox and UC Santa Cruz theater faculty member Patty Gallagher had been planning to fly to Kenya late last year but the plan was canceled due to the Omicron variant.

Plans are still moving forward to send UC Santa Cruz students and faculty to Kenya in summer 2023 for a study abroad program.

Cox had a successful experience taking 11 students to South Africa, Tanzania and England in 2015. Olimpia Maderit Blanco-Zuniga, one of the students on the trip, said it was a memorable trip, which included a failed attempt to interview delegates attending the World Economic Forum on Africa, and a chance to interview doctors about their work on malaria in Tanzania. Blanco-Zuniga remains in touch with Cox and is glad that he is continuing to create connections with UC Santa Cruz and Africa.

Its been amazing to see Melvins dream come to fruition, she said.

George Sabo, director of global initiatives with the Global Engagement division at UC Santa Cruz, said the Africa-focused Global Classroom courses are part of a larger initiative to offer students opportunities to connect with students around the world virtually.
Are extreme weather events causing farmers to lose access to credit? Are they causing global enterprises to move business locations to dodge physical and economic catastrophes? Will a sudden turn in investment trends away from carbon industries cause a major financial crisis? These questions are guiding the research professor Galina Hale, Ph.D., is exploring along with her Ph.D. students. They are also driving contemplative discussions in her undergraduate and graduate classes in the Department of Economics, which has been ranked sixth in the world among academic departments in international finance.

The worlds of economics and climate change science are colliding, says Hale, who spent 14 years as an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and held teaching positions at Yale, Stanford, and UC Berkeley. She began her career in Russia as a consultant for the Russian Ministry of Finance. She joined the UC Santa Cruz faculty in 2020.

Her interest in work that intersects climate change and economics was inspired a few years ago by her presence at the second Network for Green Financial Systems (NGFS) conference, where she was the sole representative from the Federal Reserve System.

I was just impressed by how people were able to think about climate-related risks in the context of monetary and financial policy and bank supervision, said Hale, whose published research up to that moment focused on understanding patterns of international capital flows and international financial crises, international banking, and stability of financial networks. After the NGFS conference, she was trying to find a way to connect her research with her passion for the protection of the environment.

I love being outdoors, and Im passionate about the environment. My husband and I are looking for ways we can help reduce the use of animals for human food consumption, a major contributor to climate change said Hale, who also serves as a board member for Animal Charity Evaluators and is a cofounder of Food System Innovations, a group of experts who volunteer to help organizations working to make the world's food system more environmentally sustainable, compassionate, and health-promoting.

Tapping into these interests and her desire to help solve global issues, Hale turned her attention to identifying opportunities for the financial system to mitigate climate risks and to determining ways in which economists can inform policymakers on how to make the food system more sustainable.

Through her research, in which she invites undergraduate and graduate students to participate, she is searching for an answer to whether financial markets are prepared for climate risks. She is investigating whether economic agentsfinancial markets specificallyrealize the risks, and if they are placing sufficient probability on those things happening.

Mitigating climate risk is an existential necessity. But, Hale says, if some changes are unexpected, they can pose a significant risk to global markets. The United Kingdoms pledge to reduce coal, and the commitment by the United States to remove high-emission-producing cars, are two examples of such transition risks that could potentially cause rapid and detrimental economic consequences. She is exploring sustainable investing (ESG or Environmental, Social, and Governance), how markets are reacting to or preparing for enterprises that are moving toward greener methods of production and the manufacturing of environmentally friendly products.

There is a serious risk of asset prices changing rapidly once it dawns on people that they cant have coal or that cars that dont run on electricity are of little value, explains Hale. If financial markets arent prepared for that rapid drop in some asset values, it could have a catastrophic ripple effect on the markets locally and globally.

Hale has also brought to light the multi-billion-dollar impact climate change is having on all areas of the economy. As she explains in a recent study, "What are the Financial Risks from Climate Change?" (Econofact, January 21, 2020), Agriculture, infrastructure, human health and productivity, tourism, businesses, and financial markets are already affected by extreme weather events becoming more frequent. The recent PG&E bankruptcy filing in the aftermath of devastating wildfires in California is one example she uses to make her point.

Hale incorporates her research into her courses, which have spurred multiple climate-related research theses from her students. She is the director of the Masters Applied Economics and Finance program, which is unique in that it provides more training in economics, statistics, and econometrics than most traditional M.B.A. programs.

Silicon Valley companies rely on big data analysis, AI, and machine learning, but they also need talent who can ask the right questions, who are trained to understand the fundamentals of economic systems and can program statistical models," Hale said. "Most M.B.A. programs dont get as technical as we do with econometrics and data science.

Hale and her colleagues are working on research that is dispersed by the universitys Center for Analytical Finance (CAFIN), which engages in cutting-edge analysis intended to solve real-world problems of finance in a globalized financial system. The motivation for CAFIN came from the 2008 financial crisis, and its main themes of understanding systemic risks, the impacts of technological innovation in finance, and the challenges of promoting greater financial inclusion, all had their roots in that global shock. Hale is co-directing the center with Professor of Economics Nirvikar Singh.

As founding director of the Center for Analytical Finance (CAFIN) at UC Santa Cruz, I was delighted when, in 2020, Galina accepted the invitation to serve as co-director of the center, says Singh. Galina has played a lead intellectual and organizational role in turning CAFINs attention to the importance of finance in the area of environment, sustainability, and governance (ESG): for example, understanding the risks of climate change and ways of funding prevention and mitigation will be central to making progress in the face of the looming threat. With Galinas leadership, CAFIN will be on the frontier of the two most important aspects of global financeFintech and ESGfor the coming decades.UC Investments, which manages University of California investment funds and provides fiduciary oversight, also values the contributions of CAFIN.More than seven years ago, UC Investments created a sustainable investment framework for the University of California that has helped guide our thinking about the challenges, and opportunities, of our era and beyond. Our collaboration with CAFIN has helped us keep current on the latest research and innovations that pertain not only to investing, but to how we assess our changing world, says Jagdeep Bachher, chief investment officer and vice president of investments for UC Investments.

This March, CAFIN is collaborating with local universities and financial institutions to present The Fintech: Innovation, Inclusion and Risks Conference 2022 that will take place at San Francisco State University (SFSU) and will bring together academicians, financial economists, and policy and compliance experts. The conference is co-organized by CAFIN, SFSU, and Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Universities need to be at the table in order to understand the big-picture needs of financial institutions and policymakers, so they can engage their faculty and students in work that will address relevant unsolved problems, said Hale, who has a vision for growing the center and the masters program in ways that can connect students with alumni and more Silicon Valley enterprises.

At UC Santa Cruz, we want the academic ideas to come to the surface and have an impact on whats happening in Silicon Valley," she said. "Wed love to have graduate students attending international conferences and organizing presentations and events at local conferences. Wed like to engage alumni and policymakers and focus on the needs of our community in finance, education, achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainabilityissues that generally are not the focus of academic financial centers. There is so much potential for us to connect and engage, which would benefit the students, faculty, alumni, and the community.
Pakistan's National Assembly or lower house of parliament has passed the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 to generate additional revenue and bring financial reforms. Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin presented the bill before the National Assembly for voting during the session that concluded late Thursday night, reports Xinhua news agency. Addressing the session, the Finance Minister said the government presented the bill to bring financial and tax reforms for the socio-economic development of common persons in the country. Tarin added that the new reforms would bring more people into the tax net and help the country document the finance and businesses. Speaker of the House Asad Qaiser read out all clauses of the bill and asked members to stand in favour of the bill and remain sitting if they are against it. The Speaker gave the ruling that all the clauses of the bill presented by the finance minister had been passed in the house. However, before the start of the voting, the Finance Minister took back clauses of the bill to impose taxes on bread, milk, bakery items, red chillies, iodized salt, solar panels and laptops following concerns from allied parties of the government. In June last year, the government presented the annual budget for the period from July 2021 to June 2022, which was also passed by the lower house with a clear majority. Local media quoting official sources said that the finance supplementary bill amended certain laws related to taxes and duties, a requirement by the International Monetary Fund to review Pakistan's extended fund facility. Under the bill, the government will impose a sales tax of 8.5 per cent on up to 1,800cc domestic and hybrid cars, 12.75 per cent tax on 1,801cc to 2,500cc hybrid vehicles and will charge 12.5 per cent taxes on imported electric vehicles, said the Minister. However, the government reduced duty on locally manufactured 1,300cc vehicles from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent, from 10 per cent to 5 per cent on locally manufactured 1,300cc to 2,000cc cars, and kept 10 per cent tax on locally manufactured cars having engine capacity of more than 2,000cc, he added. --IANS ksk/ ( 371 Words) 2022-01-14-09:50:01 (IANS)
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday that it has continued to expand its relief operations across Afghanistan in response to mounting complex humanitarian needs. The UN agency wrote on its website that it has continued to re-engage established livelihood, community development and infrastructure projects, reports Xinhua news agency. "(The) IOM, along with the rest of the humanitarian community, is committed to stay and deliver relief and assistance to mobile and displaced populations in Afghanistan," it said. "We will continue to operate in a neutral and impartial manner but insist on unimpeded access and assurances that our staff and service providers can deliver assistance and services -- particularly to women and girls and those most vulnerable -- without interference," added the UN agency. According to sources, the IOM's financial requirements under the joint Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Afghanistan in 2021 totaled $108.5 million, targeting 1.9 million among the most vulnerable people including those on the move. "This includes a $24 million appeal released in August which outlines immediate funding requirements in order to respond to pressing humanitarian needs." The Afghan economy after the Taliban's takeover in August 2021 has suffered from the US freezing of over $9 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank as well as a halt in funds by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On Tuesday, the UN and partners launched a more than $5 billion funding appeal for Afghanistan, in the hope of shoring up collapsing basic services there, which have left 22 million people in need of assistance inside the country, and 5.7 million requiring help beyond its borders. --IANS ksk/ ( 286 Words) 2022-01-14-15:24:02 (IANS)
New Delhi [India], January 14 (ANI/PNN): BSE and NSE listed Vikas Lifecare Limited has announced that, moving further ahead with the objective of broad-basing the product portfolio, and diversifying into futuristic and unique product lines, new edge businesses, complimenting and supplementing the existing business lines of the Company, the company has entered into definite agreement with the existing promoters/shareholders for acquiring 75% equity of Genesis Gas Solutions Private Limited (the 'Genesis'), a company engaged in the business developing "Smart Products" including Smart Gas Meters & Power Distribution solutions for the ever-expanding infrastructure in India, in a cash deal amounting Rs. 250 million, payable in stages. Post achieving the long-desired debt-free status this year, Vikas Lifecare has actively exploring and working towards expanding its businesses footprints in emerging infrastructure products segment along with other business strategies. Company is already in advance stage of commissioning manufacturing plant of pipe lines for gas distribution, commercial production expected within the current financial year. Vikas Lifecare Ltd. (VLL) is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, engaged in trading and manufacturing of polymer, rubber compounds and additives for plastics, synthetic & natural rubber. The company is primarily engaged in the various business segments i.e. Polymer & Rubber Commodity (bulk consumption) Compounds and Master-Batches (Manufacturing up-cycled compounds from industrial and post-consumer waste materials like EVA, PVC, PP, PE etc.), contributing to the Environment Protection initiatives from the Government of India and fulfilling the mandated EPR obligations for the conglomerates using hundreds of thousands of tonnes of plastic products and packaging materials. VLL is also a Del-Credere agent of ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd.) Petro Additions Limited, a public sector undertaking producing a wide variety of base polymers and commodity plastic raw materials. As a long-term business strategy, the company has most recently diversified it's business interests beyond raw materials (B2B businesses) and forayed into the B2C segment with a host of consumer products including FMCG, Agro, and Infrastructure Products; paving way for an aggressive business growth with intricately planned and selected product portfolios via acquisitions, joint ventures and tie- ups. VLL intends establishing / acquiring businesses in these segments thereby expanding its footprint in the country and beyond. The securities of the Company are listed on both the Stock Exchanges, BSE (Scrip Code: 542655) and NSE (Scrip Code: VIKASLIFE). Genesis was Co-Founded in 2017 by a team of technopreneur's and finance professionals having an enviable history with successful start-ups developing and offering many niche products to the defence equipment industry and the electrical utility segment. These Technocrats, graduated from premier institutions like IITs, provided Genesis with niche and indigenous products in sophisticated solid-state encryption for defence applications and several successful products for the power distribution companies, which are well accepted and already being extensively applied commercially in the field to reduce transmission losses of the electricity distribution companies. Genesis since its incorporation has been specifically focussed on the evolving City Gas Distribution sector in India. Genesis created a varied Intellectual Property including software and hardware solutions for the City Gas Distribution in domestic Metering Sector as well as industrial Gas Metering Applications along with Gas Leak Detection Systems and has carved out a niche for itself by acquiring about 20% of the Domestic Gas Metering share in India. Genesis also pioneered in Smart Gas and Water Metering in India by bringing out India's first Pre- Payment system indigenously developed and acquired by Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL-India's Largest Gas Company) and GAIL (India) Limited. Genesis has also brought out its own network solution to complement its field devices which is now being recognized by companies like Honeywell and Hitachi who are testing these in-house products for their projects world-wide. Few of the remarkable achievements & developments to Genesis' credit are Genesis is the supplier of Gas meters to IGL with having supplied more than 4 lakh meters of Hangzhou Beta Meter Co. Ltd, along with after sales services under exclusive supply arrangement. Hangzhou Beta Meter Co. Ltd due to its advanced technological strength, modern management and high production capacity is considered as world's first ranking gas meter manufacturer company. In SCADA system, Genesis shortly making our proposals for various Gas Companies for linking all CNG Stations and making single console for operations. Genesis also does Smart Meter Meter Interface Unit (MIU) and associated services being used by Indraprastha Gas Ltd - JV of GAIL, BPCL and Govt of NCT of Delhi Genesis is smart metering solution provider (AMR & Prepaid) with RF based Lora WAN technology, partnering with Tata Communications. Genesis Gas developed India's first Meter Data Management (MDM)and Head end system for Gas utilities which run more than 150,000 smart meters in India. Genesis clients includes: IGL GAIL Avantika Gas Ltd - JV of Gail and HPCL Gujrat Gas Ltd - India's Largest CGD Haryana City Gas ltd, among others This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
India Inc has applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to protect the livelihood of the common people and economic activities amid the surge in COVID-19 cases. "With strong focus on economic growth, Hon @PMOIndia (Prime Minister) has given clear priority on livelihoods. Local containment measures at the micro-zone level are the right way to keep growth engines firing and retain job creation," Vikram Kirloskar, past president CII and Chairman and Managing Director of Kirloskar Systems, said in a tweet. "Industry deeply appreciates this strategy," he said. Chairing a comprehensive high-level meeting with Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors/ Administrators of States/UTs to review public health preparedness to COVID-19 and national COVID-19 vaccination progress on Thursday, the Prime Minister stressed that while making any strategy, it is very important to keep in mind that there should be minimum damage to the livelihood of the common people, economic activities, and momentum of the economy should be maintained. "By exhorting Chief Ministers to focus on local containment, economic activities will remain protected and jobs will be preserved. CII will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Central and the State Governments to battle the pandemic, build healthcare infra and ensure vaccination," Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said. Sanjiv Mehta, President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said: "PM statement today at the meeting with the state CMs that there should be minimum damage to livelihood, economic activities and the momentum of economic activities should be maintained is indeed reassuring for the industry." "His (Prime Minister) direction to states to focus on local containment will ensure that the economic recovery is on track. FICCI welcomes the statement and hopes that states will continue their proactive and pre-emptive approach to fight the virus," Mehta said. "PM's direction to the Chief Ministers to focus on local containment would lead to the states striking a balance between different aspects while implementing restrictions. Thus, the impact on economic activities would be minimal," said Vineet Agarwal, President, ASSOCHAM. (ANI)
India's exports, merchandise and services combined, soared to $57.87 billion in December 2021, which is 25.05 per cent higher over the same period of last year, government data showed on Friday. According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India's imports rose to $72.35 billion in December 2021, which is 33.86 per cent higher over the same period of last year and 40.30 per cent more when compared with December 2019 figure. Exports during December 2021 is 23.35 per cent higher when compared with the figure of December 2019. Cumulative exports during April-December 2021 period is pegged at $479.07 billion, which is 36.31 per cent higher over the corresponding period of 2020 and 20.25 per cent higher when compared with the same period of 2019. Overall imports in April-December 2021 period are estimated to be $547.12 billion, exhibiting a positive growth of 57.33 per cent over the same period last year and a positive growth of 18.57 per cent over April-December 2019, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry data showed. Merchandise exports in December 2021 were valued at $37.81 billion, as compared to $27.22 billion in December 2020, exhibiting a positive growth of 38.91 per cent. As compared to December 2019, exports in December 2021 exhibited a positive growth of 39.47 per cent. Merchandise imports in December 2021 stood at $59.48 billion, which is an increase of 38.55 per cent over imports of $42.93 billion in December 2020. Imports in December 2021 have registered a positive growth of 50.24 per cent in comparison to December 2019. The merchandise trade deficit widened to $21.68 billion in December 2021 as against $15.72 billion deficit recorded in December 2020. Merchandise exports for the period April-December 2021 was $301.38 billion as against $201.38 billion during the period April-December 2020, registering a positive growth of 49.66 per cent. As compared to April-December 2019, exports in April-December 2021 exhibited a positive growth of 26.49 per cent. Merchandise imports for the period April-December 2021 was $443.82 billion as against $262.76 billion during the period April-December 2020, registering a positive growth of 68.91 per cent. Imports in April-December 2021 have registered a positive growth of 21.87 per cent in comparison to April-December 2019. Cumulative trade deficit for the first nine months of the current financial year widened to $142.44 billion as against $61.38 billion recorded in the corresponding period of last year. (ANI)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 14 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Halma plc, the global group of life-saving technology companies, celebrates the one-year anniversary of its partnership with WaterAid to help tackle the issue of water accessibility and quality in rural India. Access to clean drinking water is a significant problem in India, and the pandemic has only served to reinforce its vital importance in protecting the most vulnerable communities. Only 44.7 percent of rural households in India have access to clean water. This means that only two in five rural homes have access to clean running water. In October 2020, Halma plc and WaterAid joined forces to implement the Water for Life campaign, which is a two-year programme highlighting the global issue of access to water by providing 8,000 people in Buxar and Bhagalpur in the state of Bihar, India with clean drinking water. As part of the partnership, Halma - which has six world-leading water companies as part of its global group - will donate a minimum of 200,000 (approx. Rs. 2 crore) of funds, as well as its own water quality treatment technology, that will ensure: 5,000 people gain access to a clean water supply through the installation of water quality treatment systems; 10 villages have community management of operations and maintenance and water quality monitoring - with Halma also training community volunteers to maintain and operate the systems; and 3,000 people have the resources to safely harvest water. Commenting on the Water for Life campaign and the WaterAid partnership, Prasenjit Datta, Managing Director, Halma India, said: "Lack of clean drinking water is one of the biggest issues faced by people in developing countries such as India. Access to safe and clean drinking water is vital for health, especially among children. As a global group of life-saving companies, we are committed to playing an integral role in making water supplies safe and reliable for our communities through innovative technologies. Over the past year, we have started the process of ensuring a safe and clean water supply for 8,000 people in Bhagalpur and Buxar in Bihar. The programme is leveraging the life-saving technology in our group to help achieve this, with specialised testing kits from Halma water company Palintest sent to support the project on the ground." As part of the programme, Halma India has also created water champions to increase awareness on water conservation as well as to raise funds for the programme by training, engaging, and supporting its employee network across India. Working with WaterAid, Halma's water companies-Palintest, HWM, Hydreka, Mini-Cam, Sensorex and UV Group-are donating specialist water testing equipment and raising money to support and train villagers in India to overcome dangerous local water contaminants, such as arsenic and fluoride in their water supply. The programme has so far trained over 200 community volunteers from across ten villages on water quality and will provide 8,000 people with a safe water supply. Find out more about the company's technologies and learn how the partnership with WaterAid in India is changing lives and supporting UN #SDG6. Watch the video: https://bit.ly/3FBuoJd This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday called upon global venture capital funds to focus more on startups from Tier 2 and 3 cities in India. The minister was speaking at the 4th roundtable with Global Venture Capital Funds, organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, here. Over 75 venture capital fund investors from across the world including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Global Funds based in India participated in the deliberations. Goyal invited the venture capital funds to explore new sectors for investing, promote and protect the intellectual property created by the young Indian entrepreneurs, provide expertise to scale-up and explore greater capital infusion including risk capital. "The Government has already taken a number of steps to support the Startups and would do so in the future also," he said. "It was pointed out in the meeting that India is home to over 61,000 recognised startups spread across 55 industries, with 45 per cent of them emerging from Tier 2 and 3 cities and 45 per cent of startups having at least one woman director, a testimony of diversity, spread and inclusivity of the Indian startup ecosystem," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement. "It was also highlighted that specifically for startup ecosystem, 49 regulatory reforms have been undertaken by the Government to enhance Ease of Doing Business, Ease of Raising Capital and reduce compliance burden," it said. The Roundtable was held through video conference as part of the Startup India Innovation Week. Over 75 venture capital fund investors from across the United States, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and some Global Funds domiciled in India participated in the deliberations. These funds have a total Assets Under Management (AUM) of more than $30 billion in the Indian region. A number of suggestions were made by the Global VC funds, which they felt could further the investors' sentiment in the sector. The intent of this roundtable was to share progress report of the current Indian Startup-VC Ecosystem, insights on impact investing, India's global outlook and the opportunities and interventions for the way ahead of VC investments in India. The roundtable discussion covered topics like Building for the World from India, An Impact, SDG and Digital India Outlook, Regulatory updates for Global and Domestic Funds, India Opportunity - How policies have shaped up the Ecosystem and Way Forward and Vision for India @ 2047. The session also covered the top regulatory issues to be addressed with the Government of India. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], January 14 (ANI/Oswaal Books): Olympiad exams are taken to encourage the students to work upon their analytical and logical skills. As per the previous reports the Olympiad 2022 exams were on time. But, due to the surge in the Covid-19 cases around the country, various Olympiad exams have been postponed. There has been a situation of chaos and panic among the students who have been preparing for these exams for quite a considerable time. But it is very important to keep track of the dates for the Olympiad exams. As the dates have been postponed there might be chances that student miss upon the notification. This can rob them of their opportunity to appear for the Olympiad exam that they were preparing for. Students can check below the dates for some prominent Olympiad exams that have been postponed and keep on preparing in that direction. Exam dates postponed The Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics and the Indian Olympiad qualifier in Junior Science that were scheduled for 9 January 2022 have been postponed. Due to the rising COVID-19 cases, the students can't visit the centres and take up the exam. This can pose a threat to the health of students. The decision to postponement of these two exams has been taken in the due interest of the students. In addition to that, the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Physics and the Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Biology that has been scheduled for January 16, 2022, have also been put off for the current time. These are the four exams that have currently been postponed. Due to the hike in cases and closure of educational institutes, it is not at all feasible to conduct the exams. In addition to that, every year a team representing India in Olympiads at the international level is selected via three stages. But, due to the worsening condition of the pandemic in the country, this selection procedure has also been cut down to two stages for better health prospects. The two stages of selection will include the Indian Olympiad Qualifier and the Orientation cum Selection Camp for representing the country on an international scale. Do you know how you can crack Olympiad Exams in one attempt? Read to know what experts recommend! Final Thoughts Students should keep a proper eye on the latest updates and should not be carried away by any false information floating around various resources. As of now, only the four Olympiad 2022 exams that have been mentioned above are postponed. For the Olympiad exam taking place on 23 January 2022, the decision will be taken in a few days. Students should start their preparation to match the flow of the exams, they can also go with Oswaal Olympiad books for class 1 to 5 | Previous Years Solved Papers for 2022 Exams where you will get clarity of concepts and many more like: * Previous years' Solved Papers 2011 to 2020, * Assessment through 3 Levels of Questions--Level 1, Level 2 & Achievers * Amazing Facts, Fun Trivia & 'Did You Know?' * Concept Review with Examples * Latest sample papers with complete solutions, etc. Here is the recommended link for Olympiad books for class 1 to 5 for Olympiad exams 2022, click here https://bit.ly/3zKBNEk Keep on checking the official website and stay tuned for the latest updates!! This story is provided by Oswaal Books. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Oswaal Books)
INK Hotel, a 4-star boutique hotel, has opened its doors in the Al Jaddaf Waterfront community overlooking the serene Dubai Creek.



The 5-storey hotel is a fun, trendy and offbeat property with a distinctive vibe focusing on sustainability and a commitment to honing hospitality excellence in the region.



With 63 rooms, the boutique hotel features classy interiors and splashes of vibrant colours to create a comfortable ambience where guests can be at liberty to be themselves. The hotel houses two main room types: 23-sq-m rooms (that can be interconnected) and 30-sq-m rooms, equipped with large floor-to-ceiling windows, free WIFI, and other favourable facilities.



Featuring a rooftop swimming pool with stunning views across Dubai Creek, a pop-up gym and designated areas for pets, INK Hotel poses an ideal getaway for the young at heart.



With sustainability playing an essential role in its operations, INK Hotel has taken several steps to ensure an eco-friendly environment without sacrificing any aspect of its style, high-quality service and welcoming atmosphere. In addition to solar panels installed on the roof and staff uniforms made from recycled plastic, the entire hotel is laden with L'Occitane amenities featuring top-range organic soaps and bottles made of recycled plastic.



The all-day dining restaurant Bistro by INK stocks the world-renowned selection of climate-conscious, ethical, organic Teabags from Pukka while providing exquisite indoor and alfresco dining spaces. It has even collaborated with the local cafe roastery - Grandmother - to provide speciality coffee along with other delectable treats.



INK Hotel is also home to the leading Swiss Hospitality school in Dubai  HTMi, Hotel and Tourism Management Institute Switzerland Dubai and offers its students an environment for experiential learning. Students reside in the campus boutique hotel and are constantly encouraged to interact with the hotel's guests and put theory into practice.



The hotel plays a crucial role in nurturing hospitality leadership and essential skills in Food and Beverage Service, Culinary Arts, Front Office and Housekeeping. Similarly, it provides the institute's graduated students with a 6-month internship program wherein they work full-time for the hotel in their respective departments and gain valuable experience to kick-start their careers.



"At INK hotel, we are constantly in search of new challenges and aim to motivate everyone to pursue their dreams while staying young at heart. As a UAE homegrown brand, we understand the importance of collaborations with other local businesses and local talent, hence our tie-ups with the local cafe roastery  Grandmother and providing a campus base to HTMi Switzerland Dubai, said Judit Toth, General Manager of INK Hotel and Business Director of HTMi Switzerland Dubai.



This empowers the students, our team and the guests to gain from new experiences and play an integral part in supporting the future of hospitality in the region. Likewise, our eco-friendly practices promote new ways of experiencing sustainable hospitality in hopes of inspiring guests to care for the environment in the same way it cares for us.



The hotel's vicinity accommodates a multitude of fun activities for guests to explore. The contemporary art havens of Jameel Arts Centre and Al Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park lie nearby and are a must-see for art appreciators. Families can enjoy a laidback brunch at the Bistro by INK from 9 AM till noon every Saturday with activities for children. More active guests can also take advantage of the 6-kilometre waterfront promenade with the weekly INK Running Club hosted by Nike running ambassador Manal Rostom.



Al Jaddaf Waterfront also hosts picturesque Creekside promenades, sunset views and opportunities to enjoy fabulous yacht rides on the Creek. The area is highly accessible to some of Dubai's most famous attractions such as Dubai Festival City, Dubai Mall and The Burj Khalifa within an 8-kilometre radius.



Similarly, INK Hotel's neighbourhood is highly recommended for business travellers since the Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Trade Center are only 6 kilometres away, with public transport available at a manageable distance.  TradeArabia News Service
Priyanka Chopra has achieved what every star anywhere in the world aspires for -- to be on the cover of 'Vanity Fair'. She's on the cover of the February 2022 edition of the magazine celebrated internationally as much for its in-depth articles as for its cutting-edge photography. Unveiling the cover, 'Vanity Fair' tweeted: "After a journey into 'The Matrix', the actor enters 2022 with her cup overflowing --reflecting on her storied Hindi film industry career, marriage, and creating a path for herself in Hollywood." Looking artfully messy, a sultry Priyanka appears on the cover in an off-shoulder, off-white ruffled dress from Fendi. The magazine, previously edited by celebrity journalists such as Tina Brown and Graydon Carter (who's played by Jeff Bridges in the film 'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People'), is now helmed by Radhika Jones, an Indian American. Describing her as "a driven woman who has transcended what's previously been possible for an Indian actor in Hollywood," the 'Vanity Fair' cover story goes on to say: "She is an outsider who broke down barriers and built a place for herself within the walls of Hollywood. Now she's on a mission to welcome others in." Priyanka, notes the article that traces her life's story from her days at the Army Public School, Bareilly, will finally be playing lead film roles as she had in India" with the rom-com 'Text for You' and Amazon's ambitious spy series 'Citadel' later this year. And about her own story, especially her rise to stardom in Hollywood, Priyanka says: "It's taken a lot of pavement pounding to be able to get people's attention, and to be able to get an acceptance of the fact that someone like me can be the lead of a Hollywood feature." She adds (and the sentiment will go down well back home): "There's very few of us from South Asia who get to do that. I hope that the part that I play in it will sort of push the envelope a little bit." --IANS srb/arm ( 353 Words) 2022-01-13-23:20:05 (IANS)
On Thursday, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office issued a statement on the matter, reported The Hollywood Reporter.

The sheriff's office had its warrant approved on December 16 and stated that it had been in contact with Baldwin's lawyer to obtain consent to retrieve the phone on December 20. However, the phone has yet to be handed over, the sheriff's office concluded.

The statement comes days after Baldwin said he was complying with the investigation into last fall's deadly production shooting.

"Any suggestion that I am not complying with requests or orders or demands or search warrants about my phone, that's bullshit, that's a lie," he said in a video he posted to social media on January 8.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when a prop-gun held by Baldwin went off on the set of 'Rust' on October 21. (ANI)
On the special occasion, Hema took to Twitter and shared a few pictures of her cooking the signature Ven Pongal dish.

She chose to wear a beautiful pink saree to mark the harvest festival.

"Celebrated Pongal with the family today. Here I am making the Pongal at home, " Hema tweeted.

Hema and Dharmendra's daughter Esha, too, celebrated Pongal today in the presence of her family members

Taking to Instagram, Esha shared a video of cooking Pongal at home with her kids.

"As the country celebrates the harvest festivals of Sakranti, Pongal, Bihu and Uttarayan. I always make pongal at home for my family (a tradition I learnt from my grandmother) sweet pongal is a favourite with my kids & we all love screaming together 'polgalo pongal' as it's being cooked. Sending warm wishes to you and your loved ones. stay blessed," she captioned the clip.

Celebrated in the Tai month of the Tamil solar calendar, the multi-day festival is one of the biggest harvest festivals, along with Makar Sankranti. It is widely celebrated by the Tamil community across the globe. (ANI)
Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B recently opened up about her mental health as she testified in her libel suit against Tasha K, a YouTuber, who Cardi claims has been spreading false rumours about her. During the testimony in her libel case against LaTasha Kebe (a.k.a. Tasha K), a YouTuber with more than a million subscribers, Cardi said that she felt "helpless" as the social media personality allegedly spread rumours about her online, including allegations that she had contracted herpes, reported People magazine. Testifying in Georgia on Thursday, the rapper told a federal jury how Kebe's allegations, including claims that Cardi had sexually transmitted diseases, have impacted her. "I felt extremely suicidal," Cardi shared, adding that she also felt "helpless." Cardi said, as per TMZ, "I felt defeated and depressed and I didn't want to sleep with my husband." She also explained that she felt as if she "didn't deserve" her daughter Kulture, whom she and Migos rapper Offset welcomed in July 2018. The 'Hustlers' star stated that she suffered fatigue, weight loss, migraines, and anxiety, as Kebe spread such rumours to her YouTube followers in videos uploaded in 2018 and 2019. "Only an evil person could do that s-," Cardi said, apologising to the judge for using profanity. Her trial against Kebe began on Monday, according to Rolling Stone. In her lawsuit, filed in March 2019, Cardi accused Kebe of making "malicious" claims against her, such as alleging the rapper was a prostitute, cheated on her husband, used cocaine, and contracted herpes and HPV. Cardi said Kebe tried to "destroy" her career by intentionally making "false" claims about her. She alleged the "degrading and harassing" remarks first began around April 2018, when Kebe shared a video, via her YouTube channel unWinewithTashaK, claiming Cardi's pregnancy with Kulture could result in a child born with special needs. "Kebe became obsessed with slandering and harassing [Cardi]. In the 16 months preceding the filing of this lawsuit, Kebe put out at least 38 videos regarding [the rapper]," the lawsuit alleged. It noted that one video, shared in September 2018, brought in 4 million views, which is "substantially" larger than the audience Kebe "typically garners," according to the complaint. Kebe has denied any wrongdoing and attempted to file her own lawsuit against Cardi for assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, alleging that Cardi "began to publicly trash" her on the internet, resulting in Kebe allegedly being threatened. Judge William M. Ray II dismissed Kebe's allegations in July. "Kebe has failed to produce any evidence that plaintiff herself threatened Kebe or made her believe that she was going to harm her," he determined at the time. (ANI)
"To protect ourselves from this virus, we must definitely follow all the rules and regulations. There can be nothing more important than one's health. My Pongal greetings to everyone," he tweeted.

Rajinikanth's Pongal wish comes at a time when India reported 2,64,202 fresh COVID cases (6.7 per cent higher than yesterday) and 1,09,345 recoveries in the last 24 hours.

As per the Union Health Ministry, the country recorded 315 COVID fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 4,85,350. (ANI)
In a recent Instagram post, the much-in-love couple Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly broke the news of their engagement after making their relationship official in July 2020.

Since the news broke, fans have been biting their nails in anticipation of how the 'Transformers' actor's ex-husband, Brian Austin Green will react.

A source told People magazine Green has no bad blood with his ex-wife.

"As long as they're both on the same page with the kids, he's good and happy for her," the source said referencing the pair's three children, Journey River, 5, Bodhi Ransom, 7, and Noah Shannon, 9.

"They're strictly co-parents. He's got another woman that he's super into. He's entirely moved on," the source added.

Green -- who is also dad to 19-year-old son Kassius -- confirmed his split from Fox after nearly 10 years of marriage in May 2020. The former couple filed their divorce judgment on October 15 and it will soon be finalised.

Five months after announcing their split, Green started dating 'Dancing with the Stars' artist Sharna Burgess.

As for Fox, she and Kelly began dating in May 2020 after meeting on the set of the Randall Emmett-directed film 'Midnight in the Switchgrass.' (ANI)
Actor Michael B. Jordan recently revealed his plans for carving out a role for his mentor--Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As per People magazine, Jordan and Washington recently sat down for a question and answer session with fans, in order to promote their new movie 'A Journal for Jordan.' During the session, one fan asked the 34-year-old star if he wanted Washington to star in a Marvel film. "Yes! No hesitation. I actually got some things in mind, but yeah!" Jordan, who starred in Marvel's 'Black Panther', said. "You better hurry! I know! But I got you. I got some ideas for that," the 'Creed' actor added. Washington also joked, "Hey! Concentrate on one thing. I sound like [a] dad," The two shared a hearty laugh while Jordan continued, "After I finish Creed III, you know what I'm saying? Once I finish that project my mind can wander on [to] other creative things." According to People magazine, Washington directed Jordan in their latest film which is based on the true story of a soldier who writes a journal for his infant son after he is deployed to Iraq. The Oscar-winning actor told that he knew Jordan was the right person for the role after becoming a fan of him in 2013 for his breakout performance in 'Fruitvale Station.' "The IT factor is just that - there really is no name for it, you just know it when you see it," Washington said about Jordan during the interview. Jordan cited Malcolm X as one of his favourite films from the older star. "That was one of the movies my dad wanted us to watch and I remember being captivated by the entire performance. It was incredible. It was just strong, I get chills. It was that powerful. To see him transform into him I was like, 'Man, I want to do something like that.' That was a moment for me," Jordan said. 'A Journal for Jordan' was released in theatres on December 25, 2021. (ANI)
Actor David Ramsey isn't done with his time in the Arrowverse as he would be reprising his role as 'Arrow's' John Diggle and star in drama 'Justice U' for The CW. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project, which is currently in development, has been written by Michael Narducci (The Vampire Diaries) and Zoanne Clack (Grey's Anatomy) and has quietly been in the works for months.Ramsey will also direct the pilot should The CW opt to move forward with the script. The directing gig is part of an overall deal Ramsey has signed with Berlanti Productions that will see the actor helm and guest star in multiple episodes of shows within the Arrowverse. The network's description of 'Justice U' reads: "After spending years fighting alongside masked heroes, John Diggle embarks on a new mission to recruit five young metahumans to live undercover as freshmen at a prestigious university. There he will oversee their education and train them to become the heroes of tomorrow." The show is exec produced by Arrowverse mastermind Greg Berlanti, with Berlanti Productions partner Sarah Schechter and TV president David Madden also credited as EPs. Geoff Johns will also exec produce the drama. The DC Comics drama hails from Warner Bros. TV, where Berlanti remains under a rich overall TV deal. As per The Hollywood Reporter, 'Justice U' is the second DC show that Berlanti is developing at The CW for the 2022-23 broadcast season and joins 'Gotham Knights' at the network. Berlanti's DC roster at The CW includes 'Batwoman', 'The Flash', 'Legends of Tomorrow' and 'Superman and Lois' after 'Supergirl' recently wrapped its run. (ANI)
Actor Rebel Wilson is all set to host the 75th BAFTA Film Awards on March 13, 2022. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the ceremony, celebrating the best of British and international film talent, will be returning to London's Royal Albert Hall and be broadcast on BBC One and BBC's iPlayer. Taking to her Instagram handle, Wilson expressed that is feeling honoured to host the awards. "I am very honoured to be hosting the EE British Academy Film Awards in March, where COVID will no longer exist because it will clearly have been cancelled by then," Wilson wrote. She further gave a hint at how things will be, in her humorous, witty way. She penned, "It's going to be so much fun! I don't wanna put any pressure on this -- I know I'm not going to be funny because I am no longer fat. And besides, I'm not going to 'sweat-it' with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can't sweat...or cause offence to people because of my adorable Australian accent. So basically I'll just be there to hang out with Dame Judi Dench, and together we'll both try and bond with Daniel Craig. And yes, I do mean 'bond.'" She added, "This show will be an anniversary celebration of some important British film franchises, such as Harry Potter, and not, such as Cats. Everybody's going to love it, I'm sure!" As per The Hollywood Reporter, nominations for the awards will be revealed on February 3. Last year's hosts were Edith Bowman and Dermot O'Leary. BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry shared, "We are delighted to welcome Rebel Wilson as this year's host of the EE British Academy Film Awards. Rebel has stolen the show at several previous film awards, and we're hugely excited to see her bring her fantastic charisma and humour to the whole show as we celebrate the very best in film." Wilson, who will make her debut as BAFTA host, moved to the US in 2010 after successes in Australia. She became more widely known with her roles in 'Bridesmaids' and the 'Pitch Perfect' trilogy. This year, she will be seen in cheerleading comedy 'Senior Year' and drama 'The Almond and the Seahorse' with Charlotte Gainsbourg. (ANI)
Fictional micro-series 'Aanandham Aarambham', starring actress and 'Bigg Boss Tamil' contestant Abhirami Venkatachalam and actor Santhosh Prathap in the lead, is to release exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar on January 14. The eight-episode micro-series traces the heartwarming relationship of two coffee lovers, Ranjani and Ramcharan, starting from their proposal to their first wedding anniversary. Each four-minute episode displays how coffee becomes an integral part of their everyday life to build an equal relationship. For Ramcharan and Ranjani, filling bitter-gaps becomes easier over coffee and eventually becomes a back-in-love tactic. Santhosh Prathap, who has delivered hit films like 'Sarpatta Parambarai' and 'Oh My Kadavule', said, "This initiative to create a series around coffee and the relationship between two individuals is a brilliant idea to connect with audiences. I appreciate that we could tell a story about something so simple with such ease through a relatable storyline. I hope that your coffee break is made even more special with Aanandham Aarambham." 'Aanandham Aarambam' begins with Ram proposing to Ranjani for marriage in a dramatic way over Zoom as his overseas assignment is coming to an end. Ram then meets Ranjani's parents to get their approval. Though they are initially unsure about him, Ram wins her parents' hearts with his magical coffee as they too, like Ranjani, are coffee lovers. On their wedding day, Ram promises Ranjani that he'd never have coffee without her and he will always prepare her first cup of coffee every morning. From here the story progresses in an episodic format with incidents happening at different points in their life. The story showcases the small tiffs that crop up between the couple for no reason at all and how it is resolved either by the caring attitude of Ramcharan or by the love of Ranjani for Ram. The couple discovers issues and differences that they were not aware of through their long distance relationship, which brings in more conflicts that they need to resolve together now that they are together in person. --IANS mani/kr ( 345 Words) 2022-01-14-14:16:04 (IANS)
The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has signed a MoU with Deutsche Hospitality, the umbrella brand of the German hotel company Steigenberger Hotels AG, to develop and operate Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels projects in Saudi Arabia.

The luxurious property will feature the distinctive Porsche lifestyle design coupled with Steigenberger hospitality and service quality, offering an innovative hotel concept within the lifestyle segment.

With a minimum of 150 rooms, suites, and penthouses, the hotels will include a restaurant and lounge concept, exclusive meet and greet areas, and world-class health and beauty facilities, with a gym and wellness area.

Guests will also benefit from an individualized journey at every touchpoint, driven by the hotels focus on hyper personalization, innovation, and functional approach.

The agreement  which was signed in the presence of Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Development Fund  includes the right to exclusively launch the first Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels project in the Middle East.

The MoU was signed by Qusai Al Fakhri, CEO of TDF and Marcus Bernhardt, CEO of Deutsche Hospitality.

Al Fakhri said: "We are pleased to announce the signing of this MoU with Deutsche Hospitality, a company that blends world-class hospitality with elevated standards to attract entities to invest in, develop, and operate high-quality, iconic hotel projects in Saudi Arabia."

"Through this collaboration  which will result in first of its kind hospitality offerings  we continue to enhance the Kingdoms tourism offering under the National Tourism Strategy," he noted.

Marcus Bernhardt, CEO of Deutsche Hospitality, said: "We are pleased to collaborate with TDF to launch new hotel projects in Saudi Arabia, including the first Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotel in the Middle East. The project will cater to the sophisticated needs of the Saudi market, creating a unique and innovative experience within the Kingdoms luxury lifestyle hotel segment that is sure to offer an incomparable guest experience."

"A Porsche Design Hotel in Saudi Arabia reflects our commitment to the region and our support for the Kingdom as a leading global tourist destination," he added.

Al Fakhri said TDF plays a pivotal role in advancing tourism development in Saudi Arabia by enabling private investors to participate in the sector.

"It provides support to SMEs and large institutions alike, ranging from planning to providing support from various tourism-related government agencies. The Fund offers a variety of tailored solutions that suit the needs of investors, including direct financing, bank guarantees, and co-financing with banks," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Hollywood actor Adam Driver has revealed that he doesn't mind missing out on the fun after finishing a job. According to People magazine, Driver recently spoke for a magazine's Best Performances issue. The 38-year-old actor opened up about his proclivity to step out of character "immediately" after completing a movie. He revealed that he didn't even attend the wrap party after finishing House of Gucci because he couldn't wait to stop playing the role. Driver plays Gucci fashion house head Maurizio Gucci in the film, which hit theaters on November 24, and admitted he was nothing like his on-screen character. "In some ways, House of Gucci was the most difficult. I do not live in the same world as Maurizio Gucci. The way he picks up things that are valuable and discards them, the way he is the most elegant man, those qualities were interesting to think about," Driver told the outlet. He continued, "But after 14 hours a day of being a Gucci, I was ready for it to be over." "In general, I leave jobs immediately. I haven't been to a wrap party since Girls. I just want to get the character out of my system and go home," Driver added. Though Driver was personally ready to be done with the film, he showered director Ridley Scott with praise. The two previously teamed up for 'The Last Duel', released in 2021. "I f------ love him. He uses four cameras at a minimum, and it's like theater-in-the-round. He draws his own storyboards, and the productions move very fast. He doesn't lose momentum over a meaningless detail," the actor raved in the interview, as per People magazine. Driver, a two-time Oscar nominee, stars in 'House of Gucci' alongside Lady Gaga, who portrays Patrizia Reggiani, the ex-wife of Gucci. The movie tells the true-crime story of how Reggiani married into the Gucci family and eventually plotted to assassinate her husband, heir to the designer family fortune. (ANI)
Actor Patrick J Adams recently slammed internet users for criticizing Duchess of Sussex - former 'Suit' star Meghan Markle. While Adams isn't one to regularly post on social media, the 40-year-old 'Suits' star decided to speak out on Thursday, with a big request for haters talking about his former co-star, Meghan Markle. "Hello to the people and many bots debating all things Markle and including me in the conversation. I just want you to know a couple of things," he wrote on Twitter. "1. I don't read any of it. 2. Life is short. 3. There has got to be better things for you to be doing. Even you bots," Patrick continued adding hashtag-- "#BotBetter." As per E! News, it's unclear what specifically caused Patrick to speak out publically. Many royal followers have noticed a plethora of unkind tweets directed at the Duchess of Sussex over the years. As one user commented, "A good comment on the botification of negativity on #MeghanMarkle and #HarryandMeghan." Patrick played Meghan's on-screen husband, Mike, on 'Suits' from 2011 to 2019. He was also invited to her royal wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. For the unversed, the actor has stood up for the royal family member on many occasions, including soon after her tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey. In the CBS special, both Harry and Meghan discussed the reasons behind their 2020 royal exit. While the couple received support from millions of viewers, others were unkind, leaving Patrick motivated to speak out. "It sickened me to read the endless racist, slanderous, clickbaiting vitriol spewed in her direction from all manner of media across the UK and the world. But I also knew that Meghan was stronger than people realized or understood and they would regret underestimating her," he tweeted on March 5, as per E! News. (ANI)
Actor Tim Allen would be returning to star as Scott Calvin for the revival of 'The Santa Clause' franchise, which has been ordered as a limited series at Disney Plus. According to Variety, in a series, Scott Calvin is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can't be Santa forever. He's starting to lose a step in his Santa duties, and more importantly, he's got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the Pole. With a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in life south of the pole. This will now be the fourth time Allen has taken up the role of Calvin/Santa. He first starred in the film 'The Santa Clause' in 1994, which was followed by two sequels in 2002 and 2006. Jack Burditt, who created the Allen-led comedy series 'Last Man Standing', will serve as executive producer and showrunner on 'The Santa Clause' series. Allen will executive produce in addition to starring. Kevin Hench, Richard Baker, and Rick Messina will also executive produce. The Disney Branded Television series will be produced by 20th Television. Production on the series will begin in March, as per Variety. (ANI)
A day after the states Covid-19 tally shot past the 7 million-mark, new cases in Maharashtra remained in the 46,000 range for the second day, and although fatalities went up, no fresh Omicron case was reported, health officials said here on Thursday. After recording a record high of 46,723 Covid cases on Wednesday, the state's figures dropped slightly to 46,406 on Thursday, while fatalities increased from 32 a day before to 36 now, with the mortality rate dropping marginally from 2.01 per cent to 2 per cent. From the peak of 207 Omicron cases detected on January 9, the state's tally of the latest variant came down to zero on Thursday. The health authorities are continuing intensive surveillance of passengers arriving at the three international airports - Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur - since December 1. A total of 40,938 travellers have landed here from the 'high risk' countries of which 523 have tested positive along with 579 from other countries, with all their reports sent for genomic sequencing to confirm if they are afflicted by Omicron. Besides, another staggering 4,265 positive samples from field surveys conducted since November 1 have been sent for genomic sequencing and the results of 64 are awaited, the officials said. Of the 46,406 new Covid-19 cases reported on Thursday, Mumbai Metropolitan Region alone accounted for 26,537 infections, while Mumbai city remained at a high with 13,702 new cases. The next is Pune Circle's 10,865 infectees, followed by Nashik Circle's 2,813, Nagpur Circle's 2,805, Kolhapur Circle's 1,158, Latur Circle's 965, Aurangabad Circle's 655 and Akola Circle's 608 cases. The number of people sent to home quarantine shot up -- from 15,29,452 on Wednesday to 17,95,631 on Thursday -- while another 9,124 were shunted to institutional quarantine. Mumbai, Pune and Thane remain at the top with the highest number of active cases currently present in the state, with the afflictions shooting up from 240,122 a day before to 251,828 on Thursday. The recovery rate dropped from 94.52 per cent a day earlier to 94.39 per cent now. The state's cumulative figures of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 now stands at 70,81,067 cases and 141,737 deaths, while a total of 66,83,769 patients have fully recovered till date. --IANS qn/arm ( 389 Words) 2022-01-13-22:24:04 (IANS)
All students of the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), who tested positive for Covid-19 during the last few days, had taken both doses of the Covid vaccine, officials said. As many as 120 students and staff have tested positive for the virus during the last one week on the campus located at Kandi in Sangareddy district. IITH officials said on Thursday that only double vaccinated students were invited to the campus as part of stringent measures to combat Covid spread. "We have 112 positive cases among the students at the moment. All of them have been isolated into separate isolation areas. Almost all the reported cases are either mild or asymptomatic and are showing good signs of recovery within 4-5 days," a statement said. IITH currently has 211 rooms for isolation and this number will be increased based on the requirement. The institute has suspended all offline activities and the semester is being conducted in completely online mode. Around 600 unaffected students have already vacated the campus. The authorities are in the process of converting the vacated hostel blocks into isolation facilities. Six well-qualified medical doctors and nine staff nurses are serving the IITH community 24x7 on a rotation basis. Four additional staff nurses have been recruited exclusively for monitoring the Covid cases, the statement said. Food and medicines for all the Covid-affected students are being delivered directly by the attenders following the necessary Covid protocols. Primary and secondary contacts of those testing positive are being quarantined for two days and are being advised to undergo testing if symptomatic, it said. IITH said that strict restrictions are imposed at entry and exit gates to contain the virus spread. --IANS ms/arm ( 295 Words) 2022-01-13-22:46:02 (IANS)
The federal government of the US is sending medical teams to New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Michigan and New Mexico to help hospitals overburdened by Covid-19, state media has reported. US President Joe Biden is to announce the deployments on Thursday when discussing steps the administration is taking to address a surge in infections driven by the Omicron variant, according to USA Today. "His remarks come as hospitalisations for Covid-19 are setting records," said the report, adding that some hospitals are delaying elective surgeries as states are deploying National Guard members to healthcare facilities. After reaching the grim milestone of 800,000 coronavirus deaths in December, the US continued to shatter records as the Omicron variant surges, Xinhua news agency reported. According to Johns Hopkins University, the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country topped 60 million on Sunday. Just days before, it had shattered a single-day record with over 1 million infections. Despite initial evidence that the Omicron variant is less likely than previous variants to cause severe illness, the sheer number of infections have increased hospitalisations. Having struggled with staff shortages, schools are also seeing a decline in attendance as students stay away partly because of the limited availability of tests, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. "The US administration has faced criticism for the country's low testing capacity at the start of the Omicron surge," said the report, noting that the federal government is planning to distribute millions of free Covid-19 tests to schools and other public sectors around the country in the coming week. Problems with the testing in the US began at the very beginning of the pandemic, when the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributed faulty test kits to laboratories in February 2020. A total of 1,481,375 new cases and 1,904 new deaths were reported in the US on Monday. The single-day increase of cases has set a new record around the globe since the onset of the pandemic, according to latest data of Johns Hopkins University. The potential for a new recommendation from the CDC is unleashing a scramble for highly protective N95 masks and boosting their prices, Bloomberg Wealth reported Wednesday. The agency is considering changing its guidance to advise that people wear higher-quality masks to better protect against Omicron. "That's contributing to a surge in prices for gold-standard N95 and KN95 face coverings on sites like Amazon.com," said the report. Quoting Camelcamelcamel, a website that tracks prices of products sold on Amazon, the report said one pack of 40 KN95 masks from the Hotodeal brand now costs $79.99 from third-party sellers on Amazon, up from just $16.99 in late November, while a 50-pack of Kimberly-Clark N95 masks is going for $57.15 compared with $23.19 in early October. According to the CDC, the majority of cruise ships sailing in the US have reported Covid-19 outbreaks in the last several weeks. These ongoing outbreaks have barred cruise ships from docking at ports of calls, infected crew and forced passengers to quarantine aboard ships, Business Insider reported Wednesday. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have postponed several sailings, citing travel restrictions or the Covid-19 outbreak. Nearly 250 cruises were set to sail throughout the first month of 2022, but this ongoing rise in Covid-19 cases could continue to cause further cancellations, said the report. The CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order will expire on Saturday at which point the health agency's Covid-19 guidance of risk mitigation for cruise ships will become voluntary. This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency's guidance or not, according to USA Today. The CDC recently told Americans to avoid travel on cruise ships, regardless of their vaccination status. "Dramatic surges in cases in Northeast have flattened, suggesting that the Omicron wave is levelling off there," The New York Times reported Thursday. According to the newspaper, the number of new Covid-19 cases in New York City rose more than 20-fold in December but has flattened in the past few days. "In both New Jersey and Maryland, the number of new cases has fallen slightly this week. In several major cities, the number is also showing signs of leveling off," said the report. Though the timeline is consistent with the experience in South Africa and Britain, experts warned it is still too early to be confident, the report added. --IANS int/khz/ ( 746 Words) 2022-01-14-01:06:03 (IANS)
He had taken both a self-test and an antigen test, after presenting mild symptoms. On Wednesday, he was alerted by the French phone application TousAntiCovid (Everyone Against Covid) that he had had contact with a positive case, Xinhua news agency reported.

On his social media account, Veran on Thursday said that he would go into self-isolation and continue working remotely.

Also on Thursday, the French Ministry of Health announced that at least 600,000 people will lose their health passes on January 15 as they have not received their booster shot.

By Wednesday, 15.2 million people had received the booster shot, out of 15.9 million who are eligible, the Ministry of Health said.

Meanwhile, some 77,500 teachers joined a strike against the school health protocol.

According to the Ministry of Education, a total of 136 protests were organised nationwide, with 8,200 people marching in Paris alone.

France reported on Thursday 305,322 new Covid-19 cases detected in the past 24 hours.

--IANS int/khz/

( 188 Words)

2022-01-14-02:22:03 (IANS)
This is double the number two weeks ago, Plenkovic added on Thursday. The country has also reported more than 13,000 Covid-19-related deaths since the pandemic began, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Prime Minister urged his compatriots to get vaccinated, emphasising that the authorities have enough vaccine doses for everyone.

On Thursday, Croatia reported 9,157 new Covid-19 infections, the second highest caseload since February 25, 2020, when the first Covid-19 case was identified in the country, and 23 coronavirus-related deaths.

On Thursday, the cumulative number of confirmed infections stood at 794,190 and the death toll at 13,006 across the country.

The low vaccination rate -- 56 per cent -- has widely been blamed for the high infection rate in the country.

--IANS int/khz/

( 167 Words)

2022-01-14-02:36:01 (IANS)
The Spanish government has agreed to offer a booster dose against Covid-19 to everyone aged over 18 in an effort to stop the further transmission of the virus. Previously the booster jab had only been available for people aged 40 and over, along with those who had been given the single dose 'Janssen' vaccine, essential workers and those with immune deficiency problems, reports Xinhua news agency. The administration of the third dose would be "in descending age order", Minister of Health Carolina Darias said on Thursday. Darias said that the minimum time between receiving the second and third vaccination would be reduced from six months down to five. She also said that anyone who had been infected after receiving a second vaccination would need to wait at least a month before receiving a booster shot. According to figures issued by the Ministry of Health, 33.95 per cent of the population have so far been given the booster shot, while 80.39 per cent were fully vaccinated and 84.67 per cent received just one dose. --IANS ksk/ ( 191 Words) 2022-01-14-08:42:04 (IANS)
Third world nations were offered about 100 million Covid-19 vaccines that were near expiry, which the countries were forced to dump, according to the UN's children's fund Unicef. According to Unicef's head of supply Etleva Kadilli, more than 100 million vaccines were, in December alone, rejected by countries as they were unable to distribute them, BBC reported. The problem was compounded by many countries' insufficient storage facilities, Kadilli was quoted as saying to members of the European Parliament on Thursday. Many of the world's poorest countries, most of them in Africa, have been relying on the UN-backed Covax scheme for their vaccines. The programme faced challenges in accessing doses early last year, but the situation significantly improved towards the end of 2021 with wealthier countries releasing doses they were holding. According to provisional tracking by UNICEF, about 910 million doses were delivered through the UN-backed initiative as of December 30. Nearly half of the doses delivered in December came from three US-backed vaccine manufacturers: Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer. However, many of the doses offered have been close to their expiry date, and have been rejected by the recipient nations, the BBC report said. Some countries such as Nigeria struggled with administering the vaccines forcing them to destroy expired jabs. Only about 10 per cent of the population on the continent has been fully vaccinated. "More than 9.4 billion vaccine doses have now been administered globally. But 90 countries did not reach the target of vaccinating 40 per cent of their populations by the end of last year, and 36 of those countries have not yet vaccinated 10 per cent of their populations," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief of World Health Organization. Ghebreyesus said that more than 85 per cent of the population of Africa -- about one billion people -- is yet to receive a single dose of vaccine. "We cannot end the acute phase of the pandemic unless we work together to close these gaps," he warned. --IANS rvt/svn ( 346 Words) 2022-01-14-17:42:04 (IANS)
The police also recovered 1 pistol and 1 cartridge, 1 Brezza car, 1 knife and an iron rod from the arrested people.

The five arrested people were identified as Anuj Kadyan, Ajay, Vinesh and Ravinder, all residents of different districts of Haryana while Wazid is a resident of Uttar Pradesh.

As per the information received, Police received a tip-off from an informer that some suspicious people were planning a petrol pump robbery. Acting on the info, Police laid a trap and arrested 5 persons.

"On interrogation, the arrested people accepted that they were planning to loot a petrol pump and a dacoity at a house of the Faridabad based business of Rs 1 crore," Subhash Boken, spokesperson of the Gurugram police said.

A case under various sections of the IPC was registered against the accused at the New Colony police station.

--IANS str/skp/

( 198 Words)

2022-01-13-21:06:03 (IANS)
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday said that his party will soon take a call on campaigning for the Samajwadi Party in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. "We will take a call soon after consultations," he replied in response to a tweet during the live #AskKTR session. KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, stated that the current trend in Uttar Pradesh is towards Samajwadi Party. He said this when asked about how he sees the mass exodus from BJP as three ministers and six MLAs left the party in the last two days. From politics to administration and from movies to sports, KTR answered it all. As thousands of tweets poured in, the #AskKTR hashtag was the top trend on Twitter. KTR, who is also state Industry, Information Technology, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister, remained candid throughout the session. "I am happy to be in Telangana serving my state," he said when asked about his views on entering national politics. Asked about how his party will tackle hate propaganda and fake news spread by the opposition, he stated that the people of Telangana are smart enough to understand what is real and who works for their state. On tackling the BJP in Telangana, he said that his party will continue to focus on good governance and development. "People want peace and stability," he added. "Ignoring idiocy is best," is all that KTR had to say about Telangana BJP leaders, when asked for his response on their statements that Pune is a better city than Hyderabad. Asked how he looks at BJP's behaviour of still talking religion instead of development, KTR quipped: "Obviously they can't speak much about the kind of work they've done as they haven't done any." On his views on the BJP coming up with the idea of renaming the city to Bhagyanagar from Hyderabad, KTR rubbished it as "silly political stunts." KTR called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Rs 15 lakh in each bank account promise as "Jumla of the century" Responding to questions on lockdown and night curfew, KTR said it will all depend on the number of Covid cases and how the health officials advise the government. As a comment under the #AskKTR tweet, standup comedian Kunal Kamra tweeted, "Respected Minister, thanks for extending solidarity to stand up comedians." To this, KTR replied: "Welcome Kunal Ji." --IANS ms/vd ( 413 Words) 2022-01-13-23:00:02 (IANS)
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Thursday said that the state government will bring an act to regulate online games after an 11-year-old boy allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in Bhopal due to his addiction to an online mobile game. Speaking to media persons, Mishra said, "Online game is a serious issue. To prevent such tragic incident that is happening, we are bringing an act regulating online gaming in Madhya Pradesh, whose draft has been prepared and we will soon finalise it." Earlier on Wednesday, an 11-year-old boy had allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself with the rope of the punching bag installed at the rooftop of his house in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal, said police. Bhopal's Additional Commissioner of Police Sachin Atulkar said, "A minor allegedly committed suicide and was found dead at his residence. As per his parents, the minor spent around Rs 6,000 on an online game without their permission. Parents had deleted the app once. The probe is underway." However, the police have not found a suicide note from the spot. According to the police, Suryansh Ojha, a resident of Shankaracharya Nagar Bajaria, was a class 5 student. Suryansh's father Yogesh Ojha, an optician, told the police his son had been addicted to an online game. "On Wednesday afternoon, Suryansh was watching a movie on TV with cousin Ayush in the second-floor room. A few minutes later, Ayush left Suryansh alone and went downstairs. After some time, Suryansh's cousins headed back to the building's terrace and they found he was hanging from a rope used to hang punching bags. The relatives immediately took him to the private hospital but the doctor declared him dead after checking," said police Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Four people were killed on the spot while three persons were seriously injured after a 14-tier lorry carrying fish overturned at Tadepalligudem in Andhra Pradesh on Friday morning, Circle Inspector, informed Thadepalligudem Police Station Ravi Kumar Veera. "A fatal road accident took place at Thadepalligudem in the early hours of the morning, in which at least four died, three injured and seven more rescued. The 14-tier heavy lorry carrying the load of fish lost control and overturned, allegedly due to negligence of the driver," Veera told ANI. The injured were rushed to Tadepalligudem Area Hospital by locals. Police, with the help of locals, carried out relief operations. The Circle Inspector said, "the lorry was going to Narayanapuram near Tadepalligudem from Duvvada in Visakhapatnam district. The incident happened around 6 am on Friday. On the lorry, a total of 14 people were travelling including one driver and other workers. He said that the driver and others who were there in the cabin got safe while the dead persons and the injured ones were on the truck". "The police has booked a case on the driver, but the details need to be established and investigation in progress," he said. He added, "once they complete the medical procedure, then they will investigate further details. Police saved the lives of at least 10 people". (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans Day of Friday acknowledged the contributions of the veterans and said that the Centre is committed to the welfare of India's ex-servicemen. "Greetings and best wishes to all the veterans and their families on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans Day. We are proud of our veterans who have selflessly served the country with courage, dignity and duty. The Govt is committed towards the welfare of India's Ex-servicemen," Singh tweeted. The 'Armed Forces Veterans' Day' is commemorated on January 14 each year as a mark of respect to and in recognition of the services rendered by Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He led the Indian Forces to victory in the 1947 war, became the Commander-in-Chief on 15 Jan 1949 and retired on 14 Jan 1953. Commemorating Veterans' Day is a unique way of the services to acknowledge the selfless devotion and sacrifice by our veterans who have served the nation during their prime years and still continue to do so in various capacities. (ANI)
A Bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli refused to interfere with the Bombay High Court order which had granted bail to Kochhar.

"Having heard Solicitor General appearing on behalf of the petitioner (ED) 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 (Deepak Kochhar) herein. The special leave petition is, accordingly, dismissed," stated the Bench in its order.

The Bombay High Court had granted bail to Kochar on March 25, 2021, in the money laundering case while observing that there was no likelihood of him absconding or tampering with evidence.

Kochhar had approached the High Court after a special Mumbai Court rejected his bail plea in December 2020.

The ED had registered the money laundering case following an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the Kochhar couple, Videocon Group promoter Venugopal Dhoot, and others for allegedly causing loss to the ICICI Bank by sanctioning loans to the Videocon Group of companies in contravention of the bank's policies. (ANI)
The complaint was filed by a nun wherein she alleged that she was raped 13 times by Mulakkal from 2014 and 2016 when was a bishop in the Missionaries of Jesus, Jalandhar diocese.

The complaint was filed on June 27, 2018, and Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 on charges 7 IPC sections including rape. He is currently out on bail. The prosecution had examined 39 witnesses in the case.

The trial in the case began in November 2019. After three long years, it was finally completed on Monday, January 10, 2022.

It was an in-camera trial- the media was prohibited from reporting details about it upon Mulakkal's counsel's request. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday held a meeting in a virtual mode with the management of the state-owned Mysuru Sugar Factory to discuss the renovation of the factory and measures to recover it from losses. Co-operative Minister ST Somashekhar, state chief secretary Ravikumar and other senior officials were present in the meeting. Earlier, the state government had halted the move to privatise the factory. Congress Legislative Party leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday participated in a protest held at the Farmers' Protection Committee in Mandya, demanding that Karnataka retain ownership of the historical Mysuru Sugar Company Limited Factory. "The Mysore sugar factory is the only government-owned sugar mill in the state which has a total of 65 sugar factories. Therefore, I demand that the factory be kept in the state's possession without being privatized," said Siddaramaiah participating in the Dharani Satyagraha. Founded by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar in the pre-independence era, the Mysugar Sugar Factory which been in profit for many years and has subsequently suffered losses. Siddaramaiah said that the government and not the farmers is responsible for the loss and the onus lies on the government to revive it. "So many state-owned factories and companies are now at a loss. The government must find out what causes the loss and revive them," the former chief minister said.JD(S) MLA Annadani had in the state Parliament session asked the government about the Mysugar sugar factory. "I then intervened and urged the Speaker to allow at least half an hour of discussion as this was an important issue. At my insistence, the Chairperson allowed the debate in the session. I also brought to the notice of the government several factors and urged the factory to be retained by the government," Sidaramaiah said. "At first, the government-appointed managing director had no interest in the factory. How about the factory getting back on track? When I was the chief minister, the factory had 145 crore funds to save factory. (ANI)
The ECI had announced the schedule for the five poll-bound states on January 8.

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa will be held between February 10 and March 7. The counting of votes will be held on March 10.

Officers from IAS, IPS, IRS and other Central Services have been included to be deployed as General, Police and Expenditure Observers.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey briefed the observers.

As per electoral roll data with regard to January 1 as the qualifying date, the total number of electors in the state of Goa, Manipur, Punjab Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are 18.35 crore electors with a total of 215,368 polling stations.

Observers were briefed about their responsibilities to ensure proper direction to field-level officers so that ECI's constitutional mandate is scrupulously fulfilled.

The half-day long briefing sessions will also have a comprehensive briefing by the Secretary-General ECI Umesh Sinha on Election Planning, Security Management and SVEEP aspects.

Briefing sessions were held on the training of personnel and inputs, electoral roll issues and IT applications and EVM VVPAT Management System, legal issues, MCC and expenditure monitoring etc.

All eyes of political parties are on meeting Election Commission meeting tomorrow where it will review the COVID-19 situation in poll blind states and take the decision on its earlier decision of Virtual rallies by political parties.

Election Commission had announced that no roadshow, pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till January 15. The commission shall subsequently review the situation and issue further instructions accordingly. (ANI)
The pre-poll churning in Uttar Pradesh has seen the BJP getting a jolt with six MLAs resigning from the party and three ministers quitting amid signals that they will join Samajwadi Party. In response to this, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said that resignations are not a big deal in Uttar Pradesh. The Union Minister lauded the Uttar Pradesh government and said that BJP is getting support from everywhere in the state. "Resignations are not a big deal in Uttar Pradesh. BJP is getting support from everywhere in the state. People will bless us and BJP will be successful in forming govt in UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur," Tomar said. Dharam Singh Saini became the third minister on Thursday who has resigned from the Yogi Adiyanath government in the last three days. In their resignation letters, the ministers have accused the BJP government of having a "callous attitude" towards Dalits, farmers, the unemployed youth and those belonging to other backward classes. Saini, who also belongs to the OBC community, indicated that there will be more resignations of ministers and MLAs in the coming days and the process will continue till January 20. "I have resigned because for 5 years Dalits, backward classes were suppressed, their voices were suppressed... We will do whatever Swami Prasad Maurya will say. One minister and 3-4 MLAs will resign every day till January 20," he said. The spate of resignations began with Swami Prasad Maurya quitting the cabinet. Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC community, had joined the BJP from BSP. Dara Singh Chauhan had resigned as minister on Wednesday. Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10, the Election Commission said. The polls in the state 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)
Italian teacher presents the real China to Italian readers through Italian translations of Chinese books

People's Daily Online) 17:15, January 13, 2022

"Quite a lot of people in Italy knew about ancient China and traditional Chinese culture, but little about the modern China," said Letizia Vallini, an Italian teacher at Nankai University in north China's Tianjin, who is also the translator of the book "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: Why does it work?".

"Italian students learn about China mostly from articles written by people of the Western world. I believe it's very necessary to make the voice of Chinese scholars heard in Italy," Vallini said, explaining why she chose to translate the book into Italian.

Photo shows Letizia Vallini, an Italian teacher at Nankai University in Tianjin. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

The book "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: Why does it work? is about China's history, economy, society, culture, diplomacy and many other topics. After it was published by the Italian publishing house Marx Ventuno in Oct. 2019, the book aroused widespread attention in both countries. The publishing house also held online seminars to invite Italian scholars to discuss the book.

The book was a challenge for Vallini because it is about Marxism, a subject that she had little knowledge about. To translate the book, Vallini bought dozens of Chinese and Italian books for reference and consulted with experts to better understand the text.

Vallini said that due to language barriers, Italian students would choose either Italian or English language books to learn about China. However, most of these books are written by Westerners. Therefore, she hoped that she could convey the voice of Chinese writers to Italian readers through Italian translations of Chinese books.

Vallini talks with her students during class. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Vallini said books translated into foreign languages offer an important channel for people to discover more about different cultures. There are many stereotypes of China in Italy, with some Italians even saying that the Chinese people of today still wear traditional Chinese garments. However, when they visited China to see the country for themselves, they found out what a modern country it is, Vallini said.

Vallini initially learned about China through the book "The Travels of Marco Polo," and before she came to China, she read books by Chinese writers so that she could learn more the country.

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 found that the country's level of development was much higher than she had expected. Over the course of the past few years, Vallini has witnessed the rapid development of multiple industries in the country, including food delivery and express delivery, among other sectors.

Students with the Department of Italian at Nankai University perform the famous Chinese drama "Thunderstorm." (Photo provided by the interviewee)

According to Vallini, since the Department of Italian was established by Nankai University in 2017, the department has held various activities to promote China-Italy cultural exchanges. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, some offline seminars were canceled, but online activities have been held regularly.

In June 2021, students at the Department of Italian at Nankai University and teachers from Sapienza University in Rome held an online meeting, during which students of both universities talked about their own countries and their life speaking each other's mother languages. Recently, students from the Department of Italian at Nankai University and the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy, joined a livestreaming session initiated by China Eastern Airlines to conduct talks with each other.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Sheng Chuyi)
Mumbai Police Cyber Cell has arrested a person from Bengaluru for demanding a ransom of Rs 2 crores from a Mumbai-based builder by impersonating a member of jailed gangster Ravi Pujari's gang, said the police. The accused have been identified as Mahesh Pujari (33). The police have seized the mobile, laptop and diary used in the crime from the accused person. (ANI)
The Border Security Force (BSF) has rescued 140 green parrots from clutches of smugglers and foiled wildlife smuggling along the Indo-Bangladesh border. On the basis of specific information, the BSF troops in the South Bengal frontier nabbed a smuggler on Thursday along with these parrots in the North 24 Parganas district. "All these birds were being smuggled from India to Bangladesh through the area of Border Out Post Tarali, North 24 Parganas district in Bangladesh," the BSF said. In a detailed note, the BSF said its 122 Battalion troops of Border Out Post Tarali in the Kolkata Sector laid an ambush near the International Boundary. "Ambush party noticed the movements of some suspicious persons who were trying to move towards Tarali village carrying bags on their shoulders. The Ambush Party challenged them to stop, but they tried to escape, the troops chased them and apprehended one of the smugglers while the rest of the smugglers managed to escape taking advantage of the mist and darkness," mentions the note. When the BSF troops conducted a thorough search, the note reveals, "eight cages were recovered from the three bags, inside which a total of 140 green parrots were found". The apprehended smuggler was identified as Hasibur Sardar, 18, a resident of Nityanand Kathi village in North 24 Parganas. During interrogation, the smuggler revealed that he received all the parrots from Suman Sardar, a resident of his own village. "After crossing the BSF duty line these were to be handed over to Mamul Dafadar in Tarali village. The apprehended smuggler was to get 1000 rupees for this work," said the BSF. All the rescued birds and the apprehended smuggler have been handed over to the Customs office, Tentulia for further legal proceedings, added the force, which is responsible to guard the India-Bangladesh border and ensure no illegal activities there. (ANI)
It was seen that Delhi Police rushes bomb disposal squad to Ghazipur Flower Market in East Delhi after the recovery of an unattended bag.

Delhi Police officials also informed that fire engines have been sent to the site.

Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana told media persons today, "Based on the information received, an IED has been recovered."

More details are awaited. (ANI)
The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the state government to execute the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued on January 4 in all districts in view of the COVID-19-19 pandemic and added that no rallies, dharnas or any other political gathering shall be permitted in the entire state, till the SOP is in operation. The High Court of Karnataka today heard PILs seeking directions to the state government not to allow rallies, dharnas and to restrain Mekedatu padayatra organised by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindaraj heard the matter. Senior counsel Uday Holla appeared for respondent KPCC. Learned counsel informed the bench that the padayatra has been suspended, respecting the Courts observation. The division bench asked for the decision of the government. On behalf of the government, the Additional advocate General appeared before the Court and made his submission that the government has issued notice to respondent and the government took all steps to ensure that padayatra is not taken out. High Court said that the government has banned only this particular padayatra program but the respondent stand is that it's been temporarily suspended. Senior counsel Uday Holla informed the Court, if the pandemic situation and number of cases fall down, we should be allowed to carry out padayatra and not completely ban it. HC said that since the submission made by the Assistant Advocate General (AAG), Counsel for the petitioner and Senior counsel for the respondent KPCC. In view of guidelines issued prohibiting padayatra, respondents suspended their padayatra by themselves. The purpose for which the writ petition filed does not exist, Court said. Following this, the High Court directed the state government to strictly execute the Standard Operating Procedures issued on January 4 in districts of Karnataka. "No rallies, dharnas, any other political rally will be permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic and so long as the SOPs issued by the government of Karnataka is operational," the order informed. Karnataka Congress on Thursday decided to postpone the Mekedatu Padayatra due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Addressing media persons, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, "Karnataka Congress has decided to suspend Mekedatu Padayatra with immediate effect in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation." "Once the number of COVID-19 cases comes down, we will start the padayatra again from Ramanagara which will continue for seven days," he said. 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)
Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police on Friday recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from Ghazipur flower market. Soon after getting the information, the Delhi Police rushed a bomb disposal squad and fire engines to control the situation. Minutes after the incident, the Delhi Police said, "A case has been registered in the Delhi Police Special Cell under provisions of the Explosive Substances Act." Sensing the severity of the matter, NSG commandos were sent. Later, NSG officials told ANI, "A bomb disposal squad of NSG has defused the IED recovered from Ghazipur. Samples of the IED have been collected and the NSG team will later submit a report of the chemical component used to assemble the explosive." Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana told ANI on phone, "Based on the information received, an IED has been recovered." In wake of the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 in the country, the Republic Day celebrations will take place with stricter restrictions than the ones imposed last year with the possibility of further reduction in the number of visitors allowed to witness the parade, said an official from the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday. The officials told ANI that a joint meeting was held by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence and other agencies to discuss the safety and security of visitors during the event. "The route of the parade will be shorter as similar to last year. The marching contingent will end at the India Gate C-Hexagon instead of Red Fort. The Rajpath that has been redeveloped under Central Vista has been opened between Vijay Chowk and India Gate for rehearsal of contingent participating in Republic Day Parade 2022," the official told. (ANI)
The BDS team of the NSG was pressed at Ghazipur Flower Market soon after an alert was received from the Delhi Police, NSG officer Jagdish Maithani told ANI.

"The bomb disposal squad of NSG has defused the IED recovered from Ghazipur. Samples of the IED have been collected and the NSG team will later submit a report of the chemical component used to assemble the explosive," Maithani said.

The Improvised explosive device (IED) was disposed of in a controlled explosion by pressing it into an eight-feet deep pit, which triggered a loud sound and smoke, said sources.

In a major security threat just two weeks ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Policerecovered the IED from an unattended bag at Ghazipur Flower Market on Friday. Fire engines were also sent to the site.

Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana confirmed to media persons that "based on theinformation received, an IED has been recovered."

Officials from the Special Cell of Delhi Police have also started an inquiry and multiple agencies are engaged meanwhile to get inputs regarding the recovery of the IED. (ANI)
Riya Shakya, daughter of rebel BJP MLA Vinay Shakya, has written to the Superintendent of Police (SP) Aurraiya, demanding security for herself and her brother. Riya, in her letter given to SP Abhishek Verma, however, did not mention from whom she and her brother were facing threat. In the letter, Riya said that as the Assembly elections were round the corner, she will step into politics as the successor of her father. Therefore, a security cover is being required for her and her brother. The SP, meanwhile, has given instructions to the officer concerned that any step should be taken only after understanding the family issues and a thorough investigation. "Riya has asked for police security cover. Keeping in mind the things said by Riya, I have instructed the circle officer (CO) Bidhuna, Mahendra Pratap Singh, to look into the matter. A decision on this will be taken only after thorough investigation," he added. Riya, a resident of Bhataura village of Kotwali Bidhuna, had grabbed limelight after she posted a video earlier this week, claiming that her father had been kidnapped. Her statement, however, was dismissed by her father, who has now quit the BJP to join former Minister Swami Prasad Maurya. He had told reporters on Wednesday that his daughter's allegations were false and baseless and he was safe and sound at his ancestral residence in Shanti colony in Etawah along with his mother and brother. He added that the act by his daughter is just a political gimmick. The police also termed Riya's allegations to be unsubstantiated. --IANS amita/ksk/ ( 271 Words) 2022-01-14-10:04:04 (IANS)
"There was an incident of brief firing for about 10 minutes after the IED blast at 12:55 pm near Patkalbeda village on Friday", said SP , Shalabh Sinha.

As per police information, the injured jawan was evacuated and admitted to Antagarh Hospital for treatment initially. "He has been referred to Raipur for better treatment."

The 33 Battalion of SSB was out for railway line protection duty and was patrolling the forest area under Tadoki police station limits when the Naxals set off the IED and the jawan sustained blast injuries, confirmed police. (ANI)
Emmy-winning actor, director, producer and activist Kerry Washington is diving into audio programming in a new partnership with Audible. As per Variety, under the pact, Simpson Street Productions, led by Washington and EVP and Oscar-nominated producer Pilar Savone will develop and produce three scripted audio productions exclusively for Audible. The first of the three podcasts from Simpson Street is the supernatural thriller 'Prophecy' -- with Washington set to star -- launching later in 2022. It will be followed by the romantic comedy 'Between Me and You' and the drama 'The Last Black Queen'. Washington and Simpson Street will serve as executive producers on all of the audio projects. Washington spoke about the deal and said, "Our focus at Simpson Street is to weave together narratives that honour our unique differences while connecting us through shared humanity." She added, "Expanding into the podcast space, especially with Audible, is a phenomenal opportunity to engage in storytelling across multiple mediums. We could not be more excited!" In 'Prophecy', when a series of unexplainable events happen simultaneously around the world, three individuals -- Virginia (Washington), a hydrologist; Daniel, a British zoo veterinarian; and Jonah, a commercial diver -- find themselves at the head of each phenomena. As they fight for survival, they soon realize they are all connected in contemporary Biblical reimaginings of the stories of the Virgin Mary, Daniel in the Lions' Den and Jonah and the Whale. Created, written and directed by Randy McKinnon, 'Prophecy' is an eight-episode audio series produced in collaboration with premium content studio and network QCode. 'Prophecy' is expected to premiere in the second half of 2022. Simpson Street's 'Between Me and You' podcast for Audible is created by bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch and Pete Chiarelli and is based on Scotch's novel of the same name. The eight-episode scripted romcom podcast, told in a nonlinear fashion, follows a couple who fell in love a decade earlier just out of college. But Tatum and Ben now find their relationship at a breaking point as they ask themselves: Is it possible to forgive and forget? 'The Last Black Queen', created by Darnell Brown, provides an intimate look inside the mind of Maya Foster: a middle-aged, mid-level professional carrying the superhuman weight of expectation that Black women shoulder every day, ignoring her own desires for a more exciting, meaningful life. That's until she meets Aime -- a mysterious and seductive young woman who unleashes a sexual awakening in Maya that threatens to destroy her marriage, job and any semblance of her former existence. Each episode will give listeners a perspective from Maya's colourful view of the world through unique audio devices, dream sequences and the occasional musical number. The deal with Washington comes after Audible has in recent months signed exclusive podcast deals with Elizabeth Banks, Queen Latifah, Lena Waithe, Laura Dern, Kenya Barris, Kevin Hart, Charlamagne Tha God and Rachel Brosnahan. (ANI)
Soon after the Delhi Police recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from the city's Ghazipur flower market on Friday, the Special Cell said that the suspects had done a detailed recce of the spot where the explosive was recovered. According to sources in the Special cell, the bag full of IED was kept near the gate of the flower market. Its detailed recce had been done by the suspects. If the bag had been kept inside the gate, it could have been captured in the CCTV camera. The bag was kept on the ground. The police had received a call after which the team had been alerted. A man named Anupam had informed the control room about the presence of an unattended bag at 10.19 am on Friday. His scooter was parked at the place where the explosive was planted. The special cell sources further said that two CCTV cameras are installed at the gate of the market and the police are exploring them along with the cameras installed in the nearby areas to find the clue of the suspect. "There are two CCTV cameras installed at the gate of the flower market. However, none of the cameras could capture the act of placing the bag at the spot. One camera is fitted on the inside and the other on the outside. There were possibilities of finding the footage of the incident on the CCTV on the outside," the sources said. "But the camera has been placed in such a way that it captures the number plate of the vehicles entering the market. So, the police could not find any clue from the footage. The Delhi Police is also looking into the CCTV camera footage of the nearby locations to find a clue of the suspect," added the sources. Minutes after the incident, the Delhi Police said, "A case has been registered in the Delhi Police Special Cell under provisions of the Explosive Substances Act." Sensing the severity of the matter, NSG commandos were sent. Later, NSG officials told ANI, "A bomb disposal squad of NSG has defused the IED recovered from Ghazipur. Samples of the IED have been collected and the NSG team will later submit a report of the chemical component used to assemble the explosive." Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana told ANI on phone, "Based on the information received, an IED has been recovered." Earlier today, a bomb disposal squad and fire engines were sent to control the situation after the information about an unattended bag was received, from which the IED was recovered. NSG commandos were sent. Later, NSG officials told ANI that the bomb disposal squad of NSG has defused the IED and the samples of the IED have been collected. The Bomb Disposal Squad of the NSG has shared with chief M.A. Ganapathy that prima facie, RDX and Ammonium Nitrate chemical compounds are suspected to have been used in the manufacturing of the approximately 3 kg IED. A post-analysis lab report being conducted by the NSG's BDS unit is under process as the team has collected samples after defusing the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). (ANI)
Kerala High Court has restrained the state Police from arresting Malayalam film actor Dileep till January 18 in a case where he allegedly threatened investigation officials probing the actress assault case. A single bench of Justice Gopinath P said that he will go through the statement given by film director Balachandra Kumar who has given a statement against Dileep. Crime Branch of Kerala Police registered a new case against Dileep and five others on January 9 for allegedly threatening the investigating officials. They were booked under IPC sections 116 (abetment of an offence punishable with imprisonment), 118 (concealing design to commit an 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. Balachandra Kumar, the film director has given a statement against Dileep on this. After this, DySP Baiju Paulose, the investigating officer 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 and 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)
Karnataka local court has rejected the bail plea of a police constable who was arrested on charges of sexually exploiting a minor rape survivor. The Puttur Fifth District and Sessions Court gave the order on Thursday. The accused cop, a police constable attached to the Kadaba police station in Dakshina Kannada district, was arrested on September 28. The police have submitted a charge sheet regarding the case and after 100 days of his arrest the court rejected his bail plea considering the seriousness of the case. The accused had met the minor girl when she had lodged a case of rape two years ago in Kadaba police station. Misusing his power, the accused used to interact with the minor girl regarding the case. He visited her house on the pretext of issuing summons and developed friendship with the girl. After promising to marry her, the accused sexually exploited the girl. When the girl became five-and-a-half months pregnant, her parents came to know about it and questioned the accused. The accused flatly refused to marry the girl. In turn, he told her parents to get the abortion done and he would give the money. The horrific incident came to light when the father of the victim had lodged a complaint with the police against the police officer. The accused had also kept the victim and her mother as captives in an undisclosed location. The investigations revealed that the accused policeman made a digital transfer of Rs 35,000 to the cellphone of the victim's mother and they got the abortion done. Superintendent of Police Dakshina Kannada district Rishikesh Bhagawan Sonawane stated that the accused would be terminated from the service. He also underlined that the police department will never take his side. The jurisdictional Kadaba police that are investigating the case have registered cases under IPC Section 376 (2) (Being a police officer, public servant, takes advantage of his official position and commits rape on a woman), 506 A(criminal intimidation), 5 (A), 5 (J) (ii)6 of Pocso (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act 2012. --IANS mka/dpb ( 363 Words) 2022-01-14-13:36:02 (IANS)
More than 75 lakh people from all over the world, including India, performed "Surya Namaskar" together to keep the body and mind healthy during the Covid pandemic, the Ministry of Ayush informed on Friday. The programme was launched virtually by Union Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and MoS for Ayush Dr Munjapara Mahendrabhai. On this occasion, Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev and many notable personalities from different parts of the world joined in the inaugural programme. The Union Minister said that "sun worship is done through Surya Namaskar to improve the physical and mental well-being of people." Under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yoga and Surya Namaskar are being promoted for the wellness and health of mankind, the minister said. Dr Munjapara said that different researches on Surya Namaskara demonstrated that Surya Namaskara builds our immunity and keeps the body fit. Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said that Surya Namaskar is for vitality and the Ministry of Ayush has conceived this programme to promote the healing power of solar energy. In this Virtual event, many leading Yoga Masters and Yoga enthusiasts from all over the world joined, demonstrated Surya Namaskar and shared their views on Surya Namaskar. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev said that the Surya Namaskar movement aims to make people aware of the basis of the life force. "Yoga means to unite people and we are doing the same by uniting more than 75 lakh people performing Surya Namaskar together," he said. Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that the energy of the sun awakens the immunity within us, which can save us from this global epidemic. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of Isha Foundation, said that everything in the world is governed by the energy of the sun. Performing Surya Namaskar daily improves physical and psychological health. 2021 Miss World Japan Tamaki Hoshi also said that this initiative was taken by the Ministry of AYUSH, is proving to be very beneficial for every human being in these pandemic times. The President of Italy Yoga Institute, Dr Antoniette Rossi, appealed to the people to stay healthy by performing Surya Namaskar. MDNIY Director Ishwar Basavareddy said that Surya Namaskar plays a big role in strengthening our respiratory system, by doing it through a yogic process, we can remain free from many diseases. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing Covid-19 surge, the northeastern states on Friday celebrated Bihu and Makar Sankranti, both harvest festivals, with traditional fervour. Various state governments, including Assam, slightly relaxed the Covid restrictions to celebrate the festivals. As the celebrations were affected due to the pandemic in the last two years, a festive atmosphere prevailed in the residential areas, villages and in mela (fair) grounds in the region. In Assam, people celebrated Bhogali Bihu, a harvest festival also called 'Magh Bihu', displaying a glimpse of pre-pandemic festive fervour. The Bhogali Bihu, which began on Thursday night with the celebration of 'Uruka', is an occasion for feasting and praying to god for a rich harvest. The 'Uruka' is the night of feast and merriment which is celebrated a day before the Bhogali Bihu, the main and colourful harvest festival of Assam. The Bhogali Bihu celebrations began with people assembling around 'Mejis' (makeshift houses made of straw and bamboo) and lighting them, seeking the blessings of the elders. People of all ages, mostly women and children, throw 'pithas' (rice cakes) and areca nuts after setting fire to the 'Mejis' and then offer prayers as part of the festivity. After the traditional rituals, community feasts were organised in the open grounds and even in paddy fields as 'Bhogali' comes from the word 'bhog' which in Assamese means feast. The festive enthusiasm among the people is more this time compared to the last two years, when Bhogali Bihu was a very low-key affair due to the series of protests against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The Assamese people also could not celebrate 'Rongali Bihu', a spring festival in April that marks the onset of Assamese New Year, last year due to the Covid-19-induced restrictions. The people of Assam also celebrate 'Kongali Bihu' or Kati Bihu' in October each year. Meanwhile, Makar Sankranti is also being celebrated in the region, especially Tripura. There are some similarities between 'Bhogali Bihu' and 'Makar Sankranti' as in both festivals community and family feasting is the main event. People during 'Makar Sankranti' take holy dips in various rivers and ponds while rural fairs are also organised in many villages and semi-urban areas. --IANS sc/ksk/ ( 375 Words) 2022-01-14-14:28:04 (IANS)
The Tri-Services Court of Inquiry constituted to probe the cause of the Mi-17 V5 accident that claimed the lives of late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and his wife and 12 other military personnel onboard on December 8, has ruled out mechanical failure and said that entry into clouds led to the spatial disorientation of pilot leading to the accident. The tri-services inquiry had submitted its preliminary findings to the Defence Minister last week. The probe ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident. According to the statement of the Indian Air Force, the cause of the unfortunate accident was attributed to the unexpected change of weather conditions in the valley.The inquiry was headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command. "The inquiry team analysed the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident. The Court of Inquiry has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident. The accident was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley," said the statement. "This led to spatial disorientation of the pilot resulting in Controlled Flight into Terrain. Based on its findings, the Court of Inquiry has made certain recommendations which are being reviewed," it added. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had presented a detailed tri-services inquiry report to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the Mi-17 chopper crash on December 8. General Rawat was headed to Defence Services Staff College in Wellington to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course when his chopper crashed.General Rawat's wife Madhulika Rawat, his Defence Adviser Brigadier Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, Staff Officer Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, Group Captain Varun Singh and nine other armed forces personnel including the Air Force helicopter crew lost their lives in the accident. (ANI)
A video of BSP worker Arshad Rana has gone viral in which he is sobbing at a police station in Muzaffarnagar district while complaining that he had been denied a ticket for the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly polls though he has been "doing everything" for the party. "Mera tamasha bana diya," he says while sobbing almost inconsolably. "I had never thought this. They are telling me that someone else is fighting the polls. You are seeing advertisements, hoardings, I am doing everything, in spite of this they are doing this to me," he says in the video. Arshad Rana also talks about the money "he has paid to a BSP functionary" and Rs 50 lakh that another BSP functionary "asked him to arrange". He said that he was declared party candidate from Charthawal constituency in Muzaffarnagar in 2018 for the 2022 assembly polls in presence of BSP in charge of Western Uttar Pradesh Shamsuddin Raeen. Arshad said he has been working as "a soldier of BSP" and had been declared candidate from Charthawal on directions of party chief Mayawati by Raeen. He said the announcement was made at a programme in Charthawal in 2018 in presence of senior party leaders of the area and the district. "After that, I have been working day and night for the party for the past four year," he said. Rana alleged that Raeen did not respond to his repeated calls and he then contacted the Muzaffarnagar district BSP chief. "The limit was crossed when I went to BSP office in Muzaffarnagar and he asked me to arrange for Rs 50 lakh more. I told him money does not grow on trees and I need to consult family members. I consulted my mother who said you are working so hard to contest the polls, you may sell a property and pay Rs 25 lakh now and Rs 25 lakh after your filing nomination. When I conveyed this, I was told why are you speaking like this over the phone....I said should I say Rs 25. I have all these proofs," he said. Muzaffarnagar city police station has filed a complaint on Rana's allegations and are probing the matter. Rana, who made a Facebook post on Thursday, had said if Raeen "does not return his money taken in the name of fighting elections" he will immolate himself before residence of BSP chief Mayawati. (ANI)
The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday visited 'E-Sanjeevani' hub at CGHS headquarters, reviewed the working of eSanjeevani tele-consultation facility and interacted with beneficiaries, doctors and officials across the country. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the consulting doctors provided tele-consultation. Patients inquired about ailments such as fever, runny nose and body ache and what tests they should get done. This also included an elderly cardiac patient who could not go out of home for medical consultation. The consulting doctor prescribed the necessary medical tests and reviewed the medicine being taken by the beneficiary. The Union Minister said, "In pandemic situations like Covid, tele-consultation is a boon specially for primary health care." The Union Minister noted that "E-Sanjeevani is a revolution in the health sector in the country. It is providing affordable and accessible health care as envisioned by the Prime Minister". "People in many states have been quick to recognise the benefits of eSanjeevani and this has led to an encouraging trend of widespread rapid adoption of this digital modality of seeking health services. Patients consult with doctors and specialists on a daily basis using this innovative digital medium to seek health services," he said. Mandaviya also stated that the "use of this platform is addressing the shortage of doctors and specialists at ground level while reducing the burden on secondary and tertiary level hospitals." It is also plugging the digital health divide that exists in urban and rural India, he added. The Health Minister recommended the doctors seek consultation with subject experts and specialists through the hub-spoke model. The government is committed to creating more hubs and spokes across the country, he said. eSanjeevani, the national Telemedicine Service of the Government of India, is a technological intervention conceptualized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and designed, implemented and operationalized by DAC which leverages Information Technology to enable remote doctor consultations. It has been deployed in two modes: eSanjeevaniAB-HWC: A Doctor-to-Doctor telemedicine system under Ayushman Bharat Scheme at Health and Wellness Centres to provide specialised health services in rural areas and isolated communities. The second model is eSanjeevaniOPD: A Patient-to-Doctor telemedicine system to enable people to get outpatient services in the confines of their homes. eSanjeevaniAB-HWC has accounted for over 1.60 crore consultations. Currently, around 33,297 Health and Wellness Centres acting as 'Spokes' are aligned to over 2991'Hubs' of District Hospitals and Medical Colleges. eSanjeevaniOPD platform has served over 65 lakh patients in 35 States/UTs. Over 1,10,988 doctors and paramedics have been trained and onboarded, so far. 664 online OPDs have been set up on eSanjeevaniOPD and a total of 2.17 crore (2,17,60,433) tele-consultations have been done to date. Over 1,10,000 patients are served through eSanjeevani on a daily basis, establishing itself as a parallel stream of healthcare services delivery. 53 per cent of the consultations have been taken by women. (ANI)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted an eight-member joint committee to look into the pollution of Powai Lake in the Eastern suburb of Mumbai and the failure of authorities to take remedial action. The Court said there is need to deal with the unremedied pollution, having potential for damage to the environment and the wildlife. The bench headed by Tribunal Chairman Adarsh Kumar Goel in an order passed on January 12, noted, "Water quality of the lake can lead to killing of fishes, affecting the crocodile nestling sites, dependent of fish. Though certain initiatives are said to have been taken for restoration/revival of the lake and prevention of damage to the environment, the steps so far taken are not adequate and desired results are yet to be achieved." "There is thus need to continue sustained efforts by the State authorities as well as civil society and to maintain constant vigilance. There is also need to take coercive measures to enforce environmental norms by way of coordinated efforts of all the statutory regulators, wherever necessary. Primary responsibility remains of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), the Wetland Authority and the Forest Department (Wildlife Division). Local Police may also have to take responsibility", said NGT. Tribunal further said, the Environment Department of Maharashtra has also to take pro-active action. Since the primary issue is the compliance of laid down norms by the statutory regulators, all that is required is to issue directions to the said authorities to perform their duty. It may be necessary to constitute a Joint Committee for coordinated action. The Committee may prepare its action plan covering all aspects of the environment in the light of earlier studies and plans, as may be updated in the light of current ground situation. The Committee may particularly take steps to ensure compliance of Wetland Rules, 1972 and other Environmental Rules, including, steps to prevent discharge of sewage or any other effluents and monitor water quality to protect fishes and other aquatic fauna and distinct sites of the marsh crocodiles. It may have mechanism for assessing water quality monitoring at strategic locations, exploring possibilities of installing aeration systems, prohibiting use of phosphate bearing detergents and other measures required to be taken, said tribunal order. According to the applicants, the sources of pollution are discharge of effluents and sewage, illegal reclamation for construction and dumping of debris. The lake is home to scheduled species of wildlife as per Schedule to the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 (WPA). The statutory authorities have failed to discharge their obligation under the 'Public Trust' doctrine. The area of lake is 210 hectares as per Central Institute of Fisheries Education, with catchment area of 6.61 sq. kms. Powai Lake is one of immense ecological importance, home to several protected species of birds and animals and the water of the lake has many dependents for various purposes. (ANI)
PAGD member and vice president of ANC Muzaffar Shah on Friday said that the government's notification on students doing yoga for Makar Sankranti is 'unconstitutional'. "The order should be revoked immediately. Religious freedom is guaranteed by the constitution of this country. Orders like this create a dangerous situation. BJP should desist from such practice," said Muzaffar Shah on Friday. According to him, people in Kashmir respect each others religion and there should be no interference like Surya Namashkar in religious practice. "I would like to ask the senior government officials and the Lieutenant Governor, 'Will you offer Namaz?' No, but you respect the Muslim religion. In the same way, we respect Hindu religion but we will not do Surya Namaskar", stated the PAGD leader. Omar Abdullah took to Twitter on Friday and wrote, "Why should Muslim students be forced to do anything, including yoga, to celebrate Makar Sankranti? Makar Sankranti is a festival and to celebrate it or not must be a personal choice. Would the BJP be happy if a similar order was issued to order non-Muslim students to celebrate Eid?" The Central government issued an order by the higher education department where it said, "To mark the holy occasion of 'Makar Sankranthi' on January 14, the Government of India (GoI) has desired a large scale virtual 'Surya Namaskar' under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations...........Kindly ensure that all faculty members and students actively participate in this programme." Speaking on the issue, GM Shaheen the President of Jammu and Kashmir JDU said, "It's undemocratic and against Muslim community. This will hurt Muslim sentiments. You can't force anyone to do Surya Namaskar." Reacting to the order, Imran Nabi Dar, the spokesperson of the National Conference (NC) tweeted, "The fact that heads of colleges in Kashmir have been directed to 'ensure' participation of faculty, students and the fact that these heads are now forced to force Muslims to perform 'Surya Namaskar' is a proof of religious interference. Roll the order back." While speaking to ANI, Dar said, "We have a problem with the word 'ensure' written in the order. If you force Muslims to do something that goes against their religion then it will be unacceptable." He further added that religion is a person's personal choice. "Kashmir, being a Muslim majority area, the government should have been considerate while giving out official orders", he added. According to Imran Nabi Dar, official orders that go against Kashmiris are given out often in the last two years. "Through orders like this, the Central government is trying to humiliate Kashmiris. They are made to go through mental torture", added the NC spokesperson. (ANI)
A letter has been sent to the Attorney General of India KK Venugopal seeking consent to initiate contempt proceedings against the 'Dharam Sansad' leader Yati Narsinghanand over his recent remarks against the Constitution and the Supreme Court of India. The letter written by activist Shachi Nelli said that in an interview that went viral on Twitter on January 14, Yati Narsinghanand made "derogatory remarks". "On being asked about the court proceedings in the Haridwar Hate Speech case, Yati Narshinghanand went on to state that "We have no trust in the Supreme Court of India and the Constitution," the letter read. The letter further said that the comments made by Yati Narsinghanand are trying to undermine the majesty of the institution and the authority vested in the Supreme Court of India, and is a vile and clear attempt at interfering in the course of justice by means of abusive rhetoric and baseless attacks on the integrity of the Constitution and the Courts. "Any such attempt to harm the majesty of the institution and diminish the faith that citizens of India have in the Court can result in complete chaos and anarchy. This is perhaps the most vicious attack on the Supreme Court in its history, the letter said. "To permit these remarks to pass unaddressed will be to allow this attempt of lowering the authority of the apex court to succeed, if not wholly then in considerable measure," it added. According to the letter, "The Supreme Court of India is the first interpreter and the guardian of the Constitution of India. It is appalling to see the lack of faith and sheer contempt being expressed towards the fundamental frameworks of this country. The intent to undermine the Court and its capacity to dispense justice is evident." Yati has been making headlines because of his anti-Muslims hate speeches. Supreme Court has recently issued notice to Centre, Uttrakhand and Delhi police on a petition seeking an independent inquiry into the alleged hate speeches in Haridwar and Delhi The plea sought the arrest and trial of people who made hate speeches, inciting violence towards Muslims, at the Haridwar Dharm Sansad conclave and in Delhi by 'Hindu Yuva Vahini'. 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. (ANI)
Srinagar Police on Friday arrested a secessionist for "spreading hatred against Union of India, terrorist agenda and inciting youth to resort to violence." The police have registered a case against him under relevant sections of the law and initiated an investigation into the matter, said the police. The accused was identified as Ahsan Untoo who hails from Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara. "@SrinagarPolice registered a case against Ahsan Untoo for spreading #hatred against the Union of India & also spreading #terrorist/secessionist agenda and inciting youth to resort to #violence & indulge in unlawful activities. The accused has been arrested," tweeted Kashmir Zone police. In its statement, the Kashmir police said that Untoo was a proactive secessionist who was a speaker at Twitter spaces titled "Radio Resistance Kashmir" that is led by two other secessionists identified as Muzammil Ayyub Thakur and Dr Asif Dar. "It was reliably learnt that Mohd Ahsan Untoo, a proactive secessionist is an active participant and speaker at Twitter spaces titled "Radio Resistance Kashmir" led by two known secessionists namely Muzammil Ayyub Thakur and Dr Asif Dar. These known secessionists, who are accused in several cases along with Ahsan Untoo are actively spreading hatred against the Union of India on the social media platform," said the statement. The police further said that Untoo is threatening the peaceful atmosphere of the union territory. "By spreading false propaganda, disinformation campaign and hate speech through these social media spaces, Ahsan Untoo is not only threatening to disturb the prevailing peaceful atmosphere of UT of J-K but spreads disaffection, ill-will and disharmony against the Union of India. He is also actively spreading the terrorist secessionist agenda and is thus inciting youth to resort to violence and indulge in unlawful activities," said the statement. (ANI)
In line with the Narendra Modi government's push for promoting 'Make in India', the Defence Ministry on Friday decided to withdraw tenders for deals related to buying short-range surface-to-air missiles and 14 helicopters. The meeting, however, allowed the forces to go ahead with a deal to buy air-to-ground missiles from France and overhaul of Russian helicopters, government sources told ANI. The Defence Ministry has started reviewing the import deals under the Buy Global category which are fully acquired from foreign vendors. A number of deals have been put in the closure and deferment list by the Defence Ministry and with the ministry discussing whether they can be closed in favour of Indian vendors or developers. The foreclosure and deferment lists include deals like the Very Short Range Air Defence Systems, towed artillery guns, vertically launched surface-to-air missiles, shipborne unmanned aerial systems, additional P-8I surveillance aircraft along with the MiG-29 combat aircraft. Deals under the Foreign Military Sales route like the General Purpose Machine Guns are also in the list and a missile deal is also going to be scrutinised. The multi-billion-dollar Kamov-226 helicopter deal with Russia has also been put in the list. The Kamov-31 shipborne choppers along with the Klub class anti-ship missiles are also in the list. A number of classified projects are also in the list which would be taken up for discussion. The initiative came after Prime Minister Modi took a review meeting with the Defence Ministry officials, including the then Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, where it was felt that strong measures would have to be taken to ensure that the country moves firmly towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector. The Prime Minister has been personally reviewing the progress of Make in India initiative in the defence sector and has from time to time asked officials in both services and the Defence Ministry to ensure that more steps are taken to promote Make in India in the defence sector. (ANI)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the District Magistrate of Gurugram to look into the complaint alleging damage to a water body by Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) in Jharsa village. According to the applicant Rohit Thakran, the water body was being used till 2019-20 but now, it has been proposed to be "covered by the HSVP illegally". Referring to a matter pertaining to Lt Col Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi vs Union of India, the complainant said the action of the urban planning agency is contrary to the environmental norms laid down in the judgement of the Supreme Court and directions of the Tribunal in the order dated November 18, 2020. "In view of above, we direct the District Magistrate, Gurugram to look into the matter and take remedial action in accordance with the law. The applicant is at liberty to put forward his version before the District Magistrate, Gurugram for further consideration," said the bench headed by NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel in an order dated January 7. A copy of this order along with the copy of the complaint be forwarded to the District Magistrate, Gurugram by e-mail for compliance, it stated. --IANS jw/pgh ( 212 Words) 2022-01-14-17:38:05 (IANS)
"Total 80 injured, 1 succumbed to injuries in the Jallikattu competition in Avaniyapuram area of Madurai, Tamil Nadu," the health official.

According to the official, the injured includes 38 bull tamers, 24 bull owners, and 18 spectators.

Amid loud whistles, applause and cheers at Avaniyapuram village in Madurai district, as many as 300 bulls were let out into the arena of bull tamers.

The Tamil Nadu government had allowed Jallikattu with 300 bulls and 150 spectators. However, hundreds of villagers gathered on roofs and outside the barricades at Avaniyapuram to watch the events.

Every year during Pongal, the Jallikattu competition is conducted in the villages of Tamil Nadu. (ANI)
After investigating the Alwar case, where a specially abled minor girl was found lying in a distressed condition, the Rajasthan police on Friday said that she had travelled on her own and her medical reports confirm 'no injury' to her private parts. Superintendent of Police Tejaswani Gautam said, "On the basis of technical evidence and video received by police, rape survivor is seen walking on Tijara flyover (incident spot), looking healthy. Doctors stated that her medical examination suggests no injury in her private parts." The minor girl was found injured at Tijara Phatak in Alwar city and the Alwar Police has decided not to consider it as rape on the basis of the forensic report. A case was registered in this matter at the Malakheda police station. "Following the incident on January 11, a prima facie case was lodged. As per the probe, the girl (alleged rape survivor) boarded the auto from her village to the city (Jaipur) all alone. There were only fellow passengers in the auto, and throughout she looked fine", said SP Tejaswani Gautam. Superintendent of Police Tejaswani Gautam said that she has got door to door footage and evidence of the girl till she came to the Tijara gate from her house. "On the basis of investigation done by SIT team, experts, dog squad and CCTV footage, it is now clear that the girl left the house alone and came to Alwar city in an auto with no one accompanying her", informed the Alwar SP on Friday. The police informed that the auto driver has also been identified and the auto has also been checked by the forensic team. "A team of forensic experts has not found anything suspicious in the auto-rickshaw. The driver was interrogated and her co-passengers will be questioned," the SP said. "Till the CCTV footage that we have got of the girl, she is completely visible and no suspect is seen chasing her," the SP said. She further informed that today the report of the expert team of the Medical Board of Doctors has been received and they after conducting the tests said that there is no vaginal or internal injury. (ANI)
The Monumental National Flag, which is the world's largest national flag made of Khadi fabric, will be put to a grand public display along the India - Pakistan Border in Jaisalmer to celebrate "Army Day" on Saturday, informed the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. As per the ministry, the Monumental National Flag will be displayed at Longewala which was the center stage of the historic battle between India and Pakistan in 1971. According to the ministry, this will be the 5th public display of the National Flag since its unveiling in Leh on 2nd October 2021. It was, later on, displayed at Hindon Airbase on the occasion of Air Force Day on 8th October 2021 and at the Red Fort on 21st October 2021, that marked the completion of 100 crore Covid vaccinations in India. On 4th December 2021, the Monumental National Flag was displayed at the Naval Dockyard near Gateway of India in Mumbai to celebrate Navy Day. The Monumental National Flag, which symbolizes the collective spirit of Indian-ness and the heritage artisanal craft of Khadi, has been conceptualized and prepared by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to celebrate 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the 75 years of Independence. KVIC has handed over the flag to the Defence forces for displaying the same at prominent places on historic occasions. The Monumental National Flag measures 225 feet long, 150 feet wide and weighs (approx.) 1400 KG. It took 49 days for 70 Khadi artisans to prepare this flag. Making of the Monumental National Flag has created nearly 3500 man-hours of additional work for Khadi artisans and allied workers. A whopping 4500 meters of hand-spun, hand-woven Khadi cotton bunting has been used in making the flag which covers a total area of 33, 750 square feet. The Ashok Chakra in the flag measures a diameter of 30 feet. (ANI)
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ramped up its efforts ahead of the Assembly elections in five states, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) Muslim wing, Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), is reaching out to Muslims voters in these states seeking votes for BJP, stating that the saffron party is the biggest well-wisher of the minority community. Speaking to ANI, the national convener of MRM, Shahid Sayeed said, "Around 400 diligent workers will work with BJP to reach out to Muslim voters. These workers will be headed by seven other different designated members. They all head various departments in different wings of RSS". "There will be public awareness programs on all the work done by the Yogi-Modi government. During a meeting today RSS leader Indresh Kumar has released a 'letter of an appeal' listing various schemes implemented by the BJP governments and states for the welfare of the Muslim community. The saffron party is the biggest well-wishers of Muslim community," said Sayeed. This "letter of appeal" will be distributed in all poll-bound states. "A seven-member team including Shalini Ali, National Convener Women Wing; Bilal ur Rehman, Chairman Madarsa Board and Convener Hindustan First, Hindustani Best; Dr Imran Choudhary, UP State Convener; Hafiz Sabreen, Convener Delhi States; Oncologist Dr Majid Tallikoti, National Convener Incharge Karnataka; Khursheed Razakka, Ex-Chairman Mewat Development Board and National Convener for MRM Youth Wing and Nish Jafri, MRM UP Activist will lead 400 workers," added Sayeed. Uttar Pradesh will go to the assembly polls in 7 phases from February 10 to March 7, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa will vote on February 14 and Manipur will vote on February 27 and March 3. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)
The country's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 12 armed forces personnel were killed in the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

Sharing preliminary findings of the tri-services Court of Inquiry report, the IAF said the chopper crash was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley.

The inquiry team analysed the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident.

The Court of Inquiry has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident.

The accident was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley, which led to spatial disorientation of the pilot.

"Based on its findings, the Court of Inquiry has made certain recommendations which are being reviewed," the IAF said.

General Rawat was on a visit to the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Nilgiri Hills to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course.

--IANS sk/arm

( 237 Words)

2022-01-14-19:36:03 (IANS)
As the elections are nearing in five states the Congress is witnessing internal rifts on the issue of who would be the chief ministerial face in the upcoming polls in Punjab and Uttarakhand. The party has, however, categorically stated that it is unlikely to project anyone as the CM face of the party and will go with collective leadership of the state. The issue will be settled after the results are out. The Congress is wary of Punjab State President Navjot Singh Sidhu asserting himself for the top post ahead of the polls, while colliding with party colleagues. Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi too is trying to impress the party high command while in Uttarakhand Harish Rawat wants to be the captain of the ship and is saying that it all depends on the party whether he will contest or not contest the polls. The Central Election Committee is meeting virtually on Saturday to decide on the poll tickets. The party is trying to balance the warring factions and pacify the leaders like Harish Rawat in Uttarakhand who has been opposing the induction of BJP turncoats but the Congress leadership is eyeing the winnability factor in the state. Sidhu on Thursday had questioned his own government and had said "A system which could not give justice to our Guru and could not punish the big fish involved in the drug trade needs to be demolished. I categorically state that I'm not running for any post and it's either this system will stay or Navjot Singh Sidhu," he tweeted. "The fight is to change this system which has eroded Punjab like termites and is being run by mafias in connivance with mischievous politicians. This system cries for a change & reforms as the glory of Punjab has been annihilated by the nexus of a few political leaders and mafia," Sidhu said in another tweet. The Congress, so far, has not named anyone as the chief ministerial face for the Assembly elections in the five states, as the party feels that it might lead to infighting and internal rifts which could damage its prospects in the polls. --IANS miz/bg ( 371 Words) 2022-01-14-19:48:04 (IANS)
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said in pandemic situations like Covid-19, tele-consultation is a boon, especially for the primary health care, while noting that going to a doctor is not always possible during the pandemic . Highlighting the services being provided through the digital platform of tele-consultation, Mandaviya said that E-Sanjeevani is a revolution in the health sector in the country. It is providing affordable and accessible health care as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also emphasised that PM Modi in review meeting with the Chief Ministers of States on Thursday, had highlighted that tele-medicine facilities will help a great deal in providing healthcare services to the needy. Mandaviya was on a visit to the eSanjeevani teleconsultation facility at the CGHS headquarters, here on Friday, and observed the consultation being provided by doctors through tele-consultation. He said that this platform is addressing the shortage of doctors and specialists at ground level while reducing the burden on secondary and tertiary level hospitals. It is also plugging the digital health divide that exists in urban and rural India, he added. The Health Minister recommended the doctors to seek consultation with subject experts and specialists through the hub-spoke model. eSanjeevani, the national Telemedicine Service of the Government, is a technological intervention conceptualised by the Health Ministry, implemented and operationalized by C-DAC to enable remote doctor consultations. It has been deployed in two modes: eSanjeevani AB-HWC, Doctor-to-Doctor telemedicine system under Ayushman Bharat Scheme at Health & Wellness Centres, to provision specialised health services in rural areas and isolated communities. The second model is eSanjeevaniOPD, a Patient-to-Doctor telemedicine system to enable people to get outpatient services in the confines of their homes. eSanjeevani AB-HWC has accounted for over 1.60 crore consultations. Currently, around 33,297 Health and Wellness Centres acting as 'Spokes' are aligned to over 2,991 'Hubs' of District Hospitals and Medical Colleges. eSanjeevani OPD platform has served over 65 lakh patients in 35 states and UTs. Over 1,10,988 doctors and paramedics have been trained and on-boarded, so far. 664 online OPDs have been set up on eSanjeevani OPD and a total of 2.17 crore tele-consultations have been done till date. --IANS avr/pgh ( 370 Words) 2022-01-14-21:14:02 (IANS)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the Centre over reports of China constructing villages in disputed Bhutan territory, which is less than 30 km from the trijunction Doklam plateau. The former Congress President alleged that the government has already surrendered its land, but it is not standing for 'friends' like Bhutan. As per reports, China is constructing villages in a disputed territory in Bhutan, which is less than 30 km from the trijunction Doklam plateau. The revelation came after high-resolution satellite imagery surfaced with the security establishments. "(The) Modi government first surrendered our land and has now jeopardised our close neighbours by its inaction in pushing back China. If you don't stand up for yourself, how will you stand up for your friends," Rahul Gandhi tweeted. Sources said the Chinese villages within the disputed territory in Bhutan are likely to be used for both military and civilian purposes. Doklam plateau was in limelight in 2017 when the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) were locked in a bitter standoff for over 70 days. The Chinese had to finally retreat from the area after the Indian troops contested the plateau. Dhoklam is an area of 100 sq km comprising a plateau and a valley at the trijunction between India, China and Bhutan. The plateau is circled by the Chumbi Valley in Tibet, Bhutan's Ha Valley and India's Sikkim. In October last year, China and Bhutan had signed a pact on a three-step roadmap to resolve their boundary disputes. India in its response had said, "It has noted the development." Boundary negotiations between Bhutan and China began in 1984 and the two sides have held 24 rounds of talks and 10 rounds of meeting at the expert group level. --IANS miz/arm ( 311 Words) 2022-01-14-21:20:03 (IANS)
In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases, the West Bengal BJP on Friday wrote to the State Election Commission (SEC) requesting to postpone the municipality elections for a month. "We would like to add since the notification of said elections on December 28, 2021, as per the Bulletin of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, the daily reported COVID cases jumped from 732 to 23,467 on 13 January 2022," it said. The BJP said that the positivity rate has also jumped from 2.35 per cent on 28 December 2021 to 32.13 per cent on 13 January 2022 in the state. "We draw your attention to the Order of the Hon'ble High Court at Calcutta quote "Hence, we dispose of the present petition with a direction to the State Election Commission to consider the galloping speed with which the COVID cases are increasing and also to take into account the issue if holding of elections in such a situation will be in the public interest and if free and fair elections will be possible on the dates notified, and take a decision in respect of the postponement of the date of elections of aforesaid four Municipal Corporations for a short period of 4 to 6 weeks" unquote," read the letter. The party further said that the High Court has also directed SEC to consider the galloping speed with which the COVID-19 cases are rising. It said that the Court has raised the issue of public interest, and the question of free and fair polls in such circumstances. "Sir a democracy is all about its people and so are elections. No purpose will be served by exposing the voters to the risk of getting infected, to conduct elections which are already delayed by between 1.5 and 2.5 years," it added. It further said, "Once again Bharatiya Janata party calls upon the State Election Commission to immediately announce the postponement of the four Municipal Corporation polls due on 22 January 2022 by four to six weeks, in peoples' interest, failing which we will hold you responsible for any adverse happening." Earlier on Friday, the Calcutta High Court has directed the State Election Commission to consider the postponement of four civic polls for four-six weeks due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. The court had ordered State Election Commission to clear its stand within 48 hours. The elections of four Municipal Corporations, namely Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Chandernagore Municipal Corporation, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and Asansol Municipal Corporation were earlier slated to be held on January 22, 2022, according to an order by the State Election Commission. However, the High Court has postponed the elections for 4-6 weeks citing that the third wave of COVID-19 has hit the state and that the life of the residents of the State will be put to threat if the elections are held. (ANI)
The Amritsar district administration has constituted a media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC) to monitor the expenses of candidates on certified ads given in media and social media during the assembly elections in Punjab. "As per Supreme Court guidelines, a media certification and monitoring cell is made for elections. DC heads the committee. The committee is a team of seven members including SDM and an independent journalist. We monitor and certify ads given in media, social media and issue notice to candidates if the violation of Model Code of Conduct is found," said Saurabh Deep, committee member, Amritsar. He said that they have subject experts of three--English, Hindi and Punjab. "We work 24/7 in three shifts. We have a total of 20 working staff here in which we have subject experts for subject experts English, Hindi and Punjab plus Computer specialist," said Deep. Deep further said that we have three sections here--electronic media, print media and social media. "We have three sections here. First is electronic media in which we monitor television news. Our second section is print media in which we monitor the expenditure incurred in newspapers for paid ads and news. We also have social media teams, cinema halls, FM radios which we monitor," he added. He said that for the advertisement in electronic media, social media, cinema halls, FM radio, it is necessary to get the approval of MCMC. The advertisements in the print media must be approved by the said committee two days before its appearance. Deep further added that any candidate puts up an advertisement without the written permission of the candidate and without the approval of the committee or violates MCC guidelines then action is taken against them. The Assembly polls in Punjab are scheduled to take place in a single phase on February 14. The votes will be counted on March 10. (ANI)
In its first meeting on Thursday, the BJP CEC has finalised candidates for 172 Assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh where polling will be held in the first three phases.

Goa has already recommended shortlisted names to the party's CEC for approval, and Uttarakhand will be sending shortlisted names in a day or two.

While several rounds of meetings for Uttar Pradesh have been held in Lucknow and in the national capital. On Thursday, the BJP CEC meeting to finalise candidates for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls was held in hybrid mode as few of the CEC members, including party chief J.P. Nadda, have tested positive for Covid-19.

Sources said that the next meeting of the BJP CEC is likely to be held mid next week to finalise more candidates of Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.

"Depending on the health of CEC members, the decision to hold meetings physically or in hybrid form will be decided," a party leader said.

Before Thursday, a lot of discussion and deliberation took place in meetings chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10, while in Punjab, Goa, and Uttarakhand elections will be held on February 14, and in Manipur, it will also be in two phases - on February 27 and March 3.

Counting of votes will take place on March 10.

--IANS ssb/vd

( 280 Words)

2022-01-14-21:50:07 (IANS)
Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday launched three new initiatives for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans' Day which is celebrated on 14 January every year. In a series of tweets, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) has allotted Rs 320 crore to Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) to clear all backlog of pending applications for welfare schemes especially Education & Marriage grants for widows/dependent children of the veterans. This will benefit over 1,66,000 wards/widows of Ex-Servicemen (ESMs). According to the Ministry of Defence, the AFFDF, administered by Kendriya Sainik Board, is being utilised to fund a number of welfare schemes for ESMs/widows/dependants. These welfare schemes aim to provide financial assistance to ESM fraternity/widows/dependants and maintain various facilities (Cheshire Homes/Paraplegic Homes/War Memorial Hostels) meant for ESMs and their dependants, stated the ministry. In another major achievement, the Directorate General of Resettlement issued around 7,900 job letters to freshly retired ESMs in Government Sector/PSUs/Banks and Private sector during the year from April-December 2021, out of re-employment given to over 22,000 during the same period, said the ministry, adding that the aim is to facilitate re-employment of ESM in the corporate sector and provide jobs through schemes for self-employment. The Directorate-General Resettlement is an attached office of MoD that facilitates the resettlement of ESM by organising pre and post-retirement training, re-employment and self-employment. Nearly 60,000 Armed Forces personnel retire or are released from active service every year, most of them being in the age bracket of 35 to 45 years and need a second career to support their families. The DESW also launched a dedicated Raksha Pension Shikayat Nivaran Portal designed to speedily redress pension, including family pension-related grievances of ESM and their dependents. The portal will enable the processing of grievances quickly by the DESW. Through the portal, an SMS and e-mail will be forwarded to the applicants on their registered mobile number and e-mail, intimating confirmation of registration of grievance and for tracking its status. Applicants can also provide feedback for the purpose of improving the quality of redressal of grievances. (ANI)
The Congress has fielded actor and beauty pageant winner Archana Gautam from Hastinapur constituency in the Meerut district to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Gautam got a ticket within two months of joining the party. She had joined Congress in November 2021. On Thursday, the party rolled out its first list of 125 candidates for the assembly elections which are due to be held in seven phases in Uttar Pradesh from February 10 and the list includes 50 women candidates. Speaking to ANI on Friday, the actor-model said that if she wins the Hastinapur seat, then the main focus will be on development work and tourism will be promoted. "Hastinapur is a tourist place and there are lots of ancient temples but people are not able to come here because of the connectivity. The first thing as an MLA I will do that I will build a bus stand and railway station for connectivity. Because when tourism will increase here then people will get employment," she added. She further said that she will also work for the farmers. "Every year because of flood crops are damaged so I will work for that. I will take this matter to the state assembly. There is only one sugar mill here and because of which farmers face a lot of problems. So to save their time I will open more sugar mills," she added. Further speaking on her viral Bikini pics, Gautam urged people to not merge her profession in the media industry with my political career. "I represented India in Miss Bikini 2018. I was Miss Uttar Pradesh 2014 and Miss Cosmo World 2018. I request people to not merge my profession in the media industry with my political career," said Gautam. Hastinapur is a historical land that dates back to the Mahabharata period. It is said that Hastinapur was the capital of Pandavas during the time of Mahabharata. Not only this, but Hastinapur also has a political history. It is said that the party whose candidate wins the Hastinapur seat, forms the government in the state. In the first list of 125 candidates for UP polls, 50 candidates are women, including Asha Singh, mother of the Unnao rape victim. From Shahjahanpur, Congress has fielded Asha worker, Poonam Pandey who led agitation for a raise in honorarium. Notably, Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid's wife Louise Khurshid has also been given a ticket. 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. Notably, Congress has been out of power in the state for more than 30 years. In the 2017 Assembly elections, the BJP won a landslide victory winning 312 Assembly seats. The party secured a 39.67 per cent vote share in the elections for 403-member Assembly. Samajwadi Party (SP) bagged 47 seats, BSP won 19 while Congress could manage to win only seven seats. (ANI)
This figure represents 77 per cent year-over-year growth from $1.3 billion in 2020, reports Sensor Tower.

Consumer spending in ByteDance's short video platform reached $824.4 million in Q4 2021, more than double the $382.4 million generated during the same period in 2020.

Although China remains TikTok's largest market in terms of consumer spending, its share has diminished significantly.

In Q4 2021, 57 per cent of spending came from Chinese users, whereas China's App Store represented 85 per cent of in-app spending in Q4 2020.

The US maintained its rank as the number two revenue-generator for TikTok, with its share in spending growing Y/Y.

In Q4 2021, US consumers spent nearly $110 million in the app, representing 13 per cent of global revenue. This was 5 points higher than in Q4 2020 when the US was responsible for $29.6 million or about 8 per cent of worldwide spending.

In June 2020, the Indian government banned the popular short-form video app TikTok amid border tensions with China.

--IANS wh/sks/ksk/

( 210 Words)

2022-01-14-14:20:04 (IANS)
Blinken met with Jordanian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi today in Washington, D.C. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Safadi emphasized the importance of the US-Jordan strategic partnership in advancing shared regional goals of peace, stability, and security, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price informed.

They discussed the importance of implementing reforms that expand economic growth and opportunity, including securing access to water.

Further, the Secretary reaffirmed the US commitment to stability in the region through support of a political solution in Syria and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for Jordan's leadership in the region, particularly in its hosting of refugees, according to the office of the US State Department's spokesperson. (ANI)
"The Secretary reaffirmed the US commitment to stability in the region through support of a political solution in Syria and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Price said on Thursday.

The diplomats also discussed the need to put in place reforms that will expand Jordan's economic growth and opportunity, including securing access to water.

On Tuesday, Jordan Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh in an interview with Ammon News denied his country opened secret channels with the Syrian government to discuss reconciliation. (ANI/Sputnik)
Iran's top human rights official has slammed the US for failing to honour its promises to close down Guantanamo Bay detention camp, 20 years after the infamous prison was established in Cuba. "January 11 marked 20 years since the opening of Guantanamo Bay, the notorious US prison, (in) which detainees are held extra judicially. Promises were made to close the facility, but there are still expansion plans to be built this year," Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian Judiciary Chief's Deputy for International Affairs and Secretary of the country's High Council for Human Rights, said in a tweet. "There is no perspective on closing the facility. Even military spending bill entails provisions barring the use of funds to transfer detainees to other countries or into the US unless certain conditions are met," Gharibabadi noted. The Guantanamo Bay detention facility, a symbol of US torture and abuse of prisoners, marked on Tuesday the 20th anniversary of the first prisoners' arrival, amid renewed calls for its shutdown and US reflection on the country's terrible human rights record, Xinhua news agency reported. The detention site at Guantanamo Bay naval base on the island of Cuba admitted its first detainees on January 11, 2002, as part of the US-led global war on terror in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 on American soil. Over the past two decades, about 780 inmates were thrust into the cells of the US military prison, where they were reportedly subjected to torture and other brutal treatment. Until now, 39 people are still there. Of them, a dozen have been charged with war crimes, while the rest are either eligible for transfer or continue to be held under indefinite detention. Between 2002 and 2021, nine detainees died in custody in Guantanamo, two from natural causes and seven reportedly from suicide. None of them had been charged or convicted of a crime. --IANS int/khz/ ( 336 Words) 2022-01-14-01:28:02 (IANS)
Taking to Twitter the embassy said, "The US Embassy compound was attacked this evening by terrorist groups attempting to undermine Iraq's security, sovereignty and international relations," reported Sputnik News.

Furthermore, the Iraq Security Forces said that the rockets were fired from an area south of Baghdad and targeted the so-called Green Zone that hosts diplomatic missions administrative buildings, and embassies, including The US embassy.

The US embassy is regularly targeted by missiles in a series of attacks in Iraq and Syria, including indirect rocket fire attacks near the Ain al-Asad Airbase in Iraq and Green Village base in Syria.

Recent attacks were undertaken right before and after the second anniversary of the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force.

In January 2020, Qasem was killed in a US airstrike on the outskirts of Baghdad in Iraq.

Notably, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi ordered to set up special committees in June 2021 to thwart airstrikes. (ANI)
Israel's high-tech exports totaled $20.16 billion in 2021, up from $16.13 billion in 2020, according to the Bureau.

In December 2021, Israel's high-tech exports totaled $2.02 billion, up 32.9 per cent from the $1.52 billion in December 2020, Xinhua news agency reported.

In 2021, Israel's total exports increased by 18.5 per cent to $56.28 billion, up from $47.49 billion in 2020.

In 2021, Israel's imports totaled nearly $89.1 billion, up 29.6 per cent from $68.75 billion in 2020.

--IANS int/khz/

( 115 Words)

2022-01-14-03:04:02 (IANS)
Following a competitive tender process, Elbit was awarded a contract from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to supply its Albatross systems for the Swedish Armed Forces, Xinhua news agency reported.

Elbit will supply the systems for the Sweden's Sparo class mine countermeasures (MSM) vessels, intended to detect and hunt naval mines.

Albatross enables commanders and operators to receive a common operational picture correlating underwater detection and surface tracks, based on real time data, live video streaming and imagery data.

This allows expasion of the operational envelop, increased flexibility and effective decision during MSM missions.

--IANS int/khz/

( 128 Words)

2022-01-14-03:10:03 (IANS)
Soon after a New York judge gave the green light to a civil lawsuit by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that Britain's Prince Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17, the Queen's stripped The Duke of York of his military ranks and royal patronage. The Duke of York will defend the sex assault case as a private citizen. British Prince Andrew, son of Queen Elizabeth II, is stripped of his military ranks and royal patronage after facing sex assault accusations, according to the press service of Buckingham Palace. "With the Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen," The Royal Family said in a statement on Thursday. "The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen," the statement added. It came after human rights activist Virginia Giuffre filed a lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan and accused Prince Andrew of raping her when she was 17 years old. However, Prince Andrew has denied the allegations, reported CNN. The New York judge on Wednesday ruled against the motion by Andrew's legal team to dismiss a civil lawsuit brought against him by Virginia Giuffre. She alleged that she was trafficked by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and forced to perform sex acts with the prince at the age of 17. Andrew has vigorously denied those claims, said the Amerian publication. The prospect of a public trial that would attract global attention could put Andrew -- the third child (and reportedly the favourite son) of Queen Elizabeth II -- in an unprecedented situation for a senior British royal. Earlier in November 2019, Britain's Prince Andrew announced that he's quitting royal duties following controversy over his "ill-judged" association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Further, a photo of Andrew and Epstein strolling in Central Park provoked further controversy. Following this, Andrew had to quit as a trade envoy for the United Kingdom. (ANI)
Chinese soldiers threw stones at Vietnamese forces just as they did in the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 with the Indian side. In 2020, Chinese soldiers attacked the Indian side with stones, sticks with spikes and other sharp-edged tools with an intention to cause fatalities in Galwan Valley and the same tactic was employed by the Chinese in Vietnam when a video posted on the Twitter account of one Lee Ann Quann on January 3 shows Chinese soldiers throwing stones at Vietnamese construction workers and abusing the unarmed. This recent incident took place in Ha Giang province of northern Vietnam, bordering China and a similar one was carried out by the Chinese army in Galwan Valley. Earlier, with tensions soaring at the Line of Actual Control, Indian and Chinese military commanders had talked on June 6, 2020, and China's People Liberation Army (PLA) troops were supposed to move further back in Galwan Valley near the Patrolling Point 14. While the de-escalation process was underway, a violent face-off took place between Indian and Chinese troops leading to the death of 20 Indian soldiers. The Chinese side started heated arguments with the Indian delegation and started an attack on the Indian side with stones, sticks with spikes and other sharp-edged tools with an intention to cause fatalities to the Indian side. A month prior to the incident, India inaugurated a critical road construction project north of Pangong Tso. The inauguration irked China despite the fact that the road was well within the Indian territory and far from the Chinese claim. The Chinese army is resorting to the same old tactics as they recently threw stones at Vietnamese construction workers and abused the unarmed. "The Chinese soldiers shouted and threw stones at the Vietnamese digging along the Vietnam-China border. Civilian workers guarded the riverbanks on the Vietnamese side to prevent erosion when the river water was tight", wrote Lee Ann Quann in a caption on the video clip, reported The Hong Kong Post. This comes at a time when Vietnamese agricultural exports to China have halted, Chinese ports are clogged and the Vietnamese trucks which have returned from border areas are selling their products at throwaway prices. (ANI)
Three Russian Il-76 military transport planes left Kazakhstan with Armenian peacekeepers on board from the airport of Almaty, while another one delivered Tajik troops home.

Kyrgyz troops left Kazakhstan on military vehicles.

A peacekeeping operation was started by CSTO in Kazakhstan in response to the request of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made amid the civil unrest that engulfed the Central Asian nation. The CSTO on Thursday announced the end of the mission and started the evacuation of the peacekeepers.

Earlier on Thursday, The red level of the terrorist threat was cancelled in 14 regions of Kazakhstan, including the capital, the National Security Committee said in a statement.

"As of now, the situation has been stabilized in 14 regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan," the committee said. The critical level of the terrorist threat has been cancelled in Nur-Sultan, Shymkent and other 12 regions of the country, it added.

The Kazakh government had set the terror threat alert at the critical, or red, level, the National Security Committee said on January 7, reported TASS. (ANI)
MI5 issued an "interference alert" that Christine Ching Kui Lee has "acted covertly in coordination" with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and is "judged to be involved in political interference activities in the UK."

Ian Duncan Smith, a senior British lawmaker and former leader of the ruling Conservative Party, raised the alarm in Parliament on Thursday, saying that MI5 had warned House Speaker Lindsay Hoyle that an "agent of the Chinese government" has been actively working to "subvert" the processes of Parliament.

"This is a matter of grave concern," Duncan Smith said.

"We judge that the UFWD is seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics through establishing links with established and aspiring Parliamentarians across the political spectrum," CNN quoted MI5 alert as saying.

The agency also highlighted that Lee has been facilitating "financial donations to political parties, Parliamentarians, aspiring Parliamentarians and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals."

It is worth mentioning that the UK Company Register lists Lee as a British citizen.

Lee's UK-based activities are "to represent the UK Chinese community and increase diversity," that those activities have "been undertaken in covert coordination with the UFWD, with funding provided by foreign nationals located in China and Hong Kong,"CNN reported. (ANI)
Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), Central Bank of Afghanistan, in a statement on Thursday, said that ATM services by commercial banks in the country will be resumed, reported Khaama Press.

The decision was made after a series of talks with commercial banks and the union of banks, said DAB. ATM services were stalled after the Taliban gained power in August.

"Da Afghanistan Bank is striving to return banking system and services to normal," said the statement, adding, "Reactivating ATMs will bring further facilities to the people."

ATMs of commercial banks will be available in specific areas to facilitate people.

However, the bank has not mentioned the limit of withdrawal amount as restriction of withdrawing a specific amount is still in place, according to Khaama Press.

A person can only withdraw USD 200 per week or 20,000 Afghani, as per the new policy. (ANI)
Amid rising accusations against China for trapping countries in massive debts with larger infrastructure plans, Syria has joined Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative which Beijing says will open broad horizons of cooperation for the Middle-East country. The ceremony of Syria's admission into the initiative took place at the Planning and International Cooperation Commission in the capital Damascus and was attended by Fadi Khalil, the head of the commission, and Feng Biao, China's ambassador to Syria, during which both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Syria joining the BRI, reported Xinhua. The admission of Syria into the initiative revives the old role of Syria on the ancient Silk Road, said Khalil, adding it will help in boosting bilateral cooperation with China and multilateral cooperation with other countries, which are desirous of cooperating with Syria. He also said that Syria had been one of the main countries on the ancient Silk Road particularly the cities of Aleppo and Palmyra. With regard to the BRI, Chinese envoy Feng said that the cooperation between Beijing-Syria provides the greatest contribution to the economic reconstruction and social development in Syria and it also enhances the harmonization between the BRI and the eastward strategy proposed by Syria. China proposed BRI in 2013, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Beijing said that it aims to build a trade, investment, and infrastructure network connecting Asia with other parts of the world along the ancient Silk Road trade routes and beyond. Meanwhile, several countries have criticised the BRI project as they said that the project has become synonymous with wasteful spending, ecological destruction and massive debt burdens and aims to make profits for the participating country's leaders and Chinese companies at the cost of the nation's natural resources or people, said the InsideOver in a report earlier. In 2018, a study found that 270 out of 1,814 BRI-related projects had problems related to debt sustainability, labour and environmental standards, national security, transparency, and corruption. A McKinsey survey in 2017 revealed that 60 per cent to 80 per cent of the Chinese companies in Africa admitted to paying bribes for bagging contracts. Further, Chinese firms scored second to last in one of the latest Transparency International Bribe Payers Index in the Continent, added the InsideOver. (ANI)
"For the first time, the National Security Division has developed a consensus document which defines national security in a proper way", said Khan at the inauguration ceremony, which took place in Islamabad, reported Samaa TV.

The National Security Policy covers all internal and external security aspects, including the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the neighbourhood.

The Pakistani publication said that the draft puts economic and military security at the core of policy and outlines the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan in the coming years.

Aside from the military and economic issues, the document throws light on Pakistan's water security as well as population growth, terrorism and foreign policy.

Earlier, Imran Khan had summoned a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to review the country's first-ever national security policy on December 27. The information of the review meeting was provided by Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet.

The NSC is Pakistan's highest forum for coordination on security matters and is attended by key federal Ministers, the national security adviser, services chiefs and intelligence officials. (ANI)
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Delighted to have a New Year conversation with Japanese FM @hayashi09615064. Discussed Covid situation, travel facilitation, bilateral projects, Quad, Myanmar and North Korea. Look forward to celebrating the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations in a befitting manner." tweeted Jaishankar.

Notably, India had signed a peace treaty with Japan in 1952 and 2022 will mark the completion of 70 years of diplomatic ties between both the countries.

The modern nation-States have carried on the positive legacy of the old association which has been strengthened by shared values of belief in democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law.

Over the years, the two countries have built upon these values and created a partnership based on both principle and pragmatism, said MEA in a statement. (ANI)
"Speaking frankly, of course, everyone understands that the prospects for reaching an agreement depend on the United States. and whatever they tell us about the need to consult with the allies ... these are all excuses and attempts to delay the process," Lavrov told a press conference.

Additionally, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia is expecting responses to all of its proposals on security guarantees.

"We want to see their positions on paper, article by article, for each of our points in both documents we want to get a response," Lavrov told a press conference. (ANI/Sputnik)
Lisbon [Portugal], January 14 (ANI/Sputnik): The Portuguese Institute of Registries and Notary is investigating the naturalization process of Russian Businessman Roman Abramovich, who became a Portuguese citizen under the law on Sephardic Jews, national media reported on Friday. Last December, the Portuguese Ministry of Justice confirmed that Abramovich had obtained citizenship under the Law of Return, which allows descendants of Sephardic Jews originating from Spain and Portugal, and Jews forcibly converted to Christianity, to obtain Portuguese citizenship. Abramovich provided a certificate from the Porto Jewish community as proof of his Sephardic descent. The process of granting citizenship to Abramovich was completed in an unprecedentedly short time. According to the Portuguese news agency Renascenca, the justice ministry confirmed that Abramovich's case was being investigated at the initiative of the Institute of Registries and Notary. According to the report, the justice ministry said that the investigation is a standard procedure that applies whenever there are signs of any violations in the registration procedures. Regarding the citizenship acquisition by descendants of Sephardic Jews, the requirement of belonging to the Sephardic community must be confirmed by a Jewish community with the status of a religious legal entity. In 2018, Abramovich, who had been living in the United Kingdom for several years, had difficulty renewing his British residency permit, and moved to Israel, obtaining an Israeli passport under the national law of return. (ANI/Sputnik)
Warsaw [Poland], January 14 (ANI/Sputnik): NATO will not compromise on the expansion of the alliance and the deployment of its forces in the east, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday. The NATO chief told Polskie Radio that it is currently a critical moment for European security and NATO must talk to Russia, among other things, to convey to Moscow the unanimous position of all allies that it will not make any compromises. Each country has the right to choose its own ways and decisions whether it wants to belong to a military alliance, which is NATO, or not, he added. Stoltenberg also said that the alliance's right to protect all allies and station troops in eastern member states is key. (ANI/Sputnik)
North Korea on Friday warned that it will have to take "stronger and certain reaction" after the US imposed new sanctions over Pyongyang's recent missile launches. In a statement carried by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a spokesperson for the North's Foreign Ministry said the recent launch of what it claims to be a hypersonic missile was an "exercise of right to self-defence". "If the US adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it," Yonhap News Agency quoted the KCNA statement as saying. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. On Wednesday, the US slapped sanctions on six North Koreans involved in the reclusive regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. The move came a day the North launched what it claims to be a newly developed hypersonic missile on Tuesday, the second such test in less than a week. "The DPRK's recent development of new-type weapon was just part of its efforts for modernizing its national defence capability," the KCNA statement said. "It did not target any specific country or force and it did not do any harm to the security of neighbouring countries." North Korea has been testing a series of new weapons amid a deadlock in its nuclear negotiations with the US. The nuclear talks remain stalled since their Hanoi summit in 2019 ended without a deal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the North may continue launching more missiles, describing it as North Korea "trying to get attention". --IANS ksk/ ( 280 Words) 2022-01-14-09:04:03 (IANS)
The Taliban delegation is headed by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

"The delegation flew to Ashgabat at the invitation of Turkmenistan to hold talks with Turkmen officials on bilateral trade, energy, railway, the TAPI project and scholarships," reported Sputnik citing a source in the foreign ministry as saying.

The TAPI project was expected to be inaugurated in 2020 but the construction of the project has remained unfinished so far despite the promises of funding by the Asian Development Bank, according to TOLOnews.

The TAPI project, which has an estimated price tag of USD 10 billion in 2018 endeavours to bring 33 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas to energy-starved South Asia for 30 years via a 1,800-kilometer pipeline that will stretch across Afghanistan. (ANI)
Manila [Philippines] January 14 (ANI/Xinhua): The Philippines reported 37,207 new COVID-19 infections on Friday, the highest one-day case count since the outbreak, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 3,129,512. The Department of Health (DOH) said that the number of active cases soared to 265,509. The positivity rate slightly dipped to 47.3 per cent from the record 47.9 per cent the previous day. The DOH said that 81 more people died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the country's death toll to 52,815. Eight laboratories failed to submit data on Friday. With surging infections, the government reimposed restrictions in Metro Manila, its adjacent provinces, and several provinces with high virus clusters across the country to force people, particularly the unvaccinated, to stay at home. The national police said at least 372 areas in Metro Manila and Luzon island are under hard lockdown. Police and local officials impose granular lockdowns on houses, streets, or buildings with virus clusters. Metro Manila, the region with the most active and new cases, will remain under alert level 3 on a scale of 5 until January 31, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a virtual press conference on Friday. Nograles said there is no need to raise the alert level for now, adding that bed and intensive care unit utilization rates are still relatively low despite record level daily case counts. "We are closely monitoring the situation in Metro Manila. If the bed utilization rate hits 71 per cent, then it would be the right time to elevate to alert level 4," he said, adding the government is trying to manage the situation to prevent raising to the second-highest alert level. Meanwhile, the government has eased the travel restrictions for returning Filipinos. Under the new rule, travelers from the so-called "red list" countries and regions can even enter through regular flights from January 16 to January 31. The Philippines' COVID-19 infections surged to record levels since last Saturday due to high mobility, poor compliance with safety health protocols, and the fast-spreading Omicron and Delta variants. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH projects cases peak by the end of January or the second week of February. "The peak of cases is not going to happen soon. The cases will continue to rise," she said. According to DOH, over 53.3 million people have been fully vaccinated. The Philippines, which has around 110 million population, has tested more than 24 million people since the outbreak. (ANI/Xinhua)
According to Xinhua, as of Thursday, a total of 142 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and 22 asymptomatic carriers have been logged in the latest epidemic resurgence, said the municipal health commission at a press conference held on Friday.

The Global Times earlier reported that Tianjin has cut off public transportation to other cities including trains, buses and taxis, and car-hailing service as it registered more residents with the Omicron variant.

Tianjin is the first city in the mainland to engage in a battle against cluster Omicron infections. (ANI)
According to the minister, Russia has called for open dialogue with Japan.

"And the visit will definitely take place. We are now agreeing on a plan. I think that in the next couple of months we will find such dates," Lavrov told reporters. (ANI/Sputnik)
The public prosecutor's office in Augsburg issued orders to the district court to search the homes and take blood samples from a total of around 100 people, Xinhua news agency quoted a police statement as saying.

The background to the searches were investigations against a physician who was involved in "irregularities with Covid-19 vaccinations", the police noted.

Some patients who visited the physician with the intention of receiving Covid-19 vaccination were allegedly given a fake jab without their knowledge, the police said.

Other individuals who visited the physician to "obtain a vaccination certificate without a Covid-19 vaccination" got it under mutual consent, the authorities noted.

Individuals who knowingly received a fake certificate were under investigation for aiding or abetting the issuance of inaccurate health certificates as well as for violating the country's infection control act.

--IANS ksk/

( 175 Words)

2022-01-14-11:34:03 (IANS)
The court move came at the request of two lawmakers, Basim Khashan and Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who claimed legal and unconstitutional violations during the first session of Parliament on January 9, reports Xinhua news agency.

Under the court's decision, Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and his two deputies, Hakim al-Zamili and Shakhwan Abdullah Ahmed, are suspended until the two lawsuits are resolved.

On January 9, the Iraqi Parliament held the first session of its fifth legislative term under the chairmanship of the eldest MP Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, but the session was interrupted amid heated debate and chaos.

The Iraqi Parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held on October 10, 2021, in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services.

--IANS ksk/

( 154 Words)

2022-01-14-11:40:02 (IANS)
Indian-American Saurabh Chawla, who bought stolen Apple products from school employees in the US and sold those on eBay and Amazon, has been sentenced to 66 months in prison. Colorado resident Chawla, 36, bought up stolen electronics and other goods and resold them on e-commerce platforms. He also bought stolen iPads from New Mexico school districts. According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, Chawla worked with a FedEx distribution centre manager from Delaware named Joseph Kukta to steal packages before they made it to customers. Those thefts included shipments of Nike sneakers and devices from Apple, Epson, Kenwood, and Magellan, among other merchandise. Chawla allegedly paid Kukta $1.5 million, according to court documents. The Chawla saga came to light when US District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Kristy Stock, 46, of Waterflow, New Mexico, to 18 months in prison for federal charges of interstate transportation of stolen goods and tax fraud. Stock admitted that from 2013 to 2018, she stole more than 3,000 iPods purchased by the school district and sold them on eBay to Chawla and others for her personal benefit. "From October 2015 to 2018, Stock and Chawla dealt directly with each other, in emails, texts, and phone calls. Stock repeatedly advised Chawla of the items she had obtained, providing details such as the model, colour and number of Apple products available," according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland. Chawla and Stock then negotiated a price, and Stock shipped the items to Chawla's relative on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. Chawla paid Stock through PayPal. Stock admitted that she received more than $800,000 in illegal proceeds from selling stolen iPods worth more than $1 million.A After his relative received the stolen goods from Stock, Chawla listed them for sale online through eBay at a substantial markup. According to Stock's plea agreement, and other court documents, beginning in 2014, "defendant James Bender agreed to allow a good friend, defendant Chawla, and a relative of Chawla's, SC2, to sell goods and merchandise through Bender's eBay accounts". Chawla's eBay account had previously been suspended due to security concerns. From May 2014 through August 2019, Bender and Chawla conspired so Chawla could use Bender's eBay and PayPal accounts to sell stolen goods and merchandise. "Chawla, age 36, of Aurora, Colorado, and Bender, age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, were sentenced to 66 months and to a year and a day in federal prison, respectively," said the US Attorney's Office. Additionally, Chawla was sentenced to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $713,619, and to sign an order of forfeiture requiring him to forfeit a 2013 Tesla Model S ($2,308,062.61) from accounts held in his name, and the sale of property in Aurora, Colorado. --IANS na/ksk/ ( 478 Words) 2022-01-14-12:02:02 (IANS)
The trial of 31-year-old Gohir Khan, a British Pakistani based in the UK, began at the Kingston-upon-Thames crown court, with the prosecution revealing details of an alleged plot to murder exiled blogger and activist Ahmad Waqass Goraya who is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Dawn reported. The prosecution maintained that Khan was hired by persons who appeared to be based in Pakistan to carry out the "intended killing" of Goraya. The financial rewards for his actions were believed to be significant, with a payment of 100,000 pounds on offer. At the time, the prosecution claimed, the defendant was in significant debt, with no clear means of paying his creditors, the Dawn news report said. Khan was "enthusiastic" about "carrying out the killing to earn the money and to carry out further attacks" in the future, the prosecution told the jury. It described how the defendant travelled to Rotterdam and sought to locate the victim, purchasing a knife which he intended to use to kill Goraya. Unknown to him, Goraya was not at his home address in Rotterdam at the time. After a few days of unsuccessful attempts to locate the alleged victim, Khan gave up and travelled back to the UK. He was arrested on his return, the report added. Khan was reportedly sent a picture of the blogger as well as his address by a middleman, identified by the prosecution as Mudz', Zed', and Papa'. The prosecution said evidence included messages sent and received by the defendant on mobile telephone devices, evidence of travel and attempted travel to and from Rotterdam, CCTV footage of his movements whilst in Rotterdam and evidence of his purchases whilst in the city. --IANS san/ksk/ ( 295 Words) 2022-01-14-12:28:03 (IANS)
A number of Ukrainian government websites have been hit by "a massive cyberattack" warning Ukrainians to "be afraid and wait for the worst" and claiming that all their personal information had been hacked, CNN reported on Friday. "As a result of a massive cyber attack, the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of other government agencies are temporarily down. Our specialists have already started restoring the work of IT systems, and the cyberpolice has opened an investigation," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oleg Nikolenko tweeted. Early Friday morning (local time), Ukrainian government websites, including that of the Foreign Ministry, displayed dark screens with a text that said Ukrainians' personal information had been hacked. "Ukrainian! All your personal data has been uploaded to the public network. All data on the computer is destroyed, it is impossible to restore them," CNN quoted the message, published in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish. The web page further read, "All information about you has become public, be afraid and wait for the worst. This is for you for your past, present and future. For Volhynia, for the OUN UIA [Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists Ukrainian Insurgent Army], for Galicia, for Polesie and for historical lands," CNN reported. The Ministry of Education and Science, whose official website is also down, directed citizens to use the ministry's official social media channels on Friday while the issue is being resolved, as per CNN. (ANI)
"North Korea's repeated missile tests are a serious problem and pose a threat not only to Japan but to the region and the entire international community," Matsuno told a briefing.

At 14:55 local time (05:55 GMT) on Friday, the Japan Coast Guard issued a warning about a possible missile launch by North Korea. Minutes later, it reported that what could be a ballistic missile fired by Pyongyang, fell. After the alleged missile launch, Japan set up a Government crisis response centre.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered the ministries to conduct a detailed analysis of the situation, including the security of air and sea transport, and to take all necessary precautions in the event of an emergency, Kyodo reported, citing Government sources.

Today's launch, if confirmed, will be the third North Korean weapons test in a week. The last launch was made on January 11. (ANI/Sputnik)
Water from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is discharged into the sea after removing harmful nuclear materials through Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS). But, tritium, one of the nuclear materials, still remains in the water. Keiichi Nakagawa, Professor of the University of Tokyo, explains how this will be harmless. Keiichi Nakagawa, Professor of the University of Tokyo said that tritium is an isotope of hydrogen. "It emits radiation of beta rays and the energy is so weak. Tritium is formed every day on earth and exists naturally, such as in drinking water and the human body. Regarding the Fukushima case, the radioactive materials except tritium are removed through treatment with ALPS," the Professor said. "Removing tritium is the same as removing water from water. It is impossible in principle. If the water is not discharged, it must keep on being stored in tanks. The impact of discharging this water into the sea is very small. Based on general considerations, discharging it into the sea with appropriate methods is the most reasonable option," he added. Being an expert in radiology, Professor Keiichi mentions that the Japanese standard for sea discharge is very safe. Keiichi Nakagawa further said: "Referring to Japanese regulatory standards, it is allowed to discharge tritium under 60 thousand becquerel per litre. If a human being drinks two litres of tritium water with this concentration every day from birth to the age of 70, it would amount to only 0.8 millisieverts per year." "TEPCO has the plan of discharging water with a tritium concentration of less than 1,500 Becquerel per litre. It is just one-fortieth. It is the same dose level as one receives when travelling overseas by aeroplane. The process of decommissioning is undertaken with utmost carefulness and mutual understanding of all stakeholders," Keiichi Nakagawahas said. (ANI)
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa (NPA) said 49-year-old Zandile Christmas Mafe appeared at Cape Town Magistrates' Court on Thursday, and was ordered to be admitted for observation, reports Xinhua news agency.

In Mafe's second appearing at court earlier this week, it was revealed that he was diagnosed of paranoid schizophrenia after being sent for mental observation by the state on January 3 and the NPA argued for his referral to a psychiatric hospital.

Mafe currently faces charges of terrorism, housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, two counts of arson and possession of an explosive device.

The suspect was arrested on January 2, when the fire broke out, with suspected stealing property after he gained entry to the parliamentary precinct without authorization, according to the police.

The fire lasted more than 70 hours, severely damaging the building of the National Assembly (NA), the lower house, and completely burned down the NA chamber.

It also caused extensive damage to the century-old Old Assembly building that houses the National Council of Provinces, the upper house.

The southern African country has three capitals.

Besides Cape Town, the two others are the administrative capital Pretoria that hosts the national government and the presidency, and the judicial capital Bloemfontein that hosts the Supreme Court of Appeal.

--IANS ksk/

( 262 Words)

2022-01-14-12:44:02 (IANS)
"Acting Interior Minister and the Police's Director General eulogise the death of Brigadier General Ali Barima Hammad, who died while performing his duty to protect the demonstrators near Stack Medical Laboratory," the press office of the Sudanese police said in a statement.

The police did not reveal the circumstances which led to the death of the senior police officer, but the new casualty might mark an escalation of confrontations between protesters and security forces.

Sudanese protesters took to the streets again on Thursday in the capital Khartoum and other cities in new and increasingly regular demonstrations to demand civilian rule.

Protesters gathered in central Khartoum and tried to reach the presidential palace, witnesses told Xinhua.

Crowds of demonstrators in Omdurman also headed towards Al-Arbaeen Street, a vital street leading to a bridge linking Omdurman and Khartoum, they added.

Khartoum State's Police issued a statement earlier on Thursday announcing partial closure to some bridges linking the major cities of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri.

Military units have been deployed at the entrances of most of the bridges and on the internal roads to the presidential palace and the army's general command headquarters.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a coup on October 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government.

--IANS ksk/

( 257 Words)

2022-01-14-12:54:05 (IANS)
over the international community to quickly provide assistance to the central bank of Afghanistan and do more to inject liquidity in the country's economy to avoid a collapse in 2022.

"We appreciate the UN Secretary General's call for the release of Afghan capital from the United States," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a Tweet.

On Thursday, the UN Chief called on the international community to quickly provide assistance to the central bank of Afghanistan and do more to inject liquidity in the country's economy to avoid a collapse in 2022.

"The function of Afghanistan's central bank must be preserved and assisted, and a path identified for conditional release of Afghan foreign currency reserves," Sputnik quoted Guterres statement.

"We must do even more to rapidly inject liquidity into the economy and avoid a meltdown that would lead to poverty, hunger and destitution for millions," Guterres added.

Following the Taliban takeover in mid-August, the US froze nearly 10 billion dollars in Afghanistan's assets and slapped sanctions on the Islamic Emirate.In the meantime, the stoppage of foreign aids to Afghanistan has crippled the already fragile economic system of Afghanistan and has adversely affected the lives of millions of people. (ANI)
When Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station was launched by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), many options for disposal of stored ALPS treated water were studied by a special independent subcommittee of experts. Finally, it was concluded that discharge into the sea could be implemented more reliably. How was this concluded? Professor Hiroshi Tauchi looks back on the careful examinations. Hiroshi Tauchi, Professor of Ibaraki University said that there were five options. "The first was discharging treated water into the sea. The second was vapour release, followed by hydrogen release, geosphere injection and underground burial. In the subcommittee, the discussions including social and economic subjects were progressed with focus on which option was the most realistic. In reality, two options were left after examining the time to start, and technical and regulatory feasibility. These were discharging into the sea or vapor release," the Professor said. "Evaluations of the two options were discussed. They were simulations about discharging into the environment and influence on human health. As a result, the risk in discharging into the sea was obviously low. Because there is water flow to diffuse discharged water in the ocean. At each nuclear power station in the country, the target value for the general radioactive quantity and concentration to be achieved are set based on regulatory standards. In international standards, only the value for concentration is set. This means that Japanese standards are stricter than overseas," Hiroshi Tauchi added. Based on careful examination by the government, discharge into the sea will be undertaken in the near future. Hiroshi Tauchi further said that the important point is information disclosure and monitoring. Especially, monitoring by third parties is important. "To confirm the path towards the decommissioning, it is necessary to obtain understanding from related local governments and residents. Mutual understanding with the parties concerned including those from other countries is integral," the Professor said. "Continuous efforts by TEPCO, Fukushima citizens, the Japanese government and relevant personnel worldwide are required," Tauchi added. (ANI)
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said Friday that a blistering report into decades of disfunction and criminal activity within the department only increases the urgency to complete a series of reforms already underway.

Harrison initiated the more than 660-page report into problems that allowed officers in the Gun Trace Task Force to run roughshod across the city, trampling on civil rights while robbing and beating residents and dealing drugs, until an FBI investigation led to the indictments of more than a dozen officers. The report and reforms are part of the ongoing court-ordered federal consent decree aimed to correct problems with policing in the city that began long before Harrison took over in 2019.

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The illegal and immoral actions of the GTTF scandal are a stain on the departments legacy, and moving forward would not be possible without a thorough investigation and deep dive analysis into what allowed these activities to occur within BPD, Harrison wrote in a response to thereport.

This report represents an important inflection point for our agency. Your recommendations provide a clear roadmap; and by implementing them, along with our Consent Decree, BPD can write the next chapter in our history, one that the residents of Baltimore can be proud to call their own.

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The report for the first time released comprehensive information about the disciplinary history of the officers convicted in relation to the GTTF scandal. The complaints against them, and what the department did with those complaints, have been buried in police files until now.

In wake of the report, released Thursday, the Baltimore public defenders office called for a new review of convictions involving corrupt police officers in light of the new report.

Debbie Katz Levi, director of special litigation for the Office of the Public Defenders Baltimore office, said the independent investigation released Thursday makes painfully clear why we urgently need full public disclosure of all police records and independent investigation of all police misconduct.

We will not be satisfied until more convictions are overturned, and there is full and complete transparency and accountability for police misconduct records across the entire state of Maryland, Levi said.

The Baltimore States Attorneys Office has not charged anyone related to the scandal on state-level charges but undertook a review of existing cases involving officers implicated in the scandal, which ultimately reversed about 800 convictions. Prosecutors said they examined whether cases could hold up still, through physical evidence or corroboration from other officers, and dismissed those that relied on the word of tainted officers.

The office also successfully pushed for the passage of a law giving prosecutors discretion to reverse cases without having to convince a judge.

But the states attorneys office continued to be chided by critics for not being more transparent; Baltimore Action Legal Team this week put up a billboard at Interstate 83 and Gay Street directed at States Attorney Marilyn Mosby: Give the public the full list of police with integrity issues, it reads, referring to the States Attorneys Office releasing a do not call list of officers that was mostly former officers.

Mosby was indicted on federal charges Thursday afternoon related to the withdrawal of money from a retirement account and the purchase of property in Florida. Her office did not respond to a request for comment on the call by the public defenders office.

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The report also included several recommendations for police, including improved screening and background checks for new recruits and improved training, as well as stronger oversight of internal affairs and the handing of complaints against officers. The report also calls for increased oversight of specialized units.

BPD units that focus on seizing drugs and guns and make arrests at levels substantially higher than other units performing similar functions should be the subject of aggressive scrutiny by BPD top management and by BPDs Audits and Inspections function, the GTTF report said.

Harrisons response said the department has already began a systematic review of BPD arrests, including arrests made by those units focused on Drug and Gun enforcement, such as District Action Teams (DAT) or our Mobile Metro Unit (MMU).

The departments response noted that in 2020, for example, out of 226 Level 2 Uses of Force, 71 (31%) listed a specialized unit (non-patrol) as the primary involved unit.

Harrison said that in addition to more audits of those units, the department also implemented improved in-person interview and evaluation processes for its detective and operational units, which includes a full review of a candidates disciplinary record.

Baltimore Police said they will present their plans at the next public hearing of the federal consent decree, which is scheduled for next Thursday.

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Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in the release that he will continue to work tirelessly to improve public trust in City Hall and the Baltimore Police Department. I will continue to partner with Commissioner Harrison to embrace these core values and prove government can operate in your best interests.
The Chinese embassy in Britain has refuted reports that a British lawyer of Chinese descent is "involved in political interference activities" in British parliament, media reported on Friday. "China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other country's internal affairs," a spokesperson of the embassy said, according to Xinhua News Agency. "We have no need and never seek to 'buy influence' in any foreign parliament," the spokesperson said, adding that "we firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the UK." On Thursday, Britain's domestic security agency, MI5, sent an unusual alert to lawmakers warning that an agent of the Chinese government was actively working to subvert the political processes of Parliament, The New York Times reported. This is the sort of interference "we now anticipate and expect from China," said Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative lawmaker. "But the fact that it has happened to this Parliament -- there must be a sense of urgency from this government." This comes as tensions have heightened between the two nations, with Britain in recent years taking an increasingly firm stance against Beijing. According to The New York Times, the UK has revoked the license of a Chinese-backed broadcaster, suspended an extradition treaty with Hong Kong and granted visas to tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents in the aftermath of a security law from Beijing that stifles political dissent. (ANI)
Kazakhstan has had a rocky start to the New Year, with protests spreading across the huge country. This is how a spike in the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prompted thousands to take to the streets. Demonstrations first began in the southwestern areas of the country, but then they quickly spread to other cities, with some of the protests evolving into violent riots. The government showed a compatible approach to quelling the unrest, signaling its readiness to fulfill some of the social and economic demands of protesters. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the price caps would be reestablished in the Mangystau region, while similar measures had been already rolled out by local authorities in other parts of Kazakhstan. Chronology wise, on January 2, crowds took to the streets in the cities of Zhanaozen and Aktau in the Mangystau region. Two days later, the demonstrations spilled over into Almaty, in the country's southeast, as well as to other cities, including Atyrau, Aktobe (in the west), Uralsk (in the northwest), Taraz, Chimkent, Kyzylorda (in the south), Karaganda (in the northeast) and even Kazakhstan's capital of Nur-Sultan. According to sources, some of the protesters were not speaking the Kazakh language. They were well-trained and well-organized. They were beating and killing police officers and soldiers, setting fire to administrative buildings, looting private premises and shops, killing ordinary citizens, and raping young women. Therefore, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev imposed a two-week state of emergency in the country. On January 5, the head of the state also accepted the government's resignation. But the protesters didn't even spare hospitals. An employee from Hospital No. 7 in Almaty has provided the details about an attack on the healthcare facility. "On January 6, armed rioters broke into Hospital No. 7 in Almaty, which is located in the Kalkaman district, and demanded that doctors provide aid to the wounded rioters. The militants fired on the third floor, where an intensive care unit is located," the employee, whose name was not revealed, told Sputnik. Fortunately, no one was injured. The armed rioters prevented patients and doctors from entering hospital and endangering people's lives. He added that after the rioters left the hospital, staff contacted law enforcement agencies and told them about the incident. On January 7, the wounded gunmen were apprehended by riot policemen who then took them away. The hospital resumed operating on January 8 evening. In the unrest, thousands had been injured and fatalities had also been reported. Ultimately, President asked help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO, a post-Soviet security bloc. CSTO peacekeepers have already been deployed to Kazakhstan. "The peacekeepers will stay in Kazakhstan for a short period of time, until the situation in the country normalizes," President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said. There were six waves of attacks in Almaty; the overall number of so-called protesters was about 20,000. "The analysis of the situation has shown that Kazakhstan is facing an armed act of aggression well prepared and coordinated by perpetrators trained outside the country," President emphasized on Twitter on January 7. According to him, he ordered to launch a counter-terrorist operation "to eliminate the national security threat and to protect lives and properties of the citizens of Kazakhstan." "The National Guard and the armed forces are functioning to restore law and order in accordance with the Constitution," he noted. According to the Kazakh authorities, law and order had been restored in all of the country's regions by the morning on January 7. Nevertheless, in our opinion, the recent events in Kazakhstan were an incitement to a color revolution, the one we saw in Kyrgyzstan in March 2005. On March 28 2005, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, writes, "The "tulip revolution" could prove to be the most remarkable of all, causing positive reverberations throughout a region that many had written off as lost from the point of view of building democratic societies. If the revolution is unsuccessful, it will not be because the masses in Central Asia failed to make the grade, but because the ruling elite in Kyrgyzstan managed to sabotage the process of political change. For the last fifteen years the leaders of these Asian states have been warning the West that their populations were not ready for democracy, and that without the guidance of strong authority figures, the situation would degenerate into one of mob rule." Nothing is left to imagine that what kind of perceptions about the countries of Central Asia is being maintained in certain quarters of the world. Therefore, there were and are external forces which deliberately provoke unrest in otherwise peaceful countries. The official story is that unrest was due to the elimination of gas price controls, which resulted in approximately a $1 per gallon increase in gas (LNG). If these are the real reasons for the unrest, perhaps we should be rioting everywhere in the world. The actual story is different. The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law estimates there are 38,000 active NGOs in Kazakhstan while the majority of them are funded by the United States and European countries by way of grants and donations. The UK has over 85 NGOs also present in Kazakhstan, which have provided significant funding to provide "civil society and rule of law." It appears that the US funds and foreign NGOs have done quite well based on the uneasiness within the country. The most active participants in the political and social processes in Kazakhstan are such entities as the US Agency for International Development, the National Endowment for Democracy, the American Bar Association, Freedom House and many others. The National Endowment for Democracy alone spent more than $1 million to support democratic processes and human rights movements in Kazakhstan in 2020, according to data published by the organization. The recipients of the funds in Kazakhstan worked to raise the level of youth's engagement into social and political processes, support the allegedly independent mass media, as well as to protect civil society institutions. The US government is the major source of funding for the so-called "democratic" forces in Kazakhstan and when it does not finance some activities directly through the State Department or USAID, it sends funds in the form of grants to the various organizations and individuals, including citizens of Kazakhstan. In 2020, US agencies wired as much as $61 million in foreign assistance to Kazakhstan, according to the official data figures. Indeed, in 2021 the US Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor announced a program to support freedom of association in Kazakhstan and allocated $750,000 for this cause. Another grant worth $740,740 was announced in December 2021 with the focus on promoting international standards of religious freedom in Kazakhstan. The American Corners program was announced by the US State Department in 2021 to promote American values, culture and studies in the US across the ten largest cities in Kazakhstan, including Almaty, Pavlodar, Aktobe, Nur-Sultan, and Karaganda. According to the programs and grants descriptions, Kazakh youth presents the main interest for those foreign entities, which "claim to care" about democracy and human rights in this Central Asian state. The suggestions of possible foreign backing of the riots in Kazakhstan have been voiced since the first days of the unrest. On January 5, President Tokayev said during one of his addresses to the nation that there is a group of "financially motivated" plotters with a carefully masterminded plan behind the protests, vowing decisive actions against any criminals. Disclaimer: The author of this opinion article is Inderveer Singh, who is Political Observer/Founder/Editor Business Central Asia monthly journal. (ANI)
Students from various campuses under the aegis of the Islamic Student Alliance (AMI) staged a demonstration in front of the Chinese Embassy, Jakarta on Friday. The students in a statement said: "Human Rights Organisation Amnesty International stated that Chinese authorities had committed crimes against humanity in China's Xinjiang by presenting a number of evidences of gross human rights violations such as arrests without good reason, imprisonment, torture, rape of women and minors to murder". It added: "Looking at the contents of Amnesty International's report, China is clearly targeting the Muslim Uyghur population in Xinjiang, even though they are citizens of their own country, to be exterminated from world civilization". In addition to being cruel and fighting like animals against minority citizens in their country, China is also known to be greedy and greedy, one of which is the desire to colonize world countries including Indonesia in various cunning ways. One of them China claims is the Natuna Waters as part of China's territory. "Lucky for our proud president, Joko Widolo and the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Lahut Binsar Panjaitan's investment was very swift, firmly placing the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia as a fixed price, by sending many warships to Natuna, as well as ordering investments countries to take hard diplomacy to pressure China to give up lust they become a colonial state", said Islamic Student Alliance in a press release. It added, "On that basis, we students from various campuses in Greater Jakarta, who are members of the Islamic Student Alliance (AMI), as the world countries, especially Indonesia, boycott the 2022 Beijing Olympics". They even asked China to stop all heinous and barbaric acts such as raping women and children of ethnic Uyghurs in Xinjiang. They asked Beijing to stop all activities in the Natuna Waters and acknowledge and declare to the world that Natuna is an inseparable part of the territory of Indonesia. (ANI)
Amid Taliban's objection over border fencing, Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday said that the remaining fencing of the Pak-Afghan border would be completed with the consent of the neighbouring country. During a press conference in Islamabad, Rashid said that around 2,600 kilometres of the border had been fenced and expressed the hope that the remaining 21 km would be completed "with the consent of our brothers," Dawn reported. Pakistan has fenced most of the border despite protestations from Kabul. Pakistan had earlier claimed that the fencing work alongside Durand Line has been completed by 94 per cent, Afghanistan media has reported citing Pakistani military official. Quoting a spokesman for Pakistan's armed forces, Tolo News reported that Pakistan has termed it a good decision for the security of the people on both sides. "The fencing alongside the (Durand Line) is continuing and work is completed 94 per cent. Pakistan will finish it. This is good for the security of the people on both sides," said Babar Iftikhar, spokesman for Pakistan's armed forces. However, Taliban has said that Afghanistan will not allow fencing by Pakistan on the Durand Line."We (Taliban) will not allow the fencing anytime, in any form. Whatever they (Pakistan) did before, they did, but we will not allow it anymore. There will be no fencing anymore," Mawllawi Sanaullah Sangin, commander of the Taliban group said on Wednesday, according to Tolo News. Fencing has been a contentious issue in Pakistan-Afghanistan ties because the Afghans dispute the border demarcation done during the colonial period. Pakistan, however, insists that the line separating the two countries, also called Durand Line, is the valid international border. A large part of the fence has been constructed in inhospitable terrain and in some places at very high altitudes. The fencing is expected to be completed at a cost of about USD 500 million. (ANI)
Earlier it was reported that around 90 per cent of health centres of Afghanistan may close down by the end of 2022 due to the current economic situation, as per fresh report by the IRC.

Millions of Afghan people will be left without health services facilities and millions more may lose lives if the current economic and political situation continues, reported Khaama Press citing the IRC report.

Warning of bleak future to the people of Afghanistan, the report estimated that up to 97 percent of the country's people may face starvation by the end of 2022. The IRC report also stated that the country's current economic situation may lead to the closure of nearly 90 per cent of the health centers in Afghanistan.

With regard to the worsening situation, the IRC has called on the international community to come forward and assist Afghanistan's health sector by providing aids.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) recently said that currently, Afghanistan is witnessing severe poverty due to the workers being laid off and the country facing difficult economic situations.

The WFP also said that the organization needs up to USD 2.6 billion to feed some 23 million Afghan people now on the brink of starvation. (ANI)
"We received an official notification from Beijing that China Railway is lifting the restrictions on acceptance of goods through railroad border crossings starting today. They were introduced in early December 2021 as part of enhanced prevention and control measures against COVID-19," RZD said, according to Sputnik News Agency.

Exempt from the rule is unprocessed timber, whose export was suspended on January 1, the Russian company said, adding that almost all timber trains that got stuck at the Russian-Chinese border have already been redirected to domestic buyers.

"In the past month and a half, an average of 6-7 container trains went to China through )(the Russia city of) Zabaykalsk. We expect to increase the traffic as the restrictions are now lifted," RZD said, the news agency reported.

In early December, the deputy chairman of the Russian Association of Railway Rolling Stock Operators, Denis Semenkin, told Sputnik that the Chinese restriction could cost Russian suppliers multi-million losses if extended until 2022, it added. (ANI)
Washington [US], January 14 (ANI/Sputnik): The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been overseeing a secret US training program for elite Ukrainian special forces and other intelligence personnel, YahooNews reported Friday, citing five former intelligence and national security officials familiar with the program. The CIA-curated intensive training program for Ukrainian paramilitaries in an undisclosed facility in the southern United States has been underway since 2015, according to the officials, YahooNews reported. It was established by the Obama administration, expanded under the Trump administration, and further augmented by the Biden administration, a former senior intelligence official told YahooNews. The US authorities have said the program is not offensively oriented and insisted that the purpose of the training is to assist in the collection of intelligence. At the same time, a former senior intelligence official told YahooNews the program includes "very specific training on skills" that would enhance Ukraine's "ability to push back against the Russians." Another former CIA official familiar with the program said that "the United States is training an insurgency" and has taught the Ukrainians how "to kill Russians," YahooNews reported. Tensions around Ukraine intensified over the past several weeks after an alleged Russian troop buildup near the Ukrainian border and claims of preparations for an invasion. Moscow has repeatedly denied the accusations, pointing to NATO's military activity near Russian borders, which it deems a threat to its national security. Russia has also affirmed that it has the right to move forces within its own territory. (ANI/Sputnik)
The Southeast Asian country's democracy icon has already been put on trial for over 10 criminal charges and convicted of some of them, with a combined prison time of six years. If convicted of all charges, she could face over 100 years in prison, Kyodo News reported citing source.

The latest charges concerns the purchase of a helicopter among other things. On Friday, Win Myint, president of the elected government, in which Suu Kyi had served as state counsellor until the coup, was also charged with corruption in connection with the helicopter case, reported Kyodo News.

The military ousted Suu Kyi's democratically elected government in a coup last year in February, putting the Nobel Peace laureate under house arrest.

In December, Suu Kyi was sentenced to four years in prison for incitement and breaking coronavirus regulations. Then the sentence was halved to two years at the order of the military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.

On Monday, the 76-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison over an illegal import of walkie-talkies and other charges. She denies any wrongdoing, and her supporters believe the charges against her are politically motivated, Kyodo News reported. (ANI)
As women in Afghanistan continue to wait for the Taliban regime to provide them with basic rights to study and work, a number of female students in eastern Nangarhar province voiced mounting despair about the lack of access to public universities and lack of employment opportunities. Ahmad Khan, who is a teacher in Nangarhar province, said that three of his daughters were students at the department of Agriculture, Engineering and Literature at Nangarhar University, but for months the doors of public universities have been closed to them, Tolo News reported on Friday. Kerishma, a 20-year-old woman living in the Shiwa district of Nangarhar, told Tolo News that she and her younger sister (Zala) had passed the entrance exams for the engineering and literature departments at Nangarhar University last year, but had not yet been able to join their classes. "I succeeded in the engineering department. The year ended and I could not go to university, I'm very worried when I look at my empty notebooks that I have not written anything," said Kerishma, a student. "Since the universities have been closed, our dreams and aspirations have been reduced. All girls like me are worried about our future, I hope the educational institutions open for girls," Tolo News quoted Zala, Kerishma's sister as saying. Ziba, who is a second-year student in the Agriculture department in Nangarhar University, and is the elder sister of Kerishma and Zala, said that she has faced many challenges during her schooling, but due to the outbreak of COVID-19 disease and the collapse of the previous government, universities have been closed twice to the students, the Afghan media reported. "Public and private universities must be opened. This is very important for women because a number of women do not have breadwinners, they have studied, graduated and are working to support their families," she said. Ziba urged the Taliban to let women continue their education. Meanwhile, based on available statistics, over 15,000 students were studying at Nangarhar university, and nearly 3,000 of the were female students, as per Tolo News. (ANI)
Disappointed after months of engagement, a US House panel has slammed YouTube parent company Alphabet, Meta (formerly Facebook), online discussion forum Reddit and Twitter for failing to provide additional information on how those platforms were used to organise violent events at the US Capitol on January 6 last year. Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the Select Committee has issued subpoenas to four social media companies as part of its investigation into the January 6 attack on the US Capitol and its causes. After inadequate responses to prior requests for information, the Select Committee is demanding records from Alphabet, Meta, Reddit, and Twitter relating to the spread of misinformation, efforts to overturn the 2020 election, domestic violent extremism, and foreign influence in the 2020 election. "Two key questions for the Select Committee are how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what steps "if any" social media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalising people to violence," said Chairman Thompson. It's disappointing that after months of engagement, "we still do not have the documents and information necessary to answer those basic questions". Alphabet's YouTube was a platform for significant communications by its users that were relevant to the planning and execution of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, including livestreams of the attack as it was taking place, according to the committee. Meta platforms were reportedly used to share messages of hatred, violence, and incitement; to spread misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories around the election; and to coordinate or attempt to coordinate the Stop the Steal movement. Reddit was the platform for the "r/The_Donald" 'subreddit' community that grew significantly on Reddit before migrating to the website TheDonald.win in 2020, which ultimately hosted significant discussion and planning related to the January 6 attack. "Twitter subscribers reportedly used the platform for communications regarding the planning and execution of the assault on the United States Capitol, and Twitter was reportedly warned about potential violence being planned on the site in advance of January 6," said the committee. Twitter users also engaged in communications amplifying allegations of election fraud, including by the former President himself. The Select Committee has set a new deadline for the four social media companies to provide requested information by January 27. US President Joe Biden said last week that Americans must ensure such an attack like that on the US Capitol a year ago "never happens again" as the country seems more divided than ever. One year after the deadly attack on the Capitol, Democrats and Republicans still differ sharply over its key aspects, aftermath and the related congressional investigation. The Capitol riot led to multiple deaths, over 100 injuries and damage to the Capitol. --IANS na/svn ( 478 Words) 2022-01-14-17:02:02 (IANS)
Too late for Marilyn Mosby  the Baltimore City States Attorney was indicted on Thursday by a federal grand jury  but heres what I think every public official in Maryland needs to read and sign before they take office:

I fully understand that anything and everything I do, in public or private, could easily cause me to become the subject of gossip and intense scrutiny by my political opponents, the news media, inspectors, auditors, state prosecutors and federal prosecutors. I understand that Maryland has a long history of political corruption and an equally long history of aggressive prosecutors who seldom lose a case. I acknowledge that, in the Information Age, the feds have a lot of tools at their disposal to catch me in the act of a financial crime. Should I attempt to do anything sleazy or stupid, it might cause me to be indicted, arrested, imprisoned or sent into low company. And I know whats sleazy and whats stupid, so help me God.

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Or something like that.

It needs to be stated clearly. The standard oath of office is one thing, a pledge against stupidity and/or sleaze is quite another.

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And apparently necessary.

Youd think all people in public office would understand this by now  Maryland gave the world Spiro Agnew 50 years ago, for cryin out loud  but indictments keep happening.

As a rookie reporter for the late, lamented Evening Sun in 1976, I was assigned to help with the coverage of a federal trial. When I asked who was on trial, an editor barked, The governor.

So, in the year 2022, when you tell me Baltimores top prosecutor  a Boston College Law School graduate, for cryin out loud  has been indicted for trying to fraudulently obtain thousands of dollars for property in Florida, I have to believe she missed some basic training.

At the least, youd think Mosby would have noticed whats been going on around here these last few years. Doesnt she read a newspaper?

A partial list: A mayor convicted of theft; another mayor incarcerated after being caught in a scam involving a childrens book; a state senator in federal prison for fraud; a state delegate in federal prison for fraud and bribery; a former chief of staff for the governor charged with fraud and embezzlement; one of the regions bigshot attorneys charged with extortion.

So I dont get how Mosby thought she would get away with what the indictment alleges  that, while pulling down nearly $250,000 in salary in 2020, she claimed pandemic-related hardship to obtain money from her city retirement savings to purchase two Florida properties. Shes also accused of lying on loan applications, another federal offense.

Her lawyer claims the feds are carrying out some sort of vendetta and suggests that prosecutors are racially motivated to go after Mosby, who is Black. Thats an interesting accusation in light of the fact that Erek L. Barron has been U.S. Attorney in Baltimore since October. Barron is the first Black person to hold that powerful position. His signature is on Mosbys indictment.

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One of my many contacts in the city, an opinionated fellow on the west side who regularly offers me his pithy take on things, suggested that federal prosecutors had stretched to find a Mosby misdeed.

Hes a Mosby supporter who thinks she can do no wrong, so I wasnt surprised that he said that.

What surprised me in all this was the level of Mosbys gall  that, according to the indictment, she exploited a pandemic relief provision that allows people hurting financially to tap into their retirement accounts without a major tax hit. It doesnt strike me as a very clever endeavor. Were talking about allegedly lying on forms, creating a digital/paper trail, for cryin out loud.

While Mosby obviously has attracted federal attention because of her position, her decision to apply for pandemic relief while reporting nearly $250,000 in income to the Internal Revenue Service probably triggered an alert.

The feds have been sniffing out fraud related to the billions in relief that Congress authorized for the health crisis, and there have been recent indictments right here in Maryland.

A partial list: A 35-year-old Baltimore woman charged with fraudulently obtaining money from two federal loan programs to pay for plastic surgery and home renovations; a Chevy Chase attorney accused of swindling a medical equipment company and a Hong Kong investor in a deal for personal protective equipment; a 45-year-old Bowie man accused of fraudulently obtaining loans through the governments Payroll Protection Program; three Prince Georges County men charged with impersonating people who lost their jobs during the pandemic in an effort to obtain unemployment benefits.

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The indictments in the four cases I just cited allege millions of dollars in fraud. In Mosbys case, the sum is much lower; the feds says she applied for two hardship draws, totaling $81,000, from her city retirement account in 2020.

Now, when millions are involved, especially for businesses that only claim a few employees, you can bet alarms go off in the U.S. Attorneys office and the IRS.

On the lower end, where individuals might try to exploit a program for people genuinely harmed by the pandemic, maybe the alarms dont sound right away. But they eventually do.

And, if the feds are already watching you, chances are pretty good theyre going to catch you and youll go to prison, and you should know all that by now, for cryin out loud.
Jaishankar and Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero noted expanding cooperation in various areas including commerce.

"A virtual review of our ties with FM @SantiagoCafiero of Argentina. Noted our expanding cooperation, including in commerce. Discussed Covid challenges, pharma trade, mining, defence, nuclear and space issues. Our coordination in multilateral forums has been long standing," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

Jaishankar said that he had a productive discussion with his Brazilian counterpart Carlos Franca. The two sides agreed to hold an early meeting of Joint Commission.

They also affirmed their commitment to work closely in the United Nations Security Council, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa).

"A productive discussion with FM Carlos Franca of Brazil. Agreed to hold an early meeting of our Joint Commission. Affirmed our commitment to work closely in the UNSC, BRICS and IBSA," Jaishankar said in a tweet. (ANI)
Warsaw [Poland], January 14 (ANI/Sputnik): Poland's special services suspect Russian involvement in cyberattacks against Ukrainian government websites, the spokesman for the Polish Minister Coordinator of Special Services said on Friday. A number of Ukrainian government agencies, including the foreign ministry, were attacked by unknown hackers earlier in the day. A message in three languages appeared on the hacked websites, stating that all the personal data of Ukrainians were uploaded on the internet. "The statement displayed by the aggressors on the websites was written, among others, in Polish, but it contained major mistakes, which indicates that the text was prepared by someone for whom Polish is not a mother tongue. We are witnessing an outside attempt to increase tensions between Poland and Ukraine. Such actions are in line with the constant Russian narrative against Central European countries," spokesman Stanislaw Zaryn said in a statement. In recent years several countries, including France, the United Kingdom and the United States, have made multiple accusations against Russia over alleged cyberattacks. Russia has denied all allegations, urging international cooperation against cybercrime. (ANI/Sputnik)
A plot to murder exiled blogger and activist Ahmad Waqass Goraya has been revealed before a court in the United Kingdom, during the trial of 31-year-old Gohir Khan, a British-Pakistani based in the UK, local media reported. The trial began at the Kingston-upon-Thames crown court on Thursday, with the prosecution revealing details of the plot to murder Goraya who is a Pakistani origin man but based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, according to Dawn newspaper. The prosecution said that Khan was hired by persons who appeared to be based in Pakistan to carry out the "intended killing" of Goraya. The financial rewards for his actions were believed to be significant, with a payment of 1,00,000 Pound on offer. At the time, the prosecution claimed, the defendant was in significant debt, with no clear means of paying his creditors, Dawn reported. According to the publication, the prosecution described how the defendant travelled to Rotterdam and sought to locate the victim, purchasing a knife which he intended to use to kill Goraya. After a few days of unsuccessful attempts to locate the victim, Khan gave up and travelled back to the UK. He was arrested on his return, the prosecution said. Khan was reportedly sent a picture of the blogger as well as his address by a middleman, identified by the prosecution as "Mudz", "Zed", and "Papa". Messages exchanged between Khan and the middleman show the defendant asking for information about the victim. Khan asked, "Is it a deep sea fish, or just tuna?" in an attempt to understand whether the 'job' was big or small. He also said "sharks are expensive, tunas [sic] cheap", implying that if it's a bigger target it will cost more money. The middleman responded by saying that the target was "just tuna, but not UK tuna, European tuna. A bit of travelling involved." Throughout their exchange, Khan and the middleman used fish and fishing metaphors, such as fishing accessories, to refer to the job, according to Dawn. The jury was told that though Khan accepts sending and receiving all of the messages admitted as evidence and accepts being the person on the CCTV travelling to and around Rotterdam, he maintains that he never intended that Goraya should be killed. Goraya is an activist and blogger who left Pakistan after he and five other bloggers were abducted and later released in Islamabad in 2017, as per Dawn. (ANI)
New York [US], January 14 (ANI/Sputnik): The UN mission in Kazakhstan appreciates that "relative" calm and order have been restored in the country following violent protests in early January, spokeswoman Elnara Bainazarova told Sputnik on Friday. "First of all, we welcome the relative calm that seems to have returned to most of the country," Bainazarova said. She expressed regret over the violence, loss of life, and damage that resulted from the unrest. "UN expresses its sympathies to the people and the government of Kazakhstan, in particular families who lost their loved ones, and those wounded," she added. Bainazarova highlighted the UN team's readiness to support efforts to find a sustainable solution to the crisis. "We continue focusing on supporting the people and the government of Kazakhstan in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through national development plans and national priorities," she stated. Speaking of the impact the events had on the operations of the mission, she said they were affected to the extent which other missions have experienced, citing security issues and temporarily restricted access to communication services. Protests erupted in Kazakhstan in early January following a twofold increase in gas prices. The protests turned into riots, and the Kazakh government said they had been hijacked by terrorist groups aided by foreign actors. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a nationwide state of emergency until January 19 and invited Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) peacekeeping forces to help bring the situation under control. Tokayev dismissed the government and appointed a new prime minister. The situation has since been stabilized, and CSTO peacekeepers have begun their withdrawal. (ANI/Sputnik)
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday condemned the seizure of UAE flagged vessel Rwabee by the Houthis and demanded immediate release of the vessel and crew. "The members of the Security Council condemned the Houthi seizure and detention of the UAE-flagged vessel, Rwabee, off the coast of Yemen on January 2, 2022," read the UNSC press statement on Yemen. Demanding the immediate release of vessel and crew, the Security Council statement asked to ensure safety and well-being of crew until release. "They demanded the immediate release of the vessel and its crew and underscored the necessity of ensuring the crew's safety and well-being until their release, added the statement. Underlining the importance of freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, the UNSC called on all sides to resolve the issue quickly and in accordance with international law. "The members of the Security Council recalled their condemnation of the increasing number of incidents off the coast of Yemen, including attacks on civilian and commercial ships, which pose a significant risk to the maritime security of vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea," added the statement. Further, the members of the Security Council urged all parties to de-escalate the situation in Yemen and to engage constructively with the UN Special Envoy in order to return to inclusive political talks. Meanwhile, 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 on board 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. Yemen has been engulfed in an armed conflict between the government forces, led by President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, and the Houthi rebels. Since March 2015, the Saudi-led Arab alliance, working in cooperation with Hadi's forces, has been conducting air, land and sea operations against the Houthis. The conflict has created the arguably biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. (ANI)
The Taliban on Friday denied Human Rights Watch (HRW) report that characterized the human rights situation in Afghanistan as a "crisis" and said that the situation has become better compared to the previous years in the country. "We deny it because since the Islamic Emirate swept into power, the rights of women have been maintained. These reports are published based on false information," said deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Bilal Karimi, reported Tolo News. As per HRW 753-page report 2022 released on Thursday, the political change in Afghanistan has worsened the human rights crisis in Afghanistan. HRW report said, "the political change in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021 -- the fall of the former government and the Islamic Emirate's return to power -- accelerated human rights crises and humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan." The report further said that the two most significant achievements of the post-2001 era - progress in women's rights and a free press - were rolled back after the fall of the former government. According to the report, restrictions on women's right to work and girls' right to education were rolled back after the political change. HRW also raised concerns over what it called further restrictions against women, reported Tolo News. "These included measures severely curtailing access to employment and education and restricting the right to peaceful assembly," the report read. "The Islamic Emirate has banned many women workers from going to work. So, now what should those women who are the breadwinners of the family do?" said Naveeda Khurasani, a women rights activist. The narrowing of space for media and journalists to operate is another point highlighted by HRW as a result of the political change, saying it has led to self-censorship and the closing of many media outlets in the country, reported Tolo News. "Many media outlets closed or drastically scaled back their reporting, partly because many journalists had fled the country," the report added. The report also stated that the fall of the former government and subsequent political developments worsened the humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, as the country's central bank assets were frozen abroad, development aid was cut off and banking systems were disrupted. "A freeze on Afghanistan's currency reserves and the loss of foreign aid accelerated an economic collapse, leaving millions of Afghans at risk of famine. The collapse of the country's health services meant that many Afghans faced a loss of most physical and mental health care," the report read. "Junior job posts should be formed. There should be an investment in the banking system to counter the economic situation in the country," said Khwaja Fahim Abbas, a political analyst, reported Tolo News. (ANI)
Zainab's family on Friday said that their car was stopped at a checkpoint by the Islamic Emirate forces. The forces of the Islamic Emirate opened fire on Zainab and killed her, the family said, reported Tolo News.

The family called on the Taliban to hold the perpetrators accountable.

"It (the bullet) crossed the car and hit my sister's heart. My sister died in my arms," said Zainab's sister.

Zainab was working at a bank. She was supposed to get married in the near future. Her father said that she was the only breadwinner for the family, reported Tolo News.

"I demand that the killer of my daughter be executed," he said.

This is not one such incident where the Taliban has killed persons without any reason. Moreover, such incidents are on the rise under the hardline rule of the Taliban since the organisation took over the country on August 15 overthrowing the elected government. (ANI)
The statement comes a day after the arrest of a local Pashtoon Taliban commander in Balkh province by an Uzbek which triggered a demonstration in Faryab province. The protesters accused the Taliban of ethnic discrimination, reported The Khaama Press.

A spokesman of the Taliban Inamullah Samangani in a Twitter post said that escalating and strengthening ethnic conflicts in Afghanistan was the biggest cause for the death of democracy in the country.

Inamullah Samangani said that democracy is now dead in Afghanistan, reported Tolo News.

"After the death of democracy in Afghanistan, the pro-democracy people are still striving to cause chaos in Afghanistan," read the Twitter post of Samangani.

He blamed the pro-democracy figures for the ethnic conflicts.

Taliban has largely been comprised of Pashtoon. Moreover, after the formation of IEA, minorities and ethnic groups are susceptible to threat from the majority Pashtun ethnic Taliban.

Afghanistan witnessed a similar situation in the mid-1990s when the government witnessed a Taliban takeover and an ethnic war. (ANI)
One person is dead after a shooting in Tampa on Thursday, according to police.

Officers responded to a reported shooting in the 4400 block of N. 48th Street around 5:30 p.m. At the scene, police found a male who had been shot, the Tampa Police Department said in a news release Thursday night.

The male was taken to an area hospital, where he died, police said.

The shooting is under investigation. No other information was available.

This is a developing story. Stay with tampabay.com for updates.
Its hard to make it to the UFC.

Thousands of professional fighters try every year  and most fail. For a small percentage, however, they sign their names on the dotted line to fight for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

Sometimes the opportunity comes a bit too soon. Other times, theyre faced with difficult matchups that time proves were bigger challenges than originally anticipated.

When the pink slip comes and a fighter departs the promotion, there is often a phrase they hear on the way out: Go get a few more wins, and the UFC will consider bringing you back.

Easier said than done.

For the vast majority of those departing the UFC, they wont be back. However, its not impossible. A number of fighters have done it over the years. Just look at UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He was released from the promotion, built his way back, became a contender, and then won a UFC title. Others like Brandon Davis, Jesse Ronson, Nicolas Dalby, Chase Sherman, Sean Soriano, and Dustin Jacoby have reinforced it being possible.

With the new year upon us, here are 12 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2022.

Note: Fighters considered for this list had to have competed in at least one UFC bout.

Ali Alqaisi

Age: 31

Overall record: 11-5

Record since UFC departure: 3-0

[autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag] wasted no time after his UFC departure in early 2021. He immediately got back on the saddle and began racking up wins, the recipe that originally got him into the UFC. In his most recent two fights, Alqaisi captured the Titan FC and UAE Warriors featherweight titles.

Kyle Bochniak

Age: 34

Overall record: 10-5

Record since UFC departure: 2-0

[autotag]Kyle Bochniak[/autotag] became an instant fan favorite when he went to war with Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 223 in one of the best fights of 2018. However, that night, and for the remainder of his UFC tenure, Bochniak struggled to find results. Since his UFC departure, Bochniak has won back-to-back fights under the XMMA banner.

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Shane Campbell

Age: 33

Overall record: 19-8

Record since UFC departure: 9-2

Its been a long road for [autotag]Shane Campbell[/autotag] to get back on the UFCs doorstep, but hes certainly right there. Hes largely wiped out the Canadian regional scene with two Unified MMA titles and a Fight Night belt, too. A fun, striking-based fighter, Campbell could return to the promotion in 2022 six-or-so years after his first stint ended.

Spike Carlyle

Feb 29, 2020; Norfolk, Virginia, USA; Spike Cralyle (blue gloves) celebrates beating Aalon Cruz (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Chartway Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 28

Overall record: 13-3

Record since UFC departure: 4-0

[autotag]Spike Carlyle[/autotag]s UFC release was deemed by some as perhaps premature. After three exciting fights in the promotion, he was cut. But since that time hes continued to put on frenetic, back-and-forth wars, including his Comeback of the Year candidate against Dan Moret at Bellator 272. Carlyle is a free agent, so perhaps he could circle back to the UFC.

Cody Gibson

Cody Gibson

Age: 34

Overall record: 18-7

Record since UFC departure: 6-1

Since his UFC departure in 2016, [autotag]Cody Gibson[/autotag] has slowly, surely, and quietly compiled a nice record outside the promotion. His wins have come against game opponents, including former UFC flyweight title challenger John Dodson. Could 2022 be his year? Its possible, as hes got another former title challenger in Ray Borg as his next assignment.

Horacio Gutierrez

Age: 31

Overall record: 7-3

Record since UFC departure: 4-0

Perhaps [autotag]Horacio Gutierrez[/autotag]s first UFC stint came a tad too soon. A member of The Ultimate Fighter, Latin America 2, Gutierrez had a two-and-out in his first promotional stint. Since then, hes gone 4-0 with two knockouts. Going against former UFC champ Renan Barao next, Gutierrez could finally punch his ticket back with the most marquee win of his career.

Kurt Holobaugh

Age: 35

Overall record: 19-7

Record since UFC departure: 2-0

Few fighters have had a harder run to kick off a UFC stint than [autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag]. At the time, it may not have seemed that crazy, but looking back Holobaughs three UFC fights he fought Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos, and Thiago Moises. Thats a murderers row. Hes already made it back to the UFC once before. Maybe Holobaugh can do that again if he adds another destructive performance to his resume  like the two hes had post-UFC in XFC.

Sarah Kaufman

Age: 36

Overall record: 22-5

Record since UFC departure: 5-1

Simply put: [autotag]Sarah Kaufman[/autotag] deserves a second shot. Since her UFC tenure came to an end, shes competed against high-level opponents at heavier weight classes for PFL and Invicta. In a day and age when female bantamweights and featherweights are much needed, Kaufman seems like a no-brainer.

Taylor Lapilus

Age: 29

Overall record: 17-3

Record since UFC departure: 6-1

It seems almost like ancient history because of how far hes come, but [autotag]Taylor Lapilus[/autotag] competed in the UFC four times from 2015 to 2016. Since his departure, Lapilus has emerged as one of the best prospects in the world. Hes fought tough competition and proved hes a much advanced fighter. Still young at 29, its time for Lapilus to join Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane in carrying the MMA torch for France.

Bobby Nash

Age: 31

Overall record: 12-4

Record since UFC departure: 4-0

[autotag]Bobby Nash[/autotag] retired once and perhaps it was needed. But when the fire was lit and he came back, he proved to be a much more confident fighter. If youve seen him fight recently in XFC, youve seen how hes an all-offense, all-action fighter. In fact, hes scored four first-round knockouts. Now a free agent, will the UFC bring him back?

Eric Shelton

Age: 30

Overall record: 15-7

Record since UFC departure: 3-1

During his UFC tenure, [autotag]Eric Shelton[/autotag] was an anywhere, anyone, any time type fighter. He stepped in on short notice and proved a competitive outing for an opponent. However, he failed to get the results and was cut. Since then, hes gone 3-1 with his only loss coming against current UFC fighter Juancamilo Ronderos.

Rob Wilkinson

Age: 29

Overall record: 13-2

Record since UFC departure: 2-0

It might be revisionist history, but as things stand, [autotag]Rob Wilkinson[/autotag] may not have gotten a fair shake in his UFC stint. After a short-notice step-in against Siyar Bahadurzada in his debut, Wilkinson put forth a competitive outing against a debutant named Israel Adesanya. With two wins since his UFC departure, Wilkinson could get the call to come back in 2022.

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A winter storm could bring a few inches of snowfall and possibly a glaze of ice before precipitation turns to rain in the Baltimore area Sunday night into Monday, while as much as a foot of snow is expected in parts of Western Maryland.

A winter storm watch is in effect in Frederick County and points west, where the National Weather Service cautions wind gusts up to 45 mph and heavy snowfall could produce blizzard conditions that limit visibility and make travel unsafe. That could be upgraded to a winter storm warning as the weather system approaches from the Midwest.

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The storm is not expected to be as intense in Central Maryland, but forecasters still issued a winter weather advisory for the region, including the Baltimore area, from 1 p.m. Sunday to 1 a.m. Monday. The advisory warns snow and ice could yield slippery road conditions.

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Meteorologists with the weather service issued a winter weather advisory for Central Maryland, including the Baltimore area

Snowfall is expected to begin late Sunday afternoon and could continue into the early morning hours Monday. But as the storm progresses, an intrusion of warmer air in the atmosphere is expected to turn precipitation icy and rainy.

Weather service forecasters are predicting a heavy burst of snow as the storm moves into the Baltimore region, but then a switch to sleet or freezing rain, and then plain rain, especially in areas along and east of Interstate 95.

As of 1 p.m. Saturday, they were predicting 1-2 inches of snow along the I-95 corridor, with an inch or two more expected to the west and northwest, and less in areas bordering the Chesapeake.

Here is our latest forecast updates for Sunday and Sunday night, including current headlines, most likely snowfall, most likely ice, and start time. pic.twitter.com/CJyS7zPW9L  NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) January 15, 2022

Anywhere from a few hundredths of an inch to a tenth of an inch of ice accumulation is forecast across the region.

The weather service urged caution to anyone planning to travel in the region Sunday afternoon or evening, even if a winter storm warning is not issued for the Baltimore area.

It must be noted that even areas which dont see warning level snow have the potential for a brief burst of very heavy snow before the changeover occurs, with rates possibly approaching those seen on January 3rd south of DC for a time, a weather service forecast reads. This could make travel very difficult during that time, most likely occurring late Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening.

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In addition to the precipitation, forecasters called for a blustery Sunday. A high of 33 degrees during the day will drop slightly below freezing overnight, while winds gusting up to 23 mph during the day could accelerate up to 41 mph overnight.

A mixture of rain and snow is expected to fall before 2 p.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while the likelihood of wintry precipitation decreases in the afternoon, according to the weather service forecast. A steady breeze of 11 to 21 mph could produce gusts of up to 40 mph as the day progresses.

Forecasters arent calling for any precipitation after 9 p.m. Monday.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott urged city residents to try to take care of any errands on Sunday morning and strongly encouraged drivers to stay off the roads for the rest of the day unless absolutely necessary.

The mayor joked that Baltimoreans could spend Sunday night relaxing at home cheering against the Pittsburgh Steelers, archrivals of the hometown Ravens, in their NFL playoff game against Kansas City.

Baltimore Sun reporter Alex Mann contributed to this article.
Good day, neighbors! It's me again, Danielle Fallon, your host of the Burlington Daily.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and frigid. High: 3 Low: -8.

Here are the top three stories today in Burlington:

Two Burlington men have been sentenced for stealing an ATM from the University of Vermont campus. Matthew Morgan and Ruebin Beard, both 52 years old, were sentenced following their guilty pleas to a charge of bank larceny. During the September 2020 theft, the campus ATM contained about $23,000 in cash; Morgan used these proceeds to purchase a 2011 Jeep Patriot, which was also forfeited. (Vermont Biz) As Beta Technologies expands its aircraft manufacturing facility at Burlington International Airport, other airport tenants are concerned about the impact on their current lease agreements. A group that includes two tenants and 18 others with a general interest in aviation are asking the Burlington City Council and the mayor to create a task force for the issue. The council is expected to discuss some of these issues at their meeting on Jan. 24. (WCAX) On Thursday, Chittenden County States Attorney Sarah George announced that her office will not pursue charges from "non-public safety" traffic stops. According to George, the move comes in an effort "to help alleviate implicit bias, help restore our communitys faith in local institutions, and improve safety within our communities." (U.S. News & World Report)

Today in Burlington:

Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas At Echo Lahey Center for Lake Champlain (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

Brian Fallon and the Howling Weather have canceled more January shows due to the surge in COVID-19. The musicians are scheduled to come to Higher Ground in South Burlington on Feb. 26. (Brooklyn Vegan)

While the holidays may be over, things are still looking merry and bright in the Burlington City Arts Center gallery during the final weeks of its "Unbound" exhibition. (Facebook)

Vermont senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale has entered the race for the state's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Story continues

Loving the Burlington 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

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

 Danielle Fallon

About me: Danielle Fallon is a writer who loves using her creativity to fuel her passion for communication. She is an employee of content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Masters Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.

This article originally appeared on the Burlington Patch
WORCESTER  Quinsigamond Community College on Monday will host the 37th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast  a virtual event commemorating the life, spirit and message of the influential and inspirational American civil rights leader.

Dr. King fought for equity, equality and a democracy where all can prosper, QCC President Luis G. Pedraja said. We must work with renewed vigor to ensure we continue his legacy that inspires us all to achieve a nation in which people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character, as Dr. King dreamed.

Due to the city's current COVID-19 surge, the event will only be held virtually and the speakers and the performances will be at various locations. A virtual program was also held last year.

The public cannot attend the event but can watch a stream live at 7:45 a.m. Monday.

WATCH: Annual MLK Jr. event n Worcester

After the live presentation, a recording of the event will be posted at the same web address.

Jackson to deliver keynote address

Kellie Carter Jackson, an associate professor in Africana studies at Wellesley College and author of Force & Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence, will be the keynote speaker.

Philip J. Niddrie, co-chair of the community breakfast and former special projects coordinator for the City Manager's Office, will serve as the events master of ceremonies.

Linda Cavaioli, former executive director of YWCA of Central Massachusetts, will be awarded the annual Eleanor Hawley Community Service Award. Winners of the MLK Scholarship and essay and art contest also will be announced.

More: What's open, what's closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Mayor Joseph M. Petty, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Pedraja are all slated to make remarks.

The New England Gospel Choir will perform musical selections during the program and the Rev. Dr. S. Smith of the Second Baptist Church will give the invocation and benediction.

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As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast, the United Way of Central Massachusetts, the Worcester Area Mission Society and United Congregational Church are collecting new books for second- and third-grade Worcester Public Schools students.

A list of suggested books can be found here.

Books can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Thursday at the Worcester Area Mission Society, 6 Institute Road.

Tax-deductible cash donations can be made to WAMS at wamsworks.org/.

More: Vincent D. Rougeau: Dr. King's legacy inspires us to move Worcester, and country, forward

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast virtual again in Worcester
ACROSS AMERICA  Bernard Chinas new heart is still beating. The old one began to quit on him in 2017. He got on the transplant list in 2020  and by the time the year was about to close, his new heart was inside him, doing the work the old one couldnt.

The New Jersey man's Dec. 30, 2020, surgery took place at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center amid a maelstrom of viral activity. COVID-19 was everywhere. No one could visit him. His appreciation swelled for his medical team, and other patients' medical teams.



Chinas heart beat on. Its been in his chest for a little more than a year now, giving the now-58-year-old man the chance to do the things  so small, but infinitely more meaningful now  he thought hed never do again.

This Christmas was extra special for me as I was able to watch the kids open their presents. The last two years, I had to watch on FaceTime from the hospital, and it just wasn't the same, he said. I feel blessed beyond belief to be alive and with those I love.  By Eric Kiefer for Newark, New Jersey, Patch

(Photo courtesy of NJ Sharing Network)

We Did Not Break

The grande dames of the Wisconsin parade circuit, the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, are persevering. Three members of their troupe were among six people killed when the driver of a pickup plowed through the Waukesha Christmas Parade route on Nov. 21. They have dubbed the 2022 season, set to begin with an appearance in the St. Patricks Day parade in downtown Milwaukee, a year of rebuilding, practicing and focusing on the future, while always remembering our past and the ones we tragically lost.  By Karen Pilarski for Waukesha, Wisconsin, Patch

They Were Babies, And They Needed Help

From inside her Denver apartment, Dusti Talavera saw tragedy unfolding Sunday afternoon: Three children in a group playing on an icy pond crashed through and plunged into the icy water. There were no adults around. If anyone was going to save the children, it was going to have to be her, the 23-year-old said at a news conference recognizing her lifesaving efforts. But why did an ordinary citizen step in? They were babies, Talavera said, and they needed help.  By Beth Dalbey for Denver, Colorado, Patch

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How The Story Of Stories Began

The idea for a program to read to older Americans to ease their pandemic isolation came as Gabriella Ager, 16, read to her grandmother, Judith, and I began to realize I could apply this to other seniors. She enlisted the help of her brother, Eli, 13, and the two Mendham, New Jersey, teens soon formed Bringing Stories to Seniors, and friends volunteered as readers.  By Jennifer Jean Miller for Mendham-Chester, New Jersey, Patch

Super Bowl Champ Back In School

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis has been a restaurateur and philanthropist since his 2006 retirement following Super Bowl XL. On Monday, he returned to the role he left nearly three decades ago: college student. Bettis, 49, is at the University of Notre Dame to finish his final semester of college.  By Eric Heyl for Pittsburgh Patch

Who Wore It Better?

It's not every little girl across the pond from London who catches Her Majesty's attention. But it's not every little girl who so perfectly nails Queen Elizabeth II's signature style. Jalayne Sutherland, 2, dressed up as the now-95-year-old queen for Halloween trick-or-treating around Florence, Kentucky  and if her costume didn't inspire "who wore it better?" conversations, it was an opportunity lost. The toddlers mom sent a photo to the queen, whose staff sent note back that noted Jalaynes splendid style.  By Beth Dalbey for Across America Patch

(Photo courtesy of Katelyn Sutherland)

And The Golden Globe Goes To .

Michaela Jae Rodriguez, who grew up in Newark, New Jersey, won the 2022 Golden Globe for "Best Television Actress - Drama Series" for her role in "Pose." With the award, Rodriguez becomes the first openly transgender person to win one of the prestigious awards. The show for which Rodriguez was nominated spotlights the legends, icons and "ferocious house mothers" of New York's underground ball culture, a movement that first gained notice in the late 1980s. It features the largest recurring cast of LGBTQ actors ever for a scripted series.  By Eric Kiefer for Newark, New Jersey, Patch

(Rachel Murray/Getty Images for ELLE)

Purr-fect Tribute To Betty White

Meet Betty White  one of them, anyway. In Morris County, New Jersey, at least two rescue pets bear the name of the beloved actor, comedian and animal rights activist who died on New Year's Eve at the age of 99. This Betty White is a gray tabby kitten at St. Huberts Animal Welfare Center. The other is the first female rescue dog of the year at Second Chance Pet Adoption League. The shelters are taking part in the Betty White Challenge circulating on social media. The idea is for fans and animal lovers to donate in her name to local pet rescues and shelters around the country on Monday, which would have Whites centennial birthday.  By Josh Bakan for Morristown, New Jersey, Patch

(St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center)

When Dolphins Play (Video)

Several dolphins were recently caught on camera playfully chasing a large school of fish in St. Petersburg, Florida. Its that time of year when large schools of mullet pass through the St. Pete side of Tampa Bay, and Michael McCarthy, of See Through Canoe, caught the whole thing on video.  By Nikki Gaskins for St. Pete, Florida, Patch

Find Your Patch

Patch is in more than 1,000 communities across America. Find your community and see what's happening outside your front door.

This article originally appeared on the Across America Patch
Abilene ISD announced Thursday evening that it will close Friday through Tuesday due to staff shortages related to the rapid "spread of COVID-19 cases in our district and community," according to a news release.

In-person instruction will resume Wednesday. Monday is a school holiday.

An alert from AISD Superintendent Dr. David Young also was sent to parents.

"Our top priority is always to provide safe, productive and healthy learning environments for everyone," Young said. "There are currently too many campuses in the district that do not have the staffing or substitute personnel necessary to safely conduct appropriate academic instruction in our classrooms."

Several Big Country school districts this week announced closures because of a rapid spike in COVID-19 cases since classes resumed after the Christmas break. In general, districts are using the down time to allow students and staff to recuperate and do deep cleaning of facilities.

During a media briefing Wednesday, Young said the district wanted to continue in-person learning if at all possible because of the learning loss that has already occurred during the pandemic.

The district was "pretty close to the line" for having enough employees to operate the schools, he said Wednesday.

The decision to close a school or the entire district due to COVID-19 would depend on having "enough adults in our buildings to physically open the doors," Young said Wednesday.

Young acknowledged in Thursday's alert to parents that the situation "is not ideal for our students and families, but we are also hopeful that a temporary pause of in-person instruction will help slow the transmission of COVID-19 in our district."

Remote instruction will not be provided during this temporary closure, and coaches and program sponsors will communicate to students and families details about athletic events and extracurricular activities.

"Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate this situation together. We will continue to consult with local health officials to evaluate current conditions and make the best decisions for the health and wellness of our students, staff, and community," Young said.

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Wylie stays open

Wylie Independent School District superintendent Joey Light said the district's goal is to keep schools open.

"Currently, we have 33 staff members and 234 students with COVID," Light said Friday morning. "That means we have 667 staff and 4,868 students, 95%, without COVID. Of course, we have other sicknesses going around right now."

Light said he receives feedback from campuses about staffing ability each morning.

"Some campuses are challenged more than others," he said, but "so far we have been able to meet the needs at each campus."

"I am prepared to move staff from one campus to another if that means we are able to make it work," Light said.

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: Abilene ISD closes due to staff shortages during COVID-19 spike
Adam Driver has admitted he never goes to wrap parties any more.

The actor, who most recently starred in House of Gucci, says he has not been to a party after finishing a shoot since he was in the TV series Girls, which ended in 2017.

He told W magazine he usually leave jobs immediately, adding: I havent been to a wrap party since Girls. I just want to get the character out of my system and go home.

In Girls, Driver played aloof hipster Adam Sackler, a character who dates both Lena Dunhams character Hannah and Jemima Kirkes Jessa.

The actor continued: In some ways, House of Gucci was the most difficult. I do not live in the same world as Maurizio Gucci, Driver said of his role as the fashion heir who was killed by a hitman hired by his ex-wife, Patrizia Reggiani (played by Lady Gaga).

The way he picks up things that are valuable and discards them, the way he is the most elegant man  those qualities were interesting to think about. But after 14 hours a day of being a Gucci, I was ready for it to be over.

Read The Independents four-star review of House of Gucci here.

Adam Driver and Lady Gaga in House of Gucci ((c) 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Reactions on Twitter to the film were mixed, with one person calling it an overwrought slog and another describing it as a mess. Others, however, were hugely impressed with the performance from Lady Gaga, who went full method for the role and didnt break character for a year and a half.
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Unvaccinated people infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus may be less prone to severe illness and requiring hospital care or dying than was the case with previous variants, a South African study showed on Friday.

The study, by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in the Western Cape region, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, concluded.compared about 11,600 patients from the first three COVID-19 waves with about 5,100 from the Omicron-driven wave that began in November.

Omicron globally has tended to cause less severe disease, and proportionally fewer hospital admissions and deaths, than previous variants.

Scientists are trying to determine the extent to which this is because of higher immunity rates engendered by vaccination or past illness, or Omicron is intrinsically less nasty.

The study concluded that about a quarter of the reduced risk of severe disease with Omicron was attributable to characteristics of the virus itself.

"In the Omicron-driven wave, severe COVID-19 outcomes were reduced mostly due to protection conferred by prior infection and/or vaccination, but intrinsically reduced virulence may account for an approximately 25% reduced risk of severe hospitalisation or death compared to Delta," the study said.

(Reporting by Tim Cocks; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Alec Baldwin outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in Santa Fe, N.M., on Oct. 21, 2021  the afternoon of the fatal shooting on the "Rust" movie set. (Jim Weber / AP)

Alec Baldwin has turned over his cellphone so it can be searched for evidence in the criminal investigation into the fatal "Rust" shooting.

On Friday morning, the star and producer of the low-budget western  who fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21  provided his cellphone to sheriff's deputies in New York, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff's spokesman Juan Rios and Baldwin's attorney.

Suffolk County Sheriff's investigators in New York will review the contents of Baldwin's phone to search for text messages, emails, photos or other data that may be relevant to New Mexico's Santa Fe County Sheriff's investigation into the accidental shooting, Rios said.

"Once that data is retrieved from the phone, they will provide the data to us," Rios said.

As recently as Thursday, sheriff's investigators expressed frustration at the delay in obtaining Baldwin's cellphone.

New Mexico First Judicial Dist. Atty. Mary Carmack-Altwies  Santa Fe Countys top law enforcement officer, who is overseeing the case  had stepped in to lead negotiations with Baldwin and his Los Angeles attorney, Aaron Dyer, to allow Baldwin's phone to be searched.

The process was complicated because Baldwin didn't provide his phone voluntarily, according to an affidavit for the search warrant.

In addition, the actor had returned to New York, where he has a home in the Hamptons, and New Mexico authorities seemed powerless to force him to turn over the phone.

Alec voluntarily provided his phone to the authorities this morning so they can finish their investigation," Dyer said in a statement.

Santa Fe County Magistrate Judge David Segura on Dec. 16 authorized a search warrant allowing local law enforcement to search Baldwin's iPhone for evidence that may prove valuable to their investigation of the fatal shooting that also injured the film's director, Joel Souza.

The search warrant issued by Segura was enforceable only in New Mexico, according to local attorneys, leading to the behind-the-scenes effort to work out a consent agreement. Because of these jurisdiction issues, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office was brought into the negotiations.

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The various parties worked out an agreement over what data could be taken from the phone, Rios said.

Baldwin's delay in turning over the cellphone fueled additional controversy surrounding his role in the tragedy.

Last weekend, Baldwin posted a video on Instagram, denying that he was trying to impede the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office investigation.

"Any suggestion that I am not complying with requests or orders or demands or search warrants about my phone, that is bull-[expletive], that's a lie," Baldwin said in the video from his car.

"This is a process where one state makes a request to another state. Someone from another state can't come to you and say, 'Gimme your phone, gimme this, gimme that.' They can't do that," Baldwin said in the video. "They have to go through the state you live in. It's a process that takes time."

Dyer downplayed suggestions that Baldwin's cellphone would provide any tantalizing evidence.

"This matter isnt about his phone, and there are no answers on his phone. Alec did nothing wrong," the attorney said. "It is clear that he was told it was a cold gun, and was following instructions when this tragic accident occurred. The real question that needs to be answered is how live rounds got on the set in the first place.

Earlier this week, the movie's 24-year-old armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, sued the weapons provider in New Mexico, Seth Kenney, alleging he supplied a mismarked box of ammunition containing live rounds to the set. Kenney has denied supplying any live ammunition to the set.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Bloomberg) -- Thrasio Holdings Inc., an aggregator of private brands on Amazon.com Inc., is setting aside more than $500 million for an expansion in India to target one of the worlds fastest-growing e-commerce markets.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Walpole, Massachusetts-based startup said it acquired consumer goods company Lifelong Online to commence the push, without disclosing the value. Lifelongs product categories include kitchen, home, lifestyle and health care, Thrasio said in a statement Friday.

Thrasio, backed by Silver Lake, is one of a slew of startups looking to capitalize on Amazons e-commerce dominance by acquiring up-and-coming sellers on the companys third-party marketplace. Thrasio and its peers buy out small merchants, sometimes mom-and-pop operations run out of garages, and plan to use their retail expertise to turn the acquisitions into global brands.

In addition to acquiring and growing digital-first businesses, we plan to participate in the make in India movement by transitioning the manufacturing for some of our products to the country, Carlos Cashman, Thrasios chief executive officer, said in the statement.

Thrasio has acquired more than 200 brands and raised over $3.4 billion in capital and plans to continue expanding globally. The startups rivals include Mensa Brands, backed by Tiger Global and Accel, and SoftBank Group Corp.-backed GlobalBees Brands.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
(AFP via Getty Images)

The lucrative offers tempting leading boxers, golfers and footballers to compete in Saudi Arabia are not enough for Andy Murray to put money over morality.

When Murray has received approaches to fly to Riyadh to play in exhibition matches, the potential to earn millions of dollars has been rejected.

The revelation on Friday came from the three-time Grand Slam winner's agent in the week when the Spanish Football Federation has faced criticism from human rights activists for taking its Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have little say in where the mini-competition is being played. But for Murray, the offers were for exhibition matches beyond the ATP Tour.

"He's turned down stuff in Saudi and I don't think he would play there just because of what's gone on," said Matt Gentry, Murray's agent and the co-founder of 77 Sports Management.

"If he feels strongly about something regardless, he's at the stage where he will happily call it out and he will have that debate with people. I don't think he's scared to voice his opinion on it."

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were scheduled to compete in an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia in 2018 but it was called off due to the Spaniard being injured. Roger Federer had already rejected an offer to participate.

Saudi Arabia is bringing major sporting events to the kingdom not just for prestige but to divert attention away from human rights violations and the ongoing pursuit of full equal rights for women.

"Exhibition matches, they have done a few over the years where they have paid eyewatering sums of money to get players to come over, and he just wasn't interested," Gentry said from Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.

"If you are a former No. 1 player in the world in the Middle East you could potentially earn $1 million, $2 million for an exhibition match ... this is for the top players, the big global names, and I think golf is probably pretty similar in that respect."

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The Asian Tour in men's golf will stage the Saudi International near Jeddah next month with $5 million in prize money. The title sponsor is the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, PIF, which is overseen by crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

Planes owned by a PIF company are said to have been used by the alleged Saudi assassination squad that flew to Istanbul in 2018 to murder the U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate. U.S. intelligence services said they believe the slaying came at the crown prince's orders, which the Saudis deny.

This week, Bryson DeChambeau and Shane Lowry faced questions from the media about going to Saudi Arabia and dismissed concerns they were part of sportswashing by the country by saying they were not politicians.

Former Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said he had concerns about racing in Saudi Arabia last month and did so only because it was a decision taken by the leaders in motorsport.

Boxers like Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. had the choice themselves whether to fight in Saudi Arabia and did so in 2019 despite criticism from Amnesty International.
West Murfreesboro got a little bit sweeter this week with the opening of Andy's Frozen Custard at 4307 Franklin Road.

Andy's fans young and old lined up Thursday night for a VIP event. The following day, Andy's doors opened to the general public.

"We're excited to be over here in the Blackman/Rockvale side of town. We have a lot of team members from both high schools," owner Brad Feuerbacher said.

This is the second Andy's Frozen Custard in Murfreesboro. The first opened in 2018 at 2262 Memorial Blvd. The frozen treat eatery also has a location in Spring Hill.

Andy's Frozen Custard franchisee Brad Feuerbacher stands in front of his newest store at 4307 Franklin Road in Murfreesboro on Jan. 13, 2022.

Feuerbacher said a fourth location is scheduled to open this spring in Gallatin, and he's considering a location in Smyrna.

THE SWEET NEWS: Enjoy creamy, sweet treats year-round at Andy's Frozen Custard

The store offers a menu of custard creations, from sundaes to a blended treat called concretes. Andy's offers drive-thru and walk-up service with outdoor seating.

Every store has its own nuance, Feuerbacher said. The Franklin Road location, for example, added a grassy area in back of the store. Often people eat in their cars, so this creates a space they can enjoy an impromptu picnic (in warmer months, of course).

You'll also find nearly double the number of parking spots. "We also have a larger patio (in front) with more benches," Feuerbacher said.

The custard shop is within walking distance of Toot's West. Imagine: Heating up with hot wings and cooling down with frozen custard?

If you become a frequent flyer at Andy's  and why wouldn't you?  you'll want to download the app to earn points and rewards. The company also offers a variety of deals throughout the year.

Founded in 1986, the Missouri-based company specializes in custard flavors such as strawberry shortcake, blueberry, key lime and apple pie.

Andy's serves its custard within one hour of it being made. Nuts are roasted in Chicago a day before being shipped to stores. Brownies, pies and cookies are baked fresh daily.

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Winter hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Hours are extended during warmer months.

Visit https://www.eatandys.com to learn more about rewards and follow on social media platforms.

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com. Keep up with restaurant news by joining Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook and follow Murfreesboro Eats on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: West Murfreesboro gets sweeter with opening of Andy's Frozen Custard
U.S. forced to activate more resources to deal with surging COVID-19 infections

Xinhua) 08:07, January 14, 2022

U.S. President Joe Biden walks out from the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

The U.S. administration has faced criticism for the country's low testing capacity since the Omicron surge started.

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The federal government of the United States is sending medical teams to New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Michigan and New Mexico to help hospitals overburdened by COVID-19, U.S. media has reported.

U.S. President Joe Biden is to announce the deployments on Thursday when discussing steps the administration is taking to address a surge in infections driven by the Omicron variant, according to USA Today.

"His remarks come as hospitalizations for COVID-19 are setting records," said the report, adding that some hospitals are delaying elective surgeries as states are deploying National Guard members to health care facilities.

A man receives COVID-19 test in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Dec. 30, 2021. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

MORE TEST KITS

After reaching the grim milestone of 800,000 coronavirus deaths in December, the United States continued to shatter records as the Omicron variant surges.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country topped 60 million on Sunday. Just days before, it had shattered a single-day record with over 1 million infections.

Despite initial evidence that the Omicron variant is less likely than previous variants to cause severe illness, the sheer number of infections have increased hospitalizations.

Having struggled with staff shortages, schools are also seeing a decline in attendance as students stay away partly because of the limited availability of tests, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

"The U.S. administration has faced criticism for the country's low testing capacity at the start of the Omicron surge," said the report, noting that the federal government is planning to distribute millions of free COVID-19 tests to schools and other public sectors around the country in the coming week.

Problems with the testing in the United States began at the very beginning of the pandemic, when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributed faulty test kits to laboratories in February 2020.

A man wearing a face mask is seen in a shopping center in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, Jan. 11, 2022. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua)

N95 GOING EXPENSIVE

A total of 1,481,375 new cases and 1,904 new deaths were reported in the United States on Monday. The single-day increase of cases has set a new record around the globe since the onset of the pandemic, according to latest data of Johns Hopkins University.

The potential for a new recommendation from the CDC is unleashing a scramble for highly protective N95 masks and boosting their prices, Bloomberg Wealth reported Wednesday.

The agency is considering changing its guidance to advise that people wear higher-quality masks to better protect against Omicron.

"That's contributing to a surge in prices for gold-standard N95 and KN95 face coverings on sites like Amazon.com," said the report.

Quoting Camelcamelcamel, a website that tracks prices of products sold on Amazon, the report said one pack of 40 KN95 masks from the Hotodeal brand now costs 79.99 U.S. dollars from third-party sellers on Amazon, up from just 16.99 dollars in late November, while a 50-pack of Kimberly-Clark N95 masks is going for 57.15 dollars compared with 23.19 dollars in early October.

Cruise ship Majestic Princess is seen at a pier in San Francisco, the United States, on Oct. 11, 2021. Majestic Princess became the first cruise to call on the Port of San Francisco on Monday since the port ceased operation of cruises due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year. (Photo by Liu Yilin/Xinhua)

MORE CRUISE DELAYS

According to the CDC, the majority of cruise ships sailing in the United States have reported COVID-19 outbreaks in the last several weeks.

These ongoing outbreaks have barred cruise ships from docking at ports of calls, infected crew, and forced passengers to quarantine aboard ships, Business Insider reported Wednesday.

Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have postponed several sailings, citing travel restrictions or the COVID-19 outbreak. Almost 250 cruises were set to sail throughout the first month of 2022, but this ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases could continue to cause further cancellations, said the report.

The CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order will expire on Saturday at which point the health agency's COVID-19 guidance of risk mitigation for cruise ships will become voluntary. This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency's guidance or not, according to USA Today.

The CDC recently told Americans to avoid travel on cruise ships, regardless of their vaccination status.

Medical workers carry a patient to a hospital in New York, the United States, Dec. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

MORE SURGES FLATTENED

"Dramatic surges in cases in Northeast have flattened, suggesting that the Omicron wave is levelling off there," The New York Times reported Thursday.

According to the newspaper, the number of new COVID-19 cases in New York City rose more than 20-fold in December but has flattened in the past few days.

"In both New Jersey and Maryland, the number of new cases has fallen slightly this week. In several major cities, the number is also showing signs of leveling off," said the report.

Though the timeline is consistent with the experience in South Africa and Britain, experts warned it is still too early to be confident, said the report.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
By Harikrishnan Nair

(Reuters) - The next "giant leap" for humans may be a trip to Mars, but having enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells for the journey might present a challenge, new research suggests.

Even space tourists lining up for short trips might have to stay home if they are at risk for anemia, or red blood cell deficiency, researchers said.

Astronauts are known to experience "space anemia" but until now it was thought to be temporary. One NASA study called it "a 15-day ailment."

Doctors attributed it to destruction of red blood cells, or hemolysis, resulting from fluid shifts as astronauts' bodies accommodated to weightlessness and again as they re-accommodated to gravity.

In fact, anemia is "a primary effect of going to space," said Dr. Guy Trudel of the University of Ottawa, who led a study of 14 astronauts funded by the Canadian Space Agency. "As long as you are in space, you are destroying more blood cells" than you are making."

Normally, the body destroys and replaces nearly 2 million red blood cells per second. Trudel's team found astronauts' bodies destroyed 3 million red blood cells per second during their six-month missions.

"We thought we knew about space anemia, and we did not," Trudel said.

The astronauts generated extra red cells to compensate for the destroyed ones. But, Trudel asked, how long can the body constantly produce 50% more red cells? A roundtrip mission to Mars would take about two years, NASA estimated.

"If you are on your way to Mars and ... you can't keep up" with the need to produce all those extra red blood cells, "you could be in serious trouble," Trudel said.

Having fewer red blood cells in space is not a problem when your body is weightless, he added. But after landing on Earth, and potentially on other planets, anemia could affect astronauts' energy, endurance and strength.

A year after returning to Earth, the astronauts' red blood cells had not completely returned to pre-flight levels, his team reported on Friday in Nature Medicine.

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Trudel also studies the effects of immobility on patients who are bedridden for weeks or months.

The new findings mimic what he sees in his patients, he said, which suggests that what happens in space may also be happening in immobile patients.

"A solution to one could also apply to the other," he said.

Sulekha Anand, who researches human physiology at San Jose State University and was not involved in the study, agreed.

"The findings have implications for understanding the physiological consequences of space flight and anemia in patients on the ground," she said.

Trudel's team is studying ways to solve the problem, he said.

(Reporting by Harikrishnan Nair; Editing by Nancy Lapid and Richard Chang)
Dixon

Appellate court justices in Amarillo on Thursday upheld the conviction and life sentence of Thomas Michael Dixon after rejecting the remaining 49 counts of his direct appeal.

Dixon can appeal ruling to the Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court in the state on criminal issues. If that appeal fails, he also has the option to take it to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A Lubbock jury on Nov. 18, 2015 convicted Dixon, a once-prominent Amarillo plastic surgeon, of two counts of capital murder in the July 10, 2012, shooting death of Dr. Joseph Sonnier, the chief pathologist of Covenant Medical Center. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors said Dixon paid three 100 oz. silver bars and two Cuban Cigars to his business partner, David Neal Shepard, to kill Sonnier, who was dating Dixons ex-girlfriend at the time.

Shepard pleaded guilty to his role of as Sonnier's killer and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

After his conviction, Dixon filed an appeal after his conviction citing 50 instances his attorney's believed were a violation of his right to a fair trial.

The justices in the Court of Appeals in the Seventh District of Texas initially reversed Dixon's conviction in 2018 citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that came after his trial that retroactively made inadmissible cell phone tower location data if they were obtained without a warrant.

During Dixon's trials in 2014 and 2015, prosecutors used Dixon's cell phone tower location data to show he was with his co-defendant, David Shepard, in Lubbock as he stalked Sonnier weeks before the murder. The 2014 trial ended in a hung jury.

The Lubbock County District Attorney's Office appealed that decision to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, saying the cell phone tower data did not significantly impact their case against Dixon, since it was clear that Dixon wasn't with Shepard during the shooting.

Instead, they relied on lawfully obtained text messages between the two to show jurors their plot to murder Sonnier.

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The Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in the state's favor and reinstated Dixon's conviction and life sentence. Dixon's attorneys appealed that decision to U.S. Supreme Court justices, who declined to hear the case.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Court of Appeals were left to rule on the remaining grounds of Dixon's original appeal, which involved complaints that the trial court allowed hearsay statements and denied Dixon to include in his defense video evidence that would show Shepard saying he acted alone.

During the 2014 trial, prosecutors called Shepard as a witness, after he pleaded guilty to a count of capital murder, admitting that he was paid by Dixon to kill Sonnier. However, at trial, Shepard surprised prosecutors when he told jurors he acted alone.

The justices found that the trial court did not err in excluding the video evidence because Shepard, who was not called to the stand in the 2015 trial, was at the Lubbock County Jail on a bench warrant as a possible witness in the case.

"Appellants decision to not elicit testimony from an unpredictable witness may reflect his difficult, albeit not uncommon, trial dilemma, but militates against an argument he was barred from presenting such evidence due to the trial judges ruling," states the opinion, written by Justice Lawrence M. Doss.

Justices also found that the hearsay testimony Dixon raised in his appeal were permissible under the Texas Rules of Evidence.

However, the Seventh Court of Appeals' latest opinion did rule on one ground in Dixon's favor and acquitted him on the second count of capital murder, which made him criminally responsible for Shepard's actions of murder in the course of a felony, namely burglary.

"Dixons two convictions for murdering Sonnier is violative of his double-jeopardy protections from being twice convicted for the same offense," the opinion states.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Court of appeals upholds Dixon life sentence
The Daily Beast

(Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)Russian authorities are transporting the dead bodies of Russias fallen soldiers from Ukraine back to Russia in small batches in the dead of night in an attempt to conceal just how many Russian troops are dying in Ukraine, according to intelligence shared by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).The intelligenceintercepted calls between Russian troops the SBU said it picked up in the Zaporozhye regionsuggests that Russia is also transporting t
Austin and Travis County businesses must publicly declare what measures they are taking to try to slow the spread of COVID-19 under new orders from Mayor Steve Adler and County Judge Andy Brown.

Beginning at noon Monday, all Travis County businesses are to post a sign stating whether they require customers and employees to wear a face covering, and whether customers and employees are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The businesses also must say whether they are requiring employees to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

COVID news: Travis County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 71% of people fully vaccinated

Standing executive orders issued by Gov. Greg Abbott prohibit local governments from forcing businesses to require masks, or requiring customers to show proof of vaccination or of a negative test. The local orders don't make businesses do these things  but do require that they tell the public whether they are doing them.

The orders were released the same day the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's plan to require that most U.S. workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.

More: What's the difference between quarantining and isolating for COVID-19? Understanding updated CDC recommendations

Asked if he thinks the local measures are on firm legal ground, Adler said: "I think so. It doesn't require any particular protective measure."

The orders also require businesses to post a sign prepared by local public health officials that lists the county's recommendations to wear a mask and to be vaccinated.

"It's no more onerous than any of the other orders we've entered over a two-year period of time," Adler said.

The deadline to post the signs falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday.

The Greater Austin Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association said that its industry guidelines and standards are in line "with the objectives in the latest Austin order, although of course restaurants must comply with state laws that prevent mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, and many cannot obtain COVID-19 tests right now."

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The orders come as the area is being pummeled by new cases from the omicron variant of the coronavirus Earlier this month, Austin and Travis County moved into Stage 5, which is the most serious stage of the local public health authority's risk-based COVID-19 guidelines.

The orders apply to any business where goods or services are provided directly to the public. It does not apply to property maintained by a governmental entity or a dwelling unit where an individual resides.

Doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine wait to be given to Austin school district families last Saturday during a vaccination event at the district's Performing Arts Center.

Violations for not posting the signs can lead to a fine of up to $1,000.

The orders caused confusion upon their release Thursday, as the city and county were at odds over what they actually meant and whether all businesses, or just some of them, were required to post the notices.

The orders were released by Austin Public Health around 9 a.m. A nearly 800-word news release that said nothing about the signage requirement.

Later in the morning, Travis County said that only businesses requiring any combination of masking, vaccinations or test results would be required to post a notice saying which measures they require and which measures they don't. The county held that any business that does not require these things would not have to post the notice.

Austin Public Health, in an email, also indicated the orders applied only to businesses that opted into safety measures.

Travis County spokesman Hector Nieto later backtracked, saying that, after consulting with County Attorney Delia Garza's office, the county believed the orders applied to all businesses.

Adler then spoke with the American-Statesman. He confirmed the orders applied to all businesses.

"I don't think it's been confusing at any point," he said. "I think the language is pretty clear."

Adler said the orders are meant to make businesses aware of the tools they have to protect employees and customers from the virus. He said they are not meant to shame businesses that do not impose certain requirements, but he said the notices will help the public decide whether to enter a particular business.

"We have an extremely contagious virus that is causing infectivity levels higher than anything we've seen before resulting in a lot of cases and workers not being able to work," he said.

The orders were originally to be released Wednesday, but were delayed because a graphics team had not yet completed the two notices, Adler said.

The order came with a copy of the notice that businesses can print and post at every entry. It includes four questions with yes and no boxes next to each one.

The second notice  which encourages masking and vaccines  was also distributed in a printable format.

Rob Henneke, executive director of the conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation, said the orders might unlawfully compel speech.

"The governmental entities that issued it don't know what it means, so it obviously is poorly thought out and appears to be more virtue signaling than policy," he said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin businesses ordered to show how they are slowing COVID spread




Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect that Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby was indicted for filing false mortgage applications. An earlier version of this story included incorrect information.

A Maryland grand jury on Thursday indicted Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby on two counts of perjury and two counts of filing false mortgage applications.

Mosby faces a hearing at an unscheduled date in the U.S. District Court of Maryland in Baltimore. If convicted on the charges, Mosby faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each count of filing a false mortgage application and up to five years in prison for each perjury charge.

The perjury charges stem from Mosby's application for pandemic relief money in May and December of 2020, when the attorney filed for federal relief dollars even though she "had not experienced any of the enumerated financial hardships she claimed to have experienced," according to court documents.

Mosby was earning more than $247,000 annually at the time of both filings, but collected more than $9,000 in biweekly installments from the relief money.

The state's attorney was also indicted for filing false mortgage applications when she purchased two vacation homes in Florida. In January and February of 2021, Mosby bought a $428,000 condo in Long Beach but did not disclose - as is required in mortgage applications - that she owed the IRS more than $45,000.

Mosby was indicted on another count for similar reasons when she purchased a vacation home in Kissimmee, Fla, in July and September of 2020.

Mosby was first elected to the state's attorney's office in 2014 and was reelected in 2018. She garnered national attention in 2015 when she charged six officers in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, who died while in Baltimore Police Department custody.

The Baltimore attorney is also under investigation in a separate federal probe into her personal business and tax records, along with her husband Nick Mosby, the city's council president.

Mosby's indictment follows that of other high-profile Baltimore politicians and office holders, including former Mayor Catherine Pugh, who in 2019 was indicted on corruption charges.

- Updated at 9:12 p.m.
Maryland State Attorney Marilyn Mosby, shown here at a Baltimore news conference in 2019, is accused of submitting false documents to obtain pandemic relief aid. (Photo: Associated Press)

Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who became a national figure after the 2015 police custody death of Freddie Gray, was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on charges of perjury and making false mortgage applications in order to obtain pandemic relief aid.

The four-count indictment alleges that Mosby, 41, requested separate withdrawals of $40,000 and $50,000 from her city retirement account, claiming that she experienced significant financial hardship from the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the indictment, Mosby did not experience meaningful financial issues during the pandemic and received her full salary totaling over $240,000. The indictment alleges that she used the money withdrawn from her retirement account toward a down payment for two vacation homes.

The indictment also alleges Mosby made false statements in July and September 2020 along with January and February 2021 in applications for a $490,500 mortgage for a house in Kissimmee, Florida, and a $428,400 mortgage for a condominium in Long Boat Key, Florida.

Mosby did not disclose on either application that she had unpaid federal taxes from several previous years, according to the indictment. She also did not disclose that in March 2020, the Internal Revenue Service placed a lien against all property that belonged to Mosby and her husband that amounted to $45,022  the amount the married political powerhouse couple owed in unpaid taxes at that time.

Mosbys office says they are not deterred by the charges following the recent indictment.

States Attorney Mosby and the office remain completely focused and wholly committed to serving the citizens of our city, a statement from Baltimore States Attorney spokesperson Zy Richardson said.

Our leadership and our frontline prosecutors are some of the best in the world and we will not be distracted or sidetracked from our mission to make Baltimore a safer community.

Mosby has been a leader in a new school of progressive prosecutors across the country in Americas major cities that have advocated against pursuing low-level offenses and crimes. Mosby also has been an advocate of police reform during her tenure.

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In May 2015, Mosby indicted six police officers after a Maryland medical examiners report ruled Grays death a homicide. Gray died due to a spine injury he sustained while in police custody.

Federal prosecutors opened an investigation into Mosbys financial records in March.

If convicted, Mosby faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each of the two counts of perjury and a maximum sentence of 30 years for each of the two counts of making false mortgage applications.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.




Civil rights attorney Ben Crump on Thursday called for authorities to release "the truth" about the death of Jason Walker, a 37-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer in North Carolina last week.

Crump spoke during a protest Thursday night in Fayetteville, the city where Walker was killed by Cumberland County deputy Jeffrey Hash on Jan. 8 as the two engaged in an apparent traffic dispute. Crump called the shooting "unacceptable" at the event covered by WRAL after he led the crowd through a chant of "Jason Walker matters."

"All we're asking for is the truth," Crump said, questioning why a trained police officer did not defuse the situation. "These are the questions that need to be answered."

Hash, who is white, said Walker jumped on his car, tore off a windshield wiper and beat his windshield with it before he fired his weapon, a claim protesters contest.

Walker's death sparked protests in Fayetteville, including one on Sunday led by his girlfriend Elizabeth Ricks, who said her boyfriend was shot four times by Hash. Ricks said Walker was "not acting crazy" before he was shot, contesting Hash's version of events.

On Tuesday, Hash was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation of the incident from the Fayetteville City Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins said at a Sunday news conference that the officer's vehicle, what appears to be a red truck, did not log any impact event on its black box computer, suggesting Hash did not hit Walker. But Hawkins said a windshield wiper was torn off and there were cracks on the windshield of the vehicle.

Crump said the officer should have deescalated the incident. He said Walker was leaving behind his 14-year-old son because Hash "unjustifiably" and "unconstitutionally" killed his father.

"He was supposed to be trained to protect and serve life, not to take life," he told the crowd.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden will nominate three people for the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors, including Sarah Bloom Raskin, a former Fed and Treasury official, for the top regulatory slot and Lisa Cook, who would be the first Black woman to serve on the Fed's board.

Biden will also nominate Philip Jefferson, an economist, dean of faculty at Davidson College in North Carolina and a former Fed researcher, according to a person familiar with the decision Thursday who was not authorized to speak on the record. The three nominees, who will have to be confirmed by the Senate, would fill out the Fed's seven-member board.

The nominees would join the Fed at a particularly challenging time in which the central bank will undertake the delicate task of raising its benchmark interest rate to try to curb high inflation, without undercutting the recovery from the pandemic recession. On Wednesday, the government reported that inflation reached a four-decade high in December. Inflation has become the economy's most serious problem, a burden for millions of American households and a political threat to the Biden administration.

Raskin's nomination to the position of Fed vice chair for supervision  the nation's top bank regulator  will be welcomed by progressive senators and advocacy groups, who see her as likely to take a tougher approach to bank regulation than Randal Quarles, a Trump appointee who stepped down from that post last month. She is also viewed as someone committed to incorporating climate change considerations into the Fed's oversight of banks. For that reason, though, she has already drawn opposition from some Republican senators.

A Harvard-trained lawyer, Raskin, 60, previously served on the Feds seven-member board from 2010 to 2014. President Barack Obama then chose her to serve as deputy Treasury secretary, the No. 2 job in the department.

As Fed governors, Raskin, Cook and Jefferson would vote on interest-rate policy decisions at the eight meetings each year of the Feds policymaking committee, which also includes the 12 regional Fed bank presidents.

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Raskins first term as a Fed governor followed her work as Marylands commissioner of financial regulation. Before her government jobs, Raskin had worked as a lawyer at Arnold & Porter, a high-profile Washington firm, and as a managing director at the Promontory Financial Group.

Kathleen Murphy, CEO of the Massachusetts Bankers Association, worked with Raskin when Raskin was Maryland's banking regulator from 2007 to 2010 and Murphy led the Maryland bankers' group. Murphy said the state's financial industry regarded her as a strong regulator but a fair regulator.

She has always had a very collaborative approach, Murphy said. She wanted to make sure all the voices were at the table when decisions were made.

Still, Raskin is likely to draw fire from critics for her progressive views on climate change and the oil and gas industry. Two years ago, in an opinion column in The New York Times, she criticized the Feds willingness to support lending to oil and gas companies as part of its efforts to bolster the financial sector in the depths of the pandemic recession.

The decisions the Fed makes on our behalf should build toward a stronger economy with more jobs in innovative industries  not prop up and enrich dying ones, Raskin wrote, referring to oil and gas providers.

On Thursday, Sen. Pat Toomey, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, criticized Raskin for having "explicitly advocated that the Fed allocate capital by denying it to this disfavored sector.

Raskin is married to Rep. Jamie Raskin, a liberal Maryland Democrat who gained widespread visibility as a member of the House Judiciary Committee when it brought impeachment charges against President Donald Trump.

If confirmed, Cook, together with Jefferson, would be the fourth and fifth Black members of the Feds Board of Governors in its 108-year history. She has been a professor of economics and international relations at Michigan State since 2005. She was also a staff economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 2011 to 2012 and was an adviser to the Biden-Harris transition team on the Fed and bank regulatory policy.

Cook is best-known for her research on the impact of racial violence on African-American invention and innovation. A 2013 paper she wrote concluded that racially motivated violence, by undermining the rule of law and threatening personal security, depressed patent awards to Black Americans by 15% annually between 1882 and 1940  a loss that she found also held back the broader U.S. economy.

In an interview in October, Cook said that despite encouragement from prominent economists such as Milton Friedman and George Akerlof, she struggled for years to get the paper published. The major economics journals, she said, typically didnt deal with patents, or economic history, or anything that related to African-Americans.

Cook has also been an advocate for Black women in economics, a profession that is notably less diverse than other social sciences. In 2019, she co-wrote a column in The New York Times that asserted that economics is neither a welcoming nor a supportive profession for women and is especially antagonistic to Black women.

To combat those problems, Cook has spent time mentoring younger Black women in economics, directing a summer program run by the American Economic Association, and won an award for mentoring in 2019.

Jefferson, who grew up in a working-class family in Washington, D.C., according to an interview with the American Economic Association, has focused his research on poverty and monetary policy. In a 2005 paper, he concluded that the benefits of a hot economy from the reduction in unemployment among lower-skilled workers outweighed the costs, including the risk that companies would adopt automation once labor grew scarce.

___

AP Writer Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

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This story has been updated to correct the first name of nominee Jefferson. Its Philip, not Phillip.
ConnexPay has come a long way.

The company, with its main offices in Bonita Springs, has grown exponentially since its founding in 2017.

COVID has actually benefitted the financial technology  or fintech  business.

With a focus on the travel and tourism industry out of the gate, the company's innovative payment gateway has drawn new interest from the sector because of the pandemic.

The pandemic also lit a fire under the company's leadership to diversify its customer base.

Now, the business has its eyes on the international market, with a fresh infusion of money from outside investors.

ConnexPay recently announced another $20 million capital raise. The latest infusion came from Marqeta, a global, modern card issuing and processing platform for business payments.

Including the latest round, ConnexPay has raised $35 million in venture capital in less than four years.

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The company's patent-pending technology helps business intermediaries, such as travel agencies, e-commerce operators and ticket brokers, accept payments from customers and then issue real-time single-use card payments to the suppliers or vendors of the products or services purchased  on a single platform. Traditionally, these processes have been handled separately.

Go-betweens can save time and money by tapping into ConnexPay's technology. Benefits include lower merchant fees, automatic payment reconciliation and reduced risk in financial transactions.

"There's nobody that we know of today that's doing what we do," said Bob Kaufman, the company's CEO and founder.

Stepping up as investors

Marqeta has been a vendor since the "beginning days," he said, and it previously invested in ConnexPay, in a smaller amount, along with other partners, back in 2019.

"When it came to wanting to raise some money this time, they stepped up," Kaufman said. "They really like our business model, so they did the entire round. They are good partners for us."

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The latest funding marks Marqetas first corporate investment since going public in June 2021. As part of the investment, Marqeta got one seat on ConnexPays board of directors.

In a statement, Renata Caine, a senior vice president for international strategy and planning at Marqeta, said: ConnexPays ability to withstand the demands of COVID-19 in the travel vertical while growing and expanding their business to new verticals is a testament to their team and technology and were excited for whats in front of this company.

Renata Caine, Marqeta

In turn, Kaufman said: Weve worked with Marqeta as a customer since 2018 and we know the value and payments expertise they bring to the table, so were excited about this new investment and what we can accomplish with them in our corner.

In late 2019, after launching ConnexPay's technology earlier in the year, Kaufman recalls talking to his board members about expanding into new markets, but they felt the company should stay laser focused on the multibillion-dollar travel and tourism industry, with plenty of runway left for growth.

That view soon changed with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, ConnexPay saw more refunds than bookings processed through its payments system in multiple months, Kaufman said.

"So revenue was literally negative because you give back the money you earned," he said.

Investing in the business

In tough times, ConnexPay continued to grow its business, with the help of a $6 million private investment, making no layoffs, Kaufman said.

The company invested in its technology and sales  and brought on new customers, in diverse sectors, he said.

"We signed more new customers in the past 12 months than we have in our history," Kaufman said.

As the travel industry recovered, so did that part of the company's business, which is growing again.

"Travel is still the majority of our customers today, and will be for the foreseeable future," Kaufman said. "We certainly aren't giving up on travel by any means."

With the pandemic, the benefit of its technology became more evident, as a way to safeguard payments for travel, Kaufman said.

"What was bad in the short-term, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for us in the long-term," he said.

The closure of BookIt.com is a prime example of what can happen when intermediaries don't pass along customer payments right away, instead using the money for other purposes, Kaufman said. When the company abruptly shut down, it left customers hanging, canceling their bookings and issuing no refunds, he noted.

ConnexPay's targeted customer is one that processes at least $5 million in payments a year. It has roughly 70 clients.

The focus has been on the quality of the clients, rather than the quantity, Kaufman said.

With its growth, ConnexPay now has about 40 employees, working from its offices in Florida, Georgia and Minnesota, as well as remotely.

"We are encouraging going into the office when possible," Kaufman said. "It helps. Personally, I think you need to have that interaction socially."

International expansion unfolding

As for the company's international expansion, it's hired the first employee in Europe, with plans to launch its product there later this year.

Currently, the company adds four to six new customers a month  and Kaufman said he wants to keep growth at a manageable pace, rather than focusing on the count.

"Some companies fail because they try to grow too fast," he said. "Like anybody, we want to have nice growth, but also growth where we can continue to provide best-in-class service."

Asked if the company is making money yet, Kaufman said it celebrated its first profitable month in November of last year.

"Strangely, that's not the goal," he said. "The goal is to continue to grow."

So for now, investments in the business take priority over making money.

"We expect some unprofitable months here in 2022," Kaufman said. "But that's by design."

He pointed out that even tech giant Amazon lost money in its early years.

One of ConnexPay's earliest capital investments came from a local group, under the Tamiami Angel Fund umbrella.

Through Tamiami Angel Fund III, members initially invested a total of $355,000 in ConnexPay as part of a larger round of funding in 2018, which attracted significant capital from a small syndicate of professional investors, including BIP Capital in Atlanta.

That's the first money the startup received from outside sources, other than from friends and family.

At the time, the technology wasn't even up and running yet, but the company had corporate customers in waiting  and a pilot underway with a few prospective clients.

Local investors offer helping hand

The Tamiami Angel Fund investors, who are successful entrepreneurs and executives, have provided ConnexPay with a helping hand, including assistance with networking and employee recruitment.

Timothy Cartwright, chairman of Tamiami Angel Funds, said the third fund actually invested in ConnexPay twice, topping $568,000.

"What stood out about the company was there was a clearly identified problem that they were solving," he said.

The business had great success, enhancing the profitability of online travel agents, until COVID hit, Cartwright said, but it bounced back quickly  and even stronger.

The latest round of funding from Marqeta, with a market cap or net worth of more than $8 billion, he said, is a testament to ConnexPay's strength and success in navigating through difficult times.

"This new investment will allow them to kind of internationalize their software, so they can do business in different languages and process payments in different languages," Cartwright said. "Most importantly, so they can expand into Europe and the Far East and other countries."

Of all the companies the Tamiami Angel Funds have put their money into, he said, ConnexPay brought the greatest concern when the COVID-19 outbreak reached pandemic status, yet it pulled through with flying colors.

Now, it stands among the investments with the greatest promise, he said.

"We are very excited about the potential outcomes with ConnexPay," Cartwright said. "Fintech is one of the hottest sectors right now."

The company expects to grow its revenues by five times this year.

With a tremendous amount of momentum, it currently has a high projected growth trajectory, forecasting 5x growth in revenue in 2022.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Bonita Springs-based ConnexPay plans international expansion
Research News

Dubocovich to receive ASPETs Axelrod award

By DIRK HOFFMAN

It is truly an honor to have had met him and to do what I can to carry his legacy forward.  Margarita L. Dubocovich, SUNY Distinguished Professor Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) has named Margarita L. Dubocovich, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB, the recipient of the 2022 Julius Axelrod Award in Pharmacology. Dubocovich is receiving the award in recognition of her seminal work in understanding the physiological role of melatonin and its receptors on neuroendocrine function and circadian rhythms, and for her extraordinary contributions to the training of future pharmacologists, according to ASPET. The Axelrod award was established in 1991 to honor the eminent American pharmacologist who shaped the fields of neuroscience, drug metabolism and biochemistry, and who served as a mentor for numerous world-renowned pharmacologists.

Fitting honor

It is quite fitting that Dr. Dubocovich receives this honor, as her groundbreaking research on melatonin neuropharmacology builds upon the earlier work of Julius Axelrod, says Allison Brashear, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School. I am pleased this award also recognizes her exceptional dedication to mentoring the next generation of pharmacologists. Dubocovich is an international scholar on the brain hormone melatonin and its receptors. Her pioneering work has revealed melatonins impact on circadian rhythms, sleep disorders, depression, reproduction, body weight and torpor, an energy-conserving state similar to short-term hibernation. It is a distinct privilege to receive an award honoring the memory of such an eminent Nobel laureate, pharmacologist, neuroscientist and mentor, whose scientific contributions still impact the discovery of medicines to treat psychiatric disorders today, Dubocovich says. She first met Axelrod while she was completing her doctoral degree at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. He visited a few years after he won a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1970, along with eminent pharmacologists Sir Bernard Katz and Ulf von Euler, for their discoveries on the release and reuptake of catecholamine neurotransmitters. Our team, working on the modulation of catecholamine release by presynaptic receptors at the time, gathered for a conversation with Dr. Axelrod where we all had the opportunity to discuss our experiments and ask questions, Dubocovich recalls. This meeting shaped the course of my career and influences me to this day. Dubocovich takes great pride in how her own work has contributed to the field of melatonin receptor pharmacology and physiology initiated by Axelrod. Dr. Axelrods forthrightness and ability to define concise hypotheses were the foundation upon which he developed novel experimental methodologies and discoveries, she says. His philosophy of science was something which has remained with me throughout my career, and one that I hope to continue to impart onto future scientists in the legacy of Dr. Axelrod. He emphasized the paramount importance of observation of biological effects over any complex analysis, Dubocovich adds. He used to say: If the effect is strong, then you do not need sophisticated analysis to recognize the experiment was successful to move forward with the project.

Pioneering pharmacology of melatonin

Building upon the early work of Axelrod, Dubocovich is credited with discovering and revolutionizing the field of functional melatonin receptors and pioneering the pharmacology of melatonin receptors agonists and antagonists. Her seminal paper in the journal Nature in 1983 described the presynaptic regulation of dopamine release in the retina, and began her career-defining quest to understand melatonins role in physiological function and receptor pharmacology. Dubocovich discovered luzindole, the first melatonin receptor antagonist, successfully demonstrating its antidepressant-like activity by blocking melatonin receptor types in mouse models. She has continued to push the frontiers of neuropharmacology with studies of melatonin receptor-mediated effects on brain neurogenesis and drug design. Most recently, she broke new ground discovering that environmental agents impact the activity of melatonin receptors.

Building diverse communities of trainees
By Pedro Fonseca and Eduardo Simoes

RIO DE JANEIRO/SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazil is suffering a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases as the Omicron variant spreads through the country, putting pressure on health services and weighing on an already sputtering economy.

Insufficient testing and a data blackout https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/weak-testing-data-outage-leave-brazil-in-dark-omicron-advances-2022-01-07 caused by hackers have made it harder for experts to track the spread of the highly contagious variant in Brazil, but there are increasingly clear signs it is hitting Latin America's largest nation hard.

Confirmed cases have almost doubled since last week, with the rolling average for the past seven days surging to 52,500, from 27,267 last Wednesday.

Experts believe the actual number is much higher, due to a shortage of tests and patchy systems for reporting and public disclosure of data.

So far deaths - at around 120 a day - remain far lower than last year, when Brazil was briefly the global epicenter of the pandemic with more than 3,000 deaths per day.

With more than 620,000 dead, Brazil has the third-highest death toll from COVID-19, behind the United States and Russia, according to Reuters calculations.

President Jair Bolsonaro has been widely criticized for his handling of the pandemic, rallying against lockdowns, refusing to wear a mask in public and opting not to get vaccinated.

Epidemiologists hope a strong vaccination campaign, which has seen 67% of the population fully inoculated, will dent the impact of the current wave of infections.

But as demand rises for health services, hospitals are also suffering staff shortages as doctors and nurses self-isolate after testing positive for the virus.

"If you don't know a friend who's got the virus at the moment, it means you don't have any friends," said Cesar Eduardo Fernandes, head of the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB).

"The situation is worrying and it is possible some services will collapse," he said, adding that staff absences at hospitals had tripled in four weeks since the Omicron wave hit.

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A Sao Paulo physicians union on Friday threatened a strike next Wednesday by doctors staffing public clinics in the country's biggest city to demand reinforcements. The union said front-line doctors were suffering from exhaustion and understaffing as infected colleagues are forced to isolate.

'WITHOUT RELIABLE DATA'

The variant is also slamming the wider economy. Brazil's National Association of Restaurants said 85% of its members are dealing with staff absences, with some 20% of the workforce out.

Airlines Azul SA and Latam Airlines Group were forced to cancel flights due to a shortage of staff, resulting in long queues in some airports.

To try and alleviate the impact, the Health Ministry reduced this week the quarantine period for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients to seven days, from 10.

Several states have canceled Carnival celebrations, hoping to slow the spread. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have both banned the famous street parties, though for now both cities still plan a samba parade.

Scientists worry the full scale of the outbreak might only become clear in coming weeks.

Some Health Ministry databases have been offline since an apparent ransomware attack on Dec. 10 seriously hampered the government's ability to gather data from state health authorities. Testing remains well below that of South American peers.

"We're completely without reliable data," said Alexandre Naime Barbosa, head of epidemiology at Sao Paulo's State University.

(Reporting by Pedro Fonseca and Eduardo SimoesWriting by Stephen EisenhammerEditing by David Gregorio and Paul Simao)
Californias Department of Social Services shut down the Foothills Christian Church Preschool in El Cajon on December 10 for allegedly violating the states Covid mask mandate.

The agency had reportedly visited the preschool several times starting in September 2021 to check that children were wearing masks properly, prompted by a parent complaint.

Preschool director Tiffany McHugh told CBS 8 News that the she repeatedly tried to execute the mask requirement but she faced a lot of resistance from parents.

From that point on we were working with licensing almost on a weekly basis over the next two months and we were trying to improve, she said. Unfortunately, its really hard. We are going up against a lot of parents that dont want their children to be masked.

She said that the preschools infraction was resolved in November but then the state agents returned in December for a routine visit, and many children werent wearing masks.

The California Department of Social Services told CBS 8 News that Foothills Ministries and McHugh were guilty for not enforcing mask-wearing among staff or students two-years-old and older. As penalty for her facilitys noncompliance, McHugh was reportedly suspended from working in childcare for the rest of her career.

Kevin Miller, Administrative Pastor of Foothills Christian Church, whose daughter is McHugh, told the nonprofit Family Research Council that he believes the shutdown was a calculated attack by the state on an institution of faith.

They came out for nine and a half hours at a time on seven different visits  11 overall  when so many of the preschools in our area  East County of San Diego  hadnt had more than one visit in five years, he noted. So they targeted us. They came after us and [were] very, very hostile. They interviewed three-year-olds [and] four-year-olds without their parents knowledge or permission. They were antagonistic towards our teachers. These are preschool teachers  I think we know what preschool teachers are like.

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Last week, a congregation of pastors, administrators, Republican State Senator Brian Jones, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, and parents met at the preschool to protest the states decision.

David Hoffman, the senior pastor at Foothills Christian Church, told KUSI News: I have known Tiffany since she was a little girl. If you had grandkids or kids, shes the type of director that you would want to oversee the childcare or babysitting of your kids.

They targeted us, he declared. Just in the last few months, they visited this pre-school eleven times. Nine times from nine o-clock in the morning to 6:30 at night looking at two file drawers over and over and over again trying desperately to find some violation that they can shut us down with.

Hoffman said that preschool enrollment was booming just before the state first showed up in September. We were in the process of expanding to have another 50 or so preschoolers here, he said, adding that he believes their success was the impetus for the crackdown.

Have you ever tried to put a mask on a two-year-old? I mean, cmon!, he said. On November 15, Hoffman said, the department wrote a facility evaluation that said the preschool was making progress as the two parties were actively collaborating.

The next thing we know, a few weeks later, on December 7 they came back again with a supervisorand they said were just not happy with the number of students here that dont have masks on, he said.

You cant force a mask on a pre-schooler. And you cant say you cant come in here pre-schooler because you dont have a mask on. It would be like if Im driving down the freeway at 60 miles an hour, and you come driving down at 100 miles an hour and they give me the ticket. Theres only so much you can do. And a lot of these parents do not want their kids wearing masks, he added.

More from National Review
From volunteer opportunities to discussions about race, there are plenty of ways to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in Bucks and Montgomery counties this weekend.

MLK Teen Summit

Bucks and Montgomery County high school students are invited to join The Peace Center for the 10th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bucks and Montco Teen Peace and Social Justice Summit, from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The event will be held virtually via Zoom.

Participants will hold meaningful conversations on race, prejudice and intolerance and youth empowerment. Workshops will be held for students, educators and parents.

Registration is required by noon Sunday. Visit thepeacecenter.org to register.

Teen Takes on MLK: Whitewashing Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy? What schools do, and don't, teach about the civil rights leader

Virtual viewing of 'Shared Legacies' and film discussion

Join Bucks County Kehillah, the Clergy Council of Bucks County and The Peace Center for a virtual viewing of "Shared Legacies," the award-winning documentary about the history of African American-Jewish relations during the civil rights era and the importance of reigniting this relationship now.

The film can be viewed from Saturday, Jan. 15, through 8 p.m. Jan. 18, when a virtual discussion will be held.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/33rPewQ. For questions email buckscounty@kehillah.jewishphilly.org.

The historical lessons of Black-Jewish cooperation are revisited and revived in "Shared Legacies: The African American-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance."

Volunteer with Caring for Friends

Caring for Friends, an independent food bank and volunteer organization serving greater Philadelphia, is looking for help during its Martin Luther King, Jr. day of service.

While all in-person shifts have been filled for this years in-person event, volunteers are still needed for the following:

Make meals. Pick up meal trays at the CFF warehouse or one of its partner organizations, and drop it off where you picked them up.

Make caring notes to accompany snack bags.

Make a commitment to help year-round. Last year, more than 4,500 volunteers helped drop off meals, cook in our kitchen, worked in the office, and more.

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Learn more about Caring for Friends and volunteer opportunities at caringforfriends.org.

Participate in the MLK Sock Roll Challenge

Area youth groups and schools are invited to participate in The Giving Tree's 6th annual MLK Sock Roll Challenge. Engaging thousands of area youth, the Montgomery County nonprofit is challenging participants to create "sock rolls" to benefit individuals experiencing homelessness.

A "sock roll" consists of a pair of mens crew or tube socks rolled around a granola bar and a pack of crackers. The rolls will be delivered to various shelters and soup kitchens in Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia counties. The service project challenge will run the entire month of January.

The combined efforts of the MLK Day Challenge of 2020 and 2021 benefited more than 15,500 individuals in need. More than 57,000 sock rolls have been delivered since 2014.

To learn more, visit givingtreefamilies.org.

Online reflection of MLK's life and legacy

Montgomery County Community College will host an online reflection from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday to remember and honor King's life, legacy and profound impact.

The event is open to the community and everyone is welcome to join via Zoom. To register, visit mc3.edu/calendar and click on Learn More for January 17.

The presenters for the event include Rev. Dr. Charles Howard, university chaplain and vice president for Social Equity and Community, University of Pennsylvania; Rev. William Gipson, special adviser to the vice president, University of Pennsylvania; and Dr. Keima Sheriff, MCCC Dean of Holistic Support.

Health Equity Symposium

Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, which includes St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown, will host a virtual symposium from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday featuring two panel discussions on health equity.

Speakers at the event, which will be hosted by LaRonda Chastang, vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Trinity Health, will include keynote speaker Roslyn Brock, chief global equity officer, Abt Associates; Mike Slubowski, president and CEO, Trinity Health; and Sister Mary Ann Dillon, executive vice president, Mission Integration and Sponsorship, Trinity Health.

Panelists will include health care executives from Trinity Health, Microsoft Health and other organizations.

Register at https://www.trinityforhealthequity.org/

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: How to honor MLK Day in Bucks, Montgomery counties
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole board voted 4-1 in November to deny admitted murderer Donald A. Grant clemency. Chairman Adam Luck, in center, was the only one to recommend clemency.

The chairman of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board stepped down Friday at the request of Gov. Kevin Stitt because of their differences over the death penalty.

Adam Luck, 33, served on the board almost three years. He repeatedly recommended clemency for death row inmates.

The governor, a Republican, supports capital punishment.

"When I began service on this board there was a moratorium on executions in the state of Oklahoma," Luck wrote in his resignation letter.

More: Dark money group targets Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt with Fox News ads

Luck

"As we resumed executions in October I came to the conclusion that guided my votes during the five clemency hearings our board conducted. I understand these beliefs differ from yours and while I could continue my service I wish to honor your request and allow you to appoint an individual more aligned with your position."

The governor replaced Luck on the board with a retired Episcopalian bishop who promised to fulfill "my duty and responsibility impartially and in accordance with the law of Oklahoma.

Edward Konieczny was appointed even though his name appears on a 2012 Oklahoma Conference of Churches statement opposing the death penalty.

The governor is aware of the statement, a spokesman said. Konieczny explained his name appeared on the statement automatically while he was out of town.

The board itself will vote on who will take over as chairman.

Luck was appointed by Stitt to the board in February 2019. He is CEO of City Care, a nonprofit organization working with Oklahoma City residents in extreme poverty.

At the Governors request I am resigning as the Chair and as a member of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. It has been an honor to work alongside the board members and staff over the last three years. I am proud of what we accomplished and I am confident that will continue.  Adam Luck (@AdmLuck) January 14, 2022

More: Oklahoma execution doctor paid $15,000 each time death penalty carried out

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Prosecutors across the state regularly accused Luck of bias and asked him not to vote on their cases.

Attorney General John O'Connor in October called on the Oklahoma Supreme Court to block Luck from voting in two clemency hearings.

"He believes himself to be bound by the Bible to release people from prison," the attorney general complained. "Chairman Luck does not appear to be able to set aside his religious and political beliefs in his role as a Board member. And he has business relationships which create a conflict of interest."

The Supreme Court refused to intervene.

The resignation comes at the same time an Oklahoma County grand jury is investigating the parole board. Grand jurors meet again Tuesday and Wednesday.

At a news conference in 2020, the governor called the death penalty "appropriate for the most heinous of crimes."

"And it is our duty as state officials to obey the laws of the state of Oklahoma by carrying out this somber task," Stitt said.

Konieczny retired as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma in January 2021 after more than 13 years in that role. He also is a former police officer, serving from 1975 to 1992 in California, according to a news release about his appointment.

Konieczny

"He is an inspiring leader with a servant's heart, and I am confident in his ability to make and own responsibility for critical decisions, the governor said.

Konieczny, 67, said it was an honor to be selected.

With nearly 20 years in law enforcement and 28 years in ministry, I believe I bring a unique, equitable, and relevant perspective," he said.

In the 2012 theological statement, state religious leaders asked state legislators to pass a bill abolishing the death penalty in Oklahoma.

"Violence begets violence, including when perpetrated for seemingly 'good reasons,'" the statement said.

Resignation Letter - Adam Luck by Anonymous EHPq5k on Scribd

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board chairman resigns at governor's behest
WISCONSIN RAPIDS  A Chicago man charged with the overdose deaths of four people in Wood County in 2019 and 2020 was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in prison.

Neko D. Forbes, 31, pleaded guilty Sept. 30 to first-degree reckless homicide by the delivery of drugs, two counts of heroin delivery and one count of conspiracy to possess heroin with intent to deliver. As part of a plea agreement, three additional counts of reckless homicide by delivery of drugs were dismissed and read into the record.

Family members of three of the overdose victims spoke during Forbes' sentencing Thursday morning.

"Mr. Neko Forbes, you took away our son," said the father of one man. "He was trying very hard to be a better person. He was trying to stay clean and sober."

The man said there were a lot of things his son was looking forward to, but a poor choice and Forbes making the drugs available cost the younger man his life.

RELATED: Illinois man charged with causing overdose deaths of two central Wisconsin men

RELATED: Chicago man faces third reckless homicide charge in central Wisconsin

The victim's mother said he was the father of two sons who will never get to see him again. The family will never recover from the victim's loss, she said.

"A parent should never have to bury her children," she said.

The father asked Wood County Judge Todd Wolf to put Forbes away for the rest of his life to protect other people in the community trying to recover from addiction.

"We never want to see another family brought to his knees by addiction," he said.

The mother of one of two female overdose victims said the system failed her daughter. She said her daughter was struggling from mental health issues and a drug addiction. Her daughter tried to get help, but she didn't qualify for free programs and couldn't afford to pay for treatment.

The woman said everywhere she went to get help for her daughter, she heard the same thing, "The system is broken." The woman asked that all the people involved in her daughter's situation sit down together to talk and find a way to fix the broken systems.

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The uncle of a second female overdose victim, the case in which Forbes pleaded guilty, said the victims' families should get to face the defendant in the courtroom. The family members should get to see the defendant's face as they told about the effect his actions had on them. The family members sat at the prosecutor's table while Forbes sat at the defendant's table with the attorneys between them.

The man said his niece, who was found April 3, 2020, after overdosing at her home in Cranmoor, was a great person with a good job. She was a good mother, he said.

"I don't understand addiction, but it scares the hell out of me because of what it does to people," the uncle said. "This poor girl had an addiction; you should be able to come to a point in your life when you wake up and break it."

The Cranmoor woman's sister called Forbes a monster. She said her sister took the drugs herself, but she didn't know about the fentanyl Forbes used in the drug. She hoped Forbes and his family and friends that partially filled half the courtroom would think about her sister and "stop the madness."

The Cranmoor victim's father said he would like to see Forbes die for what he did to his daughter but felt death would be too easy. He said he hoped Forbes rotted in prison for the pain he had caused.

The Cranmoor victim's mother said her daughter had been clean for five months and planned to move to Florida to be with her parents but died from the drugs Forbes sold.

"I will never forgive you," she told Forbes.

Assistant Wisconsin Attorney General Cass Cousins said Forbes' case was unique. Forbes wasn't selling drugs to pay for his own addiction, Cousins said. Forbes was selling drugs to make easy money and support his family, Cousins said.

Forbes didn't grow up in a house surrounded by drugs. He had a normal upbringing, Cousins said. He dropped out of school, but he is intelligent, Cousins said.

Forbes learned he could buy 40 to 50 grams of fentanyl for the same price as 40 to 50 grams of heroin and the fentanyl is about 100 times more powerful, Cousins said. Forbes could mix a lot more fillers in with the fentanyl and make a lot more money, Cousins said.

Cousins asked Wolf to sentence Forbes to the maximum 35 years in prison because he sold the drugs only for easy money, knowingly used fentanyl and continued selling after people died.

Defense Attorney Michael Cohen said Cousins brought up all four overdose deaths during the sentencing, but Forbes only pleaded guilty to one death.

Forbes apologized to the families for his actions and said he never meant to cause their family members harm. He said he did criminal activity and he had to go to prison.

Wolf sentenced Forbes to 14 years in prison followed by nine years on extended supervision for the reckless homicide charge and an additional four years in prison and three years extended supervision for the heroin deli.

Forbes was charged with an additional homicide by delivery of drugs for a Portage County overdose death that occurred at a Stevens Point hotel Sept. 15, 2018. The charge was dismissed in October.

Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KMadden715, Instagram at @kmadden715 or Facebook at facebook.com/karen.madden.33

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Wood County overdose deaths: Chicago man sentenced to 18 years
Cindy McCain

Paul Archuleta/Getty Cindy McCain

Cindy McCain, the widow of the late Sen. John McCain, said Thursday she was "honored and excited" to be serving in her new role as permanent representative of the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome, sharing photos of her first day on Twitter.

"Today was my very first day at @USUNRome. I am so honored to be here and excited about the work ahead," she wrote on Twitter. "Stay tuned for more updates!"

Cindy's daughter Meghan McCain re-shared the photos on her own Twitter account, writing, "Hi Mom!!!!!!"

Cindy, 67, has a history with international aid groups, and was sworn in to be the U.S. representative to the United Nations' agencies for food and agriculture in November, again taking to Twitter to share a photo from her ceremony.

RELATED: Some 'Heartache' but 'a Hell of a Lot of Fun': Cindy McCain on Life with John  and If She'd Run for Office

Today was my very first day at @USUNRome. I am so honored to be here and excited about the work ahead. Stay tuned for more updates!    pic.twitter.com/GELe94eYYr  U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome (@USUNRomeAmb) January 13, 2022

On Instagram, she shared other photos from the ceremony, including a close-up of the Bible she used to be sworn in, which she had inscribed with her signature and the date of the occasion.

"I was sworn in today as the US Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture," she captioned the photos. "I am deeply honored to represent my country on such an important mission for the world."

In her new role, Cindy will focus on addressing poverty, nutrition and development in rural communities.

Story continues

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.

Cindy's nomination was announced in June, making her one of the few high-profile Republican picks in the Biden administration.

She made headlines in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election when she endorsed Democrat Joe Biden against President Donald Trump, who had repeatedly disparaged her late husband, saying in a statement: "We are Republicans, yes, but Americans foremost."

Her official endorsement of Biden came in September 2020, when she wrote in a tweet that she felt the Democrat would "lead us with dignity."

In an interview with Stephen Colbert last May, Cindy said the modern-day Republican party "seems to be rewarding bad behavior and then trashing those who tell the truth and are honest about what's actually going on."

"We have lost our way," she continued. "Our party is in such disarray right now."

Cindy was later censured by Arizona Republicans for her endorsement of Biden, telling Colbert that John had been censured by the party, as well.

"We're probably the only husband-and-wife team to have been completely thrown out of our party. I wear it as a badge of honor, believe me," she told Colbert.
Rise and shine, Tampa! Let's get you started this Saturday with everything you need to know going on in Tampa today.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and beautiful. High: 73 Low: 62.

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Are you a local business owner or marketer in Tampa? We want to start connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Learn more here.

Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center in Tampa is participating in the "Betty White Challenge" to honor the iconic actress and animal lover. The first 100 adoptions from the center will be free starting today in celebration of White's 100th birthday which is Monday, January 17th. (Tampa Patch)

2. The long-awaited Citrus Park extension opened to drivers at midnight on Friday. The new roadway in western Hillsborough County connects Westchase from Sheldon Road to Countryway Boulevard. (WFLA)

3. Residents being evicted from Holly Court Apartments in North Tampa sent local outlet CL Tampa video footage of dirt coming out of their faucet water, which runs off a well on the property. Residents say they had to shower in the dirt water for months and drink bottled water instead of being able to use the tap. Six people have been evicted at Holly Court since November, Hillsborough County Court records show. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. The Tampa city council approved a new noise ordinance on Thursday that will limit amplified sound city-wide after midnight. Bar owner Richard Boom says the new ordinance will hurt businesses including those in historic Ybor City. (WFLA)

5. University of South Florida interim President Rhea Law is encouraging anyone who will be on campus for the spring semester to be fully vaccinated, including boosters, and to wear a mask in a new letter. The letter came one day after university faculty urged Law to take additional coronavirus precautions this semester. (WUSF)

Today in Tampa:

Exhibit Of Outsider Art at Tampa Museum Of Art. (10:00 AM)

Yappy Hour at MacDinton's To Benefit Humane Society. (11:00 AM)

The 22nd Annual Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Music Fest at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. (12:30 PM)

Annual Celebration & Fundraising Concert at Friday Morning Musicale. (3:00 PM)

Late Nites: Pirate Parrrty On Westfield Street at Westfield Brandon. (7:00 PM)

Story continues

From my notebook:

Mayor Jane Castor, Captain Fear, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers COO Brian Ford helped kick off the Bucs playoff season on Thursday by unfurling a Go Bucs banner on the side of the Tampa City Hall . (Facebook)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed WR John Brown to the practice squad and released RB Darwin Thompson. (Facebook)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the City of Tampa nearly $2 million for affordable housing programs . The city will dedicate funds to its Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program to pay for home inspections and a new set of repairs that address home health hazards like mold, lead paint and radon . (Facebook)

Tampa Bay Times CEO Paul Tash is set to retire, while Conan Gallaty has been elected as his successor. (Florida Politics)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

 Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

This article originally appeared on the Tampa Patch
New study aims to improve care for pediatric seizure patients

Brooke Lerner, PhD, professor of emergency medicine at UB, leads a new study of age-based dosing of seizure medications in the prehospital setting.

UB researchers will spend the next few months educating local families of children with seizure disorders about this unique study

The longer the seizure goes on, the more negative outcomes the child may experience. 

BUFFALO, NY -- Few things are more frightening for a parent than seeing their child experience a seizure. For the parent and for the paramedics who arrive on the scene, the primary goal is to stop the childs seizure.

Now, University at Buffalo researchers are leading a project designed to determine how to achieve that more quickly, even when on the way to the hospital.

Brooke Lerner, PhD, and Brian Clemency, DO, professors of emergency medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB, are co-principal investigators on a new study of age-based dosing of seizure medications in the prehospital setting. Both researchers also practice at UBMD Emergency Medicine.

The Pediatric Dose Optimization for Seizures in Emergency Medical Services study, or PediDOSE, which is being conducted in 20 cities, is funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health.

The longer the seizure goes on, the more negative outcomes the child may experience, says Lerner. Our preliminary work showed that children experiencing a seizure outside of a hospital often do not receive enough medication to effectively stop the seizure.

Determining the proper dose

The aim of this study is to evaluate an easier to use method for determining proper medication dose for a seizing child, Lerner continues. This method does not require calculations and can be done more quickly. We believe it will be more likely to stop the seizure before a child reaches the emergency department.

This study has the power to change emergency practice in ambulances across the country, says Lerner.

Lerner and Clemency are pioneering Buffalos efforts to help these seizure patients. They are working with 20 other EMS systems serving sites in the Pediatric Emergency Care Research Network (PECARN) across the country and with American Medical Response, an emergency medical services company that operates in Western New York.

Currently, one-third of actively seizing children are still seizing by the time they reach the Emergency Department, says Lerner. This may be due to an inadequate dosage or delay in administering medication, so it fails to stop the seizure.

Lerner, along with the other principal investigators in this project, hypothesize that underdosing of medications may be attributed to the practice of calculating the dosage based on the childs weight. Instead, they believe that standardized age-based dosing may be a more effective and efficient way to treat patients. This method eliminates the multi-step calculations of weight-based dosing.

We found that maybe we don't need to be calculating the dose based on weight, especially since the child or whomever they are with may not know their weight and it can be hard to guess it, says Lerner. But, most people who are with the child will know the childs age.

A new protocol

The study requires a change in protocol and practice. Usually, the participants informed consent must be obtained before any intervention can occur, including the administration of medication. Informed consent in a research study involves a detailed consent form, which the participant can study and discuss with their own provider if they wish before deciding whether to give consent.

However, in emergency situations, that isnt feasible due to the speed with which medication must be delivered and the environment, which may be the ambulance or the emergency department. Therefore, federal regulations allow for investigators to conduct this study using an exception from informed consent in emergency research. These regulations allow individuals to be enrolled in the study without consent as long as the community is notified of the study and given the opportunity to provide feedback, and enrolled individuals are notified of their participation as soon as it is feasible.

Children cant consent to participate in the study because they are not of legal age, says Lerner. Even with an adult present, having your child seize is not a moment when you can make an informed decision about research.

For these reasons, Lerner explained, the research team will spend the next several months focused on educating the Buffalo community about this study and who it will benefit.

Our plan includes conducting educational interviews with parents who arrive at the Oishei Childrens Hospital Emergency Department, collaborating with the Epilepsy Society, and other organizations of affected families and posting advertisements and educational materials through the media and other patient networks, says Lerner.

Community members can participate in a survey designed to gather feedback on how the community views the planned study procedures. To participate in this survey or to learn more about the study, visit https://redcap.utahdcc.org/redcap/surveys/?s=HPHKPDJM39 or contact the research team at 716-222-0561.

The study, which begins in May, will collect data over the next four years.

This study has the potential to have a very big impact on prehospital care across the country, says Lerner. Our primary goal is to ultimately improve pediatric prehospital seizure care.

In addition to Lerner and Clemency, other UB faculty involved in the study include Michelle Penque, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatrics; Arie Weinstock, MD, professor of clinical neurology; and Bree Kramer, DO, clinical associate professor of pediatrics, all of the Jacobs School.
Students spend time in study hall at Shelby Intermediate School in this Star file photo.

The Cleveland County Board of Education will host a public meeting to discuss the possibility of consolidating school operations in the Shelby attendance zones.

The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 25, will focus on the possibility of sending 5th-grade students at Shelby Intermediate School to nearby elementary schools and 6th-grades to Shelby Middle School, as well as combine Graham and Marion Elementary schools into one elementary school.

The consolidation considerations come after a district-wide facilities assessment from Mcmillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. That assessment, which is still ongoing in some parts of the district, projects that schools in the Shelby zone have enough seats for 3,700 students, while only serving about 2,800 students.

The same assessment shows a similar amount of excess availability in the Kings Mountain attendance zone.

Christian Woods, 9, works in his 4th-grade class at Graham Elementary School in this Star file photo.

Over the next five years, Mcmillan Pazdan Smith projects the zone will continue to see declines in enrollment, leading to even more empty seats.

Architects said by doing away with the intermediate school and moving elementary school to K-5 and middle school to 6-8, the district could both make better use of what space it has available and cut costs related to operation and upkeep of old buildings.

At the January public meeting, community members will be able to express their thoughts on the consolidation, as well as ask board members and school officials questions about the proposed changes.

The presentation brought by Mcmillan Pazdan Smith included similar recommendations for Kings Mountain area schools, but the board did not discuss them during its meeting Monday, nor did it set a date for a public meeting on any action in the Kings Mountain attendance zones.

A map showing enrollment declines in area high schools. Darker green areas are seeing lower enrollment rates.

Dustin George can be reached at 704-669-3337 or Dustin.George@ShelbyStar.com.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Cleveland County NC school board to consider closing some schools
In this article:

PHOENIX (AP)  Colorado midfielder Cole Bassett has left U.S. training camp following a report he has a deal to be loaned to the Dutch club Feyenoord.

Bassett left Wednesday night, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Friday.

Voetbal International, a Dutch soccer magazine, reported Friday that Feyenoord is acquiring Bassett on a 1 1/2-season loan.

A 20-year-old from Littleton, Colorado, Bassett made his Major League Soccer debut in 2018 and has 13 goals in 72 regular-season games.

He made his U.S. national team debut on Dec. 18 and scored in the 89th minute of a 1-0 exhibition win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

American players from MLS have been training in Phoenix ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers that start Jan. 27.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Businesses make you listen to music while you're on hold because they think it keeps customers happy and calm. But have you ever met anybody who likes it? (Getty Images)

My purpose here is not to carp  much  about being mistreated by Lufthansas customer service system. Why bother? My recent experience with the German airline was no worse than what I or anyone else is usually subjected to by big companies.

Yes, I had to call repeatedly just to get put on hold. When I finally made it to hold, I waited between 20 and 40 minutes each time  ensuring that when I was finally connected to a human being, I was in a low-level rage that I had to suppress if I hoped to achieve anything at all. It took a number of these calls to resolve my flight problems, and on two occasions, a representative finally picked up and then accidentally disconnected me, so I had to start over.

Its standard stuff. Weve all been through it. And as I said, thats not my subject today.

No, what I want to talk about is the hold music that I listened to while I waited. I spent a lot of time wondering about it because, you know, what else could I do?

The reason I was on hold in the first place was that my wife tested positive for the coronavirus on the very day I was to fly to Germany for my fathers 90th birthday, so my plans were scuttled. To avoid losing more than $1,000, I hoped to cancel and rebook despite having, characteristically, bought the cheapest available ticket, which technically didnt allow changes, refunds or vouchers.

Unfortunately, Lufthansa was experiencing an extraordinarily high call volume.

So I waited, and listened.

Let me backtrack for a moment. The idea of playing music while people are on hold can be traced back 60 years to a Long Island factory owner named Alfred Levy. Apparently Levy is reasonably famous among the narrow circle of people who care about telephone hold music. He stumbled on the concept accidentally, the story goes, after an exposed wire in his companys phone system came in contact with a steel girder and picked up the broadcast of a nearby radio which callers on hold to his business could hear.

Story continues

Eureka!

Whether Levy got rich from mixing music and phone lines I cant say. But his patent application foretold the future: He said he hoped to play music to people on hold to pacify the originator of the call if the delay becomes unduly long, and also to while away the idle time of the caller who is awaiting connection. ...

Those were the days when Muzak and other companies would pipe insipid, easy-listening instrumental music through stores, restaurants and elevators. Levy wanted to pipe that music into peoples phones as well.

Businesses lined up.

They liked hold music partly because it was a way to reassure customers that their calls hadnt been dropped. We all know the feeling of sitting on a silent line wondering foolishly whether were still connected.

They also liked it because, as they like to say, "Your call is very important to us"  and studies showed that music made customers willing to hold longer before slamming down the phone in disgust and calling the competition. Apparently music alters our perception of time, and occupied time moves more quickly than unoccupied time.

Some studies even suggested that music kept customers happy and calm and in a mood to buy. Play it at restaurants and they stick around for another drink; put it on their phones and their anxiety and anger levels go down.

I dont have the data to refute that. All I know is that Ive never met anybody who likes telephone hold music or feels soothed by it.

The problems are obvious. Hold music sounds awful because of the distortion that comes with listening to complex or multi-instrument music over a crummy phone line. In its effort to be upbeat, its too often just a clash of beats and blares. You rarely hear actual songs because companies dont want to pay the required licensing fees, and besides, consultants warn they might have negative associations. So instead you too often get unfamiliar, banal, instrumental non-songs.

And you have to listen to every second because at any moment someone might pick up.

Lufthansa, for its part, is making a basic hold music mistake  one so obvious I figured it out myself even before reading Dr. Jim Wills The Psychology of Telephone On-Hold Programming.

Will wrote in the 1980s about the wear out that comes with excessive repetition. Too much repeating and caller anxiety is likely to be increased.

Lufthansas hold theme  a proprietary piece of audio branding the company also uses during boarding  is unbearably repetitive. It's not melodic or euphonic or catchy or soothing. It's just wildly monotonous.

Hello, Lufthansa (and all the other companies just like you)  there are alternatives! You could interrupt the monotony by occasionally letting customers know how long their wait will be. You could offer a civilized beep to show customers theyre still connected rather than blaring distorted music at them. You could vary the music. You could invest in the technology that lets you call your customers back.

Or  gasp  you could hire more customer service representatives and cut the wait times.

(By the way, youre not the worst offender in this regard. The Australian airline Qantas once reportedly kept a man on hold for 15 hours.)

Alternatively, you can stick with the plan and play an endless loop of pseudo-music and hope customers will hang on indefinitely.

If they have $1,000 at stake, they probably will.

@Nick_Goldberg

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Magnolia Network pulled Candis and Andy Meredith's show "Home Work" from its lineup last week.

Some homeowners say renovation projects weren't completed and cost them tens of thousands of dollars.

The Merediths have denied the allegations, and Magnolia Network says the show will return to air.

Candis and Andy Meredith became popular in recent years for their home renovations.

Andy and Candis Meredith. Noam Galai / Stringer Getty Images

Candis and Andy Meredith are based in Utah and have seven children. They have been renovating homes as a team since they got married in 2013, as People reported.

They landed a limited series on HGTV in 2015 called "Old Home Love" in which they renovated a home from 1890, according to the HGTV website.

The couple also made a name for themselves in the home-renovation world through their social-media presence, even being nominated for a Shorty Award for their web series "Win This House" in 2016.

2019: Candis and Andy Meredith started filming "Home Work" for Magnolia Network.

"Home Work" started filming in 2019. Brian Ach/Invision/AP

In 2019, Chip and Joanna Gaines of "Fixer Upper" fame announced they would be launching a new television network called Magnolia Network, according to a Discovery+ press release.

According to People, the Merediths began discussing the possibility of a new show for Magnolia Network as they were preparing to start renovations on a 20,000-square-foot schoolhouse they planned to turn into a home for their family.

That show turned into "Home Work," which followed both their transformation of the school and their renovations of local Utah homes.

The show began filming in the fall of 2019.

January 5, 2022: Magnolia Network launched on cable.

Magnolia Network launched on January 5, 2022. Cindy Ord / Staff / Getty Images

Magnolia Network made its cable debut on January 5 with a full lineup of original series.

The network, which is also streamable on Discovery+, features series from the DIY Network that have now been rebranded as Magnolia shows as well.

January 5, 2022: Aubry Bennion posted an 18-part Instagram tale about her experience with "Home Work."

Story continues

Bennion, a Utah-based homeowner, had her kitchen renovated for the series in 2019, and she had pre-existing professional connections to Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Market through her small business, as she told Insider.

Bennion shared an 18-post Instagram tale about her experience with the Merediths on January 5.

The Merediths initially told Bennion they could renovate her kitchen in three weeks for $20,000, as she wrote in an Instagram post. They ultimately decided on a budget of $25,000 during the first taping of the show, Bennion told Insider.

But Bennion went on to say that the process ended up taking five months, with Andy and Candis taking a trip to Paris amidst the renovation. The Merediths said they went to Paris for work, but a source familiar with the situation told Insider that Magnolia Network was not aware the Merediths took a trip to Paris until nearly a year after it occurred.

Bennion also said the renovation cost her over $39,000  and that she spent much of that money fixing issues created during the renovation.

Bennion wrote in another Instagram post that the Merediths added a deck onto the back of her kitchen, but they built it over a sprinkler system and created a drainage issue. In the same post, Bennion wrote that her home also almost flooded because of the deck, lowering the value of her home. Bennion told Insider she had to pay $18,000 to repair it.

Bennion also said that the Merediths never showed her a budget during the renovation process, despite her multiple requests for one.

Bennion said she received little support from Magnolia Network at the time.

Bennion told Insider that she spoke to the Merediths about the issues she had with the renovation throughout the process, and that Candis typically responded with excuses or promises of things arriving the following day. But these promises rarely came true, according to Bennion.

The homeowner also said she reached out to producers at Magnolia Network for help during the renovation. They gave Candis a "stern talking to" after her call, according to one of Bennion's Instagram posts, but no real change occurred.

Bennion said she had developed trust in Chip and Joanna's brand after building a professional relationship with Magnolia Market, so the experience with the network disappointed her.

"I want Magnolia to be accountable," she said. "It's mind-blowing to me that they would put Magnolia's name and reputation on the line or that they would allow these people to represent them without any sort of oversight or mentoring."

January 6, 2022: Another homeowner who worked with the Merediths, Teisha Satterfield Hawley, spoke out about her experience on "Home Work."

Teisha Satterfield Hawley posted an eight-part Instagram story about having her home renovated for "Home Work" on January 6. Her experience was similar to Bennion's.

"Candis was always so charming," Hawley told Insider. "You could sit down with her, and she would sell you these dreams in your head. She came into our house, and she saw more than I could have ever imagined and dreamed of."

"She was so good at telling us what things could be," Hawley added. "I would get so emotionally wrapped up and think, 'Oh my gosh, my home's gonna be beautiful.'"

Hawley wrote on Instagram that she and her husband Jeff gave the Merediths $45,000 to renovate their living space in four weeks. Ten weeks later, after the Merediths had only demoed their home and laid damaged flooring while the Hawley family lived out of their basement, Candis told the Hawleys they would need an additional $40,000 to make the project work, according to a follow-up post shared on Hawley's Instagram account.

In another Instagram post, the Hawleys wrote that they told the Merediths not to come back after they asked for the additional money, choosing to figure out how to fix their home without their help.

"People with 'celebrity' status can't have power over others just because they feel like they can," Hawley told Insider, adding that "the Magnolia name (as well as Chip and Jo's)" gave them "a sense of safety and security" in working with the Merediths.

"There are many families and even businesses that have been harmed by these people," she added, speaking of the Merediths. "It all needs to be put to an end."

January 7, 2022: Vienna and Robert Goates also alleged the Merediths did not complete the work on their home that they had been paid to do.

Vienna and Rob Goates also shared their "Home Work" experience on Friday via Instagram.

The Goateses, who have five children, wrote in an Instagram post that they gave the Merediths $50,000 for the $100,000 renovation they were going to do on their home in February 2020. According to the same post, the Goateses wired the money after Candis asked them for the amount to secure deposits for subcontractors working on their home.

According to another Instagram post from the Goateses, months passed and work did not begin on their home, and when Rob was laid off in May 2020, Candis told the couple that she could help pay for the renovations. The couple said they tried to give Candis the benefit of the doubt, particularly because she came endorsed by the Gaineses.

"We had faith in the reputation of Chip and Joanna and their beloved Magnolia brand and Candis' repeated assurances that everything would work out," Vienna wrote on Instagram.

The Goateses told Insider that by September 2020, the Merediths still had not started working on their home, and they decided to ask for their money back. They said Candis agreed to pay them back, but she kept delaying payments  even after the couple hired a lawyer.

The Merediths later told Insider they still intend to pay the Goateses back, though they have been late on some payments.

The Goateses said the Merediths still have not paid them back the full amount they owe them.

To date, according to the Goateses' Instagram, the Merediths have paid them $14,000 of the $50,000 they owe.

The Goateses told Insider they were hesitant about going public with their allegations, but it felt like the only option they had left. "We've been doing everything in our power to resolve this privately for the last two years," Vienna said. "We got a lawyer. We went through all the proper channels. We tried our best, and it just never happened."

The couple said they also reached out to a Discovery+ lawyer, but that the attorney "brushed off" their concerns.

"They said, 'We believe that they intend to repay you and you've already got a lawyer involved, so we don't feel that this is something we need to get involved with,'" Vienna said of her email exchange with the lawyer.

"The knowledge that we're in the right here, that we were kind and that we always took the high road, is some comfort," the Goateses wrote in an Instagram post about the experience. "That kindness and our extreme patience were taken advantage of, and that is such a huge violation that we feel so deeply, but our consciences are clear, and that's no small thing."

January 7, 2022: The president of Magnolia Network confirmed to Insider that it would be pulling "Home Work" from its lineup.

The network pulled the show from its lineup. NBC / Contributor / Getty Images

In a statement provided to Insider, Allison Page, the president of Magnolia Network, confirmed that the Merediths' show would be pulled from the network.

"Magnolia Network is aware that certain homeowners have expressed concerns about renovation projects undertaken by Candis and Andy Meredith," the statement said.

"Within the last day, we have learned additional information about the scope of these issues, and we have decided to remove 'Home Work' from the Magnolia Network line up pending a review of the claims that have been made," the statement went on to say.

January 7, 2022: The Merediths denied the allegations made by Bennion, the Hawleys, and the Goateses.

In a statement to Insider that was also shared on Instagram, the Merediths denied the claims by the Hawleys, the Goateses, and Bennion.

"Although we cannot speak for anyone but ourselves, we can say that we have always tried to give everything we have to make anyone we work with happy," the couple wrote, adding that they "adamantly deny" they stole money from clients.

"It is true that we are sometimes left with outstanding balances, but we always pay, even if it takes some time for us to make arrangements," the statement read.

The Merediths also went on to say they had spent their own money on projects for their clients.

"We will adamantly defend that from the very small group of people who are upset with us, or whom we have been accused of hurting," the statement went on to say. "We have not made a single penny from the hundreds and hundreds of hours we have invested in their projects and we have paid our own money, tens of thousands of dollars, to try to make them happy, give them what they want and create an overall positive outcome."

January 7, 2022: One of the Merediths' satisfied clients defended them on Instagram.

In an Instagram story, user @hotcocoareads shared photos of her reading cottage designed by the Merediths. @hotcocoareads/Instagram

Jeana, a homeowner who worked with the Merediths and goes by @hotcocoareads on Instagram, spoke out in support of the couple on her Instagram story on Friday.

She wrote that "Andy and Candis did beautiful work" and that though the project "took longer than I hoped, I ultimately feel that Candis truly wanted me to love the space."

In a follow-up post about their renovation of her reading cottage, Jeana wrote that their renovation took two years.

"I'm not saying that the construction was a perfect experience," she captioned her post. "Most of you were along for the ride the last two years as I was waiting for it to be completed. I explain this now because while the process wasn't perfect, I feel like the quality of the work is very good. Some of the other clients have said they got shoddy work, but I don't feel like that was the case with me."

Jeana declined to comment when contacted by Insider for this story.

January 10, 2022: The Hawleys, the Goateses, and Bennion say they had not heard from Magnolia Network.

Although Page's statement said it was reviewing the allegations against the Merediths, the Hawleys, the Goateses, and Bennion say they had not heard from Magnolia Network as of Monday afternoon.

"We all would love to give them all the information that we have, and we have yet to hear from them," Hawley told Insider. "From our standpoint, we have not seen any investigation in this."

January 12, 2022: Candis and Andy Meredith refuted the allegations the homeowners made about them in a statement to Insider.

The Merediths spoke out about the allegations against them. Candis and Andy Meredith

On Wednesday, the Merediths shared a statement with Insider that offered a glimpse into their experience on "Home Work." They also posted eight Instagram posts to share their side of the story.

The Merediths said they wanted to speak out because the homeowners' allegations were impacting their employees and their children.

In the statement, Andy and Candis acknowledged that some of the show's renovations took longer than they expected, but they viewed the delays as standard issues in the construction industry.

Andy told Insider that there was "a lot of truth" to Bennion's allegation that they took on too many projects at once and that they did not manage the day-to-day operations of the renovation well because of their lack of experience.

The couple also said they were hired as consultants on these projects, while local, licensed general contractors did the actual work on the homes featured on the series. Andy said that meant he and Candis acted as the go-between for clients and the contractors, so they took the brunt of people's frustrations when issues came up  even if they couldn't control things like contractors' schedules.

"I think a lot of the anger and the hurt was focused on us personally because we were the ones in the middle trying to make everybody happy," Andy said.

"I know that these people are hurt, and I know that renovation is hard," he added. "We know how stressful it can be dealing with contractors in your house and budgets and timelines and things fluctuating. We'll never minimize that pain."

January 12, 2022: Andy and Candis said they felt blindsided by Bennion and Hawley's statements.

The Merediths told Insider they didn't realize Bennion or the Hawleys were so unhappy with their renovations until their public statements.

They said they were particularly surprised by Bennion's discontent because she seemed happy when they revealed her home to her, as they showed in a video they posted on their Instagram, though Bennion previously said she "feigned excitement" in her own Instagram post.

The Merediths went on to say that there "were hard conversations and misunderstandings about this project and budget" with Bennion throughout the renovation, "but we were absolutely under the impression that we had resolved those issues together."

Candis and Andy also said they paid $32,000 out of their own pockets to complete the renovation on Bennion's kitchen. But Bennion said she still ended up paying $39,000 herself, in large part to cover the cost of issues that arose from the renovation, as previously mentioned.

The Merediths said they did not know Bennion had lingering issues with the renovation until April 28, 2020, more than two months after the reveal date. Bennion previously shared a screenshot of that conversation on her own Instagram. The Merediths said they have not heard from her directly since.

January 12, 2022: The Merediths said Teisha and Jeff Hawley increased the budget for their renovation.

Although the Hawleys allege the Merediths completed barely any work on their home, Candis and Andy said that the renovation was almost done when Teisha and Jeff pulled out of the project.

"The first part  demo, rough electrical, rough plumbing, drywall, mud tape, texture  takes the bulk of your money," she said.

In the phone call in which Jeff pulled out of the renovation, Candis said Jeff said he would sue her and Andy if their countertops could not be delivered by the coming Friday, which made her feel "threatened," and he only told her not to come back after she wouldn't agree.

"We had no sense whatsoever that they were as dissatisfied as they claim," the Merediths said. "We got within a week of completing the project when Jeff asked for a phone call."

Candis said she thinks she could have communicated with the Hawleys better about what she could realistically do for their home, adding that she should have made clear to them that the materials they were able to use for the project wouldn't be of the highest quality given their budget.

Candis also said that Teisha raised their budget to $64,698 herself after they had a "difficult conversation" about the project, and shared screenshots of a Google Sheet that appear to show this to her Instagram.

The Merediths told Insider they have not heard from the Hawleys directly since February 20, 2020.

January 12, 2022: The Merediths said they are paying the Goateses back as they can.

The Merediths told Insider they were not able to give the Goateses back the $50,000 immediately because they had given it to their contractor.

They told Insider the contractor did not give the money back and eventually stopped responding to their messages, which is when they decided to pay the Goateses' loan, interest fees, and legal fees back themselves. The Merediths did not wish to share the contractor's details with Insider for privacy reasons.

They said they are still paying back the loan at the time of writing. Insider was able to review correspondence between Candis and the Goateses' lawyer about the payments. The Merediths said that they have sometimes been late on those payments, but they are making them as they can.

The Goateses declined to comment when contacted by Insider for this story.

January 12, 2022: The Merediths said they don't feel like the homeowners actually want to resolve their issues.

Candis and Andy told Insider they were "frustrated" with these allegations, as they said the homeowners have not spoken to them directly about their issues in the nearly two years they could have.

"Although we acknowledge how difficult things have been for homeowners, we have always been available to discuss, and we would've been more than open to hearing how they were feeling to come to some kind of agreement," Candis said. "We were always willing to try to make something better for them. And ultimately we genuinely just wanted them to love their homes."

Andy said "it's obvious" the statements made against them were "prepared and launched at us at a time to hurt us the most personally and not in a way to fix or to address the actual issues," adding that they were intended "to take us down."

"We're not here to take away anything that they're feeling," Candis said of the homeowners' experiences, adding that any renovation is tough, especially for a television show, and that the timelines "were too crazy."

But "it is very hard for us to see the narrative being written on one side," Candis added. "We're just trying to say that we genuinely did everything we could in the moment."

January 13, 2022: Bennion questioned the Merediths' claim that they paid $32,000 of their own money for her kitchen renovation.

"This is the first time that I have heard this number," Bennion told Insider on Thursday, adding that although Candis said she "paid money out of her pocket" at one point during the renovation, she never gave Bennion a breakdown of costs despite numerous requests for receipts and work orders.

"When she told me that she had spent her own money on the project, I asked her why she had not talked to me earlier about the financial situation, nor had she asked me to approve the overages," Bennion said. "I had no idea any of it had gone on, and I responded by continually asking for receipts and such."

"Those never came, but she used emotional phrases such as 'taking food from my kids to pay for your kitchen.'"

January 13, 2022: Bennion also responded to the Merediths' claim that they had no idea she was unhappy with the project until after it was over.

"It is easy to be selective in memory," Bennion told Insider. "The truth is that there are many text messages, which I still have record of, that show I was very dissatisfied regularly throughout the project. I made it very clear that I was not happy with how things were going and how they went. Candis knows this."

"Even the last text messages we exchanged with each other in April 2020, she texted me to say she was editing the episode and did not want there to be bad feelings. I responded to that text and told her things were not ok between us and that I was 'still reeling from the remodel process.'"

Bennion said she only decided to speak out because she didn't want anyone "to have to go through what I went through."

"From my perspective, Candis and Andy were not interested in resolving the issues I brought to the table at the time of the project," she added.

January 13, 2022: In a statement sent to Insider, the Hawleys denied that Jeff ever threatened the Merediths with a lawsuit while the renovation project was ongoing.

"We do not know why the Merediths would say they felt threatened by Jeff at any point," the Hawleys said. "Naturally, we were not happy with timelines, quality of work, and especially that our budget was fully exhausted. But we remained professional. It was not until we got an attorney (months after the relationship ended) that we ever talked with them (through their attorney) about the possibility of a lawsuit."

The couple said they couldn't verify the Merediths' claim that they spent $10,000 of their own money on the renovation because they never saw any receipts "despite repeatedly asking." But the Hawleys said that they don't believe the statement is true, adding that Candis emailed the couple in February 2020 and asked that they wire $10,466 to the Merediths immediately.

"We have not seen any sort of detailed financials, receipts, or anything for any of the work," they added.

January 13, 2022: The Hawleys said they only increased their original budget after Candis told them she had already spent the entire budget when they were "barely through the demolition phase."

"How else were we to respond?" the couple wrote. "We needed a house to live in and obviously needed to spend more to make it livable again. We were very frustrated because she had repeatedly told us that she could do everything in our budget and suddenly she came to us to say she was out of money and we were nowhere close to being done."

The Hawleys noted that they did not respond to a text from the Merediths in April 2020 apologizing for "how everything worked out." At the time, the couple said they were trying to correct the issues from the renovation with a new contractor and had to pay $12,000 "just to get it to a livable condition." They said the contractor told them it would "take another $35k or more to fully undo the damage that was done."

"Quite frankly, we didn't know how to respond to their April text given the problems that continued to come out," the couple added.

The Hawleys said sharing their story wasn't about "ruining anyone's lives," adding that they believe "the bullying behavior to Candis and Andy's personal life needs to stop."

"This was, however, about being heard and having people be held accountable for constant wrong-doings," they continued. "This isn't just about project delays and a poor renovation experience. There are patterns of manipulation, dishonesty, and gross negligence here. We wanted to make sure all of our voices were heard and that those in power and influence aren't able to continue taking advantage."

January 13, 2022: Magnolia Network announced that "Home Work" will return to air on the channel.

In a statement sent to Insider, Magnolia Network President Allison Page said: "We strive to meet people with compassion, and to cautiously approach difficult moments with honest understanding."

"Magnolia Network is dedicated to sharing hopeful and genuine stories," the statement read. "After speaking with homeowners as well as Candis and Andy Meredith regarding renovation projects for Home Work, and hearing a mix of both positive and negative experiences, we do not believe there was ill or malicious intent."

Page said the network was now committed to providing "appropriate resolutions for those whose experience with 'Home Work' fell short of our network's standards."

"While Home Work will return to Magnolia Network, we recognize the responsibility we have to act on how we can better support not only our talent, but those who put their trust in them and this brand," she added.

A spokesperson for Magnolia Network confirmed to Insider that "Home Work" will return "within the next few weeks."

January 31, 2022: "Home Work" returned to the Magnolia Network lineup.

"Home Work" returned to the Magnolia Network lineup at the end of January. Candis and Andy Meredith

Three weeks after the show was pulled from its lineup, "Home Work" made its cable debut on Magnolia Network.

All thirteen episodes of season one of the series also became available for streaming on Discovery+ after its brief hiatus at the same time.

The Merediths had not posted anything about the show airing on their Instagram at the time of writing. Representatives for Magnolia Network did not immediately return Insider's request for comment on the matter.

If you want to get in touch with Insider regarding Andy and Candis Meredith or "Home Work," email sgrindell@insider.com.

Read the original article on Insider
VIRGINIA/DC  Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic almost two years ago, nonprofit organizations have struggled to sustain funding and reassess their priorities as certain services have become more in demand during the crisis.

Many nonprofits were already dealing with cash flow before the pandemic hit in March 2020. COVID-19 has led to many nonprofit groups getting creative with how to operate with fewer resources and less staff.

In the D.C. area, nonprofit groups have an organization at the ready to help them through these tough times so that they can continue serving vulnerable populations and communities in need.

Brenda Alford has forged a successful career in both the private and public sectors by developing a strong understanding of fundraising and organization-building and then sharing that information with clients.

In her current position as president and executive director of the Falls Church-based Alliance for Nonprofits Inc., Alford offers a wide range of services to community-based nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. area, including programs designed to help groups meet their fiscal and performance goals.

Our services have been more in demand since the start of the pandemic, Alford said in an interview with Patch.

Among its many services, the Alliance for Nonprofits conducts research for nonprofits and then provides them with the tools to pivot or reinvent themselves, if necessary, to help them keep going or expand their services.

We help nonprofit organizations to succeed, Alford said.

The Alliance for Nonprofits, for example, is working with its clients during the pandemic on after-school programs by reviewing how programs in other parts of the country make use of virtual techniques to help youth. The Alliance takes what it learns from other cities to advise its clients on virtual after-school activities in the D.C. area.

"One of our goals with client organizations is to broaden their thinking and operations," she said. "If a child faces a problem, a parent or grandparent can often assist with intervention and solutions. Many problems are family issues, not just those exhibited with the child."

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Having parent sessions become a component of after-school programs provides support that makes the programs even better at supporting young people, noted Alford, similar to how Parent Teacher Associations can make schools stronger and more accountable to the students' educational achievement.

Alford worked in the federal government at two different times in her career, totaling 15 years. After her first stint in government, she left to start a for-profit business where her nonprofit clients created the greatest reward for her in terms of their community impact, she said.

After leaving from her second stint in government, Alford decided to dedicate herself to creating a social enterprise venture that eventually evolved into the Alliance for Nonprofits in 2018. "I have finally found my lifes work using all the skills from my total career," she said.

The Alliance, a member of the Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, offers consulting services to a wide range of nonprofit groups in the D.C. metro area, including organizations that help youth, the homeless population, or pregnant mothers.

Earlier in her career, Alford served as president and director of the Association of African American Women Business Owners, a national trade association founded in 1988 that had chapters across the East Coast.

In that position, she managed training programs for business owners, helped the business owners obtain federal contracts, and worked on expanding the profile of the association's members.

Today, as someone who has spent a large part of her career advising human service nonprofits, Alford encourages residents to give back to their communities by supporting nonprofits that do important work, whether it is through volunteering their time or donating money.

"People should find a nonprofit that aligns with their strengths or interests," Alford said. "If you can't find one, call me and I can find one for you."

Visit the Alliance for Nonprofits website to learn how it can help your nonprofit organization.

This article originally appeared on the Falls Church Patch
LAGUNA BEACH, CA  Are you and your significant other looking for ways to weather the storm in Laguna Beach? The Orange County Clerk-Recorder will now offer virtual marriage services amid a rise in COVID-19 cases across the Southland, the county announced this week.

The virtual services will be by appointment only and available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Offering marriage services online was done as a way to reduce crowding and minimize potential exposure to COVID-19 at the Clerk-Recorder office, county officials said in a statement.

Orange County has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Hospitalizations have exceeded 1,000 patients, and the county saw more than 11,000 new cases on Wednesday, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

"I am determined to continue serving everyone who needs our services," Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen said. "It gives me great pleasure to be able to serve couples who need to take extra precautions during these times of uncertainty."

Read More: Pandemic Weddings: Hitched At Honda Center Wins Innovation Award

Residents can find appointments on the Clerk-Recorder website, and a limited number of slots will be available, officials said.

Couples who want to take advantage of virtual marriage services must meet several requirements.

The requirements include:

Couples must be on the same video call together and physically be in the state of California

Have a device that's capable of audio and video conferencing

Couples must have two working email addresses

Be able to email the marriage license to the officiant on the day of their appointment

Each person must have one form of a valid, government-issued photo identification

Couples must be able to purchase a marriage license and have a marriage ceremony performed during their appointment.

For more information, contact the Clerk-Recorder's office at 714-834-2500 or visit the OC Recorder website.





This article originally appeared on the Laguna Beach Patch
A look at some of today's top stories, the weather forecast and a peek back in history.

Arizona school districts that rely on regular batch testing or test-to-stay programs are being affected by the nationwide COVID-19 test shortage.

These metro Phoenix sushi restaurants offer everything from inventive rolls to classic sashimi and omakases so there's an option for every vibe.

As people spend more time in the wild, interactions with wildlife, especially large predators like mountain lions, are on the rise. If you encounter one, here are 5 ways to stay safe.

Today, you can expect it to be mostly sunny, with a high near 72 degrees. Partly cloudy at night, with a low near 47 degrees. Get the full forecast here.

For more stories that matter, subscribe to azcentral.com.

Today in history

On this date in 1868, the Military Division of the Pacific announced the establishment of Camp Willow Grove to protect the road from Fort Mohave to Fort Whipple.

In 1889, the first Mormon academy was founded in St. Johns.

In 1912, Senorita Ramoncita Kosterlitzky, daughter of Col. Emilio Kosterlitzky, Chief of the Mexican Rurales, was married at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Douglas to John Zamborelon.

In 1921, an automobile was placed on trial in Superior Court in Prescott for being in violation of the prohibition law.

In 1964, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, in a brief televised address, thanked Americans for their condolences and messages of support following the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, nearly two months earlier.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ Briefing: COVID-19 test shortage has Arizona schools scrambling
After the Dallas Cowboys' final game of the regular season, Amari Cooper made a public pledge his team would do "everything" it took to avoid a season-devastating COVID-19 outbreak.

Unfortunately, he was still facing a bill for a past transgression.

The Cowboys wide receiver was fined $14,650 by the NFL on Thursday for violating COVID-19 protocols for unvaccinated players by attending a Dallas Mavericks game last week while unmasked, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.

Per ESPN, an unvaccinated player is allowed to attend a sporting event, but only if he sits in a suite with a mask and with no more than 10 people around him. Cooper sat courtside at the Mavericks game against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 5.

Amari Cooper posted 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this season. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Cooper was also on the sideline at the Cotton Bowl to watch his alma mater Alabama face Cincinnati in the semifinal of the College Football Playoff. He was accompanied by teammates at both sporting events, CeeDee Lamb at the Mavericks game and Trevon Diggs at the Cotton Bowl, but both are vaccinated and are not facing any punishment from the NFL.

In that context, Cooper said the following after the Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday last week. From the Dallas Morning News:

You dont want to get sick. This is the tournament, he said after the Cowboys-Eagles game on Saturday night. We train so hard in the offseason, OTAs, camp, to get to this point. We accomplished that goal thus far. Were going to do everything we can do to not get sick. If that means isolation, then thats what that means. Hopefully we can isolate enough to not catch it.

Cooper missed two games earlier in the season while on the NFL's health and safety protocol, something that did not please Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Duluth, MN (55816)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 44F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 31F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
By Marc Frank and Mario Fuentes

LA GUINERA, Cuba (Reuters) - Young Cuban protesters from Havana's poorest neighborhoods face decades behind bars at upcoming trials, relatives and rights groups said, amid a crackdown on some of those who took part in last year's unprecedented anti-government demonstrations.

The July 11-12 protests saw thousands take to the streets in towns and cities across the island, many denouncing the communist-run government and shortages of food, medicine and electricity at a time when cases of coronavirus were soaring.

Human rights watchdogs say more than 1,000 people were arrested following the protests. Trials for those accused of serious crimes began in mid-December and some have already led to prison terms of more than 20 years, according to the groups and interviews with families of the accused.

Cuba's government did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the trials.

Authorities on the island, however, have previously said those arrested were guilty of crimes including public disorder, resisting arrest, robbery and vandalism. Cuba blames the United States for funding the July unrest and fanning it.

In the poor Havana district of La Guinera - where a march on July 12 was followed by vandalism, a confrontation with police and the only death during the unrest - Reuters spoke with more than a dozen residents who said neighborhood youth who joined the rallies now faced stiff prison sentences.

They denied any larger plot against the government and said the decision to march had been spontaneous.

Emilio Roman, 50, told Reuters his two sons Emiyoslan, 18, and Yosney, 25, as well as his 23-year-old daughter, Mackyani, had joined the July protests and now faced 15, 20 and 25 years behind bars, respectively, if convicted. All three have been in jail since mid-July, Roman said.

"Everyone went out because of the noise, as if they were going to have a party, but nobody thought they were going to act so severely," he said.

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"The number of years (in prison) they are seeking, it's as if they were terrorists, murderers. They are my only three children," Roman said, fighting back tears. "It's a lot of pain."

Another neighbor, Alcides Firdo, 47, said his son, Jaime Alcides Firdo, 22, was initially detained for public disorder after he allegedly threw rocks during the July 12 march, but that the charges were later upgraded to sedition.

The state was now seeking to imprison his son for 20 years in a trial slated to begin on Jan. 17, Firdo said in an interview with Reuters.

"I don't understand it," he said. "You kill a person (in Cuba) and they give you 8, 10, 15 years, and now for throwing a rock you're going to throw them in jail for ... 20 years? That's an injustice."

Reuters could not independently confirm the details of the two cases with authorities as court officials do not routinely speak with the media in Cuba, nor was it possible to contact the defendants.

Laritza Diversent, director of U.S.-based human rights group Cubalex, said Cuban authorities had ratcheted up penalties to make an example and stifle future protests.

"The government is saying, 'Look, I'm not playing games ... if you go out again to protest this could also happen to you," she said.

Several rights groups, including Cubalex, say penalties for dozens already sentenced including for sedition have ranged from 4 to 30 years behind bars.

Reuters viewed several sentencing documents from trials in December in which penalties ranged from 2 to 8 years in prison for protesters convicted of crimes including disobedience, public disorder and assault. None of the convictions reviewed by Reuters were for sedition, which carries the heaviest penalties.

Not all those who took part in last year's demonstrations have faced harsh penalties. Cuba recently dropped charges against several artists who protested in front of the Cuban Radio and Television Institute on July 11, according to a Facebook post by historian Leonardo Fernandez Otano.

He said race and poverty had weighed on the process.

"I am grateful," Fernandez Otano wrote on social media after the charges were dismissed. "But I am also sad, because the young people of La Guinera have not had the same luck and are condemned to unjust and politicized sentences."

The Cuban government has said it respects the rights of all those detained following the protests, and that the steepest penalties would be reserved for repeat offenders and the most serious crimes.

(Reporting by Marc Frank, Mario Fuentes, and Nelson Gonzalez; Additional reporting and writing by Dave Sherwood; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Daniel Wallis)
Declan Rice has made 150 appearances for West Ham (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

David Moyes has hailed the rise of birthday boy Declan Rice from raw young centre-half to West Ham captain and mainstay of Englands midfield.

Rice turned 23 on Friday and already has 150 appearances for the Hammers under his belt, as well as 27 England caps and a Euro 2020 runners-up medal.

Moyes has overseen much of Rices development over his two spells in charge at the London Stadium.

He said: Ive been here twice. On the first occasion, he was a young boy making his way playing centre-half most of the time.

Since I have come back he had already developed into a midfield player.

I think in the last two years he has stepped up his leadership, his playing. I think everybody would see him as an England player at the moment.

A couple of years ago, he was still developing into an England player. I think about how well he has done for the national team, but more importantly you dont get recognised for the national team if you dont play well for your club side.

Declan has played really well for West Ham. I think he can keep moving on.

I think hes got little bits of his game he can add to and we are at him all the time to keep improving, to keep driving the team on and show those leadership qualities which I think hes already got for a young man, but they will get better as he gets older as well.

Being captain of West Ham is a big deal when you look at the great captains at this club over the years, none more so than Mark Noble He has a role model to look up to in Mark Noble and we hope that Declan can keep carrying it and improving.

If West Ham want to keep hold of Rice in the long-term, the challenge for Moyes is to continue bringing in quality signings to play alongside him and boost their bid to reach the Champions League.

The Scot wants a defender and a forward this month but, as in previous transfer windows when he landed Tomas Soucek, Jesse Lingard and Kurt Zouma late on, Moyes is having to bide his time to get the right player.

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I would like to bring some new faces in if I could to add to the group of players I have got, he said. But we will try and do it as well as we can.

At the moment the ones we are looking for or the ones we would like to get are either not available or we just cant get. We will keep looking and see what we can get between now and the end of the window.

I am really keen to add to it, the board are with me they want to add as well, they are supportive.

So its actually trying to identify the right players and bring in players who we would really like to bring here and go on the rest of the journey, so we will keep looking and hopefully something will appear for us in the last couple of weeks.
Jan. 14Dayton-area hospital authorities want the region's leaders to relay a message: the hospitals are overwhelmed by a wave of coronavirus patients and residents must help by getting vaccinated, masking and taking other precautions.

Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association President Sarah Hackenbracht is making the rounds presenting the grim statistics on coronavirus hospitalizations to business, nonprofit and elected leaders. Hackenbracht said these people and their institutions are trusted messengers and represent another way to reach residents who don't pay attention to mainstream news media.

GDAHA is asking all these leaders to heed this warning and to help proactively by putting safety protocols back into place if they've fallen by the wayside, Hackenbracht said.

"To stem this upward trajectory, we have to put those measures in place now," she said. "We are calling upon every partner, organization and entity within this region to help us prevent the Dayton region from having the same experience as what the Cleveland and Akron and Toledo communities have had."

She said northern Ohio's health systems are being crushed by COVID and our region could soon experience similar levels of patient volumes. Northeast Ohio at its peak reported over 1,700 COVID-19 positive patients. Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital was forced to use refrigerated trailers to handle overflow from its morgue.

In the Dayton region, coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are at an all-time high and rising, with unvaccinated residents making up the vast majority of hospital patients and deaths. High case numbers also mean many workers are calling off, frequently disrupting or temporarily closing businesses and essential services. Last week, the region's largest hospital chains  Premier Health and Kettering Health  announced they would postpone nonemergency procedures that require an overnight stay.

Getting residents vaccinated and taking other precautions can keep businesses open and relieve strain on the region's health care system, Hackenbracht said.

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About 40% of Ohioans, including about 30% of adults, have not received a single dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

Hackenbracht presented to the Dayton City Commission on Wednesday morning and gave similar talks to the region's city managers and the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area coronavirus work group earlier in the week. Hospital leaders will present early next week to the boards of three major Dayton business associations: the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Dayton Partnership and the Dayton Development Coalition. The hospitals are also reaching out to state legislators from the Dayton region.

The hospitals want these organizations to relay the information to others. Hackenbracht said people will hopefully be more receptive to the hospitals' message if they hear it from someone they know and trust, who is already in their social or professional circle.

Hospitals in the west central Ohio region (Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties) reported 636 COVID-19 positive patients on Thursday, an all-time high.

During her presentation on Wednesday morning, Hackenbracht pointed to some other alarming statistics.

"Over the last 10 days, the numbers have increased sharply and dramatically," she said. "We have been working across all facilities to build additional space within our hospitals and increase the number of staffed beds available in our facilities, but unfortunately the number of staffed beds we can provide to the community has limitations at this time."

During the first five days of January, there were more than 100 COVID-positive patients in ICUs across the region, many of whom were on ventilators, said Hackenbracht. Modeling from the state of Ohio and the Ohio Hospital Association suggests hospital admissions could escalate and peak in the next three weeks, she said.

Last week, 83% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at Premier Health and Kettering Health facilities were unvaccinated. In the intensive care units, 89% of COVID patients were unvaccinated.

In the last month, 84% of the 268 COVID-19 patients who died in Premier and Kettering hospitals were unvaccinated.

In response to this, Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr. said, "I'm not sure how much more clear the information and evidence can be regarding the importance of being vaccinated."

Dayton Commissioner Darryl Fairchild, who works at Dayton Children's Hospital, said hospital staffing seems to be one of the biggest problems, and the region is reaching a critical point when it comes to capacity. Fairchild said he worries that community members' vigilance is waning because of how long this crisis has lasted. He said people feel helpless and exhausted since there seems to be no end in sight for this crisis.

After hospital administrators brief other business leaders next week, Hackenbracht hopes these associations will pass on the direness of the situation to their members  thousands of the region's large and small employers.

"We have 2,200 member businesses located across the Dayton region that rely on the chamber for accurate, real-time information on how COVID-19 is and will impact their operations," said Chris Kershner, the Dayton chamber president. "It is critical that our board hears directly from our health care leaders on the front lines, so our organization and the businesses we represent can make informed decisions."

Hackenbracht said GDAHA is open to collaborating with any organizations that want to hear more about what's going on in Dayton's hospitals.
Good morning, Chicago.

At the end of a year that saw at least 800 homicides in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot last month wrote to the Cook County chief judge with a request: Judges should immediately stop ordering certain defendants to await trial at home with an electronic-monitoring ankle bracelet.

It would be a sweeping policy change intended to keep violent offenders securely behind bars, albeit with implications for thousands of people who would likely be kept in custody as their cases took months if not years to proceed.

But many of the claims and statistics related in her letter and repeated at a press conference earlier this month are misleading  and some are simply inaccurate, the Tribune has found after examining the cases highlighted by the mayor.

 Annie Sweeney and Megan Crepeau

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

COVID-19 tracker | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Ask Amy | Todays eNewspaper edition

After the latest battle between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union led to canceled classes for 330,000 students, the phone lines at many of the citys Catholic schools were jammed with calls this week from weary parents, inquiring how to enroll their children.

Greg Richmond, superintendent of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, said its too early to gauge the impact of the latest CPS shutdown on enrollment at the 157 archdiocesan-run schools in Cook and Lake counties, including 85 Catholic elementary schools and high schools in the city.

I know from talking with parents that theres a lot of frustration right now, Richmond said.

Ten restaurants, four fitness centers, a swim school and a childrens play space have been cited for allegedly violating the citys vaccine mandate.

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Between Jan. 3  the day the mandate went into effect  and Wednesday, Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection investigators have issued 32 citations to 16 establishments accused of failing to enforce the mandate that requires anyone 5 years old or older to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to dine indoors, visit gyms or attend entertainment venues where food or drink are served.

A Cook County judge this week was caught on a YouTube livestream mocking an attorney who had appeared before him for arguments earlier in the day.

Can you imagine waking up next to her every day? Oh, my God, Judge William Raines said of attorney Jennifer Bonjean. ... I couldnt have a visual on that if you paid me.

Every morning, Dr. Justin Fiala rides a CTA bus along Lake Shore Drive, and it feels like going into battle. Before the pandemic, stepping onto a bus was just a commute to work. He and other Chicagoans headed into the city together, toward busy downtown offices and mask-free cubicles. Now, he wears an N95, and his 5 a.m. bus rides are nearly always filled with other health care workers in scrubs.

During the pandemic, Fiala once again picked up paintbrushes. He would work one week in the intensive care unit, and have one week off.

It was going from 120 miles (an hour) to zero, he said. It was like, what am I supposed to do?

Jessamine Chan, who moved back to her native Oak Park last summer, has written a novel so timely, compelling and rage-inducing, you cant imagine a world where it is not a hit, passed among friends.

I wasnt really thinking about big themes or issues when I started writing this, she told the Tribunes Christopher Borrelli. Really I was just wrestling with parenting culture and simply becoming a mother.
June 12, 1947 Goering's deer at Washington Park Zoo.

The news at the El Paso Zoo this week was that a four-year-old African lion was introduced to visitors Thursday. The lion, Hodari, was born in 2017 at the Pueblo Zoo in Pueblo, Colorado. He arrived in El Paso on Nov. 8 and has been behind the scenes for the regular 30-day quarantine.

The June 12, 1947, edition of the El Paso Times introduced another newcomer to the zoo; Buck, a two-year-old deer. Buck was picked up as a day-old fawn in May 1945 on Herman Goerings hunting estate in Germany. She was brought to El Paso by First Lt. John F. Riordan.

Following is an article by Bob Reid explaining how Buck got to be the then newest resident of the zoo:

Goering deer now frolics in Washington Park Zoo

A deer from one of Herman Goerings hunting estates now romps among peacocks, guinea hens and turkeys in the Washington Park Zoo.

The deer is being kept in the zoo for First Lt. John F. Riordan, formerly of El Paso, who is now stationed at Fort Benning, Ga.

Lieutenant Riordan was with the Third Army in May of 1945 when his outfit pushed through Goerings estate on the Czechoslovakian border near Griez. Someone shot a deer which turned out to b a mother of a day-old fawn.

Lieutenant Riordan took the fawn, nursed it on a bottle and carried it with him in his barracks bag. When time came for him to return to the States in October, 1945, he smuggled the deer aboard the ship.

A favorite of shipmates

Later on, well out at sea, he let the deer sleep under his bed, and the fawn became a great favorite of men on shipboard.

Carrying the fawn on a troop train to San Antonio presented no problem, but on his discharge there, Lieutenant Riordan found no train or bus would take his pet. So he hitchhiked to El Paso. Even that was quite a job.

Lieutenant Riordans sister-in-law, Mrs. Opal Clark, an employee of the green Frog Lounge, tells of the lieutenants problems in keeping the fawn.

It liked to jump fences, she said, and pretty soon it was eating up the neighbors flower garden. We had to find a better place for it. So we left it at the zoo.

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Mrs. Clark said the deers name is Buck.

But, she added, its a she.

Arrived at the zoo in 1946

Buck has been at the local zoo since early 1946, but few visitors there realize they are looking at an extraordinary animal. Buck is not like deer in the United States. She belongs to the European White Tail species and is smaller than deer in this country. Her coat is a reddish color and she already has attained full growth.

Buck isnt particularly happy about being in the zoo, for shes infested with lice from poultry about her, and her coat is somewhat ragged. But then, on Goerings estate she never lived with peacocks.

Nov. 12, 1947 Judy Hail, left and her sister, Marsha Hail.

Lion cubs born at zoo

Later that same year, two lion cubs were born at the zoo. Their arrival was announced in a Nov. 12, 1947 article:

Its twins for mama and papa lion at the Washington Park zoo.

Papa, whose name is King, and mama, who is called Chara, are proud of their offspring, a boy lion named Junior and a girl lion name Squirmy.

More: The age of gunfights in El Paso: Trish Long

Cubs will be sold

But the happy family will soon be separated. Park Commissioner Hugo Meyer says the high cost of horse meat will make it necessary to sell the two cubs as soon as they get off a milk diet. He hopes to sell them to some other zoo.

Horse meat, like other meat, is going up all the time, Mr. Meyer said. its scarce too.

Right now the twin cubs are thriving without any horse meat on the menu, thank you.

Mr. Meyer suggested that the lions be photographed with two little girls, Marsha Hail, 7, and her sister Judy, 4.

The cub Marsha held was hard to handle and she christened it Squirmy.

Zoo Keeper Agustin Porras first separated the baby lions from their parents. I wouldnt dare go in the cage and take the babies away from mama and papa, he said.

At feeding time he lured the adult lions into another cage with great hunks of meat.

Said Judy: My lion was just like a big kitten. But his laws were awful sharp.

Trish long may be reached at tlong@elpasotimes.com or 91-46-619.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Deer travels from Germany, lands in Washington Park Zoo: Trish Long
MUNCIE, Ind.  Delaware County's five Circuit Court judges this week issued an order for all members of the public, and staff members, to wear "protective facial coverings" when in the county's court facilities.

That includes in the county's courtrooms in the Delaware County Justice Center  where a mask order was already in place  and court and probation offices in both that facility and at the Youth Opportunity Center.

"All individuals aged two (years) and older are required to wear protective facial coverings properly by covering the nose and mouth while in one of the courthouse facilities," said the order, signed Wednesday by judges Marianne Vorhees, Kimberly Dowling, Linda Ralu Wolf, John Feick and Thomas Cannon Jr.

The order noted the number of COVID-19 cases in Delaware County has increased significantly, "due in part to the fast-spreading Omicron variant."

Facial coverings will be provided "in the event an individual does not have his own before entering the courthouse facilities," the order said.

More: Delaware County's COVID cases up 82.1%; Indiana cases surge 79.8%

In a separate order, the judges ruled no jury trials will be conducted in their courts through Jan. 31.

That order noted the Indiana Health Department has designated Delaware County in a "high risk" category due to the "recent surge of coronavirus cases."

The judges will reevaluate "the state of the pandemic in Delaware County" in terms of scheduling trials after Jan. 31.

A COVID-19 public health emergency was implemented by the Indiana Supreme Court in March 2020 and has remained in effect since then.

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: Mask order issued by Delaware County's Circuit Court judges
Yes, we should grieve the insurrection last Jan. 6 by a violent mob seeking to overturn free and fair election results. Their action was based on fraud claims for which there was never any evidence. Yes, we should be anxious; it was a despicable act of domestic terrorism.

What should really concern us was the boring, procedural coup, planned and well advanced by Trump White House figures and Republicans in the House and Senate. This less dramatic action had the same intent as the mob  overturning free and fair election results. No blood was shed, and no physical violence engaged in this coup attempt played out in Congress. This coup was underway while the mob stormed the Capitol building, interrupting the well-planned coup as Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro has attested. In fact, the Republican congressional coup attempt resumed immediately after Congress reconvened following the mob's action.

The "Big Lie" has since prospered, encouraging this boring coup to re-group with new aims.

Added restrictions on voting, empowering partisan politicians to overturn valid election results, and gerrymandering of state and federal election districts continue the aims of coup plotters to ensure that elections produce only the desired results  yes, rigging elections in multiple ways.

The undermining of democratic processes is almost complete. Congress has been unable to address the corruptions imposed by states thanks to two indifferent Democratic Senators, plus all Republican Senators who are okay with skewing election results to favor GOP empowerment no matter the means. The US Supreme Court is unwilling to address unconstitutional violations perpetrated by the states, saying that states have authority to do what they want. What now? We can simply watch the ongoing dissolution of democracy into its destiny of authoritarianism. The proverbial Rubicon has already been crossed.

Those benefiting from this emergent authoritarian regime will be the wealthy and big corporations, not the little people paying taxes, either liberal or conservative who feel marginalized by the other side amid their pointless dogfights. The gutting of campaign finance restrictions by the US Supreme Court has long paved the way for bought-and-paid-for elected officials, candidates, regulators, et al, all perfectly legal. We are reaping what has been sown  an authoritarian regime orchestrated by wealthy political patrons and corporate powerhouses extending their realms to fully control politics, not simply influence them.

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This isn't about bogeymen George Soros or Charles Koch. In Florida, for example, think NextEra Energy (Florida Power's parent) and Florida Crystals ("Big Sugar") and many others laundering money through a shadowy web of political finance committees. These dark entities use any dirty trick to win for their benefactors, while their corporate sponsors retain deniability. Most corporations gladly spend a pittance for a ten-fold return (sometimes far more) on their trivial investment in politics, all perfectly legal.

Concern about democracy lags reality. Democracy will soon be over, leaving window-dressing elections for respectability. Frankly, it wasnt much of a democracy by the people  mostly by some people (see womens suffrage not until 1920 and Voting Rights Act not until 1965). The system has been laid bare, now bereft of its touted resilience of checks-and-balances, exposing its fragility and easy manipulation. Get enough corrupt actors casting aside values and principles in exchange for power and wealth, holding power across legislative, executive, and judicial branches, then any political system is doomed. Were there.

The question now is how to bring about a genuine democracy that focuses on people, equity, justice, health, and well-being, developing a compassionate, sustainable, peaceful community for all. If tragedy brings opportunity, then we need to see it and somehow seize it from the big money interests and their political puppets. With the ending of this semblance of democracy, can we imagine a genuine democracy for all?

Bruce Seaman lives in Ocala. He is a retired Presbyterian Church, USA minister and community activist.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Democracy? Let's start over, we can do better
The exterior of Iveys on Ascot on East College Avenue in Boiling Springs Thursday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2022.

After spending nearly two decades in the retail industry, Angela Butler decided it was time to step out on her own.

Her department store, Iveys on Ascot in Boiling Springs, can be described as a mini Walmart, complete with clothes, home goods and more. The store opened Dec. 11 on 335 E. College Ave.

Now more than ever, I have been into fashion over the last few years, said Butler. After I worked at Amazon, I was a manager for a sales liquidation company. We dealt with companies like Macys and Nordstom. I have a line of newer vendors that are trying to get established. I want to see how that will be received.

Owner Angela Butler behind the counter at Iveys on Ascot on East College Avenue in Boiling Springs Thursday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2022.

The space also comes with a small dining facility where Butler plans to reopen the grill. With few places to eat in Boiling Springs, Butler hopes it will become a popular eatery for college students and locals.

It has a kitchen and a snack bar up front as you come in the building, said Butler. I thought it would be a good layout for people to get some lunch and shop. I am a little behind on getting the grill because I am waiting on the inspectors to come.

Butler said although she has years of experience in her field, it was nerve-racking going at it alone.

The interior of Iveys on Ascot on East College Avenue in Boiling Springs Thursday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2022.

Its scary to go into business for yourself, said Butler. You wonder if you are going to be well-received by the community.

The store is named after her mother, Ivey Blanton

"She was the inspiration for me to get it going, said Butler. Its something me and my mother had talked about for years. My mom has had dementia for 12 years now, and she is at the point where she really doesnt talk. I was scared, but I finally made it happen.

Butler said she carries vendors from New York and other areas, all of which offer trendy styles. She admitted she gets a little bit of advice from her children too, who keep her in tune with the latest trends.

Some of the items for sale at Iveys on Ascot on East College Avenue in Boiling Springs Thursday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2022.

I have three daughters, said Butler. As far as fashion goes and whats in, I feel like I can keep up with the times. I ask people in the community what they want so I can supply them with their needs. And I want to do so at a reasonable price.

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Latrice Williams can be reached at 704-669-3339 and lwilliams6@gannett.com.

Some of the items for sale at Iveys on Ascot on East College Avenue in Boiling Springs Thursday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2022.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: New department store Iveys on Ascot opens in Boiling Springs
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and his wife, Vivian Villanueva, at an academy graduation ceremony in 2019. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy has filed a lawsuit alleging that her career was thwarted after she decided a close friend of Sheriff Alex Villanueva's wife was unfit to serve as a deputy.

Deputy Lina Pimentel claimed her "career progression has now been effectively terminated because of Vivian Villanuevas personal attacks on her," according to the lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court this week.

Alex Villanueva did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment. When reached by phone, Vivian Villanueva said she was not aware of the lawsuit. "I'll get back to you," she said and hung up.

Citing the pending litigation, sheriff's officials declined to comment about the allegations in the lawsuit beyond a statement that praised the sheriff for being "the most transparent sheriff in history" and said "he is confident these allegations will be proven false."

Pimentel was a recruit training officer when the recruit, who had worked for two decades in the Sheriff's Department as a custody assistant, entered the academy, the lawsuit states.

It was the recruit's second attempt to become a deputy and Pimentel determined she was physically unable to complete the academy's demanding program, the lawsuit states.

The recruit then allegedly falsely told Pimentel's superiors that the training officer had forced her to do extra physical training requirements in violation of her medical restrictions, the lawsuit said.

In March 2020, Pimentel learned that Vivian Villanueva, who retired as a deputy in January 2018, had been criticizing her and describing her to others using gendered slurs. The lawsuit alleges that Vivian Villanueva warned others to keep Pimentel away from her because I will go off on that b.

Pimentel alleges that she was subsequently moved and demoted multiple times.

"This lawsuit is another example of a sheriff who has little regard for his deputies and instead will always put his selfish self-interest first," said Alan Romero, an attorney representing Pimentel.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Comment Policy Calaveras Enterprise does not actively monitor comments. However, staff does read through to assess reader interest. When abusive or foul language is used or directed toward other commenters, those comments will be deleted. If a commenter continues to use such language, that person will be blocked from commenting. We wish to foster a community of communication and a sharing of ideas, and we truly value readers' input.
Michael Babin of Brandon looks through plumbing supplies while shopping at the recently opened ReStore, which has a wide variety of new and used items donated to benefit Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area.

Looking for furnishings or building materials for your home or camp? ReStore may have what you need at prices likely not found anywhere else and the profits will help change lives and communities.

"These are 50 cents," said Michael Babin of Brandon as he pointed to a dozen or more electrical receptacle outlet boxes in his shopping cart. "They're $2 apiece at Lowe's or Home Depot."

Babin said he plans to begin construction of a cabin in Mountain View, Arkansas, this coming summer and is trying to accumulate materials at the best prices he can find. So, he turned to ReStore at 615 Stonewall Street in Jackson.

"I'm just here looking for things I can use in my cabin," Babin said. "I've found five or 10 items I can use from electrical to plumbing and everything in between.

"There's a lot of good quality stuff here that's never been used. I've probably saved close to $200. If you've got an upcoming project and you know what you need, you need to come here first."

Sandy Bowman of Jackson shops for furniture and other household items at the recently-opened ReStore in Jackson. New and used items are donated to the store and profits help fund Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area.

Sandy Bowman of Jackson said she will be purchasing a Habitat home soon and was shopping for furnishings she will need when the home is completed.

"I got a rug, lamps, table and a little stool that sits at the end of the bed," Bowman said. "The prices are great. They have everything for your house; everything you need."

FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Greg Harkins has built rocking chairs for presidents and a pope. And hes not stopping yet

ReStore has low prices, wide variety

Babin Bowman were two of many shoppers pushing carts up and down the aisles when ReStore opened on January 11. One of many across the nation, it is the first in the Jackson area and operated by Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area.

According to Steve Church, ReStore director, inventory is donated by businesses and individuals while other items are purchased at liquidation sales. Some items are new and some are used and everything is sold at deep discounts.

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"Pricing of items is usually 50% to 75% off retail," Church said. "Other donated items we take our best educated guess and put prices on there."

Shoppers wait in line to check out with everything from appliances to furniture to plumbing supplies at Jackson's new ReStore where profits from sales of new and used donated items benefit Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area.

The inventory covers many aspects of a home. On one aisle there was a used clothes dryer priced at $55 and just across from it was a Viking rangetop offered for $375. Other items on the shelves included boxes of nails and other fasteners, insecticides, rugs and sinks.

"It's diversified," Church said. "We have paint, furniture, plumbing, lighting fixtures, doors and kitchen cabinets.

"It's just an amalgamation of collected materials. There's a lot of treasures in ReStore. As we ramp up, the selection will be greater."

CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY: This Mississippi museum received a grant for $50,000. Find out why

ReStore means more than discount shopping

Profits from ReStore are used to help Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area build more homes. The organization has built more than 660 homes in the area that are sold to qualifying buyers through interest-free loans.

According to Valerie Tucker, deputy director of the City of Jackson's Office of Housing and Community Development, the effect of ReStore and Habitat for Humanity extends beyond good deals for shoppers and affordable housing for families. It creates an environment that benefits the entire community.

She explained ReStore provides more money for houses. More houses mean an increased tax base for Jackson. More tax revenue means more money for improved roads, water line upgrades and other improvements that benefit everyone.

"Every investment that Habitat makes in Jackson has a trickle-down effect," Tucker said. "It creates more and more benefits for the city. It's just a great partnership we have with Habitat."

'A MONUMENTAL DAY': New FedEx distribution center, new jobs at Hattiesburg-Laurel airport

A quick guide to ReStore

Location: 615 Stonewall Street, Jackson

Store Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Inventory: Varies according to donations

To volunteer: Call 601-353-6060 or sign up at www.habitatmca.org/volunteer

To donate: Call 769-209-5100 or visit www.habitatmca.org/restore for guidelines

Donation drop-off hours: Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: ReStore in Jackson offers discounted home items and project materials
ACROSS ILLINOIS With news stories of surging coronavirus cases and increasing restrictions seeming to pop up everywhere, let's face it: we could all use a healthy dose of good news right about now. We at Illinois Patch created this roundup of the week's best "good news" articles to celebrate the stories that make us smile. From the return of the beloved South Side Irish Parade to a town taking steps to make reparations to Black residents, we hope these Good News, Illinois, stories brighten your day!



Community Donates 300+ Coats With Local Idea Turned Into Action



KamBri Realty, LLC and AAIS Insurance teamed up to host a coat drive Saturday at their office in Mokena.

South Side Irish Parade Will March In 2022 After Pandemic Pause



The South Side Irish Parade will return March 13 after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. More details to come.

Boy Scout Selling Memorial Bricks For Eagle Scout Project



The scout is working to honor military members and veterans by building a walkway and place to sit outside St. Julie Billiart.

Ping-Pong Ball Draw Picks Evanston Reparations Recipient Order



Sixteen ancestors  Black people who lived in Evanston before its 1969 fair housing law are set for $25,000 grants for home-related costs.

Lemont Teen Selected For USA Volleyball's National Team Program



April trained with the National Team Development Program at the women's Olympics training center in California from Dec. 26-30.

Want to celebrate someone or something that made you smile? Have a Good News, Illinois, story of your own you'd like us to feature? Email lisa.farver@patch.com.



This article originally appeared on the Chicago Heights Patch
Happy Friday, neighbors! Let's get this day started. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in Ditmas Park-Flatbush.

First, today's weather:

Increasingly windy. High: 40 Low: 12.

Here are the top 3 stories in Ditmas Park-Flatbush today:

Four people were shot at the weekly Dream Wednesdays adult party at a catering hall in Canarsie, after a gunman opened fire. The motives of the shooter are under investigation. One witness said they had never previously seen this type of violence during previous weeks at the same event. (New York Daily News) Victoria Stennett, a Flatbush homeowner, is in dispute with Emigrant Bank, which is threatening to seize her house if she doesn't pay them $4 million they say she owes them. Activists with the organization Equality for Flatbush say the bank is a "predatory lender" and rallied in Stennett's defense last week. (Brooklyn Reader) The race for Assembly District 43, previously occupied by Diana Richardson, is now wide open, after she was appointed Deputy Borough President by Antonio Reynoso. One candidate in the race is Pierre Albert, a program manager in the governor's office and the son of Haitian immigrants. (Haitian Times)

Today's Ditmas Park-Flatbush Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community  and to get access to this amazing technology  click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Ditmas Park-Flatbush!

Today in Ditmas Park-Flatbush:

A Journey Back in Time With Sweet Micky & T-Vice at 1370 Ralph Avenue (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

Brooklyn BP Antonio Reynoso is partnering with Rita Joseph to provide free COVID tests and masks this afternoon, along Coney Island Avenue (Twitter)

Here's a hatha yoga class with Lisa from the Flatbush YMCA! (Facebook)

Rita Joseph and Farah Louis met with the DOE chancellor to discus remote learning options during the omicron surge. (Twitter)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

 Dashiell Allen

This article originally appeared on the Ditmas Park-Flatbush Patch
GENEVA (AP)  The government of Ethiopia has sent a letter to the World Health Organization, accusing its Ethiopian director-general of misconduct after his sharp criticism of the war and humanitarian crisis in the country.

Ethiopia nominated Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to be the head of the U.N. health agency four years ago, but says he has not lived up to the integrity and professional expectations required from his office, accusing him of interfering in Ethiopia's internal affairs, according to a press release issued late Thursday.

Through his acts, (Tedros) spread harmful misinformation and compromised WHO's reputation, independence and credibility, Ethiopia's ministry of foreign affairs said.

WHO had no immediate response to the claims.

Tedros, an ethnic Tigrayan, has repeatedly deplored the situation in his home country and called for humanitarian access to the conflict-ridden region of Ethiopia.

Nowhere in the world are we witnessing hell like Tigray, said Tedros at a media briefing Wednesday. He cited a missive WHO had received recently from a physician in the region, who said health authorities had run out of basic medicines for diseases including diabetes in June and were now using expired stocks and intravenous fluids.

Tedros condemned Ethiopia's blockade of international access to Tigray, saying that WHO had not been allowed to send any supplies to the region since July, noting the U.N. agency had access to Syria and Yemen even during their worst conflicts.

He said there should be unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray and said that just respecting the constitutional order would bring this problem into a peaceful conclusion."

He continued: Of course, I am from that region and from the northern part of Ethiopia. But I am saying this without any bias.

The Ethiopian government said Tedros was using his office to advance his political interest at the expense of Ethiopia and said he continues to be an active member of the Tigray People's Liberation Front; Tedros was foreign minister and health minister when the TPLF dominated the countrys ruling coalition.

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The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, the political party that runs the Tigray region, has been clashing with Ethiopian federal forces since the countrys Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister accused the heavily armed regional government of attacking a military base. Each government regards the other as illegitimate after a months-long falling-out amid political reforms.

In September, France, Germany and other European countries nominated Tedros for a second term as WHO's director-general, the first time any candidate was not supported by his or her home country. Tedros is expected to be confirmed for another five-year term in May, as he is running unopposed.

Under Tedros, WHO came under withering criticism from the U.S. Trump administration over allegations of grievous missteps in responding to COVID-19 and for allegedly colluding with China in the early phases of the outbreak.

Tedros has been a leading voice urging rich countries and vaccine makers to do more to improve access to COVID shots in the developing world  a call that has largely gone unheeded.

Last year, WHO faced mounting pressure over revelations from an AP investigation and an independent panel that found senior management were informed of sexual abuse allegations during the agency's response to an Ebola outbreak in Congo.
Damaged housing in Senator Circle.

A judge has upheld the evictions of 14 families from a Houma public housing complex that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ida.

City Court Judge Matthew Hagen ruled in favor of the Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority in those cases after a hearing Wednesday, where the agency said the Aug. 29 storm had rendered the apartments uninhabitable.

Two eviction cases were resolved out of court, one was dropped and three were rescheduled.

Senator Circle has 217 apartments for low-income families that range from one to four bedrooms. Almost all of the apartments were condemned in the weeks immediately following the storm.

Displaced after Ida: Hundreds of elderly, low-income residents displaced after Ida damaged Houma public housing complexes

Residents there and at the 300-apartment Bayou Towers public housing complex for low-income elderly residents were given Section 8 vouchers they could use to find other housing.

But officials have said no Section 8 housing is available in Terrebonne or Lafourche parishes, which means residents who want to use the vouchers would have to leave for other communities.

Hearings on the contested Senator Circle evictions ran from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Several cases were rescheduled for Jan. 27.

Hagen's ruling requires most of the complex's residents who havent already turned in their keys to move out by Jan. 31.

What I dont want is peoples items hauled to the curb, Hagen said.

We generally do not mind people coming back after to get their stuff, as long as it doesnt delay the rebuild, said attorney Brandon DeCuir, who represented the Housing Authority.

Public housing: Houma public housing tenants face uncertain future after Hurricane Ida. Some buildings condemned, others likely.

Some tenants argued they should not be evicted because their individual apartments suffered no damage. Those tenants are represented by attorneys Hannah Adams and Salyria Gumms of Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, which provides free legal help for low-income residents in Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption parishes in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

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Senator Circle resident Glenn Picou outside of Houma City Court after the judge ruled to dismiss his eviction case.

Others reached an agreement with the Housing Authority to move out without having an eviction put on their record.

During Wednesday's hearing, Senator Circle resident Glenn Picou said his Senator Circle apartment suffered no damage and provided photos of the interior. After four hours on Picou's case, the Housing Authority dropped its eviction against Picou.

I can go home and relax, Picou said. Im very grateful both to the attorneys and the Housing Authority for doing the right thing.

Housing Authority Executive Director Nikita Gilton was brought up as a witness and said Senator Circle was uninhabitable. She cites the lack of amenities such as office space and laundry rooms and staff layoffs that have hampered maintenance.

We are unable to fulfill our public housing authority responsibilities to all our residents, Gilton said.

However, Gilton said that she did not observe any visual damage to Picous unit.

Interior of Sheryl Wallis's apartment at Senator Circle after Hurricane Ida.

Gilton said while the agency was not able to assist every tenant individually, it has reached out to other parish housing authorities to see if apartments are available for displaced residents of Senator Circle and Bayou Towers.

Other areas in the state also have limited Section 8 housing, Gilton said.

Cases set to resume Jan. 27 include one involving resident Sheryl Wallis, who also is seeking to remain in a Senator Circle apartment she says sustained no damage from Ida.

Its just the same as I moved in, Wallis said at the courthouse Wednesday as she was waiting for her hearing.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Houma public housing tenants displaced by Hurricane Ida get evicted
The Department of Justice logo is seen at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, August 5, 2021 prior to a press conference regarding a civil rights matter.





A former acting inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday pleaded guilty to several charges in connection to stealing government software and databases in a scheme to create and sell a case management system to government agencies later on, the Justice Department announced on Friday.

Former acting DHS Inspector General Charles Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property and theft of government property after he stole software from his former office between at least 2015 and 2017.

Edwards, whom court filings said also previously worked at the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, also stole government databases that included DHS and U.S. Postal Service employee personal information, according to the department's news release.

The former Obama administration official stole the government property "so that his company could develop a commercially-owned version of a case management system to be offered for sale to government agencies," according to the Justice Department.

The news release noted that these crimes happened after he had left the inspector general's office in 2013 and when he was the founder of the Maryland-based Delta Business Solutions Inc.

"Today Mr. Edwards accepted responsibility for having unauthorized possession of the case management system that he himself helped build when he was with the federal government," Courtney Forrest, an attorney for Edwards, said in a statement.

"While he had no intent to harm anyone - in fact he was trying to build a better system for the government - he understands that his possession of the system and the sensitive data within it as a private citizen was inappropriate and sincerely regrets his error in judgment," Forrest continued.

Murali Y. Venkat, who has also been charged in connection to the case, will be charged at a later time but pleaded not guilty to his charges.

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As acting DHS inspector general, Edwards has been the subject of past scrutiny, including a Senate probe regarding allegations at the time of employing his wife and violating anti-nepotism laws, and whistleblower allegations regarding mismanagement and abuse.

The Hill has reached out to the attorney of Venkat for comment.

- Updated at 4:38 p.m.
By Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) - Hackers who launched strikes against Ukrainian government websites appear to have used the software administration rights of a third party company that developed the sites, a top Ukrainian security official told Reuters on Friday.

Serhiy Demedyuk, the deputy secretary of the national security and defence council, said Ukraine was working to establish who obtained such access, whether it was done externally or through an insider.

The comments are the first detailed explanation of how multiple Ukrainian websites were hit by a cyber strike that left a warning to "be afraid and expect the worst", at a time when Russia has amassed troops near Ukraine's borders.

"According to the preliminary conclusions of our experts ... today's attack occurred due to the use by third parties of access to the software administration rights of a company that had an advantage in developing websites for government agencies," Demedyuk said in written comments.

"The specified software has been used since 2016 to create websites for government agencies, most of which became victims of today's incident," said Demedyuk, who used to be the head of Ukraine's cyber police.

He did not name the third party company.

Ukraine said on Friday the cyberattack hit around 70 internet sites of government bodies including the security and defence council https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/expect-worst-ukraine-hit-by-cyberattack-russia-moves-more-troops-2022-01-14.

Demedyuk said his statements were preliminary findings.

"But for the final conclusion, law enforcement agencies need to conduct many examinations of the seized digital evidence, as well as to establish how and who exactly received such privileged administrative access, through outside interference or as a result of the illegal activities of an insider in this company," he said.

Demedyuk did not say who might have been behind the attack, though Ukraine's foreign ministry and its state security service pointed the finger of suspicion towards Russia.

Russia did not comment, but has previously denied being behind cyberattacks, including against Ukraine.

(Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Howard Goller)
By Ernest Scheyder

(Reuters) -A bipartisan piece of legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate on Friday would force defense contractors to stop buying rare earths from China by 2026 and use the Pentagon to create a permanent stockpile of the strategic minerals.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, is the latest in a string https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-mining-washington-idCNL1N2PD2DD of U.S. legislation seeking to thwart China's near control over the sector.

It essentially uses the Pentagon's purchase https://www.reuters.com/world/us/bidens-defense-budget-gives-troops-27-raise-2021-05-28 of billions of dollars worth of fighter jets, missiles and other weapons as leverage to require contractors to stop relying on China and, by extension, support the revival of U.S. rare earths production.

Rare earths are a group of 17 metals that, after processing, are used to make magnets found in electric vehicles, weaponry and electronics. While the United States created the industry in World War Two and U.S. military scientists developed the most widely-used type of rare earth magnet, China has slowly grown to control https://www.reuters.com/business/general-motors-sets-rare-earth-magnet-supply-deals-with-two-us-suppliers-2021-12-09 the entire sector the past 30 years.

The United States has only one rare earths mine https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-rareearths-insight/american-quandary-how-to-secure-weapons-grade-minerals-without-china-idUSKCN2241KF and has no capability to process rare earth minerals.

"Ending American dependence on China for rare earths extraction and processing is critical to building up the U.S. defense and technology sectors," Cotton told Reuters.

The senator, who sits on the Senate's Armed Forces and Intelligence committees, described China's evolution into the global rare earths leader as "simply a policy choice that the United States made," adding that he hoped fresh policies would loosen Beijing's grip.

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Known as the Restoring Essential Energy and Security Holdings Onshore for Rare Earths Act of 2022, the bill would codify and make permanent the Pentagon's ongoing stockpiling https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-rareearths-magnets-exclusive/exclusive-pentagon-to-stockpile-rare-earth-magnets-for-missiles-fighter-jets-idUSKBN1YO0G7 of the materials. China temporarily blocked rare earth exports to Japan in 2010 and has issued vague threats https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-rareearth/china-ready-to-hit-back-at-u-s-with-rare-earths-newspapers-idUSKCN1SZ07V it could do the same to the United States.

To build that reserve, though, the Pentagon buys supply in part from China, a paradox that Senate staffers hope will abate in time.

The rare earths production process can be highly pollutive, part of the reason why it grew unpopular in the United States. Ongoing research is attempting to make the process cleaner.

Cotton said he has talked to various U.S. executive agencies about the bill, but declined to say if he had talked with President Joe Biden or the White House.

"This is an area in which Congress will lead, because many members have been concerned about this very topic, regardless of party," he said.

ENCOURAGE DOMESTIC OUTPUT

Most members of the nascent https://www.reuters.com/business/us-needs-more-mines-boost-rare-earths-supply-chain-pentagon-says-2021-10-19 U.S. rare earths sector praised the bill, though some worried defense contractors could continue to ask for waivers to buy Chinese rare earths even after 2026.

The Aerospace Industries Association, a trade group for Northrop Grumman Corp, Lockheed Martin Corp and other U.S. aerospace and defense companies, declined to comment on the bill.

"Well placed policies such as this one get us closer to the target of onshoring this critical supply chain," said Marty Weems, North American president of Australia-based American Rare Earths Ltd, which is developing three U.S. rare earth projects.

MP Materials Corp , which operates the only U.S. rare earths mine and relies on Chinese processors, said it appreciates "ongoing efforts by the Department of Defense and broader U.S. government to secure the domestic rare earth supply chain and promote free and fair competition."

The bill, which the sponsors expect could be folded into Pentagon funding legislation later this year, offers no direct support for U.S. rare earths miners or processors.

Instead, it requires Pentagon contractors to stop using Chinese rare earths within four years, allowing waivers only in rare situations. Defense contractors would be required to immediately say where they source the minerals.

Those requirements "should encourage more domestic (rare earths) development in our country," Cotton said.

The Pentagon https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-rareearths-pentagon-exclusive/exclusive-pentagon-races-to-track-u-s-rare-earths-output-amid-china-trade-dispute-idUSKCN1U727N has in the past two years given grants https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-rareearths/pentagon-awards-13-million-in-rare-earths-funding-to-u-s-projects-idINKBN27Y2F0 to companies trying to resume U.S. rare earth processing and magnet production, including MP Materials, Australia's Lynas Rare Earth Ltd, TDA Magnetics Inc and Urban Mining Co.

Kelly, a former astronaut and a member of the Senate's Armed Services and Energy committees, said the bill should "strengthen America's position as a global leader in technology by reducing our country's reliance on adversaries like China for rare earth elements."

The bill only applies to weapons, not other equipment the U.S. military purchases.

Additionally, the U.S. trade representative would be required to investigate whether China is distorting the rare earths market and recommend whether trade sanctions are needed.

When asked if such a step could be seen as antagonistic by Beijing, Cotton said: "I don't think the answer to Chinese aggression or Chinese threats is to continue to subject ourselves to Chinese threats."

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; additional reporting by Mike Stone; editing by Amran Abocar, Richard Pullin and Marguerita Choy)
BEIJING (AP)  China gave strong verbal backing to Kazakhstans leader for his deadly crackdown to quell violent unrest, but stood aside as Russia sent in special forces troops.

Resource-rich Kazakhstan, on China's western border, has economic and strategic importance for Beijing and is an important link in its Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative to expand its global trade and political influence in rivalry with the U.S. and its allies.

China's response to the crisis underscores how it prefers to influence outcomes with verbal assurances and offers of assistance, without committing troops.

The growing closeness between Russia and China means we can expect more rhetorical support for Moscows overseas ventures, particularly when they go up against Western geostrategic aims," said Rana Mitter, an Oxford University China expert.

However, China remains extremely reluctant to deploy People's Liberation Army troops outside its own territory, except in areas such as U.N. peacekeeping operations, as it would contradict its constant statements that unlike the U.S., China does not intervene in other countries conflicts," Mitter said.

___

WHAT ARE CHINA'S GOALS IN CENTRAL ASIA?

Since the demise of the Soviet Union, China has steadily expanded its economic and political influence in a region that Russia considers its own backyard. As the largest and by far the wealthiest Central Asian state, Kazakhstan is key, acting as the buckle in China's Belt and Road initiative, and its authoritarian politics act as a bulwark against democratic movements in Ukraine and elsewhere that China derides as Western-engineered color revolutions."

China's ruling Communist Party, which violently repressed its own pro-democracy challenge in 1989, views such movements, whether in Georgia or Hong Kong, as a threat to its own stability. In a message to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev amid the unrest, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said his country would "resolutely oppose external forces deliberately creating turmoil and instigating a color revolution in Kazakhstan.

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China's position dovetails with its strident opposition to outside criticism of its policies, whether its human rights record or its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, as meddling in its internal affairs.

China's influence in Central Asia still has limits, however, and Kazakhstan may feel uneasy about inviting in Chinese troops, given China's harsh treatment of ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslim minorities within its borders, said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the University of Londons School of Oriental and African Studies.

An important element of Chinas foreign policy under Xi is to make the world safe for authoritarian states and stop color revolutions from spreading," Tsang said.

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WHEN DOES CHINA INTERVENE?

China frequently vows retaliation for any criticism of its policies, especially when the offenders are the U.S. and its allies. It is far friendlier with autocrats, pledging non-interference and cooperation with whomever is in power, regardless of their records on human rights and corruption.

That's evidenced in its dealings with regimes that others criticize, from Myanmars military leaders to Hungarys Viktor Orban. While not recognizing the Taliban, it is hedging its bets in Afghanistan by working with the country's current rulers, despite their espousal of the form of radical Islam that Beijing has sought to keep from infiltrating its restive, largely Muslim region of Xinjiang, which shares a narrow border with Afghanistan and a much larger one with Kazakhstan.

China generally reserves action, military and otherwise, for cases in which its own security is perceived as threatened, as in the 1950-53 Korean War, or more recently, in violent incidents along its disputed border with India, and especially with Taiwan, which China threatens to invade if it doesn't agree to unite. Beijing responded with ruthless trade and diplomatic retaliation against Lithuania when the tiny Baltic nation broke with diplomatic convention by allowing Taiwan to open a representative office in Vilnius under the name Taiwan" instead of Chinese Taipei.

___

HOW DOES CHINA VIEW MILITARY ALLIANCES?

Troops, mostly from Russia, were deployed to Kazakhstan last week by the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a grouping of six former Soviet states, at the presidents request amid unprecedented violence. China officially eschews such security alliances, although The Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which Beijing dominates along with Moscow, has a security component, currently limited to joint training and other non-combat missions.

Unlike the CSTO, there is no agreement about sending troops from member countries of the SCO," Chinese international security expert Li Wei said. In addition, China sticks to the fundamental principle of not using force in other countries."

U.N. Peacekeeping Operations remain the rare exception, and China is quick to point out that it is the largest contributor of forces to such missions among the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

Given the growing might of Chinas military, some experts expect Beijing to become more amenable to military interventions in the future. Oxfords Mitter also points to a growing grey zone of Chinese private security enterprises that can be used to protect Chinese interests without any formal government intervention.
As former President Donald Trump prepares for a visit to Arizona, there has been renewed scrutiny of fake electoral vote certificates sent by Trump supporters in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

Trump was originally set to hold a press conference on the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, but said he would instead address the election and the riot at the Jan. 15 rally in Florence, Ariz. Trump has continued to baselessly claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him, with some prominent Arizona Republicans pushing the same conspiracy theory.

While Republican Gov. Doug Ducey certified the election with Joe Biden as its winner in December 2020, other members of the party, including Kelli Ward, chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party, pushed a fake electoral certificate stating that Trump had won the state. The document was sent to the National Archives, which processes Electoral College certificates before sending them on to Congress.

Kelli Ward, chairwoman of the Arizona Republican Party, at the Maricopa County Elections Department on Nov. 18, 2020, in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)

The Arizona GOPs official social media accounts promoted its false document and those of other states with a tweeted video captioned The signing on Dec. 14 and a YouTube video posted the following day in which Ward said that the true electors for the presidency had met the previous day to cast their votes.

Congress is adjourned, Ward tweeted a few weeks later as pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 in an attempt to block certification of the election. Send the elector choice back to the legislatures.

In addition to Arizona, fake electoral certificates were sent by Trump supporters in Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The certificates were published by the watchdog group American Oversight last March, and began circulating again this week after reporting from MSNBC and Politico, as the House committee looking into the events of Jan. 6 continues its investigation into how much state-level efforts to subvert the election were coordinated.

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One of the 11 Republicans who signed the Arizona document was Jake Hoffman, who had just won a state legislature race. While Hoffman was running for the seat in 2020, he was banned from Twitter and the marketing firm he ran was banned from Facebook for participating in what was referred to as a pro-Trump troll farm where teenagers posted in favor of Trump and promoted conspiracy theories about the election and the coronavirus. The effort was reportedly affiliated with Turning Point USA, a major conservative youth organization based in Arizona.

The certification of Electoral College votes for the state of Arizona is unsealed during a joint session of the House and Senate at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

With the documents receiving renewed scrutiny this week, Arizona NBC affiliate KPNX asked Hoffman about signing Arizonas on Wednesday.

So in unprecedented times, unprecedented action is ... there is no case law, there is no precedent that exists as to whether or not an election that is currently being litigated in the courts has due standing, Hoffman said. Which is why we felt it appropriate to provide Congress and the vice president with dueling opinions.

A second group, identifying itself as The Sovereign Citizens of the Great State of Arizona, also sent a slate of fake electoral votes to the National Archives, prompting a cease-and-desist letter from the office of Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs for its use of the official Arizona seal.

Arizona has been ground zero for election-related conspiracies, with a partisan audit of the vote in populous Maricopa County dividing Republicans in the state. At an October hearing in the U.S. House on the much-maligned Maricopa ballot inquiry, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., refused to say Biden won the election.

Rep. Andy Biggs at a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on Oct. 7, 2021. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)

The belief that Biden is not a legitimate president is now mainstream among most Republicans, as a Yahoo News/YouGov poll released last week found that a vast majority of Trump voters (75 percent) falsely believe the election was rigged and stolen, while just 9 percent of them think Biden won fair and square  down from 13 percent last January.

Trump has endorsed candidates for the states top offices that have said the 2020 election wasnt legitimate, including former television journalist Kari Lake for governor, who has said she wouldnt have certified the 2020 election results. He has also thrown his support behind state legislator Mark Finchem  who attended the Jan. 6 rally at the Capitol  for Arizona secretary of state. Finchem has consistently pushed the notion that the election was stolen from Trump while supporting the Maricopa audit.

The Maricopa County 2020 election cannot be allowed to stand. It must be decertified and set aside, Finchem said at a Trump rally in Iowa in October.

Ward, Lake, Finchem and Biggs are all set to speak at Trumps rally on Saturday.
When Dave Fowler finally woke up from his chemical restraint, doctors at Williamson Medical Center strapped him to his hospital bed for safety.

It was an uncomfortable respite from the chaos that launched our family into the New Year. My grandfathers declining mental state is a warehouse of horrors familiar to so many families living through dementia.

Some of us pass away quietly in our sleep after long, fruitful lives. Until recently, I hadnt considered that to be such a significant blessing.

I honestly hadnt thought about death much at all. After my wife gave birth to our three sons, my family has been off to the races.

Between work, school, sports, and church, our lives are full. As Christians, weve learned about and discussed death in the context of eternity, but its more focused on heaven than it is leaving Earth.

This is a sting which has yet to abate

Oh, death where is thy sting? the Apostle Paul rhetorically asks in his first letter to the Corinthians. If Im honest, my family found it in Papa Daves dying mind.

Dave Fowler, grandfather of Tennessean columnist Cameron Smith, is living with dementia. This is a recent photo.

No, Im not minimizing Gods gift of eternal salvation, but I wasnt prepared for dementias trauma.

We mark death when our physical bodies cease to function, but my grandfather has all but disappeared even as his body soldiers on. For a while, we saw flashes of him, clear moments in the haze. Those have vanished.

For Papa Dave, death hasnt been a moment, but rather a slow, increasingly chaotic, spiral. That is a sting which has yet to abate.

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The decline happened over a decade. My family didnt understand. As a true Southern matriarch, my grandmother hid much of it from my family to avoid burdening us. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the damage.

By the time we realized what was happening, Papa Dave became aggressive and frustrated as his recognition of the world around him shattered into millions of pieces without any coherence.

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More: How Tennessee can assist caregivers and how they can help themselves | Opinion

Where is help for elders who cannot stay docile or calm?

I never realized the importance of our own life stories until I witnessed my grandfather lose his. As I walked him around the memory care unit where he was most recently housed, he said, Tell them Im good for it.

Dave Fowler with Ketner Smith, the middle child of columnist Cameron Smith. This photo was taken five years ago.

Was it a gambling marker? Maybe some kind of debt? It could have even been a line from a movie. I had questions knowing the answers wouldnt come.

On New Years Day, the facility where he was staying asked my family to move him out immediately. After some mistakes with his medication, hed become agitated. He frightened the staff and tried to wrestle a Dr. Pepper away from one of the attendants.

There are plenty of places for demented elders to go if theyre docile and calm. When they get angry and aggressive, subjective protocols dictate they must move along. Unfortunately, nobody explained where my grandfather should go on a holiday weekend with a few hours notice.

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Our family is not alone, nor is yours

The hospital was the only option. The disruption left him so confused and angry that the restraints were necessary as doctors worked out his medication.

Cameron Smith, columnist for The Tennessean and the USA TODAY Network Tennessee

Thats rough for a man who will still walk several miles every day. When he had his wits about him, it was how hed think through lifes challenges. In his current state, its about all he knows to do.

Lets go! is his common refrain. Hes now moved on to a psychiatric hospital where he continually paces in search of answers just out of reach.

My family continues to walk with him. We dont have many options. We cant safely care for him ourselves. Finding a place that matches his needs is like finding a needle in a haystack. Sedating him for the rest of his days is cruel, but so is watching him wander like a ghost in the night.

Im sharing our experience so other families facing similar straits know theyre not alone. The likelihood of dementia increases with age. It impacts roughly 5% of those aged 7179 years, and it increases to 37.4% in those aged 90 and older.

More: My father's peaceful death inspired my dedication to palliative and hospice care | opinion

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My heart breaks for those watching loved ones disappear

As common as dementia is, we too often discuss it in hushed tones. Those experiencing it often cant express themselves, and their families are too busy trying to figure out what to do.

We must check on our elders and not settle for the obligatory, Were doing just fine. No parent wants their children forced to care for them. Those positive intentions comingled with pride make situations far worse than they ought to be.

If thoughts and experiences arent connecting like they used to, ask for help. Honest conversations make dementia so much easier to address, especially when detected early. Legal, medical, and other planning decisions are less stressful while our loved ones still have the capacity to make them.

Many of us are caring for family in ways we never imagined. Deaths temporary sting is lasting far longer than expected.

I wouldnt wish Papa Daves fate on anyone, and my heart breaks for those watching loved ones disappear. What matters most is what we do far before that ever happens. Love well, forgive generously, and never take the people in this beautifully brief life for granted.

Columnist Cameron Smith is a Memphis-born, Brentwood-raised recovering political attorney raising three boys in Nolensville, Tennessee, with his particularly patient wife, Justine. Direct outrage or agreement to smith.david.cameron@gmail.com or @DCameronSmith on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dementia: We must check on our elders and not ignore the signs
Los Angeles police officers bow their heads in prayer Wednesday outside the Olympic station to honor Officer Fernando Arroyos, who was shot and killed during an armed robbery Monday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Federal prosecutors charged four people Thursday in the fatal shooting of an off-duty Los Angeles police officer, alleging they are members and an associate of a street gang who killed the officer while trying to rob him.

Jesse Contreras, 34; Ernesto Cisneros, 22; Luis Alfredo de la Rosa Rios, 27, and Haylee Marie Grisham, 18, are charged with murdering Officer Fernando Arroyos in a violent crime in aid of racketeering for the Florencia 13 gang. Prosecutors allege that all three men are members of the gang and that Grisham, Rios' girlfriend, is an associate. The complaint alleges the four defendants committed the robbery and murder to increase and maintain position within the multigenerational street gang.

If convicted of the federal charges  unusual for a local homicide case  the defendants would be subject to the death penalty because they are accused of murder in the commission of a robbery, the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement. They are expected to be transferred to federal custody Friday morning and appear in court later in the day.

"I am grateful for the federal involvement in this case," L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore said at a Thursday night news conference about the arrests. "It is appropriate. I am thankful for the U.S. attorney stepping in and bringing the full weight of the government against this gang, against these individuals."

The charges come three days after Arroyos, 27, and his girlfriend were attacked while parked in an alley in the unincorporated Florence-Firestone neighborhood near Watts. The couple were house hunting and had stopped to take pictures of a place that was for sale when two of the men pulled up in a pickup and approached them, authorities said.

According to a sworn affidavit from an FBI agent, Rios told L.A. County sheriff's investigators in an interview that all four of them were in the truck the night of the robbery: He was driving, Grisham was in the passenger seat, and Cisneros and Contreras were behind them, when they spotted Arroyos and his girlfriend.

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Surveillance video of the attack shows Rios and Cisneros pointing guns at the couple, according to the affidavit, which also says they took a chain off the officer's neck and a black walking stick from his girlfriend.

After an exchange of gunfire between the two suspects and the officer, Arroyos ran toward the alley and collapsed, according to the affidavit by FBI Special Agent Seamus Kane. It does not say who fired first.

Arroyos' girlfriend returned to the car and tried to pull him inside, calling 911, police said.

The assailants fled. When Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies arrived, they raced the wounded officer in their patrol car to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

A second video suggests that Cisneros was injured by Arroyos' gunfire. Surveillance video from Junction Street shows Contreras lifting Cisneros, who appears to be injured, out of the black pickup and removing items of clothing from him. Contreras appears to hide the clothing at the side of a house, according to the affidavit.

Rios told L.A. County sheriff's investigators in an interview that the group was driving around looking to "make money"  a term for robberies  when they came upon the couple, according to the affidavit.

He told investigators that his moniker is "Lil J" and that he is a member of F13, as Florencia 13 is known, and he showed deputies a Florencia 13 tattoo on his chest and a tattoo on his arm with his clique, "Tiny Locos," according to the affidavit. Similarly, Cisneros said his moniker is "Gonzo" and displayed several tattoos for the gang, as did Contreras, who said he had not been active since having children.

Rios admitted to firing a handgun during the robbery and believed Cisneros discharged a weapon too. Waiving his rights, he told investigators that he searched the girlfriend, taking her walking stick, and that Cisneros had removed Arroyos' wallet from his pants pocket.

Rios admitted he discarded a white hoodie after it became bloody when a bullet grazed his left rib cage, according to the affidavit. He also said that Cisneros handed him Arroyos' wallet and that he threw it away in the aftermath after taking $100.

Contreras told investigators that chains Arroyos was wearing around his neck led them to rob the couple, but he did not admit to the shooting, according to the affidavit.

Grisham allegedly told investigators that Rios said, "He has a nice chain, let's get it." She said that she saw Cisneros point a gun at the man and tell him, "Give him his chains," and that she saw Rios, who was armed, search the woman. She then heard several shots, according to the affidavit, and when Cisneros got back in the truck he had an injury and said "he had a broken leg."

Sheriff's Capt. Joe Mendoza of the department's Homicide Bureau said the suspects stole two silver chains, one with a sword pendant, and a black, bifold wallet.

About 10 minutes after the shooting, deputies at the Century station got a call reporting a shooting victim near Junction Street and East 60th Street, Mendoza said. That person was later identified as Cisneros.

An address nearby was tied to one of the suspects, the captain said, adding that the four are believed to be responsible for other robberies in the area.

In the hours after the killing, sheriff's homicide detectives, with assistance from their counterparts in the LAPD, questioned several men and women they believed had information about the killing, sources said. On Wednesday morning, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced four men had been arrested in connection to the killing, but he declined to name them or provide more details.

The investigators, according to the affidavit, placed someone working with law enforcement in cells with the suspects to extract information about their crimes and gang connections.

Arroyos was a talented student who attended Crenshaw High School and went on to graduate from UC Berkeley, and he had been saving for a home during his three years as an LAPD officer, his mother said after his killing.

He died in a neighborhood that has experienced a sharp rise in violent crime over the last two years, part of a broader increase in killings and shootings throughout the city and county. Florence-Firestone has been among the neighborhoods hit hardest. According to county coroner data, there were 24 homicides in the neighborhood in the first 11 months of 2021, compared with nine during the same period in 2020 and 12 in 2019. Last year's killings were the highest in a decade.

Sheriff's officials have tied much of the bloodshed in the area to the Florencia 13 gang.

Investigators at the scene in Florence-Firestone where an off-duty LAPD officer was killed Monday night. (Al Seib / For The Times)

In 2019, federal prosecutors indicted 36 alleged members and associates of the gang, charging them with engaging in a criminal enterprise, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, attempted murder and assault.

Typically, police would take a case such as this to prosecutors in the district attorney's office, who would file charges in county Superior Court. But Villanueva, an outspoken critic of Dist. Atty. George Gascon's decision to no longer pursue sentencing enhancements in gang cases, directed detectives to take the case to the U.S. attorney's office, several sources said. Those enhancements in a murder case can mean the difference between a life term with the prospect of release and never again coming out from behind bars.

Asked at the Thursday night news conference whether the Sheriff's Department had consulted with Gascon's office, Villanueva said yes and called the county prosecutors' response "not satisfactory."

"I believe their plan was to just prosecute a simple murder with no gun enhancements, no gang enhancements, nothing," the sheriff said. "And that really did not cover the depravity of this crime. It should be noted that the California penal code does cover all these things. The tools are there but we need to have someone whos willing to use them."

Murder in California generally is punishable by 25 years to life in prison. However, with a special circumstance  such as gang membership or murder in the commission of another crime  a defendant can be sentenced to life without parole.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti eulogized Arroyos on Thursday while announcing crime statistics.

"An angel in our city, Officer Fernando Arroyos, was shot and killed defending himself and his girlfriend when they were off duty, house hunting for their first home," he said. "Fernando grew up in L.A., graduated from Crenshaw High School. I remember him from his graduation, he dreamt of becoming a police officer, attended a top university, UC Berkeley. And now his family. His mother, also an immigrant to our country, no longer has her only son."

"My heart is broken. Our city's heart is broken. And certainly our LAPD family's hearts all grieve," Garcetti said earlier this week.

LAPD Lt. Rex Ingram, who supervised Arroyos and spoke with him often at Olympic Division, said Arroyos had two dreams in life: to be first in his family to go to college and to be an LAPD officer. He more than achieved that, Ingram said.

"The first time I read one of his reports I knew his writing skills were far superior to his peers and, frankly, some ways above the ability of his superiors," Ingram said. "So, I asked him where he went to school, and he, being humble, says 'LAUSD.' And I reply, 'Which college?' and he says, 'Cal Berkeley.'"

Arroyos was a devout Christian who grew up in a household with his mother, grandmother and stepfather, attended 42nd Street Elementary School and Audubon Middle School before graduating from Crenshaw High and heading to Berkeley, where he earned a degree in legal studies, Ingram said.

"He could have gone to law school or FBI like his peers with that education, but he wanted to serve his community and give back," Ingram said. "He loved his community. He was very close to his family."

Ingram said Arroyos met his girlfriend at a dry cleaning business in southwest L.A. about two years ago.

"They were looking to get a home in the area," Ingram said. "This was the humblest and happiest guy I know on the job. This couldn't happen to a nicer person."

Mendoza said the Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in finding Arroyos' wallet and two silver chains.

Anyone with information about Arroyos' shooting or other robberies involving the suspects is asked to call the department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

"I will tell you that those two chains and a wallet mean, I'm sure, the world to the family," Moore said. "I'd ask that the most important thing is that people listen to the description of that wallet and those two chains."

Times staff writer Gregory Yee contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Amid a school-shuttering surge in COVID-19 cases, Kentucky's largest district may relax its quarantine guidelines for students and staff.

Jefferson County Public Schools will hold a special school board meeting Tuesday to discuss and vote on potential changes to its COVID-19 strategy.

State health officials said earlier this week districts with universal mask policies, like JCPS, can shorten quarantines and end them altogether for in-school exposures. Schools with universal masking could also stop contact tracing after in-school exposures.

Related: Kentucky lawmakers give green light for more remote learning

Documents provided ahead of Tuesday's board meeting signal that, if the changes are approved, students and staff who are exposed to COVID-19 at school would no longer need to quarantine if they're asymptomatic.

Students and staff would still need to quarantine if exposed outside of school, but those who are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination would not need to quarantine in those situations.

Schools will continue to alert families about positives cases in the school, but will not contact trace for potential exposures, a district spokesman clarified.

The potential change comes as JCPS weighs whether or not to reopen classrooms to in-person instruction after high numbers of staff cases and quarantines and a lack of substitutes drove classes online.

COVID guidelines: Did you test positive for COVID-19? What to know about CDC's quarantine guidelines

District leaders are expected to announce Monday if classes will continue to be virtual next week.

Hours after the state guidance came out, neighboring Oldham County Schools announced it would bring back its mask mandate for two weeks and follow the new quarantine policies.

This story will be updated.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: JCPS to consider shortening COVID quarantines for students, staff
Black Joke Engaging The Spanish Slave Brig El Almirante, 1 February 1829, 1830

A painting of the Black Joke engaging the Spanish slave brig, El Almirante, in the Bay of Benin in 1829. Credit - Edward Duncan/The Print Collector/Getty Images

By the time Henry Downes took command of the Black Joke, the ship had only been on the waters under that name for just a year. A former slave ship itself, the Black Joke was captured in 1827 by the British Royal Navys West Africa Squadron, its incredible speed repurposed for chasing down and capturing slave traders as they attempted to make their way to the Americas.

For five months, Downes, had been on watch for just one shipthe notorious slaver El Almirante, reputed to be back off the coast of Western Africa and known to have already illegally transported thousands of the enslaved to the Americas in its sordid career. In mid-January 1829, the Black Joke, while patrolling near Lagos, came across what appeared to be several Brazilian slavers embarking Africans. Standing o the coast so as not to spook them, rumor reached Downes that one ship was a fancy, familiar Spanish brig nearly ready to set sailafter the waiting and unproductive cruising, El Almirante had, all unexpected, made its appearance.

On the water, rumors traveled both ways; just as Downes had heard that this was the brig he sought, El Almirante had, in turn, been warned of the appearance of Black Joke. Damaso Forgannes, the recently promoted captain of El Almirante, could not have been less concerned about the prospect of capture. Reputed to have laughed upon hearing the news, Forgannes scoffed publicly at the ludicrous notion of the Black Joke capturing his vessel, continuing to openly purchase enslaved people. The reaction wasnt entirely unreasonableEl Almirante was an inordinately expensive ship, even for a slaver, purpose-built and equipped with every advance in design its (undoubtedly American) shipwrights could conceive. If making a break for open water was not an option, the slaver crewed upward of 80 men and carried 14 powerful guns.

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There was no question that the two-gunned Black Joke, with a crew of 47 plus a temporary supplement of eight men from another Squadron ship, was hugely outpowered in just about every measure. Downes, as undeterred as his opposite number on the slaver, set the Black Joke just out of sight of the harbor, periodically sending boats to check on the progress of the Spanish brig and make sure it continued to load human cargo, since the presence of the enslaved would be the vital evidence against El Almirante that might ultimately condemn it.

Continuing to gather information soon proved worthwhile, especially when a crew member reported back to the Black Joke with the slavers destination. Having thus discovered El Almirantes next port, Downes spent every idle hour calculating the best way to get to the Antilles, moving to a position that hopefully anticipated the correct course. Black Joke was as prepared as it could be. Now, truly, all they could do was wait. Then, on Jan. 31, a fancy Spanish brig appeared with first light. Primed as the crew aboard the Black Joke must have been, they immediately crowded on all sail and, catching a scant breeze, gave chase . . . but the delays werent over. In the vital moment, after five months of searching and two weeks of waiting, the wind died. Becalmed, yet undeterred, the crew set to rowing. Nine hours and 30 grueling miles later, they caught the slaver at sunset, who met the Black Jokes arrival by immediately ring on it.

Read more: How the Origins of Epidemiology Are Linked to the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Everything about catching the Spanish brig had been difficult, and Forgannes had no intention of bucking that trend. Throughout the night, El Almirante repeatedly attempted to close on its would-be captor, ring broadside after broadside. The tenders bulwarks were not equipped to protect its crew from the slave traders heavy armament, so still mostly becalmed, Downes ordered the exhausted crew back to oars. For the rest of the night, far from taking the break theyd richly earned, the Black Joke evaded the slaver by means of paddling rather than tacking sails, always just out of reach of El Almirantes guns. The move was clever, effective and utterly exhausting. By dawn on Feb. 1, both ships were much as they had been the evening before, still becalmed less than a mile and a half from each other, and with the arrival of the sun, the fighting temporarily ceased. Clearly everyone was prepared for the coming battle, but for the duration of the hot, still morning, both crews could do little else but rest.

Just past noon, the breeze returned. Rather than run, Forgannes moved toward the Black Joke, still certain of victory. Downes, altering his position, wasnt intimidated. As soon as the Black Joke was within range of grapeshot to the aft of the slaver, Forgannes tried for another broadside. Mortal peril notwithstanding, the crew of the Black Joke had been waiting for this moment for months, and they responded with three cheers and two double-shotted cannons aimed directly at the slave traders deck. For 45 minutes the Black Joke held, but when it came to guns, nothing had changedEl Almirante had too many of them. Rather than continue when they were so clearly outmatched, and with the slaver again closing in, Downes switched tactics entirely and gave the order to bring the Black Joke alongside and prepare to board. But suddenly, in what must have been an annoyingly familiar turn of events, the wind died. Again.

This shift in conditions allowed Forgannes to get o a shot that could well have been deadly for everyone aboard the Black Joke had it been better aimed. A light wind 15 minutes later allowed El Almirante, buoyed by the near miss and even more condent in success, to once again take the offensive and move in for another attack. The breeze wasnt much, but it was enough to give the more maneuverable ship the advantage, and Downes knew exactly which ship that was. In that moment, Downes asked every bit of skill from his crew and everything of Black Jokeand both delivered.

The Black Joke successfully attained El Almirantes leeward quarter, and from there it gave the slaver all it could handle and then some. For 20 minutes, without pause or respite, the tender raked the quarter and stern of the slaver, and the Black Joke did not missseeing the damage subsequently, the Squadrons Commodore declared that he had never in his life witnessed a more beautiful specimen of good gunnery. The repeated attack to just one section of the slave trader created a serious risk of structural damage that, if continued, might well have rendered the ship permanently unseaworthy. Realizing this, El Almirante at last struck its colors and surrendered.

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When the Black Jokes crew finally boarded, they discovered that, regrettably, 11 enslaved people had been killed in the prolonged action. Among the slavers crew, 15 were killed, including Forgannes, and every officer but the third mate and 13 wounded. Black Joke had fared better, but had six wounded, two of whom would eventually succumb to their injuries. Both ships rigging had taken extensive damage, though El Almirante had the worst of it. The Black Joke had at least one Black, non-Kru seaman, a free African named Joseph Francis, whod been determined to strike a personal blow against the infamous slaver. During the battle, hed got 12 feet of chain into one of the ships guns as it was being loaded; when it was red, the starboard main shrouds of the slaver were cut o [. . .] as if by the single blow of an axe.

Even with the damage, El Almirante was still a valuable prize, but there was more. One of the Black Jokes officers, upon searching the slaver, discovered a large cache of gold doubloons; the capture ultimately cost the slavers owners roughly 35,000 dollars. Of arguably more importanceat least to the Squadronwas the additional discovery of cryptic letters in cipher. Less than a week later, Sybille, the Squadrons flagship, would capture the slaver Uniao, which, during the chase, had been seen tossing papers. When Sybille recovered the letters, they, in conjunction with those found on El Almirante, divulged the nature and location of secret slave trade routes to Havana, then one of the worlds busiest slaving ports. They also warned other slavers that the West Africa Squadron had become an effective force, and only fast, well-armed ships could have a chance of escape. Rumors would continue to spreadthe Black Joke was more than just another WAS ship to avoid. It was the ship to avoid.

The Black Joke would sail for three more years before being burned in 1832. Once a home to heinous suffering, and despite a tenure complicated by dubious diplomacy, pirates, revolt, pandemic, mysterious disappearances, and disasters both natural and man-made, the Black Joke had become the scourge of enslavers and the symbol of a squadron, proof that the suppression of the slave trade wasnt an impossible mission.

This is not, however, yet another narrative in which Britain mostly saves the day. The history of the Black Joke (and certainly that of the Royal Navy) resists such simplistic assessment. Far from a story of unmitigated White Saviorism, this complex history has few uncomplicated heroes, even when writ as small as a single ship in a much-larger landscape. The slave trade, its laggardly, stutter-step demisethe choices made then have filtered into every facet of our modern world, and the Black Jokes cruise is still in the food we eat and clothes we wear, in our borders and economies, in how historical legacies of racialized violence, colonialism and exploitation are perceived and remembered. The repercussions of the transatlantic slave trade surround us, still, and regardless of which side of the Atlantic we live on, we can feel the reverberations of centuries of industrialized human trafficking and the turbulent decades encompassing the fight to stop it. Escaping the slave trade was difficult; escaping its legacy has proved impossible.

A.E. Rooks is a two-time Jeopardy! champion with completed degrees in theatre, law, and library and information science, and forthcoming degrees in education and human sexuality. Her new book THE BLACK JOKE: The True Story of One Ships Battle Against the Slave Trade will be released from Scribner on Jan. 18.
By all measures the coronavirus pandemic continues to take a massive toll, burdening individuals and straining the health care system.

But the state has fared better than many for much  though not all  of the pandemic when it comes to severe disease and lives lost, data and analysis shows.

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Infections remain high, with 9,986 new cases reported Friday, and many more people are expected to test positive for COVID-19 because of the highly contagious omicron variant in the very near future. But data and projections suggest cases may have peaked and the worst from the pandemic may pass just a bit faster in the state than elsewhere.

Soon the state will see an exponential decline in cases, to be followed by a decline in hospitalizations, said Eili Klein, associate professor in the department of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins University. But, that leaves a lot of people in the hospital. We still need to do what we can to limit the spread, because we want that number to come down as fast as possible.

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[ How are Maryland COVID cases, vaccinations and other metrics trending? Here are the latest numbers. [GRAPHICS] ]

Klein said there are certain areas of the state, such as its eastern and western regions, that wont peak at the same time as the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metropolitan areas  meaning they will face prolonged hospital crises. People there also are less likely to be vaccinated, he said.

Maryland generally is still feeling the effects from a surge in early December of COVID-19 cases tied to the delta variant, a more virulent strain of the coronavirus than the now dominating omicron variant.

From September to January, the state had a far lower death rate than surrounding states, he said. That changed in the last two weeks as the surge of delta cases translated into more hospitalizations and deaths. They typically lag infections by weeks.

On Friday, the state added 69 additional deaths to Marylands count of COVID-19 fatalities.

Klein said as the omicron variant takes over, Marylands metrics should peak soon and earlier than its neighbors.

Thats what models show at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, an independent health research center at the University of Washington.

They show Marylands cases already peaked at the start of the month, about five days ahead of the nations peak. Hospitalizations should peak in the next week in the state and deaths should follow just after, also just ahead of the country, the models predict.

They are going to peak and come down as fast as they went up, said Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the institute.

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[ 2021 COVID metrics: What the data shows us about the pandemic in Maryland last year ]

Mokdad said most people still will be infected eventually, and the biggest concern should be mitigating the serious cases. That means efforts should focus on vaccinations and booster shots that can prevent people from needing hospitalization.

Mokdad said front-line medical institutions need attention and support so they can continue to provide care through the remainder of the surge. Also, public health leaders need to prepare for the next wave, with adequate testing and vaccination supplies and upgraded masks.

And government leaders ought to do what they can to ensure the basic functioning of the country by keeping store shelves stocked and other necessities available, he said.

Mokdad expected treatment for coronavirus eventually to be like that for the flu, which requires regular vaccinations for the public and surge capacity in hospitals.

We never shut down for the flu, we dont rush to test ourselves or learn what kind of flu it is, he said. We take a vaccine.  If you are vaccinated you wont likely go to the hospitals. If youre not, youre taking a big risk.

Its important to note who is dying from the omicron variant now, said Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

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Speaking during a virtual media briefing with Dr. Bruce E. Jarrell, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, she said Maryland has done well at getting people vaccinated and protected against COVID-19 compared with other states.

That is in large part due to employer and school-based mandates, she said  though her comments came just ahead of Thursdays ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down a federal mandate that companies with more than 100 employees require vaccinations.

Those now suffering severe disease are largely unvaccinated, or vaccinated but elderly or suffering with weakened immune systems or from major health conditions, Neuzil said. The vaccines help, but just dont work as well for them, she said.

Maryland also has good data reporting compared to other states and countries, though Neuzil added that unless genomic sequencing is done in every case it can be difficult to understand the cause of the latest surge.

Maryland health officials have said they look at the genetic makeup to determine the variant in about 10% of positive cases reported.

On the ground in hospitals, which have reported severe strain on diminished staff, there also may be some reason for optimism.

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Dr. John Chessare, president and CEO of Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson, noted in recorded remarks that many public health researchers believe that omicron has hit its peak and indeed cases are dropping at GBMC.

The hospital was treating 76 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday, down from 88 the week before. A dozen were in the intensive care unit and two people have died in the last week, and neither was immunized, Chessare said.

He said cases have been severely undercounted nationwide because many people have mild or no symptoms or havent reported their positive cases when they take tests at home. But he expects the number to soon begin dropping rapidly, and relief for hospitals will follow.

[ Maryland to give out 20 million N95 and KN95 masks ]

Will there be a new variant that pops up somewhere across the world that is resistant to the vaccine in the United States of America, such that we might get another wave? We dont know that, Chessare said. The best way to stop a new variant is to get everybody immunized.

Data from the Maryland Hospital Association shows the state is still in the throes of the latest surge  and the states hospitalization rate remains above the national rate.

The rate in Maryland passed the national rate one other time, from early March to late May. The rate in Maryland is now close to 58 per 100,000 people versus the national rate of about 44 people per 100,000.

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That puts the states COVID-19 hospitalization rate at 31% above the U.S. average, according to the hospital association.

Bob Atlas, the associations president and CEO, said about 75% to 85% of people hospitalized with COVID in Maryland are unvaccinated or undervaccinated.

He did note there has been a slight decline in cases and the rate of positive cases from testing in the last few days, and one days decline in hospitalizations.

State data shows there were almost 10,600 new cases and 63 deaths reported in Maryland Thursday. Hospitalizations dropped by 34 people to 3,428, still far above the previous pandemic peak in early 2021 of 1,952.

It is much too soon to say that weve reached the peak, Atlas said of hospitalizations. The association cannot speculate about the future. All hospitals still have many more COVID patients than at any time over the course of the pandemic and all energies are being devoted to caring for them and all the other patients needing hospital-level care.

Atlas said Maryland has the 7th highest rate of COVID hospitalization of any state. Neighboring Washington, D.C., ranks 1st, Delaware ranks 2nd and Pennsylvania ranks 6th.

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We continue to urge the public, he said, to get vaccinated and boosted, to wear good masks properly, and to keep spatial distance from others.
A Sussex County nursing home made positive changes, reeducated staff members and met federal compliance within five weeks after being hit with a troubling health inspection report amid an explosive COVID-19 outbreak in April 2020, newly obtained documents show.

The documents acquired by the New Jersey Herald this week from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services show that Woodland Behavioral and Nursing Center, formerly Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation II, also paid civil penalties of $220,235 accrued during a 15-day period when patients were in "immediate danger."

The facility, slapped with the failed infection control report just days after 17 bodies were found by police stacked in a makeshift morgue in the complex, has since remained in compliance, according to a spokesperson for CMS.

The information comes as the facility reports the worst COVID-19 outbreak among all 670 long-term facilities in the state. The numbers at the Mulford Road complex have grown over the weeks, with the state's latest data on Wednesday showing 218 residents and 121 staff members infected. Three residents have died in the latest outbreak.

Ambulance crews are parked outside Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in Andover, N.J., on Thursday April 16, 2020. Police responding to an anonymous tip found more than a dozen bodies Sunday and Monday at the nursing home in northwestern New Jersey, according to news reports. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

The information comes after 5th District Rep. Josh Gottheimer last week sent a letter to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services seeking an update on whether the facility had made steps to reach compliance after the scathing 2020 report. He sought an update within 30 days.

Gottheimer on Thursday said it was "critical" to continue holding the facility accountable, "especially given their track record and the current spike and subpar vaccination rates."

"More than a year removed from their initial findings, the facility owes the public and the families of those impacted their compliance with federal and state care requirements," he added.

Woodland has the lowest vaccination rate among residents and staff among the long-term care facilities in Sussex County. Just 85% of residents are fully vaccinated and 52% are boosted. Among staff, 65% are fully vaccinated but none have received booster shots, state data shows.

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CMS data shows the facility has been inspected for infection control three times since the 2020 incident. In November 2020 and May 2021, no deficiencies were noted. In February 2021, the facility was cited for failing to implement infection control measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 after a physician failed to wear appropriate protective equipment.

Plan of Correction report

Federal surveyors completed their investigation on April 21, 2020, finding several deficiencies including missing temperature logs; lack of documentation of residents' symptoms; broken thermometers; insufficient use of protective equipment; and rooming of COVID-positive patients with those who were asymptomatic.

Woodland was required to submit a "Plan of Correction" within 10 days, which records show it did.

Among the corrective actions taken, nursing staff members were counseled and received reeducation after several incidents that placed residents in harm's way. Nurses were retrained on notification requirements for powers of attorney after a resident died from COVID-19 and the person's sibling, who served as legal guardian, was not notified of their worsening symptoms in the days before their death.

Sussex news: Sussex man had fentanyl in system before fatal Hardyston crash, police charge

Nursing staff involved in failing to accurately assess and report the deteriorating condition of another resident who later died due to COVID-19 were also "reeducated and counseled," the report states.

The staff members were also shown how to complete temperature check logs in a timely manner; how to use thermometers and properly calibrate them before use; and how to complete a COVID-19 symptom assessment, copies of which have been placed in binders throughout the facility.

According to the plan, residents were cohorted into different units as of April 18, 2020, based on their symptoms and COVID-19 test results.

Staff members were reeducated on the use of protective equipment and supervisors are told to observe employees putting the equipment on and removing it during their rounds for on-the-spot reeducation if necessary, the plan says.

Floors were properly mopped and cleaned, workers were told how to properly store linens to prevent contamination, and they were counseled on proper handwashing and sanitizing. Proper signage was also put in place.

To ensure compliance, the facility obtained services from a clinical nurse practitioner, a director of nursing consultant, an infectious disease consultant and an administrator consultant to help with corrective and systemic actions, according to the report.

Woodland reached complete compliance on May 28, 2020, during a revisit by inspectors, a CMS spokesperson confirmed.

Amid the latest COVID-19 surge, Gov. Phil Murphy last week deployed the New Jersey National Guard to assist more than a dozen long-term care facilities including Woodland. The soldiers and airmen are helping residents with daily dressing and hygiene, eating, and testing and screening of staff, residents and visitors.

Chaim "Mutty" Scheinbaum, CEO of Alliance Healthcare of Lakewood, which owns Woodland and Limecrest Subacute and Rehabilitation, a sister property formerly named Andover Subacute I, said the National Guard arrived Monday and he has not been contacted about any U.S. military assistance. In an email earlier this month, Scheinbaum told the Herald that Woodland continues to follow guidelines from state and national health agencies.

Lori Comstock can be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Sussex NJ: Nursing home ravaged by COVID reached compliance in 2020
FARMINGTON  A former Central Consolidated School District employee was sentenced to federal prison for her involvement in a multi-million-dollar scheme that involved stealing and then reselling Apple iPods on eBay that were meant for Native American students in the district.

Kristy Stock, 46, of Waterflow will serve a year and six months and pay restitution of at least $800,000 following a Jan. 11 sentencing hearing in a Baltimore, Maryland federal court, according to a U.S Department of Justice news release and court documents.

Stock was convicted of federal charges of interstate transportation of stolen goods and tax fraud as part of a July 16, 2019, plea agreement, according to court documents.

CCSD Superintendent Daniel P. Benevidaz thanked the federal authorities for doing their due diligence to make sure justice was served.

From iPhone OS 1 to iOS 15: A history of the system that powers your Apple smartphone

"These types of crimes take time, money, and equipment away from our students. They are ultimately the ones that lose out in these situations," Benevidaz said in a statement.

Stock worked for the Central Consolidated School District from 2010 to 2019, overseeing a program to provide Apple iPods to students as part of a program to benefit Native American children living on tribal lands in New Mexico.

She directed federal funds to make bulk purchase orders of iPods from 100 to 250 units per shipment, about two to three times a year.

Stock said she stole more than 3,000 iPods between 2013 to 2019, shipping them to a relative of one of her co-defendants Saurabh Chawla, on the Eastern Shore in Maryland, according to the press release.

Chawla and another co-defendant, James Bender, worked together to sell the stolen iPods online through eBay.

More: Man accused of shooting Farmington officer arrested in Phoenix

Bender sold the stolen goods through his eBay accounts. Stock would be paid through PayPal, receiving more than $800,000 in funds from the sales of stolen property.

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Stock also admitted to falsifying her tax returns for five years, failing to report significant amounts of taxable income.

Bender and Chawla were sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison as part of the prosecution of the case.

Chawla was ordered to pay about $715,000 to the Internal Revenue Service and forfeit a 2013 Tesla Model S along with about $2.3 million from accounts held in his name, according to the news release.

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: Former CCSD employee convicted of selling 3,000 stolen iPods
January 27 will mark the 11th National Day of Remembrance for "Downwinders," recognizing the harms caused to Americans who, during the Cold War, worked and lived downwind from nuclear testing sites and were adversely affected by the radiation exposure generated by the above ground nuclear testing.

FILE - This July 16, 1945, file photo, shows the mushroom cloud of the first atomic explosion at Trinity Test Site near Alamagordo, N.M. The president of the Navajo Nation and New Mexico residents who lived downwind from the site of the world's first atomic blast are among those seeking recognition and compensation from the U.S. government for people affected by uranium mining and nuclear testing carried out during the Cold War. A congressional subcommittee was taking testimony Wednesday, March 24, 2021, about who should be eligible under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. (AP Photo/File)

I think many Texans would be surprised to learn how many of our neighbors are downwinders, living with the effects of radiation exposure. My husband, John Greenwood, who lived and worked in Texas for over 30 years, was one of them.

John was born and raised just 85 miles from the Trinity Test Site, where the U.S. military detonated the worlds first atomic bomb in 1945. Over the years, he would lose his mother to uterine cancer and his father to colon cancer. He lost aunts, uncles and cousins. His sister is the only surviving member of that generation, having beaten colon cancer.

More: Texas radioactive waste disposal company seeking break from state fees and surcharges

John was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008; kidney cancer followed not even a year later. He underwent surgery and aggressive chemotherapy, but the cancer returned. Six months after his retirement, after 30 years serving the State of Texas, John was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer. All we could do was fight for time.

We always knew that the cancer in his family was a result of the Trinity Test, which exposed thousands of people to radiation with no warning or evacuation. But John and his family were not eligible for help or compensation, leaving them to bear the costs of treatment alone. Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in 1990 with bipartisan support to compensate nuclear testing survivors in Nevada. But tens of thousands of survivors affected by the Trinity test in New Mexico, like John and his family, and other downwinders in nearby states were left out.

Without RECA, we had nowhere to turn as the medical bills from Johns treatment grew. John had two major surgeries and weekly chemotherapy which alone can cost up to $100,000 per treatment. Even with health insurance the bills added up quickly, leaving us in enormous debt. At one point, we couldnt even afford to stay overnight in Houston for Johns treatment. We would get up at 2 a.m., pack a peanut butter sandwich and a bottle of water to drive six hours to MD Anderson Cancer Center. After Johns lab work and chemotherapy, we would get right back in the car and drive home arriving around midnight with a quarter-tank of gas and .87 cents in our pocket. It literally broke us. Our phone and electricity were cut off, and our vehicle was repossessed. I pawned and sold family jewelry and heirlooms just to pay our bills. The stress was unbearable.

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More: Uranium Energy Corp. clears path to start drilling in Bee County

Now, Congress has the opportunity to extend and expand RECA to downwinders in New Mexico and several other states, as well as workers who mined, transported or processed uranium. The legislation would increase the amount of compensation available and extend RECA another 19 years, ensuring those affected have time to apply. Without action, RECA will expire in 2022.

U.S. representatives for Texas Randy Weber, Sheila Jackson Lee and Veronica Escobar have already signed on to support the extension and expansion of RECA. But we need all our members of Congress -- including Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz -- to cosponsor and endorse the legislation to help survivors of radiation exposure in Texas.

My husband and the love of my life lost his battle with cancer on June 20, 2012. If wed had access to RECA benefits, it would have made a very difficult time a little less stressful. We could have just focused on what time we had left together.

We can make sure other victims of radiation exposure and their families dont have to suffer like John and I did. We must not stop fighting for them to receive the compensation they deserve.

Laura Mobley Greenwood, daughter of former Nueces County District Attorney William B. Mobley Jr., has been a resident of Corpus Christi and Nueces County for 52 years and is an advisory board member of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum and a member of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: 'Downwinders' need Radiation Exposure Compensation Act renewed
Four people with alleged ties to a street gang have been charged in connection with the murder of an off-duty Los Angeles police officer who was searching for a new home with his girlfriend when he was fatally shot earlier this week.

Luis Alfredo De La Rosa Rios, 29; Ernesto Cisneros, 22; Jesse Contreras, 34 and Rios girlfriend Haylee Marie Grisham, 18, were charged on Thursday in connection with the slaying of Fernando Arroyos, the U.S. Attorneys Office for Central California announced. Theyre facing counts of violent crime in aid of racketeering and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Authorities believe three of the suspects are members of the Florencia 13 gang while the fourth is a girlfriend of one of them.

Arroyos, a three-year veteran with the department, was house-hunting with his girlfriend on Monday in unincorporated Los Angeles when he was killed. The couple had just exited their vehicle and were walking toward a residence when the suspects drove up in a black pickup truck around 9 p.m.

Rios and Cisneros are accused of confronting Arroyos, identified in court documents as F.A., and robbing him at gunpoint. The suspects allegedly targeted him because of two silver chains or necklaces around his neck.

At some point after Cisneros removed victim F.A.s chains, victim F.A. and the two suspects exchanged gunfire, according to the affidavit. Victim F.A. ran toward an alley where he collapsed and the two suspects fled.

When authorities arrived on the scene minutes later, they found the 27-year-old officer on the ground and unresponsive suffering from a single gunshot wound, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in a patrol car and pronounced dead.

The sheriffs department has been investigating the case because the crime occurred in an unincorporated area of the county. They took the suspects into custody on Wednesday.

Authorities said they have also obtained surveillance video from area, which captured the entire deadly confrontation. It also shows Contreras exiting the vehicle and helping an apparently injured Cisneros out of the truck.

All of the suspects were expected to be transferred to federal custody Friday.
BREST (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will travel to Moscow next week for talks over the Ukraine crisis, she said on the sidelines of a meeting with her EU counterparts in Brest on Friday.

At the same time, she dampened hopes for a quick solution after a series of talks between the West and Russia this week.

"There had been no talks with Russia (at the NATO-Russia Council) for two years, so I think nobody came to the negotiating table expecting a solution within a few hours," Baerbock told reporters.

"It is a characteristic of diplomacy in a crisis that it takes a lot of persistence, patience and strong nerves ... This is why it is so important to intensively make use of varying channels of communications."

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Editing by Catherine Evans)
BERLIN (AP)  German officials have praised a group of medical students who held a silent vigil outside a hospital in Dresden late Thursday in protest against a rally by far-right vaccine skeptics.

Saxony's governor, Michael Kretschmer, thanked the students Friday on Twitter, saying they had made a clear and important statement.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach told reporters in Berlin that the student's call for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 had his emphatic support.

Lauterbach said it was disturbing that some of the medical students reportedly face fines after police singled them out for allegedly breaching pandemic restrictions, but added that he didn't have enough information to properly assess what had happened.

Germanys doctors association Marburger Bund expressed its full support for the students and called for them not to suffer any negative consequences, saying that police had halted the medics silent protest without any obvious reason.

Police in Saxony have regularly been accused of failing to crack down on far-right protests including those that breach pandemic rules.
As the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to sweep across Maryland, the state plans to hand out 20 million of the often hard-to-find N95 and KN95 masks, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday.

Speaking outside a hospital in Easton where a testing site is being set up, Hogan stressed that wearing a well-fitted, high-quality mask is key component to slowing the spread of the virus. But he stopped short of restoring a statewide requirement to wear a mask indoors.

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Next to getting vaccinated and getting a booster shot, wearing a mask is one of the best mitigation strategies that we have, and KN95 and N95 masks provide additional infection protection, compared to cloth and general-use face masks, the Republican governor said.

Those type of masks have been difficult to find in retail stores and the websites that sell them have been overwhelmed with orders, leading to delays in fulfilling and shipping orders.

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The state has nearly 6.2 million residents.

The state will distribute the masks through multiple channels, Hogan said, including at state-run testing and vaccination sites, through local health departments and through community partners, such as the NAACP.

Members of the Maryland National Guard undergo a N95 mask fit test. Four hundred soldiers and airmen are taking Maryland Department of Health training on properly using PPE and administering self-swab tests at the Dundalk Readiness Center in response to the rise in demand for COVID-19 testing. (Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun )

The states vaccine equity task force, which has been setting up vaccination clinics across the state, will be involved in the effort to distribute the masks to those who need them. Masks also will be sent to nursing homes and state agencies.

We want to make it even easier for Marylanders to have that extra layer of protection, said Hogan, who wore a KN95 mask as he toured a testing site under construction in Easton and greeted local officials. He removed his mask to speak to reporters.

State officials could not provide a cost for the 20 million masks Thursday afternoon or say where they were purchased from.

The highly-contagious omicron variant is fueling the pandemic in Maryland, Hogan said, with 95% of recent cases that are sequenced in the lab being identified as omicron.

As of Thursday, about one in four coronavirus test results reported to the state came back positive, and 3,428 people were being treated in the hospital for COVID-19. Hospital officials have said the vast majority of people hospitalized with COVID-19 have not been fully vaccinated.

And while Hogan encouraged Marylanders to wear masks, particularly the higher-quality ones, he said its not necessary to return to requiring people to wear them indoors.

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He said that Marylanders are very good about wearing masks, so I dont think we have any reason to change strategy.

Some local governments have reinstituted mask requirements during this latest wave of the pandemic. In the Baltimore area, Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties all require masks to be worn in indoor public settings.

Hogan cited a Carnegie Mellon University tracking project that estimates mask-wearing by surveying people on Facebook about how often they wear a mask most or all of the time when they are in public. Marylands current rate is nearly 84%.

Second from right, Cadet Joshua Brown and Cadet Jamia Pettus train on how to properly administer self-swab tests. They are among 400 Maryland National Guard soldiers and airmen undergoing Maryland Department of Health training at the Dundalk Readiness Center in response to the rise in demand for COVID-19 testing. (Kim Hairston/The Baltimore Sun )

In addition to the site at University of Maryland Medical System Shore Regional Health in Easton, the state plans to set up five more hospital testing sites in the coming days: TidalHealth in Wicomico County, Garrett Regional Medical Center in Oakland, Holy Cross Hospital in Germantown, Howard County General Hospital in Columbia and Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie.

In the last few weeks, the state opened a dozen coronavirus testing sites adjacent to hospitals. Putting the testing sites adjacent to hospitals is designed to divert people from going to emergency rooms in search of a coronavirus test.

The Maryland Department of Health also is requiring testing of nursing home staff and visitors, to tamp down the spread of the virus among staff and residents.

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Nursing home workers, volunteers and vendors must test twice a week whenever community transmission of the virus is high, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not, under the new order. And visitors will need to show a negative test or undergo a rapid test on-site before being allowed into nursing homes. Those requirements go into effect Jan. 21.
MIKE SEGAR

Hundreds of Boston public school students stormed out of their classes on Friday to protest in-person learning as COVID-19 continues to surge.

After the walkout, students across the district delivered an online presentation with a list of demands to local and state officials, insisting that students should not have to risk their lives for an education.

More than 600 high school students across 11 schools participated in Friday mornings peaceful protest, according to Boston.com. They reportedly left their classes at 10:30 a.m. Some returned to school after the walkout, and others simply went home.

Following the walkout, the Boston Student Advisory Committeea student council for district high schoolershosted a webinar with testimony from students and faculty members who shared their experiences and concerns during the pandemic. Boston.com reported that more than a thousand of the citys faculty members were out the first week after winter break due to COVID-19, and 41,063 new cases were reported among Massachusetts public school students just last week.

Schools Barrel Ahead With Post-New Years Return Plans, Despite COVID Surge

The Friday call started off with students urging supporters to contact local and state legislators with their concerns about COVID in schools. They decried Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker for having a lackluster pandemic response and complained that the state Department of Educations COVID strategy has lacked direction.

They claimed that COVID-19 was not the administrations focus when they went back to schoolto study in classrooms they referred to as petri dishesafter winter break.

Students should not have to risk their lives for an education! they cried.

Students blasted in-school learning when staffing shortages continue as faculty members test positive for the virus. They noted how entire classes had to be notified about being in close contact with people who had contracted COVID-19. They also detailed their experiences of enduring the pandemic during the majority of their high school years.

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We are being set up to catch COVID in schoolsjust to get the letter grade we need on our report card, said Wellington Matos, a high school senior and student representative of Fenway High.

Without the teachers, we would not have classrooms to learn, said Xyra Mercer, a student representative of Henderson.

The group provided a list of demands for Boston and state officials: improved testing protocols, better access to personal protective equipment, and the ability to eat lunches in classrooms rather than gather in larger groups in cafeterias. However, their biggest request was to reinstate remote learning.

Many students had a hard time during remote learning, commented one anonymous parent on the call. Many students said they felt depressed and felt like they were missing their in-school relationships. Is there anything we could do to keep that from happening this time?

Boston University Wont Tell Professors if a Student Has COVID-19

My son missed his entire senior year, said another. His education has been set back tremendously. What is wrong with you all? You try to act smart but you sound like fools.

The student board understood that remote learning was not meant for everyone, but they stood firm that it needed to be a viable option for students who didnt feel comfortable attending school in-person.

Virtual learning is frustrating. It comes down to safety and community, said student Stacy Tran. If were not protecting ourselves, whats the point? Safety is key.

Other parents and teachers chimed in, showing their support for the groups initiative.

I am a teacher atOBryant and I fully support your advocacy! one educator said. You guys are the most affected by this and your voices are powerful and need to be heard!

Appreciate your activism and uplifting your fellow student voices, another person said. Your asks are reasonable and focusing on the emergent nature of this pandemic. Its not like you are advocating for remote learning for the rest of the year. You are advocating for responsiveness, safety and care.

Thank you all so much for taking action and speaking out. I completely support you in your advocacy! said Lisa Guisbond, executive director of Citizens for Public Schools in Boston.

The demonstration came after an online campaign petitioned for Massachusetts students to have the option of remote learning. As of Friday afternoon, the petition garnered more than 8,500 signatures.

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JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's trade surplus likely shrank to the lowest in five months in December on slower growth in exports and imports, a Reuters survey showed, although Southeast Asia's biggest economy is on track to post record exports for all of last year.

The resource-rich country has been riding an export boom on the back of a spike in commodity prices. The December trade data, due to be announced on Monday, is set to confirm that its annual exports reached an all-time high in 2021.

Indonesia has posted a trade surplus every month since May, 2020, boosting the rupiah and helping the currency became one of emerging Asia's best performers last year.

However, markets are closely monitoring the impact of a coal export ban the government imposed from Jan. 1 to prevent widespread domestic power outages, which economists say could see Indonesia swing back to a trade deficit.

For December, 12 economists in the poll forecast a surplus of $3.13 billion, down from the previous month's $3.51 billion.

Exports were seen up 40.4% on a yearly basis, decelerating from November's growth pace of 49.7%, while imports were expected to rise 39.4%, compared with November's 52.62% growth.

Nomura analysts said a full-month coal export ban in January could reduce exports by $4 bilion, which could push Indonesia into a trade deficit. Local brokerage Bahana Sekuritas gave an estimated value of January's coal exports at around $3 billion.

Authorities in Indonesia this week eased the ban, allowing 37 vessels to depart, although hundreds of miners whose output is estimated to cover up to 40% of the country's total remain barred from exporting.

(Polling by Devayani Sathyan and Tushar Goenka in Bengaluru; Writing by Gayatri Suroyo in Jakarta; Editing by Ed Davies)
The band of the Carabinieri Military police were in high uniform as they gave his coffin a military honors.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Draghi, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, and European Council President, Charles Michel were among the European Union's authorities to pay homage to Sassoli, who died in a cancer clinic in north-eastern on Italy on Tuesday aged 65.

During an emotional speech to remember her father's humanity, Sassoli's daughter Livia reminded the people gathered inside the Santa Maria degli Angeli church in Rome how her father wanted a more equitable and fair Europe.

Sassoli spent weeks in hospital after contracting pneumonia last September and had to return to hospital in December after suffering complications related to his immune system.
Louisville native and Grammy-nominated rapper Jack Harlow has been named in a lawsuit relating to the fatal shooting of a Vibes nightclub bartender during a pre-Kentucky Derby party.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the family of Kasmira Nash, a 37-year-old mother who was shot to death inside the nightclub in the early hours of May 1.

The suit was originally filed in December in Jefferson Circuit Court against Vibes owner Allen Evans III, but it was amended Wednesday to add Harlow and Generation Now LLC, the company that manages and provides security for the rapper's appearances and concerts.

Previously: Rapper Jack Harlow's DJ charged in fatal shooting at Louisville nightclub, prosecutors say

Ronnie O'Bannon, a DJ for Harlow, was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence in Nash's killing.

The suit alleges the nightclub provided lax security, allowing O'Bannon to bypass security and thus bring in a gun. Nash and O'Bannon got into an argument, the lawsuit says, and O'Bannon shot her. Nash was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suit further alleges Generation Now and Harlow should have known O'Bannon regularly carried a gun.

Claims made in a lawsuit represent only one side of a case. A publicist for Harlow could not immediately be reached Thursday afternoon.

Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge, 1346 River Road, was the site of a deadly shooting May 1, 2021, that left a woman dead and a man injured, according to Louisville Metro Police.

After days of silence following the shooting, Harlow issued a statement May 12 saying that he was "devastated" by what happened and that his "heart breaks" for Nash's family.

The suit alleges that Generation Now LLC arranged for Harlow's appearance at Vibes that night and that as part of that arrangement, "Generation Now, LLC, and Jack Harlow required that Jack Harlow and those accompanying him, including O'Bannon, be allowed to enter Vibes without going through the security screenings required for other guests," the suit states.

The suit was filed on behalf of Nash's mother and her son, Kaleb, who it says "sustained grievous mental and emotional pain, the loss of love and affection of his mother, and the loss of financial support from this mother." The lawsuit, which is seeking a jury trial, asks for financial damages as well as reimbursement for attorney fees and funeral expenses.

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Background: Bartender's family sues Vibes nightclub over pre-Derby shooting involving Jack Harlow's DJ

O'Bannon, 27, at the time of his arrest, has pleaded not guilty in the criminal case. He was released from jail on bond and is on home incarceration.

Vibes owner Evans could not be reached following the December lawsuit and he declined to comment when approached by The Courier Journal in the immediate aftermath on the May 1 shooting.

However, the club issued a statement on social media saying people there were "deeply saddened and devastated by this loss. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to her children, loved ones and entire family."

Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jack Harlow added to lawsuit against Vibes nightclub over shooting
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Joe Bidens mandate was to restore norms and work across the aisle to heal the countrys toxic political culturein other words, to not be Donald Trump.

This past week demonstrated how he has failed to live up to that promise. In particular, his speech in Atlanta serves as a microcosm for a disappointing year of leadership that has cratered his popularity.

The president compared opponents of changing Senate filibuster rules, in order to pass Democratic voting rights bills, to notorious racists like Bull Connor, George Wallace, and Jefferson Davis. In so doing, Biden is appropriating Trumps method of otherizing adversaries and casting political opponents as enemies of the people and human scum.

That doesnt mean the president shouldnt ever talk tough. I recently applauded Biden for his forceful rhetoric attacking the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters. In that instance, Bidens words were appropriate for illiberal right-wingers who incited and participated in an attack on democracy.

A few short days later, however, Biden broadened his condemnation to implicitly include Republicans such as Mitt Romney, who heroically stood up to his own party and twice voted to impeach Trump. (Sadly, this is a trend. Back in 2012, Biden told African Americans that Romney would put them back in chains if he were elected president.)

Dems Had One Job: Dont Be Crazy. Theyre Mucking It Up.

Biden is also reinforcing his predecessors dangerous claims, by further advancing the idea that our elections are stolen. And so, President Biden goes down the same tragic road taken by President Trumpcasting doubt on the reliability of American elections, Romney said.

Its easy to imagine a scenario where voters of both parties believebecause theyve been told so by the last two presidentsthat every election they lose was rigged, either by Republican disenfranchisement of minority voters or by Hugo Chavezs magic voting machines.

Whats more, the conventional wisdom that Republicans benefit from fewer people voting and Democrats benefit from higher turnout doesnt hold water, no matter how many times its repeated by liberal pundits.

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The truth is that election turnout in 2020 was at record levels, which is why the focus should not be on access to the polls, but rather, on how the votes are counted and certified. Instead of HR 1, Democrats should focus on reforming the Electoral Count Act.

While it may or may not be a good idea for states, such as Georgia, to scale back the number of drop boxes or the amount of time designated for early voting, it doesnt equate to Jim Crow 2.0.

Its also fair to question not just the dubious constitutional authority, but also the prudence of federalizing elections, as Biden wants to do with the voting rights legislation hes championing. In the wake of Trumps presidency, it seems counterintuitive to give the federal government more authority over elections.

Imagine a scenario where a president (think Trump) has more leverage over how elections are conducted, and state leaders (think Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger) have less. Yes, this is a slippery-slope argument, but if the goal is to address the weaknesses in our system that Trump exposed, the idea of federalizing elections is a step in the wrong direction.

Besides, killing the filibuster (which has existed for hundreds of years in one form or another) is a funny way to restore norms.

Progressives, Moderates, RepublicansNobody Trusts Joe Biden

Believing the upper chamber should require more than a simple majority may be right or wrong, but the legislative filibuster has been employed and defended by Democrats such as Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, and Joe Biden. What is more, the fact that Biden cant persuade 50 Democrats to get rid of the filibuster only demonstrates that his primary legislative obstacle is not Republicans who filibuster, but rather, his inability to persuade his own caucus.

Like Biden, Trump tried to get rid of the filibuster, pressuring Mitch McConnell by calling him a stupid person and a knucklehead for refusing to do so. To McConnells credit, he didnt budge.

Of course, if Biden gets his way, and Republicans take back the Senate in November, Democrats should expect McConnell to take full advantage, just as he has done in the past. Youll regret this, McConnell warned when Harry Reid nuked the filibuster for presidential nominees except those to the Supreme Court in 2013, and you may regret this a lot sooner than you think. Of course, they did.

By casting his adversaries as enemies, undermining the efficacy of elections, seeking to give the federal government more control over state elections, and pressuring his party to do away with the filibuster, Biden is following in the well-worn path of the 45th president.

Bidens only mandate was to not be Donald Trump. By that standard, its hard to rate the first year of his presidency as anything but a miserable failure.

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The Joe Rogan experience is off the cuff, unedited, and very often entirely off the rails. But even as or maybe because hes providing a platform for all sorts of unfiltered crazy, the only person whose reach even approaches Rogan is Howard Stern.

On the latest New Abnormal, Alex Paterson of Media Matters talks with hosts Molly Jong-Fast and Andy Levy about how Rogans podcast is a bastion of toxic masculinity that leads listeners further down right-wing rabbit holes, and notes that Rogans dedicated listeners are mostly young men listening to all three hours and taking in completely unfounded conspiracy theories without any of the fact-checking that would come from a more traditional journalistic enterprise.

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I think we often view folks like Tucker [Carlson] as like our biggest white nationalist and problem in chief, says Paterson, whereas I really am trying to push the conversation to understand that Joe Rogan is often the person that is mainlining right-wing lies into our broader public.

Molly notes that before podcasting, Rogan, like former President Donald Trump, got some of his fame from reality TV, as the host of Fear Factor. And producer Jesse Cannon adds that Rogan has what I like to call the illusion of fact-checking where he has this producerwhich, you know, gets very offensive to podcast producers like mewhere hell basically be like Jamie, call up a fact-check on that, and the guys like, Yep, its right here on InfoWars. Hillary Clinton had a cocaine cartel in 1989.

The Joe Rogan experience fills a specific need, particularly among white men in the United States, to feel like theyre independent thinkers taking in some media landscape that is unique to them and is edgy, explains Paterson, and Rogan uses his producers to lend some veneer of credibility to the false claims he makes. And when the comedian and MMA announcer gets called out for the lies and bigotry promoted on his podcast, he has a very cunning way of avoiding accountability, Paterson continues:

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He says that hes a moron, and that you shouldnt trust the things he says.

Steve Bannon and the Right Have a Scary New Tactic to Take Over Politics

Plus, Samuel Woolley, the author of The Reality Game: How the Next Wave of Technology Will Break the Truth and director of the Propaganda Lab at the University of Austins Center for Media Engagement, explains why the right is a lot better than the left at leveraging the internet and leveraging both organic engagement and inorganic engagement to megaphone out their content. That included by using networked propaganda, where what begins on social media as a quote unquote organic phenomenon, which is oftentimes not organic, then ends up on cable news, then back on social media and so on and so forth until its really unclear where it came from, he says.

Listen to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.

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Rape Conviction Tossed Illinois (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

In the disturbing case of an Illinois teen allowed to walk free after being convicted of rape, all eyes have turned on the judge.

Adams County Judge Robert Adrian sparked nationwide outrage with his ruling on the case of 18-year-old Drew Clinton, who was found was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl at a graduation party in May 2021.

Clinton pleaded guilty to all charges against him and his defence claimed he believed the sex was consensual.

But despite the October conviction for felony sexual assault, Judge Adrian on 3 January freed Clinton - who faced a minimum sentence of four years - from jail after a mere 148 days, saying that was plenty of punishment.

Judge Adrian has subsequently faced heated calls to step down from the bench over his perceived miscarriage of justice.

Who is Judge Adrian?

Judge Adrian, 64, was elected to Illinois Eighth Circuit Court in 2010 and won re-election with more than 80 per cent of the vote in 2016.

Prior to taking the bench, he was a partner at the law firm of Adrian and Dunn after spending three years as a public defender and eight years as an assistant states attorney.

He holds a law degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, as well as certifications as a mediator and child representative.

He also once served as president of the Adams County Bar Association and on the board of the West Central Child Care Connections.

Why is he making headlines now?

In an extraordinary move on 3 January, Judge Adrian reversed Clintons conviction and allowed him to walk free at a hearing where the teen was slated to receive a minimum sentence of four years behind bars.

He claimed that prosecutors had not proved their case  overturning his own previous ruling and effectively preventing Clinton from being tried again.

By law, the court is supposed to sentence this young man to the Department of Corrections. This court will not do that. That is not just, he said in court.

There is no way for what happened in this case that this teenager should go to the Department of Corrections. I will not do that.

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On hearing the decision, the survivor, who revealed her identity in order to speak out about the case and campaign for justice but is not being named by The Independent, said she fled the courtroom.

I immediately had to leave the courtroom and go to the bathroom. I was crying, she said, according to WGEM.

Describing her ordeal, she said: I woke up at my friends place with a pillow over my face so I couldnt be heard and Drew Clinton inside of me.

I asked him to stop multiple times and he wouldnt. I finally got off the couch and pushed him off of me and he jumped up and just started playing video games as if nothing had happened.

Her father, Scott, spoke to The Independent about the ordeal on Thursday and accused Judge Adrian of muzzling his daughter by blocking her from delivering a victim impact statement.

He has destroyed everything weve worked at to get my daughter to start healing  in just 15 minutes he destroyed all of that, the girls father said in reference to the judge.

We were finally seeing her starting to be a little bit more like herself again. The scar was there, and the scab was starting to heal, then the judge ripped it off and were back to square one.

The judge blamed everyone but his daughters attacker for what had happened to her, the father said.

Its been a rough road, and then for the judge to spit in our faces and blame my daughter and blame the parents and everyone else for what he did is totally unacceptable.

Youve taken my 16-year-old daughter, who was starting to live with what happened, and meant she now has to start all over again.

Scott said he feels that the judge failed to deliver a verdict in accordance with the law.

Your job as a judge is to uphold the law, not take the law into your own hands you found him guilty, he said. Your job was to sentence him, and because you couldnt change the law, the only thing you could do was change the verdict. What gives you the right to take the law into your own hands?

What repercussions has Judge Adrian faced?

Amid immense backlash, Judge Adrian was removed from criminal cases and reassigned to civil proceedings under an administrative order filed by the chief judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a petition demanding the judge face charges over abuse of judicial discretion and power has garnered more than 20,000 signatures.

Judge Robert Bob Adrian was the judge who ruled Drew S Clinton is guilty of criminal sexual assault, the statement on the page reads.

However, on January 3, 2022, this very same Judge Adrian reversed his own ruling and declared the defendant was not guilty.

It adds: They say that Judge Adrian reversed his own ruling because he simply did not want to hand down the sentence that is associated with the crime to which he himself had already found the perpetrator guilty. That is not how the law is to operate.

Judge Adrian does not have the authority to change the law because he wants to. His job is to uphold and defend the law.

The petition also shares a comment the judge made in court about the girls parents.

This is what happens when parents do not exercise their parental responsibilities, when we have people, adults, having parties for teenagers, and they allow coeds and female people to swim in their underwear in their swimming pool. And, no, underwear is not the same as swimming suits, he said. They allowed 16-year-olds to bring liquor to a party. They provided liquor to underage people, and you wonder how these things happen. Well, thats how these things happen. The court is totally disgusted with that whole thing.
A drop-in center in Westminster has been serving dozens of people daily for the last two years, offering Carroll Countys most vulnerable a place to escape poor weather, enjoy a hot meal and get connected with services.

While the Human Services Programs of Carroll County is responsible for the countys entire homeless response, the nonprofit has also been offering a day center located in the basement of St. Pauls Church in Westminster, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., daily, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic shut-downs in spring 2020.

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Corey McLaren sits in the common room at HSP's day center in Westminster Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. The drop-in center, which has been open daily since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic shut-downs in spring 2020, offers activities, access to charging stations, shelter from the weather, food, case management services, televisions and provides hot dinner nightly. (Dylan Slagle)

HSP Director Scott Yard said the center acts as a safety net to catch people who are literally out of resources.

The drop-in center offers activities, access to charging stations, case management services, as well as shelter, televisions and hot dinners nightly. The facility also serves as a warming center during extreme cold weather events for any resident who needs it.

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Jenny Graybill, director of shelter, housing and economic mobility with HSP, said the day center opened about two years ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It really caters to our street homeless  people who are living in encampments or our night shelters, she said. Our services are really the key. This is a vital touchpoint for those individuals.

The fully staffed space offers rental assistance, employment programs and financial education, too.

We want to connect people with services and help move them from being in crisis to becoming thriving community members, Graybill said. Our goal is to access long-term solutions to prevent homelessness.

Since April 1, the center has served a total of 190 unique individuals. In December alone, there were 52 total participants.

We average about 16 individuals a day and our max is between 22 and 25 patients a day, Graybill said. 71% of homeless who come into the day center have entered into a traditional shelter bed.

The facility has been funded by federal American Rescue Plan dollars via the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. While that funding is expected to keep the day center running through April, Celene Steckel, director of citizen services in Carroll County, said after that time the county must assess the need for the facility in the community and pursue other appropriate funding sources to keep it running.

Last year, 431 participants that were homeless or at risk for being homeless were helped by HSP. The organization served 271 homeless participants in the shelter system, and the remainder either left the area or had their eviction prevented.

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Yard said HSPs main goal is to divert homelessness by working with landlords or helping citizens secure security deposits for a new home.

None of this is possible without our partnerships in Carroll County with the county government and the Department of Citizen Services, Yard said. St. Pauls Church also contributes by allowing HSP to use its space.

We dont want people out in the woods because its dangerous physically, but also no one should be alone in the woods, Yard said. We created an alternative that is safe and will lead to more independence and self-sufficiency.

Yard said although there have been a few COVID outbreaks in the day center, the facility hasnt yet had to close, temporarily or otherwise.

Our whole first year we had no COVID, he said, noting the omicron variant has increased the positivity rate within the shelter. We wear masks and hold vaccination clinics to minimize the risk for participants and staff.

Afternoon Update Weekdays Updating you on the day's biggest news before the evening commute. >

Participants are required to engage in a COVID screening process upon entry into the building. A positive screen will require additional testing and services from outside medical staff. Face masks must be worn at all times, except when eating, and participants must also remain 6 feet apart from others.

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Yard said the nonprofit owns a separate quarantine building to serve COVID positive individuals. If there is a situation where multiple quarantines are needed, other options are available, such as hotels.

The organization is also offering free tax preparation for individuals who otherwise may not file their taxes because of the costs associated.

This allows people to learn what is available to them and provide them with income they otherwise would not have, Yard said. The service is done by a series of trained volunteers.

HSP also operates a year-round night shelter located at 127 Stoner Ave., Westminster, which accepts participants at 7 p.m., with stays through 8 a.m., the following morning. Contact 410-386-6679 for more information.

Those interested to donating to HSP can do so by visiting https://hspinc.org/donate-now/.

We are incredibly grateful to our community support, Graybill said. We get so many donations that make it possible for us to provide these services.
Jeffrey Epstein in 1995. Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

The Justice Department's inspector general has been investigating Jeffrey Epstein's death for more than two years.

Epstein's suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 led to a proliferation of conspiracy theories.

A criminal case against two of Epstein's jail guards has been resolved, clearing the way for the IG to release a report.

Hours after Jeffrey Epstein died in his Manhattan jail cell, on August 10, 2019, then-Attorney General Bill Barr sprang into action.

In a statement, Barr said Epstein's death in federal custody raised "serious questions" and that the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) would open an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Two-and-a-half years later, following the conclusion of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell's child-sex-trafficking trial, the results of that investigation may finally see the light of day.

Two guards who were indicted for failing to watch over Epstein the night of his death wrapped up their criminal cases in December, clearing the way for the OIG to release its findings.

According to Michael Bromwich, a former Justice Department inspector general, all investigators have left to do is dot their I's and cross their T's on a report.

"I would be surprised if it's not released in the next 30 days or so," Bromwich told Insider.

The OIG can put conspiracy theories around Epstein's death to rest

Epstein killed himself in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.

While New York City's chief medical examiner ruled Epstein's death a suicide, and Barr later endorsed that position, a medical examiner hired by Epstein's brother found that a fractured bone in his neck was more consistent with strangulation.

This led to a proliferation of conspiracy theories about what really happened the night before guards found him dead by hanging in his cell, and in November 2019, an Insider poll found nearly half of Americans believed Epstein was murdered.

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Was Epstein allowed to kill himself? How could the jail leave the highest-profile criminal defendant in America alone? Why weren't the cameras on his cell block working? Were any of his powerful friends glad he took secrets to his grave?

The OIG, armed with subpoena power and statutory independence from the politically-appointed attorney general, is uniquely suited to answer those questions.

U.S. President Donald Trump stands with Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who announced his resignation, while talking to the media at the White House on July 12, 2019 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The last time the investigation was in the spotlight was way back in December 2019, when four members of the Senate Judiciary Committee  Ben Sasse, Richard Blumenthal, Marsha Blackburn, and Ted Cruz  published an open letter urging Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz to complete the investigation.

"These events have ignited a crisis of public trust in the Department and exacerbated the erosion of trust that the American people have in our institutions of republican self-government more broadly," the senators wrote in their letter. "The Department's abject failure in this high-profile situation raises serious concerns about its ability to protect and secure inmates in the many cases that do not make the news."

Before Epstein's death, senators had also urged Horowitz to investigate the conduct of Alexander Acosta. As a US attorney in Florida in 2007, Acosta struck a deal with Epstein's attorneys that allowed the financier to plead guilty to state-level solicitation of a minor charges instead of more severe federal charges. Instead, the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility conducted an investigation, which attorneys for Epstein's victims found toothless.

It's not clear whether Horowitz briefed the senators about his investigation into Epstein's death in the years since they published their letter. Representatives for the four senators did not reply to Insider's requests for comment. A spokesperson for Horowitz's office declined to comment about the investigation's progress.

Epstein's jail guards have been interviewed

Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, the two MCC guards who were supposed to be watching Epstein the night he died, were both questioned as part of the OIG's investigation.

Federal prosecutors filed charges against the guards in November 2019, alleging they napped and shopped online rather than do their job. The guards were also accused of falsely filling out forms saying they made their rounds in Epstein's cell block, when they actually didn't. Thomas was one of the guards who responded to a suicide attempt Epstein made a month earlier in a different jail cell, according to the indictment.

According to prosecutors, video footage showed that no one entered the area holding Epstein's cell until 6:30 a.m. on August 10, when Noel and Thomas finally checked the cell and found him dead.

Attorneys for the guards had argued that they were being unfairly punished for mismanagement from the federal Bureau of Prisons, the division of the Justice Department that oversees federal jails. The MCC had been plagued by staffing and upkeep issues for years, ultimately closing down in September. Michael Carvajal, the bureau's director, announced his resignation earlier this month following numerous scandals in federal detention centers across the country.

The Metropolitan Correctional Center, which is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, stands in lower Manhattan on November 19, 2019 in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

In May 2021, Noel and Thomas entered deferred prosecution agreements with the Justice Department. As part of the deal, they agreed to sit down for interviews with the OIG's investigators. They also agreed that they falsely filled out the forms and would fulfill a number of community service hours. If the terms were satisfied, prosecutors would move to dismiss the criminal charges six months later.

A person familiar with the investigation, who spoke to Insider on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record, said that the guards sat for the required interviews in June 2021. On December 13, prosecutors signed a "nolle prosequi," a document that formally dropped the criminal charges.

"Through the deferred prosecution agreement, Ms. Noel was given the opportunity to assist the Government, which she has been willing to do since the beginning of their investigation," Noel's attorney, Jason Foy, said in a statement. "She shared the information known to her at the time of Jeffrey Epstein's death and more importantly, provided truthful insight into the toxic culture, subpar training, staffing shortages, and dysfunctional management of the now closed Metropolitan Correctional Center."

The nolle prosequi said that Noel and Thomas complied with the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement. It was made public on December 30, one day after the jury in Maxwell's case returned their verdict.

The OIG's office typically waits for any connected criminal cases to conclude before publishing a report so that it doesn't interfere with the proceedings, according to Bromwich.

The person familiar with the OIG investigation told Insider that Justice Department officials waited until Maxwell's case was over to make the document public because they didn't want news of the dropped charges to influence the jury.

The OIG can release its findings now that the guards' case is shut

The final step in the process, Bromwich said, would be for the OIG to show a draft of its report to the Bureau of Prisons and allow 30 days for a written response. Horowitz can choose to integrate some of the agency's responses into his report at that point, and other witnesses are also sometimes permitted to review and respond to a draft of the report, Bromwich said.

The former inspector general believes the agency is working within that final response period now.

The report will likely offer the most detailed breakdown yet of the circumstances of Epstein's death. Investigators likely forensically studied the jail's video footage and interviewed everyone who made decisions about Epstein's jail conditions, such as why he wasn't assigned a cellmate after his previous suicide attempt, according to Bromwich.

We may also learn why jail officials kept Epstein in the same cell as an alleged quadruple murderer at the time of his first suicide attempt, and what the people who visited him while he was incarcerated spoke about. The person familiar with the investigation told Insider the investigation may have also addressed the larger culture of dysfunction within the MCC.

Investigators had two years to gather all the information they needed before interviewing Noel and Thomas. Talking to them was likely one of the last pieces of the puzzle, according to Bromwich.

"I would think that, given how long they had to wait for the criminal case against them to be disposed of, they were probably loaded for bear when they interviewed them," he said.

Read the original article on Insider
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

We, who were desperate for the Justice Department to wake up from its sloth-like slumber, rejoiced after it was announced Thursday that Attorney General Merrick Garlands office had charged individuals associated with the far-right, anti-government group Oath Keepers with seditious conspiracy for taking part in the violent, attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

However, thats only the first step. In order to have full accountability and justice, we need to investigate their GOP allies who remain committed to subverting democracy and implementing minority rule through an ongoing, slow-moving coup.

The rarely-invoked charge of sedition, in such a publicized and politicized case, is a remarkable development. It means the Justice Department is flexing its full legal muscles at individualssuch as Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers and a former Army Ranger and Yale law graduatebecause they are confident they can prove that at least two people conspired to use force to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States.

Unlike most of the prosecutions around this investigation, the punishment wont be a slap on the wrist or probation. This one has teeth. If found guilty, the accused face a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison.

The indictment reveals a highly-detailed, organized, and coordinated plot by these members of the Oath Keepers to break into the U.S. Capitol and use violence against elected officials, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to deny the certification of the 2020 election. Heavily-armed members of the right-wing group were also stationed in a nearby Virginia hotel as a quick reaction force if needed.

This information alone shows Jan. 6 wasnt just a normal tourist visit, as described by GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), who was hiding beside his colleagues behind a barricade and protected by the Capitol police. Those same police, by the way, are now mocked and ridiculed by some ostensibly pro-law and order conservatives, such as Fox News host Laura Ingraham, as crisis actors.

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Love Wajahat Alis Columns? Check Out This Special Event

The attempted insurrection that resulted in the deaths of five people, including a police officer, wasnt a spontaneous burst of economic anxiety in the heat of the moment that suddenly created an unruly mob of aggrieved Trump supporters. This was a methodically planned coup attempt perpetrated in part by heavily-armed individuals.

We already know their subversive intentions were shared by their conservative counterparts who wear suits instead of army fatigues and use pencils and powerpoints instead of guns.

For example, we have read right-wing activist and attorney John Eastmans six-point memo that Trump and his team relied upon for their failed coup. Thanks to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows initial cooperation, the Jan. 6 House Intel Committee has also seen a slideshow that was shared among Trumps allies that discussed how to overthrow the election. We know that ahead of Jan. 6, Trump and his team set up a war room at the Willard Hotel, which included Rudy Giuliani and Steve Bannon, to effectuate their plan.

As a cherry on top, last week Trump White House aide Peter Navarro fessed up to the plot on MSNBC without actually mentioning the word coup, instead admitting, We had over 100 congressmen and senatorsready to implement what he called The Green Bay Sweepin which six battleground states would decertify the election and punt it to the House of Representatives.

The critical questions with a conspiracy are who else was involved, what did they know, and when did they know it? Its easy to dismiss the Oath Keepers, a far-right group the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as an organization that is based on a set of baseless conspiracy theories about the federal government working to destroy Americans liberties. However, the fringe is now the base and beating heart of the GOP, which includes a disturbingly large number of elected officials and voters who believe in the Big Lie and support the QAnon movementwhich is considered a domestic terror threat by the United States. About 40 percent of Republicans believe violence against the government is justified.

On the encrypted messaging app Signal, Rhodes wrote, We arent getting through this without a civil war. Later, he wrote, We are going to have a fight. That cant be avoided.

Rhodes sounds a lot like GOP Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), who gives keynote speeches at white nationalist conferences when he isnt busy tweeting violent anime fantasies against Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

In his free time, Gosar visits the local Oath Keepers chapter in Arizona, where a few years earlier, the groups leader asked him if the United States was headed for a civil war. Were in it, Gosar allegedly replied. We just havent started shooting at each other yet. Gosar was also one of three Republican members of Congress whom Ali Alexander, one of the leaders of the Stop the Steal rally, said helped him hatch the plan to put maximum pressure on Congress while they were voting. The other congressmen include Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), another friend of the Oath Keepers, and Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), who just randomly decided to wear a Kevlar vest on Jan. 6. These three elected officials can be fairly classified as allies and friends of these far-right groups.

We Know Republicans Hate Muslims. Do Democrats Care?

However, the modern GOP has become a radicalized, weaponized movement with active members of the Oath Keepers, including David Eastman and Mark Finchem (respectively of the Alaska and Arizona House of Representatives), both of whom believe the Big Lie and were present in Washington on Jan. 6 to protest the certification. In fact, Trump is supporting Finchem to be Arizonas next Secretary of State. According to a BuzzFeed News analysis, at least 28 people who currently hold elected office either joined or supported the Oath Keepers, whose leader and members have just been charged with sedition.

As a Muslim, this blows my mind. I cant imagine how this country would respond if a bunch of bearded Black and brown members of a far-right group planned to overtake the U.S. Capitol, attempted a coup, attacked cops, and chased around white members of Congress. If it was later found out that elected officials like Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib were active supporters and members of the group, is it conceivable for them to still be in office, let alone not to be investigated and indicted? Of course not. But, in 2022, its still good to be a white elected official whos a member of the Oath Keepersfor now.

The Justice Departments latest indictment at least gives me hope that they are taking this active threat to our democracy seriously. The way to truly prove it, and ensure a coup like this doesnt happen again in 2024, is to start going after their allies, the extremist fringe, sitting comfortably in Congress.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Pending legislation would require that all rape kits get sent to labs, which doesnt necessarily happen today.

In the mid-2010s, Kansas left as many as 2,200 rape kits languishing after theyd been used to document possible sexual assaults. That slowed prosecutions and undercut a valuable law enforcement tool for identifying serial rapists.

Now state lawmakers look ready to pass a law demanding that those evidence packs head to labs for testing quickly. And, thanks partly to a federal $2 million grant Kansas landed in 2015, a bottleneck that overwhelmed the states ability to process the kits has been cleared away.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation wasnt available for an interview, but it told lawmakers in 2021 that the most common reason kits werent tested in the past decade was because the agency didnt have the capacity to test kits.

Sandy Horton, executive director with the Kansas Sheriffs Association, said it used to take months or years for results. That is not the case anymore.

I dont hear or see that theres an issue with getting test results now from these kits, he said.

Kansas bill would prevent rape kit backlogs

Victoria Pickering, director of advocacy at the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, said the bill will prevent backlogs because tests cant sit on the self anymore. It is recommended that tests be sent to the lab, she said, but thats not a guarantee right now.

It's important for survivors to know for sure when they make a decision about allowing their body to be treated as a crime scene, she said, that that evidence will be looked at, will be evaluated and will be taken seriously.

Joyce Grover, executive director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence  a group that worked on the Sexual Assault Kit initiative  said that the program went far in reducing delays.

The group worked to educate officers and the public about sexual assault. Grover said kits used to go unsubmitted because the person requesting a rape kit would be drunk and officers would think they didnt have a case.

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(Theyd think), Oh, she was drinking, so were not going to be able to take this anywhere, lets just put this kit on the shelf, she said. Not testing these kits is a way that they play into the hands of the perpetrator.

Society has better understanding about sexual assaults

Grover said society is becoming more educated on sexual assault.

Her organization also established working groups of industry professionals who are still examining the issues to prevent future backlogs, and it helped create a database that links offenders to other crimes through their DNA.

It leads to some other kinds of criminal accountability, Grover said.

The bill unanimously passed the Kansas House last year and has a hearing in the Senate judiciary committee on Thursday.

Pickering said there is still more work to improve the states response to sexual assault, but this is an important step.

This is a strong message that we send as a state to tell survivors that what happened to them mattered and that at the bare minimum we are going to evaluate the evidence in their case, she said. Its really not only practical, but its also symbolic.

Here's how to get help in a crisis

The Kansas Crisis Hotline is 1-888-363-2287. It is a toll-free line available 24-hours a day for anyone needing help. The Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault can be reached at 816-531-0233 or 913-642-0233.

Blaise Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas News Service in Topeka.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas lawmakers will consider bill to prioritize rape kits testing
Kentucky schools now have more flexibility to move classes online amid a COVID-19 surge.

Gov. Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 25, which grants schools 10 remote learning days, into law soon after it passed both chambers on large margins. It goes into effect immediately.

Remote learning days are different than nontraditional instruction, or NTI. Remote learning days can be used only to close individual schools or send certain grades or student groups home. NTI days can only be used for full district closures.

Related: JCPS starts the latest round of virtual instruction

School districts are allotted 10 NTI days a year  a figure some district leaders say might not be enough to get them through a surge of COVID-19 cases and resulting staff shortages.

Brian Crutcher takes a Chromebook from Michelle Cox, the Family Resource Coordinator at Portland Elementary, as all Jefferson County public schools switch to non traditional learning because of a COVID-19 spike. Aivaa Crutcher, 7, (right) is a second grade student at the school. Jan. 10, 2022.

SB 25 will give districts 10 targeted remote learning days to use per school on top of the existing 10 NTI days.

SB 25 also extended a few changes lawmakers made in a September special session hoping to get more teachers into classrooms to counteract COVID-related shortages.

The House State Government Committee also added a slew of last-second extensions to COVID-related emergency orders to SB 25 prior to its passage Thursday afternoon.

More: Here are the education bills to watch in 2022

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky lawmakers approve more remote learning options
Key lawmakers have questions after the Tennessee Department of Education released a draft of a new school funding formula this week but also the appetite to push school funding reform this legislative session.

Nine lawmakers, who make up House and Senate leadership, form the steering committee leading the funding review process launched by Gov. Bill Lee and Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn in October.

The steering committee met for the first time since the draft was released Thursday.

Questions remain over how much money local communities will have to contribute to school spending, what student achievement outcomes could be used as part of the potential new formula and how much additional funding schools should receive to educate students living in poverty or those with disabilities.

School funding: Worries arise about less funding for urban districts, performance bonuses in draft school funding plan

Funding formula: Tennessee releases draft framework of new school funding formula, seeks more input

Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, chairman of the House Education Administration Committee, said he is comfortable moving forward with possible legislation this year despite some unanswered questions.

"I know the local portion is complex and it's very important, however, I don't want to see us delay what the state can do while the General Assembly is in session," White said during Thursday's steering committee meeting. "I would like for us to move forward with that."

Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, left, talks with Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, during a meeting of the House Public Health Committee Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee's General Assembly is meeting for a special legislative session to address COVID-19 measures. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

On Wednesday, Schwinn emphasized Lee has not made a decision yet whether to push for legislation this year to revamp the state's school funding formula and hinted any increase in education funding won't be unveiled until the governor's State of the State address.

Both House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, who serves on the steering committee, also said Thursday they are in favor of pushing forward.

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"We're all wanting to sit down and have the conversations. We're waiting to hear from the steering committee but we want to improve education in our state and I think we need to increase the base funding and do some other things," Sexton told reporters Thursday.

Sexton has come out in favor of outcomes-based funding, or performance bonuses for schools with high student achievement. Some educators and advocates worry that funding based on student achievement is inequitable and disadvantages large urban districts where achievement is often correlated with socioeconomic status.

"I believe that school systems should all start with the same base but if you're a high-performing school system you should get additional funding as well," Sexton said.

The performance measures in the draft framework include items such as scores on the ACT or Advanced Placement, dual enrollment and literacy scores. But the framework also includes the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid form completion rate.

That form is a requirement, for instance, for the Tennessee Promise free community college program but Rep. Patzy Hazelwood, R-Signal Mountain, questioned why it was included.

A spokesperson for Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, declined to comment on whether he anticipates funding legislation to be pushed this session, but said the conversation is "desperately needed."

Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn along with Gov. Bill Lee during a September news conference at the state Capitol.

Lawmakers press for answers on local funding

Lawmakers also asked for examples of how other states calculate local funding contributions.

Tennessee law currently ensures that local funds budgeted for schools do not decrease even as state funding for schools increases. These "maintenance of effort" requirements give the department of education the authority to withhold state funding if local budgets are not in compliance.

Schwinn told lawmakers the department has heard lots of feedback from local communities around the maintenance of effort provisions and would likely propose to hold communities harmless for funding changes for as much as five years in a new framework.

Experts: Tennessee Education Dept. enlists team of national experts on funding review but details are slim

Previously: New education funding legislation 'very possible' in upcoming legislative session, Lee says

"One of the things that we've heard pretty significantly across the state is that the maintenance of effort should not change, that it should stay consistent with what that local contribution is, but the way we calculate a potential local contribution, that is where we really want to focus," she said.

Schwinn has previously promised that local communities will not lose funding or see their state funding dollars decrease in an initial proposal and the state will initially help counter any decrease in funding a district might experience under a new formula.

But Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, chairman of the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, encouraged the commissioner and other members of the committee to look at other ways states mandate local contributions "rather than locking ourselves into believing that our formula has this the maintenance of effort that we're all used too."

Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, speaks during a Senate session Thursday, May 2, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Those could include pooling local tax dollars together to redistribute or capping local collections.

Schwinn said the state is not at this time proposing a framework that tells districts how they have to spend their money  something that has already come up from educators and local elected officials.

"Things like professional development, salary schedules for folks, all of that is still driven at a local level," Schwinn told the steering committee Thursday.

The steering committee is set to meet again on Feb. 3.

Stay up-to-date on Tennessee's top education news by signing up for our new weekly newsletter, School Zone. Sign up here.

Want to read more stories like this? A subscription to one of our Tennessee publications gets you unlimited access to all the latest news throughout the entire USA TODAY Network.

Meghan Mangrum covers education for the USA TODAY Network  Tennessee. Contact her at mmangrum@tennessean.com. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee school funding: Legislative leaders desire to push revamp
Bianca Rudolph, a big game hunter, went to Africa to kill a leopard. She came home in an urn, dead from an accidental discharge from her shotgun.

At least that's what her husband, Dr Lawrence Rudolf, said happened. Federal investigators disagree.

Dr Rudolph is a 67-year-old dentist. He founded Three Rivers Dental Group, which operates in Pittsburgh. He has also been charged with murdering his wife.

The Charges

The dentist was placed in custody on 4 January and charged with murder and fraud stemming from his wife's 2016 death.

Federal investigators claim that Dr Rudolph intended to "defraud life insurance companies" by presenting his wife's death as an accident and collecting the payout.

Attorneys representing Dr Rudolph told The Daily Beast the charges were "outrageous," and that he "loved his wife of 34 years and did not kill her."

Following the couple's deadly trip to Zambia in 2016, Dr Rudolph claimed nearly $5m in insurance benefits. Federal investigators said he managed to secure the multi-million dollar payout by making claims through seven life insurance companies.

The Trip

In the fall of 2016, the Rudolphs traveled to Zambia to hunt big game. The couple were avid hunters, with memberships in major hunting organisations and several trips to Africa under their belts.

On 11 October, at 5.30 am, Ms Rudolph was shot in the chest. The shot originated from her personal hunting shotgun.

Dr Rudolph told the Zambian police that he had been in the bathroom of their cabin when he heard a gunshot from the couple's bedroom. He said he went to investigate the noise and found Ms Rudolph lying on the ground, bleeding from her chest.

He told police he believed that the gun was still loaded from the previous day's hunt, and that it had gone off while she was trying to pack it back into its case.

According to court documents, one of the hunting guides who was staying in the area said he "recalled seeing the shotgun and an expended shotshell on the ground. The shotgun was inside a partially zipped gun case."

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After speaking with local authorities, around 4.30pm, Dr Rudolph called the US Embassy in Zambia to discuss funeral options for his wife. During that call, he told US officials he wanted her body cremated.

The embassy's consular chief, who spoke with Dr Rudolph, alerted the FBI, saying he "had a bad feeling about the situation, which he thought was moving too quickly."

The chief, along with two embassy officials, traveled to a local funeral home where Ms Rudolph's body was being kept to take photos of her in order to preserve evidence. This reportedly incensed Dr Rudolph, who was also at the funeral home at the time.

During the funeral home visit, Dr Rudolph allegedly told the embassy officials he wanted to wait to notify the family members about Ms Rudolph's death, saying his children were from another marriage. It was during that conversation that the dentist suggested his wife may have committed suicide.

The visit left the embassy officials feeling even more uneasy. The consular chief is a 20-year US Marine veteran, and told investigators that the wound was "straight on the heart," not angled as one would expect from a self-inflicted shot from a longarm. Further, he noted that the wound did not appear to be caused by a "tight group of pellets." When a shotgun fires buckshot, the pellets exit the firearm in a tight bunch before spreading out as they travel toward a target.

The chief also noted there were no gas burns on the body, which are typical for gunshot wounds at point-blank or near point-blank ranges. He estimated that Ms Rudolph had been shot from between 6.5 and 8 feet away.

Questions arise about Dr Rudolph's story

After Ms Rudolph's death, a "friend" contacted the FBI in Pretoria, South Africa, and told them they should investigate the death further as she suspected "foul play."

She claimed that Mr Rudolph had been "involved in prior extramarital affairs and had been having an affair at the time of Bianca's death." The woman claimed that Dr Rudolph was allegedly "verbally abusive" and that the pair had fought over money.

The woman also told the FBI that Mr Rudolph's children did not learn of their step-mother's death until a week after she had been killed, and that other friends close to Ms Rudolph did not find out until the day of her funeral. She also claimed Ms Rudolph was a "strict Catholic" and would not have wanted to be cremated.

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 friend told investigators. Other friends corroborated the stories of infidelity to investigators.

Dr Rudolph's legal team has pushed back against the claims that their client would have committed murder with a monetary motivation. The point to his dentistry business, which is reportedly valued at close to $8m, as proof he would have no financial motive to kill, noting that he had signed a prenuptial agreement that would prevent him from substantial losses in the event of a divorce.

The friend claimed that Dr Rudolph's girlfriend moved in with him a year after his wife's death. Investigators also found financial records suggesting that Dr Rudolph took numerous trips with his girlfriend to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, including a trip that took place a month after Ms Rudolph's death.

The dentist's theory that his wife died by suicide were also called into question after a medical examiner in Colorado examined the photos of Ms Rudolph's wound. The medical expert concluded that 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," according to an affidavit.

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, the medical examiner said in the affidavit. 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 Daily Beast obtained cellphone transcripts showing a number of large payments made to the hunting guide who corroborated Dr Rudolph's story, adding to the suspicion surrounding the incident.

According to the publication's analysis, Dr Rudolph paid the hunting guide $30,000 in January 2017, just three months after the woman died. Two months later Dr Rudolph paid the guide another $23,000.

What comes next

Dr Rudolph is being held in a state facility in Colorado, where he is awaiting his trial to begin.

His legal team is arguing for his temporary release, claiming his incarceration puts him at risk of contracting Covid-19, and objecting to his detention in Colorado, which is not his home state.

The attorneys said that Colorado is a "jurisdiction foreign to him  where he lacks the support of any friends or family who could visit him and assist him in organising his affairs to mount his defence." They went on to accuse prosecutors of "deliberately" isolating the dentist in order to "gain an unfair advantage."

Permitting such naked gamesmanship in a case making such serious allegations risks making the ultimate trial a hollow proceeding and a mockery of justice and of the judicial system itself, the attorney's bail request said.

Prosecutors pushed back on the request on Monday, noting that Dr Rudolph's legal team was based in Miami, not Phoenix, where he hoped to be transferred. They argued that the jurisdiction where he is being held would make no difference for his defense as he would not be in Miami with his legal team.

As to the health issues, the defendant has not offered his vaccination status, prosecutors wrote in a motion responding to the bail request. If he is vaccinated, this court and others have concluded that this is a substantial factor in assessing COVID risks.
Snowfall in Asheville on January 3, 2022.

ASHEVILLE - The city is preparing for the major winter storm, which weather forecasters say will impact Western North Carolina the night of Jan. 15 through Jan. 16, and officials are asking residents to do their part by staying off roads during the storm and being prepared with emergency supplies.

Governor Roy Cooper signed a state of emergency Jan. 13 in advance of the storm's arrival and is urging people to prepare, according a news release from the office.

This storm will bring significant impacts from snow, sleet and freezing rain in different parts of the state, with likely power outages and travel disruptions, said Cooper.

North Carolinians should pay close attention to their local weather forecast over the next few days, and make sure they are personally prepared before Saturday afternoon.

National Weather Service meteorologists are predicting about 7-10 inches of snow, and an advisory on the website says, "significant accumulations of snow are possible, and sleet and freezing rain may mix in at times, especially in southern mountain locations.

According to a news release, the Asheville Public Works Department is taking a "proactive approach" to the forecast. Street Division crews will hit the roads Jan. 14, prepping against the oncoming snow storm.

Related: Forecast update on how much snow winter storm will drop on Asheville, Buncombe County

Our staff is steadily preparing our equipment to begin snow removal operations when needed, said Public Works Director Greg Shuler. We have plenty of salt, our staffing levels are in good shape, and our equipment is ready to go.

Street crews are scheduled to report as the predicted storm moves in Saturday night and will be prepping and plowing streets as conditions require. Staffing will continue on a 24-hour basis throughout the storm.

North Carolina Department of Transportation crews and contractor resources will work to clear roads as fast as possible, but response times are expected to be slower than previous storms due to labor shortages impacting crews spread around the state, according to the state release.

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NCDOT workers started brining roads Jan. 13 in preparation for the storm and expect to complete that work on Jan. 14. Transportation officials recommend staying off the roads once travel conditions deteriorate.

Buncombe County spokesperson Kassi Day said county emergency services is also monitoring the weather and will work with county management to push out any necessary messages.

She encouraged people to take action now for any items they may need, such as groceries, pet food, propane or heating oil and alternate sources of heat.

More: West Asheville Trinity United Methodist newest Code Purple homeless shelter

Snowfall in Asheville on January 3, 2022.

"We encourage everyone to watch their local weather stations, and NWS alerts, keep your phone batteries charged, and have extra blankets and an emergency kit ready," Day said.

She directed residents to the county's preparedness page for tips, tricks and helpful numbers.

Related: Blue Ridge Parkway mostly open in Asheville corridor, some parts to close for maintenance

People can sign up for Buncombe County alerts at buncombecounty.org/codered or text bcalert to 99411. They can sign up for Asheville Alerts at ashevillenc.gov/service/sign-up-for-avl-alert/.

Both city and county encouraged residents to limit travel and stay off of the road during snow events if possible.

County and city closings

Asheville city government offices and Buncombe County offices will be closed Jan. 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

ART bus service routes and facilities will operate on a holiday schedule, which is the same as the Sunday schedule.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one of six days ART runs on a reduced holiday schedule. For more route information or service alerts, visit RidetheART.com.

Asheville City Schools are closed Jan. 14 due to COVID-19-related staffing shortages. Schools are also closed Jan. 18.

More: Spiking COVID-19 infections decimate Asheville City Schools staff; forces system to close

Red Cross recommendations

After Asheville's Jan. 3 storm caused power outages across the county, the Red Cross opened a shelter to assistant families impacted.

Maya Franklin, regional director of communications for Red Cross, said the organization does not currently have plans to open shelters, but stands ready to support community members as needed in coordination with its emergency partners.

If the need is determined, the location of the shelter will depend on where the community is most impacted, she said.

In the meantime, the Red Cross recommends the following:

Monitor alerts. Check local weather reports and any notifications. by phone, television or radio.

Dont use a gas stove to heat your home and do not use outdoor stoves indoors for heating or cooking.

Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid power overloads or damage from power surges. Use flashlights, not candles.

Tips from North Carolina Emergency Management officials

Always keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food and a supply of medication in your home.

Keep cell phones and mobile devices charged in case of power outages.

Keep fresh batteries on hand for weather radios and flashlights.

Dress warmly. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing.

Properly vent kerosene heaters and ensure generators are operated outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors.

Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to receive emergency weather alerts.

Store an emergency kit in your vehicle. Include scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit and road map.

Make an emergency supplies kit for your pet and include medical records, leash and feeding supplies, enough food and for several days and pet travel carrier.

Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time during freezing weather.

Code Purple shelter options

Asheville's Code Purple is extended through Jan. 16. Options are:

ABCCM Costello House for men, 141 Hillside St., 4 p.m. and throughout the night in addition to law enforcement and paramedic escorts after hours.

Salvation Army for women and children only, 6-7 p.m. Law enforcement or paramedic escort allowed after hours, 828-253-4723.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Road is available for overnight for families, couples and other vulnerable people who are unable to access other options. Entry for overnights is 4-7 p.m. Law enforcement or paramedics after hours, 828-253-5471.

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Closings, shelters: What to know ahead of Asheville NC winter storm
(Reuters) - Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now:

J&J booster 85% effective against Omicron hospitalisation

A Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is 85% effective in protecting against being hospitalised by the Omicron variant for 1-2 months after it is received, the head of South Africa's Medical Research Council said on Friday.

A study involved 477,234 healthcare workers, all of them vaccinated with the J&J shot, of whom 236,000 - roughly half - had received the J&J booster shot.

Unvaccinated people infected with the Omicron variant may be less prone to severe illness and requiring hospital care or dying than was the case with previous variants, another South African study showed on Friday.

Brazil reels as Omicron spreads

Brazil is suffering a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases as the Omicron variant spreads through the country, putting pressure on health services and weighing on an already sputtering economy.

Insufficient testing and a data blackout caused by hackers have made it harder for experts to track the spread of Omicron in Brazil, but there are increasingly clear signs that the variant is hitting Latin America's largest nation hard.

China suspends more flights

China suspended dozens of international flights on Friday in response to the surge in Omicron cases, while the city of Shanghai curbed tourist activity as it rushed to head off local COVID-19 infections and imported cases rose.

Cities across China are becoming more vigilant ahead of the Lunar New Year travel season later this month and as Beijing readies to stage the Winter Olympics beginning Feb. 4, with many local governments urging residents not to leave town unnecessarily.

Hong Kong authorities said on Friday the city's airport will suspend for a month transit flights from around 150 countries and territories considered high risk, deepening the global financial hub's isolation.

Philippines bans unvaccinated from public transport

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The Philippines will push through a plan next week to ban from public transportation people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, officials said on Friday, as the country strives to quell a surge in infections.

The ban applies to the congested capital region of about 13 million people, where most new cases have emerged, but has faced stiff opposition from the country's human rights commission, which called it restrictive and discriminatory.

South Korea court exempts teens, supermarkets from vaccine passes

A South Korean court on Friday ruled that large shops and teenagers should be temporarily excluded from COVID-19 vaccine pass mandates in the capital Seoul, part of an intensifying legal fight over one of Asia's strictest vaccination policies.

A group of more than 1,000 doctors, professors and ordinary citizens filed for an injunction last week against Seoul's mayor to suspend the mandates, which require vaccination passes or testing for entry to most public facilities except for schools.

Hundreds of thousands of Indians gather for holy dip

Hundreds of thousands of Hindu worshippers gathered on the banks of India's Ganges river on Friday for a holy bathe despite a 30-fold rise in COVID-19 cases in the past month.

A large number of devotees were taking a dip in the sacred river where it flows through the eastern state of West Bengal, which is reporting the most number of cases in the country after Maharashtra state in the west.

(Compiled by Linda Noakes; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Rep. John Fillmore has introduced a bill to let lawmakers decide which candidates appear on the ballot in the primary election.

Heres a thoughtful idea for all you Arizona voters who feel overwhelmed by elections, burdened by that constitutional right that allows you to decide who would best represent you in the United States Senate.

Just let the Arizona Legislature do it for you.

Or at least, to narrow down your choices.

A group of conservative Republican legislators is proposing that legislators decide who can run for the U.S. Senate in Arizona.

Seventeenth Amendment, Schmeventeenth Amendment.

It's about making U.S. senators accountable?

For those of who havent read it in a while, thats the one that allows we the people to directly elect our senators.

Weve had that right for more than a century now, having taken it away from state legislatures who previously selected our senators.

Now some Arizona legislators want to grab back at least a piece of that power they held prior to 1913.

House Concurrent Resolution 2011 would give the Legislature the power to decide who could run in the primary election for the Senate.

Democratic and Republican legislators would each choose two nominees to run on their parties respective ballots.

Sen. John Fillmore, the bills primary sponsor, says its all about making senators accountable.

I personally believe over the last 30 or 50 years, the states senators on the federal level have lost a sense of allegiance to our state, the Apache Junction Republican told me. They seem to be playing more on the international level, concerned with international issues rather than being of assistance to the great state of Arizona.

Apparently, voters aren't as good at these decisions

One would think that we voters could express our displeasure at the polls, should we be unhappy with our senators.

But Fillmore seems to think it would be a better idea to make them beholden to state lawmakers, who would then decide who could  and, I suspect, as importantly  who could not run for the Senate.

If that were the rule today, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema would be shaking in her thigh-high boots right about now. Theres no chance shed be allowed to run for a second term after refusing to toe the Democratic Party line and end the filibuster.

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As for Republicans, I shudder to think who in their party would get permission to run for the Senate from a Legislature dominated by the far right.

And any guesses on how many of the nominees from both parties would come from the ranks for the Legislature?

Lawmakers have made similar efforts before

This is not the first time our esteemed leaders have tried to limit our right to select senators of our own choosing.

In 2018, Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, proposed scrapping the Senate primary altogether, allowing legislators to decide who would appear on the general election ballot.

At the time, certain Republicans said then-Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake werent sufficiently responsive to them.

Ive called a number of times to try and get help, Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley, said during a hearing on the bill. I dont even get a secretary. I get a voicemail that says, We are currently not taking any more messages. 

And so Finchem urged his fellow lawmakers to strip Arizona voters of the power to decide who would be on the ballot.

Now hes running for secretary of state, to oversee our elections, and isnt that a comforting thought?

But I digress. Fortunately, Granthams bill flamed out.

This year's version would solidify their power

Now a version of it is back, proving that bad ideas never really die at the state Capitol. Thats why the time to start paying attention to goings-on at the state Capitol is always now.

Itll make the senators pay more respect to the states issues, Fillmore said of his bill.

Or itll just solidify a sizable amount of power in the always grasping hands of the Legislature.

The same people who have for years refused to unmask the dark money interests that increasingly are buying Arizonas elections.

The same ones who have made it more difficult for citizens to exercise their constitutional right to make laws at the ballot box.

The same ones who have undermined voters confidence in our elections and now are preparing to make yet another raft of changes to state election laws because Donald Trump lost.

If it passes, voters will likely kill it. Dead

Fortunately, though legislators can make it harder to vote, they cant strip us of the power to select senators of our choosing.

Not unless we let them, that is.

Should Fillmores bill pass, it would go on the November ballot where I suspect voters wouldnt just kill it. Theyd knock the thing down, run over it, then stomp on whats left of its bloody carcass.

Thank you for trying to limit my rights, Mr. Fillmore.

But no thanks.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Should Arizona Legislature choose who runs for U.S. Senate? (Um, no)
Harford Community College in Bel Air held a pinning ceremony for its Fall 2021 Nursing Class in December.

Different from a graduation or commencement ceremony, a pinning ceremony is about celebrating nursing students who have completed their nursing program and are on their way to entering the nursing profession, said Susan Fletcher, HCC spokesperson.

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Students in the Nursing Program at Harford Community College's Fall 2021 pinning ceremony. They graduated with an associate's degree in nursing. (Harford Community College)

There were 48 students who graduated as registered nurses in the Fall 2021 class. Several nursing students had a unique learning opportunity last spring when they were invited by the Harford County Health Department and University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health to assist with COVID-19 vaccination clinics for seniors.

Two information sessions will be held on Jan. 26 and 27 for those who are applying by the Feb. 15 deadline for summer or fall admission to the nursing program. Prospective students will have the opportunity to meet with nursing faculty and students for a Q&A session. For more information, contact Roger Hoover, 443-412-2206, rohoover@harford.edu.

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Harford Community College offers the associate of science degree nursing program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Jan. 14An Afghan mother and her two children have a place to live in Lewiston, thanks to Bonnie Titcomb Lewis and Lisa Day.

"These are people that worked with our military," Lewis said of the woman who has no idea where her husband and oldest son are. Her 2-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son are with her.

The family moved into an apartment Lewis and Day worked to get ready Wednesday night. "We were here until 10," Lewis said Thursday.

Lewis and Day are temporary employees with Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services, a Lewiston agency helping Afghan refugees resettle in the Lewiston and Auburn area.

"We may not have gotten a lot of our soldiers home without them," Lewis said about the refugees who were taken out of Afghanistan within days of the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

"We were expecting 100 over the course of eight months," Day said. "We had 100 arrive in eight weeks."

Community support has pulled through, Day said. "I have people calling me left and right. 'We want to donate,'" she said callers tell her.

One native of Rwanda and three from Somalia helped pick up a used coach donated by an Auburn family Thursday. The four masked young men filled the cab of a U-Haul box van. On the way to pick up the couch, they stopped at a small ethnic store on Lisbon Street so the driver could grab some Sambusa.

"They do all the work. I just drive the truck," Kusow Omar said while climbing into the driver's seat. Omar is named after his grandfather, Kusow. "He tries to tell me that his grandmother's name is Bonnie," Bonnie Titcomb Lewis said. "But, I'm not buying it."

"This was a mountain of clothes," Lewis said while hanging donations dropped off at Maine Immigrant & Refugee Services on Bartlett Street.

"So many people want to contribute," Day said. "Everybody is pitching in."

A woman from Auburn picked up an Afghan family Wednesday and drove them to Marden's to shop. Her husband lost a $20 bet at work and the money he lost went into a collection he and his hospital colleagues have been saving to help Lewiston's new arrivals from Afghanistan.

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Lewis said she and Day have helped get 10 apartments cleaned and ready in Lewiston for relocated Afghans. She said more apartments are needed and so are gently used couches and bureaus.

A local resident bought the pink bed where the 2-year-old girl would sleep Thursday night. Day laid a teddy bear on top.

"They worked for us," Lewis said about the Afghans coming to Maine. "They made a commitment to us. We are doing what we can to fulfill our commitment to them."
Photo of Diaz-Johnston

Authorities in Florida are investigating the death of Jorge Diaz-Johnston, an LGBTQ+ activist who won a landmark court case in Miami-Dade County against the states ban on same-sex marriages. He was 54.

Diaz-Johnston vanished from Tallahassee January 3, according to Miami TV station WPLG. Detectives found his remains in a trash pile at a landfill Saturday morning in Jackson County, Fla., which is west of Tallahassee.

Police are treating the case as a homicide.

Investigators said in a release that the trash Diaz-Johnston's remains were found in came from a metal bay at another landfill. They added that any person or company has access to it.

Diaz-Johnston and his husband, Don Johnston, were one of six couples who successfully sued the Miami-Dade County Clerks Office after the office denied them marriage licenses in 2014.

The activist leaves behind his husband and his brother, Manny Diaz, who is a former mayor of Miami and is currently the Florida Democratic Party Chair.

He touched so many people with his kind and generous heart, Johnston said in a Facebook post.

Diaz-Johnstons brother released a statement thanking community members for the support shown to his family and to Johnston.

My brother was such a special gift to this world whose heart and legacy will continue to live on for generations to come. I am also so very grateful to the Tallahassee Police Department  with the support of Mayor Daley and City Manager Reed  who have worked tirelessly to locate and investigate the circumstances surrounding my brothers disappearance, Diaz said.

LGBTQ+ rights group Equality Florida honored Diaz-Johnston in a statement on Twitter.

We are heartbroken to learn of the death of Jorge. He and his husband Don were two of the brave plaintiffs who took on Floridas anti-gay marriage ban and helped win marriage equality for all Floridians, the group wrote.

Local authorities have asked anyone who may have information regarding Diaz-Johnston's death to please call the Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200. Callers may also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (850) 574-TIPS.
(AP)

Since the enormous success of Elena Ferrantes Neapolitan Novels, Italys leading female author, who famously writes under a pseudonym, has become a global phenomenon with a name of its own: Ferrante Fever. Saverio Costanzos HBO television drama My Brilliant Friend, based on the authors four-part novel, has only further widened her appeal. Ferrantes lesser-known third novel The Lost Daughter has now been adapted into a Netflix movie by Maggie Gyllenhaal.

When Leda (Olivia Colman) goes for a holiday on a fictional Greek island, her peace is soon disrupted the large, noisy American family staying on the same beach. The seemingly idyllic relationship between young mother Nina (Dakota Johnson) and her daughter Elena stirs uncomfortable memories of Ledas own mothering.

Elena is particularly attached to her doll Nani, who will turn out to play a central role in Ledas reckoning with her troubled past. This unravels in a series of flashbacks that depict her breaking some of the sacred taboos of motherhood by putting her needs and ambitions before those of her daughters. We witness how she struggled to cope with the demands of childcare, and how she left her young children in order to pursue a career as an academic.

The film powerfully captures the symbiotic yet suffocating relationship between young mother Nina and her child. A series of claustrophobic extreme close-ups and frantic, handheld shots effectively convey the tension. These include some beautiful episodes that show the intimacy and almost fluid entanglement of mother, child and the dolls bodies as they frolic on the beach.

Yet a perilously pointed knife in the first flashback foreshadows the darker sides of motherhood in moments of apparent lightness. The disappearance of Elena (who gets lost on the beach and is found by Leda) and then the doll Nani (in a gratuitous act of theft by Leda) unleashes inner turbulence in Leda and disrupts Nina and Elenas seemingly perfect mother-daughter union. Through the sympathetic eyes of Leda, Nina is shown struggling with the constant demands of her young daughter, which she is left by her husband to bear alone, and will eventually admit to having depression, or something.

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In the book, Ledas choices emerge from a childhood affected by domestic violence and a lack of social mobility that particularly concerns women

While key parts of Ferrantes original narrative are well conveyed in the film, some vital contextual elements get lost in translation.

A trauma passed down

In the movie, Ninas ambiguous maternal feelings are associated with post-natal depression, a pathology that remains under-represented in contemporary film and literature. However, Ferrantes Lost Daughter does not include any references to a medical disorder. Rather, the author attributes maternal discontent to a broader existential inner turmoil affecting women, that has its roots in the violent gender dynamics of Ledas harsh upbringing in patriarchal Neapolitan society. This is lost in the adaptation from book to screen.

In the book, Ledas choices emerge from a childhood affected by domestic violence and a lack of social mobility that particularly concerns women. The internal turmoil first experienced by Ledas mother, and subsequently by Leda, hence can be traced back to a transgenerational trauma passed down from mothers to daughters that goes well beyond (post-natal) depression.

Olivia Colman in The Lost Daughter' (Netflix)

The differences in setting are also important: while the movie is set on a fictional Greek island, in Ferrantes original account Ledas encounter on the beach takes place in southern Italy, and features a family with links to the Camorra (the Neapolitan mafia), stirring some deeply unsettling memories of her Neapolitan upbringing.

In the movie, Leda runs the risk of coming across as an entitled, intellectual snob. But by neglecting to tell the story of her upbringing in a poor neighbourhood of Naples and its criminal underworld, the film misses out on an essential component of Ferrantes writings that make the setting a vital part of the plot. This aspect is rather diluted in the film into what at times appears as an awkwardly engineered Italo-Greek-American backdrop. It fails to capture the significance of Ledas emancipation from a complex, and often oppressive condition of women in the Mediterranean South.

Ferrantes novel includes several flashbacks to her mothers violent outbursts in Neapolitan dialect (a trigger in Ledas encounter with the clan on the beach), which explain the pent-up rage often directed against her children  these are left out from the movie, so that some nuances go overlooked.

While Ledas own mother forms an essential part of Ledas soul-searching in the novel, she is only once referred to in the film as the black shithole  that I came from. The absence of this lineage of mothers in Gyllenhaals film fails to account for the damaging effects of mothering under the shadow of male violence.

Gyllenhaals film will no doubt play an important part in enhancing the understanding of and stimulating debate about the ambivalences of motherhood, unhinged from its societal and cultural constraints. Yet Ferrantes work provides a powerful subtext to the film that should be read by anyone interested in the complexities of motherhood, and indeed, the female condition at large.

Katrin Wehling-Giorgi is an associate professor at Durham University. This article first appeared on The Conversation.
St. Joseph County resident Lisa Jaworski, left, talks about problems with her neighbor's property Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the IBEW hall on Peppermint Road, during a public meeting on the county's plan to enforce code violations.

SOUTH BEND  Several St. Joseph County residents told of nearby yards littered with junk cars, appliances and trash Wednesday during the first in a series of public forums on the countys proposed new ordinances aimed at nuisance properties.

About 20 people attended the meeting at the IBEW hall on Peppermint Road, where county officials outlined plans to tackle unsightly properties with a full-time code-enforcement unit and ordinances addressing weeds, abandoned vehicles and other various nuisances.

Of the six people who spoke, five said they supported the countys code-enforcement plan.

Junk and weeds in neighbor's yard? County launching code enforcement to help

Its been a long time coming, said Don Ruszkowski, who lives on Early Road and said he worries oil that leaks from abandoned cars on some properties is contaminating the groundwater for everyone.

Lisa Jaworski, who lives on Lancer Drive, said a neighboring property has been in disrepair for more than 25 years.

Jaworski said her neighbors house was presentable when she first married and moved in. But when the owner died, Jaworski said, his out-of-state son inherited the house and has neglected it since.

Nobody has touched the house since then, mostly, except vagrants, drug addicts, lots of critters, young people using it for whatever purposes they desire, she said, suggesting neighbors would be better off if the house burned down. I think the fire department ought to come use it for practice.

The county is dipping into code enforcement for the first time this year, after the County Council approved $330,000 for the new unit in the 2022 budget. The money will go toward two full-time code officers, along with other expenses, such as front-end fees, to clean up properties.

The proposed plan calls for the county to issue warnings to owners with violations, then, if the problems arent fixed, to clean up the property and bill the owner for the costs.

Abby Wiles, the countys planning director, will oversee the unit. She said the county has never had a good way to deal with unsightly properties because most of the issues dont fit neatly within other ordinances, such as the zoning or health codes.

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The countys last attempt to fund code enforcement fell through in 2016 amid uncertainty about the costs.

Willie Luchowski, who owns a house on Pond Street, said he can barely get to his house because a nearby property owner has scrap cars lining both sides of the street and encroaching on traffic.

Im talking cars, old appliances, things like that that have been ongoing for years, he said. Im hoping we can put this stuff to bed.

Wiles said the case illustrated the need for the new ordinances. The county has tried to take action against the Pond Street property owner by classifying it as an illegal auto salvage yard under the zoning ordinance.

We have issued a number of citations, we havent gotten any real compliance, Wiles said, versus having something like this in place that would allow us to do the work to clean it up.

Wiles said the proposed code-enforcement program is modeled after Elkhart County's.

While most residents at Wednesdays meeting spoke in favor of the plan, support isnt unanimous.

John Harper, who lives on Old U.S. 31, said people have made malicious complaints about his property in the past, and he fears they will use the new ordinances to do more of the same. He said hes worried the county will ban him from storing a boat in his yard, as well as metal shipping containers he uses for storage.

Ive had people come at me because they want to steal my property, so they report me for all kinds of crap, Harper said. I think this could be used the same way.

The County Council is tentatively scheduled to take a final vote on the ordinances March 8.

Want to chime in?

The county is seeking input on the proposed ordinances through its website, as well as at three more public meetings, all running 6-8 p.m. and scheduled for:

Jan. 19 at the Palmer Community Complex, 601 N. Michigan St., Lakeville

Jan. 26 at the German Township branch library, 42807 Lynnewood Ave., South Bend

Feb. 2 virtually via Zoom

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: St. Joseph County residents say new code enforcement plan overdue
A man who was on the run for 21 years after accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor in Minnesota has been arrested, the FBI said in a Jan. 12 news release.

Curis Brovold, 68, was originally wanted by Minnesota officials for allegations of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl in 2000, according to the FBIs Most Wanted poster.

He is accused of talking to the teenager over the internet in 2000, flying to meet the girl at a hotel room in Minnesota and having sexual relations with her, according to the release.

Brovold was arrested on July 11, 2000, but after being released on bond he fled and did not show in court, the release said.

He has since been charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Detectives recently discovered Brovold, who was previously a computer technician, was living in Mexico.

After nearly 22 years, he was arrested at his home in Cancun on Jan. 12, the FBI said.

The FBI has two things on its side when working fugitive cases: persistence and a very long memory. Both helped lead us to Curtis Brovold, FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Paul said in a news release. We must never forget that, behind each fugitive case, there is a victim who is denied justice. That is who we are working for and I want to thank everyone involved in catching Mr. Brovold, as they helped bring his victim one step closer to getting the justice she deserves.

Brovold will be transported to Minnesota, the release said.

Man accused of faking death to avoid Utah sexual assault charges found living abroad

Dentist collected millions in life insurance after killing wife in Africa, feds say
A late-model Toyota Corolla was reportedly whipping in and out of traffic as it zoomed down Interstate 75 south of Forsyth on Christmas Eve.

A Monroe County sheriffs deputy spotted the car and saw its driver with a cellphone in his hand. The deputy caught up with the car, eased alongside it and, as his write-up later noted, I observed the driver being on his cellphone.  The driver crossed over the center line as I was traveling beside the driver, almost striking my patrol car.

After the deputy pulled the car over, its driver, a 32-year-old from Macon, was told why he had been stopped.

I advised the driver that he almost struck my patrol vehicle, the deputys report said. (The driver) stated, Yeah, Im sorry. I was FaceTiming my girl, arguing with her.

The drivers speech was said to have been noticeably slurred. The driver said he had been drinking and that hed had a few Twisted Teas. He was jailed on DUI and traffic charges.

Dispatches: On Dec. 28, a Forsyth-area landlord reported threatening text messages sent by a tenant he was trying to evict. One message, according to a Monroe sheriffs report, said the landlord had an ass beating coming. . . . A Bolingbroke woman called the law two days after Christmas to report that her 26-year-old son was having mood swings due to him being on and off drugs, a police report said. The mother said the son gets angry and does dumb things and that she wanted the cops to have an account of his erratic behavior on record.
A man in Lexington was sent to the hospital Friday evening after being shot near downtown, according to Lexington police

Police said they were dispatched to the 400 block of Elm Tree Lane at 11:46 p.m. Friday for a call of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers did not find a victim but did locate several shell casings.

Police said they later found a victim two blocks over on Chestnut Street suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are unsure why the scene of the crime and the victim were at two different locations. Police also dont have any suspect information to release as of early Friday morning.
Nirvana members, from left, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Kurt Cobain pose after receiving an award at the 10th MTV Video Music Awards in 1993. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Spencer Elden, the 30-year-old artist who was photographed naked as a baby for the cover of Nirvana's "Nevermind" album, is still pursuing his federal personal injury and child pornography lawsuit against the band.

The case, originally filed in U.S. District Court in California in August, had been dismissed earlier this month after Elden missed a deadline. It was reopened and amended Wednesday when the California resident filed a second amended complaint that alleged that the 1991 album's cover art, which features him in a swimming pool with his genitalia showing, was taken and used without his consent.

"[D]uring the ten years preceding the filing of this action, each Defendant knowingly possessed, transported, reproduced, advertised, promoted, presented, distributed, provided, and/or obtained child pornography depicting Spencer, who had not attained the age of 18 years when this image was printed on the cover of Nirvana's 'Nevermind' album," said the new complaint, obtained Thursday by The Times.

Elden is seeking an injunction on future sales, marketing and distribution, a jury trial and $150,000 from each defendant in damages as well as punitive damages "to deters others" from similar conduct.

The defendants named in the lawsuit include the surviving members of Nirvana, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, as well as the late Kurt Cobains widow, Courtney Love, who is the executor of his estate, photographer Kirk Weddle, drummer Chad Channing and a number of record companies connected to the album.

In a Jan. 3 order, U.S. District Court Judge Fernando M. Olguin gave Elden and his legal team 10 days to amend his complaint and refile the lawsuit by Thursday. The defendants have until Jan. 20 to respond. Had Elden missed Thursday's deadline, Olguin said the lawsuit would be dismissed without prejudice.

Wednesday's revised and updated pleadings include new information about the creation of the album cover, including images and materials that allegedly illustrate the "Nevermind" creators' "deliberate choices to commercialize and exploit the sexually explicit photo lasciviously depicting Spencers genitals," Elden's attorney, Robert Y. Lewis, said in an e-mail to The Times.

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It also clarifies that Elden's case "concerns and seeks damages incurred from the distribution of the image on the album and other paraphernalia over the last 10 years. It therefore is not barred by the 10-year statute of limitations," Lewis said.

Attorneys for the defendants declined to comment Thursday on the new complaint.

Elden alleged that they "intentionally commercially marketed" his nude photo and "leveraged the lascivious nature of his image to promote the 'Nevermind' album, the band, and Nirvanas music, while earning, at a minimum, tens of millions of dollars in the aggregate."

He also accused them of using the image "as a foundational element of their record promotion scheme" and for rereleasing the album on its 30th anniversary last September and continuing "to feature a lascivious exhibition of Spencers genitals on the cover."

As a result, the complaint said, Spencer "suffered damages during the ten years preceding the filing of this action, and he will continue to suffer damages as long as the violations described above persist."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Chinese, overseas scholars condemn U.S. signing of "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act"

Xinhua) 08:08, January 14, 2022

Aerial photo taken on April 13, 2021 shows a film mulching sower at work in a cotton field in Tungqeka Village of Xingping Township, Yuli County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States' signing of the so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act" into law was nothing but a political farce, said a law professor from China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at a press conference Thursday in Beijing.

The conference was held by the Xinjiang regional government, with Chinese and foreign scholars participating both online and offline.

"As a law teacher working in Xinjiang for over four decades, I have gained an in-depth understanding of the labor situation in Xinjiang and clearly know that the so-called 'forced labor' fallacy in Xinjiang is groundless," said Chen Tong, a professor with the law school of Xinjiang Normal University.

Xinjiang has always respected the will of workers in formulating employment policies, expanding employment channels, and providing employment services for the people in the region, said Chen.

The region has fulfilled its obligations under international conventions and actively practiced international labor and human rights standards, ensuring to the maximum extent that people of all ethnic groups enjoy the right to work, the professor added.

De Quanying, another law professor at Xinjiang University of Finance and Economics, said that the United States' act is totally hegemonic and the greatest violation of human rights.

Xie Guiping, a professor with Zhejiang University, said that the atrocious act fully unmasks the United States' intent of luring the international community into suppressing China's development, mounting a full-blown attack against certain industries of China, creating mass unemployment in Xinjiang and undermining the region's security, stability and ethnic unity.

Hiroshi Onishi, a professor from Japan's Keio University, made a presentation speech via video link during the conference, refuting the so-called "forced labor" claims with facts based on his field research in Xinjiang.

"I have conducted research on Xinjiang 11 times and have many Uygur students," said the Japanese professor, adding that people in Xinjiang told him that many people are happy to have the chance to work in the more developed coastal regions, which is by no means compulsory for them, and there is no such thing as "forced labor transfer."

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
A racist epithet was written on a wall inside Lime Kiln Middle School in Fulton, and school leaders responded Wednesday by stating the incident was beyond disappointing and devastating to us, especially in light of two other recent incidents of racist slurs being used at the school.

In a Dec. 17 letter written to the school community, Principal Lucy Lublin and Assistant Principal Carol Ketterman wrote: Reflecting on this year so far, LKMS has dealt with important incidents, including the writing of a racial slur (N****r) on a sixth-grade students locker, and some eighth-grade students using the same racial slur verbally in exchanges with each other during class time. It is clear that we need to renew and strengthen our commitment to our schools efforts in creating a learning environment that is reflective of our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) focus.

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In another letter sent Wednesday, Lublin and Ketterman said the same racist epithet was written on a wall in one of the schools hallways.

The slur was removed from the wall and the incident is actively being investigated by the school system, according to Brian Bassett, director of communication and engagement for the Howard County Public School System.

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Lime Kiln Middle School has a total student enrollment of 619 as of September 2021. According to school system collected data, the student population at the school is 41.5% White, 28.1% Asian and 15% Black/African American. Ten percent of students are of two or more races, while less than 5% of the student body identifies as American Indian/Alaskan, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or Hispanic/Latino.

Ketterman and Lublin said the two incidents earlier this school year, during which verbal and written racist slurs were used, had prompted a promise to renew and strengthen our commitment to our schools efforts in creating a learning environment that is reflective of our diversity, equity and inclusion focus during this school year.

They said school leaders are taking action by forming a student government association that reflects the student population and using community groups to conduct lessons and discussions centering on diversity, equity and inclusion.

As an administrative team, we do not take incidents of hate, bias or discrimination lightly, they wrote. We assure you that we are focusing our efforts on both the identification of the individual(s) behind this most recent incident, as well as our efforts to continue to ensure we are building and sustaining a community that is inclusive of all staff, students and families.

Additionally, administrators promised to review the student code of conduct in classroom groups and emphasize the importance of see/hear something, say something, to remind students of ways they can help to ensure the school environment is safe and inclusive for all.

These incidents come less than a year after a marquee sign with the phrase Black Lives Matter was vandalized outside another Howard County public school, Glenwood Middle. The word Black in the phrase was covered with spray paint on the sign.
The Marine Corps has granted two service members a permanent religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, the first military branch to do so, the service announced Thursday in a regular update.

The Corps says that, to date, it has received 3,350 requests for religious exemption to the mandate and processed 3,212. The two exemptions announced Thursday are the first for vaccines that the service has granted in at least the last 10 years.

None of the other branches of the military has granted any religious exemptions for COVID-19 to date.

Read Next: Oath Keeper Militia Members Including 5 Veterans Indicted on Sedition Charges for Jan. 6 Riot

The Marine Corps did not provide any details on the circumstances surrounding the two exemptions or how they differed from any of the other requests it has received. A statement from Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Andrew Wood cited privacy considerations in declining to provide more specifics.

The decision to grant or deny the exemption requests lies with the Manpower and Reserve Affairs command, which is headed by Deputy Commandant Lt. Gen. David Ottignon.

The Marine Corps statement explained that there is a three-person Religious Accommodation board within Manpower and Reserve Affairs that reviews each package and makes a recommendation to Ottignon.

"The Deputy Commandant then personally reviews the content of each package before making a decision," the statement from Wood said.

While the first to grant religious exemptions, the Marine Corps has also been the most aggressive branch in booting troops who have refused the vaccine. Since Dec. 16, the Corps has discharged 351 Marines for vaccine refusal -- 100 of those occurred in the last week. By contrast, the Navy has discharged only 20 sailors to date, despite having the same vaccine deadline.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Navy Boots First Batch of COVID-19 Vaccine Refusers
William Lambers

Martin Luther King Jr. had a weapon which he believed could change the world. Dr. King exclaimed "Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.

We need Dr. King's message of nonviolence and peace at home and abroad.

When you see news of cities suffering record homicides, the message of nonviolence takes on more urgency. Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Austin (Texas), Portland (Oregon), Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Columbus (Ohio), Louisville, (Kentucky), Jackson are among the cities reporting record levels of homicides in 2021, many of those from gun violence.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: What events are happening, postponed due to COVID-19 in MS?

A new report says the number of people shot to death in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, reached levels not seen in decades.

South Florida also shared in numerous tragedies from gun violence in 2021, continuing a deadly trend.

To help our cities we need more ambassadors to preach Dr. King's message of nonviolence, which was the cornerstone of him becoming a civil rights champion. Dr. King believed people must channel their energies into peaceful actions instead of through anger and hate.

Dr. King said: I am convinced that even violent temperaments can be channeled through nonviolent discipline, if they can act constructively and express through an effective channel their very legitimate anger.

We need peoples lives to be more valued than guns. There is too much advocacy for proliferating guns, but not enough action for protecting people from violence. No community can have true peace if any of its members are unsafe.

Dr. King said: We adopt the means of nonviolence because our end is a community at peace with itself.

We also need to encourage peace and nonviolence overseas. Dr. King believed we need to solve 3 great problems if we are to have peace: "Racial injustice around the world. Poverty. War.

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Dr. King explained: "When man solves these three great problems he will have squared his moral progress with his scientific progress. And more importantly, he will have learned the practical art of living in harmony."

That means we must encourage peace not only through words, but actions. In Yemen's civil war, we have sent arms and military aid to the Saudi Arabia led coalition fighting there. This must stop. We have to be a peacemaker and humanitarian only, and not enable violence as we have done in Yemen.

The United States must be a true champion for peace around the world. That means less arms sales and military intervention and more diplomatic and humanitarian action.

As Dr. King said: Nonviolence is a good starting point. Those of us who believe in this method can be voices of reason, sanity and understanding amid the voices of violence, hatred and emotion. We can very well set a mood of peace out of which a system of peace can be built.

Martin Luther King Jr. was also an advocate for disarmament, eliminating the nuclear weapons that drain so many resources from society.

Underlying Dr. Kings quest for peace was ending hunger and poverty. We cannot build communities of peace at home if people are struggling to put food on the table.

Dr. King said: I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits."

We cannot have peace overseas if people are struggling in horrid conditions. Dr. King believe it our moral responsibility to use our vast wealth to help the world's poor and hungry. He said The rich nations must use their vast resources of wealth to develop the underdeveloped, school the unschooled and feed the unfed. Ultimately a great nation is a compassionate nation. No individual or nation can be great if it does not have a concern for the least of these.

A great idea for Martin Luther King Jr. Day is to become an ambassador for peace, an angel of compassion and social justice. For that is what our communities and the world need to stop the senseless violence and lift people out of hunger and poverty.

William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger. His writings have been published by the NY Times, Newsweek, History News Network and many other news outlets.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MLK Day: A push for peace, not gunfire, to ring out as homicides spike
In this Tribune file photo, religious and community leaders stop at the statute depicting the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh and Martin Luther King Jr. holding hands, part of the city's 32nd annual celebration of King's life. Tribune File Photo

SOUTH BEND  The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Century Center has been postponed because of the increase in COVID positivity rates in the area. All events that had been planned for the holiday, Monday, Jan. 17, at the Century Center have been moved to Feb. 21, Presidents' Day.

Sponsorships, breakfast tickets and vendor booths that have been purchased or reserved will be honored for Feb. 21, as well as ads placed in the Celebration Book. For more information, call Gladys Muhammad at the Charles Martin Youth Center at 574-280-7092 or email Jessica Kitchens at jessicavkitchens@gmail.com.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Ala., in February 1968.

Although the Century Center event is postponed, here are live and virtual events that will be held in and around the South Bend area in honor of King.

South Bend

 Charles Martin Youth Center, 802 Lincoln Way W., will host two events:

 COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17. Pre-register at OurShot.IN.gov. Walk-ins welcome, too. Available for ages 5 and older, including boosters if eligible. Bring ID, health insurance and COVID-19 vaccination card, if available.

 Voter registration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17.

 County-City Building lobby in downtown will be the starting point at 11:45 a.m. of the traditional march on Jan. 17 to the Hesburgh-King statue on Main Street. The march will begin with prayers for peace.

 Volunteer Lawyer Network: The network will host an Ask-a-Lawyer event from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at the St. Joseph County Public Library, 304 S. Main St. Attorneys will be in attendance giving free, general legal advice in sessions of up to 30 minutes. For questions regarding the event, call 574-277-0075 or email vlnsouthbend@probonoindiana.org.

 The St. Joseph County Public Library will offer two events in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

 Postcards of Peace, Francis Branch, 52655 N. Ironwood Road, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. All ages can celebrate by designing and coloring a postcard and sending a message of peace through the mail.

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 March with the King, Centre Township Branch, 1150 E. Kern Road, all day. All ages can learn about the impact King had on the world while engaging in educational activities and contributing to a community project. This event continues through Jan. 22.

 The South Bend Symphony Orchestra: The symphony will hold a concert to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and successes of Black composers in a series titled Celebration for a King. The public is welcome to join the Symphonys Woodwind Quintet, host and symphony board member Dr. Marvin Curtis, guest violist Cameren Anai Williams, and church choirs that will celebrate Kings life and legacy and feature works by African American composers and musicians such as Valerie Coleman and William Grant Still.

The concert is at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at Sweet Home Ministries, 410 S. Taylor St. It will conclude with Holy, Holy, Holy arranged by Curtis.

The concert is free and open to the public, Registration is encouraged to manage space requirements, but walk-ins are welcome. Register online at www.southbendsymphony.org. The concerts will last about 75 minutes and will not include intermission. Donations will be accepted.

 The History Museum and Studebaker National Museum: Both museums are offering free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 17. Visitors are required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Mishawaka

 Bethel University: The university's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council will hold an event to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King on Jan. 17. The day will begin with chapel from 10 to 11 a.m., in the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Auditorium, followed by guided prayer from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the rotunda area. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a pop-in style activity that will focus on prayers for unity, reconciliation and peace will be held in the rotunda. During this time, community members can create an artistic physical representation of their prayers by writing them on colored paper and placing them on large light-up archways, which will resemble the stained-glass windows of King, Jr.'s church, Ebenezer Baptist. Refreshments will also be available at noon.

Elkhart

 Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary: A forthcoming documentary and book, What Happened at Benham West: African American Stories of Community, Displacement and Hopes in the City of Elkhart, will be the focus of the seminarys 2022 program. This will be an online event, livestreamed from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at ambs.edu/mlkday.

The documentary and book explore life in the predominantly Black Benham West neighborhood  known to many as the village  and includes experiences of segregation in Elkhart, the citys clearing of Benham West, and some of the remaining elders hopes for the future.

The event will feature video clips from the documentary, discussion of Black history in Elkhart and a panel discussion of members of the Elkhart Black History Project Advisory Committee reflecting on their participation in the project. To learn more, go to ambs.edu/mlkday or email icurassistant@ambs.edu.

 Indiana Black Expo: This group's Elkhart Chapter will lead a march Jan. 17 from the downtown Civic Plaza. Participants can gather at 9:15 a.m. The march will start at 9:30 a.m., leading to the Community Missionary Baptist Church, 228 Chapman Ave., where a program will begin at 10 a.m. Masks are required. The keynote speaker will be Emorja Roberson, who became the first Black student to earn a doctoral degree of musical arts in choral conducting from the University of Notre Dame. He is director of Voices of Faith Gospel Choir and the Founder/Host for Black@ND. The Ben Barnes Community Service Award will be presented posthumously to educator/athlete David Robinson. Afterwards, lunch for the youth will be served at the Tolson Center and lunch for adults will be served at the church.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: MLK Day 2022: Area celebrations to honor Martin Luther King Jr.
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It was the fear of shame that prevented Samina Khan* from coming forward about the abuse she had endured for years. But it never left her mind. The thought of what he did to me haunted me all my life. I was too scared to tell anyone because if I did, they would silence me. In the community its brushed under the carpet.

Shaminas abuse took place in her family home, at the hands of a male relative when she was a child. He would undress me, touch me everywhere, force himself on me and then casually walk away while my parents sat in another room, she tells The Independent.

Mother of two, Jasminder Kaur*, entered a forced marriage when she was 17. During the course of her relationship, she suffered financial and emotional abuse from her husband whom she had to beg for money, and was mocked by her in-laws, who considered her to be too western.

When he drank, he beat me up and raped me. I confided in my mother, and she told me that this is what women need to endure and if I left this would split the family and the shame would be too much. I had no one to speak to. I suffered in silence for years.

Now 29, Jasminder has moved from a womens refuge into a small local authority flat. Her family has disowned her. She says that she and many other Punjabi women like her would never go to the police due to the shame it would bring upon their families.

I told my parents I needed to get out, but they said this was my life

Shamina and Jasminder are not alone. A report released at the end of last year by Sikh Womens Aid that surveyed 674 women, found that as many as seven in 10 experienced abuse by a partner or relative. Only a third of victims had disclosed incidents to family and friends.

Freedom Charity is an organisation that works to bring awareness, help and support with regards to forced marriage, dishonour-based violence and female genital mutilation. Kuldeep*, who lives in the Midlands and works as a carer, reached out to them after being forced to marry when she was 17. Kuldeep says she suffered emotional, financial and physical abuse at the hands of her mother-in-law, while her husband watched on and did nothing.

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I couldnt get out, she says. I wanted my life to end. Eventually, with the help of Freedom Charity, Kuldeep escaped, changed her identity and now lives in hiding. But she says there is a bounty on her head. I told my parents I needed to get out, but they said this was my life. They didnt want to accept I was suffering, it was too shameful, she says.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Many Sikh women report being unable to seek support from their families because of the shame divorce or abuse is perceived to bring upon them. This puts victims in incredibly precarious position  unable to escape and risking being cut-off from their friends and parents if they do, but knowing that staying could mean being killed. For many victims, the rejection experienced when they reach out to the community can be experienced as a repeat of the initial abuse.

Since publishing their findings, Sikh Womens Aid says they are receiving calls on a daily basis. Sahdaish Pall, Co-founder and service lead tells The Independent, these calls range from people wanting to talk about and share their experiences of child sexual abuse or domestic abuse, those that have arrived here on a spousal visa who have no understanding of the law in this country and those reaching out as the support theyve had from non-specialist services has not been sufficient. Because of the demand, we realised this is a serious issue in the South Asian community, says Pall.

Many are left with no choice but to break away from their community, networks and their own families

Surwat Sohail Chief Executive of Roshni, an organisation that provides specialist community-aware counselling for domestic abuse victims, explains how the shame and silence around abuse is such a problem. The issue of shame and honour is a profound, systematic problem that stops women from seeking help and many continue to suffer in silence. This is the biggest barrier we face when encouraging victims to seek help. They often face ostracism from their community as well as family members. Many are left with no choice but to break away from their community, networks and their own families.

Mindeep Singh Sohal, director of Gurdwara Aid, a Sikh organisation raising awareness on familial abuse, explains how cultural bias and the idea of maintaining honour compounds such abuse: Misinformation plays on the communitys emotions and there is a lack of education and a lack of skills to deal with this that results in an unwillingness of victims to come forward and a lack of awareness of who to go to for help.

A National Police Chiefs Council Spokesperson, told The Independent that domestic abuse is a terrible crime that affects too many people in the UK. Were working with a number of academics and charities to help us understand how the periods of lockdown have affected both victims and the behaviour of perpetrators and this research will be used to improve the police response and better support those affected.

Throughout the periods of lockdown police responded to reports of domestic abuse and worked hard to reassure victims and arrest the perpetrators where necessary. All reports of domestic abuse are taken incredibly seriously, for anyone experiencing abuse, we are here to support you. Please call us and we will help you. In an emergency, always call 999.

The more this is spoken about the more the taboo is lifted, and the more likely women are to feel able to come forward and seek help. For far too long Punjabi women have suffered in silence. Gender based violence and abuse has been allowed to happen without challenge., says Pall.
By Josh Smith, Hyonhee Shin and David Brunnstrom

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -North Korea fired at least two ballistic missiles on Friday, drawing both condemnation and an appeal for dialogue from a U.S. administration that has imposed new sanctions over previous North Korean missile launches and is pushing for more.

The third North Korean missile launch in less than two weeks and indignant statements by both sides raised the spectre of a return to 2017's days of "fire and fury" https://www.reuters.com/article/northkorea-missiles-idAFL4N1KU4QA threats before a flurry of diplomacy that stalled and slipped back into a standoff https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-document-exclusive/exclusive-with-a-piece-of-paper-trump-called-on-kim-to-hand-over-nuclear-weapons-idUSKCN1RA2NR.

The United States condemned the latest launch, saying it posed a threat to North Korea's neighbours and the international community. But in an emailed statement a State Department spokesperson repeated calls for dialogue.

"We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK and call on them to engage in dialogue. Our commitment to the defence of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," the statement said, referring to North Korea by the initials of its official name.

South Korea's National Security Council held an emergency meeting and expressed "strong regret" over the test and called on Pyongyang to return to talks. The presidential Blue House urged North Korea to respond to calls for dialogue.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it had detected what it presumed were two short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) launched eastward from Uiju, in North Pyongan province on North Korea's west coast, near its border with China.

Japan's coast guard said North Korea fired what could be a ballistic missile. Japanese broadcaster NHK citing an unnamed Japanese defence ministry official as saying that the landing point was in the sea outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

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Japan's chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a regular news conference that the repeated ballistic missile launches were "a threat to the safety of our nation and the region, and they are an important issue for all of international society."

'DESTABILISING IMPACT'

The U.S. military's Indo-Pacific Command said while it assessed that the launch did not pose an immediate threat to the United States or its allies, it highlighted the "destabilising impact of the (North's) illicit weapons program."

South Korea's JCS said the missiles travelled about 430 km (267 miles) to a maximum altitude of 36 km (22 miles).

It was the third time North Korea has launched ballistic missiles since New Year's day, an unusually rapid pace of such tests. The previous two launches were of "hypersonic missiles," North Korean state media said, or projectiles capable of high speeds and manoeuvering after launch.

North Korea defended the missile tests as part of its legitimate right to self-defence and said the United States was intentionally escalating the situation with new sanctions, state media said on Friday, citing the foreign ministry.

The ministry said the recent development of a "new type" weapon was just part of efforts to modernise https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-says-leader-kim-attended-successful-hypersonic-missile-test-2022-01-11 defence capabilities, and did not target any specific country or harm the security of neighbours.

The ministry statement warned of an unspecified "stronger and certain reaction" if the United States adopted a confrontational stance.

President Joe Biden's administration imposed its first sanctions https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-imposes-sanctions-north-koreans-russian-after-missile-tests-2022-01-12 on Wednesday over North Korea's weapons programmes following a series of missile launches since September.

It has called on the United Nations Security Council to act https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-pushing-more-un-sanctions-north-korea-over-missiles-2022-01-13 against several North Korean individuals and entities accused of violating security council resolutions that ban North Korea's missile and nuclear weapons development.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the United States had made clear https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/blinken-calls-north-korea-missile-tests-profoundly-destabilizing-2022-01-13 it had no hostile intent toward North Korea and was willing to engage in talks without preconditions, but the tests were "profoundly destabilising."

The North Korean foreign ministry said that while Washington might talk of diplomacy and dialogue, its actions showed it was still engrossed in its policy for "isolating and stifling" North Korea.

Duyeon Kim of the U.S.-based Center for a New American Security (CNAS) think tank said Biden should continue to penalise North Korea for its missile tests and use sanctions to curb funding for weapons programmes, but if so, "We should expect to see more fireworks and provocations."

(Reporting by Josh Smith and Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by Chang-Ran Kim in Tokyo, David Brunnstrom in Washington and Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Clarence Fernandez and Howard Goller)
For two communities located side by side, Freehold Borough and Freehold Township are quite different.

And so are their schools.

While the Freehold Borough School District is just 18% white, with more than 80% of its students Black and Hispanic, Freehold Township classrooms are the opposite. More than 75% of its students are white and fewer than 15% are designated African-American and Latino.

And these two neighboring districts are not alone.

Statewide, New Jersey has long ranked as having some of the most segregated schools and districts in the nation. A 2017 UCLA study found New Jersey schools had a severe segregation of black and Hispanic students and was headed for a segregated future with severe racial stratification and division. It stated that the schools are not serving their historical function of bringing newcomers and excluded groups into the mainstream of the society.

But that could all change if a four-year-old lawsuit seeking less-segregated schools is successful. After months of delays and legal challenges the complaint is headed back to the courtroom this month and could mean major shifts in how racial balance is handled and where students attend classes.

In a state known for localized school districting that has most youngsters attending schools near their home, the demand for racial balance has already sparked ideas ranging from regional districts to broader choice to correct the problem.

They need that (choice) with the way the system is set up now. You can learn things better when you are around other (different) people, said Gus Lane, a Black Neptune resident and grandfather of several students.

Investigating housing discrimination: An Asbury Park Press series

Race by the numbers in New Jersey schools

The racial makeup of public schools statewide has shifted somewhat in the past 20 years, from 66% white to 46% white, due mostly to an enrollment increase of more than 300,000 and an influx of more Latino students.

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But individual districts still display wide disparities in most cases. While most public schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties are more than 70% white, other areas, such as Hudson County and most urban centers, are overwhelmingly black and Hispanic, according to state data.

In Ocean County, for example, only three districts are less than 75% white, while most public schools in Mercer County are majority non-white. That includes the state capital, Trenton, which is less than 2% white.

Its a public disgrace to the state of New Jersey to be maintaining this extraordinarily segregated public school system, said Gary Stein, chair of the New Jersey Coalition for Diverse and Inclusive Schools and a former state supreme court judge. More than 275,000 Black and Latino students in New Jersey attend public schools that are more than 90% non-white. That is an outrageous statistic.

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Stein is among a group of legal scholars and education advocates who set out to reverse the situation with the 2018 lawsuit against the state that demands recognition of the problem and a solution to fix it. See the lawsuit at the end of this story.

'There is more the governor could have done'

But nearly four years after the complaint was filed in state Superior Court in Mercer County, the lawsuit is still bogged down in court proceedings. Plaintiff attorneys contend the state and the Murphy administration have continued to fight the effort rather than recognize the problem and seek a solution.

We believe there is more the governor could have done to be more proactive in moving the case and was not; certainly politics played a role in that," said Roger Plawker, one of the lead attorneys on the case. "Whether his reelection gives him more freedom to approach it differently remains to be seen.

Murphys office said he had no comment on the case, citing it as ongoing litigation, while a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Education also declined comment.

FACES OF THE GOVERNOR 5 of 8 - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy finishes his update on the mask mandate during his COVID-19 briefing Monday, May 24, 2021, at the War Memorial in Trenton

But lawyers for the state in a recent briefing on the case argued that just because de facto segregation exists, it is not necessarily the states job to fix it at a society-wide level.

Plaintiffs claims that our system of public education,

by its very nature, violates the constitution, is wholly unsupported by the record on which they rest. Rather than addressing the particular circumstances present in any one school or district, plaintiffs fashioned a statewide challenge based entirely on a limited set of data points relating to a limited number of school districts at a discrete point in time.

Implicit in this argument is the suggestion that any apparent disproportion in the racial or socioeconomic composition of a small number of public school districts is sufficient, on its own, to find that the state has violated the constitution across the entire state, they continued.

The lawsuit  filed on May 17, 2018, the anniversary of the historic 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court desegregation ruling  offered a long list of plaintiffs that included the Latino Action Network, New Jersey NAACP, Urban League of Essex County and nine minor students.

It named as defendants the state of New Jersey, the state Department of Education and then-Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet.

The same day the lawsuit was filed, Murphy spokesman Dan Bryan said that "as the head of one of the most diverse states in the nation," the governor "believes strongly that we must combat the deeply rooted problem of segregation."

He later added, "the governor is deeply committed to boosting diversity in our schools.

But since then, Murphys administration and the state Attorney Generals office have sought to delay matters for several years, plaintiffs contend. First by delaying hearings, then seeking to stretch the discovery process out for more than a year.

Ultimately we feel that the state was fighting it more than it was looking to work cooperatively on a solution, Plawker said.

Editorial: Don't defer to courts on school segregation

Opinion: County school districts could reduce taxes, segregation: Rasmussen

'The issue is now ripe'

Still, as 2022 begins there is hope that a solution and resolution to the case may be closer than before, attorneys said. Discovery finally ended in November and the next court hearing on a motion for summary judgment is set for Jan. 22, according to court records.

The issue is now ripe to be determined on the motion pending, said Plawker. It is a historically difficult issue for elected officials, but as we progress as a society we think the hard work has to be done in order to make the changes needed to achieve an equitable outcome not only for our society as a whole but for our children.

The lawsuit actually presents two issues before the court, according to Paul Tractenberg, a retired Rutgers University law professor and head of its Center for Diversity and Equality in Education who is an adviser on the case.

The state seems unwilling to recognize, wants to play out the string and get a court to tell them they are in constitutional violation," Tractenberg said. "The authority is not limited to acting when the court finds you behaving in an unconstitutional way.

Desegregation advocates say the negative impact of segregation is historic and clear, not only for minorities but for their white counterparts as well.

The problem is not that predominantly Black and Hispanic schools exist, but rather that predominantly Black and Hispanic schools continue to face economic, social and structural challenges that predominantly white schools do not, a 2020 American University report stated. Most schools serving majority nonwhite student populations are in low-income areas, and due to funding systems that rely on property taxes to finance education, these schools receive much less money.

"Nationwide, school districts serving mostly students of color receive $23 billion less than districts serving equal numbers of white students, the report said.

All of the evidence that has been accumulated on this subject tells us that all children  Black, Latino and white  benefit from desegregation, said Stein. Today, a majority of public school students in America are non-white so it is extremely artificial to educate people in segregated schools when we know that they will eventually be interacting with people different from their own.

How did we get here?

Much of the school segregation is not due to specific efforts to keep schools racially divided as was done in the south decades ago, experts say. Rather, it dates back to the first housing expansion of New Jersey, particularly the suburbs, in the 1950s and 1960s.

New Jersey's constitution, enacted in 1947, seven years before the Brown decision, explicitly forbid segregation in the public schools. Yet that provision and the state's anti-discrimination laws failed to halt the steady, decades-long creep of de facto segregation.

Experts point to a number of factors. The rapid growth of suburbs after World War II drew generations of white families from the cities. Exclusionary zoning practices and racist "redlining" schemes forced many minority families to remain in the cities.

Compounding to divide is what Stein called the "medieval" residency law for public schools, which mandates in most cases that students attend schools that are closest to their homes.

The result: children of color from mostly low-income households remain concentrated in the aging cities and attend schools with very few white classmates.

The reverse is true in the suburbs, where large concentrations of middle-class and affluent white students attend schools with a small number of minorities.

We created a system under which housing was segregated and everything we have done since has piled on to that foundation, Tractenberg said. Without fundamental change in the way we structure housing, we are pushing a very big boulder up a very steep hill.

The lawsuit argues the state Commissioner of Education has the power to halt the practice but has failed to exercise them. And, it argues, that the state has long been aware of the problem.

Whats the answer?

But fixing the problem will be much more difficult than recognizing it, experts said.

With nearly 600 different school districts in the state, and most of them racially imbalanced, trying to equalize the situation seems impossible, advocates say. Part of the problem is school funding, most of which is determined by local property taxes based on local economic status.

We dont think it is a one-remedy-solves-all answer, Plawker admitted. There are a number of tools that have been tried around the country. Some of those include magnet school systems, different uses of vocational schools and elements of regionalization.

Among the major causes of such segregation is the practice of having students attend schools closest to their homes, especially elementary schools. The benefits of this are obviously a shorter commute and less need for busing, experts said.

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But the clear negative aspect is forcing some students to attend lesser quality schools, or those with a racial imbalance, simply because they are the closest.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs cite three likely options that could improve the situation: magnet schools, which draw from a wide range of students beyond the local district; interdistrict desegregation, which allows students to attend a school outside of their home district; and regionalization, consolidating or combining existing districts into fewer, larger districts.

There are a lot of ideas on the table and we will be soliciting ideas from across the county because this is a big deal, said Stein. The remedial phase of this is going to require cooperation, innovation and education of the public and we are anxious to get into that phase. That I think is where this case is headed.

Dr. Joseph Howe takes over as Freehold Borough superintendent on Sept. 1.

In Freehold, the racial disparities between Borough and Township schools make their merger a possible solution, but one Borough Superintendent Joseph Howe finds troubling.

I would have to examine the data presented and whatever plan would be presented, he said. I know our students by and large like going to school close to their home with teachers whove worked in the community for years that they know. In many cases we have multiple generations of families going through, I would not want to lose the community atmosphere of our schools.

He also cited logistical consideration to figure out. If it is the right thing to do, we need to find a way around that at a time when school transportation has been horrendous and the pandemic has only made that worse.

School districts have been beset by a bus driver shortage going back years, which COVID-19 has only exacerbated.

Parents had mixed reactions to the prospect of a shakeup in school districting.

If I paid school taxes to Hazlet Township then my money should go to supporting the schools in Hazlet, said Dan Libonti, the white father of a high school student. We should not be going backwards to the 1950s where Blacks were bused out of town or in separate schools. Special schooling like vocational is and has always been busing students to different locations."

Edie Nico, a white Middletown parent of two, said more options could be positive.

Maybe it would be a good thing, some school districts are not at par with others, said Nico, who has been home schooling her children. For me it might be a better thing, we have a terrible school, it could be great.

Jean Shott, an African-American parent of several Asbury Park elementary school students, said she saw no reason to move them: Im fine with where my children go to, she said. It is fine with me. I would not need them to move.

For Mayra Rosario, a Puerto Rican native and parent of an Asbury Park High School student, the key would be making it easy for students to travel to other schools: You need to have the transportation, that is important, she said. It is good to change things, some teachers are better than others. It would be good to change it around.

Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, said any major districting overhaul must be done with careful consideration on its effects.

It will be interesting to see what the remedies are. School choice has not been a way to resolve that, it has not really impacted on the racial balance of the schools in the state, he said. What does that mean for transportation? Most of the time when consolidation and regionalization are discussed there are two forces at the forefront  can we improve the educational outcomes for kids and can we lower the costs?

Desegregation advocates stress that nothing is decided until the first question, state liability, is determined. And even then, the solutions could be a range of options with no plans to force students into any school they do not wish to attend.

I cant speak to the fear any particular household has or particular town, as a general observation I think it is fair to say that the idea of desegregation creates anxiety among all of the stakeholders involved, said Plawker. It is a fear of the unknown, a lack of control over home rule and those were just some of the challenges and barriers that we need to work on and break down because we are trying to accomplish something that we think is vital.

One example of a regional district that could be a model for others is the Freehold Regional High School District, which serves more than 10,000 students in grades 9 through 12. Drawing from eight communities, its six high schools not only allow students a choice in many cases, but also includes several magnet programs on subjects ranging from cooking to dance.

Charles Sampson, Superintendent of Schools during Freehold Regional High School District state of the school address held at Howell township administrative complex. Wednesday March 19, 2014 Noah K. Murray/ Special for the Asbury Park Press ASB 0321 Freehold Schools Address

As a regionalized school system, the Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) provides an exceptional educational experience for the students of our diverse eight communities, Superintendent Charles Sampson said via email. In addition to a high-quality curriculum, the FRHSD provides a multitude of extracurricular opportunities for students to pursue their divergent passions and interests. All of this is provided at a per-pupil cost lower than similar districts thanks in part to our scale as a regionalized structure. The regionalized model is certainly effective in bringing folks together through a shared sense of community.

But even with its broad pool of students, Freehold Regional remains 75% white due to the fact that most of the communities it serves are predominantly white.

Making any desegregation solution voluntary, at least to start, seems to work best, said Susan Eaton, a professor of practice in social policy at Brandeis University and the author of two segregation-related books.

She cited programs in Massachusetts and Connecticut that offered a choice of schools in certain communities and drew enthusiastic support.

Families like having a school close to them, but these programs show that a share of families will chose to go outside, to go beyond their neighborhood, Eaton said. Some for reasons of racial diversity, some for reasons of proximity to their workplace or a particular theme. The vast majority of these programs are voluntary. A court will say that a school district has to participate in this but a particular family can say I want to stick with my school.

Closer to home, two Morris County school districts that were ordered to merge in 1971 to correct racial imbalance are seen as a successful result of diversity efforts.

The 5,000-student Morris School District combined predominantly white Morris Township schools with the more diverse Morristown students more than 50 years ago.

A 2016 report on the district co-authored by Tractenberg called it the most diverse school district in New Jersey. State data backs that up, showing it as 49.9% white and 51.1% non-white.

The overall approach to any solution is to broaden the options for students from different racial backgrounds so that racial balance is more easily achieved, Eaton said.

It is necessary to think of school districts as larger and imagine solutions that are metropolitan or regional in nature, Eaton added. In many cases those are voluntary efforts in terms of the families participating.

Adds Bozza: Were it easily resolved it would have been done by now, but there are so many issues that affect peoples lives solutions are not easily identified or implemented.

Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience who covers education and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of three books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at jstrupp@gannettnj.com and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ school desegregation lawsuit could change your child's life




North Korea launched two more ballistic missiles on Friday, just hours after the country criticized the United States for calling for more sanctions on the nation over its previous missile launches.

The launch marked the third in two weeks, Reuters reports.

Two presumed short-range missiles (SRBMs) were detected by South Korea from the North Pyongan Province, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced, according to the outlet.

A presumed SRBM was also found launched into Japan's exclusive economic zone, according to an unnamed Japanese defense ministry official. The Japanese coast guard also reported that North Korea had fired a missile, Reuters notes.

The move marks the third launch by North Korea since the beginning of this year, just two weeks ago.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) issued a statement in response to the missile launch Friday.

"We are aware of the ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's illicit weapons program. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad," USINDOPACOM wrote in its statement, referring to North Korea by its official name.

The U.S. also issued a joint statement with France, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom and Albania in condemnation of North Korea's previous launches.

"We call on the DPRK to refrain from further destabilizing actions, abandon its prohibited WMD and ballistic missile programs, and engage in meaningful dialogue towards our shared goal of complete denuclearization," the statement said.
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea Friday afternoon, three days after the regime claimed a successful launch of a newly developed hypersonic missile.

South Korean military detected two projectiles believed to be short-range ballistic missiles fired northeast towards the East Sea from Uiju, North Pyonganbuk-do, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters Friday.

Pyongyang has tested its missile capabilities three times this month. On Wednesday, North Koreas state media, Korean Central News Agency, hyped the test-fire of the claimed hypersonic missile by reporting that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the launch himself.

North Koreas show of force took place on the same day the regime expressed discontent over new sanctions implemented by the U.S.

"If the U.S. adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take a stronger and certain reaction to it," a North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

Cheong Seong-Chang of Seoul-based Sejong Institute said these missile launches were an expression of frustration over U.S. sanctions on the regimes mass destruction weapons and ballistic missile programs.

Considering that North Korea has been testing new weapons at dawn or early morning, it's reasonable to assume that North's missile test launch this afternoon was improvised to showcase backlash against the U.S. sanctions, he told ABC News.

Shin Beom Chul, a researcher at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, saw the consecutive missile launches as an effort to gain more bargaining chips by North Korea.

Considering that political dialogue is restricted due to COVID-19 at the moment, it seems North Korea intends to strengthen its nuclear capabilities in the meantime, Shin told ABC News. At the same time, this consecutive military provocation has more than one purpose  to neutralize the U.S. efforts with stronger sanctions and also to secure the status of a de facto nuclear powerhouse.

North Korea test-fires missile for 3rd time in 2022 alone originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Peg Bednarsky, innkeeper for Historic Inns of Annapolis, stands at the front desk of Governor Calvert House off State Circle in Annapolis Monday afternoon. Bednarsky said this summers hot temperatures and strong storms have had an impact on the tourism business at her three hotels. (By Matthew Cole - Capital Gazett/Capital Gazette)

As innkeeper at the Historic Inns of Annapolis, Margaret Bednarsky, known as Miss Peg, spent more than 50 years providing a home away from home to legislators during Marylands 90-day legislative sessions. And on Thursday the Maryland Senate adjourned in her honor.

Bednarsky died Jan. 7 at age 93, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, humor and hospitality that has inspired other leaders in Marylands hotel, lodging and tourism industries. The Severna Park resident had retired in 2019 at the age of 90.

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State Sen. Ed Reilly was Bednarskys representative and proposed adjourning the Senate in her honor Thursday, saying she was a constant on State Circle who epitomized Annapolis hospitality.

She worked at properties near the State House including the Maryland Inn, Governor Calvert House and the Robert Johnson House, where legislators from far-flung districts would stay during the session. One guest was longtime Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr.

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You walked in the door you knew she would be there and you knew she would be treating you like royalty, Reilly said.

Margaret Bednarsky meets with Paul Pearson, the founder of Historic Inns of Annapolis, at the Maryland Inn in 1982. Known as Miss Peg, she died Jan. 7 at age 93. (Baltimore Sun staff/Capital Gazette)

She extended the same kindness to thousands of tourists, visitors and residents in her years of service, he said. He said the adjournment in her honor will be in the records of the state Senate in perpetuity.

Its saying to the family: We are mourning with you, Reilly said.

An obituary published by The Capital says Bednarsky is survived by two daughters, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and was preceded in death by her son, Thomas Bednarsky, and her husband, Vincent Bednarsky.

Originally from Massachusetts, Margaret Bednarsky came to Maryland with her family when her husband got a job working for the National Security Agency. Four years after moving, her husband died and she threw her energy into the inns and providing for her children.

Peg was really a pioneer for women in the industry, Maryland Hotel Lodging Association President and CEO Amy Rohrer said.

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Rohrer said Bednarsky was warm and had a gentle way about her when working with all sorts of people. She was always interested in learning about the latest in the hotel and lodging industry, traveling to trade shows in New York, and representing Maryland in the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

She had so much insight she would share with me, Rohrer said.

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Rohrers predecessor, Mary Jo McCulloch, worked in the industry with Bednarsky for at least 40 years and said she was generous in sharing what she had learned in her decades of operating the inns.

She had that aura about her that was magnetizing. She pulled you to her, McCulloch said. Everyone was Hon. Hi, Hon, how are you doing?

Bednarsky was constantly learning from her peers around the country and bringing what she learned back to Annapolis and Maryland, McCulloch said, and also had great empathy and listening skills.

She remembered everything about you. When you saw her again she would ask about your children, your family. She had a good memory for what people were going through, McCulloch said.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care, P.A., 495 Gov. Ritchie Hwy. in Severna Park. A mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 689 Gov. Ritchie Hwy. Plans for a celebration of life will be announced at a future date.
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio)





Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) apologized for comparing the vaccine mandate implemented in Washington, D.C., to Nazi Germany amid backlash.

"This has been done before. #DoNotComply," Davidson tweeted on Wednesday with a picture of a Nazi document showing a swastika.

"Let's recall that the Nazis dehumanized Jewish people before segregating them, segregated them before imprisoning them, imprisoned them before enslaving them, and enslaved them before massacring them," Davidson added.

His post sparked backlash, with the American Jewish Committee condemning the comparison of COVID-19 vaccine mandates that have been implemented around the world with the Holocaust that killed millions of individuals.

"For my Jewish friends, and all others, my sincere apologies," Davidson tweeted, along with a statement on the incident.

"Bad things happen when governments dehumanize people. Sometimes, there is a next step - to systematically segregate them. Unfortunately, any reference to how the Nazis actually did that prevents a focus on anything other than the Holocaust," Davidson said.

"I appreciate my Jewish friends who have explained to me their perspectives and feel horrible that I have offended anyone. My sincere apologies," he added.

Davidson made the comparison to Nazism on Twitter in response to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) posting that D.C. residents above the age of 18 will need proof of vaccination and photo identification to eat at restaurants. Those above the age of 12 will only need proof of vaccination.

Cities, states and countries around the world have implemented vaccine mandates in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Other Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), have also been condemned in the past for comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust.
Milwaukee's Islamic community is mourning the death of a Palestinian-American man who lived much of his life in Milwaukee and was found dead Wednesday in the West Bank after being detained by Israeli soldiers.

In a Wednesday press conference, the U.S. State Department confirmed the man's death, identifying him as Omar Assad, and voiced its support for a "thorough investigation into the circumstances" of his death. Assad, 78, was a United States citizen.

"Our family is devastated and heartbroken," Hala Hamad, one of his daughters, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It leaves a hole in all of us. The pain of losing him is compounded because we know what he endured in his last hours."

Assad lived in the U.S. for about 40 years. He spent most of that time in the Milwaukee area before returning to the West Bank in 2009, his younger brother Nawaff Assad told the Journal Sentinel.

Noha Saleh Assad, in the first red hijab, is consoled and her sister Hala Hamad, right, watches during the gathering mourning the loss of their father Omar Assad Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

Reuters and the Washington Post cited reports from Palestinian officials that Assad was returning to his home in the West Bank Wednesday after visiting relatives when Israeli soldiers stopped him, handcuffed him and led him away. His body was found shortly afterward with a plastic zip-tie still around one wrist, Reuters reported.

Assad's family believes the Israeli soldiers are responsible for his death.

The Israeli military confirmed that Assad had been stopped and detained after he "resisted a check," the Washington Post reported. The Post also cited an Israeli spokesperson as saying Assad was held for a short time and that he was alive when released.

It is unclear exactly how Assad died. Family members told the Journal Sentinel an autopsy was performed before his burial and that they are awaiting the results.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters that U.S. officials had sought "clarification" about the incident from the Israeli government and that the Israeli Defense Forces pointed to an "ongoing investigation" into the matter.

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Mourners carry the body of Omar Assad during his funeral in the West Bank village of Jiljiliya, north of Ramallah, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Israel is investigating after Assad, a Palestinian with U.S. citizenship died after being detained by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank.

But Hamad and other members of Assad's family said the State Department's response was "grossly inadequate."

They are calling on the United States to conduct an independent investigation into Assad's death, saying that the Israeli investigation is not reliable.

"It will either absolve itself of this crime or offer itself nothing more than a slap on the wrist," Hamad said.

Assad's children  five daughters and two sons  all live in the United States and were not able to go to his funeral Thursday in the West Bank. In Islamic culture, it is important for the deceased to be buried as quickly as possible, Hamad said.

But on Thursday evening, most of Assad's children and some of his siblings gathered with well over 100 other people at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee's community center on West Layton Avenue to mourn his death, to pray and to console each other, the men in one room and the women in the next.

Nawaff, Assad's brother, said the turnout and the outpouring of support made him feel better and eased the weight of his grief. The last time he saw his brother in person was in 2019, when he visited him in the West Bank for three months.

"He used to make us laugh. He's a very outgoing person," he said.

On Thursday, Nawaff sat at the start of a line of chairs in a large, open room of the community center. People entering the room would immediately greet him and the next family members in line, shaking their hands, embracing them, and offering their condolences. Tea and dates were passed around.

The men closest to the wall from left to right Fawzi Assad, nephew of Omar, Assad Assad, nephew of Omar, Hadi Assad, son of Omar (plaid shirt), Abdelfattah Asad, first cousin of Omar, and Nawaff Assad, brother of Omar, are consoled by men joining the gathering mourning the loss of Omar Assad Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, at the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

An imam with the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Ziad Hamdan, offered a prayer.

Many of the Palestinians who live in the Milwaukee area are from the same village that Assad is from, Jiljiliya, in the occupied West Bank. His death  after an encounter with Israeli soldiers  hit home to them.

"This is a tragedy for not only a family, but the entire community and really a tragedy for everyone who believes in the right of innocent people to be able to live without being abused," said Othman Atta, executive director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, and himself a Palestinian-American.

Atta criticized the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and questioned how a 78-year-old man could have posed any kind of threat. He urged everyone to contact their congressional representative and demand a full investigation into what happened.

"We want the Israeli government to be held accountable," he said. "Why is this allowed to happen to a United States citizen?"

Sarah Volpenhein is a Report for America corps reporter who focuses on news of value to underserved communities for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Email her at svolpenhei@gannett.com. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at JSOnline.com/RFA.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's Islamic community mourns death of Omar Assad in West Bank
A car fire claimed one life after the vehicle went off of Route 287 and struck a tree Thursday afternoon, prompting lane closures into the evening, New Jersey State Police said.

Trooper Brandi Slota said the crash occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. near mile post 32 and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene about 24 minutes later, but the person's identity has not been released.

As of 7 p.m., only one of the highway's southbound lanes remained open, according to Slota, but on the 511nj live traffic map, traffic appeared to me moving without delays.

Nicholas Katzban is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: katzban@northjersey.com

Twitter: @nicholaskatzban

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Route 287 Harding NJ: Crash kills one after car hits tree
An OnlyFans logo seen displayed on a smartphone on top of a computer keyboard. (PHOTO: Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE  Singapore will not be banning controversial content subscription website OnlyFans, even as police have charged social media influencer Titus Low for posting obscene content on the platform.

Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo said in a written reply on Wednesday (12 January) that realistically, it is not possible to block all objectionable or obscene content on the Internet.

Singapore therefore has to look beyond banning and take a holistic approach to deal with such content, she added.

She was responding to a parliamentary question by Nominated Member of Parliament Dr Shahira Abdullah on whether whether her ministry will consider banning OnlyFans, an overseas-based online service that allows content creators to post content and receive payment directly from their followers.

The platform has generated controversy due to widespread use by influencers and sex workers to publish and retail raunchy and explicit content to their subscribers.

"Not all content posted on OnlyFans is objectionable, but we must ensure that such content creation platforms do not expose Singaporeans to the risk of exploitation and abuse, especially our youth," Teo said in her written reply.

"The government closely monitors developments in this regard and will take regulatory action where appropriate."

1st prosecution involving OnlyFans content creator

OnlyFans' terms of service require users to be at least 18 years old and prohibit creators from posting egregious content, such as revenge porn. The public may report suspected violations of the terms of service directly to the platform.

It is also illegal under Singapores Penal Code to transmit any obscene material by electronic means, or participate in, advertise, or receive profits from any business where obscene materials are transmitted by electronic means.

Low, 22, was arrested last month for uploading sexually-explicit photographs and videos on his OnlyFans account. His case is believed to be the first prosecution in Singapore involving an OnlyFans content creator.

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Teo said in her written reply that there are collective efforts by various Singapore organisations to help build a "well-informed and discerning citizenry that can guard against online harms".

For example, schools conduct cyber-wellness lessons where students learn to identify and avoid inappropriate online content, while the Media Literacy Council works with partners to promote safe and responsible online behaviour through resources and public education activities.

In July 2021, the Ministry of Communications and Information also launched the Sunlight Alliance for Action to tackle online harms, especially those targeted at women and girls.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
More than 12,000 valentine greetings were sent to overseas troops in 2020 as part of Operation Valentine's Day.

Stow residents Claire and Jeremy McIntire display some of the thousands of valentines sent to troops as part of their annual Operation Valentine's Day. Jeremy is an Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Valentines are being collected at Stow City Hall from now until Jan. 29.

Stow residents Jeremy and Claire McIntire are launching the 3rd Annual Operation Valentines Day to collect valentines for troops deployed overseas.

Valentines are being collected at Stow City Hall from now through Jan. 29.

Receiving greetings from people back home is very important for our service members, said Jeremy McIntire. Troops can often find themselves going days or even weeks without hearing from a loved one. There is no better feeling than coming back from a mission and finding that you received mail.

He is an Iraq war veteran, Purple Heart recipient and serves as president of Stow City Council.

The response from the community has been amazing over the last two years, said Claire McIntire. Its wonderful to see people come together to support our troops, we have already had people send valentines to be included.

Schools, churches, organizations, retirement facilities and individuals are encouraged to create valentines with messages to the troops.

Participants are asked to adhere to the following guidelines when creating valentines:

Send a handwritten letter, note or handmade card. Soldiers feel extra special when they receive handmade, individually created valentines. Envelopes are not required.

Keep your cards to a size of 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches or under for ease in shipping and distribution.

Cards cannot include glitter, food or candy, but there are still many ways to personalize a handmade card. Write a message to them and say, Thank You, tell them about yourself and wish them a Happy Valentine Day. "The troops are away from their loved ones and friends, so they really want to know that people back home appreciate them," said the McIntires. "We know our service men and women appreciate receiving the cards each year."

Military personnel love to communicate with others. You can include your school, church or organization name, address and/or email contact on each card so recipients can write back. Cards from children/students must include a first name only. If you do not receive a reply from a service member, do not be discouraged. Remember: The troops are busy.

Photos of the sender, sender's family, church, or classroom participants can add a personal touch to your card.

Keep your messages positive. Start with a salutation, such as "Dear Hero" or "Dear Brave One." All cards will be screened.

Do not put individual valentines in sealed envelopes. Bundle cards and send in a single large envelope or box containing all of the valentines.

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To arrange pickup of valentines from schools, churches, businesses and retirement homes in Stow, contact Jeremy McIntire at 330-352-0487 or mcintireforstow@gmail.com; or Claire McIntire at 330-618-7586 or claireamcintire@gmail.com.

Individuals can drop off their valentines through Jan. 29 in a drop box located at the front desk in the Stow City Hall atrium, 3760 Darrow Road, Stow (driveway is located off Graham Road) Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

An additional collection box will be located at 1904 Baker Lane, Stow.

On its website, the United States Post Office explains the importance of military mail: More than 1.4 million Americans serve in the military, with about 200,000 of those troops serving overseas. Members of the armed forces can feel isolated while deployed, often in dangerous conditions. The military discovered long ago that mail boosts the morale of troops serving in other parts of the world, so it has made military mail a high priority. Military mail provides members of the armed forces with a vital link to their communities. Mail call is the moment when the frontline and home front connect.

When this campaign was launched in 2020, it was anticipated to receive 1,000  2,000 valentines; to the McIntires' surprise, the campaign collected over 12,000 valentines for the troops.

We cannot think of a better holiday to let someone know you are thinking of them than Valentines Day, said Jeremy McIntire. Please join Claire and I to help bring smiles to the brave men and women serving overseas by sending them a valentine.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Operation Valentine's Day seeks greetings for overseas troops
Neighbors meet along a pedestrian path near the J.H. Baxter & Co. plant in Eugene.

The soil of at least six west Eugene homes is contaminated with toxic chemicals state regulators believe originated with the activities of one of their industrial neighbors.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality announced Thursday soil samples in west Eugene show high levels of dioxins, a class of toxic compounds generated during some industrial processes. DEQ believes operations at the wood treatment company J.H. Baxter & Co., a longtime source of pollution, are responsible for the contamination.

DEQ has discovered dioxins in soil samples from seven yards around the J.H. Baxter & Co. facility on Roosevelt Boulevard before, but the latest sample results are the first evidence of those chemicals at nearby residences. Six of the homes' yards require cleanup and soil replacement.

"I'm very sad, but also not really surprised," said Rose Mede, who lives at one of the properties where dioxins were found. "Just watching the plant and smelling the smells in the air, it doesn't take a chemist to know it's got to be toxic."

DEQ will be working with J.H. Baxter on a cleanup plan for those properties, according to DEQ spokesman Dylan Darling.

Dioxins are carcinogenic. DEQ has informed residents where dioxins were found of the results and provided them with advice on precautions to take until the cleanups occur.

Dioxin molecules bind to soil particles and people are exposed to it by swallowing small amounts of soil, according to letters DEQ sent affected residents.

More on J.H. Baxter:Toxins found again in soil near J.H. Baxter wood treatment facility in Eugene

Third-party consultants took the samples in September and October and analyzed them as part an on investigation into dioxin contamination near the facility, according to DEQ.

Dioxin levels at three of the residences require removal of contaminated soil as soon as possible, likely to be conducted this summer. Three properties need eventual cleanup to avoid health risks. Dioxins were found at a seventh residence, but cleanup isn't needed.

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"It's not the healthiest area to live, I know that," said Rob Landwehr, whose soil will have to be replaced. "They did say they would tear up and re-do the yard. I'm sure that's probably a year down the road or better. It sounded like they have to do more testing now to figure out the extent of how far it goes."

A second round of soil sampling on residential properties in west Eugene is expected to begin soon, according to a DEQ news release. Additional sampling will help determine the extent of the dioxin contamination around the properties already tested, DEQ said.

Trainsong Park in Eugene was closed Thursday.

DEQ took control samples from other areas as part of the investigation. One soil sample taken from Trainsong Park in west Eugene also showed elevated levels of dioxins, but it doesn't appear related to the J.H. Baxter & Co. site, according to the DEQ news release.

It is not yet known how dioxins contaminated park soil.

The dioxin presence is troubling, but the risk they pose appears low, according to DEQ.

"A family with young children would have to visit the park four days per week for an entire year before there would be any risk of health effects," the news release said.

DEQ is working on next steps at the park with Eugene and the Oregon Health Authority.

The city of Eugene temporarily closed the park Thursday until more testing is complete.

'This is a wake-up call'

Neighbors of the J.H. Baxter & Co. plant have complained for years of foul odors and sickness. Studies have noted unusual cancer rates around the site without linking them.

Complaints: Neighbors fear J.H. Baxter & Co. plant is harmful to health

Beyond Toxics, a local nonprofit, has been one of the company's most vocal opponents. Executive Director Lisa Arkin said the dioxin levels are frightening, but not unexpected.

"I'm not surprised that the agency found high levels of dioxins in the yards of residences, but it still is, in a way, disheartening to know that this kind of very poisonous substance is in people's yards where their children play," Arkin said. "We're not at any point yet where we can say 'dioxins cause cancer in west Eugene,' but this is a wake-up call."

J.H. Baxter & Co. President Georgia Baxter did not respond to an email seeking comment.

DEQ delivered letters to residents where dioxins were discovered informing them of the findings and recommending precautions to minimize tracking yard dirt into their homes.

"The letter they're sending to people are scary," Arkin said. "I'd be terrified if I received a letter from DEQ saying there's dioxin in the soil on my property. I would also be furious because it not only affects the health of my family but it affects my entire community."

Site map of the J.H. Baxter wood treatment facility in Eugene

Not the company's first fine

The J.H. Baxter & Co. facility has a long history of environmental and pollution issues.

The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency in 2004 logged more than 700 complaints from 100 homes near the plant that alleged sicknesses had been caused by plant fumes.

DEQ at that time also discovered arsenic in soil at the facility and pentachlorophenol, an industrial wood preservative, spreading in the aquifer underneath the neighborhood.

The company spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in trying to mitigate the damage.

Between 2017 and 2019, DEQ fined the company for hazardous waste and water quality violations, including eight instances of polluted water draining offsite into Amazon Creek.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2018 fined J.H. Baxter & Co. $64,000 and required it to build on-site protections meant to prevent toxins contaminating nearby soil.

In 2019, the company and regulators agreed to a cleanup plan that was meant to reduce the occurrence of soil and groundwater contamination at the company's 31-acre facility.

Related: Eugene wood treatment facility J.H. Baxter fined more than $200,000 for repeated environmental violations

DEQ in March 2021 fined J.H. Baxter $223,440 for an assortment of alleged violations. That included $178,905 for pumping 1.7 million gallons of industrial process waste into devices that evaporated the liquid, containing various hazardous chemicals, into the air.

In a letter of appeal concerning the DEQ fines, J.H. Baxter & Co. admitted it used those machines to boil off the process waste but argued DEQ lacks authority to regulate that.

DEQ and J.H. Baxter & Co. have not yet resolved the issue.

LRAPA also fined the company in 2019 for violations related to boiling off the waste.

LRAPA has conducted eight enforcement actions at the J.H. Baxter & Co. plant since 1994, according to agency records. Four included penalties between $800 and $4,000.

Several class-action lawsuits are currently active concerning the company's operations.

Focused on risks: Cleaner Air Oregon regulatory process to engage Lane County community in public health risks

The J.H. Baxter & Co. facility is one of the local industries first included in LRAPA's plan to enforce the rules of Cleaner Air Oregon, a 2019 law putting more than 600 chemicals under state regulations and evaluating facilities' obligations based on local health risks.

LRAPA hasn't yet conducted an emissions inventory at the facility, the first step in the CAO process. The process could eventually result in new regulations for the facility.

Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify how many homes have soil contaminated enough to require cleanup and replacement.

Contact reporter Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@registerguard.com. Follow on Twitter @DuvernayOR.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: DEQ finds carcinogenic compounds in yards around J.H. Baxter in Eugene
WAWARSING - Last fall, one of the towns with camps that draws thousands of kids to the Catskills each summer imposed its first restrictions on them, confining new camps to two areas and setting rules about their capacity, fencing and even cabin occupancy.

Wawarsing now faces a federal discrimination lawsuit charging that those requirements would place illegal burdens on the town's predominantly Orthodox Jewish camps. The eight Orthodox camps and one school that sued say the new rules would prevent them from expanding or making improvements without triggering a set of impossible constraints.

Several camp representatives and attorneys had warned of litigation and urged leaders of the Ulster County town to table the proposed restrictions at two public hearings in October. The board was then weighing a broader zoning update that included the camp rules, which it passed after the second hearing.

"We feel that this is harassment," Rabbi David Rosenberg, director of an almost 70-year-old camp which now serves 2,600 boys, told the board members then. "We're trying to work with the town. We don't want to hurt the town."

Directional signs at Camp Emunah in Greenfield Park. Rabbi Hanoch Hecht, who helps run this camp, opposed the new regulations by Wawarsing but is not one of those who signed onto the lawsuit alleging discrimination.

Order upheld: Judge backs NY closure of overnight camps during pandemic

2020 lawsuit: Orthodox camps in Catskills fight state ban on sleepaway camps

Wawarsing case: Hasidic group wins zoning dispute with town over proposed school

Rosenberg's Camp Rav Tov, the largest of Wawarsing's camps, is one of dozens of Orthodox Jewish camps in bucolic swaths of Sullivan and Ulster counties that more than 40,000 boys and girls attend for religion-infused recreation each summer. Rav Tov and the other eight plaintiffs that joined in the federal lawsuit in Albany say they serve a total of about 4,300 children.

The zoning amendment says the new "overlay district" for camps was created to ensure they were "compatible with the surrounding land uses, have adequate access to emergency service providers, can be served adequately by sewer and water systems, and will not have adverse townwide impacts." It also aimed to "protect the rural character and open space in the town."

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The camps' lawyers see less innocent motives, charging the rules were meant to make it "impossible for Orthodox Jewish camps to expand, repair, and continue to operate in the town, thereby forcing them to relocate to another town. Their case alleges violations of the Constitution, the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, and state law.

Among the speakers voicing objections in October was Rabbi Hanoch Hecht, whose grandparents opened Camp Emunah in 1953 after visiting Wawarsing on a weekend retreat. Today, their grandson leads the Rhinebeck Jewish Center across the Hudson in Dutchess County and helps run the Wawarsing summer camp, which serves up to 750 kids.

"We always believed we had a very good relationship with the town," Hecht told the board at the hearing.

Rabbi Hanoch Hecht at Camp Emunah in Greenfield Park, Wawarsing. His grandparents started the camp in 1953.

In an interview this month, Hecht, whose camp did not join the lawsuit, said he believed that simply adding a building to any of Emunah's three camps - like the gym that was recently built - would require the entire camp to now meet the stringent new requirements.

Among the new rules: No more than 400 campers and adults per camp; no more than 10 people per cabin; and no structures or activities within 250 feet of the property lines. Loudspeakers are banned, and camps must be surrounded by opaque fencing, erected at least 75 feet from the edge of the property.

Existing camps are exempt. But those outside the newly designated camp areas could never expand, the lawsuit argues. And no existing camps could make changes - or expand inside the new camp zone - without being forced to comply with standards that none currently meet or could achieve, according to the complaint.

What kinds of changes would trigger those rules and how they would be applied is unclear. Would adding or renovating a single structure force a camp to install fencing around its entire property, limit its total capacity to 400 people, and cut cabin occupancy to 10?

Town Supervisor Terry Houck declined to discuss the application of the law because of the pending litigation. The town attorney, William Collier III, didn't respond to a phone message, and the outside law firm that will defend the town hasn't been identified yet.

The lawsuit seeks to void last year's camp restrictions, as well as 2019 zoning amendments that redefined camps and houses of worship. It is also demanding compensation for unspecified damages and reimbursement for the plaintiffs' legal fees.

Camp Emunah in Greenfield Park on Thursday. This camp is not among those whose leaders have signed onto a lawsuit against Wawarsing alleging discrimination, but Rabbi Hanoch Hecht, whose grandparents started the camp in 1953, had spoken against the proposals at a town meeting in October.

"Over the last few years, the town has harassed the Orthodox Jewish camps through targeted enforcement of local ordinances," Eric Treene, one of the plaintiff's attorneys, told the Times Herald-Record by email. "The town has also abused its municipal power by intentionally creating unnecessary obstacles and delays for Orthodox Jewish camps, making repair or expansion efforts into a bureaucratic nightmare."

All of the plaintiffs except the school and one of Rav Tov's four campsites are located in the two areas Wawarsing set aside for camps, Treene said.

The creation of that zone and the requirement that camps be surrounded by fencing drew a scathing comparison in October. Ellenville Mayor Jeff Kaplan, an attorney speaking on behalf of the Orthodox camps, likened that "outrageous" proposal to the confinement of persecuted Jews in Warsaw, Poland, during World War II.

"You can call it a camp overlay," he said. "I call it a ghetto."

cmckenna@th-record.com

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Orthodox Jewish camps sue Wawarsing over new camp zoning restrictions
Judge Claudia Barber, of Laurel, is the recipient of the Drum Major Award. Barber has been a member of the Maryland Bar for more than 33 years and a member of the Washington Bar since 1994. She is best known for her 2016 political journey to become the first African American woman to serve on the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Earlier, the Anne Arundel County NAACP recognized her efforts with the Presidential Award. She continued her activism and was ultimately elected second vice president of the Anne Arundel County NAACP in 2019 and first vice president of the Anne Arundel County NAACP in 2020. Barber served as a member of the Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland from 2004-2005, and, in 2001, she became board chairperson of the Elder Theodore L. Barber Scholarship Foundation, named in her father's honor to award scholarships to at-risk youth. Barber is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Federal Claims Courts, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, the District of Columbia and Federal Circuits, and the U.S. District Courts for Maryland and the District of Columbia. Barber received her juris doctorate degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. (Courtesy Photo)
Three PayPal users who've allegedly had their accounts frozen and funds taken by the company without explanation have filed a federal lawsuit against the online payment service. The plaintiffs  two users from California and one from Chicago  are accusing the company of unlawfully seizing their personal property and violating racketeering laws. They're now proposing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all other users who've had their accounts frozen before and are seeking restitution, as well as punitive and exemplary damages.

Lena Evans, one of the plaintiffs who'd been a PayPal user for 22 years, said the website seized $26,984 from her account six months after it got frozen without ever telling her why. Evans had been using PayPal to buy and sell clothing on eBay, to exchange money for a poker league she owns and for a non-profit that helps women with various needs.

Fellow plaintiff Roni Shemtov said PayPal seized over $42,000 of her money and never got an acceptable reason for why her account was terminated. She received several different explanations when she contacted the company: One customer rep said it was because she used the same IP and computer as other Paypal users, while another said it was because she sold yoga clothing at 20 to 30 percent lower than retail. Yet another representative allegedly said it was because she used multiple accounts, which she denies.

Shbadan Akylbekov, the third plaintiff, said PayPal seized over $172,000 of his money without giving him any explanation why the account got limited in the first place. Akylbekov used the account of a company his wife owns to sell Hyaluron pens, which are needle-less pens that inject hyaluronic acid into the skin. After the money disappeared from the account following a six-month freeze, PayPal allegedly sent his wife a letter that says she "violated PayPal's User Agreement and Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) by accepting payments for the sale of injectable fillers not approved by the FDA." It also said that the money was taken from her account "for its liquidated damages arising from those AUP violations pursuant to the User Agreement."

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PayPal has long angered many a user for limiting accounts and freezing their funds for six months or more. One high-profile case was American poker player Chris Moneymaker's who had $12,000 taken from his account after six months of being limited. Moneymaker was already in the process of asking people to join him in a class action lawsuit before his funds were "mysteriously returned."

Part of the complaint reads:

"Plaintiffs bring this class action against Defendant PAYPAL, INC. ("PayPal") to recover damages and other relief available at law and in equity on behalf of themselves, as well as on behalf of the members of the class defined herein... This action stems from Defendants widespread business practice of unilaterally seizing funds from its clients financial accounts, without cause and without any fair or due process.
The leopards made their public debut earlier this week but they have been at the zoo since late last year.

The felines, a female and a male, arrived at the Parque de las Leyendas Zoo in Lima in December and were in quarantine for 15 days.

"After a rigorous quarantine period, we have been able to determine that they are already healthy," said Giovanna Yepez, deputy manager of Parque de las Leyendas.

The animals were caught on camera exploring their enclosure for the first time on Tuesday (January 11) as visitors were delighted with the zoo's newest sensation.

The male weighs 43.7 kg (about 96.3 lbs), and the female at 37.2 kg (around 80 lbs).

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified leopards as an endangered species due to the illegal trade of their fur.
Containers have piled up high at the Port of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The Port of Los Angeles, the nation's largest for container traffic, has deferred a plan to charge ocean carriers that fail to clear empty containers off the docks and is consulting with the logistics industry about alternatives on how to cut the backlogs.

The proposed $100 daily penalty  which would have kicked in at the end of the month  may have unintended consequences, because some of the empty containers that have been sitting the longest may be buried under others, costing time that our marine terminals simply dont have to waste right now, port Executive Director Gene Seroka said Thursday. He was speaking in a presentation to the Harbor Commission, which was scheduled to vote on the fee at the meeting.

U.S. supply chains have strained under unprecedented demand, worker and truck-chassis shortages and a shift to buying more material goods as Americans avoided travel and social outings over the course of the pandemic. The terminals at Los Angeles received record amounts of imports in 2021, and despite efforts by the port and the Biden administration, long delays continue there and at the neighboring Long Beach port, which combine to handle 40% of the U.S.s inbound containers.

Seroka said the fee proposal was intended to get the industry talking and it had been successful in doing so.

Truckers, represented by the Harbor Trucking Assn., have for months complained about restrictions on empty-container returns at major ports, saying these are among the top issues that need fixing to help ease U.S. supply chain bottlenecks.

Speaking before Thursdays meeting, the trucking group's chief executive, Matt Schrap, said its encouraging that there seems to be an openness to alternative ideas for fixing the situation.

Empty containers need to be moved out, while not negatively impacting American exports and assisting the truck driving community so they could bring those empties back with a chassis and get the next round of imports, Seroka said.

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The trucking association has flagged port restrictions on empty-container returns as contributing to the backlogs. Trucks need a chassis to collect import-laden containers, but unless they bring an empty container to free up the chassis, theyre unable to move the import, he said.

Although the number of empty containers on Port of Los Angeles docks had fallen to about 72,000 from about 90,000 before the holiday break, getting under 70,000 had proved to be a very strong point of resistance, Seroka said.

The Harbor Commission voted unanimously to extend authorization of the so-called container dwell fee, which was first announced Oct. 25  but was never implemented  and was set to expire after 90 days.

The commission also amended the dwell fee so that import containers moving by truck or rail can be charged the penalty fee after nine days, matching the period for containers bound for trucks and up from six days previously.

Although the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach havent yet implemented the charge, its threat has reduced the number of import boxes sitting on marine terminals since late October by more than 60%, the ports said this week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A family disagreement led to a shooting Thursday evening in Alexandria, say police.

The 27-year-old male victim did not suffer life-threatening injuries, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

The shooting happened around 8 p.m. in the 2300 block of Alma Street, which is off Chester Street. A family had gathered when a fight broke out, resulting in the shooting, reads a release.

No other information was given.

Police ask anyone with information to contact the department's Detective Division at 318-441-6416.

This week: Menard student given citations after report of weapon at school

More: Ronald Greene's mom, Black lawmakers accuse State Police coverup of reaching top brass

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Man injured after family disagreement in Alexandria lead to shooting
Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts Giuffre. Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images; Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Prince Andrew is set to take a deposition before the sex abuse case against him heads to trial.

While he's denied Virginia Giuffre's sexual assault allegations, the case's discovery process will cause headaches.

The prince has a narrow window to settle Giuffre's lawsuit, but an agreement isn't guaranteed.

Prince Andrew is having a bad week.

On Wednesday, a federal judge ruled that Virginia Roberts Giuffre's lawsuit against the prince will move forward. Giuffre wants to take the Duke of York to trial on allegations that he sexually abused her on multiple occasions as part of a sex-trafficking scheme run by Jeffrey Epstein.

On Thursday, things got worse: The royal family announced that Prince Andrew would be stripped of military titles and would defend himself "as a private citizen."

In statements to the media, the royal has strenuously denied wrongdoing and even said he has no memory of ever meeting Giuffre.

But US District Judge Lewis Kaplan's decision means that Prince Andrew will have to defend himself in a deposition, which comes with the consequence of possible criminal charges if he lies under oath.

The duke already agreed to take a deposition in London, David Boies, one of Giuffre's attorneys, told the journalist Vicky Ward. Boies also said Giuffre would take a deposition in Australia, where she lives.

Depositions, which are typically video-recorded, are just one element of the larger discovery process in civil lawsuits. Over the next few months, lawyers for Prince Andrew and Giuffre will hand over text messages, phone call logs, calendars, and any other evidence that might be used in a trial to determine whether the Duke of York sexually abused a teenager while hanging out at homes belonging to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex-trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

Kaplan has made clear that he wants to hold a trial sometime in fall 2022. Prince Andrew could easily hole up in his room in London until it's over, but Sarah Krissoff, a defense lawyer at Day Pitney and a former federal prosecutor, said the royal not showing up to his own trial would be a big mistake.

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"If this ends up going to the trial, he'll need to be seated at the table and part of this process," Krissoff told Insider, adding: "For the lawyers to most effectively represent their client, the collaboration between the lawyer and a client has to be constant."

Nightclub or pizza party?

Giuffre has maintained her allegations against Prince Andrew for years, in depositions and media appearances, before she finally sued him in August 2021.

In the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, she alleged the royal forced her to have sex with him against her will in the early 2000s. The alleged abuse started when she was 17 and took place at Epstein's homes in New York and the US Virgin Islands, as well as Maxwell's house in London, according to the lawsuit.

Prince Andrew previously denied Giuffre's allegations at length in a 2019 BBC News interview. He rejected one of Giuffre's claims, that the two danced in London's Tramp nightclub, on particularly outlandish grounds. The prince said he remembered bringing his daughter, Princess Beatrice, to a pizza party at the time, and said that a medical condition stemming from a traumatic experience during the Balkans War made him physically incapable of sweating  despite many photos showing Prince Andrew sweating in nightclubs.

Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre, then known as Virginia Roberts, along with Ghislaine Maxwell. This photo was included in an affidavit where Giuffre claimed Prince Andrew directed her to have sex with him. Florida Southern District Court

Those specific denials and the legal filings addressing them offer a window into the material Giuffre will try to get during discovery. Her attorneys are likely to demand medical records, as well as obtain as much information as they can about Prince Andrew's long friendship with Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.

According to Krissoff, the financial records Giuffre's lawyers can obtain will help pin down where Prince Andrew was on certain dates. For example, credit card records could prove whether he swiped his card at a nightclub or a pizza parlor the night of March 10, 2001, when Giuffre claims they danced together before the prince sexually abused her. Travel records could help determine whether the duke was in New York at the time of the alleged abuse.

Boies has said he wants to depose Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, as well as and the duke's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. The precise scope of discovery demands between the parties, including who they can depose, will be subject to negotiation and court approval.

Giuffre and Prince Andrew have until July 14 to meet Kaplan's deadline for depositions. That gives the duke several months to explore another approach: settling.

Prince Andrew's best option is settling

While Kaplan's ruling was a major setback for Prince Andrew, it didn't erase all his options.

The judge rejected Prince Andrew's argument that a 2009 settlement agreement between Giuffre and Epstein shielded the royal from civil liability. Kaplan basically threw his hands up in the air, writing that the language in the agreement's release was too ambiguous to say whether it applied to the duke.

Prince Andrew still can try to gather more detail about the settlement release, possibly by convincing the judge to summon the lawyers who drafted it. His lawyers could also appeal Kaplan's ruling. Neither action would definitively stop the case from hurtling toward a trial, and legal challenges wouldn't pause the discovery process, either.

As every moment of the discovery process threatens to reveal more embarrassing details about his life, Prince Andrew's best option is settling.

Melania Trump, Prince Andrew, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

The deposition transcript and other evidence Giuffre's lawyers gather wouldn't be made public until a trial. And even at that point, Prince Andrew's lawyers could object to entering them into the public record. But Boies and his legal partner Sigrid McCawley could still slip out details in other legal filings and court appearances in the interim. Prince Andrew is represented by the media-savvy lawyer Andrew Brettler, who is well aware of the dynamics at play (Brettler did not respond to a request for comment for this story).

"All of the counsel in this case are particularly vocal," Krissoff said. "They're very happy to speak with the press and to present the case to the public. To the extent that there is information that they're able to share, they certainly may choose to share that strategically."

But would Giuffre accept a settlement? In an interview with BBC News on Wednesday night, Boies said that Prince Andrew's team rejected a "mediation" before Giuffre filed her lawsuit. He also said his client wasn't just interested in the royal's money. But he left the door open to some mutual agreement.

"I think it's very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her and vindicates other victims," he said. "I don't think she has a firm view at this point as to what a solution would be."

Read the original article on Insider
Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in 2016. Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Andrew will not attend the Queen's upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Vanity Fair reported.

The decision comes after Queen Elizabeth stripped her son of all military titles on Thursday.

Prince Andrew is facing a sexual-assault lawsuit filed by Virginia Guiffre in which he will represent himself as a private citizen.

Prince Andrew will not attend Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations after she stripped him of all military titles and patronages Thursday, Vanity Fair reported.

He will not be representing the Queen in any capacity at the celebration, sources told Vanity Fair's Katie Nicholl, with one going so far as to say the prince "is going to disappear from sight."

Buckingham Palace and representatives for the Duke of York did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The report follows the announcement on Thursday that Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military titles and royal patronages  a decision Prince Charles and Prince William, heirs to the throne, were "instrumental" in, the Daily Mail reported.

Speaking to Insider, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said it is no surprise Andrew no longer has a place in the upcoming jubilee celebrations.

"He has no place in royal family public celebrations," he said. "The royal family have basically made it clear that he has been an embarrassment for too long. There is simply too many problems there."

With regards to Charles and William's reported roles in Andrew's ousting, Fitzwilliams said it would make sense they played bigger parts in the decision considering their places as future kings.

"They are the guardians of the future of the monarchy," Fitzwilliams said. "All the royals are coming together, of course it grieves the Queen, but there was no option. This was inevitable."

Andrew will be absent from the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June. Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

When it comes to the court of public opinion, Fitzwilliams said people "made their mind up when he gave that disgraceful interview on Newsnight," a reference to the now-infamous 2019 interview Andrew did with BBC presenter Emily Maitlis.

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The move also comes as the Duke of York faces a lawsuit from Virginia Guiffre, who claims the royal sexually assaulted her when she was 17. He will defend himself as a private citizen instead of as a royal in the lawsuit, the royal family said in the announcement.

A palace spokesperson told Insider in 2019 that it is "emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts."

"The royal family has totally distanced itself from Andrew and he wouldn't be expected to attend a royal event in the future," Fitzwilliams said. "This is it."

Despite distancing themselves publicly, the royal family is said to be concerned for Andrew's well-being, according to a source described as a "family friend" in Vanity Fair. "He is absolutely devastated and if I was to describe how he is, I would say very shaken," they said. "This has come as a huge blow."

Prince Andrew still retains his Duke of York title, but will no longer be referred to as "His Royal Highness" in any official capacity.

The Time of London previously reported that the Queen didn't want her son to lose his military titles.

"The Queen has let it be known to the regiment that she wants the Duke of York to remain as colonel," a senior military source told The Times of London's royal editor Roya Nikkhah in August.

While the Queen's coronation anniversary takes place on February 6, official jubilee celebrating her 70th year on the throne are set to begin on June 2, according to The Telegraph. It will continue over the weekend until June 5 and include activities such as a Platinum Pudding competition.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

Read the original article on Insider
Thirteen Democratic members of the Texas congressional delegation called Thursday for a sweeping inspector general investigation into Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts highly touted border mission, following news reports of poor working and living conditions for troops, habitual pay problems, and suspected suicides tied to the operation.

The letter comes as another service member, based in the city of Pharr, survived a suicide attempt Sunday, according to an incident report obtained by Army Times and The Texas Tribune.

In a letter addressed to Col. Daniel Heape, inspector general of the Texas Military Department, the lawmakers said Operation Lone Star was severely eroding the readiness of our National Guardsmen and their ability to be deployed on federal orders.

More: Gov. Abbotts border crackdown Operation Lone Star violates U.S. Constitution, Travis County judge says

It is clear State leadership does not have our troops best interest in mind. Instead, they continue to use them as political props, whether it be through assigning them to support OLS or by refusing to comply with federal vaccine requirements intended to protect them from COVID-19, the letter read, using an abbreviation for Operation Lone Star. As such, we urge you to launch a full investigation into TMDs actions related to OLS and how this mission is impacting the well-being, morale, and overall readiness of our troops so Texans can have a full accounting of what is happening to these servicemembers.

Members of the Texas Army National Guard stand by as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and 10 other governors hold a press conference at Anzalduas Park on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, in Mission, Texas. (Joel Martinez/The Monitor via AP)

The co-signers of the letter include all Democrats in the Texas congressional delegation: Reps. Veronica Escobar of El Paso; Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green, Sylvia Garcia and Lizzie Fletcher of Houston; Lloyd Doggett of Austin; Colin Allred and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas; Marc Veasey of Fort Worth; Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, Filemon Vela of Brownsville; Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen; and Henry Cuellar of Laredo.

The lawmakers referenced a story by the Army Times in late December that reported on four suicides by soldiers tied to Operation Lone Star. In January, the publication reported on another suicide attempt tied to the mission and another soldier who died when he accidentally shot himself in an alcohol-related incident.

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The soldier who survived Sundays suicide attempt was taken to the hospital after telling another soldier she had ingested prescription medications and alcohol in her units hotel, according to the incident report.

On Tuesday, Abbott pushed back on the reports of suicides being linked to his border mission, saying his detractors were just playing politics.

Abbott pointed to the militarys broader suicide problem, adding that the Texas suicides are under investigation and he suspected that not all actually occurred during Operation Lone Star.

In fiscal year 2017, the Texas Army National Guard saw nine suicides, 14 attempts and 42 ideations among its troops, according to budget documents. Army Times asked state officials for more recent numbers Thursday but did not immediately receive a response.

Abbott did not respond to a request for comment Thursday, nor did a Texas Military Department spokesperson.

The lawmakers also cited Army Times reports on habitual pay issues and poor working and living conditions during the mission, calling them severely concerning.

These alarming reports call into question decisions made by the leadership of the TMD and Governor Abbott, and necessitate an immediate impartial and comprehensive investigation of all TMD actions related to OLS and the conditions of National Guard troops deployed at the U.S.-Mexico border, the letter read.

Abbott deployed Operation Lone Star in March after blaming President Joe Biden for an increase in migrant crossings at Texas southern border. The mission sent a sharp increase of Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to the border to curb migrant crossings.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott greets a Texas National Guard member before a press conference on the United States' southern border in Mission, Texas on Oct. 6, 2021.

But some soldiers on the border have said the mission lacks a clear directive and that they play little role in apprehending migrants attempting to cross into Texas, according to the Army Times. Other troops at busier sections of the border have expressed concerns about a shortage of first aid and protective equipment for their interactions with people who cross, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Featherston, the Texas Army National Guards former top enlisted soldier, said last week in a news conference with Allen West, a GOP candidate for governor and a former lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army.

Last fall, the Texas Military Department increased the number of troops deployed to Operation Lone Star from 1,200 in June to about 10,000 by November. The department said the drastic increase led to austere conditions for troops. The departments public affairs office said all pay issues were resolved as of last week and has cautioned against drawing a link between the operation and the suspected suicides.

Texas Guard officials are telling a different story behind closed doors, though. More than 80 soldiers pay issues werent resolved as of Tuesday, 36th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Charles Aris said in a Wednesday town hall event. Army Times and the Tribune obtained a recording of the two-hour event.

The congressional Democrats praised National Guard soldiers for their other recent state deployments on recovery efforts after last Februarys deadly winter storm, which left millions of Texans without power for days, and the aftermath of Hurricanes Ida and Laura in Texas and Louisiana. But they expressed concern that consecutive deployments take a toll on a servicemember who has already spent weeks away from home.

Being activated again for OLS, sometimes with less than a four-day notice, is leading troops to scramble to get their civilian affairs in order, if they are able to, without any idea when they may be able to return to their civilian lives, the letter read.

The letter from the congressional Democrats comes as criticism of the mission mounts against Abbott for his handling of the troops. Earlier this month, West blasted the mission as a political stunt that led soldiers to rush into a failure. West also called for the resignation of the Texas National Guards top military leader, Texas Adjutant General Tracy Norris.

West retired from the military in 2003 after he was investigated for torturing an Iraqi detainee for information.

Beto ORourke, the leading Democratic candidate for governor, has also criticized Abbotts handling of the mission, saying he has failed to provide the deployed troops basic rights and calling on the governor to send the troops home if he cannot provide them.

On Wednesday, state Rep. Alex Dominguez, D-Brownsville, announced in an op-ed in the Military Times that hed asked the House General Investigating Committee to begin an investigation into the suicides and morale on the mission. Dominguez, chair of the chambers veterans caucus, also called on Abbott to impose a moratorium on further troop deployment until the House completed its investigation and Abbott released a plan to address the morale crisis on the mission.

Dominguez also requested information from the Texas Military Department regarding Operation Lone Star, as well as recommendations for the Legislature on how to remedy issues with housing, pay, benefits and leave.

Other legislative leaders, including the lawmakers in charge of committees overseeing the Texas Military Department, have also expressed concern following the Army Times reports and have begun seeking information from the department.

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For 24/7 mental health support in English or Spanish, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations free help line at 800-662-4357. You can also reach a trained crisis counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 800-273-8255 or texting 741741.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/13/texas-congress-national-guard-suicides-greg-abbott/. This article is co-published and co-reported with Military Times, an independent news organization reporting on issues important to the U.S. military.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Guard suicide attempts and pay delays spur Texas mission probe calls
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan gives an update about the ongoing talks with Russia at a press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

WASHINGTON  U.S. intelligence officials have determined a Russian effort is underway to create a pretext for its troops to further invade Ukraine, and Moscow has already prepositioned operatives to conduct a false-flag operation in eastern Ukraine, according to the White House.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday the intelligence findings show Russia is also laying the groundwork through a social media disinformation campaign that frames Ukraine as an aggressor that has been preparing an imminent attack against Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine.

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Psaki charged that Russia has already dispatched operatives trained in urban warfare who could use explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russias own proxy forces  blaming the acts on Ukraine  if Russian President Vladimir Putin decides he wants to move forward with an invasion.

We are concerned that the Russian government is preparing for an invasion in Ukraine that may result in widespread human rights violations and war crimes should diplomacy fail to meet their objectives, Psaki said.

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Pentagon spokesman John Kirby described the intelligence as very credible. A U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment on the intelligence and spoke on condition of anonymity, said much of it was gleaned from intercepted communications and observations of the movements of people.

The U.S. intelligence findings, which were declassified and shared with U.S. allies before being made public, estimate that a military invasion could begin between mid-January and mid-February.

Ukraine is also monitoring the potential use of disinformation by Russia. Separately, Ukrainian media on Friday reported that authorities believed Russian special services were planning a possible false flag incident to provoke additional conflict.

The new U.S. intelligence was unveiled after a series of talks between Russia and the U.S. and its Western allies this week in Europe aimed at heading off the escalating crisis made little progress.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Thursday said the U.S. intelligence community has not made an assessment that the Russians, who have massed some 100,000 troops on Ukraines border, have definitively decided to take a military course of action.

But Sullivan said Russia is laying the groundwork to invade under false pretenses should Putin decide to go that route. He said the Russians have been planning sabotage activities and information operations that accuse Ukraine of prepping for its own imminent attack against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

He said this is similar to what the Kremlin did in the lead-up to Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that had been under Ukraines jurisdiction since 1954.

The Crimea crisis came at moment when Ukraine was looking to strengthen ties with the West. Russia had stepped up propaganda that Ukraines ethnic Russians were being oppressed in eastern Ukraine.

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Russia has long been accused of using disinformation as a tactic against adversaries in conjunction with military operations and cyberattacks. In 2014, Russian state media tried to discredit pro-Western protests in Kyiv as fomented by the U.S. in cooperation with fascist Ukrainian nationalists and promoted narratives about Crimeas historical ties to Moscow, according to a report by Stanford Universitys Internet Observatory.

Efforts to directly influence Ukrainians appear to have continued during the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, in which at least 14,000 people have died. The Associated Press reported in 2017 that Ukrainian forces in the east were constantly receiving text messages warning that they would be killed and their children would be made orphans.

Nina Jankowicz, a global fellow at the Washington-based Wilson Center, said Russias disinformation efforts have evolved between the lead-up to its annexation of Crimea and now. This time, the Kremlin appears to be driving anti-Ukraine narratives with top officials making bellicose public statements, said Jankowicz, author of How To Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News, and the Future of Conflict.

The officials are setting the tone for the state media and theyre just running with it, she said.

So-called troll farms that post fake comments are less influential in part because social media companies have gotten better at stopping them, she said. Russian efforts on social media often play on existing doubts in Ukrainian society about whether the U.S. will support Ukraine in a conflict and whether the West can be trusted, she said.

The U.S. intelligence community has taken note of a buildup on social media by Russian influencers justifying intervention by emphasizing deteriorating human rights in Ukraine, suggesting an increased militancy of Ukrainian leaders and blaming the West for escalating tensions.

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We saw this playbook in 2014, Sullivan told reporters on Thursday. They are preparing this playbook again.

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The Russians, while maintaining they dont plan to invade Ukraine, are demanding that the U.S. and NATO provide written guarantees that the alliance will not expand eastward. The U.S. has called such demands nonstarters but said that its willing to negotiate with Moscow about possible future deployments of offensive missiles in Ukraine and putting limits on U.S. and NATO military exercises in Eastern Europe.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned on Friday that Moscow wouldnt wait indefinitely for the Western response, saying he expects the U.S. and NATO to provide a written answer next week.

Lavrov described Moscows demands for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other former Soviet nations, or station its forces and weapons there, as essential for the progress of diplomatic efforts to defuse soaring tensions over Ukraine.

He argued that NATOs deployments and drills near Russias borders pose a security challenge that must be addressed immediately.

We have run out of patience, Lavrov said at a news conference. The West has been driven by hubris and has exacerbated tensions in violation of its obligations and common sense.

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Isachenkov reported from Moscow. AP National Security writer Robert Burns contributed reporting.
A student at Roncali STEM Academy was arrested Thursday after allegedly showing up to school with a loaded 9mm handgun.

The male student has been charged with felony possession of a weapon on school grounds, according to a news release from the Pueblo Police Department.

More: 'Ripe for change': Republican State Senator Don Coram to primary Lauren Boebert in CO-3

A Pueblo police school resource officer was contacted by a teacher around 11:30 a.m. The officer contacted the suspect immediately. The school was locked down for a little over 30 minutes before resuming regular activities.

The suspect is currently being held at the Pueblo Youth Center with both felony and misdemeanor charges.

More education news: Pueblo colleges to require students, staff to be vaccinated, test weekly or seek exemption

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo student faces felony charges after bringing gun to school
President Biden and Vladimir Putin. Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock

Russia has amassed significant forces along the border of Ukraine. Talks between Russia and NATO appear to have broken down. Members of Washington's foreign policy establishment are beginning to suggest the need to respond to any Russian military moves against Ukraine with a strong show of force.

How did we get here, seemingly on track toward either direct military confrontation with a nuclear-armed state nearly 5,000 miles from American shores, or poised to back down and retreat in the face of a frontal challenge to a military alliance led by the United States?

The answer is that we got here by bluffing  and the evident decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to call our bluff. One possible response to this unhappy situation is to continue bluffing in the hopes that Putin will eventually blink. The other, far more reasonable path is to reassess the decisions that got us here in the first place and move forward with less unsustainable hubris.

Once the Cold War had drawn to a close, the United States began to extend formal and informal security guarantees to far-flung places around the globe. These came on top of older guarantees that originated during the West's decades-long confrontation with the Soviet Union and its numerous satellite and client states.

The U.S. was already formally committed to defending Western Europe through NATO, as well as Japan and South Korea. Our arrangement with Taiwan was less explicit, but everyone understood that we would be unlikely to turn a blind eye to any Chinese move to invade the island.

America's reaction to Iraq's invasion of neighboring Kuwait just months prior to the final dissolution of the USSR demonstrated that the U.S. intended to use its military and diplomatic clout to prevent the outbreak of cross-border military conflict in the Middle East  and to punish governments that violated such strictures.

Then, later in the 1990s, came the beginning of NATO's expansion eastward and its projection of power outside its own borders into the Balkans to halt horrible bloodletting in the states of the former Yugoslavia. The spectacular terrorist attacks of 9/11, planned by Al Qaeda in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, prompted the U.S. and its NATO allies to project power even farther, now all the way to South Asia. The subsequent invasion and occupation of Iraq, undertaken by the United States and select allies apart from NATO, was sold as necessary to eliminate an unacceptable threat to America and its allies in the Middle East. Eight years later, NATO projected power across the Mediterranean Sea, toppling the government of Moammar Gadhafi in Libya.

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Each move was an extension of American military reach, and many of them signaled the transformation of NATO from a defensive alliance into an occasionally offensive one. With each step, the U.S. and its allies demonstrated a willingness to use military force to challenge and defeat vastly weaker powers across the globe. In doing so, we began constructing what looked more than a little like a rudimentary worldwide police force with the United States at its head.

But there were undeniable downsides.

For one thing, a foreign policy aimed at punishing "evildoers," to invoke former President George W. Bush's language after 9/11, left us with a series of messes on our hands. We became directly responsible for security in places we invaded. And instead of those countries learning to take care of themselves over time, they became dependents, forcing the United States and our allies to extend open-ended internal and external security commitments, with the only alternative being eventual collapse into civil war or dictatorship. We've seen different versions of this scenario unfold on varying time scales in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan over the past two decades.

But this isn't the only, or even the worst, drawback to America's approach to foreign policy since the end of the Cold War.

We have been able to fight a series of small (if intractable) wars around the world because, in each case, our opponent has been vastly weaker than we are. But we have also extended implicit security guarantees to places where a strong or rising regional power has competing interests. And we've handled such situations by acting as if we're willing to defend certain countries against formidable military threats when we've never really been prepared to do so.

This approach to conducting foreign policy worked well enough so long as no one called our bluff. Our willingness and ability to project power to the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa served as supposed evidence of our resolve everywhere.

But our geopolitical rivals are no longer prepared to defer to us in all cases. Putin, for example, looks ready to test the proposition that Russia has far more at stake in its near abroad (in Ukraine as well as in Georgia and Belarus) than we do  and the outcome is quite likely to be decided in his favor. A recent YouGov poll commissioned by the Charles Koch Institute, for example, shows that just 27 percent of Americans would support going to war with Russia if it invades Ukraine. It's not even clear that the European Union would be capable of imposing painful new economic sanctions on Russia in retaliation to an invasion  all of which means Putin may well prevail in his bid to stop NATO expansion in its tracks.

This hasn't prevented some analysts from advocating we extend the bluff further for fear that backing down would embolden China to launch its own test of our willingness to defend Taiwan against an invasion. (Some have even gone so far as to suggest, against all plausibility, that allowing Russia to invade Ukraine without military consequence would destroy NATO altogether and put us on a path to world war.) It would be better to face up honestly to the consequences of bluffing and pull back to lines we really are prepared to defend with the threat of war, and make this resolve abundantly clear to our geopolitical rivals.

We can't guarantee security in Eastern Europe and the Middle East and North Africa and South Asia and East and Southeast Asia. But we can use our still-formidable military and economic might to influence the course of events in select places. What should those places be? The U.S. has done a lot of things around the world since the end of the Cold War. But we haven't made enough of the hard choices that any finite power needs to make.

The crisis in Ukraine should be treated as an opportunity to begin that painful but necessary process of choosing our battles more wisely.

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The federal moratorium on evictions, which the Centers for Disease Control instated in September 2020 to help stop the spread of coronavirus, was blocked by the Supreme Court this August. The court said only Congress  not the CDC  had the right to institute such a policy. That means many families who are behind on rent payments could be looking at eviction as protection deadlines approach.

See: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program Is Running out of Money  What Should You Do if You Face Eviction?

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More than 3.5 million people, or 6% of renters across the country, told the U.S. Census Bureau they are likely or very likely to face eviction with the moratorium lifted. In Southern and Midwestern states like Missouri, North Carolina and Louisiana, the survey showed, that number grew to 20% of renters who feared losing their homes.

If youre facing eviction due to unpaid rent bills, take heart. There are places to turn for help.

Review State Laws To See What Protections Exist for Tenants, and for How Long

Depending on your state, you may still be protected from eviction. However, the NYS COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act, for instance, has only been extended to protect renters in New York through January 15, 2022. And even then, you had to submit a Hardship Declaration form to your landlord, a representative of your landlord (such as a property manager), or to the local Housing Court to qualify for the extension.

Apply for Federal Rent Assistance

If you dont live in a state where the eviction moratorium was extended, you may qualify for emergency rental assistance at the local, state, regional or federal level. The federal ERA program may also provide help with internet costs, electricity and other utilities. By having these costs covered through emergency assistance, you may be able to pay your rent.

Assistance might also cover rent payments and late fees. In some cases, if you are forced to move, you may be able to get help with security deposits, screening and application fees, according to ConsumerFinance.org.

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Consider Alternate Options To Generate Income for Rent

With a tight labor market and many companies looking for help, you may be able to earn some extra cash to make ends meet. Consider picking up part-time gig work with a food delivery service, pet-sitting service or personal shopping service. You can also look into options with a flexible schedule you can do from home, such as working as a virtual assistant or transcriptionist. Many remote jobs have flexible hours so you can fit them in with your full-time job.

Its easier than ever [..] to make money on various apps, plus we are in a tight labor market, Gary Grewal, certified financial planner and contributor at FinancialFives.com pointed out.

Negotiate with Your Landlord

Landlords dont want to face the eviction process any more than their tenants do. But the fact is, not every landlord is flush with funds and if you arent paying rent, they might not be able to meet their mortgage payments to keep the building youre living in or pay their utility bills to keep your lights on.

It pays to try to negotiate with your landlord to find an arrangement that can keep you in your home while giving your landlord the income they need, as well. Howard Dvorkin, CPA, advised, Contact your landlord to discuss a deferred payment plan. This is worth a shot as most landlords do not want to pay a fee to file a lawsuit, go to court  especially with COVID still spreading  and go through the expense and hassle of finding a new tenant.

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However, if your landlord decides to pursue the eviction with a court case, make sure you are protected.

If you end up in court, you need a lawyer. Find one who specializes in evictions. If youre worried about the cost, just know this: Youre likely to pay more and suffer more without one, Dvorkin said.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Rental Protection Deadline: How To Avoid An Eviction If Your State Hasnt Extended the Moratorium
A debate stage. Illustrated | iStock

Republicans are ready to do away with the current system of presidential debates. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Thursday notified the Commission on Presidential Debates that the party intends to prohibit its candidate from participating in 2024 debates against the Democratic nominee, citing the format's "bias against Republicans."

You know what? That sounds fine.

The 2020 presidential campaign offered reason enough to end the quadrennial showdowns. Who can forget that September's encounter between Donald Trump and Joe Biden  rightly dubbed "the worst presidential debate of all time" by my then-colleague Matthew Walther and perhaps more memorably labeled by CNN's Dana Bash as a "s--tshow." Trump tried to steamroll both Biden and moderator Chris Wallace, shouting and lobbing insults and refusing to let anybody else get a word in edgewise. The most important moment of that debate was Trump's "stand back and stand by" shoutout to his extremist Proud Boys acolytes, a clear precursor to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Does anybody think that democracy was well-served by that "debate?"

The criticisms of the presidential debate format are well-known by now  they put an emphasis on stagecraft over substance, on posturing and soundbites and a lot of other skills that are great for TV but don't have much to do with the actual work of presidenting. Significantly, debates appear to have little effect on election outcomes. The upside is that they grab a lot of attention from voters who've had other things to do besides follow politics on Twitter all day: Some 63 million people watched the final debate of the campaign in October 2020.

Those voters do deserve a chance to hear in-depth from presidential candidates. Luckily  and inadvertently  the 2020 cycle offered a substantive alternative to debates: dueling town halls. Because of Trump's COVID infection, the second debate that year was canceled. Trump instead met voters with NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, while Biden took voter questions with ABC's George Stephanopoulos. The format allowed viewers more of a chance to judge each candidate on their own merits, and for the candidates to respond to the concerns of actual voters instead of savvy journalists putting a notch on their career-achievements belt.

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So let's do that again in 2024  but on purpose this time. Scrap the debates and give each candidate 90 minutes of airtime with voters on back-to-back nights right before Americans start casting ballots. After 2020, it's clearly time to try something different.

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Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Jan. 11, 2022.





Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Thursday said it "would be nuts" for the Republican National Committee (RNC) to block GOP candidates from attending debates run by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD).

The Utah Republican told Insider that barring Republicans from debates would prevent voters from hearing candidates "duke it out."

"The American people want to see candidates for president debating issues of consequence to them, and it provides a service to the country and to the people, to hear the prospective candidates of the two major parties duke it out," he said.

Romney's comments came hours after RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel alerted the CPD that the committee plans to require that GOP candidates do not take part in the commission's debates going forward.

Romney, who is McDaniel's uncle, was the Republican nominee for president in 2012 and took part in three debates held by the CPD against then-President Barack Obama. Romney ultimately lost the election in a 332 to 206 electoral vote.

McDaniel, in a letter to CPD Co-Chairs Frank Fahrenkopf and Kenneth Wollack, said Republican voters "have lost trust" in the commission, noting that the RNC has already recommended a number of reforms for the debate process. She said "neither the tone nor substance" of the commission's latest response assured the RNC that the CPD will "meaningfully address" the issues the party has raised.

Fahrenkopf served as RNC chair in the 1980s.

The RNC's concerns include the timing of the first presidential debate, changes to formats and conditions in some cases without notifying candidates and potential conflicts of interest among debate moderators.

McDaniel said the commission's responses to the RNC's demands thus far "seem designed to delay any reform until it is too late to matter for the 2024 election."

The commission responded on Thursday by saying that it "deals directly with candidates for president and vice president who qualify for participation."

McDaniel reflected on her relationship with her Romney in a February 2020 tweet when the Utah Republican voted to convict then-President Trump in his first impeachment. She said "This is not the first time I have disagreed with Mitt, and I imagine it will not be the last."

White House press secretary Jen Psaki responded to the RNC's move on Thursday, telling reporters "I think it's a question best posed to the RNC on what they're so afraid of."
By Tom Balmforth and Maria Tsvetkova

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia has dismantled ransomware crime group REvil at the request of the United States in an operation in which it detained and charged the group's members, the FSB domestic intelligence service said on Friday.

The arrests were a rare apparent demonstration of U.S.-Russian collaboration at a time of high tensions between the two over Ukraine. The announcement came as Ukraine was responding to a massive cyber attack that shut down government websites, though there was no indication the incidents were related.

The United States welcomed the arrests, according to a senior admininstration official, adding "we understand that one of the individuals who was arrested today was responsible for attack against Colonial Pipeline last spring."

A May cyberattack https://www.reuters.com/technology/ransomware-gangs-disrupted-by-response-colonial-pipeline-hack-2021-05-14/?enowpopup on the Colonial Pipeline that led to widespread gas shortages on the U.S. East Coast used encryption software called DarkSide, which was developed by REvil associates.

A police and FSB operation searched 25 addresses, detaining 14 people, the FSB said, listing assets it had seized including 426 million roubles, $600,000, 500,000 euros, computer equipment and 20 luxury cars.

A Moscow court identified two of the men as Roman Muromsky and Andrei Bessonov and remanded them in custody for two months. Muromsky could not be reached for comment and his phone was off. Reuters could not immediately reach Bessonov.

Two Muscovites told Reuters Muromsky was a web developer who had helped them with websites for their businesses.

Russia told Washington directly of the moves it had taken against the group, the FSB said. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow said it could not immediately comment.

"The investigative measures were based on a request from the ... United States," the FSB said. "... The organised criminal association has ceased to exist and the information infrastructure used for criminal purposes was neutralised."

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The REN TV channel aired footage of agents raiding homes and arresting people, pinning them to the floor, and seizing large piles of dollars and Russian roubles.

The group members have been charged and could face up to seven years in prison, the FSB said.

A source familiar with the case told Interfax the group's members with Russian citizenship would not be handed over to the United States.

The United States said in November it was offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of anyone holding a key position in the REvil group.

The United States has been hit by a string of high-profile hacks by ransom-seeking cybercriminals. A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters in June that REvil was suspected of being the group behind a ransomware attack on the world's biggest meat packing company, JBS SA.

Washington has repeatedly accused the Russian state in the past of malicious activity on the internet, which Moscow denies.

REvil has not been associated with any major attacks for months.

John Shier, a threat researcher at the UK-based Sophos cybersecurity company, said there was no independent confirmation the self-identified leaders of the "defunct" group had been arrested.

"If nothing else, it serves as a warning to other criminals that operating out of Russia might not be the safe harbor they thought it was," he said.

'NORMAL PROGRAMMER'

A former client of Muromsky who only gave the name Sergei described him as a regular worker who did not appear wealthy.

Sergei runs a shop called Motohansa selling motorcycle spare parts. Muromsky created its website and supported it for some time charging him around 15,000 roubles ($196) per month, he said.

"He is a smart person and I can imagine that if he wanted to do it (hacking) he could, but he charged very little money for his services. Several years ago he had a Rover car. That's not an expensive car at all," Sergei said.

Muromsky is in his thirties and was born in Anapa in Russia's south, he said. "He worked as a normal programmer."

Another client, Adam Guzuyev, described Muromsky as "a regular normal worker" who proved unable to install all the features Guzuyev wanted on his website.

"He earned no more than 60,000 roubles. I can't say he has genius abilities," he said, adding Muromsky spent three months working on his website.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Maria Tsvetkova; additional reporting by Anton Zverev and Polina Nikolskaya; writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Alison Williams, Peter Graff, Mark Potter and Richard Chang)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Friday announced a snap combat readiness inspection of its troops in its far east and said they would practice deploying to far-away military sites in Russia for exercises.

Russian military manoeuvres are being closely scrutinised due to a troop buildup near Ukraine that has prompted fears in Kyiv and the West that Moscow may be planning to invade. Russia denies any such plan.

Defence Ministry footage released by RIA news agency showed numerous armoured vehicles and other military hardware being loaded onto trains in the Eastern Military District.

"The exercises will make it possible to assess the readiness of the troops... to carry out missions as required after regrouping at far distances across Russian territory," the ministry was quoted as saying.

Open-source intelligence analysts have for weeks been studying social media footage of Russian military hardware being transported, including by train.

Russia says it is up to Moscow alone where it moves its forces around on its territory and that they pose no external threat.

Rob Lee, a military analyst and a fellow at the U.S.-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, said the drills would test the ability of units to complete missions after conducting long-distance travel.

"This is likely cover for the units being moved towards Ukraine," he tweeted.

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Much like Covid-19, hospitals were struggling to cope with a surge of cases - Mediscan / Alamy Stock Photo

The fourth wave of the pandemic, like the three that preceded it, was marked by a dry cough, an intense headache and what one medical correspondent described as a feverish malaise. Soon, both the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition were confined to their sickbeds and London hospitals were struggling to cope.

The disease felled burly policemen and Bank of England clerks. At a wedding party attended by 100 guests, it was reported that all but three had fallen ill.

You could be forgiven for thinking this is a description of the latest omicron strain of Covid-19. In fact, it details the severe wave of illness that swept London during the Russian influenza pandemic of the 1890s. The so-called influenza was blamed on Russia because the first reported outbreak occurred in St Petersburg in November 1889. But though some of the symptoms, such as fever, chills and aches, were consistent with flu, an increasing number of scientists believe the Russian flu may have actually been due to a bovine coronavirus.

As with omicron, the majority of infections were mild. But approximately one in a hundred cases resulted in severe illness or death, particularly for those with pre-existing health conditions. Many complained of a hard, dry cough of a paroxysmal kind, worst at night.

Whereas influenza tends to be most fatal to infants and the elderly, with a graph of mortality by age tracing a U-shape, in the case of the Russian flu the mortality curve was J-shaped, reflecting the rising mortality in the over-60s. In other words, similar to Covid.

Russian flu was also associated with inflammatory conditions and fatigue reminiscent of long Covid. Sir Morrell Mackenzie, a Victorian throat specialist, noted that the influenza had a propensity to run up and down the nervous keyboard stirring up disorder and pain in different parts of the body with what almost seems malicious caprice. Marked neurological symptoms included intense headaches and shooting pains, as well as a loss of taste and smell.

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Four million people in England and Wales were ill during the first wave in the winter of 1889-90, with a recorded 27,000 excess deaths from respiratory diseases. In spring 1891, there was a second, more severe wave, which accounted for nearly 58,000 excess deaths. The winter of 1892 saw a third wave, marked by a further 25,000 deaths. Taking into account a revival in 1893, and the fourth wave in 1895, it was estimated that at least 125,000 Britons had perished.

The parallels are striking. So, if the Russian flu was caused by a coronavirus, what might that pandemic tell us about the likely evolution of Covid-19, and what can we learn from the Victorian experience of living with repeated waves in an era before vaccines and antiviral drugs?

Intriguingly, the Russian flu was preceded by catastrophic outbreaks of a highly infectious respiratory disease in cattle. These led to repeated culling between 1870 and 1890, as farmers sought to prevent the contamination of milk supplies. In an era before refrigeration and pasteurisation, the only way to supply growing urban populations with fresh milk was by bringing cows to city centres  a plausible root for the interspecies transmission of BCoV, or the bovine coronavirus. Thanks to some nifty molecular detective work by Belgian virologist Dr Marc Van Ranst at Leuven University, we know this is closely related to the human coronavirus OC43 with which it shares a common ancestor in around 1890  suggesting that this is when it probably first jumped from cattle to humans. The date coincides with the first reports of the Russian influenza.

'Mother in a poor district of London holding an oil lamp so doctor can examine her child, only to be told that it has died from Influenza - World History Archive / TopFoto

At a time when most medics subscribed to miasma theory  the idea that diseases were the result of poisonous exhalations from the earth carried on the wind  little consideration was given to social distancing or masks. Instead, doctors emphasised the importance of bed rest and a positive state of mind, lest fear become the mother of infection.

The Lancet medical journal even went as far as to blame dread of the epidemic on the worldwide telegraphic network which, in 1889, had enabled Reuters correspondents to transmit news of the pandemic from St Petersburg well ahead of domestic outbreaks.

Satirical magazine Punch warned: If you sit all day in your great coat, muffled up to the eyes in a woollen comforter and with your feet in constantly replenished mustard and hot water, as you propose, you will certainly be prepared, when it makes its appearance, to encounter the attack of the Russian Epidemic Influenza, that you so much dread.

Despite this, there was wide agreement that the infection could cause lung inflammation and that it was imperative to avoid relapses. Those who ignored this advice risked bronchitis and pneumonia. Indeed, one of the most prominent victims was the Duke of Clarence, Queen Victorias 28-year-old grandson and the second-in-line to the throne, who died of pneumonic complications from Russian flu in January 1892. His death coincided with Rudyard Kiplings marriage at All Souls Church, Marylebone  a ceremony, which Kipling recorded, took place in the thick of an influenza epidemic, when the undertakers had run out of black horses and the dead had to be content with brown ones [and] the living were mostly abed.

Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence - The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images/ Hulton Archive

A good insight into how Victorians adjusted comes from English social reformer and women's rights campaigner, Josephine Butler, who suffered recurrent bouts of flu throughout the 1890s.

In December 1891, Butler complained of a cough and a good deal of weakness. In January 1892, she told her son: I dont think I ever remember being so weak, not even after the malaria fever at Genoa. Six months later, she suffered an attack of pneumonia and pleurisy, leaving her the use of just one good lung.

Embracing the miasmatic theories, Butler wrote that the Russian influenza had been conveyed to Britain on the northeast winds. This suggested that closing doors and shutting windows might be a safeguard. However, others were convinced the disease was contagious and that the best protection was ventilation and the disinfection of letters thought to harbour infectious particles.

If the Russian flu was due to a coronavirus  and it is an if  the Victorian experience does not augur well for our present. Epidemiologists estimate that up to 60 per cent of the population was infected in the initial phase between 1889 and 1892. But herd immunity does not appear to have been reached, hence the recurrent waves of illness, marked by high mortality.

You dont get herd immunity with coronaviruses, says Paul Hunter, an epidemiologist at the University of East Anglia. When you combine that with the clinical evidence, the similarities between the Russian flu and Covid-19 are striking.

Indeed, Butler was still complaining of Russian influenza at the turn of the century. She was not alone.

Influenza has declined to move westward and become almost a regular Christmas annual, complained one weary medical commentator in 1900. A pair of blankets and a pillow, properly applied, still form a complete protection against 99 attacks out of a hundred. But in that hundredth case it will detect and advertise some latent flaw, add the last straw with fiendish ingenuity and deadly effect.

Mark Honigsbaum is author of The Pandemic Century: A History of Global Contagion from the Spanish Flu to Covid-19 (Penguin, 16.99). Buy yours at books.telegraph.co.uk, or call 0844 871 1514
Russian bank Tinkoff has revealed it purchased a stake in Swiss digital company Aximetria.

TCS Group Holding, the owner of Tinkoff, hasnt announced the exact numbers but, according to unofficial sources, the group may now hold approximately 83.2% of this Swiss-incorporated entity.

Recently, TCS Group bought 4,449 shares at 100 Swiss francs ($110) each, and the total share capital of the company stood at around 535,000 francs ($588,000).

The companys representatives then said the details of the transaction will be published in the groups annual reports.

Aximetria will develop as part of the international expansion of the Tinkoff Group in compliance with all the requirements of the jurisdictions of international presence, the company said.

Its website confirmed the acquisition, noting that the start-up is already part of TCS Group Holding PLC and that Aximetria was among the first companies to receive permission from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (Finma) to process crypto transactions.

It seems that the banks stance on cryptocurrencies changed since few months ago, Tinkoff Group CEO Oliver Hughes said it was not possible for Tinkoff to provide crypto services because of the stance of the Russian financial regulator on the matter.

Currently, we dont have a mechanism to offer them this product in Russia, because the Central Bank is taking a very tough position, Hughes then commented.

Positive moves in the Russian crypto space

Commenting on the acquisition, Nikita Zuborev, senior analyst at crypto exchange aggregator Bestchange.ru, commented that any inflow of capital from the traditional financial market into the crypto space can be regarded as a positive long-term factor and a certain guarantee for stability and acceptance.

He stressed the deal would open another gateway between the traditional financial system and the crypto industry.

Maria Stankevich, director of development at Eastern-European crypto exchange Exmo, called the acquisition an interesting and bold deed coming from Russia and added this could challenge other Russian banks, like Alfa-Bank for example, to consider similar opportunities.

Recently, Russias largest and state-owned banking institution, Sberbank, started with the blockchain ETF offering.

Policy makers in Russia are said to be working on a new law in order to protect non-professional investors from rash investments in cryptocurrencies.
What a mess.

Last Friday, the County Council took up the issue of the mask mandate and state of emergency issued by County Executive Steuart Pittman.

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Both the mandate and the state of emergency expired before the council even got to vote on them, mainly because so many people testified in favor of the mandate. Over 120 people verbally testified on the mandate and order, pushing the vote until 2:30 p.m. By the time the council voted, there was legally nothing to vote on because both had already expired.

The council voted anyway, which was invalid; you cant vote to extend something that already has expired and is no longer in effect. The council voted 4-3 in favor of the mandate and the state of emergency. That still was not enough, however, because a supermajority of five council votes was needed to continue the state of emergency.

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Yet that wasnt the most inappropriate government action of the day since shortly thereafter county Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman extended the mask mandate by fiat. Pittman of course backed him up.

Pittman did not have the votes to extend the mandate and his state of emergency. So Pittman and Kalyanaraman did an end-around of the County Council and did it anyway. This is the kind of response you would expect from an accidental County Executive and his sidekick Kalyanaraman, a failed politician who lives in Baltimore County who should have been fired after his department supported a program that handed out crack pipes to Annapolis residents in an effort to address the health risks faced by people with drug addictions. That program, which faced backlash in the Black community, was discontinued.

The county is basing this mask order on Section 18-208, subsection B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Kalyanaraman can only do this, however, if and only if he gets approval from either Gov. Larry Hogan or State Health Secretary Dennis Schrader. My understanding is that neither have given such approval.

This is going to court. The county is likely to lose. It has created confusion for residents. In a few hours, we went from a mask mandate to no mask mandate to maybe having a mask mandate, but nobody really knows if there is a mandate or not. Anecdotally, most people in the county are not wearing masks anymore.

As far as Pittman goes, this is the kind of failed leadership that makes you lose reelection. Empowering your handpicked unelected bureaucrats to abuse their authority is no way to run a county.

That said, if Pittman believes in this and knows its political suicide, Id actually respect him more. But I know that he doesnt because Pittman lives in an echo chamber of people who only tell him what he already believes. He does not live in the real world like the rest of us

This isnt even about the mandate anymore. Many longtime readers know that I have been supportive of vaccines, masks, and other measures since early in the pandemic. I have also followed the science, which shows that the Omicron variant is small enough to penetrate the fabric masks that most of us are wearing. So, what really is the point of a mask mandate at all if, in this instance, the masks are ineffective? That makes this order little more than performative political theater.

Why are Pittman and Kalyanaraman insisting upon exceeding their authority to do this when it doesnt even work?

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What this is about now is the abuse of power by Pittman and Kalyanaraman for instituting a measure rejected by the County Council by fiat. No unelected bureaucrat can override the legislature this way. Its time for the county to move on from the mandate and for voters to move on from Pittman.

Brian Griffiths is the publisher of The Duckpin (TheDuckpin.com). He can be reached via email at brian.griffiths.media@gmail.com, on Twitter @BrianGriffiths, or on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @briangriffithsmd.
Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, speaks during a rally outside the White House in Washington. Rhodes has been arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Justice Department announced the charges against Rhodes on Thursday. (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The US Justice Departments efforts to hold those responsible for the 6 January insurrection shifted into a higher gear this week with the unsealing of a 48-page indictment against Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes and 10 other members of his right-wing militia group.

All but Mr Rhodes and another defendant  Edward Vallejo of Phoenix  had previously been charged with crimes for their roles in the worst attack on the Capitol since British troops commanded by Major General Robert Ross set it ablaze in 1814.

Prosecutors have filed criminal charges against more than 730 people over the year that has passed since the attack, but the indictment of Mr Rhodes and his alleged co-conspirators stands out because it charges them under a rarely used provision of law that can found in the chapter of the US criminal code titled Treason, Sedition, and Subversive Activities.

Known to lawyers as Section 2384, it lays out an offense known as Seditious Conspiracy  which is committed when two or more persons conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States by force, or seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof.

Prosecutors have charged Mr Rhodes and his co-defendants under the part making it a crime to conspire to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States by force, alleging in the indictment that the purpose of their alleged conspiracy was to oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power by force, by preventing, hindering or delaying by force the execution of the laws governing the transfer of power.

They also face charges under a different part of the US code which makes it a crime to obstruct an official proceeding, which until Thursday was the most serious offense anyone has been accused of as a result of their participation in the pro-Trump riot.

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Oath Keepers founder, Stewart Rhodes, speaks during the Patriots Day Free Speech Rally in Berkeley, California, U.S. April 15, 2017. Picture taken April 15, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart (REUTERS)

That prosecutors have chosen to invoke the seditious conspiracy statute in the first place is notable in and of itself because it has been used to prosecute only a handful of people in the last half-century.

The last time anyone faced charges for an alleged seditious conspiracy was in 2010, when federal prosecutors in Michigan secured an indictment against nine members of the right-wing Christian militia movement Hutree for conspiring to oppose by force the authority of the U.S. government.

Ultimately, however, that case failed after a judge ruled that it had been built largely of circumstantial evidence.

While this evidence could certainly lead a rational factfinder to conclude that something fishy was going on, it does not prove beyond a reasonable doubt  [the militia members]  reached a concrete agreement to forcibly oppose the government, US District Judge Victoria Roberts wrote in an opinion acquitting the defendants of seditious conspiracy.

Before that, the most notable conviction for seditious conspiracy occurred in 1995, when a New York jury convicted Muslim cleric Omar Abdel-Rahman  the so-called blind sheik  for exhorting a group of his followers to bomb targets around New York City.

Glenn Kirschner, a former DC assistant US attorney, told The Independent the reason seditious conspiracy charges are so rare is in part because it's not all that often that people try to get together and conspire to violently overthrow the United States government, and then take at least one overt act toward that end.

This kind of a crime is not committed all that often, he explained.

Mr Kirschner added that reason such charges are so infrequently brought against defendants is because seditious conspiracies are difficult to prove, and his experience federal prosecutors often posses what he described as hyper-cautiousness often bordering on timidity.

(Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

This has led prosecutors to eschew seditious conspiracy charges when they can charge other equally serious offenses that are easier to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury.

If we have a series of lesser charges short of seditious conspiracy  destroying property, assaulting folks, assaulting government officials  there may be no need to reach for the most serious charge because you feel like your body of evidence can more easily and readily prove the lesser charges, and let's face it, at the end of the day, it's all about what's the appropriate penalty, he said.

If I have to go with a seditious conspiracy charge which carries up to 20 years but I know it's going to be tougher to prove, or I can go with a series of lesser charges, like obstructing an official proceeding or any other series of lower-level offenses, assault, assaulting police officers, destroying government property, et cetera, and I can still get a sentence exposure to a period of incarceration that I think is appropriate and fits the series of crimes, then why am I going to play against myself as a prosecutor and try to prove something where I'm not really getting any additional return other than the deterrent value of saying we banged somebody out for a seditious conspiracy?

But in the case of Mr Rhodes and his alleged co-conspirators, Mr Kirschner said the evidence appears to be so overwhelming that prosecutors had little reason to avoid charging them.

When you read that 48-page indictment, it'll curl your toes. They had an arsenal, you know, across the river in a motel room ready to be deployed, he said, calling what the 11 defendants are accused of is violent, coordinated, and a direct attack on the transfer of presidential power.




The Senate Majority PAC on Friday rolled out a $1 million ad buy against incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), becoming the latest Democratic group to hit Johnson on air following the announcement of his reelection bid.

The top Senate Democratic super PAC's ad is set to be aired on television markets in the Badger State, as well as on digital and streaming platforms.

The ad comes after Johnson's campaign released two ads after he announced he would seek a third term in the upper chamber. In one of the ads, Johnson explained why he was running for another term despite previously saying he would only serve two terms in the Senate.

"With Democrats in total control, our nation is on a very dangerous path. If you're in a position to make our country safer and stronger, would you just walk away? I decided I can't," Johnson says in the spot.

The Senate Majority PAC ad hits Johnson over the comments.

"It's no surprise Johnson broke his promise to only serve two Senate terms," the ad says.

The ad is the latest spot from a Democratic group attacking Johnson ahead of the midterms. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee rolled out an ad on Sunday shortly after Johnson announced his reelection campaign.

Candidates running in the state's Senate Democratic primary have slammed Johnson's reelection announcement, painting him as a politician beholden to special interests.

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (D) said in a statement that the only people celebrating the announcement were Johnson's "donors and corporate special interests," while Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said in a statement Johnson has spent the last 10 years "catering to the ultra-wealthy millionaires and corporate interests." Wisconsin state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski blasted Johnson for announcing his reelection bid in The Wall Street Journal, calling it a sign of how much Johnson "has left Wisconsin and our working families behind."

Barnes's campaign told The Hill on Wednesday it has raised nearly $150,000 following Johnson's reelection announcement.
Shasta County District 2 Supervisor Leonard Moty, left, and District 5 Supervisor Les Baugh get ready to go into closed session on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.

The upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday will be held virtually instead of in the chambers due to the local spread of COVID-19.

"Due to high levels of community transmission of COVID-19, the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors will be held virtually," Shasta County Public Information Officer Tim Mapes said in a Friday morning press release.

"This decision is made to protect county staff and the public from exposure to COVID-19 during a large gathering in a public setting," Mapes added.

RELATED: Group gathers to support Supervisor Moty, denounce recall attempt

The move comes as the Shasta County government announced Wednesday it would limit in-person services at its offices to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Infections are back on the rise after travel and indoor holiday gatherings, and the emergence of the fast-spreading omicron variant. Local health officials have tracked fast-rising COVID-19 cases throughout the county this month.

The county's decision also preempts what is expected to be another contentious board meeting over Supervisor Leonard Moty's move to split the public comments period to keep proceedings moving along expeditiously. Moty, who became board chair at the same meeting in which he made that decision, is fighting a recall in his district.

RELATED: Shasta County election to recall Supervisor Moty: Everything you need to know

Protesters on Tuesday are likely to renew their criticisms.

It remains to be seen what will happen outside the board chambers with a virtual meeting.

Supervisor Patrick Jones told the Record Searchlight that he is thinking about opening up the chambers. Reached by phone after Fridays announcement, he said that regardless of what he does, there will be hundreds of people showing up in person for Tuesdays meeting.

Ive done it before. I gotta just figure out if there is an issue with COVID and would it be an issue for the people coming forward, he said.

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Employees working remotely

The county employs 2,031 people.

Asked how many employees are in quarantine or have tested positive for the virus, Mapes on Thursday declined to provide specific figures and cited the HIPPA federal privacy law.

Nonetheless, the statement Friday again raised concerns about COVID in the workplace, noting that the county is "experiencing the highest volume of COVID-positive employees to date."

Mapes said Friday he was trying to get an estimate on the number of county employees impacted by the virus.

"County departments are making the effort to have employees work remotely as much as possible," Mapes said in a press release.

The online meetings begin Tuesday and "will continue until it is deemed safe to resume meetings in person," the county statement says.

District 5 Supervisor Les Baugh speculated Wednesday on Facebook that another COVID-19 shutdown might be in the works based on the Sacramento County Health Officer saying last week that public boards there had to hold meetings virtually due to the spread of COVID-19.

"While I dont agree, I can see movement in that direction. Sacramento is once again moving in that direction by shutting down in-person governmental meetings," Baugh said.

Baugh did not return two messages this week seeking comment on the upcoming board meeting. On Facebook, he says he remains in favor of in-person Board of Supervisors meetings for Shasta County.

"Our local board has already used this tactic to shut out dissent. Lets not go there again," he said in his Facebook post.

Tensions run high ahead of Tuesday meeting

Prior to Friday's meeting announcement, District 4 Supervisor Patrick Jones said he expected a packed house if there was an in-person Tuesday meeting, mainly because of Moty's move to split up the public comment period after he was elected chairman on Jan. 4.

Under the new rules, the public gets 45 minutes to comment at the start of the meeting. Supervisors then move to the consent agenda and regular agenda before returning to public comments.

"That's the chairman bringing that upon himself," Jones said about Moty splitting the public comment period. "That's nothing more than him exercising his ability to change the rules as chair and the public will probably respond."

ICYMI: Sparked by Motys election as chair, supervisors meeting gets raucous again

Jones said he has a key to get into the building.

Jones said he wants to know if there is an actual COVID-19 outbreak in the county administration building or if it is isolated to Health and Human Services Agency employees, whose offices are in a different building.

As you know theres been a lot of attention about the meeting on the (Jan.) 18th and a lot of the public wants to attend, Jones said. It does seem a little disingenuous to use COVID as an excuse to hold the meeting virtually.

When asked how the county is going to assure the chambers stay closed Tuesday, Mapes didnt specifically say.

The meeting will be virtual and the board chambers should not be open to in-person gatherings, he said in an email.

'Business of the county'

On Jan. 5, 2021, Jones and Baugh defied a virtual meeting order and opened the chambers to the public for a Board of Supervisors meeting, Jones first as a supervisor. Jones and Baugh were censured for their actions.

That order came around the time that COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the county were at their worst point since the start of the pandemic.

Moty has said that dividing the public comment period will save taxpayer dollars and not make people wait who come solely for the consent and regular agendas.

Early in-person voting started in Shasta County the first week of January for District 2 voters who will decide whether Moty should keep his seat through a recall election.

Some people in the Jan. 4 audience who support Moty's recall were upset because they think the comment change was meant to limit public remarks.

There were times last year when the audience would give several hours of public comments before the supervisors could turn their attention to the regular agenda.

Wait times to speak before the supervisors ebbs and flows depending whats on the agenda, Shasta Community Health Center Chief Executive Officer Dean Germano said. He said that over the years, hes appeared to speak to the board on issues as both a citizen and as the health centers top executive.

When there is something thats debatable on there, you can have 30 or 40 people and the wait can be really long. As somebody whos busy, the key is youve got to get in there really early ... and hope youre called in the first 10 people. It can be very tiresome.

As to the changes, Germano said: I can see how theres a need to get the business of the county done and still have an opportunity for the peoples voice to be heard.

All the drama that regularly erupts during the meetings has scared off a lot of what I consider more mainstream individuals from going to the meetings and speaking because its just painful to listen to, Germano said. Then, youve got the undercurrent of are there weapons, are there threats? Its just become unbearable to watch in many respects. Some of these folks you just know are there to antagonize.

Mapes said instructions for watching and participating in the Tuesday board meeting can be found with the agenda and will be posted online at co.shasta.ca.us/index/bos/meeting-agendas.

Mike Chapman is an award-winning reporter and photographer for the Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif. His newspaper career spans Yreka and Eureka in Northern California and Bellingham, Wash. Support local journalism by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Shasta County board meeting to be held virtually due to COVID-19
By Padraic Halpin

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Thousands fell silent at candlelit vigils in towns and cities across Ireland on Friday in memory of a young jogger killed in broad daylight, in what campaigners called a "watershed moment" in the call to end violence against women.

Ashling Murphy was killed in her native Tullamore in the Irish midlands on Wednesday while exercising on a popular canal walkway. Police say the attack on the 23-year-old teacher was likely random and that the perpetrator is still at large.

The murder has shocked the country and around 100 vigils were organised the length and breadth of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including outside Dublin's parliament where a minute's silence was held at 4.30 p.m., close to the time Murphy was attacked.

"I'm sick of every time I hear a young woman is killed thinking 'Oh my god, is it someone I know?'. There is an endemic worldwide of gendered violence against women," said Sally Anne McCarthy, a 25-year-old law student holding a homemade sign saying "I want to feel safe".

"Poor Ashling probably went out running thinking 'if I go out now, I'll be home before dark'. I and every young woman is absolutely sick of living our lives making all these changes to our behaviour just to feel safe. I shouldn't have to live like that."

Others piled flowers outside the gates of parliament, where they were joined by politicians including Prime Minister Micheal Martin. Murphy was a musician and friends played traditional Irish music as large crowds stood silent for an hour and packed the nearby streets.

The head of the National Women's Council, which organised the main vigil, said the anger "without a doubt" represented a watershed moment in the campaign to end male violence against women.

Martin said the government has been working over the last year on a national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, the centrepiece of which is zero tolerance for violence against women.

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"There is a culture in our society that creates the conditions in which violence against women happens and happens too frequently," Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar added, saying the country was "reeling" from the murder.

"We as men have a particular responsibility to understand the factors that give rise to attitudes of violence against women and to teach our boys and to teach our teenagers about what's right and wrong."

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Frances Kerry)
Robert F Kennedys assassin has had his bid for parole blocked by California governor Gavin Newsom.

Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was approved for parole by a two-person born in August but Mr Newsom has stepped in to prevent his release.

Robert F Kennedy Jr and Douglas Kennedy had supported Sirhans release, but it was opposed by other family members.

Sirhan has spent 53 years behind bars for Kennedys 1968 killing at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles following a presidential campaign event.

Kennedy, 42, had been celebrating his victory in the California primary and died a day after being shot.

His killer was initially sentenced to death for the killing, which was commuted to life imprisonment in 1972 when the states supreme court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional.

After carefully reviewing the case, including records in the California State Archives, I have determined that Sirhan has not developed the accountability and insight required to support his safe release into the community. I must reverse Sirhans parole grant, Mr Newsom wrote in an editorial in The Los Angeles Times.

Mr Newsom added that Sirhan, 77, still remains a potent symbol of political violence.

He does not understand, let alone have the skills to manage, the complex risks of his self-created notoriety, he added.

He cannot be safely released from prison because he has not mitigated his risk of fomenting further political violence.

It was the 16th time that Sirhan had tried to secure his release on parole.

Following Mr Newsoms decision, members of the Kennedy family issued a statement thanking him for his action.

Instead of contrition, this inmate points to what he sees on the clock rather than to what he knows in his heart, believing somehow that the passage of time is expiation enough, their statement said.

It is not enough, and no time-served is long enough to justify paroling a man entirely lacking insight into his premeditated political assassination.
A Souderton man will spend up to nearly three years in prison for his role in a drug transaction that led to the overdose death of a woman in Upper Bucks in 2019.

On Thursday, Wilmer Palacios Ramos, 28, pleaded guilty to criminal use of a communications facility in the fatal overdose of of Alisha Brown in Perkasie in October 2019, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

Authorities have said Cristine Shafer purchased the drugs to share with Brown. Court documents state Shafer communicated with Ramos over Facebook about getting the drugs.

Ramos' remaining charges, which included drug delivery resulting in death, were dismissed. He was sentenced to 16 to 32 months in prison. Ramos did not plead guilty to charges related to her death.

Ramos and Shafer, 24, were charged in her death in June 2020. Shafer, who said she was Brown's best friend, pleaded guilty to drug possession with intent to deliver and involuntary manslaughter. She was sentenced in October to three to six years in prison.

Perkasie police said Brown, 21, died of fentanyl toxicity in her home on Oct. 2, 2019

She was last seen getting into a car where Shafer was the passenger, police said.

Charging documents state Ramos drove Brown and Shafer into Philadelphia before Browns death.

Shafer sentenced: Upper Bucks woman gets prison for drug death of friend in Perkasie

Bensalem man charged in drug death: Bensalem man charged in Tullytown woman's drug death

For subscribers: 'Not a them problem': Surge in methamphetamine use concerning law enforcement in Bucks County and beyond

Shafer gave Ramos money, which he used to purchase heroin, according to authorities. Police said Ramos gave Shafer the drugs, some of which she then gave to Ramos and Brown.

Ramos used some of the drugs, then dropped both Shafer and Brown back off at their homes, police said.

Shafer was also sentenced to seven years of probation.

Brown was a former waitress at A&N Diner in Sellersville who loved photography and drawing, according to her obituary.

A message left for Ramos' attorney was not immediately returned Friday.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Souderton man gets prison in Perkasie fatal overdose case
The Virginia State Police released these photos of Petersburg resident Michael Allen Winn, who has been missing since Dec. 16, 2021.

PETERSBURG  The Virginia State Police has issued a lookout alert for a Petersburg man who has not been seen in almost a month.

Michael Allen Winn, 56, was last seen around 6 p.m. Dec. 16, 2021 in the area of the Chesterfield County Government Complex off Iron Bridge Road, according to Shelby Crouch, a state police spokesperson. He left the complex on foot and it is believed that he was trying to make his way home to Petersburg, Crouch wrote in an email Thursday.

Winns last known address was the 300 block of Grigg Street in western Petersburg.

Winns family reported him missing Jan. 7, Crouch said. Since that time, state police has been helping them try to track him down by checking area hospitals and shelters to no avail. Crouch said Winn did not take his cell phone with him to Chesterfield.

According to his family, Mike would never go this long without making contact with his mother and fear someone may have picked him up, Crouch wrote. His family and friends are concerned for his well-being.

Winns family lives in Blackstone.

He is described as 5-feet-8 and weighing 150 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who thinks they may have seen him is asked to contact Virginia State Police at (804) 609-5696 or #77 on a mobile phone, or Chesterfield County Police at (804) 748-1251.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is daily news coach for USA TODAY's Southeast Region-Unified Central, which includes Virginia, West Virginia and central North Carolina. He is based in Petersburg, Virginia. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia State Police ask public for help locating Petersburg man
More than 700 people have been charged by the Justice Department in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. On that day, a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the building in an attempt to block the certification of the Electoral College tally for the 2020 presidential election. But in the year since the attack, none of the accused had been charged with the crime of sedition, a fact that has led a growing number of Republican lawmakers to question the seriousness of the insurrection.

That changed on Thursday, when Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, and 10 of its members or associates were charged with seditious conspiracy, a rare violation of a Civil War-era law that occurs when two or more people conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the U.S. government.

"I hope that this arrest and this prosecution will shut up those of our colleagues who keep saying, 'Well, if it was a conspiracy, how come there are no conspiracy charges? If it was seditious, how are there no sedition charges?'" Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., a member of the select committee, said on CNN Thursday after the indictments were unsealed.

Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, speaks during a rally outside the White House in Washington, D.C., June 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Who is Stewart Rhodes?

Elmer Stewart Rhodes  a 56-year-old former U.S. Army paratrooper and Yale Law School graduate from Granbury, Texas  founded the Oath Keepers, a far-right militia group, in 2009 in response to the election of President Barack Obama. With a signature patch covering an eye he lost from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound, Rhodes rose to prominence as a guest on Alex Jones's Infowars program. He also came into the national spotlight in 2014 when the Oath Keepers took part in the armed confrontation between supporters of cattle rancher Cliven Bundy and federal law enforcement at Bundy's Nevada ranch. (Rhodes was not charged in relation to the standoff.)

What are the charges against him?

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The indictment unsealed Thursday alleges that Rhodes and the Oath Keepers discussed strategies to overturn the election results for weeks before and after Jan. 6.

Two days after Election Day, Rhodes allegedly urged his followers not to accept the election results. "We aren't getting through this without a civil war," Rhodes wrote in a message on Signal.

On Dec. 11, 2020, Rhodes warned that if then-President-elect Joe Biden tried to assume power, it would trigger a bloody and desperate fight.

We are going to have a fight, he wrote. That cant be avoided.

On his drive to Washington, D.C., from Texas, on Jan. 3, Rhodes spent approximately $6,000 on "an AR-platform rifle and firearms equipment, including sights, mounts, triggers, slings, and additional firearms attachments," federal prosecutors allege. The next day, in Mississippi, Rhodes allegedly spent another $4,500 on additional firearms equipment, including a magazine.

Rhodes did not enter the Capitol On Jan. 6, but the indictment alleges several members of the Oath Keepers, wearing camouflaged combat attire, were seen on camera shouldering their way through the crowd and into the Capitol in two military-style "stacks." The first stack split up inside the building, the indictment alleges, with one group heading toward the House side and the other to the Senate. The second group confronted officers inside the Capitol Rotunda, according to the indictment. .

Outside Washington, the indictment alleges, the Oath Keepers had stationed two quick reaction forces that had guns in support of their plot to stop the lawful transfer of power.

Prosecutors say Rhodes was planning for violence well beyond the Capitol siege, spending more than $17,000 on weapons equipment and ammunition between Jan. 6, 2021, and Inauguration Day. And Rhodes allegedly tried to organize local militia groups to oppose by force the peaceful transfer of power.

Stewart Rhodes. (photo illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Collin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

What is "seditious conspiracy"?

Sedition has rarely been charged in the U.S., and carries a longer prison sentence than simple conspiracy. If convicted of seditious conspiracy, defendants face up to 20 years in prison.

Per the Associated Press, the last time U.S. prosecutors brought a seditious conspiracy case was in 2010, when nine members of the Hutaree militia in Michigan were charged with inciting an uprising against the government. They were acquitted on the sedition conspiracy charges at a 2012 trial. (Three pleaded guilty to weapons-related charges.)

Among the last successful convictions for seditious conspiracy charges came after the 1954 storming of the U.S. Capitol building by four pro-independence Puerto Rican activists who opened fire on the House floor, wounding several representatives. They and more than a dozen others who assisted in the attack were convicted of seditious conspiracy.

According to the indictment against Rhodes and the Oath Keepers, the defendants "conspired through a variety of manners and means, including: organizing into teams that were prepared and willing to use force and to transport firearms and ammunition into Washington, D.C.; recruiting members and affiliates to participate in the conspiracy; organizing trainings to teach and learn paramilitary combat tactics; bringing and contributing paramilitary gear, weapons and supplies  including knives, batons, camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection and radio equipment  to the Capitol grounds; breaching and attempting to take control of the Capitol grounds and building on Jan. 6, 2021, in an effort to prevent, hinder and delay the certification of the electoral college vote; using force against law enforcement officers while inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; continuing to plot, after Jan. 6, 2021, to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power, and using websites, social media, text messaging and encrypted messaging applications to communicate with co-conspirators and others."

What's next?

Rhodes, who was arrested in Little Elm, Texas, on Thursday, is scheduled to be arraigned in a Texas federal court on Friday afternoon. In interviews since the Jan. 6 insurrection, Rhodes has said that there was no plan to storm the Capitol that day, that the Oath Keepers were only there to provide security, and that the members who did enter the building went rogue. Rhodes has also continued to push the false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen.
One of my patients  who had been struggling with obesity, uncontrolled diabetes and the cost of her medications  agreed in June 2019 to adopt a more whole-food plant-based diet.

Excited by the challenge, she did a remarkable job. She increased her fresh fruit and vegetable intake, stopped eating candy, cookies and cakes and cut down on foods from animal sources. Over six months, she lost 19 pounds and her HbA1c  a measure of her average blood sugar  dropped from 11.5% to 7.6%.

She was doing so well, I expected that her HbA1c would continue to drop and she would be one of our plant-based successes who had reversed diabetes.

Her three-month follow-up visit in March 2020 was canceled because of COVID-19 lockdowns. When I eventually saw her again in May 2021, shed regained some of the weight and her HbA1c had climbed to 10.4%. She explained that her diabetes doctor and a diabetes nurse educator had told her that she was eating too much sugar on the plant-based diet.

Shed been advised to limit carbohydrates by cutting back on fruits and starchy vegetables and eating more fish and chicken. Sugar-free candy, cakes, cookies and artificial sweeteners were encouraged. In the face of conflicting medical advice, she fell back on conventional wisdom that sugar is bad and should be avoided whenever possible, especially if you have diabetes.

Im a physician, board certified in preventive medicine with a lifestyle medicine clinic at Morehouse Healthcare in Atlanta. This emerging medical specialty focuses on helping patients make healthy lifestyle behavior modifications. Patients who adopt whole-food plant-based diets increase carbohydrate intake and often see reversal of chronic diseases including diabetes and hypertension. In my clinical experience, myths about sugar and carbohydrates are common among patients and health professionals.

Fruit vs. sugar

Your body runs on glucose. It is the simple sugar that cells use for energy.

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molecular diagrams for glucose, fructose and galactose

Glucose is a molecular building block of carbohydrates, one of the three essential macronutrients. The other two are fat and protein. Starches are long, branching chains of glucose.

molecular diagram of chain of glucoses together

Naturally occurring carbohydrates travel in nutrient-dense packages such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Humans evolved to crave sweet tastes to get the nutrients needed to survive. A daily supply of vitamins, minerals and fiber is needed because our bodies cannot make them. The best source of these substances for our ancient ancestors was sweet, ripe, delicious fruit. In addition, fruits contain phytonutrients and antioxidants, chemicals produced only by plants. Phytonutrients such ellagic acid in strawberries have cancer-fighting properties and promote heart health.

Refined sugars, on the other hand, are highly processed and stripped of all nutrients except calories. Theyre a concentrated form of carbohydrates. The food industry produces refined sugars in many forms. The most common are sucrose crystals, which youd recognize as table sugar, and high-fructose corn syrup, which is found in many processed foods and sweetened beverages.

If you continually satisfy your taste for sweet with foods that contain refined sugar  rather than the nutrient-rich fruits at the core of this craving passed on by evolution  you may not get all the nutrients you need. Over time, this deficit may create a vicious cycle of overeating that leads to obesity and obesity-related health problems. Women who eat the most fruit tend to have lower rates of obesity.

Sugar toxicity

Refined sugars are not directly toxic to cells, but they can combine with proteins and fats in food and in the bloodstream to produce toxic substances such as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). High blood glucose levels may produce glycated low-density lipoproteins. High levels of these and other glucose-related toxic substances are associated with an increased risk of a wide range of chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

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The disease most commonly associated with sugar is Type 2 diabetes. A surprising number of people, including health professionals, incorrectly believe that eating sugar causes Type 2 diabetes. This myth leads to a focus on lowering blood sugar and counting carbs while ignoring the real cause: progressive loss of pancreatic beta cell function. At diagnosis, a patient may have lost between 40% and 60% of their beta cells, which are responsible for producing insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that controls how much glucose is in the bloodstream by blocking glucose production in the liver and driving it into fat and muscle cells. Loss of beta cell function means not enough insulin gets produced, resulting in the high blood glucose levels characteristic of Type 2 diabetes.

Beta cells have low levels of antioxidants and are susceptible to attack by metabolic and dietary oxidized free radicals and AGEs. Antioxidants in fruit can protect beta cells. Researchers have found that eating whole fruit decreases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, with those who eat the most fruit having the lowest risk.

hands pouring sugar into a bowl with strawberries in the background

Detoxing from sugar

People interested in losing weight and improving health often ask if they should do a sugar detox. In my opinion this is a waste of time, because it is not possible to eliminate sugar from the body. For instance, if you ate only baked chicken breasts, your liver would convert protein to glucose in a process called gluconeogenesis.

Low-carb diets may lead to weight loss, but at the expense of health. Diets that significantly reduce carbohydrates are associated with nutrient deficiencies and higher risk of death from any cause. On low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets the body will break down muscles and turn their protein into glucose. The lack of fiber causes constipation.

Eliminating foods sweetened with refined sugar is a worthy goal. But dont think of it as a detox  it should be a permanent lifestyle change. The safest way to go on a refined sugar detox is to increase your intake of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Once you eliminate refined sugar, youll likely find that your taste buds become more sensitive to  and appreciative of  the natural sweetness of fruits.

This article is part of a series examining sugars effects on human health and culture. You can read the articles on theconversation.com.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Jennifer Rooke, Morehouse School of Medicine.

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Jennifer Rooke works for Morehouse School of Medicine. This is stated in the article.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 13, 2022, blocked the Biden administrations vaccine-or-test mandate, which applied to virtually all private companies with 100 of more employees. But it left in place a narrower mandate that requires health care workers at facilities receiving federal funds to get vaccinated. The ruling comes at a time when the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates continues to soar throughout the United States as a result of the omicron variant.

We asked Debbie Kaminer, a professor of law at Baruch College, CUNY, to explain the rulings impact.

1. What did the Supreme Court decide?

The courts six conservative justices held that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration exceeded its power in issuing the mandate on private companies, which would have covered about 80 million workers.

The majority opinion distinguished between workplace safety and occupational health, determining that although COVID-19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most, as it can spread wherever people gather. The majority also expressed concern that the mandate was a blunt instrument and did not distinguish based on industry or risk of exposure to COVID-19.

The three liberal judges dissented, arguing that COVID-19 poses special risks in most workplaces, across the country and across industries.

At the same time, by a narrower 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court allowed continued enforcement of a mandate requiring health care workers at facilities that receive government funding through Medicare or Medicaid to be vaccinated. According to the court, this mandate by the Department of Health and Human Services fits neatly within the congressional power given to the agency because of the increased risk associated with health care workers becoming ill with COVID-19 and infecting their patients.

2. How does this affect other worker mandates?

Despite this Supreme Court ruling, many types of COVID-19 vaccine mandates remain legally enforceable and continue to be an important tool in ensuring Americans get vaccinated.

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Approximately half of all states have some type of vaccination mandate, and the enforceability of these mandates is not affected by the courts latest decision. While the Supreme Court limited the authority of administrative agencies, this does not affect the ability of state and local governments to pass laws regulating the health and safety of the public. These mandates most commonly cover health care workers and government employees, while some cover all employees. New York City, for example, recently passed a mandate covering most employees who work in person or interact with the public, and this mandate is not affected by the courts decision.

Some states and localities have also issued vaccine mandates covering customers in public spaces. For example, New York City has broadly mandated the vaccine at most indoor venues, including restaurants, gyms and theaters.

Many private businesses, on their own authority, require employees to get vaccinated. This includes major companies such as Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Delta Airlines, Google and CVS. The ruling doesnt affect their legal ability to impose such mandates  though it may make companies that had been mulling a mandate less likely to institute one for their workers.

In all, about 36% of U.S. workers are required by their employers to get vaccinated, according to Society for Human Resource Management, an industry group.

3. How about school mandates?

Educational institutions also continue to play an important role in mandating COVID-19 vaccination, and this is not affected by the courts decision.

Over 1,000 universities have some form of vaccine mandate, and in August 2021 the Supreme Court refused to block Indiana Universitys mandate. Unlike the OSHA case, this did not involve the authority of an administrative agency.

Additionally, as a result of the omicron outbreak, a growing number of universities are now also requiring students, faculty and staff to get the COVID-19 booster.

Some public school districts have mandated the vaccine for teachers and other school employees. At least two states, California and Louisiana, have mandated the vaccine for students, but both states have said they will not enforce the mandate until the 2022-2023 school year, and even then, only if the vaccine has full FDA authorization for children.

While COVID-19 vaccine mandates in public schools may be challenged, proof of immunization for other diseases, such as measles, are nothing new. As such, I believe there is a strong chance that COVID-19 vaccine mandates for schools will generally be upheld as constitutional. Before the pandemic, all 50 states already had in place some form of vaccine mandate for schoolchildren.

4. Will this affect the governments ability to protect public health?

The courts decision is significant in that it limits the authority of government administrative agencies generally, and specifically limits the power of OSHA to protect public health.

Still, this decision will not meaningfully restrain the governments ability to fight pandemics more generally, as federal statutes, state and local vaccine mandates, public university mandates and public K-12 school mandates are not affected by the decision.

The Supreme Court essentially determined that because the risk of COVID-19 exists both within as well as outside the workplace, OSHA does not have the authority to generally protect employees across workplaces. In doing so, the majority essentially determined that the court  and not OSHA  is the institution that should make health policy and decide which workplaces are high enough risk that a vaccine mandate is appropriate.

The dissenting justices responded with incredulity: In the face of a still-raging pandemic, this court tells the agency charged with protecting safety that it cannot respond in the most effective way possible. Without legal basis, the court usurps a decision that rightfully belongs to others.

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The majority did recognize, however, that where the virus poses a special danger because of the particular features of an employees job or workplace, targeted regulations are plainly permissible.

It remains to be seen how narrow a government agency mandate must be to be upheld by the Supreme Court.

While the majority of Americans are already fully vaccinated, and approximately 75% of all Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, mandates will likely remain an important tool in continuing to fight the pandemic.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Debbie Kaminer, Baruch College, CUNY.

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By Ardee Napolitano and John Irish

BREST, France (Reuters) -Sweden will withdraw troops this year from a European special forces mission to the Sahel region and will review its participation in a U.N. force in Mali over the presence of private Russian military contractors, the foreign minister said.

Foreign Minister Ann Linde criticized Mali's military junta for trying to extend its grip on power and for hiring the Russian mercenaries.

"We have already decided that this year we will withdraw (from) the force of Takuba," Ann Linde told reporters on Friday on the sidelines of an EU foreign ministers meeting in western France, referring to the European task force.

"The question is what do we do with Minusma," she said, referring to the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali.

The Swedish parliament approved the deployment of up to 150 soldiers to Takuba in 2020 and it has some 250 military personnel as part of Minusma, which runs until 2024.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sweden's departure from Takuba in March was in line with Stockholm's commitments and had nothing to do with the arrival of mercenaries or the political situation in the country.

A French military source said Sweden had always planned to withdraw troops after two years and that its mandate ended in March. The source said Swedish officers would remain part of the mission.

Takuba was established as a partial successor to a French counter-terrorism operation in the West African Sahel region that French President Emmanuel Macron has started to reduce from its initial 5,000-strong force.

It comprises some 14 European countries, which provide special forces, logistical and tactical support to work alongside regional troops for targeted operations against Islamist militants.

RUSSIAN MERCENARIES

Mali's military-led interim government, which wants to extend its mandate for five years, has accused Paris of abandoning it. Citing security needs, Mali hired private military contractors from the Russian Wagner Group, whose members are mostly ex-service personnel.

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France and its allies have said Mali's use of the Wagner Group was incompatible with their military presence.

The arrival of Russian mercenaries in Mali has added to tensions between Europe and Russia amid a crisis on Ukraine's border.

French officials have said Paris will discuss with its partners how to respond operationally to the arrival of Wagner in Mali.

Most of Takuba's operations are in the west African country.

Linde said the confirmed arrival of Wagner and the junta's efforts to stay in power were unacceptable.

"We now know (there) is the Wagner group ... and if they have a stronger impact then it will not be possible to continue with those large numbers of troops from us," she said, adding that the Swedish parliament would debate Sweden's operations in Mali next week.

"Of course it will have consequences."

The European Union will impose sanctions on Mali in line with measures already taken by the ECOWAS grouping of West African states over the junta's delay in holding elections following the 2020 coup, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday.

(Writing by John Irish; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Frank Jack Daniel)
Maya Vanders on Selling Sunset (Selling Sunset/Netflix)

Selling Sunsets Maya Vander has revealed she may not return for the next season of the series, following the loss of her third child, who was stillborn.

The 39-year-old real estate agent confirmed in December that she had a stillbirth 38 weeks into her third pregnancy, after what was supposed to be a regular weekly checkup.

In an interview with the New York Post, Vander said she wanted to prioritise her family life and new independent brokerage over the popular reality show.

She said that going back and forth between the East Coast, where she lives with her family in Miami, and the West Coast, where the show is based in Los Angeles, is becoming tough.

Vander also told the publication that she is still dealing with the loss of her third child every day, adding that its been difficult to still process and seek answers.

We go every Friday to the cemetery to visit our son, she said. Life is great, but unfortunately, [its] not always perfect  not always fair.

After the reality star shared her experience on Instagram, she said she hoped it would help other women just knowing they are not alone.

Vander has started her own real estate firm, Maya Vander Group, in Miami, six years after she joined the Oppenheim Group as the firms first female agent. Selling Sunset revolves around the Oppenheim Group, which is founded by Jason Oppenheim.

Selling Sunset first aired on Netflix in 2019 and has since released four seasons, with a fifth season expected some time this year. The full cast is expected to appear in the upcoming season.

But Vander said that she has no plans to return as a full cast member for a sixth season, as she does not want to be an absentee mom.

She also revealed she was unhappy with the direction the show is going in and said it wouldve been nice covering more real estate and showing more of the drama of real estate in the fourth season.

It was very entertaining but there are seven other women in that show that do real estate, she said. Frankly, I dont really care about the drama.
Which? found some third-party firms using similar branding and language to the HMRC, raising concerns about customer confusion. Photo: Getty Images

Brits who use third-party companies to claim tax rebates on their behalf instead of going directly to HMRC are losing out on hundreds of pounds, a new study by consumer group Which? has revealed.

Not only do these companies typically take cuts of 25% to 48% (tax rebates are free to claim via HMRC) Which? found that when additional service costs are added, customers are sometimes left with less money than the firm that processed their rebate.

To make matters worse, there is little recourse for unhappy customers. The companies are not regulated so are not subject to the same rules as claims-management companies. They do not need to be registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and consumers can not take complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Our research shows that huge numbers of people are coming into contact with firms seeking to entice them into handing over potentially hundreds of pounds of their tax rebate in unnecessary and hard to justify fees, said Jenny Ross, Which? money editor.

For most people with a rebate to claim, HMRC is the best port of call. Go to its website directly to ensure you arent left footing any unnecessary bills.

In a survey of over 4,000 people conducted by Which?, one in five (22%) respondents said they had been contacted by a tax refund company, heard of one by word of mouth, or come across a tax refund company online.

Read more: Property: The costs to consider when buying a home

The group counted a total of 208 firms with tax reclaim, tax refund, tax claim and tax rebate in their names on Companies House, and found tax rebate gets 40,500 Google searches a month,

Which? found some third-party firms using similar branding and language that consumers would usually expect from HMRC.

The report looked at 14 companies that either showed up in the results or were flagged by a consumer who had a negative experience. Four out of them had no mention of the fees they charge on their main website page or in their FAQs section, but the term no win, no fee was used in some cases.

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Which? found that customers are usually asked to sign legally binding contracts giving the tax refund company permission to make a rebate claim on their behalf.

Depending on the terms, this could stay in place beyond the initial claim, allowing the company to take a share of tax rebates the customer is owed into the future, regardless of whether the collector does further work for them.

Which? is advising consumers to always try claiming a tax rebate by going directly to HMRC in the first instance as the process for making a claim online is relatively straightforward and the applicant will get 100% of their money.

It said consumers should always be wary of third-party firms that may appear prominently in online search results, no matter how legitimate they may seem.

Watch: What is a credit rating and why does it matter?
(CBS12)

A Florida judge has sentenced to life a former teenage Isis fan who killed his friend at a sleepover in 2018.

Corey Johnson, now 21, was sentenced to life by circuit judge Cheryl Caracuzzo on Thursday after he was convicted of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder last November.

On 12 March 2018, Johnson was staying at his friend Kyle Bancrofts home for a sleepover when he stabbed 13-year-old Jovanni Sierra.

He also stabbed Mr Bancrofts brother Dane and his mother Elaine Simon, who was also at the home then.

Ms Simon and Mr Bancroft sustained serious injuries but survived the attack.

While Johnsons counsel wanted him to spend 40 years in prison, the court sentenced him to life.

I dont think rehabilitation is likely, Ms Caracuzzo was quoted as saying by The Palm Beach Post newspaper.

BREAKING - Judge sentences Corey Johnson to 3 life terms for the murder of Jovanni Sierra, 13, and attempted murder of two others in 2018 @WPBF25News pic.twitter.com/vprl4NHKvs  Terri Parker (@wpbf_terri) January 13, 2022

Police said Johnson had killed Jovanni because he had made an offensive remark about Islam, that Johnson had professed to following.

A police affidavit said Johnson attacked Sierra for idolising famous people as gods, which went against Islam, according to him.

He also said to police that he felt Dane Bancroft made fun of his faith.

The affidavit added that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had met one of Johnsons friends in relation to a terror threat.

Court records said Johnson attacked Sierra after everyone had gone to sleep.

He also stabbed Ms Simon who had come upstairs after hearing noises while Sierra was being stabbed. He attacked Dane who tried to save his mother.

I wish I could take it back. I wish I could do something to make this right, Johnson said in court, according to NBC-affiliated news network WPTV.

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But I do want to apologise, not because it will change anything, but because I really, truly am sorry.

He added that Sierra was so young and had so much potential in life.

I am truly in disbelief that I could have done something so terrible. Thats not who I am, and Im not a violent person.

Johnsons grandmother said in court that he had spent a lot of time alone as a child as his mother was under depression and abused prescription medications.

His attorneys pleaded not guilty, citing insanity for his actions and said he was manipulated by Isis propaganda videos online.

However, a psychiatrist said in court that in his opinion, Johnson knew right from wrong during his attacks.

A neuropsychologist diagnosed Johnson as a high functioning autistic with above average intelligence, delayed maturity and severe mental illness.
Crime scene tape

A 16-year-old boy was shot in the head through the drive-thru window of a fast food restaurant in the area of 19th and Glendale avenues Thursday night.

The Phoenix Police Department was investigating the scene Friday as an aggravated assault.

Officers arrived at the location about 8 p.m. Thursday where they found the teen employee suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

According to information gathered by police, one of the restaurant employees was involved in a verbal argument with a customer over an order at the drive-thru window of the business.

Reports said the customer walked up to the drive-thru window, pulled out a handgun and fired into the drive-thru window. A bullet hit the victim working inside the restaurant.

The suspect, whom police have identified as 27-year-old Theotis Polk, then jumped in the passenger side of a car and fled.

The 16-year-old boy was rushed to a hospital and remains in critical condition, according to police.

Detectives were searching through evidence, interviewing witnesses and looking for clues to help catch Polk, police said.

Sgt. Vincent Cole, a department spokesperson, confirmed on Friday evening that Phoenix officers arrested Polk without incident during a traffic stop near West Baseline Road and Interstate 10 in Tempe about 4:30 p.m.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446) in Spanish.

Reach breaking news reporter Haleigh Kochanski at hkochanski@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @HaleighKochans.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Teen shot in head at Phoenix drive-thru near 19th and Glendale avenues
Im not sure whats in Sonys playbook when it comes to selling its phones in the US. Take the Xperia 5 III. After launching in other regions last year, the phone is only now available stateside for $1,000. This is its middle-ish high-end phone, with the flagship Xperia 1 series of smartphones (seen above) both bigger and pricier.

TMA

For that price, this Xperia does have things to offer. The autofocus tricks, courtesy of Sonys camera arm, are often impressive. The Xperia 5 III can also record 4K video at up to 120 fps; its a camera-first smartphone designed for folks who are really into photography or video. But, well, thats true of all of Sonys recent phones. And if youre dying for truly cutting-edge smartphone photography, perhaps the Xperia Pro-I, with a 1-inch camera sensor, would fulfill the brief more clearly. Its... only $800 more  further evidence of Sonys smartphone prices feeling entirely separate from its competitors.

 Mat Smith

A powerhouse of a hybrid camera

TMA

Sonys A7 IV is a successful followup to its popular mainstream A7 III. Resolution is up considerably to 33 megapixels, and image quality is much improved overall. Video is now on par with rivals with 4K at up to 60p with 10 bit 4:2:2 quality. Autofocus is incredible for both video and stills, and the in-body stabilization does a good job. The biggest drawbacks are the relatively high price and the rolling shutter that limits use of the electronic shutter. Steve Dent puts the newest, best Sony camera to the test. (And I guest star as a voice-over talent.)

Continue reading.

But will you get full use of that bandwidth?

Comcast has successfully tested the first 10G modem capable of multigigabit speeds. The Broadcom-built prototype can provide download and upload bandwidth topping 4Gbps. At those speeds, downloading all 61 gigs of Call of Duty: Vanguard for PC would take just over two minutes.

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Continue reading.

Sorry, everyone.

TMA

Doop doop doop doop doop doop. Times 10 billion.

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Microsoft is no longer making the consoles.

We learned in July 2020 that Microsoft had discontinued the Xbox One X and Xbox One S Digital Edition. Now, it has emerged the company also quietly stopped making the Xbox One S by the end of that year, to focus on the production of Xbox Series X/S, according to Xboxs senior director of console product marketing.

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The employee also filed fraudulent tax returns to try to cover up her actions.

Kristy Stock was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for her role in a scheme to steal and resell more than 3,000 iPods intended for Native American students. The charges against Stock included both tax fraud and transportation of stolen goods. Stock was supposed to use federal grant money to buy iPods to distribute to students. However, thanks to help from other conspirators James Bender and Saurabh Chawla, the group ended up shipping the stolen iPods to Maryland where they were listed on eBay before being sold at a substantial markup.

Continue reading.

Company responses so far have been 'inadequate,' according to the committee.

Facebook owner Meta, Google, Twitter and Reddit have been subpoenaed by the Congressional select committee investigating the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol. Two key questions for the select committee are how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what steps  if any  social media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalizing people to violence, committee chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) said.

Continue reading.

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WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE to see todays piping-hot, fresh-outta-the-oven episode of THE RUSH with Jared Quay. Well let you know everything you didnt know you needed to know about sports. Other stuff too. But mostly sports.

Its Friday, January 14, 2022, and heres what Jared is cookin up:

Hoops legend Sue Bird is returning for a 21st WNBA season, in search of a fifth Championship at 41-years-old

Fellow basketball great Candace Parker joins The Rush, dishing on Chuck, Shaq and all things broadcasting
LUCKNOW, India (AP)  Tens of thousands of devout Hindus, led by heads of monasteries and ash-smeared ascetics, took a holy dip into the frigid waters of the Ganges River in northern India on Friday despite rising COVID-19 infections in the country.

Hindu pilgrims congregated at the Sangam, the confluence of three rivers  the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati  in Prayagraj city, 200 km (124 miles) northeast of Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, to participate in the Magh Mela festival, one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism. They bathed in the Ganges waters, a ritual Hindus believe will wash away their sins and free them from the cycle of death and rebirth.

A similar gathering at a Hindu festival last year in the Himalayan town of Haridwar, in neighboring Uttarakhand state, helped spread the delta variant that ravaged the country and made India one of the worlds worst-hit countries. Epidemiologists described the festival as a superspreader event.

Coronavirus infections, fueled by the omicron variant, are rising fast throughout India. The country reported over 264,000 new infections on Friday but hospitalizations remain relatively low.

Millions of Hindus are expected to throng the festival for the next 47 days. Many of them will stay on the banks of the Ganges for a month leading the life of an ascetic, with the belief they will receive salvation. It has raised concerns that pilgrims could get infected and take the virus back to their cities and villages in other parts of the country.

Already, 77 policemen and 12 cleaning staff deployed for the event have tested positive for the virus.

This is going to be a superspreader. The government should not allow a congregation of people in such a large number because religious congregations in the past two years were found responsible for spreading the deadly virus all across the country, said Utkarsh Mishra, a lawyer who has filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court asking that the festival be canceled.

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Mishra said only locals and heads of important Hindu monasteries should be allowed to take part in the ritual.

Fearing a rise in infections, authorities in neighboring Uttarakhand state have already banned a similar gathering.

Health experts earlier appealed for the festival to be canceled in Uttar Pradesh state too, but the government went ahead saying safety rules would be followed.

Shesh Mani Pandey, a senior official in charge of the event, said only those who have taken two doses of the COVID-19 vaccines and have vaccination certificates would be allowed to join the ritualistic bathing. He said pilgrims will be allowed to enter the festival site after going through thermal scanning at the entry gates.

Critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party say the festival has been allowed despite rising infections because the government isnt willing to anger Hindus  they are the partys biggest supporters  ahead of crucial state elections in Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP-ruled state is holding polls on Feb. 10.
Roy McGrath, the former top aide to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, faces a June trial on charges of misconduct in office and illegally recording conversations.

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Stacy W. McCormack set the trial for June 7 during a brief hearing Friday morning in Annapolis. McGrath, his attorney and the prosecutor all called into the hearing on a conference call.

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McGraths attorney, Joseph Murtha, appeared reluctant to commit to a trial date, noting the overwhelming amount of potential evidence to be reviewed in the discovery phase of the case, evidence that overlaps with a federal criminal case against McGrath.

There is a huge amount of discovery that is still pending, Murtha told the judge.

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McCormack acknowledged the intensive nature of the case but warned: This case is going to have to move on our docket.

With a June court date, she said: That gives you five months. Thats pretty good.

McGrath spent 11 weeks in the summer of 2020 as chief of staff to Hogan, a Republican. McGrath resigned after The Baltimore Sun reported he had negotiated an exit package worth one years salary of more than $233,000 and other perks from a state environmental agency when he joined Hogans State House team.

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McGrath has maintained that the payment, which he called severance, was proper. Members of the Maryland Environmental Services board of directors have testified that McGrath led them to believe Hogan approved of the severance. Hogan disputes that claim, saying he did not endorse it and was unaware of the details.

Questions over the severance and other spending during McGraths tenure leading the Maryland Environmental Service led to legislative and criminal investigations.

Last fall, McGrath was indicted in federal court on charges that he misled officials to approve his severance, spent Maryland Environmental Service money inappropriately and failed to take leave when he went on vacation. McGrath has pleaded not guilty in that case and a trial date has not yet been scheduled.

McGrath was charged the same day in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court with multiple counts of unlawful intercept  wiretapping  and misconduct in office for allegedly recording conversations with the governor, cabinet secretaries and other officials without their consent.

In court Friday, McCormack asked Deputy State Prosecutor Sarah R. David if shed made a plea offer to McGrath. She said her team and federal prosecutors met with McGraths prior lawyer, but not with this counsel, no.

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At some point, an offer has to be made, McCormack said.

During the hearing, McGrath, who now lives in Florida, spoke only briefly, acknowledging that he was present on the line and could hear the proceedings.
The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees partners with volunteers for tree plantings, including some Extension Master Gardeners.

In 2022, Tu BiShvat or the "birthday of the trees" begins at sundown on Sunday, Jan. 16 and ends at sundown on Monday, Jan. 17. A Jewish holiday, the name is Hebrew for the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat.

In ancient times, Tu BiShvat was merely a date on the calendar that helped Jewish farmers establish exactly when they should bring their produce of fruit from recently planted trees to the Temple as first-fruit offerings. Tu BiShvat later grew to be an opportunity for Jewish people to celebrate their tree-planting efforts to restore the ecology of ancient Israel and symbolic of renewed growth and flowering of the people returning to their ancestral homeland.

In the 16th century, the Kabbalists (mystics) in the Land of Israel created a new ritual to celebrate Tu BiShvat called the Feast of Fruits. Modeled on the Passover seder, participants would read selections from the Hebrew Bible and Rabbinic literature and would eat local fruits and nuts traditionally: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Participants in the kabbalistic seder would also drink four cups of wine: white wine (to symbolize winter), white with some red (a harbinger of the coming of spring); red with some white (early spring) and finally all red (spring and summer).

In modern times, Tu BiShvat continues to be an opportunity for planting trees  in Israel and elsewhere, wherever Jewish people live. Here in Wilmington to celebrate, the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is facilitating a ceremonial planting of trees on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 4 p.m. at Wallace Park near the bridge where Metts Avenue crosses. Anyone is invited to be present while a Rabbi shares the meaning of the festival and children from the synagogue plant trees.

As mentioned in https://www.myjewishlearning.com/, For environmentalists, Tu BiShvat is an ancient and authentic Jewish connection to contemporary ecological issues. The holiday is viewed as an appropriate occasion to educate Jewish people about their traditions advocacy of responsible stewardship of Gods creation, manifested in ecological activism. Tu BiShvat is an opportunity to raise awareness about and to care for the environment through the teaching of Jewish sources celebrating nature. It is also a day to focus on the environmental sensitivity of the Jewish tradition by planting trees wherever Jews may live.

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The Tu BiShvatt seder has increased in popularity in recent years. Celebrated as a congregational event, the modern Tu BiShvat seder is multi-purpose. While retaining some kabbalistic elements  and still very much a ritual that connects participant to the land of Israel  the seder today is often imbued with an ecological message as well.

As a self-proclaimed lover of trees, I propose that we all adopt this time as the New Year for Trees and a reconnection with our environment. Winter is a perfect time to plant trees in our coastal North Carolina area, and there are plenty of tree planting and giveaway opportunities in need of volunteers. The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees does a great job of partnering, providing and planting trees to help restore our valuable tree canopy which has been desecrated by storms and development.

Two upcoming giveaways, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, Verizon, and SageSure Insurance, will be held at Legion Stadium on Saturdays, Feb. 26 and March 12, 9 a.m. to noon. Several area tree planting events are scheduled as well; please visit https://www.allianceforcapefeartrees.com/ for volunteer opportunities and more information.

Lets kickoff our new year with a celebration of trees and connection to nature!

Lloyd Singleton

Lloyd Singleton is the director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension  New Hanover County and Arboretum. The grounds of the Arboretum are free and open daily from 8 a.m. 5 p.m., located at 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Tu BiShvat, a Jewish holiday is known as the "birthday of the trees"
The Biden administration has information indicating Russia might soon launch a false-flag operation to provide a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine, a U.S. official told POLITICO.

Per the official, Russia has already placed a group of operatives trained in urban warfare and in using explosives in eastern Ukraine. The intel suggests that this group might carry out acts of sabotage against Russias own proxy-forces, thereby providing the Kremlin a convenient excuse to send some or all of its 100,000 troops stationed outside of Ukraine over the border.

The Russian military plans to start these activities several weeks before a potential invasion, which is estimated to begin sometime between mid-January and mid-February, the official continued. We saw this playbook in 2014 with Crimea.

CNN first reported on the obtained intelligence.

Top U.S. officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in recent days previewed that the U.S. had information suggesting that Moscow was setting the groundwork for another incursion.

Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating a pretext for an invasion, including through sabotage activities and information operations, by accusing Ukraine of preparing an imminent attack against Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine, Sullivan told reporters at the White House Thursday, promising the administration would share more details within the following 24 hours.

The revelation comes after a week of talks in Europe between the United States, its allies and Russia. Little progress was made, leading officials to express their pessimism out in the open. At the present time, were facing a crisis in European security," Michael Carpenter, Americas ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, told reporters Thursday. "The drumbeat of war is sounding loud, and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill."

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added more fuel to the fire Friday, saying the Kremlin wants the U.S. and NATO to accept its demands, namely that Ukraine and Georgia will never join the alliance. If our proposals are rejected  we will make a decision on how to ensure our security in a reliable way, adding that Russian officials have run out of patience.

The Ukrainian government also released a statement Friday indicating it has intelligence that Russian troops are preparing "provocations" against other Russian armed forces to inculpate Ukraine.

Andriy Yermak, head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said during a Friday Atlantic Council event that a new Russian invasion will be [a] big tragedy, and it will be [a] big war, because most Ukrainians will fight against aggressors.

Oriana Pawlyk contributed to this report.
The U.S. has information that the Russian government is planning a "false-flag" operation to rationalize an invasion of Ukraine, a government official said Friday.

"We have information that indicates Russia has already pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct a false-flag operation in eastern Ukraine. The operatives are trained in urban warfare and in using explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russias own proxy-forces," the official said, confirming a CNN report.

"Our information also indicates that Russian influence actors are already starting to fabricate Ukrainian provocations in state and social media to justify a Russian intervention and sow divisions in Ukraine," the official said. "For example, Russian officials and influence actors are emphasizing narratives about the deterioration of human rights in Ukraine and the increased militancy of Ukrainian leaders."

It's rare for the U.S. government to publicly release intelligence information in real time, especially about a high-value target like Russia, a longtime U.S. adversary. The unusual disclosure came as the Biden administration has sought to pre-empt Russian tactics, which during previous conflicts have obscured the facts and made it more difficult for the U.S. and its allies to hold Moscow accountable.

For weeks, as concerns have grown about a potential Russian invasion, U.S. national security officials have warned publicly that Russia was likely to spread misinformation about ongoing diplomatic efforts to muddy the waters and to try to drive a wedge between the U.S. and its NATO and European allies.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Friday at her daily briefing that the intelligence shows Russia "is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating a pretext for invasion."

Psaki added that Russians appear to be following the same playbook they used when they took control of Crimea.

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"We saw this before, leading up to 2014, just to note  through sabotage activities and information operations, by accusing Ukraine of preparing an imminent attack against Russian forces," Psaki said. She added that an invasion by Russia now "may result in widespread human rights violations and war crimes should diplomacy fail to meet their objectives."

The comments came hours after Ukraine was hit by a massive cyberattack warning its citizens to expect the worst. Ukraines foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters it was too early to say who could be behind the attack, but that Russia had been behind similar strikes in the past.

Psaki said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the attack, and that the U.S. has "offered our support as Ukraine investigates the impact and recovers from the incidents.

Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops on its neighbors frontier. The Russian government has denied it has plans to attack Ukraine, but aired footage of more forces deploying to the area on Friday. Russian officials met with their U.S., European and NATO counterparts over the past week as they sought defuse tensions between the two countries. But in the aftermath of those talks, the Biden administration has said it believes a Russian incursion into Ukraine remains a real possibility.

The drumbeat of war is sounding loud, a senior U.S. diplomat said.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said at a virtual briefing organized by the think tank the Atlantic Council that they are still hoping to reach a diplomatic resolution. He said Zelenskiy had spoken to Biden about possible trilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Were still waiting for a reaction on this I think from the Russian side, Yermak said. "But our American partners take our proposal with some interest."

A White House official told NBC News that the Biden administration is "consulting with allies and partners, including Ukraine, to determine the next steps, and we are in communication with the Russians."

"We believe diplomacy is the best path forward," the official said, and "are prepared to continue to engage in good faith to advance security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic. But if Russia chooses a different path and further invades Ukraine, we are equally prepared to impose severe costs on Russia, along with our allies and partners."

National security advisor Jake Sullivan said at the White House press briefing on Thursday that the intelligence community had information pointing to a Russian false flag operation in Ukraine, but had "not made an assessment that the Russians have definitively decided to take a military course of action." He added that that it was certainly the case that the threat of military invasion is high.
A competition legal expert, backed by a powerful litigation fund, is set to mount a multibillion-dollar class action suit against Facebook/Meta for breach of competition law on the basis that it abused its dominance of social networking in the U.K. for several years. If successful, the action would see Facebook having to pay $3.1 billion (2.3 billion) in damages to Facebook U.K. users.

The class action lawsuit was lodged against Meta, Facebooks parent company, yesterday with the U.K.'s Competition Appeal Tribunal in London.

The unusual approach claims Facebook should pay its 44 million U.K. users compensation for the exploitation of their data between 2015 and 2019. Effectively, its saying Facebook took all the personal and private data of its users -- who, due to Facebooks dominance, had no other viable social platform -- and in return all its users got, in effect, was the ability to post pictures of babies and kittens to their friends and families.

Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen

Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen

The action is being mounted by international competition law expert Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen (pictured here) who has made submissions before the U.K.s Parliament regarding Facebooks market dominance, as well as written academic legal papers about it.

Dr Lovdahl Gormsens case rests on the idea that Facebook (recently renamed Meta) set an "unfair price" for U.K. Facebook users.

The price set for granting access to the social network was the surrender of U.K. users highly valuable personal data, who in return simply got free access to Facebooks social networking platform, no financial compensation, all while Facebook generated billions in revenues.

Key to the cases argument is that Facebook "surrounded" its U.K. users not just by locking them and their data into its platform, but also by tracking them via the Facebook pixel, on other websites, thus generating deep social graph data about its users.

Germain to Dr Lovdahl Gormsens argument is that user profiles resurfaced time and again in controversies, such as during the Cambridge Analytica scandal, further illustrating their market exploitation.

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Dr Lovdahl Gormsens lawyers, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, have written to Meta to notify them of the claim. Dr Lovdahl Gormsen will represent the class of people affected -- that is, all people domiciled in the U.K. who used Facebook at least once during 1 October 2015 - 31 December 2019.

The "opt-out" class action is the first of its kind against Meta in England and Wales. As an opt-out case, Facebooks 4 million U.K. users will not need to actively join the case to seek damages, but will be part of the claim unless they decide to opt-out from it.

Financial backing for the case is coming from Innsworth, one of the largest litigation funders in the world. Quinn Emanuel and Innsworth have previous history in bringing consumer class action claims of this kind.

The wider context to this is that Meta is also facing a consumer class action in the U.S., regulatory action around the world and an antitrust suit from the FTC in the U.S. that could break it up from the Instagram and WhatsApp platforms.

In a statement, Dr Lovdahl Gormsen said: In the 17 years since it was created, Facebook became the sole social network in the UK where you could be sure to connect with friends and family in one place. Yet, there was a dark side to Facebook; it abused its market dominance to impose unfair terms and conditions on ordinary Britons giving it the power to exploit their personal data. I'm launching this case to secure billions of pounds of damages for the 44 million Britons who had their data exploited by Facebook.

Speaking to me over a call, I asked Dr Lovdahl Gormsen if Facebook could argue that there were other social networks available, such as Twitter or Myspace?

I don't think people can connect to their family and friends in the same way on Twitter, and Snapchat and all these other places. Facebook is quite unique in the way they're doing it, she said.

The action is also based on the ubiquity of the Facebook pixel on other websites. What is the significance of that to the case, I asked?

Imagine yourself as a Facebook user, said Dr Lovdahl Gormsen. You may be aware that your data will be used by Facebook.com. But what the pixels are doing is when you use a third-party website, that of course has nothing to do with Facebook. That means Facebook has created many, many, many more data points on you that you actually knew youd signed up to.

She argues that although its possible for a user to remove themselves from Facebooks platform, deep down in the Settings, in practice the vast majority of users have no idea how to do this or even know its possible.

Dr Lovdahl Gormsen is a Senior Research Fellow at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL), the director of the Competition Law Forum, a Non-Governmental Advisor to the International Competition Network and sits on the advisory board of the Journal of Antitrust Enforcement (OUP).

TechCrunch reached out to Facebook asking for comment but had received no reply at the time of publication.
Photo credit: Gravity Industries/YouTube

A recent viral video depicts a man boarding a warship with a jetpack.

The video is real, but the man is a Royal Marine boarding a Royal Navy warship, not a U.S. Marine.

The jetpack was also recently used in a NATO search-and-rescue exercise.

A video from last springdepicting a Royal Marine using a jetpack to launch himself from a moving boat to land on a nearby patrol boatstarted to spread like wildfire across social media this week, leaving people to wonder if any of it was real. It turns out that a number of western armies are experimenting with the very same jetpack, which also made an appearance in a recent NATO exercise.

The video was reposted dozens of times on social media, in some cases dubbed over with terrible music that made it seem even less legit. But the footage is actually real. It illustrates a maritime boarding exercise that saw a Royal Marine taking off from a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and landing on the stern of the offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar.

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You can watch the full video (above) courtesy of the jetpack's maker, United Kingdom-based Gravity Industries.

A number of western armies are experimenting with the Gravity Industries jetpack, including the United Kingdom's Royal Marines . The Royal Marines, at 8,000 personnel, are considerably smaller than their American counterparts, but training is longer and more grueling. The Royal Marines try to embrace new technologies and tactics to make up for a lack of numbers, hence their interest in the jetpack.

Gravity Industries' founder, Richard Browning, is a former Royal Marines reservist:



The HMS Tamar boarding incident is eight months old, as the video dates back to May 2021, but a more recent use of the jetpack took place at the NATO Mountain Warfare Center for Excellence in the mountains of Slovenia. The CASEVAC (casualty evacuation) scenario involved a missing person located in a gorge, and rescuers needed blood plasma to keep him alive. Participants used the jetpack to quickly bring lifesaving plasma to the rescue team.

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The Gravity Industries jetpack is powered by a system of five micro turbine engines: two per arm and one on the pilot's back. The turbines generate a theoretical total of 1,050 horsepower, giving the pilot a top speed of 56 miles per hour. Browning says the company is working on electric and winged versions, too.

Gravity Industries' publicity comes at a time when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is investigating single-person aircraft for short hops across the battlefield. The system could take the form of a jetpack, but it could also be something else, like a powered glider. Gravity's jetpack, which satisfies the five-kilometer flight requirement, appears to have the edge over competitors. If so, we could eventually see U.S. Marines strapping on those jetpacks, too.

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Days after Jason Walker, a Black man who was shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff's deputy last week, attorney Ben Crump spoke at a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, demanding answers for Walker's death.

Crump, the civil rights attorney who represented the family of George Floyd and has been retained by the Walker family, told a rally at a Fayetteville church that Walker was the single father of a 14-year-old son.

Walker, 37, was killed Saturday near his home in Fayetteville by off-duty Cumberland County Sheriffs Office Lt. Jeffrey Hash.

There are a lot of reasons why Black children have to grow up without their fathers, Crump said. But this reason is unacceptable. This is unacceptable that we have to tell that young boy that his father was shot unnecessarily, unjustifiably and unconstitutionally by somebody who was supposed to protect and serve him.

Walker's family and other members of the community filled the pews, cheering in unison at times and staying somber at others.

"Were not asking for anything extraordinary," Crump added. "All were asking for is the truth. It is not lost on me that when Jason Walker was shot multiple times, he was close to home, Crump said.

'IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE': Judge OKs release of 3 police videos in Jason Walker homicide, PD seeks to release more

POLICING THE USA: What we know about why people are killed by police

A released 911 call from Hash revealed the lieutenant said Walker pulled off his windshield wipers and began beating the windshield, breaking it. "I just had a male jump on my vehicle and broke my windshield. I just shot him. I am a deputy sheriff," Hash said during the call.

Hash was placed on paid administrative leave Monday pending the outcome of an internal investigation, Sheriff Ennis Wright said.

A judge on Thursday granted a request from Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins to release body camera video recorded in the aftermath of the shooting death. Hawkins filed the petition with the courts on Tuesday.

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She wanted to publicly release footage that she says will show exchanges between Fayetteville police officers and three witnesses at the scene of the fatal shooting, according to The Fayetteville Observer, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Pandora Harrington, right, cries as she holds a sign with an image of Jason Walker during a demonstration in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Two witnesses have made comments on social media, released a video and spoken at a demonstration, creating significant public attention, according to the petition. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons told the Fayetteville Observer that he approved the release in the interest of justice.

Under a North Carolina law passed in 2016, body and dash-camera footage is not public record. Anyone can ask a court to order its release, however.

Fayetteville police said Monday that a preliminary investigation determined that Walker, 37, ran into traffic and jumped on a moving vehicle. Hash shot Walker and then called 911, police said. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crump questioned Hash's version of events, saying it doesn't pass the common sense test." He asked why Hash used deadly force rather than de-escalating the situation.

He was supposed to be trained to protect and serve lives, not take lives, Crump said.

Crump said Walkers family has not been contacted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which is probing his death. The Fayetteville City Council has also asked the U.S. Department of Justice to review the case.

Walker's case first has to be fought in the court of public opinion, Crump said. If we win there, then maybe we can fight in the court of law, he added.

USA TODAY NETWORK: What we know about Jason Walker's shooting death in Fayetteville, North Carolina

JASON WALKER'S DEATH: 911 call audio released in Fayetteville, North Carolina, shooting

Walker's family members spoke at the pulpit after Crump, some so filled with emotion they were only able to say "thank you" to the community.

I dont know what to say about my son," his father, Anthony Walker, said. "I dont know what to say. I cant hardly talk about him."

His brother, Marlowe Walker, said he last spoke to Jason Walker on the phone Friday, the day before he was killed. "The last thing he said before he got off the phone was I love you, Marlowe Walker said.

He listed a few things his brother loved: gardening, fishing, landscaping, working on computers, music.

Demonstrators have protested each day since Walker was killed. They have demanded justice for Walker and called for Hash to be arrested.

Contributing: Paul Woolverton, Steve DeVane, Kristen Johnson, Jacob Pucci, F.T. Norton; The Fayetteville Observer; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jason Walker death: Ben Crump and family call for police transparency
WEST DEPTFORD - Tatum Street remained an active emergency scene Friday afternoon, a day after one house was flattened by an explosion and a neighboring house was charred to its studs by spreading flames.

A woman died in the early Thursday-morning explosion. Several more people  including a one-month old baby  were injured, according to West Deptford Police.

Flowered memorials were already placed on the sidewalks for the families at 1322 and 1320 Tatum Street who lost their homes Thursday, and a 54-year-old woman who West Deptford Police said lost her life to the heavy smoke and fire.

"It was like, explosion and fire all at one time," Tatum Street neighbor Allison Ferebe told the Courier-Post Friday.

Roses were places on a fence surrounding rubble of a house at 1322 Tatum Street in West Deptford Friday, the site of an explosion and intense house fire that killed a 54-year-old woman, seriously injured a 57-year-old man, and injured several others, Jan. 14, 2022.

Her 8-year-old stepson saw the heavy smoke coming billowing from between the homes as fire crews arrived.

Fire investigators determined an explosion at the rear of one home ignited the heavy fire that brought the house down. Four occupants of the house were able to escape the blaze, but reported one family member remained unaccounted for. Crews were unable to locate the 54-year-old woman who died, police said.

Local: Proposal would sanction former West Deptford municipal court judge

Her family members were treated at area hospitals, including a 57-year-old male who was airlifted to Crozier Chester Medical Center. He remains hospitalized.

The charred remnants of 1322 and 1320 Tatum Street are left after a Jan. 13 explosion destroyaed both homes. A 54-year-old woman died; a 57-year-old man was hospitalized and several others were injured.

A 26-year-old male, 31-year-old female, and a 1-month-old baby boy were evaluated and treated at Cooper University Hospital in Camden and released.

Three occupants were evacuated from . They were uninjured, according to police. The home still partially stood Friday, although burned to its shell.

Friday afternoon, West Deptford fire officials returned to Tatum Street. Ferebe said firefighters returned to put out fires that had restarted on the properties.

West Deptford Police are asking neighbors for video footage from the area to help determine the cause of the explosion.

This story will be updated as details become available.

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Carly Q. Romalino is a Gloucester County native who's covered South Jersey since 2008. She's a Rowan University graduate and a six-time New Jersey Press Association award winner.

Romalino is based at the Courier Post and covers South Jersey schools and education issues for the Courier Post, Daily Journal and Burlington County Times.

She hosts NJ Press Pass, a live social media-based interview show diving into what matters to South Jersey residents.

Help support local journalism with a subscription to the Courier Post.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: West Deptford NJ: House explosion, fire kills woman
Get ready for the first real blast of winter.

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a winter storm watch for Tuscarawas, Carroll, Harrison, Guernsey and Coshocton counties from 1 p.m. Sunday through 1 p.m. Monday.

The latest forecast calls for 4 to 6 inches of heavy snow in the New Philadelphia and Cambridge areas. Eastern Carroll County and most of Harrison County could receive between 6 to 8 inches.

The Wheeling and Steubenville areas and points east are also predicted to receive 6 to 8 inches.

There remains high uncertainty with the exact storm track, the weather service said. This may shift the axis of the highest snowfall.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Winter storm watch issued for Tuscarawas Valley
MADISON  Election clerks around Wisconsin scrambled to rewrite their instructions to voters Friday after a judge ruled absentee ballot drop boxes arent allowed under state law.

Thursday's ruling by Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren is likely to be appealed in the next week or so. For now, clerks are assuming the decision will remain in place and changing what theyre telling voters ahead of next months spring primary for local offices.

Sara Bruckman, the village clerk in Fox Point and the president of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association, said she was writing new information to include with absentee ballots so voters know they will be allowed to return them only by mail or in person. Those ballots are to go out on Jan. 25.

She noted the rules could change again between then and the Feb. 15 primary as judges consider an appeal.

"It takes away the public's ability to trust us because we are constantly changing what we're told to do and then we have to tell them that we're changing what we're told to do, she said. "So it just inserts more distrust into the process that does not need to be there."

The drop box outside of Fox Points village hall is used for absentee ballots as well as tax payments and utility bills. Bruckman said she planned to put a sign on it saying ballots would no longer be accepted there.

Brookfield's interim clerk, Renee Tadych, was making similar plans for the multi-use drop box in the parking lot of city hall.

She said she still needed to figure out what to do if voters placed ballots in the drop box. If voters use the drop box in the days before an election, there would not be time to return them to the voters so they could re-submit them, she said.

My question is, then what? What do we do? How do we get a hold of the voter? Do we mail the ballot out? You know, I don't know those answers, she said.

The ruling is most disruptive in Milwaukee and other urban centers because they have so many ballot drop boxes.

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Milwaukee installed 15 secure drop boxes at libraries and other locations in September 2020 using $70,000 from a grant from the non-profit Center for Tech and Civic Life. The drop boxes are under 24-hour video surveillance.

About half the absentee ballots mailed to voters were returned via drop boxes for the 2020 presidential election, said Claire Woodall-Vogg, the director of the Milwaukee Election Commission.

Election officials will need to rewrite instructions to voters for about 20,000 absentee ballots that will soon be mailed for the spring primary, she said. On Friday, a large-font notice on the city's website noted the court ruling barred the use of the drop boxes for now.

The latest ruling comes after years of election litigation that resulted in a flurry of court decisions with last-minute rule changes, Woodall-Vogg noted.

"Per usual, Wisconsin voters will have to navigate ever-changing election law with another court ruling less than 45 days from an election," she said by email.

The February primary may be busier than usual in Milwaukee because of the six-way race for mayor. The two who get the most votes will advance to the April 5 general election.

Clerks around the state greatly expanded their use of absentee ballot drop boxes in 2020 when voters turned in record numbers to absentee voting because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last summer, two suburban Milwaukee men sued over their use with the assistance of the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty. On Thursday, Bohren sided with them and said state law allowed absentee ballots to be returned only in person or by mail.

Drop boxes can be used only if they are in clerks offices and staffed by a poll worker, he ruled.

Bohrens ruling also barred people from returning any absentee ballots other than their own. That means political groups cant pick up ballots for voters, but also that people cant return the ballots of their spouses, parents or neighbors.

Rev. Greg Lewis, the executive director of the voting rights group Souls to the Polls, said the decision was one of a "litany of obstacles" that have been put in front of voters in recent years.

"I just think it's a ruthless attempt to discourage voters," he said. "It's just simply total reckless political sabotage of the election process."

Luke Berg, an attorney with WILL, disputed that.

Voting in Wisconsin already is very, very easy and this case is not about putting obstacles in the way of voters," he said.

"We agree that voting should be easy and maybe even drop boxes should be legal. The question is what does state law currently allow and can the (state) Elections Commission just change the rules on their own? And they can't. The Legislature has to be the one to consider alternate methods of voting and discuss how to keep those secure and safe."

Bohren issued his ruling from the bench and is expected to enter a written order within days.

Once that happens, those opposing his decision will likely appeal, said Jeffrey Mandell, an attorney involved in the case who represents Disability Rights Wisconsin and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin.

Specifically, Bohren said he would order the state Elections Commission to withdraw advice it has issued that says clerks can use ballot drop boxes.

Wisconsin clerks have latitude to run elections as they see fit but tend to adhere to the advice of the state commission, said Mike Haas, the former director of the commission and current city attorney in Madison.

The ruling caused consternation in urban and suburban areas but will likely have a muted effect in rural parts of the state.

Claudia Fields, the village clerk in Alma Center in western Wisconsin, said her community does not use a ballot drop box because it has so few voters.

"It's not going to affect us," she said of the court ruling.

Alison Dirr of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

Contact Patrick Marley at patrick.marley@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @patrickdmarley.

Make your voice heard. Find and contact your representatives.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin clerks rewrite voting rules after judge bans ballot drop boxes
Two Delta Air Lines employees havent returned to their jobs for months after one was violently attacked by three women and the other was struck in the face for intervening, federal court documents show.

The women are accused of acting belligerent before a scheduled flight to Puerto Rico  prompting their boarding to be denied and leading to the violence at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 22, 2021, federal officials said.

Jordan Nixon, 21; Janessa Torres, 21; and Johara Zavala, 44, were arrested Jan. 13 and are facing a federal indictment accusing them of assault, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York said in a news release that same day.

As alleged, the defendants viciously assaulted an airline security officer by beating him to the floor with his radio and then kicking and punching him in the face and body while he was down, the districts U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in the release.

The extreme and aggressive behavior in connection with our air travel is out of control.

An attorney for Nixon, Peter Guadagnino, said in a statement to McClatchy News she denies the allegations as set forth by the government and she maintains that she is not guilty. Attorneys for Torres and Zavala both denied requests for comment.

At the airport on Sept 22, the three women are accused of ordering around nine alcoholic drinks between 9 a.m. until their flight was planned for takeoff to San Juan at 12:55 p.m., according to court documents.

When they arrived at the flights gate, two Delta Air Lines gate agents saw Zavala appearing disoriented, and one could smell the odor of alcohol on Nixon, officials say. Then, Employee-1 notified the Flight crew of the defendants apparent intoxication.

A flight crew member and the captain stepped off the plane to observe the trio, deciding they should be denied boarding because they were acting belligerent, one of the defendants was refusing to wear her mask properly, and Zavala was visibly disoriented and possibly intoxicated, court documents say.

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A Delta Air Lines security officer, described as Employee-2, was asked to help remove the three women on the jetway, prosecutors wrote. The officer told them they couldnt board but could rebook a separate Delta flight later on in the day.

When the officer told them to leave, the women allegedly yelled and cursed. Then, Nixon is accused of snatching the employees radio and striking them repeatedly with it.

When Employee-1 tried to intervene to assist Employee-2, Zavala punched Employee-1 in the face, court documents allege. As Employee-1 left to get help, the airline security officer fell to the ground, and the women are accused of further attacking them while they were down.

The officers vest was reportedly ripped apart as they tried to get away from the attack, according to officials.

The Flight crew was eventually able to pull Employee-2 behind the glass doors to the jetway, which the Flight crew had to hold shut to prevent further harm to Employee-2, court documents say. The three defendants continued to scream and strike at the Flight crew as they attempted to hold the doors closed.

Both employees who were harmed had to receive hospital treatment for their injuries, according to prosecutors.

All three women appeared in court for an arraignment on Jan. 13 and were each released on $25,000 bonds, John Marzulli, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office, told McClatchy News in a statement.

Due to bail conditions, their travel is restricted to New York City and Long Island unless otherwise approved by pretrial services.

Torres was permitted to travel to Florida as shes already prepaid for the trip for her birthday, Marzulli added.

The trio is due to appear in court again on Feb. 3, according to Marzulli.
Look at your travel itinerary closely. Notice anything different? That's right, your hotel reservation may be totally nonrefundable. Yes, even during a pandemic.

So if you have second thoughts about traveling, and want to get a refund on a nonrefundable hotel room, you might be out of luck.

Sometimes, you don't even have a choice. Consider what happened to Liam Goodman. He booked a last-minute nonrefundable hotel room in New York from Priceline. When the property ran out of rooms and he had to stay in another hotel, Priceline pocketed his money.

"Priceline says I never checked in and was a no-show," says Goodman, a photographer from Beacon, New York.

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Nonrefundable hotel rooms are becoming more common

Anecdotal evidence suggests that nonrefundable (or "prepaid") hotel rooms are becoming more common. No one tracks and reports the number of nonrefundable hotel rooms in a systematic way. The deal is simple: You pay in advance for the hotel room(s) and you get a modest discount. There's no chance for a refund, even if you change your mind within 24 hours of making the reservation, unlike airlines.

OK, did you check your itinerary yet? If you're stuck with one of these nonrefundable hotel rooms, don't worry. There are ways to get your money back. But maybe the best strategy is to avoid these tricky hotel reservations in the first place.

Goodman wishes he had. He could have avoided the trouble by asking his original hotel to "walk" him to a comparable property, which is a hotel industry standard practice. Instead, he contacted Priceline for help  and it turned him down. I asked Priceline about his case. It reviewed its records and discovered that he wasn't a no-show, after all. The online agency offered him a full refund.

 Small planes, cheap tickets but no help by phone: The inside scoop on budget-friendly Breeze Airways

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So you want a refund for a nonrefundable room?

You may be able to get a refund on a nonrefundable hotel room in cases such as illness (especially COVID), a death in the family or a change in your circumstances.

I asked frequent travelers how they've received refunds for nonrefundable rooms. Turns out, many of them were able to get their money back under certain circumstances.

When the hotel isn't as advertised. I've seen many cases where the hotel fell short of expectations. All bets are off when that happens. Take a lot of photos and appeal to the highest level possible  and if necessary to your credit card company. If the answer is still "no," you might be able to salvage your stay. For example, when Heidi Vanderlee discovered she'd have to share a bathroom with another guest in her London hotel, she appealed to her online travel agent. After a lot of back and forth, the online agency fixed her reservation, allowing her to upgrade to quarters with a private bathroom. "Could have been a much worse outcome," says Vanderlee, a publicist who lives in New York.

When you're sick. That's what Grant Sabatier discovered recently when he fell ill and canceled a nonrefundable hotel room in Washington, D.C. A valid medical excuse can secure a full refund, particularly if it's COVID-19. But he had to call the hotel three times before it saw things his way. "This has only worked for me when booking directly with a hotel," adds Sabatier, the founder of the financial advice site Millennial Money.

 Bad news for United passengers: Airline says 3,000 employees COVID-19 positive, plans more flight cuts

When your circumstances change. Hotels understand that your plans can change. Chris Michaels recently asked for a refund for two nonrefundable nights at a chain hotel in Chicago. "In a friendly manner, I explained to a front-desk employee that I was part of the large tournament in town and that my team had been eliminated from the tournament. I also said I was a rewards member of the chain, and I've stayed at that location in the past," recalls Michaels, the founder of a personal finance site Frugal Reality. "The hotel offered to charge me a $50 cleaning fee to get out of the remaining balance for the night. Needless to say, I paid it and headed home."

When you have a death in the family. But don't expect it to be easy. Alex Beene had to cancel a nonrefundable reservation once because a relative died. The hotel forwarded him to a "skeptical" manager. "But when I offered to provide documentation, he offered to go on and refund my stay and offered me condolences," says Beene, who works for the state of Tennessee. "Just the idea that you have written justification for canceling a nonrefundable stay will show the hotel how serious you are about the claim."

 'We found out while we were flying': Last-minute cruise cancellations leave travelers scrambling

What if you don't have a case?

Face it, most of the time people just want a refund on a nonrefundable room without a valid reason. And why not? Hotels can often resell the rooms, so it's only fair that we should receive at least some of the money back, right?

Frequent hotel guests like Anna DiTommaso, who owns a web design firm in Dallas, say it's worth a try, anyway.

"The hotel has the legal right to keep the money," she says. "But I've found that if you have a reasonable excuse for canceling the room, most places will offer you a refund without you even having to ask."

I agree. "Prepaid" rooms and nonrefundable rates are not customer-friendly. The discounts are too small, and the risks too big. Often, guests don't even know they have a nonrefundable rate until it's too late. Yep, hotels bury the terms in their fine print, just like other travel companies.

Bottom line: Nonrefundable hotel rooms shouldn't exist. But they do. Now you may have a way around them.

 Hours in line or a $110 test: How the COVID test shortage is 'frustrating' Puerto Rico visitors

3 ways avoid getting stuck with a nonrefundable room

Travel insurance. If you have to cancel your hotel stay for a covered reason, you can receive reimbursement for your nonrefundable hotel cost from your insurance company. Seven Corners CEO Justin Tysdal recommends a "cancel for any reason" benefit. "It allows you to cancel your trip for any reason you wish," he says. "That way, should anything unexpected occur, you can cancel your trip and receive at least 75% of your nonrefundable trip cost back."

Change the date of your reservation. Sometimes, nonrefundable hotel rooms can be changed to a future date. Andy Abramson, who runs a communications firm in Los Angeles, says for some hotels, once you move the date you can ask for  and receive a refund. "I've used this trick several times."

Resell the room. Yes, it's possible. "You can resell your nonrefundable hotel bookings to other people and receive a refund that way," says Galena Stavreva, CEO of SpareFare.net, which facilitates these room changes. She says hotels allow for changes of the name of the main guest under the reservation. Booking.com and Expedia facilitate name changes as well. You can recover some or all of your hotel room costs.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't The views and opinions expressed in this column are the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to get a refund on a nonrefundable hotel room
Hospitalization rates for COVID-19 continue to climb in the Lynchburg area.

As of Thursday afternoon, 154 patients with COVID-19 occupied beds at Centras Lynchburg General, Southside Community and Bedford Memorial hospitals, up from 112 last week. The previous high was 109 patients, set in September.

Of the 154 patients presently hospitalized, 115 are not vaccinated.

The number of patients in Centras intensive care unit as of Thursday afternoon stood at 21, of whom 12 have been placed on ventilators. Of those patients in intensive care, 17 are unvaccinated.

As a result of the rising case count, Centra is temporarily suspending all visitation at its hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care facilities, primary care practices and Centra Medical Group locations. The restriction does not apply to clergy, parents of minors, doulas and support personnel, Centra said in a news release. Exceptions will be made for end-of-life care.

The change took effect Thursday.

The rapid increase in COVID-19 cases has added significant stress on area emergency rooms, creating long waits. Centras news release noted the hospital census at all Centra facilities is at or beyond normal capacity and the testing capability in the Lynchburg area is strained.

VDH reported 198 confirmed new COVID-19 cases Thursday in Lynchburg alone, down from a high of 320 new confirmed cases set Saturday. The seven-day average of new cases per day jumped from 143 last week to 180.

Statewide, 18,942 cases were reported Thursday, which comes on the heels of a statewide single-day record of 26,175 set Saturday.

In Lynchburg, 45.1% of the population is fully vaccinated and 19.7% have received a booster shot, according to the health department.

Across the Central Virginia Health District, which includes the city plus the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell, vaccination rates range from 47.9% to 51.5%.

Centras catchment area for Lynchburg General Hospital and Southside Community Hospital covers Lynchburg and the surrounding counties, the Farmville area and several smaller satellite locations.

Due to the community spread, the following testing events are upcoming:

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency (2323 Memorial Ave., Suite #10) and Bedford General Surgery (1615 Oakwood St. Suite D, Bedford) through Jan. 29.

From 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency (2323 Memorial Ave., Suite #10) through Jan. 26.

Tests are available to anyone 16 years and older who has COVID-19 symptoms or who has been in close contact with a person with COVID-19. For those vaccinated, test 5 to 7 days post-exposure. For those unvaccinated, test immediately after exposure and on day 5 to 7.

These clinics are for testing only; provider visits will not be available.
Entering Peakland Place is like stepping back in time.

Tucked right behind busy Boonsboro Road, many residents on the street  and off  have claimed the neighborhood as one of the loveliest and most walkable in the city.

According to the Society of Architectural Historians, Peakland Place, originally called Catalpa Drive, was a streetcar suburb and though several houses were built prior to World War I, major growth occurred from the 1920s. In 1938, the streetcar tracks that centered the gently winding street were removed and replaced with a landscaped parkway.

One of the most recognizable homes on the street, 4013 Peakland Place, recently was restored by Penny Lane Properties and Construction, made up of couples Johanna and Daryl Calfee and Brittany and Brandon Sydnor.

They purchased the home in the summer of 2020, spent more than a year restoring every inch of the 1923 Stanhope Johnson build before putting it on the market late last year. It is currently under contract.

It was about February 2020 that Johanna Calfee saw the For Sale by Owner sign go up in the yard as she was walking around Peakland Place.

And I thought, Wow, that is one of the most amazing houses on Peakland, she said. I have always loved this house.

The 4,000-square-foot-house had been owned by the same family since 1961 and the children were putting it up for sale after the matriarch was moved into elder care, Calfee said.

She walked through the house with business partner and design expert Brittany Sydnor and met the family.

Initially, they decided to pass on putting in an offer but as spring made its way to summer and Calfee found herself back on the street again, she called her husband, Daryl, who led construction on the project, to ask him to do a walk through inside the house.

Its like a garage kept car, nothing had changed since the 60s, she said. But the bones of it were solid and amazing.

Calfee said they made an offer on the house that felt almost offensive but explained they would put in the work necessary to bring it back to its glory.

We promised them that we would fully restore their family home, Calfee said.

The home was still in great shape, Sydnor said, it was just dated. It hadnt been touched in decades and so much of the work completed by Penny Lane was things beyond the ascetics, such as plumbing and HVAC work.

Someone is getting a new house in an old shell, she said.

When Calfee found out it was built by local architect Stanhope Johnson, she went to the Jones Memorial Library and pulled the original blueprints for the house.

She said Johnson had added in some of his signature design features, such as the palladium windows and cornices.

The house can be recognized by its three walk-out balconies and specific ivory brick color on the exterior and would most likely have been considered a mansion back in the day.

Its on a flat lot and sets back a little bit so it feels a little more grand, Sydnor said. I think the flanking side with the porch and the sunroom give it a more sort of stately feeling. I think it's all the architecture that does that.

Calfee said its the big columns, green roof and again, color of the house, that people remember.

During renovations, the crew added on more square-feet by adding a downstairs en-suite with a bathroom where the garage used to be.

The house now features five bedrooms, including two en-suites and three and a half baths.

The kitchen features custom inset cabinetry, a fully integrated refrigerator, commercial Italian range, quartz countertops, and a breakfast nook. The home features two owner's en-suites, including one on the main floor, which was built by the Penny Lane crew. Bathroom features include marble floors with dual head tile shower upstairs, and waterproof Tadelakt plaster in other two full bathrooms.

Calfees favorite part upon completion of the house was when the Schoew family was able to walk through and see its restoration.

They've been a part of the process throughout but at the end, they came through and saw what we had done, she said. I think it was just memorable. And also, we made good on our promise.

Rumor has it the home next door was built as a sister home to 4013 Peakland Place and Sydnor enjoyed having the owner of that home come through and see the finished product.

She's watched this whole thing unfold, she said. She's more familiar with this house than anyone outside of the family because she was basically in it in a mirror image of it. And I think for her to walk through and just say, Wow, this is what this could look like, was just so sweet.

The hope for Calfee was the new owners would love the house as much as she did.

Obviously, we feel a sense of relief that the project has come to completion, but mostly in the way that we envisioned it and that really comes from Britney's design lead, she said. It just turned out even more beautiful than maybe we could have even imagined at the beginning.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on a house like this, she said.

And I'll walk past this for the rest of my life and think, We got to do that house, she said. We treated it like our own.

According to Sydnor, the biggest challenge for such a high-end restoration was doing it right within a budget.

Because you can do this house right all day long and blow it out. But to do it right, while still the objective here is to make money, she said. We're not renovating a house we're living in, were renovating a house that we're selling. Where do you splurge, where do you save? It takes a level of confidence to know that you can make something the way you should be. Because you could have just come in here and it would have been better, it doesn't mean it would have been what this house needed.

Daryl Calfee said time was the biggest challenge.

Youre fighting the clock, but as time goes on, your holding costs get bigger, and you feel pressure, he said.

He said the mechanicals had not been updated since 1955 so all new HVAC, plumbing and electrical was installed and needed to be hidden from plain sight.

From a design perspective, it was important to Sydnor to remain true to the 1923 features while adding in modern fixtures.

This is a 1923 house on the one of the best streets in town and we wanted to make this feel appropriate for the year that we're living in and make the floor plan work, but do it in a way that really pays respect to the era of the house, she said.

The new integrated refrigerator, which under normal circumstances would be out of budget, Sydnor said, but she wanted to make it work because she felt it was a high-end detail that would be found in a high-end kitchen.

The biggest challenge for Sydnor though was the original bath upstairs and its marble tile, which she wanted to preserve.

You really you can't go and buy that original subway now, she said. If you were to go have that made, it would be incredibly expensive.

There were some gashes in the floor and some tiles that had to be transplanted from another bathroom and according to Sydnor. But at the end of the day, she could have gotten that bathroom rebuilt for what was spent to preserve the original, but it was worth it.

The biggest challenge was the added showerhead to that bath, she said. There was no shower and there was just the bathtub so we added waterproof plaster, called Tadelakt and its one of the coolest spaces because its something you wouldnt expect and you dont really see it anywhere else. It creates this spa-like experience and gives its a different sense of luxury.

Other notable changes include a larger kitchen with a breakfast nook and built-in banquette, converting the open-air porch into a mudroom and creating a larger bathroom with double showerheads in the upstairs en-suite.

Daryl Calfee said the work on Peakland is a continuation of theme of what Penny Lane started out to do: rebuild and restore forgotten homes and buildings.

And in a way that was this home, he said. At one time, it was loved and cared for and the people on the street, they all loved it. But none of them were willing to take on the project, or the risk or the money involved to do that and we had the guts to do it. And I think thats consistent with what we continue to do in the community here. This house is just a continuation of all of that work but probably the most prominent, most influential, most sought after street in Lynchburg.

Johanna Calfee said she will always remember this project.

It's the first one that we did officially with our best friends, it's the first one that we did after [I beat] cancer. It's the first one that we did after the pandemic, she said. It just feels like it's something new out of something that we've been doing for a while. Ill never forget it.

PHOTOS: Taking a step back in time in Lynchburg's Peakland Place

Entering Peakland Place is like stepping back in time. Tucked right behind busy Boonsboro Road, many residents on the street  and off  have claimed the neighborhood as one of the loveliest and most walkable in the city.

One of the most recognizable homes on the street, 4013 Peakland Place, recently was restored by Penny Lane Properties and Construction, made up of couples Johanna and Daryl Calfee and Brittany and Brandon Sydnor.

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Attorney Gen.-elect Jason Miyares notified about 30 staff members in the office - 17 of them attorneys - that they won't have jobs in his administration.

Miyares, a Republican, will be sworn in on Saturday to replace Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring, whom Miyares defeated in the November election.

Miyares spokeswoman Victoria LaCivita said the 30 staff members were told Friday that Miyares would be moving in a different direction.

"During the campaign, it was made clear that now Attorney General-elect Miyares and Attorney General Herring have very different visions for the office," she said by email for this story. "We are restructuring the office, as every incoming AG has done in the past."

She declined to provide the breakdown of which divisions the attorneys work in, saying it was multiple divisions across the office.

While it's routine for lawyers at the top of the office to be replaced when one political party loses control, the number of lawyers fired surprised the outgoing Herring administration.

These are dedicated and professional public servants who do important work, like investigate wrongful convictions, protect Virginians civil rights, help to ensure free and fair elections, and prevent human trafficking and opioid abuse," Herring spokeswoman Charlotte Gomer said by email. "Their absence will be a significant loss to the mission of the Office of Attorney General.

Among those let go is Helen Hardiman, an assistant attorney general who focuses on investigating and litigating against housing discrimination in the Office of Civil Rights.

Hardiman said she received an email from D.J. Jordan, Miyares' chief of staff, telling her that her tenure ends at noon Saturday.

When state housing boards find discrimination, they refer cases to her to file and maintain lawsuits.

My biggest heartburn right now is I have 20 court cases. That includes a trial scheduled in March.

She just began investigating dangerous conditions in Richmond's largest Latino neighborhood, at The Communities at Southwood apartments. The investigation stemmed from an investigation by The Richmond Times-Dispatch, whose reporters spent months to find homes rife with mold, rat and roach infestations and other maintenance issues the landlord is legally responsible for repairing. Tenants told The Times-Dispatch that management ignored requests or failed to address problems brought to their attention.

Hardiman has worked in the attorney general's office since September 2019 and said she was not expecting to be let go by the new administration.

I expected some personnel changes, which likely come with any change of administration," she said. "I am not a political appointee. I dont have a political job.

She spent Friday scrambling to make sure someone in the office could cover her cases.

"I dont want those people who have been discriminated against to be left hanging," she said. "I also felt like a cursory email with 24 hour notice was unprofessional. And Im disappointed that the new administration seems to be signaling that they care less about civil rights issues like fair housing than the current administration."

Asked if the investigation of The Communities at Southwood would continue, Miyares spokeswoman LaCivita replied:

"Just because personnel changes have been made does not mean their work will not be picked up. As the Attorney General Elect has said, when he gets into his office he and his team will look at every lawsuit, investigation and opinion with a fresh perspective."
The State Historical Society of Iowas book club will return this year with a new lineup of entertaining and thought-provoking books and authors.

The Iowa History Book Club will kick off its second year in February when Art Cullen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editor and co-owner of the Storm Lake Times, will talk about his book Storm Lake: Change, Resilience and Hope in Americas Heartland, according to a press release from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The Cullen family and their paper are also the subjects of Storm Lake, an award-winning documentary film about their fight to save Iowas small-town newspapers.

Later in 2022, the book club will feature Richard Bennetts Mormons at the Missouri in April, John C. Culver and John Hydes American Dreamer: A Life of Henry A. Wallace in September, and Linda Clemmons Dakota in Exile in December. Each online discussion will be led by Andrew Klumpp, editor of The Annals of Iowa, the quarterly journal published by the State Historical Society, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

We were delighted with the response to last years schedule of books and authors, and we are featuring another top-notch set of offerings this year, Klumpp said in the press release. I want to thank all of our featured guests for their work and invite all Iowans to join us.

All of the programs will be hosted online at 7 p.m. on a Thursday evening and recorded via Zoom, then posted afterward at iowaculture.gov. Registration is free but required for each event and can be done by going to iowaculture.gov/iowa-history-book-club and clicking on Register under the listing for that session. Questions may be submitted with the online registration form or during the event itself. The books can be purchased online or borrowed from most libraries.

In addition to the book club, the State Historical Society of Iowa has announced nine new Iowa History 101 online presentations from now through the end of March, which is Iowa History Month. Each 60-minute program focuses on the lives of Iowans, their stories and the past through a cultural history lens. For more information, visit iowaculture.gov.

The full 2022 Iowa History Book Club schedule follows:

Feb. 3: Storm Lake: Change, Resilience and Hope in Americas Heartland With author Art Cullen.

In this candid and timely book, Art Cullen, the Storm Lake Times editor who won a 2017 Pulitzer Prize for calling attention to Iowas polluted rivers, describes how the heartland has changed dramatically over his career. In a story where politics, farming, conservation and immigration converge, Cullen offers an unsentimental ode to rural America and to the resilient people of a vibrant community of 11,000 in northwest Iowa.

April 14: Mormons at the Missouri With author Richard Bennett.

The historic trek that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took from Illinois, through southern Iowa, and on to the Salt Lake Valley was an enduring accomplishment of American overland trail migration, but their wintering at the Missouri River near present-day Council Bluffs was also a feat of faith and perseverance. In this book, Richard E. Bennett, who taught church history and doctrine for more than 20 years at Brigham Young University, presents new facts and ideas that challenge old assumptions  particularly that life on the frontier encouraged American individualism.

Sept. 22: American Dreamer: A Life of Henry A. Wallace

With Tim Walch, director emeritus of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum.

Henry Agard Wallace was a trailblazing politician, agriculturalist, economist, author and businessman  loved and reviled, and revealed in this first full biography. To tell the remarkable story of the Iowa-born secretary of agriculture, vice president and authentic American dreamer, the late U.S. Sen. John C. Culver and journalist John Hyde combed through thousands of document pages, letters, diaries and family papers, as well as previously unavailable files sealed within the archives of the Soviet Union. Tim Walch will join Andrew Klumpp to discuss Culver and Hydes award-winning biography of this monumental figure in Iowa and national politics.

Dec. 1: Dakota in Exile With author Linda Clemmons.

Robert Hopkins was a man caught between two worlds. As a member of the Dakota Nation, he was accused of taking up arms against U.S. soldiers when war broke out with the Dakota in 1862. However, as a Christian convert and preacher, Hopkins allegiance was often questioned by his fellow Dakota. His personal and professional connections spared him from execution after the 1862 dispute, but he was unfairly imprisoned in Davenport while his family was forced onto a reservation in Dakota Territory. To tell this difficult chapter of American history, Illinois State University professor of history Linda Clemmons examined personal letters, newspaper accounts and federal documents that create a multifaceted account that complicates our understanding of the Midwest and serves as a testament to the resilience of the Dakota and other Indigenous people.

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Underwood Lutheran Church

Underwood Lutheran Church, at 10 Third Ave., will hold Sunday activities. Education begins at 9 a.m. and in-person worship begins at 10:15 a.m. and will feature Holy Communion. The online video available later in the day. Rev. Scott Dalen will deliver a sermon based on John 2:1-11.

Corpus Christi Catholic Parish

Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles, 3304 Fourth Ave. in Council Bluffs, and Corpus Christi Our Lady of Carter Lake, 3501 N. Ninth St. in Carter Lake, celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day of the week. Daily Mass is celebrated as follows: In English on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m. and in Spanish on Monday and Thursday at 6 p.m.  at the Council Bluffs location. Our weekend Mass in English is celebrated on Saturday at 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. in Council Bluffs and at 9:30 a.m. in Carter Lake. Our Sunday Spanish Mass is noon in Council Bluffs. Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. in Council Bluffs. Family fun night occurs once a month on a Friday at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles and all are welcome. For more information, call the parish office at 712-323-2916 or 712-323-4716 for Spanish, or visit our parish website at corpuschristiparishiowa.org.

Gethsemane Presbyterian Church

Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, 224 Wallace Ave, invites you to worship with us. Our service runs from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and children are invited to participate in Sunday school. Rev. Dr. Edwin G. Steinmetz will be delivering the sermon The Light That Is Jesus Brings. Refreshments will be served following service. Adult Bible study meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 9-10 a.m. Our food pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays until 10:30 a.m. For more information contact the church office at 712-366-2513 or visit us on Facebook at gethsemanepresbyterianchurch.org.

Bethany Presbyterian Church

Bethany Presbyterian Church, 1900 S. Seventh St., begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Rev. Nancy Ross Hullingers message will be Spiritual Gifts and the scripture is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The liturgist is Sue Perry and the greeters are Sandy Kmezich and Linda Cody. We will have educational Sunday for the children after the Childrens Chat. We will also have a congregational meeting following our worship service. We are a handicap accessible facility.

Community of Christ Church

Community of Christ Church, 140 W. Kanesville Blvd, holds Sunday worship at 10:15 a.m. Our theme this week is A Sign of Things to Come. Our scripture for this week is John 2:1-11; Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; and 1 Cor 12:1-11. Come join us as Don Dilts will be speaking the message and Chris Gunderson will be presiding. Please call our office at 712-323-4498 for any questions. There are virtual ministries out on our World Church Website just access ongoing ministries cofchrist.org.

Fifth Avenue United

Methodist Church

Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, 1800 Fifth Ave., invites the public to participate in our live worship service at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Face masks are optional and the Sunday worship service will continue to be recorded live and can be viewed on our Facebook page: Fifth Avenue UMC, Council Bluffs. The church office can be reached Monday or Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for prayer or other requests at 712-323-7374 or through our email fifthaveumchurch@gmail.com. Upcoming events include Soup and Game night on Saturday at 6 p.m. January 8 6 pm Soup and Game night and Meal & Message on Wednesday at Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.

Compass Christian Church Compass Christian Church, 2007 S. Seventh St., welcomes you to worship with us Sundays at 10:30 a.m. We are located just west of the South Expressway. A cry room and childrens classes are available. You may also worship with us online at compasscb.online.church. Weekly schedules include mens Bible study from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday; childrens group kindergarten through fifth grade, student group sixth through 12th grade and adult prayer group are on Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; and mens and womens groups are held at various times throughout the year. Starting Sunday, the church is hosting Dave Ramseys Financial Peace University on Sunday nights through March 13 at 7 p.m. This is a Christian-based, 12-week course designed to help you in finding financial freedom through better money management. Dave Bayer is the facilitator of the classes. Go to ramseysolutions.com/ramseyplus/classes/1144131 to sign up. Complete information can be found on Facebook at Compass Christian Church CB compasscb.org or call the church office at 712-366-9112.

St. Pauls Evangelical

Country Church

St. Pauls Evangelical Country Church, 11055 Dumfries Ave., rings the church bell at 10:30 a.m. to welcome people to worship each Sunday morning. There are directional signs from Wabash Avenue and Pioneer Trail leading to the church. We are a friendly, growing Bible teaching church led by Rev. Jason Kinney. Sunday school for all ages including adults begins at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday night activities include adult small group Bible study and youth groups. The Youth Christian Education Committee meets on Monday at 6 p.m. and the Church Council Meeting is Thursday at 7 p.m. This Sundays scripture is Numbers 16: 36-50 with the sermon title Life in the Wilderness. Visit our website stpaulsecc.org for more information. We are handicapped accessible.

Mt. Hope United Methodist Church

Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 290th and Highway 6, would like to invite all to join us on Sunday mornings for our worship service at 9:30 a.m. Children are welcome for the regular worship service and children sermon during the worship service. Upcoming events include a council meeting a 8:30 a.m. on Sunday followed be breakfast and worship at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship room. You do not have to be a member to participate in our church activities, everyone is welcome.

Emanuel Lutheran Church Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2444 N. Broadway, welcomes everyone to come as you are and be who you are! Our weekly worship service as well as Sunday school are at at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. The service will be followed by coffee and fellowship in community room. Other events this week include Tai Chi in the youth center on Monday at 10 a.m., Bible study in the conference room on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and Tai Chi on Thursday at 10 a.m. Our worship service and weekly Sunday school show can be found on our YouTube channel or Facebook page. Visit us online at emanuelcb.org.

New Horizon Presbyterian Church

New Horizon Presbyterian Church, has traditional services on Sunday at 8 and 11 and the praise service at 9 a.m. Sunday school is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays the Dulcimer Group practices at 4:30-5:30 p.m., the Praise Team at 5:45-6:30 p.m., the Chancel Bell Choir at 6:30-7:30 p.m. and the Chancel Choir at 7:30-8:30 p.m. On Jan. 30 we will have one service at 9:30 a.m. followed by our annual Congregational Meeting. The CDC advises everyone, vaccinated or not, to wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of high transmission such as Pottawattamie County. Please consider wearing a mask (regardless of your vaccination status), remember to use hand sanitizer frequently and maintain your social distance. Food and coffee will remain unavailable. Children are welcome to attend but the nursery will not be available. If you are ill, please worship from home by watching our Facebook page: facebook.com/NewHorizonPC.

Epworth United Methodist Church

Epworth United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B, worships on Sundays at 9:25 a.m. The people are friendly, the worship is meaningful and the building is handicap accessible. Masks are not required but are available for those who need/want one. We invite you also to our Bible study on Thursday at 9 a.m. We are in prayer for all those affected by this virus. If you want us to pray for you, let us know your prayer requests by phone or online at epworthumccb.org/about-us/our-values/. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and our phone number is 712 323-3124.

Faith Lutheran Church Faith Lutheran Church, 2100 S. 11th Street, will have traditional worship with Holy Communion at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service. Tuesday there is a 9:30 a.m. adult Bible study that is open to everyone in the church fellowship hall  please enter by the rear door. There is a church council meeting Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Faith is observing social distancing but masks are optional. Services are also available on Faiths Face Book page and on You Tube by searching to Ron Rosenkaimer. For more information about worship opportunities at Faith contact the church office at 323-6445.
Hospitals have been stretched to their limits by the surge of COVID-19 cases triggered by the omicron variant and the increase in staff members who are sick or isolating because of exposure to the coronavirus, a group of doctors and specialists from Methodist Health System said in a Zoom session Thursday.

As of Tuesday, the last day of available data, the 14-day positivity average in Iowa was 21.2%, according to coronavirus.iowa.gov. There had been 182 deaths from COVID-19 in the preceding seven days. There were 923 COVID-19 patients hospitalized and 178 in intensive care. Of those in intensive care, 78.9% were unvaccinated. Additionally, 72.6% of those hospitalized with COVID-19 were unvaccinated.

In southwest Iowa, Im getting calls every day from smaller hospitals who (dont have the resources to provide this level of care) who are just trying to get patients through, said Dr. Sumit Mukherjee, pulmonologist and critical care coordinator at Methodist Jennie Edmundson. There are no beds.

The staffing issues have been challenging for everybody, he said. When patients come in with COVID, its not a short stay  it is weeks to months.

The majority of patients were seeing in the hospital, even at this point in the surge, are unvaccinated, Mukherjee continued. If you can get vaccinated, that is the biggest thing you can do to help us through this.

When it comes to elective surgery, each hospital is making its own decisions, he said.

COVID-19 is hard on pregnant women, said Dr. Emily Patel, maternal/fetal medicine specialist at Methodist Womens Hospital in Omaha.

We have the highest number of pregnant women positive weve seen in the pandemic, Patel said. We are delivering moms prematurely, because of declining conditions. We have seen stillbirths. During Delta, that went up about fourfold. There have been maternal deaths because of this.

There have also been more of the usual complications  high blood pressure, preeclampsia, she said.

Pregnant women who develop COVID-19 have worse outcomes than other women their age, Patel said. They are three times more likely to need intensive care and almost twice as likely to die from COVID-19.

These are young, healthy people, although some have co-morbidities, she said.

We unfortunately have limited room right now  We have to prioritize to the highest tier of patients, Patel said.

Like the others, Patel urged people to get vaccinated.

The vaccine is safe and effective during pregnancy, she said.

The surge is happening in pediatrics, too, said Dr. Matthew Gibson, a pediatrician at Methodist Physicians Clinic.

In pediatrics, this is by far the most cases of COVID weve seen 

There are still patients with normal illnesses, like flu and strep throat, Gibson said.

Were fortunate, because most children handle COVID adequately, but there are also children who are getting very sick, he said.

While not as many children are dying as adults, its important to remember that every one of those numbers is a person, he said. And some have lingering effects from the illness.

When babies are struggling to breathe, they cant eat or breastfeed, Gibson said. At that point, they must be hospitalized, just to get basic care.

Gibson urged parents to get their children vaccinated and reminded them that children 5 or older can now be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The vaccine is safe, he said. Its effective.

He also reminded them not to send their children to school if they are sick and to watch their children for symptoms  especially if they have been exposed to someone who tested positive.

When asked about compassion fatigue, Patel said, Its real.

Its hardest when you are trying to do your best to care for people and they (or their families) dont trust you, Patel said.

Ive obviously dedicated my career to keeping moms healthy, she said. I would never recommend something that was going to be harmful or that I thought might be harmful.

Sometimes people who are waiting are hard on triage nurses or other emergency personnel, Williams said.

They say, Why are we sitting in the waiting room? Why cant you care for us? or Why cant my whole family visit (the patient)?

Please have some patience, have some compassion for us, Williams said. We really do care  thats why were here.

Sometimes, its not compassion fatigue, its physical fatigue, Gibson said. There are more people sick, more complications and more questions.

We are exhausted, Mukherjee said. This has been such a terrible journey. What were not used to is dealing with the volume of people dying from the same condition.

On one day, he had to pronounce one-third of the patients in critical care dead, he said.

Meanwhile, respiratory therapists and critical care nurses are feeling helpless, Mukherjee said.

We just want everybody to come together and realize were all fighting the same battle here, he said.

Pottawatt

Nomi Health moves to appointment testing

The Nomi Health COVID-19 testing site in Council Bluffs now require sappointments.

The change to an appointment-only model was made to reduce lines and wait times, said Recce Ristau, Nomi Health public relations associate, in an email to the Nonpareil. The change will better accommodate the number of people requiring a test while allowing frontline workers conducting the tests to better meet the needs of the Council Bluffs community.

Registration is required to schedule an appointment and can be done at nomihealth.com/iowa. Upon registration people will receive a QR code that they will either need to show on their phone or have it printed out at their arrival time.

The Nomi Health testing site in Council Bluffs is located at 1751 Madison Ave.

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WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court has stopped a major push by the Biden administration to boost the nations COVID-19 vaccination rate, a requirement that employees at large businesses get a vaccine or test regularly and wear a mask on the job.

At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the U.S.

The courts orders Thursday during a spike in coronavirus cases was a mixed bag for the administrations efforts to boost the vaccination rate among Americans.

The courts conservative majority concluded the administration overstepped its authority by seeking to impose the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations vaccine-or-test rule on U.S. businesses with at least 100 employees. More than 80 million people would have been affected.

OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here, the conservatives wrote in an unsigned opinion.

In dissent, the courts three liberals argued that it was the court that was overreaching by substituting its judgment for that of health experts. Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies, Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a joint dissent.

President Joe Biden said he was disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law.

Biden called on businesses to institute their own vaccination requirements, noting that a third of Fortune 100 companies already have done so.

When crafting the OSHA rule, White House officials always anticipated legal challenges  and privately some harbored doubts that it could withstand them. The administration nonetheless still views the rule as a success at already driving millions of people to get vaccinated and for private businesses to implement their own requirements that are unaffected by the legal challenge.

The OSHA regulation had initially been blocked by a federal appeals court in New Orleans, then allowed to take effect by a federal appellate panel in Cincinnati.

Both rules had been challenged by Republican-led states.

Iowa was among those states. Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday, The SCOTUS ruling on OSHA vaccine mandate is a major victory for Iowans, their personal freedoms and liberties. The Biden Administration should hear this message loud and clear: The American citizens do not believe in government overreach, and they dont believe in the federal government making health care decisions for them. 

At the same time, Im very disappointed by the Supreme Courts ruling on the CMS vaccine mandate. Medical providers that have been on the frontlines of this pandemic saving lives deserve the freedom and ability to make their own informed health care decisions, Reynolds said through her office. I believe the vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19, but I also firmly believe in Iowans right to make health care decisions based on whats best for themselves and their families, and I remain committed to protecting those freedoms. President Biden should do the same.

In addition, business groups attacked the OSHA emergency regulation as too expensive and likely to cause workers to leave their jobs at a time when finding new employees already is difficult.

The National Retail Federation, the nations largest retail trade group, called the Supreme Courts decision a significant victory for employers.

The vaccine mandate that the court will allow to be enforced nationwide scraped by on a 5-4 vote, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joining the liberals to form a majority. The mandate covers virtually all health care workers in the country, applying to providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding. It potentially affects 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions.

Biden said that decision by the court will save lives.

In an unsigned opinion, the court wrote: The challenges posed by a global pandemic do not allow a federal agency to exercise power that Congress has not conferred upon it. At the same time, such unprecedented circumstances provide no grounds for limiting the exercise of authorities the agency has long been recognized to have. It said the latter principle governs in the healthcare arena.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in dissent that the case was about whether the administration has the authority to force healthcare workers, by coercing their employers, to undergo a medical procedure they do not want and cannot undo. He said the administration hadnt shown convincingly that Congress gave it that authority.

Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett signed onto Thomas opinion. Alito wrote a separate dissent that the other three conservatives also joined.

Decisions by federal appeals courts in New Orleans and St. Louis had blocked the mandate in about half the states. The administration already was taking steps to enforce it elsewhere.

More than 208 million Americans, 62.7% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of those have received booster shots, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination rate in Iowa is 59.5%, while Pottawattamie, Mills and Harrison Counties are at 54.7%, 51.8% and 50%, respectively.

All nine justices have gotten booster shots.

The courthouse remains closed to the public, and lawyers and reporters are asked for negative test results before being allowed inside the courtroom for arguments, though vaccinations are not required.

The justices heard arguments on the challenges last week. Their questions then hinted at the split verdict that they issued Thursday.

A separate vaccine mandate for federal contractors, on hold after lower courts blocked it, has not been considered by the Supreme Court.

Associated Press writer Zeke Miller and Nonpareil Managing Editor Mike Brownlee contributed.
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GUARD CONDITION: A federal requirement that all U.S. military members receive the COVID-19 vaccine will no doubt impact the Iowa National Guard, Maj. Gen. Ben Corell said during his condition of the Guard address to the Iowa Legislature.

These mandates have already started to create dilemmas within our ranks where members must decide to either get vaccinated, or to be forced to leave military service, said Corell, who has said he experienced long-term symptoms as a result of COVID and appeared in a PSA encouraging Iowans to get vaccinated against the virus.

After his remarks, Corell told reporters that roughly 80% of Iowa National Guard members are vaccinated.

He said the Guards numbers were strong in 2021, with 81% of eligible Army Guard members re-enlisting and a 93% retention rate in the Air Guard. Both were at more than 100% of their authorized strength, Corell said.

But he said he is concerned those numbers could fall in 2022 because of the vaccine mandate.

When we add an additional factor in there of having to remove people from service because theyre not vaccinated, I have a big concern about it, Corell said.

We have men and women who have served for decades that have chosen to, Im going to retire because this isnt something that I believe in. So I have concerns about that.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced the creation of an alliance with businesses to target human trafficking. Pate said several of the states largest trade organizations already have joined the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking coalition.

Membership in the coalition is open to any business or nonprofit organization that operates in Iowa. Members will be asked to promote awareness of human trafficking and the state Safe at Home program, which provides address confidentiality for survivors of human trafficking and other violent crimes.

We are going to build a statewide, grassroots coalition that will unite with one common mission: to make Iowa a trafficking-free state, Pate said in a news release.

He also participated in a public event in the Capitol Rotunda to announce the new program.

The Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery collaborated in the creation of the new program, the news release said.

A DRY YEAR: Based on 149 years of statewide observations, Iowa experienced its 57th- driest year on record in 2021 with a statewide average precipitation accumulation of just over 31 inches  nearly 4.5 inches below normal.

Parts of central and west-central Iowa received a foot less than normal moisture.

Precipitation was below normal for eight of the 12 months of the year and was significantly below normal during late spring and early summer. However, the third- wettest October on record helped to end the year with near normal conditions.

Looking back on 2021, the wet October we experienced in Iowa really helped set us up for better spring conditions, said Tim Hall, Department of Natural Resources hydrology resources coordinator. We would have much more concern for spring 2022 conditions without those October rains. Dryness still could be an issue as we move from winter to spring of 2022.

Iowa began 2021 in drought conditions, especially in the northwest part of the state. Drought conditions held mostly steady through the winter and into the spring before peaking in August. Iowa ended 2021 with roughly half of the state free from any dryness or drought, and about 12% of the state with D1-Moderate Drought conditions.

Iowa temperatures averaged 50 degrees or 1.6 degrees above normal, ranking 2021 as the 16th-warmest year on record. A warmer year was last reported in 2016.

For more, visit iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.

BLUE SCHOLARSHIP: Applications are being accepted for the 2022 Robert D. Blue Scholarship, which is available to current senior and former graduates of any Iowa high school who plans to attend a college or university within the state.

Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and recommendations.

Were looking for students who exemplify greatness, said State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, a member of the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which funds the scholarship.

Since it was established in 1949 by Gov. Robert D. Blue, the scholarship has helped hundreds of Iowa students fulfill their higher education dreams at one of Iowas 65 colleges and universities. In the last five years, 25 outstanding students were awarded the scholarship, totaling $16,000.

Then deadline for online applications is May 10. Visit rdblue.org to apply and learn more.

STUDENT LOAN SETTLEMENT: Navient, known as one of the nations largest student loan servicers, will provide relief totaling $1.7 billion to resolve allegations of widespread unfair and deceptive student loan servicing practices and abuses in originating predatory student loans, Attorney General Tom Miller announced Thursday.

This settlement, joined by a coalition of 39 attorneys general, resolves claims against Navient since 2009. Despite representing that it would help borrowers find the best repayment options, Navient steered struggling student loan borrowers into costly long-term forbearances instead of counseling them about the benefits of more affordable income-driven repayment plans, the AGs alleged

Miller has filed the settlement as a proposed Consent Judgement, which will require court approval.

Under the terms of the settlement, Navient will cancel the remaining balance on more than $1.6 billion in subprime private student loan balances owed by about 62,000 borrowers nationwide.

Iowa will receive a total of $411,851 in restitution payments for more than 1,545 federal loan borrowers. Additionally, Iowa borrowers will receive a total of $10.2 million in private loan debt cancellation.

GOVERNOR ILL: Gov. Kim Reynolds canceled her public events for Thursday and Friday because she was not feeling well, according to her office.

Reynolds tested negative for COVID-19, her office said Thursday morning. Reynolds was scheduled Thursday to attend the Condition of the Guard address to the Iowa Legislature, a human trafficking prevention event at the Capitol, plus events in Dysart and in Cedar Rapids. On Friday, she was scheduled to attend an event in Davenport.

SENATE SEATING: The nonpartisan Iowa League of Women Voters is sponsoring a Restore Press Access rally on the west steps of the Iowa Capitol from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 19.

The Iowa Senate has restricted journalists access to the Senate floor during session on the basis that it is difficult to define who is media, ignoring the fact that the Iowa courts and Iowa House have defined media, and the Iowa Senate also has by determining who can work at the new press tables in the Senate gallery.

The mission of the League of Women Voters is to defend democracy and empower voters, and the Iowa press is an essential part of providing information to Iowa voters, the organization stated, adding the lack of direct press access during legislative proceedings compromises the depth of information available to Iowa citizens.

NEW CDL REQUIREMENTS: The Iowa Department of Transportation is reminding Iowans the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is starting new training requirements for first-time commercial drivers license (CDL) applicants and some drivers who wish to upgrade existing commercial drivers licenses.

Beginning Feb. 7, drivers in all states must complete additional training if they wish to apply for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrade an existing CDL (Class B CDL to Class A CDL), or add a hazardous materials, passenger, or school bus endorsement to their existing CDL for the first time

In Iowa, the DOT and all Iowa county treasurers offices that issue commercial drivers licenses will be required to verify CDL applicants Entry-Level Driver Training completion. Commercial driver training providers are required to upload an individual drivers training certification to the Training Provider Registry.

Appointments can be scheduled using the DOTs online scheduler.

For more information, call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration information line at 1-(800) 832-5660 or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Iowa Field Office at (515) 233-7400 or go here or here.

HISTORY BOOK CLUB: Back by popular demand, the State Historical Society of Iowas book club returns this year with a new lineup.

It will kick off its second year in February when Art Cullen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editor and co-owner of the Storm Lake Times, will talk about his book, Storm Lake: Change, Resilience and Hope in Americas Heartland.

The book club will feature Richard Bennetts Mormons at the Missouri in April, John C. Culver and John Hydes American Dreamer: A Life of Henry A. Wallace in September, and Linda Clemmons Dakota in Exile in December.

Each online discussion will be led by Andrew Klumpp, editor of The Annals of Iowa, the quarterly journal published by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

All of the programs will be hosted online and recorded via Zoom, then posted afterward at https://iowaculture.gov/. Registration is free but required for each event.

IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING: All judicial officers and Judicial Branch staffers will be required to participate in implicit bias training under an order signed Wednesday by Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen.

Since 2014, the Iowa Judicial Branch has provided training to all judicial officers and judicial branch staff on implicit bias as part of its commitment to ensure that all people are treated equally before the law.

An implicit bias is one that the person may not be aware of but that filters into the persons actions and decisions.

After a review of a pilot program that involved a representative sample of employees, Christensen is expanding the training to all officers and staff. Participants responses will be anonymous.
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The newly appointed UN Secretary General envoy for the Sahara Staffan de Mistura has started his first visit to the region since taking the job. His main task will be to kickstart a stalled negotiation process in a context marked by Algerias warmongering and instigation of its Polisario proxies to violate the UN ceasefire agreement.

De Misturas visit takes place after Algeria announced its withdrawal from the negotiations table and rejected the latest UN Security Council resolution which called on all parties to work towards a mutually acceptable solution and described Moroccos autonomy plan as serious and credible.

De Misturas visit is actually part of the implementation of Security Council resolution 2602 which called on all parties to the conflict to pursue the round table process in a spirit of realism and compromise with a view to achieving a realistic, feasible and lasting political solution.

Moroccan officials have reaffirmed on multiple occasions that no negotiations or round table process will take place without the participation of Algeria as the main party to the conflict.

And during the meeting held Thursday in Rabat between the UN Envoy and Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Morocco reaffirmed its willingness to negotiate a UN solution to the Sahara conflict on the basis of the autonomy platform provided Algeria takes part in round tables as a party.

Bourita recalled during the meeting that Morocco remains committed to finding a solution within the exclusive UN framework and on the basis of the autonomy plan while stressing the need for the participation of Algeria as a party to the round table process.

De Mistura and the world know that the Polisario is a puppet whose strings are pulled from Algiers by a military regime on the verge of collapse.

By portraying itself as an observer in the Sahara issue while arming and instigating the Polisario proxy to violate the ceasefire, Algeria is only showing the world that IT IS the genuine party to the artificial Sahara conflict.

Meanwhile, Morocco welcomed the latest UN resolution on the Sahara which stresses the primacy of the autonomy plan as serious and credible and calls on all parties to engage in the UN political process in good faith and to show a spirit of compromise in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

The resolution omitted any reference to the obsolete referendum option defended by Algeria and its proxies.

It also ignored the Algerian and Polisario propaganda aiming to draw attention by claiming that there is a war in the Sahara.

The balance of power has shifted and the fortified wall reduced Polisario provocations to mere set up showing militias funded and armed by rogue Algerian state firing aimlessly in the sky, which nonetheless constitute a violation of the UN ceasefire agreement by the Polisario in connivance with Algeria.

Morocco is not negotiating over its Sahara. The Moroccanness of the Sahara never was  and never will be  on the negotiating table. Rather, we are negotiating in order to reach a peaceful solution to this artificial regional dispute, King Mohammed VI had said in a speech in November.

De Mistura and other parties should be aware of this fact. Morocco is ready for peace and a political solution and is negotiating from a position of power to spare the region the instability that Algeria is facing at home and wants to export to the region.

The international momentum in favor of Moroccos sovereignty over its territories is gaining traction since the US recognized Moroccos full map with Sahara region included and the opening of over 24 consulates in the Sahara.
Morocco has introduced incentives and removed legal barriers to encourage foreign companies to invest in its health sector and attract foreign doctors to fill in shortages, health minister Khaled Ait Taleb said.

In an interview with Reuters, Health Minister Khaled Ait Taleb said the health system will have to deal with an increase in demand that will partly be dealt with through facilitating the practice of foreign doctors.

Morocco has a shortage of 32,000 doctors and 65,000 nurses, he said, adding that doctors who have a permit to practice abroad can now practice in Morocco as well.

The minister added that investors who chose to go to under-served medical deserts will receive tax incentives and state aid.

Morocco has introduced tough measures to curb Covid-19 contagion and shut its borders to passenger traffic.

He said Morocco could witness a peak of Omicron infections in early February and predicted the wave to wane by late March.

A full lockdown is unlikely but a reinforcement of restrictive measures depends on how the pandemic develops, he said.

Morocco has been able to fare better than its neighbors thanks to its successful vaccination policy. He said 83% of the targeted population has received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine and 19% received a third shot.

Morocco also expects to locally produce the coronavirus vaccine this year under the form of fill and finish and will move to buy licenses to produce the vaccine locally, he said, adding that part of the production will be exported to African countries.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh has denied recent reports from Israel, Saudi Arabia alleging he recently met with Israeli Mossad Director David Barnea in Jordan to discuss normalization and security cooperation, Update Libya reports.

The Jerusalem Post, citing reports from Saudi Arabia and Libya, revealed the alleged secret meeting.

That didnt happen and wont happen in the future, our stance is firm and clear on the Palestinian cause, according to a Libyan government statement released Wednesday.

Dbeibah is not the first Libyan figure reported to have met with Israeli officials.

Saddam Haftar, the son of the warlord and strongman of the east, Khalifa Haftar, reportedly visited Israel last year late in December for a secret meeting with Israeli officials in which he offered to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries in return for Israeli support.

Saddam carried a message from his father requesting Israeli military and diplomatic assistance in return for a pledge to establish a normalization process between Libya and Israel akin to the Abraham Accords establishing relations between the Jewish state and United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, Times of Israel reported.

Both Khalifa Haftar and Dbeibeh were candidates for the botched Dec. 24 presidential election in the oil-rich country.
Frances ministry of Foreign affairs Thursday called on French nationals in Tunisia and holidaymakers to be on the alert over a high level of terror risk in the North African country.

As a reminder, the risk of an attack being high, French residents or visitors abroad are asked to be as vigilant as possible, the ministry said on its website.

The ministry also advises French nationals to avoid gatherings and stay alerted during movements.

It is also recommended to stay informed of the situation and risks, by consulting the recommendations of the Travel Advice.

Tunisia has been under state of emergency since November 2015 following a series of terror attacks that claimed the lives of over 70 people most of whom were foreign tourists.
The struggle for power between top brass is intensifying in Algeria, while the local population is suffering from a severe shortage of food, bread, cocking oil, milk, medicine

Divisions inside the military establishment are deepening, threatening to destabilize further the regime which is rocked by a series of corruption and drugs trafficking scandals involving powerful Generals.

The situation in the country looks more and more like a remake of the famous movie Gangs of New York. In a bombshell video posted lately online from his prison cell, officer Guermit Bounouira, the private secretary of late General Ahmed Gaid Salah, accused the Army Chief of Staff, General Said Chengriha of having accumulated a colossal fortune through drug trafficking and arms smuggling.

Following these damming revelations which triggered popular outrage over Generals abuse, Bounouira, who was held in Blidas military prison, was sentenced by a military court to capital punishment.

He fled Algeria in February 2020 with many of Gaid Salahs secret files, incriminating Chengriha and many other senior army personnel. In July 2020, he was handed by Turkey to Algerian authorities.

According to press reports, 20 video recordings exposing Chengrihas criminal activities have been launched by Bounouira in social media networks.

In these videos that deal a hard blow to Algerian intelligence services, he exposed the lies of Algerian authorities which falsely blamed Morocco for the last summer wildfires that devastated the Kabylia, saying that General Abdelkader Ait Ouarabi alias Hassan was entrusted with building the fake case against neighboring Morocco.

General Abdelkader used SIM cards of Moroccan mobile network operators (IAM, Inwi & Orange) in sending SMS messages to some users in Algeria in a bid a mislead them, making them assume that the incoming messages were from Morocco.

In his videos, Bounouira also gave details on Chengrihas arms trafficking with Libya and fuel trafficking in the Tamanrasset region. He said that these criminal activities of Chengriha, who was then head of the Army Land Forces, were about to lead to a military indictment.

But General Gaid Salah suddenly died in December 2019 amid speculation that the late Army Chief of Staff was poisoned. Bounouira is also believed to have leaked a list of the corrupt generals and their use of Algerias ports to smuggle cocaine from South America to Europe.

According to some analysts, these explosive revelations are likely to push the military establishment to get rid of Gen. Chengriha and his clan or lead to a war between the Generals, de facto rulers, while the Head of State is helplessly watching from afar.
With COVID-19 cases soaring and local hospitals strained, city officials announced Friday that they are bringing back Lincoln's mask mandate.

The mandate, which requires face coverings in all indoor public settings, will take effect at 12 a.m. Saturday and extend through Feb. 11.

Lancaster County had a mask mandate throughout the fall, but officials let it expire on Dec. 23, saying at the time that vaccination rates were high and there were more tools available to both prevent and treat the disease.

But that was before the omicron wave hit locally. The highly contagious variant has led to soaring case counts. Lancaster County had nearly 2,900 cases last week, a pandemic record for a single week, and as of Friday morning had already recorded more than 3,000 cases this week, including more than 1,000 just for Friday.

Lancaster County's COVID-19 risk dial has been in the red, or severe range, for more than two weeks, but Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Director Pat Lopez said conditions have "moved beyond severe to extreme risk."

She and Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird both reiterated that people should limit their time in the community to only essential activities such as going to work or school, shopping for food or medicine, or going to the doctor.

Lopez said now is the time for an "urgent community response."

She said the main tipping point that led to the decision to reinstate the mask mandate just three weeks after it went away was the local hospital situation.

Even though the omicron variant has been shown to cause milder disease, the sheer number of cases is leading to more hospitalizations. On Tuesday, there were 142 COVID-19 patients in Lincoln hospitals, the highest number since December 2020. Numbers have declined slightly since then but remain at their highest levels in a year.

Lopez said the hospital indicator used in the COVID-19 risk dial has been in the red for more than three weeks, and the average of daily patients has risen from 113 on Christmas Day to 132 as of this week.

Another concerning factor is the amount of patients from Lancaster County, which is nearing 100. The more local patients there are, the fewer transfers the Lincoln hospitals are able to accept, she said.

Bryan Health on Thursday said it's been instituting many of its crisis care practices for several months now, including repurposing space, limiting elective surgeries and turning down many transfer requests.

Bryan also said it was seeing a number of cases of COVID-19 among staff members, although thanks to the fact that nearly all of them are vaccinated, there haven't been any serious cases.

"Our hospital and others across the state are severely taxed," the health system said in a statement. "We are seeing accelerating numbers of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations as the omicron variant spreads unyieldingly across our state."

CHI Health said it had not yet moved to crisis standards of care at its hospitals, but interim CEO Jeanette Wojtalewicz said its hospitals are "stretched thin," with increasing patient loads at the same time large numbers of staff are out either because they have COVID-19 or are quarantining because of an exposure. As of Thursday, that number was 389 employees.

The total number of COVID-19 patients in Nebraska hospitals reached 671 as of Friday morning, which is an increase of more than 100 just in the past week. Gov Pete Ricketts on Friday issued a Directed Health Measure suspending elective surgeries at Nebraska Medicine after it said Thursday that it was instituting its crisis standards of care policy.

"The hospitals are really full," said Dr. Eric Avery, president of the Lancaster County Medical Society. "The COVID cases are way too high, and it's up to us to do the right thing, right now."

In addition to wearing masks, officials said doing the right thing means getting vaccinated if you haven't yet done so.

Vaccines are "proven, they're safe, they're effective," Avery said.

Lopez also touted the importance of booster shots. While she said she didn't have data on how many recent COVID-19 cases are in fully vaccinated people, she did say only 10% of the cases are occurring in those who have had a booster shot.

Officials also said another instance of doing the right thing would be cutting down on gatherings.

Gaylor Baird encouraged community groups to postpone meetings or hold them virtually, and she also said people planning to host events such as weddings or banquets should seriously consider postponing them because people gathering in close proximity without masks is the way the virus spreads most easily.

"It's time to get real, and for at least the next four weeks, I'm asking you to make some tough decisions," she said.

The reinstatement of the countywide mask mandate comes just days after Douglas County's health director instituted one for the city of Omaha. Douglas County's Health Department does not have the same powers as the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department under state law, and on Thursday Attorney General Doug Peterson filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Omaha mandate.

Lopez said she has not talked to anyone from the state about Lancaster County's decision to reinstate its mandate, but she reiterated the importance of the health department being able to make the decision on its own.

"That ability to respond from a local level to our local needs is really critical because we best know what our local situation is."

The mask mandate being in effect for four weeks may be an indication of hope that the current omicron surge will subside by then. In other countries and in other areas of the U.S., cases have surged for four to five weeks and then started to subside.

Lopez said Lincoln is now about two weeks into its omicron wave, but while omicron is the predominant variant, she cautioned that the county is still dealing with cases caused by the delta variant.

Dr. James Lawler, co-executive director of the University of Nebraska Medical Centers Global Center for Health Security, said Friday in his weekly coronavirus video update that he expects the omicron wave to peak in Douglas County and much of eastern Nebraska in the next week to 10 days, with the rest of the state potentially about a week behind that. He predicted that the peak in hospitalizations will occur about five to seven days after the peak in case numbers.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
UPDATED, Jan. 18, 2022, 12:50 pm: Updated to add reference to additional candidates for governor and State Board of Education.

***

Most announced major-party candidates for Nebraska governor are expected to attend a Jan. 20 forum in North Platte sponsored by the Lincoln County Cattlemen.

A press release by the local group says the three announced candidates for the Legislatures District 42 seat also will appear, as will two of three expected candidates for western Nebraskas District 7 seat on the State Board of Education.

The forum at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds, 5015 Rodeo Road, will start at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with the gubernatorial candidates, according to the press release.

After a short break, the Unicameral and state education board candidates will speak starting at 7:30 p.m.

Moderators will ask questions of forum candidates, but spectators may submit questions to be asked, the Lincoln County Cattlemen press release said.

Announced candidates for governor who have confirmed theyll appear include state Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, the lone announced Democrat, and Republicans Charles Herbster of Falls City, Michael Connely of York and Sen. Brett Lindstrom, former state Sen. Theresa Thibodeau and Breland Ridenour, all of Omaha.

University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen of Columbus, the other announced GOP gubernatorial candidate, was not on the press releases list of candidates planning to attend the North Platte forum.

Donna Nicole Carpenter and Lela McNinch, both of Lincoln, also have filed for the Republican primary. All hope to succeed two-term Gov. Pete Ricketts, who must retire next January due to term limits.

Lincoln County Commissioner Chris Bruns, retired Great Plains Health CEO Mel McNea and Brenda Fourtner, all of North Platte, will speak about the District 42 race during the events second half.

All three hope to succeed term-limited Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte, whose second and last four-year stint expires next January.

Robin Stevens of Gothenburg, whos seeking a second District 7 term on the state education board, and announced challenger Elizabeth Tegtmeier of North Platte will round out the evenings speakers.

Pat Moore of Litchfield also has filed to challenge Stevens for his District 7 seat.

More by Todd von Kampen

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BUDAPEST, Hungary & NOIDA, India, January 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global technology company, signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Starschema, a leading provider of data engineering services, based in Budapest, Hungary. The strategic acquisition will bolster HCLs capability in digital engineering -- driven by data engineering -- and increase its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

Starschema provides consulting, technology and managed services in data engineering to Global 2000 companies in the U.S. and Europe.

The acquisition combines Starschemas high-value capabilities and data-focused expertise with HCLs existing presence in industry segments undergoing data-driven transformation. In addition, HCL will strengthen its position in data engineering, which is an integral part of the companys digital engineering capabilities and next-generation offerings.

"Joining HCL will enable us to keep our strategic focus and expand our data engineering capacity to provide a greater breadth and depth of services to clients," said Tamas Foldi, Founder and CEO, Starschema. "As part of HCLs full spectrum of technology services, we will leverage our expertise in data engineering and emerging data technologies to solve companies data challenges, through building fast, scalable solutions that make people more effective and companies more profitable. This strategic move also represents exemplary career growth opportunities for our people."

"Starschema will strengthen our data engineering capabilities, providing us with the ability to leverage its solutions and talent in Central and Eastern Europe," said Vijay Guntur, President, Engineering and R&D Services, HCL Technologies. "Starschemas capabilities will further scale HCLs data engineering competencies at our integrated delivery centers across the world. Engineering talent will continue to remain in high demand, and Starschema offers a specialized talent pool in a strategic growth area for HCL. Following the acquisition, HCL will be able to offer data engineering consulting and near-shore access to digital engineering services to a wide base of clients."

Story continues

The transaction is subject to regulatory clearance from the Hungarian Ministry of Innovation and Technology and is expected to close in March 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005231/en/

Contacts

For further details, please contact:

HCL Technologies

Meenakshi Benjwal, Americas

meenakshi.benjwal@hcl.com

Elka Ghudial, EMEA

elka.ghudial@hcl.com

Devneeta Pahuja, India and APAC

devneeta.p@hcl.com
New reporting has found strong evidence Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has sought to undermine freedom of speech in the Central American nation. According to a joint investigation by Salvadoran news outlet El Faro, Toronto-based Citizen Lab and digital rights nonprofit Access Now, the cell phones of at least 22 of El Faros journalists were infected with spyware known as Pegasus over the past two years. Other journalists and human rights activists were also targeted. Pegasus has previously been used against journalists or other so-called undesirables in nations including India, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Morocco, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia.

The report should trigger serious reflection among Bitcoiners. While Bukeles move to adopt bitcoin as an alternative to the U.S. dollar in El Salvador has great potential for freeing the developing world from the yoke of the global financial establishment, his authoritarian behavior here is anathema to the cyber-libertarian ideals that underpin cryptocurrency.

This article is excerpted from The Node, CoinDesk's daily roundup of the most pivotal stories in blockchain and crypto news. You can subscribe to get the full newsletter here.

Pegasus, produced by Israeli firm NSO Group, allows not just the monitoring of a victims communications but deeper access to device data. The El Faro investigation, whose findings were certified by Amnesty International, found data had been exfiltrated from the devices of at least 11 journalists. The tool has been previously used in acts of violent suppression: NSO and Pegasus have been linked to the murders of Mexican opposition journalist Cecilio Pineda Birto and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

Up to this point, Ive been skeptical about attempts to paint Bukele as a nascent dictator. Much of the anti-Bukele rhetoric in the Anglophone press has focused on his replacement of judges and one theatrical display of military strength, alongside derogatory statements from developed-world governments. These struck me as hard to take at face value given El Salvadors extremely complex modern political history, entrenched corruption and the culpability of countries like the United States in fomenting the very instability that might have made strong-arm tactics necessary for Bukeles reformist agenda.

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But spying on opposition journalists is several orders of magnitude more reprehensible to me than any other claims made about Bukele so far. I am admittedly biased, but the suppression of information is a fundamental attack on the good and fair functioning of any society.

See also: Bitcoin's 'Authoritarian Hipster'

This puts Bitcoiners in particular in a bind. With its roots in crypto-anarchist and digital libertarian ideals, the Bitcoin community is ideologically hostile to both state power and digital surveillance. This sentiment is so strong that many in the community bristled at a provision in El Salvadors law that seemed to mandate the acceptance of bitcoin by retailers. The new report should offend those critics at least as deeply.

Its notable that this is not the first time the cryptocurrency industry has been asked to pass judgment on the ethics of state-backed digital espionage. After Coinbase acquired a blockchain analytics company called Neutrino in early 2019, myself and other investigators and reporters highlighted the companys deep ties to a black-hat organization known as Hacking Team. Hacking Team had sold invasive spyware to repressive regimes, which used the tools to target dissidents and journalists. After fierce backlash from the crypto community, Coinbase ultimately fired former Hacking Team members from Neutrino, and admitted the acquisition had been a failure of due diligence.

The decision facing bitcoin advocates now may be more complex. El Salvador is a valuable testing ground for the digital currency, but if El Faros findings are true it seems clear the Bukele administration can no longer be considered a trustworthy partner. Beyond the simple ethics of supporting a regime that seeks antidemocratic methods of repressing its critics, the bitcoin community must be vigilant about public perception, given the continued widespread hostility towards cryptocurrency. A leader willing to use black-ops spyware against his own citizens is not an acceptable figurehead for spreading bitcoin adoption.

My sympathies here lie almost entirely with the journalists who have been targeted and harassed for attempting to inform Salvadorans about their own leadership. But its also deeply personally disappointing: I was hoping to visit El Salvador at some point this year and report on the status of the bitcoin project there. That now appears considerably less feasible because it would potentially expose me, and any other international journalists who travel there, to ongoing surveillance by Nayib Bukele and his allies.
New Door Assembly Plant to Open in Brigham City, Utah

SAN ANTONIO, January 14, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday, the Utah Governors Office of Economic Opportunity announced that Steves & Sons, Inc. will expand its door manufacturing operations with a new Utah location, bringing more than 200 jobs with more than 137 being classified as new, high-paying jobs in the next five years.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005102/en/

Steves & Sons new 160,000 square-foot door manufacturing plant which will bring more than 200 new jobs to the Brigham City, Utah area. (Photo: Business Wire)

Steves & Sons is a door manufacturer and operates interior and exterior door plants throughout the United States. Since 1866, the Steves family has been involved in the company. Steves & Sons continues its commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and style six generations later. The Steves family founded the company on conservative growth and environmental responsibility principles. Today, Steves & Sons has multiple manufacturing sites in four other states. With this 160,000 square-foot facility in Brigham City, Utah, this facility further strengthens Steves & Sons' ability to serve its customers more efficiently.

"Brigham City was selected due to the availability of a quality workforce and its geographic location to better service our customers," said Tres Steves, Steves & Sons Vice President. "Steves & Sons has made a significant commitment in being a state-of-the-art, high volume residential interior molded door manufacturer at all of our plants, and our new Utah facility is scheduled to begin operation later this year."

"The door-manufacturing business has changed dramatically in recent years, and our business has grown by leaps and bounds," said Scott Lovett, Vice President of Operations at Steves & Sons. "With the opening of this new plant and equipment we have ready to install, we will be at the forefront of the industry technologically, enabling us to handle even greater production levels while remaining true to our high standards of quality, craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility."

Story continues

About Steves & Sons

Steves and Sons... Building Quality Millwork Since 1866

Purpose Statement: "A family company welcoming families home with style, craftsmanship, and value for generations."

Since 1866 the Steves family has always been involved in the company. Today, six generations later, all actively involved in the business, Steves and Sons continues its commitment to quality, craftsmanship and style. The Steves family founded the company on the principles of conservative growth and environmental responsibility. That hallmark remains today in every product Steves & Sons manufactures. From incorporating recycled materials, to making products that can conceivably last as long as the application, the Steves family is proud to build on the tradition of environmental respect and responsibility. As an American family success story, Steves & Sons will continue to offer quality and service at a fair price for generations to come.

Steves headquarters is in San Antonio, with interior and exterior door plants in San Antonio, and interior door plant locations in Lebanon, Tennessee and Richmond, Virginia. Today Steves employs over 1,300 team members. With unmatched quality at an outstanding value, Steves and Sons continues to build its business and reputation among builders and homeowners across the country with continued emphasis on quality materials, new technology and efficient distribution

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005102/en/

Contacts

Sam Bell Steves, III (Tres)

TSteves@Stevesdoors.com | 210-865-8737
When I sit in a gnarl of cars and trucks on I-75, my mind sometimes wanders to early days of travel.

After the glaciers melted at the end of the Ice Age, people started settling down, living by rivers. They invented the birchbark canoe, and the main roads were rivers. The Paleo-Indians made footpaths through thickets, and later there were horse-and-wagon trails.

A stretch of the Federal Road was a built in 1803 to provide a shorter route from Washington City to New Orleans. A steady stream of pioneers moved westward along that road.

Two years later, the Creek Indians gave permission for the development of a horse path through their nation for more efficient mail delivery. This section extended the Federal Road through Creek territory. It entered Alabama at Fort Mitchell near Columbus, Ga., spanning from Mt. Meigs to Pintlala, and on to Mobile.

But roads as we think of them today began with the invention of the automobile. At first, cars used the same paths that were meant for buggies, and that made for rough traveling.

Novels set in the early 1900s paint pictures of driving on those roads. Will Tweedy, the narrator in Olive Ann Burns Cold Sassy Tree says, The single-track dirt road had deep wagon ruts, and it like to jolted us to pieces. The rebound just about tossed Granpa and Miss Love out of the car.

Because the roads were so primitive, and there was no help along the way, drivers stuffed all kinds of paraphernalia on the floorboards. The narrator in William Faulkners The Reivers described the emergency gear his grandfather installed in his car: the smell-tight five-gallon gasoline can, the funnel and chamois strainer in the toolbox with the tire tools and jack and wrenches that came with the car, and the lantern and axe and shovel and coil of barbed wire and the block and tackle which Grandfather had added, along with the tin bucket to fill the radiator when we passed creeks.

When it became clear cars were here to stay, new highways paved with blacktop replaced rugged auto trails. That was the beginning of Americans adoration of the open road. Folks took to the roadways in cars, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, and busses.

Civil engineers designed and built U.S. highways. Route 66, called the Main Street of America, ran from Chicago to LA, and U.S. Highway 1 meandered up the East Coast from Key West, Fla., to the tip of Maine. State and county highways branched out like arteries in all directions. Full-service gas stations, motels, and restaurants sprang up.

The first interstate highway was constructed in 1957. Then they built more with bridges and tunnels and complex interchanges.

Whenever Im stuck in traffic, making my way through Atlanta, I think about my Aunt Mary driving alone in her 1939 Ford from Miami to Eufaula and back every year on narrow, rustic roads. And I figure, for me to get to where Im going is downright easy.

Mary Belk lives in Auburn and writes a column for the Opelika-Auburn News.
Commentary: Xi's words shed light on future of humanity as COVID-19 rages

Xinhua) 08:10, January 14, 2022

A staff member gestures for citizens to line up at a designated passageway for nucleic acid test at a testing site in Nankai District in north China's Tianjin, Jan. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- As people across the world ushered in 2022 with hopes that the COVID-19 pandemic would ultimately be over and that life would return to normal, the raging Omicron variant cast an even darker shadow over global economic recovery.

In the face of the challenges, the world might find inspiration and a viable path for progress from China's proposals and solutions put forth by President Xi Jinping on various occasions.

A solution to common challenges facing humanity is the Global Development Initiative (GDI) Xi proposed when addressing the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021.

"Facing the severe shocks of COVID-19, we [countries across the world] need to work together to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth," Xi said. "To this end, I would like to propose a Global Development Initiative."

The initiative offers a practical guide to action -- staying committed to development as a priority, a people-centered approach, benefits for all, innovation-driven development, harmony between human and nature, and results-oriented actions.

In fact, these are exactly what China has gained from its endeavor of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. With development as a tool, the ultimate purpose is to improve people's well-being and enable the people to achieve all-round development, which is the common inspiration of people regardless of their skin color, race and nationality.

Predictably, the implementation of the initiative might encounter obstructions from hegemonic developed economies. They have been snubbing international trends and developing countries' right to development, and putting their own national interests first. This has been proved by their protectionist and bullying actions under the garb of "multilateralism" over the past years.

A citizen receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Jan. 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Taking COVAX for example, the global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is supposed to see countries uphold true multilateralism and pool resources to achieve mass vaccination globally.

In reality, the "immunity gap" is only widening as some countries delayed or even defaulted on their contributions to COVAX.

China, however, has been honoring its words. By the end of 2021, China had provided 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations, fulfilling a pledge it made to the world about five months ago at the first meeting of the International Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation.

China sticks to its commitment despite the challenging task of vaccinating its 1.4 billion population. Its contribution accounts for one third of total vaccine doses administered across the world, except in China.

"We must improve global governance and practice true multilateralism," said Xi when proposing the GDI. True multilateralism should be the correct response to global issues amid a raging pandemic as well as in the post-pandemic era.

Be it for global development or the provision of public goods to the international community, China's dedication has its root in its vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

In a historic juncture where countries are struggling with unprecedented challenges, we all should ask ourselves a question: how should we humanity as a whole press ahead?

Xi's words at a national meeting honoring heroes in the fight against COVID-19 in 2020 are thought-provoking.

"Our history and experiences have shown that as long as all countries are committed to building a human community with a shared future, uphold multilateralism, and boost unity and cooperation, the people of the world will be able to meet whatever challenges we face and make this planet a beautiful home for all of us."

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
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Rebel BAFTA's? Australia gives and takes away.

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I hate her jonah hill style

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Her appearance at the BAFTA's two years ago was the most high profile moment they've had in about 30 years. It was quite a viral moment. This was inevitable.

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She was iconic tbh

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James Corden 2.0, but thirstier 4 "Someone plz call me hot."

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"Look at my body! Why are you looking at my body??"

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Not Rebel Wilson of "i was the first-ever plus-sized girl to be the star of a romantic comedy" fame hosting BAFTAs.

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Charm...? Charisma..???? Lol no. I can't wait for her to go away and leave us alone.

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At least it's not Joanna Lumley again but this is a huge stepdown from Graham Norton.

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Graham Norton is the best man for the job

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Good for her and she looks amazing TBH

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Is she still bankable? I feel like I havent seen her in anything as of late.

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She took a year off to get healthy and freeze her eggs. So it was a personal decision not to work for a bit, but I guess we'll see. I think the last thing she did was that comedy with Anne Hathaway that looked awful.

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Why does ONTD hate her? Lol

She is alright to me

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because she lost weight and was honest about it



Edited at 2022-01-14 06:36 pm (UTC)

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Not you trying to reframe this as about weight lol

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She purposefully gained weight seem funnier and to get jobs. It just feels very insincere to me.

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she's made a lot of ~white woman~ jokes that have been deeply ignorant of race to outright racist

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I don't hate her but I don't find her style of comedy funny personally.

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I mean, whatever. It's not like I'm going to watch it anyway lol

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God knows I love Selenita but I doubt she can hold her own around those two without editing, a script & several takes.

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Twitter tried to convince me she was great and when I finally watched the show I was underwhelmed.

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I think she works for the part but I'm very biased bc I genuinely like her lol

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the vague memories i have of her hosting the MTV EMAs are... not good.

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yeah i dont think she was good on this show



her face looked like it could barely move at times bc of fillers? and her weird monotone voice

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The awards are scripted though, so I think with rehearsals she could do fine as the straight man to them. IDK. I'm here for it. Think of all the lewks she'd wear.

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Watching her on talk shows with them was actually suprisingly tolerable. Her acting is one note, but it worked well for the show. I think if they focused on Steve Martin and Martin Short mostly, they could pull it off.

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actually not a bad idea

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It could be really fun if done well. It seems like even when they, or other awards shows, get likable and charismatic people to host it can still end up underwhelming though. I love them so hopefully if they host it goes well!

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I still want the muppets above all but this could be cute too

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That sounds dumb.

So it's likely going to happen



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Here for it

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Aka it's going to suck just like when Hathaway & Franco hosted.

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I can be a bit of Hatha-hater but tbf I thought she did really well and committed whereas Franco played up the apathetic act which no one forced him to accept.



Like she had to double-duty cause of him.

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I mean... I guess! I just hope they get some good writers.

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STATLER AND WALDORF goddamnit

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no, no and no.

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ZZzz

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That could be fun but Selena would be too nervous.

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I hope they go but I really doubt theyd host. Sel would be nervous as hell. Also they are filming their second season this would take a lot of their time.

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I DEMAND Barb & Star!

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With special appearances from Trish, the Talking Club, and Seagull on a Tire!

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China has agreed with the United States to release crude from its strategic reserves around the Lunar New Year holiday on February 1, as part of the broader U.S.-led effort for strategic releases to bring oil prices down, sources with knowledge of the talks told Reuters on Friday.

"China agreed to release a relatively bigger amount if oil is above $85 a barrel, and a smaller volume if oil stays near the $75 level," one of the sources told Reuters, without offering additional details about the amount to be released.

China will be celebrating the Lunar New Year with an official holiday between January 31 and February 6, and the crude oil release is set to take place around that time, Reuters' sources said.

U.S. President Joe Biden said at the end of November that the Department of Energy would release 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in a bid to lower high gasoline prices in a coordinated effort with other major oil-consuming nations. The SPR release from the United States will be carried out in parallel with other major energy-consuming nations, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, the White House said at the time.

A day later, China said that the volume of the expected Chinese release of crude from its state reserves would be decided according to the country's actual needs, and declined to comment if it would be releasing crude in the coordinated effort led by the United States.

At the end of 2021, Japan and South Korea said they would soon offer oil from their strategic reserves. Japan said it planned to auction in February 629,000 barrels of crude oil from its national reserves as part of a U.S.-led effort by oil-consuming nations to lower prices. Japan's announcement of a government tender followed closely news from South Korea, which had said a week earlier it would release 3.17 million barrels of its oil reserves in the first quarter of 2022 as part of the coordinated reserve releases.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Crude oil imports into China fell by 5.4 percent last year on an annual basis for the first time in two decades, Reuters reported citing statistical data from Beijing.

According to the report, the cause of the decline was Beijings push to reduce fuel oversupply but targeting independent refiners with various measures aimed at curbing their appetite for oil.

The government also clamped down on the independent refining sector for environmental law violations, tax code violations, and illegal import quota trading.

Still, while overall imports of crude last year fell, imports from sanctioned Venezuela and Iran actually increased, according to data from Kpler cited by Bloomberg earlier this week.

These exports increased by 53 percent, with the total reaching 324 million barrels of Venezuelan and Iranian crudethe highest since 2018, the Bloomberg report noted.

Total 2021 oil imports in China stood at 512.98 million tons, which came in at about 10.3 million barrels daily. This was down from 542.39 million tons during the previous year when Chinese refiners were gobbling up as much cheap oil as they could.

China has been the biggest oil importer in the world for seven years now, ever since it began allocating import quotas to private refiners in 2015. Since then, the country has accounted for as much as 44 percent of the global oil import growth and has become a major factor for oil price movements. Over the same period, the annual growth in import rates for China has averaged a solid 10 percent.

This lead role of China in the oil markets has made them vulnerable to any shocks in the country. Right now, the potential for such shocks is considerable. As Simon Watkins wrote in a recent article for Oilprice, a growing debt bubble and slowing economic growth present a twin danger for the Chinese economy that will have immediate and potentially serious repercussions across the global oil market.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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In normal times, an announcement from China that it would release crude from its strategic reserves would drive oil prices down, but these aren't normal times and the relentless oil rally has continued.

Friday, January 14th, 2022

It may seem somewhat counterintuitive for the oil market to shake off news regarding a potential Chinese SPR release, but that is exactly what has happened this week. With the mood still firmly bullish on the back of a weakening dollar, Libyan supply issues, and lower-than-expected OPEC+ output, the oil price rally was driven higher by reports of product inventories hitting multi-year lows. With refiners still wary about ramping up operations to full capacity, middle distillate stocks have become so scarce that backward action in the prompt month for both diesel and jet fuel rose to its highest level since September 2019. With stocks unlikely to see a swift replenishment, the global case for oil prices seems to be very bullish. As of Friday, the global benchmark Brent traded around $85 per barrel, whilst WTI was nearing the $83 per barrel mark.

China Announces New Year SPR Release. As part of the ongoing US-led initiative to tame runaway oil prices, China announced it would release crude from its strategic inventories around the Lunar New Year, without specifying the exact quantities.

Spot Asian LNG Price Declines amid Weak Demand. Spot LNG prices in Asia continued their fall this week as ample inventories and above-average warm weather kept buying activity subdued, with March 22 delivery prices already at $25 per mmBtu.

Fire Blasts Kuwaits Main Refinery. A blast has rocked Kuwaits 350,000 b/d Mina al-Ahmadi refinery after a gas liquefaction unit caught fire, with two victims reported, though export and refinery operations are assumed to be unaffected so far.

Saudi Aramco Buys Stake in Polish Refiner. Saudi Aramco agreed to buy a 30% stake in the Polish company Lotos Asfalt, one of the largest bitumen producers in Europe and owner of the 210,000 b/d Gdansk refinery, whilst also signing a renewed supply deal with Poland to the extent of some 300,000 b/d.

Indias Largest Refiner Goes Green. Indias largest private refiner Reliance Industries (NSE:RELIANCE) will set up an $80 billion green fund to expand beyond its flagship oil-to-chemicals business, including the construction of 100GW worth of renewable energy power plants, primarily solar energy.

Related: IEA Says Russia Is To Blame For Europes Gas Crisis

LG Energy Solutions Rocks IPO. South Korean battery producer LG Energy Solutions raised $10.8 billion in its initial public offering, the largest IPO in Korean history, paving the way for one of the most-watched listings of 2022 to come on 27 January.

EU Demands Answers from Gazprom. With Russias Gazprom (MCX:GAZP) still failing to increase gas flows to Europe, the European Unions antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager quizzed the gas giant after accusations that it is holding back extra production to keep gas prices elevated.

Microsoft Wants to Produce Jet Fuel Out of Alcohol. Joining the ranks of Shell and Suncor Energy, US software firm Microsoft (MSFT) invested a batch of $50 million in a LanzaJet facility in Georgia that will produce jet fuel from ethanol next year, the largest SAF project in the United States.

New Oil War Shaping Up in East Africa? Kenya has continued exploration activities in a disputed (presumedly oil-prolific) part of the Indian Ocean that the ICJ awarded to neighboring Somalia, with Italian oil major ENI (NYSE:E) spudding the Mlima-1 wildcat last month.

Equinor Suffers Reserve Blow with Mariner. Norwegian oil major Equinor (NYSE:EQNR) said it would face an impairment charge of $1.8 billion after lowering resource and production estimates at the offshore Mariner oil field in the UK Continental Shelf, following further appraisal drilling at the upcoming project.

U.S. to Hold Record Offshore Wind Auction Soon. According to President Biden, the US will hold next month its largest-ever offshore wind auction that could kickstart projects with a capacity of up to 7 GW, located in shallow waters between New Yorks Long Island and New Jersey.

Related: Saudis Arabia Reserves $10 Billion To Buy The Stock Market Dip

Venezuela Gasoline Pipeline Explosion Wreaks Havoc. A recent explosion along a major pipeline supplying eastern states with gasoline aggravated the long-standing shortage of transportation fuels in Venezuela, with PDVSA-operated refineries operating at a fraction of their nameplate capacity.

ExxonMobil Launches Appalachian Sale. In yet another episode of US majors divesting non-core assets in the United States, ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) started off the sale of its shale gas properties in the Appalachian Basin, currently producing some 81 million cubic feet per day.

Saudi Arabia Wants to Become Uranium Powerhouse. Although there are no official figures on Saudi Arabias uranium reserves, the desert kingdom has launched a new mining program to kickstart uranium mining to feed its assumed 17 GW fleet of plants by 2040 and potentially become a major exporter.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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So far this month, the European Union has received U.S. natural gas volumes five times higher than Russias pipeline deliveries, according to Polish outlet rp.pl, the first time in history in which American LNG has surpassed Russian gas deliveries.

Last month, at least 30 tankers with liquefied natural gas from the United States were headed to Europe, where the gas and energy crisis pushed regional LNG prices way above the Asian LNG benchmark and 14 times higher than the U.S. Henry Hub price.

At the same time, Russian gas deliveries have been lower than usual in recent weeks. Low Russian supply and cold weather have been the two main drivers of rising gas prices in Europe in recent weeks when Russias deliveries via Poland and Ukraine have been lower than historical norms.

Low natural gas deliveries from Russia appear to have artificially tightened the European gas market, the International Energy Agencys Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Thursday, adding that energy systems face significant risks by relying too much on one supplier for a key energy source.

We see strong elements of artificial tightness in European gas markets, which appears to be due to the behaviour of Russias state-controlled gas supplier, Birol wrote in a LinkedIn post.

Even with normal winter weather conditions, Europe faces storage inventories dropping to a record low of below 15 billion cubic meters (bcm) by the end of March, Wood Mackenzie said on Thursday.

Without additional Russian imports, the ability to refill depleted storage and to avoid a repeat of last years crisis will be limited. But Gazprom has so far been reluctant to make more gas available on the existing routes. And the start-up of Nord Stream 2 remains the big unknown as Gazprom navigates regulatory approvals. Political relations remain fragile as Russian troops amass along the Ukrainian border, said Kateryna Filippenko, principal analyst, European gas research, at WoodMac.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The Senate voted 55 to 44 against a proposal for a new round of sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 natural gas project led by Russia's Gazprom.

According to opponents in the U.S. Congress, the project will deepen Europe's dependence on Russian gas while giving Moscow the opportunity to use gas supplies as a weapon against Europe.

"Russia has nakedly and unequivocally used energy as energy blackmail," Senator Ted Cruz, author of the measure, said yesterday on the Senate floor, as quoted by Bloomberg. And Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, had done this "openly, brazenly and laughingly and absolutely nothing happened."

"The government of Germany should have shelved this project itself a long time ago," Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "These sanctions, like the prior Nord Stream 2 sanctions that had overwhelming bipartisan support here in Congress, are not about driving a wedge in Europe. The pipeline itself is the wedge."

However, opponents of further sanctions argued that it would affect U.S. relations with Germany, which is set to be the biggest beneficiary of the pipeline but only when it approves it, which is going to take at least another few months. There are also German companies involved in the project.

The administration, for its part, has argued that sanctions now could limit Washington's power of persuasion in the future if it decides to work with European allies to impose more severe sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine.

Germany, meanwhile, has made it clear that the Nord Stream project is an entirely separate issue from events in and around Ukraine.

"We should not drag (Nord Stream 2) into this conflict," Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said this week, as quoted by Reuters. "We need to solve this conflict, and we need to solve it in talks - that's the opportunity that we have at the moment, and we should use it rather than draw a link to projects that have no connection to this conflict."

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The Westside school boards upcoming caucus became embroiled in controversy this week when a text message circulated on social media urging support for candidates who would give us a chance to get the critical race theory bulls- (white shaming) out of the schools.

The message, which was shared widely on social media, was sent by Joe Fulcher, who has since apologized and said he was speaking for himself and not the candidates he was backing.

In the text, he urged people to vote for four candidates  Miles deMayo, Suzanne DeJong, Mike Boyle and Colby Rinker  in the Feb. 1 caucus.

Boyle and Rinker have since dropped out of the race, leaving seven candidates running for two seats on the Westside school board. The top four candidates from the caucus will advance to the May 10 election.

Fulcher noted in the text that current board members Adam Yale and Kris Karnes are both seeking re-election.

If we can get people to vote for our 4, it eliminates votes for adam & kris, Fulcher wrote, adding later: Please keep this on the down low, as we want to surprise the enemy. 

Rinker, a Westside alum, said Thursday he dropped out of the race after learning of the text. He said one of the reasons he decided to run was to help build unity in a divisive world that we are right now.

Rinker said he doesnt know Fulcher and had only met him twice.

All of a sudden Im part of this coalition to destroy something that I love, Rinker said. I dont know why anybody would associate me with this. My whole world has exploded.

In the text, Fulcher said he and Westside parent Chris Hawkins have spearheaded the endeavor of recruiting four solid conservative patriots to run for the school board.

Hawkins said in a statement that while he hasnt always supported incumbents Yale and Karnes, he had no part in the text. He also said his interest in the school board election has nothing to do with CRT.

Critical race theory is a way of thinking about Americas history that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nations institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society, according to the Associated Press. It has become a lightning rod for many in the Republican Party.

DeJong released a statement Thursday saying she didnt authorize the text message and that it doesnt represent her motivations for running.

For someone to present me as being on either side of the political spectrum could not be further from reality, she said.

The text message drew an apology from Fulcher.

I was speaking only for myself, and I never actually discussed the issue of CRT with any candidates, Fulcher said in a statement. Im sorry that my tongue-in-cheek humor didnt translate via text.

People will have the opportunity to vote Feb. 1 in the seven-candidate race. Terry Buckman, Jaime Kruse and Jessica Powell are also running.

People can vote at Westside High School, 8701 Pacific St., from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on caucus day. Voting also will take place at the caucus after the candidates have spoken. Voter sign-in begins at 6 p.m., and the caucus will begin at 7 p.m.

Voter registration is not available at the caucus. District 66 residents who are not registered can register before the caucus at the Douglas County Election Commission, 12220 West Center Road.

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Federal prosecutors are recommending against jail time for an Omaha-based social media influencer who filmed himself participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and his team have recommended that Brandon Straka be sentenced to four months of home detention, three years of probation, 60 hours of community service and $600 in restitution.

Straka has previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the Capitol. He faces up to six months in jail and a fine up to $5,000, the sentencing recommendation says.

Graves noted Strakas large social media following and his efforts to overturn the election. The sentencing recommendation says home detention rather than jail time is merited because Straka did not personally attack others or destroy property.

Straka gained prominence in January 2018 with his #WalkAway campaign, which encouraged fellow Democrats to leave the party. Court documents indicate that a testimonial he posted that year garnered more than 41,000 likes and 890,000 views.

Straka was in Washington on Jan. 4-6, 2021, to make speeches at various rallies. He was on his way to one of those speeches when he heard that the Capitol was being stormed, so he changed course and headed there instead.

Once at the Capitol, Straka livestreamed his participation as he encouraged others to storm the building. He also egged on those around him who were trying to wrest a shield from a law enforcement officer. After leaving the grounds, he encouraged his Twitter followers to HOLD. THE. LINE. The message was liked and retweeted by thousands, the court said.

In the days prior to Jan. 6, Straka told his followers that civil war was underway in the U.S. and that were not going to be peaceful much longer.

But the recommendation also said that Straka was eager to be at the Capitol and that his comments afterward indicate that he didnt realize the gravity of his actions.

The recommendation notes that the attack was an attempt to block the peaceful transfer of power, injured more than 100 law enforcement officers and caused more than $1 million in property damage.

In a presentence interview with probation officers, Straka said that if he could go back in time, he would never have gone to Washington.

He also described the attack as having a disproportionate impact on his life and business given that he has been convicted of a misdemeanor.

A former hairstylist, Straka reported almost $680,000 in revenue for his #WalkAway nonprofit and political action committee. On Jan. 6, 2021, he had more than 660,000 Twitter followers. As of Thursday night, he had 498,000.

Straka talked about the assault on the Capitol in a video the next day and rebutted claims that Antifa was involved.

It was not Antifa; it was patriots desperate to be heard, he said.

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Tester urges state governments to better coordinate with tribal governments to successfully implement tribal broadband expansion from infrastructure bill
LINCOLN  Two state senators who represent districts in North Omaha sharply criticized Gov. Pete Ricketts proposal to spend $1.04 billion in federal COVID-19 relief money Thursday, saying his plan short-shrifts their communities.

Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney commented after Ricketts unveiled his plan for money the state is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, along with his annual budget proposals. The governor listed 29 uses, with the largest amounts going to a canal system in western Nebraska and to grants for construction projects initiated by nonprofit groups.

It shows he has no real commitment to North Omaha, McKinney said. If its about The Good Life, it should be about The Good Life for all Nebraskans.

Wayne said the proposal misses the mark by not directing more money to communities that have been the most affected by the pandemic. The federal law focuses particularly on people living in what are called qualified census tracts, as well as other low-income households. Half of Nebraskas qualified census tracts are in North and east Omaha.

Yet, Wayne said, Ricketts proposal calls for spending $362 million in rural Nebraska, while providing the potential of $97 million for North Omaha. Of the latter money, only $12 million is specifically designated for North Omaha.

The governor featured that $12 million project in his State of the State address, saying that through physical improvements such as providing high-speed fiber optic upgrades, and a comprehensive streetscape plan, the projects work promises to bring businesses and customers back to the area.

Earlier this month, Wayne and McKinney unveiled a detailed plan totaling almost $440 million for investing the federal money in the area. On Thursday, they introduced two bills to carry out the plan.

Legislative Bills 1024 and 1025 would create a special committee to gather information on the impact of COVID-19 on low-income and minority communities in Nebraska and provide grants. Money for the grants would come out of a newly created North Omaha Recovery Act Fund with $450 million in ARPA money.

To be eligible, applicants would have to explain how a grant would relieve the negative impact of COVID-19 in a qualified census tract in the boundaries of a city of the metropolitan class (that definition applies only to Omaha).

Wayne said Ricketts proposals would put the state at risk of having the federal government claw back money. Thats the potential penalty if the state does not follow federal guidelines for its use.

Some uses are allowed only for populations that the law designates as affected or disproportionately affected, such as lead paint remediation, aid to unemployed workers and programs addressing the lack of affordable housing. The state has to justify uses for other groups.

There is no justification for many of the projects outlined in the governors budget, nor do they meet the ARPA requirements, Wayne said.

McKinney said the governors budget shows his lack of commitment to alleviating the harms of poverty and historical disparities.

These funds were specifically designed to help people, not corporations and large organizations, he said. It shouldnt be about building prisons and building lakes.

McKinney has consistently, strongly opposed the plan to build a new prison, which Ricketts backs. He criticized the governor for wanting to put millions of dollars into a prison rather than into programs addressing the conditions that land people in prison.

At a briefing, Ricketts said he had not included as much for Omaha in his proposal because both Omaha and Douglas County are receiving ARPA dollars directly.

Spokesperson Alex Reuss offered similar information in an email responding to the senators critiques, saying together Omaha and Douglas County received $223.6 million in ARPA aid as well as other federal assistance for all areas of the state.

Reuss listed several other proposals within the governors recommendation that could have an effect in North Omaha: $60 million for projects under the Site and Building Development Act that will focus primarily on disproportionately impacted communities; $60 million for a pilot program to provide direct assistance to parents with low incomes for expenses to address learning loss caused by the pandemic; and $25 million for urban middle-income workforce housing.

Its also important to keep in mind that some of the rural project funding that theyre referring to will have a positive impact on the entire state, she wrote.

But Wayne said the state cant pass the buck and ignore its responsibility to the residents of North Omaha. McKinney added that neither the state nor the city showed a willingness to develop North Omaha during talks last year.

This story has been updated with additional comments from Alex Reuss.

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Congressman Jeff Fortenberry has been indicted on allegations he lied to FBI agents regarding the receipt of $30,000 in illegal campaign funds. In our legal system he is still innocent, but that doesnt stop politically motivated people from voicing their verdict and calling for his resignation.

Fortenberry has every right to continue serving and even run for reelection. However, where I take umbrage is that people close to him have made public statements insisting that the accusation has all the marks of being a political attack manufactured to take him out. Worse, reminding us that the midterm elections are right around the corner for control of the House.

Then Fortenberry himself, on his fundraising page, even claimed he is facing the Deep States bottomless pockets. What evidence is there, or could there be, that the Deep State is funding the Justice Department, for goodness sake? Its one thing to experiment with various versions of these lines in legal motions  which happen to have been rejected by the courts  but to say them to the public is irresponsible because it unnecessarily erodes trust in our already-fragile institutions.

Instead, a steel man argument that he simply didnt lie makes so much more sense and should be, if hes confident, all hed need to protect himself from a guilty verdict.

So why invoke the Deep State strawman? Well, unfortunately its probably a wise political strategy. The Deep State political heuristic is a shortcut to electrifying the base. It comes together seamlessly if youre inclined to believe the conspiracy is true.

Id ask him this question if we were in a smoke-filled room yucking it up: Is the value it brings to your campaign worth the further deterioration of the otherwise-healthy institutions of law? Its not like he needs the conspiracy to win. He wins because he is a good representative of his district. His record and reputation as a decent, moral person can continue to earn him campaign funds and win elections.

Maybe its not easy to simply give up such a potentially useful energy, the opportunity cost to not blame a Deep State may be relatively high for the campaign. If its true that our institutions are dangerously fragile  it is  and that we still have a chance to save them, then couldnt we hope to have an elected official make a small sacrifice for the sake of American institutions?

Perception is reality in our democracy, so we have to deal with it for what it is. Forgoing the opportunity to impugn the legal system in todays environment would be a disproportionately large win for our institutions considering all of the factors conspiring to erode things further. That the institutions are, on the whole, worthy of some trust is something tangible to work with. If people in power like Jeff Fortenberry who have huge reputation reservoirs cant stop from using institutions as punching bags, then why can we even hope things can get better?

Almost all elected officials Ive met know there isnt a threatening Deep State conspiracy, but they are inclined to let their campaigns use it to fill the coffers and rile the base. Its politics.

A politicians reputation is their most important professional asset. It is upon indictment, not a guilty verdict, that they begin paying their debt to society because they are forced to dedicate resources to protect that reputation.

If prosecutors were to let malice guide their actions in a case like this, as alleged, all they would have to do is indict and the damage is largely done. Its also a necessary step to pursue justice though, which we dont altogether trust because politicians are beating it up. Chicken or the egg?

As to whether Fortenberry lied, who knows? The prosecutor is taking a huge chance though, because an acquittal will be taken as proof of a setup, so the cycle continues. What we can know is whether now is the time to ask politicians to take the high road and do the work of fixing our cherished institutions.

Jeremy Aspen is a businessman and host of Bootstrappers. A self-proclaimed localitarian, he serves on the Omaha Zoning Board of Appeals and is engaged in political, social or charity opportunities to help make Omaha a better place to live.
Photo hunter

Like Mr. Greers hunting slam (Dec. 26), our son-in-law also hunts animals and uses rather expensive, sophisticated equipment in his searches. However, his equipment consists of photography gear. When hes through with his prey, the animals are still alive, unharmed, free to live their lives, and are available for others to see and enjoy. And his trophies? A beautiful collection of photographs that can be shared and seen by many.

Jaye Welch, Bellevue

COVID question

Jim Birkel had a virus question (Pulse, Jan. 5). He wondered if mask mandates and vaccine requirements were more about governmental control than our health. He suggested that we would be unhappy if the government attempted to improve our heart health by applying restrictions and guidelines around weight, exercise and alcohol consumption.

First and foremost, if one chooses to eat and drink to excess and rarely exercise it affects just them, though their resulting conditions cost millions. However, it is just their heart. Their health. And, in fact, the government has attempted to assist (he might prefer the term control) citizens in caring about their heart health through various campaigns and even through the use of some punitive measures such as increased taxes on items that contribute to poor health. These include cigarettes, alcohol and even my personal downfall, soda.

I dont resent these efforts; as a member of society I understand that Im not just an individual with rights but also a citizen with responsibilities to others. And this is where Mr. Brickels heart comparison skips a beat. We are currently in a global pandemic. It is a virus that spreads through droplets in the air. While I may not get terribly sick, when I cough and sneeze these droplets are spewed into the face of other citizens that may not be as fortunate.

There was a time in my lifetime that we were taught less about individual freedoms and more about citizenship and the greater good. No more. Instead, it is viewed as government over-reach and control. People no longer see it as a patriotic act to do what is best for all, even set their views aside for the well-being of others. In fact, they go out of their way to thwart efforts. It has been one of the greatest disappointments of my life to realize Americans no longer view their citizenship as a responsibility but rather a right to do as they wish. Ironically, those with the strongest opinions against mask mandates and vaccines are most likely to view themselves as patriots. They are not.

Susan Johannes, Elkhorn

Brass ring

Americans of all stripes are a lot less informed than you can imagine. They are always looking for the brass ring. Give him a bellyful of instant food, a case of beer (or Chardonnay), a medicine cabinet full of prescription dope, titillate him with a steady stream on his VCR and America will ignore the evidence of his senses and support anything which will not tax his leisure life.

Greg Weldon, Papillion

Grassley report

I read with interest the government-funded report entitled, Sen. Grassley Marks Policy, Oversight Accomplishments in 2021. It is an impressive 40-page document with 24 color photos, 14 of which show the senator in action, including one of him standing in his New Hartford farm field with his arms outstretched.

The report is divided into 22 topics, arranged alphabetically from agriculture to whistleblowers (https://www.grassley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2021_Grassley%20Accomplishments.pdf). Each section describes the senators efforts to introduce or support legislation or policy related to one of these topics. He was obviously busy this past year.

Although I have specific concerns with many of Sen. Grassleys positions as outlined in his report, my overriding concern is the glaring absence of what I consider the most important governmental issue today: voting rights. The 9,800-word report does not contain the phrase voting rights even once. Where does Sen. Grassley stand on this topic? What action has he taken? How can any U.S. senator quietly sit by and allow state legislatures, including Iowas, to enact laws to restrict access to voting based on claims of election fraud which have been repeatedly proven to be false? Which of the 22 issues Sen. Grassley worked on in 2021 is more important for our democracy than the right to vote? His silence on this topic, and the silence of his colleagues in the senate, speaks volumes about their legislative priorities and their vision for the future of our great country.

Thomas Cook, Iowa City
Streetwise: Monument to the Deceased



January 2022

by Frank DunniganJanuary 2022

During my first week of high school at the old St. Ignatius on Stanyan Street, in September of 1966, San Francisco was experiencing a typical September heat wave. Glancing out one of the classroom windows on the west side of the building, searching for the first wisps of incoming fog, I caught sight of an old, domed structure a few blocks away, near Geary & Arguello. Thinking it was a misplaced piece of Civic Center architecture, I soon learned that it was The Columbariumone of the last vestiges of the Odd Fellows Cemetery that used to occupy a large chunk of the neighborhood

Odd Fellows one of the Citys major burial grounds in what eventually became the Richmond District (Calvary, Laurel Hill, and Masonic were the others). Opened in 1854 and eventually covering 167 acres, Odd Fellows was run by the large fraternal organization. Perpetual endowment care of gravesites was not practiced in those days, and upkeep of grounds and monuments was a responsibility mostly left to family and friends of the deceased. Within two decades or so, two of those local cemeteriesOdd Fellows and Masonicbegan to experience financial difficulties and poor maintenance because many of their gravesites were no longer visited and cared for. The areas other two nearby cemeteriesLaurel Hill and Calvarywere in slightly better financial shape and were able to preserve a better level of care for their grounds, with loved ones of their deceased inhabitants still visiting with sufficient regularity. By the mid-1890s, the organization running Odd Fellows Cemetery eventually decided that cremation, then gaining in popularity in the United States, was a low-cost, low-maintenance solution to their financial challenges.

Designed by London-born architect Bernard Cahill and opened in 1898, the copper-domed, neo-Classical Columbarium was designed to harmonize with another Cahill-designed building on the propertythe Crematorium, built in 1895 and situated farther west on the property. With rich interior ornamentation, the Columbarium proved to be a popular alternative to the far-off Colma-based cemeteries that were then being developed as alternatives to any further expansion of San Francisco-based burial grounds. With more than 5,000 individual spaces originally available beneath a magnificent domed skylight, mosaic tile floors, statuary, and stained glass windows, the Columbarium was an architectural treasure from the time it first opened, and the cemetery continued to draw large crowds.

Unfortunately for the Odd Fellows organization, the expansion of homes and businesses into the Richmond District was accelerating as the 20th Century began, and the battle was soon on, with many San Franciscans insisting that the cemeteries must go. In 1902, the Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance banning any further sale of cemetery lots with the city limits, and in 1910, cremations were also prohibited. Those who owned spaces within San Francisco, were permitted to use them as the need arose, but without the sale of additional spaces, income for cemetery maintenance dried up. The Crematorium, adjacent to the site of the present Rossi Pool (built in 1957) was the first major portion of the cemetery to be demolished once cremation was outlawed in the World War I era.

The battle between preservationists and developers continued for some time, and the Odd Fellows organization subsequently developed Green Lawn Cemetery in Colma, and their San Francisco cemetery site was officially closed in 1923. By the late 1920s, many families sensed that forced removals by the City were about to take commence. Many of them chose to begin relocating the graves of loved ones at a personal cost to themselves, and others, fearing the eventual demolition of the Columbarium, did likewise. Maintenance of the entire parcel declined rapidly, and by 1933, remains that had not been removed, were disinterred and relocated to Colma. Set for demolition in 1934, the Columbarium was ultimately preserved, but was neglected for the next several decades.

Once the land had been cleared, new homes and businesses began to occupy the site, and Rossi Playground occupied a large portion of the property, fronting on Arguello Boulevard.

The Columbarium eventually faded into the past, and following the construction of the Coronet Theatre nearby in 1949, it remained obscured from the views of most passersby. Ownership passed through many different hands until the building was acquired by the Neptune Society in 1980.

Over the last four decades, there has been a detailed cleanup and restoration program, plus some tasteful additions of new resting places (capacity of 8,500 today), on both the interior and exterior of the original building. Virtually all of the previously vacated indoor niches have now largely been sub-divided and re-sold to new owners who are happy to retain a San Francisco address into perpetuity.

Among the notable names of Columbarium occupants are Supervisor Harvey Milk, twin sisters Marian and Vivian Brown, members of the Folger coffee family, Chet Helms (music promoter of San Franciscos 1967 Summer of Love), musician Jose Santana (father of Carlos Santana), as well as family members associated with several nearby street names (Eddy, Steiner, Haight, Page), as well as San Franciscos post-Fire Mayor, Edward Robeson Taylor.

As time went on, the wide swath of Richmond District cemeteries was generally forgotten by the public. There were, however, some unfortunate reminders of the past. A number of local property owners, while conducting landscaping or home remodeling projects, have come across overlooked caskets and other stark reminders of what had once occupied the neighborhood.

Read more about the history of Richmond District cemeteries in Woody LaBounty's 2001 article

Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places!
BLOOMINGTON  Hospitals in McLean County are seeing more patient admissions this week from COVID-19, according to Thursday's update from the McLean County Health Department.

MCHD reported 697 cases new cases on Thursday, taking the total case count to 39,156. Of those, its statement said, 4,974 are isolated at home and 33,809 are recovered.

In total, MCHD reports tallied 53 people from McLean County as currently receiving hospital care for the virus. That number rose by three since Wednesday.

The grand total of COVID patients listed at hospitals in the county jumped by four since Wednesday to 70. Comparatively, ICU availability is making a comeback, with 89% of those beds open as of Thursday. That figure was was 92% the day prior.

Overall hospital bed vacancy increased slightly Thursday, as their usage dropped one point to 98%.

The cumulative positivity rate for McLean County is holding at 5.2%, with over 746,000 tests recorded since the start of the pandemic. Health officials found the weekly average for positive tests has dropped to to 17.8% as of Tuesday. The seven-day average as of Monday was 19.2%.

On Thursday, 326 people were tested for the virus at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, with an average wait time of five minutes, according to Reditus Laboratories, which operates the testing site.

Since Wednesday, there have been 623 vaccine doses issued in McLean County, counting toward a total of 253,167 shots administered. MCHD said 58.72% of the county's population is fully vaccinated, just behind the Illinois vaccination rate of 61.24%.

Just over 92% of people ages 65 and up are completely inoculated for the virus, according to MCHD. For the age groups of 12-17 and 18-64, that number is about 62%. Less than 19% of children ages 5-11 have been vaccinated, per MCHD.

Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison

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BLOOMINGTON  McLean County Board members on Thursday approved reimbursements to the sheriffs office for costs associated with holding inmates sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections while prisons halted intakes throughout the pandemic.

The IDOC had resumed some intakes last year, but it again notified county sheriffs Tuesday that prisons would stop taking transfers because of COVID-19 outbreaks at state prisons.

The McLean County Sheriffs office is lined up to receive about $310,000 in reimbursements from the IDOC, Sheriff Jon Sandage said. But that is far below what the sheriffs department spent, he said.

Illinois is paying McLean County a rate of $35 per inmate per day, according to the agreement. McLean County, however, spent $73 per inmate per day, Sandage wrote in the agreement documents.

Its not what we wanted, but the state has put us in a corner where this is all you get, Sandage said in a committee hearing last week, slamming the state government for notifying county sheriffs of the offer Dec. 20 and requiring a response to opt into the reimbursement by Dec. 31.

The state said payments should arrive to county sheriffs within 60 to 90 days.

Sandage told The Pantagraph that as of Wednesday, the county jail was holding 44 people who should otherwise be serving time in IDOC. Some of the 44 people have been awaiting transfer for a couple months at least, he said.

The jails total population sat at 201 as of Wednesday.

The county jails last transport to IDOC was Dec. 17. Transfers throughout the pandemic have been sporadic, the sheriff said.

In usual times, we would make two trips a week, Sandage said.

Most of McLean Countys inmates are transferred to the Northern Reception and Classification Center at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Sandage said. That facility currently has 96 inmates and 75 staff members who are positive with COVID, according to the IDOCs online coronavirus dashboard.

Illinois Sheriffs Association Director Jim Kaitschuk said in a statement that IDOCs decision to stop intakes again will only further exacerbate the challenges at the local level.

Jails across the state also have to work through issues created by COVID, while accepting additional arrestees into their care, Kaitschuk said.

Sandage reiterated that concern as the McLean County Jail is coming off its largest COVID outbreak since the start of the pandemic.

The outbreak at the jail is steadily on the decline, Sandage said Thursday.

As of Jan. 4, the jail had five inmates and two staff members who were positive with COVID, the sheriff said at last weeks justice committee meeting.

Of course, it has an impact on our budget, but more importantly, it has an impact on our staff, Sandage told The Pantagraph. Our staff is burnt out with overtime, they have worked exceptionally well all through COVID, so, my concern right now is the staff.

The jail employs about 70 workers, the sheriff said.

Remote county board meetings

McLean County Board member Elizabeth Johnston, D-District 5, at the end of Thursdays meeting suggested moving board meetings virtually amid the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Member Shayna Watchinski, D-District 8, agreed.

I would also like to see that happen, as well, Watchinski said. I think were back at a point where its worse now than it was when we were in virtual meetings before.

The concerns come as the Bloomington City Council recently reverted to virtual meetings because of increasing COVID cases.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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A group known as the Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers have set aside Tuesday, 8th February 2022 as a No Calls Day.



According to them, Ghanaians are not expected to make or receive phone calls as a way of registering their disquiet about the circus surrounding the SIM card re-registration exercise.



In a statement singned by certain key personalities including former Member of Parliament, Ras Mubarak, Prof. Raymond Atuguba, Mr. Samson Lardy Anyenini, Mr. Manasseh Azure Awuni they explained that there is no law in Ghana that requires Ghanaian mobile network subscribers to Re-register their SIM cards.



"Any attempt to impose this on subscribers or block their lines would amount to an infringement of their property rights," the statement added.



Read Statement Below



GHANAIANS TO BOYCOTT MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS



We, the undersigned Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers, having consulted Ghanaians across the country, have set aside Tuesday 8th February 2022 as a No Calls Day. On that day, we call on all Ghanaians not to make or receive phone calls as a way of registering our disquiet about the circus surrounding the SIM card re-registration exercise.



The No Calls Day boycott on 8th February would be the first in a series of national boycotts to protest against the current inhumane process of re-registration of SIM cards.



There is no law in Ghana that requires Ghanaian mobile network subscribers to Re-register their SIM cards.



Any attempt to impose this on subscribers or block their lines would amount to an infringement of their property rights.



Our demands are as follows:



(I) The National Communication Authority (NCA) should immediately withdraw its directive for mobile network customers to re-register their SIM cards by 31st March 2022.



(II) When the appropriate legal framework is in place, a re-registration exercise can be done without having subscribers spend productive hours and several days in long queues in the midst of a ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.



(II) Theres understandably a need to eliminate crime. But the fight against criminals must be within the law. We therefore demand that the NCA and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) must come up with a better and innovative way of re-registering the SIM cards by first amending existing law; and, secondly, to do so without the current inhumane re-registration process we are witnessing.



If the NCA and the MNOs fail to heed these demands, we shall, starting Tuesday, 8th February 2022 begin the first of a series of planned boycotts until the rights of customers to be treated with dignity are respected.



Signed:



Mr. Ras Mubarak

Prof. Raymond Atuguba

Mr. Kofi Bentil

Mr. Franklin Cudjoe

Mr. Kofi Kakraba Pratt

Dr. Kwesi Owusu

Mr. James Afedo

Mr. Selorm Branttie

Mr. Francis Kofi Korankye-Sakyi

Mr. Samson Lardy Anyenini

Mr. Manasseh Azure Awuni

Akyaaba Addai - Sebo

Mr. Kwame Mfodwo

Ms. Amma Sarfo-Kantanka

Mr. Michael Ofori - Akuffo

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









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Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), an advocacy organisation, has commended the Ghana Education Service (GES) for dismissing staff who were involved in examination malpractices during the 2020 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).



It said the move was a bold statement of zero tolerance for teachers involvement in examination malpractices.



Our review of the performance of the Education Sector in 2021 indicates that the MoE made significant gains towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal Four targets that require consolidation, while addressing critical areas of policy deficits, a New Years message from Eduwatch said.



Teacher rationalisation



In 2021, it said about 44,000 teachers (over 15%) left the basic school system with no replacements and that while the ongoing efforts to recruit some 16,000 teachers was commendable, it did not address the deficit half-way.



The Ministry of Education, it said, must ensure the posting of all newly recruited teachers to deprived districts where they were needed, devoid of any protocol considerations.



In addition, it said the many districts with surplus teachers should be decongested and teachers reposted to empty classrooms in deprived districts where they are most needed.



Eduwatchs foremost priority for 2022 is to support the MoE by monitoring teacher postings and teacher deployment in general, in line with the Ministers vision of one teacher per classroom. Our Every Child Deserves a Teacher Campaign will be launched later this month, it said.



Standard Based Curriculum



The message, among other things, said the first two years of implementing the Standard Based Curriculum (SBC) had not been the best due to the lack of textbooks and the myriad of planning deficits surrounding the roll-out of the Junior High School (JHS) Curriculum I.E., Common Core Programme (CCP).



To rewrite this script, Eduwatch indicated that the ministry must streamline communication on timelines for rolling out the SBC in JHS and SHS to enable proper planning; make textbooks available to all kindergartens and primary schools this term; train teachers in the CCP before roll-out this term and provide textbooks for the CCP in the 2022 academic year.









Source: graphiconline.com









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The Western and Western North Regional National Ambulance Service has asked for a postmortem on the 31-year-old, Augustina Awortwe, who lost her life while in transit after delivery at the Holy Child Catholic Hospital (HCCH) at Fijai, a suburb of Takoradi.



Dr Tawiah Siameh, Western Regional Coordinator of the National Ambulance Service, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the incident raised questions that required answers.



I think a lot of things happened at the Hospital (Holy Child Catholic Hospital) and that is where the delay arose. We must admit that it happened that they did not even get to Cape Coast when the woman started deteriorating thereby raising a lot of questions.



In what state was the woman? because if the woman is in a very critical state, I would have suggested that at Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, we have obstetricians and gynecologists and even a consultant obstetrician-gynecologist who could have sorted this thing out at that level, he argued.



He explained that even if the intensive care was not ready, we have a high dependency unit which could have sorted this woman out to a certain level before she was further transported as there are ramps along the way and traffic that pose great complications and risks.



We could really have sorted this woman to be stable enough so I think there are a lot of questions. We are, therefore, suggesting that a post mortem be done, he stated.



He said though the story-making rounds remained allegations against the Ambulance Service, the matter ought to be investigated.



We need to find out why we needed to move this woman in the first place and what really happened since we are still in the dark on that aspect, he said.









Source: GNA









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A Nigerian woman has introduced girls from a conservative society in Sokoto to the world of mechanics.



Fatima Adamu, who is founder of the non-profit organisation Nana: Girls and Women Empowerment Initiative, has opened a workshop for the girls.



Some 25 young mechanic apprentices aged 18 and over are getting to the end of two years of training.



The girls applied for the rare opportunity and had a hard time convincing their parents to allow them to be trained in the male-dominated field.



Ms Adamu told the BBC's Newsday that the girls were willing to learn, and proved wrong those in society who viewed the field as masculine.



"It is so empowering and it is something to be proud of," she said.



"They are making money out of it now and it is encouraging," she continued.



Ms Adamu was planning to end the training programme but a large number of girls have already reached out for the next intake.



She hopes the success of the first cohort has helped the society to accept that women too, can excel in that field.

Source: BBC









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Casey Gallagher, 10, raises her hand in math class at St. Benedict Catholic School on Jan. 12, 2022, on Chicago's North Side. The Archdiocese of Chicago's elementary and high schools were busy fielding phone calls from parents this week, frustrated by the latest Chicago Public Schools versus Chicago Teachers Union standoff, hoping to enroll their children in one of the city's Catholic schools. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

After enduring the hardships of Chicago Public Schools teachers strike in 2019, a delayed reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and a seemingly endless stretch of remote learning, Pilsen resident Christina Castro decided last fall to transfer her three children to Catholic schools.

The public school system was already so unpredictable, and once we were in a pandemic, it definitely wasnt heading in a positive direction, said Castro, 36.

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She enrolled her two youngest children at St. Ann School, just a two-block walk from their home, and transferred her eldest daughter, a junior, to De La Salle Institute, a private Catholic high school on the citys South Side.

We received financial aid  my older daughter earned a merit scholarship  and all three of my kids are thriving in their new environment, Castro said.

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Preschool teacher Kristen Hayes talks with 4-year-old Aubrey Schick in class at St. Benedict Catholic School on Jan. 12, 2022, on Chicago's North Side. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

After the latest battle between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union led to canceled classes for 330,000 students, the phone lines at many of the citys Catholic schools were jammed with calls this week from weary parents, inquiring how to enroll their children.

Greg Richmond, superintendent of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, said its too early to gauge the impact of the latest CPS shutdown on enrollment at the 157 archdiocesan-run schools in Cook and Lake counties, including 85 Catholic elementary schools and high schools in the city.

But in fall, months before the latest standoff between CPS and the CTU shuttered city schools for five days, the archdiocese schools reported a 5% jump in student enrollment  the first increase the school system has seen in 40 years.

I know from talking with parents that theres a lot of frustration right now, Richmond said.

When families started moving their kids out of the public schools during the pandemic, he thought it was due in part to CPS and many suburban school districts remaining online, while Catholic schools fully reopened classrooms at the start of the 2020-21 school year.

We thought the growth might just be temporary, and families might check us out, and then leave when their public schools reopened, but now, were seeing that most of them are staying, Richmond said.

Despite the recent resurgence in Catholic school enrollment, the pandemic has taken its toll. For the 2020-21 school year, student enrollment at the archdiocese schools declined by 8.2%, or about 5,600 students, archdiocese school officials said last February. The schools now enroll about 50,000 students.

Dayne Kemereley, 10, left, and Gavin Connolly, 11, work in their fifth grade math class at St. Benedict Catholic School on Jan. 12, 2022, in Chicago. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

Nationwide, as of February 2021, Catholic school enrollment dropped 6.4% during the pandemic  the largest single-year decline in nearly 50 years, according to officials at the National Catholic Educational Association.

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The declines are likely because of the financial hardships, including unemployment, many families faced since the onset of the pandemic.

Still, officials at the archdiocese said this week they hope the enrollment growth this school year will continue its upward trend, especially given enhanced opportunities for financial aid.

The archdiocese raised more than $11.5 million through the Illinois Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program to pay full tuition for 2,100 children from low-income families this year, and more than 4,700 children remain on the scholarship wait list.

Signed into law in 2017, the Illinois Invest in Kids Act allows those who contribute to the scholarship program to receive a credit of 75% of their donation toward their state income taxes, and allows donors to choose which non-public school receives the scholarship.

While tuition varies among schools, the average elementary school tuition is about $5,900, and between $9,000 and $15,000 for high schools. That is before financial aid, which archdiocese officials said is offered to families at all of its schools based upon need.

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As we still work our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, our Catholic schools have become beacons of hope for families committed to in-person learning, Cardinal Blase Cupich said in a December video message, adding that officials have seen students thrive socially and emotionally and achieve noteworthy test score gains.

Math teacher Rachel Smith teaches her fifth graders at St. Benedict Catholic School on Jan. 12, 2022, in Chicago. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

As the mother of two students previously enrolled at Waters Elementary School, Angie McKinney said her family lived through both the 2019 CPS teachers strike and numerous pandemic-era interruptions to their childrens education.

We all hated the remote learning, which seemed out of control, and when I had questions, I couldnt get a response. ... It was a mess, said McKinney, 42, who transferred her children, now in sixth and eighth grade, out of CPS and into her neighborhood Catholic school, St. Matthias School in Lincoln Square, halfway through the 2020-21 school year.

Between financial aid and budgeting, McKinney, who is a stay-at-home mom, said the family has figured out a way to pay the childrens private school tuition bills.

I loved Waters, and all of the families there, but the Catholic school experience really resonates with me, and the sense of community is like a family, and so tightly knit, McKinney said.

Back in Pilsen, Castro said after the recent CPS shutdown, she is hearing from friends who have grown increasingly weary of the ongoing battles, and are considering enrolling their children at St. Ann.

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I think theres a lot of frustration with CPS, because they really dropped the ball, and they still have not been able to get it together, Castro said.

I knew it would be expensive to send three kids to private schools, but I thought, with faith, hope and prayer, well figure it out, and we have, she said.

kcullotta@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kcullotta
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The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for a stronger partnership with government and civil society in promoting accountability during Parliaments second year of his tenure.



He has also asked for God's guidance and blessings for the legislature as it begins the second year of its four-year tenure, and also for the Executive, the Judiciary and all Ghanaians.



Mr Bagbin, who is a former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Nadowli-Kaleo, won the Speaker position with 138 votes as against 136 votes by his contender, Prof. Mike Oquaye.



In a statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament, Mr Bagbin expressed appreciation to Ghanaians who had extended congratulations and encouragement to him as he concluded his first year as Speaker of the Eighth Parliament.



Support



The statement expressed appreciation to Ghanaians for their support in his first year in office.



He said he was touched by the love showed and the prayers for him during his first year as Speaker.



"The Speaker is touched and humbled by the love showed him and the prayers said for him on that occasion," it said and added that "He recognises that the overwhelming messages of goodwill are an indication that Ghanaians are following the work of the Eighth Parliament with lots of expectations and keen interest."



Assurance

The statement assured Ghanaians that Mr Bagbin would continue to do his best to ensure the growth and development of the country, especially in the area of parliamentary democracy and good governance.







Source: graphiconline.com









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Ghana is one of the pacesetters of democratic rule on the continent of Africa. After military disruptions of the first, second and third republics, the Fourth Republic has been sustained for 30 years.

The attainment of this feat did not come easy.



One of the democratically elected governments that was short-lived was that of the Progress Party (PP) led by Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, which was overthrown on January 13, 1972.



Thursday, January 13, 2022, marked the golden jubilee of the overthrow of Dr Busia, a stalwart of Ghanas democratic dispensation.



Election/Overthrow



The PP, led by Dr Busia in 1969, won the elections that was conducted with 105 of the 140 parliamentary seats, enabling him to become the Prime Minister of the Second Republic.



The Second Republic was inaugurated at the Black Star Square on October 1, 1969 with Dr Busia as the Prime Minister and Mr Edward Akufo-Addo as the ceremonial President.



Mr Edward Akufo-Addo (deceased) is the father of Ghanas current President, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



However, the government of Dr Busia was short-lived as it stayed in office for just 27 months and was overthrown through a coup detat led by the then Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong.



Dr Busia had gone to Britain for a medical check-up when his government was overthrown on January 13, 1972. He remained in Britain where he died in August 1978.



Achievements



Although Dr Busia could not serve his full term of office, he is credited with his rural development policy that saw the provision of water, electricity and health facilities for rural communities. By 1972, more than 30 projects had been executed, one of them being the provision of potable water for some villages in Apam and its environs.



There was a water project at Kwanyako, near Agona Swedru, that was to serve more than 44,000 inhabitants in 22 villages and towns in the Gomoa Akyempim area. Other areas which enjoyed the supply of pipe-borne water were Avoeme, Papase, Prampram, Danfa and Pantang.



The Barekese Dam was started to supply water for over one million people in the Greater Kumasi area and over 72 sub-urban towns and villages within 20 miles radius of Kumasi.



Under the Rural Electrification Scheme, a total of 50 towns and villages were connected to the national grid. Some of the towns which now enjoy power from Akosombo were Nsuta, Biriwa, Kade, Suhum and Somanya.



The health needs of the rural folks were of prime importance to Busia so he sought to improve the health sector.



In 1970, the Danfa Project to train traditional midwives in hygienic delivery was established.



Also 96,873.05 was devoted to agriculture in the Volta Region.



The breakdown was: 48,000 for a Farm Mechanisation School at Ohawu; 3,500 for an office building and Fumigation chamber at Aflao and 23,025.00 for stores of the irrigation project.









Source: graphiconline.com









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MIT Professor Harry L. Tuller (right), Graduate Student Thomas Defferriere, and colleagues have shown how light can boost the performance of lithium batteries, fuel cells, and other devices based on the movement of charged atoms, or ions. Credit: Denis Paiste, MIT Materials Research Laboratory, 2019

Engineers from MIT and Kyushu University in Japan have demonstrated for the first time that light can be used to significantly improve the performance of fuel cells, lithium batteries and other devices that are based on the movement of charged atoms, or ions.

Charge can be carried through a material in different ways. We are most familiar with the charge that is carried by the electrons that help make up an atom. Light has long been used to excite electrons to make them more conductive. Common applications include solar cells, and even supermarket doors that automatically open when a customer passes through. The latter rely on sensors in the door activated by the infrared radiationlightnaturally emitted by the customer.

"But there are many devices that depend on the motion of the ions themselves rather than just their constituent electrons," says Harry L. Tuller, the R.P. Simmons Professor of Ceramics and Electronic Materials in MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE). Examples include lithium batteries, which depend on the movement of lithium ions during battery charge and discharge. Similarly, fuel cells depend on the movement of hydrogen and oxygen ions to create electricity.

Tuller co-led the current work with Jennifer L. M. Rupp, an MIT Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and an Associate Professor of Solid-State Electrolyte Chemistry at Technical University Munich in Germany.

The problem

"So here comes the rub," says Tuller, who is also affiliated with MIT's Materials Research Laboratory (as is Rupp) and the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER) at Kyushu University.

The materials behind applications based on the movement of ions, known as solid electrolytes, are ceramics. Ceramics, in turn, are composed of tiny crystallite grains that are compacted and fired at high temperatures to form a dense structure. The problem is that ions traveling through the material are often stymied at the boundaries between the grains.

"What we find is that the ionic conductivitythe rate at which the ions can move and, therefore, how efficient the resulting device can beis often markedly degraded by the fact that the ions get blocked at these grain boundaries," says Tuller.

The solution

In the new work, reported in the January 13 issue of Nature Materials, the engineers show how light can be used to lower the barrier that ions encounter at grain boundaries. "We're lowering the barrier height with light, and in doing so, we're able to enhance the flow of the ions by a factor of three," Tuller says. "We expect that we should be able to increase that to orders of magnitude by optimizing the system."

As DMSE Graduate Student Thomas Defferriere explains, "think of the barrier as a deep gorge between two mountains. A person trying to get from one mountain to the other would face a difficult hike. Imagine, however, that the gorge fills with water. Suddenly it's much easier to make the trip. The hiker can simply take a boat or swim."

Experimental setup operated by Dr. Dino Klotz showing that light can boost the performance of fuel cells, lithium batteries, and other devices based on the movement of charged atoms, or ions. Klotz is an assistant professor at the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER) and an MIT research affiliate. Credit: Yuki Nogami (I2CNER)

The researchers specifically demonstrated the effect of light on the movement of oxygen ions through a popular solid electrolyte composed of ceria and gadolinium. "Our findings," Defferriere says, "are also expected to apply to other ceramics systems that conduct different elements."

William Chueh is an associate professor of materials science and engineering at Stanford University. Says Chueh, who was not involved in the Nature Materials study:

"While the movement of electrons under the illumination of light is extensively studied, the movement of ions is only now receiving attention. The work by Tuller and colleagues demonstrates that illuminating materials for fuel cells, electrolyzers and batteries can substantially lower the bottleneck on ion movement. This intriguing discovery opens up the tantalizing possibility to use light to enhance energy storage and conversion devices that normally operate in the dark."

Sossina Haile is the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University. Says Haile, who was not involved in the current work:

"It's a very exciting result. It even suggests that light could be used as a switch to turn ion motion on and off. If that is true, the possibilities are spectacular."

Many applications

The work could have many applications. For example, it could boost the performance of thin lithium battery electrolytes by increasing charging rates. Light can also be finely focused, allowing control of the flow of ions spatially at very precise specified locations.

Tuller and Defferriere note that some devices based on ionic conductivity, like solid oxide fuel cells, must be operated at very high temperatures (~700 degrees Centigrade) for the ions to overcome and move across the grain boundary barriers. And high temperatures, in turn, bring their own problems. For example, the material itself can degrade, and the infrastructure to accommodate such temperatures is expensive.

"Our dream was to see if we could overcome the barriers using something that doesn't require heat. Could we get the same conductivities with another tool?" says Defferriere. That tool turned out to be light, which had never been explored before in this context.

The work was very interdisciplinary. "It forced us to get out of the comfort zone of our traditional field, which involves ceramics and electrochemistry, and into the semiconductor world," Defferriere says. "This is one of those examples where if we'd stayed in our own field, we couldn't have come up with this and we couldn't have explained it. It was very exciting."

Explore further Molecular paddlewheels propel sodium ions through next-generation batteries

More information: Thomas Defferriere et al, Photo-enhanced ionic conductivity across grain boundaries in polycrystalline ceramics, Nature Materials (2022). Journal information: Nature Materials Thomas Defferriere et al, Photo-enhanced ionic conductivity across grain boundaries in polycrystalline ceramics,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-01181-2
Jumping spiders, the flamboyant dandies of the eight-legged set, have names inspired by peacocks, cardinals and other colorful icons.

But University of Cincinnati associate professor Nathan Morehouse and an international team of researchers led by Cynthia Tedore at the University of Hamburg found that one jumping spider might have little appreciation for its own vivid splendor.

The researchers examined Saitis barbipes, a common jumping spider found in Europe and North Africa. Males have a furry red crown and legs. Their coloration seems to complement their elaborate courtship dances to woo discerning females.

"We assumed they were using color for communication. But we didn't know if their visual system even allowed them to see those colors," said David Outomuro, a UC postdoctoral researcher now at the University of Pittsburgh.

Outomuro was first co-author of the study with Mateusz Glenszczyk, a researcher from the University of Hamburg.

Biologists collected spiders in Slovenia for lab study in Germany and used microspectrophotometry at UC to identify photoreceptors sensitive to various light wavelengths or colors. Unexpectedly, they found no evidence of a red photoreceptor. Likewise, they looked for colored filters within the eye that might shift green sensitivity to red, but found none.

Instead, they identified patches on the spider that strongly absorb ultraviolet wavelengths to appear as bright "spider green" to other jumping spiders. The red colors that are so vivid to us likely appear no different than black markings to jumping spiders.

Color contrasts that may be visible to the male jumping spider Saitis barbipes, left, compared to birds and people, right. Instead of the vivid red we see on its face and legs, the jumping spider sees a brilliant "spider green. Credit: Mateusz Glenszczyk and Cynthia Tedore

"It's a bit of a head-scratcher what's going on here," professor Morehouse said. "We haven't solved the mystery of what the red is doing."

The study was published in the journal The Science of Nature.

Animals use color in all sorts of ways, including camouflage, warning potential predators of their toxicity, showing off to potential mates or intimidating rivals. But it's not always apparent what bright colors might signify, Morehouse said.

"We spent a lot of time talking about it as a group. What else could it be? I feel there's an interesting story behind the mystery," he said.

The results were surprising, said senior study author Tedore, a research associate at the University of Hamburg.

"Males have bold red and black coloration on their forward-facing body surfaces which they display during their courtship dances; whereas, females lack red coloration altogether," she said. "This initially suggested to us that the red color must play some role in mate attraction.

"Instead, we found that red and black are perceived equivalently, or nearly so, by these spiders and that if red is perceived as different from black, it is perceived as a dark 'spider green' rather than red," Tedore said.

The spider's red and black colors might improve defensive camouflage, the study suggested.

"For predators with red vision, at natural viewing distances, the spider's red and black color patches should blur together to become an intermediate orangish-brownish color, which would help the spider blend in with its leaf litter habitat better than all-black coloration would," Tedore said.

Many colorful jumping spiders see red perfectly well. And paradoxically, some drab-colored spiders also have excellent color vision.

"We thought it would be a tidy project. Colorful spiders can see many colors," researcher Outomuro said.

But this discovery, Morehouse said, is a reminder of how animals can sometimes perceive the world in ways far different from us. For example, sunscreen absorbs ultraviolet light extremely well, but we never notice because we can't see that spectrum.

"If aliens were to study us, they might ask, "Why did they paint their bodies with strongly UV absorbing colors when they went on the beach?" We have no perception of ultraviolet light, so we have no idea we're creating these strong colors when we put sunscreen on," Morehouse said.

Morehouse is director of UC's new Institute for Research in Sensing, which examines the way we and other animals perceive the world.

"What does a wind turbine or a car window or a high-rise look like to a bird that might run into it?" he asked.

"We need to consider their perceptual worlds to coexist. But I also think it's inherently fascinating to imagine our ways into the lives of animals that experience the world in a way that is completely alien to us."

Explore further Jumping spiders are masters of miniature color vision

More information: Mateusz Glenszczyk et al, The jumping spider Saitis barbipes lacks a red photoreceptor to see its own sexually dimorphic red coloration, The Science of Nature (2021). Mateusz Glenszczyk et al, The jumping spider Saitis barbipes lacks a red photoreceptor to see its own sexually dimorphic red coloration,(2021). DOI: 10.1007/s00114-021-01774-6
Bourdeaux mix, a fungicide made of copper sulfate and lime, on grape leaves near Montevibiano in the province of Perugia, Italy. Credit: Wikipedia/Creative Commons

Copper released into the environment from fungicides, brake pads, antifouling paints on boats and other sources may be contributing significantly to stratospheric ozone depletion, according to a new study from the University of California, Berkeley.

In a paper appearing this week in the journal Nature Communications, UC Berkeley geochemists show that copper in soil and seawater acts as a catalyst to turn organic matter into both methyl bromide and methyl chloride, two potent halocarbon compounds that destroy ozone. Sunlight worsens the situation, producing about 10 times the amount of these methyl halides.

The findings answer, at least in part, a long-standing mystery about the origin of much of the methyl bromide and methyl chloride in the stratosphere. Since the worldwide ban on chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants and brominated halons used in fire extinguishers starting in 1989, these methyl halides have become the new dominant sources of ozone-depleting bromine and chlorine in the stratosphere. As the long-lived CFCs and halons slowly disappear from the atmosphere, the role of methyl halides increases.

"If we don't know where methyl bromide and methyl chloride are coming from, then how can we make sure that those compounds are reduced along with CFCs?" said the paper's senior author, Robert Rhew, UC Berkeley professor of geography and of environmental science, policy and management. "By 2050, we should be back to relatively normal ozone, but things like the continued emissions of methyl bromide and methyl chloride are road bumps in the road to recovery. Copper usage in the environment is projected to increase rapidly in the next few years, and this should be considered when predicting future halogen load and ozone recovery."

Earth's ozone layer is critical to protecting us from cancer-causing ultraviolet light from the sun, but chemicals containing chlorine and brominesuch as CFCs and halonswere found in the 1980s to destroy the ozone, creating thinner layers in the stratosphere that let in more of the dangerous radiation. Despite a ban on production of CFCs and halons, the major sources of halogens, the ozone layer has yet to repair itself. Last year, the hole in the ozone over Antarctica was about as bad as it's ever been, Rhew said.

Ozone-destroying chemicals take decades to dissipate

The persistence of the ozone hole is, for the most part, due to the persistence of banned ozone-depleting compounds, which take decades to dissipate in the stratosphere. But some ozone-depleting chemicals are still being emitted. Even some replacements for banned refrigerants are coming under scrutiny.

Among the major contributors today are methyl chloride and methyl bromide. One atom of bromine is 50 times more destructive to ozone than one atom of chlorine.

Though methyl bromide is banned for use as an agricultural soil fumigant, it is still used as a pesticide for quarantine and pre-shipment of agricultural products. And methyl chloride is used as a chemical feedstock, although most of its emissions are believed to be from biomass burning or natural in origin. But the total amount of these methyl halides produced each year still do not add up to the observed yearly addition of these chemicals to the atmosphere, a fact that has puzzled scientists for more than 20 years.

About one-third of the methyl bromide and methyl chloride in the atmosphere comes from unknown sources, Rhew said. The new findings suggest that copper is an important, if not the major, source of the missing methyl bromide and methyl chloride.

"We've banned methyl bromide, but are other changes that we're making in the environment causing large emissions of this compound into the atmosphere? With the increase in the use of copper, it appears that copper-catalyzed production is an increasing source, as well," Rhew said.

First author and former UC Berkeley doctoral student Yi Jiao, now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, noted that copper compounds are allowed on organic crops, a legacy of its use in farming since the 1700s, including as a major antifungal agent in the Bourdeax mixture used since the 1880s in France to prevent downy mildew on grapes. Copper contamination of soils is a major issue today in Europe because of this history. The ozone-depleting power of copper is another cause for concern, the authors said.

"Please note that organic agriculture is not a major cause for ozone depletion. However, copper-based fungicides appear to have atmospheric side effects that might be considered in terms of overall environmental impact," Jiao tweeted this week. "With widespread use of copper in the environment, this potentially growing impact should be considered when predicting future halogen load and ozone recovery."

Copper + soil + sunlight = methyl halides

The connection between copper and methyl halides was first revealed through a series of research projects conducted by UC Berkeley undergraduate researchers. Rhew asked them to test the impact of metal ions, starting by replicating previously published work on iron in soils. When this produced small amounts of methyl halides, Rhew then asked them to investigate a different metalcopperin the form of copper sulfate, one of the most common copper compounds used today.

"We replicated the iron experiment and then thought, "Let's look at a different transition metal, like copper, and see if it has a similar effect,'" Rhew said. "When we added copper sulfate to soil, it produced a tremendous amount of methyl halides, and this surprised us. And then another undergraduate did the experiment with seawater, and that produced an impressive amount of methyl halides, as well. So, we knew there was a novel process going on, but we only had a few pieces to the puzzle until Yi conducted a suite of creative experiments to put it all together."

Jiao and Rhew designed more thorough experiments, obtaining soil samples from an agricultural research plot called the Oxford Tract located near the UC Berkeley campus and subjecting them to various treatments, including different amounts of copper and oxidants. While copper alone in soil and seawater produced some methyl bromide and methyl chloride, the addition of sunlight and/or hydrogen peroxidewhich is produced in soil by microbes or sunlightgenerated more than five times the amount of methyl halides and prolonged the activity of copper from about a week to between two and three weeks.

When Yi sterilized the soil, the amount of methyl halide production rose even more. On the other hand, after burning off all the organic material, soil incubated with copper produced no methyl halides. That led him to focus on chemicalscatechol and guaiacoloften used as proxies for soil organic carbon because they each contain a phenol ring structure, like those found in organic matter.

Adding increasing amounts of either copper sulfate or hydrogen peroxide to catechol-halide solutions increased emissions of methyl halides, as well, whereas emissions were near zero when any of these substrates was missing. Subsequently, Yi found that sunlight served a similar function as hydrogen peroxide in boosting methyl halide production. In seawater, exposing copper-amended solutions to sunlight increased emissions fourfold.

The researchers suspect that one common form of copper ion, Cu(II), is oxidizing organic material to liberate methyl radicals, which readily combine with chlorine and other halogens in the soil or seawater to form methyl halides. Both sunlight and hydrogen peroxide subsequently reoxidize the copperfrom its cuprous (I) to cupric (II) stateso that it can act again and again to generate more methyl halides.

"We did a back-of-the-envelope calculation to see the impact copper sulfate would have and estimated that it could be responsible for 4.1 gigagrams of methyl bromide per year, which would be about 10% of the missing source," Rhew said. "That's pretty substantial, and that's only looking at copper sulfate. Maybe even more widely used is another copper compound called copper hydroxide. So, this is just the beginning of our understanding of what copper's impact is on halocarbon chemistry."

Jiao noted that this also doesn't take into account the potential oceanic emissions associated with copper in runoff.

Rhew said that much more research needs to be done to determine which copper compounds are the most potent producers of methyl halides in soil and seawater and how much is actually produced.

"There's plenty of halide in soils, and there's plenty of organic matter in soil, so the magic ingredient is copper, which is regenerated by sunlight," he said. "This has opened our eyes to a whole new area of inquiry regarding the role of copper in the environment."

Explore further How bacteria makes copper into an antibiotic

More information: Yi Jiao et al, Application of copper(II)-based chemicals induces CH3Br and CH3Cl emissions from soil and seawater, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Yi Jiao et al, Application of copper(II)-based chemicals induces CH3Br and CH3Cl emissions from soil and seawater,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27779-3
Wild elephants scavenge for food at an open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. Conservationists and veterinarians are warning that plastic waste in the open landfill in eastern Sri Lanka is killing elephants in the region, after two more were found dead over the weekend. Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump. Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said. Credit: AP Photo/Achala Pussalla

Conservationists and veterinarians are warning that plastic waste in an open landfill in eastern Sri Lanka is killing elephants in the region, after two more were found dead over the weekend.

Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital, Colombo.

Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said.

"Polythene, food wrappers, plastic, other non-digestibles and water were the only things we could see in the post mortems. The normal food that elephants eat and digest was not evident," he said.

Elephants are revered in Sri Lanka but are also endangered. Their numbers have dwindled from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011, according to the country's first elephant census.

They are increasingly vulnerable because of the loss and degradation of their natural habitat. Many venture closer to human settlements in search of food, and some are killed by poachers or farmers angry over damage to their crops.

Hungry elephants seek out the waste in the landfill, consuming plastic as well as sharp objects that damage their digestive systems, Pushpakumara said.

Wild elephants, right, scavenge at an open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Conservationists and veterinarians are warning that plastic waste in the open landfill in eastern Sri Lanka is killing elephants in the region, after two more were found dead over the weekend. Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump. Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said. Credit: AP Photo/Achala Pussalla

"The elephants then stop eating and become too weak to keep their heavy frames upright. When that happens, they can't consume food or water, which quickens their death," he said.

In 2017, the government announced that it will recycle the garbage in dumps near wildlife zones to prevent elephants from consuming plastic waste. It also said electric fences would be erected around the sites to keep the animals away. But neither has been fully implemented.

There are 54 waste dumps in wildlife zones around the country, with around 300 elephants roaming near them, according to officials.

The waste management site in Pallakkadu village was set up in 2008 with aid from the European Union. Garbage collected from nine nearby villages is being dumped there but is not being recycled.

In 2014, the electric fence protecting the site was struck by lightning and authorities never repaired it, allowing elephants to enter and rummage through the dump. Residents say elephants have moved closer and settled near the waste pit, sparking fear among nearby villagers.

Illegally erected electric fence and traps set up to prevent wild elephants from entering human settlements are seen in Ashraf Nagar in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Conservationists and veterinarians are warning that plastic waste in an open landfill in Ampara is killing elephants in the region, after two more were found dead over the weekend. Their numbers have dwindled from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011, according to the country's first elephant census. They are increasingly vulnerable because of the loss and degradation of their natural habitat. Many venture closer to human settlements in search of food, and some are killed by poachers or farmers angry over damage to their crops. Credit: AP Photo/Achala Pussalla

Wild elephants scavenge for food at an open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. Conservationists and veterinarians are warning that plastic waste in the open landfill in eastern Sri Lanka is killing elephants in the region, after two more were found dead over the weekend. Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump. Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said. Credit: AP Photo/Achala Pussalla

Wild elephants scavenge for food at an open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Conservationists and veterinarians are warning that plastic waste in the open landfill in eastern Sri Lanka is killing elephants in the region, after two more were found dead over the weekend. Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump. Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said. Credit: AP Photo/Achala Pussalla

The body of a wild elephant lies in an open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. Conservationists and veterinarians are warning that plastic waste in the open landfill in eastern Sri Lanka is killing elephants in the region, after two more were found dead over the weekend. Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump. Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said. Credit: AP Photo/Achala Pussalla

Many use firecrackers to chase the animals away when they wander into the village, and some have erected electric fences around their homes.

But the villagers often don't know how to install the electric fences so they are safe and "could endanger their own lives as well as those of the elephants," said Keerthi Ranasinghe, a local village councilor.

"Even though we call them a menace, wild elephants are also a resource. Authorities need to come up with a way to protect both human lives and the elephants that also allows us to continue our agricultural activities," he said.

Explore further Sri Lanka elephants face plastic danger foraging dumps for food

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

When hurricanes Eta and Iota barrelled into Central America in November 2020, they flooded towns and cities, caused catastrophic losses in the agricultural sector and contributed to food insecurity. In all, 4.7 million Hondurans were affected, and tens of thousands decided to leave, forming migrant caravans in a desperate attempt to rebuild their lives in the United States.

Scientists ultimately linked that record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season to climate change, making it clear that climate change is already influencing migration.

My research studies the relationships between law, people and the environment. In refugee law, people become refugees when they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin. Persecution is currently limited to grounds of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. That means when people move due to environmental degradation or disaster, they are not, in the legal sense of the word, "refugees."

But international refugee and human rights law can no longer place the focus solely on social and political persecution. It must be overhauled to consider climate change and include "deadly environments" as a form of persecution.

The concept of deadly environments accounts for the social, political and ecological conditions that force someone to move. Including it in legal definitions would establish the environment as contributing to conditions of human rights deprivation and persecution.

Deadly environments absent in refugee law

The World Bank estimates that without radical and concerted efforts to slow climate change, 216 million people will be displaced within their own countries by 2050. With the scale of climate-induced migration, it's inevitable that millions will seek refuge across borders, even if they are invisible to refugee law.

Migration researchers agree that it is often inaccurate to link migration choices to a single event. It has become common to examine climate change as one in a nexus of factors, including violence, conflict and disaster.

The uncertain speed of climate disruptions complicates matters further. Their onset can be slow, like ongoing droughts that cause food insecurity, or fast, like hurricanes and floods that destroy homes and crops.

Given this, how can we define people who have been displaced by climate? There is no internationally accepted definition of climate-impacted migrants.

The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers uses the term "climate migrant," whereas a report by the White House uses "climate change related-migration" as an umbrella term. Some use the term environmental migrants, others use environmentally displaced peoples. Like some other adamant outliers, I use the phrase climate refugees to underscore the agency of those seeking refuge.

The debate over definitions misses the point. As British geographer Calum T. M. Nicholson explains, "the key issue is not the cause of movement, but the rights violations suffered by migrants."

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, climate change impacts the human rights to life, self-determination, development, health, food, water and sanitation, adequate housing and cultural rights. One only need to think about the 400,000 livestock herders in Southern Ethiopia who were displaced by climate-related drought between 2015 and 2019. They continue to require assistance for food, water and shelter.

Deadly environments and border practices

Shifting the focus to deadly environments makes it clear that they are produced not only by climate change, but also by the practices upheld along borders.

The Transnational Institute, an international research and advocacy institute, reports that the world's wealthiest countries spend more on militarizing their borders than they do on responding to the climate crisis. This often includes building walls, developing surveillance technologies and hiring armed border guards. According to the institute, rich countries are building a "global climate wall" to keep out people forced to migrate due to climate change with deadly consequences.

In her book The Death of Asylum: Hidden Geographies of the Enforcement Archipelago, Alison Mountz, a geographer at Wilfrid Laurier University, describes the steady development of asylum processing in places far away from physical borders, such as Australia's offshore processing camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. Mountz argues that the growth of offshore detention centers contributes to the physical deaths of asylum-seekers, as well as their political deaths, as news of drowned migrants becomes mundane and normalized.

The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) has documented the deaths of nearly 46,000 migrants en route to safety since 2014. An estimated 23,000 have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.

The border-crossing between the United States and Mexico is particularly deadly, with 2,980 deaths recorded since 2014. According to the IOM, the "main direct causes of death identified in this area are drowning  and deaths caused by harsh environmental conditions and lack of shelter, food and water."

International refugee and human rights law must be urgently overhauled to recognize deadly environments as sites of persecution.

Toward a new protection regime

The United Nations Refugee Agency has already established links between climate change and persecution. It finds that when a state is unwilling to respond to humanitarian needs that are the result of climate change, there is a "risk of human rights violations amounting to persecution."

Deadly environments, including those transformed by climate change whether suddenly or over long periods of time, need to be considered sites of persecution. Their presence should trigger state obligations to provide protection for peoples forcibly displaced by climate change.

Central to this effort is establishing relationships among law, humans and the environment. This is one step towards recognizing that people displaced by climate change are, in fact, refugees.

Explore further US must act to protect climate migrants, government report says

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Seasonal variation in groundwater atrazine and its metabolites (a) Average atrazine concentration by month. (b) Average D.E.A. concentration by month. (c) Average D.I.A. concentration by month (d). Average annual precipitation by month. (e) Mean daily temperature by month. Credit: DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413241

Atrazine ranks as a common herbicide in the United Stateswhere it's popular to elevate corn and sorghum yields by curbing weed growth.

Conversely, the European Union has banned atrazine, which some research suggests can disrupt hormone production in wildlife and potentially humans. A 2021 study from the University of Nebraska Medical Center indicated that Nebraska counties applying the most atrazine also exhibited higher incidences of estrogen-related cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.

Human exposure to herbicides often comes via drinking water, much of which is drawn from groundwaterwith many studies consequently using groundwater concentrations as a proxy for local exposure risks. Given that, the UNMC researchers expected to find elevated concentrations of atrazine in the groundwater of high-usage counties. They didn't.

Seeking answers to the seeming paradox, the UNMC team recently partnered with the University of NebraskaLincoln's Olufemi Abimbola and Shannon Bartelt-Hunt. Together, the researchers analyzed data from 33 eastern Nebraska counties that used the most atrazine between 1995 and 2014. As expected, the study showed that groundwater concentrations of atrazine were generally higher in shallower wells than deeper ones.

The team also analyzed two clusters of wells featuring similar depths but high vs. low levels of atrazine. Lower-concentration wells not only served roughly three times as many people but were also generally used to draw water rather than just monitor its quality, suggesting that excessive extraction of groundwater may lower its atrazine concentrations. Those wells were likewise located in areas of so-called discharge, where groundwater naturally flows to the surface.

The findings indicate that groundwater concentrations of atrazine may underestimate the likelihood that people are exposed to it, said the researchers, who recommended measuring atrazine in already-extracted groundwater when studying its potential health implications.

Explore further Enhancing microbial activity contributes to the remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with pesticides

More information: Moses New-Aaron et al, Low-Level Groundwater Atrazine in High Atrazine Usage Nebraska Counties: Likely Effects of Excessive Groundwater Abstraction, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021). Journal information: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Moses New-Aaron et al, Low-Level Groundwater Atrazine in High Atrazine Usage Nebraska Counties: Likely Effects of Excessive Groundwater Abstraction,(2021). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413241
The War panel of the Standard of Ur, exhibited in the British Museum, London. Credit:  Thierry Grange / IJM / CNRS-Universite de Paris

The 4,500-year-old iconography and texts from Mesopotamia show that the elite used equids for travel and warfare; however, the nature of these animals remained mysterious. In Science Advances (January 14, 2022), a team from the Institut Jacques Monod (CNRS/Universite de Paris) used ancient DNA to show that these animals were the result of crossing domestic donkeys with wild asses. This makes them the oldest known example of animal hybrids, which were produced by Syro-Mesopotamian societies 500 years before the arrival of domestic horses in the region.

Equids have played a key role in the evolution of warfare throughout history. Although domesticated horses did not appear in the Fertile Crescent until about 4,000 years ago, the Sumerians had already been using equid-drawn four-wheeled war wagons on the battlefield for centuries, as evidenced by the famous "Standard of Ur," a 4,500-year-old Sumerian mosaic. Cuneiform clay tablets from this period also mention prestigious equids with a high market value called "kunga"; however, the precise nature of this animal has been the subject of controversy for decades.

A team of palaeogeneticists from the Institut Jacques Monod (CNRS/Universite de Paris) has addressed this question by studying the equid genomes from the 4,500-year-old princely burial complex of Umm el-Marra (northern Syria). On the basis of morphological and archaeological criteria, these animals, buried in separate installations, have been proposed to be the prestigious "kungas" by an archaeozoologist from the United States.

Although degraded, the genome of these animals could be compared to those of other equids: horses, domestic donkeys and wild asses of the hemione family, specially sequenced for this study. The latter includes the remains of an 11,000-year-old equid from the oldest known temple, Gobekli Tepe (south-east of present-day Turkey), and the last representatives of Syrian wild asses that disappeared in the early 20th century. According to the analyses, the equids of Umm el-Marra are first generation hybrids resulting from the cross of a domestic donkey and a male hemione. As kungas were sterile and the hemiones were wild, it was necessary each time to cross a domestic female with a previously captured hemione (capture represented on an Assyrian bas-relief from Nineveh).

Umm el-Marra (northern Syria) is a 4,500-year-old princely burial complex. Several equids have been found on the site, buried in their own installations. Credit:  Glenn Schwartz / John Hopkins University.

Enclosure D with T-shaped pillars at Gobekli Tepe, south-east of present-day Turkey. This archaeological site includes the world's oldest known temple. Credit:  German Archaeological Institute, Berlin (Germany)

Nineveh panel hunting wild asses (645-635 BCE) (British Museum, London) showing hemiones being captured. Credit:  Eva-Maria Geigl / IJM / CNRS-Universite de Paris

Rather than domesticating the wild horses that populated the region, the Sumerians produced and used hybrids, combining the qualities of the two parents to produce offspring that were stronger and faster than donkeys (and much faster than horses) but more controllable than hemiones. These kungas were eventually supplanted by the arrival of the domestic horse, which was easier to reproduce, when it was imported to the region from the Pontic Steppe.

Explore further Genetic testing suggests horse domestication did not begin in Anatolia

More information: E. Andrew Bennett et al, The genetic identity of the earliest human-made hybrid animals, the kungas of Syro-Mesopotamia, Science Advances (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm0218 Journal information: Science Advances E. Andrew Bennett et al, The genetic identity of the earliest human-made hybrid animals, the kungas of Syro-Mesopotamia,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm0218
Dr. Justin Fiala, assistant professor of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, works on an oil painting depicting hospital employees in scrubs riding a bus to work in his art studio on Jan. 9, 2022, in Chicago. Fiala has been working on the paining for two months and anticipates the painting to take at least two more months to complete. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Every morning, Dr. Justin Fiala rides a CTA bus along Lake Shore Drive, and it feels like going into battle. Before the pandemic, stepping onto a bus was just a commute to work. He and other Chicagoans headed into the city together, toward busy downtown offices and mask-free cubicles.

Now, he wears an N95, and his 5 a.m. bus rides are nearly always filled with other health care workers in scrubs.

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People look more and more downtrodden as the pandemic has trudged on, he said.

The scene from the back of a city bus is the focus of a canvas hes been painting lately, something Fiala describes as almost like a love letter for those who are on the bus every single morning.

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Since he was a child, Fiala has painted; when he was young, his parents enrolled him in regular classes at the Village Art School in Skokie. Art is something he kept steadily returning to, losing extra time for it temporarily as he went through college and residency.

Dr. Justin Fiala holds a brush while working on an oil painting. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

During the pandemic, Fiala once again picked up paintbrushes. He would work one week in the intensive care unit, and have one week off.

It was going from 120 miles (an hour) to zero, he said. It was like, what am I supposed to do?

He began using a room at home to work on oil paintings as a way to process what he was seeing as a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Northwestern. He and other health care workers have found that using art can be a way to find mindfulness and a form of therapy.

A recent painting began as very abstract, triangles and planes. As brushstrokes formed, it became a type of self portrait.

He thought, This must be what authors feel like when they say the characters write themselves. A face started to come in, and that face was joined by a breathing tube. The lines in the painting resemble, to him, the shape of hooks.

Its like this patient is truly in limbo, he said. Theyre stuck.

It reflects, to him, a nebulous barrier within the intensive care unit, this place where people are half alive, and were hoping we can tip them toward recovery, but so often they end up going the other direction.

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Dr. Justin Fiala works on an oil painting depicting hospital employees in scrubs riding a bus to work. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Paintbrushes sit on a palette in Dr. Justin Fiala's art studio. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Fialas paintings include Blue mask, featuring the ubiquitous protective gear, and Self Portrait: Intubated & Cannulated, showing the tubes that worm into a patients body on the life-support machine.

Last year, he donated a painting to the intensive care unit, dedicated to physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and other staffers caring for COVID patients.

I think what can be lost on the general public, a lot of them, is things can seem very normal outside of the hospital because youre not seeing the people who are sick. You hear about the surge going on, but you have nothing tangible to necessarily grab onto, he said.

For health care workers facing it upfront, nearly two years of a pandemic has created new layers of challenges and persistent feelings of burnout.

As a physician, Fiala feels he is lucky to have respites from the hardest floors. He has time off; he also works with rehabilitation patients, seeing the positive and uplifting side as patients get better. But the nurses in intensive care, for example, some of his favorite people, remain there day after day. Decades of experience among them, they are the backbone of a unit constantly under pressure.

Recently, he worked during Christmas week. The downtrodden feeling was palpable, he said.

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Dr. Justin Fiala works on an oil painting depicting hospital employees in scrubs riding a bus to work. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Time after time, hes offering treatments he knows may not work. And he sees the toll they take on patients; helping a body breathe can require intense recovery if it even works. Its such a heavy toll that hes considered whether he would want such a situation for himself. And that inevitably leads to ethical questions about why, then, they provide these to peoples family members, patients who sometimes were not able to consent while conscious on their own.

It creates all these ethical gray areas that if youre the person who has to decide, Are we going to do this or not, it can leave you feeling pretty lousy, he said.

Even before the pandemic, his job was intense. He faced ethical quandaries. His patients died. But now, those moments come more often, and they arrive with added layers like patients who did not get vaccinated. Should one of these patients be more in line, for example, for a lung transplant? What about a smoker? These are questions that are woven into the daily practice for health care workers on the front lines of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, they continue to see refusals to wear masks and ebbing precaution guidelines.

So sometimes Fiala goes home, and he paints.

But this day was not for painting. Instead, he stepped onto the 5 a.m. bus to treat patients in a Northwestern clinic. Around 10 a.m., already at work for four hours, he was heading home for a nap before returning at 6 p.m. for an overnight shift.

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Then, he would take the bus home at sunrise.

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct title of the painting Self Portrait: Intubated & Cannulated.

abowen@chicagotribune.com
An artists conception of the cross section of a super-Earth with the NIF target chamber superimposed over the mantle, looking into the core. Credit: John Jett/LLNL.

The discovery of more than 4,500 extra-solar planets has created a need for modelling their interior structure and dynamics. As it turns out, iron plays a key role.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists and collaborators have used lasers at the National Ignition Facility to experimentally determine the high-pressure melting curve and structural properties of pure iron up to 1,000 GPa (nearly 10,000,000 atmospheres), three times the pressure of Earth's inner core and nearly four times greater pressure than any previous experiments. The research appears in Science.

The team performed a series of experiments that emulate the conditions observed by a parcel of iron descending toward the center of a super-Earth core. The experiments were allocated as part of the NIF Discovery Science program, which is open access and available to all researchers.

"The sheer wealth of iron within rocky planet interiors makes it necessary to understand the properties and response of iron at the extreme conditions deep within the cores of more massive Earth-like planets," said Rick Kraus, LLNL physicist and lead author of the paper. "The iron melting curve is critical to understanding the internal structure, thermal evolution, as well as the potential for dynamo-generated magnetospheres."

A magnetosphere is believed to be an important component of habitable terrestrial planets, like it is on Earth. Earth's magnetodynamo is generated in the convecting liquid iron outer core surrounding the solid iron inner core and is powered by the latent heat released during solidification of the iron.

With the prominence of iron in terrestrial planets, accurate and precise physical properties at extreme pressure and temperatures are required to predict what is happening within their interiors. A first-order property of iron is the melting point, which is still debated for the conditions of Earth's interior. The melt curve is the largest rheological transition a material can undergo, from a material with strength to one without. It is where a solid turns to a liquid, and the temperature depends on the pressure of the iron.

Through the experiments, the team determined the length of dynamo action during core solidification to the hexagonal close-packed structure within super-Earth exoplanets.

"We find that terrestrial exoplanets with four to six times Earth's mass will have the longest dynamos, which provide important shielding against cosmic radiation," Kraus said.

Kraus said: "Beyond our interest in understanding the habitability of exoplanets, the technique we've developed for iron will be applied to more programmatically relevant materials in the future," including the Stockpile Stewardship Program.

The melt curve is an incredibly sensitive constraint on an equation of state model.

The team also obtained evidence that the kinetics of solidification at such extreme conditions are fast, taking only nanoseconds to transition from a liquid to a solid, allowing the team to observe the equilibrium phase boundary. "This experimental insight is improving our modeling of the time-dependent material response for all materials," Kraus said.

Other Livermore team members include Suzanne Ali, Jon Belof, Lorin Benedict, Joel Bernier, Dave Braun, Federica Coppari, Dayne Fratanduono, Sebastien Hamel, Andy Krygier, Amy Lazicki, James McNaney, Marius Millot, Philip Myint, Dane M. Sterbentz, Damian Swift, Chris Wehrenberg and Jon Eggert. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Carnegie Institution for Science, University of Rochester, Sandia National Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, University of California Davis and University of California Los Angeles also contributed to the study.

Explore further Lab team uses giant lasers to compress iron oxide, revealing the secret interior of rocky exoplanets

More information: Richard G. Kraus, Measuring the Melting Curve of Iron at Super-Earth Core Conditions, Science (2022). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abm1472 Journal information: Science Richard G. Kraus, Measuring the Melting Curve of Iron at Super-Earth Core Conditions,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abm1472
Figure 1. The eclipse times by the CCD photometric observations from CASLEO and OMC. Credit: DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ac3425

A research team led by Prof. Qian Shengbang from Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered a newly formed massive contact binary in a hierarchical triple system. Its third body is also a massive star obtained for the first time.

The study was published in The Astrophysical Journal on January 10.

Massive contact binaries contain two early-type stars which have filled their respective critical Roche lobes and share a common radiative envelope. Their formation and evolution are still unknown.

The researchers studied the light curves of V606 Centauri, an early B-type close binary, based on the high-precision continuous data from Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). They obtained photometric observations of minima from the 0.60-m Helen Sawyer Hogg Telescope in Argentina.

Additionally, they collected the light curve data from worldwide photometric surveys, such as Digital Access to a Sky Century at Harvard, All Sky Automated Survey and Bochum Survey of the Southern Galactic Disk, and obtained more eclipse times spanning around 120 years.

Based on all available data, they constructed the O-C diagram and gave a detailed analysis of the orbital period changes for the first time.

"V606 Centauri is a marginal contact binary with a very low fill-out factor of about 2 percent," said Ph.D. student Li Fuxing, the first author of the study. The O-C results showed a downward parabolic change together with a cyclic oscillation, and indicated the mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive one between components with a massive third body.

Both the marginal contact configuration and the continuous period decrease suggested that V606 Centauri is a newly formed contact binary via Case A mass transfer.

"V606 Centauri is in a unique stage of evolution different from that of massive binaries that have been reported and it is a newly formed massive contact binary created by mass transfer from the primary to the secondary," said Prof. Qian.

Explore further Researchers reveal rapid mass transfer between twin components in hierarchical triple system

More information: Li Fuxing et al, V606 Cen: A Newly Formed Massive Contact Binary in a Hierarchical Triple System, The Astrophysical Journal (2022). iopscience.iop.org/article/10.  847/1538-4357/ac3425 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Li Fuxing et al, V606 Cen: A Newly Formed Massive Contact Binary in a Hierarchical Triple System,(2022). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ac3425
Termites are a type of cockroach that split from their sister cockroach group around 150-170 million years ago. Previous research suggested that, after this split, they very gradually got smaller, but this study did not support this theory. Credit: OIST

Researchers have completed a comprehensive analysis of the head width of over 1500 species of termites and determined that their size isn't gradually shrinking at a geological timescale.

Termites belong to the cockroach branch of the evolutionary tree. They split from their sister cockroach group at the end of the Jurassic period, around 150 to 170 million years ago. A popular theory suggests that, after this split, they very gradually got smaller, and continue to do so today. But this new research, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, concluded that they rapidly got smaller over a 20-million-year period, then their size stabilized. The researchers, who are from the Evolutionary Genomics Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), claim that the difference in the results from their research compared to the original theory comes from including fossilized species.

Postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Nobuaki Mizumoto, from the OIST Unit originally arrived in Okinawa to study termite behavior. "I wanted to compare the behavior of different kinds of termite species from around the world," he explained. "I was going to travel to various places and collect them."

But COVID-19 and the resulting travel restrictions put an end to those plans. So, Dr. Mizumoto turned his focus towards studying something that didn't require him to leave Okinawathe evolution of the size of termites.

Termite size, represented by their head width, has been comprehensively measured by taxonomists over the course of the last hundred years. In the past, when researchers cataloged a termite individual, they measured the head width as it is a stable measurement that, unlike body weight, is not affected by sample preservation methods.

Since modern non-termite cockroaches are larger than their modern termite cousins, it's previously been proposed that termites have been getting smaller since the split. The body size of insects is thought to correlate to the complexity of their society. Smaller insects mean that more individuals can fit in a space. More individuals mean that tasks can be split up and allows for different castessuch as workers and soldiersto evolve. As termites are social cockroaches, this theory did make sense. However, it had never been robustly tested, until now.

One of the largest species of termites compared to a small species. Credit: OIST

"The theory was somewhat supported when we just looked at modern species," explained Dr. Mizumoto. "But when we started to include fossil species, it fell through. Some fossil species that lived 100 million years ago were already pretty small, and the smallest species to ever exist that we know of is a fossil species that existed around 50 million years ago."

"What's more," he continued. "The head width of the ancestor of all the living termite species was estimated around 2mm. Yes, that's larger than nearly 80 percent of all living species but it's still very much within the range."

In total there are just over 3000 species of termites described. So, the study was robust, examining nearly half the described species. Of those, 1562 are still alive today, whereas 76 are fossilized species. The oldest species looked at lived around 130 million years ago. The head width of the smallest termite was around 0.5mm, and the largest, around 5mm.

"Our analysis revealed that there's a huge variation between species," concluded Dr. Mizumoto. "And this includes a lot of fluctuation. Some species are seeing a size reduction, whereas others are actually getting larger. It depends on the lineage. This research provides a really good base for starting to make these comparisons and learning about the evolution of sociality in termites."

The researchers highlighted that, while many studies focus on the evolution of sociality, especially within social insects, they often focus on wasps, ants, and bees. Indeed, studies on termites are lacking in number by comparison.

"A comprehensive perspective of termites is really important," explained Prof. Tom Bourguignon, principal investigator of OIST's Evolutionary Genomics Unit and senior author of the paper. "Most termite research only focuses on the few species that are well-known pests. This research diversifies our understanding of termites."

Explore further Scientists zero in on how termites coordinate mating behavior for colony success

More information: Nobuaki Mizumoto et al, The evolution of body size in termites, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Nobuaki Mizumoto et al, The evolution of body size in termites,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1458
A new report says that bottled water sales declined in 2020 in Asia Pacific because of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Credit: Willfried Wende (https://pixabay.com/users/fotoblend-87167/) from Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/4276208/)

Measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 caused a decline in the sales of bottled water across the Asia Pacific region during 2020, according to a study by the global market research firm, Euromonitor International.

The region has historically accounted for the largest share of bottled water sales, driven by rising health and wellness awareness and a lack of access to safe water, Euromonitor said in a report. But hard lockdowns, including social distancing and home isolation drastically reduced sales.

Lockdown restrictions imposed by the Philippine government, among the longest lockdowns in the world, reduced bottled water sales in the archipelagic country by around five percent to 2,712.4 million liters in 2020, versus the 2,869.3 million liters recorded in the previous year.

"The main factor contributing to the overall sales decline seen in the category during the year was the unavailability of on-trade outlets due to the shutdown of the entire Philippine hospitality industry to on-trade customers throughout the initial lockdown period," Euromonitor said.

As the pandemic pummel the economy, major water concessionaire Manila Water resorted to permanently shuttering its Healthy Family bottled water business unit, citing "recurring losses and the inability to financially sustain business operations."

When the Philippine government eased quarantine restrictions in 2021, bottled water consumption rose by five percent to 2,846 million liters, according to Euromonitor.

Accessibility

Access to clean drinking water is crucial to surviving the pandemic because staying hydrated will help people avoid contracting other diseases counted as comorbidities, said Bonifacio Magtibay, a WHO technical officer for environmental and occupational health.

"If [drinking] water is inadequate, this will lead to dehydration. [The] presence of diseases other than COVID-19 will be counted as comorbidity that will complicate the health of the persons with COVID-19," he told SciDev.Net.

Until the early 1990s Filipinos relied on drinking water from the tap but that changed as consumers started to observe deteriorating water quality, Magtibay said. "Bottled water and water refilling stations mushroomed to address the loss of confidence in piped water systems."

In the future, it may be possible to return to the old practice provided water quality passes the national standards for drinking water quality, Magtibay said.

In India, bottled water which was rapidly gaining in popularity over the last decade, saw dramatic decline in sales due to pandemic-related sales lockdowns in 2020. The pandemic has dealt a severe blow to packaged drinking water companies, which are highly dependent on offices, airlines and the hotels, restaurants and catering sector for about 50 percent of sales, according to the Trade Promotion Council of India.

However, according to the Council, the Indian market is expected to reach US$60.06 billion by the end of 2023, from its value in 2018 of US$24.1 billion. This is owing to a range of sales strategies developed by the business, including direct deliveries to homes.

Responding to the demand for home deliveries created by the pandemic, Bisleri International, India's leading bottled water firm, created Bisleri@Doorstep, a smartphone application that allows consumers to have packaged water delivered to their door within 24 hours. The service is currently available in 26 cities, according to the company's website.

The UN has made it a priority to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all. In its World Water Development report last year, the UN said the Asia Pacific region has the lowest water availability per capita in the world, with the region being home to 60 percent of the world's population but only 36 percent of the water resources.

"In addition to the low levels of per capita water availability, high levels of water pollution are observed in the region, with more than 80 percent of the wastewater generated in the region's developing countries not being treated," the UN report said.

Achieving global access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in 140 low- and middle-income countries will require a total investment of US$1.7 trillion or US$114 billion per year from 2016 to 2030, the UN said, citing a World Bank report.

Plastic pollution

Bottled water, is convenient and relatively inexpensive, but typically comes in plastic packaging which is mostly derived from materials produced from fossil fuels, the safe and clean disposal of which is a growing concern.

In 2017, plastic bottles produced by beverage companies emerged as the most commonly-found plastic in beach clean-ups in 2017, making them major sources of marine pollution, non-profit conservation group Oceana said in a report published last year.

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles sold worldwide contain mostly water and carbonated soft drinks, according to the organization. These two drinks groups account for the majority (69 percent) of global PET bottle sales.

Oceana described the Philippines as a nation "struggling with plastic pollution," with 80 percent of its plastic waste mismanaged and 21 percent ending up in oceans.

Explore further EU seeks to give millions better access to drinking water (Update)

Provided by SciDev.Net
Students should have the opportunity to devise plans to combat pandemics. Credit: Shutterstock

Since early 2020, our way of life has changed dramatically. COVID-19 has transformed how we study, learn and workeven how we shop, eat and gather.

Throughout the pandemic, Canada has implemented individual and community-based measures to protect its citizens. While most Canadians have trusted and listened to the scientists and public health experts, too many have ignored the scienceprotesting mask wearing, social distancing and vaccination.

Those who have failed to comply with these protocols have prolonged the pandemic and put their fellow citizens at risk. This troubling issue requires attention and future action, including addressing it through education.

Responsible citizenship and education

Responsible citizenship is fundamental in a democratic societyand with it comes the responsibility to not engage in behavior that endangers the health and well-being of neighbors.

Noted professors of citizenship education, Joel Westheimer and Joseph Kahne, tie good citizenship to an active democratic citizenry. They stress the importance of teaching about following the law and becoming a personally responsible citizen, engaging in civic affairs and becoming a participatory citizen, and challenging social inequities by becoming a justice-oriented citizen.

In recent years, as a result of growing global challengessuch as poverty, hunger, public health and climate changethe concept of responsible citizenship has expanded to include global belonging and commitment.

Global citizenship seeks to unite people within and across countries in common cause to bridge national divides to address seminal challenges facing the world. Global citizenship in many ways seeks to fulfill the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals designed to confront pressing global issues.

In schools, "global citizenship education" aims to provide students with the knowledge, skills and values to become responsible citizens and learn to address a range of generational challenges. Schools in several countries, including Canada, have started to recognize the importance of these educational goals. Several provinces, such as Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, have integrated global citizenship education into their social studies curricula in the past few decades.

Canadian intergovernmental bodies representing every provincial ministry of education, including the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), have emphasized the importance of global citizenship education among other priorities. In its recent Pan-Canadian Systems-Level Framework on Global Competencies, CMEC laid out six global competencies for students: global citizenship and sustainability; critical thinking and problem solving; innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship; learning to learn and to be self-aware and self-directed; and collaboration.

Contemplating post-pandemic citizenship

Despite these curricular trends, issues that have come to light in the pandemic have shown that the goals of global citizenship education must adapt.

These include the disregard for public health protocols, the undermining of science, the spread of misinformation and the lack of concern for others (particularly for seniors, who are more likely to get very ill with COVID-19, and for those with underlying health conditions).

It is increasingly important that the next generation of Canadian students learn how to navigate the many increased challenges of a post-COVID-19 world. Research from the Center for Global Development noted that "the next pandemic could be much sooner and more severe than we think."

In light of the lessons of COVID-19, schools across Canada should consider offering a social studies elective course that emphasizes post-pandemic values, including commitment to public health, empathy and compassion, self-sacrifice and a co-operative spirit. Such a "post-pandemic citizenship" education could help prepare the next generation of Canadians to promote the kind of values sometimes lacking during the pandemic.

Health literacy, compassion

First, the course should include issues of public health. It could, for example, use online tools and platforms to teach students health literacy. As noted by the World Health Organization, health literacy implies equipping people to "play an active role in improving their own health, engage successfully with community action for health, and push governments to meet their responsibilities in addressing health and health equity."

Researchers from the Healthy Schools Lab at the University of Alberta noted that when education went online due to pandemic closures, provincial guidelines for at-home learning did not include a focus on health and physical education.

The course also could examine how other countries handled COVID-19 and prior epidemics or ask students to devise a plan for combating the next pandemic.

Second, there should be an emphasis on empathy and compassion, including its impact on positive health outcomes. In Canada, there have been efforts to impart empathy in the classroom and these efforts should continue. For example, Canadian educator Mary Gordon founded Roots of Empathy more than two decades ago. This program seeks to develop students' emotional and social competencies, resulting in less aggression and bullying.

Self and community interest

At the same time, the course should stress self-sacrifice. From reviewing case studies on those who disregarded public health recommendations at the expense of others, to debating situations where collective responsibility should transcend individual self-interest, these lessons can be instructive.

For instance, the Winnipeg School Division recently released an Education for Sustainable Development Plan to teach students about collective responsibility in such areas as human rights, environmental protection and reducing poverty.

Studies of collective responsibility should include examining issues around equity due to the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on marginalized communities in Canada.

Studying documents like the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms also can shed light on the critical role of government mitigation strategies in supporting the collective dignity and rights of citizens.

Collective good at stake

By embracing a co-operative spirit, students can appreciate local examples of community involvement, or consider when public and private sector institutions should collaborate for the good of society at home and abroad.

For instance, Toronto's Bloorview School Authority, which provides school programs to children with special needs who are undergoing intensive therapies, has partnered with UNICEF Canada to raise funds for necessary school equipment for students in Malawi. A Bloorview teacher noted that the project, known as Kids in Need of Desks, helps students understand what it means to be global citizens in a pandemic. This is even as they deal with their own learning disruptions due to COVID-19 while managing other challenges.

This is just a starting point. Over time, Canadian schools will need to continue to re-examine and rewrite social studies curricula to groom the next generation of citizens for a post-pandemic world. The collective good and responsible citizenship are at stake.

Explore further Online tools power students and young jobseekers in a pandemic

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

COVID-19 is widespread in the U.S., and even the nation's youngest kids are feeling the anxiety that comes with facing the ongoing pandemic. From missing school, to hearing about classmates getting sickand often catching it themselvesit's harder than ever to shield children from COVID-19 news.

What should parents be saying to their kids to help calm their fears or anxieties? And for kids that are especially anxious about the latest surge, what can caregivers do to ease those feelings?

Rachel Razza is Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies Graduate Director at Syracuse University's Falk College. The primary focus of Dr. Razza's scholarly work is children's self-regulation, a multifaceted construct that encompasses a variety of skills underlying children's ability to monitor cognitive strategies and adapt behavior to fit situational demands.

Professor Razza provides advice for parents and caregivers about how to talk to their kids about COVID-19. The information below can be quoted directly. She is also available for an interview.

Focus on mindfulness

"We know that levels of anxiety in children have been rising and shifting downward in age over the last decade and unfortunately, these trends were exacerbated by the pandemic. In terms of calming anxiety, one recommendation that aligns with research and practice includes mindfulness-based exercises. By nature, mindfulness works to lessen anxiety by helping individuals focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future, which is where anxiety thrives. The evidence suggests that even young children can use simple breathwork and movement to help connect with their bodies and acknowledge thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations and respond with kindness and curiosity."

Breath practice can benefit kids and adults

"Although mindfulness may not prevent anxiety altogether, it can help children notice when they may be feeling anxious, and thus may prompt them to try a breath practice and/or start a conversation about their worry. There are also excellent children's books that caregivers can use to help cultivate mindful practices and/or address anxiety and the pandemic with their children in a way that is reassuring and hopeful. An added bonus is that caregivers, who may also be experiencing heightened anxiety, may also benefit from sharing these practices and stories with their children."

Play is powerful

"Another suggestion for helping children's cope with anxiety is play. Play is a powerful medium that can both help children experience a reprieve from anxiety as well as work through their fears in the context of their play. The importance of play for helping children deal with anxiety and trauma is highlighted by the work of play therapists and child life specialists. Caregivers can cultivate play opportunities at home with open-ended materials, like art supplies or figurines/dolls, where children are free to engage in the process of play and create materials or scenarios that reflect their current thoughts or feelings. A tip for parents is to let their children take the lead in the activity and work to stay present in the play, possibly by reflecting on what they observe or participating alongside their child."

Explore further Having kids at home may reduce pandemic depression
New research uses profiles of major rivers, like the Nile, pictured here, to trace the history of uplift across the African continent. Credit: Vaido Otsar, CC BY-SA 4.0

The continent of Africa has a distinctive physical geographyan "egg carton" pattern of basins and swellsthat researchers attribute to plumes of mantle rocks rising beneath a tectonic plate. Marine fossils on mountaintops in African and Arabian deserts suggest that until about 30 million years ago, those portions of the landscape were at or below sea level. But the spatial and temporal evolution of this uplift process is still not well defined. In a new study, O'Malley et al. use the profiles of the continent's major rivers to trace the evolution of the landscape in space and time.

To test the idea that rivers might serve as "tape recorders" for mantle processes, the team focused on Africa, Arabia, and Madagascar, where regional uplift patterns are relatively well constrained during the Cenozoic period. They applied a closed-loop modeling strategy that involved inverting more than 4,000 river profiles to recover signals of regional uplift and validating those signals with geological observations.

The team used dynamic forward landscape simulations to evaluate the influence of such factors as precipitation and drainage divide migration, as well as to test the assumptions used in the inverse modeling of river profiles. Although these assumptions are still a matter of debate, this study showed that inverse modeling of river profiles across the study area recovers an uplift history that fits observations, and landscape simulations using these uplift histories predict drainage networks, paleotopography, and deltaic sedimentation histories that match data. This result remains true when precipitation rates vary across space and time. Overall, this study suggests that calibrated inverse modeling of river profiles can be successfully used to study landscape evolution.

Explore further Landscape evolution and hazards

More information: C. P. B. O'Malley et al, LargeScale Tectonic Forcing of the African Landscape, Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface (2021). C. P. B. O'Malley et al, LargeScale Tectonic Forcing of the African Landscape,(2021). DOI: 10.1029/2021JF006345

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Shells of land snails from Rurutu (Austral Islands, French Polynesia) -- recently extinct before they were collected and described scientifically. Credit: O. Gargominy, A. Sartori.

The history of life on Earth has been marked five times by events of mass biodiversity extinction caused by extreme natural phenomena. Today, many experts warn that a Sixth Mass Extinction crisis is underway, this time entirely caused by human activities.

A comprehensive assessment of evidence of this ongoing extinction event was published recently in the journal Biological Reviews by biologists from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, France.

"Drastically increased rates of species extinctions and declining abundances of many animal and plant populations are well documented, yet some deny that these phenomena amount to mass extinction," said Robert Cowie, lead author of the study and research professor at the UH Manoa Pacific Biosciences Research Center in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). "This denial is based on a biased view of the crisis which focuses on mammals and birds and ignores invertebrates, which of course constitute the great majority of biodiversity."

By extrapolating from estimates obtained for land snails and slugs, Cowie and co-authors estimated that since the year 1500, Earth could already have lost between 7.5 and 13% of the two million known species on Eartha staggering 150,000 to 260,000 species.

"Including invertebrates was key to confirming that we are indeed witnessing the onset of the Sixth Mass Extinction in Earth's history," said Cowie.

Native Hawaiian snail habitat on Pu'u Kukui, Maui. Credit: Robert Cowie

The situation is not the same everywhere, however. Although marine species face significant threats, there is no evidence that the crisis is affecting the oceans to the same extent as the land. On land, island species, such as those of the Hawaiian Islands, are much more affected than continental species. And the rate of extinction of plants seems lower than that of terrestrial animals.

Unfortunately, along with science denial taking a foothold in modern society on a range of issues, the new study points out that some people also deny that the Sixth Extinction has begun. Additionally, others accept it as a new and natural evolutionary trajectory, as humans are just another species playing their natural role in Earth's history. Some even consider that biodiversity should be manipulated solely for the benefit of humanitybut benefit defined by whom?

"Humans are the only species capable of manipulating the biosphere on a large scale," Cowie emphasized. "We are not just another species evolving in the face of external influences. In contrast, we are the only species that has conscious choice regarding our future and that of Earth's biodiversity."

To fight the crisis, various conservation initiatives have been successful for certain charismatic animals. But these initiatives cannot target all species, and they cannot reverse the overall trend of species extinction. Nonetheless, it is essential to continue such efforts, to continue to cultivate a wonder for nature, and to document biodiversity before it disappears.

"Despite the rhetoric about the gravity of the crisis, and although remedial solutions exist and are brought to the attention of decision-makers, it is clear that political will is lacking," said Cowie. "Denying the crisis, accepting it without reacting, or even encouraging it constitutes an abrogation of humanity's common responsibility and paves the way for Earth to continue on its sad trajectory towards a Sixth Mass Extinction."

More information: Robert H. Cowie et al, The Sixth Mass Extinction: fact, fiction or speculation?, Biological Reviews (2022). Journal information: Biological Reviews Robert H. Cowie et al, The Sixth Mass Extinction: fact, fiction or speculation?,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/brv.12816
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

One of the laboratories at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences houses equipment worth many millions of kroners. Few research groups have the resources to buy an electron microscope when conducting scientific research. Using an electron microscope, Professor Mahmood Reza Amiry-Moghaddam and his colleagues can investigate the ultra-small structures in a cell.

"We're talking here about nanometers and micrometers," explains Amiry-Moghaddam at the Department of Molecular Medicine.

"We can see the tiny structures of cells, and using immunohistochemical methods, we can detect where membrane proteins are located and whether they can move from one domain to another. You could hardly get further into the depth of cells than this!"

Amiry-Moghaddam's group celebrated yet another contribution to the advancement of scientific knowledgethis time in an article published in the journal Nature Communications.

University of Oslo in the forefront

The University of Oslo has come to the aid of many international research teams with its electron microscopes. However, the expertise of the scientists using the microscopes is just as important as the equipment itself.

"The University of Oslo began using electron microscopes at an early stage. During the 1950s, the university was amongst the first in the world to use TEM microscopes for brain research. We are probably the world's most frequently cited electron microscope lab in the field of neuroscience," states the professor.

The research hub also known as The Oslo School of Neuroscience has over the last century fostered a number of high-profile names, including the polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen, Jan Jansen senior, Alf Brodal, Theodor Blackstad, and Per Andersen. The latter was supervisor to the Nobel Prize laureates Edvard and May-Britt Moser.

Can see exactly where cells are located

The recent article in Nature Communications was initiated by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden who wanted to test their hypothesis about tiny cells surrounding the smallest blood vessels in the brain. These cells play a key role in forming scars after brain damage has occurred, for example after a stroke.

When these scars form, the brain struggles to repair damaged nerve fibers. To develop medicines to combat this, an important factor will probably be to prevent these cells from dividing and escaping through the blood vessel walls. But the scientists in Sweden needed help with the extremely small details of their research.

"We "mark" the cells with gold particles. Our contribution to this article was to demonstrate the exact location of these cells that belong to a type of cell called pericytes. We are currently in the process of characterizing these cells still furtherwhat is the difference between these cells and pericytes that never seep out of the walls of blood vessels? Can we differentiate between them based on their appearance alone?" asks Amiry-Moghaddam.

Scientist Christian Goritz at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm expresses his gratitude for the Nordic collaboration with Amiry-Moghaddam.

"His laboratory possesses unique expertise, which allowed us to characterize scar-forming pericytes at the ultrastructural level. We already started the next collaboration project with Professor Amiry-Moghaddam's group in which TEM microscopy has a central role. My hope is that we can continuously expand our Nordic collaboration," says Goritz.

The electron microscopes are nearing the end of their lifetime

Amiry-Moghaddam points out that the microscopes have contributed to several hundred publications. But now they are between 13 and 19 years old. As they age, the team must exercise care in how they use them.

"Previously, scientists were queuing up and we had waiting lists. But now we cannot afford to be as open as we were before; we have to make sure that those using the equipment are well acquainted with how to use it, since it is less likely to withstand errors. If we were given new equipment, we could allow more people to use it again," he says.

Each electron microscope costs between six and seven million kroners and there are few opportunities for applying for funding to replace such expensive equipment.

"At the same time, it is essential to maintain the specialized expertise of our teamthis is just as important as the equipment itself," says the professor.

Explore further Artificial intelligence magnifies the utility of electron microscopes

More information: David O. Dias et al, Pericyte-derived fibrotic scarring is conserved across diverse central nervous system lesions, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications David O. Dias et al, Pericyte-derived fibrotic scarring is conserved across diverse central nervous system lesions,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25585-5
Credit: Fotokon/Shutterstock

The Acropolis of Athens counts among the world's greatest architectural and artistic monuments. Visitors come to admire the marble buildings that testify to the glory of Ancient Greece more than two millennia ago. Typically, only little attention is paid to the site's rich medieval and Ottoman history. But one of the few stories commonly told about this period concerns the temple with six iconic sculptures of maidens, the so-called Caryatids.

Ancient Athenians built the temple with the Caryatids as the holiest shrine for Athena, the goddess of wisdom. In the medieval period, it was used as a church. But its fate supposedly changed dramatically following the Ottoman Turkish conquest of Athens in the 15th century. The story goes that the Muslim Turks had no interest in preserving the temple's sacrality, and instead converted it into something radically different: a harem. This was said to be the residence of the Turkish castle warden's wives and sometimes thought of as a place of seduction.

But my new research shows this information might need to be revised. As part of this study, I analyzed all relevant historical sources about the Acropolis from the Ottoman period. It turns out the idea of a Turkish harem here originated in the 17th century with two visitors from France and England. They published popular books in which they asserted that the building was a harem. These visitors, however, did not even enter the building and gave contradictory, possibly speculative information about it.

Fantasy or not, the notion of the harem has long fascinated western audiences, who've enjoyed these exotic tales of the Orient. Later authors simply repeated the information. This was even the case after the building had fallen to ruin in the Venetian bombardment of 1687.

My research also included several understudied Turkish sources. None of these mentions anything like a harem in the temple of the Caryatids either. But they do seem to say that it was in use as some kind of palace. All in all, there is little to suggest that the temple was ever converted into a place of erotic encounters.

The Caryatid Porch on the Acropolis, Athens, Greece. Nikolay Antonov/Shutterstock

Harems and temples

Stories about harems in the temple of the Caryatids already existed in the time of the ancient Greeksmany centuries before the Turks arrived. The striking Caryatids themselves appear like petrified women in front of the building. They likely played a role in the creation of such tales. Time and again, visitors to the Acropolis have given meaning to the mysterious building based on these sculptures.

Anthropological research shows that impressive statues like the Caryatids can stir the imagination, prompting wild stories that are sometimes mistaken for "factual" history. To the casual onlooker, the Caryatids could serve as evidence for the harem.

But the idea of the harem is also deeply problematic as it continues a long-lived western stereotype of the Turks as violent, sacrilegious barbarians. This stereotype originates in the many centuries of warfare between Christian European countries and the Muslim Ottoman Empire. Then too developed the popular fantasy that Turkish harems were mysterious, erotic places of seclusion.

The idea that the temple of the Caryatids became a decadent harem fitted right into this negative western sentiment about the Turks. That sentiment had dire consequences: shortly after the young Greek state's conquest of Athens in the 19th century, it led to the complete annihilation of the Turkish town that stood on the Acropolis. The same attitude led Lord Elgin, a British nobleman, to remove many Acropolis sculptures in the early 19th centuryincluding one of the Caryatids.

Theodore Chasseriau, Harem (oil on panel, 18511852). Paintings like these capture the western fantasy of the harem as an erotic place. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Imprisoned sister

Still today, these sculptures reside in the British Museum in London, to the dismay of many (in Greece and elsewhere), who wish to see them returned to Athens. Though the Caryatids still continue to fire the imagination: local legend claims the marble girls who remain in Athens can be heard crying out at night in lament for their imprisoned sister in London.

The notion of a Turkish harem ties in with the current meaning of the Acropolis as an important archaeological site and a symbol of Greece and western civilisation. But this symbolism has a dark side: anti-eastern stories continue to be told at the expense of the Turks.

The Turks are typically portrayed as the villains of the Acropolis, but my research shows this is a crude interpretation of more than three centuries of Turkish presence. And it doesn't do justice to their actual attitudes: historical sources show that the Turks were not always the violent barbarians they are often made out to be. Rather, they were just as fascinated about the antiquities as modern tourists are today.

Explore further Lightning hits Acropolis in Greece injuring 4, site intact

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Gullivers Pizza, open since 1965 and best known for its antique collection and the Chicago-style pan pizza first made by the late legendary pizza master Burt Katz, will close permanently Sunday.

Katz opened the pizzeria in the West Rogers Park neighborhood with Jerry Freeman. The business partners split in 1968. Freeman went on to create not just an eclectic restaurant, but a home for his antiques obsession.

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In the 70s they were tearing down a lot of old buildings in Chicago, and pickers would go through and take out all these beautiful chandeliers and sconces, his wife, Nancy Freeman, told the Tribune when Jerry Freeman died in 2006.

According to a 1988 three-star Tribune review, Wherever diners are seated at heavy wooden tables and chairs, they are surrounded by one of the largest collections of Victorian antiques in the city.

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Pan pizza at Gullivers Pizza in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)

The property has sold, but the antiques remain for sale, including a chandelier with a $3,800 price tag hanging in the foyer.

Gullivers current owners, father and son Chris and Dino Karageorgis, will keep an Oakbrook Terrace location open, serving largely the same menu  and most importantly, the same pizza.

Chicago-style pan pizza is similar, but not the same as Chicago-style deep-dish. Pan has a thicker, focaccia-like crust. Deep-dish has a thinner, pie-like crust. Both are filled with toppings, with the sauce on top of everything, including the cheese.

[ Where vaccine rates lag, some Chicago restaurants feel mandate pinch; others see sales rise with comfort levels ]

Gullivers, originally spelled Gullivers, was the first of Katzs pizzerias named for literary references. He would go on to open Pequods  named for the whaling ship in Moby Dick  where a caramelized crust became his signature. Starbacks, originally Starbucks (a name taken by a certain Seattle coffee company) was named for the first mate of the Pequod, and eventually became Burts Place.

On Thursday morning, in front of the restaurant on Howard Street, customers waited on the sidewalk and in cars parked out front with hazard lights blinking.

Inside, general manager George Gamilis frantically tried to answer the incessantly ringing phone, while running back for takeout orders and turning away diners.

[ In the land of deep-dish, Paper Thin Pizza aims to be the thinnest crust in Chicago ]

The dining room doesnt open until 4 p.m., Gamilis said repeatedly. The wait for a pizza is about an hour to an hour-and-a-half.

That was too long for two hungry customers.

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Its a sad day, said Sam Grill. Weve been coming here for 50 years. We just wanted to have one last pizza. 

His regular order had been a sausage pan pizza. Wheres he going to get pizza now?

I may never eat pizza again, Grill said.

A luckier customer walked out with a pizza box in hand.

Weve been coming here for probably about 40 years, Carmie Callobre said. My husband and I have been able to eat here so often.

[ An ode to the Jucy Lucy (or Juicy Lucy) of Minneapolis, which may be the best cheeseburger in America ]

She held on tightly to the last of their regular order, a ground beef and pepperoni pan pizza.

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Its unlike other deep-dish type pizzas, which can be kind of soggy and just full of sauce, Callobre said. No, no, no. This is excellent. This is the bomb. This is great. Im going to miss it.

Two other customers had been sitting and chatting in the closed dining room before taking their food out to the car. For one, the visit was especially bittersweet.

Unfortunately, my first time here is going to be on their closing weekend, Sarah Murphy said. Shes been trying to visit a different iconic neighborhood restaurant every week for the past few months.

Her friend has visited a few times over the years.

[ Lost Lake, one of Chicagos most acclaimed bars, to close for good ]

Were going to sit in the car and finish our pizza, said Pam Wilkerson. She held their boxed spinach and mushroom pizza. Im trying to support local restaurants, because its very important for neighborhoods to have interesting local restaurants.

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

I dont want the same thing, no matter what city youre in, Wilkerson said. So I spread around my dining dollars.

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Dark dining room and sign at Gullivers Pizza in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)

Back inside the restaurant, Gamilis was still trying to answer the phone as fast as it rang. He had no time for any questions unrelated to pizza, and certainly not to wonder why they were closing.

I dont know why, he said. I cant give you that answer.

Gullivers, please hold. Gullivers, please hold.

Block Club Chicago first reported news of the closure.

2727 W. Howard St., 773-338-2166. 17W517 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, 630-691-1888. gulliverspizza.com

Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
Illustration of a super Neptune, TOI-674 b, with an atmosphere that, according to a recent study, includes water vapor. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The recently discovered planet TOI-674 b, a bit bigger than Neptune and orbiting a red-dwarf star about 150 light-years away, is a member of an exclusive club: Exoplanets, or planets around other stars, known to have water vapor in their atmospheres. Many questions remain, such as how much water vapor its atmosphere holds. But TOI-674 b's atmosphere is far easier to observe than those of many exoplanets, making it a prime target for deeper investigation.

The planet's distance, size and relationship to its star make it especially accessible to spaceborne telescopes. At 150 light-years, it's considered "nearby" in astronomical terms. The star itself, relatively cool and less than half as big around as our Sun, can't be seen from Earth with the naked eye, but this too translates into an advantage for astronomers. As the comparatively large planetin a size-class known as "super Neptune"crosses the face of its smallish star, starlight shining through its atmosphere can be more easily analyzed by our telescopes. Those equipped with special instruments called spectrographsincluding the just-launched James Webb Space Telescopecan spread this light into a spectrum, revealing which gases are present in the planet's atmosphere.

The discovery grew from a partnership between the tried-and-true Hubble Space Telescope and TESS, NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, launched in 2018. The planet was first found by TESS, then its light spectrum was measured by Hubble. Data from the now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope also helped astronomers tease out some of the planet's atmospheric components. If the Webb telescope, once it's up and running, is turned on TOI-674 b, it should be able to examine the planet's atmosphere in far more detail.

Only three other Neptune-sized exoplanets have had aspects of their atmospheres revealed so far, though the advent of telescopes like Webb promises a golden age in the study of exoplanet atmospheres.

The new planet can claim membership in another exclusive group: inhabitants of the so-called "Neptune Desert." TOI-674 b orbits its small star so tightly that a "year" on this planet, once around the star, takes less than two days. But among the thousands of exoplanets confirmed in our galaxy so far, a strange pattern has emerged: Planets in the size-class between Neptune and Jupiter are extremely rare in orbits of three days or less. The rarity of such planets, and the analysis of those that do turn up, could provide important clues to the formation of planetary systems in generalincluding our own.

An international team of scientists, led by Jonathan Brande of the University of Kansas, contributed to the new study of water vapor on TOI-674 b, which has been submitted to an academic journal. They included researchers from the NASA Ames Research Center and from IPAC and other research centers at Caltech.

Explore further The James Webb Space Telescope will map the atmosphere of exoplanets
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SALEM  Police are investigating the deaths of two people found inside a home in Salem recently.

The home on County Route 64 belonged to 67-year-old David Moffitt and 74-year-old Deborah Moffitt, according to Washington County property tax records.

Authorities say the home was 30 degrees when the bodies were found. Hypothermia is not expected to be the cause of death. A dog in the home was found alive, law enforcement sources tell WNYT-TV NewsChannel 13, The Post-Stars media partner.

The toxicology report will not be done for many weeks. Police said there is no sign of foul play or threat to the public, according to NewsChannel 13.

Neighbors said the couple were good neighbors. They were described as quiet. They kept to themselves and had older children, according to residents.

Cars filled the driveway on Thursday and the back door was open with trash bags piled outside but, no one inside responded to reporters.

Despite numerous attempts to reach Washington County investigators, police have not yet released a public statement to the media.

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The state Legislature has sent proposed redistricting maps back to the Independent Redistricting Commission to take another crack at drafting a plan that at least a majority of Senate and Assembly members can rally behind.

It doesnt feel to me that they (the commission) came up with a good enough of a compromise, said Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake.

The 10-member commission now has until Jan. 25 to submit a new set of maps, or resubmit the same maps.

If the Legislature rejects the next submission, then the Legislature would take over redrawing new maps for state legislative and New Yorks congressional districts.

Both the Senate and Assembly on Monday, in a series of four votes, rejected dual maps for congressional and legislative districts.

Each set of maps had passed the commission with five votes.

One set of plans was drafted by Democrats on the commission, and the other set by Republicans on the commission.

Woerner said that she voted to reject both sets of maps, in hope that it will nudge the commission to reach consensus on a single set of maps.

I really feel that the commission failed in their work, she said.

Sen. Daphne Jordan, R-Halfmoon, who represents a portion of Saratoga County, also voted to reject both sets of maps, which she said alter, without justification, the current boundaries of the district that she represents.

Throughout the reapportionment process, I have spoken out in support of the voter-approved independent redistricting process.  I had hoped that this process would produce a map that reflects the public input from my constituents and maintains the many community organizations that serve them, Jordan said. Unfortunately, the maps put before me failed in that effort.

Jordan said the commission did not take into account testimony that communities in the Senate district submitted.

They were disenfranchised without any practical demographic justification, she said.

Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, said he voted to reject the set of maps Democrats on the commission drafted, and to accept the set of maps Republicans on the commission drafted.

He said the Republican maps did a better job of keeping local contiguous counties in common Senate, Assembly and Congressional district.

I had hoped that the Independent Redistricting Commission would have had a compromise, he said.

Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, did not return a message seeking comment for this report.

Congressional and state legislative boundaries are redrawn every 10 years, based on the latest census.

In theory, the Legislature has until early March, when candidates begin circulating nominating petitions to run for office, to have new maps in place, but there is no date required by law.

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Warren and Washington counties both reported a change in the way COVID data will be reported on Thursday, after the state announced a the new contract tracing guidelines earlier this week.

As our Public Health team continues to prepare to transition case investigations to the NYS VCC (Virtual Call Center), in alignment with Governor Hochuls announcement relative to contact tracing and case investigations, we will only be able to accurately report a portion of the previous case categories as our Public Health team will not be managing the full caseload and process as we have previously, a news release from Washington County stated.

The countys Public Health Department announced Thursday, due to other changes in the case investigation process, not all the same information is being collected and they will no longer report on local breakthrough cases or be regularly publishing the cases by town map.

Warren County Health Services made a similar announcement on Thursday.

Starting this week, those 18 and under or 65 and older who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive priority attention from New York state case investigators. In general, New York state case investigators will direct those between the ages of 19 and 64 who are diagnosed with COVID-19 to new New York State websites for isolation and quarantine orders, the countys news release stated.

According to Warren County officials, the websites are not active as of yet.

Health Services will no longer be able to provide certain COVID data, including breakthrough cases, the report said.

Neither county reported the vaccination statistics for Thursday.

Warren County

Warren County Health Services reported 1,068 active COVID cases on Thursday, which includes 326 new cases and 880 recoveries.

As of Thursday, the number of hospitalizations remains at nine with two individuals in the ICU. Seven of the patients have been vaccinated.

Glens Falls Hospital spokesman Ray Agnew said the hospital had 25 COVID patients on Thursday morning, with two in the ICU.

The seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 17.3%.

New potential COVID exposures in Warren County include:

Pizza Hut, Main Street, Queensbury, Jan.8, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. No mask worn.

Walmart, Route 9, Queensbury, Jan. 7, 8. Mask worn.

Washington County

The Washington County Public Health Department reported a total of 1,032 active cases on Thursday, which included pending cases, according to the news release.

Two more residents have been hospitalized, making the total now 19.

The seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 16.9%.

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Finally transitioning from the 20th to the 21st century, New Jerseys WIC program is moving from paper vouchers to EBT (electronic benefits transfer) cards.

A few northern and central counties have already begun. Both Burlington and Atlantic counties will start the process of becoming paperless by Feb. 23.

The rest of South Jersey will follow, hoping to allow WIC clients to purchase healthy foods for themselves and their children with eWIC cards by the spring, according to Lisa Asare, assistant commissioner of the Division of Family Health Services in the New Jersey Department of Health.

New Jersey and Georgia are the last states in the nation to move from paper to EBT cards, according to Brian Dittmeier, senior director of public policy for the National WIC Association in Washington.

WIC is shorthand for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. It provides nutrition services, breastfeeding support, health care and healthy foods to participants. WIC is overseen by the New Jersey Department of Health and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program serves low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and infants and children under age 5.

An average of 145,000 New Jersey residents participate in WIC monthly, state officials said.

Egg Harbor Township food bank to hold diaper drive EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  The Community FoodBank of New Jersey will hold a diaper drive this wee

Like all states, New Jersey was ordered by Congress in 2010 to switch from cumbersome paper vouchers to EBT cards by 2020.

New Jersey received an exemption because it needed increased staffing and funding to transition, Asare said in an interview. We were operating with an archaic computer system from 1993, she explained.

Geraldine Henchy, a national expert on WIC with the Food Research and Action Center in Washington, concurred that internal workings slowed New Jerseys progress.

Its not that the state is problematic in implementing WIC, she said. In this case, being late does not necessarily mean being a bad office.

Paper WIC vouchers, initiated in the early 1970s, are issued monthly and participants have had to expend the full voucher amount in a single visit to a store, according to state WIC officials. Advocates said that made shopping excursions, which also may have included young children in tow, difficult to manage.

The eWIC cards enable participants to spend their WIC allotment at their convenience, which could occur in multiple visits, not all at once.

Somers Point church helps fill gap for women's monthly health supplies Gayle Ballard believes hardships and challenges are just seasons in life and will pass in ti

During the pandemic, however, New Jersey has relaxed the single-visit rule, allowing mothers to use their vouchers during multiple visits, a spokesperson for Asare said.

The average client in the United States is issued $36 per month from WIC, Dittmeier said. Mothers who need baby formula get more money, WIC officials said, adding that amounts vary.

Prior to the pandemic, mothers received $11 per month specifically for fruits and vegetables, while children ages 2-4 got $9 per month.

Since COVID-19 proliferated, however, Congress increased that fruit and vegetable allowance to $24 for each child and up to $47 for each woman last November, scheduled to run through March, unless legislators extend it, WIC officials said.

The EBT cards are a very welcome change, said Adele LaTourette, director of Hunger Free New Jersey in Englewood, Bergen County. Using paper is antiquated.

Renee Koubiadis, executive director of the New Jersey Anti-Poverty Network in Ewing, Mercer County, agreed. The cards are helpful, giving young parents flexibility at a time all of us are so overwhelmed and stressed by the pandemic.

Interestingly, the paper voucher system in New Jersey has helped mothers and children fight off COVID-19, officials said.

Monthly allotments are mailed to clients each month, obviating the need for them to go to WIC offices to renew their benefits.

Nationally, there are just nine states  Pennsylvania included  that require WIC-eligible families to reload benefits in person, according to FRAC. During the pandemic, those states experienced a 9.3% decline in participation, compared with states that allowed reloading remotely, according to Aditi Vasan, a pediatrician and health services researcher at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.

Conversely, there was a 6.5% increase in New Jersey families joining the program, Asare said.

And, she added, the state will be using an EBT card system that allows remote reloading.
Shipments of three approved COVID-19 antiviral medications have arrived in South Jersey, but supplies are lagging.

According to an interactive map from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, eight locations in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and southern Ocean counties have limited supplies of the three therapeutics recently approved as COVID-19 treatments.

The locations range from hospitals to pharmacies.

The map lets users search for shipment and availability details, allowing them to track what pharmacies, medical offices and hospitals have the medicines.

Molnupiravir, made by New Jersey-based Merck, is the Garden States most widely distributed of the three, with 6,540 courses allotted and 6,440 available. Paxlovid, from Pfizer, which produced the first fully authorized COVID-19 vaccine, remains the states most limited drug, with 1,100 courses allotted and 356 available.

Both pills have been proven to reduce severe illness caused by the disease.

Evusheld, made by AstraZeneca, also has 435 courses available. It is approved for certain adult and pediatric use before a COVID-19 infection or exposure, according to the FDA.

Each medicine remains in short supply, but those supplies are anticipated to increase, New Jersey Department of Health spokesperson Nancy Kearny said.

Last month, each medication was approved by the FDA through an emergency use authorization, meaning enough evidence supports them being safe and effective, and that theyll continue to be analyzed by scientists.

Merck said its pill was produced in greater advance quantities. It takes six months to make, the company said, but the process could be lessened to five.

There are, however, shortcomings to Mercks product because tests determined it remains less effective than Pfizers, and it has negative aspects, including risks for birth defects when given to pregnant women. The drug has been deemed as the last resort for treatment, health officials decreed.

Both Pfizer and Mercks pills, health officials hope, could help ease the burden of hospitals across the nation filling with seriously ill patients since they could be prescribed and taken by those sick in their homes.

National Guard steps up for Meadowview staff sidelined by COVID-19 NORTHFIELD  Unlike the usual white and blue nursing gowns traditionally seen throughout the

We expect to use our strong manufacturing capabilities and our extensive supplier network to continue to improve output rapidly, Pfizer said in a statement.

Supplies continue lagging while the coronavirus continues spreading to more people, causing record-high numbers of cases across the U.S.

Health officials expect that the current wave, which they say has been caused by the omicron variant, will likely peak in the U.S. soon. Other nations have reported a drop in omicron infections.

Last month, President Joe Biden celebrated the medicines approval, calling them a game-changer for anyone severely ill from the virus.

Earlier this week, the president announced that his administration would purchase an extra 500 million COVID-19 at-home tests, raising the federal governments tests provided for free to 1 billion. He also said the federal government will provide additional free, high-quality masks to Americans.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

COVID-19 antiviral availability The below is based on information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is subject to change. For complete details about drug availability, visit covid-19-therapeutics-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com. Atlantic AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus 65 Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township Drug available: Evusheld

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus 1925 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City Drug available: Evusheld

Walgreens 6050 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township Drug available: Molnupiravir

Cape May Walgreens

3300 Route 9, Rio Grande Drug available: Molnupiravir

Cumberland Inspira Medical Center

1505 W. Sherman Ave., Vineland



Drug available: Evusheld

Walgreens 1111 N. High St., Millville Drug available: Paxlovid

Ocean Southern Ocean Medical Center 1140 Route 72, Manahawkin Drug available: Evusheld

Walgreens 879 W. Bay Ave., Barnegat Township Drug available: Molnupiravir



Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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Ive been reading about working from home.

Because Ive been working from home. Im writing this from home. Not coincidentally, Im also reading about that thing none of us were supposed to feel once we embraced working from home. Im reading about burnout, its history, its costs. To be specific, Ive been reading books about working from home and burnout early in the morning, before dawn, which is how I read a lot of books these days, before anyone is awake and the demands of work and life creep in to gunk up everything. Except, of course, if Im real honest: the dividing line between work and life is no longer a balance but an avalanche zone. That reading part is now the work part, and the work part is also the life part, and so, in short: I am working from home and usually, burned out. As is the guy editing this.

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As are you.

I should feel refreshed by a holiday break. Instead, Im wondering, once more: Do I work enough? Do I work too much? Should I answer this email at 10:30 at night? Whats that pain in my right side? Is there something wrong with my left ear? Why is child care so expensive? How soon before Im living in my car?

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The irony of reading Jonathan Malesics The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives (University of California Press, $28) and Charlie Warzel and Anne Helen Petersons Out of Office: The Big Problem and Bigger Promise of Working From Home (Knopf, $27)  both of which resemble inspirational business self-help but are rousing arguments against the way we work now  is they stressed me the hell out.

The way any bit of wise, difficult advice should stress you out:

Now that you know what you must do, you must act.

Assuming you find the time.

The End of Burnout is the more invigorating of these books, a re-imagining of how we think of the fabled dignity of work and Platos noble li, of head-down, no-complaining labor as a primary source of dignity, character and purpose. Among its finest moments is a reading of Walden that plays down solitude to consider, in a sense, Thoreaus quiet case for staying sane and gainfully employed. But then Malesic recognizes the trouble of walking that walk, of developing the kind of self-determination necessary to assume your time does not belong to your employer. Not even Kanye  who famously rapped Lets have a toast for the (expletives)/ Thatll never take work off  slows down.

Jonathan Malesics The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives (University of California Press) and Charlie Warzel and Anne Helen Petersons Out of Office: The Big Problem and Bigger Promise of Working From Home (Knopf). (Chris Borrelli)

Written with the lively, lived-in confidence of a good journalist, its surprisingly fun, and a smart compliment to Out of Office, which itself reads like a necessary, of-the moment dispatch from our overworked brains, still processing the past couple of years, struggling to make sense of an office away from the office, wondering if youre the only one who feels nuts. Youre not. Have you seen the latest jobs report? More of us have chosen not to return to business as usual. The New York Times reported that even low-level grunts are becoming increasingly bold about telling off their lousy bosses. Those Chicago public school closings seem to have as much to do with burnout and sloppy management as with the pandemic and safety  or maybe vice versa? Our mass take-your-job-and-shove-it has even acquired a well-known moniker, the Great Resignation.

Pandemic or not, read Out of Office and realize: It was all bound to happen.

Warzel and Peterson are particularly good on the Orwellian language that chips away at good will. They dont knock companies that call their employees family  a business should aspire to a loving, supportive culture  but you already have a family ... and when a company uses that rhetoric, it is reframing a transactional relationship as an emotional one. They devote a full chapter to the grand joke of flextime and hallowed flexible work environments, and though theres nothing here many of us dont know  If a company doesnt have enough employees to absorb the labor of someone taking time off ... youll end up in a stew of resentment and overwork  its nice to see it spelled out, as well as given a history, real-world examples, even future scenarios. All of which are the real strengths of Out of Office. As with End of Burnout, written by a journalist more interested in ideas than business book manifestos, Out of Office is the work of journalists who specialize in culture, not optimizing, pivoting or thinking out of the box.

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They dont dwell on best practices, scale upward, circle back or drill down.

They pull them apart. They dont seek easy solutions to the evolving work-at-home conundrum, but dig into experiments, studies and interviews, highlighting promise and problems in equal measure. Theres evidence that working from home has been a boon for Black women, that studies have found they flourish outside of workplaces where they often grappled with internalized pressure to groom and conduct themselves as exemplars. On the other hand, theres worries of surveillance, a lack of community ...

Im not a fan of business books.

They hold a prominent, annoying place on airport bookshelves, their covers pale and impenetrable, their titles interchangeable and prescriptive; back in the days of traveling daily into downtown Chicago with the CTA, these books were so dog-eared and underlined beneath arms of fellow commuters, I sometimes wondered if they were reading treatises on productivity or how to win friends and influence people in a cult. Out of Office and The End of Burnout are not business books in that sense, but you can tell their authors suffered those books, along with books on the decline of once-confidence businesses. Hubris and history, among workers and bosses alike, receive context here, again and again. The 50s Organization Man, who lived in the office, was lulled by paternalistic companies, only to be betrayed by them the moment times got tough. Malesic notes early cries of burnout, in the work by Graham Greene, Bob Dylan.

None of this is new.

Its just closer now, on your iPhone, feet from your bed. Do more with less. Lose yourself in work. Drink plenty of fluids. Take that flextime. Limit yourself to one bagel.

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Theyre not free.

cborrelli@chicagotribune.com
ATLANTIC CITY  More and more people who work on racial justice know about the African American Museum of Southern New Jersey.

When the museum opened in 2002, founder and President Ralph E. Hunter Sr. reached out to various entities to acquire exhibits to display.

Now, as the museum enters its 20th year, organizations are reaching out to Hunter to display their projects.

The latest outreach was done by Patricia Stoneroad, an Oregon-based volunteer with the Stitch Their Names Memorial Project, which was set to kick off with a reception Friday and will be on display through Feb. 27 at the museum inside the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University on Fairmount Avenue.

We learned about the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey and the Noyes Arts Garage from an article that was published on the mission of the museum and on Ralph Hunter, who started the museum, Stoneroad said.

The museum expands on the Black Lives Matter theme with an exhibit pairing the crafts of needlework and quilting with the art of painting.

The two quilts on loan to the museum bring attention to Black lives cut short as a result of hate crimes, police violence and racism.

Portraits of 116 people were stitched onto the quilts to recognize the effect of their absence on the communities affected by the violence of their deaths, memorialize their lives and honor their loved ones.

When Hunter touched the quilts for the first time in December, his hands started shaking.

I could feel their being, Hunter said of the deceased. They could be my kids, my grandkids. ... It was extremely touching to feel the energy.

Nearly 100 people worked to stitch the portraits of those who have died. Each participant took a different approach. Some portraits are headshots, some full-body. They include different backdrops and details to inform viewers about the victims lives.

One quilt is 46 inches wide by 61 inches long and has 48 portraits. The other quilt is 73.5 inches wide by 73.5 inches long and contains 68 portraits.

Remembering Freedom Summer in Atlantic City ATLANTIC CITY  Its been close to 60 years since Fannie Lou Hamer tried and failed to regis

The quilts have been in South Carolina and Jackson, Mississippi, and will be headed to Luther College in Iowa after being displayed in Atlantic City. A website  stitchtheirnamesmemorialproject.com  contains biographies of each victim.

At the museum, the quilts will be paired with 10 paintings by Melvin Irons, an art/Afro American studies major who graduated from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 1976.

During the 1970s, Irons lived near MOVE, a Philadelphia-based Black liberation organization.

In August 1978, a shootout erupted between Philadelphia police and MOVE in the Powelton Village area of West Philadelphia. Philadelphia police Officer James J. Ramp was fatally shot.

Nine MOVE members, known as the MOVE 9, were convicted of third-degree murder in the death of Ramp. They were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. MOVE denied responsibility for Ramps death.

The Pennsylvania State Police dropped two bombs in 1985 on a relocated MOVE house on Osage Avenue. Eleven people were killed and 60 homes were destroyed in the West Philadelphia neighborhood, but Irons created his artwork during the 1970s based on the earlier conflict between MOVE and the police.

It was all about the injustice of the whole thing, Irons, now 79, said of his paintings. If you feel something, you want to get it out.

During the same year as the original MOVE-police clash, witnesses said Philadelphia police shot and killed Winston C.X. Hood, 20, while he was handcuffed on the sidewalk.

Its happening all over, Irons said of the recent police shootings of African Americans.

Irons paintings were previously displayed in Atlantic County at least once, in 2007 at the African American Heritage Museums location in the Newtonville section of Buena Vista Township.

Irons donated most of his paintings to the museum five years ago, Hunter said. This is the first time they have been exhibited since then.

One of Irons paintings shows six police officers all with the face of Frank Rizzo, the late Philadelphia mayor and police commissioner, whom many Black Philadelphians remember for his legacy of intolerance and use of violence during and after the 1960s civil rights movement.

They (MOVE) were really, really fortunate to have this young artist live down the street from them, Hunter said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Vincent Jackson: 609-272-7202 vjackson@pressofac.com Twitter@ACPressJackson

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NORTHFIELD  Unlike the usual white and blue nursing gowns traditionally seen throughout the corridors of the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the halls this week were filled with men and women wearing camouflage.

New Jersey National Guard troops have been stationed at three area long-term care facilities, including Meadowview, as COVID-19 creates staffing shortages.

After Gov. Phil Murphy announced their deployment last week, the Guard members were directed to take a compact certified nursing assistant course before starting their new duties Monday.

Training takes up to five weeks, Meadowview Nursing Director Stacie Bates said, but troop members like Sgt. 1st Class Robert Coyle learned most of the job in about two days.

Despite the demands of the assignment, Meadowview feels like a second home for Coyle.

Im in the veterans wing, so its great to hear their stories, said Coyle, of Medford, Burlington County.

In addition to Meadowview, guard members are at two other local facilities  Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Middle Township, and Lincoln Specialty Care Center, in Vineland. The area facilities are among 13 currently serving as the temporary homes for about 150 troops, Major Agneta Murnan, public affairs officer for the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said Wednesday.

About 625 troops overall are on active assignments through Joint Task Force COVID-Guardian, an initiative by the National Guard to assist in the fight against the virus. Besides serving in long-term care facilities, troops are supporting veterans homes and public vaccination sites, Murnan said.

At Meadowview, eight have been at the Dolphin Avenue facility in Northfield since Monday, arriving to help stressed staff left shorthanded by a nearly six-week-long COVID-19 outbreak, with the omicron variant behind the unprecedented caseloads.

The personnel available has changed, but the quality of care hasnt.

Weve been pretty challenged in our staffing, Bates said, and were so thankful for the National Guard to come in and help us.

Unfortunately, Bates said, the outbreak has spread to residents. Thankfully, the vaccines have kept cases mild.

New Jersey stresses vigilance as 'omicron tsunami' continues State health officials say New Jersey may be only one week away from the peak of the COVID-1

Nearly 90% of residents and staff members are fully vaccinated, including a booster shot. Anyone eligible for the booster has gotten it through a monthly clinic Meadowview runs, Bates said.

In addition to the National Guard, other outside agencies have been called to Meadowview to replace staff members out with the coronavirus. Other staff have been asked to work overtime to make sure their residents are covered, Bates said.

Despite the stressful situation, the workers and troops are still pulling through, smiling behind their masks while wheeling their residents around the home and delivering them food.

The state Health Departments Office of Long-Term Care Resiliency coordinates with the facilities on their staffing situation. If necessary, the troops may stay longer.

The National Guard members are tasked with standing in place of the usual caregivers, whose daily tasks include bathing, performing physical therapy, preparing meals and helping them get around. Theyre assigned to each location based on COVID-19 trends in the states facilities. If too many staff are out sick, they may be called to help.

Besides personal care, moral support is, of course, a plus.

Many, like Linda Williams, who is originally from Millville, love having the Guard care for her and her friends, some of whom she hasnt seen since the outbreak forced Meadowview to suspend resident gatherings.

Williams hasnt been without caregivers since the National Guard arrived, she said.

Whenever we need them, theyre there Johnny on the spot, Williams said.

Williams has called Meadowview her home for three months, getting physical therapy to help her walk again. The facilitys liveliness has changed since COVID-19 began spreading among the staff. Communal games and dining have stopped. She still has some fun since Meadowview is doing one-on-one activities.

Things change on a daily basis, she said. You never know whats going to happen.

She and others are often left in their rooms to keep them safe, she said. Despite the stress the pandemic has caused her, she said her faith has kept her going.

God helps me a lot, she said. I just think that if you try your best to have a good day, hell help you out.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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Three weeks after the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners voted to endorse a proposed trash-transfer station in Pleasantville, there is no sign the issue has been settled or that opponents have warmed to the project  and residents will have another chance to express their opinions on the proposal this week.

A town hall meeting for residents to discuss the trash-transfer station planned for off West Washington Avenue is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Mount Zion Baptist Church on New Road.

The chief opponent of the proposed station has been the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, which has organized a Stop the Dump campaign against the project.

ACUA President Rick Dovey said he believed a town hall would be an important outlet for residents to express their opinions, something he argued was discouraged three weeks ago when the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners voted to endorse the project.

Still, Dovey said the town hall wasnt organized by the ACUA but by concerned residents, including David Callaway.

Callaway said he believes the event will give residents the opportunity to make their voices heard on a project he believes is unpopular.

I have run into no one from the city, other than elected officials, who want this to go through, Callaway said. Let the people ask questions to find out whats going on.

Mayor Judy Ward, an advocate for the project, said she only learned of the town hall on Jan. 11, after being told by a resident.

The mayor has said the facility would be a valuable ratable property and generate $400,000 per year for the city in trash-transfer fees. She said such streams of revenue would help enable capital investments critical to the citys economic growth.

Both the city and county have supported the project in votes, but it is still awaiting approval from an array of authorities and regulatory agencies at different levels of government.

Among the bodies that must review the proposal are the Atlantic County Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The process matters, Dovey said.

The plan is for the trash-transfer station to handle 100,000 tons of debris per year, to be brought in by trucks. The debris would ship via rail line to an Ohio landfill. The city would be paid a $4-per-ton transfer fee, thus amounting to the estimated $400,000 in annual revenue.

Developer James DiNatale also has guaranteed Pleasantville residents would be prioritized for job opportunities at the trash-transfer station.

The ACUA stands to lose $9 million in revenue if the Pleasantville trash-transfer station is built, according to the authoritys projections. To recoup its losses, the ACUA said it would have to raise rates on municipalities by 62%. Such a hike, opponents of the project argue, would require municipalities across the county to raise taxes on their residents.

Neighbors of the project contacted by The Press have had a variety of opinions about the project. One said he feared the center would depress property values in the neighborhood, while others said they would not be bothered by the facility as long as it did not produce offensive smells. There also were residents who expressed concerns about increased taxes resulting from higher ACUA fees.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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NORTH WILDWOOD  The city will host the widow of a slain Philadelphia police officer as a special guest in its St. Patricks Day Parade in March.

Terri OConnor, the widow of Cpl. James OConnor, will serve as the parades grand marshal at 11:30 a.m. March 12, Mayor Patrick Rosenello said Friday.

It is our honor to have Terri serve as our grand marshal this year, and we are looking forward to Terri honoring not only the OConnor family Irish heritage, but also all of the members of law enforcement, Rosenello said in a statement.

James OConnor, 46, was fatally shot while he and his deputies were serving a search warrant at a home in Philadelphias Frankford section March 13, 2020.

The officers took on gunfire while trying to approach the second floor, one of the officers on scene previously told a judge, and OConner was shot in the shoulder above his bulletproof vest.

North Wildwood police seek suspect in vehicle burglary NORTH WILDWOOD  Police are seeking to identify a suspect in a car burglary last month.

OConnor was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Four men were charged in the homicide.

OConnor and his widow have connections to North Wildwood. Their son, James Jr., was a member of the citys Beach Patrol before joining OConnor on the Philadelphia police force.

As part of the festivities, a Mass will be held at St. Ann Church of Notre Dame La Mer Parish, in neighboring Wildwood, at 10 a.m. before the ceremony.

The parade will begin at City Hall, 901 Atlantic Ave., before traveling to the Entertainment District by Atlantic Avenue.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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ROME (AP)  Pope Francis has long lamented that he can't walk around town unnoticed like he used to before becoming pope. But he seems to have nevertheless kept his sense of humor after he was caught on camera making an unannounced visit to a Rome record shop this week.

Francis wrote a note to the Vatican reporter who happened to be in the right place at the right time Tuesday evening when the pope slipped out of the Vatican to bless the newly renovated Stereo Sound shop near the Pantheon.

Javier Martinez-Brocal, director of the Rome Reports news agency, filmed Francis leaving the shop, in footage that went viral and even got written up in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.

Keep scrolling for a gallery of photo highlights from the life of Pope Francis

Martinez-Brocal wrote the pope a note afterward, explaining that he wasn't a paparazzo and regretting Francis can't move around unnoticed anymore, but adding that the story provided a much-needed dose of good news for a world inundated with tragedy.

"I won't deny that it was (bad luck) that after taking all the precautions, there was a journalist waiting for someone on the taxi line," Francis replied. But he added: "You can't lose your sense of humor."

Writing in his trademark tiny script, Francis then repeated that what he misses most about being pope is no longer being able to take walks, as he used to do in Buenos Aires. The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was known for taking public transport around the Argentine capital, eschewing the private cars that fellow cardinals usually take to visit parishes. He became pope in 2013.

Francis acknowledged that Martinez-Brocal was only doing his job as a journalist when he recorded the event. "Thank you for doing your vocation, even if it put the pope in difficulty," he quipped.

The shop owners later told The Associated Press that Francis had arrived unannounced at around 7 p.m., after he had told them during a previous encounter at the Vatican that he would come to visit. "He walked in the shop and it was an amazing meeting. And as he promised, he blessed the shop," said shop owner Tiziana Esposito.

Co-owner Danilo Genio said Francis was a longtime customer who had popped in whenever he was in Rome for meetings at the Vatican when he was a priest, archbishop and then cardinal in Buenos Aires.

"When he came to Rome to go to the Vatican he used to come here first to buy some gifts," he said.

Francis, who grew up listening to opera on the radio and loves tango, Mozart and Wagner, didn't buy anything this time around. But the shop owners gave him a CD of classical music.

***

Paolo Santalucia contributed to this story.
Morris Robinson, who plays Porgy, and Talise Trevigne, who plays the role of Bess, rehearse "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess" at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Feb. 13, 2018. (Jeff Karoub / AP)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. 

A few weeks before the first performance of the opera Porgy and Bess, in its Boston tryout of 1935, composer George Gershwin attended a run-through of the epic work in Carnegie Hall.

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That may have been the last time he heard his greatest masterpiece performed in full.

For by the time the cast began rehearsing in Boston, cuts were made to the sprawling piece. And after opening night  Sept. 30, 1935  the shows producers still felt that the operas three-hour running time was excessive, writes Edward Jablonski in his definitive biography, Gershwin. Arias were dropped, vocal ensembles pieces cut or reduced to solos and some of the most sophisticated writing of Gershwins career eliminated.

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By the time Porgy and Bess launched on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre the next month, the audience encountered a butchered version that suffered withering and condescending reviews, lost money and closed after 124 performances. Ever since, Porgy and Bess has been staged with some material restored, some cut, some seemingly lost to history.

Until Saturday night, when a capacity audience filled spacious Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus to hear Porgy and Bess as Gershwin wrote it: In a performance that clocked in at 10 minutes shy of four hours. Virtually every note that Gershwin penned for what he called his folk opera finally was heard (the only deletion was a scene that Gershwin never orchestrated, suggesting that he had dropped it of his own volition).

It will be the fullest version you ever heard, the editor of the restored score, Wayne Shirley, told me a few days before the performance.

Not only was Gershwins opus performed in toto, but  starting with the scores opening measures  pitches had been corrected, long-lost bars reintroduced, instrumental voicing recalibrated and a snippet of dialogue returned to its critical place in the three-act opera.

Five years in the making, this 720-page scholarly performance edition of Porgy and Bess nevertheless remains a work in progress, Saturday evenings concert serving as a sort of test reading, to find the mistakes that we missed in the ongoing proofreading, said Shirley. And just to see what is it weve done wrong.

When Shirley and colleagues at the University of Michigan are finished, in time for a future production at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Gershwins Porgy and Bess  with libretto by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin (Georges brother)  will at last have a complete vocal-orchestral score encompassing available scholarship on the composers intentions.

The Porgy and Bess project is but one phase of the University of Michigans Gershwin Initiative, which is creating critical editions of all Gershwins works, just as has been done with manuscripts by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Chopin, a club to which Americas greatest composer surely belongs.

But considering the constraints that opera houses and theater companies face  not least bringing the curtain down so customers can hurry home, in Shirleys words  it will be a long time before Porgy and Bess is performed in as complete a form as it was in Ann Arbor.

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That this was a concert reading, rather than a staged performance, surprisingly only heightened the works communicative eloquence. For the production focused attention on the element that always has been central to Porgy and Bess and has explained its global appeal: Gershwins music.

The performance began auspiciously, thanks to the work of conductor Kenneth Kiesler, who set a quick pace from the first measures, aptly reflecting Gershwins predilection for energy and forward motion. Even in the reflective arias to come, Kiesler refused to let tempos flag or melodies bog down in sentimentality, giving this Porgy and Bess a jazz-tinged thrust often lost in the opera house. Though a funkier-sounding piano and rhythmically freer approach to the introductory piano solo would have enriched the opening pages (as in conductor Simon Rattles classic, 1989 recording of Porgy), there was no question that listeners were in the hands of performers who understood the folkloric syntax of this music.

The evenings first revelations came courtesy of the University Symphony Orchestra. Thanks to newly clarified details of orchestration and the sterling performance of these young artists, one could marvel anew at the inner workings of Gershwins score. A dancing clarinet figure here, an inexorably rising violin crescendo there, a touch of shimmering brass somewhere else told listeners that Porgy is so much more than a series of exquisitely crafted melodies: Its a multidimensional work in which the instrumentals comment upon  and interact with  arias and choral passages.

And because many sections of the new Porgy doubled the first violins, as Gershwin wished, listeners heard swells of melody rising up from an onstage ensemble that otherwise would have been consigned to the pit in a fully staged operatic production. One wondered if the orchestral accompaniment ever has sounded more texturally lucid than this.

A skeptic might doubt whether the inclusion of a few words of dialogue would have any noticeable effect on a work of this size and scale, but they surely did in the build-up to one of the operas most beloved duets, Bess, You Is My Woman Now. After Porgy (played by Morris Robinson) sang, Yes, Bess, I feels you ought to go to a picnic Porgy cannot attend, Bess (Talise Trevigne) spoke these words: If you ain goin, I ain goin, a preamble to Porgy singing his opening line of the duet to come, which is, Bess, you is my woman now.

That interchange never had been performed on stage in Porgy, and it illuminated the genesis of the title characters love.

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Though this production held too many high points to detail here, they included the stunning vocal counterpoint of Six Simultaneous Prayers, in which Gershwin captured the fervor hed heard in a Southern church when researching his opera, but with his original music (this passage tragically was cut in Boston). Also of note: the rowdy reeds and brass in a passage evoking the band music of the South Carolina locale, and Chauncey Packers vocal flights as Sporting Life singing It Aint Necessarily So, the charismatic tenors self-styled cries distinct from traditional readings but still quite effective (John W. Bubbles also improvised his lines in originating this role).

The deep humanity Robinson conveyed as Porgy and the tonal radiance of Karen Slack as Serena stood out. Trevignes Bess took a long time to gain much-needed intensity; Norman Garrett proved too tethered to the score in his hands to conjure the terrifying nature of the murderous Crown.

Ultimately, though, the star of the evening was the score itself, at last played in its fullness, 83 years after Gershwin heard it for the last time: He died less than two years after the premiere, at age 38.

It was well worth the wait.

Howard Reich is a Tribune critic.

hreich@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @howardreich

[ RELATED: A bold venture to restore Gershwin's music ]

[ 'Porgy and Bess' true to Gershwin's vision ]

[ Kevin Cole celebrates Gershwin ]
Wineries have uncorked many additional revenue streams such as hosting weddings, dinners, parties and meetings. Since enactment of a 2015 law, even those on publicly preserved farmland may do so under the oversight of county agricultural development boards.

This relatively new area of land-use law has seen some interesting cases. West Cape May, for example, once wanted to ban political fundraisers at wineries in the municipality.

Now an Upper Township preserved-land vineyards proposed business expansion is posing another set of questions and perspectives.

What would become the Ocean City Winery, if allowed, would like to build and operate an 80-seat tasting center with 28 parking spaces on the site  the norm for full-sized wineries. But in this case the whole property is just 5 acres, and the cultivated part a mere 3 acres.

Thats a tiny fraction of the average New Jersey winerys 97 acres, and tinier still of the 130 acre average of a more rural southern county such as Salem.

The property used to be a Christmas tree farm, a longtime favorite of landowners seeking to meet the minimal requirements for the states lower agricultural land taxes.

Neighbors of the vineyard have protested the plan to township and county bodies and officials. They say the area is residential and quiet, and shouldnt be subject to the traffic and noise of a commercial winery.

The township Planning Board just before Christmas put off considering the proposal, apparently seeking clarity on which governing bodies have a say in the matter and how much.

The lawyer for the vineyard, former state legislative candidate Colin Bell, said the plans may not need planning board approval. He said state Right to Farm legislation gives power of approval to the county agricultural board, and that already has ruled the site is a working farm.

Cape May County bought the development rights to the property so it would remain protected farmland. But perhaps a restaurant-sized facility to serve beverages and snacks to visitors doesnt count as development no matter how small the farmland next to it. Just how much wine would be produced from 3 acres of grapes? And is a commercial winery a conforming use for the land-use zone of it and its neighbors?

Bell said the vineyard owner has agreed not to host outdoor music, food trucks, weddings or parties, and to limit hours of operation. Residents expressed concern about traffic on cul-de-sac Bayaire Road, but the vineyard is proposing to make a new entrance directly on Route 9.

A lawyer for the neighbors said the winery plan would be a very large expansion of an already nonconforming use, one that should be open to more public comment.

The 2015 law that extended the entertainment options for wineries to those on preserved farmland also stipulated some limits. Income from events must remain less than half of total winery income; special occasion events can only be held weekends and holidays (unless approved by the state or local agricultural board); events must meet state noise standards, and must not knowingly result in a significant and direct negative impact to any property adjacent to the winery.

That seems to indicate the neighbors are entitled to some consideration, if they can figure out who is responsible for taking them into account.

Then there is always the hope that the parties will come to an agreement acceptable to all. They might need guidance from some part of government to do that. And the state should consider returning to its expansive exemption for winery development to see if its really serving land preservation or profit-seeking end runs around the ordinary regulation businesses must face in New Jersey.
PRAGUE  As political turmoil and targeted intimidation campaigns continue to impact RFE/RLs journalists and their ability to operate in the wider region, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) President Jamie Fly visited Lithuania and Latvia this week  two countries that have for decades been enthusiastic consumers of RFE/RL programming. In both countries Fly thanked officials for their support for the work of RFE/RL and its journalists, and emphasized the vital role of free and independent media during his meetings with them and with local journalists and activists.

In Lithuania, Fly met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Arnoldas Pranckevicius, Speaker of the Seimas (parliament) Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, and Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Zygimantas Pavilionis, as well as senior officials and advisors at the Office of the Government and the Office of the President. He also met with former Lithuanian foreign and defense minister Linas Linkevicius, and Belarus exiled democratic leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

In Latvia, Fly had meetings with advisors to the Prime Minister, President, and Ministry of Defense, Rihards Kols, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima (parliament); and Latvia's National Electronic Mass Media Council. He also met with representatives of Latvian civil society working to counter disinformation.

During his meetings, Fly described the difficult conditions under which RFE/RL journalists have been operating and stressed the important role that RFE/RLs journalism plays in supporting democracy across the wider region. He highlighted the urgent need to defend and model media freedom, as regional governments seek to suppress it and continue to target journalists, who are simply seeking to report the facts as they unfold. Interlocutors expressed their strong support for RFE/RLs work and explored opportunities for further co-operation.

Fly also attended the Lithuanian premiere of Mr. Landsbergis, a documentary about Lithuanias struggle to restore its independence. The film, which was commissioned by RFE/RLs Current Time digital network, won the Best Film award at the 34th annual International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in November 2021. Speaking at the event, which marked the 31st anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Vilnius, Fly congratulated director Sergei Loznitsa for his vision and his determination to bring the story to the attention of the world, noting the relevance of the films message as Russia and China today threaten democracies and attempt to distort the past.

Current Time is a 24/7 Russian-language digital and TV network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. In addition to reporting uncensored news, it is the largest provider of independent, Russian-language films to its audiences. Despite rising pressure on Current Time from the Russian government, which has designated the network a media foreign agent, Current Time videos were viewed over 1.3 billion times on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2021.

About RFE/RL

RFE/RL relies on its networks of local reporters to provide accurate news and information to more than 37 million people every week in 27 languages and 23 countries where media freedom is restricted, or where a professional press has not fully developed. Its videos were viewed 7 billion times on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram/IGTV in FY2021. RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

----

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Martins Zvaners in Washington (zvanersm@rferl.org, +1.202.457.6948)

Karin Maree in Prague (mareek@rferl.org, +420.221.122.074)
A Rock Island man was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison for robbing a credit union and leading police on a high-speed chase through both Iowa and Illinois, according to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office of the Central District of Illinois.

Roman Thomas Lloyd, 34, is charged with credit union robbery and interstate transportation of stolen money.

Lloyd fled from police at speeds close to 100 mph on both highways and residential streets after the robbery, according to the release. Police attempted to stop Lloyd with stop sticks six times before they were successful, and after his tires were deflated, police used a PIT maneuver to force Lloyd's car off the road.

Lloyd will serve three years of supervised release after his prison sentence. Lloyd's sentence for the credit union robbery and interstate transportation of stolen money will run consecutively to whatever sentences are imposed in two other cases that are pending against him. One of the cases is in Henry County, Illinois, where he is charged with burglary of a pharmacy, theft and aggravated fleeing or eluding a peace officer. The other case is in Clinton County, Iowa, where he is charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance, first offense.

Lloyd was indicted in July 2021 and pleaded guilty in September 2021.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Moline Police Department investigated the case and were assisted by law enforcement officers from Rock Island and Davenport, Iowa. Assistant U.S. Attorney McMeyer represented the government in the prosecution.

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Time for you to ask these questions with a truthful answer! Do you believe everything Biden and his administration tell you? Is it time for Biden to resign? Is the border safe or we in danger of more crime? Why should student loan debt be cancelled; is it fair for those who paid for their children's education? Have we ventured extremely into climate control without proper knowledge of the consequences? Do you believe in the extreme left Democrat party and their beliefs? Is Biden capable to turn around inflation? Should the oil pipelines be turned-on and America becomes energy independent? Will you buy an electric car in the next 2 years at a cost of over $50,000? Do you want term limits in all government? Do you like WOKE? Can you vote for what is good for America rather than be a party junkie? Should the crazy state of California leave the union? Would we be better off if it did leave the union? Do you want definition of sex to be male or female, not some made-up definition? Do you want parents to voice their opinion to schools, colleges, on what is appropriate subjects? You need to count the positives and the negatives within yourself with truth and integrity. There are many philosophies, but what is of basic importance is compassion for others, concern for others suffering, and reduction of selfishness! Vote your conscience for the good of all that is true and safe for all Americans!
At any given time, Mark Overbay, president of Big Spoon Roasters, is keeping a running list of 40 or so nut butter recipe ideas.

These ideas go beyond the Durham, North Carolina-based companys existing lineup of nut butters, which already features ingredients like chai spices, espresso, Fiji ginger and toasted coconut. Theres also a carrot cake almond-walnut butter, a lemon-coconut cashew butter and Hot Mamba, a spicy-sweet flavor inspired by a traditional Haitian recipe. Big Spoon does a pecan and peanut butter blend with wildflower honey, and another with maple and cinnamon, and a dark chocolate and sea salt almond butter. And thats not all. But Marks brain is always going  "What about pistachios? Figs? Pineapple and lime?" Well, thats where the R&D club comes in.

Comprised of Big Spoons biggest fans, The R&D club gets exclusive access to test recipes that we ship directly to their home, explains Megan Overbay, COO of Big Spoon. Its an exciting way for us to engage with a connected customer base, and to also get input on what would be successful.

Just talking about nut butters as a category of products is exciting to the Overbays, who are co-owners (and husband and wife). The couple first debuted their products in January of 2011 at a local bike race near their North Carolina home and, by that spring, they were selling at area farmers markets. While people eagerly grabbed up the spreads, they didnt quite understand what Big Spoon was selling.

At farmers markets and events, we had a sign that said handcrafted nut butters and a lot of people came up to the table and said, Whats that? Whats a nut butter? recalls Mark. You had peanut butters, almond butters, cashew butters, etc. But no business that we knew of was using that term to describe a whole category of goods that they made.

Organic growth

Mark cites living in Zimbabwe as a Peace Corps Volunteer in his early 20s as part of Big Spoons origin story. But he also credits the instinct and appreciation of preserving food that was baked into me from an early age.

My great-grandparents in Tennessee had a basement with shelves of canned tomatoes and green beans and okra and corn, just anything you could grow in the summer, Mark says.

In 2010, while Mark was working in marketing at the third wave North Carolina coffee roaster Counter Culture, he and Megan hatched the idea for Big Spoon.

The couple wanted to source ingredients as locally as they could, bringing slow food and sustainability values to the brand. It was clear in my mind how I wanted the brand to feel, says Mark. Pre-digital, timeless, a reaction to the over-industrialization of food.

At Counter Culture, he learned about the channels of specialty retail, coffee shops and grocery stores. He also developed relationships with press reps at national magazines.

Thankfully, we got a lot of really early press, and we didnt pay anything for marketing for a really long time, says Megan. We kind of walk the walk, doing what we do. Were carved out a new section of the market and the attention weve received has all happened very organically.

To the Overbays and their small team at Big Spoon, walking the walk means taking into account the full spectrum of sustainability.

Committed to sustainability

Unconvinced by improvements in eco-friendly palm production, the company has committed to never using palm oil, which decreases separation in nut butter but has negative environmental consequences.

And when it came time to expand into almond butter, Mark tested some 30 nuts before settling on an heirloom variety from Texas called Mission almonds. Theyre sometimes considered throwaway almonds because many people think theyre ugly  theyre short and squatty and wrinkly. But I think theyre beautiful. Youll never see them in a bulk bin at a grocery store, Mark says. But some genius shelled these almonds and roasted them, and theyre incredible. Theyre sweeter, theyre crunchier, they have slightly lower moisture, which means they require less water to be cultivated.

Even better, the companys California-based almond processor, Treehouse, is on the cutting edge with low water cultivation, explains Mark, a frequent concern with almond production. It all fits into the overall story Big Spoon wants to tell, about why and how they make their butters the way they do.

As more people have entered our market and made similar claims, we have had to be much more intentional about helping people understand the choices we make, Megan says. They see the value in the experience you have when you taste it. But on the shelf, things like values, process and mission can be challenging to convey.

Thats why, now, youll see little symbols on the packages: non-GMO, bee-friendly almonds, palm free.

Bigger batches

Big Spoon Roasters is looking to the future with a planned expansion to a larger facility in nearby Hillsborough, North Carolina. They continue to workshop new ingredient combinations for their portable, handmade nut butter bars, with already come in flavors like cranberry cashew, apple ginger, lemon blueberry, cherry pecan and figgy chai.

Our vision is that nut butter doesnt have to be this kind-of-salty, kind-of-sweet source of nutrition, Mark says. It can actually be a really phenomenal, delicious food experience.

As for those R&D club members, they point the way forward. A small-scale test that does well could go on to become a limited batch. A limited batch that turns out to be well-loved could move to the big leagues, and possibly join the starting lineup.

One recent promotion, a limited batch of pistachio crunch almond butter, earned them loads of unexpected love mail, as Mark calls it.

Really funny things! Megan adds, laughing. A customer wrote in saying its so good I wanted to smack my mama! laughs Mark.

Were still in this explosion of American craft foods, and I love it, says Mark. Its an honor to be a part of that. Were redefining what nut butters can be  foods that are more than just fuel.

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For Jule Hall, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a shining example of the power of education, and the letter from Birmingham Jail is the embodiment of Halls own experiences, first earning a college degree while incarcerated through the Bard Prison Initiative, then advocating for the implementation of programs like it across the U.S.

When King sat in a jail cell to actually teach people outside why it's important that we engage in racial equity, its just the epitome of what we are doing with [Bard Prison Initiative] and what so many people incarcerated are trying to, not only take on for themselves, but also give back to society, Hall said.

Hall, along with other local and national advocates for higher education in prison, will speak on these connections and their experiences with prison college education programs next week for the Quad-Cities community.

To commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Augustana College is hosting panel discussions on how prison college programs benefit communities, just a semester after the college started its own prison education program.

Two virtually-held panels will feature alumni of the Bard Prison Initiative featured in the PBS documentary College Behind Bars, along with members of the initiative and the Augustana Prison Education Program. The first panel, limited to Augustana faculty, staff and students, will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The whole Quad-Cities community is invited to tune into the second panel at 6:30 p.m. A Zoom link for the panel can be found on the Augustana College website. Project Now Executive Director Dwight Ford will serve as the master of ceremonies and offer remarks.

After portions of the documentary are shown, panelists will discuss their own stories, the larger idea of higher education for incarcerated people and how it affects  and benefits  society. Sharon Varallo, who organized and teaches in the Augustana Prison Education Program at East Moline Correctional Center, said education in prison went far beyond the academic sphere.

Incarcerated people face many barriers when they leave prison, from finding jobs to finding housing. A college education could help them find work that they enjoy and pays well, which can help with finding stable housing. Varallo said if kids could see that their parent has received higher education, they're more likely to pursue it themselves.

"There's moral reasons, there's economic reasons, there's every reason that you can think of  family stability, children being safe, education," Varallo said. "There are all kinds of ways that this has positive effects."

Hall agreed, and said the topic of higher education in prison doesn't exist in a vacuum, affecting issues like criminal justice reform.

Seven out of the 10 students in the Augustana Prison Education Program  modeled after the Bard Prison Initiative  made the Dean's List last semester, Varallo said.

Giovannie Hernandez, whose time working through the Bard Prison Initiative was showcased in College Behind Bars alongside Hall, said he didn't do panels like these for the attention but because they allowed him to see first-hand the impact they make on attendees who come up to him afterward, talking about the new information theyve learned and asking about how they can help.

Losing control over his life while incarcerated, and then in getting his education, Hernandez said it all opened his eyes to issues like mass incarceration and how incarcerated people are treated. Issues like these date back to before Martin Luther King Jr.'s time, and Hernandez, Hall and others are still trying to open others' eyes as well.

"That was the sort of the fight that Martin Luther King Jr. took up, it was to fight the systematic ways in which things have been set up for us to fail," Hernandez said. "And that's what we're doing now, but we're just attacking this aspect of it."

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A Davenport man recently sent back to prison on multiple convictions of theft, forgery and burglary in Scott, Muscatine and Johnson counties, is facing 11 charges of methamphetamine trafficking in one case and forgery, theft, identity theft and conspiracy charges in another case that authorities allege he committed while he was on work release or parole.

In the first case, Paul A. Bell, 53, who has been serving prison time in the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, is charged with five counts of possession with the intent to deliver more than 5 grams of methamphetamine. Each of those charges is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

Bell also is charged with two Class C felony counts of possession with the intent to deliver less than 5 grams of meth. Those charges carry a prison sentence of 10 years. He also is charged with four counts of violating Iowas drug tax stamp law. Each of those charges is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by agents with the Quad-City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Bell delivered 99.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine to undercover agents during the course of seven controlled buys from Oct. 31, 2019, to Dec. 10, 2019.

Bell is to be arraigned on the drug charges Feb. 3 in Scott County District Court.

In a second case investigated the Davenport Police Department, Bell is charged with one count each of forgery, conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, identity theft and second-degree theft. Each of the charges is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Officer Jennifer Brewer, between December 2020 and March 2021, Bell and another person were seen with another persons checkbook. They forged the victims signature to obtain merchandise at businesses in Davenport and Clinton.

The amount the two spent was more than $1,500 but less than $10,000.

Bell is also to be arraigned in this case on Feb. 3 in Scott County District Court.

The meth trafficking and forgery occurred during the period Bell was on work release or parole from prison from Aug. 16, 2019, through March 10, 2021, when he was returned to prison for violating his parole.

On March 14, 2014, Bell was sentenced to 15 years in prison as a habitual offender in Muscatine County after pleading guilty to a charge of unauthorized use of a credit card below $10,000. The charge is a Class D felony.

On Dec. 28, 2017, Bell was sentenced to 15 years in prison on a forgery charge. He was given an extended sentence as a habitual offender. He had to serve a minimum of three years before he could be placed on work release or parole.

He was placed on work release on April 18, 2019, and on parole on Aug. 16, 2019.

While out he committed other crimes in Scott, Johnson and Muscatine counties.

He was returned to prison on March 10, 2021.

On Aug. 11, 2021, during a hearing in Scott County District Court, Bell was sentenced to concurrent sentences of five years on four convictions of theft and forgery and a concurrent sentence of two years in prison on a third-degree theft conviction. Concurrent means the sentences will run at the same time.

On Aug. 20, 2021, Bell was sentenced to five years in prison on a forgery conviction during a hearing in Johnson County District Court. This sentence was to run concurrent to the sentences in Scott County.

Bell also is awaiting trial in Muscatine County on three charges of forgery that occurred in July and August of 2020. Each is a Class D felony. He also is charged with ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

According to the Iowa Department of Corrections website, Bell has been on work release, parole, probation or in prison since 1994.

On Aug. 26, 2021, Bell submitted a motion to quash restitution in his Muscatine County case of unauthorized use of a credit card. In his motion, Bell said that, I have zero income, I have PTSD, night terrors, a seizure disorder. I dont have a job while incarcerated. All the medical restrictions I have will prevent me from getting a job. I have zero income and dont foresee any in my future.

Bell was being held Thursday night in the Scott County Jail on bonds totaling $105,000, cash or surety on the new charges, and without bond on a Department of Corrections hold.

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A Rock Island man was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison for robbing a credit union and leading police on a high-speed chase through both Iowa and Illinois, according to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office of the Central District of Illinois.

Roman Thomas Lloyd, 34, is charged with credit union robbery and interstate transportation of stolen money.

Lloyd fled from police at speeds close to 100 mph on both highways and residential streets after the robbery, according to the release. Police attempted to stop Lloyd with stop sticks six times before they were successful, and after his tires were deflated, police used a PIT maneuver to force Lloyd's car off the road.

Lloyd will serve three years of supervised release after his prison sentence. Lloyd's sentence for the credit union robbery and interstate transportation of stolen money will run consecutively to whatever sentences are imposed in two other cases that are pending against him. One of the cases is in Henry County, Illinois, where he is charged with burglary of a pharmacy, theft and aggravated fleeing or eluding a peace officer. The other case is in Clinton County, Iowa, where he is charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance, first offense.

Lloyd was indicted in July 2021 and pleaded guilty in September 2021.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Moline Police Department investigated the case and were assisted by law enforcement officers from Rock Island and Davenport, Iowa. Assistant U.S. Attorney McMeyer represented the government in the prosecution.

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Why is there such a disconnect between the real world and what we see on TV when it comes to real estate and the costs (and stressors) of putting a roof over your head?

On a recent episode of And Just Like That , Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) buys a light-filled apartment with a massive terrace and a view of the Hudson River. Its an antiseptic white box with floor-to-ceiling windows in a new building that presumably comes with all the expected amenities. What shes actually paying for this place is never mentioned  shes a wealthy widow, money is no object and she has a high class real estate agent Seema (played by Sarita Choudhury) showing her only the best of the best. But a quick Google search found a comparable building with prices ranging between $2 million and $18 million and, eyeballing what we saw on screen, Carries place would probably land somewhere in the middle.

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Heres how she talks about touring the apartment with her friends. Guys, I just dont love it. Then dont buy it, one of them says. Weeelllll, Carrie reveals, she actually did buy it. I had to, I have been dragging Seema around for three months. I have nitpicked my way through 46 apartments.

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in the new apartment she hates. (Craig Blankenhorn/HBO Max )

I can guarantee you no wealthy person said this ever. Nor felt a pang of guilt because their agent was spending an inordinate amount of time showing them property. I know this because Ive watched enough of the real estate fantasies peddled on the Bravo reality shows Million Dollar Listing (theres both a New York and Los Angeles version) that I can assure you, not one client is worried about wasting anyones time or money but their own. And their real estate agents put up with it because a six-figure commission is at stake. (Oh right, the real estate agents are rich as well.)

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By the end of the episode Carrie tells Seema: I hate the new apartment. Then well sell it, comes the reply! And bloop, bloop, its as easy as buying and returning something from a department store. No mention of all the closing costs and the possibility that she may lose money on what is essentially a flip. Nope, just  she hates the fabulous apartment and no sweat, its an easy fix.

The thing is, even when youre rich, there are all kinds of hassles and no shortage of haggling involved with buying and selling property, but like its predecessor Sex and the City, the show functions as escapism; it was never not meant to be rooted in anything that resembles reality for most of us.

But And Just Like That  isnt an outlier. When you look around, television as a whole  be it scripted or reality  isnt particularly interested in capturing, or even incorporating, the headaches that come with housing, whether you rent or own, especially at a time when its become increasingly more expensive to do either, even in regions that were once considered somewhat affordable.

The racism that shuts people out from being approved for apartments or loans, or the kinds of predatory housing contracts of the 1950s and 60s in Chicago that robbed Black families of between $3 billion and $4 billion? Rarely if ever threaded into the narrative.

The cast of real estate agents featured in Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing New York," from left: Tyler Whitman, Ryan Serhant, Kirsten Jordan, Fredrik Eklund and Steve Gold. (Kareem Black/Bravo)

Comedy or drama, Id love to see any of this anxiety reflected in stories because it is such a huge part of our lives. And yet its all but absent on TV, which tends to portray homes as simply there  where the subtext is one of comfort and economic stability  or as something wildly aspirational, fueling an onslaught of reality shows competing with the Bravo slate, including Netflixs Selling Sunset and Selling Tampa.

A couple years ago the writer Dani Alexis Ryskamp published a piece in the Atlantic about The Simpsons, noting that the most famous dysfunctional family of 1990s television enjoyed, by todays standards, an almost dreamily secure existence that now seems out of reach for all too many Americans. Homers union job at the power plant supported a family of five: A home, a car, food, regular doctors appointments, and enough left over for plenty of beer at the local bar were all attainable on a single working-class salary.

But more than 30 seasons in, their life no longer resembles reality for many Americans, where a life of constant economic uncertainty  in which some of us are one emergency away from losing everything, no matter how much we work  is normal.

Heres a general observation about television: When characters are rich, thats usually integral to the story. When theyre struggling or experiencing financial precarity, thats also integral to the story. But then theres this vast middle where the costs and concerns associated with just finding and living in a place simply do not exist.

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Anjulie Rao is a Chicago-based journalist who writes about how we live  or die  by the built environment and I was curious if she had any theories about how this gets reflected in pop culture.

The most realistic depictions of the reality of owning property are in horror movies, she said.

Oh, this is true!

You often find that families move into a house thats super haunted and theyre asked, Why dont you move out? and they say, Because everything I have is tied up in this real estate! I just recently re-watched The Conjuring, which is very much about people being trapped in their homes because of financial reasons. Or look at horror movies like Poltergeist or the new Candyman, which actually talk about the land and what happened there that created a catastrophe in order for this property to become available.

She also mentioned recent episodes of the podcast Youre Wrong About, which focus on the real life Amityville Horror origin story, based on that of a couple who moved into an enormous house with their children in 1975, about a year after a person shot and killed six members of his family there. A month after they moved in, they moved back out.

1979's "The Amityville Horror" is based on a purported true story about George and Kathy Lutz (James Brolin and Margot Kidder) who move into the house with their children a year after six people were killed there. (MGM)

Even though they got the house for a steal, thanks to those grisly murders, heres host Sarah Marshall: Important to note that they bought a house $30,000 higher than their max price. To which co-host Jamie Loftus responds: My instinct with them is they realized that they were $30,000 in debt and needed to manufacture something more profitable than the fathers line of work was bringing in.

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Or maybe they needed to manufacture a reason to get out so soon after buying besides something as banal as: Were drowning in debt and this house may be our financial ruin.

Theres a lot to be said of the idea that once you purchase a house, youre stuck with it, said Rao. Maybe the ghosts of these stories are really just a metaphor for all that deferred maintenance hanging over your head.

Whereas when you compare that with And Just Like That  where shes like, Im not feeling it anymore, that to me is more in line with the American Dream of real estate  that you can pick up and unload property as frequently as you want.

What we watch, Rao said, influences the way we dream about our future. I would love for there to be some kind of plot component to some of these shows or movies that really talks about why this couple youre watching was able to buy this house. No ones talking about devalued land and segregation and the histories of destruction. Instead, the lavishness is the pinnacle of American idealism, which is: I will be rich one day.

I love television, she added. But the more that we can meet what we see on television with policy changes that create real protections and investments in infrastructure, the less were going to feel betrayed by the fantasy we see on TV.

By the way, Rao launched a seasonal newsletter last month called Weathered, which will explore ideas and issues around the built environment in the wintertime.

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Why the winter?

Im really interested in the conditions of change. So when people talk about things like gentrification or climate change, winter represents a microcosm of how we live differently and adapt to change for a period of 3-5 months. Im hoping this series of essays prompts people to think about the kind of adaptation were capable of  and then projects that onto a wider lens of how we can be more adaptable to other types of change.

A luxury bathroom in a home featured on Selling Tampa. (Netflix)

Nina Metz is a Tribune critic

nmetz@chicagotribune.com

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Davenport Democratic state lawmaker Jim Lykam will not seek reelection to the Iowa Senate.

Lykam announced Friday he will retire after serving out this current term through 2022.

Lykam was first elected to the Iowa Senate in a special election in 2016 and previously served eight terms in the Iowa House.

"I'm 72 years old, and there's just some other things I want to do," Lykam said, including spending more time with family, traveling and spending winter in a warmer locale.

"I think Ive had a good career," Lykam said, adding he and his family felt it was the right time to step aside and allow a new, younger generation of Iowa Democrats to carry the torch in Des Moines.

Lykam said he had not spoken with anyone about running for the seat but anticipated party leadership would begin having those conversations soon.

Andy Suchorski, executive director of the Iowa Senate Democrats' Majority Fund, said Senate Democrats "are actively talking to folks in Scott and Cedar counties, but we don't have a candidate at this time."

Lykam, who represents Davenport and the southern portion of Scott County along the Mississippi River, was drawn into a more rural and less urban district as a result of redistricting last fall. The new Senate District 41 seat stretches from northwest Davenport to West Branch and includes parts of Scott, Cedar and Muscatine counties, making it more favorable for a Republican.

Lykam, though, said redistricting did not factor into this decision to retire.

Walcott farmer and first-time candidate Kerry Gruenhagen announced last month he will run for the open Senate District 41 seat as a Republican.

Gruenhagen, former president of the Muscatine County Farm Bureau, said he was running to advance policies to support agriculture and rural communities, including "tax-relief for hard-working families" and continued support for law enforcement to "combat increasing crime rates and work to keep our communities safe."

Gruenhagen's candidacy comes after Davenport Republican state Sen. Roby Smith announced that he will run for statewide office in 2022 rather than seek reelection to the Iowa Senate.

Redistricting placed Smith into the newly-drawn senate district alongside Lykam.

Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, said Lykam "has been an outstanding public servant during his 22 years in the State Legislature."

"From leading the effort to crack down on abusive puppy mills, to championing important economic development projects in the Quad-Cities, Jim has been a lifelong advocate for the residents of Scott County," Wahls said in a statement. "His constituents, the Democratic Party and all Iowans are better off because of Jims service to our state. Well miss Jims leadership and big heart in the Capitol. I congratulate Jim on his well-earned retirement, and I wish him and Barb nothing but the best in retirement.

Lykam also served on the legislative committee that created the popular Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Fund that invests in the enhancement and protection of the state's natural resources. The program has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in efforts to expand environmental and recreational opportunities across the state.

Lykam also supported legislation legalizing riverboat gambling in Iowa during an economic downturn caused by the farm crisis.

"The legislation created thousands of new jobs and expanded recreational and cultural opportunities across the state," Lykam said.

He also supported legislation that restricted access to pseudoephedrine, a key meth-making ingredient.

"I want to thank the people of Scott County for giving me the opportunity to represent them in the Legislature," Lykam said in a statement announcing his retirement. "With their support, I have worked in a bi-partisan manner on key issues, reaching across party lines to pass good policy and putting politics on the sideline. It has been an honor to represent the citizens of Scott County."

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Moline has been awarded $111,744 in federal grant money meant to support school safety initiatives.

The money is part of a $3,048,982 pool from the U.S. Department of Justice, according to a news release issued by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. The funds can be used for a range of efforts, including training for police officers and acquiring communications systems that quickly notify police of a school emergency.

The city must still accept the award, according to the Moline Police Department. It is expected to be presented to the City Council on Jan. 25.

Putting the money to use would be a joint effort between the police department and the Moline-Coal Valley School District, the department and Matt DeBaene, assistant superintendent of secondary teaching & learning, said.

DeBaene said the department and district have a good working relationship.

Among the potential uses for the money would be acquiring a notification system that would be focused specifically on emergency situations, not unlike the Amber Alert system.

The district regularly works on security, DeBaene said. When there is a capital upgrade, for example, school safety is always at the forefront of the process.

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California's governor on Thursday rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of America's darkest times.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his "political hero" and embraced the historical significance of his decision, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners. Newsom said Sirhan, now 77, poses an unreasonable threat to public safety.

"Mr. Sirhan's assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history," Newsom wrote in his decision. "After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past."

He said factors in his decision including Sirhan's refusal to accept responsibility for his crime, his lack of insight and the accountability required to support his safe release, his failure to disclaim violence committed in his name, and his failure to mitigate his risk factors.

Kennedy, the U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in California's pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

The slaying took place five years after his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated.

Sirhan will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023.

Sirhan will ask a judge to overturn Newsom's denial, said his defense attorney, Angela Berry.

"We fully expect that judicial review of the governor's decision will show that the governor got it wrong," she said.

State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that "not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society."

She said the parole process has become politicized and Newsom "chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law."

Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release "because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century," she said. "Since the mid-1980's Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public."

During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy "the hope of the world." But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesn't recall because he was drunk.

"It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did in fact do that," Sirhan said.

The parole panel's recommendation in August to release Sirhan divided the iconic Kennedy family, with two of RFK's sons  Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  supporting his release. But six of Kennedy's nine surviving children and Ethel Kennedy, RFK's wife, urged Newsom to block his parole.

The panel's decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016  the 15th time he'd lost his bid for release.

Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didn't object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascon's policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.

The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsom's late father.

Newsom has previously reflected on the gravity of having Sirhan's fate in his hands, saying it was an emotional issue that echoed back to the turbulent '60s and reopened memories many want to forget.

Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972.

He now has a heart condition and has survived prostate cancer, Valley fever and having his throat slashed by another prisoner in 2019, said his attorney, Angela Berry.

Munir Sirhan has said his older brother can live with him, if he is freed and not deported to Jordan. Sirhan Sirhan waived his right to fight deportation.

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SPRINGFIELD  A Republican attorney who once served as a staffer to former Gov. Jim Edgar declared his candidacy for Illinois attorney general on Thursday.

Steve Kim, the managing partner of Chicago-based international law firm RKF Global, is the latest Republican to announce a run for statewide office, arguing that Illinois for too long has elected politicians that ignore the crime and corruption that plagues our state.

The office is currently held by Democrat Kwame Raoul, who was first elected in 2018 and is running for reelection.

Raoul did not garner a mention in Kims announcement, however, with the Republican instead turning his ire toward former Gov. J.B. Pritzker and former House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Under J.B. Pritzker and Mike Madigan, Springfield remains a cesspool run for the benefit of the politicians and insiders and not the people of Illinois, Kim said in a news release. Illinois is in dire need of leaders who will stand up for the rule of law, fight public corruption on behalf of the people and curtail the crime that seems to be getting worse with every passing day.

It isnt Kims first foray into politics  it isnt even the first time hes run to be the states top lawyer.

He was the Republican nominee for attorney general in 2010, losing in a landslide to incumbent Democrat Lisa Madigan. Four years later, he was then-Treasurer Dan Rutherfords selection to be lieutenant governor. Rutherford finished a distant fourth place in the Republican primary.

In 2015, Kim was appointed to the Illinois Human Rights Commission by Gov. Bruce Rauner.

He has held a variety of roles in the international business and law space over the past two decades. And in the late 1990s, he advised Edgar on international trade, economic development, and Asian affairs issues.

His announcement featured longstanding themes about tackling corruption in Illinois politics and government. State Republicans have long been critical of Illinois attorneys general for their seeming lack of focus on public corruption. It should be noted that the topic is not included in the responsibilities prescribed for the office under the Illinois Constitution, however.

Responding to Kims entry to the race, Raoul said he looked forward to debating the issues, though cautioning that this election comes at a critical time for our state as we continue to combat Republican attacks on our democracy, our access to health care and reproductive rights, and our right to vote.

The global pandemic and Trump presidency have shown us how important state attorneys general are to preserve the fundamentals of our democracy, protect the publics safety, and uphold our rights, Raoul said. I have been honored to serve as Illinois 42nd attorney general and look forward to asking voters for the opportunity to serve a second term.

Kim is among a slate of statewide candidates thats expected to be supported financially by wealthy GOP donors, including billionaire Ken Griffin.

Though each candidate launched separately and there was no explicit acknowledgement of the slate, Kim, Milhiser and Teresi all share the same campaign treasurer.

Raoul has yet to file his campaign finance report for the fourth quarter, but had $738,152 on hand as of September 30. Hes brought in $285,850 since. Kim, on the other hand, has just $42 in his campaign account.

Thursday was the first day candidates for office could circulate nominating petitions to get on the June 28 primary ballot.

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Steve Kim, a twice unsuccessful Republican statewide candidate, announced Thursday he would seek the GOP nomination for attorney general, a position he first sought a decade ago.

Crime is spiraling out of control throughout Illinois, and our leaders continue turning a blind eye, pushing to defund our law enforcement, Kim said in announcing his bid to challenge first-term Democratic Attorney General Kwami Raoul. As attorney general, I will work with our law enforcement to tackle our growing crime problem.

Kim, an attorney with a boutique international law firm, previously served as an international trade and economic development adviser under Gov. Jim Edgar, and was a member of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

In 2010, Kim was the unsuccessful Republican challenger to incumbent Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, losing the contest 65% to 32%.

Four years later, he ran for lieutenant governor on a ticket with former state Treasurer Dan Rutherford. The ticket finished fourth in the Republican primary that was won by Bruce Rauner and his running mate, Evelyn Sanguinetti.

Kim is the latest addition to a slate of Republican candidates being assembled to try to gain the backing of Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and the states wealthiest man, who has vowed to go all in to defeat first-term Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Griffins office has had no comment on the slates formation.

Raoul, a former state senator who was elected attorney general in 2018, said the election comes amid Republican attacks on our democracy, our access to health care and reproductive rights, and our right to vote.

In an acknowledgment over increasing public concern about crime, Raoul said he has worked in a bipartisan manner with prosecutors and police chiefs across Illinois to fight crime and develop criminal justice policy and partnered with federal and local law enforcement to prosecute murder, violent crimes, crimes of sexual violence and gun trafficking as well as having fought organized retail crime that has contributed to smash-and-grab crimes across the state.

Raoul also promoted his support of abortion rights and his efforts acting as a friend of the court in support of having the Equal Rights Amendment incorporated into the U.S. Constitution.

Also Thursday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who recently announced he would step down at the end of his term after 30 years in office, endorsed Karin Norington-Reaves to succeed him in the redrawn South Side and southwest suburban 1st Congressional District.

Norington-Reaves called Rush a giant and storied leader and said while these are big shoes to fill, I believe that I am the right person for this responsibility.

Rush called Norington-Reaves the best suited for this responsibility and cited her creativity, passion, energy and innovative spirit.

Rush and Norington-Reaves met in 2014, after a local teacher, Dr. Betty Howard, was killed by random gunfire in the South Side Chatham neighborhood. As part of an effort to revitalize local communities gripped by violence, Norington-Reaves led the establishment of the Chatham Education and Workforce Center, her campaign said.

Norington-Reaves, head of workforce development for Chicago and Cook County, announced her candidacy shortly after Rush said last week that he would not seek reelection.

Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, who chairs the City Councils Budget Committee, also announced for Rushs seat after the congressmans announcement. In a statement following Rushs endorsement, Dowell touted her elected experience and said voters need a congresswoman who has real experience in a legislative body, building coalitions, guiding legislation and chairing an influential committee.

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SPRINGFIELD  Three Republican state House members called for hearings into the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on Thursday out of concerns for workers safety, improper placements of state wards and the recent death of North Chicago boy.

Reps. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, and Tom Weber, R-Lake Villa, held a news conference Thursday to demand that DCFS Director Marc D. Smith appear and answer questions. They called on their Democratic colleagues and Gov. J.B. Pritzker to join their calls for hearings.

For the past three years, members of the House and Senate of both parties have tried to peel the onion that is DCFS to find the root causes of their failures, Reick said. And the only conclusion that we could draw is that the agency is irretrievably broken and that no amount of money will solve its systematic failures.

DCFS has come under fire in recent weeks for three incidents: the death of a caseworker, the death of a child in a family where abuse allegations were reported, and a contempt citation issued against Director Smith for failing to move children to appropriate placements.

Child protection investigator Deidre Silas had worked for the department for six months when she was sent alone to a house in Thayer on Jan. 4 to check on the welfare of six children. Silas was found dead by Sangamon County Sheriffs deputies. She had been bludgeoned and stabbed. Benjamin Reed, 32, who lived at the home, was later charged with Silas murder. She was the mother of two children.

In a separate incident, 6-year-old Damari Perry was found dead in an abandoned building in Gary, Indiana. Damari was taken into the states care in 2015, but was returned to his mothers care, along with his siblings, two years later. Two subsequent abuse allegations were received by DCFS, including an allegation that the mother wrote a note threatening harm to Damari.

On Dec. 29, prosecutors said Damari was punished with a shower in cold water. He vomited, went unresponsive and later died. Jannie Perry, the boys mother, and two siblings face charges in connection with his death.

Smith himself faces a contempt citation in two Cook County juvenile cases with a $1,000-a-day fine for as long as he leaves the children in their current placements. A 9-year-old girl, known as A.M. in court records, was placed in a locked psychiatric facility. The girl suffered horrific sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a parent, including being forced to have sex with adults. Despite court orders to place the girl in a therapeutic foster care setting, the 9-year-old currently was held in a locked psychiatric unit for more than 223 days.

The other case involved a child known as C.R.M. who was also ordered on Nov. 14 to be taken out of temporary shelter where he was confined since Aug. 14 when he was placed in a temporary shelter in Mount Vernon  279 miles from Chicago where his mother lives. Before that, C.R.M., who has severe mental health issues, was at another temporary shelter in Chicago where he slept in a utility room. At that time, DCFS told the court that the child needed a therapeutic foster home placement. The Mount Vernon shelter is a temporary placement for children for less than 30 days. C.R.M. had been at the shelter more than 150 days.

The contempt citation was issued after numerous violations of court orders to remove the children and put them in appropriate placements.

The Department of Children and Family Services is dedicated to keeping children safe and strengthening families. We are working aggressively addressing the decades-long challenge of a lack of community resources and facilities for children with complex behavioral health needs, which has been exacerbated by an increased demand in social services in recent years, DCFS spokesman Bill McCaffery said. Every single day, DCFS works with its network of providers and foster parents in an ongoing effort to place these children in settings that can provide the appropriate level of care and in which the children can grow and flourish.

Both of the contempt citations were purged and the fines vacated at a Cook County hearing on Thursday morning. Smith was found in contempt in the case of a 17-year-old boy who has been in a locked psychiatric hospital since September. The court ordered sanctions of $1,000 per day until DCFS appropriately places the child, to start on Jan. 18. At the DCFS directors request, the court stayed the order until Jan. 20 for DCFS to seek appellate review.

It isnt money that is the barrier to proper placement, said Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert. Therapeutic foster care costs much less than psychiatric hospitalization and is not eligible for federal reimbursement.

This wastes more than $6.2 million of scarce tax dollars every year. This is money that could be used to expand placement capacity, Golbert said.

DCFS has placed 356 children statewide in inappropriate settings for an average of 55 days, according to Golbert. The court order noted that in 2020, DCFS had 314 wards in psychiatric hospitals beyond the date of discharge. In 2014, there were 75 DCFS wards in mental health facilities beyond the date of discharge. That number doubled in 2015 to 168.

The agency has closed almost 500 residential beds since 2015, leaving a vast shortfall for placing children in their care. Those residential beds were closed because the agency was opting for foster homes that provided specialized services. Those placements never materialized.

It should come as no surprise that members of the GOP are once again using our states most vulnerable as pawns in their political games, Pritzker spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh said. This is the same party that stood behind (former Gov.) Bruce Rauner as he decimated social services and recklessly cut 500 beds for youth in care without creating alternative placements. They repeatedly voted against increased funding for DCFS, resulting in dangerously low staffing levels. As the administration has repeatedly made clear, these reckless decisions destroyed lives quickly, but it will take years to undo that damage.

DCFS has a $1 billion budget, but money to hire more caseworkers isnt the solution, Weber said.

Failed leadership cannot be fixed by more money or more employees. When you see a pattern of children being taken away from then returned to their mother and years later that child is murdered, these are patterns that arent going to be fixed by more money. This is something that can only be address by an investigation of the failed policies of DCFS and its leadership, the state representative said.

Abudayyeh said Pritzkers administration inherited a DCFS that had been systemically hollowed out and underfunded.

Since taking office, the governor increased DCFS budget by over $340 million with DCFS launching aggressive hiring efforts to bring on 860 additional staff, she said. These investments passed without the support of the Republicans in General Assembly.

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DES MOINES --- Educators in Iowa have been relaying their concerns with remarks made earlier this week by Republican Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman, who accused teachers of having a sinister agenda for books they include in school libraries, Democratic legislative leaders said Thursday.

Before the session began this week, Chapman had attended a school board meeting in Johnston where he said librarians and teachers who distributed literature he deemed to be obscene or graphic should be arrested. During his speech Monday on the first day of the 2022 session of the Iowa Legislature, Chapman continued that campaign.

One doesnt have to look far to see the sinister agenda occurring right before our eyes. The attack on our children is no longer hidden. Those who wish to normalize sexually deviant behavior against our children, including pedophilia and incest, are pushing this movement more than ever before, Chapman said.

Some books in school libraries have been targeted by Iowans who feel their content is vulgar or too graphic. Most feature LGBTQ themes or are written by LGBTQ authors, and include passages that describe sexual experiences.

Our children should be safe and free from this atrocious assault, Chapman said in his speech. Our students should be learning about science, and mathematics; they should be learning about engineering and innovation. Instead, some teachers are disguising sexually obscene material as desired subject matter and profess it has artistic and literary value.

Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, said the next morning he received a message from a school principal who had a teacher ask for a letter of recommendation so the teacher can transfer to a district in another state. Wahls said he also received a message from a small-town superintendent who called Chapmans remarks really, really scary.

Were hearing stories like this all the time, Wahls said during a news conference Thursday.

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said she heard from teachers working on their lessons plans for the next day when they reached out to her about the comments.

The teachers I have, their only agenda is to teach kids and make great citizens and people who want to grow up to be great Iowans, Konfrst said. Its been incredibly insulting and frankly hurtful for teachers across the state who are doing all they can for their kids, especially these last two years (amid the COVID-19 pandemic), to hear this said.

During an interview with KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Chapman said his comments were not accusing all teachers but said some educators are defending literature he deems obscene.

My view is there are some, and weve seen it, that they have actually come before school boards and advocated for keeping this type of literature in the classroom,: Chapman said. And I don't think thats OK. I dont think a fifth-grader should have access to this kind of obscene material. Its inappropriate.

GOP ready on Reynolds agenda

House Republicans are eager to get started on Gov. Kim Reynolds agenda, House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, said.

Grassley said Thursday the priorities outlined by Reynolds in her Condition of the State address earlier this week largely align with the House Republican caucus.

I think youre going to really see us starting off from a position where the focus of the Legislature, in the House, with what the governor is proposing, were really in a good spot to get off and get running, Grassley told reporters.

One of the first items lawmakers typically address is public school funding levels. Grassley said he believes Republican leaders will be able to produce that legislation in the first month.

In her budget proposal, Reynolds pitched a 2.5 percent increase for K-12 school districts, community colleges and the states three public universities. Grassley did not commit to an exact figure, but said he believes majority Republicans in the House and Senate will be able to find agreement with the governor.

Corporate tax cut

Reynolds budget includes a proposal to lower the states top corporate income tax rate, pending state corporate income tax revenues reach a certain level.

Under the proposal, if state corporate income tax revenue surpasses $700 million, the top rate would be reduced the next year, according to an analysis of the proposal from the Legislative Services Agency, the nonpartisan fiscal and legal analysis division. Business leaders have asked state leaders to consider lowering the states corporate income tax rate.

Democratic legislative leaders criticized the proposal itself, claiming it provides financial assistance only to the most profitable companies  and the fact that Reynolds did not mention it during her Condition of the State speech.

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Pam Kragen

Pam Kragen is a feature writer who specializes in writing human interest, dining, theater and opera stories. She joined The San Diego Union-Tribune staff in October 2012 after 27 years at the North County Times, where she served as the Arts & Features Editor, as well as the papers longtime arts writer and theater/opera critic. She is the president and co-founder of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from San Diego State University and completed fellowships in theater criticism at the University of Southern California and opera/classical music criticism at Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Journalism. She reports from the U-T's North County office in San Marcos.
SPRINGFIELD  Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced Thursday afternoon that all Secretary of State departments, including driver services facilities, will remain closed for an additional week due to continued high numbers of COVID-19 cases statewide.

White previously announced these facilities would be closed from Jan. 3 through Jan. 17. They will now reopen Monday, Jan. 24. Those operating on a Tuesday-Saturday schedule will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 25.

White noted that three commercial drivers license facilities will open Tuesday, Jan. 18, for in-person CDL services only. Those facilities are at 734 Baxter Road, Rockford; 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield; and 1905 Rendelman St., Marion.

White encouraged the public to visit ilsos.gov for online services, including:

 Renewing a license plate sticker

 Renewing a drivers license or ID card for those who qualify (individuals may call 217-785-1424 to confirm their eligibility or to obtain their PIN)

 Obtaining a duplicate drivers license or ID card

 Obtaining a driver record abstract

 Filing business services documents, such as incorporations and annual reports

White has extended all drivers license and ID card expiration dates to March 31. Expiration dates for CDLs and commercial learner's permits have been extended to Jan. 31 for CDLs and CLPs with expiration dates between Nov. 1, 2021, and Jan. 31, 2022.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.

Contact Robyn Skaggs at (309) 820-3244.
A Chicago police officer was drunk at the Burr Oak Bowling Alley in Blue Island on Tuesday when a brawl led to him shooting one man before the same bullet pierced two other men, including the manager, a prosecutor said Friday.

Cook County Judge Luciano Panici set Kyjuan Tates bond at $2 million Friday in a hearing broadcast live on YouTube. Tate, whose police powers have been revoked was also placed on no-pay status with the police department.

Tate, 27, was drunk in the bowling alleys bathroom when a 42-year-old man tried to go into the mens room, Kathryn Morrissey, a Cook County assistant states attorney, said at the virtual hearing at the Markham courthouse. Tate blocked him because Tates sister was in the bathroom, Morrissey said.

The 42-year-old man, who Morrissey said had not been drinking, went outside to start his car then tried to use the restroom again and was again blocked by Tate, Morrissey said.

The two men started arguing and Tate lifted his sweater to show a pistol, she said. The mans 52-year-old cousin tried to defuse the situation, then Tate swung at the 52-year-old. About 20 people from a birthday party for the 42-year-old mans fiancee watched as a brawl among the three men spilled out into the bowling alleys lounge, Morrissey said.

The 42-year-old man punched Tate, knocking him to the ground and turned away from him. Tate then got his gun from his sister who hed handed it to earlier and shot the man behind his right ear, Morrissey said.

The same bullet also struck the 52-year-old man in the left side of his chest exiting his upper back and severing a vein and artery, Morrissey said. The same bullet then struck a third victim, the bowling alleys manager, 33, in his left hand.

The 42-year-old grabbed Tate and they struggled over the gun as people from the party fled the scene, Morrissey said. The manager called 911 and the 52-year-old man fell, bleeding from the chest, she said.

Tate took the gun and ran out to the parking lot, Morrissey said. Surveillance video showed Tate and his sister trying to leave and the 42-year-old man and a witness trying to stop them, Morrissey said.

Blue Island police detained Tate and his sister in the parking lot and recovered Tates Glock 43 from his car.

In the bowling alley a witness tried to slow the 52-year-olds bleeding by using a T-shirt until Blue Island police placed a medical patch on the wound, Morrissey said. That man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where his condition was stabilized. He has not been able to move his left arm, Morrissey said. The 42-year-old was treated at an urgent care center. He lost a piece of his ear and is experiencing hearing loss and ringing in that ear, Morrissey said.

The bowling alley manager was also taken to Christ Medical Center where the bullet was removed from his left wrist, Morrissey said.

Morrissey asked Panici to hold Tate without bail.

But Tates attorney, Tim Grace, said that was unnecessary as Tate had no criminal history and stayed at the scene after the incident. Tate was a probationary police officer, a new hire, according to Chicago police.

This is a self-defense case, Grace said. This is a case (that) needs to go to trial.

Grace said Tate did what he was trained to do as a police officer by putting the weapon in a safe location. Tate was placed on administrative status, Grace said.

He was surrounded by three people and he, at that point, engaged as a police officer and took police action based upon what evidence I came to understand, Grace said. Theres no evidence that the trigger was intentionally pulled. Theres no evidence at all that the single bullet that was fired was directed at any of the other two individuals.

Tate joined the Police Department in spring 2021 and graduated from the academy in October. He was assigned to the 5th District which covers the Calumet area.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating.

Tate is due in court again on Jan. 24.

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I received a postcard from U.S. Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks recently which, at taxpayers' expense, extolled her virtues as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, what she stood for and what (in her words) she was "fighting" for as a member of Congress.

This mailer was pure propaganda, again paid by your tax dollars. Anyone with a minimum of reading ability could see it was a clear campaign piece and did virtually nothing to inform me or others as constituents on her voting record, what bills are being debated before Congress, how I could receive help from federal agencies or anything else of relevance. Instead, the postcard was a self-promotion piece all about her and what she was "fighting" for.

There is enough political blather already these days with the 24-hour news cycle on social media, but now my congresswoman, who preaches fiscal conservativism, is alright with using the congressional franking privilege to use our tax dollars to inform us what she is "fighting" for? I don't think so. Miller-Meeks should start legislating and stop the self-promotion using our tax dollars to show how you are "fighting" for us. Your junk mail does not fool anybody.

Toby Paone

Davenport

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A significant winter storm will be impacting all of Iowa Friday and Friday night. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are up for all counties in the state through early Saturday morning. Scattered snow showers will move in during the morning Friday from the northwest and spread to the southeast. Snow looks to be widespread during the afternoon and evening hours Friday. Due to higher temperatures, a rain/snow mix is anticipated for the far western part of the state during the afternoon. For everyone else, this will be an all-snow event. Snow showers will become less numerous late Friday night and all snow is expected to exit southeastern Iowa by mid-morning Saturday.

Quad-Cities could get 2-5 inches of snow from winter storm Friday The Quad-City area will be on the eastern edge of a winter storm that is expected to dump as

While there continues to be uncertainty in how long the heaviest snow will last, its looking increasingly likely that portions of the state could see 8 to 10 inches. This is most likely to occur along a line stretching from Estherville, Iowa in the north to Corydon, Iowa in the south. West and east of this line, snow totals will gradually get smaller. The forecast snow total for Sioux City, is 3 to 5 inches. For Mason City, the snow total should range from 4 to 8 inches. Waterloo is looking at 3 to 7 inches of snow. Muscatine will likely see 2 to 5 inches. Meanwhile, the Quad Cities is expected to see one the lower snow totals in the state, but will still end up with 1 to 4 inches.

During the afternoon and evening Friday, snow will be heavy at times. With temperatures below freezing except for the far western portion of Iowa, snow will be able to accumulate quickly. Winds will also be gusting 25 to 30 mph. The combination of falling and blowing snow will greatly reduce visibility. All of this will lead to hazardous road conditions. Travel should be avoided during the afternoon and evening hours. If you must venture out, give yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination. Drive below the speed limit and expect to encounter snow covered roads.

While the heaviest snow will be behind us after midnight and winds will be coming down, travel will still not be easy across the state through at least Saturday morning. Breezy conditions will continue to blow the snow thats already fallen around. As is usual with winter storms, it will take snow plows time to clear the roads. Major highways and interstates will likely be in good shape after the early morning hours Saturday, but secondary roads may not get plowed until the afternoon, especially in locations with the higher snow totals.

Along with the snow, expect temperatures to drop. While high temperatures Friday will range from the mid 30s to upper 20s across most of the state, low temperatures Friday night will be in the upper single digits and teens. Factor in the breezy conditions and feels like temperatures will be around zero degrees in many locations early Saturday morning. High temperatures Saturday will generally be in the upper teens and low 20s, but wind chills will likely not climb out of the single digits. Winds will be light Saturday night, but low temperatures will still reach around zero degrees for many.

Matt Holiner covers weather and climate across the Midwest. Matt has eight years of professional meteorology experience and has forecast every type of weather for cities across the country. He holds the National Weather Association's Seal of Approval.

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South Dakota has sent millions of dollars of unused COVID-19 housing assistance funds  allocated to help low-income renters  back to the federal government, mainly because not enough people applied for help.

As of early January 2022, the state had received about $271 million in federal funding to pay rent and utilities of low-income residents who fell behind during the pandemic. But so far, the state has distributed only about $24.9 million to needy residents, or about 9.2% of the total available funding.

In September, South Dakota and other states that did not spend the money fast enough were required to return some of the money to the federal Treasury. That month, South Dakota returned about $22 million in unused housing assistance funds to the federal government, which is reallocating the excess money to states that are using it faster.

Several other states, especially those in rural areas or with smaller populations, have had to return unused housing-assistance funds. Overall, the federal government said disbursing the money to low-income renters has gone more slowly than expected across the country.

The program will continue to offer assistance at least until 2025. The federal government rejected requests by South Dakota officials to use the excess funds for other housing initiatives.

Lorraine Polak, executive director of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, which is administering the housing assistance program for the state, said the state had to return funds for several reasons. One was that Congress gave too much assistance money to the state; another that less rental assistance was needed because South Dakota did not shut down its economy.

South Dakota has been successful in getting ERA funding to the residents in need, Polak wrote to News Watch in an email, referring to the federal Emergency Rental Assistance program. Because our state didnt shut down or require businesses to close, we had fewer requests for assistance than other states that took away peoples ability to provide for themselves. In addition, many of our residents are homeowners, and this program only applies to renters.

Polak pointed out that with a population of under 1 million, and the assistance program limited to renters who qualify as low-income, there was no way the state could spend all $271 million from the program, part of which extends into 2025.

We had more funds than necessary to meet the needs in our state, Polak wrote. It was best to return those taxpayer dollars to the Treasury.

To help implement the program in a fast and functional way, the housing authority enlisted local agencies across the state to aid in the application process and allocation of funds that were ultimately paid directly to landlords and owners of rental properties.

Officials with two of those agencies said that while the program could have done more to help, especially for homeowners, they said Polak did a good job managing the program and that the state continues to help renters and landlords who are being hurt by the pandemic.

The state and all the partners have been wonderful to work with, and weve all gone to great lengths to help a lot of people, said Peter Smith, executive director of the Rural Office of Community Services in Wagner, which provides a variety of aid to residents throughout eastern South Dakota.

Polak said the state program has provided aid to about 4,000 households statewide, and Smith said his agency has aided about 1,350 families in 22 South Dakota counties.

State data show that in 21 of the 66 counties in South Dakota, fewer than 10 housing authority assistance applications have been filed, mostly in rural areas. The most populous counties, Minnehaha and Pennington, led the way in overall applications filed. Tribal communities were able to access federal housing assistance funds through other government programs.

At the end of the day, hopefully everyone that needs assistance is able to get that, and I think $25 million is a lot of money, Polak said.

South Dakota has used three federal funding programs to assist with housing costs for low-income residents during the pandemic. Legislators in 2020 used a special session to approve using $10 million in federal Cares Act funds to provide money for rent, mortgage payments and utility bills to renters and homeowners affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Congress then approved two rounds of funding in 2020 and 2021 through the Emergency Rental Assistance program that set aside almost $47 billion to aid renters in states, large cities, U.S. territories and on reservations. Homeowners were not included in the ERA program and tribes were excluded from the second round of ERA funding.

The money was given to states to distribute to landlords and owners of rental properties to support low-income residents with rent and utility payments. The goal was to help renters stay housed and assist landlords who operated under a federal eviction moratorium from September 2020 to August 2021.

In January 2021, the federal government estimated that U.S. renters overall were in arrears by at least $20 billion and as much as $57 billion, potentially putting millions of American rentersparticularly in minority communitiesat risk of eviction. The eviction moratorium and economic slowdown during the pandemic caused many landlords and building owners to suffer significant financial losses as renters struggled.

South Dakota received $200 million in ERA-1 funds and $61 million in ERA-2 funding. When added to the $10 million appropriated by the Legislature in 2020, the state has received a total of $271 million in Cares Act funding in housing assistance, the large bulk targeted at renters.

Six months into the ERA-1 program, the U.S. Treasury reported that only $1.5 billion of the $25 billion allocated, or about 5.8%, had been provided as rental and utility assistance across the country. Two months later, the amount had jumped to $7.5 billion, or 30% of the total, still far below what Congress had intended.

In a report in May 2021, the Treasury noted that while some state and local programs are increasingly reaching households in need, others lag far behind.

Some states were slow to implement systems to distribute the assistance, and some renters complained the paperwork requirements were too extensive or required computers and online proficiency. The Treasury reduced some paperwork requirements in ERA-2 compared with the first round of funding. ERA-1 assistance will end in 2022 but ERA-2 funds can be allocated through 2025.

However, as some states continued to lag in allocating assistance money, the Treasury in September 2021 enacted a recapture and reallocation process that required states that were not providing assistance fast enough to return money to the federal government, which likely will go to states with greater need or more efficient delivery systems.

For South Dakota, that resulted in the return of $22 million in housing assistance funds in September 2021, and more could be returned this spring, Polak said.

North Dakota, where about $15 million in assistance has been provided so far, officials have said the state expects to return $149 million of the $200 million it received in ERA-1 funding.

According to a South Dakota Housing Authority report in January 2022, about 3,800 households statewide had received some federal housing assistance, while about 1,850 applications were abandoned after being started.

Some states hired private contractors to administer the program, but South Dakota handled allocation of funds through the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, an arm of state government.

The authority, which typically works with developers and other established housing partners, was immediately tasked with developing a complex new system to provide direct financial assistance to landlords, Polak said.

The housing authority enlisted the help of several local aid agencies across the state to let low-income residents know about the program and to administer the first steps in applying. Local agencies also played a key role in getting approved funding directly to landlords.

The housing authority was aggressive in trying to get the word out about the availability of assistance, Polak said, posting information on the agency website, working with local aid agencies to inform their clients of the opportunity for help, and providing notification through utility companies, daycare providers and churches.

The authority and its local partners also spend significant time with applicants, assigning case workers to aid each renter and conducting extensive follow-up through the application and aid allocation processes, Polak said.

In essence, were talking with every applicant; some of them have my direct number, she said.

Mike Walker, executive director of NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources, said his agency participated in the first round of housing-assistance funding but declined to partner with the state in the second and third rounds. His agency, based in Deadwood, serves people western South Dakota.

Walker said the initial housing-assistance program allowed agencies to provide aid to households in both low-income and medium-income categories and to those who owned their homes. In the first round of funding, homeowners and renters who earned up to 115% of the median area income could qualify for help, whereas the second two rounds of federal funding were restricted to renters who make up to 80% of the median area income, Walker said.

When they [the federal government] did that, that they eliminated over half their customers, Walker said. By limiting that and giving a lot larger dollar amount, they over-allocated.

For instance, Walker said many working families in western South Dakota make enough to qualify for help at the 115% median income level, which is about $86,700 a year for a family of four in Lawrence County. But those families, many who lost work hours and faced financial hardships during the pandemic, did not qualify for help at the 80% median income threshold, which is about $60,300 a year in Lawrence County.

When they put those limits on there, they eliminated some of the people who really needed the help, Walker said. Thats the main reason the money didnt go out.

The different rules came about because the first round of funding was approved by the state Legislature, and the two subsequent rounds are subject to rules set by the U.S. Treasury.

Smith said he would like to see the assistance program help more homeowners with back mortgage payments; those residents qualified only for the initial $10 million funding effort authorized by the state Legislature in 2020.

But Smith said he sees the housing-assistance program as a great success, even if opportunities to use funding to help even more people are not available right now.

n the ERA program, our caseworkers are doing a bang-up job. Has it been helpful, have we seen the impact on peoples lives? Yes, we have, Smith said. Have we seen people go forward with their lives, and getting their jobs and lives going forward? Yes, we have.

Polak said the rental and utility assistance programs are ongoing, and she urged any tenants or landlords who are struggling to visit the housing authority website or their local aid agency to learn how to apply for funding. She also noted that other programs coming soon to South Dakota will be aimed at providing help to homeowners as well as renters.

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The woman who pleaded guilty to killing a 37-year-old in a Walmart parking lot was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in the state penitentiary.

Judge Craig Pfeifle sentenced Rochelle Seminole, 50, to 15 years for vehicular homicide of Kimberly Clifford and 15 years for aggravated assault with five years suspended.

John Murphy, her defense lawyer, said the sentences will run consecutively. Seminole received about 32 months in credit for time served in the Pennington County Jail awaiting trial. This is her first first felony.

According to witnesses, Seminole and Clifford were seen fighting in the LaCrosse Street Walmart parking lot before Seminole hit or attempted to hit Clifford with an SUV on May 26, 2019. She was then seen backing up and then hitting Clifford, launching her into the air.

Clifford was found unconscious and bleeding with a tire track on her body. She died after being taken to the hospital.

Seminole was found with a .270 blood alcohol content level, more than three times the legal limit, according to police reports.

She pleaded guilty on Dec. 3 in a plea agreement.

Five witnesses testified Wednesday at the sentencing. Murphy said two were Clifford's sisters and three supporters of Seminole.

 Contact Siandhara Bonnet at siandhara.bonnet@rapidcityjournal.com 

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In the Bitterroot Valley, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities will be taking place at schools, the Ravalli County Museum and BEAR, the outdoor-based mentoring program for youth.

A free family activity, MLK Dream of Peace, will be held at the Ravalli County Museum on Saturday, Jan. 15,

Educator Nancy Joy Valk said the lesson provides an opportunity for youth to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream for peace.

The lesson focuses on kindness as we cut shapes and build a collage about peace in our communities, Valk said. Primarily I want to promote the speech that he gave focused on fairness. I like his quote about I dream of a day when all men will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

She said that as children build a collage that represents peace in their life by cutting up colorful papers and images, there will be an open-ended discussion about kindness philosophies and acceptance for all.

Well talk about our characters and how we care about one another, Valk said. I want each child to have a freedom of expression, express kindness and how they want to treat other people.

Valk said she taught the MLK activity a few years ago and she enjoys timing activities with holidays and special calendar days.

This speaks to every moment of our life, she said. Anytime you can express the integrity of character, how you live your life, what we want in our town, it does speak to making choices. It shows who you are, how you relate to others and how you participate in your community.

Attend The free family activity, MLK Dream of Peace, from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford St., Hamilton.

The BEAR, the youth mentoring program, has put together a"Commit to Kindness" campaign for the community in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

BEAR Training & Outreach Coordinator Katie DeFelice said shes been inspired by King.

Ive been reading some of his quotes and some of his speeches and obviously he was a huge political figure for civil rights, but he also had a strong vision of tight-knit communities where people lived well together and loved each other, she said. His whole non-violent movement had the foundation of love and infuse love into communities.

She has been pondering community values, individual values and how those are turned into action.

[Locally,] Ive been reading so many great articles about kids coming up with donation programs, The Salvation Army meeting needs, and there are so many people who are trying to do good in our community, DeFelice said. It is so good that we have that value of compassion in our community. People are turning that into action.

Shes developed a campaign to help the community show what they value.

In BEAR were all about the group values, DeFelice said. We dont have a bunch of rules and hard-core consequences, but we guide behavior through the learning and common sharing of our values, and caring for self and others is one of those values.

BEAR is about building community connections for participating youth and their families.

The "Commit to Kindness" campaign includes doing an act of kindness every day for two weeks, Jan. 1731.

DeFelice and BEAR youth have developed displays and posters offering activities for community members who want to participate in sharing compassion. The displays will be set up at the Bitterroot Public Library this week and in other locations in Hamilton and in Victor next week.

On the BEAR website, http://www.bearmt.org, there will be materials to download with ideas for acts of kindness. Small posters say, Kindness islistening to friends, believe in yourself, care for the environment, helping elderly, writing a note" and other easy-to-do suggestions.

[Community members] can download the whole infographics campaign or series that will be on display in the library, DeFelice said. They can print the information out to hang in their classroom or community space to encourage kids, family members and the community to participate. There will be information about Dr. King as well as a downloadable card.

DeFelice said this is a start and she hopes to build on the "Commit to Kindness" campaign for years.

Doing acts of kindness for people, whether that is your sibling, whether that is a parent or just telling someone you appreciate them, DeFelice said. During Covid, we have so many people who have stayed committed to working and showing kindness. We can care for them.

She said committing to kindness activities can be as simple as handing someone a little card.

A token of hey, I see you, Im thinking about you, DeFelice said. If they want to share, they can also take a photo of themselves doing kindness in action and share it on social media. On their own page, they can use these hashtags #MLKday and #BeKind22 and it will get it out there.

To share with BEAR, use Facebook and Instagram use Bitterroot.BEAR

If people tell us directly what kindness they are seeing in the community they can tell us and we can post to social media too, DeFelice said.

Shes hoping the community will participate in the "Commit to Kindness" campaign and choose to act like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. encouraged when he said, The time is always right to do what is right.

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Footloose Montana will present a trap-release workshop covering the details of how to free your pet, the medical supplies and tools youll need, and trapping laws on Saturday, Jan. 15.

Footloose Montana Board Member Clare Beelman will conduct the workshop in the Bitterroot Public Library community room. Masks are encouraged and reservations are required via email to info@footloosemontana.org.

Beelman said she will bring a variety of foothold traps, the steel open jaw-type, and snares for workshop participants to learn with hands-on experience.

The main thing I think people are really looking for is getting their hands on traps and getting practice on how they work so youre not caught unaware in a stressful situation, Beelman said.

Field veterinary care for dogs will be presented by Jan Bullock, who worked for the Iditarod race in Alaska for many years.

Beelman said releasing the foothold trap may be the easy part and the hard part can be figuring out how to approach a trapped dog.

Bullock will be talking about how to safely handle your dog and what first aid you need to be prepared for, Beelman said. The main thing that Im seeing really commonly this year is trying to free a dog from a trap and owners getting extremely bitten. Every dog will react differently, but it is not uncommon that you get bitten.

Beelman said she grew up in Missoula, moved away for school and then returned several years ago.

When I came back, I was meeting new people and they were talking about their dogs and their friends dogs getting in traps, she said. I have a friend who lives outside of Missoula who comes into town to walk her dog because her dogs were getting caught in traps on forest roads. It was eye-opening and I think it is to a lot of people.

Trapping is a legal activity throughout the state and coyote trapping happens year-round.

The winter months, November through April, are the height of the trapping season. Footloose Montana knows how trapping works, keeps track of where traps are being found and usually presents five to 10 workshops a year across Montana. They have done more presentations during the COVID pandemic due to the increased number of hikers and dog walkers who are outside enjoying the forest.

Wolf traps are typically baited, to draw in a wolf, and whatever draws in a wolf draws in your dog, Beelman said. Also, because it is wintertime those corridors where wolves and people are walking tend to get problematic incidents more frequently.

She said trapping knowledge varies among workshop attendees and she has many details to present in the two-hour workshop.

There is a ton of information and people are left with more questions than when they came in. Honestly, thats good, this is a very nuanced and complex issue, Beelman said. Were offering an overview of the bottom line. I provide trapping booklets and contact information for FWP.

She also presents information on trapping laws and how they affect recreationists, including the fact that disturbing traps or removing wildlife from traps is illegal.

Youre worried about your dog and want to free it as minutes matter, but you should call FWP [Fish, Wildlife and Parks] right after, Beelman said. Youre responsible for what your dog does and even you further handling the trap have disturbed it. It is within the law for a trapper to call FWP and they can cite you for a misdemeanor offense.

Footloose Montana teaches hikers and dog walkers to reduce conflict.

Generally, trappers dont want your dog in their trap, Beelman said. Often traps are hidden below the surface, in the water, in trees, depending on what type of trap youre talking about. They dont need to be tagged or signed.

Footloose Montana maintains a map of trap reports to help people to know where traps have been located. The Trap Map details are posted on their website footloosemontana.org.

The Footloose Montana presentation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, in the community room of the Bitterroot Public Library, 306 State St., Hamilton. RSVP via email to info@footloosemontana.org.

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The challenges for people looking to purchase affordable housing in Ravalli County continued to grow in 2021.

Real estate prices climbed at record rates with median home prices rising 27.4% to $465,000. That marked nearly a 10% increase from the previous years record jump of 17.4% at $365,000.

In the last five years, the median price of homes in Ravalli County on less than 40 acres has doubled. In 2016, the median price was $232,875.

If rapidly rising prices arent enough, real estate broker Darwin Ernst said first-time homebuyers also face challenges to get their foot in the door due to a market that caters to those with cash or the ability to put a deal together quickly.

Ernst, a longtime local appraiser and real estate broker has been tracking residential housing trends gathered from information from multiple listing services for years.

That data showed only about 12% of the new home loans on the 857 sales recorded last year were financed by a subsidized loan through the Veterans Administration, Federal Housing Administration or similar entities often used by first-time homebuyers.

Because home prices have risen so quickly, people cant make those types of loans work, Ernst said. Those loans all require an appraisal or certain inspections to get financing. They take time. People cant make them work. They are competing against buyers with cash or more purchasing power.

Its a huge stumbling block for people just beginning to get into the housing market, he said. Its hard to compete with cash.

More than a quarter of the 857 sales last year were paid for with cash offers.

The purchasing power of buyers is a critical component to success in buying a home now in Ravalli County, Ernst said.

Cash in hand is the number one way to get to the head of the pack, he said. Having a large down payment or the ability to be flexible on a move-in date or a willingness to forgo inspections move you up the ladder. If you need special financing or cant afford to move into a home that needs a bunch of things fixed, then youre at the lower point of the totem pole.

At this point, theres nothing that indicates that home prices will begin to swing back in the other direction any time soon.

Weve not seen this before where the market is on a continual climb, Ernst said. We always thought when we saw the market rise, we knew it would eventually come back down. There are a lot of predictions the market will slow in 2022 compared to 2021, but thats all speculative at this point.

Right now, there his nothing to show that there will be a great decline in the current upswing in property values, he said.

Currently, the average time to sell a home in the Bitterroot Valley is 107 days. There is just a little over a month of residential inventory available on the Ravalli County market.

Last years 857 sales were the second-highest number in the last 21 years. The highest number of sales occurred in 2020 when 901 residential properties were sold.

While some people assume that a lack of inventory is driving the price increases, Ernst said thats not true.

There is plenty of inventory throughout the year but its just going real fast, he said. Due to that, theres not that much inventory on the market at any given timeThere is a lack of affordable inventory.

At the time Ernst put together the data earlier this week, there were 79 residential properties on the market in the county. At the rate that homes sold last year, that number would sell in 1.27 months.

In Hamilton, there were 19 residential properties. In 2021, there were 291 residential sales in that market.

Right now in Hamilton, theres less than one months inventory, Ernst said. Its truly a sellers market.

Last year also saw an uptick in the price of newly constructed homes. The 97 homes listed on MLS had a median sales price of $533,898. In 2020, the median cost was $349,500.

That price was driven by several factors, including rising land costs and builders facing increased charges for materials and labor, Ernst said.

With many of the lots from subdivisions created years ago now gone, the median price for land (zero to 40 acres) rose 34.62% last year from $130,000 in 2020 up to $175,000. The land also sold much faster than in the past. In 2020, the average time it took to sell a parcel was 425 days. Last year, that dropped to 191.

There were 299 parcels of bare land that sold in 2021, which was down from 401 the previous year.

In 2020 there was still a lot of land available from subdivisions that dated back to 2008 or earlier, Ernst said. Most of all of that is gone. Now theres an urgency to buy whatever becomes available even if it isnt the dream property that had people had in mind when considering a move to Montana.

There are still a lot of people coming here, Ernst said. Its still the last best place. If people can afford to move and work from home or retire, this is a place that they can continue to want to come.

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Botched U.S. COVID-19 policy poisons world

Xinhua) 08:13, January 14, 2022

-- More than 1.35 million COVID-19 infections were reported nationwide on Monday, the highest national daily count worldwide

-- With world's largest COVID-19 caseload and highest death toll, the United States has deported hundreds of thousands of immigrants, many infected with the virus, to other countries, further spreading the pandemic far beyond its borders.

-- U.S. military bases overseas are contributing to the spread of COVID-19 within local populations.

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- While U.S. politicians are talking big about how the United States has got back "on the right track" out of the pandemic, a set of gruesome record-smashing numbers remind the Americans of a hard truth: they are far from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

According to the U.S. official data, more than 1.35 million COVID-19 infections were reported nationwide on Monday, the highest national daily count worldwide. On Wednesday, more than 151,000 patients were hospitalized, also the highest since the pandemic broke out in the country.

Despite all the idle boasts and self-deceiving excuses made by Washington, ordinary Americans are increasingly waking up to the cruel fact that they are paying the price for the botched U.S. COVID-19 policy.

As the world's most powerful country with its tentacles reaching into every nook and cranny of the globe, its crippling COVID-19 policy has also had a ripple effect, undermining global efforts to beat the pathogen.

Medical workers carry a patient to a hospital in New York, the United States, Dec. 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

FALSE DAWN

As the U.S. infections and hospitalizations continue to shatter records, U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday defended the government's response to the pandemic, saying he was "confident we're on the right track" to tackle the pandemic.

While confidence is most prized in the face of daunting challenges like the pandemic, the numbers tell a less reassuring story.

According to data from Johns Hopkins and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over the last week, the United States recorded an average daily tally of more than 761,000 cases. On Tuesday 47 states reported higher counts than a week earlier; 21 states set new dail records of cases in a week; 48 states reported more COVID-19 patients in hospital beds; and 41 states reported more COVID-19 patients in intensive-care units.

Besides, the numbers are very likely to be undercounted as patients who test positive with at-home test kits do not typically report to governmental agencies.

Along with hikes in cases and hospitalizations, the U.S. health system, which has already been short-staffed due to labor shortages and health-care workers put in quarantine after being infected, is being further strained.

As a desperate response to the pouring patients, many hospitals and long-term care facilities are even asking doctors and nurses who have tested positive to return to work.

Haitian migrants who are seeking asylum wait to get into a van to be transported from Del Rio, Texas, the United States, Sept. 24, 2021. (Photo by Nick Wagner/Xinhua)

Top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has said that with the Omicron variant, the disease will infect "just about everybody" regardless of vaccination status.

While U.S. politicians are still trying to gussy up their COVID-19 policy, people are seeing that behind the rosy picture those Washington elites presented nothing but another agonizing false dawn.

INTERNATIONAL SOURCE OF IMPORTED CASES

The collapsed U.S. response against the pandemic has not only put millions of Americans' health and life in peril, but also created a source of imported infections for other countries, undermining the very foundation of the global COVID-19 fight.

With world's largest COVID-19 caseload and highest death toll, the United States has deported hundreds of thousands of immigrants, many infected with the virus, to other countries, further spreading the pandemic far beyond its borders.

"From the beginning ... deportations have been a way to outsource our challenges to other nations," said U.S. Congresswoman Norma J. Torres last year. "Coronavirus changes that -- these deportations are exporting death."

Indeed, even now the United States is still the main source of infections for many countries, exporting virus through different ways.

People walk past a COVID-19 testing site in Times Square in New York, the United States, Jan. 9, 2022. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced Wednesday that about 70 South Korean nationals who attended the Consumer Electronics Show held in the U.S. city of Las Vegas last week tested positive for COVID-19.

In Japan, the U.S. lax approach to administering its military personnel with COVID-19 tests before and after arriving in the country has led to a spike in cases and cluster infections at multiple U.S. military bases there.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi has requested the U.S. bases in Japan to impose a curfew to prevent the virus from spreading at U.S. military facilities in Japan and further into the community.

All the cases risk dealing a blow to the COVID-19 control of other countries, which have been struggling to cope with the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

WIDESPREAD CRITICISM

For all these dire consequences that have already been induced, some U.S. politicians still refuse to admit any wrongdoing, claiming that they are "on the right track."

The botched U.S. COVID-19 policy has provoked widespread upset and angry from both within and outside its borders, with criticism pouring in to awaken those slumberous U.S. politicians.

Vehicles line up at a COVID-19 drive-through testing site in Los Angeles, California, the United States, Jan. 10, 2022. (Xinhua)

"The United States has not done well ... That's a problem and I think it needs to be said out loud that it's a problem because that's what a lot of people are experiencing every day," said Kathleen Sebelius, who once served as U.S. Health and Human Services secretary.

In a recent analysis, CNN said that the U.S. administration is coping with a failure "that could have been foreseen," and that the virus "that is more adaptable than the politicians who fight it" has outpaced them again.

Denny Tamaki, governor of Japan's Okinawa prefecture, criticized the U.S. military for lacking "management ability" after a U.S. military camp based on the island reported several hundreds of cases in late December.

In a telephone conversation last week with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese foreign minister told Blinken that further measures need to be taken by the U.S. side to prevent the virus from further spreading.

U.S. military bases overseas are contributing to the spread of COVID-19 within local populations, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson recently, adding that the United States should reflect deeply on the negative impact that its actions have had on global anti-pandemic cooperation.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohios Republican-drawn congressional map was rejected by the states high court Friday, giving hope to national Democrats who had argued it unfairly delivered several potentially competitive seats in this years critical midterm elections to Republicans.

In the 4-3 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court returned the map to the Ohio General Assembly, where Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers, and then to the powerful Ohio Redistricting Commission. The two bodies have a combined 60 days to draw new lines that comply with a 2018 constitutional amendment against gerrymandering.

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Members of the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee hear testimony on a new map of state congressional districts in this file photo from Nov. 16, 2021, at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Julie Carr Smyth/AP)

The powerful redistricting commission was already in the process of reconstituting so it can redraw GOP-drawn legislative maps the court also rejected this week as gerrymandered. That decision gave the panel 10 days to comply, raising growing concerns about the looming Feb. 2 candidate filing deadline for the May primary.

Neither the congressional nor the legislative maps drew a single Democratic vote.

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Writing for the majority, Justice Michael Donnelly, one of the courts three Democrats, wrote, (T)he evidence in these cases makes clear beyond all doubt that the General Assembly did not heed the clarion call sent by Ohio voters to stop political gerrymandering.

The courts three Democrats were joined by Chief Justice Maureen OConnor, a moderate Republican set to depart the court due to age limits at the end of the year.

The courts three other Republicans  including Justice Pat DeWine, son of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, a named plaintiff in the cases  dissented.

They said it was unclear how it should be determined that a map unduly favors one party over another.

When the majority says that the plan unduly favors the Republican Party, what it means is that the plan unduly favors the Republican Party as compared to the results that would be obtained if we followed a system of proportional representation, the dissent said.

They explained that the U.S. has never adopted a system that requires congressional seats to be proportionally distributed to match the popular vote, nor does Ohios Constitution require it.

The decision affects separate lawsuits brought by voting-rights and Democratic groups, which argued it was indisputable that the map unconstitutionally unduly favors the Republican Party. The two suits were brought by the National Democratic Redistricting Commissions legal arm, as well as the Ohio offices of the League of Women Voters and the A. Philip Randolph Institute.

The groups said either 12 or 13 of the maps 15 districts favor Republicans, despite the GOP garnering only about 54% of votes in statewide races over the past decade.

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Republicans had defended the map as fair, constitutional and highly competitive.

Voting rights advocates and Democrats praised the ruling.

The manipulation of districts is the manipulation of elections and voters have had enough, said Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio, a plaintiff. We expect legislative leaders to learn from their mistakes and finally listen to the peoples call for fair maps.

Ohio and other states were required to redraw their congressional maps to reflect results of the 2020 census, under which Ohio lost one of its current 16 districts due to lagging population.
As the omicron variant sweeps the state, with COVID-19 case loads increasing 135% this week over last, which itself was a 130% jump, early figures dont show the rapid rise of sick Montanans has led to any higher interest in the vaccinations proven to ward off the most severe outcomes and death from the virus.

We often look at the first dose administered as an indication of whether there's some movement towards increasing vaccination in response to these situational factors. And as I look back through at least the last three weeks of reported data, it's stayed about the same, if not a little lower, acting State Medical Officer Dr. Maggie Cook-Shimanek said in a Tuesday press conference held by the Montana Medical Association.

The COVID-19 variant Omicron was first detected in Montana Dec. 20 and has so far shown to spread incredibly fast. Before the variant was detected here, the state health department reported an average of nearly 1,500 new COVID-19 cases each week. Now the state counts more than that daily  1,760 new cases Thursday, 1,831 on Wednesday and 1,520 on Tuesday. Mondays report included 1,939 new cases, though the state does not update its online database over the weekend.

Earlier this year the GOP-majority state Legislature banned businesses, including hospitals, from requiring vaccinations in Montana. And Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has encouraged Montanans to get vaccinated, but he has not required them to or taken further action beyond promoting the message in press releases and public service announcements.

A review of vaccination data in Montana shows the periods correlated with the most demand occurred when different populations become eligible for shots in the first part of 2021. Since then, the state saw a lull in shots over the summer with some increase in the late fall. Cook-Shimanek said shed have a better idea of the most recent weeks vaccination demands by next week.

Vaccine data also shows that since Montanans became eligible for boosters, those shots quickly took over as the majority of shots administered each week in the state. Since Oct. 1, boosters have accounted for more than 56% of all vaccine doses in Montana in any given week.

In the most recent week's data available, ending Jan. 7, first shots made up just 20% of those administered while third doses accounted for 63%. Montana's vaccination rate has hovered at 53% of those eligible.

While the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a federal vaccinate-or-test requirement for large employers, it allowed the federal government to require vaccination or testing and other preventative measures at medical facilities that receive federal funding, which includes Montana's largest hospitals.

In a statement Thursday, the Montana Hospital Association said the states hospitals will adjust their policies to ensure compliance with the federal law. (The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid) has asserted this federal requirement takes priority over state and local law, president and CEO Rich Rasmussen said.

The spike in Montana's COVID-19 numbers are also without a doubt an undercount, something acknowledged by Cook-Shimanek and other doctors and epidemiologists who joined her on the associations call to promote a new effort to increase vaccination uptake in Montana.

Thats because of a range of factors from things that have been an issue throughout the pandemic, like incomplete reporting up to the state and not all sick people getting tested, to new issues like there not being a mechanism to capture positive results from at-home rapid tests.

(The state health department) recognizes that not all of those positive results from at-home tests are going to be reported to local public health departments, and so we know thats going to contribute to some of the undercounting of COVID-19 circulating in different communities, Cook-Shimanek said.

Empty store shelves have illustrated the high demand for rapid at-home tests. The Missoulian reported Wednesday the state health department told school districts around the state its warehouse of BinaxNOW testing kits ran dry. On Thursday, the governors office said it secured 650,000 rapid at-home tests that local public health departments will distribute for free to Montanans.

In an email this week, state health department spokesperson Jon Ebelt said results from at-home tests dont meet the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions definition of a confirmed or probable case, so they cannot be counted in the states reports.

As we have from the beginning of the pandemic, (the state health department) recognizes the daily case counts may not capture the full picture of COVID-19 activity in Montana. It should be noted that other states face this challenge, Ebelt wrote.

Dr. Neil Ku, an infection disease expert at Billings Clinic, said other reasons for case counts being lower than actual infections can include test shortages, people who dont know where to get a test administered through their county health department or hospital and people who choose not to get tested.

We don't have an accurate number, Ku said. We just have an estimate and a sense based on  some of the other indicators we use like the numbers of visits to a doctors office for respiratory illness or things like that. We take all those different indicators and get more of a sense rather than an exact number of actual cases of COVID-19.

In a press release Thursday, RiverStone Health, the public health agency for Yellowstone County, acknowledged its positive cases reported this week by the state was an undercount. The state had reported 1,007 cases for the county in its updates from Monday (which includes any positives from over the weekend) through Thursday. But RiverStone said Thursday "so far this week, more than 1,500 Yellowstone County residents have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus."

It also noted nearly 2,300 county residents had tested positive so far this month.

Trends in Montana are concerning, the panel said. Last week 84% of all specimens sequenced at the state public health laboratory were the omicron variant, up from 70% the week prior. Only a small percentage of all samples are sequenced.

At this point, we do consider the omicron variant to be the dominant circulating strain in our state, Cook-Shimanek said. It should be noted that more cases of omicron likely exist (than the numbers processed at the lab) but (the state health department) and its partner labs don't sequence every positive COVID-19 test that they receive because the current lab sequencing is intended for surveillance purposes only.

Ku said that hospitalizations in the state had slowly been trending upward, mirroring the effects omicron has wrought elsewhere in the country where it hit first. Hospitalizations rose 17% from from the week prior to this one, Gianforte was told in his COVID-19 briefing this week.

Ku cited the recent holidays, more people indoors because of the cold weather and a significant portion of Montanans unvaccinated as leading to a surge in cases as the more-contagious omicron spreads.

Omicron is 200% more transmissible than the Delta variant, which itself was 200% more transmissible than the alpha variant, Ku said. The omicron variant also has a higher viral load in infected people, meaning those people make more virus and can spread it further. Theres also some evidence, Ku said, that commonly used monoclonal antibodies are substantially less effective against omicron.

Because the variant can spread much faster, even though those who are vaccinated have a good protection against severe illness and death, the number of hospitalizations and death can match or exceed that of the Delta variant simply because so many people are likely to fall ill, Ku said.

Hospitalizations and deaths lag case counts, but during the press conference Rasmussen, with the hospital association, said without a slowdown to the spread COVID-19, hospitals will once again be forced to consider a return to crisis or contingency standards of care."

The governors briefing showed that between April 2021 and Jan. 7, those who werent vaccinated accounted for 83% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and 79% of COVID-19 deaths in the state.

Ku said he's optimistic the one bright spot in those dim figures would be an increase in vaccination uptake.

My hope is that now (seeing) how rapidly this variant has spread in our state  my hope is that that  those who have not been vaccinated will get incentivized to get the vaccine, Ku said.

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ECPI University is opening a new campus site in western Henrico County that will offer courses in information technology, nursing and culinary arts, among other programs.

The Virginia Beach-based private college, which has 17 locations in Virginia and four other states, said Friday it is now operating a campus site at 11104 W. Broad St.

The building, just off Interstate 64 at the West Broad Street exit in Short Pump, formerly was a Stratford University campus that closed in 2019. Before that, it was part of the former S&K Famous Brands warehouse. The building is next to commercial real estate brokerage Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimers corporate office.

The new site for ECPI is a relocation from a building it previously occupied on Cox Road in Henrico.

The new West Broad Street campus, at more than 50,000 square feet, offers about twice the space of the former site, an ECPI spokesperson said.

That additional space will give the school more classroom and lab space for courses in cyber and information security, engineering technology including electronic engineering and mechatronics, and business management. Classes are scheduled to start Jan. 24 in those programs.

The Short Pump building also is expected to house an accelerated bachelor of science program in nursing that will enable students to earn a full bachelors degree in 30 months.

ECPI said the larger campus also will enable it to expand its Culinary Institute of Virginia program  also called CIV  from Hampton Roads to the Richmond area.

CIV is expanding from Hampton Roads to service the growing hospitality sector in the greater Richmond area, the college said in a statement. Culinary classes will be offered this spring.

The program will include baking and pastry arts, culinary arts, culinary nutrition and food service management.

It is our goal to provide students and employers a variety of convenient, hands-on, career-focused options, ECPI University President Mark Dreyfus said in a statement. Whether upgrading skills, changing careers or starting a new one, our programs are designed to meet and support the needs of adult learners. The new Short Pump campus will expand our lab space and allow us to add course offerings.

ECPI has two other locations in the Richmond region, at 2809 Emerywood Parkway in Henrico and 800 Moorefield Park Drive in Chesterfield County.

In Virginia, ECPI graduated about 1,000 nursing students and 500 cyber and information security students last year.

Fairfax County-based Stratford University, also a private college, had operated a campus at the site from 2010 to 2019 but decided to close it and two other locations in Virginia. At the time, the school said enrollment had declined since 2016 after the federal government made changes affecting eligibility of for-profit colleges to offer federal financial aid programs.
Three more retail businesses that sell gasoline, including one in Henrico County, have reached settlements with the Virginia Attorney Generals office over alleged price gouging during a run on gas because of the shutdown of a key pipeline in the spring of 2021.

Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herrings office said Thursday it had reached settlements with the three businesses for alleged violations of the Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act.

The companies are Shivoham Inc., which operates the Gaskins Road Mobil at 3901 Gaskins Road in Henrico; Arlington-based George Mason LLC, which does business as Liberty Gas and Ahmeds George Mason Auto Service in Arlington County; and Shriji Maharaj LLC, which does business as Exxon at the Glen in Lake Ridge in Prince William County.

Lawsuits filed by the attorney generals office claimed that all three business raised prices at exorbitant levels in the days around when the Colonial Pipeline, a key supplier of gasoline for the East Coast, was shut down in May 2021.

The charges alleged that on May 11 and 12, Gaskins Road Mobil raised the prices of all three grades of its gasoline to $3.79 for regular unleaded, $4.19 for midgrade gasoline, and $4.69 for premium gasoline. The increases to those price levels represented 37.6%, 31.2%, and 30.6% increases for regular unleaded, midgrade gasoline, and premium gasoline, respectively.

The average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Virginia on May 7 was $2.75, which rose to $2.79 on May 11 then jumped the next day to $2.87 per gallon following a run on gasoline during the pipeline shutdown, according to motorist club AAA, which tracks daily gasoline prices.

In the Richmond region, the average price on May 7 was $2.74 per gallon, which rose to $2.77 by May 11 before jumping to $2.86 on May 12.

Under the terms of the settlement, Gaskins Road Mobil agreed to be enjoined from engaging in further violations of Virginias price gouging law and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

The business also has agreed to pay $2,500 in civil penalties and attorneys fees, and also will be disgorging more than $3,722.59 in excess profits made from the offending sales, which can be used for consumer restitution.

Consumers who purchased gasoline from Gaskins Road Mobil on May 11 or 12 should file a complaint with the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Section to be considered for reimbursement of excess charges they paid.

Herrings office had previously brought complaints and reached settlements against four other businesses in the state for alleged price gouging during the pipeline shutdown.
Richmond author Kelli Jo Ford, as well as Firehouse Theatre, Studio Two Three and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, have been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ford, author of Crooked Hallelujah, a coming-of-age novel set in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, received a $25,000 grant. Her debut novel was named a New York Times Editors Choice and one of Time magazines must-read books of 2020.

Ford, who lives in Richmonds Forest Hill neighborhood, said the grant will allow her to dial back her teaching responsibilities at the Institute of American Indian Arts Low Residency MFA Creative Writing program in Santa Fe, N.M., to focus on her second novel.

Im also working on adapting Crooked Hallelujah for TV, something Im really excited about, Ford said.

The Firehouse Theatre won a $20,000 grant that will support its First Responders festival of world premiere one acts written by first responders.

Were producing the project in association with [Richmond author] David L. Robbins new writing group for first responders called First Line Writers, where he helps them turn their personal experiences into short stories and plays. David is currently working on developing four scripts with two firemen and two policemen, said Joel Bassin, producing artistic director, via email.

Studio Two Three, the Scotts Addition arts center and printmaking studio, has won its second NEA grant. The $20,000 grant will support its artist residency program, including its Make Art Work program, its visiting artist program and its book-making program. Make Art Work provides residency, business training and whole-person support to artists and low-income artists. The program offers 24-hour studio access, prepaid transportation, one-to-one mentorship and free workshops on the business side of art.

The VMFA won a $40,000 grant from the NEA that will support an upcoming exhibit called The Art of the American Guitar from curator Leo Mazow who last curated Edward Hopper and the American Hotel. Featuring approximately 100 works of art and 25 musical instruments, the exhibit will be the first to explore the instruments symbolism in American art from 1833 to the present day. It is slated to open in October.

We expect that this multifaceted exhibition, highlighting one of Americas most quintessential emblems  the guitar  will have broad appeal and resonate with our visitors. We appreciate the NEAs support for this exciting project, said Alex Nyerges, VMFAs director and CEO.

The NEA announced the awards last week with 1,498 awards totaling nearly $33.2 million.

These National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants underscore the resilience of our nations artists and arts organizations, will support efforts to provide access to the arts, and rebuild the creative economy, said Ann Eilers, the NEAs acting chair, in a statement. The supported projects demonstrate how the arts are a source of strength and well-being for communities and individuals, and can open doors to conversations that address complex issues of our time.
A former investigator with the Office of the State Inspector General who investigated the Virginia Parole Board and was fired after finding misconduct filed a federal lawsuit Friday against her former employer and two top officials of Gov. Ralph Northams administration, alleging wrongful termination and defamation.

The investigator, Jennifer Moschetti, said in her lawsuit that the complaint against OSIG, Inspector General Michael Westfall, Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran and Northam Chief of Staff Clark Mercer is about protecting whistleblowers.

Moschetti could never have imagined that ... she would become the scapegoat for having shined a light on [Virginia Parole] Board misconduct, says the complaint, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Richmond. But thats exactly what happened. After she submitted her draft report [in one of the cases], it was sanitized, reduced, redacted and then released, but only in redacted form.

When the media finally obtained Moschettis initial report, which contained far more details about alleged Board misconduct than the sanitized final report, she was investigated, fired and defamed, the suit says. She now files this lawsuit for numerous violations of federal and state law in order to vindicate and to restore her good name.

OSIG and the governors office did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.

Moschetti, who was terminated in March, was the lead investigator on at least nine reports in 2020 that found violations of law and policy, including the parole board freeing felons convicted of murder without first reaching out to victims families as required by law.

In her lawsuit, Moschetti said Westfall supervised and collaborated with Moschetti during the parole board investigation, and he certified as substantiated her findings of violations of policy and law by members of the parole board related to the panels decision to grant parole to eight inmates serving time for convictions of murder, who were identified by initials in the complaint.

Moschetti said in her suit that she never leaked information to the news media, but as a safeguard provided copies of some of her parole board reports to a former law enforcement officer.

In case I get Epsteined, heres the truth, Moschetti said she told the former officer, referring to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in custody after his arrest on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

In addition, Moschetti said in her lawsuit that she shared some information from her parole board reports with the FBI, again out of concern that wrongdoing by the Board was likely to be covered up.

Then later, on March 3, Moschetti said in her suit that she released a partial copy of her file to the leadership of the General Assembly, which is defined as an Appropriate Authority under the Virginia Whistleblower Act and identified herself anonymously through her counsel as a Whistle Blower.

Moschetti said she released information to the General Assembly because she feared she was going to be used as a scapegoat for the controversy surrounding the Boards conduct.

Further, she was especially concerned that she would be retaliated against because of the previous hostile in-person meeting with senior leadership of the Northam administration and Westfalls comments that he believed he was also going to be fired as a result of the investigation of the Board, the suit says.

The meeting Moschetti referenced, on Aug. 14, 2020, was called by the governors office to discuss OSIGs handling of the Vincent Martin case and the leak of Moschettis full, 14-page report that concluded the parole board violated state law and policies in releasing Martin, who was sentenced in 1980 to life in prison for killing a Richmond police officer.

During that tense meeting, senior staff members of the governor  including Moran and Mercer  questioned the power of Virginias watchdog agency to investigate the Virginia Parole Board and reprimanded Westfall for how many investigations his office was conducting. A recording of the meeting obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch conflicts with the governors previous account that his team did not intimidate Westfall and his staff.

On March 5, 2021, two days after providing information to General Assembly members, OSIG employees visited Moschetti at her home and delivered a letter that placed her on pre-disciplinary leave pending an investigation of her. That same day, Moschetti, through her lawyer, sent Westfall a letter that unmasked herself as the whistleblower and demanded a retraction of pre-discliplinary leave, according to her suit.

Then on March 8, 2021, Moschetti filed a petition in Richmond Circuit Court asking the court to declare her a whistleblower under Virginia law.

Notwithstanding her disclosures to the FBI, to a former law enforcement official, and to the General Assembly, and notwithstanding the filing of her petition, Moschetti was fired by OSIG on March 22, 2021, her complaint says.

After those actions, Moschetti said in her suit that she became a public target for disparaging remarks, both by the governors office and OSIG.

Moschetti cited a March 9, 2021, news conference, the day after she filed her whistleblower petition, where Mercer openly disparaged her about the Aug. 14, 2020, meeting.

We went into that meeting thinking that there was bias and there was a lack of objectivity, the lawsuit quotes Mercer as saying. We left that meeting knowing there was bias and a lack of objectivity in that report.

(The sections in bold and italics are as they appear in the lawsuit.)

The suit says Mercer also disparaged Moschettis legal petition, saying her whistleblower claims were a political ploy to hurt the Northam administration and other state leaders.

Moschetti also noted that OSIG, when news outlets sought comment about her termination, said through its spokesperson, Kate Hourin, that, The Office of the State Inspector General models integrity, trust and ethical behavior and demonstrates the highest standards of honesty, respect and accountability. Hourin is also named as a defendant in the suit.

None of the above statements or their negative implications are true, Moschetti says in her complaint. Unlike Mercers and Morans false accusations, Moschetti did not conduct her investigation or draft any of her reports with bias or lack of objectivity. Indeed, everything she wrote  even the leaked reports  was vetted by Westfall and others, and her entire plan of investigation  every step  was vetted and approved by OSIG.

Moschetti also noted in her complaint that she received a major contributor performance rating in her annual evaluation and was described as a person of integrity and a detailed-oriented investigator. Moschettis evaluation also stated she was consistently fair and balanced when interacting with external customers, according to the suit.

In regard to the parole board investigation, OSIG praised Moschetti for her work, stating her reports were comprehensive and exhaustive, and her work was meticulous and her final reports [were] of the highest quality, the complaint says.

Moschetti is seeking $250,000 for loss of wages and benefits to which she says she would have been entitled had she not been fired. She is seeking an additional $750,000 for future loss of pay.

In addition, Moschetti is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages for humiliation, mental and emotional distress she said she endured as a result of the wrongful actions taken toward her; she also seeks punitive damages against the individual defendants in an amount not to exceed $350,000.

A Republican state delegate, Les Adams of Pittsylvania County, filed a bill that would prohibit the governor or his aides from interfering with or exerting undue influence on any OSIG investigation.

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Richmond utility workers, firefighters, police officers, librarians and other city employees could soon join teachers in having the right to collectively negotiate labor contracts.

Unsure how it could affect the citys finances and the ability to discipline employees, particularly in law enforcement, the Richmond City Council may limit collective bargaining to the Department of Public Works and the Department of Public Utilities if it passes Mayor Levar Stoneys collective bargaining ordinance.

Another bill, sponsored by 8th District Councilwoman Reva Trammell, seeks to include hundreds more employees, including police officers and firefighters who say low pay and lack of respect has led to a staffing crisis among their ranks.

Most council members support collective bargaining for Richmond employees, but a few say the citys limited resources and misgivings about empowering law enforcement could result in the city narrowing the scope of collective bargaining.

I support our police department, but I dont support a police union, 5th District Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch said in an interview on Thursday. I want people to understand there could be unintended consequences because of the immense amount of authority and power that they have as officers over peoples lives.

The two ordinances come after union groups representing Richmond police and firefighters last year pushed for better wages, highlighting high turnover rates and pay discrepancies with neighboring jurisdictions departments.

In October, Police Chief Gerald Smith said the department had 102 vacancies and that more than 70 officers were on medical, military or administrative leave, meaning the department at the time was at about 75% of its authorized strength of 750 officers. The Richmond Coalition of Police, an organization that represents about half of the citys sworn officers, says the number of vacancies continues to climb.

Brendan Leavy, president of RCOP, said administration officials have not yet met with his group to discuss the ordinances.

[Stoneys] reasons for excluding public safety employees escape me, he said. Youre either for collective bargaining or youre against it. I dont think you can be for some labor organizations and against other labor organizations.

******

The city is considering collective bargaining after the General Assembly in 2020 passed legislation allowing public sector unions. Before the bills passage, Virginia was one of three states with a ban on the practice. The Richmond School Board passed union legislation for teachers in an 8-1 vote last month.

Stoney, who advocated for the new state law, said he is including only public works and utilities workers in his legislative proposal as a way to ease into a new policy framework.

I believe that there should be a phased approach for collective bargaining. ... The best place to start is with the tradespeople who work within this organization who are the most underpaid in this city, he said in an interview last month.

Throughout the history of labor organizing, labor activists have been divided over the inclusion of police in the movement, as political leaders and industry bosses have used officers to disrupt labor strikes and protests, sometimes violently. Stoney said those objections arent why he kept police out of his ordinance.

In a fall 2020 article for the journal National Affairs, Daniel DiSalvo, a political science professor at the City College of New York, said nationwide protests after the police killing of George Floyd that year put law enforcement unions under a microscope.

While the political left has historically supported labor unions, he wrote, the 2020 protests made people question whether labor organizing led to worker protections that have shielded officers from accountability, which would poison public relations and put American lives at risk.

Councilman Michael Jones, who represents the 9th District, said he is supportive of public sector unionizing, but has reservations about Trammells proposal to include police.

Im pro-union, even for police, but we need to figure out what it looks like, he said. If its a union that will keep bad actors on the force, Im not cool with that.

Leavy said simply adopting a collective bargaining ordinance would not create such a situation, as a labor agreement would still need to be negotiated and approved by city officials.

Things wouldnt turn overnight, he said. This is just about giving employees a voice. Its not to shield police.

First District Councilman Andreas Addison said he is reluctant to exclude certain workers from the ability to negotiate labor contracts, but wants to make sure that officials consider employee performance in addition to compensation if the city permits collective bargaining.

I do want to make sure that we are looking at this from not only a dollars and cents, but also performance and outcomes, he said. That is something that is a concern with the police department with its understaffed operations.

Its going to be really important that we focus on making sure that ... the safety of our residents is maintained.

In an effort to improve police accountability, a council-appointed task force in August recommended the creation of a new civilian-run department and board with the authority to review police abuse allegations and issue binding discipline actions. But the administration and the council have yet to act on those proposals from the Civilian Review Board task force.

***

As demands for police reform and accountability remain, progressive labor activists are grappling with whether to work with police organizations and their allies in advocating for collective bargaining rights.

Today, the left appears willing to excommunicate police unions, while conservatives are disposed to incorporate them into their critique of public-sector unions overall, DiSalvo wrote in his article. This means that both sides will have to concede that the problems posed by police unions in particular are similar to those that plague public-sector unions in general.

Gary Broderick, a labor activist and co-founder of the progressive activist group Richmond for All, said the organization supports the creation of a single bargaining unit for all city employees, but did not answer whether he thinks that should include police officers.

[Stoneys] so-called phased approach is divide and conquer  create a new caste system of workers, straight out of a union-busting playbook, he said in an email. It does not afford city workers the same rights as a private sector worker in Richmond has under the National Labor Relations Act and fails to deliver on his promises to support collective bargaining rights for all city workers.

Broderick said the group is generally in favor of Trammells version of the ordinance, but still finds it insufficient. He said he hopes that Trammell, who has been an outspoken supporter of the citys public safety employees, will also use her platform to brighten a spotlight on sanitation workers, librarians, social services providers, and parks and recreation employees.

Some local progressive activists disagree.

Kalia Harris, a progressive community organizer and co-host of the podcast Race Capitol, said she worries that city officials will prioritize money and resources for police over teachers and other city employees.

Police as an institution exist to protect property and money, not the general public, by design, Harris said. Police are the first ones to shut down a strike or picket, and their union contracts shield them from any shred of accountability.

Weve seen that in many states that have legislated collective bargaining rights for police  and in cases of police abuse and murder  unions work to shield officers from being fired.

***

The council was slated to vote on the two ordinances Monday evening, but announced earlier in the day that it would move both to a committee meeting in February for open discussion.

Still, several people spoke in an informal public hearing supporting collective bargaining, including organizers with RCOP, SEIU Virginia 512, International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Richmond Firefighters Association IAFF Local 995.

We can ensure that workers are respected on the job, protected with safe working conditions and paid a living wage, said Ben Himmelfarb, a city librarian and member of Richmond for Alls governing board. Too many full-time staff in our libraries with years of experience are forced to work two or even three jobs simply to take care of themselves and their families. One job should be enough.

Keith Andes, president of the Richmond Firefighters Association, said: We feel like we have been left out a lot of times from decision-making when we represent a big body of folks that are dedicated to their craft. Each and every one of them should be able to have a voice.

Andes said its also not just about money, alleging that firefighters in the past have struggled to get city officials to replace a damaged stove in a firehouse.

These things are small problems in the grand scheme of things, but theyre so important to the people who serve at that station, he said.

Bill Pantele, a former council member and an attorney for RCOP, said during Mondays meeting that union organizers are looking to one another for solidarity.

This is not about just public safety workers or administrative workers or professional workers or laborers, he said. This is about all the employees here having voice in their careers.

This is so essential to have a healthy and successful workplace where employees feel valued.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said Friday that the criminals behind a ransomware attack on Virginias legislative agencies had penetrated state computer systems last spring  almost nine months before they prepared to shut down networks critical to the General Assembly session that began last week.

Warner, speaking after a private briefing by the director of the assemblys automated services division, said the attack was stymied by a state employee who came to work on a Sunday afternoon last month and discovered that some of the defenses in the system had started to be taken down.

The Division of Legislative Automated Systems immediately shut down the IT networks for assembly agencies, including the division that drafts bills and resolutions for the legislative session and the Capitol Police.

The agencies were able to resume their work on a backup IT system reserved in the case of an emergency to maintain continuity of government.

It could have been a much nastier circumstance, said Warner, speaking at the assemblys temporary home at the Pocahontas Building in Richmond after a briefing by Dave Burhop, the director of the legislatures IT agency.

The senator, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, pitched the close call as reason to step up investment in cybersecurity and pass federal legislation to ensure that the government knows about ransomware attacks that often are resolved privately by paying criminals what they demand.

This demonstrates something that is not a Richmond problem  it is a national issue, he said.

A criminal investigation is underway, led by the Virginia State Police with help from the FBI, to determine who was behind the attack.

Warner, who was in Richmond to attend the inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as governor on Saturday, said no definitive amount of ransom was demanded by the attackers and the state declined to follow them into the Dark Web of the internet to find out.

He said he has no evidence that any countries such as Russia or China were involved in the Virginia attack, but noted that foreign adversaries like to disrupt government operations in the U.S., including those at the state level.

These are the kinds of things our adversaries like to mess with, he said.

Warner said the state discovered at the end of last March that someone had penetrated the system. IT experts thought they had rid the system of malware implanted by the attackers, but they saw evidence this fall that they were wrong.

They thought they had cleared out the bad guys, he said, but the bad guys were still in the system.

Warner said the legislatures IT agency is well, well down the path of disinfecting the compromised computer systems.

He declined to estimate the cost to the state, but said government would be wise to invest more money up-front to prevent cyberattacks instead of paying for repairs later.

Were going to have to up our game, Warner said.
Privately run schools funded with public dollars could have an easier path to opening their doors in urban and suburban localities  and without the support of local school boards  under legislation filed in the Virginia Senate and backed by Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkins administration.

The bill is one of the first moves by the nascent Youngkin administration to deliver on a campaign promise to vastly expand the number of charter schools in Virginia from fewer than 10 to about 200. Youngkin will be sworn in on Saturday.

Charter schools, which operate using public dollars but with some independence from the local school board, are rare in Virginia. Youngkin and some Republicans in the legislature say charter schools could be a response to parent frustration with their local schools, in part brought on by pandemic policies.

Democratic leaders in both chambers and in the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus have said charter schools could drain resources from cash-strapped local school districts. Charter school systems in other states have faced criticism for fostering socioeconomic or racial disparities, and where accountability is lacking, for failing to properly educate students as private entities benefit financially.

But, with support from just a few Democrats in the Senate, where the party has a slim, 21-19 edge, the policy could easily wind up on the governors desk.

The Youngkin-backed charter school bill would let the state Board of Education create regional charter school divisions made up of two or three localities. Each of the localities would have to enroll at least 3,000 students and have at least one school struggling with accreditation.

The regional bodies would have the power to approve new charter schools, and would be made up of eight board members appointed by the state Board of Education, and one member appointed by the localities included in the regional division.

Under that system, localities would always have minority power and would be unable to reject charter school applicants  outnumbered by board members appointed by a charter-friendly state government.

Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham who introduced the bill, said the proposal addresses a key hurdle for charter schools to open in Virginia: That they need authorization to open from the local school district, which would compete with the school for enrollment and the funding attached to those students.

We dont have many people even applying because they know what the answer is going to be: no, Obenshain said in an interview.

The senator acknowledged the bill takes some power over the process away from localities, but said that in cases where schools are failing, local parents would be supportive.

If I was a parent in a school division that had failed to achieve accreditation for 10 years straight, I would be so happy that something was being done to offer a different alternative in my community, Obenshain said.

Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, who heads the education panel in the House, said a bill similar to Obenshains is expected to be filed in the House, where Republicans have a 52-48 edge.

They may need that majority to fend off criticisms from Democrats against the model.

There is nuance in the charter school issue. But the system we have is an adequate system, a locality-driven process, said Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, a teacher who will sit on the education panel. Charters foster more segregation and can take away teacher voice.

VanValkenburg met with Youngkin last month to talk about charter schools, among other issues. I dont think that charter schools are going to help build a better educational system in Virginia. But I had the conversation, he said.

In the Senate, Republicans will have to appeal to Democrats. Democrats have a 21-19 edge, though starting next week, GOP Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears will have the power to cast tie-breaking votes.

Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, said this week charter schools would simply drain public funding for education. Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, who has been heavily involved in education policy, said this week she and the legislative Black caucus would also oppose policies that take the power over charter school authorization or funding away from localities.

We will fight any effort to undermine our public education system either through lack of funding or diverting funding to other methods, she said.

Still, Youngkin may find enough support from other Democrats in the Senate. In an interview Thursday, Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, said he is open to the idea of charter schools. He said he supports giving parents more choices, and taking away localities power to veto new schools.

A lot of people in the Democratic caucus may be a hard no. But thats not me, Petersen said. Unless youve been hiding under a rock, there is some degree of dissatisfaction with the public schools system, driven in part by how it reacted to the pandemic.

We need to give parents an option.
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkins administration is beginning to take shape with appointments to leadership positions in behavioral health, juvenile justice and emergency management.

But Youngkins choice for health commissioner will serve in an acting capacity, and the states Medicaid director has agreed to remain on the job for 120 days. An acting director also is overseeing the Department of Planning and Budget, which is crucial in developing a new two-year state budget.

No replacements have been named yet for departing leaders at the Virginia Employment Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles, two agencies that have come under fire for their policies and performance during the COVID-19 pandemic

This is the most important management team I have ever assembled, and Virginians can rest assured we have brought together the qualified team that they deserve, the governor-elect said in an announcement late Thursday.

A spokesperson for Youngkin said he values the key roles of agencies with interim or vacant leadership positions and plans to make personnel announcements soon.

His most recent appointments include Nelson Smith, an executive with a private hospital in the Richmond area, as commissioner of behavioral health and developmental services. The department runs Virginias public mental hospitals and other behavioral health institutions in conjunction with private and nonprofit services in communities.

Smith was chief administrative officer and vice president of behavioral health services at CJW Medical Center, run by HCA Virginia and encompassing Chippenham Hospital in South Richmond and Johnston-Willis Hospital in Chesterfield County.

He replaces Alison Land, who also came from the private hospital industry.

Smith will immediately inherit a staffing crisis at the state institutions, which are struggling to safely care for patients during a series of COVID-19 outbreaks that have sidelined hundreds of employees and forced the state to limit admissions at several facilities.

Youngkin has not made a final pick to replace departing Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver, who became a lightning rod for Republican criticism of Gov. Ralph Northams handling of the states response to the pandemic.

The governor-elect named Dr. Colin Greene, currently director of the Lord Fairfax Public Health District in the northern Shenandoah Valley, as acting health commissioner.

Sean Connaughton, president and CEO of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, applauded Youngkins appointments of Smith and Greene  two experienced health care professionals to serve in these roles during this most challenging time for Virginias health system.

We pledge our support for these individuals and the Youngkin administration as we work together to battle the current COVID-19 pandemic, Connaughton said.

******

Youngkin had not yet named a replacement at Virginias Medicaid agency for Karen Kimsey, who had announced her departure but said Friday she has agreed to remain at the agency for an additional 120 days to support our staff and the new state leadership.

It is an honor for me to continue serving the 1 in 5 Virginians who rely on the Medicaid agency for high-quality health care coverage, said Kimsey, a 27-year veteran who manages a program with an $18 billion budget of state and federal funds.

Jon Howe, associate director of the planning and budget department, will serve as director in an acting capacity with the departure of Dan Timberlake.

The governor-elect installed new leaders at two key public safety agencies  the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Emergency Management.

Amy Floriano, an assistant commonwealths attorney in Chesapeake, was picked to replace Valerie Boykin as executive director of the juvenile justice agency.

Shawn Talmadge, deputy secretary for public safety and homeland security under Northam, was named state coordinator of the emergency management department, which is planning for a new state of emergency in advance of a winter storm arriving on Sunday.

Brian Moran, the outgoing secretary, said Friday, The vast majority of public safety agency heads are continuing in their jobs.

That demonstrates operationally, weve done an extraordinary job, Moran said.

Youngkin also has not announced appointments to replace Ellen Marie Hess, who said last week that she is retiring as commissioner of the embattled VEC, or DMV Commissioner Rick Holcomb, who also announced his retirement more than a week ago.

The governor-elect has targeted the VEC for major changes since the beginning of his campaign last year because of long delays in settling disputes over eligibility for unemployment benefits of hundreds of thousands of Virginians who lost their jobs during the pandemic.

******

This week, Youngkin named Bryan Horn, general counsel at the Home Builders Association of Richmond, as director of the Department of Housing & Community Development, with Todd Weinstein as his deputy director.

He appointed Demetrios Mitch Melis as director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

Youngkin also filled out several deputy secretary positions in his Cabinet offices.

He appointed Charles Kennington, a fiscal analyst at the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, as deputy under incoming Secretary of Finance Steve Emery Cummings and Jen Deci as deputy under Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller.

Parker Slaybaugh, who had served as press aide to former House Speaker Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, was appointed deputy secretary of agriculture and forestry, along with Beth Green as another deputy secretary.

The governor-elect also named Sonny Daniels and Ashley Traficant as assistant secretaries for public safety and homeland security; Jason Pak as deputy secretary of veterans and military affairs; Aliscia Andrews  who lost a 2020 congressional bid to Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th  as deputy secretary of administration; and Nicki Thacker as chief deputy secretary of the commonwealth, along with Jenna Moon as deputy secretary.

Other notable appointments include Nicole Riley, Virginia state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, as deputy secretary of labor; Garrison Coward, who in 2019 lost to Del. Dawn Adams, D-Richmond, as deputy secretary of commerce and trade; and Colleen Messick, executive director of the Virginia Capitol Foundation, as chief of staff to first lady Suzanne Youngkin.

Youngkin also made appointments to his policy and legislative affairs office, with Ali Ahmad as director, and his communications team, led by press secretary Macaulay Porter and deputy press secretary Christian Martinez.
A Chicago police officer was drunk at the Burr Oak Bowling Alley in Blue Island on Tuesday when a brawl led to him shooting one man before the same bullet pierced two other men, including the manager, a prosecutor said Friday.

Cook County Judge Luciano Panici set Kyjuan Tates bond at $2 million Friday in a hearing broadcast live on YouTube.

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Tate, whose police powers have been revoked and who was also placed on no-pay status with the department, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm, officials said.

Tate, 27, was drunk in the bowling alleys bathroom when a 42-year-old man tried to go into the mens room, Kathryn Morrissey, a Cook County assistant states attorney, said at the virtual hearing at the Markham courthouse. Tate blocked him because Tates sister was in the bathroom, Morrissey said.

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The 42-year-old man, who Morrissey said had not been drinking, went outside to start his car then tried to use the restroom again and was again blocked by Tate, Morrissey said.

The Burr Oak Bowl on Jan. 12, 2022, in Blue Island. Chicago police Officer Kyjuan Tates bond was set at $2 million Friday after he was charged in a shooting that injured 3 others on Jan. 11, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

The two men started arguing and Tate lifted his sweater to show a pistol, she said. The mans 52-year-old cousin tried to defuse the situation, then Tate swung at the 52-year-old. About 20 people from a birthday party for the 42-year-old mans fiancee watched as a brawl among the three men spilled out into the bowling alleys lounge, Morrissey said.

The 42-year-old man punched Tate, knocking him to the ground and turned away from him. Tate then got his gun from his sister who hed handed it to earlier and shot the man behind his right ear, Morrissey said.

The same bullet also struck the 52-year-old man in the left side of his chest exiting his upper back and severing a vein and artery, Morrissey said. The same bullet then struck a third victim, the bowling alleys manager, 33, in his left hand.

The 42-year-old grabbed Tate and they struggled over the gun as people from the party fled the scene, Morrissey said. The manager called 911 and the 52-year-old man fell, bleeding from the chest, she said.

Tate took the gun and ran out to the parking lot, Morrissey said. Surveillance video showed Tate and his sister trying to leave and the 42-year-old man and a witness trying to stop them, Morrissey said.

Blue Island police detained Tate and his sister in the parking lot and recovered Tates Glock 43 from his car.

In the bowling alley a witness tried to slow the 52-year-olds bleeding by using a T-shirt until Blue Island police placed a medical patch on the wound, Morrissey said. That man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where his condition was stabilized. He has not been able to move his left arm, Morrissey said. The 42-year-old was treated at an urgent care center. He lost a piece of his ear and is experiencing hearing loss and ringing in that ear, Morrissey said.

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The bowling alley manager was also taken to Christ Medical Center where the bullet was removed from his left wrist, Morrissey said.

Morrissey asked Panici to hold Tate without bail.

But Tates attorney, Tim Grace, said that was unnecessary as Tate had no criminal history and stayed at the scene after the incident. Tate was a probationary police officer, a new hire, according to Chicago police.

This is a self-defense case, Grace said. This is a case (that) needs to go to trial.

Grace said Tate did what he was trained to do as a police officer by putting the weapon in a safe location. Tate was placed on administrative status, Grace said.

He was surrounded by three people and he, at that point, engaged as a police officer and took police action based upon what evidence I came to understand, Grace said. Theres no evidence that the trigger was intentionally pulled. Theres no evidence at all that the single bullet that was fired was directed at any of the other two individuals.

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Tate joined the Police Department in spring 2021 and graduated from the academy in October. He was assigned to the 5th District which covers the Calumet area.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating.

Tate is due in court again on Jan. 24.

scasanova@chicagotribune.com
Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin on Thursday named Jillian Balow, Wyomings superintendent of public instruction, to hold the same role in his administration.

Balow, who spent 10 years as a teacher, is stepping down from the elected post in Wyoming, where she is in her second term leading the states schools.

The incoming governor named Elizabeth Schultz of Fairfax County, a former U.S. Department of Education official, as assistant superintendent of public instruction.

Jillian and Elizabeth are going to be crucial in helping Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera restore excellence in education, Youngkin said in a statement.

Under my direction, they will get to work on ensuring our schools remain safely open, ban critical race theory and political agendas from our classrooms, and rebuild our crumbling schools.

Youngkin, who takes office Saturday as Virginias 74th governor, stressed parents rights in education in his campaign. He says he wants to greatly expand the number of charter schools in the state and require resource officers in public schools. He also says he wants to prohibit critical race theory, a term some Republicans use in referring to education about systemic racism. He also has called for pay raises for teachers.

Balow succeeds James Lane, who announced last month that he was stepping down. Lane, whom outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam appointed in 2018, is a former division superintendent in Chesterfield, Goochland and Middlesex counties.

According to the Wyoming Department of Education, Balow led efforts to add computer science as required academic content for all students, incorporated career and military readiness into Wyomings statewide accountability model for the first time, and worked to strengthen Wyomings early literacy laws in order to help ensure all students read at or above grade level.

The Wyoming website says Balow believes small government is best.

The superintendents biography says she is a fifth generation Wyoming native, with a degree in education from the University of Wyoming and a masters in education from Regis University. She is a member of the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and her husband, John, is a principal at an elementary school.

The bio also notes that Balow is a hunter and co-chair of the Wyoming Womens Antelope Hunt.

The Youngkin team detailed more than 30 other appointments Thursday evening.

Names with which some readers might be familiar include Nicole Riley, Virginia state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, as deputy secretary of labor; Garrison Coward, who in 2019 lost to Del. Dawn Adams, D-Richmond, as deputy secretary of commerce and trade; and Colleen Messick, executive director of the Virginia Capitol Foundation, as chief of staff to first lady Suzanne Youngkin.
Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares notified about 30 staff members in the office  17 of them attorneys  that they wont have jobs in his administration, including the lawyer who was investigating dangerous conditions at a South Richmond apartment complex in Richmonds largest Latino neighborhood.

Miyares, a Republican, will be sworn in on Saturday to replace Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring, whom Miyares defeated in the November election.

Miyares spokesperson Victoria LaCivita said the 30 staff members were told that Miyares would be moving in a different direction.

During the campaign, it was made clear that now Attorney General-elect Miyares and Attorney General Herring have very different visions for the office, she said by email for this story. We are restructuring the office, as every incoming AG has done in the past.

She declined to provide the breakdown of which divisions the attorneys work in, saying it was multiple divisions across the office.

Employees in the office serve at the pleasure of the attorney general. While its routine for lawyers to be replaced when one political party loses control, the number of lawyers fired surprised the outgoing Herring administration.

These are dedicated and professional public servants who do important work, like investigate wrongful convictions, protect Virginians civil rights, help to ensure free and fair elections, and prevent human trafficking and opioid abuse, said Herring spokesperson Charlotte Gomer via email. Their absence will be a significant loss to the mission of the Office of Attorney General.

Among those let go is Helen Hardiman, an assistant attorney general who focuses on investigating and litigating housing discrimination in the Office of Civil Rights.

Hardiman said she received an email from D.J. Jordan, Miyares chief of staff, telling her that her tenure ends at noon Saturday. When state housing boards find discrimination, they refer cases to her to file and maintain lawsuits.

My biggest heartburn right now is I have 20 court cases, Hardiman said. That includes a trial scheduled in March.

She just began investigating dangerous conditions in Richmonds largest Latino neighborhood, at The Communities at Southwood apartments. The investigation stemmed from an investigation by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, whose reporters spent months documenting homes rife with mold, rat and roach infestations and other maintenance issues the landlord is legally responsible for repairing. Tenants told The Times-Dispatch that management ignored requests or failed to address problems brought to their attention.

Hardiman has worked in the attorney generals office since September 2019 and said she was not expecting to be let go by the new administration.

I expected some personnel changes, which likely come with any change of administration, she said. I am not a political appointee. I dont have a political job.

She spent Friday scrambling to make sure someone in the office could cover her cases.

I dont want those people who have been discriminated against to be left hanging, she said. I also felt like a cursory email with 24-hour notice was unprofessional. And Im disappointed that the new administration seems to be signaling that they care less about civil rights issues like fair housing than the current administration.

Asked if the investigation of The Communities at Southwood would continue, Miyares spokesperson LaCivita replied:

Just because personnel changes have been made does not mean their work will not be picked up. As the Attorney General-elect has said, when he gets into his office he and his team will look at every lawsuit, investigation and opinion with a fresh perspective.

Deborah Bell, a community outreach coordinator in the attorney generals 10-person Roanoke office, said she learned by email from a Miyares transition official around 10 a.m. Friday that she had been terminated.

The way it was handled was cold, it was brutal and it was cruel, said Bell, an eight-year employee and the wife of a former Republican state senator, Brandon Bell.

In addition to her salary, Deborah Bell said she would lose her health care because of the firing  that because she wasnt an at-will employee, she is ineligible for separation benefits from the state. Bell said she recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Herring in late December announced he was promoting Mona Hafeez Siddiqui as chief of the Office of Civil Rights. She was among the lawyers let go Friday.

Also let go was Stephen Izaguirre, an outreach coordinator with the attorney generals Northern Virginia office since 2019 who focused on helping older people learn about scams and resources to help them.

When he started, he had little information about the job and had to build a network, and he would have been happy to share that information with the new team, he said.

I think they kind of failed to really take the time to at least interview us or talk to us, he said. Its not a political position, its the work for the people.

What stung even more: Izaguirre is a former deputy sheriff in Texas and a Republican who voted for Miyares.
Gov. Ralph Northam has pardoned Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, for a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor related to his relationship with a 17-year-old law firm assistant who later became his wife.

Morrissey, then a delegate, was convicted in 2014. He and his wife, Myrna, are now raising four children.

Morrissey said he learned of the pardon on Thursday. Northam granted him whats called a simple pardon.

To say that I was extremely pleased with what the governor did would be, perhaps for me, the understatement of the 2022 General Assembly session, he said.

Most importantly, my wife is grateful, he said.

And although their young children dont understand a pardon yet, theyll be grateful someday for the governors action, Morrissey said.

Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, was Morrisseys attorney in his pardon request.

A simple pardon doesnt change any legal consequences associated with a conviction, but I think in a lot of ways it serves as a sort of validation that somebody moved on from the situation that led to the crime at issue and has done a lot to redeem themselves, Surovell said.

Morrissey, who was 57 in 2014, entered an Alford plea to the misdemeanor count and was sentenced to 12 months in jail with six months suspended. He was allowed to work as a state delegate from Henrico County through a work release program, spending nights in jail in 2015.

He lost a bid for mayor of Richmond in 2016. In June 2019, he defeated Sen. Rosalyn Dance, D-Petersburg, in a primary.

Morrissey, a former Richmond prosecutor and local defense attorney, has been disbarred but now wields significant power as a member of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, often scrutinizing judges, and expresses more independent views than other Senate Democrats.

His license was previously revoked in 2003, and he won reinstatement in 2012 in a 4-3 decision by the Virginia Supreme Court.

His pardon petition to Northam was dated Nov. 29.

In 2013 it was alleged that Joe and Myrna engaged in consensual sexual intercourse, the petition said. Assuming that this happened, it is important to consider todays reality. It should also be noted that when Myrna applied for a job with Mr. Morrissey, she misrepresented her age when she submitted her resume.

The petition later continued:

Myrna will be the first to acknowledge that she was not in any way manipulated by Joe and that she was in no way coerced by him. ... They worked together, they were attracted to each other, they fell in love, married, and are raising four (4) wonderful children together. A beautiful and happy family living the American Dream.

Morrissey said in the petition that although many members of the public love him, he is a politically polarizing figure.

One Democrat who was unhappy with the pardon on Friday was Lizzie Hylton, the political and legislative director for the special interest group Clean Virginia.

Never in my life have I been so ashamed to be a Democrat, she wrote on Twitter. Thanks @GovernorVA for spitting in the face of me and every other survivor of sexual assault in VA on your way out of office.

The petition included affidavits from Myrna Morrissey, her mother and grandmother in support of her relationship with Joe Morrissey and the pardon.

I was a mature woman who knew exactly what I was doing, Myrna Morrissey wrote. This prosecution continues to hang over our family.

Northam leaves office on Saturday as Glenn Youngkin is inaugurated as Virginias 74th governor.
Decades ago, members of the Richmond Bureau of Police were proclaimed by the citizens of metropolitan Richmond as Richmonds Finest. We proudly embraced this claim of public respect. With less than half the manpower of today, there never was a shortage of officers for street coverage.

Richmond, like many cities across America, participated in upgrading the standards of police officers, paying incentives to attend college and major in criminal justice. A national trend in the 1960s provided an opportunity for law enforcement to become professionalized, providing enhanced standards for training and equipment.

Former Richmond Police Chief Col. Frank Duling is considered the cornerstone who helped build the legacy Richmond once had. He served 45 years as a city police officer  22 as chief of police (1967 to 1989).

Duling was not educated but was tactful and brilliant. He chose to select and promote excellent candidates to compliment his discipline and expectations of his officers to be the finest. There was zero tolerance for tardiness. Officers clearly knew and understood all rules and regulations regarding code of conduct and policy. When rules were violated, suspension without pay or termination was swift. A signal that youd screwed up was being grounded six months on a walking beat.

The criminal demeanor of Richmond was far different decades ago. There were no gangs. It was rare to encounter an individual with a firearm. Most homicides were domestic by physical assault, stabbing or straight razor slashing. Police brutality was a phrase that didnt exist. Policing was more directly connected to the communities then. Thus another brick in the wall toward community relations and being the finest. Switching from the tan uniform to dark blue in 1984 was a milestone surge of extraordinary pride.

Col. Jerry Oliver took command as Richmond police chief in 1995. A newcomer to the city after being chief in Pasadena, California, he immediately began weeding out deadwood in the bureau. Oliver focused on efficiency, upgrades and a continued legacy of excellence. His dominance to speak his mind and proclaim the need for expansion was respected and monies were allocated. Four new police precincts were built in strategic locations. During this expansion era came the name change from Bureau of Police to Police Department. Duling and Oliver were as equally different as they were the same. But most striking, they each  in their own way  ran the police department.

The revolving door of police chiefs, arriving from afar, created a culture among the rank-and-file officers of feeling like stepchildren of uncertainty. Since the summer of 2020, there is evidence of shattered morale, despair and numerous departures. They also feel like stepchildren of scorn, politics and criticism. Their consensus is a belief that Mayor Levar Stoney, Richmond City Council and the general public do not support or appreciate their service to duty. This is clearly evident by the overall public silence from elected leaders. Its also evident by major differences in starting salaries, compared to those of adjacent jurisdictions and the Virginia State Police.

Consider Alfred Durham  who, in my assessment, was the best police chief Richmond ever had. So, why is he gone? Richmond didnt support him. Durham was a true leader of confidence  the most active, dedicated and engaged, and the public let him go. Our 2021 homicide count neared triple digits, with more than 100 police vacancies and few patrol cruisers visible. This town is frozen in silence.

Standards and background investigations of applicants are less stringent. Character and caliber, once paramount, are less so. There are officers on our streets today who are not capable of having a casual conversation with a retired officer, or with the public. Thats unacceptable.

Stoneys Task Force to Reimagine Public Safety advocated for patrol officers to carry official business cards. Cards were promptly printed. Recently, boxes full of new cards were stacked in a precinct waiting for distribution. These cards, a symbol of public relations, ambassadorship and quality policing, are worthless. Officers whose names are printed on them have quit.

Citizens of Richmond must realize and actually care about how important morale, pride and devotion are to police services. They must understand that supporting our police officers across the ranks is an investment in their home, community and personal safety. The quality of life in different communities in Richmond, regardless of the crime factor, is equally significant to establishing a safe, viable city. You cannot sustain this with a poorly staffed police department.

I assure you when morale is low, attitude among many is negative. It quickly breeds opportunity for apathy, neglect and corruption. Our city becomes compromised  and the criminal element prevails.

The general public is overdue in stepping up and making a community investment to support our men and women in blue. Poor salary and lack of support are two debilitating factors that have broken the spirits of our officers. Sadly, no longer are they Richmonds finest. That hurts me.
The federal holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. blends celebration, reflection and action.

On the third Monday in January, typically there are parades, prayer breakfasts, church services, concerts, readings from the writings of the slain civil rights leader and, yes, sales. Shopping, though, is far less a focus than on other federal holidays.

The King holiday is our national day of service, when Americans are encouraged to volunteer to make their communities better.

King would have turned 93 on Jan. 15. He received the Nobel Peace Prize at 35 and was only 39 when he was tragically killed by a sniper in 1968.

Time dims memories, so its worth remembering the holiday honoring him was hard won. Black members of Congress had to fight for 15 years to get the holiday through Congress.

Former Republican Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina once filibustered the bill with 300 pages of documents accusing King of being a Marxist with communist leanings. Democratic Sens. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York declared the papers filth.

Congress finally passed and President Ronald Reagan signed the law creating the King holiday in 1983, with the first observance in 1986. But some states resisted. Arizona did not recognize the holiday until 1992 and New Hampshire in 1999.

Until last year, Virginia still honored Confederate Gens. Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson with a state holiday on the Friday before the King holiday.

Shortly after the first MLK federal holiday, The New York Times published a letter from a Princeton University sociology professor.

I propose we declare the holiday a day on, rather than a day off,  Marion J. Levy Jr. wrote. His idea was that everyone would work on the holiday and those above the poverty line would send their wages to a special MLK fund benefiting education, housing and other projects.

Persuading millions of Americans to work on a holiday and donate their pay was a bridge too far, but the idea of service caught on.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the King Holiday and Service Act, officially designating the holiday as a day of national service.

Overshadowing the commemorations this year is the political battle over voting rights legislation.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris paid tribute to King and met with his family Tuesday in Atlanta before the president delivered a fiery speech evoking Kings memory to press for passage of voting rights legislation.

Voting rights used to be a bipartisan issue but, like most things, it has become fiercely politicized. Partisans cant even agree on facts.

Biden and many Democrats contend passing the two voting rights bills before Congress is so crucial to restoring equity in the election system that the Senate should set aside the filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes, if necessary.

But Republicans vociferously claim the voting rights bills are a massive power grab by Democrats, an attempt to rewrite the nations election laws to benefit Democratic candidates.

Biden hopes to make where legislators stand a key marker in this years midterm elections.

As senators wrestle with their role in history, the rest of us can find meaningful ways to observe the holiday.

You can Google local MLK service events. If wintry weather or the pandemic makes in-person volunteering problematic, the federal government has two service opportunities people can do at home.

Both the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution are seeking volunteers to transcribe historical documents virtually. Digital volunteers are helping to make letters, field notes, diaries, manuscripts and other handwritten documents more widely available.

For example, the Smithsonian needs help transcribing records from the Freedmens Bureau, which was formed to improve the lives of formerly enslaved men and women during Reconstruction.

The Library of Congress needs help transcribing pages from George Washingtons farm reports that chronicle the lives and labor of enslaved people at Mount Vernon as well as other aspects of 18th century farm life.

The library also has projects transcribing Walt Whitmans letters and Frederick Law Olmsteds landscape architecture files. They may be found at: https://crowd.loc.gov and https://transcription.si.edu .

This MLK holiday is a chance to learn while we serve.

Everybody can be great, King said, because anybody can serve.
Botetourt County economic development officials welcomed Thursdays announced state funding to enhance industrial site development at Greenfield.

Outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam announced the grant as part of a $7 million outlay to support Virginia industrial sites. Other regional grants from the program included funding for Franklin and Pulaski counties and Roanoke city.

The $362,700 from Virginias Economic Development Partnerships Business Ready Sites Program will be used to prep a 121-acre lot for occupancy at the countys industrial center park off U.S. 220 near Daleville.

Having prepared and ready industrial sites is key to Botetourt Countys work to recruit future manufacturing employers to the community, said a news release from the county.

Speed to business is one of the first things prospective businesses inquire about when looking to expand, said Franklin County Director of Economic Development Beth Simms.

Botetourt Countys Department of Economic Development proposed using the state grant to update Greenfields environmental site assessment, surveying and related engineering studies, the news release said.

In addition, the grant will contribute to the construction of a sewer line, an access road and grading involving the vacant site, situated among the sprawling facility formally known as the Botetourt Center at Greenfield.

The gradually suburbanizing, yet primarily rural, county north of Roanoke considers Greenfield to be the keystone of its business and economic future.

Since 2016, nine manufacturers have announced plans to locate or expand in Botetourt County, involving over 1,000 new jobs and over $200 million in taxable investments. These manufacturers include: Munters, Maag Gala, Metalsa, Pratt Industries, Altec Industries, Canatal Steel USA, Constellation Brands, Eldor Corporation, and Arkay, the county news release said.

Botetourt County competed with 25 localities to receive a grant from the Business Ready Sites Program, the county said.

The purpose of doing this work now is that it is essential to prepare industrial sites for companies seeking locations for expansion projects before these companies call us to talk about our available sites, said Botetourt County Director of Economic Development Ken McFadyen.

The larger the site, the better prepared we need to be when companies contact us, he added,

Communities with sites that are ready with all utilities in place and with at least grading plans are the ones that receive favorable attention from companies seeking locations for their expansion projects, said Botetourt County Administrator Gary Larrowe.

Other grants announced Thursday from the states Business Ready Sites Program:

Franklin County, Summit View Business Park, $1,017,870

Pulaski County, New River Valley Commerce Park, $300,000

Roanoke County, Wood Haven Technology Park, $75,000
The state has finalized the agreement with Norfolk Southern Corporation to expand passenger rail service to the New River Valley for the first time since 1979, Gov. Ralph Northams office announced Thursday.

The Western Rail Initiative expands passenger rail service to the New River Valley and complements the $3.7 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia program, the Commonwealths roadmap for building a 21st-century rail network.

The agreement was executed following authorization from the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Board of Directors, according to a news release.

A historic investment in Southwest Virginias rail network, the Western Rail Initiative will add a second state-supported round-trip train between Roanoke and Boston later this year, which will be extended to the New River Valley upon completion of a new station, track and signal improvements.

A study is ongoing to determine where the station should be located. The sites currently being considered are in and around Christiansburg as well as one in the Ellett Valley.

The agreement also allows for a third train to operate in the future between Roanoke and the New River Valley. The expanded intercity rail service, which will create significant economic benefits and provide additional multimodal options for travelers along the Interstate 81 and Route 29 corridor, is expected to add approximately 80,000 new passengers in the first year after service is extended to the New River Valley. Also, the agreement preserves the existing freight rail service provided on the lines.

In an agreement with Norfolk Southern, the Commonwealth is acquiring approximately 28 miles of the Norfolk Southern-owned V line right-of-way and existing tracks from Christiansburg to the Salem Crossovers and a passenger rail easement between the Salem Crossovers and the Amtrak Roanoke station platform, according to the release.

Norfolk Southern will continue to provide freight service on the line.

In addition, the Commonwealth will invest in infrastructure improvements between Manassas and the Roanoke Yard to improve the reliability of passenger rail service over Norfolk Southern Railway-owned right-of-way, according to the release.

The acquisition and infrastructure improvements are partially funded by contributions from the I-81 Corridor Multimodal Improvements Fund, Commonwealth Rail funds, and the General Assemblys 2021 Transportation Initiatives. The Commonwealth anticipates reaching a financial close with Norfolk Southern in mid-2022, according to the release.

This agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia is a great example of government and business partnership, said James A. Squires, Chairman and CEO of Norfolk Southern. Together, we have created a path forward to increase passenger rail service and ensure that freight rail customers continue to move the goods that power our economy. Importantly, this will yield economic dividends from Northern to Southwest Virginia, both through the necessary infrastructure improvements and additional use of the rail lines.

The Commonwealths historic investment in this regions passenger rail network is a significant milestone in our commitment to elevating the economic competitiveness of Southwest Virginia, said Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine, who led the legislative effort to launch the first state-supported passenger train anchored in Lynchburg. This cooperative agreement builds on the highly-successful passenger rail service in the corridor and enhances vital connectivity to the New River Valley with the rest of Virginia, adding additional transportation options for the regions residents, tourists and college students alike.

Amtrak regional daily service in Southwest Virginia began in October 2009 with one round trip between Lynchburg and Washington, D.C. During the first year of operations, ridership outperformed forecasts by more than triple, according to the release. In November 2017, the Commonwealth expanded service to Roanoke, and, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the route was one of the most profitable intercity passenger rail routes in the country, according to the release.

The second Roanoke train, for which service is expected to commence in 2022, will serve Alexandria, Burke Centre, Manassas, Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and then Roanoke and travel to and from Washington, D.C., and Amtraks Northeast Corridor.

The agreement, too, acknowledges the potential for a future station in Bedford.
ROCKY MOUNTAfter being delayed for several months, the Franklin County Planning Commission finally gave the go ahead for a proposal by Blue Ridge Towers to build a communications tower in Westlake.

The planning commission agreed to move the project forward to the Franklin County Board of Supervisors next week for a final vote. If approved, construction would begin immediately on the tower behind Grand Home Furnishings in Westlake. The tower is intended to provide fixed wireless broadband internet service to residents in the area.

The decision comes following months of negotiations between Blue Ridge Towers, the Federal Communications Commission and the State Historic Preservation Office over the potential impact to Booker T. Washington National Monument located less than a mile away. Concerns were the proposed tower could harm the viewshed of the park that works to keep a look and feel of the 1860s when Booker T. Washington lived there.

At the Jan. 11 meeting, Assistant County Administrator Steve Sandy presented a list of changes to the tower proposal following months of discussions. Changes included reducing the towers height to 160 feet and using a monopine design for the tower that would resemble an evergreen tree.

Staff at Booker T. Washington National Monument also requested that a wooded area on the western end of the site where the tower is to be constructed would not be cut down and that homes in any future development would not exceed 15 units or more than 1.5 stories in height. Staff also requested that Blue Ridge Towers provide funding to allow for the planting of trees at the park to block the view of the tower.

I think we have reached a solution that all parties seem to be amenable to and in favor of, Sandy said.

Following the presentation by Sandy, the planning commission voted 6-0 with one abstention to move the proposal forward. Snow Creek District representative Sherrie Mitchell was the lone abstention due to a conflict of interest.

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RICHMOND  In one of this last duties, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring presented two Black legislators on Thursday with an official opinion overruling nearly 60 racist and discriminatory opinions from prior state attorneys general.

The opinion was partly symbolic because the laws those opinions related to are no longer on the books. But Herring, Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico, and Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, said at a news conference that formally overruling them was an important part of Virginias advancement from its racist history.

Too many of my predecessors used this office to perpetuate injustice, Herring said. As the commonwealth of Virginia committed to Jim Crow and Massive Resistance during the early and mid 20th century, attorneys general were more than just passive observers. They were often key players, building a legal framework designed to defend the indefensible, the unjust and the unconstitutional.

That includes legal fights in Virginia to defend segregated transit, segregated schools and high school sports, poll taxes to prevent Blacks from voting and a ban on interracial marriage.

Between 1904 and 1967, Virginia attorneys general issued at least 58 official advisory opinions that perpetuated racial discrimination, Herring said.

Until Thursday, the office of attorney general had done nothing to formally reject those racist opinions, he said. By overruling these opinions, we are making clear that these legal opinions do not reflect the Virginia of today and we will not carry them into the commonwealth of the future.

Locke said too often in the past the power to shape Virginia law was wielded in support of racist and discriminatory laws.

By taking this step today, Attorney General Herring is truly closing that chapter in the history of our commonwealth and helping us move forward as a more inclusive and just commonwealth, she said.

Bagby wiped his eyes after speaking at the news conference.

It didnt happen that long ago, he said. All of this is embedded together, from voting, to housing, to health care, to education.

Over time, the attorney generals office was utilized to protect but also hurt people, he said.

This means a great deal. Not just to ancestors but to individuals that have lived through, he said. My parents grew up in Varina. My uncles, aunts, they all grew up in Varina. They were bused all the way to Virginia Randolph [a school for Black students] for education. They passed four or five schools for public education. This is important work. Thank you, general.

Bagby is chairman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. Robert Barnette, president of the Virginia State Conference NAACP also joined the news conference.

The work of reviewing the old opinions started a few years ago by Cynthia Hudson, who was chief deputy attorney general. Jan Proctor, opinions counsel in the office from 2018 to 2020, helped supervise the project. Assistant Attorney General Euticha Hawkins reviewed almost every state attorney general opinion going back to 1904 to look for racist language and conclusions.

Democrat Herrings second term as attorney general concludes Saturday when Jason Miyares, the Republican who defeated him in November, is sworn in.
QUINCY, ILLINOIS  A judge in western Illinois who sparked outrage when he threw out the sexual assault conviction of an 18-year-old, saying the 148 days the man spent in jail was punishment enough, is no longer presiding over a criminal court docket.

An administrative order filed Thursday by Chief Judge Frank McCartney of the Eighth Judicial Circuit assigned Adams County Judge Robert Adrian to small claims, legal matters and probate dockets, and other civil cases, effective immediately, the (Quincy) Herald-Whig reported.

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Adrian had presided over a three-day bench trial in which Drew Clinton was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at a graduation party in May.

Judge Robert Adrian presides over court on Aug. 26, 2020, in Adams County. Adrian, who found an 18-year-old man guilty of sexual assaulting a 16-year-old girl, has come under fire after he threw out the conviction this month, saying the 148 days the man spent in jail was punishment enough. (Jake Shane/Quincy Herald-Whig)

After originally finding Clinton guilty on one count of criminal sexual assault in October, Adrian threw out the conviction Jan. 3 when Clinton appeared for sentencing, and said he would not impose the mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison.

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Mr. Clinton has served almost five months in the county jail, 148 days, Adrian said, according to the court transcript of the hearing posted online by local media. For what happened in this case, that is plenty of punishment. That would be a just sentence.

But Adrian said if he were to rule that the sentencing statute he was bound to follow was unconstitutional, his decision would be overturned and Clinton would be ordered to prison. To avoid an appeal he believed would be successful, Adrian said what he could do was determine that prosecutors had failed to prove their case and dismiss the sexual assault charge.

The prosecutor in the case, Anita Rodriguez, said she had never in her 40-year career seen anything like Adrians ruling, and worried how it might affect the victim. The Quincy Area Network Against Domestic Abuse, which helps victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, said the ruling sends a dangerous message.

On Wednesday, Adrian, apparently angered by the criticism, told another prosecutor appearing before him in an unrelated case to leave his courtroom because the prosecutor had liked a comment on Facebook that was critical of the judge.

I cant be fair with you, Adrian told the Adams County prosecutor, the Herald-Whig reported. Get out.

Clintons attorney, Drew Schnack, agreed with the ultimate verdict, saying the prosecution did not prove its case and the evidence was not strong enough to warrant a conviction.
Gov. Ralph Northam has pardoned Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, for a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor related to his relationship with a 17-year-old assistant who later became his wife.

Morrissey, then a delegate, was convicted in 2014. He and his wife Myrna are now raising four children.

Morrissey said he learned of the pardon on Thursday. Northam granted him whats called a simple pardon.

To say that I was extremely pleased with what the governor did would be, perhaps for me, the understatement of the 2022 General Assembly session, he said.

Most importantly, my wife is grateful, he said.

And although their young children dont understand a pardon yet, theyll be grateful someday for the governors action, Morrissey said.

Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, was Morrisseys attorney in his pardon request.

A simple pardon doesnt change any legal consequences associated with a conviction, but I think in a lot of ways it serves as a sort of validation that somebody moved on from the situation that led to the crime at issue and has done a lot to redeem themselves, Surovell said.

Northam leaves office Saturday as Glenn Youngkin is inaugurated as Virginias 74th governor.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
University of Virginia Provost Liz Magill will leave the university to take the reins of the University of Pennsylvania as that schools president, officials announced Thursday.

Magill has served as UVas chief academic officer and executive vice president and since August 2019, the first woman to hold the position. She was on the UVa School of Law faculty for 15 years, including a stint as vice dean, before serving as the dean of Stanford University Law School.

She will take over the job at Penn on July 1.

I am tremendously excited and humbled to help write the next chapter at the University of Pennsylvania, Magill said in a statement. At the same time, I am grateful for my time at UVa, a place and community that have truly changed my life.

UVa President Jim Ryan on Thursday named Ian Baucom, the dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences as Magills successor. Baucom has served as dean since 2014.

David Hill, a psychology professor and former department chair and associate dean, will serve as interim dean of the arts and sciences college.

As provost, Magills job was to advance UVas academics and research efforts as well as strengthen ties to the Charlottesville area community. She also led UVas scholastic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including 2020s quick pivot to virtual classes, something which until the virus struck only existed in a handful of courses.

UVa moved an estimated 4,000 classes from in-person to remote and officials credited Magill for helping keep UVas extensive research effort on track while balancing the needs of the university and community.

Her wise and decisive actions have ensured the safe continuation of UVas teaching and research mission and she has been an incredible partner to me, to our faculty and deans, and to the universitys leadership team, said Ryan, who served with Magill on the law school faculty.

Liz is incredibly smart but also a very good listener, said Dr. Mitch Rosner, chair of the department of medicine. She can very quickly assess these complicated challenges and has a true ability to ask just the right questions to help bring clarity to an oftentimes confusing situation. Weve been very lucky to have her on our team and our side during this ongoing pandemic.

Magill said the pandemic forced often insular departments at the school to leave silos and join ranks.

This pandemic has changed almost everything about running a university, but not all of those changes have been negative, Magill said. The pandemic forced us to strengthen the muscle of collaboration as we made dozens of sweeping decisions that schools and university units would have never made together otherwise.

Magill said her experiences as a faculty member and provost will influence her decisions as Penn president. At the same time, she said shell miss the community and the school that she leaves behind, a place she and her family feel at home.

Ill miss Bodos, for sure, the egg bagel on sesame with cheddar, in particular. I will miss the beauty of Grounds, the Rotunda and the Pratt Ginkgo. I love the Pratt Ginkgo, she said. But the thing Ill miss most is the people, the talented and dedicated and selfless people Ive had the opportunity to meet and work.

Ryan said the university will also miss Magill.

Although shell be greatly missed here on Grounds, its heartening that she will bring her considerable talents to Penn, which I know will flourish under her leadership, Ryan said. Im deeply grateful for Lizs service and her friendship. I know shell always be a Hoo at heart.
RICHMOND  Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin on Thursday named Jillian Balow, Wyomings superintendent of public instruction, to hold the same role in his administration.

Balow, who spent 10 years as a teacher, is stepping down from the elected post in Wyoming, where she is in her second term leading the states schools.

The incoming governor named Elizabeth Schultz of Fairfax County, a former U.S. Department of Education official, as assistant superintendent of public instruction.

Jillian and Elizabeth are going to be crucial in helping Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera restore excellence in education, Youngkin said in a statement.

Under my direction, they will get to work on ensuring our schools remain safely open, ban critical race theory and political agendas from our classrooms, and rebuild our crumbling schools.

Youngkin, who takes office Saturday as Virginias 74th governor, stressed parents rights in education in his successful campaign against Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

Youngkin says he wants to greatly expand the number of charter schools in the state and require school resource officers in public schools. He also says he wants to prohibit critical race theory, a term some Republicans use in referring to education about systemic racism. He also has called for pay raises for teachers.

Balow succeeds James Lane, who announced last month that he was stepping down. Lane, whom outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam appointed in 2018, is a former division superintendent in Chesterfield, Goochland and Middlesex counties.

According to the Wyoming Department of Education, Balow led efforts to add computer science as required academic content or all students, incorporated career and military readiness into Wyomings statewide accountability model for the first time, and worked to strengthen Wyomings early literacy laws in order to help ensure all students read at or above grade level.

The Wyoming website says Balow believes small government is best.

The superintendents biography says she is a fifth generation Wyoming native, with a degree in education from the University of Wyoming and a masters in education from Regis University. She is a member of the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and her husband, John, is a principal at an elementary school.

The bio also notes that Balow is a hunter and co-chair of the Wyoming Womens Antelope Hunt.

The Youngkin team detailed more than 30 other appointments Thursday evening.

Names with which some readers might be familiar include Nicole Riley, Virginia state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, as deputy secretary of labor; Garrison Coward, who lost a 2019 run for the House of Delegates to Del. Dawn Adams, D-Richmond, as deputy secretary of commerce and trade; and Colleen Messick, executive director of the Virginia Capitol Foundation, as chief of staff to first lady Suzanne Youngkin.
Through our near 140 year history of covering the Santa Maria Valley our newspaper has seen many changes. Some more obvious than others. Our nameplate, however is the most visible part of our masthead. And that nameplate has seen many changes over the years. Take a look at this history of our nameplate
Dennis Beaver Practices law in Bakersfield and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1@Gmail.com. Also, visit dennisbeaver.com.
COLUMBIA, S.C.  A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a multi-count indictment in connection with trafficking in seasonal agricultural workers.

Elizabeth Balcazar, 19, and Enrique Balcazar, 35, both of Batesburg, and Balcazar Nature Harvesting LLC have been charged with conspiracy to commit labor trafficking and fraud in foreign labor contracting. Elizabeth Balcazar and Enrique Balcazar have also been charged with the confiscation of passports and immigration documents in connection with labor trafficking. Enrique Balcazar has also been charged with two counts of labor trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for South Carolina.

Our nations visa system is an asset that provides much-needed resources to our communities and valuable opportunities to those foreign workers seeking a new life here in the United States, said U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis. Although the indictment speaks for itself, those who exploit the system and abuse these vulnerable workers will find no refuge here in South Carolina. Our office will utilize all available resources to bring such offenders to justice while rescuing and restoring victims in the process. Sadly, we know that many labor trafficking victims, both foreign and domestic, suffer here in the United States and that such violations frequently go undetected.

Labor trafficking and exploitation is real, and it is happening in South Carolina, said South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) chief Mark Keel. Agents have and will continue to work in collaboration with our local and federal partners to rescue those being victimized and bring justice to those who profit from the misery of others.

The indictment alleges that Elizabeth Balcazar and Enrique Balcazar operated Balcazar Nature Harvesting LLC, which provided seasonal harvesting labor to South Carolina farms. The indictment further alleges that the defendants forced victims to work excessive hours, failed to pay the victims their due wages, and threatened deportation for those who did not work hard enough or produce enough. The indictment also alleges that the defendants attempted to restrain the victims by confiscating their passports and by carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm. The indictment also indicates there are multiple victims.

Elizabeth Balcazar and Enrique Balcazar face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, plus court-ordered supervision to follow, and each of the defendants faces a fine of up to $250,000. Elizabeth Balcazar and Enrique Balcazar are currently detained pending trial.

The case was investigated by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, HSI, SLED, and U.S. Department of Labor.
Police were searching Friday for a man convicted of illegal gun dealing who went missing while attending his brothers funeral in Elmhurst.

A no-bond arrest warrant was issued for Bruce Berrier, 23, formerly of Villa Park, for contempt of court.

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Berrier, was serving a 10-year sentence for gunrunning, but was released at 8 a.m. Tuesday to attend the funeral of his brother, Rocky Berrier.

Over prosecutors objections, DuPage County Judge Michael Reidy allowed Berrier to go to Brust Funeral Home in Lombard, interment at Arlington Cemetery in Elmhurst, and to a family lunch, while monitored by an electronic tracking device, court documents show. He was to return to DuPage County Jail by 2 p.m., but authorities said he didnt.

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At 1:27 p.m. that day, the GPS ankle monitor was cut off. Police found the device at the cemetery, and Berrier was charged with felony criminal damage to government property.

Berrier pleaded guilty in July 2021 to gunrunning. At the time of his arrest, he had been on parole after serving 2 years for aggravated discharge of a firearm in November 2015.

In that case, prosecutors said, two groups of people came to Berriers apartment in Villa Park to hang out and drink beer, and an argument arose. Berrier ordered one group to leave, and he and his friends followed the people out to their vehicles.

The groups confronted each other, prosecutors said, and Berrier took out a gun and fired multiple shots, hitting one person in the leg, breaking it, and hitting another person three times, causing injuries to the vertebrae, bowel and kidney.

Berrier was 16 at the time of the shooting.

rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com
A man entered the cockpit of an American Airlines plane in Honduras and caused damage while the aircraft was at the gate, the airline said in a statement.

After doing damage, the passenger attempted to jump out of a window, American Airlines spokesperson Sarah Jantz told CNN.

The incident occurred as the flight was boarding for Miami, the airline statement said.

"Crew members intervened and the individual was ultimately apprehended by local law enforcement," the statement said.

A replacement aircraft was making its way to Honduras and the flight was rescheduled for a later time, the airline said.

"We applaud our outstanding crew members for their professionalism in handling a difficult situation," it added.

The reason for the attack wasn't given, although airlines have been dealing with a surge in incidents involving unruly passengers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, especially as personnel are now tasked with enforcing mask rules and other Covid-related protocols.

In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration reported it received more than 5,980 complaints of unruly passengers. The agency said it received 4,290 masks-related incident reports last year and there were 1,075 investigations initiated -- more than five times as many as in 2020.

As part of efforts to discourage bad behavior, the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration announced last month that travelers who cause difficulties can lose their TSA PreCheck credentials, saying that the procedure is a "privilege reserved for low-risk travelers."

Passengers who create problems are also subject to fines and individual airlines can ban certain travelers.

***

CNN's Taylor Barnes contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire  &  2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
 "Crime trends and violence worse in Californias Republican-voting counties than Democratic-voting counties" | Main | Might Oklahoma really try to move forward with seven executions over the next six months? 

August 26, 2021

Notably high-profile cases now the focus of parole decision-making

Perhaps in part because the federal system abolished parole nearly 40 years ago through the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, parole practices and parole reform often do not get the most attention in broad debates about criminal justice and sentencing policies. But the majority of states still have parole as part of their justice systems, and this 2019 Prison Policy Initiative report makes the case that "most states show lots of room for improvement" in their parole practices.

I have general parole issues on the mind because two new press pieces about a couple of high-profile cases serve as a useful reminder of the import of parole decision-making and the array of actors who can impact this decision-making:

From The Hill, "Prosecutors for first time not opposing parole for RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan"

Los Angeles prosecutors for the first time have decided not to oppose the release of Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of assassinating former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.) in 1968. The Washington Post reported that Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascons office is remaining neutral in the case and will not be present at Sirhan's parole hearing on Friday. While prosecutors had opposed Sirhans release in 15 previous parole hearings, Gascon upon taking on his role in December 2020 said his offices default policy would be to not attend parole hearings and to instead work to submit letters in support of inmates who have served mandatory minimums and no longer pose a threat to society.

From The Guardian, "Black police groups call for ex-Black Panther jailed for 48 years to be released"

A coalition of current and retired Black police officers is calling for the release on parole of Sundiata Acoli, a former Black Panther member who has been incarcerated for 48 years for the 1973 murder of a New Jersey state trooper. Four Black law enforcement groups have joined forces to press the case for Acolis parole almost half a century after he was arrested. In an amicus brief filed with the New Jersey supreme court, they call his continued imprisonment an affront to racial justice and accuse the parole board of violating the law by repeatedly refusing to set the prisoner free.

August 26, 2021 at 12:25 PM | Permalink

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 Lots of interesting sentencing issues as South Dakota's Attorney General avoids any incarceration after killing pedestrian | Main | "What's (Really) Driving Crime in New York" 

August 27, 2021

RFK killer. Sirhan Sirhan, recommended for parole after decades of denials

As the saying goes, if at first you do not succeed, try, try again. As detailed in this Los Angeles Times article, after trying again and again to get a positive parole recommendation, the assassin of Robert Kennedy, Sirhan Sirhan, today finally succeeded:

Sirhan Sirhan, the man convicted of assassinating Robert F. Kennedy at a Los Angeles hotel more than 50 years ago, was recommended for release by a California parole board Friday, the first step toward making him a free man. The two-person panel Sirhan appeared before Friday granted parole, but the decision is not final. Parole staff still have 90 days to review the matter. After that, Gov. Gavin Newsom  or whoever might replace him following next months recall election  could still decide to block Sirhans release. Sirhan, then a 24-year-old Palestinian immigrant who had written a manifesto calling for Kennedys death, shot the senator at the since-demolished Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1968. Kennedy was considered a leading candidate for president and had just won primaries in South Dakota and California at the time of his assassination. Sirhan admitted to the killing in 1969 and has been in prison for 53 years. The board granted his release Friday, in part, after receiving letters of support from two members of the slain senators family. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed doubt about Sirhans guilt, said he believed his father might extend mercy to his own killer. While nobody can speak definitively on behalf of my father, I firmly believe that based on his own consuming commitment to fairness and justice, that he would strongly encourage this board to release Mr. Sirhan because of Sirhans impressive record of rehabilitation, Kennedy Jr. wrote in a letter submitted in advance of Fridays hearing. Douglas Kennedy said that while hed lived in fear of Sirhan for years, he saw him now as worthy of compassion and love. I really do believe any prisoner who is found to be not a threat to themselves or the world should be released, Douglas Kennedy wrote. I believe that applies to everyone, every human being, including Mr. Sirhan. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department submitted a letter opposing Sirhans release, on behalf of the Kennedy family. Erin Mellon, a spokeswoman for Newsom, said the governor will review Sirhans case if it is presented to him.... Angela Berry, Sirhans attorney, says the 77-year-old has not been accused of a serious violation of prison rules since 1972 and that prison officials have deemed him a low risk for violence. Sirhan first became eligible for parole in 1972. Between 1983 and 2006, he was granted parole hearings every one to two years, but was always denied. Beginning in 2006, those hearings were held just twice a decade. He was last denied release in 2016. The recommendation for Sirhans release also came without opposition from L.A. County prosecutors, who are barred from fighting release at parole hearings under a policy enacted by Dist. Atty. George Gascon. While Gascons policy had been in effect for nearly nine months, it attracted new scrutiny this week because of Sirhans case. Gascon has said it should be up to the parole board to determine an inmates suitability for release, rather than prosecutors who are simply relitigating the facts of old cases, sometimes decades later.... Critics of Gascon have said the parole policy is indicative of a broader abandonment of victims under his administration. Some victims have complained to The Times that they felt helpless without an advocate present when they went to oppose the release of a loved ones killer earlier this year. L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, a staunch opponent of Gascon, has also said he would send staff to aid victims at parole hearings if Gascon wouldnt send prosecutors, but he has yet to explain how often hes done so or what impact, if any, the move has had in such cases.... While critics of Gascon have claimed the parole policy will end with a flood of violent criminals returning to the streets, data suggest otherwise. Records show the state parole board only granted release in about 19% of all cases it heard from 2018 to 2020, and that does not factor in cases where Newsom later blocked an inmates release.

It will be interesting to see if Gov. Newsom says anything publicly about this case before the recall election in a few weeks at a time when his rivals are accusing him of being "soft on crime."

August 27, 2021 at 08:26 PM | Permalink

Comments

As I understand it, the governor doesn't have to make a decision for a while. So, it would be dubious of him to make much of comment about it, though it is doubtful it would affect the election much.

Every little bit counts though. So, best to avoid the question.

Posted by: Joe | Aug 27, 2021 9:35:21 PM

There are various Kennedy family members against the decision.

The fact is in these cases that family members will often disagree. I recall one death penalty case where two elderly brothers disagreed on what was justified. Ultimately, the decision should rest elsewhere.

I think the prosecutor's policy is reasonable. The rejoinder about concern for the family/victims really doesn't refute it. I don't think the prosecutor's office would be the best proxy.

I would like more information on how the two members make a decision. Do various advocates have a means to submit opinions or other information. Also, ultimately, the possibility of the governor to veto provides another means for a voice of all to be involved.

Posted by: Joe | Aug 28, 2021 12:08:34 PM

This won't hurt Newsom's chances if re-election. RKF was assassinated in 1968 and a large bulk of the electorate weren't alive when it happened and are unaware of the historic ramifications of Kennedy's assassination. Besides, crime has dropped in California and Newsom's team should publicize the dropping crime stats as proof that criminal justice reform is effective.

Posted by: Anon | Aug 28, 2021 1:49:22 PM

Sirhan deserves his freedom. No way he killed Bobby Kennedy. The senator was shot in the back of his head, while Sirhan was clearly positioned in front of the senator in that cramped kitchen walkway.

good evidence exists that Sirhan was under some kind of hypnosis that night...

For a convincing analysis, see the recent book A Lie too Big to Fail by Lisa Pease.

I am a veteran journalist and longtime student of the Kennedy assassinations.

Posted by: Russ Tarby | Aug 29, 2021 5:47:10 PM

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 Can anyone estimate how many (thousands of) federal prison years have been based on acquitted conduct sentencing? | Main | "Compassionate Release and Decarceration in the States" 

January 13, 2022

California Gov Newsom reverse parole grant to Sirhan Sirhan, RFK's assassin

Under California law, the Governor reviews any recommendation of parole by a convicted murderer. As explained in this new Los Angeles Tomes op-ed, California Governor Gavin Newsom has decided to reverse a parole decision in the high-profile case of Sirhan Sirhan. Here is how the op-ed starts:

In 1968, Sirhan Sirhan assassinated Sen. Robert F. Kennedy just moments after Kennedy won the California presidential primary. Sirhan also shot and injured five bystanders. Decades later, Sirhan refuses to accept responsibility for the crimes. Californias Board of Parole Hearings recently found that Sirhan is suitable for parole. I disagree. After carefully reviewing the case, including records in the California State Archives, I have determined that Sirhan has not developed the accountability and insight required to support his safe release into the community. I must reverse Sirhans parole grant.

A copy of the Governors parole reversal decision can be found here. Interestingly, and surely not coincidentally, Gov Newsom also decided today to announce a large number of clemency grants, as this press release details: "Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has granted 24 pardons, 18 commutations and 5 reprieves."

Prior related posts:

January 13, 2022 at 06:11 PM | Permalink

Comments

Shrewd political cover for all the other numerous clemencies. He knows that this one is the only case that will get significant press coverage.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 13, 2022 10:29:27 PM

Since the LA County Coroner determined that all of the bullets came from behind Kennedy, making it impossible that Sirhan was the shooter, and since Sirhan has successfully proved that he had no memory of anything that night and successfully maintained that stance through multiple testing, examinations, etc., it is an atrocity that Newsom has done this. Another horrible horrible decision by a horrible horrible politician.

Posted by: restless94110 | Jan 14, 2022 7:04:01 PM

restless94110, welcome to the flat earth society!!

Posted by: anon12 | Jan 15, 2022 12:15:33 PM

People v. Sirhan, California Supreme Court (1972I)

"About 8:30 p.m. on June 2, 1968, two days before defendant shot Senator Kennedy, the senator made a speech in the Coconut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, following which he delivered a second speech outside the hotel. Defendant was seen at the hotel about 8:45 that night by an acquaintance. A half hour or less after the senator's second speech a hostess saw a man who looked like defendant in the kitchen near the Coconut Grove.

During the day on June 4, 1968, defendant practiced firing at a gun range for several hours and had also practiced shooting at ranges on several prior occasions. On June 4 he engaged in rapid fire with the .22 revolver he used a few hours later to kill Senator Kennedy. The revolver had been obtained by defendant in February 1968 when his brother Munir paid a fellow employee for it.

A person who talked with defendant at the gun range on June 4 testified that defendant stated he was going to go on a hunting trip with his gun, that he told defendant it was not permissible to use pistols for hunting because of the accuracy, and that defendant said, Well, I don't know about that. It could kill a dog.

About 10 or 11 p.m. on June 4, 1968, a secretary whose duties included seeing that unauthorized persons were not near the Embassy Ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel, saw defendant near that room and asked him who he was, and he turned and walked toward the doors leading into the ballroom.

Shortly before midnight on the same day defendant asked hotel employees if Senator Kennedy was going to come through the pantry, and they told him that they did not know. One of the employees observed defendant for about a half hour in the pantry and noticed nothing unusual about his manner or activity.

About midnight on June 4, Senator Kennedy made a speech in the Embassy Ballroom announcing his victory as a Democratic candidate for president in the California primary. Following the speech he and his entourage proceeded toward the hotel's Colonial Room, which was then being used as a press room. En route the senator stopped in the pantry to shake hands with the kitchen staff. Suddenly defendant darted toward the senator, pulled out a revolver, and fired several shots. The senator and a man adjacent to him, Paul Schrade, fell. Pandemonium ensued.

A hotel employee grabbed defendant around the wrist of the hand holding the gun, but defendant, who was still able to move that hand, continued shooting. Irwin Stroll, William Weisel, Elizabeth Evans and Ira Goldstein were injured by the gunfire. Several persons joined in the struggle and succeeded in restraining defendant, and one took the gun from him. When asked, Why did you do it?, defendant replied something to the effect I can explain.



GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY

Posted by: Stacy from Nebraska | Jan 15, 2022 12:21:42 PM

When I was an egineering student at Columbia, Robert Kennedy came to speak. Though entirely nerdy and apolitical (as engineering students tend to be), I happened to stop by to hear Kennedy speak. He gave a moving and passionate speech. He was so charismatic in that speech, I was converted! As he came down the aisle shaking hands with audience members, I jostled to the end of the row to see him up close. I stood facing him. I reached out, and he shook my hand the way some politicians do, just squeezing my fingers so as not to tire out his hand. As we shook, I looked into his fierce blue eyes. To this day I have no doubt that had he said to me, "Follow me," I would have done so.

Posted by: Michael R. Levine | Jan 15, 2022 12:33:02 PM

Michael --

Thanks for sharing that very neat memory.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 15, 2022 2:38:29 PM

Bill, you are welcome!

Posted by: Michael Levine | Jan 15, 2022 10:52:21 PM

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 "Compassionate Release and Decarceration in the States" | Main | Supreme Court takes up procedural issues around challenging execution methods and habeas matters 

January 14, 2022

Illinois judge decides to acquit teen in sexual assault case to avoid four-year mandatory minimum term

The New York Times has this interesting new article about a troubling example of how mandatory minimum sentences can (and often do) end up distorting the operation of our justices systems. The full headline of the article provides the essentials: "Judge Tosses Teens Sexual Assault Conviction, Drawing Outrage; Drew Clinton, 18, faced four years in prison under Illinois sentencing guidelines. But the judge, Robert Adrian, overturned his conviction this month, saying the sentence was not just." Here are the details:

Last October, a judge in western Illinois convicted an 18-year-old man of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl while she was unconscious at a graduation party. The man, Drew Clinton, faced a mandatory minimum sentence of four years in prison, but at a hearing earlier this month, Judge Robert Adrian reversed his own decision and threw out the conviction. The nearly five months Mr. Clinton had served in jail, the judge said, was plenty of punishment. The decision, which was reported by the Herald-Whig of Quincy, Ill., has dismayed organizations that help survivors of sexual assault, the Adams County states attorneys office and the girl who reported the assault, who told a local television station that she was present when Judge Adrian overturned Mr. Clintons conviction. He made me seem like I fought for nothing and that I put my word out there for no reason, she told WGEM-TV. I immediately had to leave the courtroom and go to the bathroom. I was crying.... Mr. Clinton was charged with criminal sexual assault on June 1, 2021. The girl reported that he sexually assaulted her after she became intoxicated at a party on May 30, according to court records. During the bench trial, she testified that she was unconscious and woke up to find a pillow covering her face and Mr. Clinton assaulting her.... Mr. Schnack [a lawyer for Mr. Clinton] argued that mandatory sentences take away a judges discretion. Every individual should be judged by the court in doing its sentence and not by a legislator years and hundreds of miles removed, he said, according to the transcript. He also said that prosecutors had not proved their case against Mr. Clinton and that the girl was able to consent. Mr. Schnack said that she made many decisions that night, including drinking and stripping down to her underwear to go swimming. They werent the best decisions, he said. She did know what was going on. Judge Adrian said he knew that, by law, Mr. Clinton was supposed to serve time in prison, but in this case, the sentence was unfair, partly because Mr. Clinton turned 18 just two weeks before the party and, until his arrest, had no criminal record. That is not just, Judge Adrian said during the Jan. 3 hearing, according to the transcript. There is no way for what happened in this case that this teenager should go to the Department of Corrections. I will not do that. He said that if he ruled that the sentence was unconstitutional, his decision would be reversed on appeal. Instead, he said, what he could do was find that the people failed to prove their case. Judge Adrian chastised the parents and other adults who he said provided liquor to the teenagers at the party and failed to exercise their parental responsibilities.... Carrie Ward, the chief executive of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said the judges comments and his decision to throw out Mr. Clintons conviction were a clean and clear example of victim blaming. By highlighting the girls clothing and chastising the hosts of the party, the judge shifted 100 percent of the blame from the perpetrator, from the actual person who committed the sexual assault, to everyone else, including the victim, Ms. Ward said.

I am troubled that the judge here felt compelled to nullify guilt because he was unable or unwilling to develop an argument that a four-year prison term would be unjust and possibly illegal. I do not know Illinois law well enough to know if state constitutional jurisprudence or other doctrines could have provided a basis for the judge to rule that he had to be able to give effect to the defendant's youth and other mitigating factors. But if the judge made a compelling case for a more just sentence, perhaps prosecutors would not have appealed or perhaps appellate courts would have embraced the analysis. Instead, we have a case in which a judge seems to want to believe that two legal wrongs make a right.

January 14, 2022 at 01:09 PM | Permalink

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Same. If the judge's real MO was to actually just make criminal justice reformers look bad, at the cost of throwing himself under the bus, he would be a brilliant conservative political strategist.

Posted by: Rory Fleming | Jan 14, 2022 1:15:38 PM

Doug --

"The New York Times has this interesting new article about a troubling example of how mandatory minimum sentences can (and often do) end up distorting the operation of our justices systems."

Nope, it's not about that at all. It's about how willful judges, in defiance of their oath and the rule of law, distort (and stain) our justice system (and in the process tell victims of child rape that, hey sweetie, you'll get over it).

The decision should be appealed, and if it is, it will get reversed. The prosecution cannot appeal a true acquittal, but this was something entirely different. No matter what it's called, it was a dismissal because the judge did not like the law. A dismissal (i.e., a judgment favorable to be accused for a reason other than that the government's factual case was deficient) can be appealed. I will volunteer to write the brief at no charge.

As is now well established, MMs are constitutional. The only question that really gets debated is whether, in one instance or another, they're too long. The one in this case -- four years for raping an underage person -- might conceivably be harsh, although I don't think so, but there is just no sane argument that it's unconstitutionally excessive under the Eighth Amendment. That being the case, an appeal here is the closest thing to a sure winner that you get in litigation.

But appealing won't be enough. The judge should be removed (as the judge in the somewhat similar Stanford rape case in fact was removed). Unless the sentencing statute is unconstitutional -- and the judge correctly conceded that it isn't -- it is still the law and therefore MUST be applied by the court. Our friend (then) Judge Paul Cassell knew this and did the right thing where there was a far more onerous sentence (55 years for selling dope) the law required him to impose. He imposed it and then wrote to Pres. Obama suggesting clemency. See: https://unews.utah.edu/university-of-utah-law-professor-paul-cassell-asks-president-obama-to-commute-sentence-in-weldon-angelos-case/. The judge here could and should have done something analogous if he felt this strongly.

Law is for the legislature. Clemency is for the executive. Discipline is for the judiciary, and this judge showed none. Instead, he blew past the obligations and limits of his office and abused his power to create a result he personally preferred. That is the definition of what a judge CANNOT do.

The problem here is not the mandatory minimum (which is actually quite modest). It's judicial arrogance and indiscipline. And that problem should be remedied by removal.

P.S. One really easy way to see how wrong this judge was is to consider what we'd all think if the statutory limits were, say, minimum of four years and maximum of ten, and the judge's personal opinion was that ten wasn't enough, so he simply ignored the statute and imposed fifteen. Would anyone doubt that such a judge should be removed from office?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 14, 2022 2:24:01 PM

The judge was correct in all respects. The girl was not a victim. 4 years is cruel and unusual punishment. Congratulations to the judge. He did the right thing. We can only hope that this starts a movement of judges unwilling to go with the insanity around "crimes" of this sort.

Posted by: restless94110 | Jan 14, 2022 6:59:58 PM

If this judge had any brains at all, he would have just held the evidence insufficient without opining on the sentence.

Posted by: hgd | Jan 14, 2022 8:22:42 PM

hgd --

So the judge should lie? Say the evidence is lacking when he know's it isn't?

Not sure where that version of judging leads us. Should hardline judges also feel free to lie to get to a result they want? Are litigants going to be confident of a fair an impartial shake when they know the judge will lie to reach a favored result? Should lawyers also feel free to lie? Jurors? Witnesses? What are the limits here?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 15, 2022 12:32:08 AM

No, that's not what I'm saying. I disagree with most of what you post, but I actually agree with you here: what the judge did here was totally inappropriate and inconsistent with his judicial oath.

What I'm saying is that judges with brains know how to reach the results they want in facially proper (and appeal-proof) ways and do so every day. The only reason this case is a story is that this judge said the quiet part out loud. Discretion-stripping mechanisms such as MMs prompt judges to do this more and more, encouraging what the SCT in Spears criticized as "institutionalized subterfuge." I suppose my larger point is, we have a system (for better or worse) that affords judges a great deal of discretion. We ought to have framework rules that encourage the transparent exercise of that discretion.

Posted by: hgd | Jan 15, 2022 11:32:14 AM

hgd --

When he "said the quiet part out loud," he was being honest. That's the one commendable thing he did in this case, and a part of what you say seems to agree with that (applauding rules "that encourage the transparent exercise of that discretion.").

The job of judging is just that -- a job. It's not an anointment. The job specifications are not to do justice as you, an individual, see it. They are to follow the law whether you like it or not (just as the litigants are required to). So this case is easy. As a judge, you either find the MM sentence unconstitutionally excessive (which can't be done and would get reversed in a heartbeat) or you follow the Paul Cassell model, i.e., do what the statute requires and then urge the executive branch to grant clemency, giving your reasons. A fake acquittal when the government had proved the elements was his worst option.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jan 15, 2022 2:33:57 PM

Of course, if this had been a jury trial instead of a bench trial, the jury would never have been informed about the mandatory minimum, thus denying them the opportunity to exercise the same discretion. How is that fair?

Posted by: Mike | Jan 18, 2022 8:48:13 AM

Judge nullification!

Posted by: William C Jockusch | Jan 19, 2022 9:07:45 AM

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U.S. Capitol Police arrested a woman on Wednesday who drove to the agencys headquarters in an SUV containing several firearms and said she wanted to speak with officers about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

The woman, identified as Kery Lynn McAttee, 58, told officers she had driven down from Michigan and claimed to have information about the event.

She had parked in a no-parking zone in front of the building, which sits less than half a mile from Capitol Hill, at about 1:40 p.m.

During their conversation, a Capitol police officer noticed the butt of a long gun in the back of McAttees Chevy Silverado, the agency said. McAttee subsequently confirmed that she had weapons with her.

Washington, D.C., has strict gun laws that generally prohibit firearm possession except in certain circumstances where the weapon is registered locally.

The agency said in a statement that at this time there is no evidence McAttee was coming here to do anything, except speak with our officers. But the agency declined to provide further details about what information she may have had, citing an open investigation.

Officers recovered ammunition from the SUV along with an unloaded Remington .22 rifle, an unloaded Connecticut Valley Arms .50 muzzle loader, a loaded Mossberg .410 shotgun and a Gamo pellet gun.

McAttee was arrested and charged with counts including unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of unregistered ammunition, unlawful possession or transportation of a semiautomatic rifle and unlawful possession of a firearm misdemeanor.

A judge released her after a brief court appearance on Thursday, during which she pleaded not guilty, according to The Washington Post. Her 33-year-old son told the paper that his mother suffered from mental illness.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

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These days, we have Denzel Washington.

We have Viola Davis, Kevin Hart and Jamie Foxx. We have Octavia Spencer, Regina King and Samuel L. Jackson. We have Idris Elba, Lupita Nyongo, Taraji P. Henson, Michael B. Jordan, Mahershala Ali, Tiffany Haddish and Will Smith. We have, in other words, a bounty of bona fide, mainstream Black movie stars.

But once upon a time, we  African Americans  had only one. His name was Sidney Poitier, and he died last week at the age of 94.

Praises have been raining upon his name ever since, and deservedly so. As an actor, Poitier was known for an economy of expression and movement that could be shattered at any moment by a sudden volcanic intensity. As a social activist, he was brave, supporting the Civil Rights Movement and using his art to illuminate and explore provocative racial themes. And he was a path breaker: first African American to be voted the nations top box-office attraction, first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, which he took home for 1963s Lilies of the Field.

But to fully appreciate what Sidney Poitier meant  to us, at least  you have to understand what it was like back when he was the only one. You have to know why Jet magazine felt it necessary to run a page listing the Negro performers who would be on television that week. You have to remember how word that the Temptations or Supremes were going to be on The Ed Sullivan Show was enough to make you alert all your friends. You have to understand why Martin Luther King said, You cannot, when Nichelle Nichols told him she was leaving her role as Uhura on Star Trek.

In other words, you have to have some sense of how it was to be Black in mainstream American culture. Which is to say, largely invisible.

From the porters toting Jimmy Stewarts bags in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to the maid Mae West commands to Peel me a grape in Im No Angel, Black film characters were almost always servile and incidental, orbiting the main action like satellites until it was time to serve coffee or provide comic relief.

In a society that draws so much of its sense of the world and of itself from what it sees onscreen, to be unseen there  or to be seen only in demeaning caricature  is, in a very real sense, not to exist. Culturally speaking, it is a kind of death.

In his years of greatest impact  the late 50s through the 1960s  Poitier required the movie-going world to see Black people. In those years, the Miami-born Bahamian actor was a doctor, a teacher and a soldier, a cop, a convict and a warmhearted handyman. In other words, he embodied blackness in all its shades of humanity and did so with an unyielding insistence upon his own  and therefore, upon our  dignity and worth.

As they say these days, he represented.

It is not an easy thing to represent. Indeed, it is an unfair  albeit often necessary  burden. To represent a people  to be their avatar in unwelcoming places  is to surrender some of your own prerogatives as an individual, your ability to act according to your own tastes and moods without need of calculating whether that will adversely impact the millions of people whose hopes are embodied in you.

Yet Sidney Poitier did exactly that. Indeed, he bore upon himself the needs and aspirations of an entire people with singular grace and class. For so many years, he was the only one we had.

As it turned out, he was also the only one we would need.

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A 60-year-old man was shot after yelling at two men as they robbed a woman of her purse at gunpoint Thursday night on the North Side, Chicago police said.

The man was shot in the left leg in the 5900 block of North Glenwood Avenue in the Magnolia Glen neighborhood of Edgewater, police said. The 34-year-old woman was not hurt.

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The man who was shot was in fair condition after the Chicago Fire Department took him to Amita St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, according to police.

The two men who police say took the womans purse are not in custody.

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oolander@chicagotribune.com
SIOUX CITY -- A woman charged with driving three people to a Morningside house, where they fired numerous shots into the home and killed a Sioux City teenager, has agreed to plead guilty to her role in the shooting.

Liliana Gutierrez has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and will plead guilty during a Feb. 14 hearing in which she also is expected to be sentenced. The plea agreement has not yet been filed.

Gutierrez, 21, of Sioux City, was scheduled to stand trial next week in Woodbury County District Court on one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and three counts of reckless use of a firearm. Two of the charges are Class C felonies, punishable by 10-year prison sentences. The other two are Class D felonies that carry five-year prison sentences.

Gutierrez is charged with driving Christopher Morales, Carlos Morales and Anthony Bauer on Jan. 1, 2021, to a house at 2637 Walker St., where dozens of people had gathered for a New Year's Eve party. The three men, one of whom Gutierrez was dating, exited the vehicle and fired at least 27 shots into the house, killing Mia Kritis, 18, and hurting three others.

The three shooters then ran back to the vehicle, got in, and Gutierrez drove away.

"(Gutierrez) has made statements indicating acknowledgement to knowingly participating in these crimes," Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings wrote in a complaint filed in the case.

Police have said there is no evidence that Gutierrez fired any shots.

Gutierrez will be the last of the four suspects to plead guilty.

Christopher Morales admitted to firing the shots that killed Kritis and wounded the others. His brother, Carlos Morales, and Bauer admitted to aiding and abetting and also firing shots.

All three had faced charges of first-degree murder, in addition to three counts of reckless use of a firearm and one count of going armed with intent.

In separate plea agreements, each one pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder -- allowing them to avoid a mandatory lifetime prison sentence without parole if found guilty at trial -- and the three reckless use of a firearm charges.

Christopher Morales, 20, was sentenced to 55 years in prison, and Bauer, 19, received a 50-year prison sentence. Both must serve the mandatory minimum of 35 years before they're eligible for parole.

Carlos Morales, 18, was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Because he was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, he must serve only 15 years before he's eligible for parole.

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SIOUX CITY -- A man sentenced to prison for shooting another man in Sioux City has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing the handgun used in the incident.

Alejandro LaPointe, 21, of Sioux City, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to 79 months in prison on one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

LaPointe was charged with illegally possessing a .357-caliber Sturm Ruger revolver. Because of two previous felony convictions, he was prohibited from having guns and ammunition.

LaPointe shot Tyrin Sheridan in the right calf on Feb. 10 outside a home in the 1400 block of Myrtle Street. Police found a spent bullet casing in the backyard and a second spent casing in LaPointe's pants. The revolver was found wrapped in a shirt and stuffed into a hole in his bedroom wall.

LaPointe was sentenced May 10 in Woodbury County District Court to five years in prison after pleading guilty to willful injury. The state and federal prison sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time.

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SIOUX CITY -- Two Siouxland men have been sentenced to federal prison on firearms charges in unrelated cases.

Austin Rockwood, 21, of Sioux City, was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison. He pleaded guilty in September in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Rockwood had three previous felony convictions.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Rockwood was arrested Feb. 11 after he was spotted following an unmarked police car and then led police on a chase after they attempted a traffic stop. He eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot with a loaded firearm that he tried to hide in the snow.

Rafael Gomez, 20, also known as "Danger," of Sergeant Bluff, was sentenced Thursday to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty in September to possession of firearms by a drug user.

Six guns were found in Gomez' home during a homicide investigation. He had hidden a loaded .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol that had been reported stolen in a couch. Officers also found a rifle that was used in a Jan. 1, 2021, homicide at a Sioux City home in which an 18-year-old girl was killed after several shots were fired at the house. Gomez was an unlawful user of marijuana, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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SIOUX CITY -- The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will continue to investigate Wednesday's fatal shooting by a Woodbury County Sheriff's deputy before handing the case over to prosecutors to determine if the use of deadly force was justified.

In the meantime, the two deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policies, Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan said at a news conference Thursday.

Sheehan said his office also will conduct an investigation into the incident to review the deputies' actions and their adherence to department policies. Both deputies, plus a Sergeant Bluff police officer who accompanied them, were wearing body cameras and captured the incident on video.

The names of the suspect and the deputies involved have not been released.

"The names won't be released until after interviews by the DCI," Sheehan told the Journal.

Once the DCI investigation into the use of force is concluded, the case will be forwarded to Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings for review. The investigation and review could take weeks to complete. The body camera video will not be available for release until after Jennings' decision, Sheehan said.

The deputies and Sergeant Bluff officer responded to a report of a burglary in progress at about 5:45 p.m. at the Woodford Mobile Home Park, 501 B St., where a witness had reported a male suspect trying to force his way into a mobile home.

When officers arrived, Sheehan said, the suspect "immediately advanced on the deputies with a tire iron."

One of the deputies fired his Taser, striking the suspect but not stopping him. The second deputy shot the suspect after being struck in the arm with the tire iron. Sheehan said the deputies administered first aid to the suspect until rescue personnel arrived and transported him to MercyOne Siouxland, where he died as a result of his gunshot wound.

Sheehan would not say how many shots were fired. He also declined to say where the bullet or bullets struck the suspect. That information will be released by the state medical examiner's office, which is performing an autopsy on the suspect.

The injured deputy was treated at UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's and released. He was recovering at home Thursday, Sheehan said.

Sheehan praised the work of all law enforcement officers, who daily face potentially dangerous situations that could lead to them firing their weapons.

"This incident is a reminder that law enforcement officers continue to face situations that require split-second decisions," the sheriff said.

He said his office routinely conducts training exercises concerning use of force in dangerous situations.

"There's continuous training that officers are put through. We're trained to handle these situations," he said.

Though he didn't have a date at hand, Sheehan, who was elected to his first term in November, said it's been several years since a Woodbury County deputy had been involved in a shooting.

Prior to Wednesday's shooting, it's believed that the most recent fatal shooting involving a metro-area officer occurred on May 11, 2019, when Luis Quinones Rosa, 25, of South Sioux City, died after being shot in a shootout with South Sioux City Police Officer Brian Van Berkum outside a bar and liquor store at 1313 Dakota Ave. Van Berkum was wounded in the confrontation, but later returned to duty.

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Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson will be able to present evidence that he took steps to amend the tax returns at the center of the charges against him, a judge ruled Friday, after agreeing the latest COVID-19 surge wont delay Thompsons federal trial next month.

The case will mark the first criminal trial for a sitting Chicago alderman in more than 20 years.

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U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama made the ruling during a final pretrial conference for Thompson, who is set to go on trial Feb. 4 on charges of filing false tax returns and lying to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. officials about payments he received from a line of credit at Washington Federal Bank for Savings.

Prosecutors had argued that Thompsons effort to fix his tax returns came only after he was confronted by federal investigators about the loans, and that the amendments he made were self-serving and irrelevant to the charges.

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The ruling was a significant victory for Thompsons defense team, which has said the aldermans errant tax filings were the result of sloppy bookkeeping, not any attempt to avoid payment of taxes.

Also during Fridays conference, Valderrama barred Thompsons attorneys from eliciting any character evidence related to (Thompsons) intelligence, but said he might allow in testimony about the aldermans attention span, disorganization, or lack of attention to detail and/or memory.

Thompson, 52, the 11th Ward alderman since 2015, was charged last April in a seven-count indictment stemming from a larger probe of the 2017 collapse of Washington Federal, a clout-heavy bank in the Daley familys longtime Bridgeport neighborhood.

That investigation has led to charges against 15 of the banks former officers, employees and customers alleging a scheme to embezzle million of dollars by issuing bad loans with little or no collateral and falsifying records to cover it up.

Thompson, the grandson and nephew of Chicagos two former mayors, was not accused of wrongdoing surrounding the banks collapse, and Valderrama on Friday barred any evidence of the alleged embezzlement scheme from the aldermans trial.

However, a former loan officer at the bank, Alicia Mandujano, is expected to testify that Thompson was aware of the status of his $219,000 in loans and that he was not making payments on the principal or interest.

The indictment alleged Thompson then falsely claimed a mortgage interest deduction on his tax return even though the loan was not a mortgage and no interest had been paid.

Mandujano, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy earlier this week, admitted in a 27-page plea agreement with prosecutors that the then-president of Washington Federal, John Gembara, directed her to alter the banks records to make it appear that Thompson was making payments on the loan.

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Gembara was found dead in the home of one of the banks customers less than two weeks before the banks closure. His death was ruled a suicide.

Thompsons attorney, Chris Gair, said the prosecutions summary of Mandujanos testimony in the plea agreement was highly misleading and that she will clarify that Thompson had no knowledge of any wrongdoing by the bank with respect to his loan.

The proceedings will be subject to strict COVID-19 protocols that have allowed the courthouse to remain open for business despite the recent surge in the omicron variant.

Valderrama began Fridays hearing by asking both sides if they wanted to request a continuance due to COVID-19 issues. Both prosecutors and the defense team said they wanted to go ahead with the trial.

To accommodate crowds and allow for social distancing, members of the media and public will be able to watch the proceedings via a live video feed in the large ceremonial courtroom on the 25th floor of the courthouse.

The judge said any witnesses or attorneys who wish to take their masks off during the trial must first verify under oath that they have been vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Witnesses and jurors will also be tested regularly for the virus throughout the trial, he said.

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Valderrama said he expects jury selection to go quickly and that they will get to opening statements and some witness testimony on the first day. The trial is expected to wrap up no later than Feb. 15.

Most of the evidence in the case involves Thompsons tax documents and bank records and testimony is expected to be relatively dry.

Though the charges are unrelated to his duties as alderman, Thompsons attorneys have asked to show the jury the aldermans 11th Ward biography to give them a sense of who he is.

Prosecutors objected, saying its irrelevant to the charges and is just a list of good deeds hes done.

Valderrama has said hell rule on that issue in writing, along with a number of other evidentiary requests from both sides.

One of the key witnesses in the trial will be accountant Robert Hannigan, who prepared Thompsons tax returns and testified earlier this week that the alderman first talked to him about amending the filings on Dec. 7, 2018.

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That was five days after the FBI knocked on Thompsons door and started asking questions about payments from Washington Federal. Agents also handed Thompson a subpoena that day asking for his tax information.

Thompsons attorneys have said Hannigan previously told their legal team that hed actually talked with Thompson about the tax issue in November, well before the alderman was aware of any investigation.

In a statement after the indictment was announced last year, Thompson said his conscience was clear and that hes paid the back taxes owed and repaid the rest of the loan in question.

I did not commit any crime, I am innocent and I will prove it at trial, the statement said. The charges in the indictment do not relate in any way to my public service or to my professional life. I remain 100% dedicated to serving the people of Chicago to the best of my ability.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
(CNN)  One Mississippi middle school's attempt at addressing girls' body image concerns sparked outrage among parents, forcing the school to backtrack.

Ashley Heun, of Southaven, Mississippi, became angry after her 13-year-old daughter, Caroline, on Tuesday handed her a letter from Southaven Middle School titled "Why Do Girls Suffer from Body Image?"

The letter discussed body images issues among females and, at the bottom, offered parents the option to consent to their daughters receiving "healthy literature" and shapewear clothing items.

"We, the counselors of Southaven Middle School, would like to have an opportunity to offer some healthy literature to your daughter on maintaining a positive body image," part of the letter reads.

"I had to reread it a few times," Heun told CNN. "My first instinct was to go up to the school and yell at every person I could find."

Heun told CNN that eighth-grader Caroline had called the letter "stupid" and didn't understand its purpose.

After taking some time to calm down and gather her thoughts, Heun took to Facebook to share her concerns. Other parents quickly chimed in, in agreement.

"It's hard to raise girls in this environment with social media, with filters and Photoshop," Heun said. "They're bombarded with images of what the ideal body is."

She then sent Southaven Principal John Sartain a lengthy email to further express her concerns.

"The letter, unfortunately, takes an unforeseen turn by offering my daughter SHAPEWEAR," Heun's email read. "If my daughter begged me for shapewear, I would tell her no. Now I find out that you are ENCOURAGING her to wear it. I, honestly, am baffled that a 'counselor' who is TRAINED in child psychology would actually think that this is a good idea."

Sartain called Heun on Wednesday morning, and they met later that day. Heun said Sartain was very apologetic and said the counselors had nothing but good intentions with the note. He also told her that the program had since been canceled.

"The district has been made aware of the parental permission form sent to parents by Southaven Middle School," Lauren Margeson, DeSoto County School's executive administrative assistant to the superintendent, told CNN in a written statement. "District officials understand how this type of information causes serious concern from parents."

"I don't think they were trying to send out that message, but bottom line is that's the message that came across," Heun added.

CNN reached out to Southaven Middle School for comment.

Heun notes that she didn't intend for this to be anything more than voicing her concern and adds that everyone makes mistakes and the school is working on fixing theirs.

"If anything comes out of this going viral, I hope it starts a conversation," Heun said.

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Cook County sheriff's Investigator Frank Anson places an electronic monitoring device on a detainee before he is released inside the electronic monitoring discharge facility at the Cook County Jail on April 12, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

At the end of a year that saw at least 800 homicides in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot last month wrote to the Cook County chief judge with a request: Judges should immediately stop ordering certain defendants to await trial at home with an electronic-monitoring ankle bracelet.

It would be a sweeping policy change intended to keep violent offenders securely behind bars, albeit with implications for thousands of people who would likely be kept in custody as their cases took months if not years to proceed.

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But many of the claims and statistics related in her letter and repeated at a press conference earlier this month are misleading  and some are simply inaccurate, the Tribune has found after examining the cases highlighted by the mayor.

Her letter cites data showing that 15 people were arrested and charged with murder last year while they were on electronic monitoring, commonly known as EM. But in at least five of those cases, the homicides actually occurred before the defendant was on an ankle bracelet, according to the Tribunes review. And in at least one of the 15 cases, the defendant was not actually charged with murder at all.

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The Tribune obtained a partially redacted list of the cases and identified the defendants by cross-referencing public records, and then brought the results to the mayors office and police.

The letter also claims that 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams was killed last year by someone on EM  a statement police Superintendent David Brown has also made. The Tribune reviewed records of all three men charged in her slaying, and found no evidence that any of them were on an ankle bracelet when she was shot.

And the mayors letter significantly overstated the number of defendants placed on ankle bracelets while awaiting trial for murder after relying on flawed information from another agency. Lightfoots letter contends that some 90 people accused of murder were on EM. But as of Jan. 3, the day before the news conference, the number was closer to 50, the Tribune has found.

In a series of emailed responses to questions from the Tribune about the moratorium, Lightfoot representatives repeatedly said that too many people awaiting trial in Chicago are violent offenders and that bond amounts have not reflected the seriousness of their crimes or criminal histories.

The Mayor believes that defendants with violent criminal histories should not be placed back into the community on EM, the written statement said.

Shootings and homicides are up more than 60% over two years in Chicago. In the wake of that violence, Lightfoot and Brown have repeatedly pointed the finger at the courts  which are not under the citys control  for releasing too many allegedly violent people before trial.

By fine-tuning her argument to focus on electronic monitoring, Lightfoot joins a long-running and complicated battle over who should be on the ankle bracelets.

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And her claims paint a specific picture of the Cook County justice system, one in which gun-toting suspects are released from custody pretrial only to re-offend with impunity. Some of the allegations in the cases do in fact feature repeat offenders and people whose alleged crimes escalate. But the overall picture is far more nuanced.

An electronic monitoring device sits on a table inside the electronic monitoring discharge facility in the basement of Division V at the Cook County Jail on April 12, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

A judge has three basic options when determining where a defendant should await trial. They can hold the defendant in custody without bond; release them on their own recognizance; or order them released if they pay a certain amount of bail. In addition, the judge can order the defendant to wear an electronic ankle bracelet as a condition of their release on bond. Judges weigh a complicated set of factors in a short amount of time to determine whether the defendant is a flight risk or poses a threat to public safety.

Cook County has two electronic monitoring systems: one operated by the chief judges office, and the other run by the sheriff. The data underlying Lightfoots claims appear to focus solely on the sheriffs home-monitoring program. Defendants on that program are meant to be effectively under house arrest, sheriffs officials have said, wearing the electronic ankle bracelet to ensure compliance.

Fact flaws in cases

Lightfoot earlier announced her call for a moratorium in an unusual year-end public safety speech on Dec. 20 in Garfield Park, where she said electronic monitoring should not be an option for individuals charged with violent crimes.

The Cook County public defenders office cried foul immediately, saying it is unconstitutional to bar someones release from jail based solely on the type of charge they face. Chief Judge Timothy Evans later weighed in, raising the same concerns.

Lightfoots request was documented in her letter, dated Dec. 29, which was sent to Evans, flagging a list of charges, including murder, attempted murder, aggravated gun possession, sex crimes, illegal gun possession, carjacking, kidnapping or attempted kidnapping.

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Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivers an address on public safety at the Garfield Park fieldhouse on Dec. 20, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

In it, she referenced two different sets of data as she made her argument to limit the use of EM, calling the ballooning release of violent and dangerous people on EMa driver of violence.

One was from the Cook County sheriffs office, which stated that of the list of people released on EM, 90 were facing murder charges.

The number, as it turns out, is incorrect. The sheriffs data labels other kinds of cases  mostly attempted murder  as murder cases, according to recent reviews of the data by both the Cook County public defenders office and the Tribune. Of 95 murder cases in a Jan. 3 list provided to the Tribune by the sheriff, for example, at least 45 were mislabeled.

The sheriffs office, when asked about the count of 90 murder charges, acknowledged that about half of the current records should have been listed as attempted murder.

There is nothing more important than the integrity of the data we use to evaluate the criminal justice system, the office said in an emailed statement. Confusion over the tally resulted from the inadvertent inclusion of attempted murder charges in the murder column due to a data error that has been corrected.

Some defendants on the sheriffs list, while their attempted murder cases were mislabeled, are in fact people with histories of gun charges who are accused of shooting people. Others are accused of shooting at someone, but not wounding them.

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But the Tribunes review of the wrongly labeled murder cases also shows that some of the attempted murder charges are domestic-related or involve allegations that someone ran over the victim with a car  crimes that, while violent, do not necessarily represent Chicagos gun violence problem.

The faults in the data are why a blanket policy that takes decision-making out of a judges hand is dangerous, said Amy Thompson, the deputy of central operations for the Cook County public defender.

Weve taken a lot of time to rebut what was easily fact-checked about this data that was relied on, and that distracts from our ability as an office to work up cases, she said. We take the courtroom and the justice system very seriously. That is where these things should be determined, with judges. Not public opinion.

Gregory Shields, director of the Cook County sheriff's electronic monitoring program, shows an electronic ankle bracelet on Feb. 5, 2015. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

Lightfoots letter to Evans also cited from a second dataset, a list compiled by Chicago police that counted 130 times someone was arrested for a violent offense while on EM last year.

The list, obtained by the Tribune, is titled EM Firearm Related Offences: 2021.

This information covers individuals arrested for firearm-related offenses while on electronic monitoring, reads the top of the list, which was generated by the Chicago Police Departments Strategic Initiative Division.

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The Tribune searched about 60 of the 130 records, using various publicly available datasets to find details on some of the cases.

Of the cases the Tribune was able to find, the most serious charge, murder, revealed some of the most obvious flaws.

Fifteen people on electronic monitoring picked up a new murder charge last year, according to the citys list of 130 defendants. But at least five of those arrests were for homicides that happened before the suspect was given an ankle bracelet.

One such defendant was ordered to electronic monitoring in July 2021 on a gun-possession case. A few months after that, he was charged with murder in a homicide that had happened almost two years earlier, in December 2019.

Another defendant was placed on EM in January 2021 after being charged with a domestic-related stabbing. When the victim in that case died, the charge was upgraded to murder and he was again ordered to the ankle bracelet, after posting a higher bail.

At least one defendant on the list of 15 is not charged with murder at all. He faces an attempted murder charge. And the shooting he allegedly committed happened almost a year before he was placed on EM for a pending drug case.

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One defendant who did allegedly commit murder while on EM had been given the ankle bracelet for a pending drug case, not the kind of violent offense that Lightfoots proposed moratorium would target.

Lightfoots letter also invokes one of the most heartbreaking shootings of 2021: The killing of 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams, who was shot six times while she waited in the drive-thru at a West Side McDonalds.

From center, Justice Jones looks up while releasing balloons during a vigil, April 19, 2021, for 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams who was fatally shot six times in a vehicle while sitting in a McDonald's restaurant drive-thru in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

The list of 130 arrestees who picked up a violence charge while on EM includes Jaslyns shooter, Lightfoot claimed. Brown has also publicly said that Jaslyn was shot by someone on EM.

But in fact, none of the three men charged in connection with Jaslyns murder were on an ankle bracelet at the time of the shooting, the Tribune has found. One had been put on EM for a robbery charge, but a judge ordered the ankle bracelet removed about six months before Jaslyn was killed. He was out on bond but not on electronic monitoring at the time of the shooting.

When asked by the Tribune, neither city nor police officials explained the discrepancy.

Still, to Lightfoots overarching point, some of the 130 cases on the list do in fact show a defendants alleged recidivism  or even escalation  while on electronic monitoring.

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An alleged gang member was charged with gun possession in 2018 and given a $100,000 bond, plus EM as a condition of bail; it was lowered to $50,000 plus EM a few months later, over prosecutors objection. In February 2020, a charitable bail fund posted the necessary $5,000 for his release in the ankle monitor.

In October 2021, police executed a search warrant at his home, according to an arrest report. They saw a blue backpack thrown out of a window. A weapon inside came out and when it landed, fired a round, the report stated.

The alleged gang member was found next to an open window inside the apartment, according to police. Officers ultimately recovered a high-powered rifle, a 50-shot drum magazine, and a loaded Glock handgun with a conversion switch giving it the power of a fully automatic weapon.

He was given a $250,000 bond on the new case, without the option of the ankle monitor.

Another man was put on EM after he was allegedly found with a pistol in September 2020. In January 2021, police arrested him near the Magnificent Mile carrying a loaded Glock 19 with an extended magazine and a conversion switch, according to his arrest report.

But gun possession cases can encompass a range of allegations, sometimes not even involving a firearm, which the Tribune found to be true in some of the cases highlighted by the mayor.

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One defendant on the list of 130 had been released to EM in the spring of 2021 after a weapons charge, allegedly for carrying nothing more than a bullet. He was arrested in October 2021 for carrying a handgun.

In another case, a man on electronic monitoring was arrested in April 2021 after Chicago police found a pellet gun sticking out of a pile of clothes in his apartment during an inspection at his building.

Thompson said the quality of the data combined with its relatively small size does not demand a new blanket policy about how EM is determined.

It does seem like a scarier time, but the courthouse is doing what they are supposed to do, she said. They are doing the right thing. They are considering very carefully who belongs in custody and who doesnt. I think they deserve more respect and credit than blame.

Sheriff Tom Dart, who is in charge of administering the EM program and has also expressed concern about the violent backgrounds of some people on EM, acknowledged at a recent town hall meeting that the vast majority of people on electronic monitoring, even for violent charges, are not re-offending.

Message takes hold

Public complaining from Chicago police and city leaders over the release of violent offenders is hardly a new dynamic. But experts and longtime observers say Lightfoot has taken the rhetoric to a new high, speaking in sweeping, certain terms about a courthouse that is anything but that.

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At her Jan. 4 news conference related to public safety, Lightfoot again made extended comments urging the courts to hold people she referred to as violent offenders in the jail while their cases were pending.

Brown then pleaded with reporters to tell more stories about victims of gun violence, beseeching them to prick the hearts of judges so they will hold people in jail.

Chicago police Superintendent David Brown speaks about victims of gun violence alongside Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Jan. 4, 2022, at Chicago police headquarters. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

The message is taking root, with residents at community meetings in Chicago seizing on the narrative that too many violent people are on EM.

Just this week, state Rep. Margaret Croke and state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz said they want to pass a state law that would prevent judges from granting EM for certain violence offenses.

Research is not there

Some criminal justice experts consider the focus on electronic monitoring a distraction from the kind of violence reduction work that can be effective in reducing crime.

Nearly every community in Chicago has seen an increase in violence over the past two years, as have many major American cities. Several have set records, evidence to researchers that the forces driving gun violence are widespread.

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It all happened during a deadly pandemic that shuttered schools and social services and caused economic stress. Gun sales surged during the pandemic. And policing as a profession has faced sharp, painful criticism in the wake of the killings of Black people by officers.

All of it makes for a complicated yet urgent situation that puts intense pressure on policymakers and elected officials, experts said.

Some have cautioned, however, against prioritizing pretrial detention as a strategy to reduce violence.

Electronic monitoring kits inside the electronic monitoring discharge facility at the Cook County Jail on April 12, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

In a report released this week, a group of national experts, including a police officer and a judge, argued for bringing both community and law enforcement efforts to bear on the specific locations where violence happens, which in Chicago would mean targeting blocks with high rates of violence for sustained, strategic police deployments and community support.

But unfocused or sweeping decisions on detention are not the goal, said Emily Owens, a University of California, Irvine criminology and economics professor who was part of the group.

That is something where the evidence-based research is not there, Owens said. The policy goal is not to incarcerate more people. The policy goal is to reduce violence. Its not clear with pretrial detention that this will cause this next step.

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Lightfoots office, when asked about the mayors own strategies to stop the gun violence, said Chicago police continue to investigate gun crimes with federal partners and directed the Tribune to the Police Department for more information.

asweeney@chicagotribune.com

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
South Dakota lawmakers have officially convened in Pierre for the start of the 2022 legislative session, which figures to be intriguing as the state contemplates what to do with more than $200 million in federal aid for one-time projects.

In Tuesdays Press & Dakotan, local lawmakers said there are all kinds of requests for funds in the pipeline  with more money being asked for than is available, which is not uncommon in any year. There are also concerns about investing one-time funding into programs with ongoing costs, since that will result in more expense for taxpayers in future years.

One area that genuinely should see an investment in funding is in workforce recruitment  that is, attracting more workers to this state to address the acute shortage of manpower for jobs available.

This is not a new idea, of course, as state programs are already established to entice workers here, or to at least keep people some who might be looking elsewhere to stay at home.

But something more aggressive is needed. The state should seriously consider investing more in programs and outreach efforts to lure immigrant workers to South Dakota in order to meet the labor demands that exist and that are continually growing.

While the pandemic has painfully highlighted the shortages this state faces on the labor front, the lack of manpower was a problem years before we ever became acquainted with COVID. We have an aging population with a large wave headed toward retirement, a small younger base and, as a result, not enough bodies to fill the open slots.

Many communities, including Yankton, are already turning to immigrant labor to meet this demand, but to date, it hasnt been enough.

For instance, one problem on this front appears to be the severe restrictions on refugees imposed in recent years. South Dakota Public Broadcasting noted a multi-year decline in refugees settling in the state, having dropped from 439 in 2016 to just 52 last year. Nationally, the number of refugees allowed dropped from 85,000 in 2016 to just 18,000 in 2020, according to Lutheran Social Services. That number is expected to grow to 125,000 this year, with about half of that total anticipated to come from Afghanistan.

South Dakota needs programs that will enhance its ability to attract foreign laborers here. Every state is in the same predicament, so being more aggressive on this front is essential to keep up.

Investing in such recruitment can pay self-sustaining dividends in new wages and income growth for companies reaping the benefits from an expanded labor pool. Owning one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country is a double-edged sword. Having more workers available for jobs and to pursue industrial expansion is essential to the states economic future.

Hopefully, some ideas will emerge  and some bills will be introduced  along these lines. Aggressively attracting new workers seems like a vital investment opportunity that should be pursued.

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For the second straight year, Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne accused the Legislatures Referencing Committee of assigning a bill he introduced to a committee where it doesnt stand a chance of getting out onto the floor.

On Wednesday, Wayne asked lawmakers to reassign the Rural Municipal Broadband Access Act (LB916) from the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee to the Urban Affairs Committee, which he chairs.

The bill would allow municipalities to provide broadband or internet services on a retail or wholesale basis to unserved or underserved areas inside their jurisdictions after conducting a feasibility study  essentially allowing certain cities and towns to offer broadband as a utility.

Wayne argued the legislation altered the powers granted to municipalities by the Legislature, which are typically heard by the Urban Affairs Committee despite the subject matter.

Bills related to tax increment financing works or the use of a sales tax levied for economic development  both issues dealing with revenue  have historically been referred to Urban Affairs and not the Revenue Committee, Wayne said.

Instead, LB916 was referenced to the committee responsible for hearing other legislation related to broadband expansion in Nebraska.

I believe they clearly got it wrong, Wayne told the Legislature on Thursday. Cities do not have power unless it is statutorily given to them. Every bill that deals with the powers granted by us to a city goes to Urban Affairs.

Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson said the bill was better suited to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee he chairs, where lawmakers have become increasingly focused on legislation dealing with the expansion of high-speed internet.

Its important we have continuity in how we fund broadband expansion throughout the state, Friesen said.

And Sen. Dan Hughes, chair of the Executive Board and a member of the Referencing Committee, defended the process, saying senators consider the bills subject matter as well as a recommendation from the office responsible for writing the bill before deciding where to assign it.

In this instance, the Referencing Committee decided 9-0 to send Waynes bill to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, Hughes said.

Every single member of the Referencing Committee agreed LB916 should be sent to (Transportation and Telecommunications) because the overarching issue was broadband, he said.

Wayne said he believed his bill would be killed by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Last year, a similar bill (LB656) lifting the states ban on municipalities providing broadband service was not sent to the floor.

The Omaha lawmaker later tried to amend a watered-down version of that legislation onto Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act (LB388), which provides $20 million in state funds to the Public Service Commission for grants to expand broadband internet throughout the state.

The amendment failed on a 20-24 vote, with senators from both urban and rural areas supporting it. The Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act later passed on final reading with the support of every state senator.

On Thursday, Omaha Sen. Rich Pahls, who previously served on the Referencing Committee when he was last in the Legislature, said the committee sometimes assigns certain bills to committees where they know the bill doesnt have a chance of making it onto the floor.

Sometimes bills get nowhere because its where we place them, he said. Think about that.

Waynes attempt to move LB916 to the Urban Affairs Committee failed, receiving just 13 votes. No hearing date for the bill has been set.

Other legislation introduced Thursday, the final day of the Legislatures work week, include:

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: A bill (LB1016) from Fremont Sen. Lynne Walz would allow for public and private entities to partner on highway projects.

MASCOTS: Schools that discontinue the use of Native mascots, names and symbols would eligible to receive a grant of up to $200,000 under a proposal (LB1027) from Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt.

RENTAL FEES: Landlords would be prohibited from charging renters a fee for ordinary wear and tear of a rental property resulting from age or deterioration, under a bill (LB1038) from Lincoln Sen. Matt Hansen.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS

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A significant winter storm will be impacting all of Iowa Friday and Friday night. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are up for all counties in the state through early Saturday morning. Scattered snow showers will move in during the morning Friday from the northwest and spread to the southeast. Snow looks to be widespread during the afternoon and evening hours Friday. Due to higher temperatures, a rain/snow mix is anticipated for the far western part of the state during the afternoon. For everyone else, this will be an all-snow event. Snow showers will become less numerous late Friday night and all snow is expected to exit southeastern Iowa by mid-morning Saturday.

While there continues to be uncertainty in how long the heaviest snow will last, its looking increasingly likely that portions of the state could see 8 to 10 inches. This is most likely to occur along a line stretching from Estherville, Iowa in the north to Corydon, Iowa in the south. West and east of this line, snow totals will gradually get smaller. The forecast snow total for Sioux City, is 3 to 5 inches. For Mason City, the snow total should range from 4 to 8 inches. Waterloo is looking at 3 to 7 inches of snow. Muscatine will likely see 2 to 5 inches. Meanwhile, the Quad Cities is expected to see one the lower snow totals in the state, but will still end up with 1 to 4 inches.

During the afternoon and evening Friday, snow will be heavy at times. With temperatures below freezing except for the far western portion of Iowa, snow will be able to accumulate quickly. Winds will also be gusting 25 to 30 mph. The combination of falling and blowing snow will greatly reduce visibility. All of this will lead to hazardous road conditions. Travel should be avoided during the afternoon and evening hours. If you must venture out, give yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination. Drive below the speed limit and expect to encounter snow covered roads.

While the heaviest snow will be behind us after midnight and winds will be coming down, travel will still not be easy across the state through at least Saturday morning. Breezy conditions will continue to blow the snow thats already fallen around. As is usual with winter storms, it will take snow plows time to clear the roads. Major highways and interstates will likely be in good shape after the early morning hours Saturday, but secondary roads may not get plowed until the afternoon, especially in locations with the higher snow totals.

Along with the snow, expect temperatures to drop. While high temperatures Friday will range from the mid 30s to upper 20s across most of the state, low temperatures Friday night will be in the upper single digits and teens. Factor in the breezy conditions and feels like temperatures will be around zero degrees in many locations early Saturday morning. High temperatures Saturday will generally be in the upper teens and low 20s, but wind chills will likely not climb out of the single digits. Winds will be light Saturday night, but low temperatures will still reach around zero degrees for many.

Matt Holiner covers weather and climate across the Midwest. Matt has eight years of professional meteorology experience and has forecast every type of weather for cities across the country. He holds the National Weather Association's Seal of Approval.

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An Insider's Look at Field Camp

The San Jose State University field camp tests knowledge and will. It is a culminating experience unique to the geological sciences, where students apply the knowledge and skills from the classroom to a physically-intense, 4-week project in the high-desert mountains of eastern Nevada.

The geology department is renown for its strong field-based program. Students gain outdoor experience very early in the program. Even before declaring their major, students can take GEOL 28, a lower-division course targeted towards potential geology majors, where students gain first-hand experience studying geologic wonders at textbook locations such as Yosemite National Park and Big Sur State Park.

Rock Solid is Hirable

Local employers in geology-related industries have long expressed their desire for geologists with field-experience. Yes, it is good to be familiar with new and innovative technologies that are common in the industry, but employers continually stress a strong grasp on the fundamental concepts of geologic mapping, such as locating yourself on a map, identifying minerals and distinguishing rock units, and deducing regional geologic structures.

These skills are stressed in the department's summer field course, where the students are constantly working to locate themselves, and map rock units and structures.

"When employers call me and ask about a student" says Jonathan Miller, instructor of this years fieldcamp, "If I tell the employer that the student completed our field camp, they are satisfied."

Preserving the Future

The future of Universitys providing a fieldcamp course is uncertain as around the country, smaller, more-affordable fieldcamps are disappearing. Yet, employers continue to stress the need for geologists with strong fundamental field skills.

Mid-June in Eastern Nevada.

Zach Tanner (18) sits in the shade of a juniper to record his data on his geologic map as while in the field.

Twelve days ago, the geologic map in his hand was blank. Now, the lines and colors are coming to life with the geology of the Eastern Nevada Mountain range.

"My understanding of geology", Tanner says, "has grown substantially from having to bring everything I have learned together in the field

Students grapple with complex geologic structures that require constant problem solving and hypothesis testing in the field.

Students work in groups of 3 to 4, and each group is given a different map area. The students often work together to discuss potential interpretations for what they see in the field. Above, Jorge Contreras ('19), and Ben White ('18), utilize a sweeping view of their area to assess their map.

The students face the difficulties of summer fieldwork in eastern Nevada: strong winds, summer heat, lack of shade, stream crossing, and steep off trail hiking.

Teaching assistant, Colin Phillips (shown above) and Professors are available as resources to students in the field. They stimulate field discussions with students to help them better understand the complex geology.

Eastern Nevada harbors famous geological localities, where geologic features related to regional extension have been debated for nearly 75 years.

Written by Colin Phillips (TA '18)
In August of last year, a romance novelist named Courtney Milan tweeted a series of screenshots from a 1999 romance novel called Somewhere Lies the Moon. In those passages, Kathryn Lynn Davis, the books white author, describes her Chinese characters slanted almond eyes and bronze faces, turned slightly yellow by the London climate. Milan wrote: As a half-Chinese person with brown eyes, seriously fuck this piece of shit.

Soon after, Milan got an email informing her that two formal ethics complaints had been filed against her with the Romance Writers of America, an organization whose members include some 9,000 published and aspiring romance authors. One came from Davis, who was accusing Milan of cyberbullying and alleging that her tweets had cost Davis a publishing contract; the other came from Suzan Tisdale, a white romance writer who runs a small publishing company where Davis worked as an editor. Months passed with no word. Milan told only a few people the details of the ongoing investigation. One of those was another romance novelist: her friend Alyssa Cole.

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Cole is intimately familiar with the ways the romance communitys largely white gatekeepers have resisted making the genre more inclusive. Her 2017 historical romance An Extraordinary Union, about a former slave modeled on an actual Black Civil War spy, was one of the most popular romance novels that year, even garnering praise from mainstream criticsa rare feat for a genre that tends to be siloed into the realm of guilty pleasure. But An Extraordinary Union wasnt even nominated for one of the RWAs own annual awards. All the finalists in the historical romance category that year were white women, all but one of whom had written books where the swoony male heroes were 19th-century British aristocrats. At the time, no Black author had ever won, in any category, since the organization started giving awards in 1982. Coles snub prompted its own blowbackfirst a flood of tweets from romance writers of color about the diversity issues theyd faced in the industry and then what felt like a hollow pledge from the RWA board to do better.

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Cole was one of the first people to know when, two days before Christmas in 2019, the RWA judgment on Courtney Milan came in. Milan was found guilty of violating the associations express purpose of creating a safe and respectful environment for its community of writers. Despite the RWAs own code of ethics outlining that non-RWA-operated social media posts and honest discussions of books and similar writing were not valid grounds for complaints, Milan had been formally censured; her membership was suspended for one year, and she was banned from holding leadership positions in the future. Cole felt she couldnt stay silent. I just left my body with rage, she said. She didnt want her friend to have to shoulder the burden of speaking out alone. So, with Milans permission, she leaked the judgment from the RWAs ethics committee on Twitter. What followed was an explosive reckoning over racism in the world of romance writing, one that threatened to tear the community apart. For Cole, whose romances often deal with white backlash to racial progress, the blowup was nothing less than America in miniature.

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Roosters crow in the background as Cole and I sip coffee together in our respective homes, some 2,000 miles apart. Cole and her husband have lived in Martinique since 2014; they moved into their current house on a rural part of the island three years ago, and the chickens have been around ever since.

Cole followed her husband, who is French, to the Caribbean after a meet cute worthy of a romance novel: They met at a mutual friends brunch in 2012, two weeks after Cole was dumped by someone else, and she assumed he didnt like her because he wasnt talking much. (In reality, it was because he couldnt understand her fast-paced English.) Shes sort of like the awkward romance heroine who has chickens running through her yard and trips over things, said Milan. Its in this house, surrounded by chickens, where Cole wrote her new book When No One Is Watchingher debut thriller and her first official foray outside of romance.

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As a kid, Cole would buy tabloid romances and use Wite-Out to change the descriptions of ivory or pale skin to brown.

When No One Is Watching, released earlier this month, is being marketed as Rear Window meets Get Out; its a story about sinister forces behind the gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood. Cole has long been interested in the intersection of dreamy romance and real-world drama. Her first series of full-length novels, 2015s Off the Grid, was a trilogy of post-apocalyptic romances that follows a multiracial group fighting to survive after the electrical power goes out. Since then, Coles romances have been set during the civil rights movement and the Revolutionary War, in medieval Scotland and 1917 Harlem, all dramatic backdrops for her heroinesmostly Black womenwho retain and assert their agency, even if they exist in a time period where all the forces around them are designed to deprive them of it. In 2018, she published the first book in her Reluctant Royals series, a string of delicious contemporary romps through international palaces, all starring Black heroines. It landed on the New York Times list of 100 notable books that year.

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Growing up in the Bronx and Jersey City, Coles early literary favorites included Anne Rice and Stephen King. She found herself most fixated on how relationships formed on page and on screen, especially in stories that had happy endingseven if they didnt include people who looked like her.

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Her parents worked to make sure she was also surrounded by books that reflected the reality of the neighborhoods where she grew upbooks by authors like Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison, and fairy tales that featured illustrations of people who looked like her. But even as books written by diverse authors were scattered around the house, the romances Coles mother owned mostly featured white characters written by white authors. As a kid, Cole would buy tabloid romances at supermarkets and use Wite-Out to alter the descriptions of ivory or pale skin, changing them to brown. My career on some level is making sure people dont have to do that, she said. She was 11 when she read her first romance novel, Sandra Kitts The Color of Love, starring a Black graphic designer. For Cole, who also aspired to be a comic book artist at the time, it was a lightning rod moment, the first time she didnt have to mentally or literally sub out the authors descriptions in order to see herself.

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Coles love of romance persisted into adulthood, when, while working as a production editor of a science journal in Brooklyn, she started reading Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, a website founded in 2005 thats dedicated to dissecting romance novels, and realized there was a wider community that shared her tastes. Suddenly, Cole felt inspired to try writing romance herself. I like reading these kinds of books. There are other people who like reading these kinds of books, she remembers thinking. If I sit down and write a whole book, maybe someone will want to read it.

But romance bloggers werent her only source of inspiration. Cole found the seeds of several of her historical romances in a more unlikely place: Ta-Nehisi Coates blog, which she began following around 2008, when he was writing on comic books. As Coates began to write more about historyincluding the Freedom Riders and Black Civil War spiesCole found herself asking two questions: 1) Why dont more people know about this? and 2) What if there were kissing involved?

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Black historical fiction usually evokes one of two emotions in readers: pathos or pity. There is little room for the full range of emotion Black people experienced, no matter the time period. Even in the most horrific circumstances, of course Black people fell in love. And Cole felt sure that those stories deserved to be toldnot to romanticize the past but to tell the full truth of how we built lives despite this countrys best efforts to take them from us.

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Not long after Cole began reading Coates blog, she started publishing in various small presses. Then, in 2015, her sci-fi romance trilogy Off the Grid was picked up through a Twitter pitch contest run through Carina, the digital arm of Harlequin. In 2016, Cole found an agent with the manuscript of An Extraordinary Union, which eventually landed on the desk of Esi Sogah, a senior editor at Kensington. According to the annual State of Racial Diversity in Romance Publishing report published by the Ripped Bodice, the West Coasts sole romance-only bookstore, Kensington was one of two publishers whose publication list included more than 20 percent authors of color in 2019.* (Carina is the other.) I dont think [An Extraordinary Union] would have been published if there was not a Black editor at Kensington at that time who was willing toI dont want to say take a risk, because the book was good, Cole tells me. Im not trying to be egotistical. A lot of times when it comes to talking about books by Black authors, its like, This person took a chance on me. Well, they take a chance with every book, but only people from marginalized groups are supposed to act all grateful and as if were not making money for the publisher. Esi liked it. She advocated for it. They decided to publish it.

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Cole found herself asking: 1) Why dont more people know about this history? and 2) What if there were kissing involved?

For many years, the only entry points into the romance industry for Black authors were specific imprints targeted at Black audiences, like Harlequins Kimani, which announced in 2017 that it was ceasing publication. According to novelist Beverly Jenkins, the grande dame of Black romance, it wasnt until Black authors began publishing their books through independent presses or selling their e-books on Amazon that the industry sat up and took notice of the money it was leaving on the table. The [women who published independently], I think, made a real difference in how Black writers and Black readers were perceived, Jenkins said. [That helped change] publishings minds that maybe they need to start doing business differently. For the majority of Jenkins 30-year career, she was the only novelist writing Black historical romances with a major publishernot because others didnt want to but because, she says, editors were convinced that Black women didnt read.

Now, major publishing houses regularly release books by Black romance writers, though the numbers remain very lowless than 10 percent of romance novels released by a leading publisher in 2019 were written by an author of color. (Cole has been published by HarperCollins since 2018s A Princess in Theory.) The industry seems to very slowly be coming to terms with the fact that the person most likely to read a book in any format is a college-educated Black woman, a statistic that both Cole and Jenkins cited to me with the weary ease of someone long used to having to do so. The runaway success of authors like Jasmine Guillory, whose 2018 romance The Proposal was a New York Times bestseller, will hopefully turn the tide even faster.

Though the genres image in mainstream culture still evokes housewives furtively thumbing through mass-market paperbacks with Fabio on the cover and euphemisms for genitalia within, those stereotypes bear little resemblance to the $1 billion powerhouse industry as it exists today. Coles ascendance as a star is just one example of how romancewhich accounts for 23 percent of the U.S. fiction markethas progressed past the lily-white days of yore. But the implosion of Romance Writers of America shows just how far the industry still has to go.

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Shortly after Cole tweeted about Courtney Milans reprimand from the RWA ethics committee, #IStandWithCourtney started trending on Twitter. Heavyweights of the genre threw their support behind Milan, including bestselling romance novelist Nora Roberts. The judgment against Milan was reversed and the organization canceled its annual awards ceremony, the Rita awards, after hundreds of authors pulled out in protest and threatened not to renew their memberships. A petition seeking the resignation of the RWAs then-president, Damon Suede, began circulating online. (In response to a request for comment, Suede said in part: I have no feelings about Alyssa Cole leaking the documents she did. I am well aware that many people have identified me as a convenient target because I present as a white cis male.  I fully support all honest reportage, but I am weary of carrying blame for events enacted by other people.)

In the spring, a new board of directors issued an apology to Milan and announced that they would be renaming the Rita awards in honor of the organizations founder Vivian Stephens, a Black woman. (The writer whose book Milan tweeted about, Kathryn Lynn Davis, did not respond to a request for comment. But she told the New York Times in December that she would not have filed a complaint if Milan had been more professional.) To Cole, the cultural and media response to the controversy has misunderstood its stakes. I think people try to make it into just about Courtney, she said. It wasnt just RWA versus Courtney. It was RWA versus the idea of Courtney and what Courtney represented, which was a pledge for diversity.

I dont think the book would have been published if there was not a Black editor at the publishing house.  Alyssa Cole

In many ways, the RWA scandal was an early harbingerone of the first sparks of the racial reckoning that spread like wildfire across so many industries in the wake of this summers protests. But to many within the romance community, the changes prompted by this blowup feel long overdue. Vivian Stephens, who co-founded the organization in 1980, explained in a recent Texas Monthly interview that she left when it became clear that her white RWA colleagues were more interested in creating a social club that hosted lavish parties than in actually changing the face of the publishing industry. She offered to act as an adviser when it became clear that the organizations leadership had little idea how toor will toengage with the frustrations of their increasingly diverse membership. No one took her up on it.

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Cole has long found that white readers displace their discomfort with her books by nitpicking for grammar errors or suggesting that her stories are unrealisticwhile the billionth story by a white author of a duke marrying a maid does not receive the same scrutiny. And some readers are very clear that historical romance about slavery is not the kind of fantasy theyre looking for. It was so uncomfortable for me  that I know Ill never be able to reread it, and thats my criteria for a five star review, said one Goodreads commenter about Coles A Hope Divided, which is set during the Civil War. But when Cole and writers like her include racism in their romances, its not to make white readers uncomfortable or to ruin the escapism associated with a genre that, by definition, must end happily. Leaving the realities of life as a Black woman on the cutting room floor isnt escapism to those who experience themit is erasure. People just want to write love stories, Cole told me, her voice breaking with frustration. And yet in the face of so many structural challenges, shes found that the very act of writing about Black romance inevitably feels political. You literally have to become an activist to write a story about two people meeting and falling in love, she said. Shes fighting, in her words, the ingrained resistance to the idea of a Black woman in a stable relationship that is indicative of lovenot of sex, of love.

Cole hasnt abandoned romance for good. The first book in her new Runaway Royals series comes out in December, and sparks fly between the two main characters in When No One Is Watching. But her temporary departure from the genre was certainly inspired in part by the frustrations of working within it. She recalls the anger that built as she approached the end of An Unconditional Freedom and realized that, as much as she wanted to, she couldnt actually kill off Confederate leader Jefferson Davis. Alongside the bone-deep rage that comes with knowing the sheer horrors Black people have faced in America was her knowledge that one act wouldnt change the past. Assassinating Davis would just feel like a cheap, superficial swipe at historical revisionism when the real evils were far bigger than one bad man.

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And so Coles new thriller When No One Is Watching deals with the cycles of racism that define American historycycles that directly contradict the idea that the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice. Theres a moment early on in the book when the protagonist, a Black Brooklyn native, finds herself on a tour of her own gentrifying neighborhood. Her exchanges with the white tour guide are tense, especially when she interrupts to supplement the details of the lives of rich white people who lived there a hundred years ago with details about the lives of Black people who lived there more recentlyand were pushed out to make room for a new set of rich white people, all part of the cycle of white flight and redlining, disinvestment and gentrification. As the tour guide waves the group onward, the protagonist laughs to herself that annoying people with history they dont want to acknowledge is kind of fun. That line might as well be describing Coles whole career. I try not to be the characters that I write, but thats basically my artist statement, Cole laughs.

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Coles decision to leak the RWA documents can also be read as part of her general commitment to annoying people with history they might not want to acknowledge. Its a commitment that seems to bond together a new generation of Black romance writers, from Cole to Vanessa Riley to Jasmine Guillory to Piper Huguley, who are writing Black women who dont have to be inhumanly strong in order to be loved. That new generation, Jenkins told me, allows her to no longer be worried about the state of African American romance going forward. I consider them all my nieces. My life would be a lot poorer without them.

To Cole, writing thrillers and romance novels is not as different as it might seem. When youre telling a love story, you still have to create a tension and suspense, she says. You really have to make the readers think that the couple is not going to get together at the end, even though they picked up the book because the couple is going to get together at the end. And while When No One Is Watching doesnt end with the dismantling of systemic oppression, it stillwithout giving away any detailsgets as close to one of her beloved happy endings as it can. Sometimes, you just want some catharsis, she laughs. I just want the kind of media white [readers] have been getting for their entire lives.
Russian, American, and European diplomats ended three days of meetings this week on a grim note, with Moscows top delegate shrugging that the talks had hit a dead end and others fearful that this meant a war in Ukraine might be imminent.

But there were also signs of a possible settlementor at least an exit ramp off the speedway to widened conflict.

The emergency meetingsthe first with senior U.S. and Russian diplomats, the second with officials from Russia and the 30 nations of NATO, the third with ambassadors from the 57 member-states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europewere held to see if there was a way to ward off a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. For several weeks now, Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that President Joe Biden promise, in a legal document, never to let UkraineRussias western neighbor and former fellow republic in the Soviet Unionjoin the NATO military alliance. Though the issue of Ukraines membership is not remotely on anyone but Putins agenda, the U.S. and its NATO allies unanimously insisted that no outside country should have a say on who can or cannot join. Putin also wants all foreign military personnel to leave Ukraine. (Currently, about 150 U.S. advisers are teaching Ukrainian forces how to use U.S.-supplied weapons.) Washington has demanded that Putin withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine and pull back the 90,000 troopsmany of them armored unitsthat he has mobilized near the Ukrainian border, as if preparing to invade. Putin denies that any Russian troops have ever been inside Ukraine and regards internal troop movements as a matter of national sovereignty.

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Tensions have been high ever since 2014, when Putin annexed Crimea and mounted an incursion into the eastern Ukrainian province of Donbass, to support an armed insurgency by pro-Russia separatists. Putin launched this aggression after protesters in Kiev ousted the Moscow-backed Ukrainian president and a new government took steps to tighten its ties to the Western-led European Union. More than 14,000 peopleincluding at least 400 Russian soldiershave been killed in this war.

Putin has justified his recent moves as a need to counter Washingtons growing military infrastructure in Ukraine, which he sees as a threat to Russia. He has a point, though the threat isnt to Russia but rather to Russias grip on a sphere of influence outside its borderswhich, to Putin and many other Russians, not just now but historically, amounts to the same thing. This is important to understand. Putin has decried the splintering of the Soviet Union, which occurred 30 years ago, as a geostrategic catastrophe. In the decade after the end of the Cold War, several of Moscows former alliesnotably Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany (the eastern half of which was once a separate Communist country)joined NATO. If Ukrainethe last buffer state and a centuries-long ally so close to Russia that Putin doesnt even regard it as a separate countrywere to follow along, the loss would intensify. No Russian leader, not even one much more conciliatory than Putin, could allow it.

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In other words, the conflicts of interest over Ukraine are deep, multilayered, and possibly irreconcilable. However, that doesnt mean Putin will mount a deeper, larger invasion of Ukraine in order to fend off what he sees as a real threat. In fact, there is already a formula in place for avoiding conflict, and one of Moscows top envoys mentioned it this week as a possible way out.

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A half an hour into his press conference on Wednesday, Alexander Grushko, Russias deputy foreign minister, uttered the magic words: the Minsk agreements. The Minsk agreements were signed by Russia and Ukraine in 2015 as a way to end the fighting and secure a peace. They called for a ceasefire, a pullback of heavy weapons from the battlefield, the disarmament of all militia groups but also amnesty for the pro-Russia separatists involved in the fighting, an exchange of hostages and prisoners, and the resumption of socio-economic links between Ukraine and the Russian-occupied region of Donbass. The agreements also called for elections in Donbass, which might result in the regions further drift from Kiev and the ascension of officials in the parliament or the government who favor a more pro-Russia foreign policy.

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In other words, it was an accord that had something to offend all parties, and as a result, neither Kiev nor Moscow has taken steps to enforce it. But now here was Grushko saying that if the Minsk accords were implemented, then the topic of Ukraine would hold no threat to Russia.

The significant thing here is that the Biden administration has a similar view. On Dec. 2, Bidens secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said this at a news conference after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov:

I also made clear the United States is prepared to work with both parties [Russia and Ukraine] to support a diplomatic resolution through implementation of the Minsk agreements in any way that we can. That diplomatic way forward can avert a crisis that would serve no ones interest. (Italics added.)

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This was just six weeks agoi.e., six weeks before Lavrovs deputy, Grushko, put the Minsk agreements on the table as a possible way to de-escalate the conflict.

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Quite apart from the three meetings this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyhesitant to put the fate of his nation in the hands of Washington or NATOhas been pursuing his own diplomatic initiative with Russia. According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, he has presented a 10-point plan, including a ceasefire, an exchange of prisoners, and the opening of crossing points for civilians in the front lines of the fighting. The ceasefire has already been implemented. The rest fits comfortably into the Minsk formula.

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What happens next is largely up to Putin. If he wants to settle the Ukraine question once and for all (or at least fight trying), and if he really means it when he says that Biden must agree to all of his demands barring U.S. military activities in Eastern Europe (some of which are clearly unacceptable), well, then, weve reached an impasse.

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However, the results of this weeks meetings might make Putin reconsider invasion, if that had been his intention before. For one thing, Putin probably assumed that his demands would spark dissension among the NATO allies, with some pressuring the others to give in, noting that nobody wants Ukraine to join anyway, so why make this a cause for war? However, to the surprise of many, top officials from each NATO country spoke up at the meeting, and all 30 stood up for the principle that only the alliance can decide who can and cannot be a member. Putins tactics have only strengthened the alliance.

As the meetings began, U.S. officials also leaked details of what they might do if Putin takes military action. They wont send American troops to fight (thats been clear all along), but they (and other NATO nations) would assist the Ukrainian army and a fledgling civilian resistance force to fend off the attack. A new round of economic sanctions would target Russian officials specifically, making it hard or impossible to use dollars or travel to Western countries. Finally, if Putin is really worried about encirclement, Finland and Swedenneighbors to the north, Western but resolutely neutral on military mattershave said they are thinking about seeking NATO membership and there is no reason why the alliance would reject their application; both countries certainly qualify by their commitment to democratic principles.

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By contrast, if Putin decides to keep talking, and particularly to open up dialogue on the Minsk agreements, he could continue to pressure Ukraine while also earning pointspolishing his image as a great leader and peacemakersimply for not attacking his neighbor. Sanctions would likely be lifted, not piled on; the neighbors to the north would stay neutral; and the newly emboldened members of NATO, normally reluctant to get confrontational, might retreat to their slumber.

The dangling of the Minsk agreementsfirst by Blinken and now by Grushkoshows all parties the way to a finessing of the present confrontation. A rational leader would call off the attack, send the troops back to their bivouacs, and send envoys to the negotiating tables, where many other games can be played. The question is whether Putin is a rational leader.
We are now six days into mask-mania at the U.S. Supreme Court. It all started during last Fridays oral arguments in the vaccine-or-test mandate cases when Justice Neil Gorsuch was reportedly the only justice not masking throughout the session, though evidently Justices Sam Alito and Clarence Thomas removed their masks for extended periods. The masking protocol at the high court has long been a bit haphazard: When the justices began to hear cases in person again in October, Justice Sonia Sotomayor was the only justice wearing a mask. But the other justices all began to mask last Friday, the first sitting since the omicron surge, after more guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Likely not by coincidence, Sotomayor participated telephonically last Friday. (She has diabetes, which is a comorbidity factor with COVID, even the milder forms.) The Supreme Courts spokeswoman also confirmed to Slate that Sotomayor then participated remotely in conference, where only the justices are present.

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The pattern has continued with slight modifications since then: On Monday, Gorsuch was the only one to take the bench without a mask according to the APs Mark Sherman, and Sotomayor again participated remotely. Gorsuch opted not to wear a mask for oral arguments again on Tuesday when both Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer dialed in for the sessions. Breyer had a false positive test and was staying home out of an abundance of caution, but on Wednesday, we learned that Sotomayor would stay home all week.

All of this has launched a high-octane debate over whether Gorsuch is a monster or a hero of liberty. But all that strikes me as not quite the point. The point is not what Gorsuchs lack of masking means; the point is that the justices get to do whatever they want, whenever they want to, and that they do so without any obligation to explain why. The real problem with the courts masks-optional policy? It reflects the courts much larger rules-optional policy on everything pertaining to judicial conduct.

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Last Friday, the Washington Posts Ruth Marcus published a scorching critique of Gorsuchs decision to break with his colleagues and disdain the mask, connecting it to his libertarian record, his comments in the vaccine arguments about coercive government attempts to control the citizenry, and the breakdown of institutional norms that mean that the trivial inconvenience of wearing a mask out of respect for a high-risk colleague (Sotomayor) represents intolerable incursions on liberty.

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Yvette Borja noted that given that Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser reinstated an indoor mask mandate for all public indoor spaces, Gorsuch would be required to wear one basically anywhere else in D.C., from the grocery store to the pharmacy to his next speaking engagement at the Trump International Hotel, even if he does not have to wear one on the bench. Like Marcus, she assumed that he is motivated by the symbolic value of owning the libs. By publicly refusing to do so, Gorsuch aligns himself with some of the pandemics most insufferable people: the trolling culture warriors who are proud not to give a shit about anyone but themselves, she wrote.

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To be sure, we have heard from absolutely none of the justices themselves on the subject. The courts spokeswoman has confirmed that Sotomayor is participating remotely but will not say why. The office did confirm that Breyer phoned into arguments because of his COVID test results. But the public information office will not explain why Gorsuch feels no need to mask around several colleagues who are high risk by virtue of their co-occurring conditions or their agesdespite the courts express rule providing that everyone else who attends every session must wear at least N95 or KN95 masks.

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Plenty of speculation is bouncing around Twitter, where people are quick to pile on with the inference that Gorsuch just doesnt care about exposing his colleagues to a lethal disease and that this is a liberal/conservative mask split. As legal reporter Cristian Farias noted: A couple of years ago, Neil Gorsuch wrote a whole book lamenting the loss of civility in public life. In it, he quotes a rule George Washington is said to have learned as a child: Bedew no mans face with your spittle, by approaching too near him when you speak.  One of Gorsuchs defenders, Mike Davis, a former law clerk of the justices who serves as founder and president of the Article III Project, a group that worked to support the confirmation of Trumps judicial nominees, tweeted: Every justice is vaccinated and boosted. Dont vaccines work? We know cloth masks dont. This is almost as willfully dumb as the comments of Ohios Solicitor General Benjamin Flowers, who joined arguments Friday telephonically because he had COVID, while insisting that vaccines probably dont stop spread or transmission, since he himself had been vaccinated.

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But the hyperfocus on Gorsuchs unknown motivations strikes me as nearly as much of a distraction as the hyperfocus on who said incorrect things at oral argument, and who sought changes in official transcripts about what we thought we heard. Justices say mistaken things at oral argument all the time, especially when they are hearing fast-tracked cases. The big lesson here isnt about verbal errors at argument or Gorsuchs lack of concern for his colleagues. The reason his noncompliance with the courts formal mask rule is news is because it is yet another example of the justices having rules but refusing to apply them to themselves. Thats the real issue with regard to masks, just as it is to judicial ethics, and thats the reason why this debacle is damaging the courts public standing. Several smart lawyers have written to ask me why Chief Justice John Roberts cannot simply order his colleagues to follow the same mask requirements imposed on everyone else. The short answer is that he cannot order his colleagues to do anything that falls within the realm of ethical behavior.

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For decades, court reformersand most recently President Joe Bidens commission on court reformhave noted that the courts financial and ethical rules are purely advisory, that nobody needs to follow them and that the justices will not enforce them against one another. When it comes to adopting a set of rules governing how the nine justices conduct themselves when giving speeches, or engaging in public activities, each of the nine is a law unto themselves. Efforts to remedy that, in the interest of making the court more accountable and also more legitimate, are persistently rebuffed. To extend Marcus analysis about Gorsuch, nobody is the boss of Gorsuch because nobody is the boss of any of the justices.

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Two short weeks ago, in his annual state of the judiciary report, Roberts flicked obliquely at the connection between public confidence in the court and the need for judicial independence. Unsurprisingly, and in keeping with much of the lawyerly discourse around judicial behavior, he urged that public confidence in the court demands judicial independence at all costs. Judicial independence, in other words, is an end in itself, and public regard for the institution is, at best, a second-order concern. Roberts thus used the national decline in confidence in the courts and the existence of financial misconduct and workplace incivility and disrespect on the federal bench to insist that the courts themselves could handle it, and to decry efforts to exert inappropriate political influence on the courts procedures. Instead, he urged that decisional independence is essential to due process, promoting impartial decision-making, free from political or other extraneous influence. Roberts cited Chief Justice William Howard Taft, saying that he was prescient in recognizing the need for the Judiciary to manage its internal affairs, both to promote informed administration and to ensure independence of the Branch. Even the most obvious and necessary efforts to regulate judicial conduct are forever deemed a threat to the Supreme Court justices and their independence.

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When Ruth Marcus wrote last week about the way in which Gorsuchs refusal to don a mask goes to the heart of our fraying social fabric, the issue was not just that Gorsuch has arrogated to himself the authority to determine, set, and model public health behavior. That is very much in keeping with the mood of the court and the mood of the country. The real issue is that the court as an institution has put a mask rule into effect, has allowed justices to evade it, has failed to offer any coherent explanation for why one justice has been exempted, and has thus launched another toxic and possibly unnecessary public debate. The court hasnt just declined to be transparent about the application of its own rules to itself; it also feels no obligation to explain the breach to anyone. Into that silence falls institutional criticism that further erodes public confidence.

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One way to describe this is judicial independenceJohn Roberts pledge to the nation that the justices answer to nobody but are driven by the imperative they take upon themselves, in the words of Taft, the duty to remove, as far as possible, grounds for just criticism of our judicial system. But what happens when the justices, with ever-increasing frequency, decline to evince concern for the publics worries and uncertainties about the judicial system? What happens when day after day of raging debate over one justices refusal to adhere to a court rule is met with stony silence by the court? If the justices have no obligation to be ethical, or even civil, around a pandemic that has killed more than 800,000 Americans, do they at least have the burden to explain? Evidently not.

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The other word for this behavior is judicial immunity, an immunity that requires no explanation. The courtwhile debating the necessity of COVID mitigation effortsdeclined to enforce its own COVID mitigation efforts. Then, in the face of politically polarized reaction, the court declined to tell us why. Justices will be quick to blame the media for merely reporting on their behaviorJustice Sam Alito did so again during the vaccine arguments themselves. But when the media asks for clarity, the court fails to answer. Perhaps the problem here transcends Gorsuch, who refuses to accept that he answers to anyone. Perhaps the bigger problem is that the Supreme Court itself agrees with him, even as it declines to tell us why.
A great egret wades at Big Marsh Park in Chicago on March 22, 2021. An Audubon report is being released with a blueprint for wetland restoration in the Great Lakes region. Audubon developed a method from modeling and analysis to identify and prioritize 12 areas that are important to the health of marsh birds and overall ecosystems. Restoration work has been completed at Big Marsh Park and marsh birds are on the rebound. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

If you happen to notice a new antenna on top of the environmental center at Big Marsh Park, once part of Southeast Side steel mill dumping grounds and now home to burgeoning habitat and a growing number of birds, your first thought might not be that its aiding in answering some of the great mysteries of the natural world.

But Chicago is now home to a receiver on the Motus wildlife tracking system, a global network that helps scientists make sense of migration. The technology is capable of picking up the movement of creatures as small as butterflies.

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The receiver on top of the Ford Calumet Environmental Center is the first of its kind in Chicago. Now, the billions of birds flying through the city  a major migratory flyway  are viable candidates to be followed through their life cycles, said Edward Warden, president of the Chicago Ornithological Society.

And thats pretty wild, Warden said.

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Birders helped construct and install the Big Marsh antennae, hosted on the Chicago Park District building, as part of a larger birding and habitat initiative from the Chicago Ornithological Society in the Calumet region. The tower will contribute data that can help piece together the stories of birds that make their way from one continent to another, year after year. Its expected to be fully operational by spring migration.

Traditional tracking sometimes meant having to follow wildlife around, and travel to pick up a signal, said Stephanie Beilke, chair of the COS Calumet Initiative and conservation science manager for Audubon Great Lakes. Birds that are banded can be tracked, but thats limited to locations where theyre spotted or recaptured. Some technology is too heavy for the delicate animals.

Motus simplifies that, with data from receivers that pick up signals from wildlife with registered tags centralized at the Birds Canada National Data Centre. Nearly 31,000 animals are tagged and nearly 1,300 receiver stations cover four continents, according to the Motus site.

The lightweight tags generally have a small antenna and are attached to the backs of birds, Beilke said. They basically create a little backpack that the bird wears.

The more towers there are, the more data you can get, and the more places you can put out tags, Beilke said. Knowing more about an individual species full life cycle and the places that they use can better help us understand the importance of Chicago and the bigger picture.

Placing the tower at Big Marsh  a bird hub on its own  was practical, and with the technologys ability to cover miles and reach lakefront travelers, geographically advantageous, Warden said. Big Marsh ends up being a pretty nifty area, he said.

Ideally, with greater understanding of birds travels, conservationists can home in on the most important places to restore and maintain.

Audubon Great Lakes released a report last year on wetland habitat restoration targets, including in the Calumet region, where about 8,000 acres are expected to be restored by the end of the decade. At Big Marsh, where theres a water control structure in place, two key marsh bird species were spotted in 2015. By 2018, that number grew to 11. Today, avian visitors include state-threatened and state-endangered species.

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Habitat loss combined with the mounting effects of climate change  as well as ecosystems warped by invasive species  have posed significant threats to birds.

Some Great Lakes native species are seeing major population declines. In North America, there are 29% fewer birds than there were 50 years ago, a 2019 study found.

If were going to really buckle down and save a lot of these species that are threatened or ones that are still stable now but may become threatened, having this much more detailed data about where birds go  not just in their journeys, but where they stop, how long they stay  is going to be really important, Warden said.

As for Motus systems in Illinois, coverage is still relatively sparse, outside some stations set up by University of Illinois researchers.

Theres still a lot of major gaps and areas where, based on hundreds of years of bird research, we know theres a ton of birds, Warden said.

But not a ton of information on where they came from. Or where theyll go next.

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Heres hoping this is far from the last tower that will be put up, Warden said.

mgreene@chicagotribune.com
This week, the Wisconsin and Ohio Supreme Courts approached the brink of partisan destructionthen pulled back, saved in each case by the courageous vote of a lone Republican justice. In Wisconsin, the court authorized the deposition of State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a ringleader of Republicans fraudit seeking to delegitimize President Joe Bidens 2020 victory. In Ohio, the court threw out a partisan gerrymander that flagrantly violated a state constitutional amendment mandating fair maps. Both decisions were 43. And both highlight the immeasurable importance of state supreme courtsand their dwindling number of principled Republicansas a firewall against subversion of democracy.

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Start in Wisconsin, where the GOP-controlled legislature has launched an assault on the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. After Biden narrowly carried the state, Vosa staunch ally of Donald Trumphired former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to investigate the outcome. Gableman, a Republican conspiracy theorist, falsely claimed that Democrats had stolen the election, which he decried as corrupt and unlawful.

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Funded with taxpayer dollars, Gableman has issued sweeping and error-ridden subpoenas demanding mountains of documents from county clerks, state election officials, mayors, and IT departments as part of his illegitimate audit. Without any evidence, he has preemptively claimed this fishing expedition will prove Democratic malfeasance. Gableman has attempted to arrest the mayors of Green Bay and Madison, falsely claiming that they failed to cooperate with his probe. He hired a former official in the Trump administration, Andrew Kloster, who screamed at state officials and police officers while observing the ballot count on Election Day, falsely accusing them of fraudulent tabulation. Gablemans interim report is loaded with unsubstantiated innuendo that the Wisconsin Election Commission, a bete noire of Stop the Steal activists, illegally rigged the election for Biden. (After the election, he publicly asserted that this bipartisan board had tried to steal our vote at a rally seeking to overturn Bidens victory.)

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Gablemans probe has been conducted in almost total secrecy, but Vos appears to hold some records that might pry open his black box. So the progressive government watchdog, American Oversight, filed a lawsuit charging him with violations of public record law. The group also sought to depose Vos, a demand that he fought at the Wisconsin Supreme Court. On Tuesday, the court refused to halt his deposition, with Justice Brian Hagedorn, a Republican, joining the courts three Democrats in a 43 vote. For good measure, Hagedorn penned a scathing concurrence explaining why Vos obviously deficient petition came nowhere close to meeting the legal standards for relief. Our task is to decide disputes based on the claims raised by the parties, not picking sides and not preferring any particular outcome, the justice wrote. The rule of law compels no less. His opinion was aimed not at Vos but at the three other Republican justices on the court, who voted to stop the deposition. In dissent, they argued that the court should have ignored the obvious deficiencies in Vos petition due to some hazy weighty issues and constitutional principles.

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Had the court sided with Vos, it would have become complicit in Gablemans fraudit, bending the rules that apply to everyone else just to shield an elected official from public scrutiny. The Republican justices would have thrown the Wisconsin judiciary behind this disgraceful farce, damagingperhaps permanentlythe publics perception of its legitimacy and neutrality. It is only by sheer luck that Hagedorn, a conservative through and through, turned out to be an ethical and independent jurist. He has occasionally sided with the liberals in cases with intense political overtones to save his own institution from partisan nihilism. On Tuesday, his vote spared the court from the permanent stain of collusion with election-fraud conspiracy theorists.

Whats most astonishing about these cases is that they were close at all.

Shortly after Hagedorn brought his court back from the brink, another Republican justicethis time in Ohiokept her own court from tumbling into the abyss. In a pair of 4-3 decisions issued Wednesday and Friday, the Ohio Supreme Court struck down a GOP gerrymander of the states legislative and congressional districts. Chief Justice Maureen OConnor, a moderate Republican, cast the decisive vote against the maps, joined by the courts three Democrats. The remaining three Republicans dissented. (One of the dissenters, Justice Pat DeWine, refused to recuse himself even though his father is Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who served on the redistricting commission and signed the maps into law.)

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Whats most astonishing about these cases is that they were close at all. In 2015, Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to their state constitution that severely restricted partisan gerrymandering. The new law transferred redistricting power to a new bipartisan commission and imposed stringent standards on the process. Most notably, maps could not be drawn primarily to favor or disfavor a political party. And the amendment directed commissioners to align their maps in rough proportion with statewide preferences, as gleaned from the last decades election results. Over this period, Ohio voters preferences were about 54 percent for GOP candidates and 46 percent for Democratic candidates.

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The commissions Republicans brazenly violated these rules. They produced maps that would have handed GOP lawmakers a veto-proof supermajority in the state legislature while giving Republicans 12 out of 15 congressional districts. The Republican-controlled legislature passed the new plans and DeWine signed them into law. A group of votersalong with the League of Women Voters of Ohio and the A. Philip Randolph Institute of Ohiofiled suit, arguing that the maps ran afoul of the new constitutional amendment that sought to abolish such extreme gerrymanders.

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Both decisions should have been unanimous. Instead, it fell upon OConnor, joined by the three Democratic justices, to vindicate the Ohio Constitution. Incredibly, the three dissenters insisted that the anti-gerrymandering amendment did not actually empower the courts to rein in gerrymandering. Rather, they argued, the new rules were merely aspirational, asking the commission to attempt to draw fair maps while prohibiting the courts from checking their work. Incredibly, these dissenters also denied the self-evident partisanship of the new districts. And they had the audacity to accuse the majority of undermining the integrity and good reputation of this court for generations by making a policy decision instead of looking only at the words of the Constitution.

As OConnor explained in two powerful concurring opinions, this imputation is nonsense. The dissenters deployed a magicians trick to ignore the shameless bias of the maps, she wrote, and sought a hands-off approach that is not supported by the language of the Constitution. Indeed, OConnor was so troubled by the GOPs corruption of the new commissionand her colleagues eagerness to uphold their handiworkthat she urged voters to consider further reforms. Readers should know that other models of the redistricting process exist, she wrote, praising citizen-led commissions that shift the power to redistrict away from partisan actors who have an incentive to gerrymander.

Unfortunately, OConnor must retire this year due to age limits. If she is replaced by another partisan Republican justice, the new majority may defang the Ohio Constitutions anti-gerrymandering amendments, restoring the legislatures ability to rig elections in their favor. Like Hagedorn, she has served as the sole justice holding her court back from chaos. This weeks decisions should remind everyone, and progressives in particular, that every seat on every court can make or break democracy.
Monday marks an important anniversary in death penalty history: It is the 45th anniversary of the day that the United States carried out the first execution after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of death penalty statutes across the country and revived capital punishment in 1976.

Six months later, on Jan. 17, 1977, Gary Gilmore was executed by a firing squad in Utah.

And last week, in a grim but fitting nod to the anniversary of his execution, two Oklahoma death row inmates, Donald Grant and Gilbert Postelle, said they wanted to follow in Gilmores footsteps and face a firing squad rather than be executed by lethal injection.

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Grant and Postelle asked U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot to halt their forthcoming executions and order the state to develop a protocol for carrying out their executions by firing squad.

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Their requests raise a pressing question: How has this country come to the point where people on death row would want to be shot? Grants and Postelles request highlights capital punishments irreducible cruelty and the illusory quest to find a way to kill humanely.

Gilmore had no such illusions. He knew that death by firing squad would be a violent, brutal, and frightening way to die. As he said when he was sentenced, being put to death by gunshot would show the world that he was not a coward and that he wanted to atone for what he did.

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His desire to die by being shot attracted international attention. Gilmore went on to achieve post-mortem celebrity status when his execution was chronicled in Norman Mailers The Executioners Song and in a subsequent television movie.

On the day he was killed, Gilmore was strapped into a wooden chair, and a hood was put over his head. Sandbags were piled behind and beside the chair to catch the bullets as they passed through his body. His last words were unsentimental and unapologetic: Lets do it.

His firing squad was made up of five volunteers, each of whom worked in law enforcement. As has long been the tradition with firing squads, Utah announced that only four of them fired live ammunition; the other shot a blank, what is known as the conscience round.

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This tradition suggests that there is something shameful when the state kills. It is designed to ensure that none of the members of the firing squad knows for sure whose shot kills and who bears that shame.

Despite these efforts, as a report in the Guardian noted, the firing squad has always shocked many across America, with critics claiming it was a throwback to the brutal blood-begets-blood mentality of the frontier era.

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This is one reason it has been rarely used. From 1900 to 2010, the date of the last use of the firing squad in this country, only 34 of the 8,776 executions during that period were by firing squad.

But recently it has experienced a bit of a renaissance.

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Utah dropped the firing squad after 2010, but had a change of heart and brought it back in 2015. It is also on the books today in Mississippi, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. The Trump administration attempted to add it to the allowable methods in federal executions in November 2020.

The renewed interest in the firing squad is in part a response to lethal injections acute and long-term problems. Lethal injection was first adopted by the state of Oklahoma in 1977 and first used by Texas in 1982, though it was first seriously considered as a method of execution by the state of New York almost a century earlier.

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Oklahoma and other early adopters did no scientific studies to determine the best drugs to use. They went with a three-drug cocktail developed by Jay Chapman, then Oklahomas chief medical examiner: sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide, and potassium chloridein other words, an anesthetic, a paralytic, and a drug to stop the heart.

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By his own admission, Chapman let hunches and conjectures drive his decisions. While a combination of an anesthetic and a paralytic agent would have guaranteed death, he added a third drug, potassium chloride. Chapman didnt do any research and relied solely on the fact that its just common knowledge that potassium chloride is lethal.

Nonetheless, lethal injections early proponents contended that it would be humane. They declared that executions using this method could be accomplished with no struggle, no stench, no pain.

But in the last four decades the reality of lethal injection has not matched that promise. Between its first use and 2010, more than 7 percent of lethal injections were botched. Execution teams struggled to find usable veins for the IVs that would carry the killing drugs. Drug dosages were sometimes not correct, and at least in one case the drugs used were not prescribed in the official protocol.

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In the last decade, things have only gotten worse. Because of drug shortages, death penalty states have turned to new and untested drugs and drug combinations. The rate at which lethal injections are botched has increased. Between 2010 and 2020, newspapers and independent witnesses used that term to describe roughly 8 percent of lethal injections.

In September 2020, a National Public Radio investigation corroborated these observations and found more problems. NPR found signs of pulmonary edemafluid filling the lungsin 84 percent of the 216 postlethal injection autopsies it reviewed. Some autopsies revealed that inmates lungs filled while they continued to breathe, which would cause them to feel as if they were drowning and suffocating.

Oklahoma has a particularly dismal record when it comes to lethal injection, having carried out among others the gruesome botched executions of Clayton Lockett in 2014 and John Marion Grant in October of last year.

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With this record, it is not surprising that Grant and Postelle would rather be shot. Unlike Gilmore, they are not doing so out of false bravado. Instead they are desperately trying to get Oklahoma to respect the Constitutions prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.

The history of Americas execution methods, including hanging, the electric chair, and the gas chamber, suggests that those efforts cannot and will not meet these constitutional expectations.

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How we punish certainly requires solicitude for the suffering we inflict. But it is also about much more than that. How a society punishes reveals what it stands for and what it values. Whether the firing squad is less painful than lethal injection, as some contend, is only one part of the equation. Even if it were true, this country still should not want to be the kind of place where the government authorizes five people to shoot rifles at a defenseless person, strapped to a chair at close range.

The anniversary of Gilmores death is a good time to ponder the repeated failures of Americas execution technologies as well as all the damage that the death penalty does to all in whose name it is carried out. Executions have never made us a safer, saner, or more just society. Nor will they ever.
Fikadu Tafesse wasnt expecting to wake up on Wednesday to a text in which his former mentor blamed him for his childrens new interest in weed. Earlier this week, Tafesse, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Oregon Health & Science University, published evidence that some compounds found in cannabis plants could prevent the coronavirus from infecting cells. The internet latched onto the idea that weed might protect them from COVID: Twitter users made memes about the bong resin supposedly shielding their lungs from infection, Tafesses mentors children got wind of the miraculous healing powers of weed, and late-night hosts reveled in the incongruous simplicity of marijuana perhaps succeeding where hotly debated, ever-changing public health measures had failed.

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And it would be simple, wouldnt it? These days, CBD stores invade abandoned storefronts like an opportunistic mold; THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana that makes users feel high, is now legal in 18 states. Little matter that the cannabinoid compounds tested in the study were CBDA and CBGA, not the more familiar CBD and THCthey all come from cannabis plants, in the end. Raw cannabis flower does contain CBDA and CBGA, as do CBD oils, albeit in small amounts.

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But frequent users of cannabis products shouldnt consider themselves immune, no matter how thick a layer of bong resin might coat their lungs. Thats a complete misinterpretation, Tafesse says. This is just a lab study. We didnt do any sort of clinical trial, or even [use] an animal model.

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What the researchers actually did was test whether CBDA and CBGA could, when mixed with cells in a dish, protect them from coronavirus infection. They had a good reason for doing so: Theyd previously observed that these cannabinoids bind to the coronavirus spike protein, which the virus uses to latch onto and enter cells. Monoclonal antibodies also bind to this protein, and thats how they protect people from COVID: With another molecule attached to it in the right way, the spike protein is effectively useless. With enough CBDA or CBGA mixed into cultured cells, Tafesse found, these compounds, too, could stop infection.

Its an interesting first observation, says Nevan Krogan, director of the Quantitative Biosciences Institute at the University of California, San Francisco. But much more work is required to say that theres any value here.

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After all, working in a petri dish is a relatively low bar for a drug to clear. The conventional wisdom in pharmaceutical sciences holds that, of every 10,000 drugs that shows potential effectiveness, only one will make it to market. Dish experiments need to be followed up with animal studies, and then comes the rigorous gauntlet of human trials. And between cells and humans, theres a lot that can go wrong. In a dish, scientists can deliver a drug precisely to where it is needed, but its difficult to know ahead of time how drugs will move through a body and whether they will reach their intended targets, such as the lungs and the upper respiratory tract. At this stage, its impossible to know how CBDA and CBGA will fare, but the odds arent fantastic.

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Other drugs that showed similar early promise for treating COVID have since failed spectacularly, harming users and sowing political discord in the process. Ivermectin, azithromycin, and hydroxychloroquine all fought coronavirus infection in cells, but we now know that they do nothing to prevent or treat COVID in humans. But at least cannabinoids are largely safe; humans have been guinea pigs in their Phase 1 trial for millennia. Richard van Breemen, professor of medicinal chemistry at Oregon State University and the papers lead author, hopes that their known safety will help him and his team get the compounds into human trials sooner.

Even if the cannabinoids perform better than anyone might have imagined in those trials, there still will be no reason to smoke more joints or eat more weed brownies, at least when it comes to COVID. CBDA and CBGA are in some sense the raw form of the more familiar CBD and CBG (THCA plays the same role for THC). When users smoke cannabis or bake it into sweets, they heat up the CBDA, CBGA, and THCA, transforming them into their shorter-named counterparts. If you want to get high, this is good news, since THCA doesnt have any psychological effects. If CBDA and CBGA are your goal, however, youre going to have to look for another method of administration. Contra Twitter, bong resin doesnt contain any CBDA or CBGA at alland smoking weed, like all types of smoking, could increase the risk of COVID complications.

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Its not impossible to get a hold of CBDA. Some boutique online outlets sell it in a tincture form, although it seems recently to have gone on back order in some places, and you could always eat a cannabis plant if youre really desperate. If the idea of consuming unpleasant-tasting oils with unknown health benefits appeals, they are unlikely to cause any harm, although van Breemen cautions that the recommended dosages are there for a reason.

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But based on how much cannabinoid scientists had to administer to protect the cells, Joshua Brown, professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy at the University of Florida, thinks those recommended dosages are extremely unlikely to have an effect. And for an oil that probably does nothing, CBDA is expensiveabout $2 to $4 per recommended dose. To have even a chance of protecting yourself, Brown estimates, youd have to spend upward of $60 a dayand the safety of such large doses is unknown, as van Breemen pointed out.

Its probably not going to hurt [users] in any way, except financially, Brown says. But at this stage, he adds, theres also very little evidence that it will help. The primary benefit we could get from cannabis right now, he says, is just relaxation.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Ive had both doses of an mRNA vaccine, plus a booster shot. At the end of December, despite taking a slew of preventative measureswhile also, to a degree, living my lifeI came down with a case of COVID-19. Now that Ive completed isolation and recovered, Im wondering, as I think many, many people might be right now: Having been triple-vaccinated, plus granted some immunity from my recent bout of COVID, am I now protected against another infection? At least for a little while?

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After speaking to a few experts, the best answer I have is: basically yes, with a few caveats.

Experts I checked with were pretty much unanimous that people like me are very likely safe from reinfection for the near future. I would think these individuals are protected for at least several months, says William Moss, executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. We know that coronaviruses in general do not reinfect people twice inside of a year, he explains, and that SARS-CoV-2 reinfection typically occurs only when a new variant pops up.

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I would feel really comfortable being out and about if I had a recent omicron infection, says Jennifer Dowd, a professor of demography and population health at the University of Oxford and the editor in chief of Dear Pandemic.

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Such a person is going to be as immune as anyone on the planet says Bob Wachter, the chair of the University of California, San Franciscos Department of Medicine.* In addition to a high degree of personal protection, there will be a low chance of contributing to the spread of the virus in your community. The chances that they will get reinfected seem very, very small, says Wachter. Therefore, their ability to infect someone else is very, very small.

(The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I should mention, does not have guidelines for When Youve Been Fully Vaccinatedper the new definition of fully vaccinatedand Also Infected With a New, Highly Contagious Variant. Its previous guidance on what vaccinated people can safely do was last updated in mid-October, and remains available only for historical purposes.)

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Scientists have learned from previous variants that an infection can act like a booster, in terms of the protection it offers (albeit a booster you acquire the difficult, dangerous, uncomfortable way). For instance, there are a couple preprint papers that examine the antibodies that a delta infection provides on top of vaccination. Then, theres some omicron-specific data. A small lab study in South Africa (also in preprint) suggests that omicron infections provide some protection against delta as well. And researchers who examined the antibodies of two patients in Hong Kong found that those produced by the omicron infection are wide-ranging, able to tackle a variety of variants of COVID (at least the ones that we know about right now).

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How can you tell if youve had an omicron infection, which leaves in its path that broader immunity, and not delta, which could in theory still leave you a little vulnerable to an omicron infection? You cant be certain, but the timing should tell you a lot, said Moss and Wachter. While early December saw more delta circulating, by the end of December, omicron was overwhelmingly the dominant strain in the U.S. (The CDC estimated that in one recent week, it made up 95.4 percent of cases.) Plus, theres the fact that delta did not rip through the vaccines as easily as the more recent variant. If youve had three doses and still got a breakthrough, and the breakthrough happened in December or Januarythat combination makes me think it has to be omicron, says Moss.

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OK, heres the big caveat: We dont have much data on omicron and reinfection specifically right now. Note that everything in that paragraph rattling evidence off above involved preprints describing small studies. As has been a theme of this pandemic, even if youre willing to accept the small risk and slight uncertainty yourself, public health folks hope youll consider doing all that you can to avoid spreading the virus. Your behavior could still have ripple effects, says Dowd, adding that while youre probably at very, very low risk of catching and transmitting the virus, we know its not zero.

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Wachter put it a slightly different way: Would I go into a crowded space, not wearing a mask, in a place where the infection was raging? I probably wouldnt, mostly because I dont want to look like a jackass.*

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Moss himself has been vaccinated, boosted, and had a respiratory infection very recently. (He couldnt confirm it was COVID for lack of a test, but others in his family tested positive.) In general, my behavior has not changed, he said. But he added that he would feel more comfortable visiting his elderly parents, who have also had three shots and a recent infection.

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All the experts I checked with mentioned that were in a big COVID surge right nowand that it wont last forever. Instead of doing anything wild, no matter your exact immunity status, maybe its just best to wait a few more weeks for this wave to pass, Moss said.

But hole up at home and drop all other caution now that you feel invincible arent the only two options. You can dine out indoors and mask at Target. You can revel with friends and take a rapid test before seeing a grandparent. Doing some things is reasonable, said Moss. I also feel that someone who has been vaccinated and infected could feel pretty comfortable going to restaurants, and going out, and things like that. As for me? Im headed to a yoga class.
Education minister plans on schools opening next Monday. Nine more Omicron cases confirmed.

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Good evening. Read the Monday, January 3, 2022 edition of Today in Slovakia to catch up on the main news of the day in less than five minutes. We wish you a pleasant read.

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Restaurants reopen for the vaccinated and recovered

Vaccinated and recovered customers can now be served inside restaurants. (Source: SME)

Restaurants, cafes and pubs reopened on January 3 for customers who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid within the past 180 days.

The facilities have to follow several rules. This includes having a capacity limit of 50 percent and the requirement that no more than four people or one household sit at one table.

People not vaccinated against Covid and those who have not recovered from the disease in the past six months cannot sit inside the restaurant, even if they present a negative test result. They can still use takeaways and delivery services, though.

Restaurants and other gastronomic facilities can be fined 20,000 if they do not observe the rules. The amount depends on the seriousness of the violation.

For now, the gastronomic facilities can be opened only until 20:00, given the night curfew (food delivery is still allowed, though). This restriction is set to last only until January 9, if the cabinet does not decide on prolonging it. Economy Minister Richard Sulik (SaS) has already said he will not support the extension and similar opinions have been presented by the representatives of the coalition parties Za Ludi and Sme Rodina.

For a deeper insight into current affairs, check out our Last Week in Slovakia report published earlier today. You can sign up for the newsletter here.

More coronavirus and vaccination developments

1,328 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 5,729 PCR tests performed on January 2 (the positive test rate amounted to 23.18 percent). The number of people in hospitals is 2,293 , and 39 more deaths were reported on Sunday. Altogether 2,744,018 people have received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here.

out of 5,729 PCR tests performed on January 2 (the positive test rate amounted to 23.18 percent). The number of people in hospitals is , and were reported on Sunday. Altogether 2,744,018 people have received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. The sequencing of positive Covid tests has confirmed nine more Omicron cases in Slovakia, increasing the total number of people infected with the variant to 20.

in Slovakia, increasing the total number of people infected with the variant to 20. Schools should continue with in-person education after the Christmas school holidays end , the Education Ministry said, meaning that schoolchildren should return on January 10 , with the school traffic lights system and the voluntary self-testing with antigen tests being in place. Given the current epidemic situation, Education Minister Branislav Grohling (SaS) sees no reason for schools not to allow in-person education. The reopening of schools next Monday was also supported by PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO), who stressed that in-person education is very important for pupils and students. He added, however, that the statement of the Health Ministry will be crucial.

, the Education Ministry said, meaning that schoolchildren should , with the school traffic lights system and the voluntary self-testing with antigen tests being in place. Given the current epidemic situation, Education Minister Branislav Grohling (SaS) sees no reason for schools not to allow in-person education. The reopening of schools next Monday was also supported by PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO), who stressed that in-person education is very important for pupils and students. He added, however, that the statement of the Health Ministry will be crucial. Several air companies announced limitations to their flights as of January 2022 due to the unfavourable epidemic situation caused by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, including low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air.

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Picture of the day

Several temperature records have been broken given the unusually warm weather on New Years Eve and New Years Day. The Sliac airport meteorological station, for example, measured 13.7 degrees Celsius, which broke the 1939 record of the highest air temperature in January.

Visitors of the Zelezna Studnicka recreational zone in Bratislava enjoyed the unusually warm weather. (Source: TASR)

Feature story for today

Even though PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO) is, in theory, the most powerful man in the country as prime minister, he is rather alone with his unambiguous support of a Covid vaccine mandate. He has the strongest allies in this issue in Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO nominee) and the chair of the smallest coalition party Za Ludi, Veronika Remisova, but the chairs of the other two coalition parties, Richard Sulik of SaS and Boris Kollar of Sme Rodina, are both against it, and the leader of Heger's party OLaNO, Igor Matovic, does not see the point in mandatory vaccination. The possibility of a Covid vaccine mandate sailing through the parliament thus appears unrealistic for now.

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Related article Prime minister lacks the power to push through Covid vaccine mandate in Slovakia Read more

In other news

The police rejected a criminal complaint concerning the robbery in the office of Smer chair and former three-time prime minister Robert Fico . He was robbed of gold coins and money, as stems from the leaked recording from a hunting cabin, but he failed to report it to the police.

. He was robbed of gold coins and money, as stems from the leaked recording from a hunting cabin, but he failed to report it to the police. Suburban bus transport in the entire Bratislava Region will be free in January . The price of tickets will be covered by the fine the carrier Arriva has to pay for the problems related to bus connections after it took over the bus service from the previous carrier, Slovak Lines, in mid-November 2021.

. The price of tickets will be covered by the fine the carrier Arriva has to pay for the problems related to bus connections after it took over the bus service from the previous carrier, Slovak Lines, in mid-November 2021. The Defence Ministry has received offers for 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicles from five countries  the Czech Republic, Finland, Romania, Spain and the USA  with some countries sending several technical solutions. The recommendation for the purchase which is to be discussed by the cabinet is set to be ready by March 2022.

for 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicles  the Czech Republic, Finland, Romania, Spain and the USA  with some countries sending several technical solutions. The recommendation for the purchase which is to be discussed by the cabinet is set to be ready by March 2022. The state budget deficit dropped by nearly 10 percent to 7.01 billion last year. Despite the positive development, the budget deficit is still much higher than before the coronavirus crisis.

One last note: The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) issued a second-degree warning against strong wind in the mountains that will be in place on January 4 and 5 in the northern districts of Slovakia.

Weather warnings for January 4-5. (Source: SHMU)

More on Spectator.sk:

President Caputova makes two wishes for Slovakia in 2022 Read more

Populism is in decline Read more

Zilina names its park after a Swedish architect Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
Developer gets permission to tear it down; architectural experts claim Bratislava would lose an iconic building.

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The Istropolis culture and congress centre close to the heart of Bratislava might become a mere memory in a short period of time. Its owner, developer Immocap, has announced that it has acquired valid permission to remove the building, with the demolition work expected to start in mid-January. Immocap plans to replace it with a project named New Istropolis.

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Architectural experts are against the demolition of the building.

With the demolition of Istropolis at Trnava Myto in Bratislava, Slovakia will lose an iconic architectural complex and at the same time the largest cultural and social centre in the country, wrote representatives of the Slovak arm of the international organisation Docomomo, which deals with the history and preservation of modern architecture.

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They added that its expert arguments as well as a petition with almost 11,000 signatures failed to persuade the developer and representatives of responsible institutions of the value of this architectural work.

Istropolis, the former House of Trade Unions, is a complex that encompasses a cultural and congress centre, an office tower, a science centre, a theatre, some other adjacent buildings with an atrium and a fountain on a 3.7 hectare plot. It features the biggest congress hall in Slovakia with a capacity of 1,280 people, originally designed to host the congresses of the Communist Party. The complex, designed by architects Ferdinand Koncek, Ilja Skocek and Lubomir Titl, is located on a lucrative place at the edge of the city centre. Trnavske Myto is now one of the most important traffic points in the city.

However, the demolition of Istropolis is bad news not only for lovers of modern architecture and the cultural community but also for the whole society, which together with the building also loses a significant part of its own historical memory, they write in their stance.

Yet, the announced demolition of Istropolis will most significantly affect the capital, the experts noted. They describe this as a direct attack on its fragile identity and a painful confirmation of the historical experience that the character of the city is influenced by several private actors and not by a public consensus.

The Association of Slovak Architects (SAS) also expressed its disagreement with the demolition of Istropolis. In its open letter to Prime Minister Eduard Heger (OLaNO), Culture Minister Natalia Milanova (OLaNO) and Finance Minister Igor Matovic (OLaNO), it stated that it considered the attempt to demolish this late modern architectural monument in Slovakia to be an uncultured act. It calls on the government and the ministries concerned to prevent this.

It considers Istropolis the third most important cultural institution in Bratislava after the Park of Culture and Recreation on the Danube embankment and the amphitheatre on Budkova Street. These buildings are victims of the power of money and the absence of natural respect for basic social values, it added. SAS calls on the government not to support the construction of the planned National Cultural and Congress Centre in the Trnavske Myto locality at the cost of demolishing Istropolis.

The project New Istropolis envisages the construction of a modern cultural and congress centre, two residential buildings, three administrative buildings and a congress hotel. The developer faces a 5 million fine from the Nove Mesto borough if it does not build a cultural facility within four years.

We have been working on the preparation of the project for more than four years; we have organised a large international architectural competition, the winners of which are renowned Dutch studios, said Immocap CEO Martin Sramko in the press release. We are bringing a project to Trnavske Myto that will significantly improve the lives of Bratislava residents in many ways.
https://sputniknews.com/20220113/roseanne-barrs-daughter-reveals-she-has-ptsd-from-childhood-reform-schools-1092244203.html

Roseanne Barrs Daughter Reveals She Has PTSD From Childhood Reform Schools

Roseanne Barrs Daughter Reveals She Has PTSD From Childhood Reform Schools

Jenny Pentland opens up in her new book This Will Be Funny Later that between the ages of 13 and 18, she was locked up in a series of reform schools... 13.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-13T23:35+0000

2022-01-13T23:35+0000

2022-01-13T23:36+0000

school

ptsd

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The worst abuse I feel I suffered was having my free will removed- the lack of freedom, she told People. I was getting bad grades, and I was mouthy, cutting my arms and smoking cigarettes.Pentland also says her mothers sudden rise in fame contributed to her depression and acting out as a teenager. Roseanne Barr was the star of the popular 1990s sitcom Roseanne.According to Pentland, her older sister Jessica was also sent to a psychiatric hospital in Los Angeles, California, after stealing their mothers car for a joyride.Pentland clarified she now has a good relationship with both her parents, Roseanne Barr and Bill Pentland, who placed her in the facilities after being referred there by education and behavioral specialists.In recent years, celebrity socialite Paris Hilton has also opened up and even advocated as a result of her own experiences concerning these facilities. Hilton herself divulged details of the physical and mental abuse she suffered as a teenager in her 2020 documentary This Is Paris, most notably at Provo Canyon School, described as a psychiatric youth residential treatment center.In the YouTube documentary, Hilton describes being physically beaten and mentally abused, saying the facilities would force children to take unknown prescription pills that would make her feel numb, and would go so far as to lock the children in solitary confinement after making them strip off their clothes.Pentlands book This Will Be Funny Later will hit shelves on January 18. As for Hilton, she is currently working as an activist and urging the Biden administration to reform the congregate care facilities responsible for catering to parents as a part of the troubled teen industry.

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school, ptsd, roseanne barr
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/anger-as-us-school-allows-satan-club-to-distribute-flyers-in-its-lobby-1092262558.html

Anger as US School Allows Satan Club to Distribute Flyers in Its Lobby

Anger as US School Allows Satan Club to Distribute Flyers in Its Lobby

The flyers were distributed by the Satanic Temple, an organization with congregations based in different countries, including in Australia, Britain and Canada.

2022-01-14T18:07+0000

2022-01-14T18:07+0000

2022-01-14T18:07+0000

society

us

satan

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

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Children in elementary school in the US state of Illinois have been invited this week to attend a meeting of the After School Satan Club, local media reported. Flyers for the club invited those from the first to the fifth grade (children aged six to 10) to come along, regardless of their religious backgrounds.The news caused concern among parents of the children as well as social media users, who wondered why the flyers were allowed in the schools lobby.The Moline-Coal Valley School District has released a statement explaining why the flyers were allowed to be placed in a lobby.The superintendent of Moline-Coal Valley Schools later wrote a letter to parents saying the flyers were not generated by the district and not distributed to pupils. Parents and pupils are free to pick up the flyer and if they so choose. Do Schools in the United States Encourage Children to Worship Satan?The After School Satan Club is operated by the Satanic Temple , a non-theistic (not having a belief in god or gods) organisation which is officially recognised in the United States. It has congregations in other countries, including Australia, Britain and Canada. The Satanic Temple has almost 400,000 followers on its social media accounts.From the news one might get the impression that children in the United States are encouraged to worship Satan. However, the issue has to do with free speech rights.Various after-school clubs exist in the United States, including ones organised by religious groups. At the beginning of the millennium a Good News Club (GNC), a programme organised by Child Evangelism Fellowship, filed a lawsuit against a Milford Central School in New York after the latter denied GNCs application to organise meetings in the school after lessons. Milford Central argued that GNC violates its policy by practising worship in its building. The court, however, sided with the GNC, saying the school violated free speech rights.The ruling effectively allowed all religious organisations, including such controversial ones as the Satanic Temple, to rent school facilities for after-school clubs. Moline-Coal Valley School District Superintendent Dr Rachel Savage said that if the school had refused to distribute the Satanic Temple flyers, it would have become subject of a lawsuit, which we will not win, likely taking thousands upon thousands of tax-payer dollars away from our teachers, staff, and classrooms.The Satanic Temple said it does not worship Satan nor do its members believe in the existence of Satan. "We believe in reason, empathy, the pursuit of knowledge," reads a section of FAQs on the organisation's website. The word "Satan" is used as a symbol of "eternal rebel" who opposes arbitrary authority, questions sacred laws and rejects all tyrannical impositions, the organisation said.The organisation added that its primary mission is to "encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits" as well as promote the separation between church and state.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220114/anytime-anywhere-dr-oz-challenges-petty-tyrant-fauci-to-debate-on-covid-19--1092246882.html

'Anytime, Anywhere': Dr. Oz Challenges 'Petty Tyrant' Fauci to Debate on COVID-19

'Anytime, Anywhere': Dr. Oz Challenges 'Petty Tyrant' Fauci to Debate on COVID-19

Dr. Mehmet Cengiz Oz, popularly known as 'Dr. Oz,' confirmed that he would end his role as a TV-based cardiothoracic surgeon to pursue a new political role as... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T03:53+0000

2022-01-14T03:53+0000

2022-01-14T03:53+0000

dr. mehmet oz

debate

anthony fauci

covid-19

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Dr. Mehmet Oz, a US Senate candidate for the GOP in Pennsylvania, took shots at the chief medical advisor to the US president and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Anthony Fauci, during a recent appearance on "The Brian Kilmeade Show." The campaigning US Senate hopeful challenged Fauci to debate on the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as over the current state of the country. "Older Americans were vulnerable by this virus, but the vast majority of people, of course, aren't, it's relatively benign," Oz claimed, taking a position similar to that of former US President Donald Trump. "But older Americans are at risk if we cannot get them life-saving solutions that have been around for more than a year." Later on Thursday, Oz appeared on Newsmax to again demand a high-profile campaign meeting between the two. Oz, who opposes federal vaccine mandates, confirmed in November 2021 that he would campaign to enter politics in the US Senate race in Pennsylvania. The political newcomer is seeking to fill a spot soon to be vacated by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), after the 60-year-old US lawmaker announced in October 2020 that he would not seek reelection.Toomey's announcement came shortly after Sean Parnell, the only US Senate candidate in Pennsylvania endorsed by Trump, suspended his campaign after it was announced by a judge that his estranged wife's domestic abuse allegations were credible.

https://sputniknews.com/20211204/meet-mehmet-dr-oz-vying-for-us-senate-in-pennsylvania-after-trump-endorsed-candidate-drops-out-1091234793.html

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dr. mehmet oz, debate, anthony fauci, covid-19
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/as-india-is-hit-by-third-covid-wave-political-parties-are-forced-to-move-electoral-campaigns-online-1092248589.html

As India is Hit by Third COVID Wave, Political Parties are Forced to Move Electoral Campaigns Online

As India is Hit by Third COVID Wave, Political Parties are Forced to Move Electoral Campaigns Online

While announcing the state polls in five Indian states, the Election Commission of India last week said that physical rallies and roadshows were allowed only... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T16:07+0000

2022-01-14T16:07+0000

2022-01-14T16:07+0000

goa

punjab

uttarakhand

digital media

bharatiya janata party (bjp)

india

uttar pradesh

manipur

election

manipur

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India is gearing up for the biggest election of 2022 in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Punjab, Manipur and Uttarakhand. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the ruling party in four of these states and opposition party Congress is the ruling party in Punjab.The contest to form a government all alone or in alliance with other local political parties has turned into quite a challenge since the election authorities have banned election gatherings.This is the first time the Election Commission of India (ECI) has completely banned the holding of election rallies, street corner meetings or even meetings at roundabouts in roads or in small localities.These curbs, brought in because of how infectious COVID-19 is, are forcing political parties to campaign virtually after preparing elaborate blueprints and strategies.Speaking with Sputnik, Congress party's social media head Rohan Gupta, says: "In the last West Bengal state assembly election in April 2021, we withdrew our physical campaign and reached out to the public via social media."Every party got enough time to set up the basics. We have created a template for virtual rallies. Our database of volunteers is ready, and we are connected with them all day, every day."Gupta added that the Congress party has trained its social media warriors at local level how to connect with voters through digital poll campaigns, besides setting up WhatsApp groups to communicate with volunteers. Gupta has also pointed out that they were "aiming at organic reach and the need to map youth through micro-targeting."The "warriors" are party workers or volunteers who help Congress during the campaign in their particular area and sometimes travelling to other places.Similarly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Information Technology cell head Amit Malviya earlier said that "The matrix was in place, and it took us hours to move from physical campaigning to virtual mode."Malviya said the BJP has "the institutional framework in place, and the party workers are ready for it".Explaining the digital campaign process, Kamal Tiwari, the founder of TLK Info Solutions, a Digital Marketing Agency, told Sputnik that "all political parties have a good presence in social media".For instance, the BJP has around five million followers on its Twitter handles and seven million on Facebook in all five states.Tiwari argues that social media marketing and promotions have been part of every election for several years. "But just after the pandemic, active virtual campaigning came into shape."According to government statistics, India has more than 560 million social media users of which 530 million use WhatsApp, followed by YouTube (450 million) , and Facebook (410 million).Elaborating on how online public campaigns are carried out these days, Tiwari said that it was not about posting electoral banners or live telecasts of politicians on social media platforms, but rather reaching out to the right voters with audio messages, phone calls, 3-D cutouts, digital banners, videos, and LED screen-mounted vans to remote villages.Various tactics or innovative ideas are being embraced to influence the general public.For instance, the Congress party is using local culture, language and folk songs during the rallies to connect with people.Not All Local Parties Satisfied Over Digitised Campaigning ModelAlthough the two main national parties - the BJP and Congress - appear ready with their digital campaigns to draw as many voters as possible, not all parties are happy with the existing state of affairs.According to Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former Uttar Pradesh State Chief Akhilesh Yadav, small parties are finding it hard to take on the federally ruling BJP during these state polls.He says it's happening because of the digitisation of the campaigns.Agreeing that such difficulties exist, Tiwari says that there are two important ingredients in social media: "First, money, and second, the longer you've had a presence, the more organic and the better your reach. The BJP is stronger in its social presence if we compare it with any party."He says voters also talk to each other on the virtual platform, "which directly affects the subconscious of these people".Mohit Pandey, who works with an opinion polls survey agency, says their previous election trends show that social media act as a catalyst. "In general, if a candidate is winning, there will be more traffic and more comments, likes or views on his post . On the other hand, if the candidate is losing, there is less organic traffic on his or her social media posts," he explains.But whether social media can create a narrative, or how strongly it affects the mind of voters, it is to be seen once again in the upcoming elections.Voting will be held for assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in seven phases between 10 February and 7 March, in a single phase on 15 February in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa, and in two phases on 27 February and 3 March in Manipur. The counting of votes will be held on 10 March.More than 180 million voters, including over 85 million women, are eligible to vote in these five state assembly polls.

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goa, punjab, uttarakhand, digital media, bharatiya janata party (bjp), india, uttar pradesh, manipur, election, manipur, campaign ad, india
An inspector generals investigation found a troubling series of unfounded statements were made by Mayor Lori Lightfoots administration over the wrongful police raid of Anjanette Youngs home, according to the IGs quarterly report.

Lightfoot, a mayors office spokesman and the head of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability all made false or misleading statements about the case, according to a summary of former Chicago Inspector General Joseph Fergusons report that was released Friday. Lightfoots office has refused to release the full 163-page report on the case.

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Aldermen voted last month to settle Youngs lawsuit against the city for $2.9 million, ending a legal case that became an embarrassment for Lightfoot after her administration tried to prevent footage of the botched raid from airing.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot oversees a City Hall meeting Dec. 15, 2021, on a $2.9 million settlement for the botched Chicago police raid on the home of Anjanette Young. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Acting on a bad tip that a man with an illegal firearm lived in the apartment, 13 police officers raided Youngs home in February 2019, restrained her while she was getting ready for bed and forced her to stand handcuffed and naked as they searched her residence.

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The situation garnered national attention in December 2020 after Lightfoots administration took the extraordinary step of seeking a court order to stop WBBM-Ch. 2 from broadcasting video of the raid.

In their filing, city lawyers noted that Youngs attorney had asked the court to order the city to produce body camera footage in February 2020. But the lawyers objected because they believed it was an attempt to provide the media with the body-worn camera to paint an inaccurate picture of what happened during the subject search warrant.

A federal judge ruled that the city had to produce the video to Youngs lawyer, subject to a confidentiality order, which the lawyer violated in December 2020 by giving the video to WBBM-Ch. 2 News.

Amid the fallout, Ferguson opened an investigation. Lightfoot also commissioned law firm Jones Day to conduct its own investigation, which last month found that city officials failed to follow appropriate procedures, did not adequately communicate across departments and did not live up to the public service mission in their handling of the botched police raid on Youngs home.

But the firm also said it found no evidence of purposeful concealment by the mayor or any department, even though city lawyers objected to releasing video from the raid to Youngs lawyer because they were concerned it would be given to the media.

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The IG report faults a deputy press secretary for misleading a WBBM-Ch. 2 reporter and takes issue with Lightfoots early comments about the raid.

In December 2020, Lightfoot falsely claimed she had no knowledge of the matter, which occurred before she took office, and that her administration hadnt refused to give Young video of the raid.

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But the mayor soon acknowledged that members of her staff had told her about the raid via emails in November 2019, as Channel 2 was reporting on search warrants being served at incorrect addresses. But she said she had no recollection of the emails.

In an email sent Nov. 11, 2019, former Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Susan Lee forwarded a summary of CBS reporting on the case to Lightfoot and said, Please see below for a pretty bad wrongful raid coming out tomorrow.

The summary said Young was handcuffed by police, and officers allegedly left her standing for 40 minutes handcuffed and naked while all-male police officers search her apartment. The email noted that Young had been asking for the body camera footage but hadnt heard back from police.

Half an hour later, Lightfoot responded to the thread with an urgent request for a meeting.

I have a lot of questions about this one, Lightfoot said. Can we do a quick call about it? Is 10:00, ie 10 minutes from now possible?

Although Lightfoot has claimed she focused on systemic questions about wrong raids, the IG report found that Lightfoot asked detailed questions about the facts and circumstances of the Young wrong raid and any litigation or administrative investigation into the raid during a conference call with senior staffers.

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A city lawyer asked a Chicago police staffer to retrieve the body camera footage in mid-November 2019, the report said, saying a supervisor came to my office and said the Mayors Office is freaking out about this case, why dont we have a video.

Sydney Roberts, former chief administrator with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, made an unfounded statement during testimony before the City Council in December 2020 regarding the raid and the citys response, the report said.

Roberts told aldermen that the agency had complied with a requirement that it notify the mayor, City Council and others about any COPA investigation open longer than six months. But the inspector general found there had been no such notification, according to the report.

The raid also wasnt reported to COPA until nearly nine months after it occurred.

Within days of the raid, Youngs pastor got her on the phone with a Chicago police commander who apologized but also defended the officers involved in the raid, the report said.

Former senior police officials told the inspector general that they became aware of the raid shortly after it occurred because the same commander had informed them about it. But none of them reported the raid to COPA, the report said.

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COPA wasnt notified of the raid until the mayors office assistant press secretary reached out to a COPA public information officer and inquired about the raid as part of the citys response to Young and Channel 2s open records request for body-worn camera footage, the report said.

Before Roberts testified before the City Council, she was invited to a prep session with the mayors intergovernmental affairs team. Her statement received multiple edits from mayors office staff, which the IG concluded created an appearance of political influence and diminished the agencys institutional independence.

COPA took issue with that finding, arguing that none of these exchanges involved substantive or confidential information about the investigation, or in any way evinced attempts to influence or compromise its integrity, according to the report.

Chicago police told the IGs office that the department has reformed search warrant processes, though the Lightfoot administration continues to oppose broader reforms pushed by Young. The department also hired additional FOIA officers for positions that were unfilled in 2018 and 2019, the report said.

In its response to the report, COPA agreed with concerns regarding FOIA practices and said it has made several changes, including establishing a Video Release and Transparency Unit in its 2022 budget that will centralize its transparency process into one integrated unit with FOIA officers.

The department said it will no longer issue blanket FOIA denials and will require a clearly articulated argument for how released materials would interfere with an open investigation.

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gpratt@chicagotribune.com
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/biden-administration-threatens-to-rescind-arizonas-covid-19-relief-funds-due-to-anti-mask-programs-1092267982.html

Biden Admin Threatens to Rescind Arizona's COVID-19 Relief Funds Due to Anti-Mask Programmes

Biden Admin Threatens to Rescind Arizona's COVID-19 Relief Funds Due to Anti-Mask Programmes

Arizona's Education Plus-Up Grant Programme is a state-run effort providing some $163 million in funding to school districts without face mask mandates... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T22:07+0000

2022-01-14T22:07+0000

2022-01-15T04:32+0000

omicron covid strain

arizona

us

health

public health

covid-19

biden administration

mask mandate

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The office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) must redirect federal COVID-19 relief funds, or revamp two state-run programmes, within 60 days, to avoid further action from the US Department of the Treasury, according to a Friday memo issued to the Republican governor. Kathleen Victorino, the Treasury's deputy chief compliance officer, detailed that Ducey's Education Plus-Up Grant and COVID-19 Educational Recovery Benefit Programmes are contrary to stipulations laid out in the American Rescue Plan, a $350 billion federal programme that prohibits the use of funds for a service or programme that undermines COVID-19 mitigation measures. As of this article's publication, Arizona's government has received about half of the estimated $4.2 billion awarded to the state via the COVID relief bill. Daniel Ruiz, chief of staff for Ducey's office, said the state government intends to continue supporting the programmes at a financial level, and "we will challenge at every level in terms of court proceedings any attempt by them to retroactively change policies or rules". Ruiz also blasted the Biden administration's communication, alleging that Ducey's office had to find out about the 60-day deadline through the press, rather than direct correspondence. The Treasury's warning to the Arizona state government comes several months after Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) called on the federal agency to look into Ducey's policies, citing concerns that the programmes "undercut scientific research to pursue purely partisan ideological priorities". In September, Ducey pledged to counter the Biden administration's OSHA vaccine mandate, asserting that the move hammers down on "private businesses and individual freedoms in an unprecedented and dangerous way".Weeks later, attorney generals in several US states, including Arizona, filed lawsuits against the nationwide vaccine mandate for companies with 100 or more employees. According to the mandate, those who do not receive the COVID-19 vaccine must be regularly tested for the novel disease. On Thursday, just three days after the OSHA vaccine mandate took effect, the Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS) ruled to block the administration's sweeping mandate for large companies, arguing that while the US Congress has tasked the regulatory agency with managing occupational dangers, "it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly"."Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category", the Supreme Court wrote in an unsigned opinion filed on 13 January.

https://sputniknews.com/20220114/biden-disappointed-us-supreme-court-blocked-osha-vaccine-mandate-1092244897.html

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arizona, us, health, public health, covid-19, biden administration, mask mandate
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/chinese-spy-payments-to-labour-mp-conspiracy-or-cock-up-1092258024.html

Chinese 'Spy' Payments to Labour MP: Conspiracy or Cock-Up?

Chinese 'Spy' Payments to Labour MP: Conspiracy or Cock-Up?

The bombshell claim by British spy-catchers that Chinese money was funnelled to MPs came at the best possible moment for PM Boris Johnson, under fire over the... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T16:17+0000

2022-01-14T16:17+0000

2022-01-14T16:36+0000

britain

china

great britain

uk

theresa may

tony blair

boris johnson

david cameron

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A former government minister has claimed the Chinese government made a "poor investment" by channelling donations to him via a UK-based lawyer.Labour MP Barry Gardiner told Sky News political correspondent Jon Craig he did not discuss British government policy "in great detail" with Christine Lee, a former legal advisor to the Chinese embassy in London.The Brent North MP received over 675,000 in donations from Lee, a lawyer based in Birmingham, from 2005 onwards.Counter-espionage service MI5 issued a warning on Thursday, circulate to MPs by Parliamentary speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, that Lee was involved in political "interference" on behalf of the Chinese state and had acted as an intermediary for donations to MPs."I think she must have felt it was a very poor investment if she did seek to get something out of it, because I have been critical of the Chinese government on many occasions," Gardiner insisted.Some of Lee's donations paid for for Lee's son Daniel Wilkes to work for Gardiner from 2015. Gardiner said on Thursday that Lee had stopped paying her son's wages in June 2020, more than three years after the arrangement was exposed by The Times.Wilkes resigned on Thursday morning after the warning was circulated. Gardiner said in a statement that he had "been liaising with our Security Services for a number of years about Christine Lee". But that evening he told Sky that he only learnt from MI5 on Thursday about Lee "being a spy."Gardiner was a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Office and Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs in Labour PM Tony Blair's last government, and later served as shadow energy and international trade secretary under Labour's last leader Jeremy Corbyn.Former soldier and National Crime Agency officer Mike Tapp told GB News political correspondent Tom Harwood that it would be difficult to deport Lee  a UK resident married to British businessman Martin Wilkes  as she is not a foreign diplomat.Lee runs a legal practice with a main office in Birmingham  near the couple's 1 million Solihull home  and another on Wardour Street in London's Chinatown.But questions remain unanswered over why Gardiner took donations from Lee to employ her son, and why the MP kept him on the payroll until Thursday morning after the arrangement was exposed in 2017  and he admitted MI5 had raised concerns over Lee's influence.Their arrangement appears strange given that MPs can claim the costs of employing Parliamentary office staff from the taxpayer as legitimate expenses.Wilkes' profile on careers social media site LinkedIn was no longer "available" to view on Friday.Ulterior MotivesFormer Labour and Respect party MP and broadcaster George Galloway asked what "illegal activity" Lee was accused of, in Gardiner's own words, and why no criminal charges had been laid.And Aaron Bastani, co-founder of left-wing news site Novara Media, commented on the convenient timing of the MI5 warning to MPs for embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He pointed out that the story was not news and had received mainstream coverage 18 months earlier.While MI5's "interference alert" claimed Lee was acting as a go-between for Chinese businessmen and state organisations, no evidence has yet been presented to back that up.Lee's Birmingham office declined to comment on the allegations on Friday, while Beijing denied them on Thursday night, saying it had no need to "buy influence" in foreign parliaments.In fact the lawyer enjoyed official favour for many years for her leadership of the now-dormant British Chinese Project and its involvement with the Chinese in Britain all-party Parliamentary group.Lee rubbed shoulders with prime ministers and party leaders including Tory David Cameron and Labour's Jeremy Corbyn, was pictured meeting Prince Charles and won a 'Points of Light' award from Johnson's predecessor Theresa May for her work in the Chinese community.Liberal Democrat Party leader Sir Ed Davey's constituency branch also received a 5,000 donation from Lee in 2013, when he was energy secretary in Cameron's coalition government."I can't even remember this woman, to be frank," Davey told Sky on Thursday, claiming he was "shocked" at the revelation. Another leftist website, Skwakbox, cited un-named Labour insiders who claimed party leader Sir Keir Starmer sacked Gardiner from his front bench after taking over from Corbyn last year because he feared a leadership challenge from the veteran MP. And they said Starmer's allies were "hoping to tarnish Gardiners reputation by association."

https://sputniknews.com/20220113/uk-intel-service-says-labour-donor-vectored-chinese-cash-to-british-mps-for-influence-1092234286.html

britain

china

great britain

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britain, china, great britain, uk, theresa may, tony blair, boris johnson, david cameron, jeremy corbyn, barry gardiner, keir starmer, sir ed davey
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/dcpd-drug-database-dungeon-biden-vs-the-filibuster-a-more-just-drone-war-1092244494.html

DCPD Drug Database Dungeon; Biden vs. the Filibuster; A More 'Just Drone War'

DCPD Drug Database Dungeon; Biden vs. the Filibuster; A More 'Just Drone War'

The Misfits open with Omicron being omnipresent, everyone can get it at some point. It's a pivot away from lockdowns and closing down shop, now it's something... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T08:15+0000

2022-01-14T08:15+0000

2022-01-14T08:15+0000

joe biden

database

ukraine

dc

drone

drugs

rikers island jail

political misfits

filibuster

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DCPD Drug Database Dungeon; Biden vs. the Filibuster; A More Just Drone War The Misfits open with Omicron being omnipresent, everyone can get it at some point. It's a pivot away from lockdowns and closing down shop, now it's something we will all have to live with.

First up, RT correspondent Peter Oliver describes the situation in Ukraine as dire. Russia is making it clear that Ukraine joining the Western Alliance is unacceptable and a non-starter for negotiations. Russia has indicated a willingness to deploy military to Venezuela and Cuba if tensions with the United States continue to escalate, prompting a possible second Cuban Missile Crisis.Garland Nixon, co-host of the Critical Hour on Radio Sputnik and also a retired police officer, stopped by to talk about Washington DCs Metropolitan Police Departments database of alleged drug gang members. A story in The Intercept recently noted that the database has almost tripled in size over the past eight years, and nearly nine out of ten entries with a race listed are Black people, who make up 46 percent of DCs population. Garland explains that many who are listed in the database have no idea until arrested. In federal prison, those on the list are precluded from early release and other penalties. Once on the list, it's nearly impossible to be freed from the database dungeon.Next, Ted Rall, an award-winning political cartoonist, columnist, author and co-host of the DMZ America podcast with Ted Rall & Scott Stantis, calls in to discuss Biden's filibuster fall out. Biden, after years of supporting the filibuster, does a 180-degree turn. Ted prognosticates: what happens when Dems lose in the midterms and the GOP holds the majority? Biden knew he did not have the votes, then he set an unreasonable deadline and it failed. They also discuss an effort to placate progressive voting rights, which many protested in Georgia. Additionally, Foreign Affairs is making the case for a more "just drone war." Drone attacks can be more "just" if fewer people are killed. Ted emphasized that flying drones over foreign air space assassinating targets is an invasion and an act of war.Paul Wright, executive director of the Human Rights Defense Center, editor and publisher of Prison Legal News and Criminal Legal News magazines, meets up with the Misfits over the current chaos at Rikers Island Jail. The New York Times reported inmates at New York Citys notorious Rikers Island Jail have been staging "fight nights" where prisoners are forced to fight each other, with the victor winning a cigarette. Paul says that the problematic jail's population has decreased from 20,000 to 7,000 in recent years. Prisoners remain at risk not only from guards, they are at risk when seeking medical care from physicians with suspended licenses who remain eligible for employment at jails and prisons across the country.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

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joe biden, database, ukraine, dc, drone, drugs, rikers island jail, political misfits, filibuster, , radio
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/ditch-your-plus-one-residents-of-town-forced-to-have-appendix-removed-before-moving-in-1092262181.html

Ditch Your 'Plus One': Residents of Town Forced to Have Appendix Removed Before Moving In

Ditch Your 'Plus One': Residents of Town Forced to Have Appendix Removed Before Moving In

This practice is not uncommon for remote places that might not have specialists available to conduct an appendectomy on site. Normally, appendixes are not... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T16:57+0000

2022-01-14T16:57+0000

2022-01-14T16:57+0000

antarctica

medicine

world

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Relocating to another city always requires parting with something - contacts, chance meetings with old friends - but this town in Chile takes the costs to a new level as people wanting to move there have to have their appendix removed first.Welcome to Villa Las Estrellas - a Chilean town on King George Island on the edge of Antarctica that has a population of no more than 100 people with most of them researchers and servicemen. Finding a doctor here is a challenge. Even though there is an airfield nearby, you might not get the necessary medical attention in time, should you suffer from appendicitis.Hence the precaution of removing the appendix beforehand. This practice was once popular in the US at the end of the 19th century, but was quickly dismissed after the scientific community learnt of the worm-shaped organ's importance to the immune and digestive systems.Still, its removal is a necessary sacrifice for those moving to Antarctica - and not just for those headed for Chilean territory. It is general advice for many travellers to the distant continent. As history tells us - even having a doctor at the settlement might not save you from an emergency.Back in 1961, Soviet general practitioner Leonid Rogozov found himself in a pickle as he started experiencing symptoms of appendicitis during his deployment at a station in Antarctica. The stormy weather ruled out evacuation and he was the only doctor on the expedition. Rogozov thus came up with the only solution  he decided to operate on himself with help from the two members of the expedition. The surgery was tough and he nearly lost consciousness at times, but, in the end, Rogozov succeeded, thus becoming the first (and, to our knowledge, the only) person to pull off such a feat.

https://sputniknews.com/20210312/netanyahus-spouse-successfully-undergoes-appendix-operation-prime-ministers-spokesman-says-1082324187.html

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antarctica, medicine, world
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/east-germanys-stasi-spied-on-olaf-scholz-in-1980s-shared-intel-with-ussr---reports-1092245709.html

East Germany's Stasi Spied on Olaf Scholz in 1980s, Shared Intel With USSR - Reports

East Germany's Stasi Spied on Olaf Scholz in 1980s, Shared Intel With USSR - Reports

BERLIN (Sputnik) - The former Ministry for State Security of the German Democratic Republic, also known as the Stasi, which was dissolved in 1990, spied on... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T01:00+0000

2022-01-14T01:00+0000

2022-01-14T05:03+0000

east germany

spying

ussr

west germany

olaf scholz

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After sending a request to state archives, journalists received the Stasi's documents, the outlet said. According to these documents, Scholz came to the attention of the Stasi after visiting East Germany through the Social Democratic Party of Germany's (SPD) youth wing.According to the outlet, from 1978 to 1987, German foreign intelligence agents reported about Scholz's activities in the SPD's youth wing at least 19 times. Hamburg economist Kurt Wand, whose father worked for the Stasi, reported on Scholz's activities at least 12 times. Some of these reports were shared with the Soviet Committee for State Security (KGB).Daniela Munkel, an employee of the Stasi archives, told Bild that the practice of sharing reports between intelligence agencies was common. She added that the Soviet Union had a strong interest in the political situation of West Germany, including activities of "young socialists".Scholz commented on the outlet's publication by saying that he was aware of the spying.

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east germany, spying, ussr, west germany, olaf scholz
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/ex-communication-head-for-pm-johnson-apologises-for-lockdown-party-on-eve-of-prince-philips-funeral-1092252185.html

Ex-Communication Head for PM Johnson Apologises for Lockdown Party on Eve of Prince Philip's Funeral

Ex-Communication Head for PM Johnson Apologises for Lockdown Party on Eve of Prince Philip's Funeral

The UK government is now being rocked, as people are angered by reports saying that numerous parties were held at 10 Downing Street during the lockdown period... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T08:24+0000

2022-01-14T08:24+0000

2022-01-14T09:06+0000

uk

boris johnson

downing street

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James Slack, former director of communications for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, issued a public apology on Friday, regarding a party held at Downing Street on 16 April. Slack said he could not elaborate on the details, as the information had been referred to Sue Gray's investigation into the parties held during the lockdown.The party was held to mark the departure of Slack, who is now deputy editor-in-chief at The Sun, as well as the departure of one of the prime minister's personal photographers.There reportedly were at least 30 staffers at the party, and they were drinking until late into the night. The event was held amid harsh pandemic restrictions on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral.Boris Johnson previously faced a public outcry when reports suggested that several gatherings were held at his office during the lockdown period. This includes a massive garden party for up to 100 people in 2020 that was allegedly attended by the PM himself and his wife Carrie Johnson. At the time, social mixing between households was limited to two people, who could only meet outdoors and with social distancing.The opposition, as well as some Tories, urged him to resign, however, the government backed Johnson, who has repeatedly stressed he didn't violate the lockdown rules.

downing street

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Evgeny Mikhaylov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/07/1080390164_0:0:1440:1440_100x100_80_0_0_46c187f2ab0908f86849a7d09a7def57.jpg

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uk, boris johnson, downing street
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/ex-osce-chief-russia-wasnt-listened-to-on-risk-reduction-ideas-now-there-is-readiness-for-talks-1092247277.html

Ex-OSCE Chief: Russia Wasn't Listened to on Risk Reduction Ideas, Now There Is Readiness for Talks

Ex-OSCE Chief: Russia Wasn't Listened to on Risk Reduction Ideas, Now There Is Readiness for Talks

The new head of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Zbigniew Rau, held a presser on Wednesday, as Poland became OSCE chair for the year... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T10:24+0000

2022-01-14T10:24+0000

2022-01-14T10:44+0000

osce

interview

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Thomas Greminger, director of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy who previously served as secretary general of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe from 2017 to 2020, has addressed issues in Russia-Europe relations, explaining which options to solve the problems in the region are now on the table.Sputnik: Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE Zbigniew Rau stated there has been no breakthrough in the Vienna talks. Why is that? What does this tell us about the overall progress of the talks?Thomas Greminger: I think this could not be expected. So, I think what we can see after a week of intense talks starting here in Geneva, continued in Brussels, and today in Vienna at the permanent council of the OSCE, on a positive note, clearly, there is a readiness for dialogue by everybody. And I think that's also what I heard from this morning's statement, all major stakeholders at the permanent council of the OSCE.Second, what we have also seen is that there are areas that are in the short- to medium-term, there is a potential for relatively quick agreements. And I would argue that this is what normally is being described as military risk reduction. Dialogue between militaries, more transparency when it comes to major exercises close to borders, stationing troops, weapons systems close to borders, restraint - all these kinds of issues.And here I would argue Russia has been advocating such a military risk reduction agenda for years and hasn't been really listened to. Now there seems to be a readiness to have a dialogue. I think that's an achievement.Yes, when it comes to the really fundamental issues of European security, when we talk about the guarantees that have been requested by Russia, I think there - I'm not surprised, that we haven't ended up with an outcome after one week of discussions because here we are discussing reconciling two very fundamental principles of European security. You have, on the one side, the right of every country to freely choose its security arrangements, its alliances, et cetera. And you have on the other, the principle of indivisibility of security, meaning that no country should expand its own security at the expense of another country.Now, if you apply these two principles to countries like Ukraine, but also to Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, all these countries that are in between the Russian Federation and NATO you can quickly see that this is very delicate, very challenging.For this, we need lots of dialogue, diplomacy. And at the end, also probably some sort of creativity. But I'm confident that if there is a political will, it is possible to also find a solution for the status of these countries in between taking into account these two principles.Sputnik: The EU foreign policy chief stated that Russia's security proposals are unacceptable for all EU members. Why is the West rejecting the proposals out of hand?Thomas Greminger: Partly this is the usual rhetoric, the usual positioning that you would hear from parties at the beginning of any serious negotiations. The perception in the West is also that the kinds of proposals that came from Moscow that they are maximalist. Their verdict was very harsh. So, I think perceptions are quite similar regarding the maximalist positioning of the other side at the outset, so we shouldn't be too surprised about that.For me, what is more important is that there is this readiness now to engage seriously in a constructive discussion on all of these issues, solving the problem in the Donbass and agreeing, hopefully quickly, to measures of military risk reduction, strengthen confidence, and security-building measures and addressing these very fundamental issues of European security - trying to reconcile these principles of European security.Sputnik: The Russian foreign minister says the prospects for further security talks depend on how Washington and Brussels respond to Moscow's proposals. Russia will be forced to take action if it does not obtain a constructive response to its security proposals within a reasonable time. Do you believe the West will give credible answers? What is the West ready to guarantee then?Thomas Greminger: There is no abstract answer to this question right now. I think this is why one needs to sit at the table and that's why one needs to negotiate. And I think what is important is that there is now quickly an understanding, also on the process, what is going to be discussed and eventually, negotiate that in which format. And but then I would also, you know, call for certain strategic patience. I think serious matters will require time and also at the end a number of issues they can obviously be discussed between Moscow and Washington directly. But then for other issues, you will indeed have to consult the more inclusive platforms be it a NATO-Russia Council or be it the OSCE. And in that sense, for me, that has witnessed and now almost a decade of little appetite for dialogue to hear now between a big, relatively strong commitment to dialogue by major stakeholders of European security. This as such is positive.Sputnik: With regard to the Minsk agreements  aimed at resolving the crisis in Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated yesterday that the need to fulfil the Minsk agreements had disappeared from NATO's vocabulary. Russia has repeatedly stated the need to implement them, although it is still being portrayed as the aggressor in the situation. What's behind this?Thomas Greminger: First of all, I would totally agree with Deputy Minister Grushko that indeed, there is no alternative to implementing the Minsk agreements. That's what we have. And that should be implemented. And I think we should just stop the blame game and again, try to get into a more positive dynamic. We had it for a few months, as you know, from mid-2019 on and now we're totally stuck and it is indeed very important to get towards implementing the Minsk agreements. There is no doubt about it.Sputnik: Why are the US and its European allies focusing on Ukraine and disarmament, whereas Russian demands concern a much broader picture of European security?Thomas Greminger: I think it depends a bit again on which agendas you focus on. After the summit between Presidents Biden and Putin in Geneva, we have seen a strategic stability dialogue develop an agenda that focuses very much on the global, on what they call strategic items, nuclear mid-range, long-range non-proliferation space, hypersonic weapon systems.And now I think that there seems to be an evolving agreement that there is a need for a parallel track that would focus, on the one hand, on these very principled issues of European security that we have discussed before, but would also give an opportunity to discuss more immediate measures of military risk reductions. And I think this is good and serves an agenda that the Russian Federation has been pushing for a number of years now and not very successfully because there seemed not to have been a lot of interest.Sputnik: Why is NATO increasing military assistance to Ukraine when Stoltenberg himself claimed the alliance is aiming to spread democracy? How does this correlate with the need to protect European security?Thomas Greminger: I'm not going to now defend any NATO policies. I think that's not my job. But what I've been hearing is that this military assistance so far has mainly been geared to helping Ukraine to better defend itself and that there is apparently no offensive scope to it. But again, I think we all have an interest to solve the conflict in the Donbass. But my understanding is also that we need now to think to calm things down and to de-escalate it because at the end you cannot negotiate constructively at gunpoint, so I think de-escalation is important.Sputnik: Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Thursday's interview said that he would neither confirm nor exclude a Russian military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States mount. What needs to be done now to avoid further deadlock and not allow the situation to deteriorate?Thomas Greminger: We certainly wouldn't need additional military or political posturing. Again, adding fuel to the current tensions will not create this enabling environment. What we now need is an understanding as quickly as possible on a clear agenda, on a clear way forward to discuss these different issues. We also have to acknowledge that these different issues, they're all linked in a way or another. And if not least, if we advance on one issue, we build trust, which again, would help to advance on another issue.So, I think it's important to both advance regarding implementing the Minsk agreements, and these military risk reduction measures that we have been discussing at the structured dialogue in the OSCE for years, since 2017 without any tangible results. I think if there is now a political commitment to move ahead on such measures, this as such would be valid.But I understand, of course, the Russian interest that also these more fundamental issues are properly addressed and discussed. And again, from what I've been hearing this week, there is an interest to do so. But it will be difficult - it will be difficult for all sides because you have these very fundamental principles that to an extent represent a dilemma.

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osce, interview
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/how-the-mighty-are-fallen-members-of-uk-royal-family-who-have-been-stripped-of-titles-1092252764.html

How the Mighty are 'Fallen': Members of UK Royal Family Who Have Been Stripped of Titles

How the Mighty are 'Fallen': Members of UK Royal Family Who Have Been Stripped of Titles

To become a royal seems a daunting task  one either has to earn the title by birth or by marrying a royal. But to be stripped of a title seems to be an even... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T09:48+0000

2022-01-14T09:48+0000

2022-01-14T09:58+0000

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princess diana

world

society

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uk

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Queen Elizabeth's second son Prince Andrew has lost his military titles and royal patronages, which have been returned to the monarch, Buckingham Palace said. The Duke of York will also stop using the title His Royal Highness in an official capacity. The palace made the decision as the royal is facing a civil lawsuit in the United States.The 61-year-old royal has been accused by an American woman, Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced into an intimate relationship with Prince Andrew, who purportedly slept with her at least three times, including when she was a minor under US law.Prince Andrew joins other members of the British Royal Family who have been stripped of titles.King Edward VIII aka Title Can't Buy Me LoveOne often hears that relationships are hard work, with partners making compromises and even sacrificing for each other  giving up on careers, relocating to a different country, and not wearing that old Nirvana t-shirt full of holes (for the record, it didn't look that bad). It would not be an exaggeration to say that Prince Edward was the king of sacrifices.On 20 January 1936, King George V died following a short illness and his eldest son ascended to the throne. The Prince of Wales was then dating Wallis Simpson, an American socialite, who was in the process of getting a divorce. The UK government was not pleased with their relationship and when Edward informed Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin about his intention to marry his significant other, Baldwin told him that the government would not approve of it.At the time, the Church of England opposed remarriage after divorce. The royal proposed an alternative solution, which would have seen Wallis Simpson not becoming queen consort, but enjoying a lesser title instead. That proposal was rejected too. The royal then abdicated from the throne to be with his beloved. Edward VIII's reign lasted 324 days. He was stripped of the title of Prince of Wales and given the title of Duke of Windsor with the style of Royal Highness.Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aka We Want to Break FreeBritain's Royal Family experienced an unpleasant sense of deja vu, when on 8 January 2020, the Sussexes revealed they wanted to step down from senior roles in the family in order to work to become financially independent. The couple also said they wanted to balance their time between the United Kingdom and North America, but stressed that they wanted to continue their work with patronages. The media immediately compared the move to King Edward VIII's abdication because Meghan Markle is a US citizen and was previously married. Their decision, which was dubbed Megxit, has polarised the public, with one side expressing support for the pair and the other attacking the royals. The criticism stemmed from the mansion the couple lived in being renovated using taxpayers' money as well as concerns that Britons would continue footing the bill for the Sussexes when it comes to their travel expenses and protection from the Metropolitan Police.The couple, however, repaid the money that was spent on their mansion and are no longer entitled to the protection by Scotland Yard.Commenting on their decision to step down, the couple said several things led to their departure, including constant pressure from the media and the public as well as the "racist" treatment of Meghan Markle by the press.The Sussexes retained their HRH (His or Her Royal Higness) titles, but no longer use them in any official capacity. However, they were stripped of their patronages, while Prince Harry, who served in the army and was deployed to Afghanistan, lost his military titles and honours.Princess Diana aka Queen of HeartsBorn Diana Spencer, she became a member of Britain's Royal Family after she married Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne. She quickly became popular among the public due to her activism  she worked with the Red Cross to remove landmines in war zones, helped AIDS and cancer patients, as well as people suffering from mental illnesses.In 1995, she shocked the country after revealing that her husband was unfaithful to her in an interview with the BBC. Diana spoke about the challenges she faced being a royal and famously said she wanted to be the queen of people's hearts rather than the Queen of the United Kingdom. She was stripped of her HRH title following the divorce with Prince Charles. Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220114/indian-chinese-journalists-clash-on-twitter-over-rumour-of-pla-troops-dying-due-to-extreme-cold-1092249112.html

Indian, Chinese Journalists Clash on Twitter Over 'Rumour' of PLA Troops Dying Due to 'Extreme Cold'

Indian, Chinese Journalists Clash on Twitter Over 'Rumour' of PLA Troops Dying Due to 'Extreme Cold'

The border standoff between India and China in the eastern Ladakh region erupted in 2020. It remains unresolved despite 14 rounds of military commander-level... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T09:38+0000

2022-01-14T09:38+0000

2022-01-14T09:38+0000

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wang yi

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Indian and Chinese journalists have traded barbs on the micro-blogging site Twitter after an Indian scribe alleged that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) suffered "cold weather fatalities" in the eastern Ladakh region on 2-3 January.Indian journalist Shiv Aroor was triggered by allegations that COVID has spread on a "large-scale" in the Indian military, in the wake of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's testing positive for the virus earlier this week.The claim by Aroor, made amid the ongoing military standoff between the two Asian giants, has been repudiated by Hu Xijin, the former editor of China's state-backed Global Times.Hu took to Twitter to reject the claim about any PLA fatalities. The Chinese journalist based his rebuttal on information obtained from "authoritative sources".So far, there has been no official word from Beijing on Aroor's allegation.The Indian journalist, however, refused to buy into Hu's rebuttal, as he reiterated his original claim of casualties among the PLA. Aroor also used the opportunity to question the deaths suffered by the PLA during the clashes in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. Twenty Indian and five PLA troops were left dead as a result of the Galwan Valley clashes, as per the official versions.Another Indian journalist, Aditya Raj Kaul, also joined Aroor in the social media argument, accusing the PLA of "hiding" the casualties suffered by the Chinese due to cold weather conditions this month. The Chinese scribe blasted the second Indian journalist as well.In response, Kaul shifted the focus to the Galwan Valley incident of 2020, as he called upon Hu to share the names of the "44" PLA troopers who died during those clashes. "Don't demean their sacrifice", Kaul also commented, further riling up Hu.The Galwan Valley IncidentAccording to reports in the Indian media, Indian and PLA troops clashed in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on the evening of 15 June 2020, after Beijing refused to dismantle a camp set up on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).Days before the clashes on 6 June, the military leaderships of both countries had agreed to de-escalate tensions in the Galwan Valley region, which is spread across both India and China-controlled territories.As reported by the Hindustan Times, an Indian patrolling party led by Colonel Santosh Babu (who subsequently died during the clashes) made its way to the Chinese camp on the fateful day and asked the PLA to dismantle it, in line with the agreement reached on 6 June. It was then that troops from both sides traded blows. Soldiers from both sides reportedly threw stones at each other, with India also accusing the PLA of using iron rods to attack them.Several Indian and Chinese soldiers also reportedly fell into a river from a ridge where they were clashing, as per reports. The physical fights between the two sides allegedly lasted for nearly seven hours. No firearms were used during the clashes, in line with the border management protocols agreed upon by the two militaries.In a telephone conversation between Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on 17 June, the top Indian diplomat asked Beijing to "reassess its actions" and "take corrective steps"." the Chinese side took premeditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties. It reflected an intent to change the facts on the ground in violation of all our agreements to not change the status quo", Jaishankar told Wang in the call, as per a release by the Indian Foreign Ministry.On 19 June, at a meeting of the political parties Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country's soldiers had been able to foil China's attempts to transgress into Indian territory.

https://sputniknews.com/20210921/soldiers-killed-in-galwan-valley-clash-with-india-now-part-of-patriotism-lessons-for-kids-in-china-1089269161.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211202/indian-fm-china-has-unrealistic-expectations-border-tensions-have-spilt-into-other-areas-1091205806.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220114/north-korea-fires-unidentified-projectile-report-suggests--1092248330.html

North Korea Fires Unidentified Projectile, Report Suggests

North Korea Fires Unidentified Projectile, Report Suggests

Earlier this week, the DPRK raised concerns in the region, conducting a missile test of a Hwasong-8 hypersonic rocket. According to KCNA, the missile actually... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T05:52+0000

2022-01-14T05:52+0000

2022-01-14T06:34+0000

democratic republic of north korea (dprk)

north korea

missile launch

north korea missile launch

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According to the Yonhap news agency, citing the South Korean military, Pyongyang fired an unidentified projectile on Friday. The projectile was launched off the east coast of North Korea toward the Sea of Japan.The Japanese Border Guard has suggested the projectile could be a ballistic missile. The coast guard also issued a warning at 14:55 local time (05:55 GMT), urging vessels currently at sea to be careful and stay away from the object if it falls into the water.The launch was reported after Pyongyang held several hypersonic missile tests in January, announcing that the projectile had reached a speed of Mach 10 or more than 7,600 miles per hour.The previous missile launches prompted sanctions against North Korea by the US. In response, Pyongyang promised to boost its action if Washington doesn't abandon its "confrontational stance".

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Illinois is in line to receive nearly $1.4 billion in federal funding over five years to help upgrade the states deteriorating bridges, the Biden administration announced Friday.

The funding, which comes from the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan President Joe Biden signed into law in November, is just a portion of the roughly $17 billion the state is expected to receive from the overall package. It should provide a boost to a state that has more than 2,300 bridges rated in poor condition, according to federal data, the third-largest total among all 50 states.

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The money comes on top of Gov. J.B. Pritzkers ongoing Rebuild Illinois construction program, a six-year, $45 billion effort to improve the states roads, bridges, rails and public buildings. The state will receive nearly $275 million in the first year.

The Interstate 80 bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet on April 1, 2021. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation held a news conference Friday morning at the site of one potential project: the Rand Road bridge over the Des Plaines River in northwest suburban Des Plaines.

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The bridge, which sits on the border between the districts of U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsy of Evanston and Brad Schneider of Deerfield, is in poor condition and needs to be replaced, at a cost of more than $12 million, according to IDOTs most recent multiyear plan.

Nothing has been actually settled (regarding) what bridges are going to be covered, but you can see from the turnout today that theres a lot of representation for this particular bridge, Schakowsky said. And were going to try and make sure that this bridge is off of the poor condition list and made safe for everyone who drives across.

While members of Congress and local officials hope some of the money goes toward this particular project, there is no shortage of bridges we could have gone to in our district or across the state that are going to benefit from the money thats coming in, Schneider said in an interview Thursday.

The federal program, which will distribute $26.5 billion nationwide over five years to upgrade 15,000 bridges, is the largest investment in the nations bridges since the creation of the interstate highway system, according to the White House.

It will be followed by a $12.5 billion competitive grant program targeting the nations most economically significant bridges.

The funding announced Friday is intended to spur improvements to bridges under the jurisdiction of counties and local governments. Rather than requiring state and local governments to provide 20% of the funding, as is typically the case, this program allows projects to be paid for entirely with federal funds.

This federal investment is going to have immediate impact, create quality jobs and improve the lives in every one of our communities, Schneider said.

Through Pritzkers infrastructure plan, the Illinois Department of Transportation already has plans to upgrade 170 bridges across the state during the current budget year, Stephen Travia, the agencys director of highways project implementation, said Friday.

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We will be able to move more bridges into our program as a result of this investment, Travia said.

IDOT will review how far along bridges are in the engineering phase before determining which projects can be paid for with the federal funds in the current year, he said.

The bridge we are standing right next to is in the nearest part of our multiyear program, Travia said. It is something we would hope we could move forward into the next fiscal year based on a couple of factors, but it is it is virtually ready to go.

While the overall infrastructure bill was approved with a small number of GOP votes, only one of Illinois five congressional Republicans, Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Channahon, voted in favor.

dpetrella@chicagotribune.com
https://sputniknews.com/20220114/questions-about-sex-life-and-private-parts-prince-andrew-reportedly-faces-off-limits-deposition-1092263613.html

Questions About Sex Life and Private Parts: Prince Andrew Reportedly Faces Off Limits Deposition

Questions About Sex Life and Private Parts: Prince Andrew Reportedly Faces Off Limits Deposition

The Duke of York has been sued by an American woman, Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was forced into an intimate relationship with the royal when she was a minor. Prince Andrew has consistently denied the accusations.

2022-01-14T18:21+0000

2022-01-14T18:21+0000

2022-01-14T18:21+0000

uk

ghislaine maxwell

prince andrew

jeffrey epstein

sexual abuse

virginia roberts giuffre

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Prince Andrew is facing an "off limits" deposition, which will see him answering embarrassing questions, the Mirror reported. The outlet spoke with lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who represents victims of Jeffrey Epstein, a US financier charged with running a sex-trafficking network of minors in 2019. Kuvin said the prince may face all sorts of questions from his accusers lawyers, including about his sex life and private parts.He added that because Prince Andrew mentioned his family, while discussing the issue in an interview with the BBC, senior members of the royal family, including Prince Andrews mother could be asked to testify in the trial.Earlier this year, Judge Lewis Kaplan rejected Prince Andrews bid to dismiss the civil lawsuit against him, ruling that the claims made by his accuser Virginia Giuffre were legally sufficient. This means that the case will go to trial, which is scheduled for late 2022."Mrs Giuffres complaint is neither unintelligible nor 'vague' nor 'ambiguous'," the judge said.Previously Prince Andrews lawyers argued that Mrs Giuffres lawsuit was unconstitutional and said that a settlement she struck with Jeffrey Epstein protected the royal from liability.What Are the Allegations Against Prince Andrew?Virginia Giuffre (nee Roberts) is one of the alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein, a US financier, who was charged with running a sex-trafficking network of minors in 2019. Long before that, in 2008, he served a prison sentence for soliciting a minor for prostitution, but thanks to a plea deal received a lenient punishment. Epstein had many friends in high circles, including Prince Andrew, former US presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and ex-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell groomed girls and young women for the financier, offering them jobs as masseuses in the house of the millionaire. That is how Giuffre ended up working for Epstein. The mother of three claims that when she was 17, which is considered a minor in most US states, she was trafficked to London (where 17 is not a minor), and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew. She was introduced to the royal at a nightclub before the four of them headed to Maxwell's mansion, where the royal reportedly slept with the girl.Giuffre also claims that the Duke of York had sex with her on two other separate occasions without her consent. The woman came forward with the accusations in the 2010s, but the case only received attention in 2019 after Epstein's arrest.That same year, Prince Andrew gave an interview to the BBC where he tried to explain his relationship with Epstein as well as answer the allegations made against him. The royal categorically denied the accusations. He claimed he had an alibi for the day the purported sexual intercourse occurred in London - he went with one of his daughters to a PizzaExpress.The Duke also claimed that he never met Giuffre, something which has been questioned as there is at least one photo showing the royal standing with the girl with Ghislaine Maxwell behind them (he maintains it could have been doctored). Two people also claim to have seen him with Giuffre  at a nightclub and on Epstein's private island, where the financier and his powerful friends are believed to have sexually abused girls and women.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220114/russia-could-break-off-relations-if-us-sanctions-putin-syria-joins-belt-and-road-1092245048.html

Russia Could Break Off Relations If US Sanctions Putin; Syria Joins Belt and Road

Russia Could Break Off Relations If US Sanctions Putin; Syria Joins Belt and Road

Russia has signalled that US sanctions on President Putin may result in a complete breakdown in relations between the two world powers. 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T08:11+0000

2022-01-14T08:11+0000

2022-01-14T08:18+0000

osce

brussels

julian assange

russia

kazakhstan

nato

belt and road initiative

the critical hour

radio

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Russia Could Break off Relations if US Sanctions Putin; Syria Joins Belt and Road Russia has signaled that US sanctions on President Putin may result in a complete breakdown in relations between the two world powers.

Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss US-Russia relations. The US Congress is signalling that it may consider a fresh round of sanctions on Russia, including senior officials and President Putin. Meanwhile, the Russians are signalling that a move such as this will precipitate a complete break in relations between the two world powers.Netfa Freeman, host of Voices With Vision on WPFW 89.3 FM, Pan-Africanist and internationalist organiser, joins us to discuss Africa and France. President Biden considered reducing support for France's operations in Africa, but eventually sided with DC neocons and upped the ante. Also, a car bomb has struck Mogadishu, killing eight.Dr Ken Hammond, professor of East Asian and global history at New Mexico State University, joins us to discuss the Russia-NATO meeting. The Russians left the meeting stating that they see "no positive agenda" in sight. Their position is that they have no intention of invading Ukraine and that the border nation is the greatest threat to peace in Europe today.Mnar Adley, founder and editor at MintPress News, joins us to discuss Iran. We discuss the history of General Soleimani and the West's propaganda after his death. Also, the US position on reentry into the nuclear deal makes it impossible to agree.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. The Lebanese economy is in a major tailspin, as labour unions go on a general strike to protest the economic crisis there. Also, US lawmakers are pressing President Biden to oppose the Arab States that are normalising diplomatic ties with Syria.Jim Kavanagh, writer at thepolemicist.net and CounterPunch and author of "Danger in Society: Against Vaccine Passports", joins us to discuss Julian Assange. Julian Assange has now been held in Belmarsh prison for one thousand days without officially being charged with a crime. Supporters have gathered outside of the prison to protest and commemorate the date.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss China. China has acknowledged that outside forces were involved in the attempted coup in Kazakhstan and has pledged to work with Russia to quell further incidents in the Eurasian community. Also, Syria has joined China's Belt and Road network of nations.Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, joins us to discuss the US-Russia conflict. Scott Ritter has penned a piece in ConsortiumNews explaining the hazards of a kinetic war between the US and Russia.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com

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https://sputniknews.com/20220114/shtty-situation-pyongyang-urging-north-koreans-to-produce-manure-from-their-own-feces-report-says-1092259722.html

Sh*tty Situation: Pyongyang Urging North Koreans to Produce Manure From Their Own Feces, Report Says

Sh*tty Situation: Pyongyang Urging North Koreans to Produce Manure From Their Own Feces, Report Says

The country is reportedly attempting to create an "atmosphere of competition" among citizens to produce more homemade manure for farm fields. 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T13:51+0000

2022-01-14T13:51+0000

2022-01-14T13:51+0000

democratic republic of north korea (dprk)

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North Korea is urging its citizens to use their own excrement to make manure in a bid to remedy a shortage of fertiliser from China, the online newspaper Daily NK has reported. A source in Yanggang Province told the outlet that the Central Committee has ordered that markets in the province shorten their operating time by an hour: instead of working from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., they will be working from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., so the people have one additional hour to fulfill their manure quota. Only those who produce enough are allowed to enter the markets, the report alleged.According to Daily NK, factories and enterprises have been ordered to provide 500 kilos of manure per person, while family units must provide 200 kilos per household between 3 December to 10 January. Those numbers are much higher than last year, and those failing the task must pay for each missing kilo.In addition, reports suggested that farmers were requested to donate their urine to be mixed into the compost.To bring some competition into the equation, the party reportedly told directors, the heads of neighbourhood offices, and other officials, who were tasked with meeting the quota, that units falling behind the plan will face a "thorough review".The bizarre requests from the North Korean authorities are aimed at producing more food because in June 2021, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared that there was a "tense" food crisis.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220114/stoltenberg-natos-already-decided-to-make-ukraine-georgia-members-didnt-say-when-itll-occur-1092254284.html

Stoltenberg: NATO's Already Decided to Make Ukraine, Georgia Members, Didn't Say When It'll Occur

Stoltenberg: NATO's Already Decided to Make Ukraine, Georgia Members, Didn't Say When It'll Occur

During the NATO-Russia summit earlier this week the alliance strongly rejected the key proposals by Moscow on European security  to limit NATO's eastward... 14.01.2022, Sputnik International

2022-01-14T10:39+0000

2022-01-14T10:39+0000

2022-01-14T10:39+0000

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that the alliance has already made the decision that Ukraine and Georgia will become members of the bloc. In an interview for the Italian news outlet La Repubblica, Stoltenberg said that the decision had been made in 2008 during a summit of NATO states.The NATO chief noted, however, that nothing was said about when either of the states will be accepted into the alliance's ranks. Neither Ukraine, nor Georgia has been accepted into the bloc so far and no timeline has been given for it to happen.At the same time, Stoltenberg reiterated earlier statements by NATO that it will not sacrifice its open-door policy in the security dialogue with Russia, which kicked off earlier this week. Moscow demanded that the alliance stop its eastward expansion and prevent the deployment of offensive weapons any closer to Russia's borders. The Kremlin views NATO's encroachment towards the country's borders as a national security threat.Both Georgia and Ukraine have expressed a desire to join the alliance. Kiev even embedded the policy to join NATO in the Ukrainian Constitution. Despite the refusal to accept Ukraine into NATO, the West has pledged to respond should Russia attack the country.For several months, NATO members have been floating the idea that Moscow might be plotting an invasion, even the though Kremlin has repeatedly assured them it harbours no such plans. The European security talks between Russia, the US, and NATO earlier this week were organised in part to address the West's concerns.

https://sputniknews.com/20220112/nato-seeking-to-contain-russia-top-russian-negotiator-says-after-talks-1092209867.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220114/tale-of-two-insurrections-why-us-dems--media-treat-6th-jan-riot-and-kazakh-unrest-so-differently-1092241077.html

Tale of Two Insurrections: Why US Dems & Media Treat 6th Jan. Riot and Kazakh Unrest So Differently

Tale of Two Insurrections: Why US Dems & Media Treat 6th Jan. Riot and Kazakh Unrest So Differently

US mainstream media and government officials failed to denounce the January violent protests in Kazakhstan as "insurrection," while insisting that the Capitol Riot of 6 January 2021 was an attempted coup d'etat.

2022-01-14T12:00+0000

2022-01-14T12:00+0000

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The anniversary of the 6 January Capitol riot in Washington, DC, coincided with unrest that flared up in Kazakhstan at the beginning of January. The Central Asian nation was hit by protests following a hike in fuel prices. The riots turned deadly on 4 January, leading to arson, looting, vandalism, and violent attacks.The mainstream media in the US, however, covered the two events in very different manners, according to American independent journalist and geopolitical analyst Max Parry.In the course of the turmoil 17 law enforcement officers were killed, with two of them purportedly beheaded. Over a thousand people were injured, according to the country's Interior Ministry. The offices of five broadcasters in the city of Almaty were looted and ransacked: Mir, Qazaqstan, Khabar, Channel One Eurasia, and KTK.Nearly 10,000 people have been arrested in the Central Asian state in the wake of the unrest. A preliminary investigation indicates that well-coordinated armed groups trained from abroad hijacked the protests over soaring fuel prices.Western Media Has Long Record of 'Sanitising' CoupsMore and more Americans are becoming aware of the hypocrisy of US mainstream corporate media and are increasingly turning to alternative and independent sources for information, according to Parry.The journalist notes that the attempts by major US media outlets to turn a blind eye to the violence, vandalism, and beheadings in Kazakhstan are an "eerily reminiscent of the way Western media has previously sanitised the mostly-jihadist opposition in Syria, the presence of neo-Nazis during Euromaidan, and so on".The journalist draws attention to "the rapid manner in which the protests quickly devolved into vandalism, arson, and looting" which, according to him, strongly resembles the previous Western-backed regime change ops in post-Soviet states, including Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Ukraine.Despite their catchy social slogans none of the Western-backed "colour revolts" in the post-Soviet region have eradicated rampant inequality or offered a real democratic transformation, Parry points out. Instead, Western-backed coups eventually led to pro-EU entry, pro-NATO membership, and pro-austerity rhetoric, anti-Russian sentiment, and the establishment of favourable economic conditions for the West, per the journalist.Addressing a Monday CSTO summit, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated that the main goal of the militants was undermining the nation's constitutional order, the seizure of power, and an attempted coup. For his part, Russian President Putin underscored that "Maidan"-style technologies had been used by external players in Kazakhstan.Hunter Biden's Alleged Kazakhstan LinksMeanwhile, a photo depicting Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, now detained Kazakh ex-intelligence chief Karim Massimov, and Kazakh businessman Kenes Rakishev, has popped up in social media prompting a heated debate among conservative netizens in the US.Massimov was arrested and charged with treason on 6 January 2022 after being fired from his role as the head of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee by President Tokayev a day earlier. Massimov also served as the country's prime minister between 2007 and 2012 and again between 2014 and 2016.The snap was originally published by a Kazakh website on 28 November 2019 and was circulated by the Daily Mail and the New York Post following the publication of materials from the so-called "laptop from hell" that supposedly belonged to Hunter Biden in October 2020. In one of the emails found on the infamous laptop Hunter Biden allegedly called Massimov a "close friend".According to the Daily Mail, Hunter and Massimov became friendly when the then-vice president's son served on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, shortly after the February 2014 coup in Ukraine.Moreover, between 2012 and 2014 Hunter worked as "a sort of go-between" helping the Kazakh businessman, Kenes Rakishev, broker US investments, reported the media outlet. The Daily Mail suggested that Rakishev appeared "to have become intimate with the vice president's son, calling Hunter 'my brother!' and 'my brother from another mother!'"A 2020 congressional GOP investigation into Hunter Biden's financial activities exposed an alleged payment made on 22 April 2014 by a holding owned by Kenes Rakishev to Hunter's business partner Devon Archer through a shell company, Rosemont Seneca Bohai. A currency report obtained by GOP investigators says that the $142,300 payment was "for a car".Why Was Blinken Upset With CSTO Peacekeeping Mission?Several top Biden administration officials have made no secret of their dissatisfaction with Kazakh President Tokayev's decision to request help from the CSTO to halt violence and restore order in the country.Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on 7 January: "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, so it's not clear why they feel the need for any outside assistance".He also remarked that "once Russians are in your house, it's sometimes very difficult to get them to leave". Blinken's notion was called a "new low" in US diplomacy by the Russian Foreign Ministry.Politico appears to share Blinken's "grievances": a Lockheed Martin-sponsored article confirmed that "Washington has little-to-no leverage in Kazakhstan" and that "there's no military role [in the Central Asian state] for the US". Furthermore, it appears that American NGOs' ability to "bolster the nation's pro-democracy civil society with funding and push the regime to back democratic and good-governance reforms", has also been curtailed Politico says, citing its experts.Kazakhstan, however, has to remain vigilant, Parry believes. He suggests that following Washington's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, numerous CIA cutouts, NGOs, and so-called civil society organisations are continuing to operate in the region and lay the groundwork for further unrest in Kazakhstan and elsewhere in Central Asia.

https://sputniknews.com/20220106/capitol-breach-anniversary-how-insurrection-probe-lost-steam--failed-to-reach-its-objectives-1092069729.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220110/maidan-methods-have-been-used-in-kazakhstan-putin-says-as-country-faced-threat-to-its-statethood-1092148872.html

https://sputniknews.com/20211016/evidence-of-hunter--joe-bidens-shady-conduct-continues-to-pile-up-but-nobody-cares-analyst-says-1089971657.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220111/mission-of-csto-peacekeepers-in-kazakhstan-completed-withdrawal-will-begin-in-2-days--tokayev-says-1092170779.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220110/foreign-militants-from-afghanistan-mideast-countries-took-part-in-kazakhstan-riots-tokayev-says-1092159620.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220114/tunisians-protest-against-president-kais-saied-1092254493.html

Tunisians Protest Against President Kais Saied

Tunisians Protest Against President Kais Saied

Back in July, Saied dismissed PM Hicham Mechichi and suspended parliament for 30 days, following anti-government protests. He has been governing the country by decree since September.

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Sputnik comes live from Tunis, where people are rallying to protest against the policies of President Kais Saied, who has earlier banned public gatherings in the country, blaming the COVID-19 pandemic. Opposition party Ennahda is leading the demonstration in the capital.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More!

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One of the highlights of Sylvain Filion's 2021 O'Brien Award-nominated season was his Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final win with Bob Loblaw. Filion will aim for a repeat in that division this year thanks to a special horse with a very personal connection.

Filion is one of two finalists  along with James MacDonald  for the 2021 Keith Waples Driver of the Year Award, one of the 18 categories that comprise the 2021 O'Brien Awards. Winners will be announced at the 2021 Virtual OBrien Awards Gala on Sunday, February 6, 2022, which will be video streamed on standardbredcanada.ca. Filion will be tuning in that Sunday night but he won't be holding his breath on hearing his name called as the winner.

"Im always honoured to be nominated for an O'Brien," Filion told Trot Insider. But, at the same time, I know that James has got the title wrapped and wrapped up. He's had such a tremendous year....And, you know, I tip my hat to James. He's had one heck of a year. He shows up every night and he's a worker, and one hell of a driver. Well deserved.

"I'm very pleased with the year I had," the Milton, Ont. resident continued. "I was very fortunate to drive horses for the big barns like Ben Baillargeon, Richard Moreau. Its all about power; you need power to win races. People don't realize how tough it is to win races on a regular basis at Mohawk. It's a very tight group of drivers that are very skilled, so there are no easy wins."

Filion just makes it look easy. The four-time Driver of the Year picked up 233 wins  third best in Canada  and guided horses to earnings in excess of nearly $5.4 million in 2021. That total placed Filion as the second leading money earning driver in Canada and he also finished second in the Ontario Sires Stakes among drivers.

"I feel very honoured being nominated, and at the same time I feel that there's a bunch of guys that could have been nominated this year. So it's been a pretty good year for me."

The highlight of that good year was the aforementioned OSS Super Final win, a thrilling come-from-behind score with rookie pacing colt Bob Loblaw, punctuated by a perfectly-captured photo and tremendous race call.

"Around the last turn, he put in a few steps. And I wasn't sure if he was going to stay pacing or run. So when we hit the stretch, I felt that he had lots of pace left. I didnt know if I was going to run out of track or what. But I would say like halfway down the lane, I thought I had a good shot at it. So I kept driving at him and kept him busy so he kept pacing. Just before the wire, I thought My God, if I win this, I want to look up at Ken. That was a perfect time.

"That was pretty emotional, I would say. I was very, very happy for Ken [trainer and Woodbine Mohawk Park announcer Ken Middleton] and that was just great...probably the greatest race call ever."

Despite being fined 20 percent of his earnings from that race and receiving a three-day suspension for "using more than acceptable wrist action" in the stretch, Filion has no regrets. "It was worth it."

One more October 2021 investment that Filion hopes provides a rewarding return is a yearling by the name of Bet The Rock currently under the tutelage of Sylvain's Hall of Fame father, Yves Filion.

"This year I bought a colt in London. Because that was the first year, this year, that my dad had none to break in like, I would say, 50 years. So I talked to my wife and I said 'Maybe we should buy a colt so hed have a colt to break this year.' So we bought one, and he decided to buy one so they could go together....He still loves what he's doing."

Filion would love to be able to celebrate the O'Briens in person, but like many he understands an in-person gala just isn't in the cards for this year. "I miss being at the live gala. You know, dress up and have fun, a few drinks and just relax and enjoy the night. But what can we do? Weve got to go with what we have, and I will be there virtually Sunday."
The New York State Gaming Commission has posted information regarding the upcoming meeting of the Agriculture and NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund.

The meeting is slated for Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Harness Racing Hall of Fame and Museum in Goshen, N.Y. Those wishing to attend the meeting in person are urged to contact the Gaming Commission by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19 at 518-388-3415 or by email at [email protected].

For those wishing to attend remotely, the meeting may be accessed here.

MEETING AGENDA:

1. Call to Order

2. Nomination of Presiding Officer

3. Opening Remarks by Presiding Officer

4. Consideration of Meeting Minutes for May 13, 2021

5. Motion to Enter into Executive Session for the Express Purpose of Consideration of Personnel Matters Pursuant to New York Public Officers Law Section 105.1. f

6. Ratification of Decisions Made Outside of Meeting Per By-Laws

7. Consideration of 2022 Budget

8. Contract with Capitol Hill

9. Consideration of NYSS Conditions  2022

a. New York Sire Stakes  No. 63

b. New York Excelsior Series

c. New York County Fair Series

10. Consideration of Schedules - 2022

a. New York Sire Stakes

b. New York Excelsior Series

c. New York County Fair Series

11. Sire Stakes Finals  Venue

12. 2022 Grant Requests

13. Annual Review of Fund Polices

14. Sole Source Resolution with Drug Lab for Drug Testing

15. Shared Service Agreement

16. Anti-Slaughter Policy

17. Annual Financial Audit Review  Update

18. Zweig Fund Meeting - Update

19. Stallion Directory - Status

20. Fund Annual Report for 2021 - Status

21. New/Old Business

22. Adjourn

(NYSGC)
On Friday, officials with Vernon Downs announced that the track will once again play host to the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial and Empire Breeders Classic events in 2022.

Vernon Downs will host the 48th edition of the $600,000e Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial three-year-old trot that is "Open To The World" on Saturday, July 9 during a matinee card starting at 12:15pm.

Long an important stop on the Grand Circuit tour for the top sophomore trotters, the Zweig offers both an open division and a companion filly stake that has seen Hambletonian winners Market Share, Royalty For Life, Pinkman and Ramona Hill add the title to their impressive list of career accomplishments over the past dozen seasons.

The Zweig stakes will serve as an important prep for the top three-year-olds this season, offering a race over Vernon's highly regarded seven-eighths mile surface for big money before heading to The Meadowlands for the Stanley Dancer Memorial then the August 6 Hambletonian.

The $500,000e Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for NY sired three-year-old trotters rolls into town on the afternoon (post time 12:15) of Friday, June 17. The EBC will be raced without eliminations as it has the past two seasons, split into divisions if more than 10 declare for the stake.

Information on the Zweig may be found on the Harness Horse Breeders of New York website.

(Vernon)
A Maine man suspected of murdering his girlfriend was arrested Jan. 11 at a home in Warrenton on a fugitive from justice warrant.

Fauquier County Sheriffs deputies received information that Paul DeForest, 65, had fled his home in Lubec, Maine and was at a residence in the 8340 block of Locke Lane.

Deforest is a suspect in the disappearance and murder of his girlfriend.

During the investigation, a deputy spoke with family members at the residence and assisted them in exiting the home safely. Deforest was then taken into custody without incident.

Fauquier police are assisting Maine authorities with the investigation.

DeForest is being held at the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center without bond while awaiting extradition to Maine.

According to a release from the Washington County Sherriffs Office in Maine, deputies received information on Monday, Jan. 10 about an altercation that happened at a home in Lubec, the easternmost municipality in the contiguous U.S.

The following day, Maine authorities discovered a womans body locked in the trunk of a vehicle close to the residence.

The victim has not been officially identified but is believed to be DeForests live-in girlfriend, 58-year-old Eva Cox, the Washington County Sheriffs Office release stated.

DeForest was found to be at a residence in Warrenton, more than 800 miles away.

The Fauquier County Sheriffs Department responded to that residence and negotiated with DeForest over the phone to come out and after a short time, he did, Maine authorities said. DeForest was arrested without further incident.
Feature: Uygur drivers' mercy mission eases load for injured friend

Xinhua) 08:17, January 14, 2022

Uygur truck drivers Mansur Patar (L) and Manmanti Nurtou pose for a photo in front of a truck in the City of Kurla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 6, 2022. (Xinhua)

URUMQI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mansur Patar never expected that he would make the headlines one day for something that he considers "trivial."

In December last year, 38-year-old Mansur Patar and 42-year-old Manmanti Nurtou, both Uygur truck drivers from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, found themselves chauffeuring a truck across China as a favor to a recent acquaintance.

The journey from Xinjiang to the destination in east China's Jiangsu Province covered about 4,700 km and took eight days and nights. However, the two drivers performed the task entirely free of charge, bearing the cost of the journey, amounting to 3,000 yuan (about 472 U.S. dollars), all on their own.

Their only aim was to help Zhao Xulei, a man they had met just days before, and who had since suffered a serious eye injury.

"It's tiring to drive such a long distance and for so long, but it's quite rewarding," said Mansur Patar. "We don't think it's such a big deal, because this is the least we can do for our friend."

It all started in early November last year. Zhao, a 41-year-old truck driver from Jiangsu, met Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou in some cotton fields in the city of Korla, Xinjiang. They lived, worked and dined together for 11 days, forming a strong bond of friendship.

Disaster struck on Nov. 17 when Zhao's left eye was hit by a bundle of freight, causing serious damage.

"I was too badly injured to continue with my journey back home and didn't have anyone in the city or in Xinjiang that I could depend on. Faced with such a depressing situation, I called Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou for help," Zhao recalled.

Zhao was surprised when they rushed immediately to his hospital, helping him handle his medical procedures and offering to chauffeur his truck back to his hometown.

For Zhao, his truck was not just a means of transport. It provided him and his wife with a reliable income, while paying the tuition fees for his children and supporting elderly family members.

And most importantly, the truck gave him the confidence that he would eventually pay off his debts, totaling about 300,000 yuan, and could look forward to a bright future.

Unfortunately, the prognosis for his injury was not good. He would likely be blind in his left eye and would suffer reduced vision in the other one. As a consequence, he would probably have to give up on his driving career.

Had the accident not happened, Zhao would have made a sum of money from transporting cotton in Xinjiang and returned to his hometown of Jiangsu to be with his children he hadn't seen for months, just like he did in the past years.

For now, he faced the problem of what to do with his vehicle, which was sitting in a local parking lot with fees of 30 yuan per day.

"We knew that Zhao had spent more than 100,000 yuan on treating his eye, which was compounded by the delay to his work caused by his injury. The parking fees would come as a double blow for his debt-ridden family," said Mansur Patar.

To help Zhao pull through this most difficult situation, Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou decided to lend a hand -- chauffeuring his truck to his hometown, at their own expense.

They mulled the project over and discussed it with their family members. After winning their support, the two men made detailed arrangements ahead of departure.

"We decided to load some fruit onto the truck, transporting it from Xinjiang to Jiangsu to offset the fuel costs," said Mansur Patar. "We decided to take our rest and meals in the truck, so as to reduce both the costs and time. We bought bags of bottled water, instant noodles, pickles and naan, a staple food for Xinjiang people."

On Dec. 6, they drove to Aksu Prefecture to load up with apples. Three days later, they set out from the city of Korla and headed for Jiangsu, with about 4,700 km of road ahead of them.

They took turns driving and kept in touch with Zhao, who was in Beijing for further treatment, updating their real-time locations via their WeChat group.

On the early morning of Dec. 17, they arrived at Peixian County in the city of Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, after eight days and nights of driving. They informed Zhao of their arrival and Zhao's wife booked a hotel for them, emphasizing that they should stay in the county and wait until he returned after treatment.

Two days later, Zhao came back from Beijing and was reunited with his friends.

"When we met, the three of us hugged and cried," said Zhao. "We are like brothers now, and we will always be brothers."

In the following days, Zhao's family treated the men to fresh seafood, as well as other local specialties, and took them to various tourist sites.

On Dec. 27, Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou returned to Xinjiang. Thereafter, the three men spoke via video-chat every day, sharing funny events from their everyday lives. Zhao would always update them on his recovery status.

Before long, the story surfaced on social media, arousing widespread sympathy and respect among netizens.

Early this month, on hearing of their heroic deeds, the government of Peixian County sent a letter of thanks to the government of Korla, and entrusted the city officials with handing over a reward of 10,000 yuan to Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou.

Zhao says he has further plans to express his appreciation for the kindness that was shown to him.

"I made a deal with Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou. I will come to Korla after the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, visit the local tourist attractions and savor Xinjiang delicacies, together with my two old friends," said Zhao.

Zhao Xulei (C) poses for a group photo with Uygur truck drivers Mansur Patar (1st L) and Manmanti Nurtou during their trip to Jining City, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 21, 2021. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Steve Kim, a twice unsuccessful Republican statewide candidate, announced Thursday he would seek the GOP nomination for attorney general, a position he first sought a decade ago.

Crime is spiraling out of control throughout Illinois, and our leaders continue turning a blind eye, pushing to defund our law enforcement, Kim said in announcing his bid to challenge first-term Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul. As attorney general, I will work with our law enforcement to tackle our growing crime problem.

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Kim, an attorney with a boutique international law firm, previously was an international trade and economic development adviser under Gov. Jim Edgar, and was a member of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

Attorney Steve Kim, right, is introduced in 2013 by Illinois Treasurer and candidate for governor Dan Rutherford as Rutherford's choice for lieutenant governor. (Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune)

In 2010, Kim was the unsuccessful Republican challenger to incumbent Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, losing the contest 65% to 32%.

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Four years later, he ran for lieutenant governor on a ticket with former state Treasurer Dan Rutherford. The ticket finished fourth in the Republican primary that was won by Bruce Rauner and his running mate, Evelyn Sanguinetti.

Kim is the latest addition to a slate of Republican candidates being assembled to try to gain the backing of Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and the states wealthiest man, who has vowed to go all in to defeat first-term Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Griffins office has had no comment on the slates formation.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced new security measures at CVS Health's 392 retail pharmacies across Illinois. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Raoul, a former state senator who was elected attorney general in 2018, said the election comes amid Republican attacks on our democracy, our access to health care and reproductive rights, and our right to vote.

In an acknowledgment over increasing public concern about crime, Raoul said he has worked in a bipartisan manner with prosecutors and police chiefs across Illinois to fight crime and develop criminal justice policy and partnered with federal and local law enforcement to prosecute murder, violent crimes, crimes of sexual violence and gun trafficking as well as having fought organized retail crime that has contributed to smash-and-grab crimes across the state.

Raoul also promoted his support of abortion rights and his efforts acting as a friend of the court in support of having the Equal Rights Amendment incorporated into the U.S. Constitution.

Also Thursday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who recently announced he would step down at the end of his term after 30 years in office, endorsed Karin Norington-Reaves to succeed him in the redrawn South Side and southwest suburban 1st Congressional District.

Norington-Reaves called Rush a giant and storied leader and said while these are big shoes to fill, I believe that I am the right person for this responsibility.

Karin Norington-Reaves, chief executive officer at Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, in Dawes Park in Chicago on April 26, 2021, where Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her capital and infrastructure plan called "Chicago Works." (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Rush called Norington-Reaves the best suited for this responsibility and cited her creativity, passion, energy and innovative spirit.

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Rush and Norington-Reaves met in 2014, after a local teacher, Dr. Betty Howard, was killed by random gunfire in the South Side Chatham neighborhood. As part of an effort to revitalize local communities gripped by violence, Norington-Reaves led the establishment of the Chatham Education and Workforce Center, her campaign said.

Norington-Reaves, head of workforce development for Chicago and Cook County, announced her candidacy shortly after Rush said last week that he would not seek reelection.

Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, who chairs the City Councils Budget Committee, also announced for Rushs seat after the congressmans announcement. In a statement following Rushs endorsement, Dowell touted her elected experience and said voters need a congresswoman who has real experience in a legislative body, building coalitions, guiding legislation and chairing an influential committee.

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An arraignment for an alleged assault of a transient man did not include people protesting outside the Cowlitz County Hall of Justice at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Corey Bartlette, 25, of Longview pleaded not guilty to the charges of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and possession of an explosive device during his arraignment for the case scheduled at the same time online over Zoom.

Organizer Crystal McAllister previously said she was holding a protest during Bartlettes arraignment because his charges were too light. She said there was miscommunication among protest attendees about the time.

Bartlette was arrested Jan. 2 after allegedly rolling an explosive to Ron Turnboo, who lost his hand after the device blew up on New Years Day in Longview, police say. Local volunteers helping Turnboo said he does not have permanent housing.

After the device exploded, Turnboo said he ran about 1.5 miles to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center by himself. His right hand, wrist and part of his lower arm were amputated.

Bartlette was initially arrested by the Longview police on suspicion of second-degree assault, but official charges were filed by the prosecutors office Jan. 5. Both first- and second-degree assault are felonies in Washington state.

Court records show Bartlette was released Jan. 3 from the Cowlitz County Jail on a $15,000 bond. His trial is scheduled for March 29.

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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.

Taking vehicle without permission  Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Thursday arrested Tag Edward Althof, 56, of Castle Rock, on suspicion of taking a vehicle without permission.

Harassment  Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Thursday arrested David Wayne Lewis, 41, of Kalispell, Montana, on suspicion of felony harassment and third-degree malicious mischief.

Forgery  Longview police Thursday arrested Tyrone Thomas Pocan, 50, of Kelso, on suspicion of forgery and possession of stolen property.

Assault  Longview police Friday arrested Rudolph Fritz Zehner, 63, of Longview, on suspicion of third-degree assault.

Burglaries

1600 block of 13th Avenue, Kelso. Thursday. Two men caught trying to break into a storage unit. Both had black ski masks on, one was wearing a dark colored hoody and the other was a red hoody.

2900 block of Garfield Street, Longview. Thursday. Back door and garage door kicked in sometime in the last three days.

2800 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Occurred within the last week, several items missing.

Theft

3700 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Thursday. Theft of items worth about $870. Suspect on video.

Vandalism/malicious mischief

300 block of Three Rivers Drive, Kelso. Thursday. Unknown subject stabbed the gas tank and damaged it.

Vehicle prowls

100 block of Balboa Loop, Kelso. Thursday. Someone got into vehicle overnight, nothing missing.

100 block of Rollingwood Drive, Kelso. Thursday. Childrens medications stolen from vehicle.

100 block of Swiftwater Place, Kelso. Thursday. Ruger 9mm EC9s firearm taken. Neighbor has suspect on video.

100 block of Swiftwater Place, Kelso. Thursday. Suspect rifled through papers, took $10 and some change.

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Joe Kent, Heidi St. John and other Republicans hoping to unseat Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler made their cases at a forum in Kelso on Wednesday night.

The two-hour candidate form for Washington's Congressional District 3 held by the Cowlitz County Republican Party was livestreamed and posted on Facebook by Cowlitz Citizens Update.

In addition to Herrera Beutler's most prominent challengers, Matthew Overton and Leslie "Nick" French spoke to the people gathered at the forum and watching online. State Rep. Vicki Kraft initially expected to attend the forum but she did not attend it.

Six Republicans and four Democrats have filed to run for the District 3 Congressional seat. Given the crowded field and Washington's open primary system, the candidates and local party officials discussed the need to avoid splitting votes during the August primary and allowing Herrera Beulter to retain her seat.

"There isnt an option. We have to consolidate or Jamie will run us over again," Kent said.

Kent received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump last year and has led Herrera Beutler's opponents in terms of fundraising over the last year. Still, he said the ultimate goal was making sure someone was able to unseat the congresswoman.

St. John said she would not answer that hypothetical question. Her previous committal to dropping out to support whichever candidate was endorsed by Trump became a point of contention. St. John said she would always support whoever was best suited to represent conservative values in Congress.

"It's not enough to see who has an R behind their name," St. John said. "I want to know, do you have a record of conservatism? Do you have a track record or are you a brand new member of the Republican Party?"

Jerry Cooper, vice chair of the Cowlitz County Republican Central Committee, said Herrera Beutler did not respond to an offer to participate.

Election integrity questioned

In addition to worries about vote splitting, all four candidates at the forum stoked fears about the integrity of past and future elections.

"I am very apprehensive about a Republican winning the third district because election integrity is compromised," French said, citing vague worries about Clark County voting machines.

There is little evidence to suggest the District 3 seat would return to a Democrat for the first time since 2010. An evaluation by the nonpartisan agency PlanScore estimated Republicans had an 89% chance of winning the district in Washington's most recently proposed congressional map.

Kent and Vicki Kraft each signed on as plaintiffs in lawsuits by the Washington Election Integrity Coalition United challenging the state's 2020 election results in multiple counties. The suit demanded an election audit and public release of ballots based on so-far unproven claims of election officials switching votes or using illegitimate voter rolls.

Several of those cases have been dismissed in county courts. A statewide version of the lawsuit has been brought to the State Supreme Court, where Commissioner Michael Johnston during a December hearing said he "cant really call it competent evidence" of fraud.

Asked about solutions to ensure future election integrity, Kent focused on registering more Republican voters and assembling outside of counting offices on election night to ensure accurate counting. St. John suggested the state completely do away with mail-in ballots.

"I see my role in Congress is to shine a light on the importance of election integrity and to make sure... the federal government gets the heck out of our elections," St. John said.

The candidate forum featured a lot of intense and at times contradictory rhetoric. In back-to-back sentences during her introduction, St. John called Gov. Jay Inslee a criminal and accused the Democrats of being divisive.

Kent said if elected, his immediate priority was not to pass any particular legislation but to help create gridlock over President Biden's goals for the next two years.

"The Dems' legislative agenda will not move further one inch. Anything Biden wants to get done through Congress will get killed off," Kent said.

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Surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, coupled with staffing shortages and patient bottlenecks, are stretching Washington hospitals more than ever before, officials said Thursday.

This is the worst situation hospitals in Washington state have been in compared to any prior point in the pandemic, Taya Briley, executive vice president of the Washington State Hospital Association, said in a news briefing.

The state has seen a 65% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the past week and among those, a 16% increase of patients on ventilators, Briley said.

Washington recorded 18.8 COVID hospitalizations per 100,000 people from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2. Cowlitz County hospitalizations have remained relatively steady since mid-October, with 17.2 per 100,000 people during the same week. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center had 26 COVID-19 inpatients as of Thursday morning.

The omicron-driven surge is worsening the existing staffing shortage and backlog caused by patients who no longer need hospital care, Briley said. However, a state declaration of crisis standards of care is not imminently on the table, she said.

In Washington, crisis standards of care can only be declared by the state, not a specific hospital. Crisis standards refer to when health-care systems prioritize resources and deny treatment to one patient to give it to another.

However, western Washington hospitals are routinely using contingency and crisis staffing strategies to deal with shortages, Briley said. This includes canceling nonessential procedures, shifting staff around and allowing staff to come back to work sooner after COVID exposure or infection in accordance with state and federal guidelines.

PeaceHealth St. John has recently implemented its incident command structure to best prepare for and respond to changes in how we deliver healthcare in our community as cases increase, according to a hospital statement Thursday.

The available data continues to suggest that the peak of infections and hospitalizations due to omicron is still ahead of us, said Randy Querin, hospital spokesperson. We urge people who may be growing lax about COVID-19 safety protocols to sharpen their focus on the best methods of staying safe  vaccination, masking, hand hygiene, appropriate social distancing, and staying home from work or school if you feel unwell.

Briley called for swift action from the state to assist understaffed hospitals and to speed up the process of discharging patients who no longer need hospital care but cannot make the decision for themselves.

Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced National Guard members will be sent to hospitals in Everett, Spokane, Wenatchee and Yakima to help with nonmedical tasks. Other Guard members will be sent to Olympia, Tacoma, Richland and Seattle to set up testing locations.

The governor also ordered a four-week pause on nonemergency procedures at hospitals and asked retired health-care workers to consider volunteering.

To help address the backlog of patients waiting to be discharged, Inslee expanded the number of contracted staff available to help at long-term care facilities and the number of staff assessing patients before they can be discharged.

Inslee said the state is in for a tough few weeks as cases have yet to peak and the increase in hospitalizations is likely to continue after that point.

Washington surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases Wednesday and 10,000 deaths Tuesday.

Following the statewide trend of skyrocketing cases, Cowlitz Countys COVID-19 case counts began sharply increasing at the beginning of January.

The county recorded 154 new confirmed and 48 new probable cases Thursday, bringing the total to 16,793. The county recorded two new COVID-19 deaths, with 291 total.

Wahkiakum County reported four new cases Thursday, bringing the total to 280, with 15 potentially active. The county health department considers cases with a positive test result in the last 21 days to be potentially active.

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Google is close to rolling out its 100th Google Chrome update and might cause some websites to be displayed improperly.

Google Chrome is trying to avoid another Y2K style bug. We all remember the Y2K bug or the millennium bug the world experienced after we entered the first day of the last year in the 20th century. For those of you who do not remember it, when the date changed from 31st December 1999 to 1st January 2000, many systems around the world experienced major failures. This happened primarily because computer systems used to abbreviate the last two digits of the year to save space. When the year moved from 99 to 00, it resulted in malfunctioning of many softwares that were not able to recognize the correct year.

How does this affect Google Chrome? Well, Google Chrome, at present, is on its 96th version. The versions change everytime a new update is introduced to Google Chrome. Now, Google expects to release its 100th update sometime in the first half of 2022. This might cause many websites to experience the same doom of Y2K bug all over again due to errors in its user-agent string.

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And Google Chrome is worried. When Chrome first updated itself from version 9 to version 10, there were major issues with many websites and they would not be displayed on Chrome browser at all. The main reason why it happened was because websites registered single digit before it, so many websites redirected to Google Chrome version 0, which did not exist and became incompatible for the latest version.

Now, as version 100 approaches, Google Chrome intends to not let it happen again.

Google Chrome offers runtime flag to avoid the disaster

In order to avoid the potential catastrophe, Google Chrome has introduced a feature flag in its 96th iteration. This new runtime flag will force the user-agent string to use the 100th version in its code and apply to both user-agent request header as well as Javascript API.

To help site owners prepare ahead of time, Google Chromes new flag called chrome://flags/#force-major-version-to-100 has been made available in the 96th iteration of Chrome.

How can website owners test it out?

Google Chrome has introduced this link, which when you visit, checks if your browser is sending the user-agent string for Chromes 100th version or not. If going to that link displays a huge NO in red, then your string is not working as intended. However, that is fine.

Website owners can proceed to the next step where they can turn the flag on in Google Chrome and experiment with it. To open it, you must type chrome://flags in the address bar, and enable the hash #force-major-version-to-100 flag.

Revisiting the link after enabling the flag should give you a YES in green color, indicating that the 100th update of Google Chrome, whenever it may come, will not cause any issues for your website.

However, if you still see a NO, you should send your bug report to Web Compat so they can address it as soon as possible. For more information, check out this blog by Google Chrome.
On January 13, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Wang Yi first thanked the UAE for supporting the smooth holding of the National Day of China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, saying that China will continue to support the UAE to make the Expo one of the most successful to help the UAE enhance its international status and influence and open up new space for diversified development. Visitors from all countries are welcome to visit the China Pavilion. He believes that the China Pavilion will become a window for countries to enhance their understanding of and friendship with China.

Wang Yi said that China and the UAE are comprehensive strategic partners and cooperation between the two sides in various fields is at the forefront of China's cooperation with countries in the region. China appreciates that the UAE understands and supports China's legitimate positions on issues related to China's core interests. China also supports the UAE to follow the development path in line with its national conditions. China has always viewed China-UAE relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and is willing to work with the UAE, under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, to continuously promote and deepen the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership.

Abdullah thanked China for its precious and strong support to the UAE for the successful hosting of the Expo and the fight against the pandemic. He said that the UAE highly values its friendship with China, and has always put bilateral relations as a priority in its diplomacy. China and the UAE are strategic partners and friends in need, and the relationship between the two sides has become a model of international relations. Both sides adhere to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and believe that the pandemic response should adhere to scientific principles. The UAE is willing to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and push for greater development of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Wang Yi said that the anti-pandemic cooperation between China and the UAE sets a model of international solidarity against the pandemic and has further deepened the friendship and mutual trust between the two sides. Last year, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries grew significantly against headwinds. China is confident in the prospects of bilateral relations, which will surely become more resilient and stable. China is willing to continue to steadily guarantee the supply of finished and bulk vaccines to the UAE, make solid progress in the joint filling and packaging lines of Chinese vaccines, carry out joint research and development of anti-pandemic drugs, and further strengthen cooperation in the fields of energy, production capacity, finance and high technology so as to make more practical cooperation achievements.

Abdullah said that the UAE supports China in organizing the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, looks forward to attending the opening ceremony and wishes the Beijing Olympic Winter Games a complete success. Wang Yi said that China welcomes the UAE leaders to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Winter Games and is willing to take this opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a new level and achieve new results in cooperation in various fields.

The two sides also exchanged views on deepening cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Abdullah expressed that the UAE advocates the joint statement issued by the GCC Secretariat and the Chinese side recently and fully agreed that the China-GCC Free Trade Area (FTA) should be established as soon as possible. Wang Yi stressed that China is willing to work with the Gulf countries to accelerate the development of the FTA, so as to bring positive news and inject new impetus into bilateral and global economic development.

Wang Yi congratulated the UAE on its appointment as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. He said, China is willing to work closely with the UAE to maintain communication and coordination on promoting the resolution of hotspot issues and addressing global challenges, adhere to and practice true multilateralism, promote democracy in international relations, jointly maintain regional peace and stability, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of emerging market countries and uphold international fairness and justice.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues related to Yemen and the Middle East as well as the Iranian nuclear issue.
Elon Musk led SpaceX will launch 3 South Africa-produced nanosatellites into orbit as part of the upcoming Transporter-3 mission.

Elon Musk led SpaceX will launch three South Africa-produced nanosatellites into orbit as part of the upcoming Transporter-3 mission -- the first wholly made in the continent of his birth to be sent into space. The lift-off is scheduled to take place in the U.S. later on Thursday, and is part of a so-called rideshare where companies or governments book a slot for their craft aboard SpaceXs rockets. More than 100 space vehicles are taking part in the program.

South Africas satellites will be deployed in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 525 kilometres, the governments Department of Science and Innovation said in a statement. They will eventually be used to monitor the countrys coastline.

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This will further cement South Africas position as an African leader in small satellite development, and help the country to capture a valuable share of a niche market in the fast-growing global satellite value chain, said Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande.

Elon Musk, 50, is the worlds richest person with a net worth of $282 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He was born in South Africas capital of Pretoria before moving to North America as a young adult.

Elon Musk's SpaceX raises over $337 million in fresh funding

(Reuters) - Billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX has raised $337.4 million in equity financing, the rocket company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

SpaceX, which counts Alphabet Inc and Fidelity Investments among its investors, hit $100 billion in valuation following a secondary share sale in October, according to CNBC. It had raised about $1.16 billion in equity financing in April.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to Reuters request for more details on the latest funding round.

The company competes with former Amazon.com Chief Executive Jeff Bezos's space venture Blue Origin and billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic in the burgeoning constellation of commercial rocket ventures.

All three rocket companies have successfully launched civilians into space.

According to Morgan Stanley, the space economy could be worth $1 trillion by 2040.

Musk, who also leads several futuristic companies including Tesla Inc, Neuralink and Boring Co, said earlier this year that SpaceX will be landing its Starship rockets on Mars well before 2030.

SpaceX has already launched numerous cargo payloads and astronauts to the International Space Station for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit said on its webcast that the rocket performed normally during its ascent.

Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc. launched satellites for three customers as the newly public company prepares to expand operations outside the U.S. later this year. Virgins Boeing Co. 747 aircraft departed at 1:39 p.m. Thursday local time in Mojave, California. It then released the 70-foot Launcher One rocket carrying seven small satellites at 2:53 p.m. about 30,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean, roughly 50 miles southwest of the Channel Islands.

Virgin Orbit said on its webcast that the rocket performed normally during its ascent. The shares rose 3.7% to $9.75 in late trading after the rockets launch.

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The payload consists of satellites for the U.S. Defense Department and Colorado-based Spire Global Inc. as well as two nanosatellites for SatRevolution, a manufacturer based in Wroclaw, Poland. They will orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers (311 miles).

Virgin Orbit, which was founded by Richard Branson, is targeting five more missions this year, including two in the summer from Cornwall, U.K., which will be the companys first international foray. Virgin plans to launch from Japan as soon as 2023 and eventually to make flights from Guam and Brazil.

The latest mission was named Above the Clouds, after a song on the Gang Starr album Moment of Truth, released in 1998 by Virgin Records.

Branson Hints at Setting Up a Virgin Group SPAC in Amsterdam

Richard Branson hinted but stopped short of confirming a report that his Virgin Group is considering setting up a blank-check company in the Netherlands, in what would be his first use of the structure in Europe.

The serial entrepreneur will probably seek to raise some 200 million euros ($227 million) by selling of shares in a special purpose acquisition company, with the aim of later merging the shell with an existing business, Sky News reported earlier.

I love Amsterdam, I lived on a houseboat for a lot of my life, so maybe I need a new houseboat, Branson said in a Bloomberg TV interview. Maybe youll see me in Amsterdam sometime soon.

The billionaire, who started out in 1970 with a mail-order record business, has been an avid user of SPACs to pursue opportunities in the U.S. Hes merged parts of the Virgin Group empire into listed companies, and created his own SPACs to take targets including DNA-testing firm 23andMe Inc. public.

Branson has previously said that raising funds through a SPAC is more efficient and less time-consuming than a traditional public offering of stock.

In December, his space-launch venture Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc. went public through a combination with NextGen Acquisition Corp. II, almost two years after Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. listed through a similar route.

Branson has used proceeds from selling part of Virgin Galactic to shore up his Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., after the downturn in travel brought on by Covid threatened the airline with insolvency.

The 71-year-old billionaire said he hasnt personally considered an IPO of Virgin Atlantic, though the team has explored a number of ways to keep the airline going during the Covid crisis.

After a 400 million-pound ($543 million) infusion by Branson and co-owner Delta Air Lines Inc. in December, theyve got the money to do the job without IPOing, Branson said. Whos to know what might happen in a year or two or threes time.

Virgin Orbit, one of a number of startups launching low-level satellites, plans to conduct its first U.K. mission this year, Chief Executive Officer Dan Hart said in the joint appearance with Branson. The shares were up 29% on Friday.

Space tourism company Virgin Galactic also gained after dropping 21% since the start of December.
Albuquerque Public Schools superintendent Scott Elder poses for a photo outside of Highland High School on Aug. 11, 2021, in Albuquerque, N.M. Albuquerque Public Schools says classes will be canceled Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, for a second day after a cyber attack on the district's student database prompted a near-total shutdown of classes on Thursday, Jan. 13. Credit: AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio, File

When the superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools announced earlier this week a cyber attack would lead to the cancellation of classes for around 75,000 students, he noted that the district's technology department had been fending off attacks "for the last few weeks."

Albuquerque is not alone, as five school districts in the state have suffered major cyber attacks in the past two years, including one district that's still wrestling with a cyber attack that hit just after Christmas.

But it's the first reporting a cyber attack that required cancellation of classes, all the more disruptive as schools try to keep in-person learning going during the pandemic.

"If it seems I've come into your homes a lot in the past couple of years to share difficult news, you're right. And here I am again," Superintendent Scott Elder said in a video address Thursday. "We find ourselves facing yet another challenge."

The closures, on Thursday and Friday, affect approximately one in five New Mexico schoolchildren, in what is the country's 35th largest school district by enrollment, according to 2019 data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The district was one of the last in the state to reopen last year as vaccines became available.

The small town of Truth or Consequences discovered a cyber attack on Dec. 28, and still hasn't gained control of its computer systems.

"We're not out of the woods yet," said Mike Torres, the information technology director of the school system in Truth or Consequences, a small town in central New Mexico.

The attack has not been previously reported. It came when students were on vacation, allowing time to make contingency plans before students returned. Torres says that while the attack "made computer systems unavailable," disruption has been minimal.

That wasn't the case in Albuquerque, where teachers discovered Wednesday morning that they were locked out of the student information database that tracks attendance, records emergency contacts for students, and tracks which adults are allowed to pick up which students at the end of the school day.

In 2019, Las Cruces Public Schools also suffered an attack on their student information database, after a phishing attack lured one or more employees to click a malicious link in an email months before, recalls Matt Dawkins, that district's information technology director.

After lurking and scoping out the district's system, a hacker or hackers carried out ransomware attack. Data on many school computers, starting with the student database, was locked up in an encryption. A ransom was demanded in exchange for the key.

"It's kind of like when your house gets robbed you know? That feeling of being violated," said Dawkins, in an interview Thursday, as his school went under lockdown due to an unrelated police call a mile away.

The school didn't pay the ransom, and eventually found a way to reset its data systems to the state they were in the day before the attack. But it required months of hands on work, and extra expenses for temporary Wi-Fi hotspots, and some new computers. Insurance covered much of the cost of the attack.

In the past two years, at least four other New Mexico schools have been hit by costly cyber attacks, according Patrick Sandoval, interim director of the New Mexico Public School Insurance Authority, which insures all districts in New Mexico except for Albuquerque.

Targets across the U.S. in 2021 included universities, hospitals, and a major fuel pipeline. Data on the number of attacks and their cost are difficult to track, but the FBI's 2020 annual report on cyber attacks said around $4.1 billion in damages was reported by institutions across the country that year.

Dawkins added if Albuquerque faces a ransomware situation, which hasn't been confirmed, it might face a more complex attack. Instead of holding information hostage, ransomware attacks now threaten to sell data to the highest bidder online. So the student data in Albuquerque might not just be locked up, Dawkins said, but at risk of being shared with identity thieves and other bad actors.

Albuquerque Public Schools hasn't said if the cyber attack they face is a ransomware attack, only that their student information database was "compromised," and that it's working with law enforcement and contractors to limit the damage.

Whatever the cause, they face a similar problem as Las Cruces faced in the days following the attack.

The database used to track attendance and other students was out of commission. It also realized that laptops needed to be quarantined and taken out of service, forcing teachers to work offline.

"Immediately our instructional department pivoted with pen and paper, you know, kind of old fashioned sort of teaching so our print shop was printing materials. Teachers were able to adapt very quickly," Dawkins said.

Albuquerque Public School officials have not elaborate on the decision to close schools, and didn't respond to requests Thursday about why a paper system was not possible.

The decision to continue classes in Las Cruces came at a cost. Dawkins said that it probably took longer to get the school's thousands of computers wiped and reset while teachers and administrators were working normal hours, and they had to live without technology for weeks and weeks.

In January 2020, the district's computers were running again and in good time, toothe pandemic forced teachers and students into remote learning just a few months later.

Explore further Israeli hospital targeted in ransomware attack

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

A cyberattack left a number of Ukrainian government websites temporarily unavailable Friday, officials said.

While it wasn't immediately clear who was responsible, the disruption came amid heightened tensions with Russia and after talks between Moscow and the West failed to yield any significant progress this week.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko told The Associated Press it was too soon to say who was behind it, "but there is a long record of Russian cyber assaults against Ukraine in the past."

Moscow had previously denied involvement in cyberattacks against Ukraine.

About 70 websites of both national and regional government bodies were targeted in the attack. but no critical infrastructure was affected and no personal data accessed, according to Victor Zhora, deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection.

The hack amounted to a simple defacement of government websites, said Oleh Derevianko, a leading private sector expert and founder of the ISSP cybersecurity firm. The hackers got into a content management system they all use, but "didn't get access to the websites themselves."

The main question, said Derevianko, is whether this is a standalone hacktivist action"patriotic" Russian freelancersor part of a larger state-backed operation.

A message posted by the hackers in Russian, Ukrainian and Polish that claimed Ukrainians' personal data had been placed online and destroyed. Its threatening tone told Ukrainians to "be afraid and expect the worst." In response, Poland's government issued a statement noting that Russia has a long history of such disinformation campaigns and noted that the Polish in the message was error-ridden and clearly not from a native speaker.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been running high in recent months after Moscow amassed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that the alliance will continue to provide "strong political and practical support" to Ukraine in light of the cyberattacks.

"In the coming days, NATO and Ukraine will sign an agreement on enhanced cyber cooperation," Stoltenberg said in a statement.

Russia has long history of launching cyber operations against Ukraine, including a hack of its voting system ahead of 2014 national elections and an assault the country's power grid in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, Russia unleashed one of most damaging cyberattacks on record with the NotPetya virus that targeted Ukrainian businesses and caused more than $10 billion in damage globally.

Ukrainian cybersecurity professionals have been fortifying the defenses of critical infrastructure ever since. Zhora has told the AP that officials are particularly concerned about Russian attacks on the power grid, rail network and central bank.

Experts have said recently that the threat of another such cyberattack is significant as it would give Russian President Vladimir Putin the ability to destabilize Ukraine and other ex-Soviet countries that wish to join NATO without having to commit troops.

"If you're trying to use it as a stage and a deterrent to stop people from moving forward with NATO consideration or other things, cyber is perfect," Tim Conway, a cybersecurity instructor at the SANS Institute, told the AP in an interview last week.

Conway was in Ukraine last month conducting a simulated cyberattack on the country's energy sector. The U.S. has been helping Ukraine bolster its cyber defenses through agencies including the Department of Energy and USAID.

The White House didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

In a separate development Friday, Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, announced the detention of members of the REvil ransomware gang, which was behind last year's Fourth of July weekend supply-chain attack targeting the Florida-based software firm Kaseya that crippled more than 1,000 businesses and public organizations globally.

The FSB claimed to have dismantled the gang, but REvil effectively disbanded in July. Cybersecurity experts say its members largely moved to other ransomware syndicates. They cast doubt Friday on whether the arrests would significantly impact ransomware gangs, whose activities have only moderately eased after a string of high-profile attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure last year including the Colonial Pipeline.

The FSB said it raided the homes of 14 group members and seized over 426 million rubles ($5.6 million), including in cryptocurrency as well as computers, crypto wallets and 20 elite cars "bought with money obtained by criminal means." All those detained have been charged with "illegal circulation of means of payment," a criminal offense punishable by up to six years in prison. The suspects weren't named.

According to the FSB, the operation was conducted at the request of U.S. authorities, who reported the leader of the group to officials in Moscow. It's the first significant public action by Russian authorities since U.S. President Joe Biden warned Putin last year that he needed to crack down on ransomware gangs in his country.

Experts said it was too early to know if the arrests signal a major Kremlin crackdown on ransomware criminalsor if may just have been a piecemeal effort to appease the White House.

Bill Siegel, CEO of the ransomware response firm Coveware, said he'll be watching to see what kind of prison time those arrested get. "The follow-through on sentencing will send the strongest signal one way or another as to IF there has truly been a change in how tolerant Russia will be in the future to cyber criminals," he said via email.

And Yelisey Boguslavskiy, research director at Advanced Intelligence, said that while the arrests do follow a pattern of Kremlin pressure on ransomware criminalsincluding in some cases prompting them to hand over decryption keysthose arrested could simply be low-level affiliates, not the core group that managed the malware. The REvil syndicate also apparently ripped off some affiliates so it had enemies in the criminal underground, he said.

REvil's attacks crippled tens of thousands of computers worldwide and yielded at least $200 million in ransom payments, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in November when announcing charges against two hackers affiliated with the gang.

Such attacks brought significant attention from law enforcement officials around the world. The U.S. announced charges against two affiliates in November, hours after European law enforcement officials revealed the results of a lengthy, 17-nation operation. As part of that operation, Europol said, a total of seven hackers linked to REvil and another ransomware family have been arrested since February.

The AP reported last year that U.S. officials, meanwhile, shared a small number of names of suspected ransomware operators with Russian officials, who have said they were investigating.

Brett Callow, a ransomware analyst with the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, said that "whatever Russia's motivations may be, the arrests would "certainly send shockwaves through the cybercrime community. The gang's former affiliates and business associates will invariably be concerned about the implications."

Explore further Under pressure, Apple shows annexed Crimea as Russia on apps

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Google on Friday agreed to buy a central London building complex for $1 billion, but stressed it remained committed to new hybrid working patterns in the wake of COVID.

The tech titan will purchase the Central St Giles office site, where it is a tenant, for the equivalent of 872 million euros.

Google said it would give the site a multi-million-pound overhaul for flexible working patterns, including outdoor work spaces.

"This investment represents Google's continued confidence in the office as a place for in-person collaboration and connection," the group said in a statement.

The company expects about one fifth of its workforce to continue working remotely as a result of pandemic-induced changes to work.

"We have been privileged to operate in the UK for nearly 20 years, and our purchase of the Central St Giles development reflects our continued commitment to the country's growth and success," said Ruth Porat, chief financial officer of Google parent group Alphabet.

"Our focus remains on creating flexible workspaces that foster innovation, creativity and inclusivity."

The purchase is part of Google's broader expansion in central London, where it is also building a large development.

Google will eventually have capacity for 10,000 staff in the UK, up from 6,400.

The British government meanwhile welcomed Google's latest expansion as the UK looks to retain heavyweight companies in the wake of Brexit.

"This investment in jobs from Google is a big vote of confidence in the UK as a world-leading tech hub," said finance minister Rishi Sunak.

"It is also proof that this country continues to be one of the most attractive places in the world for leading firms to grow their business."

It comes after Google last year announced plans to buy a New York City office building for $2.1 billion.

 2022 AFP
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The critically ill newborn baby was whisked by helicopter Saturday from rural Silverton, Oregon, to a children's hospital in Portland, the kind of life-saving transport Life Flight Network makes thousands of times a year.

But starting Jan. 19, when new 5G wireless service kicks off across the country, such routine air-ambulance missions may no longer be permitted.

U.S. regulations in many cases require commercial helicoptersincluding air ambulances and scores of other operatorsto have a functioning device known as a radar altimeter. But new frequencies being shifted to 5G service may render them unreliable. That could make landings in remote areas dangerous and put Life Flight's hospital landing pads in Portland and Seattle off limits, said Ben Clayton, interim chief executive officer of the Aurora, Oregon-based nonprofit.

"We have a lot of trepidation over the potential impacts," said Clayton, who relayed details of the Saturday flight.

Wireless carriers point to research they say shows helicopters and 5G co-existing safely in other countries. But the Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday restricted helicopter operations in regions in which hundreds of hospitals are located unless manufacturers can demonstrate their aircraft can withstand 5G interference. The new limits are among 1,462 imposed on flight operations that rely on radar altimeters the agency posted on Thursday.

Unlike jets, helicopters operate close to the groundwhere cell towers are locatedalmost all of the time. They also land frequently away from airports, making them one of the most difficult aviation issues to resolve with 5G.

Interference risk

The issue is that new 5G signals operate in airwaves adjacent to those used by the altimeters. The wireless industry and the Federal Communications Commission, which approved the use of the frequencies, maintain the frequencies are far enough away from aircraft signals that they won't pose any danger. But tests by aviation groups have found the devices are susceptible to interference.

Fifty U.S. airports won at least a partial reprieve from the most draconian flight restrictions in a compromise between aviation regulators and AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. announced on Jan. 3. But airlines, helicopter operators and scores of other aviation operators are girding for significant impacts once the new service switches on.

The six-month restriction on locating 5G cell towers near runways at those 50 airports only protect the last 20 seconds before landing, the FAA said on a website detailing its actions. The agency included potential restrictions for landings at many of the 50 airports, including Chicago O'Hare, New Jersey's Newark Liberty and Detroit Metro, in the documents it posted Thursday.

Additionally, many airports that could be subject to prohibitions on landing in low-visibility conditions weren't included on the list of 50. Portland International and Metro Oakland International in California, for example, have sophisticated instrument landing systems that the FAA will restrict starting Jan. 19, yet 5G towers can be located nearby.

"As a result, those airports will be left vulnerable to sweeping operational impacts during periods of low visibility once 5G is turned on January 19," the Regional Airline Association, a trade group representing the smaller partners of the major carriers, said in a press release.

The Airports Council International-North America trade group called the list of 50 airports "irrelevant" since it expects limitations despite the agreement with the mobile service providers.

"This attempt at a short-term fix does not address a number of critical uncertainties about the potentially adverse impact of 5G on certain low-visibility approaches," ACI-NA said in a statement.

The actual impact on flights remains unclear as the FAA and the aviation industry sort through a dizzying set of variables, including the precise location of thousands of 5G cell towers, the power at which they will transmit signals and the direction signals are beamed.

There has been at least some cause for optimism in recent days as the wireless companies have begun sharing more precise data, allowing aircraft manufacturers to fine-tune analysis on the degree to which their devices are at risk.

"Since the agreement with the wireless companies was reached, the agency has made progress to safely reduce the risk of delays and cancelations as wireless companies share more data and manufacturer altimeter testing results arrive," the FAA said in a statement on Wednesday.

January deadline

But even if companies are able to file applications with the FAA attempting to show their equipment is safe, the FAA may not be able to review and approve them before the Jan. 19 deadline.

The combination of helicopters' vulnerability and the lack of measures to protect them has the industry greatly concerned, the Helicopter Association International said Thursday in a statement.

"This situation, where lives have been put at risk, was completely avoidable," James Viola, president and chief executive officer of the association, said. "The families of those who die because a helicopter could not be dispatched to an accident scene that was too close to a 5G tower will not be consoled by faster Internet speeds."

The CTIA, a trade group that represents wireless service providers, said almost 40 countries around the world have allowed similar 5G signals and they operate without causing harmful interference to helicopters.

The agreement announced last week "includes the broadest and most stringent protection for helicopters anywhere in the world," CTIA said in a statement.

The federal requirement for radar altimeters on commercial helicopters is relatively new and was pushed by the National Transportation Safety Board after multiple fatal crashes in which low-flying copters struck the ground.

The Helicopter Association in October petitioned FAA to waive the requirement, arguing that alternative safety measures were available, and air-medical and off-shore oil flights would grind to a halt without an exemption. So far, FAA has not acted on the request.

Of the 300,000 people transported on air-medical helicopters each year, 40,000 to 50,000 are picked up from parking lots, open fields and other unimproved sites following an emergency, the helicopter group said in the petition to FAA.

One such flight occurred Tuesday night in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, after a fatal head-on crash. A Boston MedFlight helicopter had to touch down in a nearby field to pick up a critically injured 59-year-old woman, said Rick Kenin, chief operating officer-transport at the company.

Boston MedFlight normally requires pilots to use night-vision goggles to minimize the risks on such operations because they help pilots see power lines, trees and other obstructions. But because FAA regulations require a working radar altimeter while flying with night-vision goggles, this is the type of flight that may not be legal after 5G gets switched on in the area, Kenin said.

Even if the FAA grants air-ambulance operators a waiver from the rules, allowing pilots to make such landings without the night-vision aids, Kenin says it's troubling.

"If we are going to a 5G interference area, we're going to be going back to the 1990s where we went in with eyeballs and a search light," he said.

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: University of Toronto Mississauga

At dusk on a quiet rural road, a large animal is emerging from the forest. As the daylight fades, the moose blends in with the trees, but if a driver notices it in time, they can stop or swerve to avoid a collision. Too often, they don't.

Each year, there are over 10,000 collisions between vehicles and wildlife in Ontario. Most are not fatal for those in the vehicle, but the costs are significant. In Canada, it is estimated that this type of collision costs about $800 million each year.

Automotive safety systems have the potential to use sensors to warn drivers of potential collisions with wildlife, vehicles and other road hazards. These systems can already warn drivers of some hazardslike a vehicle in their blind spot. But identifying unexpected hazards in dynamic road situations is a more complicated task, and new research from UTM cognitive psychologists suggests that simple safety alerts can work just as well as complicated systems that are more vulnerable to errors.

The Applied Perception and Psychophysics Laboratory (APPLY) studies visual perception and cognitive psychology, and applies it to real world problems. In a recent publication in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, APPLY co-directors Anna Kosovicheva and Benjamin Wolfe examined ways to make vehicle safety alerts more effective.

To conduct their analysis, the researchers used dashcam footage of actual driving situations they obtained from YouTube. Using methods that draw upon fundamental cognitive psychology research, they tested three different types of attentional cues that warned research participant 'drivers' of a looming hazard, and evaluated how each one affected their response time.

One warning drew a driver's attention directly to the hazard. Called a spatiotemporal valid cue, this accurately superimposed a graphic of expanding red rings around the hazard itselfas though the safety system had identified the hazard in the correct place at the correct time. This worked. Driver response time was about 60 milliseconds faster.

"If you are not a vision scientist used to thinking in milliseconds, that might not sound like a lot," says Wolfe. "But if you are driving on the highway, it could be two or three meters. That is not enough to brake fully, but could be enough to swerve and avoid a collision."

But when a hazard was inaccurately identified, it had the opposite effect. Drivers were also given a type of warning called a spatiotemporal invalid cue. This inaccurately superimposed the set of expanding red rings around some other object in the scene. That drew the driver's attention away from the hazard, and slowed response time by about 60 milliseconds.

"This is fairly disconcerting, from a road safety standpoint. No automated vehicle systems will ever be perfect," says Wolfe. "The engineers building them will get it right most of the time, but sometimes systems will fail."

Kosovicheva and Wolfe also tested a third type of cue that is simpler to execute, from an engineering standpoint. Called a temporal valid cue, drivers were warned of the presence of a hazard by a red bar at the bottom of the screen. This cue came at the right time, but it did not identify where the hazard was located. Still, it had a roughly equivalent effect to the cue that had accurately pointed to it. Response times were improved by about 60 milliseconds.

"This suggests that while complicated engineering solutions can be effective, simple alerts can be effective too," says Kosovicheva. "Just having the information in time can be helpful, and if you are going to have a spatial component to a safety alert, the information about where a hazard is needs to be really accurate."

Explore further Study: Older drivers need more time to react to road hazards

More information: Benjamin Wolfe et al, Effects of temporal and spatiotemporal cues on detection of dynamic road hazards, Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications (2021). Benjamin Wolfe et al, Effects of temporal and spatiotemporal cues on detection of dynamic road hazards,(2021). DOI: 10.1186/s41235-021-00348-4
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A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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The "Three-Body" Trilogy series of science fiction bestsellers by Chinese author Liu Cixin has become an international phenomenon in publishing. The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest and Death's End have taken the world by storm, and marked a new step forward for the global appeal of Chinese literature.



As of 2020, one out of every 393 people in Poland has bought Liu's works; while in the Czech Republic, it's one in every 330.

Recently it was announced Tor Books, the trilogy's English-language publisher, decided to continue the copyright contract with a $1.25 million advance payment.

The decision brought excitement to Liu's agent for the trilogy in overseas markets, China Educational Publications Import and Export Corporation Ltd. The corporation believes, based on incomplete statistics, the deal might set a record for Chinese original fiction titles translated and sold in the foreign market.

Headquartered in New York, Tor Books is a leading imprint known for its sci-fi and fantasy titles.

Liu is among the top five authors globally Tor ever granted a $1 million advance, proving Chinese original fiction's value and reception in the international market according to a CEPIEC news release.

Translated versions of the trilogy have already sold 3.3 million copies in more than 30 languages so far, according to the corporation.

In 2015, Liu became the first Asian writer to win Best Novel at the Hugo Awards for the trilogy, followed by a series of international literary awards. The book won the hearts of many, including many leaders and celebrities; notably Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and George R.R. Martin. The news of a Netflix TV adaptation added to global interest in 2020.

As American sci-fi writer and editor Crystal Huff told China Central Television: "(the trilogy) is an international phenomenon, yes but it also touches me personally. There's almost always a version of The Three-Body Problem available in all of the airports. It's almost everywhere, it's such an important work."

Many believe translations of the trilogy, especially the English version edited by Ken Liu and Joel Martinsen, helped with its global reception.

But Liu's grand narration and unlimited imagination serves as the fundamental attraction.

Alexis Ong from Tor.com says: "Cixin Liu is an ideas guya Big Ideas guy. Much of his writing, notably the epic Three-Body Problem saga, spans thousands and even millions of yearsas he marries the mundane human world with far-reaching cosmic changes that take place over millennia."

Liu told CCTV in 2019 his work is about reflections on a shared civilization, shared pursuits and yearnings and the shared emotions of all human beings, in which humanity is a whole entity.

He stressed the idea with China Arts News in December 2021, saying "Sci-fi writers should focus on the higher and wider perspectives, to care about 'building a human community with a shared future', and to explore the future and human beings' ultimate fate."

"Chinese sci-fi works are shedding deeper global influences on world sci-fi creations and trends," Liu added. "I hope there will be more heavyweights, for us to go further."


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WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked President Joe Bidens plan to require that most workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.

But the justices, in a separate decision, upheld a smaller and more targeted regulation that will require workers in hospitals and nursing facilities to be vaccinated. This rule, once put into effect, is expected to cover about 17 million people working in health care, the administration said.

In blocking the broader workplace rule, the courts conservative majority agreed with Republican state attorneys who contended the president had overstepped his authority by requiring workers in companies and agencies with more than 100 employees to be vaccinated or tested regularly. There were exemptions for those who worked outdoors or at home, or had medical or religious objections.

The vote was 6-3. Bidens rule was based on the Occupational Safety Health Act of 1970, which protects employees from toxins and other dangers in the workplace. The justices said it does not go so far as to authorize mandatory vaccinations.

In an unsigned opinion, the courts conservatives said it is telling that OSHA, in its half century of existence, has never before adopted a broad public health regulation of this kind  addressing a threat that is untethered, in any causal sense, from the workplace ... Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly. Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category.

The three liberals dissented. They said the decision stymies the federal governments ability to counter the unparalleled threat that COVID19 poses to our nations workers. Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the court displaces the judgments of the government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies.

However, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh joined with the courts three liberals to uphold Bidens testing requirement for hospitals and nursing homes. That requirement is based on the Medicare and Medicaid Acts, which authorize federal health officials to set standards to protect the health and safety of elderly and sick patients.

Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan said they would have upheld both regulations.

The outcome is not a surprise because of the makeup the court. The conservative majority is highly skeptical of new and far-reaching federal regulations.

In a separate concurring opinion, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch said the states have broad authority to impose rules to cope with COVID-19. He said the only question (in the OSHA case) is whether an administrative agency in Washington, one charged with overseeing workplace safety, may mandate the vaccination or regular testing of 84 million people. Or whether, as 27 states before us submit, that work belongs to state and local governments across the country and the peoples elected representatives in Congress.

The National Federation of Independent Business had joined Republican states in challenging the workplace rule, and Karen Harned, executive director of its legal center, called the decision a welcome relief for Americas small businesses, who are still trying to get their business back on track since the beginning of the pandemic.

The businesses and states told the court it would cost businesses billions of dollars to comply with the vaccinate-or-test rule, and they predicted it would cause hundreds of thousands of employees to leave their jobs.

The administration, however, said the rule, if enforced, would save more than 6,500 lives and prevent hundreds of thousands from being hospitalized.

Lawrence Gostin, the faculty director of health law project at the Georgetown Law School, said the OSHA decision is a major setback to President Bidens COVID strategy and will prolong the pandemic in the United States. The OSHA employer mandate was the single most effective policy for getting people vaccinated. Without a wide-reaching federal mandate, its unlikely the national vaccination rate of just over 60% will improve.

Bidens vaccine rules were announced in November and were due to take effect this month, but were put on hold while the legal challenges went forward.

The lower courts had been split.

The Ohio-based 6th Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, cleared the way for the workplace rule to take effect. Judges in Missouri, Louisiana and Texas had blocked the narrower rule that applied to hospitals and nursing facilities.

Lawyers on both sides filed emergency appeals in the Supreme Court asking the justices to decide quickly and issue orders that allowed or blocked the rules from going into effect.
Texas has been at odds with the federal government over COVID-19 vaccine mandates since President Joe Biden first rolled out requirements in the fall.

The Biden administration has made vaccine mandates a flagship pandemic response measure, requiring shots for health care workers, federal contractors and the majority of federal workers.

Meanwhile, Texas has been staunchly against mandates, with top Republican leaders arguing vaccine orders are government overreach. Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order in October banning any entity in the state from requiring the vaccine, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched or joined a slew of lawsuits against federal vaccine orders.

The battle over vaccine mandates has now reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which on Thursday blocked a Biden administration rule ordering large businesses to require their employees to get vaccinated or get tested for COVID-19 regularly. However, in a separate ruling, the high court upheld another vaccine mandate targeted at health care workers in hospitals and nursing homes that receive federal funds.

The ongoing suits have left many Texas residents and employers unclear about who is required to get the vaccine. As litigation stands, health care workers and Texas Army National Guard members are currently required to follow through with federal vaccine mandates. A separate vaccine mandate from the Biden administration for federal contractors has been currently frozen due to challenges in a district court in Georgia.

Here is a breakdown of the lawsuits against the federal governments vaccine mandates and who has to follow them in Texas.

Large businesses

A directive issued in November by the Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration required businesses with 100 or more employees to order their staff to either get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get tested for the virus every week.

Paxton joined several other states in a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the vaccine-or-test policy. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in November that the federal mandate could go into effect, reversing a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

The challenge ultimately made its way to the Supreme Court, which put an end to the mandate. The high courts conservative majority said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration did not have the power implement a vaccine requirement for large businesses.

Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly, the court wrote.

Health care workers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a vaccine mandate in November for health care workers at Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court said the federal mandate for health care workers could be enforced.

Previously, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk in the Northern District of Texas granted a preliminary injunction and temporarily halted Bidens vaccine mandate for health care workers.

Federal contractors

A September executive order from Biden required federal contractors and subcontractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

That vaccine mandate is currently not in effect. A federal judge in Georgia granted a nationwide injunction in December, prohibiting the federal government from enforcing the mandate. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker, appointed by President Donald Trump, wrote that Biden exceeded his authority and that the mandate imposed an extreme economic burden on contractors.

An appeals court in December declined a Justice Department request to reinstate the federal contractor mandate.

Several Texas-based employers, including Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin, initially complied with the mandate for federal contractors and subcontractors but dropped it after it was blocked.

National Guard members

In the most recent fight over vaccine policies, Abbott sued the Biden administration last week for requiring Texas Army National Guard members to get the shot.

While guardsmen are still required under federal law to get the shot, Abbott is saying they wont be punished if they do not follow the vaccine mandate.

I have issued a straightforward order to every member of the Texas National Guard within my chain of command: Do not punish any guardsman for choosing not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Abbott wrote in a letter to Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, the Texas National Guards top military leader. And as long as I am your commander-in-chief, I will not tolerate efforts to compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine.
It was announced on Jan. 13 that Summit View Business Park in Franklin County will receive a grant of a little more than $1.01 million.

The announcement came from then-Gov. Ralph Northam. It was part of a larger industrial site investment that included 11 projects. The Virginia Business Ready Site Program development grants totaled $7 million.

Companies want to invest in the commonwealth, and this program is critical to making it easier for businesses to do business here, Northam said in a release. Virginia has been named the best state in which to do business in for three years, and investments like these are part of the reason why.

Franklin County competed against 25 other applicants.

Speed to business is one of the first things prospective businesses inquire about when looking to expand, Beth Simms, director of economic development for Franklin County, said.

Franklin County is listening to what prospective businesses are inquiring about and having business ready sites, along with a skilled workforce, will continue to make Franklin County competitive in attracting companies that provide unmatched opportunities for our residents, she said

Some of the businesses at Summit View Business Park include Traditional Medicinals, Stik-Pak and ValleyStar Credit Unions administrative campus.

The credit union held a ribbon cutting at the park on Dec. 10 of last year to celebrate the opening of its new campus. The credit unions executive, IT, accounting and marketing teams now work from the Summit View Business Park location.

Anchoring this Rocky Mount administrative building with our Martinsville headquarters, enables ValleyStar to better position itself to improve more lives, Mike Warrell, ValleyStar CEO, said at the time. The success of our employees and making sure they are empowered to help our members, is at the crux of what we do at ValleyStar. With these two mainstay locations, the ValleyStar team will be able to grow its talented team of financial experts who live and work in the very communities we serve.

The program is administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. There are two parts to the Virginia Business Site Ready Program. First, site characterization assess and designates a sites level of development, according to the news release. Then theres site development to further develop a pool of potential sites across the commonwealth.

The Virginia Business Ready Sites Program is a powerful economic development tool that gives localities the resources they need to assess and develop sites for economic development opportunities, Brian Ball, then-secretary of commerce and trade, said. These projects across the Commonwealth will strengthen Virginias business portfolio and our overall competitiveness.

Other nearby projects that received funding include:

Botetourt Center at Greenfield, Botetourt County, $362,700

Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre, Henry County, $1.03 million

Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill, Pittsylvania County, $1.31 million

Wood Haven Technology Park, Roanoke County, $75,000

New River Valley Commerce Park, Pulaski County, $300,000

Communities with sites that are ready with all utilities in place and with at least grading plans are the ones that receive favorable attention from companies seeking locations for their expansion projects, Gary Larrowe, Botetourt County administrator, said.

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Showtime brings back Ray Donovan for a movie-length finale to bring closure to the dark drama. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand headline Joel Coens atmospheric rendering of The Tragedy of Macbeth, generating Oscar buzz. Ricky Gervais moving dramedy After Life drops its third and final season. A Shock Docs special revisits the crime spree of a killer said to have inspired the antics behind Scream (a new version of which opens this weekend).

Movie Premiere 9/8c

What matters most in this feature-length sequel is that it represents Ray Donovan: The Endingsomething of which fans were deprived when the series was abruptly canceled after seven seasons. Picking up from 2020s bloody cliffhanger, the movie depicts a final reckoning between the moody fixer Ray (star and co-writer Liev Schreiber) and his wayward father Mickey (Jon Voight). Flashbacks that are a lot more satisfying than in last years Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark feature their younger selvesChris Gray as Ray and Bill Heck as a swaggering, charismatic Mickeyas they fatefully clash, setting up the schism that would fuel the series. (See the full review.)

Movie Premiere

Shakespeare has rarely felt more eternal onscreen than in director Joel Coens ravishingly bleak, tautly trimmed (at 105 minutes) version of the classic tragedy. Filmed in foggy, eerie black and white on cavernous soundstages that feel both theatrical and cinematic, harking back to silent-era expressionism, the oft-told tale of murder and hubris is stripped to its primal core. A haunted Denzel Washington (generated Oscar buzz) is Macbeth, balancing bloody ambition with fateful regret, and hes well matched by Frances McDormands relentlessly fierce Lady Macbeth. But its Kathryn Hunter as the freaky terrifying witches who nearly steals this memorable show.

Kindness is generally not the first thing that comes to mind when you consider the work of Ricky Gervais (The Office, Extras), but this touching dramedy about life, loss and healing is a minor masterpiece of compassionate storytelling. The third and final season catches up with Tony (Gervais), a small-town newspaper guy whos now grieving his dad as well as his late wife. With the help of his offbeat co-workers and a community of friends, life goes on for Tony, which is good news for us all.

Series Finale

Also calling it a cosmic day after six seasons is this epic space opera, setting up a climactic showdown between the Roci and Marcos Free Navy, with a hope for peace if the Inner Planets and the Belt can finally be unified.

10/9c

Hows this for typecasting? Jimmy Buffett guests on the long-running police drama as a Jimmy Buffett impersonator who runs afoul of Danny (Donnie Wahlberg). Regina Taylor guests as NYPD Captain Terrell, who falls under Franks (Tom Selleck) scrutiny after she allegedly uses her rank to scam goods from local stores.

Documentary Premiere

A two-hour Shock Docs special takes a paranormal approach to revisiting the crimes of a serial killer said to be the inspiration for the hit Scream movie franchise (whose latest chapter opens in theaters this weekend). The Gainesville Ripper, aka Danny Rolling, terrorized Shreveport, Louisiana and Gainesville, Florida, starting in 1989, murdering eight people including five college students. Claiming to have been possessed by a demon named Gemini, Rolling was convicted and later executed in 2006. Paranormal investigator Steve Shippy and psychic medium Cindy Kaza team up to investigate the demonic angle.

More true crime:

20/20 (9/8c, ABC): The newsmagazine digs into the twisted case of South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh , who first made headlines when charged in a suicide-for-hire insurance scheme. Hes also implicated in scores more financial crimes and is a person of interest in the unsolved murders of his wife and son.

, who first made headlines when charged in a suicide-for-hire insurance scheme. Hes also implicated in scores more financial crimes and is a person of interest in the unsolved murders of his wife and son. Dateline NBC (9/8c, NBC): Keith Morrison takes a deep dive into the mysterious 1998 death of controversial Las Vegas casino figure Ted Binion .

. King of the Con (streaming on discovery+): A three-part docuseries profiles notorious con man Barry Minkow, who went to prison after a Ponzi scheme was exposed, then transformed himself into a pastor who used his expertise to uncover fraudwhich turned out to be a front for even more financial skullduggery.

Inside Friday TV:
Hall County Commissioners Butch Hurst and Scott Sorensen have filed for re-election to their respective county seats.

Sorensen was appointed District 3 commissioner in December 2020 after the passing of Commissioner Dick Hartman the previous October.

Eleven applicants pursued the seat.

Sorensen is the owner of Sorensen Ag Solutions, served on the Cairo Village Board since 2016, and as a volunteer firefighter. It is his first time running for the office.

Im looking forward to the opportunity to see what the people think, Sorensen told The Independent. I was appointed by three people, and I know there were over 10 of us that applied, but I was chosen. I think it would be my duty to run and see if thats what the people want.

As interim department head for Hall Countys Roads Department, Sorensen has been involved lately in finding a new county highway superintendent.

Steve Riehle stepped down from the position in September to serve instead as the Hall County highway engineer.

Sorensen said he has enjoyed serving the people of Hall County.

Its amazing how much you can learn in one year, he said. I still have a lot to learn. I feel like Im getting my feet under me, and as if this is something Im able to do well.

Hurst, a retired police officer, is seeking election to his second term after being elected to the county commission position in 2018.

This will be my last term, regardless, Hurst told The Independent. I believe in term limits. I figure, if Im fortunate enough to be reelected, this will be it, and it will be time for somebody, maybe a little younger, to take over. After that, I think its time we have a little change.

A concern for Hurst going into 2022 remains the inheritance tax. Nebraska is one of only five states that still has this tax.

Hall County receives roughly $1 million per year in inheritance tax funds, which are primarily used for property tax relief.

If they take that away, were really going to have to tighten our belts, Hurst said.

Among other efforts, Hurst is also involved in helping to find a new highway superintendent for the county.

Other than that, I dont think theres anything with our hair on fire at this time, he said. For the most part, were just trying to do the best for the county and get it moving along.

Hurst said he especially appreciates the dynamic of the current county board.

I think our commission as a whole, on most things, were getting along. Were getting things done, he said. I think most of the commissioners, on most issues, get along. If you disagree, you disagree. To me, its not personal.

County seats also up for election this year are District 5, held by Jane Richardson, and District 7, held by Ron Peterson. Neither has filed for re-election yet.

Filing for city and county seats in Hall County began on Jan. 5. The deadline for incumbents to file is Feb. 15 and the deadline for new candidates is March 1.

For more information about running for office in Hall County, visit hallcountyne.gov.

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Gov. Pete Ricketts shared his State of the State remarks during a stop Thursday at Grand Islands Central Nebraska Regional Airport.

Detailing his 2021-23 biennium budget, Ricketts promised American Rescue Plan Act funds for Grand Islands Law Enforcement Training Center and the Fonner Park campus.

The state received $1.04 billion in ARPA funds in 2021.

Ricketts advocated for $47.7 million in ARPA funds to expand Grand Islands Law Enforcement Training Center to address the states need for well-trained law enforcement officers.

Thats one of the ways we can make sure our law enforcement officers are getting the training they need, he said.

Ricketts is also proposing $25 million for the Nebraska State Fair to improve its sewage system and storm drainage and to create a new wastewater system at the Fonner Park campus.

Ricketts is providing wonderful leadership, said Mayor Roger Steele.

He is looking for ways to help Grand Island, he said. With the $25 million for infrastructure and water projects at the state fair, and $40 million for (the LETC), those are going to be a great benefit for Grand Island and the state. You have to remember, so many officers from around the state are trained right out here, by our airport.

He added, Im very pleased by the governors remarks. I think he has our best interests at heart.

Cindy Johnson, president of Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, said she was pleased by the governors consideration for Grand Island.

More than $5 billion in projects were brought to Legislatures attention during discussions for how to spend the $1 billion in ARPA funds, she noted.

For Grand Island, and Nebraska State Fair and Fonner Park, to make the governors budget for $25 million to improve the infrastructure at that site is phenomenal, she said.

Johnson attributed this to community engagement led by the 1868 Foundation, which serves the long-term needs of the Nebraska State Fair.

It was people coming together and saying, this is critically important for your Nebraska State Fair, she said. This is huge for future development out at that campus, and to ensure we can maximize the facilities and investments that have been made in the buildings that were built there 12 years ago.

Pandemic

Nebraska has taken a balanced approached to managing the pandemic, Ricketts said.

Nebraskans dont need to be mandated to do the right things, they just do it, he said. Weve seen Nebraskans do that without mandates or lockdowns. The businesses were able to remain open. Parents returned to work. Kids returned to school. And we continue to pursue the good life here in our state.

The states economy has recovered tremendously and boasts the lowest unemployment rate not only in Nebraskas history, but the nations history, at 1.8%, Ricketts noted.

There are more Nebraskans working in manufacturing today than there were pre-pandemic, he said. Our tax revenues far exceed our revenue projections.

ARPA funds will also be used for public health response.

Ricketts is proposing $199.4 million to help improve health care capacity.

This includes $40 million for public health response, $40 million for mental health care facility capacity, $15.5 million for youth rehabilitation center facility improvements, and $10 million for a rural health complex.

Natural Resources

Ricketts is proposing $500 million for a canal for water from Colorado to a reservoir system in Western Nebraska to ensure well get the water were owed from our 1923 contract with Colorado from South Platte River.

This will be important for ensuring we have water resources here in our state for generations to come, he said.

The project would use $400 million in cash reserves and $100 million in ARPA funds.

Ricketts also called for $60 million for drinking water systems in rural areas such as Knox and Cedar counties, and $5 million for Peru Levee repairs along the Missouri River, damaged by the 2019 floods.

Ricketts also proposed a $200 million STARWARS Committee (Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability) project for creating or upgrading recreational areas throughout the state to help increase tourism and preserve community drinking water.

State Penitentiary

Safety for the people is one of the responsibilities of government, Ricketts said.

He proposed fully funding the modernization of the state penitentiary for $155 million.

The current facility is 150 years old, he noted.

A modern facility ... will allow us to deliver the enhanced services and programming to improve the quality of life for our inmates and help prepare them for life after time-served, he said.

Ricketts also proposed $56.4 million for salary increases for Corrections teammates, and $16.9 million to expand the State Crime Lab.

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Starting from Feb. 1, China will adopt the tariff rate it has pledged under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on selected imports from the Republic of Korea (ROK), a statement released by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Thursday.



The move will come on the same day as the RCEP deal comes into force for the ROK, said the statement. The ROK has recently deposited its instrument of approval to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, who is the depositary of the RCEP agreement.

For the years after 2022, annual tariff adjustments as promised in the agreement will take effect on the first day of each year.

The ROK's RCEP implementation would further bolster regional economic and trade cooperation and bring mutual benefits to all RCEP members, added the statement.

As the world's largest free trade agreement, the RCEP agreement entered into force on Jan. 1. After it takes effect, more than 90 percent of merchandise trade among members that have approved the accord will eventually be subject to zero tariffs.

The RCEP was signed on Nov. 15, 2020, by 15 Asia-Pacific countries -- ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand -- after eight years of negotiations that started in 2012.
The January meeting of Heritage Hour will explore the life of Elizabeth Griffin Abbott, the champion of the Grand Island Public Library and matriarch of the Abbott Family, at 2 p.m. Sunday, in meeting room BC at the library, 1124 W. Second St.

Elizabeths husband, O.A., was a well-known lawyer and the first lieutenant governor of Nebraska. Her daughters Grace and Edith were pioneers of social reform and co-founders of the modern field of social work.

In addition to her familys accomplishments, Elizabeth Abbott herself was a remarkable woman. Born in DeKalb County, Illinois, her family was members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and abolitionists who participated in the Underground Railroad. She was also a suffragette, frequently hosting Susan B. Anthony in the familys Grand Island home.

Abbott was also the champion of the Grand Island Public Library. With her tireless work, the Grand Island Free Library became a reality in 1884; she served as one of the founding members of the Grand Island Library Board from 1884 until 1932. She was instrumental in procuring the building of the original Grand Island Carnegie Library Building and the library groundbreaking ceremony attended by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Sue Clement will lead the discussion.

Heritage Hour is a partnership program of local community history organizations including the Grand Island Public Library, the Hall County Historical Society, Prairie Pioneer Genealogical Society and the Betsey Hager Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Heritage Hour is the third Sunday of the month and covers a wide variety of local history and genealogy-related topics.

For more information, call Clement at 308-381-1688, or the library at 308-385-5333.

Abbott sisters focus of Saturday Friendship Gathering on Jan. 22

WOOD RIVER  Michelle Setlik, area community/family historian, will share stories of the Abbott women at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at Wood River High School (theater entrance), 13800 W. Wood River Road.

The Abbott family left an indelible mark in Nebraska from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Remarkably, the women of the family left as big (or bigger) legacy as the men.

Elizabeth, Carrie, Ellen, Edith, Grace and Sabra forged their own paths, influencing generations in Nebraska and beyond.

This presentation is a part of the Celebrate Wood River Saturday Friendship Gatherings. The program is open to the public, and free, thanks to the Wood River Community Foundation/Donna Lee Moyer Performing Arts Gift.

A free will offering will be accepted to help make future programs possible.

For more information, call 308-583-2606.

Tickets on sale for Liederkranz Childrens Theater

Tickets are now on sale for two one-act plays to be presented as part of the Catherine Fosket Childrens Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29 and 30.

Show time for The Thirty Three Little Pigs, by Brian Taylor, and The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life on Earth, by Jeremy Johnson and Brian Taylor, is 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Liederkranz, 403 W. First St.

This is the first show since January 2020. The cast includes children in third through eighth grade.

The audience will squeal with delight watching The Thirty Three Little Pigs. The 33 pigs in the meadow continuously outsmart the hungry wolf, much in the style of Roadrunner and Coyote or Tom and Jerry. From Straw, Stick and Brick pigs to Pirate, Chef and Ninja pigs (plus 27 endearing others!), they each have their chance to misdirect, heckle and hound the bumbling Big Bad Wolf, who only finds himself further and further from getting his fill of little piggies.

In The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life on Earth, alien daytime talk show host Valendia Vortex and her rambunctious invertebrate sidekick, Troq, are searching for superior beings on the planet Earth. They call upon todays guests  Dracula, Frankensteins monster, a werewolf, and the invisible woman  to prove their universal mettle! But vampire Vladdy is plain old batty, Frankensteins monster is frenzied, Wolfie is just a hyper pup, and Invisible Woman, who appears (if you can call it that) via video, has an extraordinary gift thats really no gift at all!

Angie Liske and Steven Gobel are the directors,

Tickets are $3 for children and $5 for adults; children 3 and younger are admitted free. Tickets are available at Ace Hardware and the Liederkranz. Masks are recommended, but not required.

The Catherine Fosket Liederkranz Childrens Theatre is named after the late Catherine Fosket, a retired teacher who directed the first childrens theater at the Liederkranz in 1990. Fosket was also heavily involved in the Grand Island Little Theatre and the Grand Island Parks and Rec Departments summer childrens theater production. After her death in 1994, her family requested the childrens theater production at the Liederkranz continue in her honor. Proceeds from this annual production are used to fund a scholarship established in her name.

For more information, contact Jeannee Mueller Fossberg at 308-379-2015, Liske at 308-940-1365, or the Liederkranz, 308-382-9337.

Gaming group to host Scrabble night

Scrabble Game Night is set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Primrose Assisted Living, Capital Avenue and North Road.

The group usually meets the third Monday of each month in the Pub on the second floor at Primrose. All Scrabble players are welcome; bring a board if you have one. There is no registration required and there is no fee to play. Masks are required while in the building.

For more information, call La Vonne Catron at 308-382-2663.

Your Ticket briefs are published every Thursday in print and online at theindependent.com. To submit arts and entertainment announcements, submit to Terri Hahn at terri.hahn@theindependent.com at least two weeks prior to the event. No information will be accepted over the phone. There is no charge for publication, but announcements must follow newspaper policy.
(CNN)  One Mississippi middle school's attempt at addressing girls' body image concerns sparked outrage among parents, forcing the school to backtrack.

Ashley Heun, of Southaven, Mississippi, became angry after her 13-year-old daughter, Caroline, on Tuesday handed her a letter from Southaven Middle School titled "Why Do Girls Suffer from Body Image?"

The letter discussed body images issues among females and, at the bottom, offered parents the option to consent to their daughters receiving "healthy literature" and shapewear clothing items.

"We, the counselors of Southaven Middle School, would like to have an opportunity to offer some healthy literature to your daughter on maintaining a positive body image," part of the letter reads.

"I had to reread it a few times," Heun told CNN. "My first instinct was to go up to the school and yell at every person I could find."

Heun told CNN that eighth-grader Caroline had called the letter "stupid" and didn't understand its purpose.

After taking some time to calm down and gather her thoughts, Heun took to Facebook to share her concerns. Other parents quickly chimed in, in agreement.

"It's hard to raise girls in this environment with social media, with filters and Photoshop," Heun said. "They're bombarded with images of what the ideal body is."

She then sent Southaven Principal John Sartain a lengthy email to further express her concerns.

"The letter, unfortunately, takes an unforeseen turn by offering my daughter SHAPEWEAR," Heun's email read. "If my daughter begged me for shapewear, I would tell her no. Now I find out that you are ENCOURAGING her to wear it. I, honestly, am baffled that a 'counselor' who is TRAINED in child psychology would actually think that this is a good idea."

Sartain called Heun on Wednesday morning, and they met later that day. Heun said Sartain was very apologetic and said the counselors had nothing but good intentions with the note. He also told her that the program had since been canceled.

"The district has been made aware of the parental permission form sent to parents by Southaven Middle School," Lauren Margeson, DeSoto County School's executive administrative assistant to the superintendent, told CNN in a written statement. "District officials understand how this type of information causes serious concern from parents."

"I don't think they were trying to send out that message, but bottom line is that's the message that came across," Heun added.

CNN reached out to Southaven Middle School for comment.

Heun notes that she didn't intend for this to be anything more than voicing her concern and adds that everyone makes mistakes and the school is working on fixing theirs.

"If anything comes out of this going viral, I hope it starts a conversation," Heun said.
YORK  The York City Council will be getting an update on the community center project next week, when they meet in regular session.

Cheree Folts, director of parks and recreation, will address the council about the progress of the in-depth and large scale renovation/repair work that has been taking place at the city facility.

The work began last year and there were delays along the way  thanks to building material availability issues and the discovery of serious structural issues that hadnt been seen before.

Now, the project is nearing completion and Folts will be providing a better idea of when it might be open to the public once again.

She will also be bringing forward some updated community center rates for consideration.

Also on the councils Thursday agenda, for Jan. 20:

 The council will consider updating the citys safety committee.

 Mayor Barry Redfern will be bringing forward some appointment recommendations, to include: the appointment of Sheila Hubbard to the Nebraska Public Power District Retail Rate Review Committee and the Retail Power Review Advisory Board; appointment of Redfern to the York County Aging Services Commission Board; and the appointment of Jeff Beins to the Community Redevelopment Authority Advisory Group.

 They will consider the approval of a special designated license application filed by Grand Central Foods to hold a tasting event  York Uncorked  at the Kilgore Library.

 The sale of a lot in the industrial park, to Duane and Brenda Grotz, will be considered. The lot measures 4.89 acres and the price of the sale is $90,465.

 The council will discuss authorizing subordination of a lien to West Gate Bank for a property in the Seminary Addition.

 Representatives of NPPD will make a presentation regarding crypto-currency.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m., in the council chambers.
KEARNEY  Like many states across the country, Nebraska continues to face workforce shortages, with critical needs in STEM and health care.

Nebraska will have more than 34,000 annual openings in high-skill, high-demand, high-wage jobs in the next five years, according to the states Department of Labor, with most of those positions requiring higher education.

Initiatives like the Nebraska Career Scholarship program, which focuses on training and retaining young talent, are key to the states future success.

Established by Gov. Pete Ricketts and approved by the Legislature in August 2020, the Nebraska Career Scholarship program supports college students from Nebraska pursuing undergraduate degrees in high-growth, high-demand areas such as computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, health care, communication disorders, information technology, mathematics and veterinary medicine.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney began awarding these scholarships for the spring 2021 semester, with nearly $150,000 available for allocation each year.

Incoming freshmen and transfer students in the qualifying fields of study are eligible to receive a Nebraska Career Scholarship, which are renewable and worth up to $25,000 per year. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, room and board or relevant tools and equipment. Recipients are asked to complete a Nebraska-based internship, apprenticeship, clinical position or other work related to their career before graduation.

Not only do these scholarship funds increase the attractiveness for high-ability students to stay in Nebraska for their higher education, but the program connects them with internships that build their experience and relationships with Nebraska employers, said Kelly Bartling, UNK vice chancellor for enrollment management and marketing. These incentives are attractive to students and are helping meet Nebraska employers workforce needs.

Serving the state

Sydney Kinnett is one of 12 UNK students currently benefiting from the Nebraska Career Scholarship program.

The Utica native has worked as a certified nursing assistant at CHI Health Good Samaritan since April, a few months after she transferred to UNK from Northwest Missouri State and enrolled in the pre-nursing program.

Obviously, theres a growing demand for nurses, she said. After working in the hospital and seeing how much COVID has impacted the entire health care field, you realize how short we are.

The latest report from the Nebraska Center for Nursing shows nearly 4,200 more nurses are needed to meet statewide demand, with that shortfall expected to approach 5,500 positions by 2025  a figure equivalent to 19% of the current workforce.

Intensified by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and an aging population that requires additional health care, this shortage is most severe in small towns and rural areas, where several counties dont have any registered or licensed practical nurses.

Following in the footsteps of her mother Katie, a former nurse who now teaches at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Kinnett plans to pursue a nursing career so she can make a positive impact while serving the state.

I just want to be able to help people, she said.

Kinnett receives $10,000 per year through the Nebraska Career Scholarship program. That money is super important for the UNK sophomore, who says she can focus on coursework instead of worrying about finances. Shell finish her pre-nursing classes this spring and start the undergraduate nursing program at the University of Nebraska Medical Centers Kearney Division next fall.

The Nebraska Career Scholarship presented me with an opportunity I would not have otherwise had, Kinnett said. This program is a big benefit to me, as well as other students looking to pursue a degree in health care.
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds has been telling people for the past year that the 2020 election was fair, but this week he did something few other Republicans have dared  tell a national audience that.

Now he wishes more Republicans would join him.

Rounds, who is in his second Senate term, has been telling local newspapers, radio shows and Rotary clubs in South Dakota that he checked out the allegations of election fraud made by former President Donald Trump and, while there were some irregularities, they all came up empty of anything that could counter the truth that Trump lost. So, when ABC News' This Week asked the senator to appear on its Sunday show to discuss the Jan. 6, 2020, attack on the Capitol, Rounds said his decision was simple: Well, of course, I will.

But the backlash from speaking was swift. Rounds said he wasn't looking to pick a fight with Trump, but that's exactly what happened. The former president called Rounds a jerk in a statement. Rounds stood by what he said and argued there are many more Republicans like him  and they need to speak up.

If we want to keep the trust and gain the trust of more individuals that are wondering, we have to probably say it a little bit louder and in more places that many of us normally either arent invited to talk or have chosen not to get into the fray, Rounds told The Associated Press in an interview this week.

Rounds got backup after Trump's attack from several high-profile Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and fellow South Dakotan Sen. John Thune, who has had his own run-ins with Trump. But with the GOP still largely in the former president's grip, it's not clear whether Rounds' defiance represents a slip in that grasp or whether he's a lonely voice in the party.

Republicans have mostly avoided public talk of the deadliest domestic attack on Congress in the nations history, calling memorials and inquiries into the insurrection politicized. And Trump has clung to the notion that the election was stolen from him. In an interview Tuesday with National Public Radio, the former president said it was an advantage for Republicans to keep alleging fraud and that Rounds was totally wrong.

Some Republicans have worried that Trump's attacks will wind up hurting the party, depressing turnout by conservatives and damaging them in future elections.

That's a point Rounds made. He wants to move on from Trump's baseless election fraud claims, but not before making it clear that Trump lost  fair and square. He said the party risks losing credibility and voters if Trump is allowed to undermine trust in the democratic process.

We have to be more aggressive in reassuring conservatives that their vote counts, Rounds said, adding to give them reassurance that they can trust us and that we will speak the truth. And even if its the hard truth thats hard to swallow, were not going to lie to them.

In South Dakota, the reaction to Trump's attack on Rounds has so far been muted compared to the backlash Thune faced last year when Trump lashed out at him for saying that the attempt to overturn the election would go down like a shot dog in the Senate.

Gov. Kristi Noem, who has aligned herself more closely with Trump than any other South Dakota politician, said Tuesday she was not aware of the exchange between Rounds and Trump. And Jeff Holbrook, the chair of the Pennington County GOP, one of the state's largest county parties that held Stop the Steal rallies in support of Trump after the 2020 election, said he had seen little reaction to Trump's attack on Rounds.

Rounds said he has heard plenty about the exchange, acknowledging that some reaction was negative, but he said the vast majority was from people thanking him for speaking up.

Trump jabbed at Rounds by saying he only had courage to make those remarks because he doesn't face reelection until 2026, and he pledged that he would never again endorse Rounds.

Rounds acknowledged that some Republicans facing earlier primaries would not disappoint a part of the base that really does have a loyalty to the former president.

But he argued it could be done, pointing to Thune, who recently mulled retirement before announcing last week he would seek another term. Though Thune has a large campaign fund and a seemingly clear path to reelection, he has drawn a handful of primary challenges from an insurgent group of conservatives seeking to unseat anyone who hasn't bought into the Trump brand of politics.

Hes not looking for a fight, Rounds said of Thune. "He just wants to be honest with the people.

One of Thune's challengers, Bruce Whalen, had cautionary words for Rounds.

He needs to remember that South Dakota is predominantly MAGA and there are just so many angry people out there right now, Whalen said.
Communities of Practice

STEM Learning Ecosystems Names 16 to New Leadership Coordinating Council

New Appointments Part of Bid to Bolster Expansion of STEM Education Opportunities

The STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice is laying the foundation for growing global STEM education opportunities by appointing 16 leaders from around the world to its new Leadership Coordinating Council, the organization said in a news release.

Supported by the communitys founding organization Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM, the Leadership Coordinating Council will lead all aspects of the work of the STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice as it enters its seventh year.

The SLECoP brings together leaders from business and industry, education, museums, nonprofits, philanthropy, and government to provide more meaningful STEM opportunities for all.

The U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy has cited as a top priority forming more STEM Learning Ecosystems as part of the federal offices goal to drive meaningful STEM gains for communities across the nation.

The Leadership Coordinating Council will move the SLECoP to new heights of leadership, recommending and implementing efforts to best support 100 global communities working to connect the diverse partners who recognize the power of STEM to improve the lives of individuals, families and entire communities, the organization said.

"The STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice has been an agent of change for reimagining STEM experiences in large urban communities like New Orleans, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Tulsa or more rural communities like upstate New York and Idaho, said new Leadership Coordinating Council Chair Judd Pittman, who formerly served as a special consultant to the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education and is currently the director of K16 Initiatives at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Leaders in STEM Learning Ecosystems across the Globe are organizing cross-sector partners to expand opportunities for and increase the inclusion of marginalized scholars in STEM, shining the spotlight on the diverse talent within each and every community across an Ecosystem's footprint.

Reginald McGregor, engineering manager at Rolls Royce, will serve as vice chair of the leadership council and as liaison to the Strategic Advisory Council. The Leadership Coordinating Council will shape the future of this country by defining STEM as a skillset and diversifying the participants leading and those they are serving, said McGregor, who also works with the Indiana STEM Ecosystem Community of Practice.

Also appointed to the new Leadership Coordinating Council were:

Vice Chair of Equity, Access and Opportunity Willonda McCloud, Lancaster County (Penn.) STEM Alliance

Vice Chair of Learning Frank Creech, NC STEM Ecosystem

Vice Chair of International Relations Tal Hakim Dromias, Beit Hakerem Cluster, Be'er Sheva (Israel) STEM Ecosystem

Vice Chair of Communications LaTrenda Sherrill, Pittsburgh Regional STEM Ecosystem

Vice Chair of Policy Jeremy Babendure, Arizona SciTech Ecosystem

Vice Chair of Events Lori Fillipin, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance

Levi Patrick, Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance

Donna DeSiato, East Syracuse Minoa Central School District STEM Learning Ecosystem

Natasha Smith Walker, Chicago STEM Pathways Cooperative

Deb Bailey, Oregon's Statewide Regional STEM Hub Network

Lisa Blank, North Country STEM Network

Jo-Ann Coggan, STEAMecosystemBC (Canada)

Graciela Rojas, Ecosistema STEAM (Mexico)

Kathleen Schofield, NE Florida STEM2 Hub

Leadership Coordinating Council members were selected based on their demonstrated leadership at the STEM Learning Ecosystem level with brilliance in understanding the importance of STEM and the alignment with workforce and economic development, the organization said.

STEM Learning Ecosystems encompass schools, community settings such as after-school and summer programs, science centers and museums, and informal experiences at home, businesses/industry, higher education including community colleges and in a variety of environments that together constitute a rich array of learning opportunities for young people. Learn more about the global initiative at stemecosystems.org.
The digital economy is expected to play a bigger role in bolstering China's high-quality development, accelerating digital transformation and upgrading traditional industries, industry experts said.

They attributed their expectations to China's plan to develop the digital economy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

They also said innovative digital technologies like big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence are increasingly being integrated into all other sectors of economic and social development. This trend is injecting new impetus into global economic recovery as well, they said.

The added value of the core industries in the digital economy will account for 10 percent of GDP, up from 7.8 percent in 2020, according to the plan unveiled by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Wednesday.

By 2025, China will establish a market system for data elements and see the digital transformation of industries reach a new level. Moreover, digital public services will become more inclusive and a sound governance system for the digital economy will be established, said the plan.

"Facilitating the growth of the digital economy is of vital importance to cultivate new driving forces, boost high-quality and innovation-driven development and effectively address the unbalanced development in society," said Long Haibo, a senior researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council.

Technologies like big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the internet of things are evolving fast and finding a wide range of applications across industries and other economic sectors, speeding up their integration with the real economy, Long said.

Long also noted that more efforts are needed to make breakthroughs in core and basic technologies, expand the industrial application scenarios of leading technologies as well as strengthen the protection of data security and personal information.

China's digital economy was worth nearly $5.4 trillion in 2020, up 9.6 percent year-on-year, ranking second in the world, according to a white paper released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, a government think tank.

Moreover, the plan details key tasks in eight areas, including optimizing and upgrading digital infrastructure, pushing forward the digital shift of enterprises and expanding international cooperation on digital economy.

It stresses enhancing innovation of key technologies in strategic and forward-looking fields like quantum information, network communications, integrated circuits, key software, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain and new materials, as well as fostering new business forms and models.

Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Information Consumption Alliance, a telecom industry association, said, "The emerging digital technologies represented by 5G, big data and AI have played a critical role in enhancing operational efficiency, cutting costs and improving core competitiveness of traditional industries amid economic downward pressure."

He spoke highly of the nation's intensified efforts to develop the digital economy, which will inject fresh impetus into the country's economic growth and speed up digital and intelligent upgrades in enterprises. The in-depth integration of digital technologies with the real economy will further reinforce China's advantages in global supply chains, he said.

The digital economy has become a major driver of economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic and network security provides a good foundation for boosting the digital economy, said Zhou Hongyi, founder of cybersecurity company 360 Security Group.

Zhou said internet-driven companies should collaborate with traditional industries, and leverage their advantages in technologies, talent and capital to support the latter's digital transformation.

"The next five years will be a golden period for pushing forward digitalization, and the governments around the world have attached great significance to digitalization," said Kitty Fok, managing director of market consultancy IDC China.

Fok further said direct investment in digital transformation worldwide will surpass $6.8 trillion in the 2020-23 period.
MARION  A Marion man convicted in September of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child has filed a motion for a new trial claiming errors in the case.

David Blue, 44, was convicted on Sept. 10 on two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, class X felonies, and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a class 2 felony, according to Judici, an online local courts database.

Blues defense team has filed a motion for a new trial and will appear 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, before the Williamson County Court in courtroom 6 to argue this before Judge Michelle Schafer, according to a news release sent out on behalf of Blue.

Prior to the hearing, Blues attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, will be joined by Blues family on the steps of the courthouse at 8:30 a.m. to address the public about their claims.

Bonjean claims Blue has been wrongfully convicted of the sexual assault of a child following an investigation by the Marion Police Department and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services that was rife with legal and procedural errors based on an incomplete investigation, according to the news release.

Officials with the Williamson County State's Attorney's Office and the Marion Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday on Blue's claims.

Blue was sentenced on Oct. 18 to six years in prison with credit for time served behind bars awaiting a resolution in his case  out of the potential 60 years, according to Judici.

Court records state one reason he received a lesser sentence was because of his lack of a criminal history.

Blue was found guilty of committing the offenses against a child under the age of 13 after a three-day trial.

Eight witnesses testified. This included the victim  who needed the support of the States Attorneys support dog Zoey, authorities said in a previously published news release.

This was a very difficult case, as sexual assaults of children are some of the worst cases we have to handle. We hope this verdict brings a sense of justice to the victim and (the victim's family)," States Attorney Brandon Zanotti said in a previous news release.

Zanotti thanked the Marion Police Department, Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center and DFCS for "great work in helping get this case prepared for trial."

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SALINE COUNTY  An Equality man was found dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash Tuesday.

Larry Grabis, 71, was pronounced dead at approximately 8:45 p.m. Tuesday on Illinois 142 just north of Willow Lake Road after crashing into some trees, Illinois State Police said.

A preliminary investigation indicates Grabis was driving southeast on Illinois 142 in his white Volkswagen.

Grabis left the roadway to the left for an undetermined reason and traveled through a field before striking a row of trees, ISP said.

Grabis was pronounced dead by the Saline County Coroner, ISP said.

No further information into the investigation of this crash has been released.

 The Southern

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CHICAGO  A 14-year-old boy was fatally shot on Chicago's South Side just hours after another boy the same age was shot and killed on the city's near West Side, police said Thursday.

No arrests had been made in the shootings Wednesday, police said.

The first shooting happened just before 4 p.m. Police said a boy, identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office as Javion Ivy, was standing on the sidewalk when he was shot twice in the chest. Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan told reporters Thursday morning that witnesses told police they saw two people fleeing the scene. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead soon after.

Deenihan said the second boy was shot at about 8:50 p.m. in Englewood on the South Side. He said the boy was walking with a friend when someone in a dark colored vehicle shot him in the head. The boy, identified by the medical examiner's office as James Sweezer, was pronounced dead shortly before midnight.

Police said the second shooting happened in the same neighborhood where earlier that evening a 29-year-old woman sitting in her car was shot and killed by two males who climbed from their vehicle, walked over and opened fire before driving off. No arrests have been made in that shooting and police did not say if they believe the two slayings were related.

Superintendent David Brown said Chicago police have seized 284 guns so far in 2022.

"I think about those two young boys, and I think about their potential," Brown said during a news conference. "They are two of Chicago's children robbed of their futures, and it is unacceptable."

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BELLEVILLE  A former treasurer for the Perry County Agricultural Society was convicted of mail fraud on Thursday in the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Billy E. Harris, 48, of St. Louis admitted to defrauding the Perry County Agricultural Society for more than $100,000 from June 5, 2012, to Oct. 3, 2018. The society organizes the annual county fair.

Harris wrote checks on the society's account payable to himself and his wife, forging a board member's signature on the checks. Harris also acknowledged that he paid personal expenses and bought items for his personal use, mostly through Amazon and PayPal, charging document say.

Harris admitted to spending the Agricultural Society's funds on such items as personalized Darth Vader and Yoda pet tags, Star Wars men's sleeping pants, a CPAP tube cleaner, a WiFi router, Apple AirPods, a Himalayan Salt Lamp Air Purifier, a floating pool fountain, and men's grooming products, including beard lube.

Harris served as treasurer of the Perry County Agricultural Society from 2011 to Oct 2018, according to a release from the court.

Harris is scheduled for sentencing at 1:30 p.m. May 5 at the federal courthouse in Benton.

The mail fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of probation, according to the release. In addition, Harris can be ordered to pay full restitution to the Perry County Agricultural Society, said the release.

The St. Louis Office of the Postal Inspection Service and the Pinckneyville Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Perry County State's Attorney's Office, the court release stated.

The case was prosecuted by Scott Verseman, Assistant State's Attorney.

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After a foggy start to the day for some, temperatures will climb into the mid 30s to low 40s early this afternoon with dry conditions. During the late afternoon though, a rain/snow mix will start to push into Central Illinois. This will quickly transition to all snow after sunset. Light to moderate snow looks to be widespread across the area during the evening hours, with snow showers becoming less numerous after midnight. Snow looks to wrap up during the morning hours Saturday with dry conditions returning to Central Illinois for the afternoon.

The Bloomington-Normal area looks to receive 1 to 3 inches of snow when it's all said and done. Mattoon also has a forecast of 1 to 3 inches. Decatur could see as little as 1 inch, but as much as 4 inches. Snow totals will be higher to the west where winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings are in effect.

For Southern Illinois, only scattered rain showers are expected during the evening hours. They will become more widespread as the night goes on and eventually will transition to snow from north to south after midnight. The best chance of snow Saturday will be during the morning hours with the last of the snow flurries exiting during the early evening.

If the transition from rain to snow occurs earlier, Carbondale could end up seeing 3 inches of snow. If the transition occurs later, you may only pick up 1 inch.

While road conditions are expected to be significantly worse to the west of us, visibility will still be reduced across Central and Southern Illinois this evening through Saturday morning. Secondary roads in particular could become snow covered. Use caution if driving during this period. Slow down and increase your following distance.

Friday's Forecast

Bloomington-Normal

Morning Fog, Isolated Afternoon Rain/Snow Showers

High Temperature: 35

Decatur

Morning Fog, Isolated Afternoon Rain/Snow Showers

High Temperature: 38

Carbondale

Mostly Cloudy, Few Afternoon Rain Showers

High Temperature: 42

Friday Night's Forecast

Bloomington-Normal

Snow Likely Early, Scattered Snow Showers Late

Cloudy Skies, Becoming Breezy

Low Temperature: 20

Decatur

Snow Likely Early, Scattered Snow Showers Late

Cloudy Skies

Low Temperature: 23

Carbondale

Scattered Rain Early, Rain/Snow Mix Likely Late

Cloudy Skies

Low Temperature: 32

Saturday's Forecast

Bloomington-Normal

Few Morning Snow Flurries, Becoming Sunny

Windy, Gusts Around 30 mph

High Temperature: 26

Decatur

Isolated Morning Snow Showers, Becoming Mostly Sunny

Becoming Windy, Gusts Around 30 mph

High Temperature: 29

Carbondale

Scattered Morning Snow Showers, Isolated Afternoon Snow Showers

Mostly Cloudy, Becoming Breezy

High Temperature: 36

Saturday Night's Forecast

Bloomington-Normal

Clear Skies

Low Temperature: 10

Decatur

Mostly Clear

Low Temperature: 12

Carbondale

Few Snow Flurries Early, Becoming Mostly Clear

Breezy, Gusts Around 25 mph

Low Temperature: 20

Matt Holiner covers weather and climate across the Midwest. Matt has eight years of professional meteorology experience and has forecast every type of weather for cities across the country. He holds the National Weather Association's Seal of Approval.

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A 20-year-old pleaded guilty to attempted strong-arm robbery during a recent term of court at the Orangeburg County Courthouse.

Travyon Ahmir Taylor of 181 Rossmore Drive, Cayce, also pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence and third-degree assault and battery by mob resulting in bodily injury.

Circuit Judge Diane Goodstein sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years.

She also ordered him to successfully complete an anger management program and work toward a trade while in prison.

Warrants originally charged Taylor with second-degree assault and battery by mob resulting in serious bodily injury and second-degree domestic violence, but he pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and battery by mob resulting in bodily injury and third-degree domestic violence instead.

As part of Taylors plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed the charges of criminal conspiracy and petit larceny valued at $2,000 or less.

In other pleas:

 Shaquille Trevon Clark, 25, of 761 Whittaker Parkway, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense failure to stop for blue light, criminal conspiracy and financial institution crime.

Goodstein sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended to one year of probation.

She gave him credit for having already spent 29 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

She ordered him to pay restitution and stipulated that his probation may end early once he pays the money he owes.

As part of Clarks plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed one count each of forgery valued less than $10,000 and possession of a stolen vehicle valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000.

Warrants allege Clark wrote several checks, totaling around $500, drafted from a TD Bank account belonging to a Florida female.

Warrants also allege Clark deposited one of the checks into his GrandSouth Bank checking account using a mobile app.

The bank lost about $518 as a result of the incident, according to warrants.

A GrandSouth Bank employee said forged checks were deposited into four different member accounts.

The crimes took place in September 2019.

 Travis Jarrell Leary, 25, of 223 Otto Street, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and unlawful carrying of a handgun.

Goodstein sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed four years.

She ordered him to select a trade while in prison and said adequate training will be provided.

Warrants charged Leary with non-violent second-degree burglary, but he pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary instead.

As part of Learys plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed a charge of grand larceny valued at $10,000 or more and malicious injury to real property valued at $2,000 or less.

 James Lamar Frazier, 28, of 360 Lakeview Drive, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to breaking into a motor vehicle.

Goodstein sentenced him to 90 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center and gave him credit for having already served 10 months there.

 Fabian Donel Williams, 27, of 280 Folly Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession with intent to distribute marijuana and unlawful carrying of a handgun.

Goodstein sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.

She ordered Williams to complete substance abuse counseling, undergo random drug/alcohol testing and forfeit his weapon.

Prosecutors dismissed his charge of possession of a stolen pistol.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD

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CEO: Flybar not coming; announcement unfortunate News headlines that toy manufacturer Flybar, Inc. had purchased a building in Orangeburg are incorrect, project officials say.

Officials say the company did not purchase the property. Find out more at: https://thetandd.com/news/local/ceo-flybar-not-coming-announcement-unfortunate/article_007143f7-df11-5719-b979-e7179bcc7fea.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

A toy manufacturer which touts itself as the original pogo stick company has purchased a building in Orangeburg.

New Jersey-based Flybar, Inc. has purchased the 361,526-square-foot former Aco Distribution and Warehouse building at 2500 Rowesville Road, according to a release from commercial real estate firm Colliers South Carolina.

Flybar needed a central location with port access on the eastern seaboard to import and distribute its product, Chuck Salley, vice president and director of the industrial brokerage team in Colliers Columbia office, said in a statement.

Located midway between New York and Miami, 2500 Rowesville Road is within an hour of the Port of Charleston and affords direct access to four interstates within a 30-minute drive, Salley said.

Salley could not be reached for further comment.

Flybar bought the building for $12.8 million, according to the release.

Reger Holdings purchased the building in May 2020 and made a number of improvements to the site, such as door repairs and the replacement of concrete rail loading docks, according to the release.

Colliers South Carolina represented Reger Holdings in the sale.

Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson would not confirm Flybar is the company that bought the building.

The real estate group announced the project technically before it should have been announced, Robinson said.

The commission will not provide details on the investment or job creation numbers until the company chooses to go public with the information, Robinson said.

We are excited to have the company, Robinson said. He called it a unique opportunity for the company to enter the Global Logistics Triangle, which is how the county refers to the area bounded by Interstate 26, Interstate 95 and U.S. Highway 301.

We welcome them with open arms, Robinson said.

He said, I will not share more details until the project is announced.

The release said Flybar will occupy about 185,260 square feet of the facility, with the remaining portion leased to another tenant.

Flybar was founded in 1918 and is reportedly the worlds leading pogo stick manufacturer.

The company also offers a host of other products, including bumper cars, skateboards, scooters, sleds, foam hoppers, pogo balls, trick boards; animal hoppers, bouncer balls, toy vehicles, and infant and pre-school toys.

On its website, the company says it has grown from about 25 products to nearly 400.

Reger, headquartered in western New York, invests in commercial and industrial properties and mixed-use developments.

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A gantry crane works on a China-Europe freight train at Suifenhe Railway Port in Suifenhe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 1, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's foreign trade moved up another notch in 2021 by exceeding 6 trillion U.S. dollars for the first time albeit the COVID-19 pandemic continued to weigh on the global trade, official data showed Friday.

Total goods trade amounted to 6.05 trillion U.S. dollars, up 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars from a year ago, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

The trade volume in yuan terms expanded 21.4 percent year on year to 39.1 trillion yuan, with exports up 21.2 percent to 21.73 trillion yuan and imports up 21.5 percent to 17.37 trillion yuan.

"China has been at the forefront of economic development and pandemic response globally, and maintained a rapid growth in foreign trade, which registered a record high in volume and a steady progress in quality," GAC spokesperson Li Kuiwen said.

The country posted steady trade growth with all its five largest trading partners.

China's imports and exports with ASEAN, the European Union and the United States gained 19.7 percent, 19.1 percent and 20.2 percent, respectively, while its trade with Japan and the Republic of Korea climbed 9.4 percent and 18.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the country's trade with economies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative reported a higher-than-average increase of 23.6 percent.

In 2021, China's purchases of intermediate and consumer products overseas gained 24.9 percent and 9.9 percent, respectively, from a year ago in 2021, the GAC data shows. The country's imports accounted for 12.1 percent of the world's total in the first three quarters of 2021, up 0.5 percentage points from a year ago.

"China's wider opening-up allowed the world to enjoy more dividends of its economic growth and prosperous consumption," Li said. The country became the world's second-largest importer in 2009.

Friday's data also added to the evidence of a resilient Chinese economy and reassured global investors and observers that the country remains a powerful engine of global growth and development.

Buoyant exports have become a pillar of China's economy, said Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist of Pinpoint Asset Management.

China's foreign trade reached the 4-trillion-USD mark in 2013 and surpassed 5 trillion and 6 trillion U.S. dollars at one go in 2021. The trade increment last year equals the total volume in 2005.

Thanks to the dynamic trade, the Chinese economy was expected to have ended 2021 on a strong note and will get off to a good start this year. In its latest predictions, the World Bank put China's real GDP growth for 2021 at an estimated 8 percent, moderating mildly in 2022 to a still-solid 5.1 percent.

"The country's exports will remain strong in the first quarter of this year as global demand remains robust and the pandemic worsens in many developing countries," Zhang said.

The National Bureau of Statistics will on Monday release a series of economic indicators for 2021, including the country's GDP, industrial output, fixed-asset investment and retail sales.

Despite a satisfactory 2021, Li pointed out that China's foreign trade will face rising uncertainty and instability this year as the pandemic remains serious around the globe and the recovery in global demand is slowing down.

"Given these difficulties and challenges, we should recognize that China's economy is resilient and its sound long-term fundamentals will remain unchanged," Li said, voicing undented confidence in stabilizing foreign trade.

The Chinese government unveiled new guidelines on Tuesday to ease pressures on foreign-trade companies and keep exports and imports stable.

The guidelines detail measures including fiscal and financial support for foreign-trade companies, incentives for new forms of businesses, and efforts to ease the supply-chain risks and further enhance trade liberalization and facilitation.

Also good news for China's efforts to maintain trade growth, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, signed by 15 Asia-Pacific countries including China, entered into force on Jan. 1, creating the world's largest trade bloc.

China's imports and exports with the other 14 RCEP members combined went up 18.1 percent year on year to 12.07 trillion yuan in 2021, accounting for 30.9 percent of the country's total foreign trade.
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Today

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

Tomorrow

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. High 81F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
A Casper 18-year-old is one of two teenagers charged in a July shooting that killed a 14-year-old boy in Cheyenne.

Xavier Sanchez faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. According to a Friday release from Cheyenne police, he was arrested in Casper on July 15.

The other defendant in the case, 16-year-old Raymond Sanchez of Cheyenne, is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He was arrested five days before the Casper defendant, on unrelated charges.

While the arrests date to July, authorities announced Friday for the first time that they had been charged with murder.

Police responded to a call at 1 a.m. on July 5 on the 1500 block of Taft Avenue for a report of gunshots heard inside a home, a police press release stated in July. Officers found the 14-year-old with a gunshot wound.

The victim, whose name was not released by police, was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The incident was investigated as a homicide. Police have not publicly released a motive for the shooting.

A preliminary hearing in the case will be set later. Both defendants were being held Friday at the Laramie County Detention Center.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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A Wyoming man has been charged with entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, federal court filings show.

Andrew Galloway faces four charges in Washington, including entering the Capitol, demonstrating in a capitol building and disorderly conduct. He has pleaded not guilty, court records show.

An affidavit in the case includes stills from a since-deleted TikTok, Youtube videos and images from Jan. 6, appearing to show Galloway wearing a knit hat and scarf with TRUMP written on them in white letters.

The affidavit states FBI officers interviewed Galloway at his home outside of Cody, where he identified himself in the videos and did not dispute that he was there at the time.

Court documents state he told investigators that he did not enter the Capitol, but was outside. Investigators also used Galloways Wyoming drivers license to match his image to the surveillance footage.

Court filings show he was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday. He was released from custody this week on a personal recognizance bond, filings state, which means he wont have to pay bond unless he fails to show up for court appearances.

The conditions of his bond state he should stay away from Washington, D.C., except for attendance at required hearings and appearances.

The FBI reportedly received a tip about Galloways participation and identified him in surveillance footage from Jan. 6, 2021. According to court documents, Galloway could be seen in the footage wearing the Trump hat, entering the Capitol twice through breached windows.

One video obtained by investigators shows Galloway saying, Yeah, that was us today; no that wasnt antifa, court documents state.

Cell phone data from Galloways number also reportedly confirmed his presence in the area on Jan. 6, authorities say.

A screenshot from a TikTok including in the criminal complain against Galloway purports to show him on Jan. 6. It says in its caption that Galloway is associated with Wyoming company Powderkeg Patriots Apparel. A 2020 Wyoming Secretary of State business filing shows Galloway listed as the companys agent, with a Cody address. The companys website lists a mailing address in Glenrock.

On Wednesday, one day after Galloways arrest, the company said in a social media post that it was temporarily closed due to unforeseen circumstances. The Star-Tribune called a phone number associated with the company, but no one answered Friday.

A hearing has been set in Galloways case for Feb. 22 in D.C.

Follow city and crime reporter Ellen Gerst on Twitter at @ellengerst.

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The Omicron variant, which spreads faster than Delta, will result in a hospitalization surge and overload the healthcare system, said Zhang Wenhong, head of the Center for Infectious Diseases with the Shanghai-based Huashan Hospital of Fudan University. He added that the battle between humanity and the Omicron variant is at its "toughest moment."

In a blog on China's microblogging platform Weibo on Thursday, Zhang said that the number of imported COVID-19 infections in Shanghai reached a record high. He said vaccines and COVID-19 drugs are the core scientific underpinning to tide over the pandemic and return to regular life in the future.

After comparing the clinical symptoms of patients infected with the new Omicron variant and Delta, Zhang's team found that Omicron is "more contagious, harder to detect, and has an unneglectable lethality."

Citing a WHO statement that the Omicron variant carries a "very high global surge risk," Zhang said the best strategy for China is to remain patient and step up vaccination while adhering to the current COVID-19 prevention tactics.

The Omicron variant has been identified as the culprit of recent COVID-19 resurgences in Tianjin and Henan's Anyang. Infections with this latest, highly infectious variant have also occurred in several Chinese cities, including Changsha and Guangzhou.
Between the budget, federal stimulus allocation and redistricting, Wyoming lawmakers have their work cut out for them in the upcoming session. Now, half a million dollars set aside in the legislative budget suggests that some are preparing for another special session.

During a Management Council meeting last week, Rep. Andy Schwartz (D-Jackson) pointed out theres $500,000 for the special contingency fund in a version of the proposed legislative budget. Thats twice the amount it was in the previous budget.

So my interpretation then is Im looking forward to more special sessions, said Schwartz.

While Senate President Dan Dockstader (R-Afton) told WyoFile in an email there are no plans for a special session, he also said, Wisdom will be including contingency funds for unforeseen challenges, which I hope there are none.

While the special contingency fund is used for a variety of expenses  primarily interim committees  it was previously used to pay for the most recent special session that cost the state roughly $230,000. As Speaker of the House Eric Barlow (R-Gillette) pointed out during the meeting, that cost would have been higher had some lawmakers not waived their per-diems and other expenses.

Substantial tasks, small window

When the Wyoming Legislature kicks off its 2022 budget session on Feb. 14, lawmakers will have three substantial tasks ahead of them. Those include passing a budget, finalizing plans for allocating federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars and finishing up the redistricting process. They also have a limited timeframe  the Legislature has set out 20 days for the budget session.

The states Constitution mandates that legislators meet for no more than 60 working days over the course of a House term, and they already met in 2021 for a 40-day general session. The exception to that rule is when lawmakers are called into a special session.

The specter of another special session concerns some lawmakers.

Rep. Mike Yin (D-Jackson) said in a tweet that an additional special session would make it difficult to hold onto the full-time job he has outside of the Legislature.

During the meeting, Schwartz said the work of legislators has become progressively more time consuming, and that raises questions about who has the means and ability to serve the state and who does not.

We need to make these jobs attractive to people who are not yet serving who might consider it, he said. And for a lot of them, financial considerations are going to be part of it.

The increased workload has also impacted the Legislative Service Office. During the meeting, LSOs Riana Davidson described findings from a recent committee that was tasked to understand why there has been such high turnover in the agency. Davidson described workload as being at a particular high because of an increased demand to draft legislation.

Before the pandemic, the special session was a little-known mechanism to be used by the legislative branch in times of extraordinary events. Lawmakers have now held two of these types of sessions in the last two years, both of which were related to COVID-19.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

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A vaccine mandate for health care facilities that receive federal funding will remain in place, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday, a decision that observers say has the potential to worsen existing staffing shortages at facilities across the state.

The Biden administrations mandate applies to health care facilities that receive money from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The mandate allows for medical and religious exemptions, and its unclear whether health workers who refuse to be vaccinated will lose their jobs.

Nonetheless, Thursdays 5-4 ruling is expected to be felt across the state.

All of the states 38 nursing homes and 28 hospitals take federal money, according to Eric Boley, president of the Wyoming Hospital Association. The states own facilities  Wyoming State Hospital, Wyoming Life Resource Center and the Wyoming Retirement Center  will also be affected.

Wyoming has the second-lowest vaccination rate in the nation, trailed only by Idaho.

Were already short-staffed, and we cant afford to lose more employees at this point, Boley said. Pick any place in the state and there will be shortages.

While Boley acknowledged that vaccines are the best defense against the virus, he believes the mandates should not be carried out by the federal government. Instead, they should be handled on a more local or regional basis.

The Supreme Court decision comes at a time when COVID-19 hospitalizations are down in the state, but that doesnt mean the states hospitals arent still at risk of being overwhelmed.

We have enough beds, but we dont have enough staff to staff them, Boley said.

As Wyoming begins the third year of the pandemic, part of the staffing shortages are due to burnout, Boley said. The virus had increased demand for services, and its politicization means workers sometimes bear the brunt of bad feelings.

Theyve been looked at as heroes, and now theyre being viewed as villains, Boley said.

In a statement, Gov. Mark Gordon briefly acknowledged the potential harms if health workers leave their jobs rather than be vaccinated.

It is disappointing that the Court did not reach a similar conclusion on the CMS vaccine mandate, Gordon said. I continue to maintain that healthcare workers should not be forced to choose between vaccination and termination. We are still in the process of evaluating the impacts of this ruling on Wyomings healthcare workforce.

How health care providers proceed in Wyoming remains to be seen. A handful of hospitals already have their own vaccine requirements for staff. That includes the four operated by Banner Health, which oversees the states largest, Wyoming Medical Center.

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, on the other hand, has a looser policy. Currently, Cheyenne Regional requires that staff be vaccinated, but allows those who are unvaccinated against the virus to be tested regularly. That policy will not be admissible under the federal mandate.

With what these folks have faced, its a tough situation to say, You cant stay in this industry when theyve dedicated their whole lives to it, Boley said.

At the same time that the court allowed the mandate for health care facilities to move forward, the justices blocked the vaccine mandate for some companies.

Worker mandate rejected

The mandate would have applied to companies that employ over 100 workers, amounting to more than 80 million people nationwide. If workers declined to be vaccinated, they would have been required to submit to masking and weekly testing.

OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here, the conservative justices wrote in an unsigned opinion.

Wyomings top politicians celebrated the news.

This is a huge win, Sen. Cynthia Lummis said in a tweet. The federal government has no place making far-reaching mandates that put an undue burden on businesses across Wyoming.

Gordon has been outspokenly against both mandates and vowed that the Attorney General would fight them in court.

We are delighted that the Supreme Court ruled favorably on our petition regarding OSHAs authority. This is a victory for Wyoming businesses and their workers, Gordon said in a statement Thursday. The court rightfully recognized this action by the Biden Administration for what it was  a blatant example of federal overreach.

In the fall, the Wyoming Legislature even went as far as to convene a special session in an attempt to fight back against the vaccine mandate for workers. In the end, they did not pass any laws, but they did allocate $4 million for the state to fight the mandates in court.

Stopping this massive government overreach is a victory for all Americans who value the Constitution and their personal freedoms, Sen. John Barrasso, a longtime physician, said in a statement.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow announced Thursday that she is resigning her post to take on the same role in Virginia. Her last day is Sunday.

I am honored, and deeply humbled, to announce that Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin has asked me to serve as Virginias Superintendent of Public Instruction, Balow said in a statement. With a focused drive to lead on the front lines of educational transformation in this country, I have accepted. Therefore, I announce my resignation from the office of Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Serving as State Superintendent for the last seven years has been the greatest honor and challenge of my life.

Linda Finnerty, Balows communications director, declined to offer more details about the conversation between Balow and Youngkin.

After a heated and closely watched election, Youngkin beat out former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe. He is set to be inaugurated Saturday.

Governor-elect Youngkin made educational transformation the centerpiece of his campaign. There is no more serious time to be in K-12 education governance than now, and Virginia is on the cutting edge of this battle for the future of our public schools, Balows statement continued. The work we will do to restore parents voices in education, push for innovation and student success, enhance school choice, and to eliminate political ideology from the classroom will set a new tone in Virginia and the nation. We have made great progress on these very items during my tenure in Wyoming.

One of Youngkins main campaign platforms  and arguably the one he was best known for  was his opposition to the teaching of critical race theory in Virginia classrooms. For this reason, Balow seems like an appropriate fit for his cabinet.

In September, Balow appeared with two state lawmakers to introduce legislation to create an online directory listing all teaching materials and curriculum used in each school by grade level and subject. The superintendent was clear the bill was intended to challenge critical race theory, an academic framework for examining how racism is embedded in U.S. society.

When it comes to politics in the classroom, Ive made my position crystal clear that partisan politics and radical theories should not be forced upon our children, Balow said in her statement.

At that September appearance, however, Balow acknowledged that critical race theory is not being taught in Wyoming schools.

Finnerty declined to comment on how Balows views on critical race theory played into her decision to take a job in Youngkins office.

Before Balows resignation announcement, there were rumors swirling that she may run for governor of Wyoming this year.

The Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee will have 15 days to submit three candidates to Gov. Mark Gordon for consideration, according to a press release from the governors office. The governor will then have five days to appoint a new superintendent from the names submitted who will serve the remainder of Balows term, which ends in January 2023.

Until Gordon makes a decision, Balow will be temporarily replaced by the chief policy officer at the states Department of Education, Kari Eakins.

Balow started her teaching career in Hulett. In the 25 years since then, she has served as a national literacy consultant, an executive in state government, a policy advisor in the governors office, and now the state superintendent of public instruction. Under Balow, Wyomings schools remained in-person for most of the pandemic.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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On this episode of the Utterly Moderate Podcast, host Lawrence Eppard is joined by former Republican South Carolina Congressman and current executive director of RepublicEN.org Bob Inglis.

On their website, RepublicEN asserts that, We are the EcoRight. . . We stand together because we believe in the power of American free enterprise and innovation to solve climate change. Together, we encourage, embolden, and applaud conservative climate leadership. . . The age of conservative climate disputation is over. Check them out at RepublicEN.org!

Eppard talks to Inglis about his intellectual journey on climate change, the work that they do at RepublicEN, how conservative principles can help solve the problem of climate change, as well as the future of the GOP.

Then in segment two Eppard discusses a variety of news items, including:

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Many people are struggling during this Covid-19 pandemic as prices increase, while many are 
Those with authority over others often become wolves because the people under their charge 
PHOENIX  Problems in the system for candidates to qualify for the ballot with online signatures may leave some of them out of the 2022 race.

And the people most at risk of failing to qualify could be those who dont have the big donations from special interests to find away around it, with Democrats potentially more at risk.

State election officials told Capitol Media Services they anticipate temporarily shutting down whats called the E-Qual system for legislative and congressional candidates around the middle of March.

Only thing is, state law gives candidates until April 4 to get the signatures they need to qualify for the August primary. But they were not informed until last week that the online portal would not be available for those races.

And that means is anyone counting on that extra time to reach their goal with online efforts is going to come up short unless they can get the balance the old-fashioned way  with circulators and paper petitions.

Kori Lorick, the state elections director, said its simply a function of the decennial redistricting.

Last month the Independent Redistricting Commission drew new lines for the states 30 legislative and nine congressional districts.

A safe harbor provision enacted by lawmakers allows candidates for this election  and this election only  to gather the necessary signatures to get on the ballot in either their old or new districts.

Lorick said, however, that the system can handle only one set of maps at a time. And, for the moment, that includes only the old district lines.

That, by itself, presents problems for candidates who, having seen the maps approved by the commission, have filed to run in their new districts. If they want to use the E-Qual system, they have to refile under their old districts.

But its even more complex than that.

The certification of the new lines then means counties have to update their voter registration systems to show which voters live in which districts.

That is a necessary precursor to being able to sign petitions with the E-Qual system. But that, however, requires taking the E-Qual system offline to update in March.

More to the point, it wont be back up online again until after the April 4 filing deadline.

Political consultant George Khalaf said many candidates without resources to hire paid circulators count on both volunteers and the ability to get people to sign their petitions online.

That is now a part of our campaign process, it is part of our campaign plan, he said.

Lorick does not dispute that Katie Hobbs, who has been secretary of state since 2019, was aware of the decennial redistricting process. But she rejected questions that the office should have been ready and able to handle the problem.

The voter registration system that we have is not capable of holding multiple maps, Lorick said.

So it could not hold the 2020 maps and the 2022 maps and perform the same functionality it was designed to do.

Khalaf said that still doesnt explain why candidates werent notified until this past week.

For that rug to be pulled out from underneath us at this juncture of the campaign, thats whats problematic.

Agency spokeswoman Murphy Hebert said there was a plan to keep the system online through April 4. But she said that was scrapped when the system to do that created even more problems, what with the numbers for the old districts reassigned by the commission to entirely new areas of the state. And that, said Hebert, created more confusion and problems than simply taking E-Qual offline in March to update the district lines.

Lorick also said any shortcomings in the E-Qual system predate Hobbs.

The prior administration put out the RFP for the system, I believe five or six years ago and laid out the requirements for what that system should do, she said. And it didnt anticipate redistricting.

Consultant Sean Noble said thats no excuse.

Its 2022, he said. Youd think that the secretary of states office, that knew for years that redistricting was coming, would have had some plans in place to deal with this.

The losers in all of this, according to consultant Kevin DeMenna, could be the candidates who are not only new to the process but political outsiders.

Theyre not as intimately familiar with the system, he said.

They may slip through the cracks, DeMenna continued. There may not be a way forward for these less sophisticated candidates.

Noble said that he thinks this will not be as much of a problem for Republicans.

He said GOP contenders recognize that their followers are probably more suspicious of providing information on government-operated computers. So Noble said theyre more likely to rely on the tried-and-true method of sending people out with clipboards.

Political issues aside, theres also a legal question here.

Lorick acknowledged that Arizona law requires the secretary of state to provide a system for people to be able to sign nominating petitions. But she said that doesnt mean Hobbs is breaking the law.

The fact that E-Qual may need to be offline for a period of time for updates to the system due to redistricting is kind of beyond the control of our office, Lorick said.

It doesnt amount to a violation of the statute, she said. Its just a temporary offline period to make sure we are only allowing eligible voters to sign petitions.

On Twitter: @azcapmedia

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China will gradually launch free human papillomavirus vaccinations nationwide to protect women and girls from cervical cancer, starting in pilot regions, the National Health Commission said.

Several provinces have rolled out efforts to promote free HPV vaccinations.

Guangdong plans to gradually inoculate girls under 14 after they get into junior middle schools in September this year. A budget of 600 million yuan ($94.3 million) has been allocated for free vaccinations from 2022 to 2024.

Cities such as Lianyungang in Jiangsu province and Jinan in Shandong province have already begun offering free HPV vaccines to school-age girls, the commission said.

It added that China backs the global strategy of accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer, which was initiated by the World Health Organization in November 2020. The strategy stipulated getting 90 percent of girls vaccinated with HPV vaccine before they turn 15 by 2030, and set the target of eliminating cervical cancer through vaccination, screening and treatment.

"The primary target of HPV vaccination in China is girls from 13 to 15," the commission said.

With HPV vaccines, cervical cancer is expected to become the first malignant tumor to be completely eliminated. About 110,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in China each year.

Both the incidence and mortality rates have been increasing in the past 20 years and the cases have been diagnosed at a younger age. However, the HPV vaccination rate of school-age girls in China is less than 1 percent, China Central Television reported.

Health experts suggested that women should get vaccinated as early as possible, and there is no need to wait for the nine-valent HPV vaccine, which may be temporarily out of stock.

China has approved four types of HPV vaccines for use, including two two-valent HPV vaccines, a four-valent one and a nine-valent kind, each signifying the number of virus strains it can protect against.

Although higher-valent vaccines can protect against a wider range of viruses, "the two most common virus strainsType 16 and Type 18cause 84.5 percent of cervical cancer", said Qiao Youlin, a professor of epidemiology at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences' Cancer Hospital.

"So you can be mainly protected by taking two-valent HPV vaccines," Qiao told CCTV. "The earlier and younger you get inoculated, the better it will be."

Though HPV vaccines reduce cases of cervical cancer by 87 percent, Chinese women tend to become aware of their necessity only at an older age.

Yu Chuanzi, a 29-year-old media worker in Beijing, learned about the HPV vaccine at 25 and was inoculated with her last dose of nine-valent HPV vaccine at 26, which is also the suggested upper age limit for that type of vaccine.

Having just started working after graduation, Yu spent 1,300 yuan for each of the three doses at a community clinic.

"It's really expensive, but also necessary to prevent diseases," she said. "Many health experts recommended it at that time.

"It's good to know that schoolgirls in China will get free vaccinations in the future. Absolutely necessary. I heard that girls in other countries were inoculated at a very young age, and the HPV vaccine was as prevalent as flu vaccine."

Cheng Jiaqi, 20, took the first dose of four-valent HPV vaccination at 13 in Australia as an overseas student. It cost her A$75 ($55) for each dose after medical insurance.

"Local students age 14 can get free vaccination," she said, adding that some of them learned about the HPV vaccination from public advertisements.

Yu said China should promote and publicize vaccination more widely to let more people learn of its importance.
PHOENIX  Calling them necessities, a first-term lawmaker wants the same sales tax rate on guns as to the food you buy from the grocery and the prescriptions you get from your pharmacy.

Zero.

Youve got massively rising crime rates across the nation, said Rep. Steve Kaiser, R-Phoenix.

Everybody knows that, he continued. Its pretty well documented.

And there are statistics from the FBI showing the number of homicides rose nearly 30% last year, the largest one-year increase since the report has been issued in the 1960s.

At the same time, Kaiser said, there has been a call from some quarters to defund the police, diverting resources from armed, uniformed officers to other alternatives, though he acknowledged those changes have largely not occurred in Arizona.

But the bottom line, he said, is that people may have more need to protect themselves. And cost should not be a barrier to defend your family, your property, said Kaiser.

The cost, he said, can add up.

Take a Glock G42, recently listed at Arizona gun stores at about $440.

The state sales tax is 5.6%. That boosts the cost by about $25.

In Pima County, though, add an additional half cent for the countys sales tax. And if the gun is purchased within the city limits of Tucson, that brings the combined rate up to 8.7%, adding about $38 to the out-the-door price.

Will that additional charge be a deciding factor in whether to purchase that gun?

I think in some cases it might be, Kaiser said. And he said the problem is even more pronounced in communities where the combined rate goes as high as 11.2% as it does in the Pinal County communities of Superior and Mammoth.

Kaiser said his HB 2166, if approved, will make a difference for some.

I think it will help drive folks that normally couldnt afford to purchase that to be able to purchase that, he said.

Kaiser has crafted his measure in a way that he believes actually could pick up some support from some Democrats.

First, the sales tax exemption would apply not just to guns but also to what the bill defines as firearm safety equipment.

This includes devices that when installed on a gun prevents it from firing without first being deactivated. It also would cover new electronic interlocks that allow the weapon to be fired only by someone who is authorized to operate it.

There also would be no sales tax on gun safes and other lock boxes designed to allow access only through things like a key, a combination lock or a thumb print.

These have been priorities of gun-safety advocates for years who are looking for ways specifically to prevent children from grabbing an unsecured weapon and killing or injuring themselves or others.

Texas enacted just such a sales tax exemption for safety equipment last year.

And theres another possible incentive.

Democrats for years have been attempting to get rid of whats known as the gun show loophole.

Put simply, federal law requires licensed firearms dealers to run background checks on buyers. But that does not apply to personal sales, a category that covers people who may be going to gun shows from town to town and selling multiple fireams.

Kaiser said that one reason people go to gun shows is that sellers there do not collect sales taxes. If sales tax is no longer a factor, he figures many people would just as soon go to an actual retailer.

And that, he means, going through the required background check.

Rep. Jennifer Longdon, D-Phoenix, who was paralyzed in 2004 in a random shooting, said she has spoken with Kaiser.

I found his bill intriguing, she said. And Longdon said she is grateful for what he is proposing on removing taxes for the purchase of gun safety equipment and safes.

Thats something I could certainly support, she said. But not the rest of it.

Longdon also said she has not found any evidence that eliminating the sales tax on firearms has moved the purchase of them from gun shows to federally licensed firearms dealers.

Kaiser conceded the point, saying his own research found that similar legislation adopted last year in West Virginia, covering not just firearms but also ammunition, failed to produce a shift toward retail sales.

Longdon said she would be willing to back his legislation if it also would prohibit the sale of firearms at gun shows without background checks. Kaiser, however, said that is a nonstarter for him, saying he wants to protect the privacy of gun purchasers.

On Twitter: @azcapmedia

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The Pima County Attorneys Office has found no evidence of voter fraud after investigating 151 incidents of Pima County voters casting multiple ballots in the 2020 general election.

The investigation found the extra ballots cast were not counted in the final tally of votes, did not affect the final election results for any candidate or ballot measure and did not involve conspiratorial acts.

While PCAOs investigation documented instances of these voters knowingly submitting more than one ballot, there is little to no evidence that they acted with the awareness that their actions would or could result in multiple votes being counted, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said in a news release Friday. What our investigation revealed was the genuine confusion about the electoral process, particularly relating to mail-in and provisional ballots, and the genuine fear, for a variety of reasons, that their initial vote would not count.

None of the Pima County voters who submitted more than one ballot are being prosecuted, as the statute applicable to illegal voting holds a person must knowingly vote more than once at any election.

Thus, without fraudulent intent, there is no substantial likelihood of conviction of any of the voters investigated in these incidents, the news release said.

PCAOS fraud unit identified about one-third of the initial 151 incidents for more intensive review and found they were comprised of 23 registered Republicans, 15 registered Democrats and 13 registered as unaffiliated/other.

Conovers office said a representative sampling of those investigated showed:

A Tucson man who admitted to filling out two ballots after he completed the first ballot and then lost it. He and his wife looked all over the house for it and along Craycroft Road near his house before requesting a second ballot, which he completed and mailed in. He believes someone found his initial ballot and mailed it in for him.

A Tucson woman who said she placed her first ballot in a mailbox and raised the red flag to alert the postal carrier of outgoing mail. She said she later realized it was a holiday (Columbus Day) and the mail might not get picked up. She said the following morning, before going to work, she checked the mailbox and the ballot was gone. Due to the holiday, she said she suspected someone other than the mailman had taken her ballot and she requested a replacement ballot, which she completed and mailed in.

A first-time voter who first went to the precinct nearest his parents address, where he gets his mail delivered. He said when he arrived at the polling place, he was told that he wasnt on the roster and was given a provisional ballot. He said he spoke to someone at the precinct who told him to go to his own precinct and vote, so he did. He said he knew he wasnt supposed to cast more than one vote but didnt know where he was supposed to vote.

Former Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez first investigated the 151 incidents shortly after the general election. The investigation was then handed off to PCAOs Elections Law Unit then PCAOs Fraud Unit for further investigation.

In October, former President Donald Trump claimed voter fraud in Pima County, pointing to an influx of mail-in votes that gained the lead for Joe Biden in Pima County, which Trump asserts were fraudulent.

County officials have denied the claims of voter fraud. They point out that Republicans and Democrats were involved in counting Pima Countys ballots multiple times and the results were certified by officials representing both parties in the state.

The election was observed by the Pima County Elections Integrity Commission, a multipartisan group that is tasked with advising election officials on the conduct and security of county elections.

Im proud of the dedicated and laborious work done by so many different units in our office, from our detectives to the Elections and Fraud units, Conover said. Truly, they were protecting the very heart of democracy and confirming that the Southern Arizona vote was free of interference. I cant think of more noble work.

Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com

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 Flash

Vietnamese authorities and the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam on Thursday held a ceremony to officially inaugurate the China-constructed Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line project, the first one of the type completed in the Southeast Asian country.

Over the past two months of commercial operation, the metro line transported some 15,000 passengers per day and has welcomed 1 million passengers till Thursday, Nguyen Manh Quyen, vice chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee said at the inauguration ceremony.

"Starting commercial operation on Nov. 6 last year, the trains have run in absolute safety and well implemented the set targets. The project has been also welcomed by a large number of people in the capital as an advanced and modern mode of public transport introduced for the first time in Vietnam," the Hanoi leader said.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway project is the first metro line in the Vietnamese capital city, which is expected to solve the rapidly increasing traffic amount in the western area of Hanoi and contribute to the socio-economic development of the city. Under a city development plan, Hanoi will have a total of 10 urban railway routes by 2030, according to Quyen.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo emphasized that the metro line is a symbolic cooperation project between the two countries in the field of infrastructure to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The inauguration and smooth operation of the railway line is the epitome of the substantive, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides which is developing steadily," Xiong said, adding that China is willing to join Vietnam in deepening cooperation in key areas, helping Vietnam realize faster development.

Although the number of passengers has decreased recently due to the COVID-19 surge, passengers who have frequent demand such as those go to school and work with monthly tickets are on the rise, according to the project's operators.

Taking a trip to work on Thursday morning, Dao Van Thanh, a 33-year-old passenger from Hanoi's Dong Da district, said using the metro line is now a crucial part of his daily life.

"It helps my traveling far more comfortable these days," Thanh told Xinhua, hoping that more urban railway projects will be constructed to boost connectivity to other parts of the city.

The elevated line is more than 13 km with 12 stations covering three districts. Each train, with a designed speed of 80 km per hour, has four carriages capable of carrying up to 1,000 passengers.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway project officially started construction in October 2011. Its trial run was completed in December 2020, with thousands of trips covering over 70,000 kilometers, enabling the system to operate commercially in late 2021, according to its investors.
87 years ago on Jan. 25, 1934, John Dillinger and his crew of criminals  Charley Makley, Russell Clark and Harry Pierpont  were captured in Tucson following a string of jail breaks and robberies in the Midwest.

On Jan. 23, 1934, Makley and Clark were staying at Hotel Congress when a fire broke out. The duo asked firefighters to retrieve their bags from one of the upper floors. But the firefighters later recognized Makley and Clark and notified police.

Dillinger and Clark were arrested at a home near the University of Arizona. Makley was arrested downtown at what was once the Grabe Electric Company. And Pierpont was captured after being lured to the local police station under false pretenses.

More about the capture: Here are 10 fast facts
PHOENIX  A second Arizona state presentative has reporting having COVID-19 since the Legislature's annual session began Monday.

Tucson Democrat Daniel Hernandez Jr. said Thursday on Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Im thankful to be vaccinated and boosted, and am currently asymptomatic and quarantining at home, Hernandez said.

Earlier Thursday, Rep. Marcelino Quinonez, D-Phoenix, announced he was infected with COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated and had no symptoms.

Hernandez has served in the Arizona House since 2017 and last year announced his candidacy for Congress.

His sister and fellow legislator, Rep. Alma Hernandez, was hospitalized last May with COVID.

Alma Hernandez, who was fully vaccinated at the time she became ill, said then that she went to the hospital because of a high fever and migraine.

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Seven more area school districts have called off in-person classes for Friday.

Citing rising absence rates, officials with Broken Arrow, Keys, Liberty, Oologah-Talala, Stillwater, Tahlequah and Verdigris all announced Thursday that they will not have in-person classes at any of their campuses on Friday.

Broken Arrow, Keys, Liberty and Tahlequah will have virtual instruction on Friday, while Stillwater, Verdigris and Oologah-Talala will not.

Broken Arrow previously moved all secondary students to distance learning. Even with that shift, BAPS still had 441 employees absent Thursday due to illness. The district also had more than 400 reported cases of COVID-19 among its students Thursday morning.

Those issues were echoed by Stillwater Public Schools. In an email to parents, interim Superintendent Gay Washington noted that thanks to a combination of rising COVID-19 cases, seasonal illnesses and other closures in and around Payne County, her district had 93 employees absent Thursday, making it difficult to continue offering in-person instruction.

Individual sites and the district as a whole have exceeded school board approved protocols for staff absences that would justify considering closing sites, she wrote.

With Stillwaters announcement Thursday afternoon, 17 of the states 20 largest traditional public school districts will have at least one campus either in distance learning or completely shut down Friday due to staff and student absences. As of Thursday evening, the three exceptions are Moore, Enid and Bartlesville.

Liberty Public Schools decision came Thursday night at an emergency meeting of the southern Tulsa County school districts board.

Under the terms of Libertys Return to Learn plan, moving to distance learning has to come before the school board as soon as possible if the Tulsa County Health Departments ZIP code map has 74047 listed as an extreme severe risk or higher for the spread of COVID-19. As of Wednesday, that ZIP code, which includes the districts campus and administration office, is listed at extreme severe risk II.

Liberty Superintendent Phil Garland said Thursday afternoon that the decision to even consider making such a move was not made lightly. However, with almost one-third of its high school students absent on Thursday and the district teeter-tottering on having enough staff to cover classrooms, Garland said the students and staff would be better served by making the temporary switch.

We respect that many parents have to work and not everyone is able to do that from home, he said, noting that many of Libertys employees have school-age children attending neighboring districts that are already in distance learning.

It was definitely a consideration, as this is not something we just do without thinking it through, Garland said. We know that this impacts more than just our operations.

Libertys administration does not plan to make a decision about Tuesdays classes until Monday.

Additionally, as of 5 p.m. Thursday, 19 Tulsa Public Schools campuses will be entirely in distance learning on Friday. They include Carnegie, Cooper, Council Oak, Eisenhower, Eliot, Hoover, Kendall-Whittier, Lindbergh, McClure, Owen, Sequoyah, Wayman Tisdale, and Whitman elementary schools, Unity Learning Academy, Memorial Middle School, Hale High School and Tulsa MET.

The other two, Webster Middle and High School and TPS partnership school, Greenwood Leadership Academy, had announced Wednesday that they would not have in-person classes Thursday or Friday due to staff absences.

Seven additional elementary schools will partially be in distance learning Thursday, as Burroughs, Celia Clinton, Eugene Field, Grissom, Kerr, Mayo Demonstration and Skelly still each have at least one grade out due to staff absences.

Also citing staff absences, Union Public Schools is moving five elementary schools to distance learning Friday: Cedar Ridge, Grove, Jarman, Jefferson and Ellen Ochoa. As of Wednesday afternoon, 36 employees among those five sites had tested positive for COVID-19.

In the announcement, Union district officials said a decision had not been made about when in-person classes will resume.

All Union secondary sites were already in distance learning until Tuesday.

Staff absences have also prompted Owasso Public Schools to suspend in-person classes Friday for its high school, Ram Academy, 8th Grade Center and 7th Grade Center. More than 200 OPS employees were absent Thursday, and only three sites district-wide had staff absence rates below 20%, according to a letter from interim Superintendent Margaret Coates.

Owassos Hodson Elementary School was already in distance learning until next week. Owasso is not in session Monday or Tuesday, thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a previously scheduled professional development day. A decision has not been made about Wednesdays classes.

Collinsville Public Schools also announced a distance-learning pivot Thursday afternoon due to staff absences. The districts high school and middle school will not have in-person classes Friday and are tentatively slated to resume in-person instruction on Tuesday.

Catoosa Public Schools was already scheduled to be out Friday and Monday. Citing staff absences, interim Superintendent Rick Kibbe and incoming Superintendent Robert Schornick issued a joint announcement Thursday afternoon that the Rogers County district will not be in session Tuesday due to staffing issues.

Other area schools already in distance learning until Tuesday include Claremores Will Rogers Junior High School, KIPP Tulsas middle school campus, five Jenks Public Schools sites and all of Allen Bowden, Berryhill, Bixby, Coweta, Glenpool, Mounds, Pawhuska, Sand Springs and Sapulpa public schools.

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Oklahomas political leaders praised Thursdays U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking a Biden administration COVID-19 vaccinate-or-test order for large employers while also indicating disappointment that the court left in place a similar mandate for most health care workers.

The rulings do not address the right of individual businesses to require vaccinations or other COVID-19 precautions.

The Supreme Courts decision to strike down President Bidens unlawful vaccine mandates for businesses is an important victory for the individual freedom of Oklahomans and every citizen of this great nation, Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a written statement.

From the beginning I have maintained that the vaccine should be a personal choice, Stitt said. While I am pleased with the Courts decision regarding businesses, I am disappointed in its decision to even temporarily uphold the (health care worker) vaccine mandate. No American should lose their job over a vaccine, especially our brave health care workers who have been on the front lines of this pandemic.

Todays ruling will not only affect them, but it will also hurt our hospitals ability to care for patients during a nationwide staffing shortage.

The decision comes as many parts of the country, including Oklahoma, are seeing record numbers of new COVID-19 cases, which epidemiologists attribute mostly to the highly infectious but less potent omicron variant.

Oklahoma ranks anywhere from first to 11th nationally in per capita deaths, depending on which calculations are used.

In a follow-up question, Stitts office was asked how he would respond to people who are concerned about losing not just jobs but lives because of unvaccinated co-workers.

Gov. Stitt does not wish for anyone to die, said a spokeswoman.

Attorney General John OConnor, who earlier this week told a Tulsa group his Civil Rights Division is heavily engaged in fighting vaccination mandates, also gave a mixed reaction to the split decision.

Now, individuals who work in the private sector can make health care decisions for themselves and their families  as it should be, OConnor said. This is a major win for job creators and their employees.

However, we are disappointed with the Courts decision to allow the enforcement of the Biden Administrations vaccine mandate for health care workers. The State of Oklahoma is already suffering from health care staffing shortages and the CMS vaccine mandate will only make matters worse, especially in rural Oklahoma.

U.S. Sen. James Lankford and 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern also weighed in.

This is a big day for every Oklahoman and American who has lived in fear of having to choose between their health decisions or keeping their job, said Lankford. Todays ruling states what every Oklahoman has known for months: President Biden does not have the authority to reach into every private business to say who should be hired and who should be fired.

Hern referred to the business mandates as a long national nightmare and said, The federal government should never be in the business of telling job creators who they can and cant employ based on vaccination status.

Experts say the latest data indicate that vaccinated individuals may still contract COVID-19, and especially the omicron variant, but that the overwhelming majority of those hospitalized with the infection are unvaccinated.

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The rubber chicken circuit is a time-honored tradition among politicians: You go to a community, show up at a local civic club lunch, and hone your message.

If everything works out, youll shake some hands, bolster your standing among voters, and maybe convince the skeptical folks in the back that youre not such a bad guy after all. If youre lucky, the chicken cordon bleu isnt too bad, either.

Its standard stuff with boiler-plate speeches. And thats what makes Oklahoma Attorney General John OConnors Sand Springs visit earlier this month so remarkable.

In one speech, he managed to downplay majority rule and elevate the idea that in order for the United States to move forward, it must embrace the Christian faith.

There have been times in America when majority vote has been dead wrong, he said to members of Sand Springs Rotary Club. So our system has to be based on a deeper set of principles, and I submit to you that thats God the creator.

On the surface, the case he makes could be compelling to many. OConnor mentioned a number of government actions that went beyond the realm of the unwise and into the immoral.

OConnor referred to the Dred Scott v. Sandford and Plessy v. Ferguson decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, and hes right about those: Theres no way you can morally justify denying citizenship to people based on their race, nor can you dismiss the harms of separate but equal laws that legalized systemic racism.

On the flip side, telling a group of Oklahomans that the country needs to get right with God is going to get a lot of nodding heads. Throw in the line, I can tell you right now, theres no such thing as an ideal godless America, and you might earn a couple of amens from the lunchtime crowd.

Its a neat rhetorical trick. OConnor rightly laments the damage of past wrongs and then implies that the cure is turning to God.

But he leaves something unsaid, and its a big something.

Who decides what Gods will is?

This is a question people have wrestled with as long as there have been governments. At one time, kings and emperors were themselves elevated to deity status.

Weve mostly outgrown that as a species, but not completely: North Korea is officially atheist, but the rulers of the Kim family are practically revered as gods in that nation, complete with their own spiritualized mythologies.

European monarchs once ruled by something called the divine right of kings. With help from the clergy, they took Romans 13:1-2 (Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there) as the spiritual authority they needed to rule as they saw fit.

Disobeying a king was tantamount to rebelling against God, and you could literally lose your head over it. In this system, every royal edict was  legally speaking  holy writ.

Many wars throughout the centuries have been fought over religion, with warring sides each claiming a true interpretation of Gods will.

Sometimes this happened between different faiths (Muslim conflicts with Christianized Europe in the Dark Ages, and Christian campaigns against Muslims during the Crusades); other times within faiths (Catholic vs. Protestant wars raged in Europe for centuries following the Protestant Reformation).

In all these cases, each side was certain it was right and was prepared to enforce that view at sword point or, later on, over the barrel of a gun.

There is a cynical side to this, too. Many of these conquerors allegedly fighting for their faith werent that interested in what God thought; they just wanted to use his name to further their causes.

Not much has changed in that regard. You dont have to look hard to see people doing that now.

Hindu nationalists in India are using their faith  and their positions in government  to oppress Muslims. The Islamic State group used Islam to slaughter, rape and enslave Christian and Yazidi Iraqis. The use of religion as a tool of conquest crosses centuries, cultures and continents.

That fact wasnt lost on our nations founders. People came to the American colonies for a variety of reasons, one of them being to escape religious persecution in Europe.

The first words of our Bill of Rights address the subject directly.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, reads the opening line of the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Kings had used the institution of the church  often grafted into the government  as a source of power and repression. For the framers, the United States didnt need a king or a state religion.

That concept is crucial for the nation. Although application has been uneven and, at times, rocky (religion was a pretext for vast wrongs against Indigenous peoples, and significant Mormon blood was shed in the 1800s), the U.S. has allowed a variety of faiths to flourish.

A wide swath of Protestants made America home, living alongside Catholics. Non-Christian faiths from every corner of the world have adherents here, worshiping freely. People who dont believe in God are likewise protected under the umbrella of the First Amendment.

The genius of the First Amendment is its timelessness. As a nation, the U.S. in the late 18th century was mostly Christian. Thats still true today, but the religious diversity of the U.S. is far beyond what the framers could have imagined. And yet, the First Amendment still works.

That brings us back to OConnors speech. Im sure the attorney general would deny hes advocating for an official American religion, or at least I hope he would. But weve seen hints from others who push for just that.

Last week, I mentioned former National Security Adviser Gen. Michael Flynn telling a San Antonio ReAwaken America conference, If were going to have one nation under God, which we must, we have to have one religion. One nation under God, and one religion under God.

Flynns statement opposes the First Amendment directly, and its important we say that. At the very least, it runs parallel to what OConnor told Sand Spring Rotarians a little more than a week ago, and I wonder if OConnor believes that majority rule should be superseded by those who claim a special insight into the thoughts of the Almighty.

Perhaps at the next civic club speech, someone can ask OConnor if he agrees with Flynn or sides with the Constitution. And if youre there, as youre cutting into your chicken a lorange, maybe you can follow that up by asking the attorney general if he believes he speaks for God.

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After a local campaign erased nearly $41 million in medical debt for more than 36,000 Oklahomans, the fundraising is coming to an end. Thats not because debt isnt rising; its just out of reach.

Tulsa couple Mona and Mark Whitmire started the effort in partnership with the national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Oklahoma. It targets debt that has been sold by medical providers to debt collectors. The nonprofit buys the debt for pennies on each dollar owed and then cancels it.

In the local campaign, Morningcrest Healthcare Foundation stepped up with a leading gift of $242,000, and individual donations ranged between $10 and $25,000, raising a total of $316,000. The usual debt ratio purchase is about $1 for every $100, but RIP Medical Debt was able to obtain a more favorable rate in Tulsa County of $1 for every $240.

Because of that deal, debt abolishment expanded to counties adjacent to Tulsa County in August 2020 and then to other Oklahoma counties in April 2021. Last month, the nonprofit spent down the rest of its local funding. Every Oklahoma county had residents benefiting from the effort.

But the work ended because the organization couldnt access any more medical debt. The nonprofit bought all it could from debt buyers. This has happened in other areas of the country, and the national nonprofit then seeks to buy debt directly from hospitals before those institutions sell to outside collections.

RIP Medical Debt Executive Director Allison Sesso says it approached area hospitals for that possibility but didnt get any traction.

The Tulsa campaign is suspended because they cant get to the debt, Sesso said.

In general, hospitals have varying policies regarding charity care and assistance, but billions of dollars are held in debt by the institutions.

The first U.S. hospital to sign an agreement with RIP Medical Debt was Ballad Health, a health care system located in 29 counties in Virginia and Tennessee. It paid off $278 million for about 82,000 patients; some of the debts dated back a decade.

In total, the national nonprofit has agreements with 16 hospital systems and more in the pipeline. Still, Sesso said it has taken awhile for some health care institutions to embrace the nonprofits work.

Unfortunately, weve struggled to get hospitals to engage with us and willing to participate, she said. A lot of hospitals hadnt heard about us. A lot of hospitals think its too good to be true. Some prefer the collections agencies.

Some hospitals have pushed back using the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly known as HIPAA, saying the selling of the debt violates patient confidentiality But, as Sesso points out, hospitals will sell the same information to for-profit collection agencies.

Also, Sesso said the nonprofit routinely finds patient debts qualifying for relief even after a hospitals review for charity assistance.

This is not free health care. Many patients had already paid copayments, deductibles and more toward the balance. Their eligibility includes having an income less than twice the federal poverty level, a financial hardship or insolvency. They just couldnt keep up, and the balances languished.

At a minimum, patients get hounded by bill collectors and take a serious hit to their credit ratings. At worst, they get taken to court for payment garnishments or home liens. Psychologically, it takes a toll on their mental health.

The Urban Institute puts Oklahoma as having the eighth-highest medical debt in the nation.

Its estimated that 66% of U.S. bankruptcies and 25% of credit card debt are due to health care debt. The pandemic is certainly making it worse.

Surveys from Debt.com during the pandemic, about 15 months apart, found that the percentage of those with health care debt rose from 46% to 50%. But it showed a 10% decrease in medical debt collections. That reduction is at odds with other reports, including one from Stanford University published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that found medical debt to be the No. 1 source of debt collections, surpassing credit cards, auto loans, utilities and other sources combined.

The Stanford research by county highlights most of Oklahoma as having the highest mean medical debt per person.

This nonprofit RIP Medical Debt model doesnt solve the problems of health care debt. The U.S. has a seriously flawed health care system, with many tentacles contributing to this economic fallout for patients.

The nonprofit addresses a sliver of the problems that plague the hardest hit of low-income and struggling families. Its an important effort that ought to be supported by health care systems.

We hope they see us as part of the response to a problem, Sesso said. This is to help people get back on their feet during a difficult time.

The Whitmires certainly did that. Though the local campaign has ended, the need lingers and grows.

Count the Whitmires among Oklahomas heroes. They stepped up with a solution that helped thousands of people in need. They had no interest other than genuine concern.

And they are more than willing to share the credit. Whats been accomplished would not have been possible without the generous support of donors, measured in both time and treasure, Mark Whitmire said.

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Recent news coverage of the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, and the response of Oklahomas congressional delegation, was disheartening.

All five of Oklahomas House members voted against certifying President Joe Bidens election win, just a few hours after the mob was driven from the Capitol building. (It should not be forgotten that U.S. Sen. James Lankford was also prepared to vote against certification; he changed course only after the storming of the Capitol.)

More than a year later, as the Tulsa World and KWGS reported, all five House members continue to remain silent about the events of that day. The Faint-Hearted Five refuse to explain or answer questions from the media about their vote against certification, or even to affirm that Biden is the legitimately elected president.

If they have sincere concerns about how the election was conducted, why wont they spell out, for their constituents, what those concerns are? Nor have they, to my knowledge, expressed the slightest concern about the former presidents actions in encouraging the insurrection, or his lack of action in calling off the mob.

Are they that worried about arousing the ire of the former president, and drawing a primary opponent? What profiles in courage they are! In the future I hope that, as our representatives, they will be guided by the words of another Republican president, Teddy Roosevelt: (C)haracter, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual, and of nations alike.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to tulsaworld.com/opinion/submitletter.

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Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman are "each other's rock".

The 'Britain's Got Talent' boss proposed to Lauren, 44, earlier this week, and it's said the loved up couple "bring out the very best" in one another.

An insider told PEOPLE magazine: "They have fun together, as well as being each other's rock.

"They are both passionate [about one another], but really do bring out the very best in each other. As a family, they all have such an incredible bond."

The 62-year-old star has seven-year-old son Eric with Lauren, who has 16-year-old son Adam from a previous relationship.

It's said the couple decided to get engaged after seeing how the world has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The source added: "A lot of things have happened in the last few years and just like for everyone else in the world, these things have all been a reminder about what is precious to them."

Simon is said to have proposed to his partner on a recent family holiday in Barbados, and his friend Amanda Holden - who appears alongside him as a judge on 'BGT' - hopes the couple return to the island for their wedding.

She said: "I would love to think [the wedding would be this year].

"Im literally messaging them as we speak going, 'Do I need to book flights to Barbados because I want to get in before the prices go up, let me know'...

"Also Ive got to book time off work, Ive got to get a hat. Im thinking, whos going to look after the kids? Are the kids invited, now come on! Honestly, they need to think about the guests!"

Meanwhile, the TV star admitted she was "shocked" by the announcement as she didn't expect him to ever pop the question.

She explained: "I have to say, Im probably as shocked as Lauren!

"Simon said he would never get married, and obviously Lauren has been by his side and you now theyve been through so much together, and I think shes the one, but I dont know if she ever thought he would put a ring on it!

"Whilst Simon never thought he was the marrying type, hes realized hes met the woman of his dreams - and couldnt be happier. In the words of Beyonce, it was time to put a ring on it."

Originally published on celebretainment.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
 Flash

The latest round of talks aimed at defusing tensions between Russia and the West within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) ended on Thursday without a breakthrough as both sides warned of potential escalation.

Alexander Lukashevich, Russia's permanent representative to the OSCE, said after the talks that Moscow was disappointed by the West's response to its proposals on Ukraine and European security.

However, Lukashevich said that Moscow will not give up on diplomacy and that the sides must reach an agreement or else run the risk of a potentially catastrophic outcome.

"It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is greater than ever before in the last 30 years," said Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, whose country will chair the OSCE in 2022.

Michael Carpenter, U.S. envoy to the OSCE, also warned of a major security crisis in Europe. "The drumbeat of war is sounding loud and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill," he said.

The Vienna talks followed bilateral meetings between Russia and the United States in Geneva on Monday and Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels on Wednesday. However, these negotiations have failed to narrow their differences.

Russia has repeatedly accused the West of threatening its security by expanding NATO eastwards and deploying weapons systems near the country's borders.
Vietnams economic expansion will increase twofold year on year to 5.5 percent this year provided the coronavirus is kept at bay, the World Bank said in a press release on Thursday, quoting its economic update 'Taking Stock.'

Vietnams economic recovery is likely to accelerate in 2022 as GDP growth is expected to rise to 5.5% from 2.6% in the year just ended, the global lender forecast.

Assuming the COVID-19 pandemic will be brought under control at home and abroad, the forecast envisions that Vietnams services sector will gradually recover as consumer and investor confidence firms, it said.

The Vietnamese manufacturing sector will benefit from steady demand from the United States, the European Union, and China.

The fiscal deficit and debt are expected to remain sustainable, with the debt-to-GDP ratio projected at 58.8 percent, well below the statutory limit.

The outlook, however, is subject to serious downside risks, particularly the unknown course of the pandemic, the bank warned.

The emergence of new coronavirus variants may prompt renewed social distancing measures, thereby dampening economic activity.

Weaker-than-expected domestic demand in Vietnam could weigh on the recovery, the World Bank noted.

The global recovery could slow down and demand for Vietnamese exports could weaken as many trading partners are facing dwindling fiscal and monetary space, potentially restricting their ability to further support their economies if the health crisis persists, the bank said, adding that careful policy responses could mitigate these risks.

Fiscal policy measures, including temporary reduction of VAT rates and more spending on health and education, are likely to support aggregate domestic demand.

Support for affected businesses and citizens could be more substantial and more narrowly targeted, the bank suggested.

Social protection programs could be more carefully targeted and efficiently implemented to address the severe and uneven social consequences of the crisis.

Heightened risks in the financial sector should be closely monitored and addressed proactively.

Entitled NO TIME TO WASTE: The Challenges and Opportunities of Cleaner Trade for Vietnam, this Taking Stock edition argues that greening the trade sector should be a priority.

An important driver of Vietnams remarkable economic growth over the past two decades, trade is carbon-intensive  accounting for one-third of the countrys total greenhouse gas emissions  and polluting, the World Bank commented.

More needs to be done to respond to mounting pressures from main destination markets, customers, and multinational companies for greener products and services even when Vietnam has started to decarbonize activity associated with trade, it said.

Trade will be a key component of Vietnams climate actions in the years to come, said Carolyn Turk, World Bank country director for Vietnam.

Promoting greener trade will not only help Vietnam follow through on its pledge to reach net zero emissions in 2050 but will also help it keep its competitive edge in international markets and ensure trade remains a critical income and job generator.

The report recommends that the government act on three fronts: facilitate the trade of green goods and services, incentivize green foreign direct investment, and develop more resilient and carbon-free industrial zones.

Taking Stock is the World Banks bi-annual economic report on Vietnam.

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An elderly woman from Kien Giang Province in Vietnams Mekong Delta is healing from a painful, lifesaving medical procedure she went through to help save her son from the life-threatening burns that once covered his body.

Vo Thi Thu Ha from Ta Loc Village, Son Kien Commune in Hon Dat District did not think twice before donating a massive amount of skin from her thigh to her sons skin graft surgery.

Though her leg is riddled with scars, the pain from having her skin removed is nothing compared to the agony of seeing her son in soreness from the burns on the entirety of his body.

'I just need him alive!'

Ha, 62, has never had an easy life. As a child, her family had very little and poverty seemed to follow her into her adult years.

After marrying her husband, Le Van Duong, the couple moved into their house in Ta Loc Village and began working as hawkers.

Though their life together was difficult, they had no qualms about bringing two children into the world.

As an adult, Thai Minh Phuong, Has son, spent his days maneuvering a sampan throughout the Mekong Deltas winding waterways to scavenge for coconuts.

Despite being still in much pain, Thai Minh Phuong moves his wheelchair around selling lottery tickets every day in Kien Giang, Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Selling the coconuts earned him about VND100,000 (US$4.4) per day, which he put toward supporting his aging parents.

Things became more difficult for the small family in 2011 when Duong was caught in a motorbike accident on his way to work. Though he survived, he now suffers from a chronic brain injury.

In November 2020, the familys fate once again took a turn for the worse when a petrol leak on Phuongs sampan caught fire and the boat went up in flames, engulfing him and leaving critical burns all over his body.

As he writhed in pain at Kien Giang General Hospital, Ha could do nothing but look on a worry about the fate of her son.

Doctors decided their best option to save Phuongs life was to transfer him to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for intensive treatment.

Though Ha only had VND500,000 ($22) to her name, she insisted that doctors carry out the transfer and do everything they could to save her son. She would worry about finances later.

Ha expected to give up everything she had to pay for her sons surgery, but she never thought of what would come next: donating her own skin.

After the transfer to Cho Ray, doctors told Ha her son needed donated skin for a skin graft surgery. Ha did not hesitate to volunteer.

Even after doctors explained that Phuong only had a limited chance of survival, the mother remained steadfast in doing everything she could to give her son a lifeline.

Soon after the medical operation, doctors announced that everything had gone smoothly and Phuong would recover.

Ha herself was still in pain from having the skin removed from her leg, but it was a small price to pay to keep her son alive.

A path to healing

After undergoing several surgeries during his four months at Cho Ray Hospital, Phuong is currently on the mend.

But while his life has been saved, it will definitely never be the same. Doctors believe he will never walk again and he is currently confined to a wheelchair gifted by local philanthropists.

The transition from being healthy and independent to completely dependent on his mother has led Phuong to contemplate suicide more than once.

Le Hoang Ba (first right), a religious leader, hands over money his organization raised from philanthropists to Vo Thi Thu Ha (second right) and her son (third right) in Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

I just wanted to die then. It was so bad that I even had bones protruding from my legs, Phuong recalled.

Fortunately for Phuong, the love and support from friends and his family was enough to keep him going.

My mom gave birth to me the second time. If I died, she would never get over the grief, he said.

Now, though his life is completely changed, Phuong is determined to start afresh, heal, support his own child, and provide for his parents the same way they have always done for him.

To earn money, he sells lottery tickets though lockdowns and social distancing restrictions induced by COVID-19 made life difficult for a while. Still, Phuong is trying to look on the bright side.

Im so glad I can earn VND100,000 [$4.4] on good days, he shared.

Ha is equally excited for what life has in store for her.

Her daily routines include getting up in the small hours to cook for her family, tend to her sons wounds, and cycle a small food stall where she sells banh chuoi chien (fried banana pastry).

Meanwhile, her husband Duong cycles more than 10 kilometers each day to sell lottery tickets, though there are days when the brain injury from his road accident affects his business and he loses money.

Yet Ha remains optimistic about her familys future.

My husband and I can make more than VND100,000 each day. I use that money to buy food and medication for my son, Ha explained.

According to Pham Van Linh, chief of Ta Loc Village, Ha and her husband receive a monthly government grant of nearly VND300,000 ($13) to support their needs.

We really sympathize with Has situation and provide rice and essentials to help her family get by, Linh said.

Le Hoang Ba, a local religious leader, said he and other members of the local community raised money from philanthropists from across Vietnam to cover Phuongs medical bills.

Ba added he is full of admiration for Has sacrifice and love for her son.

He could not believe that she was back on her feet just one week after undergoing a surgery herself to save her son's life to tend to his needs.

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Singapore lender United Overseas Bank (UOB) has agreed to buy Citigroup's consumer businesses in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam for about S$4.915 billion ($3.65 billion), funding the purchase with the bank's excess capital.

UOB, which already has a large presence in Southeast Asia, said in a statement that it would acquire Citi's unsecured and secured lending portfolios, wealth management and retail deposit businesses in the four countries.

"UOB believes in Southeast Asia's long-term potential and we have been disciplined, selective and patient in seeking the right opportunities to grow," said Wee Ee Cheong, UOB's deputy chairman and chief executive.

The bank said the proposed acquisition is expected to be financed through its excess capital, and that it remains comfortable maintaining its dividend policy of a 50% dividend payout ratio.

"The total cash consideration for the proposed acquisition, will be calculated based on an aggregate premium equivalent to S$915 million plus the net asset value of the consumer business as at completion," UOB said.

It said Citigroup's consumer business in these markets had an aggregate net asset value of about S$4 billion and a customer base of about 2.4 million as at 30 June 2021.

These generated income of about S$0.5 billion in the first half of 2021.
Hundreds of thousands of Indian pilgrims began packing an island in the Ganges on Thursday for a vast religious festival as COVID-19 cases surge nationwide, prompting fears of a superspreader event.

Officials said they expected as many as three million people, including ash-smeared, dreadlocked ascetics, to take a ritual dip in the holy river on Friday, the climax of the annual Gangasagar Mela.

Last April's Kumbh Mela, a similarly colossal religious festival that the Hindu nationalist government refused to ban, was partly blamed for a devastating spike in cases that killed 200,000, according to official tallies, though some experts fear the actual toll was several times that.

With coronavirus case numbers once again ballooning, a Kolkata court last week ruled that the Gangasagar Mela, which takes place on Sagar Island at the mouth of the Ganges in West Bengal, could go ahead.

The Gangasar Mela festival will climax with a ritual dip in the Ganges River on Friday. Photo: AFP

The state government on Thursday appealed to people to get tested for COVID-19, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urging devotees to wear two masks and not "spit on the island, as it spreads the virus".

As with 2021's Kumbh Mela, this week's festival is attracting people from across northern India who, after cramming onto trains, buses and boats to reach the island, will then go home -- potentially taking the virus's highly transmissible Omicron variant with them.

"It's a big challenge amid the raging surge of the COVID-19 variant to maintain social distancing," local district magistrate P. Ulganathan told AFP.

"There is no doubt that such a gathering where people are in close proximity will increase the spread. We are continuously appealing to people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour."

Last April's Kumbh Mela festival in Haridwar was partly blamed for a spike in COVID-19 cases that resulted in at least 200,000 deaths. Photo: AFP

Amitava Nandy, a virologist from the School of Tropical Medicines in Kolkata, said the government "has neither the facilities nor the manpower" to test everyone attending or impose social-distancing norms.

"A stampede-like situation could happen if the police try to enforce social distancing on the river bank," Nandy told AFP, saying the festival "may end up being the superspreader of the virus in India".

Devotee Sarbananda Mishra, 56, who came from the neighbouring state of Bihar, told AFP that "faith in God will overcome the fear of COVID-19. The bathing will cleanse them of all their sins and bring salvation."

"Death is the ultimate truth. What is the point of living with fear?" said Mishra, a schoolteacher resting at one of the many camps in nearby Kolkata waiting to go to the festival.
The chairman of a commune-level administration in northern Vietnam has been arrested for slaughtering tigers for bone paste.

Police in Pho Yen Town, Thai Nguyen Province confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday they had apprehended Ngo Van Quan, 51, for illegally storing and killing tigers for bone paste.

A provincial official said later the same day that Quan is chairman of the Peoples Committee and deputy secretary of the Party Committee in Tien Phong Commune, Pho Yen Town for the 2021-26 tenure.

We have requested that local authorities sternly penalize Quan for his wrongdoing, the official added.

On January 6, the police unit in Pho Yen Town, in coordination with environmental officers under the provincial Department of Public Security, inspected Quans house and caught him red-handed slaughtering a tiger.

Officers also found one frozen tiger carcass, a tiger skeleton, two tiger skins, one frozen chamois head, and other animal bones and meat in the yard and kitchen.

Police continued searching the house and discovered 1,578 packages of tiger bone paste and 21 jars of liquid that was labeled fresh bear bile.

Tigers and many other wild animals are strictly banned from being traded in, imported to or exported from Vietnam as they are on the list of endangered wildlife protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which the country has been party since 1994.

As some people believe that tiger-derived products can cure bone and joint illnesses, tigers are in demand in Vietnam for their meat, bones, and skin.

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Ho Chi Minh City has received 300,720 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the global vaccine-sharing scheme COVAX Facility to step up its booster vaccination campaign, according to the municipal Department of Health.

The batch was among over two million doses of the vaccine the COVAX Facility donated to centers for disease control across Vietnam through the Ministry of Health.

Authorities of the provinces and cities getting the shots are required to use them as boosters effectively before January 31 this year, as the vaccine vials have been thawed since January 1.

Le Hong Nga, deputy head of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, said on Thursday that it had allocated all 300,720 doses to medical centers in every district and Thu Duc City.

The southern metropolis has documented more than 510,200 COVID-19 infections since the fourth virus wave hit Vietnam on April 27 last year.

As of Thursday, the city had administered around 19 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to residents.

Over 8.1 million adults out of nine million people of the city have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, with more than 7.3 million of them fully vaccinated, according to the national COVID-19 vaccination portal.

Health workers have administered over 164.4 million vaccine doses, including 927,829 shots on Wednesday, since vaccination was rolled out nationwide on March 8, 2021.

Upwards of 78.4 million of the countrys 98 million people have received at least one dose while above 71.7 million have been jabbed twice.

The number of third doses  including additional primary shots for immunocompromised people, boosters, and third jabs of Cubas Abdala vaccine  has topped 14.3 million.

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Vietnams Ministry of Health added 16,040 coronavirus patients countrywide on Friday, while logging 4,290 recoveries and 171 virus-related deaths.

The latest infections, including 14 imported and 16,026 domestic transmissions, were detected in 62 provinces and cities, the ministry said, clarifying that 11,914 caught the pathogen in the community.

Hanoi documented 3,029 of the newest local cases, Da Nang 765, Khanh Hoa Province 680, Ben Tre Province 555, Hai Phong City 507, Hung Yen Province 414, Ho Chi Minh City 402, Bac Ninh Province 319, Thua Thien-Hue Province 310, Quang Ninh Province 265, Quang Nam Province 262, Vinh Phuc Province 247, Thai Nguyen Province 216, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province 185, Ha Giang Province 149, Can Tho City 139, Binh Duong Province 113, Tuyen Quang Province 113, and Lang Son Province 79.

Vietnam had registered 16,700 domestically-acquired infections on Thursday.

The country has recorded 1,985,320 community transmissions in all its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth virus wave erupted on April 27, 2021. Above 1.66 million of them have recovered from COVID-19.

Ho Chi Minh City has been hit the hardest with 510,202 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 291,697, Dong Nai Province with 99,069, Tay Ninh Province with 84,502, Hanoi with 82,637, Dong Thap Province with 46,279, Ca Mau Province 46,266, Can Tho City with 43,521, Long An Province with 40,956, Tien Giang Province with 34,836, An Giang Province with 34,825, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 28,926, Binh Thuan Province with 27,834, and Da Nang with 16,761.

Vietnam confirmed only 1,570 locally-transmitted infections in total in the previous three waves.

The health ministry declared 4,290 patients recovered on Friday, lifting the tally to 1,666,220.

The toll has surged to 35,341 fatalities after the ministry reported 171 mortalities on the same day, including 20 in An Giang Province, 15 in Ho Chi Minh City, 14 in Dong Thap Province, 12 in Tien Giang Province, 11 in Soc Trang Province, and the remaining in 21 other provinces and cities.

Vietnam has logged 1,991,484 patients, including 50 imported Omicron infections, since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country in early 2020.

The Omicron cases, all quarantined upon arrival in the Southeast Asian country, consist of 27 in Quang Nam Province, 12 in Ho Chi Minh City, three in Da Nang, two in Thanh Hoa Province, two in Khanh Hoa Province, one in Hanoi, one in Hai Duong Province, one in Hai Phong City, and one in Long An Province.

Health workers have administered more than 165.5 million vaccine doses, including 1,066,301 shots on Thursday, since vaccination was rolled out nationwide on March 8, 2021.

Over 78.5 million of the countrys 98 million people have received at least one dose while above 71.9 million have been jabbed twice.

The number of third doses  including additional primary shots for immunocompromised people, boosters, and third jabs of Cubas Abdala vaccine has surpassed 15 million.

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More than 6.6 metric tons of suspected ivory and pangolin scales were seized by customs officers from a suspicious container recently shipped from Nigeria to Tien Sa Port in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The customs declaration claimed its contents to be cashew nuts, but upon opening the container, officers found suspected endangered animal parts, including 456 kilograms of ivory and around 6.2 metric tons of pangolin scales, local customs officials reported on Thursday.

The discovery was made during an inspection on Tuesday after customs officers at the port declared the container, which arrived at Tien Sa on January 5, as 'suspicious.'

The Da Nang customs, in conjunction with other relevant agencies, have launched an investigation into the alleged smuggling.

They are currently tracking the enterprises and individuals responsible for the container.

Those involved in the case will be prosecuted, radio station Voice of Vietnam cited Tran Van Anh, deputy detector of the Da Nang Customs Department.

Customs officers are seen examining the ivory hidden in a shipment declared as containing cashew nuts shipped from Nigeria to Vietnams Da Nang City. Photo: H.Q. / Tuoi Tre

Endangered wildlife products are strictly banned from being traded in, imported to or exported from Vietnam as they are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which the country has been party since 1994.

Several cases of smuggling wildlife products have been detected at Tien Sa Port in recent years, all shipped from Africa.

In October 2018, local customs officers found some six metric tons of pangolin scales and around two metric tons of tusks stashed among recycled plastics in a container also consigned from Nigeria.

In March 2019, more than 9.1 metric tons of ivory was discovered in a shipment delivered from the Congo, with the tusks hidden among timber.

In July 2021, a shipment declared as wood but containing 138 kilograms of rhino horn and around 3.1 metric tons of wildlife bones arrived at the port from South Africa.

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Vietnam's "incense village" is dazzling pink as workers prepare the fragrant sticks for the Lunar New Year holiday, but strict rules to stop the spread of COVID-19 are dulling its lustre.

January is usually the busiest time of year for workers in Quang Phu Cau village on the outskirts of Hanoi, where the tradition of making incense goes back more than a century.

As Vietnam's Tet new-year holiday approaches -- this year it begins on February 1 -- sales tick up with throngs of people crowding into temples to light incense during worship, or burn the sticks on the ancestral altar at home.

During Tet, throngs of people will crowd into temples to light incense during worship, or burn the sticks on the ancestral altar at home. Photo: AFP

But while villagers are busy dyeing, drying and whittling bamboo bark to make the sticks, they complain that business is slow.

"I think our sales must have dropped by 30 percent compared with the same period last year," says Nguyen Thi Luyen, 59.

Vietnam reported economic growth for 2021 of just 2.58 percent -- its lowest in three decades -- as the country endured strict restrictions to fight the pandemic.

Production, supply chains and businesses were seriously hit for at least three months.

Things have started to improve, but the consequences remain.

"Normally, there would be trucks carrying our products from central provinces and border provinces. This year, due to pandemic preventive policy, trucks [could not] carry goods there," Luyen told AFP.

A worker collects dried incense sticks for sale. Photo: AFP

Quang Phu Cau is among several places dotted across Vietnam making the sticks, the scent of each batch carefully tailored to suit the tastes of the regions where they will be sold.

Most households in the village are involved in the ancient trade, from cutting bamboo planks and dipping thin strips into pink dye to coating the dried sticks in an aromatic paste.

"We really hope things will come back to normal soon," Luyen said.
Rebel Wilson will host the 2022 BAFTA Awards(Film), due to be held on Sunday March 13 at the Royal Albert Hall.

It follows her stealing the show with gags when she presented in 2020.

I am very honoured to be hosting the EE British Academy Film Awards in March, where Covid will no longer exist because it will clearly have been canceled by then, said Wilson. Its going to be so much fun! I dont wanna put any pressure on this  I know Im not going to be funny because I am no longer fat. And besides, Im not going to sweat-it with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I cant sweator cause offense to people because of my adorable Australian accent.

So basically Ill just be there to hang out with Dame Judi Dench and together well both try and bond with Daniel Craig. And yes, I do mean bond. This show will be an anniversary celebration of some important British film franchises such as Harry Potter and not such as Cats. Everybodys going to love it, Im sure! See you guys in March!

Nominations will be revealed on Feb. 3rd.
China, France hold 22nd strategic dialogue

Xinhua) 08:22, January 14, 2022

NANJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday co-chaired the 22nd China-France Strategic Dialogue with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province.

The two sides had long and in-depth communication and candid exchanges, and both expressed the willingness to further give play to the strategic leading role of head-of-state diplomacy, highlight the pillar role of practical cooperation in bilateral relations, and leverage the exemplary role of China-France relations in China-EU relations to promote the sound and steady development of both China-France and China-EU relations.

Wang said China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, shoulder important international responsibilities. The two countries should adhere to the independent diplomatic tradition, enhance mutual trust through dialogue and consultation, and deepen cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win, to make a good start for China-France relations and China-EU relations.

Bonne said France and China play a vital role in promoting peace and security. He said he expected that the two countries would jointly implement the consensus reached and ambitious goals set by the two heads of state to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

They agreed to continue to promote cooperation on aviation, aerospace, agricultural and food products, nuclear energy, third-party markets, as well as green and digital fields, and explore cooperation on big data and cloud computing.

Bonne said that the French side advocates adhering to the Olympic spirit and opposes the politicization of sports, and French athletes look forward to participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Wang said the stable development of China-EU relations conforms to the fundamental and long-term interests of Europe. China has always believed that Europe, as an independent force, is an important part of multi-polarization.

"China supports the European integration, supports the EU's development and growth, and supports EU playing a greater role in the international arena. No matter whether China-EU relations are in good times or encounter setbacks, this policy will not change," Wang said, adding that it is hoped that the EU will continue to adhere to a positive and practical policy towards China.

Bonne said Europe will continue to adhere to its strategic independence, and Europe and China should further enhance mutual trust, advance cooperation, and continue to be high-standard cooperation partners. The French side will abide by the one-China principle.

The two sides also exchanged views on pandemic response and improvement of global governance. They also had in-depth discussion and coordinated propositions on issues of Iranian nuclear, Afghanistan and Myanmar.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
 Flash

Top U.S. health authorities have warned that the Omicron variant is so contagious that it is likely most people in the United States will be infected, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

The Omicron variant, which replaced Delta in less than a month, is now responsible for more than 98 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"I think it's hard to process what's actually happening right now, which is (that) most people are going to get Covid, all right?" the British newspaper quoted Janet Woodcock, acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, as saying.

"What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function," Woodcock added.

"Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody," Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the White House, was quoted as saying.
Tyler, TX (75702)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. High near 75F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
rebel wilson

Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Rebel Wilson is using her signature humor to preview her upcoming hosting gig.

The 41-year-old actress will host for the 75th annual BAFTA Awards ceremony, set for March 13, it was announced on Friday. Posting a photo of herself on Instagram, Wilson poked fun at her hosting duties and teased fans about what to expect when she takes the stage.

"I am very honoured to be hosting the EE British Academy Film Awards in March, where Covid will no longer exist because it will clearly have been canceled by then. It's going to be so much fun!" the Pitch Perfect star began her caption.

"I don't wanna put any pressure on this - I know I'm not going to be funny because I am no longer fat," she continued. "And besides, I'm not going to 'sweat-it' with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can't sweat...or cause offense to people because of my adorable Australian accent."

"So basically I'll just be there to hang out with Dame Judi Dench and together we'll both try and bond with Daniel Craig. And yes, I do mean 'bond'," Wilson added. "This show will be an anniversary celebration of some important British film franchises such as HARRY POTTER and not such as CATS. Everybody's going to love it, I'm sure! See you guys March 13th!"

RELATED: Rebel Wilson Got 'Pushback' from Her Team When She Started Losing Weight

Rebel Wilson poses on the red carpet during the NFL Honors football awards show

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP/Shutterstock Rebel Wilson

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The 2022 BAFTAs, which celebrate the best of British and international film talent, will return to London's Royal Albert Hall and will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC's iPlayer. Nominations for the awards ceremony will be announced Feb. 3 following the EE Rising Star nominations two days prior.

Story continues

Amanda Berry, chief executive of BAFTA, said in a statement, "We are delighted to welcome Rebel Wilson as this year's host of the EE British Academy Film Awards. Rebel has stolen the show at several previous Film Awards, and we're hugely excited to see her bring her fantastic charisma and humor to the whole show as we celebrate the very best in film."

RELATED VIDEO: Rebel Wilson Says She 'Never Thought' She 'Could Overcome' Emotional Eating

Earlier this year, Wilson fashionably rang in 2022 when she celebrated New Year's Eve in Sydney, Australia. At the time, the actress shared pics from the festivities on her Instagram Story, including photos of fireworks and friends.

Wilson also posted a photo on Instagram of herself enjoying a rooftop while wearing a sparkling gold Burberry dress.

"Starting the New Year off strong! HAPPY NEW YEAR you legends, love from downunder!" she captioned the festive photo of herself, which showed Wilson standing on an outdoor seat cushion.
Recently, University of North Georgia (UNG) student Manny Alvarez donned a welding jacket, gloves and helmet before he clamped his hands around a welding machine for the first time.

"It was really exciting," the sophomore pursuing a studio art degree said. "I heard the arc of the electricity and felt the heat come off of the device."

Alvarez was one of a few UNG students to learn how to use the newly acquired machine in the fall. Jeffrey Repko, assistant professor of visual arts, incorporated the welder into his curriculum after receiving a Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP) grant to purchase the equipment.

"I introduced welding to my advanced sculpture students because it is a transferable skill," he said. "Having that skill is invaluable because they can work in a fabrication or design shop."

Repko explained welding lends itself to creating large and permanent sculptures for public art, which is an ideal way for artists to build their careers.
Plans for a $9.7 million Crisis Hub and a name change that puts behavioral health in the public eye are visible signs of a shift underway to tailor state mental health services to the people who need them.

Within a few years, the Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network, formerly the Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center, hopes to have a streamlined system up and running to quickly connect people in its six-county coverage area to appropriate mental health care.

If successful, local hospitals, medical clinics, law enforcement officers and jails may see fewer patients and community contacts who they now encounter only to send on to more specific mental health or substance abuse care.

The Crisis Hub, a complex of buildings envisioned for a site at 6400 Imperial Drive, would provide a range of integrated services for people with mental health or psychiatric problems, including medical treatment, mental health referrals, a 16-bed facility for overnight or short-term stays, social services, counseling and more.

McLennan County Commissioners voted to give $3 million of the countys $49 million in federal American Rescue Plan aid toward construction of the hub. A funding request is expected to go before the Waco City Council, which also has considered contributing $3 million from its federal COVID-19 relief funding. Planners anticipate a March groundbreaking for the project.

HOT Behavioral Health Network Executive Director Daniel Thompson said the Crisis Hub is part of a national shift in how community mental health and social services are provided, with an emphasis on patient outcome rather than funding formulas driven by the numbers of people served or services provided.

The question is are people getting better or are we seeing them return, Thompson said.

Last year, the network won state approval as a Certified Behavioral Health Clinic, which qualifies it for state and federal funding of certain behavioral, rehabilitation, disability and substance abuse services.

The regional agency recently adopted a new name, both to align with its Certified Behavioral Health Clinic status and the umbrella of social and health services it maintains. Thompson, who is in his second year as director after more than two decades with the state MHMR, also has finished a staff reorganization that grouped services and functions for better efficiency, including the creation of a new Disability and Rehabilitative Division that oversees Early Childhood Intervention services, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Crisis Counseling Program.

Mental health issues often are entwined with others, whether other medical issues, or legal or community issues, and Thompson said more agencies, organizations and service providers are finding collaboration a way to lasting solutions while enabling more efficient use of community resources.

That collaboration is the thinking behind the Crisis Hub, the result of some three years of social service, police and medical discussions. State and federal protocols on treating people with acute psychiatric emergencies often require a medical evaluation before mental health treatment, which can send people to busy emergency rooms for relatively minor medical issues and tie down police until those evaluations are finished.

Waco Family Medicine leaders are talking with Thompson and his administrators about having a presence at the Crisis Hub that could provide that medical service and extend Waco Family Medicine care to Hewitt-area residents. Doctors or medical residents onsite could provide medical clearances, short-term crisis medication, substance abuse screenings and referrals.

Primary care doctors often can identify and treat physical problems such as coughing, urinary tract infections and high blood pressure that sometimes affect a mental health or psychiatric issue, said Dr. Mike Hardin, Waco Family Medicine chief clinical officer. Treating those issues sometimes aids subsequent counseling or psychiatric care.

Ultimately, the outcomes are better, Hardin said.

He said Waco Family Medicine envisions a medical clinic on Crisis Hub grounds with a full basket of services that could also serve Hewitt residents, along with medical liaisons to help urgent evaluations of patients needing mental health care.

Discussions with HOT Behavioral Health Network are in the early stages, but will become more detailed as facility design and plans develop.

The network has 33 properties scattered across its service area, which includes McLennan, Bosque, Hill, Falls, Limestone and Freestone counties, an area Thompson points out stretches from Interstate 35 to Interstate 45.

Some of the networks administrative offices will relocate to the Crisis Hub once it is completed. Having a centralized location close to the areas major hospitals, Ascension Providence and Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest as well as Oceans Behavioral Hospital, will improve patients and clients access to resources, Thompson said.

To make sure the network continues to serve residents across its six counties, Thompson plans more collaborations with agencies and service providers in those counties.

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Unless one saw the Jan. 2 60 Minutes segment on The Ritchie Boys, this unorthodox World War II project may well defy belief. Trained at Camp Ritchie along the Blue Ridge Mountains where Maryland and Pennsylvania meet, the Ritchie Boys constituted a military unit specially designed for U.S. military intelligence during the fighting in Europe.

The groups makeup, however, went beyond the usual: Many of the highly intelligent enlisted men and officers in this unit were German-speaking immigrants of Jewish heritage who had fled to America to escape Nazi persecution. These Jews volunteered to return to Germany as part of the U.S. military to conduct battlefield espionage and front-line interrogations to help crush the Germans.

One can only imagine the courage it took to return to a country that had turned against its Jewish people, initially restricting their freedoms and ultimately sending six million of them to their deaths. Many came from successful, deeply rooted German families. And Adolf Hitlers rise to power in 1933 changed their lives forever.

The Ritchie Boys knew the enemy all too well: They saw a cunning and charismatic leader who took advantage of a country in decline, where unemployment was high and financial complications were devastating. Choosing to unify his country through a Machiavellian scheme of cultural vilification and isolation, Hitler targeted several elements of the population  particularly German Jews  as scapegoats for all the problems.

Thus the age-old political strategy of unifying one group against a common enemy came into full view in pre-World War II Germany. Little by little, German Jews were restricted in getting an education, then in pursuing elevated work positions. They were relocated to ghettos and restricted in where they could live and worship. Their rights as citizens were stripped away. Eventually, millions were deported to work camps or concentration camps where they died in the most agonizing and humiliating ways possible. Elsewhere German and Nazi gangs tortured and killed Jews on the streets of Germany. They attacked and burned synagogues. Terribly, Aryan Germans followed Hitlers example. Many supported what Hitler was doing; they were his dutiful patriots, saving the country.

The German Jewish Ritchie Boys were those who saw, or whose families saw, what was happening and made plans to escape from Germany. Some of these boys came alone to the United States, later losing entire families left behind. Grateful for the freedoms and safety offered by the United States, yet despondent over what had happened to their native land and the Jewish people, many seized the chance to work in an American unit deployed to fight the Nazi powers. For them, supporting the American cause was an opportunity to right a horrific wrong, penalize those responsible and possibly save those incarcerated.

The Ritchie Boys segment broadcast on CBS revealed historic photographs of the Americans liberating some of those work camps, including images of starving inmates crowded shoulder to shoulder in living quarters with no heat during freezing winters and barely enough food to keep a human alive for any period. Those Ritchie Boys who participated in camp emancipations told of almost collapsing in tears as they viewed Jewish brethren reduced to wasted, living corpses.

In short, mans inhumanity to man was on full display. Only later after emancipation did Americans learn of the cattle cars used for deportation, the daily cruelty of the Nazis and the feared SS troopers, the death marches and the crematoriums. They learned of children being taken from parents, wives ripped from husbands protecting arms, hard labor and mass extermination.

The Ritchie Boys were trained in intelligence gathering on American soil, then returned to Germany to learn from captured German military as well as possibly complicit German civilians about troop movements, equipment locations, attack plans and locations of bridges, railways, etc. It was their way of balancing the scale and of paying back. Their fluency in German and their knowledge of the subtleties of German culture aided them in obtaining most of the actionable intelligence required for Allied victory in the European theater of the war.

And their relevance today? Well, their story reminds us of the dangers of blindly supporting one man or one party in the face of deception, falsehoods, disinformation and hatred of those who are different. Eras such as Germany in the nightmarish 1930s can swell again in another time and place. Humanity must not only remember history but speak out against injustice so the insidious cruelty of German history does not repeat itself in places where one might least expect it.

And who among us would emulate the Ritchie Boys heroic example decades ago, let alone that of the Greatest Generation?

Harry Harelik, a native Wacoan, was a self-employed CPA and foundation executive director till recent retirement. He is a longtime supporter of local nonprofit organizations.
RAYMOND  The Raymond Central Board of Education is considering making some major changes to the districts current layout that could set the course for its future.

The board assembled on Jan. 5 at Raymond Central High School in a workshop meeting where it discussed the results of a feasibility study that outlines the pros and cons of concentrating all of the districts facilities on its central campus.

Based on the report  which was conducted by First National Capital Markets  the district can go one of three general routes: renovate and make repairs to the elementary school buildings in Ceresco and Valparaiso; build a new PK-5 facility at the high school site; or construct a new high school building on the existing campus and reconfigure the current high school to become the elementary and junior high building.

At the workshop meeting, five of the six board members stood in support of centralizing the districts operations, citing a number of reasons  chief among them are potential educational benefits  and concerns that the existing facilities will become overcrowded as the districts student body grows.

A major concern among the board was the districts long-term attractiveness to prospective students, particularly as Lincolns northern boundaries continue to expand and other nearby school districts such as Ashland-Greenwood make large-scale upgrades to their facilities.

This is a 20-to-40-year decision, and how competitive are we going to be? board member Bill Lange asked.

Superintendent Lynn Johnson said regardless of which way the board is leaning, it doesnt have the luxury to keep the districts facilities as they are.

Youre going to have to do something, Johnson said. Because weve got some elementary buildings, particularly at Ceresco, that need repairs, and the Ceresco population is growing. And were burying our heads in the sand if we dont see that growth coming out.

At a meeting in October, the boards Facility Committee pointed out dozens of repairs and renovations that would be necessary at the Ceresco and Valparaiso elementary schools in the coming years if they were to remain in use. Big-ticket items include a new roof at the Ceresco building, estimated to cost over $1 million, and a new HVAC system at the Valparaiso building, totaling $400,000.

Even if the repairs were made at the elementary schools, Johnson noted benefits for teachers and students if the district were to centralize its operations. With the current configuration, some teachers travel from building to building each day to teach PE, music or STEM Tech classes, which takes time out of the teachers days and creates communication limitations. Johnson estimated that if the district had its teachers all on one campus, there would be potential for up to three more hours of instruction each day.

Thats the biggest point  its not even money, she said. Its value. I dont even know what thats worth.

A potential drawback to a centralized campus that the board discussed was complications to the current busing system. The number of students needing to be bused to school would increase with the number of students in Valparaiso and Ceresco who dont currently have to ride the bus to the elementary schools in their towns. Johnson said that would likely lead to having multiple bus stops in each town where students would wait for a bus to take them to the central campus.

Its not ideal, but its certainly not a deal breaker in my mind, she said.

Another concern raised was the impact on Ceresco and Valparaiso if they were to lose their elementary schools. School Board Vice President Brad Breitkrutz brought up that citizens in Ceresco and Valparaiso could be worried that their community would lose part of its identity.

And Board Member Cathy Burklund  who is the only known board member opposed to a centralized configuration  suggested that students in Ceresco and Valparaiso would also lose the parts of the curriculum that teaches students about their towns and their histories.

They walk the town, and they learn what goes on in a town and what goes on in a community, Burklund said.

But board member Matt Blanchard said the districts focus has to be on the best interest of the students and the longevity of its facilities.

I hate to say, but we cant worry about the towns, Blanchard said. Weve got to do whats best for our kids. I mean, were not in the business to run a town. Were in the business to run a school.

If the district were to build a new PK-5 building on the central campus, it would be funded using a $14.3 million bond. And if the board chooses to build a new high school building (which would include a performing arts center), it would use a $25 million bond.

The choices you have to make absolutely come down to finances, Johnson said to the board. But if that is your initial and primary purpose for your decisions, I would tell you, You missed the boat. The primary purpose for your decisions need to be about whats best for our kids.

Blanchard said it is past time for the district to make some serious upgrades.

We didnt buy 67 acres to have an organic farmer farm it, he said, in reference to Raymond Central High Schools current property.

The board made no decision regarding whether it will build new facilities. The workshop was intended to make a plan for how best to communicate the information in the feasibility study to the public. The board intends to roll out a multi-part informational campaign explaining the benefits of building and plans to hold public meetings where citizens within the district will be able to ask questions and share their opinions. The meetings will also share information on the information reported in the feasibility study.

Sam Crisler is a reporter for The Waverly News. Reach him via email at samuel.crisler@wahoonewspaper.com.
A massive cyberattack on Ukraine has brought down the country's government and embassy websites. The foreign and education ministries and the embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Sweden were all targeted. Before the attack, a warning advised Ukrainians to "be prepared for the worst." Russia has been implicated in similar strikes in Ukraine.

Many Ukrainian government websites were hacked on Friday in what officials called a "massive cyber attack," in which hackers took control and posted comments telling the people to "be terrified and expect worse" in the future.

As a result of the attack, Oleg Nikolenko, a spokeswoman for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tweeted early Friday morning that "the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as several other government entities, are temporarily offline."

"Our specialists have already begun restoring the functionality of information technology systems, and the cyber police have launched an investigation," he wrote.

According to a translation of one of the communications found on a government server, hackers warned Ukrainians about their operations.

The message flashed, "Ukrainians!" "Every detail about you has been made public; be afraid and brace yourself for the worst."

The cyberattack comes as a series of lengthy talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States came to an end this week without any definitive answers. Russia has been gathering thousands of troops along Ukraine's border in recent months, prompting fears from Western allies that the country may invade the country.

During the talks, Russian diplomats lobbied the U.S. to refuse Ukraine membership in NATO, the Western European defense and security alliance. According to sources, this was rejected, and on Thursday, officials issued a warning about a possible impending war between Ukraine and Russia.
Colonel Clarence Bud Anderson celebrated his 100th birthday today. He remains one of the United States Air Forces most celebrated pilots and is perhaps most well known for his prowess over Europe during WWII, where he is credited with downing 16+ enemy aircraft while flying P-51 Mustangs with the legendary 357th Fighter Group. He flew 116 combat missions with this unit  all without taking any damage to his aircraft or the need to return due to mechanical issues, a remarkable feat which demonstrates both his skill as a fighter pilot and an intimate understanding for his aircraft and its systems.

This was not Col. Andersons only experience in a war zone, however, as twenty five years later he lead the 355th Tactical Fighter Wings F-105 Thunderchiefs into combat in the skies over North Vietnam.

Despite these wartime exploits and his demonstration of exceptional leadership skills, Andersons most daring aerial feats probably lay in his work between the wars at Wright Field. From here he helped test highly-modified F-84s which Republic Aviation had adapted for the FICON (Fighter Conveyor) program. While the parasite fighter concept wasnt new  Goodyear had built a pair of massive dirigibles in the early 1930s (USS Macon and Akron) which could field up to five Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawks from a hangar/trapeze setup in their bellies  the idea of doing such a thing with high performance jets seems utterly irrational from todays perspective.

But in the mid-1950s, during the tumult of the Cold War, very few risks were not considered worth taking when it came to ensuring the nations strategic bombers could reach their targets. In this particular case, one of Bud Andersons roles was to evaluate methods for mating and de-mating his F-84 from the Consolidated B-36 Peacemaker mothership  in flight! They tried several approaches, either mounting the F-84 to the Peacemakers belly, or to its wingtips. Needless to say, testing these aircraft in action was always a hair-raising ordeal, and its hard to imagine the kind of courage, determination and skill required to perform such tasks  but, as all of us know, Col. Anderson is no ordinary pilot.

Back in 2013, the Smithsonians National Air & Space Museum invited Col. Anderson to make a public presentation describing his experiences on the FICON project. Thankfully this is available online, via the Smithsonians YouTube Channel below. Having been there in person to witness this marvelous lecture, I can assure readers that it is really worth watching!

Interspersed with his assignments to regular USAF units, Col Anderson regularly returned to test flying, which culminated with his serving as Assistant Chief and then Chief of the Flight Test Operations Division at Edwards Air Force Base between November 1957 and August 1962.

Following his retirement from the Air Force in March, 1972, Colonel Anderson returned to the flight evaluation arena, managing the McDonnell Aircraft Companys Flight Test Facility at Edwards AFB for the next dozen years. A California native, Bud retired to Auburn in his home state where he continues to live amongst a multitude of friends. A gentle and thoughtful man, he is beloved by all who know him!

Many congratulations to Col Anderson for reaching such a remarkable milestone and to a life well lived!
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man accused of orchestrating a synthetic marijuana rip-off that turned into a fatal gun battle denied he had any role in a robbery.

Instead, Daijon Jarell Stokes, 28, told jurors on Thursday that he was going to buy milk for his kids when he saw his cousin, 25-year-old Cedrick Ordell Smith, in the Kwik Stop parking lot and was so angry at him he wanted to beat him up.

Prosecutors allege Stokes enlisted Dayton Sanders, 20, and 17-year-old Alvonni Stone to hold up Smith when he arrived at the store at West Ninth and Washington Street/U.S. Highway 218 for what was supposed to be a K2 deal on Aug. 24. Authorities said Smith pulled out a gun and started shooting when he was attacked, and Stone started blasting back.

Sanders darted across Highway 218 and dropped in the median and died, having been hit by a single bullet, and all of the survivors took off before police arrived, according to testimony.

On Thursday, Stokes took the stand in his own defense, telling jurors that he had an ongoing dispute with Smith that had almost come to blows during a candlelight vigil a few weeks earlier.

He said on the night of Aug. 23 Stone, Sanders and Sanders girlfriend had stayed the night with him at his West Fourth Street property where he kept a T-shirt press and music studio. He said the following morning, they headed to the Kwik Star  across the street from the similarly named Kwik Stop  so he could buy milk for his children and buy food for Stone and Sanders.

Sanders was driving his girlfriends blue Dodge Journey, and on the way he received a phone call, and they parked next to a red Ford Fusion at the Kwik Stop, according to Stokes testimony.

Stokes said he recognized Smith behind the wheel and ran up to him and started punching.

Stokes told jurors there wasnt any robbery plan, and he didnt know that the people he was with had guns.

Video evidence from the stores security camera captured the attack, with Stone opening the Fusions passengers door as Stokes punched Smith on the drivers side.

The Fusion began to pull forward, and Sanders ran up to the vehicle, which then stopped briefly as Smith, in the drivers seat, started shooting. The video shows Sanders running away as the Fusion drove off. Stokes and Stone abandoned the Dodge at the edge of the parking lot in favor of fleeing on foot.

Investigator Brice Lippert with the Waterloo Police Department said authorities concluded that Smith fired first, squeezing off three shots. One of Smiths shots struck Sanders.

Stone fired a single shot, which apparently ricocheted off the Fusions hood, he said.

Officers who responded to the scene said Sanders had suffered a single through-and-through gunshot wound. Investigators said they never recovered the bullet that killed him.

Waterloo police testified they found a .45-caliber Ruger pistol next to Sanders body in the highway median. The blood-spattered weapon had an empty chamber and an empty magazine inside. Sanders was also wearing a holster that contained a loaded 9 mm magazine for a SCCY pistol but not the pistol.

Officers didnt find any spent .45-caliber shell casings at the scene, but they located three 9 mm casings  one near what used to be the stores gas pumps and two more next to the Dodge Journey. Two the 9 mm casings had been fired from the same gun, Sgt. Kerry Devine testified.

Officer Andrew Tindall told jurors he later found the Fusion parked behind apartments at 1153 Langley Road. There was a shell casing near the windshield wipers and a dent in the hood from a bullet ricochet, the officer said.

Meanwhile back at the convenience store, the Journey yielded an empty plastic box for a Glock pistol but not the pistol. There was also an inhaler and a LG cell phone.

Closing arguments in the case are slated for Friday.

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WATERLOO  The Board of Education chose six semi-finalists Wednesday in the search for the next superintendent of the Waterloo Community Schools.

The closed session meeting, which lasted more than three hours, was a pre-screening review of candidates who had submitted applications for the job by Jan. 2.

I was very impressed, we had a really good candidate pool, said Sue Flynn, board president, in a Thursday interview. We had 22 applicants, so we were very happy with the number of applicants. And it was a very diverse pool of candidates, also.

The board is seeking a new district leader to replace Superintendent Jane Lindaman, who is retiring effective July 1. Grundmeyer Leader Services of Ankeny was hired to conduct the search effort. Trent Grundmeyer and Roger Wilcox met with the board for Wednesdays review

According to a news release from the district, the candidate pool included 10 out-of-state applicants. There were 13 male candidates (57%) and nine female candidates (39%), with four choosing not to disclose their gender. Thirteen of the candidates hold a doctorate degree while 12 have five or more years of district office administrative experience.

The six semi-finalists were chosen after a review of candidates application materials, references, licensure verification and social media.

Board members will meet in another closed session Jan. 19 for videoconference interviews of the six people, facilitated by the search consultants. This will allow further evaluation of candidates qualifications for the position and narrow the process to three finalists.

The entire board is very excited about the candidates and we look forward to meeting them next week, Flynn said.

Once the finalists are chosen, their names will be made public. They will visit the district Jan. 27 for formal interviews. Along with the board, she said those involved in the interviews will include administrative staff, union representatives and community members.

The desired qualifications that were identified from the stakeholder survey will continue to drive the hiring process. Those include someone who:

Is approachable, accessible and welcoming.

Recruits, hires, supports, develops and retains effective staff members.

Understands diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness.

Embraces diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural responsiveness.

Promotes a community of care and support for students.

Builds school and community relations.

Demonstrates collaborative leadership.

Follows through on tasks and responsibilities.

Demonstrates ethics and integrity.

The board will soon reach out to community members to serve on the team conducting formal interviews. The superintendent candidate who is chosen will begin leading Waterloo Schools July 1.

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GUARD CONDITION: A federal requirement that all U.S. military members receive the COVID-19 vaccine will no doubt impact the Iowa National Guard, Maj. Gen. Ben Corell said during his condition of the Guard address to the Iowa Legislature.

These mandates have already started to create dilemmas within our ranks where members must decide to either get vaccinated, or to be forced to leave military service, said Corell, who has said he experienced long-term symptoms as a result of COVID and appeared in a PSA encouraging Iowans to get vaccinated against the virus.

After his remarks, Corell told reporters that roughly 80% of Iowa National Guard members are vaccinated.

He said the Guards numbers were strong in 2021, with 81% of eligible Army Guard members re-enlisting and a 93% retention rate in the Air Guard. Both were at more than 100% of their authorized strength, Corell said.

But he said he is concerned those numbers could fall in 2022 because of the vaccine mandate.

When we add an additional factor in there of having to remove people from service because theyre not vaccinated, I have a big concern about it, Corell said.

We have men and women who have served for decades that have chosen to, Im going to retire because this isnt something that I believe in. So I have concerns about that.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced the creation of an alliance with businesses to target human trafficking. Pate said several of the states largest trade organizations already have joined the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking coalition.

Membership in the coalition is open to any business or nonprofit organization that operates in Iowa. Members will be asked to promote awareness of human trafficking and the state Safe at Home program, which provides address confidentiality for survivors of human trafficking and other violent crimes.

We are going to build a statewide, grassroots coalition that will unite with one common mission: to make Iowa a trafficking-free state, Pate said in a news release.

He also participated in a public event in the Capitol Rotunda to announce the new program.

The Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery collaborated in the creation of the new program, the news release said.

A DRY YEAR: Based on 149 years of statewide observations, Iowa experienced its 57th-driest year on record in 2021 with a statewide average precipitation accumulation of just over 31 inches  nearly 4.5 inches below normal.

Parts of central and west-central Iowa received a foot less than normal moisture.

Precipitation was below normal for eight of the 12 months of the year and was significantly below normal during late spring and early summer. However, the third-wettest October on record helped to end the year with near normal conditions.

"Looking back on 2021, the wet October we experienced in Iowa really helped set us up for better spring conditions, said Tim Hall, Department of Natural Resources hydrology resources coordinator. We would have much more concern for spring 2022 conditions without those October rains. Dryness still could be an issue as we move from winter to spring of 2022."

Iowa began 2021 in drought conditions, especially in the northwest part of the state. Drought conditions held mostly steady through the winter and into the spring before peaking in August. Iowa ended 2021 with roughly half of the state free from any dryness or drought, and about 12% of the state with D1-moderate drought conditions.

Iowa temperatures averaged 50 degrees or 1.6 degrees above normal, ranking 2021 as the 16th-warmest year on record. A warmer year was last reported in 2016.

For more, visit www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.

BLUE SCHOLARSHIP: Applications are being accepted for the 2022 Robert D. Blue Scholarship, which is available to current senior and former graduates of any Iowa high school who plans to attend a college or university within the state.

Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and recommendations.

Were looking for students who exemplify greatness, said State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, a member of the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which funds the scholarship.

Since it was established in 1949 by Gov. Robert D. Blue, the scholarship has helped hundreds of Iowa students fulfill their higher education dreams at one of Iowas 65 colleges and universities. In the last five years, 25 outstanding students were awarded the scholarship, totaling $16,000.

Then deadline for online applications is May 10. Visit rdblue.org to apply and learn more.

STUDENT LOAN SETTLEMENT: Navient, known as one of the nations largest student loan servicers, will provide relief totaling $1.7 billion to resolve allegations of widespread unfair and deceptive student loan servicing practices and abuses in originating predatory student loans, Attorney General Tom Miller announced Thursday.

This settlement, joined by a coalition of 39 attorneys general, resolves claims against Navient since 2009. Despite representing that it would help borrowers find the best repayment options, Navient steered struggling student loan borrowers into costly long-term forbearances instead of counseling them about the benefits of more affordable income-driven repayment plans, the AGs alleged

Miller has filed the settlement as a proposed consent judgment, which will require court approval.

Under the terms of the settlement, Navient will cancel the remaining balance on more than $1.6 billion in subprime private student loan balances owed by about 62,000 borrowers nationwide.

Iowa will receive a total of $411,851 in restitution payments for more than 1,545 federal loan borrowers. Additionally, Iowa borrowers will receive a total of $10.2 million in private loan debt cancellation.

GOVERNOR ILL: Gov. Kim Reynolds canceled her public events for Thursday and Friday because she was not feeling well, according to her office.

Reynolds tested negative for COVID-19, her office said Thursday morning. Reynolds was scheduled Thursday to attend the Condition of the Guard address to the Iowa Legislature, a human trafficking prevention event at the Capitol, plus events in Dysart and in Cedar Rapids. On Friday, she was scheduled to attend an event in Davenport.

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U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents Iowas 1st Congressional District, has tested positive for coronavirus despite being fully vaccinated and boosted. It is her second bout with the respiratory illness.

Hinson said on her weekly phone call reporters Friday morning she started experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms Thursday afternoon, took a rapid test and learned she was positive for COVID-19.

I feel like I have a bad cold now, the Republican said. Im just gonna get enough rest, continue working when I can.

Her illness was a breakthrough infection, as she noted she was fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. She added she was isolating and working remotely, following guidance from the CDC.

Im not going to let this hold me back, and Im looking forward to working in person again very soon, she said.

Its not the first bout of COVID-19 for the freshman congresswoman, who also tested positive shortly after being elected to Congress in November 2020, prior to being eligible for vaccination.

I guess Im just lucky; I got it twice, she said. Im getting through it.

Hinson has steadfastly encouraged vaccination, publicly announcing her own vaccination and booster shots. But she noted she was happy about last weeks Supreme Court decision barring President Joe Bidens vaccine mandate for large employers.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 should be a personal decision; it shouldnt be a government mandate, Hinson said, saying shes heard from countless Iowans worried about these mandates.

She also said she was disappointed the court allowed a similar mandate for health care workers to stand.

Health care workers should not be forced to sit on the sidelines, Hinson said.
DES MOINES -- Educators in Iowa have been relaying their concerns with remarks made earlier this week by Republican Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman, who accused teachers of having a sinister agenda for books they include in school libraries, Democratic legislative leaders said Thursday.

Before the session began this week, Chapman had attended a school board meeting in Johnston where he said librarians and teachers who distributed literature he deemed to be obscene or graphic should be arrested. During his speech Monday on the first day of the 2022 session of the Iowa Legislature, Chapman continued that campaign.

One doesnt have to look far to see the sinister agenda occurring right before our eyes. The attack on our children is no longer hidden. Those who wish to normalize sexually deviant behavior against our children, including pedophilia and incest, are pushing this movement more than ever before, Chapman said.

Some books in school libraries have been targeted by Iowans who feel their content is vulgar or too graphic. Most feature LGBTQ themes or are written by LGBTQ authors, and include passages that describe sexual experiences.

Our children should be safe and free from this atrocious assault, Chapman said in his speech. Our students should be learning about science, and mathematics; they should be learning about engineering and innovation. Instead, some teachers are disguising sexually obscene material as desired subject matter and profess it has artistic and literary value.

Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, said the next morning he received a message from a school principal who had a teacher ask for a letter of recommendation so the teacher can transfer to a district in another state. Wahls said he also received a message from a small-town superintendent who called Chapmans remarks really, really scary.

Were hearing stories like this all the time, Wahls said during a news conference Thursday.

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said she heard from teachers working on their lessons plans for the next day when they reached out to her about the comments.

The teachers I have, their only agenda is to teach kids and make great citizens and people who want to grow up to be great Iowans, Konfrst said. Its been incredibly insulting and frankly hurtful for teachers across the state who are doing all they can for their kids, especially these last two years (amid the COVID-19 pandemic), to hear this said.

During an interview with KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Chapman said his comments were not accusing all teachers but said some educators are defending literature he deems obscene.

My view is there are some, and weve seen it, that they have actually come before school boards and advocated for keeping this type of literature in the classroom,: Chapman said. And I don't think thats OK. I dont think a fifth-grader should have access to this kind of obscene material. Its inappropriate.

GOP ready on Reynolds agenda

House Republicans are eager to get started on Gov. Kim Reynolds agenda, House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, said.

Grassley said Thursday the priorities outlined by Reynolds in her Condition of the State address earlier this week largely align with the House Republican caucus.

I think youre going to really see us starting off from a position where the focus of the Legislature, in the House, with what the governor is proposing, were really in a good spot to get off and get running, Grassley told reporters.

One of the first items lawmakers typically address is public school funding levels. Grassley said he believes Republican leaders will be able to produce that legislation in the first month.

In her budget proposal, Reynolds pitched a 2.5 percent increase for K-12 school districts, community colleges and the states three public universities. Grassley did not commit to an exact figure, but said he believes majority Republicans in the House and Senate will be able to find agreement with the governor.

Corporate tax cut

Reynolds budget includes a proposal to lower the states top corporate income tax rate, pending state corporate income tax revenues reach a certain level.

Under the proposal, if state corporate income tax revenue surpasses $700 million, the top rate would be reduced the next year, according to an analysis of the proposal from the Legislative Services Agency, the nonpartisan fiscal and legal analysis division. Business leaders have asked state leaders to consider lowering the states corporate income tax rate.

Democratic legislative leaders criticized the proposal itself, claiming it provides financial assistance only to the most profitable companies  and the fact that Reynolds did not mention it during her Condition of the State speech.

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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.
IOWA HISTORY 101: The State Historical Society of Iowa is putting on one-hour virtual programs to tell the stories of Iowa history. Nine new Iowa History 101 online presentations are scheduled from now through the end of March. The programs are free but require a registration. Information about upcoming programs and registration is available at https://iowaculture.gov/history/iowa-history-101-series.

MLK DAY: The Iowa Department of Human Rights Office on the Status of African Americans will host a virtual celebration honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The 33rd annual MLK Day observance will be at 10:45 a.m. Monday. It will include Gov. Kim Reynolds proclamation designating Jan. 17 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Jan. 17-22 as Martin Luther King Jr. Week. It also will include video presentations and the holiday bell-ringing.

To view the celebration, visit the departments Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/IowaDeptHumanRights/.

MENTAL HEALTH AGENDA: House Human Services Committee Chairwoman Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, has laid out a mental health agenda for the session with bills to increase capacity at mental health institutes and fund psychiatric residencies.

Her bills are based on conversations with her community, law enforcement and health care providers about the need for treatment locations to place difficult patients and for additional mental health providers throughout the state, Meyer said.

HSB 531 would increase the current capacity at the Independence and Cherokee mental health institutes by 50 percent and add 32 adult beds and 14 child/adolescent beds for Iowa's most difficult-to-place mental health patients.

HSB 532 would fund 12 psychiatric residents per year to help increase the number of psychiatrists trained in Iowa. Iowa ranks 44th in the country in psychiatrists per capita. Another bill, HSB 537, would add $1 million per year to expand loan forgiveness opportunities to continue to retain new prescribing mental health providers in Iowa. HSB 530 would require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid rate for those needing a higher level of inpatient psychiatric care.

Track progress of the bills at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation.

JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT: Jennifer Benson Bahr of Crescent has been appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds as a district court judge in Judicial District 4, which includes Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties.

Bahr is a district associate judge in Judicial District 4. She previously was an assistant Pottawattamie County attorney and has also served as county attorney in Webster and Humboldt counties. She has degrees from the University of Iowa and Drake University Law School.

She fills the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of District Court Judge James Heckerman.

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More than 70 percent of fully vaccinated nursing home staff, meanwhile, havent gotten a booster, CDC data shows. Thats along with the approximately 18 percent of staff who are unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated.



Weve got to change that, said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a virtual forum with the long-term care industry in late December. Describing omicron as lightning fast and a game changer, he urged nursing home residents and staff to get boosters as soon as theyre eligible.

Nursing homes report that hesitancy among family members or residents, delays in receiving consent from resident representatives, long waits for pharmacy partners to provide on-site vaccinations, and staffing shortages are all contributing to the lag in boosters. Some facilities are also citing recent COVID-19 outbreaks; once residents or staff are infected with the virus, its recommended that they wait until symptoms have resolved before receiving a booster.

Many staff are also confused about the official guidance or fatigued by constantly changing guidance, says Glen Lewis, executive director of the Edgewater senior living community in West Des Moines, Iowa. Thats causing some to delay or just give up trying to keep up, he says.

Industry groups such as the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), which lobbies on behalf of more than 14,000 nursing homes and long-term care facilities nationwide, and LeadingAge, which advocates on behalf of 5,000-plus nonprofit senior-care providers, are urging facilities to get residents and staff boosted as soon as possible.

Staff vaccination requirement delayed

Nursing home staff vaccinations have lagged resident vaccinations since the shots first became available. A recent study coauthored by Harvards Grabowski found that low rates of COVID-19 vaccination among nursing home staff are linked with high rates of coronavirus illness and death among residents, even when residents have been vaccinated.

The national study revealed that more than 4,770 COVID-19 infections in residents and 700 COVID-related resident deaths might have been prevented in just a two-month period last summer had more nursing home staff been vaccinated.

In mid-August, Biden announced that all U.S. nursing homes that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding  the vast majority of facilities  must require workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which regulates nursing homes, later announced a Jan. 4 deadline.

But the federal requirement has faced legal challenges, causing enforcement delays. While the mandate has since been allowed by the courts in all states except Texas, nursing homes have been granted more time to fully vaccinate all staff; 25 states have until March 28; the other 24 have until April 14.

Unfortunately, when courts block these mandates, it means that vaccinations are delayed, says Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University Law School, and that could mean people lose their lives unnecessarily.

AARP strongly supports the federal vaccine requirement for nursing home workers, the organization wrote in a recent letter to the CMS, adding that its an important step to protect the health and safety of those working in, and those seeking treatment or care at, Medicare and Medicaid facilities, especially nursing homes.

But other nursing home stakeholders have pushed back. We are deeply concerned that the current mandate issued by the CMS will cause nursing homes to lose staff at a time when we are already grappling with a historic labor crisis, said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, in a statement.

Severe staffing shortages getting worse

Staffing shortages have long plagued U.S. nursing homes, but the pandemic exacerbated them by infecting workers with and exposing them to COVID-19, rendering them unable to work while they quarantine or recover, as well as causing burnout among the labor force. Many nursing home employees  who held one of the deadliest jobs of 2020  have left the field for other positions with better pay, benefits and working conditions.

An AARP analysis of federal nursing home data shows that 30 percent of U.S. nursing homes have reported monthly shortages over two four-week periods from mid-September to mid-November, when staff COVID-19 infections were relatively low. That's about 7 percentage points higher than shortages reported to the CMS this summer and just above the worst shortages reached last winter.

The current virus resurgence is likely to make them even worse by pulling infected staff out of facilities, raising concerns that care for residents will suffer, particularly during outbreaks, when its needed most.

Even at facilities with high rates of boosters, such as the Jewish Home Family in New Jersey, where 100 percent of residents and 90 percent of staff are boosted, omicron is taking a toll. The hardest thing is staffing as folks go out with a positive test result, says Carol Silver Elliott, president and CEO.

Studies from the pandemic have found that low staffing levels translate into higher COVID-19 cases and deaths in nursing homes, particularly once the virus has entered a facility.

Research tells us that nursing assistants shouldnt have more than seven patients during a shift to take care of, but Ive heard of some having 30 patients during the pandemic  thats insane, says Charlene Harrington of the University of California, San Francisco, who cowrote a study on the issue in California. Staff are just running from patient to patient  trying to feed them, take them to the toilet  and basic things like handwashing go out the window.

The CDC recently updated guidance for health care workers, which shortens their isolation time after a COVID-19 infection in order to get them back to work faster. Some states are training soldiers from the National Guard as certified nursing assistants to support understaffed nursing homes.

Visits return, bringing their own risk

Family caregivers, who have only recently been granted reentry into nursing homes after 20 long months of COVID-induced lockdowns, will also play a stepped-up role in facilities this winter, says the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Cares Smetanka.

A recent study of pre-pandemic data found that nursing home residents already receive an average of roughly 37 hours of informal care (including help with household activities, mobility needs and self-care) per month, roughly equivalent to an extra full-time shift of care per month. Family members are an invisible workforce in nursing homes, the authors wrote.

They also are essential in combating social isolation and loneliness, both of which took a tremendous toll on residents during the extended lockdowns, says Smetanka: For so many, the isolation and neglect that they experience was just as deadly as COVID.

In mid-November the CMS released sweeping updates to its visitation guidelines, telling facilities to open their doors and allow visits for all residents at all times, barring those who have a positive COVID-19 test or are showing symptoms of COVID-19. The recent resurgence caused the CMS to backpedal slightly, allowing facilities to regulate visits more, but the exceptions are very limited and rare.

Many are applauding the relaxed rules, citing the tremendous toll of lockdowns. But reopening to visitors allows another way for the virus to potentially get into facilities, triggering possible outbreaks.

Visitors are not required by the CMS to be vaccinated or to test negative before a visit, which is believed to have led to two unvaccinated, unmasked and infected guests sparking a COVID-19 outbreak in a New Jersey nursing home just before Thanksgiving. One hospice resident who contracted the virus died, and three others were hospitalized.

The visitors should have been vaccinated or tested prior to the visit, wrote Ronald G. Nahass, president of ID Care, a New Jersey medical practice. This situation is simply wrong.

AARP, the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine and other groups representing long-term care residents are asking the federal government to prioritize nursing homes for COVID-19 tests amid the current shortages. The Biden administration is making 500 million rapid COVID-19 tests available for the public to order. In a statement, the administration said the countrys hardest-hit and highest-risk communities would be prioritized. There was no specific mention of nursing homes, however.
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People with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, have a gut that wont behave, even when it seems like theres nothing wrong.

The intestinal tract of someone with IBS looks healthy in a colonoscopy, and tests that would flag cancer or an autoimmune disorder come back normal  yet the millions of U.S. adults who battle the digestive disorder feel anything but.

Curious about the symptoms of IBS and how to treat it? Here are five things you need to know about the common chronic condition.

1. Symptoms can vary from person to person

IBS shows up in different ways for different people: Some get diarrhea, some have constipation. Others alternate between the two. A regularly bloated tummy after meals can be a sign of IBS  so can persistent cramping and stomach aches.

Bottom line: If youve got abdominal pain, bloating and a change in bowel habits, go see a doctor, said Eric Shah, M.D., a gastroenterologist and researcher at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine in Hanover, New Hampshire.

The sudden onset of more severe symptoms, such as blood in your stool, vomiting, weight loss or fever, could be a sign of a more serious illness that requires prompt medical attention.

2. Its not all in the gut

For years, IBS was called a functional disorder, meaning that while the bodys normal activities are impaired, medical tools don't pick up any structural abnormalities. This description made treatment challenging  how to treat something you cant detect?  and was frustrating to some patients, said Kendra Kamp, an assistant professor of nursing at the University of Washington.

Some of them felt overlooked by the health care community, explained Kamp, the author of numerous papers on IBS and other gut disorders. Its like, you have this label of IBS and that means we dont know what to do with you.

But science is getting closer to understanding the reasons why people feel gut pain and discomfort, absent traditional markers of disease, and it turns out the brain may play a role. Researchers have begun to examine how the central nervous system (the spinal cord and the brain) communicates with the enteric nervous system, which controls the digestive system. Their findings indicate that when the gut is irritated, the brain hears about it.

We think in all [IBS] patients theres some degree of disordered function in this gut-brain network, said Greg Sayuk, M.D., a Washington University School of Medicine professor who studies IBS.

A few years ago IBS was renamed a disorder of brain-gut interaction, or DBGI  a reflection of a more nuanced understanding of this issue. Researchers, for example, now routinely look at how the brain and the digestive organs interact with all the fungi, bacteria and viruses living in the body, known as the microbiome.

"We are now relearning that they are integrated; that its not brain or gut, but its both, and that they are communicating," Kamp said.

The brain-gut connection is one reason why some IBS patients turn to behavioral medicine techniques to help manage their symptoms  but more on this later.
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If bedtimes a battle with insomnia instead of a refreshing slide into dreamland, heres news: A short course of therapy  in person, over the phone or online with video  can retrain your brain for better sleep. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia [CBT-I] is as effective as sleeping pills in the short term and more effective in the long term, says Michelle Drerup, a sleep psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic Sleep Disorders Center. It addresses the factors behind insomnia rather than putting a Band-Aid on it.

For many, it works. Six CBT-I sessions helped more than 60 percent of people in their 30s through 60s with insomnia get improvements like falling asleep faster, waking up less often, logging more sleep and feeling less tired and anxious during the day in a 2020 University of Michigan study. A 2021 study of 29 people in their 60s through 90s found similar results, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai report. The findings are noteworthy for older adults, who face a higher risk for sleep problems and make frequent use of prescription and over-the-counter snooze aids that raise risk for confusion, falls, urinary trouble, constipation and even memory problems. Other recent studies find it works for insomnia in cancer survivors, during menopause and in people with chronic arthritis pain  and can slash risk for insomnia-related depression by 51 percent in older adults, too.

Yet CBT-I may be the best-kept secret in sleep medicine.

Often, people arent aware it exists, says J. Todd Arnedt, professor of psychiatry and neurology, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the University of Michigan and author of that 2020 study. Research suggests that primary-care doctors may not know about CBT-I or may think people aren't interested in it, even though two major medical groups, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, recommend it as first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. And people may mistakenly think it will mean months hashing out their feelings on a therapists couch. Its very different than talk therapy, Drerup notes. CBT-I is much more goal-directed. Youre learning a set of skills.

Inside CBT-I

In CBT-I, a trained therapist helps you assess and change thoughts, beliefs and habits that fuel insomnia. It usually involves four to six sessions. The process reduces stress and anxiety at bedtime, retrains your brain and body to strengthen your natural sleep drive so you can fall asleep when you pull up the covers, and even resets your body clock for more regular sleep, Drerup and Arnedt say. Therapy begins with a lesson on the biology of sleep and homework: a daily sleep log that tracks when you got in bed, fell asleep and woke up, and any disruptions. Data in the sleep log guides treatment and individualizes the plan, Drerup says. And we track it to see outcomes.

Youll track sleep-robbing thoughts and beliefs  like Ill never get to sleep tonight and tomorrow will be lousy  that can stir up fear, anxiety and stress as bedtime looms. What happens over time for people, no matter what triggered the insomnia, they develop anxiety and worry around sleep, Drerup says. CBT-I helps you counter these with real-world replacements such as, Ive been OK the next day on less sleep or Its normal to wake up during sleep, Ill fall asleep again. Arnedt says: Unhelpful thinking exacerbates insomnia. People freak out that they wont be able to function the next day. In extreme circumstances, they call in sick from work or cancel social events. That just feeds the beast. Its important to keep a balanced perspective and not be extreme about how you think about bad and good nights.
President Joe Biden is expected to deliver remarks announcing a new wave of federally deployed medical teams to six states to help hospitals combat Covid-19, a White House official told CNN.
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by China will help promote international cooperation required to "overcome the triple challenge faced by the world today," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

The challenges, said Pakistan's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, are the COVID-19 pandemic, the related economic crisis and the threat posed by climate change.

Addressing the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, the spokesperson said Pakistan welcomes and supports the GDI as a timely and good-intention step to facilitate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The GDI will open up new avenues of collaboration with developing countries in support of their post-pandemic economic recovery as well as long-term sustainable growth, the spokesperson said.

The key areas of focus under the GDI are poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity, Ahmad said, adding that all of these correspond to the socio-economic development priorities of Pakistan as well.

"Pakistan and China have strong development partnership based on the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between our two countries, and we look forward to further strengthening this development partnership under China's Global Development Initiative," the spokesperson said.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
The White House announced a new program to repair and replace bridges. President Joe Biden is seen here visiting the NH 175 bridge in November 2021, in Woodstock, New Hampshire.
U.S. Army Capt. Charles Auer from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 238th General Support Aviation, Peoria, Ill., begins the checklist before a night mission on CH-47 Chinook during Winter Strike 21 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., Jan 28, 2021. Winter Strike 21 is a cold-weather readiness event held as part of the Northern Strike exercise series that offers the Michigan National Guards unparalleled facilities as a venue for U.S. and coalition forces to receive advanced All-Domain joint fires training in all weather conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Scott Thompson)
Motherhood. Its such a rich subject for art to ponder, youd think wed have already seen every kind of mother onscreen.

But actually we havent. Sure, weve seen good moms, bad moms, crazy moms, selfish moms, generous moms, loving moms, cold moms. But what strikes home so vividly in The Lost Daughter, Maggie Gyllenhaals gorgeous directorial debut, is how rarely we see a mother who is all those things at once. And yet honestly, what could be more real than that?

On my first viewing of Gyllenhaals film, adapted from an Elena Ferrante novel, I was preoccupied with Olivia Colman in yet another blazing performance (is there anything Colman cant do?), a veritable onion shedding layers as she plays Leda, a prickly yet exceedingly vulnerable 48-year-old academic.

But theres another facet to this film that makes it a rarity. On second viewing, what transfixed me was the synergy between older Leda and younger Leda, played by Jessie Buckley as a mother on the cusp of 30. Gyllenhaal interweaves their stories with a deft touch that deepens the connection as the film progresses, to the point where nary a doubt remains that theyre the same person. Do they look alike? Outwardly no, I guess, but theres an inner connection thats astonishing (the two actors never meet, of course). The casting choice  it was Colman who suggested Buckley  is simply inspired.

We meet Colmans Leda as she arrives on an idyllic Greek island for a working holiday, laden with books. A British professor of comparative literature who teaches in Cambridge, near Boston (wink wink), Colmans Leda settles into a rental apartment a short walk through the woods to the sea. She seems content  triumphant, even  the next day as she nestles in her beach chair with an ice cream cone and her notebooks.

Then the family arrives  a boisterous extended clan from Queens in New York, who noisily disturb her peaceful isolation, even asking her to move to another part of the beach (she says no.) But Leda is fascinated by the quiet one, Nina, a beautiful young mother (Dakota Johnson) whose domineering husband spends weekdays off the island. She cant seem to keep her eyes off Nina and the young daughter, who demands her exhausted moms constant attention. In fact, Leda immediately starts to cry.

When, one day, the little girl goes missing for a bit, its Leda who manages to find her, earning gratitude from the frantic Nina. But the youngster has lost her prized doll, and shes inconsolable for days on end.

Meanwhile, the onion is peeling  were learning more about Leda, a mother of two adult daughters. As she gradually reveals details to Will (Paul Mescal), the strapping young Irishman who works at the beach house, or to Lyle (Ed Harris), the American caretaker of her apartment, or to Nina, Gyllenhaal toggles these scenes with those from decades earlier, when Leda  now Buckley  was a young mom balancing work with parenting. Although her husband, also an academic, clearly loves the girls, its his work  as in so many families  that takes precedence at tough moments.

The scenes with Buckley (as splendid as Colman) and her daughters are heartbreaking, especially to any mother whos tried unsuccessfully to find the balance between children and the work that makes her whole. Her Leda can go from deeply loving  collapsing to the floor in giggles with her girls  to terribly cruel, as when she (excruciatingly!) refuses to kiss the cut finger of her crying daughter. And yet shes so passionate  about life, and about work  that we cant help but sympathize with her.

Then theres Nina (an excellent Johnson doing some of her best work to date), whose troubled motherhood becomes a mirror for older Leda. Colmans most dramatic moments, which combine an aching vulnerability with a distasteful brittleness, come in two scenes with Johnson. In one, Leda makes a heart-shattering confession about her past. In the other, she cops to an inexplicable transgression in the present.

With lead performances like these, its easy to forget the noteworthy work in supporting roles. Gyllenhaals husband, Peter Sarsgaard, is effective as a sexy academic who pursues young Leda, and Mescal is hugely charismatic as Will. Harris is a grizzled, grounded presence as the caretaker who tries to get closer to Leda. Jack Farthing as her husband and Dagmara Dominczyk as a motherly figure in Ninas family also make an impression.

Im an unnatural mother, Colmans Leda says at one pivotal point. Her face is contorted in guilt (or is it grief?) at the circumstances that have brought her to that moment.

But it seems that she, and Gyllenhaal, are telling us something more: Perhaps there is no such thing as a natural mother. Perhaps theres something in this tale of two women  or really, three  that speaks to all who try to pretend that its unnatural to sometimes be ambivalent about motherhood. And that motherhood is not, in ways and at times, a struggle for nearly everyone.
New Mexicans know the value of locally made food products and we treasure the edible gifts we are given from this bountiful Land of Enchantment. Though we are nationally recognized for growing Hatch chiles, beans, blue corn and pinon nuts, we arent necessarily known for developing high-quality breads.

Thanks to Wild Leaven Bakery, that is changing. Partners in life and business, Andre Kempton and Jessica Foumena Kempton, started the bakery as a Taos Farmers Market vendor in 2012. They opened a retail location in Taos in 2016 and have accrued 20 regional retail outlets over the last 10 years.

Though you have likely seen their breads in a refrigerated case at your favorite grocery store, you can now find their freshly baked goods in Santa Fe. On December 8, they sprouted a new retail location in the heart of downtown Santa Fe at 130 N. Guadalupe.

In this cute grab-and-go location that also includes a production kitchen but no tables for dining in, customers can pick-up a variety of full or half loaves of their signature, square-style sourdough breads, along with assorted pastries and other simple delicacies. The single most distinguishing factor of Wild Leaven breads is that they are made with an artisan sourdough that is fermented for 24 hours. Additionally, they work with farmers and ranchers in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado to source their heritage and heirloom grains as well as organic and local ingredients which make their products stand out.

About this intricate baking process, Andre Kempton says, The 24-hour fermentation creates natural preservatives like alcohol, lactic acid and different acids that help preserve the life of the bread. The fermentation process is the key to our mission. A long fermentation breaks down the gluten, and the carbohydrates and the micro-organisms are predigesting the bread for you. This is why many gluten-intolerant people can eat Wild Leaven Bakery breads.

Wild Leavens bread menu includes 10 varieties of huge or half loaves of sourdough  the original ($18), quinoa and sunflower ($20); rye, molasses and fennel ($18); buckwheat and millet (gluten-free and vegan) ($32); 100% heirloom rye ($22); heirloom spelt ($28); sprouted rye ($20); uber sprouted rye ($26); roasted walnut ($8); and chile n cheese ($7 and up). Because the loaves are so large and there are only two of us, I buy half a loaf, which is available for half-price. Loaves come unsliced, but they will happily slice the loaf on request.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the sourdough, and quinoa and sunflower loaves, which are two of the most popular. Both provide an easy way to start the day as a simple slice of toast and butter. If I want something more substantial, I add mashed avocado, microgreens and sprinkle red chile flakes and dukkah or Everything Bagel spice. My husband prefers to eat his toast topped with a fried egg and ham.

If you are more interested in the sweeter side, Wild Leaven has an array of pastries that quickly sell out. This includes a scone ($5) that is so good it is worthy of a new name because this scone is life-changing. Its crusty on the outside and tender on the inside and will likely make you turn your nose up at the traditionally dry English scones. Try the pecan chile bar ($5) or cinnamon swirl ($5)  which is their version of a cinnamon roll.

Andre Kempton also bakes up a variety of French pastries that use laminated dough, where you fold the dough with butter over and over so it creates super thin layers. The selection includes a light and airy croissant ($4), chocolate croissant ($5), ham and cheese croissant ($6.50) and green chile cheese croissant ($6.50), but dont expect these to be typical French croissants. These are better because they are fermented for 12-15 hours, which is the Wild Leaven way.

If you need a snack when you go to the bakery  and I highly recommend you go hungry, they offer a daily soup with a side of bread ($7) and an extraordinary homemade chai ($5.50) that took Andre Kempton a few weeks to perfect. A combination of organic ingredients including local honey, fresh grated ginger and turmeric, cardamom, ground clove, pastured whole milk and black peppercorns simmer with black tea for a distinctive and craveworthy chai.

Jessica Foumena Kempton says, I love chai and I wanted us to have a special drink to offer exclusively at the Santa Fe store. So Andre took the recipe he makes me at home and added a bit more spice here and there to come up with this.

It is well-balanced and juggles a lot of different flavors, Andre Kempton adds. When you have the best ingredients, it doesnt take much to make something great. I love that people are coming in for the chai now.

As for whats in store for 2022, Andre Kempton says, We have developed two new sourdough breads  French baguette and country loaf. We are using 30% fresh stone-milled, northern New Mexico organic heirloom Sonora wheat and 70% organic, high-quality bread flour. These breads enjoy 36-hour fermentation at a cooler, 40 degree temperature.

When I asked him about the name Wild Leaven, he recounts, When I was creating the business in 2012 and thinking about a name, I was fascinated with the sourdough process and the wild yeast that is all around us. Wild yeast is the champion of the bread making process. Its almost like we are corralling and manipulating it to do what we want, but it is the wild yeast that makes this bread possible.

Wild Leaven is an ode to these wild yeast and bacteria  they make the bread rise with (carbon dioxide), they give flavor with the acid and alcohol they release. They also make the flour digestible. Grains are so smart they have developed anti-nutrients that are defense mechanisms so the animals wont eat their seeds. Fermentation breaks down the process and makes the nutrients available to the host, Andre proudly concludes.

Wild Leaven Bakery is more than just a bakery  its a philosophy and Andre Kempton and Jessica Foumena Kempton are dedicated to their mission of creating wholesome products using high-quality, organic and regionally and locally sourced ingredients. With the warm welcome Wild Leaven is receiving, Santa Feans are clearly hungry for this new addition.
ISTANBUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed cooperation opportunities between their countries in a phone conversation, Turkey's Directorate of Communications said Friday.

The two leaders exchanged views on strengthening the collaboration in the defense industry and trade, the directorate noted on its website.

They also addressed regional and global issues, including the latest developments in Syria and Ukraine and the refugee problem, it added. 
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Amid projections for strong revenue growth, New Mexico teachers could be in line for salary increases aimed at bringing their pay levels roughly in line with the recent national average.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and a key legislative panel are proposing to boost teacher pay by 7% in the coming budget next year.

The budget proposals come after New Mexicos education system has faced an explosion in teacher vacancies, a surge in educator retirements and dismal student proficiency rates.

Lujan Grisham, Democrat up for reelection this year, said educators deserve sizable raises after enduring the challenge of teaching during a pandemic. The goal, she said, would be to make New Mexico teachers the best-compensated in the region.

New Mexico educators deserve better compensation  its as simple as that, the governor said in a statement. And we will deliver it.

In addition to 7% raises, the governors proposal calls for increasing the minimum salary for teachers in the states three-tier licensing system to $50,000, $60,000 and $70,000.

Her office estimated the increases would bring the average educator salary to about $64,006 annually.

It would be roughly in line with estimates for the national average for public school teachers in the 2019-20 school year  $63,645, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, and $64,133, as calculated by the National Education Association.

Salaries for instructional staff in New Mexico last year trailed those in Colorado, Texas and Utah, according to NEA figures.

Rep. Ryan Lane, an Aztec Republican and member of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, said he favors an increase of some kind for teachers.

Whether that number is 7 (percent), 5 or some other number, Im not sure, Lane said in an interview. One of the issues I hear very commonly spoken about from people who dont end up going into the teaching profession is they have a concern about the pay.

Lawmakers, Lane said, should also take other steps to improve the school system, such as funding new efforts to provide mentors to less experienced teachers.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  With New Mexico collecting record-high revenue levels, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is proposing a reduction in New Mexicos gross receipts tax  a move intended to address a chronic weak point in the states unusual tax system.

The tax cut, if successful, would shave one-quarter of a percentage point off the statewide rate, or enough to save a family 25 cents on a $100 purchase. It would cost about $145 million a year in state revenue.

New Mexicos gross receipts tax  similar to a sales tax but also applied to the sale of services, not just goods  has been a focus of debate for years at the Capitol.

The tax is especially problematic for small businesses, experts say, because they must pay it when hiring outside help for accounting, legal or other services  a cost that builds on itself with each transaction, eventually passed on to the consumer.

Speaking to business leaders in November, the Democratic governor said now is the right time cut the rate. The state is awash in cash, she said, thanks to federal stimulus funds and strong economic growth.

It has a chilling effect, Lujan Grisham said of the tax. Weve got to do a tax overhaul that can really make a difference. We have the resources.

A Republican legislator, in turn, said the governors proposal was too small to make a real difference.

While it may be a step in the right direction, Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, said in an interview, its not tax reform.

Lujan Grisham said the states financial reserves now stand at 37% of annual spending, making it a good time to tackle changes to the tax code. The gross receipts tax rate reaches 9% in some parts of the state. In Albuquerque, for example, the rate is 7.875%.

Tax experts say the rate was never intended to be so high. A gross receipts tax is meant to cover a broad base of transactions, with the trade-off being that the rate is low.

Richard Anklam, executive director of the nonpartisan Tax Research Institute, warned legislators in July that the rates had climbed to the absolute top of our capacity.

He said in a written statement released by the Governors Office that reducing the tax would benefit all New Mexicans.

New Mexicos gross receipts tax rates have been increasing for decades, making pyramiding worse, burdening our households and rendering our small businesses less competitive, he said.

Stephanie Schardin Clarke, the states secretary of taxation and revenue, said the reduction would help provide valuable tax relief to New Mexico families and businesses, while adding a competitive advantage for New Mexico businesses.

A recent expansion of gross receipts taxes to internet sales, she said, would help pay for the cut.

The governors proposal would reduce the state portion of the rate  the amount before cities and counties add their taxes  from 5.125% to 4.875%.

The states share of the rate hasnt fallen since 1981, though a 2004 law repealed the gross receipts tax on food.

Sen. Sharer and Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, have repeatedly proposed overhauling the gross receipts tax code and reducing the rate. Lujan Grishams predecessor, Republican Susana Martinez, also pushed for changes to the gross receipts tax system.

The Legislature  where Democrats hold hefty majorities in both chambers  has approved some changes to the gross receipts tax code, though not the broader overhaul sought by Republicans.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico is barreling forward with plans to turn the state into one of the nations first hydrogen hubs.

But the pace of new developments backed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration is generating alarm among environmentalists, who are scrambling to pull the emergency brakes.

During an October speech at the New Mexico Oil and Gas Associations annual meeting, Lujan Grisham said a proposed bill to create a legal framework for hydrogen could deliver big benefits to the state.

We believe that being the first state to have a statutory framework  puts us in the drivers seat when it comes to hydrogen, said the governor, who asked for industry leaders to back the proposal during the 30-day session and described hydrogen as the transitional fuel of the future.

Industry and government officials, both at the state and federal levels, believe hydrogen can provide a powerful tool to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. Thats because hydrogen has many potential applications as a relatively clean-burning fuel that doesnt emit carbon dioxide.

Specifically, backers say hydrogen could help decarbonize transportation when electric batteries are not good options, such as long-haul industrial vehicles like tractor trailers, maritime shipping, and even planes and trains.

They also say it could be used to produce electricity, replacing fossil fuels like coal or natural gas to run turbine generators in power plants. That could provide a critical source of backup generation as local and national grids become heavily dependent on intermittent production from solar and wind farms.

As a result, hydrogen development to help combat climate change enjoys broad bipartisan support at the national level. The $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill, approved by the U.S. Congress and signed into law last year by President Joe Biden, includes $8 billion to build four initial hydrogen hubs around the country. It also includes $1 billion in federal assistance for hydrogen-technology research and development.

But environmental groups in New Mexico and elsewhere are sounding warning alarms about growing enthusiasm for all things hydrogen.

Thats because many questions remain unanswered about its actual ability to lower carbon emissions in the hydrogen-production process itself, plus the potential danger of applying hydrogen solutions to decarbonize energy use in areas better served by renewable resources.

Western Environmental Law Center Executive Director Erik Schlenker-Goodrich said the rush to pump public and private funds into a fossil-based fuel system that may not lower carbon emissions significantly could lead to stranded assets as technology evolves.

Methane-based hydrogen production is a very risky investment bet with state resources or private-sector capital, Schlenker-Goodrich told the Journal. Blue hydrogen may be cost competitive in the short-term, but that could be reversed by 2030 compared with green hydrogen. We could invest billions in New Mexico in a scheme that could be outdated by other technologies in a decade.

Blue hydrogen refers to a process that captures and sequesters carbon emissions released during production. Thats considered to be a step above gray hydrogen production, which uses the same process but simply vents those emissions into the atmosphere with no effort to capture and sequester them.

Environmentalists prefer green hydrogen, which uses renewable generation from solar or wind to power a process known as electrolysis. That process pulls hydrogen molecules from water, with no carbon emissions. But green production is still too expensive for widespread deployment, and the technology cost isnt expected to drop enough for large-scale commercialization until the 2030s.

Environmentalists also fear the emerging focus on hydrogen could derail the accelerated adoption of renewable generation now underway nationwide as policymakers and investors pursue massive hydrogen development rather than pushing full speed ahead on solar, wind and battery-storage technology.

But state officials say hydrogen seems like a natural fit for New Mexico, which has many more assets in place for its rapid development than most other states.

We need to be as nimble as possible as new technology and ideas evolve and flow, state Environment Secretary James Kenney told the Journal. We need to incentivize industry to take a hard look at how to decarbonize faster.

Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd contributed to this report.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The State Ethics Commission is proposing changes to state law that would require New Mexicos citizen legislators to release more information about their sources of personal income and business relationships.

Separately, the agency is also recommending increased transparency requirements for lobbyists, such as disclosure of what bills theyre working on and the provisions theyre advocating for or against.

Lawmakers  a handful of whom are married to lobbyists  would also have to disclose before voting if any family member lobbied on a bill.

Together, the recommendations are designed to shed more light on potential conflicts inside the Roundhouse, where individual lawmakers have little staff and lobbyists play a crucial role in shaping legislation.

Over the years, several ethics violation cases have tarnished New Mexicos reputation and most of them could have been prevented with heightened disclosure laws, said Heather Ferguson, the executive director of the nonpartisan Common Cause New Mexico.

New Mexico legislators are the only state lawmakers in the country who dont draw a salary, though they get daily payments during legislative sessions, reimbursements and the option to participate in a retirement system. The daily rate, based on the federal per diem, is $173 to $202, depending on the time of year.

The small pay means most legislators are retired or hold jobs that allow them to take breaks for annual sessions of 30 or 60 days in Santa Fe, in addition to less-formal meetings held throughout the year.

In an annual report released last month, the State Ethics Commission, an independent watchdog agency, called the states existing disclosure law for income received by public officials vague and undemanding.

The commission proposes repealing the law and replacing it with the commissions proposed Disclosure Act.

As it stands now, state lawmakers face broad requirements for disclosing income sources over $5,000. Many report, for example, that they draw income from a law firm, farming and ranching, or similarly general categories.

Sonny Haquani, a spokesman for the ethics commission, said the agency worked with the offices of the secretary of state, attorney general and state auditor on the proposed Disclosure Act to require more specific reporting.

The changes would enable the public to identify conflicts of interest and deter violations of the public trust, he said in a statement to the Journal.

State Auditor Brian Colon, a Democrat, announced his support for the proposal in December.

The enhanced disclosures will aid in the deterrence of public corruption and strengthen the publics trust in government, he said in a written statement.

The disclosure push comes after then-House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton, an Albuquerque Democrat who worked for the school district, resigned earlier this year amid a criminal investigation.

She was later indicted on charges of racketeering, money laundering, having an unlawful interest in a public contract and using her legislative position to try to get a promotion at Albuquerque Public Schools. The allegations against her include routing money meant for vocational education at APS to businesses and charities in which she had an interest.

Stapleton and her attorney have denied the charges and say they will fight to clear her name.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

On the heels of a record-shattering year for homicides in Albuquerque, violent crime appears poised to be a major topic of debate during this years 30-day legislative session.

House Democrats from New Mexicos largest city announced a comprehensive crime-fighting package in September that would include changes to the states bail reform law, expanded mental health treatment programs and increased criminal penalties.

At least some of the provisions, such as extending prosecutors time limits for filing second-degree murder charges, have been previously pushed by House Republicans, who urged Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last year to call a special session focused on crime.

Facing a bruising reelection campaign this year, Lujan Grisham has thrown her support behind a proposal to revamp New Mexicos pretrial detention system to allow people charged with certain crimes to be held until trial unless their defense attorney can convince the court otherwise.

I believe a rebuttable presumption for individuals accused of violent crimes can be a wedge in the revolving door of repeat violent offenses that have characterized the worst aspects of the crime our state continues to experience, Lujan Grisham said in an August statement.

While the proposal is backed by 2nd Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez and Albuquerque law enforcement officials, it has drawn opposition from the Law Offices of the Public Defender and other groups.

Im extremely concerned about allowing the government to hold people in jail for months just because someone said you did something, said Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur.

In the run-up to this years session, Rep. Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque, has filed legislation, House Bill 27, shifting the burden of proof to the defense when a defendant is charged with a crime of violence, is currently out on conditions of release and commits another felony, or if they have a history of failing to appear for court hearings.

The change would make it so that the defense would have to persuade the court to release a defendant in those cases, compared with current rules, under which a prosecutor has to persuade the court to hold a defendant.

The University of New Mexicos Institute for Social Research has studied how many more people would be held in jail if the changes went into effect.

Using Rehms 2021 proposed legislation  which is similar to what he is proposing for the 2022 session but adds that a person should be detained if they were previously convicted of a felony or had violated any conditions of release  the institute found that from July 2017 to March 2020, between 797 and 1,969 more people would have been detained.

Meanwhile, in response to the Democrats announcement, House GOP floor leader James Townsend, R-Artesia, accused Democrats of helping to create a rampant crime problem.

We hope they are as serious about addressing crime as they have been about coddling criminals throughout our communities, Townsend said.

However, Rep. Meredith Dixon, D-Albuquerque, said shes hopeful some crime-related proposals, including a bill dealing with penalties for stealing copper materials, can win bipartisan support.

She also said lawmakers and top state officials increasingly agree a comprehensive approach is needed to reverse an increase in violent crime across New Mexico.

Theres probably more consensus that stiffer penalties arent the only answer, said Dixon, who recently accompanied law enforcement officers on patrol in her foothills-area legislative district.

Democratic lawmakers blocked many GOP-backed crime bills from advancing during the administration of former Gov. Susana Martinez, including a push to bring back the death penalty for those convicted of certain violent offenses.

However, proposals dealing with tougher penalties for drunken driving and distributing child pornography have been signed into law in recent years.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration plans to push a new funding source for conservation projects around New Mexico  a $50 million general obligation bond.

If approved by legislators, and then by voters next year, top state environment officials say the proposed Land of Enchantment Bond would provide funding for forest thinning, land acquisitions, watershed restoration and other projects around New Mexico.

It would be funded by a modest increase in state property tax rates  about $2 per New Mexico household over the next 25 years.

Sarah Cottrell Propst, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Cabinet secretary, said the bonds could boost initiatives that are otherwise at the whim of sporadic state budget cycles.

These programs are just as much about people and communities as they are about the wild places, Cottrell Propst said during an interview.

However, at least one prominent legislator has expressed skepticism about the idea.

I think generally using general obligation bonds for conservation would not be appropriate, said Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, the chairwoman of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.

I dont want to cut that pie up any smaller, added Lundstrom, who also said the proposal would take away some of the Legislatures spending powers.

If the proposal clears the Legislature in the upcoming 30-day session, it would go to voters on a statewide ballot in November 2022. Lawmakers would also determine exact funding amounts for each agency involved in the plan.

Currently, the state uses general obligation bonds to pay for three different types of projects  senior centers, libraries and higher education buildings and repairs.

Voters decide every two years whether to approve the bonds, with separate questions appearing on the statewide general election ballot for each of three spending categories.

Adding conservation projects as a fourth category would provide a stable funding source amid year-to-year revenue fluctuations, backers say.

If approved, the $50 million would be available to be spent on project expenses, but not on salaries and other operational costs.

State Forester Laura McCarthy said EMNRD would use the money to prepare forests for prescribed burns  a key strategy as New Mexico grapples with extreme drought and braces for a big wildfire season next year.

As an example, she cited forest thinning that helped contain the Medio Fire in fall 2020 on the Santa Fe National Forest.

The fire threatened to encroach upon Ski Santa Fe and popular hiking trails before it spread into an area that had been part of a prescribed burn the year before.

It stopped the Medio Fire by allowing the safe space for firefighters to get in there and anchor off of it to control the fire, McCarthy said.

Debbie Hughes, executive director of the New Mexico Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, said she is excited by the possibility of state funding to leverage more federal money for farm and ranch projects.

Whenever we put in fences to manage grazing or put water in storage, all of that helps sequester carbon, and helps with wildlife habitat and soil health, Hughes said.

New Mexico municipalities have voted to approve more than $53 million in bonds for parks, trails and open space projects since 1988, according to data from the Trust for Public Land.

Cottrell Propst said other states have also used general obligation bonds to pay for large-scale conservation projects and said the timing is right for New Mexico to seek out a stable funding source for similar initiatives.

We would be irresponsible if we didnt pursue this right now, she said.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Twenty-four New Mexico-based organizations are receiving grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

During the first round of grants, NEA awarded 1,248 grants across the country totaling more than $28 million.

New Mexico organizations received a total of $530,000, with each grant ranging from $10,000 to $75,000.

The Santa Fe Opera and the National Institute of Flamenco both are receiving $75,000.

One of the grantees is Western New Mexico University in Silver City, where the $15,000 grant will be used for its AFiesta Latina! event.

The summer event is a celebration of the regions Latin American heritage, customs and traditions and often includes childrens activities, a tequila tasting, a charro show and a juried artisan mercado featuring traditional folk-art by 30 artisans from across Mexico and the United States.

The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support arts projects like this one from Western New Mexico University that help support the communitys creative economy, said NEA Acting Chair Ann Eilers. WNMU Cultural Affairs in Silver City, New Mexico, is among the arts organizations nationwide that are using the arts as a source of strength, a path to well-being, and providing access and opportunity for people to connect and find joy through the arts.

The Santa Fe Film Institute is also the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the NEA. The grant will help support the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival.

It is the third consecutive year that NEA has recognized SFFIs creative and cultural impact with a grant award.

It is meaningful for both local filmmakers and film artists worldwide for Santa Fe Film Institute to receive this support, Liesette Paisner Bailey, SFiFF executive director, said. The fantastic projects, and world-class screenings that make up SFiFFs public programming, reflect the organizations commitment to the arts and artists.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A coalition that includes elected leaders in Albuquerque and Santa Fe is calling on New Mexico to use some of its federal stimulus funds to provide cash assistance to families who didnt receive other aid because of immigration status or other barriers.

In a letter to Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and legislators, the group of elected leaders said many families have fallen through the cracks and been ineligible for much of the pandemic aid that has helped other New Mexicans  a group that includes residents who made so little they didnt file income taxes and mixed-status immigrant families.

Immigrants have some of the most difficult times accessing any help, Isaac Benton, president of the Albuquerque City Council, said in an online news conference. These workers are critical to our economy.

He was among a handful of speakers who urged legislators to send some of the unspent federal money to the state Human Services Department for emergency cash assistance programs.

Gabriel Sanchez, a pollster for BSP Research, shared findings of a survey of Latino adults in New Mexico  including immigrants and Spanish speakers  that showed 30% of those polled reported that someone in their household had difficulty paying bills or utilities over the past year because of the pandemic. About 24% reported cuts in work hours and 19% the loss of a job.

This is very sobering data, Sanchez said.

The findings, he said, show tough times for everybody across New Mexico, particularly rural Hispanic residents.

The survey was sponsored by a host of groups advocating for worker or immigrant rights, including Somos Un Pueblo Unido, El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos and New Mexico Voices for Children.

New Mexico has about $724 million in unallocated federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Lawmakers are considering making some of the money available to boost the lottery scholarship program for college students, tourism advertising, food banks and legislation intended to make New Mexico a hydrogen energy hub.

Agreeing on a budget package is expected to be a focus of the 30-day session that starts next week.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  A military medical team is expected to arrive in New Mexico over the next week to help understaffed hospitals amid a record-breaking wave of COVID-19 infections.

New Mexico is one of six states set to receive the teams  a deployment announced Thursday by President Joe Biden at the White House.

Some hospitals in Albuquerque are treating people in hallways, and in one case, a parking-lot tent, as COVID-19 infections add to an already heavy load of patients.

The state reported more than 5,500 new cases Thursday  blowing past the previous record of 4,200 for a day, set last week. Hospitalizations for the disease jumped to 609 patients, a 13% increase from a week ago.

The Department of Defense medical team, state officials said, is expected to include about 25 personnel and will be focused on the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Having these resources for hospitals is critical, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Thursday in an Albuquerque news conference.

The next six weeks, she said, will be a critical time for hospitals as the omicron variant takes hold in New Mexico.

Lujan Grisham suggested she is also considering whether to call on the National Guard to help schools hit by staffing shortages.

At least 10 districts are moving back to online learning temporarily as COVID-19 spreads among students, teachers and school employees.

Lujan Grisham said her administration is speaking with Santa Fe Public Schools and other districts about how to help. She didnt share details, but said an announcement will come soon.

We have a proposal that I dont think exists anywhere in the nation  about what we can do about getting bodies who productively and safely can support our schools to stay open, she said.

Earlier this week, the state Public Education Department shortened the isolation and quarantine guidelines for school students and staff. People should isolate themselves for five days after a positive COVID-19 test or the onset of symptoms  not 10 days, a change that matches state and federal guidelines.

A corresponding change also applies to the quarantine period for people who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

A five-day quarantine, however, is not required for adults who are up to date on their vaccinations, including boosters, among other exceptions.

New high for cases

The 5,547 new cases of COVID-19 reported Thursday are a new record for a single day. They include 1,513 new infections in Bernalillo County and 994 in Dona Ana County.

The state Department of Health also announced 36 more COVID-19 deaths, 21 of which occurred within the past 30 days. The remainder happened earlier, but are being reported now after a delay in processing death certificates.

The official statewide death toll is now 6,109 residents.

People who are not fully vaccinated make up about 92% of the virus fatalities over the past month, 60% of the cases and 83% of the hospitalizations, according to state data.

The state defines someone as not fully vaccinated if they either have not received any vaccine, or if its been less than two weeks since they had a Johnson & Johnson shot or the second of the two doses required for Moderna or Pfizer.

Even with record-breaking case totals over the past week, New Mexico still appears to be in the early stages of what officials have said could be a six-week omicron wave.

Infections have exploded so much in other parts of the country that New Mexico still ranks much better than average, even as infections climb.

The state was No. 12 on Thursday for fewest reported cases per capita over the past week, a figure that does not include Thursdays case total, according to federal data.

Recent deaths in New Mexico, by contrast, have been among the worst. The state ranked fifth for most deaths per capita over the past seven days, according to federal data.

Brace ourselves

Lujan Grisham urged New Mexicans to get a booster shot if theyre eligible and to avoid large crowds.

She suggested people in charge of large events, especially indoor ones, postpone them.

Just voluntarily, Lujan Grisham said, we can all do better at preventing the spread.

The deployment of the military medical team, Lujan Grisham said, comes after governors asked the president for more help.

The team heading to UNM Hospital is expected to be on hand for about 30 days.

Its the third of its kind sent to New Mexico in recent months. Two Navy teams have served the San Juan Regional Medical Center in the Four Corners area.

Based on the omicron data from other countries, Lujan Grisham said, were in a situation where we have six weeks before we start to see some reasonable stabilization or declines. We need to brace ourselves.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

The cyberattack thats hobbled Bernalillo County has introduced some new challenges for the local real estate community, but industry representatives say it could devolve into a full-blown mess if the situation is not resolved soon.

The Jan. 5 ransomware attack has forced a lockdown at the Metropolitan Detention Center, prompted county officials to close some buildings and halted certain services.

It also has paralyzed the Clerks Office, which relies entirely on the network for its filing and recording system, and has kept the Treasurers Office from fully updating tax payment information.

We all ride the same horse at Bernalillo County, clerk Linda Stover said.

Until that horse gets going, were all kind of at the hitching post.

The county has not yet provided any estimate for when it expects to have its systems back in full operation.

Stover said she is hopeful it will not take much longer.

People are getting antsy, and I dont blame them, she said. Were antsy, too.

What records and functions are limited? Stovers office typically records between 600 and 800 documents per day, she said. That includes real estate contracts, property transfers, mortgages, liens, marriage certificates, powers of attorney and deeds of trust.

Some functions are available in other jurisdictions  engaged couples seeking a marriage license, for instance, can get it from clerks in other counties. But paperwork for real estate transactions must be filed in the county where the property is located, and Bernalillo County currently has no way to record it.

We are web-based; (without the countys computer systems), we dont have a way to track anything; we dont have a way to assign numbers, Stover said.

Her staff of approximately 40 people is in many ways biding its time right now, Stover said, doing things like cleaning the office. She said people have bombarded her office with questions about the situation but have remained polite and understanding.

People looking for certain details on the county website may also be hitting dead ends. Click on a link to search property tax records and a notice appears saying Bernalillo County is continuing its assessment of the suspected ransomware discovered on Bernalillo County systems. The county has taken affected systems offline and has severed network connections. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

The normal 10-year property tax record is not presently available on the site. Treasurer Nancy Bearce said there are some ways to check if an owner is up to date, though they remain imperfect.

Are people buying and selling homes being impacted? For people in the process of buying or selling a home in Bernalillo County, the attacks impact likely will depend on how far along they are in the process.

Jack Thompson, president and CEO of Albuquerque-based high-volume home mortgage lender Legacy Mortgage, said Wednesday home sales are proceeding  for now, and with some caveats.

Thompson said he doesnt expect buyers and sellers who are heading to the closing table in the next two to three weeks to be too impacted. Title research for those transactions likely is well-advanced, giving lenders and title companies the information they need on questions like whether back taxes are owed. Thats allowing those buyers and sellers to close on home sales, with the understanding that the sale will be recorded at the county once its back open. Thompson said those buyers and sellers are being asked to sign additional paperwork to state theyve been informed of the delay in final recording.

Are commercial real estate deals being affected? Its not clear to what extent commercial transactions might be affected by the attack. Michelle Coons, New Mexico regional president for WaFd Bank, said Wednesday WaFd Bank is evaluating its options after receiving legal advice not to close on major commercial projects in Bernalillo County until sales can be recorded again.

Coons said there may be as many as 20 such projects in the pipeline right now in Bernalillo County.

Its a complex issue, and I think everybodys trying to figure out how to deal with it, she said.  Ive been in banking 38 years, and I cannot remember (a situation like) this.

One local attorney who specializes in real estate said the disruption at the county is costing some of her clients money.

If you have a loan on a property and you have to wait two weeks to close, you are accruing two more weeks of interest on that loan, said Debbie Ramirez of the Rodey Law Firm. On a commercial property, thats a lot of interest.

What about sales set to close a little further out? The longer the countys systems are down, the bigger the problem could become.

Thompson said since the attack, title companies havent had access to research titles on new deals coming in. If that research cant be performed within two to three weeks, it does pose a substantial threat to buyers and sellers meeting closing deadlines because lenders wont have good access to up-to-date tax information.

Coons agreed the timeline will be crucial, and said she will start to get worried in about 30 days if the systems arent up and running. I think its just going to continue to unravel, she said.

Coons said shes also hearing from her staff that the attack is affecting appraisals.

Were seeing an extreme delay in appraisals because the appraisers need to access the Bernalillo County property records  which is holding up transactions, Coons said.

Thompson said hes not heard that complaint from his staff in connection with the attack, but said appraisals are generally taking much longer than in years past because the home real estate market is so busy.

Can deals be protected? Bridget Gilbert, a real estate agent with ERA Sellers & Buyers Real Estate, said shes also seeing title companies providing insurance so titles are covered between closing and when the sale is recorded.

I think everybody has come together really well on this, said Gilbert, who is also the 2022 board president of the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors.  The title companies are providing gap insurance that will allow us to go ahead and close and fund the deal.

However, Coons, New Mexico regional president for WaFd Bank, said the banks external legal counsel has advised her that gap insurance is not allowed in New Mexico. She also said shes learned of at least one major title company thats not closing transactions at this time. Calls to several title companies doing business in Bernalillo County were not returned.

The title companies will say Yes, well provide insurance, but theyre also having parties sign that indemnity agreement saying we understand there is a delay in recording and we agree to cover any losses sustained by the title company because of that delay, Ramirez said.

Is the attack affecting people trying to refinance? It may be, again because of the need for lenders to access up-to-date property tax information. The county has continued to collect property taxes, and the deadline for first-half payments for most owners was Jan. 10. County Treasurer Bearce said shes showing title and mortgage companies how to use the countys website to see if some properties are up to date; however, the currently available information does not include those who made recent payments via check or money order. Those payments are still sitting in a vault as the county tests new systems for processing them.

We have little bits and pieces (of information); unfortunately, thats how it works right now, Bearce said.

Thompson said Legacy Mortgage is collecting six months of taxes rather than the usual two during refinancing. When the system is back up and running, people who overpaid will be refunded, he said.

What about property insurance? Its not clear whether a lag in recording property sales will impact coverage. Thompson of Legacy Mortgage said Wednesday he hasnt been able to get a clear answer on the issue.

Coons of WaFd Bank said she recommends consumers and financial institutions carefully check property insurance policies to make sure newly purchased property is covered in case its damaged before the sale is officially recorded with the county.

Can the county temporarily switch to pen-and-paper methods? Stover said her office cannot do its work without the computer systems because so much is connected.

We cant attach any information they filed to any property theyre dealing with because its all within our system, she said.

What happens when the systems are back up and running? Both the Treasurers Office and the Clerks Office will be looking at a processing backlog.

Once the Clerks Office reopens, Stover said her staff will work as quickly as possible to catch up on whatever backlog awaits.

Ive got a staff that cares about what they do and when this goes back online  and I dont think it will be that much longer  they will work overtime, they will work constantly, she said earlier this week.
ABUJA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people were killed in a road accident in northeast Nigeria's Adamawa state as two vehicles went aflame after running into each other on Thursday, police said on Friday.

Suleiman Nguroje, a spokesman for the police in Adamawa, described the incident, involving a bus and a car, as "unfortunate" while confirming the incident at a section of the busy Yola-Mubi road of the state on Thursday.

Eight people in the bus and four others in the car were affected as the vehicles, travelling in different directions, ran into each other on top speed, Nguroje told reporters at a press briefing in Yola, the state capital.

He added that the police had launched a further investigation into the incident.

On January 7, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari lamented the frequency of road accidents in the country, describing them as "particularly worrisome" and called for greater reflection on the importance of safety standards.

Buhari advised drivers to take safety regulations seriously, noting they have the responsibility to protect their passengers.

Deadly road accidents are frequently reported in Nigeria, often caused by overloading, bad road conditions and reckless driving. 
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Standing in the parking lot of a cleaning, alterations and repairs shop on Zuni near San Mateo  in front of a mural dedicated to people lost to gun violence  the governor, mayor and top law enforcement officials unveiled their tough on crime proposals.

This is not just an Albuquerque issue, this is a state issue, this is a neighborhood by neighborhood, community by community issue, said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. New Mexico can, and will, do better.

The governors public safety package includes four proposals to address crime in the upcoming legislative session. But defense attorneys are pushing back, saying the proposals will do little to make New Mexico safer and have not taken the entirety of the criminal justice system into account.

Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur said his office has not seen the actual bills yet.

However, Im concerned that the focus is all on police, prosecutors and punishment, and seems to ignore the effects that the proposals would have on the courts, public defenders, jails and prisons, and on what happens when anyone accused of a crime is eventually released, Baur said in a statement. The evidence is that people on pretrial release are not a significant cause of the increase in violent crime, and, in fact, incarcerating more people before trial, or with increased penalties, will further harm our communities.

The group that gathered in the parking lot for Thursdays news conference included Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina, New Mexico State Police Chief Tim Johnson, Attorney General Hector Balderas, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez, Mayor Tim Keller, and several legislators from both sides of the aisle. Traffic roared past and one man, leaving the cleaners, shouted out you rock, Governor! as he passed by.

Pretrial detention

The first proposal unveiled deals with pretrial detention. Prosecutors currently need to convince a judge to hold defendants they consider high risk pending trial.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Marian Matthews, D-Albuquerque, would make it so people charged with certain violent crimes would be held in jail unless the defense convinces the court the defendant doesnt pose a risk. Prosecutors would still have to file pretrial motions in order for people to be held.

This puts a wedge in this revolving door, Lujan Grisham said. It doesnt minimize our constitutional responsibilities to every single New Mexican irrespective of their income but it also makes really clear that the constitutional right to be safe in your home and communities is also an area that we must maintain and do something significant about.

The issue is one that Torrez, the district attorney, has been advocating for several years. At Thursdays press conference he said he was hopeful going into the legislative session and urged lawmakers not to waste the opportunity.

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, who was a primary sponsor of the current bail reform law approved in 2016, said the law made important strides that included eliminating bond for defendants determined to pose a clear danger to the public.

He said he shares in the frustration over rising violent crime rates in Albuquerque, adding that he doesnt understand why some high-profile defendants have been released pending trial. But he said changing the law to force low-income defendants represented by a public defender to convince a judge that they should be released until trial could be problematic.

There are some constitutional safeguards that we have to make sure we dont just throw aside, Wirth said. I think we have to be very careful.

Jennifer Burrill, president-elect of the New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said the proposal seemed designed to change the rules just for Albuquerque, since the remaining 12 judicial districts are not having the same problems.

We know that a very few number of cases where people were released  even though a preventative detention motion was filed  a very few number of people have gone out to commit new violent crimes, she said.

Increasing penalties

The second two priorities involve increasing penalties for certain violent crimes.

The first proposed legislation would increase sentencing for second-degree murder from 15 years to 18 years in prison and remove the statute of limitations.

Another proposal would increase penalties for gun crimes, including making unlawful possession of a handgun a felony instead of a misdemeanor; making fleeing a law enforcement officer when it results in injury a third-degree felony and a second-degree felony if it results in great bodily harm; and enhancing the penalties for brandishing a firearm during a drug transaction.

If you know youre going to A) be released or B) its a misdemeanor or its a fourth degree felony  the lowest felony with minimal jail time  its no real risk for you engaging in this criminal activity, Lujan Grisham said. The signal here is there is risk to you, youre a risk to us, and we arent going to tolerate it anymore.

Burrill, however, said studies have shown that there is no evidence that keeping people in jail for a longer period of time makes them less likely to commit a crime when they are released.

In fact its the exact opposite, she said. The longer people are traumatized and are in prison the more likely they are to be unstable when they come back into the community.

Law enforcement fund

The final proposal includes an executive budget recommendation of $100 million to be put into a fund to recruit, hire and retain law enforcement and staff in departments around the state. It also includes a 19% raise for New Mexico State Police officers.

You cant wait a year for resources to hire police, we cant go to every legislative session, there has to be a meaningful tool so that were not stealing police officers and law enforcement officers from one jurisdiction to another, Lujan Grisham said. We have shortages statewide. This means that we can recruit, retain, do the right training, and send a signal to everyone in this state, and particularly to our men and women who put on a uniform every day: We need you.

While more money would go toward law enforcement, Burrill wondered about the effect more officers would have on the rest of the criminal justice system if it was not staffed up in the same way.

The reality is that many more officers without increasing the number of judges, prosecutors and public defenders, will cause the system to come to a grinding halt, she said. When the court cant handle that many cases because they dont have the resources to do so, more cases are going to get dismissed.

Metro area crime

The site of Thursdays announcement was the same place Keller signed an executive order to establish a Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Task Force in October. The task force was an action item in the Metro Crime Initiative  which Keller convened over the summer in order to bring local leaders together to address crime in the area.

On Thursday, Keller said given Albuquerques position in the crossroads of the state, it needs help to address its issues. The city saw 117 homicides in 2021  far surpassing previous years.

(The Albuquerque Police Department) has made a number of changes and were doing a lot of things different when it comes to investigations with the DAs office, Keller said. Were doing a lot of things different when it comes to auto theft and working with our statewide partners, and when it comes to shoplifting with the attorney general. But we also know we need some help from the Legislature. Thats what were so excited about here today.

Journal Capitol Bureau chief Dan Boyd contributed to this report.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver are using this upcoming legislative session  a 30-day one that is supposed to be focused on the budget  to push several dubious voting changes under the politically popular guise of protecting voting rights.

Some of the proposals are valid: felons who have paid their debt to society should not have to navigate a cumbersome system to have their voting rights restored, mailing absentee ballots to voters one week earlier allows voters more time to educate themselves on the races, and allowing early voting to extend to the Sunday before Election Day cuts procrastinators a break.

But the rest of the Democrats proposals need real debate at best, the trash can of history at worst.

Among the misguided proposals disguised as reform:

 Allowing 16-year-olds to vote in local elections is a nonstarter. The 26th Amendment ratified by the states in 1971 lowered the age to vote from 21 to 18. Its noteworthy the proposal to lower the age to 16 would only apply to local elections; the U.S. Constitution doesnt allow 16- or 17-year-olds to vote in federal elections.

In 2016 the state Legislature passed and Republican Gov. Susana Martinez signed into law the provision 17-year-olds can vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election. Thats low enough.

We have heard for years young minds are not mature until age 25, yet we want to put elections entailing nine-figure budgets in the hands of 16-year-olds?

If the goal is to improve turnout, the Legislature did that when it consolidated local elections. Around 22,000 more people voted in Albuquerques November mayoral/City Council/school board election than in the previous mayoral race. In fact, turnout was higher than in any other city mayoral race going back at least 20 years.

A cynic would point out this proposal comes just weeks after union-backed candidates lost three of four contested Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education seats. A pragmatist would ask why not open primaries to independent voters age 18 and up instead?

 Reinstating straight-ticket voting would be a step backward. Theres no reason for it, outside of partisan endeavors to allow voters to cast ballots like robots. Even if a voter chooses a slate of candidates with straight-ticket voting, they still have to decide how to vote on bond questions, judicial retentions, proposed constitutional amendments and nonpartisan races. We should be encouraging an informed electorate, not lazy voting guided by party bosses.

 The proposal to designate Election Day as a state holiday needs to be fleshed out. New Mexico already requires employers to grant employees paid time off to vote. And if we make Election Day a holiday, why expand early voting? Ditto for expanding the timeline for Indigenous governments to request alternate voting sites and revising the voter registration system at the Motor Vehicle Division  these last-minute proposals still have not been drafted and the session begins next week. Without details its unclear whats changing and if its for the better.

 Creating a permanent absentee voter list allowing people to receive ballots by mail without having to file new requests, and allowing folks without an official state ID to register to vote online using their full Social Security number open the system up to shenanigans. We have all gotten mail for someone who doesnt live at our address, and Social Security numbers are routinely stolen.

 Extending the deadline to return absentee ballots to the Friday after the election makes timely results a fools errand. Focus on early voting, not later and later results.

Toulouse Oliver, the states chief elections officer, said the so-called NM Voting Rights Act gives us the chance to pass one of the most powerful voting rights bills in our states history. The governor echoed that ambitious sentiment.

And with their bills not even drafted yet and the 30-day session starting Tuesday, thats all the more reason to wait for a 60-day session.

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.
HOBBS  An 18-year-old New Mexico woman accused of abandoning her newborn baby in a dumpster pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of attempted first-degree murder and child abuse.

Alexis Avila of Hobbs was told by a Lea County judge at her arraignment that she can stay out of jail pending trial and set house arrest as a main condition of release.

Police said a group of people were looking through a dumpster for anything of value last Friday in Hobbs, near the Texas border, when they heard what they thought was a dog or kitten.

They moved a trash bag and found a baby inside, wrapped in a dirty blanket and with its umbilical cord still attached.

They immediately called authorities, and tried to keep the boy warm until police and paramedics arrived.

Investigators used surveillance video to identify a car suspected of being involved. That led them to Avila, who admitted to giving birth at another location and then leaving the baby in a dumpster.

Questioned by police, Avila said she was not aware 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.

Search warrants for Avilas car and her familys home turned up blood evidence, clothing and a towel.

Authorities said the infant is in the care of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department.

Like other states, New Mexico has a safe haven law that allows parents to leave a baby younger than 90 days old 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.
MOSCOW  Russia on Friday strongly reaffirmed its demand that NATO doesnt expand eastward despite the rejection of that by the military alliance amid a Russian troop buildup near Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that Moscow wouldnt wait indefinitely for the Western response, saying he expects the U.S. and NATO to provide a written answer next week.

Lavrov described Moscows demands for binding guarantees that NATO will not embrace Ukraine or any other ex-Soviet nations, or station its forces and weapons there as essential for the progress of diplomatic efforts to defuse soaring tensions over Ukraine.

He argued that NATOs deployments and drills near Russias borders pose a security challenge that must be addressed immediately.

We have run out of patience, Lavrov said at a news conference. The West has been driven by hubris and has exacerbated tensions in violation of its obligations and common sense.

Amid the tensions, Ukraine sustained a massive cyberattack Friday, which hit websites of multiple government agencies.

This weeks negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels were held amid a significant Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that the West fears might be a prelude to an invasion.

Russia, which annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014, has denied having plans to attack its neighbor but warned the West that NATOs expansion to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations is a red line that mustnt be crossed.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscows demand for security guarantees precluding NATOs expansion, but Russia and the West agreed to leave the door open to possible further talks on arms control and confidence-building measures intended to reduce the potential for hostilities.

Lavrov said that those issues are secondary in respect to Moscows main demand for the non-expansion of NATO and the non-deployment of its weapons near the Russian territory, emphasizing that the Russian proposals represent a package, not a menu.

They must understand that the key to everything is the guarantee that NATO will not expand eastward, Lavrov said.

He countered the U.S. and NATOs argument that Russia doesnt have veto power to prevent other nations from joining the alliance by pointing to international agreements emphasizing that the security of some states mustnt be achieved at the expense of others.

Russias top diplomat warned that if our proposals are rejected  we will make a decision on how to ensure our security in a reliable way, citing President Vladimir Putins warning that Moscow will take unspecified military-technical measures if the West stonewalls its demands.

Lavrovs deputy, Sergei Ryabkov, who led the Russian delegation at the talks in Geneva, said Thursday that he would neither confirm nor exclude the possibility of Russia sending military assets to Cuba and Venezuela if the U.S. and its allies dont curtail their military activities on Russias doorstep.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan dismissed the statements about a possible Russian deployment to Cuba and Venezuela as bluster in the public commentary.

The negotiations took place as an estimated 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and other heavy weapons are massed near Ukraines eastern border. The U.S. and its allies urged Russia to deescalate by pulling troops back to their permanent bases, but Moscow has rebuffed the demand, saying its free to deploy forces on its territory wherever it deems necessary.

Lavrov called the Western demand absurd, noting that while they are demanding that we pull troops on our own territory back to their barracks, the U.S. and British troops are deployed to the Baltics.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Friday that troops stationed in eastern Siberia and the far east region have been scrambled for movement across the country as part of snap drills to check their readiness to perform their tasks after redeployment to a large distance.

The ministry noted that a special attention will be given to the assessment of the countrys transport infrastructure to ensure the movement of troops, adding that the troops will conduct drills involving firing live ammunition after the redeployment.

Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of Ukraines Moscow-friendly leader and in 2014 also threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have been killed in nearly eight years of fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces in the countrys industrial heartland called Donbas.

Ukraines military intelligence said Friday that separatist forces have launched drills involving firing live ammunition that are overseen by Russian military officers.

Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of deploying its troops to Donbas to back separatists  accusations that Moscow has denied.

___

Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.
KYIV, Ukraine  Hackers on Friday temporarily shut down dozens of Ukrainian government websites, causing no major damage but adding to simmering tensions while Russia amasses troops on the Ukrainian border. Separately, in a rare gesture to the U.S. at a time of chilly relations, Russia said it had arrested members of a major ransomware gang that targeted U.S. entities.

The events, though seemingly unrelated, came during a frenetic period of activity as the U.S. publicly accused Moscow of preparing a further invasion of Ukraine and of creating a pretext to do so. They underscored how cybersecurity remains a pivotal concern  that the escalating animosity risks not only actual violence but also damaging digital attacks that could affect Ukraine or even the U.S.

The White House said Friday that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the disruptions, which targeted about 70 websites of national and regional government bodies, but it did not indicate who might be responsible.

But even without any attribution of responsibility, suspicions were cast on Russia, with its history of peppering Ukraine with damaging cyberattacks. Ukraines Security Service, the SBU, said preliminary results of an investigation indicated involvement of hacker groups linked to Russias intelligence services. It said most of the websites had resumed operations, and that content was not altered and personal data not leaked. The SBU said the culprits hacked the infrastructure of a commercial company that had access, with administrator privileges, to websites affected by the attack.

The White House said it was still assessing the impact of the defacements but described it as limited so far. A senior administration official, meanwhile, said the White House welcomed news of the arrests in Russia of alleged ransomware gang members, an operation Moscow said was done at the request of U.S. authorities.

The official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, said one of those arrested was linked to the hack of Colonial Pipeline that resulted in days of gas shortages in parts of the U.S. last year. The arrests are thought by the White House to be unrelated to the Russia-Ukraine tension, according to the official.

Russias past cyber operations against Ukraine include a hack of its voting system before 2014 national elections and of its power grid in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, Russia unleashed one of the most damaging cyberattacks on record with the NotPetya virus, which targeted Ukrainian businesses and caused more than $10 billion in damage globally. Moscow has previously denied involvement in cyberattacks against Ukraine.

Ukrainian cybersecurity professionals, aided by more than $40 million in U.S. State Department assistance, have been fortifying the defenses of critical infrastructure ever since. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday the alliance will continue to provide strong political and practical support to Ukraine in light of the cyberattacks.

Experts say Russian President Vladimir Putin could use cyberattacks to destabilize Ukraine and other ex-Soviet countries that wish to join NATO without having to commit troops. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are high, with Moscow amassing an estimated 100,000 troops near its extensive border with Ukraine.

If youre trying to use it as a stage and a deterrent to stop people from moving forward with NATO consideration or other things, cyber is perfect, Tim Conway, a cybersecurity instructor at the SANS Institute, told the AP last week.

The main question for the website defacements is whether theyre the work of Russian freelancers or part of a larger state-backed operation, said Oleh Derevianko, a leading private sector expert and founder of the ISSP cybersecurity firm.

A message posted by the hackers in Russian, Ukrainian and Polish claimed Ukrainians personal data had been placed online and destroyed. It told Ukrainians to be afraid and expect the worst. In response, Polands government noted Russia has a long history of disinformation campaigns and that the Polish in the message was error-ridden and clearly not from a native speaker.

Researchers from the global risk think tank Eurasia Group said the Ukraine defacements dont necessarily point to an imminent escalation of hostilities by Russia  they rank low on its ladder of cyber options. They said Fridays attack amounts to trolling, sending a message that Ukraine could see worse to come.

The defacements followed a year in which cybersecurity became a top concern because of a Russian-government cyberespionage campaign targeting U.S. government agencies and ransomware attacks launched by Russia-based criminal gangs.

On Friday, Russias Federal Security Service, or FSB, announced the detention of members of the REvil ransomware gang. The group was behind last years Fourth of July weekend supply-chain attack targeting the software firm Kaseya, which crippled more than 1,000 businesses and public organizations globally.

The FSB claimed to have dismantled the gang, but REvil effectively disbanded in July. Cybersecurity experts say its members largely moved to other ransomware syndicates. They cast doubt Friday on whether the arrests would significantly affect ransomware gangs, whose activities have only moderately eased after high-profile attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure last year, including the Colonial Pipeline.

The FSB said it raided the homes of 14 group members and seized over 426 million rubles ($5.6 million), including in cryptocurrency, as well as computers, crypto wallets and 20 elite cars bought with money obtained by criminal means. All those detained have been charged with illegal circulation of means of payment, a criminal offense punishable by up to six years in prison. The suspects werent named.

According to the FSB, the operation was conducted at the request of U.S. authorities, who had identified the groups leader. Its the first significant public action by Russian authorities since Biden warned Putin last summer that he needed to crack down on ransomware gangs.

Experts said it was too early to know if the arrests signal a major Kremlin crackdown on ransomware criminals  or if they may just have been a piecemeal effort to appease the White House.

The follow-through on sentencing will send the strongest signal one way or another as to IF there has truly been a change in how tolerant Russia will be in the future to cyber criminals, Bill Siegel, CEO of the ransomware response firm Coveware, said in an email.

Yelisey Boguslavskiy, research director at Advanced Intelligence, said those arrested are likely low-level affiliates  not the people who ran the ransomware-as-a-service, which disbanded in July. REvil also apparently ripped off some affiliates so it had enemies in the underground, he said.

REvils attacks crippled tens of thousands of computers worldwide and yielded at least $200 million in ransom payments, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in November when announcing charges against two hackers affiliated with the gang.

Such attacks drew significant attention from law enforcement officials around the world. Hours before the U.S. announced its arrests, European law enforcement officials revealed the results of a months-long, 17-nation operation that yielded the arrests of seven hackers linked to REvil and another ransomware family.

The AP reported last year that U.S. officials, meanwhile, shared a small number of names of suspected ransomware operators with Russian officials.

Brett Callow, a ransomware analyst with the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, said whatever Russias motivations may be, the arrests would certainly send shockwaves through the cybercrime community. The gangs former affiliates and business associates will invariably be concerned about the implications.

___

Bajak reported from Boston, Litvinova reported from Moscow and Tucker reported from Washington. Catherine Gaschka in Brest, France, and Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report.
Third in a series.

I didnt know it at the time, but, for a boxer to compete in the conformation ring, at least two-thirds of its coloring must be brindle or fawn. As I carefully delivered our anesthetized patient Lilas groggy puppies by cesarean, infant No. 3 landed in the hands of veterinary nurse Bobbi.

Our client, Gretchen Adler, was busy reviving the pupster I had handed her a few minutes earlier. As Bobbi pulled the placenta off the youngster in her hands, we heard a clear order, Let the white ones die. Had I heard that right? So I replied, Excuse me? And Ms. Adler retorted, White boxers are not allowed in the show ring. My dogs always produce a few. We put them down. Clearly, the matter was not open to debate.

Failing to revive healthy creatures just wasnt part of our practice culture. I knew Bobbi and my partner Dr. Virginia Vader well. We immediately exchanged subtle facial expressions, sharing our collective decision. Bobbi gently put her white puppy in the waste basket.

I quickly fished out the next baby, luckily fawn and white, and handed it to Bobbi. She examined it quickly and stated with remarkable aplomb, Dr. Nichol, Im taking this one to treatment for supplemental oxygen. I was quickly ready with another, a brindle and white, which I handed to Ms. Adler. With our client now preoccupied with two wet wrigglers, Bobbi swept out of the room. Her sleight of hand with the waste basket was worthy of an Oscar.

Of the nine puppies, three were white. I passed each of them to my people, who repeated the ruse as though we had rehearsed it. As I tied the last suture, Dr. Vader switched off the anesthetic, allowing Lila to breathe pure oxygen until she was coherent enough to join her brood of six. I chatted about puppy-raising with our client, while Bobbi and Virginia busily cared for the three trash can kids elsewhere in the clinic.

Next week: Ethics under duress? Did the breeder know?

JOIN THE GROUP: For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist. He provides consultations in person and in groups via Zoom (505-792-5131). Each week, he shares a blog and a Facebook Live video to help bring out the best in pets and their people. Sign up at no charge at drjeffnichol.com. Post pet questions on facebook.com/drjeffnichol or by mail to 4000 Montgomery NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109.
WENN/Instar/Avalon Celebrity

The decision arrives less than 24 hours after a U.S. district judge rejected the Duke of York's motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre that alleges he sexually abused her when she was 17.

Jan 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Prince Andrew has been stripped of his remaining military affiliations as well as his royal patronages amid his sexual abuse scandal. The Buckingham Palace confirmed the news in a statement on Thursday, January 13.

"With the Queen's approval and agreement, the Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen," Buckingham Palace said in the statement. "The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

A royal source added to NBC News that Prince Andrew "will no longer use the style 'His Royal Highness' in any official capacity." It was also said that the Queen personally told the Duke about the decision during a face-to-face meeting. The embattled royal was seen looking stony-faced as he headed to Windsor Castle on Thursday morning, The Post revealed.

During the private moment, the 95-year-old monarch told the prince that in addition to not being able to use the HRH title again in "in any capacity," he will be left to fight his lawsuit in the U.S. as a private citizen. Sources claimed that Prince Charles and Prince William discussed the issue with the palace as well.

The decision arrived less than 24 hours after a U.S. district judge rejected his motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre that alleges he sexually abused her when she was 17. Back in August 21, Giuffre filed a lawsuit against the Duke of York at the U.S. Districk Court for the Southern District of New York, accusing him of sexually abusing her on three separate occasions and knowing that she was being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

The complaint stated, "Twenty years ago, Prince Andrew's wealth, power, position, and connections enabled him to abuse a frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her. It is long past the time for him to be held to account." She also claimed that the alleged sexual and physical abuse caused her "significant emotional and psychological distress and harm." She is seeking damages for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Prince Andrew is the fifth royal to be stripped of the HRH title. Princess Diana and Sarah, Duchess of York, lost the title following their divorces from Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, respectively. Later, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle lost theirs as it was part of their deal with the Queen when they decided to step down as senior royal members.
WENN/Nicky Nelson/Instar Celebrity

The Canadian actor, who's known for portraying Mike Ross on 'Suits', wants 'people and many bots' to stop debating all things regarding his former on-screen love interest.

Jan 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Patrick J. Adams is tired of people hating Meghan Markle. Taking to social media, the Mike Ross depicter on "Suits" told critics to do "better things" instead of trolling his former co-star.

The 40-year-old actor shared his message on Twitter on Thursday, January 13. "Hello to the people and many bots debating all things Markle and including me in the conversation. I just want you to know a couple of things," he began his post.

"1. I don't read any of it. 2. Life is short. 3. There has got to be better things for you to be doing. Even you bots," the Canadian star went on noting. He then added a hashtag, "#BotBetter."

This was not the first time Patrick showed his support for his former on-screen love interest. In March 2021, he came to the Duchess of Sussex's defense as she's accused of bullying staff at Buckingham Palace before she and her husband Prince Harry stepped down as royals.

In a lengthy statement, Patrick wrote, "Meghan Markle and I spent the better part of a decade working together on Suits." He further noted, "From day one she was an enthusiastic, kind, co-operative, giving, joyful and supportive member of our television family. She remained that person and colleague as fame, prestige and power accrued."

"She has always been a powerful woman with a deep sense of morality and a fierce work ethic and has never been afraid to speak up, be heard and defend herself and those she holds dear," the husband of Troian Bellisario added. "Like the rest of the world, I have watched her navigate the last few years in astonishment."

"It sickened me to read the endless racist, slanderous, clickbaiting vitriol spewed in her direction from all manner of media across the UK and the world but I also knew that Meghan was stronger than people realized or understood and they would regret underestimating her," he continued. "It's OBSCENE that the Royal Family, who's newest member is currently GROWING INSIDE OF HER, is promoting and amplifying accusations of 'bullying' against a woman who herself was basically forced to flea the UK in order protect her family and her own mental health."
HBO Max/Warner Bros. Pictures/Craig Blankenhorn TV

When responding to the allegations, the Lisa Todd Wexley depicter on the reboot expresses her gratitude to 'Sex and the City' fans for being 'very protective of the series.'

Jan 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Nicole Ari Parker has addressed the "crazy" rumors that she would be replacing Kim Cattrall on "Sex and the City" reboot "And Just Like That". In a new interview, the Lisa Todd Wexley depicter on the highly-anticipated HBO Max series said that she "appreciated" the fans' concern.

Speaking on E! News' "Daily Pop" on Thursday, January 13, the 51-year-old actress weighed in on how she's dealing with fans who remained "protective" over the show and the original core cast, especially Kim, who declined to sign on for the reboot. She said, "I got a taste of the crazy fans that this show has, who are very protective of the series and all these things, and I just appreciated it all."

Nicole further maintained that the report was "not true at all." The "Chicago P.D." actress then gushed that she "was so happy to meet Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis, like, they're all so radiant and beautiful."

Nicole also raved over her fellow "And Just Like That.." newcomers, including Karen Pittman, who plays Nya Wallace, Sarita Choudhury, who stars as Seema Patel, and Sara Ramirez, whose character is Che Diaz. "They were adding these two Black characters, an Indian character, a nonbinary, Latinx character. New York was starting to look like New York," she shared.

"I think just being able to play a grown-up woman in all her glory actually inspired me," Nicole added. The former star of "Soul Food" went on elaborating, "You know, like, why don't I pick up my kids [whom she shares with husband Boris Kodjoe] from school with my nice dress on?"

Previously, Nicole told The Hollywood Reporter about fans assuming she would be the group's fourth member. "When it first came out that I was replacing the Samantha character, which is not true at all, so please write that," she told the outlet. She also admitted that she has been "yelled at" before joking that she's been "attacked with love."
Instagram Celebrity

The 22-year-old beauty, whom the actress shares with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, informs her social media followers that her 'Instagram profile is not a place for cruelty/hate speech.'

Jan 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Reese Witherspoon's daughter has made it clear that she has no time for naysayers. Having received "bigoted" comments after she opened up about her sexuality, Ava Phillippe threatened to block those leaving the hateful remarks.

The 22-year-old beauty, whom Reese shares with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe, sent out her warning on her Instagram Story. "QUICK REMINDER: I can & will block profiles commenting bigoted/hateful messages under my posts," she began.

"My Instagram profile is not a place for cruelty/hate speech & I intend to do what I can to keep it that way," Ava went on noting in the Wednesday, January 12 post. "Peace & Love."

Ava Phillippe sent out a warning to haters who left 'bigoted' comments.

This arrived just a few days after Ava spoke on her sexuality. When a fan asked "Do u like boys or girls?" during an Instagram Q&A, she replied, "I'm attracted to people! (Gender is whatever)." Ava shared her answer along with a selfie of herself smiling while rocking bold blue eyeshadow. For her outfit, she opted to go with a striped blouse.

In addition to Ava, Reese has two other children. The former "Big Little Lies" star is a mother of 18-year-old son Deacon, whom she shares with Ryan, as well as 8-year-old Tennessee James with husband Jim Toth.

Back in June 2021, Reese opened up about her close relationship with Ava and Deacon. When sitting down with Tracee Ellis Ross for Interview's Summer 2021 cover story, she said, "That makes me want to cry, the idea of having a long relationship with adult children."

"I never expected the kind of relationship that I have with them, but it's so rewarding to be able to have kids that you can process life with a little bit, and they help me understand the complexities of what it means to be a human now," she added. "So I'm really, really grateful that these little humans are in my life. Adult humans. I have two adult children now, Tracee. It's crazy."
Feature: Chinese doctors ease treatment burden of displaced family in South Sudan

Xinhua) 08:26, January 14, 2022

Joseph Maker Gordon (2nd R), his wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem (2nd L) and his son Ngok Joseph Maker (1st R) pose for a photo with a member of a Chinese medical team at Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Jan. 13, 2022. Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to Juba, is now grateful to Chinese doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua)

JUBA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A South Sudanese man, who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to the capital Juba, is now grateful to Chinese medical doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments.

Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba, was recently in pain after developing hemorrhoids under the skin around his anus and underwent surgical operation which did not go well as he continued to release blood in his stool.

To compound matters, his aging wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem had chest and breast pain (mastalgia) while his 22-year-old son Ngok Joseph Maker needed an operation after suffering a cartilage piercing bump.

Gordon told Xinhua on Thursday that the 9th batch of Chinese medical team has eased the burden of treating his family after the trio were successfully examined and provided with proper treatment at the Juba Teaching Hospital.

"We came to Juba teaching hospital to visit Chinese doctors, my son was having pain in his ear and they managed to do the operation without consultation charges," he said after being examined following his operation two weeks back.

Gordon was operated on in a health facility outside Juba Teaching Hospital, but he continued to experience bleeding amid pain while releasing his stool.

"I personally came for hemorrhoid treatment, the operation was done late last year, they (Chinese) managed to stop the bleeding, and they said their role is to help patients as part of bilateral relations with South Sudan," he disclosed.

The 15-member medical team arrived in the country from Anhui Province in September last year.

"I call on South Sudanese who cannot afford medical costs in private health facilities to come to the Chinese, they have done several operations," added Gordon.

He expressed further relief after Chinese doctors assured him of a follow-up of his wife's medical recovery, noting that they also promised to operate Guem if the need arises.

Gordon, who underwent a successful operation on his ear last week by a team of Chinese doctors, said he had been enduring severe pain since 2019.

"The swelling in my ear started after piercing my ear with the needle in 2019. It was operated on in 2020 but the pain continued. I was again this year operated on at Juba Teaching Hospital," said Joseph who is now relieved of the pain.

Ding Zhen, general surgeon and team leader of the Chinese medical team who treated the family, said they will monitor Gordon's family.

He noted that Guem suffered pain in her chest and breast for five years.

"We will follow up with her (Guem) case to ensure she is totally healed of her pain," said Ding.

However, Gordon noted the need to support Chinese doctors in the translation of local languages in order to ease their communication with patients in need of their services.

"We have a problem with language, their work is practical but they need translators to pass the message to patients so that they can understand, their services, especially minor operations that I witnessed, are very good," he said.

Ngok Joseph Maker (2nd R), Joseph Maker Gordon's son, poses for a photo with members of a Chinese medical team at Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Jan. 6, 2022. Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to Juba, is now grateful to Chinese doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
RABAT, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and his Mauritian counterpart Alan Ganoo on Friday discussed bilateral relations at a video conference, Moroccan official news agency reported.

The two ministers stressed their shared desire to push forward a revitalization of bilateral cooperation in many areas and promote a multidimensional partnership between the two countries, it said.

They discussed ways of fostering cooperation in maritime sectors, such as port infrastructure, maritime transport, and fishery, said the report.

The two sides also decided to intensify trade, encourage investments, and strengthen partnership in the economic field, it noted.

Both countries agreed to support each other under regional and international cooperation mechanisms, the agency added. 
Celebrity

The WWE diva-turned-porn star is reportedly taken into custody in Keansburg, New Jersey for making terroristic threats in addition to unlawfully possessing a weapon.

Jan 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - WWE Hall of Famer Tammy Sytch a.k.a. Sunny is apparently wrestling with law now. The WWE diva-turned-porn star was reportedly arrested on Thursday morning, January 13 in Keansburg, New Jersey for making "terror threats."

According to court records, which were obtained by TMZ, Sunny was booked for making terroristic threats in addition to unlawfully possessing a weapon. She was taken into custody at the Monmouth County jail at 11 A.M.

While the exact nature of the alleged crimes are unclear, the records stated that Sunny was hit with three charges. Two of them are for illegally possessing a weapon and one of them is for terroristic threats.

"A person is guilty of a crime of the third degree if he threatens to commit any crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize another or to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation, or otherwise to cause serious public inconvenience, or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience," the New Jersey statute reads.

"A violation of this subsection is a crime of the second degree if it occurs during a declared period of national, State or county emergency. The actor shall be strictly liable upon proof that the crime occurred, in fact, during a declared period of national, State or county emergency," it continues. "It shall not be a defense that the actor did not know that there was a declared period of emergency at the time the crime occurred."

It should be noted that New Jersey doesn't have felonies and misdemeanors. Instead, it has degrees and the lower the degree, the more potential jail or prison time a defendant faces. Weapon charges are classified as third degree, while the threat is fourth degree. If convicted, Sunny faces around 4-6 year prison sentence.

This wasn't the first time for the WWE legend to get in trouble with the law. Back in 2020, the professional wrestling's first diva was arrested for multiple alleged offenses, including hiding from police officers. In July of the same year, she was arrested by the Middletown Township Police Department and booked into the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in New Jersey.

According to Monmouth County Sheriff's Office records show, Sunny was charged with eluding a police officer. She additionally was charged with two counts of contempt or violating a domestic violence restraining order and "operating motor vehicle during second license suspension."
Instagram TV

In an episode of 'Radio Andy', the radio personality also acknowledges that 49-year-old reality TV star 'was a big part of the success' of the Bravo reality TV series.

Jan 14, 2022

AceShowbiz - Mary Cosby's absence in this year's reunion for "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" apparently left a foul taste in Andy Cohen's mouth. The executive producer of the Bravo reality show addressed Mary's decision to skip the reunion filming on "Radio Andy".

"As you heard, Mary Cosby did not come, which was very disappointing to me," Andy said in an episode of his radio show. When asked if he was stood-up by Mary, Andy explained that he actually had "a sense" that she would not be coming to the taping.

Andy shared, "I spoke to her on New Year's Eve a few hours before I went on the air. We had a long talk andit's her story to tell, but I got the sense that she was not finding gratitude in being on the show anymore."

He went on to say, "And this is what I dislike about people not showing up to the reunion, you allow the others to control your narrative as your last gesture. You know, I would much rather hear from her."

The episode saw Andy acknowledging that 49-year-old reality TV star "was a big part of the success of this show!" He also talked about the possibility of Mary not returning for another season of "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City".

"If she doesn't want to come back to the show, that's one thing," he said. "But I would have liked for her to come back to the reunion, have her say, and leave with her head held high, and then make the decision [to return or not]."

Prior to this, it was reported that Mary bailed on the reunion filming, which took place on January 6, because she was scared of being grilled over her controversies. "Mary did not attend the reunion," a source close to production spilled. The source added that she "did not want to confront the controversy surrounding her this season."

The 49-year-old star was allegedly "terrified of getting grilled about her 'racist' comments made toward [Jennie Nguyen] and [Jen Shah]. She also did not want to discuss the accusations that she runs a cult."

The insider also hinted that her absence might get her fired from the show. "Skipping out on the reunion is a big no-no for 'Housewives' ", the insider shared.
Its time for the fans to brace themselves for yet another season of exciting badminton action in the country as the Badminton Association of India (BAI) today announced Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) as the exclusive broadcast partner for the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2022, that is currently being played in New Delhi and will go on till January 16, 2022.

The Badminton Association of India has been organising the on-going 11th edition of the tournament and now viewers are all set to witness exciting on-court action with the reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew and bronze medallist Lakshya Sen as well as the two-time Olympics medallist PV Sindhu and the 2015 India Open champion Saina Nehwal are headlining the draws as the tournament will be shown live on Sony Ten 1 channel and streamed live on SonyLIV, the networks premium OTT platform, starting from the quarter-finals, on January 14, until the end of the tournament, on January 16.

BAI General Secretary Ajay Singhania said, We are glad to have Sony Pictures Networks India as the broadcaster for the Yonex-Sunrise India Open. Unfortunately, this year we are not having spectators as well as media covering the event, but now they can enjoy the action from their home and watch world-class badminton action played in India after a long time.

With close to 22 hours of live badminton action both on television and digital platforms, badminton enthusiasts will be able to see the top shuttlers including the three-time world champion duo of Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan along with other top ranked players including World No. 12 Busanan Ongbamrungphan of Thailand, Singapores Jia Min Yeo and the pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and HS Prannoy among the Indians as the tournament completes a decade of hosting the sport.

Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer, Distribution and Head  Sports Business, Sony Pictures Networks India said: Badminton has a passionate following in the country, and we are happy to broadcast Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2022. Close to 70 million viewers followed the sport on TV in 2021 due to the strong performances of Indian players like PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen, who won medals at global marquee tournaments last year. Badminton was also one of the top watched sports disciplines in the recently held 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games on our network, with PV Sindhus semi-final match achieving the highest ratings on TV among all the Olympic events that were telecasted.

The prestigious event, which also kickstarted the BWF World Tour calendar, made a return after a gap of two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is being played at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall at India Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi and the live coverage of the tournament will start from 12 30 PM from January 14 to January 16, 2022.
Imagine Marketing Private Limited (parent company of boAt) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Singapore based KaHa Pte Ltd, an end-to-end smart IoT product development company. The acquisition will enable Imagine Marketing to augment its wearable product offerings in terms of the concept, design, electronic firmware, algorithm development, Android/ iOS applications, new feature integration, social engagement and analytics, and lead the way by creating a vibrant eco-system for the Indian consumer. This acquisition is expected to allow Imagine Marketing to scale up its smart and holistic wellness wearables platform, and further innovate to come up with features with the Indian consumer in mind.

Founded in 2015, KaHa has capabilities in developing products in the IoT space and has a technology-focused platform for wearables through patented AI and ML capabilities, end-to-end smart wearable solutions (hardware and software), and data-driven smart IoT platforms, providing solutions and analytics for multiple use cases. It has its operations across Singapore, India and China. KaHa Pte Ltd has a patented and encrypted technology stack and has applied for over 30 patents It also has over 90 dedicated professionals and domain experts. The company has received the prestigious Clarivate award for Innovation for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021. The acquisition is expected to augment IMPLs capabilities to introduce technologically advanced products and shorten the lead time to have an ecosystem play in the wearables and IoT segment.

The wearables (smartwatch and activity bands) market in India is expected to grow more than 10X to ~USD 2-4bn in size by 2025 from around ~USD 0.2bn in size in 2018. Within a year of launch, the brand boAt has become one of the leading players in this category and has become one of the top 2 players in the smartwatch category with over 20% market share. Imagine Marketing aims to participate in a broader lifestyle-oriented play in Indias wearables ecosystem, driven by consumers rising health consciousness and need for convenience.

Imagine Marketing has been increasing its R&D focus through boAt Labs with a dedicated 25+ member team having expertise in various elements of the development of audio and wearable devices. Imagine Marketings understanding of consumer and category landscape combined with KaHa Pte Ltd.s strong IoT expertise will help create smart products with a holistic wellness focus that improve the quality of life of consumers. The acquisition is expected to increase Imagine Marketings product offering capabilities fueling the next generation IoT enabled smart wearables that are more versatile, personalized and affordable.

We are passionate about providing a compelling value proposition to our wide audience of young, digitally-enabled and trend-conscious consumers by offering a portfolio of well-designed and distinctive lifestyle-oriented products, indigenized and offered at attractive prices. With chronic lifestyle diseases on a rise, consumers are getting increasingly conscious of their ways of living. Wearable devices that help track activities, monitor sleep patterns, health indicators and calories burn are therefore gaining popularity with consumers with an active lifestyle to keep them healthy and fit. Our acquisition of KaHa, a technology-focused platform for wearables through patented AI and ML capabilities will capture all aspects including vitals, fitness, social and mental health along with providing lifestyle features like gamification, enabling payments etc. By leveraging KaHas capabilities, we will be able to create a smart wearables ecosystem with powerful functionality at affordable prices that truly benefit the consumers. said Sameer Mehta, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, Imagine Marketing Pvt. Ltd.

Pawan Gandhi, CEO and Co-founder of KaHa Pte Ltd, said We are delighted to become part of the boAt family. Our DNA lies in cutting edge product development and building smart IoT products that solve consumer problems. We look forward to working with the boAt team to make wearable technology an enriching and life-changing part of the consumers everyday life and building a vibrant wearables ecosystem
Britannia Industries Limited (BIL), Indias largest Bakery Foods Company, has announced the appointment of Amit Doshi as Chief Marketing Officer effective 17th January 2022. He takes over from Vinay Subramanyam who left the Company in December 2021.

Commenting on the appointment, Varun Berry, Managing Director, Britannia Industries said I am happy to welcome Amit back to the Britannia family. Amits cross-sectoral marketing experience will be valuable in taking our innovation mindset to the next level and building consumer delight. I thank Vinay for his invaluable contribution in building purposive brands especially during the difficult times of the last 2 years, and wish him the very best in his endeavors.

With over 17 years of experience, Amit has expertise in brand marketing, sales, and customer development. In his previous assignment, he was Director, Marketing, Lenovo (India and South Asia). He has also worked with Perfetti Van Melle and Britannia in the past.

Amit has gained experience in Consumer (B2C), Enterprise, Small & Medium Business (SMB), and Tablet business units at Lenovo and brings a valuable understanding of consumers and markets across product categories.
Using aftershave is a ritual; but the pain of using alcohol-based aftershaves is real, damaging and leads to discomfort for many people. Given this context and to highlight the detrimental effects of using alcohol-based and poor quality aftershave products on the face & skin over time, Bombay Shaving Company  a premium Men's grooming and Hair Removal brand has launched #JalnaManaHai campaign. The campaign challenges established brands and the status quo, which is more than eight decades old in an epiphany highlighting the importance of a good, alcohol-free aftershave.

The campaign also marks the re-launch of one of its mainstay products, Post-Shave Balm  a product that is poised to disrupt the Rs. 400 crores after-shave category and provide men with a genuinely soothing post-shave experience.

This disruptive campaign is being led by 2 videos:

While the first launch video hits home in highlighting the physical discomfort caused due to post shave burn; the second ( follow-up) video focuses on the emotional fallout of an irritating and painful after shave experience.

Both videos are held together by an interesting firewoman character who symbolically rescues the protagonist from burns of both - physical and emotional kinds.

This 0% alcohol based, Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E infused wonder from Bombay Shaving Company, has been specially made with the Indian male skin type in mind. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-acne and astringent-like properties that soothes and repairs damage caused to the skin due to shaving; while preventing redness and irritation.

"It's a mystery to me why established personal care and grooming brands haven't yet addressed this pressing concern in the men's shaving routine. The current options they have in aftershaves are not the best. And the post shave irritation and burning is a definite mood kill. With this product, complimented by the film and campaign suitably titled #JalnaManaHai; we hope to induce a behavior change in men. We wish to shake them out of their comfort zone, wake them from their slumber, and demand a better after shave experience - which our Post Shave Balm provides", said Laalit Lobo, VP Marketing, Bombay Shaving Company

"Since 2021, we have been driving a strong product innovation agenda at BSC. The Post Shave Balm is a meaningful outcome of these efforts, and reinforces our position as 'Hair Removal and Hair Management Experts'. In light of this; we will be making significant investments online and offline in the #JalnaManaHai campaign, which is also our first real integrated product marketing effort - in the traditional FMCG sense", said Deepak Gupta, COO, Bombay Shaving Company.

Shantanu Deshpande, Founder and CEO, Bombay Shaving Company, shares, "Our vision is clear. We want to be in 2 crore bathrooms with 5 products, creating 10 minutes of delight every day. The Post Shave Balm scores on each count - relevance, value and delight. We are confident it is one of those products that will help men across India put their 'Best Look Forward' every day."

Conceived in house at Bombay Shaving Company and written by Garima Girotra, the film features actor Saloni Khanna Patel playing a firefighter who douses fires of a slightly unusual type. The film was made by Mumbai based production house, Leap of Faith Productions with Director, Mohak Pajni and Creative Producer, Adhiraj Sharma at the helm.
Lionsgate Play the premium streaming service will unveillaughter riot The Goes Wrong Show Season 2, Bruce Willis starrer Apex& thriller drama film Josie on 14thJanuary 2022.The bold and edgy streaming platform has a library full of critically acclaimed movies such as Love Life, Dublin Murders, Show Trial, Vigil, WeWork to name a few. Lionsgate has been expanding its content library with titles releasing every Friday and localizing content based on the audience preferences. Currently, the platform has content available in six local languages like Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Bhojpuri.

The Goes Wrong Show Season 02- The laughter riot is back with another season, The Goes Wrong Show is a comedy series that focuses on the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society performing in front of a live studio audience. As each progresses the genre changes, which even includes a horror story, a legal thriller, a World War II drama, a period romance, a Deep South, Tennessee Williamsesque melodrama, and a Christmas special. The comedy show is equally impressive as the slapstick, and the combination of those two elements working together creates some truly wonderful pairings. The series stars a talented star cast with Henry Shields, Henry Lewis & Jonathan Sayer in lead roles and is directed by Martin Dennis. Based on the internationally acclaimed abs successful, award-winning Mischief Theatre brand, The Play That Goes Wrong boasts an IMDb rating of 8.5 and is a must watch.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgGrMh6jbyg

Apex Starring the legendary Bruce Willis along with Neal McDonough in the lead, Apex revolves around ex-cop James Malone who is serving a life sentence for a crime in which he was wrongfully convicted. James is offered a shot at redemption given he participated in a deadly game called Apex where five elite hunters pay to hunt down a man on a deserted island, only to find themselves becoming the prey. The thriller is directed by Edward John Drake and written by John Drake and Corey William Large. The film is a must watch for all Bruce Willis fans who have loved his previous outings in his action movies.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr1OvZJUXpk

About Lionsgate Play:

Lionsgate Play, a premium streaming service from Lionsgate India and Starz, offers bespoke quality content to its users. It boasts of thousands of hours of Premium content including Premieres, billion-dollar Franchise Movies and binge worthy Box Sets. Lionsgate Play has a widely distributed network in the region spanning across partnerships like Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel, Jio FTTH, Apple TV+, Amazon Firestick, Prime Video Channel, OEMs with an ambitious roadmap ahead. Lionsgate Play also develops and produces a diverse slate of high budget premium Indian originals. Lionsgate Play app can be downloaded on Google Play Store, Apple app store and Amazon Firestick at a monthly and yearly subscription of INR 149 and INR 699 respectively.
Elections are when people come to Twitter to find credible information about voting, to learn about candidates and their manifestos, and to engage in healthy civic debate and conversation. As a service for public conversation, Twitter is committed to enabling people to make informed decisions when exercising their civic rights. As the states of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand prepare for the #AssemblyElections2022, Twitter has announced a series of initiatives to empower citizens with the right knowledge before they cast their vote. These initiatives, powered by an Open Internet, are directed towards not just ensuring a high voter turnout, but also aiding in ensuring voters are involved, engaged and informed throughout the election cycle, and everyone with the Right to Vote is a #JagrukVoter.

In the first line up of initiatives, Twitter will be launching a customized emoji, which will further be supported with a notification and reminder mechanism which will allow people to voluntarily sign-up for reminders on the day voting starts. Further, a voter education quiz will engage people in Q&As, equipping them with necessary facts about the polls. Twitter will also be expanding its dedicated search prompt, powered by the Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP), to provide people with real time updates and developments on the elections from credible and authoritative sources.

Payal Kamat, Public Policy & Government, Twitter India, said, Twitter is whats happening, and events of political and civic significance always find a place among the conversations on the service. Public discourse is shaped by these conversations, and we recognise the responsibility that it places on us -- to ensure that people are met with reliable and authentic information as they go out to vote. In line with that, weve been working in partnership with official authorities, including the Election Commission of India to empower every #JagrukVoter on Twitter, and we will continue to harness the power of the Open Internet to strengthen civic dialogue and encourage quality participation this election season.

Initiatives launched by Twitter for #AssemblyElections2022

Election search prompt with the Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP)

Twitter has launched an information search prompt with the Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) and Chief Electoral Officers to make it easy to find credible and authoritative information for the #AssemblyElections2022. These prompts provide credible, authoritative sources of information when people search with related keywords on Twitters Explore page. The prompt will direct people to resources where they can access reliable information about candidate lists, voting dates, polling booths, and more.

In addition to English, the Search Prompt will be available in Hindi, Punjabi, and Konkani, and will be supported by several hashtags including #AssemblyPolls2022, #, #, #2022, #2022 and #ManipurElections2022.

Custom emoji and notification campaign

Twitter has launched a special emoji to support the conversation around #AssemblyElections2022. The emoji features an index finger hovering over a list of options to vote from -- conveying the voters power to make informed, thought-through choices.

The emoji can be activated by Tweeting with hashtags in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Konkani with hashtags including the following:

English: #AssemblyElections2022, #StateElections2022, #AssemblyPolls2022, #UttarPradeshElections, #UttarPradeshElections2022, #UttarakhandElections, #UttarakhandElections2022, #PunjabElections, #PunjabElections2022, #ManipurElections, #ManipurElections2022, #GoaElections, #GoaElections2022

Hindi: #, #2022, #, #, #, #, #, # , #, #, #, #, #

Punjabi: #, #, #2022

Konkani: #, #, #2022

In addition to the emoji, Twitter will also encourage participation in the elections by running a heart-to-remind notification campaign. People will be able to sign-up for a reminder notification by Liking the campaign Tweet and can also choose to opt out at any time by replying to the notification Tweet with #Stop. From the day voting begins, anyone who Likes the Tweet will receive a personalised notification with a reminder to vote, along with a call to action that will encourage them to Tweet their commitment to be a #JagrukVoter -- further inspiring actual voter participation.

Voter education quiz to support voter literacy

Twitter will be promoting voter literacy through an engaging quiz in English and Hindi. Launching on 25 January, which is observed as National Voters Day, people on Twitter will be able to participate in the quiz by clicking on an 'Image website card'. It will include questions about the voting process, polling booths, voter ID registration, and more. Voters will be able to respond to questions by choosing options. As they participate in the Quiz, they will also be able to view their scores as shareable scorecards which they can Tweet to participate in the conversation around #AssemblyElections2022. Through this Quiz, Twitter aims to engage voters, address information gaps, and help build a more informed public.

Twitter will also be hosting workshops and training sessions for non-profits across the five states, which will be aimed at developing literacy materials and pre-bunks to tackle misinformation around the elections.

Furthermore, in the coming weeks, Twitter would be working with various partners to line up more initiatives aimed at ensuring every voter is a #JagrukVoter. Stay tuned!
Zee Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh, one of the largest news networks conducted a colloquium to reaffirm the importance of different growth stories, challenges, economic and societal scenarios. The regional series of the event UDAAN  Dare to Dream was conducted in Indore to shine light on emerging businesses that are achieving excellence through innovation in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The event celebrated and acknowledged the inspiring stories of achievers, champions, and entrepreneurs who have exemplified leadership, innovation, and perseverance by disruption. All the speakers delved deep sharing their life experiences and growth story of the state, and how the economy has rapidly opened and paved the way for new growth opportunities for the years to come.

The event shed light on the achievers excellence through their hardships and inspiring stories. By being a part of the extraordinary panel actor and performer, Annu Kapoor mentioned, I am proud being a Bhopalite and these inspiring stories are testimony to the kind of culture we harbour. With support of the government in creating a conducive environment, lots of cities can become business hubs and revenue centers,

The event brought together people from different walks of their life such as entrepreneurs, thought-leaders, policymakers, and achievers under this platform. The event was graced by the honorable Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar; Bollywood Actor, Annu Kapoor; Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries of India; Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste, Union MoS in the Ministry of Steel and Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India; Shri Om Prakash Sakhlecha, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Science And Technology Minister, Madhya Pradesh; Shri Rajvardhan Singh Dattigaon, Cabinet Minister - Industry Policy and Investment Promotion, Madhya Pradesh; Shri Bhupendra Singh, Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Madhya Pradesh; Shri Kamal Patel, Agriculture Minister, Madhya Pradesh; Shri Akash Vijayvargiya, MLA, Indore; Anshul Agarwal - Partner, Maysore Deep Perfumery House and Pankaj Gupta, AVP  Marketing, JK Cement.

The first chapter of the series commenced in Delhi where Zee Hindustan held Udaan on 18th September 2021, followed by Mumbai where Zee 24 Taas held the event on 26th November, 2021. Zee Rajasthan helmed the event on 28th November in Udaipur and Zee 24 Kalak in Ahmedabad on 30th November. The event has been scheduled for 13th January 2022 in Bhubaneswar by Zee Oriya, followed by Zee 24 Ghanta conducting the event on 31st January 2022, in Kolkatta.

Zee Media is also looking to promote this franchise across various states. On the closure of the event Manoj Jagyasi, CRO (Chief Revenue Officer), Zee Media said, I appreciate all the people present today and thank them for the wonderful contribution and keeping the spirits of our country high. It is indeed an honour to hear these inspiring stories of success, and Zee media is proud to recognise these entrepreneurs for their efforts. The journey of Udaan has been very interesting considering we are able to reach entrepreneurs who often go unnoticed in the humdrum of conglomerates.

Udaan was lauded by many and was sponsored by Sri Aurobindo University and JK Super Cement.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 14.01.2022 - On Friday, 14 January, the German, Austrian, Liechtenstein and Swiss representatives of the cantons and federal states that are a part of the International Lake Constance Conference (IBK) met on Mount Santis to celebrate the Conference's 50th anniversary. President Ignazio Cassis also attended the event. The aim of the IBK is to promote cross-border cooperation in the Lake Constance area and to strengthen relations between the four neighbouring countries and regions near the border.

Exactly 50 years ago, on 14 January 1972, government representatives of the federal states and cantons in the area around Lake Constance founded the International Lake Constance Conference to jointly address issues of regional cross-border cooperation. The IBK includes the federal states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria and Vorarlberg as well as the cantons of Schaffhausen, Zurich, Thurgau, St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Chaired by Appenzell Ausserrhoden, this year's event addressed several of the neighbouring countries and region's cross-border concerns, including efforts to tackle the pandemic, vocational training, transport and energy. "In everyday life, cross-border cooperation is what connects our four countries the most. For the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), this cooperation is of the highest political importance. Cooperation in the Lake Constance region specifically  which is attentively supported by the IBK  plays a central role in this," said the head of the FDFA, President Cassis, addressing the Conference.

President Cassis also took the opportunity to meet with Liechtensteins prime minister, Daniel Risch, on the fringes of the conference. Both agreed that the COVID 19 pandemic clearly shows how important good and close cooperation among neighbouring countries is. Maintaining and expanding relations with neighbouring countries is a central pillar of Switzerland's foreign policy strategy. Against this background, cross-border and bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein is to be further intensified.

Plans for a Lake Constance intergovernmental commission

For some time now, the members of the IBK have been advocating that the existing regional platform be supplemented by an intergovernmental commission. President Cassis not only supports the request, but is significantly committed to its realisation, in keeping with his leitmotif of "diversity and innovation": "The planned intergovernmental commission is an innovation for the Lake Constance region that unites the diversity of our four countries at the intergovernmental table and can advance it". He took the opportunity to present the FDFA's ongoing efforts to form an intergovernmental commission on Lake Constance: At the request of the heads of government represented in the IBK and in close consultation with the foreign ministries of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, the FDFA will be holding a pilot meeting in early summer. The Lake Constance intergovernmental commission will be modelled on the longstanding and successful Franco-German-Swiss Intergovernmental Commission in the Upper-Rhine Region, and will cover the entire spectrum of neighbourly relations at state level. "I am particularly pleased that we have taken a significant step forward here. By supplementing the IBK with an institutionalised dialogue between the four countries' foreign ministries, we are responding to the wishes expressed by the region," said head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis.

Added value through stronger involvement of foreign ministries

The envisaged Lake Constance intergovernmental commission, which will be headed by senior officials from the respective foreign ministries and consist of high-ranking representatives from the regions, will serve as an interface between the IBK and the national governments. It should lead to increased political coordination of strategic projects related to the national level in the Lake Constance region and thus create tangible and sustainable added value. Similarly to the Intergovernmental Commission in the Upper-Rhine Region, the envisaged Lake Constance intergovernmental commission will be tasked with addressing cross-border cooperation issues that cannot be handled at regional level by the IBK.

This 50th anniversary shows the long tradition of exchanges between the four neighbouring countries in the Lake Constance region  a valuable vessel for cultivating relations with neighbouring countries, Switzerland finds. And these relations will be further strengthened in the future with the Lake Constance intergovernmental commission. The summit also underscored the excellent cooperation between the Swiss Confederation and the cantons on cross-border issues.

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

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Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

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KAMPALA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Friday started a three-day nationwide polio immunization exercise targeting over 8.8 million children under the age of five years.

Vaccination officers moved from house to house administering the novel oral polio vaccines (nOPV2).

In the capital Kampala, Prossy Bukenya, a community nursing officer told Xinhua that they had vaccinated over 100 children by mid-day Friday in Mutungo.

"The exercise is going well. We managed to visit... houses and some lower primary schools. Communities in Mutungo, Bbina villages are supportive and had their children vaccinated," Bukenya said.

Michael Owor, who brought his four-year-old son for vaccination, said he supports the exercise, noting that in his extended family there was a child who suffered from polio and became disabled.

Owor urged parents and local leaders to support the vaccination exercise.

Hanifa Kawooya, minister of state for primary health care, told the official launching Thursday that all children in the targeted age group should be vaccinated.

Uganda in August last year reported a polio outbreak in the country after samples from fecal matter collected in the capital Kampala tested positive. The Ministry of Health warned that it was the rare wild polio virus type 2, whose vaccine was withdrawn from the country's routine immunization exercises in 2016.

The country was certified polio-free in October 2006 by the World Health Organization 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. 
From the fashion world to fashioning bull sale videos and digging in to her new ranch life in the center of Nebraska, Katie Kaliff-Jagels is excited about being the newest Producer Progress Reporter for Midwest Messenger.

Readers can follow her story of helping organize professional bull sales and overseeing a major farmhouse renovation with her rancher-husband over the coming year in the Midwest Messenger. Her bi-weekly reports will begin with the Jan. 21 issue.

Kaliff-Jagels works in sales for Nebraska Rural Radio Association and ranches with her husband Jason Jagels.

I consider radio and ranch both full time (jobs), she said. I do a lot of our photography, marketing and social media for our annual bull sales and help as much as possible with chores.

The couple moved in spring 2021 from Davenport, Nebraska, to a ranch in Brewster, Nebraska, where theyre raising registered Black Angus cattle. They held a bull sale in Mankato, Kansas for the past two years called The Cattlemens Cut, however this February will be their first bull sale in Brewster, set for Feb. 24, with the auction starting at 1 p.m. and lunch before the sale.

Its nice to be (living) here full time now that the house got done, said Kaliff-Jagels.

A contractor renovated the existing house on Brewster ranch, and the couple moved in early last summer. Next on the agenda: remodeling the sale barn and building a new sale ring.

The ranch was previously owned and operated as Spencer Hereford Ranch by Dale Spencer, who was ready to transition off the farm. He worked with the young couple as they prepared to rejuvenate the farm and ranch.

Its definitely been an undertaking, and Jasons been fencing a lot, Kaliff-Jagels said.

An opening for a Producer Progress Reporter position, reporting from the farm and ranch for Messenger readers, became available to her, when Paula Peterson wrapped up her year of reporting from her farm in Waverly, Nebraska.

Peterson and Kaliff-Jagels both happened to be attending the Nebraska LEAD program through Nebraska Farm Bureau, and Peterson told her about the opportunity. The two greatly benefitted from the Nebraska LEAD program, Kaliff-Jagels said, noting its a solid stepping stone for people developing leadership capabilities.

The Nebraska LEAD program taught me a lot about public speaking, how to present yourself, and groom those skills, Kaliff-Jagels said.

LEAD; recognized statewide and nationally, helps young agricultural enthusiasts develop leadership skills, promote Nebraska agriculture, and learn about state and federal government processes. The two-year LEAD commitment provided an opportunity to travel to Chicago and Washington, D.C. Its an experience is great for producers and ag professionals, Kaliff-Jagels said.

So, packed with a suitcase full of leadership skills, and her husbands intense interest in having their own ranch, their dreams became reality on the Brewster ranch.

Jason, who worked on his dads farm in Davenport, had previously interned on the Spencer Hereford Ranch in Brewster. Dale Spencer was getting older and wanted to move closer to his kids. It was all a process taking shape that would result in positive teamwork and dreams realized on both sides.

Five years ago, the Jagels started pasturing their cattle with Spencers herd as he took steps to transition off the farm.

Dale is a good friend of my father in law, Mark Jagels, and we always dreamed of this  to be on a ranch full time and have more time with the cows, Kaliff-Jagels said.

She graduated from Kansas State University in 2013 with a degree in apparel marketing and textile design and initially planned to stay in the fashion business, assisting with cheerleading team uniforms. But Kaliff-Jagels interned for a summer with the seed in ag product company AgriGold, which turned into a full time job. She met Jason while interning there, and they married in 2016.

Home sweet home is a sweet spot now, but it was an adjustment for Kaliff-Jagels who thought she wanted to live in a big city. The population of Brewster, Nebraska was 17 at the 2010 census. Its located about an hour from Broken Bow.

I met Jason and decided to take these chances, said Kaliff-Jagels, who grew up on a row crop operation in York, Nebraska.

Shes glad that she got to live in Davenport first, and got used to driving a longer distance to get groceries. Brewster is in Blaine County, situated along the scenic North Loup River.

Its beautiful. Were right on the Loup and its gorgeous, she said.

Along with keeping busy with the radio, ranch and remodeling, Kaliff-Jagels enjoys reading, writing, and shopping in her free time.

Ill never get away from my fashion roots, she said.

She also enjoys photography at their farm in Brewster, with the thriving wildlife. Theres always deer in her front yard.

When Jason first brought up this idea of moving, I thought, well at least Ill get good photos here, Kaliff-Jagels said.

Now she is thankful for the opportunity and has way more in her remote home than she couldve imagined.

Reporter Amy Hadachek is a two-time Emmy Award winning meteorologist and a storm chaser who earned her NWA and AMS Broadcast Meteorology Seals of Approval. She and her husband live on a diversified farm in Kansas. Reach her at amy.hadachek@midwestmessenger.com.

Midwest Messenger Weekly Update Get the latest agriculture news delivered to your inbox from the Midwest Messenger. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Finishing a season with 100 bushel-per-acre soybeans may seem like a pie-in-the-sky goal, but its closer than many would think.

Shawn Conley, an agronomist with the University of Wisconsin, said this years exceptional drought tolerance in the northern soybean crop illustrated that potential. In Wisconsin yield tests this year, many fields and varieties were able to hit that triple-digit mark.

This just shows what kind of genetic yield potential is in our soybeans, Conley said at the University of Wisconsins 2022 Agronomy Update Jan. 4. We had an amazing 23 soybean varieties equal or go above 100 bushels per acre. We have that potential, its just the rest of the management and weather that we need to keep pushing us to that 100-bushel target and beyond.

Those high yields led to strong production numbers throughout the state, despite drought conditions for much of the year, particularly in western and southern Wisconsin. Conley said better weather, along with various input concerns surrounding fertilizer and corn, may make for another bin-busting year in 2022.

This was a record soybean year in terms of production in Wisconsin, Conley said. Given the pricing and questions going into 2022, we could beat that record in 2022.

Drought was prevalent for much of the Wisconsin growing season, but Conley said the seed size found in much of the crop this season was the reason for good drought tolerance. Average seed weights were 18.3 grams, nearly 11% greater than average.

On a map, Conley detailed areas of Wisconsin that were down nearly 100 millimeters of moisture at points this summer. In those locations, the larger seeds were able to produce very well despite the drought.

That was the biggest driver in Wisconsin, southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, Conley said.

He expects seed to remain larger in 2022 and told producers to be prepared going into planting season. Some planter units may not be set up to handle a larger seed, meaning some adjustments may be needed.

However, going for those high yields will contribute to an issue Conley noticed in this years soybean crop. The quality of the beans has dipped, showing low protein content. He said this is due to variety selection as higher-yielding varieties come at the expense of the coveted proteins.

Thats something we as an industry need to address moving forward, Conley said.

Conley said while costs for planting or inputs may be higher this season, one place not to cut cost is on varieties.

Theres a lot of deals out there, but varieties are not where you want to skip, he said. That genetic potential is whats really going to drive yield on your farm.

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Albany State section of Flint River Trail up for final approval from University System

Alan Mauldin / File Photo: Alan Mauldin Youth members from a Florida church group spruce up at the visitors center at the Radium Springs trailhead. The next piece of the trail project will link Albany State University to downtown Albany.

ALBANY  Another piece in the Radium Springs-to-downtown-Albany trail could be falling into place, with the next component in the overall plan being a more-than-two-mile section linking Albany State University to downtown.

Dougherty County has submitted paperwork to the University System of Georgia seeking permission to access university property for the portion of the Flint River Trail System.

The university system previously agreed to provide $750,000 toward the project, which has an estimated $1.9 million price tag. The balance will come from 1 percent special-purpose local-option sales tax funds.

Its a great project with Dougherty County and the University System of Georgia and Albany State University to make this happen, Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas said. Its going to establish a safe way for college students to come downtown.

With the trail passing underneath the Oglethorpe Boulevard bridge, pedestrians and cyclists can avoid crossing the busy street.

The county also needs to acquire easements from the city of Albany, the Albany-Dougherty Inner City Authority and a private business along the route to route the trail. Once completed, the trail will provide a source of recreation and add an economic boost to the entire area, Cohilas said.

If you can imagine being able to wake up in the morning in Radium Springs, ride a bike, run or jog, and do it safely, he said. Thats going to be a tremendous asset and provide greater access to downtown.

Studies show that similar projects in other areas have had a tremendous economic impact, he said.

The trail will link to a section of trail completed by the city of Albany that stretches from downtown to Monroe Avenue.

The county completed a visitors center with restrooms last year at the Radium Springs trailhead and is renovating the Spring Run Bridge that crosses Skywater Creek near its intersection with the Flint River.

The county also has invested heavily in the area, including renovation of the gazebo and former ticket booth at the Radium Springs Casino site and exercise equipment at the adjacent park.
SYDNEY, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Several new drugs to treat COVID-19 patients have been recommended by an international panel of medical experts including from Australia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Guideline Development Group, which includes researchers from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, published their findings in the BMJ medical trade journal on Friday.

The report, based on results from seven trials involving more than 4,000 patients with non-severe, severe and critical COVID-19 infections, showed that the drug baricitinib, in combination with a group of anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids, improved the survival rate of severe and critical cases and reduced their need for ventilation.

Baricitinib is a type of drug known as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor and is usually used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

The researchers say another arthritis drug, interleukin-6 (IL-6), could also be used to treat COVID-19, however, trials of two other JAK inhibitors, ruxolitinib and tofacitinib, had failed to show benefits against the disease, with tofacitinib even possibly causing serious side effects.

The WHO team has also made a "conditional recommendation" for the use of the monoclonal antibody (MAB) sotrovimab in cases of COVID-19 where patients are at risk of being hospitalized.

A similar recommendation has been made by the WHO for another MAB drug, casirivimab-imdevimab. The experts note, however, there is, to date, insufficient data to recommend one MAB treatment over another.

The experts also acknowledge the effectiveness of MABs against new COVID-19 variants such as Omicron remain uncertain and they will update their guidelines when additional data becomes available.

The report, which they describe as "living guidelines", aims to help doctors make better decisions with COVID-19 patients.

Living guidelines are useful in fast-moving research areas such as COVID-19 because they allow researchers to update previously peer-reviewed evidence summaries as new information becomes available. 
In November, Republican Glenn Youngkin prevailed in a tough race for the Virginia governorship and led the party in sweeping the state. The result has galvanized Republicans, convincing them, justifiably, that the victory augurs well for their bid to win Congress back in 2022. In that same vein, Democrats fear Youngkins victory means Trumpism remains potent despite Trump's defeat. The Democrat party is right to be nervous -- history is unkind to political coalitions forged in opposition to a single individual.

In the early 1800s, America was led by an elite comprised of the nations banking and merchant class, and favored using the federal government to nurture the country's economy. Those opposing encompassed small farmers, frontiersmen, and slaveholders.

The clash between these interests came to a head in the 1820s over the establishment of a national bank and tariff rates. The elite favored the bank and higher rates; while the opposition was leaderless.

General Andrew Jackson, a charismatic war hero, emerged as its champion in 1824 when his run for the presidency revealed an incipient populist revolt against the status quo.

Jackson lost his first bid but won a dramatic rematch four years later. His 1828 victory thrilled his supporters, but it horrified the elite; they feared Jackson would establish a dictatorship cheered on by an illiterate mob.

In 1832, the defeated elite rallied around Henry Clay, a stalwart advocate of a strong federal government. Clay believed an unapologetic defense of a national bank would ensure his victory. Clay was spectacularly wrong and Jackson was re-elected in the first landslide in American history.

Following this defeat, the elite shifted into opposition mode. In 1834, Clay established the Whig Party, choosing the name to evoke the English opposition to Tory royalists in that country. Slaveholding states who resented Jackson's strong defense of the Union aligned with them occasionally under the guise of states' rights.

However, Northern federalism and Southern confederalism made for an unwieldy alliance.

The Whigs couldn't even agree on a candidate in 1836 when Jackson's vice president, Martin Van Buren, ran for president. Instead, the party ran three regional candidates in a bid to deny Van Buren a majority in the Electoral College, in a maneuver to move the decision to the House of Representatives. The Whig scheme ultimately failed, and Van Buren won easily.

Four years later, the elites desperation peaked.

The Whigs nominated an elderly General William Henry Harrison for president in 1840 and undertook a brazen campaign of misdirection.

The Whigs muted their support for an activist central government and instead undertook a populist campaign that presented Harrison as a man of the people and depicted Van Buren as an upper-class snob indifferent to the country's economic woes. (Van Buren had actually overcome humble circumstances; he became wealthy as a private lawyer. In contrast, Harrison was a member of the Virginia aristocracy and made his career in the government.)

The facade was abetted by the nation's leading newspapers, all openly pro-Whig.

To accommodate their states' right allies, the party selected John Tyler as Harrison's running mate; he was, however, an opponent of the Whig agenda. The party leaders solved the contradiction by keeping "Harrison vague and Tyler quiet."

In the end, the ruse succeeded and Harrison defeated Van Buren.

Fast forward to 2020, whereupon the fractious Democrat party replicated the gambit in the wake of Donald Trumps stunning upset in 2016.

After the Cold War ended in 1992, an elite comparable to the Whigs had emerged, again in favor of banking, financial, and commercial interests, but on a global scale.

Between 1992 and 2016, the two parties generally supported greater international economic integration, free trade, and unrestricted immigration; dissenters to this consensus rarely gained political traction.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton, the Democrat party nominee and embodiment of this consensus, emerged as the heavy favorite to win the presidency.

However, Clinton, like Clay, represented an elite that was disconnected from the country's economically disadvantaged. More pointedly, it was oblivious to this mounting discontent.

Within the party, this dissatisfaction manifested itself in the form of Bernie Sanders, who mounted a strong challenge to her from the left.

Clinton eventually prevailed but she underestimated how Republican Donald Trump's populist America First message would resonate with those who felt forgotten by a disdainful elite, much like Jackson's supporters.

Only after Trump won did the enmity between Clinton liberals and Sanders progressives vanish.

Like the Whigs who opposed "King Andrew," the Democrats re-imagined themselves as the "resistance" to a Trump tyranny.

The liberal-progressive combination proved successful immediately, sweeping Congress two years later. However, the true test of unity would come in the next nomination race.

In 2020, Sanders was joined by a number of progressives, such as Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris. Similarly, a new generation of liberals, such as Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg, bid for the nomination.

Lastly, former Vice President Joe Biden came out of retirement to make a third and final bid.

Biden quickly became the frontrunner, albeit a rickety one. If successful, Biden would be the oldest nominee ever -- eight years older than Harrison. Moreover, Biden had a distinguished resume but an undistinguished reputation; he was once labeled the party's "dumb blonde . " Lastly, Biden admitted he was only a "transitional figure," a stopgap measure to avert a civil war before the party could oust Trump.

Bidens weakness became evident immediately. Sanders went on to win the first three contests while Biden never finished above third.

Biden finally prevailed in the all-important South Carolina primary, a victory that prompted Klobuchar and Buttigieg to leave the race, even though they had performed better than Biden in the preceding contests. In truth, the two didn't necessarily exit out of deference to Biden but because they recognized that continuing to divide the liberal vote would only deliver the nomination to Sanders, who was unelectable.

Still, Biden could only unify the party after agreeing to support major progressive proposals and select Harris as his running mate.

On the campaign trail, Biden emulated Harrison by sequestering himself in his basement and limiting his availability. (While some claimed the pandemic mandated such steps, one party luminary commented that secluding the self-admitted "gaffe machine" was probably wise.)

Biden's agenda was as vague as Harrison's. Biden merely promised a triumph of "light over darkness" and build back better, while the liberal and progressive wings downplayed their divergent expectations.

As in 1840, the nation's media actively facilitated the blackout. The media blanketed the country with negative coverage of Trump while endlessly extolling Biden's decency. Journalists never pushed for more access to Biden and hardly vetted Harris despite her relatively short time on the national stage.

Biden won but it was a triumph of obfuscation, just like Harrison.

The Democrats succeeded in ousting Trump but they failed to remember how fleeting the Whig success was.

Opposition to one man can galvanize disparate factions, but it is a shallow foundation for an electoral majority or effective government.

In 1841, the frail Harrison contracted pneumonia at his inaugural and died thirty-two days later. When Tyler took over, the states' rights absolutists actively thwarted the Whig program at every turn.

The same dysfunctional dynamic is visible in the current Congress where liberal and progressive disagreements have prevented the passage of Biden's agenda, potentially crippling his presidency.

After Clay ran and lost again in 1844, the Whigs reverted to nominating inscrutable ciphers like Harrison. In 1848, the Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor, a popular general like Harrison, but just as opaque. Taylor won, but he, too, died in office, achieving little of the Whig agenda.

Non-entities similarly occupy the Democrat party bench as well. Harris has underwhelmed as vice president, Klobuchar faces health challenges, and Buttigieg, Biden's Transportation Secretary, has made light of the recent supply chain crisis. One commentator begged Biden to forswear a re-election bid so that the party can begin finding a more viable nominee in 2024.

In contrast, Trump's GOP is exuberantly looking forward to upcoming contests. The former president is itching for a rematch and if he forgoes a second run, a number of supporters are already credible contenders. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, in particular, has emerged as a possible heir, winning praise for his effectiveness as well as a defiantly MAGA posture.

History remembers Jackson's election as the "Revolution of 1828." No such moniker has yet been bestowed on Trump's victory because contemporary observers refuse to acknowledge its deeper meaning. The wounded elite instead focus on his unflinching destruction of prevailing norms while under-appreciating how the Trump Revolution of 2016 has placed the United States on a new trajectory. Ultimately, Jacksonian politics and governance overwhelmed a flaccid Whig coalition that was only united by opposition to him; the Whig Party ran its last presidential candidate in 1852 and then disintegrated. Trumpism is poised to accomplish the same over a Democrat party united only by hatred and hopelessly riven by ideology.

Political cartoon of the era from Library of Congress collection depicts William Henry Harrison as a puppet of New York banking interests, as noted in Picryl description.

Image: Library of Congress, via Picryl / public domain
Israel has been at the forefront of the unconventional/politically-oriented means of combatting a respiratory virus.

Despite nearly 90% of the adult population being fully vaccinated, with vaccines originally touted as nearly 100% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection, Israel is currently experiencing the highest rate of COVID-19 infections since the pandemic began. There is no magic solution in sight except ultimate herd immunity which the latest variant, omicron, may well bring about.

The same is true for virtually every Western country, including the United States, that has followed the same procedures and protocols. Having, for political reasons, stupidly committed to doing the impossible, defeating or eradicating a respiratory virus, it is time to admit failure.

Thats assuming the bureaucrats and governing elites, in their hubris, are capable of doing so. If not, then the citizenry must say no and do it for them.

From the beginning of the pandemic, Israel enforced lockdowns and isolation, mask mandates, travel restrictions, and mass vaccinations. Then they returned to lockdowns and mandates for additional booster shots when their great hope, the vaccines, did not work as advertised.

Throughout the pandemic, they, as did their counterparts in the United States, refused to consider any other alternatives. Other proven therapeutics such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, were ridiculed and effectively outlawed as the fixation on vaccines drove the medical bureaucracy, resulting in the needless hospitalization and deaths of thousands.

Ultimately, the political class in Israel and America destroyed the education of the children, driving many to drugs and suicide. They undermined and permanently devastated livelihoods and the economy as well as basic human rights and access to medical care while enriching the pharmaceutical companies.

The corporate and social media in both countries ridiculed, slandered, and discredited thousands of medical professionals and scientists who criticized the regimens and proposed common-sense solutions based on previous experience and knowledge of respiratory viruses. The Great Barrington Declaration has been signed by more than 916,000 people from around the world, including 60,000 such doctors and scientists. Their proposals were ignored and essentially outlawed by the bureaucracies in both countries.

These same government medical bureaucrats refused to admit that natural immunity is more protective than a vaccine. When confronted with the reality of the failure of the vaccines to stop the transmission of the virus, they doubled down and demanded the citizenry acquiesce to endless booster shots. They branded, without any scientific basis, people who chose not to get vaccinated, as enemies of the public and as spreaders of the disease.

And yet even as their failures become self-evident, they still prescribe and promote the same failed policies as they cannot admit their failures.

Recently Professor Ehud Qimron, a leading authority on epidemiology and the head of Microbiology and Immunology at Tel Aviv University, wrote a scathing public letter to the Israeli Ministry of Health that could have been addressed to the FDA, the CDC, the Biden administration, and the denizens of the American corporate and social media.

Professor Qimron begins his letter expressing the sentiments of the medical professionals, the scientists, and the few journalists and columnists who were warning the American people that the nation had embarked on the wrong path beginning in March of 2020:

In the end, the truth will always be revealed, and the truth about the coronavirus policy is beginning to be revealed. When the destructive concepts collapse one by one, there is nothing left but to tell the experts who led the management of the pandemic-- we told you so. Two years too late you finally realize that a respiratory virus cannot be defeated and that any such attempt is doomed to fail. You do not admit it, you have admitted almost no mistake in the last two years, but in retrospect it is clear that you have failed miserably in almost all your actions, and even the media is already having a hard time covering your shame. You refused to admit that the infection comes in waves that fade by themselves, despite years of observations and scientific knowledge. You insisted on attributing every decline of a wave solely to your actions, and so through false propaganda, you overcame the plague. And again you defeated it, and again and again.

Professor Qimron continues:

You refused to admit that recovery is more protective than a vaccine, despite previous knowledge and observations showing that non-recovered vaccinated people are more likely to be infected than recovered people. You refused to admit that the vaccinated are contagious despite the observations. Based on this, you hoped to achieve herd immunity by vaccination-- and you failed that as well.

In the later part of the letter:

However, from the heights of your hubris, you have also ignored the fact that in the end the truth will be revealed. And it begins to be revealed. The truth is you have brought the publics trust in you to an unprecedented low, and you have eroded your status as a source of authority. The truth is that you have burned hundreds of billions of shekels to no avail-- for publishing intimidation, for ineffective tests, for destructive lockdowns and for disrupting life in the last two years. You have destroyed the education of our children and their future. You made children feel guilty, scared, smoke, drink, get addicted, and quarrel, as school principals around the country attest. You have harmed livelihoods, the economy, human rights, mental health, and physical health.

Professor Qimrom concludes:

There is currently no medical emergency, but you have been cultivating such a condition for two years now because of a lust for power, budgets, and control. The only emergency now is that you still set policies and hold huge budgets for propaganda and psychological engineering instead of directing them to strengthen the health care system. This emergency must stop!

Everyone should read the full text of the letter.

The time has come for the American people to follow Professor Qimrons lead, stand up and declare that the powers-to-be have utterly failed and the pandemic is over.

Image: IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer, via Wikimedia Commons // public domain

UPDATE: This article was corrected on January 14 at 5:10 p.m. Eastern Time.
Biden traveled to Georgia on January 11, 2022, to speak about great Republicans. Well, not exactly...but sort of. He spoke about racist reprobates in the Democrat Party who abused and withheld rights from Black Americans. Biden seemed to cherish the idea of going to "the cradle of civil rights," as he called it, to discuss "democracy's future." Biden's speech was not only interspersed with historical untruths and typical levels of incoherence we've come to expect from "Biden-speak," but also wrought with rich irony.

Biden, the top Democrat, tried to inflame spectators' emotions by making historical comparisons to Democrat racists. He compared the actions and intents of Democrat, racist, White supremacist George Wallace to Republican Dr. Martin Luther King. He even compared the actions and intentions of Democrat racist, White supremacist Jefferson Davis to the pioneer of the Republican Party, Abraham Lincoln!

To be fair, Biden can't be blamed for this jarring level of irony. The truth is, to make historical arguments citing American racist White supremacists, you automatically must include Democrats because they were the sole purveyors of racism, slavery, and White supremacy through most of American history. Democrats were committed to using government coercion to immorally and unconstitutionally enshrine the enslavement of Blacks for as long as possible. The infamous "Jim Crow" laws were just one of the many inhumane outcomes due to Democrats' grotesque, deep-seated hatred.

Historical truth compelled Biden to make contrasting arguments favoring liberty, justice, and freedom by referring to Republicans since they were the ones who had committed their lives and livelihoods to set Blacks free. Republicans' commitment to righteousness went beyond platitudes; they relied on the U.S. Constitution and the principles of the Declaration of Independence as their guides. The Constitution stood on the truth that "all men are created equal," with the ideal pursuit being "liberty and justice for all."

The contrasts between the two parties remain today. Democrats still deploy government power unconstitutionally to force conformity to its diktats, while Republicans still strive to look for constitutional governance to assure liberty and justice for all. This foundational difference between the political worldviews is the fundamental issue with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

This act is poised at a critical point. Mouthing his arcane and deceptive pabulum, Biden declared he would get this passed by any means necessary (including abolishing the filibuster). Americans must understand that the act isn't designed for "fairness." It isn't designed to mitigate "racism," nor to neutralize "voter disenfranchisement." The John Lewis Voting Rights Act is designed to undermine existing election integrity laws and implement new government tools and levers to maintain power unconstitutionally. Unfortunately, the act would enshrine voter disenfranchisement as law; every voter is disenfranchised with this legislation.

If the act takes effect:

Ballot-harvesting will be legalized nationally. There will be no voter ID requirements (meaning non-citizens can vote). And there will be unlimited mail-in voting, expanded un-manned ballot box placements, online voting, and any number of new federally mandated and monitored changes.

The federal government would deprive the state governments of the authority to manage and control elections in the states. As the act dumps the states' checks and balances, dead voters would vote, and any number of illegal votes would somehow count.

That's how legal votes are nullified. When illegal ballots are counted, and especially when that happens system-wide, the result is systemic voter disenfranchisement.

The slogans for the John Lewis Voting Rights Act sound like perfect democracy until you realize that the act rejects election integrity laws and instead opens the door to systemic voter disenfranchisement. Make no mistake: if passed, the act installs a corrupted, nonconstitutional, non-compliant way of conducting U.S. elections. Citizens will still go through the motions of voting but actually no longer have a voice or true freedom in America. Instead, America will be a hollowed-out caricature of its former self.

Ironically, Biden mentioned poignant examples as he railed against racist segregationist Democrats of the past who used instrumentation of government to force diabolical agendas. His examples were prescient. They indeed raise questions we should sincerely ponder. Do we hearken back to the tactics and intents of unconstitutionally using government, as did George Wallace, Bull Connor, and Jefferson Davis? Or do we stand with unwavering resolve with constitutionally and liberty-minded Abraham Lincoln and Dr. MLK?

Every Black Life Matters (EBLM) believes that the U.S Constitution is a common denominator we must rely on to deliver liberty and justice in America. We can maintain our freedom, but it will take unified and unwavering resolve. Due to its pervasive voter disenfranchisement, we must reject the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

Image: Public domain, Kendrick Shackleford.
A day ago, Vice President Kamala Harris sat down for a wide-ranging one-on-one interview with NBC's Craig Melvin.

Melvin asked Harris about the Biden administration's lack of progress in the fight against COVID-19. He inquired why they haven't updated guidelines on masks since public health officials acknowledge that cloth masks are not as effective as KN95 and N95 masks.

Harris was also asked about Biden's divisive rhetoric on the Voting Rights Bill during his speech in Atlanta and why the administration hasn't been able to convince moderate Democrats to vote for their bill.

She was asked about rumors of a potential change to the presidential ticket in 2024, with Liz Cheney as her replacement.

Firstly, it is nothing short of astounding that NBC news actually did a tough interview with a Democrat leader. The interviewer was unsparing in both the content and the tone of his questions. He asked hard follow-up questions and even displayed skepticism both explicitly and implicitly over Harris's responses.

There are two possible explanations for the nature of the interview.

The first is that the catastrophes of the Biden administration are so monumental that they are impossible to disguise. Even Democrat voters are suffering, hence NBC had no option but to show some form of toughness in order to retain some form of credibility.

The second is that the Democrat leadership has had enough of blundering Kamala and is looking for a way to boot her out. The function of the interview is meant to make it clear to the public that she is just not up to the job.

How did Kamala perform during the interview?

The only good news is that she didn't burst into a fit of titters at an inappropriate moment.

But apart from that, Harris was nothing to celebrate.

There was a complete lack of coherence in her answers. She frequently rambled. There were long pauses before she began her answers. Her staccato speech pattern made her sound like a speech-to-text mobile application.

Beyond her words, her facial expressions and her body language lacked poise or confidence, which often happens when an interviewee is ill-prepared. The least you expect from a leader is to project confidence and be optimistic.

She did a poor job for the Biden administration and even for herself.

She also seemed particularly out of her depth in her response to rumors of a potential change to the presidential ticket in 2024. After a long pause, a hint of a giggle, and a slight stammer, she called it D.C. gossip and punditry and said she was focused on the job. It wasn't the content of what she said, but her hesitant delivery that made it sound as if the rumors may be factual.

If that wasn't enough, Harris committed a blunder that Melvin later noted to his co-host on the Today show after the interview was broadcast. Harris claimed that the Biden administration will send out 500 million at-home COVID-19 tests next week. The White House then corrected her claim, stating that those tests will be sent out later this month.

This brings us back to the reason why Biden's handlers chose Kamala Harris.

Conventional thinking based on appearances is that Kamala is more energetic and smarter than Biden. She is obviously much younger. The fact that she has pigment under her skin is a bonus.

Thus, in the minds of Washington pundits, she was the ideal candidate for president in waiting. In their minds, it wasn't a question of if, but when Harris would replace Biden.

What added fuel to these rumors is Biden repeatedly referring to Kamala as "President Harris," even during his speech in Atlanta a few days ago.

While Biden's handlers who seem to be running the White House have made a dazzling display of the incompetence on every front, they were absolutely right in the choice of Kamala Harris. Someone of great astuteness among Biden's well-wishers noticed Harris's ineptitude and her ability to talk a lot but say nothing. The Biden well-wisher knew that once Harris was exposed to the people, her ineptness would become obvious to the public immediately.

They hence assigned her the task of managing the border, knowing she would fail. She probably performed lower than their already very low expectations by first refusing to go to the border and struggling to explain her reluctance in an interview.

When she did go to Guatemala and Mexico, instead of working with those governments to stop the influx, she meandered about, finding the "root causes" of illegal immigration. Even Peggy Noonan was baffled by Harris's quest for what is perfectly obvious: that illegal aliens are seeking a better quality of life in the U.S.

During her trip to Vietnam following Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, she struggled to answer basic questions, and her poorly timed giggles continued. A BBC correspondent said she made America appear like an "incompetent, uncaring and unreliable" ally.

After that public disgrace, she was largely missing from the public eye; during that time, there were claims that her office environment was unhealthy, causing a staff exodus.

Her approval ratings fell, and she blamed it all on her sex and race.

One year since Biden took office, blundering Kamala is unknowingly doing exactly what Biden's well-wishers expected of her. She is making Biden look unimpeachable.

In fact, Kamala has proved to be so inept on every front that she is even unfit to be a puppet president such as Biden.

Choosing Kamala, hence, is a brilliant but cynical political move by Biden's handlers.

There are those who claim that the contest of ineptitude between Biden and Harris has given the Democrat Establishment an ideal platform to implement their radical, unpopular agenda without much accountability.

Irrespective of the motives of the puppet masters, the fact that the Democrats hold majorities in both the Senate and the House at least 'til next January and hold the White House 'til at least January 2024 means a future full of uncertainty.

Thomas Lifson adds:

Could the Democrats and their media lackeys at NBC be thinking about replacing Kamala, and then getting rid of Biden via the 25th Amendment? After all, they fear a disaster in 2022 and 2024. Getting rid of both of them might help cushion that blow.

Who would replace Kamala and ultimately Biden?

Well, who has been making noises lately about running for president? That's right: Hillary Clinton.

Photo credit: YouTube screen grab.
It feels as though Russia's armed forces enter another country with the frequency of a new COVID variant. This time, it is Kazakhstan. A casual reader thus relearns the distant geography well forgotten since the days of the Soviet Union. World leaders try hard to remember the names of their ambassadors in those, until now, forsaken places, where good folks are sent for reasons other than competence. It does appear that only geography, not the supposed adversaries, is the real limit to the current bout of Russia's geopolitical expansion. Yet Russia's march around its "near far," as Russia likes to call its bordering countries, exposes some lethal flows in the strategy pursued by the Kremlin.

Russia's message to the people of these "liberated," "saved," or "stabilized" countries is clearly formed and unequivocally expressed: Russia is bringing stability. But what is stability as defined by Russia? Most people think of tranquility  a moment in time when one feels secure financially and socially. Russia's version is very different. It is defined as a near-absolute state authority, which may or may not deliver benefits, be they jobs or subsidies. Moreover, the state this stability lauds is not an abstract state; it is Russia's state. This stability is Russia's imperial expansion where the Kremlin's uncontested rule is the goal in itself.

Another issue with Russia's imperial ambitions is the ethnic undertone. Its current process of expansion is not simply an empire trying to prop up satellite states on its vast borders. It is an ingathering of the Russian Diaspora  the Russian world, as the Kremlin prefers to call it. From the Baltic States to the South Caucasus, from Eastern Ukraine to Kazakhstan, Russia claims to help not countries in trouble, but Russians or Russian-speaking populations. President Putin does not believe that Ukraine and Kazakhstan are legitimate countries. In his view, and in the view of Russia's ruling elite, those were artificial entities created by the whims of the Bolsheviks. They were separated from Russia to enable better management of the vast empire the Bolsheviks inherited from the tsar. But once the Bolshevik regime ceased to exist, so did the rationale for those countries. It was time for those provinces to rejoin the bosom of the motherland. For an average American, to draw an easy parallel, it is a redistricting gone terribly bad. There is no reason for them to be independent countries thirty years after the collapse of the Soviet Union beyond the machinations of foreign powers trying to divide Russia and the Russian people.

However, those countries do exist and now have a majority population, contrary to Stalin's designs, that is not Russian by any definition of that national or linguistic notion. Thus, Russian soldiers in Kazakhstan are shooting Kazakhs and not defending the Kazakh state. The vast majority of Kazakhs see this action to "stabilize" their state as a creeping rebirth of the USSR. And if some old-timers may have nostalgic feelings toward the old empire, for the new generations, the notion is completely foreign: they are not Russian, and they are not Soviet.

Nationalism is not the only driving force of recent Russian moves. Oil and gas play just as important a part in the Kremlin's decision-making. The stability the Kremlin is offering singularly depends on gas and oil revenues. As the diversification of Russia's economy has been an utter failure, its energy resources are the most successful foreign policy card and a huge strategic liability. It is a single point of failure, so Russia must keep it secure at any cost. For those who don't possess any resources of their own, like Belarus, Russia offers small change for the transit, but for those who possess their own resources, like Kazakhstan, Russia under the disguise of friendly gestures tries to limit options for exports and makes its own pipelines the only avenue to sell its riches.

Russia may force its weak neighbors to dance to its tune, but the offer it makes is the "one you cannot refuse" to use the mafia parlance. In the near term, it will most likely succeed because the targets are too weak, and the rest of the world is absent. The U.S. is unable to develop a coherent policy toward Russia. It is incapable of delivering any policy at all  nothing more than a set of aspirational speeches and ideas detached from reality or its own interests.

Image: Vladimir Putin via Flickr, CC BY 3.0.
The Afghan people are suffering. Widows are starving; women and children are contained, constrained, controlled, and restricted; the elderly are dying of hunger and cold; and those who bravely speak out risk being tortured to death. Our hearts are broken and rightly bleed for them. Ive been there, worked on behalf of the people, made dear friends, and keep them in my prayers.

Afghanistan is a country of inefficient agriculture, severe terrain, harsh winters, devastating weather events, frequent earthquakes, crumbling infrastructure, constant war, and bad governance. Half of her people are hungry and half of the hungry are in dire shape. The government has no liquidity and no functional structure for raising any. They do need our help.

The United Nations is calling for the biggest assistance packagein the neighborhood of $5 billionthat the world has ever seen. Last September, one day after the UN obtained pledges of $1.2 billion from donor countries, the Taliban leadership asked for even more.

In August, we ineffectively pulled out of the country, leaving behind a mess and a country pregnant with misery. We also kept our allies in the dark and abandoned many of our own to the tender mercies of their most implacable enemy. We surrendered tens of billions worth of equipment, supplies, and infrastructure to an invading army of human scorpions. If it had been up to me, and we couldnt reverse our departure, wed have sent multiple bombs over the horizon destroying it all, as well as the Presidential Palace.

Image: The Taliban in the Presidential Palace. YouTube screen grab.

But it wasnt, and we didnt. However, a month after this pullout, we proudly blared that we were increasing our humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan by $64 million. This week, the White House announced an additional $308 million, plus COVID-19 vaccines.

I say no. No more no-strings-attached assistance to Afghanistan. Not one penny.

If the Taliban want our money, that were generally happy to give, they can provide a threat-free environment so donor nations can fly in and bring out all the foreigners and helpful Afghans still stuck there. We need to retrieve our citizens, our permanent residents, our special immigrant visa applicants, and all others who we know assisted us in our 20-year-long folly trying to impose an ethical government and democratic processes on an uneducated generation and historically warlord-ruled people.

Our humanitarian endeavors need to be focused first on our people and getting them out. That could be accomplished in relatively short order. We have the lists of our staff, and the staff of American institutions that worked there for the betterment of the Afghans.

Humanitarianism is noble but it does not need to be a blind nobility. If the Taliban rulers dont like this deal, then they can bloody well sell the planes, tanks, and other material on the global market. That should bring in sufficient billions to cover their needs for several years.

Anony Mee is the nom de blog of a retired public servant.
An awful lot of people are making a very dangerous assumption about the COVID-19 jabs: that the manufacture of them is pristine. Everyone seems to tacitly accept that every vial of a given jab is perfect and identical to every other vial of the same thing and that it is delivered to the injection site in perfect condition. I don't think so.

Bad batches?

There are press reports of localized clusters of bad jab reactions, such as a huge spike in stillbirths in Scotland. See here and here. Scotland is not the only place. The U.S. has the same issues in some areas.

Japan had some real issues with the jab, and there was no way to talk about it without admitting there was a "bad batch."

Moderna said Wednesday that tainted batches of its COVID-19 vaccine sent to Japan were contaminated with stainless steel particles[.] ... The US biotech firm is facing major setbacks in Japan, with hundreds of thousands of doses suspended following reports of foreign substances detected in vials.

Moderna had the gall to minimize this incident:

Stainless steel is routinely used in heart valves, joint replacements and metal sutures and staples. As such, it is not expected that injection of the particles identified in these lots in Japan would result in increased medical risk.

An apology would have been more appropriate  or better, a return to the drawing board.

Distribution is sketchy

Ingredients that constitute the jab itself come from many sources, but it is clear to everyone that these jab vials were produced in a big hurry. Among other logistical issues, for two of the RNA-based jabs, the completed vials needed to be shipped at -75 degrees Celsius. The manufacturer quickly invented a solution.

In less than six months, the [Belgian] team designed a thermal shipping box the size of a carryon suitcase that would keep the vaccine ultra-cold when packed with dry ice.

So we are dealing with small batches, manufactured with a new process, shipped to sites all over the world that had no experience in handling anything like this. What could go wrong?

Even assuming the best intentions by the jab-makers, there are a lot of humans involved in handling this stuff. There are also a lot of variables in the way the actual shot is physically administered. Consistent supervision is out of the question at this scale. Even if the jab vials were pristine and identical to start with, it is at least iffy that would be the case by the time it got to a distant arm.

Africa is having serious problems with distribution, even with the two jabs that do not require excessive refrigeration.

In May Malawi burned nearly 20,000 doses. At least seven other African countries have destroyed some 450,000 doses in all[.] ... The AstraZeneca shot is viable for just six months  and early donations to Africa often arrived with little time left. A batch of 191,000 AstraZeneca vaccines rejected by South Africa and reallocated to South Sudan in March arrived there just two weeks before their expiry date; 59,000 were destroyed as a result.

Nigeria destroyed 1 million doses.

Production is questionable

Now it turns out that the Japanese bad batch experience is not necessarily an outlier.

German pathologists presented an analysis of the coronavirus "vaccine" during a shocking press conference in September. A clip of the conference, which has been translated exclusively for RAIR Foundation USA, reveals foreign objects in the vaccine, as well as in the blood of those who have taken the vaccine. Some of the foreign objects were described as "accurately constructed" and also  shockingly  worms that were hatched from eggs.

This article contains horrifying pictures of some of the "objects." These tests were done on "leftover" samples, meaning the bulk of them had been injected into uninformed arms.

More testing is needed.

What if we assume less than good intentions by parties involved in the jab's creation? What if this is the all-time biggest medical experiment on the human race? Would they really not try different formulas in different quantifiable groups? I'll bet the vaccine passports include the lot number from which the bearer's jab came.

Those thoughts notwithstanding, there is enough evidence to realize that the quality of any single jab cannot be guaranteed, even if mounting concerns about the content of the injection were set aside. This variable alone should exempt anyone from involuntary participation in the jab program. Due to a variety of factors, the jabbed are woefully uninformed about risk prior to participation. Considering that getting jabbed is an irrevocable decision, this is just not right.

If you include natural immunity, we are already at herd level. It's time to stop the mandates. We need more testing on the content and manufacturing of these products. This illness is only 2.5 years old (that we know of) and has mutated substantially from its first appearance. The unvaxxed are being told to get a jab they don't want, is risky, and is designed to counter a disease that basically no longer exists. More importantly, there is no way the jab, including its delivery system, could have been properly tested in the lifetime of a five-year-old.

We need to learn more before we risk butchering the immune systems, fertility, heart function, and survival of our children.

Image: Triggermouse via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Take a look behind the scenes with Animals Asias Wow! facts of 2021 14 January 2022

From marking our 650th bear rescue to the millions of people we reached through our education programs, were delving further into the numbers behind Animals Asias work in 2021

Food, glorious food!

Our two bear sanctuaries in China and Vietnam are hives of activity, and in 2021 we were busier than ever! Our rescued bears were fed a jaw-dropping 435,724 kg of food over the year, which is around 436 tons! To give you an idea of how much this is, its around three times as heavy as the Statue of Liberty, or the combined weight of four blue whales!

Our bears receive three balanced, nutritious meals a day which are tailored to their individual needs and tastes, and delicious snacks throughout the day. Overall, our bear care teams delivered 312,312 meals last year. The bears also enjoyed 3,404 marshmallows, and thousands of jars of jam and honey which we use to deliver medicines to keep them healthy. Yum!



In addition, we provided 4,650 kg of food to cat and dog rescue shelters who were in need, the equivalent weight of a white rhino!

Medical and cooperative care

Our bear care and vet teams continued to deliver their world-class, expert care to the bears at our sanctuaries, many of who have life-long ailments as a result of their time on bile farms.



Despite having limited staff due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic disrupting travel and recruitment, our incredible vet teams performed 199 health checks and 19 root canal surgeries, removed three bears infected gallbladders, and weighed 1,026 bears, while 48 bear care team members received animal care qualifications.

Last year our amazing bear care teams expanded our cooperative care program, which teaches the bears to participate in their own physical checks through positive reinforcement.

These essential tasks, such as taking blood, nail trimming and checking blood pressure, would otherwise require the bears to be anaesthetised which can be stressful for them. This incredible program enabled 119 bears to consciously, actively and happily take part in their own care!

We were delighted when our China bear sanctuary was recognised for the incredible care they provide our rescued bears when they won GFAS Outstanding Wildlife Sanctuary of the Year award.

Animal rescues and support

2021 was a historic year for rescues, both for Animals Asia and for our partners including FLIGHT: Saving Indonesias Birds, the Hanoi Wildlife Centre, and the Elephant Conservation Centre in Vietnam.

Our most eye-popping stat is that the 101 Moon Bear Homecoming bears travelled 750 miles each to reach their forever home at our China sanctuary, cumulatively the equivalent of travelling around the earth three times!

We rescued and rehomed 117 bears, including our 650th rescued bear in December shortly before welcoming six bears from the Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Centre (HWRC). This means our Vietnam bear sanctuary is now 97.5% full, so we are racing to build a new sanctuary so we can start to rescue and rehome the hundreds of bears who remain on bile farms.

In addition to our bear rescues, we rescued three elephants and supported 12 more, helped HWRC to rescue 2,262 wild animals and release 983 back into the wild, and we gave support to 13 cat and dog shelters and six wildlife rescue centres.

And finally, Dog Meat Free International who Animals Asia is a member of, rescued 120 dogs from the dog meat trade.

Improving animal welfare

A huge part of Animals Asias mission to improve the lives of animals across Asia is our work with authorities and other NGOs to improve established animal facilities, as well as investigating and exposing illegal activity.

Our biggest achievement in this area last year was undoubtedly the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dak Lak Government in Vietnam to end elephant riding in the region where most elephant riding camps are located. This official, legally-binding agreement marks the beginning of the end of the outdated tourist activity and hopefully serves as an example to other countries.

In China, where the sale of dogs for consumption finally became illegal in early 2020, our volunteers reported 46 restaurants who were continuing to sell dog meat to the police, which either resulted in their closure, or the offending item being removed from their menus. Our incredible Cat and Dog Welfare teams Trap-Neuter-Return programs benefitted 559 dogs in China, improving their welfare and safety while managing the population.

Animals Asia also highlighted 304 cases of poor welfare at zoos, circuses, wildlife and marine parks, which resulted in the suspension of eight travelling circuses and many of the venues signing up to our workshops on animal welfare more on this below.

The power of education and canine companionship!

Another important and large part of Animals Asias work is the delivery of workshops, outreach programs and educational activities to talk to children, communities and animal owners- and -companions about animal sentience and welfare.



In 2021, despite restrictions to travel and physical interactions, our incredible Professor Paws and Dr Dog teams brought joy and companionship to 9,828 people while breaking down often long-held fears or suspicions about dogs and showing that dogs truly are a man, woman, and childs best friend!

We ran activities with 3,650 school children across Vietnam and China, conducted educate the educator sessions with 200 teachers, reached 10,000 zookeepers and educators through our online workshops, and established 146 improvement programs. These programs directly resulted in 149 improvements being made to rescue centres and zoos across China and Vietnam.

And finally, we ran social media and billboard campaigns in China and Vietnam with a whopping reach of over 52 million people - which is approximately the population of South Korea!

2021 was an incredible year, with so many lives, hearts and minds changed forever. Animals Asia will continue to put kindness, compassion and understanding in action as we truly believe this is the only way to achieve real, long-lasting change for the animals we are so lucky to share our lives and planet with.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Friday began providing the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines to priority groups in capital Phnom Penh as the Omicron variant has spread into the community.

The priority groups include leaders of the government, the Senate, the National Assembly, frontline doctors, government officials, the army and police, local authorities and the elderly, the health ministry said.

Staff of embassies and both national and international organizations as well as journalists and celebrities are also among the list to receive the fourth shots, it added.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen took his fourth jab on Friday morning at his residence in southern Takhmao City and urged people to get their shots when their turns come.

"Today, my wife and I received booster doses against COVID-19. There is no better choice than vaccination, along with the three dos and three don'ts health measure," he wrote on his official Facebook page.

The three dos include wearing a face mask, washing hands frequently and maintaining the physical distancing of 1.5 meters, while the three don'ts are avoiding confined and enclosed spaces, avoiding crowded spaces, and avoiding touching each other.

"Please, my compatriots, go and receive vaccines, both the basic two doses and the booster shots, in order to protect ourselves, our families, our villages, our communes and our nation," Hun Sen said.

The southeast Asian nation confirmed 10 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the health ministry said, adding that all are the Omicron variant, with six local infections and four imported cases.

Since the pandemic began, Cambodia has recorded a total of 120,728 cases, with 3,015 deaths and 117,072 recoveries, the ministry said.

Cambodia has reopened socio-economic activities in all areas since November, buoyed by its high vaccination rates.

The country has so far administered at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines to 14.3 million people, or 89.4 percent of its 16 million population, the ministry said.

Of them, 13.7 million, or 85.6 percent, were fully vaccinated with two required shots, and 4.39 million, or 27.4 percent, had taken a third dose or booster shot, it added.

Most of the vaccines used in the country's inoculation campaign are China's Sinovac and Sinopharm. 
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(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 14 - Italian police on Friday seized some 412 kilogrammes of cocaine in the port of La Spezia near Genoa.

The drugs were contained in a container from the Dominican Republic heading for the port of Valencia in Spain.

They had a false seal on them, police said.

The cocaine, hidden in a shipment of paper pulp, was split into 12 packages each containing 359 bars ready to be offloaded in the so-called rip-off system whereby drugs are placed behind the container's doors so that traffickers have easy access to them in the port areas.

The cocaine was extremely pure and very high quality, police said.

It had a street value of over 100 million euros. (ANSA).


Italian stand for kids at Doha book fair Gianni Rodari books in Arabic in lingua araba

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JAN 14 - The stand set up by the Embassy of Italy at the International Book Fair which opens in Doha is entirely dedicated to children. The pavilion, created in collaboration with "Reggio Children", an organization for the training and promotion of children's rights, includes a full program of workshops, exhibitions, readings and interactive itineraries.



The goal is to provide children with an opportunity to get closer to reading. A precious possibility at this time when schools are closed in Qatar to stem the pandemic. The pavilion therefore offers a selection of books written by Italian authors or published by publishing houses in our country to be consulted freely.



"We are particularly proud of our pavilion - said Ambassador Alessandro Prunas - it is our first participation in an institutional event in 2022 and we have decided to dedicate it to the little ones who, perhaps more than adults, live difficult times.



For Italy as for Qatar - he added - education and the promotion of the potential and rights of children are a priority, today more than ever ".



Among the events scheduled, next January 17, the presentation of the Arabic versions of two books by Gianni Rodari, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen prize in 1970 (the Nobel Prize for Literature for children): the "Cake in the sky" and "Long tales a smile". It is a joint project of the Embassy of Italy and the Ministry of Culture of Qatar.



Rodari fans will also have the opportunity to visit the exhibition "Illustrations by Gianni Rodari", a selection of images created by 21 artists as part of the Bologna Children's Book Fair, which is being exhibited for the first time in Qatar.



The stand will also host the exhibition "Out of silence.



Yesterday, today, tomorrow, narrating through wordless books, 41 wordless books conceived by Italian authors who are experimenting with a new narrative form. (ANSAmed).




TUNIS - Creating networks for high-level professional training in the management of museum and cultural heritage is the aim of two collaboration agreements signed by the Tunis City of Culture in the presence of Tunisian culture minister Hayet Ketat Guermazi and Italian ambassador to Tunisia Lorenzo Fanara.

The first was between the Fondazione Scuola dei Beni e delle Attivita Culturali, the Italian Institute of Culture, and the National of Modern and Contemporary Art of Tunis (MACAM) and the second between the University di Urbino Carlo Bo, the Department of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA), and MACAM.

Both of these agreements aim to increase multidisciplinary training and exchanges of expertise and researchers in the cultural heritage management sector, said the director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Tunis, Maria Vittoria Longhi, noting that the agreement with the foundation is part of a "twining project" fostering international collaboration between Italian cultural heritage institutes and their Tunisian counterparts, with a focus on museum management (management of the collections, training of personnel, organisation of exhibitions), while the agreement between MACAM and the University of Urbino centered mainly on the analysis and digitalisation of works held in the MACAM in order to document their state of conservation and, in some cases, their restoration.

MACAM will soon open to the public at the City of Culture on a surface area of 5,000 square meters of exhibition space with a collection of over 13,000 works by Tunisian and foreign artists from the end of the nineteenth century onwards.

The museum requires a great deal of cataloging and reorganising of the collection and exhibition spaces. For this reason, MACAM has strategically chosen to invest in the training of its personnel, in part in collaboration with foreign institutions, focusing on the high-level training offered by Italian ones.

The agreement with the University of Urbino will also make it possible to valorise what was already done with the Tempus Infobc project with EU funds, which began in 2015 and which made it possible to bring a three-year course in restoration for the first time to six universities throughout the country.

Each course focuses on the restoration of different types of materials such as stone, wood, and paper, as well as the creation of restoration workshops equipped by Italian enterprises.
Migrant in his twenties drowns in English Channel 32 rescued but suffering from hypothermia

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, JAN 14 - A young migrant believed to be in his twenties drowned on Friday morning in the English Channel.



He and over 30 others had been trying to cross from France to Britain in a makeshift vessel. He died in Berck, in the French department of Pas-de-Calais, Agence France Presse quoted the Boulogne-sur-Mer prefect's office as saying.



The victim is believed to have been a Sudanese national, according to the local prosecutor's office, which has opened an investigation for manslaughter.



This is the first known death of a migrant in the English Channel in 2022 after a some 30 migrants died and four went missing in 2021.



The prosecutor's office said that 32 other people who had been trying to cross the English Channel had been rescued and brought to land by French rescue teams but that they are suffering from hypothermia.



The migrants were on a "semi-rigid dinghy", the local prosecutor's office said. (ANSAmed).




Turkish writer Altan prefers 'to die in jail than in exile' Novel written in prison highly successful

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, JAN 14 - The writer of international fame Ahmet Altan has ruled out leaving Turkey due to a trial against him, saying that he would rather spend his final days in prison than go into exile.



Altan told AFP in Istanbul that he would rather spend his last days in a Turkish prison since "being in exile is something I believe is harder than being a prisoner," he said. In exile, "you may be safe and secure ... but you cannot feel like you are (sleeping) in your own bed, in your own home. I'd rather be in prison," he added.



A Turkish prison is somewhere, he noted, "where I spoke my native language" , not where "you are nearly no one (and) have no roots".



Freed last spring after a verdict by the European Court of Human Rights after nearly five years in jail for alleged involvement in a failed coup, Turkish journalist and author Altan, 71, wrote his latest novel in the Silivri prison in the outskirts of Istanbul.



The book, "Lady Life", was released last summer in Italy and a few months ago in Turkey, where it has become a bestseller.



The experience of writing in jail was very important for Altan, he said.



"It's kind of saying, 'you couldn't steal those five years from me'," he told AFP.



The writer had also written a memoir called "I Will Never See the World Again", which was was translated into 28 languages but never published in Turkey.



"Thirty-eight Nobel laureates -- including JM Coetzee and Kazuo Ishiguro -- published a letter in Britain's Guardian newspaper in 2018 calling on Erdogan to secure the writer's release," AFP noted. (ANSAmed).




ANSAmed - Weekly diary from January 17 to January 23

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JANE 14 -The following are the main events scheduled in the EuroMediterranean area from January 17 to January 23: MONDAY JANUARY 17 ABU DHABI - World Future Energy Summit (until 19/1).



BEIRUT - IMF delegation to visit to speed up recovery talks.



MADRID - Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to meet with German chancellor Olaf Scholz.



ISTANBUL - Activist Osman Kavala will be appearing in court STRASBOURG - plenary session of the European Parliament, election of new president.



STRASBOURG - European Parliament commemoration ceremony for former president David Sassoli, with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and vice president Margrethe Vestager TUESDAY JANUARY 18 BRUSSELS - EU finance ministers meeting.



BRUSSELS - European Commission vice president Frans Timmermans will be holding a press conference with Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud.



WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19 MADRID - International tourism fair FITUR 2022 to begin.



FRANKFURT - Trial against a Syrian doctor for crimes against humanity will begin.



STRASBOURG - President Emmanuel Macron will be speaking about the French presidency of the EU.



THURSDAY JANUARY 20 AMIENS (France) - EU energy and environment ministers to meet (until 22/1).



BRUSSELS - World Economic Forum, EU President Ursula von der Leyen will be delivering a speech on the State of the World via videoconference.



FRIDAY JANUARY 21 No major events scheduled SATURDAY JANUARY 22 No major events scheduled SUNDAY JANUARY 23 NOVARA - The fifth Run for Mem, a "race for memory", will be held. (ANSAmed).




EU backs Serbia referendum, urges Kosovo to respect voting right Appeal alongside Quintet, 'key step for rule of law'

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, JAN 14 - France, Germany, Italy, the UK, the US, and the EU have welcomed a constitutional referendum that will take place in Serbia on Sunday and have called on Kosovo authorities to allow Serbs residing in Kosovo to exercise their right to vote, according to a joint statement issued by the embassies of the 'Quintet' and the EU delegation.



In particular, it is believed that the referendum is "a key step to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and to enhance the transparency and effectiveness of the country's rule of law institutions. We believe that these reforms are a step forward towards Serbia's alignment with European standards and will support Serbia's EU accession process," the statement said.



The signatories noted that: "We note with regret that the Kosovo government has not allowed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to collect ballots of eligible voters living in Kosovo for the upcoming referendum in accordance with past practice. We call on the Kosovo government to allow Serbs in Kosovo to exercise their right to vote in elections and electoral processes in accordance with this established practice." The statement added that: "We call upon the governments of Kosovo and Serbia to refrain from actions and rhetoric that increase tensions and to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. It is important that both governments achieve progress towards a comprehensive agreement that unlocks the EU perspective and increases regional stability." (ANSAmed).




YANGON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar reported three more cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the tally to 66, according to a release from the Ministry of Health.

The release said Omicron was found in three foreigners from the Philippines and Malaysia who recently arrived in Myanmar by relief flights.

According to the ministry's figures on Friday, the number of COVID-19 infections has risen to 532,851 with 19,299 deaths in Myanmar.

The country reported 126 new COVID-19 cases with one more death in the past 24 hours, the release said.

The number of recoveries has increased to 510,986 and over 6.18 million samples have been tested for COVID-19 as of Friday.

Myanmar detected its first two COVID-19 positive cases in March 2020. 
TEL AVIV - Thousands of people gathered on Thursday night in Jerusalem at the office of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to support a stable Jewish presence in the Homesh settlement in the northern part of the West Bank, where a month ago a Jewish religious student was attacked by a Palestinian.

Demonstrators - including the leaders of the settlers movement and MPs from Likud and the far right - say that the Israeli government should abstain from "awarding terrorism" by dismantling once and for all a Jewish religious school in Homesh, as there are preparations to do.

They say that, to the contrary, the Jewish presence in Homesh - a settlement that was dismantled in 2006 - should be legalised and increase in size.

Meanwhile, tension remains high in the nearby Palestinian village of Burqa near Jenin.

The inhabitants - who lay claim to the land on which the Homesh religious school is located - clashed with the Israeli army on Thursday.
Italy says goodbye to Sassoli with State funeral Von der Leyen, Sanchez, Mattarella, Draghi attend ceremony

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 14 - Italy on Friday said goodbye to European Parliament President David Sassoli with a State funeral at Rome's Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri Church.



The Florence-born journalist-turned-politician died at the age of 65 on Tuesday after being hospitalized on December 26 with serious complications related to an immune-system dysfunction.



European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Premier Mario Draghi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez were among the officials attending the funeral.



Sassoli's coffin was carried into the church draped in the flag of the EU.



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 (ANSA).




Kosovo rejects referendum for Serbs, 'anti-constitutional' Meeting between president, PM and ambassadors ends

(ANSAmed) - PRISTINA, JAN 14 - Kosovo leaders on Friday rejected an appeal by the US, Germany, France, Italy, and the UK to hold a referendum for Serbs on justice also in Kosovo.



They said that doing so would constitute a clear violation of the constitution and laws of Kosovo.



In a joint statement issued at the end of a meeting with the diplomats of five Western countries and the EU, Kosovo president Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Parliament Speaker Glauk Konjufca said that the "opening of voting stations of Serbia in Kosovo constitutes a clear violation of the constitution and laws of Kosovo, as well as international practices".



This act, they added, is a violation of the territorial integrity of the independent and sovereign state of Kosovo by Serbia, Serb citizens of Kosovo with dual citizenship, it was reiterated in the joint document of Kosovo leaders, "will have the right to vote according to international standards and practices, meaning via post of the liaison office in Pristina".



Kosovo institutions then urged the international community to apply the same standards for Kosovo as for any other country, since "the independence of our country is not only recognized by most democratic states in the world, it has also been enshrined by the International Court of Justice". (ANSAmed).




TUNIS - A tense day was expected on Friday in Tunis from the standpoint of public order on the eleventh anniversary of the 2011 uprising.

Despite a ban on gatherings and demonstrations due to measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, as well as the annulling of Friday prayers in mosques for two weeks as ordered by the government, opposition bodies have confirmed their intention to go ahead with demonstrations that had been planned weeks prior.

The demonstrations are declaredly to "celebrate the revolution" but actually more than anything else to protest what some call a "coup d'etat" by President Kais Saied, who on July 25 froze the parliament and removed the prime minister as well as ordering a roadmap that will lead to a July 25 constitutional referendum and parliamentary elections on Dec. 17.

On the central Avenue Bourguiba of the capital, to which police were deployed over the night, the three social democratic parties - Attayar, Ettakattol, and the Republic Party - as well as the Islamist Ennhadha party and the Citizens Against the Coup collective under the activist Jaouhar Ben Mbarek and made up of people close to Ennhadha and the Islamist coalition Al Karama as well as civil society representatives.

The interior ministry noted that there have been preventative arrests of two people held to be a "serious threat to public order", one of whom under investigation as part of a terrorism case.
Harry Dunns alleged killer will no longer face a court hearing, to enable ongoing discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service to continue.

The CPS previously said in a statement that the 44-year-olds case would be heard at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, but the hearing has now been vacated.

Sacoolas is accused of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal crash outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27 2019.

The suspect had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf by the US government following the collision, and was able to leave the UK 19 days after the incident.

In a statement issued on Friday, the CPS said: Following engagement between the parties, the hearing on January 18 at Westminster Magistrates Court has been vacated.

This is to enable ongoing discussions between the CPS and Anne Sacoolass legal representatives to continue.

Mrs Sacoolas has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice any proceedings.

The announcement follows a statement last month in which the CPS said it remained committed to securing justice in this matter and that the case would be heard on Tuesday.

Immediately after Decembers statement, Sacoolass legal representatives said: While we have always been willing to discuss a virtual hearing, there is no agreement at this time.

Harry Dunns parents were looking forward to the now vacated hearing on Tuesday (Aaron Chown/PA)

A decision was reached to charge Sacoolas with causing Mr Dunns death by dangerous driving in December 2019.

Reacting to the announcement, the Dunn familys spokesman, Radd Seiger, said the hearing has now been postponed.

Issuing a statement, He said: We have full faith in the Crown Prosecution Service and will wait to hear from them with further developments, hopefully in the near future.

Harrys family were obviously looking forward to the hearing on Tuesday so they hope an agreement will be reached sooner rather than later.

It is vitally important for their mental health that justice and closure is achieved soon.
A knife-wielding assailant caused widespread panic in Manchesters Arndale shopping centre as he randomly attacked five people, a court heard.

Shoppers ran for their lives and dived for cover as Raphael Chevelleau, 43, wounded three people and attempted to wound two others as he dashed through the mall.

Chevelleau earlier bought a kitchen knife on the morning of October 11 2019, from Blackley Pound Store near his flat in Rochdale Road, Blackley, before he caught a bus into the city.

Manchester Crown Court heard he entered the Arndale at about 11.05am and shortly after went into a baby-change room, where he unwrapped the knife packaging and left with the stainless steel chefs knife in his jacket pocket.

Andrew Ford, prosecuting, said: With no warning he broke into a run, wielding the knife, and randomly stabbed five members of the public.

He caused widespread fear and panic among the general public visiting the Arndale Centre that day and a sense of pandemonium as people fled.

There was widespread fear and panic, the court heard (Peter Byrne/PA)

Witnesses found it unnerving he was not saying anything.

People shouted at him to stop. It had no effect.

His first victim was a 61-year-old engineer, who Chevelleau stabbed in the back.

The defendant swiftly moved on to a 35-year-old woman walking with her husband in the centre.

The court heard he ran past them before he returned and swung the knife towards her stomach and grazed her.

The woman later recalled Chevelleau had a wide cheesy smile as he attacked her.

Chevelleau next targeted a 45-year-old woman pushing her baby in a pram, who had a lucky escape as the knife came close to her ribs.

A 21-year-old woman from Ireland, visiting the city with friends for an 18th birthday celebration, was then attacked as their group sat outside a Starbucks cafe with suitcases in tow.

She told the court that people were shouting everybody run and a crowd literally parted as the defendant was chased by a security guard.

A police officer and ambulances outside the Arndale Centre in Manchester (Peter Byrne/PA)

In a statement she said: The man was looking right through me and looking as if he really wanted to hurt me.

Chevelleau grabbed her and stabbed her right shoulder and right bicep.

He attacked his final victim, a 52-year-old female department store worker, as he ran out of the Arndale.

She said she joined others running for their lives and felt an impact on her left arm and back as she grabbed a railing down steps.

She took refuge in the Arndale after Chevelleau stabbed her and recalled: I couldnt move any more, if he comes back he will kill me. I thought I was finished.

Mr Ford said only the layers of her clothing, including a bubble coat, meant she was not more seriously wounded.

Chevelleau dumped the knife in a waste bin in the street after his violent spree lasting just one minute and 27 seconds.

As police approached he shouted: Im doing this for my people, its political. I dont like this Government. I dont like black people, I dont like white people, I dont like Asian people.

This is because of the way I have been treated.

People ran for their lives, the court heard (Peter Byrne/PA)

Following his arrest at the scene he later told officers in custody: I was going to stab my ex-girlfriend but I couldnt be bothered to travel there so I took it out on someone in town.

Im guilty as sin. I should have done a bank instead.

Mr Ford said a number of uninjured eyewitnesses were very badly affected by the incident, as they suffered shock, stress, confusion and anger.

Chevelleau pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to three counts of wounding with intent and two counts of attempted wounding.

Sentencing is expected on Monday.

The defendant appeared at the hearing by videolink from Ashworth high security hospital.

Chevelleau suffers from a schizophrenic illness which has been resistant to treatment, the court heard.

He was admitted to hospital in 2006 for a psychiatric illness, while his mother said he was diagnosed in prison with schizophrenia when he was 21.

Regular cannabis user Chevelleau has 56 previous convictions dating back to 1998, but had not offended since 2007 and had not been subject to orders under the Mental Health Act from 2011.

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Martin Lock told the court he thought it was highly unlikely Chevelleau would have committed the offences if he had not been suffering from schizophrenia.

He said there was a wealth of evidence that  unknown to medical practitioners and family members  his mental state deteriorated ahead of the stabbings.
An RAF pilot has helped launch a rocket into space from over the Pacific Ocean.

Flight Lieutenant Mathew Stanny Stannard, who is seconded to Sir Richard Bransons satellite launch company Virgin Orbit, is part of a crew which took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California for the launch on Thursday evening.

He helped work the controls of the rocket under the companys LauncherOne system which was released from a modified Boeing 747-400 named Cosmic Girl.

Just before 11pm Virgin Orbit confirmed on a livestream that LauncherOne is in space.

Virgin Orbit tweeted: Looks like we made it Above the Clouds and on our way to Orbit. Its a beauty up here!

They added: Blue has gone to black. LauncherOne is in space.

"Blue has gone to black. LauncherOne is in space."  Virgin Orbit (@VirginOrbit) January 13, 2022

Flt Lt Stannard, a Typhoon pilot with one of the RAFs test and evaluation squadrons, is part of a crew on Cosmic Girl alongside chief pilot Eric Bippert, who has over 1,000 hours of experience in test flights, plus launch engineers Sarah Barnes and Bryce Schaefer.

Their role was to monitor data from the aircraft and the rocket from their stations on the upper deck.

Virgin Orbit tweeted Now were soaring after the take off for the journey of about an hour to the Pacific Ocean drop point where LauncherOne will be released to begin powered flight to orbit.

Sir Richard Branson said he was excited and slightly nervous after watching the take off.

He said: You can never be sure in these early flights whether every mission is going to be successful, (I am) just on the edge of my seat.

It is incredible what the whole team has accomplished.

It is always incredible to be watching and a great privilege.

Sir Richard said: I think that the people who question space exploration, they just dont realise how much it offers to mankind back here on Earth. One of our satellites that is going up today will be monitoring agriculture and crops around the world.

Flight Lieutenant Mathew Stanny Stannard (SAC Ben Mayfield/Ministry of Defence/PA)

It is that wonderful diversity of different organisations and different companies that have got brilliant ideas to try to use space to better things here on Earth.

Virgin Orbit has said the missions name, Above The Clouds, pays homage to hip hop group Gang Starrs 1998 album Moment Of Truth, on which the song Above The Clouds features the lyrics: Above the clouds, where the sounds are original  infinite skills create miracles.

The rocket has seven satellites, including some from the US Department of Defence experimenting in space-based communications.

The mission is the third for Sir Richards company  the LauncherOne system has previously launched 19 satellites.

In the Above The Clouds mission, one satellite has been made in Glasgow by Spire Global, a data analytics company involved in tracking weather patterns.

Flt Lt Stannards return to the RAF should help boost the UKs understanding of the military uses of small satellites, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The airman, who graduated from RAF officer training in May 2007, has amassed more than 1,000 hours on Tornados during multiple combat tours.

Flt Lt Stannard said at the time of his secondment in 2019 that being involved in Virgin Orbits space programme is a truly unique opportunity.

He added: This programme is pushing the boundaries of our understanding of space so its a real privilege to be part of it and Im looking forward to bringing the skills and knowledge I gain back to the RAF.
There was never any doubt that fresh claims parties were held in No 10 on the eve of the Duke of Edinburghs funeral would cause a stir with the public.

But these revelations would likely have held personal significance for the Queen  as descriptions of staff drinking and dancing into the night jarred with images of the monarch mourning her husband alone a week after his death in April 2021.

The Queen during the funeral of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh (Yui Mok/PA)

In recognition of this, Downing Street said on Friday that it had apologised to Buckingham Palace.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: You heard from the PM this week, hes recognised No 10 should be held to the highest standards, and take responsibility for things we did not get right.

It is not the first time that Boris Johnson has faced trouble with the Queen.

Back in July 2019, he reportedly broken the rule of secrecy associated with audiences with the monarch following their very first meeting as head of state and prime minister  by claiming she questioned why anyone would want the job of premier.

What passes between the Queen and her prime minister during their private meetings is supposed to remain private, but when the inevitable leak does happen it is usually well after the event.

He then broke with convention again that November, saying she always asks the best questions.

The latter revelation was made in an election campaign video filmed on his way to meet the head of state on the day Parliament was dissolved signalling the start of the general election.

The PM also found himself in hot water in September 2019, when the Supreme Court ruled that Mr Johnsons advice to the Queen  imparted by Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg at Balmoral  to prorogue Parliament for five weeks had been unlawful.

Mr Johnson apologised to the monarch following the issuing of the judgment.

The Queen Elizabeth greets David Cameron at Buckingham Palace (John Stillwell/PA)

In 2014, a red-faced David Cameron was forced to make a grovelling apology to the Queen after his purr-gate blunder.

Mr Cameron was caught on camera telling former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg that the monarch had purred down the line when he telephoned and told her the result of the Scottish independence referendum.

The Queen has seen 13 premiers come and go during her reign, with Mr Johnson her 14th prime minister.

Sir Winston Churchill, her first PM, is thought to be her favourite.

Baroness Thatcher, on the other hand, reportedly found the traditional September weekend at the Queens Balmoral estate painful.
Six members of Insulate Britain are due to be released from prison after they broke an injunction preventing them from protesting on roads.

James Thomas, an architect, Emma Smart, an ecologist, Dr Diana Warner, a retired GP, Oliver Rock, a carpenter, Roman Paluch, a warehouse operator, and Tim Speers, a volunteer, are due to be set free from HMP Thameside, in south-east London, and HMP Bronzefield, in Ashford, Surrey, on Friday.

The group are among 10 people who were jailed for breaking the Governments M25 injunction.

Members of Insulate Britain took part in a series of protests which saw them stage blockades on major roads between September and November last year, causing long traffic jams.

They are calling for the Government to put in place policy and funding for a national home insulation programme, starting with all social housing.

The Government-owned National Highways responded to the protests by obtaining High Court injunctions, which banned demonstrations on motorways and major A roads in England.

Tim Speers, Roman Paluch, Emma Smart, Ben Taylor, James Thomas, Louis McKechnie, Ana Heyatawin and Oliver Rock (Insulate Britain/PA)

During a High Court hearing in November, Thomas, Smart, Rock, Paluch and Speers admitted breaching an injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the motorway during the morning rush hour on October 8.

They were handed four-month sentences.

Warner was given a two-month prison term at a separate High Court hearing in December for breaking the injunction in September.

Smart, 44, from Dorset, undertook a 26-day hunger strike while in prison and was moved to the hospital wing at HMP Bronzefield 13 days into her strike.

Speaking about the experience from prison, she said: I was on hunger strike for 26 days whilst in prison. I would rather be doing my job, as a research scientist, progressing scientific analysis, as an ecologist. But instead, to enact the rapid change we need, this feels like the only option left.

Thomas, 47, from London, who was held at HMP Thameside, said: My time in prison has been uncomfortable, stressful and sometimes scary.

But nobody Ive met in here has been angry about our actions [blocking the M25]. Some inmates have been full of respect. All of them have got it, and understood why we did it.

People might say, does this kind of civil disobedience actually work? And I would say, well quite often, it doesnt work. But quite often it does work, and those instances are well known throughout history.

And so, given where emissions are, and given where the clock is, and given where the politics isnt, how could we not try this?

A final member of the group, Ben Taylor, a community volunteer, remains in prison after being handed a six-month sentence.

Three other members of the group who were jailed last year have since been released.
ANKARA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkey on Friday issued an arrest warrant for 19 suspected former police chiefs over their alleged links to a network accused of orchestrating a coup attempt in 2016, the capital Ankara chief prosecutor's office said.

The operation has been carried out in 12 provinces as part of an investigation against the "Gulen movement," which the Turkish government accuses of infiltrating into the state bureaucracy and then attempting a coup on July 15, 2016.

The statement said all of the suspects were former first-class police chiefs who were dismissed from public service and were stripped of their ranks.

The examination of historical traffic search (HTS), which reveals a person's cell phone records, indicated the suspects communicated many times with high-level members of the organization, said the statement.

The prosecutor also said the presence of testimonies showed that they were members of the organization.

In a separate operation based on the northwestern Balikesir province, 16 other suspects with alleged links to the group were detained, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported on Friday. 
The town of Tullamore gathered together on Friday evening as a vigil was held for Ashling Murphy.

Irish police are continuing to hunt for the killer of the 23-year-old, who was found dead on Wednesday after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in the Co Offaly town.

Thousands of people made their way to Town Park on the edge of Tullamore, pledging to send solidarity and support to Ms Murphys family.

Candles were lit at the vigil (Damien Eagers/PA Wire

During the hour-long vigil, people cried, clutched candles, and quietly clapped as prayers were said and music was played.

As the light dimmed on Friday evening, traditional Irish music  played by friends and former teachers of Ms Murphy  formed the centrepiece of the service.

Attracta Brady, who was Ms Murphys first fiddle teacher, played alongside other sombre performers.

She described her protege as a fabulous musician.

Ms Brady also taught Ms Murphy at the Sacred Heart girls secondary school, where they played together in the traditional music group.

The musicians played two tunes at the vigil that Ms Murphy would have performed with the trad group.

She was the most beautiful girl inside and out, Ms Brady said.

She was a parents dream. She was everything youd want in a daughter. She had integrity, she was honest, she was trustworthy. She was quirky and a little bit cheeky sometimes with the loveliest smile and shed get away with it because she had this beautiful twinkly smile.

She was never in bad humour, she was always smiling and she absolutely loved her fiddle. Her parents only told me yesterday that she never had to be told to practice. She was bright and energetic and everybody loved her.

Prayers were said for the family, friends, and pupils of Ms Murphy, as well as for all women who have suffered violence.

A local priest, Father Joe Gallagher, addressed the vigil before calling for a minutes silence.

He told the gathering, which was attended by all the main religious groups in the area: We remember her heartbroken family, her colleagues in work, in music, in sport, in friendship and her young pupils in first class who loved their teacher.

This is a time of grief beyond words. We need to be together. We need to support one another in this dark time.

A vigil was also held at Leinster House, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

We stand together, united with groups all over our country, and indeed beyond, united with women who fear and know the trauma of violence. United in grief, in anger, in shock.

In this dark evening we want to hold a light in our hands, to stand together in solidarity with one another to share our tears and deep grief. Time to pray, to reflect, to listen, to be together.

Women at the vigil spoke of their anger and fear.

Roslyn Kavanagh, who works in Tullamore, said: I feel that this shouldnt happen at all in society. And as a woman, I have felt, in places, insecure and vulnerable and as a woman I should not feel like that.

She said the attack prompted her to share her experiences with her husband.

He was shocked and annoyed that he knew I felt like that, she said.

I feel society needs to put an end to this and stop this.

Roslyn was there with her friend Chloe Galvin, who said: I, too, am a young woman in my 20s. I have walked that canal line many a times by myself, with friends and family. It is one thing you never think about being out in daylight: is someone going to attack me?

We are taught as young women, on nights out, you stay with your friends. You never leave them, you text them to make sure they get home safe. Now were going to be expected to do that in daylight.

Now we have a plan in work that were all going to walk each other to our cars and make sure everyone is okay, and have a group chat (asking), Have you gotten home OK?

It shouldnt be like that. The reason why Im here is that it is time for women to make a stand and go, No more, were done.

We have to be treated equally to men.

Twins Nora Viret and Johanne Viret said their sister was quite friendly with Ms Murphy, and said she was really helpful and really welcoming when they moved from France.

Things have changed in the town since the attack, both agreed.

They said they were paranoid at all times now.

The vigil heard a poem specially written for Ashling by local woman Sinead Cullen, who wrote: There is a light that will shine for you, through every hour, sky black or blue.
Vigils have taken place across the island of Ireland to remember murdered primary school teacher Ashling Murphy.

Thousands of people gathered in the late afternoon in Tullamore, Dublin, and Belfast, as well as in many other towns to pay tribute to the 23-year-old.

Irish police are continuing to hunt for the killer of the talented musician, who was found dead on Wednesday after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

On Friday evening, the Garda said it had made significant progress in its investigation but was not releasing details for operational reasons.

Gardai also said the Murphy family were appreciative and overwhelmed by the national outpouring of support shown to them.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin was among those who stood in silence outside the Dail parliament in Dublin on Friday, while Northern Irelands deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill joined the crowd at City Hall in Belfast.

It feels like the entire town of Tullamore has turned out this evening for Ashling pic.twitter.com/LYKba9peGs  Dominic McGrath (@McGrathDominic) January 14, 2022

The events were held as the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins paid his own tribute to Ms Murphy and called for society to reflect on what is needed to eliminate violence against women.

The outpouring of grief at the death of Ashling shows how we have all been very touched, and it is so exemplary for young and old to read of all Ashlings accomplishments during her short but brilliant and generous life, he said.

More vigils and memorial events will be held in the days to come.

In Tullamore, shops, businesses and cafes closed early on Friday, as the midlands town came largely to a halt as thousands attended the vigil in a local park.

There were many tears as people of all ages came to mourn and pay their respects to the teacher.

Friends of Ms Murphy were among the traditional Irish musicians who played at the vigil.

Local priest Father Joe Gallagher addressed crowd before calling for a minutes silence. The gathering was attended by all the main religious groups from the area.

We remember her heartbroken family, her colleagues in work, in music, in sport, in friendship and her young pupils in first class who loved their teacher, said Fr Gallagher.

This is a time of grief beyond words. We need to be together. We need to support one another in this dark time.

We stand together, united with groups all over our country, and indeed beyond, united with women who fear and know the trauma of violence. United in grief, in anger, in shock.

In this dark evening we want to hold a light in our hands, to stand together in solidarity with one another to share our tears and deep grief. Time to pray, to reflect, to listen, to be together.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin attends the vigil at Leinster House, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Attracta Brady, who was Ms Murphys first fiddle teacher, played alongside other musicians at the vigil in Tullamore.

She was the most beautiful girl inside and out, she said.

She was a parents dream. She was everything youd want in a daughter. She had integrity, she was honest, she was trustworthy. She was quirky and a little bit cheeky sometimes, with the loveliest smile, and shed get away with it because she had this beautiful twinkly smile.

She was never in bad humour, she was always smiling and she absolutely loved her fiddle. Her parents only told me yesterday that she never had to be told to practise. She was bright and energetic and everybody loved her.

Earlier, Taoiseach Mr Martin said that the murder had united the nation in solidarity and revulsion.

No stone will be left unturned in terms of bringing this investigation to a completion and to bring the person responsible for this to justice, he said.

Politicians have promised that all resources necessary will be provided to the gardai to find the killer.

The death of Ms Murphy has sparked fresh debate about the safety of women in Ireland, with many asking how such an attack could happen in broad daylight.

We, as a society, need to face up to this. There is an epidemic of violence against women. Its been going on for millennia, quite frankly, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said on Friday.

Men and boys I think, in particular, have a responsibility to start to have that conversation among ourselves about the kind of factors, the kind of attitudes, that give rise to feelings that engender men to commit acts of violence against women.

Crowds gather in Belfast city centre for a vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy @PA pic.twitter.com/fhIXU3pJ7u  Jonny McCambridge (@McCambridgeJ) January 14, 2022

Gardai continue to appeal for witnesses and ask anyone with information about a bicycle  a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks  to come forward.

In a statement on Friday evening, gardai said: Significant progress has been made in the investigation to date.



An Garda Siochana is not confirming any specific details for operational reasons.

An Garda Siochana continue to support Ashlings family at this time. The Murphy family are appreciative and overwhelmed by the national outpouring of support shown to them.

The Murphy family have requested that they now need privacy, space and time to process Ashlings death.

On Thursday, officers released a man they had been questioning, saying he was no longer a suspect.

The mans solicitor told the PA news agency that he has had his life ruined.

Donal Farrelly, who represented the man during his two days of questioning, condemned those who had tried to identify him on social media.

The town of Tullamore has been left reeling from the death of Ms Murphy, who was described as a special girl and a little angel by her family.

Ashling Murphy (Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann/PA)

In an interview with the Irish Independent newspaper, her father Raymond said: She was a great worker, with great drive. A marvellous musician.

She crammed so much into her short life.

Those who knew her described her as a gifted musician who was loved by her pupils.

It is believed about 50 officers are working on the investigation and a post-mortem examination has been completed.

The route along the Grand Canal is often busy and is a popular spot for walkers and joggers.

Floral tributes were left outside the gates of Durrow National School, where Ms Murphy taught, and on Friday the school issued a fresh tribute to her.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the school said it was utterly devastated by the passing of our dear colleague and friend.

Ashling was a very professional and talented young teacher. We are deeply saddened by her tragic loss. Our thoughts are also with her beloved family at this sad time.
Currys saw sales drop over the key Christmas period as supply issues left the retailer short of stock for some popular tech products.

The company said demand for some tech was strong, such as games consoles and virtual reality consoles which flew off the shelves.

However, Alex Baldock, group chief executive, said the firm would want more stock of consoles including the PS5 and Apple technology products as supply was impacted by global chip shortages.

The retailer trimmed back its profit forecasts for the year as it also highlighted uneven demand for products across its range.

Mr Baldock said: We would want more, we would always want more PS5s and more Dyson products.

Its important to say that we got more than our competitors and worked incredibly hard to ensure good stock from our suppliers.

He highlighted that, while game console demand boomed, it witnessed softer demand for big ticket items such as TVs, which cooled after strong sales in the summer ahead of the Euros football tournament.

However, the firm said it performed ahead of the overall UK tech market, which shrank by around a tenth compared with the same period last year.

Currys reported that like-for-like group sales dropped by 5% for the 10 weeks to January 8 compared with the same period last year, but were 4% above pre-pandemic levels.

The company said sales in the UK and Ireland were 6% lower than during the same period a year earlier.

UK online sales jumped by 29% against pre-pandemic levels as the company continued to see momentum across its digital business.

The groups international division saw sales decline by 3% over the period compared with 2020, although this was 14% ahead of figures from two years earlier.

Currys said that games consoles, including the PS5, saw positive sales (Sony/PA)

Mr Baldock added: The technology market was challenging this Christmas, with uneven customer demand and supply disruption.

Against this backdrop, Currys colleagues showed their resilience and the stronger business weve built.

We gained market share, improved customer satisfaction, traded profitably and can look ahead with confidence.

Currys said it expects to post adjusted pre-tax profits of 155 million for the current financial year as a result of the performance.

The retailer also launched a 75 million programme of purchasing shares back from shareholders on Friday.
Brian Folmer used to plan at least a dozen trips every year to see friends and family around the country, but when the pandemic hit, he stayed put like everyone else, missing numerous holidays and important events. He even missed a best friends wedding  which he was supposed to be in.

The wedding was in Edmonton, Canada, and I couldnt get across the border. I got to the west coast, but only as far as Portland, said the 33-year-old from Brooklyn, New York.

This year, Folmer plans to make up for lost time.

Im going to a bachelor party in Colombia, skiing in Vail in March. Ive got a wedding in Cabo San Lucas in May, a trip to Boston to visit friends in July, a trip to Detroit to visit friends in August," he said. "And Ill probably add a music festival for New Years Eve to the list.

Travelers make their way through Miami International Airport on December 28, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Over the holiday weekend, COVID-19 cases in the U.S. reached their highest level in nearly a year. More than 2,000 flights were canceled over the weekend as airlines dealt with a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Folmer is part of a growing percentage of Americans who are jumping back on the vacation bandwagon with renewed confidence and excitement, said Lee Thompson, a travel expert and co-founder of Flash Pack, a boutique adventure firm for solo travelers in their 30s and 40s.

Everyone feels as if theyve lost two years of their life," Thompson said, "so theyre going all out.

Christie Hudson, Expedias travel expert, echos this sentiment.

People dont want to put plans on hold anymore if they can avoid it," Hudson said. "Theyre more determined than ever to travel, and theyre doing it in a big way.

Going big

For some vacationers, this means going all out on a once-in-a-lifetime trip overseas, according to Thompson. He said that while travel may be a bit bumpy right now due to the Omicron variant, Americans are looking ahead in what he projects will be a solid year.

Americans are going crazy for Africa right nowTanzania and South Africa are our top sellers this yea," Thompson said. "Argentina is doing very well, too.

Other popular destinations include London, Madrid, Rome, Paris, Dubai, Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen/Tulum, according to Expedias 2022 Travel Trends Report.

People are also curious about Bali and the Maldives, although its still very intimidating to plan trips internationally, said Hudson. Theres so much in flux all the time, so many unknowns, and uncontrollable elements.

ARLINGTON, VA - NOVEMBER 23: A United Airlines plane takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport November 23, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. With Covid-19 vaccinations on the rise and Americans now traveling more freely, U.S. airports and airlines are expecting millions more passengers this holiday season compared to 2020. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Its a nightmare, added Thompson, who has recently hired someone full-time at Flash Pack to stay on top of the regulations and restrictions. They change daily and theres so much misinformation, which makes it confusing  and expensive  for consumers, he said.

Just ask Rosie Zilinskas, who, over the past two years, has made two failed attempts to go the Beaches Resorts in Turks & Caicos on a pre-paid trip with her family. Both snafus involved Covid tests. Last year, Zilinskas and her 20-year old daughter were deported upon landing.

The immigration agent wouldnt let us enter the country because we didnt do PCR tests. At the time, I didnt know there was a difference between the rapid test and the PCR, said Zilinskas. Im kicking myself for not reading the fine print and relying on the Resorts customer service.

When Zilinskas rebooked the trip for another time, she ended up having to cancel because they didnt get their mandatory PCR test results back in time. Zilinskas has since rebooked again  not only because she refuses to forfeit the thousands of dollars she paid upfront, but also because shes desperate for a family vacation.

You have to be willing to go with the flow, she said.

Staying close

Given the hassles of traveling overseas, most Americans  59% per Expedia's report  are vacationing closer to home, going to warm weather hotspots such as Orlando and Destin, Florida, and Maui, Hawaii.

Domestic travel typically comes with fewer unknowns, which is one of the reasons it remains a top choice for Americans, said Hudson.

The one thing thats certain is that travel this year, regardless of the destination, will be about quality, said Hudson. For some, this means turning off the electronics, savoring the moments, and ultimately zoning out. For others, it means incorporating more outdoor activities/wellness or excitement and exhilaration into their vacation time.

Travelers carrying luggage walk through a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the holiday season as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Omicron variant threatens to increase case numbers in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 22, 2021. REUTERS/Bing Guan

For many, its also about investing in upgrades and amenities they otherwise wouldnt splurge on  not only to stay safe, but also to make the vacation more memorable.

For example, Danielle Taylor has booked a suite on the Ioanian Sea at a luxury five-star hotel for a wedding she and her husband, John, are attending in Sicily this July.

Im not doing cheap hotels anymore, said the 31-year old television booking producer from Leonia, New Jersey. Were going to wake up, look at the sea, eat, drink, and take it all in.

Taylor is currently brushing up on her Italian as she counts down the days until her departure.

I cant wait to get out of the house, said Taylor, who not only works full-time from home, but also cares for her 4 children ages 7 and under. Being at home for the past two years has been like being on house arrest.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misspelled Colombia. It has been corrected.

Personal Finance Journalist Vera Gibbons is a former staff writer for SmartMoney magazine and a former correspondent for Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Vera, who spent over a decade as an on air Financial Analyst for MSNBC, currently serves as co-host of the weekly nonpolitical news podcast she founded, NoPo. She lives in Palm Beach, Florida.

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The murder of 23-year-old teacher Ashling Murphy has united the nation in solidarity and revulsion, the Irish premier has said.

His comments came as Irelands deputy premier said society has to face up to an epidemic of violence against women, with senior politicians promising that the entire resources of the Irish police are available to bring the killer to justice.

Gardai are continuing the hunt for the killer of the young teacher, who was found dead on Wednesday after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said on Friday: Its very poignant and a very sad moment in our nations affairs when a young talented musician had her life violently taken a few days ago, and our hearts and our minds go out to the Murphy family, to her community, to her family and friends, and to particularly the young pupils who no doubt would have been looking forward to Ashlings presence in the classroom, teaching music or sport as well as the broader curriculum.

Ive always been of the view that a national schoolteacher, from the beginning of the State, has been the bedrock upon which our society was built.

And, in many ways, Ashling Murphy represented and personified the very best of that tradition of national teaching.

I think it has united the nation in solidarity and revulsion at what has happened.

He added: No stone will be left unturned in terms of bringing this investigation to a completion and to bring the person responsible for this to justice.

Every resource will be provided to An Garda Siochana to find who murdered Ashling Murphy. It is vital that we all support the Gardai in their work. Please anyone with any information, particularly on this Falcon Storm mountain bike, come forward to Gardai. pic.twitter.com/a9Mb0Ojdnp  Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 14, 2022

The Taoiseach said a new national strategy that is currently being developed to tackle sexual, domestic and gender-based violence in Ireland will adopt a zero-tolerance approach.

There has to be a broad societal approach and realisation that there has to be zero tolerance for any sort of violence, he said.

Mr Martin said he has spoken to the Murphy family.

I just wanted, like everybody across the country, on behalf of the people to express our solidarity with them and our devastation. The fact that a beautiful young woman has been taken from their lives, he said.

Taoiseach Michael Martin (PA)

I can say without hesitation that every effort will be made to bring this person to justice and to keep people safe in the intervening period.

The death of Ms Murphy has sparked fresh debate about the safety of women in Ireland, with many asking how such an attack could happen in broad daylight.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said on Friday he was devastated by the murder.

He said tackling gender-based violence had been a priority of the Irish Government for quite some time.

But it cant just be the Government, he added, in a news conference in Co Kildare.

The Government has to lead but it cant just be the Government.

We, as a society, need to face up to this. There is an epidemic of violence against women. Its been going on for millennia, quite frankly.

Ashling Murphy was attacked as she jogged by a canal (Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann/PA)

Men and boys, I think, in particular have a responsibility to start to have that conversation among ourselves about the kind of factors, the kind of attitudes, that give rise to feelings that engender men to commit acts of violence against women.

I would hope that by shining a light on gender-based violence might help us to have this discussion in society and to improve things.

But Im conscious that, you know, its only a year since Sarah Everard was killed in the UK, its a year since a woman from Mongolia was killed by a 15-year-old boy, just going about her normal business in Dublin, so these things are just happening too frequently.

Well do what we can as a government, well continue that investment, but also I think, as a society, we have a responsibility as well, and particularly men and boys and teenagers.

Mr Varadkar continued: I know people in Tullamore must be very worried at the moment because the killer is still at large and I want to assure people that all of the resources of the gardai are going into making sure that this person is found.

Earlier, Justice Minister Helen McEntee had promised that every resource would be provided to gardai in the investigation.

Garda carry out inquiries at the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Offaly (Damien Eagers/PA)

On Friday Ms McEntee tweeted: Every resource will be provided to An Garda Siochana to find who murdered Ashling Murphy. It is vital that we all support the Gardai in their work.

She urged anyone with information to contact gardai.

The murder has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities across Ireland on Friday and over the coming days.

A vigil has been organised in Tullamore on Friday, with a book of condolence opened online.

On Friday gardai issued a renewed appeal for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a bicycle  a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks  to come forward.

On Thursday officers released a man they had been questioning, saying he is no longer a suspect.

Durrow N.S is utterly devastated by the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Ms. Ashling Murphy. Ashling was a very professional and talented young teacher. We are deeply saddened by her tragic loss. Our thoughts are also with her beloved family at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/7eNEs28h4R  Scoil Cholmcille (@DurrowNS) January 14, 2022

The mans solicitor told the PA news agency that he has had his life ruined.

Donal Farrelly, who represented the man during his two days of questioning, condemned those who had tried to identify him on social media.

Mr Varadkar, asked about Mr Farrellys comments, said it would be a serious issue if any information on the man was leaked.

He said that any such allegations can be investigated by the gardai or the garda ombudsman.

The town of Tullamore is still reeling from the death of Ms Murphy, who was described as a special girl and a little angel by her family.

In an interview with the Irish Independent newspaper, her father Raymond said: She was a great worker, with great drive. A marvellous musician.

She crammed so much into her short life.

Those who knew her described her as a gifted musician who was loved by her pupils.

The crime has sparked anger and grief, nationally and internationally (Brian Lawless/PA)

Several hundred people attended a vigil in her memory in Galway on Thursday, many of them with flowers and candles.

Vigils have also been arranged in Dublin and Belfast, with the impact of the attack felt on both sides of the Irish border.

It is believed about 50 officers are working on the investigation and a post-mortem examination has been completed.

The route along the Grand Canal is often busy and is a popular spot for walkers and joggers.

Floral tributes were left outside the gates of Durrow National School, where Ms Murphy taught and on Friday, the school issued a fresh tribute to her.

Flags are flying at half mast across the nation in schools today. Our staff and community are overwhelmed with the support from everyone. Mile Buiochas. "Our shining light" Ms. Murphy would be so proud. #AshlingMurphy pic.twitter.com/UdHWJSCZAD  Scoil Cholmcille (@DurrowNS) January 14, 2022

In a statement posted on Twitter, the school said it was utterly devastated by the passing of our dear colleague and friend.

Ashling was a very professional and talented young teacher. We are deeply saddened by her tragic loss. Our thoughts are also with her beloved family at this sad time.

Principal James Hogan told RTE radio on Thursday that Ms Murphy was a bright light who put a smile on anyones face.

He added: Ashling was a shining light to the kids and a very professional and talented young teacher.

She was an inspiration to so many, not just in our school but across the wider community of schools.
A map of Santa Monica shows seven elementary and middle schools where antisemitic fliers were found

Antisemitic fliers that appear to link Jewish people with the anti-vaccine movement were discovered at several elementary and middle schools in Santa Monica on Thursday morning, the latest in a spate of similar incidents across Los Angeles County, authorities said.

School staffers arriving before 8 a.m. found the posters attached to walls and signage, among other places, said Gail Pinsker, spokesperson for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. At one school, a flier was attached to a bin for book donations, and another one on an electrical unit, she said.

By Thursday evening, district officials were aware of seven schools where the fliers were left, a number that grew from four earlier in the day. Five were elementary schools and two were middle schools, Pinsker said.

The fliers feature what appears to be a red-and-green Star of David with the phrase "anti-vaxxer" written on it in white block letters.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified and the city of Santa Monica released a joint statement condemning the act.

"Santa Monica rejects bigotry of any kind and antisemitic rhetoric, intolerance, harassment and violence have no place in our schools or in our community," the statement said. "We are deeply offended by the antisemitic posters, falsely and nefariously representing pro-vaccine propaganda found at several of our schools."

A message on the fliers asks people to report those against vaccines "because you care and they don't" and provides a number to text.

A text to the number, which has a Kentucky area code, say it's an "Anti Vax Reporting Hotline," run by the Safer Tomorrow Organization.

"We are a group of parents and concerned citizens securing our children's future," the text message reads.

When more information is requested, an automated response states that the organization is "starting to collect (but not act on) information on anti-vaxxers." It continues, "That way we can work toward a solution together as a society."

Fliers were found at Edison Language Academy, Will Rogers Learning Community, and McKinley, Roosevelt and Grant elementary schools, as well as John Adams and Lincoln middle schools, according to school officials. It's believed posters at Roosevelt went up late in the day, after school, Pinsker said in an update.

All the posters, which had sticky backs, were removed by evening, district and city officials said.

"We collectively want to ensure that all of our students, families, and staff, no matter their race, religion or other identity feel safe and welcomed in our schools and in our community," the district and city said in their joint statement.

Pinsker said the district has a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for staff members and is encouraging students to get shots, but she said those policies did not seem to be connected to the fliers.

Jordanna Gessler, vice president of education at exhibits at Holocaust Museum L.A., said the fliers associate those against vaccination with Jews.

"And its a very old antisemitic trope that Jews spread diseases that the Nazis perpetuated," Gessler said in an emailed statement. "It dates back all the way to the middle ages when Jews were blamed for the Black Plague."

Last month, fliers filled with antisemitic theories about the COVID-19 pandemic were found in driveways and front lawns of several neighborhoods in Pasadena and Beverly Hills, according to law enforcement officials.

The flier contains propaganda-style hate speech related to the COVID pandemic and the Jewish people, the Beverly Hills Police Department said in a statement. More than 200 fliers had been collected.

The fliers mentioned a COVID agenda and named several federal health and corporate officials while also noting they were Jewish. Every Single Aspect of the COVID Agenda Is Jewish, the leaflets read.

Similar fliers were distributed in other parts of the country, including Texas and North Carolina.

Beth Kean, the museum's chief executive, called the posters found in Santa Monica "the work of haters."

"Everyone not only in Santa Monica but throughout Los Angeles and frankly the world should be outraged and offended by such ignorant, insidious and vicious lies created by whomever produced these posters," Kean said in a statement.

Kean said the museum seeks to educate people about "how such actions resulted in the deaths of millions at the hands of Nazi Germany."

She added that she expects an investigation by police.

Lt. Rudy Flores, spokesperson for the Santa Monica Police Department, said police were dispatched to the respective schools to collect information.

Flores said the investigation was still in the early stages, and it was not yet identified as a possible hate incident.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Students and parents arrive at Jordan Community Public School in Chicago. (Ashlee Rezin / Chicago Sun-Times)

Tierra Pearson suspected the winter months would mean a sharp surge in coronavirus cases. So the Chicago mother made sure she and her two sons  seventh- and 10th-graders  were fully vaccinated.

We were going to be prepared, she recalled.

But as she kept the TV news on around the clock over much of the last two weeks, watching in dismay as leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Lori Lightfoot battled over safety precautions and schools reopening, Pearson felt far from prepared. She felt helpless.

We as parents were totally left out of the conversation, she said. We had no voice about our schools, and that was truly a shame.

As the Omicron variant continues to propel a massive surge in infections that has hit many educators and school staff, parents across the nation are faced with painful deja vu: toggling between virtual and in-person schooling and trying to keep up with constantly evolving district policies.

This week the Biden administration announced that it is planning to make 10 million COVID-19 test kits available each month for schools as part of its push to keep classrooms open during this wave of infections  a critical step considering that vaccination rates are lower among children.

Overall, 63% of Americans are fully vaccinated, but among children ages 12 to 17 the rate sits at 54% and among those 5 to 11, the rate drops to 17%. (In Vermont, 48% of that age group are vaccinated; in California, nearly 19%; and in Mississippi, 5%.)

But disruptions have occurred and at regular intervals.

On average, about 4% of schools across the country  4,179 of 98,000 schools  dealt with COVID-19 disruptions such as closures this week, according to Burbio, a K-12 school opening tracker. Thats down slightly from 5,376 schools last week and a fraction of the peak that occurred around Labor Day 2020 when more than 60% of schools were closed, said Dennis Roche, Burbio's co-founder.

Most of the closures were in the Northeast and Midwest, but some schools were starting to close in the West and South, Roche said. In Minneapolis, schools will go virtual for two weeks starting Friday because of a surge in Omicron cases among teachers. In Louisville, Ky., Jefferson County Public Schools shifted to remote learning because of COVID staffing shortages, while in the Portland, Ore., metro area, school districts moved to remote learning due to surges in cases and teachers being out sick.

Across the U.S., students are threatening boycotts and walkouts. The Oakland Unified School District faces such a strike unless it addresses a list of pandemic health and safety concerns. Students want the district to return to remote learning unless it provides KN95 masks for all kids and are calling for increased testing, among other demands. On Jan. 7, 12 district schools were forced to close after teachers staged a sickout, citing COVID worries. About 500 teachers were reported absent. And in New York, hundreds of students in recent days boycotted classes and staged walkouts over concerns about testing and called for remote learning to be implemented.

Were really in a pressure cooker situation right now, because American families are holding up the economy, we're holding up the healthcare system and then we're also expected to hold up the public education system, said Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, a network of grass-roots parent groups. A lot of families across this country are absolutely at their breaking point.

For many parents who live paycheck to paycheck, taking a few days off when schools close can mean the difference between having groceries or not and making rent or not, Rodrigues said. Beyond the financial loss, many parents worried that their kids' mental health and grades would deteriorate when schools switch to remote learning.

When you close down schools over an abundance of caution, understand what you are asking of American families who are already at the brink, she said.

This week the Clark County School District, which spans Las Vegas and is the nations fifth largest school system with more than 320,000 students, announced it was canceling classes for two days due to extreme staffing shortages.

Jessica Atlas, a 46-year-old single mother, was already frustrated with the school district for not planning activities for her son, Ashton, 9, while he quarantined this week after he caught the flu and she tested positive for the coronavirus.

I feel like the bottoms falling out, Atlas said, noting that Ashton had not been sent home with any additional schoolwork.

There should be a plan in place if you send kids home. But theres no organization, no real leadership and no real plan to catch these babies failing all over the place.

The district said there would be no remote learning on the canceled school days.

Im on the edge of my seat just waiting with anxiety, she said. Are we going backwards? Are we going to be shut down completely?

In Atlanta, six metro school districts began classes online after winter break because of high COVID-19 case counts. But by Monday, all but one reopened to offer in-person classes  even as they continued to battle high case rates and staff shortages.

One of the most consequential takeaways over the past 22 months is that there is no doubt our young people need the positive influences and safe spaces our employees and school campuses provide more than ever, Mary Elizabeth Davis, superintendent of Henry County Schools south of Atlanta, wrote in a column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Pandemic or no pandemic, our belief in the power of in-person learning will remain strong, and we will continue to do everything we can to provide that wholesome experience for the success of our youth.

Still, many students across the Atlanta area remained out of school.

Even as Atlanta Public Schools resumed in-person classes, Maria Arias, 46, a mother with two children in high school and two in day care, kept her kids home because her family had contracted COVID-19 over the winter break.

A grass-roots member of the Latino Assn. for Parents of Public Schools, Arias couldnt go back to work as a server at a small ice cream parlor until her youngest children tested negative and could return to day care. Its just hard, Arias said as she struggled to keep her older kids on task with their schoolwork.

In recent months, the issue of schools opening or closing has become a battle between politicians and unions.

Last week, President Biden said we have no reason to think at this point that Omicron is worse for children than previous variants.

We know that our kids can be safe when in school, by the way. Thats why I believe schools should remain open. They have what they need, he added.

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who took office this month, stood firm on plans to reopen schools in the new year. But in recent days, as cases in the city rise sharply, Adams has considered a virtual learning plan, but it has not been implemented.

Back in Chicago, the school district reopened this week after a two-week standoff between Lightfoot and the Chicago Teachers Union.

The union wanted the option to revert to remote instruction across the 350,000-student district, and without it, hundreds of teachers refused to teach in person for the last two weeks.

Still, Chicago leaders, including Lightfoot, rejected districtwide remote learning, saying that its detrimental to students and that schools are safe.

After several days of back-and-forth negations, both sides reached an agreement that included provisions for additional testing and metrics allowing for schools with major virus outbreaks to close and go virtual.

Natalie Neris, chief of community engagement at Kids First Chicago, a group that advocates for more resources for students, said the interests of families must be at the forefront of debates.

Parents are the consistent stakeholder, she said. Everyone would benefit from recognizing their importance, listening to them more intently, and putting kids first daily.

For Pearson, 32, a hybrid option provides a sense of ease. Last week, she began feeling sick and got tested along with her kids. Each of their results came back negative, except for her son who is in seventh grade, who tested positive. He had no symptoms. She kept him home from school this week.

Its all over the place with this virus, and things are changing daily, she said. Schools need to adjust and be flexible as well.

Lee reported from Los Angeles and Jarvie from Atlanta.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby departs the courthouse on the first day of the Caesar Goodson trial in Baltimore

(Reuters) Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, the city's top prosecutor, was indicted on Thursday on federal charges of perjury and filing false mortgage applications related to her purchase of two Florida vacation homes.

Mosby, a Democrat elected to her post in 2015, is accused of falsely claiming twice to have suffered a work-related financial hardship from COVID-19 in order to request early withdrawals totaling $90,000 from her city employee retirement account.

In both instances, the indictment stated, Mosby fraudulently cited a federal CARES Act provision allowing for emergency distributions of up to $100,000 from her retirement plan in the event of a furlough, layoff, quarantine, reduced work hours, lack of childcare or impact on one's own business caused by COVID-19.

Prosecutors said Mosby, 41, used the money she received - $36,000 in May 2020 and $45,000 on Dec. 31 of that year - toward down payments on vacation homes in Kissimmee, Florida, and Long Boat Key, Florida.

FILE PHOTO: City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby departs the courthouse in Baltimore

The two counts of perjury stem from Mosby's false statements of coronavirus-related financial duress at a time when she was earning a gross annual salary of nearly $248,000 in full, the indictment asserted.

Mosby is further charged with two counts of making false statements on mortgage applications seeking a total of more than $900,000 in loans to purchase the two Florida properties in question.

In particular, the indictment says, Mosby failed to disclose as required in both applications that she and her husband were delinquent in federal tax payments resulting in $45,000 tax lien filed against them by the Internal Revenue Service in 2020.

Mosby, who ran for office as a part of a movement of "progressive prosecutors" promising to address systemic inequities in the U.S. criminal justice system, made national headlines in 2015 when she charged six officers in the police custody death of Freddie Gray, a young Black man.

The death of Gray, who suffered a fatal spinal injury while being transported without a seatbelt in a police van, led to rioting on the day of his funeral. None of the six officers charged in his death was convicted.

There was no immediate comment from Mosby, her office or any legal representative about the indictment.

If convicted, she could face up to five years for each of two perjury counts and decades in prison on charges of making false mortgage applications, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for Maryland.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, was denied parole Thursday by Californias governor, who said the killer remains a threat to the public and hasnt taken responsibility for a crime that altered American history.

Kennedy, a U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in Californias pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the shooting at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his political hero, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners who said Sirhan, 77, should be freed. The panels recommendation in August had divided the Kennedy family, with two of RFKs sons  Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  supporting his release, and their siblings and mother vehemently opposing it.

In his decision, Newsom said the assassination was among the most notorious crimes in American history, Aside from causing Kennedys then-pregnant wife and 10 children immeasurable suffering, Newsom said the killing also caused great harm to the American people.

It upended the 1968 presidential election, leaving millions in the United States and beyond mourning the promise of his candidacy, Newsom wrote. Mr. Sirhan killed Senator Kennedy during a dark season of political assassinations, just nine weeks after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s murder and four and a half years after the murder of Senator Kennedys brother, President John F. Kennedy.

He said Sirhan still lacks insight, refuses to accept responsibility and has failed to disclaim violence committed in his name. That adds "to his current risk of inciting further political violence, Newsom wrote.

In 1973, terrorists took 10 hostages at an embassy in Sudan, demanding the release of Sirhan and other prisoners and killing three diplomats when their demands weren't met, he noted.

Sirhan, who will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023, will ask a judge to overturn Newsoms denial, defense attorney Angela Berry said.

We fully expect that judicial review of the governors decision will show that the governor got it wrong, she said.

State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society.

She said the parole process has become politicized, and Newsom chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law.

Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century, Berry said. Since the mid-1980s Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public.

During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy the "hope of the world. But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesnt recall because he was drunk.

It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did, in fact, do that, Sirhan said.

Kennedy's widow, Ethel, and six of his children hailed Newsom's decision in a statement that called RFK a visionary and champion of justice whose life was cut short by an enraged man with a small gun.

The political passions that motivated this inmates act still simmer today, and his refusal to admit the truth makes it impossible to conclude that he has overcome the evil that boiled over 53 years ago, they wrote.

The panels decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016  the 15th time hed lost his bid for release.

Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didnt object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascons policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.

The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsoms late father.

Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972.
MOSCOW, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Governor of the U.S. State of Texas Greg Abbott has criticized the White House for causing illegal crossings on the border with Mexico, Russian broadcaster RT reported on Friday.

The current administration has endangered the lives and property of Texans by failing to do its job of securing the border, the governor said.

According to the report, Texas state troopers have arrested thousands of migrants under Operation Lone Star, which was launched by Abbott last March, in an attempt to combat the smuggling of illegal aliens and drugs.

Illegal border crossings into the United States skyrocketed to a 61-year high in 2021, it added. 
CDC is not communicating with teachers on COVID safety, unions say FILE PHOTO: Chicago teachers work remotely due to COVID-19 concerns

By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not been communicating well enough with educators, teachers unions say, as COVID-19 hospitalizations hit records in the country.

The safety of American public schools, which educate over 50 million kids, has become a hotly contested issue, pitting teachers' unions https://www.reuters.com/world/us/chicago-teachers-backs-deal-reopen-schools-after-covid-walkout-report-2022-01-11 worried about the disease's spread in sometimes underfunded, antiquated buildings against local and state officials who want to keep schools open.

The CDC, the United States' national public health agency, is not offering teachers enough information or seeking their input, despite a long history of close contact, top union representatives say.

"CDC does not communicate the way it used to, frankly, in the Trump administration and the Biden administration, or in previous administrations," said Randi Weingarten, the president of the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

The CDC didn't issue fresh guidance to schools about how to handle new five-day isolation rules for those infected, issued Dec. 27, until last week - well after schools reopened after the winter holiday break, Weingarten said.

Becky Pringle, president of the 3 million-member National Education Association, said her group was also seeking more communication with the CDC, but did not elaborate.

"I would hope that every person in this country would want CDC to be asking the largest union of educators NEA  about how their guidance affects public education, so more, not less, communication is essential to getting this right for our students, schools and communities," she said in a statement to Reuters.

Asked about the criticism, the CDC said it has included both the AFT and the NEA in education outreach and meeting invitations. Both groups were "valued education partners" in CDC's COVID-19 response efforts, a spokesperson said.

Weingarten said her union's contacts with the CDC dropped off after conservative news outlets Fox News and the New York Post reported in May 2021 that the AFT and CDC communicated on school reopening guidelines https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-cdc-recommends-schools-reopen-with-masks-rigid-health-protocols-2021-02-12 before they were issued on Feb. 1, 2021.

The reports relied on emails acquired by conservative watchdog group Americans for Public Trust through the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, that showed teachers unions made suggestions about school reopening, masking and other policies.

"Since Fox and others FOIAed their paperwork, what has happened is that they don't talk to people anymore," Weingarten said. "I think that's a big disservice to Americans.

"What you're seeing is a lot of confusion, and a lot of fear and a lot of misinformation," she said. "It's obvious that they should be communicating better and it's obvious that they should be communicating in advance, but they're not."

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Heather Timmons and Jonathan Oatis)
Mayor Eric Garcetti, shown at a recent news conference, has ordered a review of the punishment handed down to LAPD officers who broke policy in recent shootings. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Thursday questioned whether LAPD officers who shoot people are sufficiently punished when the shootings violate department policies, ordering a review of such cases going back years.

Garcetti said that "quite often," stiff penalties supported by elected officials and police leaders never materialize in such cases because discipline panels hand down lesser penalties  sometimes leaving officers who officials want to fire on the force.

Citing that and a report by the LAPD's inspector general last year that found newer, all-civilian discipline panels have been even more lenient on errant officers, Garcetti said he had ordered the inspector general to assess the issue once more  this time producing a public report that will outline the discipline received by officers found to have broken policy in shootings in recent years, as well as the outcomes of any appeals they made to those punishments.

During an end-of-year news conference on crime and policing in 2021 that covered an uptick in homicides but also in police shootings, Garcetti said the review would provide "a clearer understanding" of whether the current discipline process is "fair" and "just"  and what reforms are needed.

Craig Lally, president of the union that represents rank-and-file officers and which negotiates disciplinary processes with the department through collective bargaining negotiations, said the LAPD already has "robust civilian oversight" over officer discipline.

"What Mayor Garcetti ought to be focused on, before he departs to India, is how to reduce the 54% increase in homicides and shooting victims since 2019 that are causing terror in our city, especially amongst our Black and Latino residents who make up a disproportionate amount of these victims," Lally said.

Garcetti's comments come as he eyes a departure to become the United States' ambassador to India, and amid intense scrutiny for the LAPD after officers in 2021 shot 37 people, killing 18  including a 14-year-old bystander in a Burlington store two days before Christmas.

The 2021 figures represent a sharp increase from the 27 LAPD shootings, seven of them fatal, in 2020, and 26 shootings, 12 of them fatal, in 2019. The 2019 figures marked a 30-year low in LAPD shootings.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore on Tuesday said that the department would be conducting a "deep dive" review of its training around the use of deadly force, to ensure officers are familiar with the department's policies and the requirement that they show a "reverence for human life"  even when confronting dangerous suspects.

Garcetti mentioned that training audit during his Thursday comments as well, just before announcing the inspector general's assessment of past punishments in bad shootings.

While prosecutors can review police shootings in cases where they believe officers may have broken the law, internal investigators within the LAPD review every police shooting for policy violations  breaking down every action of the involved officers and analyzing the tactics they used.

The findings of those internal reviews then go before internal LAPD review panels, then to the Police Commission, and then on to what are known as Board of Rights hearings  which are closed to the public and where officers can plead their cases before panels of other officers or civilian hearing officers.

The discipline process traditionally involved panels comprised of other officers, but added a single civilian member in 1992 in the face of reform demands after Rodney King's beating and the subsequent unrest in L.A.

The hearings were open to the public until 2006, when a California Supreme Court ruling was interpreted by the city attorney's office to preclude the city from airing such disciplinary hearings publicly.

In 2019, the City Council approved a measure creating an all-civilian panel option, after voters approved a charter amendment allowing them to do so in 2017.

Garcetti backed the change at the time, as did the police union. Garcetti said members of the public should have a role in overseeing police. Actvist groups, who opposed the change, argued it would result in less officer accountability.

Last year, a review of recent police misconduct cases by the inspector general found that all-civilian hearing panels were more lenient on accused officers than were the more traditional panels of two officers and one civilian.

The review found that all-civilian panels recommended a lesser penalty than Moore had recommended in more than 70% of the most serious cases that came before them, leaving 11 officers on the force who otherwise would have been fired.

Police Commission President William Briggs on Thursday said Garcetti verbally requested the latest review during a meeting earlier this week, and that the commission will formally request the inspector general conduct it and report back within 30 days at one of its upcoming public meetings.

The commission will ask that the report outline the discipline imposed in all shootings found to be out of policy from 2015 to 2020, as well as the outcome of any appeals to that discipline, Briggs said. Information as to whether or not the individual who was shot by police was armed with a firearm will also be included, Briggs said.

The report will anonymize the information to get around restrictions on releasing discipline information for individual officers, Briggs said.

The review will not cover 2021 shootings, because the commission has yet to determine whether the officers involved in those shootings broke any policies, Briggs said.

An analysis by The Times last year determined that the commission found significant flaws in the actions of officers in a majority of fatal shootings since 2018, including that they fired unnecessary shots or failed to effectively communicate with each other.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FILE - Bill Cosby, center, and spokesperson Andrew Wyatt, right, and attorney Jennifer Bonjean, left, approach members of the media gathered outside Cosby's home in Elkins Park, Pa., on June 30, 2021. An Illinois judge could be facing discipline after he mocked Bonjean in comments that he apparently did not realize were being broadcast live on YouTube. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

CHICAGO (AP)  An Illinois judge could be facing discipline after he mocked an attorney in comments that he apparently did not realize were being broadcast live on YouTube.

Cook County Judge William Raines made the comments about attorney Jennifer Bonjean after she appeared before him during a court call. Bonjean  a New York-based attorney who has represented a number of high-profile clients around the country, including Bill Cosby  was before Raines in a case in which she is seeking to have a client's 1996 murder conviction thrown out.

Can you imagine waking up next to her every day? Oh, my God! Raines said in a conversation with two assistant state's attorneys and an assistant public defender in the courtroom after Bonjean had left, according to a transcript of the exchange. I couldnt have a visual on that if you paid me. "

A short time later, Raines, whose court call was carried live as many hearings have been during the COVID-19 pandemic, apparently realized that his comments were still being broadcast.

Ohh, wait ... Media streaming live on YouTube? Whats up with this? the judge said before the video ends.

Last year, Bonjean won an appeal of Cosby's sexual assault conviction that led to Cosby's release from prison.

She is a familiar presence in Chicago. Her clients have included men who alleged they were tortured by police, including one whose rape conviction was overturned and later awarded $5.2 million by a jury and another won a multimillion settlement from the city after a detective allegedly framed him for murder.

In a hearing Thursday before another judge, Bonjean asked that the video be preserved so she could lodge a complaint with the state's Judicial Inquiry Board, which reviews judicial misconduct allegations.

There was an incredible casual nature of these conversations that certainly suggests this is not the first time this kind of banter went on," Bonjean told Judge Erica Reddick, who agreed to preserve the video.

Bonjean called the remarks "sexist and offensive and said the two prosecutors who took part in the conversation as well as Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx have apologized.

A spokeswoman for Chief Judge Timothy Evans office said Raines could not comment because it involves a pending case.
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YEREVAN, JANUARY 8, ARMENPRESS. The Embassies of Armenia and Belarus in Moscow, Russia, received e-mails threatening a bomb attack yesterday, TASS reports.

In the e-mails unknown people were demanding that the two countries withdraw their troops from the territory of Kazakhstan.

According to TASS, the Embassy buildings were examined, no explosive devices have been found.

On January 2, protests sparked in several cities of Kazakhstan. In several days, they escalated into mass riots and assaults at the bodies of authority in many cities. Thousands of people were injured, and there were casualties. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev asked the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for assistance. CSTO peacekeepers have already commenced their mission in Kazakhstan. Armenia sent 100 peacekeepers to Kazakhstan as part of the CSTO mission.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian will pay a working visit to the United Arab Emirates on January 14, his Office said in a statement.

The President is expected to meet with the top leadership of the UAE. The discussions will focus on the current and prospective issues of the inter-state cooperation development agenda. The meetings will also cover the agreements which were reached during the previous meetings, but their implementation was slowed down because of COVID-19.

President Sarkissian will visit Masdar research center: the company has started its first investment program in Armenias renewable energy sector as a 200 MW power station is being constructed in the country. The respective agreement was reached during the Armenian Presidents official visit to the UAE in 2019.

The President is going to discuss with the Masdar executives issues relating to the next stage of this program, new investments in alternative energy field, as well as partnership in the field of new technologies.

Armen Sarkissian then will discuss the cooperation in aviation, tourism and investment field with the leadership of the Emirate of Sharjah. They will also touch upon Armenias upcoming participation to the Sharjah Heritage Days cultural event as an honorary guest.

The Armenian President will also take part in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2022 forum. He will participate in the Youth4Sustainability forum on the sidelines of this big conference as a keynote speaker. Sarkissian will also attend a number of other events during the forum.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. A 69-year-old resident of the town of Berdzor of Artsakh accidentally crossed into Azerbaijani-controlled territory around 15:00, January 14, the Artsakh authorities said.

Andranik Aleksanyan of Berdzor (born 1953) got lost near Berdzor and was arrested by the Azerbaijani military after accidentally crossing into territory under their control.

The Russian peacekeepers were immediately notified on the incident and validated that our citizen is safe. Negotiations are underway to return the citizen of Artsakh, the Artsakh National Security Service said.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Turkeys Foreign Ministry has also made a statement about todays meeting of special representatives for the normalization process between Armenia and Turkey Ruben Rubinyan and Serdar Kilic.

The meeting was held in Moscow, Russia.

During their first meeting, conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the Special Representatives exchanged their preliminary views regarding the normalization process through dialogue between Turkey and Armenia. Parties agreed to continue negotiations without preconditions aiming at full normalization.

Date and venue of their second meeting will be decided in due time through diplomatic channels, the statement says.

Earlier a similar statement was issued by the Armenian Foreign Ministry.
YEREVAN, 14 JANUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 14 January, USD exchange rate up by 0.05 drams to 480.88 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.52 drams to 550.94 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.12 drams to 6.32 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.17 drams to 660.30 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 13.31 drams to 28143.79 drams. Silver price up by 7.76 drams to 359.38 drams. Platinum price down by 91.19 drams to 15089.59 drams.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The EU welcomes the willingness of Armenia and Turkey to work for the normalization of relations between the two countries and the appointment of special envoys for that purpose, ARMENPRESS reports lead spokesperson for the external affairs of the EU Peter Stano announced.

The EU welcomes the willingness of both Turkey and Armenia to work on the normalisation of relations between the two countries and the appointment of Special Envoys for this purpose.

The first meeting of the Special Envoys this Friday was an important step forward and the European Union encourages both Turkey and Armenia to make further efforts in this regard.

Any further concrete steps towards the normalisation of relations would be good news for regional stability and prospects for reconciliation and economic development.

The normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey is of key importance for the EU in its engagement with both countries. Since 2014, the EU has provided more than EUR 4.5 million to projects aiming to prepare the ground for the normalisation of relations in a number of areas such as economy, culture, education, and communication exchange. The EU stands ready to provide further support to possible additional steps towards normalisation of relations, reads the statement.
Syed Ata Hasnain, a retired lieutenant-general, is a former commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps. He is also associated with the Vivekananda International Foundation and the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.

With networks far easier to establish and communications faster and more reliable, instability spreads many times quicker

Besides the traditional internal security hotspots like Kashmir and the Northeast, we need to dwell briefly on other places where attention does not travel easily. (Photo:PTI)

With the run-up to the Assembly elections in five states underway and the external security environment being taken up by the dynamics of US-Russia-Europe, Afghanistan and Central Asia, the focus on Indias internal security in 2022 and immediately beyond has not received the full attention that it usually gets at the beginning of each year. Its a phenomenon that is necessary to keep in sight because otherwise things have a nasty habit of appearing on the scene without any form of pre-warning  remember the agitations of 2020-21. We are passing through an era in which information is emerging as the main weapon to instigate the street. Our neighbours too have always fully understood that Indias strengths lie at its borders; so why only challenge it there? If they have to, they can do so deep within the nation where the fault lines and cleavages exist aplenty. Their strategy mostly is to embroil every region of the nation in turmoil through internecine differences triggered by rumour and information twists, with fractious politics becoming a weapon in itself.

Before looking at the traditional hotspots and their likely status in 2022 and beyond, it is important to understand a few facts about the coming period.

First, it may hopefully see the last of the Covid-19 pandemic waves and a return nearer to normal. Even while the economy improves, there are segments of society which have badly suffered; the unorganised sector in particular. Aspirations have taken a beating due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

All this has an adverse effect on the psyche of any society, especially one which has people living on the margins at most times. We cannot forget the caste-based agitation in Haryana in 2015. Crores of rupees worth of property was burnt down by angry mobs from deprived sections of society in just three days. Unpredictability in the internal environment can spell havoc.

With networks far easier to establish and communications faster and more reliable, instability spreads many times quicker. The second area of concern is that by the time the Assembly elections are over in March 2022, India will be entering the last two years phase of the government at the Centre. This is a period when jostling for political space begins, ethics start taking a backseat, political parties get bolder and risk-taking is of a higher order.

Divisiveness or combinations to garner regional strengths occur. The potential of some of these factors being exploited by external players is always live. Its necessary to remember that agitation is the mode most used for grey zone attacks on the internal security of a nation.

Besides the traditional internal security hotspots like Kashmir and the Northeast, we need to dwell briefly on other places where attention does not travel easily. Southern India, largely peaceful and having more than its share of natural disasters through 2021, needs to remember that the networks of some radical outfits, financed and controlled externally, lie within some of the prominent states of the South. This became evident during the April 18, 2019 terror attacks in Sri Lanka, claimed by the ISIS. The footprint of terror financing and ideological radicalism lies in some of the larger cities of southern India, such as Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Chennai, not forgetting Hyderabad too. Communal instigation drives clandestine movements, which can be extremely dangerous.

Among the states of the Northeast, major issues exist in Nagaland and Manipur, where the re-triggering of insurgencies is always the intent of anti-national elements. Although the ceasefire holds with the Naga groups, including the Niki Sumi group of NSCN(K), there has been very little positive movement beyond the Framework Agreement of 2015. The ceasefire is for one year and will come up for renewal with the backdrop of AFSPA sensitivity.

The recent incident of mistaken identity killings in Mon district in Nagaland by a sub-unit of the Army has set back relations even with civil society.

AFSPA is now becoming a millstone and if it is removed or re-enacted for the Northeast region, it will trigger demands for Kashmir, where the proxy war situation is far more intense. While no major surge in violence or instability of other kinds is expected, sporadic violent acts will probably continue. Its important to ensure that external players do not attempt to cultivate influence. The instability at the Line of Actual Control, for instance, should not result in China enhancing its stakes in proxy support here.

The Red Corridor has largely been stabilised although there exist pockets which need to be neutralised. The Naxalite leadership is not known to be as effective as in the past and the armed police forces have done well to establish their domination. The problem here is that of the proverbial big act which pushes back the graph, and that is something the political and security leadership has to guard against.

Punjab threatens to become a continuum of Kashmir. That is the intent of Pakistan, which now appears confident of handling J&K, Punjab and Afghanistan, all at once. Networks which probably exist from the past may attempt to revitalise. While fractious politics also play a role here, the external support includes but goes well beyond Pakistan to the west. The sub-region we need to be careful about is the Ravi belt, Gurdaspur to Samba, well known for the Pathankot airbase attack and a series of other attempts at infiltration seven to eight years ago.

Jammu and Kashmir appears to be under control from a security point of view, notwithstanding the number of terrorists killed in the numerous encounters towards the end of 2021 and the number of local youth recruited to terrorists ranks. It awaits political activity to resume, which will indicate how successful the efforts at integration have been. One should not expect any major change in thinking, although some serious efforts at outreach have been undertaken. These efforts will take a fair time to manifest and lack of early success should never disappoint pragmatists. Expect low-level violence with sporadic surges to take place. Big-ticket acts such as Pulwama are unlikely although Pakistan could be expected to take more risks now that the Chinese presence in Ladakh is more pronounced and Pakistan is also guiding the Chinese interests in Afghanistan.

The serious student of Indias internal security challenges should mainly be looking at the unfolding social dynamics, involving both the impact of the pandemic and the effect of the fractious political scene that can also offer opportunities for external forces to weaken Indias internal fabric.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Arrested in 2018 following accusations by a former superior of the Missionaries of Jesus, the bishop of Jalandhar, who was put on leave of absence, always maintained his innocence. Only 39 witnesses out of 84 were called to testify in court.

Kottayam (AsiaNews)  The Additional Sessions Court in Kottayam (Kerala) today acquitted Mgr Franco Mulakkal from rape charges brought against him by the former superior general of the Missionary Sisters of Jesus.

The court called 39 witnesses out of 84 on the charge sheet to testify in the trial against the prelate, who was on leave of absence from his post as bishop of Jalandhar (Punjab).

Mgr Mulakkal was accused of taking advantage of his dominant position and raping the nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016 while she was visiting a convent in Kerala.

For his part, the bishop always maintained that the accusations against him were groundless and slanderous; he, in turn, accused the nun of trying to discredit him out of revenge, after he removed her from the top post in her congregation.

The case, which sowed great confusion among Indian Catholics, came to light in September 2018 when five Sisters issued a public statement demanding justice for the former superior general.

After his arrest, Bishop Mulakkal spent three weeks in jail before he was released on bail pending trial.

A day before the bishops arrest, the Holy See accepted the prelate's request to be relieved of his duties until the matter was settled, and appointed a diocesan administrator in his place.

Mgr Mulakkal was in the courtroom at the time of the sentence and limited himself to saying Praise the Lord before leaving the court.
by Melani Manel Perera

Card Malcolm Ranjith calls on the police to undertake a transparent inquiry; instead, they arrested the sacristan who found the device, refusing to view CCTV footage. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church held a national day of prayer today to mark a thousand days since the Easter Sunday attacks.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  After a hand grenade was found two days ago at the All-Saints Church in Borella (Colombo district), Card Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, called on the police to launch a transparent inquiry.

Our fathers told the officers to look at the CCTV footage from that morning, but the police replied that it was enough to watch the tape from the previous evening, the prelate said at a press conference yesterday. Instead of finding the truth, the police tried to fabricate a story. We reject this; so please don't lie, he added.

Following the incident, the police took into custody four people employed for many years as support staff in the church, and eventually charged the sacristan with placing the grenade.

I asked the parish priest to check the footage from the morning, Card Ranjith said. At 9.52 am, a man carrying a shopping bag was seen limping into the church. [. . .] When someone else walks by, he leaves the church walking normally.

The archbishop goes on to explain that the sacristan found the grenade while he was cleaning the church and immediately notified the assistant and later the parish priest.

What the police did was to arrest the man scared by the object he saw while sweeping [the floor] rather than find out who put it there.

We believe the police are trying to cover up the conspiracy behind this. Unless the truth is told, a police uniform makes no sense; in which case, take off your uniform and go home, Card Ranjith said.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka held a service today to mark a thousand days since the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, centred on Let My Cry come Before You O Lord.

Organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka, the national day of prayer began in Tewatte at 10 am with a rosary procession that ended at the shrine of the Basilica of Our Lady, attended by members of the clergy, lay people and the victims of the explosions in Katuwapitiya and Kochchikade.

Some people from outside Colombo expressed their support for the cardinal, hoping that justice will be done. In his homily, Archbishop Ranjith reiterated that "no one can stop God from revealing the truth.
Today's headlines: Pyongyang launches third missile in a fortnight, Thailand resumes negotiations with separatist groups. In Indonesia, 100 lashes to a woman for adultery in Aceh province. Uzbekistan reduces electricity supply to Afghanistan, in Iraq fresh missile attacks on American embassy.

NORTH KOREA

North Korea has said it will react in a "strong and determined" manner to American sanctions imposed after missile tests in recent weeks. Also this morning, what appears to be a ballistic missile was launched from its shores. Experts say Pyongyang's intent is to destabilise the South's election campaign.

SOUTH KOREA - RUSSIA

South Korean presidential candidate Jeong Kyeong-ho told Tass that in case of victory he will propose to Russia to lease six regions in the Russian Far East where many Koreans live, namely Sakhalin, Amur, Khabarovsk, Magadan, Kamchatka and Chukotka. According to the leader of the Revolutionary Dividend Party, this would be the first step towards the formation of a free economic development zone in north-east Asia, on the Pusan-Vladivostok line.

JAPAN

Japan has signed trade agreements with Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore to strengthen cooperation in terms of energy production: Tokyo is aiming to develop a technology for ammonia combustion by 2030 and is trying to lead other countries in the region that today mainly use coal.

INDIA

Tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims have gathered for a religious festival called Magh Mela and experts fear it could lead to an increase in contagions. However, the authorities in Uttar Pradesh refused to cancel the event. In the last two days, the country recorded more than 442,000 new cases.

THAILAND

Talks between the Thai government and a rebel group calling for the independence of Muslim border areas resumed after a two-year halt due to the pandemic. The government delegation and representatives of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in recent days. More than 7,300 people have been killed in bombings and shootings since 2004.

INDONESIA

Yesterday, an Indonesian woman received 100 lashes for adultery. Her partner, who denied the affair, received 15. The case took place in Aceh, the only province in Indonesia to apply Islamic law and allow caning.

UZBEKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN

Uzbekistan has cut electricity exports to Afghanistan by 60 per cent after failing to agree on details of a 0 million 2022 supply deal. This was announced by the Afghan energy company Dabs, according to which the Uzbeks complained of technical difficulties at the Talimarzhan power station. As a result of this reduction, 16 provinces in the country have been left without electricity, and power is distributed with hiccups throughout Afghanistan.

IRAQ

Yesterday, three missiles were fired at the US embassy in Baghdad and another rocket hit a nearby school, injuring a woman and a child. The attack was not claimed, but the Green zone has been repeatedly targeted by pro-Iranian militias since the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.
by Mathias Hariyadi

In Indonesia, pastoral work with prisoners is carried out by lay people and very few religious. The archbishop of Pontiak urged priests to stay close to Catholic prisoners, who are often involved in drug trafficking. Fr Burrows: "They seek spiritual comfort and a friend to talk to".

Pontianak (AsiaNews) - "Catholics in prisons are also members of our congregation. If even one of them invites me to celebrate the Eucharist in the detention centre, I will go and celebrate Mass". These are the words of the Archbishop of Pontianak, Mgr Agustinus Agus, who visited several prisons in West Kalimantan during the Christmas season.

The cleric shared his comments during a celebration with dozens of former theology students from across Indonesia on the evening of 11 January. "As a local prelate of this huge archdiocese, my personal intention is simple: I urge all priests to avoid laziness and turn our care and attention to Catholic prisoners, especially when they finish their prison term and come out with less confidence," the archbishop said.

"The reluctance among priests to visit prisoners because of the pandemic is not acceptable," the cardinal continued. "Many pastoral assistants have shown their compassion, so why do priests always keep themselves safe instead?"

Many Catholic detainees are young people arrested for drug use or trade. "The involvement of our young people in this dirty business," says Mgr Agus, "worries us; that is why our care for them is important and necessary".

Pastoral service among prisoners is an increasingly rare activity in Indonesia: in most cases it depends on the personal initiatives of individuals.

Father Charles "Carolus" Burrows of Cilacap has access to the maximum security prison of Nusakambangan to celebrate Mass with prisoners on Wednesdays of the third week of each month: "I have always tried to show sympathy and compassion even to non-Christian prisoners, they are always welcome at communion too," the Oblate missionary of Mary Immaculate tells AsiaNews.

"What they seek in the Church is spiritual comfort and a friend with whom they can freely share their hopes and anguish," Fr Carolus explained. In Yogyakarta, the late Fr Jan Weitjens, a Jesuit lecturer in Church history at the Faculty of Theology, was engaged in a similar activity.
Crews set up for X Games Aspen earlier this week at Buttermilk Mountain. This years competition, scheduled to occur Jan. 21-23, will welcome back fans despite a recent surge in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant  though no concerts are on the calendar.
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Mr. Phillip Nathaniel Ware aged 62, passed away on Wednesday April 6, 2022 in Dallas, Texas . He was born to Mr. Frederick Brink Ware and Ms. Irene Duffner on Sunday, November 15, 1959 in Kansas City, Kansas. Phillip N. Ware will leave his loved ones with unforgettable memories and loving st
ICE

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kW

Part of their Beyond1000 plan, which will see them becoming carbon neutral by the end of the decade, as well as electrifying their entire range by 2024, and launching a battery-electric vehicle in 2025, the Flying Spur Hybrid, whose deliveries will commence in April, is just as fast and luxurious as the-powered variants.From naught to 62 mph (0-100 kph), Bentley claims that it needs only 4.1 seconds and that it can max out at 177 mph (285 kph). Power comes from a 2.9-liter V6 gasoline engine, assisted by an electric motor, which, in turn, is powered by a 14.1battery.The total output is rated at 536 hp (544 ps / 400), and it has 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque via the right pedal. On a full tank, and with the battery juiced up, it can cover over 435 miles (700 km), and it has a zero-emission range of more than 25 miles (40 km).With the recent announcement of our strong performance across Europe, supported by a double-digit increase result, 2022 will be another busy year with the brand activities ahead of us, said Bentley Europes Regional Director, Balazs Rooz. While the Flying Spur Hybrid will reach our customers from April onwards, we are excited to hear the feedback from this first public appearance in Europe.Those attending the event that will close its gates next weekend will not only see the Flying Spur Hybrid at Bentleys stand, but also other vehicles from their history. The automaker says that more than 40 cars are on display, and these include the Flying Spur V8, Continental GT Speed Convertible , and Continental GT3-R as well.
TDI

The Ford-Volkswagen partnership means there arent many things left for guessing when it comes to the next-generation Amarok, especially after Ford revealed the Ranger . We know this is pretty much it, and subtle design changes wont change what Ford did with the Ranger. The latest information released by Volkswagen adds some more insight to what we already know.The teaser image on the other hand, while still worth a thousand words, doesnt bring much to the table beyond what we saw in a previous teaser . We can see now Amaroks interior will be more upscale, hinting at a premium repositioning for the future Volkswagen truck. The dashboard in the picture is covered in fine leather with nice yellow contrasting seams, while the graphics seem pretty much in line with those on the new Ford Ranger.The all-new Amarok will come with connectivity and assistance systems never before seen in this segment. It will also boast highly efficientdiesel engines with four-cylinder options at launch and a V6 TDI later. The Amarok will get the appropriate engine options depending on the market, and this includes gasoline engines.Of course, this sounds rather promising, considering diesel engines are not very popular in some parts of the world. Less promising is the fact that the future Volkswagen Amarok will be exclusively built in South Africa, at Silverton. While this does not completely rule out a North American launch, later on, its safe to say that the Ford Ranger will probably remain the only option for a while longer.We know Volkswagen registered the Amarok name in the U.S. in 2018, which means the Germans have at least intended to bring the pickup truck across the ocean. But that was before signing the deal with Ford. Volkswagen indicated the second-generation Amarok will be revealed this summer, while the first markets will get the cars at the end of the year.
SUV

Ford Bronco is one of those vehicles that have everything  name, market demand, timing, capabilities, you name it. This and the crazy car market situation at the moment have made the Bronco a rare bird, with waiting times exceeding 18 months and dealer markups that go up to one-third of the original price. Heck, even a pre-owned First Edition fetched $86,500 on Bring a Trailer in December, which is way above the original MSRP.This is when you follow the normal flow of going to a dealer or searching the classifieds. But from time to time, for some extraordinary lucky persons, everything is much easier. Wendy Sue H. took to Facebook to share her incredible story in the Bronco 6th Gen public group. Unlike you and me, Wendy searched for her beloved Bronco mostly online, including in forums and public groups. She had almost given up and went after buying a Ford Ranger instead, but then she came across a crazy opportunity.There was one 2021 Ford Bronco listed up for sale and in stock at a dealer in Fairbanks, Alaska. Thewas a two-door version in Badlands trim and with a Sasquatch package, which makes it a beast off-road. Wendy mentions the color was Cactus Grey, just like her new Ranger, so she figured this car was destined to be hers. The next thing she did was call the dealer, sign the papers and drive it (or her, as Wendy affectionately says) off the lot.Her incredible luck was another guys incredible misfortune. He had his financing rejected after the car was delivered on January 7, one year after he had ordered it. The dealership had spared no time and listed the car for sale. More incredible, the dealer did not slam Wendy with the customary markup. Right now, the same Seekins Ford Lincoln dealership has another Bronco Badlands listed for sale at the MSRP price of $50,965, and this is with no markup, too. So, if you live in the area, you might want to call dibs on this one.
SUV

4MATIC

Quavo wants to stand out as much as the next artist, while still fitting in. And how else could he fit in but by checking all the right boxes?His most recent Instagram post surely does just that. Expensive ride? Checked. A bag of cash? Checked. Showing off your kicks? Checked.The ride in question is Mercedes-Maybach's luxurious, the GLS 600. As powerful as it's imposing, its powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which, paired up to a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivers 550 horsepower and a maximum torque of 538 lb-ft (730 Nm).It offers a fast-driving experience, too. The SUV can accelerate from zero to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph (249 kph). Since were talking about how Quavo loves to flaunt his wealth, the German brand asks for a starting price of $160,000 for the GLS 600 4MATIC.From the pictures, we can see that Quavo opted for a black-on-black color scheme, with black exterior paint which carries over to the interior, as well.In one of the shots, we can also notice a black Ford Gladiator, which is the kind of offroader that would give Quavo the thrill hes looking for, and you can notice that in our main picture.This year, the rapper has been quite busy. First, he matched his purple Lamborghini Urus , another luxurious SUV thats able to provide comfort, luxury, and performance.Then, he paired up with Bitcoin Latinum to bring superyachts into the NFT metaverse and launched Cyber Yachts , which promises 888 extraordinary superyachts, with the possibility of real-life access to Miami parties.And now he's reminding us that he can do all that, while showing off his fleet of cars.
EV

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The announcement was made today by the brands CEO Luca de Meo, who simply told reporters that Renault will be 100% electric in 2030 in Europe, reports Autocar This is yet another step in Renaults so-called Renaulution transformation strategy, with the company targeting 24 new vehicles by 2025 (not all fully electric), while also reinventing Alpine as an electric-only performance carmaker.The CEO also stated that budget brand Dacia will go full-electric at the last possible moment, so that it can continue to maintain its affordable pricing structure.This means Dacias entire range wont be battery electric until sometime after 2030, and by the time it ditches all internal combustion engines, battery technology will probably be much cheaper compared to today  which in turn would allow the Romanian carmaker to maintain its position as the most budget-friendly passenger car brand in Europe.We have an obligation to participate in the transition, added de Meo, referring to the industry-wide transition to carbon neutrality.Renaultspush starts with the 2022 Megane E-Tech, unveiled back in September. Obviously, this isnt the carmakers first-ever fully electric car, but it should easily be their best one yet.The Megane E-Tech is underpinned by the CMF-EV platform, the same as the Nissan Ariya, and will feature two battery capacities (40and 60 kWh). The first will offer a maximum driving range of 186 miles (300 km), while the latter promises 292 miles (470 km) on a single charge.At its best, the French crossover will put down 215 hp and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque, allowing you to hit 62 mph (100 kph) in 7.4 seconds.
SOHC

Having been subjected to an invigorating overhaul back in 2014, the 71 MY Honda CB750 Four K1 shown above manages to look as good as new. It comes equipped with a groovy pair of hard-sided panniers from Shoei, as well as new brake lines, IRC GS-11 tires, and a modern electronic ignition setup.The bikes frame was honored with a shiny layer of youthful paint under prior ownership, as were its bodywork components. Additionally, the wheels were chrome-plated and rebuilt using fresh spokes, while the drive chain, steering head bearings, and fork internals have all been replaced for good measure.As for its fundamental specs and features, the 1971 CB750 is brought to life by an air-cooledinline-four mill, which packs two valves per cylinder, four Keihin carburetors, and a generous displacement of 736cc. When pushed to its limit, the four-banger will go about producing 67 horses and 44 pound-feet (60 Nm) of twist.This force travels to the rear 18-inch wheel by means of a five-speed transmission, resulting in a top speed of 124 mph (200 kph). On the other hand, stopping power hails from a single 296 mm (11.7 inches) brake rotor at the front and a traditional 180 mm (7.1 inches) drum module at six oclock.In terms of suspension, the classic treasure carries a set of 35 mm (1.4 inches) telescopic forks up north and dual preload-adjustable shock absorbers down south. Hondas relic weighs 498 pounds (226 kg) without fluids, and its wheelbase is measured at 1,453 mm (57.2 inches).The Japanese icon is heading to the auction block on Bring a Trailer , where you may register your bids at no reserve until Tuesday, January 18. At the time of this article, youd need around 4,500 freedom bucks to surpass the top bidder, who is offering a moderate $4,250 for this unblemished CB750.
While the famous billionaire space tourists were criticized by some for the selfish motivations behind their outrageously-expensive trips, other people want to use space tourism as a diplomatic tool for promoting peace. Namira Salim, a Pakistani expat who has relocated to Dubai, has an ambitious plan. She wants to send recorded messages of peace from various leaders and peacemakers to be flown to space via a satellite and broadcast on Earth.This unusual project, called the (Zero Gravity) 0G Peace Mission 2030 (0G2030), was developed by Namiras non-profit organization called Space Trust. The project has been selected as one of the two finalists for a free launch opportunity by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.In a recent interview with Khaleej Times , Salima explained that this is a student-led initiative and that the satellites payloads will be peace messages from several universities. Together with these international universities, Space Trust is developing the CubeSat, as a part of the bigger 0G2030 mission. The University of Nairobi will develop the Peace Satellite Project (PSP) spacecraft, while the University of Arizona will be in charge of the antenna needed to broadcast the space messages, as well as providing ground system support.The Dubai-based space enthusiast is not a beginner when it comes to space adventures. She was the first person in the United Arab Emirates to travel to space, 17 years ago, when she paid almost $200,000 (Dh734,000) to join Virgins commercial space flight. Her ultimate goal is to organize the first peace summit in space for world leaders. Namira believes that the accelerated commercialization of space should also get world leaders to be more involved and use its benefits to promote peace on Earth.
Dufour Aerospace has revealed the design of its tilt wing Aero3 eVTOL concept in the summer of 2021. The tilt-wing allows the Aero3 to fly as fast and as cost-effective as an airplane, while also being able to take-off and land vertically, like a helicopter, even in tight areas. It also combines electrically-driven propellers with hybrid propulsion (either conventional turbines or fuel cells) for an increased range.The result is a piloted hybrid aircraft with six propellers across the main wing and two smaller ones on the tail, able to reach a cruising speed of 215 mph (350 kph) and a range of 630 miles (1,020 km), while carrying a payload of up to 1,650 pounds (750 kg). The Aero3s full-scale prototype will be built this year and is expected to begin flight tests by the end of the year.The Swiss company has already secured distribution for its innovative eight-seat eVTOL. An experienced Sweden-based helicopter distributor will be representing the Aero3 in Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland.While the piloted Aero3 is meant to eventually operate as a passenger transport aircraft , it will initially be used as an alternative for helicopters in the Air Ambulance and Search and Rescue sectors. The reason behind it is that these types of missions dont require additional new infrastructure, like future air taxis do.Dufour hopes to begin operating the Aero3 by 2025, after it will be certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Until then, its gearing up to start producing the smaller unmaned version, called the Aero2, which conducted its first flight in 2021.
EV

This is what MOZ.de revealed back on January 8. According to the German website, the authorization documents allow Tesla to test the press shop, body shop, paint shop, and final assembly in the next eight weeks, meaning the texts can extend until the beginning of March. Tesla may paint up to 500 bodies per week in its revolutionary paint shop.Frequent cases of paint issues in its vehicles made Tesla announce the paint shop at Giga Grunheide to be its most advanced one, thanks to Geico Taikisha. With a robotic quality inspection called J-Detect, the Smart Paint Shop may ensure owners will not complain about peeling paint anymore.The information that the first bodies made at Giga Grunheide presented poor quality came from BZ-Berlin . That German website also said that Jorg Steinbach, Brandenburgs Finance minister, is pretty confident that the factory will get the final permit soon. Steinbach said the same last year.MOZ.de stressed that the document does not define what it means by bodies. It could be just the body-in-white or a complete car. Wed bet on the first hypothesis, especially considering the restrictions imposed by the Brandenburg government.According to the document, none of the vehicles produced can be sold. Tesla may not seize parts from them to use in production cars. Everything has to be scrapped, and themaker will have to prove that. If Tesla prefers to throw some components away instead of destroying them, it has to provide appropriate evidence that it did so.BZ-Berlin calculated that 2,000 cars sold at 63,000 would mean Tesla would have to burn 126 million ($143,2 million at the current exchange rate) in these tests. However, there are some flaws to this calculation. First of all, Tesla is allowed to produce this many vehicles, but it does not mean it will. With expensive components that are in short supply, such as battery packs, scrapping them would be terrible. Tesla should just test what it needs and avoid waste as much as possible.The second issue with BZ-Berlins calculation is that 63,000 ($71,600) is the price for the Model Y Performance in Germany. The Long Range costs 57,970 ($65,815), including shipping fees. Tesla should select the more affordable vehicle for the tests: they are very much the same car apart from a few different components, such as the electric motors.Potentially, Teslas tests could cost 115,94 million ($131.8 million) only in the cars it could have to destroy if they are complete vehicles and not just bodies-in-white. In practice, the company will probably spend a lot less in the process. Just remember the issues Tesla is having for not testing its cars enough, such as the Model 3 recall and the heating issue with vehicles equipped with heat pumps.
A British maritime cleantech startup called Acua Ocean is claiming to have developed the worlds first long-endurance drone surface vessel thats entirely powered by hydrogen (H-USV). The project was the winner of the UK Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition last year and will be delivered by the British agency for innovation, Innovate UK.There are several emission-free USVs that have been developed throughout 2021, but what makes this one unique is that it uses 100% hydrogen. Ocean Protector is the fancy name of the prototype thats currently being built by Acua Ocean, promising an impressive endurance of up to 70 days at sea, while also being able to reach top speeds of 20 knots (23 mph/37 kph).No further details about the H-USVs propulsion system have been revealed yet, but we do know that its hydrogen fuel cell system is being developed by UK-based Proton Motors. The vessel itself is being built by the PDL shipbuilder in Porchester, while its electrical systems are being developed by two companies, SMS and Trident Marine Electrical.The remotely-controlled Ocean Protector is versatile enough to be used not only for environmental data collection, but also for security applications in the off-shore infrastructure sector. USVs are seen as the future of the off-shore monitoring and security market, because they can conduct riskier missions instead of human crew members, while also saving significant costs.The British startup has also joined the UK Chamber of Shipping at the beginning of this year, confirming its promising role in the industry. The hydrogen-powered Ocean Protector is scheduled to launch in just a few months, by the end of May.
NW China imports corn from Central Asia by freight train

Xinhua) 08:27, January 14, 2022

LANZHOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of corn from Kazakhstan arrived at Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, on Wednesday, marking a busy start of trade with Central Asia and beyond this year.

It took about a week for the train to travel from Kazakhstan and arrive at its destination, a logistics park in Lanzhou New Area, the city's national-level development zone. The corn is the second batch of goods from Kazakhstan, as grain and oilseed crops from the Central Asian country were sent by train a few days ago.

Since the park received its first batch of goods on Jan. 3, 15 international freight trains have sent more than 22,400 tonnes of goods worth about 270 million yuan (about 42.5 million U.S. dollars) to and from the park in less than 10 days.

The logistics park has delivered 442 international freight trains linking China with about 40 countries since 2015. Lanzhou's international freight train service is China's first to see more inbound than outbound trains. The goods traded via the service cover corn, flaxseed, barley, sunflower seeds and wood.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Tesla finds itself in hot water at the start of the year after a 19-year-old hacker made a bombshell revelation regarding the company's famed electric cars. David Colombo, an IT specialist, based in Germany, grabbed the headlines when he claimed that he was able to gain access to more than 25 Tesla vehicles across 13 countries.

Colombo sends Tesla into crisis mode with hacking claim

Colombo said that he could remotely open the doors and windows of those said electric cars and flash their headlights. Colombo added that he could start those cars' engines and begin keyless driving.

Colombo also claimed that he was able to disable Tesla's anti-theft systems in those cars and see if a driver was inside the vehicle. He added that he was able to disable Sentry Mode, an anti-theft technology used by Tesla where a built-in camera becomes the car's de facto alarm system.

Once that system triggers an alert, cameras would begin recording around the proximity of the electric vehicle. The footage is then directly beamed to the owner of the Tesla via a mobile app.

Colombo initially claimed in a tweet on Monday that he was able to take full remote control of the Teslas. Colombo later clarified that statement, saying that he was not able to "remotely control steering or acceleration and braking" in those cars. The 19-year-old further said that he could potentially unlock the doors and start driving the affected Teslas, but he could not intervene with someone driving. He noted that he could start music at max volume or flash lights in those cars.

Related Article: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Sets Guinness World Record With Mine to Mountain Vertical Climb

Colombo says hack was possible because of the owner's faults

Colombo made it clear on Tuesday that his hack happened due to the owner's faults and not because of a vulnerability in Tesla's infrastructure. Colombo tweeted his concern about the Tesla hacking on Monday, saying, "There seems to be no way to find the owners and report it to them."

Tesla has already contacted Colombo about his allegations, with the company already investigating the controversial matter. Colombo's Twitter post about his Tesla hack went viral, racking up more than 7,000 likes, 1,500 retweets, and more than 300 replies.

According to Colombo's LinkedIn page, his main specialization is in cybersecurity. Colombo said that he wrote his first piece of code at the age of 10 and that his company's goal is to help every business get protected from the ever-evolving threats in cyberspace.

He is the founder of Colombo Tech, a cyber security specialist company based in Germany. Colombo's firm offers services such as penetration tests, vulnerability scans, and security audits. Colombo Tech also provides clients with IT security consulting, and the company will soon launch a managed cyber defense service.

Colombo's profile has risen with his Tesla hack, and it will be interesting to see what steps Elon Musk's company will take to address the allegations.

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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled opposition leader of Belarus, was in a meeting with Western ambassadors to the EU last week when she learned that her husband had been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his activism.

What she's saying: "It was very emotionally difficult to accept, but it didn't change anything in our movement," Tsikhanouskaya told Axios in a Zoom interview from Vilnius, Lithuania. She fled there last year after Aleksandr Lukashenko's regime began rounding up opposition leaders.

"It doesn't matter if people get five, 15, 18 years  we have to work, we have to do what we are doing. Just step by step, putting pressure on the regime, support civil society to release all our friends, all our beloved," she said.

"It was difficult emotionally to cope, but that day I did a lot of interviews and lived through this time after time after time. But I didn't cry. It was like emptiness inside."

The big picture: Tsikhanouskaya has spent the last year meeting with countless government officials  including President Biden  to urge them not to forget the people fighting for democracy in Belarus.

Lukashenko saw his iron grip on power shaken for the first time in three decades last August, when mass protests erupted after he claimed to have defeated Tsikhanouskaya by an implausible 70% in the 2020 presidential election.

Lukashenko's swift and brutal crackdown was followed by multiple rounds of sanctions from the West  with Lukashenko picking further fights by forcing a Ryanair flight to land in order to arrest an activist and manufacturing a migrant crisis on his border with Poland.

Between the lines: Tsikhanouskaya told Axios that in every meeting with U.S. and European officials, she urges them to close sanctions loopholes and stop with the "half measures" that give the regime "opportunity to survive."

Flashback: Two years ago, Tsikhanouskaya was an English teacher, her husband was a blogger, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was meeting personally with Lukashenko to try to build a wedge between Minsk and Moscow.

Today, Tsikhanouskaya is the face of the democratic opposition, her husband is a political prisoner, and Lukashenko is a pariah waging a "hybrid war" against the West.

"You can't choose between that and this," Tsikhanouskaya responded, when asked whether she ever wishes she could return to her former life.

"That time was wonderful from my private point of view. Everything was calm, I spent time with my children and my husband."

"But the process that we are witnessing at the moment, the process in the country, in people's minds  it's such an important historical moment. Yes, it is difficult. But I'm sure no one's freedom has ever been given for nothing."

The bottom line: "I want normal life with my husband, but in a democratic country."
The White House said Friday a new website, COVIDTests.gov, will begin accepting orders Jan. 19 for free rapid tests shipped to Americans' homes.

Why it matters: The White House emphasized the importance of testing during the Omicron surge, with President Biden on Thursday announcing plans for the government to have 1 billion tests.

Driving the news: Americans can order four tests per residential address beginning Jan. 19 from the website.

The tests will ship within 7 to 12 days of ordering, senior administration officials said during a press call Friday, but that timeline could shorten as the program ramps up.

The U.S. Postal Service will package and deliver the tests, with orders in the continental U.S. sent through first class package service.

There will also be a call line for Americans who lack internet access to order tests.

What they're saying: "There's lots of ways to get tests, and this is just one more," a senior administration official explained.

Flashback: The debacle surrounding the rollout of the HealthCare.gov website during the Obama administration looms over a new government website, but senior administration officials said they are confident the site will keep up with demand.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said the talks took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere, with the two sides exchanging preliminary views regarding the normalization process.

The parties agreed to continue, without preconditions, negotiations aimed at a full normalization, it said in a statement. The date and venue of their second meeting will be decided in due time through diplomatic channels.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued an identical statement on the meeting that lasted for about two hours.

Ankara was represented in the talks by Serdar Kilic, a veteran diplomat who served as Turkeys ambassador to the United States from 2014-2021. Kilics 31-year-old Armenian opposite number, Ruben Rubinian, is a deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Vahan Hunanian, on Thursday cautioned against excessive expectations from the first face-to-face meeting of the two envoys.

This will be an introductory meeting, Hunanian said in written comments. Its hard to expect tangible results from the first meeting, but it will mark the start of the [normalization] process.

Rubinian met with Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko ahead of his talks with Kilic. They discussed the Turkish-Armenian dialogue, according to the Foreign Ministry in Yerevan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed on Friday Moscows support for that dialogue. Lavrov said Turkish-Armenian negotiations will contribute to peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

The United States and the European Union have also hailed the negotiations.

Ankara has for decades refused to establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan and kept the Turkish-Armenian border closed out of solidarity with Azerbaijan. It provided decisive military support to Baku during the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war over Nagorno-Karabakh.

In recent months Turkish leaders have made statements making the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations conditional on Armenia agreeing to open a land corridor that would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave. They have also cited Bakus demands for a formal Armenian recognition of Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has repeatedly made clear that Ankara will continue to coordinate its Armenian policy with Baku.

Cavusoglus Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, complained last November that the Turks are setting new preconditions for establishing diplomatic relations and opening the border with Armenia.

Armenian opposition leaders have accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian of being ready to accept those preconditions. Pashinians political allies have denied that.

Hunanian, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, insisted on Thursday that Yerevan continues to stand for an unconditional normalization of Turkish-Armenian ties.
Lois Henry is the CEO and editor of SJV Water, a nonprofit, independent online news publication dedicated to covering water issues in the San Joaquin Valley. She can be reached at lois.henry@sjvwater.org. The website is sjvwater.org.
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
A crew of self-taught creatives were forced into a pirate battle with only food as weapons. Well, the battleground was a TV studio, but the battle was real  and a lot of fun.

Dill Barlow, Dee Compean and Maurice Abelman teamed up as the Food Fighters to battle it out against two other teams in the new TV series, Foodtastic, now streaming on Disney+.

Barlow is a cakemaker from Groves who owns Over the Top Cakes in Houston. He has a following on Instagram for his cake creations and was contacted by a casting agency who wanted to know if he could put a team together and make a food sculpture in a few days. He reached out to Compean and Abelman.

We actually ended up building this crazy Davy Jones sculpture out of wood and foam and then covering it in different vegetables and fondant, Barlow said. We sent that over and they just literally called us the next day and they signed us up.

At the time, Barlow had no idea who the show was for, but he knew the first person to call.

I've gotten thrown through the wringer a few times for Food Network doing different things, but nothing ever stuck, he said. I'm always hitting up Dee every time Ive got to talk to somebody for a team and she is usually always down.

Compean had previously worked as a cake artist and now has her own business painting shoes and other items on commission, as well as raising a family. She and Barlow had worked together at a bakery six years ago and have remained friends.

Were always bouncing off each other, Barlow said. She always knows something that I don't. It might be vice versa, but she probably already knows it.

Getting the third team member wasnt easy. Barlow contacted other bakers he knew but they were either not interested or too busy. He scrolled through the art community pages on Facebook and found Abelman.

I was like, oh yeah, this guy does these big sculptures, we probably need him for all the fabrication work we got to do underneath, Barlow said. So, I hit him up and he was like, I don't know you. What are you talking about? I think he was pretty stunned. Then we got to know each other, and we quickly had to build something. I think we did exceptional at that. And that's what got us through.

Abelman, who is program coordinator and graphic design instructor at Lamar State College-Port Arthur, said his main role on the team was support.

A lot of my input, my knowledge, was more towards the structure, building the structures underneath, making sure everything was like able to support the food that we put on top of it, he said.

The competition features three teams who must work within a theme. For the Food Fighters episode, the theme was Pirates of the Caribbean. The two other teams featured members from a luxury hotel with a head chef and a cakemaker and a confectioner and others with lots of competition experience.

Despite the competitive nature of the show, the self-taught artists said meeting the other contestants was the best part of the experience.

They were really humble, Compean said. That's what I love about some artists. They know where they started or they remember where they started, so they're really kind to people that are just starting off. They're good friends now.

Barlow said the other contestants even went so far as give the Food Fighters pointers.

They've been around the block, they've been on other multiple shows, so, we took a lot of notes from them and accepted some of their advice, and just kind of treated them with much respect as they were giving us, he said. It was just a really overall great experience just knowing them.

Having worked together once, Barlow said he is definitely open to finding another project with Abelman and Compean. Barlow and Abelman are still working together, and Barlow said that while Compean is busy raising her children, she is welcome any time.

There's not many shows like this one, Barlow said. But there's other cake shows, pumpkin carving, shows like that, I think we definitely step into some of those boundaries. We're more than ready to take on the next adventure.

Having worked on this particular project, Abelman said he is looking forward to learning more about food and how to expand his skill set.

One of the one of the new things for the show is the sculptures, they didn't need to be 100% edible, so we were mixing the materials together, materials I'm more familiar with, he said. But for future projects, we've been kind of thinking about sculpture where it's 100 percent edible. That takes a lot more knowledge than just visual knowledge that I have. So (Im) educating myself, getting Dee and Dills knowledge on food, and just the whole culinary approach.

The members of what the show called a small-town team unanimously said they learned from the experience, and like true artists, look back on what they could have done differently if they knew what they know now.

It was a great experience  I wouldn't trade it, Abelman said. We can always look back and say the things that we could have done. But I'm always kind of thinking about new projects and new things. And I feel like I've made lifelong friends. You know, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

For three days the small-town team represented Southeast Texas while painting with chocolate, bending bok choy, and battling pirate curses, as well as two other teams of skilled culinary artists. The end result is tasty treat for the viewer.

Foodtastic is streaming on Disney+, and the Food Fighters are on episode 10.

Barlows creations can be seen at overthetopcakes.com. All three artists can be found on Facebook and Instagram.
Sometimes I just sit and get overwhelmed by the goodness of my God. I realize its so easy to miss when He has blessed me, when He has answered my prayers, when He has turned my mourning into joy.

Recently, my husband and I were talking to a friend we met in college. Our conversation turned to that of how we ended up living in San Antonio. Its a tale of a thousand small coincidences that all had to take place in order for us to be where we are now.

Its a story in which I cried for months, not wanting to leave the city and the life I loved. And yet through it all, God has turned my tears into some of the best laughter; my loss of friendship into some of the best life-long friends; and my loss of job into a brand-new educational journey and career.

Oftentimes, when it seems as if God is taking things from you, He is really just clearing a place for what you had no idea you wanted or needed.

And yet, somehow, we still miss it when He speaks to us through His gifts and His blessings. Something bad happens and we blame God, but we dont credit Him for anything good.

In fact, oftentimes we simply take the credit ourselves.

James 1:17a says that every gift God freely gives us is good and perfect (The Passion Translation). His desire is for our good. He freely pours out mercy and grace and forgiveness in our imperfection. God is not a God who rewards us for good behavior and punishes us every time we do wrong. But as His child He corrects, uplifts, extends mercy and blesses us with what we do not deserve.

If youve ever read Psalms, you know that its a constant shift between a psalm of weeping and a psalm of joy. I used to laugh at that when I was little, thinking David couldnt remember what happened just one chapter before. And yet I find myself doing the exact same thing in my own life.

Just as David said in Psalm 31:22, I find myself humbled and having to say, I spoke hastily when I said, The Lord has deserted me. For in truth, you did hear my prayer and came to rescue me (The Passion Translation).

We just finished a holiday built around giving thanks, and yet we so often forget. Schedule thanksgiving into your daily life, not just one day a year.

Praise God for the ways He hears us, for the answers He gives, and for His unending love and faithfulness to us through it all.
If you work an entry-level job, Jan. 1 brought some good news and bad news. Minimum wages went up in 21 states and 35 cities. Its the largest joint increase of minimum wages in U.S. history.

So if you have a starter job in one of those states or cities, get ready for a bigger paycheck.

Unfortunately for Texans, the Lone Star State (and 19 others) are not included in this surge. The minimum wage here remains at the level set by Congress, a fairly humble rate of $7.25 per hour.

But that news isnt as bad as it seems, because the marketplace has outpaced the need for a federal minimum wage. Even in states like Texas without higher minimum wages, it is not hard to get an entry-level job that pays more than $7.25 per hour. And sometimes a lot more, like $12 or $15 per hour.

In fact, in 2020 only 1.5% of hourly workers in the U.S. earned at or below $7.25 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Whats up? Have employers suddenly become more generous? Hardly.

Nearly two years of a pandemic have produced the greatest labor shortage this country has seen in a long time. Many people who were financially comfortable or close to retirement simply quit. Its being called The Great Resignation, with millions of people giving two weeks notice and planning the next chapter in their lives.

Falling birth rates and rising death rates have also contributed to this trend.

More Information States with highest minimum wage after Jan. 1 10) Colorado - $12.56 per hour 9/8) Maine and Oregon - $12.75 per hour 7) Arizona - $12.80 per hour 6/5) Connecticut and New Jersey - $13 per hour 4) New York - $13.20 per hour 3) Massachusetts - $14.25 per hour 2) Washington - $14.49 per hour 1) California - $15 per hour See More Collapse

There are simply fewer workers in the U.S., and not enough of them.

The labor force is expected to grow by just 6.5 million workers through 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thats down from almost 10 million workers for the 10 years ending in 2019, and even bigger numbers in previous decades.

As a result, many employers are becoming desperate. Drug tests are being waived. So are conviction records in some cases.

More than a few places will hire people right on the spot when they come in to simply ask about job openings. Employees hired as temps are being offered permanent jobs within three months or less, instead of having to wait as long as nine months.

All of those things help, but of course the most important factor in most jobs is the salary. So one sure-fire way to lure more potential workers off the street and in your shop is to offer them more money.

Some employers are doing this willingly, some reluctantly. The willing group would be those who have high enough profits that they can simply scale back how much they make  or raise prices to keep raking in the same. The reluctant group would include many small business owners who operate on tight margins. They really dont have much wiggle room, but somehow they have to pay higher salaries.

One upside to this, however, is that higher-paid workers feel better about their job. They are more likely to do more than just go through the motions, to call in sick less when they really arent sick, to be polite to customers who are rude or demanding. (And there are a lot more of them these days.)

They also tend to not resign, which means that employers dont have to train another person they lure in off the street with no knowledge that he or she will be a good worker.

The real upshot of all this is that the federal minimum wage has been rendered virtually irrelevant. The marketplace has shown the need for much higher wages, and employers are responding. And in states like Texas, the Legislature is just not going to bite this bullet. Remember, were business friendly.

There will still be periodic calls in Congress to raise the state or federal minimum wage. But the issue just doesnt have the urgency it had a few years ago, and likely wont for a long time. It will be years before theres more balance between supply and demand for workers.

So if you flipped hamburgers or stuffed tacos for $7.25 an hour, youre probably part of a dying breed. That boat has sailed, and it isnt coming back.

TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com
Its hard to think of a more basic city service than garbage pickup, and anyone who doubts this could talk to someone in Port Arthur. For more than a year, garbage pickup there has been behind schedule, sometimes days or weeks late.

That is, of course, unacceptable, and Port Arthur city officials seem to be finally grasping this point.

Some of the citys problems are understandable  to a point. Some of the trucks need parts that cant be obtained because of the nationwide supply-chain backups. While issues like that defy immediate solution, the larger problem seems like it shouldnt be so bad.

Trucks, like anything else, will break down periodically. The city needs 12 garbage trucks, but it could keep one or two older ones in reserves. A good truck mechanic will know which parts will need replacing the most often. The city should have a supply of them on hand instead of ordering them when they are needed  and waiting on them.

All of this is basic management and planning. Experienced department leaders should have a good grasp of what they must do to keep the garbage trucks on schedule and understand what kinds of problems they will encounter  and of course be prepared for them if at all possible.

To their credit, city officials are stepping up their response.

Mayor Thurman Bartie said the city has secured a lease for one garbage truck that will be delivered next week, and two more trucks are being provided by Republic Services under a contract that began this week.

Two truck drivers tested positive for Covid, which means they have to quarantine for 14 days  along with anyone in the department they may have come into contact with.

The city also is increasing its collection schedule from four to six days  Monday through Saturday  to make up for days that were lost because of broken trucks. Bartie said the city may even add a seventh day if necessary. Garbage collection hours will also be extended for as long as there is daylight.

Staffers are also negotiating with Piney Woods, a private contractor, to handle garbage collection for Sabine Pass and Pleasure Island.

The city is also modifying its landfill permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to allow the landfill to operate seven days a week and on holidays to catch up on the backlog.

These moves are welcome  and overdue.

City officials have to understand that few things will frustrate residents more than late garbage pickup. To a person or business owner thinking about moving into Port Arthur, this is an immediate turnoff.

City officials need to get this problem resolved  and keep it that way.
Area school districts trying to deal with omicron surge got a boost this week from the Texas Education Agency when it recommended allowing employees to return to work if they are recovering from COVID-19 and have been free of symptoms for at least five days. This follows the latest recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which had earlier recommended a 10-day isolation period.

The not-so-secret motivation behind this change is the desire to balance safety and necessity. Many schools  and hospitals and other facilities  are seeing more absences from teachers, nurses and other key employees because they have contracted Covid due to the omicron variant. Yet most of these facilities are scrambling to find enough people for key positions because of the employee drain from more than a year of the pandemic.

Most of them cant afford to keep teachers or nurses away for 10 days at a time after they are recovering from Covid now. Yet after 5 days of no symptoms, the chances of these employees spreading Covid are vastly reduced.

Frankly, a 10-day isolation period probably would be more safer, but again, struggling schools and hospitals just cant function if they lose too many key employees from Covid. Hence the compromise to a 5-day wait, which is reasonable under the circumstances.

If some area school districts are doing OK on staffing, they could require 10 days of no symptoms for employees recovering from Covid. But if the TEA and CDC are saying 5 days is acceptable, they should feel confident requiring that time period if they are short-staffed.

As the pandemic drags on, public institutions and private companies will be forced to make adjustments like this to get by. Many private firms, for example, shifted to letting employees work from home to avoid the virus. Obviously, however, schools and hospitals need their key employees in the building. Most schools and hospitals have high vaccination rates among employees, but during this surge, every worker matters more than usual.

The best way to avoid dilemmas like this is for all employees to be vaccinated and boosted. People with those protections will either avoid getting sick from the omicron variant or at least avoid hospitalization. Those who havent been vaccinated can become quite ill from this variant or end up on a ventilator.

The choice between those two scenarios should be clear. If you have an important job, the best way to keep doing it is to roll up your sleeve and maybe also wear a mask in indoor situations and practice safe distancing. For vital workers like teachers and nurses, their students and patients will appreciate this decision by them.
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Everett hires Burkett as new superintendent

BURKETT

The Everett Area School District hired a new superintendent at its school board meeting Thursday night.

The school board selected David Burkett of Claysburg to serve as the top administrator for the district. The five-year contract with Burkett begins July 1 with a starting salary of $120,000 per year.

Burkett will replace Dr. Danny Webb, who in October announced he would be retiring in March after 35 years in education.

Burkett currently serves as superintendent of the Fannett-Metal School District in Franklin County.

Burkett is a graduate from Claysburg-Kimmel High School and earned a degree in secondary education social studies from Penn State in 1998.

He began teaching social studies in the Northern Bedford County School District in 2001 before earning his masters degree from Gannon University in 2003. He then earned his principal certification in 2005 and became the assistant high school principal for NBC. He became high school principal in 2010 and held that role until joining Fannett-Metal in October 2015.

The school board also approved FMLA leave for Webb beginning Feb. 7 and amended his retirement date to April 8. Assistant Superintendent Dr. James Hollis will begin serving as acting superintendent beginning Feb. 7.

Burkett will take over as interim superintendent of record on April 11 at a rate of $459.77 per day plus benefits.

The change at superintendent follows previous changes on the school board during 2021. Board members Randy Shaw and Darrell Bowman both resigned during the year, while former board president Corey Reffner did not seek re-election in Novembers election.

During the reorganization meeting in December, Kyle Cornell was appointed board president and Joseph Payne was appointed vice president. New board members joining the board over the past year include Charlee Howsare and Peggy Clark, who were both previously appointed to fill vacancies on the board, as well as newly elected Jamie Howsare and Casey Weaver.
The head of a regency that will be the seat of Indonesias new capital is to be detained until next month after being caught allegedly accepting $70,000 in kickbacks linked to local government tenders, officials said.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said investigators arrested Abdul Gafur Masud, chief of North Penajam Paser regency in East Kalimantan province, in a Jakarta shopping mall late Wednesday and seized 1 billion rupiah ($70,000) in cash.

The suspect will be detained until Feb. 1 for the purpose of the investigation, KPK deputy chairman Alexander Marwata told reporters Thursday night.

The cash is believed to be bribe money linked to local government projects and business licensing, he said.

Investigators also seized 447 million rupiah ($31,200) from Abdul Gafurs bank account, Alexander said.

The money is not tied to the project to move the capital from Jakarta, officials said.

[T]he KPK caught people red-handed late afternoon [Wednesday] in Jakarta and East Kalimantan. Among them, there were  the regent of Penajam Paser Utara, several civil servants and some from the private sector, acting KPK spokesman Ali Fikri told Channel News Asia on Thursday.

Alexander said 10 others were arrested in Jakarta and East Kalimantan as part of the investigation, but only five are official suspects.

Meanwhile, a campaigner for the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) environmental group in East Kalimantan said Abdul Gafur was known as a young businessman with interests including coal mining.

The campaigner, Pradarma Rupang, said Abdul Gafur, who was elected in 2018 as one of the youngest regents in Indonesia, had been criticized for the construction of an official residence that cost 34 billion rupiah ($2.37 million) last year. That project has not been completed.

The amount is fantastic for a regents official residence, Rupang told BenarNews, calling for an investigation into that spending.

He also said Abdul Gafurs arrest likely would not affect plans to move the Indonesian capital from Jakarta to North Penajam Paser regency.

Parliament members are discussing a legislative bill needed to move the capital and said they expect to pass it later this month.

Corruption arrests

In December, KPK chairman Firli Bahuri said 109 suspects were arrested and detained on corruption allegations throughout the nation in 2021.

One of the most high-profile suspects is lawmaker Aziz Syamsuddin, who is on trial for allegedly bribing a former KPK investigator and a lawyer to help stop an investigation into a corruption case.

Firli has been criticized for firing 57 staffers  including investigators who had handled major cases  after they were judged to have failed the so-called National Outlook Test, which was required to keep their jobs.

The employees were required to pass the test as KPK transitioned from an independent institution to one under the executive branch of the government. Critics have likened the exam to an ideological purity test, alleging it was designed to get rid of the agencys most veteran graft investigators.

The parliament passed amendments that brought the agency under the control of the executive branch in 2019. The move provoked street protests where opponents accused the government of using the law to weaken the independence of the agency fighting corruption.

In May, the Constitutional Court rejected a petition filed by former KPK commissioners to overturn the amended law.

Since its establishment in 2002, the KPK has convicted former ministers, governors, central bankers, legislators and tycoons.

Despite that record, a November survey by local pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia suggested that public trust in KPK has deteriorated since 2019. The commission ranked eighth on the list of the most trusted institution, below the police and the military.
Indonesian Muslim women perform prayers during the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan, in Malang, East Java, July 6, 2016.

The new leader of Indonesias largest Muslim organization is calling for the reform of orthodox Islamic doctrines which, he says, are incompatible with modern realities in the 21st century.

A tradition of tolerance that Muslims across the Indonesian archipelago have practiced for centuries could be an antidote for religious extremism and contribute to global peace, according to Yahya Cholil Staquf, the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama.

We will continue our efforts to strengthen Islamic civilization, which has grown and developed in Indonesia for a long time and has been proven up to now to be able to maintain a harmonious socio-cultural order, despite diversity, Yahya told BenarNews during an interview after being elected as the new chief of NU in late December.

This is a model that will certainly be very valuable to be offered to the world as the contribution of Indonesian Islam, to seek a way out of various kinds of turmoil that are currently raging in the Islamic world.

He refers to this unique brand of Indonesian Islam that has evolved over many generations as Islam Nusantara (Archipelagic Islam).

The influential group that Yahya heads claims to have 90 million members scattered across Indonesia, a religiously and culturally diverse archipelago, and the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation.

NU is seeking to help create a just and harmonious world order based on respect for human rights and dignity by addressing the problem of religious radicalism, he said.

As an example of problematic doctrines, Yahya cited the kafir (infidel) label that Muslims use when speaking about non-Muslims, and the belief that the caliphate is a God-ordained form of government.

It is clear that in classical Islamic discourse, there are those who are viewed that way. This doctrine is vulnerable [to abuse], and is something that we cant follow any more today because the world has become one village and we have to live side by side with each other, he said during the 45-minute phone interview.

The caliphate was part of the dominant discourse of orthodoxy, and became a practice that shaped the past civilization. Now, we can no longer impose a universal caliphate in the context of the current reality.

A 2019 national conference of NU scholars proposed the elimination of the term kafir to refer to non-Muslims, and replace it with muwatinun, an Arabic word for fellow citizens.

The scholars argues that kafir had negative connotations and was divisive.

But conservative Muslims who opposed the proposal argued that the term was neutral, and not meant to be hateful.

Another concept in orthodox Islam that Yahya identified as vulnerable to misinterpretation in the modern context has do to with conflict.

When there is a conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims, what are the obligations of Muslims? According to orthodox teachings, we should help fellow Muslims to fight non-Muslims, Yahya, 55, said.

This has to be straightened out. We cant just involve ourselves in a conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims because it will only worsen the conflict and [lead to] no way out.

Yahya Cholil Staquf, the newly elected chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), speaks at a gathering with the groups regional administrators, Dec. 24, 2021. [Handout photo from NU]

Since the turn of the century, Indonesia has been grappling with Islamic militancy and violent extremism.

Several major terror attacks carried out by Islamic militants rocked the country in the 2000s, notably the 2002 Bali bombings in which 202 people were killed. Indonesian authorities blamed that and other attacks during the first decade of the new century on Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian affiliate of al-Qaeda.

In recent years, hardline Sunni Muslims in the country have persecuted members of the tiny Shiite and Ahmadiyya minorities, accusing them of trying to spread heretical interpretation of Islam.

Yahya said the Islam Nusantara concept is not a new ideology, but a unique brand of Islam practiced here since the 1300s.

Indonesian Muslims believe that Wali Songo (Nine Saints) helped propagate Islam in the archipelago between the 14th and 16th centuries. They blended Islamic practices with pre-existing traditions from Hinduism, Buddhism and other faiths, and thereby created a more tolerant brand of the faith.

Consolidation

Under his leadership for the next five years, NU will undergo a consolidation, Yahya said.

This week, he appointed several women to NUs leadership board, the first such appointments since the organizations founding in 1926.

Robi Sugara, executive director of the Indonesian Muslim Crisis Center, a local NGO, described Yahyas ascension as NUs leader as a breath of fresh air.

NU will not be interested in establishing an Islamic state, a caliphate or formalization of Islamic law, things that radical groups aspire to, Robi told BenarNews.

The promotion of moderate Nusantara Islam is timely.

Puritan Islamic groups consider polytheism something that is not permissible and when they see it they should not remain silent. However, Nusantara Islam, although it doesnt allow it, tries to see it from a different perspective, Robi said.

This report is the second of two parts.
An advanced sea-to-sea variant of the BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile is test-fired from the Visakhapatnam, an Indian navy ship, Jan. 11, 2022.

The Philippines has agreed to buy a U.S. $375-million package of BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles from India, tapping Chinas main strategic rival in Asia to shore up its defenses in the disputed South China Sea.

The acquisition of the Brahmos, said to be the worlds fastest cruise missile, marks a breakthrough in efforts to upgrade the Philippines defense arsenal, according to an analyst.

On Friday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana released a document via social media showing that Manila had approved the acquisition of the land-based variant of BrahMos for the Philippine Navy from Indias BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd.

As head of procuring entity (HOPE), I recently signed the Notice of Award for the Philippine Navy Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile Acquisition Project, Lorenzana said on Facebook.

Negotiated with the government of India, it includes the delivery of three batteries, training for operators and maintainers as well as the necessary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package.

Earlier this week, India said it had successfully test-fired a naval variant of the BrahMos missile from an Indian Navy ship.

Advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile was tested from INS Visakhapatnam today, Indias Defense Research and Development Organization said in a tweet

Missile hit the designated target ship precisely.

The Coastal Defense Regiment of the Philippine Marines is the unit that will use the land-based variant of the BrahMos PJ-10 missile, produced through a joint venture between India and Russia. The name BrahMos comes from fusing the names of the Brahmaputra and Moscow rivers in India and Russia, respectively.

For India, which has a serious border dispute in its northeast with China, this is the first export order for BrahMos.

As Southeast analyst Derek Grossman said via Twitter: China wont be pleased!

Its official, the Philippines is getting Indias BrahMos, said the senior defense analyst at the RAND Corp., a U.S. think-tank.

A soldier salutes from a truck transporting a BrahMos missile system during Indias Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Jan. 26, 2021. [AFP]

India is only the second new entrant into the Southeast Asia supersonic anti-ship missile game after Russia, said another regional analyst, Collin Koh.

As for the Philippines, it becomes only the third Southeast Asian country after Indonesia and Vietnam to boast an anti-ship supersonic cruise-missile capability, he added.

For Manila Ill say its more than a breakthrough  its practically a leapfrog, Koh said via Twitter.

Experts see the BrahMos acquisition as a value-for-money option for a developing country with limited cash for defense spending.

Its a cost-effective solution for the navy to have a sea-denial capability, retired navy admiral Rommel Jude Ong, now with the Ateneo School of Government in Manila, told BenarNews in March 2021, when the Philippines and India signed an initial agreement for the supply deal.

The BrahMos, with a 290-km [180-mile] range, will provide a defensive buffer across a certain extent of the EEZ. It gives the navy a mission-kill option in case of conflict, he said at the time, referring to Manilas exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

Back then, tensions were running high between Manila and Beijing over the presence within the EEZ of some 200 fishing boats believed to be manned by Chinese militias.

The diplomatic standoff went on for months, and although the situation has deescalated, Philippine officials say that unauthorized Chinese vessels remain a constant presence in Philippine-claimed waters of the South China Sea.

Manila, meanwhile, has been in a race to upgrade and modernize its navy, which until recently has had to make do with a fleet of legacy vessels, many of which date back to World War II.

Over the last three years, Manila has acquired its first missile-capable warships: a repurposed corvette from the South Korean navy, and two brand new South Korean-made frigates.

Last month, Manila signed on to acquire two new corvettes from South Korean maker Hyundai Heavy Industries for $554 million. Like the earlier corvette and frigates, these will have anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities.

A beginning of Indias arms sales within ASEAN

For India, the sale of the BrahMos to South China Sea claimant Philippines is a breakthrough in Southeast Asia, where China is a dominant economic force and also claims almost all of the South China Sea.

Chinas claims include waters within the EEZs of Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. While Indonesia does not regard itself as party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines BrahMos order could lead to more agreements with other Southeast Asian nations, allowing New Delhi to expand its influence in the region, Indian analysts said.

The deal is being considered a beginning of Indias arms sales within the ASEAN member nations, Aparaajita Pandey, assistant professor at the Institute of Public Policy at Amity University, told Indian news outlet AsiaNet.

New Delhi is also in talks with Vietnam and Indonesia for the possible sale of supersonic cruise missiles, reports said.

[The] Philippines is potentially a geo-strategically important strategic partner in the region, Pandey said.

The deal will lead to greater militarization of the region, which most definitely will be noticed by Beijing.
Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands is one of the major bases China has constructed on disputed features in the South China Sea, Aug. 20, 2021.

Updated at 10 a.m. ET on 2022-01-14

The U.S. State Department has issued its most comprehensive study yet on Chinas sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea and concludes they amount to an unlawful claim to most of the disputed waterway and gravely undermine the rule of law.

The 47-page Limits in the Seas report, released on Wednesday, states that Chinas claim to historic rights over the South China Sea is unlawful  a finding that concurs with the decision of the 2016 international arbitration tribunal in a case brought by the Philippines.

China, which has ignored the tribunal, has been engaged in territorial disputes with five other claimants in the South China Sea. The Chinese claims are by far the largest, covering up to 90 percent of the sea.

These claims, especially considering their expansive geographic and substantive scope, gravely undermine the rule of law in the oceans and numerous universally recognized provisions of international law reflected in the Convention (on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS), the State Department report says.

The U.S. reiterated its call for the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to conform its maritime claims to international law and to comply with the decision of the tribunal, as well as to cease its unlawful and coercive activities in the South China Sea.

In the past Beijing has insisted that it holds historical rights to most of the South China Sea and declared the arbitration tribunals ruling null and void. It also pointed out that the U.S. is not a signatory of UNCLOS, which China ratified in 1996.

China sets great store by the Convention and earnestly observes the Convention in a rigid and responsible manner. The U.S. refuses to join the Convention, but styles itself as a judge, said Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Such political manipulation is irresponsible and undermines international rule of law, he told a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Our sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea are established in the long course of history and are in line with the UN Charter, UNCLOS and other international law, Wang added.

The U.S. report, which examines four categories of maritime claims made by China, is one of a series issued by the State Departments Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs on maritime claims by different countries.

Its really well-argued, based on the latest information from Chinese sources, said Bill Hayton, a South China Sea scholar.

It doesnt change the U.S. position in any way but it gives everyone who follows developments in the South China Sea a really good set of data points on which to base their discussions, he said.

Historical rights

The U.S. position has always been that it does not take sides in the dispute about which country has sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea.

The new study examines only the maritime claims asserted by the PRC and does not examine the merits of sovereignty claims to islands in the South China Sea asserted by the PRC or other states.

However, the findings show that the overall effect of these maritime claims is that the PRC unlawfully claims sovereignty or some form of exclusive jurisdiction over most of the South China Sea.

In recent years, China has been developing artificial islands and stepping up military presence to reinforce its sovereignty claims despite concerns and protests from neighboring countries.

The new report builds on a previous U.S. analysis of Chinas nine-dash line that encircles most of the South China Sea and serves as the basis for the claim to historical rights in the sea.

The idea of historic rights in the South China Sea was invented by Professor Kuen-Chen Fu and other nationalist New Party politicians in Taiwan in the late 1980s and 1990s, said Hayton, adding that it was then incorporated into Chinas legal framework.

China also claimed that its nine-dash line is a successor to the U-shaped line map issued by the Republic of China government, based in Taiwan, in 1947.

But Taiwan, despite being a claimant, does not recognize the nine-dash line used by China to claim historical rights in the South China Sea, said Chung-Ting Huang, a research fellow at the Taiwanese Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

Taiwan and China are not on the same page about the definition of the nine-dash line, Huang said.

Noting that China has not provided any additional information about the substantive content of this historical rights claim, the Limits in the Seas report said the claim is inconsistent with international law and the international community, including littoral states of the South China Sea, has made clear that it rejects the PRCs historic rights claim.

BenarNews

Other maritime claims

Besides historic rights, three other categories of claims examined in the State Departments report are sovereignty claims over maritime features; straight baselines; and maritime zones.

Baselines are demarcation lines connecting the outermost points of the features of archipelago that are meant to circumscribe the territory that belongs to it.

China claims sovereignty over more than 100 features in the South China Sea that are submerged by water during high tide.

Beijing has been drawing straight baselines around four groups of scattered islands in order to claim ownership of everything within those baselines.

Analyzing each of those claims using UNCLOS, the report said that Chinas expansive maritime claims are plainly inconsistent with international law.

The United States and numerous other states have rejected these claims in favor of the rules-based international maritime order within the South China Sea and worldwide, it said.

This report has been updated to add comments from the Chinese foreign ministry.
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Why finding child care went from hard to horrible  Before the pandemic, it was hard for families in Berkshire County to find and pay for child care. Now, it's brutal, with long waiting lists common, especially for infants, restricting the availability of working parents.  Nearly a fifth of smaller, family-run child care programs in the region have closed. Larger centers struggle to hire workers  and that further limits care "slots," due to state rules on staffing.  Advocates say they're hopeful the extent of the care crisis will compel a new look at public funding for care, putting early education teachers on a footing more akin to public education.

Its the crisis we could have seen coming. Child care providers did. They knew their underfunded, underpaid system, a mishmash of care that parents must navigate on their own, was vulnerable to breaking down.

Today, theyre fighting to hold it all together, one positive COVID-19 test and one teacher resignation after another.

By all accounts, the pandemic steamrolled a stressed early education system in Massachusetts. Programs that working parents desperately need in the Berkshires now struggle to find staff members and fulfill their civic mission, their leaders say. Because they cant hire all the educators they need, fewer child care slots are available, with obvious hardships all around  and fewer workers able to clock in.

This Project Paycheck dispatch describes the pandemic-era workforce problem that may have the most far-reaching and long-term social consequences of all those in this series. The crisis in child care, as weve noted in passing, is one of the reasons experts believe the Berkshire County workforce shrank by 4,675 from July 2019 to July 2021.

About Project Paycheck The Berkshire Eagles Project Paycheck explores work life changes in the region driven by the coronavirus pandemic. Led by Investigations Editor Larry Parnass, it probes why Berkshire Countys workforce remains at its smallest size in decades  and what that means for the regions economic well-being.

Over the past week, Ive spoken with a cross section of people who run child care programs in the Berkshires. Im going to break down the problem, then introduce you to people who are trying not only to patch the system together, but fix it.

As parents who seek care outside the home for young children already know, alls not well in this business. Because children are our future, everyone should be aware of whats happening.

The meltdown

Amid all the workplace dislocation in 2020, 2021 and now in 2022, the plight of those who work to educate and care for other peoples young children could be seen as just another corner of misery.

That would be wrong, people in this field say. The regions network of licensed child care programs and home-based day care centers, particularly those that include state-subsidized care, has been an essential safe harbor for working families, as well as vital to early childhood development.

But its been unraveling. A survey just conducted for the Department of Early Childhood and Care found that 60 percent of child care programs had reduced their enrollment because of staffing gaps. Nearly seven in 10 had unfilled jobs representing more than a tenth of their workforces.

Almost half of those quitting the child care field (47 percent) were going off to different lines of work, the survey found.

Meantime, three-quarters of child care program directors said they arent getting the kinds of applicants they need: trustworthy people who can meet state certification rules. And when those people did apply, two-thirds of them wanted pay the programs felt they couldnt provide.

Providing this kind of care more fully and equitably is one of the signature goals of the Build Back Better Act, the Biden administration legislation that remains bottled up in Congress, having passed in the House but not the Senate. The legislation would bring $3.1 billion in early childhood care funding to the state, according to an analysis by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, including a one-year extension of a new child tax credit.

For now, even with pandemic-era cash infusions, the early education system remains a poor cousin to public education, which runs on reliable, if not always adequate, public funding when a child reaches school age.

Study after study shows the importance of a stable early education relationship (on) children and their success later on, says Sarah Cook, president and CEO at 18 Degrees in Pittsfield, one of the regions largest providers of early education and child care. If we're not able to provide young people with in-person support, teaching, language skills acquisition and socialization that is so important for success, it's concerning.

Quote We have heard stories of (child care centers) increasing salaries dramatically, and still not being able to find folks to come. Because if you can make the same at a job where you don't have to teach 20 preschools? It's hard, labor-intensive work. Families are trusting you with their youngest children. Amy OLeary, executive director, Strategies for Children

That sense of stability in the child care world went AWOL in the past year and a half, she and others say.

Educational providers for all ages are struggling to remain operating, Cook said. We do our darndest to provide the critical services that we know our families and our communities need. We struggle with keeping our staffing levels up. We need support to ensure that we have the resources so we can do that safely.

Her colleague Gina Blake, the agencys vice president of programs, is clear about the stakes. Theyre high.

It's impacting parents' ability to work and be successful at work, which is increasing the stress in homes and for the families we serve. These are usually families who already have quite a bit of financial stress in their lives.

Heavy staff turnover

When the pandemic arrived, a lot of veteran teachers in this field decided to call it a day. Unable to fill the open jobs, program directors had to reduce openings.

I've been on the phone with directors who are just ready to cry, Anne Nemetz-Carlson, president and CEO of Child Care of the Berkshires, told me.

They mourn hourly pay for child care workers that was never seen as adequate, not considering the indisputable social value of the work  caring for young people. As other employers bumped wages up, child care jobs seemed even less attractive, even as programs steered government allocations into bonuses.

Parents trying to find care for their children have been at wits end as well, especially those with infants.

Its really hard right now. Thats what Jessica Devylder, who has run Bumblebee Home Day Care on Cadwell Road in Pittsfield for 17 years, told me. I get phone calls, I dont even know how many times, from a parent looking for an infant spot. Right now, theyre so full  and many providers decided to shut down.

Devylder says she has stopped accepting infants into her program. I think a lot of people are concerned with the little ones. Im scared because I don't want to be responsible for something happening to an infant, for any of my little ones, she said.

Devylder doesnt anticipate an opening in her center, which is licensed for eight children, until July.

Across the state, 15,050 children were on waiting lists for care as of Jan. 5. That includes 2,253 children in the Department of Early Childhood and Care region that encompasses the Berkshires. The states tally shows that the list includes 340 infants, 585 toddlers, 467 preschoolers and 861 children waiting for after-school care; it doesnt include children whose parents didnt think it worth even bothering to sign up.

Kristy Renzis 8-month-old daughter is on one of those lists in North Adams.

Renzi, 25, has been looking for care so she could go back to her job at Berkshire Families & Individual Resources, where she provides community outreach to the agencys clients.

Ive looked everywhere. Theres just no infant day care available, she told me, a fact that caregivers confirm. Thats in part because it costs more to care for infants, since the state requires greater staffing per child at that age, to ensure their safety. Centers charge more for infant care. The private pay fee at one Berkshires program is $1,565 a month.

Without state subsidies, which reach 48,000 of the 200,000 children now enrolled in early education in Massachusetts, infant care can exceed the cost of attending a public college. The cost of private care in downtown Boston can hit $110 a day, or $26,000 a year.

Renzi added her name to waiting lists, but not by any means near the top. This week, intent on getting back to work, she hoped to line up a sitter instead, for a relatively cheap $80 a week. Renzi had hoped to get to work in early November, but she, her daughter and one of her two sons, who are 2 and 4, fell ill with COVID-19. When she and her kids got better, her hunt for child care resumed.

Its been difficult not being able to work because I cant find child care for my daughter.

The care gap

Today, there are 30,000 fewer child care spots available in Massachusetts, compared to before the pandemic.

In this region, 18 percent of the small home-based day care centers operating in March 2020 never reopened. One observer at the state level told me the problem of lost child care slots is slightly worse in Western Massachusetts.

Why? Many of the people, mainly women, who run home-based care centers tend to be older in rural areas. Fewer young mothers are doing as Jessica Devylder of Pittsfield did: Start her own day care business, which enabled her to care for her children at home.

The numbers are better for the larger, center-based early education programs, where just 3 percent of pre-pandemic programs disappeared in Western Massachusetts  an area the state defines, basically, as everything west of the Quabbin Reservoir.

Quote There has been a huge awakening to the role that early education plays not just in the lives of children, but in families. Its a shame that it took a pandemic to shine a light on it. William J. Eddy, Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care

Still, even those still operating have fewer openings for children. The 18 Degrees program, for example, is licensed to care for 181 children but because of staffing gaps can only handle 70 percent of that number.

At Child Care of the Berkshires, two classrooms in Pittsfield are at half enrollment  15 instead of 30, due to staffing shortages. In North Adams, the program has about 20 spots it cant fill, out of its license to care for 83 children.

A November survey run for the state suggests that as many as 42 percent of licensed slots are unfilled in larger child care programs, and 32 percent are empty in family-based programs. The board that oversees the Department of Early Childhood and Care was told last month that one-fifth of all programs cant accommodate as many children as allowed because of staffing gaps, a situation thats worse in Social Vulnerability Index communities, such as Pittsfield and North Adams.

All this comes after the state took unavoidable steps, early in the pandemic, to lessen the risk of COVID-19 transmission by trimming classroom sizes. A classroom that might have held 20 children, one educator told me, had to drop to 13.

Seven kids is a lot of money in the classroom, because the state pays us by kids, says Nemetz-Carlson, of Child Care of the Berkshires.

To be sure, some of that lost revenue is finding or will eventually find its way back, through allocations from three separate federal pots of money, including the CARES Act, the American Rescue Plan Act and the lesser known Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA).

Together, Massachusetts will receive $371.7 million from all three pieces of legislation specifically to shore up child care; to date, only $45.7 million in CARES Act money has been spent, according to a January report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation; other pots of money are about to crack open.

The CRRSA Act provided $10 billion to child care programs around the country. In a required memo, Massachusetts officials pledged to use this states share to shore up losses in care centers, rebuild family access to care and pay staff more fairly, as well as look ahead to ways to guarantee sustainable care.

Its important to remember: These are can-do people, by nature. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, most everyone hunkered down for a few weeks, wondering what would happen next.

People who staff early education centers were among the first ordered back out by the governor, even as schools remained closed. Without their programs, parents with young children could not return to essential jobs. Or any job, really, that you cant do from home.

So they got back to it  scores of educators in the Berkshires alone. Across Massachusetts, 600 emergency care sites went into action, with enrollments around 5,000, according to state figures.

Over time, and it didnt take long, the wheels began to come off. Something was always going wrong, mainly due to staff schedules and positive COVID-19 tests. One program director, forced like all her colleagues to grapple with daily classroom closings or lost transportation service due to positive COVID-19 tests, adopted a new nickname: the chaos coordinator.

Its just the perfect storm, said Erin Sullivan, vice president of community and donor relations at 18 Degrees in Pittsfield.

The caregivers

I asked Kelly A. Marion, CEO of the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center Inc. in Pittsfield, how her agency is providing care, in light of all the staffing challenges. She took a deep breath, paused, and said all but one job, in maintenance, was filled as of this week.

She might have been looking for a piece of wood to knock on.

It has been the most stressful time probably in all of our careers that we've been doing this work, she told me.

For 20 years, William J. Eddy has helped advise hundreds of early education centers, including many in the Berkshires. The last 22 months have been unlike anything weve ever seen, he told me this week from his office in Worcester with the Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care. We are a safety net for our most at-risk children.

That net got thinner.

Our capacity is down because we simply cant staff up, Eddy said. Low pay has been a chronic issue in the early education field. This is a tough profession. Its hard work. Youre isolated. I think people have just said, Im going to do something different.

There has been a huge awakening to the role that early education plays not just in the lives of children, but in families, he said. Its a shame that it took a pandemic to shine a light on it.

At the Early Childhood Center at the synagogue Hevreh in Great Barrington, educators are licensed for 35 children in their four classrooms. Ellen Marcus, its director, says the program is about 10 children shy of that, for staffing reasons.

I would love to hire more people, both full time and part time. I cant find applicants, she told me. At this point Im not even getting a candidate. Recruiting staff is exceedingly challenging.

Nemetz-Carlson, the leader at Child Care of the Berkshires Inc. in North Adams, one of the regions largest centers, says she lost two experienced teachers in the infant program in close succession. One took another job. The other had just had enough.

Some people did not want to have that anxiety every day of coming to work and not knowing whether theyd get infected, she said. Remember, none of the little people who arrive at child care centers  infants, toddlers and preschoolers  are cleared yet for vaccination.

The two classrooms Nemetz-Carlsons program operates in Pittsfield, with a half dozen employees, saw a complete staff turnover during the pandemic. About half of the two dozen staff in the agencys seven classrooms in North Adams left. To her relief, many of the longer-term employees are sticking it out.

Theyre brave and dedicated to come to work, she said of them. And its hard work.

Were scraping. We know were stealing staff back and forth, she said. We want our programs to be stable and our teachers to be comfortable.

One of the consequences of all the upheaval is heard, if never said.

Young children dont do well with uncertainty. Many react badly to the latest unfamiliar face in their classrooms, unsettling the steps they are taking toward living with others, program leaders told me.

They cry and they're not familiar, Nemetz-Carlson said. A lot of people dont love change.

Building back

Center directors are using relief money to provide bonuses and increase pay, by offering from $1.50 to $2 more an hour on rates that seldom crack the $20 level.

The relief money is linked, naturally, to the number of children being served, with a bonus provided for programs that serve children from low-income families.

At the Early Childhood Center at Hevreh, in Great Barrington, an allocation of $12,000 a month, through June, is helping support staff pay. Its significant, and I want to use it well, said Marcus, the programs director.

To restore their ranks of teachers, both 18 Degrees and Child Care of the Berkshires are hiring people who dont yet meet the states certification requirements as assistant teachers at slightly reduced pay. They work under certified teachers to obtain the needed nine months of experience, as well as some higher-ed training in child development.

In time, that will increase access to care. But not right away.

I'd have five new staff and not be able to serve any more kids until they have gone through the certification process, Blake, of 18 Degrees, told me. We're getting applicants all the time, but they aren't folks that I can hire tomorrow and increase capacity.

Thats a short-term fix. The push is on to change the playing field. Advocates for children say the pandemic pulled the curtain back on inequities in child care.

A state commission is exploring change. Some of the federal money will even fund that search.

Separately, the Common Start Coalition is backing a bill by that name that would solidify funding for care programs by basing it on capacity, not attendance  a system more akin to public education. Once fully implemented, it would make child care free for families below the statewide median income ($42,614 for a single parent with one child; $62,668 for a family of four). A hearing was held in November before the Education Committee.

The measures co-sponsors include state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield; Paul W. Mark, D-Peru; and William Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox.

This week, representatives of 131 organizations wrote to Gov. Charlie Baker asking him to allocate $600 million to extend current grants designed to support child care programs through June 2023.

Like many in the child care field, Farley-Bouvier says the work should be considered part of public education, and paid accordingly.

Quote Early education should be public education. We dont ask families to pay for fifth grade. But we ask them to sometimes pay what they would pay for college for child care. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield

Long before the pandemic we had a crisis in child care, that there were not enough slots, and we had difficulty hiring people because the pay was so low, she told me. Early education should be public education. We dont ask families to pay for fifth grade. But we ask them to sometimes pay what they would pay for college for child care.

Nemetz-Carlson is backing proposed reforms on Beacon Hill. She wants child care to be treated like a public good, just as K-12 education. It irked her that in one rollout of COVID-19 test kits to schools, the child care sector was ignored. Were educating kids just like they are. Were the poor people begging for help. I would like more fairness.

The big system of child care is about to change, she said. It hasnt come soon enough.

Amy OLeary, executive director of the advocacy group Strategies for Children, believes the pandemic is finally laying bare whats wrong with the current child care system, which Farley-Bouvier refers to as a mishmash.

OLeary thinks the systems near-collapse over the past two years makes the case for reform. The state itself adopted a key piece of the Common Start legislation during the pandemic, when it shifted to a payment system based on enrollment rather than attendance.

In most of the policies, weve been an afterthought, OLeary said of the child care field. Weve left it up to parents to navigate. I think that has changed. We need to recognize these systems for what they are doing to support children's development and for the connection to our economy. It was very clear, when people suddenly were like, 'Wait a minute, you can't ask people to go back to work, if they don't have child care.'
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.
After a presiding priest roiled a Berkshire parish by inserting an Intention targeting Jews for conversion into a church bulletin, The Eagle editorial board called on the Springfield Diocese to proactively address parishioners concerns. To the dioceses credit, it does appear to be doing that.

In condemning the antisemitic church bulletin, which decency compels of the entire community, we also critiqued the dioceses history of trying to make deep problems go away quietly in lieu of transparently working on them. The clergy abuse scandal was certainly the most calamitous example of this institutional shortcoming, which was not unique to the Springfield Diocese but has certainly proved corrosive here. It is only fair, then, to acknowledge when diocesan leadership appears to be moving against that troubling trend.

Two Catholic parishes in Berkshires adjust their policies after 'imprudent' priests abrupt departure Catholics in Adams and Cheshire are feeling a sense of relief, as they reflect on a former administrator's tenure and abrupt departure. Several parishioners say that even before the Rev. Barrent Pease listed the conversion of Jews as a Mass Intention, they differed with him about aspects of his leadership, which they characterized as impulsive and traditionalist.

Parishioners who spoke with The Eagle said the bulletin incident was not an isolated one in their rocky relationship with the Rev. Barrent Pease. They mentioned chafing at certain policies restricting eulogies and funeral music as well as more worrisome behavior, such as using the pulpit to discourage mask-wearing and baselessly question the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines. For what its worth, those pandemic-related stances put the priest at odds with the pope.

Bishop removes Adams priest, asks him to reflect on a trying week A new permanent administrator will guide Catholic churches in Adams and Cheshire  and their former lead priest, the Rev. Barrent Pease, is out. Bishop William D. Byrne announced the changes in a letter to parishioners read aloud at Masses on Friday afternoon.

On the bright side, Bishop William D. Byrne took the parishioners complaints seriously  and acted on them. He removed the Rev. Pease from his position as administrator of the St. John Paul II and St. Mary parishes in Adams and Cheshire. The bishop also openly condemned the former presiding priests actions as imprudent, while acknowledging the trying week endured by the community in the run-up to Christmas following the aforementioned bulletin. The diocese brought in the Rev. William Cyr to temporarily lead the parishes through a period of transition, which also meant dropping the policies that proved unpopular with many parishioners.

We certainly agree with the bishops assessment that the former presiding priests words and deeds were imprudent. Acknowledging them does not erase them, and we reiterate our call for the diocese to substantively engage in interfaith dialogue with local Jewish community leaders.

Still, there is reason for some optimism in the wake of this shake-up in a small-town faith community. Parishioners felt empowered to speak up when their priest erred. The diocese listened, and did something about it quickly and transparently instead of sweeping it under the rug. While that does not undo the dioceses history to the contrary, it is worth mentioning  and praising.

Its also an encouraging sign that Bishop Byrne is willing to live up to his pledge to better serve a Western Massachusetts flock far too accustomed to sclerosis and opacity on part of the diocese. We hope it continues. Living up to that pledge consistently is the only way to meaningfully address the institutional issues beyond a single Adams parish and get to some badly needed healing.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Sunshine and a few clouds. High 61F. Winds ESE at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 42F. SE winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
One of the core principals of the Protestant Reformation was justification by grace alone  that works play no part in our justification. There is nothing I can do that will help me to earn my salvation. But why is that significant? What is wrong with works playing at least some part in our justification?

Our Fallen Human Condition

Any discussion of justification needs to start with the human condition and why we have any need of being justified. Most of us think that we are pretty good, maybe a few rough edges. But I havent killed anyone. I dont drink, smoke, or do drugs. I obey the law and pay all my bills. And I get along with most people. But that attitude misses out on the real human condition.

According to the Bible, we are all sinful. Romans 3:10-18 paints a pretty bleak picture of the human condition. You might read that description and think that it does not fairly represent you, that you are not nearly as bad as that. And indeed, few of us are as bad as we could possibly be. But how bad do we need to be to fall short of Gods holiness? Anything less than perfection, which we are not capable of, falls short. All of us have sinned and fall short of Gods glory (Rom. 3:23) and are deserving of death (Rom. 6:23).

What Is Justification?

The Greek word dikaiosis is translated as justification in Romans 4:25 and Romans 5:18. According to Vines Complete Expository Dictionary, this word means the act of pronouncing righteous. The related verb, dikaioo, is variously translated as justified, justify, considered righteous, justifies, proved right, declared righteous and several other related expressions.

Justification is essentially a legal term used to pronounce a person as having right standing. It does not itself mean that the person who has experienced legal justification has become guiltless. But, as far as the legal authority is concerned, they are considered to be guiltless.

In Christianity, justification means that God has declared an individual to be guiltless in his sight. And being guiltless, they now have right standing with God. We understand justification to be possible because of the atoning death of Jesus on the cross. And it is applied to any individual who responds to God in faith.

Justification does not mean that I am now without sin. That is clearly not the case. Those of us who have been justified by God are still instructed to pursue personal holiness. We are to work to bring our lives into conformity with the judicial declaration of guiltlessness represented by justification.

Justification by Works

Works relate to salvation-oriented deeds that we perform. And there are two ways of looking at them. On the one hand, some see works as being something that helps a person, either in whole or in part, to earn or deserve their salvation. In this scenario, salvation is essentially a reward given to a person because of their own accomplishments. This is what is often called justification by works.

The other perspective of works is that they are done as a result of salvation. I dont work to earn salvation, rather, I work because I have salvation. My salvation was a gift, freely given to me by God. And my work is a natural outgrowth of that salvation. This is called salvation by grace and is discussed below.

Justification by works seems quite reasonable, at least from a human perspective. We reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. That seems to be built into our social consciousness. And we naturally expect it to apply in our dealings with God. If I am good enough, I will be rewarded. If not, then I expect to be punished. And that is at the heart of most of the worlds religions.

And Christianity is no exception to that, at least in many peoples view. There are many commandments found in the Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments give us many instructions for how we should live. So, it is only natural that we would tend to view obedience to these commands as a prerequisite for our salvation.

And unfortunately, that sometimes becomes institutionalized within the church itself. A number of the controversies in the history of the church have been over this issue of justification that depended, at least to some extent, on works. The conflict between Augustine and Pelagius in the late 4th and early 5th centuries as well as the Protestant Reformation were, at least in part, concerned with the nature of justification. What do I need to do to be saved?

And still today there are many churches that require a certain level of conduct or appearance in order to be a part of that body. They do not generally claim that ones salvation is based on these requirements, but they do seem to imply that they are necessary for right standing with God.

What Is Wrong with This Approach?

Even though justification by works has a real appeal for us as humans, it will never get us into a right standing before God. There is just no way that any of us could ever measure up to Gods holiness. How good do we have to be in order to be accepted by a perfect God?

Pauls letter to the Galatians was written in large part to address this issue. Some men had been teaching in the churches of Galatia that it was necessary to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses to be saved. But Paul was adamant that salvation was in no way dependent on either circumcision or obedience to the Law. In Galatians 2:21 he makes clear that if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! No matter how good a person might be, they will never be considered righteous before God.

There is another significant issue with justification by works. If I was somehow able to follow the Law sufficiently enough to be justified, then I could easily be proud of my standing. After all, I worked hard to earn that righteous standing. And I might well come to believe that I deserved an eternal reward in heaven.

Justification by Grace: Gods Plan

But God leaves no place for us to have pride in our salvation. As Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, Salvation is a freely given gift from God. He offers it to us as a gracious gift that we receive through faith. There is nothing that we can do to earn this gift.

It does not matter how good you were; you cannot earn it. And regardless of how bad you might have been, you are not disqualified from receiving Gods gift of salvation. Your ethnic background, the color of your skin, your gender, or your social standing  none of that matters. Gods grace is freely offered to all.

The Philippian jailer asked Paul what he must do to be saved. I am sure that he was expecting a list of things that he would have to do. After all, the gods he would have been familiar with would have required something from him. But Pauls response was simple. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:30-31).

But Grace Alone?

Why has God chosen for salvation to be by grace alone, rather than also requiring us to do something to earn our standing? Surely, he could have done that had he wanted to. But it is clear that he has left no room for us to earn, even a little bit, of our salvation.

I do believe that 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, especially verse 29 answers this question, at least in part. God has chosen the way he did so that no one could boast before him, taking pride in earning their salvation. God has given us a tremendous gift. And nothing should detract from the joy and gratefulness we have in that gift, including any thought of deserving it. He has done it all. And nothing I can do, or not do, will detract from his all-sufficient grace.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Aaron Burden
Launches digital tool CogMate in Taiwan

Australian firm Cogstate, via its global commercial partner Eisai has announced that Cogstate technology will be marketed directly to consumers in Taiwan and in Hong Kong through its Taiwanese subsidiary Eisai Taiwan Inc. and Hong Kong subsidiary Eisai (Hong Kong) Co. This will be the first release of Cogstate technology in the Asian region (excluding Japan). Similar launch in additional countries, including Singapore, is expected shortly.

The initial sales efforts for the product, branded as CogMate, will initially target municipalities and corporations.

CogMate is a global multilingual version of NouKNOW, a digital tool (non-medical device) for self-assessment of brain performance, developed and distributed by Eisai using the cognitive function test Cogstate Brief BatteryTM (CBB) created by Cogstate. For the Asian region, CogMate is equipped with multilingual functions such as Chinese (Traditional Chinese) and English. CogMate can be deployed via a PC, tablet or smartphone.

CogMate is designed to enable regular assessments of brain health. CogMate provides immediate results  the Brain Performance Index (BPI) measures aspects of cognition such as memory and decision making, and the results are provided in conjunction with lifestyle advice for maintaining brain performance.

Given the rapidly aging population in Asia, the total number of those living with dementia across the region is expected to continue to increase.
Yadav will provide leadership and strategic direction to IHH Healthcare India

Anurag Yadav has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of IHH Healthcare India. Anurag joined IHH Healthcare in April 2017 as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of its India Operations Division, where he oversaw the financial activities of IHHs network of hospitals in India (excluding Fortis).

As the newly promoted CEO, he will provide leadership and strategic direction to IHH Healthcare India, ensuring that it continues to deepen trust with patients, employees, and other stakeholders, in line with IHHs vision to be the worlds most trusted healthcare services network.

Yadav held senior leadership roles in Fortis Healthcare and Manipal Health Enterprises.

With over 25 years of experience in business leadership, financial management, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and post-merger integration, Anurag is well-positioned to take IHH India to its next level of success.
The company intends to connect to the rest of the world's healthcare market through the design and implementation of proprietary Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

UK-based Hekka Labs has launched a decentralised healthcare ecosystem for far more efficient health record management. The firm will concentrate on the Southeast Asia market, starting with India, where it will establish the largest chronic disease data management network.

Hekka has cemented initial partnerships with three Indian healthcare solution providers, Curisin, a healthcare company with a wide network of 30 million patients and 40,000 partnered doctors which has recently agreed to provide a minimum of 1.5 million medical records in 2022.

A further agreement to provide up to 20 separate blood biomarkers together with COVID-19 data on 100,000 patients, will form the basis of an initial trial for its blockchain audit trail platform.

IMMUNIDEX, a healthcare solution provider offering tests and applications that are driven by proprietary AI that can identify early immune-related risks and is well placed to capture highly valuable data for the Hekka network.

TELEMEDICINE INDIAN CO, a startup offering multi telemedicine services, multiple blood tests, and health screening including COVID-19 testing will form another integral part of data generation for the Hekka ecosystem.

Hekka Labs has set out to become the leading chronic illness and immunology platform in India. Hekka's private and public blockchain network solution will generate a new trust in Indian healthcare data management and can open up significant opportunity for both the domestic and global collaboration. This will lead to new levels of ethical standards and excellence for the Indian healthcare market.
Popular Gauteng radio station Kaya 959 shifted regular programming this week to celebrate the great life of legendary DJ and cultural icon Mzwandile "DJ 1D" Nzimande. He was revered across South Africa as the pioneering co-founder of streetwear and lifestyle brand Loxion Kulture, established in the late 90s.

Today marks one year since the passing of the former resident DJ at Kaya 959 and highly accomplished figure in the entertainment industry. DJ 1D, as he was affectionately known to his fans, was an iconic storyteller and will be remembered for his radio work and documenting South African street culture through SABC 1slifestyle show.Wandi was a pioneer and created not only a brand that South Africans will be proud of, but also blessed the family of staff at Kaya with his warmth and generosity. He will be remembered most for his infectious laugh, commendable work ethic and fruitful efforts of showcasing the artistry that exists in South African street culture, says programming manager, Maekanya Morotoba.Kaya 959s Breakfast hosts Thomas and Skhumba kicked off the tribute with a DJ 1D kwaito mix, followed by a recap of the memorial service and a conversation with Dope Dad Founders  a foundation that was close to 1Ds heart.
2020 and 2021 have seen a major shift towards trust in the employer branding sector. This has become such an important factor in a world where we feel safer meeting behind screens. And with this renewed focus on safety and peace of mind, many people have revaluated their circumstances and chosen to change employers when they don't feel valued or appreciated. People are more readily seeking trust within the organisations they work for, rather than purely focusing on income. This has been more apparent beyond our borders and in the rest of Africa as well.

Pabi Mogosetsi, Universum Globals Country Manager for South Africa

EVP overhaul

Employee wellness alignment

Gig economy

There are many happy stories of companies that made the effort to understand what their employees need to better manage their experience. We have worked with various companies the world over to assist them in strengthening their EVP (employee value proposition) efforts and to align with their values and employee experience.Employers are recognising that it is crucial to hear what their employees need, and to build better spaces for current and incoming talent. The pandemic has shifted our perception of what makes an ideal workspace. Companies that have been flexible and embraced the changes have flourished; whereas others, who have been less inclined to move with the times, have been caught wanting at best or crippled at worst.Surveys have shown that the biggest shifts of 2020 and 2021 have come in terms of EVPs aligning with employee wellness  both physical and mental  and employee experience. Employers need to be mindful of the impact of being screen bound and working in isolation. Remote working has become the new normal and shifted the work/life balance dynamic. Mental health has become something that successful employers genuinely care about, seeking ways to ensure that their employees receive the support that they need while committing to their daily work responsibilities.In uncertain times, employees have been concerned about their futures. Employers realise that job security plays a big part in ones ability to be resilient and that their employees need them to be transparent and communicative. By this token, employer branding remains crucial. Companies want to understand how to build formidable teams while balancing the needs of their employees.Another trending theme is the issue of diversity and inclusion and how employees have focused on improving this within their companies. In South Africa and Africa in general, more companies are actively trying to close both the gender and racial gap. An increasing number of employers are trying to understand who makes up their workplaces and what they bring to the table to strengthen strategies.Business has also seen an increase in gig or freelance work, which has been a progressive way of filling skills gaps. South Africa has one of the lowest percentages in the gig market and it is refreshing to see that this is growing. This also alleviates unemployment as gig workers can be successful in their own right, adding to the economy from international and national sources.Change has been inevitable. But in the employer branding sector, it has not been a negative thing. Indeed, the pandemic has necessitated an overhaul in terms of how companies treat their staff overall. We look forward to more exciting developments to come.
NE China airport sees robust cargo throughput to Russia

Xinhua) 08:27, January 14, 2022

HARBIN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Harbin Taiping International Airport in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, saw robust air cargo throughput to Russia in 2021, thanks to the booming e-commerce cargo charter flight service, the airport said.

The airport handled a total of 199 cargo charter flights transporting about 6,550 tonnes of cargo to Russia in 2021, a year-on-year increase of more than 130 percent and a record high, according to the airport.

The airport's freight service to Ekaterinburg, Russia's fourth largest city, became China's first e-commerce cargo charter flight service to Russia when it was opened in 2013. The air logistic route helps Russian buyers save cost and delivery time when purchasing Chinese commodities via online platforms.

In 2021, the airport launched a cargo charter flight service to Moscow, with six flights on average per week.

The airport data shows that from 2013 to the end of 2021, it had seen nearly 1,000 e-commerce cargo charter flights to Russia, delivering more than 20,000 tonnes of cargo.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
By Michael Boldin

GOOD: Supreme Court holds vaccine mandate for businesses is illegal. (We absolutely gotta take a win when we get it!)

Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly. Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category, the unsigned opinion says.

BAD: The opinion absolutely leaves room for another mandate, tailored differently.

UGLY: The Court believes the feds had the power to pass the OSH Act in the first place  and get deeply involved in healthcare today.

Its important to understand that the Supreme Court opinion today is largely based on the argument that Congress didnt expressly authorize a vaccine mandate in the OSH Act of 1970.

So, if Congress does just that, we can count on SCOTUS to back up their power as they usually do.

But, under the Constitution, the OSH Act of 1970 was unconstitutional from day one.

Whether Congress gets around to expanding their own power this year, or in 50 years, we shouldnt be surprised about it  unless the people reject the foundation of it all.

That includes  no longer waiting for the federal government to limit its own power.

Its up to the people to preserve their own Constitution.

Michael Boldin [send him email] is the founder of the Tenth Amendment Center. He was raised in Milwaukee, WI, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Follow him on twitter  @michaelboldin and Facebook.
By B.N. Frank

American opposition to expensive, hazardous, and privacy invasive utility Smart Meters (electric, gas, and water) has been ongoing since companies first started deploying them. A free online documentary was produced about these horrible devices in 2013 and then updated in 2017. Adding insult to injury, the high costs associated with purchasing, installing, and replacing them are usually passed on to customers (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21).

Despite all the problems associated with these meters  including fires, explosions (see 1, 2, 3) and health risks to humans and pets (see 1, 2, 3)  smart meter deployment has already reached 65% in the U.S. Over the years, the state of Virginia had repeatedly rejected smart meter deployment (see 1, 2). That seems to have changed.

From Utility Dive:

Virginia okays Dominions plan to deploy 1.1M smart meters

Published Jan. 11, 2022

Dive Brief:

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on Friday approved Dominion Energys proposal to deploy roughly 1.1 million smart meters as part of a $776 million grid transformation plan. The plan also includes investments in security, customer education and telecommunications.

Deploying the advanced meter infrastructure will cost $198.3 million, according to the plan, which also includes $203.9 million for a customer information platform. The spending approved last week is the second part of Dominions 10-year plan to add more renewable energy and increase energy efficiency in the state.

The SCC had previously rejected Dominions smart meter installation proposal twice, citing the high cost and speculative nature of the plan. The smart meter rollout was approved in part because of a new proposal for a time-varying rate and experimental time-of-use rate, which the commission said could reduce the cost impact on ratepayers.

Dive Insight:

Dominion Energy Virginias 10-year Grid Transformation Plan, designed in response to Virginias 2018 Grid Transformation & Security Act, envisions a broad restructuring of the electricity grid in order to integrate more solar, wind and battery storage technology. The company had argued that as more distributed energy resources come online in response to state and federal policy, it will be necessary to create a more nimble distribution system with responsive rates in order to ensure reliability and cut down on costs.

The second phase of the plan approved by the SCC covers $666.5 million in capital spending for 2022 and 2023, which the company can seek recovery of in a future proceeding. The plan will allow Dominion to spend $194.4 million in grid technologies, including intelligent grid devices and fault location, isolation and service restoration projects targeted at grid segments with below-average reliability. It also includes $27.7 million on grid infrastructure spending for corridor improvements and voltage island mitigation.

As we bring more renewable energy onto our grid to build a cleaner future, and focus on increasing resiliency, we must modernize the way the system works, said Charlene Whitfield, senior vice president of Power Delivery at Dominion Energy Virginia, in a statement. Whitfield added that the decision ensures that we can remain agile as a company to deliver the reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy that our customers want and expect.

SCC had denied the smart meter proposal in previous filings, saying it was based on speculation and would impose heavy costs on Dominions customers. However, the modified proposal includes incentives for customers to reduce electricity use at times of high demand and a timeline to implement those rates system-wide. Dominion had installed roughly 715,000 smart meters by the end of 2020 and envisions full deployment of smart grids for its 2.3 million residential customers by 2024.

However, environmental and consumer advocate group Appalachian Voices continued to argue against the plan, saying in a November filing that the request falls woefully short of a reasonable and prudent standard. The group said that smart meter approval should have been conditioned on a requirement to implement a universal peak-time rebate as well as inclusion of the Connect-My-Data standard required in five other states, which enables standardized data collection.

In August 2021, Dominion Energy filed a $1.5 billion clean energy investment, including up to 1,100 MW of solar, in Virginia, part of a planned $26 billion in spending on emissions reduction technology over five years. The Virginia Clean Economy Act requires Dominion to procure a combined 16 GW of solar and onshore wind by the end of 2035.

Activist Post reports regularly about utility Smart Meters and other unsafe technology. For more information, visit our archives and the following websites:
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Four days before in-person learning is set to resume in Manitoba, the province announced that kindergarten to Grade 12 schools will no longer provide close contact notifications and letters to parents on individual COVID-19 cases.

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MIKAELA MACKENZIE/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Education Minister Cliff Cullen

Four days before in-person learning is set to resume in Manitoba, the province announced that kindergarten to Grade 12 schools will no longer provide close contact notifications and letters to parents on individual COVID-19 cases.

Instead, schools will supply reports of absenteeism through their regular notification channels.

This announcement was made during a Thursday afternoon press conference with chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, who said the highly infectious omicron variant makes the provinces current method of contact tracing no longer as effective as it once was.

Roussin conceded this sudden shift from COVID prevention to mitigation will be a shock to certain parents, since notification letters about coronavirus exposures have been a regular part of their childrens schooling since the pandemic emerged.

"It may feel like everything weve done in the last two years was in vain, and its unsettling and unnerving to some," he said.

"But again, the virus has changed dramatically, so we need to change our approach dramatically."

While close contact notifications will no longer be in place as of Monday, Roussin said staff and students should still monitor for symptoms and adhere to COVID isolation protocols if they test positive.

In situations where public health officials determine that increased transmission may be occurring in a specific school, they may recommend the implementation of a period of rapid antigen testing or other preventive measures.

When the province registers an increase in COVID activity based on absenteeism, case counts or operational concerns, public health will investigate and provide recommendations to school officials on how to proceed.

The province could even go so far as to establish a seven-day period of remote learning for a specific class, cohorts or schools if the rapid spread of COVID is impacting day-to-day operations.

Roussin also noted that public health will continue to report confirmed cases and outbreaks through the provinces online dashboard.

"With wide community transmission, we certainly expect to see cases in schools," Roussin said. "We need to expect that. We need to manage our risk, not eliminate it."

Education Minister Cliff Cullen was also on hand for Thursdays announcement and listed off a variety of other safety measures that Manitoba schools will employ to keep staff and students safe come Monday.

"We have provided our school divisions guidance on ventilation, how to protect their students from COVID-19, including mask use, enhanced cleaning measures, updated physical distancing requirements and expanded efforts to decrease congestion in the schools through operational plans," he said.

Thursdays news release that accompanied this announcement listed off some of the specific investments that the current Progressive Conservative government has already earmarked for Manitoba schools, including 500,000 rapid tests, $6 million for medical masks and $6.8 million for improved ventilation.

However, Manitoba Liberal Party Leader Dougald Lamont pushed back against Cullens claims that the PC government is being proactive on this front, writing on Twitter that the ministers funding numbers arent making their way into the classroom.

"There are not enough tests for families, masks for teachers or better ventilation in schools because the PCs could not be bothered to make the investments despite a year and a half of pleading from teachers, parents and students," Lamont wrote following Thursdays announcement.

The provinces update about contact tracing in schools came a day after Premier Heather Stefanson told the public that they must "learn to live with this virus" and expect that all Manitobans will be exposed to the omicron variant in the coming weeks.

The province also halted most of its major contact tracing for the general population on Dec. 20, 2021, deciding to focus its efforts on administering vaccinations instead.

While Brandon School Division Supt. Mathew Gustafson didnt have a lot to say about the contact tracing update on Thursday, he told the Sun that his administration will send out a letter to parents today to go over what local in-person learning will look like next week.

"Well provide all the information that we have to parents," Gustafson said. "Because we believe that with that information, they can feel comfortable with the steps that are being put in place to protect their children."

BSD officials also announced on Wednesday they are floating the idea of establishing a kindergarten to Grade 8 remote learning option for parents who dont feel comfortable sending their children back to class under the shadow of omicron.

If the division decides to move ahead with this option due to high demand, interested parties will receive a response by Jan. 19.

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter:@KyleDarbyson
Provincial jails are facing staffing challenges as active COVID-19 cases in correctional institutions creep up in the fourth wave of the pandemic.

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Provincial jails are facing "staffing challenges" as active COVID-19 cases in correctional institutions creep up in the fourth wave of the pandemic.

All jails currently have active cases of the virus, including four at the Brandon Correctional Centre, according to the provinces COVID-19 outbreaks table. The Headingley and Milner Ridge correctional centres are tied for the most active cases with 55.

There are also 19 active cases listed by the province at the Womens Correctional Centre, 17 at the Winnipeg Remand Centre, five at the Manitoba Youth Centre, four at the Agassiz Youth Centre and one at The Pas Correctional Centre.

All correctional facilities have safety protocols in place, according to a statement from the province, including personal protective equipment for staff and inmates.

"In general, like in the community and at health-care facilities, correctional facilities are experiencing staffing challenges due to sick calls. The department is making adjustments to ensure that facilities can be safely managed," the statement reads, adding it "would not be appropriate" to comment in detail about staffing issues.

The statement does not give any detail about the adjustments being made.

Inmates are eligible for both rapid and PCR testing, like the general public, according to the province.

Manitoba Government and General Employees Union president Kyle Ross said his organization, which represents correctional officers, is concerned with how the fourth wave of the pandemic is affecting jails.

"Many staff and inmates have been affected by the virus by either contracting it or becoming a close contact and it has in no doubt had an effect on the daily operation of all our jails. It has to be pointed out that understaffing has been a problem before COVID existed and has now only gotten far worse during the pandemic," Ross said in an emailed statement.

The union is pleased with the governments announcement on Tuesday that it was working on a plan to get more rapid COVID-19 tests to jail guards and sheriffs, Ross said.

"This is something we were actively calling on the government to do," he said.

The fourth wave of COVID-19 cases at the Brandon Correctional Centre follows a significant outbreak at the local jail in December 2020. At the time, there were approximately 98 positive cases.

Currently, the province lists a cumulative total of 116 cases of the virus at the Brandon jail, including 25 staff members and 91 inmates, and 112 cases are listed as recovered.

Stony Mountain Institution, a federal prison in Manitoba, has also seen recent COVID-19 cases. On Dec. 30, 2021, the Correctional Service of Canada said in a press release two inmates and 12 employees at the prison had tested positive.

"This is an evolving situation and we continue to apply and reinforce infection prevention and control measures to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19, and adapt based on public health advice."

"All staff and inmates are equipped with masks, and we have increased cleaning and disinfecting throughout the site," the release reads.

No deaths due to the virus are listed at any provincial jails.

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
WINNIPEG - Manitoba schools will no longer notify close contacts of individual COVID-19 infections when students return to class next week.

Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba chief public health officer, speaks during a COVID-19 update at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG - Manitoba schools will no longer notify close contacts of individual COVID-19 infections when students return to class next week.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the province's chief public health officer, said the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant makes contact notification efforts for individual cases less effective.

"Omicron is so highly infectious (and) has a shorter incubation period that by the time you do (the) contact tracing, many of the contacts could already be symptomatic," Roussin said Thursday.

Schools are to now monitor staff and student absenteeism rates and self-reported COVID-19 cases.

If case counts, absenteeism or other symptoms of the pandemic rise in a school, health officials may recommend increased rapid antigen testing or a reduction in higher-risk activities. If the situation worsens, a class, cohort or the entire school could move to remote learning for one week.

"We have to not consider that we're going to eliminate this virus. We need to find ways to mitigate our risk related to this virus," Roussin said.

Students learn best in the classroom, Roussin added, and the risk of severe outcomes from the Omicron variant for children is low.

Education Minister Cliff Cullen said efforts were still underway to improve ventilation systems in many schools. Schools are also required to have physical distancing between students where possible.

The Opposition New Democrats said the Progressive Conservative government has failed to improve ventilation and spacing in classrooms almost two years into the pandemic.

"Teachers have been working really hard to make sure that their classrooms are safe," NDP education critic Nello Altomare said.

"But I'll tell you, the physical space is the physical space. There's still going to be 27 bodies in there."

Students were originally scheduled to return to class Jan. 10, but the province moved to remote learning for one week to let schools bolster their safeguards.

The announcement came as Manitoba health officials noted yet another record number of people in hospital with COVID-19  499, up 45 from Wednesday. The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care rose by one to 47.

The government has been scrambling to keep beds open by moving some hospital patients to different areas of the province. So far in this latest wave of the pandemic, it has not had to ship intensive care patients to other provinces as it did last spring.

An advocacy group for physicians across the province said the health-care system was being heavily taxed.

"Patients are facing lengthy delays for admission, and it's not uncommon for patients to be waiting days in the ER for ... a bed upstairs," said Dr. Kristjan Thompson, an emergency room physician and president of Doctors Manitoba.

"Just last week, I had a patient who was waiting for 10 hours with significant abdominal pain. We just didn't have a bed to take care of him. By the time he got a bed ... he ended up having an appendix that burst."

Doctors Manitoba has been tracking the number of delayed surgeries and diagnostic tests and said the backlog across the province continues to grow.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version misspelled Omicron.
Police seized a significant amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl and arrested four people in a drug bust on Tuesday.

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Police seized a significant amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl and arrested four people in a drug bust on Tuesday.

Officers in the organized crime section, operational support and crime suppression unit executed a search warrant at a residence on the 200 block of 26th Street on Tuesday, according to police.

Police seized 50 grams of meth, 20 grams of fentanyl, $1,800 in cash and a .22-calibre rifle with ammunition.

The meth has a maximum street value of approximately $5,500, while the fentanyl is worth approximately $8,800, said Brandon police public information officer Sgt. Kirby Sararas.

Police also found a shirt with the number 81 on it, which she said signifies support for the Hells Angels street gang. The letter H is the eighth letter of the alphabet while A is the first, which spells out the groups initials.

The shirt only signifies support for the gang, not being a member of it, she said. The words "When in doubt knock em out," appear on the back, photos published by police show.

A 35-year-old woman was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and possession of property obtained by crime. She is scheduled to appear in court on March 10.

A 45-year-old man was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and is scheduled to appear in court on March 3.

A 48-year-old man was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.

A 42-year-old man was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the proceeds of crime and unauthorized possession of a firearm. He was scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
OTTAWA - Canada could be nearing the peak of the Omicron wave of COVID-19, but public health experts still expect the high number of cases to drive a surge in daily hospitalizations in coming weeks.

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OTTAWA - Canada could be nearing the peak of the Omicron wave of COVID-19, but public health experts still expect the high number of cases to drive a surge in daily hospitalizations in coming weeks.

New federal modelling released Friday shows the wave might be cresting  or just about to do so  but health experts won't know for sure for another week or so.

"It's quite possible that in the next few days we will see that peak, at least in the number of cases," chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said at a news conference.

Quebec had already pronounced the latest wave is cresting, and on Friday British Columbia's modelling suggested the province likely hit its peak this past weekend.

In Ontario, the expert pandemic advisory group said the latest indications suggest COVID-19 hospitalizations could peak in the next few weeks, as test positivity has started to decline in the province.

Nationally, this wave is expected to top out at between 170,000 and 300,000 actual daily cases and recede into February, based on available data.

"The true number of daily cases, driven by extremely high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, could still vastly exceed anything we have experienced to date during this pandemic," Tam said.

Current national case counts show about 37,500 new cases are reported daily, but those far underestimate the reality. Many parts of the country no longer provide laboratory tests for most people.

About 28 per cent of lab tests that are performed are coming back positive.

"The current very high positivity rate shows that COVID-19 is widespread and that case counts underestimate the true burden of infection in the broader population," Tam said.

The number of hospitalizations also helps to give a clearer picture of how the virus is sweeping through the population, she said.

Though the rate of people who are hospitalized with Omicron is lower compared to the Delta variant, the forecast shows new daily hospital admissions will far exceed previous peaks due to the number of cases.

Severe outcomes are also possible. Prince Edward Island reported the first two deaths in the province related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

Since the federal government's previous update before the holidays, the number of people with COVID-19 treated in hospitals has more than quadrupled. The average is now over 6,779 daily, the national numbers show.

The Public Health Agency of Canada expects the high number of people seeking hospital treatment for COVID-19 will put a significant strain on health-care systems over the next several weeks.

Seven-year-old Lorena Limdao is held by her father William as Dr. Kevin Evelyn of UHN gives her a COVID-19 vaccine needle while mother Gisella (left) looks on. They were at a "Kids and Families Vaccine Clinic" operated by Black Creek Community Health Centre in the Jane and Finch Mall in Toronto on Thursday, January 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

B.C.'s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said these next few weeks will be the most challenging that hospitals have seen yet.

"We know that the peak is coming at the same time that we're still seeing health care workers off ill and not being able to go into work," Henry said at a briefing Friday.

Some parts of the United States and United Kingdom have already reported their COVID-19 cases have begun to stabilize, and Tam hopes Canada is following the same trajectory.

Quebec, following its declaration the wave had peaked in the province, announced it will lift its controversial 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on Monday.

And Nunavut officials said the tough measures it implemented just before Christmas have been so effective that it's cancelling travel restrictions on Monday and allowing businesses to reopen. Schools will resume in-person learning on Jan. 24.

Provinces that were hit by the Omicron wave first will also likely be among the first to see signs of stabilization, Tam said, but she warned that changes to public health restrictions could change the trajectory of the virus.

"For example, as people go back to school and work those cases could come back so it won't be necessarily a smooth curve downwards," she said.

It's a different story in New Brunswick, where new restrictions came into effect Friday limiting residents to a single-household bubble while also closing gyms, entertainment venues and indoor dining at restaurants.

In neighbouring Prince Edward Island, where chief medical health officer Dr. Heather Morrison says the "worst of this wave" is yet to come, current restrictions that include business capacity limits and remote learning for school students will be extended.

Tam said the surest way out of this wave remains vaccination.

The trends show unvaccinated people are 19 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to fully vaccinated people.

"We need to continue efforts to increase vaccine coverage to enhance protection for everyone we can," Tam said.

Even the downside of the curve will have considerable health system impacts, she warned.

She urged Canadians to get up to date on their vaccines and continue to follow public health measures and limit contacts outside their households.

The House of Commons standing committee on health voted Friday to summon Tam, the federal health minister and several other health officials to answer questions about the federal response to the Omicron wave.

Some of the key concerns are how the government plans to respond to the flagging surge capacity of Canada's health systems as the number of hospitalizations climb and health workers fall ill.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2022.
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Patients of CoxHealth affiliated doctors may see the rescheduling of wellness and maintenance management appointments in the next few weeks due to rising COVID-19 cases.
Harrisonburg, VA (22807)

Today

Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. High around 80F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
A wave of cash is flooding into pubs as venues from the inner-city to the bush change hands making them one of real estates hottest sectors.

In the past year, hotels worth close to $4 billion sold, well above past peaks, with several long-term family-run operators cashing out. A large $1.7 billion takeover of ALE Property  a big pokie pub landlord  by property behemoth Charter Hall added to the frenzy of deal-making.

Pubs consistent food and liquor revenue, gaming machines, rental income, development profits from renovations and capital growth from underlying land values are making them an attractive investment proposition as COVID-related social distancing restrictions ease and the sector bounces back.

The Carousel Inn occupies a large 1.17 hectare corner site in Rooty Hill.

Real Capital Analytics estimates transaction volumes are on course to eclipse previous highs. Sales volumes for pubs dropped precipitously in 2020 after COVID-19 hit, slumping 22 per cent compared to the year before.
Jake Thrupp with the anthology of essays he edited, Australia Tomorrow. Credit:Peter Rae He initially wanted to be a professional swimmer, and it was through state swimming meets that he became best friends with Cody Simpson, the now LA-based triple threat with 4 million Instagram followers who previously dated Gigi Hadid and Miley Cyrus. But politics was overpowering. Thrupp pinpoints his political awakening as a year 10 trip to Canberra. We all sat in the gallery in question time and I just remember so clearly Christopher Pyne up at the dispatch box just absolutely grilling Julia Gillard and all of that frontbench. I just thought they were such a bad government. Thrupp joined the Liberal Party not long thereafter, age 16, after being energised by Abbotts 2013 campaign. He first met Jones at Young Liberal events, but they became family friends during the broadcasters regular Gold Coast visits for the Magic Millions and Thrupps mother later started managing Jones Brisbane and Gold Coast properties.

As a law student at the University of Queensland, Thrupp would wake up at 5.30am and drive from Kingscliff, NSW, to Brisbane, and pump himself up for the day by listening to Jones breakfast show on 4BC in the car. In 2018, he filled in behind the scenes producing scripts (few of which Jones actually used). I was so tired, I was waking up at 3.40am, it was the pits, Thrupp recalls. But when you heard the Gloria song play at 5.37am, you were totally energised. You actually felt a sense of mission that you were there for a purpose. Whether you agree with him or not youre there to influence debate, shape debate and let people have their say. He might be Gen Z but Thrupp possesses an old-worldly, town-square vision of how politics should work; high on voter engagement, big on ideas and low on media management. Recently, he was aghast to find an MPs electorate office hidden away on a backstreet. It could not have been in a worse position for the public to enter, he says. I drove past it and I thought that is exactly the reason why people do not connect with their MPs. He also complains about the way modern politicians deal with the media  their reluctance to go on air and their demands for an advance steer on the questions theyll be asked. I think the political class is at an all-time low. Its a pretty weak talent pool.

Thrupp says the country looks tired and that our brighter days are behind us. His disillusionment extends to the Liberal Party, of which he is still a member. The Morrison prime ministership has not lived up to his expectations. Were just in power for the sake of being in power, he says. At the last election we basically went to the election with no policy agenda, and we celebrated that. That is so mediocre, and I just dont understand it. Alan Jones launches his digital TV offering with Maurice Newman. Credit:Janie Barrett So, whats missing? In Thrupps view, the government should be pushing for nuclear power, easing the squeeze on housing prices and development and advocating free speech. Hes loath to attack Morrison personally. I cant say much. I just think he should read the book [Australia Tomorrow]. That should be his summer reading. Thrupp is clear about his ambition to enter politics but realistic about the time frame. Im not ready yet. Maybe in 10 or 15 years, he says. Until then, he wants his new media venture to be an antidote to the lacklustre and vanilla state of modern politics. So far, Australian Digital Holdings, which is registered to his mate Jack Bulfin, looks like little more than a financial vehicle for Jones return to the airwaves. But Thrupp has a grand vision.

We think we will be the home of the centre right, he says. Were going to give the people what they want, and its going to be the more direct version. Its going to be all about the talent. Jones is the outfits inaugural broadcaster, Thrupp says, but they plan to field a full night-time lineup within a year. Weve got our eyes on a few broadcasters, and we hope to recruit more who have a very trusted following. What well do is we will empower them to say what they want, without being fringe or anything. We just want sensible, centre-right opinion. Jake Thrupp with Alan Jones and guests at the broadcasters farewell boat party after his final 2GB show in 2020. Credit:Rhett Wyman I suggest it sounds like theyre going after Jones old audience at Sky News after dark, though Thrupp insists ADH isnt competing with anyone and will be a new thing. He says the money is coming from a variety of private backers. The outfit is chaired by retired business figure Maurice Newman  he is a super patriot, says Thrupp  while high-profile barrister Margaret Cunneen is also involved. I put it to Thrupp that many people would scoff at a 24-year-old who just happened to be family friends with Alan Jones setting up a digital media platform, professing to know what Australians want and lecturing the government to do better. Hes familiar with the scepticism.

Theres a misconception out there that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, he says. And Im thinking: hang on, my dad now drives trucks and my mum isnt in a full-time job either. My first job was at 13 at Gloria Jeans. Ive always worked hard and studied. Theres a lot of people out there who just dont really work and dont want to work. Thats the good thing about Australia. I was born in Camden, early childhood in Campbelltown, moved to Tweed Heads. And yet here I am sitting here with you. The boy from Tweed Heads via Campbelltown feels a strong affinity with Queensland, where you just take people at their word. But he had a hard time adjusting to Sydney when he moved three years ago and started working closely with Jones and appearing in gossip columns, especially because of the sexual innuendo that coursed through much of the reporting. I was obviously repulsed by it, Thrupp says. It was something that was also obviously completely untrue. I think its amazing how in Australia people struggle to understand that, yes, people have patrons. Its actually a very common thing ... I know many people in the media who wouldnt have had a start if it werent for [Jones]. Its obviously upsetting that people put their minds in the gutter ... I struggled with that because I had family members reading this stuff, and here I was having to be on the phone with them. They knew Alan had taken me under his wing and they were so grateful that he would do such a thing, and yet here was this sort of reporting where it was like oh, there must be something going on.

It was all untrue at the time, and its still untrue now, and Ive moved on. You cant not be thick-skinned in this industry and city. Thrupp is torn about Sydney. It has been good to him in many ways; he has become well-connected in conservative circles and recently bought a two-bedroom art deco apartment in Double Bay, near Redleaf Beach (he was surprised to see the purchase written up in the newspaper). But its also a very cut-throat town, he says. There are a lot of egos and a lot of people who arent honest to your face ... It was my first experience out in the limelight. Im sure a lot of people were talking behind my back  I know that for a fact. Thrupp feels he has been the victim of Australian tall poppy syndrome and a good dose of ageism. He compares this to when he visited Cody Simpson in Los Angeles and saw how Americans were universally supportive of his then teenage friend. He has learnt jealousy is rampant in Australia. I was probably a rookie when I moved down [to Sydney], Thrupp says. I was thrown in the deep end, thats for sure. Ive definitely hardened. Im fine now, I can cop anything.
We can get some benefits, explains Fornusek, a lecturer in sport and exercise science at the University of Sydney. For people with complete spinal injury, their muscles will grow to some extent, they will get blood flow, they will get things like reduced muscle spasm. In some instances, it may even help to retrain a muscle to fire again: Sometimes it can feed back into the brain because it activates the sensory fibres too. It does have potential. SpeedFit EMS training. Its potential is often hyped up by the companies selling it to the public to get fit fast. Sixpad has been accused of false marketing, while Danoz Directs Abtronic was removed from sale after the ACCC declared it to be deceptive with its claims it could blast fat and cellulite, flatten abdominals and that 10 minutes was the equivalent of 600 sit-ups.

When I have a phone induction ahead of a SpeedFit EMS training class  there are currently 29 SpeedFit studios in Australia  Im told that during a normal workout, we only work one muscle group at a time. Via EMS however, we can activate up to eight muscle groups at a time. A 30-minute session, the woman over the phone tells me, is like 960 sit-ups and 960 reps of weight-lifting. On the SpeedFit website, it explains that by sending electrical impulses that contract your muscles is,incredibly time efficient: in just 20 minutes, an EMS machine will give you the same results as several hours spent sweating in the gym. I walk in to their sparse North Sydney gym where just two people can work out at a time. A wetsuit-like vest and straps that go around my biceps, thighs and glutes are sprayed with water, to make them conducive to the electricity, and plugged into the station. Co-owner Roland Safar, a friendly Slovakian whose background is not in fitness or health, leads me through the 20-minute session. He invested in the business when his university friend Matej brought a machine back from Europe and asked Safar to trial it for three months. Safar did it once a week, he tells me, and was so impressed with the changes to his body, he agreed to invest. We do some basic squats, lunges and bicep curls as he manually increases or decreases the intensity of the electrical pulses that contract my muscles rhythmically. I wasn't puffed during the class but after a very basic 20-minute session, my muscles certainly ached and felt as though theyd been worked. Can it cause cramps, I ask as my bicep twitches. No, he assures me, insisting that instead it relieves them and sore muscles too. The workout is perfect for people who are time-poor or who dont really like fitness, he says, as you get more bang for buck.

This may or may not be true. What is true is that EMS can cause much more muscle damage than normal exercise because it activates our muscles in a weird way, Fornusek says. Too much intensity and activating many muscles simultaneously, can cause injury and even lead to the life-threatening Rhabdomyolysis, which is extremely hard to evoke during normal exercise, Balzevich adds. There have also been reports of shocks, burns, bruising, skin irritation, and pain associated with the use of some EMS devices. For this reason, Blazevich cautions people who want to try it to do a detailed safety check, and ensure it is operated by a qualified professional (preferably someone with a PhD or an allied health professional with clinical experience). And while some athletes do use EMS, it is uncommon.

Certainly its not a recognised part of any training plan Ive seen internationally, Blazevich says, reminding that performance is about skills more than muscle size or even strength. Indeed, the Australian Institute of Sport say its use is is very limited and only in specific circumstances. Fornusek adds that theres not a lot of strong evidence that it enhances post-exercise recovery or majorly benefits otherwise healthy people wanting to improve fitness or strength. My gut feeling is its better for people with an impairment of the central nervous system or an injury, he says. But if it works for you, and it makes you more active, then thats a good thing. It definitely has a place. Its appeal, for many, is that you can get each session done quickly  it provides a short-cut if you dont enjoy exercise.
Queensland health authorities have begun shifting some public hospital patients into the private system to free-up capacity ahead of the anticipated COVID-19 case surge within weeks.

A total of 589 of the states 168,000 active cases were in hospital as of the latest update from authorities on Friday  a daily jump of 33  with intensive care admissions almost doubling to 41. Fifteen people were on ventilators.

The Gold Coast region has been a referred to has a hotspot amid the recent Omicron-driven COVID-19 wave in Queensland. Credit:Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

Experts and bodies representing hospital and health system staff have for months been warning about the impact of a widespread virus wave on the health system, including concern about not only bed capacity but staff levels to match any increase.

As the state reported 23,630 new infections and three deaths on Friday, Health Minister Yvette DAth said the government had also secured 637 private hospital beds to help ease pressure on the system.
Three additional COVID-related deaths have been reported Queensland, alongside 23,630 new identified infections.

The number of patients requiring intensive car has almost doubled to 41, 15 of whom were on ventilators, from a total of 589 now requiring hospital treatment.

It came after the states deadliest day of the pandemic so far on Thursday, with six reported deaths, and the decision to scrap all domestic border rules from 1am on Saturday.

Once again we extend our sympathies to people who have lost loved ones, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters in Brisbane.
Visitors to 14 COVID-19 exposure sites in Perths south should be tested immediately, according to upgraded advice issued on Friday afternoon by the WA Health Department after it identified the source of Wednesdays mystery case.

The mystery case announced on Wednesday as acquiring the virus from an unknown source has now been linked to another case through genome sequencing. The woman, known as Case 1260, has been connected to a previously announced case of a traveller who returned from Tasmania, who had the Omicron variant.

People queue for a COVID-19 test at Fiona Stanley Hospital ahead of a lockdown earlier this year. Credit:Getty Images

The previous advice for the sites was to monitor for symptoms and if symptoms developed, get tested and isolate.

The health advice for people who have visited the sites is to get tested immediately, but unless symptomatic, people are not required to isolate while awaiting a negative result.
The US intelligence findings, which were declassified and shared with U.S. allies before being made public, estimate that a military invasion could begin between mid-January and mid-February. Ukraine is also monitoring the potential use of disinformation by Russia. Separately, Ukrainian media on Friday reported that authorities believed Russian special services were planning a possible false flag incident to provoke additional conflict. The new U.S. intelligence was unveiled after a series of talks between Russia and the US and its Western allies this week in Europe aimed at heading off the escalating crisis made little progress. The use of false-flag attacks and disinformation is similar to what the Kremlin did in the lead-up to Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that had been under Ukraines jurisdiction since 1954. Russia has long been accused of using disinformation as a tactic against adversaries in conjunction with military operations and cyberattacks. In 2014, Russian state media tried to discredit pro-Western protests in Kyiv as fomented by the US in cooperation with fascist Ukrainian nationalists and promoted narratives about Crimeas historical ties to Moscow, according to a report by Stanford Universitys Internet Observatory.

Local citizens visit their home in the separatist-controlled territory to collect belongings after a recent shelling near a frontline outside Donetsk, eastern Ukraine in April. Credit:AP Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Friday dismissed Western media reports that said Moscow was preparing a provocation in eastern Ukraine as based on unfounded information, TASS news agency reported. As a result of the cyberattack, the websites of the Ukraines Cabinet, seven ministries, the Treasury, the National Emergency Service and the state services website, where Ukrainians electronic passports and vaccination certificates are stored, were temporarily unavailable on Friday. The websites contained a message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, saying that Ukrainians personal data has been leaked into the public domain. Be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future, the message read, in part. The building of Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in Kyiv. Credit:

Ukraines State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection said that no personal data has been leaked. The countrys minister for digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, said later on Friday that a large part of the affected websites have been restored. Victor Zhora, deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communication, said no critical infrastructure was affected. Zhora told a news conference on Friday that about 70 websites of both national and regional government bodies have been affected by the attack. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been running high in recent months after Moscow amassed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraines border, stoking 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. The Kremlin has demanded security guarantees from the West that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries and roll back the alliances 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 US government has held talks with several international energy companies on contingency plans for supplying natural gas to Europe if conflict between Russia and Ukraine disrupts Russian supplies, two US officials and two industry sources told Reuters.

Russia said it dismantled ransomware crime group REvil at the request of the United States in an operation in which it detained and charged the groups members, the FSB domestic intelligence service said on Friday. The arrests were a rare apparent demonstration of US-Russian collaboration at a time of high tensions between the two over Ukraine. The United States welcomed the arrests, according to a senior admininstration official, adding we understand that one of the individuals who was arrested today was responsible for attack against Colonial Pipeline last spring. High-stakes talks this week between Moscow and the US, followed by a meeting of Russia and NATO representatives and a meeting at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, failed to bring about any immediate progress. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday that the 30-country military organisation will continue to provide strong political and practical support to Ukraine in light of the cyber attacks.

In the coming days, NATO and Ukraine will sign an agreement on enhanced cyber cooperation, including Ukrainian access to NATOs malware information sharing platform, Stoltenberg said in a statement. Loading European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday that the 27-nation bloc is ready to mobilise all its resources to provide technical assistance to Ukraine and help it improve its capacity to weather cyberattacks. Russia has long history of launching aggressive cyber operations against Ukraine, including a hack of its voting system ahead of 2014 national elections and an assault the countrys power grid in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, Russia unleashed one of most damaging cyberattacks on record with the NotPetya virus that targeted Ukrainian businesses and caused more than $10 billion in damage globally. Zhora has told the AP that officials are particularly concerned about Russian attacks on the power grid, rail network and central bank.
We stuck to our core premise of reciprocity, he said. We were firm in our principles and clear about those areas where we can make progress and those areas that are non-starter. Sullivan noted that no further talks had been scheduled, but were prepared to continue with diplomacy to advance security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic. Were equally prepared if Russia chooses a different path, he added. We continue to co-ordinate intensively with partners on severe economic measures in response to a further Russian invasion of Ukraine. Asked about Ryabkov keeping the door open to basing troops and equipment in Latin America, Sullivan responded: Im not going to respond to bluster in the public commentary. He noted that the issue wasnt raised during this weeks talks and added that if Russia were to move in that direction, we would deal with it decisively.

Ryabkov last month compared the current tensions over Ukraine with the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis  when the Soviet Union deployed missiles to Cuba and the US imposed a naval blockade of the island. That crisis ended after then president John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed that Moscow would withdraw its missiles in exchange for Washingtons pledge not to invade Cuba and the removal of US missiles from Turkey. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Credit:Reuters Putin, in seeking to curtail the Wests military activity in Eastern Europe, has argued that NATO could use Ukrainian territory to deploy missiles capable of reaching Moscow in just five minutes. He warned that Russia could gain a similar capability by deploying warships armed with the latest Zircon hypersonic cruise missile in neutral waters. Soon after his first election in 2000, Putin ordered the closure of a Soviet-built military surveillance facility in Cuba as he sought to improve ties with Washington. Moscow has intensified contacts with Cuba in recent years as tensions with the US and its allies mounted.

In December 2018, Russia briefly dispatched a pair of its nuclear-capable Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela in a show of support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid Western pressure. Ryabkov said a refusal by the US and its allies to consider the key Russian demand for guarantees against the alliances expansion to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations made it hard to discuss the confidence-building steps that Washington says it is ready to negotiate. Loading The US wants to conduct a dialogue on some elements of the security situation ... to ease the tensions and then continue the process of geopolitical and military development of the new territories, coming closer to Moscow, he said. We have nowhere to retreat. Ryabkov described US and NATO military deployments and drills near Russias territory as extremely destabilising. He said US nuclear-capable strategic bombers flew just 15 kilometres from Russias border.

We are constantly facing a provocative military pressure intended to test our strength, he said, adding that he wondered how Americans would react if our bombers fly within 15 kilometres off some US bases on the East or the West Coast. The high-stakes diplomacy took place as an estimated 100,000 Russian troops with tanks and other heavy weapons are massed near Ukraines eastern border. On Thursday, Sullivan reiterated concerns that Moscow may be laying the groundwork for invading Ukraine by fabricating allegations that Kyiv is preparing to act against Russia. He said the US would be making public some of the reasons for that assessment in the coming days. Earlier on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rebuffed the Wests calls for a troop pullback from areas near Ukraine. Its hardly possible for NATO to dictate to us where we should move our armed forces on Russian territory, he said.

Peskov said this weeks talks produced some positive elements and nuances, but he characterised them as unsuccessful overall. The talks were initiated to receive specific answers to concrete principal issues that were raised, and disagreements remained on those principal issues, which is bad, Peskov said. He warned of a complete rupture in US-Russia relations if proposed sanctions targeting Putin and other top civilian and military leaders are adopted. The measures, proposed by Senate Democrats, would also target leading Russian financial institutions if Moscow sends troops into Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced the proposed sanctions as a reflection of US arrogance, adding Moscow expected a written response to its demands from the US and NATO next week in order to consider further steps. Tensions revolving around Ukraine and Russias demands on the West again appeared on the table at a Thursday meeting in Vienna of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, who assumed the position of the organisations chairman-in-office, noted in his opening speech that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years. Loading Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula after the ouster of Ukraines Moscow-friendly leader and in 2014 also threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have been killed in nearly eight years of fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces. Asked whether hes worried about possible confrontation, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was absolutely essential that the dialogue that is taking place find a way allowing for de-escalation of tension ... to avoid any kind of confrontation that will be a disaster for Europe and for the world. Associated Press
Lawrenceville, VA (23868)

Today

Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Bryan, OH (43506)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing for the afternoon. High 66F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low 47F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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As travel tech major prepares for its much-awaited public listing, the continued satisfaction of its hotel partners and winning back dissatisfied partners will play a key role in determining how its business performs and, by extension, how its stock holds up.

The company has recently been affected by some of its hotel partners publicly complaining, filing cases and even writing to the regulator.

The moot question here is: Has IPO-bound regained the trust of its hotel partners which it also addresses as Patrons?

Let's take a closer look at its patron policies through its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filed with .

With over 157,000 storefronts worldwide, the 40 reported cases against the company or its directors translate to less than 0.02 per cent of its storefronts. sources say that majorly of these originate due to shifting from minimum guarantee to revenue sharing arrangement. As per DRHP, at its peak, 14.7 per cent hotels had minimum guarantee. This number is down to nearly zero now.

After bingeing on growth and expansion, the company seems to have refocused its priority to course correct on the hotel partner front.

Revenue growth is by far the biggest and most meaningful value proposition that OYO claims to provide its hotel partners worldwide. Its DRHP tries to prove it by showing the median revenue growth for a storefront after 12 weeks of a hotel joining the OYO platform.

The highest revenue uplift for storefronts is in the European Vacation Homes Business at 2.4 times, while India is still at a healthy 1.9 times increase in revenue.

The platform has several revenue enhancement tools, including machine-learning based dynamic pricing algorithms which use hundreds of parameters such as the supply and demand, seasonality and local trends to arrive at the optimal real-time price for a room and thus maximising partner revenues.

Another pricing tool is the Tariff Manager, which gives partners control over pricing based on their understanding of potential local demand. Currently, 45 per cent of OYO hotels use a tariff manager on a monthly basis globally.

It has introduced a prepaid e-wallet to simplify revenue collection and reconciliation process and moved from a monthly reconciliation process to now offering hotel partners daily payouts to improve their working capital flow.

It does consistent engagement with partners now via regular town halls. All of this has led to an increase in Patron satisfaction score from 30.1 per cent for the three months ended September 30, 2020, to a healthier 72.3 per cent for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

OYO now has over 2,700 hotel partners with more than one property signed up on its platforms. For India, this translates to 9.5 per cent of the hotel owners.

New hotels are joining the OYO platform via a self-onboarding tool, 'OYO 360', which automatically generates digital contracts based on property details and KYC documents provided by hotel partners.

In fiscal 2021, almost all the company's contracts with new hotel Partners were signed and managed digitally, says the DRHP.

However, OYO still hasn't been able to assuage all of its sceptics. Some traditional hoteliers still believe that the model of offering season wise pricing with minor discounts is the only way to keep the small hotels category viable.

Few others are still to come to terms with the abolition of the minimum guarantees which gave them certainty of revenues and are still in courts demanding compensation. There are signs of thawing though; according to company sources, close to 1,300 hotel partners facing issues in the past have joined back.

Given the buoyant market, OYO's public offering may sail through successfully, but the continued partner satisfaction will have a huge impact on its growth and hence its stock performance. A point OYO's founder Ritesh Agarwal would do well to take note of.

--IANS

na/ksk/

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
announced that it has signed a definitive agreement for the of Starschema, a leading provider of data engineering services, based in Budapest, Hungary in a $42.5 million deal.

The strategic will bolster HCLs capability in digital engineering -- driven by data engineering -- and increase its presence in Central and Eastern Europe. The deal is expected to close by March 2022.

Starschema provides consulting, technology and managed services in data engineering to Global 2000 in the US and Europe. The combines Starschemas high-value capabilities and data-focused expertise with HCLs existing presence in industry segments undergoing data-driven transformation. Starschema had revenue of $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

In addition, HCL will strengthen its position in data engineering, which is an integral part of the companys digital engineering capabilities and next-generation offerings, said the company in a statement.

Joining HCL will enable us to keep our strategic focus and expand our data engineering capacity to provide a greater breadth and depth of services to clients, said Tamas Foldi, Founder and CEO, Starschema.

Starschema will strengthen our data engineering capabilities, providing us with the ability to leverage its solutions and talent in Central and Eastern Europe, said Vijay Guntur, President, Engineering and R&D Services, .

He further added, Starschemas capabilities will further scale HCLs data engineering competencies at our integrated delivery centers across the world. Engineering talent will continue to remain in high demand, and Starschema offers a specialized talent pool in a strategic growth area for HCL. Following the acquisition, HCL will be able to offer data engineering consulting and near-shore access to digital engineering services to a wide base of clients.

The transaction is subject to regulatory clearance from the Hungarian Ministry of Innovation and Technology and is expected to close in March 2022.
India's and Retail (ABFRL) said on Friday it would buy a 51% stake in House of Masaba Lifestyle for about 900 million rupees ($12.14 million), as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the fast growing segment.

Top Indian retailers ABFRL and billionaire Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Ltd's retail unit have gone on a shopping spree for premium brands over the past year as they compete for a stronger foothold in the fashion space.

ABFRL picked up a 51% stake in luxury wedding wear brand Sabyasachi in January last year, while Reliance Retail bought 52% of designer label Ritu Kumar in October.

Founded by Masaba Gupta in 2009, House of Masaba Lifestyle sells under the brand name Masaba and offers a wide array of products ranging from cosmetics to clothes. Some of Masaba's outfits are priced as high as 90,000 rupees, according to her website.

ABFRL and House of Masaba Lifestyle have entered a binding term sheet agreement, marking the Aditya Birla Group company's entry into the beauty & personal care market in India, ABFRL said.



House of Masaba Lifestyle is targeting annual revenues of around 5 billion rupees in the next five years and will be scaled predominantly through online platform, ABFRL 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.)
MSME lending platform Technologies announced a collaboration with to provide instant loans to eligible small merchants on the platform.

The collaboration aims to address the problem of meeting the working capital management of MSMEs and to help small merchants thrive in their business journey, said the company in a release.

Aditya Harkauli, chief business officer, said, Several small businesses in India still struggle to run their operations seamlessly due to lack of access to formal credit. Since its inception, has strived to address this credit gap. Our collaboration with is another step in this direction. Further, Indifi has always been mindful of the larger social impact it can create for the community that it serves."

The partnership is aligned with Indifis differentiated ecosystem based approach to lending. As one of the leading ecosystem lending player in the digital MSME credit space, Indifi has already partnered many ecosystem players including Amazon, Zomato, Swiggy and more.

Sharath Bulusu, director, Product Management, Google said, Access to reliable credit is critical to the massive MSME sector in India. This is even more important to help businesses adapt to the altered economic landscape in the aftermath of the pandemic. We are committed to making reliable credit easy and convenient for more than 10 million merchants who use the Google Pay for Business app. Our collaboration with Indifi is a great step in this direction.

The lending experience is designed to be simple, smooth and entirely digital. Eligible merchants on the Google Pay for Business app will see loan offers from Indifi which they can click and complete through a simple online application. Once they submit the application, Indifi evaluates multiple criteria by leveraging its API integrations to make an instant credit decision. GPays reach of more than 10 million merchants will help accelerate Indifis mission of enabling easy access to finance for MSMEs across India.
(JFL), a master franchise of brands such as Domino's and Dunkin' Donuts, on Friday said its board will next month consider a proposal of splitting the equity shares of the firm.

The board, in its scheduled meeting to be held on February 2, 2022, will consider a proposal for "alteration in the capital of the Company by sub-division/split of existing equity shares of the Company having face value of Rs. 10/- each, fully paid up."



Shares of the company closed 0.35 per cent down at Rs 3,931.80 on BSE on Friday.

The board would also consider the standalone and consolidated financial results of the company for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, JFL said in a regulatory filing.

JFL, part of the Jubilant Bhartia Group, is India's largest food service company.

The company currently operates more than 1,435 outlets for Domino's Pizza, Dunkin' Donuts and Hong's Kitchen.

It also has franchise rights for Popeyes, an American multinational chain of fried chicken fast-food restaurants, for India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan 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.)
South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution (LGES) plans to build a battery joint venture (JV) with Japan's Honda Motor Co Ltd in the United States, South Korea's Maeil Business Newspaper said on Friday, citing an unnamed industry source.

The potential battery JV between LGES and Honda could cost as much as 4 trillion won ($3.4 billion) and have an annual production capacity of up to 40 gigawatt hours (GWh) of batteries, enough to power 600,000 electric vehicles (EVs), the newspaper reported. The report did not have details, such as the timeline of when the JV would be built and begin operations.

LGES, LG Chem Ltd's battery subsidiary, commands more than 20% of the global EV battery market and supplies Tesla Inc, General Motors Co and Volkswagen AG among others.



"We are discussing various ways to cooperate with automakers, including establishing joint ventures, but nothing has been decided," LGES said in a statement.

A Honda USA spokeswoman declined to comment on the story.

"This is not something that Honda has announced. We cannot comment on speculation," said a spokesperson at Honda in Tokyo.

Honda and its alliance partner GM plan to introduce two jointly developed large-sized EV models in North America, using GM's Ultium batteries, in 2024. GM will make Ultium batteries under a JV with LG.

Honda Motor's chief executive, Toshihiro Mibe, said last year the Japanese automaker was willing to form new alliances to make electrification profitable.

LGES, which has battery production sites in the United States, China, South Korea, Poland and Indonesia, plans to invest a total of 5.6 trillion won in North America by 2024 to secure production capacity of over 160 GWh by 2025 in the region, according to a company filing.

That includes two new U.S. plants jointly built with GM in Ohio and Tennessee as well as a battery joint venture with Stellantis NV.

(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.)
Industrialist Anil Agarwal-owned mining major Group on Friday said it is exploring opportunities in the mineral sector of Saudi Arabia.

The company is already in discussions with stakeholders in Saudi Arabia, which is aiming to become a mineral hub in the Middle East, said in a statement.

" plans to invest in the mineral sector in Saudi Arabia. The company is in discussions to identify opportunities in Saudi Arabia, which aims to transform itself into a mineral hub in the Middle East," the statement said.

According to the statement, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal on Wednesday attended the 'Future Minerals Forum 2022' held in Riyadh as a guest speaker and spoke on the huge potential Saudi Arabia has in minerals, including zinc, gold and silver.

Considering the strong demand for zinc and its expected shortage globally, Saudi Arabia is looking to team up with global to become a leading producer of the metal. Vedanta group company Hindustan Zinc is one of the world's largest producers of zinc.

"The strong collaboration between India and Saudi Arabia is bringing to the fore big opportunities. We are in the process of identifying options in the mineral sector which we believe the country has in abundance.

"Mining and minerals will play a critical role in the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable world, and we at Vedanta are committed to play an important part in this journey," Agarwal said at the forum.

Saudi Arabia is planning to invest USD 100 billion in the country in areas of energy, refining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, agriculture, minerals and mining. It is also a key pillar of India's energy security, being the source of 17 per cent of crude oil and 32 per cent of LPG requirements of India, Vedanta 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.)
The Gautam Buddh Nagar Police commissionerate on Friday said it arrested 463 people and seized 360 weapons in 226 encounters with alleged criminals in the last two years.

Of these, 86 encounters took place in 2021 with arrest of 211 persons and seizure of 154 weapons, according to an official data shared by the police as the commissionerate system completed two years in Gautam Buddh Nagar.

In 2020, the district logged 140 encounters arresting 252 people and seizing 206 weapons from their possession, the data showed.

In one of the cross-firing episodes in 2021, a wanted criminal identified as Ajay alias Kalia was killed, the police said.

He carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his arrest, they said, adding that 46 reward-carrying criminals were arrested after encounters last year.

In the two years combined, the police said it nabbed three criminals carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, 11 with Rs 50,000 bounty, and 173 with Rs 25,000 bounty on their arrest.

Overall, 209 reward-carrying criminals have been arrested in Gautam Buddh Nagar since 2020, they said.

The commissionerate system of policing was enforced in Gautam Buddh Nagar district on January 14, 2020, with an additional director general-rank officer (the commissioner) replacing the senior superintendent of police as the head of the force.

Certain powers which reside with a district magistrate in a non-commissionerate are also vested in the police commissioner in a commissionerate, which sees a rise in number of officers and personnel in the force, too.

Gautam Buddh Nagar along with Lucknow had become the first two districts of Uttar Pradesh in 2020 to have implemented the commissionerate system of policing.

Eventually the same system was adopted in Kanpur and Varanasi as well.

(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.)
Blind faith of the thousands of pilgrims thronging to the city's Babu-Ghat (Steps leading to the river Ganges named after its builder Baboo Raj Chandra ) en-route to Sagar Island for the Mela, saw many of them discarding Covid safety protocol, turning virus containment a tough proposition for the state administration.

Many pilgrims said that taking a dip in the Hooghly river here in the shadow of the Babu-Ghat's Doric-Greek pavilion with massive Cornithian pillars, would kill the while several others blindly claimed that no virus would be able to touch them because they are on a holy pilgrimage.

A sadhu, Sanyasi Sukanta Giri from Haridwar's Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara, who was seen without a mask said that though he has got both the vaccine shots (a must-to be allowed to proceed to Gangasagar) "chanting the 'Gangasnan' (Ganges bathing) and 'Mahamrtyunjaya' (conquest over death) mantras" would help keep him safe from the pandemic.

"I don't want to talk about it. There is no at the moment and even if there is any it will not be able to infect me because I am doubly vaccinated and I chant the 'Mahamrityunjaya mantra (prayer) everyday," Sukanta Giri told PTI.

"Hum to mast hai. hum ko chu nahi payega. Hum bindass hai. Hum Gangasnan ke liye aye hai. Corona kuch nahi kar payega humara (I am a fearless person and coronavirus will not be able to do anything to me because I have come here for the holy dip in Gangasagar)," HC Budhiraja, a resident of Ahmedabad, who has come with his old parents, Harshvardhan Budhiraja and Poonam, told this reporter.

Rajendra Pal of Rajasthan's Ajmer added that he firmly believed taking a dip in sea water at Sagar will "kill any form of bacteria or virus and ward off sins".

"Hum to bhagyashali hai ke hum mein dubki lagane ko aa paye hai. Coronavirus bol ke kuch nahi hain, aur mein nahaney se sab bacteria, virus mar jata hai. Gangasagar ke pani mein sab paap, virus khatam hota hai. (I am lucky to have come here for the holy dip. If you get a chance to take the holy dip, all coronavirus and bacteria along with your sins will be washed away)," Pal said.

Many of sadhus and the pilgrims were also reluctant to take the RT-PCR tests which have been made mandatory by the Calcutta High Court to go to the Sagar Island for the annual congregation, a senior official of the health department said.

"It's like a test of our patience. They are reluctant and giving us funny excuses not to undertake the RT-PCR tests or vaccines. We have to literally fight with them to collect the swabs. At times we are taking help from policemen to explain that unless they are tested, they will not be able to proceed from this point (Babughat)," the doctor said.

Senior police officers of Kolkata Police also echoed similar difficulties while managing the pilgrims at Babughat where several tens of thousands of pilgrims are passing through.

"We are only allowing those who test negative in the RT-PCR and have double vaccination certificates . And we are administering the second dose to all those who do not have got it," another doctor said.

However, the queue outside such RT-PCR and vaccine camps became yet another example of violation of the Covid-19 protocol where the physical distancing has gone for a toss.

"Hum saath saath aaye hai aur saath saath hi rajenge. Corona hum ko nahi hoga agar hum apne logo ke saath rahenge. (We have come together and cannot leave each other. Coronavirus will not be able to cause any harm to us," Gauri Chaturvedi, who was seen standing in the queue of a vaccination camp with her daughter-in-law said.

According to a senior police officer of Kolkata Police the crowd was far less comparing to other years, probably because of the curbs imposed by the state government due to the ongoing surge in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pilgrims from Babughat board vehicles arranged by the state government to take them to the Kakdwip from where they take boats and vessels to the Sagar Island.

A Calcutta High Court division bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Kesong Doma Bhutia allowed the annual fair to take place from January 8 and 16, and ordered that the entire Sagar Island be declared a notified area.

The bench also constituted a two-member committee comprising former Justice Samapti Chatterjee and member secretary of the West Bengal Legal Services Authority to recommend the state government to ban the entry of pilgrims to the island in case of violation of safety norms.

The bench ordered that all pilgrims must be fully vaccinated and should test negative for COVID-19 in an RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours before reaching the venue.

(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.)
Refuting media reports on COVID-19 vaccine shortage in Maharashtra, the Health Ministry said the state had over 24 lakh unutilised doses of Covaxin and received an additional 6.35 lakh doses on Friday.

According to the media reports, the state government is unable to increase the pace of vaccination due to a shortage in vaccine availability.

"As per their weekly consumption data available on Co-WIN, the average consumption by for Covaxin to cover the eligible beneficiaries for 15-17 years and for precaution dose is almost 2.94 lakh doses per day. Therefore, the state has adequate vaccine doses for about 10 days to cover the eligible beneficiaries with Covaxin," the ministry said in a statement.

"Furthermore, for Covishield, the state has 1.24 crore unutilised and balance doses available as on date. With an average consumption of 3.57 lakhs per day, this will sustain for more than 30 days for the beneficiaries to be vaccinated using the vaccine," it said.

Hence, the media reports are not factually correct and do not reflect the correct picture of the available stock of balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses with Maharashtra, the ministry 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.)
Gujarat's overall tally crossed the 9-lakh mark on Friday with an addition of 10,019 new cases, while two more patients died due to the infection in the state, the Health Department said.

With 10,019 new COVID-19 cases, the tally shot up to 9,06,913, said a release by the Health Department. On Thursday, the state had reported 11,176 cases and five deaths. Two persons, one each in Valsad and Navsari, succumbed to the COVID-19 infection during the day, taking the death toll to 10,144, said the release. Ahmedabad city recorded the highest number of infections - 3,090 - during the day, followed by 2,986 in Surat city, 1,274 in Vadodara city, 296 in Rajkot city and 273 in Surat district, it said. As per the latest data available on the COVID-19 dashboard, Gujarat's positivity rate stands at 9.56 per cent. The rate indicates the percentage of people who test positive for the virus of those overall who have been tested. The tally of recoveries rose to 8,40,971 after 4,831 persons were discharged during the day, the release said. Of the total 55,798 active cases, only 54 patients are on ventilator support, the department said. As many as 9.44 crore doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered to the eligible population in so far, of which, 38,446 shots were given on Friday, it said. As many as 39 new cases of COVID-19 and 18 recoveries were registered in the adjoining Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu in the last 24 hours, said an official release. Of the total 10,925 persons found positive for coronavirus in the Union Territory so far, 200 are under treatment, four have died, while 10,721 have recovered from the infection, said the release. COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 9,06,913, new cases 10,019, deaths 10,144, discharged 8,40,971, active cases 55,798 and people tested so far - figures not released.

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A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail application of 'Bulli Bai' app creator Neeraj Bishnoi, noting that a vilification campaign against Muslim women containing derogatory content and offending material having communal overtones was run on this app.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pankaj Sharma refused the relief saying Bishnoi's act was affront to the dignity of the women of particular community and communal harmony of the society.

"The facts disclose that accused created the app 'Bulli Bai' where women journalists and celebrities of a particular community who are famous on social media are targeted and they are projected in a bad light with an objective to insult and humiliate them by objectification," the court noted.

A vilification campaign against these women containing derogatory content and offending material having communal overtones was run on this app being made by the accused, it noted.

"The act of the accused is apparently an affront to the dignity of the women of particular community and communal harmony of the society," the judge said.

Twenty-year-old Bisnoi told the court that he was falsely accused nothing to do with the offence.

The counsel for the complainant opposed the bail application, saying the photographs of some prominent Muslim women were picked for the purpose of insulting and outraging their modesty by making sexually coloured remarks.

The app put out details of more than 100 prominent Muslim women allowing users to participate in an 'auction' of those women.

Bishnoi is a resident of the Digambar area of Jorhat district in Assam and is a B Tech student at the Vellore Institute of Technology, Bhopal.

Bishnoi was arrested earlier this month by Delhi Police Special Cell's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit team from Assam for the alleged involvement in the Bulli Bai case.

An engineering student from Bengaluru, a young girl from Uttarakhand, and one of her friends have also been arrested by Mumbai Police in connection with the case.

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The police on Friday busted an interstate gang and nabbed four of its members for allegedly duping people on the pretext of providing them with fake packages after posing as bank employees.

Police said the accused duped over 55 people in different states. Rs 35,000 cash, one POS machine, computer, printer, 17 mobile phones and 18 SIM cards procured using fake IDs have been recovered from their possession, they said.

The arrested accused were identified as Uttam Singh, originally hailing from Bihar; Tushar from Rajasthan; Mohammad Mubin and Maz Mohammad, natives of Uttar Pradesh.

Police also sealed their four fake bank accounts using which transactions of Rs 65 lakh were done in the last six months. The accused revealed that they had duped 55 people, including 17 from Delhi-NCR, 15 in Uttar Pradesh, nine in Telangana, five in Haryana, three in Maharashtra and two in Gujarat.

"The accused targeted credit card holders after buying the data from Just Dial. They posed as bank representatives from the customer care number through a customized app," said Surender Sheoran, ACP (Crime), .

The accused would convince the prospective targets to buy packages using credit cards and swindle them of their balance once they would go ahead with the transaction.

"We are questioning the accused," the ACP said.

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GST officers have arrested one person for operating a syndicate and issuing fake invoices of Rs 4,521 crore for availing input credit (ITC) benefit under goods and services tax, an official statement said on Friday.

It said scrutiny of tally data has shown that there are 636 firms being operated by this syndicate and the mastermind of the syndicate has accepted that they have issued only invoices in these firms and not supplied any goods against them.

"They have issued invoices involving taxable value of about Rs 4,521 crore having ITC implication of about Rs 741 crore," the statement said.

During the course of the investigation, GST amounting to Rs 4.52 crore has been deposited by the reversal of ITC available in the ITC ledger of these firms. Further, till now, about Rs 7 crore lying in various bank accounts of these firms has been frozen, it added.

The mastermind behind the whole racket was arrested on January 13.

To catch the mastermind behind these fake firms, the officials of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) conducted searches on January 6 in Delhi. During the search, it was found that the proprietor is engaged in providing services of 'Cloud Storage' on his servers to various customers for maintaining their financial accounts.

On scrutiny of one of the suspicious servers, details of certain firms were found in tally data. It was informed by the proprietor that this tally data is being maintained by one syndicate based in Kolkata, following which searches were conducted at various premises in Kolkata on January 10.

"During the search, a huge amount of incriminating documents including mobiles phones, various cheque books, stamps of various firms and SIM cards have been recovered.

"On analysis of electronic devices, documents, mobiles and e-mail of these persons, it has been found that these persons are remotely maintaining data on the server found at the premises in Delhi," the statement added.

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Reprimanding the CBI for not properly conducting the unnatural death case of Dhanbad judge Uttam Anand in July last year, the of on Friday said there is a greater conspiracy into the matter which needs to be unearthed.

While hearing the case online, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad made an oral observation that the murder has not happened because of theft of a mobile phone or any other trivial matter.

There is a greater conspiracy and that should be unearthed, the court said.

The bench also ordered the CBI to produce reports of the narco test conducted on the two accused who have been arrested in the case.

The matter would be heard again on January 21.

The had on multiple occasions pulled up CBI in the case. In October, it had rapped the agency for filing a "stereotype" charge-sheet in the case, saying it could not substantiate the charges made against the accused.

CCTV footage showed that the additional district judge was jogging on one side of a fairly wide road near the district court at Randhir Verma Chowk early on July 28 when a heavy auto-rickshaw veered towards him, hit him from behind, and fled the scene.

Some locals found him lying in a pool of blood and took him to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Dhanbad police seized the vehicle from Giridih district and arrested the auto-rickshaw driver Lakhan Verma and his assistant Rahul Verma.

The CBI has been investigating the case since August 4 and used various scientific tests on the accused in its bid to solve the mystery.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state police was probing the case earlier.

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has detected some 20 cases of a new sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid.

The sub-variant, known as BA.2, was discovered during genetic sequencing of Covid patients. It contains more mutations than the original Omicron and may be more violent.

While scientists were concerned about the new development, the danger posed by the new sub-variant is still uncertain.

According to Israel's Health Ministry, there was no evidence that BA.2 behaved differently than Omicron, Jerusalem Post reported.

BA.2 was first seen in China a few weeks ago, and is suspected to have originated in India. It has also been observed in Denmark, Australia, Canada and Singapore, state media Kan reported.

has in the past week seen a new record of virus carriers, increasing from 12,000 a day to 48,000.

The number of serious patients, while still limited, has also started to increase. There were 283 patients on Thursday compared with 136 a week earlier.

In addition, 284 new patients were classified as serious over the previous seven days, marking an increase of 189 per cent over the previous week, the Post reported.

However, as the Omicron causes only mild disease, the general situation of patients appears to be much better than in previous waves.

According to the World Health Organization, the Omicron variant (parent Pango lineage B.1.1.529) includes three descendent lineages (BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3). While BA.1 and BA.3 have the 69-70 deletion in the spike protein, BA.2 does not.

Recently, scientists at Department of Biotechnology's Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) in India also noted the significant presence of both BA.1 and BA.2 in genone tests conducted in the country.

BA.1, in particular, has been co-circulating with Delta and also replacing it in Maharashtra and several other states. BA.3 has not been detected so far in the country, media reports said.

--IANS

rvt/pgh

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The COVID-19 tally in Madhya Pradesh reached 8,19,228 on Friday with the detection of 4,755 new cases, while the death toll remained unchanged at 10,543, an official said.

He said the positivity rate in the state was 5.9 per cent, up from 5.1 per cent on Thursday, when the addition to the infection tally was 4,031.

The recovery count stood at 7,87,298 after 1,020 people were discharged from hospitals during the day, leaving the state with an active tally of 21,387, the official said.

Indore and Bhopal, the two worst coronavirus-hit cities of Madhya Pradesh, registered 1,291 and 1,008 cases, respectively, in the last 24 hours, he added.

With 79,786 samples being examined during the day, the number of tests in MP went up to 2,45,96,379, he said.

A government release said 10,69,47,418 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far in the state, including 1,71,002 on Friday.

figures in MP are as follows: Total cases 8,19,228, new cases 4,755, death toll 10,543, recoveries 7,87,298, active cases 21,387, number of tests so far 2,45,96,379.

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general secretary Tarun Chugh on Friday demanded Congress government to issue a white paper on security in view of "serious security threat" ahead of polls.

In a statement, Chugh said seizure of huge quantity of explosives over the last few days in including in Amritsar indicated there was a threat to the security.

He alleged the Channi government has been trying to push its lapses under the carpet".

Chugh asked the government details of live "tiffin bombs" in the state and also of drones which he alleged were coming from Pakistan.

He also took a dig at Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's friendship with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"The manner in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was deliberately left stranded by the Channi government during his visit to Ferozepur indicated that there was indeed a big design and threat to the nation, he said referring to the last week incident in which the PM's convoy was held back by farmer protesters.

Chugh accused the Congress of playing with security in the state.

"After putting the life of the prime minister at stake the Channi government was putting the entire state in danger and there was an urgent need for a the Punjabis to know what the Congress was up to," he said.

On Friday, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), smuggled from Pakistan, and Rs 1 lakh in Indian currency notes were found concealed in a bag lying on the Attari-Bachiwind road in Amritsar, close to the India-Pakistan border, police said.

On Thursday, close on the heels of busting a terror module backed by the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), the Punjab Police had seized 2.5 kg of RDX, besides arms and ammunition.

The raid was conducted on the basis of information revealed by the prime accused in two recent incidents of hurling of grenades in Pathankot, police had said.

Punjab goes to polls on February 14.

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Seven people lost their lives to extreme events last year in Delhi, including four due to heavy rainfall and flooding, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday.

A bountiful monsoon had yielded 1,169.7 mm of rainfall in last year, the highest since 1964.

Normally, records 653.6 mm of rainfall during the monsoon season. In 2020, the capital gauged 576.5 mm of precipitation.

According to the IMD, the Safdarjung Observatory, which is considered the official marker for the city, had gauged 1,155.6 mm of rainfall in 1975 and 1,190.9 mm in 1964.

The all-time record is 1,420.3 mm rainfall in 1933.

It was the third time in the last two decades that the monsoon rainfall in breached the 1,000 mm mark.

The city had recorded 1,031.5 mm of rainfall in the monsoon season in 2010. In 2003, the capital had gauged 1,050 mm of it.

According to data, India saw 1,750 deaths due to extreme events in 2021, with Maharashtra being the worst-affected state with 350 fatalities, followed by Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.

Thunderstorms and lightning reportedly claimed 787 lives in India last year, while 759 people died in heavy rainfall and flood-related incidents, it said.

Cyclonic storms claimed 172 lives and 32 others died due to other extreme events, according to the IMD's annual climate statement.

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Join Edith Salas of Salas Properties & host Jenn Barlow as they visit the Coronado Shores community. The towers have amazing views including the world famous Hotel del Coronado, downtown San Diego, San Diego Bay, the City of Coronado, Point Loma, and the Pacific Ocean.
The US will allow to import natural gas and electricity from Egypt and Jordan through Syria, without being subject to restrictions imposed by the US Caesar Act which prohibits cooperation with Syria, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has said.

The US authorities have informed Egyptian officials about Lebanon's capability of importing energy through Syria, Bou Habib said on Thursday during his meeting at Baabda Palace with President Michel Aoun to inform him about his recent visit to the US.

The Energy and Oil Ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and had agreed last September to supply with electricity from Jordan and natural gas from Egypt through the Arab Gas pipeline to solve the electricity crisis in Lebanon, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Lebanese Foreign Minister also noted that US officials expressed keenness to resume the process of demarcating the southern maritime border between Lebanon and Israel, and the US mediator Amos Hochstein will come to Lebanon within the next few days to resume his efforts with the aim of moving forward in this regard.

Lebanon has been going through an unprecedented financial crisis due to the failing policies adopted by successive governments which resulted in a public debt hovering over $96 billion.

--IANS

int/khz/

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India is among the top five targets for in the region, particularly security breaches that involve cyber espionage, said cybersecurity and digital privacy company .

The findings are part of Kasperskys latest Cyberthreats to Financial Organizations in 2022 report.

considers region as among the hottest targets in the world for cyberattacks, for reasons including rapidly increasing usage of digital technologies matched by a proportional lack of awareness regarding cybersecurity, as well as limited resources deployed towards mitigation.

Based on its data and advanced cyber-intelligence through various reports on cybersecurity, it has found India making it to the top 5 mentions among targets for cyberattacks, with attention to cyber espionage. The kind of attacks that are expected to increase  APT (Advanced Persistent Threats) with the intention to collect valuable geopolitical, business and military intelligence.

Dipesh Kaura, General Manager, (South Asia) says, India continues to be on the hit list of some very sophisticated cyber criminals and groups of attackers from around the world. Its bustling economy and expected growth are among the key reasons for the elevated level of threat it faces. The only correct response is prevention is better than cure  to invest in infrastructure and capabilities aimed at improving cyber intelligence by improving prediction capabilities. At Kaspersky, this is one of our key offerings to our clients. India has recently taken strong steps towards enhanced cyber threat vigilance and this is commendable.

The other countries on the top 5 list include China and Pakistan. Thus, India is in the middle of the hottest cyber conflict zones in the region.

Kasperskys findings also identify Singapore as among the major hotspots for . This should lead Indian businesses, which have close tie-ups with entities as well as presence in Singapore, to sit up and take notice. Singapore is expected to witness data breaches and those affecting cryptocurrency and the newly established NFT industry.

Saurabh Sharma, Sr. Security Researcher (GReAT), Kaspersky (APAC), Proactive, concerted action against cyber attacks can help to stem the damage that cyber attacks intend to cause. It is the need of the hour for all data-driven business and institutional processes.

The APAC region has seen a sharp rise in cyberthreats and cyberattacks in the recent years. The widespread adoption of digital technologies notwithstanding, awareness levels and security infrastructure remain low, helping such attackers to get away without so much as being identified for the crimes committed. The only answer to this is constantly upgrading cybersecurity infrastructure and upskilling of personnel authorized to bring cybercriminals to book.
Industry chamber PHDCCI on Friday said it has suggested to the government to remove on copper concentrate as the move would encourage domestic companies to manufacture value added products in India, instead of importing the same under free trade pacts.

The on copper concentrate is at 2.5 per cent.

It also pitched for increasing the basic custom duty on copper cathodes on refined copper products from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

"In order to protect India from being a dumping ground of metal scrap, it's important to make stricter operating norms for the scrap recyclers, so as to abide by an environmentally friendly process," it added.

These suggestions were made by the chamber as part of its pre-Budget recommendations.

Further, the chamber suggested imposition of 10 per cent standard on import of paper and paperboards from ASEAN, South Korea and China.

It said these products should be kept in the negative list while reviewing the existing free trade agreements (FTAs) and formulating new pacts.

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AAP national convenor and party's Punjab unit chief met some farmers in Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's constituency Chamkaur Sahib.

In a short video of the meeting released by the party on Friday, Kejriwal and Mann are seen sitting on a cot placed in the mustard fields and interacting with some farmers.

In the video, Mann asks the farmers if they have got payment for the cane crop and the peasants reply that it has not yet been cleared.

"Did you not get payment for your produce for two years?" Kejriwal then asks the farmers.

Another farmer tells the AAP leaders that a number of youth of the area are unemployed.

"So, this time are you going to bring a change (bringing AAP to power)?" quips Kejriwal during the conversation with peasants.

"We are with you..," an elderly farmer tells Kejriwal, and the Delhi chief minister tells him that they only need their support.

Punjab goes to polls on February 14 and the AAP is eyeing to wrest power from the ruling Congress.

Kejriwal was on a two-day visit to the northern state which concluded on Thursday during which he also campaigned door-to-door, ruled himself out of the race as the party's CM face, as the AAP launched its "Janta Chunegi Apna CM" drive a day earlier and said the name of the candidate for the top post will be announced after getting the feedback of people.

Kejriwal, however, had said his own preference for the post is .

During the conversation with peasants in a village in Chamkaur Sahib, in the video, another farmer tells Kejriwal that they got all support and help from the AAP dispensation, including making arrangements of water, ration and providing other essentials which was made when the peasants were agitating against farm laws at Delhi borders.

"Did you come to know about our schools and hospitals in Delhi," Kejriwal asks, to which the farmers reply they are aware about it.

The Delhi chief minister then asks the peasants whether there is a government school in their area.

The elderly farmer replies only five teachers are there where 12 teachers are needed. "What will the children do?" he asks.

Kejriwal tells them if AAP comes to power, it will improve the condition of government schools like his government did in Delhi and also provide employment to youth.

"The way we brought about a change in Delhi, we will bring a change in Punjab too," he said.

The Channi-government has been under attack especially from the Aam Aadmi Party over the issues of schools.

AAP leader and Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia had last month visited two government primary schools located in Chamkaur Sahib, alleging their pathetic condition.

Sisodia had then alleged that the toilet there was stinking and classrooms were infested with spider webs and in one of the schools, there was only one teacher, who was getting just Rs 6,000 per month.

Sisodia, Kejriwal and Mann are not the only AAP leaders who have targeted Channi's constituency.

Last month, senior AAP leader and Punjab affairs co-incharge Raghav Chadha had paid a surprise visit to Jindapur village in Chamkaur Sahib and alleged that illegal sand mining was being carried out in Channi's constituency.

However, the Punjab chief minister had trashed his claims and had given a strict warning to AAP leaders from Delhi that no "outsider" would be allowed to raise an "unfounded alarm" in the state.

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Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Friday said the first list of candidates declared by the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance has given a clear message that Akhilesh Yadav is not ready to leave "criminals, goons and rioters".

"Through the first list of candidates of the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance, Akhilesh Yadav has given a clear message that he is not ready to leave criminals, goons and rioters aside, Maurya said in a statement released by the BJP here.

He also said the formation of SP government would mean riot raj, goonda raj and criminal raj in the state.

On Thursday, the SP and RLD, contesting the assembly elections together in UP, released their first list with 29 candidates comprising 10 from the SP and 19 from the RLD.

Maurya alleged that the SP list also includes accused of Kairana (Shamli) "exodus".

"What message do you want to give to the people of the state through your alliance? Akhilesh Yadav should tell if he wants to create Muzaffarnagar-like (riot) and Kairana-like situation in the state again, Maurya asked.

"Bharatiya Janata Party will run a campaign against the true character of the SP-RLD alliance and will also give a message to the public," he said.

In his statement, Maurya termed many candidates as history-sheeters.

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is likely to give preference to sitting MLAs while selecting candidates for the Uttarakhand Assembly polls that are due next month, according to the party's screening committee chief Avinash Pandey.

"Chances of sitting MLAs are strong. Last time those who fought elections and did well, it is quite natural that preference will be given to them. The process of choosing candidates is on. Tomorrow is our screening committee meeting. Very soon we will take this list of candidates to Central Election Committee (CEC). Many candidates have been shortlisted," Pandey told ANI.

Asked whether will be the party's chief ministerial candidate, Pandey said, " is our senior leader. He has been CM two times. It has been a tradition that MLAs hold discussions and the High Command decide the Chief Minister. is heading the Campaign committee. Party has given him vital responsibility. I do not think will face any problem in choosing the CM candidate."

On digital campaigns, the leader said that the party is working hard on making digital campaigning more effective.

The Congress Screening Committee for will meet in the national capital on Thursday, as per party sources.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Harish Rawat had said that the party will release its first list of candidates for Uttarakhand Assembly polls within the next seven days.

Several rounds of meetings have been held by the AICC screening committee to decide the names of candidates who will contest the polls.

Polls to elect the 70-member state legislative assembly are scheduled to be held on February 14. The counting will take place on March 10.

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Screening Committee held deliberations candidates for 50 constituencies in in its nearly 10-hour long meeting on Thursday. However, the final decision regarding the candidates for these seats will be taken on Friday.

The meeting lasted for 10 hours and concluded at 11:15 pm.

After the meeting concluded at 11:15 pm, former Uttarakhand chief minister and senior leader said, "We have reached a mutual understanding for around 50 seats. We will take the final decision tomorrow. CEC meeting may be on Saturday."

Besides Harish Rawat, screening committee meeting chairman Avinash Pande, PCC chief Ganesh Godiyal were present in the meeting.

When asked if he would contest the Uttrakhand assembly election, Rawat said the party will take a decision.

"After the first screening meeting, the reaction which we received we have evaluated that and tomorrow again we will meet and evaluate on all the seats. On Friday, we will give the final shape. Approximately 50 seat agreement of screening committee has been done," he said.

The next Party's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting will be held on Saturday.

The polling for Uttarakhand Assembly Election will take place in a single phase on February 14. The results will be declared on March 10.

In the 2017 assembly elections, BJP won 57 out of 70 seats in the state.

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has agreed to sell its consumer business in four Southeast Asian markets to United Overseas Bank (UOB) for S$4.915 billion ($3.65 billion), bringing the U. S. bank closer to its goal of exiting retail operations in 13 markets.

The proposed acquisition by UOB will be its biggest in two decades and will double the group's retail customer base in the four markets in Southeast Asia, where the Singapore bank already has a large presence and competes with rivals DBS Group and OCBC.

Citi's exit from Southeast Asia comes after CEO Jane Fraser said last year the bank would close retail operations in 13 markets, including 10 in Asia, to refocus on its more lucrative institutional and wealth management businesses.

"Focusing our business through these actions will facilitate additional investment in our strategic focus areas, including our institutional network across Asia Pacific, driving optimal returns for Citi," Peter Babej, Citi's Asia Pacific CEO, said in a statement on Friday.

UOB, Southeast Asia's third-biggest bank, said it would acquire Citi's unsecured and secured lending portfolios, wealth management and retail deposit businesses in the four countries.

"UOB believes in Southeast Asia's long-term potential and we have been disciplined, selective and patient in seeking the right opportunities to grow," said Wee Ee Cheong, UOB's deputy chairman and chief executive.

The bank said the proposed acquisition is expected to be financed through its excess capital, and it remains comfortable maintaining its dividend policy of a 50% payout ratio.

Citi's consumer business in the four markets employs about 5,000 employees, who will be transferred to UOB.

"The total cash consideration for the proposed acquisition, will be calculated based on an aggregate premium equivalent to S$915 million plus the net asset value of the consumer business as at completion," UOB said.

It said Citigroup's consumer business in these markets had an aggregate net asset value of about S$4 billion and a customer base of about 2.4 million as at June 30, 2021. These generated income of about S$0.5 billion in the first half of 2021.

Last year, Citi agreed to sell its Philippines' consumer banking franchise, wound down its South Korean consumer bank and sold its Australian consumer banking business.

had also announced plans to exit retail operations in India, Taiwan and China.

Details Of Deal UOB is buying Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam operations

The move is to fund retail business acquisition with internal capital

The proposed acquisition by UOB will be its biggest in two decades

Purchase will double UOB's retail business in four markets

Citi's sale is part of strategy to focus on wealth management Credit Suisse (Singapore) is the financial adviser to UOB on the latest deal, while Allen & Overy LLP (Singapore) is the legal adviser.

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Britain's domestic spy service MI5 has told the House of Commons speaker that the Chinese Communist Party has been employing a woman to exert improper influence over lawmakers.

Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said in an email to lawmakers on Thursday that MI5 had found that the woman "has been engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging with members here at parliament".

She "has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China", the email added. Hoyle said the woman had been involved with the now disbanded all-party parliamentary group, Chinese in Britain.

Britain's interior minister Priti Patel said it was "deeply concerning" that an individual working on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party had targeted lawmakers. She said the individual was identified because of the "strong structures the United Kingdom has in place to identify foreign interference".

The Chinese embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of Britain's governing Conservative Party who has been sanctioned by China for highlighting alleged human right abuses in Xinjiang, called for an urgent update from the government on the issue.

He questioned why the woman had not been deported and called for a tightening of the accreditation process for people gaining access to parliament, which he said was too lenient.

Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood told parliament: "This is the sort grey-zone interference we now anticipate and expect from China."

Britain's relations with China have deteriorated in recent years over issues including Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Last year MI5 urged British citizens to treat the threat of spying from Russia, China and Iran with as much vigilance as terrorism.

British spies say China and Russia have each sought to steal commercially sensitive data and intellectual property as well as to interfere in domestic politics and sow misinformation.

The Chinese ambassador to Britain was banned from attending an event in the British parliament last year because Beijing imposed sanctions on lawmakers who highlighted alleged human right abuses in Xinjiang.

China placed the sanctions on nine British politicians, in March last year for spreading what it said were "lies and disinformation" the over the treatment of Uighur Muslims in the country's far west.

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill, Editing by Jon Boyle)

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The Coronado Police Department is hosting a free Ride to Live class for active military who ride a motorcycle on Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver Strand State Beach. The Ride to Live motorcycle training program is presented by Coronado patrol officers.
A huge cyberattack left a number of Ukrainian government websites temporarily unavailable on Friday, officials said.

While it wasn't immediately clear who was behind the cyberattack, the disruption came amid heightened tensions with Russia and after talks between Moscow and the West failed to yield any significant progress this week.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko told The Associated Press it was too soon to tell who could have been behind the attack.

"But there is a long record of Russian cyber assaults against in the past, he said.

Moscow had previously denied involvement in cyberattacks against .

The websites of the country's Cabinet, seven ministries, the Treasury, the National Emergency Service and the state services website, where Ukrainians' electronic passports and vaccination certificates are stored, were temporarily unavailable Friday as a result of the hack.

The websites contained a message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, saying that Ukrainians' personal data has been leaked into the public domain.

Be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future," the message read, in part.

Ukraine's State Service of Communication and Information Protection said that no personal data has been leaked.

The country's minister for digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, insisted that personal data was safe, since the operability of the websites, not the registries, was affected by the hack.

Fedorov said that some of the attacked websites were blocked by their administrators in order to contain the damage and investigate the attacks.

He added that a large part of the affected websites have been restored.

The US 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 Washington's demand to pull back its forces, saying it has the right to deploy them wherever necessary.

The Kremlin has demanded security guarantees from the West that NATO wouldn't expand eastward.

Last month, Moscow submitted draft security documents demanding that NATO deny membership to 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.

High-stakes talks this week between Moscow and the US, followed by a meeting of Russia and NATO representatives and a meeting at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, failed to bring about any immediate progress.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Friday that the 27-nation bloc is ready to mobilise all its resources to provide technical assistance to Ukraine and help it improve its capacity to weather cyberattacks.

Borrell told a a meeting of EU foreign ministers in the French port city of Brest that the bloc would mobilise its cyber rapid response teams.

Borrell added that he would ask member countries to allow Ukraine benefit from anti-cyberattacks resources within the framework of the EU Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), even though the country isn't a member of the union.

We are going to mobilise all our resources to help Ukraine cope with these cyberattacks, Borrell said.

Sadly, we expected this could happen.

Asked who could be behind the attack, Borrell said: I can't point at anybody because I have no proof, but one can imagine.

Russia has long history of launching aggressive cyber operations against Ukraine, including a hack of its voting system ahead of 2014 national elections and an assault the country's power grid in 2015 and 2016.

In 2017, Russia unleashed one of most damaging cyberattacks on record with the NotPetya virus that targeted Ukrainian businesses and caused more than $10 billion in damage globally.

Experts have said recently that the threat of another such cyberattack is significant as it would give Russian President Vladimir Putin the ability to destabilise Ukraine and other former Soviet countries that wish to join NATO without having to commit troops.

If you're trying to use it as a stage and a deterrent to stop people from moving forward with NATO consideration or other things, cyber is perfect, Tim Conway, a cybersecurity instructor at the SANS Institute, told The Associated Press in an interview last week.

Conway was in Ukraine last month conducting a simulated cyberattack on the country's energy sector.

The US has been investing in improving Ukraine's cyber defenses for several years through various departments, like the Department of Energy and USAID.

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The government of has sent a letter to the World Health Organization, accusing its Ethiopian director-general of misconduct after his sharp criticism of the war and humanitarian crisis in the country.

nominated Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to be the head of the UN health agency four years ago, but says he has not lived up to the integrity and professional expectations required from his office, accusing him of interfering in Ethiopia's internal affairs, according to a press release issued late Thursday.

Through his acts, (Tedros) spread harmful misinformation and compromised WHO's reputation, independence and credibility, Ethiopia's ministry of foreign affairs said.

had no immediate response to the claims.

Tedros, an ethnic Tigrayan, has repeatedly deplored the situation in his home country and called for humanitarian access to the conflict-ridden region of .

Nowhere in the world are we witnessing hell like Tigray, said Tedros at a media briefing Wednesday.

He cited a missive had received recently from a physician in the region, said health authorities had run out of basic medicines for diseases including diabetes in June and were now using expired stocks and intravenous fluids.

Tedros condemned Ethiopia's blockade of access to Tigray, saying that WHO had not been allowed to send any supplies to the region since July, noting the UN agency had access to Syria and Yemen even during their worst conflicts.

He said there should be unfettered humanitarian access to Tigray and said that just respecting the constitutional order would bring this problem into a peaceful conclusion."



He continued: Of course, I am from that region and from the northern part of Ethiopia. But I am saying this without any bias.

The Ethiopian government said Tedros was using his office to advance his political interest at the expense of Ethiopia and said he continues to be an active member of the Tigray People's Liberation Front; Tedros was foreign minister and health minister when the TPLF dominated the country's ruling coalition.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front, the political party that runs the Tigray region, has been clashing with Ethiopian federal forces since the country's Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister accused the heavily armed regional government of attacking a military base.

Each government regards the other as illegitimate after a months-long falling-out amid political reforms.

In September, France, Germany and other European countries nominated Tedros for a second term as WHO's director-general, the first time any candidate was not supported by his or her home country.

Tedros is expected to be confirmed for another five-year term in May, as he is running unopposed.

Under Tedros, WHO came under withering criticism from the US Trump administration over allegations of grievous missteps in responding to COVID-19 and for allegedly colluding with China in the early phases of the outbreak.

Tedros has been a leading voice urging rich countries and vaccine makers to do more to improve access to COVID shots in the developing world a call that has largely gone unheeded.

Last year, WHO faced mounting pressure over revelations from an AP investigation and an independent panel that found senior management were informed of sexual abuse allegations during the agency's response to an Ebola outbreak in Congo.

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The Federation of German Industries (BDI) is "cautiously optimistic" about the economic recovery in industry and expects the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 3.5 per cent in 2022, the BDI has said.

German exports are to grow around half as fast as in 2021, increasing by four per cent in 2022 year-on-year, according to the BDI on Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Order books are full, but production is not keeping pace with demand," BDI President Siegfried Russwurm said.

"Pandemic-related restrictions and supply bottlenecks are affecting large parts of the ."

Many German companies in the automotive, electrical and mechanical engineering industries are affected by supply bottlenecks, which would slow down industrial value creation by more than 50 billion euros ($57.4 billion) in 2021 and 2022, according to the BDI.

The German could "face another stop-and-go year," the BDI noted. However, "with the right framework conditions, there is also a chance that the new year will be the year with the strongest economic momentum since 2010."

High energy costs, slow digital transformation, lack of infrastructure investment and high taxes would make the business location less and less attractive for companies from Germany and abroad, Russwurm added.

"Policymakers must reverse the negative trend of recent years, go beyond crisis management to increase the pace of action and embark on a growth course," he said.

The German Council of Economic Experts, an official advisory body to the German government, expects the country's GDP to grow 4.6 per cent in 2022. Economic growth in Germany should "continue to pick up, provided that industrial output and consumer demand for services normalise next year." (1 euro $1.15)

--IANS

int/khz

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on Friday said its subsidiary has received approval from the US health regulator to market Ryaltris, a nasal spray for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The company's fully-owned unit Glenmark Specialty SA (Switzerland) has received approval from the for its new drug application (NDA) for Ryaltris, a fixed-dose (metered), prescription, combination nasal spray, said in a statement.

The product is used for the treatment of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older, it added.

The FDA's approval of Ryaltris represents a major milestone for Glenmark and clearly supports our efforts to bring innovative treatment options in our key therapeutic areas," said Robert Crockart, Chief Commercial Officer of Limited.

With this NDA approval, the company looks forward to bringing this new medicine to physicians and their patients for the treatment of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, including nasal and ocular symptoms, he added.

Ryaltris will be marketed and distributed in the United States by Hikma Specialty USA, Inc, as part of its exclusive licensing agreement with Glenmark Specialty SA.

Ryaltris has been approved and is marketed in Australia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan.

In April 2021, Glenmark concluded the regulatory procedure in Europe, enabling approval in 17 countries across the EU and UK.

The drug firm has entered into commercial agreements with several partners around the world, including Menarini for the commercialisation of the drug in select EU markets and with Bausch Health in Canada.

The product is under review by Health Canada).

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has called for a public-private partnership to identify a list of critical open source projects and find new ways of identifying software that might pose a systemic risk, as the world grapples with the recent log4j open source software vulnerability that has put millions of devices at hacking risk.

Following a summit on open-source security hosted at the on Thursday, said the collaboration between government and the private sector was needed for open-source funding and management.

"We need a public-private partnership to identify a list of critical open source projects -- with criticality determined based on the influence and importance of a project -- to help prioritise and allocate resources for the most essential security assessments and improvements," said Kent Walker, president for global affairs and chief legal officer at and Alphabet.

Open source software code is available to the public, free for anyone to use, modify, or inspect.

Since it is freely available, open source facilitates collaborative innovation and the development of new technologies to help solve shared problems.

"That's why many aspects of critical infrastructure and national security systems incorporate it. But there's no official resource allocation and few formal requirements or standards for maintaining the security of that critical code," said Google.

In fact, most of the work to maintain and enhance the security of open source, including fixing known vulnerabilities, is done on an ad hoc, volunteer basis.

"Longer term, we need new ways of identifying software that might pose a systemic risk -- based on how it will be integrated into critical projects -- so that we can anticipate the level of security required and provide appropriate resourcing," Google noted.

The 'Log4j' vulnerabilities represent a complex and high-risk situation for 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," according to .

Cyber criminals are making thousands of attempts to exploit a second vulnerability involving a Java logging system called 'Apache log4j2'.

Google recently said that more than 35,000 Java packages, amounting to over 8 per cent of the Maven Central repository (the most significant Java package repository), have been impacted by the recently disclosed vulnerabilities with widespread fallout across the software industry.

The Apache Software Foundation has released several updates in the wake of the widespread 'Log4Shell' vulnerability in Log4j version 2 branch.

--IANS

na/svn/dpb

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Grammy-winning rapper has been named as a suspect in a battery report by Los Angeles police.

As per Variety, Kanye hasn't been arrested for the ongoing criminal investigation.

According to LAPD spokesperson Redina Puentes, the incident occurred on Thursday morning at South Santa Fe Avenue and Bay Street in downtown Los Angeles. The location is outside of Soho Warehouse, a members-only club.

TMZ first reported the news, citing police sources as saying the incident is being investigated as misdemeanour battery, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 6 months.

TMZ also posted a filmed video of West, which it says was "shot sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning," in which a clearly aggravated West is heard yelling, "Did y'all say that or not? Did y'all say that or not?" "Cuz that's what happened right fuc---g now."

Meanwhile, FOX 11 reported that the incident occurred outside the Soho Warehouse, and West was leaving when a fan allegedly walked up to his car and asked him for an autograph.

After words were exchanged, the rapper allegedly jumped out of his car and punched the fan, reportedly knocking him to the ground. West then left the scene.

As per People magazine, in 2014, the rapper was arrested for assaulting a photographer at Los Angeles Airport. Reportedly, the photographer accused West of punching him and grabbing his camera. At the time, he was sentenced to 250 hours of community service, two years probation and 24 anger management sessions.

Similarly, West was arrested in 2008 for vandalism and battery over an altercation with photographers at the same airport where he allegedly damaged a camera. He was later released on USD 20,000 bail.

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A massive cyberattack warning Ukrainians to "be afraid and expect the worst" hit government websites on Thursday night, leaving some websites inaccessible on Friday morning and prompting to open an investigation.

Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters it was too early to say who could be behind the attack but said had been behind similar strikes in the past.



The cyberattack, which hit the ministry of foreign affairs, the cabinet of ministers and the security and defence council among others, comes as Kyiv and its allies have sounded the alarm about a possible new military offensive on .



has previously denied being behind cyber attacks on .



"Ukrainian! All your personal data was uploaded to the public network. All data on the computer is destroyed, it is impossible to restore it," said a message visible on hacked government websites, written in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish.



"All information about you has become public, be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future." The United States warned on Thursday that the threat of a Russian military invasion was high. said dialogue was continuing but was hitting a dead end as it tried to persuade the West to bar Ukraine from joining NATO and roll back decades of alliance expansion in Europe - demands that the United States has called "non-starters".



"It's too early to draw conclusions, but there is a long record of Russian assaults against Ukraine in the past," the foreign ministry spokesman told Reuters.



A top Ukrainian security official told Reuters: "All subjects of cyber security were aware of such possible provocations by the Russian Federation. Therefore, the response to these incidents is carried out as usual."

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Microsoft's board of directors has hired a reputed law firm to review the effectiveness of the company's sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies and practices, including the inquiry against .

The report by law firm Arent Fox will summarise the results of any sexual harassment investigations against members of the Board of Directors and the company's senior leadership team, including the allegations that a Board committee investigated beginning in 2019 involving co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Gates.

"We're committed not just to reviewing the report but learning from the assessment so we can continue to improve the experiences of our employees. I embrace this comprehensive review as an opportunity to continue to get better," said Satya Nadella, Microsoft's Chairman and CEO.

At the conclusion of the review, the Board will publish a thorough transparency report for employees, shareholders and the public, expected to be in the spring of this year.

The review will include concerns raised by employees in 2019 in the "In Need of Assistance" email thread, steps the company has taken to respond to these concerns, and additional steps that could further strengthen these safeguards.

The email thread followed a class-action lawsuit filed in March 2018 alleging there were 238 cases of sexual harassment and/or discrimination encountered by female employees between 2010 and 2016.

The review will also include an analysis of policies, practices and commitments to create a safe, inclusive work environment.

"It will assess the steps that have been taken to hold employees, including executives, accountable for sexual harassment or gender discrimination. The report will include data on the number of sexual harassment cases investigated and their resolution," said.

Microsoft shareholder and activist Arjuna Capital had sought a report from Microsoft on the effectiveness of its policies to battle sexual harassment in the workplace.

After Gates announced to divorce his wife Melinda French Gates, media reports surfaced about alleged inappropriate conduct by him towards Microsoft employees.

Microsoft received a complaint in 2019, while Gates served on its board.

--IANS

na/svn/bg

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The White House does not have any information to be able to predict when the next meeting between US President and his Russian counterpart will take place, spokesperson Jen Psaki said during a press briefing.

"I don't have anything to predict for you on that front. As Jake mentioned, we are just concluding the third round of talks. People [diplomats] are going to go back to their capitals. They're going to discuss and assess and see where things stand. So, in terms of next steps, we'll have to see we'll know more over the coming days," Psaki said on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Vienna hosted an OSCE Permanent Council meeting where the attendees discussed Russia's security proposals for Europe. Moscow had published the security proposals for NATO and the United States in late 2021, requesting legally-binding guarantees the alliance would no expand eastward. The United States insists it will not allow anyone to close NATO's so-called open-door policy for new members.

Russia held meetings with the United States and NATO earlier in the week to discuss the security guarantees it had requested from them. The proposed security guarantees, if agreed to, would prevent NATO from further expanding in Eastern Europe and prohibit both, the United States and Russia, from deploying intermediate and shorter-range missiles within striking distance of each other's territory, among other terms.

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Pakistan Prime Minister and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak had a heated exchange of words when the latter said he would not vote for him and complained about the neglect of the north western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province by the government, according to a media report on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday during a meeting of the parliamentary party of the ruling alliance, presided over by Prime Minister Khan, at the Parliament House, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The defence minister, while attending the meeting to clear a controversial Supplementary Finance Bill-2022, commonly called mini-budget, reportedly said that he would not vote for the prime minister Khan if new gas connections were not given to the people of the less developed province.

Khattak is elected to the National Assembly from Nowshera-I of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

The sources said that on Khattak's complaints, the prime minister became angry and asked him to stop blackmailing him.

On this, the defence minister left the meeting hall but was later called back by the prime minister, the report said.

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Two new state-of-the-art buoys recently installed off Coronado are helping with ongoing efforts by the California State University Long Beach Shark Lab and City Lifeguards to better monitor the local white shark populations.
The South Korean has government decided to raise the private gathering size limit to six while keeping a 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants and cafes for the next three weeks, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on Friday.

The decision came as the number of daily Covid-19 cases has been around 4,000 in recent days after reaching as high as over 7,000 last month, reports Yonhap news Agency.

However, health authorities are still keeping their guard up due to the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid-19, with concerns over a possible uptick around the Lunar New Year holiday period beginning later this month.

"The Omicron variant is spreading quickly especially from last week and is on the verge of becoming the dominant variant as it accounted for 20 per cent of domestic cases two days ago," Kim said during a Covid-19 response meeting.

"I request people to restrain from their hometown visits and meetings with relatives and families during the Lunar New Year holiday period."

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), most of the current restrictions other than the four-person cap on private gatherings will be maintained.

Toughened social distancing rules have been in place since mid-December.

The Covid-19 vaccine pass system will also be in place, which is required to enter restaurants, cafes and other major indoor multipurpose facilities.

The new distancing rules to be in place from January 17 through February 6.

The government also decided to run a special quarantine period between January 20 to February 2, and implement extra antivirus steps to prevent the virus from spreading during the holiday.

Face-to-face meetings at nursing facilities will be banned, and non-contact meetings will be allowed only after prior reservations.

Train tickets will only be sold for window seats, and ferries are highly advised to limit passengers to 50 per cent capacity.

The government also vowed to strengthen on-site inspections of major public facilities to better enforce thorough quarantine steps.

As the tightened distancing rules have been extended again, Kim said the government will draw up a supplementary budget to help small merchants and self-employed people.

--IANS

ksk/

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's staff partied in Downing Street as Queen Elizabeth mourned her husband of 70 years, at a time when mixing indoors was banned for people from different households, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Johnson is facing the gravest crisis of his premiership after revelations about a series of gatherings in Downing Street during COVID lockdowns, some at times when ordinary people were unable to bid farewell in person to dying relatives.

Johnson, who won a landslide election victory in 2019, on Wednesday apologised for a "bring your own booze" gathering at his official residence during Britain's first coronavirus lockdown.

The Telegraph said there were two other drinks parties held inside Downing Street on April 16, 2021 when social gatherings indoors and outdoors were limited. Johnson was at his Chequers country residence that day, the paper said.

The next day, Queen Elizabeth bade farewell to Philip, 99.

Dressed in black and in a white trimmed black face mask, the 95-year-old Elizabeth stood alone, head bowed as her husband of 73 years was lowered into the Royal Vault of St George's Chapel.

Such was the revelry in Downing Street, the Telegraph said, that staff went to nearby supermarket to buy a suitcase of alcohol, used a laptop to play music and a swing used by the prime minister's young son was broken.

"I was shocked to read it," security minister Damian Hinds told Sky News. "We will have to see what comes out further in the investigation."

"This was a particularly sombre time for our whole country."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Michael Holden)

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(Reuters) - & Co on Friday beat analysts' estimates for fourth-quarter profit as a rebound in U.S. economic growth encouraged more customers to take loans and the bank kept a tight lid on costs.

The bank reported a 5% rise in loans in the second half after government stimulus programs kept demand low early in the year.

Wells Fargo's shares rose 2.2% to $57.26 in premarket trading.

Overall, non-interest expenses fell 11% to $13.2 billion, driven by lower personnel costs, as well as lower restructuring charges and operating losses.

Chief Executive Officer Charlie Scharf has made cost cuts a cornerstone of his turnaround plan, targeting $10 billion in savings annually over the long term.

"The changes we've made to the company and continued strong economic growth prospects make us feel good about how we are positioned entering 2022," Scharf said in a statement.

The fourth-largest U.S. bank has been in regulators' penalty box since 2016 when a sales practices scandal came to light and has paid billions in fines and restitution.

has been also operating under a $1.95-trillion asset cap imposed by the Federal Reserve in 2018, which has crimped its ability to boost interest income by improving loan and deposit growth.

"We also remain cognizant that we still have a multiyear effort to satisfy our regulatory requirements - with setbacks likely to continue along the way - and we continue our work to put exposures related to our historical practices behind us," Scharf said.

said profit rose to $5.8 billion, or $1.38 per share, in the three months ended Dec. 31, from $3.09 billion, or 66 cents per share, a year earlier.

The bank's profit got a boost of $943 million from the sale of its corporate trust and asset management units.

Wells Fargo also reported an $875 million decrease in the allowance for credit losses.

According to Refinitiv estimates, Wells Fargo earned $1.25 per share excluding items, compared with analysts' average expectation of $1.13.

Wells Fargo's total revenue rose 13% to $20.9 billion, beating estimates of $18.9 billion.

(Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru and Elizabeth Dilts-Marshall in New York; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

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Shares of slipped 5 per cent to Rs 684.50 on the BSE in Fridays intra-day trade after the company said the has received a warning letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Unit I, an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.

At 12:30 pm; the stock traded 4 per cent lower at Rs 690, as compared to 0.40 per cent decline on the S&P BSE Sensex. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 620.55 on November 11, 2021. The trading volume at the counter jumped over four-fold with a combined 4.13 million shares changing hands on the NSE and BSE.

On November 10, 2021, had said that the company received a communication from the USFDA classifying the inspection conducted at its Unit I (API) manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India between August 2 to August 12, 2021 as Official Action Indicated (OAI), keeping the status unchanged.

This action follows the recent inspection of the Unit by the USFDA in August 2021. The company believes that this will not impact the existing business from this facility, said in a exchange filing today.

The company further said that it will be engaging with the regulator and is fully committed in resolving this issue at the earliest. The company is also committed to maintaining the highest quality manufacturing standards at all of its facilities across the globe, it said.
Shares of Dilip Buildcon continued to rell under selling pressure, with the stock hitting a fresh 52-week low at Rs 394, down 3 per cent on the BSE in Fridays intra-day trade. The stock of roads & highways construction company has dipped below its previous low of Rs 403 touched on January 25, 2021.

In the past five weeks, the stock price of Dilip Buildcon has tanked 30 per cent despite the company clarifying that there has not been any raid at the official and residential premises of company.

In this regard, it is clarified that the team of the investigation agency (Central Bureau of Investigation) visited the company premises and the residence of the concerned Executive Director at Bhopal on 31-12-2021 and sought some operational and financial information about certain officials and employees of the company, Dilip Buildcon said on January 2, 2022. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS.



Further, on January 8, 2022, Dilip Buildcon informed stock exchanges that Executive Director of the company has been released from the custody of the investigating agency passed by the Court of Honble Special Judge, CBI.

The investigation by the agency, the projects of the company are in full swing, and the operations of the company are uninterrupted. It is hopeful that soon the misunderstandings would stand clarified to all concerned, the company said.

However, in the past three months, the stock has been on a declining trend, down 43 per cent on weak executions in the July-September quarter (Q2FY22). In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down marginally by 0.5 per cent. Slow execution in large projects; an extended monsoon; spike in commodity prices, especially bitumen, diesel and steel; and no early completion bonus suppressed EBITDA margin to 10.6 per cent.

High commodity price volatility has led to price escalation coverage reducing to 50-60 per cent in EPC projects and 40 per cent in EPC HAM, while the rest gets realised with annuity payments. Therefore, going forward, margins are likely to be in 14-15 per cent range, analysts at HDFC Securities said in result update.

For the first half (April-September) of the financial year 2021-22 (H1FY22), Dilip Buildcon posted 90 per cent year on year (YoY) decline in net profit to Rs 7.7 crore, as against Rs 81.10 crore in H1FY21. Ebitda margin contracted 401 bps to 11.87 per cent from 15.88 per cent.
Aurobindo Pharma fell 1.89% to Rs 704.30 after the company said its Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in Hyderabad has received US drug regulator's warning letter.

This action follows the recent inspection of the unit by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) in August 2021.

In November 2021, Aurobindo Pharma received a communication from the USFDA classifying the inspection conducted at its Unit I (API) manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India between August 2 to August 12, 2021 as Official Action Indicated (OAI), keeping the status unchanged.

Aurobindo Pharma said it believes that the USFDA warning letter will not impact the existing business from this facility. The company will be engaging with the regulator and is fully committed in resolving this issue at the earliest.

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.

Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Pharma develops, manufactures and distributes generic pharmaceuticals, branded specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

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The domestic equity benchmarks continued to trade with moderate losses in early afternoon trade. The Nifty traded below the 18,200 level mark. Negative global cues put pressure on domestic market sentiment.

At 12:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 285.21 points or 0.47% to 60,950.09. The Nifty 50 index lost 70.75 points or 0.39% to 18,187.05.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.04% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.37%.

The market breadth was positive. On the BSE, 1,898 shares rose and 1,420 shares fell. A total of 104 shares were unchanged.

Derivatives:

The NSE's India VIX, a gauge of market's expectation of volatility over the near term, rose 1.24% to 16.91. The Nifty 27 January 2022 futures were trading at 18,220, at a premium of 32.95 points as compared with the spot at 18,187.05.

The Nifty option chain for 27 January 2022 expiry showed maximum Call OI of 19.6 lakh contracts at the 18,500 strike price. Maximum Put OI of 35.5 lakh contracts was seen at 17,000 strike price.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Realty index rose 1.09% to 509.30. The index had declined 0.72% to end at 503.80 yesterday.

Sobha Developers (up 3.20%), Oberoi Realty (up 2.57%), Prestige Estates (up 2.01%), Indiabulls Real Estate (up 1.74%), Sunteck Realty (up 1.69%), DLF (up 1.25%), Brigade Enterprises (up 1.13%) and Godrej Properties (up 1.09%) advanced while The Phoenix Mills (down 1.14%) and Macrotech Developers (down 1.10%) declined.

Economy:

India and the UK have formally launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between two countries. Joint Statement of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan said the Free Trade Agreement would be a substantial opportunity for both economies and a significant moment in the bilateral relationship.

India and the UK will seek to agree a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses and communities in both countries. Trade negotiations will be a priority for both countries.

COVID-19 Update:

In last 24 hours, India reported 2,64,202 fresh COVID cases, as per the health ministry's data. The country reported 315 new deaths taking the death toll to 485,350.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization approved two new Covid-19 treatments, to stave off severe illness and death from the virus.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated yesterday that more than 157.50 crore (1,57,50,62,435) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category.

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HCL Technologies signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Starschema, a leading provider of data engineering services, based in Budapest, Hungary. The strategic acquisition will bolster HCL's capability in digital engineering -- driven by data engineering -- and increase its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

Starschema provides consulting, technology and managed services in data engineering to Global 2000 companies in the U.

S. and Europe.

The acquisition combines Starschema's high-value capabilities and data-focused expertise with HCL's existing presence in industry segments undergoing data-driven transformation. In addition, HCL will strengthen its position in data engineering, which is an integral part of the company's digital engineering capabilities and next-generation offerings.

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Infosys Ltd is quoting at Rs 1931.9, up 1.85% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 43.64% in last one year as compared to a 26.24% spurt in NIFTY and a 47.03% spurt in the Nifty IT.

Infosys Ltd is up for a fifth straight session in a row. The stock is quoting at Rs 1931.9, up 1.85% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.2% on the day, quoting at 18221.7. The Sensex is at 61097.98, down 0.22%. Infosys Ltd has risen around 11.4% in last one month.

Meanwhile, Nifty IT index of which Infosys Ltd is a constituent, has risen around 8.46% in last one month and is currently quoting at 38607, up 0.4% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 49.5 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 57.36 lakh shares in last one month.

The benchmark January futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 1935.4, up 2.02% on the day. Infosys Ltd is up 43.64% in last one year as compared to a 26.24% spurt in NIFTY and a 47.03% spurt in the Nifty IT index.

The PE of the stock is 38.89 based on TTM earnings ending December 21.

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Jubilant FoodWorks rose 1.72% to Rs 3985.45 after the company said its board will consider a stock split on 2 February 2022.

The board of Jubilant Foodworks will also consider Q3 December 2021 results on 2 February 2022.

Ahead of the announcement, shares of Jubilant Foodworks had fallen as much as 1.52% in mid-morning trade.

On a standalone basis, Jubilant Foodworks' net profit rose 58% to Rs 121.53 crore on 36.65% rise in revenue from operations to Rs 1100.72 crore in Q2 FY22 over Q2 FY21.

Jubilant Foodworks is India's largest foodservice company. It holds the master franchise rights for three international brands, Domino's Pizza, Dunkin' Donuts and Popeyes addressing three different food market segments. The company launched its first homegrown brand - Hong's Kitchen in Chinese cuisine segment & has also begun offering brand-owned ready-to-cook range of sauces, gravies and pastes, 'ChefBoss'. The company also entered into the exciting world of Biryanis with the launch of "Ekdum!".

The company currently operates more than 1,435 outlets for Domino's Pizza, Dunkin' Donuts and Hong's Kitchen and is a market leader in pizza segment. The company has more than 30,000 brand ambassadors committed to deliver value to its customers.

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Belarus issues stamp to mark 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China

Xinhua) 08:28, January 14, 2022

MINSK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Communications and Informatization of Belarus on Wednesday issued a new postage stamp to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and China.

A total of 30,000 sets of the stamp are issued, and each set has five pieces, according to the press service of the ministry.

Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong, together with senior Belarusian officials attended the issuing ceremony for the stamp and the first-day cover.

Developing relations with China is a priority of Belarus' foreign policy, the ministry said on its website, noting that the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits and actively carried out dialogues between governments, departments and regional administrations.

Diplomatic relations between China and Belarus were established on Jan. 20, 1992.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Reliance Industries (RIL): RIL said that it has signed MoU with the Government of Gujarat for a total investment of Rs 5.955 lakh crore as part of Investment Promotion Activity for Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2022.

Tata Motors: The Tata Motors Group global wholesales in Q3 FY22, including Jaguar Land Rover, were at 2,85,445 nos., higher by 2%, as compared to Q3 FY21.

Mindtree: The IT company reported 9.7% rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 437.50 crore on 6.3% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 2,750 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q2 FY22. In dollar terms, Mindtree registered 8% increase in consolidated net profit to $58.3 million on 4.7% rise in revenue to $366.40 million in Q3 FY22 over Q2 FY22.

Easy Trip Planners: The board recommended a bonus issue in the proportion of one equity share for every one equity share held .

IRCON International: The company has incorporated a subsidiary and joint venture company - Ircon Renewable Power.

Datamatics Global Services: The company has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with PSI Services (PSI), a global leader in workforce solutions. As part of this engagement, Datamatics will provide Customer Management Solutions through a combination of Remote Proctoring, Customer Support and Technical Support.

Vikas Lifecare: The company entered into definite agreement with the existing promoters/shareholders for acquiring 75% equity of Genesis Gas Solutions Private Limited (the 'Genesis'), a company engaged in the business developing Smart Products including Smart Gas Meters & Power Distribution solutions for the ever-expanding infrastructure in India, in a cash deal amounting Rs. 25 crore, payable in stages.

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The benchmark indices were trading with small losses in afternoon trade, as banks, pharma and auto stocks dragged. The Nifty was trading above 18,200 level.

At 13:30 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, fell 155.29 points or 0.25% at 61,080.01. The Nifty 50 index lost 42.45 points or 0.23% at 18,215.35.

Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) (down 1.81%), ICICI Bank (down 1.09%) and Axis Bank (down 2.65%) were major drags.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.09%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index added 0.42%.

Buyers outnumbered sellers. On the BSE, 1,971 shares rose and 1,381 shares fell. A total of 104 shares were unchanged.

COVID-19 Update:

In last 24 hours, India reported 2,64,202 fresh COVID cases, as per the health ministry's data. The country reported 315 new deaths taking the death toll to 4,85,350.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization approved two new COVID-19 treatments, to stave off severe illness and death from the virus.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated yesterday that more than 157.50 crore (1,57,50,62,435) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category.

Economy:

India and the UK have formally launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between two countries. The Joint Statement of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan said the Free Trade Agreement would be a substantial opportunity for both economies and a significant moment in the bilateral relationship.

India and the UK will seek to agree a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses and communities in both countries. Trade negotiations will be a priority for both countries.

Gainers & Losers:

Tata Consumer Products (up 4.62%), Infosys (up 1.78%), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) (up 1.49%), Larsen & Toubro (L&T) (up 1.22%) and Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones (APSEZ) (up 1.04%) were major gainers in Nifty 50 index.

Asian Paints (down 2.82%), Axis Bank (down 2.65%), UPL (down 2.24%) and ONGC (down 1.80%) were major losers in Nifty 50 index.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Vikas Lifecare was locked in an upper circuit of 5% at Rs 6.56. The company entered into definite agreement with the existing promoters/ shareholders for acquiring 75% equity of Genesis Gas Solutions (Genesis) in a cash deal amounting Rs 25 crore, payable in stages within a period of 3 months. Vikas Lifecare plans to move further ahead with the objective of broad-basing the product portfolio, diversifying into futuristic and unique product lines, new edge businesses, complimenting and supplementing the existing business lines of the company.

Apollo Micro Systems advanced 2.09%. The company bagged orders worth Rs 15.30 crore (consolidated) from Bharat Dynamics (for the supplies of lightweight Torpedo (TAL) project) and DRDO, Hyderabad.

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Watch Roshan Abbas conducting a workshop with corporate types, speaking to an audience at a conference or performing on stage and you understand why he is so popular across the creative, media and marketing ecosystem. Erudite, witty and completely relatable, he is one of the most positive people I have met in two decades of covering media.

So, I grab the opportunity to catch up with him at O Pedro in the Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. The Thursday afternoon just before new year (and the third wave) has a relaxed air. As I settle in and order an apple cider, Abbas, whos just turned ...
Delhi Education Minister on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of sabotaging the Delhi government-initiated 'Desh Ke Mentor' programme with the help of Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which has recommended that the programme be suspended until the safety "loopholes" are "overhauled".

"A activist from Chhattisgarh has filed a complaint with NCPCR, who in return asked us about the steps we have taken to ensure children's safety. After we have answered each and every question of theirs, NCPCR has stated that no police verification is being done of the mentees," he said during a press conference.

"NCPCR has further said that there is a probability of child trafficking via phone calls and asked whether there is any mechanism to prevent the origin of cybercrime and child trafficking," Delhi Deputy Chief Minister said, sharing that on the above-mentioned grounds the commission has asked to "immediately suspend the concerned scheme initiative".

"It means, if an IIT and IIM graduate student wishes to mentor a government school student to help him or her succeed in life, then the will blame them for committing cybercrime," he said, adding that this step shows "how the does not wish to see the youth of this country progressing".

Launched in October 2021, the programme aims to provide voluntary mentors to students from Class 9 to 12. Those aged between 18 and 35 can sign up to become mentors through an app developed by Delhi Technological University.

The Commission stated that it received a representation from one Lalit Wadher last year, who alleged that the programme allows children to get in contact with "unknown persons", and exposes them to danger.

To which, Sisodia said: "Those who volunteered to be mentors are made to undergo a psychometric test, their educational background is taken care of and they are trained accordingly, only after which they are assigned a mentee. We have also ensured that mentees are only assigned mentors of the same gender."

On Thursday, MLA Atishi held a press conference over the suspension of the mentorship programme and said that this latest move of the BJP showed the shallowness of the party and its government machinery.

So far, 1,74,000 mentees have been mentored by 44,000 mentors under the programme, Sisodia told the media.

--IANS

rdk/dpb/ksk/

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Congress leader on Friday attacked the Modi government alleging it first surrendered its own land to and is now jeopardising country's neighbours by not pushing it back.

"Modi Government first surrendered our land and has now jeopardised our close neighbours by its inaction in pushing back .

"If you don't stand up for yourself, how will you stand up for your friends," he said on Twitter.

Gandhi cited a news report that claimed is now building illegal villages in Bhutan in a fresh threat to India.

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on Friday said it has received a warning letter from the US health regulator for its Hyderabad-based Unit I, an API (active ingredient) manufacturing facility.

The action follows the recent inspection of the facility by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) in August 2021, the drugmaker said in a regulatory filing.

"The company believes that this will not impact the existing business from this facility," it noted.

The drugmaker stated that it will be engaging with the regulator and is fully committed to resolving the issue at the earliest.

The company is committed to maintaining the highest quality manufacturing standards at all of its facilities across the globe, it noted.

A warning letter is issued when the US health regulator finds that a manufacturer has significantly violated its regulations.

The letter identifies the violation, such as poor manufacturing practices, problems with claims for what a product can do, or incorrect directions for use.

The letter also makes clear that the company must correct the problem and provides directions and a timeframe of its plans for correction.

FDA then checks to ensure that the company's corrections are adequate.

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A court in Kerala on Friday acquitted Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the charges of raping a nun in a convent in the southern state, triggering emotional reactions from nuns who support the survivor, while the jubilant priest urged followers to "praise the lord and be happy".

As the prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused, G Gopakumar, judge of the Additional District and Sessions Court I, Kottayam, acquitted the Bishop.

Mulakkal, 57, was accused of raping the nun multiple times during his visit to a convent in this district between 2014 and 2016 when he was the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic church. The survivor is a member of the Missionaries of Jesus, a diocesan congregation under the Jalandhar Diocese.

A visibly relieved and emotional Mulakkal, who arrived in the court to hear the verdict, burst into tears, hugged his followers and lawyers, sharing his joy over the verdict.

"Daivathinu Sthuthi (praise the Lord)," Mulakkal said when reporters repeatedly sought his reaction.

Some of his followers were even seen crying out of joy after hearing the acquittal of the bishop.

In a brief Malayalam statement issued soon after the verdict, the Jalandhar diocese thanked those who believed in the innocence of the Bishop till date and provided him with the necessary legal assistance.

A group of nuns of Kuravilangad Convent here, who have been standing with the survivor in her fight, were on the verge of tears when they said they were yet to believe such a verdict came out from the court and they did not know what has happened.

The survivor and her supporters stay in the Kuravilangad convent in this south Kerala district.

Sister Anupama, who was the face of the nun's years-long fight for justice, said they would surely challenge the verdict in the higher court and take forward the fight of their hapless colleague.

"We will continue our stay in the convent and take forward our fight till our sister gets justice. Police and prosecution showed justice to us but we did not get the expected justice from the judiciary," the teary-eyed nun told reporters.

Noted criminal lawyer B Raman Pillai, who led the Bishop's legal team, said they have got the right to file the appeal against the verdict. "Even if they go for appeal, there is no tension as prosecution charges against the Bishop are false", Pillai told PTI.

Explaining the factors that contributed to the verdict in his party's favour, the lawyer said the prosecution case was very weak, investigation was very poor and statements of most of the witnesses came in favour of the accused because they were telling the truth.

He claimed that the defence team could expose in the court the manipulation of a most important document by the investigation team.

Investigators, lawyers and social activists who stood with the nun in her fight against Mulakkal expressed shock over the verdict, saying it was totally unexpected.

Terming the verdict as "very, very unfortunate" and "unnatural'', senior IPS officer S Harishankar, who had led the special investigation team in the rape case, said 100 per cent conviction was expected in the case and the verdict would be an "astonishment" for the entire legal system of the country.

In the case, the survivor was a nun and the assailant was a person who was powerful enough to decide whether she should continue to live or die.

"The argument that the woman should have reacted at the time of molestation is unacceptable. An appeal will be filed in the higher court challenging this verdict. The state police chief already gave instructions in this regard and an appeal will be filed as soon as we get a copy of the verdict," he told reporters.

Even the supreme court made it clear multiple times that the victim's statement, if it is consistent and not having massive contradictions, is a satisfactory piece of evidence for conviction, he said, adding that it would give a wrong message to society and those suffering similar assaults silently.

Public prosecutor Jithesh J Babu said it was a single-line judgment and could avail the details only after getting the copy of the verdict.

"We do not know what has happened. Thirty-nine witnesses have given their statements supporting the prosecution. No one has turned hostile. As many as 122 documents had been submitted and there was ample evidence. There was no lapse in anything," he said.

He also said the verdict would be challenged in the higher court and the decision would be taken after consulting with the government and the investigators.

A visibly relieved and emotional Mulakkal, who arrived in the court to hear the verdict, burst into tears, hugged his followers and lawyers, sharing his joy over the verdict.

"Only the trees that bear fruits are stoned. I am just proud of that. Praise the Lord," the bishop said.

He said the verdict has proved that there is god and the justice of heaven was delivered on earth. "Those who respect the truth were with me," said Mulakkal, the first Indian Bishop arrested in connection with a .

Rushing from the court immediately after the verdict, the Bishop visited a retreat centre here and led a holy mass praising the Almighty.

Activist-nun Sister Lucy Kalappura, who took part in the survivor's fight for justice and was expelled from her congregation recently, said the verdict was regrettable and expressed hope that justice would be prevail at any cost in the higher court.

In her complaint to the police in June, 2018, the nun had alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by Franco Mulakkal between 2014 and 2016.

The Special Investigation Team, which probed the case, arrested the Bishop in September 2018 and charged him with wrongful confinement, rape, unnatural sex and criminal intimidation.

Trial in the case, which started in November 2019, had concluded on January 10. The court had restrained the print and electronic media from publishing any matter relating to the trial in the case without its permission.

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President will nominate three people for the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors, including former Fed official Sarah Bloom Raskin for the top regulatory slot, and Lisa Cook, who would be the first Black woman to serve as a governor.

Biden will also nominate Phillip Jefferson, an economist, dean of faculty at Davidson College in North Carolina, and a former Fed researcher, according to a person familiar with the decision Thursday who was not authorised to speak on the record. The three nominations will have to be approved by the Senate.

Raskin's nomination to the position of Fed vice chair for supervision the nation's top bank regulator will be welcomed by progressive senators and advocacy groups, who see her as likely to be tougher bank regulator than Chair Jerome Powell. She is also viewed as someone committed to incorporating climate change considerations into the Fed's oversight of banks. For that reason, however, she has already drawn opposition from Republican senators.

Raskin, 60, is a Harvard-trained lawyer and previously served on the Fed's seven-member board from 2010 to 2014. President Barack Obama then chose her to serve as deputy Treasury secretary, the No. 2 job in the department.

As Fed Governors, Raskin, Cook and Jefferson would vote on interest-rate policy decisions at the eight meetings each year of the Fed's policymaking committee, which also includes the 12 regional Fed bank presidents.

Raskin's first term as a Fed governor followed her work as Maryland's commissioner of financial regulation. Before her government jobs, Raskin had worked as a lawyer at Arnold & Porter, a high-profile Washington firm, and as a managing director at the Promontory Financial Group.

In a May 2020 column in The New York Times, Raskin criticized the Fed's willingness to support lending to oil and gas companies as part of its efforts to bolster the financial sector in the depths of the pandemic recession.

The decisions the Fed makes on our behalf should build toward a stronger economy with more jobs in innovative industries not prop up and enrich dying ones, she wrote, in a reference to oil and gas providers.

Raskin is married to Rep. Jamie Raskin, a liberal Maryland Democrat who gained widespread visibility as a member of the House Judiciary Committee when it brought impeachment charges against President Donald Trump.

Cook, with Jefferson, would be the fourth and fifth Black members of the Fed's Board of Governors in its 108-year history, if confirmed. She has been an economics and international relations professor at Michigan State since 2005. She also was also a staff economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 2011 to 2012 and was an adviser to the Biden-Harris transition team on the Fed and bank regulatory policy.

Cook is best-known for her research on the impact of racial violence on African-American invention and innovation. Her 2013 paper concluded that racially motivated violence, by undermining the rule of law and threatening personal security, depressed patent awards to Black Americans by 15% annually between 1882 and 1940, a loss that also held back the broader U.S. economy.

In an October interview, Cook said that despite encouragement from prominent economists such as Milton Friedman and George Akerloff, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's husband, she struggled for years to get the paper published. The major economics journals, she said, typically didn't deal with patents, or economic history, or anything that related to African-Americans.

Cook has also been an advocate for Black women in economics, a profession that is notably less diverse than other social sciences. In 2019, she co-wrote a column in The New York Times that asserted that economics is neither a welcoming nor a supportive profession for women and is especially antagonistic to Black women.

To combat those problems, Cook has spent time mentoring younger Black women in economics, directing a summer program run by the American Economic Association, and won an award for mentoring in 2019.

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FALLS VILLAGE  Yonah Sadeh long has been interested in making movies, and now he has an award to show for it.

Sadeh, an 18-year-old Falls Village resident and student at Bard College at Simons Rock, was awarded first place in the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundations Bridging Divides, Healing Communities youth film challenge.

The aspiring filmmaker, who is studying film in college, created a short documentary  In Our Backyard  about an affordable housing project coming to his hometown.

As Ive gotten older and through high school and into college, film has really become such a versatile medium for me, said Sadeh, who got his start making movies on his fathers computer when he was around six years old. It was a way to express myself and work my imagination a little bit.

Sadeh shot hours and hours of interviews and footage that he whittled down to around six minutes in his attempt to capture the heart of the issue hes heard discussed for several years now: where to put affordable housing in Falls Village.

Everyone wanted affordable housing in Falls Village. Everyone thought it was good for Falls Village, Sadeh said.

The chosen site, River Road, will provide 16 affordable rental units in town. Sadeh said the idea is that these give younger people and families a more affordable place to live in Falls Village, which he said otherwise consists of expensive homes on large parcels and aging properties. The rental units also may be appealing to those not interested in homeownership.

The disagreement was about a specific plot of land, Sadeh said. Some of it is not in my backyard. A lot of the arguments going on about this  are personal attacks. It was interesting to see how this issue that was supposed to bring our town together and bring new life to our town is dividing it more than it was ever fixing it.

Sadeh said he hopes the film can be relevant to people outside Falls Village, too.

The issue is super-relatable for a lot of other people, Sadeh said. Affordable housing  its happening everywhere. I thought that although this was a film specifically about the crisis in my town, people could watch it and understand it and bring it to their own town.

Winning first place at the youth film challenge came with a $2,000 prize, but Sadeh also reveled in the experience of being able to screen his short film in an actual movie theater in front of an audience.

This was the first time I had more than five or six people watch my film, Sadeh said. It was really validating as a young filmmaker and creative. I was really happy that they gave us this chance to use our voice and speak up. Thats getting increasingly more important for older generations to uplift the voices of the younger generations.

Next year, Sadehs courses will take him further into directing and film theory, and he also has plans on attending the Prague Film School as he works towards his filmmaking goals.

Connecticut Media Group
The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on January 31 with the address of the president to both the Houses, and conclude on April 8, sources said on Friday citing recommendation of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.

The Union Budget will be presented on February 1.

The Economic Survey is likely to be tabled on January 31 after the president's address, the sources said.

The first part of the session would conclude on February 11.

After a month-long recess, the part two of the session would begin from March 14 and conclude on April 8, the sources said.

The recess allows department-related parliamentary committees to examine budgetary allocations made to their respective ministries.

During part one of the session, campaigning for phase one of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections would be in full swing for which votes will be cast on February 10. When the two Houses meet after recess on March 14, the results of Assembly polls would be out. The counting is on March 10.

Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, it would be mandatory for MPs as well as those entering the Parliament complex to have a negative RT-PCR report and a fully vaccinated certificate, parliamentary sources said. A decision on whether the two Houses should meet simultaneously or in separate shifts to ensure that not many people are present in the complex to ensure distancing norms is yet to be taken, the sources said. For the second part of Budget Session and Monsoon and winter sessions last year, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha reverted to normal timings, but with members sitting in the chambers and galleries of respective Houses to ensure distancing.

PHDCCI for removing Customs duty on copper concentrate

Industry chamber PHDCCI on Friday said it has suggested to the government to remove Customs duty on copper concentrate as the move would encourage domestic companies to manufacture value added products in India, instead of importing the same under free trade pacts. The Customs duty on copper concentrate is at 2.5 per cent. It also pitched for increasing the basic custom duty on copper cathodes on refined copper products from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

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The country is in the grip of another wave of Covid-19. And the businesses are now walking down a beaten path -- marred by restrictions and uneven demands. Having faced two rounds of curbs, they now know what to do, and what not to. The demand gets divided into two basic categories, essentials and non-essentials. And those dealing in them are now adopting different strategies. Our next report finds out more Pandemic has also led to a seismic shift in how we work, and forced the businesses to adapt to new realities. And at a time when the companies were gradually calling their employees back to office, another wave of Covid-19 has put a halt on the plan. In Delhi, the government has ordered closure of all the private offices. So what the future of work will be like, will it be more flexible? Our next report tries to find some answers Streets are also becoming conscious of the elephant in the room, as pandemic forced more restrictions.

Equity markets ended a volatile session marginally higher yesterday. The BSE Sensex added 85 points and the Nifty50 gained 45 points to end at 61,235 and 18,258, respectively. Fridays session may exhibit a similar volatile trend amid Q3 earnings and mixed global trends. However, if you want to avoid the volatility and steadily create wealth, can be a safer bet. Watch our next report to understand the nuances of selecting a Mutual Fund and which MF looks perfect at the current juncture. After the markets, let us move on to the Union Budget. In every budget, we see headlines that say FRBM targets have been missed. To ensure discipline in government finances and keep a check on fiscal profligacy, a was enacted almost two decades ago. This was the FRBM Act, 2003. Find out about the Act and more in this episode of the podcast.
Indias biggest FMCG company Hindustan Unilever last month introduced a new flexible work model for its employees in a bid to challenge the traditional work structures. About 8,000 of its office-based staff are eligible to apply for this. The scheme gives employees a flexible association with the company and yet provides financial, security, retirement, and medical benefits.

The workers get a monthly retainer and in addition they get paid for each assignment they work on. And between assignments they are free to do other things that are important to them. The company gains by having ready access to skilled people who can hit the ground running.

Employees today are increasingly putting their families before work after having spent two years working from their homes and native places. They want to experience an improved work/life balance. And employers have come to realise that flexibility should no longer be viewed as a privilege but be made available to all workers.

In India, companies are once again re-adapting to work from home. This time with much relative ease. They wanted to get people back to offices in a hybrid model where they visit the office only a few days a week, at least for tech and other office-based roles.

But there is still some pushback to this idea.

A long-term solution for this is offering flexible work where employees can work from anywhere permanently and make office visits only on certain occasions. This also broadens the talent pool for hiring. But a common complaint that companies have is that it makes it harder for them to maintain and reinforce their company culture.

At same time, attracting talent is difficult when companies dont offer flexibility. No one has articulated this better than Wipro Chairman Rishad Premji who said people dont only leave for better opportunities but they also leave when they dont feel connected to an organisation.

Premji said that hybrid work environment will continue. And that the companies will have to work on creating stronger engagement with employees in order to retain talent. The statement comes against the backdrop of high attrition rate in several tech companies.

But that need not be the case for all. Take the example of Razorpay, which employs just over 2,000 people. 50% of them were onboarded during the pandemic and nearly half of this group has not experienced a physical work environment. Yet the company hasnt seen an unusual attrition rate among them.

The startup has attempted at making the employees feel comfortable no matter where they work from by focusing heavily on their wellbeing. Its initiatives range from team building calls where anything other than work is discussed to non-work activities like quizzing and online games. Employees are also encouraged to speak openly about the stress of working remotely.

While no one has cracked a winning formula, companies are starting to understand how to better manage remote working in the long-run. Even as flexible working is emerging as a win-win scenario for organisations and employees, there is a question mark on the best way to execute it, so the impact of isolation can be mitigated.

It may seem like a challenge and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. But employers have to be mindful of the changed expectations of their workers so their experience can be enhanced as flexible work is here to take over.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had brought the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Bill in Parliament in the year 2000 to give a legal backing to the fiscal discipline. Enacted in 2003, it sets targets for the government to reduce fiscal deficits. Calculated as a percentage of its GDP, fiscal deficit is the total money spent by the government in excess of its income.

It also brings greater transparency in fiscal operations of the government. Another objective was to introduce more equitable distribution of India's debt over the years.

During the Union Budget, FRBM documents are presented under the provisions of the Act. These documents are the medium-term fiscal policy, macro-economic framework and fiscal policy strategy.

The medium term fiscal policy statement lays down the limits on the size of the budget deficits for three years and target for tax and non-tax receipts. The macroeconomic framework gives the governments outlook on growth prospects of the economy.

While the fiscal policy strategy explains how the current policies follow sound fiscal management principles and give reasoning for any deviation from the deficit targets set by it under the Act.

The FRBM Act mandates the central government to bring down its fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP.

The initial deadline to reach the 3% target was 2007-08 but it has been extended several times over the years. In 2018, the deadline was again extended to 2020-21.

However, in the FY21 Budget, the target was relaxed to 3.5% as permitted under the FRBM Act. The Centre made use of escape clause to deviate from the fiscal consolidation road map. The option allows the government to widen the deficit by 0.5 percentage points in times of exigencies such as a war or calamities of national proportion.

Because of higher expenditure and lower revenues on account of COVID-19, the number in FY21 came in at 9.3% of the GDP. To enable the fiscal deficit beyond the permissible limit, the government amended the FRBM Act in the Bill last year. For the ongoing fiscal, the Centre is targeting a fiscal deficit of 6.8%, to be gradually brought down to below 4.5% in the next four years.
Access to clean drinking water is a significant problem in India, and the pandemic has only served to reinforce its vital importance in protecting the most vulnerable communities. Only 44.7 percent of rural households in India have access to clean water. This means that only two in five rural homes have access to clean running water.

Water for Life

campaign, which is a two-year programme

in Buxar and Bhagalpur in the state of Bihar, India

5,000 people gain access to a clean water supply through the installation of water quality treatment systems;

10 villages have community management of operations and maintenance and water quality monitoring  with Halma also training community volunteers to maintain and operate the systems; and

3,000 people have the resources to safely harvest water.

Palintest

HWM

Hydreka

Mini-Cam

Sensorex

UV Group

https://bit.ly/3FBuoJd
TheMathCompany, a global data analytics and data engineering firm that partners with companies to enhance their analytics capabilities, today announced that it has secured $50 million in investments. The round of funding was led by Brighton Park Capital, an investment firm that specializes in collaborating with growth-stage software, healthcare, and tech-enabled services businesses. Existing investor, Arihant Patni, also participated in this round. The minority investment will accelerate TheMathCompanys expansion in the US and EU markets, as well as enhance its next-generation, proprietary platform, Co.dx, which drives value for businesses through analytics at speed and scale.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005153/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Founded by industry leaders, Sayandeb Banerjee, Aditya Kumbakonam, and Anuj Krishna, TheMathCompany is a high-growth firm that employs nearly 1,000 data scientists, data engineers, and domain experts. The company represents and partners with Fortune 500 customers across the CPG, Retail, Pharma, Automotive, Technology, and Manufacturing industries in the US, UK, and EU. Enabling clients with a diverse set of capabilities powered by Co.dx, the organization implements data science and engineering initiatives across business functions, including marketing, supply chain, R&D, and finance. TheMathCompanys hybrid model unifies Co.dx with a comprehensive consulting approach to deliver custom, cutting-edge analytics and AI-driven assets, helping customers implement successful and strategic business decisions.

We are thrilled to announce Brighton Park Capitals investment, said Sayandeb Banerjee, CEO of TheMathCompany. The firms deep technology sector expertise and proven track record of scaling global enterprises will be instrumental to our growth.

We look forward to partnering with TheMathCompanys founders and the entire team to support their continued growth, said Mark F. Dzialga, Managing Partner of Brighton Park Capital. TheMathCompany is positioned for continued success as it strengthens its brand recognition and expands in the US and EU markets, supporting customers on their missions to capture value through data analytics.

TheMathCompany is poised to become one of the largest data and analytics consultancies in the world, supported by a world-class team of data engineers and scientists, and complemented by the power of the Co.dx platform to deliver more value, faster, for customers. I couldnt be more excited to partner with Sayandeb, Aditya, and Anuj on the significant opportunities ahead, said Jeff Machlin, Partner of Brighton Park. As part of the transaction, Jeff Machlin will join the Board of Directors.

While most players in the industry have taken decades to grow to our size, we have built this strong foundation within five years.Brighton Park Capitals partnership will further accelerate our plans to become the worlds leading global analytics consultancy, said Aditya Kumbakonam, Chief Customer & Growth Officer at TheMathCompany. As we grow and evolve, this investment will help us continue to bring elevated service and consistent quality to our customers.

Anuj Krishna, Chief Product Officer at TheMathCompany, said, With Brighton Park Capital as investors, we are excited to continue creating better opportunities for our people to grow their careers, while expanding the business globally. TheMathCompany will continue to invest heavily in Co.dx  a significant and meaningful differentiator in our journey to help enterprises scale and solve problems faster.

TheMathCompany employs leading data scientists and engineers globally while also recruiting emerging talent from top-tier universities. New hires participate in a comprehensive onboarding and training program with the companys in-house growth accelerator, Co.ach. The program is designed to help employees upskill across analytics disciplines and adapt to the industrys ever-changing dynamics. In addition to fostering continued career development, the firm incentivizes employees with a stock ownership program, enabling them to participate in TheMathCompanys continued growth and future success.

Avendus Capital served as financial advisor and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Company served as legal counsel to TheMathCompany. Bharucha & Partners and Paul Weiss served as legal counsel to Brighton Park Capital.

About TheMathCompany

TheMathCompany is a global data analytics and data engineering firm that partners with Fortune 500 and equivalent organizations to enhance their analytics capabilities, using IP-led assets, talent, and processes to deliver accelerated and human-centric solutions. TheMathCompany has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing analytics firms in the world and has been featured among global high-growth firms by Nikkei-FT-Statistas 2021 Growth Champions list, NASSCOMs AI Gamechangers 2021 report, and the Everest Groups PEAK Matrix Assessment 2021. Providing a holistic range of services across data engineering, science, and unique project delivery, the company is disrupting the analytics industry. For more information about TheMathCompany, please visit www.themathcompany.com.

About Brighton Park Capital

Brighton Park is a Greenwich, CT-based investment firm that specializes in software, healthcare, and technology-enabled services. The firm invests in companies that provide highly innovative solutions in partnership with great management teams. Brighton Park brings purpose-built value-add capabilities that match the unique requirements of each of its companies. For more information about Brighton Park, please visit www.bpc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005153/en/
The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) announced the winners of its fourth cycle grant during a ceremony held at Expo 2020 Dubai under patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Each recipient will receive a US$1.5 million grant distributed over three years.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005692/en/

Group photo of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science's 4th Cycle Award Ceremony (Photo: AETOSWire)

The fourth cycle awardees include Dr. Bradley Baker, Principal Investigator at SPEC Inc, who received the grant for his research proposal Enhancing Rain in the UAE via Hygroscopic Seeding with Nano-Seeding Material, and Dr. Luca Delle Monache, Deputy Director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E), Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California San Diego for his research work A Hybrid Machine Learning Framework for Enhanced Precipitation Nowcasting.

Dr. Bakers project aims to determine if the effects of the nano-material seeding agent and electric charge generators will stimulate a secondary ice process that may potentially lead to rain enhancement. The work incorporates sophisticated numerical simulations of cumulus clouds with measurements using the SPEC Incorporated Learjet research aircraft in concert with NCMs King Air cloud seeding aircraft.

Dr. Delle Monaches project seeks to create an AI research and operations testbed in the UAE, building a novel AI framework to blend satellite observations, ground-based weather radar data, rain gauges, and numerical weather prediction estimates to extract features and generate products to determine optimal cloud seeding timing and location. It will generate more accurate quantitative precipitation estimation for rainfall enhancement program evaluation.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of NCM and President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of WMO, said: The program was launched to ensure global water security through breaking new grounds in rain enhancement research. We are confident that the winning proposals, along with the previously awarded projects, will provide a solid scientific basis to develop promising solutions for the water stress challenges.

For her part, Alya Al Mazroui, UAEREP Director, said: With the fourth cycle underway, we take pride in the programs achievements since its inception. The new awardees will contribute to advancing rain enhancement research through closely collaborating with the winners of the previous cycles as well as covering new research aspects such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005692/en/
One district, Evart Public Schools, announced it would be closing soon to get a handle on the increase in COVID-related absences, as well as those from other illnesses.
A 40-year-old New Haven man pleaded guilty this week to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to federal authorities.

Now Quinn Mooring faces as many as 10 years in prison, federal authorities said in a release.

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Mooring pleaded guilty via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill to the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to federal authorities.

ATF Task Force officers had learned in March 2021 that Mooring was receiving firearms from a source in South Carolina and selling them in Connecticut, federal authorities said in the release, citing court documents and statements made in court.

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Then, on April 19, 2021, investigators made a controlled purchase of a 9mm Glock handgun and a drum magazine from Mooring and a co-conspirator in New Haven in exchange for $1,500, federal authorities said in the release. The firearm was one of five 9mm handguns that had been purchased by an individual at a pawn shop in Port Royal, South Carolina, in the month prior to the transaction in Connecticut.

Further, investigators also made a controlled purchase of 9mm ammunition from Mooring in New Haven on April 22, 2021, according to the release.

Moorings criminal history includes state convictions for felony robbery, unlawful restraint and failure to appear offenses, according to federal authorities, and therefore a violation of federal law for him to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Mooring was arrested on June 14, 2021, and is free on a $50,000 bond, federal authorities said. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, West Haven Police Department and New Haven Police Department; it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, the centerpiece of the Department of Justices violent crime-reduction efforts, according to authorities.
A 47-year-old Vernon man was arrested this week on charges of voyeurism and fourth-degree sexual assault, police said.

Vernon police detectives served an arrest warrant on Donald Sterling in connection with a sexual assault investigation, police said in a release. Sterling was taken into custody without incident at his home, where a search warrant also was executed.

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Sterling is charged with two counts of voyeurism with malice, fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. He was being held in lieu of a $250,000 court set bond and was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, police said. The case remains under investigation.
Hartford  Hartford named a former assistant United States attorney as the citys first inspector general for the Civilian Police Review Board Thursday.

Liam Brennan, who serves as executive director of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center and is a visiting lecturer at Yale Law School, is tasked with investigating police use of force and civilian complaints of police misconduct, among other duties, in the newly created position.

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Liam Brennan is an immensely qualified, capable, and respected attorney, and we are lucky to have him as the first inspector general for the Civilian Police Review Board, said Mayor Luke Bronin in a release. We interviewed a number of candidates, and the selection committee found that Mr. Brennans breadth of experience and passion for justice and accountability make him the perfect candidate for this position. He will be an important asset in supporting the Civilian Police Review Boards mission to ensure accountability and transparency, as well as a fair and thorough process, both for our community and for our police officers.

Liam Brennan

Brennan, who led the Federal Public Corruption Taskforce from 2015 to 2018, said he was honored to serve in the role where he will oversee and act as a neutral review to police department internal investigations.

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Criminal justice reform is one of the most pressing issues of our time and law enforcement accountability is a central part of any reform effort, Brennan said. The work that Hartford has done in strengthening its CPRB and launching the inspector general position puts it at the leading edge of building a more just society.

The position was created following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police as protesters filled the streets and called for reforms.

The CPRB is an important asset toward creating a police department that is responsive to the residents of Hartford, and I am glad that we have found a capable inspector general to promote that cause in Liam Brennan, said Council President Maly Rosado. He is knowledgeable and cares deeply about serving the community, so we have full faith in his ability.

Rosado also thanked Beth Merkin, a career public defender in the New Haven Judicial District, who had served as interim inspector general as the city conducted an eight-month search for a permanent candidate.

The city passed significant reforms to strengthen the boards authority, including giving it subpoena power and ensuring that is findings are more than advisory, a rarity among the states civilian police review boards.

Kaitlin McCallum can be reached at kmccallum@courant.com
President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media as he leaves a meeting with the Senate Democratic Caucus to discuss voting rights and election integrity on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
FILE - A 2021 Pilot sports-utility vehicle is flanked by a 2021 CR-V as they sit on the otherwise empty apron in front of the showroom of a Honda dealership Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Highlands Ranch, Colo. Honda expects its factories to make more vehicles this year despite a computer chip shortage and supply chain troubles. But because it started 2022 with so few vehicles at dealers, the company expects U.S. sales to fall below last years numbers. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.

Many large corporations were silent on Thursdays ruling by the high court to block a requirement that workers at businesses with at least 100 employees be fully vaccinated or else test regularly for COVID-19 and wear a mask on the job.

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Targets response was typical: The big retailer said it wanted to review the decision and how it will impact our team and business.

The Biden administration argues that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements. However, companies could run into state bans on vaccine mandates in Republican-controlled states. And relatively few businesses enacted their own rules ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, raising doubt that there will be rush for them now.

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In legal terms, the Supreme Courts conservative majority said the OSHA lacked authority to impose such a mandate on big companies. The court, however, let stand a vaccination requirement for most health-care workers.

The National Retail Federation, the nations largest retail trade organization and one of the groups that challenged the OSHA action, called the courts decision a significant victory for employers. It complained that OSHA acted without first allowing public comments, although administration officials met with many business and labor groups before issuing the rule.

Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Associations, another of the groups that fought the OSHA rule, said it would interfere with individuals private health care decisions.

Karen Harned, an official with the National Federation of Independent Business, said that as small businesses try to recover from nearly two years of pandemic, the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges.

But mandate supporters called it a matter of safety for employees and customers.

Dan Simons, co-owner of the Founding Farmers chain of restaurants in the Washington area, said vaccine mandates are common sense. He requires his 1,000 employees to be fully vaccinated; those who request an exemption must wear a mask and submit weekly COVID test results.

If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others, you would agree with my approach, Simons said.

Administration officials believe that even though the OSHA rule has been blocked, it drove millions of people to get vaccinated. Companies that used mandates to achieve relatively high vaccination rates may decide that they have accomplished enough.

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Ford Motor Co. said it was encouraged by the 88% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated. The car maker said it would review the court decision to see if it needs to change a requirement that most U.S. salaried workers get the shots.

Labor advocates were dismayed by the ruling.

This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves, said David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration and now teaches at the George Washington Universitys School of Public Health.

For their part, labor unions had been divided all along about Bidens attempt to create a vaccine mandate, with many nurses and teachers groups in favor, but many police and fire unions opposed. Some unions wanted the right to bargain over the issue with companies.

The United Auto Workers, which encourages workers to get vaccinated, said the decision wont change safety protocols such as face masks, temperature checks and distancing when possible for more than 150,000 union members at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis factories.

Among 543 U.S. companies surveyed in November by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, employers were split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers. Fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds had no plans to require the shots unless the courts upheld the OSHA requirement.

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Breaking News As it happens Get the latest updates on Coronavirus and other breaking news events happening across Connecticut >

Jeff Levin-Scherz, an executive in the firms health practice, said most companies with mandates will keep them because they are working. He said nothing short of a mandate can get vaccination rates to 90%, and you really need a very high level of vaccination to prevent community outbreaks.

United Airlines was one of the first major employers to announce a mandate, back in August. CEO Scott Kirby has said that 99% of United employees either got vaccinated or submitted a request for exemption on medical or religious grounds.

United declined to comment Thursday, but in earlier comments Kirby has sounded committed to the mandate for his employees because it was the right thing to do for safety.

Airlines fall under a separate Biden order that required federal contractors to get their workers vaccinated. That requirement was not part of Thursdays Supreme Court ruling, but it has been tied up separately since early December, when a federal district judge in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the mandate.

I would expect many federal contractors are going to wait and see because they dont want to implement something if they dont have to, said Christopher Slottee, an employment lawyer in Anchorage, Alaska.

___

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AP Staff Writers Anne DInnocenzio in New York, Paul Wiseman in Washington and Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.
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Carroll, IA (51401)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain...mainly in the morning. High near 55F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 37F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Photo: The Canadian Press

All employees and contractors working within the Revelstoke School District (SD19) will be required to provide a proof of vaccination in order to keep working.

A motion to implement the proof of vaccination procedure was passed Tuesday and announced Wednesday.

The district hopes to have a finalized procedure in place by April 1, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Once implemented, K-12 employees will be required to show proof of full vaccination (two shots).

The board says employees or contractors unwilling, or unable to show proof of vaccination will be provided with routine rapid testing as a condition of continued work, or the option to be placed on an unpaid leave.

"At the meeting, trustees expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education and the BC Public School Employers' Association for bringing together K-12 partners, including CUPE and the BC Teachers' Federation to create a framework to support this process," the district's board said in a statement.

"The board believes that everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated should do so, and views this step as an enhancement to the health and safety ,measures that are helping maintain healthy school environments for students and staff."

There was no information indicating how many employees are fully vaccinated at the present time, however Revelstoke has a 97 per cent vaccination rate, the highest of any community within Interior Health.

The Delta School District is making vaccinations mandatory by the end of February, which the Central Okanagan School District will debate a similar motion when it meets later this month.
Photo: Contributed Convicted gangster Jamie Bacon was among multiple alleged drug traffickers with huge bounties on their heads from rival gangs.

B.C.s Court of Appeal has rejected the case of a Lower Mainland gang member convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Cory Vallee was convicted in B.C. Supreme Court in 2018 of murder in the death of Kevin Leclair as well as conspiracy to commit murder against the notorious Bacon brothers  Jonathan, Jarrod and James.

Leclair was gunned down mid-afternoon Feb. 6, 2009 as he sat in his truck in a Langley mall parking lot.

The theory of the Crown was that Vallee was a hired hit man of the UN gang, and was culpable in both the conspiracy to murder and the murder of Leclair, the appeal ruling said.

During the lengthy 2016-2018 B.C. Supreme Court trial, the defence admitted the existence of a United Nations (UN) gang conspiracy led by Clayton Roueche to murder the Bacons and their associates between January 2008 and February 2009.

Among issues Vallee appealed were findings he was part of that conspiracy and that he murdered Leclair.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Janice Dillon found that Vallee was the shooter of an AR-15 automatic rifle in the case.

Further, Dillon said Vallee was introduced to UN high-level members by Roueche as Frankie and given the role as a hit man in the search to kill members of the Bacon group.

The appeal court said Dillon did not have a reasonable doubt that Vallee was a member of the conspiracy.

Much of the guilty verdict rested on the evidence from other gangsters which Vallees appeal lawyers said should be treated as suspect and not credible.

The judge made extensive and detailed credibility findings based on the mountain of evidence she heard, the three-judge appeal panel heard. We find no error demonstrated on which to interfere with her findings. We do not consider that there is any merit to this ground of appeal.

The appeal also dealt with the application for a mistrial stemming from late admission of video evidence showing Vallee in a restaurant near the homicide scene with other gang members hours before the killing.

The defence had sought a mistrial on the admission of the late evidence. Dillon rejected that.

The appeal court found Dillon made no error in law in declining the mistrial application.

Turf war and death bounties

The appeal ruling said the conspiracy to murder and the shooting of Leclair were part of a years-long violent turf war, including multiple murders and non-fatal shootings.

The turf war between the United Nations gang on one side and the Bacon Brothers and Red Scorpions gangs on the other was over the illegal supply of drugs.

Leclair was a former member of the UN gang who had crossed over to the Bacon Brothers, the court said.

The UN gang came to police attention in the 1990s, Dillon describing it as running drug lines and supplying drug lines run by independent drug dealers with connections throughout B.C., Calgary, the United States, and Mexico.

The court said the Bacon Brothers and Red Scorpion gangs were criminal organizations also active in British Columbia during the period.

They began cooperating together around 2007, and through that cooperation expanded their size and control over illegal drug activity in the Lower Mainland, the court said.

Further, Dillons ruling said, the United Nations engaged in intelligence gathering on the Bacon Brothers/Red Scorpions and had developed a hit list.

She said there were bounties on the heads of the Bacon Brothers or Red Scorpions. The largest were for the Bacon brothers, starting from an initial amount of $100,000 but growing to as much as $300,000.

The Bacon Brothers

Jonathan Bacon was gunned down in Kelowna in August 2010.

Jarrod Bacon was released from prison in early 2021 after being sentenced in May 2012 to a 14 years in prison for conspiracy to traffic cocaine when living in Abbotsford.

James Bacon was sentenced in 2020 to 18 years in prison for his conspiracy role in the so-called Surrey Six killings in 2007. There, six people were gunned down; among them, two bystanders with no connections to the drug world.
A case of atypical mad cow disease in Alberta has prompted some Asian countries to ban meat coming from Canada, but the head of the B.C. Cattlemens Association says he doesnt expect the issue will impact B.C. ranchers or consumers.

The new case of atypical BSE  also known as mad cow disease  was discovered in a cow in Alberta on Dec. 17.

But unlike the original strain, the illness found in Alberta last month isnt contagious, according to Kevin Boon, the general manager of the B.C. Cattlemens Association.

Nevertheless, the discovery prompted China, South Korea and the Philippines to ban Canadian beef imports.

The important thing to understand in this is that it is not transmissible to humans or to other cattle, Boon told Castanet News.

He said the new strain differs from the original.

The actual disease itself is not a disease  it's something that has happened within the brain of that animal. And so the risk to humans or to the food is actually non existent, Boon said.

He said this type of discovery is made fairly often in the cattle industry.

Weve seen 55 different countries that have had atypical diseases [of] BSE manifest, Boon said, adding that he doesnt think the ban on Canadian meat imports in China, South Korea and the Philippines will last very long.

The detection of the atypical case is Canada's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in six years. It has been reported six times in the U.S., most recently in 2018.

We've seen China and the Philippines and Korea temporarily close the borders to us for imports. We're expecting to be very short term, Boon said.

And really, they're just asking for more information and doing their due diligence on it.

China is the Canadian beef industry's third-largest export market, worth approximately $170 million annually.

Even if the bans remain in place for some time, Boon said there wont be a surplus of beef on the market.

We're in a situation right now in our industry, where we have a bigger demand than what we have a supply for at this point in time, where the the amount that we're shipping to China for that period of time really won't see any major change in our marketplace at all, Boon said.

He said the incident in Alberta only goes to show how closely regulated Canadas agricultural industry is.

I think the one thing that should instil some confidence in them is that even though this was a typical and not something we would typically look for fine, we did find it," he said.

"And that shows that our system of monitoring and checking the safety of our food does work.
Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos.

The House of Commons ethics committee is calling on the health minister to explain the Public Health Agency of Canadas collection of data from millions of mobile phones to understand travel patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Opposition MPs on the committee fear the pandemic is being used to undermine the privacy of Canadians who were not aware that a government agency has been collecting mobile-phone data.

During an emergency meeting Thursday, the committee of MPs passed a motion asking Jean-Yves Duclos and Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, to appear before it to answer questions on the policy.

The House is still on its winter break but four opposition MPs on the committee asked for an emergency session after the Public Health Agency published a notice indicating it plans to extend the data-collection practice.

Conservative, Bloc Quebecois and NDP MPs on the committee have raised concerns about the privacy implications of the policy.

In December, the Public Health Agency issued a new request for proposals to track countrywide cell tower-based location data between Jan. 1, 2019 and May 31, 2023.

The notice says the data must be accurate, accessible and timely, as well as ensuring privacy and transparency. It must be stripped of all identifying information.

The request for proposals had been due to end before MPs returned to Parliament after their winter break but has now been extended until Feb. 4, said John Brassard, Conservative ethics spokesman and a member of the committee.

Brassard has said the collection of data by the Public Health Agency raises numerous "red flags" about privacy.

Addressing the committee on Thursday, he said the Public Health Agency had been "collecting data without the knowledge of Canadians, effectively doing it in secret."

"We need to know what security measures were in place to protect the privacy rights of Canadians," he said.

The Public Health Agency said in a statement that it had informed the privacy commissioner about the process, and has been advised by its own privacy and ethics experts too.

"Minister Duclos has also been in communication with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and has underlined PHACs ongoing commitment to protecting and preserving the privacy of citizens and people in Canada while ensuring that Canada has the data needed to understand and inform our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic," the statement said.

Greg Fergus, a Liberal member of the privacy committee, said that all members of the committee agree it is "important to protect Canadians' privacy rights."

But he said that the information was aggregate data which had been "depersonalized so there is no information that can identify individuals."

"It is unfair to say that we are tracking Canadians. That is not at all the case," Fergus told the committee. "When we request depersonalized data that cannot identify a person it is simply data."

The Public Health Agency said that "by analyzing population movement data, we can better understand the publics responsiveness to public-health directives."

It said that in December 2020, it established a "sole-source contract" with a telecom operator which expired in October 2021.

"PHAC is now launching a request for proposal process as a means to continue the collection of this data through an open and transparent process," it said in a statement.

Brassard last week wrote to the privacy commissioner, Daniel Therrien, to ask him to investigate the matter.

In a statement, the commissioner's office said it had not opened a formal investigation. But it said, after receiving complaints alleging violations of privacy, it would "turn our attention to the means chosen to deidentify the data mobility information."

In 2020, the commissioner's office published a document about privacy and initiatives in response to COVID-19 which cautioned institutions to be aware of the risk of reidentifying anonymized information.

The government did not ask the commissioner for specific advice about whether there were "adequate safeguards against reidentification," it said.

"The government relied on other experts to that end, which is their prerogative," the commissioner's office said.
Photo: Glacier Media

Faced with a dwindling supply of harvestable timber, and the need to protect more old growth forests, NDP government officials have talked about the need to do more with less and focus more on high value-added wood products.

So its instructive to hear what Metro Vancouver businesses in the secondary manufacturing sector think about the provincial governments plans to protect up to an additional 2.6 million hectares of old growth, about half of which the government says is in the timber harvesting land base.

I'm potentially scared, Brian Menzies, executive director of the Independent Wood Processors Association, said Thursday at a Truck Loggers Association forum on the B.C. governments old growth strategy and forestry modernization plans.

Hes scared because about half the wood secondary manufacturers here use comes from old growth. Secondary manufacturing can include everything from paper mills and remanufactured wood products to wooden fence picket production, often using lower value wood and lumber products.

While government officials have tried to calm nerves by saying the deferrals on old growth logging are temporary and will take some time before some they become permanent and result in adjustments to the annual allowable cut, the government ordered BC Timber Sales to immediately halt the advertising and sale of any timber from the areas identified for possible deferrals.

Thats 570,000 hectares of timber that's now off limits to buyers, and it is having an immediate impact on secondary manufacturers, Menzies said.

And lest urbanites think this is something that only affects rural communities, of the 61 businesses that belong to Menzies association, only 14 are outside of Metro Vancouver. Five members are in Vancouver, 11 in Surrey, four in Richmond, four in Delta and three in North Vancouver.

The value-added sector has real concerns, not when the AAC is determined  we have some real concerns right now on the supply of our fibre, Menzies said. I can tell you right now, were running out. We're talking months when we're running out here, when businesses are shutting down.

But do most British Columbians even care? Extractive industries are dinosaurs that can be replaced by industries like film and TV, high-tech and tourism, right?

That is the prevailing attitude in cities like Vancouver and Victoria, and its one that could lead to a serious decline in British Columbians standard of living, said Don Wright, a former senior government bureaucrat and current senior fellow of the Public Policy Forum.

He said B.C.s forest industry has lost its social licence in B.C., as British Columbians have become disconnected from the industries that make up the backbone of the economy.

There is a growing sense that B.C. doesn't need the resource industries anymore, Wright said. I think they're just dead wrong.

For all the blather about resource based industries no longer being important, they still are what puts bread on Canadians table. Energy products, forestry, paper, mining and agriculture  thats still what drives the Canadian economy.

You hear a lot of chatter about film, high-tech, and tourism. The people that suggest we could easily replace the resource industry with those sectors are just dreaming in Technicolor. I suppose we could replace them with those industries, but we would see a significant reduction in our standard of living, if we do that.

The Horgan governments forestry modernization plans includes making more of B.C.'s old growth forests off limits to logging.

Garry Merkel, the only regsitered professional forester on the governments five-person Old Growth Review Panel, explained Thursday why its necessary to protect remaining old growth ecosystems.

We need to start managing to look after the health of our ecosystems, Merkel said. Trees are not ecosystems. Trees are the product of ecosystems. You can have a 200-year-old stand or a 300-year-old stand, and it's still not an old ecosystem.

The health of the ecosystem and landscape depends hugely on how much of the old components of that ecosystem are left.

What the panel recommended was protection of ecosystems that are at risk of irreversible damage and permanent loss of biodiversity.

We are losing caribou and moose in this province right now at a mass scale, and that can be tied directly back to the way we are doing our management, Merkel said.

Government officials have tried to calm industry nerves by saying the 2.6 million hectares of deferrals are temporary and only covers half of the timber harvest land base. It still needs First Nations to agree to the plan, and some have already stated they disagree with the deferrals.

Jim Girvan, an independent forestry analysts and consultant, said that, throughout his long career, he is not aware of a temporary deferral that didnt become permanent.

Old growth deferrals, if they are made permanent, will reduce the annual level cut in the province by about 4 million cubic meters -- 1.2 million on the coast, 2.8 million in the interior, he said.

The reduction will likely spur the closure of about 10 additional sawmills -- five on the coast and five in the interior -- all of which are primarily focused on the use of large logs, as well one or more Interior pulp mills and one or more coastal pulp mills.

Secondary industries like pellet plants could also be casualties, he added.

The loss of old growth forests will have a negative and direct impact on the value-added sector which, ironically, is being proposed as the new growth sector by the B.C. government, Girvan said. Simply put, you need a healthy two-by-four industry to grow the secondary manufacturing industry.

He added that caribou habitat protection plans the province plans to implement could also result in additional 10% reduction in the Interior AAC.

He estimated the impact on government revenues of old growth deferrals will be $288 million annually.
Hamden police officer Devin Eaton is arraigned in Superior Court in 2019. Eaton, who fired his gun 13 times at an unarmed couple's car and wounded a woman and another officer in 2019. (Arnold Gold/New Haven Register via AP, Pool, File) (Arnold Gold/AP)

A Hamden police officer was found guilty Thursday and faces 18 months in prison for firing 13 times on a car and injuring a woman passenger in what state prosecutors later concluded was an unjustified shooting.

Officer Devin Eaton pleaded no contest in Superior Court to a charge of first-degree assault for the April 2019 shooting in New Haven. Under his plea bargain agreement with state prosecutors, Eaton will be given a five-year sentence, suspended after 18 months, and three years of probation. He has the right to argue for leniency when he returns to court for sentencing on April 8.

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With a no contest plea, Eaton, 32, neither accepts nor denies responsibility for the shooting, but agrees to accept sentencing. It has the same effect as a guilty plea, but cannot be used against him should he be sued civilly for the shooting.

The shooting took place during a traffic stop at about 4:30 a.m. on April 16, 2019 on Argyle Street near Dixwell Avenue in New Haven. Eaton and Yale Police Officer Terrance Pollock stopped a red Honda Civic following reports from dispatchers that the car was involved in an armed robbery, possibly with a gun, at a gas station in Hamden. The car was driven by Paul Witherspoon and Stephanie Washington was his passenger.

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Eaton was charged after a lengthy, use of force investigation by the New Haven States Attorney and the Connecticut State Police. The investigation report cleared Pollack of any criminal wrongdoing. It concluded that Pollock fired three times at the red Honda, but didnt hit anything, The report also said that Pollock suffered a minor graze wound from one of Eatons shots and that Eaton also hit Pollocks police car.

The shooting appeared to have started based on the mistaken belief that Witherspoon displayed a firearm while following the commands of the officers to get out of his car during the traffic stop.

It was subsequently determined that, at the time of the shooting, neither Witherspoon nor Washington were in possession of a firearm, the report said. Stephanie Washington was struck by gunfire as a result of Eatons actions and was treated at Yale New Haven Hospital for serious but non-life threatening injuries. Witherspoon did not sustain any injuries.

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The report said Eaton began firing after Witherspoon got out of the car with his hands up. Several shots were directed seconds later at the passenger side of the car, where Washington was sitting.

Washington told investigators that she thought she was going to die.

I was trying to take cover from the gunshots, so I was leaning in between the driver and passenger seats, towards the back seat, she said, according to the report. It was like being in a nightmare. I thought I was going to die. As the gunfire was going on, I started to feel a tingling, burning pain and numbness in my legs, looked down and saw blood and glass, and I remember thinking that I was shot.

Hamden tried to fire Eaton from the force following the shooting, but was prevented from doing so after the police union obtained a court order blocking the dismissal until after the conclusion of the criminal case.

Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett said Eton agreed to resign following his appearance in court Thursday and said she expects a former letter of resignation Friday.

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Under his plea agreement, Eaton promises to never again attempt to become a police officer.

As a binding part of his plea agreement with the state, Eaton has agreed that he will not now, nor ever in his lifetime, seek or accept employment or reemployment as a sworn law enforcement officer in the State of Connecticut, or any other state or territory of the United States, state prosecutors said.
Dal Engineering Group delivers Greek rotary kiln shells

14 January 2022

LafargeHolcim contacted Dal Engineering Group to fabricate two kiln shells with diameters of 4.35m for its Milaki Cement plant in Greece. The delivery was completed on December 2021.



Meanwhile, Dal Engineering Group has announced that its DAL workshop currently has the biggest stress-relieving furnace in Europe, which has a maximum charging capacity of 150t/charge.

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Cleveland State Community College was invited to speak to the senior capstone classes at Polk County High School in December about post-graduation options. Students had questions regarding scholarships and academic programs, as well as balancing work and class schedules. Cleveland State representatives from admissions, recruiting and entrepreneurship, as well as the Advanced Technologies Institute were able to discuss some of the many opportunities available for students at Cleveland State.



Dr. Jason Bell and Melissa Fugate with Polk County Schools initially invited Cleveland State. Dr. Bell highlighted the work that Copper Basin High School initiated a few years ago regarding the implementation of a senior capstone course and brought that success to Polk County High School this past fall semester with Ms. Fugate as the instructor. The senior capstone course is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and information needed to be successful upon graduation.



Our goal is to provide students with skills and strategies that help lead to success after high school and this Capstone Course meets that goal perfectly, stated Dr. Bell, secondary supervisor for Polk County Schools.



During the capstone course, students worked on filing their FAFSA, applied for the TN Promise scholarship, completed college, job and scholarship applications and created a professional portfolio. Their senior capstone presentation included self and career exploration, financial literacy, college fit, and social/emotional health. Students presented their capstone projects to a panel of community members and school officials.

Holly Melton from Cleveland State served as a panel member. It was an honor to listen to the goals and aspirations of the students at Polk County High School and see how Cleveland State can fit the needs of our service area seniors, stated Ms. Melton, CSCCs coordinator of recruitment.
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. announces the addition of four attorneys who will support a multitude of service areas for the firm. Louis Metcalfe, Colter Parker, Justin Powers and Kiki Rogers, who have all supported Chambliss in recent years as summer clerks, bring "valuable experience and fresh perspectives" to a variety of practice areas, including business, health care, labor and employment and estate and tax, officials said.



"We are very excited to officially welcome aboard our new associates," said Cathy Dorvil, Chambliss recruiting chair and shareholder. "Each of them served as summer clerks at Chambliss prior to finishing law school, and each of them are already making an impact at our firm. This group is a joy to work with and they bring incredible drive, charisma and a willingness to get the best possible results for our service teams and clients."



Mr. Metcalfe primarily counsels health care and nonprofit clients on a variety of matters and transactions. He regularly advises physicians and health care entities on business formation, contract negotiations with larger entities, sales and acquisitions. He also provides guidance on Tennessee and Georgia state laws and regulations, as well as at the federal level, and he advises on evolving information related to relevant topics like vaccine mandates. While at Covenant College, Mr. Metcalfe served as president of the student body. He also assumed the role of secretary and president of the honor council while studying at Vanderbilt University Law School. Mr. Metcalfe served as a Chambliss summer associate in 2019 and 2020 and is a member of Chambliss Startup Group, where he counsels entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses.



Mr. Parker represents individuals and families in a various estate planning matters, considering both their current needs and long-term financial goals. This includes drafting documents such as wills, various types of trusts and incapacity documents, as well as guiding families through the administration of trusts and estates. With a background in finance, Mr. Parker provides integrated and comprehensive estate planning. His financial insight is instrumental in developing plans tailored for tax-efficiency, ongoing creditor protection, family business succession, asset preservation and special needs planning. Mr. Parker earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he additionally received the John C. Stophel Student Award. He is an alumnus of Vanderbilt University Law School and Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management where he earned an M.S.F. Mr. Parker began his Chambliss career in 2018 as a summer intern with the tax and estate section before becoming a summer associate two years later.



Mr. Powers is a corporate attorney who works with a wide range of clients, from startups to national organizations. He assists with general business matters, including reviewing and drafting contracts and advising on commercial business issues, such as supplier agreement disputes and negotiations. He also prepares a variety of purchase agreements and other transaction documents for the firm's mergers and acquisitions clients. Mr. Powers is a McCallie graduate and received his bachelor's degree from Rhodes College. He attended Belmont University College of Law, where he served as captain of the Junior National Health Law Transactional Moot Court team and was a member of Belmont Law Review. He also served as a summer law clerk under the Honorable Jerri S. Bryant, chancellor for the 10th Judicial District of Tennessee. In 2019 and 2020, Mr. Powers served as a summer associate for Chambliss.



Ms. Rogers is a labor and employment lawyer who served as a summer intern at the firm before moving into a summer associate position in 2019 and 2020. She guides employers of all sizes and industries through matters related to discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family Medical Leave Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. With experience drafting successful dispositive motions and discovery motions, Ms. Rogers has positioned herself as a trusted client resource. Most recently, she has provided research and guidance on the OSHA vaccine emergency temporary standard and religious and disability exemptions. Before joining the Chambliss team, Ms. Rogers was on the Dean's List during her time at the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she graduated cum laude, and served as a student attorney at The Expungement Clinic. She also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia.






The Tennessee Supreme Court today dismissed a claim against the State of Tennessee by a Florida resident whose husband was injured in a car crash with a Tennessee Department of Transportation truck. The Court dismissed the lawsuit because the claimant wife did not give the State written notice of her claim before she filed her lawsuit, as Tennessee law requires.



On Dec. 11, 2017, TDOT employees, while applying a de-icing solution, parked two TDOT trucks in the center lane of an overpass on State Highway 111 in Sequatchie County, Tennessee. They did not put out any signs or other devices to warn oncoming drivers of the vehicles parked in the middle of the highway.

Meanwhile, Florida resident Steven Kampmeyer was traveling northbound on State Highway 111. His car collided with one of the parked TDOT trucks. Mr. Kampmeyer suffered serious injuries.

Mr. Kampmeyer filed written notice of a claim against the State with Tennessees Division of Claims and Risk Management, alleging the TDOT employees were negligent. The claim was not settled, so the Division transferred it to the Tennessee Claims Commission, the trial court that decides claims against the State of Tennessee. There, Mr. Kampmeyer filed a formal complaint, which included a claim by his wife, Melissa Kampmeyer, for loss of consortium.

The State filed a motion to dismiss Mrs. Kampmeyers claim because, unlike her husband, she did not give written notice of her claim to the Division of Claims and Risk Management within a year of the injury. The Claims Commission dismissed Mrs. Kampmeyers claim. She appealed to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, which affirmed the dismissal. Mrs. Kampmeyer was then granted permission to appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court.

The appeal centered on Tennessees Claims Commission Act, the law that governs procedures for negligence claims against the State of Tennessee. Under that law, within one year of injury, claimants must give the Division of Claims and Risk Management written notice that has basic information about their claim. The statute gives the Division ninety days to investigate claims and resolve them if possible. When claims are not resolved, the Division transfers them to the Claims Commission, where the claimant is expected to file a formal legal complaint against the State.

In this case, Mrs. Kampmeyers claim was included in her husbands formal complaint with the Claims Commission, but it was not included in her husbands initial written notice to the Division of Claims and Risk Management. In their appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Kampmeyers pointed out that the formal complaint with the Claims Commission, which included Mrs. Kampmeyers claim, was filed within one year of the injury. They argued this was enough to satisfy the requirement for written notice of Mrs. Kampmeyers loss of consortium claim within one year of the injury. The Supreme Court disagreed.

The Court looked at the Claims Commission Act, which clearly states that written notice has to be given to the Division of Claims and Risk Management. The purpose of that provision is to give the Division an opportunity to resolve claims against the State without the need for litigation in the Claims Commission. Nothing in the statute allows claimants like Mrs. Kampmeyer to give notice to the State by filing their formal complaint directly with the Claims Commission.

For that reason, the Court agreed with the trial and intermediate courts that the complaint the Kampmeyers filed with the Claims Commission did not fulfill the requirement that they give written notice of the wifes claim to the Division of Claims and Risk Management. This meant her claim for loss of consortium was barred by the statute of limitations, so the Court affirmed its dismissal.

To read the unanimous opinion in Steven Kampmeyer et al. v. State of Tennessee, authored by Justice Holly Kirby, go to the opinions section of TNCourts.gov.
Interim UConn President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi will leave the role next month for a top job at the health insurance company Humana, the university announced Friday. (Mark Mirko/The Hartford Courant)

Interim UConn President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi is quitting to take a top job at the health insurance company Humana, the university announced Friday.

UConn said the school will immediately begin a search with the goal of hiring a permanent president by this fall.

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Agwunobi, also the highly-regarded CEO of UConn Health since 2014, has served as interim president since last July after the abrupt resignation of Thomas Katsouleas.

In a letter to the UConn community, Agwunobi called the decision to leave extremely difficult.

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This is an amazing university and special place, he wrote. It has truly been an honor to serve as a leader here and to work with all of you.

Radenka Maric is the vice president of research at UConn. She will serve as interim president of UConn while the university searches for a permanent leader. (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant)

Agwunobi will leave UConn on Feb. 20 and begin the following day in Louisville at health care giant Humana, Inc., where he will serve as president of the companys Home Solutions business.

UConns Board of Trustees will meet Jan. 26 to appoint Radenka Maric, the schools vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship, as the new interim president, the school said. Dr. Bruce Liang, dean of the UConn School of Medicine, will take over as interim CEO of UConn Health.

In a separate letter to the UConn community, Board of Trustees Chair Daniel Toscano promised a national search for a new president, with hopes of hiring someone by next fall.

This continues to be a period of transition for UConn, as we knew it would be, and we look ahead to a successful search process at this critical time in UConns and Connecticuts history, wrote Toscano, who will lead the search committee.

UConn must now find its third leader in less than a year. UConn Health, meanwhile, has struggled to compete with the larger hospital systems that dominate greater Hartford and the state in general.

Dr. Agwunobi has helped to steer UConn and UConn Health through unprecedented times, all while overseeing significant growth in research and enrollment, Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement released Friday morning.

I have immense confidence in the UConn Board of Trustees and Chairman Dan Toscano as they search for a permanent replacement to lead UConn into the future. Meanwhile, UConn is incredibly fortunate to have the talented and unflappable Dr. Radenka Maric to steer UConn on an interim basis.

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Maric, who was born in Yugoslavia and educated in Japan, came to UConn in 2010 as a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. In addition to her academic and administrative pursuits, she is also a painter, pianist, clothier and amateur chef.

President Joe Biden puts on his mask while speaking with UConn Interim President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi at the end of the dedication ceremony of The Dodd Center for Human Rights at the UConn main campus in Storrs on Oct. 15, 2021. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) (Peter Morenus/UConn)

Since 2017, Maric has been the vice president for research, where she oversees the schools $375 million research portfolio. Among other achievements, she is an internationally recognized expert in batteries and fuel cells. Under her leadership, research funding at UConn has grown dramatically over the last five years.

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With the support of our state government, communities, and industry we are going to continue to keep our students at the center of who we are and prepare them not just for good jobs but for leadership roles in addressing societal challenges, Maric said in a statement released by UConn.

Im asking all of my colleagues to join me in working toward the continued success of this institution, and in collaboratively finding creative ways during this uncertain time to continue to support our students, communities, and the state as we strive for excellence, Maric said.

Dr. Bruce Liang has been appointed dean of the UConn School of Medicine in Farmington.

Liang has served as dean of UConns School of Medicine since 2015.

I look forward to continuing to work closely with Radenka Maric in her interim role, as well as with our Board of Directors in the months ahead, he said.

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Humana President and CEO Bruce Broussard said Agwunobi would join the companys top management team. Humana is one of the nations largest health insurance companies. In 2015 Aetna failed in a bid to acquire Humana after a court ruling against the proposed merger.

Andy is just the person we need for this critical Humana role leading our Home Solutions business, Broussard said in a statement. He has a real passion for care in the home. He has been responsible for a home health care organization as part of an integrated system. He has extensive operational experience with for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and hes a doctor  he understands the value of care in the home, why seniors want more of it, and our vision at Humana for making it much easier for people to get the care they need at home.

Alex Putterman can be reached at aputterman@courant.com.
This weekend, students and employees of Southern Adventist University will honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. through service to the community. This expands on a tradition that the university began in 1993, with hundreds of volunteers working together each MLK Day.The plan this year is to begin service projects on Friday and continue each day through MLK Day on Monday. The goal is for at least 1,200 volunteers to take part in more than 70 projects in the course of four days.We are so excited to serve the surrounding area in this way and to expand on a tradition that has had a big impact over the years, said Melissa Moore, director of Humanitarian Engagement at Southern.Martin Luther King, Jr. is an inspiration in countless ways, and it is a privilege to honor him as we turn our words into actions this weekend.Southern is partnering with approximately 30 local organizations, such as Crab Tree Farms, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Salvation Army. At the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition, volunteers will pack blessing bags that include toiletries and snacks to give those experiencing homelessness. At other locations, they will be cleaning, painting, visiting with the elderly, serving meals and much more.These projects fit into Southerns ongoing mission of helping students form a lifelong habit of serving others and engaging with their community, officials said.It is my great desire for Southern students to know without a doubt that they are uniquely called to serve, Ms. Moore said. It is the privilege of my office to walk alongside students in that calling. We want to create opportunities where students can get excited to continue this kind of service after they graduate.
Rhea County General Sessions Court Judge Shannon Garrison became the latest Rhea County elected official to switch to the Republican Party.





Scott Golden, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party who was on hand for a meeting of the Rhea County Republican Party, said it was a high achievement by the party to have a large number of Republican office holders in Rhea County.







Judge Garrison joins Sheriff Mike Neal, Circuit Court Clerk Jamie Holloway and Rhea County Trustee Neva Webb who joined the Republican Party in December.

So far incumbent Garrison faces local attorney Jace Cochran as well as David Shinn, assistant district attorney in Rhea County, in the primary.





Three of the Rhea County School Board Members, Chairman Johnny Mincy, Third District member Perry Massengill and Nineth District member Dr. Henry Reid, Henry Reid, declared as Republicans. This past session, the State Legislature passed a law requiring school board members to run in parties or as an independe nt.

In Rhea County, only the odd numbered School Board districts run this year.

Dale Harris, who is the Seventh District School Board member, said that as of right now he could not declare as a candidate because he would be in violation of the Hatch Act that does not allow federal employees to run in political offices.

Mr. Harris said he is close to retirement from TVA and was weighing whether or not to retire and run or not run.
An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Murfreesboro woman, who is charged with aggravated assault in connection with the death of her mother.

At the request of 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI special agents joined officers on Thursday night with the Sparta Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol and the 13th District Attorney Generals Office in a death investigation at a residence on N. Edgewood Drive in Sparta.

After responding to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance at that address, Sparta officers found Emmaline Webb, 54, unresponsive. When EMS arrived, it was determined she was deceased.

During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that identified the victims daughter, Quonisha Webb, 30, as the individual responsible for assaulting the victim.

On Thursday night, Quonisha Webb was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault cause of death. She was booked into the White County Jail and is currently being held without bond.
Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area has started construction on phase one of an Opportunity Campus at 6104 Preservation Dr., the former Life Touch photography lab in the Bonny Oaks Industrial Park. Officials say this enhanced space will allow Goodwill to serve participants and improve operational efficiency not possible in Goodwills current facility on Dodds Avenue.



Our vision is a community where every person, regardless of ability, situation or background, can achieve their greatest potential, said Jim Stailey, chief operating officer for Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area. People need stable, healthy lives to thrive at work.

With more space, we will be able to meet people where they are, whatever their needs may be. With like-minded community partners, our goal is to create a synergy that allows Goodwill to provide services along with other agencies that can meet needs outside of our scope of work.The big dream, Mr. Stailey said. is to ultimately bring much of Goodwills social enterprise such as warehousing, administration, retail program and mission services under one umbrella on the eleven and a half acres the organization purchased in April of 2021.To help make this move more feasible, Goodwill has partners who believe in the mission and potential of the nonprofit organization and plan to purchase the existing administration and workforce development building on Dodds Avenue. A portion of the space will be leased back until Goodwill is ready to fully consolidate operations.While we have appreciated Goodwill in the past, as we have gotten to know the impressive team and understand the powerful new vision of this important organization, we couldnt be more excited to partner with them, said Todd Womack, a member of Good Will Partners, LLC an investment group purchasing the existing building. As Chattanooga continues to grow, the need for additional warehouse space is great and we look forward to those buildings continuing to be a good neighbor in the centrally located East Lake community and helping address the warehousing needs in our region.

Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area President and CEO Gena Weldon said she was inspired by a visit to the Goodwill Opportunity Campus in Charlotte several years ago. There, community partners provide services for participants related to food and nutrition, healthcare, finance, education and legal services.



This is an exciting and key point in time for Goodwill, said Ms. Weldon. The landscape has changed, so were currently conducting a Community Needs Assessment that will inform mission services. We want to be more strategic, collaborative and holistic in our approach to helping people reach their fullest potential. This new space puts us in the perfect position to be able to capitalize on opportunities that will benefit both the individuals and communities we serve.



The greater Chattanooga areas Goodwill, which will turn 100 next year, serves 23 counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. The organization is an autonomous 501(c) (3) nonprofit and a member agency of Goodwill Industries International. "While programs may vary depending on community needs, what each Goodwill territory has in common is they help people unlock their own potential by selling donated items to fund programs that provide equitable access to jobs, training and development," officials said.



Ms. Weldon said she continues to be inspired by a quote from Edgar Helms who founded the timeless Goodwill movement more than 120 years ago, Be dissatisfied with your work until every person in your community has an opportunity to develop to their fullest usefulness and enjoy a maximum of abundant living.
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold its first 2022 meeting Jan. 20-21 at the Lannom Center in Dyersburg. Thursday, the 20th meeting begins at 1 p.m. Friday, the 21st, begins at 9 a.m.



There will be a preview of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agencys recommendations for the 2022-23 migratory game bird hunting seasons. Recommendations are for the statewide season dates and bag limits to fall within federal frameworks. There have been no changes to the federal frameworks. Dr. Brad Cohen from Tennessee Tech University will be a guest presenter at the meeting. He will provide an update on a waterfowl study tracking the movement of ducks and how hunting pressure and other variable impact waterfowl.



David Blackwood from the West Tennessee River Basin Authority will address the commission about White Oak WMA restoration. White Oak WMA consists of bottomland hardwood forests, permanently flooded wetlands, upland hardwood, and mixed pine forests.



An update on the Bill Dance Signature Lakes will be presented. The Bill Dance Signature Lakes project was unveiled at the final TFWC meeting of 2021. TWRA and the State of Tennessee will invest $15 million in improvements both above and below the water at 18 lakes which bear fishing legend Dances stamp of approval.



TFWC Chairman Jim Ripley appointed a committee to present recommendations for the 2022-23 TFWC officers. Election of the officers will take place at the February TFWC meeting in Nashville.

Nominees for the Legacy Award will be presented on Friday. At next months meeting, the Legacy Award winner for 2021-22 will be announced.
George Harrison had a lot of support from his family, especially his sister Louise when he joined The Beatles. His mother (also Louise) was his No. 1 fan. She answered fan mail, invited some of her sons loyal fans to tea, and even became pen pals with one of them.

Initially, Georges father was less-than-enthusiastic about his son quitting his job to become a full-time musician. Yet, he was just as much involved with Georges fans as his wife.

However, Georges sister had an even bigger job; helping her little brother reach stardom.

George Harrison | Max Scheler  K & K/Redferns

George Harrisons sister Louise helped make The Beatles popular in the U.S.

In 1963, The Beatles decided to take a holiday. John Lennon took his wife Cynthia to Paris, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr went to Greece, and George visited his sister in America. On Sept. 16, George flew to the States with his older brother, Peter, becoming the first Beatle to do so.

Louise Lou Caldwell lived at 113 McCann Street in Benton, Illinois, at the time. Louise had recently immigrated there with her husband Gordon, a nearby coal mine engineer. Benton, Illinois, is a small town, but George welcomed the quiet after experiencing the first waves of Beatlemania. No one recognized him, and he could experience some American staples without hassle.

Louise took her brothers camping at Shawnee National Forest, and they ate at burger joints. She also introduced George to Gabe McCarty, who was in the local band, the Four Vests. They hit it off, and McCarty brought George to the towns record shop. The store didnt have a single Beatles album.

According to Rolling Stone, George was forced to bring his own copy to the WFRX-AM radio station in West Frankfort, where he hitchhiked with Caldwell to plug the Beatles recent overseas smash, She Loves You. DJ Marcia Schafer, then just 17, dutifully played the song.

However, that wasnt the last time Schafer saw Louise. Georges sister kept coming back, requesting Schafer to play The Beatles. Louise came to the station several times over the summer asking us to play the Beatles music, which up to that time had only been available in England, Schafer told the Illinois Times in 2013.

So, thanks to Louises hounding, The Beatles slowly trickled through the radio stations of America, starting in Illinois of all places. Within the following year, her brothers band became even more popular.

RELATED: George Harrison Said Being a Beatle Was Like Having a Previous Incarnation

Louise wrote to The Beatles manager suggesting he book the band on The Ed Sullivan Show

During an interview courtesy of The Oklahoman Video Archive, Louise revealed that she tried getting The Beatles music on the radio in Illinois prior to Georges visit in 1963. She may have also been the mastermind behind one of The Beatles most famous performances.

When asked if she traveled with The Beatles, Louise replied, Well, I didnt travel with them very much. I traveled with them a little bit, but what happened was George came to visit me in Illinois, Id moved to Illinois in 1963. He came to visit me in September with our other brother Peter, and during that time, Id been trying to get their records played on radio stations all through the Midwest prior to him coming.

Id been working with Brian [Epstein-The Beatles manager] and George Martin and Dick James-been writing back and forth to them giving them all the information that I could glean from Billboard, Cash Box, and Variety, they didnt have Rolling Stone back then.

I found out as much as I could, gave him all this information, I called him every week and wrote letters to him all the time and at that time, of course, The Ed Sullivan Show was a big thing every Sunday night. So, I kept at the bottom of the page, I would say get them on The Ed Sullivan Show.

I did get a couple of small radio stations in the Midwest to play, but, you know, that wasnt enough, Louise concluded.

Later, Louise attended The Beatles performance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.

RELATED: George Harrison Said The Beatles Collaborative Process Was Sometimes a Group Effort

Louise continued to keep her brothers legacy alive

When The Beatles popularity skyrocketed, Louise said it all kind of snuck up on her. Throughout the bands early days, including their residency in Hamburg, Germany, shed received letters from George. Then, suddenly, they were on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Since then, Louise has always been in the background, supporting her brother. Shes always wanted to tell the truth about Georges life too. Yet, she protected his private life.

Louise told the Texas Standard, Ive always been very, very concerned about protecting his privacy and thats why when Im, you know, doing talks at conventions or whatever and people say to me Well, what was George like when he was a little, when he was a kid? and Id say well, you know, since he was so delved into when he became a Beatle, I think its only right that I should keep his private life private.

Louise has also managed The Beatles tribute band Liverpool Legends since the mid-2000s. She hand-picked the band members, including Marty Scott, who plays her brother. Shortly after George died in 2001, Louise met Scott at a Beatle event and saw him play While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

It made her cry because that was as close as she would get to see George perform again. Louise said she and Scott adopted each other after that.

Louise turned 90 in 2021, yet shes never had more followers who love hearing about George. Like Georges wife Olivia and their son Dhani, Louise will always treasure her brothers legacy.

RELATED: George Harrisons Song for John Lennon Almost Went to Ringo Starr
Chapter 3 of The Book of Boba Fett confirmed a tragic fate for the Tusken Raiders of Tatooine. Star Temuera Morrison revealed that it could have been even worse as originally scripted. Morrison pushed the Star Wars show to show a little bit more solemnity in the depiction of the Tusken Raiders tragedy.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Book of Boba Fett.]

Temuera Morrison | Lucasfilm Ltd.

Morrison and Ming-Na Wen were on a Television Critics Association Zoom panel for The Book of Boba Fett on Jan. 14. They discussed how they improved the depiction of the death of the Tusken Raiders. New episodes premiere Wednesdays on Disney+.

The original Tusken Raiders deaths was even more frank

Morrison said the original script lacked any reverence to the Tusken Raiders. After all the flashbacks to Boba Fett (Morrison) spending time with the Tusken Raiders, he came back to the burned camp and just went about his business.

It was better than it was, anyway, Morrison said. There were times when I read we were just throwing dead bodies on the fire and I was going, Oh, hang on. Weve got to put a bit of ceremony on this.

Temuera Morrison added ceremony to The Book of Boba Fett

In the final episode, Boba conducts a ceremony over his fallen Tusken Raiders. Morrison said he drew from his own New Zealand culture.

Yeah, they are the indigenous of the sands of Tatooine, Morrison said. It was just creating a little bit more history about their culture and I was pulling from my own culture in a way too in terms of some of the coming to terms with all the ceremonies and things like that and preparing the warrior and preparing a weapon and things like that.

#ThisWeekInStarWars, we check out some exclusive reveals from the upcoming The Art of The Mandalorian Season 2 art book, celebrate the arrival of #TheBookofBobaFett, and much, much more! Brought to you by LG OLED @LGUS #AD pic.twitter.com/iaMO9Dc0fc  Star Wars (@starwars) January 13, 2022

RELATED: The Book of Boba Fett: Matt Berry Wasnt the Droid Fans Were Looking for, but They Loved His Episode 1 Cameo Anyway

Morrison hopes all of that comes across. He acknowledged they were rushed filming that scene in The Book of Boba Fett.

I think it was in the staging and things like that, the staging of it all, Morrison said. We were running out of time.

Wen also observed that there is a history of mourning on Tatooine in the Star Wars universe, going back to the Jawas.

That was part of the Star Wars image, Wen said. For Tatooine, there is this ceremonious desire to burn the bodies as opposed to just letting them lie out in the desert in the open.

The Tusken Raiders were Boba Fetts family

Morrison added that the Tusken Raiders were the only family Boba Fett knew. His father, Jango, was killed when he was a child.

I dont think Boba has experienced a family dynamic before, Morrison said. The young Tuskens, the old Tuskens, just that whole family, what we call the Whanau, the family and the land of course protecting their land. Those are the two things in our culture, my own culture here in New Zealand. Land and woman, we will survive. So I kind of brought a little of those elements to the Tusken family.

Wen added that the flashbacks added depth to the Tusken Raiders, whod been on the outskirts of the Star Wars universe.

We knew so little about the Tuskens. It really gave them an incredible backstory I felt because I wasnt there for Tem in shooting those scenes. I only read it and to see visually and how you guys worked out those dance moves and making the weaponry of the staff, I thought all those elements really enriched who the Tuskens were.

RELATED: Star Wars: The Bad Batch Animation Looks Like The Clone Wars But Can You Spot These Subtle Differences?
J-Hope released Hope World, and the single featuring Becky G, Chicken Noodle Soup. With Jin releasing Super Tuna and V debuting Christmas Tree, some ARMYs wonder when BTS J-Hope will release more solo music.

The artist confirmed that while hes had some struggles recently, hes always working on solo music.

BTS J-Hope released his mixtape Hope World in 2018

J-Hope of BTS during BTSs New Album BE (Deluxe Edition) Release Press Conference The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Image

Hes one of the rappers in BTS songs like Outro: Tear, Butter, and Permission to Dance. J-Hope (real name Jung Hoseok) is also a chart-topping solo artist. In 2018, this artist released his mixtape Hope World, breaking a few records and trending on Twitter in the process.

According to Jazminemedia, J-Hope has set another record with Daydream [from Hope World], just after 24 hours, the music video reached 12,181,987 views, thus becoming one of the fastest Korean solo artists MVs to reach the 10 million views.

BTS J-Hope had some struggles working on new solo music

J-Hope sometimes collaborates with RM and Suga to create BTS music. Hes also always working on solo music, with some ARMYs wondering when this rappers next mixtape will debut. There is no set premiere date, although the artist confirmed hes always working on something.

I had some struggles recently, J-Hope said during an interview with GQ Magazine. And I went through a slump too. Id reached my limit, in a way. I kept wondering how I could get through it, but in the end, I decided to start over from scratch.

So yes, Im working on something completely new, with the desire to make something that is truly and uniquely mine, as quickly as I can, he continued. Ive even given myself a deadline.

The BTS members have been considerably busy, appearing in several YouTube segments in conjunction with their appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden.

They performed My Universe with Chris Martin and Coldplay during the 2021 American Music Awards. Additionally, along with Jimin and Jungkook, J-Hope danced to Megan Thee Stallions verse in Butter.

J-Hope and Becky Gs Chicken Noodle Soup premiered during 2019

One of J-Hopes recently released solo projects (aside from Outro: Ego from Map of the Soul: 7) was his track with Becky G, titled Chicken Noodle Soup. On Spotify, this song holds over 120 million plays. Additionally, all seven BTS members performed this song during the Festa Muster Sowoozoo Concert 2021.

Most BTS members release solo music, including Suga, who premieres solo music under the stage name Agust D. RM was even featured on Lil Nas Xs Old Town Road remix titled Seoul Town Road.

More information regarding J-Hopes solo music will, presumably, be announced in the coming weeks. The BTS unofficial Golden Hyung recently traveled to Hawaii following the K-pop groups Permission to Dance on Stage residency.

RELATED: J-Hope Sent a Coffee Truck to the Set of Sugas Music Video for Daechwita, and Its Totally Friendship Goals
After the plethora of fan-favorites who returned in Greys Anatomy Season 17, its no surprise that season 18 is shaping up to be the same, and it looks like Calzona could be next on the list. Sara Ramirez told news outlets in December 2021 that they would absolutely return to the series. Then, the child actor who portrays Callie and Arizonas daughter, Eva Ariel Binder, teased big news. Could Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) return to Greys Anatomy for season 18?

Greys Anatomy: Sara Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw | Scott Garfield/Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images

Why did Callie Torres leave Greys Anatomy?

Sarah Ramirezs last episode was the Greys Anatomy Season 12 finale. After a challenging custody battle with Arizona, Callie moved to New York with her girlfriend, Penny (Samantha Sloyan). However, after the finale aired on ABC, Ramirez gave a public statement about their departure from the show. The actor moved on to other things, citing the need for a break from the long-running medical drama.

Although Callie, Arizona, and Mark Sloans (Eric Dane) daughter, Sofia, split her time between New York and Seattle, she still missed both mothers. At the end of Greys Anatomy Season 14, Arizona left Seattle to take Sofia to live in New York near Callie. She added that she couldnt help but smile when texting her ex, so viewers hope that the two rekindled their romance in the Big Apple. Hopefully when they both return it will be together in Greys Anatomy Season 18.

Sara Ramirez said they would absolutely return to Greys Anatomy

In an interview with Glamour on Dec. 10, Ramirez shared their thoughts about playing the first nonbinary character in the Sex and the City world. The actor portrays Che Diaz in the HBO Max reboot, And Just Like That The journalist asked if Ramirez might consider returning to Greys Anatomy at any point in time.

Absolutely, Ramirez laughed. You didnt expect that answer, did ya? If the stars align in a way that makes it make sense, absolutely. I love my Greys Anatomy family. Im so proud of them for introducing trans characters and nonbinary characters. Its a beautiful universe that theyve created over there, and Im so grateful that I got to be a part of it.

Good things take time, great things take decades. And Just Like That the next chapter of Sex and The City is streaming now  on HBO Max. pic.twitter.com/Golz4sKX1i  And Just Like That (@AndJustLikeThat) December 9, 2021

The actor also added that they arent quite sure what Callie might be up to in season 18.

I imagine that Callie is in New York, they added. Im not really sure what else is going on for Dr. Callie Torres, but Im just as curious as the fans are. I think it would be really exciting to see what Dr. Callie Torres is doing these days. So yeah, Im definitely open to it. I would love to see it.

Sofia teased big news for Greys Anatomy fans

After ABC renewed Greys Anatomy for Season 19, Eva Ariel Binder  who portrays Sofia  shared a congratulatory post on Instagram.

Just a big Congrats from your Sofia to Greys Anatomy on a SEASON 19! Binder wrote in the caption. Super excited! Also, to my amazing Greys fans I have some big news coming! Hope you will like it!! @abcnetwork @greysabc #sofia #sofiarobbinssloantorres #greysanatomy #greysanatomyedits #greysanatomybrasil

It's a beautiful day to receive some big news. #GreysAnatomy will be back on Feb 24 and for a whole new season! Congrats on Season 19 pic.twitter.com/ZZn10dlGBJ  Grey's Anatomy (@GreysABC) January 10, 2022

Many fans hope that the big news indicates either Callie or Arizona (or hopefully both) return to Seattle with Sofia. However, ABC did not break the news about either return yet for Greys Anatomy Season 18. Luckily, the ABC renewed the series for season 19 and promoted Ellen Pompeo, so if Calzona doesnt return this season, theres always next year.

Greys Anatomy returns to ABC on Feb. 24, 2022, for a crossover event with Station 19.

RELATED: Greys Anatomy: Jessica Capshaw Reunites With the Cast and Fans Hope Arizona Robbins Will Come Back in Season 17
Gary Franks served three terms as U.S. representative for Connecticuts 5th District. He was the first Black Republican elected to the House in nearly 60 years and New Englands first Black member of the House. Host: podcast We Speak Frankly. Author: With God, For God, and For Country. (Gary Franks)

President Joe Bidens claim that being against the Democrats version of voting rights in 2022 is equivalent to being for Jim Crow 2.0 gives hyperbole a bad name.

In the nineteenth century, most southern states had a majority or near-majority Black population because of slavery. To prevent this majority from politically controlling those states  Mississippi actually had two Black U.S. senators and the nation had 20 Black U.S. House members, all Republicans  the white population, thanks to a highly questionable election in 1876, put an end to Reconstruction, which had helped Black people and resorted to Jim Crow practices, which Democrats had established.

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President Joe Biden speaks about the government's COVID-19 response, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik/AP)

White Democrats installed a literacy test, a difficult hurdle as it was against the law for Blacks to read; a grandfather clause, which meant that unless your grandfather voted you could not (thus, a Black person had to be part white to vote); and a poll tax, since most Black slaves did not own property. Minus property, they were excluded from voting unless they inherited land (and were half-white). These exclusions were in place in many southern states.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made it necessary in those southern states  which practiced overt discrimination to suppress if not eliminate the Black vote  for the federal government to review all election law practices and changes in the future.

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Due to the great progress in Black voting participation made over the decades, the U.S. Supreme Court felt it was no longer necessary to ensure such federal intervention.

For starters, the voting rights bills being considered by Congress today are not technically an extension of the original 1965 Voting Rights Act. They add to the Act. I think those who voted overwhelmingly for the Voting Rights Act in the past would be flabbergasted by the current proposals.

For instance, advocates for todays version of the Voting Rights Act are calling for a national voting holiday, provisions of water and food for voters waiting in line, and a way to have a substantial percentage of votes cast from voters living rooms via absentee mail-in ballots.

And with technology available for voters to better identify themselves who would have thought that a government-issued photo ID would be deemed a vehicle for Black voter suppression? It makes one think something foul is happening if this modest provision is now considered a threat to democracy.

Having a ballot application mailed to peoples homes even when not requested also leaves itself open to mischief. Americans are highly mobile. For example, hundreds of thousands of ballot applications in various states were returned to the Secretary of State as the postal service was not able to deliver them. Back in the day, these folks would be identified through canvassing, divided by party affiliation, and still somehow managed to vote. Without proper ID it wasnt difficult.

Why party affiliation? So that there would be no chance of a person voting twice which would alert officials. I am sure these practices have been addressed and corrected.

On gerrymandering of Congressional districts, I expressed my objection to racial gerrymandering to former President Bill Clinton in a White House meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus. The CBCs anger was immediate. They were in favor of racially gerrymandered districts. That same day, an emergency meeting was convened, and I was voted out of the CBC, at least temporarily.

Worst yet, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinneys father was arrested for attacking me on the stairs of a Savannah courthouse following my testimony before a U.S. Appeals Court on this issue.

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Over time it was proven that my election to Congress was not an aberration  for white people would vote for a black person, duh! In fact, most of the growth of the CBC since my departure from Congress has come from Black members representing white congressional districts.

Racial or partisan gerrymandering is equally wrong, and the courts are presently equipped to address each when contested.

No one should have to wait an inordinate amount of time to cast a vote. With the days being extended, it becomes hard to imagine this being a problem, but its an easy fix on the local and state levels. Imagine a supermarket. When the lines get long a new cash register is quickly opened. We can fix this without making it a federal issue.

Thus, to abolish the Senate filibuster over the above-mentioned concerns seems like a solution waiting for a problem.

Lastly, it should be noted, a higher percentage of Black people voted in the 2012 election of former President Barack Obama than the percentage of eligible white voters as reported in the Washington Post. And voting records were strong in the 2016 elections across the board.

So, where is the problem?

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Gary Franks served three terms as U.S. representative for Connecticuts 5th District. He was the first Black Republican elected to the House in nearly 60 years and New Englands first Black member of the House. Host: podcast We Speak Frankly. Author: With God, For God, and For Country. @GaryFranks
Since Ronnie Ortiz-Magros exit from Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, many fans have wondered if and when hell return. While promoting JSFV Season 5, the cast opened up about their roommate. Heres what they had to say about Ortiz-Magro, his mental health, and his break from the MTV series.

Vinny Guadagnino, Mike Sorrentino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and DJ Pauly D | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Jersey Shore roommates are wishing Ronnie Ortiz-Magro well

In May 2021, Ortiz-Magro announced he was stepping away from the show to take care of his mental health. I think he handled it the way that he should have by taking his time to get his mental health right [and] go through the process and deal with everything he needed to deal with, Jenni JWoww Farley admitted to Page Six. We wish him the best and hope hes doing well now  at least better than before.

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation cast didnt keep in touch with Ronnie Ortiz-Magro while filming

During their conversation with Page Six, Nicole Snooki Polizzi admitted there wasnt a lot of time to keep in contact with Ortiz-Magro while they were filming season 5. When were filming, its like full-blown filming, no phones, were just enjoying the moment, she explained. He knew we were filming, but I feel like he was busy trying to get his headspace right.

We respected his decision to take a step back and focus on mental health because thats whats ultimately the important thing, Pauly DelVecchio added. I certainly support that decision he made to take that step back and I wanna respect that with him.

When asked whether Ortiz-Magros break from Jersey Shore: Family Vacation has been helpful or not, Vinny Guadagnino said, I dont know. We wish him the best. Hes on his own personal journey  and all we can do is kind of wish him the best.

Will Ronnie Ortiz-Magro return to Jersey Shore: Family Vacation?

At this time, its unclear if Ortiz-Magro will return in the second half of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 5 or if hell return to the show at all. When asked about their castmates return, Guadagnino referenced Mike The Situation Sorrentinos transformation over the years, adding how the cast will always be there to support Ortiz-Magro.

Were always here for each other when were putting in the work and making these amazing comebacks, he said. All we can do is wait and see and, like I said, wish him the best.

To many fans surprise, Ortiz-Magro did appear in the first episode of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 5. With the help of Sorrentino and support from his roommates, Ortiz-Magro visited Saffire Matos family to ask for their permission to propose.

Its kind of soon, Guadagnino admitted in the episode. Many of the other Jersey Shore roommates felt the same way.

Im excited for Ron, Sorrentino told cameras, adding: I really hope that hes making the right decision, but this could be rushed. Farley agreed, saying, You can be happy and not rush to the altar.

Ronnie Ortiz-Magro stepped away after his April 2021 arrest

The show didnt ignore Ortiz-Magros April 2021 arrest for domestic violence. MTV included clips of headlines regarding the matter plus resources for fans interested in seeking mental health help.

After news of his arrest spread, Ortiz-Magro announced his stepping back from the show. After talking to the team at MTV, we have mutually agreed that I will step away from the show while I seek medical treatment for mental health issues that Ive ignored for too long, he shared on his Instagram Stories. My number one goal now is facing my struggles head-on. However, a few days later, a source close to Ortiz-Magro alleged he wasnt ready for rehab.

Watch Jersey Shore: Family Vacation every Thursday at 8 PM ET on MTV.

How to get help: In the U.S. and Canada, text the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to reach a crisis counselor for support.

How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

RELATED: Ronnie Ortiz-Magro Appears in Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 5 Premiere, Fans React
ABCs Women of the Movement with Glynn Turman premiered on Jan. 6, 2022, telling the true story of Emmett Till (portrayed by Cedric Joe) from his mother, Mamie Till-Mobleys (Adrienne Warren) perspective. Although the death of the 14-year old Black boy in 1955 was gruesome, the ABC historical drama only shows a small glimpse of his mutilated body. The actor who portrays Emmett Tills great Uncle Mose, Turman, believes America should show the Jay-Z, and Will Smith produced series to its children so that we dont repeat history.

Women of the Movement tells the story of Emmett Till

Throughout Women of the Movement episodes 1 and 2, viewers watch Mamie Till-Mobley let her only son travel to Mississippi to spend time with family only to get a phone call that white men abducted him. While in Money, Mississippi, Emmett innocently flirted with a white woman at a local country store. The interaction led Carolyn Bryants (Julia McDermott) husband, Roy Bryant (Carter Jenkins) and J. W. Milam (Chris Coy) to abduct, mutilate, and murder Emmett.

RELATED: Women of the Movement: Carolyn Bryant Shared the Truth with 1 Journalist; Theyre All Dead Now Anyway

In Women of the Movement Episode 3, Mamie fights to bring her sons body back to Chicago. Although the funeral director instructs Mamie not to open the casket, she insists on seeing her son. On ABC, Women of the Movement shows deep gashes in Emmetts skin and a brief glimpse of his face. Mamie instructs the reporters to take his picture, and she insists on an open casket with a public viewing. The funeral makes national news and brings reporters from all over to the Jim Crow South for the trial.

Ultimately, in 1955, a jury of all white males found the two men not guilty. On Sept. 1, 1994, Roy Bryant died, and J. W. Milam died on Dec. 31, 1980. Neither man served any prison time for the murder or abduction of Emmett, although they confessed in an interview after the trial.

Is the ABC historical drama appropriate for kids?

In an exclusive interview with Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Women of the Movement cast member Glynn Turman explained what he hopes America takes from the series.

We really need to make sure that we dont repeat history, Turman explained. You know, these are scary times right now, and were really at a crossroads in this country as to whether were going to move forward and live up to what we set up our democracy to do.

Women of the Movement Glynn Turman | Bobby Quillard/Bobby Quillard Inc.

RELATED: Women of the Movement Cast and Where Youve Seen Them Before the ABC Limited Series

When asked if Women of the Movement should be shown in schools, Turman said, Yeah.

The only way that were going to make sure that we dont repeat the mistakes of the past is through education, he continued. Youve got to remember this. If this was happening to a 14-year-old child, then a 14-year-old child needs to see what can happen.

Turman added that Women of the Movement does more than tell Emmett Tills story.

The show puts the flesh and bones and the soul into Emmett Till, Turman added. So, you realize that through a mothers eyes, you see that this is somebodys child. And so, yeah, you got to teach it in schools. You have to get it as young as possible to understand that this kind of behavior is right or wrong.

Will there be a Women of the Movement Season 2?

Turman believes a Women of the Movement Season 2 is in the works.

Yeah, oh for sure, Turman told Showbiz Cheat Sheet when asked if there will be a season 2. I thought this was the beginning of a series of different stories that speak of the courageousness of women. You know, probably Black women in particular.

Women of the Movement Glynn Turman | Bobby Quillard/Bobby Quillard Inc.

When asked who might be next in line for inspirational stories about the civil rights movement, Turman suggested Rosa Parks. He also gave a resounding Heck, yeah, when asked if he would like to be cast in Women of the Movement Season 2.

Women of the Movement Episodes 1 and 2 are currently streaming on Hulu. The series airs on ABC on Jan. 6, Jan. 13, and Jan. 20, with two episodes each week. ABC News also added a companion series to the historical drama, which immediately follows it; Let the World See.

RELATED: Women of the Movement: How to Watch or Stream the ABC Series for Free Without Cable
Part of the instrument used for the investigation at FLASH. The insert shows the charge density induced by ultraviolet excitation (red means less electrons, blue means more) in the molecule 2-thiouracil. The X on the structure marks the sulfur atom, where the authors investigated the charge flow using time resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The molecule jumps for the first few 100 femtoseconds between the two electron configurations indicated.

An international research team led by Markus Guhrs group at the University of Potsdam performed laser experiments at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY to monitor charge motions in light-excited molecules of thiouracil, which is a modified nucleobase. This class of molecules has a variety of medical applications, including possible novel cancer therapies. Their basic research now published in Nature Communications opens up the possibility to map the charge flowing inside the molecular landscape.

Nearly all energy sources rely on the sun as the primary source. Nature is rich in efficient and economic molecular machines that harvest light energy and funnel it into changed chemical bonds, electric current, or heat. At the microscopic level, the conversion of the absorbed light into other forms of energy is accomplished by a flow of electric charge inside molecules.

The molecule under investigation thiouracil (C4H4N2OS) belongs to the class of thionucleobases. These molecules are obtained by the naturally occurring nucleobases  which encode genetic information in DNA and RNA  by replacing one or more oxygen atoms with sulfur. Thionucleobases have a wide variety of applications, such as medication that drives down the immune system after organ transplantations, and possibly also the photoinduced cancer therapy used to destroy tumor cells. The regular nucleobases dissipate quickly the energy received by UV excitation, thereby avoiding potentially mutagenic consequences. Thionucleobases irradiated with UV light instead relax to spin-excited states, leading to the formation of a reactive form of oxygen in the vicinity of the molecule.

The team exploited the sensitivity of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to specific atoms within a molecule to probe light-excited thiouracil on a femtosecond time scale (1 femtosecond = 10-15 s). A first ultraviolet (UV) light pulse excited thiouracil, triggering an ultrafast charge motion inside the molecule. A second delayed x-ray pulse produced by the FLASH free-electron laser ionized specific electrons strongly localized at the molecule's sulfur atom. The authors observed time-dependent changes in the energy of these photoelectrons that directly reflect the charge flow from and towards the sulfur atom.

David Picconi, a theoretical chemist in Potsdam and one of the study's corresponding authors, found the direct relation between the photoelectron energy and the charge changes. We applied state of the art quantum chemical calculations to many different molecular structures, he says, and found that UV excitation decreases the electron density near the sulfur atom and consistently leads to lower energy for the photoelectrons ejected by the x-rays. This is understandable, because with less electron density the Coulomb attraction of the sulfur nucleus is stronger, a higher fraction of x-ray energy is needed for ionization, and the photoelectron is left with less energy. This connection between local charge and photoelectron spectroscopy has already been formulated by Kai Siegbahn, Swedish Nobel laureate, for molecules without the light excitation. The authors now apply the very same concepts to the light excited state of molecules.

The experimental study illuminates the microscopic mechanism for why the thionucleobases relax to potentially harmful states. This process turned out to be rather complex. Dennis Mayer, one of the first authors of this publication, adds Our first look at the photoelectron signal during the experiment didn't seem to be rich of detailed features, he says, Free-electron lasers possess a lot of fluctuations but fortunately also have diagnostics to measure them. The later correction revealed beautiful time-dependent oscillations in the photoelectron kinetic energy. The oscillating photoelectron energy and thus the oscillating charge at the sulfur atom indicates that the molecule jumps back and forth between different electronic configurations before finally settling in the spin-excited state.

The team performed the study at the FLASH 2 free-electron laser facility of DESY in Hamburg, in an experimental hall named after Kai Siegbahn, where the Potsdam group had a unique chance to build a new instrument for this type of research together with the FLASH facility. This was enabled by a grant from the German federal ministry for education and research. Fabiano Lever, one of the paper's first authors remarks: This was my first time taking part in such a collaborative experiment at a large facility, and I had a great time building the instrument, especially while working through the challenges of interfacing it with such a large and complicated machine as FLASH.

The work at FLASH was accomplished by an international collaboration of scientists from Potsdam, DESY, Hamburg University and the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, The Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Gothenburg University, the European XFEL, and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Markus Guhr looks forward to exciting, new experiments: Up to now, we have only been looking at the charge dynamics from the point of view of one specific atom within the molecule. Extending this to different atoms will allow us to create a complete dynamical map of the charge flowing inside the molecular landscape.
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing many churches and ministries to rethink how they recruit, train, and maintain the fleet of volunteers they need.

Volunteering for religious organizations dropped during the first year of the pandemic, when in-person services were canceled and outreach events were put on hold, and has continued to decline.

According to Gallup, 35 percent of Americans reported volunteering for a religious organization last year, down from 38 percent in 2020 and 44 percent in 2017.

A recovery in volunteering may be more elusive as concerns about COVID-19 exposure and public health safety measures limit Americans willingness and ability to perform volunteer work, the researchers wrote.

A lot of churches saw their longtime, reliable volunteers back away from their roles because their age put them at risk, said Chuck Peters, director of the kids ministry team at Lifeway Christian Resources.

Even those who remain willing to serve can be unpredictable; the likelihood of illness or exposure at home, especially during COVID-19 surges, has meant more volunteers are calling out sick when leaders are strapped for help. Plus, church attendance is down overall, though nearly all churches have reopened.

In a Lifeway survey last spring, pastors listed committed volunteers among the biggest needs for their churches. Over three quarters of US pastors said they were concerned about developing leaders and volunteers, as well as peoples apathy and lack of commitment. Over two-thirds said training current leaders and volunteers was a concern.

A lot of churches lost their long-term, reliable, go-to people and were left with no one. Thats been the challenge. Where do you look now to find a new base of volunteers? said Peters. The tendency becomes ask everyone and take anyone. Really, thats not the best approach  its a new opportunity to revisit what kind of volunteers were looking for.

That may mean its time to conduct new training, new resources, to rally and prepare volunteers. In childrens ministry, which requires volunteers to serve in roles like teachers, classroom assistants, and security, Peters recommends focusing on the mission of the ministry and the giftedness of the potential volunteers, rather than the desperation for help or obligation to the church.

Recruit with the why of the ministry, not the need of the ministry, he said. In a season where the world is crazy, kids need Jesus more than ever to speak to their fears, and people are experiencing real losses. We have to be faithful to the mission.

Over in the United Kingdom, a survey by the Evangelical Alliance last fall found 59 percent of church leaders saw volunteering decrease, and 31 percent of church members said they were volunteering less during the pandemic.

Some churches that reopened had not resumed activities in youth ministry (25%) or childrens ministry (17%). Leaders suggested that former volunteers were attending church less and enjoyed having fewer commitments.

Virginia pastor Tom Pounder recommended pastors individually reconnect with volunteers who dropped off the schedule during the pandemic to ask about their concerns and level of interest going forward.

If we, as ministry leaders, are not connecting with people and letting them know of the variety of different options out there, then we will continue to have a lack of lay/volunteer leaders, wrote Pounder, student minister and online campus pastor at New Life Christian Church. His church also offers online volunteer opportunities, including chatting with attendees during virtual services.

At the Salvation Army, which runs programs in 7,000 locations in the US, volunteers have an impact on every aspect of our work, said Dale Bannon, national community relations and development director.

Some volunteer programs through the evangelical charity were on hold during the beginning of the pandemic, but many have been re-instated with new protocols such as using personal protective equipment and doing contactless delivery to distribute food and supplies.

Christian refugee resettlement agency World Relief moved its volunteer application process and orientation online during start of the pandemic and began offering virtual opportunities, such as English tutoring, youth mentoring, and youth homework help. While in-person volunteering has resumed, the ministry will likely keep some virtual options in the long-term.

We have found that online tutoring, for example, creates flexibility both for some immigrants and for some volunteers (who in both cases are also balancing job schedules and childcare responsibilities), said Matthew Soerens, World Reliefs US director for church mobilization and advocacy.

After seeing a drop in volunteers in 2020 due to pandemic shutdowns, World Relief saw unprecedented interest in volunteering last summer, as Americans anticipated Afghan evacuees coming to the US after Kabul fell to the Taliban.

The ministry was able to process the uptick thanks to moving its process online due to COVID-19, as well as more staff dedicated to training volunteers.

As a result, we had more than 11,000 active volunteers in 2021, far more than in any year in the recent past, even though the ministry has fewer office locations than it did five years ago, said Soerens. The number of volunteers was twice as many as were involved with World Relief in 2020.

Other ministries have also been able to recruit to meet urgent needs. Last month, Samaritans Purse sent 2,000 volunteers to Arkansas and Kentucky after the tornadoes.

But for many nonprofitsfrom mentoring organizations to food banksdemand is up, and they havent been able to find enough volunteers to help.

Volunteering doesnt just benefit the organizations and their constituents. Its good for volunteers, too. Returning to serve in person can be a refreshing and much-needed step back into the routines they enjoyed before COVID-19.

Jamie Ivey, author and host of TheHappy Hour podcast, recently discussed her involvement with Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center in Austin, Texas.

Hands down one of the best decisions I made this year was to start volunteering again, she shared with her social media followers. In early 2021 I kept feeling like something was off. I know 2020 & 2021 have both been off (understatement of the century) but it was more than the pandemic. Something was off in me.

If you are feeling off, maybe you need to give some of yourself away each week, she wrote. Its been super healing for me this year!
Congregations leave Reformed Church in America to form new denomination amid LGBT debate

After months of preparation, a theologically conservative denomination has broken away from the Reformed Church in America, with 43 congregations joining the new body on New Years Day.

Known as the Alliance of Reformed Churches, the new denomination was created as the RCA continues to deal with a debate over its official stance on LGBT issues.

Dan Ackerman, director of Organizational Leadership at ARC, wrote in a blog post last June that there were three primary convictions that led to the formation of the new denomination.

The Bible as understood within Reformed theology  its understanding of God, sin and the world  provides a thoughtful faith that can engage people facing todays uncertainties, wrote Ackerman at the time.

The mission of Jesus in the world, entrusted to the local church, can be better served by a more agile form of ministry and governance than what weve inherited from the 1500s.

The nature of the organization is to hold a high value on congregational mission and vision so that the organization provides added value to its congregations while, in turn, receiving its funding from those same congregations as partners, Ackerman continued.

Jeff Walton of the theologically conservative think tank Institute on Religion & Democracy noted in a blog post published Wednesday that the number of churches leaving the RCA for the ARC represents about 5% of the denomination.

Now the realignment that began in the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is reaching the Dutch Reformed  but without the lawsuits and acrimony that characterized some of those prior splits, wrote Walton.

Delegates to the RCA General Synod in October approved recommendations that allow transferring churches to retain assets and church buildings.

In recent years, there has been much debate in the RCA over whether the denomination should become accepting of homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

In July, an earlier task force known as Vision 2020 recommended a restructuring of the RCA, believing that the debate over sexual ethics was part of a broader trend of division.

There have been numerous points, especially in the last 70 years, where the RCA has been at an impasse. Points of disagreement and tension have included differences of views on things like ecumenical partnerships, social justice/political involvement, merging with another denomination, communism, internal restructuring, stated the Vision 2020 report.

This means we currently face something we have previously weathered, but it also means that we are likely to be here again if we do not find a way to handle conflict differently.

At its general synod last October, the denomination voted to create a task force that would consider proposals to resolve the debate within the approximately 186,000-member RCA.
Donald Trump poses for photos with David McCormick at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Bedminster, N.J. McCormick is considering running in the 2022 Republican primary election for Pennsylvania's open U.S. Senate seat. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

After several months of positioning himself to run, former Bridgewater Associates CEO David McCormick is entering Pennsylvanias campaign for U.S. Senate, bringing a glittering resume and high-level connections across government, finance and politics to a topsy-turvy GOP primary field in one of the nations premier contests.

McCormick, 56, has the support of various state party stalwarts and veterans of former President Donald Trumps administration advising his campaign in a bellwether-state contest that is expected to help determine control of the U.S. Senate.

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He boasts a resume that checks practically every box a politician might want to brag about: He grew up on a farm, graduated from West Point, fought in the Gulf War, got a doctorate from Princeton University, served in senior positions in former President George W. Bushs administration and reached the pinnacle of business success as a Wall Street CEO.

McCormick just left his job as CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the worlds largest hedge funds, based in Westport. To run, he moved from Connecticut  where hes lived since 2009  and bought a house in Pittsburghs East End.

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In a brief interview Wednesday afternoon, McCormick signaled he would target Bidens economic and foreign policies, as well as left-wing woke culture. He was roused to run by the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, which he called a real demonstration of incompetence and a lack of accountability for the Biden administration.

It was emblematic of a march of wokeness and weakness thats really threatening our country. And I think its chipping away at our values, chipping away at our vitality, McCormick said.

The Republican primary field is in upheaval with the exit of the Trump-endorsed candidate, Sean Parnell, creating a vacuum still being filled by new candidates. The seat is open with the departure of retiring two-term Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey.

The primary is May 17.

Winning it is no slam dunk for McCormick.

He is one of three wealthy, connected candidates  including Mehmet Oz, the heart surgeon who carries unrivaled name recognition as the host of daytime TVs The Dr. Oz Show  moving from blue states to run in decidedly purple Pennsylvania. That is raising carpetbaggery cries from GOP primary rivals.

McCormicks backers tiptoe around that by stressing his growing up in Pennsylvania, graduating from high school in Bloomsburg where he still owns a family Christmas tree farm, and spending about a decade in business in Pittsburgh, where he ran online auction house FreeMarkets Inc.

Some Republicans know McCormick through his father, who was the first chancellor of the state university system under then-Gov. Dick Thornburgh.

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McCormick could run for U.S. Senate this year in solidly blue Connecticut, but he rebuffed any suggestion hes coming back to Pennsylvania.

Well, for me, Im not coming back, McCormick said. Pennsylvanias been my home for more than half my life. My familys in Pennsylvania. Many of my friends are in Pennsylvania. Im a seventh generation Pennsylvanian, so I feel like Pennsylvania is my home. And Pennsylvanias the place where Ive had the most formative life experiences.

Rivals are also targeting McCormick over Bridgewaters hefty investments in China, suggesting that he would be soft on a formidable U.S. adversary.

Still, investing in fast-growing China is par for the course for big, diversified hedge funds, and Bridgewater is invested in so many different markets that its China assets are but a fraction.

McCormick said experience with China, both in government and in finance, is an asset in dealing with an existential challenge that risks the United States economic and national security, as well as global stability.

Those experiences are exactly what you would want in somebody that was going to serve in the Senate and be in a position to help navigate this incredible challenge with national security expertise, economic expertise and a track record of being tough-minded, McCormick said.
Nigerian bishop called in for questioning after criticizing gov't inaction on abductions, persecution

A security agency in Nigeria has ordered a prominent Catholic bishop to appear for questioning over his remarks that the countrys government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, has failed to stop kidnappings and persecution of Christians, according to media reports.

The State Security Service, which reports to Nigerias president, has asked Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Sokoto diocese in northwest Nigeria to present himself for questioning after he wrote in his Christmas message that the government seems to have left the fate of Nigerians in the hands of evil men, The National Catholic Register reported.

In his message, the bishop referred to more than 100 girls who were abducted by the Boko Haram terror group who are yet to be rescued as well as hundreds of other children whose captures were less dramatic, according to CNAs partner agency ACI Africa.

Nothing expresses the powerlessness of the families like the silence of state at the federal level, he said. We have before us a government totally oblivious to the cherished values of the sacredness of life. Tales and promises about planned rescues have since deteriorated into mere whispers.

He continued, Every day, we hear of failure of intelligence, yet, those experts who provide intelligence claim that they have always done their duty diligently and efficiently. Does the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not believe that he owes parents and citizens answers as to where our children are and when they are coming home?

The bishop warned that Nigeria is fully in the grip of evil, adding: Today, a feeling of vindication only saddens me as I have watched the north break into a cacophony of quarrelsome blame games over our tragic situation.

The Peoples Gazette reports that the State Security Service is a federal secret police that holds a reputation for intimidating and arresting government critics.

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, which has spoken out against insecurity in the Kaduna state, has urged Bishop Kukah not to accept the agencys invitation for questioning, arguing that other critics who have been called in for questioning have been silenced.

SOKAPU National Youth Leader Issac John Sirjay argued in a statement Monday that the government has extended invitations to some people who had at one time or the other accepted invitations, particularly persons considered to be critical of the nepotistic and clandestine leadership style of the Buhari administration.



We mourned the sudden demise of Dr. Obadiah Mailafia of blessed memory who until his death was a dogged critic of this administration and a regular visitor at one of the DSS facilities, Sirjays statement reads, according to the United States-based outlet Sahara Reporters.

Without ruling out any possibility of harm, we consider the invitation of Bishop Kukah by the DSS as one of such ploy designed to silence him at all cost.

In light of the above, it suffices to state boldly that the DSS has unarguably deviated from its core mandate of protecting national security and has become a willing tool for the suppression of free speech, the statement added.

Last November, a Nigerian journalist and Roman Catholic, Luka Binniyat, was detained allegedly for his reporting about attacks against predominantly Christian communities and the governments response.

Binniyat, a father who writes for the anti-communist newspaper Epoch Times, was arrested and arraigned at the Barnawa Magistrates Court in Kaduna state. He was charged with cyberstalking  a charge critics say is often used in the African country to silence the media.

He was arrested after writing an Oct. 29 article titled In Nigeria, Police Decry Massacres as Wicked But Make No Arrests.

The article is part of The Epoch Times coverage of the deadly attacks targeting the predominantly-Christian farming communities in the West African countrys Middle Belt.

Binniyat pushed back against government official's characterization of an attack on Christian farmers in the state as a clash. The Nigerian government has long claimed that violence in Nigerias Middle Belt results from decades-old farmer-herder clashes that have been exacerbated in recent years by more herders migrating south due to desertification and climate change.

Critics have warned that the Nigerian governments lack of action in the Middle Belt could result in a religious genocide. But the Nigerian government has pushed back on such assertions.

According to a recent study from the Anambra-based International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, at least 60,000 Christians have been killed in the past two decades in Nigeria. The organization, which is run by Christian criminologist Emeka Umeagbalasi, reports that hundreds of churches have been threatened, attacked, closed, destroyed or burned in 2021.

In the northern parts of Nigeria, criminal groups and terrorists have conducted several large-scale abductions of school children in recent years. In 2014, about 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a school in Chibok in the northeast Borno state by the Islamic radical group Boko Haram. As many as 112 of those girls remain missing.

In February 2021, armed militants kidnapped nearly 300 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara state. The children were released weeks later.

Watchdog group Open Doors USA, which monitors persecution in over 60 countries, ranks Nigeria as the ninth-worst country when it comes to Christian persecution.
Up to 88K COVID-19 deaths, 1 million hospitalizations possible over next 4 weeks: CDC forecast

A high-end estimate of up to 88,000 deaths and over 1 million hospital admissions could follow the ongoing wave of the COVID-19 pandemic over the next four weeks as the virus moves toward claiming nearly 900,000 lives in the United States alone, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In an ensemble forecast, which combines data from diverse independent team forecasts on the pandemic, published Monday and updated on Wednesday, the CDC stated its low and high estimates on how many COVID-19 related deaths will likely occur from Jan. 10 to Feb. 5.

This weeks national ensemble predicts that the number of newly reported COVID-19 deaths will likely increase over the next 4 weeks, with 10,400 to 31,000 new deaths likely reported in the week ending February 5, the agency noted.

The CDC report states that the ensemble forecasts have been among the most reliable forecasts in performance over time" but "do not reliably predict rapid changes in the trends of reported cases, hospitalizations, and deaths." Additionally, the forecasts should not be relied on for making decisions about the possibility or timing of rapid changes in trends.

The agency notes that recent national total death forecasts have shown low reliability, with more reported deaths than expected falling outside the forecast prediction intervals.

Therefore, national total death forecasts will continue to be collected and analyzed but will not be summarized until sustained improvements in performance are observed, the CDC stressed.

The outlook for new reported COVID-19 hospital admissions includes forecasts from 9 modeling groups, each of which contributed a forecast for at least one jurisdiction, the CDC said. However, the models make various assumptions about the levels of social distancing and other interventions, which may not reflect recent changes in behavior.

For the period Jan. 10 to Feb. 4, the current forecast for COVID-19 hospitalizations is a cumulative total that could be as high as 1,017,725 or as low as 528,509.

Daily new COVID-19 hospitalizations could be as low as 38,534 or as high as 47,964 on Feb. 4 alone. However, the highest daily prediction for hospitalizations is shown for Jan. 30 when the ensemble forecast says there could be as many as 49,276 hospitalizations.

Reported daily new hospital admissions can vary due to variable staffing and inconsistent reporting patterns within the week. Thus, daily variations in the reported numbers and the forecasts may not fully represent the true number of confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions in each jurisdiction on a specific day, the agency said.

The latest data from the CDC also shows that the fast-spreading omicron variant of COVID-19 has been responsible for more than 98% of new infections as of Jan. 8.

A recently published study of nearly 70,000 COVID-19 patients in California found that while the omicron variant now represents the majority of new infections, it is associated with reduced risk of severe clinical endpoints and shorter durations of hospital stay.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky noted on Wednesday that the majority of the people dying from COVID-19 deaths now are still from the delta variant.

Given the sheer number of cases, we may see deaths from omicron, but I suspect the deaths were seeing now are still from delta, she said.

She also pointed to the recent California study and said the findings are consistent with data from South Africa and the United Kingdom, which could help the U.S. understand what will happen over the next few weeks.

The risk of hospitalization remains low  especially among people who are up to date on their Covid vaccines, she said. However, the staggering rise in cases, over 1 million new cases each day, has led to a high number of total hospitalizations.

In a briefing on Thursday, President Joe Biden said his administration was securing 500 million additional at-home rapid COVID-19 tests to meet demand around the country and would double the number of tests the U.S. plans to send to the public free of charge.

Lines for free testing for COVID-19 have stretched for blocks in some cities, and pharmacies have been struggling to keep up with the demand for rapid tests, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Some families are still reportedly spending hundreds of dollars on testing due to the crisis, while others are forgoing testing altogether.

President Biden urged Americans to either get vaccinated or boosted as the omicron variant surges across the country.

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are testing positive, but what happens after that couldnt be more different, he said, noting that unvaccinated people who get COVID-19 are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who get vaccinated.
I lost my job as United pilot for refusing vaccine for faith-based reasons

For many Americans who, like myself, have decided not to take the COVID-19 vaccine for religious or medical reasons, staying true to our decision can mean being singled out and rejected by family, friends, and even employers. For me, it meant being placed on indefinite, unpaid leave from my job as a pilot for United Airlines, without any benefits  including medical coverage, and no emergency ability to access my retirement savings.

A pilot since 18, I spent the last 30 years flying commercially. The last 24 years were spent with Continental, then United through a 2021 merger. Ive given a decade of service to United. I became a pilot because transportation is in my blood: my father, brother, and grandfather are all truck drivers and heavy equipment operators. My father taught me there is nothing a lady cannot do, so I decided to carry on the transportation tradition by becoming a pilot.

Because of my Christian faith, I chose not to take the vaccine. I refuse to be complicit in the use of fetal tissue, which was used in the research and development for both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and in the deployment of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. However, I adamantly defend the right for each to choose what is best for their health and faith.

My husband, also a captain, shares my faith and my misery on indefinite, unpaid leave. We have learned that no matter what happens, faith and family come first. Together, with 2,000 of our co-workers, we refuse to be harassed, coerced, and retaliated against in the workplace.

I am also fighting not just for myself, but for my 16-year-old son. I worry that someday, a decade from now, he will face a similar situation where his boss tries to force some sort of medical condition for employment. What do you say to a son or daughter when they ask, Mom, you had a chance to stop this back in 2021. Why didnt you? Our Founding Fathers broke away from England for liberty. They knew that our rights stem from God, not man and surely not a king. Im fighting to ensure that remains true for my son, my coworkers, and all Americans.

However, there is a path forward. In Sambrano v. United Airlines, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether United Airlines can effectively terminate employees with deeply held religious and medical concerns regarding the airlines vaccination mandate. This will set an important precedent for many other people who, like me, may be forced to choose between following an employers vaccination policy or providing for their families  in essence, a jab or a job.

United CEO Scott Kirby announced his COVID-19 vaccine mandate in August as part of the airlines effort to promote itself as the safest airline operating during the pandemic. But in his zeal for a competitive advantage, Kirby denied reasonable accommodations to those with faith-based concerns afforded under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, along with those with legitimate medical concerns.

Ultimately, Kirby put hundreds of pilots and flight attendants on unpaid, indefinite leave. Even non-customer-facing employees suffer draconian, retaliatory policies, such as being forced to wear N-95 masks as a scarlet letter to identify their vaccination status.

This is truly a crisis of conscience that no one should ever face. Simply put, such a crisis describes the devastating and incapacitating worry a person feels when confronted with a choice that could lead them to do something that violates their moral convictions. Once a person does so, the effects are irreversible.

Nonetheless, Kirby callously dismissed his employees of faith and those with legitimate medical conditions, warning in a company townhall meeting, There will be very few people who get through the medical and religious exemptions. He threateningly added that any pilot who all of the sudden [decided that they are] really religious  youre putting your job on the line. Youd better be very careful about that.

Kirbys mandate was likely never about safety. In fact, United quietly rescinded many of its COVID-19 mitigation procedures that resulted in cost savings, including discontinuing electrostatic spraying between flights and providing aircraft filtered air while parked at the gates. Passengers are not required to be vaccinated, nor are pilots from other airlines who ride in the cockpit jump seat. These factors led U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to write, Uniteds actions may not have been motivated by safety concerns. Instead, Uniteds actions may be viewed as merely pretextual.

United is the lone carrier imposing unreasonable vaccine mandates without accommodations. For example, Delta instituted testing, while American and Southwest affirmed that they will not terminate any employee seeking an accommodation. Meanwhile, Kirby spurned the United litigants offer of regular testing at their personal expense.

Flight cancellations and delays caused by staff shortages plague the friendly skies, yet most cancellations could have been avoided if grounded pilots and crew had been allowed to work.

United further contradicted its safety claims by rescinding its pilot contact-tracing policy. Even if exposed to family members and friends who test positive for COVID-19, an employee may go to work so long as they do not outwardly display symptoms. Testing is not required.

Additionally, United implemented the newly shortened Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quarantine policy even though it does not and cannot qualify. The policy states that un-boosted, exposed individuals must wear well-fitting masks at all times. United does not have a booster mandate, and the CDCs recommendations contradict the Federal Aviation Administrations cockpit mask-use rule. Without a mandatory testing program, United is hardly putting safety first.

As the Kirbys marketing plan disguised as a safety campaign crumbles, the faithful and those trying to preserve their medical autonomy look to the courts to protect them from a crisis of conscience.

Perhaps Mr. Kirby should heed the words of Justice Neil Gorsuch, who recently observed that societys interest in slowing the spread of COVID-19 cannot qualify as compelling forever, and that human nature and history teach  that civil liberties face grave risks when governments proclaim indefinite states of emergency.

The Fifth Circuit in BST Holdings v. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration agreed, concluding that the OSHA mandate forces workers to choose between their jobs and their jabs. The judges warned that losing constitutional freedoms for even minimal periods of time  unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.

As the United employees case sets new religious liberty precedent, it is time for that airline to stop suppressing religious freedoms while needlessly inconveniencing American passengers.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
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.
Christian conservatives respond to John MacArthur comparing 'religious freedom' to 'idolatry'

Prominent pastor and theologian John MacArthur has come under fire after a video resurfaced of him taking issue with the idea of religious freedom," with some Christian speakers debating whether his comments were taken out of context.

A video of one of MacArthurs sermons from early last year at Californias Grace Community Church resurfaced over the weekend after Matthew Sheffield, who describes himself as a former right-wing activist, now working to elevate new topics & voices against fascism, shared it on Twitter.

Extremist Christians love to claim theyre all about religious freedom, but the truth is that they hate the idea, Sheffield, the editor of The Flux and host of the Theory of Change podcast, wrote.

Extremist Christians love to claim they're all about "religious freedom," but the truth is that they hate the idea.



Sometimes when they're in a safe space, they admit this. Here's evangelical megachurch pastor John MacArthur telling you what they really think: pic.twitter.com/viT96Y7tkv  Matthew Sheffield (@mattsheffield) January 9, 2022

Sometimes when theyre in a safe space, they admit this, he added. Sheffield cited the video, taken from a January 2021 sermon, as an example of what many Christians really think about the topic of religious freedom.

In the video, MacArthur asserts that I dont even support religious freedom. He went on to allege that religious freedom is what sends people to Hell.

To say I support religious freedom is to say I support idolatry. Its to say I support lies. I support Hell. I support the kingdom of darkness. You cant say that. No Christian with half a brain would say we support religious freedom.

MacArthur suggested that Christians should proclaim that we support the truth as the crowd erupted into applause. He warned his congregation that if the new administration supports religious freedom, get ready.

Persecution will be ramped up because the more supportive they are of the devils lies, the less theyre going to tolerate the truth of scripture.

He vowed that Were not going to lobby for freedom of religion, asking, what kind of nonsense is that? The clip concluded with MacArthur maintaining that we are in the world to expose all those lies as lies.

Prominent Christian commentators quickly condemned MacArthurs remarks, including former National Review writer and senior editor of The Dispatch David French.

Lamenting MacArthurs analysis as disturbing, French took to Twitter to slam the astonishing arrogance in his statements and an astonishing lack of respect for dissent from his version of the truth.

French pushed back on the idea that MacArthurs words were taken out of context.

My recent tweets critiquing MacArthur referenced his words in context, and in context he really did say I could never really concern myself with religious freedom. I wouldnt fight for religious freedom because I wont fight for idolatry.

Brooke Medina, vice president of the conservative think tank John Locke Foundation, reacted to MacArthurs comments by tweeting that Christian martyrs over the past two millennia would beg to differ, John.

She alleged that by stating opposition to the idea of religious freedom, the pastor does not believe your fellow image bearer is worthy of agency.

It means you think so little of the kindness of God, which leads us to repentance, that you would prefer the force of the State. It also means you prefer outward conformity over inner charge. History is littered with bloody, heinous examples of powerful people who used their opposition of religious freedom to imprison and kill their detractors.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Adam Greenway shared the Southern Baptist Conventions teaching on religious liberty, emphasizing that few commitments are more intrinsic to our Baptist identity than this one.

The teaching cites more than a dozen Bible passages when asserting that The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends.

In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others, Greenway wrote.

After viewing MacArthurs entire sermon, conservative radio host Erick Erickson offered his interpretation of MacArthurs analysis.

He was not talking about the ability of different faiths to worship in a multi-ethnic country of different faiths. He was talking about Christians believing Christianity is true and all other religions are false and dont really give you freedom.

More specifically, he was talking about the habit of secular governments to up the persecution in this country every time those governments claim they support religious freedom, Erickson continued. [Former President Barack] Obama was big into religious freedom while he was suing nuns. Gavin Newsom loves him some religious freedom and shut down churches.

MacArthur lamented the coronavirus worship restrictions Erickson was referring to early in his sermon, which primarily reflected on how the coronavirus pandemic and the events of the preceding year provided him with 2020 Clarity.

MacArthurs church relied on religious freedom and First Amendment arguments when it sued California in 2020 over the states restrictions on in-person, indoor worship. Last September, Grace Community Church settled with California and the city of Los Angeles, with both governments agreeing to pay the church $800,000 in legal fees.

Erickson summarized MacArthurs point on religious freedom as When the world starts talking about religious freedom it tends to mean were coming for you, Christians.

The radio host defended that claim as just true, adding that is what MacArthur was talking about  the religious freedom platitude masks the persecutor of Christs church.

Responding to French, Allie Beth Stuckey, a conservative commentator and podcast host with The Blaze, stated that she disagreed with MacArthurs comments but not for the same reasons as French.

Anyone who knows anything about MacArthur knows he is not arguing for implementing theocracy, she tweeted. Hes actually saying... that Christians shouldnt completely concern themselves with fighting for religious liberty, because even if Christian worship became illegal, the church would continue to do what she has always done: obey God. I do disagree that supporting religious liberty is supporting idolatry.

The January 2021 sermon where MacArthur made the comments in question lasted for more than an hour, far longer than the nearly two-minute-long video clip shared by Sheffield.

MacArthur elaborated on his concerns with superficial Christianity, specifically decrying the efforts of other Christian leaders to affiliate themselves with social justice movements.

In the time between MacArthurs warning that persecution will be ramped up and his insistence that were not going to lobby for freedom of religion, MacArthur told his congregation that we condemn every lie and we call every person to this. There is one true God, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

After stating the first commandments mandate that youll have no other Gods before me, MacArthur proclaimed that people can find their salvation in one name and one name only, thats Jesus Christ. These remarks were not included in the clip shared by Sheffield.

In his newsletter, former Southern Baptist Convention ethicist Russell Moore, who headed the conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission until last year, argued that even if MacArthurs message was taken out of context, his line of argument is usually offered when religious freedom refers to someone elses religion.

Religious freedom is a restriction on the states power to establish itself as a mediator between God and humanity, Moore contended. It is no more an affirmation of idolatry than, say, claiming parents freedom to raise their own children is an affirmation of bad parenting. Stating that the government should not take children away and raise them doesnt mean that everyones parenting is good. It just means that, except in dire and unique situations, parents, not the state, should raise their own children.

Religious freedom does not mean that everyones religion is true, Moore added. It contends that God judges the heart and that people must truly believe with their hearts that Jesus is Lord rather than merely say Lord, Lord because the law requires them to do so.

In a statement shared with The Daily Wire, Phil Johnson, an executive with MacArthurs Grace to You, confirmed that MacArthur is not advocating the theonomic notion that Christians today should commandeer governments in order to force Christianity on the world. He insisted MacArthur argues that Christians should not be looking to the government for protection but rather to God.
Fewer than 50% of Americans have formal church membership for first time in 80 years: Gallup

While America remains a highly religious nation with seven in 10 claiming affiliation with some kind of organized religion, for the first time in nearly 80 years, fewer than half of them now say they have formal membership in a specific house of worship, according to a new Gallup analysis.

In 1937, says Gallup, when they first measured formal membership in houses of worship, some 70% of Americans had formal church membership and that measure remained steady for the next 60 years until it began a steady decline in 1998. In 2020, formal membership in houses of worship stood at 49%.

The Washington, D.C.-based analytics and advisory company was able to highlight several factors for the decline through responses from more than 6,000 U.S. adults each time across three-year aggregates from 1998 to 2000, 2008 to 2010, and 2018 to 2020 when formal membership in houses of worship first dipped below 50%.

One of the biggest factors Gallup found strongly correlates with church membership is age. Some 66% of traditionalists  U.S. adults born before 1946  have formal membership in a church, compared with 58% of Baby Boomers, 50% of those in Generation X and 36% of millennials. Current but limited data on members of Gen Zers who've already reached adulthood suggest their church membership rate is similar to millennials.

The analysis also pointed to the growing number of Americans who express no religious preference. In the last 20 years, the share of Americans who do not identify with any religion has grown from 8% in 1998 to 2000 to 21% in the last three years. Only 4% of people from this group said they held formal membership in a church, synagogue or mosque. Between 1998 and 2000 that figure was 10%.

While it is possible that part of the decline seen in 2020 was temporary and related to the coronavirus pandemic, continued decline in future decades seems inevitable, given the much lower levels of religiosity and church membership among younger versus older generations of adults, wrote Gallup Senior Editor Jeffrey M. Jones.

Churches are only as strong as their membership and are dependent on their members for financial support and service to keep operating. Because it is unlikely that people who do not have a religious preference will become church members, the challenge for church leaders is to encourage those who do affiliate with a specific faith to become formal, and active, church members, he added.

Among religious groups, Catholics suffered the steepest decline over the periods measured dropping from 76% to 58%. Protestants fell 9% from 73% to 64%.

The data also showed that declining church membership in the last two decades was greater among Eastern residents and Democrats.

Political conservatives, Republicans, married adults and college graduates experienced lower declines and tended to have higher rates of church membership, along with Southern residents and non-Hispanic black adults, Gallup said.

In his analysis of data from the General Social Survey of five-year windows in which individuals were born spanning from 1965 to 1984 and published by the Barna Group in 2019, Ryan Burge, an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and pastor of First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, showed that younger generations raised in the church werent typically returning to church when compared with members of the Baby boomer generation born between 1945 and 1964.

For anyone concerned with church growth, Burge says, this should sound an alarm.

Many pastors are standing at the pulpit on Sunday morning and seeing fewer and fewer of their former youth group members returning to the pews when they move into their late-20s and early-30s. No church should assume that this crucial part of the population is going to return to active membership as their parents once did, he explained.

The data is speaking a clear message: the assumptions that undergirded church growth from two decades ago no longer apply. If churches are sitting back and just waiting for all their young people to flood back in as they move into their 30s, they are likely in for a rude awakening. Inaction now could be creating a church that does not have a strong future, he added.
Supreme Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for businesses, allows mandate for health workers

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked the Biden administrations COVID-19 vaccine mandates for large businesses that took effect this week while allowing another mandate for healthcare workers to proceed.

In a pair of per curiam decisions released Thursday, the high court offered a mixed message on President Joe Bidens efforts to mandate vaccination against COVID-19.

In the case of Ohio et al v. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, et al., the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay blocking a requirement for businesses with 100 or more employees to require their employees to get vaccinated or tested regularly.

Applicants are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Secretary lacked authority to impose the mandate, the ruling states. Administrative agencies are creatures of statute. They accordingly possess only the authority that Congress has provided.

The Secretary has ordered 84 million Americans to either obtain a COVID19 vaccine or undergo weekly medical testing at their own expense, the ruling added. This is no everyday exercise of federal power.

Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented from the unsigned opinion in the Ohio case, arguing that the employee mandate was a valid response to the dangers of the coronavirus.

In our view, the Courts order seriously misapplies the applicable legal standards. And in so doing, it stymies the Federal Governments ability to counter the unparalleled threat that COVID19 poses to our Nations workers, they argued.

Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies.

In the case of Biden et al v. Missouri, et al., the high court concluded that healthcare facilities that wish to participate in Medicare and Medicaid have always been obligated to satisfy a host of conditions that address the safe and effective provision of healthcare, not simply sound accounting.

Vaccination requirements are a common feature of the provision of healthcare in America: Healthcare workers around the country are ordinarily required to be vaccinated for diseases such as hepatitis B, influenza, and measles, mumps, and rubella, noted the per curiam opinion.

We accordingly conclude that the Secretary did not exceed his statutory authority in requiring that, in order to remain eligible for Medicare and Medicaid dollars, the facilities covered by the interim rule must ensure that their employees be vaccinated against COVID19.

Justice Clarence Thomas authored a dissenting opinion. He was joined by Justices Samuel Alito, Neal Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. Thomas argued that the government failed to justify its mandate.

These cases are not about the efficacy or importance of COVID19 vaccines. They are only about whether [the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] has the statutory authority to force healthcare workers, by coercing their employers, to undergo a medical procedure they do not want and cannot undo, wrote Thomas.

Because the Government has not made a strong showing that Congress gave CMS that broad authority, I would deny the stays pending appeal.

Last September, President Joe Biden announced that there would be federally enforced mandates requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for both government workers and the private sector.

The federal rules would allow for certain exemptions, excluding employees of the U.S. Postal Service, members of Congress, businesses with fewer than 100 workers, and, in principle, individuals who had a valid religious or medical reason.

Critics argued the mandates were examples of federal overreach and also failed to adequately respect religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccine.

As a result, multiple lawsuits were filed against the mandates as they were announced and took effect, with the challenges from states and others having mixed results.
Share of Americans who donated to religious organizations remains at all-time low: Gallup

A new survey from Gallup reveals that the share of Americans who have donated to religious organizations remains an all-time low, even as the percentage of Americans that donated to charitable organizations overall increased.

According to the survey, released Tuesday, 44% of Americans surveyed in 2021 reported that they donated money to a religious organization in the previous 12 months. That figure remains unchanged from 2020, when 44% of Americans said the same.

The 44% donation rate represents an all-time low since Gallup first began asking about Americans religious donations and donating habits in general in 2001. The share of Americans who told Gallup that they donated money to a religious organization in the past year reached a high of 64% in 2005 and has either held steady or declined in the years since.

At the same time, the share of Americans who donated to both non-religious and religious charities has increased since reaching a record low of 73% in 2020. Eighty-one percent of Americans surveyed by Gallup reported donating to charitable organizations in 2021.

As with donations specifically to religious organizations, the percentage of Americans who financially contributed to secular and/or religious charities reached a record high in 2005. Specifically, 87% of respondents gave money to charity in 2005.

When asked if they donated specifically to non-religious charitable organizations, 74% of Americans answered in the affirmative. This represents a noticeable jump from 2020, when just 64% of respondents said they donated to a non-religious charitable organization. The 64% donation rate recorded in 2020 constituted an all-time low in the history of the Gallup survey while the year 2001 had the highest donation rate to non-religious charities (79%).

Over the years, Gallup has also asked Americans whether or not they volunteered time to religious organizations and other charitable organizations. While the share of Americans who donated their time to charitable organizations dropped from 58% to 56% from 2020 to 2021, the volunteer rate remains slightly above the record low of 55%, set in 2009.

When broken down into subcategories of religious and non-religious charitable organizations, 35% of Americans claimed to have volunteered for a religious charity in the past 12 months, marking a 3% decline from 2020 and a record low overall. The share of Americans who volunteered for a religious organization reached a record high of 46% in 2013 and has been consistently declining ever since.

By contrast, the share of those surveyed who volunteered for a non-religious charitable organization rose from 43% in 2020 to 47% in 2021. The percentage of Americans who reported donating to secular charities reached a record high of 50% in 2017, a modest increase from the historical low of 43% achieved in 2009.

Gallup attributes the decline in donations to religious organizations to the fact that formal church membership has declined. Specifically, Gallup noted the correlation between the results of the survey about Americans charitable giving and volunteer habits to the finding of another one of its surveys about Americans religious practices: The 44% of U.S. adults donating to a religious organization nearly matches the 47% who belong to a church, synagogue, mosque or temple.

Additionally, Gallup points to the coronavirus pandemic as the reason why 2020 marked a historical low in the share of Americans who gave to charity: Amid economic uncertainty and restrictions on public activity in the initial stages of the pandemic, Americans charitable activity declined. More than a year later, monetary charitable donations are mostly back to their pre-pandemic levels, while volunteerism still lags.

The increase in donations is consistent with Americans intentions in the 2020 Gallup survey when more U.S. adults said they planned to increase (25%) rather than decrease (7%) the amount of money they gave to charity in the coming year. Two-thirds planned to maintain their level of giving.

The polling organization predicted that a recovery in volunteering may be more elusive as concerns about COVID-19 exposure and public health safety measures limit Americans willingness and ability to perform volunteer work. It suggested that the unpredictable nature of the virus and the emergence of new variants could mean a prolonged drop in volunteering for the foreseeable future.

The Gallup survey is based on responses collected from 811 adults residing in all 50 U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia between Dec. 116, 2021. The poll had a margin of error of +/-4 percentage points.
More than 25% of regular churchgoers have no plans to go back just yet: poll

More than 25% of people who attended religious services at least once a month before the novel coronavirus pandemic have no plans to return to their church, synagogue or mosque in the next few weeks as lockdown restrictions continue to be lifted, according to data from a recent AP-NORC poll.

Data from the nationwide poll conducted June 1014 with 1,125 adults and a margin of error of +/- 4.2 percentage points, show that while many people are looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family, shopping for fun, and going out to eat as the lockdown restrictions are lifted, only 34%, in general, say they plan on attending in-person religious services in the next few weeks.

And while a majority (73%) of people who attended religious services at least once per month say they plan on attending those services in person in the coming weeks, 27% have no plans to do so just yet.

While the number of worshipers who plan to attend in-person worship services as lockdown restrictions continue to be lifted has increased from about 66% a year ago, Lifeway Researchs Executive Director Scott McConnell told the AP that its a cause for concern that many churches did not survive the pandemic, leaving some people in limbo.

Thats a lot of momentum to lose and a lot of people stepping out of the habit of weekly worship, McConnell told the news service.

The data appears to be in line with a new Gallup analysis highlighted by The Christian Post earlier this year, showing a marked shift of the still highly religious nation away from formal church memberships. The data showed that for the first time in nearly 80 years, fewer than half of Americans maintain formal membership in a specific house of worship.

In 1937, says Gallup, when they first measured formal membership in houses of worship, some 70% of Americans had formal church membership, and that measure remained steady for the next 60 years until it began a steady decline in 1998. In 2020, formal membership in houses of worship stood at 49%.

Several factors, including age and the growing number of Americans who express no religious preference, were cited as influences behind the trend.

While it is possible that part of the decline seen in 2020 was temporary and related to the coronavirus pandemic, continued decline in future decades seems inevitable, given the much lower levels of religiosity and church membership among younger versus older generations of adults, wrote Gallup Senior Editor Jeffrey M. Jones.

The Southern Baptist Convention, the nations largest Protestant denomination, recently reported that they lost a record single-year decline of 400,000 members in 2020.

McConnell noted at the time of that report that the decline was due, in part, to fewer additions through baptism and more deaths from COVID-19 and other reductions in the membership of individual Southern Baptist congregations.

Numerous church leaders have described their attempts to stay in touch with their congregation throughout the pandemic, McConnell said. As congregations rediscovered the telephone, they also discovered some on their membership lists who moved away, joined another church, or no longer wanted to be a member.
Teen perpetrator of sexual assault in girls' bathroom ordered to register as sex offender

The teenage perpetrator of multiple sexual assaults at two high schools has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and undergo rehabilitation until he reaches adulthood.

Reports that two girls were assaulted at two separate high schools in Loudoun County, Virginia, sparked outrage among parents in the Washington, D.C.-area school district and across the United States. The Daily Wire first reported on the sexual assault of a teenage girl committed at the hands of a boy allegedly wearing a skirt in a girls bathroom at Stone Bridge High School on May 28.

Shortly thereafter, news broke that the perpetrator of the May 28 attack assaulted another girl at Broad Run High School. The perpetrator of the two assaults, whose name has not been released to the public, learned his fate Wednesday. According to NBC News' Washington affiliate, the student was ordered to remain in a locked residential treatment facility, where he will undergo rehabilitation and therapy until his 18th birthday.

Additionally, he is ordered to have no contact with the victims nor their families and he also has to register as a sex offender. Pamela Brooks, the judge overseeing the case, expressed particular concern about the results of the boys psychological evaluation, noting that this was the first occasion where she ever ordered a minor to register as a sex offender.

Scott Smith, the father of the Stone Bridge High School victim, reacted to the development on Fox News Tucker Carlson Tonight Wednesday. He indicated that while his family was relieved that were able to put one felony assault behind us, the legal battles to address the wrongs done to his daughter have only just begun.

Unfortunately, our daughter was physically assaulted the first week of school when she returned this year and that one was mishandled as well, he said. Ninety days later, we finally got charges and that court case starts next week. Its a felony malicious wounding.

Smith did not elaborate on the second sexual assault. The first sexual assault of his daughter took place as Loudoun County Public Schools was considering implementing a policy that would allow trans-identified students to use bathrooms designated for the opposite sex. The proposed enactment of such a policy generated outrage from the community, which came to a head at a contentious June 22 school board meeting.

At the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Scott Ziegler ensured concerned parents that To my knowledge, we dont have any records of assaults occurring in our restrooms. The transgender bathroom policy was approved in August of last year, and the second sexual assault, which took place at Broad Run High School, occurred after its implementation.

While Ziegler insisted at the June 22 school board meeting that no sexual assaults had occurred in bathrooms or locker rooms within the school district, Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman wrote in a letter to the superintendent that you knew of the alleged sexual offense the day it occurred.

Chapman pointed to an email made public by local news outlet WTOP revealing that Ziegler wrote an email to school board members informing them that a female student alleged that a male student sexually assaulted her in the restroom earlier that day.

Critics allege that the school district engaged in a cover-up by sending the perpetrator to another school and not informing the public of what happened in an effort to avoid derailing the transgender bathroom policy. The incidents in Loudoun County occurred as parents and community members across the U.S. have confronted their local school boards to express outrage about sexually explicit material available in school libraries and included in the curriculum.

The sexual assaults in Loudoun County played a role in Virginias statewide elections this past fall, with five former attorneys general of the state calling on Attorney General Mark Herring to investigate the Loudoun County School Board over its handling of the sexual assaults. The Republican who ran against Herring in last years general election, Jason Miyares, also joined the chorus of those seeking an investigation into the school board.

Miyares defeated Herring in the election as Republicans won the gubernatorial election as well as the lieutenant governors seat. Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe received criticism for addressing the outrage over sexually explicit curriculum and critical race theory in public schools at a debate with Republican opponent Glenn Youngkin by declaring I dont think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.
China to implement RCEP tariffs on ROK goods

Xinhua) 08:30, January 14, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Starting from Feb. 1, China will adopt the tariff rate it has pledged under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on selected imports from the Republic of Korea (ROK), a statement released by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Thursday.

The move will come on the same day as the RCEP deal comes into force for the ROK, said the statement. The ROK has recently deposited its instrument of approval to the Secretary-General of ASEAN, who is the depositary of the RCEP agreement.

For the years after 2022, annual tariff adjustments as promised in the agreement will take effect on the first day of each year.

The ROK's RCEP implementation would further bolster regional economic and trade cooperation and bring mutual benefits to all RCEP members, added the statement.

As the world's largest free trade agreement, the RCEP agreement entered into force on Jan. 1. After it takes effect, more than 90 percent of merchandise trade among members that have approved the accord will eventually be subject to zero tariffs.

The RCEP was signed on Nov. 15, 2020, by 15 Asia-Pacific countries -- ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand -- after eight years of negotiations that started in 2012.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Negotiators for Newport News Shipbuilding and its biggest union plan to meet next week to resume contract talks, after union members rejected an agreement the two sides reached in November.

United Steelworkers Local 8888 asked to resume bargaining and the shipyard has agreed, both sides say.

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In a social media post, Local 8888 said it is optimistic but realistic. In another post, the union said it still wants to push for pay that recognizes its members are essential workers  that is, employees who worked through the pandemic.

Newport News Shipbuilding spokesman Danny Hernandez said the company looks forward to what the union has to say. But, he said, the company remains disappointed that after months of bargaining, relatively few USW members actually voted to disapprove the tentative agreement.

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Local 8888, which represents 12,000 of the yards 25,000 employees, rejected the contract agreement by 1312-684 vote.

Local officials said the 60-month agreements pay increases averaged to 2.3% a year.

But the yard said that doesnt account for the faster automatic movement through pay grades that the agreement also promised. While the impact varied, for entry level employees, that faster movement would 51.73% increase for entry level pay grade 2 employees, a 32.73% increase for pay grade 7 employees and a 20.43% increase for pay grade 11 employees. For workers already at the top paygrades, the increase over five years would total 11.75%  an average annual increase of 2.35%. For the whole Local 8888 membership, the yard said average annual increases amount to 4.7%.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com
Jamal Bryant among 25 faith leaders on hunger strike for voting rights

Megachurch pastor Jamal Bryant, who leads New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia, is among 25 faith leaders who have embarked on a hunger strike in a bid to push Congress to pass voting rights legislation by Martin L. King, Jr. Day on Jan. 17.

The pastors, who are all part of a coalition called Faith for Black Lives, began the hunger strike on Jan. 6, the first anniversary of the U.S. Capitol riot.

Rev. Stephen A. Green, chair of Faith for Black Lives and pastor of St. Luke AME Church in New York City, was not immediately available for comment when contacted by The Christian Post on Monday.

The group explains in a statement on its website the pastors' concern over various voting rights bills enacted in states across the country that they argue disenfranchise communities of color.

"Across the country, voting rights are being threatened as 19 states passed 34 laws impacting the right to vote, specifically targeting communities of color," Faith for Black Lives noted.

"States enacted laws to reduce early voting, restrict access to absentee ballots, and seize control of non-partisan election administration official functions. In addition, extreme partisan gerrymandering threatens access to Black political representation in state and federal elections for the next decade."

Conservatives contend that bills, such as the one passed last year in Georgia, aim to improve the integrity of the voting process amid allegations of voter fraud. Progressives believe that such bills curtail ballot access for urban and suburban communities.

Green suggested that the hunger strike was a part of "moral resistance."

"As faith leaders, we are called to speak truth to power and to raise the conscience of this nation through moral resistance," he said. "This moment requires sacrifice and a deep commitment to radical love in action in order to redeem the soul of this nation and protect our democracy. Through this hunger strike we hope to press upon the United States Senate the moral imperative of this moment."

Democrats in Congress have used the anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot as an opportunity to renew their push to advance several federal voting rights bills after failing to do so in 2021.

Legislation proposed since Democrats won the House in 2018 includes the For the People Act, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

All three proposals have been met with varying degrees of resistance from Republicans while an ongoing debate over whether the Senate filibuster should be repealed continues to rage. Abolishing the filibuster would give Democrats the ability to pass those bills with a simple majority rather than compromising with Republicans to meet a 60-vote threshold.

However, at least a two Democrat senators  Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kristen Simena of Arizona  have expressed their opposition to repealing the filibuster. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told colleagues that the Senate would vote no later than Jan. 17 to change Senate rules if Republicans continue to block voting rights legislation.

"We're living in a precarious time, and Democrats in Congress can't let these procedural rules get in the way of strengthening democracy, especially as it relates to voting rights," Spencer Overton, a professor of law at George Washington University Law School and the president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, told FiveThirtyEight.

"If we don't step up to the plate and people don't try to preserve democracy, we'll end up being in a situation where you have a minority of people who control the country, and that minority is not going to reflect the diversity of our nation."

While Democrats claim that their bills aim to make it harder for states to suppress votes, critics of the legislation say they are attempts to defang state voter identification laws, ban the updating of voter rolls and block poll observers from watching the vote count.

The text of the Freedom to Vote Act, introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, contends that "recent elections and studies" have shown that "minority communities wait longer in lines to vote, are more likely to have their mail ballots rejected, continue to face intimidation at the polls, are more likely to be disenfranchised by voter purges, and are disproportionately burdened by voter identification and other voter restrictions."
Pastor whose church paid him nearly $390K in 1 year apologizes for not paying taxes, fraud

Ever since he was a young boy, North Carolina Pastor Frank Jacobs Sr.s mother noticed he had a taste for expensive things. She warned him that he would have to get a good education to afford them. So he studied hard and ultimately became a pastor, earning nearly $400,000 in one year. It apparently wasnt enough.

Earlier this month, Dena J. King, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced that Jacobs, 51, who led the Rock Worship Center Church in Charlotte from at least 2009 to 2018 and Quest Church in Charlotte from at least 2019 to 2021, pleaded guilty to tax and wire fraud.

Jacobs was accused of filing a false tax return and using fraudulent information to obtain a $52,000 loan from the federal governments coronavirus relief program for small businesses, known as the Paycheck Protection Program.

On Sunday, during a Facebook Live broadcast from Quest Church, Jacobs said very little about his charges. But he told his congregation and supporters that the Bible remains his favorite book and apologized for embarrassing the church.

Its been a tough week, a very tough weeks for me and my family, said the father of five, who is married to online talk show host Kimberly Jacobs.

I first want to apologize to you  as church members and people who follow this ministry for being in a situation where you have to even see this, hear this, deal with this with your friends and colleagues. Im very embarrassed by it, and Im very sorry about it, and I apologize to you that youre enduring this even as I endure it. Im sorry to you because you had nothing to do with it.

Jacobs, who did not immediately respond to calls for further comment from The Christian Post on Monday and appears to have stepped back from his current ministry, said he decided to speak out publicly because he has long been an advocate of personal responsibility.

Most of you know that my favorite book is the Bible, my second favorite book is The Oz Principle of Accountability. And when you do something that you shouldnt do, you ought to take the accountability and responsibility for it. I ask you to forgive me, he said.

I ask you to forgive me for what Ive done, and I appreciate very deeply the many text messages, phone calls that have come to me. Ive not been able to talk in-depth about this  but I appreciate the prayers of the saints. I appreciate the support of the ministry as we continue to move forward. And Im just grateful for the outpouring of love Ive seen as a result of this.  Well get through this. Ill get through this. Keep us lifted up. Keep us in your prayers.

Documents cited by the U.S. Department of Justice show that for tax years 2009 through 2013 and 2015 through 2017, Jacobs failed to file timely U.S. individual income tax returns, Form 1040s, even after he received correspondence from the IRS in some of those years about the need to file and pay taxes.

He filed a return for 2014, claiming he only earned $66,370. But an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service suggests that he had $387,456.35 in income, according to a court document cited by The Charlotte Observer.

On April 22, 2020, Jacobs filed a fraudulent PPP loan application on behalf of Quest Church. He claimed the church paid five employees more than $135,500, but the church did not report any wages to the IRS for the corresponding calendar year and did not pay any withholding taxes.

Jacobs was released on bond following his court appearance last Tuesday and will be sentenced at a later date.

Filing a false tax return carries a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while the wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
1619 Project author gets historical facts wrong

Nikole Hannah-Jones is The New York Times Magazine reporter who wrote the 1619 Project, which is being used in many schools across the country. The 1619 Project postulates that America began in 1619, when the first black slaves were brought here  not 1776, when the founders declared independence.

Hannah-Jones made a historical faux pas in a tweet the other day, in which she said that the U.S. Civil War began in 1865. She later apologized, claiming that her tweet was just poorly worded. She said she knows the conflict that ultimately ended slavery in America began in 1861 and ended in 1865.

We all make mistakes, but I cant help but feel her historical error reveals her lack of a true grasp of our history. Were all entitled to our own opinions, but were not entitled to our own facts.

Hannah-Jones coincidentally doesnt have a firm grasp on the concept of parental rights, either. She recently told Chuck Todd on NBCs Meet the Press: I don't really understand this idea that parents should decide what's being taught. I'm not a professional educator. I don't have a degree in social studies or science ... I think we should leave that to the educators.

Gary Bauer, former Under Secretary of Education for President Reagan, reacts to her remarks: She admits that she's not a professional educator. She's right about that. She's a professional left-wing agitator.

Bauer adds, Parents, policymakers and state legislators are right to ban the 1619 Project. It's garbage! Numerous professional historians have thoroughly debunked it. It has no business in our schools. But she thinks banning her radical screed is a sign of oppression.

Dr. Carol M. Swain is a prominent black scholar who has taught at Vanderbilt Law School and at Princeton. I spoke with her on my radio show about the ongoing battle over American history.

She told me the 1619 Project presents a revisionist history. [It postulates that] the country is racist to the core. Black people built the country. Racism defines who we are as a nation. Swain would remind us: When slavery was introduced into America, we were British colonists.

When I asked her about the idea of America being systemically racist today, she said that the passage of the Civil Rights laws in the 1960s, really ended systemic racism under the law. And any racism that continues is not because of our national structure.

It pains her to see the distortion of our history which is propagandizing whole new generations against America. She said, I care about America. And I care about race relations, and anything [the Left] pushes takes us backwards.

Swain also notes that this America-is-and-always-was-racist message has a crippling effect on underprivileged children because they give up before they ever get started. What a tragedy.

Nonetheless, the historian peddling this false narrative of American history is feted today by the left. Fox News notes that Hannah-Jones was named to TIME's list of the 100 most influential people in 2021. That is scary since she peddles this false narrative that America began because of slavery.

America became America despite the evil practice of slavery. The American founders created the framework whereby slavery could one day be uprooted. And it was  at the cost of about 700,000 lives.

Civil rights leader Bob Woodson of the Woodson Center created the group 1776 Unites, which aims to address our history in an accurate way. He has recently compiled a book entitled, Red, White, and Black: Rescuing American History from Revisionists and Race Hustlers.

Ive interviewed Woodson on several occasions. He told me in reference to the 1619 Project, There are all kinds of historical inaccuracies. We at the Woodson center organized 23-plus scholars and activists to confront this 1619. We called ourselves the 1776 Unites. Many of these scholars are African-American.

There is a battle over history today. But there are a few historical resources that I would point people to. I have a set of The Annals of America, which is a series of volumes put together by the Encyclopedia Britannica in 1976. The first three volumes in this 20-or so book set focus on the settling and the founding eras of America. It provides the text (and context) of the leading documents in American history. God and the Christian faith can be found all over in many of these original sources.

Meanwhile, Yale University has put such key documents online as part of their Avalon Project. This is much more trustworthy  since its the original source  than revisionist claptrap sold to us today by the likes of Nikole Hannah-Jones.

Theres a battle over history in our time. And this battle has big implications as to what our nation was, is, and ever will be.
The best exhibitions and openings of 2022  Europe

From Bourgeois in Basel to Mondrian in Milan, heres our pick of this years must-see shows and events for your diary

1

Donatello, The Renaissance 19 March to 31 July 2022Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi and Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence According to Francesco Caglioti, the curator of Donatello, The Renaissance, weve been looking at the Florentine sculptors work all wrong. Think of his bronze sculpture David. Today it is displayed just above eye level, which creates the impression of a sheepish boy staring at his own feet, he told The Art Newspaper. In reality, he says, the work  the first freestanding nude since antiquity  was designed to be placed on top of a column, transforming Davids gaze into the triumphant attitude of a hero.

Open a larger version of this image Donatello, David, circa 1435-1440. Bronze with gilding traces. 155 x 65 x 60 cm. Firenze, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, inv. Bronzi 95

The first exhibition dedicated to the pioneering sculptor in nearly 40 years puts him back into the context of Quattrocento Florence, and argues that, because of the way he brought an inert art form to life, he is more important than Giotto, Raphael and Caravaggio. It will include around 130 works, spanning his devotional statues, crucifixes and reliquaries, with loans from the Met, the Louvre and the Uffizi. There will also be paintings by the contemporaries he influenced, including Mantegna, Bellini and Masaccio. The mammoth show will be spread between two locations, Florences Palazzo Strozzi and the nearby Museo Nazionale del Bargello, where Caglioti hopes to re-mount David as he was intended to be seen. In 2023, smaller versions of the exhibition will travel to the Gemaldegalerie in Berlin and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where experts from each will propose different chronologies for Donatellos works.

2

Francis Bacon: Man and Beast 29 January to 17 April 2022Royal Academy, London Francis Bacons paintings of semi-human forms, swollen and twisted, are uniquely disturbing. I have always hoped to put across a thing as raw and directly as possible, he once said, and this exhibition at the Royal Academy in London reveals that his nightmarish visions were partly shaped by a fascination with animals. The artist spent hours at Regents Park zoo, observing its inhabitants, filling sketchbooks with studies of apes and monkeys anguished in their confinement. He was a keen collector of wildlife books, and the floor of his Kensington studio was littered with photographs by Eadweard Muybridge of animals in motion.

Open a larger version of this image Francis Bacon, Portrait of George Dyer Crouching, 1966. Oil on canvas. 198 x 147 cm. Private collection.  The Estate of Francis Bacon. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2021. Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd

A ruthless student of the human condition, Bacon believed that the closer he got to animals the better he could understand humanity. The resulting paintings are savage and primordial, and suggest that we are all slaves to our basest emotions.

3

Edvard Munch. In Dialogue 18 February to 19 June 2022Albertina Museum, Vienna Despite the global pandemic, 2021 was quite a year for the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. It began with the exhibition Tracey Emin / Edvard Munch: The Loneliness of the Soul at the Royal Academy in London. In March, Munchs two-metre-wide Linde Frieze sold for more than 16 million at auction, and October saw the launch of Oslos new Munch Museum, one of the worlds largest institutions dedicated to a single artist.

Open a larger version of this image Edvard Munch, Winter Landscape, 1915. Albertina Museum, Vienna  The Batliner Collection. Photo:  The Albertina Museum, Vienna

Open a larger version of this image Georg Baselitz, Forest Landscape, 1974. Oil on canvas. Albertina Museum, Vienna  The ESSL Collection.  Georg Baselitz

More than 60 of Munchs paintings will illustrate his impact on this generation of artists, from Emins documentation of personal trauma in her work to Baselitzs experiments with vivid pigments and free, almost violent brushwork to capture a sense of isolation in his landscapes.

4

Louise Bourgeois x Jenny Holzer: The Violence of Handwriting Across a Page 19 February to 15 May 2022Kunstmuseum, Basel In 2013 The Guardian asked American artist Jenny Holzer, who is best known for her text-based prints and projections, which other artists she most admired. The first female she named was the sculptor and painter Louise Bourgeois. At first glance the work of Holzer and Bourgeois might seem radically different; yet both artists shared a love of language, and Bourgeois was in fact an obsessive writer. Before Bourgeoiss death in 2010, the pair became close friends.

Open a larger version of this image Louise Bourgeois, Extreme Tension, 2007. Etching and mixed media on paper (11 panels of varied dimensions). 148.6 x 162.6 cm.  The Easton Foundation/Licensed by ProLitteris and VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Photo: Benjamin Shiff.







In The Violence of Handwriting Across a Page, Basels Kunstmuseum has given Holzer carte blanche to curate a show of Bourgeoiss work, with the aim of providing a new  and more personal  perspective on her career. The exhibition will take over nine galleries on the second floor of the Kunstmuseums Neubau venue. Each room will be arranged thematically as an autonomous installation, covering topics such as love, abandonment and death. In the museums original Hauptbau galleries, Holzer will install one of Bourgeoiss huge mechanical works on rails, and place another of her sculptures in dialogue with a painting by Hans Holbein the Younger.

5

Hyperreal. The Art of Trompe lOeil 16 March to 22 May 2022Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, Madrid Since antiquity, artists have aspired towards the creation of a work so lifelike that it would seem real. Take the Greek painter Zeuxis from the 5th century BC, for example: it was said he could render grapes so convincingly that birds would peck at his murals. By the Renaissance, learning to paint with perspective was considered a cornerstone of an artists training; and in 1800 the term trompe loeil (French for deceive the eye), was adopted for illusionary works after Louis-Leopold Boilly used it as the title for a canvas painted to look like a three-dimensional collection of drawings.

Open a larger version of this image Samuel van Hoogstraten, Trompe l'Oeil Still Life, 1666-1678. Oil on canvas. 63 x 79 cm. Karlsruhe, Staatliche Kunsthalle. Photo:  Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe

The Thyssen-Bornemiszas exhibition reassesses the impact of trompe loeil techniques on easel painting between the 15th and 21st centuries, featuring works by Jan van Eyck, Francesco del Cossa, Carlo Crivelli and Samuel van Hoogstraten. It is divided into themes including still lifes, deceptions of the visual frame, depictions of hidden spaces and imaginative tricks to surprise the viewer. One section is also devoted to quodlibets, a sub-genre of trompe loeil paintings that depict letters, playing cards, ribbons, scissors and other objects in apparently accidental arrangements.

6

Van Gogh Self-Portraits 3 February to 8 May 2022Courtauld Gallery, London It seems such a good idea that one cant believe it hasnt been done before: to stage an exhibition dedicated to Vincent van Goghs self-portraits. He painted these throughout his career, and around half of the 35 surviving examples are being brought together at the Courtauld Gallery (which owns one of the most famous, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear from 1889).

Open a larger version of this image Vincent van Gogh, Self-Portrait, 1889. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Of all the great masters before him, only Rembrandt painted more self-portraits, and the show will explore what prompted Van Gogh to depict himself so often. As he told his sister, Wil, one motivation was that he loathed the then-new practice of photography and sought, when it came to portraiture of any kind, a deeper likeness than that of a photographer. The way Van Gogh captured his own likeness with soul-baring frankness has ensured his self-portraits enduring popularity.

7

Piet Mondrian: From Figuration to Abstraction Until 27 MarchMudec, Milan Mondrian is best known for the geometrically abstract paintings he made over the course of more than two decades. These consisted of grids of criss-crossing black lines (vertical and horizontal) with blocks of white, red, yellow or blue within. Interestingly, however, the Dutchman was almost 50 before he adopted this spare pictorial language. This new exhibition investigates what came earlier. Put concisely, Mondrian began by scrutinising the natural world, then progressively pared down his descriptions of it, before finally eradicating it from his work altogether.

Open a larger version of this image Piet Mondrian, Oostzijdse Mill with Extended Blue, Yellow and Purple Sky, circa 1907-1908. Oil on canvas. Kunstmuseum Den Haag

He referred to the evolution of his style as a walk from the countryside to the town. This certainly rings true when one considers early works such as Oostzijdse Mill with Extended Blue, Yellow and Purple Sky (1907-8), above, which fall squarely into the tradition of Dutch landscape painting.

8

Raphael 9 April to 31 July 2022National Gallery, London In his brief career, spanning just two decades, Raphael (1483-1520) helped shape the course of Western art. Working at the peak of the Italian High Renaissance, he captured the humanist ideals of beauty, love, friendship and the divine with a dynamism, clarity and serenity that had never been seen before.

Open a larger version of this image Raphael, The Madonna and Child with the Infant Baptist (The Garvagh Madonna), circa 1509-10. Oil on wood. 38.9 x 32.9 cm. Photo:  The National Gallery, London

This major exhibition, originally scheduled for October 2020  the year that marked the 500th anniversary of Raphaels death  is the first to explore every aspect of his practice, from his celebrated paintings and drawings to his lesser-known works in architecture, archaeology, tapestry and print. There will be more than 90 works on display, including significant loans from the Louvre, the Uffizi and the Hermitage, which together reveal the breadth of Raphaels skill, creativity and ingenuity.

9

Charles Ray 16 February to 6 June 2022

Bourse de Commerce, Paris Charles Ray (b. 1953) is widely recognised as one of the most important sculptors of the past 20 years. His life-size sculptures of figures, animals and inanimate objects, whether in fibreglass, aluminium, cement, paper or polished steel, draw on classical art and antiquity, and play with notions of scale, spatial tension and distorted realities. Their strange familiarity, as Ray puts it, challenges any preconceptions, making the viewer look twice.

Open a larger version of this image Charles Ray, Unbaled Truck, 2021. 1948 Chevy Truck. 193 x 183 x 529 cm.  Charles Ray, Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery. Photo: Joshua White



Curated in close collaboration with the artist, this ambitious monographic exhibition spans both the Bourse de Commerce  Pinault Collection and the nearby Centre Pompidou. Around 20 pieces will be shown in each museum, including six previously unseen works from the Pinault Collection. These simultaneous exhibitions will offer complementary perspectives on Rays complex practice.

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10

Opening of the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design 11 June 2022

Oslo

Open a larger version of this image Norways new National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, home to a collection of 400,000 artworks. Photo: Iwan Baan

June sees the opening of Norways new National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design. Located in Oslos Radhusplassen, the 54,600-square-metre building will house the museums collection of around 400,000 works of art, spanning painting, sculpture, drawing, architecture, design and decorative arts from antiquity to the present day. Of these around 5,000 will go on display, among them Edvard Munchs The Scream (1893) and Madonna (1894-1895).

Open a larger version of this image Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1893. Photo: The National Museum Norway / Brre Hstland Open a larger version of this image Edvard Munch, Madonna, 1894-1895. Photo: The National Museum Norway / Brre Hstland
A company that has stuck around the San Francisco Bay Area for 43 years announced it's moving to Utah in the spring.

Mrs. Grossman's Paper Company, credited with spawning the sticker craze of the 1980s, is shutting down its Petaluma headquarters and factory, citing the high cost of doing business in California as one reason for leaving the state, a letter posted online at the start of 2022 said. The company said it has purchased a new building in Utah.

The factory was long been a destination for local families and school children who got an up-close look at the sticker-making process  dancing bears and jelly beans being printed and cut on massive machines  on guided tours. The tour ended in the craft room where kids created their own art piece with piles of vibrant and glittery stickers. The tours stopped in 2019.

The company said it's also closing its wholesale business, which struggled in the COVID pandemic, and will focus on online sales and its sticker club, which mails new designs to members every month.

"With redirected effort in these two areas, we plan on offering a lot more on our website and boost our club offering," the company said. "In 2022 you will see some products that we are currently out-of-stock of come back while also adding products that we have not had in many, many years."

Andrea Grossman launched the company in 1979 with a glossy red heart sticker that has become a symbol of the 1980s sticker mania, when kids plastered books with their collections of stickers.

The story goes that a friend who owned a gift shop in Sausalito asked Grossman to design a heart to stick on gift wrap for Valentine's Day, a bio posted on the company site said.

Grossman sent a design to a label maker, asking that the hearts be printed on sheets. Instead, the stickers were printed on rolls, like ribbons.

"Andrea immediately realized this dazzling mistake could turn into something pretty interesting," the site said. "These gorgeous heart stickers could be more than something to decorate a product; they just might be the product itself."

Grossman designed more stickers and launched "stickers by the yard" at a national stationery show. She was flooded with orders.

"America Is Getting Stuck-Up," read a 1984 story in People magazine.

"Grossman ... made a flock of hearts, sold them on a roll and attracted so many adherents that she now peddles 150 varieties worldwide," the article in People said.

Grossman's son Jason Grossman is now president of the company, and he told ABC 7 that's he's sad about the move.

"I mean, we've been an institution here forever," he said.

He added: "The pandemic changed things. I just found moving out of this state easier for business, and I need everything easier now, I'm getting old."
Traffic in San Francisco is about to slow down.

Mayor London Breed's office announced Thursday that the city has begun the process to reduce the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph in seven corridors, taking a major step toward its goal to eliminate all traffic fatalities on city streets by 2024.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is installing signage with the new speed limits starting this week in the areas below. The project is expected to take two to three months to complete.

-24th Street, from Diamond to Chattanooga streets and from Valencia Street to San Bruno Avenue

-Fillmore Street, from Chestnut to Union streets and from Jackson to McAllister streets

-Haight Street, from Stanyan Street to Central Avenue and from Webster to Steiner streets

-Polk Street, from Filbert to Sutter streets

-Ocean Avenue, from Geneva Avenue to Victoria Street and from Junipero Serra Boulevard to 19th Avenue

-San Bruno Avenue, from Silver to Paul avenues

-Valencia Street, from Cesar Chavez to Market streets

The change comes after a new state bill went into effect Jan. 1 allowing cities to lower speed limits to improve safety on streets where at least half of the properties are occupied by shops and restaurants. "Before the passage of this bill, cities across California, including San Francisco, were limited in their ability to adjust local speed limits," the mayor's office said. "The California Department of Transportation requires cities to set speed limits at the speed of the car going faster than 85 out of 100 drivers. AB 43 enables cities to determine speed limits for certain corridors based on factors like safety and other street uses."

The agency is expected to propose additional corridors where reducing the speed limit could improve safety this spring.

Speed is the leading cause of serious and fatal crashes in San Francisco, so reducing speeds is the single most effective tool for achieving Vision Zero, said agency director Jeffrey Tumlin said in a statement. Just 5 mph can be the difference in whether someone survives a crash. Under AB 43, well be able to set speeds that create safer conditions for all along these key corridors.

San Francisco adopted Vision Zero in 2014 with a commitment to building safer streets and adopting policy changes that save lives. Data going back to 2006 shows that on average 30 people  pedestrians, drivers, passengers, cyclists and motorcyclists  die and more than 200 more are seriously injured while traveling on city streets each year. There were 27 deaths in 2021 and 30 in 2020. In November, a vehicle fatally struck a San Francisco public school educator while he was walking in Cow Hollow, steps from the school where he taught.

Through a pilot program, San Francisco reduced speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph in the Tenderloin in April. The neighborhood is part of a small percentage of streets  13%  that account for 75% of severe traffic injury collisions and fatalities, according to the the SFMTA.
In the latest trading session, EOG Resources (EOG) closed at $102, marking a -0.75% move from the previous day. This change was narrower than the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.42%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.47%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the oil and gas company had gained 21.18% over the past month. This has outpaced the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 8.29% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.39% in that time.

EOG Resources will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. The company is expected to report EPS of $3.23, up 354.93% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $5.93 billion, up 99.82% from the prior-year quarter.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for EOG Resources. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.41% lower within the past month. EOG Resources is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note EOG Resources's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 10.13. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 6.24.

Investors should also note that EOG has a PEG ratio of 0.49 right now. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. EOG's industry had an average PEG ratio of 0.29 as of yesterday's close.

The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 202, putting it in the bottom 21% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything

Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the Internet of Money and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree were still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities.

Zacks has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly.

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If investors are looking at the Mutual Fund Equity Report fund category, Fidelity Advisor Mid Cap Value I (FMPOX) could be a potential option. FMPOX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance.

History of Fund/Manager

Fidelity is based in Boston, MA, and is the manager of FMPOX. The Fidelity Advisor Mid Cap Value I made its debut in February of 2007 and FMPOX has managed to accumulate roughly $129.08 million in assets, as of the most recently available information. The fund's current manager is a team of investment professionals.

Performance

Obviously, what investors are looking for in these funds is strong performance relative to their peers. FMPOX has a 5-year annualized total return of 9.68% and is in the middle third among its category peers. But if you are looking for a shorter time frame, it is also worth looking at its 3-year annualized total return of 18.69%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame.

When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. Over the past three years, FMPOX's standard deviation comes in at 23.45%, compared to the category average of 16.36%. The fund's standard deviation over the past 5 years is 19.77% compared to the category average of 13.71%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade.

Risk Factors

With a 5-year beta of 1.17, the fund is likely to be more volatile than the market average. Another factor to consider is alpha, as it reflects a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark-in this case, the S&P 500. FMPOX has generated a negative alpha over the past five years of -9.47, demonstrating that managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns.

Holdings

Investigating the equity holdings of a mutual fund is also a valuable exercise. This can show us how the manager is applying their stated methodology, as well as if there are any inherent biases in their approach. For this particular fund, the focus is largely on equities that are traded in the United States.

Right now, 95.56% of this mutual fund's holdings are stocks, with an average market capitalization of $19.30 billion. The fund has the heaviest exposure to the following market sectors:

Finance Retail Trade Industrial Cyclical

This fund's turnover is about 67%, so the fund managers are making more trades in a given year than the average of comparable funds.

Expenses

For investors, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is key, since costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing. Competition is heating up in this space, and a lower cost product will likely outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, all things being equal. In terms of fees, FMPOX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.51% compared to the category average of 1.11%. So, FMPOX is actually cheaper than its peers from a cost perspective.

This fund requires a minimum initial investment of $0, while there is no minimum for each subsequent investment.

Bottom Line

Overall, Fidelity Advisor Mid Cap Value I ( FMPOX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively similar performance, worse downside risk, and lower fees, this fund looks like a great potential choice for investors right now.

Your research on the Mutual Fund Equity Report segment doesn't have to stop here. You can check out all the great mutual fund tools we have to offer by going to www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds to see the additional features we offer as well for additional information. Zacks provides a full suite of tools to help you analyze your portfolio - both funds and stocks - in the most efficient way possible.

Infrastructure Stock Boom to Sweep America

A massive push to rebuild the crumbling U.S. infrastructure will soon be underway. Its bipartisan, urgent, and inevitable. Trillions will be spent. Fortunes will be made.

The only question is Will you get into the right stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?

Zacks has released a Special Report to help you do just that, and today its free. Discover 5 special companies that look to gain the most from construction and repair to roads, bridges, and buildings, plus cargo hauling and energy transformation on an almost unimaginable scale.

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



Get Your Free (FMPOX): Fund Analysis Report



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Sunrun (RUN) closed the most recent trading day at $32.76, moving -1.47% from the previous trading session. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.42%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.47%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the solar energy products distributor had lost 7.66% over the past month. This has lagged the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 8.29% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.39% in that time.

Investors will be hoping for strength from Sunrun as it approaches its next earnings release. In that report, analysts expect Sunrun to post earnings of $0.10 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 266.67%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $398.99 million, up 24.52% from the prior-year quarter.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Sunrun. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-team stock moves. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 17.81% lower. Sunrun is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

The Solar industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 195, putting it in the bottom 24% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything

Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the Internet of Money and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree were still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities.

Zacks has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly.

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



Sunrun Inc. (RUN): Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research

Copyright 2022 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Virginia House of Delegates speaker, Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, right, talks with majority leader Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Lee, prior to opening ceremonies in the Virginia House chambers at the Capitol Wednesday Jan. 12, 2022, in Richmond. (Steve Helber/AP)

It was easy to tell the difference between Democrats and Republicans at the start of Virginias 2022 General Assembly session. Just look at who was wearing a mask.

Not a single House Republican donned a face covering as lawmakers reconvened Wednesday in Richmond among record-breaking COVID-19 numbers. Republican senators also largely went maskless, while Democrats in both chambers generally chose to keep their faces covered amid a statewide surge in cases largely driven by the highly transmissible omicron variant, according to a recent clinicians letter from outgoing state Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver.

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On Monday, Virginia recorded nearly 20,000 new infections. Hospitalizations also have reached higher levels than at any other point during the pandemic.

The lack of masking amid a coronavirus surge frustrated Democrats and spurred continued debate on operating procedures for the 60-day session. Neither chamber is requiring masks or vaccinations among members. There also were no mandates for lawmakers during a brief in-person session in August, when the General Assembly met to allocate nearly $4 billion in federal pandemic relief funds.

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At the time, though, Virginia was recording historically low case counts combined with relatively high vaccination rates. Gov. Ralph Northams COVID-19 state of emergency had just recently expired, marking an end to statewide health and safety measures. Improving metrics were raising hopes that the pandemic was coming to an end, in sharp contrast to the current wave of infections, said former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax. She described the disparity in masking among Democrat and Republican lawmakers as disturbing.

If theres something we can do as leaders to keep people safe, we should do it, she said. And we also need to make sure that the General Assembly can continue to operate.

Throughout the pandemic, both chambers have tried to accommodate the possibility of an outbreak among legislators. Senate leaders have allowed members to vote virtually as needed, and current House rules allow newly elected Speaker Todd Gilbert to authorize remote voting for any member forced to isolate or quarantine.

Democratic lawmakers, clockwise from bottom left, Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, Sen. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, confer outside the House of Delegates chamber in the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, the fourth day of the General Assembly Special Session. (BOB BROWN/AP)

Before a final vote on the rules, though, House Democrats pushed the speaker to make those exceptions more explicit. Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, introduced several amendments to clarify remote voting policies, including a change that would require Gilbert to allow remote voting for members. Another would have allowed him to reconvene an entirely virtual session with a simple majority vote, rather than requiring support from two-thirds of the House.

The requirement for a super majority doesnt really make sense in this context, Simon said on the floor. I think its a guarantee that we wont end up meeting remotely again.

The amendments were defeated in 51-48 party line votes. Republicans, who now hold a two-seat majority in House, had criticized Filler-Corns decision to meet remotely throughout most of the pandemic.

Republican leaders described the changes as unnecessary, and defended the decision to forgo face coverings in the crowded House chamber.

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We left it up to each member whether to wear or not wear a mask on the floor, said Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, who stated he was fully vaccinated (though not boosted) and had already contracted the virus.

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Most of our members are fully vaccinated and opted not to wear one. Im not saying I couldnt get it again  I dont know. But I had it mild the first time and I hope that with the immunization, it would be mild again.

There also was some sparring in the Senate over plexiglass structures separating senators. Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, complained that the barriers remind him of Dustin Hoffman beating on the church doors at the end of The Graduate. Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, an OB-GYN, said the barriers arent an effective mitigation measure and actually obstruct ventilation.

Theres great evidence to support anyone who wants their cage removed, she said.

.@MarkObenshain stands to express dismay at the plexiglas barriers erected around the senators' desks in the chamber, saying members are just pushing their chairs back and communicating face to face anyway.  Sarah Vogelsong (@SarahVogelsong) January 12, 2022

Sen. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake, reminded the senators of the death of Sen. Ben Chafin, R-Russell, of COVID-19 last year.

Keep the glass up, Sen. Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax said.

This story was originally published by the Virginia Mercury. Reporter Sarah Vogelsong contributed to this report.
Puzzle maker Matthew Goins has a dream that someday, maybe 15 or 20 years from now, hes going to meet a young Black woman who tells him that she was inspired to become a doctor because of the Future Doctor puzzles he created. Maybe its a young Black man who became a chef, also because of his puzzles.

Goinss Puzzle Huddle, which launched in 2018, was born out of frustration. When his three children  now four, six, and eight  were old enough to start doing puzzles, Goins says he and his wife were dismayed by the lack of representation in existing childrens puzzles. You get majority children, you get dinosaurs and farm animals, and flowers, Goins says. What I wanted was, first, diversity but then also representation in different environments [and professions]. No matter how hard he looked, he couldnt find puzzles with images of children whose skin tone, hair texture, and eye color matched his familys. They just did not exist. I shopped on every platform to the last page of image libraries. They werent there. It was a bit surprising.

So, Goins set about making his own puzzles for his kids, printing out images hed found online of scientists and doctors and other professionals and spray-gluing them to cardboard, which he then cut into puzzle-sized pieces. The final product, he says, was poor at best. He took it up a notch, running to the craft store for cork board, foam board, chipboard, press board, an X-Acto knife, and better scissors. Still, his rudimentary puzzles werent good enough. It was taking me too long to cut them and print them, and my kids were too heavy handed on them  they were ruined too quickly, he says. To spend six hours cutting the puzzle  was not a solution that was going to really solve the problem in the right way.

Matthew Goins

Goins says he simply wanted to buy some puzzles, spend some quality time with my family, and go to work in the morning. But this idea wouldnt let me sleep. I have an undergraduate degree in business, and I have an MBA. I have a business-minded brain. And that part of my brain is always on, he says. We thought, Well, if our kids need diverse puzzles, gosh, our friends may, too. Thats why I started to look for a better way to scale a product solution, instead of finding more time to cut more puzzles in my kitchen.

Surprise, I sell puzzles now



In 2016, Goins was working for a technology company. While three kids, diapers, daycare costs, and more made it a bad time for a new venture, Goins says he couldnt un-glue himself from solving the puzzle of producing puzzles. My background provided the conviction, he says. Raised in Detroit, his mother is a retired elementary school principal; his wife, who grew up in Philadelphia, was a college professor and is now a college dean.

Goins says he didnt know anything about the toy industry, and puzzle manufacturers in particular, so he simply began studying  ultimately discovering a gift card company that was printing postcard-sized puzzles as invitations for events like weddings and baby showers. He hired the company to print a small run of 4 x 6 puzzles, built a website, and announced his new venture on Facebook. Hey, surprise, I sell puzzles now! he says he posted.

People started buying our delightfully small puzzles, Goins says, remembering how quickly his living room transformed into a distribution facility. The puzzles were shipped from the manufacturer to his home, and one by one, Goins stuffed puzzles into a sleeve and then an envelope and mailed them off to his brand-new customers.

Goins says there were some pretty funny reactions to that first generation of puzzles he produced, like the buyer who emailed asking, Do you know that puzzles normally come in a box? Goins says, laughing at the memory. Yes, but I was just cutting puzzles a few weeks ago with a pair of scissors, so Im a mile away from where I was! Goins recalls thinking, celebrating that hed come as far as he had in such a short time.

Matthew Goins

2020 hindsight



Puzzle Huddle had already become a player in the puzzle industry when the companys puzzles landed on Oprahs Favorite Things list during the 2020 holiday season. The pandemic had been an accelerant for the small company. Everybody was at home scrambling for something for their kids to do in the home environment. So we sold a lot of puzzles in the wake of the schools closing. Then, George Floyds murder and the medias attention on Black Lives Matter and Black-owned businesses helped boost sales, too; Goins says he turned much of his success into donations, giving away hundreds of puzzles to those who wanted a puzzle but couldnt afford to buy his products.

By 2021, Puzzle Huddle had tripled in size and was now, indeed, selling puzzles in boxes. We focus on minorities and professional images all designed to affirm and inspire children of color, Goins says. Celebrating its fourth anniversary this month, Puzzle Huddle now also sells pillows, blankets, and T-shirts branded with images from his puzzle collection. In June 2021, Goins moved the company from his DC home into a warehouse facility in Rockville, Maryland, where he distributes to Macys, as well as two DC stores, Nubian Hueman and Mahogany Books. He also continues to sell online.

All this comes after Goins had simply wanted to make a difference for his three, small children. Now, hopefully, he says, a few years and a lot of puzzles later, we will have made a difference for a whole generation of children.

This article was featured in the InsideHook DC newsletter. Sign up now for more from the Beltway.

The post The DC Dad Who Built a Puzzle Empire From His Living Room appeared first on InsideHook.
After earning the Texas Main Street designation from the Texas Historical Commissioner in October, the Conroe City Council approved the member of an advisory board and adopted the organizations bylaws.

The members of the board are Rodney Pool, Scott Harper, Patricia Brown, Janese Sokulski, Larry Foerster, Mike Canada, Melani Lyndsey Carla Alsandor and Todd Yancey. The members will serve two-year terms.

Downtown Director Frank Robinson said the board can also appoint six ex officio members as well.

On yourcouriernews.com: Conroe looks to land Texas Main Street designation

In June, the council agreed to move forward with renewing its membership with a program that could help bolster downtown and help restore the citys historic buildings by restoring them and preserving their rich history.

The Texas Main Street Program, which is part of the Texas Historical Commission, is responsible for assisting designated historic commercial area in cities with populations of more than 50,001.

Robinson spoke to the city council during a June workshop, noting the city was a member of the program in 2006 but discontinued its participation. Since the city has grown, he said now is the time to apply for the designation again.

We have grown mightily, he said. We want to follow the direction of our Conroe Downtown Development Plan, which does recommend we get back into this program.

According to the Texas Historical Commissions website, the Texas Main Street program was introduced in 1980 by THC Commissioner Anice Read as part of the national roll out of a then-new concept for the revitalization of historic downtown areas.

The greatest benefit is the full range of design services from the professionally trained and licensed staff at the state level, Robinson said. Much of that is provided to our property owners who are wanting to revitalize or repurpose their buildings and deal with infill space.

Council members were supportive of the program and said it was a great next step for the city.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
A former Houston Methodist doctor previously suspended for spreading COVID-19 misinformation online is still a licensed physician in the state of Texas despite continuing to promote false claims about vaccines and the virus on her social media.

Mary Talley Bowden, an ear, nose and throat specialist who runs a private practice in River Oaks, resigned in November from Houston Methodist shortly after the hospital revoked her privileges for "spreading dangerous misinformation" and sharing "harmful" personal and political opinions about the coronavirus vaccine and treatments.

Months later, Bowden has not ceased such posts. She still tweets in support of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as a treatment for the coronavirus, despite warnings from public health officials advising people not to take it. In November, Bowden's attorney Steve Mitby told the Washington Post that his client has treated more than 2,000 COVID-19 patients and is "not anti-vaccine." On Monday, however, she tweeted "I can think of no medically valid reason for anyone to get the vaccine now," later celebrating the fact that Twitter had not suspended her account for sharing such information.

Bowden has also used her platform to mock and call out local officials, like Texas state Rep. Gene Wu. On Monday in response to County Judge Lina Hidalgo raising the COVID-19 threat level to "Red" in response to increased hospitalizations in the area due to the Omicron-variant, Bowden blamed vaccinated individuals for the surge. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows unvaccinated individuals are more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than those who are vaccinated.

Bowden currently operates out of Breathe MD off of Kirby Dr., where she prefers to employ members who are unvaccinated. In a December Instagram post, Bowden announced she had recently hired Jennifer Bridges, a former Houston Methodist nurse who was fired last year for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Bridges allegedly treated Bowden earlier this month for COVID-19, Bowden said in a tweet.

Bowden was licensed as a physician in Texas in 2000 and still maintains her specialty certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology, according to Texas Medical Board records. Her records show no history of discipline or medical malpractice investigations, the Houston Chronicle reports.

In July, the Federation of State Medical Boards issued a warning that "Physicians who generate and spread COVID-19 vaccine misinformation or disinformation are risking disciplinary action by state medical boards, including the suspension or revocation of their medical license."
FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2014 file photo, tools used for DNA testing are shown in a DNA lab at the forensic science center of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in Edmond, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) (Sue Ogrocki)

Shortly after Virginia Beach police arrested a 21-year-old man in January 2020 and charged him with molesting a young relative, detectives showed him a report indicating hed been linked to the crime through DNA evidence, according to court records.

The purported scientific report, however, wasnt real.

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It was a forged certificate of analysis that a detective created, then showed to Christian Zeigler to get him to confess, according to a court document filed after the ruse was discovered. The certificate was written on letterhead from the Department of Forensic Science, with the seal of the commonwealth printed at the top.

After he was presented with the false document, Zeigler admitted to assaulting the child and was ordered held without bond in the city jail, according to court documents.

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At a bond hearing held several months later, a prosecutor, who believed the DNA certificate was legitimate, used it to successfully argue that Zeigler should remain jailed without bond until his trial.

It wasnt until two months later the prosecutor found out the certificate had been made up by police, said Macie Allen, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Commonwealths Attorneys Office. She immediately notified Zeiglers public defender and scheduled a new bond hearing. Two days later, a judge granted him a $10,000 bond and he was released  nearly eight months after hed first been jailed.

The case is one of at least five in which Virginia Beach police used forged DNA documents to try to get a confession from a suspect, according to an investigative report issued this week by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring that publicly revealed the departments use of the tactic.

[ Related: Virginia Beach police used fake DNA results during interrogations, attorney general investigation finds ]

Herrings Office of Civil Rights initiated its investigation earlier this year after learning Virginia Beach police had been using forged documents to try to induce confessions. The police department cooperated with the investigation, Herring said, and signed an agreement promising to no longer use such tactics.

Virginia Beach Public Defender Cal Bain said that while state and federal courts have repeatedly ruled that police can lie to suspects during interrogations, he believes using fake documents with official letterhead goes too far. Bain also expressed concern about how at least one of the documents even fooled a prosecutor and a judge, and how such actions further damage the publics faith in the justice system.

The use of fake evidence creates a real risk that others might be deceived as well, including prosecutors, defense attorneys and the court. And that, in fact, seems to have happened in one of these cases, Bain said, referring to Zeiglers case. How can we ever have confidence in an outcome obtained through lies and deceit?

Police Chief Paul Neudigate, who wasnt in control of the department during the time the tactic was employed, said in a statement hed ordered his officers to stop as soon as he learned about it. The chief said he found out about it in April 2021, when Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran contacted him.

The police department conducted its own investigation, the chiefs statement said. In reviewing about 9,600 cases, investigators discovered the tactic had been used five times between March 2016 and February 2020.

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The department said in an email Friday that of the five cases, two ended in guilty findings, one is still making its way through the court system, one was not prosecuted, and the other was expunged, which means records about the conviction were destroyed or sealed.

Three officers were involved in the ruse, police said. No action was taken but all officers have been told that the technique is not to be used again and that theyll be disciplined if they do.

Court documents obtained by The Virginian-Pilot in two of the five cases identify two of the officers involved as Detective Amanda Robey, a member of the departments Special Victims Unit, and Detective Kristy Curtis, who works as a cold case detective.

A police spokesperson said Friday all the involved detectives declined comment for this story.

While police officers are legally allowed to lie to suspects during interrogations, Neudigate said during interviews Thursday with two local news stations he believed the use of forged documents crossed a line and damaged the departments reputation. A police spokesperson said the chief wasnt available for an interview with The Pilot on Friday.

Bain, the public defender, said his office was appointed to defend two of the five suspects whod been shown phony DNA documents. Zeigler was one. The other is Rahsaan Stewart, a 23-year-old Virginia Beach man who was charged with sexually assaulting a woman after persuading her to let him come inside her home to use her phone.

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Stewart was arrested five days after the Feb. 6, 2020, incident. The phony DNA certificate created by police is included in his court file. Its dated Feb. 7, just one day after the assault occurred, and claims that his DNA was found on the womans underwear and on a sock used to wipe semen from her.

When Assistant Public Defender Matthew Cramer learned of the forged certificate, he submitted a motion to the court accusing police of engaging in a ruse that shocks the conscience and asked that any statements his client made to officers be suppressed as a result.

Cramers motion said the phony document was created by Robey and claimed she had done this in other investigations, and she is currently under review for this practice.

Breaking News As it happens Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. >

Also named in the motion is Curtis, who the document said joined the interrogation and referred to the fabricated DNA evidence in an attempt to get a confession from Stewart.

The fake certificate bears the seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is on official letterhead, and is very detailed, Cramer wrote in his motion. No layperson would ever know the difference between this fake certificate and a real certificate.

Cramer also accused the officers of continuing to question Stewart after he made it clear that he didnt want to talk to them.

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Police later obtained legitimate DNA evidence that linked Stewart to the crime, according to his court file.

He pleaded guilty in October to several charges including abduction with the intent to defile, aggravated sexual battery, and attempted forcible sodomy and is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday.

Zeigler is set to enter a guilty plea in his case on Feb. 2, according to the prosecutors office. No DNA, however, was ever found to link him to the case.

Jane Harper, 757-222-5097, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
Gov. Ralph Northam arrives to the Virginia House to give his final State of the Commonwealth before a joint session of the General Assembly in Richmond on Wednesday. (Bob Brown/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP) (BOB BROWN/AP)

Rocked by a scandal that nearly forced him from office, Ralph Northam survived to usher the commonwealth through the largest movement for racial justice since the civil rights era. A pediatric neurologist by trade, he helped Virginia through a devastating global pandemic.

It can be difficult to feel the full weight of history as it unfolds and takes shape but thats not the case for the consequential four-year term of Virginias 73rd governor, which concludes on Saturday.

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Northam, a former state senator and lieutenant governor, campaigned for Virginias highest office in 2017 as a plain-spoken son of the Eastern Shore, but as someone committed to progressive change.

Virginia has told us to end the divisiveness, that we will not condone hatred and bigotry  and to end the politics that have torn this country apart, he said on election night. Its going to take a doctor to heal our differences.

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Pulled to the left during the Democratic Party primary, Northam stayed there during a general election campaign in which Republican Party candidate Ed Gillespie stoked fear that Central American street gangs would flourish under a Northam administration.

Voters soundly rejected those tactics and Northam won by nine points. But the House of Delegates remained under Republican control thanks to a toss-up race in Newport News, decided by the drawing of lots.

That forced the new governor to reach across the aisle to advance his agenda. To the credit of the General Assembly, lawmakers worked with Northam to pass a budget that included Medicaid expansion. A milestone for the commonwealth, it provided health coverage to more than 550,000 people since passage.

Northam cites it as one of his proudest achievements in office, though hardly the only one. Under his leadership and in partnership with the General Assembly, Virginia abolished the death penalty, legalized marijuana and welcomed Amazon (along with thousands of jobs and millions in investment) to the commonwealth.

His administration made important strides to improve transportation, including Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion, and protect the environment through the Clean Economy Act and other measures to address climate change and protect vulnerable communities, such as those in Hampton Roads.

An Army veteran, Northam worked to serve the military and veteran community, working to preserve Virginias status as the most military-friendly state in the nation through initiatives such as the G3 community college program.

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Northam was also at the helm of state government during the COVID-19 pandemic, which placed tremendous strain on all aspects of life in Virginia. Absentee leadership by the federal government at the outset of the crisis thrust governors into the spotlight, and Northams steady leadership saved lives.

Any one of those would have been a fine legacy for a governor. That they all happened under Northam speaks to how consequential his term in office proved to be.

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But the 2019 scandal which embroiled the governor will forever stain his term in office.

A photo in Northams medical school yearbook of two people  one wearing blackface and another in Ku Klux Klan robes  spurred calls for his resignation, including from this editorial board. Instead, Northam resolved to remain in office and make progress on racial justice.

That movement accelerated during nationwide protests in 2020. Racial justice reforms and a push for equity followed, but to assign that progress only to one mans search for forgiveness would be a slap in the face to the activists and lawmakers who put in the work and fought for years to move Virginia forward.

No governor escapes from office unscathed, and Northam will forever wear the mark of that revelation and the pain it caused. But his willingness to learn and grow and confront that pain head on was a constructive response to a personal and professional embarrassment.

As he returns to Norfolk and his medical career, Northam can take pride in having fulfilled the central charge of any governor: Virginia is a better place for having him in office.
A traffic stop north of Laredo yielded 28 migrants, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

A trooper working Operation Lone Star on mile marker 30 of Interstate 35 spotted a white tractor traveling north on the west access road, circumventing the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. The trooper tried to pull over the vehicle for operating without a registration insignia.

When the vehicle stopped, the driver quickly ran east into the brush. Further inspection of the vehicle resulted in the apprehension of 28 migrants who had crossed the border illegally, according to an arrest affidavit.

The migrants, including one juvenile, were turned over to Border Patrol. Moments later, agents detained the driver of the tractor-trailer and turned him over to the trooper.

DPS identified the suspect as Dartavious Raytrell Dixon, 24, of Houston. He was charged with 27 counts of smuggling of persons, one count of smuggling of a person younger than 18 years old and one count of evading arrest.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of a storm expected to bring snow, sleet, ice, and freezing rain to much of the state this weekend.

In a statement, Northam urged Virginia residents to take the storm seriously and prepare ahead of time. The National Weather Service forecasts significant snow, sleet, and ice late Saturday night through Monday in a majority of the state, with up to a foot of snow predicted in parts of southwest Virginia, officials said.

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Northam said the declaration means emergency responders can get supplies and equipment where they expect to need them most before the storm hits. Northam, who leaves office Saturday, and emergency officials conducted a joint preparation call Friday morning with incoming Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his team. Youngkins inauguration is set for noon Saturday.

Parts of Virginia are still dealing with power outages and debris removal after two winter storms last week and this weekends storm is expected to bring more downed trees, outages, and difficult travel conditions, officials said.

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In Hampton Roads, the storm is not expected to produce much if any accumulation.

With respect to accumulating snow fall, there is a 30% chance of the area receiving at least a trace of snow, said Michael Montefusco, lead forecaster for the NWS. The majority of the event will be in the form of rain in the Hampton Roads area. It will begin as sleet, but as the wind in the ocean comes in, it will quickly turn to rain.

Authorities in much of Virginia are urging drivers to stay off the roads during wintry weather.

We know you have questions regarding winter weather this weekend. Here's what we know: A significant winter storm will impact the region Sunday. Snow accumulation is expected along and west of I-95. Some icing from freezing rain is possible along and south of HWY 460. pic.twitter.com/3HdyhYk1Vj  NWS Wakefield (@NWSWakefieldVA) January 13, 2022

The Virginian-Pilot contributed to this report.
Newly released body-camera footage shows the high-speed moments before a Houston cop drove his police cruiser onto a sidewalk Dec. 4 and killed 62-year-old Michael Wayne Jackson, who was walking to his barber.

Prosecutors have yet to present the case to a grand jury, Harris County district attorney's office spokesperson Dane Schiller said Monday. On Dec. 30, the Houston Police Department released two video clips from bodycams worn by driving officer Orlando Hernandez and his partner officer Anthony Aranda. Both officers are 25 years old with fewer than five years on the force and currently are listed as active duty, according to an HPD spokesperson.

Hernandez at times drove the 6,300-pound Ford Police Intercepter between 80 and 100 mph down Reed Road, according to the cruiser's speedometer shown in a five-minute clip from his bodycam. Traffic on Reed Road is limited to 40 mph. The cops were driving with lights and siren activated to help another officer apprehend five individuals allegedly involved in a carjacking who reportedly fled on foot after a short pursuit.

Reed Road was wet from a recent rain shower that Saturday afternoon, according to a crash report filed by HPD. Video shows the cruiser's windshield wipers were activated as Hernandez maneuvered the police SUV through traffic, appearing on multiple occasions to be using only one hand to steer the speeding vehicle over slick residential roads. As Hernandez approached a red light at Cullen Boulevard, he slowed down to check for cross traffic before continuing west toward Scott Street.

Houston Police Department

Jackson was walking west on the sidewalk in the 4100 block of Reed Road near Scott Street as Hernandez's cruiser approached from the east around 5:40 p.m. Several cars were stopped at a red light at the Reed Road and Scott Street intersection, police said. As Hernandez sped toward the intersection, video shows the officer turn the steering wheel nearly 180 degrees to avoid colliding with other cars. Hernandez's cruiser slid slightly right, jumping the sidewalk and hitting Jackson before slamming into a Dumpster bin in a nearby parking lot.

Body-cam video indicates that Hernandez hit Jackson about 34 seconds after passing through the intersection at Cullen Boulevard, a distance of 3,755 feet, according to information compiled from Google Maps and a diagram from HPD's crash report. This distance would suggest Hernandez traveled at an average speed of 75 mph before he drove onto the sidewalk. In a frame before Hernandez attempted to turn the wheel, the cruiser's speedometer showed 60 mph.

Houston police have not released any other findings from their investigation, including any telemetry data from the cruiser's computer regarding the cruiser's actual speed and if/when Hernandez applied the brakes. Crash investigators with HPD's vehicular crimes division noted in a crash report that Hernandez was "traveling at an unsafe speed" and "performed a faulty evasive action."

In the moments after the crash, video shows Hernandez and Aranda ran to Jackson as witnesses screamed and music played from a nearby restaurant. The video also captured sirens from nearby HPD officers who also rushing to assist in the manhunt.

"I need HFD here," Hernandez radioed to dispatch. "I just got wrecked out, uh, Scott and Reed. One male patient is going to be knocked unconscious, not breathing, uh, bleeding from the head."

"Sir, sir, sir," Hernandez said as he shook Jackson's lifeless body. "Wake up, sir."

Another officer who arrived seconds after the collision ordered Hernandez to start chest compressions, at which point the released video ends. Paramedics with the Houston Fire Department arrived minutes later and pronounced Jackson dead.

In the days after the crash, the victim's brother speculated that the officer behind the wheel was ill-trained.

"It looks like to me, maybe the guys couldn't drive that well," Timothy Jackson said. "They just weren't ready. Their skill level in pursuits maybe wasn't that good, because they came out of the street onto the sidewalk. They put anybody that's on the sidewalk in danger."

Doug Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union, called the collision a "tragic accident."

"Officers were responding to an assist while chasing robbery suspects," Griffith said in a text message. "It's my belief that the officers left the road to avoid a collision and never saw the citizen. Truly sad for all involved."

Houston police have yet to close the case, and it is unclear if prosecutors will pursue charges against Hernandez. For both officers, a preliminary 3-day placement on administrative duties has already tolled.
Caitlin Randle/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Congressman August Pfluger, a San Angelo Republican, issued a statement in response to the mixed decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on vaccine mandates.

Thursday, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the Biden Administrations unconstitutional vaccine mandate for private employers but declined to offer the same protections to health care workers.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP)  A man once dubbed King Perry was sentenced Thursday to more than 17 years in prison for his role in masterminding a long-running investment scam that collected more than $115 million from 1,000 investors nationwide.

Perry Santillo appeared in federal court in Rochester, New York, more than two years after pleading guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy. A federal judge also ordered him to pay $103 million in restitution.

Santillo and his alleged conspirators in the Ponzi scheme coaxed clients to cash in their retirement accounts and invest in sham companies under their control, using the money from newer investors to repay earlier investors, according to court documents.

To ensure a fresh supply of victims, Santillo and his confederates bought the businesses  and client lists  of a series of investment advisers and brokerages, prosecutors said. Over the years, they acquired investment firms in Tennessee, Ohio, Minnesota, Nevada, California, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Indiana, according to court documents.

Federal securities regulators have said Santillo used some of the proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle of cars, casino junkets and houses in multiple states. Lyrics to a song written for Santillo boasted that King Perry wears a "$10,000 suit everywhere he rides.

Several of Santillo's victims testified at his sentencing Thursday. Some had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement savings.

In a letter to the court, Santillo expressed regret and said he is haunted by the devastation I have caused to so many. ... I am truly ashamed of my choices."

Several other figures in the scheme have pleaded guilty, including another ringleader, Christopher Parris, who faces sentencing next month.

Santillo has also pleaded guilty to a related federal fraud charge in Pennsylvania. He has yet to be sentenced in that case.
It didnt take long for offers to roll in on a home in Orlando, FL, with a little midcentury modern style.

Built in 1992, the 4,050-square-foot home landed on the market for just under $1.4 million. Multiple offers came in within a matter of days, which the listing team says was faster than expected.

Its something you dont typically see. I was wondering what the inspiration initially was, says Kim Coarse, the co-listing agent along with Jason Asa of EXP Realty. When you have something as intricately designed as this, I don't think it's ever going to go out of style.

Although it dates to the 1990s, rather than the 1950s, the home takes its cues from the Usonian style popularized by the celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Elements that echo Wright's aesthetic include an earthy feel, with sandblasted concrete walls, the use of huge windows, and other unique design touches designed to merge the indoor and outdoor spaces.

You have that raw material look on the inside, with different types of finishes that you just wouldnt anticipate all coming together, Coarse says.

She adds that a highlight is a water feature that goes from outside the house, under the property, and into different areas inside the home.

The Central Florida architect Kevin Schweizerson of the famous architect Nils Schweizerdesigned the home.

There are different personality features all throughout the house where [the architect and builder] didnt really look to blend inthey wanted to stand out, Coarse explains. In 1992, floor plans were still kind of closed off, and [this home] tested the market with the open concept and really having the opportunity for every room to open up into the next room and create shared space.

Interior of home in Orlando, FL Hermann Sverrisson

Interior Hermann Sverrisson

Aerial view Hermann Sverrisson

Interior Hermann Sverrisson

Interior water feature Hermann Sverrisson

Main bedroom Hermann Sverrisson

Main bedroom Hermann Sverrisson

Main bathroom Hermann Sverrisson

Bedroom Hermann Sverrisson

Bedroom Hermann Sverrisson

Two of the homes three bedrooms are on the main level. The primary bedroom takes up most of the second floor, in a lofted design.

People were pleasantly surprised that the master bedroom has no walls, so it is totally open, Asa explains, adding that the design of the bedroom was initially of some concern to the listing team.

The home was virtually staged to help potential buyers visualize other finishes and colors.

As it turned out, the open plan bedroom and color palette wasnt a problem. The team had thought that they would have to talk up some options for closing it off, but apparently, the buyers loved it.

It actually shocked us, with people being OK with the open master to the bottom, Coarse says.

Kitchen Hermann Sverrisson

Interior Hermann Sverrisson

The kitchen features high-end touches as well as unique color and style choices.

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Watch: This Incredible Florida Mansion Just Shattered Sales Records

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The cabinets are green, and the flooring is a checkered flooring, with dark granite countertops, Coarse says. We knew the buyer was going to be someone that had an eye for design, because this isnt really your typical Florida-style home.

Dining space Hermann Sverrisson

Interior Hermann Sverrisson

Interior Hermann Sverrisson

Coarse and Asa tell us that the buyer isnt planning to change a thing.

Its move-in ready, there is nothing that needs to be done to the home, Coarse says.

Outside, the large garage has space to create a guest suite, as well as a backyard with a large pool and pool deck.

While it's close to the heart of Orlando, the home sits on almost 4 acres of wooded land, creating what Coarse says is a coveted private oasis.

This is a hidden gem right here," she says. "To find a property that actually has character and have it laid out so well and to be so high-end is just not common.

Pool Hermann Sverrisson

Aerial view Hermann Sverrisson

Living space Hermann Sverrisson

The post Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, a $1.4M Usonian Home Attracts Buyers appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
An amount of Rs 50,000 is allocated to schools having over 100 students. Any other expense for stationery and the like has to be borne by the teachers. The money from the government is not enough, said Malikarjun.  Representational image/DC .

Hyderabad: The repeated shutdown of schools in the state, which disrupted education for long terms in the Covid season, appears to have come as a blessing in disguise to teachers at government schools.

The shutdowns between January 2021 and September 2021 alone, on an average, helped teachers at most government school save around Rs 5,000, which they spend out of their pockets every term to buy the required stationery for their schools. Government funds do not help meet all the expenses at these schools.

Some 26,800 government schools in the state are staffed by 1.15 lakh teachers and school heads, who together do purchases of school essentials.

Across the state, the closures helped them save altogether Rs 26.53 crore under the head of out of pocket expenses to keep classes going for the government school teachers last year.

A small primary government school that lacks fans and tube lights spends Rs 300 per month on electricity use and this would be a few hundreds more for schools of higher grades, said Malikarjun, a government school teacher.

However, these schools are suffering from a budget mismatch as the government does not provide them enough money to buy the essentials.

"An amount of Rs 50,000 is allocated to schools having over 100 students. Any other expense for stationery and the like has to be borne by the teachers. The money from the government is not enough," said Malikarjun.

He said Rs 15,000 is allocated for schools with less than 50 students, Rs 25,000 for schools with more than 50 students and around Rs 50,000 for those above 100 students.

Stationery shop owners faced huge losses during January - September 2021. "I had to suffer a loss of Rs 4 lakh during this period as my stationery sales dropped drastically. Around 200 chalk boxes were being sold every month, but this dropped to 0," said a shop owner.
Express Entry candidates who work in tech may be eligible for Alberta's new expedited immigration program.

Alberta creates new immigration program for tech workers Express Entry candidates who work in tech may be eligible for Alberta's new expedited immigration program.

Alberta creates new immigration program for tech workers Express Entry candidates who work in tech may be eligible for Alberta's new expedited immigration program.

Alberta creates new immigration program for tech workers Express Entry candidates who work in tech may be eligible for Alberta's new expedited immigration program. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Alberta is introducing a new fast-track immigration program for tech workers.

Albertas immigration minister, Tyler Shandro, announced the Accelerated Tech Pathway on January 13. The province had already began accepting applications to the new program in December.

In order to be eligible, tech professionals need to have a profile in the federal governments Express Entry system and be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream.

Under this new pathway, tech professionals from across Canada and overseas can become permanent residents in as little as six months if they have a job offer in an in-demand tech industry occupation, Shandro said, although Express Entry processing averaged nine months in 2020.

Along with priority application processing, tech professionals will also receive a letter of support from the Government of Alberta if they require a work permit.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Growing Albertas tech industry  January 13, 2022 Minister of Labour and Immigration Tyler Shandro and Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweitzer discuss details of a new initiative to attract 

There are more than 3,000 technology companies in Alberta, according to the Alberta Enterprise Corporation. Albertas tech sector has grown 233% since 2012, as per the 2021 Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study. However, tech companies still face challenges accessing workers, especially sales and technical talent.

Steps to applying for the Accelerated Tech Pathway

You have to first be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream in order to be selected for expedited processing under the Accelerated Tech Pathway. This Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has three steps:

1. Get a profile in the Express Entry system

The first step is to get into the Express Entry pool of candidates. You need to be eligible for one of the following three immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

To apply for the Accelerated Tech Pathway, you fill out and online form for the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). Through the form, you send information about your Express Entry profile and your tech job in Alberta.

In order to be eligible for the tech pathway, Express Entry candidates need to have a job offer, or be currently working for an Alberta-based company in an eligible occupation. The 23 eligible occupations are listed below in order of their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code:

0013 Senior managers  financial, communications and other business services

0112 Human resources managers

0131 Telecommunication carriers manager

0211 Engineering managers

0212 Architecture and science managers

0213 Computer and information systems managers

0512 Managers  publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts

0601 Corporate sales managers

1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations

1121 Human resources professionals

1223 Human resources and recruitment officers

2131 Civil engineers

2132 Mechanical engineers

2133 Electrical and electronics engineers

2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries

2171 Information systems analysts and consultants

2172 Database analysts and data administrators

2173 Software engineers and designers

2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers

2175 Web designers and developers

2221 Biological technologists and technicians

2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians

2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

2253 Drafting technologists and technicians 2281 Computer network technicians

2282 User support technicians

2283 Information systems testing technicians

3211 Medical laboratory technologists

3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists assistants

3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)

4163 Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants

5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

5241 Graphic designers and illustrators

7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)

7242 Industrial electricians

7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers

2. AINP determines your eligibility

The AINP checks that you meet the minimum eligibility criteria for the Alberta Express Entry Stream. If so, the AINP will send you an email inviting you to apply for a provincial nomination. You cannot apply without this invitation, and you cannot use a nomination under a different AINP stream to apply.

3. Apply

Once you receive the email invitation from Alberta, you determine if you meet the assessment criteria. If the AINP discovers fraud or misrepresentation in an application, they could ban you from reapplying for up to five years.

Completed applications go into a pool of eligible applications. The AINP considers these applications for a provincial nomination.

If Alberta offers you a nomination you have 30 days to accept using your online Express Entry profile. You will then get 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points added to your Express Entry score.

The nomination does not guarantee that you will become a permanent resident, but it does boost you to the top of the Express Entry pool. You will get to apply for permanent residence once the federal government, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), sends you an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an Express Entry draw.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Ontario has made room for 6,000 health care workers to fill labour shortages by the end of March.

Ontario to add thousands of foreign-trained nurses to workforce Ontario has made room for 6,000 health care workers to fill labour shortages by the end of March.

Ontario to add thousands of foreign-trained nurses to workforce Ontario has made room for 6,000 health care workers to fill labour shortages by the end of March.

Ontario to add thousands of foreign-trained nurses to workforce Ontario has made room for 6,000 health care workers to fill labour shortages by the end of March. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Ontario wants thousands of internationally trained nurses to come work in the provinces hospitals by March 31.

Ontario is sending about 300 of these nurses to 50 high-need hospitals in the province. They will care for patients under supervision while they work toward getting their licence in Ontario. So far, more than 1,200 internationally educated nurses have applied to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and expressed interest in these initiatives.

By the end of March, Ontario wants 6,000 more health care professionals working in Ontario hospitals. These workers include nursing students, medical students, and other students in the field of health care.

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Ontario, along with the rest of Canada, had been experiencing nursing shortages since even before the pandemic. Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, Ontario launched emergency programs that have added more than 6,700 health care professionals to work in long-term care homes and other care settings in an effort to lighten the load on hospitals.

Ontario promised to invest $342 million over the next five years to recruitment initiatives in its 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario. The multi-million dollar investment is expected to add over 13,000 workers to Ontarios health care system, including over 5,000 new and up-skilled nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers.

The pandemic has highlighted the need for more staff on the front lines of our health care system, said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance in a government media release. Our government committed to spare no expense in the fight against the pandemic to protect peoples health and the economy, which is why investing in the front lines of our health care system was one of the key pillars of our plan to Build Ontario.

In 2020, there were 20,678 internationally educated nurses registered and eligible to practice in Ontario. This represented 12.2% of Ontarios nursing workforce in 2020, up from 10.3% of in 2010.

Cases in Ontario are currently at a 7-day average of about 11,000 cases per day, rounded up. Omicron is the dominant strain running through the province, and the Delta variant is responsible for about 500 cases per day.

Get a Free Canadian Immigration Evaluation

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Wilkes Barre, PA (18701)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
When cases had increased last year, a jumbo hospital with 200 beds fitted with oxygen supply and another 100-bed isolation facility were created in the township.  Representational image/DC

VISAKHAPATNAM: Covid-19 is continuing to spread in Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) Township with 116 additional people testing positive from out of 207 tested during the last 24 hours.

Last week 60 had tested positive. Three days later, another 88 came out positive in tests. With this, total infections within the township have reached 264 on Friday. The township has 8,800 households wherein around 35,000 people live. On an average, 200300 people are being tested every day.

We are taking all precautions to prevent the spread of infection. Our general hospital within VSP is ready to admit any of these patients who may turn serious, said a spokesperson of RINL. The hospital has 120 beds.

Incidentally, when cases had increased last year, a jumbo hospital with 200 beds fitted with oxygen supply and another 100-bed isolation facility were created in the township.

Steel plant management has regulated the attendance of employees, who have been asked to strictly follow Covid protocol along with their families, the plant spokesperson added.
Raspunsul la criza refugiatilor: Apel de propuneri, lansat de MAD-Aid in parteneriat cu Camera de Comert Britanica din Moldova
Some Black and ethnic minority staff at Action Aid UK have suffered racism and feel less valued [and] less supported than their white colleagues, an internal review has found.

Chief executive Frances Longley apologised to staff last year and acknowledged that some employees had suffered pain and harm at the charity, according to documents and emails seen by Civil Society News.

The staff survey and independent audit found that people of colour at Action Aid UK (AAUK) were sometimes stereotyped and labelled as aggressive or difficult and that employees could feel unheard, disrespected and excluded when raising concerns. In addition Black and ethnic minority staff were systematically denied professional support.

The audit, conducted by independent consultants, said that these issues may have contributed to the charity struggling to recruit and retain senior staff.

An AAUK spokesperson said that the review had identified systemic problems at the charity and insisted that the organisation was steadfast in our goal of dealing with racism. Longley told staff in November that she was profoundly sorry that this has happened at AAUK and pledged that the charity would adopt all the recommendations made in the audit.

A human resources specialist, Nicola Peachey, joined AAUK recently and will be part of the senior leadership team working on the reforms. Some employees have criticised this process, which is being led by a senior team which does not include any Black or ethnic minority staff, emails show. AAUK said it plans to make sure the changes will be led by people of colour and lived experience.

AAUK is one of the largest international development charities in the country, with an income of nearly 50m last year.

Less valued, less supported, less empowered

The race equity audit was conducted between May and September 2021, and was commissioned after a staff survey earlier in the year. The consultants drew on interviews, focus groups and written evidence from AAUK staff.

A copy was sent to the charitys trustees in October before a summary of its findings was shared with all staff in November.

In her foreword to the summary, Longley, who joined the charity last May, said that she was acting on the findings because colleagues who have suffered pain and harm as a result of everyday or historical systematic racism at AAUK have stepped forward to express their experiences.

Longley said that the staff survey painted a picture of disparities in the experiences of people from BAME [Black and ethnic minority] backgrounds (mostly people of colour), compared to their majority white colleagues across a number of parameters that define a good anti-racist climate.

Figures show that staff from BAME backgrounds at AAUK feel less valued, less supported, less empowered, less fairly-utilised, with less [sic] perceived opportunities to fulfil their career aspirations at AAUK compared to their white counterparts.

Labelled as difficult or emotional

The summary said that the audit identifies shared experiences of sweeping stereotypical statements and actions towards people of colour that are then explained away, ignored or denied with the common phrase They didnt mean it that way.

The audit also found examples of microaggressions including the stereotyping of colleagues who identify as people of colour or who are within the BAME community as being overly aggressive.

There were incidents where women of colours opinions were dismissed or labelled as difficult or emotional in leadership settings, when compared to what appeared to be allowed for white women in the organisation at a similar level, the audit said.

In other cases, employees felt they had been treated as representatives of their race rather than as individuals. Requests for professional support and resources were systematically ignored when made by people of colour, it added.

At the same time, the consultants also found that among some white members of staff there is a perception that people of colour are somewhat protected in the organisation and therefore have some sort of structural advantage.

Raising concerns

When staff raised concerns they were sometimes confronted with a failure to recognise, value and take on board feedback on people of colours negative experiences, the summary said. The audit noted that such inaction can leave colleagues feeling unheard, disrespected and excluded.

It added: At times there had been systematic denial, disbelief or indifference that racist experiences have been encountered at AAUK.

Uncomfortable

In her foreword to the audit summary, Longley thanked staff for courage in coming forward and described the findings as an uncomfortable and sometimes painful read. She said that the charity would use this moment as a catalyst for change, starting now.

In a later email, Longley acknowledged concerns among some staff that work to implement the recommendations would be led by an all-white senior leadership team, and said that it needed to be centred in lived experience and racial justice expertise if it was to succeed.

We will not tolerate any form of racism at ActionAid UK

In a statement, an AAUK spokesperson said: Following the long overdue focus on and awareness of institutional racism globally over the past 20 months, and recognising the colonial legacy of the sector in which we operate, AAUK commissioned an internal independent race audit to help gain a better understanding of the prevalence of institutional racism and racist behaviour within AAUK.

We wanted to acknowledge, address and evaluate the experiences of UK colleagues who identify as members of the BAME community or who identify as people of colour.

The statement continued: The audit sheds light on injustices experienced by some colleagues and identifies systemic problems within the organisation that may have led to unacceptable behaviours, fostered a climate of impunity amongst some staff, and prevented equity in the workplace for all colleagues. The hurt identified was and is totally unacceptable and we are profoundly sorry that this has happened at AAUK.

We will not tolerate any form of racism at AAUK. To do this, each of us must work hard to understand the consequences of our decisions, statements and actions each day. We are steadfast in our goal of addressing any historical racism and failings which may have enabled injustices within AAUK.

We will, now and in the future, work hard to become an actively anti-racist organisation that is committed to social justice, equity and securing each persons right to dignity and respect in the workplace, free of discrimination every day.

In response to a question about retaining and recruiting staff, the charity said that it had accepted the audits findings and recommendations, including implementing a recruitment process review and refining colleague development and progression processes. These are first steps and we will continue to develop them in consultation with AAUK colleagues.

The audit also identified a number of good practice areas in the charity's existing anti-racism work. The proportion of Black and ethnic minority staff working at AAUK is higher than the sector average.

Reforms

AAUK said that budget had been allocated to reforming the organisation based on the audits recommendations, with quarterly updates sent to trustees.

The charity said: To be very clear: we will not tolerate any form of racism at AAUK, and added: This important shift in the way we work in the UK will allow us to continue to decolonise our approach to our day-to-day activity, campaigns, and programmes, build a stronger work environment of equal opportunities for all, and as a result truly be able to stand in solidarity with women and girls, whose rights and freedom we are dedicated to secure and protect.

Editor's note, 3.45pm 14 January 2022: This article was updated to better reflect changes to AAUK's senior management team and the charity's plans for reform

sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Education reporters cover one of the most emotional facets of the covid-19 pandemic. The political obsession with keeping public schools open during the latest surge does not match the desires of parents. In fact, a recent poll shows that the less income a childs household has, the more caution the parents express about in-person schooling.

On this weeks Kicker, Tracy Swartz, who covers Chicago Public Schools for the Chicago Tribune, and Kyle Pope, editor and publisher of CJR, discuss how so many districts failed to adopt better safety measures and a plan for temporary remote learning this winter.

SHOW NOTES

Teachers union approves COVID-19 safety deal to end standoff with Chicago Public Schools; dispute-fatigued parents hope new safety measures hold as buildings reopen, Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune

A New York City principal sick with COVID-19 for the second time, and the story the press is missing, Amanda Darrach, CJR

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CPS extends deadline for at-home COVID-19 tests after drop boxes overflow with kits; CTU criticizes screening chaos, Tracy Swartz, Chicago Tribune
Federal prosecutors have charged 13 peopleincluding a New York City police officer, an attorney and four physiciansin two indictments that allege they schemed to defraud auto insurers out of $100 million by bribing 911 operators and others for access motor vehicle accident records so they could steer patients to corrupt doctors.

Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the criminal charges on Wednesday. He said it is the one of the largest no-fault insurance fraud takedowns in history, one that his office started investigating in 2017.

In carrying out their massive scheme, among other methods, they allegedly bribed 911 operators, hospital employees, and others for confidential motor vehicle accident victim information, Williams said in a statement. With this information, they then endangered victims by subjecting them to unnecessary and often painful medical procedures, in order to fraudulently overbill insurance companies.

Prosecutors say a fraud ring headed by Bradley Pierre took $70 million from no-fault insurers in a scam dating back to 2008. Pierre allegedly spearheaded the scheme out of the law office of an unidentified family member who paid $4 million for accident-victim referrals.

The indictment says Pierre controlled five no-fault facilities that were ostensibly owned by licensed physicians.

A Linkedin page in the name of Bradley Pierre says he is owner of Medical Reimbursement Consultants Inc. in New York. A business in that name was first registered in Nassau County in 2008, which is when prosecutors say the fraud scheme began.

Pierre installed closed-circuit television cameras in his office, which he used to communicate with Drs. Marvin Moy and William Weiner, the indictment says.

Moy is a doctor licensed by New Jersey who practices in New York City, according to state records. He allegedly conducted unnecessary and painful electrodiagnostic testing on patients.

Weiner is a doctor of osteopathic medicine licensed by New York who practices in East Rockaway. He falsified findings of injuries in magnetic-resonance imaging scans to boost patient referrals, according to the indictment.

Arthur Bogoraz, a paralegal and manager at a separate personal injury law firm in New York City and Andrew Prime, described as a runner, paid bribes to 911 operators for patient and client referrals to the law firms and the Pierre clinics, the indictment alleges.

The second indictment accuses Alexander Gulkarov, also known as Little Alex, of fraudulently owning and controlling more than a dozen medical professional organizations. The scheme allegedly took $30 million from insurers since 2014.

Attorney Robert Wisnicki, the founding partner of two New York-based law firms, is accused of laundering part of the proceeds of Gulkarovs scheme. He concealed money transfers by fabricating retainer agreements, lied to law enforcement and committed perjury before a federal grand jury, the indictment alleges.

Roman Israilov, Peter Khaimov, and Anthony DiPietro are accused of working with Gulkarov to operate the fraud scheme. They allegedly bribed 911 operators, hospital workers and others for motor vehicle accident victim information. Runners contacted the victims and lied to persuade them to seek treatment at clinics that Gukarov and his partners controlled, the indictment says.

New York City Police Officer Albert Aronov is accused of logging into NYPD computers during off hours to search for confidential accident reports. He took photos of the records and used a pre-paid burner phone to transmit them using an encrypted messaging application, the indictment says.

Drs. Rolando Chumaceiro and Marcelo Quiroga are named as co-conspirators in the indictment. They allegedly prescribed unnecessary and excessive medical treatments and overbilled insurance carriers.

Dr. Rolando Jose Mendez Chumaceiro was licensed in 1993 and practices in Yonkers, according to state Department of Professional Regulation records available online. Dr. Francisco Gracia Quiroga provided an address in Tucson, Ariz. and is not registered to practice in New York.

Schemes exploiting no-fault insurance laws  which ironically exist to make insurance more affordable  also result in higher costs, and unfairly burden all consumers in the auto insurance market, Williams said.

The indictments likely come no surprise to some insurers. A group of carriers led by Liberty Mutual sued Bradley and others in 2014 and reached a settlement in 2016, court records show. Allstate sued Pierre, Moy and others in 2015 and reached a settlement in 2017. USAA filed a lawsuit Pierre, Moy and others in 2018 and dismissed the case in 2020.

Gulkarov, Chumaceiro and Quiroga were named as defendants in a May 2020 lawsuit filed by GEICO. Gulkarov, Khaimov and Israilov are defendants in a second GEICO lawsuit filed earlier this month that also names several acupuncture and chiropractic clinics as defendants.

Williams office said 10 of the alleged conspirators were arrested in New York and New Jersey on Wednesday, while Gulkarov was arrested in Miami.

Pierre was released after posting $1 million bond. He pledged a house he owns in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; a condominium owned by his father-in-law and mother-in-law in Cliffside Park, New Jersey; and a condo owned by his sister-in-law in Ft. Lee New Jersey as collateral, court records show.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the MMS- Payne Funeral Home Chapel from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Grace Ann Harrison passed away on April 26, 2022 at the age of 76 years old. Grace Ann was born to Dryden and Joan Carman 
Beachwood, OH (44122)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with thundershowers developing for the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 64F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening followed by occasional showers overnight. Low 48F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
The government has directed all district collectors to open Covid Care Centres in their districts based on requirements. (PTI file photo)

Vijayawada: Given the steady rise in Covid19 cases, the Andhra Pradesh government has geared up its machinery to meet any emergency and curb the spread of the virus as also to treat the infected.

The government has directed all district collectors to open Covid Care Centres in their districts based on requirements. On an average, five to 10 such centres would come up in each district. They would pay special attention on Covid- designated government hospitals as for availability of beds attached with medical oxygen and ventilator support in ICU wards.

Availability of general beds with requisite medical equipment and necessary infrastructure like power supply etc too will be ensured.

The government has directed the AP Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation to procure personal protective kits for health personnel to wear while attending Covid-infected patients, testing kits, N95 masks, sanitisers, home isolation kits, lab material, medicines, injections etc some 15 days ago. The ordered materials are being delivered in a phased manner to the state.

Meanwhile, the state health authorities are re-arranging 706 Covid hospitals and 175 Covid Care Centres. Many of them remained unused in the last few months as the daily caseload had come down. Nearly 28,000 beds with medical oxygen and ventilator support in ICU wards are being arranged in addition to nearly 15,000 general beds with a total availability of 43,000 beds by the time the coronavirus spread reaches its peak before the month-end.

The state health authorities say though both the Delta and Omicron variants are spreading, the number of cases requiring hospital admission is less. Only 380 beds were occupied for Covid treatment in the state as on Friday even as there now are 18,313 active cases.

The number C- deaths is also less compared to figures in the first and second waves of the pandemic.

They have observed that those infected with Covid are showing only mild symptoms like cold, cough, fever and body pain, while some are asymptomatic. The infected patients are becoming normal in just two to three days now.

However, the health authorities have cautioned children, the aged and those suffering with multiple health complications including those immunosuppressed to be careful and avoid contact with Covid-infected persons.

State health director Dr Hymavathi said, We have issued calls to all the districts to enhance Covid tests, vaccination and health care to the infected people.

Officials said the state government is planning to use the new antiviral drug Molnupiravir once it gets ICMR approval and the present drug regimen in isolation kits remains unchanged.
The MP requested Scindia to order a time-bound inquiry and take up this issue with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to ensure that such incidents did not recur.  Facebook

Vijayawada: BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao on Thursday sought a high-level inquiry into the allegedly deliberate disruption of water supply to the Tirupati International Airport and to the residential quarters of the airport staff earlier this week.

The BJP MP wrote a letter to Union minister for civil aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday seek his intervention in the matter.

Narasimha Rao said that on January 10, Tirupati Municipal Corporation authorities suddenly stopped water supply after airport entry was denied to some members of the ruling party the previous day. He alleged that the highhanded, vengeful and thoughtless action caused inconvenience to hundreds of passengers at the Tirupati airport and to the staff members in the quarters.

He alleged that roads leading to the residential quarters were dug up preventing the movement of vehicles including private water tankers.

Narasimha Rao said that the explanation of the senior civic officials that the water supply disruption was due to repairs was flimsy. Everyone knows that it was done as a retaliatory measure by local ruling party leaders, the MP claimed and added that the airport authorities took up the issue and restored the water supply within a day.

The MP requested Scindia to order a time-bound inquiry and take up this issue with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to ensure that such incidents did not recur.

Scindia aviation responded to the BJP MP"s tweet and assured that the issue would be examined.
The actor tweeted he had met CM Jagan to discuss issues related to the Telugu film industry and also on the survival of film theatres. Some media organisations were trying to politicise this by claiming that he was being offered a Rajya Sabha, he said.  DC Image

Vijayawada: Tollywood actor Chiranjeevi has ruled out any chance of him re-entering politics. The actor was on a private visit to the city on Friday and denied he was offered a Rajya Sabha seat.

He said, I am away from politics and nobody will offer me this. I am neither aspiring for it nor yielding to such a temptation. I have no such intention at all.

Later, the actor tweeted he had met CM Jagan to discuss issues related to the Telugu film industry and also on the survival of film theatres. Some media organisations were trying to politicise this by claiming that he was being offered a Rajya Sabha, he said.

I am keeping away from politics and there is no chance of my re-entering it. I appeal to all to stop such speculations.
EMEA

Clifford Chance has been named Africa-wide Corporate Law Firm of the Year and 'Morocco Law Firm of the Year' at the Chambers Africa Awards 2022, which celebrate outstanding work and recognize achievements of law firms and professionals across the African continent.

This achievement reflects our notable successes over the past 12 months across the African continent and emphasises the high level at which the Africa practice operates. Receiving these awards highlights our continued strategic growth and excellence in the service we provide to our clients.

Mustapha Mourahib, Managing Partner of the Casablanca office, commented: "This is a fantastic achievement which showcases our team's talent in advising on challenging deals with a notably far-reaching positive impact. We are grateful to receive such recognition for the resilience and strength which the Casablanca office has demonstrated, showing prowess across many fields, particularly in M&A and across the full spectrum of financial products."



Nigel Wellings, African Practice Leader for M&A and Private Equity, expressed his delight at this accomplishment: "To be named Africa-wide Corporate Law Firm of the Year exhibits the extent to which our work continues to be popular with clients across several sectors in Africa and has allowed them to continue to invest and operate, despite the challenging market environment. We are delighted to see the impact of our strategies and excited to continue to benefit our clients going forward."
Clinton, IA (52732)

Today

Rain and wind early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 49F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 37F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph.
Chinese VP meets French president's diplomatic counselor

Xinhua) 08:44, January 14, 2022

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan meets with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan hailed China-France bilateral relations during a virtual meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing Thursday.

Wang said under the guidance of the two heads of state, relations between China and France have maintained a healthy and stable development momentum.

China has always seen France as a comprehensive strategic partner and stands ready to work with the European nation to make contributions to world peace, stability and sustainable development, Wang said.

"Harmony in diversity is one of the experiences in the development of EU, which should also become the guiding principle for the relations between China and Europe," said Wang, adding that China stands ready to cooperate with EU to champion the principle of mutual respect, opening and cooperation to achieve common prosperity.

Noting that France holds the EU's rotating presidency in the first half of this year, Wang expressed the hope that France would lead EU to have a correct understanding of China, and independently develop relations and carry out cooperation with China.

Bonne said France attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to work with China to enhance high-level exchanges and strategic communication.

France stands ready to play a constructive role in promoting the building of a win-win cooperative relationship between EU and China, Bonne added.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan meets with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
The House plan would raise a starting teachers salary to $43,000, which is higher than neighboring states of Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  Education officials are set to meet with the Health Department on Monday regarding their plans to expand limited face-to-face classes.

Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said Friday they will "really, strongly" recommend the expansion of the program, following the success of the pilot run in December.

"On various evaluation parameters, very favorable ang naging report at feedback ng mga lumahok dito (pilot face-to-face classes)," Malaluan said. "[Ang] overall attendance ng mga bata, as much as 93%."

[Translation: We received very favorable reports and feedbacks from the participants on various evaluation parameters. Overall, as much as 93% have participated in the pilot.]

He said the department also saw "very" positive feedback on several other parameters, including the feeling of safety among students, parents, and teachers; satisfaction with the implementation of health protocols; satisfaction with the contribution of in-person classes on learning; and even confidence to continue and expand the program.

The DepEd official added "there will be some refinements on certain aspects, kagaya nung paglalagay ng physical barriers [like the setting up of physical barriers]  and in addressing some challenges."

He, however, noted that the expansion will still depend on how the country is faring amid the new wave of COVID-19 cases, which is why they need to consult the DOH.

The DepEd initially planned to expand in-person classes this month, but it was put on hold at least until Jan. 15, as Metro Manila and many other areas were placed under the stricter Alert Level 3.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) is again seeing bed capacities get full amid the current spike in COVID-19 infections but unlike the previous surge, they're using fewer equipment this time.

"Overall, we are more than 100% catering to COVID patients as far as instructions and guidance and preparations by the Department of Health," EAMC chief Dr. Alfonso Nunez told CNN Philippines' The Source.

The hospital was required to prepare 300 beds half of their mandated bedsfor their COVID-19 response, according to the DOH's instruction. However, their COVID-related patients already topped 370 as of Jan. 13. This number also includes probable and suspect patients along with individuals waiting in the emergency room to get readmitted, he said.

Of their 50 intensive care unit (ICU) beds, about 95-96% have already been occupied, Nunez added.

However, the hospital executive also pointed out that their equipment utilization is lower now compared to the Delta variant-driven surge around July to September.

"For the high-flow nasal (cannula) machines, we have 52 units of this and we are only using around 29-32% of them. That means for this surge, napansin namin hindi ganon ka-oxygen-requiring ang mga patients. Maybe because they recover quite early and 'yung lungs nila ay di masyado affected," said Nunez.

[Translation: That means for this surge, we noticed patients aren't that oxygen-requiring. Maybe because they recover quite early and their lungs aren't that affected.]

EAMC is also using only about 60-70% of their ventilators, which he said is "much lower" that what they observed during the Delta surge.

"This includes 'yung mga [the] non-COVID patients that require ventilators as well," added Nunez.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  Foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines starting the second half of February must prove their full COVID-19 vaccination status, the countrys pandemic task force said Friday.

Beginning 16 February 2022, proof of full vaccination shall be made a requirement for entry of all foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines, said a resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) dated Jan. 13.

Accepted as vaccination status proof are World Health Organization international certificates of vaccination or prophylaxis; VaxCertPH-issued COVID-19 vaccine certificates; or national/state digital certificates of the foreigners government which also accepted VaxCertPH as status proof under a reciprocal arrangement.

LIST: National COVID-19 vaccine certificates of other countries PH accepts as status proof

However, the resolution also provides exemptions to this requirement.

Minors need not present proof of vaccination status before boarding an airplane or vessel to the Philippines. Also covered are people medically unable to receive the vaccine certificate, but this must be certified by a competent public health authority in the country/port of origin.

Foreign diplomats and their qualified dependents or 9(e) visa holders are likewise exempted, said the IATF.

The DOTr, through the Civil Aeronautics Board, is hereby instructed to mandate the airlines to require foreign nationals travelling to the Philippines to present proof of full vaccination prior to boarding flights to any points in the Philippines, the resolution read.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  The mayors of Pasig and Manila have issued their respective ordinances regulating the movement of unvaccinated residents.

They are in line with Resolution No. 22-01 earlier passed by the Metro Manila Council urging the issuance of local directives restricting the mobility of unvaccinated individuals amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the region.

In a tweet, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto noted unvaccinated people are not allowed to go out except when buying essential goods and accessing essential services, as well as when doing outdoor exercise.

When reporting for work, unvaccinated employees must undergo an RT-PCR test every two weeks at their personal expense and present a negative result prior to working onsite, the Pasig ordinance said.

In case test result is not immediately available, a rapid antigen test may also be used, it also said.

The testing requirement will not apply to those who can present a medical certificate stating that their doctor recommends they not be inoculated; those who can present a certificate of membership of a religious sector that does not allow any vaccination; and those waiting for their second dose, the directive added.

Individuals caught violating the ordinance will be penalized with 1,000 and/or face imprisonment of not less than a month but not more than six months.

For businesses, a 5,000 fine will be imposed as well as suspension of business permit and license to operate for seven days.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said the signed ordinance will be published in newspapers to better disseminate information to his residents.

He also appealed to those who still refuse to get their coronavirus shot to get vaccinated to listen to Science and avoid believing misinformation being peddled by anti-vaxxers.

While the city government will continue encouraging them, Moreno warned it will be much harder for the unvaccinated if they continue refusing to cooperate and get immunized.

This is about protection of your family, of your neighbors, of our community, of our city and our country, he said in a statement.

On Thursday, Metro Manila accounted for 50% of over 34,000 new COVID-19 infections recorded in the country.

It is currently under Alert Level 3, but this may be escalated to Alert Level 4 if the capital regions healthcare utilization rate breaches 70%, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  The country broke its records for the highest single-day tally of new COVID-19 cases and number of currently sick people for the second straight day on Friday.

The Department of Health (DOH) announced 37,207 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total to 3,129,152.

Active cases also reached a new all-time high of 265,509 - which is 8.5% of the COVID-19 count.

The DOH said 98% or 36,577 of the newly confirmed cases were detected within the last 14 days. The top three contributing regions remain unchanged, with Metro Manila coming in first with 16,824, followed by Calabarzon with 8,580, and Central Luzon with 4,052.

The department added that among the active cases, 252,202 are considered mild; 8,325 have no symptoms; 2,913 are moderate; 1,469 are severe; and 300 are critical.

The country also posted a positivity rateor percentage of tested people who yielded positive resultsof 47.3%, based on 81,737 tests reported on Jan. 12.

A rate of above 20% is "critical" while below 3% indicates there is adequate testing, according to US nonprofit Covid Act Now. The World Health Organization suggests a positivity rate of below 5% for an area that has controlled the infection.

Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 52,815 or1.69% of the case count after 81 more people lost their lives to the disease.

Of the new deaths, 21 occurred in January, five in December 2021, 14 in October 2021, 12 in September 2021, nine in August 2021, five in July 2021, three in June 2021, one in May 2021, three in April 2021, four in March 2021, three in February 2021, and one in November 2020.

The recoveries count soared to 2,811,188 or 89.8% of the COVID-19 count after 9,027 individuals got better.

The DOH said it reclassified 58 survivors into deaths after validation, and deleted 104 duplicate cases, including 67 recoveries and two fatalities.

The total excludes data from eight laboratories that failed to submit their reports on time, the agency added. Those laboratories contributed an average of 1.7% of tested samples and 2.5% of positive individuals in the last 14 days.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  Barangay officials will keep a close eye on individuals who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 to ensure they are not going out for leisure trips, an official said on Friday.

Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing told CNN Philippines that barangay officials will soon be ordered to have a complete inventory of the vaccination status of all their residents by checking each and every house.

"Once the individuals, specifically the unvaccinated will be identified, they will now be monitored for the purposes of whether or not they will go out of their residence for purposes of procuring essential goods and services," Densing said

"If they will go out for nonessential purposes, they will be asked to return to their houses," he also said.

If the unvaccinated refuse to return home, they will be accosted by barangay officials for not following orders, according to the DILG undersecretary, adding they will likely be brought to the barangay office to be reprimanded.

"Under the Revised Penal Code if you do not follow a person in authority or follow a valid order from a higher authority  in this case the President  they will not be arrested because they're unvaccinated, but because they did not follow instructions or directives of a person in authority," the official said.

As more raise concern about the possible violation to privacy, Densing said it is a "reasonable restriction" to protect everyone, especially the unvaccinated, from contracting COVID-19.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered barangay executives to arrest unvaccinated individuals who refuse to stay home amid the ongoing COVID-19 surge. He insisted he was in the position to restrain the unvaccinated.

Metro Manila mayors have issued ordinances prohibiting the nonessential movement of those who are not yet fully vaccinated.
 Public mask mandate takes effect at 8 a.m. on Tuesday  School mask requirement also extended  Additional members of the Delaware National Guard deployed to assist with non-clinical operations inside Delaware hospitals
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 89F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee announced Friday it will host a "local legacy search" Jan. 22 in recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

During the local legacy search, participants can use clues given to find local historical landmarks and learn about MLK, Jr.

Once participants have found all of the landmarks, they may go to the Downtown State College Improvement District office in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and submit their photos from 1-3 p.m. to be entered for a chance to win prizes, according to a borough release.

Prizes include varying DSCID gift cards and a chance to win tickets to The State Theatre's showing of "Fire Shut Up in My Bones" scheduled for Feb. 26.

Members of the committee will be in attendance from 1-3 p.m. to provide information about MLK, Jr. and activities planned in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, the release said.

All locations will be either on Penn State's campus or downtown State College.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE
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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
Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a technological transformation for many office-based workers, forcing them to change work habits and rely on videoconferencing and collaboration software to get their jobs done.

Now it's time to focus on frontline workers, 41% of whom dont have access to the technology they need, according to Microsofts latest Work Trend Index Special Report on Frontline Workers. Based on a global survey of 9,600 frontline workers in eight countries across eight industries who can't work remotely, the research is designed to help business leaders navigate the changing workplace.

Jared Spataro, corporate vice president for modern work at Microsoft, said in a briefing last week that the company has generally focused on "information workers," but wants to extend that focus to frontline workers; they represent more than 80% of the global workforce, or around 2 billion people worldwide.

At Microsoft, our mission is much broader than just information workers; we really are focused on empowering every person in every organization across the planet to achieve more, Spataro said.

That's important, said Angela Ashenden, principal analyst for workplace transformation at CCS Insight, because technology has been a major plus for frontline workers during the pandemic.

What the pandemic did was expose the importance of this large group of workers to their businesses," Ashenden said. "They were often the one thing that kept businesses going, and often bore the brunt of the pandemic from a business standpoint, whether through not being able to work remotely, or being exposed to the virus more through their job."

Frontline workers include those on the front lines in retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and healthcare.

The Microsoft survey highlighted a number of challenges  with the need to balance employee well-being with business growth a big issue; 51% of those surveyed said those in non-management positions on the frontline dont feel valued, while 58% believe work-related stress will stay the same or worsen in 2022.

Companies dependent on frontline workers are not immune to the Great Resignation, which has seen a record number of employees quit jobs in search of better opportunities. Much like their office-based peers, frontline workers cite better pay, work-life balance, benefits, and flexibility as top reasons for considering a job change. Data from LinkedIn found that of the eight industries Microsoft surveyed, seven have now exceeded pre-pandemic hiring levels.

Despite the challenges facing frontline workers, many of those surveyed remain optimistic that technology can improve their day-to-day experience on the job. When asked what could help reduce worker stress, technology ranked behind pay and PTO and ahead of wellbeing benefits. Furthermore, 63% said they are excited about the job opportunities technology has created.

There's unprecedented stress and [Microsoft] believes that you could actually do better by prioritizing [frontline] employees, Spataro said. In other words, we would say that a strong frontline means a better bottom line. We think that aligning the business with the needs of employees is actually going to produce not only happier, better employees, but really better business outcomes.

Along with overall optimism, many respondents cited technology-related concerns: 46% said they fear job loss if they don't adapt to new tech, and 55% said they had to learn to use new technologies at work without being given formal training.

Ashenden said that a major issue is that tech innovation over the past 20 years has largely focused on desk-based employees, especially when it comes to productivity and collaboration. As a result, frontline workers' tools have not evolved and are often out-dated.

Some businesses get around this by cobbling together technologies themselves or trying to adapt technologies designed for desk-based workers," she said, "but it's only now that we're seeing focused investment by major tech players like Microsoft to provide tailored, off-the-shelf solutions that are specifically designed for this group of workers.

The increased awareness and understanding that the pandemic brought about has reinforced the appetite for businesses to invest in these solutions."

Productivity and the role of Microsoft Teams

While conducting the survey, Microsoft looked at productivity patterns and how Microsoft Teams is increasingly being used as a communication hub. Telemetry data shows that between March 2020 and November 2021, the monthly use of Microsoft Teams on the frontline grew 400%.

Although platforms like Teams were not necessarily developed with frontline workers in mind, many non-desk-based employees use tools traditionally seen in the office. For example, remote assistance applications allow workers to provide support to customers and partners without actually being in person, and virtual meeting technology lets sales people stay connected with customers  even accelerating sales cycles by allowing them to do more customer calls each day.

As for worker concerns about training, Ashenden said that's not a problem just for frontline workers. There's often an assumption that the tools are intuitive enough that people will work out for themselves how to use them, or that they will learn from their peers," she said. "In practice, this means that the organization will struggle to get the full value from the technology through a lack of process and consistency.

"It also risks employees getting frustrated and, therefore, adoption is limited. This is when you end up with employees looking for other, 'better' alternatives, which they consider better meet their needs more effectively, and application fragmentation worsens.

With that in mind, Microsoft this week announced updates to its Viva and Microsoft Teams platforms targeted at frontline roles.

The Microsoft Teams Walkie Talkie app will now be available on Zebra devices, allowing workers to have a high-tech, push-to-talk walkie talkies, regardless of the device they're using.

Microsoft also added virtual appointments in Teams, providing real-time updates on wait times, missed appointments, and staffing delays.

The Viva Connections app in Microsoft Teams now has integrations with strategic partners like Workday and Expressive, allowing easier access to important resources and putting payroll and HR resources in one location. And updates to the Viva Learning app enable frontline employees to discover, share, and track learning content within Teams for more consistent training across the workplace.

Ashenden said it's important that Microsoft sees frontline workers as a strategic group in its product development strategy, not just a one-off opportunity.

We've seen that with the trickle of new features for this audience over the last couple of years, not just in Teams but also in Dynamics 365 applications, and the investment in the Work Index research to understand frontline worker sentiment..., she said.

It's great to see the Viva product team now addressing this group, as well," Ashenden said. "Microsoft's approach with all these tools is to enable businesses to implement one solution for every type of worker  information worker or frontline  building in tailored experiences and features to support the different groups. This helps avoid the technical divide between frontline workers and information workers, especially when it comes to connecting, communicating and knowledge sharing across the organization."
01/14/2022

Photo (c) adamkaz - Getty Images Coronavirus (COVID-19) tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)

Total U.S. confirmed cases: 64,084,673 (63,232,336)

Total U.S. deaths: 846,506 (844,631)

Total global cases: 320,852,830 (317,485,959)

Total global deaths: 5,523,313 (5,516,175)

Supreme Court blocks mandate for businesses

The U.S. Supreme Court, on a six to three vote, has blocked the Biden administrations COVID-19 mandate for private businesses. Known as vaccine-or-testing rules, the mandate required large employers to vaccinate employees or test unvaccinated employees on a regular basis.

At the same time, the justices did allow the administration to require vaccinations for health care workers if their facilities accept Medicare and Medicaid. That edict covers an estimated 10 million employees.

The courts majority ruled that the Biden administration probably did not have the unilateral power to impose a mandate that employers ensure their workers were vaccinated or tested every week for COVID-19. Biden celebrated the partial victory, declaring that the mandate for health care workers will save lives.

Some pharmacies closing on weekends

If you need a prescription filled, you might have to wait until Monday. Some pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, are reportedly closing on weekends because of COVID-19 induced staff shortages.

"It's been bad before, but right now there's pharmacies closing because everybody in the pharmacy's got COVID," Gallipot Pharmacy pharmacist Mark Villines told KTEN-TV in Denison, Texas.

CVS said a few of its 10,000 stores are curtailing hours, including closing on either a Saturday or Sunday, to maintain efficient operations due to illness among staff.

Polish scientists find genetic link to COVID-19 deaths

Why do some people have mild or no COVID-19 symptoms while others die? Polish scientists report that their findings point to a genetic link.

Researchers at the Medical University of Bialystok estimate that the gene could be present in about 14% of the Polish population. They say the presence of the gene is the fourth most important factor when it comes to determining the severity of the illness after age, weight, and gender.

Marcin Moniuszko, a professor in charge of the study, suggests a genetic test "may help to better identify people who, in the event of an infection, may be at risk of an acute disease, even before the infection develops."

Around the nation

Texas: Officials in Austin-Travis County have issued new orders for businesses. The orders authorize businesses to impose health and safety requirements, provide notice of the protections that are being provided, and display signs requiring customers to wear masks.

Ohio: State Attorney General Dave Yost is defending his lawsuit that resulted in the Supreme Courts overturning of President Bidens vaccination mandate for private businesses. Yost said it wasnt about whether vaccines work or if a mandate is a good idea, but that a mandate must be enacted by Congress, not an agency or the Biden administration.

Connecticut: With hospitals throughout the state loaded with COVID-19 patients, the Connecticut Department of Public Health is asking skilled nursing facilities, long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and home health agencies to accept hospital transfer patients with COVID-19.

Michigan: Michigan is dealing with a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has stopped short of implementing stringent mitigation measures, as she did early in the pandemic. She said those measures arent necessary now because vaccines are readily available.
David and Liz Brown, the owners of the Dreaming Dog Brewery, pose before photographs of their customers dogs.
Glcom.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 18 Jul 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

The total number of people who shared the glcom homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the glcom homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the glcom homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if glcom has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the glcom homepage on Twitter + the total number of glcom followers (if glcom has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the glcom homepage on StumbleUpon.

Basic Information

PAGE TITLE Welcome New Client DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS welcome,



CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage.

Domain and Server

DOCTYPE CHARSET AND LANGUAGE DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux

The language of glcom.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Type of server and offered services. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. Character set and language of the site.

Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world.

Referring domains for glcom.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

Facebook link

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Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The URL of the found Facebook page.

Twitter account link

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Jammu and Kashmir

Impunity for Security Forces

Dalits, Tribal Groups, and Religious Minorities

Civil Society and Freedom of Association

Freedom of Expression and Privacy Rights

Womens and Girls Rights

Childrens Rights during Covid-19 Pandemic

Disability Rights

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Key International Actors

Foreign Policy

The government adopted laws and policies that discriminated against religious minorities, especially Muslims. This, coupled with vilification of Muslims by some BJP leaders and police failure to take action against BJP supporters who commit violence, emboldened Hindu nationalist groups to attack Muslims and government critics with impunity.A devastating second wave of Covid-19 in April exposed systemic weaknesses in Indias health infrastructure and the governments mishandling of the pandemic. The authorities threatened action against criticism of its pandemic response, and allegedly suppressed data to downplay the threat of the pandemic.In February, the government finally lifted an 18-month internet shutdown in Kashmir imposed in August 2019 when it revoked the states constitutional autonomy and split it into two federally governed territories.In September, after the death of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the government once against imposed restrictions on movement and a near-total communications blackout for two days to prevent a mass gathering at his funeral. Geelanis family alleged that they were denied the right to conduct proper final rites.In July, four UN human rights expert mandates wrote to the Indian government urging an inquiry into the death in custody of separatist leader Muhammad Ashraf Khan Sehrai, who was detained in July 2020 under the Public Safety Act, a preventive detention law. In March, five UN expert mandates wrote to the government seeking information about the detention of Kashmiri politician Waheed Para, the alleged custodial killing of a shopkeeper Irfan Ahmad Dar, and the en forced disappearance of Naseer Ahmad Wani. They raised concerns about the repressive measures and broader pattern of systematic infringements of fundamental rights used against the local population, as well as of intimidations, searches and confiscations committed by national security agents.Journalists in Kashmir faced increased harassment by the authorities, including raids and arrests on terrorism charges. In September, the police raided the homes of four Kashmiri journalists and confiscated their phones and laptops. In June, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention expressed concerns over alleged arbitrary detention and intimidation of journalists covering the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.Allegations of torture and extrajudicial killings persisted with the National Human Rights Commission registering 143 deaths in police custody and 104 alleged extrajudicial killings in the first nine months in 2021.After BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma became chief minister of Assam in May, his governments zero tolerance policy on crime led to an increase in police killings. By September, the police had reportedly killed 27 people in alleged extrajudicial killings and injured 40 others. In September, Assam police opened fire during a protest against forced evictions, killing a man and a 12-year-old boy. In a video shared on social media, police were seen beating the man after he was shot and a photographer hired by the local authorities stomping on the body of the injured man. The victims were Bengali-speaking Muslims, a community the BJP government has frequently vilified as illegal Bangladeshis.The authorities continued to use section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which requires government approval to prosecute police officials, to block accountability even in cases of serious abuses. In March, the Gujarat state government refused to give permission to prosecute three police officials accused in the 2004 extrajudicial killing of a Muslim woman, Ishrat Jahan.The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which remained in effect in Jammu and Kashmir and several northeastern states, provides effective immunity from prosecution to security forces, even for serious human rights abuses.The Border Security Force frequently used excessive force against irregular immigrants and cattle traders from Bangladesh.Hindu mobs beat up Muslims, often working class men, with impunity while pro- BJP supporters filed baseless complaints against critics, especially religious minorities.In January, a Muslim stand-up comic, Munawar Faruqui, and five of his associates were arrested on a complaint brought by the son of a BJP politician who accused him of hurting Hindu sentiments in jokes Faruqui apparently did not utter. Police subsequently admitted they had no evidence of the performance.In October, over 200 men and women allegedly belonging to the BJP youth wing and affiliated Hindu nationalist groups Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal attacked a church in Uttarakhand state, vandalizing property and injuring several churchgoers. The attack came soon after the VHP allegedly threatened to demolish churches in Madhya Pradesh states Jhabua district, claiming they were doing illegal religious conversions. Hindu nationalist groups also attacked churches in Chhattisgarh state. Several states enacted or amended laws ostensibly to prevent forced religious conversions, but these laws have been largely used to target minority communities, particularly Christians, Muslims, Dalits, and Adivasis.In September, the National Crime Records Bureau reported that 50,291 cases of crimes against Dalits were reported in 2020, an increase of 9.4 percent over the previous year. Crimes against tribal communities also increased by 9.3 percent, at 8,272 cases.In July, the death of jailed tribal rights activist Stan Swamy, 84, was emblematic of the ongoing persecution of rights activists. Swamy was arrested on politically motivated terrorism charges in the Bhima Koregaon case, related to caste violence in Maharashtra state in 2017. Fifteen other prominent human rights de- fenders are charged in this case. The UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders said Swamys death will forever remain a stain on Indias human rights record.In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described people participating in various peaceful protests as parasites.Hundreds of thousands of farmers, many of them from the minority Sikh community, protesting amendments to farm laws since November 2020, were accused by BJP leaders and pro-government media of having a separatist agenda.Following violent clashes on January 26, 2021 between the police and protesting farmers in which one protester died, the authorities filed baseless criminal cases against journalists, shut down the internet at multiple sites, prevented journalists from entering protest sites, and ordered Twitter to block hundreds of accounts. In February, the authorities arrested a climate activist, Disha Ravi, accusing her of sedition and criminal conspiracy for allegedly editing a document providing information on the protests, and issued warrants against two others. In March, several UN human rights experts raised concerns over governments measures to restrict the protests, intimidate those involved, and stifle public debate about them.In October, police arrested the son of a BJP minister on accusations that he ran over and killed four protesting farmers in Uttar Pradesh state with his car. An angry mob, in retaliation, then killed three men in the car, including the driver. A journalist also died in the violence.In September, government financial officials raided the home and office of Harsh Mander, an activist, in Delhi, alleging financial and administrative irregularities. In July, the government restricted funding for 10 international nongovernmental organizations working on climate change, environment or child labor, using the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.In June, the Delhi High Court, while granting bail to three student leaders arrested on terrorism charges in relation to communal violence in Delhi in February 2020, said, in its anxiety to suppress dissent, in the mind of the State, the line between the constitutionally guaranteed right to protest and terrorist activity seems to be getting somewhat blurred.UN human rights experts repeatedly raised concerns over misuse of counterterrorism laws to bring criminal charges against human rights defenders. In April, UN rights experts wrote to the Indian government on the alleged arbitrary detention of Adivasi human rights defender Hidme Markam on terrorism charges, saying the arrest appeared to be in response to her human rights work, and in particular her work to highlight instances of sexual violence against women by state security forces.The authorities continued to intimidate and harass journalists and news outlets critical of the government through politically motivated lawsuits and tax raids. In July, the Indian news website The Wire reported that at least 300 Indian phone numbers, including those of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, government officials, and opposition politicians, were included on a list of potential targets for advanced Israeli spyware Pegasus. Phone numbers of several activists arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case, as well as some of their family members were also on the leaked Pegasus list. In October, the Supreme Court, in response to several petitions related to the use of Pegasus spyware, appointed an independent panel to investigate the allegations of illegal surveillance.In February, the government enacted the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which target internet intermediaries, including social media services, digital news services, and curated video streaming sites. While the government said they aimed to curb the spread of fake news, they allow greater governmental control over online content, threaten to weaken encryption, and would seriously undermine rights to privacy and freedom of expression online. In June, three UN human rights experts said the rules did not conform with international human rights norms.The alleged rape and murder of a 9-year old Dalit girl in Delhi in August once again spotlighted that Dalit women and girls are at heightened risk of sexual violence. In August, a 24-year-old woman and her male friend from Uttar Pradesh died after setting themselves on fire in front of the Supreme Court, alleging harassment by state police and judiciary in retaliation for her rape complaint against a member of parliament.In February, former BJP minister M.J. Akbar lost his defamation case against jour- nalist Priya Ramani, who among several other women, had accused him of sexual harassment in the workplace. The ruling by a Delhi court, the first major legal victory in Indias #MeToo movement, noted that a woman cannot be punished for raising her voice against sexual abuse. However, the law addressing sexual violence in the workplace remained poorly enforced, especially for women in the informal sector.The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges women faced in work- force participation, pushing even more women out of jobs and into poverty. Studies showed more women than men lost jobs; a 2021 study said 47 percent of women lost their jobs as compared to 7 percent of men during the first lock- down in 2020, and they had not returned to work by the end of the year. In the informal sector, women fared even worse. Between March and April 2021, women in informal jobs in rural India accounted for 80 percent of job losses.By September 2021, several states in India began to reopen schools that had been shut for the most part since March 2020, affecting around 320 million children in India. An August report by a parliamentary standing committee noted that childrens learning had suffered immensely and because education sector also provides help, nutrition and psychological services, the overall welfare of the children has declined substantially. The report noted that 77 percent of students were deprived of attending online classes, while 40 percent of students had not accessed any remote learning.A February study by Azim Premji University covering approximately 16,000 students across grade 2 to 6 in five states found significant learning losses. Another report led by some economists found devastating impact of school closures on childrens learning, especially in rural areas and in poor and marginalized households.School disruptions accompanied by declines in earnings and loss of jobs, particularly in marginalized communities, resulted in an increase in child labor, early marriage, and trafficking. A UNICEF report said about 10 million students are at risk of never returning to school.Disability rights groups welcomed two court judgments recognizing barriers to justice for persons with disabilities and calling for an end to abuses in mental health institutions. In September, the Supreme Court recognized that the rights of people with disabilities in mental hospitals are being violated and called on the government to monitor state-run institutions more closely. It also ordered states to make Covid-19 vaccinations available to everyone detained in a mental health facility and to the staff. In April, the Supreme Court issued a ruling, echoing calls from the Indian disability rights movement to make concrete reforms to make the criminal justice system more accessible for people with disabilities.In June, the Madras High Court issued guidelines for the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex persons and for prevention of harassment by the state authorities. The ruling recognized widespread discrimination and also recommended several measures towards addressing prejudices against them in society, including through training and sensitization programs for police and judiciary.In January, the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights recommended a ban on medically unnecessary normalizing surgeries on children born with intersex variations. In August, a rights group filed a public interest litigation in Delhi High Court asking the Delhi government to declare a ban, citing the states child rights agencys stance on the matter.In April, the European Union held a local human rights dialogue with India. To date, the EUs foreign policy branch has refrained from publicly expressing concerns over Indias human rights record, as have EU leaders during a summit with their Indian counterparts in May. The European parliament remains the only EU body that raised concerns on human rights in India, including in a recommendation adopted in April.In September, India and Australia held the inaugural 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue where they discussed cooperation on cyber and critical technology and called for international counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan.In September, Prime Minister Modi attended the first in-person Quad summit in Washington, DC with leaders of Japan, Australia, and the United States. The leaders reiterated their commitment for a free and open Indo-Pacific, with an eye on China, and boosting global vaccine supply. The US deputy secretary of state visited Delhi in October to discuss Indias security concerns with the spillover effects from the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.Following the military coup in Myanmar in February, even as India condemned the violence and called for the release of detained leaders, it abstained on a UN General Assembly resolution in June that called for the release of those arbitrarily detained, stopping the flow of arms into the country, and the Myanmar military to respect the outcome of the 2020 election.In August, under Indias month-long presidency, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Afghanistan that called on the Taliban to ensure safe passage for Afghan nationals who want to leave the country, allow humanitarian access, and uphold human rights. India, reflecting Pakistans ties to the Taliban, pushed for commitments from the Taliban to ensure the country is not used by extremist groups to carry out attacks on India. In August, the Indian ambassador to Qatar met the head of the Talibans political office in Doha.India did not raise rights protections publicly with other neighbors including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.India gifted 10.7 million vaccines to 47 countries, commercially exported 35.7 million vaccines to 26 countries, and supplied 19.8 million vaccines to Covax, the global vaccine initiative that procures and distributes vaccines to low-and middle-income countries. Covax is largely supplied by AstraZeneca, which in turn has relied on only one manufacturing partner in India, the Serum Institute.As India struggled with a huge surge in deaths and infections with the second wave of Covid-19, the government halted all vaccine exports, causing shortages in countries that depended on Covax. In September, the government said it would restart the exports, including to Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldives.---
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The number of cybersecurity mergers and acquisitions deals in 2021 set a record pace. The first three quarters of the year saw 151 transactions in the industry, according to 451 Research. Thats up from 94 for the same period in 2020. That trend is likely to continue in 2022.

Many of the 2021 transactions CSO reported were in the identity and cloud security markets, especially toward the end of the year. This trend is likely to continue as these markets consolidate.

In all markets, larger firms are looking to expand their capabilities. Recorded Futures acquisition of SecurityTrails is an early 2022 example, as it adds attack surface monitoring technology to Recorded Futures offerings.

Last year saw some companies that are not primarily in the cybersecurity market buy security firms to better protect their data and customers. In November 2021, global retailer Schwarz Group bought cloud security firm XM Cyber to enhance the security of its digital offerings. This is likely to continue into 2022, as evidenced by Google Clouds acquisition of Siemplify. Google Cloud already offers a suite of security tools to its cloud platform customers. Siemplify enhances gives it enhanced security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) capabilities.

Below are the deals that CSO has selected as the most significant of the year. (This list is updated periodically as new deals are announced.)

Investment firm Thoma Bravo to acquire identity security firm Sailpoint for $6.9 billion

April 11: Sailpoint has entered into an agreement to be acquired by software investment firm Thoma Bravo. Once the deal is finalized, Sailpoint will become a privately held company. Identity security is core to cyber security and businesses have realized that to fuel business growth and success, they must start with identity as the foundation for secure business transformation. We've experienced rapid growth and see a tremendous opportunity ahead of us to continue to set the pace in the identity security market as the category leader, said Mark McClain, Sailpoint's CEO and founder, in a press release.

Imprivata enhances its digital identity capabilities with SecureLink acquisition

April 11: Digital identity vendor Imprivata has purchased SecureLink and its access management and patient privacy monitoring capabilities. The acquisition will allow Imprivata to provide what it claims is the only single vendor platform to manage and secure all enterprise and third-party digital identities. The importance of protecting digital identities has never been greater. The combined organization creates a holistic set of capabilities that enable the secure and efficient use of digital identities, while providing visibility and control of how they are used, Patrick Tickle, CEO of SecureLink, said in a press release. Terms of the deal were not released.
By Cynthia Hubert

Sacramento State will host hundreds of scholars from across California at the annual Afrikan Black Coalition conference during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

The conference, organized by the Universitys Black Student Union and originally scheduled to take place on campus, will be held virtually Jan. 15-17 and address social and political issues facing the Black community.

As many as 1,000 students and others of African descent from the UC and CSU systems are expected to hear speakers, and participate in peer and professional workshops, and social activities, said Hakeem Croom, coordinator of Sac States MLK Center.

The Afrikan Black Coalition is a statewide collective of college students that seeks to cultivate Black consciousness, build community leadership, and work to transform the quality of Black lives, on and off campus, according to the groups website. Among the issues of chief concern are academic policies, campus climate, and curricula.

This years conference theme is To Be Black and Free.

Keynote speakers will include author, activist, and motivational speaker Nuri Muhammad; and Charisse Burden-Stelly, an assistant professor of Africana Studies and Political Science at Carleton College in Minnesota.

Workshop topics include Freedom Beyond Colonial Borders, The Hyphy Culture Experience, and I Am Because We Are.

Samantha Smith, chair of the events student planning committee hopes attendees will take away a sense of pride in being Black and free, and a wealth of new knowledge.

We hope they will leave more educated, empowered, and determined than they were before they attended, said Smith, a Communications major in her fourth year at Sac State.

About 6% of Sac State students are Black, compared to 13% in the city overall. The conference is one way the University can help Black students feel seen and heard, Smith said.

Kameya Turner, president of Sac States Black Student Union, said the conference presents an opportunity for participants to bask in our culture, and be around those who look like us and may share similar experiences.

This is a time when we can gather and see what our community may need, which is important, said Turner, a third-year Family Studies and Human Development major.

The conference offers a chance for members of the Black Student Union to interact with groups from other colleges, and for Black people in the greater Sacramento area to be part of the experience, whether they attended college or not, she said.

Organizers had hoped to show off the Sac State campus in person, but the surge in COVID-19 cases forced them to pivot to a virtual format.

Switching to an online platform on such short notice has been a little stressful, but we are making it work to our advantage, Smith said. We are able to reach even more students and community members on the virtual platform, which ultimately benefits us as an organization.

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Connecticut is in store for an extremely cold start to the weekend with wind chills dipping to as low as negative-15 degrees before a winter storm could bring several inches of snow on Sunday night, the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for all of Connecticut overnight and into Saturday morning.

After the cold start to the weekend, the region is expected to see a mix of snow and sleet Sunday night that could bring as much as 7 inches of snow, at times falling up to an inch an hour, and up to a tenth of an inch of ice.

The weather service warns that the roads will be covered in snow and ice, making it difficult to travel.

The precipitation will then turn into rain or a wintry mix by Monday morning and taper off by midday, the weather service said.

The extreme temperatures will be driven by frigid air passing through the region from the Arctic Ocean and northern Canada, as well as gusting north winds on Friday night.

Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday he was activating the states extreme cold weather protocol, which provides coordination between state agencies to house and transport homeless and other vulnerable people in need of shelter.

Its looking like we are going to see another blast of arctic temperatures moving into the state, followed by the potential for a winter storm, Lamont said in a statement. These conditions can be extremely dangerous if someone is outdoors for extended periods of time, which is why we are urging anyone in need to seek shelter.

The governor said anyone in need of shelter, or those who know someone in need of shelter, should call 211.

Eversource, the states largest electrical utility company, said it has positioned crews around the state ahead of high winds expected Friday evening and Mondays winter weather, as well as calling in additional crews from out of state.

Weve been carefully monitoring these weather systems for the last few days and well have workers and materials in position across the state ready to respond and will adjust our plans if the forecast changes, Eversources President of Electric Operations in Connecticut, Steve Sullivan said in statement. With wet snow in some parts of the state and wind gusts over 50 miles per hour possible, there is the potential for trees and tree limbs to come down onto power lines and electric equipment. Were fully stocked with extra utility poles, wire, transformers and other equipment and ready to repair any damage this storm may cause.

New London Mayor Michael Passero said the citys library will be used as a warming center during the day Saturday and Sunday. People who need access to a shelter after business hours will be directed to Homeless Hospitality Center on Huntington Street, he said.

On Saturday, skies will be clear with temperatures only rising into the teens and wind chills making it feel like negative 10 degrees, the weather service said.

The temperatures will rise on Sunday into the upper 20s to low 30s, the weather service said.

The storm is expected to move into Connecticut Sunday night with 4 to 7 inches of snow possible, according to the weather service.

The snow is expected to turn to a wintry mix of snow and sleet, before becoming all rain on Monday when high temperatures are expected to reach the low 40s. The precipitation is anticipated to taper off by midday Monday.

Some northwestern parts of the state, where temperatures are expected to stay colder, could see snow without a mix of rain and sleet, according to the weather service.
BRANFORD - There has been an overwhelming response to the call out by the BHcare Clothing Bank for coats and other items of clothing, according to coordinator Joan McFarlane-Nwagboli said.

And, while she said a heartfelt thank you to area residents, she outlined some guidelines for donating used clothing.

Please call the Clothing Bank at 203-483-2643 before dropping off any donation.

Any clothes donated should be clean, mended and repaired. Items should be inspected for rips or tears, missing buttons, and broken zippers.

We dont have seamstresses to do repairs and those in need may not have the resources to do repairs, she said.

Clothing should be free of pet hair, lint and tissues.

Shoes should be donated in pairs and tied together.

For sheets and towels that are permanently stained or badly worn, wash and give to animal shelters who can always use them.

Always ask yourself before donating: Would I or my family wear whats in the bag? If the answer is no, then put it in one of the donation bins around town.

McFarlane-Nwagboli added, We are so grateful for the outpouring of personal care items, new socks, underwear, and gloves, as well as the new and gently used coats and jackets.

BHcare Clothing Bank is in the Patricia C. Andriole Volunteer Services Building, 30 Harrison Ave. Branford.

 Lisa Reisman
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BRIDGEPORT  An exodus of police officers in 2021 has the acting chief and the union, who have been at odds during her year-and-a-half tenure, on the same side urging Mayor Joe Ganims administration to negotiate better healthcare benefits in a new contract.

The previous collective bargaining agreement expired last July and union leadership and city officials are in talks over a new pact.

Were losing the newer officers, Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia told the City Councils budget committee Monday during a teleconference presentation on her departments manpower.

They do enjoy being here. They just cant afford to do it, she said.

According to numbers supplied by Garcia and Lt. Manuel Cotto, the department lost 53 people in 2021. Of that figure, 27 officers resigned, another 25 retired and three were terminated. Of those that resigned, 26 took jobs with other departments, and two of those returned.

Meanwhile, a 2021 recruitment drive did not keep up with those vacancies, resulting instead in a lackluster response that generated a class of just a dozen recruits.

Were trending negatively where we should be trending positively, Cotto said.

The departments optimum strength is 426. Garcia and Cotto said they have an active roster, sans the 12 recruits, of 327, with 30 officers eligible to retire in February.

Garcia reported that during exit interviews she has been told men and women are leaving for the lower health insurance premiums offered by other municipalities, and starting salaries ranging from $70,000 to $90,000. Bridgeports starting salary is around $57,000.

Ive had officers tell me, Chief, if it was different with the insurance I would not leave because I enjoy working for the city, Garcia said.

Sgt. Brad Seely, the unions president, issued a statement Thursday saying his organization is seeking more competitive salaries and healthcare costs in the current contract negotiations with Ganim but did not offer additional details.

The healthcare cost-share paid by our employees is much higher than any other known municipal police department. That, combined with uncompetitive salaries, results in officers taking home less pay while working in Connecticuts largest city with a dwindling police force, Seely said.

A few years ago then-Mayor Bill Finchs administration struck collective bargaining agreements with not just the police but other municipal labor groups, eliminating post-retirement health coverage for new hires and requiring their insurance costs gradually increase to reduce the burden on taxpayers. As a result, many newer employees currently pay around 37 percent of their premiums.

Meanwhile the city under Finchs successor, fellow Democrat Ganim, who took office in 2015, went from being self-insured to joining the states health plan. That move, which had been advocated by the police union, was estimated to save Bridgeport several million dollars in its operating budget, but has also proven more pricey than initially anticipated for plan participants.

Asked what concessions his members would offer in exchange for clawing back some of their health perks, Seely said, Any other monetary concession in exchange for such would be detrimental to both parties as it would not lead to retention and recruitment.

Seely said Bridgeport deserves a quality police organization.

Reaching a fair and reasonable contract that keeps officers in Bridgeport will be win-win for everyone, he said.

Ganims office did not return a request for comment.

Council members Jeanette Herron and Matthew McCarthy not only have seats on the budget committee, but are the co-chairs of the all-Democrat legislative bodys contracts group, which would vote on any new deal with the police. Following Garcias and Cottos presentation Monday, both expressed support for providing officers more affordable health insurance.

Ive been told theyre (City Hall) looking into it. I know theyre checking into plan adjustments, Herron said.

She said the lack of post-retirement coverage is also a problem for the force.

You have a high risk, high stress job, Herron said. If they do 20, 25 years, most-likely theyll have high blood pressure (or) something wrong, and now youre walking out with no medical plan.

McCarthy also backed health coverage for the citys police.

If the city does not change the healthcare theyre (officers) just gonna keep leaving, McCarthy said.

McCarthy suggested Bridgeport could look to find additional savings by targeting the police departments pension system. For example, currently the overtime officers earn manning construction sites is reimbursed the city by private contractors. However that overtime still counts toward pension calculations, which ultimately is an extra burden on Bridgeports budget.

I dont know that this is even possible, but I dont think outside overtime should go into their pensions, McCarthy said.

While attributing departures to the health expenses, Garcia and Cotto blamed last years poor recruitment on a national trend away from law enforcement jobs.

This isnt a Bridgeport problem, Cotto told the budget committee. Not too many people want to be police officers.

The city had previously said 419 candidates had submitted applications by the June 4 deadline. In contrast, when Finch in 2015 launched a search for new officers, his administration boasted that 1,013 candidates initially came forward, 800 of those made it to the oral interview stage, and 762 qualified for the academy pending background checks, physicals and other requirements.

Cotto said the department is hoping  crossing our fingers  we can get a second class from 2021s applicants. But, he cautioned, The last thing we want to do is lower our standard because we need bodies.

During Mondays meeting Councilwoman Maria Pereira argued the departments personnel issues could also be attributed to poor morale resulting from controversies like excessive force and racism scandals and internal tensions involving Perez and now Garcia.

Labor grievances were also on the rise last year in the police department, according to the labor offices 2021/22 proposed budget.

We cant be blind to the fact ... the police department has kind of been in crisis for four to five years, Pereira said. Our police chief went to prison. These things do effect recruitment, morale and certainly doesnt make it a department a lot of people would want to work for.

Pereira also questioned whether officers were being completely candid with Garcia during her exit interviews and said those interviews should instead be conducted by an independent person so the city has a full understanding of why they are leaving.

McCarthy, a critic of Garcias, agreed.

An officers not gonna bad mouth the chief in front of her, knowing theyre gonna go somewhere, may not like it and want to come back, he said.
Hoping to secure better pay for thousands of home health care aides whove risked their lives during the pandemic, Cynthia Johnson of Greenwich posed a direct question as she protested outside of Gov. Ned Lamonts Greenwich home on a chilly December morning.

Wheres our Thanksgiving and Christmas? asked Johnson, who wore a Grinch hat while dozens of fellow protestors chanted Fix the broken system and Shame on you.

But while these members of New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199 SEIU were rallying for a new contract with better pay and benefits, their question is part of larger one, labor leaders say, and the lack of an answer is producing a crisis across Connecticut.

The state received billions of dollars last year in federal pandemic relief, holds billions more in its budget reserve and expects another whopping surplus next June. Unless state officials use some of this to compensate the wide range of workers who risked their lives daily to provide essential services over the past two years, labor leaders say, staffing shortages will become a pandemic unto themselves.

And if Lamont and state legislators  who face reelection this year  dont remember the health care personnel, teachers, social workers, emergency responders, prison guards and grocery store employees that couldnt work from home, union members say, these essential workers will remind them.

You might be holding our future in your hands right now, Johnson said. But come Election Day, your future will be in our hands.

We put them at risk. We put their families at risk.

Lawmakers routinely field complaints that Connecticut employers cant find enough nurses, other health care workers, teachers, restaurant staff and skilled manufacturing laborers.

Thats not an accident, said Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven. The pandemic and the ensuing divide between remote and front-line workers have permanently changed how workers view front-line jobs.

Simply put, the wages and benefits offered in some cases simply arent worth the risks of illness and death, she said.

Lets be honest, its not a labor shortage, Porter said. Its a wage shortage.  Its a health insurance shortage.

Porter added that some in government arent ready to acknowledge this responsibility that Connecticut effectively imposed on a poor subset of the population.

We said, If youre essential, youve got to go out and keep the economy open, she said. We put them at risk. We put their families at risk.

District 1199 made that argument repeatedly last year, winning raises and better benefits for group and nursing home workers, and is still battling for the same outcomes for home health aides. Workers in all three groups are employed by private agencies that get the bulk of their funding from government sources.

District 1199 took its protest to Lamonts Greenwich home last month to highlight that labor divide.

People in this neighborhood got to work from home. Did any of you get to work from home? Diedre Murch, vice president of the unions home care sector, asked protestors. Many of you are making impossible decisions every single day about whether to pay rent or pay bills, about whether to buy food or buy medicine.

Murch said about two-thirds of Connecticuts 10,000 personal care attendants  most of whom are female or racial minorities  rely on public assistance,, while one in five are without health insurance.

The union has asked for $20 per hour, paid sick time, and affordable, quality health insurance. The $3 billion in American Rescue Plan Act funds Congress sent to Connecticut last year included $240 million for home care services. District 1199 officials say this should be enough for the state to resolve the dispute, but members have been without a new contract for more than seven months.

Gov. Lamont has proposed and executed multiple programs to support front-line workers and their families since the start of the pandemic, said Max Reiss, Lamonts communications director.

The governor and legislature earmarked $34 million in ARPA resources to cover a portion of lost wages and medical expenses incurred by front-line workers. Lamont also ordered $75 million in federal funds be distributed to poor working families.

But critics say this is far too little.

The $34 million was a bone thrown to lawmakers who couldnt convince the governor to alter the workers compensation system. Labor advocates argued that any worker exposed to COVID and facing wage losses or health expenses should be able to tap workers compensation benefits automatically.

The pandemic sparked thousands of workers compensation claims, and legislators say the $34 million likely will be exhausted before all requests for aid have been processed.

The $75 million Lamont is distributing is earmarked for families that earned less than $57,000 during 2020, an average benefit of $377. Porter noted that a family with two adults working low-paying front-line jobs might easily be disqualified from any assistance under this criteria.

The Lamont administration has been in negotiations with state employee unions since September about some form of special hazard compensation, but those talks havent produced any agreement to date.

And while one source close to the administration said the governor didnt appreciate the protest outside of his Greenwich home, labor advocates say the numbers speak for themselves.

Two years into pandemic, Hero Pay remains a concept only

Lamont has been reluctant to tap any state funds for COVID-19 relief for workers, preferring to dole out only federal dollars. Thats despite holding a record-setting $3.1 billion in the rainy day fund and with analysts projecting a nearly $1.9 billion surplus for the current fiscal year.

The governor remains open to additional measures of support, but only if the math adds up, and only if the qualifying criteria for public and private sector participation are clear, Reiss said.

Some combination of federal and state funds should be used, labor advocates say, for what many are calling hero pay  a one-time cash infusion for the workers who risked their health to keep the state functioning.

Of course, there is no amount of money that would fully compensate essential workers for their sacrifices  but two years in to the pandemic, the state hasnt allocated a dime, said Puya Gerami, campaign director of Recovery for All CT, a coalition of labor- and faith-based groups. Were eager to work with the Lamont administration to formulate a comprehensive package honoring all workers in both the public and private sectors for their crucial sacrifices.

Legislators and labor groups have discussed dedicating anywhere from $250 million to $500 million for hero pay, noting the funds likely would be distributed among hundreds of thousands of Connecticut households. Porter and the other co-chair of the Labor Committee, Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, raised a bill last year to direct nearly $400 million for this purpose.

Cities and towns received more than $1.5 billion in direct federal aid through the ARPA legislation, but union officials say communities, in general, have been reluctant to use it to fund pandemic compensation.

Joe DeLong, executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, said thats a worthy discussion to have but also noted that the coronavirus challenged school systems, left many businesses and families struggling financially and pushed social service caseloads through the roof.

But all sides agree the state has the deepest pockets right now, and that any hero pay will likely come from the Capitol in Hartford.

Im disappointed as a state that we have not done this yet, Kushner said, noting that Lamont and lawmakers carved out $155 million to ease the tax assessment businesses face to replenish the states unemployment trust.

Lawmakers are talking about expanding that assistance when the 2022 General Assembly session convenes in February. And Chris DiPentima, president of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, said his group is urging lawmakers to invest more in worker training programs to combat the growing staffing shortages.

The focus, Kushner said, is almost entirely on employers and not enough on working families.

Weve helped businesses, weve helped large corporations, she added, urging Lamont and other lawmakers to see hero pay as another investment  one that will keep families off public assistance, reduce evictions and help send more students to college. I believe we have to invest in the workforce in Connecticut  if we truly want everyone to recover.
Traffic-related deaths in Connecticut are up over last year with increased speeding during the pandemic as one suspected cause. Despite that, Connecticut State Police are pulling drivers over less often.

That apparent contradiction was on the agenda Thursday as the bipartisan leadership of the legislative Public Safety Committee and the states top public safety official met in a closed session to discuss priorities ahead of the Feb. 9 start of the legislative session.

Fatalities are up and traffic stops are down drastically, said Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, the ranking House Republican on the committee. I know from my experience those two things are related.

Howard, a Stonington police detective, said a variety of factors are at play including COVID-19 and directives early in the pandemic to for law enforcement to minimize contact with the public. Another factor: staffing.

But Howard also attributed the decline in enforcement to low morale among officers who fear being accused of wrongdoing under a 2020 police accountability law.

If a car goes by speeding and you dont pull it over, you dont get sued, Howard said in an interview Thursday after the meeting. Theyre concerned. Am I going to get sued for every little thing I do? Theyre trying to limit their liability the best way they can.

Andrew Matthews, a retired sergeant who is executive director of the state troopers union, also tied the decrease in traffic stops to troopers morale, largely due to the police accountability legislation. A push by lawmakers for a pilot program to install specialized cameras in work zones to monitor speed is another indication they dont trust law enforcement to do its job, Matthews said.

Morale is down. They dont feel supported, he said. The legislature is talking about subjecting them to more criminal and civil penalty.

Brian Foley, a top aide to state police commissioner James Rovella, deferred comments about Thursdays meeting to lawmakers on the public safety committee.

The Democratic co-chairs of the committee, Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, and Rep. Maria Horn, D-Salisbury, said the discussion with Rovella was wide-ranging, a routine part of their duties to develop proposals to tackle public safety in the 2022 legislative session.

Certainly highway safety came up, Horn said, but lawmakers are still debating how to tackle the issue.

Traffic-related fatalities in the state are up nearly 16 percent from last year, with 290 fatal collisions as of Nov. 12. There were 257 fatal crashes in 2020 and 216 in 2019.

We dont know what the causes are, Horn said of the highway safety data. Before we leap to any conclusions, we need to look a little more at whats going on.

Staffing also came up at Thursdays meeting. Matthews said there are about 950 troopers currently compared to 1,200 about 10 years ago. A surge of state employee retirements is expected to occur this year ahead of June 30 when pension rule changes go into effect, and that could include hundreds of state troopers.

We know that staffing is challenged, which is why we approved two new trooper classes in the new budget, Horn said, referring to biennium budget currently in effect.

The number of traffic stops conducted by state police has decreased since 2014 with a sharp decline beginning in mid-March 2020, just as the state began to lock down due to the pandemic. Enforcement remained low for much of 2020 and the first part of 2021  but in August of last year, traffic stops approached pre-pandemic totals.

Thats according to the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at the University of Connecticut, which has analyzed state data on traffic enforcement.

The data shows there were 157,000 traffic stops conducted by state police in 2019. The total dropped to nearly 76,000 in 2020 and reached nearly 112,000 in the first 11 months of 2021.

State police are also issuing fewer infractions. In 2021, 44 percent of state police stops resulted in an infraction compared with 60 percent in 2020 and 67 percent in 2019. State police have issued more warnings in 2021  though the data is incomplete  than even before the pandemic, according to the UConn institute.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
As the pandemic continues to squeeze the economy with supply chain issues, a new victim has befallen the ongoing shortages: our furry friends.

Nationwide, pet owners are reporting difficulty finding pet food online and on store shelves.

According to the Wall Street Journal, some pet food manufacturers have been unable to secure the necessary ingredients in order to meet the demand. This has led to corporations like The JM Smucker Company, which owns brands such as Meow Mix and Milk-Bone, to notify retailers that shipments would limited for some pet products. In the case of JM Smucker, those delays are expected to persist through January 2023.

"Pretty much every single product that comes to our stores from a manufacturer is facing a COVID driven disruption," Wayne Pesce of the Connecticut Food Association told Hearst Connecticut, speaking to the food shortages facing both humans and animals. "Trucking and transportation combined with recruitment and retention of a robust workforce have become a new normal. With the recent spike in Omicron cases these challenges are further heightened."

Mike McCutcheon of H3 Pet Supply, a pet supply store in Stratford, attributes the shortages to ongoing pandemic-related supply chain issues that are exacerbated by businesses being "short on help."

"The manufacturers of pet food are hurting with products and supplies," McCutcheon said. "Some get better, some get worse on a week-to-week basis."

McCutcheon also pointed to an ongoing can shortage, which includes canned food for pets.

Around the state, both local pet shops and big box stores are seeing the shortages impacting their store shelves.

According to Target's website, "Purina ONE SmartBlend Chicken & Rice Formula Adult Dry Dog Food," one of the most popular dog food options for store, is out of stock at most Target locations in the state. Meanwhile, speciality foods like "Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care with Chicken & Turkey Adult Premium Dry Cat Food" are showing limited supply at Target stores with few packages available at some Connecticut locations.

A spokeswoman from ShopRite reiterated that some pet items are currently hard-to-find due to supply chain issues however, they're making an effort to have options for pet owners to have food for their furry friends.

"It's true that the availability of some pet items and brands may be limited as manufacturers wrestle with supply chain issues, but we think our customers will find what they need for their furry friends," Karen OShea said. "Our shelves are stocked and that's due, in large part, to our strong relationships with vendor partners and suppliers."

While the pet food shortage has disrupted the system, another factor not related to supply chain issues imay also have an effect: an increase in the number of pets during the pandemic.

In a 2021 report from the American Pet Products Association, pet ownership increased to 70 percent of U.S. households  an increase of 3 percent over the following year. In addition, the company found that 35 percent of pet owners were spending more on their pets in 2021 with online shopping for pet products jumping up from 72 to 86 percent of survey respondents in the past year.
Jacob Gomez, left, and Ricardo Sinclair at the 2018 YWCA Race Against Racism. This years race will be held in person as well as virtually.
BRIDGEPORT  Police chased and shot at a man wanted on several domestic violence warrants from New Haven to Bridgeport late Thursday morning, arresting him after he crashed into two vehicles, officials said.

Late Thursday morning, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, which included a deputy U.S. marshal and Bridgeport police detectives, and New Haven police officers went to Onofrios Ultimate Foods on Wheeler Street to arrest 54-year-old Marvin Owens of New Haven, according to Bridgeport Police Capt. Brian Fitzgerald and Capt. Kevin Gilleran.

Owens, a convicted felon, was wanted on several outstanding domestic violence warrants from Bridgeport. Police believed at the time Owens was armed with a handgun, Gilleran said.

During the attempted arrest, Owens disregarded officers commands, took off running and jumped into his commercial truck.

As he drove off, shots were fired at the scene, Gilleran said. There were no injuries from the gunfire, he added.

New Haven Police Department said none of its officers fired shots at the scene.

Police chased Owens south on Interstate 95 and used stop sticks on the highway to try to apprehend him. While the sticks flattened the trucks tires, Owens continued driving at a slower speed, police said.

Owens got off the highway in Bridgeport and drove to Boston Avenue, where he hit a car and a tow truck. As a result, two citizens were taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.

Owens continued to try and run away on foot, but police were able to stop and arrest him at the intersection of Boston and Seaview avenues, according to Bridgeport Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran.

Owens was taken to Bridgeport Hospital for treatment. He was later released and taken to the Bridgeport Police Department where he was charged with his outstanding warrants, as well as reckless driving, engaging police in a pursuit, interfering with a police officer, criminal attempt of assault of public safety personnel and first-degree reckless endangerment.

The outstanding warrants, which were from Bridgeport and Stamford, charged Owens with 16 counts of violation of a protective order, second-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree threatening and first-degree reckless endangerment.

The warrants, plus the charges accumulated Thursday, totaled to $1.275 million bond, according to Gilleran.

Owens is expected to appear Friday in state Superior Court in Bridgeport, Fitzgerald said.

The state police's major crime unit is assisting the Office of the Inspector General in an investigation on the incident. The state police are also investigating the officer involved shooting.

liz.hardaway@hearst.com
The insurrection on January 6, 2021, rocked Americas conscience. Donald Trumps Republican supporters launched a violent riot to storm the U.S. Capitol, breaking windows, threatening members of Congress and assaulting police officers resulting in the deaths of several, all as our country watched in horror.

It was an insurrection with a simple goal: to overturn an election. To stop Joe Biden from winning the presidency and to keep Donald Trump in the White House. Rioters that day shouted, Trump sent us. Two people died at the Capitol that day and seven more died in the days and months after, bringing the death toll to nine.

It was a moment unlike any other in American history. It was an insurrection in support of Donald Trump  and a stain on Americas reputation around the world.

When other Republicans across the country condemned the insurrection and rightfully placed the blame on Donald Trump, too many Republicans in Connecticut, including 2018 gubernatorial nominee Bob Stefanowski, put their love for Trump ahead of their love for the country.

After years of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Trump  Stefanowski called his endorsement in 2018 pretty cool and gave him an A grade for his job performance  he refused to condemn the base of his own party, and he refused to condemn Trump for fueling the flames of the Jan. 6 insurrection.

In Connecticut, voters take pride in their willingness to support reasonable, mainstream candidates from both political parties. However, by embracing the former president and his radical, dangerous conspiracy theories, Bob Stefanowski has put himself in the company of the most extreme fringes of the GOP  far outside of mainstream Connecticut. Maybe Bob forgot what state he lives in, but the people of Connecticut deserve better.

Silence from Stefanowski and other Republican leaders has dangerous consequences. A poll from last August showed that a majority of Republicans think the 2020 election was rigged, and threats against members of Congress have increased 10-fold since 2016.

And though Stefanowski often claims to stand with law enforcement, he has chosen loyalty to Trump over supporting those who keep our communities safe. His attempts to protect Trump are an insult to those who died and the 150 officers injured during the riot.

One year after Donald Trumps insurrection, Bob Stefanowksi and too many Connecticut Republican leaders have maintained an unconscionable silence.

To her credit, Themis Klarides said that President Trump owns this  but does the rest of her party agree? Do Bob Stefanowski and other GOP members still support Trump and his conspiracies?

A year after this shameful attack on our democracy, our leaders must speak with one voice to counteract these virulent and pernicious lies.

The election was not stolen from Donald Trump. There was no rampant voter fraud. And Joe Biden is the legitimately elected president of the United States.

Bob Stefanowski and too many Connecticut Republicans have long stood with the Trump wing of the Republican Party. But as the national GOP attempts to use the Big Lie as a pretext for a nationwide attack on our right to vote, merely condemning violence is not enough.

It is not enough for Bob Stefanowski and the leaders of the Republican Party to tacitly condemn violence while they continue to protect the man who incited it.

State Rep. Geraldo Reyes represents the 75th District in Waterbury. He is deputy speaker and is the 2021-22 chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican caucus. State Rep. Bobby Gibson represents the 15th District, which includes Bloomfield and Windsor. He is vice chair of the Black and Puerto Rican caucus.
Connecticut received more than 5,655 paid-leave benefit applications in December, ahead of the Jan. 1 start date for granting paid family and medical leave for eligible private-sector employees under a new state mandate.

That rush to apply for benefits has renewed fears about the paid-leave programs long-term viability and the ability of small businesses to manage the states latest workplace mandate.

I dont want to minimize the impact on small employers whove never done this before, but its not going to feel like its just a switch for them, Andrea Barton Reeves, CEO of Connecticuts Paid Leave Authority, told an employer conference put on by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association in 2020. For smaller employers, this is an entirely new world.

The paid-leave program applies to almost all private-sector employers. State government is exempt from the mandate, which allows up to 12 weeks paid leave for employees to care for their own or any extended family members illness or injury. Workers have paid a 0.5 percent tax from each paycheck since Jan. 1, 2021, to fund the program.

CBIA has raised concerns about the programs long-term solvency since the mandate was first proposed. Why? Because the math doesnt work.

An employee earning a median family income of $78,450 contributes $392 annually to the paid-leave fund and is eligible to receive up to $9,360 in yearly benefits.

At that level, the contributions of 24 workers are needed to pay the benefits of a single person. The paid-leave authority projects 85,000 annual claims.

So, if every one of those 85,000 claimants makes the median income and collects full paid-leave benefits, over 2 million employees must pay into the system to fund their claims. But as of November 2021, there were only 1.39 million private-sector workers in the state.

Mark my words: At some point, the fund will run out of money, followed by inevitable demands that employers contribute to the program. It has already happened in other states, despite those states offering less generous benefits than Connecticut.

Perhaps the most troubling aspect is that lawmakers ignored the fragility of the states economy when narrowly approving the paid-leave program in 2019, one of an astonishing 28 workplace mandates passed by the legislature since 2016.

Each of those mandates originated in the General Assemblys Labor and Public Employees Committee. They represent just a fraction of the harmful bills proposed by committee leadership during that time. CBIA opposed over 75 harmful bills approved by the committee, invariably along party lines, during the past six years, with most failing to win full legislative approval. An estimated 75 additional proposals did not advance out of the committee.

Those mandates were proposed and debated during a period of anemic job and GDP growth in Connecticut, reflecting a troubling disconnect between legislative policymaking and the states critical economic needs.

A review of the years between 2016 and 2019  before the pandemic fully upended the economy  shows that Connecticuts jobless rate was the countrys highest or tied for the highest in 29 of those 48 months. Job growth was a woeful 0.36 percent  a net 6,100 jobs  over those four years, just a fraction of the New England regions 4.7 percent growth. The U.S. added jobs at a 3.8 percent rate during that time.

Connecticuts economy was also largely stagnant from 2016 through 2019. GDP was unchanged in 2016, grew 0.9 percent in 2017 and 2019, and just 0.4 percent in 2018  well below the performance of the regional and national economies.

Personal income growth in the state  another key sign of economic health  also trails the region and the country. A Pew Charitable Trusts report showed that if it were not for unemployment benefits and federal assistance, Connecticuts personal income growth would have declined in 2020.

This slew of mandates makes a challenging situation even tougher  further driving up the high cost of doing business, dumping administrative burdens on smaller employers, and reinforcing tired old perceptions about the states business climate.

Connecticut should be making it easier  not more difficult  to create jobs here, to attract and keep companies here.

The 2022 legislative session begins next month with reasons for Connecticut employers to be optimistic. Thanks to the 2017 bipartisan budget compromise that implemented an initial set of fiscal reforms, we have made unexpected progress toward resolving the long-term issues that held us captive to endless cycles of deficits and tax hikes for years.

Those reforms also helped improve Connecticuts rankings in national business climate polls in almost every category except the cost of doing business  an area directly influenced by the states tax and labor policies.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisles are talking seriously about implementing long-overdue tax relief. Its also time they address the out-of-control torrent of workplace mandates that do nothing but harm Connecticuts growth and reputation.

Eric Gjede is vice president of public policy with CBIA, the states largest business organization.
Dalton, GA (30720)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

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Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Ashland, KY (41101)

Today

Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Sunbury, PA (17801)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 71F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
The revelation that a Chinese spy has been operating with impunity at the heart of the British Establishment for years should surprise nobody.

For over a decade, that same Establishment has been offering Communist China seats at its top tables in government, politics, universities and business.

The aim was to curry favour with a rising superpower in the hope that it would lead to lucrative business contracts and investment.

Nobody should be shocked that the operatives of a totalitarian state took it as an opportunity to interfere, infiltrate, influence and, yes, spy.

The rot really set in after 2010, when David Cameron became Prime Minister and George Osborne became Chancellor.

These two kowtowed shamelessly to Beijing.

The prospect of big bucks for Britain blinded them to the fact that they were dealing with a ruthless dictatorship bent on spreading its tentacles across the globe while building the most intrusive surveillance state ever to enslave its own people.

As the Chinese state planned to intern and brainwash millions of its Uighur Muslim population, Cameron took Chinese president Xi Jinping for a pint at a British pub - while Osborne salivated at the prospect of the City of London becoming the main offshore centre for trading the renminbi, Chinas increasingly important currency.

As the Chinese state planned to intern and brainwash millions of its Uighur Muslim population, David Cameron took Chinese president Xi Jinping for a pint at a British pub. Pictured above in 2015

The moolah mattered more to Cameron and Osborne than human rights  and the Chinese gaily strolled through every British door these two so cavalierly opened. He is pictured above with Christine Lee at the ceremony of the British GG2 leadership awards in 2015.

The moolah mattered more to Cameron and Osborne than human rights  and the Chinese gaily strolled through every British door these two so cavalierly opened.

As a result, the Chinese found themselves, sometimes much to their surprise, suddenly playing key roles in national infrastructure investments, including the roll-out of 5G (since rescinded), nuclear power and even our most prestigious universities.

How they must have laughed at that peculiar British mixture of naivety and cupidity of Beijings useful idiots.

Endorsed by the highest echelons of British government, it was no surprise that others got in on the act.

Then energy secretary in the Cameron coalition government and now Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey gave China a pivotal role in the development of Britains first new nuclear power station for a generation  Hinkley Point C in Somerset  with indications of a bigger role to come in future nuclear power stations should that go well.

Camerons successors, Theresa May and Boris Johnson, thought it a jolly good idea to put Huawei, a tech giant umbilically linked to the Chinese state, at the heart of Britains investment in 5G, until the Americans pointed out the dangers to our security and intelligence that would follow.

Perhaps no part of the British establishment has abased itself more before China than our great universities, from Cambridge down.

In return for research funding and a regular intake of high-paying Chinese students, they have allowed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to get a grip on our campuses.

The moolah mattered more to Cameron and Osborne (pictured) than human rights  and the Chinese gaily strolled through every British door these two so cavalierly opened

The Chinese Students and Scholars Association, a CCP front organisation, keeps tabs on Chinese students in the UK and mobilises them when required to attack and shut down critics of China, of which there are now precious few in our supposedly freethinking seats of learning.

The Chinese student association infiltrating our campuses is part of a sinister operation known as the United Front Work Department, based in an anonymous building next to the CCP headquarters in Beijing.

According to MI5, this is the organisation that Christine Lee, now outed as a Chinese spy, worked for.

United Front is separate from Chinas various spy agencies and operates with the endorsement of President Xi to influence foreign governments and public opinion.

Despite this peculiar pedigree, Lee was allowed to saunter through the upper echelons of British society unhindered, dispensing largesse and gathering information for her masters back in Beijing.

Nobody benefited more from her generosity than Labour MP and former Corbynite shadow minister Barry Gardiner.

She bankrolled his office to the tune of around 600,000. He never seemed to wonder why all of this money was coming his way. It surely wasnt because of his ability to talk the hind legs off a donkey.

No matter. Gardiner accepted the dosh  and gave her son a job in his parliamentary office.

It wasnt just Left-wing MPs who were taken in. Prime Minister Theresa May gave Lee an award for services to Britains Chinese communities in 2019.

Barry Gardiner and Christine Lee dining together during a boozy lunch at Westminster's swanky Corinthia Hotel, only a short walk from Parliament in 2018. It is believed the third person may have been Ms Lee's son Daniel Wilkes, 27, who was employed by 'Beijing Barry' until yesterday

A warning memo was sent to all MPs and Peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team, and no politicians are suspected of any criminality.

It is strange that our intelligence services did not warn her against this as by then its thought Lee was under surveillance.

The intelligence services have been praised for outing Lee. In fact, they have presided over a massive intelligence failure. Lee is just a bit-player in the CCPs huge and expanding influence and spying operations in the UK.

There are plenty more where she came from and only now are the intelligence services taking it with the seriousness it deserves.

Perhaps our spooks thought it a waste of time, since our most senior politicians were so busy cosying up to the Chinese. That attitude has now changed.

Only two months ago, the head of MI6 publicly warned that Chinese spies were conducting large-scale espionage operations targeting UK government, industry and research.

The head of MI5 has highlighted Chinas extensive efforts to influence ministers and politicians in Westminster. So perhaps the Chinese spooks wont get it all their own way any more.

Its important that they dont. Since the start of this century authoritarian regimes have been on the march across the globe, with China in the forefront.

Remember, these were meant to be the decades, in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the advent of China into the global trading system, that would see the triumph of liberal democracy.

The rot really set in after 2010, when David Cameron became Prime Minister and George Osborne became Chancellor. These two kowtowed shamelessly to Beijing. Mr Cameron is pictured alongside Christine Lee at a British Chinese Project event at Downing Street event in 2016

Instead, authoritarians from Beijing to Moscow to Ankara have strengthened their grip and even called the global shots  while democracies have struggled to respond and have often found themselves on the back foot.

In a world increasingly dominated by strongmen, from Xi to Vladimir Putin, with Russian troops on the Ukraine border and Chinese naval manoeuvres off the coast of Taiwan, the democracies have found themselves with vacillating leaders, which only emboldens the authoritarians further.

There are some grounds for hope.

The outing of Lee is a small one, especially if it marks a more robust British approach to China.

The growing consensus in Washington DC - about the only thing the politicians in that divided city do agree on - is that its time to get tough with China.

But perhaps most important of all is to learn the lesson of the Cameron-Osborne years: do not renege on your democratic principles for the sake of quick bucks - no matter how many seem to be on offer - for you end up selling your soul.

Shroud-waving Remainers wrong - again!

The Home Office told us to expect roughly 3.5 million EU nationals based in the UK to win the right to settled status post-Brexit, allowing them to live and work here indefinitely.

In the event, it was 5.2 million (and rising - because some applications are still being processed). So the government was a mere 1.7 million-plus - or 50 per cent - out.

Risibly inaccurate as that forecast was, as an underestimation it comes nowhere near the Blair governments official forecast of only an extra 13,000 migrants a year, made when eight Eastern European countries joined the EU in 2004.

For an idea of just how far out that was, more than 2.2 million Romanians and Poles now enjoy settled status in the UK.

The Home Office told us to expect roughly 3.5 million EU nationals based in the UK to win the right to settled status post-Brexit, allowing them to live and work here indefinitely

Two things follow from these absurdities.

First, official statistics on immigration are about as believable as Boris Johnsons excuses for parties at Downing Street during the pandemic.

In particular, its clear the government had no idea how many EU nationals were living in Britain.

Second, the fact that at least 5.2 million of them sought settled status is a huge vote of confidence in this country.

Im sure a large majority regretted the outcome of the Brexit referendum, in which they could not vote. Yet they opted to stay in the UK.

It means they had a lot more faith in Britain than the shroud-waving, diehard British Remainers. That faith has been vindicated.

Yes, Brexit has its problems, but despite the pandemic and the end of furlough, unemployment is back down to 4.2 per cent (versus a Eurozone average of 7.2 per cent), there are 1.2 million job vacancies and in November the economy exceeded the size it was before Covid struck (on a par with France).

Most forecasters expect the UK to be among the fastest-growing of the rich economies this year, as we were in 2021.

Yes, EU nationals made the right decision to stay. And I, for one, am delighted they did.
The summer of 1969. Man has just landed on the Moon for the first time, proving just how progressive the human race can be. But here on Earth fresh excuses were being found for reigniting an ancient conflict in Belfast, Northern Ireland. And all of this was witnessed by a young Kenneth Branagh.

Already seen as a strong Oscars favourite, Sir Kenneth's autobiographical film Belfast takes in both the personal and the political as a community tears itself to pieces.

This is a piece of British history that too few of us know about, even though it heralded the start of The Troubles, a 30-year conflict that had an impact on so many. Here Nicole Lampert and Gabrielle Donnelly reveal all you need to know about the film...

Jude Hill (pictured) stars as Buddy, fictionalised young Kenneth Branagh, in Belfast

LIFE TURNED ON ITS HEAD IN AN AFTERNOON

Sir Kenneth with Jude Hill, who plays the young hero

It's easy to forget that Sir Kenneth, a titan in the British acting establishment, is a Northern Irishman to his bones.

He was born in 1960 to a Protestant working-class family in Belfast, and lived a happy and peaceful life until The Troubles broke out following campaigning by Catholic civil rights activists for a more equal society. Within days barricades were built and neighbours were petrol-bombing each other.

'Belfast is a city of stories and in the late 60s it went through a tumultuous period that my family and I were caught up in,' says Sir Kenneth. 'It's taken me 50 years to find the right way to write about it, to find the tone I wanted.

'At the beginning of the film we see a world in transition. From neighbourliness, sunshine and community, it's turned upside down by the arrival of a mob who pass through like a swarm of bees and lay waste to this peace.

'I remember life turning on its head in one afternoon, almost in slow-motion, not understanding the sound I was hearing, then turning around and looking at the mob at the bottom of the street and life was never, ever the same again.'

A CITY WHERE EVERYONE KNEW EVERYONE

The story starts with Buddy, a fictionalised young Kenneth played by Jude Hill, roaming the streets, his biggest worry being only how to have more chocolate and less church in his life. His passion is going to the cinema  especially to see Westerns. As the film shows, the Branaghs were a huge clan and he was never alone.

'There were a lot of us,' says Sir Kenneth. 'I had a very, very large extended family, which meant that you felt secure and you knew who you were.

'My mother had 11 siblings, my father had five, so I had dozens of cousins. We would all meet in each other's houses.

'Belfast is a small city in that everyone knows everyone. It was really more like a village than a city because it was impossible to get lost there. If you didn't know where you were, you'd go up to someone and say, "My mam's Frances," and they'd say, "Oh, I know Frances, she lives in that house, you go on and get back home." It was a very intimate place.'

DAME JUDI THE DOTING GRANDMOTHER

Lewis McAskie as Will, Caitriona Balfe as Ma, Judi Dench as Granny, Jamie Dornan as Pa, and Jude Hill as Buddy

Buddy's beloved grandmother is played by Dame Judi Dench, a friend of Sir Kenneth's. He appeared at her house one afternoon with the script.

AT TIMES I FELT AS IF I WAS WRITING A WESTERN Kenneth looked at how other film-makers had told their personal stories and was particularly taken by Pedro Almodovar's Pain And Glory. 'It was based on his life but fictionalised to some degree, and that's what I've done. Buddy is a fictional version of me and he's starting to filter his experiences through exposure to a lot of films and TV. 'Those big screen images had an enormous impact on the development of my imagination and I wanted to show Buddy having those same experiences. 'He loves Westerns and Belfast had something of the Western town about it, so at times I did feel as if I was writing a Western that was being constructed in Buddy's mind.' Pictured: Kenneth on the replica Belfast street they built in Hampshire Advertisement

'My eyesight isn't good and Ken came round and read the whole thing to me,' says Dame Judi who has macular degeneration.

'My mother was from Ireland, and was a fiery, passionate person, and I understand Granny's relationship with Buddy well. I have a grandson I'm very close to.'

Ciaran Hinds, who plays Buddy's grandfather Pop, grew up in the same Belfast streets as Sir Kenneth, but on the other side of the divide.

'I was Catholic and Ken was Protestant so we'd never have met, but the film opened up huge things in my heart about history, time and childhood,' he says.

VELVETY BLACK-AND-WHITE GLAMOUR

The film is made in black-and-white to re-create the sense, from Buddy's point of view, that he's in a film with goodies and baddies. 'It's a Hollywood black-and-white which is a velvety, satiny black-and-white in which everybody seems more glamorous,' says Sir Kenneth.

'That was what I wanted to use because a nine-year-old boy can see his parents as tremendously glamorous and it also allows for everything to seem larger than life.

'There's a certain spirit and a vitality in Belfast that I hope is reflected in the film, along with some life-affirming humour. I hope people feel the joy and sometimes the sorrows of the city and what happens to the family... and understand that by looking at reflections of other lives, we feel that we are not alone.'

A RICH, DEEP AND COMPLICATED HISTORY

Belfast native Jamie Dornan, best known for The Fall and 50 Shades Of Grey and now in BBC1's The Tourist, appears as Buddy's dad Pa, a joiner who works in England because there are more jobs there but who returns home to Belfast every other week.

'I know men like that,' says Jamie. 'My father was a man like that. His father before him was a man like that. I think even before the conflict began, there's something about people in Belfast being up against it a wee bit.

'It's never been a particularly easy place to live. From the dawn of time, Belfast is just riddled with complications. There's no person my age who grew up in Northern Ireland who wasn't affected by The Troubles.

'Nothing affects me more deeply than going home to that land  it's deep within my soul, and I want to tell stories from where I'm from. I come from a place that has a very rich, very deep and complicated history. There are a lot of great stories that come out of that, and I think it's important to tell them.'

Pictured: Granny and Pop, played by Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds, with Buddy

A TYPICAL BELFAST STREET  IN HAMPSHIRE

Because Belfast has changed so much since 1969, and because they were filming during the pandemic, the decision was made early on to build a replica Belfast street at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire. The Belfast family formed a 'bubble' which bonded them tightly.

'We did some shooting in Belfast but because of the pandemic it wasn't feasible to take over a real street and ask people to move out of their homes,' says production designer Jim Clay.

'The street we ended up building doesn't exist any more but one of the noticeable things in Belfast is that in many of the streets you can see hills and countryside over the rooflines in one direction and in the other you can see the docks. So you always know where you are.'

WHY VAN WAS THE MAN FOR THE SOUNDTRACK

Another Belfast native, Van Morrison, provides the bulk of the soundtrack including creating a new song for the film. 'When I was the age that Buddy is in the film, Van Morrison was already a Belfast legend,' says Sir Kenneth.

'That voice, that unique combination of folk and soul and country and jazz and rock had just conquered the world. His music spoke of places in the city such as Cyprus Avenue.

'So his hometown was in his work and to have his music in a film called Belfast seemed like a magical alliance and a real gift to this movie.'

Belfast is released in cinemas on Friday.
Celebrities share the stories behind their favourite photographs. This week it's legendary TV chef Ken Hom, 72

Legendary TV chef Ken Hom, 72 shared the stories behind a selection of his favourite snaps

1954: I was born in Tucson, Arizona, but after my father died when I was eight months old my mother Ying Fong and I moved to Chicago, where we lived in a one-bedroom apartment in a block in the Chinatown area. Here I am, aged about five, with her. I was always a skinny child. My mum was the anchor in my life, my rock. She was a single mother, who bravely raised me herself. She never spoke English

1971: When you're young, you're very idealistic, and this picture is from when I was a flower child in California, a hippie. I was studying History of Art at the University of California because I'd wanted to get away from food  I'd worked in my uncle Paul's restaurant in Chicago from the age of 11 to 16. I did some travelling as well, going to France and Italy

1983: Hong Kong was a fantastic discovery and felt like home for me when I first visited in 1980  this is me [second right] with some of my extended family there. I started spending time each year in Hong Kong to run cookery courses, and then the BBC auditioned me for a new series on Chinese cooking, some of which would be filmed on location there  a novelty back then. They'd been looking for a presenter for two years. The producer had worked on a show with Madhur Jaffrey, and it was Madhur who'd suggested me

1995: This was a shot from my second BBC series. I was so traumatised by the first that I couldn't do another for more than ten years. I just thought it wasn't my thing but the BBC convinced me to do another. For this one, Ken Hom's Hot Wok, I was able to cook outside, not just in a studio. One of the people who agreed to be on it was John Cleese, who's here eating my crispy vegetable parcels. I was always a John Cleese fan, especially after Fawlty Towers. Being in the food and hospitality business, I thought that show was so brilliant

1996: I'd said in a media interview that I wanted to meet Eric Cantona, who was at Manchester United at the time, and the manager Alex Ferguson saw the interview. The next thing I knew he invited me to cook for the whole team. That's Eric on the left, who I surprised by speaking to him in French, Ryan Giggs next to me on the other side, and Alex next to him, chopsticks in hand. After that Alex and I became very great friends, so naturally I had to be a Manchester United fan

2001: Tony Blair decided to hold a tete-a-tete with France's president Jacques Chirac [both pictured] at a London restaurant where I was consultant chef. I remember Chirac wanted to drink beer while everybody else drank wine. Soon after Tony became PM in 1997, he asked me to do the luncheon for the Asia-Europe summit, a meeting of leaders. It was a big success and we became friends after that. Tony's crazy about Chinese food and loves duck dishes

2002: This was celebrating my mother's [centre] 80th birthday in Chicago. She was very generous, and people adored her, but she was never convinced by my career choice, and would say, 'Oh, you must become a real estate agent or dentist and stop all this cookery nonsense.' That changed in 1999 when I was asked to cook at 10 Downing Street for the first visit to Britain of a Chinese head of state, Jiang Zemin. The event made all the Chinese newspapers around the world and afterwards my mother said, 'Maybe it's not a bad idea that you keep cooking.'

2014: I'm a huge fan of Italian cooking, and I used to call these three the Italian cooking mafia. Antonio Carluccio [in green] and I went back a long way and this was taken at his birthday party. With us are Gennaro Contaldo [far left] and Giorgio Locatelli. It was cold so they threw this blanket on me, and said, 'You are the Dalai Lama!' Chefs, despite the stereotype, are a very sharing bunch of people. We love other people's food. That's how we learn

Ken supports Action Against Hunger (actionagainsthunger.org) and Prostate Cancer UK (prostatecanceruk.org). As told to Roz Lewis.
A healthy young man has been left unable to take care of himself after suffering from a unique out-of-control skin condition.

Jordan Hendey, from northern New South Wales, has been experiencing 'Topical Steroid Withdrawal' (TSW) consequently from overusing steroid cream for 20 years to relieve his eczema, leaving his skin incredibly flaky.

As his skin is healing, the 26-year-old avoids going in the sun, constantly wears long sleeved clothes and is unable to bathe himself.

Jordan told FEMAIL he chose to stop using the doctor-recommended cream before Christmas and now his skin is constantly itchy and irritating trying to heal itself without moisture.

Topical Steroid Withdrawal is a term used to describe the collection of symptoms that arise after a person stops using prolonged topical steroid medication.

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Jordan Hendey, from northern New South Wales, (pictured) has been experiencing Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) consequently from overusing steroid cream for 20 years to relieve his eczema, leaving his skin incredibly flaky

Jordan told FEMAIL he chose to stop using the doctor-recommended cream before Christmas and now his skin is constantly itchy and irritating trying to heal itself without moisture

The 26-year-old avoids going in the sun, constantly wears long sleeved clothes and is unable to bathe himself due to the sensitivity of the skin

Jordan, a marketing agency owner, has been battling eczema since he was a child and as he got older it started spreading over his body.

While doctors constantly said he would simply 'grow out of it', he said this never occurred.

'I was confused as to why my eczema wasn't going away and didn't realise what was going on until five years ago,' he said.

'It was constantly getting worse and my lifestyle was getting harder and harder - anything outdoors like going to the beach or camping was a nightmare.'

In 2016 at the age of 20 he realised the reason why his skin was worsening was because of the addiction to steroid cream.

Doctors recommended using the cream until the eczema disappeared, then continue to use for 14 days to push the inflammation down into the skin.

In 2016 at the age of 20 he realised the reason why his skin was worsening was because of the addiction to steroid cream

When he was 20 he stopped using the medication only to find his skin turned bright red overnight.

In March 2016 he visited a naturopath who advised to have a blood test to test for any parasites in his body, but doctors found something more sinister.

'Late one Saturday night I received a random phone call thinking it was my brother, but it was the doctors telling me I needed to get to a hospital as soon as possible,' he said.

'I asked if it could wait to the morning but they said it's an emergency.'

The test detected two blood infections due to his delicate skin, even though he had no symptoms and 'felt fine'.

'It was incredibly scary, I could've died from it, and I was on a drip for about a month later,' he said.

Jordan says he 'feels like a baby again' as his fiance, Karys, (pictured, right) has become his carer who bathes him and helps him get changed

What is Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)? Topical steroid withdrawal refers to a constellation of symptoms that may emerge in the days and weeks after a person stops using topical steroid medication Most people with eczema use topical steroids to help manage their symptoms For some, TSW can arise as a complication of topical steroid use, even leading to symptoms significantly worse than their original skin condition Source: nationaleczema.org Advertisement

During the two weeks in hospital, doctors convinced Jordan to start using steroid cream again and after a week the skin was relieved.

'I was brought to tears after being told it can take two to five years to recover from TSW,' he said.

Jordan felt at his lowest point as if there was 'no light at the end of the tunnel'.

Wanting to find a better alternative, he started searching the internet for others who had experienced the same thing.

But he then came across a treatment called 'no moisture therapy' developed by Japanese dermatologist Dr Kenji Sato.

The treatment aims to renew the skin by drying it out through not using any moisturiser or steroids and cutting down water intake.

'At the start I thought it was completely nuts to not use moisturiser on my dry skin and not drink water,' he said.

During his research he discovered others have previously recovered from TSW within three months using the therapy technique.

'Three months compared to five years recovery time - I thought it was a no-brainer to try it out,' he said.

Jordan said the worst parts of his body that have been impacted by TSW are his knees, legs, arms and back while his chest and face are recovering

Jordan said the worst parts of his body that have been impacted by TSW are his knees, legs, arms and back while his chest and face are recovering.

Ironically that parts that haven't flaked has been where his eczema used to occur as a child - his underarms and elbows.

Jordan says he 'feels like a baby again' because his fiance, Karys, has become his carer who bathes him and helps him get changed.

'I can't do anything; I can't stand up for very long and avoid going outside,' he said.

At the moment, Jordan is taking it day-by-day and hopes for a speedy recovery.
Dragons' Den's fiery new fan favourite Steven Bartlett clashed with veteran Touker Suleyman in last night's episode, a week after taking a swipe at Peter Jones.

Social media marketing CEO Steven, who at just 29 is the youngest Dragon the programme has ever seen, was praised by viewers after he went head-to-head with Suleyman, 68, while trying to invest in a pet accessories company.

Fashion retail entrepreneur Suleyman offered to split a 50,000 stake in Piddle Patch, a mobile dog toilet training product, but was interrupted by Bartlett who said: 'Absolutely not. We don't need you.'

The moment left viewers cringing, with one tweeting: 'That wasn't even remotely jovial that was just uncomfortable to watch.'

Fashion retail entrepreneur Suleyman offered to split a 50,000 stake in Piddle Patch, a mobile dog toilet training product, but was interrupted by Bartlett. Above, Touker's reaction

Dragons' Den's fiery new fan favourite Steven Bartlett, pictured, clashed with veteran Touker Suleyman in last night's episode, a week after taking a swipe at Peter Jones

Social media marketing CEO Steven was praised by viewers after he went head-to-head with Suleyman, 68, while trying to invest in a pet accessories company. Pictured, Rebecca, CEO of Piddle Patch, at the centre of the row

The moment left some viewers cringing but others enjoyed the conflict between them

Another posted: 'Fantastic and great to see some heat in the den! Has Pablo got his Piddle Patch.'

A third wrote: 'Absolutely loving Steve Bartlett on Dragon's Den, what a breath of fresh air he is.

However others thought Steven was being 'rude' and noted there seemed to be no camaraderie between the two.

It hints at a wider feud between the two businessmen, which heats up later in the series.

Meanwhile a preview for an upcoming episode shows Bartlett and Suleyman getting into a fiery on-screen row, with the two men raising their voices at each other.

Last week Suleyman undercut Peter Jones, 55, in a negotiation and accused him of 'sucking the blood' out of a business.

Touker, Sara Davies, Deborah Meaden, Steven and Peter Jones on last night's Dragons' Den

Some said Steve was a breath of Fresh air for Dragon's Den, but others said the heated exchange made them feel uncomfortable

Last night, Steven and Touker clashed over Piddle Patch, a fresh grass patch toilet for puppies and dogs.

Founder and CEO Rebecca explained the Piddle Patch could be used by owners wanting to toilet train their dogs, or by owners living in high-rise buildings who might find it difficult to take their pet up and down stairs to relieve itself.

She was initially seeking a 50,000 investment in return for a 10 per cent stake in her company.

The only Dragon not impressed by the idea was Peter, who thought the 32.50 product was overpriced and impractical because it did not provide the owner with an easy way to clean off 'a really big poo'.

'I've got to lift it all up?,' he asked, incredulously. 'I don't think it's practical because if you're in that situation [where you're in a high-rise], your dog is going to poo and not just wee, and then you've got a right old mess to clear up.'

Jones described the price tag as 'crazy', adding: 'Basically, your invention, it costs more to manage what comes out of the dog than what goes in it.

'Your market is so tiny, it's people that love their pets too much and have more money than sense. But it's not a business opportunity, so for that reason, I'm out.'

Last night's clash hints at a wider feud between the two businessmen, which heats up later in the series. A preview of a later episode (pictured) reveals how the Dragons' clash again

The pair get heated later in the series, with Bartlett raising his voice at Suleyman

However the remaining Dragons were interested in the business idea, particularly Bartlett, who lives in an apartment.

'I completely understand this because I've got this problem. I'm the only Dragon here that lives on the top floor of an apartment with a balcony.

'We take our dog out twice a day but that doesn't stop my dog needing to go at 1am in the morning sometimes. I completely get it and I need one.'

Suleyman, who has recently bought a puppy, also liked the idea.

By the end of the negotiations, Bartlett, Suleyman, Deborah Meaden and Sara Davies were all ready to make offers to Rebecca.

Meaden said: 'There's lots I love about this. The sustainability side, that's really what interests me because it drives me mad, the waste that goes on those [throwaway] training mats.'

Steven was praised after his 'ruthless undercut' of Peter Jones - who asked for a huge 20 per cent of a business described as 'Vivino for cheese' on last week's episode

Meaden offered all of the money for 30 per cent of the business, Bartlett offered her 50,000 for 25 per cent of her business, while Suleyman offered 50,000 for 25 per cent.

Davies eventually lowered her offer from 30 per cent to 25 per cent, to match the remaining Dragons.

Trying to strike a deal, Suleyman offered to split the investment with Bartlett, who had impressed Rebecca with his promises of marketing the product on social media.

'If Steven wants to share marketing the product,' he started saying, but Steven interrupted, pointing at Suleyman and hitting back: 'Absolutely not. We don't need you.'

Dragon's Den's latest entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, 29, is the founder and former CEO of The Social Chain, a social media marketing agency and the BBC One show's youngest ever Dragon

It prompted Suleyman to raise his hand and say 'fine, I will detract that'.

Determined to get the last word, Bartlett added: 'It was declined'.

Last week Steven accused Peter, 55, of 'sucking the blood' out of the business after he offered to invest 150,000 in a cheese app company for a whopping 20 per cent share, before jumping in himself with a 'fair' deal of 7.5 per cent.

The social media entrepreneur also clashed with fashion retail guru Touker, who is thought to be worth 200million in a series of clips previewing what viewers could expect from the 19th series of the show.

The heated exchange saw Touker ask: 'What do you know about business?' to which Steven responded: 'I've built a 300 million pound business at 28 years old.'

Dragon's Den's new entrepreneur, Steven Bartlett, 29, reveals how he went from being a 'broke, lonely drop-out from a bankrupt family' - who tried and failed to pitch on the show at 18 - to amassing a 300M fortune

The new series of Dragon's Den welcomed its youngest ever dragon - a millionaire yet to hit 30, who's written books on how to find success in life and love - when it returned to screens on BBC One last week.

Steven Bartlett, 29, joined Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies on the panel of the business reality show, which sees entrepreneurs decide whether to invest or not in ideas pitched to them.

His place in the lair is a far cry from his first brush with the programme, shortly after he dropped out of university ten years ago, when he applied to pitch to the dragons but was turned down.

Describing how he feared he'd never make a success of his life after quitting his course at Manchester Metropolitan University, Bartlett, who's currently single, wrote in his book Happy Sexy Millionaire, which was published earlier this year, that at the time he was a 'broke, lonely, insecure university drop-out from a bankrupt family.'

Steven Bartlett, 29, will replace Tej Lalvani on the latest series of Dragon's Den, which is back on screens on January 6th; the CEO of social media marketing agency The Social Chain is worth 300 million

The businessman, who admits he felt like a 'broke, lonely drop-out' after quitting university aged 18 will join, from left, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones on the latest series

Bartlett, now CEO of social media marketing agency The Social Chain - currently valued at 300million - was officially be anointed as a new dragon when the new series aired on January 6th.

Tweeting last week, Bartlett, who set up his company from his Manchester bedroom after dropping out of university at 22, wrote: '10 years ago at 18 years old, I applied to pitch to the Dragons. 10 years later at 28 years old I have the honour of sitting amongst them.'

The young entrepreneur, born in Botswana and brought up in Plymouth, has replaced Tej Lalvani, 46, on the show. After quitting university, he started Wallpark, a platform for students before setting up Social Chain and Media Chain - brands that have worked with names including Apple, Amazon and Coca-Cola.

Ahead of filming, he told BBC Radio 1Xtras If You Dont Know podcast, that he was determined to join the panel as there 'has not been a young, black man on the show' and he wanted to be a role model for others.

He said: 'Much of the reason for me wanting to be a Dragon and wanting to do the show is because I know the show is a big platform and I am not represented on that show as an entrepreneur. There's not been a young, black man on that show.

'I feel like I have a responsibility to do this because it will show 12-year-old Steve, or other 12 year old Steve's, that they too can be business people.

The new series sees the young businessman unafraid to voice his opinions, leading co-dragon Touker Suleyman to ask 'what do you know about business?'

The new dragon pictured during filming of the latest series - the 19th - of Dragon's Den

Read all about it: Steven is also driven by a desire to appeal to the 'underrepresented' and encourage and enable people to thrive in the business world

'To see someone like me on the show as well that's not going to wear a suit, and that is into all the same things you're into - like hip-hop music, jollof rice, Manchester United and whatever else it is - I think is an enabler.

'Because role models are most powerful when you can relate to the path they've walked.

Steven is also driven by a desire to appeal to the 'underrepresented' and encourage and enable people to thrive in the business world.

He said: 'If you type in "CEO" on Google, what you see is white men in suits. I'm not against white men in suits, but I am against leaving talent off the field because they don't feel included.

'And so by being a black man in a snapback, I will appeal to other black men, and women, in snapbacks. Or anybody that comes from an underrepresented background, and I will let them know that they can sit at the table.

Inspiring: Speaking on BBC Radio 1Xtras If You Dont Know podcast, Botswana-born Steven said he was determined to join the panel as there 'has not been a young, black man on the show' and he wanted to be a role model for others

Bartlett, pictured on This Morning earlier this year, says his success is down to a positive confidence cycle - where trying something new propels you to keep going. He said: 'What's happened with me since I was very young, is my self belief has compounded positively upwards. I tried something, "omg I did it, and didn't die! I'm gonna try something else".

'That's why I felt a sense of responsibility. It felt like this wasn't really about me, it was about enabling a lot of people like me.

'You don't have to wear a suit, you don't have to pretend to be someone else, you can just be yourself and sit there.

'I've never worn a suit in business. There's not been a day at Social Chain where I wore a suit, not one day in almost a decade, where I went to a meeting, a pitch, to meet an investor, where I wore a suit.

'So why would I then change for TV? I'm trying to represent the real modern world of business and the real world of entrepreneurs and that's not suited and booted for the majority.

'It's the internet, social media, it's wearing whatever you want. Right now it's like working at home. Imagining going on Dragon's Den wearing a suit when 80% of the world are remote working in their boxer shorts.'

Discussing his age and going onto the panel alongside fellow older multi-millionaires Touker Suleyman, 67, Sara Davies, 37, Deborah Meaden, 62, and Peter Jones, 55, he said: 'The other thing with going on that show, especially with the age component, is to feel "happy to be here".

'There is such a thing as respecting an opportunity more than you respect yourself. People do that when they get jobs and they don't speak up, or they just want to blend in.

Goodbye: Former dragon Tej Lalvani announced in January that he would not be returning for the show's 19th season and stepped away from the Den following a four-year stint. Right: the young pretender; Steven Bartlett will take his place in the 19th series

'It's like "happy to be here syndrome" - where you never saw yourself this high, so you're just trying to hold on to it. Whereas if you saw yourself higher, when you get there you're still striving, you don't feel like you've punched above your weight.

'You can have "happy to be here syndrome" where you just wanna, you don't wanna do anything that might risk the position you've reached. And you're just holding on thinking "oh my god I can't believe I'm here".

'And that comes from the immigrant mindset and also, me not seeing another Dragon like me on the show, is going to give me a bit of "happy to be here syndrome". And I know that I've got to counteract that.

Steven also gave his tips for succeeding in business, citing the importance of 'quitting' before taking a leap of faith.

Dragons' Den has been delivering high-stakes TV drama since 2005 and for its 18th series moved from BBC2 to BBC1

He said: 'Everyone glamourises starting... but you usually have to quit something before you start. The quitting part is actually the really hard part. Letting go of the branch and falling is much harder than grabbing on to a branch for me.

'People don't talk about the art of quitting and how pivotal that will be, probably even more important for you to become a success.

'Everyone says this in my DMs. It's like "I just don't know where to start". And the truth is, that is a mental Mount Everest that we choose to put in front of ourselves. Today, instead of trying to move Mount Everest, pick up one stone and move it out the way. Think of the name of your business today.

'There's not a perfect place to start - in fact when you're starting a business you have a list of 100 things that need to be done now. When you're starting you have name, website, etc... all at the same time. So just pick one of them and make a start on that today. That is the truth. You just need to start.'

'What's happened with me since I was very young, is my self belief has compounded positively upwards. I tried something, "omg I did it, and didn't die! I'm gonna try something else". And when you get in that positive confidence cycle... then you get to a point where you start to believe there's not many things you can't do.

'Not taking life too seriously is one of the most important coping mechanisms anyone can have when you go into a high, intense, chaotic situation.

The BBC show sees budding entrepreneurs given three minutes to pitch their ideas to five multi-millionaires in the hope of securing financial backing.

This year Steven released a book titled Happy Sexy Millionaire and he also hosts a podcast called The Diary Of A CEO. Steven said he is 'honoured' to be appearing on a show he has watched since he was just 12, Metro reports.

Tej announced in January that he would not be returning for the show's 19th season, and would be stepping away after four years on board.

Tej, who serves as CEO of the UK's largest vitamin company Vitabiotics and has an estimated net worth of 390million according to the Sunday Times Rich List, joined the show in 2017.

He said of his decision: 'I'm truly excited for the upcoming series of Dragons' Den, which looks set to be one of the best.

'However after an incredibly enjoyable four years as a Dragon I have decided that this next series will be my last.

'My commitment to the international growth and expansion of my core business and the numerous investments over the years sadly means I will be unable to dedicate the necessary time moving forward.'

Dragons' Den has been delivering high-stakes TV drama since 2005 and for its 18th series moved from BBC2 to BBC1.

The last series was filmed in 2020 after the introduction of fresh guidelines allowing TV production to resume during the pandemic.
Advertisement

Model Munroe Bergdorf has showcased her effortless sense of glamour as the cover star of Cosmopolitan UK's 50th anniversary magazine.

The transgender activist, 34, beams in a figure-hugging red dress in the special anniversary edition of the publication, on sale from 21st January.

She has also posed in a series of other striking photographs snapped by esteemed London-based photographer Jordan Rossi, while joining in discussions about the last five decades with three writers.

Cosmopolitan has received a stream of praise on Instagram for selecting Munroe, who won 'Changemaker of the Year' at the brand's 2018 Influencer Awards as their cover star on one of their most significant issues to date.

Munroe (pictured), who won 'Changemaker of the Year' at the brand's 2018 Influencer Awards, stuns in a series of outfits with ruffles in the snaps taken by Jordan Rossi

Munroe (pictured) speaks to three writers about race, gender and 'femininity' over the past 50 years, while revealing hopes for the future to be more inclusive

A new era: Munroe Bergdorf, 34, (pictured) showcases her effortless sense of glamour as she is unveiled as the cover star of Cosmopolitan UK's magazine

In one image the model dons head-to-toe pink, while another shot sees Munroe embrace her inner rock star in black leather and heels.

The 50th anniversary cover also pays homage to Cosmopolitan UK's first ever issue from March 1972, in which author Jilly Cooper also looked chic in crimson red.

'Whether it be finding a fulfilling career that pays fairly, developing happy and healthy relationships, or fighting for equality and respect, the topics Cosmopolitan has long championed are just as important now as they were in 1972.

'Whatever their sexuality, gender identity or background, Cosmopolitan will continue to empower our audience to demand more from the world around them, challenge the status quo and advocate for a diverse and inclusive world, free form prejudice. It's in our name, after all.'

Those interviewing Munroe Bergdorf include writer, stylist and consultant Aja Barber, who deals with the intersectionality of sustainability in fashion, Vic Parsons who is a gender and identity reporter at PinkNews, and River Gallo, a filmmaker, actor, model and intersex rights activist.

When asked by River about her vision for the future, Munroe, who is transgender, said society needs to think about ways to interrogate their bias and 'build a system where all of us can win'.

Cosmopolitan UK's 50th anniversary edition of the magazine pays homage to their first ever cover, which shows Jilly Cooper (pictured) in a red dress against a matching background

The model continues, saying: 'I believe in the people. I believe a lot of the issues we are currently seeing are being enforced by the 1 per cent, and the 1 per cent are not indicative of everyone.

'I believe the people want trans inclusion, racial equality, to end misogyny so women and girls feel safe walking home at night. I don't think we have ever been as enlightened as a people as we are now, even if there is a lot of misinformation around.

'I do feel like the spark has been lit. Less people are passively accepting what they have been presented with and that's an incredible thing. It shows there's only so long that people can hold on to a world that doesn't exist any more, before embracing a new one.'

'I don't want to be a token, the first and last  there needs to be a plan in place to incorporate that inclusion long-term.

'Now, so many young trans people have people they can look up to and they can see themselves in. [They can] think, 'I may not want to be a Hollywood actress or an activist, but it's a possibility for me and I can dream as big. I can do whatever I want to do, because they achieved what they wanted to achieve.

'Hopefully, somewhere, there's a young trans girl looking at this cover thinking, 'I can do it too and who I am is not going to hold me back.

'There's no one way to be trans. When I began my transition, I felt pressure to assimilate into what society deems to be a woman. I wish someone had just told me, no matter how I dress, how I look, if I've got make-up on or if I don't, I'm still a woman. In every single iteration of my being.'

Munroe (pictured) said she hopes the cover inspires other trans people to pursue their dreams, while admitting that she once felt pressure to assimilate into what society deems to be a woman

Muroe (pictured) said social media has given marginalised people a voice and has spread awareness of how society functions

Munroe (pictured) said conversations about trans-rights need to be happening in person and in the mainstream

Munroe revealed that her own life experiences have taught her much, while admitting to feeling frustrated about sometimes being the only trans person in the room.

Munroe explained her belief that social media has been beneficial in giving marginalised people a voice and has made us more aware of how society functions, however she warned that we aren't fully aware yet of the long-term implications of the platforms on our mental health.

She called for conversations about trans-rights to be had in the real world and in the mainstream.

'To do that, we need to platform trans voices  we can't keep being subjected to this nonsense of non-trans people offering up their opinions on a community they're not part of. Trans rights do not have a negative impact on cisgender people. Trans equality is everyone's equality.

Many Instagram users have gushed about Munroe Bergdorf being their favourite cover of Cosmopolitan UK

'It is access to healthcare, it's equal education in schools. There's this idea that we as trans people are making people trans, and it's the same rubbish that was peddled with the gay, lesbian and bi community.

'The reality is, if someone's trans, they're trans. So by teaching an accurate depiction of the way the world is, you are preparing people for their own realities.'

Cosmopolitan UK has been praised for choosing the outspoken model to champion their February issue, with one person commenting: 'This is just the most brilliant thing! Absolutely love to see it!'

Another said: 'Once a game changer ALWAYS a game changer! Congratulations you absolute queen'

'Beyond thrilled for you, the most incredible cover,' a third commented.

A fourth wrote: 'OMG! My fave cover of yours yet!'
A woman who quit her job at McDonald's to launch a doughnut delivery empire serving more than 50,000 treats a week now counts Rebel Wilson as a client.

Kristy Bannister, 37, started out flipping burgers before starting her 'Dr Dough Donuts' business which is now a favourite for thousands of Aussies and countless celebrities including Rita Ora.

Despite losing 35kg, Rebel is still a fan of a cheat day and recently shared a snap of herself enjoying a box from Dr Dough.

A woman who quit her job at McDonald's to launch a doughnut delivery empire serving more than 50,000 treats a week now counts Rebel Wilson as a client.

Despite losing 35kg, Rebel is still a fan of a cheat day and recently shared a snap of herself enjoying a box from Dr Dough

The actress received a delicious box on Thursday filled with some of the brand's most iconic sweets and a message reading 'Welcome Home Rebel'.

Mrs Bannister is going from strength to strength with her business along with her husband Geoff, who she met while working at McDonald's.

While she started in the kitchen at the fast good giant, she moved up the ranks over 17 years and eventually moved from Melbourne to Sydney and take a job as national McCafe operations consultant.

Kristy (right) worked as a McDonald's burger flipper in Melbourne where she met her now-husband Geoff (left) before launching the huge doughnut empire Dr Dough Donuts

In 2015, the couple left their jobs to launch Dr Dough Donuts, which in just six years has grown into a business generating $8million every year.

Despite the enormous success, the couple still start their day at 2am to prepare for the influx of orders - which on average makes 500 deliveries with a new order placed every two minutes.

Mrs Bannister told FEMAIL she 'owes' McDonald's for teaching her how a business functions - from operations to employing staff and handling customer demands.

Mrs Bannister told FEMAIL she owes it to McDonald's for teaching her 'so much' about how a business functions - from operations to employing staff and handling customer demands

'We left McDonald's with an intention to open our own cafe that sold doughnuts, but while waiting to receive our DA clearance [development approval] we decided to just sell doughnuts.'

The pair worked together in a small 'ghost kitchen' in Sydney's Potts Point where they baked the treats that were only available to order on Uber Eats.

'On first day, we sold 300 doughnuts, which massively exceeded our expectations,' she said.

Even after the cafe opened, they decided to keep the burgeoning doughnut gift business open.

'We left McDonald's with intention to open our own cafe that sold doughnuts, but while waiting to receive our DA clearance we decided to sell doughnuts prior,' she said

Despite the market for doughnuts being saturated - with everyone from Doughnut King to Krispy Kreme and every local baker selling the treats - their 'online gifting' with same day delivery running seven days a week was the convenient point of difference for the business.

'In the early days, word-of-mouth travelled fast about our doughnuts because they're so sharable and picturesque,' she said.

'When a box of treats goes travelling through an office, everyone turns to see what they are.'

Today, they offer 10 different flavours and more than 20 box combinations.

After waking up at 2am Mr and Mrs Bannister head to the Dr Dough lab to assist the bakers who prepare the doughnuts. 'We essentially run a 24/7 business; we like to keep our finger on the pulse,' she said

'In the early days word of mouth travelled fast about our doughnuts because they're so sharable and picturesque,' she said

After waking up at 2am Mr and Mrs Bannister head to the Dr Dough lab to assist the bakers who prepare the doughnuts.

The workday continues until 5pm answering emails and completing other admin tasks, such as checking orders and assisting staff.

'We essentially run a 24/7 business; we like to keep our finger on the pulse,' she said.

Her busy schedule, she also dabbles into part-time work with Work Inc in North Sydney.

Since 2015 the brand has grown to become a huge success turning over $8million in annual revenue and making 500 deliveries each day

The workday continues until 5pm where they answer emails, complete admin tasks, check orders and assist to staff

When asked if she has any time for herself Mrs Bannister laughed and said: 'I'd be lying if I said I did. I always make time for the most important things, like exercise and keeping my mind and body balanced.'

'We make sure to do things like go to the local pub and unwind on days when we need a break.

'But we love what we do and want to be involved in every aspect.'

The brand now has 25 full-time employees with in-house teams consisting of production, communications, customer service, marketing and logistics teams as well as 20 delivery drivers.

By March this year the couple aim to extend the business to Melbourne and possibly overseas in the coming years.

Customers can shop by occasion or choose from the 'classic donuts' menu with all orders to be made directly via the Dr Dough Donuts website.
The classic cookies and chocolate combination just got better with the launch of 'KitKat Inspired by Byron Bay Cookies' chocolate bars.

KitKat and Nestle have collaborated to bring the ultimate summer snack that's available in two decadent flavours, Milk Choc Chunk and Triple Choc.

The chocolates come in singular bars for up to $2.50 and blocks for $5, they can be found in supermarkets stores and convenience stores Australian wide.

The classic combination of cookies and chocolate just got better with the launch of limited edition 'KitKat Inspired by Byron Bay Cookies', bars are available from up to $2.50 and blocks for $5, they can be found in supermarkets stores and convenience stores Australian wide

This is the KitKat team's first ever collaboration with an Aussie brand and who better to join forces with than one of the nation's best cookie brands since 1990.

'We are thrilled to be partnering with a global brand like KitKat to create such a delicious collaboration,' Byron Bay Cookie Company Director, Bill Quayle said.

The all new 'KitKat Inspired by Byron Bay Cookies - Milk Choc Chunk' flavour will delight the most fanatic cookie lovers.

The all new 'KitKat Inspired by Byron Bay Cookies - Milk Choc Chunk' flavour will delight the most fanatic cookie lovers, the bar features crisp wafer fingers that are covered in delicious white chocolate and is topped with Byron Bay cookie pieces on a milk chocolate base

The chocolate bar features crisp wafer fingers that are covered in delicious white chocolate and is topped with Byron Bay cookie pieces on a milk chocolate base.

The collaborative brands have also created the 'KitKat Inspired by Byron Bay Cookies  Triple Choc' flavour for those looking for an extra cocoa hit.

This bar features indulgent chocolate wafter fingers that are covered in a generous layer of milk chocolate and topped with crunchy cookie pieces.

The collaborative brands have also created the 'KitKat Inspired by Byron Bay Cookies  Triple Choc' flavour for those looking for an extra cocoa hit, the bar features chocolate wafter fingers that are covered in a generous layer of milk chocolate and topped with crunchy cookie pieces

KitKat's summer collaboration is sure to satisfy all Aussies and their sweet tooth's with the two new delicious flavours.

'We know Aussies will love these additions to the KitKat range, each bite is sure to transport them to their own beachside Byron Bay break,' Nestle Head of Marketing, Joyce Tan said.

Visit your local supermarket or convenience store today and treat your friends, family or, yourself to an entire block or bar.
When the Duchess of Cambridges 40th birthday portraits were released, we knew wed love her hair, her make-up, her general Kate-ness.

But what we hadnt predicted, and the unexpected joy which sent women into raptures, was the fact that her portrait featured . . . pockets.

Yes, pockets! Big, deep, substantial, hand-hiding ones, buried in a spectacular scarlet one-shouldered gown. It was quite the moment.

For my generation, one millennial fashionista wrote solemnly on Twitter, the pocket is the equivalent of the contraceptive pill. Another added: First we get the pockets, then we get the power, then we get the freedom!

Amen, sister.

Men were left somewhat baffled by the strength of feeling that mere pockets in a dress could evoke.

When the Duchess of Cambridges 40th birthday portraits were released, we knew wed love her hair, her make-up, her general Kate-ness

But they have never had to struggle with a lack of pockets, or  even more insulting  false pockets. Women know what I mean; those suit jacket flaps full of promise that actually have nothing underneath. Or trouser pockets that couldnt fit a 2p coin in, let alone an iPhone.

For decades, we have awkwardly juggled our possessions between our hands and our handbags. No man understands the pain of holding a champagne flute, canape and clutch bag at a party, as someone leans in for a handshake or kiss.

But now, dare I dream, the handbag is dead. Long live the pocket! Because they are unobtrusive, cheap, democratic, levelling little lifesavers.

Just look at Kate, simultaneously regal and can-do casual in her red Alexander McQueen gown. What to do with her hands? Sorted. Cant be without her phone? No problem.

A woman with her hand in her pocket, as can be seen in all these pictures, is instantly rendered relaxed. With pockets in your dress or skirt you stand taller; you are no longer lopsided, your shoulders aching. You feel free.

I imagine that when Kates photo landed, the blood drained from the faces of CEOs of luxury handbag brands around the world. A little like the moment Clark Gable removed his shirt on screen to reveal he wasnt wearing a vest.

The pocket trend has been growing over the past few years, both on the red carpet and in budget versions.

As these pictures show, the High Street is awash with dresses with hidden depths  from sexy shirt-dresses by upmarket Ted Baker to floral midis by Boden.

But then, even wedding dresses come with pockets now. Designer Stella McCartney has long included pockets in her formal dresses. As a woman, she knows what their presence means. Because the pocket is not just a fashion statement, its a political one, too.

Historically, it was deemed that women didnt need pockets given that the menfolk controlled the purse strings.

The pocket fell out of favour at the end of the 18th century, seen as dowdy and low-rent, favoured by apron-wearing servants and rural types prone to stealing.

The first modern handbag, introduced in the 1790s, was called a reticule, from the Latin reticulum, meaning a netted bag. It soon became known as the ridicule  an apt nickname given what we modern women now spend on them.

As a result, pockets were forced underground (or should that be underskirt?), with higher-class women hiding them in petticoats. They became an aid to feminist empowerment. Initially, the most commonly secreted item was a love letter; later, Suffragette leaflets.

A high point for pockets in womens clothing was during the World Wars, when women were given more utilitarian jobs and, arguably, more independence.

In Hollywood, a woman with a pocket denoted she stood for no nonsense. Take Bette Davis, putting them to stupendous effect in 1950s All About Eve.

There is even a marvellous book devoted to the subject: The Pocket: A Hidden History Of Womens Lives, 1660-1900.

They dont work with everything: pencil skirts and bodycon dresses are too snug. And dont make too much of a statement  a pocket should be discreet. Too big, and you risk looking like a kangaroo.

But, oh, Im glad to see them. If for nothing more than the presence of pockets at last releases women from the tyranny of that traditional photo pose, designed to make her look taller and thinner: one elbow on hip, one stretched out  like a teapot.

Instead, with pockets we can just bury errant hands, instantly making us look more self-assured.

Its one small gesture from Kate. One giant leap for womankind.

They're now gracing the red carpet...

In bloom: Actress Sharon Stone at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival resplendent in Dolce & Gabbana, costing upwards of 12,000

Knives out, hands in: Ana de Armas at the Golden Globes 2020, wearing Ralph & Russo, 8,000

The gingham girl: Jenna Coleman at Wimbledon last year in Ralph Lauren, 249

... and where to find them on the High St

Short and sweet: Lily-Rose Depp at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, wearing Chanel, around 4,000

Versatile: Floral multi-coloured short-sleeved dress, 110, Boden

Effortless: Floral-print maxi, 295, Me+Em

Top trend: Deep pink check with frill neckline, 145, Kitri

Statement print: Pink and black T-shirt dress, 60, Boden

Tiered: Organic cotton design, 116, Baukjen
Advertisement

Tucked away in a lush rainforest a spectacular estate with a Moroccan plunging pool, magazine-worthy interior decor and an incredible guesthouse is now for sale.

The amazing property is surrounded by tropical bushland in Austinmer on the Coal Coast less than an hour and a half drive from Sydney's CBD.

Dubbed 'The Black Chapel', the rustic-chic guesthouse has been the stunning setting of multiple weddings, had made for a picture-perfect location for dozens of photoshoots and was featured on Married at First Sight.

Surrounded by tropical bushland in Austinmer, less than an hour and a half drive from Sydney's CBD, is this amazing property includes an incredible guest-house that has a magazine-worthy interior that the owners have been renting out as an AirBnB and wedding venue

Dubbed 'The Black Chapel', the rustic-chic guesthouse has been the stunning setting of multiple weddings, had made for a picture-perfect location for dozens of photoshoots and was even featured on Channel 9's reality-drama Married at First Sight

With two luxurious claw-foot outdoor bathtubs, monochrome herringbone tiling , a spiral staircase, antique doors, and high vaulted ceilings the cosy two-bedroom, one-bathroom, the chapel-style cabin is every Instagrammer's dream

Across the lush green yard, is the main house which is just as spectacular as the Black Chapel

With two luxurious claw-foot outdoor bathtubs, monochrome herringbone tiling, a fireplace, a spiral staircase, antique doors, and high vaulted ceilings the cosy two-bedroom, one-bathroom, the chapel-style cabin is every Instagrammer's dream.

The owners have been renting out the black chapel on AirBnB since 2017 earning rave reviews from guests, including Australian TV personality Deborah Hutton who called their stay the 'perfect getaway spot'.

'The Chapel has everything you need and so beautifully done with such exquisite taste. With the addition of the outdoor bathroom, deep twin claw-foot baths under the stars, it really offers the perfect romantic getaway,' she wrote.

Outside, among the banana-leaf palms is a green, black and white tiled Moroccan plunging pool and an expansive veranda with chic light pendants and ornate vintage door frames

The home's interior is striking with a palette of green, black and white mixed with rich wooden textures

It features antique exotic details like the patterned tiles in the bathroom, statement light fixtures and ornate wooden carved doors

Across the lush green yard, is the main house which is just as spectacular as the Black Chapel.

Outside, among the banana-leaf palms is a green, black and white tiled Moroccan plunging pool and an expansive veranda with chic light pendants and ornate vintage door frames.

The home's interior is striking with a palette of green, black and white mixed with rich wooden textures and features antique exotic details like the patterned tiles in the bathroom, statement light fixtures and ornate wooden carved doors.

The palatial main bedroom has herringbone hard-wood flooring, exposed rustic ceiling beams and a bathtub at the foot of the bed

It flows seamlessly from the open ensuite with his-and-hers vanities to the enormous walk-in robe

Light pours into the spacious family room through the sky lights and floor to ceiling windows and door that open out onto the manicured back yard

Light pours into the spacious family room through the sky lights and floor to ceiling windows and door that open out onto the manicured back yard.

The palatial main bedroom has herringbone hard-wood flooring, exposed rustic ceiling beams and a bathtub at the foot of the bed and flows from the open ensuite with his-and-hers vanities to the enormous walk-in robe.

There is also a second living, dining and kitchen area with stone and wood island bench and gas appliances.

The six-bedroom, three-bathroom property is being sold via expressions of interest.

To book your stay at the black chapel cabin head to the airbnb website here and to view the property listing go to the Domain website here.
Chinese vice premier holds virtual meeting with French official

Xinhua) 08:46, January 14, 2022

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He holds a virtual meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Thursday held a virtual meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Liu and Bonne exchanged views on China-France and China-EU economic and financial cooperation, the global response to COVID-19, G20 financial issues, and climate change.

Liu said China attaches great importance to the development of the bilateral relations, and is willing to work with France to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and continuously push forward pragmatic cooperation.

Bonne said France is committed to realizing the cooperation goals set by the two heads of state and actively promoting the development of EU-China relations.

They agreed to maintain communication on bilateral and multilateral issues of common interest.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Ramen lovers are raving about this little Japanese restaurant hidden behind a quaint facade that has an unusual method for making its broth.

The kitchen at Umami Dojo in Pyrmont, Sydney, looks like something out of a science lab with a series of siphons they use to make their delicious bonito fish stock used in their Katsuo ramen.

To make the stock, chef and co-owner Keiji Mizuno, infuses the broth with bonito shavings imported from Japan by passing it through a siphon that is usually used to make drip coffee.

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The kitchen at Umami Dojo in Pyrmont, Sydney, looks like something out of a science lab with a series of siphons they use to make their delicious bonito fish stock used in their Katsuo ramen

To make the stock, chef and co-owner Keiji Mizuno, infuses the broth with bonito shavings imported from Japan by passing it through a siphon that is usually used to make drip coffee

Umami Dojo has become a hot spot for foodies lately with Sydney blogger Adrian Widjonarko uploading a clip to TikTok about his visit to the ramen restaurant that has more than 33,800 views.

'The chicken is also sous vide to perfect! The broth is super clean and rich at the same time,' he wrote.

Many of his fans were quick to comment and keen to try the eatery's signature ramen.

'Wow wow wow!!! I have to go here!' one person said.

'Damn! This is next level,' commented a second.

'This looks like a intense lab science scene in a cartoon,' a third joked.

To make the stock, chef and co-owner Keiji Mizuno, infuses the broth with bonito shavings imported from Japan by passing it through a siphon that is usually used to make drip coffee.

Umami Dojo co-owner Yumiko Mizuno said bonito, a fish commonly used in Japanese broths, is highly volatile and needs to be cooked at a consistent temperature to get the best flavour.

'By using siphons, it enables it to reach the best temperature to brew bonito shavings constantly and extract the best smokey flavour just before serving it,' she said.

'We opened Umami Dojo to broaden Japanese dashi (fish broth) culture so more people here in Australia can experience real Umami from natural ingredients.'

Umami Dojo use three types of stock to make the broths for their delicious ramen dishes, bonito, sardine and chicken, to maximise the umami flavour.

The restaurant offers a range of authentic Japanese dishes on their menu including the famous ramen for $18-$22 as well as gyozas, chicken karaage, tempura fish cakes.

Umami Dojo use three types of stock to make the broths for their delicious ramen dishes, bonito, sardine and chicken, to maximise the umami flavour.

The restaurant offers a range of authentic Japanese dishes on their menu including the famous ramen for $18-$22 as well as gyozas, chicken karaage, tempura fish cakes.

To book, head to the Umami Dojo website.
A budget friendly serum has been dubbed an essential skincare must-have to keep skin hydrated and nourished throughout summer

A budget friendly serum has been dubbed an essential skincare must-have to keep skin hydrated and nourished throughout summer.

The No7 HydraLuminous Water Concentrate is a 'globally adored' silky smooth serum that's been specially formulated to provide an instant hydration boost .

The $29.99 product is praised for its long lasting properties without creating an 'oily' appearance and is exclusively available from Priceline stores in Australia.

Powered by pure hyaluronic acid and the brand's secret HydraDrench Complex, the supercharged liquid leaves skin visibly fresh and glowing skin in just one week.

The UK skincare brand that's beloved by Gwyneth Paltrow, Crazy Rich Asians actress Gemma Chan and Sienna Miller launched last August in more than 470 Priceline stores

To use the serum simply cleanse your skin and apply one to two drops of concentrate with the 'dropper applicator' - results are instant and improve over a month.

The UK skincare brand that's beloved by Gwyneth Paltrow, Crazy Rich Asians actress Gemma Chan and Sienna Miller launched last August in more than 470 Priceline stores.

No7 - which regularly attracts waiting lists of 100,000 and is the top-selling beauty brand in the UK - boasts 42 products ranging from $19.99 to $61.99 in price.

Three of the British brand's top selling items have been revealed and are all available to purchase from Priceline stores.

The No7 HydraLuminous Water Concentrate is a 'globally adored' serum that's been specially formulated to provide an instant hydration boost

PROTECT & PERFECT SERUM

One of the highlights from No7 is the brand's famous Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum ($54.99), which has won multiple awards thanks to its ability to lessen the impact of fine lines and wrinkles.

The serum famously includes often pricey ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid and No7's matrixyl 3000 - which works to visibly reduce the signs of ageing every time you apply the serum.

According to the Head of Science research at No7, Dr Mike Bell, it's the scientific studies that set No7 apart from other skincare brands on the market.

'The serums have gone through rigorous clinical and consumer testing to validate their age defying performance with thousands of women involved in their testing, across 70 studies over the past 10 years,' he said in a statement.

The serum (pictured) famously includes often pricey ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid and No7's matrixyl 3000

ADVANCED RETINOL 1.5 PER CENT COMPLEX NIGHT CONCENTRATE

Another top product in the extensive range is No7's Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate ($61.99).

The most expensive item in the collection, the retinol is designed to re-boot and renew the skin while you sleep, so you wake up looking refreshed, and - after several weeks - noticeably younger.

When the retinol launched in the UK, it did so to a waiting list of 100,000 people. It is now used by millions of women around the world and has rave reviews online. 'Very surprised at how well this product works,' one recent reviewer posted.

Another added: 'I have been using this product for about five months now and it is amazing. You skin peels the top layer of skin to reveal much clearer skin with fewer brown spots and lines'.

Another top product in the extensive range is No7's Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate ($61.99), which is the most expensive item in the collection (pictured)

RESTORE AND RENEW MUTLI ACTION EYE CREAM

The third 'cult' product in the No7 collection is Restore and Renew Multi Action Eye Cream, $37.99, which seeks to firm and revitalise the delicate skin around the eye area.

'I have real issues with the skin around my eyes. This cream really does make a remarkable difference,' one reviewer said of the cream (pictured)

Ingredients including shea butter and hyaluronic acid work to hydrate the fragile skin around the eyes and plump it out, while ginseng extract aims to make you look more awake.

'I have real issues with the skin around my eyes. This cream really does make a remarkable difference and I've only used it for two weeks,' one commenter posted.

Priceline Pharmacy General Manager Andrew Vidler said in a statement: 'It's fitting that No7 - an iconic, global brand - is launching in Priceline, Australia's most iconic health and beauty retailer.

'Our buyers scour the globe looking for products and brands that women will love, and we're excited to exclusively bring skincare royalty to our customers.'

For more information about No7 at Priceline, please click here.
A major Australian hospital has revealed 'Isla' and 'Oliver' were the two most popular baby names of 2021.

According to the record keepers at WA's St John of God both names managed to cling on to the stop spot - after rising to the position in 2020.

The hospital looked at data from over 10,000 births across NSW, Victoria and Western Australia to make a list of ten boys and girls names deemed most loved.

A major Australian hospital has revealed 'Isla' and 'Oliver' as the two most popular baby names of 2021 (stock image)

This is the second year running both names have taken out the top spot - but other names have definitely made huge jumps towards the top of the list.

Oscar appears to be the second favourite boys name of the last year - up four places on 2020.

While Archie came in at number five - after missing out on the top ten the year before.

Luca also appeared for the first time alongside the three 'equal-tenth' place holders, Max, Thomas and George.

There appeared to be less movement in the girls' list with Isla clinging to first place, Olivia still sitting in second and Charlotte backing up yet another year in third.

The fourth name on the list, Amelia, is new however as are Willow, in sixth, Sophie in seventh and Evelyn in tenth.

The most popular names in 2021 may have stayed stable - but it also appeared to be a year which saw the emergence of lots of 'edgy' baby names too.

Names like Atlas, Bexley, Bowie, and Maverick grew in popularity, with people more open to uni-sex names and 'taking risks'.

Top 10 baby boys' names in Australia in 2021 1. Oliver 2. Oscar 3. William 4. Noah 5. Archie 6. Jack 7. Henry 8. Leo 9. Luca 10. Max, Thomas, George Advertisement

Top 10 baby girls' names in Australia in 2021 1. Isla 2. Olivia 3. Charlotte 4. Amelia 5. Mia 6. Willow 7. Sophie 8. Grace 9. Ella 10.Evelyn Advertisement

Parenting group Mum Central has compiled a list of 21 unique monikers that 'ooze with edginess'.

Top choices for boys included Atlas, Steele, Maverick, Bowie and Ramsey, while for girls: Elodie, Pandora, Ottoline, Zia and Grecia.

Animals like Fox and Bear have had a major influence on baby names over the years - and so it's no surprise Cub was featured on the list.

Mythological characters are one of the top trends predicted for 2021, with Persephone (pronounced: per-seph-o-nee) and Pandora mentioned on the list.

For parents who like 'out there' names should consider Ottoline, a girl's moniker of French origin meaning 'prospers in battle'.

Another edgy baby name that screams 'cool' is Steele. According to Datayze, just one out of every 17,610 baby boys born in 2020 are named Steele.

The 21 'edgy' baby names of 2021 Atlas Elodie Cub Persephone Pandora Ottoline Talon Steele Maverick Jora Zia Pau Orrin Ramsey Aerin Eilidh Grecia Bexley Irie Bowie Terra Advertisement

While calendar-inspired names like May, April and June have been taking off this year, another moniker to consider is Jora, which means 'autumn rain'.

To stand out from three to four letter baby girl names like Ava, Isla and Mia, parents should consider Zia which means 'light, splendor or radiant'.

Inspired by the late music idol David Bowie, Bowie is also another top pick for boys while Terra, which is the Roman earth goddess, is perfect for a baby girl born in one of the earth zodiacs - Virgo, Taurus or Capricorn.

Other edgy baby names to consider include Irie, Eilidh (pronounced: Ay-lee), Aerin, Orrin, Pau and Talon.
Gucci has come under fire from customers and animal rights activists after enlisting the use of real tigers to advertise its latest collection.

The prestigious Italian designer has launched clothes, shoes and accessories featuring the name of the big cat and images of them.

The Gucci Tiger collection includes a 1,280 small tote bag and a cotton sweatshirt for 890.

There is also a 750 G-Timeless 38mm watch and Men's Ace sneakers for 520 on sale to celebrate 2022 being the Chinese Year of the Tiger.

GUCCI has been slammed by customers and animal rights activists for using TIGERS as props to promote its new fashion range

In the promotions the big cats can be seen sat perched on a grand piano, curled up on rugs and seen prowling around

The Gucci Tiger collection includes a 1,280 small tote bag with the words 'GUCCI TIGER' emblazoned on the front

Critics of the campaign took to instagram to voice their concerns over the promotion of tigers in advertising in Gucci's campaign

But the high-end fashion houses used real tigers in adverts for the range.

In the promotions the big cats can be seen sat perched on a grand piano, curled up on rugs and prowling around.

Elisa Allen, director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), blasted Gucci saying it exploited the tigers and would encourage the illegal trade of the endangered animals.

She said: 'Gucci is hopelessly out of touch with our current understanding of wild animals' needs and best interests.'

The collection includes a 750 G-Timeless 38mm watch and Men's Ace sneakers for 520 to celebrate 2022 being the Chinese Year of the Tiger

As well as trying to promote their new tiger line, Gucci claims using tigers is a unique way to raise much-needed funds to protect endangered species and their natural habitats

Commenters took to instagram to share there dislike of Gucci's use of tigers in the campaign photos

A cotton sweatshirt for 890 features in the Gucci tiger collection as the company celebrated the Chinese year of the tiger

Taking to instagram to promote their range, Gucci claimed that 'nature, wildlife and its denizens' are important to the brand

'Tigers are not photo props to be exploited, and those used in the brand's old-fashioned advertising campaign were likely taken from their mothers as cubs and condemned to spend their lives in cages.'

'Such images fuel the illegal trade in wild animals by promoting 'ownership' of them.'

She added: 'Today's advanced special effects capabilities mean there is no excuse for tearing animals away from their families and homes.'

'Subjecting them to the stress of transport, and placing them under the bright lights of a film, TV, or advertising set.

The campaign photos saw live tigers being used for the shoot, but Gucci insists the tigers were photographed in a safe environment

On social media, some commenters came out in support of the brand despite the use of tigers for their photoshoot

The director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claims the promotion of products buy use of wild animals fuels illegal trade by promoting 'ownership' of them

People voiced their concern online after Gucci showed of their campaign photos on their instagram page

Gucci said no tigers were harmed and their welfare was checked on during the filming and photographing

As well as getting blasted online, Elisa Allen called for Gucci to stop slaughtering animals for their skin, too

Followers of Gucci thought the tigers looked out of place and 'confused' about what they were being made to do

'Gucci must urgently commit to never using wild animals in its campaigns  because cruelty is totally out of style.

'While it's at it, it needs to stop slaughtering animals for their skin, too, which PETA has shown causes extraordinary suffering.'

Customer Johanna Hallman fumed: 'It's not okay to have wild animals in advertising.'

Another - Juan Sebastian added: 'Those tigers look confused.'

Guccis shared with their followers that they joined joined The Lion's Share Fund in February 2020

Despite the public's protestations, Gucci stated that animal welfare organization, American Humane, monitored the set on which animals were present

Gucci said no tigers were harmed and their welfare was checked on during the filming and photographing.

A Gucci spokesperson said: 'Nature, wildlife and its denizens are particularly important to Gucci, which in February 2020 joined The Lion's Share Fund.'

'A unique initiative raising much-needed funds to protect endangered species and their natural habitats.'

'A third-party animal welfare organization, American Humane, monitored the set on which animals were present and verified that no animals were harmed.'

'Tigers were photographed and filmed in a separate safe environment complying to Gucci's policies and then featured within the campaign.'
The Apprentice is back, which means Lord Sugar is on the hunt for his next business partner.

But the Amstrad founder, 74, has already made one new hire - his receptionist, Ashley Young.

Model and actress Ashley, who was born without the lower part of her right arm, plays a small but crucial role in every episode of the hit BBC1 show when she tells the anxious candidates 'Lord Sugar will see you now'.

The 26-year-old, originally from Florida, was put forward for the role by Zebedee Management, a specialist talent agency that champions people with disabilities or alternative appearances.

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Model and actress Ashley, who was born without the lower part of her right arm, plays a small but crucial role in every episode of the hit BBC1 show when says, 'Lord Sugar will see you now'

The 26-year-old, originally from Florida, was put forward for the role by Zebedee Management, a specialist talent agency that champions people with disabilities or alternative appearances

The brunette beauty, who describes herself as an 'American Cyborg' on her popular Instagram account, wears a golden prosthesis with a Covvi Nexus bionic hand

The brunette beauty, who describes herself as an 'American Cyborg' on her popular Instagram account, wears a golden prosthesis with a Covvi Nexus bionic hand.

She signed to Zebedee in January 2019 after moving to London and has since appeared on the cover of Boots' Health and Wellness magazine and scored a campaign for Seasalt Cornwall.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Ashley admitted she was initially nervous when on the set of The Apprentice, which filmed between June and August 2021, because it was her biggest role to date.

'I've not worked as a receptionist before and this was my first acting role with a speaking part so I was quite nervous at first. Luckily they gave me a whole wardrobe of business clothes to wear.

Ashley signed to Zebedee in January 2019 after moving to London and has landed a string of campaigns, including one for WUKA period underwear, above

Ashley made her debut on The Apprentice last week (pictured). The show filmed last summer

'When I first had to take the boardroom call from Lord Sugar I was very nervous and sweating as all the contestants were looking at me, but I soon got used to it and relaxed.

'I'm very excited to have got the part, it's the biggest job I have done. My dream is to one day appear on Strictly.'

Ashley, who is married to model husband James, who wears a prosthetic arm and leg, grew up in Orlando and spent time working as a performer at Universal Studios.

She is also a trained dancer and has appeared on BBC Three makeup reality show Glow Up.

Ashley strikes a pose in an image from the Seasalt Cornwall homepage, another recent gig

Ashley is the picture of confidence in her social media snaps, which include candid shots

She is the picture of confidence in her social media snaps, which include candid shots of her horse-riding and showing off her gymnastics skills.

However Ashley also posts about the sometimes difficult reality of living with a visible disability.

In one recent TikTok video, reposted on Instagram, Ashley revealed people sometimes call her 'gross' and asking: 'Does it hurt?'

She explained: 'Some days are harder than others. I wanted to make this because I don't think anyone really understands that going out with a limb difference isn't always as simple as it might seem.

Ashley shows off her gymnastics skills in a stunning Instagram shot. However she also reveals the difficult side of living with a visible disability

'With a physical difference we always seem to be on display to able bodied people and constantly need to share our personal details with strangers to make them feel comfortable.

'Sure, most of the time I love to share! I love to help people change their perspective on people with a limb difference so the next person they might come across who looks like me will have an easier time.

'But some days I just want to go to the store without a kid pointing and whispering to their siblings or staring from the end of the aisle way as their parent yanks them along. That's just my life, and many others as well.

'I'm still a happy camper anyway lol. Love you all very much and I hope this video can come across to someone who might need to see it.'
BBC podcast star Deborah James, who has incurable bowel cancer, has revealed how she 'nearly died' last week in an 'acute medical emergency' that has left her traumatised.

The former deputy head teacher turned cancer campaigner, 40, from London, has been living with stage four bowel cancer since she was diagnosed in December 2016, and was told early on that she might not live beyond five years - a milestone that passed in the autumn.

Posting on Instagram overnight, the mother-of-two spoke of enduring the 'hardest, most heartbreaking and scariest' period of her cancer battle in the last week, which has involved three operations and 'a lot more procedures' to come.

She told how her husband watched as doctors fought to save her life after she 'crashed' in resuscitation.

'A week ago at this time in the evening I nearly died in what was an acute medical emergency,' she wrote. 'I'm not ready to discuss what happened yet as the trauma of it all has been incredibly intense - but it's thanks to an unbelievable team of NHS specialists who worked all through the night and the next day to save me.

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BBC podcast star Deborah James, who has incurable bowel cancer, has revealed how she 'nearly died' last week in an 'acute medical emergency'. She shared this photo from hospital

Posting on Instagram overnight, the mother-of-two spoke of enduring the 'hardest, most heartbreaking and scariest' period of her cancer battle in the last week, which has involved three operations and 'a lot more procedures' to come

'I cannot be more grateful. I'm still not out of danger and I have a lot more procedures to deal with. But I'm now out of intensive care. And for the first time felt able to briefly update you.'

Sharing a photo of her giving a thumbs up from a hospital bed, she continued: 'This is me yesterday having just come round from my 3rd operation this week. I have another operation tommorow.

'In 5 years of having stage 4 Cancer - this has been the hardest, most heartbreaking and scariest of them all. I'd always prepared for my death, but I wasn't prepared for something so blindsiding and traumatic to happen.

'I can't quite believe I'm here to write this. A week ago my whole family was praying I'd pull through the night. I'm getting a lot of help and support to come to terms with the trauma I've been through.

'My family have been incredible. I don't know how my husband held it together seeing me crash as an army of doctors stabilised me in resus.'

In new series of cancer podcast, You, Me and the Big C, James, 40, revealed she had to learn how to walk again after being bed-bound with colitis in December

After thanking followers for their support, she added: 'Do me a favour and go tell your loved ones how much you love them. To realise in a sudden split moment that you are unlikely to see the next day is utterly heartbreaking. Have no regrets.'

It comes days after Deborah returned to her popular podcast You, me and the Big C and revealed how she'd been 'absolutely floored' by 'big gun chemo' during the summer and then a serious infection at the year's end - which saw her carried into a London hospital at 1am by her husband for treatment.

She told co-hosts Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland on the newest episode of the BBC podcast that she'd had to learn to walk again after being forced to remain in bed for almost a month.

She said: 'After colitis, I had to relearn to walk again because I had so much fluid.

'I'd been bed-bound for three weeks and just learning how to walk to the end of the drive or whatever, is just impossible essentially.'

Discussing how difficult the last six months have been, James said while she was really happy that the 'big gun chemo' she endured has slowed her cancer's growth, which had been 'on the march', it had been an exhausting time.

James marked five years since her 2016 diagnosis - a milestone she thought she wouldn't make - in December but was in hospital with infectious colitis

She explained: 'I have to be honest with you, going from targeted therapy back onto chemo, it was hardcore, big gun chemo, and it absolutely utterly floored me.

'I would say my quality of life was just hideous.'

Updating listeners on the current state of her health, she said: 'Some days I feel fine, my quality of life is OK right now, but I'm not the person people have known for the past four years where I'm running around exercising everyday.'

BOWEL CANCER: THE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULDN'T IGNORE Bowel, or colorectal, cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps. Symptoms include: Bleeding from the bottom

Blood in stools

A change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks

Unexplained weight loss

Extreme, unexplained tiredness

Abdominal pain Most cases have no clear cause, however, people are more at risk if they: Are over 50

Have a family history of the condition

Have a personal history of polyps in their bowel

Suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease

Lead an unhealthy lifestyle Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy. More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis. This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. It affects around 40 per 100,000 adults per year in the US, according to the National Cancer Institute. Advertisement

'It's just stable in a really b****y awkward place.'

The campaigner revealed that because of her reduced liver function and the colitis, she's not likely to qualify for a clinical trial.

She admitted she'd been 'procrastinating' over potential treatment options during the Christmas break.

In the summer, James was told she had an aggressive new tumour that had wrapped itself around her bile duct - requiring a life-saving stay in hospital - and a stent fitted to stop her liver from failing.

The stent fitted to stop her liver failing 'stopped working' in December.

She explained to her followers at the time how hopes at having a 'quick replacement operation' had turned into a 'nightmare'.

She said: 'I'm now at the mercy of hopefully some super 'magic medicine miracle' - but then I always have been, and any chance is a chance right?

'All I ever say Is all I want is hope and options.'

In April, James shared that her cancer, which has been kept at bay by pioneering treatment, was back again and she was forced to endure a 12th operation.

The West London mother-of-two, a deputy head, was diagnosed 'late' with incurable bowel cancer in 2016.

She has frequently said that as a vegetarian runner, she was the last person doctors expected to get the disease.

After sharing her experiences on living with the disease on social media, Deborah became known as the 'Bowel Babe' and began writing a column for the Sun.

In 2018, Deborah joined Lauren Mahon and Rachael Bland to present the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C on Radio 5 Live.

Bland tragically died of breast cancer on September 5th that year; her husband Steve Bland now co-presents the show.

The former deputy head teacher celebrated her 40th birthday in October but admitted this week that 'big gun chemo' in the summer had 'floored her'

The social media star has documented her battle with cancer online since being diagnosed and campaigned for better awareness around bowel cancer diagnosis
A mother has revealed how she shed more than 130kg after being told she would be dead within five years if she did not lose weight.

Canadian-born Brenda Langford, 45, who lives on Australia's Sunshine Coast, weighed 222kg at her heaviest and said she was constantly fat-shamed by strangers who would 'stare, point, laugh and make fun' of her, especially when she was out eating.

In August 2018 she was given a stark warning by a doctor who said she was eating herself to an early grave.

'My doctor told me I had five years to live because my liver enzymes were very high, I had a severe fatty liver and six days prior, my Dad died from liver cirrhosis,' she said.

'I was in shock, thinking that I too, was going to die from it and I felt numb. I was in denial about my weight and thought I could lose it myself, but I just couldn't exercise anymore because of the pain.

'I realised I had to do something drastic now because I was in my 40s and realised enough was enough.'

Canadian-born Brenda Langford, 45, who lives on Australia's Sunshine Coast, weighed 222kg (left) at her heaviest and said she was constantly fat-shamed by strangers who would 'stare, point, laugh and make fun' of her, especially when she was out eating. She has lost more than half her body weight after a gastric bypass and surgery to remove excess skin (right)

After losing weight through a gastric bypass, Brenda was left with excess skin (pictured). She has had one procedure to remove 7kg and has a second surgery scheduled

At her heaviest (left), Brenda couldn't walk ten metres of visit any of her local beautiful beaches. Now Brenda (pictured right) is slowly regaining her confidence

Home care support worker Brenda, who is mother to Brandon, 23, and Kyle, 16, underwent gastric bypass surgery and has since shed 133kg, dropping 11 dress sizes.

She subsequently had a procedure to remove 7kg of excess skin and will have more removed.

Brenda recalled how, at her heaviest, she was so unfit she struggled to walk even 10m.

'I couldn't walk my dog, I couldn't even go to the beach, and I live near some of the best beaches in the world,' she explained.

'I couldn't even go grocery shopping anymore because not only did my feet hurt but my back would just give out on me, and I couldn't even hold myself up.

'It was horrible, people would yell at me, I had this one group of young men, drove past me at the grocery store, they decided to come back around and yell things at me like "hey, fatty".

In August 2018 she was given a stark warning by a doctor who said she was eating herself to an early grave. Pictured before weight loss

The mother realised she had to do something drastic now because she was in her 40s and so she opted for gastric sleeve surgery

Brenda reveals her folds of excess skin following her weight loss. She has since had 7kg of excess skin removed and will have more removed

BRENDA'S DIET BEFORE Breakfast: nothing Mid-morning Snack: potato chip or crackers and cheese Lunch: fast food meal, such as a quarter pounder meal plus 10 pack chicken nuggets at McDonald's. Afternoon snack: Chips or Cheese and crackers Dinner: Large meat, veg and potato meals with double or triple helpings. Dessert: Big block of chocolate Advertisement

BRENDA'S CURRENT DIET Breakfast: protein smoothie with nuts or two eggs with a bit of bacon or oat & blueberry pancakes. Mid-morning Snack: protein yoghurt with fruit and cereal bits Lunch: chicken breast and salad and potato Afternoon snack: rice cakes with ham and tomato Dinner: Beef and vegetables Dessert: pineapple Advertisement

'I was in a crowded lift one time and the doors wouldn't close because there were too many people. An old lady at the back yelled at me, saying "it won't close because you're too fat, you need to get off".

'Everyone was looking at me, I felt subhuman, it was then revealed to be someone's backpack in the way of the door.

'Then there was another time at the shops, a little boy looked at me and said "holy f**k you're fat" and the two men with him started laughing.'

Brenda, who was bullied about her weight in childhood, said the situation became so severe she didn't want to leave the house because she suffered social anxiety.

Brenda's wakeup call came after her doctor broke the devastating news that she would not live another five years if she did not lose weight.

After unsuccessfully trying to slim down, Brenda underwent a gastric sleeve in August 2018 to help her accomplish her goals.

The mother of two would rarely go out in public before her weight loss due to cruel taunts and jeers. Pictured with her husband Matt before her weight loss

Brenda now plans on losing an extra 13kg in order to fulfil her goal of losing two thirds of herself. Pictured with her excess skin following her weight loss

Brenda, pictured today, now wants to lose a further 13kg, so she will be two thirds of her original weight

In September 2021, Brenda underwent her first round of plastic surgery, having a full lower body lift which removed 7kg of excess skin.

Later this year, she'll have her second round, getting a full upper body lift.

She now plans on losing an extra 13kg in order to fulfil her goal of losing two thirds of herself.

Since losing the weight, Brenda has been able to work for the first time in 15 years.

She went back to school and became a Home Care Support Worker to help other people confined to their homes like she was at her heaviest.

She said: 'I feel a weight has been lifted off me, my quality of life is amazing.' I can do anything. I train at the gym six days a week, I can walk for 10 kilometres if I wanted to where before 10 metres was a problem.

'I'm a much happier person now, this weight loss has made me much more optimistic. Now I live life as a free person, it's amazing.'
The cover of British Vogue's February issue featuring nine black models has been branded 'offensive' on social media as critics claim bad lighting and poor styling hid the women's features and made their skin blacker to cater to the 'white gaze'.

It marks the first time Vogue has featured a group of black women this size on the cover, for an issue celebrating the rise of African models, and was photographed by Brazilian photographer Rafael Pavarotti, who has previously shot black models in the same fashion, making their skin look ultra-dark.

Starring models Adut Akech, Amar Akway, Majesty Amare, Akon Changkou, Maty Fall, Janet Jumbo, Abeny Nhial, Nyagua Ruea and Anok Yai, the cover was styled by British Vogue's Editor-In-Chief Edward Enninful OBE.

Mr Enninful was appointed editor of British Vogue in 2017, taking over from Alexandra Shulman, after the publication was criticised for a lack of diversity, and promptly assembled a woke squad of 15 women to bring diversity into editions across Europe.

However, this latest imagery has been met with furious backlash online, with dozens of fans saying the 'badly lit' image appeared to darken the models, who have a range of skin tones, to a point where they were unrecognisable and look like 'mannequins'.

A behind-the-scenes video of the shoot featuring the models having their hair and make-up done shows the diversity of their skin tones, sugesting that it was the ligthing rather than cosmetics that made them look so different.

One critic commented: 'British Vogue? So...they gathered all of these beautiful women and decided not to use lighting properly? One can't even identify who is who! And the wigs? Those women have very beautiful fascinating dark skins, so why DARKEN them like that?'

A fellow critic accused the Brazilian photographer of catering for the white gaze by 'fetishising' the models and exaggerating the models' skin tones, saying: 'You can be unapologetically black without caricature.'

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The cover of British Vogue's February issue has caused a stir on social media as critics say the magazine disrespected nine black women on the front with bad lighting and poor styling

Mr Enninful, who styled the photoshoot, was appointed after British Vogue, taking over from Alexandra Shulman, after the publication was criticised for a lack of diversity (pictured left). The Vogue cover was shot by Brazilian photographer Rafael Pavarotti (right)

A H&M campaign by photographer Rafael Pavarotti, who is known for shooting black models in the same fashion, making their skin look ultra-dark

Adut Akech on British Vogues February 2022 cover. She said when she first started modelling she was the 'only Black, dark-skinned girl in the show'

A critic accused the Brazilian photographer of catering for the white gaze by 'fetishising' the models and making them look like 'mannequins' with identical skin tones, while another said the cover was 'offensive' for failing to showcase the beauty of black skin

Another critic of the cover commented: 'Edward Enninful was foul for that Vogue cover. That lighting, wigs, outfits, errything was anti-black.

'I don't care, I don't care. You took the most beautiful women on the planet and made sure we couldn't see them on an issue about visibility? @BritishVogue, shaking my head.'

A fifth wrote that it was 'honestly terrible', while another added: 'Look I am a fan of British Vogue since Mr Enninful became EIC but I'm honestly not sure why this cover is not well-lit and why the models are made to be mannequinn-esque and we lose their features and beauty.'

One commented: 'Why are they blending in with the garments? Why not well lit and with colour that compliments their features?'

Rows of rails laden with the seasons most sought-after looks, more jewellery than a jewellery store, and a years supply of hairspray. Just a flavour of what you can expect on a British Vogue shoot. Watch as the cover stars prepare for their moment: https://t.co/Ytc453EcnW pic.twitter.com/f0XKDvy7uH  British Vogue (@BritishVogue) January 13, 2022

However the cover reveal has been met with furious backlash online, with many accusing Vogue of 'bad lighting' and 'darkening the skin' of the models

'Everything blends in,' another wrote, 'The hair the same colour as the skin. Crazy. I think this is the aesthetic they go for when shooting black skin though.

'Not the first time I've seen this look from them.'

Others commented that they wished the styling had been different on the shoot, with one writing: 'TBH I personally would have liked to see more colour here with the makeup/wardrobe - we all know melanin pops against brighter hues - and at least one person with their natural hair in this shot.

'Also the lighting could use some work. But we'll take this as a start.'

In one shot, the models sit on a green sofa wearing bright colours which pop against the low lighting, while in the cover shot all nine models wear all black outfits.

Explaining the inspiration behind shooting an all black, all African cover, Edward, who was born in Ghana and moved to west London as a child, said: 'I saw all these incredible models from across Africa who were just so vivacious and smart.

The A-list photographer who has shot Harry Styles, Rihanna and Marcus Rashford: Who is Rafael Pavarotti - known for styling his portraits of black women to make their skin look ultra-dark? Photographer Rafael Pavarotti was born in Brazil's Amazon rainforest in 1993, where his earliest photographs were taken with a group of friends who pooled their money to buy camera film. At 16, the photographer left his remote hometown to pursue a career in fashion and media and his since built a career travelling the world to photograph for high-profile clients. His A-list roster of clients includes Vogue Paris, i-D magazine and Dior and he's shot celebrities including Marcus Rashford, Kate Moss, Rihanna and Harry Styles. Pictured, South Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech photographed by Brazilian photographer Rafael Pavarotti His recent collection, shot in collaboration with i-Ds fashion editor Ibrahim Kamara, saw the photographer return to his Amazonian homeland with the goal of 'illuminating Black and radicalised bodies through fashion and image' According to 1854, the publisher of the British Photography Journal, his work uses a mix of both analogue and digital photography and often involves deep colours, studio shots and darkroom techniques. 'The celebration of Black and indigenous experience specifically will always be a part of my work, because it's also a part of me', he told the digital media company. 'As an Afro-Indigenous Brazilian photographer, my existence and work are already political. With just one photo you can open up a whole history, or tell a whole story through different colours, styling and mediums.' His recent collection, shot in collaboration with i-Ds fashion editor Ibrahim Kamara, saw the photographer return to his Amazonian homeland with the goal of 'illuminating Black and radicalised bodies through fashion and image'. In his online biography, the photographer is described as passionate about 'addressing the imbalance of Black representation in fashion and broader historical narratives' and keen to help 'under-represented populations of today find equitable representation in the future'. Advertisement

'These girls are redefining what it is to be a fashion model.'

'We need to ensure these girls last. We have to invest in them, nurture them and support them with editorial, with advertising, with shows.'

'It's sad and heart-breaking for me to see girls who are on the rise suddenly taper off.

'We need to ensure these girls last. We have to invest in them, nurture them and support them with editorial, with advertising, with shows. It has to be 360. Alek Wek didn't suddenly become Alek Wek.

'There was a group of us behind girls like her, propelling them forward. This is what we have to do in all our different roles.

'Getting these girls and then throwing them away after one season? That has to stop.'

Mr Enninful was appointed editor of British Vogue, taking over from Alexandra Shulman, after the publication was criticised for a lack of diversity.

British Vogue has revealed its February 2022 cover, featuring nine black women who are 'redefining what it means to be a model'.

Following the announcement, Naomi Campbell said she was 'looking forward to inclusive and diverse staff' under Mr Enninful.

One of his first tasks was to assemble a 15-strong squad of women, dubbed Edward's Angels, charged with bringing a 'diverse perspective' into Vogue editions across Europe.

He was given control following a restructuring which pushed him to the upper echelons of the Conde Nast empire, answering only to US-based editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

The highest-profile Angels included Edward's right-hand women Vanessa Kingori and Sarah Harris, as well as four new European editors  Italy's Francesca Ragazzi, France's Eugenie Trochu, Spain's Ines Lorenzo and Kerstin Weng of Germany.

A source at British Vogue said at the time: 'Edward is the original champion of diversity at Vogue and has hand-picked these girls to be the most glamorous woke squad in Europe.

'He has tasked them with transforming the European Vogue titles. They are preparing to roll out their new front covers in the next few weeks and the change will be clear for all to see at last.'

Enninful's predecessor Alexandra Shulman later took a swipe at him in her 2020 book Clothes ... and Other Things That Matter, saying: 'A narrative was growing up around British Vogue being a place that was filled with 'posh white girls' that he [Enninful, who is black] would be getting rid of.'

It's not the first time Vogue has been met with criticism for the way it has styled a black woman on its cover.

In February 2021, Kamala Harris' cover of Vogue caused a stir as critics say the magazine disrespected the vice president-elect by 'white-washing' her skin and putting her in a pair of Converse.

The cover from the issue surfaced on Twitter, showing Harris, America's first vice president of color, wearing a black suit jacket, white tee shirt, dark cropped pants and black lace-up sneakers.

Dozens of fans came out to condemn the cover, saying the low-quality photo fell short of Vogue's usual style standards and appeared to have lightened Harris' skin.

In February 2021, Kamala Harris' cover of Vogue caused a stir as critics say the magazine disrespected the vice president-elect by 'white-washing' her skin and putting her in a pair of Converse

It comes after Anna Wintour came into the cross-hairs of America's reckoning on race over 18 months ago after she was accused of discriminating against employees because of the color of their skin.

The 71-year-old from London, who has been at the helm of Vogue for more than three decades, responded to the outrage by issuing an extraordinary mea culpa in June 2020.

In a company-wide memo, Wintour admitted to allowing 'hurtful and intolerant' behavior at the magazine and conceded that she had not done enough to champion black staffers and designers.

However Wintour's letter did little to quell the controversy surrounding her decision to remain in her role - and in October, a group of 18 black journalists who have worked with her over the years accused her of favoring employees who are thin, white, and from elite backgrounds in a piece published by the New York Times.

Meanwhile Anna Wintour has previously come into the cross-hairs of America's reckoning on race after she was accused of discriminating against employees because of the color of their skin

Eleven of them called for her resignation following offensive incidents involving her use of the word 'pickaninny', and other cultural appropriation controversies, including outrage over a 2017 Vogue shoot that featured Karlie Kloss posing in a geisha outfit, with her face in pale makeup and her hair dyed black.

The photo shoot in Japan drew immediate accusations of 'yellowface', however Wintour reportedly shut down concerns from her staff, insisting that the pictures could not be cut because it would incur an 'enormous expense'.

Wintour responded to the Times piece with another apology, writing: 'I strongly believe that the most important thing any of us can do in our work is to provide opportunities for those who may not have had access to them.

'Undoubtedly, I have made mistakes along the way, and if any mistakes were made at Vogue under my watch, they are mine to own and remedy and I am committed to doing the work.'

In December 2020, Wintour was promoted to become the first-ever chief executive of Conde Nast, in addition to her roles as Vogue Editor-in-Chief and Conde Nast artistic director.

Her title, global chief content officer of Conde Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, gave her control over all of the publications 25 editions across the globe.

See the full feature in the February issue of British Vogue available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 18th January
Channel 4's prison drama Screw has been slammed by 'disappointed' viewers who criticised the 'editing' and branded the acting 'sh***'.

The fast-moving programme stars Nina Sosanya and Jamie-Lee O'Donnell as cynical and overworked warders who are taking on the devious, violent inmates of C Wing.

In the second episode, which aired last night, Nina's character Leigh was torn over how to keep a transgender male prisoner safe, while Jamie-Lee's Rose was tasked with assigning a buddy to a particularly irritating inmate.

However many of those watching were left underwhelmed by the programme, with one saying: 'The editing in this show is giving my eyes whiplash. The cuts are being executed too quickly and seem mostly unnecessary.'

Channel 4's prison drama Screw has been slammed by 'disappointed' viewers who criticised the 'editing' and branded the acting 'sh***' (pictured, Nina Sosanya)

Another wrote: 'So many things wrong with this show! I'm sure even someone with no experience of prison would realise an officer wouldn't shut themselves in a cell with a prisoner for a start!'

A third commented: 'That Screw on Channel 4 is proper Kieron Dyer. Worst bit of telly in years.'

Meanwhile a fourth wrote: 'Was looking forward to it but very disappointed.'

'I thought Screw looked great from the advert. I was wrong,' another added. ' **** editing, acting and storyline.'

Some of those watching were left underwhelmed by the programme and said there were 'so many things wrong' with it

Another added: 'Watched both episodes now, sh*** in my opinion, never been in prison before but I imagine it's nothing like that. Won't be watching episode 3.'

'Screw has turned out to be disappointing,' another commented. 'Had been looking forward to a new prison series. It's a bit *yawn*.'

The second episode of the six part prison drama delved into the reality of working of the prison officers.

Leigh, the head of the embattled prison officer 'screws', attempted to convince her fellow officers and inmates to treat inmate Walker, a trans-man, the same as 'any other prisoner.'

Leigh also clashed with 21-year-old trainee officer Rose, who continued to try to adapt to life in the prison while operating a drug smuggling business on the side (pictured)

In one shocking scene, the officers discussed how the prisoners were planning a 'cell fight' between Walker and one of the toughest prisoners, Morley.

One officer could be heard saying: 'We don't officially allow [fighting]. But sometimes if it's one-on-one in a cell, sometimes it's best to let them punch themselves out before you step in.'

Meanwhile another said they would 'sometimes turn their eye to a fair fight.'

The officers allowed the fight to take place, with Walker beaten by Morley before being accepted into his gang.

Leigh asked: 'Is violence really what it takes to prove yourself?'

Meanwhile Leigh also clashed with 21-year-old trainee officer Rose, who continued to try to adapt to life in the prison while operating a drug smuggling business on the side.

Leigh, the head of the embattled prison officer 'screws', attempted to convince her fellow officers and inmates to treat inmate Walker, a trans-man, the same as 'any other prisoner'

The officers allowed the fight to take place, with Walker beaten by Morley before being accepted into his gang (pictured, trans-prisoner Walker after the fight)

The Channel 4 series was written by BAFTA-winning writer Rob Williams who has also worked on The Victim and Killing Eve.

Despite viewers criticism over the 'unrealistic' scenes in prison, he has previously insisted every script was 'read by a serving police officer.'

He said: 'Our main advisor is a serving prison officer who has been incredibly helpful.

'John Podmore was great early on when I was working on the big story arcs  he used to be a prison governor in Brixton and Belmarsh, and is still involved in that world.

'I spoke to Mark Fairhurst of the Prison Officers Association as well, and we've been incredibly careful to talk to some of the groups and charities that have a stake in the various issues we address through the show.

'We've been careful not to just assume anything. Everyone has been raving about the set. It's incredible.'
In a record first for the Army, a woman is taking over her husband's role to become the first female officer to command the No 1 Army Training Regiment.

Lieutenant Colonel Lyndsey Kelly, 42, has taken up the appointment at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright, Surrey, taking over from husband, Lt Col Shamus Kelly, 44, to command the 165-strong staff.

And as she takes up her new position, Shamus will continue working in the regiment's headquarters, also in Pirbright.

The couple, who have two children, Alex, seven, and William, four, both joined the Army in 2001 before meeting nine years later during a training course and marrying in 2013.

Lt Col Shamus Kelly shakes the hand of his wife, Lt Col Lyndsey Kelly, as he exchanges the command of 1ATR

The couple on holiday. Lyndsey has been in the training environment before and loved it which influenced her to come back

Lieutenant Colonel Shamus Kelly and his wife, Lieutenant Colonel Lyndsey Kelly walking under the guard of honour at their wedding in 2013

Lt Col Shamus Kelly and his wife, Lt Col Lyndsey Kelly talk to soldiers, as he exchanges the command of 1ATR

An Army spokesman said: 'When Lieutenant Colonel Lyndsey Kelly becomes the Commanding Officer of No 1 Army Training Regiment (ATR) at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright, not only will she become the first female officer to do so but, somewhat uniquely, she will be assuming command from her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Shamus Kelly OBE.'

Lyndsey aid: 'I have been in the training environment before and I enjoyed it so much which is the reason it was my preference to come back here.'

'I love to be able to shape and influence the recruits, our next generation of our army, but I also love working with such motivated people.'

Shamus said: 'The advice I would give Lyndsey is the advice everyone gave me before I took command, it's look after our people and very much enjoy the moment. You have got two and a half years to invest in our people.

The couple were seen laughing together during the exchange of command as they walked around the base

The couple are confident they will be able to effectively work as a team but know there will be inevitable conflicts. The pair at their wedding in 2013.

The pair see Lyndsey's new appointment as a particularly great opportunity to influence a new generation of both male and female soldiers

'When you have recruits in, they are vulnerable adults, they are very impressionable, so it's a lot of responsibility to make sure you safeguard and look after them.'

Lyndsey said it was too early to say what changes she would make in the organisation but said integration was a priority for her.

She said: 'From what I see, it's a really well-oiled machine and I think integration is working really well and something I will keep a close eye on.'

'I am particularly proud to be in this appointment, what I would like to think is when a male or female recruit start on day one they see there is no differences male or female, it's completely normal and that's what they should expect to find throughout their career.

Shamus and Lyndsey have decided not to bring work home when they are around their two young boys, and will focus on family time

Lyndsey said it was too early to say what changes she would make in the organisation but said integration was a priority for her

The 14-week basic training programme teaches the recruits about the structure of the British Army, how to live and operate in the field as soldiers

'I am particularly keen on making sure this environment is a healthy one and reflective of the wider army and wider society.'

Shamus added: 'As soon as recruits walk through that door, you don't see it as a male section and a female section, they just see it as a team, men and women working together from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.'

'We need to be really confident our people will always try to do the right thing at the right time no matter the pressure they are under, and the only way you can make sure you have that confidence is when you take them through the basic training process, if you see any issues red flags where behaviour is unacceptable, that's your opportunity to change that behaviour or weed it out.'

'This is a really important filter process to ensure the next generation of soldier lives, breathes and operates in accordance with our standards.'

As she takes up her new position, Shamus will continue working in the regiment's headquarters, also in Pirbright

Lyndsey is keen on making sure the environment is a healthy one and reflective of the wider army and wider society

When Lyndsey takes command of 1ATR she will be charged with the responsibility of transforming civilians into basic trained soldiers, with up to 500-plus recruits going through training at an any one time

On working closely together, Lyndsey said: 'I think we are both confident it wouldn't cause any friction but equally we would be foolish to think there aren't ever going to be any issues that we don't have differences of opinion on.'

'On the big stuff our values and standards are completely aligned so I think we are going to be fine but for a place like Pirbright, which has such an incredible tempo, and throw in covid to make it even more complex, there are undoubtedly going to be times when there are going to be some hard decisions to make.'

'I think we are going to have to be pretty strict about not taking issues home, we have two little boys, our focus when we get through the front door should be on our two boys and we need to be quite disciplined about that.'

The Army spokesman added: 'When Lyndsey takes command of 1ATR she will be charged with the responsibility of transforming civilians into basic trained soldiers, with up to 500-plus recruits going through training at an any one time.'

'These are young men and women, some of whom will be coming straight from school, and all with little or no experience of service life whatsoever.'

'The 14-week basic training programme teaches the recruits about the structure of the British Army, how to live and operate in the field as soldiers. It builds their physical and mental robustness through a progressive and challenging development programme.'

'But, most importantly, it focuses on developing their character and immersing them in the British Army's values and standards - critical to ensure that our people always do what's right, even under the most testing circumstances.'
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A Utah family is facing the unimaginable just a few years after they lost their three-year-old son to cancer: Now both dad and their two-year-old daughter are battling cancer as well.

Nate Bowen, 41, and his wife Allison had already gone through hell when their son Crosby died suddenly in 2018, just a month shy of his third birthday, due to what they learned later was a brain tumor.

But when their two-year-old daughter Annabelle was diagnosed with cancer last year, doctors began testing to find out why this had happened to two toddlers in the same family, according to Today.

They soon discovered that Annabelle has a rare genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which can increase cancer risk.

When genetic tests revealed that Nate had the condition, too, he started undergoing regular cancer screenings  and in September, doctors told him they'd found a tumor in his brain.

Nate Bowen, 41, and his two-year-old daughter Annabelle are both battling cancer at the same time

Nate and Allison Bowen also have an eight-year-old son named Dalton and a four-year-old daughter named Tessa

In 2018, they tragically lost their son Crosby just a month before his third birthday

The Bownes' one-in-a-million story began in 2018, when their son Crosby  whom they described as a 'silly kid' with a 'great laugh'  suddenly fell ill with fatigue and vomiting.

Their family doctor thought it was just a virus, but Crosby got progressively worse over the course of a week.

Though they said none of his symptoms indicated to them that he had a brain tumor, his condition worsened enough that they took him to the hospital.

'On the way to the hospital is likely when he had a massive heart attack or stroke or something like that and stopped breathing. We didnt know,' Bowen said. 'But we could tell hes really declining quickly.'

Doctors told the family that Crosby was brain dead, and they soon took him off life support.

'It was just very traumatic because it was so sudden,' Bowen said. 'We got fantastic care and they brought in a child life specialist to help the kids say goodbye to him.'

Crosby fell ill with fatigue and vomiting and died just a week after his symptoms began

The Bowens later learned that was killed their son was a brain tumor

Last year, Annabelle had a bump on their leg and the Bowens learned that she, too, had cancer. She underwent surgery and started chemotherapy

Doctors ran genetic tests and found that Annabelle has a genetic condition that increased her chances of getting cancer

They later learned through a CT scan that Crosby had a glioblastoma grade 4, a 'very aggressive brain tumor.'

After some time grieving, Nate, Allison, and their other children  Dalton, now 8, and Tessa, now 4  welcomed a new addition to their family: Annabelle.

Annabelle started having health troubles in late 2020 when her parents noticed a bump on her leg.

In February of 2021, she, too, was diagnosed with cancer after and MRI found rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer of the muscles.

She quickly underwent surgery and chemotherapy, which she will finish this month.

But doctors were curious as to why two of the Bowen children developed cancer and ran some genetic tests.

The whole family was tested, and Nate discovered that he had the condition as well, so he started regular screenings for different types of cancer

Last fall, doctors found a brain tumor and operated to remove most of it. However, due to increased risk of more cancer, he is not getting chemo

'My daughter getting cancer led to my genetic testing, which led to cancer screenings, and allowed us hopefully to catch it early enough,' he said

'When you have multiple children that are young that have cancers, theres typically this genetic mutation often associated with it,' Nate said.

They discovered that Annabelle has Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a mutation in the TP53 gene. The TP53 prevents typically tumor growth, but the mutation does not.

Though the mutation can happen spontaneously, it can also be genetic  so the rest of the family got tested.

Only Nate had the condition as well, so he began gettin regular cancer screenings. That's how, in September, doctors found a large brain tumor, grade 2 astrocytoma, during an MRI.

He's since had about 90 per cent of the tumor removed, but while his daughter is undergoing chemo, he is not, because it could cause him to develop even more cancer.

'Weve had to really narrow down our focus and be like, "OK I can get through today," or "I can get through this week,"' Nate said

'I have really grown to see my wife in a different light and really respect the woman she is and how strong she is,' Nate added

Though Nate and Annabelle will likely always be dealing with the threat of cancer  and regular tests and screening  the family is doing its best to keep positive, in part by turning to their faith.

'Weve had to really narrow down our focus and be like, "OK I can get through today," or "I can get through this week,"' Nate said.

Plus, he added: 'My daughter getting cancer led to my genetic testing, which led to cancer screenings, and allowed us hopefully to catch it early enough. Its one of those bittersweet things where theres bad that comes of it. But theres a good part.'

He said his relationship with his wife has grown stronger, too.

'I have really grown to see my wife in a different light and really respect the woman she is and how strong she is. Our love for one another has grown through the trials and were trying to be as positive as we can.'
A woman whose beloved dog when missing under the care of the pet-sitting app Wag has alleged that she spent a week searching for her pet before the company told her she had died  and then billed her for its services.

Liz Giorgi, the CEO and co-founder of the same-day photo and video studio Soona, chronicled her search for her dog Fran and her interactions with Wag on Twitter while rallying her friends, family, and neighbors in Denver, Colorado, to help find her pet.

On Wednesday, Giorgi tweeted that Fran was dead, though it's unclear if her pet had died in the Wag sitter's care or ran away and then died. She slammed the company while detailing the callous way the heartbreaking news was allegedly delivered.

'This is how the @WagWalking call goes if they lose & kill your dog: "Im calling to report we have news on your pet. Our local contact has informed us she has not made it. She has passed away. These instances are incredibly rare, but do happen. Do you have any questions?"' she wrote.

Liz Giorgi, the CEO and co-founder of Soona studios, lost her beloved dog Fran after she went missing in Denver, Colorado, while under the care of a pet sitter she hired on the Wag app

On Wednesday, January 12, she tweeted that Fran was dead, though it's unclear if her pet had died in the Wag sitter's care or ran away and then died

Giorgi had previously shared that she left her two dogs in Wag's care to go on a trip to Africa in honor of her late father, who had died unexpectedly six weeks before.

She explained her normal kennel couldn't accommodate her last-minute travel plans, so she hired a sitter on the Wag app who had a 5-star review.

On January 5, the day after she left, she said she got a text from her Wag walker stating that Fran was lost, but they had called her mother-in-law to help look for her.

Giorgi realized it would take her five days at best to get home from rural Africa because there are only two flights in and out every week due to COVID-19 and reduced tourism.

On January 6, she tweeted about her missing dog, explaining that her Wag sitter had lost Fran the day before, and she was afraid her pet was trying to cross town to get home.

Giorgi left her two dogs in Wag's care to go on a trip to Africa in honor of her late father, who had died unexpectedly six weeks before

On January 5, she said she got a text from her Wag walker stating that her dog Fran was lost, but they had called her mother-in-law to help look for her

'Shes has kept me going through losing my dad  please help me bring her home,' she added.

When she logged onto the Wag app, she panicked when she realized they didn't have any process for handling a lost dog or a way to contact customer service about time-sensitive matters.

'You just sit in the queue with everyone else,' she tweeted, claiming it took the company 25 hours to respond to her.

Giorgi said when she finally heard from Wag, there wasn't any to-do list, recommendations, or written documentation of what the company was willing to do, adding that no one had even told her they were sorry.

She accused the company employees of dragging their feet when it came to finding her dog, saying it took days for them to hang signs and hire a tracker to search for Fran.

Giorgi offered a $1,500 for Fran's safe return while rallying her friends, family, and neighbors to search for her

Giorgi claimed it took 25 hours for Wag to respond to her messages on the app, saying it took days for them to hang signs and hire a tracker

She also said that Wag never apologized to her for her losing her dog

Giorgi posted screenshots of her messages to and from Wag while slamming the company for its response to her missing dog

'A platform that boasts about same-day dog walking cant find people to post signs after 2 days of having lost my dog. And will be "working on it" tomorrow,' she tweeted while sharing a message she allegedly received from Wag.

Giorgi claimed she tried reaching out to Wag CEO Garrett Smallwood via Twitter, LinkedIn, through mutual acquaintances, but he remained 'silent.'

She continued to tweet about her search while gathering her friends, family, and neighbors to search for Fran via Nextdoor, a social networking app for neighbors.

Giorgi also offered a $1,500 reward as freezing temperatures in the area made the search for Fran even more urgent, but the search came to a devastating end on Wednesday.

'Im sad to report that my soul dog, Fran, has died,' she tweeted. 'All your help and amplification to try [to] bring her home meant the world to me. It has renewed my faith in people. On that note: never use @WagWalking  they will harm your faith. @GarrPS still waiting for a simple "Im sorry."'

Giorgi explained that the dog tracker found Fran dead and called animal control, saying she didn't even get to see her one last time before she was cremated

Giorgi slammed Wag while detailing the callous way the heartbreaking news of her dog's death was allegedly delivered

Giorgi also claimed Wag billed her for its dog sitting services after Fran was confirmed dead

In a recent tweet, she alleged that Wag erased all of her messages with the pet sitter who lost her dog

'The dog tracker found her and called animal control,' she explained, saying she didn't even get to see Fran one last time before she was cremated. 'We have her ashes now, though, and will make a large donation to the rescue that we adopted her from in her honor.'

'Adding insult to injury, they billed me for my dog sitting services yesterday. Such a joke. They said they would 'look into it,'" she added.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Giorgi and Wag for comment.

The Wag app connects dog owners with independent walkers and sitters in their area, similar to the ride-sharing app Uber. Its website states that all of its walkers are vetted with a 'rigorous screening process,' including a background test

However, the company valued at  $650 million  has been steeped in controversy as multiple dogs have gotten lost or killed under its handlers' care since it was founded in 2015.

In January 2019, Sara and Nick Moore, from Houston, Texas, accused the app of trying to silence them after their pet died in the hands of a novice walker.

Less than six months later, Sophie and Max Troper had their dog, Benny, stolen by a Wag walker in June 2019. The couple enlisted Wag-investor Olivia Munn to use her star power to locate their dog, who was eventually found by police.

That same month, a Manhattan couple filed a lawsuit against Wag after their Yorkshire terrier, Whisky, was hit by a car and killed while out with the walker they had hired through the app.

As of December 2019, 15 pets were reported to have been 'killed or lost' while in the care of someone who had been hired through the Wag app.

In 2019, Hilary Schneider, Wag's CEO at the time, wrote an open letter to customers over concerns about their pets' care.

'We have some work to do on our end, and were committed to doing it,' she said. 'Were revisiting and reviewing our customer service systems.'
Riverdale star Lili Reinhart admitted on Instagram that she has been 'struggling with obsessive thoughts' about her weight and finds it challenging to look at her body with 'love instead of criticism.

The 25-year-old actress shared a series of Instagram stories about body image last night, admitting that working in Hollywood  which is 'so obsessed with women's bodies'  has had more of an impact on her than she predicted it would.

The star lamented that she sometimes feels like her body has 'betrayed' her by changing because it no longer looks the same as it did when she was 20.

'I know I'm not alone in this toxic way of thinking about my body,' she said, adding that it was 'heartbreaking' to know that so many people feel as she does.

Riverdale star Lili Reinhart opened up about struggling with body image issues on Instagram

'I've been struggling with obsessive thoughts about my body/weight the last few months and it's gotten pretty severe in the last week,' Lili wrote

'I didn't think being in this industry, that is so obsessed with women's bodies and weights, could ever mess with my own body acceptance and positivity. But it has,' she admitted

'I've been struggling with obsessive thoughts about my body/weight the last few months and it's gotten pretty severe in the last week,' Lili wrote.

'So I want to take a moment to be vulnerable and share this in the hope that any of you who are also struggling don't feel so alone.

'I'm here with you. It's challenging to look at your body with love instead of criticism. It's a practice I'm still learning,' she said.

'I didn't think being in this industry, that is so obsessed with women's bodies and weights, could ever mess with my own body acceptance and positivity. But it has. I wish I hadn't grown up in a time where the media worshipped only one size of women.'

Lili acknowledged that the spiral of thinking she's fallen into isn't healthy.

'My body has carried me through 25 years of life. All my scars, tears, trauma... I wish I could love it more, even when it doesn't look like it did when I was 20,' she said.

'My body has carried me through 25 years of life,' she said. ' I wish I could love it more, even when it doesn't look like it did when I was 20' (pictured left at age 20 in 2016, right in 2021)

'But I'm trying. I know my body deserves equal love and admiration at any size,' she insisted

'I've looked in the mirror and pulled my skin back tight to see what I *should* look like. What I'm expected to look like... in an industry where you're inconvenient when not a sample size'

'Painful': She described society as a 'broken system'

'But I'm trying. I know my body deserves equal love and admiration at any size,' she insisted.

'To not feel at home in my own skin is a devastating feeling. As if my body has betrayed me by changing.

'I've looked in the mirror and pulled my skin back tight to see what I *should* look like. What I'm expected to look like... in an industry where you're inconvenient when not a sample size,' she said.

But while Lili faces particular challenges because much of her career is based on her appearance, she noted that so many people deal with the same struggles.

'It's painful to think hundreds of millions of us are so concerned with what our bodies look like. That's an incredibly broken system. Somewhere along the line, humanity really f***ed this one up,' she said.

'I know I'm not alone in this toxic way of thinking about my body. And it's heartbreaking that this feeling is understood by so many of us.

She shared some images of art featuring women with curvier bodies

'I know I'm not alone in this toxic way of thinking about my body. And it's heartbreaking that this feeling is understood by so many of us,' she said

'Let's continue to talk about it. Normalize it. Empathize with others. Show compassion and kindness,' she concluded

'Let's continue to talk about it. Normalize it. Empathize with others. Show compassion and kindness,' she concluded.

Lili has spoken about body image before. In 2018, when she and her co-star Camila Mendes noticed that their waists appeared to be edited to look smaller on the cover of Cosmopolitan Philippines, they spoke out.

'Camila and I worked incredibly hard to feel confident in the bodies we have,' Lili wrote at the time. 'It's an everyday battle, sometimes. And to see our bodies become so distorted in an editing process is a perfect example of the obstacles we have yet to overcome.'

When social media users began asking if she was pregnant later that year, she put them in their place.

'Nope. Not pregnant,' she wrote. 'This is just my body. And sometimes I'm bloated. Sometimes an unflattering photo is taken of me. Sometimes I go through periods of time where I gain weight.

'My body is something that I will never apologize for,' she said. 'My body will constantly go through changes. And so will yours. And that's fine. So let's not put so much time and effort into caring about a stranger's figure.'

Not long after, though, she came under fire for making some comments about Marilyn Monroe's body, insisting that the late actress was 'curvy' and adding, 'To me that's really inspiring and makes me feel like my body can be accepted.'

Lili has spoken about body image before, and has opened up about suffering from body dysmorphia

Critics argued that Lili was quite slim, which she soon responded to.

'Feeling really disheartened by the fact that so many people are saying "you're skinny so shut up about [embracing] your body." As if my body dysmorphia is irrelevant because of how I look to some people,' she said.

'I'm either not curvy enough or not skinny enough to feel insecure.'

In 2020, Lili spoke out again, telling Allure that she didn't see herself as looking as slim as her castmates.

'This is still something I struggle with on a daily basis. And it doesnt help when Im being compared to other women,' she said. 'I have gained weight due to depression the last two months and Ive felt very insecure about it.

'But I did a recent bra and underwear scene and felt it was my obligation to be strong and show confidence in myself, looking as I do.

'And I want other young women to see my body on tv and feel comfort in the fact that Im not a size 0. And Im not a perfect hourglass shape.'
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has cut the recommended time between receival of the second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine and a booster shot to five months, down from six.

The agency made a similar decision earlier this month for the Moderna shot as well, as officials make a larger push to get Americans booster in the wake of the Omicron variant-fueled surge striking the nation.

Omicron, which was first discovered by South African officials in late-November, has demonstrated the ability to evade protection against infection provided by the Covid vaccines, but studies have found that the additional booster doses can re-establish some of that protection.

Health officials are now putting resources behind a stronger push for these additional jabs, including expanding the age eligibility for them and reducing the wait time between shots.

Americans who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine jab are now recommended to receive their booster shot five months after the second dose, down from the previous recommendation of six months (file photo)

The Pfizer vaccine (yellow) is not only the most commonly used Covid vaccine in America, but also the most used booster shot in America so far

The Pfizer shot is the most commonly used jab in the United States, and both its initial two-dose vaccine and its booster dose have the widest range of age eligibility.

It has been administered 306 million times to fully vaccinate 118 million people - more than any of the three available shots in the U.S.

It has also been used for more than half of booster doses administered in the U.S., being used for 39.4 million out of 78.1 million Americans who have received the additional shot.

The CDC decision puts the Pfizer vaccine on par with the Moderna shot. People who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson jab for their original vaccination only have to wait two months before receiving their next shot, according to CDC guidelines.

Minors are those most effective by the change, as the Pfizer jab is the only one available to minors aged five to 17. The Pfizer booster is approved for American children aged 12 and up.

Pfizer plans to have more boosters available in the future as well, with CEO Albert Bourla discussing the potential for a fourth shot in December.

The company is also working on a shot specifically tailored for the Omicron variant that could be available as early as March.

How these updated guidelines will effect fourth shots, or the Omicron specific shots, are not yet known.

The shortening of the time between shots is worrying for those who are concerned about frequent vaccination, though.

The Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) as part of the World Health Organization issued a report earlier this week calling for vaccine manufacturers to spend less time working on regular boosters, and to instead invest resources in future-proofing jabs.

'With near- and medium-term supply of the available vaccines, the need for equity in access to vaccines across countries to achieve global public health goals, programmatic considerations including vaccine demand, and evolution of the virus, a vaccination strategy based on repeated booster doses of the original vaccine composition is unlikely to be appropriate or sustainable,' TAG-CO-VAC wrote.

Pfizer, on the other hand, has been a proponent of regular booster shots, though, and it seems to be the company's strategy going forward.

Earlier this week, Bourla said the pandemic could be controlled over the next ten years with regular, likely annual, Covid jabs.

'We will have perfectly normal lives, with just injection maybe once a year,' he told CNBC on Monday.

Israel and Denmark have opened up eligibility for fourth vaccine shots to their most vulnerable populations in an effort to shore up protection.

The WHO has long been critical of the rollout of booster doses in high income nations like the U.S. and UK while other countries struggle to vaccinate their populations.

While the U.S. sits on a stockpile of unused vaccines, for example, only around 15 percent of the population of the continent of Africa have received at least one dose of the jabs.

In August, before the discovery of Omicron, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a two month moratorium of booster shots, hoping that the developing world would instead donate additional doses to countries with reduced access to the shots.
There is mounting pressure on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to replace a rule that prevents some gay and bisexual men from donating blood which dates back to the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

A group of 22 U.S. Senators, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar signed a letter asking the agencies to lift the rule they describe as 'discriminatory and wrong'.

The call comes as the American Red Cross warns the nation is facing a 'blood crisis' due to falling levels of donations caused by the pandemic. The organization reports that some hospitals and donation centers only have a day's worth of blood on hand.

Rules against men who have sex with other men (MSM) donating blood date back to the 1980s in the U.S. While restrictions have been eased in recent years, an MSM who has had sex with a man in the past three months - or a woman who has had sex with an MSM during that period - are currently barred from donating blood.

A group of 22 Senators are calling for the FDA and HHS to lift restrictions on gay and bisexual men donating blood. Earlier this week, the Red Cross announced the U.S. was facing a 'blood crisis' with some hospitals and blood centers only having a day's worth of blood on hand. Blood donations have dropped 10% since the pandemic first began. Pictured: A woman in Los Angeles, California, donates blood on December 13

The senators described restrictions on gay men donating blood 'discriminatory and wrong'. Currently an MSM, a man who has sex with other men, are not allowed to donate blood within three months of their last sexual activity. Gay rights advocates argue that the dropping prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the available prevention measures for the diseases make it safe for gay men to donate blood. Pictured: Gay rights advocates at a march held by the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights advocacy group

'While no single solution can fully solve these challenges, the FDA has the ability to take a simple and science-based step to dramatically increase the donor base and help address this crisis,' the letter reads.

'... any policy that continues to categorically single out the LGBTQ+ community is discriminatory and wrong.'

Earlier this week, the Red Cross declared that the U.S. was in the midst of a 'blood crisis' due to falling donations.

The organization reports that there has been a ten percent reduction in total donations since the COVID-19 pandemic began in America in March 2020.

Schools and universities often serve as crucial parts of blood donation drives, but the total number of drives at educational facilities has dropped 62 percent during the pandemic.

Many other blood donation drives have been cancelled due to staffing issues, the Red Cross reports, as the blood donation industry has faced many of the same problems the rest of America is.

'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.

Currently, any MSM who has been active in the past three months is barred from donating blood. They are removed from candidacy from a mandatory screening people fill out before donation in America.

'Given advances in blood screening and safety technology, a time-based policy for gay and bisexual men is not scientifically sound, continues to effectively exclude an entire group of people, and does not meet the urgent demands of the moment,' the letter says.

Restrictions on MSM donating blood date as far back as 1983 in America. At the time, HIV and AIDS were new diseases that were running rampant among gay men, though the world did not have a strong understanding of the diseases.

'Given advances in blood screening and safety technology, a time-based policy for gay and bisexual men is not scientifically sound, continues to effectively exclude an entire group of people, and does not meet the urgent demands of the moment,' the letter from Senators to the FDA and HHS reads. (file photo)

An increased stigma was placed on gay men during this time, and fears of HIV and AIDS entering the blood supply led to restrictions going into place.

The prevalence of HIV has dropped significantly over time, though, as people are more aware of the condition now, how to prevent it, and many in the developed world now have access to technology that helps prevent transmission of the virus.

'With increased uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which significantly reduces the likelihood that an HIV-negative individual will acquire HIV, many more gay and bisexual men are aware of their HIV status and are taking steps to eliminate their personal risk,' the Senators' letter reads.

'Instead of the current categorical deferral guidelines, we must adopt evidence-based policies focused on assessment of an individuals risk, not inaccurate and antiquated stereotypes.'

Per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 15,000 Americans died of HIV or Aids in 2019, a far drop from the peak of over 40,000 deaths in the late 1980s.

In 2015, the FDA and HHS revised rules to allow MSM to donate blood as long as it had been 12 months since their last sexual activity.

When Covid arrived in the U.S., many medical professionals immediately feared that it would cause blood shortages.

The FDA responded by reducing the window to three months at the start of April 2020, only weeks into the pandemic.

Many medical professionals criticized the FDA at the time, though, with 500 writing an open letter to the agencies to remove the restrictions entirely later in April 2020.

Now that the feared shortage of blood has been realized, pressure is mounting once more on government officials to lift the restrictions.

The FDA and HHS have not yet responded to the letter.
Young investors have outperformed their older counterparts and professional investors since the start of the pandemic, according to a new study.

Investors aged between 18 and 24 outperformed all other age groups, enjoying a 22.8 per cent return since the start of the pandemic.

Those in the 24-34 and 35-44 year old age brackets were not far behind the youngest investors, returning 20 per cent and 19.2 per cent respectively in the two-year period.

The data from investment platform Interactive Investor drilled into its customers' performance by age group and compared them to the average fund.

All three age groups beat the average customer portfolio return of 14.5 per cent over the same period and the FTSE All Share index which gained 6.7 per cent.

Older investors, aged over 65, by comparison returned 12.3 per cent over the two years and were more likely to opt for individual stocks like Glaxosmithkline and Astrazeneca.

Despite the meme stock phenomenon which sparked a new generation of investors, the research shows young investors did less share picking and focused on backing investment companies.

Interactive Investor has attributed younger investors success with this higher-than-average exposure to trusts - at 34 per cent on average for the age group versus an overall average of 23 per cent.

However, it may also reflect the trusts that they held, with popular names such as Scottish Mortgage scoring big returns through the pandemic.

But while younger investors have performed well over two years, their outperformance stalled in 2021 and slipped slightly behind older investors.

Investors over the age of 65 returned 14.6 per cent in 2021, compared to 13.8 per cent for the average Interactive Investor customer and 13.1 per cent among 18-24 year olds.

Young investors have turned their back on individual stocks, instead opting for investment trusts which performed well last year

The investment trust sector has proved to be a popular asset class for investors: data from the Association of Investment Companies shows the industry raised 14.8billion of new money last year.

The closed-ended structure has previously been overlooked by some everyday investors but it gives managers the opportunity to invest in illiquid assets like infrastructure and renewables which have proved popular in recent years.

Another benefit investors have found is that income is less lumpy than equities.

Eleven trusts featured on the AICs Dividend Heroes list for increasing their dividends for more than 40 consecutive years, including City of London Investment Trust and Alliance Trust.

AGE PERFORMANCE Column 24 month return 18 month return 12 month return 18-24 22.8% 19.5% 13.1% 25-34 20.0% 16.8% 12.9% 35-44 19.2% 16.0% 12.7% 45-54 16.6% 13.7% 13.1% 55-64 14.1% 11.2% 13.4% 65+ 12.3% 8.6% 14.6% Source: Interactive Investor

This is likely due to the higher exposure to equities among this age bracket: stocks made up 42.9 per cent of the portfolios of 65+ investors compared to 23.3 per cent among 18 to 24 year olds.

Interestingly, II said its average investor was not able to beat the FTSE All Share and FTSE 100 last year - which returned 18.3 per cent and 18.4 per cent respectively.

However, they still beat the professionals at their own game when compared to a multi-asset portfolio rather than one just invested in shares. The IA Mixed Investment 40-85 per cent Shares sector which was up just 11 per cent across the year.

Scottish Mortgage, Britains largest investment trust, was the most popular holding across all age groups.

Baillie Giffords flagship trust has returned 300 per cent over the past five years, while the FTSE All-Share Index has returned just 10 per cent over the same period.

However, the trust, which took early bets on Tesla and Amazon, has underperformed over the past six months and a further tech sell-off has seen its share price fall more than eight per cent since the start of the year.

While Tesla has remained a popular stock for Interactive Investor customers across all age brackets, they say individual stocks do not dominate the portfolios of 18-24 year olds.

However, this differs from data from fee-free share dealing app Freetrade, which has 1.2million UK customers, of which 27 per cent are between 18 and 25. Its investors can buy individual shares, investment trusts and ETFs.

Leading tech stocks like Apple and Amazon make up 50 per cent of the portfolios of all investors across all age groups, although younger investors seem to have adopted a satellite and core approach, with S&P tracker funds particularly popular.

Freetrade investors between 36 and 45 are the least risk averse with 60 per cent of the top buys being tech stocks, suggesting they are looking to maximise growth before shifting towards income as they approach retirement.

There were also some subtle variations between men and womens performance, according to Interactive Investor. Women performed slightly better than men in the past year - 13.9 per cent versus 13.7 per cent.

Since the start of the pandemic, women saw returns of 14.3 per cent just ahead of the 14.2 per cent earned by men, which the platform said could be because they had a higher exposure to investment trusts but differences in portfolios are minimal.

Its encouraging to see that our customers have managed to navigate the ongoing market uncertainty since the start of the pandemic in 2020, said Interactive Investor boss Richard Wilson.

Over the 24 months of data collected, our customers have outperformed both the FTSE 100 and FTSE All Share, and our younger investors have demonstrated a particularly impressive performance, helping to pave the way for their longer-term financial security.
Jaguar has blamed supply chain shortages for a collapse in sales last year confirmed in its latest published figures.

The luxury car maker, which is owned by Indias Tata Motors, delivered 86,200 vehicles in 2021, down 15 per cent on the year before.

The plunge in sales was particularly stark in the final quarter of 2021; deliveries in the three-month period to 31 December were down 48 per cent on a year earlier.

It comes as the British brand has outlined its intention to exclusively sell electric vehicles from the middle of this decade. However, sales of its lone battery model - the I-Pace - plunged last term, records show.

Sales slump: Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Indias Tata Motors, delivered 86,200 vehicles in 2021, down 15% on the year before

The Coventry-based group said it - like every other vehicle manufacturer globally - had been hit by the worldwide shortage in semiconductors, but that this was starting to ease.

The limited supply of chips has only added to Jaguar's recent woes.

It is one of the car brands hardest hit by the huge shift away from 'dirtier' diesel engines in recent years, with oil burners its biggest sellers before the VW emissions cheating scandal in 2015.

Last year, bosses announced plans for the brand to become the 'Tesla of the West Midlands' but declaring it will become a pure electric car manufacturer by 2025.

Land Rover posted a 3.4% increase in sales in 2021, which was stark contrast to sister brand, Jaguar

However, it could have a struggle on its hands.

Jaguar sales for 2021 are just 9 per cent of the 936,000 cars delivered by Tesla.

In the UK alone, Tesla sold seven of its electric vehicles to every Jaguar purchased, making the US firm the executive company car of choice in Britain last year.

As for the I-Pace, which costs from 64,000, demand had slipped by 27 per cent year-on-year with just 9,800 sold worldwide.

That's a near 50 per cent decline on I-Pace sales in 2019.

Jaguar has set out its intention to become a luxury electric car maker from 2025, though 2021 sales of its only existing EV - the 65,000 I-Pace (pictured) - fell by a massive 27% year-on-year

On the flipside, Jaguar's sister brand, Land Rover, saw a small sales increase, rising by 3 per cent to over 334,500 units for the calendar year.

Much of this was down to appetite for the recently-revealed new Range Rover and the ever-popular Defender 4X4.

This is despite significant lead times for both models - particularly the Defender, which has a 12-month waiting list for particular examples of the utilitarian offroader.

Jaguar Land Rover is the biggest car maker in the UK with around 30,000 employees.

Commenting on previous quarter sales, Lennard Hoornik, JLR's Chief Commercial Officer, said: 'The New Range Rover is the embodiment of Jaguar Land Rovers vision for Modern Luxury by Design. We are delighted that positive feedback at launch has led to a strong order intake for this first all new modern luxury model.

'Furthermore, the Land Rover Defender continues to contribute to a record order bank next to our all electric Jaguar I-Pace.

'Semi-conductor supply challenges continue within the industry but our wholesale volumes are improving. We look forward to completing delivery to global customers as supply improves in 2022.'
BAE Systems revealed the full extent of its contribution to the economy as the UK's defence industry comes under siege from foreign bidders.

The contractor supported 143,000 British jobs and generated more than 10billion for UK GDP in 2020, according to research by Oxford Economics.

This is the equivalent of 0.5 per cent of the entire British economy.

Centre of attention: BAE Systems supported 143,000 British jobs and generated more than 10billion for UK GDP in 2020

The company employs 35,300 people in the UK  with more than 40 per cent of its staff based in deprived local authorities.

Britain's biggest defence group and many of its rivals have been credited with playing a key role in the levelling-up agenda.

But the wider defence and aerospace industry has been targeted by a raft of foreign buyers  with firms including Cobham, Ultra Electronics and Meggitt falling prey to bidders in multi-billion pound deals.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will face a major test of his approach to takeovers in sensitive industries next week when he is presented with a report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the 2.6billion swoop on Ultra Electronics by private equity giant Advent International.

Kwarteng ordered the CMA to investigate the deal last year.

Politicians and experts have urged the Business Secretary to block or place tight restrictions on the Ultra tie-up because the company makes critical equipment such as submarine-hunting sonobuoys that could be key to ensuring Britain's security in the seas in the coming years. Tory grandee Lord Heseltine, former head of the Royal Navy Admiral Lord West and Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood are among those who have criticised the Ultra deal.

Ministers were handed powers to intervene in foreign takeovers earlier this month. The National Security and Investment (NSI) Act forces the Government to scrutinise deals in 17 sensitive industries.

This includes energy, artificial intelligence, nuclear, space and advanced robotics.

The takeover of artificial intelligence specialist Blue Prism was waved through by shareholders this week, likely becoming one of the first deals to be called in under the act. Ultra's investigation began under previous legislation, the Enterprise Act of 2002, so it will not be considered under the NSI laws.

BAE is one of just two companies  along with Rolls-Royce  that cannot be sold to foreign bidders because the Government owns a so-called 'golden share'. The 18billion company has 50 sites in the UK and a worldwide workforce of around 90,000. It exported 3.9billion of goods and services in 2020  equivalent to 0.7 per cent of all UK exports.

Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems chief executive, said: 'The investment we make in highly skilled jobs, research and development and our extensive supply chain supports thousands of companies and tens of thousands of people and the communities in which they live.'

Minister for defence procurement Jeremy Quinn said BAE was 'helping us level up the country by supporting tens of thousands of jobs'.
The former boss of Unilever has this weekend waded into a row over the Government's plans to give the police new powers to clamp down on demonstrators.

Paul Polman, 65, says he has 'profound concerns' over Home Secretary Priti Patel's Policing Bill, adding that it 'threatens the right to peaceful protest'.

He called on peers in a House of Lords vote on Monday to throw out parts of the bill, which he says restrict people's 'most fundamental rights' to stand up for their beliefs.

Speaking out: Paul Polman says he has 'profound concerns' over Home Secretary Priti Patel's Policing Bill, adding that it 'threatens the right to peaceful protest'

The Dutch industrialist was at the helm of the FTSE consumer goods giant for a decade, during which time it gained a reputation as one of the most woke businesses in Britain.

His intervention into UK politics is highly unusual for a former captain of industry. It came just days after Unilever was savaged by leading shareholder Terry Smith for putting wokery ahead of profits. Deborah Meaden, the Dragons' Den star and entrepreneur, is also campaigning against the proposed clampdown, claiming it is 'bad for business'.

The bill was prompted by public frustration at the toppling of statues and disruptive protests by Insulate Britain, BLM and other groups.

Its opponents include the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Muslim Council of Britain, the Church of England and other faith leaders who have urged the Government to 'think again'. Faith leaders argue the bill could criminalise a range of religious activities including street preaching and chanting.

'Kill the Bill' demonstrations are planned across Britain today ahead of the vote in the Lords. A letter signed by Polman, Meaden and 200 business owners calls on the Lords to amend the bill, removing any 'anti-protest' provisions.

Polman, who earned a total of around 70m in his time at the head of Unilever, said: 'No enlightened business should support disproportionate infringements on this right. Would Unilever have, on its own, woken up to the plastics crisis, if our consumers and employees had not demanded we take notice? The honest answer is no, we would not.

'Companies benefit from having channels through which civil society can make itself heard.'

Woke warriers: Paul Polman and Deborah Meaden

Polman and Meaden are opposing the law change which would set start and finish times for protests, as well as noise limits. It also threatens up to 10 years in jail for damage to memorials.

Critics say the bill is an attack on the right to protest and that it effectively criminalises any demonstration that police deem to be causing disruption. Campaigners also argue it would give the police the power to stop and search anybody they thought was attending a protest. Meaden argued the right to protest is an 'essential part' of business and that it spurs innovation. The Government argues the bill will uphold the right to peaceful protest while giving police the power to stop disruption and violence.

The letter of protest has not been signed by Unilever. However, it has been endorsed by one of its best-known brands, Ben & Jerry's. The ice-cream maker has already attacked Patel on Twitter in 2020 over migrant boats crossing the Channel.

And its refusal to sell its wares in the 'Occupied Palestinian Territory' was cited by Terry Smith as one instance of 'ludicrous' woke behaviour.
All eyes will be on AIM-listed pharma firm Clinigen next Tuesday when investors vote on its 1.2billion takeover by private equity shark Triton Investment Management.

The 883p per share cash offer needs to win the backing of at least 75 per cent of voting shareholders. However, the bid is under pressure by notorious activist Elliott Management.

The US hedge fund  Clinigen's largest shareholder with a 10.5 per cent stake  has been pushing for Triton to raise its offer on the grounds that the current deal undervalues the group.

Other activist funds, Sparta Capital and Carlson Capital, are also thought to be aiming for a higher offer, despite the bid securing the unanimous backing of Clinigen's board. Triton's swoop is also supported by shareholder advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis.

The bid was a 41 per cent premium to Clinigen's share price at the start of December, before the offer period began.

However, as of Friday's close the shares were trading at 905p, suggesting some investors believe a higher offer could emerge.

The takeover vote follows a difficult period for Clinigen, which posted a shock profit warning last June and has also changed its chairman and finance director. Its woes have been blamed on the pandemic.

Opponents of the deal are thought to be concerned that the acquisition will be rushed through before the company bounces back from the effects of Covid-19.
It was the year of the superspreader as Covid case numbers soared to new heights in Australia in 2021, but what happened next to the headline-makers?

After emerging from the initial March 2020 lockdown, most of the country almost cruised through the global pandemic - until it all changed in 2021.

The initial vaccine strollout left Australia vulnerable when Delta kicked in mid-year, striking down hundreds of thousands with the disease.

Then in 2022 came Omicron and hundreds of thousands of cases a day, making super-spreader events less remarkable.

But in the early days of the pandemic, those at the centre of an outbreak caught plenty of attention in the glare of the Covid spotlight.

So what happened after Australia moved on?

Did BBQ man buy BBQs Galore? Did the Bondi limo driver get vaccinated or start wearing a mask? What happened to the West Hoxton Birthday Party host? And where is the Byron Bay dad?

DID BBQ MAN BUY BBQs GALORE?

Wealthy finance boss Tom Pizzey, 59, made worldwide news when his weekend trip to BBQ stores and a butcher's shop unknowingly sparked a massive Covid scare in May.

Now, seven months later, the part-time guitarist is poking fun at his notoriety with his 80s cover band The Distractions who have just released a new song, BBQ Man.

The video teaser reveals a masked Pizzey wearing an apron while dancing and waving snags at a Sydney park BBQ as bandmates sing: 'He's the BBQ man...'

Wealthy finance boss Tom Pizzey, 59, (pictured with wife Anna)made worldwide news when his weekend trip to BBQ stores and a butcher's shop sparked a massive Covid scare in May

Seven months later Tom Pizzey (pictured) is poking fun at his Covid notoriety with his 80s cover band The Distractions who have just released a new song, BBQ Man

The managing director of an international private equity finance firm became Covid famous when he left a trail of potential Delta hotspots across Sydney.

Despite not having been overseas or in contact with a known case, Mr Pizzey later tested positive - but not before he had a big weekend criss-crossing the city.

Starting with coffee in the CBD on Friday morning, he had his eyes checked in the city before lunch at an Italian restaurant in Paddington, then an early movie at Bondi Junction followed by dinner at another upmarket Italian at Kings Cross.

AUSTRALIA'S FIRST DELTA INFECTION Genomic testing later traced the source of Tom Pizzey's infection back to a man in hotel quarantine who had recently returned from the US. Mr Pizzey had never knowingly been in contact with the case, although he had visited an optician near the entrance to a Sydney quarantine hotel, sparking speculation he may have been infected by a fleeting contact with the man in quarantine. He and his wife, Anna, were diagnosed as having a double-mutant strain of the virus which was dubbed the B.1.617.2 variant, first seen in India. That variant later became better known as the Delta strain - which made Mr Pizzey the first known case of community Delta infection in the country, even though it wasn't fully realised at the time. The case sparked new restrictions in NSW, with masks required in all public indoor venues and on public transport, limits on household visitors, and aged care visitors. Stangin while drinking indoors, singing, and dancing were also banned, but the state stopped short of a lockdown. Despite Mr Pizzey's epic weekend - and the highly infectious nature of Delta - no other infections were ever traced back to him, apart from his wife. Both have since recovered, but Mr Pizzey is said to have been ill with the disease for two months before he could return to work. Advertisement

But it was his movements on Saturday, May 1, which sparked the most intrigue.

Despite living in a four-bedroom $10million-plus mansion in leafy Woollahra, Mr Pizzey spent the day traipsing around BBQ stores in the city's west.

He started at Joe's Barbeques in Silverwater before moving on to nearby Tucker Barbecues then returning to the Inner West for BBQs Galore at Annandale, spending up to an hour in each.

Mr Pizzey then drove 35km to the city's south-west to a second BBQs Galore in Casula where he spent another hour before topping up with fuel on his way home.

The following day, his strictly-followed QR code check-ins revealed he christened his shiny new barbie with steaks bought on a mid-afternoon trip to the Meat Store butchery in Bondi Junction.

Later though, city gossip suggested he might not just have been shopping for a new BBQ...and might have been in the market to buy the chain of BBQs Galore instead.

The chain had recently been put up for sale by Quadrant Private Equity along with sister company Amart Furniture as part of a $750million portfolio.

Speculation ran rampant that Mr Pizzey's $460billion dollar investment company Apollo Global Management were in the market to snap up the chain for around $100million.

And rather than simply trying to find a new grill, Mr Pizzey had actually been on a fact-finding mission to do due diligence on the chain and eyeball some of its rivals.

Seven months later though and Quadrant still own BBQs Galore - and Apollo Global flatly deny they were ever interested or that Mr Pizzey was on a recce mission.

'Not his role and not true', an Apollo spokesman later insisted.

A complaint to the Press Council about coverage of his illness and the BBQs Galore bid was thrown out after it was found to have been in the public interest.

Speculation ran rampant that Mr Pizzey's $460billion dollar investment company Apollo Global Management were in the market to snap up the BBQs Galore chain for $100million

And he still refuses to discuss it today.

'I've had a policy of not speaking to any person about this and that's not going to change,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

But it hasn't stopped him and his high-powered mates in The Distractions from celebrating their guitarist's sudden celebrity status.

The band have been going since 2015 after it was put together by professional guitarist Jeff Lenham through his company CEO Music.

The middle-aged rockers include tech boss Mike Boyle of HP Australia on drums with Peter Garrett-lookalike Peter Burns, CEO of Next Practice medical centre chain, on vocals.

It also features TAL insurance Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Howard on bass and Creative Director at CHE Proximity agency Mark Tallis on rhythm guitar.

They've written their debut single to look back on pandemic lockdowns and the 'new normal' - and their guitarist's rise to fame.

Finance boss and part-time guitarist Tom Pizzey (pictured) was one of the first Australians to catch the Delta variant and his band now have a debut single 'BBQ Man' poking fun at his fame

'I'll be honest, man, it gave me a fright,' sings the vocalist in the classic 80s-style Aussie rock anthem with a singalong chorus.

'They thought they knew, the BBQ man, Such a zoo, the media crew, not up to you, poor BBQ man...'

It adds: 'We won't miss Gladys at 11am, social distance, lockdown - goodbye to them.

'For all we knew, we had it too - he's the BBQ man...'

The song was to have its official launch at an event in Bondi Bowling Club on December 18 but had to be cancelled at the last moment...because of Covid.

WHERE IS THE BYRON BAY SUPERSPREADER?

Serbian millionaire Zoran Radovanovic, 52, was thrust into the spotlight when he and his son sneaked out of Sydney on a mysterious trip to Byron Bay during lockdown.

Now he is believed to have skipped the country with his son to jet off back to Serbia and faces arrest the second he returns to Australia.

The pair visited a string of locations on the NSW north coast without checking in until both ended up in a Lismore hospital with Covid, and sparked a week-long lockdown in the Byron Bay area.

Zoran's shady past later came back to haunt him as it was revealed he had previous drug and theft convictions, had faked leaving Australia while overstaying his visa and had to beg Australia for citizenship.

Son Kristian was also revealed to have been caught drink driving twice in three days in 2020, and was called a 'habitual traffic offender' in court.

Serbian millionaire Zoran Radovanovic, 52, was thrust into the spotlight when he and son Kristian (pictured) sneaked out of Sydney on a mysterious trip to Byron Bay during lockdown

MASSIVE FINES Kristian Radovanovic pleaded guilty to four charges following the Sydney family's trip to NSW's northern rivers to buy a farm in late July and failed to abide by public health orders. Radovanovic was fined $5,000 and $7,500 for not using a QR code or wearing a mask in a shop, and and another $12,500 and $10,000 for repeating the same offences in a taxi. Radovanovic, now 20, from Sydney's Rose Bay, was a teenager and already serving a community corrections order for a police pursuit while drink driving when he was charged over his jaunt to Byron. The former gyprocker was also on a conditional release order for affray after joining a brawl. Magistrate Paul Mulroney said all offences involved a disregard for public health and safety. 'He did not care at all about the rest of the community,' he said as he fined Radovanovic on December 20. 'What he did was not just irresponsible, not just criminal, but had the real potential to put the lives and the wellbeing of the community at serious risk. 'I am imposing substantial fines to drive home to other people who don't think this is serious... there should be significant consequences.' Advertisement

In one incident, police spotted him doing burnouts near his former home before charging at police in his car and then leading them on a dangerous pursuit through quiet suburban streets.

One Sydney teenager, James Knuth, who had been involved in long-running court battles with Kristian, now 20, said he 'had ruined my life' and 'put me in jail'.

The family's previous neighbours in quiet Forestville on Sydney's well-to-do North Shore told Daily Mail Australia they were delighted to see the back of the father and son when the family moved across the harbour to Rose Bay in 2019.

Police had become regular visitors to the sleepy street, and although neighbours said they liked his wife Tiana and their daughter, it was a relief when the family left.

Mrs Radovanovic later took out an AVO against her husband as their marriage hit the rocks.

Zoran also faced criminal charges over a bizarre row with his wife about a broken umbrella.

And in October, as father and son faced court dates in Lismore and Waverley over their Byron Bay expedition, neighbours at their home in Rose Bay revealed they'd both left the country.

One told Daily Mail Australia they had seen shipping containers outside the plush rented mansion with removalists loading them up with furniture and belongings.

Wife Tiana stayed behind in the home with the family dog but she too appeared to have left soon after. The whereabouts of their daughter is unknown.

An estate agent confirmed the luxury $10million home's lease was up at the end of the year but was shocked to learn the family had left early.

It was later confirmed in court that father and son had skipped the country back to Serbia, with no indication if they would ever return to face court.

Son Kristian Radovanovic (pictured) was fined a total of $35,000 for breaching Covid restrictions that sparked a week-long lockdown in the Byron Bay area

On the same day Kristian was fined $35,000 in his absence for four offences relating to the Byron Bay trip, father Zoran failed to appear at Lismore court for sentencing.

Radovanovic Senior faced four counts of failing to comply with electronic registration directives and three counts of not complying with Covid-19 directions.

He had previously admitted the offences, but flew off to Serbia before he could be sentenced.

Magistrate Michael Dakin issued the warrant for his arrest on December 20 when Radovanovic failed to front court after dismissing defence pleas for an adjournment.

He now faces arrest if he ever returns Down Under.

IS THE BONDI LIMO DRIVER WEARING A MASK YET?

Limo driver Michael Podgoetsky, who seeded the Delta spread across Sydney, was hounded for months after sparking the five month lockdown that paralysed NSW.

He caught the Delta strain after picking up Fed Ex flight crew from Sydney Airport in June without being vaccinated or wearing a mask and drove them to their hotel.

He then spent several days off-duty in the community, going to cafes and shops, spreading the disease like wildfire through the city's Eastern Suburbs.

He finally realised he was infected when he returned to work and a routine test came back positive.

Limo driver Michael Podgoetsky, (pictured) who seeded the Delta spread across Sydney, was hounded for months after sparking the five month lockdown that paralysed NSW

The Eastern Suburbs went into immediate lockdown and within days, the rest of the city followed, sparking months of misery.

Despite a public outcry, police later admitted he had not breached any law and was not required to wear a mask or be vaccinated at that time, despite the risks involved.

He insisted he was not an anti-vaxxer but didn't trust the Astra Zeneca vaccine because of a history of blood clots and vowed to get the Pfizer jab when he could.

However just months later, Podgoetsky, 63, was snapped without a mask while it was compulsory under lockdown laws and he was fined $500.

He has since been threatened and even had to change the number of his limo firm.

'I dont want to be known for Covid-19,' he insisted to 7News at the time. 'Its in my head like I did something wrong.

'The bio-weapon was introduced to our state and Im blamed for it. I feel terrible. I feel terrible for whats happening now in the state.

'I dont know where I picked it up but I followed the rules.'

Contact tracing for a West Hoxton birthday party failed and allowed the mutant Covid strain to rip through the Western Suburbs (pictured), bringing months of misery

DID THE BIRTHDAY PARTY SUPERSPREADER SURVIVE?

Although the Bondi limo driver sparked the Sydney Delta outbreak, it was a birthday party in West Hoxton in June that did the most damage, NSW Health later admitted.

THE SUPERSPREADER THAT GOT 'OUT OF CONTROL' In August, NSW Health admitted the system had failed over the West Hoxton birthday party. It was held up as a prime example of the importance of vaccination when all the jabbed guests escaped infection. But behind the scenes, contact tracing for the event got away from the 'gold standard' track and trace team. 'It was thought that we got there very early, that we got to people before they'd become very infectious in the community, but that turned out to be not the case,' NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant told an inquiry. Four days after the party, the entire city was thrown into lockdown. Advertisement

Contact tracing for the party failed and allowed the mutant Covid strain to rip through the Western Suburbs, bringing months of misery.

One party-goer arrived infected from Bondi Junction, and then spread the disease to almost every other guest, including the host's father who had flown up from Melbourne.

But the host herself - believed to be celebrating her 30th birthday - escaped without so much as a sniffle, as she was a healthcare worker and had been fully vaccinated.

Of the 30 people at the party, 24 became infected and went on to infect countless more in the city's Western Suburbs and beyond.

The five other guests who also escaped infection were healthcare workers too and were also fully vaccinated.

The city had yet to go into lockdown and no pandemic restrictions were breached with the party at that stage - but it sparked the entire city being put in a Covid coma just a few days later.

The host's father also took the disease back down to Melbourne with him where he infected his boss at Sandringham Dry Cleaners in the city's south-east Bayside area.

'We went into hospital with Covid,' owner Hanny Li told Daily Mail Australia. 'We recovered quite well, and walking and everything is fairly normal now.

'But the business has not done as well. It's still a little bit tough after this and lockdown. We need people to go back to work so they need to do dry cleaning...'

The city had yet to go into lockdown and no pandemic restrictions were breached with the party - but it sparked the entire city being put in a military-enforced Covid coma just days later

REMOVAL RUN THAT ENDED IN FAMILY TRAGEDY

Assyrian immigrant twins Roni and Ramsin Shawka, 27, took their removalist truck on an illegal run through regional Australia after breaking out of Greater Sydney while infected.

The pair had been tested just before leaving Sydney but had pressed on with the delivery immediately instead of isolating while they waited for the result.

And when NSW Health phoned to tell Roni had tested positive and need to isolate immediately, his poor English had meant he didn't understand.

Ramsin and co-worker Maryo Shanki, 21, were also later confirmed Covid positive.

Assyrian immigrant twins Roni and Ramsin Shawka, 27, (pictured with their partners and their mother Saeeda, centre) took their removalist truck through regional Australia after leaving Greater Sydney while infected

Police eventually tracked down their truck in Molong, near Orange, 300km north west of Sydney, and pulled it over to stop them infecting anyone else.

Back home in Green Valley in Sydney's south-west though, the twins gave Covid to their mother Saeeda Shawka, 54.

She became seriously ill and died from the disease at home just a few days later.

In heartbreaking scenes, the brothers - who were still isolation - were forced to watch the family tragedy unfold from inside a sealed car outside the home.

The funeral for their mother (pictured) took place with just 10 people under strict lockdown conditions almost three weeks later after the twins were freed from isolation

A funeral for their mother took place with just 10 people under strict lockdown conditions almost three weeks later after the twins were freed from isolation.

In November they were fined $1100 each for not complying with a COVID-19 notice direction and ordered to pay NSW Police another $2000 in decontamination costs.

They faced possible prison sentences, but Orange Local Court Magistrate David Day said he took mercy on them because of their poor English and their mother's death.

Incredibly though, the court heard NSW Health believed no-one else outside of their immediate family had been infected by their run into country NSW.
I'd always loved meat growing up - sausage sandwiches, lamb cutlets and of course, Christmas ham.

So I was far from thrilled when I discovered that I had developed an allergy to red meat at the age of 14.

I had been bitten by a tick and developed what is now known as a mammalian meat allergy, which saw me develop the potentially life-threatening condition anaphylaxis, which means I have to carry an epi-pen.

One reaction was so severe I had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance after being given a shot of steroids and antihistamines by my GP.

Now at the age of 25 I haven't had a bite of beef, lamb or pork for years.

But there's one food that I've managed to keep down without breaking out into full-body hives - McDonald's cheeseburgers.

I'm lovin' it. Despite being allergic to red meat I've managed to keep down McDonald's cheeseburgers without suffering any reactions

It's an experience that has both delighted and horrified me.

Usually if I were to sink my teeth into a beef burger, I'd be covered in an agonisingly itchy rash that spreads all over my body from head to toe within five hours.

My last reaction was in 2017, when I was still allowed to eat pork, and had devoured a bacon and egg roll for breakfast.

WHAT IS THE MAMMALIAN MEAT ALLERGY? Some people who are bitten by a tick can develop what is known as the mammalian meat allergy. The allergy can mean people can no longer eat beef, ox, lamb, pork, bacon, ham, venison, deer, veal, goat, buffalo, rabbit, kangaroo and in some cases animal by products such as dairy and gelatine. The allergy is most common along the east coast of Australia, and people can develop it months after being bitten. Symptoms usually appear between two and 10 hours after meat is consumed and include hives, itchiness, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, fainting and swelling of the tongue. About 60 per cent of cases develop anaphylaxis. It's believed the allergy comes from a sugar molecule called alpha galactose which can be transferred through tick saliva from animals to humans, but doctors are unclear on how this affects the intolerance to meat. People are advised to freeze ticks before removing them. You can purchase tick-freezing sprays from chemists. Source: myDr Advertisement

It would be my last.

Hours later, I was writhing on the floor trying to stop myself from scratching the rash that had cropped up all over my body.

Not even a cold shower did the trick and after I started to feel wheezy, I knew this reaction was unlike the others and I was taken to hospital.

A subsequent allergy test confirmed the intolerance had now broadened to include pork. Goodbye Christmas ham.

But it seemed I was immune to ill effects from the $2 cheeseburgers my favourite fast food restaurant sells.

At the age of 25 I haven't had a bite of beef, lamb or pork in years, courtesy of a tick bite at the age of 14 which caused me to develop an allergy to some meats

Itching mad! If I was to sink my teeth into beef, pork or lamb, within five hours I'd be writhing on the floor in pain trying to stop scratching the rash that had spread all over my body (stock image)

Without second guessing it, I continued to indulge in Macca's - much to the shock of my friends.

So why can I eat McDonald's cheeseburgers? After all, we've all heard the stories about cheeseburgers that can last years without rotting.

Sydney immunology and allergy specialist Dr Andrew Broadfoot - the same man who tested me for my allergy - said it often comes down to the way a piece of meat is cooked.

'With red meat especially, cooking is known to influence it and there are a lot of factors in terms of the digestive breakdown,' he said.

'In your case [with McDonald's], there are probably a lot of preservatives.'

When asked if my tolerance for cheeseburgers was unusual, Dr Broadfoot said it wasn't uncommon for people with the allergy to be able to eat certain foods.

'I've known people to be able to eat a really well-cooked steak,' he said.

McDonald's said it uses '100 per cent real beef' in its burgers - but my ability to eat them without suffering a reaction could be down to the way they are cooked

'It depends on the preparation of the meat and if it's well cooked. Some people (with the allergy) might be alright because the cooking process has changed the allergen.

'Whatever the food is prepared with and the temperature it's being cooked at can influence (a reaction) as well.'

When asked about their cooking processes, McDonald's confirmed they use '100 per cent Australian beef' in their products.

A spokeswoman did not respond to specific questions - but that won't stop me from having my favourite meal.
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Pictured: Dr Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst with ASPI's Defence, Strategy and National Security Program

Australia is going to have to get used to heavy casualties, bombing raids on home soil, the possibility of Sydney Harbour being mined with explosives and waves of crippling cyber attacks on critical infrastructure if war breaks out over Taiwan, a leading military strategist has warned.

Dr Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst with ASPI's Defence, Strategy and National Security Program, told Daily Mail Australia it is increasingly likely President Xi Jinping will order Chinese forces to invade the disputed island of Taiwan before the end of the decade.

Such a scenario would almost certainly provoke a military response by the US prompting Australian forces to also get involved as part of the ANZUS treaty.

But the grim reality of full-scale conflict in the Indo-Pacific would have dire consequences for Australia, which has enjoyed peace and stability since World War II ended in 1945.

Even before the nuclear threshold is reached, sea mines would be planted in places such as Sydney Harbour to deter Chinese ships and submarines from seizing control of ports, Dr Davis said.

Chinese 'soft-kill' attacks which include cyber warfare campaigns and missile strikes on satellites would also severely impact Australia's critical infrastructure and choke the nation's economy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured with Chinese troops) has already flagged a cross-strait invasion of Taiwan will take place by 2027

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF WAR FOR AUSTRALIA? If Australia is dragged into military conflict with China over Taiwan, there could be dire consequences for our way of life. Missile strikes: US military bases in the north of Australia will become prime targets for Chinese air strikes. Mass casualties: Australia will need to prepare for significant casualties, not seen since the Second World War. Cyber hacks and satellite attacks: Modern warfare will involve crippling 'soft kill' attacks on critical infrastructure which could collapse Australia's banking system, grind food distribution systems to a halt and shut off power grids. Sydney Harbour mined with explosives: Chinese forces may try to mine ports like Sydney Harbour with explosives to disrupt Australian supply chains. Advertisement

'What we would definitely see are cyber attacks on our critical infrastructure that could trigger a banking system collapse, a breakdown of our food distribution systems and major stock market crash,' Dr Davis said.

'So if you remember we were fighting over rolls of toilet paper at the beginning of the Covid pandemic just imagine what would happen if there was no food on the shelves or if you can't get money out of a bank.

'These are the kind of things we will need to prepare if we are locked in a war with a sophisticated adversary.'

President Xi has repeatedly declared that the Chinese Liberation Army will annex the democratic island of Taiwan, 180km off its coast, as part of China's 'national rejuvenation plan'.

The island of about 25 million people, backed by the US and Japan, broke away from the mainland in 1949 when the losers of its civil war fled Mao Zedong's brutal communist regime.

Australia cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1972, recognising the People's Republic under the 'One China' policy. But western democracies have continued to support the island's struggle against China's dictatorial ambitions.

Pictured: The Taiwanese military carry out live-fire exercises with a CM-11 Brave Tiger tank simulating and invasion by Chinese forces

Pictured: Taiwanese Naval forces hold military exercises preparing for an invasion by the Chinese military

WHAT IS ASPI? The Australia Strategic Policy Institute is an independent, non-partisan think tank which informs policymakers. ASPI was formed by the Australian Government in 2001 and is partially funded by the Department of Defence. Advertisement

President Joe Biden has vowed US troops would come to the aid of Taiwan, with Australia and Japanese officials also voicing their support.

Dr Davis said it's increasingly likely Xi will move to take the island by 2027 - a date which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army.

'Xi wants to be the paramount leader of China - even above Mao - and the way he does that is by taking Taiwan and vanquishing the US,' he said.

'The first phase may begin right after the Beijing Winter Olympics early next year and continue up until the time they try to invade.'

This, according to Dr Davis, is likely to include 'grey zone coercive campaigns' that fall below the threshold to justify a military response by the West.

'They will try infiltration and espionage to ramp up the pressure on the Taiwanese government and get them to bend the knee to Beijing,' he said.

The first phase may even involve air and naval blockades, cyber attacks and seizing offshore territories such as Penghu Island in the South China Sea, as a way to slowly choke Taiwan's economy.

One of Australia's key roles in a potential military conflict with China would be the 'rapid reconstitution of satellites'. Pictured: Australian military set up a mobile satellite dish

AUSTRALIA'S ROLE IN WAR: LAUNCHING SATELLITES: Australia's role supporting the US in a conflict with China over Taiwan would probably not involve sending naval vessels or ground troops. Instead, Australia's military would be tasked with the 'rapid reconstitution of satellites'. 'There will be a struggle to gain and maintain space control so if they took out all of our satellites we could quickly throw them back up,' military strategist Dr Malcolm Davis told Daily Mail Australia. PROVIDING A BASE OF OPERATIONS FOR US FORCES: Australia's main contribution to the battle will be to provide US forces with a base of operations, to recover to, to resupply and to repair battle damage. OFFENSIVE CYBER ATTACKS: Australia has an elite offensive cyber attack capability which could be used to in wartime scenario. Advertisement

Dr Davis believes the strategy will eventually fail leaving Xi with the choice to either give up - which may see the Chinese Communist Party lose political legitimacy - or attempt a rapid cross-strait invasion before the US and its allies can react.

Beijing could alternatively launch strikes on US military bases across the Indo-Pacific in Guam, Okinawa and Australia's north - knee-capping the West's military response.

'A Pearl Harbour 2.0 attack would decapitate the US military's ability to intervene and make it impossible for western forces to respond effectively to the invasion of Taiwan,' he said.

'The interesting scenario in my mind is if China strikes US forces in the region, the US takes heavy casualties and then strikes back, what happens then? It is possible then you could see a protracted war between two nuclear-armed powers.'

Australia is unlikely to send ground troops and ships to battle but submarines and aircraft with the ability to strike Chinese forces could be a possibility. Pictured: An air battle manager in the Australian Defence Force conducts surveillance operations as part of military exercises

Chinese bombs could hit the top secret CIA-run station at Pine Gap in Alice Spring (pictured), the RAAF base in Darwin housing 2,200 US marines and the Harold E Holt Naval Communication Station near Exmouth, WA

Australia would be compelled to support US forces under the ANZUS agreement because 'turning our back on the Americans would be the end of the alliance'.

'In a worst case scenario, that will leave Australia exposed and alone facing a very dangerous situation with Beijing, so it makes every sense to support the US,' Dr Davis said.

'One of the things Australia would do as a US ally is to support American space capabilities through rapid reconstitution of satellites.

'Given we have our own commercial space sector that's building satellites and developing launch vehicles, we have the opportunity to launch satellites into orbit very quickly and in a matter of days - that adds to our ability to have space resilience which is critical in modern warfare.

'There will be a struggle to gain and maintain space control so if they took out all of our satellites we could quickly throw them back up.'

Shocking disparities between Australia and China's military power shows we would struggle in a war

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (pictured waving from atop a submarine) has remained staunch in the face of Chinese aggression - with many nations now at loggerheads with the communist superpower

Why China set its sights on Taiwan Taiwanese soldiers hoist the flag of Taiwan in Taipei on May 10. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, but many Taiwanese people want the island to be independent China and Taiwan have a long-standing dispute over the island's sovereignty. China considers Taiwan as a part of its territory, more precisely a province, but many Taiwanese want the island to be independent. From 1683 to 1895, Taiwan was ruled by China's Qing dynasty. After Japan claimed its victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing government forced to cede Taiwan to Japan. The island was under the Republic of China's ruling after World War II, with the consent of its allies the US and UK. The leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party, Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan in 1949 and established his government after losing the Civil War to the Communist Party and its leader Mao Zedong. Chiang's son continued to rule Taiwan after his father and began democratising Taiwan. In 1980, China put forward a formula called 'one country, two systems', under which Taiwan would be given significant autonomy if it accepted Chinese reunification. Taiwan rejected the offer. Taiwan today, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders, is widely accepted in the West as an independent state. But its political status remains unclear. Advertisement

But coming to the aid of Taiwan will make Australia a prime target for missile attacks from China.

The first locations China would hit are Australian military bases housing US forces.

That means bombs could strike the top secret CIA-run station at Pine Gap in Alice Spring, the RAAF base in Darwin housing 2,200 US marines and the Harold E Holt Naval Communication Station near Exmouth, WA.

While the US will move fast to send aircraft carriers to the battle, it's unlikely Australia will send troops or naval vessels to the Taiwan Strait, as 'our ships would be sunk within hours' by China's sophisticated area-denial missile systems, Dr Davis said.

President Joe Biden has vowed US troops would come to the aid of Taiwan, with Australia and Japanese officials also voicing their support. Pictured: Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force soldiers board a U.S. Marine V22-Osprey tilt-rotor airframe during military exercises

Australia's way of life could be unrecognisable with sea mines planted in places like Sydney Harbour (pictured) to deter Chinese ships and submarines from seizing control of ports

But deploying submarines and aircraft with the ability to strike Chinese forces could be a possibility, however Australia's jets and boats are more suited to short-range tactical missions and not long-range battles.

'Our main contribution to the battle will be our location. We offer a great piece of real estate for US forces to operate from, to recover to, to resupply and to repair battle damage,' Mr Davis said.

'Australia also has an openly declared offensive cyber capability so there is a range of ways we could contribute without sending ships and men only to be killed.

'The government has just approved sovereign manufacturing of missiles, that's also really important because it means we can produce missiles that not only support the Australian defence force but also can support the US.'

Australia would be compelled to support US forces under the ANZUS agreement because 'turning our back on the Americans would be the end of the alliance'. Pictured: ADF soldiers in action
Virginia Beach police used forged documents that linked people's DNA to a crime to get them to confess or cooperate with investigators, Virginia's outgoing attorney general announced Wednesday.

The city's police department has changed its policy in the wake of the state's probe, Attorney General Mark Herring said in a statement. In a separate statement, the city said it had ended the practice in May after conducting its own investigation, but called the tactic legal.

Virginia Beach police serve a city of about 450,000 along the state's coast. Officers used fake reports purporting to be from the Virginia Department of Forensic Science at least five times during interrogations between March 2016 and February 2020, Herring's office said.

The bogus pieces of paper included a seal and letterhead from the state agency, the AG's office said. In two instances, the documents included the signature of a fictitious employee from the department, and in at least one instance, a forged report was presented to a court as evidence, the AG's office said.

Herring's office did not say whether the use of the forged documents would invalidate any confessions that were obtained as a result, or otherwise affect the cases in which they were employed.

'This was an extremely troubling and potentially unconstitutional tactic that abused the name of the Commonwealth to try to coerce confessions,' Herring said.

Outgoing Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring said the tactic was 'extremely troubling and potentially unconstitutional' and that it abused the name of the Commonwealth to try to coerce confessions

An investigation reviewed 9,600 criminal cases and 'found a total of five instances over a five-year period' regarding forging DNA reports linking people to crimes during questioning to make suspects believe they're in the wrong

He said that while he appreciates that the department stopped the practice 'and cooperated with our investigation, this is clearly a tactic that should never have been used.'

The strategy then reemerged last year after a prosecutor asked the Department of Forensic Science to provide a certified copy of a document that police falsely claimed came from the department. The AG's Office of Civil Rights launched an investigation and then proposed a 'conciliation agreement' to stop the practice and reform department policies.

The Virginia Beach City Council agreed to the changes on Tuesday, Herring said. They include an order from the police department mandating that all sworn personnel stop using fake certificates of analysis from the state agency. Detectives also must acknowledge and commit to following the order.

The terms of the agreement will remain in effect for at least two years, the state said. The Office of Civil Rights will notify the people who were interrogated with forged documents.

Republican Jason Miyares, who defeated Herring in the state election in November of last year, begins his term in two days

Herring, a Democrat, will step down from the AG's office this weekend, and Republican Jason Miyares, who defeated Herring in the election last year, will take over.

In a statement, the city of Virginia Beach said its police department 'took immediate and proactive steps to address this very limited interrogation technique which they felt, though legal, was not in the spirit of what the community expects.'

The department's investigation reviewed 9,600 criminal cases and 'found a total of five instances over a five-year period... where inauthentic replica certificates were used,' city officials said.
Connor Tolson was working as a kitchen hand, but had dreams of headlining stadiums.

He was just 21 and a drummer in Melbourne band Riders Of Sin when his body was found in the burnt out remains of a bungalow at the rear of his family home.

It was September 19, 2015 and to this day who, why and exactly how he died remains a mystery.

Now police are offering a $1 million reward in the hope of finally cracking the case.

Police are offering $1 million for information to solve the suspicious death of a young Melbourne musician Connor Tolson (above), after a fire at his home more than six years ago

In 2015 Connor was believed to have been killed in a fire after returning home from a party

On Wednesday, Victoria Police announced it would hand over a $1million reward for information leading to the conviction of Connor's killer.

Homicide detectives have long held suspicions about who had motive to kill him.

Connor's sister, Alanna, and mum, Karen Mantello, were woken by the smell of smoke at 5am on the morning of the fire.

They tried desperately to save Connor, but forensic experts would later determine he was dead before the fire began.

His skull appeared to have been cracked by a blunt object and he was likely strangled.

Police had initially been ready to pass Connor's death off as a simple tragedy.

The young musician had no known enemies and a toxicology report indicated he had THC in his system and a blood alcohol level of .12 - the telltale signs of a big night out.

There was no sign of forced entry into the bungalow where he lived and nothing appeared to have been stolen.

The bungalow had been a typical mess of wires and junk, with 10 guitars and two amplifiers jammed into it.

Connor had lived at the property all of his life and within the bungalow since he was a 17-year-old.

A 2017 inquest into Connor's death heard how detectives quickly learnt the young musician enjoyed a loving relationship with his mum, sister and father Bill, who had separated with his mother, but his relationship with his older brother James was less than cordial.

Friends of Connor would later tell police that it was in fact totally fractured, with the pair getting into violent fights before he died, the inquest heard.

James had been diagnosed with ADHD and police were advised he had been abusing his medications in the period before Connor's death.

Ms Martello stated James had become too difficult to live with, the inquest heard, with police records showing officers had been called to the family's Malvern East home at least eight times due to James' behaviour in the previous two years.

Connor Tolson had a been a keen musician with a love of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys

Connor Tolson's band was featured on triple J's Unearthed, a competition for undiscovered Australian artists.

Connor Tolson (pictured) could play almost any instrument he picked up

On January 28 - just eight months before he would die - Connor reported his brother over an alleged assault.

The inquest heard how Connor told police he had been terrified of his bigger and stronger brother.

'I didn't know what he was going to do next,' he told police.

'During the time of the assault I feared for my safety and I was scared.'

After their father busted them up, Connor claimed his brother returned to his bedroom and punched him in the face.

An intervention order was successfully placed on James, which would not expire until 2016.

James faced court over the assault in July that year and walked away without a conviction.

Intervention orders had not gone down well with James, a coronial inquest into Connor's death would be told.

He had been issued with one a year earlier after an incident involving his mum.

James became homeless, but would still breach the order 'three to four times a week', Ms Mantello told the court. The breaches had resulted in a conviction and fine.

Despite the ongoing intervention orders, the court heard James was continually allowed back into the family home.

He had only been kicked out by their mother three days before the fire.

When Homicide Squad detectives caught up with James, he refused to talk with them. Years later he would reluctantly agree to make a statement.

He claimed he did not know where he had slept on the night of the fire.

'We had different interests but we got on well together I thought,' he said in 2017.

However, a 2017 inquest into the death found it was suspicious and referred it to the Victoria Police Arson and Explosives Squad to investigate

Now a recent autopsy report has indicated Connor had died before the onset of the bungalow fire

Inquiries into Conner's movements on the night he died found nothing out of the ordinary.

He was drunk at a birthday party in Brighton before jumping into an Uber, which dropped him off at home just after midnight on the morning he would die.

The inquest was told detectives were unable to gather enough evidence to charge Conner's brother - their only suspect.

On February 3, 2017, the case was finalised and handed over to the state coroner for inquest.

Coroner Audrey Jamieson was told Connor had been a calm, passive person with not a hint of an enemy in the world.

'If he was ever to get into a fight, it wouldn't be of his choice,' a friend said.

'Everyone loved him.'

The only person that would make him angry was his brother James, the court was told.

The court heard James repeatedly threatened his family in the months before the fire.

'I'm going to burn the house down. I'm going to kill you,' James would warn them, the court heard.

Connor had done his best to hide the fear he felt for his brother, a friend told the court. But a brawl just weeks before his death had rattled him.

The court heard James had routinely tormented his brother, spitting on him while he meditated in the backyard.

When police initially spoke to James a little over a day after the fire, he allegedly failed to show any emotion upon news his brother was dead.

On January 28, 2018 Judge Jamieson sent the matter back to prosecutors, allowing police to continue with their murder investigation.

James was identified as a suspect, but no charges have ever been laid.

Prior to the fire Connor had attended a party celebrating a friend's 21st birthday in Brighton

Detectives Senior Sergeant Mark Kennedy urged anyone with information about Connor's death to contact police

On Wednesday, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Kennedy said those responsible for Connor's death may have spoken to someone about it and hoped the reward could lead to them coming forward.

'People's circumstances can change over the years and someone who may not have wanted to provide information to police previously may now feel ready to do so,' he said.

'It doesn't matter how insignificant you think the piece of information is, it could be exactly what our investigators need to make a breakthrough in this case.'

Mr Tolson told reporters he wasn't expecting justice for Connor's death, but hoped for answers for his family.

'I am over it now, I have realised the world is a pretty horrible place and I just accept the new world I am in but it would be great to have a conclusion for family,' he said.

When questioned about his son James' possible involvement in the crime, Mr Tolson refused to accept he was a killer.

'(He's) a suspect, you'd have to say that. But again nothing is conclusive and if that were to be the case then it would just obviously make a very sad situation sadder,' he said.

Anyone with information on the case should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A poignant three-minute film documenting the life of a Jewish community in Poland just one year before being rounded up and later wiped out by the Nazis has been turned into a full-length documentary.

The 1938 colour film was made by American traveller David Kurtz, whose family had emigrated from Poland in 1890.

The short clip shows crowds of youngsters wearing yarmulkes (traditional Jewish caps) on a cobbled street in Nasielsk, eastern Poland, their faces beaming in innocent fascination at the camera.

Also seen are families gathered in groups as they smile in front of Kurtz's camera.

After the Nazis' arrival in the town in December 1939, Nasielsk's residents were rounded up.

Only 100 members of its community of 3,000 Jews would survive the Holocaust, in which an estimated six million men, women and children were murdered in a network of death camps.

The film had lain forgotten in a battered tin can until being found by Mr Kurtz's grandson Glenn in the cellar of their family home in Florida.

Originally intended as a holiday home movie, the 16-mm film was made during a summer tour of Europe just before the Second World War began in September 1939.

After viewing scenes from the Alps and Dutch villages, Glenn came across the three-minute sequence showing the community of Jews in the small town.

The new documentary focusing on the clip is being jointly narrated by Holocaust survivor Maurice Chandler - who lived in Nasielsk as a child - and British actress Helena Bonham Carter.

A poignant three-minute film documenting the life of a Jewish community in Poland just one year before being wiped out by the Nazis has been turned into a full-length documentary

The film found by Glenn was in a dented aluminium canister.

Now, through a process of what the producers call 'film archaeology to squeeze out every detail', the clip has been turned into a 70-minute documentary by Dutch filmmaker Bianca Stitger, with joint narration by Harry Potter star Ms Bonham Carter and survivor Maurice Chandler, now in his 90s.

Entitled 'Three Minutes: A Lengthening', the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September last year and is due to be released in the US later this year.

Glenn told the Polish Press Agency: 'I found this movie in my parents' closet in 2009. It's a typical family vacation movie.

'But when I saw that it was made in 1938, I realised that it also had historical value. I think they were excited that an American came to their town.'

The short clip shows crowds of youngsters wearing yarmulkes (traditional Jewish caps) on a cobbled street in Nasielsk, eastern Poland, their faces beaming in innocent fascination at the camera

The 1938 colour film was made by American traveller David Kurtz (pictured) whose family had emigrated from Poland in 1890

After viewing scenes from the Alps and Dutch villages, Kurtz's grandson Glenn Kurtz came across the three-minute sequence showing the community of Jews in the small town

Harry Potter star Helena Bonham Carter is jointly narrating the film with Holocaust survivor Maurice Chandler, now in his 90s. Maurice grew up in Nasielsk, where his parents owned a textile store

On December 3, 1939, following the outbreak of the war after the German invasion of Poland, the whole Jewish population of Nasielsk were ordered to gather in the town's market square.

They were divided into groups, the first 2,000 of which were sent to ghettos in the towns of ukow and Miedzyrzec before being transported to the Treblinka death camp in 1942.

Others were put into a forced labour camp in the small town along with imprisoned Poles.

The remaining Jews were sent on a forced march to Jadow, Kock and Warsaw, where they were then murdered.

After discovering his grandfather's film, Mr Kurtz handed it over to the United States Holocaust Museum.

In 2015, he published a book titled 'Three Minutes in Poland: Discovering a Lost World in a 1938 Family Film'.

As a result of both the three-minute video and his book, Kurtz then made contact with some of the survivors from the town.

One of those was Maurice Chandler (ne Moszek Tuchendler) whose parents owned a textile store in Nasielsk.

The film found by Mr Kurtz was in a dented aluminium canister. Above: A scene from the video shows smiling children and other members of Nasielsk's community

After the Nazis' arrival, the residents of Nasielsk were divided into groups. The first 2,000 were sent to ghettos in the towns of ukow and Miedzyrzec before being transported to the Treblinka death camp in 1942. Above: The residents of Nasielsk

Mr Kurtz published a book titled 'Three Minutes in Poland: Discovering a Lost World in a 1938 Family Film'. Above: A scene from the film's trailer

'Not only did he come in a car, he also had a camera. It must have been a big event in this small town,' Glenn said.

'These people were about to experience the Holocaust. I wanted to honour them somehow, finding out who they were.

'I did not want the film to remain another pre-war film from some Jewish town in Poland.'

The short clip, titled 'Our Trip to Holland, Belgium, Poland, Switzerland, France and England, 1938', also shows the hustle and bustle of Jewish life in a local cafe.

The moving clip portrays life before the community were wiped out by the Nazis

The short clip is titled 'Our Trip to Holland, Belgium, Poland, Switzerland, France and England, 1938'

Mr Kurtz said he wanted to 'honour' the residents of Nasielsk by finding out who they were

On December 3, 1939, following the outbreak of the war after the German invasion of Poland, the whole Jewish population of Nasielsk were ordered to gather in the town's market square

Following the German invasion, Maurice and his older brother escaped to Russia where they lived with a cousin until his brother became homesick.

Maurice returned to find his parents in the Warsaw ghetto, and subsequently became trapped inside as well.

Managing to escape, he and his brother escaped the ghetto and worked as farm hands until his sibling died of typhus.

Maurice then adopted a Polish identity and continued to work on farms until the end of the war.
A third of people who catch Covid may still be infectious after five days, according to a study that illustrates the gamble ministers face in cutting the self-isolation time.

University of Exeter experts warned it meant a 'potential risk of onward transmission', given that tens of thousands of Brits are currently testing positive every day.

No10 yesterday confirmed it would slash the self-isolation period from seven days to just five in a bid to ease pressure on staff absences due to the Omicron variant.

Despite the news being welcomed by business leaders and MPs, medics today urged ministers to make health and care staff exempt. They warned patient safety would be at risk if potentially Covid positive NHS staff returned to work.

Separate data from the UK Health Security Agency, backing the University of Exeter study, estimated 31 per cent of people with Covid were still infectious five days after the onset of symptoms.

However, the number of infectious people released into society is reduced to as little as 5 per cent if people have two consecutive negative lateral flows, the Government agency said.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the length of quarantine for positive cases is being reduced from the current seven days to just five

How are the isolation rules changing? Currently people who test positive for Covid can be free from isolation on the seventh day after their result. However, they must return negative lateral flow tests on day six and day seven. From Monday, the whole process will effectively be brought forward 24 hours. That means that people will be able to leave isolation on the sixth day after testing positive. That is on the condition they return a negative result on day five and day six. Advertisement

Responding to the five day self-isolation announcement, one of the authors of the Exeter study said their findings indicated nearly one in three people could still be infectious after five days.

However, independent experts have said the study is limited because it used samples of the original Covid variant and the findings have limited application to the current Omicron wave.

Experts admit there is a trade off in self-isolation periods  with a need to balance the disruption caused by so many people taking time off work to the economy, and the need to reduce the risk of infected individuals spreading the virus to others.

Professor Lorna Harries, a molecular genetics expert and one of the authors of the Exeter study, said: 'Our data arise from research published today which uses a newly adapted test which can detect whether the virus is potentially still active.

'Our data shows that at five days, 30 per cent of people still exhibited clinically-relevant levels of potentially active virus, meaning they may still be infectious.'

Professor Harries called on the Government to ensure supplies of lateral flow test kits keep up with demand and said specalised tests such as the one used in their study should be used in vulnerable settings such as care homes.

Health secretary Sajid Javid announced the change to self-isolation rules in England in the House of Commons yesterday.

Mr Javid told MPs that UKHSA data showed 'that around two-thirds of positive cases are no longer infectious by the end of day five'.

He added that, from Monday, people will be able to take two tests to get out of isolation, 'leaving isolation at the start of day six'.

'I urge everyone to take advantage of the capacity we have built up on tests,' he told the Commons.

Other UK nations have yet to announce if they will adopt a similar change or stick to a seven day Covid self-isolation period.

But some healthcare staff unions have revolted over the changes to self-isolation rules and have called for an exemption.

The Royal College of Nursing slammed the decision, with the trade union's general secretary saying the changes put patient safety at risk.

Daily Covid cases fall by nearly 40% in a week to 109,133 Britain's Omicron wave continued to collapse yesterday as Covid cases fell once again and NHS hospital admissions remained flat. Another 109,133 positive tests were logged across the UK in 24 hours, down 39 per cent on the tally a week prior. It is the eighth consecutive day that new infections have fallen week-on-week and the lowest daily total in more than a fortnight. Deaths  which are a lagging indicator of the outbreak have been slowly creeping up in recent days, with 335 more victims registered yesterday. It is unclear if reporting issues over the holidays are still at play but the seven-day average number of fatalities sits at 261 now, compared to 99 a fortnight ago. Meanwhile, latest hospital data shows there were 2,184 admissions for the virus-infected patients on January 9, up 5 per cent compared to the previous. Daily admissions have fallen on three of the past seven days. NHS leaders have publicly voiced optimism that Omicron-fuelled pressure on hospitals has already peaked and that eight new Nightingale surge hubs will not be needed. It came as the country's largest symptom-tracking study also found that Britain's Omicron outbreak was falling last week in all age groups and regions except the North East. King's College London experts estimated the number of people falling ill with the virus each day plunged 12 per cent, with 183,000 symptomatic infections now occurring every day. Advertisement

'By the Government's own estimate, almost a third of individuals are infectious five days after symptoms starting,' she said.

'This change could increase the risk of transmission to other staff and patients.

'When providing close care, including to those with compromised immune systems, nursing staff must be confident that they are not putting patients at risk.'

In the Exeter study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, scientists took samples from 176 people who had tested positive for Covid on a PCR test.

Then using a modified version of the PCR test the scientists aimed to discover how long these people could potentially spread Covid.

Conventional PCR tests work by testing for the presence of Covid viral fragments but not if it the virus is still active, and therefore potentially infectious.

Using the modified test, the researchers found that 30 per cent of people still had 'clinically-relevant' levels of the virus, meaning they could be potentially infectious.

This decreased to 13 per cent after 10 days, though the study found some people maintained high levels of the virus for up to 68 days.

Professor Harries said: 'There was nothing clinically remarkable about these people, which means we wouldn't be able to predict who they are.'

But independent experts have said the findings of the study are limited, noting that the samples in the study were from 2020 before the rise of Covid variants such as Delta and Omicron.

Professor Paul Hunter, an epidemiologist at the University of East Anglia, added that just because someone has active Covid virus it doesn't necessarily mean they are infectious.

'We know from early studies that virus can be shed from as early as four days before to several weeks after symptom onset,' he said.

'But that doesn't necessarily equate to infectiousness. Very few studies have attempted to measure when cases infect others.'

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, said: 'The current study was based on infections analysed in samples taken in 2020 when the original Wuhan variant was dominant and it's likely that the infectious period with omicron will be different.

However he added: 'Nevertheless, this current study reinforces concerns that reducing the self-isolation period to five days will increase the risk of highly infectious people spreading infection as they return to work or school.'

Changes to self-isolation rules came as Covid cases fell once for the eight consecutive day, and NHS hospital admissions remained flat.

A total of 109,133 positive tests were logged across the UK yesterday down 39 per cent on the tally a week ago.

However, deaths  which are a lagging indicator of the outbreak have been slowly creeping up in recent days, with 335 more victims registered.

Meanwhile, the latest hospital data shows there were 2,184 admissions for virus-infected patients on January 9, up 5 per cent compared to the previous. Daily admissions have fallen on three of the past seven days.

NHS leaders have publicly voiced optimism that Omicron-fuelled pressure on hospitals has already peaked and that eight new Nightingale surge hubs will not be needed.
Google manipulated the advertising marketplace before pocketing the money and giving it to publishers who gave the company preferred access, it has been claimed in a bombshell lawsuit.

The damning claims in a Texas lawsuit accuse the search giant of running a digital advertising monopoly that increased the cost to advertisers and harmed ad industry competitors and publishers.

It has been met with fury in the media industry with one publisher calling the system 'utterly dishonest' and a 'betrayal' of advertisers including untold numbers of small businesses struggling through the pandemic.

The firm began a secret program called Project Bernanke in 2013 which allegedly rigged the market by dropping the second-highest bids from publishers' advertising auctions.

It used historical data from Google adverts to adjust its clients' bids for online advertising and boost their chances of winning auctions for impressions.

That allegedly generated generating hundreds of millions of dollars for the company much of it from small business advertisers

Google is then said to have pooled money taken from this system before allocating it to publishers who gave the firm favoured access, including those who only used Google's ads.

This allegedly gave Google and its bidders an unfair advantage and helped them win auctions they would have lost  something that cost publishers up to 40 per cent of revenue.

The California-based firm is thought to have generated nearly 270million a year from Project Bernanke - named after former Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke for unknown reasons.

One major publisher said: 'We suspected Google was running a rigged game but we never imagined they could be so utterly dishonest both to their publisher partners and their advertising clients.

'It's a staggering breach of trust and business ethics and has cost publishers and advertisers including all the small mom and pop shops who have struggled through the pandemic, hundreds of millions of dollars.

'You can only wonder how much more is to come out of this can of worms.'

'How can we possibly trust Google moving forward? They are proposing new solutions for the industry, on topics such as the replacement for cookies, and the want us all - publishers, advertisers, and consumers - to trust them. Clearly we can't.'

Google began a secret program called Project Bernanke to allegedly rig the advertising market

The claims emerged in documents filed in Texas as part of an anti-trust lawsuit which accuses the company of running a monopoly in the digital advertising market.

And the findings suggest Google is more dominant that previously thought, and it has maintained its dominance by deceiving publishers and manipulating auctions.

Internal Google documents from 2014 reveal that a team known as 'gTrade' was founded in New York in late 2012 to devise 'novel trading strategies'

The aim was to reverse trends of non-Google buyers winning auctions in Google's advertising exchange at Google's expense.

Google allegedly wanted to use inside information to reverse these trends and ensure its win rate increased.

To accomplish this the gTrade team developed a number of secret auction manipulation schemes, the most notable of which was codenamed 'Project Bernanke'.

This graphic explains allegations that the Bernanke program caused AdX to drop the second bid from the auction and lower publisher earnings. Google is said to have retained the difference before adding it to a 'pool' to use it to inflate other bids. In this example, the advertiser pays $18, the publisher receives $7.20 ($9 minus Google's 20% fee), and Google puts the remaining $18 - $9 = $9 into a pool to spend on other auctions

The project is said to have aimed to manipulate auctions to put money into a 'Bernanke pool' to be later spent inflating Google's bids to ensure they won over non-Google buyers.

A Google spokesman told MailOnline: 'AG Paxton's latest allegation - that we generated a ''third price auction'' or manipulated our ad exchange - is entirely inaccurate.

'As of September 2019, we have been running a first price auction, but at the time to which AG Paxton is referring, AdX absolutely was a second price auction.

'Another key area that is wrong: the Bernanke program did not artificially increase prices for buyers in any way.

To reiterate what we've said, AG Paxton's complaint is full of inaccuracies and lacks legal merit.

'Our advertising technologies operate in a highly competitive environment in which our success depends on delivering strong yields for publishers and effective returns for advertisers large and small.'

Google allegedly developed three different versions of Project Bernanke - one known as 'Bell', a second as 'Global Bernanke' and a third with an unknown name.

'Global Bernanke' is thought to have dropped the second highest bid across publishers' second-price auctions - which is when the highest bidder wins, but the second-highest bid is paid.

Google told publishers that its ad exchange now known as AdX, but previously as Double Click Ad Exchange - ran a transparent second-price auction.

But Google was allegedly manipulating these second-price auctions and running secret third-price auctions - where the highest bidder wins but is charged the third highest bid.

This is believed to have artificially lowered the clearing prices for a publisher's advertising inventory, before Google siphoned the difference into the 'Bernanke Pool'. This is said to have generated Google $228million a year.

Google's ad exchange network is known as AdX, but previously as Double Click Ad Exchange

Meanwhile the 'Bell' project is thought to have used information about whether a publisher provides AdX with preferential access to determine if Google will spend the money in the Bernanke Pool across a given publisher.

An example could be that there were three publishers - USA Today, New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal - but only USA Today gives preferential access to AdX.

It appears the Bernanke project would then drop the NYT's and WSJ's revenues from AdX by up to 40 per cent, then use those siphoned revenues to inflate the bids of advertisers using Google Ads to bid on USA Today's ad inventory.

The 'Bell' version of Bernanke is said to have generated an additional $139million a year for Google.

The court papers also made new revelations about Project Jedi Blue, which exposed allegedly secret collusion between Google and Facebook to rig the advertising market.

Project Jedi Blue was a secret deal between Facebook and Google that allegedly ensured Facebook would have a leg up in Google's ad auctions, with fixed win rates, informational advantages and discounted exchange fees.

Project Bernanke was named after former Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke (pictured in Washington in 2013) for unknown reasons

Facebook was planning to enter the so-called 'header bidding market' but was convinced not to do so in exchange for a preferred deal with Google.

Header bidding sees publishers sell advertising space simultaneously to different adexchanges and therefore increase the value of every advertising impression.

Header bidding posed a significant threat to Google's digital ad market monopoly, as these header bidding systems run outside of Google's purview.

It is claimed that a Google analysis found the prices paid in header bidding were '80 per cent higher than the average price publishers received for impressions sold through AdX'.

It is also alleged that some publisher revenues jumped by as much as 70 per cent when they switched to header bidding.

Facebook could be forced to pay 50 to 44 MILLION users in UK if landmark legal action succeeds: 2.3bn lawsuit claims US tech giant made billions by only granting access to site in exchange for 'highly valuable' personal data Most British Facebook users could receive a 50 payout if a landmark legal claim launched against the social network over 'unfair' terms and conditions is successful. Competition law expert Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen has brought the class-action lawsuit against Facebook's parent firm Meta at the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal. The director of the Competition Law Forum has accused the technology giant of abusing its market dominance, and is seeking a minimum of 2.3billion in damages. Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen has launched a class-action lawsuit against Facebook The action could see more than 44million people compensated over claims that Facebook used its dominant position to force them to agree to terms and conditions. It is claimed this allowed the firm to generate billions in revenues from their data, while users received no monetary returns, which the claim labels an 'unfair deal'. The claim - the first of its kind against Meta in the UK - will seek financial redress for Facebook users in the UK between October 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019. The payout would apply to people who used co-founder Mark Zuckerberg's site at least once during this period - which is thought to be more than 44million people. It argues that, between 2015 and 2019, Facebook collected data both within its own platform and outside using mechanisms such as Facebook Pixel. Pixel is an advertising tool that can be used by third-party websites to monitor how users act on their site. The action claims that Facebook was able to impose terms and conditions on UK users which enabled this data gathering because of its market dominance. Advertisement

The agreement is thought to have been signed off by Facebook's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg and Google's senior vice president and chief business officer Philipp Schindler.

The benefit to Google was to both keep Facebook out as a competitor but in as a participant which was extremely lucrative for Google.

For Facebook, the deal made them money but also saved them potentially billions of pounds in costs to build competing systems.

The financial impact on publishers of Jedi Blue has not yet been estimated.

Google issued a blog post in response to the claims by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in January last year, which addressed claims that Google 'forecloses competition by using exclusive access to historic bid information to win auctions'.

The company said: 'Google Ads bidding technology does not have exclusive access to historic bid information from the Google Ad Exchange.

'AG Paxton mischaracterizes one of many improvements Google Ads has made to optimize advertiser bids.

'Like many other businesses, we constantly work to improve our products and compete more effectively. That's the kind of behaviour that increases competition and makes ads more effective for businesses large and small.'

The company also addressed claims that its 'open bidding agreement with Facebook harms publishers'.

Google responded by saying: 'Facebook is one of over 25 partners in Open Bidding, and their participation actually helps publishers.'

It continued: 'AG Paxton also makes misleading claims about Facebook's participation in our Open Bidding program. Facebook Audience Network (FAN)'s involvement isn't a secret.

'In fact, it was well-publicised and FAN is one of over 25 partners participating in Open Bidding. Our agreement with FAN simply enables them (and the advertisers they represent) to participate in Open Bidding.

'Of course we want FAN to participate because the whole goal of Open Bidding is to work with a range of ad networks and exchanges to increase demand for publishers' ad space, which helps those publishers earn more revenue. FAN's participation helps that.

'But to be clear, Open Bidding is still an extremely small part of our ad tech business, accounting for less than 4 per cent of the display ads we place.'

The company added: 'AG Paxton inaccurately claims that we manipulate the Open Bidding auction in FAN's favour. We absolutely don't. FAN must make the highest bid to win a given impression.

'If another eligible network or exchange bids higher, they win the auction. FAN's participation in Open Bidding doesn't prevent Facebook from participating in header bidding or any other similar system. In fact, FAN participates in several similar auctions on rival platforms.

'And AG Paxton's claims about how much we charge other Open Bidding partners are mistaken - our standard revenue share for Open Bidding is 5 to 10 per cent.'

A company spokesman for Facebook's owners Meta told MailOnline: 'Meta's non-exclusive bidding agreement with Google and the similar agreements we have with other bidding platforms, have helped to increase competition for ad placements.

'These business relationships enable Meta to deliver more value to advertisers while fairly compensating publishers, resulting in better outcomes for all.'

Facebook is not a defendant in the lawsuit.
An anti-vaxxer dad from Montreal has temporarily lost visitation rights to see his 12-year-old son after a Canadian judge ruled that his opposition to COVID health measures and vaccines would not make the visits in the child's 'best interest.'

'It would normally have been in the child's best interests to have contact with his father, but it is not in his best interest to have contact with him if he is not vaccinated and is opposed to health measures in the current epidemiological context,' Judge Jean-Sebastien Vaillancourt said in his December 23 ruling.

Quebec, like the rest of the world, has seen a dramatic spike in COVID cases in the last month fueled by the Omicron variant, resulting in the return of curfews and pushing the province's leader to impose a health tax on the unvaccinated.

More than 90% of adults in Quebec are reported to be vaccinated, but the province has continued to see a sharp increase in cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks.

While only 10% of adults in the province are not vaccinated, they make up nearly 50% of ICU patients.

An unvaccinated father in Montreal has temporarily lost visitation rights of his 12-year-old son after a judge ruled that the visits would not be in the child's 'best interest'

The judge noted that the child's vaccination may have lesser protections against the Omicron variant and that he lives with his two baby sisters who are too young be vaccinated

The father is described as a 'conspiracy theorist' who failed to explain his reservations about vaccines and the government's health measures

The ruling came after the father requested to extend his visitation time during the holiday season, which the mother opposed. Before the ruling, the father had visitation rights, 'including every other weekend and one week during the holiday season.'

The mother explained to the court that she had recently discovered that her ex-husband was unvaccinated and opposed health measures, which she proved by showing his social media posts.

The father admitted that he was unvaccinated and had 'reservations' about them but insisted that he respected the government's health measures and rarely left his home.

The judge's ruling described the man as a 'conspiracy theorist' and noted that he did not explain his resistance to vaccines and health measures.

'The court has strong reasons to doubt that he is complying with health regulations as he asserts he does in his written statement,' the judge responded.

The woman also noted that while the 12-year-old child is vaccinated, they live with two young girls, aged seven months and four years, whom are too young to be vaccinated.

Quebec has seen the highest number of Covid-related deaths in Canada and recently announced new measures to reduce the current spike in cases and hospitalizations

The judge noted that the child's protection against COVID from the vaccination 'seems reduced against the Omicron variant which is spreading at the moment in Quebec.'

'In these circumstances, it is not in the interest of any of the three children' for the 12-year-old to visit their father at this time, the judge ruled taking into account the well-being of all the children in the household.

The father's visitations have been suspended until February 8, unless he receives the vaccine or the situation revolving COVID changes. The temporary suspension of visitation rights will be reevaluated next month.

Vaillancourt's ruling was a first for the country in this type of custody COVID battle.

In response to the steep rise in COVID cases and hospitalizations, Quebec announced the return of certain restrictions, including a curfew from 10pm to 5am and a ban on private gatherings, which began on December 30.

Those who are unvaccinated have also been banned from non-essential stores.

Quebec, which has seen the highest number of Covid-related deaths in Canada, also plans to reduce the COVID spike by imposing a new health tax on unvaccinated people in the upcoming weeks.

On Tuesday, Quebec Premier Francois Legault warned that adults have a few weeks to get their first shot before being charged.
Navient agreed to cancel $1.7 billion in debt owed across the US to settle allegations of abusive lending practices

Navient, a major student loan collecting company, agreed to cancel $1.7 billion in debt owed by more than 66,000 borrowers across the U.S. and will pay more than $140 million in other penalties to settle allegations of abusive lending practices.

The settlement with 39 state Attorneys General was announced Thursday and also includes $95 million in restitution payments of about $260 each to some 350,000 federal loan borrowers.

Navient 'engaged in deceptive and abusive practices, targeted students who it knew would struggle to pay loans back, and placed an unfair burden on people trying to improve their lives through education,' Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who helped lead the negotiations, said in a statement.

Among other things, he said, Navient misled borrowers who were having trouble making payments into entering what are known as long-term forbearances, which caused them to run up even more debt.

Forbearance is when lenders allow borrowers to pause or reduce payments for a limited time while they build back their finances.

However, interest on the loan continues to accrue and can ultimately cause the amount paid over the life of the loan to be higher.

In a lawsuit filed simultaneously alongside the settlement, New York Attorney General Letitia James claimed that since 2009, the company deceived thousands of financially struggling customers with federal debt so that they would opt for expensive, long-term forbearance plans instead of informing them of more affordable options.

Pictured: New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit simultaneously alongside the settlement

Navient denied acting illegally, and it did not admit to any wrongdoing under the settlement, which is subject to court approval.

'Navient is and has been continually focused on helping student loan borrowers understand and select the right payment options to fit their needs,' Chief Legal Officer Mark Heleen said in a statement.

In addition to forgiving tens of thousands of loans, Navient will pay $142.5 million, most of which will go to about 350,000 borrowers who were placed in long-term forbearances.

Also, Navient will be required to do more to advise borrowers of their options and explain repayment plans to them.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey called the settlement 'an important step toward addressing our broken student loan repayment system.'

Among those who will benefit is Ashley Hardin, 38, of Seattle.

Pictured: Ashley Hardin, Ashley Hardin, 38, of Seattle, and her mother, Lajay Gove, pose inside Layers Sandwich Co, a food truck Hardin runs with her husband

Hardin will have about $108,000 in private student loan debt forgiven as part of a national settlement announced Thursday

Hardin had about $108,000 in private student debt. She defaulted in 2020 after scrambling for more than a decade to try to pay off the loan she used to attend the Brooks Institute of Photography in California.

Her monthly payments were often more than her rent.

For a time, Navient agreed to lower her payments to about $650 per month, but when that period ended, she owed over $1,000 again, having to pay compound interest.

'It's a massive weight lifted,' said Hardin, who was unable to make a career of photography in Seattle and now runs a food truck with her husband.

'I can breathe again and feel like I'm not drowning, like I'm not going to get a call tomorrow that they're suing me for defaulting.'

Helena Moon, 34, was accepted into her 'dream college' - Howard University - when she was 18.

Pictured: The headquarters of student loan debt collector Navient Corporation, in Wilmington, Delaware

When financial aid and scholarships weren't enough, she sought out private loans and found herself beset with phone calls and letters from lenders after graduating. Moon, who lives in Washington DC, said the experience was also stressful for her mother, a co-signer on the loans.

'This is a step forward in racial equality when you think about the percentage of African-Americans in debt in this country,' she said of the settlement.

Kelly Feeherry, 34, of Franklin, Massachusetts, described her experience using loans to attend an art school as a 'living nightmare' that threatened to saddle her with lifelong debt.

'What the settlement will mean for me is that I can finally regain my credit,' she said.

Borrowers whose loans are canceled will receive notice from Navient along with refunds of any payments made after mid-2021.

The settlement also includes Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
The FBI recorded a 26-year high for on-duty police officers intentionally killed across the United States last year, as overall crime and murder rates hit record highs, falling just one short of the all-time grim mark of 74.

There were 73 cops who died in the line of duty from a 'felonious killing' last year, according to data provided by the FBI shared with CNN, a 59% increase from 2020's total of 46.

A 'felonious killing' is defined by the FBI as an instance when an officer is 'fatally injured as a direct result of a willful and intentional act by an offender.'

The grim mark excludes the police death toll in 2001, when 72 officers lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks - on top of the 70 officers that were killed by domestic criminals.

The number of accidental on-duty police deaths increased as well, with 56 officers accidentally killed in the line of duty last year, up from 46 in 2020.

The FBI recorded a historic highs of police deaths with 73 intentionally killed and 56 accidentally killed last year while in the line of duty

While the official 2021 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report has been published, the FBI reported that 55 officers were killed by gunfire in 2021 through the end of November, a jump from 39 for the same time period in both 2020 and 2019.

Homicides and gun violence has been rising across the country in recent years, spiking after the highly publicized killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor in 2020 and the start of the COVID pandemic.

'When homicides go up, more shootings go up, and it contributes to an overall increase in violence and police officers find themselves in the middle of that environment,' said Chuck Wexler, the executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF).

Last year, 13 cities in the United States shattered their annual homicide records - all Democrat-run bastions that have pushed progressive policies, including Oakland, Philadelphia and Portland, Oregon.

In mid-December, Oakland recorded it's 131st murder of 2021, surpassing the annual homicide rates from the last nine years.

Philadelphia announced its 501st murder on November 26, the highest since 1990. The next day Indianapolis recorded 246 murders, breaking the record from 2020. The city of Columbus, Ohio, hit 179 murders on November 26, the most since the year before. Behind that, Louisville reported its 175th murder on November 24, also surpassing the record it set in 2020.

While violent crime and homicides have increased along with intentional and accidental police killings in recent years, complications from COVID has remained the top cause of death for officers killed in the last two years.

Data shows 336 COVID-related deaths among on-duty officers in 2021, a 32% increase from the 254 officers who died from COVID complications in 2020, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

'As tragic as this is to see this increase in felonious assaults against police officers, more officers will die of Covid than will be stabbed, shot, or die in traffic accidents and many of those deaths are preventable,' said Wexler of PERF, a national police research and policy organization that advises police leaders on best practices.

Police unions across the country made headlines this year as they fought with their local governments against vaccine mandates.

Last year saw a drastic increase in 'unprovoked' attacks on police with 25 officers killed

A study found 2020 recorded the country's highest rate of anti-police sentiment in history

New York City's largest police union, the Police Benevolent Association, which represents about 24,000 police officers filed a lawsuit to prevent vaccine mandates for officers from going into effect, calling it a 'draconian imposition.'

As the city's vaccine mandate for municipal workers went into effect, hundreds of officers took unpaid leave instead of getting vaccinated.

The leader of the Chicago police union encouraged the roughly 17,000 members of his police fraternity to 'hold the line' and refuse to report their vaccination status.

'We're in America, goddamn it,' he said in response the Lightfoot's vaccine mandate for city employees. 'We don't want to be forced to do anything. Period. This ain't Nazi f****** Germany [where they say], 'Step into the f****** showers. The pills won't hurt you.' What the f**k?'

While COVID has remained the leading cause of police deaths in recent years, there has been an increase in 'unprovoked' attacks on officers.

Twenty five of last year's felonious killings were 'unprovoked' attacks through December 27 of last year, according to the FBI. This is sharp spike in attacks on officers, which are normally reported in single-digits.

An 'unprovoked' attack is defined as a situation 'not prompted by official contact at the time of the incident,' according to the FBI.

The FBI told CNN that they have opened an investigation into this drastic increase which is spread throughout the country.

The Black Lives Matter movement swept the country in 2020 after several high-profile police killings forced a national reckoning with race and policing

The anti-cop sentiment and defund the police movement has wavered since 2020

The Black Lives Matter movement, which reached an all-time level of support in 2020 after a multitude of high-profile police killings of black Americans, pushed the anti-police sentiment and defund the police movement into the mainstream.

'For the first time, the percentage of Americans who say they have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the police has dipped below 50%. Its now at 48%, and over the 20 years weve been tracking this, its never been below 50%,' Steve Crabtree of Gallup noted when commenting on a 2020 Gallup poll.

Those numbers have seen a slight rebound since the poll was conducted in the summer of 2020 but strong anti-police sentiments still linger throughout the country.

While only in the second week of the year, nine police officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2022, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
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An intellectually 'dangerous' man who faked his own death and moved abroad to escape sex assault and fraud-related charges was so charismatic that as a boy, he nearly convinced a state representative to adopt him.

Brian Coogan, 51, said he met suspected conman Nicholas Alahverdian - who is awaiting extradition to the U.S. after being nabbed in Scotland for a 2008 Utah rape - in 2000 while representing Rhode Island's 64th District.

Alahverdian, now 34, was about 14 at the time of their first introduction; he met and charmed many politicians, including Coogan, while working as an errand boy at the state House of Representatives.

He's now the talk of the nation after it was revealed Wednesday that he faked his own death and claimed to be buried at sea in 2020, as police moved in on him for fraud and sex crime-related charges. Police discovered he was alive and unwell after he was hospitalized in Scotland, put on a ventilator, and nearly died after contracting COVID.

Alahverdian has been described as both vindictive and charming, and can be seen posing in an undated photo with former Vice President Mike Pence.

Coogan told DailyMail.com that he was initially enamored by the troubled teen - who claimed to be sexually and physically victimized in foster care - and moved to give him a permanent family after Alahverdian 'begged me to adopt him' shortly after meeting him in 2000.

The suspected conman Nicholas Alahverdian, who also goes by Nicholas Rossi, is a registered sex offender. He was convicted of two sex-related crimes in 2008. His mugshot from the sex offenders' registry is pictured

On the day he was in court to begin adoption proceedings, Coogan said he overheard Alahverdian threatening a social worker, saying: 'I'll tell them you abused me, that you hit me.'

A judge later talked Coogan and his wife out of it, warning that he was 'manipulative' and prone to stealing peoples' identities.

Coogan said he ultimately discovered Alahverdian's dark side on his own, as their relationship spanned nearly two decades and they had several falling outs over the years.

In an astonishing interview with DailyMail.com, Coogan recounted numerous, bizarre interactions with Alahverdian.

Coogan detailed a period when Alahverdian would drive around Rhode Island in a limousine and picked up large restaurant tabs after winning $70,000 in a civil lawsuit for the abuse he allegedly suffered in foster care. The case had been settled in 2013 and until then, Alahverdian was surviving on disability checks.

He recalled meeting Alahverdian's wife during their two-year marriage, which spanned 2015 to 2017, when Alahverdian treated the group to a lavish, $1,300 meal at Providence's most expensive restaurant.

During a conversation with his ex following their divorce, Coogan learned that Alahverdian likely bankrolled the feast with money he stole from his then-wife and parents, whose bank accounts he allegedly drained.

Throughout the years, Coogan also heard tales about how Alahverdian conned a number of other victims, convincing them to give him money and then threatening them and 'making their lives horrible.'

Brian Coogan (pictured) and his wife nearly adopted Alahverdian in 2000, but a judge convinced him not to

Alahverdian was described as both charming and vindictive by a former acquaintance. He is pictured in this undated photo with former vice president Mike Pence

On one occasion, one of Coogan's teenage relatives paid Alahverdian $200 to help with a high school assignment, he said. Alahverdian took the money and then tried to shake the family down for more cash by threatening to report the plagiarized assignment to the school principal, Coogan said.

When Coogan ran in his final election campaign - he believes it was 2018 - he said Alahverdian caught wind of it and showed up unsolicited at his house, driving a U-Haul truck packed with his belongings.

He said the truck was filled with expensive campaign gear; Coogan told him he wasn't seeking help on the campaign, but was eventually goaded into letting Alahverdian help when his elderly parents fell ill.

When his mom and dad died three weeks apart, he dropped out of the race, drawing the ire of Alahverdian.

'He starts saying, "I moved back here for you. You took advantage of me like everybody else,"' Coogan told DailyMail.com. 'I said, "Whoa, whoa, Nick. I didn't I didn't ask you to move back."'

'He's crazy. But he knows how to make you feel bad.'

After their final falling out, Coogan said the alleged conman created a meanspirited, fictitious Wikipedia article about the lawmaker.

'Nick is very dangerous with the computer, as you know that the FBI couldn't catch him,' Coogan said.

'That's how dangerous this kid is. And he's very vindictive. When he gets on you, he won't quit.

'He's a very, very, very smart kid. He's dangerous.'

Nicholas Alahverdian, 34, staged his own death in 2018 to escape sex and fraud charges

Alahverdian was arrested on an Interpol notice at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on December 13. He had checked in under the alias Arthur Knight, and was intubated after nearly dying of the virus.

Alahverdian - who claimed to have died of cancer in February 2020 before being buried at sea - is being sought over a 2008 sexual assault charge in Utah.

He is accused of raping an ex-girlfriend in September 2008, with investigators discovering he'd been reported to the police over similar alleged attacks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Utah and Ohio.

The faker, who is also known as Nicholas Rossi, was convicted of sexual assault following an 'encounter' with another student at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.

He is suspected of carrying out multiple other sex attacks, and was also accused of a $200,000 fraud after taking out credit cards and loans in his foster mother's husband's name in Ohio, it is alleged.

Alahverdian divorced his second wife in 2017 after less than two years of marriage, and is also said to owe her $52,000.

Both of his former spouses took out restraining orders against him after their marriage ended.

Years before the made-for-Hollywood story unfolded, Alahverdian was a Rhode Island political activist who claimed to be victimized by the foster system as child, and who called for changes to state law.

His tale of a man with a haunted past - who overcame adversity to become a Harvard-educated political scientist - amazed the circles he frequented, with multiple lawmakers taking pity on him.

Coogan described him as an incredibly charming man who went from running errands at the Rhode Island State House to hobnobbing with the region's most important politicians.

Alahverdian traveled in prestigious circles. He's pictured with East Providence Mayor Bob da Silva

Coogan said Alahverdian was at one point on friendly terms with Rhode Island's governor and Speaker of the House.

'He was around the most powerful people in Rhode Island,' he said. 'And people don't understand how he [managed to be] around these powerful people.'

Utah County Sheriff's Office in Provo began the hunt for Alahverdian in 2020 after testing old sexual assault kits, and linking him to a 2008 case which had been closed by a detective without being referred to prosecutors.

They said DNA led to his capture in Scotland, although it is unclear how staff at the hospital grew suspicious of him.

'That's where we began this investigation,' Utah County District Attorney David Leavitt told DailyMail.com Thursday. 'And what we found was a trail of victims from Utah to Ohio to Rhode Island, Massachusetts. All have very similar patterns, very similar stories.'

An memorial tribute was posted in February 2020 which claimed Alahverdian had died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that his last words were 'fear not and run toward the bliss of the sun'

This map shows the trail of havoc and alleged criminal behavior carried out by Nicholas Alahverdian across the US

Criminal past of Nicholas Alahverdian Date unknown: Failure to register as a sex offender in Rhode Island. Accused of separate attack which allegedly saw him kidnap and sexually assault a woman Date unknown: Accused of similar abduction and sexual assault attempt in Massachusetts 2008: Convicted of sexual assault in Ohio after an 'encounter' with a fellow student at Sinclair Community College in Dayton. In September 2008, he allegedly raped an ex-girlfriend in Orem, Utah - the allegation that led to his arrest in December 2021 2017 : Fraud in Ohio. Former foster mom in same state accused Alahverdian of $200,000 scam which saw him allegedly take out fake credit cards and loans in her husband's name February 2020: Fakes his own death of lymphoma, with unnamed 'widow' claiming Alahverdian had been buried at sea. In July, DNA links him to 2008 sex attack in Orem, Utah - the charge which ultimately led to his discovery in Scotland December 2021: Arrested at hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, while intubated with COVID on suspicion of Utah sex attack January 2022: Set to be extradited back to the US, where Alahverdian is almost certain to face further fraud charges for faking his own death in February 2020 Advertisement

The prosecutor said Alahverdian had also fled charges in Ohio, although further details of the allegations against Alahverdian - who claims to be a married dad of two children - have not been shared.

He also faced fraud and extortion complaints in Utah and Ohio, the Providence-Journal reported. It is unclear if the Ohio fraud charge is linked to the fraudulently obtained loans and credit cards.

He was convicted in Dayton, Ohio in 2008 of public indecency and sexual imposition; Alahverdian claimed in a 2013 civil lawsuit that the charges stemmed from accusations he masturbated in a hallway of Sinclair Community College.

Alahverdian claimed to have died in Rhode Island, where his reported passing was mourned by state representatives, with his current medical issues meaning cops were finally able to track him down and arrest him.

The Providence Journal refused to publish an obituary for Alahverdian after a woman claiming to be his third wife failed to provide a death certificate, having claimed that her 'spouse' was buried at sea.

He faced an extradition via video link from his Scottish hospital room last month, and was kept under police guard. He is believed to remain in custody in Scotland awaiting extradition to the US.

The con saw a gushing obituary to Alahverdian posted online, which his former foster mom suspected the alleged fraudster had written himself, after recognizing his writing style.

There was also a supposedly posthumous YouTube plea, uploaded three weeks after Alahverdian's death, asking supporters to help the former foster child push for reform of Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Speaking in a croaky voice towards the end of a self-aggrandizing video touting his achievements, Alahverdian said: 'I'm Nicholas Alahverdian and I kindly ask with you to join with me in my final fight to reform DCYF.'

A local radio station's news report announcing Alahverdian's death was also uploaded to the same YouTube channel, in an attempt to underline that Alahverdian really was dead.

Alahverdian, 34, was arrested on an Interpol notice at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on December 13 after nearly dying of Covid-19

In March 2020, Rhode Island Representative Frank McCabe eulogized him as an accomplished author and child welfare reform advocate.

During his years in the custody of DCYF, he endured significant abuse, depravation of education, neglect, and unhealthy living conditions,' McCabe said in the House Chamber. The challenges he faced throughout those years could have irrevocably changed his life.

'Instead, those hardships gave him understanding, passion and drive. More than a survivor, Nicholas endured and ultimately overcame those years in the system,'

A 'memorial' Twitter accounted purported to be run by 'Nick's widow Louise Alahverdian' appeared to exist to shut down any claims he was alive.

'More fake news about Nick is released the more the Rhode Island gov & now the FBI prove they tried to silence him,' said one tweet. 'Too late. Difference now is he is deceased & I as his wife and 20+ staff can tell his story. He left 7 manuscripts to publish. RI politics will never be the same.'

There is no evidence online that Louise Alahverdian exists.

The sex offender, previously convicted of two sex attacks in Ohio in 2008, used the name Arthur Knight when detained by Police Scotland officers, but it is believed he went under at least eight different aliases since going on the run in 2018.

Further details on how Knight had ended up in Scotland, and how long he had been there, have yet to emerge.

Alahverdian, whose also uses the surname Rossi, fled the US after DNA linked him to a sex attack in Ohio amid reports of similar offences across the country.

According to the Utah County Attorney's Office, he is accused of fraud and sexual assault charges in at least two states.

An obituary was posted in February 2020 which claimed Alahverdian had died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and that his last words were 'fear not and run toward the bliss of the sun'.

'At the time of his passing, the room was filled with the sounds of the end credits for the 1997 film Contact by composer Alan Silvestri, a film and score which held special meaning for Mr. Alahverdian,' the obituary said

The obituary claimed he passed away with his wife, family, and two children at his beside.

'At the time of his passing, the room was filled with the sounds of the end credits for the 1997 film Contact by composer Alan Silvestri, a film and score which held special meaning for Mr. Alahverdian,' the obituary said.

The tribute also described him as 'one of the most vocal, outspoken, and constructive advocates for reforming Rhode Island's [Department of Children, Youth and Families] and the child care system.'

A year after his self-proclaimed 'death', reports in the US emerged that police did not believe he was dead and were actively hunting him.

He had previously been questioned by the FBI over a credit card fraud allegation.

But he is now subject to extradition proceedings to Utah after DNA led officials to Scotland where he was found in hospital on a ventilator.

In 2008, Alahverdian was convicted of two sexual assault charges in Ohio and in 2017 his DNA from that case was uploaded to a national database.

Alahverdian grew up in foster care in Rhode Island and 'made it his mission to fight against his mission to fight against what he described as abuses in the state's childcare system,' local radio station WRPO 630 said in reporting his death.

Prosecutors claim that in 2020, his DNA matched samples from a sexual assault said to have taken place in Utah and discovered he was suspect in a number of other incidents across America.

He also had a live warrant out for his arrest after failing to register as a sex offender in Rhode Island.

Alahverdian is now the subject of extradition proceedings instigated by Leavitt, who thanked police worldwide including Police Scotland, for finding the wanted man.

He said: 'Our office is grateful for the significant interagency collaboration of law enforcement to bring this suspect to justice.'

Alahverdian is now the subject of extradition proceedings instigated by the Utah County

The many aliases of an American fugitive Investigators say the suspected sex predator went by at least eight names, including: Nicholas Rossi

Nicholas Alahverdian

Nicholas Alahverdian Rossi

Nicholas Edward Rossi

Nicholas Alahverdian-Rossi

Nick Alan

Nicholas Brown

Arthur Brown

Arthur Knight Advertisement

An official Utah County Attorney statement added: 'Investigators also learned that Nicholas Rossi had fled the country to avoid prosecution in Ohio and attempted to lead investigators and state legislators in other states to believe that he was deceased.

'Through the diligent efforts of SBI Agents, and various investigators in other states and agencies, and in cooperation with the Utah County Attorney's Office, Mr. Rossi was discovered to be living under an assumed name in Scotland.

'He has been taken into custody and the Utah County Attorney's Office is working with federal and international agencies to extradite Mr Rossi back to Utah.'

Rhode Island State Police Major Robert A. Creamer said: 'He was located in Scotland about a month ago, where he was on a ventilator.'

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Officers arrested a 34-year-old man in Glasgow on Monday, December 13, in connection with an international arrest warrant. A report was submitted to the procurator fiscal.'

A Crown Office spokeswoman added: 'I can confirm that Arthur Knight appeared via video link from QEUH on Thursday 23 December 2021 in relation to extradition proceedings for the US.

'No future dates have yet been fixed.'
A 50-year-old man's shock last minute confession saying he was 'guilty, guilty, guilty' in court this week to the 1988 murder of a US maths student has given police fresh hope of unlocking up to 23 'gay hate' killings.

Scott Phillip White declared his guilt in a split second decision at a pre-trial hearing, alarming his lawyers who made an unsuccessful attempt to have the plea reversed.

He now awaits sentencing for pushing 27-year-old Scott Johnson off a cliff at Manly's North Head, the brilliant PhD graduate's body found on the rocks below on December 10, 1988.

White apologised to his barrister Belinda Rigg, saying he appreciated her efforts 'but I can't handle it' and Justice Helen Wilson convicted him.

Scott Johnson had left his clothes neatly folded at the top of Blue Fish Point, and despite a bungled police finding the death was a suicide, his California-based brother Steve, never believed it and pursued the case for three decades.

Steve Johnson discovered that Blue Fish Point, like the scene of other murders in the 1970s and 1980s, was a known as a beat among Sydney's gay community.

Her surmised that that Scott 'took off his clothes, laid down, and so somebody probably walked up to Scott while he was there and proposed sex, proposed something'.

Three decades on, the murder of brilliant maths student Scott Johnson (above) has been solved after a man confessed to pushing the 27-year-old off a clifftop gay beat in 1988

Scott Phillip White (above, handcuffed) shocked even his own lawyers in court on Monday uttering 'guilty, guilty, guilty' to Johnson's murder and apologising, saying 'I can't handle it'

It was Mr Johnson's determination that in part propelled police to re-examine Scott's death, after a third inquest into his death finding he was likely murdered and leading detectives to arrest White.

From the beginning of the 1970s to the end of the 1980s, up to 88 gay men in Sydney's east and metro areas were documented to have disappeared in suspicious circumstances, or were the victims of murders.

Men were found slain in parks, homes or washed up on the rocks at the bottom of Sydney clifftops.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Crandell said after White's arrest in 2020 when asked if if it gave him hope of making future arrests in similar unsolved cases, 'My word it does'.

'There are other cases that are around ... all of the beats ... that we attribute to gay hate crime have not been solved,' he said.

'I'm very hopeful that cases like this reverberate through the community and we can get more information - that's what we need, we need more information in order to pursue these cases.

Police search North Head at Manly in 2020, where 32 years earlier Scott Johnson neatly folded his clothes and the instead of a sexual encounter was fatally pushed off the cliff

Steve Johnson (above, pictured with Scott) never believed his brother suicided and now finally has the answer after Scott Phillip White confessed to the 1988 murder

''They are not closed, they are not frozen, we will work on them and anybody out there who committed such offences should be looking over their shoulder.

'Ross Warren (and) John Russell are two cases that come to mind.'

WIN TV newsreader Ross Warren and Bondi barman John Allan Russell are believed to have been thrown off the Bondi-Tamarama clifftops in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs in 1989.

Ross Warren, 25, is believed to have died violently at the hands of one of the gangs operating in the area.

One gang was called The Bondi Boys, also known as The Part Time Killers (PTK), with up to 30 members aged 15 to 18 who hung out at night on the Bondi-Tamarama walk near Marks Park.

TV newsreader Ross Warrens car keys were found below the cliff face of Marks Park, South Bondi (above), a gay beat where two hate gangs operated

WIN TV presenter Ross Warren was a rising star who did not flaunt his sexuality and was likely headed for a discreet encounter which ended in his being murdered

The other was loosely known as the Tamarama Gang, with three members aged 16 to 17, who met up at night on the Bondi-Tamarama walk.

Around 2.15am on Sunday, July 22, 1989, Ross Warren was seen driving his Nissan Pulsar off towards Sydneys eastern suburbs.

The handsome newsreader was regarded as a talent at WIN Television and destined for a glittering career.

He didnt flaunt his sexuality, and was likely headed for what he thought would be a discreet encounter, but which would go horribly wrong.

Mr Warren did not return to the friend's house in Sydney where he was staying in mid-1989, nor did he show up at WIN Television studios in Wollongong to go on air.

His body was never found, but his keys were located on the rocks below Marks Park.

On November 23, 1989, 31-year-old John Allan Russells body was discovered at the base of the South Bondi cliff beneath Marks Park.

It is believed he was thrown from the cliff, and rusted iron water pipes possibly used as bars to beat him with were found near his body.

Similar things were going on at the clifftops which flank the harbour, and in city parks which continued as clandestine meeting spots even after homosexuality was decriminalised in New South Wales in 1984.

AC/DC Manager Crispin Dye (above) was brutally bashed near Oxford Street, Sydney, in December 1993 and died in hospital on Christmas Day, aged 41

Martial arts expert Raymond Keam (left), 43, and Cyril Olsen (right), 61, were two more victims of suspected gay bashings in 1987 and 1992 respectively

In 1985, 27-year-old French national Giles Mattaini was living in Bondi.

He was last seen walking along the coastal walking track at Tamarama on September 15 that year by a neighbour; he was not reported missing until 2002.

In January 1987, martial arts expert Raymond Keam was bashed to death at Alison Park, Randwick, and in December 1988, William Allen was bashed to death at Alexandria Park, Alexandria.

Cyril Olsen, 64, was bashed at Rushcutters Bay in the early hours of August 22, 1992 before being pushed into the water and drowned.

In the inner-western suburb of Alexandria, a gang of up to 15 members aged between 15 and 18 years old was operating.

Known as the Alexandria Gang or Alexandria Eight, they met at their local park at night, as was the case in 1990 when a man called Richard Johnson was lured there to the toilet block by a man posing via a telephone call as person wanting to meet up for a tryst.

As Johnson parked his car and walked over to the toilet block in search of his mystery hook-up, the group of teenage boys ran towards him and knocked him to the ground with one blow.

The boys took turns punching and kicking his head and body, until he died where he lay.

Steve Johnson, who has travelled from California to Australia over the last three decades trying to prove his brother Scott's 1988 death was murder, has finally been vindicated

Strike Force Welsford investigator Detective Chief Inspector Peter Yeomans led the investigation into Scott Johnson's murder which culminated in this week's conviction of killer Scott Phillip White

AC/DC's former manager Crispin Dye was bashed to death after drinking with friends on a night out in Darlinghurst and Surry Hills on December 23, 1993.

Witnesses reported seeing three young men standing over Mr Dye's unconscious body after he was brutally bashed before they fled the scene with his wallet.

Most of the murders became cold cases, although one, of Thai student Kritchikorn Rattanajaturathaporn, was solved.

In July, 1990, Mr Rattanajaturathaporns bloodied and battered body was found wedged in the rocks at the bottom of the Marks Parks sea cliff at South Bondi.

Police later determined three youths had found him and his companion, Jeffrey Sullivan, sitting on the lookout wall at nearby Mackenzies Point.

The youths threatened the two men, then set upon them, hitting them, kicking them and beating them with a claw hammer and a baton, leaving Mr Sullivan semiconscious.

The youths chased Mr Rattanajurathaporn along the clifftop walkway, where he either fell to his death or was pushed over.

His cause of death was either from drowning or from his injuries, which included extensive lacerations, bruising, skull and spinal fractures and brain damage.

Thai student Kritchikorn Rattanajaturathaporn was pushed off a sea cliff and died from catastrophic injuries or drowning and three youths were convicted of his murder

French national Giles Mattaini (left), 21, and John Russell (right), 31, were both believed to have been killed at Marks Park, a clifftop and popular gay beat between Tamarama and Bondi

Because of Mr Johnson's eye-witnessing the killing, three youths were eventually convicted of murder and each sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Strike Force Parabell was formed and in 2018 it delivered a report of its investigation into 88 gay and lesbian hate crimes, which was tabled in NSW Parliament.

The report revealed chilling details about those carrying out the attacks - who were mainly men, but occasionally included women or teenage girls - who saw isolated and dark gay beats as the perfect place to attack.

The gangs 'would move around from beat to beat' and their motivation to attack might simply have been to obtain money.

'Predatory gangs would go up and assault victims, looking to get $10, $20 or $30 to buy some alcohol and have a good night out,' a former NSW Police detective said.

Other attackers wanted to portray themselves as 'alpha males', some simply 'hated' gays and others had been molested as children, and struggled to differentiate between paedophiles and gay men.

At the time, police often brushed off the deaths of gay men as suicides, the lack of investigation more recently described by former NSW Police Minister David Elliott as 'offensive'.

'It was offensive because of the motive behind the crime,' Mr Elliott said.

Former NSW Police Minister David Elliot said the historic failure to investigate gay murders was 'offensive' but that the state's detectives 'don't do that anymore'

Former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the force had let down the gay community in the past but police were now determined to solve cold case gay hate murders

'It was offensive because it was at a time when people were slightly dismissive of hate crimes, and were too easy to try to make excuses or to move on.

'Well, we don't do that anymore.'

Former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said in 2020 the police force was now determined to right these wrongs.

'I think in any age of policing police made mistakes, but indeed there are good police throughout New South Wales' history who solved difficult crimes,' Mr Fuller said.

'I do think the plight of young gay men particularly in Sydney, but also all around the world, was a difficult one.

'Not only were they let down by police but they were let down by the community.

'Can I just impress on the community - particularly those victim's families out there - whenever we get fresh information, we will commence an investigation into their death.

'Lots of victims families are often not looking to blame anyone, they are just looking for answers.

'I think it's reasonable that we continue to do whatever we can to solve those crimes.'
Pictured: John Talo

A father-of-ten has tragically died after a gruelling battle with Covid-19 and pneumonia.

John Talo tested positive to coronavirus in November, but his condition became life-threatening about a month later when his inflamed lungs filled with fluid - which quickly became infected.

His wife Ellen, daughter, nine sons, two grandchildren, brothers and sisters were forced to pray for a recovery from home due to strict limits on visitors in Melbourne hospitals during the pandemic, as his condition continued to deteriorate.

Early on Sunday morning, health authorities finally allowed his entire family to be by his bedside to say goodbye.

John Talo's nine sons and daughter are pictured. He and his wife Ellen lived in a three-bedroom home

Pictured: John Talo and his wife Ellen. Mrs Talo is now a single mum-of-ten children, with two grandkids

'At 3am, my dearest father took his last breath,' his daughter wrote on Facebook.

'Im just at a loss for words. My number one supporter. My rock. My endless love.

'Spoiled me even when I was a brat to you. Ill love and adore you forever dad. See you when God calls me home. Love from ur little princess always.'

Mr Talo's cousin Theresa Cowan said he and his wife were in the middle of renovating their three-bedroom home to make space for all 12 of their children and grandchildren when tragedy struck.

Mr Talo's cousin made a Go Fund Me campaign to help raise money for the family (pictured)

She created a created a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for funeral costs and expenses, now that Mrs Talo is a single mum.

'This family is the first to be there to help, love and support anyone going through a hard time and will give whatever they have to help others,' Ms Cowan wrote.

'If anyone can lend a hand or a few spare dollars to this incredible family after this devastating massive loss that would be amazing and take away just a small part of their stress.'

Any leftover funds will go towards finishing the renovations.

Friends and family flocked to social media to express their condolences. Mr Talo (pictured with Ellen) was born in New Zealand

Loved ones in Australia and New Zealand, where Mr Talo was born, flocked to social media to express their condolences.

'John is a man that I look up to and strive to be like. Humble and honest man,' one user wrote.

Another said: 'No way I cant believe this lost for words.'

Victoria recorded 34,836 cases and 18 deaths overnight on Friday.

Hospitalisations have increased to 976 - up from 953 - while ICU figures have risen to 112 - up from 111.
A half-dozen protesters led by a pastor stood outside an Illinois elementary school Thursday as it held its first 'after-school Satan club' meeting, with the district saying the club is allowed to meet because they can't discriminate against 'different viewpoints.'

Fliers for the club appeared this week at Jane Addams Elementary School in Moline, a small city along the Mississippi River.

They read: 'Hey Kids, lets have fun at our After School Satan Club! Science Projects! Puzzles & Games! Arts and Craft Projects! Nature Activities!'

The fliers also noted that five dates were already scheduled, with the first meeting held Thursday afternoon from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.

A copy was posted online by a parent and quickly spread across social media, angering some.

The district says that a parent reached out to the 'national after-school Satan club' to have them bring the program to the school, and that the club is not connected to any teacher or school employee.'

At the protest on Thursday, one man stood outside with a large wooden cross reading, 'Stop and Talk.' Others held signs that said 'God Knows Your Heart. You Need Jesus' and 'You Are Not An Atheist. You Need Jesus.'

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A small group led by a pastor protested outside Jane Addams Elementary School in Moline, Illinois on Thursday as the school hosted the first meeting of an 'after-school Satan club'

At the protest on Thursday, one man stood outside with a large wooden cross reading, 'Stop and Talk.' Others held signs that said 'God Knows Your Heart. You Need Jesus' and 'You Are Not An Atheist. You Need Jesus.'

Fliers for the Satan club started appearing this week and were posted online by a parent on Monday. The club already scheduled five meeting dates, starting Thursday

'To illegally deny their organization (viewpoint) to pay to rent our publicly funded institution, after school hours, subjects the district to a discrimination lawsuit, which we will not win, likely taking thousands upon thousands of tax-payer dollars away from our teachers, staff, and classrooms,' said Moline-Coal Valley Schools Superintendent Rachel Savage in a message posted to the district's website Wednesday.

On Thursday, Moline police had a cruiser and a community service officer on the scene when school got out, according to OurQuadCities.com.

The pastor leading the small protest said he and his group plan to protest as long as the club continues to meet.

The Satan club's flier says it promotes 'benevolence and empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression and personal sovereignty.'

In a FAQ section on its website, the Satanic Temple says it does not 'believe in the existence of Satan or the supernatural.'

'The Satanic Temple believes that religion can, and should, be divorced from superstition. As such, we do not promote a belief in a personal Satan. To embrace the name Satan is to embrace rational inquiry removed from supernaturalism and archaic tradition-based superstitions.'

The Satanic Temple is the national parent organization for the club. It says it doesn't believe in Satan and only promotes 'intellectual and emotional development'

The club's flier says it promotes 'benevolence and empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression and personal sovereignty.' Above, a tweet from the Satanic Temple

The district says a parent reached out to the Satanic Temple to host the club, and that the district can't discriminate against anyone willing to pay to rent space for after-school meetings. Jane Addams Elementary also hosts a child evangelism fellowship club

That hasn't stopped parents and others on social media from fuming about the club hosting meetings at the school.

Parent Necia Cole posted a photo of the flier on Facebook on Monday, according to KTVI.

One person responded: 'Wait what????? How is this even a thing? Who approved this? I just know theyre about to catch hell because I would be going tf off.'

Cole replied: 'I will add that the flyer was only allowed due to the rules and regulations that the school has to allow it. My kids attend a pretty good school. I may also add that no teacher physically passed out the flyers.'

Superintendent Rachel Savage addressed the controversy on Wednesday, citing 'many mounting concerns and questions.'

She stressed that the club meeting doesn't impact the school day and does not involve any district teacher.

'A parent from within our district reached out to the national after-school satan club, informing them that Jane Addams Elementary School, in Moline, offers a child evangelism fellowship club and asked that they bring their program to that school as well, to offer parents a choice of different viewpoints,' Savage wrote.

The Board of Education allows the community to use and rent the district's facilities, she added.

'Since we have allowed religious entities to rent our facilities after school hours, we are not permitted to discriminate against different religious viewpoints,' Savage said.

She emphasized that only 30 fliers were sent to the school and that they were not distributed to students, but simply placed on a table in the lobby where they could pick one up.
As Omicron variant-fueled Covid surge appears to near its peak in many Eastern states, the virus has begun to head West, striking elsewhere in the country

The masks are a result of the House physician recently directing lawmakers to explicitly wear an N95 or KN95 mask and not a cloth one

The picture, which was first obtained by Fox News, shows one of the distributed masks, which are now required to be worn to enter the House floor

Republican Representative Andy Biggs pointed out the fact that the masks come from the exact country where the virus began back in 2020

KN95 masks distributed to members of the House to wear on chamber floor are brandished with 'Made in China' on the side them, according to a recent photo

The KN95 masks distributed to members of the House of Representatives to wear on the chamber floor are branded 'Made in China,' a recent photo shows, the same country where the coronavirus originated.

The picture, which was first obtained by Fox News, shows one of the distributed masks that are now required to be worn in order to enter the House floor.

The mandate is a result of the House physician, who recently directed lawmakers to explicitly wear an N95 or KN95 mask and not a cloth one.

Representative Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, pointed out the cruel irony, telling Fox it was fitting 'for the Democrats to be handing out masks that were made in the same place the virus originated.'

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Members of the House of Representatives now have to wear KN95 masks on the chamber floor were brandished with 'Made in China' on the side them, according to a recent photo first obtained by Fox News

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) speaks on the House floor back in October, before KN95 masks were made a requirement to access it

While China has tried to insist the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have begun to contemplate the possibility it escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread.

An explosive study in May 2020 claimed that Chinese scientists created COVID-19 in a Wuhan lab, then tried to cover their tracks by reverse-engineering versions of the virus to make it look like it evolved naturally from bats.

The paper's authors, British professor Angus Dalgleish and Norwegian scientist Dr. Birger Srensen, wrote that they have had 'prima facie evidence of retro-engineering in China' for a year - but were ignored by academics and major journals.

Ohio Representative Brad Wenstrup, the House GOP Doctors Caucus chairman, told Fox News Channel on Thursday that the United States' 'insecure supply chain presents a much greater risk to our overall national health.'

An explosive study on the origins of COVID-19 pandemic claims researchers found 'unique fingerprints' pointing to theories that it escaped from the Wuhan Institute, pictured, in China

While China has tried to insist the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have begun to contemplate the possibility it escaped from the WIV - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread

'The fact that the masks we are mandated to wear in the U.S. Congress are made in China is just one example of our inabilities to protect and treat Americans without relying on adversaries' Wenstrup said.

'These Chinese masks further highlight our need to divest away from the (Chinese Communist Party). Our national security and our health depend on it.'

'As usual, Speaker Pelosi fails to recognize the senseless optics of her own decision-making,' Representative Greg Murphy, R- North Carolina, said Thursday.

'We are fighting a virus that came from China, yet the Speaker is comfortable with publicly supporting a Chinese manufacturer, sending our taxpayer dollars overseas and further advertising our dependency on China  on the faces of Congress.'

'Either Pelosi's office neglected to realize the cruel irony of supporting "Made in China" or they dont care.'

Pictured: One of the distributed masks, the same masks that are now required to be worn to enter the House floor, left, and President Biden placing a KN95 over his face, right

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives for a meeting with President Joe Biden on the administration's response to the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country Thursday

As the Omicron surge appears to near its peak in many Eastern states, the variant has begun to head West, striking elsewhere in the country.

Oregon, Utah and Alaska now lead the nation in growth of Covid cases over the past two weeks, ending a long period when states along the East Coast - such as New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Vermont - were hot spots of the surge.

Cases are also increasing in all 50 states, and have more than doubled over the past two weeks in 43 states. The nationwide daily case average reached a record 786,416 on Thursday and 1,822 deaths - the highest total since October.

Oregon leads the way, recording a 486 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks, up to 181 of every 100,000 residents now testing positive for the virus daily

In Utah, cases are up 468 percent over the last 14 days, with 279 of every 100,000 residents of the Beehive State recording infections daily.

At the moment, Alaska is following the trend of states on the West Coast, with cases up 443 percent over the past two weeks - with 197 of every 100,000 residents being infected daily.
New modelling has revealed NSW hospitals are coping better than expected with treating Covid-19 patients.

Just 184 patients are currently being treated for Covid-19 in the state's intensive care wards - well below the capacity of 1,000.

The modelling, released by NSW Health on Friday, shows that number is drastically less than other scenarios that were predicted by experts.

The figures were drawn up based on the spread of the virus in New York and London and forecast ICU admissions to be more than 200 in the first scenario and more than 500 in the second.

It comes despite case numbers continuing to rise throughout the state with 63,018 new infections and 2,525 hospitalisations reported on Friday.

Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant revealed health authorities would slowly be phasing out the term 'close contact' and shifting their focus to vulnerable residents.

The health department has released a detailed list of critical workers who bosses can deem exempt from isolating even if they are household close contacts of a positive Covid case.

NSW Health released on Friday a list of workers that would be able to return to the worksite if they showed no symptoms and their boss determined they are 'critical' to the workplace

The changes come as chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant revealed plans to eventually phase out the term 'close contact' and shift the sole focus to high risk residents

New modelling has also revealed hospitals are coping better than expected with the surge of Covid-19 patients

Workers who show no symptoms and are employers believe are 'critical' will not have to go into quarantine under a raft of new rules agreed to by national cabinet this week.

In NSW, nurses, correctional officers, retail staff, electricity, gas and liquid fuel services workers, water suppliers, sewerage, sanitation and drainage workers will each be allowed to return to work.

So will workers in information and telecommunications, social assistance and welfare services, funeral, crematorium and cemetery services, seaport operations, air and sea freight and logistics - as the country faces a worker crisis amid a widespread Covid outbreak.

The changes come as Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant revealed plans to eventually phase out the term 'close contact' and shift the sole focus to high risk residents.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, premier Dominic Perrottet revealed 'close contacts' would no longer refer to residents who had visited the same sites as a positive case.

'A close contact definition is legally someone who is a household contact of a COVID positive case,' he said.

'I think it is incredibly important that we realise that simply because you may get a notification through your Service NSW app you might have been at the grocery store or you might have been at a restaurant. That does not constitute a close contact.'

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, premier Dominic Perrottet revealed 'close contacts' would no longer refer to residents who had visited the same sites as a positive case

A graphical depiction of actual hospitalisation rates compared to projected figures based on several different scenarios

Australia's medical chief says COVID-19 may have already peaked in NSW after the state notched a record daily high in new cases with the addition of rapid antigen test results

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly says coronavirus case numbers in the state are close to peaking

Critical workers isolation changes NSW workers who show no symptoms and are employers believe are 'critical' will not have to go into quarantine under a raft of new rules agreed to by national cabinet this week. Below is a list of industries where workers are eligible for the isolation exemption: - Utilities which include electricity services, operation of energy systems, gas services, liquid fuels, water supply, sewerage, sanitation and drainage services and waste and resource recovery services (including collection, treatment and disposal services) - Information and telecommunications - Social assistance and welfare services - Funeral, crematorium and cemetery services - Seaport operations - Air and sea freight and logistics - The operation of correctional centres and community corrections - A person employed by Resilience NSW, a member of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW, or New South Wales Volunteer Rescue Association Inc. The list adds to the below industries that were already exempt: - Agriculture (biosecurity and food safety personnel undertaking critical duties) - Manufacturing (production and manufacturing of food, beverages, groceries, cleaning and sanitary products) - Transport, postal and warehousing (road and rail freight, logistics, delivery and grocery fulfilment) - Emergency services workers and healthcare workers who are necessary for the delivery of critical services and who cannot work from home Source: NSW Health Advertisement

Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said health authorities were moving away from the term 'close contact' to focus on high risk groups.

'Everyone probably can understand that household contacts are the group that's most at risk if you have got an infectious case in that setting,' she said.

NSW recorded a dip in Covid-19 cases with 63,018 new infections and a record 29 deaths.

The new figures announced in NSW on Friday mark a significant drop from the 92,264 reported on Thursday. The 29 deaths also marks a new pandemic record.

Hospitalisation rates have increased to 2,525 - up from 2,383 - with ICU jumping to 184 - up from 182.

Australia's medical chief says Covid-19 may have already peaked in NSW after the state notched a record daily high in new cases with the addition of rapid antigen test results.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly says coronavirus case numbers in the state are close to peaking.

'New South Wales is a bit ahead of the other states and that's not surprising, they started earlier, but they are close to peaking if not already,' he said.

Prof Kelly said other places around the world have seen huge surges in cases from the Omicron variant, before reaching their peak and starting to come down in a short period of time

'The other states are a little bit further behind that but I think end of January, early February is probably where we will see a change.'

Prof Kelly said other places around the world have seen huge surges in cases from the Omicron variant, before reaching their peak and starting to come down in a short period of time.

The state reported 22 deaths and 91,928 new cases on Thursday, including 61,387 positive rapid antigen tests taken since January 1 that were only able to be reported to authorities from Wednesday.

NSW Health cautioned some of those cases were the same positive cases reported numerous times from multiple rapid antigen tests and PCR tests.

Prior to the ability to register positive rapid antigen tests with the government, the department had warned it was not getting an accurate picture of the virus' presence and spread in the community from PCR tests alone.

Customer Service and Digital Minister Victor Dominello said on Thursday the rapid antigen test reporting capabilities added to the ServiceNSW app and website coped well with the demand, as more than 82,000 people reported positive tests in the first 24 hours they were allowed to.

The government has threatened $1000 fines it concedes will be difficult to enforce if people don't report positive results from a rapid antigen test from January 19, a week after the capabilities first went live.

While PCR queues have receded from the long lines seen at the end of 2021, attention has now turned to an often fruitless search for rapid antigen tests.

A large queue formed near a convenience store in the inner-Sydney suburb of Redfern on Thursday afternoon as word spread it had tests for sale, days after selling out the entirety of an earlier shipment in less than half an hour.

Store owner Hazem Sedda told Nine News he 'couldn't believe' how popular the tests had proven 'but everyone wants them'.

The number of people in hospital continues to rise, with 2383 people admitted and 182 in intensive care on Thursday.
Boris Johnsons ambitious chancellor Rishi Sunak was branded a prancing pony over his late tweet of support for the embattled PM.

Senior Conservatives warned Mr Sunak that he risks damaging his leadership challenge hopes by withholding support from his boss over Partygate.

The Chancellor avoided Wednesdays bruising PMQs, at which Mr Johnson admitted he attended a BYOB garden party at Downing Street during the first national Covid lockdown, by visiting Devon more than 200 miles away.

Eight hours after the stormy exchanges in the Commons, Mr Sunak then gave the PM tepid support  merely saying that Mr Johnson was right to apologise.

One minister raged: Hes a prancing pony  its completely unacceptable. He, and everyone in the Cabinet, should be rowing in fully behind the Prime Minister. Its pretty overt.

Another accused Mr Sunak of going missing whenever trouble came. A Downing Street source said his absence in the Prime Ministers hour of need speaks for itself. But the Treasury flatly denied reports that Mr Sunak had considered resigning in protest at the handling of the issue of lockdown parties at No10  and insisted Mr Johnson had his full support.

Allies of the Chancellor dismissed claims that his support for the Prime Minister had been only lukewarm  with one saying he had used the wording suggested by No10.

Mr Sunaks message, sent out eight hours after PMQs, explained that he had been out all day, adding simply: The PM was right to apologise and I support his request for patience while Sue Gray [senior civil servant] carries out her enquiry.

Boris Johnsons ambitious chancellor Rishi Sunak was branded a prancing pony over his late tweet of support for the embattled PM

Senior Conservatives warned Mr Sunak that he risks damaging his leadership challenge hopes by withholding support from his boss over Partygate

The Conservative cabals whove all got axes to grind LOCKDOWN SCEPTICS William Wragg, Mark Harper, Steve Baker, Esther McVey, Philip Davies Opponents of coronavirus restrictions have become increasingly vocal  and, crucially, organised  as the pandemic drags on. Last month, 101 Tory MPs joined a rebellion over Covid passports. Many are veterans of the Tory Brexit wars and are drawn from the Spartans  the gang of hardline Eurosceptics, who after much plotting eventually managed to bring down Theresa May. Mr Wragg was first to go over the top and publicly declare that Boris Johnsons position was untenable. The vice-chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee on Wednesday said the PMs actions had been deeply damaging to the perception of the party. BITTER MAY-ITES Sir Roger Gale, Lord Barwell, Jeremy Hunt, Damian Green, Stephen Hammond Largely Remainers, this group have never forgiven Mr Johnson for Brexit and his role in toppling Mrs May. They disapprove of his politics and how he conducts his personal life. Sir Roger last month became the first Tory MP to publicly confirm they had submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson. On Wednesday he said the Prime Minister was politically now a dead man walking. THE 2019 NEWBIES Christian Wakeford, Neil Hudson, Mark Jenkinson, Chris Loder, Dehenna Davison These relative newbies have quickly found their voices and been unafraid of making their forthright views known. The whips attempts to keep them under control were set back by most of their initial months being spent away from Westminster locked down at home. Several have precariously thin majorities so are particularly sensitive to the polls. The generational divide between them and older Conservative backbenchers was most clearly on display during the Owen Paterson row, when they did not hold back in their criticism of colleagues defending the ex-minister as he attempted to escape suspension for breaking lobbying rules. Mr Wakeford said this week that the situation was embarrassing and demanded: How do you defend the indefensible? You cant! SNIPERS FROM SCOTLAND Douglas Ross, Baroness Davidson, David Mundell Some of the most strident criticism has come from senior Conservative figures north of the border, where the PM has consistently been seen as a problem for the party. Mr Ross, who is both an MP and a member of the Scottish Parliament, was the only Government minister to resign over Dominic Cummings lockdown-busting trip to Barnard Castle. Now leader of the Scottish Tory party, he has called for the PM to resign for attending the boozy party in the No10 garden on May 20, 2020. In a characteristically forthright tweet, his predecessor as leader, Baroness Davidson, this week asked of Mr Johnson and his No10 team: What tf (the f***) were any of these people thinking? THE GRIEVANCE-BEARERS Caroline Nokes, Tobias Ellwood, Johnny Mercer, Nusrat Ghani, Jackie Doyle-Price This group are not reluctant about taking to the airwaves to share their opinions. As select committee chairmen, Mrs Nokes and Mr Ellwood have sparred with the PM during his appearances before the liaison committee. They insist it is not about revenge after they were removed when he entered No10. On Wednesday, Mrs Nokes said she recognised Mr Johnson did a fantastic job at the 2019 election, but added: Now regretfully, he looks like a liability. THE MEN IN GREY SUITS Sir Graham Brady, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Sir John Redwood The men in grey suits see themselves as the conscience of the Conservative party and believe it is their duty to point out to the Prime Minister when he is getting things wrong. This is often done discreetly behind closed doors, but in recent months these long-serving MPs have publicly raised concerns about the direction on coronavirus and tax policy. As chairman of the 1922 Committee, it is Sir Grahams job to collect the letters of no confidence submitted by backbenchers, although he has always been tight-lipped about the number he has received. Advertisement

One former minister said Mr Sunak had displayed naivety by publicly distancing himself from a PM in trouble.

If you are in government and the PM is in difficulty then you stand by him and offer your support, you dont disappear to the end of the country, the MP said.

It displays not just a lack of loyalty but also a lack of experience. Colleagues are not impressed  it has damaged him.

Another senior backbencher questioned whether Mr Sunak had served his best interests by staying away so blatantly.

It makes you wonder whether he wishes the crown a bit too soon and a bit too eagerly, the source told the Mail. Its silly of him to do it.

A Cabinet source said the Chancellor was in danger of overplaying his hand, adding he and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss  who put out a supportive tweet about the PM, though did so later than the Chancellor  had jumped the gun in manoeuvring for the leadership.

Rishi made a mistake in staying away yesterday, the source added. It is not the first time hes gone missing when theres trouble. Liz is as bad  both of them are masters of the disappearing act. People do notice.

Priti Patel yesterday appeared to distance herself from Mr Sunak when she spoke out in support of Mr Johnson. Asked if, like the Chancellor, she was reserving judgment on the PMs conduct until after the publication of Miss Grays report, the Home Secretary replied: No! On the contrary.

A Whitehall source said Mr Sunaks message about the controversy simply reflected the wording suggested to ministers by No 10 aide Henry Newman.

The source said: If I were Rishi Id be feeling a bit aggrieved at these claims of disloyalty. His tweet followed almost word for word the suggested phrasing from Henry Newman which was sent round to ministers at about 3pm on Wednesday. It was weak, and a lot of ministers did their own version, but it is what No 10 said they wanted.

An ally of the Chancellor also stressed that the wording of Mr Sunaks message was almost identical to that of fellow Cabinet ministers Steve Barclay and Alok Sharma, and similar to that of loyalist Nadine Dorries.

Practically every Cabinet ministers tweet was the same, the source said. Some may have put a bit of fluff around it, but Rishi is not a fluffy guy.

The ally said Mr Sunaks message of support was late partly because the Chancellor had been locked in an evening meeting with the PM.

Mr Sunak yesterday despatched his deputy Simon Clarke to the airwaves to defend his position in public. The Treasury chief secretary said the Chancellor had been absolutely clear about his support for the PM.

Former Treasury minister David Gauke said potential leadership candidates had to tread carefully. He told Sky News: If you are serving in the Cabinet then to be seen as openly conspiring is damaging to your prospects.

It comes as Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen became the fifth Tory MP to call for embattled Mr Johnson to quit over Partygate.

The MP for North West Leicestershire, who backed the PM to be party leader in June 2019, has submitted a letter of no-confidence in Mr Johnson and urged him to leave office within the next three months.

Blasting the moral vacuum at the heart of Government, Mr Bridgen joins Douglas Ross, Sir Roger Gale, William Wragg and Caroline Nokes in calling for Mr Johnson to resign over his handling of the lockdown party scandal.

It is understood that up to 30 letters of no-confidence have been submitted to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee of Tory MPs. If more than 15 per cent of the partys MPs submit letter, there has to be a vote on the leadership.

Writing in the Telegraph, Mr Bridgen thundered: Sadly, the Prime Minister's position has become untenable.

Leadership is not just about the job title, or even making big decisions  it is equally about having a moral compass, of knowing not just right from left but right from wrong.

Mr Bridgen, 57, added: As more and more revelations have been published, and I fear more are yet to come out, it is clear that not only were rules broken in Downing Street but that the initial response was to stretch the truth about them being broken too.

Claims by the Prime Minister that he did not know that he was attending a party seem at best misguided and at worst cynical. So today I'm calling on the Prime Minister to stand down  there is time yet to do the right thing.

It comes as an inquiry into alleged lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street and Whitehall is expected to rule that there is no evidence of criminality, according to reports.

Sue Gray, the senior civil servant tasked with overseeing the probe, has not found sufficient evidence of criminality to refer matters to the Metropolitan Police but could censure Mr Johnson for a lack of judgement, The Times said.

Scotland Yard said yesterday that it would not investigate alleged breaches of Covid restrictions in Downing Street unless Ms Gray found evidence of criminal behaviour.

The civil servant is also expected to avoid making a conclusion over whether the PM breached the ministerial code by attending a BYOB No10 garden party on May 20, 2020 during the first national lockdown because it does not lie within her remit, the paper added. Only Mr Johnson has the power to order such an investigation.

However, Ms Gray is considering censuring the Tory leader for his lack of judgement in attending the drinks party and is likely to recommend disciplinary action against officials and special advisers involved in the events.

Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen has become the fifth Tory MP to call for embattled Boris Johnson to quit over Partygate

The MP for North West Leicestershire has submitted a letter of no-confidence in Mr Johnson (left) and urged him to leave office within the next three months. It comes as Sue Gray's inquiry into alleged lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street and Whitehall is expected to rule that there is no evidence of criminality, according to reports (right, Sue Gray)

Downing Street staff held a 'lockdown-breaking party' on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral and 'drank into the early hours' before The Queen sat alone to lay her husband of 70 years to rest Downing Street staff allegedly boozed excessively at two leaving parties the night before the Queen was forced to grieve alone at the Duke of Edinburghs Covid-secure funeral last year, it has emerged tonight. Government advisers and civil servants drank large amounts of alcohol and danced in No10s basement and gardens after work on Friday, April 16, 2021 to mark the departure of Boris Johnsons press chief James Slack and one of the Prime Ministers personal photographers, according to The Telegraph. Eyewitnesses claimed that around 30 people attended the two gatherings, which were held in different parts of the Downing Street complex before combining in the garden. It is alleged that one of the groups moved outside at around midnight because of a fear that too much wine was spilling on the basement carpet as they danced. The paper reported that a No10 figure even had a go on a childs swing belonging to Mr Johnsons son Wilf  and broke it. That Friday, Britain was in a period of public mourning over the death of Prince Philip, the nations longest-serving consort and the Queens husband of more than 70 years. With the country in Step 2 of a strict lockdown roadmap which barred indoor mixing, mourners were told not to leave flowers and a book of condolence was set up online to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid from physical signings. That Saturday, Her Majesty was forced to sit alone in St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle while wearing a black face covering while bidding farewell to the duke. Just 30 mourners were allowed to attend, and all had to keep two metres apart. Covid restrictions in place in England at the time clearly stated: You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble. You can meet outdoors, including in gardens, in groups of six people or two households. A No10 spokesman insisted that Mr Johnson was not in Downing Street that day, having left for the Chequers country estate on Thursday evening and staying there through to Saturday. Any defence will likely rely on the claim that the gatherings were for work rather than socialising. Advertisement

During a bruising PMQs this week, Mr Johnson admitted he spent 25 minutes at the party but insisted he thought it was a work event.

Though the PMs cabinet allies rallied around him, it has failed to quell mounting anger on Conservative benches.

Earlier on Thursday, the PM dramatically cancelled a planned visit to a vaccination centre in Lancashire, where he would have faced questions from the media about his actions, because a family member tested positive for Covid.

The situation will keep him out of the public eye, with Downing Street saying he would follow advice to limit contacts up to and including Tuesday of next week despite not having to self-isolate because he is vaccinated.

Ms Gray is examining a series of parties and gatherings held in No10 and Whitehall in 2020 while Covid restrictions were in force.

Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs: The Prime Minister came here yesterday and apologised. He said that, with hindsight, it was not what should have happened or what he would have wanted to happen.

It is being investigated by Sue Gray, a civil servant of the highest integrity and of the greatest reputation.

But I think everybody understands, on all sides of the House, that people were obeying the rules, and that these rules were very hard for people to obey.

He suggested the wider inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic should examine whether all those regulations were proportionate, or whether it was too hard on people, with people not being able to visit loved ones or attend funerals.

No10 said the Government had sought to find the right balance in the regulations but there is no cost-free option.

Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis also urged people to wait for the outcome of the Gray inquiry before making judgments on the Prime Ministers future, adding that Mr Johnson believed he was within the rules.

The Prime Minister has outlined that he doesn't believe that he has done anything outside the rules. If you look at what the investigation finds, people will be able to take their own view of that at the time, the Northern Ireland Secretary said.

Cabinet ministers publicly defended Mr Johnson after his apology on Wednesday, but the late interventions of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Chancellor Rishi Sunak  both tipped as potential successors  did little to instil confidence in his future.

While Mr Johnson endured a difficult session of Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Sunak had notably spent the day away from London on a visit in Devon.

The PMs official spokesman insisted the Cabinet fully supported Mr Johnson.

Asked about the delay in Ms Truss and Mr Sunak showing their support, the spokesman said: What the Prime Minister wants and expects is the Cabinet to be focused on delivering on the public's priorities.

Asked if he believed he had the full support of his Cabinet, the spokesman said: Yes.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries later suggested the Chancellor may have been delayed coming to the Prime Minister's defence because of poor connectivity during his trip.

She told Channel 4 News: We know he doesn't have great signal down there.

But Mr Johnson faced open revolt from one wing of his party, as Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross urged him to quit, with almost all Tory MSPs supporting the call. Mr Ross was dismissed as a lightweight figure by Mr Rees-Mogg following his intervention.

Pictured, an image of an alleged lockdown-busting party in No10 on May 15, 2020

Mr Rees-Mogg said Mr Ross held office in the Conservative Party so supporting the leader was the honourable and proper thing to do.

In Westminster, three other Tory MPs have publicly said Mr Johnson should go  Sir Roger Gale, former minister Caroline Nokes and chairman of the Public Affairs and Constitutional Affairs Committee William Wragg.

In the Commons on Wednesday the Prime Minister said he recognised with hindsight I should have sent everyone back inside instead of spending 25 minutes in the No 10 garden thanking staff for their work on May 20, 2020.

Downing Street insisted he had not been sent an email from his principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds, encouraging colleagues to go to the garden for socially distanced drinks to make the most of this lovely weather  and urging them to bring your own booze.

Labours deputy leader Angela Rayner suggested Ms Gray's inquiry could leave Mr Johnson acting as judge and jury over his own conduct.

She said that any matters relating to ministers uncovered in the investigation would be dealt with under the ministerial code  of which the Prime Minister is ultimately in charge.

A YouGov poll for the Times has laid bare the scale of the damage being suffered by the government, showing the Tories slumping five points to just 28 per cent in less than a week

So is the Prime Minister going to act as the judge and jury even though he's also the man in the dock? Or will his Conservative colleagues find their integrity and finally act as executioners to his premiership?, she asked.

Ms Rayner has written to every Cabinet minister asking them to come clean about any gatherings they attended during lockdown.

The Metropolitan Police indicated any investigation by them would depend on evidence unearthed in the Gray inquiry.

The prospect of a police investigation had led to the possibility that the inquiry could be paused, but a Scotland Yard statement said: The Met has ongoing contact with the Cabinet Office in relation to this inquiry.

If the inquiry identifies evidence of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence it will be passed to the Met for further consideration.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey tweeted: I'm stunned that (Met Commissioner Dame) Cressida Dick agrees with Boris Johnson that it really is one rule for him and another rule for everyone else. This country deserves so much better than an establishment stitch up.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson suffered another blow as deputy chief medical officer Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam  one of the Government's most effective communicators during the pandemic  announced his departure.

He will leave at the end of March to take up a new role as the pro-vice chancellor for the faculty of medicine and health sciences at University of Nottingham.

On your way to No10, Rishi? Chancellor Sunak breaks cover after lukewarm backing for Boris Johnson over partygate as bookmakers make him favourite to succeed him as prime minister Rishi Sunak broke cover in Downing Street today, hours after giving his boss Boris Johnson only lukewarm support in the wake of his partygate humiliation. Rishi Sunak broke cover in Downing Street today, hours after giving his boss Boris Johnson only lukewarm support in the wake of his partygate humiliation. The Chancellor was more than 200 miles rom Westminster as the Prime Minister apologised for attending a drinks event in his back garden while they were banned in May 2020. And while other ministers went public with their support for the PM after his 3pm Commons appearance, the bookies favourite to succeed him left it until after 8pm to offer any sort of endorsement. More than 20 ministers including Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Communities Secretary Michael Gove were despatched to the airwaves and social media to publicly support the PM after his statement to the Commons failed to quell anger among Tory backbenchers. But the Chancellor spent the day in Ilfracombe, north Devon, before taking to Twitter late on Wednesday to say that Mr Johnson was 'right to apologise' over the lockdown party scandal and call for 'patience' while Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray conducted an inquiry into the affair. Mr Johnson told the Commons he thought the bring-your-own-booze party in the No 10 garden in May 2020 was a 'work event'. Mr Sunak's comments were in contrast to those posted by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, another minister said to have eyes on the top job, although she took longer than other ministers to row in behind the PM. She wrote: 'The PM is delivering for Britain  from Brexit to the booster programme to economic growth. I stand behind the Prime Minister 100 per cent as he takes our country forward.' One Cabinet minister today told the Times the two were engaged in 'obvious game playing', adding: 'Rishi and Liz have overplayed their hands. They have lost the subtlety plot.' Ladbrokes today cut their odds on Mr Sunak becoming the next PM to 7/4 favourite, with Liz Truss at 4/1. Mr Sunak raised eyebrows yesterday by continuing with an engagement in Devon while Mr Johnson endured a bruising session of Prime Minister's Questions. Miss Truss sat alongside Mr Johnson in the Commons. One senior Conservative said the Chancellor had 'done himself a lot of damage' by trying to distance himself from the row while others pitched in to help. But other MPs stepped up pressure on the PM after he admitted spending 25 minutes at a boozy staff party in the No10 garden on May 20, 2020. Advertisement

DAN WOOTTON: The real lesson of Partygate is not that Boris is a lying hypocrite (we knew that already) but that lockdown laws are an ass and always have been

As Boris Johnson sits lamely on political death row  literally cowering at the scene of the crime, Number 10 Downing Street  virtually everyone is missing the point about what PartyGate tells us.

The public are rightly apoplectic with rage that Boris broke the inhumane and frankly ludicrous rules that he inflicted on all of us with far too much zeal so he could cheer on his very social staff (and wife) while downing Tesco rose wine and gin.

But once again, the political, scientific and media establishment are using that outrage to obscure the reality that the rules were never workable, or even necessary.

The people who made them and voted them through time and again  from Cummings to Hancock to Starmer to Drakeford  have never followed them to the letter.

They werent living in mortal dread of the virus themselves. They were all prepared to take calculated risks to improve the quality of their lives.

They simply wanted all of us mere mortals to be terrified and so it was easier to enact disturbingly dystopian levels of control and deny us the right to make our own decisions.

Lockdown laws are an ass that should be ruled out as an option from the public health playbook forever.

As Boris Johnson sits lamely on political death row  literally cowering at the scene of the crime, Number 10 Downing Street  virtually everyone is missing the point about what PartyGate tells us

They were an unnecessary step too far that Im convinced will lead to far more deaths in totality when this pandemic has finally played out.

Now the worm has turned. The data is damning.

History will show that those who backed shutting schools, discouraged cancer patients from attending hospital and allowed helpless souls like little Arthur Labinjo-Hughes be brutally abused for days on end - locked in a house without the usual protection of teachers and extended family - have blood on their hands.

Its only now, with BoJos political life on the line, that the penny is starting to drop for his allies.

His Cabinet pal Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has been valiantly sent into the enemy territory of the BBCs Newsnight and liberal LBC to defend his boss, is starting to ponder, 22 months too late, that maybe the rules were too tough, after all.

He must have known that at the time, given he admits to being lobbied by a friend who was cruelly banned from attending the funeral of his two-year-old granddaughter  the sort of moral outrage that the government brushed off as acceptable collateral damage.

But now, in attempting to keep Boris in his job, he says: We must consider, as this goes to an inquiry and we look into what happened with Covid, whether all those regulations were proportionate or whether it was too hard on people.

Boris Johnson and staff pictured with wine in Downing Street garden in May 2020

There was nothing proportionate or sensible about lockdown.

For a start, everybody forgets that most of Britain had already largely voluntarily locked itself down before Boris turned the key on March 20th 2020. Offices, shops and pubs were already deserted before Boris ORDERED them to close.

And while Covid deaths soared until mid-April the three to four week time-lag between infection and death suggests that the publics voluntarily cooperation had already done enough to make the pandemic manageable.

But folk like me who have been pointing this out for the past two years have been derided as granny killers, accused of wanting the virus to rip through society and take out as many vulnerable people as possible.

Of course, that was never the case.

But there was another way, as the ravers at Number 10 Downing Street prove: Allow the healthy, the young, the immune and the recovered to live a normal life in order to build up herd immunity, while spending the billions we wasted on furlough and test and trace to protect the vulnerable.

The reality is that none of those present were running any huge risk and they knew it. They already worked in close proximity to each other, they were meeting outside where transmission is less likely and by late May the virus was clearly in full retreat in any case

The scandal is not that they had a party but that the rest of us mug punters were not trusted to act equally responsibly in our own lives.

Thats why I supported the Great Barrington Declaration, a strategy of focussed protection authored by three of the worlds top scientists  Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University, Sunetra Gupta of the University of Oxford and Martin Kulldorff of Harvard University.

But in the new world order, scientific debate was muffled. Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the USA Anthony Fauci demanded the Barrington scientists be rebuffed and censored.

That wasnt hard. You see, if you stood against the lockdown orthodoxy, the mainstream media didnt want to know.

Its sad to see that Boris was captured by the establishment.

The public are rightly apoplectic with rage that Boris broke the inhumane and frankly ludicrous rules that he inflicted on all of us with far too much zeal so he could cheer on his very social staff (and wife) while downing Tesco rose wine and gin

But a brave group of Tory backbenchers formed the Covid Recovery Group  led by former chief whip Mark Harper  and their influence slowly built, culminating in the mass rebellion against what I call Plan BS last month.

While the Leader of No Opposition Keir Starmer nodded through the Boris plan to enact mask mandates and work from home orders, it was the uprising from his own MPs that forced Boris to finally stand up to the dangerous doomsday merchants who hed been listening to all along: Christopher Whitty, Patrick Vallance, Jenny Harries, Neil Fergusson, Michael Gove and Sajid Javid (who has depressingly been captured by NHS management and become a Matt Hancock clone).

That will turn out to be one of the most significant moments of the entire pandemic.

Boris, knowing his leadership was on the line, finally refused to enact a lockdown or further restrictions.

The usual suspects predicted imminent doom: Bodies piled up, the NHS overwhelmed, all non-urgent surgery cancelled Youve heard it all before by this point.

But within less than a month its clear none of that is going to happen.

In fact, Englands decision to refuse to lockdown has proved to be a masterstroke.

Dan Wootton

Scotland and Wales enacted more ridiculous restrictions  including shutting nightclubs, banning mass gatherings, stopping fans going to the football and the like  but their rates have ended up worse than England.

According to figures published by Nicola Sturgeons government, the nation had 2,824 cases per million people in the week to January 6, compared to Englands 2,615.

England is also much lower than Wales with 3,481 and Northern Ireland with 3,893.

Let that sink in: Scheming Sturgeon and Mad Dog Drakefords pathetic controls on their citizens resulted in HIGHER Covid case rates.

Across continental Europe, the comparison is even more stark.

The Netherlands went into a lockdown before Christmas and cases are now soaring: A new record was set this week, with over 201,000 people testing positive.

On Tuesday, France hit a record 368,000 cases, even though the Covid hysteric Macron has attempted to shut the unvaccinated out of society, closed nightclubs, mandated facemasks outdoors in Paris, and even banned eating and drinking on trains.

All lockdowns do is delay the inevitable, while causing untold collateral damage.

What a shame Boris didnt listen sooner to his brilliant former Brexit Secretary Lord Frost, who quit in a rare act of political morality throughout this pandemic because he couldnt stomach the PMs continued restrictions for a moment longer.

In a new interview with this weeks brilliant Planet Normal podcast, he has said: I think honestly, people are going to look back at the last couple of years globally and see lockdown as a pretty serious public policy mistake. I would like to see the Government ruling out lockdowns for the future, repealing the legislation, ending them.

We cant afford it [and] it doesnt work. Stop doing Covid theatre  vaccine passports, masks, stuff that doesnt work  and focus on stuff that does work. Stuff like ventilation, antivirals, proper hospital capacity  thats what we need to be focussing on.

Hes right. And its also time we change our language about Covid and a constant obsession with an illness that is minor for most and fast becoming endemic.

Ive had Omicron and people say things like, Im so glad you got through it.What the hell? It was a pussycat  especially compared to the Wuhan strain which I had in March 2020  nothing more than a common cold, irritating for a couple of days, but certainly not something for which I needed a jot of sympathy.

Boris now has the teeniest of windows to try and salvage something from his unfathomable rule break to secure some sort of Covid legacy.

Lord Frost is correct that what will probably be his final chapter as prime minister must be to banish the lockdown laws that even he couldnt follow.

He must turn his back on the authoritarianism that he promoted and that has finally seen him lose the teflon coating that for so long allowed him to remain politically popular despite scandal after scandal that would finish off any other politician in the brutal age of the 24-hour news cycle and social media.

But Boris is reaping what he sowed 22 months ago.

He allowed his advisers to ramp up the terrifying propaganda, turned guidance into laws, threatened healthy folk for simply seeing friends, and empowered the police to arrest and issue ridiculous fines (which should all now be handed back).

Oh, the irony that all of this could come back to haunt former libertarian Boris and see him deposed as PM.

Returning Britain to normal life by the end of the month is the only way he now has any hope of convincing his mutinous backbenchers to offer a stay of execution.

Boris today, however, is hiding behind the worst of the Covid restrictions.

Out of an abundance of unnecessary caution  probably because he wanted to avoid a TV interview  hes self-isolating AGAIN after a family member tested positive.

And if we continue to live in this way the country will never get back on its feet and the economy will continue to splutter along with far too many staff out of work for no good reason.

The lesson we must learn from the tragic fall of Boris Johnson is that lockdowns never worked and they must never be unleashed again.

And that we should all have the right to decide for ourselves how much we are prepared to let Covid, or any other virus, rule our lives.
Senior Conservatives last night accused the BBC of outrageous bias over its coverage of Boris Johnsons apology to MPs for the Downing Street lockdown party.

They were incensed at Wednesdays 10pm television news and yesterdays Today programme on Radio 4, accusing both programmes of allowing an openly anti-Johnson agenda to dominate.

A Whitehall insider called the BBCs coverage of the Prime Ministers statement unbearable, adding: It feels like the BBC isnt going to stop until hes gone. Wednesday nights News at Ten was extraordinary but Today was even worse.

Tories angrily pointed to a series of barbed comments from Today presenter Nick Robinson as examples of bias.

They were infuriated when he sneeringly asked whether Mr Johnsons apology really was an apology.

Mr Robinson, interviewing Cabinet minister Brandon Lewis, said most people thought the Prime Minister was only saying sorry because he had been caught.

And, during the heated exchange, Mr Robinson said the PMs focus had always been on blaming other people for his behaviour.

When he had introduced the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Robinson said Mr Lewis was there to try to defend the PM.

Conservative MP Richard Holden said: When a BBC interviewer interrupts 32 times in ten minutes, with questions up to 30 seconds long, people will rightly ask: is this an interview, or a diatribe of BBC bias, with a Cabinet Minister being invited in as a human pinata?

Tories angrily pointed to a series of barbed comments from Today presenter Nick Robinson (pictured) as examples of bias

A senior Tory backbencher said: It was an overly aggressive interview. Nick Robinson kept interrupting Mr Lewis, asking the same questions. It got more and more aggressive and went on too long.

Tory MP Peter Bone said: This is a clear show of BBC bias but I am afraid the BBC are regularly promoting their own political agenda rather than being an independent broadcaster as theyre supposed to be.

Whether its the Prime Minister or Brexit, they are pushing a particular line.

Conservatives pointed out that while the Cabinet and senior figures had backed Mr Johnson, the BBC had spent much of the day giving a platform to often minor figures calling on him to resign.

They see it as another example of Left-of-centre group-think at the BBC, which Tim Davie, the director general, has vowed to root out in the aftermath of controversies, including one-sided Brexit coverage.

They see it as another example of Left-of-centre group-think at the BBC, which Tim Davie (above), the director general, has vowed to root out in the aftermath of controversies, including one-sided Brexit coverage

The latest row comes as senior BBC executives are locked in talks with Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries (pictured) over the upcoming licence fee settlement

The latest row comes as senior BBC executives are locked in talks with Nadine Dorries over the upcoming licence fee settlement.

The Culture Secretary has already said the Corporation needs to do more to prove it was properly impartial.

On Wednesdays News at Ten, the BBCs political editor Laura Kuenssberg told presenter Huw Edwards there was a real poison spreading among Conservative MPs in the last 24 hours which called into question whether Mr Johnson could recover from it.

She said many of the programmes viewers might have listened to him and felt genuine rage about what had been going on at Downing Street during lockdown. Headlines on the Today programme suggested pressure was growing on Mr Johnson to quit  when only a handful of Tory MPs have called for him to go.

Yesterday, Mr Robinson said: So once again the public are left to look on in bewilderment as the Conservative Party contemplates changing another leader.

There were a series of interviews with former supporters of Mr Johnson in Manchester who said they had now lost faith in his leadership.

But it was the bad-tempered nature of the clash with Mr Lewis that raised most hackles.

Tories believes Mr Robinson used perjorative language on several occasions. At one point the journalist interjected: His focus has always been on blaming other people for his behaviour.

The minister replied: No, if youre going to make a statement like that Im going to challenge you...

Mr Robinson replied: Well I am, because hes already sacked someone for that hasnt he? Boris Johnson tends to allow other people to take the flak and it seems to me that the only facts that might come out in this inquiry is blame being placed on other people, on civil servants.

A BBC spokesman said: There has been a high level of public interest in this story.

'Our coverage has included perspectives from across the political spectrum, including different views from within the Conservative party, and has adhered to editorial guidelines on impartiality throughout.
An Australian mum has slammed Dan Andrews for mandating a third booster shot for certain workers, despite health experts saying it's the best defence against Covid as immunity wanes from the first and second doses.

Booster jabs will be mandated for certain Victorian workers in critical industries from 11:59pm next Wednesday. Those already eligible for a booster jab would be given until February 12 to receive their third COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Dan Andrews has made booster shots mandatory for thousands of workers in critical industries

Workers not currently eligible would have three months and two weeks from the date of their second-dose deadline to get their third dose.

But in a viral - and foul-mouthed video, Julie Lowe made clear she's not happy about the mandate.

'Mr Dan Andrews ... I'm done. A mandatory third jab just so I can go to f***ing work and support my family as a single parent - you've got to be kidding me mate.

'I just got an email from my employer saying that if by the 12th of Feb I am not vaccinated with the third jab I cannot work.'

Lowe said she had already had two doses of the jab, and was frustrated that a third had been mandatory.

'I'm done, f*** you. I'm done with this dictatorship. What the f*** has happened to Australia?' she asked.

Despite her protest, Lowe did however admit she had recently fell ill from the Omicron variant.

A booster shot is considered the best protection against the mutant Omicron strain.

Workers required to get a third jab under Dan Andrews' mandate Those already eligible for a booster jab would be given until February 12 to receive their third COVID-19 vaccine dose. Workers not currently eligible would have three months and two weeks from the date of their second-dose deadline to get a third dose. The following workers are required to get a third dose: Aged care and disability workers; Healthcare workers; Emergency service workers; Correctional facility workers; Hotel quarantine workers; Food distribution workers; and Those in abattoir, meat, poultry and seafood processing Advertisement

Julie Lowe (pictured) issued a scathing message for Dan Andrews in a furious rant posted online

Health experts are urging Australians to receive a vaccine booster as immunity from the first two vaccines declines.

Boosters are recommended because they kick start your antibody levels back up to roughly where they were just after you were fully vaccinated.

'We know that it's not an immediate thing when the vaccine starts to wear off,' explained health minister Greg Hunt.

'It's a time based thing and so we will prioritise the ones that are most at risk.'

Mr Hunt said the booster also reduced virus transmission.

'Protection is very strong against severe illness, but what we'll see is a much stronger protection against transmission,' he said.

He urged Australians to get the jab, saying a rise in intensive care patients in NSW has been made up almost entirely of unvaccinated people with 'not even a first dose let alone a booster'.

Earlier this month, the health department reduced the time Australians needed to wait for booster shots.

Boosters were brought forward to four months after the second dose, down from five months previously. Then from January 31, people can get boosters after three months.

How long do the vaccines last? Pfizer Pfizer CEO Albert Boula confirmed in July that the effectiveness of the vaccine does steadily diminish, but said it reaches about 84 per cent effectiveness at six months. The jab is most effective between one week and two months after the second dose, and drops by an average of 6 per cent every two months. Moderna Meanwhile, studies of the Moderna vaccine show 94 per cent effectiveness six months after the second dose. AstraZeneca Studies on AstraZeneca indicate that a single dose induced immunity for at least one year, with an even stronger immune response after either a late second dose or a third dose. A delay of up to 45 weeks between the first and second jab was found to produce a very strong response, or a third jab after six months. Source: AstraZeneca, Gavi Vaccine Alliance, The Lancet Advertisement

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is calling for vaccine manufacturers to future proof Covid jabs instead of focusing on rolling out regular boosters.

The agency's Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) released a report this week saying that planning to regularly roll out Covid boosters is not sustainable.

It places the WHO are direct opposition to Pfizer, whose CEO Albert Bourla said earlier this week said that Covid could be around for a next decade, but will be controlled by regular booster shots produced by the company.

'With near- and medium-term supply of the available vaccines, the need for equity in access to vaccines across countries to achieve global public health goals, programmatic considerations including vaccine demand, and evolution of the virus, a vaccination strategy based on repeated booster doses of the original vaccine composition is unlikely to be appropriate or sustainable,' TAG-CO-VAC wrote.
Fort Hood, TX (76544)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 68F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
With Wembley Stadium presumably not available, Gina Miller summoned the worlds media to Westminster early yesterday morning for the launch of her new political party.

Mrs Miller is the fabulously wealthy City investor and anti-Brexit litigant whose 2016 court case forced Theresa May to run her EU withdrawal agreement past Parliament first.

As launches go it was not exactly Cape Canaveral, with pluming rocket boosters and cries of 3-2-1 lift off! By my count, about a dozen people turned up to a painfully empty room beneath the shadows of Westminster Abbey: Five journalists, a smattering of clipboard martinets and several unidentified loiterers possibly lured by the complimentary croissants on offer. Oh, and Ginas blameless hubby Alan who sat dutifully in the front row gulping at flies. Clearly, Miller-mania is yet to take hold among the political establishment.

An estimated five people showed up to the launch of Gina Miller's True & Fair launch yesterday

Eventually, Mrs Miller swept in looking dazzling in towering heels and a pristine John Travolta white trouser suit

We sat in awkward silence for a few minutes. Restaurant critic AA Gill used to refer to this as the pretend wait  that moment when snooty maitre ds needlessly make you hang around by the cloakroom before leading you into an empty dining room. The hush was momentarily punctured while one of the clipboards took an urgent call. The Oval Office, probably.

Eventually, Mrs Miller swept in looking dazzling in towering heels and a pristine John Travolta white trouser suit. Wowzers! This thing was so bright our goody bag should have included complimentary Ray-Bans. She might need to put some protective film around that little number when shes out supping halves of mild around the working mens clubs up north. The cleaning bills could be hellish.

The hair was lustrous and bouncy, her lacquered nails so sharp she could have sliced rare tenderloin. From her left hand there dangled a sparkler big enough to make Kim Kardashian envious.

The name of this venture was True and Fair (Slogan: We all deserve better). It even had its own little logo in the form of a colourful tornado, presumably a reflection of the whirlwind Miller hopes to bring to British politics.

As orators go, Miller is no Boudica. The delivery was lifeless and clunky. Far too much reliance on the autocue. But she will improve  if this thing ever gets off the ground.

We heard the usual spiel about a government that works for everyone and delivering for the British people. But is La Miller necessarily the vessel to bring about such change? She hardly screams approachable. She talks the haughty language of the careerist, referring to need for proper bandwidth for proper strategic thinking, whatever the hell that meant. Nor does she exactly go out of her way to appear what focus groups might call down to earth. Her outfit alone could probably have paid off most ordinary peoples mortgage.

True and Fairs target audience presumably is not the occupants of earthy saloon bars or bingo halls but disaffected centrists: Chablis- slurping year zeroers who feel embarrassed to be aligned to the old parties. Wed been here before not all that long ago when pro-European Labour and Conservative MPs sloped off in 2019 and formed the now defunct much-maligned Change UK. Fat lot of good it did them.

Questions? Well, there werent many. With the Change UK lot in mind, a journalist asked Mrs Miller why she, a political novice, felt she could succeed where experienced MPs had failed. Different times, she explained. Indeed they are. Our two main parties are far closer together politically. Which makes you wonder where she thought True and Fairs votes would come from.

Someone asked about policies. She had just two so far. Something about forging a new ministerial code and some dull stuff about electoral reform. But, as she pointed out, these were at least two more policies than Sir Keir Starmer had. She looked forward to plenty more conversations in the coming months and years, she added a tad hopefully. And with that, she hurriedly insisted she had other media to speak to before slinking off back to what looked suspiciously like an oversized broom cupboard.
The Home Office underestimated how many EU nationals would apply to remain here after Brexit by up to 1.7million.

An official watchdog yesterday said the number seeking to protect their right to live and work in the UK  and continue to use services including the NHS  far exceeded Whitehall forecasts.

Officials believed between 3.5million and 4.1million would be eligible to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or EUSS, which was launched in 2019.

But in reality 5.2million applications had been granted by the end of December, with more still to process.

The Home Office underestimated how many EU nationals would apply to remain here after Brexit by up to 1.7million

The extra 1.7million roughly equals the populations of Birmingham and Liverpool combined.

The report from the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, reveals how the Government was caught off guard by the true number of EU nationals.

The official estimates had been based on data from the Office for National Statistics which indicated only 3.45million Europeans were living here, the inspectors report said. The numbers applying to the EUSS have far exceeded Home Office estimates, it added.

The EUSS was the first exercise to formally count the number of Europeans living in Britain. Tony Blairs Labour government relied on research which suggested 13,000 additional migrants a year would arrive in the UK from 2004, when Poland and seven other eastern European nations joined the bloc

Applications from Romanian, Bulgarian, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish citizens in the UK were higher than estimated.

The EUSS was the first exercise to formally count the number of Europeans living in Britain. Tony Blairs Labour government relied on research which suggested 13,000 additional migrants a year would arrive in the UK from 2004, when Poland and seven other eastern European nations joined the bloc.

Former Labour home secretary Jack Straw admitted in 2013 that allowing eastern European migrants unrestricted access to the British labour market had been a spectacular mistake.

At the end of last year the largest number of EUSS applications were from Romanians, with 1.13million, followed by Poles with 1.12million. Third were Italians with 560,000.

Recruitment firm claims Brexit has created more job opportunities for British workers Brexit has created more job opportunities for British workers because many skilled Europeans have gone home, according to recruitment firm Hays. Paul Venables, its finance director, said that the global job market was its strongest for 15 years and that white collar jobseekers had the upper hand in negotiations because of the skills shortage, which is pushing up wages. The economic rebound from Covid has also left firms struggling to replace staff laid off in the depths of the pandemic. Advertisement

Mr Neals report quoted an unnamed stakeholder saying: We dont know how many EU citizens live in the country, we dont know where they live, and we dont know what nationality they are. Once an EUSS application has been approved, Europeans can live and work in the UK indefinitely.

They maintain their pre-Brexit rights to use the NHS, study and access public funds and benefits.

The EUSS received just under 6.4million applications by the end of last year, but small proportions were either rejected, withdrawn, invalid or duplicates.

Alp Mehmet, of Migration Watch UK which campaigns for tougher border controls, said: This report is a reminder of the massive gap between how many EU citizens we were told were here and the actual number. This casts serious doubt on other immigration figures from the Government, which has consistently underplayed the scale and undercounted future migration. Such unreliability is not lost on the electorate.

Madeleine Sumption, director of Oxford Universitys Migration Observatory, said: Analysts have long suspected that official figures almost certainly under-estimated the number of people living here.

But it is also important to note that the overall number who have settled status under the EUSS may no longer be in this country, and were applying simply to keep their options open in future.
Offenders will be forced to clean up more public spaces in a 93million scheme unveiled by Dominic Raab today.

The Justice Secretary has signed the first ever deal with a national charity which will allow a massive expansion of unpaid work schemes for convicted criminals.

Millions of extra hours will be carried out by litter-clearing gangs each year, with open spaces cleared of rubbish in support of the Daily Mail-backed Great British Spring Clean.

Recruitment begins today of 500 extra staff to oversee work by teams of offenders, who have been ordered to carry out Community Payback as part of their punishment.

Writing exclusively for the Daily Mail today, Mr Raab said the criminals will be required to carry out real hard graft such as removing graffiti and picking up litter.

Offenders will be forced to clean up more public spaces in a 93million scheme unveiled by Dominic Raab today

The Justice Secretary (left) has signed the first ever deal with a national charity which will allow a massive expansion of unpaid work schemes for convicted criminals

After visiting a Community Payback team carrying out a clean-up at Perry Barr Locks, Birmingham, yesterday, Mr Raab said: It was striking to see offenders, once the scourge of their local neighbourhoods, now taking pride in reviving them.

This extra investment will make sure even more offenders undertake tough, visible work to repay the damage they have caused to society.

One offender taking part in yesterdays clean-up, Joseph Daniel, 36, said: Its rewarding being outdoors and making a difference.

'Community Payback is hard work, but its given me time to reflect on what Ive done and why Im here and I want my life back on track.

Expansion of the projects will allow the number of hours carried out each year to rise from five million to eight million.

A new national partnership between the Probation Service and the Canal and River Trust will see offenders working along 2,000 miles of waterways.

The programmes are supporting the Daily Mail-backed Great British Spring Clean campaign  in particular, by keeping our beautiful waterways tidy and well maintained so local communities can enjoy them to the full, Mr Raab said.

Offenders on the scheme will be required to wear high-visibility Community Payback vests.

Last July, Boris Johnson indicated his support for fluorescent-jacketed chain gangs visibly paying your debt to society.

The Great British Spring Clean  organised by Keep Britain Tidy  last year saw more than 217,000 members of the public pledge to help clear up rubbish in open spaces across the country

Recruitment begins today of 500 extra staff to oversee work by teams of offenders, who have been ordered to carry out Community Payback as part of their punishment.

Offenders on such schemes have been required to wear the vests for years, but Mr Johnson said: You are going to be seeing more of that.

Chief executive of the Canal and River Trust, Richard Parry, said: Working alongside Trust colleagues, offenders are learning new skills and improving their prospect of employment, while helping to care for our canals.

The Great British Spring Clean  organised by Keep Britain Tidy  last year saw more than 217,000 members of the public pledge to help clear up rubbish in open spaces across the country.
A little girl has miraculously survived a horror stabbing that left her mother and six-year-old sister dead.

The 39-year-old woman ran to a neighbour's house for help when a man, 40, allegedly arrived at her home with a knife on Kellaway Crescent in Mill Park, north-east of Melbourne, on Thursday.

Emergency services arrived at 7.50pm, but the mother died on the scene while her daughter, six, was taken to hospital with critical injuries.

She died on Friday morning.

Her ten-year-old sister managed to escape the situation unharmed.

A woman, 39, and her daughter, six, are dead after an alleged stabbing at a home in Melbourne (pictured)

Pictured: Flowers where a mum and her six-year-old daughter died after an alleged stabbing on Thursday

The man, who detectives believe is the girls' father, self-harmed when police arrived and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

He is under police guard and detectives are waiting to speak with him.

At a press conference on Friday morning, Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said police they believe the man was married to the victim.

'It is believed the 39-year-old victim ran from her home to the neighbour's house for help, and she's been pursued by the offender,' he said.

'He is known to police.'

Inspector Thomas confirmed emergency services were called to the address about 12.50pm on Thursday - seven hours before he allegedly stabbed his wife and daughter.

'We believe a person at the address was assessed at that point in time and emergency services cleared,' he said.

Flowers and a doll were laid at the scene where a young family lost their lives on Thursday (pictured)

When asked whether detectives will question the surviving girl, Inspector Thomas said police would approach her with caution.

'It's very difficult, she's going through an absolutely terrible, traumatic incident,' he said.

'She's been through a terrible terrible incident so we want to make sure she's as good as you can be.'

Neighbour Abdul Husseini was at a park when his wife told him about the horrific scene outside their home, as the mum-of-two screamed while trying to help her youngest daughter.

'They were crying and calling for someone to help - there was no one on the street. The woman came out covered in blood,' he told the Herald Sun.

'My wife is a bit scared now after seeing everything.'

Police swarmed the scene looking for evidence on Thursday night and Friday morning (pictured)

Pictured: the driveway of a home at Kellaway Crescent on Friday morning where a mother and daughter were allegedly stabbed to death

The incident sparked a large emergency response, including the SES.

One woman who drove past the grisly scene said there was a 'man lying on the road'.

'Didn't look good,' she added.

Another said: 'I drove passed as the police and ambulance first got there.'

'Stopped for a bit but it was a very scary scene.'

A woman and six-year-old girl are dead following a suspected stabbing in Mill Park. A man remains in hospital under police guard

Kellaway Crescent was closed off with police vehicles blocking both ends of the street as one shocked neighbour describing the scenes as a 'circus.'

'There was a quite a few people around and they say they heard gunshots,' another passer-by told the Herald Sun.

'I saw people on an ambulance stretcher'.

Inspector Thomas urged anyone with information to contact police immediately.
Queensland has recorded 23,630 new coronavirus cases and three Covid-related deaths as the state prepares to open the border to all Australians within hours.

Of the new cases, 10,182 were detected by rapid antigen tests. There were 14,914 cases on Thursday.

Two of those who died were in their 70s and the other was in their 60s. All three were unvaccinated.

There are 589 Covid patients in Queensland hospitals (up from 530 on Thursday) and 41 in intensive care (up from 26 on Thursday).

Queensland has now recorded nine deaths from the virus in the past two days, more than it had in the previous two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said Covid hospital admissions were steadily growing across Queensland, but rising most rapidly in Brisbane's south.

Queensland has recorded 23,630 new Covid cases and three deaths from the virus overnight. Pictured are masked pedestrians in Brisbane on January 9

'There seems to be particular growth in Brisbane, south of the river,' he said. '(There's also) but steady growth across the state.'

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also on Friday expanded the list of workers who will be exempt from close contact isolation rules.

Queensland residents employed in the telecommunications, media and broadcast industries will no longer need to isolate if they are deemed a close contact of a confirmed Covid case.

They can go back to work after receiving a negative rapid antigen test result.

From 1am on Saturday, all Aussies, including the unvaccinated, can travel to Queensland without any extra requirements.

That includes those coming from domestic hot spots, who will no longer have to show proof of a negative Covid test or fill out a border form.

Interstate travellers will also not have to quarantine upon arrival.

The massive changes are in line with the state hitting its 90 per cent double vaccination target early next week.

Most border restrictions are set to be lifted for international arrivals once the 90 per cent double vaxx target is met, but unvaccinated international arrivals will still have to quarantine.

Pictured is a police checkpoint at Coolangatta on the NSW/ Queensland border. Australians will be able to enter Queensland freely come 1am on Saturday

Queensland's vaccination rate is currently at 88.1 per cent.

'Now is the time for the barricades to come down and the police to come home,' Ms Palaszczuk said upon announcing the changes on Thursday.

She said the decision would allow police which have spent weeks manning border checkpoints to return to their duties.

'It is also going to mean that there is a greater ability for those people in NSW and the southern parts of our Gold Coast will be able to reunite, we know it's tough on the border communities,' she said.

The state's health minister Yvette D'Ath said it was a waste of time and resources checking all arrivals into the state.

'We don't want to spend our time looking at whether we need to be declaring and changing hot spots,' she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the changes were in line with the state heading towards 90 per cent double vaccination coverage

Teenagers are seen celebrating Schoolies on the Gold Coast

'We should assume that anyone travelling around Australia domestically could have the virus and so it is a lot less important to worry about where people are coming from.'

While the unvaccinated will be allowed in, most events and venues will be restricted to those who have received both jabs.

Ms Palaszczuk said over the past two years police had conducted more than 3million checks on vehicles wanting to cross the border, with more than 35,000 of these being turned around.

'It's a big decision but it's a decision that is needed as we reach the peak of this Omicron wave,' she said.

'Operationally, the police are needed at the front line and they have done an absolutely superb job.'
Microsoft announced on Thursday it has hired a law firm to review how the company handled sexual harassment allegations against some of its top executives - including founder Bill Gates - and is expected to release its findings in the spring.

The review will be conducted by Washington, D.C.-based Arent Fox LLP, which the board of directors selected because it has experience in dealing with sexual harassment allegations and has not conducted much work with the company in the past.

After the law firm's findings go public, Microsoft is set to release a report detailing its sexual harassment investigations and what, if any, actions were taken as a result.

The company has been swamped with sexual harassment allegations against Gates going back to 2000.

He stepped down from the company amid an investigation into one of his relationships with a former employee in 2020, and on May 3, 2021, he announced his divorce to his longtime wife, Melinda French Gates.

A few weeks later, The New York Times published an expose detailing how Gates sexually harassed several of his employees and remained a loyal friend to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein three years after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Founder Bill Gates met and married Melinda French Gates, left, when she was working as a product manager for the company right out of college

Gates is pictured with his ex-wife Melinda, second from right, and their three children

'Our culture remains our number one priority and the entire board appreciates the critical importance of a safe and inclusive environment for all Microsoft employees,' Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella said in a statement.

'We're committed not just to reviewing the report but learning from the assessment so we can continue to improve the experiences of our employees,' she continued.

'I embrace this comprehensive review as an opportunity to continue to get better.'

The move to hire an independent firm to review the company's investigations comes after activist shareholders demanded greater disclosure of the company's handling of sexual harassment issues.

A resolution seeking greater transparency passed in November with support from almost 78 percent of the shareholders in November, The New York Times reported.

As part of the review, Arent Fox is expected to submit its findings to Microsoft senior management and board members with recommendations on how to improve the culture at the company, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The company would then share a summary of the findings with the public in the spring, which would lead to a public release of Microsoft's transparency report detailing effectiveness of the company's workplace policies related to sexual harassment and gender discrimination.

The report will include data on the number of sexual harassment cases Microsoft has investigated, and what the results of those investigations were, and is expected to summarize the results of investigations into Gates and other senior leaders.

In a statement, Microsoft executives said the report 'will assess the steps that have been taken to hold employees, including executives, accountable for sexual harassment or gender discrimination.'

The firm will also compare Microsoft's sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies against the best practices that have been adopted by other companies.

Founder Bill Gates has been accused of soliciting at least two employees while he was running the technology giant

Founder Bill Gates has been accused of soliciting at least two employees while he was running the tech giant, according to The Times.

In at least one instance, in 2007, it reports that Gates sat through a presentation by a Microsoft employee then promptly emailed her asking for a date. He reportedly wrote: 'If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened.'

Microsoft executives then reportedly warned Gates not to do things like that.

But at a cocktail party on a work trip years later, Gates allegedly asked a woman who worked for him to dinner.

Then in 2019, Microsoft's board received a letter from an engineer claiming to have had a relationship with Gates in 2000 that lasted for several years.

Microsoft's board investigated the incident and wanted Gates to resign from the board, Business Insider reported, and he stepped down one year later.

A spokeswoman for the billionaire said his decision to step down 'was in no way related to this matter. In fact, he had expressed an interest in spending more time on his philanthropy starting several years earlier.'

Gates also met his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, when she joined the company as a product manager straight out of college. He asked her out one day in the company parking lot, Insider reports.
Alec Baldwin hasn't turned over his phone a month after Santa Fe authorities got a warrant to search it in connection to the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of 'Rust,' with his lawyer now saying he will hand over the device 'this week.'

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office laid out the steps it has taken to get a hold of Baldwin's phone on Thursday.

Deputies say they got a search warrant approved on December 16 - weeks after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when Baldwin fired a prop gun loaded with a live round while rehearsing a scene for the film at a New Mexico ranch.

Deputies then reached out to the Santa Fe District Attorney's Office for assistance. On December 20, the Sheriff's Office learned that the DA was in negotiations with Baldwin's lawyer to get the cell phone, KRQE reported.

The actor was pictured walking around with his cell phone in New York City on Thursday. He has previously said that he doesn't feel guilty for Hutchins' death and that he didn't pull the trigger.

Baldwin still hasn't turned over his phone to Santa Fe authorities a month after they requested it. Above, the actor, 63, walking with his phone in New York on Thursday

Santa Fe deputies have even reached out to authorities in Long Island to see if they can help. Above, Baldwin in New York City on Thursday

Baldwin, above on Thuresday, has previously said that he doesn't feel guilty for Hutchins' death

Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot dead by Baldwin, who now claims he never fired the weapon

Authorities in New York have also gotten involved in pursuit of Baldwin's cell phone.

Last week, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office on Long Island - where Baldwin owns a home - said it was contacted by Santa Fe authorities for help. The request was sent to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office to see how, or if, Long Island authorities could help, according to the New York Post.

Baldwin's layer Aaron Dyer responded to the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office on Thursday in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter.

'We reached an agreement last weekend with the Santa Fe Sheriffs Office and the Santa Fe District Attorneys Office, and Mr. Baldwins phone is being turned over this week for review.

'Ever since this tragic incident, Mr. Baldwin has continued to cooperate with the authorities, and any suggestion to the contrary is simply untrue. We requested that the authorities obtain a warrant so that we could protect his privacy on other matters unrelated to Rust and have been working through that process. We are finalizing logistics with the authorities in New York who are assisting in this matter.'

The actor, 63, said he was cooperating with authorities in a video message posted on Instagram Saturday.

'Any suggestion that I am not complying with requests or orders or demands or search warrants about my phone, that's bulls**t, that's a lie,' the beleaguered actor said.

Baldwin has said he is '1,000 percent going to comply' with the request. Above, Baldwin on his phone outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office the day of the shooting, October 21

The October 21 incident happened on the western 'Rust at Bonanza Creek Ranch

Alec Baldwin stands next to Halyna Hutchins (center) on the set of Rust

Baldwin, 63, said authorities in New Mexico, where the shooting occurred, are coordinating with authorities of New York, where Baldwin lives, in order to obtain the phone, adding that it was a lengthy process and that 'someone from another state can't just say "give me your phone."'

'They can't just go through your phone and take your photos or your love letters to your wife or what have you,' he said.

'Of course, we are 1,000 percent going to comply with all that. We are perfectly fine with that,' Baldwin said.

In the five-minute-long Instagram video, Baldwin lambasted 'right-wing rag sheets' and 'people who are going to hate,' noting that the left-leaning New York Daily News had run a front-page story about the death of film giant Sidney Poitier while the Rupert Murdoch-owned New York Post ran a cover story about authorities in New Mexico working with police on Long Island to get Baldwin's phone for their investigation, a story that he called 'lies and bulls**t and nonsense.'

The actor said he aimed to 'set aside all the hate' and the 'January 6th of it all' in 2022.

He opened the Instagram story with a bizarre tale about a young woman who allegedly handed him a Splenda packet reading: 'You are 100 percent true. Thanks for the laughs, good sir. Cheers to a new year. Love you' while he was out at a restaurant with his daughter Carmen, his Hamptons pal David Nugent and Nugent's daughter.

He called the hand-off of the encouraging packet 'nothing short of a miracle.'

Baldwin was brandishing a Colt gun during a rehearsal for the low-budget Western being filmed near Santa Fe in October when it discharged a live round, killing Hutchins.

The warrant said the phone could provide evidence, citing various text messages and emails sent to and from Baldwin regarding the film's production.

Investigators have not filed criminal charges over the tragedy, and have refused to rule out charges against anyone involved, including Baldwin.

Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed filed a lawsuit in a Bernalillo County, New Mexico court Wednesday that claimed Alec Baldwin, 63, ignored a request to attend a 'cross draw' session about a week before the tragedy

The lawsuit claims the film's assistant director broke protocol by handing the gun to Baldwin without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time before use

Gutierrez-Reed said that during the last time she checked Baldwin's gun, she was certain it was filled with dummy rounds

The 24-year-old armorer on the Rust set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, filed a lawsuit in a Bernalillo County, New Mexico court on Wednesday that claims Baldwin ignored a request to attend a 'cross draw' session about a week before the tragedy.

The rookie armorer also faulted assistant director David Halls for failing to follow set protocol when he allegedly handed Baldwin the weapon without first calling on her to inspect it, according to the lawsuit.

Gutierrez-Reed, 24, is suing Seth Kenney and his company PDQ Arm and Prop LLC for allegedly supplying the deadly bullet. Baldwin is not named as a defendant in the suit.

The 24-page document is also rife with details about a set rife with bitter disputes, carelessness and anecdotes that detail a disregard for safety.

Gutierrez-Reed - whose dad is legendary film armorer Thell Reed - said her father worked with Kenney on a previous film, where they trained actors at a licensed shooting range using live ammunition.

Following the workshop, Kenney took a bucket filed with upward of 300 live .45 Colt rounds home, the lawsuit claims. The cache included Starline Brass reloaded 'live' rounds - the same type of bullet used during the 'Rust' incident.

About a month later, Gutierrez-Reed landed a gig as an armorer and props assistant on 'Rust,' where she was tasked with juggling two jobs at once.

Alec Baldwin, seen above for the first time after a lawsuit from an armorer for doomed western Rust, is laying part of the blame on him for failing to attend a training session

'This gun heavy script required Hannah to perform a significant amount of work each day as both an armorer and key props assistant,' the legal filing said.

She was soon joined on set by props manager Sarah Zachry, who later accidentally fired a blank round at her foot on set, the lawsuit said.

About 20 minutes after that mishap, Baldwin's stunt double also accidentally discharged a weapon on set, prompting Gutierrez-Reed to confront her colleague about the sloppy mistakes, the lawsuit said.

When she indicated her intentions of reporting the incident to management, it led to a headed exchange with Kenney, the bullet supplier.

'Accidental discharges are accidents,' Kenney said in a text message referenced in the legal filing. 'We learn and move on, and don't forget, she's your boss. Don't push it.'

Shortly after the shooting, Halls released a statement calling Hutchins his 'friend' and asked the industry to 'reevaluate' its values

On the morning of the shooting, October 21, Gutierrez-Reed said she arrived to the set to find Zachry already in the prop trailer, retrieving fire arms.

She also discovered a full box labeled 'dummy rounds .45 LC' that someone placed atop her equipment bag, the lawsuit said.

She believes the box came from Kenney and when she shook it, heard a 'jingling' sound which is what it's supposed to sound like when dummy bullets are being rattled.

Later that morning, she said she, Zachry and another coworker loaded Baldwin's gun, attempting to use dummy rounds from the box.

'For Alec Baldwins gun, Hannah loaded 4 dummy rounds with holes in them from her pants pocket, a 5th dummy round from the box with a hole in it and attempted to load a 6th dummy round without a hole in it from the box but it would not go into the chamber, and she thought the chamber might need to be cleaned,' the lawsuit said.

'Hannah remembers shaking the sixth round to ensure herself that it was a dummy round.'

Kenney texted Gutierrez-Reed after the tragedy and tried to persuade her to lay the blame on the film's assistant director Halls

Baldwin was then handed the gun and in possession of it from 10 am through 12:30 pm, when the crew broke for lunch, the filing said.

It was stored until 1:30 pm, when she cleaned Baldwin's gun and inserted another round from the dummy box into it after shaking it to ensure it was not real, the claim said.

'To the best of Hannahs knowledge, the gun was now loaded with 6 dummy rounds,' the claim said. 'Indeed, Defendants as suppliers of prop ammunition to the Rust set, sold, distributed, and advertised its props as dummy ammunition and not live rounds.

'Hannah relied upon and trusted that Defendants would only supply dummy prop ammunition, or blanks, and no live rounds were ever to be on set.'

She then delivered the gun to to set church and handed it to Halls, the assistant director, who said he'd be 'sitting in' with the gun.

The lawsuit claims Halls later handed the gun to Baldwin without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time before use.

She said she was tending to her duties as a prop assistant.

'Knowing that no gun scene was going on at that time according to Halls, and with awareness of COVID protocols and social distancing, Hannah then walked outside the church to prepare her fanny pack for scenes that afternoon and to do some of her prop duties,' the lawsuit said.

'Production was behind that day and Hannah was acutely aware of the need to attend to her prop duties as well, for scenes that afternoon.'

Within 15 minutes, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot dead, and director Joel Souza was struck in the shoulder.

The accidental discharge never would have happened if Halls had summoned Gutierrez-Reed to supervise, the court filing said.

Shortly after the shooting, Halls released a statement calling Hutchins his 'friend' and asked the industry to 'reevaluate' its values.

'I'm shocked and saddened by her death,' Halls said. 'It's my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to reevaluate its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process again.'

He failed to address reports that he was one of the three people to handle the loaded gun before the tragedy.
A couple has recalled how their bank rejected their application for a mortgage extension because of a pre-Christmas shopping trip to Kmart.

Kim Anderson-Robb and her husband from Dunedin on New Zealand's South Island are among those already stung by amendments to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, which came into effect on December 3.

Aimed at protecting vulnerable borrowers from loan sharks, banks now place higher scrutiny on applicants' spending habits before loans are approved.

Ms Anderson-Robb recently applied for an $80,000 (A$75,000) mortgage extension to help fund urgent repairs and renovations, including a rotting back deck and rewiring of the home after asbestos was found in the fuse box.

But her bank of 17 years declined the loan because of a recent one-off $187 trip to Kmart, another $100 shopping spree to buy Christmas presents at a discount variety chain The Warehouse and use of a credit card she hadn't used in over a year.

Kim Anderson-Robb was recently rejected for a mortgage extension by her bank due to amendments to New Zealand's lending laws

Ms Anderson-Robb claimed she was told by the bank staff they don't qualify for a mortgage top-up because the couple 'overspend'.

Her husband's daily purchase of a drink from the dairy while at work was also questioned.

'We've had a mortgage for 17 years, never missed a payment, never asked for a mortgage holiday so I'd say we are a pretty good customer,' a frustrated Ms Anderson-Robb told the Otago Daily Times.

'We are on good money but they declined our application because of a one-off trip to buy Christmas presents and a bloody drink. It's stupid.'

The support worker added she previously had mortgage top-ups approved by the bank 'with no issues whatever.'

The couple have since decided to save for the urgent repairs needed for their home.

Kim Anderson-Robb and her husband were rejected for a mortgage top-up following a $187 shopping spree at Kmart Invercargill (pictured)

Ms Anderson-Robb feels sorry for potential homebuyers who may now struggle to to enter the property market due to the recent changes to the lending laws.

'It's just so bloody tough and I really, really feel for them,' she said.

Auckland couple Jason and Cindy Guild also had their house-buying dreams shattered by the amended rules.

Their pre-approval for a loan was cancelled in December, just days before they were to bid at an auction.

The couple were just short of a having 20 per cent deposit, but they were debt-free, had no children and both had high-paying jobs.

'We thought this government was trying to put us into houses, but it seems like it's not,' Mr Guild told Stuff.

'It went for $20,000 under what I was going to pay for it.'

Many Kiwi potential homebuyers are now struggling to enter the property market as a result of changes to lending laws which came into effect December 3 (stock image)

New figures from Centrix released on Friday show the proportion of home loan applications that are approved have dropped from 36 per cent to 30 per cent in the last month.

Financial Advice New Zealand has requested an urgent meeting with the government to address industry concerns about recent changes to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act

Chief Executive Katrina Shank says mortgage advisers are seeing a significant reduction in pre-approvals not being renewed and lending levels to all borrowers being cut due to the new requirements.

'Some of the stories almost defy logic, like being refused a loan or having the amount cut drastically because you're spending too much on coffees and takeaways,' Ms Shank said in a statement.

'For many Kiwis all this means that they can no longer obtain a mortgage at the same amount of credit as previously would have been approved.

'We believe the intention of this legislation was not to reduce the availability of credit for the average Kiwi who was not vulnerable and could afford a mortgage previously.
A pair of Chicago teens were shot dead hours apart from one another, as the Windy City continues to suffer rampant crime.

Javion Ivy and James Sweezer, both 14, were shot in separate incidents on Wednesday, on the West Side and East Side of the city, respectively.

Both Ivy and Sweezer were transported to local hospitals where they were pronounced dead.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, who has seized 284 guns this year, called the incident 'unacceptable' as the city's violent crime continues to spiral.

'I think about those two young boys, and I think about their potential,' Brown said at a news conference.

'They are two of Chicago's children robbed of their futures, and it is unacceptable.'

This comes after Chicago saw a violent year in 2021 with 3,561 shootings reported and more homicides recorded than any other city, 795.

No arrests have been made in either incident and both remain under investigation.

It also remains unclear if the two shooting incidents were linked to each other.

14-year-old boys Javion Ivy (left) and James Sweezer (right) were shot and killed in separate incidents in Chicago on Wednesday

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown called the shootings 'unacceptable' and plans to reduce the city's level of gun violence in 2022

The first shooting took place at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday at the 2200 block of West Adams Street, where Ivy had been standing on the sidewalk.

He was shot twice in the chest and was later taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to Chicago police.

Witnesses at the scene reported that they heard gunfire and saw two people fleeing with one of them taking something from Ivy's backpack before running away.

The other incident happened around 8:45 p.m. that same day in Englewood where Sweezer was walking with his friend on the sidewalk on the 1400 block of West 73rd Street.

They had been passing by a dark-colored sedan when someone in the vehicle opened fire and shot Sweezer in the head.

He was later taken to Comer Childrens Hospital where he was also pronounced dead.

DailyMail.com reached out to the Chicago Police Department for comment.

Sweezer was walking on the sidewalk in the 1400 block of West 73rd Street with his friend before he was shot in the head by a passing vehicle

Ivy was standing on the sidewalk at the 2200 block of West Adams Street before being shot in the chest

Brown has reportedly seized 284 guns so far this year following a violent 2021

This comes after Chicago woman Derricka Patrick was shot in a parked car in the same area of the city where Sweezer had been killed on Wednesday night.

Patrick had been approached by two gunmen at around 7pm in the 7400 block of South Vincennes Avenue.

She was pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Following a violent year for the city, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has since made it her goal to reduce the rate for 2021.

'No one can be comfortable with the way that we ended the year, with the number of homicides we had, more than New York or LA, two cities that have multiples in size of our populations,' Lightfoot said, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

'They all had an increase, but our number is staggering compared to that.'

This also comes after Chicago saw a rise in robbery-related incidents with the trend of smash and grab crimes that swept the city.

She planned to introduce measures such as implementing ankle bracelets for the city's violent offenders as well as trying to control illegal drug trafficking.

In addition, Lightfoot wanted to increase positive interaction between police and the members of the community in an attempt to rebuild on trust between each other.

Brown also noted that he planned to increase the number of detectives by a couple hundred to crack down on city crime.

'You think we were just going to let you get away with killing people? You think youre just gonna carjack people in this city and get away with it? Smash and grab our retail and our businesses who work hard to put products on their shelves?' he said.

'We're coming after you. We're going to hold you accountable, and we're going to keep you in jail.'

Another Englewood resident, Derricka Patrick, 29, was shot while sitting in her car by two gunmen on Wednesday night

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has made it her goal to reduce crime in the city following a violent 2021

Chicago closed out 2021 out as the most violent year in a quarter of a century as the beleaguered city saw almost 800 homicides.

According to police department statistics, there were 795 homicides in 2021 alone - 25 more than 2020, 299 more than 2019, and the most since 1996.

The city also saw 3,561 shootings in 2021, more than 300 than last year and a whopping 1,415 more than in 2019.

With 2021 now in the rear view mirror, other city all across the country have also seen a spike in the number of homicides.

As in previous years, Chicago ended 2021 with more homicides than any other city nationwide, including New York and Los Angeles, both of which had recorded at least 300 fewer homicides than Chicago for the year as of late December, police data reveals from those cities.

Overall crime in 2022 has increased by 29 percent with a 51 percent increase for theft, 44 percent for robbery and 18 percent for criminal sexual assault.

There has also been a 31 percent decrease in murders and a 2 percent decrease for shooting incidents.
The murdered woman has been named locally as 22-year-old Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore

The man who was arrested in connection with the killing of a primary school teacher in Ireland has been released without charge.

Ashling Murphy, 23, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Cana in Tullamore, County Offaly.

A 40-year-old man had been arrested but late on Thursday night, gardai said that the man, who they had been questioning, was now 'no longer a suspect'.

Gardai have again appealed for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a 'Falcon Storm mountain bike' with 'straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks' to come forward.

Officers earlier said they believe the killer acted alone and attacked the talented musician while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday.

He fled after two women came across the attack and gardai were quickly on the scene after a call from a member of the public.

Ms Murphy was still alive and they tried to give medical attention but she could not be saved.

Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice.

In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: 'The male who was arrested and detained by An Garda Siochana investigating this fatal assault has now been released from this detention.

'This male has been eliminated from Garda inquiries and is no longer a suspect.'

Ms Murphy (pictured left and right) died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender

Floral and candle tributes are placed at a vigil attended by hundreds in Galway city centre for Ashling

According to the Independent.ie, Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore.

'This area here, where the crime occurred, is popular among Tullamore residents and is widely used for recreational purposes,' Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday.

'The victim of this crime is Ashling Murphy.

'Ashling was a schoolteacher in Durrow National School. Our prayers are with Ashling's family at this time and indeed the wider community, her teaching colleagues and the children she taught who are without their teacher today.

'Immediately following the discovery of this crime, a full-scale murder investigation was launched.'

Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore

Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: 'I want to extend my sympathies to Ashling's father, mother and all her extended family.

'I am devastated. I couldn't sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time. She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words.'

Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk.

'Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world, and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal,' he added.

'It's a lovely area and helps clear your head. It's a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams.'

Police officers visited the school where Ms Murphy worked on Thursday morning to speak with staff and offer support.

At around 9.30am, a police water unit arrived at the scene to begin a search of the waterway next to where the attack occurred.

A postmortem is set to be carried out today, and is expected to last for five hours.

Superintendent Eamonn Curley (left) near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly, after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed on Wednesday evening

Pictured: A map showing where Ms Murphy's body was found along the Grand Canal way, also known as Fiona's Way. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender, of whom there is a monument to in Tullamore

Gardai carry out investigations at the Grand Canal at Cappincur on Thursday after the horrific killing

Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice

Justice Minister Helen McEntee tweeted: 'My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community.

'Please, anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done.'

Further Education Minister Simon Harris said: 'A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed.

'Thinking of her and her family and community tonight and their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility.'

Gardai believe the killer acted alone and attacked the talented musician while she was jogging along the canal bank

Pictured: Flowers are left at a Garda checkpoint in Tullamore after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed in Co Offaly. She died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur at around 4pm on Wednesday. Picture date: Thursday January 13, 2022

Superintendent Eamonn Curley speaks to the media near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly

The canal path that Ms Murhpy was attacked on is named after Fiona Pender, a missing woman who was last seen at 6am on August 23, 1996, at her Tullamore flat.

Her disappearance has been the subject of an on-going investigation ever since.

Gardai are appealing for information, and asking anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday to make contact with them.

Minister of State Josepha Madigan for Special Education and Inclusion said: 'A young woman can't even go for a run along a canal pathway - at four o'clock, in the middle of the day - only to be attacked and murdered.

'Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen.'
The Supreme Court temporarily barred the Biden administration's vaccine-or-test rule for major employers on Thursday, but authorized a vaccine-only mandate for federally financed health care.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) employer requirement was struck down by the Supreme Court on a 6-3 vote, preventing it from taking effect until other legal challenges are resolved. Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the more liberal Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan in voting 5-4 to preserve the health-care worker mandate.

Supreme Court blocks Joe Biden's vaccine mandate for businesses

Both approaches, according to the Biden administration are important in order to have as many individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 as feasible. President Biden has stated that he is losing patience with Americans who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus and that the restrictions were put in place to push the issue so that workplaces might be safer.

Employers with at least 100 employees would have been forced to compel all employees to get vaccinated or produce weekly negative coronavirus test results, as well as to wear facial covers while on the job. According to the White House, the directive affected nearly 17 million health-care workers, while the mandate for major businesses would have affected more than 80 million people or roughly two-thirds of the American workforce.

The conservative Supreme Court majority concluded that the employer vaccine-or-test mandate was an overreach, notwithstanding lower court splits. On the merits, the judges concluded the challengers, a group of corporations and 27 Republican-led states were likely to prevail, according to The Hill.

Read Also: Video Reveals How China Forces People To Live in Metal Boxes To Maintain "Zero COVID"

Businesses hail the halting of federal vaccine mandate

The Supreme Court verdict on Thursday, which blocked the Biden administration's vaccine-or-testing mandate for employers was welcomed by businesses and conservative organizations as a win for individual liberty and a boost to the economy.

The court upheld another vaccination mandate for Americans working in health-care institutions that receive government financing through Medicare and Medicaid in a second unsigned judgment issued Thursday. The legislation which goes into force this month is expected to affect ten million people.

According to Biden it will save the lives of patients, physicians, nurses, and other health-care workers. Biden expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court's decision to strike down what he called "common-sense life-saving regulations" for large-business employees.States and individual companies would now have to decide whether to make their workplaces "as safe as feasible for employees" and whether to mandate employees to be vaccinated

Vaccine mandates are a crucial tool for protecting public health and workplace safety, according to the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning public policy group. According to the American Medical Association, the ruling does not throw into doubt the scientific evidence supporting COVID-19 immunizations, as per USA Today.

Republicans celebrate on Supreme Court's decision

Former President Donald Trump and a slew of Republican politicians applauded the court's ruling on Thursday to overturn the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine-or-testing mandate for large private companies. The Supreme Court has weighed in on the subject, stating that they were all aware of it. The illegal mandates imposed by Biden are unconstitutional.

Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana, who led a recent Senate push to invalidate the administration's vaccine-or-test rule for private businesses, told Insider at the Capitol on Thursday that the court's ruling had him "jumping up and down." Dr. Anthony Fauci, Biden's main medical advisor, recently stated that the Omicron variation "will eventually catch just about everyone," according to Braun.

In the next six months the order, if executed would have averted 250,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations and saved nearly 6,500 lives. Republican governments and corporations, instantly objected to the requirement alleging that it is an example of government overreach.

The conservative majority of the Supreme Court decided that Congress had not granted the Biden administration the "authority to regulate public health more generally," in a 6-3 ruling. The court's liberals dissented. Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader, called Biden's vaccination requirement "an unconstitutional power grab" on Thursday, Business Insider reported.

Read Article: States Seek To Exert Authority Over Broader Battle Against Joe Biden's Vaccine Mandate After Pentagon Wins First Fight To Vaccinate National Guard

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Police could investigate lockdown parties in Downing Street if a Whitehall inquiry finds significant evidence of law-breaking, Scotland Yard said last night.

The Met has faced criticism from opposition politicians for refusing to investigate claims multiple parties were held in No10 in breach of Covid laws in the last two years.

Whitehall ethics chief Sue Gray is investigating the allegations, including the bring your own booze party attended by Boris Johnson at the height of the first lockdown on May 20, 2020.

In a statement last night, Scotland Yard said it would only consider launching its own inquiry if Miss Gray uncovers evidence of potential criminal offences

In a statement last night, Scotland Yard said it would only consider launching its own inquiry if Miss Gray uncovers evidence of potential criminal offences

In a statement last night, Scotland Yard said it would only consider launching its own inquiry if Miss Gray uncovers evidence of potential criminal offences.

It said: If significant evidence suggesting a breach of the regulations becomes available, officers may review and consider it.

The Cabinet Office is conducting an inquiry into gatherings at Number 10 Downing Street and the Department for Education.

The Met has ongoing contact with the Cabinet Office in relation to this inquiry. If the inquiry identifies evidence of behaviour that is potentially a criminal offence it will be passed to the Met for further consideration.

The statement last night piled further pressure on Miss Gray, who is working to complete her inquiry into the events.

Several Tory MPs have privately warned they would expect Mr Johnson to resign if the report finds against him. However, ministers were last night growing increasingly confident Miss Gray would not directly criticise the PM for attending the events.

One Whitehall source said: It sounds like she wont land a killer blow on the PM. It isnt going to be a total whitewash  there will be criticism of the culture in No10 and of the amount of drinking going on at work.

The PM is ultimately responsible for that culture that allowed rule-breaking to go on. But I would be very surprised if she suggests he has broken the rules himself.

Another well-placed source said: She will just lay out the facts  shes not an executioner. In the end the arbiter will be the PM, although in this case I suspect it will be one for the court of public opinion to judge.

However, Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said Miss Gray was an independent figure who was widely respected for her work. She told Sky News: I know its not going to be a whitewash because a professional civil servant does not do that. Sources last night said Miss Grays report could be published by the end of next week.

However, one stressed the need for it to be comprehensive, adding: The last thing we need is for Sue Gray to report and allegations of another party to leak out the next day. The results of Miss Grays inquiry will be presented to the PM. No10 could not say who, if anyone, would decide what sanctions he should face if criticised.

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner suggested the inquiry could leave Mr Johnson acting as judge and jury over his own conduct.

She said any matters relating to ministers uncovered in the investigation would be dealt with under the ministerial code  of which the PM is ultimately in charge.
Beaming with pride in front of Number Ten Downing Street, Christine Lee supposedly symbolised a new Golden Era of UK-China relations.

She had received an award from Theresa May, then prime minister, for promoting co-operation between the nations.

The solicitor also enjoyed cordial relations with David Cameron and donated huge sums to Labour. How foolish they must feel, these useful idiots.

For the mother of two was actually a spy for Chinas repressive Communist regime.

Infiltrating Parliament, she groomed the political elite  including Cabinet ministers. The aim? To advance Beijings malign interests and silence its critics.

Christine Lee supposedly symbolised a new Golden Era of UK-China relations. She had received an award from Theresa May, then prime minister, for promoting co-operation between the nations

Unsurprisingly, Labour MP Barry Gardiner  a crony of Jeremy Corbyn (a man who never knowingly opposes Britains enemies)  spent 600,000 on staff courtesy of Miss Lee, while advocating for more Chinese involvement in Britains nuclear industry, decreed a security risk.

How could this happen? Clearly, there has been a catastrophic security blunder at Westminster to allow her access. But our politicians surely know China aggressively spies on the rest of the world.

The totalitarian regime has shown contempt for freedom and democracy. The regime also tried to insinuate itself in our strategic industries  and terrifyingly has not always been rebuffed.

Yes, those elements of the British establishment in Chinas little black book may think they are merely fostering cordial Sino-British relations. They are not. Their credulity and greed puts our national security at risk.

End the infighting

A month ago, only the most optimistic of us would have thought the country would be in such a good place today.

As Omicron took hold, and the pedlars of doom howled for tougher restrictions, who didnt fear another lockdown? Yet it never happened. And daily, there are welcome signs we are beating the pandemic.

Covid self-isolation is being cut from seven to five days to ease crippling staff shortages in business and public services.

Infections in England are plummeting and the proportion of patients in hospital because of (as opposed to with) the virus has fallen to half.

With chief shroud-waver Sir Keir Starmer in charge, Britain would have spent the past two years in unending lockdown

Best of all, experts say Britain will be the first Western country to break free from Covid (although, predictably, the biased BBC turns a deaf ear to this).

Thanks for this go to Boris Johnson. He inspired the jabs rollout and commendably defied demands for new curbs. Fingers crossed, hell soon rip up Plan B.

With chief shroud-waver Sir Keir Starmer in charge, Britain would have spent the past two years in unending lockdown.

Of course, the Prime Minister now fights for his political life over Partygate. Time will tell if he survives the scandal.

But for now, Tory MPs must end the damaging infighting and manoeuvring. It is a self-indulgent distraction from what the public desperately wants  getting their lives back.
A family including a special needs daughter and a woman who both in wheelchairs were stopped as they tried to cross the Rio Grande early Thursday, a sign of skyrocketing border crossings as Southern states deal with record numbers of migrants.

The family crossed over just after midnight in 30-degree weather, according to Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens of the Del Rio sector in Texas, which covers the 245-mile border along the Rio Grande River and Lake Amistad.

'Never a dull moment...,' Owens wrote on Twitter, along with photos of the family at the border and inside what appears to be a border patrol office. 'What could possibly go wrong?'

It is unclear if the family was detained or where they spent the rest of the day.

Former President Donald Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' policy - which requires immigrants to wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are processed - is still in effect. President Joe Biden ended the policy in June, but it was reinstated last month after Republican officials in Texas and Missouri sued the administration in federal court.

A family including a special needs daughter and a woman in a wheelchair crossed into the US through the Rio Grande in 30-degree weather early Thursday morning

'Never a dull moment...,' said a border patrol chief of the family's crossing (above). 'What could possibly go wrong?'

The family was stopped by the Rio Grande, which forms part of the border with Mexico. Above, migrants from Haiti walk along the river to turn themselves in to agents on December 27

Southern border crossings continue their upward trend. In November, CBP encountered 173,620 migrants at the southern border, an increase from the 164,753 in October

People who cross the Southern border illegally are still eligible to apply for asylum, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is unclear if the family who crossed over on Thursday applied or not.

In November alone, CBP encountered 173,620 migrants at the Southern border, an increase from the 164,753 in October. December 2021 figures have not yet been released.

The numbers continue the upward trend seen in fiscal year 2021, when border crossings reached a peak of 213,593 in July.

For comparison, Border Patrol agents apprehended 408,870 people on the Southwest border in the entire fiscal year of 2016. In 2015, 331,333 migrants were stopped.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

Earlier this week, disturbing images emerged showing dire conditions at Arizona border patrol facilities as tens of thousands of migrants were 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.

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

A woman climbs on top of stacks of luggage at a Yuma Border Patrol facility

'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 (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

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.

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.

On Thursday, a county judge in Texas dealt a blow to Gov. Greg Abbott's controversial 'Operation Lone Star.'

The operation was unveiled in March 2021 amidst a wave of illegal immigrants from Central America crossing the US-Mexico border. It deploys law enforcement in areas human and drug smugglers are known to use.

Governor Greg Abbott's (center) controversial Operation Lone Star came into question after an arrest that allegedly happened under the program was deemed unconstitutional Thursday

A judge ruled that a man arrested for illegally crossing the border under the law was superseding federal immigration policy and therefore illegal. Pictured: A Border Patrol agent patrolling in Texas on January 9

In its first two months, the Texas Department of Public Safety made 598 criminal arrests and more than 16,000 referrals of illegal immigrants to the US Customs and Border Protection as part of Operation Lone Star, according to a Valley Central news report.

Judge Jan Soifer ruled in favor of Jesus Alberto Guzman Curipoma, an Ecuadorian engineer arrested in September and charged with criminal trespassing.

Curipoma's lawyer said that Operation Lone Star was unconstitutional because it tries to supersede federal immigration law, adding that Curipoma was jailed rather than being considered for asylum, which is within his right.

'The Texas government is restraining the liberty of thousands under the guise of criminal trespass prosecutions in an attempt to usurp federal immigration legislation and strong arm the federal government into enacting policies that Gov. Abbott would prefer,' they attorney wrote in a filing.

Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, acting on behalf of the state, actually agreed with the argument that Operation Lone Star violates federal law.

'Prosecution for criminal trespass as part of Operation Lone Star violates the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution and represents an impermissible attempt to intrude on federal immigration policy,' District Attorney Garza's response said.

David A. Schulman filed on behalf of the state in Kinney County, where he argued the case should be heard, because that's where Curipoma was arrested. Schulman argued there was no evidence Curipoma's arrest had anything to do with Operation Lone Star.
Victoria will house Covid-19 patients in two transformed quarantine hotels, as part of an effort to ease pressure on the state's medical system as Omicron continues to spread.

The 'medi-hotels' will be used to house patients who are nearing the end of their hospital stay and in need of lower-level care, with 300 beds made available.

They will still be considered inpatients and nursed back to health by staff from Northern Health and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the change on Thursday and said the current wave of Covid infections could cause the health system to buckle.

The state recorded a further 18 COVID-related deaths and 34,836 new cases on Friday, including 15,440 from rapid antigen tests and 19,396 from PCR tests.

Dan Andrews says most Covid patients don't require intensive care, so can be cared for in a hotel by doctors and nurses

'We have some people that are gravely ill, some people in intensive care, but the vast majority of people are in hospital and not requiring that sort of care,' he said.

'If we were to stop isolating people, if we were to stop testing, if we were to let this rip, well finish up not with hundreds of people in general wards, we would finish up with thousands, and we all know what that means.'

Acting health minister James Merlino said the hotel facilities will provide an 'extra buffer' as the number of patients continues to rise at hospitals.

'Todays announcement is a sensible next step to support our frontline workers to help alleviate the pressure on the system,' he said.

'All patients will be medically assessed by the hospital before transfer to ensure that they are well enough to be relocated. Theyll remain under the care of the hospital and still be considered an inpatient even while theyre in the medi-hotel.'

Emma Cassar, the commander of COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria, said the first of up to 300 patients would start arriving at the hotels from Monday.

Hotels will now be used to house Covid patients who are nearing the end of their hospital stay and in need of lower-level care

The idea was the brainchild of staff from Victoria's dedicated quarantine agency and was endorsed by health authorities.

Meanwhile, questions still linger about whether the state has enough rapid tests to allow more workers to be released from isolation.

The list of workers exempt from isolating as close contacts will be broadened from midnight on Tuesday to include those in emergency services, education, critical utilities, custodial facilities, transport and freight.

Health care, food distribution, manufacturing, packaging and retail supermarket workers are already exempt, while state government project workers will not be included in the list.

Exempt workers who opt-in must wear a face mask at all times and undertake daily rapid antigen tests for five days, with negative results before attending work, with employers expected to provide RATs to employees.

Premier Daniel Andrews said Victoria is expecting to receive about two-and-a-half million RATs from the national stockpile and has ordered another 44 million.
Members of Insulate Britain called on the police to stop arresting them and vowed to continue their campaign as they were freed from prison today.

Emma Smart, an ecologist, was released from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey shortly after 9.40am on Friday after being sentenced to four months in prison in November.

The ecologist was one of six people released on Friday after they were jailed for breaching a Government injunction which prevented them from protesting on major roads in the UK.

Dr Diana Warner, a retired GP, was also released from the same prison.

People cheered and clapped after they exited the site, with Smart punching the air. They were then hugged by friends and supporters.

Smart, who undertook a 26-day hunger strike while in the prison, said it 'made her focus' on her campaigning efforts for the group.

Four other members of Insulate Britain - James Thomas, an architect, Oliver Rock, a carpenter, Roman Paluch, a warehouse operator, and Tim Speers, a volunteer, were released from HMP Thameside, in south-east London.

Speaking to the media after leaving, Smart said: 'This is amazing. This is a beautiful day. It is lovely to have the sun on me - I've not had it on me for a few weeks.'

The group are among 10 people who were jailed last year for breaking the Government's M25 injunction - with three other members since being released.

A final member of Insulate Britain, Ben Taylor, a community volunteer, remains in prison after being handed a six-month sentence.

Emma Smart (pictured right), an ecologist, punching the air as she is released from HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, alongside Diana Warner (left), a retired GP, today

Smart, who undertook a 26-day hunger strike and was moved to the hospital wing 13 days into her protest at the prison, said it was 'a beautiful day' as she left

The pair, who were jailed along with eight other campaigners last year for breaking a Government injunction, were hugged by friends and supporters outside the prison

During her time in prison, Smart undertook a 26-day hunger strike while in prison and was moved to the hospital wing 13 days into her strike.

She said she decided to do it while incarcerated as she was 'absolutely appalled' by the sentence they were given.

She added: 'When I was sat in the van being taken from court to the prison, I just remember thinking about the injustice of it all and the words of the judge - that we had caused harm to the public and harm to the economy. I was absolutely outraged.

'We were trying to prevent harm - 8,500 people dying every single year because they can't afford to heat their homes and eat. That's appalling, that's harm.

'(The hunger strike) was a tiny insight into these parents who go without eating so they can feed their children. It really strengthened my resolve. I hadn't done it before, I didn't know how it would go, it wasn't easy, but it really made me focus on why I'm doing this.'

Asked if she would take to the roads again, she said: 'As long as our Government is continuing to fail and betray our people in both a climate crisis, a fuel crisis, a crisis of ordinary people dying, then I will continue to protest. I will not stop, I will not be a bystander while this Government betrays its people.'

Responding to reports that she and her husband, Andy Smith, had previously undertaken a road trip in a diesel vehicle, she said: 'I think it's very easy for people to focus on something negative like that. It was 12 years ago.

'I wrote a blog about the carbon cost of travelling. I calculated the amount of carbon that we would use on our trip compared to living at home and we'd actually use less carbon by living in our car with our solar panels despite the diesel.'

She added: 'We're all hypocrites. I think people should stop worrying (and thinking) 'I can't be a protester because of the clothes I wear or the car I drive'. I think we've got to look beyond that and start taking these issues really seriously.'

Mr Smith, who is not a member of the group, said he was 'incredibly proud' of Ms Smart.

Becoming emotional, he said: 'She's got one of the strongest moral compasses of anyone I know and she's taking this action from a place of kindness, with a deep love of the environment, with a deep love of nature, a deep love of our nieces who she is trying to protect.'

Smart also read a statement from outside prison, which said: 'Insulate Britain will continue to demand our government get on with the job of cutting carbon emissions, insulating cold and leaky houses and protecting the people of this country from climate collapse.'

She continued: 'Whilst on the motorway we met Police Officers who told us they joined up to protect people in their city, town or community, we ask you to realise that arresting Insulate Britain supporters is in direct conflict with this duty.

'The 174 people arrested on the motorway are some of the few people truly attempting to protect this country.'

Smart and Dr Warner hold up an Insulate Britain banner after being released from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey this morning

Smart with her husband Andy Smith outside the prison. Mr Smith, who is not a member of the group, said he was 'incredibly proud' of Ms Smart

Supporters wait outside HMP Bronzefield, in Surrey, for the release of Smart and Dr Warner this morning

Supporters are seen outside HMP Bronzefield today. Smart, who undertook a 26-day hunger strike while in the prison, said it 'made her focus' on her campaigning efforts for the group

Shortly after Smart was released, a spokeswoman for the group told MailOnline: 'Insulate Britain recognises that its campaign has moved into the courts and at the moment that's where its focus is.

'That's going to be the concentration of the campaign at the moment. There are no immediate plans for Insulate Britain to go back onto the roads.'

During a High Court hearing in November, Smart, Thomas, Rock, Paluch and Speers admitted breaching an injunction by taking part in a blockade at junction 25 of the motorway during the morning rush hour on October 8.

They were handed four-month sentences.

Warner was given a two-month prison term at a separate High Court hearing in December for breaking the injunction in September.

Members of Insulate Britain took part in a series of protests which saw them stage blockades on major roads between September and November last year, causing long traffic jams.

They are calling for the Government to put in place policy and funding for a national home insulation programme, starting with all social housing.

Smart (pictured top left), Warner (bottom centre) James Thomas (top right), Oliver Rock (top centre), Roman Paluch (bottom right) and Tim Speers (bottom left) are being set free from HMP Thameside and HMP Bronzefield today

The group (pictured last November) are among 10 people who were jailed for breaking the Government's M25 injunction - with three other members since being released

Insulate Britain seen occupying a roundabout in September last year. The group took part in a series of protests which saw them stage blockades on major roads between September and November last year, causing long traffic jams

How Insulate Britain made a mockery of the law over two months September 13 - 78 Insulate Britain protesters arrested after blocking junctions 3, 6, 14, 20 and 31 of the M25 September 15 - More than 50 protesters arrested after targeting junctions 1, 8, 9 and 23 of the M25 September 17 - 48 protesters arrested after targeting junctions 3, 9 and 28 of the M25, as well as the M3 September 20 - 29 protesters are arrested after blocking the M25 at junctions 4 and 18, as well as the A1 September 21 - Protesters risk death by running into moving traffic to block the carriageway near Junction 10. Some 38 arrests are made. National Highways obtains an injunction against further protests on the M25 September 22 - Protesters burn copies of the injunction outside the Home Office, blocking the road outside the ministry. No arrests are made September 24 - 39 protesters arrested after blocking roads at three locations in Dover. They are all released under investigation. National Highways obtains a second injunction covering Dover. September 27 - 53 protesters are arrested for blocking a slip road at Junction 14 of the M25. They are all released under investigation. September 28 - National Highways says it is taking 'legal advice' over how to enforce its injunction September 29 - 27 protesters are arrested for blocking a roundabout at Junction 3 of the M25 on two occasions September 30 - Protesters return to junction 30 at Thurrock in Essex, and nine are arrested October 1: The group block the M4 at junction 3, the M1 at junction 1 and M25 at junction 25. Some 39 arrests October 2: Third injunction bans them from obstructing traffic and access to motorways and major A roads in and around London October 4: 38 arrests after protesters block three major roads in London - the Blackwall Tunnel, Wandsworth Bridge and A40 and North Circular at Hanger Lane. October 8: 19 arrested over protest at Old Street roundabout and a further 16 on the M25 at junction 24. Transport for London gets a High Court injunction to ban them from obstructing traffic in 14 locations in London. October 13: Protesters return to the M25 at junction 31 and a nearby industrial estate, with 35 people arrested. October 25: Activists target areas around Southwark Bridge, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street station. Some 53 are arrested. October 27: Protesters blockade the A40 in North Acton, West London, and a major roundabout next to the Dartford Crossing in Kent. Kent Police arrested 32 protesters, while the Metropolitan Police detained 17. October 29: 10 activists are arrested after walking onto the M25 between junctions 28 and 29 in Essex November 2: Police arrest 20 activists before they can even get onto the M25 at junction 23 for South Mimms, but other actions take place on the M56 in Manchester, with 11 arrests, and the A4400 in Birmingham November 4: Some 62 protesters sit down at Parliament Square in Westminster November 17: Nine of the protesters are jailed at the High Court for between three and six months Advertisement

The Government-owned National Highways responded to the protests by obtaining High Court injunctions, which banned demonstrations on motorways and major A roads in England.

Thomas, 47, from London, previously said from HMP Thameside: 'My time in prison has been uncomfortable, stressful and sometimes scary.

'But nobody I've met in here has been angry about our actions [blocking the M25]. Some inmates have been full of respect. All of them have 'got it', and understood why we did it.

'People might say, does this kind of civil disobedience actually work? And I would say, well quite often, it doesn't work.

'But quite often it does work, and those instances are well known throughout history.

'And so, given where emissions are, and given where the clock is, and given where the politics isn't, how could we not try this?'

Their release follows Louis McKechnie, 21 - a protester who was handed a three-month sentence on November 17 last year and freed on New Year's Eve - saying that his experience at prison has 'emboldened' him to carry on roadblocking protests.

McKechnie added: 'If we're able to save these 8,000 to 30,000 every year that are lost to fuel poverty then I would spend the rest of my life in prison for that.'

The protester, who had been given a month off his sentence due to his youth, also claimed to have received a hero's welcome in jail, saying prisoners told him they 'supported what we were doing and they'd make sure our time in prison was okay'.

Speaking on his time in jail, McKechnie told LBC: 'I had no problems.

'I was so surprised - before going to prison I was terrified, but at this point I would be willing to risk prison if the stakes were high enough.

'My experience of prison has emboldened me to take any future action regardless of if prison is a consequence.'

He added: 'The first prisoners on the wing we saw said to us they'd heard what we were in for, they supported what we were doing and they'd make sure our time in prison was okay.

'It really put me at ease because I was quite nervous about the reaction from the other prisoners until that point.'

On whether all the activists remained together in prison, he said: 'At the start, but they split us up quickly. I'm not really sure why.

'We were split up a lot faster than prisoners usually are. I don't know if there was pressure on the prison to do so.'

Reacting to the protester's comments, ex-chief constable Dr Hyde said at the time: 'The consequences of having a conviction will impact on their later lives.

'But the other aspect of this that I would also point out to people like Louis is you've made it a lot easier for people, particularly the police, to identify you in the future.

'They will have your photograph, your fingerprints, your DNA, and with the amount of publicity that you're getting it really does make the police's job much, much easier to be able to convict people like Louis in the future.

'So he should look forward to another sentence if he's going to carry on this activity.'

Meanwhile, Priti Patel used her New Year message to promise a fresh crackdown on the eco-mob.

In a video message shared across social media, the Home Secretary praised the Goverment's achievements across 2021, such as its hiring of new police officers and publishing an anti-violence strategy to help women and girls.

But she insisted there was still 'much more to do' in 2022, pointing to tougher measures for eco-protesters who wreaked havoc on Britain's roads last year and 'caused misery to the law-abiding public'.

Looking ahead to the new year, Ms Patel said it was 'vital' the Government's Police and Crime Bill passed through Parliament.

Their release follows Louis McKechnie (above), 21 - a protester who was handed a three-month sentence on November 17 last year and freed on New Year's Eve - saying that his experience at prison has 'emboldened' him to carry on roadblocking protests.

She said: 'The Bill will introduce mandatory life sentences for those who kill an emergency worker in the course of their duty and also crack down on the so-called eco-protesters on our roads and motorways that have caused misery to the law-abiding public.'

Insulate Britain embarked on a two-month campaign which saw them glue themselves to the road throughout the end of 2021 before protestors were finally arrested and charged.

Alongside sentencing them to prison, Dame Victoria and Mr Justice Chamberlain ordered each of the activists to pay 5,000 towards National Highways' legal costs, making a total of 45,000.

The group and its supporters previously chanted 'we are unstoppable, another world is possible' as they were led to the cells through the dock by security officers.
The Republican Party is a 'front for a terrorist movement,' MSNBC contributor and controversial political scientist Dr. Jason Johnson argued on the network Thursday, comparing the GOP to a 'terror cell.'

Dr. Johnson made an appearance on 'Deadline: White House,' where he proceeded to make the brazen comparison while discussing the relationship between former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party as the 2024 presidential election draws ever near.

Dr. Johnson, who is an associate professor of communication and journalism at HBCU Morgan State University, referred to Trump as 'the bad guy' and called the Republican Party itself a 'front for a terrorist movement.'

'If Trump is on the ballot in 2024, it's the easiest thing in the world for Democrats because you can always run against the bad guy,' Johnson said.

'But I think the bigger more dangerous thing, and I've been saying for a while, I'm working hard to never say "Republican Party" again because it's not a party.'

'The GOP is no longer a governing party and news outlets should stop using that term.'

Dr. Jason Johnson, pictured, made an appearance on 'Deadline: White House,' where he compared the GOP is a front for a 'terrorist movement'

Former President Donald Trump, pictured, is 'the bad guy' and the Republican Party itself a 'front for a terrorist movement,' Dr. Johnson said Thursday

The author, who is a paid contributor to MSNBC, was temporarily removed from the network back in February 2020 after comparing female black women who support Bernie Sanders to 'the Island of Misfit Black Girls.'

He was also fired from his position as politics editor at The Root because of the comment.

'They have given up all pretense of being a part of the Democratic process and only exist as a vehicle to restore Trump to power through violence or malfeasance,' Johnson tweeted in support of his argument made during Thursday's appearance on MSNBC.

'They're Sinn Fein to the IRA. They're the PLO to Hamas. They are a dime storefront for a terrorist movement.'

The organizations Johnson described are a variety of notorious terrorist groups from around the world.

The Palestinian Liberation Organization, or PLO, was designated a terror group back in 1987 after it claimed responsibility for multiple terror attacks against Israel, most notably the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

Hamas is a radical militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, and the United States has listed it as a terror group for years.

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was a republican paramilitary terrorist group that sought to end British rule in Northern Ireland.

Several people on social media were quick to disagree with Dr. Johnson's assessment.

'Don't be silly,' someone wrote.

'When a Leftist speaks it's just Seinfeld's bizarro world. Everything 180 degrees opposite,' another user tweeted in response.

'I'd like to agree, but I in fact believe this line of thought leads directly to Democratic defeat in '22 and '24. Sorry. And I think it's obvious,' someone else chimed in.

Johnson went on to cite a recent letter from Republican National Committee to the Commission on Presidential Debates, which stated it will require 2024 presidential GOP candidates to pledge not to partake in any debates.

'They just announced in The New York Times today, where they're asking their 2024 nominees to not engage in presidential debates. They're no longer a party. And so, nothing surprises me anymore,' Johnson added.

Johnson also accused the Republican Party of trying to cheat the 2022 midterm elections, while demanding a federal takeover of the elections in red states.

The political scientist has made several other charged statements regarding the 2020 US presidential election during his time on MSNBC.

In January 2019, Johnson stated that Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign was done and that he would drop out by August before asserting that the billionaire presidential candidate was not an oligarch, prompting The Root's Saagar Enjeti to call Johnson a 'professional wrong person.'

Johnson eventually returned to MSNBC in July 2020 and remains a regular political panelist.
Premier wants Hillsong fined over an event, despite police ruling that out

Hillsong have said sorry after footage emerged of event that broke Covid rules

Hillsong Church has apologised after footage of a wild party at his church's youth camp sparked outrage - but police have ruled out fining the religious group.

In a statement, a Hillsong spokesperson said: 'We regret giving any perception that we were not playing our part to keep NSW safe and we sincerely apologise to the community at large.

'Our heart is for people, and loving and caring for all people is at the core of our church.'

The spokesperson said the camp events differ from festivals in that they are alcohol-free, held outdoors, and the students attending each camp - about 200 - are part of the same social network.

'Over a three day duration the percentage of time spent singing is minor,' they said.

NSW Police on Friday ruled out slapping the church with a fine - even after Premier Dominic Perrottet said the organisers of the camp should face the consequences.

'Following discussions with organisers and after consultation with NSW Health, no infringement will be issued,' said Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Glynn.

'Event organisers are aware of their obligations under the public health orders, and NSW Police will continue to ensure ongoing compliance'.

Videos shows hundreds of attendees at a summer camp in Newcastle maskless, singing and dancing inside a large tent while a band performed onstage.

The camp came days after changes to public health orders took effect, banning singing and dancing at music festivals and forcing the cancellation of music events like the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Grapevine Gathering in the Hunter Valley.

In a statement on Thursday night, NSW Health said it had demanded Hillsong immediately stop singing and dancing at the event.

Dominic Perrottet said on Friday that he expected a fine would be issued

'While the order does not apply to religious services, it does apply to major recreation facilities and this event is clearly in breach of both the spirit and intent of the order,' Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

Singing and dancing at large events presents a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said, amidst an outbreak which has seen the state record tens of thousands of cases a day.

Mr Perrottet on Friday said the health minister had been advised by his legal team that Hillsong had broken the rules.

'If the legal teams believe that it was in breach of the public health order, then my expectation would be that a fine would be issued,' he said.

Minister Brad Hazzard described the event as breaching both the spirit and intent of health orders

The premier joined a chorus of Australian music acts in saying he was shocked and outraged to see the footage.

'I echoed the frustration and anger other people right across the state felt,' he said.

'Even if technically it was within the rules, it certainly wasn't in the spirit of the rules.

'If we have to tighten loopholes, we will.'

NSW Police earlier on Friday said the church will not be fined, and police will instead liaise with organisers "to ensure future compliance".

In a statement, Hillsong said the summer camp event is 'not similar to a musical festival in any way'.

The camps involve primarily outdoor recreational activities, with outdoor Christian services only a 'small part' of the program and singing an even smaller part of each service.

'A video circulating on social media (on Thursday) reflects a few minutes of this part of the program,' it said.

'We follow strict COVID procedures and adhere to government guidelines.'

Hillsong Youth shared a series of videos showing its teenage followers partying to religious-themed pop music on Wednesday night

Hillsong's Grammy award winning band performed at the youth camp

But Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp accused organisers of "pure arrogance", the ABC reports.

'This is the exact behaviour that health experts have deemed too risky at the moment, yet the organisers of this event seem to feel it's absolutely fine for them to do so,' he said.

'This is an absolute slap in the face to the people that have lost work as a result of the current rules.'

That's a sentiment echoed by artists on social media.

'There are rules in place that just aren't right,' Sydney pop rock duo Lime Cordiale wrote on social media.

'Festivals, clubs and pubs are closed whilst Hillsong are getting close and sweaty... confusing?'

Australian acts including Jack River, Illy and Odette also criticised the event as demonstrating a double standard, with Brisbane band Ball Park Music describing it as 'just heartbreaking for everyone in our industry'.
Woke Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon is embroiled in yet another scandal after his own cops went over his head to ask federal prosecutors to charge the alleged killers of an off-duty LAPD officer.

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva sought out the federal prosecution for the four gang members accused of killing Officer Fernando Arroyos, 27, on January 10 over fears pursing them through Gascon could lead to lighter sentencing.

Last year, Gascon axed sentencing enhancements - such as membership of a gang - that would have seen Arroyos' alleged killers potentially jailed for life if convicted. California law stipulates a sentence of 25 years to life without parole, whereas Gascon's reforms would see killers offered parole after completing their sentence.

Arroyos was shot dead on his day off by three men and a woman connected to the F13 gang, it is alleged, and was targeted for the two silver chains he was wearing.

The suspects are alleged gang members Luis Alfredo De La Rosa Rios, 29, known as 'Lil J'; Ernesto Cisneros, 22, known as 'Gonzo' and Jesse Contreras, 34, known as 'Skinny Jack' and 'Flaco.' Rios' girlfriend, 18-year-old Haylee Marie Grisham, is considered an associate of the gang.

The federal charges they now face come with enhancements which automatically lengthen a sentence should the person be convicted to life without parole.

DA George Gascon previously announced he had decided to no longer pursue sentencing enhancements in cases involving gangs as part of an increasingly controversial prison reform policy aimed at boosting 'equity.'

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has said he's against sentencing enhancements for gang members

Villanueva told the media he had tried to consult with Gascon's office but found his response 'not satisfactory.' Gascon's reforms mean that a gang murder sentence which would once have carried a term of 25 years to life could now result in parole after 25 years.

Villanueva added: 'I believe their plan was to just prosecute a simple murder with no gun enhancements, no gang enhancements, nothing,' the sheriff said. 'And that really did not cover the depravity of this crime It should be noted that the California penal code does cover all these things. The tools are there but we need to have someone who's willing to use them.'

Officer Arroyos was fatally shot at about 9:15 p.m. Monday in an unincorporated area of south Los Angeles County. The suspects allegedly targeted him because of two silver chains or necklaces around his neck, authorities said.

Authorities have said Arroyos was shopping for a house with his girlfriend when a pickup truck approached. Several suspects got out, there was an argument and gunfire was exchanged between the assailants and the officer. Arroyos was shot once; his girlfriend was not hurt.

Jesse 'Skinny Jack' Contreras, AKA 'Flaco', and Ernesto 'Gonzo' Cisneros were both charged in connection with Arroyos' murder

Luis 'Lil J' Alfredo De La Rosa and Haylee Marie Grisham, Rios' girlfriend, were also charged in connection with the slaying

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles announced the charges on Thursday. The sheriff's department was investigating the case, and took the suspects into custody on Wednesday, because the crime occurred in an unincorporated area of the county.

The defendants are charged with violent crime in aid of racketeering; they are allegedly connected to the Florencia 13 (F13) gang. The crimes were allegedly committed in furtherance of the gang, authorities said.

The extremes they went to in the murder of this officer are why Villanueva decided to go around Gascon.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva decided to go around Gascon and got US Attorney's in the district to file gang enhancement charges

Gascon wants to end enhancements for murder sentences Controversial Los Angeles County DA George Gascon has caused outrage in some quarters with his attempts to reform the city's justice system. One of those policies that has angered some, including LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva, is his directive to stop using enhancements for murder convictions. Murder can carry a penalty of 25 or 15 years to life in prison in the state, but Gascon has asked to stop using the enhancements, which allow for life sentencing without parole. He claims to be focused on reform and rehabilitation, and cites statistics which show that a disproportionate number of black Americans end up in prison as the reason for his reforms. But many Los Angelinos say his efforts are making the city more dangerous, and giving criminals greater incentives to offend, while also deterring police from arresting them. The city's prosecutors filed a lawsuit through their union attempting to stop the directive, saying that it forced them to violate the law by going along with it. Gascon was born in pre-communist Cuba in 1954, and immigrated to the US with his family in 1967, after his dad lost his job for alleged anti-communist activist. They settled in LA, where Gascon started school aged 13, having struggled to master English. He joined the US Army in 1972, and became an LAPD patrol officer in 1978. Gascon went on to enjoy a glittering career in law enforcement, which included two years as San Francisco's chief of police. He also spent eight years as the city's district attorney - a position that had previously been filled by now-Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement

The violence occurred in the gang's territory, authorities said.

Another LAPD officer identified Contreras in surveillance footage because the officer had encountered him and Rios in the truck on Sunday during a traffic stop, authorities said.

The suspects are expected to make their first appearances in federal court on Friday afternoon.

Florencia 13 is a Latino street gang founded in the early 1950s and based in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood of South LA, according to a federal affidavit.

The violent group controls drug trafficking in the area and is allegedly overseen by the Mexican Mafia.

Rios, Cisneros and Contreras allegedly admitted, in their interviews with law enforcement, that they are members of the gang and have tattoos related to it, the affidavit states.

Authorities also placed people working with law enforcement in jail cells with the suspects to glean more information.

Rios, however, allegedly told investigators that the foursome had been looking to 'make money' that night - to rob people of property or cash, according to the affidavit.

Grisham told someone in her jail cell that she had allegedly had participated in a robbery earlier that day.

Around 9:15 p.m., the group spotted Arroyos and his girlfriend, Rios said, and Contreras allegedly told him to 'get the chain' and handed him a gun.

Rios and Cisneros allegedly confronted the couple and pointed the guns at them, authorities said.

They allegedly stole items from both, including a black walking stick from the officer's girlfriend, and removed the silver chains - one with a sword pendant - from Arroyos neck.

Rios told investigators he saw Cisneros take Arroyos' wallet, the affidavit states. Cisneros handed Rios the wallet, and Rios later took $100 out and threw it on the ground.

At some point, a shootout began and Arroyos was struck once. He ran toward an alley and collapsed as Rios and Cisneros fled.

Los Angeles Police Officers bow their heads in prayer to honor their fallen LAPD Officer Fernando Arroyos

The LAPD held a candlelight vigil for Arroyos on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles outside the Olympic Community Police Station

Cousins of fallen LAPD Officer Fernando Arroyos, who was shot an killed during an armed robbery attempt Monday, comfort each other

F13 gang is linked to drug smuggling, assaults and murders The Florencia 13 gang linked to Officer Fernando Arroyos' killing has been linked to numerous serious crimes, including at least 17 murders. F13 are named after the Florence area of LA, which is controlled by the Mexican mafia. Most of its members are Mexican-American. LA cops found the gang was attacking and killing African-Americans purely on the basis of race. They launched Operation Joker's Wild to try and stem the killings, while also tackling the gang's drug trafficking and extortion. Operation Joker's Wild culminated in 102 F13 gang members being named in indictments in 2007 - the largest gang bust in US history at the time. A total of 96 members were taken into custody, 94 of whom admitted their crimes or pleaded guilty. Advertisement

Sheriff's deputies, responding to a call for help, loaded Arroyos into their cruiser and rushed him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore, at a news conference Thursday night to announce the charges, lamented that the robbery and slaying were 'over minimal property.'

Still, he added: 'I will tell you that those two chains and a wallet mean, I'm sure, the world to the family.'

Rios allegedly admitted to firing at least once and said he believed Cisneros also shot at Arroyos. A bullet grazed Rios' ribcage and Cisneros appeared to have broken his leg.

Surveillance video shows the pickup truck pulling up at a home near the shooting and Contreras can be seen getting out of the truck, authorities said. He is then seen helping an apparently injured Cisneros out of the truck, according to court documents.

All four suspects were in the truck, prosecutors say. The whole group was allegedly at the scene of the robbery and shooting.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva said investigators brought the case to Los Angeles County prosecutors but District Attorney George Gascon had previously pledged to stop seeking gang enhancements in prosecutions.

Villanueva, during the news conference, said the 'depravity' behind Arroyos' slaying should bring harsher punishments, so detectives took the case to federal authorities.

Under federal charges, the suspects could face the death penalty, or the minimum sentence of the life in prison without the possibility of parole, because Arroyos was killed during the robbery, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

A loaded handgun that allegedly belonged to one of the suspects was found at the scene, but Arroyos' chains and wallet remain missing.

Gascon is a progressive prosecutor who has been vocal about his belief that the criminal justice system needs to focus more on intervention and rehabilitation, blasting 'tough on crime' policies as racist and a failure.

He's one of several 'woke' DAs across the country who have received campaign contributions from liberal megadonor George Soros' Color of Change PAC.

Last month, Gascon made waves by expanding a program to drop criminal proceedings against juveniles charged with a range of felonies.

Under the expansion, youth would be eligible for 'diversion' after being charged with burglary, assault, vehicle theft, robbery, grand theft person, sexual battery, and arson, according to a leaked memo.

LA crime is on the upswing, according to police statistics. Shooting victims have increased 10.6 percent year-to-year and 53 percent from the same point in 2019

A number of felonies would remain ineligible for diversion, including homicide, forcible rape, gun crimes, and crimes resulting in serious injuries.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles, like many cities across the country, has witnessed an alarming rise in violent crime over the past two years.

Homicides in the City of Angeles rose 52 percent last year from 2019, and shooting incidents were up 59 percent, according to LAPD data.

The city has also suffered a shocking wave of follow-home robberies and organized smash-and-grab attacks on retailers. Jacqueline Avant, the 81 year-old wife of famed music producer Clarence Avant, became the most high-profile robbery victim when she was shot and killed at her $2.7 million Beverly Hills mansion in December.
A Chicago judge was caught insulting a high profile civil rights lawyer, calling her performance in court 'nuts' and insane' when his inappropriate conversation was picked up on a hot mic during a livestream on Tuesday.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge William Raines was heard making disparaging comments about Jennifer Bonjean, a lawyer who previously defended Bill Cosby, as he chatted with two prosecutors and a public defender.

'Did you see her going nuts?! Glasses off, fingers through her hair, the phone's going all over the place, it's insane,' the judge said of Bonjean's appearance in court defending a client.

'That was so entertaining,' Assistant State Attorney Susie Bucaro said.

'It was entertaining for me,' the judge chimed back, later saying: 'Can you imagine waking up next to her every day? Oh my God.'

Cook County Judge William Raines (left) was heard making disparaging comments about Jennifer Bonjean, a high profile civil rights lawyer who previously defended Bill Cosby

Bonjean (left) previously represented Bill Cosby (center) and helped throw out his conviction

After both Bucaro and fellow Assistant State Attorney Anna Sedelmaier laughed, Bucaro replies, 'there would be a number of things wrong in my life if I was waking up next to her everyday.'

To which Raines said, 'I couldn't get a visual on that if you paid me.'

Raines and Bucaro then go on to mock one of Bonjean's assistants, who they called a '13-year-old boy dressed up in a suit,' referring to him as Bonjean's 'man-child.'

The judge then shifts gear to paper work before realizing that the court livestream was still rolling.

The livestream has since been taken down, but Criminal Division Acting Presiding Judge Erica Reddick ordered that the video be officially preserved so it could be used in a complaint filed by Bonjean to the Judicial Inquiry Board.

Bonjean read a transcript of the incident to WGN and slammed Raines for his inappropriate comments, adding that the judge was not fit to do his job.

'He should not be presiding over things as important as criminal court proceeding where people's lives hang in the balance.'

A full transcript of the incident shows Raines mocking Bonjean with two prosecutors

Bonjean had been in court on behalf of her client, Roosevelt Myles, 57, who she alleges was framed by police and wrongfully convicted of murder in 1996.

Miles, who was released in 2020 and is seeking to be exonerated, told Buzzfeed that he doubts his name would be cleared after learning about the incident.

'This just shows what we're up against,' he said.

His case was the basis of the TV investigative series Reasonable Doubt, which profiled the 1992 murder case that he was convicted of and determined he was likely innocent.

The court has not made a ruling on whether or not Raines will remain on the case.

Roosevelt Myles, 57, was allegedly framed by police for a murder in 1992. Although released from jail in 2020, Bonjean is representing his case to exonerate him and clear his name

A spokeswoman for Chief Judge Timothy Evans' office said Raines could not comment on the matter, since it involves a pending case.

A spokeswoman for the office of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said in a statement that Foxx had spoken to both prosecutors who took part in the conversation.

Their behavior 'is unacceptable and runs counter to the values of this administration. Their actions reflect poorly on the work of our office and the entire criminal justice system,' the statement read.

Bonjean confirmed that both assistant state's attorneys as well as Foxx herself have reached out to apologize, and she accepted their apologies.

She added that the incident underscores a problem in the Cook County criminal court system where prosecutors and public defenders are assigned to handle cases in front of a single judge.

Bonjean claimed the system encourages both parties to try to curry favor with the judge for the sake of their clients or careers, which she said might have caused the prosecutors to join in on the judge's inappropriate comments.
An Australian news host has stared down a challenge from Joe Rogan over wild claims a rare heart condition is related to vaccines on the American's hugely popular podcast.

Josh Szeps, ABC Weekend breakfast news presenter who is known in the United States as a former host of Huff Post Live, disputed Rogan's claim that boys who receive a Covid jab had a higher risk of heart inflammation.

The Aussie guest was proved right on the influential show, which is downloaded 190 million times a month, and the pair's feisty exchange went viral in an online clip.

Australian news host Josh Szeps has stared down a challenge from Joe Rogan over a rare Covid-related illness on the American's hugely popular podcast

The Aussie guest was proved right on the influential show, which is downloaded 190 million times a month, and the pair's feisty exchange went viral in an online clip

Szeps rejected Rogan's claim, saying boys were 'about eight times more likely' to get myocarditis after a Covid infection than after a Covid vaccine.

'I don't think that's true,' Rogan, the podcaster and UFC commentator said.

'It is,' Szeps replied.

'No, no, no, I don't think it's true,' Rogan said.

'That there's an increased risk of myocarditis from people catching Covid that are young versus increased risk of myocarditis from the vaccine.'

'No there is,' Szeps again shot back.

Rogan's producers attempted to put Szeps on the spot, fact-checking him by bringing up a New Scientist article on screen.

It backed up the Aussie - who has sparred with Rogan previously on his show.

The article quoted a study that claimed heart inflammation is six times more likely to occur after catching Covid than it is after having the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Szeps later took to social media to deny he had 'shut down' Rogan.

'I hope readers realise that Rogan enjoys this kind of pushback. I hardly "shut him down". Hes a big boy,' Szeps said.

I hope readers realise that Rogan enjoys this kind of pushback. I hardly shut him down. Hes a big boy.https://t.co/AxTmZe1G1a    (@joshzepps) January 14, 2022

American podcaster Joe Rogan (pictured) has branded Australia's lockdown laws as 'crazy s***' as he mocked the use of the military and police helicopters to enforce restrictions

Rogan is considered a hero to many wary of mainstream media around the world, especially to males under 40.

But he has also been widely accused of peddling misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines.

Szeps also spoke about alien invasions during the three-hour podcast, which was released on Thursday Australian time.

He was known as Josh Zepps in the US after changing his name there to avoid confusion for American audiences but Rogan promoted him for his latest episode by his Australian surname.

Rogan previously branded Australia's lockdown laws 'crazy s**t' and mocked the use of police helicopters and the military to enforce restrictions.
On Monday, an Australian man admitted to murdering 27-year-old Scott Johnson more than 30 years ago when his body was discovered at the foot of an Australian cliff in a crime that law enforcement initially mistook for a suicide.

Scott White was charged with Johnson's murder in May 2020 and initially pled not guilty. White amended his plea during the pretrial hearing on Monday, in an unexpected turn of events. Johnson's nude body was discovered at the base of the North Head cliff in Sydney on December 8, 1988.

Man convicted for 1988 murder in Australia

At the cliff's edge, his clothes were discovered folded neatly, but his wallet had vanished. Despite the unusual circumstances, his death was declared a suicide by the authorities. White's attorney attempted to get White's guilty plea revoked, claiming that he was not "fit to make the admission."

On Thursday, a Supreme Court judge denied the defense's move and affirmed White's guilty plea, convicting him of murder. Johnson had relocated to Australia with his girlfriend, who was homosexual. He was a mathematician doctorate student at the Australian National University and had applied for permanent residence.

Johnson's family requested a third inquiry in 2017. Johnson was pushed down the cliff by unidentified assailants who attacked him because they feared he was gay, according to State Coroner Michael Barnes. According to the BBC, officials apologized to the Johnson's family in the 1980s for how the matter was probed. Steve Johnson, Johnson's brother, expressed his hope that his brother's case might be utilized as a model for future investigations. White is now in detention and will be sentenced on May 2.

He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to Newsweek. The man accused of murdering Scott Johnso was convicted of murder on Thursday, more than 30 years after his body was discovered at the foot of a Sydney cliff.

Read Also: Authorities Discover Dead 6-Year-Old Illinois Boy in Abandoned Home; Autopsy Reveals Slain Toddler Had Partially Frozen Organs

Police mistakenly dismissed case

Scott White, 50, made a startling statement earlier this week that allowed the court to condemn him in the 1988 case, putting an end to his brother Steve Johnson's decades-long search for the perpetrators of his brother's killing. When Scott Johnson was slain on December 8, 1988, he was a PhD student at the Australian National University in Canberra. He'd relocated to Australia with his partner and sought for permanent status.

The death was first considered a suicide by Australian authorities when his corpse was discovered in an area frequented by homosexual men. His brother was doubtful, and he demanded that the matter be reopened. Former Australian authorities have said that the police were generally unfriendly to homosexual males at the time and that their deaths were not adequately investigated.

After learning about a 2005 inquest into the deaths of three men from the same time in similar circumstances, Steve Johnson hired an investigative journalist to dig into his brother's case. In 2012, he successfully petitioned for a second inquest, which reversed the suicide verdict and suggested that the matter be reinvestigated by police.

Scott Johnson was the victim of an anti-gay hate crime and jumped from the cliff as a result of real or threatened assault, according to a third inquest in 2017. The Fresh South Wales police launched an inquiry the next year, offering a reward of one million Australian dollars (about $730,000) for new information.

White was charged with Scott Johnson's murder in May 2020. White initially pled not guilty; but at a pretrial hearing on Monday, he got up and stated "firmly and passionately, 'Guilty, I'm guilty, guilty,'" according to Steve Johnson.

The hearing was adjourned. In the following days, White's attorneys contended that their client was suffering from stress and worry, as well as an intellectual disability and that his admission should be reversed. However, the court heard that White had expressed his desire to modify his plea on multiple previous occasions and that he did so in a deliberate and assertive way, according to the judge.

He was found guilty of the murder on Thursday and his sentence hearing is set for May. White was from Sydney, local media reported, and lived alone in a small flat with his dog at the time of his arrest. The cops were anticipated to testify in court that he met Scott Johnson at a motel before heading to the cliff together, as per The New York Times.

Related Article: Harmony Montgomery Case: Step Mother Face 9 New Charges as Biological Mom Suspects Violent Ex-Husband Could Have Sold Her Missing Daughter



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A lawyer for Andrew Cuomo says the disgraced former New York governor will take legal action if the Attorney General doesn't re-evaluate claims that accuser Lindsey Boylan had an affair with another top state official.

Attorney Rita Glavin said recent evidence turned over to her by Attorney General Letitia James reveals that Boylan - the first woman to publicly accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment - was 'more than professional' with Empire State Development CEO Howard Zemsky in 2017.

Zemsky is married to his wife, Leslie, and has three children, according to the University of Buffalo, where he delivered a commencement speech in 2015.

Glavin said that both Boylan and Zemsky denied having a relationship and that both of them spoke to James' investigators, but that 'my read of the testimony is that they're not consistent with each other.'

The new allegations were made in a nearly two-hour virtual press conference on Thursday.

Glavin also charged that Boylan used the encrypted messaging app Confide to threaten Zemsky after he and others disputed her claim that Cuomo asked her to play strip poker while they were on his official jet.

'I cant wait to destroy your life, your [sic] st follower,' Boylan allegedly told Zemsky.

'And I presume Ms. Boylan is referring to herself and knowing something about Mr. Zemsky,' Glavin said.

Glavin says that Zemsky 'changed his story' after getting the text, but that Boylan was never questioned about the message.

Cuomo attorney Rita Glavin presented a slew of new accusations against Lindsey Boylan and Attorney General Letitia James in a nearly two-hour virtual press conference Thursday

Glavin said that Boylan (left) also had a relationship with economic development czar Howard Zemsky (right)

Glavin accused Lindsey of having a relationship with Zemsky and said that their testimonies when questioned about it were 'not consistent'

Glavin said Cuomo would take legal action if Attorney General Letitia James (above) doesn't take hire 'truly independent investigators' to evaluate the claims

'The former governor and his attorney are continuing their smear campaign of Ms. Boylan to punish her for being the first of multiple women to expose the governors misconduct,' said Boylan's attorney Julie Gerchik, according to the New York Post.

'In addition to the Attorney General's findings, the New York State Assembly hired one of New Yorks top law firms to conduct an independent investigation and they concluded that there was "overwhelming support that the former Governor engaged in multiple instances of misconduct." The facts and two independent investigative reports speak for themselves.'

A spokesperson for AG James also dismissed Glavin's claims: 'Another day, another attempt by the former governor to attack the brave women who called out his abuse.'

Boylan worked as an aide to Gov. Cuomo from 2015 to 2018.

Regarding Boylan and Zemsky's alleged relationship, Glavin said 'there had been some rumors and concerns about their relationship within ESD' that came from employees 'having witnessed some conduct that gave them concern.'

The Empire State Development is a public benefit corporation that promotes the state's economy and job creation.

Glavin said Alphonso David, then a lawyer with the ESD, 'had them both in and questioned them, and they both denied having ever had some type of improper relationship.'

But she said their testimonies to James' investigators were 'not consistent.'

In August, AG James released a report accusing Cuomo of sexually harassing 11 women, including nine current or former state employees. Cuomo resigned days later.

Cuomo resigned in August days after a report by James' office claimed he sexually harassed 11 women, including nine current and former state employees

Glavin, Cuomo's attorney, says she got evidence from James' office that Boylan, Cuomo's first public accuser, and Zemsky, another state official, were 'more than professional'

Glavin claims that Boylen told Zemsky, 'I cant wait to destroy your life,' via an encrypted messaging app after Zemsky and others questioned her claims that Cuomo made her play strip poker

A spokesperson for James dismissed Glavin's claims: 'Another day, another attempt by the former governor to attack the brave women who called out his abuse.'

'The AG had evidence that Ms. Boylan was tampering with a witness, trying to get him to corroborate her and threatened to destroy his life if he didnt,' she added.

Glavin, a former Department of Justice official, also James of not following up on claims that accuser Charlotte Bennett was named in court papers as having falsely accused a fellow student at Hamilton College of sexual misconduct.

Bennett's attorney Debra Katz called Glavin's claims 'baseless.'

'And she also knows that the conclusions reached by the AG and the NY State Assembly are unassailable. This is just the latest desperate act by the Governor,' Katz said in a statement to the Post.

On Thursday, Glavin said that her client, Cuomo, would take legal action if James didn't hire 'truly independent investigators' to take another look at the claims against him.

'I implore the attorney general to do the right thing,' Glavin said.

A spokesperson for James responded: 'Thousands of pages of transcripts, exhibits, videos, and other evidence have already been publicly released, but these lies continue in an effort to mask the truth: Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women.'

'There is a mountain of evidence to support these findings, which were corroborated by the Assemblys report and deemed credible by multiple DAs. New Yorkers are tired of these excuses.'

James announced she was running for governor to replace Cuomo on October 29, but she dropped out and said she would run for re-election instead.

Cuomo is also asking the state's Joint Commission on Public Ethics to save all communications related to his doomed $5.1 millionbook deal as he prepares to sue the body.

The ousted politician was ordered last month to turn over the proceeds from 'American Crisis: Leadership from the COVID-19 Pandemic' following a probe by a state ethics panel.

Cuomo is demanding that the state's ethics commission preserves all evidence related to communications about his Covid book as he plans to sue them for revoking its approval

Cuomo's memoir became the subject of an investigation from the New York attorney general's office and JCOPE last year

'The Governor will seek the intercession of the court to protect his rights and prevent further abuses by JCOPE of its authority,' James McGuire said in the letter to commission chair Jose L. Nieves.

Cuomo made a virtual court appearance with his attorneys as a criminal groping charge against him was dismissed last week

'I therefore put JCOPEs commissioners and its staff on notice that they must preserve all records, including emails, texts, and all other written communications, and take all necessary steps to ensure such records are preserved, related to [the decision to rescind book profits.]'

The preservation of records request also hints at legal troubles for the committee, which McGuire said violated Cuomo's privacy and right to due process.

Last week, the only criminal charge against former Cuomo was dismissed by a New York judge.

Judge Holly Trexler agreed to a joint request from prosecutors and defense attorneys to drop the charge.

The misdemeanor complaint was filed by the Albany sheriff in October, accusing Cuomo of groping an aide in the executive mansion in December 2020, eight months before he resigned.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares told Judge Trexler that although the aide was credible, and some evidence supported her account, he believed he couldn't win a conviction in court.
The Block host Shaynna Blaze and Covid expert Professor Sharon Lewin are both highly respected figures in their chosen fields.

But the similarities don't end there, with television identity Blaze admitting she is often confused for her similarly prominent doppelganger.

On Twitter recently, the TV host, who is also an interior designer and author, played up to talk on social media the two women may in fact be the 'same' person.

Shaynna Blaze (pictured) confirmed on Twitters he is regularly mistaken for Doherty Institute director Sharon Lewin, who has become a regular face in media commentary during the pandemic

Covid expert Professor Sharon Lewin (pictured) has become a familiar face for many Australians as she offers advice during the pandemic

The Block host Shaynna Blaze teased her social media followers, stating she is often confused for her doppleganger - Covid expert Professor Sharon Lewin

Blaze confirmed that yes, she is often mistaken for the Doherty Institute director, who has become a regular face in media commentary during the pandemic.

'All the time,' Blaze teased in a GIF, before adding 'but are we ever in the same room'?

A Reddit user recently compared photos of Lewin and Blaze, noting the physical similarities between both women.

'Every time I see Sharon Lewin, the director of the Doherty Institute, speaking on TV, I wonder why Shaynna Blaze from the Block is discussing immunity and epidemiology...' the user wrote.

The Reddit post has been upvoted almost 300 times, with many Aussies agreeing both women share a remarkable resemblance to one another.

'I literally can't tell who is who,' one person said.

'Shaynna's got many talents... epidemiology just happens to be one of them along with feature walls and throw rugs,' joked another.

A third posed the question: 'Has anyone seen these two in the same room together?'

'I said the same thing to my wife last week. It just blew my mind. Shaynna is great though; I love her input in every program she has been in,' added another.

'They definitely should do a TV spot after lockdown, Covid restrictions permitting.'

Australians following the Omicron news cycle have noticed Covid expert Sharon Lewin (left) has a celebrity doppelganger: Shaynna Blaze from The Block (right)

A Reddit user recently compared photos of Lewin (pictured), the director of the Doherty Institute, with interior designer Blaze, noting the physical similarities between both women

Lewin has been fronting press conferences in Melbourne and making media appearances to provide health advice and recommendations as Omicron cases continue to rapidly climb across the country.

In an interview with the Today show on Friday, she threw her support behind eased isolation and close contact rules, despite predicting Omicron cases will surge to 'very high' levels.

Blaze won last year's season of Celebrity Apprentice Australia, raising $300,000 for the charity Voice of Change.

She will return as a judge on The Block this year.
New York City's new mayor announced on Thursday that he is considering allowing the nation's largest school district to return to some form of virtual instruction - even as COVID cases in the Big Apple start to plateau.

Eric Adams, who took office on New Year's, said on Thursday he is 'working closely with the president of the UFT' to 'find the right way to educate our children in a very safe environment.

'And if we're able to put in place a temporary remote option, we're welcome to do so,' he said, much to the shock of many New York City parents.

But, he added, he aims to keep children in school, as he has previously stated.

'I want children in school because it's not only the academics,' Adams said. 'You hear me say it al the time, it is the holistic approach [to] the full development of the personhood of the children.

'All the experts state they should be in school now.'

According to New York City COVID data, there were 33,205 new cases reported throughout the five boroughs on Thursday - a 43 percent decrease from the week before.

And in the week ending January 8, just 30.78 percent of kids up to four years old tested positive for COVID, 24.5 percent of five- to 12-year-olds tested positive, and 28.67 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds tested positive.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced that he is considering reimplementing a remote learning option

The announcement, though, comes as COVID cases are starting to fall in the city

Adams has previously claimed he would not shutter schools, even telling Anderson Cooper on Friday that implementing remote learning to slow the spread of COVID did not make sense to him because virtual lessons were not effective.

He noted that it also negatively impacted children with proper access to Wi-Fi and technology.

'The last time we did a remote option, children were not learning, and you can't have a false remote option,' he told Anderson Cooper, according to CNN.

'We can't continue to hurt the education of our children.'

His announcement that the city may return to remote learning on Thursday sparked some outrage by parents.

Following the news, Stephania tweeted: 'Remote learning is a joke and council members should be voted out,' while Denise Pelkey said she would rather the city implement a blended teaching model, saying she liked sending her kids to school.

Dee Smalls, meanwhile, said remote learning is 'a disservice to the kids,' as she urged the mayor to find a way to keep kids in school.

Francesco Fadda also tweeted: 'Please keep the schools open. Remote (not) learning is not a good option for kids!! And not only for academic consideration but for their mental health and emotional skills. School environments are much safer than many other places.'

A poll of nearly 1,000 educators last year found that more than 97 percent reported seeing some learning loss in their students over the 2020 - 2021 school year when compared to previous years, and 57 percent estimated their students are behind by more than three months in their social-emotional progress, according to CNBC.

And children who do get sick with COVID are less likely to get severe symptoms, with a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics revealing that children have represented just zero to 0.027 percent of all COVID-related deaths in the United States, with a total of 803 American children dying of COVID over the last two years.

That is less than the number of total deaths from both the flu and a respiratory syncytial virus in a normal year.

The study also found that among the 24 states reporting their data, 0.1 percent to 1.6 percent of all their child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalization.

Adams has previously slammed remote learning saying the lessons were not effective. A high school senior is seen here taking her Advanced Placement Calculus class remotely in August 2020 in Los Angeles

Following the mayor's announcement, parents took to social media to express their displeasure with remote learning

But since Adams took office, Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers union representing the city's public school teachers, has been asking the mayor to postpone in-person learning amid the Omicron surge.

The issue was compounded on Tuesday by students walking out of several schools, including Brooklyn Tech and Bronx High School of Science saying they want more COVID-19 tests for students and staff as well as an option for remote learning.

Following the city-wide demonstration, New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks told NN he plans to meet with some of the student leaders who walked out.

'I certainly appreciate any time students raise their voice to be heard,' he said. 'I understand and I empathize with where they are, but I think we also are very focused on making sure we keep schools open.'

The citys school system was one of the first to return to in-person instruction after the pandemic hit in 2020 and schools closed in March for the rest of the year. They started a hybrid plan in the fall of 2020, with most students inside school a few days a week and at home learning online the rest of the time.

New York City students returned to full-time in-person instruction this past fall, and the city school system is now conducting in-school PCR tests and handing out rapid tests to students.

But attendance levels since students returned from winter break have been lower than usual, with anywhere from one-quarter to one-third of students not showing up to class most days.

As of Wednesday, attendance district-wide was 76 percent, according to city Department of Education numbers. In a district of nearly a million students, that means about 220,000 were either out sick or otherwise missing school.

More than 100 schools reported attendance of less than 60 percent, and more than 50 reported less than half of all students attending class Wednesday.

The mayor's announcement comes after teachers and students demanded increased COVID-19 safety measures and a remote learning option

Students are seen here walking out in protest of the district's COVID policies on Tuesday

The walkout extended to all five boroughs of New York City

Still, the mayor stressed on Thursday that the city would not see a dispute like that in Chicago, where the nation's third-largest school district canceled five days of classes because of a disagreement with the teachers' union over COVID-19 safety protocols.

'This is not Chicago,' Adams said. 'We can resolve this. We can get through these crises and we will find the right way to educate our children in a very safe environment.'

He did not offer details about what a remote option might look like. Messages left with the teachers union and the city's Department of Education were not immediately returned.
A New York City restaurant owner said he would not follow the city's vaccine mandate for private employees and dared the governor to arrest him.

Stratis Morfogen, owner of The Brooklyn Chop Shop and Dumpling Shop, told Fox News' Tucker Carlson on Thursday that the state is wrong to continue to impose its mandate after restauranteurs struggled throughout the pandemic and helped feed first responders.

'I'm not doing the mandate, and I told Governor [Kathy] Hochul to come and arrest me,' he told Carlson.

'I'm not doing it because, first of all, the employees we have, these were our heroes. In [the] early part of COVID, we fed 8,400 health care workers.

'I'm not firing these people for a jab for a job,' he said.

Morfogen added that he was glad the US Supreme Court agreed with him after they voted 6-3 to block President Joe Biden's sweeping rules on private companies, which included a vaccine mandate, in a crushing blow to his pandemic response on Thursday.

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Stratis Morfogen (right), owner of The Brooklyn Chop Shop and Dumpling Shop, spoke with Fox's Tucker Carlson on Thursday and said he would not follow the state's vaccine mandate

He said the employees at his restaurant were heroes who helped feed 8,400 emergency workers during the start of the pandemic

Morfogen dared New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (above) to arrest him for not following the state's mandate

The conservative justices claimed Biden's rule was over-broad and would have presented a 'significant encroachment' on the 'everyday lives -- and health -- of' the 84 million American workers that would have been impacted.

'I'm glad the supreme court agrees with me,' Morfogen told Carlson.

The restauranteur added that the city's vaccine mandate does not do much to combat the spread of COVID as those who are vaccinated may still be infected and spread the virus.

'I could be asymptomatic positive, and I can walk into my crowded restaurant - our Brooklyn Chop House, our Brooklyn Dumpling Shop - and I could spread it to everyone,' he said showing off his vaccine card.

While rejecting Biden's plan, the justices did pass his mandate for healthcare workers 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh siding with liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer.

Biden called the ruling on private businesses 'disappointing' in a statement on Thursday afternoon but added that the decision to keep the healthcare mandate 'will save lives.'

The Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden 's vaccine-or-test mandate for private companies with 100 or more employees, in a 6-3 decision handed down on Thursday that dealt a crushing blow to the White House's pandemic response

'This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden,' the president claimed.

'As a result of the Court's decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated.'

Thirteen states including Texas, Florida and Arizona have bans or limits on imposing vaccine mandates while many companies including Macy's and Starbucks have already announced measures for their employees.

Democrat-led states such as New York with their own mandates won't be impacted and can keep their rules in place, while states without any rules in place can decide for themselves.

Republicans celebrated the decision by calling it a 'victory for freedom' after claiming it was an overreach for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - the agency usually tasked with investigating asbestos and workplace accidents.

The decision also came as new data appeared to show Omicron may have peaked that cases could soon fall sharply.

Statistics from Johns Hopkins University shows that New York, New Jersey and Maryland have all seen seven day-average cases drop in recent days. Deaths have spiked by 20 per cent in a fortnight to around 1,820 a day, but still sit far below the peaks of winter 2020, even though more COVID infections are being recorded.

It's the latest setback in a bad day for Joe Biden (pictured telling reporters that Democrats' current plan for voting rights is dead after moderate Sen. Kyrsten Sinema objected to scuttling the filibuster)

Biden's rival Donald Trump praised the decision and mocked Biden's campaign-era promise to 'shut down' the virus.

'The Supreme Court has spoken, confirming what we all knew: Biden's disastrous mandates are unconstitutional,' Trump said in a statement through his Save America PAC.

'Biden promised to shut down the virus, not the economy but he has failed miserably on bothand mandates would have further destroyed the economy. We are proud of the Supreme Court for not backing down. No mandates!'

Biden rolled out sweeping measures in September aimed at getting more Americans vaccinated, after the rate of inoculations slumped as the Delta variant brought a new wave of infections over the summer. If implemented, they would have affected a combined one-third of the US workforce.

Following the president's orders the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the agency which ensures public and private workplace safety on a federal level, rolled out details for its rules for private companies.

In the 6-3 majority opinion, the conservative justices claim the rule 'draws no distinctions based on industry or risk of exposure to COVID19.'

They go on to argue that COVID-19 is not an 'occupational hazard' and can be spread 'at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather.'

'That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases,' the opinion states.

Biden on Thursday said he was disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision, but would urge businesses to step up and tell States to do the right thing

'Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily lifesimply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clockwould significantly expand OSHA's regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization.'

This is no 'everyday exercise of federal power': SCOTUS justices key arguments in their decision 'It draws no distinctions based on industry or risk of exposure to COVID19. Thus, most lifeguards and linemen face the same regulations as do medics and meatpackers.' 'This is no 'everyday exercise of federal power' ... It is instead a significant encroachment into the livesand healthof a vast number of employees.' 'Although COVID 19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. COVID19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather... '...That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases.' 'OSHA's indiscriminate approach fails to account for this crucial distinction between occupational risk and risk more generallyand accordingly the mandate takes on the character of a general public health measure, rather than an 'occupational safety or health standard.'' Advertisement

They called the rule a 'blunt instrument' that would improperly place the same workplace guidelines on a 'lineman' as a 'medic.'

In his concurring opinion Justice Neil Gorsuch appeared to take a jab at White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, who landed himself and Biden in hot water late last year by retweeting an MSNBC host calling the mandate the 'ultimate work-around' to normal Congressional authorities.

Gorsuch said it appeared that OSHA 'pursued its regulatory initiative only as a legislative 'work-around.''

In typical fashion Klain took to Twitter to defend his boss's mandate on Thursday.

'We didn't impose ANY vaccine requirements until August, and the one the Court stayed today was not announced until September,' Klain wrote.

'These requirements were used only after persuasion, incentives ($100 to get a vax), and final FDA approval were all in place.'

Republican praise for the court's decision poured in near-immediately.

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy blasted Biden's mandates as 'unlawful and not based on science' before promising to continue to oppose the rule for healthcare workers.

'Today's ruling blocking OSHA's vaccine mandate is a welcomed rejection of an arbitrary, aggressive, and authoritarian government. But the fight isn't over. Republicans will continue to speak up for the many health care workers who have been wrongly fired due to a similar mandate,' McCarthy said.

'This is a huge win. The federal government has no place making far-reaching mandates that put an undue burden on businesses across Wyoming,' Senator Cynthia Lummis wrote on Twitter.

Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump's ex-Secretary of State, said Biden's mandate is 'unconstitutional. Period.'

'Grateful the Supreme Court agreed. We must always be vigilant to ensure the federal government does not become too powerful,' Pompeo said on the platform.

The GOP tweeted: 'This is a victory for American workers, and the GOP is proud of our role filing one of the lawsuits that halted this mandate.'

Senator Roger Marshall, a licensed physician, celebrated: 'This is a HUGE victory for all Americans who were forced to fight against Joe Biden's cruel campaign to punish workers over their medical freedom.'

National Republican Party chair Ronna McDaniel said: 'We are proud to have filed one of the lawsuits challenging the Biden administration and are encouraged by this ruling, but the fight is not over. The Republican National Committee will continue to stand up for businesses and workers.'

Will the states step in? How Democrat states could employee their own private mandates, and the Republicans could introduce more bans The Supreme Court ruling will give essentially leave it up to the states to decide whether to put a mandate on private employees in place. Thirteen Republican states have already imposed a ban or limitation on such mandates, but Democrat-led states may have the option of extending rules for state and healthcare workers into the private sector. Vaccines are mandated for for state workers in 19 states while they are banned in 10 states, according to the National Academy for Health and State Policy. Here is a breakdown of mandates in the states: (Source Leading Age) Thirteen states that have banned or limited vaccine mandates on employees  Arizona: Ban applies to all employers except healthcare. Healthcare institutions are permitted  but not mandated  to require vaccinations. However, they must provide 'reasonable accommodation' for any who are unvaccinated.  Arkansas*: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.  Florida: Ban scope includes ALL private and public employers, and employers who violate the ban face a $10,000 per employee violation fine.  Georgia: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.  Idaho: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.  Indiana: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.  Kansas: Ban scope includes all private and public employers.  Montana: Ban applies to all employers except healthcare. Healthcare institutions are permitted to ask employees to voluntarily share their status and may assume that anyone who does not share their status is unvaccinated. However, they must provide 'reasonable accommodation' for any who are unvaccinated.  New Hampshire: Generally bans the mandate of vaccines as a condition of employment unless a 'direct threat' exists (see link for definition) that cannot be addressed by other means or a reasonable accommodation  North Dakota: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.  Tennessee: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers.  Texas: Ban scope includes all private and public employers.  Utah: Ban scope is only state entities; does not address private sector employers. Some of these Republican states could widen their ban on mandates. Other GOP states not on the list could also be considering measures. States that mandate for health care workers, 'vaccination or termination'  Colorado  Maine  New York  Oregon  Rhode Island  Washington States that mandate for health care workers, 'vaccination or testing and masking'  Connecticut  Illinois  Maryland Advertisement

Earlier on Thursday, Biden smirked as reporters asked him questions about the COVID response and when he will hold his next news conference

'It is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces safe': Biden's full SCOTUS ruling reply My administration began to institute vaccination requirements last July, when after months of making vaccinations free and widely available, 90 million Americans were still unvaccinated. Today, that number is down to under 35 million. These vaccine requirements applied to members of the Armed Forces, federal workers and contractors, health care workers, and employees in large firms. Had my administration not put vaccination requirements in place, we would be now experiencing a higher death toll from COVID-19 and even more hospitalizations. Today's decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the requirement for health care workers will save lives: the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses, and others who work there. It will cover 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities. We will enforce it. At the same time, I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law. This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden. As a result of the Court's decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated. The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans' health and economy. I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped up  including one third of Fortune 100 companies  and institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities. We have to keep working together if we want to save lives, keep people working, and put this pandemic behind us. Advertisement

In his reaction to the Supreme Court ruling, Trump mocked Biden's campaign promise to 'shut down' the virus

White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain defended his boss' vaccine rule. In his concurring opinion with the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch took a shot at Klain for retweeting that Biden's order is the 'ultimate work-around' in November

Trump Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the Supreme Court's decision on private businesses

As of now 25 states have some kind of workplace COVID vaccine mandates, 16 of which have a rule specifically for healthcare workers or long-term care workers, according to Leading Age's tracker.

The majority of states with vaccination mandates also provide an alternative testing option.

Six states have a 'vaccine or terminate' rule for health care settings, meaning only employees who qualify for specific exemptions can work there unvaccinated.
The murdered woman has been named locally as 22-year-old Ashling Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore

A post-mortem examination of a primary school teacher in Ireland has revealed she was strangled to death.

Ashling Murphy, 23, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Cana in Tullamore, County Offaly.

Officers believe she put up a brave fight, but added that Ashling may have been stalked prior to her death.

A 40-year-old man had been arrested in connection with her murder but was released last night without charge after questioning.

The solicitor for the former suspect, Donal Farrelly, said it is now 'quite clear this man had nothing to do with the incident and has been cleared of all allegations'.

A garda spokesperson said: 'The male has been eliminated from Garda inquiries and is no longer a suspect.'

A source close to the investigation also said the former suspect was taken to safe accommodation after being released for his own safety, the Irish Examiner reported.

Meanwhile, gardai have again appealed for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a 'Falcon Storm mountain bike' with 'straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks' to come forward.

Officers earlier said they believe the killer acted alone and attacked the talented musician while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday.

He fled after two women came across the attack and gardai were quickly on the scene after a call from a member of the public.

Ms Murphy was still alive and they tried to give medical attention but she could not be saved.

Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice.

Ms Murphy (pictured left and right) died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender

A woman is pictured this morning carrying flowers to lay with other tributes left near to the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Offaly, where Aisling Murphy was murdered on Wednesday evening

Ashling Murphy, 23, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Cana in Tullamore, County Offaly. Pictured: The scene today

According to the Independent.ie, Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore.

'This area here, where the crime occurred, is popular among Tullamore residents and is widely used for recreational purposes,' Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday.

'The victim of this crime is Ashling Murphy.

'Ashling was a schoolteacher in Durrow National School. Our prayers are with Ashling's family at this time and indeed the wider community, her teaching colleagues and the children she taught who are without their teacher today.

'Immediately following the discovery of this crime, a full-scale murder investigation was launched.'

Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore

Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: 'I want to extend my sympathies to Ashling's father, mother and all her extended family.

'I am devastated. I couldn't sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time. She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words.'

Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk.

'Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world, and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal,' he added.

'It's a lovely area and helps clear your head. It's a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams.'

Police officers visited the school where Ms Murphy worked on Thursday morning to speak with staff and offer support.

At around 9.30am, a police water unit arrived at the scene to begin a search of the waterway next to where the attack occurred.

Superintendent Eamonn Curley (left) near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly, after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed on Wednesday evening

Pictured: A map showing where Ms Murphy's body was found along the Grand Canal way, also known as Fiona's Way. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender, of whom there is a monument to in Tullamore

Gardai carry out investigations at the Grand Canal at Cappincur on Thursday after the horrific killing

Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice

Justice Minister Helen McEntee tweeted: 'My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community.

'Please, anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done.'

Further Education Minister Simon Harris said: 'A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed.

'Thinking of her and her family and community tonight and their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility.'

Gardai believe the killer acted alone and attacked the talented musician while she was jogging along the canal bank

Pictured: Flowers are left at a Garda checkpoint in Tullamore after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed in Co Offaly. She died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur at around 4pm on Wednesday. Picture date: Thursday January 13, 2022

Superintendent Eamonn Curley speaks to the media near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly

The canal path that Ms Murhpy was attacked on is named after Fiona Pender, a missing woman who was last seen at 6am on August 23, 1996, at her Tullamore flat.

Her disappearance has been the subject of an on-going investigation ever since.

Gardai are appealing for information, and asking anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday to make contact with them.

Minister of State Josepha Madigan for Special Education and Inclusion said: 'A young woman can't even go for a run along a canal pathway - at four o'clock, in the middle of the day - only to be attacked and murdered.

'Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen.'
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A migrant has died in the Channel this morning while French crews have rescued another 30 people after they ran into difficulties while attempting to reach the UK.

The man, believed to be in his 20s and from Sudan, died after falling into the water while making the perilous crossing from northern France to Britain this morning. He was found and unconscious and taken back to shore for treatment, but was later declared dead.

Twenty-five people were found still on board the boat and were picked up by rescue teams while five others were found on a nearby sandbank, French authorities say.

As many as three migrants could still be missing according to testimonies from those who were rescued, according to reports in French media. An investigation into what happened has been opened by the Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor.

The latest death in the Channel, believed to be the first this year, comes after 27 migrants drowned in November after their dinghy capsized near Calais. Five women and a young girl were among the victims.

At least 39 people are believed to have died attempting the Channel crossing last year, according to figures from the International Organization for Migration.

Charity bosses and MPs described today's death in the Channel as a 'tragedy' and urged the Government to act to end the dangerous small boat crossings.

It comes as figures today show more than 450 migrants have crossed the Channel from France to the UK in two weeks. A total of 271 migrants were confirmed to have made the dangerous crossing on Thursday - bringing the total number of arrivals so far this year to at least 458.

The total number of migrant arrivals yesterday was more than entire figure for January last year - when 223 people in 15 boats crossed the Channel in 31 days.

More than 28,381 people crossed the Channel to the UK across the whole of 2021, compared to 8,400 in 2020.

Footage from this morning shows an RNLI lifeboat bringing a group of migrants into Dover in the early hours, when air temperatures were as low as 6C (42F).

Sea temperatures meanwhile were also around 9.5C (49F). Experts say the average person can afford to be in water that cold for 'between five and ten minutes' before risking hypothermia.

The RNLB City of London II Dover Lifeboat brought the group of young men wearing jackets and woolly hats into Dover Marina.

One gave a thumbs up to celebrate arriving around 2am as their large black RHIB was left in the harbour filled with discarded equipment and an outboard engine.

Meanwhile, around 45 migrants were brought ashore by an RNLI lifeboat at Dungeness last night - the first crossing of its kind so far this year.

French authorities also prevented 75 people from making the dangerous journey across the Dover Strait in three incidents, according to the Home Office.

Those arriving at Dover this morning, all of whom appeared to be men, were seen wrapped up in thick coats as they were led up from the lifeboat at to the shore.

Those brought to shore in Dungeness, all said to be men and all of whom are said to have claimed to be from Syria, were escorted off an RNLI lifeboat before being taken to Border Force staff to be processed.

A migrant has died in the Channel this morning while French crews have rescued another 30 people after they ran into difficulties while attempting to reach the UK. Pictured: Migrants are escorted into the Port of Dover today

The man, believed to be in his 20s and from Sudan, died after falling into the water while making the perilous crossing from northern France to Britain this morning. He was found and unconscious and taken back to shore for treatment, but was later declared dead. Pictured: A migrant is escorted into the Port of Dover by a Border Force official after being rescued while crossing the English Channel

Charity bosses and MPs described today's death in the Channel as a 'tragedy' and urged the Government to act to end the dangerous small boat crossings. Pictured: A British Border Force staff member inspects a dinghy used by migrants at Dover harbour, in Dover

More than 450 migrants have crossed the Channel in two weeks, new figures show, as around a dozen more people were rescued and brought into Dover today (pictured)

Footage from this morning shows an RNLI lifeboat bringing a group of migrants into Dover in the early hours, when air temperatures were as low as 6C (42F)

Around 45 migrants were brought ashore by an RNLI lifeboat at Dungeness last night (pictured) - the first crossing of its kind so far this year

Police officers stand next to a boat after a rescue operation of migrants who tried to cross the Channel, in Berck, France

How many migrants have crossed the Channel from France to the UK since the start of the year? According to Home Office figures: January 4 - 66 January 10  96 January 12  25 January 13  271 January 14  Believed to be around 100 so far according to officials and not yet confirmed by the Home Office Advertisement

It comes as figures show as many as 100 migrants have died or have gone missing while attempting to cross the Channel in the last three years.

Statistics from the International Organization for Migration show 39 migrants died attempting to cross the Channel last year - with a further five reported missing.

The figures are preliminary but are 'not expected to change dramatically' before a final report is published next month.

It compares to 10 deaths and three missing in 2020 and 50 dead or missing in 2019.

A total of 196 migrants have gone missing in the Channel attempting to reach the UK since 2014, according to the Missing Migrants Project.

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, said: 'People fleeing persecution should seek safety in the first safe country they reach and not risk their lives paying criminal gangs to cross the Channel.

'This Government is reforming our approach to illegal entry to the UK and asylum by making the tough decisions to end the overt exploitation of our laws and its impact on UK taxpayers.

'The public have rightly had enough of the blatant disregard of our immigration laws and we are bringing in necessary long-term changes.

'The Nationality and Borders Bill will make it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introduce life sentences for those who facilitate illegal entry into the country.

'It will also strengthen the powers of Border Force to stop and redirect vessels, while introducing new powers to remove asylum seekers to have their claims processed outside the UK.'

Meanwhile, Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke called for an end to Channel migrant crossings. She said: 'These Channel crossings are incredibly unsafe and it is so sad that there has been another tragic death at sea.

'Lives of vulnerable people are at risk every single day the small boat crisis continues. The right and compassionate thing to do is to keep people safe. People are safe in France.

'There are safe and legal routes to come to the UK. People should not make these dangerous crossings.'

But Mike Adamson, chief executive at British Red Cross, urged the Government to act over Channel crossings, calling for ministers to open up official and safe routes for asylum seekers to reach the UK.

Mr Adamson, whose charity is the UK's largest provider of support to refugees and people seeking asylum, said: 'It is devastating to hear that another person has lost their life attempting to cross the Channel.

Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke called for an end to Channel migrant crossings. She said: 'These Channel crossings are incredibly unsafe and it is so sad that there has been another tragic death at sea.'

'Our thoughts are with them and their loved ones - who may not even know yet what has happened. This loss comes far too soon after the deaths of 27 people at the end of last year.

'There are no simple answers, but we urge the Government to rethink its plans for making the UK's asylum system harder to access. This should start with ambitious plans for new safe routes and a commitment to resettle 10,000 people a year.'

Meanwhile, Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UKs Refugee and Migrant Rights Director, said: 'Once again someone has lost their life in tragic and avoidable circumstances, and our thoughts are with the family and friends suffering this devastating loss.

'This tragedy is made all the more unbearable because of the refusal of governments on both sides of the Channel to address the needs and rights of people compelled to attempt these dangerous journeys.

'Weve repeatedly called for a humane and pragmatic asylum policy - one which recognises that the UK must take its share of responsibility for providing asylum, including to many of the people trapped in intolerable conditions in northern France, particularly where they have family and other connections in the UK.

'Unless its drastically amended, the draconian Nationality and Borders Bill now going through Parliament is set to make the lives of people seeking asylum even harsher while allowing smugglers and other abusers to continue to profit from this completely unacceptable situation.'

Kent Refugee Action Network, which supports young refugees in Kent, also tweeted: 'This is just too awful for words and our thoughts are with his friends and family.

'We need safe routes now. Failure to provide them will only create the conditions for more deaths. The government bears responsibility for that.'

It comes as pictures showed a young boy and a baby wrapped in a blanket who was among a group of up to 80 migrants who arrived on British shores on Thursday.

The boy, who was pictured hand in hand with another migrant and a Border Force officer, was among a group of migrants who were escorted onto dry land at Dover at around 1pm.

Shortly after 3pm, a further 27 migrants were brought into Dover Marina. A young girl, wearing a navy polka dot coat, was hysterically crying after being woken up from a deep sleep to be carried up the gangway by a Border Force officer.

She was with two other men and women, along with a young boy wearing a red jacket who appeared uneasy on his feet.

French authorities also prevented 75 people from making the dangerous journey across the Dover Strait in three incidents, according to the Home Office. Pictured: Migrants arriving in Dover today

The group arrived in thick jackets and were brought ashore before being processed by Border Force officials

The small boat that the migrant group were recused from was also brought into Dover along the migrants who were rescued

The RNLI lifeboat bringing migrants to the shore in Dover after rescuing the group from the Channel in the early hours of this morning

These crossings followed the arrival of a group of migrants this morning. Among them was a baby draped in a blanket. They arrived after several vessels were allegedly reported in the thick fog in the English Channel carrying dozens of people on board.

The men, woman and children were brought into Dover by an RNLI lifeboat looking cold and tired amid freezing temperatures before dawn today as they were helped ashore by immigration officials and paramedics.

The group was brought to shore by the RNLB City of London II Dover Lifeboat around 6am yesterday after making the journey overnight.

One man carried a baby wearing a white woolly hat wrapped in a maroon blanket as they disembarked followed by a woman and young boy. Medics helped another woman up the gangway for processing.

Around an hour later, the RNLI's lifeboat based in Dungeness, named The Morrell, brought another group of migrants in, mainly consisted of men wearing thick winter coats.

The group arriving shortly after 1pm disembarked Border Force's large catamaran Hurricane and were escorted up the gangway for processing.

Another boat is believed to have been intercepted a few miles off Dungeness, Kent around the same time, meaning up to nine have made the crossing today.

They were transferred onto a Border Force vessel to be brought up the coast to Dover. It is not known how many migrants were on board each boat.

Among the 3pm arrivals was a young girl, wearing a navy polka dot coat, who was hysterically crying after being woken up from a deep sleep to be carried up the gangway by a Border Force officer.

She was with a man and woman - who were followed by a young boy, who appeared uneasy on his feet wearing a red jacket, and another man and woman.

The families were followed by a further 21 men in what is expected to be the last crossing of the day. A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman confirmed it sent its fixed-wing aircraft to a search and rescue incident off the Kent coast in the early hours.

A young boy and a baby wrapped in a blanket were among up to 80 migrants who arrived on British shores yesterday, marking the fifth consecutive day of dangerous Channel crossings. The boy, who was pictured hand in hand with another migrant and a Border Force officer, was among a group of migrants who were escorted onto dry land at Dover at around 1pm yesterday

The group disembarked Border Force's large catamaran Hurricane and were escorted up the gangway for processing

At least 80 migrants are believed to have arrived on UK shores today. Above: A boy is seen among migrants escorted at Dover yesterday

A man carries a sleeping child wrapped in a blanket ashore as more migrants arrive at Dover in Kent yesterday morning

The group are brought ashore on an RNLI lifeboat in Dover yesterday morning after making the perilous cross-Channel journey

They said: 'HM Coastguard has been coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident off Kent, working with Border Force, Kent Police and other partners. We sent the coastguard fixed-wing aircraft and Dover RNLI lifeboat.'

It comes after the first crossing of 2022 on January 4 when 66 migrants arrived, followed by 96 more on Monday.

Last year a record-breaking 28,381 people reached Britain from northern France by making the perilous Channel crossing, a huge increase on the 8,410 who made the trip in 2020.

November 2021 saw the worst tragedy since the start of the crisis when 27 men, women and children died after their dinghy sank in the freezing cold waters.
Most British Facebook users could receive a 50 payout if a landmark legal claim launched against the social network over 'unfair' terms and conditions is successful.

Competition law expert Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen has brought the class-action lawsuit against Facebook's parent firm Meta at the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal.

The director of the Competition Law Forum has accused the technology giant of abusing its market dominance, and is seeking a minimum of 2.3billion in damages.

The action could see more than 44million people compensated over claims that Facebook used its dominant position to force them to agree to terms and conditions.

It is claimed this allowed the firm to generate billions in revenues from their data, while users received no monetary returns, which the claim labels an 'unfair deal'.

Competition law expert Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen has launched the class-action lawsuit

Facebook staff are pictured at the company's UK headquarters of Rathbone Place in London

The claim - the first of its kind against Meta in the UK - will seek financial redress for Facebook users in the UK between October 1, 2015 and December 31, 2019.

The payout would apply to people who used co-founder Mark Zuckerberg's site at least once during this period - which is thought to be more than 44million people.

What does the lawsuit against Facebook say? The lawsuit alleges Facebook made billions of pounds by imposing unfair terms and conditions that demanded consumers surrender valuable personal data to access the network. It argues that Facebook collected data both within its own platform and outside using mechanisms such as Facebook Pixel, an advertising tool used by third-party websites to monitor how users act on their site. The claim will seek financial redress for Facebook users in the UK between October 1 2015 and December 31 2019, who used the site at least once during this period - which is thought to be more than 44million people. It claims Facebook was able to impose terms and conditions on UK users which enabled this data gathering because of its market dominance. Advertisement

It argues that, between 2015 and 2019, Facebook collected data both within its own platform and outside using mechanisms such as Facebook Pixel.

Pixel is an advertising tool that can be used by third-party websites to monitor how users act on their site.

The action claims that Facebook was able to impose terms and conditions on UK users which enabled this data gathering because of its market dominance.

Dr Lovdahl Gormsen said: 'In the 17 years since it was created, Facebook became the sole social network in the UK where you could be sure to connect with friends and family in one place.

'Yet there was a dark side to Facebook - it abused its market dominance to impose unfair terms and conditions on ordinary Britons, giving it the power to exploit their personal data.

'I'm launching this case to secure billions of pounds of damages for the 44 million Britons who had their data exploited by Facebook.'

Dr Lovdahl Gormsen is a senior adviser to Britain's Financial Conduct Authority - and the law firm representing her, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, has notified Facebook of the claim.

Opt-out class actions, like Dr Lovdahl Gormsen's, bind a defined group automatically into a lawsuit unless individuals opt out.

The claim is being brought in London under the Consumer Act 2015.

In response, a Meta spokesman said: 'People access our service for free.

Facebook (co-founder Mark Zuckerberg pictured in 2019) could have to pay all UK users 50

Employees walk through the lobby at Facebook's London offices of Rathbone Place in 2017

'They choose our services because we deliver value for them and they have meaningful control of what information they share on Meta's platforms and who with.

'We have invested heavily to create tools that allow them to do so.'

The case comes days after Facebook lost an attempt to strike out an antitrust lawsuit in the US by the Federal Trade Commission.

It was one of the biggest challenges by the US government against a tech company in decades as Washington attempts to tackle Big Tech's extensive market power.
Russia held snap combat readiness inspections of its troops on Friday, as several key Ukrainian government websites were taken offline by a 'massive' cyber attack.

Russian military manoeuvres are being closely scrutinised due to a troop buildup near Ukraine that has prompted fears in Kyiv and the West that Moscow may be planning to invade. Russia denies any such plan.

In response to the Cyber Attack, EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said on Friday the bloc is mobilising 'all its resources' to aid Ukraine.

No breakthrough was reached at meetings between Russia and Western states this week, which fear Moscow could launch a new attack on a country it invaded in 2014.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that all communication channels between the EU and Russia are now closed.

The events came the day after Poland warned Europe faces its greatest threat of war in the last 30 years, and as Russia threatened 'military means' if its demands over Ukraine were not met by the West.

'The drumbeat of war is sounding loud,' added senior U.S. diplomat Michael Carpenter, last night as talks to find a diplomatic solution to the worsening situation between Russia and Ukraine teetered on the brink of collapse.

Pictured: A tank takes part in a military drill in Russia. Russian military manoeuvres are being closely scrutinised due to a troop buildup near Ukraine that has prompted fears in Kyiv and the West that Moscow may be planning to invade. Russia denies any such plan

Defence Ministry footage released by RIA news agency showed numerous armoured vehicles and other military hardware being loaded onto trains in the Eastern Military District.

'The exercises will make it possible to assess the readiness of the troops... to carry out missions as required after regrouping at far distances across Russian territory,' the ministry was quoted as saying.

Open-source intelligence analysts have for weeks been studying social media footage of Russian military hardware being transported, including by train.

Russia says it is up to Moscow alone where it moves its forces around on its territory and that they pose no external threat.

Rob Lee, a military analyst and a fellow at the U.S.-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, said the drills would test the ability of units to complete missions after conducting long-distance travel.

'This is likely cover for the units being moved towards Ukraine,' he tweeted.

The inspections came as several key Ukrainian government websites were taken offline Friday, authorities said, in a sweeping cyber attack.

'As a result of a massive cyberattack, the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of other government agencies are temporarily down,' a foreign ministry spokesman told AFP.

The education ministry wrote on Facebook that its website was down due to a 'global (cyber) attack' that had taken place overnight.

The website of the cabinet and the emergencies ministry were also targeted in the attack, with services later restored to the government site.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility and Kyiv did not say who may have been responsible. Ukraine had blamed Russians with links to the Kremlin for previous attacks.

Pictured: A fighter jet is seen taking off in footage released by Russia's military ministry of defence. Amid concern over Russia's troop movements, Russia says it is up to Moscow alone where it moves its forces around on its territory and that they pose no external threat

The inspections came as several key Ukrainian government websites were taken offline Friday, authorities said, in a sweeping cyber attack. Pictured: A laptop displays a warning message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, that appeared on the official website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry after a massive cyberattack, in this illustration taken January 14, 2022

'Our specialists are already working on restoring the work of IT systems, and the cyber police opened an investigation,' the foreign ministry said.

The foreign ministry website earlier Friday was displaying a message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish languages.

'Ukrainians! All your personal data ... have been deleted and are impossible to restore. All information about you has become public, be afraid and expect the worst.'

'This is for your past, present and future,' it said, mentioning two ultra-nationalist organisations in Ukraine.

The education ministry said that authorities - including the SBU security service and cyberpolice - were working to address the issue.

Later, the government said that the content of Ukraine's government websites was not changed during the cyber attack and no personal data was leaked.

Russian hackers linked to Moscow have repeatedly been blamed for cyber attacks on Ukrainian government websites and infrastructure in the past.

The European Union said it is mobilising 'all its resources' to aid Ukraine after the cyberattack, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

Defence Ministry footage released by RIA news agency showed numerous armoured vehicles and other military hardware being loaded onto trains in the Eastern Military District

Open-source intelligence analysts have for weeks been studying social media footage of Russian military hardware being transported, including by train. Pictured: A man is shown operating a Russian armoured vehicle

Pictured: Ukrainian troops take part in military drills as tensions across the country's border with Russia continue to mount

Borrell said the EU's political and security committee would convene later on Friday for an urgent meeting on the attack, which he said 'merits condemnation'.

The EU's rapid response cyber unit was also being activated, Borrell told reporters on the margins of an EU foreign ministers' meeting.

'We are mobilising all our resources to help Ukraine deal with this type of cyberattack,' he said.

All EU governments were being asked to participate, 'even though Ukraine is not a member' of the bloc.

Borrell said it was too early 'to point the finger at anybody. We don't have proof'.

But he added: 'You can imagine who did this.'

The attack comes as tensions between Russia and the West are soaring over Ukraine, an ex-Soviet country and close ally of the United States and Europe.

The West has accused Russia of deploying tanks, artillery and about 100,000 soldiers on Ukraine's war-torn eastern border in recent weeks, in what NATO says is preparation for an invasion.

Moscow says it has no plans to invade Ukraine.

Pictured: A Russian plane is shown in video released by the Russian military on Friday

Pictured: Russian troops take part in parachute drills in footage released on Friday

The West has accused Russia of deploying tanks, artillery and about 100,000 soldiers on Ukraine's war-torn eastern border in recent weeks, in what NATO says is preparation for an invasion. Russia has denied it plans to invade

In December, Russia unveiled proposals to contain the United States and NATO in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, saying that the US-led alliance should not admit Ukraine or Georgia as new members.

This week's negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels were held amid a significant Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that the West fears might be a prelude to an invasion.

Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, has denied having plans to attack its neighbor but warned the West that NATO's expansion to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations is a 'red line' that mustn't be crossed.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscow's demand for security guarantees precluding NATO's expansion, but Russia and the West agreed to leave the door open to possible further talks on arms control and confidence-building measures intended to reduce the potential for hostilities.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of his 'grave concerns' of a Russian invasion of Ukraine with an appalling cost in human lives.

He cautioned Vladimir Putin not to close the door on talks to diffuse the crisis, joining with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg to demand a Russia de-escalation.

His intervention came as Moscow signalled a 'dead end' in talks with the West, amid further intense war games by Kremlin's forces.

On Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow saw no reason to hold a new round of security talks with the West following a lack of progress.

Ryabkov also said he did not rule out the possibility that Moscow could deploy forces to allies Venezuela or Cuba if diplomacy failed.

But in the same interview with prominent TV presenter Tina Kandelaki on RTVI he hit out at Britain and the US, claiming London was in the vanguard of the West's perceived uncompromising stance.

She had claimed that British officials 'simply hate' Russia and 'put in a lot of effort to ensure our relations with the US and with the rest of the world are in a state of constant escalation'.

He said: 'I am certain, I don't even need to read it - the Anglo-Saxon group, North America, Great Britain were the toughest in their attacks on us and on politics.

'This is fact without a doubt.

'So there is no way we can speak about London's constructive role.'

In 2020, the United States in October charged six Russians with carrying out cyber attacks on Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French elections and the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The justice department at the time said the six were current or former members of the GRU - Russian military intelligence and were also accused of staging a malware attack called 'NotPetya' that infected computers of businesses worldwide causing nearly $1 billion in losses.
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Beijing was today accused of backing the wrong Labour MP as Barry Gardiner was branded a 'useful idiot' and accused of being in 'complete denial' about his decision to accept 600,000 from an alleged Chinese spy as ministers promised an inquiry into the scandal.

Mr Gardiner told MailOnline that his close relationship with Christine Lee - and employing her son until yesterday - had not put MPs or the British state at risk.

The Labour MP, a shadow trade minister under Jeremy Corbyn, insists the 600,000 paid for staffing and that Mrs Lee would have regarded her donations to his office as a 'very poor investment' because he 'didn't discuss policy with her in great detail'.

But today Damian Hinds, the security minister, said there would now be a review to examine the ties Mrs Lee managed to forge with MPs, including Mr Gardiner. It is possible the Labour MP - who denies wrongdoing - could also be probed by the standards commissioner, while the electoral commission oversees donations and Commons committees might want to look into the situation.

As he left his North London home, wearing a suit and red tie, Mr Gardiner said: 'I am quite confident that I did not put my colleagues at risk.' He declined to answer further questions about the alleged spy Mrs Lee, or her son, who worked in his office until yesterday.

One senior Labour MP told MailOnline Mr Gardiner's statement was 'bizarre'. 'I think he's living in another world. He is in complete denial.' They added of the money he received from China: 'They thought they were going to fund him to become the leader of the Labour Party.'

Another source pointed to the choice of targets as evidence that it was not classic espionage tactics. 'Let's be honest, who would pick Barry. He is an idiot,' the source said.

Mrs Lee was described two years ago by eminent authors Professor Clive Hamilton and Mareike Ohlberg as one of a number of so-called 'Tiger Women' with Anglo-Chinese heritage devoted to promoting China's interests in the west.

In 'Hidden Hand: how the Chinese Communist Party covertly influences the West', it was claimed senior politicians  on both the Right and the Left  were acting as 'useful idiots' to push the Chinese line at the top of government.

Today MailOnline unearthed an exclusive picture of Gardiner and Lee sharing a lunch and a glass of wine like the two old friends they were. The pair were spotted by another diner in October 2018 in the Northall restaurant at Westminster's swanky Corinthia Hotel, only a short walk from Parliament.

At the time Mr Gardiner was Labour's Shadow Minister for International Trade, and the hotel is next door to the Department for International Trade in Whitehall Place.

Barry Gardiner and Christine Lee dining together during a boozy lunch at Westminster's swanky Corinthia Hotel, only a short walk from Parliament in 2018. It is believed the third person may have been Ms Lee's son Daniel Wilkes, 27, who was employed by 'Beijing Barry' until yesterday

A warning memo was sent to all MPs and Peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team, and no politicians are suspected of any criminality.

Christine Lee lives in a 1m-plus mansion behind these gates in Solihull in the West Midlands

Pictures posted to Facebook show Ms Lee with prominent politicians including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, his deputy Tom Watson (pictured together) and disgraced ex-MP Keith Vaz

Ms Lee, a London-based solicitor and a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London, speaking to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. She is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group at Westminster.

Ms Lee is a solicitor with an office in central London. She is a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office.

'This is not James Bond stuff - why would they chose Barry? He's an idiot', says ex-minister, who claims Chinese 'spy' is not another of Boris' 'dead cats' She is a west London solicitor who has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to former Labour minister Barry Gardiner (right, pictured together). A former Cabinet minister told MailOnline that the Commons authorities would have been alerted to the situation a long time ago. 'At an early stage I would imagine the Speaker would have been informed. Anything that involves the House of Commons and intelligence or security, there would have been coordination with the Speaker's office,' the ex-minister said. 'They are sending a warning to the Chinese. We know what you are up to and we are not afraid to publicise your attempts to interfere. The senior Tory said the decision to go public would have been 'cleared with ministers that this is the way it ought to be handled'. 'It would have been a political decision taken to make it public. It would be for MI5 to discuss with the Home Secretary and or No10 how this should be handled.' However, the ex-minister said the idea the warning was a so-called 'dead cat' timed to take pressure off Mr Johnson over Partygate was 'complete cr**'. 'First of all it doesn't make the slightest difference to helping or hindering the PM's personal problems,' they said. 'And the announcement came from the Speaker. The Speaker would have determined the timing.' A senior MP with links to the intelligence community told MailOnline that MI5 were keen to 'send a message' and the Chinese operation might have 'overstepped the mark' - but also dismissed any connection with Partygate. 'At the end of the day it is the Speaker who put it out. He did not have to put it out yesterday,' they said. 'The idea they said to Ken McCallum you have to do this, that's just nonsense. Ken's far too strong for that,' the MP said. 'They have been quite happy to allow her to carry on but she has clearly done something that has pushed it up a notch,' the source added. The source said that China used huge volumes of information to gain leverage. 'This is not James Bond spy stuff. What they do is hoover up masses of information which a lot of us would think is not very relevant. But they use it to put pictures together.' They pointed to the choice of targets as evidence that it was not classic espionage tactics. 'Let's be honest, who would pick Barry. He is an idiot,' the source said. Advertisement

Taking advantage of a set lunch offered with a complimentary glass of Champagne, Mr Gardiner, 64, also appeared to be drinking white wine as he and Ms Lee hunched over the table, deep in conversation.

It is believed the third person may have been Ms Lee's son Daniel Wilkes, 27, employed as a researcher or diary secretary at the MP's office for several years, with her law firm, Christine Lee & Co, paying for his salary, and more besides.

The monetary arrangement lasted until June 2020, though Mr Wilkes remained working in the office. That all came to an abrupt halt yesterday after MI5 issued a highly unusual warning about 58-year-old Ms Lee's 'political interference' activities on behalf of Beijing and Mr Wilkes resigned.

In an unprecedented move, spy chiefs yesterday issued a security alert to MPs over solicitor Mrs Lee, 58. She sought to influence a string of politicians and succeeded in establishing powerful links 'right to the top of the British establishment', security sources said.

MI5's alert against the alleged Chinese spy came because she represented a 'threat to democracy' insiders say. There was an accumulation of evidence against the alleged spy operating in parliament that eventually reached a 'tipping point', according to security sources.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in London denied the claims today, saying the Asian nation had 'no need' to 'buy influence' in any foreign parliament.

'China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other country's internal affairs,' they said.

'Clearly unacceptable behaviour': MI5's unprecedented email to MPs Lee's links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's vast network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department. The security services issued a rare warning to MPs and peers amid fears an agent of the Chinese government has been active in Parliament. On Thursday a Security Service Interference Alert was issued by MI5 containing allegations about Christine Ching Kui Lee after concerns were raised that she was not being open about her connections to the Chinese state and may have ulterior motives for her involvement with parliamentarians. While it is not the first time such an alert has been issued, official warnings of this nature are relatively rare. The letter from the Speaker accompanying the alert said: 'I am writing now to draw your attention to the attached Interference Alert issued by the Security Service, MI5, about the activities of an individual, Christine Lee, who has been engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging with Members here at Parliament and associated political entities, including the former APPG: Chinese in Britain. 'I should highlight the fact that Lee has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring Parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China. 'This facilitation was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments. 'This is clearly unacceptable behaviour and steps are being taken to ensure it ceases.' In the covering letter, Sir Lindsay said the MPs she contacted included members of the now disbanded Chinese in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group. Chaired by Mr Gardiner, other members included Labour's Keith Vaz, Stephen Pound, Faisal Rashid and Gareth Thomas, along with Tory David Morris. Advertisement

'We have no need and never seek to 'buy influence' in any foreign parliament. We firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the UK.'

A warning memo sent to MPs said her 'political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party' have been secretly monitored by the security services for years.

The twice married mother of two from the West Midlands, who came to the UK aged 12 and lives in a 1million mansion in Solihull, has openly given around 670,000 to the Labour Party since 2005, including donating more than 600,000 to Brent North MP Barry Gardiner  who employed her son.

But yesterday it was revealed she also courted a wide range of Tory and Labour MPs, cultivating contacts with cabinet ministers and prime ministers in what was described by MI5 as a deeply sinister campaign of 'interference across British democracy'.

TV journalist Philip Braund, who took the photo, said he was lunching with a lobbyist contact when he saw Mr Gardiner walk in.

'I recognised Mr Gardiner, who has quite a high profile, but I'd no idea who the woman was,' he told MailOnline.

'During the meal the conversation between Mr Gardiner and the lady was very animated.

'There was a lot of laughing and joking. He clearly knew her well. I can't remember why but I felt compelled to take a picture of the luncheon.

'I was trying to take a photo primarily of him, but ended up getting a better photo of Miss Lee. Looking back, and knowing what we now know, I can't help wondering if MI5 were also watching the whole scene?

'We left the restaurant before they did and our bill was around 75 for two, so I guess theirs would have been around 100. I wonder who picked up the bill?'

MI5's alert against an alleged Chinese spy came because she represented a 'threat to democracy' insiders say. There was an accumulation of evidence against the alleged spy operating in parliament that eventually reached a 'tipping point', according to security sources.

Christine Lee had been the subject of an MI5 investigation over a number of years but there was no 'gotcha' moment that meant they suddenly felt they had to act.

Instead there was an 'accumulation of risk' as the security services saw her approach more politicians, which tipped the balance in the favour of intervention, instead of continuing the covert operation.

'It was not done for messaging purposes, it is because we believe there was a possible threat to parliamentary democracy,' according to one source.

The security services believe Lee's aim was to influence policy and policy direction in order to advance the interests of the Chinese state.

She did that by manufacturing opportunities with individuals who believed she represented the Chinese community in the UK.

Lee was believed to be 'developing access and influence so that she could then lean on her contacts at the time her controllers in the Chinese Communist Party felt it was a priority to act,' the source said.

MI5 has built an understanding of how the Chinese state operates but there is now more of an appetite across Whitehall to intervene, where previously there may have been concerns around trade deals or diplomatic ties, sources say.

Issuing a Security Service Interference Alert to parliament should not necessarily be seen as a more 'muscular' approach to Chinese interference but there is definitely more or an 'appetite to intervene,' a source said.

That may now be seen with other states that MI5 has identified as seeking to interfere in the British democratic process such as Russia, Iran and North Korea.

For years, China has used cyber attacks to try and infiltrate technology companies and steal intellectual property.

The National Cyber Security Centre is at the forefront of helping private companies and government to fight off those attacks.

But China is also using agents to try and acquire important technology and to meet important business people and civil servants.

Another source described their approach as 'bigger, broader, faster with fewer rules.'

MI5 and GCHQ have invested heavily in technology to counter that but they also plan to use legal means to try and prosecute spies.

Unlike the US, which has a law against 'unregistered foreign agents' dating back to 1938, Britain has to rely on the Official Secrets Act which means that government officials can be prosecuted for leaking information but allows the spies themselves to go free.

Spies conventionally work under 'official cover' which means they are diplomats with thinly disguised titles that allow them to make approaches to individuals who may have information to share.

However, spies who work within organisations with 'non-official cover' as 'undeclared' foreign agents often pose a bigger risk.

The government plans to introduce a National Security Bill that is likely to involve a 'foreign agents register' which would allow unregistered agents to be put through court.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, has said the government is 'working to look at what measures we can take to strengthen our laws to effectively lead to the type of prosecutions that we currently cannot deliver.'

She warned of more national security alerts to follow, saying the UK had 'other adversaries' who would 'look to interfere or come into our country in some shape and way'.

Former PM David Cameron addresses a British Chinese Project event in a photo posted in 2016

In an extraordinary security scandal, the Communist agent was welcomed into Downing Street in 2019, where she received an award from then-prime minister Theresa May in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China.

In January 2019, she received a Points of Light Award from then premier Theresa May, in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China.

The award was rescinded last night, but Mrs May praised her at the time for 'promoting engagement, understanding, and cooperation between the Chinese and British communities in the UK', adding: 'I also wish you well with your work to further the inclusion and participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system.'

And she received a Woman of the Year gong from the GG2 Leadership Awards in 2013.

Miss Lee also formed close links with David Cameron when he was prime minister as the only Chinese member of his 2010 business delegation to China.

Last night there were questions about how she managed to get so close to Downing Street, given her prominent position within the hostile state as a photograph emerged of her shaking hands with Chinese president Xi Jinping.

The impeccably connected and alleged Chinese spy hid in plain sight while cosying up to MPs by offering donations, hampers and paying for trips abroad.

Miss Lee has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency overseen by the United Front Work Department (UFWD), which manages the vast network of influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Yet she was also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group of the British Parliament.

Since 2005, she has donated large sums to Labour. She gave about 670,000 to the party, mostly to Jeremy Corbyn ally Mr Gardiner, almost all of it for his staffing costs. In 2014 she helped sponsor a Chinese Liberal Democrats' dinner to support the party's then-candidate for Somerton and Frome, Sarah Yong.

According to the alert sent to all MPs and peers in Westminster yesterday, she also made covert payments to serving and aspiring MPs on behalf of politicians in China and Hong Kong.

The MI5 message said: 'The UFWD seeks to cultivate relationships with influential figures in order to ensure the UK political landscape is favourable to the CCP's agenda and to challenge those that raise concerns about CCP activity, such as human rights. Lee has been engaged in the facilitation of financial donations to political parties, parliamentarians, aspiring parliamentarians, and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals.'

In an accompanying letter, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said among those targeted was the now-disbanded Chinese in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group, of which Mr Gardiner was chairman.

Last night there was no sign of her at the 985,000 home on a gated estate in Solihull, West Midlands, which she shares with her British solicitor husband.

Miss Patel said it was 'deeply concerning' that an individual 'who has knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party has targeted parliamentarians'. But she suggested the activity was 'under the criminal threshold'.

The Home Secretary warned: 'We're speaking specifically right now about the CCP, China, but we live in a world where we have other adversaries, and they all look to interfere or come into our country in some shape and way. We are big players internationally, the United Kingdom, our place in the world is very strong. And so we're naturally a country of interest. I think it's fair to say in the future, we'll see more alerts of this nature.'

It comes at a time of hardening attitudes toward China at the top of Government, culminating most recently in a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who has been involved in helping Hong Kong-Chinese people flee the Communist regime, expressed concern they could now be at risk as a result of Lee's allegedv activities.

The clues were there for anyone who chose to look: An office INSIDE China's British Embassy, glad-handing President Xi how 'charming lawyer' Christine Lee hid in plain sight as a Communist spy

Three years ago, Christine Lee received a special award from then prime minister Theresa May in recognition of her pioneering work in fostering close relations between China and Britain.

It was a landmark moment in the life of the 58-year-old entrepreneur, who arrived in Britain from Hong Kong as a child.

She duly posed for pictures outside No 10 Downing Street, the iconic black door draped with red banners celebrating a 'Golden Era' in relations between the two nations.

The symbolism of the image was impossible to miss: Lee had reached the heart of Britain's Establishment and was being embraced by it.

In a personal letter, Mrs May said  in words that now seem hopelessly naive  'I wish you well in your work to further the participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system.'

For yesterday the smartly dressed, dark-haired Lee was unmasked by our domestic security service MI5 as a Chinese Communist Party agent 'engaged in political interference' of MPs on both the Left and Right of the political spectrum.

Christine Lee poses outside No 10 Downing Street

And Mrs May was not the only person in high places to be taken in by the founder of what was called the British Chinese Project, a non-profit organisation aiming to promote engagement, understanding and cooperation between the Chinese community and wider UK society.

She has been photographed whispering in David Cameron's ear at the GG2 Leadership Awards, and her links with Labour Party politicians date back to Tony Blair's premiership.

Apart from her involvement with the British Chinese Project, Lee  a persuasive character, with considerable charm  is a lawyer with offices in London and Birmingham who has cultivated top business people as easily as she has senior politicians. Few appear to have realised the closeness of her affiliation with Beijing's elite but evidence of it has long been there for those who chose to look.

As a representative of the 'whole Chinese community in the UK', Lee told a parliamentary home affairs committee some years ago that her business advising Chinese entrepreneurs on how to invest in Britain had an office with five staff inside China's British Embassy.

At a committee session on the 2006 Nationality Bill, Lee said: 'They (China's embassy staff) are on the second floor, we are on the 17th floor. So every time the British Embassy has a problem, they send the people up to us, and we can explain to them in Chinese what is going on.'

Christine Lee and David Cameron at the ceremony of the British GG2 leadership awards in 2015

There is even a picture on social media of a beaming Lee shaking hands with Xi Jinping, the autocratic Chinese president.

According to the authors of Hidden Hands, a highly respected book on China's influence in Britain: 'Her links with the CCP go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese Embassy in London an unmistakable sign of her importance to the CCP.'

The book added that Chinese networks, including those run by Lee as so-called friendship and fundraising groups, have become so deeply entrenched among British elites that they have 'gone past the point of no return'.

Her elevation into high places with all the influence that brings is a far cry from Miss Lee's difficult past. Her family emigrated to Northern Ireland in the 1970s when she was 12 and she attended a boarding school in Belfast, where she was the only Chinese girl among '66 Irish girls'.

Christine Lee pictured with former London mayor Ken Livingstone in 2012

An interview she gave a few years ago to the China Daily  an English-language newspaper owned by the ruling Communist Party  offers an intriguing insight into her background. 'It is very difficult for a young girl to leave her home and her beloved grandparents and come to live in a cold place,' she told the newspaper.

'My English was poor and I couldn't really communicate with the other pupils which put me in a weaker position than them. There was not a lot of physical bullying, but a lot of verbal bullying.'

She developed a habit of putting seven teaspoons of sugar into her coffee to neutralise the bitter taste but when she asked an 'Irish girl' one day to help her with the sugar, the girl  in an act of malice  substituted salt for sugar.

But if they thought the redoubtable Lee would recoil in surprise and dissolve into tears, they were in for a surprise: 'The girls who were watching thought I would not drink it, but I told myself to drink the entire cup, and show them I am not weak.' Lee is certainly not that. She teamed up with other victims of the bullies at the school to practise karate so they could protect themselves.

According to the article, it was the unfairness she experienced in her childhood that propelled her towards a legal career.

As a young lawyer, she specialised in immigration cases, helping migrants from Hong Kong settle in the UK. Over time she got involved in the lucrative world of education, advising Chinese parents how to 'invest in their children's education and work experience' in the UK.

Parents with the capacity to invest 1 million in this country qualified for a visa programme that gave their children the right to not only study over here but find jobs too.

Today Lee lives with her husband, a 71-year-old British businessman called Martin Wilkes, in a 1 million house in an upmarket gated estate in the smart market town of Solihull, West Midlands, where neighbours have seen her coming and going in a Mercedes.

The couple are partners in a Midlands-based property company that rents out housing association and council properties.

But Lee's real claim to fame, as we have seen, is the British Chinese Project. The charity she founded in 2006 not only aims to make politicians more aware of the needs of their Chinese constituents but campaigns for British-Chinese people to vote in general elections.

It was her success in promoting this ostensibly worthy cause that earned Lee that 'Points of Light' award from Mrs May in January 2019. 'I am humbled that it relates to our work for the well-being of the British-Chinese community,' she said at the time.

Now we know that this was not the entire truth. Her good works provided her with a passport to the upper echelons of British society and enabled her to spy on them for an increasingly sinister foreign power.
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The government's working from home guidance - not Omicron - is the main issue crippling the hospitality sector and has seen some venues suffer a 60% loss in bookings, a restaurant boss said today.

Ministers are coming under intense pressure to remove the policy following fresh evidence the latest Covid wave is subsiding.

Alastair Storey, CEO of Westbury Street Holdings, which has around 19,000 employees at its restaurants including the chain Benugo, said he expected 'a very rapid recovery' if workers are allowed to return to the office.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Although we've got a five per cent rate of absence the real problem is the lack of footfall.

'If you look at city centres and travel locations you'll see footfall is well down, and that's a big challenge for the whole hospitality sector.

'We've got great staff ready to go. Clearly, the booster programme has had a positive effect and it's good to see the restrictions are easing.

'When we see people returning to work with government approval we should see a very rapid recovery for the economy.'

The number of journeys taken by foot, on public transport and in cars is 32%, 22% and 20% higher consecutively than on January 13 last year, but the figures are still down compared to before WFH guidance came in.

Alastair Storey, CEO of Westbury Street Holdings, (left) said he expected 'a very rapid recovery' if workers are allowed to return to the office. Sajid Javid (right) has suggested WFH guidance will go before the end of the month

City centre footfall has taken a battering due to the government's working from home guidance. Pictured: Empty streets around Kings Cross yesterday

The number of journeys taken by foot, on public transport and in cars is 32%, 22% and 20% higher consecutively than on January 13 last year, but the figures are still down compared to before WFH guidance came in

The Pret Index: Figures show footfall at Pret A Manager stores - which is often used as a barometer for the wider hospitality sector - is still dramatically down on pre-pandemic levels

Pret a Manger sales plunge to below a third of pre-pandemic levels Pret A Manger is experiencing its worst trading in more than six months, according to a closely watched index, raising fears about the health of the UK's wider 15billion grab-and-go industry. Figures from Bloomberg's 'Pret Index' - named after the popular sandwich and coffee chain - show sales at the firm's stores in the City of London and Canary Wharf fell to below a third of pre-pandemic levels last week. Excluding the weeks during Christmas and Easter holidays, when footfall figures are typically smaller, this is the lowest level since March 2021 - when the country was in lockdown. The figure has been put down to big banks and law firms in the Square Mile asking staff to work from home following Government advice set out last month in a bid to curb the spread of Omicron. While the index measures transactions at Pret's stores in major cities across the world, including London's business districts, it is viewed as a snapshot of the health of the wider cafe and grab-and-go sector. And it will heap pressure on the Government to review its working from home guidance in the wake of recent analysis showing Omicron is less severe in term of chances of needing hospital care. Advertisement

Asked how badly WFH had affected the business, he said: 'It's been massive, in some places we've seen a 50 or 60 percent reduction in volumes.

'In rural or staycation areas places are doing well but its in city centre and travel areas where business has been particularly badly hit.'

Today, UK Hospitality chief Kate Nicholls called England's Plan B - which includes WFH, face masks in indoor venues other than hospitality and vaccine passports at nightclubs - to be lifted before the end of the month.

Chris Soley, CEO of Camerons Brewery in Hartlepool, backed her demands, tweeting: 'Visiting London and Leeds this week and with WFH advice these cities are like ghost towns.

'Large corporations essential for city centre footfall that supports businesses, jobs and the economy will not let workers back until the guidance changes. WFH rules must be reversed ASAP.'

Revealing its results today, Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) said fears over the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 led to few drinkers in pubs in the run up to Christmas.

Phil Urban, boss of the pub and bar group, said the business saw reduced customer activity and 'disruption caused by the inevitable isolation of team members' due to soaring virus cases last month.

The company told shareholders it had seen an 'encouraging' performance for most of the latest quarter, but lost its strong momentum towards Christmas and New Year due to the public's concerns over the rapid spread of the virus.

M&B, which also owns the Harvester chain, said it is also facing a surge in costs due to higher wages and soaring energy costs.

The hospitality firm said it expects to face between 60 million and 65 million higher costs than typical pre-pandemic levels due to the inflation pressures.

On Thursday, daily Covid cases fell by nearly 40 per cent in a week to 109,133  the eighth day in a row that positive tests have declined week-on-week

Pub drinker numbers plummeted 14 per cent in run-up to Christmas says All Bar One and Toby All Bar One and Toby Carvery owner Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has said fears over the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 led to few drinkers in pubs in the run up to Christmas. Phil Urban, boss of the pub and bar group, said the business saw reduced customer activity and 'disruption caused by the inevitable isolation of team members' due to soaring virus cases last month. The company told shareholders it had seen an 'encouraging' performance for most of the latest quarter, but lost its strong momentum towards Christmas and New Year due to the public's concerns over the rapid spread of the virus. M&B, which also owns the Harvester chain, said it is also facing a surge in costs due to higher wages and soaring energy costs. The hospitality firm said it expects to face between 60 million and 65 million higher costs than typical pre-pandemic levels due to the inflation pressures. Advertisement

There have been several positive signs for businesses in recent days, including new data which showed the economy returned to pre-Covid levels in November prior to the Omicron wave.

Official figures show GDP grew by 0.9 per cent in November, meaning that the level is now higher than in February 2020.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said it was 'amazing' news and appealed for people to get booster jabs to keep the recovery on track.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid is said to have told MPs he plans to scrap WFH guidance and vaccine passports when Plan B measures are reviewed on January 26.

It could mean that compulsory masks on public transport and in shops will be the only remaining curbs.

Covid cases have fallen week-on-week for the past eight days in a row, with 109,000 new positive tests on Thursday. Hospital admissions have also flatlined.

At a meeting with Tory MPs yesterday, Mr Javid hailed the 'encouraging signs'  but warned that hospitals remained under 'significant pressure', The Times reports.

Currently, people in England need to show proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow to enter large events and nightclubs.

A Whitehall source told the newspaper: 'There was always a very high threshold for the policy and it looks increasingly likely in a couple of weeks that threshold won't be met. The way cases are going it will be hard to justify renewing.'

Boris Johnson faced his biggest Tory revolt since the start of the pandemic over the introduction of Plan B measures last month, with nearly 100 Conservatives defying the party whip to vote against them.

King's College London scientists estimated 183,364 people were now catching the virus every day, down from the record high of 208,471 in the previous seven-day spell. The data is also from health data science company ZOE

'Devastating December': Industry suffered 3BILLION loss with pub, restaurant and bar sales down 60% Christmas Day and 27% New Year's Eve compared to 2019 The hospitality industry suffered a 3billion loss with sales down 60% on Christmas Day and 27% on New Year's Eve compared to 2019, new figures revealed today. Venues in Scotland and Wales were hit even worse in the week leading up to New Year, where more stringent restrictions were in place. The sector in Wales performed twice as badly as England, and in Scotland 2.5 times worse, in the week ending January 1 2022, UKHospitality and consultancy firm CGA revealed. UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls, said: 'December is a vital period for hospitality businesses, equal to three months' worth of trading for many. 'These new figures are crippling for an industry already struggling but also spell disaster for the wider UK economic recovery, as ONS figures showed that overall growth in Q3 was driven by hospitality. Advertisement

The PM's chief Brexit negotiator Lord Frost dramatically resigned in protest over the rollout of the curbs.

Yesterday he slammed the 'Covid theatre' of masks and passes, and called lockdown a 'serious mistake'.

Meanwhile, Wales' First Minister has announced Covid curbs will finally be loosened at the end of the month.

After weeks of dismissing England as an 'international outlier' for No10's gamble to not introduce tougher measures, Mr Drakeford conceded there was little need for restrictions in Wales now that Omicron is 'coming down very rapidly'.

Wales went much harder than England over the Christmas period, shutting nightclubs, reintroducing the 'rule of six' and banning more than 50 people from attending an outdoor event.

Former cabinet minister Greg Clark called on Mr Javid to lift the curbs later this month, saying they 'have an impact beyond Covid as we know'.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Javid cut the number of days people have to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid in England to five.

The Health Secretary told MPs that UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed 'that around two-thirds of positive cases are no longer infectious by the end of day five'.

He added: 'After reviewing all of the evidence, we've made the decision to reduce the minimum self-isolation period to five full days in England. From Monday, people can test twice before they go  leaving isolation at the start of day six.

'These two tests are critical to these balanced and proportionate plans, and I'd urge everyone to take advantage of the capacity we have built up in tests so we can restore the freedoms to this country while we're keeping everyone safe.'

Under the move, people will be able to take tests on day five and six but, if positive, must stay in isolation until they have had negative tests on two consecutive days.

Covid cases are now ticking down in all England's regions except the North East (green line), they said, but even here there are now signs that infections are plateauing
A New Hampshire kid is battling a rare disease linked to COVID-19 in a Boston hospital. Last month, Christine Raymond's 8-year-old son, Luke, was diagnosed with COVID-19. He just had minor symptoms and healed so she assumed he was well.

Luke, developed stomach pain a few weeks later. His symptoms included fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and a full-body rash. At one point, he became unconscious and had to be taken to the hospital.

Boy, 8, had rare syndrome due to COVID-19

His mother stated that she spoke with several physicians but that none of them could tell out what was wrong and that his test results were normal. She persisted in her quest for answers, and Luke was finally admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital, where physicians diagnosed him with MIS-C, or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. It's a rare but serious condition that has been linked to COVID-19 in which parts of the body become inflamed.

Luke's mother claimed the inflammation has subsided, but he isn't expected to be released any time soon. Her advice to other parents is to fight for their children's rights and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of MIS-C, as per WMUR Manchester via MSN.

The mother described the terrible moment when her son developed heart failure as a result of a 'mild' case of COVID-19. Anita Phillips of Michigan stated her 12-year-old son Jon began to show signs of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) four weeks after obtaining a positive test result, according to Yahoo News.

Read Also: US Surgeons Successful In First Genetically Modified Heart Transplant From Pig to Human Patient

COVID-19's many complications on children

While the verdict is yet out on the Omicron-led wave that is impacting youngsters, particularly those under the age of 5, the lethal disease's effects persist even after recovery, which can have severe consequences among children. According to a new report published by the CDC, COVID-19 has caused a surge in diabetes cases in children while it is unclear if the metabolic state in these children is transitory or persistent.

Cases of MIS-C in children surged last year, just after the second wave of issues affecting the heart, lungs, arteries, brain, digestive system, and eyes decreased. Long COVID affected children as well, and some of them had chronic difficulties despite the fact that they were asymptomatic at the time of infection.

Per Hindustan Times, Dr. Charu Dutt Arora, Consultant Physician and Infectious Disease Specialist Head, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, addresses the health difficulties that children may suffer following the COVID-19 procedure:

1. Diabetes: A research found that children have 2.6 times the amount of diabetes cases as adults. These alterations in children are caused by metabolic and social factors. Some of the key reasons include the virus targeting pancreas cells directly, greater stress levels leading to insulin resistance, and a sedentary lifestyle during the pandemic. However, it is still unclear if the diabetes alterations are transitory or permanent.

2. MIS-C: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MISC-S) in children is an uncommon but devastating post-COVID consequence. MISC is a syndrome that affects a variety of organs, including the heart, lungs, arteries, brain, digestive system, and eyes.

3. Long COVID: COVID-19 can cause persistent problems in children who are asymptomatic or moderately ill. Long-haul trucks might have a variety of problems.

4. Mental health issues: Children and teenagers, like everyone else, are suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. There is a heightened prevalence of anxiety, sadness, social isolation, uncertainty, and mental problems among children after COVID, according to several research conducted in various regions of the world. Pandemic fatigue and high levels of stress are two important contributing causes.

5. Developmental issues: Subtle changes in neurocognition, speech, attention, mobility, and mood may occur in many children. In rare cases, children's brains might expand, resulting in encephalitis.

Many studies have indicated that COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on children's mental health, with an increase in instances of anxiety, sorrow, and mood problems in children following infection, in addition to developmental impairments including neurocognition, speech, attention, and mobility.

Related Article: New COVID-19 Variant 'Deltacron': Is It A Lab Error or Real Threat?

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Popular snacks including crisps could be next to lose their 'use before dates' as supermarkets and food experts say they are safe to eat beyond their time.

Management working at one of the UK's biggest stores say Food Standard Agency guidance says they are fine to eat even after their 'best before dates'.

The watchdog says while crisps and other products might not be of the best quality if they are consumed over this time, they are still safe.

Shops are also legally allowed to sell items that have passed their best before date.

It means customers may be faced with more products they think may have gone off, but is actually totally safe.

A supermarket insider told MailOnline: 'Without in any way trying to condone presenting food for sale that is beyond its Best Before date, this is a quality issue rather than safety.

'Packets of crisps and dry snacks will be safe to eat beyond Best Before date but their flavour and texture might not be as good.

'The FSA website spells it out itself.'

A shopper at a Morrisons in Bridlington found packets of pork crackling that was three months after its best before date.

The supermarket said the items should not have been on sale and were removed from shelves

Some of the 75p snacks were labelled with a best before date of over three months ago

The potential shift in importance of the Best Before date could see 'Use Before Dates' phased out completely for certain types of foods.

FSA guidance says says best before dates on items are related to quality rather than a safety issue.

It states: 'The best before date, sometimes shown as BBE (best before end), is about quality and not safety.

'The food will be safe to eat after this date but may not be at its best. Its flavour and texture might not be as good. Best before dates appear on a wide range of foods including frozen foods, dried foods and tinned foods.

'The best before date will only be accurate if the food is stored according to the instructions on the packaging.'

On Sunday Morrisons said it was to become the first British supermarket to scrap use by dates on milk to slash food waste.

Morrisons will switch to best before dates on 90 per cent of milk bottles and cartons from January 31 [File photo]

The company will switch to best before dates on 90 per cent of milk bottles and cartons from January 31 to encourage customers to bin it only when it smells off  and see the date as no more than a guide to freshness.

Milk is the third most wasted food and drink product in the UK, with 490 million pints going down the drain each year. It also has the largest carbon footprint of any food and drink due to the farming involved in production.

One litre can account for up to 4.5kg of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere  the equivalent of driving the average petrol car for 16 miles.

University of Chester research found that milk from Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda and Morrisons kept in a fridge at 4C was safe to drink seven days after its use by date.

Morrisons will remove use by dates on own-brand British milk and that from Danish supplier Arla, which together account for 90 per cent of its sales.

Yesterday a shopper at a Morrisons in Bridlington found packets of pork crackling that was three months after its best before date.

The store refunded the customer and said they had been placed there in error and should not have been on sale.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We are confident that it is an isolated issue and have taken immediate action with the store to ensure the products have been removed from sale.'
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Two elephants have died at a Sri Lankan refuse facility, where the animals accidentally eat plastic while foraging for food, months after images of their plight shocked animal lovers around the world.

Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 130 miles east of the capital, Colombo.

Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said.

Two elephants have died at a Sri Lankan refuse facility, where the animals accidentally eat plastic while foragaing, months after images of their plight shocked animal lovers around the world. Pictured: The body of a wild elephant lies in an open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 130 miles east of Sri Lankan capital Colombo

Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump in Pallakkadu village. Pictured: Elephants forage through a mound of waste searching for food

Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said

Elephants are revered in Sri Lanka but are also endangered. Their numbers have dwindled from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011, according to the country's first elephant census

Pictured: An aerial image showing the open landfill in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 130 miles east of the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, January 10, 2022

'Polythene, food wrappers, plastic, other non-digestibles and water were the only things we could see in the post mortems. The normal food that elephants eat and digest was not evident,' he said.

Elephants are revered in Sri Lanka but are also endangered. Their numbers have dwindled from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011, according to the country's first elephant census.

They are increasingly vulnerable because of the loss and degradation of their natural habitat.

Wild elephants in Oluvil, Sri Lanka, have been found with plastic products and non-digestive polythene in their stomachs after eating rubbish at a dump encroaching on their habitat

A herd of 25 to 30 wild elephants regularly visits the open garbage dump in search of food, posing risks to their health

Many venture closer to human settlements in search of food, and some are killed by poachers or farmers angry over damage to their crops.

Hungry elephants seek out the waste in the landfill, consuming plastic as well as sharp objects that damage their digestive systems, Pushpakumara said.

'The elephants then stop eating and become too weak to keep their heavy frames upright. When that happens, they can't consume food or water, which quickens their death,' he said.

In 2017, the government announced that it will recycle the garbage in dumps near wildlife zones to prevent elephants from consuming plastic waste. It also said electric fences would be erected around the sites to keep the animals away. But neither has been fully implemented.

The elephants walk through the large dump, which has waste supplied by districts including Sammanthurai, Kalmunai, Karaitheevu, Ninthavur, Addalachchenai, Akkaraipattu and Alaiyadi Vembu

The open garbage dump is nestled in the jungles of the Eastern Province and poses hazards to the local elephant population, who accidentally eat microplastics in the waste

An elephant looks out over the huge, open rubbish dump in search of food. The ground is littered with plastic bags and dangerous waste

Two elephants eat search for food in the dump, as scavenger birds join to pick off what is left. While there was a fence erected around the dump, it is now broken and unable to prevent the elephants from entering

There are 54 waste dumps in wildlife zones around the country, with around 300 elephants roaming near them, according to officials.

The waste management site in Pallakkadu village was set up in 2008 with aid from the European Union. Garbage collected from nine nearby villages is being dumped there but is not being recycled.

In 2014, the electric fence protecting the site was struck by lightning and authorities never repaired it, allowing elephants to enter and rummage through the dump. Residents say elephants have moved closer and settled near the waste pit, sparking fear among nearby villagers.

A garbage dump situated near Ashraf Nagar close to the forest (pictured) bordering the Ampara district is considered the cause of the new unhealthy habit

With the enlarging of the dump, the forest is now covered with polythene bags, discarded plastics and other dangerous waste

The herd of of 25 to 30 elephants now accustomed to feeding so close to human habitat have also begun to invade nearby paddy fields and villages seeking more food

Three Oluvil elephants stand next to each other in their natural jungle habitat. The dump has slowly encroached on the adjacent forest, becoming easily accessible to the elephants

Many use firecrackers to chase the animals away when they wander into the village, and some have erected electric fences around their homes.

But the villagers often don't know how to install the electric fences so they are safe and 'could endanger their own lives as well as those of the elephants,' said Keerthi Ranasinghe, a local village councilor.

'Even though we call them a menace, wild elephants are also a resource. Authorities need to come up with a way to protect both human lives and the elephants that also allows us to continue our agricultural activities,' he said.

Large quantities of undigested pollutants have been found in the excretion of the wild animals. Elephant postmortems have shown plastic products and non-digestive polythene in their stomachs
A newlywed couple who were found murdered and dumped in the woods in Houston 40 years ago have finally been identified.

Harold Dean Clouse, 21, and Tina Gail Clouse, 17, were found in dead in a wooded area in Houston, Texas, on January 12, 1981 but at the time, police could not establish the identities of the bodies.

Family history detectives have now launched a search for the Clouses's missing daughter Holly Marie, who was one when they disappeared, in the hope that she is still alive.

The Clouses, who married in 1979, disappeared in late 1980 after leaving their home in Volusia County, Florida, for Texas so Harold could pursue work as a carpenter.

The couple's car was returned to their family after they disappeared, and relatives were led to believe the newlyweds had joined a religious cult and no longer wanted to be contacted.

Their bodies were found by dogs two months later off Wallisville Road, Houston. Harold had been beaten, bound and gagged, while Tina had been strangled, but remains of their infant daughter were not found at the site. She would now be 41 if she is still alive.

No arrests have ever been made in the case.

Harold Dean Clouse, 21, and Tina Gail (Linn) Clouse, 17, (pictured together with their one-year-old daughter Holly Marie) were found in dead in a wooded area in Houston, Texas, in January 1981 - at the time, their identities were unknown

Family history detectives have now launched a search for the Clouse's missing daughter Holly Marie, (pictured) who would now be 41, in the hope that she is still alive

Harris County's forensic artist Mary Mize at the time drew pastel reconstructions of the couple after their bodies were found, but nobody was able to identify the pair because they had only recently moved to Houston.

The Clouses's bodies had been exhumed in July 2011 to check if the pair were related.

But a major break came in the 40-year-old case in 2021, when forensic scientists Misty Gillis and Allison Peacock were contacted by Indentifinders International and handed the baffling puzzle.

The team inserted new information in GEDmatch.com, according to KHOU-11, and were able to match the Harold Clouse's DNA with his cousins in Kentucky.

'It really only took hours to get a really good glimpse of who these people were,' Peacock said.

She then got in touch with the Clouses's sister Debbie Brooks and asked if a family relative had disappeared a long time ago.

Harris County's forensic artist Mary Mize in January 1981 drew pastel reconstructions of Harold (left, in his youth) and Tina (right, in her youth) Clouse after their bodies were found, but nobody was able to identify the pair because they had only recently moved to Houston

Brooks said: '[Peacock] said, "We found him. He was murdered." I asked how he was murdered, but she didn't tell me at the time. But she said, "They found his body in January 1981."'

The family were able to tell Peacock and Gillis that Harold Clouse was married, leading to the identification of the second body, his wife Tina Clouse.

Brooks then asked the team if they had found the baby, but the scientists were not aware Holly Marie, who was last seen in Lewisville, Texas, existed. The discrepancy has sparked a renewed search for the child, who, if alive, is unlikely to know her true parentage.

'Finding Hollie is the last puzzle piece, the last piece of my brother and Tina. It means everything to us to find her,' Brooks told US Today.

Harold's mother Donna Casasanta said: 'I will never forget my son and his Tina, I went years in pain wondering where they were. Now I can only keep praying God lets me see my granddaughter one day.'

Gillis said: 'I'm very thankful to have been given the opportunity to work on this case. It was a difficult case emotionally.'

Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, President of Identifinders International said: 'We are pleased the Forensic Science Institute placed its confidence in us and we could bring closure to the Clouse and Linn families. We thank audiochuck for their generous support in funding the work on this case.'
Two men are being hunted by police after a woman was raped near Peckham Rye station in south London.

Police received reports of the rape in the early hours of January 14 after the 18-year-old victim claims she was assaulted in Holly Grove just after 10.20pm on January 13.

The men have been described by police as both wearing dark clothing gloves and face coverings.

The attack took place on Holly Grove, Peckham after the woman was led away from Elm Grove

Emergency services were still on the scene of the closed Peckham Rye railway station this morning

National Rail and train operator Southeastern has advised that no trains will stop at Peckham Rye this morning as emergency services scour the scene

National Rail and train operator Southeastern has advised that no trains will stop at Peckham Rye this morning as emergency services scour the scene.

There have been no arrests in the case.

Detective Superintendent Clair Kelland said: 'The investigation into this incident is fast paced and ongoing and involves an extensive crime scene.

'We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area of Peckham Rye Station between 10pm and 11pm last night who saw anything that might assist our investigation.'

Peckham Rye railway station is closed for the morning as emergency services are on the scene

Any witnesses or anyone with any information should call police on 101, or Tweet @MetCC quoting 240/14JAN. To remain 100% anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information should call police on 101, or Tweet @MetCC quoting 240/14JAN. To remain 100 per cent anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Harry Dunn's alleged killer Anne Sacoolas will not face a court hearing next week after her lawyers denied there was an agreement for her to appear via video.

The hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday has been vacated to allow 'ongoing' discussion with the US suspect, said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Radd Seiger, the Dunn family's spokesman, urged for 'justice and closure to be achieved soon', adding: 'It is vitally important for their mental health.'

Sacoolas is accused of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal road crash outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in August 2019.

The suspect had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf by the US government following the collision, and was able to leave the UK 19 days after the incident.

The announcement follows a statement last month in which the CPS said it remained 'committed to securing justice in this matter' and that the case would be heard on Tuesday.

Immediately after December's statement, Sacoolas' legal representatives said: 'While we have always been willing to discuss a virtual hearing, there is no agreement at this time.'

Harry Dunn's alleged killer will not face a court hearing next week. The Crown Prosecution Service said the hearing had been vacated to allow 'ongoing' discussion with the US suspect

US citizen Anne Sacoolas (pictured in Virginia) is accused of killing the teenage motorcyclist in a road crash outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27, 2019

Mr Seiger said: 'Harry Dunn's family have just been informed that the hearing on Tuesday 18th January has had to be postponed.'

A statement issued on their behalf read: 'We have full faith in the Crown Prosecution Service and will wait to hear from them with further developments, hopefully in the near future.

'Harry's family were obviously looking forward to the hearing on Tuesday so they hope an agreement will be reached sooner rather than later.

'It is vitally important for their mental health that justice and closure is achieved soon.'

A spokesperson for the CPS said: 'Following engagement between the parties, the hearing on 18 January at Westminster Magistrates' Court has been vacated.

'This is to enable ongoing discussions between the CPS and Anne Sacoolas's legal representatives to continue.

'Mrs Sacoolas has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice any proceedings.'

An extradition request for Sacoolas was submitted by the Home Office after she was charged with death by dangerous driving, but that was rejected by the US State Department in January 2020.

In a statement, Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger urged for 'justice and closure to be achieved soon', adding: 'It is vitally important for their [the family's] mental health'

Mr Dunn's parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, pictured above. A statement issued on their behalf said: 'We have full faith in the Crown Prosecution Service and will wait to hear from them with further developments, hopefully in the near future'

The Dunn family were then advised that, although there could be no criminal proceedings in the US, they could bring a civil claim for damages against Sacoolas as her immunity was no longer valid when she returned to her home country.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Sacoolas and her husband Jonathan attempted to throw the case out on the grounds it should be heard in the UK.

Judge Thomas Ellis dismissed Sacoolas's submissions that the UK was a 'more convenient' forum, keeping the case in Virginia, describing the motion as 'not warranted'.

Harry's parents then flew out to the US to give evidence under oath as part of the 'discovery' process.
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China today dismissed a warning from MI5 to MPs that a London-based lawyer had been trying to 'covertly interfere in UK politics' for years, accusing Britain of being 'too obsessed with James Bond movies'.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Beijing has 'no need to and will never engage in the so-called interference', calling the claims about alleged spy Christine Lee 'irresponsible'.

Mr Wenbin said those behind the accusation 'may be too obsessed with James Bond 007 movies and made some unnecessary associations'.

He said at his daily briefing in Beijing, that Chinese officials hoped the 'relevant British official will refrain from making groundless allegations and hyping the China threat to serve (the government's) ulterior motives'.

'It is highly irresponsible to make sensational remarks based on hearsay evidence and certain individual's conjecture,' Mr Wang said.

Last night the a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in London said the Asian nation had 'no need' to 'buy influence' in any foreign parliament, adding: 'China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other country's internal affairs. We have no need and never seek to 'buy influence' in any foreign parliament. We firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the UK.'

House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle on Thursday sent MPs an alert from MI5 alleging that the lawyer, Christine Lee, was acting in coordination with the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department, an organisation dedicated to exerting Chinese influence abroad.

MI5 said Lee had 'facilitated' donations to British political parties and legislators 'on behalf of foreign nationals'.

Members of Parliament are required to declare the source of donations they receive, which must be from UK-registered electors or entities. Lee is not accused of a criminal offence and is not being deported.

Lee's firm, Christine Lee & Co, states on its website that it has 'developed strong affiliations between the UK and China' and has advised the Chinese Embassy in London on legal matters. It has offices in the UK and China and practices immigration, corporate and commercial law, according to the website.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin (left) speaks during the daily briefing in Beijing, insisting that China has 'no need to and will never engage in the so-called interference' after British claims about Christine Lee

A week ago Chinese authorities made a spoof James Bond video then broadcast by China's state news agency

A warning memo was sent to all MPs and Peers in Westminster today by the Speaker's Parliamentary security team, and no politicians are suspected of any criminality.

Christine Lee lives in a 1m-plus mansion behind these gates in Solihull in the West Midlands

Ms Lee is a solicitor with an office in central London. She is a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office.

'This is not James Bond stuff - why would they chose Barry? He's an idiot', says ex-minister, who claims Chinese 'spy' is not another of Boris' 'dead cats' She is a west London solicitor who has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to former Labour minister Barry Gardiner (right, pictured together). A former Cabinet minister told MailOnline that the Commons authorities would have been alerted to the situation a long time ago. 'At an early stage I would imagine the Speaker would have been informed. Anything that involves the House of Commons and intelligence or security, there would have been coordination with the Speaker's office,' the ex-minister said. 'They are sending a warning to the Chinese. We know what you are up to and we are not afraid to publicise your attempts to interfere. The senior Tory said the decision to go public would have been 'cleared with ministers that this is the way it ought to be handled'. 'It would have been a political decision taken to make it public. It would be for MI5 to discuss with the Home Secretary and or No10 how this should be handled.' However, the ex-minister said the idea the warning was a so-called 'dead cat' timed to take pressure off Mr Johnson over Partygate was 'complete cr**'. 'First of all it doesn't make the slightest difference to helping or hindering the PM's personal problems,' they said. 'And the announcement came from the Speaker. The Speaker would have determined the timing.' A senior MP with links to the intelligence community told MailOnline that MI5 were keen to 'send a message' and the Chinese operation might have 'overstepped the mark' - but also dismissed any connection with Partygate. 'At the end of the day it is the Speaker who put it out. He did not have to put it out yesterday,' they said. 'The idea they said to Ken McCallum you have to do this, that's just nonsense. Ken's far too strong for that,' the MP said. 'They have been quite happy to allow her to carry on but she has clearly done something that has pushed it up a notch,' the source added. The source said that China used huge volumes of information to gain leverage. 'This is not James Bond spy stuff. What they do is hoover up masses of information which a lot of us would think is not very relevant. But they use it to put pictures together.' They pointed to the choice of targets as evidence that it was not classic espionage tactics. 'Let's be honest, who would pick Barry. He is an idiot,' the source said. Advertisement

Lee's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tensions between Britain and China have risen over accusations of economic subterfuge, human rights abuses and Beijing's crackdown on civil liberties in the former British colony of Hong Kong.

In November the head of the MI6 overseas intelligence agency, Richard Moore, called China one of the biggest threats to Britain and its allies.

China has repeatedly criticised what it calls British interference in its internal affairs and denied meddling in the politics of foreign nations.

Sharing a lunch and a glass of wine like the two old friends they were, this was Labour frontbencher Barry Gardiner and the suspected Chinese spy Christine Lee who bankrolled him to the tune of more than 600,000.

The pair were spotted by another diner in October 2018 in the Northall restaurant at Westminster's swanky Corinthia Hotel, only a short walk from Parliament.

At the time of MailOnline's exclusive photo Mr Gardiner was Labour's Shadow Minister for International Trade, and the hotel is next door to the Department for International Trade in Whitehall Place.

Taking advantage of a set lunch offered with a complimentary glass of Champagne, Mr Gardiner, 64, also appeared to be drinking white wine as he and Ms Lee hunched over the table, deep in conversation.

It is believed the third person may have been Ms Lee's son Daniel Wilkes, 27, employed as a researcher or diary secretary at the MP's office for several years, with her law firm, Christine Lee & Co, paying for his salary, and more besides.

The monetary arrangement lasted until June 2020, though Mr Wilkes remained working in the office. That all came to an abrupt halt yesterday after MI5 issued a highly unusual warning about 58-year-old Ms Lee's 'political interference' activities on behalf of Beijing and Mr Wilkes resigned.

In an unprecedented move, spy chiefs yesterday issued a security alert to MPs over solicitor Mrs Lee, 58. She sought to influence a string of politicians and succeeded in establishing powerful links 'right to the top of the British establishment', security sources said.

Mr Gardiner said today that there would be a statement on the Chinese agent affair in the Commons later. As he left his North London home, wearing a suit and red tie, he was asked if he had put his colleagues at risk.

He said: 'I am quite confident that I did not put my colleagues at risk.' He declined to answer questions about the alleged spy Mrs Lee or her son who worked in his office until yesterday. He said he had already made a statement and would not comment any further.

A warning memo sent to MPs said her 'political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party' have been secretly monitored by the security services for years.

The twice married mother of two from the West Midlands, who came to the UK aged 12 and lives in a 1million mansion in Solihull, has openly given around 670,000 to the Labour Party since 2005, including donating more than 600,000 to Brent North MP Barry Gardiner  who employed her son.

But yesterday it was revealed she also courted a wide range of Tory and Labour MPs, cultivating contacts with cabinet ministers and prime ministers in what was described by MI5 as a deeply sinister campaign of 'interference across British democracy'.

TV journalist Philip Braund, who took the photo, said he was lunching with a lobbyist contact when he saw Mr Gardiner walk in.

'I recognised Mr Gardiner, who has quite a high profile, but I'd no idea who the woman was,' he told MailOnline.

'During the meal the conversation between Mr Gardiner and the lady was very animated.

'There was a lot of laughing and joking. He clearly knew her well. I can't remember why but I felt compelled to take a picture of the luncheon.

'I was trying to take a photo primarily of him, but ended up getting a better photo of Miss Lee. Looking back, and knowing what we now know, I can't help wondering if MI5 were also watching the whole scene?

'We left the restaurant before they did and our bill was around 75 for two, so I guess theirs would have been around 100. I wonder who picked up the bill?'

Barry Gardiner and Christine Lee dining together during a boozy lunch at Westminster's swanky Corinthia Hotel, only a short walk from Parliament in 2018. It is believed the third person may have been Ms Lee's son Daniel Wilkes, 27, who was employed by 'Beijing Barry' until yesterday

Pictures posted to Facebook show Ms Lee with prominent politicians including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, his deputy Tom Watson (pictured together) and disgraced ex-MP Keith Vaz

Ms Lee, a London-based solicitor and a former chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London, speaking to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. She is also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group at Westminster.

MI5's alert against an alleged Chinese spy came because she represented a 'threat to democracy' insiders say. There was an accumulation of evidence against the alleged spy operating in parliament that eventually reached a 'tipping point', according to security sources.

'Clearly unacceptable behaviour': MI5's unprecedented email to MPs Lee's links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's vast network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department. The security services issued a rare warning to MPs and peers amid fears an agent of the Chinese government has been active in Parliament. On Thursday a Security Service Interference Alert was issued by MI5 containing allegations about Christine Ching Kui Lee after concerns were raised that she was not being open about her connections to the Chinese state and may have ulterior motives for her involvement with parliamentarians. While it is not the first time such an alert has been issued, official warnings of this nature are relatively rare. The letter from the Speaker accompanying the alert said: 'I am writing now to draw your attention to the attached Interference Alert issued by the Security Service, MI5, about the activities of an individual, Christine Lee, who has been engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, engaging with Members here at Parliament and associated political entities, including the former APPG: Chinese in Britain. 'I should highlight the fact that Lee has facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring Parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China. 'This facilitation was done covertly to mask the origins of the payments. 'This is clearly unacceptable behaviour and steps are being taken to ensure it ceases.' In the covering letter, Sir Lindsay said the MPs she contacted included members of the now disbanded Chinese in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group. Chaired by Mr Gardiner, other members included Labour's Keith Vaz, Stephen Pound, Faisal Rashid and Gareth Thomas, along with Tory David Morris. Advertisement

Christine Lee had been the subject of an MI5 investigation over a number of years but there was no 'gotcha' moment that meant they suddenly felt they had to act.

Instead there was an 'accumulation of risk' as the security services saw her approach more politicians, which tipped the balance in the favour of intervention, instead of continuing the covert operation.

'It was not done for messaging purposes, it is because we believe there was a possible threat to parliamentary democracy,' according to one source.

The security services believe Lee's aim was to influence policy and policy direction in order to advance the interests of the Chinese state.

She did that by manufacturing opportunities with individuals who believed she represented the Chinese community in the UK.

Lee was believed to be 'developing access and influence so that she could then lean on her contacts at the time her controllers in the Chinese Communist Party felt it was a priority to act,' the source said.

MI5 has built an understanding of how the Chinese state operates but there is now more of an appetite across Whitehall to intervene, where previously there may have been concerns around trade deals or diplomatic ties, sources say.

Issuing a Security Service Interference Alert to parliament should not necessarily be seen as a more 'muscular' approach to Chinese interference but there is definitely more or an 'appetite to intervene,' a source said.

That may now be seen with other states that MI5 has identified as seeking to interfere in the British democratic process such as Russia, Iran and North Korea.

For years, China has used cyber attacks to try and infiltrate technology companies and steal intellectual property.

The National Cyber Security Centre is at the forefront of helping private companies and government to fight off those attacks.

But China is also using agents to try and acquire important technology and to meet important business people and civil servants.

Another source described their approach as 'bigger, broader, faster with fewer rules.'

MI5 and GCHQ have invested heavily in technology to counter that but they also plan to use legal means to try and prosecute spies.

Unlike the US, which has a law against 'unregistered foreign agents' dating back to 1938, Britain has to rely on the Official Secrets Act which means that government officials can be prosecuted for leaking information but allows the spies themselves to go free.

Spies conventionally work under 'official cover' which means they are diplomats with thinly disguised titles that allow them to make approaches to individuals who may have information to share.

However, spies who work within organisations with 'non-official cover' as 'undeclared' foreign agents often pose a bigger risk.

The government plans to introduce a National Security Bill that is likely to involve a 'foreign agents register' which would allow unregistered agents to be put through court.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, has said the government is 'working to look at what measures we can take to strengthen our laws to effectively lead to the type of prosecutions that we currently cannot deliver.'

She warned of more national security alerts to follow, saying the UK had 'other adversaries' who would 'look to interfere or come into our country in some shape and way'.

Former PM David Cameron addresses a British Chinese Project event in a photo posted in 2016

In an extraordinary security scandal, the Communist agent was welcomed into Downing Street in 2019, where she received an award from then-prime minister Theresa May in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China.

In January 2019, she received a Points of Light Award from then premier Theresa May, in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China.

The award was rescinded last night, but Mrs May praised her at the time for 'promoting engagement, understanding, and cooperation between the Chinese and British communities in the UK', adding: 'I also wish you well with your work to further the inclusion and participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system.'

And she received a Woman of the Year gong from the GG2 Leadership Awards in 2013.

Miss Lee also formed close links with David Cameron when he was prime minister as the only Chinese member of his 2010 business delegation to China.

Last night there were questions about how she managed to get so close to Downing Street, given her prominent position within the hostile state as a photograph emerged of her shaking hands with Chinese president Xi Jinping.

The impeccably connected and alleged Chinese spy hid in plain sight while cosying up to MPs by offering donations, hampers and paying for trips abroad.

Miss Lee has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency overseen by the United Front Work Department (UFWD), which manages the vast network of influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Yet she was also the secretary of the Inter-Party China Group of the British Parliament.

Since 2005, she has donated large sums to Labour. She gave about 670,000 to the party, mostly to Jeremy Corbyn ally Mr Gardiner, almost all of it for his staffing costs. In 2014 she helped sponsor a Chinese Liberal Democrats' dinner to support the party's then-candidate for Somerton and Frome, Sarah Yong.

According to the alert sent to all MPs and peers in Westminster yesterday, she also made covert payments to serving and aspiring MPs on behalf of politicians in China and Hong Kong.

The MI5 message said: 'The UFWD seeks to cultivate relationships with influential figures in order to ensure the UK political landscape is favourable to the CCP's agenda and to challenge those that raise concerns about CCP activity, such as human rights. Lee has been engaged in the facilitation of financial donations to political parties, parliamentarians, aspiring parliamentarians, and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals.'

In an accompanying letter, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said among those targeted was the now-disbanded Chinese in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group, of which Mr Gardiner was chairman.

Last night there was no sign of her at the 985,000 home on a gated estate in Solihull, West Midlands, which she shares with her British solicitor husband.

Miss Patel said it was 'deeply concerning' that an individual 'who has knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party has targeted parliamentarians'. But she suggested the activity was 'under the criminal threshold'.

The Home Secretary warned: 'We're speaking specifically right now about the CCP, China, but we live in a world where we have other adversaries, and they all look to interfere or come into our country in some shape and way. We are big players internationally, the United Kingdom, our place in the world is very strong. And so we're naturally a country of interest. I think it's fair to say in the future, we'll see more alerts of this nature.'

It comes at a time of hardening attitudes toward China at the top of Government, culminating most recently in a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who has been involved in helping Hong Kong-Chinese people flee the Communist regime, expressed concern they could now be at risk as a result of Lee's allegedv activities.

How Beijing uses its billions to buy political influence around the world: From 685bn invested in the Commonwealth, building 5G 'spy' networks to 'take-overs' through Latin America and Africa... as China's British 'spy' is revealed

Allegations that a suspected Chinese spy has donated more than 500,000 to a senior Labour MP in Britain appear to fit part and parcel with Beijings modus operandi  using its billions in cash to buy political influence across the planet.

Barry Gardiner, who was a member of Jeremy Corbyns shadow cabinet, received the donations from Christine Ching Kui Lee  mainly to cover staffing costs in his office  over a period of six years, and employed her son as his diary manager.

MI5 took the rare step of issuing MPs and peers with a warning today about Miss Lees cultivating of British politicians to secure a UK political landscape that was favourable to Chinas authoritarian government.

In recent years, Beijings ruthless bid for world power has seen the Communist Party make more aggressive interventions in the internal affairs of smaller  and often poorer  sovereign states in Latin America and the Caribbean.

China last month struck deals with a string of countries across Latin America to build up civilian nuclear technology, develop space programmes and build 5G mobile networks which the US says could be used to spy on millions of people.

Beijing has even pledged to build schools and fund classes teaching Chinese language and culture, though such institutions have been criticised elsewhere for pushing state propaganda and limiting academic freedom.

According to Mateo Haydar, a researcher at the Heritage Foundation, China has ambitions to become the dominant influence in Latin America.

Meanwhile, Beijing has invested more than 685billion across 42 Commonwealth member states since 2005. Security experts argue that by ploughing huge sums of money into countries such as Barbados and Jamaica, the Chinese government hopes to saddle them with such big unpayable debts that they are forced to hand over the assets used as security.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said it is deeply concerning the Chinese Communist Party was targeting British parliamentarians.

However, anti-China hawks in the Conservative Party have long warned of Chinas growing influence in Britain  from its attempt to build the UKs 5G network to its infiltration of universities and involvement in the Hinkley Point nuclear power station.

More recently, Tory backbenchers including Sir Iain Duncan Smith have condemned Beijings international behaviour including its treatment of the Uighur Muslim population of Xinjiang province, suppression of democracy in Hong Kong, intimidation of Taiwan, and alleged cover-up of the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Allegations that a suspected Chinese spy has donated more than 500,000 to a senior Labour MP appear to fit part and parcel with Beijings modus operandi  cash for political influence (pictured, Chinese president Xi Jinping)

China has pumped cheap money into Latin America and the Caribbean for years, indebting governments and effectively buying influence. Where it has been unable to loan or buy, it has used armies of cheap workers to build key infrastructure projects, giving it outsized influence. And those ties are set to deepen with the signing of a new cooperation pact

China has invested more than 685billion across 42 Commonwealth member states since 2005 as the Communist Party's extraordinary bid for global power continues unimpeded

The new deal includes broad pledges for countries in the region to deepen ties with Beijing in a huge variety of sectors including trade, which has already seen China overhaul the US to become the region's biggest trading partner (left and right)

China has used a similar pattern of cheap loans, construction projects and purchases of key infrastructure to buy up influence in Africa which it hopes will help it out-compete the US. Beijing has now built its first overseas military base in the region (marked on the map) and is thought to be scouting a site for a second

Laos, Sierra Leone, and Guinea having received more than their entire GDP in investment from China

MI5 took the rare step of issuing MPs and peers with a warning today about Miss Lees cultivating of British politicians to secure a UK political landscape that was favourable to Chinas authoritarian government

Barry Gardiner, who was a member of Jeremy Corbyns shadow cabinet, received the donations from Christine Ching Kui Lee  mainly to cover staffing costs in his office  over a period of six years, and employed her son as his diary manager

How Beijing is buying up Britain: Chinese investors 'have spent 134 BILLION on UK assets including infrastructure, private schools and FTSE 100 firms' Chinese investors have spent at least 134billion on UK assets, including private schools, infrastructure businesses and top ranked British firms. Investors and businesses based China or Hong Kong now own stakes in key infrastructure businesses such as Thames Water, Heathrow Airport and UK Power Networks, according to the Sunday Times. As much as 57billion is also invested in FTSE 100 companies, according to the paper. And, as previously reported by the Mail on Sunday, Chinese firms have also invested heavily in prestigious private schools - including Thetford Grammar School and Bournemouth Collegiate College - to the tune of around 10billion. The Chinese spending spree has boomed since 2019, according to the paper. Almost half of the purchases uncovered in its investigation with data provider Argus Vicker are said to have taken place in the last two years. And at least 44billion of the purchases are by Chinese state-owned businesses, the paper reports. It warns that, due to the difficulty in tracing some investments, the total investment figure could be far higher than the 134billion calculated. The schools backed by China-owned firms include: Bournemouth Collegiate School

St Michael's School in Llanelli, Carmarthanshire

Bosworth Independent College in Northampton

Bedstone College in Shropshire

Ipswich High School

Kingsley School in Bideford, Devon,

Heathfield Knoll School

Thetford Grammar School in Norfolk

Wisbech Grammar in Cambridgeshire

Riddlesworth Hall Preparatory School in Norfolk

Adcote School for Girls near Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Myddelton College in Denbigh, Wales

CATS Colleges - Campuses are in London, Cambridge and Canterbury

Chase Grammar School

Abbotsholme School, Derbyshire

St Bees School, Cumbria Advertisement

In some cases, this has included ports in crucial waterways that allow Beijing to challenge rival superpowers such as the Americans and the Indians.

Figures compiled by the American Enterprise Institute show that China has invested almost 500million into roads, homes, sewers and a hotel in Barbados, which recently shook off the last of Britains imperial influence and became a republic.

In nearby Jamaica, Beijing has invested around 2.6billion against a gross domestic product of 16.4billion, making the country the biggest recipient of Chinese money in the Caribbean.

When China wanted UN members to back its draconian Hong Kong National Security Law, it received support from Papua New Guinea and Antigua and Barbuda  two out of the 16 remaining Commonwealth realms. The former has received 5.3billion in Chinese investment (21 per cent of its GDP), while the latter receiving 1billion (60 per cent of its GDP).

Other Commonwealth members that supported Beijing's crackdown in Hong Kong have included Sierra Leone, where Chinese investment since 2005 amounts to 145 per cent of its GDP, Zambia, Lesotho, Cameroon and Mozambique.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has announced plans to replace the Commonwealth Development Corporation with a new body, British International Investment, to provide up to 8billion of investment per year in Commonwealth countries by 2025. However, China hawks have slammed the Governments late response to Beijing.

Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, told The Telegraph: They would like to undermine whatever they can internationally, so they can pick off countries and prevent anti-Chinese resolutions in the Commonwealth and elsewhere.

It is a very clever move and we have come late to the party by not really understanding the extent of this challenge.

China is commercially preying on the Commonwealth. The question is, can we respond with a better offering? Can the UK steer western investment funds into these places?

Baroness Helena Kennedy, a prominent human rights barrister, added: What China is doing is a way of making friends and it impacts on votes in the UN. Attempts to get a collaborative approach to things can be undermined so you end up with client states.

It has a serious impact, it starts being a return to the old Cold War scenario and that's not a healthy way for us to be going forward. The money they are investing does start to penetrate our areas of influence.

One wants to strengthen the Commonwealth, not find it undermined.

Pakistan, which is the biggest recipient of UK Overseas Development Assistance, has received 60billion of investment from China, more than a fifth of its GDP, since 2005, and now buys 70 per cent of its arms from Beijing.

The Americans believe that the Pakistani government passes on those arms to the Taliban, which used them to defeat coalition forces in Afghanistan and destabilise the economy.

This has since provided China the pretext to move in and exploit the country's vast mineral deposits, including coal, copper, iron ore, oil and gemstones.

When recipient countries such as Sri Lanka cannot afford to repay the high interest loans, they are forced to hand over the assets used as security  which in this case was the Hambantota container port and 15,000 acres of land around it on a 99-year lease.

Chinese 'spy' at heart of Westminster: How 'lawyer' targeted an ex-energy secretary and shadow secretary during at least five years of manoeuvring in UK's corridors of power Christine Lees penetration into the heart of the British political establishment has been breathtakingly successful. The Chinese lawyer consorted in plain sight with Prime Ministers, peers and senior MPs, pumping hundreds of thousands of pounds into both Labour and Tory coffers as, according to MI5, she sought to extend Beijing s influence. Her law firm, with offices in London, Birmingham and China and Hong Kong, bankrolled former Labour front-bencher and Corbyn ally Barry Gardiner MPs office, to the tune of over 500,000 over five years and her son Daniel Wilkes worked in the same office as his diary secretary with his own Parliamentary pass for several years  at least, until his sudden resignation today. A long line of politicians from all sides of the House have also been happy to be associated with Ms Lee until MI5s damning assessment of her interference  covertly seeking to gain influence  was issued in a bombshell alert. She has donated 5,000 to the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and another 5,000 to now party leader Ed Davey in 2013, when he was energy Secretary in the coalition government. So popular was she in Westminster that just two years ago Lee received glowing praise from Theresa May as she was given a Points of Light award for making a difference in her community. Advertisement

This has given China a foothold in a shipping lane dominated by rival power India.

Last month, China struck a deal with CELAC, an alliance of Latin American and Caribbean States that encompasses almost all the countries in the region including major players such as Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Uruguay and Chile.

While light on specifics, it sets out a broad roadmap for relations between China and countries in the region up to 2024  committing them to deepening ties between governments, banks, companies and educational institutions.

Most of the commitments appear routine  such as pledges to preserve the environment, develop green tech, and promote equality and sustainability  but some will certainly give minds in the Pentagon pause for thought.

The first is a commitment to exchange nuclear technology and promote relevant practical projects including the training of nuclear scientists to bring into play advantages offered by nuclear technology and nuclear energy.

The deal specifies that this will be peaceful and elsewhere commits the parties to pursuing nuclear disarmament, but will almost certainly cause concern because the technology used to enrich nuclear fuel can be repurposed to make weapons-grade material for use in bombs.

Washington has also been issuing increasingly frequent warnings about Chinese firms providing assistance to the military in recent months, and is likely to fear that any civilian nuclear firms which establish themselves in South America are being used for a dual purpose.

Likewise, China's pledge to help develop space programmes for the peaceful exploration of space is also likely to be a cause for concern.

In the past, Beijing has tried to pass off the launch of spy satellites as communication craft, and recently pushed back on accusations that it had tested a hypersonic orbital nuke by saying it was actually a civilian spacecraft meant for the peaceful exploration of space.

China has been particularly generous with nations that have agreed to cut relations with Taiwan  a country in the East China Sea which Beijing claims as a province  and establish ties with Beijing instead.

In 2005, China rewarded the island of Grenada, which has an annual turnover of just $1.8billion, with a brand new $55million cricket stadium after it cut relations with Taiwan.

Similarly, in 2018, the Dominican Republic received Chinese investments and loans thought to have topped $3billion after it also cut ties with Taipei.

Beijing has largely stepped away from vote-buying projects in recent years, however, and now largely focuses on economic deals aimed at providing work for its citizens, acquiring resources such as rare earth materials and food, and providing long-term trading and economic benefits.

As part of the agreement, China will help to develop the space programmes of Latin American nations including the 'construction of ground infrastructure' in the region (pictured, China launches a satellite from its territory on December 30)

China is in talks with Argentina to build a new nuclear reactor at its Atucha complex (pictured), and has pledged to share more nuclear technology with South American countries over the next two years

China will also establishing a growing number of Confucius Institutes in the region - schools that teach Chinese language and 'culture', but which the US says actually push state propaganda on children

In 2018, leaders from the region and South America  as part of a trading bloc known as CELAC  signed up to a 2019-2021 roadmap with China that aimed to deepen political and economic ties, including in trade, agriculture, infrastructure and science and technology, among other areas.

More recently, a Chinese firm took full control of Jamaica Kingston Freeport in April this year, the island's largest container port and one of the largest in the Caribbean.

China has also invested heavily in Cuba, helping to modernize the countrys second-largest port  Santiago de Cuba  with a new shipping terminal opening in 2019.

Chris Bennett, managing director of The Caribbean Council, a London-based trade organisation, told MailOnline: Over the last 15 years, China has steadily acquired control of strategic assets necessary for its trading interests across the wider region.

It controls two of the largest container ports in the region, has acquired large amounts of land in Jamaica, Guyana and Suriname, multiple oil and gas blocs and large-scale mineral deposits of bauxite and gold.

By tying concessional finance to the use of Chinese contractors and Chinese imported labour, China has forced out many Western contractors who cannot compete with the cheap Chinese credit being offered.

The clues were there for anyone who chose to look: An office INSIDE China's British Embassy, glad-handing President Xi how 'charming lawyer' Christine Lee hid in plain sight as a Communist spy

Three years ago, Christine Lee received a special award from then prime minister Theresa May in recognition of her pioneering work in fostering close relations between China and Britain.

It was a landmark moment in the life of the 58-year-old entrepreneur, who arrived in Britain from Hong Kong as a child.

She duly posed for pictures outside No 10 Downing Street, the iconic black door draped with red banners celebrating a 'Golden Era' in relations between the two nations.

The symbolism of the image was impossible to miss: Lee had reached the heart of Britain's Establishment and was being embraced by it.

In a personal letter, Mrs May said  in words that now seem hopelessly naive  'I wish you well in your work to further the participation of British-Chinese people in the UK political system.'

For yesterday the smartly dressed, dark-haired Lee was unmasked by our domestic security service MI5 as a Chinese Communist Party agent 'engaged in political interference' of MPs on both the Left and Right of the political spectrum.

Christine Lee poses outside No 10 Downing Street

And Mrs May was not the only person in high places to be taken in by the founder of what was called the British Chinese Project, a non-profit organisation aiming to promote engagement, understanding and cooperation between the Chinese community and wider UK society.

She has been photographed whispering in David Cameron's ear at the GG2 Leadership Awards, and her links with Labour Party politicians date back to Tony Blair's premiership.

Apart from her involvement with the British Chinese Project, Lee  a persuasive character, with considerable charm  is a lawyer with offices in London and Birmingham who has cultivated top business people as easily as she has senior politicians. Few appear to have realised the closeness of her affiliation with Beijing's elite but evidence of it has long been there for those who chose to look.

As a representative of the 'whole Chinese community in the UK', Lee told a parliamentary home affairs committee some years ago that her business advising Chinese entrepreneurs on how to invest in Britain had an office with five staff inside China's British Embassy.

At a committee session on the 2006 Nationality Bill, Lee said: 'They (China's embassy staff) are on the second floor, we are on the 17th floor. So every time the British Embassy has a problem, they send the people up to us, and we can explain to them in Chinese what is going on.'

Christine Lee and David Cameron at the ceremony of the British GG2 leadership awards in 2015

There is even a picture on social media of a beaming Lee shaking hands with Xi Jinping, the autocratic Chinese president.

According to the authors of Hidden Hands, a highly respected book on China's influence in Britain: 'Her links with the CCP go deep. She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese Embassy in London an unmistakable sign of her importance to the CCP.'

The book added that Chinese networks, including those run by Lee as so-called friendship and fundraising groups, have become so deeply entrenched among British elites that they have 'gone past the point of no return'.

Her elevation into high places with all the influence that brings is a far cry from Miss Lee's difficult past. Her family emigrated to Northern Ireland in the 1970s when she was 12 and she attended a boarding school in Belfast, where she was the only Chinese girl among '66 Irish girls'.

Christine Lee pictured with former London mayor Ken Livingstone in 2012

An interview she gave a few years ago to the China Daily  an English-language newspaper owned by the ruling Communist Party  offers an intriguing insight into her background. 'It is very difficult for a young girl to leave her home and her beloved grandparents and come to live in a cold place,' she told the newspaper.

'My English was poor and I couldn't really communicate with the other pupils which put me in a weaker position than them. There was not a lot of physical bullying, but a lot of verbal bullying.'

She developed a habit of putting seven teaspoons of sugar into her coffee to neutralise the bitter taste but when she asked an 'Irish girl' one day to help her with the sugar, the girl  in an act of malice  substituted salt for sugar.

But if they thought the redoubtable Lee would recoil in surprise and dissolve into tears, they were in for a surprise: 'The girls who were watching thought I would not drink it, but I told myself to drink the entire cup, and show them I am not weak.' Lee is certainly not that. She teamed up with other victims of the bullies at the school to practise karate so they could protect themselves.

According to the article, it was the unfairness she experienced in her childhood that propelled her towards a legal career.

As a young lawyer, she specialised in immigration cases, helping migrants from Hong Kong settle in the UK. Over time she got involved in the lucrative world of education, advising Chinese parents how to 'invest in their children's education and work experience' in the UK.

Parents with the capacity to invest 1 million in this country qualified for a visa programme that gave their children the right to not only study over here but find jobs too.

Today Lee lives with her husband, a 71-year-old British businessman called Martin Wilkes, in a 1 million house in an upmarket gated estate in the smart market town of Solihull, West Midlands, where neighbours have seen her coming and going in a Mercedes.

The couple are partners in a Midlands-based property company that rents out housing association and council properties.

But Lee's real claim to fame, as we have seen, is the British Chinese Project. The charity she founded in 2006 not only aims to make politicians more aware of the needs of their Chinese constituents but campaigns for British-Chinese people to vote in general elections.

It was her success in promoting this ostensibly worthy cause that earned Lee that 'Points of Light' award from Mrs May in January 2019. 'I am humbled that it relates to our work for the well-being of the British-Chinese community,' she said at the time.

Now we know that this was not the entire truth. Her good works provided her with a passport to the upper echelons of British society and enabled her to spy on them for an increasingly sinister foreign power.
A British expat living in Spain is unwillingly sharing her home with a man thought to be a Russian spy threatened by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Maria Lloyd, 64, had long rented out part of the home she shares with husband Eladio Freijo, 77, near Madrid, to hundreds of strangers via Airbnb.

But now the retired couple has a permanent guest with a chequered past.

The visitor, a mysterious character named Felipe Turover, 57, arrived at the couple's Madrid property amid Storm Filomena in January 2021 - the city's heaviest snowfall in decades.

At first, Turover appeared to be a perfect guest, helping with shopping, playing with the family dog and always paying on time.

But Turover eventually stopped paying, and after running his name through Google, Maria discovered her unwanted squatter was a former KGB agent once threated with 'liquidation' by Putin.

Now, the Lloyd-Freijo family is claiming that the former spy is refusing to leave her home, and due to Spanish laws which make the eviction of squatters particularly difficult, has no choice but to share her property with a very dangerous man.

'It's a total nightmare that I'm living with this,' Maria said.

'This is my house, yet he has more rights than we do.'

Felipe Turover hugging Pippa, the Lloyd family's dog. At first, Turover appeared to be a perfect guest, helping with shopping, playing with the dog and always paying on time. But Turover eventually stopped paying

Maria, whose father Courtenay Lloyd happened to teach Russian to British spies at the Joint Services School for Linguistics, said that Turover was a welcome and considerate paying guest until September of last year.

He initially booked a 10-day stay at Maria's home in Villaviciosa de Odon on the outskirts of the Spanish capital, and when the initial stay expired, Turover negotiated an indefinite extension with his hosts.

Maria said the trio came to a verbal agreement and the guest paid every ten days 'religiously'.

'He led a quiet life, going to an expensive gym used by Real Madrid players and to the mountains at the weekend,' Maria told The Times. 'He was never in our way.'

But over time, Maria grew curious as to why her guest was staying for such a long time, and decided to Google his name.

Her cursory internet search revealed that Turover was in fact linked to the KGB - the notorious foreign intelligence and domestic security service of the Soviet Union.

Even despite the startling revelation, Maria and her husband gave Turover the benefit of the doubt, reasoning that his time with the KGB had been left behind him.

'I thought he was a good man who had helped uncover corruption. He paid on time did not cause any trouble,' Maria said.

However, when Turover suddenly stopped paying rent in September last year, things quickly turned sour.

After a few weeks went by with Turover coming up with excuses as to why he was unable to pay his dues, Maria and Eladio confronted their unwanted guest.

They said they were forced to call the Civil Guard when Turover point-blank refused to vacate the premises - at which point the unfolding saga descended into what Maria described as a 'nightmare'.

The Spanish police informed the worried couple that due to Spain's housing laws, Turover could not be evicted unless the hosts were able to obtain a formal order from a judge.

Turover told Spanish paper El Pais: 'Who doesn't have a dispute with Airbnb or someone about having to pay more or less? I've had maybe a few disputes, like half of Spain.'

Online searches suggested Felipe Turover had a history as a former KGB agent, the Airbnb host said. But despite the startling revelation, Maria and her husband gave Turover the benefit of the doubt, reasoning that his time with the KGB had been left behind him

Maria and Eladio opted to file a civil court case in December in an attempt to force Turover out, but in the meantime have no choice but to sleep in the room next door to a former Soviet spy.

The couple are now likely faced with a lengthy and potentially costly legal battle.

'How can this be happening to us in our own house?' Lloyd said.

'We are at our wits' end.'

Turover himself has spoken about his ties with the KGB several times.

He was cited as a primary contributor for the book 'Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took On the West' by the Financial Times' former Moscow correspondent Catherine Belton.

He also told El Pais that his life was threatened by Russian President Vladimir Putin over a cup of tea in Moscow in 1999.

According to the former spy, he was heavily involved in the downfall of Boris Yeltsin, who served as the first president of Russia from 1991 to 1999 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Turover, who reportedly leaked sensitive information about Yeltsin and other high ranking officials to Swiss prosecutors months before Yeltsin was replaced, quickly realised he was in danger.

He said that Putin met with him at a Moscow hotel one night September 1999, where he was told: 'You have two weeks to leave the country. If you don't go, we either lock you away or we liquidate you.'
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A new interactive map has revealed the UK's Omicron hotspots last week, when a record 4.3million Britons were thought to have been carrying Covid.

It shows that areas in the North West, North East and Yorkshire were hit hardest by the new variant as it began to burn itself out in London and the south.

More than 10 per cent of people tested positive in the seven days to January 6 in the worst-affected places, which included Burnley, Bury, Rochdale and Liverpool in the North West, as well as Solihull in the Midlands and the Tower Hamlets borough of London.

The map was published as part of the Office for National Statistics' weekly surveillance report, which estimated that infections hit new highs in all four home nations.

One in 15 people were estimated to have been infectious on any given day last week in England, while the rate was one in 20 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Even though infections continued to grow in the most recent week, the 14 per cent rise is the smallest jump since Omicron became dominant at the start of December. The slowing down in infections is in line with a growing body of evidence showing the Omicron wave is subsiding.

More up-to-date Government dashboard data shows that cases are now falling in every country in the UK and every region of England. Daily admissions also appear to have plateaued across Britain.

Type the name of your area into the search bar below to see how many people tested positive last week

A record 3.7million people were infected with Covid on any day last week in England  but cases were slowing nationally, the country's gold-standard Office for National Statistics' surveillance study has found

Areas in the North West, North East and Yorkshire were hit hardest by the new variant last week as it began to burn itself out in London and the south

The percentage of people who were carrying Covid in the UK home nations in the week to January 6

The ONS report, used by ministers to guide Covid policy, is regarded as the most reliable indicator of the outbreak because it uses random sampling of 100,000 people, rather than relying on people coming forward for tests.

It estimated there were 3.7million people infected on any given day last week in England, up from 3.3million during the previous spell.

England 'WILL scrap Covid passes and WFH at the end of the month Controversial Covid passes will be scrapped in England this month as the country's Omicron wave continues to collapse, it was claimed today. Health Secretary Sajid Javid is said to have told MPs that he shared their 'instinctive discomfort' at the certificates, which 100 Tories voted against. Ministers are also keen to ditch widespread working from home guidance when the current Plan B measures are reviewed on January 26. It could mean that compulsory masks on public transport and in shops will be the only remaining curb. Britain's Covid cases have fallen week-on-week for the past eight days in a row, with 109,000 new positive tests on Thursday. Hospital admissions have also flatlined. At a meeting with Tory MPs yesterday, Mr Javid hailed the 'encouraging signs'  but warned that hospitals remained under 'significant pressure', The Times reports. Currently, people in England need to show proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow to enter large events and nightclubs. A Whitehall source told the newspaper: 'There was always a very high threshold for the policy and it looks increasingly likely in a couple of weeks that threshold won't be met. The way cases are going it will be hard to justify renewing.' Boris Johnson faced his biggest Tory revolt since the start of the pandemic over the introduction of Plan B measures last month, with nearly 100 Conservatives defying the party whip to vote against them. Advertisement

Before the emergence of Omicron, that figure rarely rose above 1million, but the ultra-transmissible variant has pushed the country's infection rate to astronomical levels.

Broken down, the ONS said infections definitely increased across all regions of England in the most recent week except in London, but the trend was uncertain in eastern England.

In the capital, one in 15 people were estimated to have had Covid in the week to January 6, down from one in 10 the previous week. In the East, the figure was about one in 20.

The highest regional rates are now estimated to be in the North West and Yorkshire/Humber, with one in 10 people testing positive. South West England has the lowest rate, at around one in 25.

Elsewhere in the UK, nearly 170,000 people were thought to be carrying Covid in Wales last week, nearly 300,000 in Scotland, and 100,000 in Northern Ireland. All three figures were the equivalent of one in 20.

The ONS data also shows that number of Covid cases in the over 50s continues to grow while cases in younger age groups were stable or slightly declining.

Meanwhile, new official data shows Covid cases have now peaked in every region of England, in more proof that the worst of the Omicron outbreak is over.

Daily infections have dropped nationwide week-on-week for the last seven days, and yesterday dipped below six figures  to slightly less than 98,000  for the first time in more than a fortnight.

The North East was the only region where infections were still rising, but latest Government figures show they are now mirroring the rest of the country.

The region had become a hotspot for Omicron in recent weeks after the outbreak moved north, and it is home to seven of the 10 local authorities with the highest infection rates. One in 40 people (2.6 per cent) of people in the North East tested positive in the most recent week, the highest of any point in the pandemic.

Hospitalisations  which are a lagging indicator  have continued to rise with almost 400 daily Covid admissions in the region last week, similar to levels seen during the devastating second wave.

But admissions to critical care beds have barely risen since England's Covid outbreak began to spiral, which gave No10 the confidence it could 'ride out' the current wave. And a host of experts believe Omicron infections are now peaking in the country.

 Slide me  UK Health Security Agency figures showed Covid cases were falling in 87 per cent of England's areas last week, or 129 out of 149 local authorities. For comparison, in the previous seven-day spell (left) cases were only falling in 15 council areas

NHS England STILL doesn't automatically recognise Covid vaccines dished out in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland England still doesn't automatically recognise Covid vaccines dished out in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, MailOnline can reveal. Complaints were first raised about the issue last summer, when it emerged that jabs administered in other UK nations were not showing on England's Covid pass. At the time, health chiefs insisted they would work to 'align' data sharing across nations to stop the chaos that resulted in some some people not being recognised as fully vaccinated. But people who have moved between the countries say their records are still wrong and they are caught in a bureaucratic deadlock trying to fix it. Experts today called for the problem to be sorted as soon as possible, warning that it could cause chaos for people trying to travel in the future. Boris Johnson has already hinted that a full three Covid jabs will eventually become the definition of fully vaccinated. While most countries with vaccine entry requirements currently only require Britons to have had two doses of Covid vaccines, this could change in the future. Returning Brits need to prove they are fully vaccinated to avoid having to quarantine for 10 full days. Although vaccine passports are currently in force for some events and venues in England, there are plans to lift the requirements over the coming weeks. But it is unclear if they could make a return if the country was to face another surge in Covid cases. Advertisement

A raft of promising statistics yesterday showed the Omicron wave is subsiding, with one showing infections are pointing downwards across all regions and in almost every age group.

With the worst of the outbreak seemingly over, England is now preparing to ease restrictions that were brought in to fight Omicron.

The Health Secretary told MPs yesterday that vaccine passports could be scrapped before the end of this month, and ministers are also considering ditching work from home guidance. Both are set to be reviewed on January 26.

Self-isolation will be cut to five days on Monday for vaccinated people who test positive for the virus, with Sajid Javid saying the move will make the UK the 'freest in Europe'.

The North East (2,572.4) is still the country's Covid hotspot, recording the most cases per 100,000 people, but they are now starting to point downwards.

The second-highest infection rate was in the North West (2,132.6), followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (1,977.5) and the West Midlands (1,785.6).

At the other end of the scale was the South West (1,270.2), the South East (1,374.1) and the East of England (1,460.7). London had the sixth highest infection rate (1,526.5).

In a sign the North East's drop is genuine and not down to a change in testing its PCR positivity rate  the proportion of swabs that detect the virus  has also started to fall.

Infection statistics relate to the period before testing rules were changed so that Britons who test positive using a lateral flow no longer need to get a confirmatory PCR. But the figures were already dropping before then.

Hospitalisations across the region are yet to drop having reached 390 admissions a day, nearing last winter's peak of 430.

But the number of Covid patients in hospital has flattened out in recent days at 3,000 which is around four-fifths of the previous peak, while the numbers on mechanical ventilator beds have barely risen.

At a meeting with Tory MPs yesterday, Mr Javid hailed the 'encouraging signs' but warned that hospitals remained under 'significant pressure', The Times reports.

Currently, people in England need to show proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow to enter large events and nightclubs.

A Whitehall source told the paper: 'There was always a very high threshold for the policy and it looks increasingly likely in a couple of weeks that threshold won't be met. The way cases are going it will be hard to justify renewing.'

The UK Government faced its biggest Tory revolt since the start of the pandemic over the introduction of Plan B measures last month, with more than 100 Conservatives voting against them.

The PM's chief Brexit negotiator Lord Frost dramatically resigned in protest over the rollout of the curbs. Yesterday he slammed the 'Covid theatre' of masks and passes, and called lockdown a 'serious mistake'.

The Times reports that it is unlikely that Covid passes will be renewed if the Department of Health argues they are no longer needed.

Alicia Kearns, the MP for Rutland and Melton, yesterday pressed the Health Secretary to commit 'to dropping domestic certification at the earliest possible opportunity'.
A businesswoman fighting to avoid being evicted from her 3 million Scottish castle after a 25-year battle over a 230 debt has lost a bid to take her case to the Supreme Court.

Marian van Overwaele, 71, has fought two decades of attempts to have her removed from Knockderry Castle, in Cove, Argyll, so that it can be sold to pay off her creditors after she was made bankrupt in 2000.

She was declared bankrupt after repeatedly refusing to pay a bill related to a bridalwear business she ran in 1997 and the debt rose to 30,000, with a trustee appointed to take control over her assets.

After her bankruptcy, ownership of the castle was then transferred from Mrs van Overwaele into her brother George Amil's name in 2000. She stayed at the castle with him and his family.

Judges at the Court of Session upheld an earlier decision last July to allow the bankruptcy trustee, George Lafferty, to evict the family and take control of the castle. They ruled against Mrs van Overwaele and her brother because they did not attend court and gave no proper excuse.

However, she made a bid to stop her eviction from the mansion on the banks of Loch Long. After another hearing at the Court of Session, Mrs van Overwaele has now been denied permission to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court in London.

Marian van Overwaele, 71, (pictured) has fought two decades of attempts to have her removed from Knockderry Castle, in Cove, Argyll, so that it can be sold to pay off her creditors after she was made bankrupt in 2000

Sheriff officers and police arrived to evict Mrs van Overwaele in September 2010 after costs related to her bankruptcy hit 160,000.

But the divorcee appealed the eviction notice and she was given more time to pay.

Speaking previously about the case, she said: 'The original bill had nothing to do with me in the first place.

'This house now belongs to my brother and my family have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds lovingly restoring it.

'This is my home but I am very worried that the house will be taken.

'I am 45 years in Scotland now, my life is here. It has affected me very badly and I don't want to cry - I have cried enough.

'Sometimes I wake during the night and pray, 'Please let this be a dream, or a nightmare and not a true story.'
Bill and Hillary Clinton are sensing an opportunity to get back into the political fray as the Democrats look poised to be heading into a devastating midterm this fall.

Politico Playbook reported Friday that the power couple believe their centrist, deal-making brand of politics could be useful as party members have tripped up President Joe Biden's agenda.

They also believe that the public may have moved on from former President Bill Clinton's scandalous past, as the ratings for FX's Impeachment: American Crime Story - produced by Monica Lewinsky - were surprisingly low, Playbook said.

The Clintons, a bundler told Playbook, 'don't want to be pariahs anymore.'

'It's less about being kingmakers and more about being relevant and people seeing them as a net positive, not a net negative,' the source said.

Former President Bill Clinton (left) and former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton (right) are sensing an opportunity to get back into the political fray as the Democrats look poised to be heading into a devastating midterm this fall

The Clintons believe that the public may have moved on from former President Bill Clinton's scandalous past, as the ratings for FX's Impeachment: American Crime Story were low. In the series, Clive Owen (left) plays Bill Clinton and Beanie Feldstein (right) plays Monica Lewinsky

Another source described their need to be involved in politics as a 'perpetual itch that will never go away.'

'They know how to slowly reenter,' the source said. 'The Clintons want to reset the board in their favor and then move the pieces.'

Bill Clinton was among the high-profile Democrats who attempted to convince moderate West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin that he should support filibuster reform.

The ex-president relished this opportunity, Playbook said, and has also been in touch with Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, another tough vote.

'I don't know her, but I like her,' Clinton reportedly said after his call with the Arizona lawmaker.

Sinema entered the House of Representatives in 2013, 13 years after Bill Clinton exited the White House.

The real Monica Lewinsky (left) and Bill Clinton (right) in 1998. He was captured on camera giving the White House intern in which he was having an affair a hug

Actress Beanie Feldstein portraying Monica Lewinsky in a scene recreating the moment for the FX series

Bill Clinton also pushed Biden to salvage his Build Back Better bill, which was derailed by Manchin before Christmas.

He said Biden could do this by focusing on a few items in the bill that Manchin wants.

'I told Joe, "Break it up, pick one or two [pieces] you can swallow and then run on the rest,' Clinton said about the phone call, a source with knowledge of the conversation told Playbook.

Another way the Clintons could flex their influence is by resurrecting the Clinton Global Initiative, the star-studded annual policy conference held in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly every fall.

Due to questions about conflicts of interest, the Clinton Foundation announced in 2016 that that year's CGI would be the last.

It was also due to the fact that Hillary Clinton was on the presidential ballot that year.

Sources within Clintonworld say that there's no chance Hillary Clinton makes another run for the White House in 2024, but a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed penned by Doug Schoen floating her as an ideal candidate was considered a 'gift' for her rejuvenation.

It allowed her to gauge public sentiment as she aims to reenter the public arena as a surrogate for candidates in midterm races or take on policy fights, Playbook said.

'She's bored,' a longtime Clinton bundler said of the former Democratic nominee.
Joe Biden became the object of extreme laughter as he assumed the reporters would follow the staff. Instead, a parting show that stonewall the president.

Joe Biden wants to implement a vaccine mandate, but the Supreme Court has blocked testing rules for major private corporations.

In Biden's first year of office, the staff has limited the interaction with the press, as he did not attempt to engage with the media as ex-president Trump did.

White House restrained questions for Biden

Following his update on the coronavirus and the Omicron variant, journalists were again escorted out by White House staffers and denied the chance to ask relevant questions, reported the Express UK.

Biden watched blankly as the media were hustled out of the chamber, who shouted questions at the president with no success.

However, a reporter was able to pierce through the clamor and sarcastically remarked they are looking forward to a press conference, to which Biden smiled and responded positively.

Last Thursday, Biden said that the national govt would double the supply of COVID-19 home test kits, bringing the number to one billion.

However, as the announcement came to a close, reporters tried to ask questions, with one asking why Americans should limit what they do, cited the Daily Mail.

Biden mentions to reporters that he'll be talking about that before the media was ushered let out. The staff was heard saying thank you with the intent to stop more questions that an evasive chief executive should answer.

Read Also: Putin Gives Ultimatum To Block the Rise of Ukrainian Nazism Which Threatens Europe

Biden's vaccine, testing mandates for private companies

Workers in businesses with 100 or more employees are obliged to be fully vaccinated or produce a negative Covid test each week to enter the workplace.

It is widely opposed imposition from many states, and many critics say it is an attempt to control red states that will not accept such rule from the White House.

In January, the White House opted to stop the question from the reporters when an announcement was made, which has become a regular practice to silence the press.

It is not the first time reporters have been denied access to the president as several were also escorted out of the room during an early January announcement, noted Ajansev.

Biden announced publicly that he would be acquiring more antiviral pills to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, reporters were swiftly whisked out of the chamber while Mr. Biden watched.

After Christmas, the same thing happened after the teleconference with the state governor, and the press was locked out from asking questions.

After the remarks, journalists were disallowed access once more, with accusations that White House coordinator Jeff Zients engineered the decision.

According to the Daily Mail, the current president has only conducted nine press conferences throughout his presidency. By comparison, Donald Trump had 21 and Barack Obama 27 simultaneously.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed the Oval Office in 2021, wherein he fielded questions from the UK press about his UN statement. Once done with the announcement, the press was ushered out to prevent any direct questions to Biden.

Related Article: EU Members Internal Issues Give Putin, Xi Advantage To Turn Screws on Them With Washington Rendered Ineffective

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Alianna DeFreeze was abducted as she walked to school then tortured, raped and killed in Cleveland in January 2017

The family of a Cleveland girl who was tortured, raped and murdered by a registered sex offender on her way to school in 2017 has received a $1 million legal settlement after filing a lawsuit against the school and city.

Damon DeFreeze and Donnesha Cooper filed the wrongful death suit in 2019 after their daughter, Alianna DeFreeze, was abducted on the way to school by 45-year-old Christopher Whitaker before being brutalized and killed.

The charter school waited 10 hours before informing the parents that Alianna never arrived in class on January 27, 2017. Her mutilated body was found three days later in an abandoned home.

A Cuyahoga County Probate Court approved the $1 million payout in the wrongful death suit, according to records obtained Thursday by local outlet Fox 8.

'Despite the incredible odds faced by Plaintiffs' counsel, they were able to convince the settling Defendants (who still assert that they have no legal responsibility for the death of Alianna) to resolve this matter for a total of $1million,' Attorney Allen Boseman wrote in the Thursday filing.

'This is a tremendous settlement based upon the facts and the current state of the law in the state of Ohio.'

Damon DeFreeze and Donnesha Cooper claimed they didn't find out their daughter was absent from school until after the school day had finished

Whitaker was convicted for Alianna's murder in 2018 and sentenced to death. Last October, the death row inmate appealed the sentence.

The family sued the City of Cleveland; the Cleveland Metropolitan School District; DeFreeze's school, E Prep and Village Prep Woodland Hills; and Friends of Breakthrough Schools, along with Whitaker and the man who owned the abandoned home where she was killed.

Records show that each of Alianna's parents, who are reportedly separated, will receive more than $245,000 from the judgment.

Alianna was abducted on January 27, 2017 as she walked towards her charter school on the city's southeast side, after getting off a school bus around 6 am.

Whitaker, a registered sex offender in the state of Ohio, spotted the girl and lured her away from the rest of her classmates. According to her mom, Alianna suffered from a developmental disability.

Christopher Whitaker, 45, a registered sex offender in Ohio, followed the 14-year-old after she got off her school bus and snatched her from the street. He then took her to an abandoned house and raped her before stabbing her to death. He is now on death row

The teen's body was found three days later in the abandoned home. Cops determined she had been tortured for hours, and then raped and killed.

In the filing, Cooper and DeFreeze said their daughter's life could have been saved if they were told she was missing when she didn't show up to class.

They went on to argue it was 'completely' out of character for the teenager to miss school and that the officials should have known as much when she did not show up without any notice from either parent.

The lawsuit further alleged the school 'utterly and without question breached a critical duty owed to each and every parent to provide notice of a missing child - no text messages, phone calls, emails or any other form of communication,' People magazine reported.

'Defendants have tried to cover up their fatal inaction by claiming that they sent [Alianna's mother] a message  notifying her of Alianna's absence, but that the system malfunctioned,' the lawsuit said.

Donnesha Cooper's lawsuit argued that Aliana could have been found alive if school administrators had immediately alerted her that she didn't show up to class

Damon DeFreeze had said that no amount of money will make up for the loss of his daughter

The CEO of Breakthrough Charter Schools, Alan Rosskamm, said Thursday that the school system agreed with the judgment, but denied legal responsibility for the teen's death.

'All of the parties reached a mutually agreed upon settlement agreement. We hope this can help bring some level of closure to all concerned. Although, our hearts will always go out to Alianna's family and friends.'

The grieving dad had said that no amount of money will make up for the loss of his daughter.

Whitaker has appealed to have his death sentence overturned

'You know, you don't know when this will hit you,' DeFreeze told WOIO-TV of Cleveland last year of the grief he and his family have experienced in the four years since their daughter was taken from them.

'I drive, it hits me. I just cry for no reason. You know, when I was working, it hits ya at work. You know, it's just, it's a never-ending thing, but I'm still standing.'

He also hopes her deranged killer wins his appeal and rots in prison for the rest of his life.

'I requested life in prison without the possibility of parole from the beginning because death is too certain, too quick,' DeFreeze said.

'You deserve to suffer and sit there and think about what you did.'

He also said there's some comfort in knowing Whitaker won't prey on anyone else's child.

'Either way, the animal, the monster [is] off the street,' the father said.
The Illinois judge who reversed the sexual assault conviction of a teenage boy last week in a move that stoked public fury has now been removed from all criminal cases and can only preside over civil complaints.

Eighth Circuit Court Judge Robert Adrian, 64, was publicly admonished this week for vacating the sexual assault conviction of Drew Clinton, 18, because he had served five months in county jail.

Last June, Drew was charged with three counts of sexual assault; two by intercourse, and one by digital penetration. His accuser is Cameron Vaughan, a 16-year-old girl who has identified herself in the wake of Judge Adrian's ruling last week.

The pair met at a graduation party at another teenager's house in May 2021. The sexual encounter did not happen there - it was in the basement of the home of another teenager. Drew, who lives hundreds of miles away in Michigan, was staying with that other teenager during his visit to Quincy, Illinois.

At a bench trial - where there was no jury - Judge Adrian found Clinton innocent of the first two counts. The boy admitted that he digitally penetrated the girl but said she had consented to it.

Initially, he was found guilty but at sentencing in January, Judge Adrian reversed the conviction to avoid sentencing the boy to the mandatory state minimum of four years behind bars.

Cameron, who goes by Cammy, still insists that she was raped by Drew. She says he put a pillow over her face and that she woke up to find him 'inside' her.

On Wednesday, after she spoke out against Judge Adrian, he was removed from criminal cases by Chief Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Frank McCartney.

Eighth Circuit Court Judge Robert Adrian, 64, was publicly admonished this week for vacating a sexual assault conviction of Drew Clinton, 18, because he had served five months in county jail

Last June, Drew Clinton was charged with three counts of sexual assault; two by intercourse, and one by digital penetration. His accuser is Cameron Vaughan, a 16-year-old girl who has identified herself in the wake of Judge Adrian's ruling last week, right, claims he held a pillow over her face and attacked her

Drew was charged with three counts of sexual assault - two of rape and one of digital penetration. He was found not guilty of the rape charges (which in Illinois is classes as a felony 1 sexual assault) but guilty of the third count because he admitted to touching the girl with his hands but said she had consented to it. That is the charge that the judge reversed his verdict on last week

Now, he can only preside over small claims.

In an interview with DailyMail.com, Drew's lawyer - Drew Schnack - said the outrage against Judge Adrian was misplaced and that the public had rushed to judge the boy without knowing all of the facts of the case.

It had been mistakenly reported that the boy was convicted of rape - which he was never was.

'The only issue was of consent. He admitted that he digitally penetrated her. The question was one of consent. Drew said she consented, he'd said that all along.

'People are making decisions and comments about this who weren't in court and aren't lawyers but don't know what the hell they're talking about. They're believing everything they see and read.

'It is bulls**t. Judge Adrian has turned into a great judge. He is a law and order judge - he follows the law and he is fair and he is tough.

It is bulls**t. Judge Adrian has turned into a great judge. He is a law and order judge - he follows the law and he is fair and he is tough. The criticism he's receiving is wrong,' Andrew Schnack, Drew Clinton's lawyer

'The criticism he's receiving is wrong,' Andrew Schnack, the teen's lawyer, said.

Judge Adrian hasn't commented yet on the decision to remove him from criminal cases.

In his decision, he didn't exonerate Drew of the physical act. He refused to comment on whether or not Cammy had consented to being touched, but instead said whatever had happened, five months in jail was a long enough punishment.

'By law, the court is supposed to sentence this young man to the Department of Corrections. This court will not do that. That is not just.

'Mr. Clinton has served almost five months in the county jail. For what happened in this case, that is plenty of punishment. That would be a just sentence. The Court can't do that.

Cameron, who goes by Cammy, insists that she was raped. She broke her anonymity to speak out against the judge

The teenage girl waived her right to anonymity to identify herself as the victim in the case

A Change.org petition demanding for charges to be brought against the judge has now gathered more than 8,000 signatures

'But what the Court can do, because this was a bench trial, the Court will find that the People failed to prove their case. The Court is going to reconsider its verdict on Count 3, and therefore, the case - the Defendant will be released from custody,' he said.

Clinton's defense attorney Drew Schnack said there was no 'evidence' of how drunk the victim was despite admitting she had 'six little shooter things', vomited and had to be tended to by adults at the party who thought she should go home. This was all before the rape

He then went on to blame the parents of the unidentified teenager who held the party where the pair met, saying they should never have allowed a group of underage teenagers to drink alcohol and swim in a pool in their underwear.

'I cannot believe that adults that were involved in this case - parents and other adults who was involved in this case - took their responsibilities so lightly for these teenage kids I cannot believe the permissiveness and the lack of responsibility taken.

'This is what happens when parents do not exercise their parental responsibilities. We have people, adults, having parties for teenagers and they allow coeds and female people to swim in their underwear in their swimming pool.

'They allow 16-year-olds to bring liquor to a party . They provide liquor to underage people, and you wonder how these things happen.

'The Court is totally disgusted with that whole thing. Mr. Clinton, you're going to be released. Go home if you still have one,' he said.

Cammy broke her anonymity to speak publicly about the decision.

She said: 'Drew should be in prison if it wasn't for that stupid judge. His decision is unexplainable. I woke up at my friend's place with a pillow over my face so I couldn't be heard and Drew Clinton inside of me,' she told WGEM TV in Illinois.

'I asked him to stop multiple times and he wouldn't.

'I finally got off the couch and pushed him off of me and he jumped up and just started playing video games as if nothing had happened.'
A Catholic diocese in Poland apologised on Thursday for having asked a court to determine whether a man who was sexually abused as a child by a priest is gay, and whether the sexual contact may have consequently been pleasurable for him.

Following wide criticism, the Bielsko-Zywiec diocese said that its letter to the court should not have included questions about the victim's sexuality or have suggested that he drew pleasure from contact with the priest. The diocese dispatched the letter in response to a lawsuit by the victim, Janusz Szymik.

'We apologise to Janusz and to all who have been scandalised' by the questions, the diocese said in a statement, vowing to change the letter's wording.

Bielsko-Zywiec diocese in Poland apologised for asking whether a sex abuse victim was gay or enjoyed the 'intimate' moments

Poland's Catholic bishops had already strongly criticised the southern Polish diocese.

Szymik, who is now 48, was an altar boy when the abuse began in the 1980s. He sued the diocese in a civil court last year.

The priest, who has been identified only as Rev. Jan W., admitted to the abuse and in 2015 was convicted by the Vatican's Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.

Szymik is now seeking 3 million zlotys ($760,000) in compensation from the diocese.

The Onet news portal earlier this week disclosed the contents of documents it obtained which a lawyer for the church had submitted to the court. The documents show the church wanting an expert "to check the plaintiff's sexual orientation" and to determine whether he "showed satisfaction with maintaining an intimate relationship with Rev. Jan W." or derived any "material benefits" from the sexual relationship with the cleric.

Rev. Piotr Studnicki, the director of a special office for the protection of children within the Polish Bishops' Conference, said in a statement issued on Wednesday that "reliable knowledge and human sensitivity" are necessary to any legal procedure.

"The issue of sexual orientation or the way a child reacts emotionally to an offense of sexual abuse cannot constitute an argument against the injured person and diminish the responsibility of the perpetrator," Studnicki said. "It must be clear to everyone that a child never bears responsibility for violence experienced."

Szymik expressed surprise about how the case has turned, noting that Bishop Roman Pindel of Bielsko-Zywiec had previously shown compassion toward him for the abuse he suffered as a child.

"Previously, he expressed pain and regret and asked for forgiveness, and now he wants to prove ... that I am a homosexual person, that pedophilia gave me pleasure, that everything that happened was voluntary, that I benefited from it," Szymik said in an interview on the all-news station TVN24.

The development comes as Pope Francis has been trying to clean up a culture of abuse and cover-ups in the Polish church.

The Catholic Church was long the highest moral authority in Poland, having played an inspirational role during occupation and foreign rule and supporting the anti-communist Solidarity movement in the 1980s.

But the recent reckoning of abuse has damaged its credibility. Even Poland's most famous Catholic, St. John Paul II, now has his legacy tarnished by his own failure to tackle abuse when he was pope.

One of the country's top church leaders, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, the primate of Poland, said recently that the church is seeing a "devastating" decline in religious practice among young Poles, arguing that the church hierarchy's failure to deal with clerical abuse is one reason for that.
Ohio Republican Warren Davidson has issued a groveling apology for 'offending anyone' after he was blasted by the Auschwitz Museum for likening vaccine passports to Nazi ID cards.

Despite his active stance on vaccine passports over the last few days on Twitter, the representative has issued an apology to his 'Jewish friends.'

'[I] feel terrible that I have offended anyone,' Davidson, 51, wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

'For my Jewish friends, and all others, my sincere apologies.' The apology was attached to a longer statement where the Congressman quoted Mark Twain and appeared to defend his actions.

He wrote: '"History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes." - Mark Twain. I had hoped to point that out,' he wrote on Twitter. 'Bad things happen when governments dehumanize people.

'Sometimes, there is a next step - to systematically segregate them. Unfortunately, any reference to how the Nazis actually did that prevents a focus on anything other than the Holocaust.'

Ohio Republican Warren Davidson, 51, apologized to his 'Jewish friends' on Thursday and offered his 'sincerest apologizes' for 'offending anyone'

Davidson was blasted by the Auschwitz Memorial for comparing CDC vaccination cards and vaccine passports to Nazi ID cards

The congressman, who represents the 8th District of Ohio, also said he 'appreciates my Jewish friends.'

On Wednesday, the Republican was blasted by the Auschwitz Museum for 'exploiting the tragedy' of the Holocaust by comparing COVID-19 vaccination cards to Nazi identification cards.

Davidson, who represents Ohio's 8th District, compared COVID-19 vaccination cards and vaccinate passports to Nazi segregation before claiming 'dehumanization and segregation are underway.'

The congressman claimed that the Nazis forced Jews to carry an identification card to dehumanize them before 'segregating,' 'imprisoning,' and 'massacring them.'

'Lets recall that the Nazis dehumanized Jewish people before segregating them, segregated them before imprisoning them, imprisoned them before enslaving them, and enslaved them before massacring them,' he said on Twitter on Wednesday after retweeting DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's post reminding citizens about the upcoming vaccine passport requirements.

'This has been done before. #DoNotComply.'

It is unknown if the congressman is vaccinated against coronavirus.

The Museum slammed the politician for 'exploiting' the 'tragedy of all the people' who 'suffered, were humiliated, tortured and murdered' by Nazi Germany between 1933 to 1945

The Auschwitz Museum in Poland responded to the Ohio Representative's tweet, blasting the politician for 'exploiting the tragedy of all the people' who 'suffered' between 1933 to 1945.

The organization also slammed the representative, saying he had 'moral and intellectual decay.'

The Museum scathingly wrote: 'Exploiting of the tragedy of all people who between 1933-45 suffered, were humiliated, tortured & murdered by the totalitarian regime of Nazi Germany in a debate about vaccines [and] covid limitations in the time of global pandemic is a sad symptom of moral and intellectual decay.'

The Ohio representative said the Nazis used these ID cards (pictured) to 'segregate,' 'imprison,' and to 'enslave' Jews before 'massacring them'

The Polish organization wasn't the only one offended by Davidson's remarks.

Yad Vashem, a worldwide Holocaust research organization in Israel, also commented on Davidson's post, 'condemning the use of the Holocaust to further agendas.'

The organization wrote on Twitter: 'Yad Vashem strongly condemns the use of the Holocaust to further agendas that are totally unrelated to the Holocaust. Manipulating the Holocaust in this way trivializes the horrific atrocities that were perpetrated & denigrates the memory of victims and survivors.'

Jon Wolfsthal - who was a former assistant to Joe Biden while he was a Vice President and a Holocaust survivor's son - called the congressman's remarks 'hurtful' and 'offensive.'

'Dear Congressman,' he wrote on Twitter. 'My father spent 2+ years in a Nazi concentration camp. I would like to talk and help you understand both why these remarks are offensive and hurtful and why you are incorrect in your comparison. Please DM me to arrange a call if you believe in dialogue.'

Despite backlash, the small-town district politician continued to make it clear that he does not oppose the vaccine, but rather 'opposes mandates and passports.'

In a later tweet on Wednesday, Davidson posted the 'cliff notes' of his stance on vaccines, mandates, and medical passports, writing: 'Cliff Notes: opposition to vaccine mandates = opposition to vaccines = opposition to vaccine passports.'

He compared the CDC vaccination card (left) and vaccine passports to the Nazi IDs (right) as several cities have moved to not allowing unvaccinated citizens into restaurants and indoor activity, which he claimed is promoting 'mass formation psychosis,' which suggests that promoting mass vaccinations and vaccine passports will force people to get inoculated

Others also criticized Davidson, such as Yad Vashem, a worldwide Holocaust research organization, who said it 'strongly condemns the use of the Holocaust to further agendas'

He did make it clear that he 'voted to fund vaccine development and distribution,' but claimed his comparison simply came down to protecting Ohioans' 'freedom to choose.'

Ohio does not have a vaccine passport requirement and the Ohio House banned implementing one, as well as, vaccine mandates.

The following day, he continued his derision of medical passports by retweeting a post regarding an unvaccinated five-year-old not being allowed into restaurants. The Republican used this opportunity to claim that 'mass formation psychosis is real.'

'Mass formation psychosis' has been bought up in the fight against COVID-19 before and many doctors have commented on the theory. 'Mass formation psychosis' is a theory that promoting messages encouraging citizens to get vaccinated against the virus will 'hypnotize' them to follow these rules against their will.

Anti-vaxx doctors like Robert Malone, who has recently adopted the theory himself, compared it to Nazism.

'They literally become hypnotized and can be led anywhere...They will follow that person - it doesn't matter whether they lie to them or whatever, the data are irrelevant,' Malone said on the Joe Rogan podcast in late December.

He also stated that the 'phenomenon' was in charge for the rise of Hitler, according to The Oregonian.

DailyMail.com has attempted to contact Congressman Davidson for comment.
An Army veteran turned prison guard was offered the chance to rejoin the military to avoid being jailed for sexual assault by a Kentucky judge, though Army regulations would likely stop him from ever returning to the Armed Forces.

Brandon Scott Price, 28, was convicted of sex assault on a female inmate at the Franklin County Regional Jail.

Price pleaded down a charge of sodomy to second-degree assault and was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years.

However, Judge Thomas Wingate told Price that he could stay out of jail if he re-enlisted in the Army within 30 days of his sentencing.

'If you don't enroll in 30 days, you can report to the Franklin County Regional Jail,' Wingate said. 'You are under the gun, young man. You gotta do it.'

Judge Thomas D. Wingate ordered that Price had to re-enlist in the military rather than serve jail time

Brandon Scott Price, 28, was convicted of sexually assaulting a female inmate at a jail where he worked

The case dates back to January 2019. In July of that year, a female inmate alleged that Price and several other former staffers at the jail sexually assaulted her during what she called a medical emergency where she needed to be taken to a hospital.

The lawsuit claims that Price volunteered to take the inmate to the hospital and did so alone, a violation of the prison's standards and practices.

It continues that Price stuck around at the hospital with the inmate for five hours, all the while making what she calls 'sexually-charged comments' and discussing his connections to parole officials at the state department of corrections.

On their way back from the hospital, Price is accused of offering the inmate a chance to get early release in exchange for sex and then pulled over the van and assaulted the woman while she was in handcuffs.

Price said he 'made a stupid mistake' and 'let a female inmate touch me inappropriately.' He was later arrested after an investigation by officials for the jail.

'You're getting a huge break,' Wingate said during sentencing. 'You made a terrible mistake, which I know personally cost the county money.'

The decision drew heavy outrage on social media, with one user writing that Wingate 'should be sitting in jail with this guy,' while another called the decision 'pathetic.'

One user said that 'someone needs to send a message' to Wingate over the sentence.

But despite the bizarre offer, Price is highly unlikely to be able to enlist within the 30 day limit, even if he wants to.

Army rules say that an applicant is ineligible if 'as a condition for any civil conviction or adverse disposition or any other reason through a civil or criminal court, [they are] ordered or subjected to a sentence that implies or imposes enlistment into the Armed Forces of the United States.'

Price has the option to try and get a waiver but will need to demonstrate 'sufficient mitigating circumstances that clearly justify approving the waiver.'

The convicted sex assaulter's attorney said his military service was known to the judge ahead of sentencing.

'It is not uncommon for judges to put unique conditions like this based on the defendant that is in front of them and create conditions that will best serve them to stay on the straight and narrow,' Whitney Lawson said. 'It's just that this one happened to have the military element to it.'

Lawson said that her client has begun trying to re-enlist but blames bureaucratic red tape for slowing the process.

'The problem is, you can ask ten people whether he can reenlist and in what branch and they'll give you nine different answers so we're trying to work through that,' Lawson added.
Michael Avenatti is suing the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) alleging that he was mistreated during his time in federal custody and was given only one book in confinement - Donald Trump's 'The Art of the Deal'.

Avenatti, the disgraced lawyer known for his representation of adult film star Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against Trump, is seeking $94 million, or $1 million for each day he says he spent in solitary confinement or lockdown while he was in custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan in 2020.

He is claiming that the federal government is liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment and false arrest, and more.

According to a copy of the filing that was sent to the BOP on Wednesday, he alleges that prison officials limited his contact with friends and family, other inmates, and subjected him to harsh conditions.

He claims that when he was taken into custody in January 2020, instead of being placed in with general population as he requested, he was placed in '10 South' at the MCC, an area he says is known to house terrorism suspects and the drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.

Avenatti also alleges that when he asked for reading material, he was initially refused, but then he was provided with only one book  Trump's 'The Art of the Deal.'

Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against then-President Donald Trump, is suing the Federal Bureau of Prisons for allegedly mistreating him during his time in prison. He's pictured here leaving a Manhattan federal court after being sentenced last summer to 2.5 years over a $25 million Nike extortion scheme

Avenatti alleges that when he asked for reading material while in custody at MCC, he was initially refused, but then he was provided with only one book  Trump's 'The Art of the Deal'

By the time of his release, Avenatti had been held in solitary confinement or under lockdown for 94 days, he said he was only allowed to see the sky once.

Avenatti, who shot to fame representing adult film star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against ex-President Donald Trump, became a media darling and appeared on CNN numerous times criticizing the former president.

Avenatti, who is no longer eligible to practice law in California, is currently facing federal charges for allegedly embezzling money from clients, including Daniels.

He was convicted last year of attempting to extort as much as $25 million from Nike by threatening to use his media access to hurt the brand's reputation and stock price when he represented a Los Angeles youth basketball league organizer upset the company had ended its league sponsorship.

Avenatti was accused of threatening to expose allegations Nike was funneling payments to college basketball players unless the company paid him millions of dollars to conduct an internal investigation.

He was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison, but is not expected to begin serving that sentence until the end of February due to his pending cases in New York and California.

It was the second trial in a year for the 50-year-old lawyer.

In August 2021, a California judge declared a mistrial in the embezzlement trial of Avenatti after he was accused of stealing millions in settlement money from his clients.

US District Judge James V. Selna ruled on technical grounds that federal prosecutors committed a 'Brady Violation' in failing to turn over relevant financial evidence to Avenatti.

He pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud in connection with the allegations spanning from 2015 to 2019.

The judge said he found 'no misconduct, intentional or otherwise' on federal investigators' part, according to journalist Meghann Cuniff, and seemed to chalk up their failure to produce the necessary evidence to an oversight.

But he said Avenatti 'was denied an opportunity to craft an overall theory of the case' by not having possession of material obtained by the investigation team, who work separately from prosecutors.

The judge cited Supreme Court case Brady v. Maryland, which established that prosecutors must turn over all evidence that could exonerate a defendant, in making his decision.

But Avenatti's time in court isn't over yet. Several cases are still pending, including one scheduled to begin later this month involving Daniels.

Daniels, who Avenatti is charged in a separate case with cheating her out of $300,000, said she 'can't wait' for him to face trial again.

'Can't wait! Especially since his idiot attorney tried to use my job on a paranormal show and "witchcraft" as reason to dismiss my evidence. Can you say discrimination? I'm so excited about finally getting my chance at him,' Daniels said after the July hearing.

The judge presiding over Avenatti's trial on charges he cheated Daniels of book deal proceeds twice warned prospective jurors Thursday that perjury charges could result if they don't honestly fill out a written questionnaire, after a recent trial verdict was jeopardized by a juror's comments about his questionnaire.

Avenatti represented Stormy Daniels in a lawsuit seeking to break a confidentiality agreement so she could speak about her alleged affair with Trump before he ran for president. He has since been charged with cheating her of $300,000

U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman included the mentions of perjury as he launched jury selection for the trial of the once high-profile California lawyer. The jurors then stood and were sworn in.

Verbal questioning of prospective jurors is scheduled to occur next week and openings statements by lawyers is slated for January 24.

Avenatti, who is confined to a California residence while awaiting trial, participated in a pretrial conference Thursday by telephone before Furman left his courtroom with prosecutors and defense lawyers to explain the case to prospective jurors before they filled out questionnaires.

THE CHARGES AGAINST MICHAEL AVENATTI The Nike case Avenatti was charged in March 2019 with three counts; extortion, honest services fraud and transmission of interstate communications with intent to extort. He tried to get Nike to pay him $25million and, in exchange, said he would not expose them for alleged payments to college basketball players - something that is banned. Nike reported him to the authorities instead. The Stormy Daniels Case In the second case to be filed against him in New York, Avenatti is charged with identity theft and wire fraud. He allegedly forged Stormy Daniels' signature to steal $300,000 in payments from her book. He represented Daniels in her fight against Donald Trump and Michael Cohen during the 2016 presidential election when they gave her hush money to keep her allegations that she'd slept with Trump quiet. If convicted, he faces 20 years in prison. The IRS and Justice Department Case The most serious indictment was filed in California. It charges Avenatti with 36 counts of tax fraud, among other crimes. If convicted, he faces 335 years behind bars in that case. Advertisement

Among 90 questions, prospective jurors were asked whether they'd formed opinions about Avenatti or Daniels based on anything they'd heard or read about them.

Avenatti's lawyers say he is likely to testify at the Daniels trial, where he is accused of cheating her of several hundred thousand dollars. He has pleaded not guilty.

Furman noted the importance of answering questions honestly just a week after British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell's conviction late last month was thrown into question.

The unidentified juror who spoke first to DailyMail.com, has retained a lawyer as the judge in the case and lawyers on both sides contemplate what to do.

The juror said that he 'flew through' the trial's questionnaire and didn't recall being asked if he'd been a sex abuse victim.

He said he told the other jurors that he suffered sexual abuse as a child, and he convinced other jurors that a victim's imperfect memory of sex abuse doesnt mean it didn't happen.

Defense lawyers say the remarks warrant a new trial for Maxwell, 60, who was convicted of charges including sex trafficking and conspiracy. No sentencing date was set.

Furman also reassured more than 100 prospective jurors, spaced apart in large courthouse assembly rooms, that they may be chosen for a trial projected to last up to a month in a courthouse that has safely hosted over 100 trials since the pandemic began.

In an interview, Southern District Executive Edward Friedland said two Manhattan federal courthouses have continued to operate during the latest coronavirus, as the omicron variant rampages across the nation.

He cited the effectiveness of specially equipped courtrooms that permit witnesses and lawyers to speak without masks in see-through boxes with air filters, and large courtrooms reconfigured to serve as rooms for jurors to deliberate.

'We've done 102 trials without any problem,' Friedland said. 'We've had no spread of COVID during any trials.'
The Good Samaritan who was killed by a train after jumping onto the tracks to rescue the victim of a beating has been identified as a 36-year-old security guard, as police have arrested two teenagers on murder charges in connection with the New Year's Day attack in the New York City subway.

Police on Wednesday apprehended two boys, ages 16 and 17 years old, charging them with murder, robbery and gang assault stemming from the death of Roland Hueston, NBC New York first reported.

It is unknown at this time if they were being charged as adults. Their names have not been released as of Friday morning.

The incident took place within the 46th precinct, which has seen 17 felonious assaults from January 1 to January 9, a 325 percent increase compared to last year.

Roland Hueston, 36, has been identified as the Good Samaritan who was struck by a subway train and killed while trying to save a man who had been attacked by an alleged gang

Police on Wednesday arrested two boys, 16 and 17, who they say were among the 11 people (pictured above) who attacked and beat up a 38-year-old inside a Bronx subway station

Earlier this week, police announced the arrest of another 16-year-old boy in connection with the deadly incident.

The teens were allegedly among nearly a dozen young people - eight males and three females - who police say attacked a 38-year-old man on the B/D train platform at the Fordham Road station in the Bronx at around 2.45am on January 1.

The New York Daily News previously reported that the beating victim was drunk and got into an argument with the youths, who began punching and kicking him. At least one of the alleged attackers threatened the victim with a knife, according to witness accounts.

In the course of the attack, the drunken man fell onto the tracks as a D train was pulling into the station.

Hueston was waiting for a Manhattan-bound D train at the Fordham Road station on January 1 when he witnessed that a man had fallen onto the tracks and tried to help him

That is when Hueston, who was waiting for the Manhattan-bound train, ran over to the edge of the platform and either jumped onto the tracks, or leaned over in an attempt to wave down the train operator.

The D train struck Hueston and he died at the scene.

The victim of the beating was not hit by the train but suffered a broken arm.

He was taken to St Barnabas Hospital, where he was treated for his injury and released.

The man's mother, Basilia Paulino, said that her son had to undergo surgery and thanked the Good Samaritan who saved him.

'Im crying for that man. I dont know what to say. He went to help my son and look what happened. He should be in Gods glory, that man,' Paulino told the New York Post Monday.

Hueston, who worked as a security guard, attempted to flag down the operator of the train, but he was struck and killed

Friends have been posting tributes to Hueston on Facebook in the wake of his death

Of the attack, she said: 'He told me they attacked him. It was a gang and they started hitting him and they threw him onto the tracks,' and added, 'he could hardly speak because hes in a lot of pain.'

Hueston, who lived in the Bronx, worked as a security officer at a risk consulting firm, according to his Facebook account.

His mother, Millicent Hueston, told the Daily News her son 'died the way he lived, helping people.'

Hueston is survived by his parents and younger sister.

Hueston's friends have been posting tributes to him on social media in the wake of his death.

'Roland V Hueston III was more than just a friend he was like a brother to me and my siblings, a son to my parents, a god father to my daughter,' one mourner wrote. 'I am lost for words, I am not okay and this is really taking a toll on me.'

The first nine days of the year saw 30 percent more crime than the first nine days of 2019, according to city crime data

Crime throughout New York City continues to rise as new mayor Eric Adams makes public safety the focus of his administration.

The first nine days of the year saw 30 percent more crime than the first nine days of 2019, according to city crime data.

There have been 511 felony assaults, 354 robberies, 35 rapes and eight murders since the start of the year.
Omicron may not be less severe to babies and the youngest children, Government experts have warned.

Children under the age of one make up a greater share of NHS admissions now than in old waves, data shows.

The findings have promoted health chiefs to investigate further.

But No10's own scientific advisers have stressed that the overall risk Covid poses to children remains tiny. Just one in 500,000 children who get infected will end up in intensive care, studies have suggested.

Experts say the recent rise is likely to be a reflection of general admissions, with a number of Covid cases in infants only being discovered when a child was admitted to hospital for another reason, also known as 'incidental' cases.

Others have highlighted how with most adults and older children protected from severe Covid illness by either vaccination or prior infection, it was unsurprising younger children were forming a larger part of hospital admissions.

Data on Covid hospitalisations among children emerged in a document released by SAGE today.

Ninety-four admissions occurred among infants under the age of 12-months between December 14 and January 6.

This accounted for 37.8 per cent of all Covid hospitalisations among children in that period, a marked proportional rise compared to previous stages of the pandemic.

The most recent SAGE report noted there has been an increase of the proportion of children under the age of one being admitted to hospital with Covid in recent weeks but experts have noted they are staying for less time than at previous points in the pandemic

A SAGE report found a total of 94 children were admitted to hospital with Covid between December 14 and January 6 but most stayed in care for just under two days

Millions of Covid vaccines 'may need to be BINNED' if young people don't come forward for their booster jabs Millions of Covid vaccines could be binned unless booster uptake picks up in young people, the Government fears. The booster drive has slowed to just 140,000 jabs a day, barely a fifth of the number being dished out in the run-up to Christmas. This is despite 20million adults in England still being without their extra doses  or 40 per cent of all over-18s. Rates are even lower in 18-24 year olds, sitting at around the 30 per cent mark. In terms of those who are eligible, meaning those who got their second dose at least three months ago, only half have come forward. Health Secretary Sajid Javid today called on young adults to get their booster jabs, saying it will help 'keep you and your loved ones safe'. Officials have embarked on another advertising blitz in hopes of driving up uptake. But there are concerns that the collapsing Omicron wave and ebbing sense of crisis will lead to fewer people coming forward. Advertisement

Between May and December 2021, only 30.4 per cent of admissions among children were among babies under the age of 12-months.

But only one death occurred in the most recent period, according to the team's report

The team, a sub-group of SAGE known as CO-CIN, also found infants were staying in hospital for less time.

Infected children spent two days on NHS wards during the Omicron wave, compared to three days in previous surges.

And they were less likely to need oxygen, scientists claimed. Only 12.7 per cent of infants needed oxygen during their hospital stay between December and January, compared to 20.6 per cent earlier in 2021.

Professor Calum Semple, a SAGE adviser and paediatrician at Liverpool University, called for calm over the findings.

He said: 'The big question is: are these children desperately ill or not?

'I really want to emphasise here the fact that these are not particularly sick infants. In fact, theyre coming in for short periods of time for investigations.'

SAGE itself discussed the trend at its meeting on January 7, with the panel noting the apparent increase in hospitalisations among children.

Advisers said: 'Unlike in other age groups, there does not appear to be a reduction in hospitalisation risk for Omicron compared to Delta in younger children, though there is no indication of an increase in serious disease.'

Minutes of its meetings acknowledged the numbers were 'small' and that doctors in South Africa saw a similar trend, only for it to even out as more data came in.

SAGE accepted more data was needed but insisted they were highly confident that the absolute risk of hospital admission for children remains 'very low'.

Meeting minutes added: 'For the small number of children who do attend hospital, the length of stay is typically short and where they stay overnight it is often to allow for screening for other infections.'

Meanwhile, UK Health Security Agency chief medical advisor Susan Hopkins said it will investigate the 'small rise' in children admitted to hospital.

'Early data shows that young children who are hospitalised experience mild illness and are discharged after short stays in hospital,' she said.

England 'WILL scrap Covid passes and WFH at the end of the month Controversial Covid passes will be scrapped in England this month as the country's Omicron wave continues to collapse, it was claimed today. Health Secretary Sajid Javid is said to have told MPs that he shared their 'instinctive discomfort' at the certificates, which 100 Tories voted against. Ministers are also keen to ditch widespread working from home guidance when the current Plan B measures are reviewed on January 26. It could mean that compulsory masks on public transport and in shops will be the only remaining curb. Britain's Covid cases have fallen week-on-week for the past eight days in a row, with 109,000 new positive tests on Thursday. Hospital admissions have also flatlined. At a meeting with Tory MPs yesterday, Mr Javid hailed the 'encouraging signs'  but warned that hospitals remained under 'significant pressure', The Times reports. Currently, people in England need to show proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow to enter large events and nightclubs. A Whitehall source told the newspaper: 'There was always a very high threshold for the policy and it looks increasingly likely in a couple of weeks that threshold won't be met. The way cases are going it will be hard to justify renewing.' Boris Johnson faced his biggest Tory revolt since the start of the pandemic over the introduction of Plan B measures last month, with nearly 100 Conservatives defying the party whip to vote against them. Advertisement

Other experts said it was important to clarify if the children were in hospital because of Covid.

Omicron's sheer prevalence has led to a huge spike in 'incidental' admissions across all ages.

Professor Kevin McConway, an Open University statistician, argued the findings may have been skewed by vaccination rates.

'Though vaccines are less effective against Omicron, they are not totally ineffective,' he said.

'So different levels of vaccination in different age groups amongst the 0-17-year-olds could possibly explain some of the proportional differences.'

Dr Alasdair Munro, a specialist in paediatric infectious diseases from the University of Southampton, echoed the vaccination sentiments.

He said: 'The vast majority of adults have now been immunised.

'And the majority of children over five have either been infected before, have been immunised, or both.

'The group with the lowest rate of immunity is children under five, and in particular, children under the age of one year.

'This means we would expect a larger proportion of admissions to be among this population, which is what is demonstrated in this data.'

But Professor Christina Pagel, a a mathematician and member of Independent SAGE - a group that has advocated for tighter restrictions throughout the pandemic - said the data was 'concerning'.

'It is possible that Omicrons preference for upper airways is affecting young children more,' she said.

'We urgently need to understand more about what might be causing this increase.

Professor Russell Viner an expert in child health at University College London, and former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said: 'I think were seeing Covid behaving a bit more like the normal winter viruses that you see in children.

'Parents  just do what you always do for winter viruses and children.

'If youre worried, talk to your GP  they are open. If youre really worried, ring NHS 111 or take your child to hospital.'

Data from September last year, covering the period before Omicron shot onto the scene, indicated that Covid posed a minuscule risk to children. Even unvaccinated youngsters face a vanishingly small threat of becoming seriously ill.

It showed around one in 300,000 boys aged between 10 and 14 and one in 200,000 girls of the same age who test positive for Covid end up dying.

The rates include both healthy children and ones with underlying health conditions which put them at a much higher risk of death.
A retired BBC producer gasped in shock as he avoided jail due to his 'poor health' despite being found with more than 800 indecent images of children.

Victor Melleney, 76, stored 832 indecent images of children across his laptop, desktop, two hard drives and a WIFI dongle between May 2011 and October 2018.

Melleney, who worked on top shows including Question Time and Panorama, admitted he was addicted to legal pornography, but said he had no interest in indecent images of children, Kingston Crown Court heard.

When he was arrested at his west London home in 2018, National Crime Agency officers found 612 of the 832 images on a hard drive, but Melleney insisted he had no idea how the illegal material got there.

The officers also found illegal stun guns belonging to Melleney, and he admitted four charges of possession of prohibited weapons for discharge of noxious gas, namely three Tasers and CS gas spray, at an earlier hearing.

Last month, a jury found Melleney, of Holland Park, guilty of possessing indecent photographs of children. They found him not guilty on three other counts.

On Friday, Judge Simon Bryan QC handed Melleney a 20-month prison sentence for the image offence and two months for the gun offences, suspended for two years due to his poor health and recent heart attack.

Sentencing, the judge told Melleney that a prison sentence would be 'particularly challenging' because of to his poor health and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Victor Melleney (pictured), 76, stored 832 indecent images of children across his laptop, desktop, two hard drives and a WIFI dongle between May 2011 and October 2018

Judge Bryan said: 'You are 76 years old, of poor health due to a heart condition. You had a heart attack and were intensive care for a period.

'A prison sentence would be particularly challenging. I must bear in mind the Covid-19 pandemic and the prison conditions of what would be a relatively short custodial term.

'I bear in mind there has been a considerable impact on your friends and family. You will have to live with the disgrace and ignominy that you have brought on yourself.'

Melleney must also go to a rehabilitation activity requirement of 40 days and be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture and deferred destruction of his devices, as they will form part of the child protection Bichard Inquiry.

When Melleney was arrested at his home in Kensington at 7am on October 15, 2018, he was wearing a dressing gown and the most 'damning evidence' came from a portable silver hard-drive later found in one of the pockets.

Kingston Crown Court heard 612 of the total 832 images were found on the drive but Melleney insisted he had no idea how the illegal material got there.

Melleney (pictured), who worked on top shows including Panorama, admitted he was addicted to legal pornography, but said he had no interest in indecent images of children

After eight hours and 38 minutes, the jury last month found Melleney guilty of possessing indecent photographs of children.

They found him not guilty on three other counts: making indecent photographs of children, possessing an extreme pornographic image and possessing a prohibited image.

Twice-married Melleney earlier admitted four charges of possession of prohibited weapons for discharge of noxious gas, namely three tasers and CS gas spray. The weapons were found during the NCA raid.

Kieran Vaughan QC, in mitigation for Melleney, claimed he was convicted of the 'less serious offence' as presented to the jury, said he was medically vulnerable and that he worked for 30 years with an 'unblemished record with the BBC'.

He also claimed that Melleney, who wore a suit and tie in the dock, has not viewed any pornography since his arrest.

He said: 'He is of 76 years of age and of good character until these proceedings.

'It is not an exaggeration as a consequence of these proceedings he has lost everything dear to him.

'His life has been decimated as a consequence of it. His wife has left him. His eldest daughter does not speak to him at all. His youngest daughter has very little meaningful contact with him.'

He added: 'He is a lonely man living alone as a consequence of these proceedings. His life is completely unrecognisable now compared to what it was when he was arrested in 2018.

'His fall from grace from where he previously stood has been seismic.'

The judge responded: 'You might say he only has himself to blame.'

Judge Simon Bryan QC handed Melleney (pictured) a 20-month jail sentence for the image offence and two months for the gun offences, suspended for two years due to his poor health

Melleney previously told the court that his porn addiction began after he retired from working with the BBC in 1996/1997 while his children were at school.

'In the evenings if my wife was out of the country and I was alone it was something interesting to do.'

But he denied ever having any interest in indecent images of children.

'Absolutely not,' he said. 'No, no sexual interest in children at all. Horrible.'

The court was told the digital content was discovered when NCA officers found two IP addresses had received indecent images of children during 2018.

Melleney was identified as the subscriber to those two IP addresses, in the boroughs of Kensington and Hammersmith and Fulham.

Jurors were told how peer to peer (P2P) technology, which facilitates file sharing, was used to download the content.

One such example of P2P technology found on Melleney's devices was an application called 'Vuze'.

Vuze had been installed on a Mac Pro desktop as well as a MacBook laptop and across both devices contained file names 'indicative of child sexual abuse exploitation'.

An officer searched for the term 'PTHC', which stands for 'pre-teen hard core', and found more than 40 items. Other file names were read out in court: 'Preteen young', 'underage sex', 'pedo'.

The prosecutor also named search terms found in Melleney's Vuze history: '11yo PTHC', 'PTHC' and 'pre-teen'.

Melleney previously told Kingston Crown Court (pictured) that his porn addiction began after he retired from working with the BBC in 1996/1997 while his children were at school

Melleney explained that one of the side effects of his addiction to viewing pornography was a corresponding addiction to downloading it.

He said he would simply click a 'select all' button on applications like Vuze, which he used to search for and download material, and simply 'download the lot'.

On Friday, Ruona Iguyovwe, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said that the distribution of such images as an 'utterly sickening practice'.

She added: 'Victor Melleney knew he was in possession of indecent images of children.

'The search history of devices recovered during searches of Melleney's home revealed downloads of images depicting sexual activity involving children.

'Examination of the electronic devices also revealed software which can be used by users in sharing indecent images of children.

'The hard drives, recovered from his home, his basement, and hidden in the pocket of a dressing gown he was wearing when he was arrested, contained sickening videos, part of a collection downloaded over years.

'The sexual exploitation of children and the distribution of images like this is an utterly sickening practice and one which the CPS and its partners will continue to work to root out.'

According to IMDb, an online database of information relating to films and TV programs, Melleney has directed episodes for BBC current affairs programmes dating back to 1980, including Nationwide, Panorama and Question Time.
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A sprawling Italian castle which featured in The Godfather III has gone on the market for a cool 6million (5m).

Boasting 22 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a wine cellar, library and more, the Castle of the Pennisi Family of Floristella, as it is known, is the perfect pad for film buffs.

Nestled in the coastal town of Acireale, at the foot of Mount Etna, the stately property - measuring 43,055Sqft - witnessed the on-screen assassination of Don Licio Lucchesi in the 1990 classic by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino.

In a dramatic climax to the trilogy, Lucchesi - an influential figure in Italian politics - is visited by Calo, an old bodyguard and friend of Micheal Corleone (Pacino), who tells him: 'Power wears out those who don't have it' - before taking off his glasses and using them to stab him violently in the neck.

The hit was ordered by Corleone's successor Vincent Mancini, after they discovered Lucchesi had made a deal with long-term rival Joey Zasa - vowing to back him as the new leader of the mafia empire if he killed off Corleone.

The property which played host to the bloody scene was commissioned by Baron Gianni Pennisi and designed by the Palermo architect Giuseppe Patricolo at the end of the 19th century.

Boasting 22 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a wine cellar, library and more, the Castle of the Pennisi Family of Floristella (pictured), as it is known, is the perfect pad for film buffs

Fireplace takes centre stage of a reception room, emblazoned with the Pennisi family crest, with extra light provided by a hanging chandelier

Nestled in the coastal town of Acireale, at the foot of Mount Etna, the stately property - measuring 43,055Sqft - was the home of Don Licio Lucchesi in the 1990 classic by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino

Huge windows flood a dining room with sunlight, while modern art piece rests on a easel

In a dramatic climax to the trilogy, Calo meets with Lucchesi, and tells him: 'Power wears out those who don't have it' (pictured)

The property which played host to the bloody scene (pictured) is owned by Baron Gianni Pennisi, and was designed by the Palermo architect Giuseppe Patricolo at the end of the 19th century

Entering the palatial pad, prospective buyers are met with a dazzling marble staircase and soaring ceilings, supported by arched stone columns

A private chapel in the property (pictured), features blue frescoes in its ceilings

The front entrance to the home features tall green gates which open into a marble staircase

Captivating blue frescoes by artist Giuseppe Sciuti, featured in the private chapel

The private estate has more than two acres of parkland, filled with trees and vegetation

Mosaic-tiled floors and soaring ceilings make the castle a 'fairytale', says Sotheby's

It was made to be a worthy home for the baron's extensive art and coin collection - including 1,600 gold and silver Greek-Sicilian coins, which were bought by the Sicilian region in 1987 and can now be seen in the Paolo Orsi Museum in Syracuse.

The property was chosen as a filming location by Coppola after the director was faced with eye-watering rents from mobsters in Corleone, in the heart of the Cosa Nostra mafia's territory in Sicily, reported the Times.

It comes complete with a private chapel adorned with blue-and-gold frescoes by Giuseppe Sciuti, as well as two large balconies overlooking a 2.1-acre park dotted with a wide variety of trees and vegetation - and separate accommodation for a caretaker.

'It is a property that expresses a strong character and enjoys enormous potential, for its history, its location, its architecture, and its spaces,' Diletta Giorgolo, the head of real estate company Residential Italy, told Travel + Leisure.

'Once restored, it can adapt to different needs and contemporary tastes without changing the original structure.'

And while it has featured in a Hollywood blockbuster, it has also seen its fair share of real-life drama - having survived an earthquake in 1908, which killed 82,000 people, before managing to remain unscathed during a British bombing campaign in World War Two.

'The elegant drapery of Guelph battlements on the top and the ogival arches typical of Gothic art give it a fairytale image,' explains Sotheby's, one of the several real estate agencies listing the property.

Entering the palatial pad, prospective buyers are met with a dazzling marble staircase and soaring ceilings, supported by arched stone columns.

The property's facade was set at a 'peculiar' 55-degree angle, according to Sotheby's, which allows arriving visitors to admire 'its beauty and relevant architectural features'.

Exterior of the Pennisi home, which survived an earthquake in 1908, which killed 82,000 people, before managing to remain unscathed during a British bombing campaign in World War Two

One of the 22 bedrooms shows the exquisite marble flooring and comes with a fireplace

Large windows flood a hallway-cum-reading room with light, while offering stunning views of the gardens

The property offers a high level of privacy but is conveniently just 18km from Catania airport, and 42km from the town of Taormina (Pictured: Dual marble staircase)

Separate on-site accommodation is available for a caretaker at the castle

The private chapel of the castle, featuring an intricate crucifix and wooden pews furnished with red velvet

The property was chosen as a filming location by Coppola after the director was faced with eye-watering rents from mobsters in Corleone, in the heart of Cosa Nostra mafia's territory in Sicily (Pictured: The private chapel)

It was made to be a worthy home for the then-baron's extensive art and coin collection - including 1,600 gold and silver Greek-Sicilian coins (Pictured: Driveway leading to the home)

The listing reads: 'The ceiling of the staircase is wooden coffered with the initials of the family last name and the coat of arms with alternating motifs'

Impressive stone archways provide cover for those hot summer days

The property's facade was set at a 'peculiar' 55-degree angle, according to Sotheby's, which allow visitors to admire 'its beauty and relevant architectural features'

The listing adds: 'The ceiling of the staircase is wooden coffered with the initials of the family last name and the coat of arms with alternating motifs.

'The whole floor is defined by comfortable bedrooms and large halls with high ceilings that follow one after the other up to the opposite ends facing the two terraces each of 130 square metres.

'An imposing fireplace with the initials of the family's surname dominates the reception hall illuminated by five large mullioned windows decorated with columns, which overlook the elegant park of approximately 8500 square meters full of trees and bushes in the typical essences of the Ionic flora.'

The property offers a high level of privacy but is conveniently just 18km from Catania airport, and 42km from the town of Taormina.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has demanded an independent inquiry into the deaths of protesters in Kazakhstan last week as this started off nicely but suddenly became deadly.

The United Nations said in a statement released on Tuesday that it wants an inquiry into whether the country's security forces used excessive force on protestors.

Kazakhstan's president says order restored

Large numbers of demonstrators came to the streets in Kazakhstan early last week to show their objection to the relaxation of price limitations on liquefied petroleum gas. The rallies got increasingly violent over the next several days with criminals allegedly taking to the streets with guns and attacking law enforcement officers.

Around 10,000 people were arrested, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) during the march, which Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev denounced as an "attempted coup d'etat" on Monday. According to the OHCHR, the death toll has grown to 164, necessitating a rapid, independent, impartial investigation into whether security forces used unnecessary and disproportionate force.

Kazakhstan's president announced last Friday that he had ordered his troops to "shoot to kill without warning" as the protests evolved into violence and looting. Human rights experts from the United Nations have urged Kazakhstani authorities to refrain from using excessive force, including fatal force, against protestors, RT reported.

A horrifying video circulating on social media from the mortuary shows halls loaded with corpse bags, far too many for regular procedure. Many of the bodies had head wounds from direct bullets. Morgues seemed to be dreadful places to visit. Some were waiting in anguish for news they cannot even bear to hear.

Two families stationed at the gates claimed that their members were not even there throughout the protests. Alibek Kaliuly had gone missing while on a business trip to Almaty. His relative claimed he contacted his wife to say he was going shopping and then disappeared. He hadn't even taken his coat because he didn't think he'd be gone long. Last week's unrest in Almaty came out of nowhere and was quickly put down with brutal force. Most will be prosecuted with attending unofficial gatherings, but others may lose access to the minimal privileges they should have due to the vague classification of these events as terrorist operations.

President Tokayev is doing everything he can to reassure the public that peace and order have been restored and that he is paying attention to the concerns of his people. He might be attempting to think outside of the system he inherited and grew up in. Whether or not he succeeds will be determined by the fate of the 10,000 inmates, according to Sky News.

Read Also: Taliban Urges Tajikistan, Uzbekistan To Return Afghanistan's Aircraft and Increase Wheat Price as Economic Crisis Deepens

Russian troops to leave Kazakhstan as protests dwindle

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared on Tuesday that Russian forces sent to Kazakhstan last week amid widespread protests will begin leaving in two days as the rallies and turmoil fade. The troops were dispatched to the Central Asian country last week by the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a military alliance made up of six former Soviet governments (CSTO).

Tokayev asked security personnel to assist in quelling protests that began on January 2 over rising fuel costs but swiftly expanded across the country, indicating broader discontent with Kazakhstan's authoritarian government. With hundreds of citizens and law enforcement officials slain, it was the country's worst public disturbance since its independence three decades ago.

On Tuesday, Tokayev appointed a new prime minister and cabinet, maintaining several of the former administration's deputy prime ministers. Kazakhstan's cabinet resigned this week as part of a package of concessions that included a 180-day gasoline price restriction and the removal of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country's former longstanding leader from his key job as chairman of the National Security Council. Alikhan Smailov, Kazakhstan's next prime minister, was formerly the country's finance minister and first deputy prime minister, as per Newsweek.

Related Article: Russia Blames Washington Wars for Kazakhstan Crisis as US, NATO Take Firm Line Ahead of Talks About Ukraine Tensions

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Three Long Island women are accused of beating up a security officer and a gate agent at JFK airport after they were banned from their flight for being drunk and failing to wear masks properly.

On Wednesday, federal prosecutors charged Jordan Nixon, 21, Janessa Torres, 21, and Johara Zavala, 44, with allegedly beating up multiple workers after they were told they could not board a Delta Airlines flight to Puerto Rico last September.

According to the indictment, the incident began when a gate worker noticed the Long Island women were 'visibly disoriented and possibly intoxicated' as they approached the boarding area for a 12:55 pm San Juan flight. One of the women also refused to properly wear her mask.

Prosecutors charged Jordan Nixon, 21, Janessa Torres, 21, and Johara Zavala, 44, for allegedly beating up multiple JFK employees after they were told they could not board a Delta Airlines flight to Puerto Rico last September

The three Long Island women ganged up on the security officer and punched and kicked him as he lay on the floor, causing his upper lip to bleed

In a separate filing prosecutors said the women initially were scheduled to depart to Puerto Rico at 8:10 am, but were rebooked. Surveillance footage showed that the women killed time until their rescheduled departure by drinking, ordering nine alcoholic beverages, the Washington Post reported.

Prosecutors said that when Nixon approached the gate, she was holding a clear to-go cup filled with an orange beverage that reeked of alcohol, the Post reported.

The gate worker reported the women's behavior, and the captain and a member of the flight crew decided the women could not board the plane.

When an airline security officer asked the women to leave the jetway, they refused, began yelling and cursing, and eventually turned violent, prosecutors said.

Nixon tapped the security officer on the head, then took his radio and began hitting him with it until he fell to the ground. When a Delta gate agent tried to help the officer, Zavala punched that employee in the face, court documents said.

The three women then ganged up on the security officer, and punched and kicked him while he was lying on the floor. Torres is accused of stepping on his head and face, causing his upper lip to bleed.

When the officer tried to get up to seek help, the women grabbed him by his vest, tearing it, court papers said.

Flight crew members eventually were able to tear the guard away from the vicious attack and take him behind the doors of the jetway but the women continued to 'scream and strike at the flight crew.'

Following the attack, the gate agent and security officer were hospitalized and neither has returned to the job, court papers said.

The women, currently out on bail, pleaded not guilty to assault charges. They face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Nixon is from Bellport, N.Y., and Torres and Zavala are from Central Islip.

Prosecutors said air travel violence has gotten out of hand.

The extreme and aggressive behavior in connection with our air travel is out of control,' Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York said. 'This office has zero tolerance for violent conduct that threatens the safety of airline passengers and employees and will prosecute defendants who allegedly engage in such conduct to the fullest extent of the law.'

Violent incidents on airplanes have soared since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, largely due to passenger frustrations at measures in place to stem the spread.

According to the New York Post, a survey in November found 85 percent of flight attendants had been confronted by unruly passengers during the pandemic.

It also found that nearly one in five had been attacked.

Federal law makes it an offense to interfere with a flight crew, including assaulting, intimidating or threatening crew members.

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received more than 5,000 reports of unruly passengers, and in 2021, investigated more than 1,000 incidents - five times more than in 2020, according to the agency.
Sen. Bernie Sanders sounded the alarm this week that if Democrats don't make 'a major course correction' they'll be doomed in the November midterms.

In an interview with the Guardian, the Vermont senator called on President Joe Biden to push Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to hold votes on bills that would help working families including implementing a $15 minimum wage, an extension of the child tax credit and lowering prescription drug prices.

'It is no great secret that the Republican Party is winning more and more suport from working people,' Sanders told the Guardian. 'It's not because the Republican Party has anything to say to them. It's because in too many ways the Democratic Party has turned its back on the working class.'

In a tweet Wednesday aimed at his fellow Democrats, Sanders echoed the sentiment.

'The Democratic Party has a fundamental question to ask itself. Are you prepared to stand with struggling working families all over this country? Do you have the guts to take on the moneyed interests whose greed has caused such enormous pain for so many?' he asked. 'Which side are you on?'

Sen. Bernie Sanders sounded the alarm this week that if Democrats don't make 'a major course correction' they'll be doomed in the November midterms

Sanders argued in an interview with the Guardian that Democrats aren't doing enough to show they're the party supporting 'struggling working families'

Sanders - who lost the Democratic nomination to Biden in 2020 - is likely the most influential progressive in the upper chamber, and a year into Biden't tenure has been more cooperative than moderate Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema.

But that might not last into Biden's year No. 2.

'I think it's absolutely important that we do a major course correction,' Sanders said. 'It's important that we have the guts to take on the very powerful corporate interests that have an unbelievably powerful hold on the economy of this country.'

He said that by forcing senators to vote on progressive legislation, even if the bills are doomed to fail - and they will if the 60-vote filibuster remains in place - Democrats can prove they're on the side of working people.

'People can understand that you sometimes don't have the votes,' Sanders said. 'But they can't understand why we haven't brought up important legislation that 70 per cent or 80 per cent of the American people support.'

Sanders also suggested a la carte voting could resurrect Biden's Build Back Better plan.

'We have tried a strategy over the last several months, which has been mostly backdoor negotiations with a handful of senators,' Sanders said. 'It hasn't succeeded on Build Back Better or on voting rights. It has demoralized millions of Americans.'

Instead he suggested holding votes on components of the bill, which includes climate change provisions, healthcare provisions, a permanent extension of the child tax credit and ways to make child care cheaper for American families.

'We have to bring these things to the floor,' Sanders argued. 'The vast majority of people in the [Democratic] caucus are willing to fight for good policy.'

'If I were Senator Sinema and a vote came up to lower the outrageously high cost of prescription drugs, Id think twice if I want to get re-elected in Arizona to vote against that,' Sanders continued. 'If I were Mr Manchin and I know that tens of thousands of struggling families in West Virginia benefited from the expansion of the child tax credit, Id think long and hard before I voted against it.'

He also said the Senate should vote individually on enhancing Medicare benefits, including for hearing, vision and dental, some of which were stripped out during Build Back Better negotiations.

'All these issues, they are just not Bernie Sanders standing up and saying this would be a great thing,' Sanders said. 'They are issuess that are enormously popular, and on every one of them, the Republicans are in opposition. But a lot of people don't know that because Republicans haven't been forced to vote on them.'

During both his 2016 and 2020 races for the White House, Sanders made waves when he talked about the widening income gap between the billionaire class and working people.

'The truth of the matter is people are going to work, and half of them are living paycheck to paycheck,' the Vermont senator said. 'People are struggling with healthcare, with prescription drugs. Young people can't afford childcare. Older workers are worried to death about retirement.'

'They want the wealthy to start paying their fair share of taxes,' he went on. 'They think its absurd that Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk dont pay a nickel in federal taxes.'

Sanders praised Biden backing an enhanced child tax credit, however it expired last month due to the Senate being unable to pass the president's Build Back Better social spending bill.

The Vermont independent told the Guardian he believed that to 'show working people that you are willing to step up and take on the greed of the ruling class in America right now' Biden needed to go after prescription drug companies.

'There is no issue that people care more about than that we pay the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world,' Sanders argued, adding that pharmaceutical companies have 1,500 lobbyists in Washington who 'tried everything to make sure we don't lower the cost of pharmaceuticals.'

'I think the Democrats are going to have to clear the air and say to the drug companies  and say it loudly  we're talking about the needs of the working class  and use the expression "working class." The Democrats have to make clear that they're on the side of the working class and ready to take on the wealthy and powerful. That is not only the right thing to do, but I think it will be the politically right thing to do,' Sanders urged.
Liz Truss today said she believes there is a 'deal to be done' with the European Union over post-Brexit border rules in Northern Ireland.

The Foreign Secretary was handed responsibility for Brexit negotiations following the resignation of Lord Frost from the Government in December.

Ms Truss held her first meeting with her EU counterpart, European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, this week as they met for talks at her official residence at Chevening in Kent.

Ms Truss said after the negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol that they had agreed to hold further talks on January 24 as she raised hopes of a breakthrough.

However, she also repeated the UK's threat to unilaterally tear up border checks in Northern Ireland if the EU refuses to give ground.

Liz Truss today said she believes there is a 'deal to be done' with the European Union over post-Brexit border rules in Northern Ireland

The protocol was negotiated as part of the Brexit deal to avoid a hard border with Ireland, by effectively keeping Northern Ireland in the EUs single market for goods.

But unionists have been pressuring for it to be scrapped because of the trade barriers it has created on products crossing the Irish Sea from Great Britain.

The UK and EU remain locked in talks as they try to agree solutions to smooth the operation of the protocol but a breakthrough remains elusive.

The UK has repeatedly threatened to trigger Article 16 of the protocol to tear up the border rules if the two sides cannot strike an agreement.

Ms Truss said: 'We have had constructive talks with the EU. We are now going to go into intensive negotiations to work towards a negotiated solution to sort out these very real issues for the people of Northern Ireland.

'I think there is a deal to be done. I do want to make progress. Clearly if we don't make sufficient progress we will have to look at the alternatives, but my absolute desire is to get a deal that works for the people of Northern Ireland.'

The UK is seeking substantial changes to the protocol, arguing that it is hampering the free movement of goods between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK and damaging community relations.

Ms Truss held her first meeting with her EU counterpart, European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic, this week as they met for talks at her official residence at Chevening in Kent

In a joint statement, Ms Truss and Mr Sefcovic said: 'The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere.

'They agreed that officials would meet next week in intensified talks and that the principals would meet again on January 24.

'We share a desire for a positive relationship between the EU and the UK underpinned by our shared belief in freedom and democracy.'
President Biden is reportedly planning executive actions on police reform for later this month, in an effort revive his agenda that bypasses the logjams of Congress.

The orders come as Biden's frustrations grow deeper and his landmark Build Back Better plan and voting rights legislation remain in limbo, sinking his poll numbers to 33%, according to a recent Quinnipiac survey.

Congress has not been able to pass police reform since both Republicans and Democrats put forth plans in the wake of the police brutality protests that swept the nation in the wake of George Floyd's death in the summer of 2020.

The police reform action appears to be part of a last-ditch effort to boost the president's record of achievements ahead of his March 1 State of the Union address.

And as Biden considers action on police reform, Democrats in Congress are considering new ways to push through voting rights bills and the Build Back Better package, either by paring it back to separating it into multiple bills, sources told NBC News.

The executive actions are still being finalized, and it is not yet clear how they would differ from the Department of Justice's actions last year that restricted choke holds and 'no-knock' warrants.

Sources told NBC News Biden could roll out the new reform to mark the start of Black History month, February, in an effort to drum up waning support among Black voters, a key demographic for Democrats as they head into the midterm elections.

President Biden is planning executive actions on police reform for later this month, in an effort revive his agenda that bypasses the logjams of Congress

The orders come as Biden's frustrations grow deeper and his landmark Build Back Better plan and voting rights legislation remains in limbo due to a split Congress

The new Quinnipiac poll showed that 57% of Black Americans approve of Biden's job in office, still the highest of any demographic but down from 78% in April 2021.

The White House held back on executive action last year as the House and Senate hashed out their own legislation on police reform. But in September, New Jersey Democrat Sen. Cory Booker and South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott announced that police reform talks were over as they saw no path forward to bridge their differences.

The lawmakers hit a snag over the doctrine of qualified immunity, which shields officers from civil lawsuits. In a statement Booker said that Democrats 'could not let go of their push to defund our law enforcement.'

But on Thursday White House press secretary Jen Psaki hinted at the president's willingness to move forward on his own.

'I think there's a recognition and a commitment by the president to deliver on what he promised,' she said.

Congress has not been able to pass police reform since both Republicans and Democrats put forth plans in the wake of the police brutality protests that swept the nation in the wake of George Floyd's death in the summer of 2020

At the same time, some Democrats are considering new ways to get through police reform in the Senate. Rep. Jim Clyburn, S.C., the No. 3 Democrat in the House, told NBC News that he and other lawmakers were considering attaching the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to 'must-pass' bills like those that fund the government.

Clyburn, whose endorsement of the president was key in his cinching the nomination, is among those urging the president not to forget the Black voters who sent him to the White House.

Clyburn told NBC he pushed Biden in particular to get tough on voting rights, even if it meant laying down the hammer with fellow Democrats.

And in a fiery speech in Atlanta on Tuesday, Biden said that he is 'tired of being quiet' and it is time to take action on voting rights.

'I have been having these quiet conversations with members of Congress for the last two months,' Biden said of his work on voting rights. And then he slammed the podium as the crowd cheered, declaring: 'I'm tired of being quiet!'

And he attacked the Senate, an institution he served in for 36 years.

'Sadly, the United States Senate designed to be the world's greatest deliberative body, has been rendered a shell of its former self,' he said.

He called on the Senate to change its rules to bypass the 60-vote threshold needed to advance two voting bills. Republicans are in opposition to such a move and two Democratic senators, Joe Manchin, W. Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, Ariz.,are also leery of doing so.

'I believe the threat to democracy is so great that we must find a way to pass these voting rights bills. Debate them, vote, let the majority prevail. And at that very minute it was blocked, we had no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this,' Biden said.

Talks on Build Back Better have fallen by the wayside after Democrats could not get Manchin on board with many of their key provisions, and Congress has since pivoted to passing legislation on voting rights. The House passed a massive package overhauling voting procedure at the federal level on Thursday and sent it to the Senate, where it too will remain without a path forward as both Manchin and Sinema have reiterated their opposition to reforming filibuster rules.
A distraught father who attacked his best friend when he discovered the man had sexually abused his daughter, then six, will not be charged with murder.

Vyacheslav 'Slava' Matrosov, 34, was suspected of stabbing Oleg Sviridov, 32, to death in a forest near the village of Vintai in Russia after making him dig his own grave last year.

It came after Matrosov found sickening footage on his friend's mobile phone which appeared to show his daughter being forced by Sviridov to perform a sex act on him.

Matrosov originally faced trial for murder but sources close to the case say the murder charge has been dropped in a landmark decision.

The anguished father will instead now face prosecution for inciting Sviridov to commit suicide, which carries a lesser sentence than murder.

Oleg Sviridov (left) and Vyacheslav Matrosov (right) were friends prior to the incident. Matrosov said he discovered evidence of his friend's alleged crimes while they were drinking together

Vyacheslav (Slava) Matrosov, 34, whose 8 year old daughter was an alleged victim of Svirdov, no longer faces a murder probe over Sviridov's death. Matrosov is pictured with his wife Natalya Matrosova and daughters

Locals from Vintai village in Russia 's southwestern Samara region said Matrosov (pictured with his family) should be acquitted and spared jail

Vyacheslav 'Slava' Matrosov, 34, was suspected of stabbing Oleg Sviridov, 32, to death in a forest near the village of Vintai in Russia after making him dig his own grave.

Oleg Sviridov, 32, was found near Vintai village in a grave prosecutors believe he was forced to dig himself (pictured)

There was an outpouring of public support for the Matrosov in the weeks following the incident, including from prominent journalists on Russia's tightly-controlled broadcast news.

Locals from Vintai village started a petition to demand the rocket engine factory worker should be acquitted and spared jail after admitting to the killing which reached 2,500 signatures.

'Sviridov fell asleep, and Vyacheslav took his mobile phone and decided to see what his friend was looking at,' the petition for Matrosov read.

'Every father would have done this [killed someone they saw abusing their child]. This will be an example to everyone.

'Therefore, we demand understanding from the executive branch, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee.'

Prominent TV journalist and former Russian presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak told her followers: 'All parents are standing up for the paedophile's killer.'

The father had found the explicit sex abuse footage on Sviridov's phone, filmed when the girl was six.

His daughter, now eight, was heard pleading: 'Oleg, that's enough, I can't take it anymore. I want to go home'.

Locals from Vintai village started a petition to demand the rocket engine factory worker should be acquitted and spared jail after admitting to the killing which reached 2,500 signatures (Matrosov pictured with one of his daughters - it is not clear whether this is the child who was abused)

Oleg Sviridov, 32, was seen badly beaten in the village before his death and was found in the shallow grave a week later

Sviridov's body was found in the forest near the village of Vintai in the Samara region of Russia

Matrosov, a former rocket engine factory worker, always denied murder and is now 'pleased' that he will not face a charge of deliberately killing Sviridov.

He is also no longer required to wear an electronic tag as he awaits trial this year.

He will face prosecution for 'inciting a person to suicide or attempted suicide by threats or abuse', which carries a maximum six year sentence - but often also leads to non-custodial punishments.

Source close to the case said that detailed forensic evidence showed that Matrosov had not stabbed Sviridov in a forest where the dead man's body was found later in a makeshift grave.

There are claims Sviridov was given an ultimatum to go to the police and confess to sexually abusing the girl, or face the father's wrath.

A relative said Sviridov was seen badly beaten on the day in September he disappeared, more than a week before his body was found in the makeshift grave near Vintai village.

Two other children in the village are feared to have been abused by Sviridov.

Vyacheslav (Slava) Matrosov, 34, ( pictured with his daughters ) ,whose 8 year old daughter was an alleged victim of Svirdov, no longer faces a murder probe over Sviridov's death

Prominent TV journalist and former Russian presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak told her followers: 'All parents are standing up for the paedophile's killer'

Rocket engine factory worker Matrosov (pictured with wife Natalya) said reported the rapes to the police but claimed to have tracked down his former friend before the police could find him

Matrosov said he initially reported the rapes to local police who then launched a manhunt for Sviridov, but the father claimed he managed to track down the alleged child abuser before the cops.

He did not deny killing Sviridov, but alleged the paedophile 'stumbled on the knife during a quarrel' and maintained his death was not intentional.

Police sources said that the deceased man's phone contained sickening videos which showed violent rapes of other village girls, aged six and 11.

The videos indicated that the suspect had been abusing children for five years before Matrosov discovered the footage on his phone.

It has also been reported that one of his alleged victims was the daughter of his former partner.

'The woman had a daughter from her first marriage,' a friend told Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper.

'Now it has turned out he was abusing the child.'

Police sources said that the deceased man's phone contained sickening videos which showed violent rapes of other village girls, aged six and 11. The videos indicated that the suspect had been abusing children for five years before Matrosov discovered the footage on his phone (Matrosov pictured with family)

Sviridov's ex did not know anything about the alleged abuse, said the woman friend who had known Sviridov for more than 15 years.

'She is a very good caring mother,' she said. 'I can imagine what she feels like now the truth has come out...

'He was constantly seen with the girls, the daughter of his partner and Vyacheslav's older daughter, in the village. It never crossed anyone's mind what he was doing with children.'

Sviridov's mother said that her son had often been a babysitter for Vyacheslav's children and the two men had been long-time friends.

'I don't know how it got to this,' she said, referring to the rape of Vyacheslav's daughter.

'He must have been drunk. Most likely he was drunk. They left their children with him all the time.

'When he baby-sat these girls he came back home as normal, in a good mood.'

Vyacheslav (Slava) Matrosov is pictured at the beach with his daughter

Villager Tatiana Zubova, said: 'I know him personally, he is a good father and husband.'

Lawyer Vera Podkolzina said proving Sviridov's guilt from video evidence was critical to a lenient sentence for Matrosov.

'It is difficult to say what punishment the father of the girl may face, but he has very powerful mitigating circumstances,' she said.

MP Oksana Pushkina called for harsher legal sanctions to deter child sex abuse.

'We need tough legislative measures against paedophiles,' she said.
Britain's first ever eastern European mayor has been suspended from the Conservative Party after being charged with raping a woman.

Aigars Balsevics, 41, appeared before magistrates in Peterborough today accused of raping a woman in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in May last year.

He spoke to confirm his name, age and address during the five-minute hearing.

The former Wisbech mayor was suspended from the party yesterday after details of the allegation became known to its members, reports The Wisbech Standard.

Aigars Balsevics (arriving at Peterborough Magistrates' Court), 41, appeared before magistrates in Peterborough today accused of raping a woman in Wisbech in May last year

The case was adjourned and Balsevics was remanded on bail to appear before Cambridge Crown Court on February 11.

An emergency meeting of the North East Cambs Conservative Association (NECCA), was arranged by its chairman, councillor Jan French, on Thursday.

Cllr French said the suspension was with immediate effect and will remain in force until the end of proceedings.

She added: 'It would be wrong to comment any further at this stage.'

The former Wisbech mayor (pictured above) was suspended from the Conservative Party yesterday after details of the allegation became known to its members

Balsevics remains a councillor but is now an independent.

Born in Latvia, he moved to the UK in 2003 and became a town councillor 13 years later, in 2016.

Balsevics became Conservative mayor of Wisbech when he was made chairman of the town council in May 2020.

He runs three pubs in Wisbech but was stripped of his licence in 2021 after breaking Covid regulations by allowing customers to hug and kiss on Christmas Eve in 2020.
A stampeding stag turned the tables on a Polish hunter when it burst from the undergrowth and gouged his eye with its antlers.

Gun-wielding Leszek Kaminiski had been on a group hunt in forests near Chelm, southeast Poland, when he came across the terrified animal hiding in some bushes.

Video shows him walking towards the stag with his weapon raised, with the camera showing the first-person perspective of Kaminiski.

All of a sudden, the animal bursts out of the undergrowth at break-neck speeds straight at the camera, and rams the hunter in the face with its antlers leaving him with horrific injuries.

Shocking footage shows the moment a stampeding stag (pictured) gouged a Polish hunter's eye with its antlers as it burst from the undergrowth

Leszek Kaminiski had been on a group hunt in forests near Chelm, southeast Poland, when he came across the terrified stag hiding in some bushes. It burst from the undergrowth and gouged his eye with its antlers (left). Right: Blood on Mr Kaminiski's hunting rifle

Kaminiski, along with the camera, is spun and flung to the ground, with the hunter letting out an audible gasp of pain before swearing in Polish.

As the stag charges off, Kaminiski is left lying on the ground with a severely damaged eye, and blood splashed over the forest floor.

Photos later posted by the hunter on social media show him with blood pouring out his damaged eye and running down his face.

Another shows his hunting rifle lying on the ground, also covered in blood.

After being discovered by fellow hunters, Kaminiski - who runs a hunting blog - was rushed to hospital where he underwent extensive surgery to both his eye and the crown of his head.

Video shot from the first-person perspective of Kaminski shows him walking towards the stag with his gun raised towards the creature (pictured) which then charges at him

Giving an update of the hunter's condition, a fellow blogger said that Kaminiski's (pictured in hospital) eye muscles and nerves are intact and the puffiness is getting smaller

A fellow blogger from a site called wildmen.pl said: 'Leszek tried to avoid the stag and managed to take a step to the left, which may have saved his life.

'Fortunately, the eye muscles and nerves are intact and the puffiness is getting smaller. We must remember that any animal, regardless of its size, will attack when it feels threatens. As you can see, a charging stag can be a great threat to a hunter.'

Although the incident happened just before Christmas, video of the incident has only now been posted on YouTube

Although the incident happened just before Christmas, video of the incident has only now been posted on YouTube. Viewers were not as sympathetic towards Kaminiski as his fellow hunters, with man flooding the comments section with praise for the stag

Viewers were not as sympathetic towards Kaminiski as his fellow hunters, instead flooding the comments section with praise for the stag.

One wrote: 'Bravo for the deer! I wish him continued success in hitting sadists!'

Another posted: 'This deer is my hero of the day.'

And yet another commented: 'Respect for the deer!'
Several alleged REvil hacker gang members have appeared in Russian court, after Russia took action against the group more than six months after President Joe Biden demanded a crackdown.

Roman Muromtsev, 33, and Andrei S. Bessonov were among the 14 suspects arrested in a coordinated sting that Russia's FSB intelligence service announced on Friday, court documents show.

Neither man appears on the FBI's Cyber Most Wanted list, and neither appears to have been previously named by US authorities, leading to questions about whether the Russian crackdown truly targeted the masterminds of REvil.

'There is no confirmation of whether any of the self-identified REvil leaders (e.g. UNKN, 0_neday) have been arrested,' John Shier, a threat researcher at Sophos, told DailyMail.com, referring to the screen names of the gang's bosses.

'The arrests by the FSB, allegedly at the request of the US government, are unusual given Russia's stance on such crimes,' he added. 'The news comes at a time when political tensions between the two governments are running high and it's easy to be cynical about the motive.'

Roman Muromtsev, 33, (left) and Andrei S. Bessonov (right) were among the 14 REvil hacker suspects arrested in a coordinated sting that Russia's FSB intelligence service

Agents escort Muromtsev from Tverskoy district court on Friday after he was ordered held for at least two months without bail pending trial in the case

Muromtsev (above) and Bessonov do not appear on the FBI's Cyber Most Wanted list, and neither appears to have been previously named by US authorities, leading to questions about whether the Russian crackdown truly targeted the masterminds of REvil

Muromtsev and Bessonov both appeared on Friday in Moscow court in the Tverskoy district, where a judge ordered both to be held without bail for at least two months pending trial.

Muromtsev is a graduate of the Moscow State University of Technology, and graduated in 2012 as a process engineer.

A female classmate described him as 'extremely good natured and talented.'

She had lived in the same hostel as him as a student and said it was 'hard for her to believe' that he could be a hacker.

Another video shows Muromtsev in a glass cage in Tvesrkoy district court in Moscow.

Separately, pictures show the Guinness-drinking suspected ransomware hacker who is also fond of trips to the mountains.

Muromtsev is fond of trips to the mountains and drinking Guinness, his social media shows

Little is know about Bessonev, who does not appear to have been publicly named by the FBI previously as a suspect in ransomware attacks

Muromsky was earlier involved in online games on Russian social media platform Vkontakte. In 2009 he launched a game called Kholmiki, and later a flash version Alchemy Ultimate.

His cars include an MG ZT and a Rover 75 while he also apparently owns a Kia Mohave SUV.

Russia's FSB intelligence service said on Friday that it had targeted 14 members of the group with coordinated arrests at the request of authorities in the United States.

Biden has been demanding for months that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin take action against the group, and the motive for Russia choosing to finally act was unclear.

However, it comes as an olive branch at a time of high tension between Washington and Moscow, as Russia builds up troops near Ukraine and issues an ultimatum that NATO halt any eastward expansion.

'At a time when Russia needs a little geopolitical goodwill, they arrest individuals associated with a defunct ransomware group,' Shier told DailyMail.com.

'If nothing else, it serves as a warning to other criminals that operating out of Russia might not be the safe harbor they thought it was,' he added.

'While we can be afforded some brief time to celebrate the good news, it's always important to remember that cybercrime isn't just about ransomware. There are plenty of other cybercriminals, who were not impacted by these arrests, who will continue operating as usual,' he noted.

The FSB security service shared footage of a special operation to 'neutralize the REvil hacker group' as it announced 14 arrests on Friday

The FSB said it seized $5.5 million in rubles (above) in the raids, and more than $1 million in foreign currencies

Brett Callow, a threat analyst at cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, told DailyMail.com that the arrests will have 'sent shockwaves through the cybercriminal underworld' but questioned whether the move signaled a true commitment from Russia to cracking down on hacker gangs.

'Whether this signals Russia is getting serious about combating ransomware or whether REvil were simply considered a necessary sacrifice in the face of international pressure remains to be seen,' said Callow.

REvil: The Russian ransomware gang behind US attacks REvil, also known as Sodinokibi, is a group of hackers that recruits affiliates to distribute ransomware for them. As part of the deal, REvil and the affiliates split any ransoms obtained using the group's malware. Short for 'ransomware evil,' REvil refers to both the group and its software. Members are known to speak Russian, and the group operates with impunity from somewhere in Russia or Eastern Europe. The group is behind several attacks on US businesses, including the JBS meat plant and Miami-based software firm Kaseya. Advertisement

'In either case, it will have sent shockwaves through the cybercriminal underworld, and those who formerly partnered with REvil be be especially concerned about the potential consequences,' he added.

'I'd chalk this up as a win. But how much of a win remains to be seen,' said Callow.

REvil, also known as 'Ransomware evil', was responsible for the Memorial Day ransomware attack on the meat processor JBS and the supply-chain attack last July targeting the Miami-based software company Kaseya, which crippled well over 1,000 businesses globally.

The group's ransomware code shares some similarities with DarkSide, the group behind the Colonial Pipeline attack last May, but experts doubt there are significant connections between the two gangs.

In July, Biden pleaded with Putin to take stronger action, saying he needed to rein in attacks from Russia-based groups and warned that the US had the right to defend its people and critical infrastructure from attacks.

The arrests on Friday were a rare apparent demonstration of collaboration between Russia and the United States, and the come at a time of high tensions between the two over Ukraine.

The announcement came even as Ukraine was responding to a massive cyber attack that shut down government websites, though there was no indication the incidents were related.

A joint police and FSB operation searched 25 addresses, detaining 14 people, the FSB said, listing assets it had seized including 426 million rubles, $600,000, 500,000 euros, computer equipment and 20 luxury cars.

The arrests on Friday were a rare apparent demonstration of collaboration between Russia and the United States, and the come at a time of high tensions between the two over Ukraine

A joint police and FSB operation searched 25 addresses, detaining 14 people, the FSB said, listing assets it had seized including 426 million rubles

Russian authorities show off American cash allegedly seized in the raids

The FSB also seized 'computer equipment, crypto wallets used to commit crimes, and 20 premium cars purchased with proceeds from crime'.

Ransomware suspects were held in Moscow and St Petersburg, and the surrounding regions, and in Lipetsk region, the FSB said.

Russia said that 'the full composition of the REvil criminal community and the involvement of its members in the illegal circulation of means of payment was established'.

Russia had informed the United States directly of the moves it had taken against the group sought by Washington, the FSB said on its website.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow said it could not immediately comment.

'The investigative measures were based on a request from the... United States,' the FSB said. '... The organized criminal association has ceased to exist and the information infrastructure used for criminal purposes was neutralized.'

The FSB shared footage of agents raiding homes and arresting people, pinning them to the floor, and seizing large piles of dollars and Russian rubles.

The group members have been charged and could face up to seven years in prison.

A source familiar with the case told Interfax that the group's members with Russian citizenship would not be handed over to the United States.

FSB agents are seen taking down a suspected REvil leader in raids this week

In July, President Biden urged Russian leader Vladimir Putin to take action against REvil

The United States said in November it was offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of anyone holding a key position in the REvil group.

The United States has been hit by a string of high-profile hacks by ransom-seeking cybercriminals.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters in June that REvil was suspected of being the group behind a ransomware attack on the world's biggest meat packing company, JBS SA.

Washington has repeatedly accused the Russian state in the past of malicious activity on the internet, which Moscow denies.

Russia's announcement comes during a standoff between the United States and Russia. Moscow is demanding Western guarantees including that NATO will not expand further. It has also built up its troops near Ukraine.

In November, DailyMail.com tracked suspected REvil ringleader Yevgeniy Polyanin, 28, to a chic $380,000 (USD) home in Barnaul where he was seen driving his $74,000 Toyota Land Cruiser 200, evidently feeling untouchable.

Polyanin was named by the FBI as a REvil affiliate but it was unclear whether he was among the suspects rounded up in Friday's arrests.

Yevgeniy Polyanin was named by the FBI as a REvil affiliate but it was unclear whether he was among the suspects rounded up in Friday's arrests

Polyanin was spotted by a DailyMail reporter entering his $74,000 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 in his well-appointed home in Barnaul, Siberia in November

Polyanin was living in a chic to a chic $380,000 home in Barnaul as he remains on the FBI's Most Wanted list

REvil had claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on US businesses.

The unprecedented attack targeting the Miami-based software firm Kaseya, which was reported July 2, affected an estimated 1,500 businesses globally.

The Kaseya attack shut down a major Swedish supermarket chain and ricocheted around the world, impacting businesses in at least 17 countries, from pharmacies to gas stations, as well as dozens of New Zealand kindergartens.

Meanwhile, the attack on JBS saw America's largest beef supplier end up paying an $11 million ransom in Bitcoin to the hackers who shut down its plants.

JBS learned of the attack early on May 30 after discovering 'irregularities' on its servers and a ransom note.

The hack threatened to disrupt meat supplies across the United States over Memorial Day weekend.
Shocking footage captured by a drone showed the moment a 19th century mansion was wiped out by a landslide in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

The area surrounding the two-story home was cordoned off Thursday morning by the fire department in the historic city center of Ouro Preto about 40 minutes before an avalanche of rocks from the Morro da Forca crushed the neocolonial house and a warehouse on an adjacent property.

The Ouro Preto Municipal Civil Police reported no injuries or casualties, but locals are mourning the loss of the structure in the historic city, whose wealth of well-preserved architecture saw it named a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1980.

According to the fire department, recent rain storms that drenched the region, including Ouro Preto where a resident was killed, caused significant structural problems at the cliff.

Drone footage captured the moment a 19th century mansion was destroyed Thursday by a landslide in Ouro Petro, a city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais

The mansion was property of the Ouro Petro city hall. It went renovations between 2009 and 2010, but was closed in 2012 due to potential landslides

The Institute of National Historic and Artistic Heritage recognized the mansion as the first neocolonial building in the city Ouro Petro. Its interior is pictured

Fire department officials shut off the area after the landslide over concerns that instability on the grounds of Morro da Forca could also destroy a restaurant and hotel located next to the mansion site.

All residents near the cliff were removed from their homes until a comprehensive study of the cliff is completed.

'The vegetation is natural, however it is insufficient to guarantee stability in case of similar movements,' Ouro Preto Civil Defense geololist Charles Murta said, according to Brazilian online outlet G1. 'What caused this movement was the declivity of the slope itself, the geological characteristics that are typical in the region and, what was most important, which we call the fault trigger, was the large volume of rain accumulated since December 26th.'

While no rain was on the forecast for Friday and Saturday, Ouro Preto is expected to receive substantial rainfall all of next week.

At least 16 roads have been closed off to traffic due to damage cause by rain.

'(The heavy rains of the last few days) end up making the soil saturated with water, and this saturation can generate a mass movement even at a time when the rain is not happening,' Minas Gerais Fire Department spokesman lieutenant Pedro Aikara said.

Aerial drone footage of the 19th century mansion that was crushed by a landslide on Thursday in Ouro Petro, Brazil

Another photo showing the fine parquet floor inside the neocolonial mansion, which has now been destroyed

The fire department was forced to cordon off the area about 40 minutes before a landslide destroyed a mansion and a warehouse

According to the Institute of National Historic and Artistic Heritage, the mansion was the first neocolonial building in Ouro Petro.

The land where the Baeta Neves manor was located was purchased in 1890 by a family before the residence was constructed two years later.

The Ouro Petro mansion was completed by 1892. The Institute of National Historic and Artistic Heritage listed the mansion as the first neocolonial building in Ouro Petro,

Interior of the 19th century mansion that was destroyed by the landslide in Ouro Preto, Brazil, on Thursday

The mansion underwent extensive restorations between 2009 and 2010, but had been closed since 2012.

'(The mansion) had a beautiful ceiling, all padded, with hardwood, and now it has collapsed. It's another piece of Ouro Preto's memory that fades as a result of the rains', said Margareth Monteiro, the municipal secretary of Culture and Tourism of Ouro Petro.

The city of Ouro Petro has been considered a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) since 1980.
Apprentice star, 74, called work from home a 'come and go as you fancy' culture

He has made 254 out of a possible 1,778 appearances since his 2009 peerage

Lord Alan Sugar has been urged to retire from Parliament as official figures revealed his dismal attendance in the House of Lords.

The Apprentice star, 74, has criticised companies allowing staff to work from home, describing it as a 'come and go as you fancy' culture.

But his own record in Parliament's second chamber faces serious questions as it emerged his attendance since 2009 is a meagre 14 per cent.

Lord Sugar has made just 254 out of a possible 1,778 House of Lords appearances in the last 13 years.

Lord Alan Sugar has been urged to retire from Parliament as official figures revealed his dismal attendance in the House of Lords

The figures cover the period from when he became a Lord in July 2009 to January 5, 2022, according to official data.

The multi-millionaire also hasn't made a spoken contribution in the Lords since October 2018, when he moaned about Brexit in a 'People's Vote' debate, records show.

He hasn't voted in the unelected House of Lords since October 2017 and there is no record of him ever submitting written questions, according to UK Parliament stats.

The billionaire famously 'fires' people in hit BBC show The Apprentice, which has just returned to screens, but the British public are unable to remove him from office as he isn't elected.

The Apprentice star, 74, has made just 254 out of a possible 1,778 House of Lords appearances in the last 13 years - an attendance rate of just 14 per cent

However, John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'If the House of Lords is to remain a valuable revising chamber, peers who barely contribute to the work of the Upper House should retire.'

Attendance by Lord Sugar, who founded Amstrad and is Tottenham Hotspur's ex-chairman, appears to have nosedived over the years since he was ennobled by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009.

Lord Sugar was initially a Labour peer but resigned from the party in 2015 over its left-wing 'policy shift' under Jeremy Corbyn - and he now sits as a crossbencher.

But his House of Lords attendance has been in freefall since 2015, when he recorded a high of 36 attendances out of a maximum of 137, data shows.

Staggering figures show he attended on 14 occasions out of 151 opportunities in 2016, 19 out of 129 in 2017, and nine out of 155 in 2018.

Attendance by Lord Sugar, who founded Amstrad and is Tottenham Hotspur's ex-chairman, appears to have nosedived over the years since he was ennobled by then Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009

In the Covid-affected years, he's logged as present for seven out of 140 occasions in 2019 and just two out of 162 outings last year.

The business magnate, whose net wealth is estimated as 1.21billion in The Sunday Times' rich list - is not recorded as attending the chamber so far this year, either.

In July last year, the businessman sparked controversy by accusing people working from home due to Covid-19 of being complacent.

He tweeted: 'Boris says it's no longer necessary to work from home. So city people get back to the offices, let's kick start the local economy for shops,cafes who suffered badly.

'Some people may have become complacent liking this new style of working. Well those folk will never work for me.'

He also blasted working from home as a 'fad', according to reports last week.

Lord Sugar reportedly added: 'I'm old fashioned. Working from home is not just a covid thing. It's a fashionable thing that started pre-Covid when you had all these hot desks.

'I'm 75 soon and it doesn't go down too well with me.'

He also slammed Brit youngsters and the working culture at big tech firms in December, according to reports.

The peer reportedly said: 'Young people these days tend to be IT literate and become programmers.

'And companies like Google, Facebook or Twitter have this "Come and go as you fancy" idea and they let them sit on bean bags and flick elastic bands at each other, and this "Turn up when you want to" idea.

'I was always a five working days a week person and the weekend was always the weekend.

'I say, get everything done in five days and it should not interfere in your family life. Work-life balance is a very touchy subject for me.'

A House of Lords spokesperson said: 'We do not keep track of how many debates a member has sat in on.

'These are House attendances, so either taking part in a division or captured by a member of staff on an attendance device in or around the chamber when the House is sitting.

'During hybrid/virtual proceedings this could also include attending virtually.'
Aerial night view of Chongli, a district of Beijing 2022 co-host city

(People's Daily App) 08:49, January 14, 2022

This aerial video shows the night view of the core area of Chongli, a district of of the co-host city for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The Queen expelled Prince Andrew from the Royal Family, depriving him of all military titles and patronages. Buckingham Palace also ordered him to relinquish his HRH title and put an end to his ambitions of returning to public life in a cruel two-line statement.

According to reports, the ninth in line to the throne will defend his sex assault claim as a private citizen in the United States. Following Andrew's failed attempt to persuade a court to dismiss the civil action in which he is accused of having sex with a trafficking victim, Palace insiders stated the 'ruthless and fast' decision had been "widely debated" among the Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth banishes Prince Andrew from royal life

Before the Queen made up her mind on Wednesday right after the court ruling, Prince Charles and his son Prince William are said to have been instrumental in the drive to force him out. Prince Andrew was invited to Windsor Castle yesterday for a 90-minute meeting with his mother - and was joined by Gary Bloxsome, his personal lawyer, who drove with him from his nearby house, Royal Lodge.

According to castle insiders, Bloxsome, who was hired by the prince to arrange his retaliation against Virginia Roberts' charges of rape and sexual assault, was unable to enter the royal house and was left sitting in the car.

On Wednesday, Prince William was in Windsor Castle to conduct an investiture on behalf of his grandmother and he would have talked to her in person. According to a reliable royal source, the Queen and her advisers have decided to apply the 'same model' of facto exile to Andrew as they did to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Given Andrew's status as her "favorite son," some insiders suggested the choice would have "pained" the Queen much. The 95-year-old monarch, like Harry and Meghan, would have realized she had to act for the sake of the monarchy and her legacy, as per Daily Mail.

Read Also: Hunter Biden's Ex-Wife Writes Memoir, Detailing How Cheating, Drug Abuse of President's Son Destroyed Their Marriage

Prince Charles, Prince William "incredibly angry"

According to royal pundit Angela Levin, the threat of a legal lawsuit against a prominent royal, made Prince Charles and Prince William very upset. While Giuffre's allegations against Andrew have not been proven and the 61-year-old is not accused of criminal conduct, the US court ruling means Andrew might face a trial, which would be a major damage to the royal family's prestige.

If an out-of-court settlement is achieved, the trial might start between September and December 2022. As per media lawyer Mark Stephens, it would lead top royals to convene in order to cope with the imminent reputational harm to the monarchy during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year, according to Express.

All 12 of Prince Andrew's military titles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, have been returned to him. With a letter signed by more than 150 Navy, RAF, and Army veterans requesting that he be stripped of his military posts, the Queen is under increasing pressure to act.

Lieutenant Stuart Hunt, who served in the 1st Royal Tank Regiment, was one of the first to congratulate her on her decision. The 52-year-old, who lives in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, accused the Duke of dragging the military forces into shame and claimed he should have retired years ago.

He will keep his titles of Prince and Duke, as well as his place in the line of succession to the monarchy as the ninth in line. It's assumed that he'll maintain his taxpayer-funded security detail. He will also keep a few military titles he has gained over his military service, such as Vice- Admiral of the Royal Navy, Mirror reported.

Related Article: Queen Elizabeth Remains Silent But Might Make Brutal Choice in the Coming Days as Judge Orders Prince Andrew To Face Sex Abuse Trial

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Senate Democrats on Thursday defeated a bill by Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz that would have slammed sanctions on businesses involved in a Russian natural gas pipeline to Germany, denouncing it as a GOP political gesture that would have harmed relations with European allies.

The vote on Cruz's measure sanctioning operators of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was 55-44, short of the 60 it needed to pass.

While opposition from the Democratic-controlled House and President Joe Biden meant it had little chance of success, Republicans used the opportunity to portray Democrats as timid in standing up to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose troops are massed along Ukraine's borders as he demands concessions from the West.

A Russian construction worker speaks on a mobile phone during a ceremony marking the start of Nord Stream pipeline construction in Portovaya Bay in 2010

Sen. Ted Cruz's bill to sanction businesses involved in Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany failed without the support of Senate Democrats

Putin 'can smell the weakness,' Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican, said before the vote. 'Stopping this pipeline should be an area of bipartisan agreement.'

'This bill isn't going to help Ukraine,' Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, countered. 'It's designed to hurt' Biden.

A handful of Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the measure.

The new natural gas pipeline, which is awaiting final approval from German and European officials before it goes into operation, has been a particular focus of attention as the U.S. and its European allies try to build a package of deterrents strong enough to stop Putin from invading Ukraine.

Ukraine has angered Putin by seeking closer ties with the West.

Putin insists he has no plans to invade, but is demanding concessions from NATO that the allies say they will never grant.

The Biden administration and its supporters in Congress argue Cruz's bill would have harmed relations with Germany, which like much of Europe is dependent on imported natural gas, at a time when the U.S. is seeking to present a united front against Putin over Ukraine.

Democrats have introduced their own legislation targeting Putin, his top civilian and military officials and Russian financial institutions if Russia does invades.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken insists Germany is all but certain to block operation of the pipeline if Russia does move troops into eastern Ukraine, although Germany's new government has not given any definitive assurance of that publicly.

The pipeline would double the volume of gas pumped by Russian state-owned gas giant Gazprom directly to Germany.

Lawmakers of both U.S. parties have overwhelmingly opposed the pipeline, saying it will increase Putin's leverage over Europe.

Putin intends to use the pipeline 'as a cudgel against our European allies,' Cruz said.

Democrats emphasized that much of the work on the pipeline was done under the previous administration.

'This is the Trump-Putin pipeline,' said Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat and sponsor of the rival Democratic bill, which has yet to come up for a vote. 'The Trump administration failed to act.'
A stalker who followed a wealthy businessman's daughter for months from London to Scotland before posting a picture outside her family estate faces jail today.

Alexander Rodrigo Kaliszewski, 34, tailed architecture student Honor Weatherall between January and August 2020.

He travelled to her family home near Dumfries on 13 June 2020, then posted a photo of ruins on her family estate with the caption 'Just going to chill up near this ruin until I get bored'.

Ms Weatherall told her parents her stalker had followed her from London, and her father confronted Kaliszewski and arranged for him to be driven back to the train station.

Ms Weatherall's extended family control the conglomerate Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited.

Her father Percy Weatherall has been on the board of directors of Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited, a multi-billion dollar Hong Kong-based retail group.

The architecture student felt in 'grave danger' after being stalked by Kaliszewski for months.

After reading reports District Judge John Zani said: 'I do not see genuine remorse. I am disturbed that there was a change of plea on the day of trial.

'The effect on this victim is substantial. He is not an unintelligent man, he knows the difference between right and wrong, and I am minded to send this to the crown court.

'I am astonished that it is only now that he fully understands the position of this victim.

Alexander Rodrigo Kaliszewski, 34, tailed architecture student Honor Weatherall for months

Marina Hacking, Honor Weatherall and Idina May Moncreiffe attend the launch of Stella Tennant and Isabella Cawdor's collection

'He is a 34-year-old man who is taking these decisions.'

Kaliszewski tried to speak from the dock, when District Judge Zani said: 'Please do not interrupt me, unless you want me to remand you in custody.

'This was a persistent period of stalking that went on for six months.

'This is not a case, in my view, I do not consider court's sentencing powers sufficient.'

District Judge Zani committed Kaliszewski to Isleworth Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be fixed.

Kaliszewski later breached a stalking prevention order on 2 June 2021 by liking photos on Ms Weatherall's Instagram page while he was on bail.

Prosecutor Alex Alawode said: 'The defendant was messaged by the defendant's boyfriend, the defendant described being in a relationship with her, and he was considering moving to New York with her once she got a job there.'

In a statement read to the court, Ms Weatherall said: 'Due to sleepless nights and constant worry, my work at university has suffered.

Alexander Rodrigo Kaliszewski, 34, bombarded Honor Weatherall, 24, with messages on social media

Her father Percy Weatherall has been on the board of directors of Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited, a multi-billion dollar Hong Kong-based retail group, and he owns the Mandarin Oriental

'Now, producing the level of work I want has been much more difficult.

'When I'm in London, I fear being alone.

'I also fear strangers coming up to me in the street, even if they are just asking for directions.'

Prosecutor Jonathan Bryan said during an earlier hearing: 'She became aware that the defendant posted about her in 2019, although she had never met him.

'Ms Weatherall had posted, and in response he responded to that, and Ms Weatherall, without thinking, answered. That was on Facebook.

'Throughout January and February he made contact, or attempted to make contact, on Instagram, and there are a series of Instagram posts on 26 August.'

In the posts Kaliszewski said 'I shall not be a pest', and that the situation was 'far out'.

Kaliszewski made 10 Instagram profiles to contact Ms Weatherall, but she blocked all of them.

Mr Bryan continued: 'She did not know him, she had never met him, and she has in no way encouraged his contact.

'She received an Instagram message from Mr Kaliszewski, what concerned her is the photo, which is that it was her home.

'She told her parents about it, she had never told them about the stalker at all.

'Her father went out and when he went to the spot where the photo was taken, Mr Kaliszewski stepped out from a bush.

'He had travelled to Scotland and walked five miles from the station to their home.

'Mr Weatherall made it clear in no uncertain terms that his contact was unwelcome.'

Ms Weatherall later spotted Kaliszewski in a London cafe while having breakfast with her mother and a friend.

Mr Bryan, reading from the young woman's statement, said: 'After 30 minutes I saw someone out of the corner of my eye.

'He was sat facing away from my table, I saw him look at me and then turn away from us.

'For five minutes I just sat there and didn't say anything.

'I told my mother, she stood up and went to the cafe to ask about the man.

'The defendant stood up with his dog on a leash and came over to me, and said 'Hello there.'

'After 30 seconds or so he then walked off, his body language had been awkward but sort of confident.'

Kaliszewski had also sent her photos of her parent's flat taken from street level.

Mr Bryan continued: 'He has used a picture of the Starship Enterprise and said: 'Boldly going where no man has gone before, Honor's bedroom!', and a photo of her parents' flat where bedroom would have been.'

Moira Macfarlane, for Kaliszewksi, told the court he genuinely believed Honor was encouraging him to contact her.

Ms Weatherall also posted a screenshot from the 1963 Bond film Dr No on her Instagram page, which Kaliszewski believed to be a reference to his Spotify playlist of songs from the same film.

This occurred on the same day Ms Weatherall's boyfriend, posing as a friend of the victim, messaged Kaliszewski to congratulate him on their engagement, and asked for his address so he could ostensibly send flowers.

Ms MacFarlane said: 'I think Mr Kaliszewski became aware that his thought processes are not aligned with the general public.

'Honor's boyfriend sent messages to the defendant posing as a friend offering congratulations on their engagement, and asking for his address so he could send them flowers.'

'He has seen some of her actions as encouragement, because by her own admission when she sees him in the street, she hasn't said 'I do not want you to contact me'.'

Ms Weatherall earlier said in a statement read at Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'Each incident has had a profound effect on me. I'm usually a confident, headstrong person.

'I was left terrified and almost helpless.

'In London he approached me outside my flat. I felt fear and shock and just wanted to end the interaction as soon as possible.

'The whole experience has made me change the way I live my life.

'A total stranger persistently and forcefully writing you messages, following you, taking photos of your home and potentially putting you in grave danger will affect the way you live your life.

'I fear being on my own.

'I feel the need to let another person where I will be and how long I will be gone for.

'My parents will vouch that for the fact that in the two and a half months I was at home I was not feeling myself.

'I'm usually an incredibly independent person and now I feel incredible dependent on them.

'The idea I was the one to make the alteration to my life due to the horrific actions of another human being with no understanding of his true impact felt very unfair.

'I had to close off my social accounts.'

Kaliszewski, of Longridge Road, Kensington, admitted stalking involving serious alarm or distress between 26 January 2020 and 4 August 2020.

He appeared in the dock today at Westminster Magistrates' Court wearing a cream jumper and dark grey trousers.

According to the charge his conduct amounted to stalking and caused Ms Weatherall 'serious alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities when you knew or ought to have known that your course of conduct would cause alarm or distress to her on each occasion in that you sent many communications and attended her residences many times'.

Kaliszewski was released on bail on the condition he does not contact Ms Weatherall, her parents Clara and Percy, or any witnesses for the prosecution ahead of his sentencing.
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The US has intelligence that Russia is planning a 'false-flag' operation on its own forces in eastern Ukraine to create a pretext for invasion.

Officials on Friday also said they believed Russia was mounting a social media disinformation campaign to portray Ukraine as the aggressor.

The update, making the prospect of military conflict more immediate, came as Ukrainian government websites were taken offline in a 'massive' cyberattack, talks between Washington and Moscow collapsed and Russia held a combat readiness inspection of their troops.

Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia had 'run out of patience' with the West as Moscow demanded assurances that NATO would not expand closer to its territory.

The United States has evidence that operatives trained in urban warfare and sabotage will carry out these attacks on Russian proxy forces, officials told journalists on Friday, possibly weeks before an invasion.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki warned of human rights violations and war crimes if diplomacy failed and the Russian government went ahead with its plans.

'We have information that indicates Russia has already pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct a false flag operation in eastern Ukraine,' she said.

'The operatives are trained in urban warfare and using explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russia's own proxy forces.'

She said it mimicked the playbook used when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, and included social media disinformation to show Kyiv as the instigator of violence.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the intelligence was 'very credible.'

The Kremlin quickly denied it was preparing a provocation. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the reporting was based on 'unfounded' information, according to the TASS news agency.

Russian tanks of the Novorossiysk Guards mountain formation took part in maneuvers on Friday, further raising the temperature along the border with Ukraine where 100,000 Russian troops are massed

A militant of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) observes the area at fighting positions on the line of separation from the Ukrainian armed forces in Donetsk region, Ukraine January 14, 2022.

A Ukrainian Military Forces serviceman walks on a trench on the frontline with Russia-backed separatists near Luganske village, in Donetsk region. Kiev has been on high alert since Russia moved 100,000 troops close to its border last year

A fighter jet is takes off in footage released by Russia's ministry of defence. Amid concern over Russia's troop buildup, Russia says it is up to Moscow alone where it moves its forces around on its territory and that they pose no external threat

Moscow has for weeks been massing tens of thousands of troops, tanks and artillery pieces along its eastern flank, sparking fears of an invasion, though the Kremlin has insisted it is merely a defence force (pictured, Russian forces currently massed in border regions)

Details emerged as Russia held snap combat readiness inspections of its troops on Friday and as several prominent Ukrainian government websites were taken offline Friday, authorities said, in a sweeping cyber attack.

The claim of a false-flag operation echoes Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, which said that Russian special services were preparing provocations against Russian forces in order to frame Ukraine.

And a day earlier, President Biden's national security adviser said that the U.S. had intelligence that Russia was preparing a pretext for invasion.

'Our intelligence community has developed information ... that Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating a pretext for an invasion, including through sabotage activities and information operations, by accusing Ukraine of preparing an imminent attack against Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine,' he told reporters at the White House

'We saw this playbook in 2014. They are preparing this playbook again.'

But he also said officials had not determined that President Vladimir Putin had made a definitive decision to invade, suggesting a diplomatic resolution might still be possible.

Officials are trying to weigh whether Putin is ready to act on his desire to swallow up Ukraine or whether it is a feint to strengthen his regional influence.

Even so, the Biden administration is considering how to back a Ukrainian insurgency should Russia invade.

Options include training fighters in nearby countries, such as Poland, Romania or Slovakia, or working with NATO allies to provide medical services or even shelter during Russian offensives, officials told the New York Times.

In a sign of the complex forces in play, Russia also announced it had detained members of the ransomware group REvil at the request of the United States.

It marked a rare moment of collaboration at a time when relations are at rock bottom.

'The investigative measures were based on a request from the... United States,' the FSB domestic intelligence service said.

'... The organised criminal association has ceased to exist and the information infrastructure used for criminal purposes was neutralised.'

Attack from multiple fronts, an escalation in Donbass or missile strikes: What a Russian invasion of Ukraine could look like - as military analysts fear it could be imminent Western military analysts have suggested Russia cannot keep such troops deployed where they are indefinitely for financial and logistical reasons and would need to pull them back by summer. Estimates of the numbers of new Russian troops moved closer to Ukraine vary from 60,000 to around 100,000, with a U.S. intelligence document suggesting that number could be ramped up to 175,000. U.S. officials have said Russia might attack Ukraine as early as this month when the ground will be harder, making it easier for tanks and other armour to move swiftly. At talks this week with the United States and NATO, Russia has sought security guarantees to defuse the crisis. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday Moscow was not ready to wait forever for a response and that it wanted a detailed written response to every Russian proposal. But what might a Russian attack look like and what could it seek to achieve? 'The current deployments are versatile. They keep Russia's options open and therefore keep the defender guessing,' said Keir Giles, an Associate Fellow at Chatham House. Here are some possible scenarios. DONBASS ESCALATION Heavily armed Russian-backed separatists have controlled a swath of eastern Ukraine since 2014 and continue to exchange fire with Ukrainian government forces despite a 2015 ceasefire that ended major hostilities. The conflict in Donbass has killed 15,000 people, Kyiv says. Ukraine has long accused Russia of having regular troops in the region, something Moscow denies. Russia has accused Kyiv of harbouring plans to retake the region by force, something Ukraine denies. A militant of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) checks a machine gun at fighting positions on the line of separation from the Ukrainian armed forces near the rebel-controlled settlement of Yasne (Yasnoye) in Donetsk region In such a febrile atmosphere, the risk of a misunderstanding or unplanned escalation is greater, and Russia could use such an incident as a casus belli. A source familiar with the Russian Defence Ministry's thinking said this was the most likely scenario if Moscow decided to attack, but that he was unaware of any such decision. Kyiv might also be provoked into attacking by the separatists who could then ask Russia to send troops to help, he said. Russian forces could expand the fighting in Donbass to draw Ukraine into a conventional conflict, said Neil Melvin, director of International Security Studies at the RUSI think-tank in London. He said Moscow could try to seize Ukrainian coastal areas on the Sea of Azov, creating a land bridge from the Russian city of Rostov through Donbass to Crimea, adding: 'That would put the Ukrainian government under a lot of pressure.' ASSAULT FROM CRIMEA Russia has brought in new forces to Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Moscow could launch an attack on Ukraine from Crimea and seize territory up to the Dnieper River that could serve as a natural barrier against any Ukrainian counter-offensive, said Konrad Muzyka, director of the Poland-based Rochan consultancy. The operation could begin with artillery, missile and air strikes on Ukrainian units in the south, and special forces units might seize bridges and railway junctions, allowing troops and tanks to advance, he said. There are only two roads from Crimea that could be blocked or destroyed, a potential weakness, he said. Forces would secure control of a canal that provided Crimea with fresh water supplies until Russia annexed the region and Ukraine stopped the flow, he said. MULTI-FRONT ATTACK A publicly available U.S. intelligence document said Russia could stage an invasion this month with up to 100 battalion tactical groups (BTGs) or some 175,000 troops. It said about 50 BTGs were already in place to the north and east of Ukraine and in Crimea to the south. Seizing southern Ukraine could cut Kyiv off from the coast and NATO's presence in the Black Sea, Melvin said, and could play well with Russian nationalists who see the area as the historic 'Novorossiya' lands or 'New Russia'. A multi-front assault might also involve a move into northeastern Ukraine, encircling but perhaps not entering cities where forces could get bogged down in urban fighting. Russian troops could also move into Belarus, opening a northern front for Ukraine that would put Russian forces closer to Kyiv, Giles said. 'This of course would be the most costly economically, politically and in terms of human lives and that's probably why it's least likely,' Melvin said of an all-out invasion. Military analysts said even if it overwhelmed Ukraine's army, which is half the size of its own, Russia could face guerrilla-type resistance, making it hard to hold on to captured territory. MISSILE STRIKES OR CYBER-ATTACK Giles said some scenarios could involve long-range missile attacks or cyber-attacks targeting critical infrastructure. Missile attacks would take advantage of Ukraine's weaker anti-missile defences. 'The different scenarios for how exactly Russia might seek to persuade the West to meet its (security) demands by punishing Kyiv don't even necessarily include a land incursion,' he said. A string of government websites was hacked on Friday. Some showed messages saying: 'Be afraid and expect the worst.' The finger of suspicion immediately fell on Russia, although Ukrainian officials said critical infrastructure had not been targeted. Advertisement

The inspections came as several key Ukrainian government websites were taken offline Friday, authorities said, in a sweeping cyber attack. Pictured: A laptop displays a warning message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, that appeared on the official website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry after a massive cyberattack, in this illustration taken January 14, 2022

President Biden's administration has repeatedly warned President Putin of further sanctions if his forces invade Ukraine. In return, Putin is demanding that NATO guarantees it will not allow Ukraine to join the defense alliance

American Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Michael Carpenter said the world was facing a 'crisis in European security' after the final round of talks Thursday

Meanwhile, the White House said President Biden had been briefed on the cyberattack, which took down a string of Ukrainian government websites.

Some displayed messages saying: 'Be afraid and expect the worst.'

A Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman confirmed details of a hack to AFP.

'As a result of a massive cyberattack, the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of other government agencies are temporarily down,' he said.

The education ministry wrote on Facebook that its website was down due to a 'global (cyber) attack' that had taken place overnight.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility and Kiev did not say who may have been responsible. Ukraine had blamed Russians with links to the Kremlin for previous attacks.

About 70 websites of national and regional government bodies were targeted, according to Victor Zhora, deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection.

He stressed, however, that no critical infrastructure was affected and no personal data was leaked.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: 'The United States and our allies and partners are concerned about the cyber attack, and the president has been briefed.

'We are also in touch with the Ukrainians and have offered our support as Ukraine investigates the impact and nature, and recovers from the incident.

EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell said on Friday the bloc was mobilising 'all its resources' to aid Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia said it was running out of patience with its demand that NATO does not expand eastward, closer to Russia.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that Moscow wouldn't wait indefinitely for the Western response, saying he expected an answer from the US and NATO next week.

'We have run out of patience,' Lavrov said at a news conference.

'The West has been driven by hubris and has exacerbated tensions in violation of its obligations and common sense.'

Pictured: Ukrainian troops take part in military drills as tensions across the country's border with Russia continue to mount

The tensions prompted Sweden to step up its visible defense preparations. Here soldiers patrol in Visby Harbor

It comes after a string of meetings between the two sides this week that failed to bring a breakthrough. As a result, American officials have stepped up their warnings.

The U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the result was a 'crisis in European security.'

'The drumbeat of war is sounding loud and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill,' Michael Carpenter said.

That drumbeat has put countries in the region on alert.

Poland warned that Europe faced its greatest threat of war in the past 30 years.

And a senior military figure in Sweden said Friday that there had been increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea which 'deviates from the normal picture.'

'We have decided to reposition our troops. It does not have to mean an increased threat, but we always want to adapt to the prevailing situation,' Lt. Gen Leif Michael Claesson told The Associated Press.

Sweden, which is not part of NATO, has monitored landing craft from Russia's northern navy entering the Baltic Sea.

As a result, Claesson who is the operations manager at the Swedish Armed Forces, said the country had raised its level of preparedness. Some of the measures taken would be visible and others would not, he added.
Fresh strikes are to go ahead on London's Night Tube this weekend in a deadlocked dispute over new rosters.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union on the Central and Victoria Lines will walk out for eight hours from 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, with similar stoppages planned every weekend until June.

The union accused London Underground of blocking an attempt to make progress in resolving the row, during talks this week at the conciliation service Acas.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union on the Central and Victoria Lines will walk out for eight hours from Friday and Saturday evenings, with similar stoppages planned every weekend until June

The union accused London Underground of blocking an attempt to make progress in resolving the row, during talks this week at the conciliation service Acas. Pictured: Sadiq Khan yesterday

The RMT said it had offered to recommend suspension of the action if LU agreed a new set of 'reasonable and realistic' proposals.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said; 'We are angry and frustrated that, once again, a proposal from our negotiators that would pave the way to lifting the current action has been knocked back by Tube chiefs.

The RMT said it had offered to recommend suspension of the action if LU agreed a new set of 'reasonable and realistic' proposals

'Our proposal would deal with the central issue at the heart of this dispute - work-life balance.

'We are not backing down; the action goes ahead and, with the Government on the point of lifting some Covid restrictions, it's down to LU to start negotiating seriously.'

LU has attacked the strikes as unnecessary, and has advised passengers to check services before travelling.
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A 30-year-old career criminal yelled 'America's gonna burn' after being arrested over the cold-blooded murder of a 19-year-old Burger King cashier during a robbery this week - and the homeless man was free to kill after being released without bail for menacing another man with a screwdriver little more than a month before the murder.

Winston Glynn was tracked down in Brooklyn after an intense citywide manhunt following the shocking murder of Kristal Bayron-Nieves at the East Harlem Burger King, where NYPD officials said Glynn previously had worked.

Glynn was out on the street following his arrest on November 30 because his crime was 'not bail eligible.'

The Jamaican immigrant was being led out of the 25th Precinct stationhouse after being booked Friday afternoon when he launched into his rant as an angry crowd cursed at him in English and Spanish. The victim was Puerto Rican.

'Why am I guilty?' Glynn shouted through the blue mask covering his face as officers walked him to a waiting police car.

'You know they charge n*****s every day?

'Wheres our reparations for four hundred years of f***ing slavery.'

Detectives attempted to load the handcuffed suspect into the back of the car when he screamed 'f*** you all! and then bellowed, 'America's gonna BURN!'

The cops then grabbed him by the shoulders and the top of his head as they struggled to shove him in the vehicle.

But Glynn had one last parting shout for those calling him 'garbage' and much worse in Spanish.

'Do you wanna start a war between Latinos and n*****s?! Do you wanna start a war?' he hollered.

Glynn faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon.

Police arrested Winston Glynn, a 30-year-old homeless man, in connection with Sunday's murder of Burger King cashier Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19

Glynn was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal court on Friday

He has been arrested on four other cases, three of which led to charges of criminal possession of a weapon

He faces charges of murder, robbery, criminal use of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon

Glynn is pictured in a mugshot, left. He is accused of killing Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, in cold blood after demanding cash from her at a Burger King last Sunday

Police have arrested Winston Glynn, 30, in the killing of a 19-year-old Burger King cashier. Surveillance photo of the suspect during the commission of the crime is seen above

Winston Glynn's arrests and charges July 31, 2017 Winston Glynn broke the screen of a slot machine at the Resort World Casino in Queens

He was caught on tape striking the machine and cracking its screen

He was charged with criminal mischief December 23, 2018 Glynn allegedly threatened a 45-year-old woman with a knife in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood

He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and menacing December 14, 2020 Glynn engaged in a verbal confrontation with a man in Manhattan's Midtown neighborhood

Glynn allegedly punched the man in the face, knocking him over

He reportedly continued to hit the man, bruising his face and knocking out a tooth

The man was taken to Bellevue Hospital

Police arrested Glynn and found a knife on him

He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon November 30, 2021: Glynn allegedly threatened a man at a NYC homeless shelter with a screwdriver

He allegedly told the man, 'I will stab you'

He was charged with menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and harassment Advertisement

His criminal record includes at least four prior arrests, most recently in November 2021, when he was charged with menacing with a weapon.

A spokesperson for the Queens District Attorney told DailyMail.com on Friday that Glynn was released from jail on his own recognizance because the offense he was charged with is an A misdemeanor, which 'is not bail eligible.'

According to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, during the November 30 incident at a homeless shelter where Glynn was staying, he allegedly threatened another man with a screwdriver.

He was quoted as telling the alleged victim: I will stab you.

Glynn's court date in the menacing case was scheduled for March 1.

Glynn's rap sheet begins in 2017, where he was charged with criminal mischief for breaking the screen of a slot machine at the Resort World Casino in Queens.

He was then arrested for threatening a 45-year-old woman with a knife in Brooklyn in 2018. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and menacing.

In 2020, Glynn was arrested after assaulting a man in Midtown Manhattan.

He allegedly knocked a man down and continued to beat on him, bruising the victim's eye and knocking a tooth out. The victim was taken to the nearby Bellevue Hospital.

When police arrested Glynn, they found a knife on him and charged him with criminal possession of a weapon.

The 2020 charge was deemed a felony offense since it was the second time he was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

The highly-publicized killing of an innocent teen working the late shift to save up for a car even brought Mayor Eric Adams to the media-packed stationhouse, where he quickly convicted the suspect.

'I don't come to press conferences of arrests, but this one was so personal,' said the new mayor, who has vowed to crack down on the lawlessness left behind by the Bill de Blasio administration.

'He murdered that child. He had no regard for the people he assaulted with that gun inside the restaurant.'

During the press conference, police revealed that Glynn allegedly shot Bayron-Nieves as she was crouching by a cash register, which she tried to open in order to comply with his demands for more cash, but could not because she did not have a key.

Glynn was apprehended in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn on Thursday night, after police say they used surveillance video to track his movements from Harlem.

Cops revealed that a pair of white earbuds hanging from the murder suspect's pants helped lead them to the Glynn.

Clothing seen on the suspect at the time of the killing was said to have been spotted on Glynn's social media pages, and witnesses helped confirm his identity, according to police sources.

Police say Glynn had worked at the same Burger King as the victim between April 2020 and December 2020c, more than a year before she was hired. He is pictured above in his work uniform

Cops say the suspect's white earbuds that were seen in surveillance video hanging from his pocket helped lead them to Glynn. The 30-year-old is pictured wearing earbuds on the right

Glynn was booked for the murder on Friday. The homeless man has a rap sheet going back to 2017

He was previously arrested for threatening a 45-year-old woman with a knife in Brooklyn in 2018. Then in 2020, Glynn was arrested after assaulting a man in Midtown Manhattan

Glynn's address is listed as a Days Inn hotel in Queens, which has been used as a homeless shelter.

According to reporting by the New York Post, citing police sources, Glynn is a Jamaican national and is not a US citizen.

During Friday's press conference, police officials said that Glynn had worked at the Burger King on East 116th Street between April 2020 and December 2020. There is nothing to suggest that he knew Bayron-Nieves, who was hired as a cashier at the eatery a year after Glynn quit.

Police recounted how just before 2am on Sunday, Glynn allegedly walked into the fast-food restaurant, wearing a ski mask, an all-black outfit, and carrying a backpack. He had white earbuds hanging out of his pants pocket.

Glynn was led out of the 25th Precinct in Harlem on Friday afternoon following his arrest

Glynn was reportedly caught after police reviewed surveillance video from around the crime scene

Glynn is homeless and has been living in a hotel in Queens that doubles as a shelter

Glynn is pictured grimacing while being ushered into a vehicle on Friday

Detectives have found posts on Glynn's social media pages wearing the same clothes as the masked suspect in the Burger King surveillance video

Glynn was said to have worked at another Burger King eatery. It's unclear if he knew Bayron-Nieves before allegedly killing her

Glynn allegedly pistol-whipped a customer and a manager, knocking out two of her teeth, and then aimed a gun at Bayron-Nieves, demanding cash.

The 19-year-old cashier handed the attacker $100, but he demanded more money. Police said Bayron-Nieves crouched down to try and open a second cash register drawer, but had no key. That is when Glynn fired a single shot and fled, grabbing the injured Burger King manager's phone on his way out.

Bayron-Nieves was pronounced dead at the scene.

'There was no reason to shoot this young woman,' said NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey. 'Money had been handed over. She was killed for no apparent reason.'

Chief of Detectives James Essig said that dozens of police officers canvassed surveillance video from the subway system and spotted a man wearing different clothes than the suspect in the Burger King video, but with the same white earbuds hanging from his pocket.

They eventually tracked down Glynn to an address on Patchen Avenue in Brooklyn and arrested him without incident on Thursday.

Detectives recovered the backpack, earbuds and some distinctive clothing, Essig said. The gun used in the killing has yet to be located.

The chief of detectives added that all evidence indicates that Glynn had pre-planned the armed robbery at his former place of employment.

Bayron-Nieves's family have been notified of Glynn's arrest, which came just hours after a candlelight vigil was held outside the Burger King where the cashier was shot dead.

Billionaire John Catsimatidis, 73, said he was 'emotionally distraught' when he heard about the death of Bayron-Nieves and offered a $10,000 reward for anyone that helps with the 'arrest and conviction of the killer'

'My family is actually excited that they caught [the suspect],' Bayron-Nieves' cousin, Shiming Nieves, said. 'That's not gonna bring her back or anything, but a little bit of relief and little by little we're gonna be picking up the pieces, to get our family strong again.'

A $20,000 reward had been offered for information leading to an arrest, with half of that amount being put up by billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis, the CEO of the grocery store chain Gristedes.

Prior to Thursday's arrest, Catsimatidis, 73, said he was 'emotionally distraught' when he heard about the death of the Burger King worker.

'This young woman lost her life over $100! I choked up,' he told the New York Post on Tuesday.

The radio host and former Republican candidate for mayor posted an ad offering a '$10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of Bayron-Nieves' killer.

The fatal robbery occurred as New York City's crime rate soars after newly-installed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's controversial decision to downgrade burglary, armed robbery and drug dealing from felonies to misdemeanors.

The number of robberies has since increased by 19.4 percent over the course of the last week, as compared to the same time last year.

Former Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said newly-elected Mayor Eric Adams has his hands tied in terms of crime while Bragg's office implements its woke policies.

Adams had promised a return to broken-windows policing after winning on a tough-on-crime approach campaign.

'I don't know how Mr. Adams is going to do that when the DA is effectively handcuffing the police,' he said.

Several of New York City's borough district attorneys also took aim at the soft-on-crime policies laid out this week by Bragg.

Police offered a $10,000 reward to anyone with information

Her family told the Post that Bayron-Nieves had already requested more security and was planning to move to day shifts after fearing for her safety when leaving work.

'She is only 19, and she has more than 50 homeless people sleeping in front of the store,' her mother, Kristie Nieves, 36, said in Spanish through a friend and translator Nathalie Pagan.

Bayron-Nieves had moved to New York from Puerto Rico with her mom and her 14-year-old brother two years ago.

Her mother went on to say she felt particularly torn over her daughter's death after convincing her to continue going to work despite the teen's concerns.

'Kristal said Friday, 'I don't want to go. I'm scared,'' Nieves said.

'I say, 'You have to go and be responsible.' At 10 pm I wake her up to go and tell her, 'You have to go. You have to be responsible. You have to get a better life.''

Pagan added that Kristal's mom 'feels guilty about that. That's what she tells me earlier, that she feels guilty because she wakes her up to go.'

The 19-year-old was shot dead at a Burger King on 116th and Lexington Avenue in East Harlem around 1am on Sunday

The 19-year-old was afraid to be working nights and had asked to be switched over to the day shift, which was supposed to happen next Friday

According to her family, a young man, who stopped by to see her at the restaurant to bring her a flower almost nightly, was there when she was killed.

'He told us he was there until her last breath,' Pagan said.

'He tells us when he went and walk to the place that he always buy her a flower. He went back, and they open the door to this guy that was dressed like them, in all black.'

Bayron-Nieves reportedly mistook the robber for a delivery man before he punched the restaurant manager and then knocking out the young man there to see her.

Pagan said the teen ultimately gave the thief all the money in the register, about $100 in cash.

'So (the young man) says that the guy turns around and he comes back and shot her,' Pagan said.

'That he turn around like he is going to leave, but he comes back and shoots her.'

'She'd done everything that he say,' she said.

'She give him the money and everything. That she didn't even do nothing wrong.'

Sunday's fatal robbery and shooting incident comes as crime continues to surge in NYC with a 19.4 percent increase in robberies reported
Robert F. Kennedy's daughter Kerry said on Friday that she is 'deeply grateful to' California Governor Gavin Newsom for rejecting her father's killer's request to be paroled.

Sirhan Sirhan murdered RFK in 1968 moments after he won the Californian Democratic Primary. He admitted killing him in subsequent interviews, but in the 1990s he started to change his story to say that he couldn't remember what he'd done.

The California Parole Board this week recommended that he should be considered for parole, and one of RFK's sons, Robert Kennedy Jr., supported the recommendation.

Governor Newsom overruled, saying he shouldn't be allowed out and that he has never shown remorse.

In an interview with Good Morning America on Friday, Kerry Kennedy, another of RFK's 11 children, said she and most of her siblings were grateful for the decision.

'I am deeply grateful to the governor for that decision.

Scroll down for video

Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, said on Friday she was grateful that Governor Gavin Newsom rejected Sirhan Sirhan's attempt at parole

This is a man who has shown no remorse, who has shown no ability to take responsibility for his crime and he is a current danger to the people of California and to our country.  RFK's daughter, Kerry Kennedy, on ruling to keep Sirhan Sirhan in prison. https://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/aidwS6e5rk  Good Morning America (@GMA) January 14, 2022

Sirhan was arrested and found guilty of assassinating New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. The assassin maintains that he does not remember the event of the deadly night

Sen. Robert Kennedy and Ambassador Hotel employee Juan Romero pictured moments after RFK was shot by Sirhan Sirhan on June 5, 1968

Sirhan stepped towards RFK with a rolled up campaign poster, hiding his .22 revolver shooting him in the head from only a foot away

'This is a man who has shown no remorse, who has shown no ability to take responsibility for his crime and he is a current danger to the people of California and to our country.

Newsom wrote an op-ed for The Los Angeles Times yesterday to explain his decision.

'Kennedys assassination not only changed the course of this nation and robbed the world of a promising young leader, it also left his 11 children without a father and his wife without a husband.

'Kennedys family bears his loss every day. Millions of Americans lost a unifier in a time of national turmoil and grief, just nine weeks after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and four-and-a-half years after the murder of Kennedys brother, President John F. Kennedy,' he said.

Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release 'because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century,' she said. 'Since the mid-1980s Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public.'

In this image provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Sirhan Sirhan arrives for a parole hearing Friday, Aug. 27, 2021

He should NOT be paroled': RFK's widow Ethel Kennedy, 93, joins 6 of her nine surviving kids opposing Sirhan Sirhan's parole in opposition to sons

Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert Kennedy who was assassinated during his 1968 presidential campaign, wrote a letter to the parole board pleading with them to not release Sirhan Sirhan

AGAINST: The statement posted Friday was signed by six of Robert Kennedy's nine surviving children announced that they were 'devastated' by the San Diego panel's ruling. L-R Joseph P. Kennedy II, Maxwell Kennedy and Rory Kennedy

AGAINST: The siblings will continue to fight to keep Sirhan behind bars for their father's murder. L-R Courtney Kennedy Hill, Kerry Kennedy and Christopher Kennedy

During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy 'the hope of the world.' But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesnt recall because he was drunk.

Sirhan was arrested and found guilty of assassinating New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. The assassin maintains that he does not remember the event of the deadly night

'It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did in fact do that,' Sirhan said.

The parole panels recommendation in August to release Sirhan divided the iconic Kennedy family.

Most notably, six of RFK's nine surviving children signed a letter publicly pleading with the Parole Board and Newsom not to grant Sirhan's parole.

'As children of Robert F. Kennedy, we are devastated that the man who murdered our father has been recommended for parole' the letter began.

'We adamantly oppose the parole and release of Sirhan Sirhan and are shocked by a ruling that we believe ignores the standards for parole of a confessed, first-degree murderer in the state of California.' The siblings directly called on Newsom to reject the parole and insisted that they 'intend to challenge' Sirhan's release 'every step of the way.'

It was signed by Joseph P. Kennedy II, Courtney Kennedy Hill, Kerry Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Maxwell T. Kennedy and Rory Kennedy who write that the decision has 'inflicted enormous additional pain.'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had cited RFK has a personal hero, denied Sirhan's chances at parole, calling the convicted killer a threat to public safety

The panels decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016 - the 15th time hed lost his bid for release.

Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didnt object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascons policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.

The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsoms late father.

Newsom has previously reflected on the gravity of having Sirhans fate in his hands, saying it was an emotional issue that echoed back to the turbulent 60s and reopened memories many want to forget.

Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972.

He now has a heart condition and has survived prostate cancer, Valley fever and having his throat slashed by another prisoner in 2019, said his attorney, Angela Berry.

Munir Sirhan has said his older brother can live with him, if he is freed and not deported to Jordan. Sirhan Sirhan waived his right to fight deportation.
A Texas judge ruled yesterday there was no probable cause to charge a mother accused of sticking her 13-year-old son in the trunk of her car to avoid being exposed to Covid-19 on their trip to a drive-thru testing site.

Sarah Beam, a 41-year-old teacher from the Cypress-Fairbanks area near Houston, allegedly put the boy in the trunk before she drove to the testing site at Ken Pridgeon Stadium to get a confirmatory test when he returned a positive result on January 3.

Cypress Fairbanks ISD Police Department (Cy-Fair ISD PD) issued a warrant for her arrest on Friday and later charged her with child endangerment.

Texas Judge Chris Morton ruled yesterday that she had not put her son in 'imminent danger of bodily harm', her lawyer Nathaniel Pitoniak told KHOU outside court.

But he said the state could to continue to investigate Beam, a school teacher in Cy-Fair Independent School District.

Harris County Police Department said it respected Judge Morton's ruling and would continue to review the evidence with the possibility of taking the case to a grand jury to find an appropriate charge to bring against Beam.

Mugshot: Teacher Sarah Beam, 41, of Harris County, was charged for child endangerment last week after her COVID-19 positive teen son was found in the trunk of her car at a Houston-area testing site. A judge ruled on Thursday there was no probable cause to charge her

A judge found no probable cause to charge Sarah Beam, 41, of Harris County, Texas, with child endangerment after her son, 13, was found in her trunk when she arrived at a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site at Ken Pridgeon stadium

Health Services Director Bevin Gordon heard noises in the back of the trunk when she arrived at the stadium (not pictured) and found the child laying in the trunk. Gordon ordered the child to be placed safely in the backseat before he would test them

Police said Beam pulled up to the giant tent set up on Falcon Road when Bevin Gordon, the health services director at the site, heard a noise inside her trunk on January 3.

Beam told Gordon that her son had tested positive for the virus and had to be quarantined, according to the court affidavit. She told Gordon she placed in him the trunk to protect herself from the virus and wanted to get him an additional test.

When she popped the trunk, Gordon found the boy laying down inside the vehicle and told Beam she could not receive a Covid-19 test until the boy was seated safely in the backseat.

Surveillance footage obtained by Cy-Fair ISD PD reportedly showed the 13-year-old exiting the trunk and climbing into the back seat.

The teen was not harmed during the incident, Cy-Fair ISD spokeswoman Leslie Francis said in a statement. Beam recently worked as a teacher in the district but is currently on administrative leave, Francis said.

Following the ruling yesterday, Harris County District Attorney spokesperson Dan Schiller said: 'We will review all the evidence gathered by police and make a determination on how to proceed, including the possibility of presenting this case to a grand jury so that representatives of the people of Harris County can decide whether a criminal charge is appropriate,

'We respect the judge's ruling and we will continue with our work.'

Harris County currently has 100,000 Covid-19 cases with a seven-day average of 10,000. Texas has had almost a 400 percent increase in cases in the last two weeks.

The county, which encompasses Houston, currently has 57 per cent of its citizens fully vaccinated.

Police did not say whether the mom or her unidentified son were vaccinated.
The son of one of the Windrush generation today lost a High Court fight with Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Damian Gabrielle, 39, moved from St Lucia to Britain at the age of 18 and lives in Catford, south-east London. He wanted to challenge a Home Office decision to 'refuse to regularise' his immigration status.

However, a judge today did not give him the go-ahead to mount a judicial review. The judge, Mrs Justice Ellenbogen, based in London, concluded that Mr Gabrielle does not have an arguable case.

Arguments were considered by the judge from lawyers representing Mr Gabrielle and Ms Patel at an online hearing earlier this week. Mr Gabrielle's lawyers said his father Alexander Prospere, arrived in the UK from St Lucia in 1961, at the age of 19.

The judge was told by Barrister Grace Brown, who led Mr Gabrielle's legal team, that the Government's Windrush Scheme said a child of a Commonwealth citizen parent who arrived in the UK before the age of 18 could qualify for leave to remain.

And the barrister said the position of adult children is a matter of 'public importance' which should be the subject of a judicial review.

She said Mr Prospere was a 'Windrush' victim and said he was unable to support his son's bid to enter the UK before Mr Gabrielle turned 18 because he was not confirmed as a British citizen until 2019.

Ms Brown argued that Mr Gabrielle and Mr Prospere are victims of injustice.

But Mrs Justice Ellenbogen disagreed and said children under 18 are dependent on their parents. And she said it is not arguable that adult children are in an 'analogous position.'

Ms Patel's lawyers argued that adult children of the Windrush generation are in the same position as any other person, living in any country, who want to live in Britain and the judge agreed with them.

A judge today refused to give Damian Gabrielle the go-ahead to mount a judicial review. The judge, Mrs Justice Ellenbogen, based in London, concluded that Mr Gabrielle does not have an arguable case. Pictured: Jamaican immigrants arriving at Tilbury Docks in the 1940s

Mr Gabrielle said: 'I am absolutely devastated by today's decision.

'Most of my adult life has been in limbo as I've tried my best to build a future for myself here against this uncertain backdrop.'

He added: 'For me, the UK is my home.'

Mrs Justice Ellenbogen rejected three other judicial review applications by adult children of those who were part of the Windrush generation.

They had not argued that parents were unable to support their bids because of difficulties confirming immigration status.

Ms Patel's (pictured) lawyers argued that adult children of the Windrush generation are in the same position as any other person, living in any country, who want to live in Britain and the judge agreed with them

Karen Doyle, a campaigner with Movement For Justice, told the Guardian that Friday's ruling was further evidence of the Government's failure to protect the Windrush generation and their families.

She said: 'The damage done to the Windrush generation was not just to the individuals. It was damage done to whole families separated across borders.

'Families who came to rebuild Britain and were subject to brutal discrimination and racism.

'Many had to leave children behind they would otherwise have brought.

'Reuniting and offering security to those families now in the wake of the Windrush scandal would have been putting the government's apologies into action.

'Yet this government continues to fail the Windrush generation and their families at every stage.

'We are deeply disappointed in this decision but will continue to fight for the recognition and status of Windrush descendants.'

After the ruling, a solicitor representing Mr Gabrielle said that there are 'countless others.'

But others commenting online praised the judge's ruling and declared the result a victory for common sense.

One person remarked: 'Shocked to see a common sense result for a change.'

Neil Eastell wrote: 'Oh my God, is this a first? A court/judge finds in favour of the Government/Home Office. Common sense!?'

Andrew Smith added: 'Had to read it twice, a court doing its job in accordance with the real law. Well I never.'

Others commenting online praised the judge's ruling and declared the result a victory for common sense

Mrs Justice Ellenbogen rejected three other judicial review applications by adult children of those who were part of the Windrush generation. Pictured: The High Court

Richard Arthur, from Thompsons Solicitors, said: 'The decision today backs the petty bureaucratic view of the Home Office and flies in the face of the stated aims of the Windrush Scheme - to right the wrongs of the past.

'The two Windrush Schemes - for regularisation of immigration status and compensation - have rightly faced heavy criticism.

'These schemes were supposed to 'right the wrongs' inflicted on the Windrush generation, including redress for their family members.

'Instead, they are virtually impossible to access, with rigid and arbitrary rules, and perpetuate the very discrimination they were supposed to provide redress for.

'We are extremely disappointed that the hopes of Damian Gabrielle - and countless others like him - have been dashed by this decision.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We're pleased the court found in the department's favour.

'The Windrush scheme was designed to recognise the existing status and connection to the UK of members of the Windrush generation and their eligible children.

'The home secretary and the department remain steadfast in our commitment to members of the Windrush generation.'
An alleged intruder accused of murdering two pensioners in separate robberies posed as a gas man prior to one of the raids, a jury today heard.

Prosecutors today told a jury they believe Amos Wilsher, 28, disguised himself as a gas worker in order to remove a padlock from 88-year-old Josephine Kaye's home.

He then allegedly forced entry to her home while posing as a police officer and ripped a 'life line' alarm from her wrist, before breaking her leg and stealing 900 from her purse, and a safe containing 20,000.

At the time she was attacked, Mrs Kaye was suffering with a hiatus hernia and had arthritis of the spine.

The widow died in hospital in 2020, three weeks after the robbery at her home in Park Hall, Stoke-on-Trent. Wilsher is accused of her murder.

He is also alleged to have been one of a three-strong gang - including his younger brother, Jason - who killed 87-year-old widower Arthur Gumbley in a raid on his home in Little Aston, Staffordshire, in 2017.

Amos Wilsher denies two counts of murder, while Jason Wilsher, 22, has pleaded not guilty to Mr Gumbley's murder.

Both defendants, described in court as being members of a large family from the Traveller community with links to Derbyshire and Leicestershire, also deny charges of conspiracy to rob and wounding with intent relating to the knifepoint robbery of a third pensioner at his home.

Prosecutors today told jury members they believe Amos Wilsher, 28, disguised himself as a gas worker in order to remove a padlock from 88-year-old Josephine Kaye's home. Wilsher is also alleged to have been one of a three-strong gang who killed 87-year-old widower Arthur Gumbley in a raid on his home in Little Aston, Staffordshire, in 2017

Mr Gumbley (pictured in hospital left and right) was taken to hospital where he was treated for his injuries but he died on December 12, 2017

Continuing the Crown's opening speech at Coventry Crown Court on Friday, prospectus told the jury how DNA evidence was found on a screwdriver, a hat, a security light and a soap tin, as well as a fingerprint on the side of a car.

They told jury members this all linked Amos Wilsher to the robbery which led to Ms Kaye's death.

Prosecution QC Simon Denison said Mrs Kaye, who was just 4ft 8in, was born and raised in Dublin, where she married and had her first daughter.

Having worked as a clerk in the Rowntree factory in Dublin, she moved to Stoke-on-Trent in 1955 when her husband was offered a job there.

Taking jurors through details of the robbery at her home on February 27 2020, Mr Denison said she lived alone after the death of her husband in the mid-1980s.

Mr Denison told the jury: 'Mrs Kaye was brutally attacked and robbed in her own home by a lone male. At that time a gas company were carrying out repairs in Harington Drive.

'Earlier on February 27, she thought about one o'clock, Mrs Kaye said that someone she thought was one of the gas men had been to tell her that the gas would be going off, and she said that man had taken the padlock for her gate.

'The gas never did go off that afternoon, and we suggest that that man was the same man who later that evening returned to Mrs Kaye's home and attacked and robbed her, having enabled himself to do so by removing the padlock.'

Prosecutors allege Wilsher went back to the property at about 6.30pm, ringing the doorbell after interfering with a security light so he would be in darkness.

Mr Denison went on: 'When she did open the door he claimed to be a police officer. He forced her back into her home.

'He ripped the lifeline pendant from her wrist. He demanded to know where the money was, and he threatened her with a long screwdriver.

'He repeatedly threw her to the floor, picked her up and threw her down again as he dragged her through her house. He took about 900 that he found in her purse.'

Jurors were told a safe containing 20,000 was taken by the masked intruder, who Mrs Kaye told police was wearing a bobble-type hat with a badge, a dark hooded jacket and red gloves.

Mr Denison said: 'Following that attack, Mrs Kaye was admitted to the Royal University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent.

'Unsurprisingly because of her age, she suffered from a number of pre-existing medical conditions. Her age and her frailty made her extremely vulnerable to the effects of a broken femur and to the consequences of the immobility that the injuries inflicted on her caused.

It is alleged that the robbers ransacked Arthur Gumbley's (pictured with his late wife) house and took money, items of jewellery that had belonged to his late wife, and a number of antique items

Continuing the Crown's opening speech at Coventry Crown Court (pictured) on Friday, prospectus told the jury how DNA evidence was found on a screwdriver, a hat, a security light and a soap tin, as well as a fingerprint on the side of a car

'She was never well enough to have the operation on her broken leg that she needed, and on March 17 2020 at just after midday, she died.

'Her death was caused by the broken leg and the other injuries that had been inflicted on her.'

The jury were then taken through forensic evidence which is said to prove Amos Wilsher's guilt for the murder of Mrs Kaye, including swabs taken from the security light, a soap tin, a fingerprint found on a Honda Civic car, and a DNA sample from black woollen hat found inside the vehicle.

Mr Denison said a complete DNA profile obtained from the inside of the hat matched Amos Wilsher and it was estimated to be 'at least a billion times more likely' that the DNA originated from him rather than another individual unrelated to him.

Jurors were also shown CCTV images of the Honda driving into and away from a B&Q store in Meir Park, Stoke-on-Trent, six days before Mrs Kaye was attacked.

Mr Denison told the jury: 'That camera captured the grey Honda Civic, we suggest only occupied by its driver, pull into the car park.

'The two items he bought were a long screwdriver and a pair of red gloves.'

The trial continues.
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Daily UK Covid cases dropped below 100,000 for the first time in weeks today as infections fell for the ninth day in a row  but SAGE modellers are already warning of an 'exit wave' this summer.

Another 99,652 positive tests were logged in the last 24 hours, according to Government dashboard data, marking a 44 per cent fall on the figure last week. Covid cases are now falling in every region of England and all four home nations in another sign that the Omicron wave is on its way out.

Daily hospitalisations have also remained flat with 2,423 new admissions on January 10, the latest date with data, down by less than a per cent on the previous week.

Sources say ministers intend to scrap Covid passports and widespread WFH guidance in England when Plan B restrictions are reviewed at the end of the month, with the promising numbers making the curbs 'hard to justify'.

However, deaths  which are the biggest lagging indicator  are creeping up. Another 270 were registered today in a 17 per cent rise compared to last Friday. But rising immunity means there are five times fewer fatalities now compared to the second wave last January, helped by the intrinsically milder Omicron variant.

Despite the encouraging data, official modelling made public today has warned there may be a massive rebound in Covid cases and hospitalisations this summer.

In a research paper submitted to No10's scientific advisory group (SAGE) last week, the team at Warwick University projected up to 10,000 daily admissions in an absolute worst-case scenario.

The modellers admit that they cannot predict the summer wave 'with any certainty', but they are confident there will be a resurgence between May and July 'due to increased mixing and waning vaccine immunity'.

They add: 'Precise timing and magnitude of this exit wave is highly dependent on both population behaviour and the scale of the current wave and cannot be predicted with any certainty.'

Government modelling has been criticised throughout the pandemic but there has been intensified scrutiny this winter after several gloomy Omicron projections.

The UK Health Security Agency was censured by the country's statistics watchdog over a model which had up to a million Britons catching Omicron per day at the peak. Another model, by Professor Lockdown Neil Ferguson, suggested there could be 5,000 deaths from Omicron per day without tougher lockdown curbs.

Another 99,652 Britons tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours, according to Government dashboard data, marking a 44 per cent fall on the figure last week

Daily hospital admissions have also remained flat with 2,423 new admissions on January 10, the latest date with data, which was down by less than a per cent on the previous week

Daily Covid deaths  which are a lagging indicator  have been creeping up for several weeks.Another 270 were registered today in a 17 per cent weekly rise

Despite the encouraging statistics, official modelling has warned there could be a huge rebound in Covid cases and hospitalisations this summer. The modellers admit that they cannot predict the summer wave 'with any certainty' but they are certain there will be a fresh wave between May and July 'due to increased mixing and waning vaccine immunity'

 Slide me  UK Health Security Agency figures showed Covid cases were falling in 87 per cent of England's areas last week, or 129 out of 149 local authorities. For comparison, in the previous seven-day spell (left) cases were only falling in 15 council areas

The latest model by Warwick was submitted to SAGE on January 6 but only made public today as part of the advisory group's weekly batch of evidence.

Warwick makes clear that its scenarios are not predictions and the wide confidence intervals highlight the uncertainty about how the outbreak will transpire.

The team modelled different rates of social mixing, waning immunity, severity of disease and the generation time of the virus - how long it takes a newly infected Covid case to infect someone else.

It found there could be anywhere between 1,000 and 10,000 daily hospitalisations, according to the upper end of some confidence intervals.

Meanwhile, data from the Government's shows that, in England, daily infections have dropped nationwide week-on-week for the last seven days.

Infections were only rising in the North East, but latest Government figures show they are now mirroring the rest of the country.

Fascinating maps show how the virus is burning itself out nationally, with cases falling in roughly 87 per cent of local authorities in the last week.

The North East had become an Omicron hotspot in recent weeks after the outbreak migrated north, and it is home to seven of the 10 local authorities with the biggest outbreaks.

One in 40 people (2.6 per cent) living in the region tested positive in the most recent week, higher than any other point in the pandemic.

England is now preparing to ease the restrictions that were brought in to fight Omicron, according to reports.

A record 3.7million people were infected with Covid on any day last week in England  but cases were slowing nationally, the country's gold-standard Office for National Statistics' surveillance study has found

Areas in the North West, North East and Yorkshire were hit hardest by the new variant last week as it began to burn itself out in London and the south

The percentage of people who were carrying Covid in the UK home nations in the week to January 6

NORTH EAST: Pictured above is the Covid infection rate in the North East, showing its cases have started to peak

NORTH EAST: The above shows the number of patients being admitted to hospital with Covid every day. In the region it is now at about the same level as it was last winter

NORTH EAST: The above shows the number of Covid patients in hospital beds in the region. There are early signs this may be plateauing at a lower level than the previous winter

NORTH EAST: And above is the number of patients with Covid on mechanical ventilator beds. This has not risen in a sign Omicron is milder than its predecessors

The Health Secretary is said to have told MPs yesterday that vaccine passports could be scrapped by the end of this month, and ministers are considering ditching work from home guidance. Both are set to be reviewed on January 26.

Self-isolation will be cut to five days on Monday for vaccinated people who test positive, with Sajid Javid saying the move will make the UK the 'freest in Europe'.

Record 4.3MILLION Brits had Covid last week, ONS surveillance shows A record 4.3million Britons were thought to have been carrying Covid last week. Latest Office for National Statistics surveillance shows that areas in the North West, North East and Yorkshire were hit hardest by the new variant as it began to burn itself out in London and the south. More than 10 per cent of people tested positive in the seven days to January 6 in the worst-affected places, including Bury, the Wirral, West Lancashire, Burnley, Rochdale and Solihull. An interactive map was published as part of the weekly report, which found infections hit new highs in all four home nations. One in 15 people were estimated to have been infectious on any given day last week in England, while the rate was one in 20 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Even though infections continued to grow in the most recent week, the 14 per cent rise is the smallest increase since Omicron became dominant at the start of December. The slowing down in infections is in line with a growing body of evidence showing the Omicron wave is subsiding. More up-to-date Government dashboard data shows that cases are now falling in every country in the UK and every region of England. Daily admissions also appear to have plateaued across Britain. Advertisement

UK Health Security Agency scientists calculate the infection rate across England's regions using the number of positive swabs recorded over the previous seven days.

Its latest figures, up to January 8, show that cases are now falling in all region's day-on-day, and in five of them  the East Midlands, East of England, London, North West and South East  they are falling week-on-week.

The North East (2,572.4) is still the country's Covid hotspot, recording the most cases per 100,000 people, but they are now starting to point downwards.

The second-highest infection rate was in the North West (2,132.6), followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (1,977.5) and the West Midlands (1,785.6).

At the other end of the scale was the South West (1,270.2), the South East (1,374.1) and the East of England (1,460.7). London had the sixth highest infection rate (1,526.5).

In a sign the North East's drop is genuine and not down to a change in testing its PCR positivity rate  the proportion of swabs that detect the virus  has also started to fall.

Infection statistics relate to the period before testing rules were changed so that Britons who test positive using a lateral flow no longer need to get a confirmatory PCR. But the figures were already dropping before then.

Fewer Covid tests were also carried out over the festive period, skewing official numbers slightly.

But swabbing rates have now picked up to levels seen before Christmas, giving some of the country's leading experts confidence that the fall in cases is genuine.

Hospitalisations across the North East are yet to drop having reached 390 admissions a day, nearing last winter's peak of 430.

But the number of Covid patients in hospital has flattened out in recent days at 3,000 which is around four-fifths of the previous peak, while the numbers on mechanical ventilator beds have barely risen.

The UK Health Security Agency's weekly estimate of the R rate today was between 1.1 and 1.5, meaning it has fallen slightly. Last week health chiefs argued that it was at least 1.2.

But in London the reproduction rate could be as low as 0.7, the team concluded.

If the figure is below one, it means infections are shrinking. The R number reflects the average amount of people every infected patient passes the virus on to.

The R rate is, however, a lagging indicator and does not reflect the situation currently. Instead, it paints a clearer picture on how quickly the virus was spreading three weeks ago.

Ministers once put the R rate at the heart of their Covid battle plan. But it is now less crucial because experts care more about hospitalisation and death rates, given the country's massively successful vaccination roll-out.

At a meeting with Tory MPs yesterday, Mr Javid hailed the 'encouraging signs' but warned that hospitals remained under 'significant pressure', The Times reports.

Currently, people in England need to show proof of vaccination or a negative lateral flow to enter large events and nightclubs.

A Whitehall source told the paper: 'There was always a very high threshold for the policy and it looks increasingly likely in a couple of weeks that threshold won't be met. The way cases are going it will be hard to justify renewing.'

The UK Government faced its biggest Tory revolt since the start of the pandemic over the introduction of Plan B measures last month, with more than 100 Conservatives voting against them.

The PM's chief Brexit negotiator Lord Frost dramatically resigned in protest over the rollout of the curbs. Yesterday he slammed the 'Covid theatre' of masks and passes, and called lockdown a 'serious mistake'.

The Times reports that it is unlikely that Covid passes will be renewed if the Department of Health argues that it is no longer needed.

Alicia Kearns, the MP for Rutland and Melton, yesterday pressed the Health Secretary to commit 'to dropping domestic certification at the earliest possible opportunity'.

He replied: 'I assure her and the House that as far as I am concerned we will not be keeping domestic certification in place a moment longer than absolutely necessary.'

Former cabinet minister Greg Clark called on Mr Javid to lift the curbs later this month, saying they 'have an impact beyond Covid as we know'.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Javid cut the number of days people have to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid in England to five.

The Health Secretary told MPs that UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed 'that around two-thirds of positive cases are no longer infectious by the end of day five'.

He added: 'After reviewing all of the evidence, we've made the decision to reduce the minimum self-isolation period to five full days in England. From Monday, people can test twice before they go  leaving isolation at the start of day six.

'These two tests are critical to these balanced and proportionate plans, and I'd urge everyone to take advantage of the capacity we have built up in tests so we can restore the freedoms to this country while we're keeping everyone safe.'

It comes after the UK Health Security Agency's weekly report yesterday revealed that Covid cases fell in 87 per cent of England's areas last week, or 129 out of 149 local authorities.

For comparison, it was only dropping in 18 council areas in the previous seven-day spell.

Its figures  based on national testing data  also revealed cases dropped in all age groups except the under-20s, and across all regions except the North East.
North Korea fires two-short range ballistic missiles on Friday, the third launching this month, in retaliation for the new sanctions imposed by the United States for Pyongyang's continued weapons tests.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea reported that they fired the missiles from an interior location in western North Pyongan province.

The launch was also detected by Japan's Prime Minister's Office and Defense Ministry. They instructed the Japanese coast guard to warn ships within the country on falling debris.

North Korea had issued a statement criticizing the Biden administration for imposing additional sanctions in response to its earlier missile launches. Pyongyang warned Washington that more concrete action would occur if the US continued to take a "confrontational stance," as per the Associated Press.

In response to the North's missile launch earlier this week, five North Koreans were sanctioned for their roles in obtaining equipment and technology to develop North Korea's high-tech missiles that can overcome defense systems.

Read Also: North Korea Launches 2nd Possible Ballistic Missile In 6 Days Amid International Objection

North Korea Provoking the US?

Leif-Eric Easley, an associate professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul, said Pyongyang was following a familiar playbook attempting to "lay a trap" for US President Biden's administration.

Easly said that North Korea is responding to the pressure from the US by conducting additional provocations in "an effort to extort concessions." He also suggested that Pyongyang's threats should not be rewarded with international recognition or sanctions relief. Instead, once North Korea has engaged diplomatically again, it should be offered humanitarian aid, as per Al Jazeera.

Denuclearisation negotiations with Pyongyang have been stalled since the collapse of the 2019 Hanoi summit between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and then-US President Donald Trump.

Last week, the UN Security Council conducted a closed-door meeting on Pyongyang's missile launch. Before the discussions, the US and its allies blasted the weapons test and urged the North Korean government to end its development of a sophisticated arsenal.

In a press release issued by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, an unidentified Foreign Ministry representative justified Pyongyang's launches of purported hypersonic missiles as a legitimate act of self-defense, as per News Public Radio.

The North Korean spokesperson accused the US of adopting a "gangster-like" behavior, claiming that the missile launch is part of Pyongyang's upgrade program. The official also noted that the country does not target any single country or threaten its neighbors' security.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes North Korea is attempting to get attention and calls recent missile tests "profoundly destabilizing." He added that the US was profoundly engaged with allies at the UN to address the issue.

"We are very focused with allies and partners in making sure that they and we are properly defended and that there are repercussions, consequences for these actions by North Korea, " Blinken said.

On Tuesday, the United States Indo-Pacific Command emphasized its "ironclad" commitment to defend its allies Japan and South Korea.

Related Article: Japan, South Korea Criticize North's Latest Hypersonic Ballistic Missile Launch That Successfully Hits Target

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Footage has emerged of a furious woman shredding through stacks of wedding dresses with a pair of scissors after a bridal salon refused to return her deposit following a cancelled order.

The bridezilla, whose name is Jiang, was filmed ripping through the wedding dresses at a bridal salon in the southwestern city of Chongqing in China on January 9.

The incident in the city's Jiangjin district came after the salon informed the customer it would not return a deposit of 400 she had agreed to as part of a wedding package worth 915 last year.

A video clip, originally broadcast by CQTV News but circulated on Chinese social media network Weibo and Twitter, showed the masked customer clad in a snow leopard-print jacket furiously hacking at a rack full of white dresses before taking her scissors to gowns.

'Think clearly. These dresses cost several thousands of yuan!' the person filming exclaims.

'Thousands? Even if it's several ten-thousands, that's fine,' the woman replies nonchalantly as she continues to snip away at the wedding dresses before moving onto red silk gowns.

Having already destroyed dozens of garments, the raging customer turns to a lavish red-and-gold traditional Chinese wedding gown, worth in excess of 1,000, and viciously tears through its sleeve before the video cuts out.

The bridezilla was filmed ripping through the wedding dresses at a bridal salon in the southwestern city of Chongqing in China on January 9

She had already sliced through a series of white wedding dresses and silk robes, before encountering the red-and-gold wedding gown which adorned a mannequin

The woman had previously purchased the wedding package in April 2021 for her wedding scheduled for October 5, but in August asked to postpone it before cancelling it altogether in November.

She subsequently demanded a full refund including her deposit, according to Chinese media outlet Sohu.

A total of 32 wedding dresses and bridal gowns were reportedly destroyed by the incensed customer worth in excess of 8,000, and the video has gone viral on Chinese social network Weibo.

The bridal salon's manager told Sohu that the store maintains a policy of not refunding advanced payments, but said it offered to help the woman cater for a child's birthday celebration as she was allegedly expecting a baby.

It is unclear whether the individual filming the incident was a bystander, shop assistant or acquaintance of the irate customer, but the person can be heard trying to reason with the out of control woman.

A total of 32 wedding dresses and bridal gowns were reportedly destroyed by the incensed customer worth in excess of 8,000, and the video has gone viral on Chinese social network Weibo

She had already sliced through a series of white wedding dresses and silk robes, before encountering the red-and-gold wedding gown which adorned a mannequin.

'This one? That's worth several tens of thousands,' the person filming warns.

The woman bit back, claiming that she would pay 100,000 yuan if she had to - equivalent to around 11,000.

Police later arrived at the store and detained the woman, who has since apologised, while the store manager said her husband offered to pay compensation - although not enough to cover all the damage.
An inquest into the 1974 Guildford pub bombings which killed four soldiers and a civilian will sit without a jury, a pre-inquest review has heard.

Soldiers Caroline Slater, 18, William Forsyth, 18, John Hunter, 17, and Ann Hamilton, 19, and civilian Paul Craig, 22, died in the blast - carried out by the IRA at the height of the Troubles - at the Horse and Groom pub popular with troops on October 5 that year.

Original inquest proceedings were suspended when the so-called Guildford Four - Gerry Conlon, Paul Hill, Paddy Armstrong and Carole Richardson - were convicted over the bombings in 1975.

They were handed life sentences, but had their convictions overturned in 1989, and their case became one of the best-known miscarriages of justice in British legal history.

An inquest into the 1974 Guildford pub bombings which killed four soldiers and a civilian will sit without a jury, a pre-inquest review has heard. Original inquest proceedings were suspended when the so-called Guildford Four - Gerry Conlon (above, in 2005), Paul Hill, Paddy Armstrong and Carole Richardson - were convicted over the bombings in 1975

Left to right, soldiers Caroline Slater, 18, Ann Hamilton, 19, William Forsyth, 18, John Hunter, 17, and civilian Paul Craig, 22, died in the blast - carried out by the IRA at the height of the Troubles - at the Horse and Groom pub popular with troops on October 5 in 1974

Above, the aftermath of the explosion at the Horse and Groom, which was targeted along with the Seven Stars. A further 65 people were injured

Surrey Coroner Richard Travers agreed in January 2019 that an inquest was necessary following a campaign from the families of victims, survivors, and those wrongfully imprisoned to complete the hearings.

Today, he told the hearing at Surrey Coroner's Court that he could see no good reason to empanel a jury.

Mr Travers said a coroner alone can give a detailed explanation of their conclusions while a jury cannot.

He referred to a short submission from KRW Law on behalf of the family of victim Ann Hamilton requesting a jury.

He said: 'It is purely down to my discretion. The reason I am referring to KRW is they don't give a specific reason for me to sit with a jury.'

While KRW had made a small submission in the lead-up to the hearing, it was not present at the inquest after the families' request for legal aid was refused.

Gerry Conlon - along with the other members of the Guildford Four - (l to r) Carole Richardson, Paddy Armstrong and Paul Hill - served 14 years of a life sentence after they were wrongly convicted of the pub bombings

Mr Conlon - seen above outside the Old Bailey with his sisters after he was freed in 1989 - is the best known of the Guildford Four. He died in June 2014 aged 60 after a long illness

Ahead of the hearing, Ann's sister Cassandra Hamilton called for the immediate implementation of the Hillsborough Law to provide legal aid for victims' families at inquests.

Speaking to the BBC, she said: 'We cannot effectively participate at the inquest into the murder of our sister Ann without independent legal representation - and on the same terms as the MoD and the police.

'The coroner and Surrey Police recognise this - why not the Legal Aid Agency?'

Another opportunity for the families to receive legal funding was also side-lined on Friday after the coroner told the inquest he sees no reason for the inquest to be held as an Article 2 inquest.

Article 2 inquests, also known as Middleton inquests, are held when the state fails to protect individuals from a 'real and immediate' threat to their lives.

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 only allows legal aid to be granted for inquests with a wider public interest, or for Middleton inquests.

Counsel to the inquest, Oliver Sanders QC, also said he sees no reason for the inquest to be held as a Middleton inquest.

'In our submission, although there was a general risk from the Provisional IRA to members of society and the armed forces, it was not enough to suggest a real and immediate risk,' Mr Sanders said.

'There was no intelligence to suggest that pubs or the armed forces in the area were going to be targeted.'

Mr Conlon, above in 2005. In July 2000, the Prime Minister Tony Blair became the first senior politician to apologise to the Guildford Four

This position was supported by representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Surrey Police, and the Metropolitan Police.

However, the coroner acknowledged care must be taken as the victims' families are not represented at the inquest.

'It is important that I recognise, and that everyone recognises, that the families are not represented in this inquest,' he said.

He added that he will keep the possibility of making the inquest a Middleton inquest open.

For now it will proceed as a traditional Jamieson inquest. This means the inquest's scope will consider who the deceased were, and when, where and how they came by their deaths.

Ms Hamilton previously asked the inquest to broaden its investigation to include discrepancies in press coverage at the time, the timings of the bombings, barracks security, and the wrongful convictions of innocent people.

KRW Law has been contacted for comment.

Speaking after the pre-inquest review on Friday, former Guildford Four lawyer Alastair Logan called it a 'missed opportunity'.

He added: '(The inquest is) an awful lot of work that does nothing to get to the bottom of how four young people spent 14 years in prison for something they did not do.'

In 1976, IRA members Brendan Dowd and Martin Joseph O'Connell admitted the bombings but were never charged as both men had been imprisoned in the 1970s for other offences and freed during the Northern Ireland peace process.

The next pre-inquest review will be held on March 25.
A Jamaican woman has been sentence to 15 years in prison for using a razor to slash her American husband's wrist in an attempt to kill him after an attorney warned them they would have a 'hard time' getting her a green card.

Olivia Raimo, 30, of Jamaica, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday after accepting a plea agreement for the attempted murder of her husband Richard Raimo, 74, who she married him in 2017 to receive her permanent residence status.

She will also have to serve an additional five years in post-release supervision.

Olivia slit Richard's wrist with a 'straight razors' in the bathroom of their home in New Rochelle, New York, in January 2020 after 'wedging him between the toilet seat and a wall,' the Westchester County District Attorney's Office said.

When his home health aide arrived to the residence, Olivia refused to allow them inside.

Olivia Raimo, 30, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the attempted murder of her husband Richard Raimo, 74, after she pinned him between the toilet and the wall and slit his wrist in their New Rochelle apartment (pictured) in January 2020. They were told they would more than likely fail their marriage test, jeopardizing her chances at US citizenship

The health aide, who did not recognize Olivia, then called the police, who entered the home after hearing the victim 'screaming from the bathroom.'

He was transported to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx and was bleeding profusely from his wrist. Richard underwent two surgeries to 'reattach the tendons in his arms' and he lost 'all function in his hand,' the DA's Office reported.

Olivia, who is not a citizen of the United States, was arrested on February 11, 2020, following a police investigation and it was later discovered she attempted to kill her husband after they were told they would have a 'hard time passing their marriage interview.'

The pair married in 2017 and had met with an attorney to prepare for an interview with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to 'demonstrate that their marriage was legitimate.'

He was taken to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx, where he underwent two surgeries to reattach the tendons to his hand. He lost all function in his hand

Raimo used a straight edge razor to slash her elderly husband's wrist, causing him to lose all function in one of his hands (file photo)

In order to apply for US citizenship through a spouse, applicants have to be living lawfully in the US for three years.

In addition, applicants must be of 'good moral character' and have a basic understanding of English and American government.

Receiving citizenship in the US is a several step process that takes years to complete that includes: fingerprinting, photo identification, interviews, and taking an oath to allegiance to the country.

DailyMail.com has contacted Westchester District Attorney and the Raimo family for further comment.
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said in an interview Thursday that it was a mistake for Twitter to suppress stories about Hunter Biden's laptop.

'I am not for having either the government, or you know, tech companies ultimately being the arbiter of truth,' Khanna said in a Zoom interview with Joe Lonsdale for the American Optimist podcast. 'In the book, I write about how I thought it was a mistake for Twitter to take down some of the stuff about Hunter Biden.'

In October, Twitter locked The New York Post out of its account after the newspaper shared its stories based on files found in a laptop abandoned at a computer store in Delaware by the first son.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said in an interview Thursday that it was a mistake for Twitter to suppress stories about Hunter Biden's laptop. 'I am not for having either the government, or you know, tech companies ultimately being the arbiter of truth,' Khanna said

The New York Post was locked out of its Twitter account after linking to stories produced from contents found on an abandoned laptop that had belonged to President Joe Biden's son Hunter (pictured)

At the time, Twitter said The Post violated the company's policies on sharing 'hacked materials.'

DailyMail.com later independently authenticated material from the laptop.

Twitter demanded that six tweets linking to Post stories be deleted.

The social media company backed down after the Newscorp-owned New York City tabloid refused to remove the offending tweets.

In March, when he testified before Congress, Twitter's then CEO Jack Dorsey said it was a 'total mistake' to prevent users from sharing The Post's Hunter Biden stories.

'It was literally just a process error. This was not against them in any particular way,' Dorsey testified to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

'If we remove a violation we require people to correct it,' he continued.

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, asked Dorsey, 'was anyone held accountable in your censoring department for that mistake?'

'Well, we don't have a censoring department,' Dorsey replied. 'We required them to delete the tweet and then they could tweet it again. They didn't take the action, so we corrected it for them.'

Scalise pointed out that The Washington Post, which is more politically liberal, didn't face the same consequences when a report went out that said former President Donald Trump demanded election officials from Georgia 'find the fraud' in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

The Washington Post had to issue a lengthy correction saying that Trump didn't use that phrasing.

'There are tweets today  that still mischaracterize it even in a way where the Washington Post admitted its wrong, yet those mischaracterizations can still be retweeted,' Scalise said. 'Will you address that and start taking those down to reflect what even the Washington Post themselves has admitted is false information?'

Dorsey said that Twitter's misinformation policies deal with 'manipulated media, public health and civic integrity.'

'Thats it,' he added.

Khanna, a California Democrat who's forthcoming book is entitled Dignity in a Digital Age: Making Tech Work for All of Us, said he believed social media companies should ensure 'we don't have speech that incites violence.'

'But I'm very wary of censorship,' he added.

And while he didn't support Twitter's decision, Khanna didn't care for The Post's Hunter Biden story either.

'I think that story was total hogwash,' the congressman said. 'I think Joe Biden was unfairly attacked because of his son, but that doesn't mean that it didn't belong in the public sphere.'
said Ms Kimber shouldn't be arraigned on offence due to health concerns

Mr Kimber pleaded not guilty to one offence of assisting unlawful immigration

Eight migrants were discovered in the hired motorhome on February 25, 2019

He was with his wife Margaret, 73, when they were stopped by Border Force

James Kimber, 69, has denied trying to smuggle eight Albanians into the UK

A pensioner has denied trying to smuggle eight Albanians into the UK in a hired motorhome.

James Kimber, 69, was with his wife Margaret, 73, when they were stopped by Border Force officials at the Channel Tunnel control zone in Coquelles, France, on February 25, 2019.

Eight migrants were discovered in the hired Fiat Ducato motorhome, with one hiding in the toilet.

The couple, from Feltham, Middlesex, were both arrested and charged.

James Kimber, 69, was with his wife Margaret, 73, (both pictured) when they were stopped by Border Force officials at the Channel Tunnel control zone in Coquelles, France, on February 25, 2019

During a pre-trial review hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, Mr Kimber pleaded not guilty to one offence of assisting unlawful immigration.

But Judge Catherine Moore agreed that Ms Kimber, who sat in the dock with her husband, should not be arraigned on the same offence due to concerns over her health.

The delay means their trial, which was to start in a two-week list commencing January 31, is now not expected to get underway before March.

Judge Moore ordered a further hearing to update the court on Ms Kimber's condition and a medical assessment, to be held on February 11.

Mr Kimber also has a number of health issues, the court was told.

The couple, who were accompanied to the court hearing by their daughter, were released on unconditional bail.

During a pre-trial review hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, Mr Kimber pleaded not guilty to one offence of assisting unlawful immigration. But Judge Catherine Moore agreed that Ms Kimber, who sat in the dock with her husband, should not be arraigned on the same offence due to concerns over her health

In September 2020, a magistrates' court hearing was told Mr Kimber was driving the motorhome, with his wife sitting in the front seat, when they were stopped.

A vehicle inspection led to the discovery of one Albanian male in the toilet and seven more men hiding behind a curtained bunk above the driver and front passenger seats.

At the same hearing, the court was told that the motorhome, which had a central locking system, had been hired three days earlier.

No details of where the couple had been travelling before heading back to the UK have been revealed.
The family of Ashling Murphy comforted each other tonight as they attended a candlelit vigil near the scene where the 23-year-old was murdered.

Ms Murphy was killed on Wednesday afternoon while jogging along the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Offaly.

Her parents, Raymond and Kathleen, her brother Cathal and sister Amy, wept as they linked arms and retraced the primary school teacher's final steps.

They were accompanied by garda liaison officers on the opposite side of the canal to the crime scene.

It comes as a new suspect in the murder case is said to have turned up at a hospital with facial wounds which staff believe were 'inflicted by someone defending themselves'.

Staff at the unnamed hospital in Dublin told police the man arrived at the casualty department on Thursday night with severe facial injuries, the Times reported.

He is alleged to have travelled there from Tullamore. Officers remain at the hospital.

Ashling Murphy's mother, sister, and brother, linked arms and walked along the bank of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Offaly this evening

The family comforted each other tonight as they attended a candlelit vigil near the scene where the 23-year-old was murdered. (Left to right, Ashling's sister Amy, and parents Kathleen and Raymond)

They retraced the primary school teacher's final steps, accompanied by garda liaison officers on the opposite side of the canal to the crime scene

The vigil took place at the entrance to Fiona's Way, where Ashling had been jogging

Ashling Murphy, 23, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Canal

Meanwhile, a 40-year-old man arrested in connection with her murder but released without charge last night was moved to a secret location after he and his family received death threats online.

The man's solicitor Donal Farrelly said he had been moved after details which clearly identified him as the suspect under arrest, including his photo, were posted online.

Mr Farrelly said his client had been subjected to 'extreme vilification' on several social media platforms following his arrest and that he was going through 'an extremely difficult time'.

The man was questioned over two days before his release and last night a garda spokesperson said he had been 'eliminated from Garda inquiries' and was 'longer a suspect.'

But Mr Farrelly said it was 'still difficult to get that message out' to some social media users and that his client would stay in the hotel until he felt safe enough to leave.

Earlier today, a post-mortem examination of a primary school teacher in Ireland has revealed she was strangled to death. Officers believe she put up a brave fight, but added that Ashling may have been stalked prior to her death.

Meanwhile thousands of people, including Taoiseach Micheal Martin, attended a vigil for Murphy at Leinster House in Dublin on Friday afternoon. A group of musicians played in honour of Murphy while others lit candles and held pictures of the 23-year-old.

Memorials were also planned in Tullamore, Limerick, Derry, Dungannon and Belfast on Friday afternoon, with dozens more vigils scheduled across Ireland over the weekend.

Musicians play during a memorial for 23-year-old Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore while out jogging on Wednesday afternoon

People hold up pictures of Ashling Murphy at a vigil in her honor after police identified a second suspect in the investigation into her brutal murder on Wednesday afternoon

Gardai have again appealed for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a 'Falcon Storm mountain bike' with 'straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks' to come forward.

Officers earlier said they believe the killer acted alone and attacked the talented musician while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday.

He fled after two women came across the attack and gardai were quickly on the scene after a call from a member of the public.

Ms Murphy was still alive and they tried to give medical assistance but she could not be saved.

Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice.

Stormont deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said there had been an 'outpouring of grief' following the murder of Ashling Murphy.

Speaking to the media at a vigil in Belfast, Ms O'Neill said: 'At the start of this week I launched a strategy. I called for views in terms of developing a strategy to tackle male violence against women.

'Little did I know on Monday that I'd be standing here only a short number of days later, joining with other women who have gathered here outside Belfast City Hall to show solidarity to the family and all that loved Ashling Murphy.

'A horrific murder of another woman in our society at the hands of a male.

'We are all here because we want to show that support, that love.

'There has been an outpouring of grief all week for Ashling Murphy and for all that loved her.'

Ms Murphy (pictured left and right) died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur, known as Fiona's Way, at around 4pm on Wednesday. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender

People hold pictures during a memorial for 23-year-old Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore while out jogging, outside Government buildings, in Dublin, on Friday

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Irish Labour party politician Ivana Bacik attended the vigil for murdered Ashling Murphy outside Leinster House in Dublin on Friday

A woman wearing a mask adorned with the words 'she was going for a run' was pictured at a memorial for Ashling Murphy on Friday

A group of musicians played in honour of Murphy while others lit candles and held pictures of the 23-year-old at a vigil in Dublin on Friday

A woman is pictured this morning carrying flowers to lay with other tributes left near to the Grand Canal in Tullamore, County Offaly, where Aisling Murphy was murdered on Wednesday evening

Ashling Murphy, 23, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Cana in Tullamore, County Offaly. Pictured: The scene today

According to the Independent.ie, Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore.

'This area here, where the crime occurred, is popular among Tullamore residents and is widely used for recreational purposes,' Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday.

'The victim of this crime is Ashling Murphy.

'Ashling was a schoolteacher in Durrow National School. Our prayers are with Ashling's family at this time and indeed the wider community, her teaching colleagues and the children she taught who are without their teacher today.

'Immediately following the discovery of this crime, a full-scale murder investigation was launched.'

Ms Murphy came from a highly respected family in the local area that is well known in the music scene, and live outside Tullamore

Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: 'I want to extend my sympathies to Ashling's father, mother and all her extended family.

'I am devastated. I couldn't sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time. She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words.'

Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk.

'Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world, and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal,' he added.

'It's a lovely area and helps clear your head. It's a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams.'

Police officers visited the school where Ms Murphy worked on Thursday morning to speak with staff and offer support.

At around 9.30am, a police water unit arrived at the scene to begin a search of the waterway next to where the attack occurred.

Superintendent Eamonn Curley (left) near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly, after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed on Wednesday evening

Pictured: A map showing where Ms Murphy's body was found along the Grand Canal way, also known as Fiona's Way. The route is named in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender, of whom there is a monument to in Tullamore

Gardai carry out investigations at the Grand Canal at Cappincur on Thursday after the horrific killing

Police investigating the murder have said 'no stone will be left unturned' in bringing her killer to justice

Justice Minister Helen McEntee tweeted: 'My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community.

'Please, anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done.'

Further Education Minister Simon Harris said: 'A young woman, simply out for a run in the afternoon and brutally killed.

'Thinking of her and her family and community tonight and their unimaginable pain. We must all act to end violence against women. We all have a responsibility.'

Gardai believe the killer acted alone and attacked the talented musician while she was jogging along the canal bank

Pictured: Flowers are left at a Garda checkpoint in Tullamore after a young woman, who has been named locally as Ashling Murphy, was killed in Co Offaly. She died after being attacked while she was jogging along the canal bank at Cappincur at around 4pm on Wednesday. Picture date: Thursday January 13, 2022

Superintendent Eamonn Curley speaks to the media near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly

The canal path that Ms Murhpy was attacked on is named after Fiona Pender, a missing woman who was last seen at 6am on August 23, 1996, at her Tullamore flat.

Her disappearance has been the subject of an on-going investigation ever since.

Gardai are appealing for information, and asking anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore before 4pm on Wednesday to make contact with them.

Minister of State Josepha Madigan for Special Education and Inclusion said: 'A young woman can't even go for a run along a canal pathway - at four o'clock, in the middle of the day - only to be attacked and murdered.

'Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen.'
The mother of a teenage girl killed in a crash in Manchester city centre has paid tribute to her 'perfect' daughter.

Nadia Yusuf, 17, died when a white Mercedes struck a railway bridge on Mancunian Way at around 11.45pm on Monday.

She was a front-seat passenger in the car, which crashed where the busy ring road meets Temperance Street.

An 18-year-old man, who was sitting in the back of the car, suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in a critical condition, Greater Manchester Police said.

The mother of a teenage girl killed in a crash in Manchester city centre has paid tribute to her 'perfect' daughter. Nadia Yusuf (pictured), 17, died when a white Mercedes struck a railway bridge on Mancunian Way at around 11.45pm on Monday

Nadia was a front-seat passenger in the car (above), which crashed where the busy ring road meets Temperance Street

The driver, a 23-year-old man, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, which are not thought to be life-threatening.

Nadia's mother has now paid tribute to her 'beautiful' and 'happy' daughter.

She said: 'Nadia (may rabb rest her soul in Jannah) died tragically in a road accident and all those who loved her are still in shock and disbelief.

'She was my first born and best friend. Nadia was not only physically beautiful but she had an equally beautiful heart as attested by all the people paying their respects to the family.

'Nothing was ever too much for her and taking charge of her siblings was only one of the chores she happily performed.

'Nadia was a happy teen who was beloved to everyone who crossed her path and she was enjoying her life and looking forward to a bright future.

'I can't, and won't, tire of saying she was cheerful, caring and thoughtful to all that knew her and beyond. She truly touched the hearts of everyone she met.

'She was my first born and best friend. Nadia [pictured] was not only physically beautiful but she had an equally beautiful heart as attested by all the people paying their respects to the family,' said her mother

'Not only was she a perfect daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend, but she was also a great role model for her siblings.

'She will be greatly missed and as our Islamic traditions state, inalilahu was ina ilehi rajioon (verily we belong to God, and verily to him we return).

'As a family, we would like to thank everyone who has taken time to pay their respects as well as all the emergency crews who helped her. Thank you and jazak kheyran for all the kind gestures and messages.

'This reminds us that death has been decreed by Allah, and we will all return to our creator.'

It is understood Nadia was a past pupil at Manchester Academy, in Moss Side, south Manchester.

Principal James Eldon said the school community was devastated by her loss.

Mr Eldon said: 'Everyone at Manchester Academy is devastated to learn that one of our ex-students has tragically died in a car accident and that another ex-student is critically ill following the crash.

'We all send the families our love and prayers at this horrendous time.'

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing into the cause of the crash. Floral tributes have been left at the scene.
President Biden threatened to hold up $170 million in coronavirus relief funds for Arizona in a showdown with the state over masks in schools.

The Copper State announced earlier it would use the cash in a way that discouraged mask wearing in schools. Arizona was awarded $4.2 billion of the $350 billion program for states under the American Rescue Plan which allocated money to cities, states and counties and allowed them to spend the cash mostly as they saw fit, with few restrictions.

In a letter from the Treasury Department, Arizona's GOP Gov. Doug Ducey was told his state has 60 days to redirect the funding towards its intended purpose, mitigating the spread of coronavirus. If Arizona does not cease or change its programs, the Treasury could begin the process of recouping the money.

Some governments used the money to stem the spread of Covid-19, some used it boost their economies or address budget issues. Others used the money for political priorities.

In Arizona, local legislators dangled the cash to districts that followed its ban on mask mandates in schools. Some districts had ignored the state policy before the state supreme court invalidated it in November.

President Biden threatened to hold up $170 million in coronavirus relief funds for Arizona in a showdown with the state over masks in schools

In a letter from the Treasury Department, Arizona's GOP Gov. Doug Ducey was told his state has 60 days to redirect the funding towards its intended purpose, mitigating the spread of coronavirus

Ducey said that the letter showed that Biden was 'completely out of touch' with Americans.

'First, a failed attempt to mandate vaccines. Then, a complete disregard for the public safety and humanitarian crisis at the southern border. Now, attempting to rewrite rules around public dollars that will result in LESS funding to schools and kids  particularly in low-income communities,' Ducey wrote on Twitter.

'When it comes to education, President Biden wants to continue focusing on masks. In Arizona, were going to focus on math and getting kids caught up after a year of learning loss. We will respond to this letter, and we will continue to focus on things that matter to Arizonans. President Biden should do the same, and he can start by addressing the crisis at the border.'

Arizona was awarded $4.2 billion of the relief package, and under one $163 million program allotted the money to cash-strapped schools only if they followed all state rules, including those that ban mask requirements. Schools receiving funding also had to be committed to offering in-person instruction.

A separate $10 million program offers families vouchers up to $7,000 to help lower-income families leave school districts that require masks or have other Covid 'restraints.'

The Treasury also threatened to delay distribution of the rest of the coronavirus relief aid slotted for Arizona. The state so far has received about half of the $4.2 billion that it was awarded through the $1.9 trillion relief package.

The Biden administration first warned Arizona it could lose out on millions in Covid funds if it did not change the policies in October.

Ducey quickly hit back at the Biden administration at the time, defending the two programs for protecting parental choice.

'Here in Arizona, we trust families to make decisions that are best for their children. Its clear that President Biden doesnt feel the same,' he said.

'Hes focused on taking power away from American families by issuing restrictive and dictatorial mandates for his own political gain.

One $10 million program offers families vouchers up to $7,000 to help lower-income families leave school districts that require masks or have other Covid 'restraints'

'After the many challenges of last year, it should be our top priority to get our kids caught up.

'Thats exactly what this program does  it gives families in need the opportunity to access critical educational resources. Why is the president against that?'

Arizona is one of at least eight states with laws or executive orders prohibiting mask mandates in public schools.

In August the Biden administration signaled its frustration, and the Education Department opened civil rights investigations into five states, saying that such measures risked discriminating against the students with disabilities.

It said it was monitoring other states - including Arizona - in case their actions merited investigation.
An LA sheriff's deputy is suing over claims her boss Alex Villanueva's wife branded her a 'bitch' and a 'c***' for failing to recruit one of her unfit unfit friends.

Deputy Lina Pimental said in a lawsuit filed in LA County Superior Court that her 'career progression has now been effectively terminated because of Vivian Villanueva's personal attacks on her.' Many of the foul mouthed slurs and threats are said to have been made in full earshot of colleagues by Vivian, who also worked as a sheriff's deputy until her retirement.

Pimental's suit describes Vivian Villanueva's expletive-laden tirades against her, beginning in March of 2020, after she claimed in her position as a recruit training officer that Natalie Garcia - a friend of Villanueva - was unqualified for a position with the office.

Garcia worked in the county jail, but failed her physical examination to join the sheriff's department. Pimental - who had been a recruit training officer dating back to August 2019 - made that decision, allegedly sparking Vivian Villanueva's fury.

'In retaliation for Plaintiff dismissing her friend as unqualified, Villanueva reported to the Academy, and called Plaintiff a 'c---' and a 'b--h,' the suit said. 'Villanueva also made threats at Plaintiff's workplace, warning others to keep Plaintiff away from her because, 'f--k her,' and 'I will go off on that b----h.'

The Sheriff's office declined to comment on the allegations, citing pending litigation but issued a statement praising Alex Villanueva.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva (right) and his wife, Vivian Villanueva, at an academy graduation ceremony in 2019

The LA sheriff who has declared war on the city's woke policies Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva has been a fighter against 'woke' progressive DA George Gascon's policies to revamp the area's criminal justice system. Villanueva was previously a Democrat, but switched to the GOP after being shunned by his former party last year. Villanueva is increasingly concerned with whether Gascon will fully prosecute any violent protesters and has complained that he has essentially made prostitution legal by refusing to prosecute. 'If there is a lack of prosecutorial fist, that might actually embolden some of our antifa, anarchist crowd, the radical elements, to try to hijack peaceful protest for their own personal gain or agendas', Villanueva said. He said Gascon is exceeding his authority and essentially changing laws by declining to prosecute existing statutes. Advertisement

'We are unable to comment on pending litigation, but what we can say is Sheriff Alex Villanueva has been the most transparent sheriff in history and he is confident these allegations will be proven false,' the statement said.

The LA Times attempted to talk to Vivian Villanueva via phone, but she said 'I'll get back to you' and hung up.

Garcia had worked for two decades in the Sheriff's Department as a custody assistant before she made two attempts to enter the academy to become a deputy, the lawsuit alleges.

Pimentel said that she determined Garcia was physically unable to complete the program.

Garcia, the suit claims, then falsely told Pimentel's superiors that she had been forced to do extra physical training in violation of her medical restrictions.

The filing also states that Garcia filed a complaint against Pimentel because Pimentel had told her, 'The sheriff is not here to save you.'

She also accused Garcia and Villanueva of using their their ties to the sheriff to obtain a take-home vehicle and other benefits.

Pimentel said that soon after, she began hearing about Vivian Villanueva's tirades against her and that she was subsequently moved and demoted multiple times.

She had also been up for a sergeant's position but the advanced officer training department is where Vivian Villanueva was assigned.

By July 2021, Pimentel had been demoted several times.

'This lawsuit is another example of a sheriff who has little regard for his deputies and instead will always put his selfish self-interest first,' said Alan Romero, an attorney representing Pimentel.

'This gross example of nepotism, abuse of office and workplace harassment has been ratified by current Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who allows his wife to call female deputies names  in the workplace,' the suit states.

Pimentel had worked in the sheriff's office since January 2007 and was given her recruit training job in 2019.
Jeremy Clarkson has been backed by fellow farmers, food producers and local Oxfordshire residents after his plans to build a hilltop restaurant were turned down by the council.

The Amazon Prime star, 61, said he was 'very' frustrated after local officials refused his attempt to build a new restaurant and 70-space car park on the site of his 1,000-acre Diddly Squat farm near the quiet village of Chadlington, Oxfordshire.

Mr Clarkson personally attended a meeting of West Oxfordshire District Council's planning sub-committee on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to push his plans through but seven out of ten councillors voted against the plans.

The Grand Tour host left the meeting saying it was a bad day for farmers and labelled one of the planning officials a comedian.

But he has found support in his community among those who say council planners are dismissive of new ideas in farming.

Jeremy Clarkson has been backed by fellow farmers, food producers and local Oxfordshire residents after his plans to build a hilltop restaurant were turned down

Pete Ledbury, who farms at the North Cotswolds Dairy with his wife Emma a few miles from the Diddly Squat farm, told The Guardian: 'We know that we have to diversify to make a living and create more jobs for the countryside.

'Turning down projects like this doesn't help. I think it's pretty shortsighted of the planners.'

His wife Emma said their farm has lost 40 of their 100-strong herd of pedigree holstein cattle to bovine tuberculosis in recent years as she outlined the pressure farmers are facing at the moment.

A litre of milk costs them 32p to produce, and supermarket buyers are currently paying them 28p a litre.

TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson's controversial bid to expand his popular Diddly Squat farm failed after councillors rejected his application

She said: 'British farming is a mess.'

Clarkson has overcome some of these obstacles by selling directly to the customer via a vending machine at his farm shop.

He was hoping to include his own produce including milk, cream and butter at his restaurant before his plans were dismissed.

Fellow Cotswolds resident Max Abbott, who owns Sourdough Revolution bakery in Lechdale, had hoped to supply bread to Clarkson's prospective restaurant.

He said: 'Jeremy is employing people, bringing in money. He's not everyone's cup of tea but what the council is doing seems absurd.'

Pictured: The landscape proposal for Diddly Squat Farm including a 70-vehicle car park

Pictured: The planting proposal for the cafe which would sit just behind his current farm shop on the site

Victoria Steffens, who works in the Chadlington village shop, says it is mainly newcomers who are upset with Clarkson over the levels of traffic his farming success has brought to the area.

Describing the TV personality as 'marmite', she said she still supports him to provide jobs in the area and locals who have been there for a long time know the struggles farmers are facing.

Meanwhile district councillor Merilyn Davies who supported Clarkson's proposals, said the plans were 'interesting' and said officials have to remember people live in the region and need to provide for themselves.

More than 50 objections were registered with the council over fears of increased traffic in the village following the success of his hit series Clarkson's Farm.

Since the Amazon show's debut last summer, hundreds of Clarkson fans from across Britain have caused traffic chaos by queueing for hours at a time to get inside the star's beloved farm shop.

Since the Amazon Prime show's debut last summer, hundreds of Clarkson fans from across Britain have queued for hours at a time to get inside the star's beloved farm shop

One neighbour even brought a legal challenge against the restaurant plans, alleging that the area was in danger of becoming a 'Jeremy Clarkson theme park'.

At Monday's meeting, Mr Clarkson insisted that he is simply trying to 'diversify' his business and warned that farmers will be unable to properly look after the natural environment because of their finances.

'Farmers look after the woodland, they look after the hedges, the streams and the fields, they keep it beautiful,' he said.

'Farmers are not going to be able to do that for much longer because of the farmers's state of finances. We have been told as farmers to diversify  that is exactly what this proposal is.'

Though councillors at the meeting were split over Mr Clarkson's proposals, local officials agreed to refuse permission.

They argued that the cafe would be 'out of keeping' with the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mr Clarkson personally attended a meeting of West Oxfordshire District Council's planning sub-committee in a last-ditch attempt to push his plans through

His pleas fell on deaf ears, with seven out of ten councillors voting against the measures

Locals are split about the surge in tourism, with some saying it has put the Oxfordshire village on the map and boosted the local economy

Council planning officer Joan Desmond said: 'By reason of its siting, design, scale and location, the proposed development would not be sustainable and would not be compatible or consistent in scale with the existing farming business or its open countryside location.

'By reason of its design, scale, siting and nature of the use within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the proposed development would have a visually intrusive and harmful impact on the rural character, scenic beauty and tranquillity of the area.'

Councillor Dean Temple, who represents Chadlington, told the meeting: 'With a heavy heart, I propose we reject this proposal.'

And councillor Elizabeth Poskitt added: 'There are plenty of less obtrusive places where one could have a restaurant.'

The TV presenter had hoped to convert a lambing shed built in 2020 after buying a new flock of sheep to expand the farm business. It has now been merged with another local farmer's flock.

Documents state that the building has since been used, without planning permission, as a cafe and a bar area.

Chadlington Parish Council said it held a public meeting in November to decide its view on the 'divisive and contentious' application, but a vote was inconclusive.

Campaign to Protect Rural England West Oxfordshire said any new restaurant would be a 'major incursion' into the AONB and would 'spoil the rural nature of the Upper Evenlode Valley'.

Mr Clarkson's representatives had already been forced to change transport plans for the scheme with a new one way system and overflow car park to try and appease the mounting number of objectors.

He had also been served with a notice following complaints that the farm shop had breached original planning conditions by selling out-of-town souvenirs.

The council served the contravention notice amid allegations that products sold in its shop were not grown, reared or produced on the farm, or from other local producers.

If proved, that would be in contravention of a condition of the planning permission in November 2019, the council warned.
A suspended driver's license might not seem like a huge deal for a couple of days. But pretty soon, you realize just how limiting it is to your social life and career. Thankfully, there are often ways to get your license reinstated sooner rather than later.

The Consequences of a Suspended License

Having your driver's license suspended is more than a minor inconvenience. It's a serious problem that comes with serious consequences. This includes problems like:

You can't drive to work. This is probably the biggest issue. If you can't drive to work, you can't make money. And in most cases, your employer isn't going to wait around for you. They'll let you go and hire someone who is more reliable.

You can't run your own errands. Want to go to the supermarket? You'll need to call a friend to take you. Want to go to the gym? You might have to walk there. Have a doctor's appointment? Better call an Uber.

Your kids suffer. If you have kids, they suffer just as much as you. It becomes a lot more difficult for them to hang out with friends or participate in extracurricular activities.

It costs money. Aside from the indirect costs of missing work, having a suspended license usually comes with fees. At the very least, you'll have to pay a reinstatement fee, which is usually $100 or more.

It's embarrassing. Having a suspended license and being reliant on others for your mobility is embarrassing. The longer it goes on, the more you become a burden to those around you.

When you layer all of these consequences together, it becomes clear just how serious a suspended license is (personally, financially, logistically, etc.). The good news is that you usually have options.

How to Get Your License Reinstated

Getting your license reinstated isn't rocket science. It does, however, require a very specific and diligent approach. Here are several tips:

1. Consider the Cause

A license can be suspended for any number of reasons, including:

A failure to pay child support

A failure to maintain the proper auto insurance

A failure to appear in court to satisfy a ticket

Drug-related offenses and convictions

Failure to pay motor vehicle fines

Driving under the influence

Reckless driving

The reason for your suspension will usually dictate the best and most plausible way forward. If, for example, it's your lack of paying child support that led to the suspension, the easiest way to get your license back is by paying the child support that you owe.

2. Hire a Lawyer

In some cases, you may want to hire a lawyer to help you. This is especially true when there are driving charges involved (like a DUI).

"If you're charged with a DUI, there are literally dozens of possible defenses that could get your case dismissed," attorney Rowdy G. Williams says. "And here's the truth: Law enforcement doesn't want you to know about them."

An attorney helps you access every angle of your case and find the best possible path forward. This significantly increases your chances of getting your license reinstated.

3. Take an Approved Class



In a situation like a DUI, reckless driving, or excessive points on your license, taking an approved class may be a requirement to getting your license back. (It can also be a way of speeding up the process by proving that you're serious about the reinstatement.)

4. Pay the Fees



As previously mentioned, there are fees associated with reinstating your license. The exact cost depends on a myriad of factors, including your location, type of offense, and how many past offenses you have. For example, fees are as low as $25 in Michigan and as high as $200 in South Dakota. But if it's your third or fourth offense, you could be looking at several hundred dollars.

5. Do the Time



At the end of the day, sometimes the best thing you can do is put in the time. Patience is the hardest path forward, but it's often the only choice. Do the time, follow the rules, and wait for the time when you're allowed to reinstate your license.

Adding it All Up

If you have a suspended license, it's imperative that you take a proactive approach. Don't delay in getting your license reinstated. The time to act is now. Follow these steps and regain your freedom.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
CCTV footage captures the shocking final minutes of a businessman's life before five thugs gunned him down in cold blood after a Ramadan party.

Abdul Rahman Abubaker, 24, suffered catastrophic injuries after being blasted with a shotgun in the Highgate area of Birmingham and he died hours later in hospital.

The dessert shop boss was riding a quad bike away from a party to mark the start of Ramadan in Stratford Place in the Highgate area of Birmingham in May 2018.

On Friday, the five men who were convicted of being behind the drive-by killing were collectively sentenced to more than a century behind bars.

A court heard three cars in a convoy had pulled up shortly beforehand and the fatal gunshot was fired from one of the vehicles.

Within 72 hours two of the cars had been set alight and destroyed to try and destroy evidence, while the third had disappeared without trace.

A lengthy investigation led to the arrests of Fahmi Daahir, 24, Mustafa Omar, 21, Abdirahman Dirie, 21, Shire Elmi, 24, and Abdirahman Yusuf, 23, in August last year.

All denied murder but were convicted following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court in October - even though it is believed none of them fired the fatal shot.

Abdul Rahman Abubaker, 24, suffered catastrophic injuries after being blasted with a shotgun in Stratford Place in the Highgate area of Birmingham in May 2018 and died hours later in hospital

Mr Rahman Abubaker, a business owner from Birmingham, was riding a quad bike away from a party to mark the start of Ramadan in Stratford Place in the Highgate area of Birmingham in May 2018 when he was fatally attacked by the gang

Today Daahir, of Nechells, Birmingham, who was also convicted of arson, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years.

Yusuf, of Aston, Birmingham, who also pleaded guilty to arson and perverting the course of justice, received a minimum term of 25 years.

Elmi, of Glasgow, was handed a minimum of 25 years while Omar, 21, of no fixed address, was handed a minimum sentence of 22 years behind bars.

Dirie, 21, of no fixed address, who was aged 17 at the time, was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years.

Elmi was tracked down in Glasgow while Yusuf was arrested at a London airport after coming back from Sweden where he'd fled less than a month after the murder.

The other three were detained in Birmingham.

By reviewing footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras, detectives established four cars - of which three were stolen - had initially met in Hams Road Alum Rock, Birmingham.

One car was abandoned but another, a VW Passat, was sent out on several trips to scour the area near the barbecue.

A lengthy investigation led to the arrests of Fahmi Daahir (right), Mustafa Omar (middle), Abdirahman Dirie, Shire Elmi (left) and Abdirahman Yusuf in August last year

Daahir, 23, of Nechells; Omar, 21, of Alum Rock; Yusuf, 23, (left) of, Aston; Elmi, 23, of Glasgow and Dirie, 21, (right) of Newtown, were remanded in custody

Police reviewed footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras and established four cars - of which three were stolen - initially met in Alum Rock, Birmingham.

One car was abandoned but another, a VW Passat, was sent out on several trips to scour the area near the barbecue.

A stolen Ford Kuga - part of the convoy from which the fatal shot was fired - was taken back to Hams Road and set alight within six minutes of the shooting.

A taxi was ordered to pick up a group further down the road shortly afterwards.

An examination of the Kuga found shotgun cartridges and the remnants of a fuel container in the scorched shell.

Another vehicle in the convoy - an Audi A3 - was discovered in Arley Road, Alum Rock, after being set alight three days after the killing.

Daahir's sock was found in the car and he, along with Yusuf admitted arson ahead of the trial.

Cell site records also established telephone communication involving members of the group.

Police traced their movements, including Daahir and Yusuf being within a vehicle which was in the convoy that evening and Elmi and Omar being in Hams Road.

Mr Rahman Abubaker (pictured looking back at the crowd above) was last seen alive at a party marking the start of Ramadan in Stratford Place in the Highgate area of Birmingham

Abdul Rahman Abubaker is pictured riding his quadbike (at bottom of the shot) before he is gunned down in a drive-by shooting

All denied murder but were convicted following the trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Giovanni DAlessandro, of the CPS, said: 'While we may never know which of these men fired the fatal shot, the evidence indicates that all five men were willing participants in the pre-planned attack on Mr Abu-Baker which led to his death.

'The defendants attempted to cover up their crimes by burning two of the cars they had used to facilitate the attack.

'Despite the substantial evidence linking them to the crime, they denied the charges, forcing Mr Abu-Baker's family to relive the tragedy of their loss through a trial.

All denied murder but were convicted following the trial at Birmingham Crown Court (pictured)

'Today, all five men have been sentenced for their part in the needless and tragic loss of a young life.

'I hope that the sentencing today sends an important message that these crimes will be meticulously investigated and vigorously prosecuted.

'The use of firearms on our streets is a menace to all and offending of this nature will not be tolerated.

'My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Abu-Baker at what must continue to be a very difficult time for them.'

Superintendent Edward Foster, of West Midlands Police, said: 'This has been a complex investigation during which Abdul, along with his family and friends, have been at the forefront of our minds.

'We will never probably never know the reason behind this tragic killing and who actually fired the fatal shot.

'Undoubtedly, there were others who were part of this horrific attack but whose identities remain unknown.

'But it's clear this was the culmination of careful planning which involved all five of these men who have been convicted.

'They helped destroy or conceal cars while two fled the country in their attempt to avoid being caught.

'However, due to the diligence, dedication and expertise of our officers and staff we ensured this wasn't the case.

'Each of them played a role in causing, or assisting, the tragic murder of Abdul and they will now rightly spend considerable time behind bars.'
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has claimed that he is living proof that the Omicron COVID-19 strain is not as lethal as the Delta variant.

The 68-year-old leader made the claim in a video that aired Thursday morning while he remained in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus earlier during the week.

'I am getting over COVID. And I also want to share this information with you because I consider that it is quite encouraging to be able to verify in my own flesh now that this variant of COVID does not have the lethality, the danger, of the previous variant, of the so-called Delta,' Lopez Obrador said from his presidential office at the National Palace in Mexico City.

The president tested positive Monday hours after he appeared before the media at the National Palace and downplayed the severity of the Omicron variant, indicating it was only 'a little COVID.'

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador addressed the country on Thursday, three days after he became infected with COVID-19 for the second time since January 2021, and claimed that it was 'quite encouraging to be able to verify in my own flesh now that this (Omicron) variant of COVID does not have the lethality, the danger, of the previous variant, of the so-called Delta

A boy undergoes a rapid test to detect COVID-19 in Mexico City on Thursday

Lopez Obrador, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in January 2021, said he was infected with the Omicron strain that was first reported in South Africa on November 24, 2021.

The leftist leader, who in the past neglected the use of face masks, compared the Omicron variant's symptoms to those of a common cold.

He said he no longer had any symptoms associated with the virus and that he never had fever or issues with his oxygen level.

Residents in Mexico City wait on line at a COVID-19 testing center in the Mexico City neighborhood of Juarez

Medical personnel inoculates a teacher with a booster shot of the Moderna vaccine in Mexico

A woman undergoes a rapid test for the coronavirus in the Mexico City municipality of Iztapalapa on Thursday

'It is still a pandemic, but I think that with this new variant there are not many risks,' Lopez Obrador said. 'Hospitalizations are not going to increase. There are, but they are not increasing much. And most importantly: we will not have more deaths.'

According to Johns Hopkins University data, Mexico placed fifth in the world with 300,912 confirmed deaths as of Friday.

The country is 15th in the globe with 4,257,776 cases.

Mexico has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases in the new year, registering 202,681 infections from January 7 to January 13

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday that the government is expecting a delivery of nearly 27 million additional COVID-19 vaccine doses in the coming weeks.

At least 72.8 million people were fully vaccinated in Mexico as of January 1, according science publication Our World in Data. At least 81.1 million people have at least gotten one dose of the jab.
The NYPD has released dramatic body camera footage showing the moment a police sergeant jumped into an SUV driven by a Taser-wielding carjacker, who then plowed into traffic in Midtown Manhattan, before fleeing on foot.

The wild scene played out in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon, less than an hour before police say the same suspect carjacked an Uber driver at knifepoint.

Police have released the first image of the wanted man, but no arrests have been announced as of Friday afternoon.

Body camera video released by the NYPD on Thursday shows a sergeant and an officer trying to prevent the unidentified carjacker from driving off in a stolen Audi SUV at 57th Street and Broadway, which he had stolen after threatening its owner with a Taser at around 4.30pm.

Body camera footage that was released by the NYPD on Thursday shows a police officer trying in vain to stop a carjacker from driving away in a stolen Audi in Midtown Manhattan

The wild scene played out in broad daylight at West 57th Street and Broadway after the owner of the Audi was threatened with a Taser

Police caught up with the carjacker and jumped inside, but he managed to drive away

One officer warned the thief that he's 'going to kill someone' because the Audi plowed into oncoming traffic

In the recording, the sergeant runs up to the vehicle, opens the front passenger door and climbs inside.

'Put your hands up! Don't f***ing move!' the cop yells at the suspect in the driver's seat as he attempts to handcuff him.

A scuffle ensues inside the vehicle, with the sergeant warning the carjacker that he's 'going to kill somebody.'

Despite the efforts of the sergeant and officer to stop the suspect, he manages to drive away.

In a 25-second clip recorded by a witness and posted to Instagram on Wednesday, the stolen SUV is seen driving in the wrong direction down a one-way street, pushes the car in front of it, causing it to crash into another car, before driving off into the distance.

The Audi rammed into a vehicle in front of it, as seen in witness video

In a short clip posted to Instagram Wednesday, a man could be seen chasing after his car as another man, armed with a knife, plows into a car in front of it in an effort to flee the scene

Pictured: Several of the other vehicles sustaining severe damage

Police chased the Audi on foot, before the SUV crashed into a pole and a flower bed a block away.

According to the NYPD, the thief got out of the car and ran to the nearby Columbus Circle subway station, where he was caught on surveillance video.

A police officer suffered an injury to his hip during the altercation with the carjacker.

Police said they believe that the carjacker took a southbound train down to Penn Station, and then made his way to 36th Street, where an Uber driver was siting in his black Infiniti and waiting for a passenger.

About 45 minutes after the first carjacking, the same suspect allegedly approached the ride-share worker with a boxcutter in hand.

Police say the carjacker ditched the Audi after crashing it into a police and went down into the Columbus Circle station, where he was caught on security camera

An Uber driver was sitting in his Infiniti on 36th Street less than an hour later when the same carjacker approached him with a boxcutter in his hand and forced him out of his car

'He took it out and showed it to me, and I pushed him back and he pushed it up towards my neck area,' the victim, who did not give his name, told ABC 7 NY.

The driver got out of his car, grabbing his phone on his way out.

'And he was like "you cannot grab that phone, you cannot take your phone,"' the Uber driver recalled the thief telling him, 'and I was like "no, I'm taking my phone. You take the car, whatever."'

The carjacker apparently later abandoned the stolen Infiniti, allowing its owner to reclaim his SUV, which was returned to him covered in scratches and fingerprint dust.

'I feel safe doing it in Manhattan, always did. But now, it's questionable,' he said.

Photos of the first crime scene show police as they investigated and cordoned off the block with yellow caution tape, with several of the other vehicles sustaining severe damage.

One car could be seen with its bumper ripped off the front of it in the middle of the street. Another could be seen with front-end damage.

One car involved in the Midtown Manhattan carjacking could be seen with its bumper ripped off the front of it in the middle of the street

For the week of January 3 to January 9, the NYPD reported 265 incidents of grand theft auto compared to just 150 the same time last year, making for a 76 percent increase, according to police data.

Meanwhile, 943 grand theft auto incidents occurred in the last 28 consecutive days compared to just 615 in 2021, making for a 53 percent spike.

The brazen carjacking is the latest in a string of violent incidents and rising crime rates across New York that is exasperating police and residents.

Violent crimes are already up across the board in the Big Apple this year, with murders up by 33 percent when compared to the same period last year up until January 9, with eight murders alone in the last week.

Another could be seen with front-end damage

Pictured: damage sustained during a violent carjacking in Manhattan

Pictured: Police officers cordon off the crime scene after a carjacking in Midtown Manhattan

Overall crimes are also up by 30 percent through January 9, according to police.

The rate of robberies, rapes, and assaults have also increased.

The reasoning behind the increase can be attributed to a combination of lax bail reforms and lack of police.

Yet, the new Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, has vowed to take an even softer touch on criminals.

His office said they will not seek prison or jail time for suspects or offenders unless there is no other option.

He will also downgrade some felonies, like armed robbery, to petit larceny.

Since 2020, crime in New York has soared thanks to a combination of laxed bail reforms and lack of police

New York City is currently experiencing soaring crime rates and an increase in shooting incidents not seen since the mid-2000s

The announcement came in a memo from his office last week and spooked police unions, who said he was emboldening criminals.

He defended it afterward, saying he would not prosecute people for being homeless or addicted to drugs.

On Wednesday, when asked by a DailyMail.com to comment on a recent judgment that saw career criminal William Rolon, 43 - who boasts a 30-year rap sheet - get off with a misdemeanor for threatening a Duane Reade worker and stealing more than $2,000 worth of goods from the Manhattan store, Bragg refused to comment.

When approached, the Manhattan DA refused to discuss the slight ruling - a result of the prosecutor's lenient policies - saying it was 'an open matter.'
A student who was caught speeding 10 times in just two months on the same speed camera has been banned from the roads after totting up 45 points on her licence.

Lara Bertin, 21, was seen hurtling up and down Brighton's picturesque seafront over a period of eight weeks in which she was caught speeding almost a dozen times.

The film student, who lives in the city in East Sussex, told Brighton Magistrates' Court she was both a 'key worker' and unaware she had repeatedly broken the law despite travelling at more than 40mph multiple times on a 30mph stretch of road.

But when Ms Bertin returned home for a break over the festive period, she discovered a set of unwanted Christmas gifts: 10 separate speeding tickets.

The court heard the range of speeds she was clocked at on the automatic speed camera on Marine Parade in Brighton ranged from 38mph - 44mph. The case went to trial and she was found guilty at an earlier hearing.

Film student Lara Bertin, 21, (pictured) was banned from driving after she was caught hurtling up and down Brighton's picturesque seafront over a period of eight weeks in which she was found to be speeding almost a dozen times

When Bertin (above) returned home for a break over the festive period, she discovered a set of unwanted Christmas gifts: 10 separate speeding tickets

On Friday, Bertin told magistrates in Brighton she was working as 'keyworker' during the first lockdown and was travelling along the seafront for part of her role.

She pleaded with magistrates to allow her to keep her licence claiming a driving ban would cause her exceptional hardship due to her job.

Bertin said that not only would lose her work experience position as a runner at a film studio, but her parents relied on her to pick her younger brother and sister up from school.

She pleaded: 'I'm studying film at Brighton University and my job is being a runner and I've got a number of upcoming films where I am the runner.

'I take clips from the studio to the location and I take the actors - some who have never been to Brighton before - to the studios. Everyone is relying on me.

'Sometimes if my parents are busy I have to pick up my younger brother and sister up from school.'

On Friday, Bertin told Brighton Magistrates Court (pictured) she was working as 'keyworker' during the first lockdown and was travelling along the seafront for part of her role

Bertin was clocked driving at more than 40mph seven times and over 30mph three times in an eight week period between September - November 2020.

The court heard she had already clocked up nine points on her licence for a previous speeding offence and driving without insurance.

Banning her for six months, Michael Sandeman, chair of the bench, said her case did not cross the exceptional hardship line.

He said: 'While we recognise it will cause you an inconvenience to be banned from driving we don't believe it would cause exceptional hardship.'

As well as banning her from the roads Mr Sandeman fined Bertin her 960 with 500 costs. He also ordered a victim surcharge of 96 making a grand total of 1556.
A woman who who worked as a volunteer with victims of the Grenfell Tower disaster and claimed on Facebook that victims of the blaze were 'burnt alive in a Jewish sacrifice' has been found guilty of stirring up race hate.

Tahra Ahmed, 51, posted 'virulently' antisemitic conspiracy theories on social media, with one sent just days after the fire in West London that claimed the lives of 72 people.

An Old Bailey jury deliberated for eight hours to find her guilty - by a majority of 11 to one - of two charges of stirring up racial hatred by publishing written material.

During the trial, prosecutor Hugh French said Ahmed's posts in January and June 2017 had 'crossed the line as to what is acceptable in a liberal society'.

Tahra Ahmed, 51, posted 'virulently' antisemitic conspiracy theories on social media, with one sent just days after the fire in West London that claimed the lives of 72 people

On June 18, 2017 - four days after the disaster - she posted a video on Facebook of the blaze and referred to it as a 'Jewish sacrifice'.

She stated: 'I've been at the scene, at the protest and at the community meetings and have met many of the victims...some who were still in the same clothes they escaped in.

'They are very real and genuine, their pain and suffering is raw and deep and their disgusting neglect by authorities continues.

'Watch the footage of people trapped in the inferno with flames behind them.

'They were burnt alive in a Jewish sacrifice.'

Ahmed went on to link Grenfell to an antisemitic conspiracy surrounding the 9/11 terror attacks in New York in 2001.

On June 18, 2017 - four days after the disaster - she posted a video on Facebook of the blaze and referred to it as a 'Jewish sacrifice'. Pictured: Grenfell Tower ablaze on June 14, 2017

An earlier post, on January 26 2017, also set out an antisemitic conspiracy theory, jurors were told.

Police launched an investigation after a story was published in The Times newspaper on December 11, 2017, focusing on some of those who attended public meetings after the fire.

An examination of Ahmed's Facebook account revealed a history of antisemitic comments, the court heard.

Mr French said that, while Ahmed's Facebook account demonstrated 'strongly held beliefs', the two posts identified were 'clear demonstrations of racial hatred'.

The prosecutor said: 'Looking at the language of the posts, the crude racial stereotyping and the insulting tone, the Crown say that you can infer that she posted them either intending to stir up racial hatred (or) that racial hatred was likely to be stirred up.'

Mr French told jurors that people sometimes expressed 'outspoken' or 'offensive' views on social media and were entitled to their opinions.

Ahmed, from Tottenham, North London, denied wrongdoing, arguing her posts were political rather than antisemitic (stock image)

But there was a limit, and the right to express views had to be balanced with the rights of other people, often minority communities, to live without being stigmatised or abused, he added.

Ahmed, from Tottenham, North London, denied wrongdoing, arguing her posts were political rather than antisemitic.

She made no reaction in court as the jury delivered its verdicts on Friday.

Judge Mark Dennis adjourned sentencing until February 11.

Ordering a pre-sentence report and allowing Ahmed continued bail, he said: 'All sentencing options are open. Nothing must be read into that one way or another.'
Residents may be able to vote on changing street names with colonial and imperial links in a new rule set for approval by Watford Borough Council.

The new policy proposes that locals should be allowed to rename roads with links to the British Empire or the slave trade if two-thirds of residents approve the change.

Places such as Imperial Way, Rhodes Way, Clive Way and Colonial Way were brought up, as the council decided to consider the change following the July 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.

British imperialist Cecil Rhodes. As well as having a Watford street named after him, Rhodes also has a statue in an Oxford University college

The issue was brought up by Labour councillor Asif Khan in the summer of 2020.

In a statement issued by Watford Labour at the time, Cllr Khan said street and building names should reflect the town's 'rich, deep cultural history rather than any negative connotations'.

He added: 'Watford has been enriched by its ethnic minority citizens that have come from across the globe or born in UK.

'The likes of Luther Blissett, Anthony Joshua, John Barnes are just some, who have made contributions to our town, but there are many more.'

Imperial Way in Watford. Residents may be able to vote on changing street names with colonial and imperial links in a new rule set for approval by Watford Borough Council

Tola Dabiri, of Brick By Brick Communities, which researches black history in Watford, welcomed the move by the council, the BBC reports.

She said: 'I think anything that encourages the community to participate in local affairs can only be a good thing.

'Not everybody is going to be in favour of actually changing names which are perceived to be offensive, and so by allowing everyone to comment it also allows some debate around these issues.'

The policy said that the renaming of streets will 'generally be avoided' unless they are likely to 'cause offence' or are 'causing problems for the emergency services', according to the Hertfordshire Mercury.

However the proposal stated each case will be considered on an individual basis.

Rhodes Way in Watford. The new policy proposes that locals should be allowed to rename roads with links to the British Empire or the slave trade if two-thirds of residents approve the change

It added: 'Renaming/renumbering a street is a time consuming process and any change can be very disruptive and cause financial costs to all those occupiers affected.'

A decision on the new move will be made on Monday by the council's Cabinet.

In the summer of 2020 a wave of protests broke out around the world after George Floyd, a black man, was killed by police officers in the US.

A number of anti-colonial campaigns have since been started up or revisited around the UK.

Earlier this month four people who admitted playing a part in the destruction of the historic statue of slave trader Edward Colston during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 were acquitted.

Photos from outside the courtroom show Sage Willoughby, Jake Skuse, Milo Ponsford and Rhian Graham (from left to right) celebrating after receiving a not guilty verdict at Bristol Crown Court, on January 05, 2022 in Bristol, England

Rhian Graham, 30, Milo Ponsford, 26, Sage Willoughby, 22, and Jake Skuse, 33, were cleared of all criminal damage charges at Bristol Crown Court after requesting that the trial be heard in front of a jury.

The bronze memorial to the 17th century merchant was pulled down in Bristol on June 7, 2020 and was later dumped in the harbour during an anti-racism demonstration, one of the many that swept the globe.

A long-running campaign to remove the statue of Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College in Oxford also picked up.

Oriel College said they had decided not to remove the monument due to 'considerable obstacles', including financial costs and 'complex' planning processes

However the governing body of an Oxford University college last May rejected calls from an inquiry to tear the statue down.

Oriel College's said they had decided not to remove the monument due to 'considerable obstacles', including financial costs and 'complex' planning processes

It comes after a long-running campaign demanding the removal of the British imperialist's monument.

The inquiry was launched by Oriel in June 2020 as the Black Lives Matter movement picked up steam.
There's a lot of talk about disappointments and things we haven't gotten done. We're going to get a lot of them done, I might add. But this is something we did get done, and it's of enormous consequence to the country.

One of the reasons I put Mitch Landrieu in charge of implementing the Infrastructure Bill is because he gets it. He's a former mayor who knows that the real measure of success is not: Did we score some partisan points? It's: Did we fix the problem? Did we fix the problem?

This is all about fixing the problem. I ran for President to unite the country. This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I signed two months ago unites us around things we all depend on.

Whether you're in rural Kentucky or downtown Philadelphia, you should be able to turn on a faucet and drink clean water. Students should be able to get the Internet if they need it to do their homework at home, instead of having to drive to a park- -- fast-food parking lot.

People need good jobs.

Mitch has told me about the man he met in Jackson, Mississippi, who told him, quote: 'I don't mind working three jobs. I just don't want one paycheck across all three jobs.'

You know, we've heard it said, 'Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.'

When we invest in infrastructure, we're really investing in opportunity. These are investments that will build a better America. It sounds like hyperbole, but it's real.

Biden said on infrastructure: 'There's a lot of talk about disappointments and things we haven't gotten done. We're going to get a lot of them done, I might add. But this is something we did get done, and it's of enormous consequence to the country'

So today I want to talk about the progress we've made in two months since I signed the bill into law and to make a big announcement as well.

Here's some of what we've done so far:

The Department of Transportation has released nearly $53 billion -- billion dollars -- to states to modernize highways. So, you have to leave 30 minutes earlier to get to work just because of a traffic jam? That's going to be fixed.

We've announced more than $240 million in grants to improve ports in 19 states to speed up and strengthen our supply chains, lower cost, and get you the things you need more quickly.

We've announced $3 billion for over 3,000 airports around the country to make them more modern, safe, and sustainable.

And we're kicking off the largest investment in affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet in our nation's history: $65 billion to get to every corner of our country connected -- urban, rural, and suburban.

Our infrastructure work also protects health, cleans up the environment, and helps us fight climate change.

Across this country, people have been struck and they -- and they've been struck by all of the changes that are needed. They're stuck. They're angry. They're sickened by the broken water and sewer systems -- polluted water from the faucets, raw sewage in their backyards.

I want you to know: I see you, I hear you. We understand. And I've seen and we've -- understand the damage done in places like Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi.

So, we've already announced over $7 billion in clean water funding to states so they can fix and upgrade their aging water systems and sewer systems. It's going to take some time, but the money is there and they're getting the money. Our children deserve no less.

We've also released an action plan to replace all of our nation's lead pipes in the next decade.

This is the United States of America, for God's sake. Everyone in this country should be able to turn on the faucet and drink clean water.

And it's time to get back to the business of cleaning up the hazardous waste sites that poison our land and water and have stricken entire communities, and getting back to holding polluters accountable to keep that pollution from happening in the first place.

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced $1 billion to clean up 49 Superfund sites in 24 states.

We're talking about cleaning up rivers in Ohio, chemical plants and sites in Florida, polluted lakes in Michigan, and many more. This is long overdue, and we have to stick with it.

The Department of the Interior is launching a program to cap and plug orphaned oil and gas wells that are spewing methane into the air and are dangerous. Many of these wells are in Southwestern Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, but there are hundreds of thousands of them all across the nation.

Capping them is going to create quality jobs. Just as it took to dig the well, union jobs -- union jobs to close the well to keep it safe.

One of the ways we're going to reach my goal of a 100 percent carbon-pollution free electricity by 2035 is with wind energy.

I visited one of the renewable energy labs in Colorado about a month ago and saw the technologies being developed there.

And just this week, the Department of the Interior also announced the largest-ever offshore wind lease sale, which could generate enough clean energy to power nearly 2 million homes and create thousands of jobs in manufacturing, construction, operations, and maintenance. It's just the beginning. Jobs that can't be outsourced.

We've also seen the impact of extreme weather -- taking down transmission lines, leaving cities and communities dark for weeks. So, the Department of Energy launched a new initiative to speed up our efforts to strengthen our energy grid with new and upgraded transmission lines and towers -- keeping the power flowing for Americans with cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy. And that's going to happen, and it's going to make a big difference.

I also want to be clear: We are in this to win. And, you know, there is -- there is a lot of work underway. And it's going to create a whole lot of jobs.

And that brings me to the announcement I want to make today that's just part of the infrastructure bill. My Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes the largest investment in our nation's bridges since the creation of the Interstate Highway System. Bridges to connect us. Bridges to make America work.

Across our country right now, there are 45,000 bridges -- 45,000 -- that are in poor condition. We're seeing photos of some of them behind me in all 50 states.

And I've had a chance to see some of them myself as I've traveled the country.

I was up in New Hampshire. I visited a bridge where, if it's not upgraded, weight restrictions could mean that school buses and fire trucks would have to travel an additional 10 miles out of their way to get to the other side of the river to deal with getting to school and/or putting out a fire.

In New Jersey, I just visited the busiest rail bridge in the Western Hemisphere. But because it's not tall enough for ship traffic, it needs to swing open to let barges through. And, sometimes, when it closes, the rails need to be manually sledgehammered back into place. This slows commerce, increases costs.

I went down to Louisiana and saw the I-10 bridge. I stood with the mayor and looked at that bridge. It is 20 years past its planned life, it's handling more than double the number of crossings it was designed to handle, and it's two lanes narrower than the interstate that feeds into it, causing backups and accidents.

Today, the Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, is in Philadelphia at the Martin Luther King bridge, which crosses the Schuylkill River. That bridge is no longer safe for vehicles, even though it used to carry 25,000 vehicles a day.

As we prepare to celebrate Dr. King's birthday, we're also reminded that too often bridges and highways were built through the heart of historic communities, particularly Black communities, cutting off families and churches and businesses.

We're going to use our infrastructure investments to re-connect communities.

One thing I'm certain of: Everyone out there knows what I'm talking about. People have written to me about the bridges they depend on.

One man told me that the bridge he traveled on every day is 'a tragedy waiting to happen.'

One woman wrote that the bridge near the center of her town had to be closed, and now she drives -- and now drivers and tourists bypass downtown, consequently devastating local businesses.

And one person wrote to me to say, quote, 'This is your chance to show the people [in my area] that they matter' to you. End of quote.

I hear you. I hear you. You do matter to me. And we are going to get it done.

My infrastructure law includes a total of $40 billion in funding for bridge improvements. $12.5 billion of that is going replace most -- the most economically significant bridges in the country.

These are bridges like -- and I've seen them -- the Brent Spence Bridge connecting Ohio and Kentucky; the I-5 Columbia River Crossing connecting Washington and Oregon; you know, the Blatnik Bridge connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin.

But about two thirds of the bridges in need of repair in this country are considered what they call 'off system' because they're not directly connected to the Interstate Highway System.

These are the bridges that are often overlooked when decisions are being made. But they are essential for small towns, rural towns, farmers to get their products to market, small businesses to be able to serve customers.

These are the bridges that, when they're closed, shut off deliveries and routes to school, work, and home. They create longer delays for first responders when every second counts.

So, we've included $27.5 billion for smaller bridges, including dedicated funding for these 'off system' bridges I just described.

And because maintaining these bridges is often the responsibility of counties or towns whose budgets are stretched thin already, we decided to get rid of the requirement that counties or towns share in the cost. The federal government is going to pay for 100 percent of the cost for repairing these small bridges.

Today, we're releasing the first year of that program, which is $5.5 billion. Five and half billion dollars to states and Tribes to repair and rebuild bridges to make them safer and more usable.

This is an investment that's going to help connect entire towns and regions to new opportunities.

With this investment, we're sending a message to those communities and to the people who call them home: You matter. We're building back, and building back better with you. We're making sure you're not left behind or left out.

I'll end with this: These investments are consequential, and we're just getting started. We're building back better than ever before.

Clean water for every American. We're -- never done that. Now we're going to do it.

High-speed Internet for every American. We've never done that before. Now we are.

Connecting forgotten communities, capping wells that are dangerous, strengthening our power grid to make it more resilient to extreme weather changes: These are investments -- these are investments our country has never fully made. Now we are.

You know, and we've arrived at this by a bipartisan agreement.

There's nothing beyond our capacity when we work together. When we get this done, we'll get back to beating the world again. We've [We'll] once again be number one in the world, instead of where we sit now at number 13, in terms of the quality of our infrastructure.

And that's going to mean more jobs, good-paying jobs, safer communities, and lower costs.

We can do this. This is what America -- a better America is going to look like.

I want to thank you all for listening. And we've got a lot of work to do.

And the reason I asked Mitch to do this is because he knows how to get things done.

I want every penny watched -- how this is spent, just like when I did the Recovery Act in our - the last administration. It matters. It matters.

So, thank you all very much. Appreciate it.
Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, 37, has been released from jail after serving a five-month sentence for burning a Black Lives Matter flag outside of a black church.

Tarrio, who was also convicted of being in possession of an illegal rifle magazine, was snapped carrying a trash bag full of his possessions as well as a folder full of papers as he left the DC Central Detention Facility on Friday.

Despite previously claiming to have stood down as the far right group's leader, he sported a t-shirt saying 'Free the Proud Boys by any means necessary.'

He greeted his mother and fiancee outside of the DC Central Detention Facility with a big smile under his mask and was met with a swarm of media attention. The mother and son shared warm hug as they celebrated his release and his mother took a load off his arms by taking the file folder from him.

He also hugged his fiancee as he lovingly looked down at her as they spoke outside of the facility.

Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio leaves the DC Central Detention Facility after serving five months in jail quite on brand as he wore a #FreeTheProudBoys shirt

He was greeted by his mother and a wardrobe malfunction, as he forgot to zip his fly after his last strip search

He was sentenced to five months in jail for burning a Black Lives Matter flag and for a weapons violation

Tarrio seen holding a Trump megaphone in December 2020

He spoke to the press before lugging his hefty bag of belongings to the car, where he then poked his head out the window and shot a peace sign to reporters.

Tarrio has been in jail since September for stealing and burning a black church's BLM flag, and being caught in possession of high-capacity magazines in DC, even though they're banned by local laws.

He was convicted of burning a BLM flag belonging to a black Methodist church, and for bringing a rifle magazine that is banned in DC within city limits.

Tarrio insisted he didn't know that the church whose flag he's targeted housed a black congregation, and insisted his behavior had only been intended as general protest against the anti-police brutality group.

Just before Tarrio was set to turn himself into prison on September 6, he went to the Capitol. Tarrio was snapped smiling while brandishing the lighter in front of the seat of the US government in Washington DC on Monday night.

He was standing several hundred feet in front of the building, but used a technique called forced perspective to make it look as if he was trying to torch the building's famous white dome.

Tarrio posed for the snap shortly before heading to a jail in the city after he was convicted of burning a BLM flag belonging to a black Methodist church, and for bringing a rifle magazine that is banned in DC within city limits.

Tarrio and an unnamed pal were filmed singing a sea shanty called A Drop of Nelson's Blood as they walked up to the gates, and had a hug before Tarrio left his pal to begin his sentence.

A warm reunion: Tarrio was met with loving embraces from his fiancee (left) and mother (right)

He carried a large, heavy bag full of his leftover commissary and a file folder of newspaper clippings and loose-leaf paper

He shot a peace sign to reporters as he drove away from the DC jail

Speaking to WUSA 9 reporter Eric Flack as he prepared to walk up to the jail gate Tarrio said: 'I've nothing to say to the members of that church or congregation anymore. I already apologized to them once...

'The same justice system that Black Lives Matter fights for is the same justice system championing my arrest, and I find that hysterical.'

He added: 'Yes I did burn their property and I apologized to them, but after what I heard from them this was strictly political. They wanted to put the bad guy, the villain, in jail, and congratulations - they have.'

The Proud Boys chairman, 37, had earlier claimed he was 'at peace' with reporting to a jail in Washington DC by midnight to begin a five-month jail sentence.

Tarrio headed to jail hours after his lawyers filed a 67-page appeal calling for his sentence to be shortened.

His appeal said sentencing Judge Harold L Cushenberry treated Tarrio far more harshly than a sex offender called Irun Warner, who Cushenberry sentenced for groping a woman's buttocks in August 2021.

The extremist group leader was met with a swarm of media attention after his release

Cushenberry gave Warner a suspended sentence for misdemeanor sex abuse just two days after ordering Tarrio to spend 155 days in jail.

Tarrio's appeal against his sentence said: 'It is simply inexplicable how it would be justifiable to sentence Mr. Tarrio to serve 155 days of executed jail time for burning a piece of cloth and possessing an ammunition feeding device that did not contain ammunition when the same judge, only days later, sentenced another defendant who sexually abused a victim to serve absolutely no jail time.'

The filing also detailed how Judge Cushenberry's daughter had been baptized at Asbury Methodist Church in Washington DC - whose flag Tarrio admitted destroying.

Cushenberry offered to recuse himself on revealing that information to Tarrio at the Proud Boy leader's plea hearing on July 19, but was not asked to do so.

Tarrio apologized over the flag burning, and said he did not realize it had come from the historically-black church.

The banner was emblazoned with the name of the church's website, but Tarrio, who is from Florida, told the court he had no idea what the web address was linked to

His lawyers have also said that Tarrio's sentence was influenced by Cushenberry's decision to hear testimony from Asbury's pastor the Rev Dr. Lanther M Mills, who said parishioners had been traumatized by the flag burning, and who branded it racist.

Tarrio (pictured in September) pretended to hold a lighter to the US Capitol before reporting to a Washington DC jail to begin a five-month sentence in September

He sold the Black Lives Matter flag from a black Methodist church (pictured)

Tarrio's legal filing said Mills' victim impact statement should not have been taken into account because prosecutors were unable to offer any proof that Tarrio knew the flag came from a church.

The filing said that Tarrio's sentence 'is unreasonably harsh and disproportionate when taking into account the goals of sentencing.'

It also highlighted how the sentence handed to Tarrio exceeded the three month incarceration prosecutors had recommended for him.

The BLM banner burning took place in December 2020.

He filed for an early release, citing inhumane condition and wanted to be placed on house arrest, but was denied in November. The judge ruled that insufficient housing was not a reason to be released from jail.

'Ive been to jail before and what Ive seen here, Ive never seen anywhere else,' he wrote in his request. 'This place needs to be shut down immediately.'

He said he had to deal with abuse from correctional officers, medicinal neglect, and living in unsanitary conditions.
Hillary Clinton took a thinly veiled dig at Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin on Friday, tweeting out a Martin Luther King quote about 'the white moderate' who ends up blocking 'the flow of social progress.'

It came less than 24 hours after the two holdout senators effectively killed President Biden's hopes of pushing through voting rights legislation.

As if there were any doubt at what she meant, she cheekily added: 'This is a subtweet.'

After combining to first weaken and then stop Biden's huge Build Back Better spending plans last year, the two centrist senators on Thursday restated their opposition to reforming the Senate's filibuster rule.

That meant Biden and his party lieutenants would need 60 votes to steer through his package of voter protection measures - an impossible task given Republican opposition.

Clinton, a former Democratic presidential candidate, offered the words of King in response.

'MLK Jr. said: I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress,"' she tweeted.

'This is a subtweet.'

King's line - taken from his 1963 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail' - set out his disappointment with some white people allied to the civil rights cause, who said the right things but balked at the direct methods necessary to get results.

Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took a pop at Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin by sharing a Martin Luther King quote in which he railed against 'white moderates'

'This is a subtweet,' she added, in case anyone missed the significance a day after two Democrats from the party's more conservative wing derailed Biden's voting rights push

Sinema (left) and Manchin restated their opposition to changing Senate rules on the filibuster on Friday, effectively ending Biden's voter rights push

The quote was taken from King 1963 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail' was composed after his 13th arrest and set out the moral case for breaking unjust laws

Clinton dropped her dig after one of the most difficult days of the Biden presidency so far.

Having shelved his $1.8 trillion social spending plan, the president announced at the end of last year he was turning his attention to a voting rights push.

He summoned the legacy of King last week in a visit to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, as he announced he was backing the idea of changing Senate rules to push through legislation.

And he spent more of his political capital by visiting Capitol Hill on Thursday to press Democrats to join the push.

But even before he had a chance to make his case, Sinema dramatically announced she would not go along with the plans.

In a speech on the Senate floor, she said described changing the rules as 'short sighted.'

'We must address the disease itself, the disease of division, to protect our democracy,' she said.

Sinema has made a virtue of promoting bipartisanship as the former progressive tries to ensure her popularity with the conservative Democrats and Republicans who make up her home state of Arizona.

Manchin, who faces a similar calculus in West Virginia, said later: 'Ending the filibuster would be the easy way out. I cannot support such a perilous course for this nation.'

Both senators went to the White House Thursday evening for an extra hour of talks , which the White House later characterized as 'a candid and respectful exchange of views.'

Biden sees implementing voter protections as essential to countering a wave of restrictions proposed by Republicans, spurred on by Donald Trump's claims of fraud in the 2020 election.

So while Republicans praised the two senators, Democrats lined up to question their pursuit of bipartisanship.

'It can't be the only important thing,' said Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, who is Georgia's first Black senator.

'Slavery was bipartisan. Jim Crow segregation was bipartisan.

'The denial of women's suffrage was bipartisan.'
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The Biden Administration says it will start sending out at-home covid tests from a new government web site on Wednesday  but with a delivery window that could last longer than a typical case of covid.

The administration has contracted for more than 420 million home tests kits, a senior administration official told reporters on a press call Friday. The tests will be free to the American public, with each household able to order up to four of them.

But with current wait times, it will take between 7 and 12 days for shipment within the continental, the official said. The U.S. Postal Service will be providing first class package delivery.

'We anticipate that that window will shorten as we get further along in this program,' said the official.

Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories may have to wait longer for 'priority mail' delivery.'

Those wait times may prove longer than some Americans are used to. A quick online search Friday revealed that Amazon.com could deliver a lawnmower by Monday, a holiday. Even in-demand at-home covid tests were available for delivery by Wednesday, the day the program goes live.

The White House announced the testing plan as new data showed the omicron variant is starting to burn out and the infection rate has slowed in 44 states over the last two days.

National case growth is slowing as well, with the daily case average stagnating around 786,000 after rocketing in recent weeks.

President Joe Biden said this week the administration would be sending out 500 million covid tests on top of the 500 million already being ordered for distribution

BIDEN'S PLAN TO SEND OUT ONE BILLION TESTS: A BREAKDOWN Website to order free tests will go online Wednesday January 19

Tests will 'typically' ship within seven to 10 days of ordering

Households can order four each

Testing kits will be sent through the United States Postal Service in a First Class Package.

White House will 'to ensure this program reaches our hardest-hit and highest-risk communities'.

Health insurers will cover eight at-home test per person from Saturday.

A family of four, therefore, will be able to have 32 tests covered.

10 million tests are going out to schools to keep them open. Advertisement

Americans can visit covidtests.gov to order their free tests.

The site was live Friday, but said ordering begins Jan. 19th. There is no queue for advance ordering.

The kickoff date is the same day Biden plans to hold his first full press conference in more than 70 days.

Officials have said they don't expect problems with the web launch. The Obama administration dealt with months of headaches over the launch of its complicated Healthcare.gov web site.

'Were taking our website launch very seriously. We didnt start from scratch,' said the official.

One problem posed by the nationwide shortage of tests is that people who fear they got covid or had a close contact who tested positive may want test information to make decisions about their activities.

The tests come as the U.S. has been hitting peaks for infections and hospitalizations amid the omicron variant. Some experts believe the waive could peak soon, which may mean many of the tests go out after it has passed.

A free call line will help people who have 'difficulty accessing the internet,' according to the administration.

Additionally, as of January 15 the administration is requiring private insurance companies will to cover at-home COVID-19 tests.

According to an administration fact sheet, 'In addition to this new program, there are many other options for Americans to get tested. There are now over 20,000 free testing sites across the nation, including four times as many pharmacies participating in the federal pharmacy free testing program as there were in January 2021, as well as federal surge free testing sites, with more free testing sites opening each week.'

Tests have also gone to community health centers, and schools were awarded a total of $10 billion for testing.

While cases are still on an upward trajectory, the massive slowing in cases adds to the growing body of evidence that the new strain is starting to run out of people to infect - a phenomena predicted by many U.S. health experts in recent weeks.

An analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University finds that the U.S. is averaging 786,406 new cases per day, a 121 percent jump over the past two weeks, and a 30 percent increase over the past seven days. For comparison, last Thursday, January 6, the U.S. was averaging 607,064 cases per day, a 70 percent increase over the previous week then. That means week over week case growth has more than slashed in half over the first half of January.

While the U.S. set a one day record of over 1.4 million cases on Tuesday, the figure was inflated as a result of weekend reporting lags, and is not reflective of single day averages. The current 786,000 cases per day is the most America has ever experienced.

The largest drops in case growth in recent days have been experienced in Northeast, with states that were once seeing meteoritic case growth now seeing case rates starting to taper off. In New York and New Jersey, states that experienced a more than seven-fold increase in cases early in the Omicron surge are now seeing increases of around 40 percent over the past two weeks.

The new web site starts taking orders next week

New York is averaging 350 new Covid cases per every 100,000 residents every day, a 45 percent increase over two weeks. While the Empire state is still among the national leaders in infection rate, it could slowly slide down the leaderboards.

Neighboring New Jersey is also among the U.S. leaders in infection rate, with 314 of every 100,000 residents testing positive daily. Like New York, cases in the Garden state are up 40 percent over the past two weeks, a sharp slow down from the tripling of cases the state experienced the start the new year.

Other states that were recording surges in recent weeks like Maryland, Georgia and Illinois have all seen case growth taper off in mid-January, signaling the peak is near in many U.S. states.

Once the peak is reached, cases could quickly start to decline. In the UK, which trends ahead of the U.S., cases are dropping by nearly 40 percent over the past week, a miraculous decline for a nation that many people felt was going to be totally overwhelmed by the virus only weeks ago. The nation's capital, London, emerged as an early global hotspot for the variant, and has already seen cases fall off as well.

South Africa, the place of Omicron's discovery and the first place to feel the effects of the highly infectious variant, has seen a massive drop in daily cases in recent weeks as well, with current daily case figures hovering around 6,500 - down 70 percent from the late December peak on 23,000 cases per day.

While Covid cases are still trending upwards in all 50 states, the level of change has shrunk in 44 of the 50 U.S. states, signaling that Covid cases in America are reaching their peak and will soon start to decline

People stand in line to receive 2 free at home COVID-19 Antigen Rapid test kits at the Gaithersburg Public Library in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, 12 January 2022. The Omicron variant of the coronavirus pandemic is the dominant strain in many countries as case numbers spike around the world

There has been a nationwide surge in demand for tests

In the U.S., case changes are usually calculated on a two week basis. Due to the large, decentralized nature of America when compared to other countries, reporting day to day can be inconsistent. Some states log cases on all five weekdays and even weekends, while others may only report cases once a week.

To normalize for the inconsistencies, daily case counts are averaged on a weekly basis and compared to each other over two week spans to determine case change rate.

A decreasing case change rate in 44 of America's 50 states on Thursday when compared to Wednesday - along with a decreasing national case change rate, shows that the recent changes are not just outliers, but a real nationwide pandemic trend.

Many experts have also predicted a peak being reached in the U.S. in the near future. Dr Ali Mokdad, of the University of Washington in Seattle, told the Associated Press this week that he also believes the same will occur, and that cases could even start rapidly declining soon.

'It's going to come down as fast as it went up,' Mokdad, who teaches health metrics at the school, said.

Dr Pavitra Roychoudhury, a bioinformatics expert also at the University of Washington, told DailyMail.com that more tests than ever are coming back positive at the moment, and while it is overwhelming, the recent surge should peak soon.

'My understanding is that eventually there'll be enough people will infected that there'll be some sort of some sort of immunity that will be established,' she said.

'That will result in those case numbers plateauing, and then starting to turn down again... It can't come soon enough.'

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease and the country's top infectious disease expert, said Tuesday the variant will eventually infect almost everyone in America.

'Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody,' Fauci said

'Those who have been vaccinated ... and boosted would get exposed. Some, maybe a lot of them, will get infected but will very likely, with some exceptions, do reasonably well in the sense of not having hospitalization and death.'

New York and New Jersey were not the only states to see case growth slow in recent weeks. Maryland is now posting the lowest rate of new cases in America, with new daily cases up by 33 percent over the past two weeks. The state was among the leaders in case growth recently, though issues with data reporting earlier in the winter made some of its December figures unreliable.

Illinois was once an outlier in the Midwest due to high case growth compared to its peers. While many of its neighbors and states out west in the Great Plains were seeing cases decline in mid-December, the state still suffered case increases - mainly fueled by an outbreak in Chicago.

The variant is burning out their as well, though, with cases only up 71 percent over the past two weeks, and the infection rate stalling out.

Georgia was far ahead of its neighbors in case growth in the U.S. south last week as well, with an Atlanta Covid surge causing statewide numbers to surge last week. While cases are still up - the Peach state has recorded a 64 percent increase in cases over the past two weeks - it is now the only state in the region where cases have not doubled over the past 14 days.

The states seeing case growth start to shrink are at their peaks - of course - but that also means their current infection rates are the highest. In New York, 350 of every 100,000 residents are testing positive for Covid every day, the second highest rate in the nation.
Who doesn't want to get ahead financially? It seems like no matter how much money you make, you could always use more. Even when you have a padded savings account, it's nice to have additional income that doesn't require hard work.

When you're already working hard at your job, the next step is to start generating passive income. Owning rental property is a simple way to generate passive income, making real estate the ideal way to get ahead.

There are multiple ways to generate income from real estate

Getting ahead financially requires having multiple sources of income and you can have multiple sources within the real estate industry. For example, in addition to owning rental property, you can get your real estate license and be your own broker. As a licensed broker, you'll be entitled to commissions, which means you'll save money each time you represent yourself as a buyer or seller.

Getting licensed online is easy. In Washington, for example, you can get your real estate license for under $200 after taking a 90-hour course and passing the final exam. Each state has varied requirements, but it's affordable and easy.

Rental property will provide long-term income

The best reason to invest in real estate is to turn properties into rental units and generate long-term income. Each property you acquire will likely generate at least a few hundred dollars in monthly profits until you pay off the mortgage.

Once the mortgage is paid off, the rent you collect will be pure profit after your expenses. You'll always need to pay for repairs, maintenance, property taxes, and other expenses. However, when you own multiple properties you'll be generating a decent amount of money.

You'll have an alternative option for your home

If you ever find yourself in a difficult financial situation, owning additional properties can give you access to another residence. Say you lose your job and can't afford the mortgage on your current home, but you have a couple of paid-off rental properties. You can give one of your tenants notice to vacate and move into the property.

Once you move into your former rental unit, you can sell the home you can't afford to maintain. This will give you significant financial relief and buy you some time to find another job. After your hard times pass, you can buy another house and continue renting your other property.

Real estate is the ideal wealth-building investment

Out of all the investments you can pursue, nothing builds long-term wealth like real estate. You can certainly achieve gains from investing in the stock market, but if you don't have a good advisor, you could lose everything.

Other assets appreciate in value, but must be sold to generate a profit. Real estate is one of the only assets that will generate income for you while you're the owner. You can buy and sell properties for income, but that's not a requirement to generate income from real estate.

The right investments can give you more time to yourself

With enough real estate investment properties generating regular income, you'll have more time to explore your personal hobbies, passions, and other business ventures.

Real estate has the potential to generate a flood of passive income, but it's only passive when you hand over the reins to a property management company. If you're new to property investing, you'll get tired of being a landlord really fast. You may not even make it through a year before wanting to quit.

To prevent yourself from becoming frustrated and to avoid accidentally breaking the law, hire a property manager from the start. It's the best way to protect your investments from costly mistakes, especially lawsuits.

Rental property creates generational wealth

If you have children, part of your financial plan probably includes strategies to transfer some of your wealth to them over the course of their lives. You may even want to bequeath your total wealth to your kids when you pass on.

Passing down wealth to future generations is easy with real estate. Unlike other assets, real estate doesn't require transporting physical objects or finding a place to stash them in your home. Your kids will need to pay taxes on the property they receive, but it's worth the expense.

Simply owning property isn't enough, however, to ensure generational wealth. You also need to take certain legal steps and work with professionals to ensure proper management and distribution.

The real estate market is thriving

Real estate has ups and downs, but the market is currently thriving despite the COVID-19 pandemic. If you've been considering real estate, but haven't made the move yet, now is the time.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NATO has announced it plans to deepen cyber cooperation with Ukraine after a sweeping attack knocked out key government websites in Kyiv.

Without naming Moscow, aide to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, said Western and Ukrainian intelligence believed the cyberattacks were part of a plot for the 'destabilisation of the situation in Ukraine'.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: 'In the coming days, NATO and Ukraine will sign an agreement on enhanced cyber cooperation, including Ukrainian access to NATO's malware information sharing platform.'

It comes amid heightened tensions between the rival nations, as Russia held snap combat readiness inspections of its troops today, with up to 100,000 stationed on the border with Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the US has intelligence that Russia is planning a 'false-flag' operation on its own forces in eastern Ukraine to create a pretext for invasion.

NATO has risked angering Vladimir Putin after it announces plans to deepen cyber cooperation with Ukraine

The inspections came as several key Ukrainian government websites were taken offline Friday, authorities said, in a sweeping cyber attack. Pictured: A laptop displays a warning message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, that appeared on the official website of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry after a massive cyberattack, in this illustration taken January 14, 2022

The EU was also mobilising to aid its close ally after the attacks temporarily brought down sites, including those of the foreign ministry and cabinet.

Kyiv said the damage was limited and held back on apportioning blame but the ex-Soviet country has accused Russians with links to Moscow for previous hits on websites and key infrastructure.

The foreign ministry website earlier Friday was displaying a message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish languages.

'Ukrainians! All your personal data ... have been deleted and are impossible to restore. All information about you has become public, be afraid and expect the worst.'

'This is for your past, present and future,' it said, mentioning two ultra-nationalist organisations in Ukraine.

Special training of snipers of the combined arms army of the Western Military District at training grounds in the Voronezh

Meanwhile, the US has intelligence that Russia is planning a 'false-flag' operation on its own forces in eastern Ukraine to create a pretext for invasion.

Ukraine's foreign ministry described today's cyberattack that brought down its site and other government portals as 'massive'.

The targeted sites, including the emergencies ministry, education ministry and cabinet, displayed a message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish warning Ukrainians that their personal data had been compromised.

'All information about you has become public, be afraid and expect the worst,' the message read.

Within hours of the breach early Friday the SBU security services said access to most hit sites had been restored and that the fallout was minimal.

'The content of sites has not been changed and according to preliminary information no personal data was leaked,' the SBU security service said in a statement.

Pictured: A tank takes part in a military drill in Russia. Russian military manoeuvres are being closely scrutinised due to a troop buildup near Ukraine that has prompted fears in Kyiv and the West that Moscow may be planning to invade. Russia denies any such plan

Kyiv did not immediately blame any individual or entities and the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said it was too early 'to point the finger at anybody. We don't have proof'.

But he added: 'You can imagine who did this.'

Officials on Friday also said they believed Russia was mounting a social media disinformation campaign to portray Ukraine as the aggressor.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia had 'run out of patience' with the West as Moscow demanded assurances that NATO would not expand closer to its territory.

Meanwhile the US says it has evidence that operatives trained in urban warfare and sabotage will carry out false flag attacks on Russian proxy forces, officials told journalists on Friday, possibly weeks before an invasion.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki warned of human rights violations and war crimes if diplomacy failed and the Russian government went ahead with its plans.

Pictured: A fighter jet is seen taking off in footage released by Russia's military ministry of defence. Amid concern over Russia's troop movements, Russia says it is up to Moscow alone where it moves its forces around on its territory and that they pose no external threat

Defence Ministry footage released by RIA news agency showed numerous armoured vehicles and other military hardware being loaded onto trains in the Eastern Military District

No breakthrough was reached at meetings between Russia and Western states this week, which fear Moscow could launch a new attack on a country it invaded in 2014.

The events came the day after Poland warned Europe faces its greatest threat of war in the last 30 years, and as Russia threatened 'military means' if its demands over Ukraine were not met by the West.

'The drumbeat of war is sounding loud,' added senior U.S. diplomat Michael Carpenter, last night as talks to find a diplomatic solution to the worsening situation between Russia and Ukraine teetered on the brink of collapse.

Defence Ministry footage released by RIA news agency showed numerous armoured vehicles and other military hardware being loaded onto trains in the Eastern Military District.

'The exercises will make it possible to assess the readiness of the troops... to carry out missions as required after regrouping at far distances across Russian territory,' the ministry was quoted as saying.

Open-source intelligence analysts have for weeks been studying social media footage of Russian military hardware being transported, including by train.

Russia says it is up to Moscow alone where it moves its forces around on its territory and that they pose no external threat.

Rob Lee, a military analyst and a fellow at the U.S.-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, said the drills would test the ability of units to complete missions after conducting long-distance travel.

'This is likely cover for the units being moved towards Ukraine,' he tweeted.

Open-source intelligence analysts have for weeks been studying social media footage of Russian military hardware being transported, including by train. Pictured: A man is shown operating a Russian armoured vehicle

Pictured: Ukrainian troops take part in military drills as tensions across the country's border with Russia continue to mount

Pictured: A Russian plane is shown in video released by the Russian military on Friday

In December, Russia unveiled proposals to contain the United States and NATO in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, saying that the US-led alliance should not admit Ukraine or Georgia as new members.

This week's negotiations in Geneva and a related NATO-Russia meeting in Brussels were held amid a significant Russian troop buildup near Ukraine that the West fears might be a prelude to an invasion.

Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, has denied having plans to attack its neighbor but warned the West that NATO's expansion to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations is a 'red line' that mustn't be crossed.

Washington and its allies firmly rejected Moscow's demand for security guarantees precluding NATO's expansion, but Russia and the West agreed to leave the door open to possible further talks on arms control and confidence-building measures intended to reduce the potential for hostilities.

Pictured: Russian troops take part in parachute drills in footage released on Friday

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of his 'grave concerns' of a Russian invasion of Ukraine with an appalling cost in human lives.

He cautioned Vladimir Putin not to close the door on talks to diffuse the crisis, joining with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg to demand a Russia de-escalation.

His intervention came as Moscow signalled a 'dead end' in talks with the West, amid further intense war games by Kremlin's forces.

On Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow saw no reason to hold a new round of security talks with the West following a lack of progress.

Ryabkov also said he did not rule out the possibility that Moscow could deploy forces to allies Venezuela or Cuba if diplomacy failed.

The West has accused Russia of deploying tanks, artillery and about 100,000 soldiers on Ukraine's war-torn eastern border in recent weeks, in what NATO says is preparation for an invasion. Russia has denied it plans to invade

But in the same interview with prominent TV presenter Tina Kandelaki on RTVI he hit out at Britain and the US, claiming London was in the vanguard of the West's perceived uncompromising stance.

She had claimed that British officials 'simply hate' Russia and 'put in a lot of effort to ensure our relations with the US and with the rest of the world are in a state of constant escalation'.

He said: 'I am certain, I don't even need to read it - the Anglo-Saxon group, North America, Great Britain were the toughest in their attacks on us and on politics.

'This is fact without a doubt.

'So there is no way we can speak about London's constructive role.'

In 2020, the United States in October charged six Russians with carrying out cyber attacks on Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French elections and the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The justice department at the time said the six were current or former members of the GRU - Russian military intelligence and were also accused of staging a malware attack called 'NotPetya' that infected computers of businesses worldwide causing nearly $1 billion in losses.
Pennsylvania's Republican-led state senate has plans to put forth a bill that would divert flights carrying migrants across the U.S. to President Biden's home state of Delaware.

The bill would implement a 'transportation program' to address the 'unauthorized relocation' of undocumented migrants to Pennsylvania.

'If the federal government is not willing to provide extra dollars to communities that have experienced increased strain on their healthcare systems, increased number of students in school districts and education costs and other services within our communities, then they shouldn't be forced to take on more illegal immigrants and the additional financial responsibility,' state Sen. Mario Scavello of Mount Pocono wrote in a memo announcing the legislation.

'How many illegal immigrants has the President relocated to his own home state of Delaware? If it is good enough for Pennsylvania, then why not redirect the relocation to Delaware.'

Biden's home residence in Wilmington, Delaware

Scavello added that the legislation will be modeled after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing that he intended to bus unlawful migrants flown into his state to Delaware.

The Republican governor warned in November, 'My view would be, if they're going to come here, you know, we'll provide buses and provide them. I will send them to Delaware.'

Scavello's bill would also prohibit state contracts from being given to any contractors who assist the Biden administration's efforts to relocate migrants to the state.

'If the federal government is not willing to provide extra dollars to communities that have experienced increased strain on their healthcare systems, increased number of students in school districts and education costs and other services within our communities, then they shouldn't be forced to take on more illegal immigrants and the additional financial responsibility,' state Sen. Mario Scavello said

Pennsylvania's Republican-led state senate has plans to put forth a bill that would divert flights carrying migrants across the U.S. to President Biden's home state of Delaware

Pictured above is one of Biden's two homes in Delaware, his beach house in Rehoboth Beach

State Sen. Doug Mastriano of Chambersburg said Thursday he would be co-sponsoring the legislation.

'We need to further examine the total number of illegal immigrants being sent to [Pennsylvania] by plane and bus,' said Mastriano, who is also running for governor.

'We also need to look at how much this is costing taxpayers and if Governor [Tom] Wolf and Attorney General [Josh] Shapiro were notified of the flights beforehand.'

Shapiro is running for governor on the Democratic side as Wolf is term-limited.

The announcement of the bill comes after GOP gubernatorial candidate Lou Barletta claimed earlier this month that secret flights were carrying illegal migrants into the state.

Barletta said a flight landed at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown last Thursday and that others arrived at Scranton a week earlier.

He posted images of what he said were chartered airplanes that had taken off from El Paso, Texas, and arrived at Scranton on Christmas day.

Barletta accused the Biden administration of playing games with the safety of people in Pennsylvania.

'The incredible secrecy and disregard for Pennsylvanians continues,' he said.

'First, we had to discover for ourselves that illegal immigrants were being shipped into Northeast Pennsylvania on at least four flights.

'But then when people demanded information, the flights were shifted to the Lehigh Valley and they just hoped no one would notice.'

A photo shared by Rep. Lou Barletta apparently shows an evening flight of illegal immigrants arriving at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport

Barletta, who is running for governor of Pennsylvania, said the flights showed the Biden administration was playing games with the safety of people in the state

Barletta shared data from a flight tracking website that showed how planes arriving at Wilkes Barre-Scranton International Airport (AVP) had originated at El Paso, Texas

But Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright disputed his claims, saying the flights were part of a Department of Health and Human Services program that had been running for several administrations.

They carried unaccompanied children who had arrived from countries in Central America, including Honduras and Guatemala, he told WNEP.

'They find vetted sponsors where these children go,' he said recently.

'They come over the border, they're in Texas, they're unaccompanied, they need to go someplace.

'They have vetted sponsors where they go. These sponsors have to sign a contract that says that they will bring these kids to their court hearing.'

They were originally destined to be flown to other airports, he added, but staff shortages at their intended destinations led to a change of plans.

Wolf's office recently told Fox News that migrant flights arriving at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on Dec. 11, 17 and 25 were full of unaccompanied children who were 'en route' to be united with vetted sponsors.

'Had any of the elected officials sending letters/statements asked, they would have received the same information that we have from HHS; over recent weeks, unaccompanied children passed through the Wilkes-Barre airport en route to their final destination to be unified with their parents or vetted sponsor,' said spokeswoman Beth Rementer. 'These were not ICE flights.'
Waukesha parade killer Darrell Brooks was high on weed when he mowed down six people and killed them - and couldn't bring himself to look at photos of the bloodbath afterwards, a court heard.

Friday's probable cause hearing in Waukesha County Court ruled prosecutors had presented 'ample' evidence that Brooks had deliberately mown down and killed six victims at the November 2021 Christmas parade.

The court also heard for the first time how Brooks had red-eyes and smelt of weed when he was arrested - and how he had struggled to look at photos of his victims' remains shown to him by detectives.

Brooks' attorney, public defender Anna Kees, argued that Brooks was high during the incident, noting that officers who arrested him noticed he smelled of marijuana and his eyes were red and glassy.

Darrell Brooks, 39, will face trial for murdering six at Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin

Prosecutors have presented 'ample' evidence to show probably committed felonies, Waukesha County Court Commissioner Kevin Costello said at the end of a preliminary hearing

Costello ordered him to appear for an arraignment on February 11 as he was led out of court

She maintained that he couldn't turn off the parade route because the side streets were barricaded and full of spectators. She noted, too, that he told detectives that he didn't mean to kill anyone and couldn't bring himself to look when detectives showed him photos of the carnage.

Kees made the admissions about marijuana and Brooks' inability to look at photos of the bloodbath he'd inflicted as evidence that he wasn't of sound mind, but that he had shown remorse afterwards.

But District Attorney Susan Opper countered that all Brooks had to do was stop the vehicle, and that even if he was high on marijuana he still committed multiple crimes.

Brooks sat quietly at the defense table in a red jail jumpsuit and surgical mask. He said nothing. Costello ordered him to appear for an arraignment on February 11, where Brooks can enter a plea. He remains jailed on a $5million cash bond.

He faces life in prison if convicted.

Darrel Brooks faces a total of 77 charges

He given an additional 71 charges on Wednesday for steering his vehicle through the parade while hanging out the window.

Brooks steered his Ford Escape for five blocks through the parade route in the Waukesha, Wisconsin, suburb of Milwaukee, on November 21, killing six people and injuring dozens more.

Authorities estimate that the SUV reached speeds of up to 25 mph and said some people landed on the hood, with Brooks carrying them along.

The criminal complaint also alleged that just before the tragedy, Brooks drove her ex-girlfriend around, steering with one hand and punching her in the face with the other because she didn't post bail for him after he was arrested for running her over and breaking her leg.

Brooks' ex-girlfriend told investigators that he broke her leg when he ran her over in early November.

He walked out of jail two days before the parade after his mother posted $1,000 bail.

Brooks' ex-girlfriend told investigators that the day of the parade, she met Brooks at a Waukesha park and got into the SUV, where they argued about why she didn't bail him out of jail.

He drove her around, steering with one hand and punching her in the face with the other, the complaint filed Wednesday said.

Minutes after she got out of the SUV, he drove drove into the parade, according to the complaint.

The ex-girlfriend added that the Escape originally belonged to Brooks' mother but that he lived in the vehicle.

Footage shared online in November, showed some victims just seconds before Brooks plowed through the crowd, as horrified pedestrians tried to get out of the way

Prosecutors added dozens of charges Wednesday, January 12. Above, Darrell Brooks, center, is escorted out of the courtroom after making his initial appearance, Tuesday, November 23, 2021 (File photo)

Prosecutors suggested that Brooks plowed into the crowd fully aware that his actions would lead to the endangerment and possible death of multiple people.

'All of the victims who were killed and most of the people that were injured were walking right down the middle of the road in plain view,' the complaint said.

'[The street] was clearly closed to traffic, there were barricades in place and police present to direct motorists for the entire length of the parade route.'

The Christmas parade tragedy was the latest in a series of violent crimes he is tied to going back 22 years and spanning across numerous states.

Prosecutors charged Brooks with six counts of homicide two days after the parade.

They added 71 new charges against him Wednesday, including 61 counts of recklessly endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon for each person injured at the November 21 incident, along with the six homicide charges, according to court records filed on Wednesday.

The SUV was found around five blocks from where the parade carnage took place, parked in a driveway

Brooks' lengthy rap sheet includes felonies for bail jumping, battery, drugs offenses, weapons offenses and domestic abuse but he has never spent a significant amount of time in prison

Main Street in downtown Waukesha is seen blocked off with crime scene tape after a car plowed through a holiday parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S., November 22, 2021

Each charge carries a possible penalty of seven-and-a-half- years in prison. The first-degree homicide charges carry a mandatory life sentence if Brooks is convicted.

He also faces six counts of hit-and-run involving death, two counts of bail jumping and two counts of domestic abuse battery, according to court records.

Brooks is a registered sex offender and has been arrested more than 15 times in the state of Wisconsin alone for charges including possession of drugs, strangulation and suffocation, battery, illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon and resisting arrest.

After he went through the parade, Brooks drove through a backyard, the complaint said. He abandoned the SUV and asked a homeowner to help him. Police captured him at that house.

Brooks' attorney, public defender Jeremy Perri, didn't respond to a message seeking comment.

Amy Mack lights candles at a memorial at Veterans Park for the victims of a deadly Christmas parade crash in Waukesha on November 23, 2021

On November 21, Brooks was filmed speeding in a red SUV as he slammed into Waukesha Christmas parade spectators and participants, killing Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, Wilhelm Hospel, 81, and Jackson Sparks, 8.

Four of the six people who were killed in the parade were with the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies float, including Sorenson, Owen, Durand and Wilhelm Hospel, the husband of one of the Grannies.

Brooks' motive remains unknown.

He had been out on bail just before the hit-and-run, which had been set at $1,000, despite the fact that he'd been bailed twice in 2021 and has a lengthy criminal history stretching back to 1999 that includes a laundry list of offenses.

On November 5, weeks before the parade, Brook was charged with endangerment for allegedly running over the mother of his child with his SUV.

Brooks was assessed as a high risk to reoffend, but the prosecutor who handled his initial appearance still sought the $1,000 cash bail. He posted it on November 19.

The alleged killer said he has felt 'demonized' and 'dehumanized' by the court proceedings, but the mother of one of his children offered no sympathy.

'It was a monstrous act and it's completely irredeemable,' the woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told Fox News in December. 'I'm mortified and devastated and have lost sleep for days over this. Obviously, I wish it did not happen.'

The woman said her teenage son, who has not seen his father in more than a year, also felt heartbroken by the senseless attack.

She claimed that Brooks had a history of mental health issues and was on medication, and that her son only had irregular contact with him for the last decade.

According to court papers filed in Waukesha, Brooks owes his former partner $41,000 in back child support, but the woman says the $151 monthly payment Brooks is supposed to pay 'isn't going to make or break us.'

The Christmas parade began on November 21 at 4pm, with participants starting at Main Street and Whiterock Avenue. At 4.39pm, the red SUV was filmed speeding down Main Street. It then smashed into the crowd and sent bodies flying before speeding on towards the end of the parade, where the car broke through barriers

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm has taken intense criticism for allowing his office to recommend Brooks' bail be set at $1,000 in the domestic violence case.

Chisholm had said that was a mistake, made by an overworked assistant prosecutor, previously identified as Michelle Grasso, who never saw an evaluation of the dangers Brooks could pose to the community because the assessment was never entered into the district attorney's office's computer system.

A group of people who say they are Milwaukee County taxpayers had filed the complaint in December asking Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to remove Chisholm to prevent similarly low bail recommendations in future cases involving violent offenders such as Brooks.

Milwaukee County Judicial Court Commissioner Cedric Cornwall was also criticized for approving the low bail amount.

Cornwall approved the low bond for Brooks during his arraignment for the alleged hit-and-run. Cornwall, who has served as commissioner since 2005, has a history of low bonds, Fox News reported.

On the same day he set the $1,000 bond for Brooks, he also set bail at $500 for a man accused of strangulation, battery and domestic violence. The day before he set bail at $1,000 for a woman charged with three felonies, including child abuse.

In 2006, the commissioner set bail at $100,00 for a foreign exchange student accused of a sex crime. Cornwall didn't require the man to surrender his passport and he fled to China where he was later arrested on an unrelated charge and extradited back to the United States.
General Electric has become became the latest company to permanently suspend its COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirement after the Supreme Court blocked President Joe Biden's mandate.

The company has previously encouraged its 174,000 employees to get the jab, according to a spokesperson, and will continue to do so. But it suspended the rule on December 16 in the wake of a court ruling ordering a stay on the vaccine mandate for private sector works, and ditched it permanently after Thursday's Supreme Court ruling.

GE had announced in October an intention to begin a vaccination mandate in an attempt to comply with the federal regulations.

President Biden urged businesses to bring in vaccine mandates on their own and pushed states to 'do the right thing' after the Supreme Court voted 6-3 Thursday to block his sweeping rules on private companies in a crushing blow to his pandemic response.

The high court did however allow a vaccine mandate for employees at health care facilities receiving federal dollars to go into effect. Twenty-seven states had petitioned the Supreme Court to issue a stay on the rule while it is battled out in the judicial system.

The conservative justices claim Biden's rule was overly-broad and would have presented a 'significant encroachment' on the 'everyday lives -- and health -- of' the 84 million American workers that would have been impacted.

GE headquarters on Necco Street in Boston. The company's employees will no longer be held to a federal or company-wide vaccine mandate

GE CEO Lawrence Culp Jr.'s company will continue to encourage all of its employees to take the shot

The Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Biden 's vaccine-or-test mandate for private companies with 100 or more employees, in a 6-3 decision handed down on Thursday that dealt a crushing blow to the White House's pandemic response

It's the latest setback in a bad day for Joe Biden (pictured telling reporters that Democrats' current plan for voting rights is dead after moderate Sen. Kyrsten Sinema objected to scuttling the filibuster)

The justices passed Biden's mandate for healthcare workers 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh siding with liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer.

Biden called the ruling on private businesses 'disappointing' in a statement on Thursday afternoon but added that the decision to keep the healthcare mandate 'will save lives.'

'This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden,' the president claimed.

'As a result of the Court's decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated.'

Thirteen states including Texas, Florida and Arizona have bans or limits on imposing vaccine mandates while many companies including Amtrak, Macy's and Starbucks have already announced measures for their employees.

Democrat-led states such as New York with their own mandates won't be impacted and can keep their rules in place, while states without any rules in place can decide for themselves.

Republicans celebrated the decision by calling it a 'victory for freedom' after claiming it was an overreach for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - the agency usually tasked with investigating asbestos and workplace accidents.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh has, despite the loss, vowed to use the OSHA's existing authority to hold businesses accountable for protecting workers.

'We urge all employers to require workers to get vaccinated or tested weekly to most effectively fight this deadly virus in the workplace,' Walsh said in a statement Thursday. 'Employers are responsible for the safety of their workers on the job.'

Biden's rival Donald Trump praised the decision and mocked Biden's campaign-era promise to 'shut down' the virus.

'The Supreme Court has spoken, confirming what we all knew: Biden's disastrous mandates are unconstitutional,' Trump said in a statement through his Save America PAC.

'Biden promised to shut down the virus, not the economy but he has failed miserably on bothand mandates would have further destroyed the economy. We are proud of the Supreme Court for not backing down. No mandates!'

Biden rolled out sweeping measures in September aimed at getting more Americans vaccinated, after the rate of inoculations slumped as the Delta variant brought a new wave of infections over the summer. If implemented, they would have affected a combined one-third of the US workforce.

Following the president's orders the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), the agency which ensures public and private workplace safety on a federal level, rolled out details for its rules for private companies.

In the 6-3 majority opinion, the conservative justices claim the rule 'draws no distinctions based on industry or risk of exposure to COVID19.'

They go on to argue that COVID-19 is not an 'occupational hazard' and can be spread 'at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather.'

'That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases,' the opinion states.

Biden on Thursday said he was disappointed with the Supreme Court's decision, but would urge businesses to step up and tell States to do the right thing

'Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily lifesimply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clockwould significantly expand OSHA's regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization.'

This is no 'everyday exercise of federal power': SCOTUS justices key arguments in their decision 'It draws no distinctions based on industry or risk of exposure to COVID19. Thus, most lifeguards and linemen face the same regulations as do medics and meatpackers.' 'This is no 'everyday exercise of federal power' ... It is instead a significant encroachment into the livesand healthof a vast number of employees.' 'Although COVID 19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. COVID19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather... '...That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases.' 'OSHA's indiscriminate approach fails to account for this crucial distinction between occupational risk and risk more generallyand accordingly the mandate takes on the character of a general public health measure, rather than an 'occupational safety or health standard.'' Advertisement

They called the rule a 'blunt instrument' that would improperly place the same workplace guidelines on a 'lineman' as a 'medic.'

In his concurring opinion Justice Neil Gorsuch appeared to take a jab at White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, who landed himself and Biden in hot water late last year by retweeting an MSNBC host calling the mandate the 'ultimate work-around' to normal Congressional authorities.

Gorsuch said it appeared that OSHA 'pursued its regulatory initiative only as a legislative 'work-around.''

In typical fashion Klain took to Twitter to defend his boss's mandate on Thursday.

'We didn't impose ANY vaccine requirements until August, and the one the Court stayed today was not announced until September,' Klain wrote.

'These requirements were used only after persuasion, incentives ($100 to get a vax), and final FDA approval were all in place.'

Republican praise for the court's decision poured in near-immediately.

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy blasted Biden's mandates as 'unlawful and not based on science' before promising to continue to oppose the rule for healthcare workers.

'Today's ruling blocking OSHA's vaccine mandate is a welcomed rejection of an arbitrary, aggressive, and authoritarian government. But the fight isn't over. Republicans will continue to speak up for the many health care workers who have been wrongly fired due to a similar mandate,' McCarthy said.

'This is a huge win. The federal government has no place making far-reaching mandates that put an undue burden on businesses across Wyoming,' Senator Cynthia Lummis wrote on Twitter.

Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump's ex-Secretary of State, said Biden's mandate is 'unconstitutional. Period.'

'Grateful the Supreme Court agreed. We must always be vigilant to ensure the federal government does not become too powerful,' Pompeo said on the platform.

The GOP tweeted: 'This is a victory for American workers, and the GOP is proud of our role filing one of the lawsuits that halted this mandate.'

Senator Roger Marshall, a licensed physician, celebrated: 'This is a HUGE victory for all Americans who were forced to fight against Joe Biden's cruel campaign to punish workers over their medical freedom.'

National Republican Party chair Ronna McDaniel said: 'We are proud to have filed one of the lawsuits challenging the Biden administration and are encouraged by this ruling, but the fight is not over. The Republican National Committee will continue to stand up for businesses and workers.'

The decision also came as new data appeared to show Omicron may have peaked that cases could soon fall sharply.

Statistics from Johns Hopkins University shows that New York, New Jersey and Maryland have all seen seven day-average cases drop in recent days. Deaths have spiked by 20 per cent in a fortnight to around 1,820 a day, but still sit far below the peaks of winter 2020, even though more COVID infections are being recorded.
Jason Walker's father told police his son had jumped on the hood of a North Carolina off-duty cop's car and ripped a windshield wiper off to hit the vehicle before the officer shot him dead last week.

In newly released bodycam footage of officers responding to the aftermath of the incident, Anthony Walker was pacing back and forth as he recounted the events that led to his son's death at the hands of Cumberland County Sheriffs Office Lt. Jeffrey Hash, 38, on January 8.

'I saw it. I saw it,' Anthony told police. 'He jumped up on the hood. He jumped on his car and he [Hash] shot him.'

'[Jason] came out the yard and I was trying to get him to come back over here and I called him, I said, ''Come back, Jason,'' Anthony added.

'He was out here in the daggone street when that fella drove up and he jumped up on the guy's hood, the guy jumped out and just started shooting.'

The case, which involves a white officer shooting a black man, has sparked days of protests and calls for Hash - who was placed on administrative leave - to be arrested.

The Walkers' family lawyer Ben Crump, who also represents the family of George Floyd, branded the incident a 'case of a shoot first, ask later philosophy'.

Anthony Walker (right), Jason Walker's father, said the 37-year-old ran out of their yard and into the street, jumping on the hood of Cumberland County Sheriffs Office Lt. Jeffrey Hash's SUV. He said his son ripped off one of the windshield wipers to hit the car

First responders arrived at the scene where Hash shot and killed Walker, saying he feared for his safety and the safety of his wife and daughter, who were in the car with him

Jason Walker (left) was shot and killed by off-duty officer Jeffery Hash (right)

One of the witnesses (right) backed Anthony Walker's claim about his son jumping on the hood of the car while the other (left) said Walker was already on the ground when Hash shot him

Anthony then walked up to Hash's SUV to explain to police exactly where Walker, 37, was when he jumped on the car.

'He pulled off one of the daggone windshield wipers and hit the windshield,' Anthony said.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins had filed the petition with the court earlier this week to release the bodycam footage with the statements made by Anthony and two other witnesses.

One of them, a woman who helped render aid to Walker, said that he didn't appear to pose a threat, but that she didn't see what happened before Walker was on the ground.

'He didnt have anything on him,' she said of Walker. 'I dont understand what happened. The guy just started shooting him.'

When the officer collecting her testimony asked if Walker was already on the ground when Hash shot him, the woman said he was.'

In one clip, the off-duty deputy can be heard saying that he stopped his car when he saw Walker run across the street. He added that he had his daughter in the car.

As police continue to investigate the incident, many of the facts have yet to come out due to contradictory witness testimony.

Walker's father Anthony Walker becomes emotional at a rally held in Fayetteville on Thursday

Janice Walker, mother of Jason Walker, (2nd L) wipes away tears during rally on January 13, 2022, 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

While one witness - another deputy - backs up Hash's claim the Walker jumped onto his car, another claims she saw the off-duty cop hit him with his truck.

Hawkins also told WFNC radio on Wednesday: 'We have one other witness  outside of the deputy  that confirms what he [Hash] said.'

It comes after nurse Elizabeth Ashley Ricks - who attended to Walker at the scene - said she saw the whole incident unfold and that Hash struck Walker with his vehicle.

She told ABC11 that she was driving behind Hash with her fiance Chase Sorrell.

'And then as we were approaching, I saw him hit Jason,' she said.

'And from what I saw from behind, at first when that part happened, was he hit him, and Jason hit forward, and then slammed  his body was slammed onto the windshield.'

She then said she thought Hash fired a shot through his windshield before getting out of the truck and shooting Walker again.

But Hawkins casted doubt on her claims during a news conference on Sunday, saying no shots were fired through the windshield and that it had been damaged by Walker hitting it with one of the windshield wipers.

Hash's truck's 'black box' is also considered key in the case.

Hawkins revealed on Sunday that it did indeed record an impact, but experts believe hitting a person would not be strong enough to trigger the device's impact sensors, reported the Fayetteville Observer.

Attorney Ben Crump (L), alongside the family of Jason Walker, including his brother, mother Janice Walker (C), and father, Anthony Walker (R)

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

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

At a rally at the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church on Thursday night, Crump said the shooting was 'unacceptable', while Walker's father said: 'I can't hardly talk about him', and other family members appeared too emotional to speak.

Fayetteville police said Monday that a preliminary investigation determined that Walker 'ran into traffic and jumped on a moving vehicle.' Hash shot Walker and then called 911, police said. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crump branded the shooting 'unacceptable' as he told a rally at a Fayetteville church on Thursday night how Walker was the single father of a 14-year-old son.

He said: 'There are a lot of reasons why black children have to grow up without their fathers.

'But this reason is unacceptable. This is unacceptable that we have to tell that young boy that his father was shot unnecessarily, unjustifiably and unconstitutionally by somebody who was supposed to protect and serve him.'

He added: 'We're not asking for anything extraordinary.

'All we're asking for is the truth. It is not lost on me that when Jason Walker was shot multiple times, he was close to home.'
Clutching a simple bunch of roses and irises, Muriel McKays daughter Dianne left her Surrey home on Thursday morning to lay her carefully chosen blooms on a spot of earth by a farmhouse close to the border of Hertfordshire and Essex.

It was the sort of journey grieving sons and daughters make on a regular basis. But for Dianne, now 81, the pilgrimage marked the first time she had visited the spot where she believes her beloved mother lies  more than half a century after she died.

It was a spontaneous thing, Dianne recalls now. Ive never wanted to go there or anywhere near it. For me it was always a place of evil. The name has such awful connotations.

That name has now changed, but in 1969 it was Rooks Farm, and it was where Muriel was taken on a chilly December night, snatched from her home in Wimbledon, South-West London, in a bungled kidnap attempt after being mistaken for Anna Murdoch, the then wife of media baron Rupert.

Tragic: Muriel McKay

She has never been seen since. One of Britains most notorious murders, the case made headlines round the world. Nine months later, Trinidadian brothers Arthur and Nizamodeen  known as Nizam  Hosein were convicted and imprisoned for Muriels kidnap and murder.

It was the first time a UK court had handed down a verdict of murder despite the absence of a body. Both men protested their innocence. Ever since, what happened to Muriel has remained a mystery and a source of enduring pain for her three children.

Now, in a remarkable development, Dianne and siblings Jennifer, 84, and Ian, 79, believe they may finally have learned the truth about their mothers final days.

In December, over the course of several video conversations with Dianne and the familys lawyer, Matthew Gayle, Nizam  now 73 and back in his native Trinidad  revealed Muriel died as a result of a heart attack and described the specific spot on the land surrounding the now renamed Stocking Farm where Muriels body could be found.

It is there that Dianne laid flowers this week on the patch of grass she believes to be her mothers grave.

Confirming Nizams confession, however, is proving difficult, for while police are re-examining case files, the familys attempts to establish the truth of his claims have been hampered by a refusal from the farms current owners to allow them full access to their land.

I want to believe him, says Dianne. Its odd to think he would lie now, when he has served a prison sentence for murder.

We asked a lot of questions and whenever we said something he thought was wrong, he was vehement about saying no. I think hes been in denial for the last 50 years. He had older brothers who I think he was scared of.

Target: Anna Murdoch with husband Rupert and Alick McKay

Today Dianne is an eloquent octogenarian who divides her time between Europe and the UK. In 1969, however, she was a 29-year-old mother of three. The McKay family had moved to London 13 years earlier from their native Adelaide, Australia, because of her father Alicks job as a newspaper executive working for Rupert Murdoch.

Dianne settled in Sussex, but remained close to her mother, whom she describes as glamorous, loving and gentle. She loved her life in London, she adds.

The day before she was abducted, Muriel had travelled from London to visit her daughter and grandchildren. They called her Carly after her much-loved dog who was called Carl. It was a silly thing, recalls Dianne. She went home. I never saw her again.

The following evening, Sunday, December 29, Alick arrived home at 7.45pm to find the front door open, the lights on and no sign of Muriel.

The phone had been pulled from the wall, the contents of his wifes handbag were strewn over the stairs and a rusty meat cleaver lay on the floor. Initially, the police refused to believe she had been abducted, insisting she must have run off with a boyfriend.

We told them shed never do something like that, says Dianne.

Baffled as to why Muriel would have been targeted for such a crime, the story which emerged proved so gripping it featured in the hit West End play Ink, decades later.

While Murdoch and his wife Anna were on holiday in Australia, they had lent their chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce to Alick, his deputy.

Unaware of this development the Hosein brothers spent several days following the car, believing they were on the trail of Murdoch and his wife. When the car stopped at the McKay home in Wimbledon the brothers understandably thought it was Murdochs home and, on that fateful Sunday when Alick was out and Muriel home alone, forced their way in, bundling her into their car.

It was hell, Dianne recalls of those initial days. We were distraught. You felt so helpless because what do you do? Drive round the streets? I sat by the phone all night waiting for a call we knew would come.

When it did, it was Dianne who answered. We are called M3, we are the Mafia, said the male caller, whom she now knows was Nizam.

We tried to get Rupert Murdochs wife, he told her. We couldnt get her, so we took Muriel instead.

They said they would give further instructions, Dianne recalls.

Two days later, a scribbled note the first of three  arrived in the post in Muriels handwriting. Please do something to get me home, it read. My father was a complete wreck, Dianne recalls. December turned to January and still the family had no idea where Muriel was.

The kidnappers demanded 1 million for Muriels safe return. A thwarted ransom exchange on February 1  abandoned by the pair when they suspected a police ambush  was followed by another, five days later.

On that occasion, Arthur Hoseins Volvo was seen repeatedly driving near the site of the requested ransom drop. His number plate led the police to Rooks Farm, where they discovered a notebook filled with the same paper that Muriels letters had been written on, and a set of Arthurs fingerprints matching those found on the ransom demands. Still, there was no trace of Muriel.

Muriel was taken on a chilly December night, snatched from her home in Wimbledon, South-West London, in a bungled kidnap attempt after being mistaken for Anna Murdoch (pictured), the then wife of media baron Rupert

Certain she was dead, police charged the Hosein brothers with her murder. Both made for unlikely kidnappers. Arthur had come to England in the early 1960s as a tailors cutter, harbouring ambitions to become a local squire.

He borrowed heavily to buy Rooks Farm, in the Hertfordshire village of Stocking Pelham. It was there that, aged 34, he came up with his kidnap plot while watching media magnate Murdoch and wife Anna on TV.

Nizam followed his older brother to England in the summer of 1969, only to find himself tangled up in his plot six months later. Ive no doubt Arthur was the lead, says Dianne. He was a nasty piece of work.

Yet both refused to confess and when they took the stand at their subsequent Old Bailey trial in September 1970, each tried to lay the blame at the others feet.

The jury did not believe either of them and both were found guilty of kidnapping and murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Arthur died in Ashworth high-security psychiatric hospital in 2009 while Nizamodeen served 20 years and was deported to Trinidad on his release in 1990. Yet while justice was served, there has been no closure for the McKay family.

All the children had a very rough ride, says Dianne. We were all happily married but our marriages broke down in the aftermath. Our whole world fell apart.

Her father took it particularly hard. He was never the same again and he never got over the guilt that my mother was the one who was taken and not him, says Dianne. Her own heartache was compounded by the fact that her grief-stricken father found even the sight of his own daughter  so similar to his wife  too much to bear and refused to see her for almost a year. Not only had I lost my mother, but I lost him, she says. He said I reminded him of my mother too much.

Alick died 14 years after his wifes disappearance, never knowing her fate. In the wake of her fathers death, Dianne had a breakdown. I realised that Id been hanging on to the hope that my mum wasnt dead, she reflects.

She worked hard to rebuild her life, marrying a wonderful South African man, although she was widowed 17 years ago.

Pictured: Kidnapper Nizamodeen Hosein

In the end I tried to bury the memories and I had a good life but theres a black hole I would fall into sometimes, she says.

Little could she have imagined that more than half a century later a glimmer of hope would emerge. Last August, while filming for a TV documentary, Nizam  now living in his childhood village of Dow, central Trinidad  indicated he may be ready to talk to the McKays for the first time.

The family subsequently asked lawyer Matthew Gayle to approach Nizam on their behalf.

After talking on the phone, Matthew met Nizam at his home and the pair connected on a video call with Dianne and her son Mark.

It would be the first of several candid conversations, though Dianne admits to initial scepticism. Why now and why would a criminal who had protested his innocence suddenly be admitting to burying my mother? she asks.

Talking on the video call, was, she admits, horrific. I had to muster up all my courage to do it but Im not doing it for me, Im doing it for Mum.

In December, over the course of several video conversations with Dianne and the familys lawyer, Matthew Gayle, Nizam  now 73 and back in his native Trinidad  revealed Muriel died as a result of a heart attack and described the specific spot on the land surrounding the now renamed Stocking Farm (pictured) where Muriels body could be found

Over the course of the conversations, Dianne began to accept Nizam was telling the truth. I think it has a lot to do with coming to the end of his life and wanting to do the right thing, she says.

And, against all odds, a strange comfort began to emerge. He told me there was no physical violence in the house and that after they took Mum, she sat beside him in the car and told him she had a son of a similar age to him.

She also said, I dont think youre a really bad person.

It was such a relief as I always imagined that they had tied her up and thrown her in the boot  that haunted me.

Inevitably, hearing news of how her mother died was distressing, not least because Nizam indicated her death came shortly after she watched Dianne, her siblings and father, on a television appeal on December 31, 1969.

He told us he had invited her to watch the TV news. My brother had flown from Australia and we were all together, making an appeal and he said she saw us on TV and was very upset.

He said she stood up and had a panic attack and collapsed.

Given that Muriel was only 55, with no known heart problems, Dianne admits this seems strange, but she also believes the intense stress she was under could have led to her death.

What she does know is that if what Nizam said is true then the ransom negotiations continued long after she died. That is hard to think about, she says. We have a feeling she didnt last longer than three days.

This week, in an attempt to persuade the owners of the farm to allow the family to make a non-invasive search of the area identified using radar, Dianne travelled to Stocking Farm to make a personal plea. For the first time in my life I had this really strong urge to go there, to see where my mothers grave may be and to plead with the family to allow us access.

The owners declined her request but Dianne did manage to lay her flowers, using a public right of way access. I thought: I hope thats where you are. 

The familys hopes now lie with the Metropolitan Police, who confirmed to the Mail this week that officers from their Specialist Crime Command are reviewing material from the case.

If she is there, I would like to get her out of that place and bring her home, says Dianne. I dont think that is too much to ask.
A California Christian preschool director has been barred from ever working with children again after she 'failed to encourage' two-year-olds to wear face masks in class.

Tiffany McHugh, the director of Foothills Christian Church Preschool in San Diego, had her license stripped after the Department of Social Services shut down the preschool because McHugh couldn't get students to keep their masks on.

'We were coming up against a lot of parents who didn't want their children to be masked that young,' McHugh told CBS 8.

'There were a lot of children who were just too young to wear masks, they pull them off. it's really difficult.'

Tiffany McHugh has had her license suspended forever after the California Department of Social Services shut down Foothills Christian Church Preschool in December

Parents are now protesting the closure outside of the school, saying they want their children to go to school there

Social Services began visiting the school in September following a parent complaint about the mask policy. In November, the school was cleared of the violation, but a couple of weeks later, the department came back for a routine check-in and found students not wearing masks again.

'We were going to continue working on it, but three days later they came in and shut us down,' McHugh told CBS 8.

The department cited that the preschool failed to make sure employees were wearing a mask, in addition to 'not encouraging' students to do so.

The school has appealed the suspended license and will appeal hearing is schedule

The school's license was revoked after the department said it 'failed' to 'encourage' preschools to wear a mask and that not all the staff were wearing one

It also reportedly said that McHugh stopped state workers from inspecting the building to give employees and students time to put on a mask.

The department alleged that the school failed to 'regularly and frequently prompt and encourage students two years and older to wear face coverings at all times.'

In addition, the department took away her license forever and she will no longer be allowed to work with children again.

McHugh said the Christian school has appealed the suspended license and that hearing is scheduled for February 11.

Now, parents are protesting the closure outside of the school after the closure on December 10 after following months of working hand-in-hand with the state to improve.

GOP State Senator Brian Jones and El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells also joined in on the protesting.

One parent, who spoke to CBS 8 and was not identified, said: 'We feel our children are safe in her care and the care of the other staff members.

Several parents have spoken out about the close. Derrek Cardinale (left) said it was the 'safest school around' and was 'angry' that it was forced to close.

Another parent, realtor Derrek Cardinale, said that Foothills Christian school the 'safest school around' and said he was 'surprised and angry' that the school is being shut down.

Several are claiming the school was 'target' after the department visited 11 times in just a few months, compared to very rarely at other neighboring schools.

'They targeted us,' David Hoffman - senior pastor at Foothills Christian Church, told the KUSI. 'Have you ever tried to put a mask on a two-year-old? I mean, cmon!

'A lot of these parents do not want their kids wearing masks.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to the California Department of Social Services for comment.

Masking children has become a hot button issue in recent months. Vaccines are only available for children aged five and up, with many states encouraging children younger than that to don the face coverings, even though they are at very low risk of a serious or fatal COVID infection.
In the United States, the share of total household wealth owned by the wealthiest 0.00001 percent has grown tenfold since 1982, according to a new paper by economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman.

'Wealth concentration has increased particularly fast during the Covid-19 pandemic,' they write.

The richest 0.00001 percent of the US consisted of 18 individuals with a net worth exceeding $50 billion in wealth in 2021, which was a banner year for the ultra-wealthy.

In the United States, the share of total household wealth owned by the wealthiest 0.00001 percent has grown tenfold since 1982, rising especially quickly last year

Tesla CEO Elon Musk added $121 billion to his fortune last year, the largest in the world at $277 billion as the year ended

'Top-end wealth is large relative to the economy, and therefore a sizable potential tax revenue source,' write Saez and Zucman, who argue in favor of a wealth tax like the one famously proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren.

The economists argue that prior attempts at a wealth tax in Europe failed because they targeted the well-to-do instead of the extreme wealthiest.

They also note that the taxes were easily evaded by moving abroad, as most European countries do not tax their citizens worldwide as the US does.

In 2021, the world's 10 richest people added about $402 billion to their collective net worth.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk added $121 billion to his fortune, the largest in the world at $277 billion as the year ended, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who started the year in the top spot, sank to number two, adding a mere $4.54 billion to his net worth, which stood at $195 billion.

Economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman argue that a hypothetical wealth tax (blue) would rectify inequality in the tax code

After Musk, French billionaire Bernard Arnault, the founder of luxury goods company LVMH and currently the third richest man in the world, had the largest gains for the year, adding $61.3 billion to his fortune.

For Musk, it was an eventful year, marked by a hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live, a break-up with girlfriend Grimes, and his self-coronation as 'Technoking' of Tesla.

Musk made huge waves last month as he sold off many billions worth of his Tesla stock in a move purportedly dictated by a poll he posted on Twitter.

In reality, at least some of the stock sales were driven by mandatory taxes as he exercised stock options that will expire in August.

He has sold $16.4 billion worth of shares since early November when he said he would sell 10 percent of his Tesla stock if Twitter users agreed, which they did.

But Musk in September had set up a prearranged plan for stock sales related to options expiring next year, and Tesla in a filing on last month said the program was complete.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who started 2021 in the top spot, sank to number two, adding a mere $4.54 billion to his net worth, which stood at $195 billion

Musk said last week that he would be done selling shares after his programmed sales ended, meaning that the selloff is now complete.

In total, Musk has sold 15.7 million shares in Tesla late in this year, approximately the 10 percent stake the billionaire had pledged to sell.

Elsewhere on the top-10 billionaires list, Microsoft founder Bill Gates added $7.13 billion to his fortune, the fourth largest in the world at $139 billion.

Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin added $47.4 billion and $45.1 billion to their net worths respectively.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg gained $24.3 billion for the year, bringing his total to $128 billion, though his fortunes have declined as Facebook stock is down 9 percent since a whistleblower leaked damaging documents this fall.

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gained $41.2 billion in 2021, and Warren Buffett added $21.4 billion.

Larry Ellison, the executive chairman of Oracle, added $28.8 billion to his wealth.

For most of the world's wealthiest, the vast majority of their net worth is in stock, and their gains have been driven by booming markets.
President Joe Biden was not making a 'human' comparison between opponents of his voter rights push with racists and segregationists in a speech this week, said the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Friday.

Rather he simply meant to compare the actions of those who opposed reform with the likes of George Wallace and other notorious figures.

The clean-up came after critics accused Biden of divisive rhetoric, and the president has since seen his initiative collapse as two hold-out Democratic senators said they could not support his plan to change Senate rules in order to pass the legislation.

In a major set-piece speech on on Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, he asked whether lawmakers wanted 'to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace.'

He continued: '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?'

During her daily briefing, White House Press Secretary was asked what happened to the election candidate who said it was important not to treat opponents as the enemy.

'I think everybody listening to that speech who's speaking on the level, as my mother would say, would note that he was not comparing them as humans, he was comparing the choice to those figures in history and where they're going to position themselves as they determine whether they're going to support the fundamental right to vote or not,' she said.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked about President Biden's comments during her regular briefing on Friday. She defended them saying it was not a comparison as 'humans'

A fiery Biden attacked Donald Trump by name and called out Republicans for passing 'anti-voting' laws in states around the country. And he denounced the January 6th insurrection in the Capitol as a 'coup'

Wallace was a four-term Democratic governor or Alabama, remembered for his segregationist and populist views.

In his 1963 inauguration address he declared he stood for: "Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.'

Connor, another Democrat was Commissioner of Public Safety in Birmingham, Ala., during the 1960s and ordered police to violently disperse civil rights protesters.

And Davis was the first and only Confederate president during the Civil War.

Republicans blasted his speech as divisive.

Senate Republican leader McConnell said: 'It was designed to pull our country further apart.'

Speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday, he said Biden 'shouted that if you disagree with him, you're George Wallace.'

'George Wallace?' he continued. 'If you dont pass the laws he wants, youre Bull Connor, and if you oppose giving Democrats untrammeled, one-party control of the country, well youre Jefferson Davis.'

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell tore into President Joe Biden, calling his Atlanta speech 'incorrect, incoherent, and beneath his office'

Even some Democratic allies questioned the president's language this week.

Sen. Dick Durbin told CNN: 'Perhaps the president went a little too far in his rhetoric.

'Some of us do.'

Others shrugged off the remarks.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she doubted whether the reference meant much to voters.

'Nobody knows who Bull Connor is,' she said at a news conference.

'You know, if we're making the case to say, "We're going to be with Martin Luther King or Bull Connor" - who's that?'
'Pharma Bro' Martin Shkreli has been ordered to pay nearly $65million to seven states that sued him for antitrust violations, in a decision that has also banned him for working from any pharmaceutical industry.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan ruled after a trial where the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and seven states had accused Shkreli, the founder of Vyera Pharmaceuticals, of using illegal tactics to keep Daraprim rivals out of the market.

Now, the seven plaintiff states - New York, California, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia - are entitled to a payout but it's unclear where the money will come from, and what the states will do with it if Shkreli ever pays up.

The states alleged in their case that Vyera hiked the price of Daraprim and illegally created 'a web of anticompetitive restrictions' to prevent other companies from creating cheaper generic versions. Among other things, they alleged, Vyera blocked access to a key ingredient for the medication and to data the companies would want to evaluate the drugs market potential.

'Pharma Bro' Martin Shkreli pictured in 2017. He is still serving a seven year prison sentence

'Envy, greed, lust, and hate,' don't just 'separate,' but they obviously motivated Shkreli and his partner to illegally jack up the price of a life-saving drug as Americans' lives hung in the balance,' said Attorney General James 'But Americans can rest easy because Martin Shkreli is a pharma bro no more.

Shkreli drew notoriety in 2015 after hiking Daraprim's price overnight to $750 per tablet from $17.50. The drug treats toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that threatens people with weakened immune systems.

In a 130-page decision, Cote faulted Shkreli for creating two companies, Vyera and Retrophin Inc, designed to monopolize drugs so he could profit 'on the backs' of patients, doctors and distributors.

In a 130-page decision, Cote faulted Shkreli for creating two companies, Vyera and Retrophin Inc, designed to monopolize drugs so he could profit 'on the backs' of patients, doctors and distributors

'Shkreli was no side player in, or a 'remote, unrelated' beneficiary of Vyera's scheme,' Cote wrote in a 135-page opinion.

'He was the mastermind of its illegal conduct and the person principally responsible for it throughout the years.'

She said the Daraprim scheme was 'particularly heartless and coercive,' and a lifetime industry ban was needed because of the 'real danger' that Shkreli could become a repeat offender.

'Shkreli's anticompetitive conduct at the expense of the public health was flagrant and reckless,' the judge wrote. He is unrepentant. Barring him from the opportunity to repeat that conduct is nothing if not in the interest of justice.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who was among the states suing Skreli, praised the ruling.

'Envy, greed, lust, and hate,' don't just 'separate,' but they obviously motivated Shkreli and his partner to illegally jack up the price of a life-saving drug as Americans' lives hung in the balance,' said James

'But Americans can rest easy because Martin Shkreli is a pharma bro no more.

Vyera raised the price of the decades-old drug from $17.50 to $750 per pill after obtaining exclusive rights to it in 2015

'A federal court has not only found that his conduct was illegal, but also banned this convicted criminal from the pharmaceutical industry for life and required him to pay nearly $65 million.

'This is on top of the $40 million we've already secured from Vyera.

'The rich and powerful don't get to play by their own set of rules, so I it seems that cash doesn't rule everything around Mr. Shkreli.

'New Yorkers can trust that my office will do everything possible to hold the powerful accountable, in addition to fighting to protect their health and their wallets.'
A massive cyberattack hit Ukraine's government websites on Thursday, prompting Kyiv to launch an investigation. Kyiv says around 70 government sites were hit by a cyberattack that brought down several websites.

According to Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesperson, it was too early to determine the mastermind of the online attack, according to a Reuters report. However, the official pointed out that Russia had been responsible for similar cyberattacks in the past years.

Attackers Want Ukraine To "Be Afraid"

The cyberattack, which hit the websites of the foreign ministry, the cabinet of ministers, and the security and defense council, among others, occurred as Kyiv and its allies have warned off about a possible new Russian military offensive against Ukraine in the coming days.

"Ukrainian! All your personal data was uploaded to the public network. All data on the computer is destroyed, it is impossible to restore it. All information about you has become public, be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future," said a message, written in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish languages, posted on the hacked websites.

The Ukrainian government later announced that most of the affected sites had been restored and data were safe. Several other government websites have been stopped to prevent the spread of cyber assault, as per ABC News.

Russian foreign ministry has not issued a statement about the incident. It previously denied involvement in cyberattacks in Ukraine.

After a flurry of security talks in Europe this week that led to no significant results, the United States issued a warning that the Russian military invasion of Ukraine is highly possible.

Russia said talks were ongoing but had reached a stalemate in its efforts to persuade the West to block Ukraine from joining NATO.

Moscow has stated that it wants to continue diplomacy but denies calls to withdraw the military from the Ukraine border. It also threatened Western forces with repercussions if its conditions were not met.

Relations between Ukraine and Russia deteriorated in 2014, following Moscow's takeover of Crimea and the outbreak of war in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv forces and Russian-backed separatists. Since that year, Ukraine has suffered a series of cyber assaults that affected power supplies, marketplaces, and banking systems.

Read Also: Russia Warns US Is Oblivious to Ukraine Issue as Officials Set To Discuss War Games, Missile Deployments

US Intelligence: Russian Operatives Set To Frame Ukraine

According to a CNN report, the US government holds information that Russia has deployed a squad of operatives to execute a false-flag operation in eastern Ukraine in establishing a pretext for an invasion.

One official said the information indicates that the operatives are trained in urban warfare and using explosives geared up to sabotage Russia's proxy forces.

The claim is similar to one issued by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, which claimed that Russian special forces are plotting provocations against the Russian military to frame Ukraine.

"Our intelligence community has developed information, which has now been downgraded, that Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating the pretext for an invasion," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said during a media briefing on Thursday.

The US official added that the Biden administration believes Russia is plotting an invasion of Ukraine that could result in extensive human rights violations and war crimes if diplomatic negotiations fail to achieve their goals.

Related Article: EU Urges Role in the Upcoming Russia-US Security Guarantee Talks Over Ukraine Crisis

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Career crook Tito ibn Sheikh appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court this week.

But his crime  plotting to launder hundreds of thousands of pounds of stolen money for which he was sentenced to nearly four years  was perhaps less shocking than his notorious family background.

He was born Hamza Mustafa Kamel before changing his name to Tito ibn Sheikh, which roughly translated means 'son of a venerable man' in Arabic.

Career crook Tito ibn Sheikh, pictured, appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court this week

This could not be a less appropriate title in the circumstances.

His father  the so-called 'venerable man'  is Abu Hamza, the infamous 'hook-handed' cleric of Finsbury Park mosque who is now serving life without the possibility of parole in the U.S. for terror offences there and in the UK.

Tito ibn Sheikh, as he is now, is one of Abu Hamza's six sons.

Four of them have criminal convictions for offences including terrorism, armed robbery, drug dealing, fraud and burglary, and the remaining two have a track record of Islamic extremism.

Every one of them, in other words, has been a blight on this country.

Between them  and a seventh stepbrother  they have collectively chalked up 40 years in British jails and, along with Abu Hamza, have cost the British taxpayer millions in legal aid, benefits, healthcare and prison stays.

Could there be a more toxic family anywhere in the country, or anyone who has exploited the system more ruthlessly than the Hamzas?

Hate preacher Abu Hamza. In 1979 he arrived in Britain from Egypt and was given indefinite leave to stay after marrying a British woman

This is the real scandal behind the latest conviction of 35-year-old Tito ibn Sheikh.

The money laundering scheme involved opening bank accounts with false identities  with the help of a corrupt HSBC official  to 'wash' 342,000 of 'dirty money' made through thefts and fraud.

At the time, Tito ibn Sheikh was on licence following his release from a 12-year prison term for leading a gang who kidnapped a man and tortured him over a 15,000 debt almost a decade ago.

The victim was knifed, battered with a metal bar and wooden cosh and nearly strangled to death.

'His neck was squeezed so hard he thought his tongue would pop out,' is how the prosecution described a particularly brutal aspect of his three-day ordeal.

Tito ibn Sheikh was also jailed for two-and-a-half years in 2009 for being part of a gang which stole 32 luxury cars worth more than 1 million.

He wore his hair in a ponytail and was dressed in a green prison tracksuit when he appeared in court again this week.

His barrister said that 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,' the barrister explained in mitigation.

In fact, the case epitomises the 'bad' gene that runs through the Hamza boys.

It was in 1979 that Abu Hamza arrived in Britain from Egypt. He was given indefinite leave to stay after marrying a British woman.

Mostafa was jailed for two years for his part in the scam, along with his brother Tito ibn Sheikh (then still called Hamza Mustafa Kamel) who is now inside for money laundering, and stepbrother Mohssin Ghailam, pictured, (four years)

Few could have possibly imagined the mark he and his as yet unborn sons would leave on the UK.

Hamza had one son with his first wife, Valerie Traverso, and five with his second, Najat Mostafa.

Najat still lives in a Victorian terrace that sits on a quiet gentrified street in Shepherd's Bush, West London, where the Hamzas have been since the mid-1990s.

The bay-fronted property, painted magnolia, with security cameras, either side of the front door, pointing at visitors, is owned by Hammersmith and Fulham council.

The family of Hamza, who was sentenced to seven years for inciting race hate and murder in 2006 and extradited to the U.S. on terrorism charges in 2012, received state handouts, including housing and child benefit, which totalled more than 33,000 a year at one point.

When, shortly afterwards, matriarch Najat was believed to be living there with only two of the couple's brood, the local authority asked her to move to a 'more appropriate' smaller residence.

She was entitled to refuse their request, however, and the council was powerless to evict her as there was no time limit on the tenancy agreement.

Over the years, the property has undergone extensive renovation at the public's expense.

The Taxpayers' Alliance calculated that by the time Abu Hamza was imprisoned in the U.S. he and his brood had cost Britain 2.75 million in welfare payments, council housing, and legal costs.

That figure has now more than tripled.

The Henry Jackson counter-extremist think-tank has estimated that, when the criminal records of his sons have been factored in, the bill this family has inflicted on the British taxpayer will have risen to at least 10 million.

'The public expect that their taxes go to provide services that benefit all of us,' said think tank director of communications Sam Armstrong.

'Instead, all too often it is drained by the likes of the Hamzas who hate and harm this country and exploit every loophole to take what they can.

'In addition to the eye-watering sums the Hamza family has cost the public purse, there are other costs that are less quantifiable, such as the corrosive impact on the community.

'Abu Hamza's crimes were damaging enough, but through his sons he has spawned a new generation of lawlessness.'

Could there be a more egregious catalogue of crimes?

Terrorist

Mohammed Kamel Mostafa, 40  Hamza's eldest and only son by first wife Valerie Traverso  was 17 when he was accused of masterminding a bombing campaign to sabotage tourist and economic sites in Yemen in August 1999.

Rocket-propelled grenades, explosives, anti-tank rockets, mines and communication equipment were found belonging to the armed gang. Claims they were tortured into confessing were dismissed by a court.

Mostafa spent three years in prison in the Arab state before returning to London in 2002.

Mohammed Kamel Mostafa was 17 when he was accused of masterminding a bombing campaign to sabotage tourist and economic sites in Yemen in August 1999

He got a job on the Underground but was fired after colleagues discovered his identity.

Later, he launched a career in rap, with lyrics about waging holy war and carrying weapons. 'I was born to a soldier,' one his verses went, 'Kalashnikov in my shoulder, peace to Hamas and Hezbollah.'

It wasn't long, however, before he was back behind bars. In 2009, he was part of a gang that targeted luxury cars. They received the log books and keys of vehicles left in long-stay car parks, such as BMWs, Range Rovers and Mercedes, by using a loophole in the DVLA system to divert registration details. The vehicles were then sold on the Continent.

Mostafa was jailed for two years for his part in the scam, along with his brother Tito ibn Sheikh (then still called Hamza Mustafa Kamel) who is now inside for money laundering, and stepbrother Mohssin Ghailam (four years).

Drug Dealer

Yasser Kamel, 31, is serving four years after police raided his flat in Park Royal, West London, in 2019, and found 'top quality' cocaine, MDMA, ecstasy and ketamine with a street value of 30,000.

Among the tell-tale paraphernalia of his 'trade' were two electric scales and an encrypted phone.

Yasser Kamel, 31, is serving four years after police raided his flat in Park Royal, West London, in 2019

'The drugs were high purity and the circumstances show you have close links to the source and the expectation of substantial financial gain,' the judge told him after he admitted possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.

Kamel blamed his father's arrest and extradition, when he was around 14, for his own life of crime. He has a conviction for burglary and spent 12 months in youth detention for attacking police during a demonstration outside the Israeli embassy.

He turned to drug dealing, he said, because he 'ran out of money to pay rent'.

Armed Robber

Imran Mostafa Kamel, 29, was part of a gang that raided a jeweller's store in King's Lynn, Norfolk.

They escaped with gems worth 70,000 after brandishing a handgun and smashing display cabinets with a sledgehammer in what was described as a 'sophisticated and well-planned' daylight heist.

A 'smoke-producing device' was set off in an attempt to disguise those involved. The violent intrusion in 2012 was captured on CCTV.

Imran Mostafa Kamel, 29, was part of a gang that raided a jeweller's store in King's Lynn, Norfolk

'For those who had the misfortune to be working in the premises it must have been an absolutely terrifying experience,' said the judge, who jailed Mostafa for 11 years.

Mostafa had denied robbery and possessing a firearm with the intent to commit an offence.

Two years ago, he was charged with two gun offences after a melee outside a party in London's Park Lane in which a bouncer was stabbed to death. The charges were later dropped.

He is still listed on the electoral roll as living at the family home in Shepherd's Bush.

Jihadist

Sufyan Mustafa, 27, was stripped of his British citizenship three years ago.

Former computer sciences student Mustafa had travelled to Syria in 2013 when he was 19. He claimed he was fighting with rebels against the Assad regime. But when he tried to return to the UK in 2018, his name flagged up on a terrorist watchlist and he was stopped from boarding a flight to the UK from Turkey.

Through his mother, Najat, he also had Moroccan nationality but he said he did not wish to go there.

Sufyan Mustafa, 27, was stripped of his British citizenship three years ago

His case has echoes of Isis bride Shamima Begum who also wants to return to Britain.

Mustafa has tried to distance himself from his father.

'Britain is the place where I was born and lived,' he said in an interview in 2017.

'I have never been a threat to national security in Britain and will not commit aggression on its population because our religion does not allow attacks on innocents.

'Abu Hamza is my father and he has his own opinions and I have mine. Revoking my citizenship just because I am related to Abu Hamza is not allowed and will never enter the world of fair trial.'

Hate Preacher

Othman Mustafa Kamal, 33, followed in his father's footsteps and became an imam.

He was captured on video back in 2012 calling for holy war and backed a suspected Al Qaeda terrorist who attempted to murder U.S. FBI agents in Afghanistan.

In one of his filmed 'sermons' Kamal, who was preaching at the An-Noor mosque in Acton, West London, recites the Koran to worshippers before graphic images fill the screen including a man holding the head of a decapitated enemy soldier.

Othman Mustafa Kamal, 33, was captured on video back in 2012 calling for holy war and backed a suspected Al Qaeda terrorist who attempted to murder U.S. FBI agents in Afghanistan

During another clip, he prays for Aafia Siddiqui, dubbed 'Lady Al Qaeda', the female Pakistani neuroscientist who was jailed for 86 years in New York in 2010 for the attempted murder of U.S. soldiers who were interrogating her in Afghanistan.

A mosque spokesman at the time admitted his videos could be used by London-based extremists to foment hatred in the capital and should never have been uploaded.

Kamal is no longer connected to the mosque which came under new management in 2015.

More recently, he was the director of a company called Burlington Ltd which rented and leased cars. The company, which was registered at the family home in Shepherd's Bush where Kamal is still listed on the electoral roll, has been dissolved.

So six sons  plus one stepson  who are all either convicted criminals or linked to extremism have left a bill for the taxpayer running into millions.

What a legacy Abu Hamza has left behind as he languishes in a U.S. jail.

Additional reporting: Tim Stewart and Nic North.
Alec Baldwin has finally handed over his cellphone to cops investigating his accidental killing of a cinematographer a month after they requested it.

The 63 year-old actor's lawyer Aaron Dyer confirmed the device had been handed over to authorities in Suffolk County, New York, on Friday, close to where Baldwin lives.

It is being sought by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza and his investigators probing the death of Halyna Hutchins, 42, on the set of Baldwin's western Rust in Bonanza City, New Mexico, on October 21 last year.

Suffolk County cops have been coordinating with their colleagues in Santa Fe, with the device now set to be passed to them imminently.

Dyer told Deadline: 'Alec voluntarily provided his phone to the authorities this morning so they can finish their investigation.

'But this matter isnt about his phone, and there are no answers on his phone. Alec did nothing wrong.'

He continued: 'It is clear that he was told it was a cold gun, and was following instructions when this tragic accident occurred.

Alec Baldwin has finally agreed to hand over his phone to sheriff's deputies investigating his accidental killing of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. He is pictured weeping while using his phone in the immediate aftermath of the October 2021 shooting

Baldwin is pictured using his phone in New York City on January 13. He has angrily denied allegations of wrongdoing

'The real question that needs to be answered is how live rounds got on the set in the first place.'

Baldwin has not been charged with any crime, and denies wrongdoing. Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department first issued a warrant for the phone on December 16.

District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said investigators probing the tragedy wanted to 'obtain any materials' from Baldwin's phone that could uncover what led to the shooting.

Hutchins was a married mom of one. Director Joel Souza, 48, was also shot during the accident, but recovered from his injuries.

During a tear-stained interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos in December, Baldwin said the shooting happened when he was working with Hutchins on how to position a gun for a scene they were about to shoot.

The handset is being sought by Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza (pictured in Santa Fe on October 27 2021) and his team of investigators

He said he pulled back the hammer and released it, prompting the gun to fire. Production of the western was canned after the shooting, with allegations of cost-cutting and poor safety practices made against its crew.

Speaking on ABC News, Baldwin said: 'The best way, the only way, we can honor the death of Halyna Hutchins is to find out the truth.

'Thats what Im working toward, insisting on, demanding that the organizations involved in this investigation do everything in their power, everything in their power, to find out what really happened. Thats all that matters.'

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old armorer on the Rust set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, filed a lawsuit in a Bernalillo County, New Mexico court on Wednesday that claims Baldwin ignored a request to attend a 'cross draw' session about a week before the tragedy.

The rookie armorer also faulted assistant director David Halls for failing to follow set protocol when he allegedly handed Baldwin the weapon without first calling on her to inspect it, according to the lawsuit.

Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, pictured, was accidentally shot and killed by Baldwin on the set of the movie. Director Joel Souza was also struck, but survived

Baldwin is pictured with fellow cast members and Hutchins, who was a 42 year-old married mother-of-one

Gutierrez-Reed, 24, is suing Seth Kenney and his company PDQ Arm and Prop LLC for allegedly supplying the deadly bullet. Baldwin is not named as a defendant in the suit.

The 24-page document is also rife with details about a set rife with bitter disputes, carelessness and anecdotes that detail a disregard for safety.

Gutierrez-Reed - whose dad is legendary film armorer Thell Reed - said her father worked with Kenney on a previous film, where they trained actors at a licensed shooting range using live ammunition.

Following the workshop, Kenney took a bucket filed with upward of 300 live .45 Colt rounds home, the lawsuit claims. The cache included Starline Brass reloaded 'live' rounds - the same type of bullet used during the 'Rust' incident.

About a month later, Gutierrez-Reed landed a gig as an armorer and props assistant on 'Rust,' where she was tasked with juggling two jobs at once

'This gun heavy script required Hannah to perform a significant amount of work each day as both an armorer and key props assistant,' the legal filing said.

She was soon joined on set by props manager Sarah Zachry, who later accidentally fired a blank round at her foot on set, the lawsuit said.

Production of Rust, whose set is pictured in the aftermath of the shooting, was canned in the wake of Hutchins' death

About 20 minutes after that mishap, Baldwin's stunt double also accidentally discharged a weapon on set, prompting Gutierrez-Reed to confront her colleague about the sloppy mistakes, the lawsuit said.

When she indicated her intentions of reporting the incident to management, it led to a headed exchange with Kenney, the bullet supplier.

'Accidental discharges are accidents,' Kenney said in a text message referenced in the legal filing. 'We learn and move on, and don't forget, she's your boss. Don't push it.'

On the morning of the shooting, October 21, Gutierrez-Reed said she arrived to the set to find Zachry already in the prop trailer, retrieving fire arms.

She also discovered a full box labeled 'dummy rounds .45 LC' that someone placed atop her equipment bag, the lawsuit said.

She believes the box came from Kenney and when she shook it, heard a 'jingling' sound which is what it's supposed to sound like when dummy bullets are being rattled.

Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, pictured, has filed a lawsuit claiming that the Rust set had lax gun safety and that it was a chaotic place to work

Later that morning, she said she, Zachry and another coworker loaded Baldwin's gun, attempting to use dummy rounds from the box.

'For Alec Baldwins gun, Hannah loaded 4 dummy rounds with holes in them from her pants pocket, a 5th dummy round from the box with a hole in it and attempted to load a 6th dummy round without a hole in it from the box but it would not go into the chamber, and she thought the chamber might need to be cleaned,' the lawsuit said.

'Hannah remembers shaking the sixth round to ensure herself that it was a dummy round.'

Kenney texted Gutierrez-Reed after the tragedy and tried to persuade her to lay the blame on the film's assistant director Halls

Baldwin was then handed the gun and in possession of it from 10 am through 12:30 pm, when the crew broke for lunch, the filing said.

It was stored until 1:30 pm, when she cleaned Baldwin's gun and inserted another round from the dummy box into it after shaking it to ensure it was not real, the claim said.

'To the best of Hannahs knowledge, the gun was now loaded with 6 dummy rounds,' the claim said. 'Indeed, Defendants as suppliers of prop ammunition to the Rust set, sold, distributed, and advertised its props as dummy ammunition and not live rounds.

'Hannah relied upon and trusted that Defendants would only supply dummy prop ammunition, or blanks, and no live rounds were ever to be on set.'

She then delivered the gun to to set church and handed it to Halls, the assistant director, who said he'd be 'sitting in' with the gun.

The lawsuit claims Halls later handed the gun to Baldwin without calling on Gutierrez-Reed to inspect it a final time before use.

She said she was tending to her duties as a prop assistant.

'Knowing that no gun scene was going on at that time according to Halls, and with awareness of COVID protocols and social distancing, Hannah then walked outside the church to prepare her fanny pack for scenes that afternoon and to do some of her prop duties,' the lawsuit said.

'Production was behind that day and Hannah was acutely aware of the need to attend to her prop duties as well, for scenes that afternoon.'

Within 15 minutes, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot dead, and director Joel Souza was struck in the shoulder.

The accidental discharge never would have happened if Halls had summoned Gutierrez-Reed to supervise, the court filing said.

Shortly after the shooting, Halls released a statement calling Hutchins his 'friend' and asked the industry to 'reevaluate' its values.

'I'm shocked and saddened by her death,' Halls said. 'It's my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to reevaluate its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process again.'

He failed to address reports that he was one of the three people to handle the loaded gun before the tragedy.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lambasted Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and John Roberts as having no 'backbone' as they sided with liberal justices to uphold President Biden's vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.

The Supreme Court on Thursday released a highly anticipated decision blocking Biden's mandate ordering businesses with 100 or more employees to require vaccination or weekly testing. The high court however allowed a mandate requiring that facilities that receive federal funding to tell employees to get vaccinated.

'On the nurse mandate and the doctor mandate, Roberts and Kavanaugh joined with the liberals to allow the nurse mandate,' DeSantis said during a guest appearance on the 'Ruthless' podcast on Friday.

'So here's what's going on, think about how insane this is,' he continued. 'Now, in Florida, we protected the nurses, so we have people that are working. But in other states, they fired nurses who were not vaccinated.'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that Justices John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh had 'no backbone' for deciding to allow Biden's healthcare vaccine mandate

The court ruled 6-3 to turn down the federal mandate for private employers, 5-4 to allow the mandate for federally funded healthcare facilities to remain in place.

The court's decision is not the final say on the healthcare mandate - 27 states had petitioned the Supreme Court to issue a stay on the rule while it is battled out in lower courts.

DeSantis noted that hospitals in places like California are allowing Covid-positive nurses to return to work due to short staffing.

'So they have COVID-positive people back on, meanwhile the unvaccinated, likely immune through prior infection, healthy nurses are on the sidelines fired,' the Sunshine State governor continued. 'How insane are these policies?'

'But honestly, Roberts and Kavanaugh did not have a backbone on that decision,' DeSantis also said. 'That's just the bottom line.'

DeSantis already in November signed a bill banning vaccine mandates in the state unless employers offered up a broad range of exemptions.

'I called a special session of the legislature in November and we provided protections so that, in Florida, you're not going to lose your job over these shots,' DeSantis said in the podcast. 'You have the right to work.'

DeSantis said on Thursday after the SCOTUS ruling that he would enforce the Florida law banning private employers' vaccine mandates as well as requirements for public workers.

'We're going to make sure that that is enforced, and we're going to make sure we're providing protections for people so that they don't have their livelihoods ruined by an unconstitutional and really ham-handed federal mandate,' DeSantis said.

But Florida Hospital Association President and CEO Mary Mayhew said that centers receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding could still implement vaccine mandates for their employees.

'Hospitals are obligated to remain compliant with the programs' conditions of participation and must comply with this federal vaccine requirement now upheld by the highest court,' said Mayhew, who previously worked in the DeSantis administration, according to Florida Politics.

Mayhew said hospitals are now caught between the ongoing feud between Biden and DeSantis and 'may still need clarity from the courts regarding federal preemption regarding the Florida state law.'

On the other side, Biden called the Supreme Court's ruling against the private employer mandate 'disappointing' but touted that the healthcare mandate 'will save lives.' He encouraged private businesses to require vaccination of their own accord.

'This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden,' the president claimed.

'As a result of the Court's decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated.'

Thirteen states including Texas, Florida and Arizona have bans or limits on imposing vaccine mandates while many companies including Macy's and Starbucks have already announced measures for their employees.

Democrat-led states such as New York with their own mandates won't be impacted and can keep their rules in place, while states without any rules in place can decide for themselves.
The body of a man has been located following the search of a pool in the Budderoo National Park in NSW, 138 km south of Sydney.

Emergency services were called to the Blue Pool in Missingham Creek near Robertson about 8:30pm on Friday, after reports a 26-year-old man had slipped on some rocks before disappearing below the water.

Local police, SES, Ambulance paramedics and National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel assisted with the search for the man.

The body of a man has been located following the search of a pool in the Budderoo National Park in NSW, 138 km south of Sydney, in the Blue Pool in Missingham Creek

Emergency services responded to reports of the man slipping off rocks into the water around 8:30pm on Friday and later found his body at 2:45am on Saturday

Police divers recovered his body from the water about 2:45am on Saturday.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.
If a week is a long time in politics, the last seven days must have seemed an eternity to Boris Johnson. And an excruciatingly painful one.

Assailed on all sides over the growing list of rule-breaking Downing Street drinks parties, he gave every impression of a man falling into one of Dantes circles of hell.

To a large extent, he is the architect of his own misfortune. Its now abundantly clear that he and his staff openly and consistently flouted the strict lockdown rules they themselves decreed.

Understandably, the country is furious. Labour is in full sanctimonious cry and even among his own backbenchers there are calls for his resignation.

But today this newspaper asks, is it really in this countrys interests  or indeed those of the Tory party  for him to go?

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: If a week is a long time in politics, the last seven days must have seemed an eternity to Boris Johnson. And an excruciatingly painful one

We do not seek to minimise the hurt caused by the Partygate revelations. These functions shouldnt have happened and Mr Johnson bears ultimate responsibility.

However, his apology on Wednesday was sincere and showed genuine contrition. So its now for Cabinet Office mandarin Sue Gray to determine whether laws were broken as well as rules.

If early reports are accurate, her inquiry will censure those who allowed the parties to go ahead but fall short of recommending any police involvement.

The big question then is whether the PM can rise from the ashes. His Cabinet has rallied behind him in recent days, with the notable exception of Chancellor Rishi Sunak, whose support has been suspiciously lukewarm.

Liz Truss, a potential leadership candidate, deserves credit for her show of loyalty yesterday, urging the country to accept her leaders apology and move on.

Moving on, of course, is the last thing Labour and the rest of Mr Johnsons enemies want.

They would rather see him mired in Partygate indefinitely, even though the honourable thing would be to let him focus all his energies on running the country at this critical time.

Almost bursting with puce-faced piety, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the Prime Minister on Wednesday of lacking all moral authority. Yet it now transpires that just days after the April 16 parties in Downing Street, Sir Keir was swigging beer with a gaggle of party members in a northern constituency office.

Risibly, he claims that it was a work meeting. The very defence he called pathetic when Mr Johnson used it. What a shameless hypocrite!

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: But today this newspaper asks, is it really in this countrys interests  or indeed those of the Tory party  for him to go?

The BBC is also obsessed with bringing the PM down. Its flagship Today programme led its bulletins yesterday on Partygate, while the shocking story of a prominent Labour ex-minister being bankrolled by a Chinese spy was relegated to a subsidiary item. Impartiality  or naked bias?

In deciding Mr Johnsons suitability to govern, voters and restive Tory MPs should ignore the bluster and consider where Britain is today, two years after the worst pandemic in modern history struck.

In a hugely significant moment, we learned yesterday that the economy has moved ahead of pre-Covid levels, while other European nations remain in the doldrums.

Omicron infections are falling across every region of the country, vindicating Mr Johnsons courageous decision not to re-impose lockdown despite immense pressure from scientists and all opposition parties.

On most of the big decisions  vaccinations, jobs, protecting the economy, and of course Brexit, which allowed us to create our own brilliant vaccine programme while the EU dithered  he has been proved right.

Shouldnt that be enough to persuade voters, angry as they have every right to be, to give him a second chance?
Disgraced socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is set to be sentenced on sex trafficking crimes on June 28.

The sentencing date was set by Judge Alison Nathan on Friday afternoon.

The delayed sentencing was based on the defense attorneys' decision due to recent 'compelling' evidence they say could overturn the trial, as well as Maxwell's conviction.

Maxwell, 60, was convicted of facilitating the sexual abuse of minors by her former partner, Jeffrey Epstein, on December 29. She faces 65 years in prison, meaning she could spend the rest of her life behind bars.

She was found guilty on five of six counts of sex trafficking - a spectacular downfall for the former London society girl who later moved into the highest circles of New York's social scene.

Maxwell's lawyers last week demanded a new trial after a juror revealed he had helped convict the former socialite by telling fellow jury members about his experience of sexual abuse.

Ghislaine Maxwell 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

Maxwell was found guilty on five of six counts of sex trafficking - a spectacular downfall for the former London society girl who later moved into the highest circles of New York's social scene. Pictured: Maxwell with Epstein

Maxwell's lawyers last week demanded a new trial after juror Scotty David, 35, revealed he had helped convict the former socialite by telling fellow jury members about his experience of sexual abuse

DailyMail.com has revealed that one juror, Scotty David, had suffered sexual abuse. He said that he could not remember being asked about his own sexual history but vaguely recalled a question on the potential juror questionnaire concerning friends or family.

Maxwell's attorneys told the Mail on Sunday that they believe they found a third juror who lied about being abused, after a second unidentified juror told The New York Times that they, too, had been abused as a child.

The first juror to reveal their sexual abuse, David, said he couldn't remember how he answered a pre-trial question about his own sexual abuse history - casting doubt on the validity of Maxwell's conviction - and he has asked the judge to see his answers.

He has since retained lawyer Todd Spodek, who asked the court to provide the questionnaire, according to the New York Daily News. He could face perjury charges if he's found to have intentionally lied.

David, 35, has claimed that he used his experience being sexually assaulted to influence other jurors, saying: 'When I shared that, they were able to come around on the memory aspect of the sexual abuse.'

But video published by DailyMail.com revealed that David couldn't remember if the pre-trial questionnaire asked about sexual abuse history - which it did.

Judge Alison Nathan set the sentencing date for June 28

Court filings obtained by DailyMail.com show that the ex-socialite's defense team mounted a vigorous effort to ask two such questions in a bid to weed out anyone 'who cannot be a fair juror,' and that they did so in the face of strenuous government objections.

In demanding a retrial, Maxwell's lawyers set out their position in a letter to the court, stating: 'The defense 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 defense 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 was found guilty of sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and three counts of conspiracy. She was found not guilty of enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.

Maxwell was convicted after a month-long trial in which prosecutors maintained that she recruited and groomed teenage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse from 1994 to 2004.

Maxwell once had a romantic relationship with Epstein, but later became his employee at his five residences, including a Manhattan mansion and a large estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Epstein took his own life at a Manhattan federal jail in August 2019 as he awaited a trial on sex trafficking charges.

Maxwell's lawyers argued at trial that she was made into a scapegoat by federal prosecutors after his death.

Maxwell, who is said to have been Epstein's madam as well as his one-time girlfriend, is seen posing with the pedophile in evidence photos shown in court

Epstein took his own life at a Manhattan federal jail in August 2019 as he awaited a trial on sex trafficking charges

According to court documents dated January 10, the U.S. 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 Nathan, the U.S. 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.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew is under severe pressure to settle with Virginia Roberts Giuffre after a New York judge refused to throw out her case - paving the way for a box office trial in nine months to examine claims she was repeatedly forced to have sex with him when she was a teenager.

The decision is a devastating blow to the Duke of York, who now faces a hugely expensive and reputation-shredding court case next September unless he tries to pay off Giuffre with at least $5 million.

If he chooses not to settle, or if Giuffre rejects any offers, Andrew faces being interviewed by her lawyers in a videotaped deposition in London that could be played in court, although the ninth in line to the throne cannot be forced to give evidence due to it being a civil suit in a different legal jurisdiction.

Additionally, he could simply ignore the case and let the court give a decision in his absence, although this would be likely to damage his reputation further.

Virginia Giuffre has long claimed that she was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein and in 2015 sued Maxwell for defamation for calling her a liar

Prince Andrew is seen with his arm around Virginia Roberts while Ghislaine Maxwell stands in the background, in a now infamous photo from early 2001

Attorneys for Giuffre asked Judge Loretta Preska Wednesday to unseal material about Epstein and Maxwell's 'sex trafficking operations' from her 2015 civil lawsuit against Maxwell that includes references to eight anonymous John Does.

The individuals are identified in court documents only as 'Non-Parties 17, 53, 54, 55, 56, 73, 93 and 151'.

It is not clear if one of them is the Duke of York. Six have objected to the unsealing.

In a letter to Judge Preska on Wednesday, Maxwell's attorney Laura Menninger said her client will 'leave it to the court' to determine whether the names should be unsealed.

'After careful review of the detailed objections submitted by [the eight Non-Party Does], counsel for Ghislaine Maxwell writes to inform the Court that she does not wish to further address those objections,' the letter states.

'Each of the listed Does has counsel who have ably asserted their own respective privacy rights. Ms. Maxwell therefore leaves it to this Court to conduct the appropriate review consistent with the Order and Protocol for Unsealing Decided Motions.'

DailyMail.com reached out to Nathan for comment.
Virgin Orbit has successfully launched seven new satellites into space, on a rocket that was unleashed from an adapted Boeing 747 flying over the Pacific Ocean.

Richard Branson's space firm put the small satellites into a 310 mile orbit, launching from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California at 16:39 ET (21:39 GMT) on Thursday.

The jet, known as Cosmic Girl, flew up 35,000ft over the Pacific Ocean for an hour, before RAF pilot Matthew 'Stanny' Stannard unleashed the LauncherOne rocket.

This launch was given the mission name, Above the Clouds, and was one of the first to launch into a 45 degree, 310 mile orbit, from the West Coast of the US.

It includes satellites from the US Department of Defense, which are experiments in space-based communications and in-space navigation, as well as a satellite by British firm Spire to detect space debris in low Earth orbit.

VirginOrbit tweeted after the launch: 'And there we have it, folks! We've just heard from Mission Control that [NewtonFour] successfully reignited and deployed all customer spacecraft into their target orbit.'

Virgin Orbit fired seven satellites into space on Thursday, when RAF pilot 'Stanny' unleashed the LauncherOne rocket from a Boeing 747 35,000ft above the ground

RAF pilot Matthew Stannard, known as 'Stanny', more accustomed to a Typhoon jet, was at the controls of Cosmic Girl, the customised Boeing 747 launcher

VirginOrbit tweeted after the launch: 'And there we have it, folks! We've just heard from Mission Control that NewtonThree successfully reignited and deployed all customer spacecraft into their target orbit,' later correcting it to say it was NewtonFour

HOW VIRGIN ORBIT GETS SATELLITES INTO SPACE TAKE OFF Cosmic Girl, an adapted Boeing 747, takes off from an air and space port, initially in California. ROCKET DEPLOYMENT At cruising altitude around 35,000 feet, the chief pilot hits the Big Red Button that releases the rocket from the pylon. FIRST STAGE BURN After a 4-second freefall, the first stage engine, NewtonThree, bursts to life, accelerating the rocket to more than 8,000 miles per hour. Once its fuel is spent, the first stage detaches. FAIRING SEPARATION With LauncherOne now between 310 to 745 miles above the Earth's surface, the fairing pops open, exposing the payload as it nears its destination. SATELLITE DEPLOYMENT Finally, with very precise timing, the second stage ejects the satellite into its final orbit. RETURN TO EARTH Atmospheric drag will eventually pull the second stage back down to Earth, where it burns up in the atmosphere, minimising environmental footprint. Advertisement

Virgin Orbit has already put 19 satellites into space using the Cosmic Girl and Launcher-One system, but the firm said prior to the launch that this mission was different.

'We are going to an orbit that we believe has never been achieved from the West Coast,' Tony Gingiss, chief operating officer of Virgin Orbit told reporters.

'We're proving with this launch that we can get to orbital inclinations and geometries that, probably if you asked us a year ago, we would have said, 'Well, maybe.'

The launch saw the team send the rocket at a 45 degree inclination up to a 310 mile orbital position, which they achieve by shifting the drop point.

'We decided to fly the airplane further out over the Pacific so that we could fly along the coast of South America without going over landmasses,' Dan Hart, president and chief executive of Virgin Orbit, told SpaceNews.

'Our ability to achieve a 45-degree inclination out of the West Coast increases significantly the utility of a launch out of the West Coast,'

Pilot 'Stanny' was the one to pull the trigger on the 70ft rocket, once the aircraft reached 35,000ft. He is on a three-year secondment from the Royal Air Force, as part of a project designed to help the RAF understand the role of small satellite launches.

'Stanny has been a wonderful addition to our team. As you'd expect given his background with the RAF, he brings a bright intellect, incredible attention to detail, and an excellent experience base, in addition to his world-class piloting skills,' Virgin Orbit chief operating officer Tony Gingiss told the BBC.

His secondment is part of a wider investigation by the UK Ministry of Defence, which plans to one day use Virgin Orbit to launch military satellites from the UK.

This is the third launch for Cosmic Girl and LauncherOne, with one of the satellites made by Glasgow firm Spire Global.

It was a nanosatellite, developed in partnership with the Austrian Space Forum and Findus Venture, to detect space debris in low Earth orbit.

'Spire provides something we like to call 'Space as a Service' where we provide our expertise in nanosatellites and constellation management to help organizations develop their own applications on our satellites,' a spokesperson told MailOnline.

Virgin Orbit said being able to add additional satellites at relatively short notice  it was decided in December  is an example of its responsiveness and flexibility.

It includes satellites from the US Department of Defense, which are experiments in space-based communications and in-space navigation, as well as a satellite by British firm Spire to detect space debris in low Earth orbit

This is the third launch for Cosmic Girl and LauncherOne, with one of the satellites made by Glasgow firm Spire Global

Another example is the fact it is a horizontal take-off system, meaning it can launch from a runway, and fly out to the desired insertion point.

This is the first of six launches Virgin Orbit has planned for this year, and two of them will launch from Spaceport Cornwall in the middle of the year.

These will be the first satellites and first rocket to be launched from British soil, and forms part of a wider push by the UK Space Agency for British rocket launches.

Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall, said the latest launch shows that Virgin Orbit are providing a new, more sustainable way to launch satellites.

'We are so excited to bring this technology to UK soil, and to demonstrate how we can launch responsibly, create amazing jobs and inspire the nation.'

The jet flew up to 35,000ft over the Pacific Ocean for an hour, before deploying the Launcher One rocket and roughly 660lb of satellites contained within

This launch was given the mission name, Above the Clouds, and is among the first to launch into this 45 degree 310 mile orbit from the West Coast of the US

Future satellites could be sent into polar orbits from the north of Scotland, including the Shetland Islands, where a number of firms, including Lockheed Martin and Skyrora are planning to operate within the coming few years.

In order to launch six times in 2022, Virgin Orbit is having to significantly increase turnaround time, with this mission six and a half months after the last.

'We've basically cut it in half almost every successive launch to date,' said Gingass, adding that for this mission the rocket left the factory in Long Beach, California and 04:00 and was installed on the 747 in Mojave six hours later.

'There's certainly improvements you're going to see throughout 2022 in terms of the timing between rockets,' Gingiss explained to SpaceNews.

'We are continuing to ramp up our efficiencies in our factory as well, which will allow us to get rockets out more quickly.'

Going forward, Virgin Orbit plan to add more launch sites to its roster, with Cornwall joining California in 2022, and Japan being added to the list for 2023.

The launch included satellites from the US Department of Defense, which are experiments in space-based communications and in-space navigation

The firm is also in discussion with Australia, Brazil, a number of European countries and the US Space Force to operate out of Guam.

UK Space Agency Deputy CEO Ian Annett congratulated Virgin Orbit on the latest launch, which he says brings the first UK launch a step closer.

The launch 'demonstrates the huge potential of innovative, air-launch technology to meet the needs of the modern satellite industry.

'Having an RAF pilot at the controls demonstrates the UK's commitment to working closely with Virgin Orbit ahead of their first launch from Spaceport Cornwall later this year.

'The UK is home to some of the world's leading satellite manufacturers, which currently ship their products overseas for launch.

'We are supporting them by fostering a new domestic launch market, with spaceports and launch operators providing services across the UK and catalysing investment from all over the world.'
Rare 'bionic' armour has been discovered in the tomb of a horse rider in northwest China, a new study has revealed.

Researchers say the 'light and highly efficient defensive garment' was constructed with small inter-lapping pieces of leather that resemble the scales of fish'.

Due to its fish-like design, the armour shows an early example of 'bionics'  the construction of artificial systems that borrow characteristics of living things.

It was found in the tomb of an approximately 30-year-old male at the Yanghai graveyard archaeological site near the modern-day city of Turfan in Xinjiang, China.

Design and construction details of the armour indicate that it originated in the Neo-Assyrian Empire  part of the modern-day Middle East  between the 6th and 8th century BC before being brought to China.

The ancient leather shed armour with fish-like scales has been dated to the period between 786 and 543 BC

The tomb in Yanghai with the remains of the male individual and the position of the leather scale armour indicated by the red circle

THE YANGHAI ARMOUR In Yanghai cemetery site, Turfan, the remains of one leather scale armour were discovered. The armour, datable to 786543 BC, was originally made of 5,444 smaller scales and 140 larger scales, which, together with leather laces and lining, had a total weight of 45 kg. it could be donned quickly without the help of another person by wrapping the left part around the back, tying it to the right part under the right arm and fastening with thongs crosswise. It was found in the tomb of an approximately 30-year-old male along with pottery, two horse cheek pieces made from horn and wood and the skull of a sheep. Advertisement

Experts say the priceless find provides new insights on the spread of military technology during the first millennium BC.

Using scaled leather would have provided extra protection against enemy blows without significantly increasing its weight.

The armour was found in 2013, but scientists are only just reporting its discovery in a new paper, following analysis led by Patrick Wertmann at the University of Zurich's Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies, who said the armour was 'professionally produced in large numbers'.

'It is a light, highly efficient one-size-fits-all defensive garment for soldiers of a mass army,' he told Live Science.

'There is no other scale armour from this or an earlier period in China. In eastern China, armour fragments have been found, but of a different style.'

The 'unprecedented find' survived 2,500 years before being found in good condition thanks to Yanghai's extremely arid climate.

Also in the man's tomb was pottery, two horse cheek pieces made from horn and wood and the skull of a sheep.

'The horse cheek pieces which were found in the burial may indicate that the tomb owner was indeed a horseman,' said Wertmann.

'It seems the perfect outfit for both mounted fighters and foot soldiers, who have to move rapidly and rely on their own strength.'

The scaley armour was found at the Yanghai graveyard archaeological site near the modern-day city of Turfan in Xinjiang, China

Inside view of attachment points of the shoulder flaps of the armour, where the neckline is deformed

Close-up of a portion of trhe Yanghai leather scale armour: end piece of proper left side panel, (A, inside; B, outside)

The researchers used radiocarbon dating to determine the age of the armour to between 786 and 543 BC.

It was originally made of about 5,444 smaller scales and 140 larger scales, which together with leather laces and lining weighed between 4-5kg.

The armour resembles a waistcoat that protects the front of the torso, hips, the sides and the lower back of the body.

It could be donned quickly without the help of another person, much like an apron, and fit people of different statures, researchers report.

Scale armours protect the vital organs of fighters like an extra layer of skin without restricting their mobility.

The armours were made of small shield-shaped plates arranged in horizontal rows and sewn onto a backing.

Yanghai leather scale armour (top) with a reconstruction of how it would have looked 2,500 years ago. The side panels only lay smoothly against the back when inclined downwards. This way, the rounded tab protruding at the top of the longer left side panel meets the point where the lace on the proper right-side hip was attached and likely served to fasten the tab

Conservators at Turfan Museum in China with researchers from the LVR-LandesMuseum Bonn, Germany restoring ancient leather

Due to the costly materials and laborious manufacturing process, armours were very precious, and wearing them was considered a privilege of the elite.

However, it was rare for them to be buried with the owner, the researchers say.

It is unclear whether the Yanghai armour belonged to a foreign soldier working for the Assyrian forces who brought it back home with him, or whether the armour was captured from someone else who had been to the region.

'Even though we can't trace the exact path of the scale armour from Assyria to Northwest China, the find is one of the rare actual proofs of West-East technology transfer across the Eurasian continent during the early first millennium BC,' said Wertmann.

With the increasing use of chariots in Middle Eastern warfare, a special armour for horsemen was developed from the 9th century BC.

Design and construction details of the armour indicate that it originated in the Neo-Assyrian Empire - part of the modern-day Middle East - between the 6th and 8th century BC before being brought to China. A and B depict Assyrian infantry archer in scale armour in ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh

Similar 'fish scale' leather armour from the Arms and Armor Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. A  front view with skirt folded inside, B  face up, view from proper right side, C  face down, view from proper right side, with one detached scaled piece which might have been a shoulder flap

These armours later became part of the standardised equipment of military forces of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which extended from parts of present-day Iraq to Iran, Syria, Turkey and Egypt.

Although this armour has no direct parallel in the whole of Northwest China, there are some stylistic and functional similarities to a second contemporary armour of unknown origin held by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

It is possible that the two armours were intended as outfits for distinct units  the Yanghai armour for cavalry and the armour in the Met for infantry.

Leather scale armour has also been verified previously from the legendary tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt.

The study has been published in Quaternary International.
A meteorite that caused a global frenzy in the 1990s after it was dubiously claimed by many including President Bill Clinton that it could show evidence of life on Mars has been proven to be nothing more than a lump of rock and water.

The four billion-year-old piece of rock, discovered in 1984 in Antarctica, made headlines worldwide after a group of NASA-led scientists said in 1996 it contained microscopic fossils of bacteria.

Their claims prompted Clinton to arrange an immediate televised press conference about the discovery, which he said could be 'one of the most stunning insights into our universe that science has ever uncovered'.

He said: 'Its implications are as far-reaching and awe-inspiring as can be imagined.

'Even as it promises answers to some of our oldest questions, it poses still others even more fundamental.'

The president used the claims to justify further funding for America's space programme.

But even at the time, scientists were sceptical of the NASA-led findings and questioned the hype around the apparent discovery.

And they have now been vindicated after researchers spent decades studying the 4lb rock in detail.

Experts from the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC, examined tiny samples of the meteorite, finding that the carbon-rich compounds are actually the result of salty, briny water flowing over the rock for a prolonged period of time.

The rock would have been formed during Mars' wet and early past, with two impacts occurring near the rock that heated the planet around its surface, the team found.

A third impact bounced the rock off the Red Planet, sending it into space millions of years ago, eventually landing on the Earth, and discovered in Antarctica in 1984.

A Mars meteorite that fell to Earth 13,000 years ago has 'no signs of life', dashing the hopes of NASA scientists, who found it only contains water and rock

Bill Clinton immediately arranged a televised press conference to hail the potentially 'awe-inspiring dicovery'

The 4 billion-year-old piece of Mars rock caused a splash on Earth in 1996 when a NASA-led team announced it contained organic compounds that appeared to have been left by living creatures - possible evidence of ancient, primitive Martian life

ALLAN HILLS 84001: A TINY PIECE OF MARS FOUND ON EARTH Allan Hills 84001 is a tiny fragment of Mars, that arrived on Earth a few thousand years ago. It would have been bounced off the surface of the Red Planet by an asteroid impact, and sent hurtling through space for millions of years. It was found in the Allan Hills in Antarctica on December 27, 1984, by a team of American meteorite hunters from the ANSMET project. The small fragment of rock weighs about 4lb and contains tiny globs of carbon within its structure. In 1996, a group of scientists from NASA claimed to have found evidence of microscopic fossils of bacteria in the meteorite, suggesting that these organisms also originated on Mars. These claims made headlines worldwide, but were controversial among the scientific community. A recent study, using more modern methods and tools, found that rather than bacteria traces, the rock had traces of water. Advertisement

The science community has long questioned the original NASA findings, suggesting something other than signs of life created the organic compounds.

For this new study a team analysed the minerals in the meteorite using new techniques, discovering they were associated with serpentine-like minerals.

This is a dark green mineral that can sometimes be spotted like a snake skin, and is associated with once-wet environments, as the early Mars would have been when it first formed.

The researchers suggest that billions of years ago Martian groundwater, moving through the cracks in the rock, formed the tiny globs of carbon.

They are what made some scientists in the 1990s think that there was evidence of ancient Martian primitive life contained within the Antarctica meteorite.

The same process, of water moving through cracks, can happen on Earth and could help explain the presence of methane in Mars' atmosphere, they said.

One of the processes that may have been at play on a young Mars is serpentinization, which happens when iron or magnesium-rich volcanic rocks interact with circulating water.

This changes their mineral nature and produces hydrogen in the rock.

Another method that may have led to the findings is carbonisation, which is the result of rocks reacting with acidic water that contains dissolved carbon dioxide.

The organic compounds found by the 1996 NASA team were likely produced when volcanic rock on Mars interacted with briny water, flowing over the rock.

According to study lead author, Andrew Steele, advances in technology made his team's new findings possible.

He commended the measurements by the original researchers and noted that their life-claiming hypothesis 'was a reasonable interpretation' at the time.

He said he and his team - which includes US, German and British scientists - took care to present their results 'for what they are, which is a very exciting discovery about Mars and not a study to disprove' the original premise.

This finding 'is huge for our understanding of how life started on this planet,' explained Steele, as well as whether life may have started on an early Mars.

He added that it helps refine the techniques we need to find life elsewhere on Mars, or Enceladus and Europa.'

Other scientists were skeptical of the NASA findings, and since then, researchers have been chipping away at the premise, studying the 4lb rock in more detail

KEY FINDINGS Researchers examine carbonates and silicates in the martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001 (ALH 84001). They used nanoscale analyses, to characterise the nature of water-rock reactions on early Mars. They found that globs of organic material within the rock were the result mineral carbonation and serpentinisation reactions on Mars. Serpentinisation happens when iron or magnesium-rich volcanic rocks interact with circulating water. This changes their mineral nature and produces hydrogen in the rock. Carbonisation is the result of rocks reacting with acidic water that contains dissolved carbon dioxide. This happened more than four billion years ago, as a result of volcanic activity, interacting with early Martian briny waters flowing over rocks. It left traces of organic signatures, that the new research team claim is evidence of the salty water. Advertisement

There are already rovers on Mars looking for signs of life - with vehicles sent from NASA and China, with another due to arrive from Europe next year.

Future missions are expected to visit the ice-moons of Jupiter and Saturn, as they are thought to contain massive, moon-sized oceans under the surface ice, which may host living bacteria.

The only way to prove whether Mars ever had or still has microbial life, according to Steele, is to bring samples to Earth for analysis.

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover already has collected six samples for return to Earth, with about three dozen samples expected to be produced.

They will be collected from the surface of the Red Planet by a joint NASA and European Space Agency mission, and returned to Earth by 2030.

China and Japan are also planning to visit the Red Planet in the coming decades, and bring samples of Martian rock back to the Earth for study.

The small piece of rock, found in Antarctica on December 27, 1984, by a team of American meteorite hunters, is one of the most studied in the world.

Studies have shown that it was blasted off the surface of Mars by an asteroid impact about 17 million years ago, causing it to float through space on its way to the Earth.

It eventually plummeted to Earth, landing in the Allan Hills of Antarctica about 13,000 years ago, where it sat, untouched,

The small gray-green fragment got its name - Allan Hills 84001 - from the hills where it was found on the frozen continent.

Experts from the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC, examined tiny samples of the meteorite, finding that the carbon-rich compounds are actually the result of salty, briny water flowing over the rock for a prolonged period of time

The only way to prove whether Mars ever had or still has microbial life, according to Steele, is to bring samples to Earth for analysis. NASA's Perseverance Mars rover already has collected six samples for return to Earth, with about three dozen samples expected to be produced

Two scientists who took part in the original study took issue with these latest findings, calling them 'disappointing.'

In a shared email, Kathie Thomas-Keprta and Simon Clemett, astromaterial researchers at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, said they stand by their 1996 observations.

'While the data presented incrementally adds to our knowledge of (the meteorite), the interpretation is hardly novel, nor is it supported by the research,' they wrote.

'Unsupported speculation does nothing to resolve the conundrum surrounding the origin of organic matter' in the meteorite.'

'I think the debate on this meteorite polarised the community many years ago but I think a lot of that polarization has eased over the years,' Steele told Space.com.

'I hope this paper inspires the debate again in a positive way.'

The findings appear in the journal Science.
Londoners have been warned to avoid strenuous outdoor exercise on Friday due to potentially dangerous levels of air pollution.

The government's UK-AIR website last night forecasted a rare episode of 'very high' pollution ranked 10/10 for potential harm  the first such rating in the city since March 2018.

Although this rating has since been revised down to 8/10 on Friday morning, adults and children in London who have lung problems should still reduce outdoor strenuous physical exertion in the city today.

Friday's poor air quality is due to an area of high pressure covering western Europe, which leads to a lack of air movement meaning pollutants aren't blown away.

Central London is worst affected, although areas with the 8/10 rating include Hampstead in the north, Uxbridge in the west and Hackney in the east.

Primary pollutants in London are particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3), many of which come from vehicle exhausts

Central London is worst affected, although areas with the 8/10 rating include Hampstead in the north, Uxbridge in the west and Hackney in the east

10/10 AIR POLLUTION BANDING Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat. Advertisement

The 10/10 forecast was first spotted by non-profit organisation Clean Air in London, which posted warnings on Twitter.

'Its likely to be a short sharp nasty episode caused by the build-up of building and traffic emissions over several days into windless air over London,' Simon Birkett, founder of Clean Air in London, told MailOnline.

'Londoners are stewing in their own juice. Relief is expected for Londoners tomorrow as wind speeds pick up and blow the pollution towards other people.

'There may also be a temperature inversion stopping air from rising/mixing upwards.'

Air pollution forecast service UK-AIR comes under the government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

According to the service's website, an air pollution banding of 10 poses a particular risk to adults and children with heart or lung problems.

'Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity,' it says.

An air pollution banding of 10 means adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often

'People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often.

'Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat.'

As of Friday lunchtime, UK-AIR is forecasting widespread 7-8/10 particle air pollution in London today rather than 'very high' (10/10).

A forecast of 8/10 is still described as 'high' and could still affect adults and children who have lung problems and adults with heart problems.

Air quality in some parts of London have already registered above legal thresholds, mostly due to nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants from vehicles.

Earlier this week, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said London was facing a pollution crisis as people in the city are shunning public transport in favour of cars.

Earlier this week, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (pictured) warned that unless efforts increase to deliver a green, sustainable recovery from the pandemic, the capital could move from one public health and economy crisis to another, caused by filthy air and gridlocked roads

'If we do not double down on our efforts to deliver a greener, more sustainable future we will replace one public health crisis with another, caused by filthy air and gridlocked roads,' said Mr Khan.

'The cost to both Londoners and the capital cannot be underestimated, with days wasted stuck in traffic, billions lost to the economy and increased road danger and health impacts.'

Mr Khan introduced the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone to London in April 2019, which allows authorities to charge diesel vehicles for being in Central London, with the aim of reducing emissions in some of the city's most polluted areas.

The zone was expanded from Central London up to, but not including, the North and South Circular Roads from October 25, 2021.

However, an Imperial College London study published in November found it isn't making much of a difference to the city's air pollution

The Ultra Low Emission Zone is an area in London where a fee is charged for driving the most polluting vehicles

ULEZ now stretches to cover an area surrounded by the North and South Circular roads. The ULEZ is separate from the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which implemented tougher emissions standards for heavy diesel vehicles from March 1, 2021

Primary pollutants in London are particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3), many of which come from vehicle exhausts.

Particulate matter, or PM, comes from a variety of sources, including vehicle exhausts, construction sites, industrial activity or even domestic stoves and ovens  and has already been linked to premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

NO2, which comes from burning diesel and petrol in car engines, inflames the lining of the lungs and can reduce immunity to lung infections while exacerbating respiratory problems.

O3, meanwhile, is a secondary pollutant formed when sunlight and high temperature catalyse chemical reactions in the lower atmosphere.

When inhaled, O3 reacts chemically with many biological molecules in the respiratory tract, causing pulmonary and heart disease.
In the recent Forbes real-time billionaires' report, Louis Vuitton CEO Bernard Arnault's net worth has exceeded Jeff Bezos' net worth by a few billion.

Bernard Arnault Net Worth: More Than $180 Billion

In the Forbes list, Bernard Arnault and family's net worth is at $190 billion at the time of writing.

But who is Arnault? Forbes noted that he is one of the world's most influential businessmen who runs a 70-brand empire including Louis Vuitton and Sephora. Moreover, Frederic, Delphine, Antoine and Alexandre Arnault are four of Arnault's five children that work for LVMH.

How Did Louis Vuitton CEO Surpass Jeff Bezos' Net Worth?

According to Financhill, COVID-19 slowed down worldwide travel, and continuous travel restrictions affected people's spending habits. Since the economy reopened, individuals began to spend on status symbols to demonstrate their wealth when reconnecting with friends, family, and acquaintances in real life.

In early 2021, demand for luxury products in China soared, resulting in record revenues and a buying frenzy in LVMH stock.

The Louis Vuitton CEO is known for lavish spending, yet he also carefully reinvests the profits of his firm. To ensure consistent quality and delivery on a worldwide scale, the organization is both vertically and horizontally organized.

Read Also: Mark Cuban Net Worth 2021: How Rich Is The Dallas Mavericks Owner and Dogecoin Supporter?

Arnault, like renowned investor Warren Buffett, examines a firm to see where it will be in 10 years. He works the long game and creates a roadmap for his company's long-term ambitions.

Through this, he constructed a roadmap that couldn't simply be overtaken by either retail giants, Amazon and Walmart.

Bernard Arnault Career

To further emphasize the start of the Louis Vuitton CEO's career, Arnault began at his father's civil engineering firm, Ferret-Savinet, in Roubaix, France, in 1949, per Financhill.

After a few years of his term, the corporation switched into real estate before purchasing a textile company. Since his mother was fascinated with Christian Dior, he purchased the firm and earned the nickname "The Terminator."

The said nickname started when he fired off 9,000 employees and sold off most of the firm's profits, leaving just the Dior brand and the Le Bon Marche department store.

Dior was bankrupt before the French business mogul purchased the company. After purchasing, he rebuilt it by removing anything aside from the name. He positioned the firm in such a way that it could continue to make enough money to support LVMH and its subsidiaries.

Despite the fact that he values quality, he says that he doesn't care about money.

On the other hand, by 1988, he had formed a holding company with Guinness and invested more than $2.1 billion to become the dominant stakeholder in LVMH.

With that, LVMH added that in 1989, Arnault acquired a majority stake in LVMH Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, establishing the world's largest luxury goods company. Since that time, he has served as Chairman and CEO of the firm.

Along with the above-listed companies, the corporation owns high-end fashion brands including Fendi and Givenchy. Additionally, within the first quarter of 2021, Arnault momentarily became the world's richest person as the company brought in $17 billion in sales. This is a 32 percent increase over the same quarter of 2020.



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The moon's crust may have formed thanks to a 'slushy' magma ocean that froze over the course of hundreds of millions years, a new study has revealed.

An international team of scientists, led by the University of Cambridge, created a series of computer and mathematical models to examine the chemical make-up and behaviour of moon rocks, and how they'd behave in the early 'liquid magma' moon.

They found that as the moon cooled, after its initial explosive beginning, the freezing sea of molten rock could have led to the current lunar surface.

The moon's crust may have formed in a similar way to crystals in a slushy machine, the researchers said, before remaining suspended in liquid magma over hundreds of millions of years as the 'slush' of the young moon froze and solidified.

If the crystals remain suspended as a slurry, then when the crystal content of the slurry exceeds a critical threshold, the slurry becomes thick and sticky.

This increase of crystal content occurs most dramatically near the surface, where the slushy magma ocean is cooled, resulting in a hot, well-mixed slushy interior and a slow-moving, crystal rich lunar 'lid' - creating the lunar surface.

The moon's crust may have formed thanks to a 'slushy' magma ocean that froze over the course of hundreds of millions years, a new study has revealed

An international team of scientists, led by the University of Cambridge in England, found that freezing a sea of molten rock could have led to the current lunar surface

SCIENTISTS DON'T AGREE ON HOW THE MOON FORMED Many researchers believe the moon formed after Earth was hit by a planet the size of Mars billions of years ago. This is called the giant impact hypothesis. The theory suggests the moon is made up of debris left over following a collision between our planet and a body around 4.5 billion years ago. The colliding body is sometimes called Theia, after the mythical Greek Titan who was the mother of Selene, the goddess of the moon. But one mystery has persisted, revealed by rocks the Apollo astronauts brought back from the moon: Why are the moon and Earth so similar in their composition? Several different theories have emerged over the years to explain the similar fingerprints of Earth and the moon. Perhaps the impact created a huge cloud of debris that mixed thoroughly with the Earth and then later condensed to form the moon. Or Theia could have, coincidentally, been chemically similar to young Earth. A third possibility is that the moon formed from Earthen materials, rather than from Theia, although this would have been a very unusual type of impact. Advertisement

They used the make-up of moon rocks returned to Earth on July 24, 1969 by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, as part of the Apollo 11 mission.

They come from the lunar Highlands, a large pale region of the moon that is visible to the naked eye, and made of relatively light rocks called anorthosites, that formed between 4.3 and 4.5 billion years ago - when the moon was very young.

Previous studies suggested that these light anorthite crystals floated to the surface of the liquid magma ocean, with heavier crystals solidifying as the ocean floor.

However, subsequent rock samples, from follow up lunar missions, revealed the crystals were more diverse, contradicting this floatation theory.

For this new study, the team, including Professor Jerome Neufeld from Cambridge, proposed a new model of crystallisation.

In their model the crystals remained suspended in liquid magma over hundreds of millions of years as the lunar 'slush' froze and solidified.

In the low lunar gravity, the settling of crystal is difficult, particularly when strongly stirred by the convecting magma ocean.

'We believe it's in this stagnant 'lid' that the lunar crust formed, as lightweight, anorthite-enriched melt percolated up from the convecting crystalline slurry below,' said Professor Neufeld.

'We suggest that cooling of the early magma ocean drove such vigorous convection that crystals remained suspended as a slurry, much like the crystals in a slushy machine.'

Enriched lunar surface rocks likely formed in magma chambers within the lid, which explains their diversity, the researchers added.

The results suggest that the timescale of lunar crust formation is several hundreds of million years, which corresponds to the observed ages of the lunar anorthosites.

Similar anorthosites, formed through the crystallisation of magma, can be found in fossilised magma chambers on Earth.

However, producing the large volumes of anorthosite found on the moon however, would have required a huge global magma ocean.

Scientists believe that the moon formed when two protoplanets, or embryonic worlds, collided.

The larger of these two protoplanets became the Earth, and the smaller became the Moon. One of the outcomes of this collision was that the moon was very hot  so hot that its entire mantle was molten magma, or a magma ocean.

They found that the moon's crust may have been formed similar to crystals found in a slushy machine, where the crystals remain suspended in liquid magma over hundreds of millions of years, as the 'slush' of the young moon froze and solidified

'Since the Apollo era, it has been thought that the lunar crust was formed by light anorthite crystals floating at the surface of the liquid magma ocean, with heavier crystals solidifying at the ocean floor,' said co-author Chloe Michaut from Ecole normale superieure de Lyon.

'This 'flotation' model explains how the lunar Highlands may have formed.'

However, since the Apollo missions many lunar meteorites have been analysed and the surface of the moon has been extensively studied.

'Given the range of ages and compositions of the anorthosites on the moon, and what we know about how crystals settle in solidifying magma, the lunar crust must have formed through some other mechanism,' said co-author Professor Neufeld.

The findings have been published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
AT&T and Verizon are set to unleash their 5G networks across the US on January 19, but the launch could ground the more than 9,000 commercial helicopters, including lifesaving medevac choppers, as a result.

The wireless service can render radar altimeters, which measure altitude, unreliable and under US law, all commercial helicopters must have a working device in order to fly.

Without radar altimeters, landing in remote areas or on hospital landing pads will be near impossible, said Ben Clayton, interim chief executive officer of Life Flight Networks, as reported on by Bloomberg.

The issue is medevac helicopters need to land and take off in remote areas, making their ability to measure altitude vital for a successful mission.

Other commercial helicopters that conduct tours or law enforcement craft that need to be deployed in uneasy terrain also rely on the technology.

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in October, asking for air ambulances to be exempt from the law when 5G rolls out.

And on January 13, the HAI finally received a response, but is granted only partial approval.

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AT&T and Verizon are set to unleash their 5G networks across the US on January 19, but the launch could mean many medevac helicopter will be grounded as a result

'Based on the unprecedented nature of the widespread impacts to radio altimeters  the FAA will grant relief to part 119 certificate holders conducting HAA [helicopter air ambulance] operations in areas in which the FAA has determined that 5G C-Band interference affects or might affect the radio altimeter,' according to the FAA.

However, there are thousands of HAA in the US that cater to at least 300,000 people a year who need to be medevacked to a medical facility.

Helicopters used in medical transportation often land and take off from locations that are not at airports or helipads to evacuate victims of natural disasters or vehicle accidents.

And a reliable radar altimeter is necessary to ensure the safety of the helicopter, rescuers and patients.

The wireless service can render radar altimeters, which measures altitude, unreliable and under US law, all commercial helicopters must have a working device in order to fly. Pictured is a Verizon going up in Utah

Regardless, the FAA says this type of transportation cannot be grounded even if the device is not functioning properly due to 5G interference.

'Permitting the use of NVGs in HAA operations in off-airport or unimproved area locations when a radio altimeter might experience interference is in the public interest,' the FAA shared in a statement.

'The public interest in allowing such operations to continue is considerable, especially given that approximately 40,000 to 50,000 of such operations occur from off-airport or unimproved areas at night.'

The US reported a total of 9,348 helicopters in 2019, which is four times higher than the next largest fleet in Canada.

There has been a lot of back and forth between AT&T and Verizon and the US government leading up to the official roll out.

The launch was initially set to happen on January 4, but due to concerns about how the service would impact airlines the companies agreed upon a two-week delay to give the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enough time to fix the issues.

Aviation officials fear that 5G signals near airports could interfere with certain airplane instruments, including the radio altimeter used to gauge altitude

The problem is the 3.7 to 3.98 GHz frequency, known as C-Band, that the two wireless carriers spent tens of billions licensing for use to power their ultra-fast 5G networks.

Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing have warned that there is potential for interference with vital aircraft instruments operating in the adjacent 4.2 to 4.4 GHz band, including radio altimeters that tell pilots their altitude in poor visibility.

In short, the fear is that in rare cases, false altitude readings could confuse pilots as they approach for landing in poor visibility conditions, with potentially disastrous results.

However, the two-week delay should give the FAA enough time to ensure there are no disruptions with airplanes - but the same cannot be said for helicopters.
Plantish, an Israeli foodtech startup, is on a mission to save the oceans one salmon filet at a time.

The company unveiled its new plant-based whole-cute salmon filet on Thursday that mimics the texture, taste, appearance and structure of the real thing.

The vegan dish is made with a mixture of legume proteins, algae oil and other binders that provides the food with Omega-3s, Omega-6s, B vitamins and protein, but without the mercury, hormones and microplastics found in ocean fish.

Plantish, which plans to launch into the grocery market in 2024, recently a $2 million seed funding round to fund that mission that included participation from Michelin-starred chef Jose Andres and content guru Nuseir Yassin of Nas Daily.

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Plantish, an Israeli foodtech startup, is on a mission to save the oceans one salmon filet at a time. The company unveiled its new plant-based whole-cute salmon filet on Thursday that mimics the texture, taste, appearance and structure of the real thing

Ofek Ron, co-founder and CEO of Plantish, explained: 'We exist to save the oceans and eliminate the need to consume marine animals by providing more sustainable, more nutritious, and more delicious fish options.

'Our vision is to be the world's leading seafood brand, all without hurting a single fish.'

Plantish creates the filet through 3D printing technology, which is the go-to method for plant-based foods.

The legume proteins and algae extracts are placed in a machine and in moments, a filet with fibrous strands that replicates the texture of the real thing is produced.

Pictured is a real salmon filet

According to leading market research firm IMARC Group, the seafood market today is worth $586 billion, and globally salmon accounts for $50 billion.

Approximately 80 percent of fish is consumed whole-cut, in the form of whole fish or filets.

However, the alternative seafood sector primarily consists of minced fish options, due to technical complexities of whole cut production.

Seafood production has been blamed for excessive amounts of pollution, as well as habitat degradation and species loss.

Plantish creates the filet (pictured) through 3D printing technology, which is the go-to method for plant-based foods. The legume proteins and algae extracts are placed in a machine and in moments, a filet with fibrous strands that replicates the texture of the real thing is produced

And seafood has become contaminated by human pollution - a study from 2020 found microplastics were inside every single sample of seafood bought at a market as part of a scientific study.

The study was led by the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland and has been published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Researchers cut open oysters, prawns, crabs, squids and sardines and studied them for any sign of microplastics.

Sardines were found to be the worst affected and had ingested the largest amount of plastic, up to 30mg per serving - the same weight as a grain of rice.

Microplastics are being increasingly found around the world, with evidence of them now seen at the bottom of the deepest ocean as well as in the Alps and Antarctica.

They are created when plastics degrade, are washed or broken up, and are hard to catch and destroy.

Due to their prevalence, researchers are desperately trying to understand how harmful they are to human and animal health.
Space agencies are working to overcome several challenges astronauts face while in space, such as reliable communication and fuel management, and a new threat has just been added to the list - anemia.

A study conducted by researchers in Ottawa found astronauts' bodies destroy 54 percent more red blood cells while in space than when on the ground.

On Earth, our bodies create and destroy 2 million red blood cells every second, but researchers found those in space for six months destroyed 3 million every second.

Doctors attributed it to destruction of red blood cells, or hemolysis, resulting from fluid shifts as astronauts' bodies accommodated to weightlessness and again as they re-accommodated to gravity.

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A study conducted by researchers in Ottawa found astronauts' bodies destroy 54 percent more red blood cells while in space than when on the ground

In fact, anemia is 'a primary effect of going to space,' said Dr. Guy Trudel of the University of Ottawa, who led a study of 14 astronauts funded by the Canadian Space Agency. 'As long as you are in space, you are destroying more blood cells' than you are making.'

However, just as our bodies generate red blood cells to compensate those destroy while on Earth, astronauts' bodies do the same.

But, Trudel asked, how long can the body constantly produce 50 percent more red cells?

A roundtrip mission to Mars would take about two years, NASA estimated.

'If you are on your way to Mars and ... you can't keep up' with the need to produce all those extra red blood cells, 'you could be in serious trouble,' Trudel said.

Doctors attributed it to destruction of red blood cells, or hemolysis, resulting from fluid shifts as astronauts' bodies accommodated to weightlessness and again as they re-accommodated to gravity. Tim Peake had his blood drawn aboard the International Space Station for the study

Having fewer red blood cells in space is not a problem when your body is weightless, he added. But after landing on Earth, and potentially on other planets, anemia could affect astronauts' energy, endurance and strength.

A year after returning to Earth, the astronauts' red blood cells had not completely returned to pre-flight levels, his team reported on Friday in Nature Medicine.

The new findings mimic what he sees in his patients, he said, which suggests that what happens in space may also be happening in immobile patients.

'A solution to one could also apply to the other,' he said.

Sulekha Anand, who researches human physiology at San Jose State University and was not involved in the study, agreed.

On Earth, our bodies create and destroy 2 million red blood cells every second, but researchers found those in space for six months destroyed 3 million every second. Experts question how long can the body constantly produce 50 percent more red cell. Pictured is David Saint-Jacques having his blood drawn aboard the International Space Station

'The findings have implications for understanding the physiological consequences of space flight and anemia in patients on the ground,' she said.

A separate study from March 2021 revealed long spaceflights can shrink the heart, in what could be a worrying finding for the next generation of astronauts.

Even a long-term program of low-intensity exercise in space is not enough to counteract the effects of prolonged weightlessness on the heart, according to researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Both men lost mass in their left ventricle  one of the two large chambers at the bottom of the heart  over the duration of their campaigns, despite substantial amounts of exercise, the researchers found.

Microgravity in space means the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump blood around the body, causing atrophy  a reduction in tissue.

It presents a serious issue for astronauts during long-term space flight, as it decreases bone density, increases risk of bone fractures and degrades muscles.

Leader of the study Professor Benjamin D. Levine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said in a statement: 'The heart is remarkably plastic and especially responsive to gravity or its absence.

''Both the impact of gravity as well as the adaptive response to exercise play a role, and we were surprised that even extremely long periods of low-intensity exercise did not keep the heart muscle from shrinking.'
Andy Murray has had to be patient but he is back in an ATP Tour-level final for the first time since October 2019 after defeating Reilly Opelka in Sydney.

Murray had a degree of freshness having seen his quarter-final end prematurely with David Goffin needing to retire injured, having lost the first set 6-2.

And in what was his first ATP Tour-level semi-final in 822 days, Murray showed all the class in his returning game against one of the Tour's biggest servers in 6ft 11in Opelka to win it 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Roared on by plenty of noisy Scots inside the Ken Rosewall Arena, the former world No 1, who has reached only his second final since injuries started to take their toll in 2017, showed he remains a force on the ATP Tour despite his physical ailments and this was another stunning display that tees him up for the Australian Open.

Victory in the final, where he will face tournament top seed Aslan Karatsev, would see Murray restored to the top 100, too.

Andy Murray has reached his first ATP Tour-level final since October 2019 after his latest win

It was an excruciating watch as an emotional Murray slugged it out at the Sydney Classic

He came up against big-serving 6ft 11in Reilly Opelka but Murray showed his class returning

Murray looked to be exploring Opelka's bullet serves on the fly in an opening set that looked destined to be settled via a tiebreak from the moment it began.

The Scot did well in keeping the ball in play but soon lost his stranglehold in the tiebreak when he fell to an early 3-0 deficit.

A late rally back put some doubt in Opelka's mind but the American, who is targeting a return to the world's top 20 this month, held well to take the opener 7-6.

'I love competing,' Murray said.

'You want to finish matches quickly. I obviously lost a tight first set and it's not easy to come back against someone who plays that play style but I kept fighting.'

Using a blocking tactic, Murray was able to neutralise the big serves more often than not

Opelka dug in and took the opening set as he punished Murray's decision-making in a tiebreak

ANDY MURRAY'S ROUTE TO THE FINAL L32: d. Viktor Durasovic (6-3, 6-1) L16: d. Nikoloz Basilashvili (6-7, 7-6, 6-3) QF: d. David Goffin (6-2, retired) SF: d. Reilly Opelka (6-7, 6-4, 6-4) Advertisement

Murray was vocal throughout this one while Opelka, who can be quite outspoken, was something of a mute on the other side of the net.

An early break in the second set felt - and later proved - decisive for Murray and he soon upped the tempo on his service games to rattle through points, not allowing Opelka to settle and find his rhythm.

At one set apiece it was a straight shootout for the first spot in Saturday's final and it proved almost as nip-and-tuck as the opener.

The pendulum of momentum looked to be swinging to Murray at 3-3 with Opelka serving.

Murray thought he had figured out Opelka's serve at this point and with two break points at 15-40 he sensed an opportunity to take control.

A 141mph serve was quickly fired in his direction by Opelka, who went on to hold following some unforced errors courtesy of Murray.

'Why did I change direction?' Murray shouted aloud. 'Rushing, rushing. Absolute madness.'

Murray held in a much more straightforward manner and it was at 4-4 where he finally broke Opelka's resistance.

Opelka's improvisation saw him attempt a 'tweener' but he soon lost his early set advantage

Down 15-30, Opelka panicked and looked to close the distance as he raced to the net.

Murray perfectly pulled off a passing shot down Opelka's forehand to set up two break points, which he converted in the following point.

A huge roar followed and Murray was able to to serve for a spot in the final and then, after two hours and 24 minutes, celebrate his latest scalp as he takes a step closer to his 47th career title.

Asked about dealing with Opelka's serve, Murray conceded he was improvising throughout.

'You can't prepare for it to be honest,' he said. 'I chose to block quite a few which worked quite well and the second serve isn't easy.

Murray refused to wilt and he converted breaks in sets two and three to reach Saturday's final

'It's tough but return has been always one of the strongest parts of my game and I used it well today.'

On the prospect of a 47th career title, he added: 'It would be amazing to start the year with a win, really big progress to string matches together.

'I'll go for 47 tomorrow and it's been a good week. I've played better in each match.'

He had the prospect of facing Dan Evans, but the British No 2 lost 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 to Karatsev in a thrilling three-hour epic.
The Holiday Guru is always on hand to answer your questions.

Here, he helps one reader with a query about the entry requirements for Spain, and advises another - who finds the prospect of travelling abroad 'overwhelming' - on the best ways to book a staycation.

Q. We have a trip to America booked next month. My children and I had Covid last month and the Centers for Disease Control website says the U.S. accepts documentation of Covid recovery within 90 days. How do we get this? Also, we aim to fly from New York to Florida during the trip  what are the rules?

- Becky Metcalfe, via email

Strict: Visitors to America, including Miami in Florida, above, face rigorous regulations

A. Ten days after you register a positive PCR test on your NHS Covid Pass, a Recovery Pass will appear automatically on it, in addition to your Covid jabs.

For travel to the U.S., you must have proof of being fully vaccinated plus having taken a negative Covid test 24 hours before travel or such a proof of recovery.

The latter could be needed as people who have recently had Covid may still give positive results beyond ten days, despite being officially in the clear.

Children under 17 travelling with vaccinated parents do not need to be vaccinated. Within the U.S., rules vary between states. Best to check Domestic Travel During COVID-19 at cdc.gov.

Q. Will this be a cheap or pricey year to travel?

- Richard Knox, via email

A. All the indications are that travel to Europe will be extremely cheap. Return flights to Rome are as low as 20 from Stansted in February with Ryanair, which also has returns from Manchester to Seville from 53 in March and Edinburgh-Paris returns from 30 in February (ryanair.com).

All the indications are that travel to Europe will be extremely cheap this year, according to the Holiday Guru. February return flights from Edinburgh to Paris (pictured) with Ryanair cost 30

Q. Can I enter Spain without being vaccinated?

- Edward Jenkins, via email

A. No. All visitors to Spain over 12 must be fully vaccinated and complete an online Health Control Form. See Spains entry requirements at gov.uk.

Q. As we are now out of the EU, I believe when we go to a country in the Schengen Area we need our passport stamped on entry and departure.

Not getting it stamped risks not being allowed back in a country at a future date as you cannot prove you did not overstay the 90-day limit.

We have two cruises booked to Schengen Area countries next year. Will we get stamped?

- Ron Lewis, via email

A. Stamps should be given on entry/exit. Soon, however probably within the next six months  the EU is introducing a new IT system known as the Entry/Exit System that will automatically record movements. See Entry/Exit System at ec.europa.eu. When this comes in, stamps may not be required.

Q. My nerves are shattered after making an easyJet booking for Belfast-Lanzarote flights (653) then cancelling due to my husbands ill health. I have shown medical certificates but have only been offered a voucher for his flight and the chance to change the date of mine.

We are pensioners. I do not know if my husband will ever fly again and I would not fly without him. Can you help?

- Moyra and Patrick McSherry, Donaghadee, Northern Ireland

The Holiday Guru helps out one reader who was forced to cancel their easyJet flights

A. EasyJet has reviewed your situation and will provide a full refund for both fares.

Q. I am sick of taking tests, do not like bureaucratic forms and find the prospect of overseas travel overwhelming. Do you have any staycation tips?

- Sarah Silverman, via email

A. Yes: book soon. Cottages, holiday homes and hotel rooms are being snapped up. For cottages, try ruralretreats.co.uk, sykescottages.co.uk, cottages.com and originalcottages.co.uk.

For hotels its usually best to book direct via hotel websites, which often have the lowest prices and are often running special deals at this time of year.

WERE HERE TO HELP

If you need advice, the Holiday Guru is here to answer your questions. Email holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk
Meryl Streep watches the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

The 72-year-old A-lister revealed she's a viewer of the Bravo reality series during a group interview in promotion of her latest movie Don't Look Up, as she opened up about climate change, and distractions in society from the overarching issue.

'It's life  it's right now,' said the three-time Academy Award winner. 'It's happening right now. And what do I do? I go in and watch the Housewives of Beverly Hills. I do that.'

The latest: Meryl Streep, 72, said she watches the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in a group interview in promotion of her latest movie Don't Look Up

Streep, who plays President Orlean in Don't Look Up, said she was 'just blown away' in seeing Don't Look Up, which tells the story of a pair of astronomers (played by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio) trying to warn an indifferent public of an oncoming comet that will destroy the world.

'When I saw the film, I was just blown away, and I said [to director Adam McKay], "Give me a checklist. Give me the first three things we have to do,"' Streep said. 'Its so energizing in a weird way, this film, because you come out and you go, "OK now. F*** it.

'This is what we have to pay attention to. It all flows from this. If we dont survive, we wont be able to watch Housewives or whatever."'

The revelation from the Summit, New Jersey-born actress drew a pleasantly surprised response from Lawrence, who is a professed fan of the Real Housewives and other reality TV franchises.

The RHOBH cast includes (L-R) Crystal Kung Minkoff, Dorit Kemsley, Lisa Rinna, Erika Girardi, Kyle Richards, Kathy Hilton, Sutton Stracke, Garcelle Beauvais

Streep said of climate change: 'This is what we have to pay attention to'

The three-time Oscar winner added, 'If we dont survive, we wont be able to watch Housewives or whatever'

The revelation from the Streep drew a pleasantly surprised response from Lawrence, who is a professed fan of the Real Housewives and other reality TV franchises

Lawrence told Vanity Fair in a 2014 interview: 'I do love my Real Housewives ... New York Housewives, and Beverly Hills, New Jersey and Atlanta Housewives. I mean, I love them all, but Miami - oh, my God! Miami is really special.'

Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen told TMZ in 2017 that he had creatively consulted with Lawrence about the franchises.

'I do ask her her opinion on things, and she gives them to me,' he said. 'I like to hear what her opinions are. She tells me who she likes and tells me who she doesn't like.'
She's been working her behind off as an OnlyFans performer to build a better future for her family.

But it turns out that Married At First Sight's Mishel Karen also has a far less altruistic reason for becoming a porn star.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the 51-year-old admitted that finding love was a huge motivator in her decision to join OnlyFans.

EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight's Mishel Karen is trying to find love on OnlyFans after being banned from mainstream dating apps

The pansexual grandmother was banned from mainstream dating apps due to her celebrity status after trolls kept reporting her accounts, leaving her with no choice but to seek out romance in the adult industry.

'I thought it would be an easy way to meet lots of people that could possibly be my one,' she said.

Mishel also shared some glamorous photos from a recent lingerie photoshoot with Daily Mail Australia.

In one image, the reality star looks every inch the sex kitten in black stockings and a lacy one piece.

Bombshell: The 51-year-old also shared some racy photos from a recent lingerie photoshoot

In another, she slips her curves into a lacy red bodysuit that leaves little to the imagination.

The mum of two is now gearing up to release her first lesbian porn film on OnlyFans, which she describes as 'quite explicit'.

The X-rated video was shot on location in a Gold Coast warehouse, where Mishel and a large group of other porn stars filmed content all day for their accounts.

Red hot! In another photo, she slips her curves into a lacy red bodysuit that leaves little to the imagination

Just weeks later, the reality star came down with Covid, although it's unclear when and how she contracted the virus.

Mishel's girl-on-girl flick was almost pulled from release this week after she discovered that a disgruntled fan had started leaking her content online for free.

The distraught granny said that the fan was once an adoring admirer who turned on her after she was unable to respond fast enough to his private messages while she was recovering from Covid-19.

No limits: The mum of two is now gearing up to release her first lesbian porn film on OnlyFans, which she describes as 'quite explicit'

'I had told my fans I was only staying online a few hours each day whilst I was sick and to be patient while I was recovering but this was not okay for him,' she said.

'The fan abused me and is now blocked. This could just be payback, which is sad. My fans are usually very kind and encouraging, as was this fan until he got very upset.'

OnlyFans is a subscription-based website where content can range from something as innocent as a suggestive selfie all the way to hardcore pornography.

Oh no! Mishel's girl-on-girl flick was almost pulled from release this week after she discovered that a disgruntled fan had started leaking her content online for free

Mishel, a mother of two and grandmother of one, is older than most of her contemporaries at 51, and is also known for performing hardcore acts other OnlyFans models aren't prepared to do.

She is no stranger to online piracy, after one of her 'self-pleasure' videos from last February was leaked then circulated on Facebook after she posted it on OnlyFans.

Despite the leak, the blue-movie beauty recently revealed she was raking in between $5,000 and $7,000 per month as an adult entertainer.

Extreme: Mishel, a mother of two and grandmother of one, is older than most of her contemporaries at 51, and is also known for performing hardcore acts other OnlyFans models aren't prepared to do

She told The Daily Telegraph her main motivation for the X-rated career move was to financially support her family.

'Being a single mum, I have never really had extra cash to do much with or to live an extravagant life, but I just don't want my children to have to struggle to pay bills or be in debt,' she said.

'Whatever I must do so they can get a deposit or loan, so they can move forward, I will do that,' she added.

Family matters: Mishel is a proud parent to son Sam (centre) and model daughter Eva (left) and has been doing porn to help provide a better future for them

Mishel, who used to work as a policy trainer in the police force, recently became a grandmother after her son Sam welcomed a baby boy with his girlfriend.

She's also a doting mum to daughter Eva, who featured on a few episodes of Married At First Sight and now works as a curve model in Brisbane.

The Macedonian stunner shot to fame in 2020 when she 'married' barber Steve Burley on Married At First Sight.
Fans of The Apprentice flocked to Twitter on Thursday evening to mock the boys' toothbrush design - as it marks the second time they have created a product that resembles a 'turd.'

For former rugby professional Conor Gilsenan, 28, it was the end of the road after Lord Alan Sugar gave him the boot.

But that was not the topic brimming on social media as fans of the boardroom drama could not help but draw comparisons between the boys' previously-slated cruise logo and Thursday's turd-esque toothbrush design.

'Can they do it a turd time next week!': The Apprentice fans mocked the boys' toothbrush design with hilarious memes as Conor Gilsenan (pictured) was the latest to be fired

The latest task saw the boys and girls battle it out to create a toothbrush aimed at six to eight-year-old children, as well as an accompanying app to encourage brushing.

Aaron Willis, a 38-year-old flight operations instructor, led the task for the boys, with Conor stepping up as sub team leader.

Despite the cohort opting for gender-neutrality, Conor opposed the decision and took the team down a theme to appeal for boys.

Comical: Fans of the boardroom drama could not help but draw comparisons between the boys' previously-slated cruise logo and Thursday's turd-esque toothbrush design

They derived Whiffy The Wizard as their dental icon, who would encourage children to brush their teeth for the necessary amount of time.

With the intention for the toothbrush to look like a wand, the group ended up choosing brown and green hues.

'Can the boys do it a turd time next week?' one comical tweet read, alongside a side-by-side comparison of the logo and toothbrush.

The official feed for the BBC programme even quipped: 'You can't polish a turd, but you can turn it into a toothbrush and name it Whiffy... [Face with hand over mouth]'.

Taking the reins: Aaron Willis, a 38-year-old flight operations instructor (l) led the task for the boys, with Conor stepping up as sub team leader

Conor's firing came after he manifested himself as an expert with apps - however the end product did not speak this into existence.

Meanwhile, the girls, led by Francesca Kennedy Wallbank, managed to bag 11,000 toothbrush orders after impressing Superdrug and BUPA with their space-themed design.

Francesca's initial idea - a plain orange toothbrush - was not met with glowing reviews however, as Sophie Wilding pointed out that their purpose is 'to attract a child.'

Bye bye: Conor's firing came after he manifested himself as an expert with apps - however the end product did not reflect this

Turd-esque? They derived Whiffy The Wizard as their dental icon, who would encourage children to brush their teeth for the necessary amount of time

Girl power: Meanwhile, the girls, led by Francesca Kennedy Wallbank, managed to bag 11,000 toothbrush orders after impressing Superdrug and BUPA with their space-themed design

Final product: Francesca's initial idea - a plain orange toothbrush - was not met with glowing reviews however, as Sophie Wilding pointed out that their purpose is 'to attract a child'

Beauty brand owner Amy Anzel took Francesca's feelings into consideration, saying: 'I'm just worried because Francesca is so specific about what she wants.'

It led Swindon-born Amy to suggest a brand new idea: 'I think we need something that a child aged six to eight wants to pick up, they're interested in. I don't think an orange basic toothbrush is going to do that.'

A snippet from the episode showed the group designing their envisioned toothbrush, agreement and praise bouncing among them as their creative juices flow with discussion of rockets, planets and stars.

The girls came up trumps once again but Lord Sugar did quip in the boardroom that their app was a bit 'racy' for bedtime toothbrushing.

Boardroom banter: The girls came up trumps once again but Lord Sugar did quip in the boardroom that their app was a bit 'racy' for bedtime toothbrushing

EXCLUSIVE 'The odds were stacked against me': Fired Apprentice star Conor Gilsenan takes a swipe at Lord Sugar by claiming he only hires candidates with active businesses

By Sarah Packer for MailOnline

Conor Gilsenan has taken a swipe at Lord Sugar by claiming he only hires contestants with active businesses  after becoming the second Apprentice candidate to be fired.

The former rugby professional, 28, told MailOnline he understands Lord Sugar is made aware of each candidate's business plan from the start of the process and that plays a huge part in the decisions he makes in the boardroom.

In an exclusive interview, the Irishman, who wasn't running an established company at the time of filming the show but has since setup his business proposal, insists: 'The odds were stacked against me.'

'I wasn't in that position': Conor Gilsenan has taken a swipe at Lord Sugar by claiming he only hires contestants with active businesses  after becoming the second Apprentice candidate to be fired

He said: 'Lord Sugar definitely looks at the business plans.

'It would have been great to win it but watching the previous shows he typically invests in people who have their businesses up and running and are established but I wasn't in that position, so the odds were stacked against me.

'In his defence he does have limited information to make decisions, particularly in the early stages.

'He is a very confident and accomplished businessman and I think his style of abrasiveness and he is unapologetically himself has served him well, but I know it's not my style of leadership.

'I don't think that is as commonly placed in business as it used to be either.'

'It's not my style of leadership': Conor told MailOnline he understands Lord Sugar is made aware of each candidate's business plan from the start of the process

Conor, who now runs a mobile drinks business called The 301 Bar, refuses to be 'defined' by his brief stint on the BBC One show.

Indeed, he even refused to post a picture of his promotional shot to his Instagram to avoid being known among his friends as 'the guy that went on The Apprentice.'

He said: 'One thing about The Apprentice  it is a small chapter in my life, and I won't be defined by it.

Moving on: Conor, who wasn't running an established company at the time of filming the show but has since setup his business proposal, insists: 'The odds were stacked against me'

'It was a fun experience, but I've done a lot of other interesting and great things like I've played professional rugby for nine years, I recently got engaged, I set up a business, I have a great circle of friends around me.

'I will post about it on Instagram eventually, but I definitely do not want to be the guy that went on The Apprentice.

'That was never the objective, I have always been a massive fan of the show and I was nine months out of my rugby career and the opportunity arose and I thought it would put it outside of my comfort zone.'

Conor was given the boot after the boys lost for a consecutive week, failing to impress Lord Sugar with their wand inspired electric toothbrush.

Reflecting on his time on The Apprentice, he added: 'I am proud of myself that I kept my cool and I was quite composed, and I never got personal or undercut at anyone throughout.

'At the time I remember leaving and thought I should have done things differently and have been more confrontational but now I've watched it I think that would have actually haunted me.

'I would much rather go in, be myself, come across as okay and get on with your life rather than get to episode 10 and come across as a bit of a loose cannon.'

The Apprentice continues tonight at 9pm on BBC One, followed by You're Fired on BBC Two. Watch live and on-demand on BBC iPlayer
Golnesa 'GG' Gharachedaghi of Shahs Of Sunset fame accused Lala Kent of cheating on her former fiance Randall Emmett on Thursday.

The 40-year-old reality star called out the 31-year-old Vanderpump Rules fixture for a previous hookup with her costar Ariana Madix that appeared to happen during her relationship with Emmett.

'If I recall correctly u were bragging about going down on your castmate & the timeline puts u in a relationship at that time. Cheater?' she tweeted on Thursday, referencing the encounter.

Defending a friend: Golnesa 'GG' Gharachedaghi, 40, blasted Lala Kent, 31, on Twitter Thursday, calling her a cheater for an alleged hookup during her engagement to Randall Emmett; seen in 2018 in Hollywood

Golnesa, who is friends with Randall, also accused Lala of 'turning a blind eye' to her fiance's red flags.

She tried to soften the blow by calling the Vanderpump Rules star a 'sweet woman,' but she wrote that 'one day all of ur anger will disappear but all of the horrible things YOU decided to make public about ur daughter's father, will always be there!'

A source close to GG told Page Six, 'The point here is you have someone who is publicly attacking the father of their child to get publicity for themselves and that is pretty shameful.'

GG also suggested that Lala may have been willfully blind to the true nature of her relationship with Randall.

'Lala, u claimed u over looked all the red flags but yet u have memory of ALL of the flags, meaning the red flags were obviously standing out to u for u to recall all of them. So u actively chose to not see what was in front of u. Why not admit to turning a blind eye on purpose?' she wrote.

Hypocrisy? GG called out the Vanderpump Rules fixture for a previous hookup with her costar Ariana Madix that appeared to happen during her relationship with Emmett in 2019; seen in July 2021

Dulled blow: She tried to soften the blow by calling the Vanderpump Rules star a 'sweet woman,' but she wrote that 'one day all of ur anger will disappear but all of the horrible things YOU decided to make public about ur daughter's father, will always be there!'

Family business: A source close to GG told Page Six , 'The point here is you have someone who is publicly attacking the father of their child to get publicity for themselves and that is pretty shameful'

It's over: Lala and Randall ended their engagement in October 2021 following rumors of his infidelities. The couple share a nine-month-old daughter named Ocean

Lala and Randall ended their engagement in October 2021 following rumors of his infidelities. The couple share a nine-month-old daughter named Ocean.

She also referenced a 2019 incident in which Tom Sandoval claimed that Lala had had sex with his girlfriend Ariana in the backseat while he drove their car.

'Your personal business was made public by u & that allows pple to have an opinion. MY opinion is that u should have a little more self-respect,' she continued. 'If I recall correctly u were bragging about going down [tongue emoji] on your castmate & the timeline puts u in a relationship at that time. Cheater?'

Following the alleged hookup, Lala initially denied it had ever happened, though Ariana said she was not 'embarrassed or ashamed of what happened between Lala and I.'

Lala and Randall had been in a relationship for several years at the time and had gotten engaged in 2018.

GG concluded her tweets with a playfully teasing finale: 'I've got more... u want some?'

She also replied to one user who claimed she had also ignored plenty of red flags in a previous relationship.

Not done yet: GG concluded her tweets with a playfully teasing finale: 'I've got more... u want some?'

Defending herself: She also replied to one user who claimed she had also ignored plenty of red flags in a previous relationship

Out of bounds: 'I thought it was inappropriate,' Lala said of previous criticism on Watch What Happens Live on Tuesday. 'She knows nothing about what is going on and how deep and dark and disgusting everything is';s till from Vanderpump Rules

'I was with Shalom for 3 months before I left him. That's 3 months TOTAL from first date to me filing for divorce. I bounced at the first red flag boo boo,' she replied, referencing her ex Shalom Yeruoshalmi.

GG had previously complained about Lala ignoring red flags with her film producer fiance, and Lala had a chance to respond to the critique on Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.

'I thought it was inappropriate,' she said of the criticism. 'She knows nothing about what is going on and how deep and dark and disgusting everything is.'

She continued, 'As someone who is a single mom, I would think you would take a [second to] pause and have compassion. I just thought after [the split] I dont need the negativity.'

GG appeared to have responded to the 'single mom' comment in her first tweet on Thursday.

'After seeing what Lala said about me on @BravoWWHL I'm now upset,' she began her Twitter tirade. 'U said I'm a single mom as if I'm a victim of a circumstance & that I should have empathy for what you're going thru bcuz we're both single? Do not confuse my original point sweetie. But since u have, let's go...'

Hurt: She continued, 'As someone who is a single mom, I would think you would take a [second to] pause and have compassion. I just thought after [the split] I dont need the negativity'; seen in October 2021 in West Hollywood
For those Delta Air Lines delayed baggage, a TikTok video explained that passengers are entitled to compensation for this inconvenience. Amusingly, passengers could receive up to $3,800.

Delta Air Lines Delayed Baggage

Corporate lawyer and social media content creator Erika Kullberg explained that travelers may utilize the rule in Delta Air Line regulations to get free tickets, upgrades, and money in rewards if delays occur.

Erika Kullberg, a lawyer who studied at Georgetown Law in the United States, has provided several money-saving travel secrets through her social media accounts.

After reviewing the terms of service, the lawyer discovered a lot of flaws concealed in numerous airline contracts, including Delta Air Lines, which many passengers are unaware of.

In her Delta Air Lines delayed baggage TikTok video, she revealed that passengers could receive compensation when lost or delayed baggage delivery occurred.

The informational video that the lawyer posted started when she approached the Delta Air Line staff about her delayed baggage. Responding to the said issue, the staff answered that the company cannot do anything about it, aside from hoping that the package arrives soon.

Since she read the terms and conditions of Delta Air Lines, Erika replied that she is entitled to a reimbursement covering her expenses up to $3,800 for the baggage issue. After explaining this, the Delta Air Lines staff told her to spend $100.

Read Also: iPhone 14 Pro Max Price Leak Hints Shocking Increase; But Standard Version Costs Like iPhone 13

Surprised by the given price, the lawyer explained that $100 is not enough to cover her expense since she will need to buy new shoes, clothes and skincare while waiting for her baggage to arrive. Totaling the following items, Erika said that it would probably cost her about $1,000.

With that, the airline staff told Erika to submit and send the receipts showing her total expense.

As of writing, the TikTok video reached more than 3 million views and more than 480,000 likes.

How to Receive Compensation dor Delta Air Lines Delayed Baggage

Metro added that this issue was explained in detail through Delta's contract of carriage under rule 17.

The said ruling states that "Under no circumstances shall the liability for loss, damage, or delay in the delivery of baggage exceed $3,800 per fare-paying passenger."

In addition to this, passengers must notify a Delta office within 24 hours of the alleged occurrence of the events that led to the claim, which means that passengers must let them know as soon as their bag is delayed.

"Any notification received within 24 hours that informs Delta of the nature of the claim will suffice, and Delta may deny any claim not presented within 24 hours of the alleged occurrence. Written notification of loss must be received by Delta's system baggage within 21 days after the alleged occurrence, and Delta may deny any claim for failure to provide written notice within 21 Days," the rule furthered.

However, as the hack video goes viral, Daily O reported that the rules on the Delta website went missing.

With that, Erika posted a follow-up video addressing this issue.

The lawyer stated that when she posted the Dela Air Lines delayed baggage issue, the link was still working. After less than an hour of posting the video, Delta's contract of carriage was no longer accessible.

Related Article: Are You Involuntarily Bumped From Your Flight? You Might Be Entitled to a Compensation
Kristina Rihanoff doesn't think she'll have anymore children with her partner Ben Cohen, after they welcomed daughter Milena, five, in 2016

The former Strictly star, 44, who famously waltzed into the retired rugby player's heart after he competed on the show in 2013, spoke about motherhood in an exclusive interview with MailOnline.

Kristina said how becoming a parent stopped her from 'worrying about being skinny' after her illustrious career as a professional dancer on the glamorous BBC show.

Happy family: Kristina Rihanoff doesn't think she'll have anymore children with her partner Ben Cohen, after they welcomed daughter Milena, five, in 2016

As well as Milena, Ben, 43, is proud dad to twin daughters Harriet and Isabelle, 13, who he shares with his ex-wife Abby.

Speaking about motherhood, Kristina said: 'Your life rotates around them, and they make your life special, and there is nothing better than being a mum.

'Those things before which used to worry me, like how skinny I was before, does not bother me anymore.

Kristina said how becoming a parent stopped her from 'worrying about being skinny' after her illustrious career as a professional dancer saw her compete on Strictly (pictured in 2015)

'I want to be healthy, and I want to be around my daughter for as long as I can. There are much more important things in my life now.'

Having spent her childhood growing up in Vladivostok, Kristina spoke of how she doesn't talk to Milena in Russian at home but tries to help her learn the language by going to a Russian school once a week.

Describing her as Ben's mini-me, Kristina said: 'Shes Ben in a dress. I dont talk Russian in the house because that wouldnt be fair as everyone speaks English, but she does go to Russian school once a week, so she learns a little bit.

'I try my best. She's in my dance and drama school so she does a lot of singing, dancing and gymnastics.'

Strictly curse: The former Strictly star, 44, famously waltzed into the retired rugby player's heart after he competed on the show in 2013

Asked whether they plan to have any more children, Kristina replied: 'I already have a lot of children around me'.

Elsewhere in the interview, the blonde vixen gave her take on this year's winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

EastEnders actress Rose made history as the first ever deaf contestant to compete on the show.

Asked whether they plan to have any more children, Kristina replied: 'I already have a lot of children around me'

Fatherhood: As well as Milena, Ben, 43, is proud dad to twin daughters Harriet and Isabelle, 13, who he shares with his ex-wife Abby

Kristina revealed how Strictly was a 'challenge' when she competed with Ben, who suffered 50% hearing loss due to tinnitus.

She recalled: I really wanted Giovanni and Rose to win because Giovanni was in that position twice already - in the finals and came second.

'Hes become really caring and a great friend, so for me Im glad he won - they both deserve it.

'Ben  my partner, is 50% deaf, so I dont see it as a disability  it is what it is, and he just deals with that on a daily basis, so I dont think it is the right kind of word.

'When Ben was on the show, it was hard because I had to be really careful with the music choices and make sure it had a strong bass and all of that was hard, because if it had a soft melody  he couldnt really hear the beat, so I kind of really had to lead him as the partner.

'Obviously, Im sure its not as hard as having somebody who is fully deaf because he is partially deaf, but it was very challenging.'

On whether she would ever consider going back to Strictly as a judge, Kristina said she would 'never say no'.

'I think Id be a fair judge  you have to be fair, and speak exactly your mind, and not in a fancy way, or making a mockery of someone or rude comments  I think you have to be straight to the point and you can only relate to the public if youre truly authentic in what youre saying,' she elaborated.
She has been rocking a sexy maternity style throughout her pregnancy so far.

And Tammy Hembrow showed off her baby bump in yet another revealing outfit on Wednesday as she ran errand on the sunny Gold Coast.

The mother-to-be, 27, flaunted her blossoming belly in a tiny crop top and a pair of low-slung jeans.

Sun's out, bump's out! Tammy Hembrow showed off her blossoming pregnancy figure in a crop top and low-slung jeans as she headed out on the Gold Coast this week

She teamed the casual look with a pair of sneakers and designer shades.

The fitness and fashion influencer was glowing in minimal makeup and had her blonde locks styled in waves.

She gently cradled her bump as she posed for photos to promote Norwegian brand FITJEANS.

Tammy has reached the halfway point of her third pregnancy.

Tender touch: Tammy gently cradled her bump as she posed for photos to promote Norwegian brand FITJEANS

She's glowing! The mother-of-two was glowing in minimal makeup and wore her blonde locks out in a wavy style

On Thursday, she proudly flaunted her baby bump in a racy ensemble in a series of Instagram posts.

She modelled lace blue lingerie that drew attention to her curves and bronzed complexion.

She adoringly caressed her bump and, in the process, showed off her stunning diamond engagement ring from her fiance and baby daddy Matt Poole.

Tammy blissfully wrote in the caption: '19 weeks' referring to her pregnancy milestone.

The blonde bombshell updated fans on Wednesday about her journey so far on Instagram, revealing to fans she is close to the half way point.

Bumping along nicely! On Thursday, she proudly flaunted her baby bump in a racy ensemble in a series of Instagram posts

One hot mama! The 27-year-old modelled lace blue lingerie that drew attention to her curves and bronzed complexion

Pregnancy bliss: She adoringly caressed her bump and, in the process, showed off her stunning diamond engagement ring from her fiance and baby daddy Matt Poole

Tammy also shared that her baby girl is quite the active bub - clearly taking after her parents.

'Baby girl has been kicking so much, more and more every day... it gets me so excited because she's definitely getting into a pattern,' she began.

'I'm 19 weeks this week, so I'm almost half way, but I've definitely been noticing a pattern, she's definitely more active at night,' she shared.

Halfway there! Tammy updated fans revealed to fans that she is close to the half way point of her pregnancy. 'I'm 19 weeks this week, so I'm almost half way, but I've definitely been noticing a pattern, she's definitely more active at night,' she shared

She continued: 'She's starting from 4pm, then all night, and sleeping all day, so I guess I'm going to have a little night time baby, which will be fun.

'I'll probably be even more tired, but it's my favourite feeling, I love feeling the kicks,' she added.

Tammy revealed she was expecting her first child with Matt last month.

Baby on the way: Tammy revealed last month she was expecting her first child with Matt. The couple had announced their engagement just two weeks earlier

The couple had announced their engagement just two weeks earlier.

Tammy and Matt went public with their romance in September 2020.

She already shares two older children - son Wolf, six, and daughter Saskia, five - with her ex-partner Reece Hawkins.
Full House alum Bob Saget discussed the healing power of laughter during his final interview, which was pre-taped weeks before he died, age 65, on Sunday.

'[At four years old], I would dance in the living room and just start dancing, dancing stupid to make anybody laugh - just like silent film stars,' the Philadelphia-born funnyman recalled on CBS This Morning airing this Friday.

'I knew some jokes, but it wasn't really jokes. It was just like; "I've got to perform. I've got to make people laugh."'

Wistful: Full House alum Bob Saget discussed the healing power of laughter during his final interview, which was pre-taped weeks before he died, age 65, on Sunday

Bob told CBS News chief medical correspondent, Dr. Jonathan LaPook, that humor was more than just a defense mechanism.

'It truly helped me survive and it helped keep me mentally alive, rather than letting [negativity] destroy me,' Saget explained.

The Grammy-nominated comedian recalled a touching moment he shared with his sister Gay Saget before her death, age 47, in 1993 following a four-year battle with the connective tissue disease scleroderma.

The Philadelphia-born funnyman recalled on CBS This Morning airing this Friday: '[At four years old], I would dance in the living room and just start dancing, dancing stupid to make anybody laugh - just like silent film stars'

Bob continued: 'I knew some jokes, but it wasn't really jokes. It was just like; "I've got to perform. I've got to make people laugh"'

'It truly helped me survive': Saget told CBS News chief medical correspondent, Dr. Jonathan LaPook (R), that humor was more than just a defense mechanism

'When she was still coherent, I could still try to tell her stories and then put some humor in it,' Bob smiled.

'It just happened naturally in our conversations...It is so healthy to laugh. You know that. And I'm out there doing it and I know it's healing for people.'

Saget served as a board member for the Scleroderma Research Foundation, which he helped raise over $26M for through Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine benefit shows.

The Grammy-nominated comedian added: 'And it helped keep me mentally alive, rather than letting [negativity] destroy me'

Siblings: Bob recalled a touching moment he shared with his sister Gay Saget (pictured) before her death, age 47, in 1993 following a four-year battle with the connective tissue disease scleroderma

Saget said: 'When she was still coherent, I could still try to tell her stories and then put some humor in it. It just happened naturally in our conversations...It is so healthy to laugh. You know that. And I'm out there doing it and I know it's healing for people'

Up until the end: The Here for You podcaster served as a board member for the Scleroderma Research Foundation, which he helped raise over $26M for through Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine benefit shows

The Here for You podcaster was discovered dead in his suite at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes - but no cause of death has been announced (foul play and drug use were ruled out).

Bob is survived by his three daughters - Lara, 32; Jennifer, 29; and Aubrey, 34 - from his 15-year marriage to Sherri Kramer, which ended in 1997.

Saget is also survived by his widow - Eat Travel Rock TV host Kelly Rizzo - with whom he was married for three years.

RIP: Bob (pictured Sunday) was discovered dead in his suite at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes - but no cause of death has been announced (foul play and drug use were ruled out)

2005 family portrait: Saget is survived by his three daughters (from L-R) - Lara, 32; Jennifer, 29; and Aubrey, 34 - from his 15-year marriage to Sherri Kramer, which ended in 1997

Grieving: The America's Funniest Home Videos alum is also survived by his widow - Eat Travel Rock TV host Kelly Rizzo (L, pictured December 24) - with whom he was married for three years

On October 23, the Student Academy Award winner announced he filmed his final subject - Tom Waits - for the Martin Mull documentary he was directing, but it's unclear if he got to finish the final cut.

Bob's final acting role was portraying Lawrence in Jeremy LaLonde's Cayman Islands-set inheritance comedy Killing Daniel formerly known as Blue Iguana, which wrapped production on April 2.

'Tom is one amazing human beings': On October 23, the Student Academy Award winner announced he filmed his final subject - Tom Waits (2-L) - for the Martin Mull documentary he was directing, but it's unclear if he got to finish the final cut
With just weeks left until his highly-anticipated Jackass Forever hits theaters on February 4, Johnny Knoxville is opening up about the controversy surrounding one of his Jackass brothers, Bam Margera.

Production had just gotten under way on the movie in March 2020 before filming was swiftly shut down due to COVID-19, and when production resumed in the fall, Margera wasn't asked back, after reportedly testing positive for Adderall.

The 50-year-old actor and comedian opened up about Margera in a wide-ranging interview with Variety, where he reveals he wished Bam was a part of the movie... but revealed he needs help.

Johnny talks: With just weeks left until his highly-anticipated Jackass Forever hits theaters on February 4, Johnny Knoxville is opening up about the controversy surrounding one of his Jackass brothers, Bam Margera

Bam needs help: The 50-year-old actor and comedian opened up about Margera in a wide-ranging interview with Variety , where he reveals he wished Bam was a part of the movie... but revealed he needs help

'We wanted him all throughout the movie, but unfortunately thats not the way it worked out,' Knoxville said.

Margera's name is listed 45th out of the 49 stunt performers in the movie, which opens in theaters February 4, and it was confirmed he will only appear in one stunt in the movie, presumably filmed before the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020.

'Its really heartbreaking. I love Bam. We all love Bam. Hes our brother, you know? You just hope that he takes it upon himself to get the help that he needs, because we all care about him a lot,' Knoxville said.

Wanted: 'We wanted him all throughout the movie, but unfortunately thats not the way it worked out,' Knoxville said

Margera has made a lot of headlines lately, being taken to rehab by Florida police in September.

He also filed a lawsuit against Knoxville and the rest of the Jackass team over being fired from Jackass Forever.

He alleges that Knoxville and Jackass co-creators Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze pressured Margera into signing a 'wellness agreement' in 2019.

Rehab: Margera has made a lot of headlines lately, being taken to rehab by Florida police in September

Lawsuit: He also filed a lawsuit against Knoxville and the rest of the Jackass team over being fired from Jackass Forever

Margera alleges he didn't have time to run the document by a lawyer but stated that it forced him into taking a slew of prescription drugs and subjected him to weekly drug and alcohol tests.

He called their behavior, 'inhumane' and 'discriminatory,' likening his treatment to the Britney Spears conservatorship.

When asked about the lawsuit and whether or not it surprised him, Knoxville responded, 'Yes and no.'

No time: Margera alleges he didn't have time to run the document by a lawyer but stated that it forced him into taking a slew of prescription drugs and subjected him to weekly drug and alcohol tests

'Because hes in such a way that anythings possible. So, something will break your heart  but it might not shock you,' Knoxville said.

Jackass started as an MTV reality comedy series that debuted in 2000 and featured Knoxville, Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Ryan Dunn, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy and Jason 'Wee Man' Acuna performing a variety of wild and dangerous stunts.

The show only ran for three seasons but spawned a number of movies starting with 2002's Jackass: The Movie, 2006's Jackass Number Two, 2010's Jackass 3D and 2013's Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.

TV: Jackass started as an MTV reality comedy series that debuted in 2000 and featured Knoxville, Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Ryan Dunn, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy and Jason 'Wee Man' Acuna performing a variety of wild and dangerous stunts
George Lopez has been spotted looking in good health after he fell ill during a New Year's Eve comedy show.

On Thursday, the 60-year-old Hollywood vet appeared to have made a full recovery since his health scare while performing on stage in Auburn, Washington two weeks earlier.

The LA-born actor sported a pair of black sunglasses as he stepped out of a white vehicle.

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Cool style: George Lopez was spotted out in Hollywood on Thursday wearing a black hoodie with a white graphic print

Lopez 'fell ill' in the middle of his set at a matinee performance on New Year's Eve and was forced to cancel his prime time show, TMZ reported at the time.

At around 4pm that Friday, the entertainer was in the midst of a comedy set at Muckleshoot Casino Resort when he began visibly struggling on stage, according to the outlet.

An eye witness in the crowd said that roughly a half hour or so into the show, Lopez started sweating and asked for water.

In good shape! George appeared to have made a full recovery since he suddenly fell ill while performing on stage in Auburn, Washington two weeks earlier

Casual look: Lopez added a pair of dark blue jeans and black rubber boots to his rugged look

Sabrina Alvarez, an eye witness, said it took some time before someone came out and relieved the performer with a glass of water.

'You could tell something was wrong, but it was not clear what was wrong,' she told TMZ, adding that Lopez then apologized to the audience, walked off stage and did not return.

George was set to perform again later that night but the casino confirmed that their headline act was forced to cancel.

Announcement: George was set to perform again later that night but the casino confirmed that their headline act was forced to cancel

The casino wrote in a tweet: 'It is with sincere apologies that we must announce the cancellation of tonight's 8 pm performance by George Lopez. Please contact your point-of-sale for refund information.'

Lopez didn't comment on his condition afterward, but he did re-share a post from a fan on his Insta story that referenced the ordeal.

'@GeorgeLopez I hope you're feeling much better soon,' the fan wrote over a short clip of a casino poster promoting the show.

The canceled prime time show has been rescheduled for March 18.
Emmerdale's Amy Walsh has opened up about her postnatal depression storyline, explaining she feared 'heavy content and emotional scenes' would affect her unborn baby.

The 34-year-old actress , who plays Tracy Metcalfe in the soap, discovered she was pregnant with her first child in the midst of the gruelling plot.

As it was early days in the pregnancy, the Emmerdale crew were not aware, so the actress sought advice from her midwife.

'It was quite tiring but I just rallied through': Emmerdale's Amy Walsh detailed fears that 'heavy content and emotional scenes' would affect her unborn baby (pictured June 2019)

Amy recalled to The Mirror: 'It was a lot of heavy content and emotional scenes, so I checked with my midwife to make sure that me crying all the time at work couldn't be affecting the baby.'

The soap starlet was asked if she was leaving work 'happy and satisfied' - and when she said yes, it was then she learned she was getting endorphins from doing well at work, which differed from going through the ordeal personally.

Despite this, the sister of Girls Aloud pop star Kimberley added: 'It was quite tiring, but I just rallied through. I felt sick, so I'd literally be nipping off set for a handful of nuts or a satsuma every 15 minutes.'

Poignant storyline: The 34-year-old Emmerdale star, who plays Tracy Metcalfe in the soap, discovered she was pregnant with her first child in the midst of the gruelling plot (pictured August 2021)

The new mother heaped praise onto the soap for their handling of the situation.

'Emmerdale didn't know for the first few months, but once I told them they were great. They said if I wasn't comfortable with any of the story, they could make it less dramatic, but I'd filmed most of it by then,' she explained.

Amy and her partner Toby-Alexander Smith - EastEnders' Gray Atkins - became first-time parents over Christmas and took to Instagram to share their baby joy.

Happy news: Amy and her partner Toby-Alexander Smith - EastEnders' Gray Atkins - became first-time parents over Christmas and took to Instagram to share their baby joy

'Wellits been a busy week! Hope you all had a good one. HAPPY NEW YEAR from the three of us xxx @ok_mag @toby_alexander_smith', she gushed.

Amy, who first hit the Dales over seven years ago, revealed to the publication that the storyline did initially shock her - but has not left her consumed with worry.

She added that it's 'brilliant she's prepared' and insisted that knowing there is help was 'what the storyline was all about.'

Amy and Toby have been together since 2019 after meeting by chance in the Strictly Come Dancing audience.

While Toby supported co-star Emma Barton, Amy turned up for former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher.

They moved in together in 2020 and announced the pregnancy in April the following year.

Lucky meet: Amy and Toby have been together since 2019 after meeting by chance in the Strictly Come Dancing audience (pictured 2020)

Amy always wanted children but was fearful it may not be an easy journey after being told, aged 20, that she had polycystic ovaries.

As the interview wrapped up, the mother-of-one and auntie-of-seven revealed that they'd uprooted from Hertfordshire to East London to be closer to her family, with Kimberley having a six-month-old and elder sister Sally being a mother to a five-month-old.

For pre and postnatal depression advice and support, call 0808 1961 776
Through the eyes of his nine-year-old self, Kenneth Branagh saw his mother as a 'warrior queen', fighting to keep her family safe during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Which is why he chose Outlander star Caitriona Balfe to portray her in his autobiographical film, Belfast

Through the eyes of his nine-year-old self, Kenneth Branagh saw his mother as a 'warrior queen', fighting to keep her family safe during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Which is why he chose Outlander star Caitriona Balfe to portray her in his autobiographical film, Belfast.

Branagh described his Ma as 'very alive', and spoke of the 'electrical passion' between his parents  'at least seen through a child's eyes, and through my 50-year distance'.

He laughed as he recalled seeing 'plates fly across the kitchen' when his parents argued.

When Balfe, 42, first read the screenplay for Branagh's heartfelt, celluloid memoir  a gripping story shot in black and white about growing up in a close-knit community as the streets erupted in sectarian violence in 1969  she found there was something instantly familiar about Branagh's Ma.

'I was like: 'I know this woman!' I think there's a certain thread that runs through all Irish mammies. She is this quietly authoritative person, but on the flip side, there's a childlike quality to her, where she's so in fear of losing what she has,' said Balfe, who last year became a mother herself.

There are a couple of moments in Belfast, which opens next Friday (January 21), which epitomise the idealised way a nine-year-old might choose to see his parents.

Balfe in a short-sleeved blouse, leaning against a wall, looking like a cross between Audrey Hepburn and Julie Christie. Jamie Dornan, as Pa, walking down the street like he's Steve McQueen or Paul Newman.

'There was this passion between them that was indisputable,' Branagh said.

But before he could offer roles to Balfe and Dornan  and Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds, as his paternal Granny and Pops  he had to find the right young actor to portray the film's version of him. 'If we couldn't find the boy, there was no point in making it.'

Jamie Dornan (left) stars as "Pa" and Caitriona Balfe (right) stars as "Ma" in director Kenneth Branagh's Belfast

Casting zeroed in on Jude Hill, 11, who lives in the province with his family. And those instincts were correct, because Hill steals every scene he's in.

Balfe told me she spent as much time as possible with Hill before shooting began, to create chemistry between them.

Then Branagh had her, Dornan, Dench and Hinds in a room for a few days, to talk about their childhoods. Their shared experiences established a bond between them 'and it very quickly made us all know each other on a very intimate level', she said.

The actress was born in Dublin; but when she was very young, she and her six siblings moved close to the Irish border, where her father was a police sergeant.

The proximity to Belfast was to prove useful when tackling the accent for the movie. 'It's one I grew up listening to. It's one we used to do as kids, joking around and stuff.'

Then Branagh had her, Dornan, Dench and Hinds in a room for a few days, to talk about their childhoods. Their shared experiences established a bond between them 'and it very quickly made us all know each other on a very intimate level', she said

She came to acting late  she was in her late 20s when she gave up a career as a runway model to act. Outlander's now in its sixth season; soon she'll prepare to shoot a seventh, playing time-travelling heroine Claire Fraser.

Three years ago, she won acclaim for her performance opposite Christian Bale in Ford v Ferrari. But Belfast is her biggest feature film role to date. This week she was nominated as best supporting actress in the Screen Actors Guild awards, an important precursor to the Oscars. The film's also finding favour with BAFTA voters.

But although Belfast has brought Balfe fame, the highlight has been working with Judi Dench, 'and it will be, forever', she insisted.

What she remembers most is the laughter. She and Dench were doing a scene, where they were allowed to improvise, and Judi conjured up various ways to describe a 'curry that gave her the runs for a week'.

'There were many tears  from laughing!' Balfe said of working with the 'mischievous, wonderful' Dame.

It's an emotion seconded by Branagh, who has worked with Dench on more than a dozen stage and screen projects  over three decades.

'For somebody perhaps seen by the nation as cosy, she is ready to be dangerous,' Branagh told me. 'She's the opposite of the theatrical performers who set things just so. She actually wants to be unpredictable.'

He described her as 'great fun...but nobody's fool'. 'She says she'll work with me on anything,' he continued.

'No she won't. If something doesn't excite and scare her, and if she doesn't think it's quality, she won't do it  even if it's me...or Steven Spielberg! There is proper artistic steel at the core of that woman.'

His first test for getting Belfast off the ground was to show the script to his siblings Bill and Joyce. 'They were very emotional about it, but they were OK. If they hadn't liked it, I wouldn't have made the film.'

He added: 'I couldn't have written anything like this if they [his parents] were still alive.' His mother died in 2004; his father two years later. 'I think they would have been outraged, and angry. And then they would have given me a lot of notes.'

The first people he screened the film for were his brother and sister. 'Bill said to Joyce; 'What do you think mum and dad would have thought about it?'

She replied: 'Well, they would have been thrilled with the casting.'

Funny thing about movie stars. In my experience, the bigger they are, the easier they are to get along with. Its the younger, more insecure ones who tend to be problematic. I was reminded of this when I read about Ethan Hawke being commissioned by CNN Films and HBO Max to direct The Last Movie Stars, a six-part documentary about Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.

Back in 1990, I visited them at their Manhattan apartment, on the Upper East Side overlooking Central Park. I was interviewing Woodward about the film Mr & Mrs Bridge, directed by James Ivory, which starred the pair in the title roles.

Newman came down from their penthouse, escorted me to the lift and rode up with me. Woodward then asked him to make me coffee. Ask Boz [happens all the time!] how hed like it, she chided her old man.

They were so gracious. No hangers-on. Just them.

All about Pedro and Penelope

Penelope Cruz says she likes working with Pedro Almodovar (pictured) because when he's directing, 'he doesn't spend 12 hours on his mobile'. When you work with Almodovar, 'he's very present'.

Penelope Cruz says she likes working with Pedro Almodovar (pictured) because when he's directing, 'he doesn't spend 12 hours on his mobile'

Parallel Mothers, opening in cinemas on January 28, is the pair's seventh film together. Their first fling was nearly 25 years ago in Live Flesh  a part he wrote for her.

I reckon Parallel Mothers is their best film. Cruz read the screenplay, about a photographer who finds that motherhood can involve unexpected complications, and wasn't certain if she should do it.

'I realised that I was scared; and then I knew I had to do it,' she said when I saw her fleetingly at the Venice Film Festival. 'He calls me when he knows I'm right for something. I couldn't say no.'

The movie's breathtaking in its scope. There's a parallel tale, about those seeking the final resting places of the disappeared: those murdered during the Spanish civil war in the 1930s. Almodovar said it's a topic that he's wanted to explore for years.

Milena Smit, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, Israel Elejade and Rossy de Palma co-star in the film that won Cruz the best actress trophy in Venice.

I'm shocked that she has not been included on the 15-strong BAFTA long list of leading actress hopefuls. Another very odd awards season!
Gary Oldman is prepared to come in from the cold to play the unobtrusive but brilliant spymaster, George Smiley, again.

Twelve years ago, Oldman successfully took on John le Carres breathtakingly ordinary secret intelligence officer in a film adaptation of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy  following Alec Guinnesss flawless portrait in the BBCs 1979 version.

Guinness played the bespectacled spook a second time, three years later, in Smileys People.

The authors estate now controls the rights to that one, and theyre planning a TV re-boot. Gary would very much love to play George Smiley again, Douglas Urbanski, the actors long time business partner, told me on Wednesday night.

Gary Oldman is prepared to come in from the cold to play the unobtrusive but brilliant spymaster, George Smiley, again

In fact, Oldman has told me so himself. Several years ago he was in discussions to lead a big screen version of Smileys People, but there were unresolved rights issues at the time, and the idea was abandoned.

The new Smileys People would form part of an epic series of seasons devoted to le Carres novels, beginning with the novelists 1963 breakthrough, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. The project has been in development for several years; but filming could finally start later this year, or early next, a source close to le Carres heirs told me.

The Smileys People mini-series would likely follow that. The plot calls for George to come out of retirement to smoke out his most feared enemy: Karla, the cunning head of Soviet intelligence.

Last time round, he gained weight by indulging in treacle sponge and custard. I called it eating for George, Oldman, who won an Oscar for portraying Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, told me

Twelve years ago, Oldman successfully took on John le Carres breathtakingly ordinary secret intelligence officer in a film adaptation of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy  following Alec Guinnesss flawless portrait in the BBCs 1979 version (above)

If it all comes together, Oldman will have to put on a few pounds to play the portly Circus ringmaster. Last time round, he gained weight by indulging in treacle sponge and custard.

I called it eating for George, Oldman, who won an Oscar for portraying Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, told me.

The actor has been honing his spycraft skills recently, playing an altogether different variant to Smiley in Slow Horses. The AppleTV+ creation, based on the delicious series of books by Mick Herron, features a motley crew of f***-ups and rejects, as Oldman put it, from MI5. He plays the misfits wily boss, Jackson Lamb, a farting, belching, working class version of George Smiley.

Apple have allowed Oldman, Urbanski and fellow producers See-Saw Films, to devote six episodes to each of the Herron tomes, with 12 episodes in each season. The cast includes Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas (who played Clementine Churchill in Darkest Hour) and Jonathan Pryce.

Those who have viewed a rough cut tell me that its sensational.

Star-studded Downton of New York

Old money, old families, ambitious arrivistes, shenanigans on all floors ... must be a new Julian Fellowes drama.

However, for The Gilded Age, he takes us across the Atlantic  time travelling back to 1882, flinging open the shutters on the grand mansions that lined the Upper West Side of New Yorks Fifth Avenue.

They have been in charge since the Mayflower, one character says of the citys ruling class into which our heroine, Marion Brook, an orphaned young woman played by Louisa Jacobson, is plunged when she seeks shelter with her aristocratic aunts, played by Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski.

Baranskis eagle-eyed, regal Agnes van Rhijn is a sort of American cousin to Maggie Smiths Dowager Countess in Downtown Abbey, with a tongue just as sharp.

Old money, old families, ambitious arrivistes, shenanigans on all floors ... must be a new Julian Fellowes drama. However, for The Gilded Age, he takes us across the Atlantic  time travelling back to 1882, flinging open the shutters on the grand mansions that lined the Upper West Side of New Yorks Fifth Avenue

There are all manner of intrigues in the plot, most involving Jacobsons Marion and Denee Benton as her friend Peggy Scott.

The story also spins around merciless magnate George Russell (Morgan Spector) and his avaricious wife Bertha (Carrie Coon). Their graduate son Larry is played by Harry Richardson  Drake Carne in Poldark. And Taissa Farmiga has a key role as daughter Gladys.

Fellowes, fellow production executive Gareth Neame and their team gathered a sublime ensemble that includes the creme de la creme of Broadway. As I viewed the first five episodes (of the nine-part first season), I spotted Audra McDonald, Kelli OHara, Nathan Lane and Katie Finneran, people Ive watched on the New York stage for years.

Jeanne Tripplehorn and Bill Irwin are in the company, too. Lets hope HBO books a second season.

The Gilded Age will be on Sky Atlantic and NOW from January 25.
Retired AFL champion Jimmy Bartel appears to have unfollowed his former flame Lauren Mand just weeks after debuting his new girlfriend Amelia Shepperd.

Notoriously private Lauren, who was in a relationship with the Brownlow Medal winner from 2019 to 2021, is no longer among Jimmy's list of followed accounts.

It's unclear when the former Geelong player, 38, unfollowed Lauren, but they used to be connected on the social media app when they were dating.

Moving on: Retired AFL champion Jimmy Bartel (right) appears to have unfollowed his former flame Lauren Mand (left) just weeks after debuting his new girlfriend Amelia Shepperd

Jimmy has yet to comment on his split from the glamorous office worker.

The exes never even announced their break-up, and many fans assumed they were still together right up until Jimmy confirmed his new relationship last month.

The footy star revealed he was dating Amelia, a Melbourne retail worker who also goes by the name Milly, in an Instagram post on December 2.

What happened? Notoriously private Lauren, who was in a relationship with the Brownlow Medal winner from 2019 to 2021, is no longer among Jimmy's list of followed accounts

He shared a photo of the pair kissing in front of the iconic Sydney Harbour skyline, and captioned it, 'Happy,' adding a red love-heart emoji.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Amelia worked as the executive assistant to the managing director and chief operations officer of Queensland Rugby League from July 2019 to March 2021.

She recently returned to her home city of Melbourne after spending several years in Brisbane for her job.

Sudden: The exes never even announced their break-up, and many fans assumed they were still together right up until Jimmy confirmed his new relationship with Amelia (left) last month

According to a well-placed source, Amelia met Jimmy after they began following each other on Instagram.

They have reportedly been together ever since he split from Lauren, 32, whom he began dating after his separation from ex-wife Nadia Bartel in 2019.

Jimmy and Lauren had been the subject of break-up rumours in December 2020 after fans noticed it had been months since the sportsman had shared a photo with his then-girlfriend on social media.
Martin Clunes: Islands of the Pacific

Rating:

On the remote Marquesas Islands of the Pacific, medieval tribesmen paid a bloodthirsty farewell to a chieftain when he died.

The monarchs body was hurled from a clifftop rock into the ocean 190ft below. Then his faithful warriors were clubbed and pushed over, too, to be his bodyguards in the underworld.

Finally, a pair of comely virgin maidens were flung screaming to their deaths.

It sounds similar to a modern British political coup, except that its not easy to find virgins in Westminster.

Martin Clunes was horrified by it all on his idyllic travels in Islands Of The Pacific (ITV). He hung back as his local guide bounded up a rock and surveyed the sparkling blue waves.

On the remote Marquesas Islands of the Pacific, medieval tribesmen paid a bloodthirsty farewell to a chieftain when he died. Martin Clunes was horrified by it all on his idyllic travels in Islands Of The Pacific

Martin was much happier when discovering the local wildlife, including the Marquesass feral horses.

Maybe Martin was worried that hed get bashed and despatched, too. He was already apologising for the incursions of European settlers, especially the French who conducted dozens of atomic tests on the neighbouring atolls.

When he learned that the local religion was stifled as colonial missionaries enforced Christianity for centuries, Martin mumbled: Im sorry about that. I know it wasnt me, but its embarrassing.

Why tourists should be made to feel ashamed of our ancestors was not explained. If Martin feels genuine responsibility, perhaps he shouldnt be there.

But if hes hoping to be reassured by islanders that no one blames him for the injustices of the past, then hes adding insult to their injury.

He made it clear at the start that his father, a conscientious objector and opponent of nuclear arms, instilled an awe of the Pacific peoples in him from childhood.

So what has he got to feel embarrassed about? Have a holiday, by all means, but dont go looking for absolution from historys sins.

Martin was much happier when discovering the local wildlife, including the Marquesass feral horses. An island cowboy named Jeremy showed him how they tame the young stallions, leading them into the surf before attempting to ride them.

Maybe Martin was worried that hed get bashed and despatched, too. He was already apologising for the incursions of European settlers, especially the French who conducted dozens of atomic tests on the neighbouring atolls

The foaming waves that crashed on the sands made the scene seem a remake of From Here To Eternity.

Then he went swimming with sharks. He paddled an outrigger, too, and to his delight a pod of playful dolphins came to investigate.

Its like being blessed, he beamed. The whole trip, which continues next week, looked a delight. I just wish hed left the guilt at home.

The World's Most Luxurious Holidays

Rating:

Theres no room for guilt at the penthouse suite of the Mark Hotel in New York, where guests pay 55,000 a night.

Nobody tells these people what they can and cant do, said a manager on The Worlds Most Luxurious Holidays (More4).

Meghan Markle threw her 2019 baby shower at the hotel, though not in this suite. One client hired the rooms  with five beds, six baths, a library, chauffeur and two butlers  for 18 months... at a cost of 30 million quid.

Theres no room for guilt at the penthouse suite of the Mark Hotel in New York, where guests pay 55,000 a night

One client hired the rooms  with five beds, six baths, a library, chauffeur and two butlers  for 18 months... at a cost of 30 million quid.

The sole purpose of this show appears to be stoking envy and resentment.

The next hotel, the Vila Vita Parc in Portugal, made it plain it vets guests before arrival at its 180,000-a-week Azurine Villa. Even billionaires can be turned away.

Ordinary tourists have more chance of bedding down on Cristiano Ronaldos sofa than getting a pass to the Azurine Villa.

The next hotel, the Vila Vita Parc in Portugal (pictured), made it plain it vets guests before arrival at its 180,000-a-week Azurine Villa. Even billionaires can be turned away

The 16,000-a-night lodge at South Africas Royal Malewane, in the heart of a wildlife reserve, did look magical  especially the swimming pool, where elephants come to drink as you bathe.

But apparently its popular with visiting heads of state. I wouldnt fancy that.

Elephants are lovely, but think who else you might meet.
The :iPhone Shower" meme is back after a year of silence on Twitter. The popular hashtag ended up as the top trending meme worldwide. The lesson of the event is: don't bring your iPhone in the shower.

For many fans, the "iPhone Shower" meme is a gentle reminder that the said Apple devices are not completely waterproof. Japanese voice actress Moeka Koizumi proved this point after she tried "showering her iPhone."

The meme originated in February 2021. However, without a clear explanation, the meme resurfaced on Thursday. It ended up as the number one technology topic in Japan and the 13th trending topic on global searches, per Apple Insider.

iPhone Shower Japan Meme

The "iPhone Shower" meme started after Koizumi tweeted having problems with her iPhone last February 2021. The tweet included a blurry picture taken by the device. Koizumi explained that the cameras had fogged up and its FaceID had stopped working. The issues came up after Koizumi showered with her iPhone to clean it.

Koizumi's fans acted fast with the revelation. They retweeted her post until it ended up as a new meme. Eventually, others began drawing characters voiced by the actress who showered their own iPhones. The art ranged from series like "Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight" to "Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club."

When the meme resurfaced on Thursday, Nijigasaki Perfect Fans Paradise quickly caught up with the news.

The time has cometh



Japan Trends

No.1: iPhone Shower pic.twitter.com/uqQMw7TdpP  Nijigasaki Perfect Fans Paradise (@niji_fans_para) January 13, 2022

According to Nijigasaki Perfect Fans Paradise, Kaorin is interested in fan reaction over "iPhone Shower" memes.

What happens whenever Kaorin talks about Moepi and iPhone Shower on her livestream shows



***

<Kaorin's reaction>

Kaorin: Iphone Shower is trending again? Let's watch and see how far it will go this time. pic.twitter.com/wMyY2WyrPZ  Nijigasaki Perfect Fans Paradise (@niji_fans_para) January 13, 2022

One fan pointed out the "iPhone Shower" is a repeating trending topic.

Moepii wants to forget but kaorin always remember #IphoneShower pic.twitter.com/5tIVzngeGo  Depresso | LIYUU DAY! (@is_DrNajimi) January 13, 2022

Another fan noticed it hasn't even been a year since the trend first emerged.

It hasn't even been a year since the Iphone Shower incident? It feels like ancient lore to me already.  FedeX23 || Symphogear Brainrot (@Fede_X23) January 13, 2022

The sudden reappearance of "iPhone Shower" caused others to think Koizumi showered a new iPhone.

For a sec I thought Moepii did shower ANOTHER iphone  https://t.co/DDOtSL2zUt   @CYR  (@Kasderan) January 13, 2022

Unfortunately for Koizumi, the meme is still standing strong in 2022.

She'll never live it down, iPhone shower of 2022 https://t.co/Xxa6fOAux1  Mai (@maikurowevu) January 13, 2022

As expected, given the huge attention it has garnered recently, the "iPhone Shower" trend topped the technology searches.

iPhone shower strikes again, now in 2022, OH MY GOD.

Save yourself if who you can.

 pic.twitter.com/p9wCjJ4uBC  Joao (@Joao_Plo) January 13, 2022

Oh Kaori is going to be in trouble tomorrow . Thanks for bringing back the iPhone shower again iPhone shower senpai is going to have a difficulty Day tomorrow   mingwei (@mingweifoo) January 13, 2022

Read Also: Teenager Hacks 20 Tesla Vehicles Through Shocking Flaw; But Elon Musk, Tesla Not at Fault!

iPhone Shower Meme: Is the Apple Device Waterproof?

It is worth noting that iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 have IP68 ratings, which means they can be submerged underwater up to six meters for 30 minutes. This makes the iPhones water-resistant.

However, users should be warned that this rating does not apply to showers. This is because showers produce steam and high-pressure particulate that can seep through the iPhone.

The problem is especially obvious for iPhones that might have been dropped or damaged in the past. Water droplets can enter through minor cracks and tears on the device. Eventually, it will accumulate on the hardware, which causes fogged-up images. If the problem is not properly addressed, it can permanently damage the iPhone.



Related Article: iPhone Malware Security Warning: New Fake Shutdown Trick Lets Hackers Spy on You!
She tied the knot with her husband Louis Thornton-Allan in a ceremony held in the Dominican Republic in October.

And Meadow Walker showed that the couple were just as passionate as ever three months into the marriage on Thursday.

The 23-year-old model posted a romantic snap of the lovebirds kissing while seemingly standing out in the desert.

Loved-up couple: Meadow Walker, 23, showcased her stunning figure in a busty brown bikini as she kissed her husband Louis Thornton-Allan in an Instagram photo posted Thursday

Meadows showcased her outstanding figure in a busty brown bikini top and matching high-cut bottoms.

She wore her dyed-black hair styled into a shaggy bob while her love ran his fingers through it.

Louis sported a close-cropped beard and had on a simple black polo shirt.

'Bubba bear,' Meadows affectionately referred to her husband in her caption.

Making it official: Meadow, who is the daughter of the late Fast & Furious franchise star Paul Walker, tied the knot with her love back in October

Family affair: The couple exchanged their vows on a beach in the Dominican Republic, and it was her father's friend and costar Vin Diesel  who is also her godfather  who walked her down the aisle

Although the couple appeared to be somewhere in a desert, the dark-haired beauty revealed on Instagram earlier this month that she was spending some time in Miami, Florida.

Meadow, who is the daughter of the late Fast & Furious franchise star Paul Walker, tied the knot with her love back in October.

The couple exchanged their vows on a beach in the Dominican Republic, and it was her father's friend and costar Vin Diesel  who is also her godfather  who walked her down the aisle.

The model announced in late October that they had wed earlier that month, just two months after she and Louis got engaged.

He is believed to have popped the question to Meadow while they were on vacation in the desert in August.

Rising star: Louis, who is believed to have proposed to Meadow in August, is an aspiring actor currently studying at New York City's renowned Stella Adler Studio of Acting

Louis is an aspiring actor currently studying at New York City's renowned Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

Although he has few credits to date, he recently starred in a music video for Blu DeTiger's song Vintage.

In addition to being a rising model, Meadow previously paid tribute to her father by establishing The Paul Walker Foundation, a non-profit focused on marine science.

On November 30, she paid tribute to Paul on Instagram for the eighth anniversary of the fiery car crash that claimed his life.

'I love and miss you endlessly,' she captioned a sweet photo of her father kissing her on the cheek when she was just a baby.
Tessa Thompson described what she thought was 'erotic' about her bisexual character - New Asgard ruler Valkyrie - ahead of the July 8 release of Thor: Love and Thunder.

'She has weird skills, to be honest. She can sense when someone is close to death, and she takes them into Valhalla, which is essentially the afterlife,' the 38-year-old LA native explained to W Magazine on Thursday.

'She can revive people. But when she revives people, sometimes she ends up in their body. It's a weird thing. It can be quite erotic. And then she has superhuman strength and is essentially god.'

Bisexual: Tessa Thompson described what she thought was 'erotic' about her character - New Asgard ruler Valkyrie - ahead of the July 8 release of Thor: Love and Thunder (pictured November 15)

Tessa's comments came 11 days after a mirror selfie she took of the new Valkyrie suit on set leaked online, which is consistent with the leaked poster published by The Direct last month.

The star-studded MCU superhero sequel will also feature Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Jeff Goldblum, Vin Diesel, and Russell Crowe.

Thompson famously engaged in a three-way kiss with her Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi and his girlfriend Rita Ora at his Sydney home back on May 23.

The Emmy-nominated producer also discussed executive producing and starring as Irene 'Reenie' Redfield in Rebecca Hall's b&w directorial debut Passing now streaming on Netflix.

The 38-year-old LA native explained to W Magazine on Thursday: 'She can revive people. But when she revives people, sometimes she ends up in their body. It's a weird thing. It can be quite erotic. And then she has superhuman strength and is essentially god'

Tessa's comments came 11 days after a mirror selfie she took of the new Valkyrie suit on set leaked online, which is consistent with the leaked poster published by The Direct last month

Pegasus rider: Here's a look at Thompson's prior costumes from Thor: Ragnarok in 2017

The star-studded MCU superhero sequel will also feature Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Jeff Goldblum, Vin Diesel, and Russell Crowe

'When Passing came my way, I knew Ruth Negga was going to play Clare. And that was part of the draw as well,' Tessa said.

'Because in both the screenplay and [Nella Larsen's 1929 novella] you get the sense that my character, Irene, is so beguiled by this woman, and I did find Ruth beguiling and thought she was just perfect. But we have joked that we could do a stage version of it where we switch parts every other night, which I think would be a dream.'

The racially-charged, PG-13 drama currently holds a 'certified fresh' 90% critic approval rating (out of 229 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

'I think there are small ways that [I] pass, particularly as a light-skinned black woman,' Thompson - who's of Panamanian, Mexican, and European descent - admitted.

Now streaming on Netflix! The Emmy-nominated producer also discussed executive producing and starring as Irene 'Reenie' Redfield in Rebecca Hall's (R) b&w directorial debut Passing

Tessa said: 'When Passing came my way, I knew Ruth Negga (L) was going to play Clare. And that was part of the draw as well, because in both the screenplay and [Nella Larsen's 1929 novella] you get the sense that my character, Irene, is so beguiled by this woman, and I did find Ruth beguiling and thought she was just perfect'

Critical darling: The racially-charged, PG-13 drama currently holds a 'certified fresh' 90% critic approval rating (out of 229 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes

'I think there's this idea of being a presence in the room that maybe isn't as threatening as I would be if I were darker skin. My blackness to me has always felt beautiful, yes, but inevitable. But you realize if you are mixed race or to some people racially ambiguous, there is this sort of a privilege you have.

'Depending on how much you don't want to be otherized, you might be compelled to soften your edges a little bit so that you can move through space with more ease. And that I understand, especially in Hollywood.'

The Westworld star added: 'To play the kind of protagonist that I don't think you would've seen a black woman get to play is a testament to how much things have changed just in the course of my career, certainly. Which is not to say that there isn't more change to be made.'
Olympia Valance has a lot to celebrate this year, most notably her upcoming wedding to AFL star Thom Bellchambers.

And the former Neighbours star raised a glass as she officially launched the Australian Open Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar on Friday.

The stunning actress, 28, looked incredible at the event, showing off her abs in a red hot cut-out dress.

Red hot! Olympia Valance showed off her abs in a cut-out dress as she celebrated the opening of the Australian Open Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar on Friday with I'm A Celebrity star Maria Thattil

The brunette beauty teamed the elegant attire with a pair of nude stilettos and wore her chocolate locks up in casual up do.

She accessorised with diamonds jewels, including her huge engagement ring from Thom.

Olympia was joined by I'm A Celebrity star Maria Thattil, who also dazzled in a red dress.

Cheers to us! The two beauties popped a bottle of the Champagne before enjoying a tipple at the bar

The Miss Universe Australia winner, 28, who recently came out as bisexual, flaunted her slender figure in a low-cut frock with asymmetrical hemline.

The two beauties popped a bottle of the Champagne before enjoying a tipple at the bar.

Meanwhile, it seems wedding bells are imminent for Olympia.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend! Olympia accessorised with diamonds jewels, including her huge engagement ring from AFL star Thom Bellchambers

Gorgeous: Miss Universe Australia winner Maria flaunted her slender figure in a low-cut frock with asymmetrical hemline

On Christmas Day, she shared a sweet series of photos on Instagram of herself sharing a kiss with her fiance Tom with a telling caption.

'My last Christmas as a Valance,' Olympia captioned her images, implying a wedding will be held in the next year.

In the images, Olympia stunned in a flowing blue backless dress, which gives a glimpse of her toned figure.

Champagne showers! Olympia looked on with glee as Maria let the Champagne flow

Wedding bells! Meanwhile, it seems wedding bells are imminent for Olympia. On Christmas Day, she shared a sweet series of photos on Instagram of herself sharing a kiss with her fiance Tom with a telling caption: 'My last Christmas as a Valance'

She wore her long dark locks out and over her shoulders and flashed her diamond engagement ring.

Essendon star Tom, 32, meanwhile looked casual and fresh in a beige T-shirt, a red cap and dark shorts and held a glass of wine.

The couple got engaged in October last year.

Thomas proposed during a trip to Queensland's Orpheus Island and they celebrated with a beachside picnic.

What a rock! The couple got engaged in October last year. Thomas proposed during a trip to Queensland's Orpheus Island and they celebrated with a beachside picnic

'Today is a special day. The man of my dreams proposed to me,' Olympia, who is the younger sister of Holly Candy wrote in the caption at the time.

'I get to marry my best friend,' she added.

Thomas also shared the happy news online at the time and wrote in the caption: 'Couldn't be happier...stuck with me now,' along with an engagement ring and heart emojis.

Olympia and Thomas began dating in June 2019 after meeting him on the ultra-exclusive celebrity dating app, Raya.
Gal Gadot was seen taking her two eldest daughters out for a walk in Studio City on Thursday afternoon.

The Wonder Woman star, 36, notably held one of her children's hands while the party of three made their way to an ice cream shop after picking up a few items at a bookstore.

The performer shares her daughters Alma and Maya, aged ten and four, respectively, and her baby Daniella, aged six months, with her longtime husband and producing partner, Yaron Varsano.

Doting mom: Gal Gadot was seen taking her two eldest daughters out for a walk in Studio City on Thursday afternoon

Gadot layered up in the wintertime chill with a dark green zip-up hooded jacket.

The Red Notice star also sported a form-hugging set of multicolored leggings and rocked a pair of black Ugg-style boots.

The performer's gorgeous and typically free-flowing brunette locks were tied back into a loose bun during her outing.

At one point, she donned a white facial covering to keep herself protected from COVID-19 while spending time in public.

Staying warm: Gadot layered up in the wintertime chill with a dark green zip-up hooded jacket

Taking precaution: At one point, she donned a white facial covering to keep herself protected from COVID-19 while spending time in public

Gadot and Varsano, 46, initially met at a party that was hosted in the Israeli desert in 2006, and they formed a close relationship afterward.

The two went on to become engaged two years later, and they quickly made their union official that same year.

The performer and her husband eventually decided to start a family, and they welcomed Alma in 2011.

They later added Maya into their lives in 2017, and the actress announced that she had given birth to Daniella last June.

Starting off strong: Gadot and Varsano, 46, initially met at a party that was hosted in the Israeli desert in 2006, and they formed a close relationship afterward; they are seen in 2021

Gadot spoke about her qualities as a parent during a recent interview with InStyle, where she expressed that she wanted to make sure that her children were shielded from the public.

'They're the only thing I make sure to keep as private as possible. I want them to be naive and safe and protected. I share a lot...but as far as my family goes, I'm very protective,' she said.

She went on to express that she made a point of keeping her duties as an actress and as a parent separate.

'When you're on set, you're like a kite. You can fly so high and try to catch the air. Then you go back home to do your main shift as being a mother,' she said.

Being careful: Gadot spoke about her qualities as a parent during a recent interview with InStyle, where she expressed that she wanted to make sure that her children were shielded from the public; she is seen with her husband in 2020

Gadot later discussed being pregnant and noted that she had amazing experiences while bringing her children into the world.

'I love giving birth. I would do it once a week if I could. It's so magical...Just the moment you feel like you're creating life, it's incredible,' she said.

The actress did clarify that 'the pregnancies are hard for me  I feel sick and have migraines. I'm not in my element.'

Gadot concluded the interview by speaking about her marriage to Varsano, who had stayed with her since her pre-acting days.

'We've grown together. I know he's not with me because I'm a "movie star." He's with me because he loves me. The connection was there from the beginning before everything, so it always felt very real and very good,' she remarked.
Bachelor couple Jimmy Nicholson and Holly Kingston are currently in tropical far north Queensland to shoot their upcoming new series, 100 Honeymoons.

And on Thursday, they took a break from the action to enjoy a romantic bike ride on the beach in Port Douglas.

The pair went for a spin on Four Mile Beach, and showed off their fit physiques in their swimmers.

Beach date! Smitten Bachelor star Jimmy Nicholson and his bikini-clad girlfriend Holly Kingston showed off their fit figures as they went for a bike ride on the beach in Port Douglas on Thursday

Pilot Jimmy was shirtless and wore a pair of blue and white striped board shorts.

Meanwhile, Holly looked like the ultimate blonde bombshell in an orange and yellow printed bikini teamed with white high-waisted shorts.

She pulled back her long blonde locks into a bun and covered up from the sun with a white cap and sunglasses.

Fit: The pair went for a spin on Four Mile Beach, and flaunted their fit physiques in their swimmers

Stripping off: Pilot Jimmy was shirtless and wore a pair of blue and white striped board shorts

Fun in the sun: The pair appeared in high spirits as they zoomed along the beach

Beach babe: Holly looked like the ultimate blonde bombshell in an orange and yellow printed bikini teamed with white high-waisted shorts

The pair appeared in high spirits as they zoomed along the sand.

At one point, they held hands while riding their bikes before Jimmy affectionately placed his hand on Holly's shoulder.

Jimmy and Holly are currently filming a brand new show called 100 Honeymoons.

New show: Jimmy and Holly are currently filming a brand new show called 100 Honeymoons

Wedding bells? The trip is acting as a 'honeymoon' for the pair, even though they aren't yet engaged or married

The trip is acting as a 'honeymoon' for the pair, even though they aren't yet engaged or married.

The couple formed the idea for the show after discussing their 'dream honeymoon destination'.

That, combined with the Jimmy and Holly's love for travel and respective careers in flying and journalism and marketing, led to the creation of 100 Honeymoons.

New project: The couple formed the idea for the show after discussing their 'dream honeymoon destination'

Coming to a major network soon? The couple's manager Benji Hart stated that the show's concept has already had 'a lot of interest'

The couple's manager Benji Hart stated that the show's concept has already had 'a lot of interest'.

'The first six episodes will be available online,' he divulged. 'But then watch this space...'

Jimmy and Holly sparked a romance on the latest season of The Bachelor which aired earlier last year, with their relationship going from strength to strength ever since.
She has been enjoying a new romance with Byron Bay artist Todd Clare for the past few months.

But part-time model and retail assistant Vanessa Valladares enjoyed some girl time with a female friend on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old, who famously dated Hollywood actor Zac Efron from 2020 to 2021, showed off her sensational figure in a mismatched two-piece as she went for a swim at the beach with Miss Universe Australia 2020 finalist, Summah Taylor.

Bikini babe! Zac Efron's ex Vanessa Valladares went for a dip at a Byron Bay beach on Tuesday with a gal pal after debuting her romance with Byron Bay artist Todd Clare

Vanessa flaunted her toned legs and flat tummy in a floral bikini top and a pair of high-cut black bottoms.

She accessorised her beach look with a pearl choker necklace.

The beach outing came just hours before she packed on the PDA with her new man during a steamy date.

Summer stunner! Vanessa flaunted her toned legs and flat tummy in a floral bikini top and a pair of high-cut black bottoms

Catching up on the gossip! The part-time model and retail assistant went for a swim at the beach with Miss Universe Australia 2020 finalist, Summah Taylor

The couple were spotted canoodling during a picnic by the sea, before sharing a passionate kiss in the car.

In September, Vanessa had posted a photo to Instagram of the shirtless hunk painting in what appeared to be her living room.

The post came several months after the model's split from Baywatch star Zac.

According to various reports, Zac, 34, was introduced to Vanessa by her boss at Byron Bay's General Store cafe in June 2020, and the pair hit it off straight away.

Splashing around: The pair cooled off from the heat by diving into the waves

Into the blue! Beauty queen Summah Taylor looked equally incredible in her sky blue string bikini

Two months later, in August, Daily Mail Australia revealed Zac had cancelled his scheduled return flight to Los Angeles because he 'didn't really want to go back'.

Within weeks, the genetically blessed couple had moved in together in Byron Bay.

Zac confirmed their relationship in September 2020 when they were spotted holding hands in public.

But it was revealed in April last year they had called it quits, with Zac's friend Kyle Sandilands announcing on his KIIS FM radio show: 'I can confirm [the break-up], after speaking with him yesterday.'

High-profile romance: Vanessa famously dated Hollywood actor Zac Efron from 2020 to 2021

He also stated Zac had been dating Vanessa for much longer than reported.

There was speculation at the time Zac and Vanessa had known each other three years before their 'official' first meeting at Byron Bay's General Store cafe.

Kyle, who is good pals with Zac, revealed on live radio it wasn't just a rumour.

'They've been together for a lot longer than people realise,' he said.

'I don't know where they met, but it wasn't recent. It's been going for a little while, but I don't know exactly how long.'

New romance: Vanessa has been enjoying a new romance with Byron Bay artist Todd Clare for the past few months
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Orange Is The New Black star Danielle Brooks married her real estate agent partner Dennis Gelin during an extravagant ceremony held at the historic Alfred DuPont Building in Miami.

The actress, who played Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson in the show for all seven seasons, walked down the aisle in a dreamy wedding gown by Black designer Oluwagbemisola Okunlola and her London-based luxury label Alonuko.

She detailed the stunning touches to the big day in an interview with Vogue, including having their daughter Freeya, two, act as flower girl, being walked down the aisle by her father who recently recovered from hip surgery and using her hometown pastor as officiator on the idyllic day.

Epic: Orange Is The New Black star Danielle Brooks married her partner Dennis Gelin during an extravagant ceremony held at the historic Alfred DuPont Building in Miami

Danielle and Dennis' wedding was officiated by the actress' hometown pastor and she was walked down the aisle by her father Dunel. She revealed her father had lost a whopping 60lbs for his surgery and also to walk her down the aisle, penning: 'This moment meant so much to me...

'My father was suffering for years from hip pain and had to lose a significant amount of weight before they would allow him to have surgery. He lost over 60lbs naturally not only for his health but for this moment as well! I love you daddy! Forever your baby girl!'

They also performed a 'daddy-daughter dance' at the reception. Danielle shared footage of the 'epic' performance with her 2.4million Instagram followers.

As for their choice to hold the ceremony in Miami, the Brooklyn-based couple told Vogue that they chose the location because it would be warm in winter.

Happy days: Her father walked her down the aisle, having recently shed 60lbs for his hip surgery as well as in his aims to walk Danielle down the aisle

Adorable: Their two-year-old daughter Freeya acted as flower girl for the star

Starring role: Danielle played Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson in Orange Is The New Black for seven seasons (pictured on the show in 2019)

Danielle and Dennis had their daughter serve as flower girl, while Broadway stars Jeremy Pope and Amber Iman performed the love songs A Thousand Years and We Will Never Break.

'There wasn't a dry eye in the building,' she recalled, before admitting that her and her husband 'cried the ugly cry, and laughed hard' while performing a wax seal ceremony.

'Dennis and I did our personal handshake and jumped the broom in honor of our ancestors. It was definitely a night to remember.'

For the 'Chocolate Love' themed reception, guests learned their seating assignments via chocolate truffles wrapped in gold.

Special: The couple's wedding planner Darryl Moore told Vogue that DConcierge Wedding 'worked to make the space feel like guests were dining in a box of Godiva chocolates with decor in a palette of jewel tones and gold'

Flower girl: Danielle posed with Freeya, who wore an adorable white ensemble to complement her mom's dress

Daddy-daughter dance: She joined her father in performing a 'daddy-daughter dance' at the reception

The couple's wedding planner Darryl Moore told Vogue that DConcierge Wedding 'worked to make the space feel like guests were dining in a box of Godiva chocolates with decor in a palette of jewel tones and gold.'

Dinner was catered by CJs Masterpiece, which is described as the 'ultimate culinary experience' on their website.

Danielle rehashed all of the tweaks they had to make to their ceremony due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has continued to surge across the nation.

'Everything was going pretty well until Omicron hit the country. It was a bit too late in the process to turn back, so we added extra precautions with required PCR tests and rapid tests the day of the wedding,' she explained.

Reception time! For the 'Chocolate Love' themed reception, guests learned their seating assignments via chocolate truffles wrapped in gold

'I have to say our wedding planner, DConcierge, was out of this world amazing. He never panicked and kept us levelheaded during the ups and downs.'

Brooks and Gelin got engaged on New Year's Eve in 2020 after dating for several years. The proposal came just one month after the birth of their daughter.

Discussing her decision of dress, she told Vogue: 'It was also important to me to highlight a Black designer. I feel like when it comes to the wedding process, Black creatives aren't highlighted enough...

Next look: For her second gown - which she first revealed to Gelin during their 'first look' ahead of the ceremony - Danielle slipped into a custom number by longtime pal Christian Siriano

'Alonuko gave me the dress of my dreams. She flew all the way from London to make sure it arrived. I knew I wanted her one-of-a-kind, flesh-toned mesh with custom embroidery and a big huge skirt. Wearing her dress made me want to get married every day, I loved it so much.'

As for accessories, Danielle was gifted a pair of stunning Chanel earrings from her stylist Kelly Augustine and she slipped her feet into a pair of Nina heels.

All of Dennis' groomsmen were decked out in custom suits by Garcon Couture NYC.

Dress things up! 'It was also important to me to highlight a Black designer. I feel like when it comes to the wedding process, Black creatives aren't highlighted enough,' she explained to Vogue

Glamorous gift: As for accessories, Danielle was gifted a pair of stunning Chanel earrings from her stylist Kelly Augustine and she slipped her feet into a pair of Nina heels

For her second gown - which she first revealed to Gelin during their 'first look' ahead of the ceremony - Danielle slipped into a custom number by longtime pal Christian Siriano.

'We thought it would be best to do a first look reveal so that we could go ahead with bridal party pictures and not hold up our guests after the ceremony,' she explained.

The stunning creation seamlessly transformed from a princess gown to a body-con dress to pants as the night progressed.

Brooks said she 'decided to wear Christian Siriano for the reveal' because she and the designer have 'been friends ever since my career first began.'
Former Miss Universe Australia Erin McNaught has starred in a stunning poolside photoshoot ahead of attending the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The 39-year-old model and mother of two shows off her super fit figure in a chic floral mini dress.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia this week about attending the coveted event, Erin said it's her first time at the races in ten years after being based in the UK with her husband Example.

Hot to trot! Former Miss Universe Australia Erin McNaught has starred in a stunning poolside photoshoot ahead of attending the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast on Saturday

Erin is the ambassador for The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions.

'I worked out it's been ten years since I've been to the races, so I'm really excited,' Erin said.

'I heard it's one of the best race days in Australia.'

The brunette beauty said she's looking forward to catching up with friends at the event after not seeing her pals for some time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Excited: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia this week about attending the coveted event, Erin said it's her first time at the races in ten years after being based in the UK with her husband Example

Blooming beautiful! For the photoshoot, Erin looks flawless in a one-shoulder white and orange floral frock that highlights her trim figure to perfection

'I'm looking forward to socialising, there's so many people I know on the Gold Coast and a lot of people are coming up from Sydney and Melbourne,' she explained.

'I haven't seen anyone with Covid, it's going to be awesome.'

For the photoshoot, Erin looks flawless in a one-shoulder white and orange floral frock that highlights her trim figure to perfection.

She shows off a deep golden tan and has her long dark locks styled in soft waves.

Her look is completed with flawless makeup palette, a pearl embellished headpiece and white strappy heels.

Erin said she has two outfits planned for the big race day, as well as an option to wear sneakers after spraining her ankle recently.

Flawless: Her look is completed with flawless makeup palette, a pearl embellished headpiece and white strappy heels

Speaking about her approach to style, Erin said she prefers a sporty look.

'I usually just wear my husband's oversized shirts and bike pants and trainers,' she said.

Erin, who is married to British rapper Example, 39, real name is Elliot Gleave, recently relocated back to her native Australia from London, setting up a home in Queensland for their young family.

Erin said that she and Example are loving living in Australia and have well and truly settled back in.

Life Down Under: Erin, who is married to British rapper Example, 39, real name is Elliot Gleave, recently relocated back to her native Australia from London, setting up a home in Queensland for their young family

'We absolutely love it, there was a lot to do, finding a house and finding schools and it was quite stressful,' she said.

'But now we're all settled in and cant imagine living anywhere else. Brisbane is one of the best cities.'

Reflecting on her successful career and life, having represented Australia in the Miss Universe competition in 2006, starring in Neighbours and been a presenter for MTV, Erin said it's been a wild but thrilling ride.

'It's crazy,' Erin said.

'My mum tells me I have to release a book one day, I have such wild stories, some I can't print,' she added with a laugh.
KJ Apa spent some rare time away from his baby boy Sasha, three months, to fuel up on a large cup of Starbucks coffee in Vancouver, Canada on Wednesday afternoon.

As he adapts to his new life as a first-time dad, the 24-year-old Riverdale actor looked handsome in a structured grey coat over a striped button-down and a funky pair of pants.

His trousers featured bright red stripes down the side, which were particularly visible to onlookers as he sat down at a table outside with his warm beverage.

Caffeine fix: KJ Apa spent some rare time away from his baby boy Sasha, three months, to fuel up on a large cup of Starbucks coffee in Vancouver, Canada on Wednesday afternoon

Apa even purchased a puppuccino, an espresso cup filled with whipped cream, for his adorable Pomeranian to enjoy.

At one point, he chatted with a female fan, who came up to request a selfie with the popular CW actor.

During the outing, he rocked clear shades and perfectly tousled, bright red hair.

Time off: As he adapts to his new life as a first-time dad, the 24-year-old Riverdale actor looked handsome in a structured grey coat over a striped button-down and a funky pair of pants

Cool guy: His trousers featured bright red stripes down the side, which were particularly visible to onlookers as he sat down at a table outside with his warm beverage

Last week, he thrilled fans by sharing footage of himself wearing just a pair of white boxer shorts for a Lacoste underwear campaign.

As he displayed his rippling muscles and washboard abs in the video ad, the actor could be seen answering his front door after seemingly hearing his doorbell ring.

The new dad, who welcomed his first child with girlfriend Clara Berry in September, looked to his left, then right, but didn't see anyone in sight.

Ripped: Last week, he thrilled fans by sharing footage of himself wearing just a pair of white boxer shorts for a Lacoste underwear campaign

Eventually, Apa's gaze met the camera, which captured him smiling and giving a playful wink to viewers, before he closed his front door.

'@lacoste Coming soon [green crocodile emoji],' the performer captioned the brief recording, which received nearly 14 million views in 13 hours.

The post came just days after he revealed he spent Year's Eve in the hospital with Berry.

Smiling: As he modeled displayed his bulging biceps in the video ad, the actor could be seen answering his front door after seemingly hearing his doorbell ring

Muscular physique: The new dad, who welcomed his first child, a son named Sasha Vai Keneti with girlfriend Clara Berry three months ago, looked to his left, then right, but didn't see anyone in sight

'Happy new year. We're back in the hospital,' he wrote underneath a selfie with his other half, who was lying in a hospital bed while wearing a gown and a blue surgical mask.

So as not to disappoint fans, Apa quickly made it clear that a baby was not on the way with him writing in the comments, 'No we're not having another baby' followed by a hopeful 'Yet.'

The pair welcomed their baby boy in the fall.

Handsome: Eventually, Apa's gaze met the camera, which captured him smiling and giving a wink to viewers, before he closed his front door

Berry and Apa announced their relationship together over Instagram in February of last year.

The couple announced they were pregnant in May with a series of Instagram posts. Berry showed a post that accentuated her pregnant stomach.

While the stars aren't formally married, Apa recently referred to Berry as 'my wife' in a recent Instagram post.

Unfortunate: The post came just days after he revealed he spent Year's Eve in the hospital with his girlfriend

While the star has almost certainly been busy with Sasha in recent months, that hasn't slowed down his career one bit.

The Shortland Street has been busy working on his hit show Riverdale in recent days.

Apa stars as the lead role of Archie Andrews in the hit CW drama series Riverdale.

Recent first time parents: The pair welcomed their first child together in September
Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey were seen spending quality time with each other in a snap that was shared to the former's Instagram Story on Thursday.

In the shot, the 34-year-old actor and the social media personality, 24, appeared to be making the most of a lazy afternoon as they took a nap with each other and took in the winter sunlight.

The performer also wrote a short message that appeared to be directed at his girlfriend and read: 'All that winning got you tired!!'

Perfect couple: Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey were seen spending quality time with each other in a snap that was shared to the former's Instagram Story on Thursday

Harvey donned a black-and-purple patterned bikini top while spending a bit of quality time with her boyfriend.

The model added a little bit of shine to her outfit with a single gold necklace.

Her gorgeous locks remained free-flowing and fell onto her backside as she rested with her partner.

Jordan remained topless in the shot and kept a beige towel on top of his head.

Hanging out: In the shot, the 34-year-old actor and the social media personality, 24, appeared to be making the most of a lazy afternoon as they took a nap with each other and took in the winter sunlight.

The happy couple was initially romantically connected in November of 2020, when they were seen arriving at an airport in Atlanta.

They were later spotted spending New Year's Eve together in Salt Lake City the following month.

The pair went Instagram official with their relationship in January of last year, and the actor shared several shots with his girlfriend to his account.

The entrepreneur also posted numerous pictures with her partner to her own Instagram that same month.

Making it known: The pair went Instagram official with their relationship in January of last year, and the actor shared several shots with his girlfriend to his account

Jordan gushed about his relationship with Harvey during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where he noted that their time together had turned him into a more well-rounded performer.

'There are roles that I passed on that I knew I didn't have enough life experience to play. I was like, "What can I pull from?" But I finally found what love was,' he said.

He also expressed that dealing with a relationship in the public eye was not something that he would have considered in his earlier years.

Beneficial relationship: Jordan gushed about his relationship with Harvey during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where he noted that their time together had turned him into a more well-rounded performer

'When I was younger, I don't know if I could have handled the onslaught of opinions and being picked apart, and also being conscious of what the other person's going to go through,' he stated.

The Creed star added that 'it takes a special person to deal with that.'

He went on to express that attempting to keep his relationship with Harvey private was beginning to affect their connection.

'There's a premeditated planning of staying out of the way [of the public eye] that sometimes kills spontaneity and intimacy,' he stated.

Weathering the storm: He went on to express that attempting to keep his relationship with Harvey private was beginning to affect their connection

Jordan then stated that he and his partner wanted to make their relationship feel more natural by letting their fans know about their connection.

'I wanted to take that away and give this the best chance it had, in this weird world that we live in, to be somewhat normal,' he said.

He concluded by stating: 'Long story short, I think it's just the timing of everything. It was the right time for me. Yeah. I'm happy.'
Tesla enthusiasts awaiting for the much-anticipated Cybertruck this year may have to hold their excitement a little longer.

After eagle-eyed observers spotted that the automaker removed mentions of 2022 from its Cybertruck website, hopes for a Tesla Cybertruck release date this year seems lost, Gizmodo reported.

Tesla Cybertruck 2022 Mentions Removed From Website

This deletion of any reference to 2022 as the Cybertruck release date, which likely happened late last year, was first noticed by Mashable in a report. Tesla had also previously removed any mention of pricing and model information as early as October 2021.

Tesla's Cybertruck was announced in 2019 as what CEO Elon Musk described as the "armored personnel carrier from the future." However, the truck had been scoffed and mocked after its "indestructible" windows were obliterated when the prototype model was first unveiled, and when it hit a traffic pylon as Musk drove it after having dinner in Malibu.

Tesla indicated that it was supposed to begin production of the Cybertruck in 2021, but the automaker pushed it back until 2022. With the removal of mentions about 2022, this timeline seems to be uncertain as well, although Tesla or Musk has not released any official announcement on the matter.

Read Also: Tesla Cybertruck Spy Shots Reveal New Exterior Design: Fog Lights, No Aero Covers and MORE

In his 2019 announcement, Musk first promised that the Cybertruck would tow up to 7,500 pounds and carry a payload of 3,500 pounds in its bed, with the base model costing around $39,900. But these promised specs were left unrealized, with the projected release date as its latest disappointment.

Tesla was said to have plans of manufacturing the Cybertruck in its Austin, Texas factory, but the automaker has yet to confirm it.

Elon Musk's Latest Cybertruck Disclosure: '4-Motor Variant to Drive Diagonally Like a Crab'

Musk's most recent disclosure about the Cybertruck was tweeting a "4-motor variant" that has independent motors at each wheel. Musk said the Cybertruck will have both front and rear-wheel steering that would "not just (turn) like a tank (but) drive diagonally like a crab."

He said the four-motor variant will have an "independent, ultra-fast response torque control of each wheel." This will replace the $69,900 3-motor version as the Cybertruck's top-of-the-line model.

Tesla took out all information about the Cybertruck from its website following production delays that started in October last year. Musk first revealed in November 2019 that the Cybertruck will feature single, double and triple motor configurations, and it will be made of stainless steel that is used in rockets. Musk had claimed there have been several hundred thousands of orders since Tesla began the pre-order process.

After it muted news on production efforts, Tesla was also supposed to enhance the concept Cybertruck vehicle by updating on new specs and pricing, but delays have continued.

Tesla had since lagged behind such truck offerings as the Rivian R1T and the GMC Hummer EV in terms of specs. These trucks feature quad-motor individual engines powering each wheel, as Musk promised in the yet-to-be manufactured Cybertruck.

Related Article: Elon Musk Hilariously Jokes 'Mad Max' Upgrade for Tesla Cybertruck: Guitar Flamethrower Coming?
Millionaire and former Married At First Sight star Justin Fischer has been charged with two counts of assault - one of those involving a woman.

The soft serve king was part of the 2018 MAFS cast, but his union with Carly Bowyer was short and not very sweet, ending as most of the show's marriages do - in disaster.

Since then Fischer, 43, unlike some of his more fame hungry co-stars, has faded largely into obscurity - until now.

Trouble: Millionaire and former Married At First Sight star Justin Fischer (pictured) has been charged with two counts of assault - one of those involving a woman

Late last year, the divorced father-of-two was charged with two counts of assault along with the offence of stalking and intimidation.

In NSW, the offence of intimidation or stalking carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.

Fischer appeared in court on December 26 and was remanded on bail to a date this year, where a formal plea will be entered.

Claim to fame: The soft serve king was part of the 2018 MAFS cast, but his union with Carly Bowyer was short and not very sweet, ending as most of the show's marriages do - in disaster

Along with the charges, Fischer was issued with an interim Apprehended Violence Order on behalf of Andrew and Natalia Burton, the two alleged victims of the claimed assault.

Court documents supplied to Daily Mail Australia refer to these claims.

It's unclear what the background is to these criminal charges or what the relationship is between Fischer and the Burtons.

Charges: Late last year, the divorced father-of-two was charged with two counts of assault along with the offence of stalking and intimidation

Fischer has been ordered not to 'assault or threaten' the pair, 'stalk, harass or intimidate them or intentionally or recklessly destroy any of their property'.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Fischer for additional comment.

This isn't the first time the unlucky-in-love MAFS star has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Out on bail: Fischer appeared in court on December 26 and was remanded on bail to a date this year, where a formal plea will be entered

In 2019, it was reported that Fischer had been banned from managing companies for three years.

Fischer was disqualified by The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) after acting as the 'shadow director' for two Queensland companies that went into liquidation.

ASIC found that Fischer did not act in the best interests of the failed companies, which owed $543,000 to creditors.
Kiefer Sutherland has revealed that he was so 'bothered and embarassed' by his time in prison that he penned a song about his experience.

The actor, 55, is set to release his third studio album Bloor Street on January 21, and has included a song titled County Jail Gate, after serving 48 days behind bars for drink-driving in 2007.

Kiefer added that he wants the song to warn against 'fighting that person' and to simply 'walk away,' and admits he wasn't 'behaving responsibly' when he was arrested.

'Guilty as charged': Kiefer Sutherland, 55, has revealed that he was so 'bothered and embarassed' by his time in prison that he penned a song about his experience

Kiefer, best known for his role as agent Jack Bauer in the thriller series 24, told The Sun how one song on his album was inspired by his time in jail.

The son of actor Donald Sutherland was arrested on September 25, 2007, for drink-driving and served 48 days in jail.

Kiefer said: 'The times that I have got into trouble because of mistakes I've made are some of the most embarrassing moments in my life. I really am bothered by my behaviour that led to those times.

Woes: The actor has included a song titled County Jail Gate on his new album, after serving 48 days behind bars for drink-driving in 2007

Struggles: Kiefer added that he wants the song to warn against 'fighting that person' and to simply 'walk away,' and admits he wasn't 'behaving responsibly' when he was arrested

'I'm certainly not singing a song about how cool it is to go to jail. It's really simple  you don't need to fight that person, just walk away.

'The part that bothered me most was that I wasn't behaving responsibly, and I'm a father. I was really cross with myself about that the most. I'm just glad I made it through.

'So yes, it's a song saying don't do this or you're gonna feel like an absolute moron. It's my story. Guilty as charged.'

In 1989, Kiefer was also arrested for drink driving and carrying a concealed loaded weapon and again faced DUI charges in 1993.

Country: The son of actor Donald Sutherland was arrested on September 25, 2007, for drink-driving and served 48 days in jail

Kiefer also revealed that another song on the new album called So Full Of Love was written as a tribute to his mother.

Well-known as both an actress and as an activist, Shirley Douglas passed away at 86 on April 5, 2020, due to pneumonia.

At the time, the Designated Survivor star wrote: 'My mother was an extraordinary woman who led an extraordinary life.

'Sadly she had been battling for her health for quite some time and we, as a family, knew this day was coming.'

The actor added: 'To any families who have lost loved ones unexpectedly to the coronavirus, my heart breaks for you. Please stay safe.'
Isla Fisher has revealed that she fell head over hells for her husband, Sacha Baron Cohen, the very first time they met.

The Australian actress, 45, appeared on Australia's The Project on Friday, where host Lisa Wilkinson informed her that the British comedian, 50, had recently claimed it was love at first sight for him, but not for her.

'I don't know why [he said that], he was joking!' the Wedding Crashers star replied, laughing.

First sight: Isla Fisher has revealed that she fell head over hells for her husband, Sacha Baron Cohen, the very first time they met. Pictured together

'I totally loved him right away. I mean I knew it was definitely love at first sight,' she added.

Elsewhere in the interview, Isla reflected on the couple having been together for two decades - a rarity in the fickle world of show business.

'I think by Hollywood standards it's probably 200 years!' she joked. 'I feel like it's a Golden Jubilee or something. Everyone was congratulating me'.

Sweet: The Australian actress, 45, appeared on Australia's The Project on Friday, where host Lisa Wilkinson informed her that the British comedian, 50, had recently claimed it was love at first sight for him, but not for her

'I don't know why [he said that], he was joking!' the Wedding Crashers star replied, laughing. 'I totally loved him right away. I mean I knew it was definitely love at first sight,' she added

'It is a fun ride. I feel so lucky to have Sacha in my life. Now we have this beautiful family and we survived lockdown together, which you know, it is not easy for any couple,' Isla added.

The pair celebrated their 20th anniversary in December.

Isla and UK-born Sacha met at a party in Sydney in 2002 and married eight years later.

Long time: Elsewhere in the interview, Isla reflected on having been together for two decades - a rarity in the fickle world of show business. 'It is a fun ride. I feel so lucky to have Sacha in my life. Now we have this beautiful family and we survived lockdown together,' Isla said

The couple are parents to three children, Olive, 12, Elula, eight, and Montgomery, four.

In 2020, Isla told Marie Claire that meeting Sacha was like 'winning the lottery'.

She said their relationship was built on 'a shared sense of humour and a willingness to be married'.

Love: Isla and UK-born Sacha met at a party in Sydney in 2002 and married eight years later

The Confessions of a Shopaholic star, who relocated to America early in her career, also admitted that 'juggling' a family in LA wasn't easy.

'There's not really a culture of bringing your kids to dinner parties or to restaurants past 6pm. I tend to entertain at home because I want to be with my family - it's easier to put your kids to bed and have a wine with friends,' she said.

Isla and Sacha, along with their children, moved to Sydney in 2020, and have since relocated to Perth, Western Australia.
Rebecca Harding and her boyfriend Andy Lee have recently enjoyed a romantic stay at the upscale Qualia resort on Hamilton Island.

And as she bid farewell to the luxurious trip, the 31-year-old model shared a series of moments from their adventures on Instagram.

Among the images which were posted on Thursday, were pictures of the couple smiling from ear to ear.

Holiday spam: On Thursday, model Rebecca Harding (pictured) bid farewell to her luxurious trip to Hamilton Island, by sharing a series of images alongside her beau Andy Lee. Among the snaps, waa picture of the leggy brunette beach-side, in a triangle bikini

The leggy beauty also showed off her enviable body in a picture of herself beach-side, in a triangle bikini.

Rebecca let the content speak for itself as she simply captioned the photo dump. 'SUMMER HOLS #2.'

The brunette stunner also shared video footage of her hunky TV star beau as he enjoyed a windy, yet stunning boat ride around the stunning Island.

Boat boy! The brunette stunner also shared video footage of her hunky TV star beau as he enjoyed a windy, yet stunning boat ride around the stunning Island. Pictured: Andy Lee

Eating well! It appears the two ate well while away, as Rebecca documented a delicious spread of Japanese food

It appears the two ate well while away, as Rebecca documented a delicious spread of Japanese food.

The genetically blessed pair spent two weeks at Qualia on Hamilton Island, where rooms cost upwards of $1,450 per night.

Earlier in the day, Rebecca had shared a series of images from their lavish getaway, revealing they also enjoyed private Island helicopter charters, snorkeling on the reef, champagne and lots of sunbathing.

Fun: Earlier in the day, Rebecca had shared a series of images from their lavish getaway, revealing they also enjoyed private Island helicopter charters, snorkeling on the reef, champagne and lots of sunbathing

Good times: The pair also enjoyed romantic candlelit dinners, a yacht charter and driving around Hamilton Island in a buggy

In one image, former waitress Rebecca stuns in a tiny yellow bikini as she and TV host and comedian Andy, 40, enjoyed a swim and cocktail.

'Summer hols #1,' one post was captioned.

The pair also enjoyed romantic candlelit dinners, a yacht charter and driving around Hamilton Island in a buggy.

Andy and Bec have been dating since 2014.
Lily James looked casually chic as she stepped out for a low-key stroll in Los Angeles on Friday.

The actress, 32, showed off her sense of style in an oversized cream trench coat and cap for the walk.

It comes as her new series Pam & Tommy is soon set to be released on Hulu, where she stars as the iconic Pamela Anderson, 54.

Out and about: Lily James looked casually chic as she stepped out for a low-key stroll in Los Angeles on Friday ahead of the release of Pam and Tommy

Opting for a comfy outfit, Lily wore a light grey jumper and jogging bottoms under her stylish coat.

She completed the look with black and white trainers and wore a white hat while out and about.

The blonde beauty went makeup free for the walk and wore her long light tresses pinned back under her hat.

The outing comes after Lily revealed she wanted to speak to Pamela before playing the blonde bombshell in the new show.

Stroll: The actress, 32, showed off her sense of style in an oversized cream trench coat and cap for the walk

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,' she said, adding she had reached out to Anderson before filming but never heard back.

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.

Star: The outing comes after Lily (left) revealed she wanted to speak to Pamela (right) before playing the blonde bombshell in the new show

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 you're not as different as you might have thought.

'You lean in to things in yourself, and discard parts of you that aren't useful.

'We were exploring a particular moment in Pamela and Tommy's life in the '90s, this absolute lust for love.'

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.

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.
Princess Mary and her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, made an elegant if sombre arrival at Roskilde Cathedral on Friday.

The couple donned warm winter ensembles as they visited the tomb of Frederick IX of Denmark at Roskilde Cathedral, on Queen's 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

The 49-year-old Australian-born royal stunned in a caramel toned dress with long sleeves, which fitted to her slender frame, and featured a decorative collar.

Classy: Princess Mary and her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, made an elegant if sombre arrival at Roskilde Cathedral on Friday. Both pictured

She added a smart white hat with lace detailing, as well as a pair of towering nude heels.

Mary kept warm in a camel toned coat, adorned with a medal, and had on a string of large pearls.

The brunette's hair was pulled off her face and she opted for a clean makeup palette with rosy cheeks and pink lipstick.

Outing: The couple donned warm winter ensembles as they visited the tomb of Frederick IX of Denmark at Roskilde Cathedral, on Queen's 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne

Stunning: The 49-year-old Australian-born royal stunned in a caramel toned dress with long sleeves, which fitted to her slender frame, and featured a decorative collar

Fashionable: She added a smart white hat with lace detailing, as well as a pair of towering nude heels

Cosy: Mary kept warm in a camel toned coat, adorned with a medal, and had on a string of large pearls

Frederik chose a navy wool coat with a matching scarf and trousers in the same colour, as well as shiny dress shoes.

The pair made their way inside, where Mary wore a face mask as she oversaw the proceedings.

The Crown Princess will become Queen of Denmark when Frederik ascends to the throne, following the death or abdication of his mother.

Safe: The pair made their way inside, where Mary wore a face mask as she oversaw the proceedings

Queenly: The Crown Princess will become Queen of Denmark when Frederik ascends to the throne, following the death or abdication of his mother

Love story: When Mary met Frederik at the Slip Inn during the 2000 Olympics, she had no idea he was the heir to a European throne

When Mary met Frederik at the Slip Inn during the 2000 Olympics, she had no idea he was the heir to a European throne.

The couple maintained a long distance relationship until Mary moved to Copenhagen where they married in May 2004.

Denmark's future king and queen share four children, Prince Christian, 15, Princess Isabella, 14, and 10-year-old twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
Rebel Wilson has confirmed that she will host the BAFTAs 2022.

The Australian actress, 41, will front the 75th awards which will take place on March 13 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

In a statement about the news, Rebel - who recently lost 35kg - hilariously quipped 'I won't be funny because I'm no longer fat' while also joking about Prince Andrew not being able to sweat.

'I won't be funny because I'm no longer fat': Rebel Wilson has confirmed she will host the BAFTAs 2022 as she poked fun at her 5.5 stone weight loss - and even threw a jibe at Prince Andrew

Wow: Rebel has recently hit headlines for her dramatic weight loss and earlier this week revealed the very simple way she shed 5.5 stone (35kg) during her 'Year of Health' in 2020 (pictured left in 2001 and right this month)

She wrote: 'I am very honoured to be hosting the EE British Academy Film Awards in March, where Covid will no longer exist because it will clearly have been canceled by then. It's going to be so much fun!

'I don't wanna put any pressure on this - I know I'm not going to be funny because I am no longer fat.

'And besides, I'm not going to 'sweat-it' with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can't sweat...or cause offense to people because of my adorable Australian accent.'

Rebel's Prince Andrew jibe comes after he claimed in an interview with the BBC in 2019 that he never got sweaty on the dancefloor with sex accuser Virginia Giuffre in 2001 at a club in London because he has a condition which makes it impossible for him to perspire.

Rebel continued: 'So basically I'll just be there to hang out with Dame Judi Dench and together we'll both try and bond with Daniel Craig. And yes, I do mean 'bond'.

Star: The Australian actress, 41, will front the 75th awards which will take place in March at the Royal Albert Hall

Here she is: In a statement about the news, Rebel - who recently lost 35kg - hilariously quipped 'I won't be funny because I'm no longer fat' while also joking about Prince Andrew

'This show will be an anniversary celebration of some important British film franchises such as HARRY POTTER and not such as CATS. Everybody's going to love it, I'm sure! See you guys March 13th!'

The Baftas are set to take place on Sunday, March 13 at the Royal Albert Hall and will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Nominations are currently under wraps and will be revealed on February 3, following the EE Rising Star nominations on February 1.

Presenters: Last year's BAFTAs were hosted by Edith Bowman and Dermot O'Leary who had to socially distance and there was no audience in attendance

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of Bafta said: 'We are delighted to welcome Rebel Wilson as this year's host of the EE British Academy Film Awards.

'Rebel has stolen the show at several previous Film Awards, and we're hugely excited to see her bring her fantastic charisma and humour to the whole show as we celebrate the very best in film.

'We would also like to thank Edith Bowman and Dermot O'Leary who did a truly wonderful job hosting last year's ceremony in exceptionally challenging circumstances and we look forward to working with them again in the future.'

Rebel has recently hit headlines for her dramatic weight loss and earlier this week revealed the very simple way she shed 5.5 stone (35kg) during her 'Year of Health' in 2020.

In an interview for Apple Fitness+, the actress admitted that walking - rather than doing endless high intensity workouts - has actually been her secret weapon for weight loss.

Rebel said a doctor at a health retreat had advised her to take up walking, insisting it was the 'best way' for her to shed the kilos.

Ouch! Poking fun at Prince Andrew, Rebel said she has a medical condition which means she won't sweat with nerves

'The doctor said to me, 'Rebel, the best way for you to lose unwanted body fat is just simply walking,' she explained.

'Doesn't have to be high-intensity, doesn't have to be uphill, just moderate walking an hour a day. And if you can do that, for you, for your body type, it's, like, the best way to lose unwanted body fat.'

Rebel made headlines around the world after declaring 2020 her 'Year of Health', and has since lost around 35kgs.

The 75th EE British Academy Film Awards will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, March 13.
Tammy Hembrow is set to welcome her third child.

And on Friday, the influencer, 27, showed off her blossoming baby bump in a revealing lavender outfit.

She flaunted a hint of underboob in the two piece, which consisted of a long-sleeved crop top and matching trousers, as she posed in a mirror.

Soon! Tammy Hembrow (pictured) is set to welcome her third child. And on Friday, the influencer, 27, showed off her blossoming baby bump in a revealing lavender outfit

Tammy wrote in her selfie: 'Find myself wearing so much pink lately. Maybe it's because I know I'm having a little Princess'.

The designer showed off her baby bump in yet another revealing outfit on Wednesday as she ran errand on the sunny Gold Coast.

The mother-to-be flaunted her blossoming belly in a tiny crop top and a pair of low-slung jeans.

Tammy wrote in her selfie: 'Find myself wearing so much pink lately. Maybe it's because I know I'm having a little Princess'

She teamed the casual look with a pair of sneakers and designer shades.

The fitness and fashion influencer was glowing in minimal makeup and had her blonde locks styled in waves.

She gently cradled her bump as she posed for photos to promote Norwegian brand FITJEANS.

Bumping along: The designer showed off her baby bump in yet another revealing outfit on Wednesday as she ran errand on the sunny Gold Coast

Looking good: The fitness and fashion influencer was glowing in minimal makeup and had her blonde locks styled in waves

The social media sensation has already reached the halfway point of her third pregnancy.

She revealed last month that she was expecting her first child with fiance Matt Poole.

Tammy already shares two older children - son Wolf, six, and daughter Saskia, five - with her ex-partner Reece Hawkins.
Ranvir Singh, 44, sent temperatures soaring on Friday morning when she graced screens on Lorraine, to fill in for the Scottish TV host.

Lorraine Kelly, 62, was nowhere to be seen on Friday's episode of the ITV chat show, leaving Ranvir stepping in to present the programme on her behalf.

Her stint on the show won huge praise from impressed fans, who were wowed by her elegant ensemble comprising a lilac jumpsuit and sleek ombre hair, with one appreciative viewer proclaiming that the GMB host looked 'hot, hot, hot'.

Stunning! Ranvir Singh, 44, sent temperatures soaring on Friday morning when she graced screens on Lorraine, to fill in for the Scottish TV host

Ranvir, who has previously stood in for Lorraine during the holidays, wowed fans in the pastel number which highlighted her waist thanks to the cinched in middle.

ITV issued a short statement after the show reading: 'Lorraine has a pre-planned day off today' as fans said that Ranvir 'warmed up the cold Friday.'

Ranvir showcased a stunning sleek hair style with softly curled ends and subtle caramel highlights as she introduced herself.

Twitter users took to the site to pen their compliments as a flurry of flame emoji's and gushing messages of adoration came in for the 'smoking hot' host.

'Day off': Viewers were quick to get over the mystery of disappearing Lorraine, 62, as they were wowed by Ranvir's incredible look as she donned a lilac suit and got to work

Twitter users took to the site to pen their compliments as a flurry of flame emoji's and gushing messages of adoration came in for the 'smoking hot' host

One user wrote: '@ranvir01 definitely an image to warm up a cold Friday morning. Rocking the purple.' Another added: '@ranvir01 looks SMOKING'

A third viewer penned: 'How gorgeous does @ranvir look this morning on @lorraine #greathair.'

Lorraine later took to Twitter as she announced that she will return on Monday with a line up that includes Fearne Cotton, Ricky Gervais, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Judy Murray and Sir Kenneth Branagh.

Her absence comes after the show was issued a warning following nearly 4,000 complaints after comments on Covid.

'TWIT TWOO': A third viewer penned: 'How gorgeous does @ranvir look this morning on @lorraine #greathair'

Wow! Ranvir showcased a stunning sleek hair style with softly curled ends and subtle caramel highlights as she introduced herself

Gushing comments: She wowed in the pastel number

The episode that aired on December 6 saw Lorraine and Dr Hilary speak about the number of unvaccinated people in hospital amid the surge in the Omicron variant.

Dr Hilary Jones shared inaccurate vaccine statistics as he said: 'Those people who havent been vaccinated, wed really love you to think again and be vaccinated because 90% of people in hospital are unvaccinated right now with Covid.'

Ofcom later issued a statement following the complaints that read: 'This programme incorrectly referenced the proportion of unvaccinated Covid-19 patients in hospital.

Guests: Lorraine later took to Twitter and announced she will return on Monday with Fearne Cotton, Ricky Gervais, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Judy Murray and Sir Kenneth Branagh

'We have told ITV that greater care should be taken by trusted medical experts when presenting facts and figures on public health issues.

'However, given official statistics and research have consistently shown that vaccination against Covid-19 offers greater protection against serious health consequences, we do not consider that the error was sufficient to materially mislead viewers on this main point of discussion.'

Ofcom later ruled that it would not be launching a formal complaint.
Ricky Gervais has confessed he gets nervous before roasting the Golden Globe's star-studded audience, during an appearance on The Graham Norton show, set to air on Friday.

The comedian, 60, who has hosted the ceremony five times, revealed he becomes filled with fear at 'fluffing' his jokes directed towards Hollywood's biggest stars.

When asked about this year's cancelled Golden Globes due to Covid-19, Ricky told the talk show host, 'They didn't happen for loads of reasons. I loved it  the first time I did it 10 years ago people were shocked that I was nasty to celebrities.

Surprise: Ricky Gervais has confessed he gets nervous before roasting the Golden Globe's star-studded audience, during a Friday appearance on The Graham Norton show

'But by the fifth time I think I hit the mark  everyone was being horrible about celebrities; it was part of the zeitgeist.

'I loved it but it was nerve wracking because you have just one chance not to fluff the joke  it's like taking a penalty at Wembley! I'm really glad I did it but it's enough.'

Ricky skewered 'woke' Hollywood, made jokes about Jeffrey Epstien, Harvey Weinstein and Prince Andrew, and tackled topics such as MeToo and ISIS as he left his A-list audience wincing at previous Golden Globes ceremonies.

Hilarious: The comedian, 60, revealed he becomes filled with fear at 'fluffing' his jokes' directed towards Hollywood's biggest stars (pictured in 2020)

Wow! Ricky skewered 'woke' Hollywood as he left his A-list audience wincing during his opening monologues at previous ceremonies (Tom Hanks and Gwyneth Paltrow are pictured)

Honest: When asked about this year's cancelled Golden Globes due to Covid-19, he told the talk show host, 'I loved it  the first time I did it 10 years ago, people were shocked'

Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, and Gwyneth Paltrow were left with stunned looks on their faces as the actor mocked Felicity Huffman over the college admission scandal in 2020.

He also branded James Corden a 'massive p***y' and ripped Judi Dench for 'licking' her own private parts in his eight-minute speech.

In one blunt moment, he advised those receiving awards to avoid making political speeches because 'you're in no position to the public about anything', adding: 'If you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and f*** off.'

The British comic underlined his point by jesting: 'You say you're woke but the companies you work for in China  unbelievable. Apple, Amazon, Disney. If ISIS started a streaming service you'd call your agent, wouldn't you?'

Elsewhere in the interview, Ricky spoke about After Life's third and final season which was finally released on Netflix on Friday, and speaking of his comedy-drama's success, he also spoke of its emotional response.

The actor plays the lead role of Tony Johnson, hose life is turned upside down after his wife dies from breast cancer.

Ricky admitted: 'It is overwhelming. I never thought it would be this big and best part has been the emotional response.

When asked why there was a third series when he normally only ever does two, he replied, 'It felt right, there was more scope, and bigger story. People always think I am crazy to stop at two but there are always new and exciting things to do.'

Spellbinding: After Life's third and final season was finally released on Netflix on Friday, and speaking of the drama's success, he spoke of the emotional response (pictured in-character)
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Hanson have announced in celebration of their 30th anniversary, they will be releasing a new album and going on a worldwide tour.

The pop-rock trio made the announcement on Friday that their new album RED GREEN BLUE will be released via 3CG Records on May 20th to coincide with their milestone anniversary.

The three brothers, Taylor, 38, Isaac, 41, and Zac, 36, will be taking the album on tour across the world, with tickets going on sale January 20.

Reunited: Hanson have announced in celebration of their 30th anniversary, they will be releasing a new album and going on a worldwide tour (Pictured Zac, Taylor and Isaac L-R)

The new project utilises the inspiration of colours to reflect the unique creative voice of each brother, with a third of the album written and produced by each individual (Taylors Red, Isaacs Green and Zacs Blue).

Beginning in June in Europe, the Red Green Blue World Tour will bring the band to the US and Canada from July-September, Latin America in September and Australia & New Zealand in November.

They will be coming to the UK in June and July and will be performing in London, Leeds, Bristol, Nottingham, Glasgow and Manchester.

Throwback! The pop-rock trio made the announcement on Friday their new album RED GREEN BLUE will be released May 20th to coincide with their milestone anniversary (pictured in 1998)

The project brings together a team of collaborators, with the album co-produced by Grammy award winning Producer, Engineer and Mixer Jim Scott and Grammy Award winning Artist and Producer David Garza.

Speaking about the album, Isaac said: 'This project is about bringing new perspective to the music of this band, stretching new muscles as writers and producers, and ultimately shining a light on the definitive creative voices of each band member which has defined our sound'.

Taylor added: 'Our love and respect for Jim Scott has only grown over the last twenty years since we first met. He has been behind some of our favorite albums of all time, so its an absolute joy to have finally made a project from the ground up together.'

Worldwide: The three brothers, Taylor, Isaac and Zac will be taking the album on tour across the world, with tickets going on sale January 20 (pictured in 2000)

Zac echoed: 'We have had a deep connection with David since our early days breaking into music and his work as creative force is off the charts. We could not have had a better musical collaborator for this milestone project.'

Hanson are best known for their 1997 hit song MMMBop.

They are a multi-platinum three-time Grammy-nominated band, that was formed in 1992 and have garnered a string of consecutive top 40 singles, seven studio albums, two Christmas albums, and five live releases.

The trio are originally from a large family of six children - four boys and two girls.

The brothers are all married and between them they have a whopping 15 children.

Taylor met Natalie Anne Bryant in 2000 and they married two years later.

Hitmakers: Hanson are best known for their 1997 hit song MMMBop (pictured at MTV Europe Awards 1997)

The proud parents' eldest child is 19-year-old Jordan Ezra. They also have Penelope Anne, 16, River Samuel, 15, Viggo Moriah, 13, Wilhelmina Jane, nine, Claude Indiana Emmanuel, three, and Maybellene Alma Joy, one.

Isaac and his wife Nikki Dufresne married in 2006, after he saw her in the crowd at one of their concerts and they have three children together, James Monroe, Clark Everett and Nina Odette.

Zac and wife Kate Tucker also married in 2006 and together they have five children, Quincy Joseph Thoreau, seven months, Mary Lucille Diana, four, George Abraham Walker, seven, Junia Rosa Ruth, 10, and John Ira Shepherd, 12.
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She's never shied away from displaying her impressive figure.

And Lottie Moss set pulses racing once again on Friday as she slipped into a barely-there magenta bikini to frolic on the beach at the Galley Bay Resort & Spa in Antigua.

The model, 24, wowed in the plunging bikini top and matching bottoms from PrettyLittleThing as she posed for a slew of selfies at the luxurious beach resort with her singer pal Blythe Saxon.

Revealing: Lottie Moss, 24, set pulses racing once again on Friday as she slipped into a barely-there magenta bikini to frolic on the beach at the Galley Bay Resort & Spa in Antigua

Lottie highlighted every inch of her amazing figure as she strolled along the beach in her plunging pink bikini top and matching bottoms.

The sister of fashion icon Kate Moss let her blonde waved tresses tumble down her back, and wrapped her bikini in a loose-fitting white shirt.

It comes as Lottie also took to Instagram Stories to deny reports she was dating tattooed model Teddy Corsica, following claims they'd been seeing each other 'for a number of weeks.'

Gorgeous: The model wowed in the plunging bikini top and matching bottoms from PrettyLittleThing as she posed for a slew of snaps at the luxurious beach resort

Jaw-dropping: Lottie highlighted every inch of her amazing figure as she strolled along the beach in her plunging pink bikini top and matching bottoms

Gorgeous: The sister of fashion icon Kate Moss let her blonde waved tresses tumble down her back, and wrapped her bikini in a loose-fitting white shirt

Pals close to Basingstoke-born pin-up Teddy, real name Edward Groucher, claimed the pair started dating following Lottie's split from The Vamps drummer Tristan Evans in November.

And the male model was said to have won the affections of Kate Moss's half sister after a shaky start when she branded him a 'pathological liar and manipulator' during a rant on her Instagram Stories towards the end of last year.

A source said: 'Lottie and Teddy have been dating for a number of weeks having met on the London fashion scene.

New romance: It comes as Lottie also took to Instagram Stories to deny reports she was dating tattooed model Teddy Corsica, after shared a sultry picture of him feeding her a lollipop

'Bad boy': Pals close to Basingstoke-born pin-up Teddy, real name Edward Groucher, claim the pair started dating following Lottie's split from The Vamps drummer Tristan Evans in November

'They hang out around in the same circles and clicked immediately, despite the fact Lottie called him out on social media early on.

'Teddy is a bit of a sofa surfer in London and has a bad boy image within that clique but that doesn't seem to put off Lottie. He can smooth talk anyone and it clearly worked with her.'

Teddy's was tight-lipped about the blossoming romance. Speaking from her 1.2million farmhouse in rural Hampshire, Catherine Goucher, she said: 'No comment' when asked about it.

A representative for Lottie was contacted by MailOnline for comment at the time.

Best pals: Lottie was joined at the luxurious resort by her close pal Blythe Saxon, who was clad in a plunging brown two-piece

Besties: The blonde beauty could be seen posing for a slew of selfies with her close pal Blythe as they enjoyed a spot of winter sunshine

Former flames: Lottie, who has recently returned to London from Antigua where she posted several bikini snaps, has previously dated Made In Chelsea stars Alex Mytton and Sam Prince

Lottie posted a picture of Teddy's Instagram page in November alongside the caption: 'It's really sad when people betray you but this guy is actually a pathological liar and manipulator and needs to be stopped.

'He uses people for money and places to stay and only realised while speaking to his girlfriend that he's been talking s*** to me.'

Lottie, who has recently returned to London from Antigua where she posted several bikini snaps, has previously dated Made In Chelsea stars Alex Mytton and Sam Prince.

Rumours: She has also been linked with Tottenham midfielder Deli Alli and Capital FM DJ Roman Kemp

Distraught: Last week Lottie wept on social media while revealing a former friend leaked pictures from her OnlyFans account and phone number online

She has also been linked with Tottenham midfielder Deli Alli and Capital FM DJ Roman Kemp.

Last week Lottie wept on social media while revealing a former friend leaked pictures from her OnlyFans account and phone number online.

The model - who earns thousands of pounds a month selling the nude content on the X-rated platform - added that she has been receiving phone calls from strangers as a result of her number being shared without her permission.
Pierce Brosnan was looking to brighten someone's day as he was seen walking out of a Whole Foods grocery store in Los Angeles holding two handfuls of flowers on Thursday.

The 68-year-old actor wore an all black look with a black jacket barely zipped up to show his black t-shirt underneath. The James Bond star had a few different color bouquets of roses, including yellow, white and orange.

This sighting comes just a week before his film The King's Daughter, in which he wears long brown hair to star as King Louis XIV, debuts.

Handful of flowers: Pierce Brosnan was looking to brighten someone's day as he was seen walking out of a Whole Foods grocery store holding two handfuls of flowers on Thursday

King Louis XIV: Pierce has been busy filming his new movie, The King's Daughter, which is set to be released January 21

Pierce and wife, Keely Shaye, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year.

Pierce tied the knot with the journalist in Ireland in August of 2001. He took to Instagram this past summer with a touching tribute to his spouse of two decades.

'Happy anniversary my darling Keely, my love forever grows with you' the actor wrote, adding emojis of a clover and a heart.

Grocery store run: The 68-year-old actor wore an all black look with a black jacket barely zipped up to show his black t-shirt underneath

Twenty years together: Pierce and his wife Keely Shaye were recently seen in December going for a romantic bike ride in Malibu. The duo share two children, Dylan, 24, and Paris, 20.

The couple was recently seen in December going for a romantic bike ride in Malibu. The duo share two children, Dylan, 24, and Paris, 20.

Pierce has been busy filming his new movie, The King's Daughter, which is set to be released January 21.

He plays the role of King Louis XIV who is hoping to achieve immortality by capturing a mermaid and stealing her life force, but a discovery by his illegitimate daughter threatens to ruin the king's plans.

The co-stars: Starring alongside the Golden Globe nominee is Kaya Scodelario, who stars as the King's daughter in the upcoming movie

Starring alongside the Golden Globe nominee is Kaya Scodelario, Pablo Schreiber, Benjamin Walker, William Hurt, Rachel Griffiths and Fan Bingbing.

The King's daughter is based on Vonda N. McIntyre's 1997 Nebula Award winning novel The Moon and the Sun.

Pierce was also recently signed in October to star in an upcoming movie, Fast Charlie, a hitman thriller directed by Phillip Noyce.
Hailey Bieber showed off her taut midriff as she stepped out for dinner with Euphoria star Alexa Demie on Thursday night.

The 25-year-old model flashed her toned abs in a black turtleneck crop top and black leather pants.

The runway regular beamed as she leaned forward to embrace the actress in front of celeb-loved hotspot Sushi Park in West Hollywood.

Fit: Hailey Bieber showed off her taut midriff as she stepped out for dinner with Euphoria star Alexa Demie on Thursday night

Hailey donned a chic camel-colored trench coat and carried a silver snakeskin crossbody bag.

The Arizona native accessorized with large gold earrings and held a white face mask.

The brunette beauty wore her long locks in a sleek bun at the nape of her neck and sported a mauve lipstick and a rosy blush.

Pals: The runway regular beamed as she leaned forward to embrace the actress in front of celeb-loved hotspot Sushi Park in West Hollywood

Hailey, who tied the knot with 27-year-old pop star Justin Bieber in 2018, is set to debut her beauty and skincare line Rhode later this year.

Alexa bundled up in a mustard yellow shearling robe coat over a high-necked black top.

The Los Angeles native covered her dark brown tresses with a black beret and toted a small black handbag that was decorated with silver eyelet studs.

Stylish: Hailey flashed her toned abs in a black turtleneck crop top and black leather pants

She sported chunky black leather platform combat boots and large glittery silver earrings.

The Waves actress accentuated her pout with a dark lipstick and rocked a deep red manicure.

Alex landed her breakthrough role of high school queen bee Maddie Perez in HBO's Euphoria after starring in Jonah Hills 2018 directorial debut Mid90s.

The edgy teen drama stars Zendaya, who won an Emmy Award for playing series lead Rue Bennett, as well as Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Algee Smith, Colman Domingo and Sydney Sweeney.

Euphoria, which follows a group of teenagers as they grapple with issues including relationships, drugs, sex, violence and abuse, is currently airing its second season.

New project: Hailey, who tied the knot with 27-year-old pop star Justin Bieber in 2018, is set to debut her beauty and skincare line Rhode later this year. Seen in 2020
Fearne Cotton looked stunning as she floated through crystal clear water while wearing a pastel pink feathered dress in an elegant underwater photoshoot.

The television presenter, 40, is surrounded by bubbles in the pictures for the cover shoot of Stylist Magazine this week.

The star reflected on her 'search for contentment' as she chatted to the publication, saying: 'The idea that you need to improve as a person? I cannot align with that at all.

At peace: Fearne Cotton, 40, looked stunning as she floated through crystal clear water while wearing a pastel pink feathered dress in an elegant underwater photoshoot

'The notion of self improvement brings so much pressure.'

In the undershoot, a shoeless Fearne showed off her toned legs and ankle tattoo in the feathered dress which finished above her knee.

The television presented opted for a pink lipstick and glamorous make-up to highlight her pretty facial features for the shoot.

Cover star: The television presenter is surrounded by bubbles in the pictures for the cover shoot of Stylist Magazine this week

Floating away: She moved her arms around her and brushed her hair out of her face as she floated in the pool

The latest issue of Stylist Magazine with Fearne's interview and shoot is out now

Fans of Fearne will be familiar with her inspirational words, with the broadcaster having released a number of books about living in a healthy way both mentally and physically.

Fearne's shoot comes after she and fellow presenter Jake Humphrey branded their former workplace CBBC 'aggressive and catty', claiming there was a battle of egos at the children's broadcaster.

She appeared on the channel and its associated programmes from 2001 before leaving to present Top of the Pops in 2004, with the star claiming the environment left her feeling 'very unhappy'.

According to The Sun, Jake, 43, who begun hosting on CBBC in 2001, said on a podcast: 'CBBC was probably the most competitive and aggressive and sort of catty place.

'Everyone was young. Everybody wanted to be the next big thing.'

Looking back: Fearne's shoot comes after she and fellow presenter Jake Humphrey branded their former workplace CBBC 'aggressive and catty'

He asked Fearne: 'Have you ever known a dressing room with so many tears?'

She responded: 'I used to stay out of it. It was too scary for me.'

The BBC declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.

Jake presented CBBC shows BAMZOOKi, Against All Odds, and Rule The School, and also hosted the channel's coverage of Fame Academy with Holly Willoughby.

Fearne appeared on Eureka TV, Finger Tips with fellow presenter Stephen Mulhern, and Only in America with Reggie Yates.

The latest issue of Stylist Magazine with Fearne's interview and shoot is out now.
Danny Dyer was spotted returning to work on Friday for the first time since announcing he is leaving EastEnders after nine years on the soap.

The actor, 44, drove his black Bentley to the set in London as he prepared to film scenes as Mick Carter.

It comes as Danny was named as one of the front runners to take over the role of Doctor Who from Jodie Whittaker.

Moving on: Danny Dyer was spotted returning to work on Friday for the first time after he was named as one of the front runners to take over the role of Doctor Who from Jodie Whittaker

Show fans are betting on Jodie, 39, being replaced by Danny when she leaves the show this autumn.

Danny sat behind the wheel of his black motor as he drove into the Elstree studios in Hertfordshire.

The screen star cut a casual figure inside his vehicle in a grey jacket while he had a serious look on his face.

Next move? Show fans are betting on Jodie, 39, being replaced by Danny, 44, when she leaves the show this autumn

Screen star: While he announced he was leaving his role as Mick Carter on EastEnders after nine years last week, it was back to work as he arrived for filming in his lavish Bentley today

On a roll: Danny could be seen sat behind the wheel of his black motor as he drove into the Elstree studios in Hertfordshire

Following Danny's announcement he is quitting EastEnders, bookmakers has slashed his odds from 66/1 to 16/ 1.

On how the odds on the next Doctor Who have dramatically changed since his announcement, a spokeswoman for Ladbrokes told The Sun: 'Danny may be not be the archetypal actor to portray the Doctor but that's just why he might be the perfect choice to make a big change on the show.

'He's all the rage with punters and has already said he wants to take on different roles.

'So we could see him swapping The Queen Vic for the Tardis  and we've slashed our odds accordingly.'

Departure: Jodie will leave Doctor Who later this year and following Danny's announcement his is leaving EastEnders, bookmakers has slashed his odds from 66/1 to 16/ 1

Earlier this week, Danny admitted he had wanted to quit EastEnders 'for a while' as he spoke out for the first time since announcing his departure from the soap.

Speaking on his Sorted With The Dyers podcast, he said: 'When you're in a job like a soap your contract comes up for renewal and every time it has they've asked me to stay, and I'm very grateful for that. Because I've seen a lot of people come and go. It's very tough.

'I always debate whether I want to sign again and I've been contemplating a while now about whether it's time to roll the dice, take the leap.

Moving on: The actor is leaving his role as Mick Carter on the BBC series after nine years and said he now wants to try other things

'The big news is I've decided not to renew my contract. That's all. That's not because I've fallen out with anybody, I love everybody. That job has been amazing for me. It's an important part of television.'

The soap star insisted there's no 'big story' behind his departure, other than he wants to try other things.

It comes after Jodie called for another female doctor to take over the role.

She told Radio 1's Vick Hope and Jordan North: 'If we had the power to choose I'm going to pick an actress who I think is really exciting and I think would be phenomenal, an actress called Lydia West. If I had the power!'

Lydia is bookmaker Coral's favourite to replace Jodie at 3-1 odds, while Fisayo Akinade and Omari Douglas (both 5-1) are joint second favourites and Olly Alexander comes next in the betting at 6-
Sofia Vergara sure knows how to leave her Instagram followers breathless before the long MLK weekend.

The Modern Family actress, 49, delighted her fans by sharing a stunning flashback photo where she had on a gold bikini while on the beach in Miami in the 1990s when she worked as a model. At the time, she was in her twenties.

This post comes six months before the Colombian-born diva is set to turn 50-years-old on July 10.

Hot stuff: Sofia Vergara delighted her fans by sharing a stunning flashback photo where she had on a gold bikini while on the beach in Miami in the 1990s when she worked as a model

The beauty showed off her very flattering curves with her sculpted arms, toned legs and abs while making the most of the shiny swimsuit that left little to the imagination.

The Fading Gigolo actress had lighter hair that was more golden blonde than the chocolate brown locks she wears these days.

In her caption she said the image was a throwback to the 90s when she worked in Miami as she added three palm tree emojis.

Paris Hilton and Jessica Alba liked the photo as did her America's Got Talent co-star Heidi Klum. Her AGT co-star Howie Mandel added the comment, 'Haven't changed.'

Ever few months the siren will share an older bikini photo of herself from when she was a pinup supermodel working in Florida. She mostly posed in swimsuits.

Different hair: The Fading Gigolo actress had lighter hair that was more golden blonde than the chocolate brown locks she wears these days

Caliente: In her caption she said the image was a throwback to the 90s when she worked in Miami as she added three palm tree emojis

These days she boasts an incredible career thanks to her time on Modern Family as well as her hosting gig on American's Got Talent.

This post comes a month after she hailed her husband Joe Manganiello 'divine' on his 45th birthday.

The actress - who has been married to the Magic Mike star since 2015 - took to social media to gush over her 'divino husband', which means 'divine' in English, as they celebrated the occasion.

Alongside a throwback photo of the pair, she wrote on Instagram: 'Happy bday to you my divino husband!!! I love you so much!!!'

Fans: Her America's Got Talent co-star Heidi Klum gave her fire emojis in the comment section and her AGT co-star Howie Mandel said, 'Haven't changed'

Following her social media post, Joe also took to Instagram to share snaps from the birthday celebrations, including a meal out at a steak restaurant.

He simply captioned the post with the number '45', but several celebrities were quick to send their best wishes to the star.

Podcast host Dan Telfer wished Joe a happy birthday in a message which also featured a dragon emoji, whilst 52-year-old photographer John Russo joked in the comments: 'joeeeeee! Catching up.'

Meanwhile, earlier this year a judge has ruled in favour of Sofia in her long-running dispute with her former partner over frozen embryos.

Her true love: This post comes a month after she hailed her husband Joe Manganiello 'divine' on his 45th birthday

They just work: The actress - who has been married to the Magic Mike star since 2015 - took to social media to gush over her 'divino husband', which means 'divine' in English, as they celebrated the occasion

The actress and Nick Loeb ended their engagement in May 2014, the year after they underwent in vitro fertilizations treatment together, and shortly after their split, the businessman had sought to gain full custody of the fertilized eggs to have them implanted in a surrogate.

In 2017, Sofia - who has an adult son named Manolo from a previous relationship - filed legal documents in an attempt to block Nick from being able to use the embryos without her written consent and in March, a court agreed to grant her a permanent injunction which would stop her former partner from being able to use the fertilised eggs to 'create a without the explicit written permission of the other person.'

Nick, 46, accused the judge of being 'influenced by Hollywood' when making the ruling.

He said in a statement: '[The judge] was clearly influenced by Hollywood, which is a pattern I expose in my upcoming film Roe v. Wade. It's sad that Sofia, a devout Catholic, would intentionally create babies just to kill them.'

Another dazzling shot: Vergara still has a sensational figure as seen here in this December post

According to court records, the former couple had signed a document at the fertility clinic where they were treated which stated both parties had to agree in order to do anything with the embryos.

Although Nick had argued he signed the form under 'duress', the court ruled that the 'Form Directive is not void or voidable based on Defendant Loeb's duress defense as to its execution.' The judge also found there was no 'material fact' supporting his previous claim that he and

Sofia had an 'oral agreement' that would allow him to implant the embryos in a surrogate to be born.

As well as the dispute in California, Nick had also attempted to gain custody of the embryos in Louisiana, having created a trust in the state to give the embryos legal status. However, in January, the court sided with the 'Hot Pursuit' star and dismissed the lawsuit seeking to obtain custody of the pre-embryos. At the time, an attorney for the businessman said they would be appealing the case to the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Ozark actress Julia Garner is giving Anna Chlumsky a run for her money as manipulative faux heiress Anna Delvey in the new trailer for the Netflix limited series, Inventing Anna.

Garner, 27, helps unravel the truly bizarre, ripped from the headlines story of Anna Delvey (or Anna Sorokin), a scamming socialite who swindled millions by pretending to be a high born German millionaire.

'This whole story is completely true. Except for all of the parts that are totally made up,' quips a title card in the new trailer.

Swindler: Ozark actress Julia Garner is giving Anna Chlumsky a run for her money as manipulative faux heiress Anna Delvey in the new trailer for the Netflix limited series, Inventing Anna

'I might have a story,' begins Chlumsky, who plays journalist Vivian. 'Her name is Anna Delvey, or Anna Sorokin, no one's sure. She's either a rich German heiress, or she's flat broke.'

The nine-episode saga of Inventing Anna is based on the true story of Anna Sorokin, AKA Delvey.

The new series from Shonda Rhimes will lay bare the twisted tale of Delvey's many frauds, grifts and deceptions perpetrated between 2013 - 2017, which ultimately landed the twenty-something behind bars.

'Anna committed real white-collar felonies while posing as a socialite in an attempt to steal millions of dollars,' a prosecutor is heard telling the court during Anna's trial, which will be covered in the series.

'I might have a story,' begins Chlumsky, who plays journalist Vivian. 'Her name is Anna Delvey, or Anna Sorokin, no one's sure. She's either a rich German heiress, or she's flat broke.'

Based on a true story: Garner, 27, helps unravel the truly bizarre, ripped from the headlines story of Anna Delvey (or Anna Sorokin), a scamming socialite who swindled millions by pretending to be a high born German millionaire

Faker! The new series from Shonda Rhimes will lay bare the twisted tale of Delvey's many frauds, grifts and deceptions perpetrated between 2013 - 2017, which ultimately landed the twenty-something behind bars

Delvey/Sorokin's chicanery is told through her jailhouse interviews with Vivian, which begin on an awkward foot.

After the reporter tells her subject she just wants to ask her 'some questions', an aloof Delvey quips in accented English: 'I have a question. What are you wearing? You look poor.'

'I hear I'm famous,' Garner says. 'People are painting a public picture of me as a criminal. That's not my story.'

'Anna committed real white-collar felonies while posing as a socialite in an attempt to steal millions of dollars,' a prosecutor is heard telling the court during Anna's trial, which will be covered in the series.

After the reporter tells her subject she just wants to ask her 'some questions', an aloof Delvey quips in accented English: 'I have a question. What are you wearing? You look poor.'

'I hear I'm famous,' Garner says. 'People are painting a public picture of me as a criminal. That's not my story.'

The fraudster is described in the trailer as 'everything that is wrong with America right now' and a nobody who came to the U.S. with 'no rich parents, no connections'.

She managed to 'fake it till you make it' and ended up bilking banks out of $40million in a massive loan to fund the creation of an ultra-VIP private club. At another point in the trailer it's declared that 'Anna stole a jet!'.

'You have to work hard to get what you want. I've always known that,' Anna says from jail.

Her outlandish cons had many real world consequences for the people who found themselves with the misfortune of getting swept up into her orbit.

The fraudster is described in the trailer as 'everything that is wrong with America right now' and a nobody who came to the U.S. with 'no rich parents, no connections'

What's the truth? She managed to 'fake it till you make it' and ended up bilking banks out of $40million in a massive loan to fund the creation of an ultra-VIP private club. At another point in the trailer it's declared that 'Anna stole a jet!'

'You have to work hard to get what you want. I've always known that,' Anna says from jail

'I realized the clues were there all along,' Laverne Cox says sadly.

While actress Katie Lowes, cries over the thousands of charges her supposedly well-heeled friend racked up on her credit cards.

'Give me back that money, please,' she pleads, only to be met with an unperturbed glare from Anna: 'Why are you being like this? So dramatic.'

The trailer ends with a frenzied Garner exclaiming: 'Anna Delvey is a masterpiece b***hes ...'

Deception: Sorokin, who was convicted in 2019, was accused of taking out fake loans and of asking friends to cover her expenses before failing to pay them back; seen in court in 2019

Sorokin, a Russian immigrant from a working-class background who moved to Germany with her family as a teen, initially began using the invented surname Delvey after moving to Paris to work at a fashion magazine.

She kept the name when she moved to the United States and reinvented herself as a German heiress, who adopted a life of luxury sustained by fraudulent loan requests.

One of Sorokin's traveling companions, Rachel DeLoache Williams, revealed in Vanity Fair in 2018 how her fake friend convinced her to put a $62,000 bill on her credit card, plus other expenses.

She claimed to Williams that she would wire the money to her once they were back home, but it never materialized.

High society: Sorokin, a Russian immigrant from a working-class background who moved to Germany with her family as a teen, would also use her well-heeled friends for money by taking them on trips on her dime, before asking them to pay. Above Delvay is seen with (L-R) Giudo Cacciatori, Gro Curtis, and Giorgia Tordini at the first Tumblr Fashion Honor in 2014

Sorokin was indicted in 2017 and convicted in 2019 of eight charges, including second-degree grand larceny, attempted grand larceny, and theft of services, though the jury reached a not guilty verdict on the larceny charge for failing to pay back Williams.

The convicted fraudster was released from prison in February of 2021, only to be taken into custody by Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying her visa.

Along with Garner and Chlumsky, Inventing Anna features Laverne Cox, Katie Lowes, Alexis Floyd, and Anders Holm.

Inventing Anna comes out February 11 2022.
So-called '5G risk' a US pretext to suppress China: FM

By Zhang Jian (People's Daily App) 08:56, January 14, 2022

China said Thursday that the so-called "risk posed by 5G technology" was just a pretext the US used to suppress China.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

Vince Cable, former UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, said Monday that the UK government's decision to ban Huawei 5G equipment and services "had nothing to do with national security," and was because of American pressure.

"This is further evidence that 'national security' and the so-called 'risk posed by 5G technology' is just a pretext the US uses to suppress China's hi-tech companies," Wang said. "The US Clean Network is synonymous with its coercive diplomacy."

US bullying practice would be met by more boycotts and opposition from the international community, Wang said.

"From Toshiba to Alstom, Huawei, Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, victims of the US' coercive diplomacy can be found all across the globe," said Wang.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
A liquefied natural gas carrier vessel built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Korea Times file



By Lee Kyung-min



Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), the holding company of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), said Friday that it has not ruled out legal measures to protest the veto of the European Union antitrust regulator a day earlier against its acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME).



"We are having internal discussions on whether we should seek legal remedies to challenge the veto," an official from the holding firm said.



"We cannot say at this point that we have firmly decided on the next course of action, but what we can say for sure is that we have not ruled anything out. Specifics will be outlined immediately after we receive the EU regulator's ruling which we consider unreasonable and regretful."



The comment came hours after the European Commission blocked the holding firm's proposed acquisition of the Daewoo subsidiary, claiming the deal could lead to a monopoly in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier market.



"The merger would have created a dominant position by the newly merged company and reduced competition in the worldwide market for the construction of large LNG carriers," the commission said in a statement.



"Given that no remedies were submitted, the merger would have led to fewer suppliers and higher prices for large vessels transporting LNG. This is why we prohibited the merger," European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager said in the statement.



The EU regulator said the deal would have led to up to a combined 60 percent market share by the two shipbuilders in the LNG ship market.



Korea's big three shipbuilders  subsidiaries belonging to Samsung, Hyundai and Daewoo  won 68 of 78 LNG carrier orders in the global market last year. Excluding Samsung, 70 percent of the global total was manufactured by the Hyundai and Daewoo units.



Despite the holding firm's efforts, the deal is almost certain to fall through, as indicated by the announcement of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) on the closure of its review of the deal between Hyundai Heavy and DSME.



The FTC was scheduled to deliberate on the review at a full-panel meeting, but the EU regulator's veto rendered the FTC's judgment moot.



"The two firms are unable to continue with the deal, due to the EU's veto the previous day," Korea's antitrust regulator said. "Since KSOE submitted a withdrawal request, the screening process will be terminated immediately in accordance with procedural rules."



The EU's decision has drawn special attention as it came after the deal was approved earlier by authorities in other countries including China, Singapore and Kazakhstan.



Meanwhile, the failed acquisition poses a major headache to Korea Development Bank, the latest shareholder with a 55.7 percent stake in DSME, since the three-year efforts to sell off the shipbuilder are ending up in failure.



Some market watchers say DSME could face a liquidity crisis, despite its advance orders in the amount of $10.8 billion (12.8 trillion won) won last year, exceeding its previous target of $7.7 billion by 40 percent.



They say Daewoo's creditors led by the state lender may have to spend taxpayers' money, in addition to 13 trillion won pumped in over the past 20 years, up to three years before the orders fully translate into annual sales of the firm.


On May 12, the UW Board of Regents (BOR) will hear recommendations and comments on divesting from fossil fuels, according to Peter Fink, lead organizer for the Institutional Climate Action (ICA).
DARIEN  Over 1,000 people have signed a petition to cancel midterms at Darien High School, with students expressing frustration with the current testing policy and asking the administration for leniency as COVID-19 cases surge.

Students say they are under the same amount of stress and uncertainty as they were in the early days of the pandemic  in some cases, even more, as the highly-contagious omicron variant has forced several hundred students online in an echo of spring 2020.

The administration likes to talk about how we are a Blue Wave family, yet they continue to ignore the health and well-being of their students, said senior Tripp Lyons, who started the petition to cancel midterms via Change.org. As of Thursday night, about 1,500 people had signed onto the petition. This petition is not just because we dont like midterms or because we are too lazy to study. ... We are concerned that the current challenges that we face on a daily basis are going to impact our ability to perform to the highest standards.

This is the first time that the school will hold midterm exams since January 2020. The exams were originally scheduled for Jan. 12, but school officials decided to postpone testing in a concession to student concerns and as a result of weather-related school closures last week.

However, tests are still scheduled to run from Jan. 19 onward.

We believe, as a school community, that midterm exams are opportunities for our students to answer questions that require a sophisticated understanding of the overarching themes within our disciplines, make connections, and communicate their thinking in a variety of ways, Principal Ellen Dunn wrote in a Jan. 5 communication to students. These exams mirror the experiences that our students will have in their post high school educational settings. Given the limited opportunities they have had for these experiences in recent years, we believe the exam period also serves as important preparation.

Lyons said he and a group of fellow students have been discussing the situation with school officials for days, asking them to reconsider their decision to hold midterms.

He said students who are sick or quarantining are at a disadvantage, as they will not have access to remote midterms and will instead have to take the tests within a narrow time limit upon returning to school.

What Darien High School is asking kids to do is to first get over a COVID infection, then cram material that has been taught over a period of five months, and then make up midterms when they come back, Lyons said.

Lyons also pointed to nearby school districts that have done away with formal midterms this year, like Stamford and New Canaan.

In nearby Weston, a group of students also created an online petition after high school administrators announced the school would have midterms starting next week. Like in Darien, the petition pointed to the stress on students and the number of students who are unable to be in school because they tested positive and are in isolation or are a close contact to a positive case and are quarantining.

Given that Dariens midterms are still scheduled, Lyons said students are now asking the administration for a structural reform of exams, with students allowed to either use their notes or work on projects in substitution of formal exams.

Lyons said he also suggested optional exams, which would give students the chance to see their grades before deciding if they want tests to count toward their final class score.

Sophomore Jack Calve said, anecdotally, he knows around 15 students that are out of school right now for COVID-related reasons.

Its unnecessary stress, Calve said. Many of us are thinking about the students who have COVID-19 or are in quarantine right now. And rather than resting like they should be, theyre being forced into studying all night and pulling all-nighters to figure out this material that they have to learn.

Students also said because of the confusion, many teachers conveyed to their classes that midterms might not proceed as scheduled after the break, leaving students scrambling when the administration announced testing would continue.

Superintendent Alan Addley said officials have made modifications in response to student concerns, such as lowering the weight of midterm scores to count for only 10 percent of their final grade.

The high school administration and faculty are very sensitive to the kids needs, and indeed throughout the pandemic have made adjustments along the way, Addley said. We have been in school and exams play a role in school, as long as its done thoughtfully and respectfully.




LG Energy Solution Ltd. (LGES) is expected to raise 12.75 trillion won ($10.7 billion) this month in what will be Korea's largest-ever initial public offering (IPO).







South Korean battery maker said in a regulatory filing Friday it set the IPO price at 300,000 won per share, the top end of a 275,000 won to 300,000 won range it initially offered.







The blockbuster listing, set for Jan. 27, will mark the biggest ever market debut by a company in the country, more than double the value of Samsung Life Insurance Co.'s 2010 IPO of 4.89 trillion won, the largest to date.







The IPO will value LGES at 70.2 trillion won, making it the third-largest listed company on the main KOSPI stock exchange, behind two South Korean tech bellwethers  Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.







LGES is offering 34 million new shares and 8.5 million existing shares held by parent firm LG Chem in the IPO.







In the two-day book building conducted earlier this week, institutional investors placed bids worth 1,520 trillion won, LGES said in a press release. According to Friday's filing, the competition ratio for the book building was 2,023.37 to 1.







Of the collected bids, 77.4 percent of the investors agreed to a lock-up, which bans them from selling off any allotted shares for up to six months after the IPO.







LGES, the world's second-largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer after China's CATL, said in regulatory documents it plans to spend 8.84 trillion won to boost domestic and overseas production.







The company said its joint venture with General Motors operates a plant in Michigan and it is building two others in Ohio and Tennessee. Its European plant is based in the Polish city of Wroclaw.







The battery maker also has partnered with global carmaker Stellantis N.V. to build a battery plant in North America.







LGES CEO Kwon Young-soo said in a press conference this week his company could overtake CATL in global market share, citing its strength in intellectual properties and the diversity of its foreign client pool.







The company, whose key clients include Volkswagen, Tesla and Hyundai Motor, has a cumulative order backlog worth about 260 trillion won. (Yonhap)


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Though the investment pact is just a memorandum of understanding right now, it outlines the scope of chairman Mukesh Ambani's green ambitions.  DC Image

Mumbai: Reliance Industries has signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat for investment of Rs 5.95 lakh crore ($81 billion) in green energy and other projects in the state. This is far higher than the Rs 75,000-crore ($10 billion) investment the company had announced in June last year in the new energy business.

In the latest commitment, about Rs 5 lakh crore would be used over the next 15 years to build 100 gigawatts of renewable power projects and a green hydrogen network while Rs 60,000 crore will be for factories making solar modules, hydrogen electrolyzers, fuel cells and storage batteries, a regulatory filing by the company said.

The remaining sum is to be spent in the group's new and existing projects, including the upgrade of its telecom network for 5G services and expansion of its consumer retail businesses. Reliance has already "started the process of scouting land" for its renewable energy power projects and has requested the Gujarat administration for 450,000 acres (182,110 hectares) in the arid Kutch region.

Though the investment pact is just a memorandum of understanding right now, it outlines the scope of chairman Mukesh Ambani's green ambitions. These projects will boost Reliance's target to make its operations carbon neutral by 2035 an ambitious target for a company that derived 60 per cent of its revenue from oil refining and petrochemicals.

The announcement follows Gautam Adani-led conglomerate's pact with South Korean steel giant Posco to explore business opportunities in the country, including setting up a green steel mill in Gujarat, with a potential investment of $5 billion. Adani has committed to invest a total of $70 billion by 2030 across its green energy value chain.
Vijayawada: At a time when the Tollywood industry is miffed with AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on matters related to movie-ticket pricing, Chiru meeting the former couldnt have gone unnoticed.

Further, after meeting the AP CM, Chiranjeevi expressed happiness with the way Jagan has responded to the predicaments of the film industry.

This meeting is a great sign of good things to come; I shall now discuss with the respective heads of various sectors (producers, distributors, and exhibitors) and come up with a compressive draft to again meet the Chief Minister," said Chiranjeevi, who added that Jagan has assured that a decision that pleases all the stakeholders will be taken soon.

However, some of the industry big-wigs are wondering how Chiranjeevi could go alone to represent Tollywood. They feel others should have been included too.

On his part, Chiranjeevi clarified that he met the CM as a member of Tollywood and not as a leader of the industry. It is learnt that Chiru was trying to get Jagans appointment for a long time to discuss problems related to the film industry.

Finally, he got it through Nagarjuna on Thursday.

FILM CHAMBER UNAWARE OF CHIRU MEET

Chiru recently said he doesnt want to be the industry pedda (father figure to the industry) but hes ready to help when it comes to protecting the interest of film workers and the fraternity. Regarding this meeting, Chiru claimed he went to meet AP CM Jagan on the latters request and as a member of the film fraternity.

Saying the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) was unaware of this development, the TFCC Vice-President Mutyala Ramadoss, states, We dont have any official information with regard to Chiranjeevi garus meeting with Jagan garu. Perhaps he may have met him in his personal capacity.

When asked why the industry has been divided, he replies, Industry is a mix of people from various cultures and religions, but its only the art that unites people. There may be contrasting perceptions between two individuals or between people from different crafts. However, when it comes to issue-based aspects, we always go with the decision that benefits the industry.

NO ONE IS BIGGER THAN THE ORGANISATION

Producers Council secretary Prasanna Kumar describes Chirus meeting with Jagan as his personal meet, stating that no individual is bigger than the organisation. People may come and go but the organisa- tions remain permanent, he adds.

Even the likes of NTR, ANR, Krishna, etc., never said that they were industry pedda. Its not a nominated position. The industry sees one as a go-to man based on the kind of approach one employs, explains Prasanna Kumar, adding that its only the producers whore aware of the industry problems as they deal with all sectors of people.

PAWAN STARTED THE FIGHT WITH AP GOVT

For the uninitiated, the problem exploded in September 2020 with Chirus actor-brother, and Jena Sena Party Chief, Pawan Kalyan who criticised AP Governments order to drastically slash movie-ticket prices. Pawan went to the extent of warning the Jagan-led Government not to interfere in the film industry. Soon after, there were reports that Chiru was unhappy with Pawans comments on the AP Government.

Ever since, the gap between the film industry and AP Government has widened, with people from both sides taking potshots.

Chiranjeevi, in the meanwhile, has been lapping up any opportunity to meet YS Jaganone-on-one despite claiming that he doesnt want to be an industry pedda!
Taking cue from DGP M. Mahendar Reddy advice, the universities are to opt for a digital lock system for QR codes or have identification marks in digital mode on the certificates to detect the fake ones.  DC Image

Hyderabad: In their bid to end the menace of fake educational certificates, and its racket, the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) will coordinate with the state police to develop a new technology while working with the national academic depository through a digital lock system for downloading original certificates.

Telangana police, which extensively uses several technologies for regular policing, will assist the state-run varsities to ensure that students do not fall for the fake certificates trap and they would possess only genuine certificates.

TSCHE officials recently conducted a joint meeting of all vice-chancellors and the DGP, M Mahendar Reddy. On top of the agenda was the worrisome increase of fake educational certificates.

The DGP brought to the fore the specific vulnerable areas and how the negligent attitude of some educational institutions was helping large-scale supply of fake certificates. To prevent such activities, the universities must opt for a technology that can create certificates in a new format and which can be digitally downloaded, he adviced them.

Taking cue from Reddys advice, the universities are to opt for a digital lock system for QR codes or have identification marks in digital mode on the certificates to detect the fake ones.

Thousands of genuine students have lost opportunities due to the overwhelming number of students carrying fake certificates. The racket is operated by a syndicate that includes agents who arrange for fake or forged educational certificates against huge amounts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with chief ministers over the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country via video conferencing, in New Delhi. (PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation in the country amid a surge in coronavirus cases due to its Omicron variant.

The interaction has been held via video-conferencing.

The meeting came on a day India logged 2,47,417 new infections, the highest in 236 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,63,17,927, which included 5,488 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also attended the meeting.

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 had said that a meeting with the chief ministers be convened to discuss state-specific scenarios, best practices and the public health response.
The High Court of Karnataka today heard PILs seeking directions to the state government not to allow rallies, dharnas and to restrain Mekedatu padayatra organised by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. (PTI Photo)

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the state government to execute the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued on January 4 in all districts in view of the COVID-19-19 pandemic and added that no rallies, dharnas or any other political gathering shall be permitted in the entire state, till the SOP is in operation.

The High Court of Karnataka today heard PILs seeking directions to the state government not to allow rallies, dharnas and to restrain Mekedatu padayatra organised by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindaraj heard the matter.

Senior counsel Uday Holla appeared for respondent KPCC. Learned counsel informed the bench that the padayatra has been suspended, respecting the Courts observation.

The division bench asked for the decision of the government. On behalf of the government, the Additional advocate General appeared before the Court and made his submission that the government has issued notice to respondent and the government took all steps to ensure that padayatra is not taken out.

High Court said that the government has banned only this particular padayatra program but the respondent stand is that it's been temporarily suspended. Senior counsel Uday Holla informed the Court, if the pandemic situation and number of cases fall down, we should be allowed to carry out padayatra and not completely ban it.

HC said that since the submission made by the Assistant Advocate General (AAG), Counsel for the petitioner and Senior counsel for the respondent KPCC. In view of guidelines issued prohibiting padayatra, respondents suspended their padayatra by themselves. The purpose for which the writ petition filed does not exist, Court said.

Following this, the High Court directed the state government to strictly execute the Standard Operating Procedures issued on January 4 in districts of Karnataka. "No rallies, dharnas, any other political rally will be permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic and so long as the SOPs issued by the government of Karnataka is operational," the order informed.

Karnataka Congress on Thursday decided to postpone the Mekedatu Padayatra due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Addressing media persons, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, "Karnataka Congress has decided to suspend Mekedatu Padayatra with immediate effect in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation."

"Once the number of COVID-19 cases comes down, we will start the padayatra again from Ramanagara which will continue for seven days," he said.

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.






North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, looks at monitors during the launch of a missile, Jan. 11, in this photo provided by the North Korean government. The North warned Friday it will have to take a "stronger and certain reaction" after the United States slapped new sanctions on individuals there after recent missile launches. AP-Yonhap



North Korea warned Friday it will have to take a "stronger and certain reaction" after the United States slapped new sanctions over Pyongyang's recent missile launches.



In a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, a spokesperson for the North's foreign ministry said the recent launch of what it claims to be a hypersonic missile was an "exercise of right to self-defense."






Plans for visiting native villages this Sankranti have been dropped by many this time due to rising Covid19 cases. (PTI file photo)

Visakhapatnam: Plans for visiting native villages this Sankranti have been dropped by many this time due to rising Covid19 cases. This is evident also from the reduction in number of requests made by residents with the City Police for the virtual house guarding facility  or Locked Homes Monitoring Facility(LHMS).

Only 18 requests have come in this time against 81 during this season last year, police said.

The LHMS app managed by AP Police can be downloaded from the Play Store. The public can register their names and schedule of travel. The central monitoring system of the police directs the nearest police station to install the temporary CCTV system at the house.

If any suspicious crime including the house-break-in happens, the police get to see it on their screens and immediately send a team to the locality to nab the offenders.

Additional Commissioner of Police (central crime station) Shravan Kumar said, The service is open till end of the festival season.

An HPCL Visakh Refinery employee said, We have dropped our Sankranti festival plan this year. Our company also facilitated a village model for people like us. Nearly 60 per cent of the 1,200 regular employees at our company dropped their Sankranti travel plans. Safeguarding the health is important. We hope this pandemic ends with this festival.

City police commissioner Manish Kumar Meena recently said 806 theft cases were reported in 2021. The rate of recovery (of stolen valuables) was 58 per cent. Property worth Rs 6.49 crore had been lost, of which items worth Rs 3.73 crore was recovered.

Cases of housebreaks (both day and night) totalled 181 last year.

The police have nearly 100 CCTVs in its command. If the number of complaints increases, the police can procure more cameras to cover all the registered complaints under the LHMS, said a senior cop at MVP police station.
West Godavari: Four people were killed on the spot while three persons were seriously injured after a 14-tier lorry carrying fish overturned at Tadepalligudem in Andhra Pradesh on Friday morning, Circle Inspector, informed Thadepalligudem Police Station Ravi Kumar Veera.

"A fatal road accident took place at Thadepalligudem in the early hours of the morning, in which at least four died, three injured and seven more rescued. The 14-tier heavy lorry carrying the load of fish lost control and overturned, allegedly due to negligence of the driver," Veera told ANI.

The injured were rushed to Tadepalligudem Area Hospital by locals. Police, with the help of locals, carried out relief operations.

The Circle Inspector said, "the lorry was going to Narayanapuram near Tadepalligudem from Duvvada in Visakhapatnam district. The incident happened around 6 am on Friday. On the lorry, a total of 14 people were travelling including one driver and other workers. He said that the driver and others who were there in the cabin got safe while the dead persons and the injured ones were on the truck".

"The police has booked a case on the driver, but the details need to be established and investigation in progress," he said.

He added, "once they complete the medical procedure, then they will investigate further details. Police saved the lives of at least 10 people".
Khammam: Nearly 380 junior panchayat raj secretaries (JPRS) working on an outsourcing basis have been removed by the state government to make it easier to post regular employees during the district cadre allocation.

The government had recruited 9,350 JPRS by conducting an elgibility test in 2018. About 900 of them left the job due to various reasons, and the government filled up the posts in 2019.

The JPRS, who were taken as an outsourcing system, were promised that their services would be regularised over time. They are paid Rs 15,000 as salary per month. The salaries were paid through the treasury at the initial stage and through the contracting agency in the later stages.

These JPRS began lobbying with the collectors over the last two years to regularise their services. Interestingly, a few of them were indeed regularised.

After several promises that their services would be regularised in phases, they were suddenly removed from services five days ago and were informed by oral orders by the district panchayat officer. They have been replaced by senior JPRS coming from other districts.

About 26 JPRS in Khammam district and 38 in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district have been removed from service. The sacked personnel are approaching officials to ask about the sudden termination.

B Nagaraju, junior panchayat raj secretary of Chinnamallela under Vemsoor mandal, said, Officials informed us that the government took the decision and that they have no role. The officials expressed sympathy at the injustice done to us. We are trying to approach court.

He said that he had joined as JPRS after leaving his job as a guest lecturer in a government college in Sattupalli.

Imam, JPS of Thallampadu under Khammam Rural mandal, said that they were in dark with regard to their future.

Anil, JPS of Kamalapuram under Karepalli mandal and Swarlatha of Guravaigudem in Raghunathapalem mandal, were among them who lost their jobs. There are 78 JPRS in Nizamabad, 25 in Sangareddy and sixteen from Hanumakonda districts who have also lost their jobs.
Though none of the leaders who have quit the BJP have so far officially joined the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party. (Twitter)

New Delhi: A third OBC minister, Dharam Singh Saini, on Thursday resigned from the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, as Sikohabad MLA Mukesh Varma too walked out of the saffron party. OBC leaders Swami Prasad Maurya and Dara Singh Chauhan had earlier quit the Yogi Adityanath Cabinet on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Though none of the leaders who have quit the BJP have so far officially joined the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party, the SP chief tweeted a picture of himself with Saini, who claimed that one minister and one MLA each from the BJP will quit each day till January 20.

The BJP has claimed that most of the leaders who have quit the party fold were being denied tickets for the upcoming Assembly polls. While most of the leaders who have quit belong to the OBC caste, the BJP has claimed that it is the only outfit that has given maximum representation to them while in power in UP.

Those denied tickets by the double engine train are being given tickets by the damaged vehicle of Tipu Sultan in black, BJP UP chief Swatantra Dev Singh tweeted.

However, there is growing resentment within the SP over the thok main entry (entry in bulk) of outsiders as it will dent the chances of many in the party to get tickets.

Meanwhile, the first meeting of the BJPs central election committee (CEC) for the coming polls in five states met at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Had a very fruitful discussion regarding candidates for 172 Assembly seats (in Uttar Pradesh). We are hopeful of registering a glorious victory in the 2022 Assembly elections, said UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who was present at the meeting. Union ministers Amit Shah, Anurag Thakur and Dharmendra Pradhan and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended the meeting attended virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president J.P. Nadda and defence minister Rajnath Singh.

The party will release the list of candidates soon.

Elections for 403 Assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10.

The BJP, sources said, also finalised the seat-sharing formula with its key allies in UP -- Apna Dal(S) and Nishad Party. Both allies will contest more seats than they did in the last Assembly polls, but some of their candidates will now contest on the BJPs poll symbol. Not just the BJP, two MLAs of its ally Apna Dal(S) -- R.K. Varma and Chaudhary Amar Singh -- have also quit.
Besides the traditional internal security hotspots like Kashmir and the Northeast, we need to dwell briefly on other places where attention does not travel easily. (Photo:PTI)

With the run-up to the Assembly elections in five states underway and the external security environment being taken up by the dynamics of US-Russia-Europe, Afghanistan and Central Asia, the focus on Indias internal security in 2022 and immediately beyond has not received the full attention that it usually gets at the beginning of each year. Its a phenomenon that is necessary to keep in sight because otherwise things have a nasty habit of appearing on the scene without any form of pre-warning  remember the agitations of 2020-21. We are passing through an era in which information is emerging as the main weapon to instigate the street. Our neighbours too have always fully understood that Indias strengths lie at its borders; so why only challenge it there? If they have to, they can do so deep within the nation where the fault lines and cleavages exist aplenty. Their strategy mostly is to embroil every region of the nation in turmoil through internecine differences triggered by rumour and information twists, with fractious politics becoming a weapon in itself.

Before looking at the traditional hotspots and their likely status in 2022 and beyond, it is important to understand a few facts about the coming period.

First, it may hopefully see the last of the Covid-19 pandemic waves and a return nearer to normal. Even while the economy improves, there are segments of society which have badly suffered; the unorganised sector in particular. Aspirations have taken a beating due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

All this has an adverse effect on the psyche of any society, especially one which has people living on the margins at most times. We cannot forget the caste-based agitation in Haryana in 2015. Crores of rupees worth of property was burnt down by angry mobs from deprived sections of society in just three days. Unpredictability in the internal environment can spell havoc.

With networks far easier to establish and communications faster and more reliable, instability spreads many times quicker. The second area of concern is that by the time the Assembly elections are over in March 2022, India will be entering the last two years phase of the government at the Centre. This is a period when jostling for political space begins, ethics start taking a backseat, political parties get bolder and risk-taking is of a higher order.

Divisiveness or combinations to garner regional strengths occur. The potential of some of these factors being exploited by external players is always live. Its necessary to remember that agitation is the mode most used for grey zone attacks on the internal security of a nation.

Besides the traditional internal security hotspots like Kashmir and the Northeast, we need to dwell briefly on other places where attention does not travel easily. Southern India, largely peaceful and having more than its share of natural disasters through 2021, needs to remember that the networks of some radical outfits, financed and controlled externally, lie within some of the prominent states of the South. This became evident during the April 18, 2019 terror attacks in Sri Lanka, claimed by the ISIS. The footprint of terror financing and ideological radicalism lies in some of the larger cities of southern India, such as Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Chennai, not forgetting Hyderabad too. Communal instigation drives clandestine movements, which can be extremely dangerous.

Among the states of the Northeast, major issues exist in Nagaland and Manipur, where the re-triggering of insurgencies is always the intent of anti-national elements. Although the ceasefire holds with the Naga groups, including the Niki Sumi group of NSCN(K), there has been very little positive movement beyond the Framework Agreement of 2015. The ceasefire is for one year and will come up for renewal with the backdrop of AFSPA sensitivity.

The recent incident of mistaken identity killings in Mon district in Nagaland by a sub-unit of the Army has set back relations even with civil society.

AFSPA is now becoming a millstone and if it is removed or re-enacted for the Northeast region, it will trigger demands for Kashmir, where the proxy war situation is far more intense. While no major surge in violence or instability of other kinds is expected, sporadic violent acts will probably continue. Its important to ensure that external players do not attempt to cultivate influence. The instability at the Line of Actual Control, for instance, should not result in China enhancing its stakes in proxy support here.

The Red Corridor has largely been stabilised although there exist pockets which need to be neutralised. The Naxalite leadership is not known to be as effective as in the past and the armed police forces have done well to establish their domination. The problem here is that of the proverbial big act which pushes back the graph, and that is something the political and security leadership has to guard against.

Punjab threatens to become a continuum of Kashmir. That is the intent of Pakistan, which now appears confident of handling J&K, Punjab and Afghanistan, all at once. Networks which probably exist from the past may attempt to revitalise. While fractious politics also play a role here, the external support includes but goes well beyond Pakistan to the west. The sub-region we need to be careful about is the Ravi belt, Gurdaspur to Samba, well known for the Pathankot airbase attack and a series of other attempts at infiltration seven to eight years ago.

Jammu and Kashmir appears to be under control from a security point of view, notwithstanding the number of terrorists killed in the numerous encounters towards the end of 2021 and the number of local youth recruited to terrorists ranks. It awaits political activity to resume, which will indicate how successful the efforts at integration have been. One should not expect any major change in thinking, although some serious efforts at outreach have been undertaken.

These efforts will take a fair time to manifest and lack of early success should never disappoint pragmatists. Expect low-level violence with sporadic surges to take place. Big-ticket acts such as Pulwama are unlikely although Pakistan could be expected to take more risks now that the Chinese presence in Ladakh is more pronounced and Pakistan is also guiding the Chinese interests in Afghanistan.

The serious student of Indias internal security challenges should mainly be looking at the unfolding social dynamics, involving both the impact of the pandemic and the effect of the fractious political scene that can also offer opportunities for external forces to weaken Indias internal fabric.
As the world gears up for what experts call the endemic phase of Covid-19, India Inc is leaving no stone unturned to prepare its denizens for the future.

Companies across the board are doing everything possible to retain their employees, keep them safe and meet their own productivity targets, according to a DH survey.

They are getting their employees tested on company dime, moving to a hybrid work culture, restricting business travel, promoting virtual events, creating infrastructure to monitor employee health in real time, developing apps to ensure social distancing in offices and even providing doctors-on-call services.

Some firms are allowing their staff to work from anywhere, paying for employee vaccination and offering paid leave to those who test Covid-19 positive.

Some of these measures may not go away any time soon, human resource experts said.

HR practices around the hybrid work model, employee well-being, digital clinic for employees, virtual replacing physical especially for town halls, business travels and company events are some practices that are here to stay, and will continue well into 2022, said Munish Kumar, the chief executive of the Quess Corp arm that caters to the staffing needs of the healthcare industry.

Pandemic-induced changes

HR practices are evolving in new-age companies and established firms alike, DH found.

E-bike startup Yulu allowed its employees to work from home since the Omicron threat became real. IT services firm Wipro Ltd said on January 12 that it would close all of its global offices for four weeks due to the latest Covid-19 wave. Larger rival Infosys Ltd has been promoting a hybrid work model.

We are very flexible about it, Infosys CEO Salil Parekh said.

Drugmaker AstraZenecas India arm has resumed its work-from-home policy for most employees.

"While we have moved to working from home, those who need to be present at the factories have the facility of a Covid test. That will help us detect and immediately isolate those people," said Dr Anil Kukreja, VP of Medical Affairs and Regulatory at AstraZeneca India.

Some others such as TVS Motor Company, which makes motorcycles, scooters and three-wheelers, are following a hybrid model and finding new ways to stay on top of employee health changes.

"The company has an ongoing roster attendance system that encourages all support functions to work from home and create better distancing measures for the manufacturing staff. We also encourage and recommend our employees for self-testing as per our company doctors recommendation regularly for the overall well-being of our staff, TVS said in an email to DH.

Biocon Ltd, which offers regular RT-PCR tests to its employees, has adopted extra measures to keep them safe.

"With respect to travel, it is currently restricted to only critical travel and is in strict compliance with the travel advisory issued by the government from time to time. Large gatherings and events are limited to virtual meetings only. We had to ensure business continuity all through the pandemic with strict safety protocols such as restricting people movement by limiting it to respective zones," a Biocon spokesperson said.

Some others, such as Kolkata-based consumer goods maker ITC Ltd, are also trying to find a balance between keeping employees healthy and avoiding work disruption.

The cigarette-to-soap maker is ramping up inventory to cater to any additional demand but also making sure a majority of its employees in areas with many Covid-19 cases, stay at home.

"Employees in most offices are operating in hybrid mode with presence restricted to 30% or less, depending on the intensity of the pandemic in the location. Travel has been curtailed to the most essential with a mandatory test prior to return to the work premises, ITC said.

ITC is also carrying out random sampling across locations to pick up cases before they are symptomatic and making company doctors and Covid response teams available round the clock to support employees and family members who test positive.

Rival Hindustan Unilever Ltd is using technology to ensure social distancing norms are being followed by its employees.

"We are using an app to maintain physical distance at work  the app sounds an alarm if a two-metre distance between people is breached. Similarly, we have enabled contactless food ordering and cafeteria space management by allotting time slots to employees on the premises, Hindustan Unilever told DH.

Some smaller firms have gone a step further.

Emvigo Technologies has offered to get its employees and their family members vaccinated on company dime, its co-founder and chief executive officer, Sanjay Menon, told DH. The company, which has around 135 employees, also offers its employees two-weeks paid leave, just in case they test positive. It also provides free yoga classes and gets its HR team to check on all employees well-being every month.

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Kite flying, the favourite lockdown pastime of many Bengalureans, seriously imperilled the lives of birds, statistics show.

Last year, as many as 633 birds suffered injuries caused by the dangerous nylon Manja, the most commonly used thread to make kites. This figure was 177 in 2020 and just 102 the year before. In other words, the number of bird injuries caused by Manja saw a whopping 500% increase in just two years.

The nylon Manja, mostly Chinese-made, is the preferred thread for kites because its easy to use, stronger and heavier than threads made of say, cotton. But its also far more dangerous for birds as well as human beings than other threads.

There have been instances of bystanders and motorcyclists suffering serious injuries after getting entangled in Manja.

The dangers of Manja use are once being talked about as Bengaluru gears up to celebrate Makara Sankranti on Saturday, January 15. Kite flying is an integral part of the harvest festival.

The city-based PFA Wildlife Hospital and Rescue Centre recently organised a webinar on Kite vs Kite: Understanding the perils of using the deadly Manja thread to create awareness among the public.

In 2021, the hospital rescued and treated 633 birds that suffered Manja injuries, up from 177 in 2020 and 102 in 2019.

Besides birds, a number of smaller species also suffered Manja injuries. Twenty-five small species were injured in 2021, 13 in 2020 and 17 in 2019.

Dr Navaz Shariff, chief veterinarian at the hospital, said birds can suffer a range of injuries by getting entangled in these threads.

These include flight feather damage, patagium tear, bone fractures upon hitting a tree or falling from a tree struggling to get Manja threads off and other injuries to the head, neck and legs.

Speakers at the webinar also spoke about how Manja threads have found their way into bird nests, too. Birds sometimes use Manja threads as nesting materials but chicks get entangled in these strings and suffer injuries.

Dr Shariff urged people to boycott the use of Manja and buy kites that have cotton threads. He also asked them to report Manja manufacturers or salespersons to the local authorities. Its also necessary to keep an eye out for birds that may have fallen victims to the threads and alert animal rescuers, he added.

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People aged 21-30 died the most in road accidents in the city last year. And they also caused the most fatal accidents.

A total of 207 people aged between 21 and 30 years died in road accidents last year while 245 people of the same age group were named as accused in cases of fatal accidents during the same period, according to the Accident Analysis report released by the Bengaluru traffic police.

The report also throws light on the educational qualification of those accused of causing fatal road accidents. Those with high school education have been named in most charge sheets (225), followed by people with PUC, degree and engineering qualifications.

The year gone by also saw a lot of accidents on weekends, besides reporting an uptick in cases of drink-driving crashes. Most accidents (105) occurred between 9 pm and midnight. This clearly shows the perils of the growing party culture among the citys youths.

A total of 107 fatal accidents occurred on Saturdays and another 101 accidents on Sundays. The jolly, fun, party culture is responsible for the increased number of accidents on weekends (sic), the report states.

More drink-driving accidents were recorded in 2021 than in previous years. In some cases, both the victim and the culprit were drunk. A total of 24 people involved in fatal accidents last year were found to have been under the alcohol influence. This figure was 16 in 2020 and 17 the year before.

The traffic police attributed the rise in drink-driving accidents to people misusing the lack of drink-driving checks due to Covid-19. Due to Covid 19, manual checking of drink and drive was suspended in the city. Many people have misused that and have driven under the influence of alcohol, the report states.

In 2021, the city saw 618 fatal accidents that killed 655 people. As in previous years, people travelling by two-wheelers were involved in more fatal accidents. As many as 161 pedestrians were also killed.
Amidst a shadow cast by recent terror strikes, Manipur, the `jewel of the Northeast 'is headed for elections to its 60-member state assembly, with the Congress attempting to wrest back power from the ruling BJP- led coalition, which seems to be falling apart with smaller coalition partners deciding to put up candidates against the saffron party.

Besides law and order, the long standing demand for junking Armed Forces Special Powers Act, economic woes of the land-locked state which has hardly any industries, are expected to figure high on the agenda of the unfolding electoral battle between the two main parties with smaller local parties such as National People's Party and the Naga People's Front chipping in with their own demands.

The Bhartiya Janata Party which managed to form a government in 2017 despite having just 21 seats compared to Congress's 28 by joining hands with two local parties - NPP and NPF - says it is looking to win two-thirds of the seats in the elections to be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3. Ch Chidananda Vice President, Manipur Pradesh BJP told PTI, his party's aim "is to get more than 40 seats in 60-member house" emphasizing for clarity "that is (a) BJP government . 

Indicative of the fissures within the coalition, Chidananda frankly admitted "in the hill area of the state (dominated by Naga tribes), the main fight will be between BJP and Naga People's Front (current coalition partner of the BJP)."

Despite differences with partners, both of whom have said they would field candidates against BJP, the saffron party leader said there are about 160 party ticket claimants including 31 MLAs or ex-MLAs of BJP seeking nominations for 60 seats in Manipur State assembly, indicative of the popularity of his party.

Also read: Manipur Elections 2022: The advantage of 'double engine'

Analysts say dissensions within the BJP and unhappiness among the NPP and NPF partners over its harping on the Hindutva card has brought about a distance between the alliance partners and this may affect the saffron party's chances at the hustings. However, Pradip Phanjoubam, Manipur-based author and editor and an expert on Northeast said "though there are no pre-poll alliances we may witness post-poll alliances in case they are needed to form a government."

The 'grand old party', Congress, too is beset with problems with several of its MLAs deserting the party for the ruling BJP in recent months. Five Congress legislators including the former state Congress unit chief Govindas Konthoujam joined the BJP in August last year.

Another sitting Congress legislator Chaltonlien Amo joined BJP on Sunday. Amo's defection to the saffron fold comes in less than a week after his colleague D Korungthang left the party to join NPF. However, N Loken Singh MLA, President Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) is confident the Congress will stage a come-back.

Criticizing the present BJP-led coalition government in Manipur for corruption and financial scandal, Singh told PTI prices of essential commodities are sky high, so the people of Manipur are fed up of BJP-led governments in the center as well as in Manipur. 

Singh asserted the Congress will elect it's candidate for the Chief Minister's post at a meeting of the Congress Legislature party after the election, "but as on today we have CLP leader O Ibobi Singh (three-terms chief minister of the state).

He claimed the mood of the people is changing as the number of unemployed youth is increasing day by day ... Living conditions of poor people worsening. (While) BJP leaders are doing business by selling banks, airports, railway stations to the rich. "

Also read: BJP, Congress locked in close battle in Manipur

Manipur's literacy rate according to the last census was nearly 80 per cent, quite higher than the national average with male literacy stands at 86.49 per cent. However, despite the high literacy rate, Manipur, as compared to the rest of the country, remains a socio. -economically backward state with unemployment at the last count in 2017-18 at 11.6 per cent.

Youth unemployment in the 15-24 age group stood at a staggering 44.4 per cent according to the Economic Survey of Manipur 2020-21. Withdrawing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which had seen numerous agitations in the state including the famous case of the country's longest fast for any cause, that by Manipur's Irom Sharmila, remains an important issue and may again figure politically given the killing of 14 civilians in firing by army personnel in neighboring Nagaland recently.

However, Phanjoubam said "because the demand has been around for long, despite its importance, it has become 'normalized'." For the ruling coalition, the work that the government has done on the infrastructural front in the state, encouraged by what its leaders describe as "double engine government" (governments at both the Center and the state), may help overcome anti-incumbency to a great degree.

Days ahead of the announcement of elections on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Imphal and inaugurated 13 projects worth around Rs 1,850 crore besides laying the foundation stone of nine projects worth another Rs 2,950 crore. Nevertheless, the militancy by numerous groups still remains a bug-bear in the politics of the state.

A spike in attacks like the November ambush of an Assam Rifles Colonel and his family could turn law and order into the biggest issue overshadowing development work.

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U.S. President Joe Biden / AP-Yonhap



President Joe Biden may have seen little or no progress with North Korea during his first year in office, but his government stands ready and well-equipped to make progress if and when North Korea returns to dialogue, U.S. experts said Thursday.



They also argued the ongoing stalemate in U.S.-North Korea dialogue has largely been caused by North's intransigence and not U.S. inaction.



"I think the Biden administration has clearly messaged publicly and privately an interest in re-engaging," said Victor Cha, noting the administration has also vowed to build on the 2018 joint statement issued at the end of the first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit in Singapore.



Under the Singapore agreement, the U.S. agreed to normalize relations with the North while Pyongyang reaffirmed its commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.



"It takes two to tango," Cha said, referring to North Korea's ongoing ignorance of U.S. overtures. "I think the North Koreans are not ready because of COVID and have been waiting to see if Biden would unilaterally lift some sanctions, which the administration will not and should not do without corresponding measures."



Cha is a former director of the White House National Security Council for Asian affairs. He currently serves as the Korea chair and senior vice president of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.



There has been no direct engagement between Washington and Pyongyang since Biden took office nearly a year ago on Jan. 20. North Korea has also stayed away from denuclearization negotiations since late 2019.



Many have argued the Biden administration may have put the North Korea issue on the back burner while dealing with other more pressing issues, such as its growing competition with China and, more recently, the Russian military buildup along the border with Ukraine.



Sue Mi Terry, director of the Hyundai-Motor-Korea Foundation Center at the Wilson Center, said the U.S. may have done all it could to engage with North Korea.



"The Biden administration has repeatedly said they are willing to meet with the North Koreans at any time without preconditions, but Kim Jong-un has shown no interest in meeting. I don't believe the administration realistically could have done more," she said.



Frank Aum, a senior expert on Northeast Asia at the U.S. Institute of Peace, a state-run institution based in Washington, also blamed North Korea for refusing to engage with the U.S. but insisted Washington still could have done more.



"The Biden administration has done the bare minimum for trying to engage with North Korea," he said. "Instead, the Biden administration could have announced a bold peace offensive with North Korea that includes unilateral confidence-building measures."



Aum said such measures could include COVID-19 vaccine assistance, loosening restrictions on humanitarian aid to North Korea, and declaring a moratorium on the deployment of U.S. strategic and nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula, none of which, he said, "undermine U.S. security or cross any redlines the Biden administration has set out."



The experts also insisted the U.S. has enough resources to deal with North Korea while still being engaged in other and more pressing issues, should the North be willing to come to the table.






In the run up to the assembly polls in Punjab, Clean Air Punjab -- a group of organisations, think tanks and civil society groups along with EcoSikh, on Friday asked all the political parties to include clean air in their poll manifestos.

On behalf of Clean Air Punjab, Gurpreet Singh of the Punjab Development Forum and Director of United Sikhs submitted a dossier containing the recommendations to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Daljit Cheema, AAP legislator Aman Arora and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Bajwa.

"Punjab needs a strong leader who can implement structural reforms and revise policies to improve the air quality of all cities in the state," Gurpreet Singh said.

"Our state wants its leaders to lead by example and present answers to the air pollution crisis, which impacts the health of the people."

Read | Punjab polls: SAD (Sanyukt) allotted 'telephone' symbol

He said the generation is being choked by air pollution, which has resulted in a high number of deaths.

According to statistics, Punjab had 41,090 deaths in 2019, accounting for roughly 19 per cent of the state's total mortality.

Indu Aurora, Vice President, Voice of Amritsar, said this was for the first time that all political parties competing against each other were discussing air pollution at length.

"We will hold the new administration accountable for their promises," she said, adding she herself is a witness to the deteriorating air quality in Punjab and it is high time that those who get voted into power should take on the responsibility to ensure that the air "we breathe" is clean and proper checks are implemented to ensure a cleaner future for the next generation.

Clean Air Punjab has been conducting meetings in cities and was successful in ensuring that 2021 was the first time in the state when the air pollution was highlighted through different citizen campaigns across Punjab.

"Citizens of Punjab along with citizen groups, air quality experts and health practitioners have been successful in building a momentum, which has resulted in clean air and its impact on public health becoming a pressing issue for politicians who were earlier oblivious of the air pollution problem. We are now sure they will not be able to ignore it any further," said Anju Chabbra of EcoSikh.

According to global estimates, air pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues confronting India today, and it is regarded as a major cause of countless deaths.

Punjab has reason to be concerned: the National Clean Air Action Plan lists nine non-attainment or million-plus cities in the state. A city that does not fulfil the Union Environment Ministry's specified air quality requirements is known as a non-attainment city.

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The Shiromani Akali Dal on Friday appealed to the Election Commission to reconsider its ban on physical rallies and road shows till January 15 due to Covid concerns, and said small campaign meetings should be allowed in Punjab as these are necessary for candidates to approach all sections of society.

In a letter to the poll panel, SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema claimed that the ban was causing great hardship to the candidates of all parties.

He said that it is not possible to cover all voters of an assembly constituency through digital campaign as there are many backward areas in the state where internet networks are not working properly.

Also Read | Political parties urged to include clean air in Punjab Assembly poll manifestos

Cheema further said that the elderly people who constitute a good part of the population rarely use digital devices and the poor have very little access to digital technology.

The SAD leader said that due to these reasons a major part of society will remain uncovered if only digital campaign is allowed.

"This will deny equal opportunities to all the voters. This will also affect the percentage of polling," he claimed, according to a party statement.

He said that SAD understands that big rallies may be banned "but small meetings are a must".

He said that all political parties may be allowed to hold small gatherings with Covid precautions.

Punjab votes on February 14.

Assembly polls in four other states Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa are also being held between February 10 and March 7, with the counting of votes on March 10.

Announcing the month-long election schedule with a strong focus on digital and virtual modes of campaigning in view of the COVID-19 situation, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra had earlier said the ban on rallies, road shows, nukkad sabhas, padayatra and vehicle rallies will be reviewed on January 15.

Cheema also complained to the poll panel that many parties which are contesting elections in the state are in government in Punjab, Delhi or at the Centre.

"They are misusing government funds to promote their political interests," he alleged.

"For example, the AAP has a government in Delhi state. They are daily showing multiple development stories in the form of paid news on various TV channels of Punjab," he alleged.

The Akali leader further alleged that these "paid news advertisements are aimed at influencing the voters of Punjab".

"Since the model code of conduct is in force in Punjab, in Delhi, the AAP is exploiting this loophole to the maximum and spending crores of rupees on paid news advertisements at the expense of Delhi state exchequer. This puts other parties at a disadvantage," he said.

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As the three-day long deliberation of the Bharatiya Janata Partys Core Committee on the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections came to an end on Thursday at the partys headquarters in the Capital, the party is expected to announce the names of 172 candidates in the coming few days.

As the meetings came to an end, UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya told reporters that the party hopes to do better than the last assembly elections.

In this meet, we discussed 172 seats, and we will have a resounding victory. The BJP will do better than we did in 2017, said Maurya. The deputy chief minister has been raising the issue of the Krishna Janambhoomi in Mathura for a while now.

Also Read | Why Muslim voters are tight-lipped in battleground Uttar Pradesh

Sources in the party told DH that the probability of fielding UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath from Ayodhya was extensively discussed, but discussions remained inconclusive.

The seats on which decisions have been taken are from the first, second and third phases. Deliberations on the other seats will take place after January 15, the sources said.

During the three-day meetings, NISHAD party chief Sanjay Nishad as well as Apna Dal leader and junior minister in the Commerce ministry, Anupriya Patel met leaders.

There are strong indications that both these allies will be given a bigger seat-share than the last term. In 2017, NISHAD party fielded 100 candidates in alliance with Apna Dal. The NISHAD party entered an alliance deal with the BJP in September last year.

Each of these parties might be given up to 15 seats each, a leader said.

Also Read | Another MLA quits BJP in UP; 7 resignations in 3 days

The upcoming elections will be held over seven phases between February 10 and March 3 this year. The BJP had bagged 325 of the states 403 seats then.

The three-day long discussions were held in person, with some leaders joining online as they were infected with the Covid-19. On Thursday, PM Modi joined virtually, as well as party president J P Nadda, defence minister Rajnath Singh, transport minister Nitin Gadkari and Bihar minister Shahnawaz Hussain.

Union home minister Amit Shah, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Jual Oram, MP CM Shivraj Chouhan, general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh, and national secretary Vijaya Rahatkar were part of the meeting, in addition to Maurya.

The partys core committees for Punjab and Uttarakhand are slated to meet in the coming week, said party sources.

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Till a few days back, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was billed as the most popular face of the BJP in the state. As someone who was a crowd puller, many in his party also believed that he could emerge as a challenger to the saffron party's tallest leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In saffron-clad Adityanath, the BJP as well as scores of saffron outfits saw a man who believed in hardcore Hindutva and who could easily 'polarise' any electoral contest along religious lines through his aggressive tenor at public meetings.

But that was until the saffron party witnessed mass desertions of its senior-ranking OBC, dalit and Brahmin leaders who made their way into its main electoral rival - the Samajwadi Party (SP).

Also Read | Battle for UP: Samajwadi Party faces problem of plenty

As many as 11 BJP legislators, including three powerful ministers hailing from the OBC and dalit communities have resigned from the ministry and the party in the past four days. A few more resignations are in the offing, according to the sources. Those exiting were the ones who had played a key role in the massive win of the saffron party in the 2017 assembly elections as they had brought with them a large chunk of non-Yadav and non-Jatav votes to BJP's kitty and helped it secure 40 per cent vote share.

Interestingly all those who deserted the BJP squarely blamed Adityanath for their exit. Swami Prasad Maurya was more candid. ''Lower caste leaders, even deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, were made to sit on the stools before Adityanath,'' he had claimed.

Suddenly, Adityanath appeared to be vulnerable and someone who might not be able to lead the fight in the forthcoming polls, let alone ensure an easy win, which looked certain till a few days ago.

Also Read | Cobra, snake, mongoose enter UP poll talk

The desertions have only forced the BJP to re-draw its electoral strategy in UP but have also, what many within the BJP say, impacted the stature of Adityanath and if the sources in the BJP are to be believed, he (Yogi) may be replaced with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the party's mascot in the state.

Although none in the BJP state unit are willing to say that on record, there are murmurs to his effect. "It is clear now Yogiji may not be able to lead the fight...he cannot now be the face of the party....we will require Modiji to take charge of the campaign in the state," said a senior BJP leader while speaking to DH on Friday.

The leader said that the BJP would need more rallies of Modi if it wanted to return to power even as he admitted that the SP was now very much in the fight in the forthcoming polls.

It certainly appears that the desertions have shaken the saffron party leadership, at least in the state.

That the mass desertions had come as a shock for Adityanath himself was evident when the otherwise fiery CM chose not to take names of the senior ministers and legislators who had been targeting him since their exit from the BJP while speaking to the reporters in Gorakhpur on Friday. He simply said that those who believed in the politics of dynasty and family could never be the real well-wishers of the backwards and dalits as he listed the measures his government had taken for the welfare of the two communities.



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With BJP's social engineering getting a jolt after a number of its OBC leaders joined the Samajwadi Party, the saffron party is all set to deepen its hardline Hindutva approach to work out a caste neutral narrative.

The thinking in the party to field Yogi Adityanth from the nerve centre of Hindutva politics Ayodhya is mainly to do with giving a Hindutva face to BJP's poll strategy.

PM Narendra Modi is Lok Sabha MP from another seat of BJP's Hindutva politics Varanasi. The party is likely to field a senior leader from Mathura seat in Western UP from where Hema Malini is MP.

Read more: Uttar Pradesh resignation spree: Is undercurrent in favour of Samajwadi Party?

Options before the BJP are few as BSP is silently moving ahead to revive its 2007 winning formaulae of Dalit Brahmin and Muslims, which was once the Congress winning combination while Congress seeks to dent the caste neutral constituence of women which had backed Modi-led BJP in UP since 2014.

BSP has announced having given 90 among 300 tickets to Dalits. In the last Assembly polls, the BSP had given tickets to nearly 100 Muslim candidates. Dalits are nearly 20% of the population, Brahmins 13% and Muslims around 19%.

On Thursday when Priyanka Gandhi announced the names of 50 women candidates among a total of 125, she claimed how Congress has already brought women in the mainstream of political discourse, reminding how after her promise of giving 50 percent tickets to women, Modi had to organize an all woman event at women in Prayagraj, Mayawati plans to address a woman rally and SP's Akhilesh Yadav reached out to women. The congress gave 40 per cent tickets to women and 40 per cent to youths, the two segments, which have overwhelmingly voted for BJP in the last few elections. Even if Congress does not win these seats, this could damage BJP's prospects.

A key highlight of Congress candidates list Unnao rape victim's mother Asha Singh from Unnao in which a former BJP law maker was convicted in 2019. In a veiled attack on the ruling BJP, Priyanka said her party has fielded such candidates who have struggled for seeking justice in Uttar Pradesh.

As such BJP goes back to its forte. To woo back Brahmins, BJP is banking big on its Law Minister Brajesh Pathak who was once second most important Brahmin leader in BSP after Satish Chandra Mishra.

Five months after laying the foundation stone of Ram Mandir on August 5, Modi had inaugurated the the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor project last month amid scores of BJP leaders raising the issue of Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura as well.

With the exit of non-Yadav OBC leaders, particularly from the Kushwaha community continuing along with some Brahmin leaders, the BJP will have to fall back on its best bait hardline Hindutva, which had given it a good strike rate along with the development plank which the saffron party has sought to reinforce with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating a slew of development projects in the state close to the announcement of poll dates.

While the appeal of Hindutva politics has not got much traction among Kushwahas (koiris), BJP has found it easier to reach out with this some other OBC communities like Nishad or Mallah (boatmen) and has often latched on the Kevatraj reference from the Ramayana (boatmen, who had taken Rama, Sita and Lakshman in his boat and crossed the Ganges at the time of exile).

One flip side of Swami Prasad Maurya and his team walking out of BJP is that allies like Nishad Party of Sanjay Nishad will get a better deal when the BJP and allies announce their seats. Mallahs comprise around 4.5% of votes and are divided into 27 sub-castes, they influence outcomes in over 100 constituencies in the state. Bandit Queen Phoolan Devi" was the most prominent leader from the community and had become an MP from Samajwadi Party.

Also, Anupriya Patel-led Apna Dal (S) could get more seats than it expected. Patel is the daughter of Sone Lal Patel, who had organised a Kurmi Rajnitik Chetna Maha Rally in Lucknow against the Yadav domination of OBC politics way back in 1994. Kurmis are 9% of the total state population almost equal to Yadavs. BJP had in past attempted to deepen Hindutva imprint among Kurmis and Lodhs (caste of former BJP CM Kalyan Singh)

The challenge before the BJP now is to save its core  Brahmin, Baniya, Thakur  and the remaining most Backward Classes votes along with the non-Jatav Dalits. BJP has repeatedly reached out to the Valmiki community among Dalits as also the Pasis and often referred to as the author of the Ramayana Sant Valmiki.

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The Telangana Rashtra Samithi leadership is considering campaigning against the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

The ruling party in Telangana is on a collision course with the BJP over various issues like the central governments alleged refusal to buy the state's paddy.

In a social media interaction on Thursday, Telangana's IT, industries and urban development minister KT Rama Rao opined that the present trend in Uttar Pradesh looks favourable to Samajwadi Party.

Also Read | Exodus impact: Modi may replace Yogi as BJP mascot in Uttar Pradesh

The comment was made in reference to the flight of a few UP legislators from the BJP to Samjwadi Party (SP), ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled to be held in seven phases in February-March.

We will take a call soon after consultations, said KTR, as the minister is popularly known. KTR is the son of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and is also the TRS's working president.

It was not clear if SP leader Akhilesh Yadav had solicited TRS support.

KTR's statement comes close on the heels of CM Rao's separate meetings with the CPI, CPM and RJD leaders. While the Left leaders, including Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, were in Hyderabad last week for their party related programmes, former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad's son and Bihar Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav made a courtesy call to Rao at his official residence on Tuesday.

Last month, Rao met DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin in Chennai after the Kalvakuntla family visited Srirangam temple.

Sources said that the current political situation in the country was discussed in all the meetings.

Ahead of the 2019 elections, chief minister Rao went to meet key political figures like Mamata Banerjee, with a reported agenda of forming a federal front. The idea was shelved with BJP retaining power with an improved majority in the Lok Sabha.

Also Read | Battle for UP: Samajwadi Party faces problem of plenty

However, following the political meetings now, Rao on Wednesday gave a clarion call to people of Telangana and the country to root out the BJP government.

Rao accused the BJP of weakening the rural economy, hereditary trades, while playing havoc with the farm sector to hand it over to the corporates. Earlier in November, Rao announced Rs three lakh compensation each for the families of over 700 farmers who died during the year-long anti-farm laws agitation.

The #AskKTR twitter session on Thursday took place in this backdrop.

When questioned about his views on entering national politics, KTR replied, I am happy to be in Telangana serving my state.

We would continue to focus on good governance and development. People here want peace and stability, KTR said when asked about the TRS strategy in dealing with BJP.

In the 119 seated Telangana Assembly, BJP has only three MLAs but two of these seats  Dubbaka, Huzurabad  were gained by serving body blows to the TRS. The 2020 Hyderabad civic polls also saw a saffron surge in the city.

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For The Conversation

The pandemic is accelerating. Its estimated that there could be 3 billion new infections globally over the next three months thanks to the highly infectious Omicron variant.

Large outbreaks are ongoing across Europe and North America and cases are also rising in many other countries. Omicron has now reached most corners of the world  including where Covid vaccine coverage is low. The African continent, for example, has recently reported a significant rise in daily reported new cases.

The global vaccine roll-out is continuing apace too, with hundreds of millions of doses manufactured each month. The World Health Organisations target is for 70% of the population in every country to be vaccinated by the middle of 2022. However, with omicron spreading so quickly and widely, theres a real chance that the virus will reach many before a vaccine does. Across Africa, 85% of people have yet to receive a single vaccine dose.

Also Read | With 2.64 lakh new cases, India's Covid-19 surge continues

Given this, and that some research suggests omicron appears to cause less severe disease than earlier variants, is there now less of a need to get people vaccinated? Some might see it this way. But the answer is: no. Even though omicron means that plenty of people will now catch the virus before theyre vaccinated, the worldwide vaccine roll-out needs to press on. Heres why.

Vaccines needed for good immunity

First, omicron is still dangerous  especially to people who are unvaccinated. Studies suggesting omicron is less severe have been based in countries with relatively high levels of pre-existing immunity, such as the UK and South Africa.

Indeed, British data gathered since the emergence of omicron suggests that unvaccinated people are eight times as likely as those whove had their jabs to be hospitalised. As of January 12, 2022, there are around 20,000 people in UK hospitals with Covid, indicating its certainly not a mild disease for everyone.

Also Read | How India Inc is coping with the pandemic

Of the billions of new infections that are predicted to happen, many wont be averted. But its important to still try to protect the unexposed.

Some immunity will be generated in people by all of these new infections, and this infection-acquired immunity should provide them with some protection against Covid in the future, at least in the short term. However, given omicron emerged so recently, little is known about the strength or durability of the immune response to it.

But we do know that with past variants being double vaccinated offers greater protection against subsequently getting Covid than a prior infection  and that being infected and vaccinated offers particularly high protection. Even if lots of unvaccinated people get Covid, past experience suggests its still a very good idea for them to take a vaccine as well.

Helping to stop the spread

Also Read | Covid-19 deaths: Unvaxxed, partially-vaxxed paying the price

Alongside lockdowns, masks and social distancing, vaccines are also a key measure for lowering the number of new Covid cases. Although vaccines principally protect against severe Covid illness, they also lower the chances of someone getting infected and transmitting the virus.

Keeping cases lower makes managing outbreaks more straightforward when they do occur. The costs of allowing cases to spiral can be seen in the UK, where many hospitals have declared critical incidents, citing a lack of staff and beds to safely deliver usual standards of care. We should be doing everything we can to avoid similar things happening in other countries  particularly those that might not have the same medical resources as a western nation.

Uncontrolled outbreaks also pose a higher risk of a new variant of concern emerging. Theres no reason to believe that this particular novel coronavirus has finished shape-shifting just yet.

Also Read | Omicron following epidemiological pattern of second wave: Experts

Vaccine hoarding is still an issue

Some countries, such as the UK, have advanced vaccine booster programmes, and it looks like the third dose will be highly protective against omicron. But the aim should be to have advanced vaccination programmes across the world.

The frantic pace of vaccination across much of Europe will likely ease during the spring of 2022. Its imperative that surplus doses, of which the G7 has more than a billion, must be donated to lower-income countries. Those donations should be of vaccines well ahead of their expiry date, allowing recipient countries the time to direct them to places of highest need.

A global wall of immunity is surely much better than a small number of national walls. Vaccine inequity helps no one.

Read more: Covid-19 cases in Mumbai, Delhi likely to peak by next week

The end of the pandemic is an imprecise point in time. There is no fixed number or metric that will define it. Nevertheless, well likely look to the World Health Organization for a declaration, or a series of statements, that infer closure on the emergency phase of the pandemic response. Around that time, there may be more of an opportunity to stop, think about and plan for how we can best prevent or mitigate future pandemics.

Vaccine equity  achieved, perhaps, by creating numerous vaccine-manufacturing sites across sub-Saharan Africa  must be central to those discussions. This will minimise the sort of selfishness displayed by the vaccine-hoarding richer countries during this pandemic, and will leave the world in a better position ahead of the next time. After all, recent public health emergencies  such as influenza, Sars, Ebola, Zika and now Covid  tell us that there almost certainly will be the next time.

Before that, however, we should do all we can to get vaccine doses to those countries that still have large numbers of unvaccinated people. In the short term, and despite the impact of omicron, vaccinations remain the key tool that must underpin our route out of the pandemic.

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The US House of Representatives committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol on Thursday subpoenaed Facebook parent Meta, Google parent Alphabet, Twitter and Reddit, seeking information about how their platforms were used to help spread misinformation and violent extremism in the failed bid to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

"We cannot allow our important work to be delayed any further," the House Select Committee's chairman, Bennie Thompson, said in a statement.

The subpoenas are the latest development in the panel's investigation into the causes of the attack on the Capitol by then-President Donald Trump's supporters, and the role played by Trump, who has pushed false claims that he lost a rigged election to Joe Biden.

"Two key questions for the Select Committee are how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what steps - if any -social media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalising people to violence," Representative Thompson said.

"It's disappointing that after months of engagement, we still do not have the documents and information necessary to answer those basic questions."

The companies have until January 27 to comply. Meta said it has turned over documents on "a schedule committee staff requested - and we will continue to do so."

Google said it has been cooperating with the committee by "responding substantively to their requests for documents" and will continue to do so.

"We have strict policies prohibiting content that incites violence or undermines trust in elections across YouTube and Google's products, and we enforced these policies in the run-up to January 6 and continue to do so today," Google said.

Reddit said it would continue to work with the committee on their requests. Twitter declined to comment.

The committee has issued more than 50 subpoenas and heard from more than 300 witnesses. It is expected to release an interim report in the summer and a final report in the fall.

Social media platforms were widely blamed for amplifying calls to violence and spreading misinformation that contributed to the January 6 attempt to violently overturn the election results.

In August, the panel asked 15 tech companies, including the ones subpoenaed on Thursday as well as TikTok, Snapchat, Parler, 4chan and others, for records related to the riot.

In a letter sent this week to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Thompson said that "despite repeated and specific requests for documents" related to Facebook's practices on election misinformation and violent content, the committee had still not received these materials. Letters to the other three CEOs contained similar criticisms.

Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Zuckerberg were also grilled by lawmakers last March in a hearing on misinformation about the role of their platforms in the Capitol riot.

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The United States on Friday condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch, saying it posed a threat to North Korea's neighbors and the international community.

"We remain committed to a diplomatic approach to the DPRK and call on them to engage in dialogue. Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad", a State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

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China on Friday suspended four more incoming US flights, bringing the total cancellation this year to 74, as Covid-19 cases caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant soared to record highs in the United States.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) also ordered the suspension of another 26 flights from other parts of the world, including Melbourne, Frankfurt, Paris, Toronto and Cairo, with flight disruptions set to extend into February.

The recent flurry of flight cancellations came on top of an already drastically scaled back schedule. Total international flights to the country stood at just 200 a week, or 2 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, CAAC said in September.

Also Read | China suspends another two United Airlines flights from Jan 24 over Covid-19 cases

The regulator on Friday ordered American Airlines to cancel two more flights from Dallas to Shanghai from the week of Jan. 24, while ordering Delta Air Lines to suspend two more flights from Detroit to Shanghai from the same week.

Zhang Wenhong, director of a Covid-19 treatment team in Shanghai, said on Thursday the public health clinic in the commercial hub faced a record number of infections arriving from overseas.

Shanghai, which is the arrival city for a majority of international flights into the country, on Thursday reported two local confirmed Covid-19 cases and three asymptomatic cases, all tied to an imported infection from the United States.

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North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles eastward Friday, South Korea's military said, after Pyongyang publicly warned earlier in the day of a "stronger and certain" response to the United States' imposition of new sanctions.





The North launched the projectiles from a site in North Pyongan Province, a northwestern region bordering China, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a text message sent to reporters. It did not elaborate.





The North's latest saber-rattling marks its third show of force this year.





South Korea's military is monitoring related North Korean movements and maintaining a firm readiness posture, the JCS said.





Pyongyang issued the warning earlier in the day, after Washington slapped sanctions on six North Koreans, Wednesday, who it said were involved in the regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.





"If the U.S. adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it," a spokesperson of the foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.





The North launched what it claimed were hypersonic missiles, Jan. 5 and Tuesday, in an apparent search for new advanced weapons amid a deadlock in denuclearization talks with the United States. (Yonhap)


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that a potential Russian response in the event that security talks fail with the West would entail a deployment of military hardware.

Lavrov made the remark at his annual news conference in Moscow. Russia has laid out an array of security guarantees that it wants to obtain from the United States and NATO. It says it expects a written response to the proposals next week.

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Britain's Prince Andrew has renounced his military affiliations and royal patronages, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

The move comes after Andrew's lawyers failed to persuade a US judge to dismiss a civil lawsuit against him that accuses him of sexual abuse.

"With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of Yorks military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

"The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

A royal source said Andrew would no longer use the title 'His Royal Highness in any official capacity and his other roles would be distributed among other members of the Royal family. They would not return to Prince Andrew.

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Indian aviation regulator DGCA has asked its UAE counterpart to share the report of the probe into the near collision of two India-bound Emirates passenger jets on January 9 at the Dubai airport.

The planes had come on the same runway during take-off from the airport.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked UAEs General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to share its investigation report on this incident.

DGCA chief Arun Kumar told PTI on Friday: "Both are their registered aircraft and the place of occurrence is their airport and so, as per ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), it will be investigated by them."

"However, we have asked them to share the investigation report as and when available," he mentioned.

The two Emirates jets that had a close shave on January 9 were the Dubai-Hyderabad flight (EK-524) and the Dubai-Bengaluru flight (EK-568), sources said.

The EK-524 was accelerating to take off just when EK-568 came on the same runway, they noted.

Therefore, EK-524's take off was rejected by the air traffic controller, the sources mentioned.

EK-524 was scheduled to depart at 9.45 PM while EK-568 was scheduled to take off at 9.50 PM, they said.

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A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail application of 'Bulli Bai' app creator Neeraj Bishnoi, noting that a vilification campaign against Muslim women containing derogatory content and offending material having communal overtones was run on this app.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pankaj Sharma refused the relief saying Bishnoi's act was an affront to the dignity of the women of particular community and communal harmony of the society.

"The facts disclose that accused created the app 'Bulli Bai' where women journalists and celebrities of a particular community who are famous on social media are targeted and they are projected in a bad light with an objective to insult and humiliate them by objectification," the court noted.

A vilification campaign against these women containing derogatory content and offending material having communal overtones was run on this app being made by the accused, it noted.

"The act of the accused is apparently an affront to the dignity of the women of particular community and communal harmony of the society," the judge said.

Twenty-year-old Bisnoi told the court that he was falsely accused nothing to do with the offence.

The counsel for the complainant opposed the bail application, saying the photographs of some prominent Muslim women were picked for the purpose of insulting and outraging their modesty by making sexually coloured remarks.

The app put out details of more than 100 prominent Muslim women allowing users to participate in an 'auction' of those women.

Bishnoi is a resident of the Digambar area of Jorhat district in Assam and is a B Tech student at the Vellore Institute of Technology, Bhopal.

Bishnoi was arrested earlier this month by Delhi Police Special Cell's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit team from Assam for the alleged involvement in the Bulli Bai case.

An engineering student from Bengaluru, a young girl from Uttarakhand, and one of her friends have also been arrested by Mumbai Police in connection with the case.

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Beijing on Thursday objected to Indian Army chief Gen M M Naravanes statement that the level of threat posed by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army with its build-up along its Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India had not yet come down despite disengagement of troops at some points.

Islamabad too reacted to the Indian Army chiefs comment about the existence of terrorist camps across the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan.

At present, China and India are in dialogue and communication through diplomatic and military channels to ease the situation at the border, Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Government, said in Beijing. We hope that certain individual on the Indian side would refrain from making unconstructive remarks, he said, when a journalist asked for the Chinese Governments response to the statement made by the Indian Army chief.

Read more: By no means has threat reduced: Army chief Naravane on Ladakh row

Gen Naravane on Wednesday told journalists that the threat posed to India by the Chinese PLAs massive build-up along the LAC  the de facto boundary between the two nations  had not come down even after the two sides had mutually withdrawn troops from both banks of Pangong Tso (lake) and Gogra Post in February and August 2021. He made the comment during a news-conference in New Delhi, when the commanders of the Indian Army and the Chinese PLA were meeting at the Chushul-Moldo point on the LAC and holding the 14th round of negotiations to resolve the 21-month-long stand-off in eastern Ladakh.

The meeting, however, failed to yield an immediate breakthrough, despite extensive discussion between the two sides for disengagement of troops at the Hot Springs area on the LAC.

The Indian Army chief also said on Wednesday that Pakistan still had camps harbouring 350-400 terrorists at training camps and launch-pads in territories under its control across the LoC. He said that increase in concentration of terrorists in launch-pads and repeated infiltration attempts exposed Pakistans nefarious intents against India.

There is nothing new about the Indian Generals unfounded allegations, as these are a part of the malicious anti-Pakistan propaganda being pedalled by the BJP-RSS combine at the helm in India, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the neighbouring countrys government, said in Islamabad. The Indian Government is driven by its belligerent and expansionist agenda embedded in the delusional notion of Akhand Bharat, which poses a grave threat to regional peace."

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As the news of a minor fire at an ancient temple in Kashmir broke out, Kashmiri Pandits lodged a protest alleging foul play and demanded the arrest of those who 'engineered' the act.

The police on the other hand said its preliminary investigation suggested that it was an accidental fire that may have been caused by the burning diyas at the Mata Lalita Tripura Sundari temple in Devsar area of South Kashmir's Kulgam on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

"The minor fire incident in Mata Tripur Sundari (Devsar) temple is being investigated by Police. Pre Enquiry reveals #Fire happend accidentally by the DIYAs/ARTI being kept in Temple for daily routine.... No signs of Miscreant act. Public are requested not to pay heed to rumors (sic), Kulgam district police tweeted.

Kulgam Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) G V Sundeep Chakravarthy and Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohi-ud-din Bhat rushed to the temple to investigate.

The Kashmiri Pandits, however, alleged the police of a cover up. They questioned how the fire broke out at midnight in such extreme cold conditions and how the tree, considered to the seat of the deity, was burnt while curtains and threads offered by devotees were not.

"It's not possible that diyas could cause such fire, that too, when no one enters the temple these days.....how can a diya cause fire at 1 am," Sunita Dhar, a resident of Devsar asked.

"This is unacceptable and the local authorities rushing to conclusions without investigating is even more tormenting," former BJP lawmaker Surinder Ambardar said.

Demanding an unbiased investigation, Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj convenor Kiran Watal said, "It is the duty of the Lieutenant Governor administration and police to protect centuries-old religious heritage temples and shrines in Kashmir."

Functionaries of the Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj and global Kashmiri Pandits Diaspora, too, demanded a speedy investigation into the case.

Locals said 'arti' is not performed at the temple off late as it remains closed.

Police, for their part, said an Army team had cleaned and sanitized the temple in the midnight and the fire may have triggered during the cleanup.

The Army, however, did not responded to queries.

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The Jammu and Kashmir administration's order directing college heads in the union territory to organise large-scale virtual 'surya namaskar' on Makar Sankranthi drew sharp criticism from mainstream political parties on Thursday.

Why should Muslim students be forced to do anything, including yoga, to celebrate Makar Sankranti? Makar Sankranti is a festival & to celebrate it or not must be a personal choice. Would the BJP be happy if a similar order was issued to order non-Muslim students to celebrate Eid? former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

Why should Muslim students be forced to do anything, including yoga, to celebrate Makar Sankranti?Makar Sankranti is a festival & to celebrate it or not must be a personal choice. Would the BJP be happy if a similar order was issued to order non-Muslim students to celebrate Eid? https://t.co/n6luhwSm1J  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) January 13, 2022

Another former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the Centre's misadventures aim to collectively humiliate the people of Kashmir.

GOIs PR misadventures aim to demean & collectively humiliate Kashmiris. Forcing students & staff to perform suryanamaskars by issuing orders despite their obvious discomfort with imposition of something laden with religious connotations gives an insight into their communal mindset, Mehbooba said in a tweet.

GOIs PR misadventures aim to demean & collectively humiliate Kashmiris.Forcing students & staff to perform suryanamaskars by issuing orders despite their obvious discomfort with imposition of something laden with religious connotations gives an insight into their communal mindset https://t.co/tgk9xidZz0  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) January 13, 2022

NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar demanded the order be rolled back.

The fact that heads of colleges in Kashmir have been directed to 'ensure' participation of faculty, students and the fact that these Heads are now forced to force Muslims to perform 'Surya Namaskar' is a proof of religious interference. Roll the order back, he tweeted.

Criticising the order, PDP leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar said he would not permit his children to participate in any such activity and nor force anyone else to do it his way.

There is no God but God and He alone is worthy of Worship. To you your faith to me mine (Qur'an) No compulsion in Faith (Qur'an). I would not permit my child participate in any such activity. Nor force anyone else to do it my way, Akhtar said.

NC's former MLA and influential Shia leader Ruhullah Mehdi said if an individual can sign an order which is against his or her faith and freedom of religion, it is more worrisome than the oppression itself.

The oppression does not reflect in this order or desire as much as the slavery reflects in the pen of the undersigned. They told them to bend, the so called leadership of Kashmir crawled. But what about the society as a whole? What does the signature in this case reflect?

If an individual can sign an order which is against his/her faith and freedom of religion, it's more worrisome than the oppression itself. If the people asked to attend, give in to this order and participate, it's us (the society) to be blamed for the consequences, not them, Ruhullah said on Twitter.

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This photo released by the North Korean government shows what it says was a test launch of a hypersonic missile on Jan. 11. AP-Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo



North Korea launched projectiles assumed to be short-range ballistic missiles on Friday, just three days after it tested what it claimed was a hypersonic missile.



The launch came hours after Pyongyang threatened "a stronger reaction" against a fresh set of sanctions imposed by the United States over its recent tests of hypersonic missiles, showing that North Korea is taking a stance of "action for action."



According to Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the military observed two projectiles launched from North Pyongan Province to the eastern side of the North on Friday afternoon. The JCS added that the projectiles are assumed to be short-range ballistic missiles.



Friday's launch marked the North's third missile test of this year. On Jan. 5, the regime launched what it claimed was a hypersonic missile capable of flying at five times the speed of sound, followed by the launch of a more advanced version six days later, which is assumed to have traveled at 10 times the speed of sound.



In the previous two tests, North Korea launched the hypersonic missiles from Jagang Province, which is located in the central northern part of its territory.



On Friday, however, the regime fired the missiles from North Pyongan Province, located in the northwestern corner of the country. Citing this aspect, experts said that the missiles would not be hypersonic ones, and that the launch was conducted "out of North Korea's weapons development schedule," which is aimed at showing "its military capability."



"When North Korea tests a new missile, the regime typically launches it in the early morning, in order to make it difficult to be identified by other countries. However, the North fired this time in the afternoon, meaning that the launch is aimed at warning the U.S. rather than testing new technologies," said Cheong Seong-chang, the director of the Center for North Korean Studies at the Sejong Institute.



The launch came hours after a spokesperson of North Korea's foreign ministry threatened "a stronger and certain reaction" to the U.S. sanctions.



In the statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, the spokesperson said, "The DPRK's recent development of new-type weapons was just part of its efforts in modernizing its national defense capability. It did not target any specific country or force and it did not do any harm to the security of neighboring countries." DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



"The U.S. accusation of the DPRK's legitimate exercise of the right to self-defense is an evident provocation and a gangster-like logic.  If the U.S. adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take a stronger and certain reaction to it."



On Wednesday (EST), the U.S. sanctioned six North Koreans for their involvement in procuring goods for the regime's missile program, and proposed additional United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea.



The U.S. move was interpreted as a response to North Korea's continued missile threats and intention to show that Washington will also deal with North Korea with a stance of "action for action."



"The launches on Jan. 5 and 11 were interpreted as North Korea's planned missile test, as the regime needs to avoid weapons tests during the Beijing Winter Olympics, which China seeks to portray as an instrument of peace," Cheong said. "On the other hand, Friday's launch of short-range ballistic missiles shows the North's clear intention that it will escalate military tensions on the Korean Peninsula if the U.S. remains hostile to it."


Much before the official admission, the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was transmitting through the community in Delhi causing breakthrough infections besides sending a few to the hospitals, scientists reported on Friday

Examining 264 genome sequences of Covid positive patients collected between Nov 25 and Dec 23, a team of Delhi researchers detected 82 Omicron samples of which 50 had no travel links whereas 19 were international travelers and 13 were their contacts. The remaining 182 are Delta cases.

The majority of Omicron patients (61 per cent) had no documented international travel history or contact. Hence they undoubtedly acquired the infection locally, thus signifying the community spread and imposing further challenges in epidemic control, the team from the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences reported.

The study is yet to be peer-reviewed, but was posted in an online archive on Friday.

Delhi reported its first and Indias fifth Omicron case on Dec 5 from a traveler returning from Tanzania.

Also read: Delhi records 24,383 Covid-19 cases, 34 deaths

Among a total of 82 Omicron cases, 46.3 per cent (38 persons) belonged to 14 families. Out of these 14 family clusters, only four families (five individuals) had documented travel history from different countries.

Out of the remaining 10 families with no international travel history, three families contracted Omicron following contact with a non-family member with international travel history. Rest of the 20 individuals from 7 families contracted Omicron infection possible due to community transmission.

Nearly 61 per cent of the 82 Omicron cases were asymptomatic individuals whereas 3.6 per cent (three persons having diabetes and hypertension) required hospital stay.

Nearly 88 per cent (72 Omicron positive patients) were fully vaccinated, signifying the variants ability to cause breakthrough infections.

Read | 'Will discharge non-Covid patients when theyre ready'

We observed a definite shift from Delta predominance7 to Omicron along with its community spread. Similar findings were observed from various parts of the world including South Africa and Denmark where the new variant simultaneously emerged at the end of November 2021, the team reported.

The findings came on a day when Delhi reported more than 24,000 new Covid cases with a positivity rate of nearly 31 per cent - in other words every third individual, if tested, will turn out to be Covid positive.

"There is no need to panic. Cases are rising fast and there is no two ways about it. The Omicron variant is quite transmissible and infectious. But there is no reason to worry as hospitalisation and death rates are quite low," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said earlier in the day.

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Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said the BJP should speak about China's "intrusion" into the Indian territory and not restrict itself to commenting only on Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Raut hit back at the BJP when asked about Maharashtra Chief Minister and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray skipping Thursday's Covid-19-related meeting held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"BJP keeps criticizing the Maharashtra government for any trivial issue as if that party does not have any other job," said Raut, a Rajya Sabha member. "The party should comment on China's intrusion into the Indian territory. It is a more important issue. The BJP selectively chooses to refer to Pakistan, but not to China, he claimed.

Also Read | Indian Army chief's remarks trigger reaction from China, Pakistan

Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 2020. There was no breakthrough in the 14th round of talks between the two militaries, an official statement said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, asked about chief minister Thackeray's absence at Thursday's video meeting with the PM, Raut said, One day (even) the PM could skip a meeting. There could be (other) important work. The meeting with PM was attended by state health minister Rajesh Tope who is in charge of everything related to health."

The Sena leader also said he wanted to hold a "special health camp" for Maharashtra BJP leaders like Chandrakant Patil.

"The Sena can organize such a camp to check their eye-sight and hearing ability as they keep making false claims. We will surely cure them," Raut added. Asked about the Sena's plans for Uttar Pradesh and Goa elections, he said, Some Trinamool Congress leaders are meeting me tomorrow about Goa elections. In UP, we are planning to contest 50 seats."

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The Maha Vikas Aghadi and the opposition BJP are once again in a war-of-words - this time over Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerays absence during the virtual meeting to review the Covid-19 situation chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It may be mentioned that the state was represented by Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Rajesh Tope.

State BJP President Chandrakant Patil took exception to Thackerays absence from the meeting which reviewed the situation vis-a-vis Omicron-triggered third wave and the vaccination programme.

Also Read | Don't become 'Corona agents', Uddhav Thackeray warns reckless people

Patil suggested that the charge of the Chief Ministership be handed over to someone else while Thackeray recovers from health issues.

In Indian culture, we do not comment on anyones healthand, after all, Uddhav ji is our friend, he said and also pointed out on many issues the Chief Minister is on video-conference mode. The chair is very important, he said, stressing that in such an important meeting by the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister should have been personally present.

Shiv Sena chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, however, hit back.

When pointed out that Thackeray was not there in the meeting chaired by Modi, he said that the Chief Ministers Office can speak on that in detail. However, Rajesh Tope, who is handling the Covid-19 situation was presenthe is in the thick of things, he said, adding that many times the Prime Minister is also not present in some meetings.

Also Read | If Uddhav is taking time to recover, give charge of Maharashtra CM to Eknath Shinde: Union Minister

Hitting out at BJP, Raut said, The BJP has nothing but to criticise, they are left with no other work.they should speak about China and the border situationthey speak on Indo-Pakistan issue, they should speak about Indo-China issue as well.

On BJPs criticism that the MVA was not running the state properly, he said, We must organise medical camps for themto test the number of specs, give the right number and and perhaps also provide hearing aids.

This is the second time in a matter of days that the BJP has raised the issue of Thackeray's health.

During the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature in December 2021, Patil, a former Revenue Minister had stated that Thackeray may be replaced by either his wife Rashmi Thackeray or son and Tourism, Environment and Protocol Minister Aditya Thackeray.

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Unreported home tests and self-medication for Covid-19 is emerging as a major cause of concern in the financial capital and the larger Mumbai metropolitan region.

Mumbais municipal body, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has decided to crack the whip on the unreported home tests. Bodies like the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Organised Medicine Academic Guild (OMAG) have expressed concern over the situation.

The BMC has ordered all retail manufacturers/distributors of such home testing kits sold to pharmacies, chemists or dispensaries, etc to inform the Food & Drugs Commissioner and the civic bodys Epidemiology Cell of the same.

Also read: Centre refutes reports of Covid-19 vaccine shortage in Maharashtra

The corporation said that all Covid-19 positive tests either through Rapid Antigen Test Kits or Home Test Kits were expected to be reported to the ICMR by the concerned laboratory or the individuals who are found infected. However, there are instances of persons testing positive on Home Test Kits that have not been brought to the notice of ICMR. This has resulted in no tracking of such patients and the infection keeps spreading through their contact, making it difficult to contain the spread of the virus.

The retailers shall also issue a bill to the concerned buyer and maintain a record of such sales of Home Test Kits.

OMAG secretary general Dr IS Gilada said: Earlier only two Rapid Antigen Test kits were approved by ICMR for home testing, with a condition of uploading test results at ICMR portal using QR code. However, now some 40 types are available everywhere - portals, grocery and medical shops, with no need to upload results.

Meanwhile, IMA-Maharashtra president Dr Suhas Pingle said: In case of problems, one must visit a doctor and do not engage in self-medication.

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Manipur faces a complex election this year where the Congress has to strive hard to remain significant. No one is asking who will win. Most say the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the advantage since it is in power in the state and the Centre.

The more pertinent question is how much the BJP can limit the anti-incumbency votes against its government, which it had formed for the first time in the state in 2017. In northeastern states, like Manipur, the electorate usually votes for the party in the Assembly polls that is in power at the Centre.

Ticket seekers have started knocking on the doors of party bosses. A BJP ticket is on top of the wish list. The second is the National People's Party (NPP), a BJP ally in Meghalaya, with the Congress the third choice. "The Congress has to work harder," concedes a Congress leader. The Congress ruled the state for a long time, but party loyalties are weak in Manipur, and it's common for leaders and legislators to switch political allegiance and affiliation.

In the 2017 Assembly polls, the Congress won as many as 28 seats in the 60-member legislature. However, it failed to form the government due to the machinations of the BJP, which could win only 21 seats. The NPP and Naga People's Front (NPF) backed the BJP to form the government. Now in 2022, the BJP is comfortable with 30 seats in the current assembly and the Congress strength is reduced to 20 from 28 MLAs.

The Congress stands marginalised in some of the other northeastern states too. The Congress has been out of power for two decades in neighbouring Nagaland. It is the principal opposition force, but it could not field candidates in all the 60 segments in the 2018 Assembly polls in that state.

In Meghalaya, Garo leader Mukul Sangma and his fellow travellers recently quit the Congress to join the Trinamool Congress. In Assam, the Congress is still a force but failed to stop the BJP from returning to power in the 2021 Assembly polls. In Tripura, the Congress is now a 'zero MLA' party.

Also read: BJP, Congress locked in close battle in Manipur

But in Manipur, the Congress continues to have hope under the leadership of former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who remains popular and can put up a strong fight against the ruling BJP. He was the chief minister from 2002 to 2017, winning three successive elections. But some think that at 73, he is past his prime.

Apart from the fact that voters in Manipur prefer a party ruling at the Centre, N Biren Singh, the current chief minister of the state, a former Congressman who joined the BJP in 2016, has earned the reputation of being accessible.

The Meitei factor

The 'Meitei interest' will play a pivotal role in Manipur polls. In October 2019, Biren Singh had approached Union Home Minister Amit Shah and convinced him to 'delay' the final announcement on the Naga Peace Agreement.

The Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), or NSCN (IM), with its organisational presence among the Tangkhul Nagas tribe, has pockets of influence in Manipur. Hence, the Meitei leaders are often cautious about the Centre's 'give it all' approach towards that outfit.

Talks are in the final stage, they say, since the last two years. But for Meiteis in Manipur, there can be no compromise on the state boundary. The BJP central leadership ostensibly has agreed to be with Meiteis on this issue.

Also read: NCP to contest polls in Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Manipur with alliance

In 2010, the then union home minister P Chidambaram had reportedly agreed to allow Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah to visit his native village, Somdal, in Manipur. Accordingly, Ibobi Singh was asked to handle the matter cautiously, specifically the 'Meitei sentiment' as the community views the Naga movement as a significant move to alter the state's geography.

In Delhi, Ibobi Singh agreed and said he would facilitate Muivah's visit. But back in Manipur, Ibobi Singh played the Meitei card to the hilt and sabotaged Muivah's visit to his native village in the Ukhrul district, which of course, strengthened his grip on the state politics.

Probably some Congress leaders are yet to forget and forgive Ibobi Singh for this. Nevertheless, much depends for the Congress on the Ibobi Singh factor in the forthcoming polls. It remains to be seen whether the Congress high command will oblige him by giving tickets to Ibobi Singh's chosen leaders. The final working relations between Ibobi Singh and Jairam Ramesh, the Congress in-charge of Manipur elections, would settle things.

Advantage N Biren Singh

On the other hand, locals say Biren Singh and the BJP are ahead in their perception. "The prime minister's concept of "double engine government" may not appeal to all in Manipur. But to be in power both in Imphal and in New Delhi gives enough mechanism to garner votes to the BJP. It also used to be the Congress party's advantage. Now that pattern is definitely at play, and it will help our party," says SK Sema, a BJP leader from Manipur's Naga areas.

In the chief minister's constituency, Heingang, a 50-year old woman says, "The BJP's move to appoint a woman state unit president in Sharda Devi would be another advantage in its favour". Of course, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charisma will also play.

Also Read | State polls hold national importance

While rival parties will have to remain content with local candidates and low profile campaigners, the BJP has on its hands a problem of plenty and possible dissent after the final ticket distribution. The BJP won 21 seats in 2017 but has set a target of 40 in this election and will be fielding candidates in all 60 seats, which has strained its ties with the NPP of Conrad Sangma, the chief minister of Meghalaya.

Another regional party, the NPF, draws strength among the Naga population in the hilly region of the state and had won four seats five years back. It is now eyeing at least 8 to 10.

Manipur' politics has another peculiarity. Local MLAs' performance and who rules Delhi are election issues. Still, when voters queue up to press the button on the election day, contentious issues, like the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), seldom become a game-changer.

(Nirendra Dev is a journalist based in New Delhi)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH .

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CCB sleuths in Mangaluru have been successful in arresting five persons including notorious rowdy sheeter Akash Bhavan Sharan alias Rohidas in a robbery case reported at Chelaru in Surathkal police station limits on December 8.

Akash Bhavan Sharan (38), who is involved in murder, attempt to murder, sexual assault and other cases was released from prison on bail two months ago, said City Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar.

The other arrested are Anil Kumar Salian alias Anil Pumpwell (40) from Kankanady, Sainal DSouza (22) from Bajpe, Prasad (39) from Farangipet and Chethan Kottari (35) from Jeppinamogaru.

The arrested had waylaid a two-wheeler rider who is a resident of Haleyangadi on December 8 and had decamped with a mobile phone, Rs 3,000 in cash and the two-wheeler, after threatening the rider.

During the course of the investigation, the arrested had revealed that they were conspiring to murder a member of another gang. As a prelude to it, they had robbed the vehicle and mobile phone of the rider, so that they could use it for the offence later.

Akash Bhavan Sharan had used the stolen mobile phone to call and threaten a rowdy sheeter from the opposite gang, said the commissioner.

Akash Bhavan Sharan is the prime accused in the robbery case.

The police have also seized a car and three mobile phones from the arrested.

A few more accomplices of Akash Bhavan Sharan are absconding and efforts are on to trace them.

There are 22 cases including six murders, two sexual assaults and one case under Pocso Act against Akash Bhavan Sharan in various police stations coming under City Police Commissionerate, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi police jurisdictions.

He was involved in an auto driver's murder in Mangaluru South Police Station limits in 2003, a murder in Kavoor station in 2012, murder of KVG administrator Ramakrishna in Sullia in 2011, murder at Valencia in 2013, murder of Madoor Yusuf inside district jail in 2015 and murder of one Surendra Bantwal in Bantwal town station in 2020.

A rowdy sheet has already been opened against him in Kankanady Town Police Station.

Sainal too has five cases against him in various police stations.

Chethan Kottari has an attempt to murder case registered against him in Kankanady town police.

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The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has sought a Rs 3 hike per litre of milk in the state and appealed to CM Basavaraj Bommai to approve the fresh tariff.

The General body meeting of the KMF, headed by KMF Chairperson Balachandra Jarkiholi, which was held in Bengaluru on Thursday unanimously approved the proposal to hike Rs 3 per litre of milk.

Acknowledging the decision Jarkiholi told media persons that the 'Nandini' milk-the flagship brand of KMF is the cheapest milk brand available in India. "We are selling a litre of Nandini milk at Rs 37 and all Milk unions of Karnataka have unanimously sought revision in the prices. As a federation, we will not benefit from the hike as Rs 3 will be paid to the farmers during the procurement of milk. We will soon meet CM Bommai and get approval for the revised tariff," Jarkiholi said.

The KMF Chairperson also said that the work at Nandini Mega Food park in Belagavi is in full swing and once operational the unit will boost the sale of Paneer and Cheese besides helping market other products of KMF. The General body also decided to market its flavoured milk products produced at Hassan Pet bottle plant. The plant alone produces about 5 lakh pet bottles on daily basis.

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Former Karnataka chief secretary and Congress leader J Alexander passed away Friday. He was 83.

He was being treated at a hospital in the city due to illness. His last rites will be performed on Saturday. He is survived by two children and four grandchildren.

Originally from Kerala, Alexander joined the IAS in 1963 with Karnataka as his cadre. He rose to become chief secretary in 1992.

He later joined the Congress and was elected as MLA from the erstwhile Bharatinagar constituency in Bengaluru. He was the tourism minister in the SM Krishna government.

In 2019, Alexander resigned from the Congress, reportedly upset with the partys neglect towards Christians. However, he stayed on after being convinced by senior leaders.

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Karnataka Energy Minister V Sunil Kumar said Friday that he has tested positive for Covid-19.

I have tested positive for Covid-19 today with mild symptoms, Kumar, who is also the Kannada & Culture minister, said in a tweet. I request everyone who has recently come in contact with me to isolate and get themselves tested.

Kumar is the latest among ministers who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Revenue Minister R Ashoka and Cooperation Minister S T Somashekhar are recovering whereas Primary & Secondary Education Minister B C Nagesh is back to work after having contracted the virus.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai himself is working from home after testing positive for Covid-19.

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Omicron represents a new virus evolutionarily different from the Delta or previous variants, but experts said that the third wave is largely following the migratory pattern of the previous two waves.

Speaking on Thursday at a panel discussion titled Variants, Vaccines and Us, virologist Dr V Ravi, a member of Karnataka's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), noted that the outbreak will potentially peak in the city by the end of the month, before moving to other districts.

Since the start of the surge on December 29, Bengaluru has been accounting for an average of 79% of all new cases being recorded daily in the state, official data shows.

Read more: Private hospitals in Bengaluru persist with cocktail therapy

Cities are crowded and people meet largely in closed spaces, making them highly vulnerable to the epidemic. Again, we will see the same pattern (as before). Omicron is currently in major metros. Three weeks down the line, it will move to districts and then it will move to the periphery, Dr Ravi said, adding that this is a typical epidemiological pattern.

This could mean a slightly more prolonged exit from the current wave than anticipated.

If the second wave is a model, Bengaluru peaked on April 30. At that time, the city was accounting for 60% of all new cases in the state. Thereafter, its share began to drop away. The state took another five days to peak, by which time it was accounting for 40% of all new cases. However, the new nature of Omicron provides little conclusive evidence about how the wave will pan out.

Speaking at the event, virologist Dr T Jacob John noted that the new variants ability to carry out intracellular infections meant that there has been a fundamental shift in the pathology of the virus, which sets it apart from other variants.

Consequently, there is a shift (of the infection) from the lungs to the upper respiratory tract. The second shift is known as incision. This represents a shift in pathogenesis, he explained.

More child cases?

However, the high infectivity of the new variant nevertheless has implications for children under the age of 15, given that a larger number of them may contract the virus in the wave.

While Dr John said he believed that children would generally fare better under Omicron, he added that there are risks.

Omicron is a watered-down virus (than Delta), less severe. But a recent study by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has shown that children infected with novel coronavirus are 2.66 times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than kids who never contracted the novel coronavirus, he said.

On Thursday, the Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar told a press conference that children under the age of 15 years are vulnerable on the grounds that they are unvaccinated.




Medical workers wait for people at an empty makeshift testing site in Seoul, Jan. 13. AP-Yonhap



The government decided to raise the private gathering size limit to six while keeping its 9 p.m. curfew on restaurants and cafes for the next three weeks, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Friday.






A vigil was held at 4pm today (January 14) for Ashling Murphy in Derry's Guildhall Square.

Hundreds gathered at the steps of the Guildhall as speakers gave impactful and emotional speeches to the crowd.

One speaker said, "We cannot stop until women are safe to exist freely.

"May your story inspire rebellion for the protection of women everywhere."

Another said: "The police tell us being drunk is "asking for it," what culture are we living in, what culture?

"Women are not the problem, we have never been the problem."

Some mourners held signs with one reading, 'Misogyny is murder.' Candles and flowers were placed at the steps of the Guildhall.

If a community had an hour's vigil for each woman killed by a man in Ireland, since 1996, you'd be there for just under two weeks.

Ashling Murphy (23) was murdered January 12 whilst out for an afternoon jog in Tullamore, County Offaly.

Ashling Murphy was a primary school teacher who sadly died after being attacked while running along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore.

Ashling made a new year's resolution to take up jogging.

Ashling's parents have spoken out about their daughter's harrowing death.

Her grief-stricken parents, Kathleen and Raymond, said their youngest daughter was "a special girl".

They remembered her as a talented musician, driven worker, and a "brilliant girl".

She was a great worker, with great drive. A marvellous musician. She played with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri all over Ireland and all over the UK on the tours. She was in their youth choir and senior orchestra," they said.

Ashling's boyfriend Ryan, who was with her for five years, is devastated by her tragic passing.

Ashling's mum shared, "She loved her boyfriend Ryan who she was with for five years. Hes heartbroken.

Gardai have released the man they initially arrested in connection to the murder and he is deemed no longer a suspect.

Gardai are continuing to call for anyone with information to come forward and have made a renewed appeal for information on the movements of a bicycle.

Anyone with information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks are being asked to contact gardai in Tullamore.
People Before Profit have selected Shaun Harkin to be their candidate in the Foyle seat for next May's Assembly Election.

Harkin, who is currently one of the party's two Councillors at Derry City & Strabane District Council, will be hoping to be one of five MLAs elected to the Assembly at Stormont come May 5.

People Before Profit have been represented at Stormont before when Eamonn McCann was elected back in 2016, only for him to lose his seat at the election that took place the following year when boundary changes cut Foyle's MLA allocation from six to five.

Cllr Harkin is no stranger to contesting elections at a national level as he has twice challenged for the Foyle seat at the UK General Elections of 2017 and 2019.

This, however, will be his first attempt to become an MLA.

Cllr Harkin said: I'm honoured to be selected to represent People Before Profit in May. There's a massive desire for fundamental change right across society.

People want more real equality and less of the divisive dead end of communal politics that the Stormont political establishment gets top marks on.

The last number of years have been very hard right. They might not like to hear it but the Stormont Executive, instead of protecting people from Tory policies, has imitated them.

It's been one rule for them and another for the rest of us. Elites have been taken care of while the vulnerable, workers and students have been ignored.

Just like the Tories, the Executive botched its pandemic response. This has brought unnecessary grief to many people, has strained our health service like never before and brought tremendous hardship in all our communities.

The callous treatment of health and social care workers by Boris Johnson and the Executive epitomises everything that's wrong. They've tried to look the other way as people reel from massive energy and cost of living hikes.

Instead of supporting progressive demands, the Executive has consistently blocked them and enforced the reactionary status quo.

This is the case when it comes to the right to choose, real pay rises for workers, climate action, racial equality and addressing the spiraling housing crisis.

Promises to address structural inequality in Derry and the North West continue to be broken. It's shameful that 30 per cent of people in Derry struggle below the poverty line. We have the largest number of people on the housing waiting list. The commitment to expand Magee to 10,000 students has once again been ripped up.

Executive parties wave around their newfound environmental credentials but they couldn't even deliver the Derry-Coleraine rail upgrade or start the clean-up of the toxic Mobuoy dump. All this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the failure to deliver for people here.

We are standing to give voice to students and teachers demanding better treatment. We are standing to make sure the demands of women and those who have been marginalised are heard.

We are standing to demand real pay rises for all workers in the public, private and community sectors. We are standing to make sure our Black and minority ethnic communities are never treated again as they were by the Executive on June 5, 2020.

We are standing to make sure the vulnerable in our communities are not ignored. We won't allow people who've demanded justice for 50 years to be ignored because Boris Johnson says so.

Foyle Port workers, anti-poverty campaigners and many others are taking action for change now. No one should wait. We are fighting for a Stormont seat to amplify these struggles.

May 5 is an opportunity for change and we urge people to seize it.
The family of the late Councillor Eddie Fullerton with Padraig Mac Lochlainn TD

The family of murdered Donegal councillor, Eddie Fullerton, has given a broad welcome to the report investigating RUC handling of certain Loyalist paramilitary murders and attempted murders in the North.

Speaking to Inish Live, Eddie Fullerton's daughter, Amanda, said the report established security forces in the North had armed UDA gangs and an RUC officer, a known Loyalist informant, had been present in the custody suite when Eddie Fullerton was arrested in 1990.

Shortly after that, my father received a death threat, said Amanda Fullerton, yet that particular person was never criminally investigated.

Eddie Fullerton was murdered in his Buncrana home on May 25, 1991.

The report, compiled by the Police Ombudsman in the North, Marie Anderson, dealt with the murders of Eddie Fullerton, Gerard Casey, Patrick Shanaghan, Thomas Donaghey, Bernard O'Hagan, Daniel Cassidy and Michael Carey and the attempted murders of Patrick McErlain and James McCorriston, which took place between 1989 and 1993.

It also considered the murders of Karen Thompson, Steven Mullan, Moira Duddy, Joseph McDermott, James Moore, John Moyne, John Burns, and Victor Montgomery in the October 30, 1993 Greysteel massacre, and the murders of James McKenna, Gerard Dalrymple, Noel O'Kane and James Kelly at Castlerock on March 25, 1993.

Amanda Fullerton said: We feel that our family's position, from the outset of the assassination, that there was collusion involved in my father's murder, has been vindicated.

Eddie Fullerton was murdered as a result of collusion by the RUC and security forces, with the UDA and Loyalist paramilitaries.

The Ombudsman said our complaint was legitimate and justified. She was careful in the way she addressed the issue but she did go into details about the general collusive activities. There is also a chapter on each of the victims, with a chapter is dedicated to my father.

I think, what needs to be borne in mind in terms of Eddie Fullerton is that yesterday's report is the second part of our Ombudsman report journey. We had an interim report back in 2013. The investigation into the original complaint was kick-started in 2006. We received that report in 2013 and, seven years later, we are receiving this report. The initial report paved the way for this particular wider investigation. The whole journey has taken 14 years to complete, said Amanda Fullerton.

Amanda Fullerton said the family had come full circle in its engagement with the Ombudsman.

This report has revealed some evidence to us that we would otherwise never have known about, so the journey has been pretty positive, as far as it could be, said Ms Fullerton.

She added: We now have to read the full report and digest it all because our legal team also represents a number of other people and families in this investigation, so we have to get together with them.

We have to look at the implications of this report now for our process going forward and also the implications for the Irish Government, in terms of it taking some form of action based on the findings of this report.

The official report is in the public domain now, so we know about the two guns used in Eddie Fullerton's murder. One of the guns was an RUC registered weapon and the other one was imported in the South African arms cache. The importance of that is to now have established, to know, the security forces were arming the UDA gangs.

They were arming them to kill people like my father and the other victims, that is one of the glaringly obvious findings of this report. Also, that there was a particular police officer who was known to be a Loyalist informant and he was actually present in the custody suite at the time my father was arrested by the RUC in 1990. shortly after that my father received a death threat. Yet, that particular person was never never criminally investigated, said Amanda Fullerton.

It has also emerged that, in the case of Eddie Fullerton and most of the murders and attempted murders in question, senior RUC officers refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Amanda Fullerton also revealed that whenever the Gardai asked the Special Branch to follow certain lines of enquiry, the RUC did not respond.

There are all sorts of circumstances that we just have to deal with now and take forward which are unique to daddy's case, said Amanda Fullerton.

It is good to raise awareness for my Father's case and to let the local community know, the community my father represented, the truth.

Even all these years later, they want to know what happened to their councillor, they want to get to the truth, as much as we do.

RELATED ARTICLES

Read the full Ombudsman's report here.
Sinn Fein Foyle MLA, Ciara Ferguson, has said the most recent report by Manufacturing NI highlights the biggest concern for manufacturers is access to workers.

Ms Ferguson stated that the report showed that a shortage of labour was having a consider impact on manufacturing firms to get goods produced and on the shelves.

The current wrangling over the NI Protocol between the UK and the European Union (EU) has not helped the current uncertainty regarding the import and export of goods and Ms Ferguson said that negotiations must focus on finding practical solutions to ensure the Protocol works more effectively and moving forward we need to see a greater focus on the opportunities it has to offer.

She said: The latest Manufacturing NI report has confirmed that the biggest problem currently facing manufacturers is a shortage of workers.

The proportion of manufacturers experiencing problems with implementing the protocol has reduced significantly, with almost two thirds saying the protocol is here to stay and needs to be made work better, while over 40 per cent of respondents want the Executive to secure new opportunities through the protocol.

The priority in the current negotiations between the British government and the EU must be on finding practical solutions to ensure the protocol works more effectively.

We also need to see a greater focus on the opportunities of the protocol and a strategy to maximise the potential of the north's continued access to the EU single market as well as the British market.

However it is clear that Brexit has created significant problems in terms of access to labour with the end of freedom of movement and the strict immigration regime being implemented by the British government.

In addition, as a result of Brexit, the department for the economy has lost vital EU funding for skills and training.

The British government needs to replace the EU Funding that has been lost due to Brexit to support skills and training, and also recognise the problems with access to labour and the unique circumstances of the north in respect of this, and must put in place solutions which allow for those with the necessary skills to be recruited.
Just as we reported that Sony is looking to manufacture a million PS4 consoles in 2022, Microsoft is shuttering the doors on all Xbox One consoles. Just as the company announced the launch of the Series X/S, it discontinued the Xbox One X and the Xbox One S. In a statement to The Verge, Senior director of Xbox console product marketing, Cindy Walker stated To focus on the production of Xbox Series X / S, we stopped production for all Xbox One consoles by the end of 2020. Letting us know that this was already in the pipeline in 2020.

No more Xbox One console in 2022 says Microsoft

It seems that the company will focus on the Xbox Series X/S for now, since they seem to be doing relatively well, according to Head honcho Phil Spencer. And, just like Sony, Microsoft is also facing a shortage in supply due to the current chip shortage. In a recent interview, Phil Spencer stated that the current generation of consoles has sold faster than any Xbox console, dating back to the original OG Xbox. Sony, meanwhile, is looking at boosting PS4 production as the company is looking at using the older console to tide gamers over until supply issues are resolved and gamers can get their hands on the PS5.

Sony was initially looking at discontinuing the assembly of the Ps4 sometime in 2021, but owing to the shortage of newer consoles, it has decided that itll try bolstering its sales with more PlayStation 4s. As stated earlier, about a million PS4 consoles will be manufactured to take off a bit of the load from the PS5s production. Plus, Sony does have a number of games that are cross-generational with the upcoming God of War: Ragnarok being the biggest of the lot. So, if players cant get a hold of the PS5, picking up a PS4 Pro could be a good option if youre looking to experience Sonys exclusive games.

Also Read: Xbox Game Pass Added Games Worth More Than Rs 4,70,000 In 2021
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HONOLULU  Residents of a Hawaii housing complex are asking a judge to stop their landlord from charging them rent until their tap water is safe from contamination.

Kapilina Beach Homes in Ewa Beach used to be Navy housing. The Navy entered into a partnership with a private entity that also allows civilians to be tenants.





. . .
Subscriber content preview

Photo by Colliers [enlarge] In this image from Colliers, which brokered the December sale, the new tower will be at right (west), with the parking lot at left to remain for now.





Last month in the University District, the vacant former Walgreens and its east parking lot sold for $13 million to Fields Holdings of Los Angeles, a very active developer of off-campus student housing. Now, for likely partner Core Spaces of Chicago, also active in the U District, GGLO has filed a 23-story tower plan at 1205 N.E. 50th St., on the corner of 12th Avenue Northeast.





. . .
An exhausted medical worker rests in a booth at a makeshift testing site in Seoul, Jan. 13. AP-Yonhap



Daily new COVID-19 infections stayed above 4,000 for the third consecutive day, as imported cases reached an all-time high Thursday, prompting the government to extend some toughened social distancing rules for three more weeks.



The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 4,542 new cases, including 4,133 local ones, raising the total caseload to 683,566.



The number of imported cases hit a daily high of 409 amid the spread of the Omicron variant across the globe, according to the KDCA.



The health authorities decided to ban all entrants' use of ordinary public transportation upon arrival and tighten rules on the proof of negative COVID-19 test results to stem the inflow of the virus. The measures will go into effect Jan. 20.



Forty-nine more deaths were recorded, raising the toll to 6,259 and pushing up the fatality rate to 0.92 percent.






Irish police investigating the murder of a young teacher in Co Offaly are continuing to hunt for her killer.

Late last night (January 13) Gardai released a man who they had been questioning over the death of Ashling Murphy, stating he was now no longer a suspect.

The murder of the 23-year-old in Tullamore on Wednesday has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities across Ireland today (January 14) and over the coming days.

This morning, Gardai issued a renewed appeal for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks to come forward.

In a statement, a garda spokesperson said: The male who was arrested and detained by An Garda Siochana investigating this fatal assault has now been released from this detention.

This male has been eliminated from Garda inquiries and is no longer a suspect.

Earlier, the Irish police force promised to leave no stone unturned in bringing Ms Murphys killer to justice.

Ms Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore, was killed on Wednesday afternoon while running along the banks of the Grand Canal.

Those who knew her described her as a gifted musician who was loved by her pupils.

Her death has sparked fresh conversations about the safety of women in Ireland, with many questioning how such an attack could happen in broad daylight.

Several hundred people attended a vigil in memory of Ms Murphy in Galway last night.

Many in the crowd brought flowers and candles to the vigil.

Senior Irish politicians promised that justice would be delivered for Ms Murphys family and condemned violence against women.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the teacher represented the best of modern Ireland.

The entire country is devastated and shocked by the violent and barbaric killing of Ashling Murphy, a young woman in the prime of her life, he said.

There is no place in our society for violence, particularly violence against women. It cannot and will not be tolerated.

The safety and security of women is at the core of our societys values.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar expressed his condolences to the family of Ms Murphy.

He tweeted: There must be zero tolerance for any violence against women.

Mr Varadkar called Ms Murphys death truly devastating and senseless.

Every effort is being made to make sure justice is served, he added.

Dublin, Galway, and Belfast are among the locations where vigils have already been arranged, with the impact of the attack felt on both sides of the Irish border.

Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters that around 50 officers are working on the investigation as he appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said Gardai do not believe Ms Murphy knew her killer and said he is likely a male who acted alone.

The murder scene remained closed off at the Grand Canal throughout Thursday as the murder probe continued.

Gardai also confirmed a post-mortem examination has been completed.

My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. Please anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done.  Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 12, 2022

The route along the Grand Canal is often busy and is a popular spot for walkers and joggers.

Floral tributes were left outside the school gates of Durrow National School, where Ms Murphy taught, as the local community reeled in the wake of the attack.

Principal of Durrow National School, James Hogan, said the school community is utterly devastated.

He told RTE radio Ms Murphy was a bright light who put a smile on anyones face.

He added: Ashling was a shining light to the kids and a very professional and talented young teacher.

She was an inspiration to so many, not just in our school but across the wider community of schools.

A young woman cant even go for a run along a canal pathway- at four oclock in the middle of the day -only to be attacked & murdered Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen!  Josepha Madigan  (@josephamadigan) January 12, 2022

Dr Labhras O Murchu, from traditional music organisation Comhaltas, said Ms Murphy was among the finest exponents of the concertina and fiddle and was also learning the uilleann pipes, adding: We know that she and her family are at the heart of her local community.

She was a much-loved school teacher and had so much to offer in so many ways.

Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: I am devastated.

I couldnt sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time.

She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words.

Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk.

Its a lovely area and helps clear your head. Its a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams.
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
FILE - The Supreme Court shown Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, in Washington. The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job. The court's order Thursday during a spike in coronavirus cases deals a blow to the administration's efforts to boost the vaccination rate among Americans. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung sweeps his hair up in a YouTube video posted Jan. 4, to collect public opinion about his pledge to include hair loss treatment in national health insurance coverage. Captured from YouTube



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's pledge to include hair loss treatment in national health insurance coverage is drawing protest from patients with rare, incurable diseases, many of which are excluded from the public health insurance.



The Korean Organization for Rare Diseases (KORD) released a statement, Thursday, lamenting Lee's hair loss treatment proposal.



"There are still many patients with rare life-threatening diseases, including babies born with rare disorders in this era of ultra-low fertility, and they are not guaranteed access to treatment due to the high cost of new, orphan drugs. It is not proper to discuss expanding the coverage of national health insurance to hair loss treatment in this situation," the organization said in the statement.






Aldi today announced it is creating up to 16 new jobs in County Louth in 2022.

This follows the announcement that Aldi is seeking to recruit and train 600 new store employees throughout 2022, to support its ongoing growth and expansion in Ireland.

Aldi says it will increase its hourly pay rates for store colleagues from 1st February 2022 maintaining its position as Irelands best paying supermarket.

Store Assistants will earn up to a market leading 14.90 an hour, while the entry rate of pay will be 12.90 an hour, matching the Living Wage Technical Groups recommended Living Wage rate.

Employment opportunities are available at Store Assistant, Assistant Store Manager and Store Manager levels across the country.

All new recruits will receive full training from experienced store teams.

Aldi currently employs more than 4,650 people across its 149 Irish stores, with four existing stores in Co. Louth including on Donore Rd and Slane Rd, Drogheda, and Newry Rd and Ramparts Rd, Dundalk.

Since 2014, Louth stores have donated over 76,000 meals to local charities through FoodCloud, saving local charities over 95,000.

Niall OConnor, Aldi Group Managing Director said:

We are delighted to create 16 new roles to join the store teams in County Louth.

Our store teams are dynamic and fast-paced, offering plenty of exciting new challenges every day.

Theres something for everyone, from new starters looking to take their first step on the job ladder to more experienced team leaders seeking a new challenge.

Our amazing colleagues are central to everything we do at Aldi and remain one of the key factors in our success, and were looking forward to hiring new members for our team to provide an even better in-store experience for our customers, he concluded.
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Hundreds of people gathered at the Market Square in Dundalk this evening for a candlelight vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy.

Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old primary school teacher in Tullamore, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur in Co Offaly.

A 40-year-old man was arrested, however late last night (January 13) Gardai released the man who they had been questioning over the death of Ms Murphy, stating he was now no longer a suspect.

The murder of the 23-year-old in Tullamore has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils held in towns and cities across Ireland, including Dundalk this evening at 7pm.

Local people lit candles in memory of the young woman who was killed while out jogging and placed them at the square.

Speakers addressed the crowd during the emotional vigil, at which a moment of silence was held in memory of Ashling.

Ann Larkin from Women's Aid Dundalk said: This could have happened in any Irish town or village, it could have been on the Navvy Bank or the River Walk in Dundalk, it could have been any of our daughters, sisters, nieces, mothers, friends or colleagues.

Indeed, it has over the years been other families experience, our own community is no stranger to the violent death of women.

Ann continued: We remember Ashling and all those who have lost their lives to gender based violence and we hope that what has been ignited in our land in this past week will be fanned into a cohesive, effective response to violence against women, that will make our homes, streets, communities and country, safer for women and by so doing, safer for all.

Grace McArdle from the Rape Crisis Centre North East, speaking to the gathered crowd, said: Ashling was living her life,something she should have had the freedom to do.

That was taken away from her.

Ashling's life was so short lived, so cruelly taken.

I am calling for the Government to step up and take action.

Something clearly needs to change.

Women need the freedom to stop living in fear.

Grace concluded: Ashling Murphy was just going for a run.

Our thoughts are with Ashling's family today.

Local musician Zoe Conway and her husband John McIntyre played the Irish traditional song Mna na hEireann in memory of Ashling, a talented musician.

Zoe, before playing, said: It is a great honour to play this tune in memory of Ashling.

I like to think I am representing the Irish music community which Ashling was a huge part of and a vibrant member.
The newly-published Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill has been criticised for failing to protect childrens health by omitting explicit restrictions on junk food marketing.

The Irish Heart Foundation says that the Bill, published today, fails to curb digital marketing of unhealthy food to children, which studies have shown is fuelling the obesity crisis.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media has failed to appreciate the key role junk food marketing plays in eroding childrens health, said Kathryn Reilly, Policy Manager with the charity.

The digital marketing strategies used to promote junk food are increasingly integrated, immersive and personalised.

In early November, the charity welcomed a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media of a ban on advertising to children online, including ads for alcohol, high fat/salt/sugar foods and gambling.

Studies have shown that online junk food marketing to children is fuelling the obesity crisis and it is unfortunate that the Department has not given due regard to public health evidence, or the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee, with an explicit reference to banning these practices, Ms Reilly said.

TDs and Senators from all parties have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the rising levels of childhood overweight and obesity that persist.

With the OSMR Bill, the Oireachtas had a once in a decade opportunity to protect childrens health and to be part of momentum across Europe to tackle marketing to children.

Up to now, the interests of the food and advertising industries have been put above the health of children in Ireland, and with the failure of the Department to include an explicit ban on junk food marketing online, this will continue.

A junk food ad ban in the Bill would have been a seismic shift to put public health above private profits.

Neither sections relating to media service codes nor online safety codes make explicit reference to bans on junk food advertising to children. Part 5, section 9, notes media codes will ensure that commercial communications 'protect the interests of children having particular regard to the general public health interests of children'.

"Part 11, Section 44 of the Bill states that online safety codes will ensure commercial communications on their services are 'appropriate to protect the interests of users of their services, and in particular the interests of children', but these provisions do not go far enough because they dont adequately reflect the recommendation of the Oireachtas Committee.

"These alone will not suffice and children must be explicitly protected from these forms of advertising, and they must be named in the Bill.

There have been two Oireachtas reports in the last three years calling for statutory regulation in this area, and there is a clear public demand for this advertising and marketing to stop  legislators must now ensure this recommendation is in the Bill as it progresses through the Oireachtas this year.

"We will be seeking amendments in this area and hope that the Committee members who made the recommendation, as well as the wider Oireachtas, support them.

In her presentation to the committee last June, Ms Reilly warned that 85,000 children across the island will die prematurely because of childhood obesity.
A shopper walks past partially empty frozen food coolers at a grocery in Cranberry Township, Pa., on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Shortages at U.S. grocery stores have grown 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.
Among the four sexual assault victims interviewed by The Korea Times and and its sister paper Hankook Ilbo, all except Flower wished to remain anonymous. The other names used in this article are pseudonyms.  ED.



By Lee Min-young



"When I was raped, it actually took me about a month to muster up the strength to go and make my case."



After taking a deep breath, Jennifer, a sexual assault victim, broke the silence and started talking about what happened to her that night.



Acquaintance, friend and partner



"He was actually a friend. We started out as friends and we used to hang out occasionally along with mutual friends," Jennifer told The Korea Times. But, she continued, that all changed when she went out for a drink with him and he showed his true colors.



The two had an argument outside a bar and suddenly he started acting aggressively, grabbing her by the shoulder and assaulting her. "I went straight into a full-on panic attack and I just went into a manic state at that moment and just blacked out."



The next thing she knew she was being dragged to a motel. She said her body was hurting all over and she even had a bloody lip but she couldn't remember what he had done to her or how she got there.



There, Jennifer was raped by him four times.





Jennifer speaks during a recent interview with The Korea Times. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min



"I felt trapped. He wouldn't let me go. By the fourth time, I felt so exhausted and helpless that I told him to get it done and over with if this is what he really wanted."



Flower from South Africa, another victim of sexual assault, recalled a similar experience.



"We were actually dating for about a month. But I had no intention of getting physical with him yet. I was uncomfortable about it." One day the two went out on a date and since it was getting too late to take the subway, he asked her if she wanted to stay at a nearby hotel for the night and get some rest. She agreed, unaware of his real intention.



"I told him, 'I'm sorry, I don't want to do anything, I just want to sleep,' but he ignored my request. Eventually he pinned me down to the bed with force, and started to do his thing." She said that she begged him over and over again that night to stop but he wouldn't listen. "I said, 'Please, if you're going to do this, please use protection, please...' but he ignored my request to use protection."



One month later, she learned she was pregnant.





Flower, another victim of sexual assault, said she remembers waking up in a hotel room without any clothes on, completely terrified, as she didn't have any recollection of what had happened to her that night. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min



During the interview, Flower became very emotional and tearful as she spoke about becoming pregnant as a result of the rape. "This is the first time I would ever talk about this publicly. That situation changed my life completely."



Ever since, she has been dealing with anxiety and PTSD. She never came forward about the attack and swept the traumatic experience under the rug.



Fear of reporting



She told The Korea Times that there are many foreign women who have been victims of sexual violence.



"I have tons of friends that constantly tell me this ajeoshi (middle-aged man) grabbed her bum on the subway and this one tried to take pictures of her. Foreign women often don't speak up about these problems because they are scared of losing their jobs and their reputation in this country."



Jeong Jae-hyung, an inspector with the juvenile crime and gender-based violence division at the National Police Agency (NPA), says many of the victims are reluctant to come forward because of their immigration or work status among other issues. The language barrier and a lack of information can also prevent them from calling for help. "These barriers also make the women an easier target and as such are exploited by the perpetrators," he said.





Jeong Jae-hyung, an inspector with the juvenile crime and gender-based violence division at the National Police Agency, speaks to The Korea Times about sexual violence cases against foreign women. Korea Times photo by Kim-Kang-min



According to the latest data provided by the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), in 2020 a total of 2,036,075 foreigners resided in Korea  909,103 of them women. But the number of calls to the Danuri Helpline in relation to sexual assault last year was 55, just 0.5 percent of the total calls received  an indication that such crimes are vastly underreported. Only 747 cases out of 39,296 reported sexual assault cases in 2020 involved foreign victims.



Qualified, experienced translators are needed



Cases involving foreigners are usually processed by multicultural support centers, and the victims are accompanied through the investigation by an interpreter and someone with whom they have a trusted relationship. While using translation services is the one major procedural difference between foreign and Korean victims, the language barrier is still a great hurdle for them in report their cases to the police.



After Jennifer reported the crime and gave her statement to the prosecution during an investigation to bring her case to court, she struggled to describe what had happened to her despite the help of an interpreter.





The language barrier is still a great hurdle for foreign victims in reporting cases of sexual violence to police. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min



"I had to repeat myself several times and she had to fix herself (for clarification). Apparently, there was something wrong with the translation of my statement that they couldn't understand exactly how I defended myself. So the prosecutor had asked me to reenact that."



So she was put into the situation of reenacting how she was raped four separate times. This occurred in front of all present, including the alleged rapist.



Gender sensitivity



Cases involving sexual assault had all been handled by criminal affairs departments in the past. But after many women raised the issue of a lack of gender sensitivity, the NPA created separate investigation departments for women and adolescents.



Patricia said she was shocked by how some police officers handled sexual violence cases without any sensitivity. She said she had gone to the police to report a case in which a stranger had sexually harassed her at her workplace. "They were yelling my personal information to one another and I was explaining my story quietly to one officer and the other officer kind of just shouts like, 'Oh, did he hit you?', 'Did he touch you?' You know, without any tact, without any grace."





Patricia, a victim of sexual harassment, talks about her experience with the police's handling of her case. Captured from Zoom



"We call it secondary victimization. We are trying to make sure that law enforcement personnel are responding in a sensitive way when it comes to dealing with sexual assault victims," Jeong said. He said police officers are being educated to collect statements from victims using AI-based speech recognition technology to help victims feel more comfortable talking to them.



The tool automatically converts their testimony into text so that officers won't have to type down statements, which makes victims feel as if they are being interrogated.



Linda also said she had an unpleasant experience with police officers. It was late at night when a man started following her as she jogged along the street. Police officers saw and came up to her asking if she was okay which soon led to inappropriate questions. "They started asking me unnecessary questions  and I could see them eyeing me up and down because I wasn't wearing a lot of clothes because it was very hot and I was exercising."





Linda talks about her unpleasant experience with Korean police officers. Captured from Zoom



The officers asked her what kind of work she was doing and her place of residence. "They were asking me in a way that felt like they were guessing if I was up for service. I had heard there were a number of Russian prostitutes living in the neighborhood," she said as she recalled the experience.



"They said they would follow me home to make sure I get home safe. I told them I didn't want them to know where I lived and I was feeling even more unsafe because of them but they insisted and eventually did follow me home," she said.



Lack of support



"After I went through all those experiences, I felt so alone."



Flower who had been through a number of traumatic situations in which she was sexually assaulted by Korean men regretted that she did not receive professional mental help for her PTSD.



Korea has improved its support system for Korean sexual assault victims over the past several years due to greater calls for victim protection and harsher punishment for perpetrators following a number of sex crime cases that made headlines nationwide.



But foreign women are still off of the radar, leaving many helpless and lost.



"There are organizations out there but they don't focus particularly on foreign woman. They didn't have any English-speaking staff, or they say they only help Korean women," Jennifer said. Experts say society needs to make more efforts to protect the rights of every victim no matter where they come from  and change may be coming.



"As of now, we have detectives in charge who supervise every aspect of the investigation. But in the future, victims will have to be given further protection through specialized law enforcement personnel who speak their language and can better communicate with the victims," Jeong said.





There are a handful of organizations for Korean sexual assault victims but foreign women are still off their radar, leaving many helpless and lost. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min



As of now, migrant women can report an incident through the Danuri Call Center, which is staffed by professional consultants from immigrant backgrounds.



The Danuri call center has services available in 13 languages, and it is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It also provides a range of information for migrant women and those from multi-ethnic households, including ways to request protection and assistance in the event of a crime.



"We're also working to better protect the rights of foreigners by working with migrant communities, law enforcement and neighborhood watch groups, while also raising awareness on safety guidelines and the resources that are available in case they need assistance," Jeong said.



Universal human rights



When Jennifer was provided with a lawyer by the government, she said she saw him only once during the investigation and did not hear from him until the ruling  when she was informed that the case had been thrown out due to a lack of evidence.



"The biggest problem with sexual violence investigations is that the victims are often left out of the loop once they have filed their charges. Criminal court cases are handled by the national judiciary, so it falls on the state to decide the fate of the assailant or defendant in question," said Choi Seung-ho, an attorney at Ondam Law based in Seoul.



"The victim's accusations merely serve as evidence in the court, but they themselves are not part of the legal proceedings. This leads to several problems for the victims. There are often left completely in the dark about the court schedule and any updates on the investigation of their assailants."





Choi Seung-ho, an attorney at Ondam Law based in Seoul, speaks during a recent interview with The Korea Times. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-min
China FDI inflows hit record high in 2021

Xinhua) 09:20, January 14, 2022

File photo shows a view of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone at Pudong New Area in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- In a year when the pandemic continued to wreak havoc on the world economy, global investors have cast more votes of confidence on investing in China as the foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country hit a record high.

The FDI into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, expanded 14.9 percent year on year to a record high of 1.15 trillion yuan in 2021, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

In U.S. dollar terms, the inflow went up 20.2 percent year on year to 173.48 billion dollars.

High-tech industries saw FDI inflows jump 17.1 percent from a year earlier, ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting told a press briefing.

Foreign investment in China's high-tech manufacturing and high-tech services industries rose 10.7 percent and 19.2 percent, year on year, respectively.

The robust growth came as China's long-term and sound economic fundamental, and constantly improving business environment retained an appeal to foreign capital, said Zhang Jianping, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the commerce ministry.

Last year, the total FDI inflow into the services sector increased 16.7 percent, year on year, to 906.49 billion yuan.

Investment in the Chinese mainland from countries along the Belt and Road and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations jumped 29.4 percent and 29 percent, respectively, data from the ministry shows.

China will further expand its high-level opening-up, enhance its services for foreign-funded firms and projects, and make more efforts to optimize the business environment in 2022, Shu said.

In late December, authorities unveiled two shortened negative lists for foreign investment, which have both taken effect since Jan. 1, 2022, as part of efforts to open up the economy more.

Off-limit items for foreign investors have been cut to 31 in the 2021 version of the negative list from 33 in the 2020 version, while the 2021 negative list for foreign investment in pilot free trade zones cut the number of items to 27 from 30.

This year, the ministry will make solid efforts to implement the negative lists and guide more foreign capital to invest in emerging fields, including advanced manufacturing, modern services, high-tech, energy conservation, environmental protection, and the digital economy, Shu said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)






Ruling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung / Yonhap



Ruling party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said Friday he will add hair loss to ailments covered by National Health Insurance as previously suggested by his campaign.



The idea of getting the state to cover the cost of hair loss treatment generated a huge public response last week as supporters welcomed the plan and critics denounced it as populist.



"I will help people suffering from hair loss to focus on their treatment by sharing the economic burden," the Democratic Party of Korea nominee wrote on Facebook. "I will expand the national insurance plan's coverage of hair loss treatment drugs and actively look into including hair transplants for the treatment of serious cases of hair loss as well."






Over 150 Cork jobs with Aldi are being created by the retailer as they expand across the country, recruiting and training 600 new store employees across the country.

Aldi is seeking to recruit and train 600 new store employees throughout 2022, to support its ongoing growth and expansion in Ireland.

Niall OConnor, Aldi Group Managing Director said: We are delighted to create 151 new roles to join the store teams in County Cork.

Our store teams are dynamic and fast-paced, offering plenty of exciting new challenges every day. Theres something for everyone, from new starters looking to take their first step on the job ladder to more experienced team leaders seeking a new challenge.

Our amazing colleagues are central to everything we do at Aldi and remain one of the key factors in our success, and were looking forward to hiring new members for our team to provide an even better in-store experience for our customers.

Store Assistants will earn up to a market-leading 14.90 an hour, while its entry rate of pay will be 12.90 an hour, matching the Living Wage Technical Groups recommended Living Wage rate.

The supermarket is also increasing its hourly pay rates for store colleagues from February 1.

Store Assistants will earn up to a market-leading 14.90 an hour, while its entry rate of pay will be 12.90 an hour, matching the Living Wage Technical Groups recommended Living Wage rate.

Employment opportunities are available at Store Assistant, Assistant Store Manager and Store Manager levels across the country. All new recruits will receive full training from experienced store teams.

Employment opportunities are available at Store Assistant, Assistant Store Manager and Store Manager levels across the country. All new recruits will receive full training from experienced store teams.

Aldi currently employs more than 4,650 people across its 149 Irish stores, with 24 existing stores in Co. Cork. Since 2014, Cork stores have donated over 289,000 meals to local charities through FoodCloud, saving local charities over 364,000.

For further details on all opportunities with Aldi Ireland, please check out their website here.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

A man and a woman have been arrested over the fatal shooting of a man in Dublin on Sunday.

Michael Tormey, who was in his 40s, was gunned down outside his home in Ballyfermot while his wife and child were asleep inside.

A man in his early 40s and a woman in her late 30s have been arrested in connection with the shooting and are being detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007.

A Garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing.

Gardai are continuing to appeal for anyone with information in relation to the incident to get in touch  in particular, anyone who may have been in the Thomond Road, Landen Road, Kylemore Road or the general Decies area between 3.30am and 5.30am on Sunday.

Gardai said earlier this week they do not believe Mr Tormey was involved in crime.

It is believed the victim had attended a social event on the night of his death, before returning home at 3.30am.

Gardai do not believe he was involved in any kind of row in the hours before the shooting.
By Dominic McGrath and Cate McCurry, PA

Hundreds of people gathered in Galway city centre on Thursday night for the first vigil held in memory of Ashling Murphy.

The 23-year-old primary school teacher was killed on Wednesday afternoon as she jogged along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur in Co Offaly.

Further vigils are expected to take place at various locations across the island on Friday and Saturday.

Floral tributes at a vigil attended by hundreds in Galway city centre for Ashling Murphy (Roisin Nic Lochlainn/PA)

At the vigil in Galway's Eyre Square, which organisers said hundreds of people attended, several speakers addressed the crowd and a moment of silence was held. Musicians also played Irish traditional music in memory of Ms Murphy, a talented musician.

Roisin Nic Lochlainn, the president of NUI Galway Students Union and one of the organisers of the vigil, said that they wanted to send a message of solidarity.

I think women across the country today are just feeling all of the emotions.

Its a mix of rage and sadness and anger and despair as well, she said.

Ireland has failed women for centuries. Were all just thinking the same thing  when is it going to end? How many other women is it going to take for something to actually happen?

We know that Ashling would have taken that precaution to go in daytime and in a busy place. We know that because its what almost every single woman does.

Floral tributes near to the scene in Tullamore, Co Offaly (Brian Lawless/PA)

The murder of the 23-year-old teacher has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities across Ireland over the coming days.

The National Women's Council of Ireland has highlighted further vigils that will be held in Offaly, Dublin, Limerick, Louth, Cork, Tipperary, Carlow, Waterford, Belfast and Derry.

In Dublin , people will gather from 4pm on Friday outside the Dail.

, people will gather from 4pm on Friday outside the Dail. In Tullamore , people will gather from 4pm on Friday at Tullamore Town Park.

, people will gather from 4pm on Friday at Tullamore Town Park. In Cappincur , people will gather from 4.30pm on Friday at Digby Bridge.

, people will gather from 4.30pm on Friday at Digby Bridge. In Limerick , people will gather from 6pm on Friday at Arthurs Quay Park.

, people will gather from 6pm on Friday at Arthurs Quay Park. In Cork , people will gather from 9.30am on Saturday at the Atlantic Pond.

, people will gather from 9.30am on Saturday at the Atlantic Pond. In Clonmel , people will gather from 6pm on Friday at the Main Guard.

, people will gather from 6pm on Friday at the Main Guard. In Nenagh , people will gather from 4.30pm on Friday at Banba Square.

, people will gather from 4.30pm on Friday at Banba Square. In Waterford , people will gather from 6pm on Friday in Peoples Park.

, people will gather from 6pm on Friday in Peoples Park. In Carlow , people will gather from 6pm on Friday at The Fountain.

, people will gather from 6pm on Friday at The Fountain. In Dundalk , people will gather from 5pm on Friday at The Square.

, people will gather from 5pm on Friday at The Square. In Dun Laoghaire , people will gather from 4pm on Saturday at the seafront entrance to Peoples Park.

, people will gather from 4pm on Saturday at the seafront entrance to Peoples Park. In Belfast , people will gather from 4pm on Friday at Belfast City Hall.

, people will gather from 4pm on Friday at Belfast City Hall. In Derry, people will gather from 4pm on Friday at the Guildhall Steps.

Gardai investigating the fatal assault are appealing for information on a mountain bike as they continue to question a man in his 40s who is currently detained at Tullamore Garda station.

In the wake of the killing of the young schoolteacher, the Taoiseach has said violence against women will not be tolerated in Ireland.

The entire country is devastated and shocked by the violent and barbaric killing of Ashling Murphy, a young woman in the prime of her life, Micheal Martin said.

Gardai have said that no stone will be left unturned as they investigate the killing of the young woman as she jogged along a canal.

Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday morning that around 50 officers were working on the murder investigation, as he appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said that gardai did not believe Ms Murphy knew her killer and said that he was likely a male who acted alone.

Flowers and messages are left in Tullamore, Co Offaly (Brian Lawless/PA)

Tullamore locals have spoken of a sense of devastation, as well as confusion about the randomness of the attack. The scene remains closed off at the Grand Canal as the investigation continues.

Those who knew Ms Murphy have described her as a gifted musician who was loved by the children she taught.

Floral tributes were left outside the school gates of Durrow National School, where Ms Murphy taught first class students, as the local community reeled in the wake of the attack.

School principal James Hogan described the school community as utterly devastated.

Dr Labhras O Murchu, from traditional music organisation Comhaltas, said Ms Murphy was among the finest exponents of the concertina and fiddle and was also learning the uilleann pipes, adding: We know that she and her family are at the heart of her local community.

She was a much-loved school teacher and had so much to offer in so many ways.
When deciding on the best solar panels, UK homeowners have more choices than ever before. Sometimes, the options can be overwhelming. In this article, well take a look at the top panels from major industry brands and help you choose the right fit for your home.

Choosing the best solar panels for home use is an important decision. Its a large investment and also has an impact on the infrastructure of your house. Whats more, your solar panels will likely sit on your roof for up to 30 years. Investing in solar panels in the UK can be a large upfront outlay, but over their lifespan, youll be able to make that money back and then some, all while living more sustainably.

Best Solar Panel Brands

Best Overall: Project Solar Evolution Ultramax Best for Small Roofs: Panasonic HIT N 245W Most Efficient: SunPower Maxeon 3 Best Low-Profile Panels: Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 Best Output: LG NeON R

Get Free Quotes From EcoWatch Approved Solar Installers

1. Best Overall: Project Solar Evolution Ultramax

Price: Enquire for bespoke quotes

Output: 345W

Warranty: Lifetime product and performance warranty; up to 30-year peak power warranty

Project Solar UK came onto the solar energy scene about 10 years ago and has quickly become one of the largest firms in the UK. The company both designs and installs its solar panel systems, and each sale gets a dedicated project manager who ensures the installation happens within seven to 10 days  and that its done to high standards.

Project Solar UK has been aggressive at wooing customers from long-standing brands, offering perks including lifetime warranties on its solar panels and 7,500 in cash to customers who successfully refer a friend that converts to installation. Its Evolution Ultramax 345MB-66 solar panels are some of the best on the market.

Prices vary based on the size of your roof and location.

Project Solar Evolution Ultramax Pros and Cons

Project Solar Evolution Ultramax Pros Project Solar Evolution Ultramax Cons Industry-leading warranty Relatively new brand 85% power output guarantee after 30 years Maximum output isnt as high as other brands

Project Solar Evolution Ultramax Technical Specs

Project Solars monocrystalline solar modules employ a high-efficiency cell technology called passivated emitter and rear contact, or PERC. It promises to improve cell voltage and current and generate up to 10% more power per square metre compared to standard solar panel modules. Interestingly, it also promises better low-light performance to help you generate more energy in darker months of the year.

In addition to Project Solars PERC cell technology, the Evolution Ultramax features an ultra-reflective backing sheet that helps increase the absorption of sunlight. Meanwhile, an array of five wiring configurations along the back helps decrease natural energy loss.

The Evolution Ultramax promises 19.34% maximum efficiency, which is about the standard for solar panels in this class. But, impressively, Project Solars peak power warranty guarantees these panels will output no less than 80% of their original output capability after 30 years.

Project Solar UK Add-Ons

Project Solar UK offers a number of options to enhance your solar panel system. Its range of Blackline mounting brackets provides both durability and a discreet appearance. You can also upgrade to a Tigo Optimizer, which helps you harvest energy more efficiently from panels in shady areas of your roof and get more out of your system. This is ideal if you have a more complex roof or if its partially shaded by trees.

Project Solar also offers devices for monitoring your solar panel systems energy performance, zone heating controls for your radiators, an EV charger that draws power from your solar panels and a wide range of smart home energy-saving devices.

Our Opinion of Project Solar UK

A lifetime warranty is a very attractive feature when investing in something as costly and permanent as solar panels for your home. And with a promise of 80% performance after 30 years, Project Solar UKs solar panels seem a safe investment you can count on. If youre living in your forever home and dont plan to move, the Evolution Ultramax 345MB-66 could be the best solar panel in the UK for you.

If, however, you can anticipate having to move within the next decade  if youre in your first home, or you anticipate your family growing  a less expensive option with a shorter warranty could be preferable.

2. Best for Small Roofs: Panasonic HIT N 245W

Price: From 250-295

Output: 245W

Warranty: 25 years

Most people know Panasonic as a longstanding brand in the electronics industry, but it has been developing solar panel technology for over 40 years. Thanks to this, Panasonic has many types of solar panels to suit all sorts of needs, and the HIT N 245W model is a solar panel that can take green energy to the masses.

In the past, solar panels for homes in the UK were only realistic options for larger suburban and rural homes. But the Panasonic HIT N 245Ws compact design  just under 160 cm in length and less than 80 cm wide  can adapt to roofs of many shapes and sizes. Its flexibility for landscape or portrait orientation makes it one of the best options for homeowners in urban environments. Its also lightweight at just 15 kg and provides a 19.4% maximum efficiency.

Its also worth considering the Panasonic HIT N 295W. Its ever-so-slightly smaller than the 245 at 150 cm long and offers more power at 295 watts. The downside is its more square in shape, so theres less flexibility in terms of installation design.

Panasonic HIT N 245W Pros and Cons

Panasonic HIT N 245W Pros Panasonic HIT N 245W Cons Flexible design options for any roof shape At the lower end in terms of power Industry-leading warranty Not cost-effective if you have a larger roof

HIT N 245W Technical Specs

Panasonics HIT solar cell technology realizes 18% more power than other types of monocrystalline panels (namely, mono-PERC panels). This means you need fewer modules to achieve the energy performance you need  another reason its great for small houses or homes with complicated roofs.

Another great feature is the drainage lines built into the frame. These help channel water and keep it from accumulating.

Each panel weighs just 15kg and offers a 19.4% module efficiency, with a cell conversion efficiency rating of 22%, making it one of the most efficient solar panels on the market.

Panasonic Add-Ons

Panasonic recently unveiled its EverVolt 2.0 battery storage system, which is designed to fully integrate with its solar panels. Solar batteries store excess energy your panels produce during the day for use at night or during bad weather. For those seeking broader sustainability goals or simply want to avoid peak energy rates, Panasonics integrated solar power system can be a great investment.

Our Opinion of Panasonic

If you live in an urban area, have a small home, outbuilding or just have a house with a complex roof structure, the HIT N 245W modules may be the best solar panels in the UK. The flexibility of their installation options, the energy potential per square metre, their robust build quality, slow degradation and 25-year warranty make these panels hard to beat.

But they are expensive. If you have a larger home, this might not be the best solar panel for you. We recommend considering investing in some of the larger solar panels listed in this guide instead.

If you fit the criteria listed above, the HIT N 245W or HIT Compact 295W is exactly what you need.

3. Most Efficient: SunPower Maxeon 3

Price: From 350

Output: Max 400W

Warranty: 25 years

SunPower launched in 1985 and quickly became one of the more respected solar panel manufacturers, with more than 1,000 solar technology patents under its belt. Offering panels for both commercial and residential customers, SunPower solar panels had generated more than 18,000,000 MWh of solar energy as of 2019.

SunPower has carved out a niche for developing the highest-efficiency solar panels on the market, launching the current reigning champ, the Maxeon 3, in 2019. SunPowers Maxeon range has also regularly shown some of the lowest degradation rates in the industry. With 25-year warranties on its modules and a robust build, SunPowers high-quality panels are sold with an expectation of lasting 40 years.

SunPower Maxeon 3 Pros and Cons

SunPower Maxeon 3 Pros SunPower Maxeon 3 Cons Market-leading efficiency Panels must be installed by a SunPower-certified company 40 years of useful product life Some of the most expensive systems on the market Industry-leading warranty

SunPower Maxeon 3 Technical Specs

SunPowers innovative design for the Maxeon 3 range of solar panels includes no grid lines. The all-black modules have back-contact conductivity, which allows them to absorb more sunlight. SunPowers Maxeon 3 panels also degrade at a rate of just 0.25% per year for 24 years, meaning after that period of time, they can still reach efficiency levels of 92%.

SunPower Add-Ons

SunPower has released an alternating current (AC) solar panel version called the Maxeon 5. This panel includes integrated microinverters that convert the generated electricity from direct current (DC) to AC. You then have the option to either use this AC energy in your home or export it to the national grid.

Our Opinion of SunPower

SunPowers Maxeon 3 panels are a great choice for homeowners with limited roof space. But while there is no doubting SunPowers impressive specifications and metrics, there are other brands on this list that offer better value if youre on a tight budget. Yes, that 25-year warranty is impressive, but more and more solar panel brands are matching this warranty length. If you have a large home with an equally large roof, you might want to consider a less-expensive system.

4. Best Low-Profile Panels: Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235

Price: From 300

Output: Max 235W

Warranty: 25 years

Sharp has been trading for nearly 110 years and is known for making very efficient solar PV panels that stand the test of time. While other companies on our list of the best solar panels in the UK may have overtaken Sharp for efficiency, the brands offerings remain high-end favourites for many homeowners and perennial best-sellers.

The Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 is one of the top-selling solar panels in the world, thanks to its ultra-sleek appearance. Its rail-free mounting system sits flush with your roof, almost blending in completely. For those seeking residential solar panels with a low profile, the Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 is a great option.

Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 Pros and Cons

Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 Pros Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 Cons Discreet, rail-free mounting Expensive Heritage brand with great customer support Not the most powerful option on the market, with 14.4% efficiency Industry-leading warranty

Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 Technical Specs

As well as its sleek, rail-free mounting system, the Sharp Sunsnap ND-F2Q235 provides 14.4% efficiency with 235-watt production in its 60-cell panel design.

Sharp Add-Ons

Sharp doesnt directly offer any add-ons for its solar panels. However, when quoting you for your system, your local installer can likely suggest a range of enhancements, from smart immersion tank heaters to electric car chargers.

Our Opinion of Sharp

Sharp is another long-standing brand in the solar and consumer electronics markets, and this reputation coupled with its 25-year warranty makes it a safe bet. You know what youre getting with Sharp, and its discreet, rail-free mounting system is perfect for anyone in an urban area  and those living in a listed home or in a neighbourhood with strict home aesthetic requirements.

However, at 235W of maximum power output and 14.4% efficiency, its one of the least powerful and efficient options on our list. You will get value out of it, but if a discreet solar panel installation isnt vital for you, it is worth considering other options.

5. Best Output: LG NeON R

Price: From 265 (excl. VAT)

Output: Up to 440W

Warranty: 25 years

The NeON R LG440QAC-A6 is LGs flagship, high-performance, high-efficiency solar panel. Its 66-cell design generates nearly 4% more electricity than competitors modules. This is due to the panels design: The wiring is integrated onto the back of the panel, so theres no incidental shading of the cells at certain times of day. As a result, youll need to install fewer panels to meet your energy needs. LG also improved the cells in the R model to generate more energy at higher temperatures.

At 25 years, LGs warranty is among the longest youll find. Plus, improvements to the build quality and silicon used in the panels are meant to slow the degradation process. In fact, LG claims that after the 25-year warranty expires, NeON R solar panels should still generate 92% of their power capacity. Its worth pointing out that this lower rate of degradation, combined with the increased power output, adds up to a significant amount of extra energy that youll be getting over the long life of the NeON R.

If the R isnt for you  its pricey  there are other panels in LGs NeON series that offer similarly high power output and efficiency. The NeON H, for instance, offers many of the same features as the R for a bit less money.

With more than five decades in the electronics and semiconductor industries, LG is one of the top solar panels brands you can invest in.

LG NeON R Pros and Cons

LG NeON R Pros LG NeON R Cons Superb build quality from a trusted brand Expensive Industry-leading warranty Lightweight design One of the most efficient solar panels you can buy

LG NeON R Technical Specs

LGs NeON R LG440QAC-A6 has a durable design that includes 2.8-mm tempered glass with an anti-reflection (AR) coating, plus a frame made from anodised aluminium. Its 66-cell photovoltaic configuration is designed for better efficiency, and it provides one of the most robust power outputs on the market at 440W. LG also offers one of the longest warranties at 25 years, and once this period is up, LG promises that your solar panels will still produce at 92.5% output.

LG NeON R Add-Ons

LG doesnt currently offer any add-ons to its solar panels. However, most local dealers and solar energy suppliers will offer a range of add-ons when building your system. These typically include options for indoor zone heating, electric car chargers and other smart devices that draw energy from your LG solar panels.

Our Opinion of LG

LG is one of the most trusted brands in consumer electronics, and its energy solutions maintain the brands standard of quality and reliability. We like that its solar panels are manufactured in an environmentally sustainable way. LG has been eliminating harmful substances from its manufacturing process and has a commitment to reducing greenhouse gases generated during production.

LGs solar panels are efficient in most weather conditions. The company has refined its cell technology to improve power outputs per square metre while lowering system costs and offering some of the longest warranties on the market. Plus, theyre some of the best solar panels in the UK if you have limited roof space.

Even though they are on the more expensive end, LG solar panels represent the best value for money when you take all of these things into consideration. Some of the newer brands in the industry might be offering similar specs at lower prices and much shorter warranties. Remember, this is a long-term investment in your home. Its worth stretching your budget for the best solar panels you can afford.

Best Add-Ons for Your Solar Panels

There is a growing number of smaller firms out there developing accessories you can use to get enhanced performance from your solar panels in other areas of your home life. For instance, if you drive an electric car, the Zappi V2 Car Charger can divert energy from your solar panels into your cars battery. Or the Solar iBoost can divert excess solar energy to your immersion tank to heat your hot water.

There are voltage optimisers that help reduce the power consumption of your electrical appliances and systems to divert energy to a battery system in the event of a power cut.

Depending on which renewable energy company you go with, youll also have different mounting options for your panels. Some people mount panels on a rack system, while most choose a flat-roof mount for a lower profile.

Get Free Quotes From EcoWatch Approved Solar Installers

Best UK Solar Panels: Verdict and Recommendation

When choosing the best solar panels in the UK, we were focused on finding the highest value for your money. There are plenty of cheap solar panels out there. You could spend less than you would on some of the options on this list, but solar panels are such a large and long-term investment, you want to get it right.

As well as price, we also took into consideration power output and panel efficiency, as well as build quality and the degradation of cell performance over time. We looked for solar panels that offer a long warranty but will still have a high performance at the end of the warranty period.

LGs NeON R panels ticked many boxes. With a long warranty, huge 440-W power output, above-20% module efficiency and strong performance rate after 25 years, these panels are hands-down the best solar panels in the UK. And LG is a company that is still going to be around at the end of your systems warranty.

Of course, everyone has different home energy needs and different priorities for their solar panel system. This is why we ranked runners-up according to the best warranty, best efficiency, best for small roofs and lowest-profile design.

All of the solar panels on this list will serve you well. Whichever you choose, make sure you get several quotes from different suppliers before making a choice. Prices can vary, and its best to be fully informed of your options.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?

The total price of a solar panel system will vary based on the size of your roof, your location, the number of panels you need to meet your energy needs, and many other factors. Is your roof south-facing? Is your house multi-level or partially covered by shade? There are many variables that can make your system straightforward to assemble, or very complex.

Other external factors like supply chains, local availability, government incentives and local electricity rates will also affect the cost of solar panels. How much you get back from your system also depends on these factors, plus whether you finance your solar system or pay cash. By paying cash, you are spending less per watt of energy generated because youll have no broker fees to cover. When investing in one of the more expensive solar panel systems, this can make a real difference.

Your local installer can give you a free quote on your bespoke system, but for a ballpark figure, a solar panel system to support the average family of three people would cost around 6,000.

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Solar Panels UK

Here are some common questions about solar panels in the UK:

How many solar panels are needed to power a typical house?

There are many factors that make it hard to define a typical house, such as geographic location, but as a rule of thumb, it takes about four solar panels to support the annual electricity needs of one person. So, if there are three people in your household, expect to need about 12 panels. Of course, if your roof is shaded or any number of other factors are at play, this could be slightly more or less.

What are the disadvantages of solar energy?

While it has myriad advantages, there are some downsides to solar energy. First and foremost is the weather. We cannot control the weather, and solar panels are wholly dependent on the sun. If you live somewhere like California or Spain, this isnt much of an issue for you. But in the UK, dark winter months and long periods of rain reduce how much energy you create.

Whats more, storing the solar energy you generate is difficult. While there are indeed battery storage systems that you can buy to store your solar energy, these are quite costly and wont be an option for everyone.

Do solar panels void my roof warranty?

When you install solar panels on your roof, your roof warranty will indeed be voided for the section of your roof that is housing the panels. However, your solar energy installer should provide you with a new warranty covering this section of your roof. Its important to ask about this when you seek a free quote for your local supplier. Likewise, you should also check the details of your existing roof warranty before making any decision.
The Arctic is a vast expanse of blue and white that holds still in perpetual hushed simplicity. This frozen universe, mostly undisturbed by humans for thousands of years, has retained the pristine quietness of Earth when it was born. After millennia of natural protection by virtue of its extreme climate, the Arctic has the majesty of still peaks, remote places where humans rarely go. Its grandeur is illustrated by the creatures who have been protected for so long from our tumultuous and destructive wake.

As the Arctic becomes more habitable due to global warming, it also becomes more vulnerable. The region has been invaded by equipment to conduct seismic surveys and blasts from mining operations, not to mention cruise ships, and with them new sounds have been introduced  foreign sounds in a pristine world. And for some creatures, sound is everything.

At the depths narwhals hunt  up to 1800 meters, or nearly 6,000 feet  there isnt any light, so sound is very important to them. They navigate by echolocation like bats, by emitting click sounds. From far away, the hammering of human activity may sound like a soft puh, like dropping a bag of grain, but to narwhals these sounds are the equivalent of being inside a loud, clanging bell; completely disorienting.

One of many mystical creatures in this region, narwhals (Monodon monoceros) have a long tusk that has led them to be referred to by some as the unicorns of the sea. Their tusk is actually a large tooth with as many as ten million nerve endings inside and can grow as long as ten feet, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The tusk may be used as a sensory organ for the detection of everything from temperature to water pressure and motion, according to the Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic. It is also flexible and can move about a foot in all directions.

A group of researchers has conducted experiments with narwhals showing that the stress response is so extreme to sounds even many miles away that it can cause them to stop feeding. The research was published in a paper, Narwhals react to ship noise and airgun pulses embedded in background noise, in the journal Biology Letters.

The narwhals reactions indicate that they are frightened and stressed. They stop emitting the click sounds that they need to feed, they stop diving deep and they swim close to shore, a behavior that they usually only display when feeling threatened by killer whales. This behavior means that they have no chance of finding food for as long as the noise persists, explained one of the studys researchers, Outi Tervo, a marine biologist with the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Phys.org reported.

As marine biologist Dr. Susanna B. Blackwell  who is also a research associate at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and senior scientist at Greeneridge Sciences, Inc.  told EcoWatch, the stress responses are normal for mammals in situations where theyre confronting something unfamiliar and unsettling, which the presence of humans and their activities certainly are in the Arctic.

If you are eating your dinner and suddenly you hear a noise that puts you on alert (like somebody is in your yard or house, for example), would you not stop eating? Narwhals are mammals and we can only assume they react similarly to other mammals in similar situations, Blackwell explained to EcoWatch.

Historically, narwhals have been difficult to study because they live in what is referred to as the High Arctic  a region covered by ice. The researchers tagged the members of a narwhal herd in East Greenlands Scoresby Sound fjord system and exposed them to the noise of a ships engine, as well as to that of a seismic airgun. With the assistance of the University of Copenhagen, the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (Pinngortitaleriffik) analyzed the research data found through these experiments.

Our data shows that narwhals react to noise 20-30 kilometers away from a noise source by completely stopping their clicking sounds. And in one case, we could measure this from a source 40 kilometers away. It is quite surprising that we can measure how something so far away can influence whale behavior, said Susanne Ditlevsen, a professor in the University of Copenhagens Department of Mathematical Sciences, who was in charge of the statistical analyses of the research data, reported Phys.org.

Even when a ships noise is lower than the background noise in the ocean and we can no longer hear it with our advanced equipment, the whales can hear and distinguish it from other sounds in their midst. And so, to a degree, their behavior is clearly affected. This demonstrates how incredibly sensitive narwhals are, Ditlevsen added.

Narwhals sensitivity to sound may have genetic as well as environmental components. Most of them have never been exposed to the harsh sounds of industrial human activity.

To some extent, the ability to adapt to a new environment with new sounds likely has a genetic basis. For example, in bird species that can be found in the same environment, some are tolerant of anthropogenic disturbance while others are not, Blackwell told EcoWatch. The other factor that plays for narwhals is the fact that until recently, and throughout their evolutionary history, narwhals have been very isolated from anthropogenic sounds and activities. Therefore, they have not had a chance to develop a tolerance towards such sounds and to think of them as part of their environment.

Another danger for narwhals is that, as researchers observed, when the whales are fleeing a boat they make more strokes with their tails, which drains vital energy and oxygen needed to dive to the depths they do to feed, Phys.org reported.

Researchers observed that, after a week of the sonic tests, the narwhals returned to their normal behavior. But, as Tervo explained, if the whales are exposed to disruptive sounds over an extended period, such as regular boat traffic from a nearby port, they might have difficulty hunting effectively for a longer amount of time, which could become quite serious for them, said Tervo, as Phys.org reported. In this case, we fear that it could have physiological consequences for them and impair their fitness.

Tervo went on to say that the Arctic is changing so quickly that the researchers fear narwhals wont be able to adapt without increased efforts to put protections in place.

Knowing how sensitive a species is to disturbance allows for management decisions to be made to minimize impacts on the whales. For example, disturbing sounds could be limited to areas or seasons during which the whales are not present, or locations that are known not to be important feeding grounds, Blackwell told EcoWatch.
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Elkhart, IN (46516)

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Architect Ricard Bofill died this Friday at the age of 82, according to family sources. Born in Barcelona in 1939, he was known, among other works, for being the author of such well-known buildings such as the W Hotel, in Barceloneta (commonly known as Vela Hotel due to its sail-like structure), and the National Catalonia Theatre (TNC). He was also the author of Walden 7, an apartment building in Sant Just Desvern.

Other renowned works by Bofill in Catalonia include the expansion of the El Prat airport, the Kafka Castle in Sant Pere de Ribes and the residential buildings on Nicaragua Street, 97-99; and Johann Sebastian Bach Street, 28; in Barcelona. He was also the author of the Meritxell Sanctuary in Andorra. Throughout the world, Bofill has built well-known works such as the Manzanares Park in Madrid, the Exhibition and Conference Center in A Coruna and the Shiseido Building in Tokyo. He also has works in Prague, Luxembourg, Casablanca, Houston, Bordeaux, Paris and Montpellier.

Ricard Bofill i Levi was, for all these reasons, an architect and urban planner of worldwide renown, with works in several countries, and one of the main promoters of Catalan architecture in the second half of the 20th century. He is considered one of the greatest representatives of the postmodern style of contemporary architecture.

Hotel W / ACN

Hotel Vela ACNHotel Vela, Ricard Bofill's building / ACN

Trained in his youth at the Virtelia School and the Barcelona School of Architecture from where he was expelled in 1957 due to his militancy in the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSUC), he continued his studies at the University of Geneva. In 1963, he created Taller de Arquitectura, a studio that, in addition to architects and engineers, included sociologists.

Throughout his career, Bofill received numerous awards and recognitions, among them the Sant Jordi Cross (1993), granted by the Catalan government. In 1985, he was elected an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects. In addition, Bofill was Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Metz, France (1995); honorary member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) (1985); Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, of the French Ministry of Culture (1988), and Doctor Honoris Causa by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (2021).

Bofill's death comes just a month and a half after the passing of another of Barcelona's architectural greats, Oriol Bohigas, who died at the age of 95 on December 1st.

Among the first reactions to Bofill's death was that of Spanish minister of Culture, Miquel Iceta, who stressed that Bofill "will never be forgotten" thanks to the "jewels" he left behind. In statements to Efe, the socialist minister expressed his condolences to the architect's family and said that "it is time to remember what he has done for architecture", as well as for the international projection of Catalonia and Spain. "He will never be forgotten because he has left us jewels we will enjoy for a long time," said Iceta.

Catalan president Pere Aragones conveyed his condolences to the family and friends, and said that "his cosmopolitan look and architectural legacy will always be remembered inside and outside the country". For her part, Catalan minister of Culture, Natalia Garriga, remembered the architect as "one of the great exponents of Catalan postmodern architecture and the 1993 Sant Jordi Cross winner".

The president in exile, Carles Puigdemont referred to Bofill as "an incorruptible, brilliant and universal architect". "He leaves behind a work and a cultural discourse of the highest quality, recognized and admired all over the world," added Puigdemont.
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum speaks during a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, Friday. Kim announced that the government will come up with an extra budget for COVID-19 disaster relief before the Lunar New Year holiday. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo





The government is facing a strong backlash from the opposition bloc for its decision to draw up an extra budget worth 14 trillion won ($11.8 billion) for COVID-19 disaster relief by using the tax surplus, as it is seen as a political move coming less than two months before the March 9 presidential election.



"In order to beef up supports to the self-employed and small shop owners, the government decided to propose a supplementary budget using available resources such as the tax surplus," Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said, Friday. "We will promptly prepare the proposal and submit related bills to the National Assembly before the Lunar New Year holiday (Jan. 31 to Feb. 2)."



Economy and Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki elaborated that 14 trillion won will be budgeted, and the government plans to finance it "mostly by issuing bonds."



The announcement came a day after the finance ministry said the tax revenue from January to November 2021 stood at 323.4 trillion won, up 40.7 trillion won from the government's prior expectation. Including the December figure, the total amount of tax surplus last year is expected to reach 60 trillion won, which will be the greatest difference between estimated and actual tax surplus in Korea's history.



Along with criticism for the government's inaccurate calculation, questions rose on how to handle the surplus. Under the current laws, a tax surplus generated in the previous year can be used for the current year's budget after settling revenue and expenditure accounts at the National Assembly in April. After the accounting process, the amount should be used for fixed purposes, such as repaying the national debt.



There has been anticipation that the Moon Jae-in administration may not come up with an additional budget for COVID-19 relief before the presidential election, but the government opted to issue new bonds and repay them with the tax surplus after April's accounting process, in line with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) call for disaster relief before the election.



"As the tax surplus last year is expected to be significant, it will be difficult for the government to claim it is unable to come up with a supplementary budget," DPK policy committee chairman Rep. Park Wan-joo said, Tuesday.



President Moon also said Thursday, "The government should come up with measures for using the tax surplus promptly, in order to help the self-employed who are suffering from protracted COVID-19 restrictions."





President Moon Jae-in speaks during a meeting with major city mayors and provincial governors at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Yonhap
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Minimum Wage increases proposed to Tynwald

Proposals to increase the rates of the Isle of Man Minimum Wage will go before Tynwald for consideration at the February sitting.

Treasury and the Department for Enterprise have proposed the new rates following consideration of the report and recommendations of the Minimum Wage Committee after a two year pay freeze, taking into account the UKs increase in minimum wage rates and the continued pressure on the labour market for workers, as well as the clear direction from Tynwald in July 2021 that the Islands minimum wage should transition to the level of the Isle of Man Living Wage within five years.

The proposed changes, if approved, will mean an increase of the headline minimum wage rate from 8.25 to 9.50 per hour, representing an increase of 1.25 per hour from 1st April 2022.

The rates for those aged 16-17 and for Development Workers will also be increased from 6.15 to 6.80 and 7.30 to 8.05 respectively.
Mr. Luke Avery Noblitt, 89 of Athens, AL Died Saturday, April 30, 2022 his Residence. He was born June 25, 1932 in Shelbyville, TN to Henry & Ruth Noblitt. He was a Member of Carriger Church of Christ, Retired from Northwest Airlines and a US Army Veteran. Graveside Services will be Mond
Five dozen companies specializing in womens health products and services say Facebook has frequently rejected their ads over objections they contain adult content, according to a report the Center for Intimacy Justice published this week. Facebooks advertising policies prohibit reproductive health products or services that focus on sexual pleasure, but anecdotes from the companies the Center for Intimacy Justice either interviewed or surveyed paint the picture of a platform that enforces those guidelines in a way thats seemingly arbitrary and sexist.

The 60 companies that took part in the report have all had advertisements rejected by Facebook at one point or another. About half said theyve also had their accounts suspended by the social media giant. One such company is Joylux. It offers vFit Gold, a product women can use to strengthen their pelvic floor. Because of the nature of our product, the look of it, Joylux CEO Colette Courtion told The New York Times Facebook and other companies believe its pornographic in nature.

Since 2017, Joylux claims Facebook has shut down its advertising account twice. It says the company never provided a reason for those actions. It also claims Facebook has automatically denied ads that include vagina. Thats something Meta, Facebooks parent company, disputes. A spokesperson for the company told Engadget it doesnt enforce a blanket ban on keywords like vagina and menopause. Instead, it says it considers how each ad is positioned.

Center for Intimacy Justice

With help from an agency specializing in appealing ad rejections, Joylux has managed to get its ads up on Facebook in recent years. However, the company has had to change its copy to the point where those advertisements arent helpful to consumers. We cant show what the product looks like and we cant say what it does, Joylux told The New York Times.

A spokesperson for Meta told Engadget its enforcement isnt perfect and that sometimes it makes mistakes. The company also noted it has its current policy in place in part because it strives to take into account what people from different countries and cultures will take away from ads that promote adult products.

We welcome ads for sexual wellness products but we prohibit nudity and have specific rules about how these products can be marketed on our platform, the spokesperson said. We have provided detail to advertisers about what kinds of products and descriptions we allow in ads.

What makes Facebooks actions in these instances frustrating for the 60 companies that took part in the report is that they believe Meta hasnt applied the same standards to ads targeting men. Right now, its arbitrary where theyll say a product is or isnt allowed in a way that we think has really sexist undertones and a lack of understanding about health, Jackie Rotman, the founder of the Center for Intimacy Justice, told The Times.

To that point, the organization found an ad promoting an erectile dysfunction pill that promised a wet hot American summer. Another, promoting a lubricant, said the lotion was made just for mens alone time.
After updating Workspace (formerly G Suite) with a number of new features last year, Googles previously-announced Companion Mode for the Nest Hub Max and other Google Meet hardware has begun rolling out.

Companion Mode is a second screen experience designed to support the shift towards hybrid working environments by providing easier access to various Google Meet controls and features for people calling in from a shared office.

Previously, workers who called in from a meeting room often had to jockey for control if they wanted to do simple things like raise their hand (virtually) or drop a comment in chat. The result was that employees who worked remotely and called into meetings using a phone or PC were often more active and visible in meetings than their colleagues at the office who participated using a traditional conference room set up.

However, thanks to the addition of Companion Mode, office workers will soon get access to most of Google Meets features via Nest Hub Max or other certified hardware like a Lenovo Tap while still being part of the shared meeting. And while the Nest Hub Max might not be a common sight in conference rooms today, this new mode could help Google push more devices to businesses of all sizes as they adapt to post-pandemic working arrangements. To join a meeting using Companion Mode, you can either activate the setting in Google Meets green room or by using a dedicated URL: g.co/companion.

Google Meet features available in Companion Mode include chatting, starting and voting on polls, raising your hand (which includes displaying a persons name and title), using host controls and turning on captions or translations.

Google says the goal is to ensure that regardless of where youre working from, everyone in a video call will have access to a similar set of tools and features. Companion Mode will be enabled by default, though, for people using the free version of Meet, its important to note that anyone using it will count as an additional participant towards the 100-person limit, instead of a room full of people counting as a single attendee.

Companion Mode in Google Meet is rolling out this week, though depending on your domain or user type, it may take another few weeks for it to be available on your device.
Google has begun rolling out the Pixel 6 and 6 Pros latest update following a delay in December . As may you recall, the company paused the release of the OTA after there were reports of the software causing calls to drop and disconnect. The issue was such that Google took the nearly unprecedented move of removing the associated factory images for that update from its developer website.

In December, the company said the software would arrive sometime in  late January . Last week , it pushed up that timeline to today, January 14th. The update will be available for all devices over the following week, but exact timing may vary depending on your carrier and country, the company said. To that point, some carriers have said theyll begin pushing out the software starting early next week. For instance, Canadian carrier Fido notes on its website its targeting January 17th for the start of its rollout.

Now that the update is available, it includes all the fixes Google had planned to release in December in addition to more than a dozen new ones. Among other tweaks, youll find a fix for an issue that had caused the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro to drop a connection to a WiFi network in certain situations. Additionally, the update addresses a bug that had caused the phones to drain their batteries faster than expected.
Microsoft has hired a third-party law firm to review its policies on sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies, The Verge has reported. As part of that, the final report will summarize the results of sexual harassment investigations against the company's senior leadership and board of directors, including former CEO Bill Gates.

The report will "lead to the public release of a transparency report assessing the effectiveness of the company's workplace sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies, training, and related policies," Microsoft said in a press release. It will also "assess the steps that have been taken to hold employees, including executives, accountable for sexual harassment or gender discrimination," and include the number of sexual harassment cases investigated and their resolution.

[The report] will lead to the public release of a transparency report assessing the effectiveness of the company's workplace sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies, training, and related policies. This will include a review of concerns raised by employees in 2019 in the In Need of Assistance email thread, steps the company has taken to respond to these concerns, and additional steps that could further strengthen these safeguards. The review will also include an analysis of policies, practices, and commitments to create a safe, inclusive work environment.

Microsoft had been planning to disclose how it implements sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies, with a key request being the disclosure of executive-level investigations. However, late last year, Microsoft shareholders forced the company to write up an annual report detailing how it handles sexual harassment cases within the company.

The review will be conducted by the law firm Arent Fox and will look at allegations of discrimination and harassment arising from an internal Microsoft email chain back in 2019. In over 90 pages of emails, female employees alleged that they were harassed and denied promotions and pay raises, among other issues. They further complained that managers and the company's HR department took no action in many cases. Microsoft was also accused of 238 cases of gender discrimination or sexual harassment in 2018.

While the board will assess the previous investigation against Gates, it won't reinvestigate the affair that happened in 2000. Gates resigned from Microsoft's board in early March of 2020, reportedly before the investigation was complete.

"Were committed not just to reviewing the report but learning from the assessment so we can continue to improve the experiences of our employees, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement. I embrace this comprehensive review as an opportunity to continue to get better."
Hackers have hit around 70 Ukraine government department websites, forcing many of them offline. A message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish on the country's foreign ministry site reportedly read "Ukrainians! All your personal data has been uploaded to the public network. All data on the computer is destroyed, it is impossible to restore them.

The page referenced "historical land" and featured crossed-out versions of Ukraine map and flag. "All information about you has become public, be afraid and wait for the worst. This is for you for your past, present and future," the message is said to have read. Along with the foreign ministry site, the state emergency service, state treasury and the ministries of education, foreign affairs, sport, energy, agrarian policy, veterans and environment were reportedly targeted.

However, Ukraine's security service told CNN that personal data was not affected. It noted that most services have been restored.

According to the Ukrainian Information Ministry, early indications suggest the Russian Federation carried out the attack. "This is not the first time or even the second time that Ukrainian Internet resources have been attacked since the beginning of the Russian military aggression," the ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry of Culture and Information Policy suggested that references to Ukrainian ultra-nationalist groups in the message were an attempt by hackers to mask the "Russian footprint." The ministry added that "It is obvious that this was done on purpose to cast a shadow over the hacker attack on Poland: Russia and its proxies have been working for a long time to create the quarrel between two friendly neighboring countries."

Hackers believed to be from Russia have targeted other parts of Ukraine's infrastructure in recent years. In 2015, an attack took out parts of the power grid . Since then, Russia was also blamed for attacks on Ukraine's weapon supply and the Kiev airport . The NotPetya cyberattack, for which the US charged Russian hackers in 2020, impacted the Ukrainian government and banking system, a state power distributor and an airport, as well as entities in Russia and the US .

The latest attack took place as Russia mobilizes 100,000 troops to Ukraine's border. Western allies fear Russia will again invade Ukraine, following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Attempts by the US, NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to de-escalate the situation in talks with Russia this week haven't proven successful . Russias lead envoy said the discussions hit a dead end.

Although Russia has denied plans to attack Ukraine, it said it may take action if its demands aren't met. Among those is an assurance that Ukraine and Georgia won't join NATO.
Louis Vuitton's duty free shop at Incheon International Airport / Courtesy of Louis Vuitton Korea





By Kim Jae-heun







French luxury goods company Louis Vuitton has started pulling out its business from Korea's duty free sector by putting a halt to its operation of a boutique on Jeju Island as of Jan. 1.







"Our Louis Vuitton store on the island is currently out of service due to the effects of COVID-19. However, the specific date of its permanent shutdown has not been fixed yet," a Lotte Duty Free Shop official said.







The Moodie Davitt Report, a British publisher specializing on duty free and travel retail, reported last June that "Louis Vuitton will progressively withdraw from much of its downtown duty free business  including its long-standing and expensive Korean presence."







The French firm currently operates four boutiques in Seoul, two on Jeju Island and one in Busan.







"Starting with its store on Jeju Island, Louis Vuitton plans to pull out all of its businesses in the local duty free sector, one by one, until October this year. It is only a matter of time until the company closes down its Seoul duty free boutiques too," an industry source said.







The main reason for the decision is to retain the brand's premium image. Many luxury brands put priority on the scarcity of their products to increase their value. For a decade, the brand image of Louis Vuitton has been tarnished, as so-called "daigou," or surrogate shoppers from China, have been sweeping up French products in Korean duty free shops, especially in downtown Seoul. The Chinese shoppers are paid to purchase luxury goods for customers in the mainland.







They reportedly account for 90 percent of sales at downtown duty free shops here. After the Chinese government stopped its tourists from visiting Korea  as part of its economic retaliation scheme on the Korean government's decision to deploy a U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in 2017, Korean duty free shops' heavy dependence on these Chinese shoppers has increased more.







Koreans' most favorite luxury watch brand Rolex also withdrew all of its duty free stores except three, located in Seoul, on Jeju Island and at Incheon International Airport. Previously, the Swiss watchmaker operated 10 boutiques here.







Local duty free firms are worried about how they will be affected by international luxury brands' moves to pull out of Korea. There are no other brands to replace brands like Louis Vuitton and Rolex and this could lead to a huge decline in their sales and price competitiveness.


(Actually, you were probably already awake because of Encanto, but if you can take just a moment to stop talking about how amazing that movie is, we promise you won't regret it - and then you can go right back to talking about it.)

If you've always dreamed of going to D23, get ready to cry real tears of joy, because Disney just announced that there's going to be a D23 fan event this year - and tickets go on sale very soon.

That's right - following the success of the D23 Fan Expo in 2019, the Official Disney Fan Club is doing it again in 2022. For one weekend in September (September 9th to 11th, to be exact), fans can travel to Anaheim, California to be part of the magic of Disney (and to find out what new projects to start getting excited about.)

In a press statement, the company said:

"All of Disney's wonderful worlds-including Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars-will unite under one roof to showcase what's new and what's on the horizon from Disney theme parks, streaming, television, music, products, and films."

There will be over 50 different panels at the expo for guests to enjoy, from previews of new attractions coming to Disney parks to celebrity talkbacks to previews of new films we haven't even heard of yet. Plus, this:

"D23 and the Walt Disney Archives, working with new D23 Expo Platinum sponsor Amazon, are restoring Walt Disney's Grumman Gulfstream I company airplane, currently housed backstage at Walt Disney World Resort, and transporting it to Anaheim. The iconic aircraft was seen for years as part of the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios and will be on display at D23 Expo 2022 for guests to see in an exhibit called Mickey Mouse One: Walt's Plane presented by Amazon."

Walt. Disney's. Private. Plane. MICKEY MOUSE ONE.

It doesn't get much cooler than that.

They're also bringing back the super-fun Mousequerade competition - adult fans may not be allowed to dress up as characters at the Disney parks, but at D23 it is welcome, even encouraged - because if Yvette Nicole Brown, Ashley Eckstein, and Ally Maki decide your costume is "Best in Show," you could win $2300.

(And even if you don't, you could win one of the many fan favorite awards in any of the outlined categories.)

Tickets for the event go on sale exclusively for D23 members on January 20th - and you definitely don't want to miss out, because this year the fan event also kicks off Disney100 - the celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. (That's right. 100. This is history in the making, kids.)

D23 Gold members will be able to purchase them at the special discounted price of $89 for a single day or $229 for the whole weekend. General D23 members will pay a little more, at $99 per single day, but discounted three-day passes will still be available. There are also slightly discounted prices for children at $79 per single day.

You can get tickets to the D23 Expo 2022 on their website beginning on January 19 at 12 noon PT (3PM EST) A 24-hour pre-sale for Visa cardholders will go on sale January 19 at 10AM PT (1 PM EST.)

Get ready.
"You're not frustrated with the movie. You're curious."

If you tried to tell someone that they were going to watch a movie where they likely wouldn't know what was happening, but that was the point, they would likely look at you like you had six heads. However, Italian Studies is a perfectly crafted film in that it doesn't give you a plot. It gives you a feeling: one you will toss around in your head for days.

Italian Studies, starring Vanessa Kirby as Alina, is a film about dealing with memory loss, disassociating from reality, and determining what it means to be present. This is true not only in the script and story line but in the beautifully calculated and phenomenally intricate composition of the cinematography. As Vanessa wanders the streets of New York City and London not knowing who she is, the viewer is carried with her, emotionally steeped in unknowing: ultimately not knowing themselves. We got an opportunity to talk with the incredible director Adam Leon and actor Simon Brickner about this well woven masterpiece.

Like all great art, the balance struck was not instantaneous. Leon discussed:

In terms of crafting that balance...the script that we had is the story that we ended up making. But we knew that...creating and crafting that balance between what is real, what isn't, how disoriented the audience can be and should be in terms of feeling...Alina's experience, mixing in the real elements of it and the sort of more surreal elements of it was going to be a tricky balance, and we really did allocate a lot of time for the edit, and I just give a ton of credit for my editors for striking that. We did a lot of feedback screenings too, trying to hit that balance where you're not frustrated with the movie, your curious.

There is a lot of thought that goes into creating the feeling of forgetting. The film cements itself in reality not only through the moments of interviews or remembering, but in creating the recognizably lost feeling of disassociation. Leon remarked early on, "I was thinking about last night how often I do think I'm disassociating." Even still, mental illness and forgetfulness in the modern day are not looked upon kindly. Vanessa's character Alina makes a point of ensuring no one knows that she can't remember anything. There is a fear of being seen as someone who can't cognitively operate on their own, and even in the wonderfully forgetful essence of the film, the message of societal pressure is abundantly clear. The pressure to be normal that comes from society was intentionally examined by Leon in the film.

To speak about the idea of being normal, I think there is something you can become afraid to stick out or seem that something is amiss because that can lead to bad things happening and...your agency being taken away. I don't know what it says in a bigger picture, but I think it is really interesting to me too that she is able to connect with Simon and with the teenagers in a very open way while also inherently kind of lying to them and pretending that she knows more than she does.

In remarking on this pressure, another truth is brought to life. While Alina may be unaware of who she is, she is often the most present when she doesn't remember.

A lot of what Vanessa and I were talking about is what being present means, and in some ways Alina is more present with Simon when she doesn't know who she is than she is in London.

This film is a brilliant exploration of the human psyche. It is not just a story. It is an experience. Check out Italian Studies on Prime Video.
Santosh Deshmukh, Head Marketing, Piaggio India (Vespa & Aprilia), has quit after spending over 10 years at the company. He joined Piaggio as General Manager - Marketing for (2-wheelers) (Italian brands Vespa & Aprilia). In September 2018, he was promoted to Head Of Marketing for 2-wheelers (Vespa and Aprilia).

He announced his departure from Piaggio India on LinkedIn.



In a career spanning over 20 years, he has worked with companies like Tata Motors, Hindustan Motors, and Toyota Bahrain EKK. Prior to Piaggio, he was a Divisional Manager - Marketing - UV Product Group (Safari, Aria, Sumo, Xenon XT) at Tata Motors. He began his career with Toyota Bahrain EKK in 1998.

Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
From: Las Vegas Advisor -- Expert Gambling Books For Immediate Release: Dateline: Las Vegas , NV Thursday, January 13, 2022

Our guest this week is a blackjack player from Europe named Stefan. We talk about his experiences playing in European casinos, and his first trip to Las Vegas. Show Notes [00:00] Introduction of blackjack player, Stefan [00:49] Stefans blackjack experience [01:59] Are blackjack books translated into Greek? [03:57] Playing blackjack in Greece [06:07] Playing in illegal casinos [07:44] Cheating by casinos [16:42] Dangerous situations [17:33] Altering penetration and shuffling methods [21:03] Shuffles in Las Vegas [24:24] Stefans first trip to the United States [26:53] South Point Casino January Promotions  Spin to Win, MLK Hot Seat [28:00] http://BlackjackApprenticeship.com  card counting training site and advantage play community with software and tracking tools [28:42] http://VideoPoker.com/gwae  Gold Membership offers correction on most games, free Pro Membership trial for GWAE listeners [29:48[ Playing loss rebates [30:34] Playing in other countries, currency restrictions, and danger [39:43] Some of Stefans bad experiences [40:46] Getting backed off in Europe and other blackjack variations [47:29] Advice for card counters [50:03] Startup on Netflix, Kanopy,.com, Hair, Together Together Sponsored Links: http://SouthPointCasino.com http://BlackjackApprenticeship.com http://VideoPoker.com/gwae Books Referenced: Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong https://amzn.to/34SO2nb Million Dollar Blackjack by Ken Uston https://amzn.to/3nkmc9y Playing Blackjack as a Business by Lawerence Revere https://amzn.to/3fncH5a Recommended: http://Netflix.com/title/80154285 http://Kanopy.com . About Huntington Press Huntington Press is a specialty publisher of Las Vegasand gambling-related books and periodicals, including the award-winning consumer newsletter, Anthony Curtis Las

Vegas Advisor. Huntington Press

3665 Procyon Street

Las Vegas, Nevada 89103

E-mail: cs@huntingtonpress.com


More than 5,000 Bexar County residents have died from COVID-19 during a pandemic that has gripped the nation for almost two years, as nine more local fatalities were reported Thursday.

The countys death toll now stands at 5,006. Those victims are among 75,650 Texans who have succumbed to the illness since March 2020.

Metropolitan Health District reported a staggering 13,485 newly diagnosed COVID cases in San Antonio in the past two days alone as the highly infectious omicron variant continues sweeping through the area. That includes a record-setting number of 7,704 new cases Wednesday, the biggest one-day increase recorded since the pandemic started.

The countys seven-day average of COVID cases reported each day reached a new high of 4,841 on Thursday. The test positivity rate was 31 percent.

The number of hospitalized COVID patients has returned to heights not seen since the last surge of the virus in September. On Thursday, 982 patients in San Antonio hospitals tested positive for the virus.

Among those hospitalized, 32 percent were fully vaccinated, while 68 percent had not received their shots.

Jessica Phelps /San Antonio Express-News

The citys risk level is classified as severe and worsening, according to Metro Health.

We were expecting to see this because of the surging omicron variant across the country, said Dr. Anita Kurian, assistant director of Metro Healths communicable disease division.

On ExpressNews.com: Bexar County is spending $1.3 million on COVID testing  heres what you need to know

The record number of new cases can be attributed partly to an increase in testing, Kurian said. The city of San Antonio recently opened six new testing sites, bringing the total number of free testing operations in the city and the county to 32.

Its difficult to predict when the current surge may end, Kurian said. It is expected to be shorter than past surges of the virus and will drop off suddenly at some point, based on trends observed elsewhere in the world.

But things may get worse before they get better, Kurian said.

It is important to remember we have weathered three surges in the past since this pandemic began, she said. So this current surge too shall pass.

San Antonio needs two things during this spike in COVID cases: nurses and blood donations, according to the emergency health care coordinator for the area.

Hospitals in a 22-county region, including San Antonio, have plenty of beds and ventilators but are short on nurses and other staff to fill in for health care workers who are quarantined, said Eric Epley, executive director and CEO of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council.

The state has sent 411 medical professionals  mostly nurses, but including about 50 respiratory therapists  to the region to help care for hospital patients. That help began arriving Jan. 7 from other states after winter storms in the Northeast and Midwest caused travel delays. Theres a request pending with the state for more staffing support.

Theyre in every acute care hospital in town and, in fact, across the entire South Texas region, Epley said. Theyre doing care for COVID patients, and theyre taking care of non-COVID patients if the nurses that normally take care of that unit are out with COVID.

The rate of the increase in newly diagnosed cases wasnt a complete surprise to Dr. Bryan Alsip, chief medical officer and executive vice president for University Health, which serves as Bexar Countys hospital system.

Even so, he said, its not something we are happy with.

On ExpressNews.com: Nirenberg, Wolff send dire plea to Gov. Abbott for more staffing help at San Antonio hospitals

These are numbers we havent seen, ever, in terms of cases. ... So even though it still can be mild in many cases  just the fact that more and more people are becoming positive is concerning, Alsip said.

Hospital systems are stressed by the number of COVID-related admissions while some of their employees are out sick with the virus or in quarantine after being exposed to it.

The good news relative to this surge is the proportion of patients being admitted that require intensive care in the ICU is relatively low as compared to previous surges, Alsip said. But on the flip side, the real challenge for us is the fact that we have fewer staff at any given time because they are getting infected.

The omicron variant also appears to be infecting more children than previous strains. On Thursday, 42 pediatric patients sick with COVID were being cared for in San Antonio hospitals.

This is a very infectious variant, Alsip said. I think its important to remain as cautious as youve been throughout the pandemic now, at least for the next few weeks until, hopefully, this particular surge starts to abate.

The large numbers reflect how contagious and transmissible the omicron variant of the virus really is, said Dr. Jason Bowling, chief epidemiologist at University Health and an associate professor and infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio.

I was very worried that the numbers would go really high, and they have, Bowling said.

Bexar County and Community Labs will open a new COVID testing site Friday at the Wonderland of the Americas shopping mall. Free tests will be offered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Testing will be done on a walk-in basis only since appointments arent required.

On ExpressNews.com: A rising percentage of fully vaccinated patients are being admitted to San Antonio hospitals as the omicron variant sweeps through the area

University Health also continues to offer free COVID vaccines and booster shots at the Wonderland of the Americas malls upper level from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and at other locations, which can be viewed at wecandoitsa.com.

According to STRAC, this is the fourth time COVID-related hospitalizations have exceeded 500 during the two-year pandemic, following two summer surges in 2020 and 2021 and a winter outbreak that ran from late November 2020 to February 2021.

Of the 982 COVID patients hospitalized in San Antonio on Thursday, 206 were in intensive care units and 73 were on ventilators to help them breathe.

In a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this week, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said the omicron surge has affected nearly every aspect of patient care.

The number of COVID-19 patients in local hospitals peaked at about 1,500 last year in January and again during the delta variant surge in August. But officials dont know when hospitalizations from the highly contagious omicron variant will plateau.

The trajectory of the current surge were in is concerning, Epley said. We actually have plenty of beds. We just dont have enough people to go around the beds.

The blood shortage is as much of a risk right now to the overall community health if youre in a car wreck or need blood immediately, he said.

Nirenberg and Wolff will make a public plea for more blood donations Friday. As opportunities for younger donors to give blood have declined throughout the pandemic, the resulting shortage in blood supplies could prompt hospitals to postpone surgeries and delay treatments. Some hospitals are rationing blood supplies.

The American Red Cross this week declared a national blood crisis following an estimated 10 percent drop in the number of donors. Many hospitals are getting only a portion of the donated blood theyre requesting.

The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, with donation sites in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Boerne and Victoria, uses COVID-19 safety protocols and will hold a series of San Antonio District Challenge blood drives in each city council district next week.

pohare@express-news.net

shuddleston@express-news.net
Texas has been at odds with the federal government over COVID-19 vaccine mandates since President Joe Biden first rolled out requirements in the fall.

The Biden administration has made vaccine mandates a flagship pandemic response measure, requiring shots for health care workers, federal contractors and the majority of federal workers.

Meanwhile, Texas has been staunchly against mandates, with top Republican leaders arguing vaccine orders are government overreach. Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order in October banning any entity in the state from requiring the vaccine, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched or joined a slew of lawsuits against federal vaccine orders.

The battle over vaccine mandates has now reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which on Thursday blocked a Biden administration rule ordering large businesses to require their employees to get vaccinated or get tested for COVID-19 regularly. However, in a separate ruling, the high court upheld another vaccine mandate targeted at health care workers in hospitals and nursing homes that receive federal funds.

The ongoing suits have left many Texas residents and employers unclear about who is required to get the vaccine.

As litigation stands, health care workers and Texas Army National Guard members are currently required to follow through with federal vaccine mandates. A separate vaccine mandate from the Biden administration for federal contractors has been currently frozen due to challenges in a district court in Georgia.

Here is a breakdown of the lawsuits against the federal governments vaccine mandates and who has to follow them in Texas.

Large businesses

A directive issued in November by the Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration required businesses with 100 or more employees to order their staff to either get vaccinated against COVID-19 or get tested for the virus every week.

Paxton joined several other states in a lawsuit against the Biden administration over the vaccine-or-test policy. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in November that the federal mandate could go into effect, reversing a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

The challenge ultimately made its way to the Supreme Court, which put an end to the mandate. The high courts conservative majority said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration did not have the power to implement a vaccine requirement for large businesses.

Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly, the court wrote.

Health care workers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a vaccine mandate in November for health care workers at Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court said the federal mandate for health care workers could be enforced.

Previously, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk in the Northern District of Texas granted a preliminary injunction and temporarily halted Bidens vaccine mandate for health care workers.

Federal contractors

A September executive order from Biden required federal contractors and subcontractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

That vaccine mandate is currently not in effect. A federal judge in Georgia granted a nationwide injunction in December, prohibiting the federal government from enforcing the mandate. U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker, appointed by President Donald Trump, wrote that Biden exceeded his authority and that the mandate imposed an extreme economic burden on contractors.

An appeals court in December declined a Justice Department request to reinstate the federal contractor mandate.

Several Texas-based employers, including Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin, initially complied with the mandate for federal contractors and subcontractors but dropped it after it was blocked.

National Guard members

In the most recent fight over vaccine policies, Abbott sued the Biden administration last week for requiring Texas Army National Guard members to get the shot.

While guardsmen are still required under federal law to get the shot, Abbott is saying they wont be punished if they do not follow the vaccine mandate.

I have issued a straightforward order to every member of the Texas National Guard within my chain of command: Do not punish any guardsman for choosing not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Abbott wrote in a letter to Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, the Texas National Guards top military leader. And as long as I am your commander-in-chief, I will not tolerate efforts to compel receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter of the Texas Tribune. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Andres Picon

Comal ISD is giving students an extra day off for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to give them time to reset as COVID-19 infections increase in the county, multiple media outlets reported.

In addition to having Monday off for the holiday, Comal ISD students will also stay home Tuesday. The district is treating it like a federal holiday so that students will not have a make-up day later in the year, Superintendent Andrew Kim said in a letter to families.
AUSTIN  The Travis County district attorney has determined that Attorney General Ken Paxton violated the states open records law by not turning over his communications from last January, when he appeared at the pro-Trump rally that preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The district attorney gave Paxton four days to remedy the issue or face a lawsuit. The probe was prompted by a complaint filed by top editors at several of the states largest newspapers: the Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News.

In a letter hand delivered to Paxton on Thursday, the head of the district attorneys public integrity unit said her investigation showed the attorney generals office broke state law by withholding or failing to retain his own communications that should be subject to public release.

After a thorough review of the complaint, the (district attorneys) office has determined that Paxton and (his office) violated Chapter 552 of the Texas Government Code, wrote Jackie Wood, director of the district attorneys public integrity and complex crimes unit, referring to the open records statute.

The district attorneys office will take Paxton and his agency to court if they do not cure this violation within four days, Wood warned. For open-records complaints against state agencies, the law says the Travis County district attorney or the attorney general must handle them. The newspapers filed the complaint with the district attorney.

Paxtons office did not immediately return a phone and email message.

Jose Garza, Travis County district attorney, is a Democrat. Paxton is a Republican running for re-election this year. He is currently facing the fiercest scrutiny of his decades-long career, with several GOP challengers, three state criminal indictments, allegations of an extramarital affair and a pending FBI bribery investigation.

Paxton has denied any wrongdoing.

Garzas office declined comment, saying the letter speaks for itself.

Jim Hemphill, the immediate past president of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, said Paxton may take issue with the DAs investigations  or he could voluntarily choose to release this and other records to the public.

Its a rare occurrence where a requestor actually has tangible evidence, Hemphill said. It will be interesting to see how the attorney general responds to this.

The Texas Public Information Act guarantees the publics right to government records, even if those records are stored on personal devices or public officials online accounts. The attorney generals office enforces this law, determining which records are public and which are private.

On March 25, six news outlets jointly published a story that raised questions about whether Paxton was breaking open records laws.

On Jan. 4, five newspaper editors filed a complaint asking the district attorney to investigate the alleged violations. Anyone can file a complaint with a local prosecutor if they believe a public agency is withholding information in violation of the Public Information Act.

Woods notice to Paxton said the district attorneys office concurred with the allegations in the editors complaint.

First, the editors raised concerns that Paxtons office was using attorney-client privilege to withhold every single email and text message sent to or received by him around the time of the Jan. 6 rally, which preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Paxton and his wife were in Washington that day and appeared at the rally.

Wood said withholding all of Paxtons communications during that week violated the law. As evidence, she noted the attorney generals office released nearly 500 pages of communications sent to or received by First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster  including some emails that included Paxton as a recipient.

The newspaper editors also said the attorney generals office had no policy for handling work-related records kept on personal devices or accounts.

When a Morning News reporter sent Paxton a work-related text message and another reporter requested all his messages that day, Paxtons office responded that no responsive messages existed. A spokesman for Paxton later said the attorney general doesnt have to retain unsolicited and unwelcome text messages to personal phones.

Wood noted that the attorney generals office stated in the past that the communications of government officials were subject to retention policies and the open records law.

Finally, the editors raised concerns that Paxton was turning over other peoples communications in response to requests for his own text messages.

The DAs investigation agreed that Paxton had not provided his own text messages with officials at the attorney generals office in Utah  where Paxton and his wife traveled during the February freeze  and instead turned over a copy of another persons text to Paxton. The attorney generals office did not explain why Paxton didnt provide his own version of the text exchange.

The newspaper editors who filed the complaint said they welcomed the outcome.

The Travis County district attorney took an important step today by holding Attorney General Ken Paxton accountable for failing to release public records involving his office  records that we believe are important for the public to know, said Maria Reeve, executive editor of the Houston Chronicle. The free flow of public information and records helps keep our democracy functioning, helps ensure transparency and keeps government leaders such as Mr. Paxton accountable to taxpayers.

Bill Aleshire, an attorney and transparency expert, said he could not recall an attorney general ever being accused of violating open records laws to avoid releasing his own communications.

When the public official responsible for enforcing public records laws violates those laws himself, it puts a dagger in the heart of transparency at every level in Texas, Aleshire said.

Why should other Texas officials be transparent with public information if the AG himself is not?

Chuck Lindell with the Austin American-Statesman, Allie Morris with The Dallas Morning News, Eleanor Dearman with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Taylor Goldenstein with the Houston Chronicle contributed to this report.
Carolyn Van Houten / Carolyn Van Houten

Retired Texas teachers started to receive their so-called 13th checks on Friday, giving educators up to $2,400 to make up for the lack of cost-of-living increases since 2004.

The state Legislature unanimously approved the extra $700 million in funding for more than 400,000 retired educators last year. The one-time checks are equal to their regular annuity payment and capped at $2,400.




LG's headquarters in Seoul / Yonhap





By Kim Hyun-bin







LG Energy Solutions (LGES) is seeking to establish a joint battery plant in the United States with Honda Motor, the world's 8th-largest automaker. It is an unprecedented move for a Japanese automaker to choose a Korean battery company over its own local parts manufacturer.







According to the battery industry, LGES is said to be discussing the establishment of a joint venture (JV) for electric vehicle (EV) batteries with Honda. As it is in the early stages of discussions, the timing of the creation of the corporation, the share ratio and the site of the plant have not been confirmed. However, it is said that they are considering the construction of a plant with a capacity of up to 40 gigawatt hours (40 GWh) in the U.S.







A plant of this scale is capable of producing 600,000 high-performance EVs per year, worth 4 trillion won.







"We are promoting a joint venture with GM, Hyundai Motors and Stellantis, and we plan to announce a plan to establish a joint corporation with other original equipment manufacturer (OEM) companies soon," LGES Vice Chairman Kwon Young-soo said at a press conference held Monday.







Honda's partnership with LGES is seen to be targeting the US market. Last year, Honda became the first among major Japanese car makers to announce plans to transition all models to EVs by 2040. Honda seems to have selected LGES as a partner as Japanese battery companies are experiencing difficulties.







Honda already has an indirect partnership with LGES, as a consequence of deciding to produce EVs in the U.S. through Ultium, General Motors' all-new EV modular platform and battery system, through which LGES supplies the batteries via a JV inked with GM. The industry believes that discussions on the new JV between Honda and LGES also started out of this relationship.







"We are discussing various ways of cooperating with global automobile manufacturers, but nothing has been confirmed," an LGES official said.


Judson ISD is investigating a number of social media accounts that may be sharing "inappropriate" and "disturbing" content of students at Judson High School.

Officials believe the social media accounts may be connected to the school but are unsure if the photos that are being shared are of Judson High students, according to Nicole Taguinod, the school district's chief communications officer. Taguinod said any students found to be responsible will face consequences.

The posts are part of an online trend in which students take photos of others without their permission while using the restroom at school and then share them on social media. Taguinod said the posts have the intention to shame, embarrass or spread rumors about other students.

On ExpressNews.com: Police searching for two men seen breaking windows at Judson ISD schools

Alexis Solomon, a parent of a Judson High student, shared her concerns with News 4 San Antonio about the Instagram accounts posting the photos. She called the comments under some of the photos "disturbing."

Taguinod said the district's police department has determined that some of the photos were taken off campus because the building structure and tiles don't match that of the school, while others may have been taken at the school.

Staff will be situated in hallways around restrooms and common areas during passing periods and before and after school to assist with monitoring, according to Taguinod. She said spot checks will also be conducted throughout the day.

Taguinod encourages students and others to report the accounts and posts to the social media platforms as "inappropriate content" and to inform campus staff.

Malak.Silmi@express-news.net
Luis Molina Jr., a Southeast Side pastor known for his work with gang members and people struggling with drug addiction, died Monday at his home near Windcrest. He was 60.

He left behind a great legacy, reaching generations for the hurting city of San Antonio. We have kids that come back to the ministry because of his love. His love was overpowering, and you just couldnt forget it, said his granddaughter Arianna, 25. He was a father to everyone, going to the streets, going to the hood that no one wants to go to. He inspired and believed in so many, raising future pastors and leaders. He answered Gods true calling.

When 18-year-old Dana Michea Marquez arrived in San Antonio in May 1997, she felt adrift. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Marquez didnt have any family to speak of in Texas, let alone the Alamo City.

But Molina, senior pastor at Victory Outreach San Antonio-Central, welcomed her with open arms. Having spent much of his childhood and young adulthood enmeshed in criminality in southern California, Molina himself was a transplant  a stranger in a strange land.

Over time, Molina developed a deep and abiding love for his adopted hometown, though he never abandoned his allegiance to the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders.

He loved the Spurs as well. He loved the Riverwalk. He loved the people in the city, especially on the streets, Marquez said. He never had a negative thing to say about anyone. Always a helping hand. Anybody that came across him was always inspired by him.

One of Molinas most significant contributions to the San Antonio community was his work with the down and out, including drug addicts and gang members, Marquez said.

Maybe it was because he could relate to their struggles.

Born in Santa Barbara on Oct. 7, 1961, Molina used to run the streets in California before he found religion, Marquez said. Once he did, he dedicated his life to righting some of the wrongs he saw in the world, often bringing his work home with him. He held baptisms in his pool and hosted parishioners for the holidays. Sometimes his benevolence came back to bite him. He was slighted. He was robbed. But he retained his affection for humanity regardless.

Marquez described the pastor as forgiving.

His emphasis and focus was always on leadership, on seeing the best in people when they couldnt even see the potential in themselves, Marquez said. Him and his wife always had people living with them, always giving them second chances.

Photo courtesy of Alfonzo OFonzyO Rodriguez.

Alfonzo Fonzy Rodriguez, 43, first met Molina when Rodriguez moved into the Victory Outreach mens recovery home in 2006. Back then, Rodriguez was battling alcoholism. His relationship with some of his family members had crumbled and his self-esteem was low. Now sober, he credits Molinas willingness to show Rodriguez how to seek the face of the Lord with his success at getting and staying clean.

We hung out a lot, talked all the time, whether we talked on the phone or whether I went over to his house and spent time with him, Rodriguez said. He made a big impact on my life. I dont think Id be the man that I am today without him in my life.

Both Marquez and Rodriguez feel the loss keenly. To them, Molina wasnt just a pastor or a mentor; he was a father figure. Neither had the opportunity to know their biological dads as children, so Molina took up the mantle.

As such, Marquez, who was born to a young mother and raised by her grandparents, described the Victory Outreach community as more like a family than a congregation. Internal terminology reflected its tight-knit nature.

The kids in the church referred to him and his wife as Nonna and Papa, she said.

Befitting her role as his spiritual daughter, Marquez was there for Molina when he had health scares.

In the mid-2000s, Molina was diagnosed with stage III non-Hodgkins B-cell lymphoma, a common form of lymphatic cancer. A board game in tow, Marquez accompanied Debbie, Molinas wife, on her late-night visits to the hospital.

Pastor would be medicated and still beat Sis. Debbie and I in Scrabble at 2 AM in the morning while he was in his hospital bed, she wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday.

While Molina recovered, the treatment damaged his kidneys, and he received a transplant in 2010.

Toward the end of his life, Molinas liver began to fail. His donor kidney soon followed suit. Still, as his health deteriorated, he still made his ministry a priority.

Even in his sickness, even when he could not walk, up until his last moment before he went on sabbatical, he was still preaching over the pulpit, Marquez said. Even when people had to lift him up to walk and to stand, he still made it to church every single Sunday.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah; children, John and Sophia; grandchildren, Arianna, Moses, Zariah, Elias, Ellyanna, Derek, Devin and Dez; and siblings, Martin, Vince, Efran and Regina. Both Martin and Vince are pastors as well.

A memorial service will take place at Victory Outreach Church on Jan. 22.

caroline.tien@hearst.com
A San Antonio man who faced up to life in prison over accusations that he had sex with children  including one under the age of 4  has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Jonathan Lee Garrett was indicted in July on charges of super-aggravated sexual assault and sexual performance of a child under the age of 6. Garrett also was charged with sexually assaulting a child below the age of 14. Both alleged assaults occurred on Feb. 7.

He also was accused of promoting child pornography, among other charges, by using the social media application WhatsApp to distribute images depicting a child having sex.

Garrett, 25, appeared Thursday via Zoom in the 227th District Court from the Bexar County jail. As part of a plea agreement reached between prosecutor Christian Neumann and defense attorney Robert Porter, he pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

After reviewing evidence and taking into consideration three other child pornography charges connected to this case that were waived by the court, state District Judge Kevin OConnell said found Garrett guilty and sentenced him to 30 years in prison.

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The childs parents, who are not being named to protect the identity of the child, also appeared in the online hearing, and the mother faced Garrett to deliver a victim impact statement.

You are a piece of garbage, she told Garrett, adding that the child he violated is about to turn 4 next week.

How was I so blind to this! He was younger when you decided to take advantage of him, the mother said. You are the exemplification of vileness. Our family took you in, we grew to trust you, you became an extended family member.

She said Garrett planned, waited, targeted and hurt the most trusting and vulnerable member of their family.

And, you decided to digitally preserve this. You shared it to other monsters, she said. I pray every night that they hunt down each one of them and put them away so they dont hurt anyone. The only solace I find in this is, that is how they caught you.

Garrett will have to serve at least half of his 30-year prison term before he can be eligible for parole. He received credit for 261 days in jail, according to online court records.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is urging people in this region to avoid activities on Saturday that could cause a wildfire as a dry and strong cold front will make the area more susceptible to fire spreading.

The front is expected to move through the South Central Texas region overnight Friday and into the predawn hours Saturday morning, meteorologists said.
In the last scene of the 2001 HBO movie Boycott, leaders of the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott celebrate ending racial segregation in public transit by going for a bus ride.

When the Rev. Ralph Abernathy, played by Terrence Howard, boards the bus, he turns and looks back at Martin Luther King Jr., played by Jeffrey Wright, and asks, You coming, brother?

King answers, slowly, Nah. You all go on ahead.

The door closes and the bus pulls away from King. As the credits roll, hes walking down a street in present-day Atlanta, recognized by some, including children who stop and stare, and a Black policeman and white policewoman in a squad car who stop to acknowledge him.

The film concludes with King, leaning against a concrete stoop, talking to several young Black men.

On ExpressNews.com: Clack: Time cant end the hatred that stopped a clock in 63

Its a short but powerful invitation to imagine how this country would be had he lived longer than 39 years and what he would say about the United States as it is now.

Its also a reminder of the ascent, descent and secular canonization of King in life and death.

His leadership of the Montgomery bus boycott and civil rights movement made him world famous, a Nobel laureate and, for a short time, one of the most admired men in the country.

By the time of his assassination in 1968, he was an unpopular, polarizing figure because he refused to segregate his moral concerns and stay silent on poverty and the Vietnam War or mute his denunciations of racism.

We fear the prophets while they live and then honor them when theyre dead.

Today, King is honored with a national holiday and celebrated as a historical figure. He is loved, it appears, by just about everyone, including politicians who, were King alive today, would denounce him as a communist and un-American for his words and mass protests.

On ExpressNews.com: Clack: Hope perseveres, like a lost butterfly in winter

These are some of the same ones who can quote only from his I Have a Dream speech, ignoring that King said it was a dream and that, like the Promised Land, were not there yet.

But we can divine, from what King did say and write, what he would say today.

In one of his speeches he said, Because I believe that the Father is deeply concerned especially for his suffering and helpless and outcast children, I come tonight to speak for them.

Such a man would, today, be speaking for uninsured children and adults, for the poor in Mississippi and Appalachia.

A young dreamer who in 1963 shared his dream for the only country hed known as his home today would be standing with a new generation of young Dreamers fighting to stay in the only country theyve ever known as home.

A man who in his last book  Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?  challenged America to be honest about her crippling legacy of racism would speak out against the bogus use of critical race theory to avoid teaching uncomfortable truths about U.S. history.

On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: COVID stops MLK march, not its spirit

A man who led the march from Selma to Montgomery, leading to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, would decry the evisceration of that law, as well as the rising tide of voter suppression laws across the country. On Monday, politicians who are part of these efforts will praise King, but you dont remember King by supporting the dismembering of the Voting Rights Act.

You cant praise the drum major of a movement to expand democracy while making it more difficult for people to vote and have those votes counted.

Ultimately, on this holiday, we best honor Kings legacy by the choices we make in how we treat others.

We make the decision to hate or love.

We choose to deny someone their inherent dignity, whether its demonizing those whose politics, religion, ethnicity or sexuality is different from ours.

We decide if its right to give sanction to physical violence.

We have the power to make someones life more difficult through nastiness and callousness, or to lighten their burdens.

We choose to treat each other decently  or not.

King believed that this nation could do better by its citizens and that its citizens could do better by each other.

Do we all go on ahead and try?

cary.clack@express-news.net
Some social problems seem invisible and undetected, or at least unfelt, by people who live comfortable lives, seemingly in another world.

The problem is exacerbated when it involves children, who have no voice to express their victimization.

Helpless, wounded, alone and afraid, such children rely on adults, and when it comes to the child placement crisis, adults in Texas have proved unable  or perhaps unwilling  to solve the problem.

It is the same old story in Texas, where the number of children without placement in the foster care system has jumped 1,100 percent since October 2019, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Thousands of children, unable to be placed in foster homes, have been forced to stay in hotels and churches or have been sent out of state. Some have even stayed in Child Protective Services offices.

This summer, the Texas Tribune, reporting on the crisis, quoted a young man who aged out of the foster care system who likened his placement to a jail.

At least 23 children have died in the long-term foster care system since summer 2019, according to a report released last summer by court-appointed monitors for Texas agencies in charge of the system, which is responsible for almost 29,000 children.

The court monitoring resulted from a federal lawsuit filed in 2011; four years later, U.S. District Judge Janis Jack ruled that the state foster care system failed to protect the constitutional right of the children to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm.

Monitors have unearthed numerous violations, leading to closer scrutiny and improvement plans.

Since spring 2019, Texas Health and Human Services has initiated revocation proceedings or denied licenses for eight group facilities housing seven or more foster children; Family Tapestry in San Antonio, which faced management and abuse allegations, was among the facilities that closed. While these closures were needed, the state has failed to create safe alternatives.

That has led to troubling out-of-state placements. Consider how young, vulnerable Texans were sent to a Michigan facility that lacked a front door despite freezing weather.

And, again, in documentation, is the invocation of incarceration. The childrens rooms resembled juvenile cells, with little-to-no furniture aside from a built-in, concrete or wood platform bed, covered by a plastic-covered mattress, court monitors wrote after visiting in December. The units were dirty; the floors looked like they had not been cleaned  the monitoring team observed numerous safety hazards and items providing potential opportunities for youth to selfharm.

One of the most horrifying aspects of this crisis is that Texas is no closer to a solution than it was in 2011, when the lawsuit was filed.

It looks like were just going from bad to worse, Jack said at a hearing Tuesday.

The crisis worsened every month last year, and more than 400 children spent at least two consecutive nights in unlicensed placements in June, the highest number since the state began tracking such placements five years ago.

These Texas children are beyond vulnerable  they are in peril, suffering physical and sexual abuse in the temporary shelters. Some have been groomed for sexual trafficking.

State child advocates have said the reasons for the placement shortage are complicated, including placement facilities shutting down in the midst of the pandemic and funding issues.

Whatever the factors, this is a Dickensian nightmare come to life, and every state politician, from the governor on down, must address it before another child is damaged beyond repair.

This is not rocket science. The state needs to quickly develop capacity to safely place all foster care children in Texas, with those placements as close to their homes as possible. Not in Michigan. Not in facilities without a front door.

It also needs a system to track all foster children, and it needs to come into compliance with the federal Family First Program, lest it loses millions in funding.

Its been 11 years. Why havent these problems been fixed?

Our children represent our future; if they are damaged, so is our way forward.
For the first time in 20 years, Bexar County will have a new leader in 2023, and four Democratic hopefuls took to the stage this week to plead their case for the job.

The Bexar County Democratic Party hosted the forum with the candidates seated in the order theyll appear on the ballot: court system reformer Gerardo Ponce, State Rep. Ina Minjarez, mayoral and political adviser Yvalis Meza Gonzalez and former Judge Peter Sakai.

Discussions repeatedly circled back to the main question facing voters: Who can best follow Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff as the person to lead the county as it recovers from the pandemic. Wolff, 81, has been county judge since 2001 and is not seeking re-election. His term ends at the end of 2022.

On ExpressNews.com: Former appellate judge appointed interim county commissioner

Minjarez and Sakai, the two expected front-runners in the race, praised Wolffs leadership during the pandemic. Minjarez, a practicing licensed attorney for more than 20 years, said she has the experience and contacts with local lawmakers after nearly seven years as a legislator, including service on the House Appropriations Committee, to bring funding and meaningful policy leadership on family violence, workforce development and other key issues.

The biggest problem facing the county is generational poverty, she said.

It is critical that the next leader of this county have the skill set that is necessary, has the bold leadership that is necessary and understands that this is not a position where you learn as you go. You have to be ready to hit the ground running, Minjarez said.

Sakai touted his 26 years as a district judge, working on family and childrens issues, and repeatedly spoke about breaking down silos, vowing to connect issues and branches and levels of government that need to work more collaboratively to solve problems.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

He said he would approach economic development and education as integrated parts of an overall plan for a cradle to career pipeline, while also focusing on affordable housing, daycare, and restorative justice programs to break cycles of poverty.

COVID-19 has taught us that we have tough issues to face. I am ready to be your next leader for Bexar County, Sakai said.

Ponce said he would support efforts to empower women, seniors, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities, and he would work to provide relief for homeowners on property taxes. He emphasized his background working with the countys court system, helping institute the juvenile court, DWI task force and family violence court, helping pave the way for specialty courts now operating.

As county judge, I will work diligently to promote and improve economic and workforce development throughout Bexar County, Ponce said.

Gonzalez, former chief of staff for Mayor Ron Nirenberg, repeatedly vowed to tackle societal problems head-on, particularly domestic violence, sexual assault and mental health, by working with nonprofit and community partners. She also talked about the need to expand affordable housing options, with about 1 million more people expected to move to Bexar County by 2040.

On ExpressNews.com: DeBerry said she made a ridiculously difficult decision to run for county judge

Housing affordability is what folks come to Texas for. They come to San Antonio for that affordability. And we need to make that happen by increasing our housing market, Gonzalez said.

The 90-minute forum at the historic Mt. Zion First Baptist Church late Thursday had a lower-than-expected in-person turnout of about 50 people, attributed to the COVID-19 omicron surge, and was streamed live on Facebook. Topics included criminal justice reform, LGBTQ equality and voting rights.

A video recording of the forum can be viewed online on the Bexar County Democratic Partys Facebook page.

The primary is March 1, and early voting begins Feb. 14 and runs through Feb. 25.

A runoff, if needed in the event no candidate receives a majority of votes, is set for May 24. Republican primary candidates for county judge are Nathan Buchanan and former county commissioner Trish DeBerry.

shuddleston@express-news.net
Sterling, VA (20165)

Today

Generally cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 74F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 57F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
A pilot version of Lotte Homeshopping's metaverse service shows camping items on sale prior to its launch next year. Courtesy of Lotte Homeshopping



By Kim Jae-heun



One of the country's top home-shopping firms, Lotte Homeshopping, is preparing to introduce its own metaverse platform in 2023, for selling real products utilizing non-fungible token (NFT) and running live-commerce services.



"As metaverse and NFTs have emerged as new business growth engines for companies around the world, we have concluded a business agreement with local firms with the best professional technologies and research skills in the sector," a Lotte Homeshopping official said.



The home-shopping company signed a business partnership with 13 information and communication technology (ICT) firms on Wednesday. They included experts in the artificial intelligence, virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), blockchain, NFTs, content and cloud computing sectors.



The contract paper was issued with NFT, given the symbolism of its metaverse service. Lotte will further establish a consultative body with the 13 firms and attract more participants to create synergy between them in the near future.



Lotte Homeshopping's metaverse platform will have a NFT marketplace, live commerce studio and online communities for users to participate.



The NFT business is the first step, for which the firm plans to launch an NFT marketplace on its mobile application starting in April. Lotte will sell its "Belly Gom" NFT products for which it has intellectual property rights. Belly Gom is a pink-colored bear character created by the retailer.



In the same month, Lotte will open its "meta-live studio," where an avatar will host a live commerce service in the 3D virtual space created on a mobile app. Customers can join to experience a futuristic style of shopping. Apart from this, Lotte will offer XR-based content during its large-scale shopping festival in October.



In the same month, the company plans to recruit personnel for the metaverse service and establish an exhibition hall targeting small and medium-sized companies to promote their online export consultation services.



"In the future, we plan to speed up digital transformation by promoting our metaverse service based on advanced technologies beyond blockchain, VR and digital human development," a Lotte Homeshopping official said.


WESTON  A group of students has created an online petition after high school administrators announced the school will have midterms starting next week.

The petition states the COVID pandemic is raging through the school system and has created obstacles to students learning, preventing them from preparing for the exams. It also said the pandemic has affected students mental health and asks administrators to take that into account and cancel the exams like other high schools have done.

Midtems are scheduled for next Friday and then the following Monday through Thursday.

We respectfully request that the decision to proceed with midterms be reconsidered as the student body attempts to navigate through an already extremely stressful time in our lives, the petition reads.

It also points to the number of students who are unable to be in school because they tested positive and are in isolation or are a close contact to a positive case and are quarantining, with the possibility it could worsen as the omicron variant spreads.

These students who are being affected by the virus are already facing an obstruction to their learning by being required to stay home from school and learn remotely, reads the petition, which doesnt name its organizers other than concerned students.

According to the petition, there were 157 students who tested positive or were in quarantine in the district as of last Tuesday or Wednesday.

According to the districts COVID dashboard, there were 65 students who tested positive or were in quarantine as of this Tuesday.

While certain students may have been able to utilize the time over break or the few days this week to study for the exams, what about the students who cant? the petition states. Many students have been sick, been spending time with ill family members, and have missed out on receiving the extra help they need.

Juliane Givoni, Weston High Schools interim principal, sent an email to families last Friday announcing midterms would go forward with some alterations.

In light of the recent and current COVID-19 case rates affecting our school community, I felt it necessary to assess whether moving forward with exams as originally planned was still appropriate and feasible, she said.

Givoni said she spoke with student leaders, representatives from the Parent Teacher Organization, teachers, counselors, school and district administrators, and colleagues from neighboring districts.

In the course of my conversations, students and adults affirmed my own belief that a) there is value in the practice of preparing and sitting for a cumulative assessment, and b) the scoring of said assessments provides valuable data regarding student performance, Givoni said. However, we share concerns about student readiness and instructional continuity due to recent COVID-19 related absences, as well as uncertainty around what the outlook will be two weeks from now, when exams are slated to begin.

Among the changes is having the exams count for less of the overall grade in the course.

Teachers also have the ability to alter the content, format and intensity of the exam based on what was actually covered in class. How the tests will be given was already changed earlier this year to shorten the testing period and add more break time between exams.

We will monitor student absences to assess the need for additional make-up exam periods beyond those already scheduled, Givoni said, adding teachers are available for extra help, as well as the writing center and math lab.

The midterms wont be given remotely and students isolating or in quarantine will make up the tests when they return in person, she said.

Any additional school cancellations will push the schedule back that number of days, Givoni said.

I have learned much as an educator amidst a pandemic, most notably that flexibility is key, Givoni wrote. We continue to monitor the health and wellbeing of our students and staff, and we seek to respond in an informed and measured capacity.

While the online petition had a little more than 600 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon, many of the online comments about why people were signing it were jokes.

Some comments did focus on the negative effect students said the exams would have on their mental health alongside the pandemic.

The petition said the high schools mission statement is to empower each student to serve as part of a caring and supporting community.

Now, more than ever, the student body urges administration to put the mental health and safety of its students first, it said. The students of WHS are currently dealing with the health, social, and emotional effects of the pandemic. The administration should show empathy to the students and understand what we are going through as we try to simultaneously navigate the pandemic and continue to adapt to the new school year.
A 'radical' policy shift by Crown Estate Scotland now means some of its tenant farmers have the opportunity to purchase their farms.

Crown Estate Scotland, which manages about 30,000 ha of tenanted land over four estates, had been consulting on the pilot initiative.

It is being offered to secure tenants on Applegirth Estate in Dumfriesshire and Auchindoon Estate in Moray, and if successful may be extended to other estates.

Crown Estate Scotlands Corporate Plan for 2020 to 2023 commits to raising capital through asset sales for reinvestment, some of which will come from farm sales.

The Estate said they had sought to take the interests of tenant farmers and local communities into account while developing their farm sales policy.

Eligible tenants on the estates will be asked to express an interest in purchasing the farm at an agreed price, or a joint sale of the farm to a third party on an agreed share basis.

They can also relinquish their tenancy for value along the lines set out in the Land Reform Act 2016, or maintain the status quo, with the tenant remaining as before with the Crown Estate as landlords.

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) welcomed the news, calling it a 'radical' policy shift for Scotland's tenanted farming sector.

Christopher Nicholson, chairman, said: Crown Estate Scotland is making history as the first large scale landlord to give tenants such an open range of voluntary options.

In general tenants are enthusiastic about the proposed farm sales and the opportunities they are to be offered."

Mr Nicholson said some tenant farmers had expressed concerns about the future of a fragmented rural estate following farm sales, especially if the majority of remaining tenants were non-secure tenants with fixed term leases.

"With the obvious pressures from forestry, fixed term tenants are concerned about their future when the time comes to negotiate new leases to continue farming their holdings," he said.

"However, reassurances have been given to tenants that Crown Estate Scotland will continue to act as a responsible landlord fulfilling its statutory and traditional obligations to its tenants whatever the type of lease."

If the initiative is successful on the two estates, Crown Estate Scotland could roll out similar policy across their remaining rural estate, offering more tenants similar opportunities.
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A boy cools off in a fountain during a hot summer day in downtown Moscow, in this July 13, 2021, file photo. The nine years spanning 2013-2021 all rank among the 10 hottest on record, according to an annual report by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. AFP-Yonhap



The nine years spanning 2013-2021 all rank among the 10 hottest on record, according to an annual report a U.S. agency released Thursday, the latest data underscoring the global climate crisis.



For 2021, the average temperature across global surfaces was 1.51 degrees Fahrenheit (0.84 degrees Celsius) above the 20th-century average, making the year the sixth-hottest in the overall record, which goes back to 1880.



"Of course, all this is driven by increasing concentrations of heat trapping gases like carbon dioxide," Russell Vose, a senior climatologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) told reporters.



"There's probably a 99 percent chance that 2022 will rank in the top 10, a 50-50 chance, maybe a little less, it'll rank in the top five, and a 10 percent chance it'll rank first" barring an unforeseen event like a major volcanic eruption or a large comet hitting Earth, he said.



Thursday itself saw mercury rise to a sweltering 123.3F (50.7C) in the coastal town of Onslow in Western Australia, making it the country's hottest day on record.



NOAA uses the 21-year span from 1880 to 1900 as a surrogate to assess pre-industrial conditions, and found the 2021 global land and ocean temperature was 1.87F (1.04C) above the average.



A separate analysis of global temperature released by NASA had 2021 tying with 2018 as the sixth-warmest on record.



Both data sets vary very slightly from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service in their assessment, which had 2021 as the fifth warmest in records tracking back to the mid-19th century.



But the overall convergence of trends increases scientists' confidence in their conclusions.



Increases in abundance of atmospheric greenhouse gases since the industrial revolution are mainly the result of human activity and are largely responsible for the observed increases.



Climate scientists say it is crucial to hold end-of-century warming to within a 1.5C (2.7F) rise to avert the worst impacts  from mega-storms to mass die-offs in coral reefs and the decimation of coastal communities.



At the present rate of heating, the planet might hit 1.5C in the 2030s.



"But it's not the case that at 1.4 everything is hunky dory and at 1.6 all hell has broken loose," said NASA climate expert Gavin Schmidt.



The impacts have been increasingly felt in recent years  including record-shattering wildfires across Australia and Siberia, a once-in-1,000-years heatwave in North America and extreme rainfall that caused massive flooding in Asia, Africa, the U.S. and Europe.



Last year also saw nearly 700 people die in the contiguous United States due to extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Ida, and a maximum temperature in Sicily of nearly 120F, a European record if verified.





This July 31, 2020, file photo in Maisons-du-Bois-Lievremont, eastern France, shows a dead fish in the dry Doubs river as a heat wave hits France. AFP-Yonhap
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Britain's Parliament buildings in Westminster, London, Jan. 13. The U.K.'s domestic spy service MI5 has told the House of Commons speaker that the Chinese Communist Party has been employing a woman to exert improper influence over lawmakers. AP-Yonhap
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 18, 2021) - White Metal Resources Corp. (TSXV: WHM) ("White Metal" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its first drilling program on its 95% owned Taranis Copper-Silver Project (the "Project" or "Property"), located in northwestern Namibia and defined by Exclusive Prospecting Licence ("EPL") 7071. The reverse circulation ("RC") drilling program, which began January 19, 2021 (see Company news release January 14, 2021), consisted of 28 drill holes totalling 3,226 metres. The drilling program focused in the area that covers the historical mineral resources contained within the Okohongo Copper-Silver Deposit (the "Okohongo").

Michael Stares, President & CEO of the Company, stated, "The four week RC drilling program in Namibia was a success and will provide us with the necessary data and information to complete an NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate on the Okohongo copper-silver deposit. We look forward to receiving assay results by mid-March and announcing a resource estimate by April."

A total of 727 samples were submitted to Actlabs in Windhoek, Namibia for preparation and will be analyzed at Actlabs in Canada. Of the total samples, 619 are RC chip samples and 108 are blank, standard and duplicate samples submitted as part of the quality assurance/quality control program.

The Taranis Property (aka Okohongo Property), covering about 19 850 ha, includes the historical Okohongo Cu-Ag Deposit which has been outlined by historical drilling (see INV Metals news release dated August 3, 2011), showing it extends over 600 metres in strike length, 400 metres down-dip, and is interpreted to be open in all directions. The Okohongo, situated within the Kaoko Belt of northwest Namibia about 700 km northwest of Windhoek, is hosted by metasedimentary stratigraphy and is considered to be analogous with the stratiform sediment-hosted Central African Copperbelt deposits of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This deposit contains historical Inferred Mineral Resources of 10.2 million tonnes grading 1.12% Cu and 17.75 g/t Ag, using a 0.3% Cu cut-off (Table 1; INV Metals Inc. NI 43-101 Technical Report, Effective Date March 31, 2011).

Table 1. Historical Mineral Resources for the Okohongo Copper-Silver Project, Namibia.

Cut-off Specific Gravity Tonnes Cu (%) Ag (g/t) Cu (tonnes) Ag (ounces) Category 0.0 2.45 11 691 539 1.01 15.85 117 645 5,957,874 Inferred 0.1 2.45 11 682 796 1.01 15.86 117 640 5,957,640 Inferred 0.2 2.45 11 453 414 1.02 16.13 117 219 5,940,047 Inferred 0.3 2.45 10 196 456 1.12 17.75 114 046 5,818,534 Inferred 0.4 2.45 9 535 538 1.17 18.66 111 731 5,719,226 Inferred 0.5 2.45 8 705 239 1.24 19.73 107 993 5,522,454 Inferred 0.6 2.45 8 142 684 1.29 20.50 104 877 5,366,572 Inferred 0.7 2.45 7 366 110 1.35 21.61 99 810 5,116,714 Inferred 0.8 2.45 6 379 793 1.45 23.16 92 402 4,750,190 Inferred



source: NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Okohongo Copper-Silver Property in Northwest Namibia, INV Metals Inc.; Prepared By: Caracle Creek International Consulting (Pty) Ltd., South Africa, Effective March 31, 2011.

The Company is treating the tonnages and grades reported in Table 1 as historical mineral resources. The Inferred Mineral Resource estimate reported in Table 1 for the Okohongo Copper-Silver Deposit was prepared by qualified authors in 2011, conforming to CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves as outlined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources. Investors are cautioned that the historical estimates do not mean or imply that economic deposits exist on the properties. The Company has not undertaken any independent investigation of the historical estimates or other information contained in this news release nor has it independently analyzed the results of the previous exploration work in order to verify the accuracy of the information. The Company believes that these historical estimates and other information contained in this news release are relevant to continuing exploration on the Property.

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 the NI 43-101.

About White Metal Resources Corp (TSXV: WHM):

White Metal Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company exploring in Canada. For more information please visit the Company's website at www.whitemetalres.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of White Metal Resources Corp.

"Michael Stares"

Michael Stares

President & CEO, Director

For further information contact:

Michael Stares

684 Squier Street

Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, P7B 4A8

Phone: (807) 358-2420 Fax: (807) 475-7200

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/74833
Leading reuse company in Japan strengthens activities in pursuit of circular economy

Valuence Holdings Inc. (Tokyo; Shinsuke Sakimoto, representative director) (TOKYO: 9270) announced that it has joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Network, an international charitable organization that promotes the creation of a circular economy, in January 2022. With this decision, the Valuence Group demonstrates its commitment to strengthen the circular economy activities of the group.

Engaging in more circular economy activities as a company playing a central role in the creation of circular economy

Since 2011, reuse has been the core of the Valuence Group business, not as a means to throw out items no longer wanted, but as a means to pass on such items to persons who want and will enjoy their value. Today, the group plays a central role in creating the circular economy by promoting the spread of reuse in Japan and abroad.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, based in the United Kingdom, is an international charitable organization that develops and promotes the circular economy in order to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. Increasingly based on renewable energy, a circular economy is driven by design to eliminate waste, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature, to create resilience and prosperity for business, the environment, and society. The Foundation works with its Network of private and public sector decision-makers, as well as academia, to build capacity, explore collaborative opportunities, and design and develop circular economy initiatives and solutions. Currently, there are more than 300 participating companies in the Network worldwide. At the same time, relatively few Japanese companies have joined the Foundation, and the Valuence Group declaration represents the first Japanese company in the domestic reuse industry.

Through this membership, the group will strengthen its activities to expand the circular economy in Japan and overseas.

Objectives of Participation in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Network

Membership in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Network will facilitate communications between the Valuence Group and other member companies. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has many leading companies promoting the circular economy, mainly in Europe and the United States. Members also include many luxury brands and retailers that are closely related to the group's businesses. By interacting and exchanging opinions with these companies, the group aims to contribute to the expansion of the circular economy.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005939/en/

Contacts:

Inquiries:

Aiko Kishi, Brand Communications Office, Valuence Holdings Inc.

Mail: media@valuence.inc
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2022) - Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (TSXV: LEO) (OTCQB: LCGMF) (the "Company", "Lion CG") is pleased to announce the results of an updated mineral resource estimate for the MacArthur Copper Project (the "Project") located in Mason Valley, Nevada. The mineral resource estimate was prepared pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") by Independent Mining Consultants ("IMC") of Tucson, Arizona. A technical report in the form required pursuant to NI 43-101 disclosing the resource estimate will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days from the date of this news release. The resource estimate includes total contained copper within a pit shell using a variable recovery of four relevant oxidation material types.

Highlights:

Measured and Indicated Resource: 300,290,000 tons, grading 0.167% TCu containing 1,000,383,000 pounds of total copper

Inferred Resource: 154,792,000 tons, grading 0.151% TCu containing 466,350,000 pounds of total copper

The updated mineral resource estimate results in an increase of over 55% of the Measured and Indicated Resource compared to the prior resource estimate as constrained within the 2014 PEA pit design (MacArthur Copper Project Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment, January 17, 2014)

The oxide and transition mineralized envelope of the deposit is confirmed to be open to the south-southeast. Additional sulfide mineralization remains open to the north and east

Travis Naugle, CEO of Lion CG states, "This substantial increase to the resource is a result of our recent drilling and an improved understanding of the MacArthur mineralization. We are very excited about such a significant upgrade in the mineral resource for the MacArthur copper deposit and the implications this may have on future decisions for the Project. The veracity of the resource modelling approach undertaken by IMC instills confidence in these positive findings. We are intrigued by the mineralization remaining open in numerous directions and look forward to evaluating further potential resource growth in both oxide and sulphide mineralization."

Mineral Resource Estimate

The updated Measured and Indicated and Inferred Resources for the MacArthur Copper Project are reported in Table 1 as set out below. The changes to the mineral resource are based on the 2021 infill drill and assay program, updated geology shapes, and updated metallurgical review and analyses.

Table 1: Mineral Resource Estimate

MEASURED + INDICATED RESOURCES

MACARTHUR COPPER PROJECT

JANUARY 13, 2022 Material Type Cutoff

Grade

%TCu Ktons Average Grade

% TCu Contained Copper

(lbs x 1000) Leach Cap 0.06 15,610 0.120 37,482 Oxide 0.06 226,501 0.159 718,742 Transition 0.06 43,382 0.213 185,049 Sulphide 0.06/0.08 14,797 0.200 59,110 Total

300,290 0.167 1,000,383

INFERRED RESOURCES

MACARTHUR COPPER PROJECT

JANUARY 13, 2022 Material Type Cutoff

Grade

%TCu Ktons Average Grade

% TCu Contained Copper

(lbs x 1000) Leach Cap 0.06 17,734 0.085 30,218 Oxide 0.06 105,183 0.146 307,289 Transition 0.06 23,279 0.202 94,185 Sulphide 0.06/0.08 8,596 0.202 34,658 Total

154,792 0.151 466,350

(%) = percent, TCu = total copper, lbs = pounds, Ktons = short tons x 1000

The cutoff grades used for reporting the mineral resources are at or above the internal cutoff grades of between 0.03% and 0.06% TCu for the Leach Cap, Oxide and Transition zones. The sulphide zone internal cutoff grades are 0.06% TCu for the MacArthur and North zones and 0.08% TCu for Gallagher because of a higher acid consumption Mr. Herbert E. Welhener, MMSA-QPM, an employee of Independent Mining Consultants, Inc. is the Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource estimate The "reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction" shape has been created based on a copper price of US$3.75/lb, employment of heap leach extraction methods, processing costs of US$1.56 or $2.20 per short ton, and mining costs of $1.92/short ton for rock and $1.46/short ton alluvium, a variable copper recovery, and tonnage factor of 12.5 cubic feet per short ton for in situ rock Rounding as required by Best Practices established by the CIM reporting guidelines may result in slight apparent differences between tonnes, grade and contained metal content

Cautionary Note to Investors

While the terms "measured (mineral) resource", "indicated (mineral) resource" and "inferred (mineral) resource" are recognized and required by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, investors are cautioned that except for that portion of mineral resources classified as mineral reserves, mineral resources do not have demonstrated economic viability. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be upgraded into mineral reserves. Additionally, investors are cautioned that inferred mineral resources have a high degree of uncertainty as to their existence, as to whether they can be economically or legally mined or will ever be upgraded to a higher category.

Resource Estimate Methodology

Drill Hole Database

The resource estimate was completed using data from 747 drill holes for a total of 299,045 feet drilled. These holes include 23 holes drilled in 2021; 10 as infill holes and 13 holes drilled for metallurgical samples. The total of core drilling is 64,681 ft in 102 holes and the total rotary drilling is 234,360 ft in 636 holes.

Geologic Model

The MacArthur Copper Project is an oxidized portion of a porphyry copper system that has been subjected to several weathering, oxidization and enrichment cycles. The copper mineralization is hosted in altered and weathered Middle Jurassic granodiorite and quartz monzonite intruded by west-northwesterly-trending, moderate to steeply north-dipping quartz porphyry dike swarms.

The geology of the deposit has been interpreted on forty-one north-south sections and on thirty-three east-west sections. The deposit was interpreted into four mineral type zones and definition completed as three-dimensional digital models.

Both lithology and oxidization states have been incorporated into the block model based upon geologic domains developed from the drill hole geologic logs. The oxidization zones of leach cap, oxide, transition, and sulphide have been incorporated into the block model and are used as boundaries for the estimation of total copper grades using an inverse distance cubed estimation method. Surfaces of the oxidation zones have been used to create domain boundaries and used to code the assay, composite, and block model. The block model has been created to encompass all of the drill holes available, within 25ft x 25ft x 25ft (vertical) blocks. In plan view, the resource block model covers an area of 14,500 ft in the north-south direction and 18,100 ft in the east-west direction. The block model encompasses three copper mineralization deposits: MacArthur, North Area and Gallagher.

The mineral resource is tabulated within a defined open pit shell based on economic inputs developed from the metallurgical test work and engineering completed on the project to date. The pit shell economics are based on the premise that the Project will employ a heap leach, SX-EW recovery process. The shapes created by open pit optimization software used the following parameters:

Copper price = US$3.75/lb

Leach Cap - recovery of total copper grade = 60%

Oxide zone - recovery of total copper grade = 71%

Transition zone - recovery of total copper grade = 65%

Sulphide zone - recovery of total copper grade = 40%

Block Model Validation

The model was validated through comparisons of grades, grade distribution and tonnage-grade curves of the ID grades with the distribution of drill hole composited grades. Comparisons of the different estimation techniques (Inverse Distance, Ordinary Kriging and Nearest Neighbor) show similar statistics and spatial distribution.

Qualified Person

The MacArthur mineral resource estimate was prepared by Mr. Herbert E. Welhener, MMSA-QPM of Independent Mining Consultants, Inc., a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

The Qualified Person has reviewed and accepts the data handling protocol followed for the historic information (as presented in the 2014 PEA) used for the development of the mineral resource along with the QA/QC analysis of the 2021 drilling results by standards, blanks and duplicate assays and the incorporation of this data into the estimate.

About Lion CG

Lion Copper and Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based company advancing its flagship MacArthur Copper Project in Mason Valley, Nevada, in addition to advancing its exploration projects including the Chaco Bear and Ashton properties in highly prospective regions in British Columbia, Canada.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Stephen Goodman

President

For more information please contact:

Karen Robertson

Corporate Communications

778-898-0057

Email: info@lioncg.com

Website: www.LionCG.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.

Some statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements. These statements are identified in this news release by words such as "believes", "anticipates", "intends", "has the potential", "expects", and similar language, or convey estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives, potential outcomes, expectations, or goals. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. In particular, forward looking statements in this news release include that the mineral resource may be expanded due to future exploration work on the MacArthur project. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time except in accordance with applicable securities laws.





MACARTHUR PROJECT

Plan Map



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MACARTHUR PROJECT

SEC. 999,800E

50 ft. Envelope Looking West



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MACARTHUR PROJECT

SEC. 1005800E

50 ft. Envelope Looking West



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MACARTHUR PROJECT

SEC. 14187600N

50 ft. Envelope Looking North



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MACARTHUR PROJECT

SEC. 14189400N

50 Ft. Envelope Looking North



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(Oslo, Norway, 14 January 2022) Reference is made to the announcement on 18 November 2021 regarding the entering into an agreement between REC Silicon ASA ("REC Silicon" or the "Company"), Hanwha Solutions Corporation ("Hanwha Solutions") and Aker Horizons ASA, through its subsidiary Aker Horizons Holding AS ("Aker Horizons") pursuant to which REC Silicon shall issue, and Hanwha Solutions shall subscribe for, 48,213,001 new shares (the "New Shares") in REC Silicon at a subscription price of NOK 20 per share, totalling approximately NOK 964 million in proceeds in a directed share issue (the "Share Issue") and Aker Horizons shall sell and Hanwha Solutions shall acquire 21,891,275 existing shares in the Company (the "Share Purchase") at a price of NOK 20 per share simultaneously with the Share Issue. At completion of the Share Issue and Share Purchase (the "Transactions"), Aker Horizons and Hanwha Solutions will each own approximately 16.67 percent of the shares in REC Silicon.

The waiting period to object to the transaction or request additional information in connection with the requisite filings pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust lmprovements Act of 1976 to US Federal Trade Commission and US Department of Justice has now expired, and accordingly all conditions for completion of the Transactions have been satisfied. The Transactions are expected to be completed on or about 19 January 2022.

The Transactions bring together two of the leading producers in different parts of the solar PV value chain. Hanwha Solutions is one of the world's largest solar PV manufacturers with a total cell manufacturing capacity of 10GW globally. The company provides high-quality solar PV panels to the residential market through their wholly owned brand Q CELLS, which holds a 25 percent market share in the US. The company operates one of the largest solar module factories in the US with an annual production capacity of 1.7GW, corresponding to 12,000 PV modules per day.

The Transactions are expected to strengthen REC Silicon's financial position and ensure that the Company has the necessary resources to reopen its FBR facility in Moses Lake, Washington, and enable valuable investment opportunities in Butte, Montana. Hanwha Solutions' strategic investment in REC Silicon represents a step towards establishing a highly efficient, low carbon solar value chain in the US and to ensure that REC Silicon plays an integral role in these efforts. Hanwha Solutions' knowledge, expertise, and capabilities are expected to enhance REC Silicon's ability to take advantage of opportunities and developing markets in the solar, semiconductor, and battery industries. A US value chain for solar PV manufacturing will result in the creation of demand for solar grade polysilicon, which the Company expects will result in the restart of the manufacture of high quality, low-cost solar grade granular polysilicon in Moses Lake, Washington.

As a result of the Share Purchase, primary insider notification pursuant to the Market Abuse Regulation article 19 for Aker Horizons as a person closely related to the Company's Chairman Kristian Monsen Rkke is attached.

Arctic Securities is acting as settlement agent in connection with the Transactions.

For further information, please contact:

Douglas Moore, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +1 509 766-9133

Email: douglas.moore@recsilicon.com

Nils O. Kjerstad IR Contact

Phone: +47 9135 6659

Email: nils.kjerstad@crux.no.

About REC Silicon

REC Silicon is a leading producer of advanced silicon materials, delivering high-purity polysilicon and silicon gas to the solar and electronics industries worldwide. We combine over 30 years of experience and proprietary technology with the needs of our customers, with annual production capacity of more than 20,000 MT of polysilicon from our two US-based manufacturing plants. Listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: RECSI), the Company is headquartered in Lysaker, Norway.

For more information, go to: www.recsilicon.com

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements in Regulation EU 596/2014 (MAR) article 19 and section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Attachment
The Adecco Group announces the appointment of Gaelle de la Fosse as President of LHH and new member of the Executive Committee ("EC")

Sergio Picarelli , current President of LHH and EC member, has elected to step down from both roles to become President, LHH Recruitment Solutions

, current President of LHH and EC member, has elected to step down from both roles to become Stephan Howeg, current Chief of Staff & Communications Officer and EC member, will leave the company. His role will not be replaced, reducing the size of the EC

ZURICH, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alain Dehaze, CEO of Adecco Group, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Gaelle to the Executive Committee, which will benefit from her strong business acumen and international experiences as we continue to implement Future@Work. We thank Sergio for his substantial contribution as a long-standing Executive Committee member and, in the past twelve months in particular, for setting a clear and ambitious direction for LHH. We wish him every success in his chosen role as President of LHH Recruitment Solutions."

"Gaelle's experience in consultancy and corporate, including her expertise in business transformation, digitalisation, and brand development, makes her ideally placed to lead the next phase of LHH's journey. From embedding the new organisational structure, to developing outstanding and fully integrated HR services that lever LHH's brand reach, Gaelle's challenge will be to amplify LHH's growth and profitability in its market."

Gaelle de la Fosse, President-elect of LHH, commented: "I am absolutely delighted to take on this new challenge. LHH has a compelling strategy, deep relationships with customers, a highly experienced leadership team and thousands of dedicated colleagues. I look forward to working with the teams to seize the many opportunities that lie ahead, delivering future growth and returns for Adecco Group and its shareholders."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725875/Gaelle_de_la_Fosse.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1197818/The_Adecco_Group_Logo.jpg

PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1725885/Adecco_Group_Executive_Committee_Changes.pdf

The Adecco Group, Investor Relations, +41 (0)44 878 88 88
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 2.00 am ET Friday, the Office for National Statistics releases UK GDP, foreign trade and industrial production data for November. Economists expect the economy to grow 0.4 percent on month, faster than the 0.1 percent increase in October. Ahead of these data, the pound traded mixed against its major counterparts. While it rose against the greenback, it held steady against the rest of major rivals. The pound was valued at 156.16 against the yen, 0.8357 against the euro, 1.3734 against the greenback and 1.2496 against the franc as of 1:55 am ET. 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.
Regulatory News:

Qualifying training is one of the pillars of Korian's (Paris:KORI) CSR commitment and allows the company to meet recruitment challenges through internal mobility and work experience-training programmes while responding to the growing demands for quality of care and resident and family satisfaction.

Thus, at the end of 2021, 5 290 Korian employees in Europe were engaged in a qualifying pathway, i.e. 9.6%, marking a significant increase compared to 2020 (8.1%) and more than twice as many as in 2019 (4%).

The objective of reaching 10% of the workforce engaged in such a process by 2023 should therefore be exceeded.

"Training is an essential link in Korian's social commitment and I am pleased with the results obtained last year, despite a difficult epidemiological context. Today, the various European public training schemes cover less than 60% of the needs linked to the ageing of the population. This is why Korian has strengthened its training system in each of the countries in which we operate, thanks to its network of training academies and the promotion of qualifying courses in all of the Group's businesses. With convincing results, since we have largely exceeded our objectives in terms of qualifying courses," underlines Sophie Boissard, General Manager of the Korian Group.

Korian can rely on the Korian Academie, which was created 16 years ago in France and has since been extended to every country in Europe. This group training organisation works with educational partners to develop employees' skills and meet the growing and constantly changing needs of the care and service professions. Placed at the heart of the Korian employer promise, the Korian academies offer a wide range of training and development courses for all employees.

The academy teams are made up of professional trainers (nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, geronto-psychologists, lawyers, etc.) and teams of digital educational advisors, selected for their expertise, who define the mandatory training courses linked to the service offer, as well as the various training courses leading to operational excellence and expertise. Thus, more than 40% of the training courses in France today are delivered via e-learning or virtual classes.

In 2022, the Group will continue to strengthen the role of Korian academies in order to support the company's operational challenges and by looking into creating a network of Korian nursing schools in Europe capable of delivering qualifying programmes and diplomas in the care sector.

Korian is also pursuing social innovation in the field of training, including work experience-training programmes, and has thus been able to deploy several structuring and innovative measures:

Passerelles in France

In April 2021, Korian launched the Passerelles de reconversion professionnelle in France. This allows employees from the service sector currently Derichebourg Multiservices and Monoprix to train on the job, in the facilities, to become care assistants, thus avoiding a break in their career path and the need to seek unemployment benefits They receive their salary during their 14-month training, financed by their original company and the Pole Emploi.

At the end of their training and upon receiving their diploma, they will be hired by Korian on a permanent basis. To date, 42 people have joined the Passerelles programme, with the goal of reaching 150 people per year by 2023. Initiated in the Paris region, it is now being rolled out in the PACA and AURA regions with Monoprix employees.

In France, the Korian Group is also a member of the governmental PAQTE programme, which focuses on developing training, apprenticeships and job discovery courses for young people in need of assistance in accessing the job market.

Retraining in Italy

Retraining courses to become a nursing assistant (OSS Operatore Socio Sanitario) are also offered by Korian in Italy in collaboration with Adecco; some of the open positions are reserved for female victims of domestic violence, in conjunction with the DiRe rehabilitation association in Milan, a long-standing partner with Korian in developing inclusive training.

Also in Italy, a partnership has been established with several universities to design Masters in specialised care for nurses and health professionals. For example, the Master Nutrizione e Malnutrizione (nutrition and malnutrition) is offered by the Aldo Moro University (Bari), in collaboration with the Korian Italy Academy.

Apprenticeship in Germany and France

Training via apprenticeship within its core businesses, with a strong focus on the community of care assistants and cooks: at the end of December 2021, Korian had 2 730 apprentices, of which 2 017 were in Germany i.e. 10% of the workforce and 716 in France, where it was the first company in France to launch its own apprentice training centre (CFA) for the care professions in 2021, as well as the CFA for Chefs des Chefs with four other companies in 2019.

VAE in France, Germany and Belgium

The Valorisation des Acquis de l'Experience (VAE) is also widely used. In 2021, in France, 400 employees (including 300 care assistants) began working toward obtaining a diploma (ASDE, AES, Cook, etc.). The success rate for obtaining these diplomas is 78%, and specifically 68% for the care assistant diploma, which is double the national average (30%). This is thanks to the individualised support and the role of the training tutors.

In Germany, the equivalent of the VAE, called Wegebau, which is issued by the federal employment agency, allows for the same type of qualifying pathway. In Belgium, the "360" project also provides training for employees in continuing education in the care professions.

Continuing education for managers in Europe

Korian is also innovating in the area of continuing education for its managers. At the end of 2020, the Group launched  s. Keys  (Skills for share), the first European training programme for facility managers. This three-year qualifying programme, unique in the healthcare sector, is being rolled out with the IFG Executive Education group. A total of 790 facility managers are following this training in five of the seven countries where Korian is present. Thanks to a partnership with the University of Haute-Alsace, this programme allows Korian site managers not only to perfect their managerial and leadership skills but also to obtain a complete or partial university master's degree for employees with initial training in care.

About Korian

Korian, the leading European care services group for elderly and fragile people. www.korian.com

Korian has been listed on Euronext Paris Section A since November 2006 and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Health Care, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid Small and MSCI Global Small Cap

Euronext ticker: KORI ISIN: FR0010386334 Reuters: KORI.PA Bloomberg: KORI.FP

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220113005908/en/

Contacts:

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Sarah Mingham

VP Investor Relations Financing

sarah.mingham@korian.com

+33 (0)1 55 37 53 55

Carole Alexandre

Deputy Head of Investor Relations

carole.alexandre@korian.com

+33 (0)7 64 65 22 44

MEDIA CONTACTS

Jean-Marc Plantade

Group Chief Communication

jean-marc.plantade@korian.fr

+33 (0)7 62 90 32 58

Pascal Jentsch

VP International communications

pascal.jentsch-ext@korian.com

+33 7 65 18 58 55

Marjorie Castoriadis

Head of Media Relations

marjorie.castoriadis@korian.fr

+33 (0)7 63 59 88 81


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - China's exports continued to log robust growth in December taking the overall trade surplus for 2021 to a record high, data from the General Administration of Customs revealed on Friday.



Exports grew 20.9 percent on a yearly basis in December after rising 22.0 percent in November. The annual growth was forecast to slow to 20.0 percent.



At the same time, annual growth in imports eased more sharply to 19.5 percent from 31.7 percent in the previous month. The expected rate was 26.3 percent.



Consequently, the trade surplus rose to $94.46 billion in December from $71.7 billion in November, and remained above the expected level of $74.5 billion.



There is limited scope for a rise in exports volumes this year given that ports are already stretched to capacity, Julian Evans-Pritchard and Sheana Yue, economists at Capital Economics, said.



Further ahead, the bigger problem for exports is that foreign demand is likely to drop back as shifts in global consumption patterns due to the pandemic unwind and backlogs of orders are gradually cleared, the economists noted.



Regarding the outlook for imports, the economists said although policy easing will drive a rebound in home sales, constraints on developer financing mean that slowing property construction is likely to continue to weigh on China's commodity imports for some time.



For the full year of 2021, exports logged an annual growth of 29.9 percent and imports advanced 30.1 percent. As a result, the trade surplus rose to a record $676 billion, data showed.







Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0)(OTCQX:CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce a metallurgical collaboration with Corem in support of flowsheet development for the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit.

The test programs for the Company's Ashram Deposit will form part of a larger rare earth element ("REE") research and development initiative, which includes several other REE projects in Quebec. The initiative is being spearheaded by Corem in collaboration with Quebec's Ministere de l'Energie et des Ressources naturelles (MERN), which is providing $1,400,000 over 3-years in direct funding. The initiative's key objectives are to advance critical and strategic mineral projects in Quebec and to develop technology to promote the start-up of a REE industry in the province. To advance these goals, a sizable allocation of funding will be directed to optimizing the actual project flowsheets and to developing alternative methodologies for standard processes of extraction and separation to reduce environmental impacts and to enhance the social acceptability of the projects.

The Company is working closely with Corem to develop the test program best suited for the current stage of development of the Ashram Deposit's flowsheet, and has shipped approximately 1 tonne of Ashram bulk sample material to Corem's facilities in Quebec. Test work is anticipated to include grinding studies to reduce generation of fines, testing for additional REE recovery from flotation tailings, magnetic separation optimization and equipment selection, as well as optimization of reagent dosage in the Project's flotation circuit. The test programs will be complementary to the work currently being completed at the Company's primary metallurgical lab - Hazen Research (CO) - where the flowsheet is in the advanced stages of Prefeasibility design. In addition, select hydrometallurgical test work is also anticipated.

Company President, Chris Grove, commented: "We are excited to embark on this collaboration with Corem and the MERN, which offers us the opportunity to help expand the base of REE expertise in the Province of Quebec, as well as to allow for targeted optimization testwork that will directly feed into the overall project development for our Ashram Deposit. The Province of Quebec is a top global jurisdiction to explore and develop critical and strategic mineral projects, and the funding provided here is another example of the excellent support the industry has from the province."

The Ashram Deposit outcrops at surface, allowing for cost-effective collection of material for test

work. As such, with approximately eleven (11) tonnes of deposit material currently under storage in Montreal, the Company is actively engaging with various research and academic institutions

to support the advancement of the REE industry in Canada, and in Quebec specifically.

About Corem

Corem is a non-profit centre for expertise and innovation, with a strong focus on mineral processing, that offers the exploration and mining industry a range of specialized research services to develop and optimize their flowsheets. Corem works closely with its members, its clients, and its partners to improve competitiveness and to reduce environmental impact of mining operations through innovative solutions.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a Permit holder with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

About Commerce Resources Corp.

Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific objective on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (>45% REO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (>70%) in line with active global producers. In addition to being one of the largest rare earth deposits globally, Ashram is also one of the largest fluorspar deposits globally and has the potential to be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

" Chris Grove "

Chris Grove

President and Director

Tel: 604.484.2700

Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com

Web: https://www.commerceresources.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 contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this news release include that metallurgical test programs utilizing bulk samples from the Ashram deposit will be developed by the Company in collaboration with Corem; that select hydrometallurgical work is also anticipated; that the test work will include specific studies and tests with respect to certain grinding studies to reduce generation of fines, to determine whether additional REE can be recovered from flotation tailings, and by optimizing magnetic separation optimization and equipment selection and reagent dosing; that the test programs will be complimentary to work being conducted by the Company's primary contracted metallurgical laboratory; and that the Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide. These forward-looking statements 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 information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include, that Corem may not receive sufficient funds from MERN which may result in the testing program not being completed in its entirety, or at all; that the testing program, if completed, may not yield any beneficial results; that our contracted engineering firms may not be able to provide engineering solutions which are effective or can be implemented economically; changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful and even it tests are successful, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683456/Commerce-Resources-Corp-Announces-Collaboration-with-Corem-for-Metallurgical-Test-Work-on-the-Ashram-REE-Fluorspar-Deposit
CAIRO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, Sungrow, the global leading inverter solution supplier for renewables, signed a new BESS contract with KarmSolar, Egyptian largest private sector solar energy provider. Sungrow will provide 2.576MWp PV inverter and 1MW/3.957 MWh energy storage system to build a microgrid for Cairo 3A Poultry Company. This microgrid, by its commission in May, 2022, will generate the energy resources needed by this large-scale company from solar power rather than relying on diesel generator and burning fossil fuels.

North Africa boasts enormous potential of solar power uptake with year-round sunshine. Egypt also set the goal of achieving 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. However, large-scale utility projects are not that easy to secure because of the pressure to get huge investment and public support. Hence, market trend follows smaller projects with more tangible results, such as microgrid and off-grid Solar plus ESS projects.

Sungrow will help build such a microgrid BESS project in Bahariya Oasis. Sungrow offers the 1500V solar plus storage solution: ST3956KWH(L)-1375UD. As all devices are integrated, the system has less units and occupies less land, and in this way, it is more economical and simpler to transport, install and operate. Equipped with EMS, the post maintenance procedure is also streamlined and smart. In addition, being compatible to bifacial solar modules, and adopting higher-power PCS (max. efficiency up to 99%), this system achieves higher yield. As Bahariya Oasis is a depression with agriculture as the main sector, using clean power bears long-term significance for environmental protection and sustainable development.

Alvin Shi, Managing Director of MENA Region, Sungrow said, "The Cairo 3A BESS project is the second one Sungrow achieved in Egypt. We are also supplying the largest solar-plus-storage plant locating Sukari gold mine. For years, Sungrow endeavors to meet the safety and reliability needs of our customers by pioneering zero-carbon microgrids. The Cairo 3A project demonstrates how microgrid could significantly benefit sustainable agricultural development and local people."

Now Sungrow has achieved a considerably large amount of installation capacity in Egypt. As Egyptian renewable energy market grows steadily and the energy storage sector is emerging stronger, Sungrow will be committed to providing high-quality solutions and tailored services to help Egypt achieve a realistic and cost-effective energy transition.

About KarmSolar

KarmSolar, with Electricite de France (EDF) being its strategic shareholder, spearheads the growth of the private solar energy market in Egypt, revolutionizing the solar market through innovative and integrated solutions across the residential, industrial, agricultural, commercial and touristic sectors. With unique technical and financial expertise, supported by tits in-house Research and Development, KarmSolar leads the Egyptian market with the largest portfolio of private solar energy projects.

About Sungrow

Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 182 GW installed worldwide as of June 2021. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial & industrial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions. With a strong 24-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power installations in over 150 countries. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting: www.sungrowpower.com.

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LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British energy major BP plc (BP, BP.L) Friday said it has agreed with M&S Food, affiliated to retailer Marks & Spencer Group Plc (MAKSY.PK, MAKSF.PK, MKS.L), to extend their convenience agreement in Great Britain until 2030.



The companies have been collaborating for the past 16 years. They first teamed up in 2005 to introduce M&S Food stores at bp retail sites in the country and offered a tailored curated range of fresh quality food for the customer on the move.



M&S Food is now available at almost 300 bp-operated sites across Great Britain. A wide range of curated M&S Food products are available, with some bp stores stocking up to 1,300 different M&S Food products.



bp noted that the convenience sector continues to grow, fuelled by changing consumer demands. During lockdown, customers were buying 20% more at bp forecourt stores and this trend continues as the forecourt becomes an integral part of the community.



The company said, 'Over the past 16 years, customers have bought 13 million bunches of flowers, 25 million bottles of wine and 14 million packets of Percy pigs. And just in the past three years, customers have bought 28 million bottles of milk and 22 million loaves of bread.'







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London, UK, Jan 14, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi Rail and Intermodal Telematics (IMT) have agreed an exclusive long-term partnership that will add IMT's pioneering monitoring sensors to Hitachi's existing digital freight service. The agreement will allow Hitachi to offer rail freight companies around the world a solution that provides real time monitoring to improve efficiency and safety.Netherlands based independent solution provider IMT has pioneered the development of digital monitoring sensors and telematics solutions for freight wagons and containers. The sensors verify the exact location of the cars, the loading status, the open/close condition of doors and hatches, the temperature and pressure of the cargo and the health condition of bogies and wheelsets. The data is sent to the Cloud via a solar powered GPS device and allows the condition of the train and its cargo to be monitored in real time, as well as alerting operators about potential issues. The partnership allows the use of AI analytics to optimise the efficiency and safety of its customers' freight services worldwide.Powered by IMT, Hitachi can now provide fully-fledged telematics solutions that improve reliability and performance for the freight market. The technology can give companies the vital information they need to control their supply chains more efficiently and respond with appropriate interventions more quickly. With global supply chains having faced major disruption throughout 2021 and challenges predicted to continue, the partnership offers enhanced resilience for companies transporting goods via rail freight.The partnership with Intermodal Telematics will complement Hitachi Rail's purchase of Perpetuum last year. The British rail technology firm, Perpetuum, provides Hitachi with digital solutions that improve train reliability and performance. Its remote condition monitoring detects emerging damage in train bogies long before it can be identified by other means, thus preventing failures, facilitating more efficient maintenance cycles, and increasing the life of the wheels. Coupled with the IMT solution, Hitachi will now be able to completely monitor freight vehicles in real time.Edoardo La Ficara, Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Operation, Service & Maintenance, Hitachi Rail, said:"Hitachi Rail is focused on growing its digital offer to develop data-driven solutions to meet our customer's complex challenges. Our exclusive partnership with IMT delivers this and enables Hitachi to provide an enhanced digital freight offer across the globe, with a strong initial focus on European and North American markets."This solution will enable operators and maintainers to be aware of vehicles' position and status at all times. This will provide a radical evolution for the freight industry, whose railcars are overwhelmingly without any telematics or monitoring whatsoever."IMT will now exclusively offer the Perpetuum sensor solution in the freight market, which will further broaden IMT's full portfolio in asset and cargo monitoring for the international rail market. Commenting, Dethmer Drenth, Managing Director and Founder of IMT, said:"This partnership adds a significant value to our railcar market offering as we expand our renowned assets and cargo related monitoring to specific predictive asset maintenance monitoring with the Hitachi/Perpetuum sensor. In that way we create a holistic view of the railcar above and below the axle, alerting the asset and cargo owner on a need-to-know and managing-by-exception basis."The integration of digital technology has a major role to play in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, train maintenance and safety. The partnership follows the global mobility firm's strategy of expanding its digital capabilities, including Hitachi's Lumada platform that uses AI and the Internet of Things to turn data into actionable business insights.The partnership's initial focus for the new digital service will be in European and North American markets. Hitachi Rail is already an established provider to freight operators in North America, where over 34.5 million carloads and intermodal units were transported in 2021, a growth of 4.8% compared to 2020.About Hitachi Rail:Hitachi Rail is a fully integrated, global provider of rail solutions across rolling stock, signalling, service & maintenance, digital technology and turnkey solutions. With a presence in 38 countries across six continents and over 12,000 employees, our mission is to contribute to society through the continuous development of superior rail transport solutions. We are proud of our global achievements, from our world famous "bullet trains", to our signalling solutions and turnkey projects, state-of-the-art traffic management and digital solutions. Drawing on the wider Hitachi Group's market-leading technology and research- and-development capabilities, we strive for industry leading innovations and solutions that can deliver value for customers and sustainable railway systems that benefit wider society. For information about Hitachi Rail, visit www.hitachirail.com.About Intermodal Telematics (IMT)IMT is the world leading independent telematics solution partner for the tank container industry, offering smart sensor technology and a web application with which operators, container manufacturers, lessors and shippers can obtain the insights they need to improve their delivery performance, operational efficiency and safety. R&D, production, hardware and software development are all in-house, delivering cost-effective product development via a team of 74 people in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain, backed by an entrepreneurial management team with significant industry experience. IMT offers a complete range of monitoring sensors and telematics systems including location, temperature, pressure, full/empty and heating sensors, all connected to its proprietary software platform. More information about IMT, visit www.intermodaltelematics.com.For more information, please contact:Adam Love, Group Head of External Affairs:+44 7860 273 317 or adam.love@hitachirail.comAnja Smid, Marketing Communications Manager, IMT, on +31 6 222 23 974 (or +31 76 23102 00) or at anja.smid@intermodaltelematics.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon television program, Copyright MMXXII, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3 to 4 month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $6,950.00 to $11,995.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by Donald Baillargeon, the producer, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV.

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.


ROSTOCK (dpa-AFX) - German wind turbine maker Nordex SE (NRDXF.PK), said on Friday that it has received orders to supply and install 43 N163/5.X turbines for two separate wind farms in Brazil and Chile.



The financial terms of the two contracts were not disclosed.



The Norwegian hydropower company Statkraft has issued an order for the supply and installation of 14 N163/5.X turbines for the 80 MW Morro do Cruzeiro wind farm in Brazil.



The order also includes a three-year premium service contract with an extension option.



Morro do Cruzeiro is being built in the state of Bahia, a site is located in the municipality of Brotas de Macaubas.



Installation of the turbines on 120 meter concrete towers is scheduled to begin in summer 2023, and the turbines will be delivered in an operating mode of 5.7 MW.



In addition, Nordex will manufacture the nacelles, hubs, rotor blades and the 120-metre-high concrete towers in the country.



An undisclosed wind farm developer has also issued an order for the supply of 29 N163/5.X turbines for an undisclosed 165 MW wind project in Chile.



The order includes a premium service contract for an initial period of two years, with various options to extend up to 15 years. Delivery and installation of the turbines is expected during autumn 2022.







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The January edition of Procurement Magazine includes interviews with leading experts and executives from JPMorgan Chase & Co, SSE, Vodafone, and more

LONDON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BizClik Media Group, the corporate storyteller to the world's largest brands, has published the January edition of Procurement Magazine.

The digital edition of Procurement Magazine is a trusted industry source for in-depth reports and interviews with the leading minds in the Procurement industry.

This month's edition features an extensive lead interview with Nicolas Walden, Senior Director, Hackett Group discussing the importance of investing in people when releasing intelligent procurement practices.

"These days robots, AI and smart intelligence are becoming embedded into the features and functionalities of these platforms. So where are we going next? It's about how we change the focus from simply talking about using technology. My vision for the function is about how we can become a much more modern and more strategic, business-enabling function. And a key part of that will be the data and insights that we need to tap into to enhance decision making."

The January edition also contains extensive interviews with key thought leaders from JPMorgan Chase & Co, SSE, Cranfield School of Management, Vodafone, Ivalua, Equiniti, Mckinsey and many more!

Georgia Wilson, Editor in Chief of Procurement Magazine, commented: "Welcome back to Procurement Magazine! This January we start the new year with an issue jam-packed with trends, insights and innovations from the industry. Speaking to global industry executives and thought leaders, Procurement Magazine aims to break down the complexities of the industry and answer the burning question of those operating in the procurement world."

You can visit https://procurementmag.com/ for daily news and analysis of the ever-changing data centre industry, or click here to read the digital magazine.

About BizClik Media Group

BizClik Media Group (BMG) is one of the UK's fastest growing media companies with a global portfolio of leading industry, business and lifestyle digital communities.

BizClik's expanding portfolio includes Technology, AI, FinTech, InsurTech, Supply Chain, Procurement, Energy, Mining, Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, Mobile, Data Centres, Cyber, and Sustainability.

For more information, please visit https://www.bizclikmedia.com/

Media Contact:

Kathryn Webb

kathryn.webb@bizclikmedia.com
3D AR Engine for the World's Largest Luxury Goods Conglomerate

Today, Threedium announced their participation in La Maison des Startups LVMH, an accelerator program created by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). As part of the multinational luxury goods conglomerate's commitment to innovation, the program fosters collaboration between innovative startups and LVMH's portfolio of 75 brands, known as Maisons.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005058/en/

Today, Threedium announced their participation in La Maison des Startups LVMH, an accelerator program created by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). Threedium has collaborated with several of the LVMH brands including Dior, Fendi, Bulgari and Celine to provide 3D solutions for their luxury goods. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Now in its seventh season, La Maison des Startups LVMH is an important part of the company's Open Innovation Ecosystem, a strategy for catalyzing innovation through interaction between the Maisons, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

This initiative will drive co-creation from the LVMH Maisons and Threedium to bring new services and innovative 3D AR solutions to market. The program is an immersive experience for startups within the LVMH program at STATION F and includes mentorship from senior executives, a network of influential entrepreneurs and investors, as well as direct access to the innovative leaders at LVMH.

The program's distinctive multi-sector approach enables engagement with entrepreneurs whose innovations are relevant to the different LVMH business groups: Wines Spirits, Fashion Leather Goods, Perfumes Cosmetics, Watches Jewelry and Selective Retailing. Threedium will benefit from LVMH's external and internal resources, all in an effort to continue enhancing the customer experience for the Maisons.

"Threedium is proud to be a part of French luxury powerhouse LVMH's prestigious La Maison des Startups program. Since launching Threedium we have been dedicated to transforming the e-commerce experience and offering immersive experiences as we guide our brand partners into the metaverse," said Mike Charalambous, CEO of Threedium. "3D is the future of e-commerce and we are honored that LVMH has recognized the power of our 3D AR engine and is supporting us with invaluable expertise as well as the resources to help further our mission as we enter web3."

Threedium has collaborated with several of the LVMH brands including Dior, Fendi, Bulgari and Celine to provide 3D solutions for their luxury goods. As the most powerful low-code/ no-code 3D engine in the world, Threedium allows brands to quickly build, manage and publish powerful 3D AR solutions on the web. Our easy integrations, lightweight formats and scalable rest API's are trusted by top-tier brands around the globe for 3D eCommerce, 3D display ads AR campaigns.

About Threedium

Threedium is a 3D engine. We believe that democratizing the creation and distribution of 3D and AR experiences represents our greatest opportunity to improve the way people buy and sell products.

For more information, visit threedium.co.uk

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005058/en/

Contacts:

Media Press:

press@threedium.co.uk

Michael Toner

Chief Marketing Officer

michael.toner@threedium.co.uk
HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Entering 2022, the world continues to endure the pandemic. But the security industry has, no doubt, continued to shift, adapt, and develop in spite of things. Several trends have even accelerated. Beyond traditional "physical security," a host of frontiers like AI, cloud computing, IoT, and cybersecurity are being rapidly pioneered by entities big and small in our industry.

By all appearances, the security industry is in a stage of redefining itself. It is moving from mere security and safety protections to encompass a wider scope of activity that will expand safety while also bringing new levels of intelligence and sustainability to communities, companies and societies.

Here, Hikvision would like to share some of our ideas and expectations about key trends that will likely affect the security industry in 2022 and perhaps even further into the future.

1.AI will be everywhere

Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence is quite common in the security industry. More customers in the industry have recognized the value of AI, and have found new uses for AI applications in various scenarios. Along with ANPR, automated event alerts, and false alarm reduction, AI technologies are being used for wider applications, like personal protective equipment (PPE) detection, fall detection for the elderly, mine surface detection, and much more. Meanwhile, we also have seen more collaboration across the industry, with security manufacturers opening their hardware products to third-party AI applications, and launching open platforms for customers to create and train their own AI algorithms to meet customized needs.

AI has been one of the fundamental technologies to reshape the security industry. Benefiting from the optimization of algorithms, as well as the improved computing performance and the decreased cost of chips due to the advancement of semiconductor technology in recent years, AI applications are gradually forming the basic functions and capabilities accepted by all sectors in the industry, and we predict an even stronger tendency to assert that "AI will be everywhere."

2.AIoT will digitize and pervade industry verticals

With more security cameras and other security devices being connected to the network, the security industry is becoming an important part of an IoT world, enriching its visual capabilities. It's apparent that the boundaries of the security industry are blurring, going well beyond the physical security arena. Meanwhile the popularization of AI technology enables the connected devices to become intelligent "things" in the IoT world. The combination of AI and IoT, or as we call it, AIoT, is taking the security industry to a higher plain, automating the workflows and procedures of enterprises and aiding in the digital transformation of various industry verticals such as energy, logistics, manufacturing, retail, education, healthcare, etc.

From our perspective, AIoT brings more possibilities to the industry with rapidly expanding applications for security devices and systems. Meanwhile, more perception capabilities like radar, Lidar, temperature measuring, humidity sensing, and gas leak detection are being added to security devices and systems to make them more powerful. These new devices shoulder a multiplicity of tasks that just a few years ago required several different devices, covering both security functions and other intelligent functions for an ever-advancing world.

3.Converged systems will break down data silos

Workers throughout private enterprises and public service sectors alike would jump at the chance to get rid of obstructive "data silos." Data and information scattered and isolated in disparate systems or groups creates barriers to information sharing and collaboration, preventing managers from getting a holistic view of?their operations. Here, the convergence of various information systems has been proven to be an effective approach - hopefully enough to break down those silos.

It's clear - the trend in the security industry has been to make efforts to converge systems wherever possible, including video, access control, alarms, fire prevention, and emergency management, to name a few. Further, more non-security systems, like human resources, finance, inventory, and logistics systems are also converging onto unified management platforms to increase collaboration and to support management in better decision-making based on more comprehensive data and analytics.

4.Cloud-based solutions and services will be essential

Like AI, the cloud is not a new trend in our industry, but it is an expanding one. From small business markets to enterprise levels, we can see the momentum push more and more businesses to leverage cloud-based security solutions and services. And as we are witnessing even now, the pandemic has accelerated the movement to cloud-based operations for people and businesses around the world.

All businesses want platforms or services that offer simplicity, with as few assets to manage as possible, and a setup that's as simple as possible. This is precisely where the cloud delivers. With a cloud-hosting infrastructure, there is no need for a local server or software. Users can conveniently check the status of their assets and businesses in real time, receive security events and alarms quickly, and accomplish emergency responses simply using a mobile app. For security business operators, the cloud enables them to remotely help their clients configure devices, fix bugs, maintain and upgrade security systems, and provide better value-added services.

5.Crystal clear security imaging will be standard in any weather, under any conditions, any time of day or night

It is always vital for video security cameras to maintain image clarity and capture details 24 hours a day, in any weather and under any condition. Cameras with low light imaging technology that renders high-definition and full-color images at night and in nearly completely dark environments have been very welcome in the market. We are seeing the impressive technology applied to more camera models, including 4K, varifocal and PTZ cameras. Moreover, for clearer video security imaging in poor visibility - especially in severe weather - high-performance imaging sensors, ISP technology, and AI algorithms are being employed, enabling cameras to maintain clarity and details of view.

Speaking of imaging technology, the trend toward incorporating multiple lenses in new cameras cannot be ignored. Single-lens cameras are limited in their ability to get more details at greater distances and get the whole picture in large-scale places. They do only one or the other. But by employing two or more imaging lenses in one camera, multi-lens cameras can simultaneously deliver both panoramas and detailed, zoomed-in views of the same large site. Applications including airports, harbors, transit stations, parking lots, stadiums and squares will see these multi-lens cameras as a boon on every level.

6.Biometric access control will bring higher security and efficiency

In the past decades, authorized access control has moved a long way away from keys, pin codes and ID cards. We now find ourselves stepping into the era of biometrics. The access control market is rapidly becoming occupied by biometric authentications, from fingerprint and palmprint recognition to facial and iris recognition.

Biometric access controls bring inherent advantages, like higher security and efficiency with reduced counterfeiting. They verify within seconds - or fractions of seconds - and prevent unnecessary physical contact. Iris, palmprint, and facial recognition offer touchless access control, a hygienic practice more and more favored as a result of the pandemic.

7.The Zero Trust approach will take the cybersecurity spotlight

With more security devices connecting over the Internet than anyone ever imagined, cybersecurity has become an immense challenge in the industry. Stricter data security and privacy protection regulations have recently been introduced in the world's key markets, like the EU's GDPR and the Data Security Law in China, placing higher demands on cybersecurity. And in 2021, several landmark ransomware attacks on a variety of enterprises convinced us in no uncertain terms that companies in every industry must reinforce their network security architecture and strengthen their online protections.

So how do we address growing cybersecurity concerns? Though the concept actually developed in 2010, the term "Zero Trust" has become a hot word just in recent years. A strategic initiative that developed to prevent data breaches by eliminating the concept of trust from an organization's network architecture, Zero Trust is rooted in a philosophy of "never trust, always verify." The concept has been roundly accepted within the IT industry and it is now also slowly but steadily moving into the physical security realm, as it gradually becomes an important part of the IoT world.

8.Green manufacturing and low-carbon initiatives will take big strides

The consensus is in: low-carbon initiatives are valued by societies around the world. In the security market, we have seen products featuring low-power-consumption become the preferred options for customers, and demands for solar-powered cameras are increasing.

Meanwhile, local laws, regulations and policies that restrict carbon emission standards for manufacturing enterprises are pushing industries toward adopting more environmentally-conscious practices in their daily operations and production, which includes using more environment-friendly materials and adopting multiple energy-efficient designs in product manufacturing processes. We are delighted to see that more security industry manufacturers are exploring "green" manufacturing, and are committed to lowering their carbon output. Though it will take time, the movement has begun. We expect to see significant strides in this area in 2022.

Find out more

To find out more about anything discussed here, or to discover Hikvision's insights that are delivering latest trends of security, please visit our Hikvision Blog site.

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Notice is hereby given that on the initiative and by the resolution of the Board of AB Klaipedos nafta, legal entity code 110648893, with the registered office at Buriu str. 19, Klaipeda (hereinafter - the Company), Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company will be held on 25th February 2022 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Company's office at Buriu str. 19, Klaipeda, in the administrative office of the Company (in the hall of the meeting on the 2nd floor).

Agenda of the meeting:

Regarding the approval of AB Klaipedos nafta's Board decision to acquire the floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) INDEPENDENCE.

The Company, taking into account the situation regarding the spread of coronavirus, requests all shareholders of the Company to use the opportunity to vote in writing by filling in general ballot paper (Annex No 2).

Taking into account, please inform us about the need to physically attend the General Meeting of Shareholders no later than 3 business days before General Meeting of Shareholders via below specified emails. In all cases, Shareholders of the Company without personal protective equipment will not be allowed to participate in to the General Meeting of Shareholders.

The shareholders will be registered from 12:00 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. The persons intending to participate in the meeting shall have a personal ID document (an authorized representative shall have an authorization approved under the established procedure. The natural person's authorization shall be notarized. An authorization issued in a foreign state shall be translated into the Lithuanian language and legalized under the procedure prescribed by the laws).

A shareholder or his proxy shall have the right to vote in writing in advance by filling in a general ballot paper. At the request of the shareholder, the Company shall send a general ballot paper to the shareholder by registered mail free of charge at least 10 days before the meeting. The filled-in general ballot paper and the document attesting the voting right shall be submitted to the Company no later than until the meeting, sending by registered mail or providing them at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notice.

The shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes may propose additions to the agenda of the general meeting of shareholders by submitting with every proposed additional item of the agenda a draft resolution of the general meeting of shareholders or, when no resolution is required, an explanation. Proposals on addition to the agenda shall be submitted in writing or sent by e-mail. Written proposals shall be submitted to the Company on business days or sent by registered mail at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notice. Proposals submitted by e-mail shall be sent to the following e-mails: info@kn.lt and r.valunas@kn.lt . The agenda shall be supplemented if the proposal is received no later than 14 days before the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. If the agenda of the general meeting of shareholders is supplemented, the Company shall notify on the additions no later than 10 days before the meeting in the same ways as in the case of convocation of the meeting.

The shareholders, who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes, at any time before the general meeting of shareholders or during the meeting, may propose new draft resolutions on items which are or will be included in the agenda of the meeting. The proposals may be submitted in writing or sent by e-mail. Written proposals shall be submitted to the Company on business days or sent by registered mail at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notice. Proposals submitted by e-mail shall be sent to the following e-mails: info@kn.lt and r.valunas@kn.lt .

The shareholders shall have the right to submit to the Company in advance questions relating to the items on the agenda of the meeting. The shareholders may submit their written questions to the Company on business days or send by registered mail at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notice no later than 3 business days before the meeting. The Company will reply to the questions by e-mail or in writing before the meeting, except the questions which are related to the Company's commercial (industrial) secret, confidential information or which have been submitted later than 3 business days before the meeting.

The Company does not provide the possibility of participating and voting at the meeting by means of electronic communications.

The shareholder shall have the right to authorize through electronic communications means another personand r.valunas@kn.lt no later than until the last business day before the meeting at 1:00 p.m. The proxy and the notice must be issued in writing. The proxy and the notice to the Company shall be signed with the electronic signature but not the letter sent by e-mail. By submitting the notice to the Company, the shareholder shall include the internet address from which it would be possible to download software free of charge to verify the shareholder's electronic signature.

The record date of the meeting shall be 18th February 2022 (only those persons who will be shareholders of the Company at the close of the record date of the general meeting of shareholders or their authorized persons, or persons with whom an agreement on assignment of the voting right has been executed, may participate and vote at the general meeting of shareholders).

The shareholders of the Company may familiarise with the draft resolution of the meeting and the form of the general ballot paper under the procedure prescribed by the laws in the registered office of the Company at Buriu str. 19, Klaipeda. The following information and documents shall be provided on the abovementioned internet website of the Company:

- The notification on convocation of the meeting;

- Total number of the Company's shares and the number of shares with voting rights on the convening day of the meeting.

Enclosed:

Draft decisions; Ballot paper; Information notice regarding the approval of a decision to acquire the floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) Independence.

Head of Communication Orinta Barkauskaite

o.barkauskaite@kn.lt , +370 611 27985

Attachments
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2022) - ScreenPro Security Inc. (CSE: SCRN) (OTCQB: SCRSF) ("ScreenPro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company is expanding newly deployed mobile testing units in Greater Vancouver and Greater Toronto Area.

The Company is expanding COVID-19 testing options in regions of high transmission with more resources being committed to conduct mobile testing, perform contact tracing, and to promptly identify and manage outbreaks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Company has established a best practice for this rollout, drawing on systems developed from over 23 months of administering over half a million COVID19 tests for film and television, businesses, and individuals.





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"Since day one of the pandemic, the Company's top priority has been to help communities protect the health of its residents with testing. It is still crucially important for all Canadians to follow community health measures to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19, wearing a mask when needed, staying six feet apart, washing your hands frequently, getting tested, and importantly staying home if you are not feeling well," commented Andrew Ryu, Chairman of ScreenPro Security.

"All through the COVID-19 pandemic, our mobile testing teams have provided Canadians with reliable, adaptable testing able to reach communities across the GTA and Vancouver. The scale of our testing resources, soon to expand in testing capability, has improved in step with our knowledge of how to best engage this pandemic, ensuring that testing is directed to those clients who need it the most. Working hand-in-hand with our supply-chain partners, our testing standard will continue to lead us securely forward and create a long-term relationship with our clients that value the well-being of their communities long after the fight against COVID-19 comes to an end," said Lena Kozovski, CEO of the Company.

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 by the use of 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 as a result 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 as a result 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/110068
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / Charge Enterprises, Inc. (OTC PINK:CRGE), ("Charge"), consisting of a portfolio of global businesses with the vision of connecting people everywhere with communications and electric-vehicle charging ("EV") infrastructure, today announced that its Board of Directors has added three new independent members: Chantel E. Lenard, Gary Jacobs, Esq., and Amy Hanson to its board of directors.

Ms. Lenard was selected as one of the "100 Leading Women in North American Auto Industry" by Automotive News, received the Outstanding Industrial Engineering Alumni award from Purdue University and is also a recipient of an Effie Gold Award for marketing innovation and effectiveness. Having served as U.S. Chief Marketing Officer of Ford Motor Company, in a 25-year career where she created high performance results delivering $80 billion in annual revenue, Ms. Lenard transformed Ford's marketing approach toward a digital focus and led the integration of predictive analytics into the client centric experience. She also possesses strong board of directors experience.

Mr. Jacobs has extensive business and corporate experience, including corporate strategy and international ventures. As a corporate lawyer, he represented major companies active in a variety of industries in M&A, securities and other transactions. He previously served in senior executive positions at MGM Resorts International, including President of Corporate Strategy, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. He was also a member of MGM's board of directors and Executive Committee. While at MGM Resorts Mr. Jacobs was heavily involved in major corporate transactions, such as MGM's acquisition of Mandalay Resorts, the development of City Center, the purchase and sale of significant properties and domestic and international expansion. He is currently Chairman of Second Wave Delivery Systems, LLC, and until its sale in 2020, was Chairman of Accuity Delivery Systems, LLC.

Ms. Hanson has extensive experience as a C-level executive with a focus on finance, operations, strategic planning and M&A execution encompassing acquisition, consolidation and integration leadership. She founded an advisory firm to counsel senior corporate leadership on real estate strategy, technology portfolio insights and private label credit business. She has strong board of directors experience and was previously Executive Vice President and Corporate Officer of Macy's Inc where she spent 33 years in various executive positions.

"We are honored to have the collective expertise of these newly appointed board members," said Andrew Fox, Founder and CEO of Charge Enterprises Inc. "Their proven history of building scalable growth businesses across multiple industries and creating value for shareholders aligns with our growth strategy to become the trusted global infrastructure partner for 5G wireless data transmission and EV charging ecosystems delivering safe, reliable, scalable and flexible bespoke client solutions.

Ms. Lenard will serve on Charge's Audit Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Jacobs will serve on Charge's Audit Committee and will chair the Nominating and Governance Committee, and Ms. Hanson will chair Charge's Audit Committee and act as the Committee's audit committee financial expert. These appointments bring the number of directors of Charge Enterprises' board to ten.

For more information about Charge Enterprises board of directors, visit: https://www.charge.enterprises/investors.

About Charge Enterprises Inc.

Our Telecommunications Division

Our Telecommunications division ("Telecommunications") has provided termination of both voice and data to Carriers and Mobile Network Operators (MNO's) globally for over two decades and we will selectively add profitable products and services to this long-established business.

Our Infrastructure Division

Our Infrastructure division ("Infrastructure") has a primary focus on two fast growing sectors: electric vehicle ("EV") charging, and Telecommunications Network 5G, including cell tower, small cell, and in-building applications. Solutions for these two sectors include: Design and Engineering, Equipment specification and sourcing, Installation, Data & software solutions, and Service and Maintenance.

Our Investment Division

Our Investment division ("Investment") focuses on opportunities related to our global portfolio to expand our vision's impact. We aim to invest in opportunities that would complement our two operating divisions in addition to marketable securities, including money markets funds and other listed securities. Our Investment division provides services aimed at offsetting the overall cost of capital.

We offer our Investment services through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Charge Investments ("CI").

To learn more about Charge, visit Charge Enterprises.

Media Contacts:

Steve Keyes (248) 952-7022

Steve.keyes@centigrade.com

Investor Relations:

Carolyn Capaccio, CFA (212) 838-3777

Ccapaccio@lhai.com

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events or Charge's future performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates", "targets" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. All forward-looking statements, including those herein, are qualified by this cautionary statement.

Although Charge believes that the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include the business plans and strategies of Charge, Charge's future business development, market acceptance of electric vehicles, Charge's ability to generate profits and positive cash flow, changes in government regulations and government incentives, subsidies, or other favorable government policies, and other risks discussed in Charge's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release or as of the date or dates specified in such statements. For more information on Charge, investors are encouraged to review Charge's public filings on OTC Market at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/CRGE/overview. Charge 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.

SOURCE: Charge Enterprises Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683454/Charge-Enterprises-Adds-Three-Independent-Members-to-its-Board-of-Directors
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / GRID METALS CORP. (TSXV:GRDM)(OTCQB:MSMGF) ( "Grid " or the "Company") today announced it has closed its previously announced financing ( the "Transaction") with Lithium Royalty Corp. ("LRC") (a leading pure play battery royalty and streaming company). The Transaction consists of a private placement financing, royalty sales on two properties pertaining to lithium minerals and asset sales of 25% interests in lithium rights on the two properties ( Mayville Lithium and Campus Creek) Total funding to Grid in connection to the proposed Transaction is approximately CAD$6.3 million. The working capital of Grid has increased to approximately $ 8.8 million.

The Transaction

Terms of the proposed private placement portion of the Transaction remain unchanged from those announced on November 17, 2021 and the Company press release of January 4, 2022. The Company has issued 13,962,404 shares in the private placement at an issue price of $0.1182 per share for proceeds of $1,650.356. There are no warrants or finders fees issuable as part of the private placement. The Company has received aggregate proceeds of US$1.5 million from the sale of 25% interests of the two lithium properties to LRC. The Company received US$1,250,000 for a 25% interest in the lithium rights to the Mayville Property and US$250,000 for a 25% interest in the lithium rights to the newly acquired Campus Creek Property which is located northwest of Thunder Bay. A joint venture for each project has been formed commencing as the date hereof with each party funding their respective ( 75/25 ) interest. A party diluting to less than a 5% interest will convert to a 1% NSR. The Company has also received US$ 2.25 million from the sale of a 2% gross overriding royalty on lithium and related mineral rights for the two properties. The Company plans to spend proceeds from the sale of the royalties on lithium exploration. It is the intention of Grid to form a dedicated lithium subsidiary and list or sell the subsidiary later in 2022 ( depending on market conditions and exploration results )

The Mayville Lithium Property comprises the Donner Lake pegmatite field and is located immediately south of the Company's Mayville Cu-Ni-PGE deposit located in the Bird River Greenstone Belt in southeastern Manitoba. There are numerous documented lithium bearing pegmatite dykes on the Grid LRC property including a historical resource of lithium. Part of the Grid/LRC property comprises claims that Grid acquired from Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada ( the " Tanco Claims") who is the current operating of the Tanco Mine, currently Canada's only lithium concentrate producer. Tanco has a right to purchase lithium products produced from the Grid/LRC Tanco Claims at commercial terms.

The Bird River Greenstone belt hosts multiple lithium bearing pegmatite fields ( including the Donner Lake pegmatite field on the Grid/LRC Mayville claims ) and the belt has attracted recent investment and exploration activity including from Mineral Resource Limited (ASX:MRL) currently the world's 5th largest lithium producer who together with New Age Metals Inc. recently completed a drill program adjacent to the Grid/LRC Lithium joint venture. (source NAM press release dated December 9, 2021)

Grids Base Metal and PGE Assets

The Company has pending drill results from its Bannockburn Nickel Project with additional results expected to be released shortly. Further details of exploration plans for both the lithium interests in Manitoba and the Company's nickel assets will be forthcoming as well. The Company holds valid exploration permits for drilling at East Bull Lake ( palladium), Bannockburn ( nickel ) and Makwa Mayville ( lithium, nickel, copper and platinum group metals ).

ABOUT LITHIUM ROYALTY CORP

LRC is a dedicated battery material investor partnering with battery material companies whose assets exhibit high grade, low cost, and key technical attributes that will help drive this once in a hundred year thematic. LRC is predominantly focused on investing in lithium due to extremely low obsolescence risk. LRC brings a wealth of experience and expertise with industry executives, portfolio managers, geologists, chemical engineers, and others as part of its team. LRC is able to originate and execute niche transactions with the aid of its extensive network with the electric vehicle ecosystem.

For more information about LRC please visit https://lithiumroyaltycorp.com/

ABOUT GRID METALS CORP.

Grid Metals Corp. has a portfolio of exploration and development stage properties focused on battery metals which are located in the Provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. Grid's lithium assets are the Mayville Lithium property which covers Donner Lake lithium pegmatites located on the north arm of the Bird River Greenstone Belt and in Ontario the Company has an option on the Campus Creek Lithium Property near Ignace Ontario.

Grid's base metal PGM properties include the East Bull Palladium Property, the Bannockburn Nickel Property near Timmins ON and the Makwa-Mayville Ni-Cu-PGM-Cobalt project in Manitoba which has a NI 43-101 compliant nickel copper PGM cobalt resource included in a 2014 PEA.

Dave Peck P.Geo is the qualified person for Grid Metals for purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed the contents of this press release.

To find out more about Grid Metals Corp., please visit www.gridmetalscorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp.

Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director

Telephone: 416-955-4773 Email: rd@gridmetalscorp.com

David Black - Investor Relations Email: info@gridmetalscorp.com

We seek safe harbour.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) (together, "forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements include the Company's closing of the proposed financial transactions, sale of royalty and property interests. the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risk, uncertainty of production and capital costs estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, metallurgical risk, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of nickel, cobalt, copper and other metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the most recent financial period and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements.

SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683474/Grid-Metals-Corp-Closes-Cad-63-Million-Funding-Agreements-With-Lithium-Royalty-Corp
CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Cleanroom Technologies Market with COVID-19 Impact, by Product (Fan Filter Units, HVAC, vacuum systems, disinfectants), Construction (Drywall, Hardwall, Softwall), End User (Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical device manufacturers) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market is expected to reach USD 9.6 billion by 2026 from USD 7.1 billion in 2021, at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period.

Browse and in-depth TOC on "Cleanroom Technologies Market"

289 - Tables

41 - Figures

313 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=263122482

The Growth in the market is majorly driven by the stringent regulatory framework, growth of the biologics sector, growing demand for medical devices, and advancements in cleanroom technologies. The market is also witnessing increasing trends of adopting modular cleanrooms along with the emergence of rental cleanroom services.

The global health crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it imperative that the pharmaceutical industry moves at a rapid pace alongside researchers, regulators, and contract research companies to develop a diagnosis, treatment, and vaccines. Cleanroom technologies and services play an important role in this scenario to ensure that quality, safety, and efficacy are being maintained. The top players in the market can offer solutions by supporting pharmaceutical companies and collaborating with other industries to control the spread and impact of the pandemic.

The consumables segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the product, the Cleanroom Technologies Market is segmented into consumables, equipment, and controls. The consumables segment is projected to witness the highest growth in the market during the forecast periods (2021-2026). Growth in this segment is driven mostly by the growing number of pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies facilitating the use of disposable protective clothing. Also, the large number of R&D activities in the healthcare industry is resulting in a stable demand for cleanroom consumables among end-users.

The standard/drywall cleanrooms segment accounted for the largest share of the Cleanroom Technologies Market.

Based on construction type, the market is segmented into standard/drywall cleanrooms, hardwall cleanrooms, softwall cleanrooms, and pass-through cabinets. The standard/drywall cleanrooms segment accounted for the largest share of the Cleanroom Technologies Market in 2020 This can be attributed to the traditionally high demand for fixed structures and the need for quick onsite construction among end-users. However, this trend is changing, and there is a higher demand for hardwall cleanrooms, as they are more design-flexible than standard and softwall cleanrooms, quick and easy to install, freestanding for easy portability, and easy to expand or reconfigure.

Biotechnology is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period.

Based on end user, the Cleanroom Technologies Market is segmented into the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology industry, medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and other end users. The biotechnology end-user industry segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, primarily due to the growing demand for biologics and biosimilars. Increasing investments in biotechnology are expected to provide an impetus to the growth of the segment over the forecast period.

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North America is expected to hold the largest share for players operating in the Cleanroom Technologies Market.

North America accounted for the largest share of the market in 2020. Factors such as stringent regulatory standards for product approvals, technological advancements in cleanrooms, initiatives taken by private organizations to create awareness regarding cleanrooms, and growth of the healthcare sector on a global scale are among the few factors expected to contribute to the growth of this market.

The prominent players in the global Cleanroom Technologies Market are Azbil Corporation (Japan), Kimberly-Clark Corporation (US), Ardmac (Ireland), Clean Air Products (US), Labconco Corporation (US), Dynarex Corporation (US), DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (US), Illinois Tool Works, Inc. (US), Taikisha Ltd. (Japan), Exyte AG (Germany), COLANDIS GmbH (Germany), ABN Cleanroom Technology (Belgium), Clean Rooms International, Inc. (US), and, Bouygues Group (France).

Speak to Analyst: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=263122482

Browse Adjacent Markets @ Pharmaceuticals Market Research Reports & Consulting

Browse Related Reports:

Hospital Acquired Infection Control Market by Product & Service [Sterilization (Equipment, Services), Disinfectants (Hand, Skin, Surface, Wipes, Sprays)], End User (Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Diagnostic Centers), COVID-19 Impact - Global Forecast to 2026

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hospital-acquired-infection-control-market-204343466.html

Sterilization Services Market by Method (ETO, Gamma, Steam, X-ray), Type (Contract Sterilization, Validation Services), Mode of Delivery (Off-site, On-site), End User (Hospitals & Clinics, Pharmaceuticals), COVID-19 Impact - Global Forecast to 2026

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/sterilization-service-market-183597324.html

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Local planning committees have given a go-ahead to a 2.5 billion gigafactory in the English West Midlands. The facility will be powered by 100% onsite solar and storage and equipped to both manufacture new batteries and recycle used ones.Warwick District Council and Coventry City Council have given the green light to outline plans for a gigafactory in the English West Midlands, which is looking to attract 2.5 billion ($3.4 billion) in investment. The 530,000 square meter facility will manufacture high-tech lithium-ion batteries for the global automotive and energy storage industries. According ...

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.
HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global technology company, signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Starschema, a leading provider of data engineering services, based in Budapest, Hungary. The strategic acquisition will bolster HCL's capability in digital engineering -- driven by data engineering -- and increase its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

Starschema provides consulting, technology and managed services in data engineering to Global 2000 companies in the U.S. and Europe.

The acquisition combines Starschema's high-value capabilities and data-focused expertise with HCL's existing presence in industry segments undergoing data-driven transformation. In addition, HCL will strengthen its position in data engineering, which is an integral part of the company's digital engineering capabilities and next-generation offerings.

"Joining HCL will enable us to keep our strategic focus and expand our data engineering capacity to provide a greater breadth and depth of services to clients," said Tamas Foldi, Founder and CEO, Starschema. "As part of HCL's full spectrum of technology services, we will leverage our expertise in data engineering and emerging data technologies to solve companies' data challenges, through building fast, scalable solutions that make people more effective and companies more profitable. This strategic move also represents exemplary career growth opportunities for our people."

"Starschema will strengthen our data engineering capabilities, providing us with the ability to leverage its solutions and talent in Central and Eastern Europe," said Vijay Guntur, President, Engineering and R&D Services, HCL Technologies. "Starschema's capabilities will further scale HCL's data engineering competencies at our integrated delivery centers across the world. Engineering talent will continue to remain in high demand, and Starschema offers a specialized talent pool in a strategic growth area for HCL. Following the acquisition, HCL will be able to offer data engineering consulting and near-shore access to digital engineering services to a wide base of clients."

The transaction is subject to regulatory clearance from the Hungarian Ministry of Innovation and Technology and is expected to close in March 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005231/en/

Contacts:

For further details, please contact:

HCL Technologies

Meenakshi Benjwal, Americas

meenakshi.benjwal@hcl.com

Elka Ghudial, EMEA

elka.ghudial@hcl.com

Devneeta Pahuja, India and APAC

devneeta.p@hcl.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / Silver Range Resources Ltd. [TSXV:SNG] ("Silver Range" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has acquired two new gold properties in western Nevada.

Tonto del Pueblo

The Tondo del Pueblo ("TDP") Property is in Nye County, approximately 17 kilometers north of Gabbs. Gold is found in east-striking shear zones hosting quartz veins cutting Triassic Excelsior Formation metasedimentary rocks. One shear is exposed for at least 400 m along strike. Grab samples collected from quartz veins within the exposed shears returned assays up to 35.4 g/t Au. Four of the 10 samples collected during staking returned assays greater than 5 g/t Au. Arsenic and copper are associated with the gold mineralization and pervasive scorodite occurs in some exposures. The auriferous veins display bladed quartz after calcite texture. Breccia within the veins contains clasts of metasiltstone with minor carbonate, bornite and chalcopyrite on fracture surfaces. Sampling in the area by the Nevada Bureau of Mines & Geology returned analyses up to 9.5 g/t Au and 500 ppm Ag. Silver Range examined, sampled and staked the TDP Property in October 2021.

Alimony

The Alimony Property is in Nye County, 12 km northeast of Goldfield. Gold is found in silicified tuffs within Miocene Milltown Andesite with mineralization exposed in several shafts and pits. Grab samples of this material returned up to 4.84 g/t Au with 6 of 24 rock samples collected returning analyses greater than 1 g/t Au. The Milltown Andesite and associated rhyodacite hosted the bulk of the extensive gold resources mined in the Goldfield Mining District. Reconnaissance soil lines across 200 m of the inferred strike of mineralization detected anomalous gold on all lines.

Samples from both Tonto del Pueblo and Alimony were secured and transported under chain of custody to ALS Minerals facilities in Reno, Nevada for sample preparation. Pulps were shipped to North Vancouver for assaying and geochemical analyses. Rock samples were analyzed by Ultra-Trace Aqua Regia ICP-MS (ME-MS41) and fire assayed for gold (30 g sample) (Au-AA25). Samples returning overlimit silver and base metal values were reanalyzed with techniques appropriate to ore grade concentrations (Cu-OG46 / Pb-OG46 / Ag-OG46).

Board resignation and appointment

Bruce Kenway retires from the board of Silver Range effective January 14, 2022. Mr. Kenway served as a director since August 2011 and chaired the Silver Range Audit Committee during that period. The Board and Management of Silver Range would like to thank Mr. Kenway for his diligent and dedicated service to the Company and wish him well in his future endeavours.

Elizabeth Wallinger, B.Sc., MBA., CPA. has been appointed a director of Silver Range effective January 14, 2022. Ms. Wallinger holds a B.Sc. in Earth and Ocean Sciences from the University of British Columbia, an MBA from Thompson Rivers University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant in British Columbia. Since 2011, she has worked in the mineral exploration industry as an exploration geologist with Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited and most recently at Sentinel Corporate Services Inc. as a corporate controller for various junior mining companies. Ms. Wallinger also serves on the Board of Directors for GGL Resources Corp., a TSX Venture Exchange listed Vancouver based junior exploration company.

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mike Power, M.Sc., P.Geo., President and CEO of Silver Range Resources Ltd. and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Historical information cited in this news release was obtained from Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology district files and from historical publications. This information cannot be independently verified by Silver Range.

About Silver Range Resources Ltd.

Silver Range is a precious metals prospect generator working in Nevada and Northern Canada. It has assembled a portfolio of 46 properties, 14 of which are currently under option to others. Four other projects have been converted to royalty interests. Silver Range is actively seeking other joint venture partners to explore the high-grade precious metals targets in its portfolio.

ON BEHALF OF SILVER RANGE RESOURCES LTD.

"Michael A. Power"

President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information concerning Silver Range or its exploration projects please contact:

Investor Inquiries

Richard Drechsler

Vice-President, Communications

Tel: (604) 687-2522

NA Toll-Free: (888) 688-2522

rdrechsler@silverrangeresources.com

http://www.silverrangeresources.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.

This news release may contain forward looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results.

SOURCE: Silver Range Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683442/Silver-Range-Resources-Ltd-Stakes-Two-Projects-in-Nevada-and-Provides-Corporate-Update
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / Reviv3 Procare Company (OTCQB:RVIV), an emerging global e-commerce brand in the premium hair care products industry, today announced its financial and operational results for its second quarter ended November 30, 2021.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Financial Highlights

Generated Revenues of $493,816 for the second quarter compared to $644,061 in the prior year quarter, impacted by supply chain disruptions in raw materials and components, partially offset by revenue growth in the direct-to-consumer sales.

Gross profit of $381,016, or 77% of revenues, compared to gross profit of $396,233 or 62% of revenues, in the prior year quarter, representing approximately 24% year-over-year increase on a percentage basis, primarily attributable to higher direct to consumer sales.

Cost of sales as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 23%, compared to 38% for the prior year period. The overall decrease in the cost of sales is primarily attributable to the Company's continued focus on the direct sales segment with traditionally higher margins.

Operating expenses increased to $386,253, or 78% as a percentage of sales, compared to $341,675, or 53% as a percentage of sales, for the prior year quarter. The increase in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2022, is primarily the result of higher marketing and advertising expenses.

Net Income was $28,201 compared to a net income of $53,103 for the prior year quarter.

Six Month Fiscal 2022 Financial Highlights

Revenues increased to $1,333,088, an increase of 46% compared to $912,515 for the prior year period.

Gross profit increased to $856,392 compared to $528,428 for the prior year period. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 64% as compared to 58% for the same comparable period in the prior year.

Operating expenses increased to $876,103 or 66% as a percentage of sales compared to $541,910 or 59% as a percentage of sales for the prior year period.

Net income was $12,162 compared to a net loss of $16,166 for the prior year period.

Management Commentary

"Our performance was adversely impacted by supply chain shortages and delays in component deliveries at our primary import hub of Long Beach. We continued to maintain growth in our direct sales channel, which resulted in a significantly improved profit margin profile." Commented Jeff Toghraie, Chairman and CEO of Reviv3 Procare. "These margin improvements contributed to achieving profitability for the quarter and the six months of our fiscal year. Although disruptions and subsequent shipping rate increases still persist, we believe the continued expansion of our end user sales channels can, in part, mitigate some of the risks to our goal of achieving long term profitability."

"For the second quarter, we achieved revenues of $493,816 and approximately 77 percent profit margins. Our operating expenses increased by 47 percent compared to the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of increased marketing expenses. Looking ahead, we intend to increase our marketing and support personnel budget allocation to the direct sales segment and further enhance our end-user customer acquisition strategies which we believe will be the most significant contributing factor to our sustained growth and profitability," concluded Toghraie.

About Reviv3 Procare Company

Reviv3 Procare Company (OTCQB:RVIV) is an emerging global e-commerce brand in the $90 billion hair care products industry. The Company is a predominantly direct-to-consumer marketer of premium hair and skincare products under its in-house Reviv3 Procare brand - selling products in the United States, Canada, the European Union, and throughout Asia. To learn more, please visit the Company's website at www.reviv3.com.

Media Relations:

Reviv3 PR Team

Tel: 888-638-8883

Email: pr@reviv3.com

www.reviv3.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "confident that" and "believes," among others, generally identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, and management's beliefs, projections, and current expectations subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other things: (i) Reviv3's ability to grow net sales and adjusted EBITDA, as anticipated; (ii) our ability to fund our operating expenses; (iii) potential difficulties or delays Reviv3 may experience in implementing its cost savings and efficiency initiatives; (iv) Reviv3's ability to compete effectively with other hair and skincare companies; (v) the concentration of our customers, potentially increasing the negative impact to Reviv3 by changing purchasing or selling patterns; (vi) changes in laws or regulations in the United States and/or in other major markets, such as China, in which Reviv3 operates, including, without limitation, with respect to taxes, tariffs, trade policies, or product safety, which may increase Reviv3's product costs and other costs of doing business, and reduce Reviv3's earnings. Current and potential investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, Reviv3 does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.

SOURCE: REVIV3 PROCARE COMPANY

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683445/Reviv3-Procare-Reports-Profitable-Second-Quarter-Fiscal-Year-2022-Financial-Results
RENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / Lode-Star Mining Inc. ("Lode-Star", the "Company" or "We") (OTCQB:LSMG) is pleased to announce that in connection with the acquisition of Sapir Pharmaceuticals, Inc (announced December 30, 2021) it has appointed Mr. Samuel Sternheim as a member of the Board of Directors effective January 14, 2022. Mr. Sternheim will also be assuming the roles of Corporate Secretary, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

Mr. Sternheim started his career as a financial advisor working with high net worth individuals and advising on wealth management. He then actively managed multiple businesses while working for a family office in NY. He is a director of Sapir Pharmaceuticals, and has been CFO of Sapir since 2015, where he has overseen fundraising, numerous acquisitions and licensing ventures globally.

Mark Walmesley, President stated "We are excited to welcome Samuel to our board of directors. He brings years of leadership in key areas, such as, strategy implementation, and technology development, that are vital to our future operations. His counsel and expertise will bring energy to our board enhancing mission-critical solutions to better serve our shareholders."

About Lode-Star Mining Inc.

Lode-Star Mining Inc., traded on the OTC Markets' OTCQB marketplace under the symbol LSMG, is a U.S.-based junior-tier mining company focused on the exploration, development, and production of North American mineral assets.

LSMG is the operator of the Goldfield Bonanza property, acquired under an option for development on December 11, 2014 from Lode Star Gold, INC, a private Nevada corporation. Please visit LSMG's OTC Markets Overview page for more information.

The technical information disclosed within this document has been reviewed and approved by Thomas Temkin, COO/Chief Geologist, and a director of Lode-Star Mining, Inc. Mr. Temkin, CPG-11129, is a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101.

About Lode Star Gold, INC

Lode Star Gold, INC is a private, family run, S Corp and is the largest share holder of Lode-Star Mining, Inc. All claim ownership, funding and work performed on the Goldfield Bonanza property has been executed by Lode Star Gold, INC since 1999. Lode Star Gold, INC's President is Lonnie Humphries and Mark Walmesley is the company's CFO.

Contacts for Lode-Star Mining, INC

Mark Walmesley

President

Lode-Star Mining Inc.

phone: (775) 234-5443

e-mail: info@lode-starming.com

Forward Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause LSMG's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect LSMG's current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, LSMG assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

SOURCE: Lode-Star Mining Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683471/Lodestar-Appoints-Samuel-Sternheim-to-the-Board-of-Directors
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / UMAX Group Corp. (OTC PINK:UMAX), a Nevada corporation, has announced the acquisition of a California corporation, Funny Media Studios ("FMS"), a full-scale production studio with crew, equipment, and a shoot-ready soundstage in Los Angeles.

Rondell Fletcher (UMAX President and CEO) says that FMS will become a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company. Similar to the acquisition of Funny Media Group, LLC ("FMG") in May 2021, the Company negotiated the acquisition through the use of its Series "B" Preferred Stock, Mr. Fletcher says.

"This assures that the current common stock shareholders would not experience any immediate dilution of their shares of Common Stock," Mr. Fletcher says. "Additionally, there is a contractual rider that states that the Series B Preferred Stock to be issued as part of this acquisition cannot be converted to the Common Stock of the Company for a period of two calendar years or FMS has four profitable consecutive quarters, whichever comes first."

The purpose of this contractual rider is to ensure that the holders of the Series "B" Preferred Stock from this acquisition cannot convert to common stock, which will dilute ownership of the current shareholders of the Company, until the subsidiary has added significantly to the top-line revenue and is cash-flow positive, Mr. Fletcher explains.

UMAX acquired FMS pursuant to an equity exchange agreement executed on Monday, January 11, 2022 (the "Agreement"). Pursuant to this Agreement, the Company acquired 51% of all outstanding equity of Funny Media Studios (making it a majority owned subsidiary) in exchange for 1,500,000 shares of Series B, Preferred Stock of the Company.

"The acquisition of FMS goes hand-in-hand with our acquisition in May 2021 of Funny Media Group, LLC," Mr. Fletcher says. "Both operations work with each other on a myriad of projects. It was a natural acquisition for the Company as we move forward with our updated business plan."

After these acquisitions, UMAX has now fully transitioned into comedy development as the vehicle to achieve a cash-flow positive operation and to provide the best return on shareholder's investment.

FMS is currently doing business under the dba Broadcast West. The facility is located at 5727 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90016. FMS has a 2,600 sq.ft. soundstage, a full-scale gourmet kitchen set for television production, ample green screens, and a state-of-the-art media control room. The studio has current clients that include Fox, Bloomberg, and Comedy Central among others. It also is satellite-ready, and is frequently used for SMTs (Satellite Media Tours).

For more information on FMS, please visit: https://BroadcastWest.com/

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

Website (FMG): https://funnymediagroup.com/

Website (FMS): https://BroadcastWest.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/683504/UMAX-GROUP-CORP-UMAX-Announces-Acquisition-of-Funny-Media-Studios
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2022) - Battery Mineral Resources Corp. (TSXV: BMR) (OTCQB: BTRMF) ("Battery" or "BMR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of unsecured convertible debentures (the "Debentures") for total gross proceeds of up to C$5 million. The proceeds from the Debentures will be used to fund an extension of the successful 2021 exploration drilling program at the Company's recently acquired Punitaqui copper project in Chile and for general working capital purposes.

The Debentures will mature on the date (the "Maturity Date") that is three years from the date of issuance. The holder of any Debenture may, at its option, at any time from six months from the date of issuance, and prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, convert all, but not less than all, of the principal amount of such Debenture into common shares of the Company at the conversion price of C$0.65 per share.

The Debentures will bear interest at 8% per annum, compounded annually, from the date of issuance, payable upon the earlier of the date of any conversion thereof and the Maturity Date, by way of issuance of common shares of the Company. If a Debenture is converted as of a date that is on or before the first anniversary date (the "First Anniversary Date") that it was issued, interest will be calculated as of the First Anniversary Date, and if a Debenture is converted as of a date that is after the First Anniversary Date but before the second anniversary date (the "Second Anniversary Date") that it was issued, interest will be calculated as of the Second Anniversary Date. Common shares issued for payment of accrued interest on the principal amount of the Debenture will be issued at the market price of the common shares at the time the accrued interest becomes payable, calculated in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. If not converted prior to the Maturity Date, the Debentures will automatically convert upon the Maturity Date into common shares of the Company on the same terms as described above.

At least one of the proposed purchasers of the Debentures is an insider of the Company and, the purchase of any Debenture under the private placement by an insider will be considered a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 in respect of related party participation in the private placement as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for the private placement is expected to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company will not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing date because the Company intends to complete the private placement as soon as commercially possible.

The Debentures will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. Closing of the private placement is subject to receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Battery CEO, Martin Kostuik states, "Attaining funds to enable the advancement of our successful 2021 drilling program is a tremendous opportunity to bring increased value to the shareholders. By continuing the drilling, engineering, and permit modification activities, we are charging ahead towards copper production in a very robust copper market. We will take the opportunity to build on the success of the 2021 program now, instead of taking a pause, and are very encouraged that our largest shareholder is standing by us to help fund our progress - it is a great show of support. This round of financing provides funding to reach our next milestone and is a compelling arrangement with minimal shareholder dilution. We are a battery metal and electrification-focused company, and we remain as excited as ever about this sector of the global economy with copper reaching new highs as the gap between demand and supply continues. We look forward to updating the market and shareholders on further advancement of the Punitaqui mine in the coming days and weeks."

Appointment of New Director to the Board

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Joseph Tuso to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Tuso is currently a partner at Reed Smith LLP, one of the world's largest law firms, which he re-joined in July 2019. His practice focuses on both the origination and resolutions of complex investments and other special situation transactions, including the diligence, structuring, risk management, and resolution process of portfolio investments. Mr. Tuso's corporate, funds and finance experience has covered numerous industries and he has closed hundreds of investment transactions worth billions of dollars. Prior to re-joining Reed Smith, Mr. Tuso spent eight years at a New York City based United States Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser focusing on asset oriented and special situation credit transactions, with assets under management of approximately (USD) $1.8 billion dollars. Mr. Tuso held numerous C-Suite roles during his tenure, including Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, Head of Asset Management, and Chief Compliance Officer, as well serving as an officer of the funds' Cayman Islands feeder funds.

Battery Chair of the Board of Directors, Lazaros Nikeas, states, "We are very pleased to welcome Joe to the BMR Board. Joe brings more than two decades of both broad, practical experience, and in-depth expertise in corporate governance and regulatory oversight, which will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business and pursue our mission to our shareholders. I look forward to working with him in meeting our corporate strategic goals."

Additional Information

The Company announces it has granted an aggregate of 345,832 options to acquire common shares of the Corporation ("Options"), and an aggregate of 208,332 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to its new director and existing officers of ESI Energy Services Inc. ("ESI"), pursuant to the Stock Option and RSU plan. The Options have an exercise price of C$0.65 per share, have an eight-year term from the date of grant, and vest over the next 1 to 3 years on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The RSU will vest over the next 1 to 3 years. The Company's RSU and stock-based option plans are aimed to compensate and reward its directors, officers, and employees for working towards the Company's long-term objectives and in alignment with the shareholders' best interest.

About Battery Mineral Resources Corp.

A battery mineral company with high-quality assets providing shareholders exposure to the global mega-trend of electrification and focused on growth through cash-flow, exploration and acquisitions in the world's top mining jurisdictions. BMR is currently developing the Punitaqui Mining Complex and pursuing the potential near term resumption of operations for second half of 2022 at the prior producing Punitaqui copper-gold mine. The Punitaqui mine, operating as recently as April 2020, has typically produced 20 to 25 million lb. of copper in concentrate during its 9 plus year operating history and is located in the Coquimbo region of Chile.

BMR is engaged in the discovery, acquisition, and development of battery metals (cobalt, lithium, graphite, nickel and copper), in North and South America and South Korea with the intention of becoming a premier and sustainable supplier of battery minerals to the electrification marketplace. BMR is the largest mineral claim holder in the historic Gowganda Cobalt-Silver Camp, Canada and continues to pursue a focused program to build on the recently announced, +1-million-pound high grade cobalt resource at McAra by testing over 50 high-grade primary cobalt silver-nickel-copper targets. In addition, the Company owns 100% of ESI Energy Services, Inc., also known as Ozzie's, a mainline pipeline and renewable energy equipment rental and sales company with operations in Leduc, Alberta and Phoenix, Arizona. ESI, established in 1979, typically generates positive EBITDA in the range of C$4-$5 million and is poised for growth in 2022. For more information on the business of Ozzie's Pipeline Padder, see http://ozzies.com.

For further information, please contact:

Battery Mineral Resources Corp.

Martin Kostuik

Phone: +1 (604) 229 3830

Email: info@bmrcorp.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of the Company on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to complete exploration and development activities, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, government regulation and fluctuating metal prices. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Battery undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110118
Initial $545,000 Tranche of Non-Brokered Private Placement Closes

NI 43-101 Technical Report due for completion in January 2022

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2022) - Currie Rose Resources Inc. (TSXV: CUI) ("Currie" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a corporate update on the recently announced non-brokered private placement and technical work required to complete the acquisition of the North Queensland Vanadium Project (See Press Release Dated October 27, 2021).

Vanadium Project Acquisition

Currie's acquisition of the North Queensland Vanadium Project is progressing.

To date, Management and the Company's technical team have:

- Completed an initial site visit;

- Undertaken a confirmatory surface sampling program;

- Completed a positive Due Diligence of the 7 tenements in the package:

- Established a wholly owned Australian subsidiary to facilitate operations in Queensland; and

- Initiated confirmation work on the historic JORC12 compliant Inferred Resource at the Cambridge Deposit (JORC 84mt @ 0.3% V2O5) to bring it into NI 43-101 compliance.

Management anticipates completion of a NI 43-101 compliant technical report to be completed in the coming weeks, thereby fulfilling a major requirement for the acquisition.

Michael Griffiths, Currie's President and CEO, commented.

"This placement is the first step in our Vanadium journey, and I take this opportunity to thank both vendors, Chalice Mining Limited and Liontown Resources Limited, for their continued assistance and support to ensure a smooth transition of the assets to Currie."

Non-Brokered Private Placement

Currie is pleased to announce that, subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it has closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"), issuing 10,900,000 units for total gross proceeds of $545,000. Each unit consists of one Common Share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share of the Company at a price of C$0.10 for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. Each Warrant is subject to an acceleration clause under certain conditions. The securities issued under the first closing of this Offering, are subject a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issue.

The Subscribers of the first tranche closing acknowledged and agreed to both: a change in the Use of Proceeds whereby the Issuer will use proceeds from this Offering for general working capital purposes and not necessarily in connection to the Acquisition; and the Closing of this tranche will NOT be contingent upon the completion of the Acquisition.

In connection with the closing, the Company will pay compensation of $17,200 and issuance of 344,000 Broker Warrants to various eligible Finders. Each Broker Warrant is exchangeable for one Common Share at a purchase price of $0.05 per share and will expire two (2) years from the closing date.

The participation by one of the directors of the Company in the Financing constitutes a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in section 5.5(b) and Section 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101, respectively, on the basis that no securities of the Company are listed or quoted on any of the markets specified in Section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties pursuant to the Financing, does not exceed $2,500,000, along with the other applicable circumstances contained in section 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101.

About Currie Rose Resources Inc.

Currie Rose is a publicly traded precious and battery metal explorer focused on identifying high-value assets in Canada and Australia. The Company's immediate focus is the advanced North Queensland Vanadium Project in Queensland, Australia.

Please visit our website at www.currierose.com.

For Additional Information please contact:

Mike Griffiths, CEO

Office: 905-688-9115

Email: info@currierose.com

Catherine Beckett, Manager Corporate Affairs

Office: 905-688-9115

Email: info@currierose.com

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed and approved on behalf of Currie Rose Resources by Michael Griffiths, FAusIMM, President & CEO for Currie Rose Resources, a Qualified Person.

Forward-Looking 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.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements about the closing of the transaction, expected terms of the transaction, the number of securities of Currie Rose that may be issued in connection with the transaction, and the parties' ability to satisfy closing conditions and receive necessary approvals are all forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110141


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The ODP Corp. (ODP) announced Thursday that its Board of Directors determined to delay the previously announced public company separation to evaluate a potential sale of the Company's consumer business.



In May 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan to separate ODP into two independent, publicly-traded companies by means of a tax-free spin-off to ODP shareholders.



In November 2021, USR Parent, Inc., the parent company of Staples and a portfolio company of Sycamore Partners, reaffirmed its non-binding proposal to acquire the Company's consumer business, including the Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores business, the Company's direct channel business (officedepot.com), and the Office Depot and OfficeMax intellectual property, including all brand names, for $1 billion in cash. The Company remains in conversation with Sycamore as it further evaluates the potential value and regulatory risk of Sycamore's proposed transaction.



In December 2021, ODP's Board of Directors received a non-binding proposal from another third party to acquire the Company's consumer business. The terms of that proposal are confidential.



The Company's Board of Directors is carefully reviewing both proposals with the assistance of its financial and legal advisors to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.



While the Company has previously been focusing on completing the public company separation during the first half of 2022, it has determined to delay further work on the separation in order to avoid incurring potentially unnecessary separation costs while it focuses on a potential sale of the consumer business.







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BANGALORE, India, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ammonia Market is segmented by Type- Liquid Ammonia, Gas Ammonia, By Application - Fertilizer, Refrigerant, Polymer Synthesis, Others. Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022 - 2028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Chemicals Industry Category.

The Ammonia market size is estimated to be worth USD 75390 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 80500 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 1.1% during the review period.

Major factors driving the growth of the Ammonia market.

The major factor that is driving the Ammonia market is the growing use of Ammonia in applications for fertilizers, Refrigerant, and Polymer Synthesis.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE AMMONIA MARKET

The production of food crops naturally depletes soil nutrient supplies. In order to maintain healthy crops, farmers rely on fertilizers to keep their soils productive. Fertilizers can also help increase levels of essential nutrients, like zinc, selenium, and boron, in food crops. Ammonia is a basic building block for ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which releases nitrogen, an essential nutrient for growing plants, including farm crops and lawns. A major share of ammonia produced worldwide is used in fertilizer, to help sustain food production for billions of people around the world.

Ammonia derivatives are used in a variety of industries. Ammonia, for example, is becoming more popular as a refrigerant. When released into the atmosphere, unlike many other gases, ammonia does not deplete ozone or cause global warming. This property of ammonia aids in the gas's reintroduction as a refrigerant. Ammonia is a powerful refrigerant that is utilized in the preservation and processing of food. Ammonia is also used in the manufacturing of explosives and polymers. Carpet, textiles, animal feed, plastics, foams, and building items all employ industrial ammonia as feedstock. Thus the growing use of Ammonia as a refrigerant is expected to further fuel the ammonia market growth.

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AMMONIA MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Based on region, Asia-Pacific dominated the market with China holding the largest market share of about 35%. Asia-Pacific was followed by North America, and Europe, both having a share of about 35 percent.

Based on product type, The liquid segment is expected to be the most lucrative during the forecast period. The reason for this is that liquid ammonia is utilized in a wide range of items, from refrigerators to top freezers to blockbuster drugs developed and marketed by pharmaceutical companies. Farmers can pump ammonia into the surface of their crops' soil to boost crop yields automatically and drastically.

Based on application, the fertilizers segment is expected to hold the largest ammonia market share. NH3 is a component of ammonium nitrate fertilizers, which release nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth, including lawns and farm crops. Farmers primarily rely on fertilizer to keep their soil productive in order to maintain healthy crops.

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TOP COMPANIES IN THE AMMONIA MARKET

Global Ammonia key players include Yara, CF, Shandong Everlast AC Chemical, Hangzhou Hengmao Chemical, DOW, etc. Global top five manufacturers hold a share of over 20%.

Market By Region

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

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SIMILAR REPORTS

- The global Aqua Ammonia market was valued at USD 577.5 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 641 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 1.5% during 2021-2027.

- The global Liquid Ammonia market was valued at USD 59430 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 70370 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 2.4% during 2021-2027.

- The global Ammonia Alum market was valued at USD 18 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 18 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of -0.2% during 2021-2027.

- Global Ammonia Catalysts Market Outlook 2022

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- Global Ammonia Flow Control Unit (AFCU) Market Research Report 2021

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- Global Electronic Special Ammonia (H3N) Market Outlook 2022

- Global and United States High Purity Ammonia Market Insights, Forecast to 2027

- Global and United States Metallurgical Grade Anhydrous Ammonia Market Insights, Forecast to 2027

- Global and China Super Pure Aqueous Ammonia Market Insights, Forecast to 2027

Click Here To See Related Reports on Ammonia Market

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Selected projects will be awarded a fixed tariff of ILS 0.2091 ($0.06.708)/kWh over a 23-year period.Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Energy have launched a tender to deploy around 100 MW of agrivoltaic capacity across 100 locations in the country. "Israel's agri-tech segment is already well known for many years, and also its innovative solar and energy tech segment," Eitan Parnass, the director of Israel's Green Energy Association, told pv magazine. "So it is a natural move from our government." Selected projects will be awarded a fixed tariff ILS ...

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.
Short and long positions contribute to FYE 2021 combined[1] net returns of 56 percent. Estimated MTD January 2022 net returns over 30 percent.[2]

SHELBURNE, VT / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / Lemelson Capital Management, LLC (LCM), today announced financial results for FYE 2021. The firm posted combined net returns of 56.05 percent for FYE 2021, comparing favorably against the benchmark S&P 500 Total Return Index,[3] which returned 28.72 percent during the same period.

As of January 13, 2022, estimated MTD net returns exceed 30 percent net of all fees and expenses.

"We concluded 2021 with a better than average rate of return and kicked off January 2022 with strong returns," said Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson, Chief Investment Officer. "Notably, Generac Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNRC), Revolve Group, Inc. (NYSE: RVLV) and Trex Company Inc (NYSE: TREX) contributed to our returns on the short side, while Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (NYSE BRK.B) First American Financial (NYSE: FAF), and Progressive Insurance (NYSE: PGR) which we are long, performed well," Lemelson continued. "However, investors should not expect these sorts of returns in the future," Lemelson cautioned.

LCM will host an investor conference call on The Fund's FYE 2021 financial results at 10:00 a.m. EST on January 14, 2022. This call will also be available for replay for approximately two weeks after that. Register for the call here .

Contact ir@lemelsoncapital.com to request a copy of the FYE 2021 investor letter.

LCM periodically provides information for investors on its corporate website, LemelsonCapital.com, and its related site, Amvona.com. This includes press releases and other information about financial performance, reports filed or furnished with the SEC, information on corporate governance, and details related to its annual meeting of shareholders.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Lemelson Capital Management

Lemelson Capital Management, LLC is a private investment management firm focused on deep value and special situation investments.

Follow LCM on Twitter @LemelsonCapital - Follow Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson on Twitter @Lemelson

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Investor Relations contact

Lemelson Capital Management, LLC

Investor and Media Relations

Telephone: 802-332-3833

NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER:

This report shall not constitute an offer of interests in any fund, which may only be made pursuant to the confidential private offering memorandum, related subscription agreement, and applicable laws and regulations.

Any information on specific investments or opportunities is provided merely to illustrate the research process that may be utilized by the Advisor and should not be relied upon in making an investment decision with respect to the investments covered by the report. Investment processes are subject to change without notice.

Any performance data included with respect to any client account of the Advisor represents the net performance (except where gross and net are both presented) of and reflects the deduction of all account or vehicle level expenses, including without limitation brokerage and other transaction costs, as well as legal, audit, administration, and other expenses. Any performance presented would not represent the return of any individual investor. An individual investor's net return in any collective investment vehicle may differ significantly from any net performance as stated herein due to differences in fee arrangements and timing of investment. In fact, any net returns of a vehicle shown herein may be significantly higher than an investor's actual return. Any performance information includes the reinvestment of all dividends, interest, and other income. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.

Any performance results should not be considered a substitute of, or indicative of the past or future performance. 2021 Returns are estimated and unaudited, and actual returns may vary from the performance information presented above. Estimated returns should not be construed as providing any assurance or guarantee as to actual returns. Actual performance figures are only computed and audited yearly. Past performance is not indicative of future results, which may vary. The value of investments and the income derived from investments can go down as well as up. Future returns are not guaranteed, and a loss of principal may occur. An investment in any fund is subject to a variety of risks (which are described in the Fund's Confidential Offering Memorandum), and there can be no assurance that an account's investment objective will be met or that it will not incur losses. This information does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any interest in any fund or other investment product. Any such offer or solicitation may only be made by means of delivery of the Fund's offering documents.

Any specific securities identified and described in this material do not represent all of the securities purchased, sold, or recommended for any account. The audience should not assume that investments in these securities identified and discussed have been or will continue to be profitable. Investment examples are included merely to illustrate the investment process and strategies that may be utilized. The Fund currently owns numerous other securities in various other industries and sectors unrelated to these securities. The purchase of these securities only will not create a diversified portfolio. In addition, such securities are subject to losses as an investor may lose money investing in such securities.

Indices included to show the general trend of the securities markets in the periods indicated. No representation is made that the strategies are or will be comparable, either in composition or element of risk involved, to the securities comprising the selected indices. S&P 500 Total Return Index (SPTR): A market value-weighted index of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry grouping, among other factors. This index is designed to be a leading indicator of U.S. equities and is meant to reflect the risk/return characteristics of the large-cap universe. This index reflects the effects of dividend reinvestment.

[1] The Spruce Peak Fund, LP launched on March 1, 2021. The results reflect a full year of returns, including those of the predecessor Axia Fund, LP which utilized the same strategy and was discontinued on February 28, 2021.

[2] Based on preliminary unaudited results. The returns are net of all fees and expenses that would be incurred by a hypothetical day-one investor. For a further explanation of how LCM calculates results, please read the disclosure above.

[3] The S&P 500 Total Return Index includes the reinvestment of dividends

SOURCE: Lemelson Capital Managemenet, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683424/Lemelson-Capital-Management-Reports-Preliminary-FYE-2021-Results
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN OR INTO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER RULES 2.4 and 2.6 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "TAKEOVER CODE") AND IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE TAKEOVER CODE AND THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT AN OFFER WILL BE MADE, NOR AS TO THE TERMS ON WHICH ANY OFFER MIGHT BE MADE

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("MAR"), AND IS DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 17 OF MAR.

13 January 2022

ADVFN plc

("ADVFN" or the "Company")

LONDON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of ADVFN plc (the "Board") has noted several recent announcements of significant shareholdings and the Board is concerned that control may be being sought by long-standing group of shareholders whose total interests may not be aligned with shareholders as a whole. Furthermore, the Board believes that the Company, having reached a stage of reported profitability, has valuable assets which could well be of interest to a number of parties.

As the Board believes that the currently tightly held and illiquid nature of its ordinary shares may represent an impediment to achieving a correct valuation in the market, the Board has been considering the options for the Company with its advisers. The Board wishes to maximise value for all existing shareholders and has now determined to undertake a formal review of the Company's strategic options.

These options include, but are not limited to, a sale of the Company itself which the Board intends to conduct under the framework of a "formal sale process" in accordance with Rules 2.4 and 2.6 of the Takeover Code. As the Company is currently cash generative, the Board does not anticipate any new funding requirements. The Strategic Review is therefore solely aimed at creating and/or realising shareholder value.

The Board is unanimous in its support for the Strategic Review and has appointed Beaumont Cornish Limited and Throgmorton Street Capital as its financial advisers. Parties with a potential interest in making a proposal should contact Throgmorton Street Capital, whose details are set out further below.

Further announcements regarding timings and procedures for the formal sale process ("Process") and any additional appointments to assist with this process, particularly overseas, will be made as appropriate. The Company is not currently in any discussions with any potential offeror relating to an acquisition of the issued and to be issued share capital of the Company.

Shareholders are advised that there can be no certainty that any offer(s) will be made, nor as to the terms of any offer, and thus whether any offer will be completed. The Board reserves the right to alter any aspect of the Process or to terminate it at any time and will make further announcements as appropriate.

The Board also reserves the right to reject any approach or terminate discussions with any interested party or participant at any time.

Rules 2.4(a), 2.4(b) and 2.6(a) of the Takeover Code

The Takeover Panel has granted a dispensation from the requirements of Rules 2.4(a), 2.4(b) and 2.6(a) of the Takeover Code such that any interested party participating in the formal sale process will not be required to be publicly identified as a result of this announcement (subject to Note 3 to Rule 2.2 of the Takeover Code) and will not be subject to the 28 day deadline referred to in Rule 2.6(a), for so long as it is participating in the formal sale process. Interested parties should note Rule 21.2 of the Takeover Code, which will prohibit any form of inducement fee or other offer-related arrangement, and that the Company, although it may do so in the future, has not at this stage requested any dispensation from this prohibition under Note 2 of Rule 21.2. Following this announcement, the Company is now considered to be in an "offer period" as defined in the Takeover Code, and the dealing disclosure requirements summarised below will apply.

This announcement is not an announcement of a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code and there can be no certainty that an offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any offer will be made.

Beaumont Cornish limited ("BCL"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as nominated adviser and financial adviser to ADVFN and for no one else in connection with any matter referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than ADVFN for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to any matters set out in this Announcement.

Throgmorton Street Capital ("TSC"), a trading name of All IPO PLC which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as a Broker and financial adviser to ADVFN and for no one else in connection with any matter referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than ADVFN for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to any matters set out in this Announcement.

Rule 2.9

In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the Code, ADVFN confirms that it has in issue 26,115,319 ordinary shares of 0.2p each in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") admitted to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. The International Securities Identification Number for ADVFN Ordinary Shares is GB00BPT24C10.

Disclosure Requirements of the Takeover Code

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the business day following the date of the relevant dealing.

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

MAR

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014, as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information will be considered to be in the public domain. The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Clem Chambers, Director.

Publication on Website

A copy of this announcement will be made available at www.advfnplc.com no later than 12:00 noon (London time) on 14 January 2022 (being the business day following the date of this announcement) in accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code. The content of the website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.

Forward-looking Statements

This announcement contains statements which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements" which are prospective in nature. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. They are based on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of a date in the future or forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "aims", "projects" or words or terms of similar substance or the negative of those terms, as well as variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations or events that are beyond the Company's control.

Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of the Company concerning, without limitation, future revenues, economic performance, financial condition, and future prospects.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions. Many factors may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ADVFN to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Neither ADVFN nor any of its Directors, officers or advisers provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this document will actually occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document.

Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the AIM Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules), ADVFN is not under any obligation and ADVFN 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.

No Offer or Solicitation

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. Any offer (if made) will be made solely by certain offer documentation which will contain the full terms and conditions of any offer (if made), including details of how such offer may be accepted. This announcement has been prepared in accordance with English law and the Takeover Code, and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with laws outside of the United Kingdom. The release, distribution or publication of this announcement in jurisdictions outside of the United Kingdom may be restricted by laws of the relevant jurisdictions, and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

Nothing in this announcement is or should be relied on as a promise or representation to the future. This announcement includes certain statements, estimates and projections provided by the Company in relation to the Company's anticipated future performance. Such statements, estimates and projections are based on various assumptions made by the Company concerning anticipated results which may or may not prove to be correct. No representations or warranties are made by any person as to the accuracy of such statements, estimates or projections.

Enquiries:

Parties with a potential interest in making a proposal should contact Shivantha Thambirajah at Throgmorton Street Capital at 28 Ongar Business Centre, The Gables, Fyfield Road, Ongar, Essex CM5 0GA, Telephone: +44 (0)203 0112 309 Email: info@throgmortonstreetcapital.com

For further information please contact:
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Toro Company (TTC), a provider of outdoor environment solutions including turf and landscape maintenance, said on Friday that it has acquired privately-held Intimidator Group, a designer and maker of Spartan Mowers, for $400 million, paid with a combination of cash on hand and short-term borrowings. The Toro expects the acquisition to be modestly accretive to the adjusted earnings of fiscal 2022. For calendar year 2021, Intimidator Group's net sales were approximately $200 million. Richard Olson, Chief Executive Officer of The Toro Company, commented: 'Spartan's product lineup complements our innovative Exmark and Toro branded equipment and provides unique opportunities to further leverage technology and design, procurement and manufacturing efficiencies. We are confident the combined efforts of our teams will help advance our strategic priorities while providing unparalleled products, technologies and service to our customers.' Sold through an established dealer network, Spartan Mowers has strong brand recognition in southern regions of the US, appealing to rural markets and large acreage customers. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - For the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic in the United States, the weekly average of Covid-positive cases has crossed the 8,00,000 mark.



An average of 803,736 people have been tested positive in the country, marking an increase of 133 percent in the past fortnight, according to data compiled by the New York Times.



With 784659 new cases reporting on Thursday, the national total number has increased to 64,083,262, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.



1901 more people died of the killer virus the same day, taking the national total to 846,488.



California is the worst affected state, reporting 1,62000 cases, while Florida led in casualties, 262.



Hospitalizations increased by 79 percent in two weeks, to 148,782.



42,911,490 people in the country have recovered from the disease so far, according to Worldometer.



As per the latest data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 208,564,894 people, or 62.8 percent of the eligible population, have been administered both doses of Covid vaccine so far. This includes 88 percent of people above 65.



247,987,225 people, or 74.7 percent of the eligible population, have received the first dose.



Compared to regular shots, there is a faster movement in the rate of people's response to receiving booster doses.



More than 78 million people, or 37.5 percent of the eligible population, have already received a booster dose that is recommended to provide additional protection.



Meanwhile, speaking at a virtual meeting on military deployments supporting hospitals, President Joe Biden made a special appeal to social media companies and media outlets to deal with the misinformation and disinformation that's being circulated on their platforms. 'It has to stop,' he said.







Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
BARINGS EMERGING EMEA OPPORTUNITIES PLC (the "Company")

"Finding quality companies from Emerging Europe, the Middle East and Africa."

14 January 2022

ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: 25 JANUARY 2022

The Directors confirm their intention to hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) as set out in the Notice of Meeting as recently issued with the Company's Annual Report and Accounts. The meeting will take place at the offices of the Investment Manager, 20 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7BF, on Tuesday, 25 January 2022 at 2:30 p.m.

The Directors are aware of a potential level of increased risk posed by the recent outbreak of the new Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus and ask those shareholders intending to attend the meeting to note the following health and safety measures which will be in effect:-

- You are requested to take a test for Covid-19* within the 24 hours prior to the AGM and not to attend the meeting if the test produces a positive or inconclusive result.

- Unless you are exempt, you will be required to wear a face covering which covers your nose and mouth at all times while you are in the AGM venue.

- Hand sanitiser will be available at the venue.

- No refreshments will be provided, and you will be asked to leave the venue promptly on conclusion of the formal business of the AGM and the presentation of the Investment Manager.

- If you or a member of your household currently has Covid-19 you should not attend the AGM.

* Rapid lateral flow tests which can be taken at home are available free of charge from pharmacies or can be ordered online at: www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.

The Directors recognise that some shareholders may be unable to come to the AGM and if you have any questions about the Annual Report, the investment portfolio, or any other matter relevant to the Company, please write to us either via email at bemochairman@linkgroup.co.uk or by post to The Company Secretary, Barings Emerging EMEA Opportunities plc, Beaufort House, 51 New North Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4EP.

The AGM will still be held as advertised in the Notice of AGM and shareholders have the right to attend, speak and vote at the meeting if they so wish. However, in view of the current government guidelines, in the interests of shareholders' own safety and the safety of others, the Board has agreed to provide Zoom functionality to allow shareholders to attend the meeting. However, please note that shareholders viewing the meeting via Zoom will not be able to vote. We therefore strongly encourage shareholders to consider appointing the Chairman as their proxy. Instructions for submitting proxy votes are contained in the Notice of AGM.

Please contact the Company Secretary at bemoplccosec@linkgroup.co.uk for Zoom access details.

Should circumstances or Government guidance change, including the introduction of regulations to prohibit or further restrict public gatherings, the Company reserves the right to take further steps in respect of AGM attendance. To the extent this is necessary, we will provide an update via a Regulatory Information Service announcement and our website as soon as practicable. The Investment Manager will present their usual review of the year just passed and the Company's performance to date, which will be uploaded to the Company's website following the AGM.

About Barings Emerging EMEA Opportunities PLC

"Finding quality companies from Emerging Europe, the Middle East and Africa."

Barings Emerging EMEA Opportunities PLC (the "Company") is a UK based investment trust that was launched on 18 December 2002 and is managed by Baring Fund Managers Limited.

In November 2020, the Company broadened its investment policy to focus on growth and income from quality companies in the Emerging Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") region. It also changed its name from Baring Emerging Europe PLC to Barings Emerging EMEA Opportunities PLC at the same time.

For more information, and to sign up for regular updates, please visit the Company's website: www.bemoplc.com

Legal Entity Identifier ("LEI"): 213800HLE2UOSVAP2Y69
China's Hainan records surging duty-free shopping

Xinhua) 09:26, January 14, 2022

Customers smell perfumes in a duty-free shop in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

HAIKOU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The southern Chinese island province of Hainan reported 49.5 billion yuan (about 7.78 billion U.S. dollars) of offshore duty-free shopping in 2021, up 80 percent year on year, with more than 70 million items bought by 6.72 million shoppers.

The per capita shopping amount registered in the offshore duty-free shops (DFS) of Hainan logged 7,368 yuan, an increase of 20.2 percent compared to 2020. Cosmetics, watches, and jewelry were among the top three best-sellers for the shops.

Notably, the island's number of DFS customers last year increased by approximately 50 percent year on year and the number of the items they bought soared by 107 percent, according to the customs.

Three more duty-free shops opened last year in Hainan, raising the total number to 10. These shops host more than 720 brands in a total shopping area of 220,000 square meters.

Since July 1, 2020, Hainan has raised its annual tax-free shopping quota from 30,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan per person. The duty-free purchase limit for cosmetics has been raised from 12 items to 30.

The province has also rolled out a range of policies such as flexible pick-up services to provide a better experience for customers.

China released a master plan in June 2020 to build the island province into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. As international travel is made difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hainan has grown into an attractive shopping destination for domestic consumers.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
BELGRADE, Serbia, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Telekom Srbija, the TMT leader in Western Balkan region, is today announcing its efforts to accelerate the digital transformation of the Serbian economy and society, in keeping with the national digitalisation priorities outlined in the Serbian Digital Agenda. In 2022 the business will focus on rolling out the 5G network. It will also continue its EUR 25m investment for start-ups in multiple sectors, while furthering its cooperation with Vodafone, covering Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to provide access to all important resources in the sphere of digital transformation.

A 5G spectrum auction is expected in mid-2022, to be followed by the implementation of the 5G Network in Telekom Srbija by the end of year. Recently, on 15 December 2021, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced that it will lend EUR 70 million to Telekom Srbija for the rollout of the 5G telecommunications network and extension of the existing 4G network across the Republic of Serbia, recognising us as a key market leader in the region. The EIB loan will enable 60% of Serbians residents to gain access to the latest 5G network and extend the benefits of the 4G network to nearly everyone in the country.

Earlier last year, Telekom Srbija set up its first Corporate Venture Capital Fund for start-up ideas, aiming to invest EUR 25 million over the next five years which means that Telekom Srbija will invest five million euros per year for start-ups in Serbia and region. In 2022 Telekom Srbija through its CVC Fund will continue to invest heavily in multiple fields of business such as AI, Big Data, FinTech, e-commerce, IoT, media and telco, AdTech, B2B/B2C, SaaS, blockchain etc.

The company's cooperation with Vodafone, covering Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, will make it possible for the business to increase the efficiency of its operations, optimise costs and improve customer experience in the coming year. All of which are key strategic priorities for Telekom Srbija.

Vladimir Lucic, Chief Executive Officer of Telekom Srbija, said: "We see digital opportunities as a big part of a more sustainable future of the Serbian economy and society. This will make it possible for us to increase the efficiency of our operations, optimise costs and improve customer experience, which are our key strategic priorities. Digitalisation can unlock unlimited potential and hidden revenues for businesses and Public Administration by freeing up resources for more crucial tasks. I am confident that investing in digital technology and innovation can bring tangible results and make positive steps towards a greener and more resilient tomorrow for our customers, investors and partners."

More about Telekom Srbija at: https://mts.rs/About-Telekom/About-us
Regulatory News:

Thierry Pflimlin is President, Marketing Services and a TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) Executive Committee member.

Biography of Thierry Pflimlin

Thierry Pflimlin started his career as commercial attache at the French Embassy in Hanoi. In 1984, he joined the Total Group where he held a number of international positions.

After five years as CEO of Total Asia Pacific in Singapore he moved back to the head office in 2012 to become CEO of Total France. In July 2013, he became Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs in the Marketing Services Division.

In 2016, he became the President of Total Global Services. In 2021, he is appointed President Marketing Services and member of the Executive Committee of TotalEnergies

Thierry Pflimlin is a graduate from the Strasbourg Political Studies Institute and the HEC Business School.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.

Twitter: @TotalEnergies LinkedIn: TotalEnergies Facebook: TotalEnergies Instagram: TotalEnergies

Cautionary Note

The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005302/en/

Contacts:

TotalEnergies

Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com
The "Austria Data Center Market Investment Analysis Growth Opportunities 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report considers the present scenario of the Austria data center market and its market dynamics for the forecast period 2021-2026. It covers a detailed overview of several growth enablers, restraints, and trends in the market. The study includes the demand and supply aspects of the market.

Austria is a growing data center market in Eastern Europe, with Vienna considered as a strategic location for data center development. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major boost to the Austria data center market, with increasing digitalization and cloud adoption by enterprises.

As of 2021, the total population of Austria is around nine million, with around eight million internet users. Internet penetration in Austria stood at around 90% in January 2021. A lot of small and medium-sized businesses are also using social media and e-commerce platforms for their business these days. This whopping internet adoption will drive the demand of the data center market in Austria.

AUSTRIA DATA CENTER MARKET INSIGHTS

In Austria, colocation service providers are the major contributors to data center area growth. The data center and networking market added around 50,000 square feet of area in 2020.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will also have a significant impact on the Austria Market in the coming years and will have to attract further investments into the country.

Austria aims to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030, hydropower contributes to a major part of renewable energy. The push towards renewable energy production in the country will increase further investment in clean energy sources throughout in cloud and data center market of the region in the forecast period.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT

As of 2021, the total population of Austria is around nine million, with around eight million internet users. Internet penetration in Austria stood at around 90% in January 2021.

In 2020, Digital Realty, NTT Global Data Centers, and Magenta Telekom were some of the major data center investors in the country.

Microsoft, a global cloud provider, plans to establish a cloud data center in Austria, which is likely to attract other hyperscale investors, thereby expanding colocation services in the country.

AUSTRIA DATA CENTER MARKET VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Digital Realty, NTT Global Data Centers, Nessus, DATASIX, GRZ IT Center, STACKIT, A1 Telekom Austria are among a few of the prominent colocation providers operating in Austria

Digital Realty acquired over 230,000 square feet of land near Vienna, for the development of a new data center facility with a capacity of 40 MW power capacity.

ISG, Dipl.-Ing. H. C. Hollige, ICT Facilities, COOLtec Systems, and ZAUNERGROUP Holding are some of the contractors and subcontractors operating in the market.

IT Infrastructure Providers

Atos

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

IBM

Lenovo

NetApp

Data Center Construction Market Contractors Sub Contractors

-Ing. H. C. Hollige

ISG

ICT Facilities

ZAUNERGROUP Holding

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Cummins

Eaton

Legrand

Rittal

Piller Power Systems

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Vertiv Group

Key Investors

Digital Realty

Magenta Telekom

NTT Global Data Centers

Stadtwerke Feldkirch

REPORT COVERAGE

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

Vienna

Other Cities

List of upcoming facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

AUSTRIA DATA CENTER INVESTMENT COVERAGE

Infrastructure Type

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Tier Standard

IT Infrastructure

Server

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches and Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Rack Cabinets

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Building Development

Installation and Commissioning Services

Building Design

Physical Security

Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

Cooling systems

CRAC and CRAH Units

Chillers

Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Tier Segments

Tier I Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?

Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and colocation revenue.

An assessment of the data center investment in Austria by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

Data center investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country.

A detailed study of the existing Austria data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about the data center in Austria market size during the forecast period.

Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party facilities in Austria

Facilities Covered (Existing): 24

Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 3

Coverage: 11 cities

Existing vs. Upcoming (Data Center Area)

Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data center colocation market in Austria

Market Revenue Forecast (2021-2026)

Retail Colocation Pricing

Classification of the Austria market investments into multiple segments and sub-segments (IT, power, cooling, and general construction services) with sizing and forecast.

A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspect of the market.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the Austria data center market?

How many existing and upcoming data centers facilities are in Austria?

Who are the key investors in the Austria data center industry?

What segments are covered in the Austria data center market?

What are the factors driving the data center colocation market growth in Austria?

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1: Existing Upcoming Third-Party Data Centers In Austria

20+ Unique Data Center Properties

Data Center IT Load Capacity

Data Center White Floor Area Space

Existing Vs Upcoming Data Center Capacity by Cities

Cities Covered

Vienna

Other Cities

Chapter 2: Investment Opportunities In Austria

Data Center Investments

Investment by Area

Investment by Power Capacity

Chapter 3: Data Center Colocation Market In Austria

Colocation Services Market in Austria

Retail Colocation vs Wholesale Data Center Colocation

Colocation Pricing (Quarter Rack, Half Rack, Full Rack) Add-ons

Chapter 4: Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Market Trends

Market Restraints

Chapter 5: Market Segmentation

IT Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

Electrical Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

Mechanical Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

General Construction Services: Market Size Forecast

Chapter 6: Tier Standard Investment

Tier I II

Tier III

Tier IV

Chapter 7: Key Market Participants

IT Infrastructure Providers

Construction Contractors

Support Infrastructure Providers

Data Center Investors

Chapter 8: Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3stvc8

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005329/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A report released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed business inventories in the U.S. surged by more than expected in the month of November. The Commerce Department said business inventories shot up by 1.3 percent in November, matching the upwardly revised jump in October. Economists had expected inventories to increase by 1.0 percent compared to the 1.2 percent growth originally reported for the previous month. The report showed retail inventories spiked by 2.0 percent, while wholesale inventories surged by 1.4 percent and manufacturing inventories increased by 0.7 percent. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department said business sales climbed by 0.7 percent in November after soaring by 2.2 percent in October. Wholesale sales jumped by 1.3 percent, while manufacturing sales increased by 0.7 percent and retail sales inched up by 0.1 percent. With inventories increasing by more than sales, the total business inventories/sales ratio ticked up to 1.25 in November from 1.24 in October. Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The Pentagon has announced that an additional 1,000 military personnel will be made available to help the Biden administration combat the nationwide Omicron-driven surge in the pandemic.



During a meeting with the media Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said that the first of an additional 1,000 active duty service members will be teamed up next week to deploy in civilian hospitals across the U.S. to help take pressure off medical staff there as they battle the effects of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.



This is in addition to 400 troops currently assisting civilian hospitals across the United States.



The first batch of troops will be headed to six facilities: Cleveland Clinic; Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York; Rhode Island Hospital in Providence; Henry Ford Hospital just outside of Detroit; University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque; and University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey.



'They'll be providing relief, triaging patients, helping to decompress overwhelmed emergency departments and freeing up healthcare providers to continue other life-saving care,' Kirby told reporters. 'They will be working alongside health care workers on the frontlines to give them the support they need. So it's not just about COVID medicine necessarily, they're going to be acting as a relief valve for our civilian health care workers.'



Meanwhile, speaking at a virtual meeting on military deployments supporting hospitals in the wake of the pandemic surge, President Joe Biden said that since Thanksgiving, more than 800 military and other federal emergency personnel have been deployed in 24 states, Tribes, and territories, including more than 350 military doctors, nurses, and medics helping staff the hospitals who are in short supply.



This is on top of more than 14,000 National Guard members that are activated in 49 states.



'Today, I'm announcing our next deployment of six additional federal medical teams, a total of more than 120 military medical personnel, to six hard-hit states: Michigan, [New Mexico], New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island,' Biden said.



Separately, Biden expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court decision blocking federal order requiring employers at large businesses to make vaccination mandatory for their employees.



'The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans' health and economy,' he said in a statement.



He called on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped up - including one third of Fortune 100 companies - and institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities.



As a result of the court's decision, it is now up to States and individual employers to determine whether to make their workplaces as safe as possible for employees, and whether their businesses will be safe for consumers during this pandemic by requiring employees to take the simple and effective step of getting vaccinated, Biden added.







Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
The "Health Insurance Market By Provider, By Coverage, By Health Insurance Plans, By Demographics, By End-User, And By Regions Global Regional Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis, and Forecast 2021 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to this report, the global health insurance market was valued at approximately USD 4.23 Trillion in 2020 and is expected to reach a value of around USD 2.6 Trillion by 2026, at a CAGR of around 7.6% between 2021 and 2026.

Health insurance is a kind of insurance policy that offers compensation for medical treatment expenditure. Health insurance compensates for surgical as well as medical spending which can arise as a result of injury or illness and results in hospitalization for the patient or the subject. Moreover, health insurance eliminates extra or external spending on healthcare services along with ensuring coverage for financial risks of the healthcare policy insurer.

Health insurance covers the claims pertaining to mental health services, pediatric services, rehabilitative services devices, hospitalization, chronic disease management, preventive wellness services, ambulatory patient services laboratory services, prescription medicines, emergency services, maternity and newborn care, products used for treating disorders, and oral care services.

Favorable government policies promoting insurance to drive the market trends

The growth of the market is predicted to be due to the prominent role played by various governments in determining the healthcare policies along with the enforcement of acts like the Affordable Care Act by the U.S. government in 2014 covering a major chunk of the U.S. population in health insurance. Governments like the U.S. government are offering premium subsidizations to lower as well as middle-income individuals.

Furthermore, the rise in the GDP of developed nations as well as emerging economies will further steer the growth of the market over the forecast timeline. For instance, countries like Germany, Mexico, and China, as well as the U.S., have an integrated health insurance model that offers them flexibility in carrying out administrative duties pertaining to healthcare. Apart from this, it also assists the government of these countries to allocate high funds for healthcare healthcare infrastructure including clinics and hospitals. In fact, these countries are contributing majorly towards the overall health insurance market share. Nonetheless, lack of affordability in lower middle-income nations including the inability to handle the healthcare quality issues tests as well as monitor data pertaining to healthcare will inhibit the market expansion over the forecast timeline.

Private health insurance to dominate the provider segment by 2027

The growth of the segment over the forecast timeline is due to the benefits offered by private health insurance including the option to select your own doctor and availability of more healthcare plans in private health insurance.

Disease insurance segment to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period

The disease insurance segment is set to record the highest growth rate of over 8% during the forecast period. The growth of the market in the region is due to a rise in the occurrence of chronic ailments across the globe.

The Asia Pacific to lead the overall market growth over the forecast period

The growth of the regional market is attributed to government support for health insurance activities along with a huge number of new firms entering the health insurance business in the Asia Pacific region.

This report segments the health insurance market as follows:

Global Health Insurance Market: By Provider Segment Analysis

Public

Private

Global Health Insurance Market: By Coverage Segment Analysis

Life Insurance

Term Insurance

Global Health Insurance Market: By Health Insurance Plans Segment Analysis

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans

Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Plans

Point Of Service (POS)

High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) Plans

Global Health Insurance Market: By Demographics Segment Analysis

Minors

Adults

Seniors

Global Health Insurance Market: By End-User Segment Analysis

Individuals

Corporates

Others

Global Health Insurance Market: Regional Segment Analysis

North America

The U.S.

Europe

UK

France

Germany

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

Latin America

Brazil

The Middle East and Africa

Companies Mentioned

UnitedHealthcare

Aetna

Anthem Inc.

Aviva

Allianz

Centene

Cigna

CVS Health Corporation

Humana

Kaiser Foundation

Bupa

AIA Group Limited

ASSICURAZIONI GENERALI S.p.A.

AXA

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Ltd.

Zurich

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/951gba

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005351/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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DGAP-News: 468 SPAC II SE / Key word(s): IPO

468 SPAC II SE: 468 SPAC II completes 210 million private placement



14.01.2022 / 20:39

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION 468 SPAC II SE: 468 SPAC II completes 210 million private placement Luxembourg, 14 January 2022 468 SPAC II SE (the "Company"), a Luxembourg special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), completes its private placement of 21,000,000 units (the "Units") consisting each of one share (a "Public Share") and one-third of a warrant (a "Public Warrant"), at a price of 10.00 per unit for an aggregate of 210 million. The Units were solely offered to institutional investors. The Company has applied for admission of the Public Shares (ISIN: LU2380748603) to trading on the regulated market (regulierter Markt) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (General Standard) and for introduction to trading of the Public Warrants (ISIN: LU2380748785) on the open market (Freiverkehr) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Borse Frankfurt Zertifikate AG). The Company plans to target a Business Combination in the consumer technology or cloud software sector. Trading of the Public Shares and Public Warrants is expected to commence on 20 January 2022. Closing with the private placement investors through delivery of the shares and warrants is scheduled for 20 January 2022. The leadership team consists of Alexander Kudlich, Dr. Ludwig Ensthaler and Florian Leibert (the "Management Team") who have built an extensive technology ecosystem in Europe providing them with a proprietary access to an extensive European tech-network. The Company expects to benefit from the Management Team and its strong roots in the European tech-community, which potentially provide access to off-market-transactions exclusive to the Company. The Management Team has experience and track record in building global success stories across verticals in the Targeted Technology Sectors, representing a powerful combination of a proven track-record of deal sourcing and value creation as well as growth-stage and public market expertise. It is further supported by a supervisory board with a strong experience in developing technology companies and investing that consists of Katharina Juenger as the Chairperson, Stefan Kalteis and Mato Peric. Contact:

Alexander Kudlich, Ludwig Ensthaler and Florian Leibert

9, rue de Bitbourg

L-1273 Luxembourg

Luxembourg

info@468spac.com Media contact:

Jobst Honig

Phone: +49 171 862 9967

E-Mail: jobst.honig@fgh.com DISCLAIMER This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa or Japan. This publication does not constitute or forms part of any offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") or any of the assets, business or undertakings of 468 SPAC II SE (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). There will be no public offering of the Securities in the United States. The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. The Securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, South Africa, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, South Africa, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in Canada absent the filing of a prospectus in Canada or in a transaction that is exempt from the requirement that the Company prepare and file a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. No prospectus has been, or will be, filed with any securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this publication or on the merits of the Securities and any representation to the contrary is an offence. This publication does not form the basis of and should not be relied on in connection with, or act as an inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever. Recipients of this publication who are considering acquiring Securities of the Company are reminded that any such purchase or subscription must not be made on the basis of the information contained in this publication. This publication constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy any securities. The securities have already been sold. The listing of the Securities will be made solely by the means of, and on the basis of, a securities prospectus. The securities prospectus will be published promptly upon approval by the Luxembourg Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF)) and will be available free of charge on the 468 SPAC II SE website. This publication may in the United Kingdom only be distributed to, and is only directed at, persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and who are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.), or (iii) persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This publication is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity in shares of the Company is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. In member states of the European Economic Area the placement of securities described in this announcement was directed exclusively at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 (Prospectus Regulation). The Units have not been and are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any Retail Investor in the EEA. For these purposes, a "Retail Investor" means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 January 2016 on insurance distribution, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants has led to the conclusion that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution to professional clients and eligible counterparties through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Public Shares and Public Warrants (a "distributor") should take into consideration the manufacturer's target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants (by either adopting or refining the manufacturer's target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. The Units have not been and are not intended, to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any Retail Investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes the expression "Retail Investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA ("UK MiFIR"). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Units or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants has led to the conclusion that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and eligible counterparties, as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS") and professional clients, as defined in UK MiFIR, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of eligible counterparties, as defined in COBS, and professional clients, as defined in UK MiFIR; and (b) all channels for distribution of the Public Warrants to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Public Shares and Public Warrants (a "distributor") should take into consideration the target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to COBS is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Public Shares and Public Warrants (by either adopting or refining the target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. No action has been taken that would permit an offering or an acquisition of the securities or a distribution of this announcement in any jurisdiction where such action would be unlawful. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the Public Shares and Public Warrants. Investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the Public Shares and Public Warrants for the person concerned. This release may contain forward looking statements, estimates, opinions and projections with respect to anticipated future performance of the Company ("forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of the Company and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements included herein only speak as at the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation, and does not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any of the information, forward-looking statements or the conclusions contained herein or to reflect new events or circumstances or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent subsequent to the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company accepts no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions.

14.01.2022 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


Global digital retail solutions provider Hanshow is making its US market debut this week at the annual NRF Big Show in New York where it's showcasing a series of new products, announcements, and partnerships.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005005/en/

2022 NRF venue, the Javits Center in New York (Photo: Business Wire)

Hanshow was founded ten years ago with an initial focus on just electronic shelf labels (ESL). After often triple digit annual growth, expansion across Europe, Asia Pacific and 50 countries around the world, the company is now bringing its impressive suite of digital retail solutions to the world's largest retail market.

Now after a decade of tested results with some of the world's leading retailers including Auchan, Ahold Delhaize, Yamada Denki and many more, Hanshow believes it has the solutions US retailers need to evolve and thrive in this period of uncertainty for the retail. The company arrives in the US at a time when its retail industry is facing dramatic changes from surging ecommerce, labor shortages, fluctuating prices, and supply chain disruptions.

"Hanshow's digital solutions address all of these challenges by adding automation, remote management, and efficiency upgrades for omnichannel retail," according to Li Liangyan, Hanshow Senior Vice President.

In 2021 Hanshow opened its first US office in New York where it will base its expansion of digital solutions for US retailers. This is also the company's first major showing at the annual NRF Big Show. At this year's NRF, Hanshow is demonstrating its technology for solving this range of retailer pain points.

Its Nebular ESL replaces paper price tags and has a battery life of up to 15 years, and includes a location lighting function that reduces in-store picking times for delivery by up to 68%. Hanshow's Lumina LCD screens act as a dynamic content display designed for fresh food sections that has led to marked sales increases and reduced food waste. When managed through Hanshow's SaaS, based on Microsoft Azure, these ESL and digital screens also allow for entire store networks to update their prices in minutes from centralized locations, a crucial advantage as many stores face labor shortages.

Hanshow is also showcasing its AI solution that uses fixed cameras and mobile robots for on-shelf status monitoring and fresh foods management. While its self-service kiosk and digital screen equipped smart trolley allow for easy scan and go payments without a register. All of these products are adaptable across a range of retail from supermarkets to electronics and apparel, and several are already in the proof-of-concept phase with several retailers in the US.

These solutions also function within a technology ecosystem, as Hanshow is partnering with some of the world's leading companies to bring added benefits for clients including being a partner in the recently announced Microsoft Cloud for Retail, while also having integrated solutions with Aruba, PwC, Lenovo, and Sony.

"We have the some of the best partnerships, biggest clients, best technology, and best track record in the industry," notes Li Liangyan, "we are excited to bring this all together for the vital US retail market."

Hanshow's solutions are on display at Level 1 booth 661 this week at the NRF Big Show, Javits Center, New York.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220114005005/en/

Contacts:

Media inquires:

Steve Blake steve.blake@hanshow.com
CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / Eagle Plains Resources (TSXV:EPL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kerry Bates, P.Geo to the position of Exploration Manager, reporting directly to the VP Exploration. Mr. Bates graduated with a B.Sc. in Earth Sciences from Dalhousie University in 2011, followed by an M.Sc. in Geology from the University of Manitoba in 2016. Mr. Bates joins Eagle Plains from Terralogic Exploration Services, where he worked as a Senior Project Geologist. As well as extensive supervisory experience, Mr. Bates brings a wide range of skills ranging from target generation through to prospecting, mapping and surface geochemical surveys to operating within large-scale open pit mines. Other duties included pit mapping, core logging and on-site management of multi-drill helicopter-supported exploration programs. He has extensive experience with base and precious metal deposits as well as industrial minerals.

Incentive Options Granted

Eagle Plains has granted incentive stock options to directors, employees and key consultants of the Company for the purchase of a total of 4,100,000 shares at an exercise price of $.20 per share, expiring January 14th 2027, pursuant to the Company's current option plan (subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals).

About Eagle Plains Resources

Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada. The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin-outs, has transferred approximately $95,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and Taiga Gold being notable examples.

The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team. Eagle Plains also holds significant royalty interests in western Canadian projects, covering a broad spectrum of commodities. Management's focus is to advance its most promising exploration projects. Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices.

Expenditures from 2011-2021 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $27M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 42,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim J. Termuende"

President and CEO

For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673)

Email: mgl@eagleplains.com or visit our website at http://www.eagleplains.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking 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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. 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.

SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683609/Eagle-Plains-Appoints-Bates-Exploration-Manager-Issues-Incentive-Options
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2022 / Camber Energy, Inc. (NYSE American:CEI) ("Camber" or the "Company, announced that on January 14, 2022 it received a letter from the NYSE American(the "Exchange") in response to the Company's request for an extension of the date by which the Company is to file outstanding financial reports.

The Company is not in compliance with the Exchange's continued listing standards as set forth in Section 1007 of the NYSE American Company Guide(the "Company Guide") given the Company failed to timely file (the "Filing Delinquency") the following reports (collectively, the "Delayed Reports"): (i) Form 10-K for the 9-month transition period ended December 31, 2020; (ii) Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021; (iii) Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2021; and (iv) Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2021. The Filing Delinquency will be cured via the filing of the Delayed Reports.

The Company intended to remedy the Filing Delinquency on or before January 14, 2022, however due to certain circumstances requested the Exchange grant the Company a brief extension of time by which to file the Delayed Reports. The Exchange accepted the Company's request and has allowed the Company until February 15, 2022 to file the Delayed Reports.

If the Company is unable to cure the delinquency by February 15, 2022, the Company may request an additional extension up to the maximum cure period of May 20, 2022. NYSE Regulation staff will review the Company periodically for compliance with adherence to the milestones in the plan. In addition, if the Company does not make progress consistent with the plan during the plan period or if the Company does not complete its Delayed Filings and any subsequently delayed filings with the SEC by the end of the maximum12-month cure period on May 20, 2022, Exchange staff will initiate delisting proceedings as appropriate. The Company may appeal a staff delisting determination in accordance with Section 1010 and Part 12 of the Company Guide.

Receipt of the letter does not have any immediate effect on the listing of the Company's shares on the Exchange, except that until the Company regains compliance with the Exchange's listing standards, a "BC" indicator will be affixed to the Company's trading symbol. The Company's business operations and SEC reporting requirements are unaffected by the notification, provided that if the Filing Delinquency is not cured then the Company will be subject to the Exchange's delisting procedures.

The Company is committed to filing the Delayed Reports to achieve compliance with the Exchange's requirements, and, although there are no guarantees it will do so, the Company expects to file the Delayed Reports on or before February 15, 2022.

About Camber Energy, Inc.

Camber Energy, Inc. is a growth-oriented diversified energy company. Through its majority-owned subsidiary, Camber provides custom energy & power solutions to commercial and industrial clients in North America and owns interests in oil and natural gas assets in the United States The company's majority-owned subsidiary also holds an exclusive license in Canada to a patented carbon-capture system. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.camber.energy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements", which statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions or economic conditions with respect to the oil and gas industry, the COVID-19 pandemic, the performance of management, actions of government regulators, vendors, and suppliers, our cash flows and ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in Camber's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions.

Contact Information

Investors and Media:

Tel. 281.404.4387 (ext.3)

SOURCE: Camber Energy, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/683619/CamberEnergyDisclosesCommunicationFromNYSEAmerican
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Cryptocurrency Dogecoin's price jumped over 15% on Friday, but later lost some of the gains, after Tesla Inc. (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk announced that the luxury car maker will start accepting the meme cryptocurrency as payment for its merchandise. 'Tesla merch buyable with Dogecoin,' Musk tweeted on Friday. Dogecoin reached an intra-day high of $0.21 per coin, however, lost some of the gains and closed at $0.19 per coin, up 11%, according to Coindesk data. However, only small number of items are currently available to buy with Dogecoin. A whistle shaped like Tesla's Cybertruck costs 300 doge ($59), while a commemorative belt buckle to celebrate Tesla's Gigafactory in Texas was priced for 835 doge ($164). Last December, Musk had revealed that Tesla will try out dealing in the meme-based cryptocurrency, 'Tesla will make some merch buyable with Doge & see how it goes,' he had tweeted. Musk also revealed his love for the meme coin. In an earlier interview, he said he prefers DogeCoin over Bitcoin. Dogecoin is a cryptocurrency created by software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, who decided to create a payment system as a 'joke'. Dogecoin features the face of the Shiba Inu dog from the 'Doge' meme as its logo and namesake. However, the meme coin quickly became popular and reached a market capitalization of over $85 billion on May 5, 2021. But its market cap has currently tanked to $25.18 billion. 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.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2022) - Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (NEO: AWKN) (OTCQB: AWKNF) (FSE: 954) ("Awakn"), a biotechnology company developing and delivering psychedelic therapeutics (medicines and therapies) to treat addiction, announces that it has been requested by OTC Markets Group Inc. ("OTC Markets") to issue this statement about certain promotional activity concerning its common stock.

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, OTC Markets informed the Company that it became aware of certain promotional activities concerning the Company and its common stock traded on the OTCQB Marketplace, specifically the distribution of promotional emails on January 12, 2022, by third-parties discussing the growing ketamine revolution, citing the Company's potential growth in the space. Upon review, the Company determined that a third party, which was not engaged by the Company or any of its officers, directors, controlling shareholders or any third-party service providers distributed promotional emails. The Company had no editorial oversight of the promotional material or any opportunity to review in advance of the distribution; however, the Company has subsequently reviewed the specific details related to the Company that were included in such promotional emails, and has confirmed these details to be factual. The Company wishes to caution readers that the statements made in such promotional emails are speculative in nature. For more complete and specific information regarding the Company, its prospects and the risks associated with those prospects, readers should review the Company's public filings on SEDAR, its website and other reliable sources. The Company encourages investors to contact their investment advisors prior to making any investment.

Further, the Company understands this promotional activity may have coincided with increased trading activity in the Company's common shares beginning on or about January 5, 2022. The Company does not believe the promotional activities were a factor in the recent increase in trading volume of the Company's common shares. Instead, the Company attributes the increased trading volume to currently heightened investor interest as a result of its recent press releases which disclosed voluntary lock-up agreement from a number of shareholders, the expansion of its Ketamine for gambling disorder to include several other behavioural addictions, as well as the release of positive results of the phase-II a/b study for Ketamine-assisted therapy for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.

After an inquiry by management, none of the Company's executive officers, directors or, to the knowledge of the Company, any controlling shareholders or third-party service providers sold or purchased shares of common stock of the Company within the past 90 days.

In the last twelve months, the Company has engaged JRZ Capital (as previously disclosed in a press release dated October 8, 2021), KCSA Strategic Communications for investor and public relations services, as well as other news organizations including Investing News Network, Agoracom, InvestorIntel, Just Capital Consulting and The Dales Report.

The OTC Markets has further requested that the Company state whether it has issued any shares or convertible instruments allowing conversion to equity securities at prices constituting a discount to the current market price at the time of the issuance, which the Company has not.

About Awakn Life Sciences Corp.

Awakn Life Sciences is a biotechnology company developing and delivering psychedelic therapeutics (medicines and therapies) to better treat addiction. Awakn's team consists of world leading chemists, scientists, psychiatrists, and psychologists who are developing and advancing the next generation of psychedelic drugs, therapies, and enabling technologies to treat addiction. Awakn will deliver these evidence backed psychedelic therapies in clinics in the UK and Europe and through licensing partnerships globally.

www.awaknlifesciences.com | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events or the Company's future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates", "targets" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, including statements relating to the business of the Company. All forward-looking statements, including those herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These include: the business plans and strategies of the Company, the ability of the Company to comply with all applicable governmental regulations in a highly regulated business; the inherent risks in investing in target companies or projects which have limited or no operating history and are engaged in activities currently considered illegal in some jurisdictions; changes in laws; limited operating history; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; inconsistent public opinion and perception regarding the medical-use of psychedelic drugs; and regulatory or political change. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date or dates specified in such statements.

Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For more information on the Company, investors are encouraged to review the Company's public filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. 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.

Investor Enquiries:

KCSA Strategic Communications

Valter Pinto / Tim Regan

Phone: +1 (212) 896-1254

Awakn@KCSA.com

Media Enquiries:

America and Canada: KCSA Strategic Communications

Anne Donohoe

Adonohoe@KCSA.com

Rest of World: ROAD Communications

Paul Jarman / Anna Ramsey

Awakn@roadcommunications.co.uk

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/110270
Tampa, FL (33646)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 88F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Thunder possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Geneva, NY (14456)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers this afternoon. High 69F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 56F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
The L.A. Dodgers

The L.A. Angels

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Guerlain Cherry Blossom 2022 Millesime

New Fragrances

Guerlain presents the annual limited edition of their Cherry Blossom perfume that celebrates springtime in Japan. Cherry Blossom 2022 Millesime is available from the start of February 2022 in a special bottle design, this time decorated with the help of French-based Japanese fine embroidery artist Kyoko Sugiura.

The artist decorated the "Bee" bottle by hand with silver and black flowers that feature black beads. A black ribbon around the neck and a black label symbolize cherry blossoms that bloom at night.

The original Cherry Blossom perfume was first launched in 1999. Its composition is based on the essence of cherry blossoms with notes of green tea and almonds. It was made by Guerlain's 4th generation perfumer Jean-Paul Guerlain, inspired by the "hanami" Japanese custom of celebrating spring.

Top notes: bergamot, green tea note

Heart: lilac, cherry blossom, jasmine

Base: white musk

Cherry Blossom 2022 Millesime will be available in 125 ml Eau de Toilette bottles. Each bottle comes with an additional 30 ml mini spray.
Franklin, KY (42134)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 81F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 53F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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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Subscriptions renew automatically every 30 days. Call 240-215-8600 to cancel auto-renewal. Most subscribers are served by News-Post carriers; households in some outlying areas receive same-day delivery through the US Postal Service. If your household falls in a postal delivery area, you will be notified by our customer service team.
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Das britische Konigshaus hat Prinz Andrew (61) seine militarischen Titel entzogen. Sein alterer Bruder, Prinz Charles (73), mochte dies jedoch offenbar unkommentiert lassen. Bei einem Besuch im schottischen Aberdeenshire ignorierte der Royal zumindest eine entsprechende Frage nach seinem Bruder, wie ein Mitschnitt von "Sky News" zeigt.

Charles is seen in public for the first time since news broke of Andrew's military roles being given up as well as the title HRH.



The heir to the throne chose not to respond to a question about his brother while on a walk in Scotland.



Latest: https://t.co/8OZxlXuzSk pic.twitter.com/xiomPUMDlk  Sky News (@SkyNews) January 14, 2022

Am 13. Januar hatte der Buckingham-Palast mitgeteilt, dass Prinz Andrew seine "militarischen Zugehorigkeiten und koniglichen Schirmherrschaften [...] an die Konigin zuruckgegeben" habe. Zudem werde er weiterhin keine offentlichen Aufgaben ubernehmen und sich als "Privatmann" im Fall Virginia Giuffre (38) verteidigen.

"Das Uberleben der Institution" schutzen

Die britische "Daily Mail" hatte spater unter Berufung auf Palast-Insider berichtet, dass vor allem Prinz Charles und dessen Sohn, Prinz William (39), treibende Krafte hinter der Entscheidung gewesen sein sollen. "Es geht um das Uberleben der Institution um jeden Preis", habe die anonyme Quelle erklart. "Das war schon immer so und wird auch immer so sein." Der Entschluss sei gefasst worden, um das Konigshaus vor "herumfliegenden Granatsplittern" zu schutzen.

Giuffre wirft Prinz Andrew vor, dass dieser sie sexuell missbraucht haben soll, als sie noch minderjahrig war. Er streitet die Anschuldigungen kategorisch ab. Ein Gericht in den USA hatte kurzlich entschieden, eine Klage der heute 38-Jahrigen nicht abzuweisen. Der Zivilprozess wird fur den Herbst erwartet, sollte es zuvor nicht zu einer auergerichtlichen Einigung kommen.
Waverly and Sunrise elementary schools in Albany will temporarily close, starting Friday, Jan. 14, with both schools resuming online instruction starting Jan. 18 after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday until at least Friday, Jan. 21.

Greater Albany Public Schools interim Superintendent Rob Saxton informed the community Wednesday that the closures were due to the number of staff and student COVID-19 related absences.

GAPS has no plans to transition our entire district to remote learning, Saxton wrote in an email that went out to parents and was posted on Facebook. However, given the staff and student absences, decisions to temporarily move a school to online learning will be made on a case-by-case basis.

On Wednesday, approximately 38% of students at Waverly were absent for a variety of reasons, including COVID-19 isolation and quarantine. Approximately 26% of students at Sunrise were absent on Wednesday, and between the two schools, about a quarter of all staff were absent.

Last week GAPS reported an all-time high of 169 confirmed cases of the virus. According to the districts statement, more than 250 cases are expected this week.

GAPS will continue to prioritize keeping students in physical classroom spaces, Saxton wrote. This priority has not changed. However, it is becoming clear that given the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon, more GAPS schools may need to pivot to temporary online learning in the future.

Most students brought home technology for online learning on Wednesday, but for those who did not, a drive-thru technology pick up event will be happening Friday.

Also starting Jan. 14, students will be able to access free, pre-packaged breakfast and lunches between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at both schools during regular school days. Transportation will be operating food routes for free breakfasts and lunches while the schools operate remotely.

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.

When making the decision to close a school, Saxton said, GAPS considers the number of staff and students who test positive for the virus, the number of staff and students in quarantine or isolation and the number of staff absences that the school cannot cover with substitutes.

GAPS will reassess absences and illness numbers throughout next week to determine if students at the two elementary schools should continue online learning through Jan. 28.

Joanna Mann covers education for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6076 or Joanna.Mann@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @joanna_mann_.

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The Oregon Supreme Court has agreed to consider the question of whether former New York Times journalist Nick Kristof is eligible to run for governor. Their decision could come as soon as early February.

Secretary of State Shemia Fagan ruled in early January that Kristof had not lived in Oregon long enough to run for governor, saying the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist had registered and voted in New York while working for the Times.

Kristof challenged the ruling in court the next day, arguing he considers his home to be in the tiny berg of Yamhill, where he was raised, owns property and has returned for summers for the past 30 years.

The supreme court agreed to take up the case on Wednesday. Kristof's briefs are due by Friday, Jan. 14. Fagan's are due by Jan. 20. Kristof's response is due by Jan. 26.

Oregon ballots must be printed by March 17. In her filing, Fagan said the court would need to reach a final decision before that date, so that ballots can be printed and mailed on time, either with Kristof's name on it, or not.

Kristof filed as a Democrat for governor on Dec. 20. Fagan's office, which regulates elections, sent him a letter the next day asking for more proof of his Oregon residency.

"Until late 2020 or early 2021, Mr. Kristof lived in New York and has for the past 20 years," Fagan said. "Until recently, he was employed in New York. He received his mail at his New York address. He filed income taxes in New York. And perhaps most importantly, Mr. Kristof voted as a resident of New York for 20 years, including  and this is important  as recently as November 2020."

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Kristof responded several hours later during a press conference of his own, characterizing the ruling as a political, not legal, decision. He accused Fagan, a fellow Democrat, of being part of an establishment that favors other Democrat candidates for governor, such as former Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek and State Treasurer Tobias Read.

"My willingness to challenge the status quo is the reason state officials want to toss me from the ballot," Kristof said. "This was a political decision, not one based on the law."

Fagan insisted her office reviewed Kristof as it would have any other candidate.

"In the end, our election officials told me it wasn't even a close call," she said. "And while there have been creative legal arguments and an impressive PR campaign, given the evidence, I venture that most Oregonians who are paying attention have reached the same conclusion."

In a previous letter to Fagan's office, Kristof's attorneys said there has only been one Oregon court case that considered the question of whether voter registration determines residency, an election for a state House seat in 1974. A Marion County judge ruled that "the question of domicile is largely one of intent," a precedent that supports Kristof.

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Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Windy with increasing clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 60F. Winds SE at 25 to 35 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 39F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAPAN HOUSE L o s Angeles , a Japanese cultural destination in the heart of Hollywood, announces a collection of engaging exhibition-related programs to complement its current exhibition  KUMIHIMO: The A rt o f Jap a nese Silk Braiding by DOMYO .  The first-ever exhibition in the U.S. exploring the history and art of Japanese silk braiding, the JAPAN HOUSE touring exhibition  on display in Los Angeles through March 6, 2022  is produced by Yusoku Kumihimo Domyo (DOMYO), a Tokyo-based company that has been making braided silk cords by hand since 1652.



Most notably, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles kicks off this years exhibition-related programs with a webinar on January 26  Striking C ords: Kumihimo Silk Braids as Fashion Statements in Japan Past and Present  featuring Japanese fashion expert Josephine Rout of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It will explore the many ways silk cords have been featured in traditional Japanese dress and how they continue to contribute to contemporary fashion.

A series of hands-on Kumihi m o Silk Br a celet Braiding Workshops launch on February 5, taught by Michael Hattori, a DOMYO School-trained kumihimo practitioner and instructor. The workshops will explain basic kumihimo principles and the history and technique used for the pattern for each class. Students will master that one design and complete a bracelet using silk hand dyed by DOMYO's artisans (materials are included in the $30 workshop fee).

DOMYO Kumihimo Merchandise

As a special companion piece to the exhibition and the perfect opportunity to find something unique to wear or to gift someone for Valentines Day, DOMYO kumihimo merchandise is available at the WAZA Showroom and Online Shop, the recently opened store featuring modern and traditional Japanese items. Offering merchandise to consumers helps DOMYO achieve its goal of making traditional Japanese products that can be used by people all over the world. To learn more, visit the online s h op .

Featured DOMYO Products Available Now at WAZA

 Tie  European Drawing

The Kumihimo Tie uses both the 1,000-year-old Anda-gumi braid pattern and the Mashi-gyoku technique. (Price: $425.00)

 Lapel Pin

Inspired by a flower, the Kumihimo Lapel Pin is made by folding Korai-gumi, a type of intricate braid pattern, as many times as possible using only a needle and thread. (Price: $165.00)

 Turnip Pierced Earrings or Swirl Pearl Pierced Earrings

These delicate earrings are made using the Korai-gumi technique. Each earring is sewn into a unique shape using only a needle and thread. (Price: $280.00)

Admission to the exhibition is complimentary. Walk-ins are invited and the gallery is open daily from 11 a.m.  6 p.m.

For more information, visit the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles website and social channels: Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube and LinkedIn .

ABOUT JAPAN HOUSE

JAPAN HOUSE is an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs  London, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo  conceived by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. It seeks to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan in the international community. Occupying two floors at Hollywood & Highland, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles offers a place of new discovery that transcends physical and conceptual boundaries creating experiences that reflect the best of Japan through its spaces and diverse programs.

Location: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

Website: www.japanhousela.com

Media Contacts:

Nerissa Silao | 310-874-9230 | nerissas@ca.rr.com

Lisa Nakanouchi | 323-904-9298 | lnakanouchi@japanhousela.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64f27695-85d4-417d-b983-e91b52c281ba

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d91bae6b-f50c-42b7-9469-183888851fc9
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blender Bites Ltd. (the Company, Blender Bites or Blender), (CSE: BITE, FWB: JL4, WKN: A3C3Y2), a Canadian company involved in the development and marketing of a line of premium, organic and plant-based pre-portioned frozen functional foods, announces that the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE) has approved a forward share split (the Forward Split) in which existing shareholders of the Company will receive 1.25 common shares in exchange for every existing common share of the Company, as previously announced on January 6, 2022.

All shareholders of record on January 19, 2022, will be entitled to the Forward Split. The common shares of the Company will commence trading on the CSE on a Forward Split basis effective as of the commencement of trading on January 18, 2022 (the Effective Date). The new CUISP number assigned to the Companys shares following the Forward Split is 09353K208 (ISIN: CA09353K2083).

As of the date of this news release, there are currently 29,582,624 common shares of the Company outstanding. Following completion of the Forward Split, the Company will have approximately 36,978,280 common shares outstanding. Management of the Company is of the view that the Forward Split will help to improve liquidity, reduce the recent volatility in the market and address potential short-selling activity.

Following completion of the Forward Split, shareholders of the Company who hold common shares represented by a physical certificate will receive a letter of transmittal from the transfer agent for the Company, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, with instructions on how to exchange their existing certificates for post-Forward Split certificates.

About Blender Bites

Blender Bites is a Canadian company involved in the development and marketing of a line of premium frozen food products with a focus on functionality. Blender Bites was founded in 2016 and was first to market in Western Canada with a pre-portioned easy smoothie product that is free of any unnecessary inner plastic packaging. Blender Bites products are certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, gluten free, dairy free and soy free. They contain no added sugars and are made in Canada. Blender Bites products are distributed internationally across Canada and the US, and are currently sold in over 850 stores, including Sobeys, Safeway, Save on Foods, Whole Foods Market, Buy-Low/Nesters, IGA and Fresh Street.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Blender Bites Limited

Chelsie Hodge, Chief Executive Officer

For further information, contact Blender IR Team at:

Email - investors@blenderbites.com

Telephone  1-888-997-2055

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political, and social uncertainties, and uncertain capital markets. Readers are cautioned that 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 statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
New York, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global COVID-19 Vaccines Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06097782/?utm_source=GNW

Barely months after the Indian strain called the Delta, or B.1.617.2 which was 40-60% more transmissible than Alpha and almost twice as transmissible as the original Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2 took over the world as a dominant strain, a new variant dubbed as "Omicron (B.1.1.529)" has emerged. Originally detected in South Africa in mid-November 2021, Omicron is now spreading across the globe with Asia, Europe, and North America reporting infections from this strain.



In addition to acquiring the mutations of the delta variant, the Omicron variant has over 50 mutations with 32 of them seen on its spike protein, two times higher than Delta, indicating that the virus has further adapted to the human species. Even more worrisome and unsettling is the fact that the variant also includes the vaccine-resistant alterations seen in Beta variant. The worst variant the pandemic has thrown up till date and carrying the mutations P681H and N679K, Omicron is feared to reduce vaccine effectiveness by close to 40% to 50%. There are fears that this strain is capable of outsmarting monoclonal antibodies, such as Regeneron`s treatment, since these therapies target parts of the virus that have now mutated. Currently classified as `variant of concern`, fears over the spreading Omicron have once again pushed countries across the globe to re-impose international and domestic travel restrictions. Omicron is now expected to displace the circulation Delta and other variants. It`s only a matter of time before a newer more competitive virus emerges. With Europe already battling fourth and fifth waves of infections, the new Omicron variant is bringing back ghosts of the past year. Fears are again rising over possible increase in infections, mortalities, overburdened hospitals, healthcare systems and lockdowns resulting in yet another economic nightmare. Lockdowns, travel and movement restrictions will be back once again if infection from this new strain fails to be controlled. India which is just recovering from the intense second wave with hopes of the disease reaching an endemic state, the new variant is reigniting fears of a possible third wave.



With several countries facing repeated waves of infections, the world is up against a new challenge in this war against the virus. An uphill challenge confronts governments in rapidly stepping up efforts to accelerate the pace of vaccine administration, despite numerous challenges. It`s a race against time and to successfully end the pandemic, mass vaccination drives must outpace the speed with which the coronavirus is currently mutating. After a sharp drop in cases throughout the second half of the year 2021, cases have begun to spike again led by infections from the Delta variant. This variant now accounts for the vast majority of new infections. With the rise in vaccination rates especially in developed countries, measures designed to limit the spread of Covid-19 like mask mandates and capacity limits have been relaxed. The subsequent relaxation strengthened consumer confidence and allowed economic activity to return to normalcy. However, with the Covid-19 virus rapidly mutating, new variants have emerged in many parts of the world, posing a threat of potential future waves. Different parts of Europe are currently witnessing fourth and fifth waves of infection spread. These new variants are more deadly than the original virus, more easily transmissible and can impact the effectiveness of vaccines.



Prolonging pandemic and new mutant strains means that immunity among vaccinated population is beginning to slip, throwing the focus on booster doses. The leading vaccine makers, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca announced plans to pursue development of booster shots to address the emerging threat of new virus variants. The booster shot will be essential to keep the immune system to the optimum level. A number of wealthy countries like the US, Germany and Israel are considering booster shots to increase protection against Covid-19. Germany is expected to roll out booster shots to vulnerable individuals. mRNA-vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna will be offered as booster shots, regardless of the vaccine administered previously. In India, Bharat Biotech, the makers of Covaxin, received regulator`s approval for conducting trials for a third shot that will be administered as a booster dose. While a booster dose is typically an exact replica of the initial vaccine, it can also be tweaked. Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer are working on variant-specific booster shots. Recently, Moderna announced positive initial data from its ongoing phase 2 study.



The data revealed that the booster dose increased neutralizing antibody responses against the original virus as well as B.1.351 and P.1, in previously vaccinated individuals. Studies suggest that a third dose can boost antibodies even in immunocompromised patients. The rapid pace at which new strains capable of evading antibodies are rising is throwing the focus on vaccine tweaking and researchers are already working on updating vaccines with the new spike proteins to prepare for new variants with a new version of the vaccine. This however requires additional clinical trials, more time consuming research work, and regulatory approvals. The time-to-market remains a main challenge with the process taking six to eight months before vaccines can be updated and commercialized. This time-consuming development process is a major setback when compared to the rapid rate of infection spread from new strains.



In this race against virus evolution, swift and rapid vaccinations are the need of the hour to limit the spread of mutant strains, notwithstanding the fact that vaccines themselves are contributing to virus mutations. Rapid mass vaccinations will make the mutation process and threat more manageable. It is an undeniable fact that vaccines will see a slow erosion in efficacy and effectiveness over the long-term. Therefore it is important to slow the spread of the virus by vaccinating as many people as possible at the earliest. To end the pandemic, which currently seems to have received yet another setback will require more dedicated focus on vaccine equality, international cooperation in COVID research, more transparent information transfer and alert systems on new emerging strains, waiver of IP on vaccines, and science-based swift decisions regarding travel bans. All of these are vital to prevent squandering away "hard won gains" achieved against the virus over the last 2 years.





Select Competitors (Total 358 Featured)



Moderna, Inc.

Pfizer Inc./BioNTech

AstraZeneca/University of Oxford

Johnson & Johnson

CanSino Biologics, Inc.

China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Sinopharm)

Sinovac Biotech Ltd.

Novavax, Inc.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals

Sanofi/GlaxoSmithKline

Gamaleya Institute







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06097782/?utm_source=GNW



I. METHODOLOGY



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



COVID-19 VACCINE DEVELOPMENT - A GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW

Omicron Spreads Panic Worldwide; Omicron Variant Brings Back

Memories & Fears of the Worst Part of the 2020 Pandemic

EXHIBIT 1: Time is of Essence! What We Know So Far - ?Vaccine

Efficiency Against New Strains is Decreasing?

South Africa: Omicron?s Origin Location

Omicron: Impact on Travel Industry

Countries that have Already Detected Omicron Cases

Steps taken by the Countries to Prevent Transmission of Omicron

Variant

Fears of Tourism Industry

Industry Response to the Travel Curbs

Short-term Impact of Omicron on Travel

Financial Impact

Scientists Seek to Gather More Information on Omicron

Pharma Firms Aim to Improve Existing Vaccines to Counter Omicron

With New Strains Emerging at an Alarming Rate, Focus Shifts to

Booster Doses & Vaccine Tweaking. But How Practical Is It to

Implement Them?

EXHIBIT 2: With Vaccinated Population Showing Signs of

Declining Clinical Protection, Booster Doses Are Emerging Into

a Necessity to Restore Vaccine Effectiveness, but this

Strategy is Not Within Reach for Most Countries: Number of

Booster Doses Administered Per 100 People by Country as of

December 2021

At the Dawn of 2022, We Leave Behind Millions of Deaths Due to

New Strains & Once Again Stare at an Impending Catastrophe

Split Scenarios Unfold: The Great Vaccine Divide Emerges

Amid this Prolonged Pandemic, Why Should Businesses Care About

Progress on Vaccinations?

With IMF Making an Upward Revision of Global GDP for 2021,

Companies Are Bullish About an Economic Comeback Despite a

Continuing Pandemic

EXHIBIT 3: A Strong Yet Exceedingly Patchy & Uncertain Recovery

Shaped by New Variants Comes Into Play: World Economic Growth

Projections (Real GDP, Annual % Change) for 2020 through 2022

EXHIBIT 4: Easing Unemployment Levels in 2021 & 2022 Although

Moderate Will Infuse Hope for Industries Reliant on Consumer

Discretionary Incomes: Global Number of Unemployed People (In

Million) for Years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022

Widening Revenue Gap between mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines & their Rivals

COVID-19 Vaccine Makers Set to Reap Rich Dividends from Booster

Shots

Are COVID-19 Boosters Going to Follow Flu Shot Pattern?

Covid-19 Vaccine Shortages Hit Global Supply Initiative

Despite US Donation, Global Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccines

Remains Far Short of Target

Anti-Vaccine Movement Poses Significant Threat

EXHIBIT 5: COVID-19 Cases Worldwide by Country: As on November

21, 2021

EXHIBIT 6: COVID-19 Cases in the US by State: As on November

21, 2021



THE VARIOUS COVID-19 VIRUS VARIANTS

Emergence of Delta Variant Sparks New Wave of Infections

Is South African Variant a Formidable Threat?

E484K Mutation Challenges Vaccine Developers

California Strain Emerges to be more Contagious and Deadly

Is COVID-19 Virus Increasingly Resorting to Mutation to

Outsmart Vaccines?

Less Effectiveness of AstraZeneca Vaccine Against South African

Variant Leads to its Halt

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Demonstrates Low to Modest Level of

Efficacy against South African Variant

US Government Unveils Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Shot Plan to

Maximize Vaccine Protection Against Emerging Variants

AstraZeneca Vaccine Effective against New Emerging Variants

Sinovac Vaccines Effective against Mutated Variants of Coronavirus



AN OVERVIEW OF COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT

EXHIBIT 7: Roll-out Timeline of Select Frontrunners

COVID-19 Vaccine Approval Details

EXHIBIT 8: Production Capacity by Company for Frontrunners in

Millions of Doses for 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Funding Details

Pfizer/BioNTech?s COVID-19 Vaccine Receives World?s First

Authorization

UK Clinches the First Position in the World to Approve Pfizer?s

Vaccine

After UK, Pfizer?s Vaccine Gains Approval from the US and EU

Novartis Inks Agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech to Support Covid-

19 Vaccine Production

After Pfizer, Moderna Vaccine Bags Coveted EUA from US FDA

Moderna Kick-Starts Inoculation in the US

AstraZeneca?s Vaccine - Third Globally to Obtain Approval

J&J?s Single Shot Vaccination Resumes After Temporary Suspension

Pfizer/BioNTech vs. Moderna vs. AstraZeneca vs. J&J Vaccine

A Comparison of Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

Johnson & Johnsons Adenovirus-based COVID-19 Vaccine vis-a-vis

Moderna or Pfizer

Russia Commences Mass Vaccination from Mid-December, 2020

Russia?s Sputnik V Receives Approval for People Aged over 60

China Awards Conditional Approval to First COVID-19 Vaccine

from Sinopharm

WHO Approves China`s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for Emergency Use

China Issues License for Vaccine Production to Overseas Partners

Brazilian Authorities Approve Sinovac?s CoronaVac

AstraZeneca?s Covishield and Bharat Biotech?s Covaxin Receive

Emergency Use Approval in India

Sanofi-GSK to Offer Vaccine at a Discounted Rate

CanSinoBIO Claims No Blood Clot Issues from COVID-19 Vaccine

Novavax Obtains First Authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine



VARIOUS COVID-19 VACCINES UNDER CLINICAL TRIALS

EXHIBIT 9: COVID-19 VACCINES UNDER DEVELOPMENT

EXHIBIT 10: COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates in Human Clinical Trials

EXHIBIT 11: Vaccines in Pipeline by Technology

EXHIBIT 12: Vaccine Technologies in Pre-Clinical Studies



mRNA: A NEW APPROACH TO MEDICINE

mRNA Vaccine Marks Dawn of New Era of Vaccines & Medical Therapies

RNA Technology: Benefits & Potential for Future Outbreaks

Key Challenges

mRNA Vaccines Could Vanquish COVID-19 and Cancer

Efforts to Target New Application Areas



MARKET DYNAMICS

Rise of Vaccine Passports: Key to Ease COVID-19 Restrictions &

Ensure Public Safety

Developments Regarding Digital Certificates

COVID-19 Vaccine Passport: Insights & Progress

Regions/Countries Planning to Seek Vaccine Passport

mRNA Vaccines Offer More Protection Against Newer Variants

Vaccine Companies Stress on Booster Dose

Longer Interval between the Two Doses of Pfizer Vaccine to

Boost Antibody Levels

Mix and Match is the New COVID-19 Vaccine Mantra

Long-Haul COVID-19 Holds Potential to Become a Public Health Issue

Vaccine Alliances Ensure Supplies for All

EXHIBIT 13: Select Funding Deals for COVID-19 Vaccine R&D: 2020 &

2021

Licensing and Partnership Deals Worldwide Propel Vaccine

Production

EXHIBIT 14: COVID-19 Deals Worldwide - Jan 2020 to July 2021



GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

EXHIBIT 15: Global Percentage of Individuals Vaccinated by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-

Pacific (India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil,

Mexico, Rest of Latin America), Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Percentage of Individuals

Vaccinated for 2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 16: European Percentage of Individuals Vaccinated by

Geographic Region - France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy,

Russia, Spain, and Rest of European Markets - Independent

Analysis of Percentage of Individuals Vaccinated for 2020

through 2025

EXHIBIT 17: Global Number of Annual COVID-19 Vaccine Doses (In

Million) for Years 2020 through 2025 by Geographic Region/

Country - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific:

(India and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil,

Mexico, and Rest of Latin America), Middle East, and Africa

Markets

EXHIBIT 18: World 5-Year Perspective for COVID-19 Vaccines by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Million Doses for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific (India and

Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and

Rest of Latin America), Middle East, and Africa Markets for

Years 2021 & 2025

EXHIBIT 19: World Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific (India and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin

America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America), Middle

East, and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Doses in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 20: World 5-Year Perspective for COVID-19 Vaccines by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific (India and

Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and

Rest of Latin America), Middle East, and Africa Markets for

Years 2021 & 2025



VACCINES FOR KIDS

Kids: A Key to COVID-19 Controlling Efforts

US FDA Approves Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine in Kids aged 5-11

Years, and 12 to 15 Years Age

Pfizer Approves Vaccine for Kids Aged 5-11 Years

Moderna Begins Testing its Vaccine on Children Aged Below 12

Years (March, 2021)

Oxford University Halts AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Trial on

Children over Perceived Safety Concerns

COVID-19 Vaccine Spikevax Approved for Children aged 12 to 17

in EU



REGIONAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

THE UNITED STATES

Market Analysis

Current Vaccine Scenario

New Delta Variant Cases Cause Concern

Deceleration in Economic Activity Likely Due to Omicron Effect

US Recommends COVID-19 Booster Shots

Pfizer and Moderna?s COVID-19 Vaccine Secures US FDA?s

Emergency Use Approval for Booster Shot for Vaccinated Adults

US FDA Authorizes Johnson & Johnson?s COVID-19 Vaccine for

Booster Shot

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Gets Emergency Use Nod in US

for Children 5-11 Years

US Regulators Give Nod to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for

Ages 12 to 15

Moderna Aims to Achieve Approval for its COVID Vaccine for

Children

Reopening of Borders & Inflow of International Travelers to US

Spurs Demand for Digital Vaccine Certificates

Federal Health Agencies End Temporary Pause of J&J?s Covid-19

Vaccine Use

Sanofi Joins Hands with Moderna to Produce COVID-19 Vaccines

for Global Supply

The ?Operation Warp Speed? Program Expedites Vaccine Development

EXHIBIT 21: US Government Deals with Vaccine Developers

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 22: USA Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19 Vaccines

Market: Annual Sales in Million Doses for the Years 2020

through 2025

EXHIBIT 23: USA Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19 Vaccines

Market: Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years 2020 through

2025

CANADA

Market Analysis

Vaccination Gathers Steam across Canada

Canada Expands Approval for Pfizer-BioNTech & Moderna COVID-19

Vaccines to Cover Adolescents 12 Years & Above

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 24: Canada Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in Million Doses for the Years

2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 25: Canada Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years

2020 through 2025

JAPAN

Market Analysis

Slow Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccines in Japan

Japan Ropes in Armed Forces to Expedite Vaccinations

Slow Vaccination Rates Affect Olympics

Japan Looks Forward to Double Supply of COVID-19 Vaccines to

Other Countries

Daiichi Sankyo Eyes on Booster Shots in Local Market for

Impending COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccine Passports

Japan Inks Deal with Pfizer to Secure 50 Million Additional

Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine

Japan Pushes Shipments of Pfizer?s COVID-19 Shots to Vaccinate

Elderly

Takeda Obtains Approval for Moderna?s Vaccine

AnGes Fast Tracks COVID-19 Vaccine Development Program for 2021

Rollout

Japan Commences Production of AstraZeneca?s Vaccine

VLP Therapeutics Japan Commences Trial of Replicon RNA COVID-19

Vaccine

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 26: Japanese Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in Million Doses for the Years

2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 27: Japanese Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years

2020 through 2025

CHINA

Market Analysis

Chinese Vaccine Development Scenario

China Reaches Milestone of Administering over Billion Covid-19

Vaccine Doses

Vaccine Candidates in China

CoronaVac from Sinovac Obtains Emergency Use Authorization in

China for Children

WHO Recognizes Sinopharm?s COVID-19 Jab as Effective & Safe

Chinese Regulator Gives Nod to COVID-19 Vaccine from Sinovac

Life Sciences

China Approves Sinopharm?s Vaccine

BioNTech?s Shot to Become First Western COVID-19 Vaccine to

Secure Authorization in China

Countries Relying on the Chinese COVID-19 Vaccines

Trials Indicate Neutralizing Effect of Chinese COVID-19

Vaccines on South African & UK Variants

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 28: Chinese Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in Million Doses for the Years

2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 29: Chinese Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years

2020 through 2025

EUROPE

Covid-19 Scenario in Europe, Rise in Cases Noted

New Covid-19 Variants

Skepticism Regarding the Vaccination

Europe Witnesses Increase in COVID-19 Cases, Turns to Booster

Doses

EMA Approves Use of COVID-19 Vaccine of Pfizer for Children

EU to Recommend 9-MonthTime Limit for COVID-19 Vaccine Validity

for Travelers

EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation to Aid Free Cross-

Border Movement

EU Digital COVID Certificate: Eligibility, Process & Free Movement

Pfizer & Moderna Escalate Unit Price of COVID-19 Vaccines in

Latest EU Contracts

EU Obtains 1.8 Billion Doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

European Agency Makes Changes to Ramp Up Supply & Manufacturing

Capacity of Pfizer & Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines

BioNTech to Scale up Vaccine Production to Fill Supply Gaps and

Support Vaccination Efforts in the EU

Europe?s Horizon 2020

EC-AstraZeneca Settlement Deal Ends Legal Dispute over COVID-19

Vaccine Supplies

Johnson & Johnson to Resume Shipment of Janssen COVID-19

Vaccine to Europe

Apparent Side-Effects Prompt Denmark to Extend Suspension of

Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

Market Analysis

UNITED KINGDOM

Vaccine Passport

UK Wins COVID-19 Vaccine Race with Approval of Pfizer-BioNTech

Vaccine

Vaccine Distribution Challenges

The UK Approves AstraZeneca?s Vaccine

Oxford-AstraZeneca?s COVID-19 Vaccine in the form of Nasal

Spray, to be Tested Soon (March, 2021)

Moderna Modifies Supply Contract with UK to Deliver Additional

Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine

UK?s Independent Vaccine Deals

GSK to Aid Production of Novavax?s COVID-19 Vaccine for

Distribution within UK

FRANCE

France Embarks on Plans to Offer COVID-19 Vaccine Free to Citizens

France Suggests mRNA Vaccines for Second Coronavirus Shot After

AstraZeneca?s First Shot

GERMANY

Germany Allows the Use of J&J Vaccine

SPAIN

Spain Prioritizes Frontline Healthcare Providers for

Immunization Policy

Spain to Donate Vaccines to Latin America and Caribbean

ITALY

Italy Plans to Produce mRNA Vaccines Domestically

RUSSIA

Gamaleya Institute?s Sputnik V Vaccine Trials Show Promise with

92% Efficacy

CanSino Obtains Approval for Phase III Trial of COVID-19

Vaccine in Russia

NORWAY

Norway Bans AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 30: European Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK,

Spain, Russia, and Rest of European Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Doses in Millions for Years 2020 through

2025

EXHIBIT 31: European 5-Year Perspective for COVID-19 Vaccines

by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Million Doses

for France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of

European Markets for Years 2020 & 2025

EXHIBIT 32: European Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK,

Spain, Russia, and Rest of European Markets - Independent

Analysis of Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 33: European 5-Year Perspective for COVID-19 Vaccines

by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales

for France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of

European Markets for Years 2020 & 2025

ASIA-PACIFIC

Market Analysis

INDIA

Second Wave of Covid-19 in India Attributed to Delta Variant

Indian Government Initiates COVID-19 Vaccination Drive

India Makes Notable Contribution in Production of Vaccines

AstraZeneca?s Covishield Receives Emergency Use Approval in India

Spike in New Cases Coerces India to Briefly Suspend Export of

Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

Bharat Biotech`s Covaxin Gets Approval

Bharat Biotech Obtains Government Financial Backing to Ramp up

Production of Covaxin

Panacea Biotec Obtains DCGI`s nod for Manufacturing Sputnik V

vaccine

Bharat Biotech & SII on Capacity Expansion Mode

Trial Indicates Decent Efficacy of Covaxin against B.1.617

Variant of COVID-19

IIL Partners with Bharat Biotech to Produce Active Drug

Substance for Covaxin

Johnson & Johnson?s Covid-19 vaccine, Produced by Biological E,

Ready for Export

Serum Institute Obtains Approval for Novavax Vaccine Trial in

7-11 Age Group

Increasing Commitments of SII and Novavax

Dr Reddy`s Rolls out Sputnik V Covid-19 Vaccine in India

DCGI Yet to Approve COVAXIN for Children

DCGI?s Approval Mandatory for the Covaxin to be Administered

for Children

Sanofi, GSK Obtains Approval to Conduct Phase 3 trial of their

Covid-19 vaccine in India

Zydus Vaccine Approved for Kids

AUSTRALIA

Australia to Invest On Novel Coronavirus Vaccines for Wider Region

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Acquires Ultra-Cold Freezers to Store Pfizer?s

COVID-19 Vaccine

SOUTH KOREA

With the Spread of Delta Plus Variant, Fresh Covid Cases

Witness a Sharp Increase

South Korea Extends its Vaccination Programme to the Workers of

Electronics and Chip Manufacturing Industries

J&J Covid-19 Vaccine Receives Approval in South Korea

INDONESIA

Indonesia Negotiates Additional COVID-19 Vaccines from China

and GAVI

Indonesia Gets First Consignment of COVID-19 Vaccine from

China?s Sinovac

Chinese Vaccine Sinovac Allowed for Use in Sri Lanka and

Bangladesh but restricted in Malaysia

BANGLADESH

Serum Institute of India to Offer 3 Crore Doses of COVID-19

Vaccine to Bangladesh

MYANMAR

China Meets Myanmar?s Requirements

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 34: Asia-Pacific Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - Australia, India, New Zealand,

and Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Doses in Millions for Years 2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 35: Asia-Pacific 5-Year Perspective for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of

Million Doses for Australia, India, New Zealand, and Rest of

Asia-Pacific Markets for Years 2020 & 2025

EXHIBIT 36: Asia-Pacific Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - India, and Rest of Asia-

Pacific Markets - Independent Analysis of Dollar Sales in US$

Million for Years 2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 37: Asia-Pacific 5-Year Perspective for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar

Sales for Australia, India, New Zealand, and Rest of Asia-

Pacific Markets for Years 2020 & 2025

THE MIDDLE EAST

Market Analysis

BAHRAIN

Bahrain Becomes the Second Country to Offer Emergency Use

Approval to Pfizer?s Vaccine

Sinopharm?s Vaccine Doses Reach Bahrain

SAUDI ARABIA

COVID-19 Vaccine Production in the UAE

IRAN

Iran Procures Vaccine Doses

AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan to Procure COVID-19 Vaccines

TURKEY

COVID-19 Vaccines in Turkey

ISRAEL

Israel Reimposes Restrictions

COVID-19 Vaccines for Israel

SYRIA

Syria Obtains AstraZeneca Vaccines, the first for the Country

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 38: The Middle East Current & Future Analysis for

COVID-19 Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in Million Doses for

the Years 2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 39: The Middle East Current & Future Analysis for

COVID-19 Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in US$ Million for the

Years 2020 through 2025

AFRICA

Market Analysis

UNICEF Enters into Agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica for

Supply of Vaccine to African Union

Relief for Countries in Africa that Finally Receive Vaccine

Shipment as Third Wave Creates Havoc

Takeaways from Covid-19 Vaccine Program in Africa

SOUTH AFRICA

Approach of South Africa towards Covid-19 Vaccination Program

New Virus Variant in South Africa Creates a Challenge

South Africa Halts AstraZeneca?s Vaccination

Highly Infectious COVID-19 Variant Spurs Countries to Impose

Travel Ban from South Africa

South Africa: The First Country in Africa to Start Vaccine

Clinical Trial

South Africa to Resume J&J Jab Vaccination

Aspen to Manufacture Johnson & Johnson?s COVID-19 Vaccine in

South Africa

China to Deliver Potential COVID-19 Vaccine to Africa for Free

CEPI Identifies Biovac Institute as Potential Manufacturer in

South Africa

EGYPT

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 40: African Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in Million Doses for the Years

2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 41: African Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines Market: Annual Sales in US$ Million for the Years

2020 through 2025

LATIN AMERICA

Market Analysis

Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Campaigns Launched in Latin American

Countries

BRAZIL

Brazil Signs Deal to Buy Additional 100 Million Doses from

Pfizer/BioNTech

Brazilian Town Serrana Beats COVID-19 with China`s Sinovac Vaccine

Brazil, Turkey Announce Vaccination Plans for Chinese Vaccine

GSK to Aid Production of Novavax?s COVID-19 Vaccine for

Distribution within UK

Brazil Blocks Import of Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine over

Efficacy & Safety Concerns

Covaxin Clinical Trial?s Stopped in Brazil but Supply Continued

in India

MEXICO

Mexico?s Cofepris Approves Emergency Use of Pfizers COVID-19

Vaccine

ARGENTINA

Argentina Secures 22 Million Doses of AstraZeneca?s COVID-19

Vaccine

CHILE AND PERU

Chile, Peru Approve Clinical Trials for AstraZeneca?s COVID-19

Vaccine

Chile Struggles with Escalating Cases of COVID-19 despite

Massive Rollout of Vaccine

CanSinoBIO Secures Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19

Vaccine in Chile

MEXICO

Tulane University, Children?s Hospital Launch Moderna Covid-19

Vaccine Trial for Children

Market Analytics

EXHIBIT 42: Latin American Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - Brazil, Mexico, and Rest

of Latin American Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Doses in Millions for Years 2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 43: Latin American 5-Year Perspective for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of

Million Doses for Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin American

Markets for Years 2020 & 2025

EXHIBIT 44: Latin American Current & Future Analysis for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - Brazil, Mexico, and Rest

of Latin American Markets - Independent Analysis of Dollar

Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2025

EXHIBIT 45: Latin American 5-Year Perspective for COVID-19

Vaccines by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar

Sales for Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin American Markets

for Years 2020 & 2025



FOCUS ON THE FRONTRUNNERS

Moderna, Inc. (USA)

Pfizer Inc./BioNTech (US/Germany)

AstraZeneca/University of Oxford (The UK)

Johnson & Johnson (USA)

CanSino Biologics, Inc. (China)

China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Sinopharm) (China)

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (China)

Novavax, Inc. (USA)

Inovio Pharmaceuticals (USA)

Sanofi/GlaxoSmithKline (France/UK)



INITIATIVES FOR EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINES

Fair Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccine Nationalism Hampers Equitable Distribution of Vaccines

COVAX Created to Ensure Fair and Universal Access to COVID-19

Vaccine

COVAX Inks Additional Deals for Global Rollout of COVID-19

Vaccines

African Countries Become Part of the COVAX Facility for Timely

Access to Successful Vaccines

COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC)

World Economic Forum to Push COVID-19 Vaccine Production

Capability

Pushing Manufacturing Capacity to Fulfil Global Demand

Technology Transfer and Other Payments



KEY VACCINE TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS

Inactivated Vaccines

Inactivated Vaccine Candidate in Preclinical Development: As on

Nov 19, 2021

Protein-Subunit Vaccines

Protein-Subunit Vaccine Candidate in Preclinical Development:

As on Nov 19, 2021

Non-Replicating Viral-Vector

Non-Replicating Viral Vector Vaccine in Preclinical

Development: As on Nov 19, 2021

Replicating Viral Vector Vaccine Candidate in Preclinical

Development: As on Nov 19, 2021

Nucleic Acid Vaccines

RNA Vaccine Candidate in Preclinical Studies: As on Nov 19, 2021

DNA Vaccine Candidate in Preclinical Studies: As on Nov 19, 2021

Replicating Bacteria Vector

Live Attenuated Vaccines (LAVs)

Live Attenuated Virus Candidate in Preclinical Studies: As on

Nov 19, 2021

Live Attenuated Bacterial Vector Candidate in Preclinical

Studies: As on Nov 19, 2021

Virus-like Particle Vaccines

Virus-like Particles (VLP) Vaccine Candidate in Preclinical

Development: As on Nov 19, 2021



WORLD COVID-19 VACCINE BRANDS



SELECT CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COVID-19 VACCINE MARKET: 2021



III. COMPETITION

Total Companies Profiled: 358

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06097782/?utm_source=GNW



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__________________________
New York, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Healthcare Staffing Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06031763/?utm_source=GNW

Propelled by growing need to save precious human lives, various countries are now focusing their attention towards adopting healthcare staffing model. The novel strategy is assisting medical professionals in improving clinical quality, along with enhancing patient satisfaction. With the world facing shortage of trained healthcare workers, governments are devising a wide range of innovative strategies with an intention of saving precious human lives. As a result, healthcare staffing is gaining acceptance among several hospitals, nursing homes, as well as pharmaceutical companies. Healthcare staffing is an expanding area especially due to the rise in geriatric population, and growing availability of medical insurance for more people. Advancements in healthcare technology have brought about different innovations such as telehealth and medical informatics. Thus, skilled labor is needed to handle the non-technical as well as technical aspects of the new medical devices. Automation and technology is being used by firms to streamline sourcing, recruiting and credentialing healthcare staffing recruitment to ensure that demands are met.



Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Healthcare Staffing estimated at US$33.8 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$47.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 6% over the analysis period. Travel Nurse Staffing, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 5.9% CAGR to reach US$21.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Locum Tenens Staffing segment is readjusted to a revised 7.4% CAGR for the next 7-year period. With cost of healthcare continuing to rise, hospitals are adopting measures such as reducing working staff. In this regard, the role of travel nurses becomes critical when these healthcare facilities witness higher workloads. Increasing concerns for minimizing attrition rate and improving profitability margins is fueling demand for travel nurse segment. Locum tenens physicians typically are utilized for filling up for other physicians temporarily or for some days up to 6 months. The staffing model is chosen to address temporary staffing shortages occurring due to staff illnesses, vacancies and other reasons. Benefits offered including cost efficiency and growing physician preference to work as locum tenens are fueling market growth.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $21.5 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $3.4 Billion by 2026



The Healthcare Staffing market in the U.S. is estimated at US$21.5 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 58.9% share in the global market. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$3.4 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 8.1% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Canada and Europe, each forecast to grow at 6% and 5.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 5.6% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$2.7 Billion by the year end of the analysis period. Better healthcare infrastructural availability together with constant R&D proficiencies to offer better healthcare facilities spur growth in North America region. Due to presence of large patient pool, demand for healthcare staffing in Asia-Pacific is gaining momentum. Absence of adequate medical facilities is fueling demand for healthcare staffing in the region.



Allied Healthcare Staffing Segment to Reach $8.3 Billion by 2026



Allied healthcare professional differ from nursing, pharmacy and medicine personnel, as they work in healthcare facilities mainly to ensure appropriate functioning of the healthcare system by offer technical, diagnostic, therapeutic and support services. Allied healthcare staffing includes workforce such as assistive personnel, technicians like community health aides, dental assistants & technicians, home health aides, OR technicians, pharmacy assistants, and radiology technicians among others. In the global Allied Healthcare Staffing segment, USA, Canada, China and Europe will drive the 4.8% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$5.5 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$7.5 Billion by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$842.9 Million by the year 2026.





Select Competitors (Total 162 Featured)



Adecco Group

Almost Family

AMN Healthcare

Aureus Medical Group

CHG Management, Inc.

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.

Envisions Healthcare Corporation

Healthcare Staffing Services

inVentiv Health

LocumTenens.com

Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc.

Supplemental Health Care

Syneos Health, Inc.

TeamHealth

Vista Staffing Solutions







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06031763/?utm_source=GNW



I. METHODOLOGY



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



1. MARKET OVERVIEW

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Looming Global Recession

2020: A Year of Disruption & Transformation

As the Race between the Virus & Vaccines Intensifies, Where is

the World Economy Headed in 2021?

EXHIBIT 1: World Economic Growth Projections (Real GDP, Annual

% Change) for 2020 through 2022

Amidst the Pandemic, Healthcare Staffing Comes to Rescue Hiring

Challenges of Healthcare Facilities

Lowering the Burden on Contingent Staff during Pandemic

Pandemics Impact on Recruitment Strategies

Shortage of Nurses Plagues the Healthcare Industry During the

Pandemic

An Introduction to Healthcare Staffing

Benefits of Temporary Healthcare Staffing

Global Market Prospects & Outlook

Travel Nurse Staffing Leads Healthcare Staffing Market

North America: The Largest Regional Market

Competition

M&A Activity Continues to Strengthen in Healthcare Staffing Market

EXHIBIT 2: Healthcare Staffing M&A Activity: Number of

Transactions for 2017-2021

EXHIBIT 3: Number of M&A Transactions in Healthcare Staffing

Market by Segment for 2019 & 2020

Major M&A Transactions in Healthcare Staffing Market for 2020

World Brands

Recent Market Activity



2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS



3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

As Global Megatrends Transform the Workforce Landscape,

Staffing Companies Grow in Prominence than Ever Before

Myriad Benefits of Staffing Agencies Drive Market Growth

Shortage of Healthcare Personnel & Nurses Enhances Importance

of Healthcare Staffing Services

EXHIBIT 4: Density of Medical Doctors and Nursing & Midwifery

Personnel per 10,000 Population by Region: 2020

EXHIBIT 5: Global Healthcare Worker Distribution: % of Global

Workforce and % of Disease Burden by Region

Staffing Firms Ensure Availability of Reliable, Qualified and

Certified Healthcare Workforce

Effective Communication, Training, and Recognition: Critical to

Staff Wellbeing and Job Satisfaction

Notable Trends in the Healthcare Staffing Market

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Resultant Need for

Healthcare Services Drive Healthcare Staffing Demand

EXHIBIT 6: Fatalities by Heart Conditions: Estimated Percentage

Breakdown for Cardiovascular Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease,

Stroke, and Others

EXHIBIT 7: Global Cancer Incidence: Number of New Cancer Cases

in Million for the Years 2018, 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035 and 2040

EXHIBIT 8: Number of New Cancer Cases and Deaths (in Million)

by Region for 2020

EXHIBIT 9: World Diabetes and Population Statistics (2019, 2030 &

2045)

EXHIBIT 10: World Diabetes Prevalence: 2000-2019, 2030 and 2045

EXHIBIT 11: Global HIV Prevalence: Number of People Living with

AIDs (in Thousands) by Region for 2020

Healthcare Needs of Aging Global Population Presents

Opportunities for Healthcare Staffing Market

EXHIBIT 12: Global Aging Population Statistics for the 65+ Age

Group in Million by Geographic Region for the Years 2019,

2025, 2035 and 2050

EXHIBIT 13: Elderly Population (65+ Years) as a % of Total

Population by Developed, Less Developed and Least Developed

Regions: 2019 & 2030

Healthcare System?s Expedited Shift towards Telemedicine Spurs

Opportunities for Staffing Agencies

EXHIBIT 14: Global Number of Telemedicine Patients (In Million)

for the Years 2016, 2018, 2020, 2023 & 2025

COVID-19 Outbreak Accelerates Broader Use of Telemedicine

EXHIBIT 15: Telemedicine Leads Digital Health Investments

Driven by COVID-19: Leading Categories of Digital Health by

Funding (In US$ Million) for the Year 2020

EXHIBIT 16: Telehealth Visits in the US (In Million) for the

Year 2020

Travel Nursing Market: A Leading Healthcare Traffic Sector

Per Diem Nurse Staffing Market: Benefiting from Rising Demand

for Temporary Workforce

Rise of Telemedicine Spurs Opportunities for Telehealth Nursing

How is Technology Impacting the Healthcare Staffing Market?

Digitization of Healthcare Staffing and the Growing Relevance

of Medical Freelancing

Select Major Freelance Medical Platforms

Increase in Healthcare Expenditure to Positively Influence the

Healthcare Staffing Market

EXHIBIT 17: World Healthcare Expenditure (In US$ Trillion) for

the Years for 2017, 2019, 2021 & 2023

EXHIBIT 18: Elderly Healthcare Expenditure as a % of GDP in the

US, Europe and Japan for 1970, 2010 and 2050



4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

Table 1: World Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 2: World Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific

and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 3: World 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World

Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 4: World Current & Future Analysis for Travel Nurse

Staffing by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 5: World Historic Review for Travel Nurse Staffing by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific

and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 6: World 15-Year Perspective for Travel Nurse Staffing by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 7: World Current & Future Analysis for Locum Tenens

Staffing by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 8: World Historic Review for Locum Tenens Staffing by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific

and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 9: World 15-Year Perspective for Locum Tenens Staffing by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 10: World Current & Future Analysis for Allied Healthcare

Staffing by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 11: World Historic Review for Allied Healthcare Staffing

by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific

and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 12: World 15-Year Perspective for Allied Healthcare

Staffing by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Revenues for USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest

of World for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 13: World Current & Future Analysis for Per Diem Nurse

Staffing by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 14: World Historic Review for Per Diem Nurse Staffing by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific

and Rest of World Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 15: World 15-Year Perspective for Per Diem Nurse Staffing

by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues

for USA, Canada, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World

for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



III. MARKET ANALYSIS



UNITED STATES

Healthcare Staffing Market in the US: An Overview

COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Staffing Shortage Scenario in

Healthcare Industry

EXHIBIT 19: Healthcare Unemployment Rate and Healthcare

Vacancies Rate in the US for the Period Dec-2019 to Aug-2021

Competition

EXHIBIT 20: US Healthcare Staffing Market: Percentage Revenue

Breakdown of Leading Players for 2020

Market Analytics

Table 16: USA Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare Staffing

by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 17: USA Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 18: USA 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare

Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



CANADA

Table 19: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens

Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse

Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 20: Canada Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 21: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare

Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



CHINA

Table 22: China Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens

Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse

Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 23: China Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 24: China 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare

Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



EUROPE

Table 25: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK and

Rest of Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual

Revenues in US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 26: Europe Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of

Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 27: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

France, Germany, Italy, UK and Rest of Europe Markets for Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 28: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens

Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse

Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 29: Europe Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 30: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare

Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



FRANCE

Table 31: France Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens

Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse

Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 32: France Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 33: France 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare

Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



GERMANY

Table 34: Germany Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens

Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse

Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 35: Germany Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 36: Germany 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing

by Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare

Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



ITALY

Table 37: Italy Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens

Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse

Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 38: Italy Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 39: Italy 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare

Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



UNITED KINGDOM

Table 40: UK Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare Staffing

by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 41: UK Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing by Service

Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied

Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 42: UK 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare Staffing by

Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value Revenues for

Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare

Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



REST OF EUROPE

Table 43: Rest of Europe Current & Future Analysis for

Healthcare Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing,

Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem

Nurse Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 44: Rest of Europe Historic Review for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens

Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse

Staffing Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in

US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 45: Rest of Europe 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Revenues for Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



ASIA-PACIFIC

Table 46: Asia-Pacific Current & Future Analysis for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens

Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse

Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 47: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing

by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 48: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Revenues for Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



REST OF WORLD

Table 49: Rest of World Current & Future Analysis for

Healthcare Staffing by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing,

Locum Tenens Staffing, Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem

Nurse Staffing - Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$

Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 50: Rest of World Historic Review for Healthcare Staffing

by Service Type - Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Revenues in US$ Million for

Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 51: Rest of World 15-Year Perspective for Healthcare

Staffing by Service Type - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Revenues for Travel Nurse Staffing, Locum Tenens Staffing,

Allied Healthcare Staffing and Per Diem Nurse Staffing for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



IV. COMPETITION

Total Companies Profiled: 162

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06031763/?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.



__________________________
Dublin, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Acute Hospital Care Market Research Report by Medical Condition, by Facility Type, by Service, by Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Acute Hospital Care Market size was estimated at USD 229.12 billion in 2020, is expected to reach USD 246.47 billion in 2021, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.93% to reach USD 391.05 billion by 2027.



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2018 and 2019 are considered historical years, 2020 as the base year, 2021 as the estimated year, and years from 2022 to 2027 are considered the forecast period.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Acute Hospital Care to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:

Based on Medical Condition, the market was studied across Acute Care Surgery, Emergency Care, Short-Term Stabilization, and Trauma Care.

Based on Facility Type, the market was studied across General Acute Care Hospitals, Long Term Acute Care, Psychiatric Hospitals, Rehabilitation Hospitals, and Specialized Hospitals.

Based on Service, the market was studied across Coronary Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Based on Region, the market was studied across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas is further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The United States is further studied across California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Asia-Pacific is further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. Europe, Middle East & Africa is further studied across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Acute Hospital Care Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Market Share Analysis:

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market, including 3M Company, Asklepios Kliniken GmbH & Co. KGaA, bioMerieux SA, CareCentrix, Inc., Community Health Systems, Inc., Emerus Holdings, Inc., Ernest Health, Inc., Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co, HCA Healthcare, Inc., IHH Healthcare Berhad, Legacy Lifepoint Health, Inc., McKesson Corporation, Mediclinic International PLC, Medline Industries, Inc., National HealthCare Corporation, PruittHealth Corporation, Ramsay Health Care Ltd, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Universal Health Services, Inc., and Vibra Healthcare, LLC.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Acute Hospital Care Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Acute Hospital Care Market?



Key Topics Covered:



1. Preface



2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary



4. Market Overview



5. Market Insights

5.1. Market Dynamics

5.1.1. Drivers

5.1.1.1. Increasing inpatient volume at hospitals for Acute Care

5.1.1.2. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases

5.1.1.3. Availability of medicaid and medicare reimbursement

5.1.2. Restraints

5.1.2.1. Limited availability of skilled professionals, facilities and equipment

5.1.3. Opportunities

5.1.3.1. Increasing number of hospital and unmet medical needs in emerging economies

5.1.4. Challenges

5.1.4.1. Dearth in infrastructure

5.2. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19



6. Acute Hospital Care Market, by Medical Condition

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Acute Care Surgery

6.3. Emergency Care

6.4. Short-Term Stabilization

6.5. Trauma Care



7. Acute Hospital Care Market, by Facility Type

7.1. Introduction

7.2. General Acute Care Hospitals

7.3. Long Term Acute Care

7.4. Psychiatric Hospitals

7.5. Rehabilitation Hospitals

7.6. Specialized Hospitals



8. Acute Hospital Care Market, by Service

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Coronary Care Unit

8.3. Intensive Care Unit

8.4. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit



9. Americas Acute Hospital Care Market

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Argentina

9.3. Brazil

9.4. Canada

9.5. Mexico

9.6. United States



10. Asia-Pacific Acute Hospital Care Market

10.1. Introduction

10.2. Australia

10.3. China

10.4. India

10.5. Indonesia

10.6. Japan

10.7. Malaysia

10.8. Philippines

10.9. Singapore

10.10. South Korea

10.11. Taiwan

10.12. Thailand



11. Europe, Middle East & Africa Acute Hospital Care Market

11.1. Introduction

11.2. France

11.3. Germany

11.4. Italy

11.5. Netherlands

11.6. Qatar

11.7. Russia

11.8. Saudi Arabia

11.9. South Africa

11.10. Spain

11.11. United Arab Emirates

11.12. United Kingdom



12. Competitive Landscape

12.1. FPNV Positioning Matrix

12.1.1. Quadrants

12.1.2. Business Strategy

12.1.3. Product Satisfaction

12.2. Market Ranking Analysis

12.3. Market Share Analysis, By Key Player

12.4. Competitive Scenario

12.4.1. Merger & Acquisition

12.4.2. Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership

12.4.3. New Product Launch & Enhancement

12.4.4. Investment & Funding

12.4.5. Award, Recognition, & Expansion



13. Company Usability Profiles

13.1. 3M Company

13.2. Asklepios Kliniken GmbH & Co. KGaA

13.3. bioMerieux SA

13.4. CareCentrix, Inc.

13.5. Community Health Systems, Inc.

13.6. Emerus Holdings, Inc.

13.7. Ernest Health, Inc.

13.8. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co

13.9. HCA Healthcare, Inc.

13.10. IHH Healthcare Berhad

13.11. Legacy Lifepoint Health, Inc.

13.12. McKesson Corporation

13.13. Mediclinic International PLC

13.14. Medline Industries, Inc.

13.15. National HealthCare Corporation

13.16. PruittHealth Corporation

13.17. Ramsay Health Care Ltd

13.18. Tenet Healthcare Corporation

13.19. Universal Health Services, Inc.

13.20. Vibra Healthcare, LLC



14. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/veq5p2
TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeist Wellness Inc. (Lifeist or the Company) (TSXV: LFST) (FRANKFURT: M5B) (OTCMKTS: NXTTF), a health-tech company that leverages advancements in science and technology to enable you to find your path to wellness, today announced that its Cannabis 2.0 consumer-focused house brand Roilty'' has won the prestigious Canadian LP Brand of the Year award at the 2021 ADCANN Awards.



Roilty Brand Award Win

The annual industry awards, which are voted on by both industry peers and the public and saw over 100,000 votes cast nationwide, celebrate the best in marketing and advertising across Canadas cannabis industry. The win comes only months after the initial launch by Lifeists wholly owned subsidiary Cannmart Inc. (CannMart) of its first high quality Roilty-branded vape carts and the launch of sister company CannMart Labs Inc (Labs) produced live resin products, confirming the significant potential that the Company sees in both the brand and Labs.

CannMart B2B Business 2021 Growth

The ADCANN award caps a calendar year of solid progress for Lifeists cannabis businesses, particularly CannMarts business-to-business (B2B) platform, which has solidified CannMarts role as a pre-eminent, value-adding distribution platform in the Canadian cannabis market, that connects LPs (licensed producers) and brands with provincial government control boards and independent retailers. Lifeist believes that CannMarts solid performance is attributable to having a business model that is unique in the Canadian cannabis space; CannMart retains a sales and distribution license, but does not engage in any cannabis cultivation, focusing on a lower cost distribution business model.



Provincial Government Control Boards

CannMart now maintains supply agreements with provincial government cannabis control boards and retailing bodies in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, and most recently added Yukon, NorthWest Territories and Nunavut, constituting access to approximately 73% of adult Canadians. CannMart continues to diligently progress its registration commenced more than 12 months ago with the Societe quebecoise du cannabis (SQDC), which has a legislated monopoly on the sale of recreational cannabis within the province of Quebec, which on registration receipt would provide access to a further 22% of Canadian adults and potential cannabis consumers.

CannMart B2B Clients

As of December 31, 2021, CannMart is the trusted wholesale distribution and logistics partner for 10 LPs and 21 brands in addition to in-house brands Roilty and Mezzero and 3 licensed brands. Most recently the company has added LPs including J2 Science, Embark Health, TorrCann, JMF Growers family and Loosh Brands to its growing list of partners and also added cannabis-cause brand TobaGrown under license agreement.

CannMart B2B Financial Performance

Collectively, CannMarts B2B revenue stream represented approximately 90% of Lifeists cannabis revenue for the nine months ended August 31, 2021 and for the twelve months ended November 30, 2020, and has delivered substantially all of the revenue growth and gross margin contribution during each of these periods.

CannMart Labs

Labs began commercial production in November 2021 with live resin product and experimentation with respect to new product formats ongoing as the Labs team gathers sufficient data to plan future releases of the same.

Winning LP Brand of the Year for Roilty is a great accomplishment for our cannabis business, commented Meni Morim, Lifeists Chief Executive Officer. This award highlights the solid momentum that we are delivering in our recreational-focused B2B cannabis business CannMart now supported by distributing the output of sister cannabis entity CannMart Labs. While we understand that many investors may associate Lifeists cannabis business strictly with its B2C public facing medical platform at CannMart.com, it is the B2B business that has been, and is expected to continue to be, the driver of growth and value creation for our cannabis business, supported by cannabis 2.0 production at Labs.

Added Daniel Stern, CEO of CannMart, In calendar 2021 we focused on strengthening and growing our licensed revenue stream through distribution agreements with licensed producers, while simultaneously increasing revenue generated by our own in-house brands such as Roilty. This achievement of winning LP brand of the year, which was voted on and selected by industry peers and the public, is a huge testament to the focus, hard work and dedication of the entire CannMart team. With 2021 now behind us, our focus for 2022 remains exactly the same. We believe CannMart is well placed to serve growing consumer demand, as illustrated more and more in provincial control board product calls, for high quality cannabis products from curated high-quality producers, by serving the individual needs of exactly those producers, and by producing high quality 2.0 products of our own at Labs to be distributed and branded in consumer resonating in-house brands such as Roilty.

About Lifeist Wellness Inc.

Sitting at the forefront of the post-pandemic wellness revolution, Lifeist is a portfolio of wellness companies leveraging advancements in science and technology to enable individuals to find their personalized path to wellness. Portfolio business units include: CannMart, which operates a B2B wholesale distribution business facilitating recreational sales to Canadian provincial government control boards; CannMart Labs, a BHO extraction facility for the production of high margin cannabis 2.0 products; and the CannMart.com marketplace, which provides Canadian medical customers with a diverse selection of cannabis products from a multitude of federally licensed cultivators and its U.S. customers with access to hemp-derived CBD and smoking accessories; Australian Vapes, the countrys largest online retailer of vaporizers and accessories; Findify, a leading AI-powered search and discovery platform; and Mikra, a biosciences and consumer wellness company seeking to develop innovative therapies for cellular health and recovery.

Information on Lifeist and its businesses can be accessed through the links below:

www.lifeist.com

www.cannmart.com

www.australianvaporizers.com.au

www.wearemikra.com

Contacts

Lifeist Wellness Inc.

Meni Morim, CEO

Matt Chesler, CFA, Investor Relations

Ph: 647-362-0390

Email: ir@lifeist.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 or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Source: Lifeist Wellness Inc.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not historical in nature contain forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as may, expect, likely, should, would, plan, anticipate, intend, potential, proposed, estimate, believe or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions may or will happen.

The forward-looking information contained herein, including, without limitation, statements related to the Companys expected continued growth of its cannabis B2B business and expectations relating to Labs production of cannabis 2.0 products, are made as of the date of this press release and is based on assumptions management believed to be reasonable at the time such statements were made, including, without limitation, managements perceptions of Lifeists standing in the online marketplace for cannabis products, Lifeists beliefs regarding the quality of its management, the strides the Company has made in its operations and the quality of the brands offered by CannMart, the Companys focus on growing the business profitably, reducing operational burn and continuing to master the mechanism of moving cannabis into the market, safely and reliably, the expected demand for Cannabis 2.0 products and the growth of that market and the results of operations, operational matters, historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. By its nature, forward-looking 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. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this press release. Such factors include, without limitation: competition from other players that provide similar B2B services as the Company, unforeseen developments that would delay the Companys ability to launch additional high quality cannabis 2.0 products at Labs as anticipated and in a timely manner, the risk that the expected demand for cannabis 2.0 products in general and those to be manufactured by the Company does not develop as anticipated, regulatory risk, risks relating to the Companys ability to execute its business strategy and the benefits realizable therefrom and risks specifically related to the Companys operations. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Companys current MD&A and annual information form, both of which have been filed under the Companys SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4da17d0f-8d97-4497-a70f-cbee29b28e76
Alpnach, Switzerland, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Invenda Group AG announced today the close of a 7 million CHF ($7.59M) round and the expansion of its board of directors. Invenda develops smart software and hardware for vending machines, smart kiosks and digital signage, and is active in 14 countries. The news comes after the close of major U.S. deals with long time client Mars Wrigley and with the Houston Astros Minute Maid Park (other major clients include Coca-Cola and Lindt & Sprungli). The funding round indicates confidence among Invendas core investors in both Invendas corporate culture, with its commitment to transparency, and the drive to expand global growth.

"Our goal was to collect 3 million francs by the end of 2021, but now the amount is more than double. This confirms we are on the right track with Invenda and that our backers believe in the future of Automated Retail," says Founder and CEO Jon Brezinski. We are changing the way customers are engaged, creating smarter ways to manage inventory and maintenance, and using our imaginations to expand the entire industry.

The round was led by the former Emmi CEO and Head of M-Industry at Migros Walter Huber, and well-known financial specialist Gregor Greber, who both bring valuable experience in food and retail and will join Invendas board. Philippe Gaydoul of the Gaydoul Group and former CEO of Denner also participated in the financing round which will fund growth in sales and development.

The investors praised Invendas commitment to European quality management and disclosure of all figures and strategy considerations.

"I am fully convinced of Invenda's technical approach and look forward to seeing the highly qualified and dynamic team grow and achieve great things," said Walter Huber.

In addition to major orders, 2021 also saw the installation of Invendas first outdoor machines; continued innovations in its patented A-Z touchless transaction technology, gamification and crypto capabilities; and the move into new, larger headquarters in Alpanch, Obwalden.

Here in the heart of Switzerland, we now have enough room to present our products, said Brezinski. Invendas AI promotions, our massive touch screens, and all of our other innovations can be used. Clients can experience the way weve moved this machine-age field into the 21st Century.

For European media inquiries contact: regula@microbee.com

For U.S. media inquires contact: owen@thoughtgangmedia.com

About Invenda Group AG:

Invenda Group AG was founded in 2017 by CEO Jon Brezinski and is headquartered in Alpnach, Obwalden. It specializes in the development of software and hardware for Automated Retail such as vending machines, kiosks, digital signage as well as complementary sales-promoting marketing concepts and Big Data projects. Thanks to their smart IoT solutions, they enable customers to increase sales by an average of 50 per cent. Advertising, sales, inventory control and logistics become more efficient and cost-effective with Invenda's software. Invenda sells new vending machines with integrated software solutions or upgrades existing vending machines with their retrofit kit. Their innovative solution has already won the prestigious EVEX Award from the European Vending Association. Their partners include Microsoft, Intel, BLOCKv and other technology companies. Existing customers include Coca-Cola, Mars Wrigley, Lindt & Sprungli among others. Although Invenda Group AG is active worldwide and has subsidiaries in Serbia, Hong Kong and Sweden, the company is closely linked to the Alpnach location. This is partly thanks to Jon Brezinski's love of Central Switzerland and regional investors. More info at Invendagroup.com.

Attachments
New York, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Clinical Chemistry Analyzers Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05817885/?utm_source=GNW

Growth in the global market is set to be driven by rapid expansion of the diagnostics domain, increasing geriatric population and rising cases of chronic medical conditions. Clinical chemistry analyzers are widely used to assess kidney or liver function, metabolic state and various diseases. Ongoing technological advances have resulted in better products intended to simplify workflow, push turnaround times and deliver accurate results. The market growth is also aided by rising sample volumes that require high-capacity analyzing solutions. The increase in spending by private research agencies is expected to further propel the market growth.



Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Clinical Chemistry Analyzers estimated at US$12.1 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$15.7 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% over the analysis period. Reagents, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 4.9% CAGR to reach US$10.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Analyzers segment is readjusted to a revised 4.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 25% share of the global Clinical Chemistry Analyzers market. The high uptake of reagents is attributed to their cost-effective nature, optimal sensitivity, superior precision and linearity that ensure desirable performance. These advantages are prompting a large number of clinicians to rely on reagents for precise and accurate diagnosis.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $4.4 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $1.6 Billion by 2026



The Clinical Chemistry Analyzers market in the U.S. is estimated at US$4.4 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 34.17% share in the global market. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$1.6 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 6% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 3.7% and 4.2% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 4.1% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$1.7 Billion by the end of the analysis period. North America enjoys a dominant position due to rising aging population, increasing cases of lifestyle and chronic medical conditions. The regional market is gaining from rising healthcare expenditure, presence of well-established healthcare infrastructure, high penetration of sophisticated instruments and supportive initiatives by governments. High growth is expected in the Asia-Pacific region as a result of outsourcing of clinical chemistry analyzer production to countries like China and India. China and India is witnessing an increase in medical tourism, which is expected to stimulate the clinical chemistry analyzers market.



Basic Metabolic Panel (Test) Segment to Reach $5.5 Billion by 2026



The basic metabolic panel test panels are widely used to test and analyze indicators related to various diseases through routine or disease-specific tests. The segment is bound to gain from increasing prevalence of chronic medical conditions coupled with the preventive healthcare trend. In the global Basic Metabolic Panel (Test) segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 4.8% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$3.3 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$4.6 Billion by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$582.5 Million by the year 2026, while Latin America will expand at a 5.7% CAGR through the analysis period.





Select Competitors (Total 98 Featured)



Abbott Laboratories

Beckman Coulter Inc.

Biobase Biodusty (Shandong), Co., Ltd.

Dirui Industrial Co., Ltd.

EKF Diagnostics

ELITechGroup

Erba Mannheim

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Genrui Biotech Inc.

Hitachi High-Tech Corporation

Horiba, Ltd.

KPM Analytics, Inc.

Medica Corporation

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics

Randox Laboratories Ltd.

SFRI SAS

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.

Shenzhen New Industries Biomedical Engineering Co., Ltd.

Siemens Healthineers AG

Teco Diagnostics

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Trivitron Medical Systems (P) Ltd.







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05817885/?utm_source=GNW



I. METHODOLOGY



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



1. MARKET OVERVIEW

A Prelude to Clinical Chemistry Analyzers

Impact of COVID-19 and the Looming Recession

2020 Marked as a Year of Disruption & Transformation

As the Race between the Virus & Vaccines Intensifies, Where is

the World Economy Headed in 2021

EXHIBIT 1: World Economic Growth Projections (Real GDP, Annual %

Change) for 2020 through 2022

Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Chemistry Analyzers Market

Clinical Chemistry Analyzers Market Attains Equilibrium

following COVID-19 Acid Test

Global Market Prospects and Outlook

Global Clinical Chemistry Analyzers Market to Remain in Dynamic &

Effervescent State

Reagents & Metabolic Panel Test: Key Segments Catalyzing Growth

of Clinical Chemistry Analyzers Market

North America Displays Strongest Bonding with Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers Market

Market Outlook

Competition

New Developments

Market Challenges

Recent Market Activity



2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS



3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Rising Aging Population Propels the Market for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers

EXHIBIT 2: Global Aging Population Statistics for the 65+ Age

Group in Million by Geographic Region for the Years 2019,

2025, 2035 and 2050

EXHIBIT 3: Elderly Population (65+ Years) as a % of Total

Population by Developed, Less Developed and Least Developed

Regions: 2019 & 2030

Shrinking Form Factor of Core Laboratories

Rising Incidence of Chronic Diseases Propels the Need for

Clinical Chemistry Analyzers

EXHIBIT 4: Global Cancer Incidence: Number of New Cancer Cases

in Million for the Years 2018, 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035 and 2040

EXHIBIT 5: World Diabetes and Population Statistics (2019, 2030 &

2045)

EXHIBIT 6: Global Annual Medical Cost of CVD in US$ Billion:

2010, 2015, 2020, 2025 and 2030

Dry Chemistry Analyzers Register Steady Growth

Portable Albumin Analyzers Gain Popularity

Improvements in Clinical Laboratories Design to Drive

Operational Efficiencies

Continuous Flow Analysis Registers Significant Growth

Growing Automation Propels Market Growth

Rising Emphasis on Lab Automation to Augur Well for Market Growth

EXHIBIT 7: World Laboratory Automation Market in US$ Billion

for Years 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024 & 2026

Supplementing Labs and Automated Instrumentation

Picking a Chemical Analyzer

Increasing Healthcare Expenditure Drives the Demand for market

EXHIBIT 8: World Healthcare Expenditure (In US$ Billion) for

the Years 2017-2023

Clinical Chemistry Keeps Buzzing & Boasts Ample Room for

Product Innovations

Influx of New Assays & Biomarkers Propels Market Growth

Focus on New Connections and Data

Focus on Research and Development

Greater Number of Tests for HIV and Sexually Transmitted

Diseases Amplify Growth

EXHIBIT 9: Global HIV Prevalence: Number of People Living with

AIDs (in Thousands) by Region for 2018

EXHIBIT 10: Number of AIDS-Related Deaths (in Thousands) by

Region for 2018



4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

Table 1: World Current & Future Analysis for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 2: World Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry Analyzers

by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 3: World 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific,

Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets for Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



Table 4: World Current & Future Analysis for Reagents by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 5: World Historic Review for Reagents by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 6: World 15-Year Perspective for Reagents by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 7: World Current & Future Analysis for Analyzers by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 8: World Historic Review for Analyzers by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 9: World 15-Year Perspective for Analyzers by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 10: World Current & Future Analysis for Other Products by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 11: World Historic Review for Other Products by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 12: World 15-Year Perspective for Other Products by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 13: World Current & Future Analysis for Basic Metabolic

Panel by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 14: World Historic Review for Basic Metabolic Panel by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 15: World 15-Year Perspective for Basic Metabolic Panel

by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 16: World Current & Future Analysis for Electrolyte Panel

by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 17: World Historic Review for Electrolyte Panel by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 18: World 15-Year Perspective for Electrolyte Panel by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 19: World Current & Future Analysis for Liver Panel by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 20: World Historic Review for Liver Panel by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 21: World 15-Year Perspective for Liver Panel by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 22: World Current & Future Analysis for Lipid Profile by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 23: World Historic Review for Lipid Profile by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 24: World 15-Year Perspective for Lipid Profile by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 25: World Current & Future Analysis for Other Tests by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 26: World Historic Review for Other Tests by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 27: World 15-Year Perspective for Other Tests by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 28: World Current & Future Analysis for Hospitals &

Clinics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 29: World Historic Review for Hospitals & Clinics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 30: World 15-Year Perspective for Hospitals & Clinics by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 31: World Current & Future Analysis for Diagnostic

Laboratories by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 32: World Historic Review for Diagnostic Laboratories by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 33: World 15-Year Perspective for Diagnostic Laboratories

by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 34: World Current & Future Analysis for Research

Laboratories & Institutes by Geographic Region - USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in

US$ Thousand for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 35: World Historic Review for Research Laboratories &

Institutes by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 36: World 15-Year Perspective for Research Laboratories &

Institutes by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific,

Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 37: World Current & Future Analysis for Other End-Uses by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 38: World Historic Review for Other End-Uses by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 39: World 15-Year Perspective for Other End-Uses by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



III. MARKET ANALYSIS



UNITED STATES

Table 40: USA Current & Future Analysis for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 41: USA Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry Analyzers

by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 42: USA 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 43: USA Current & Future Analysis for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel,

Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 44: USA Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry Analyzers

by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel, Liver

Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through

2019 and % CAGR



Table 45: USA 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid

Profile and Other Tests for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 46: USA Current & Future Analysis for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic

Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and Other

End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 47: USA Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry Analyzers

by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories,

Research Laboratories & Institutes and Other End-Uses Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 48: USA 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories, Research

Laboratories & Institutes and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



CANADA

Table 49: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other

Products - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 50: Canada Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 51: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 52: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel,

Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 53: Canada Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel,

Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 54: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid

Profile and Other Tests for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 55: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics,

Diagnostic Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and

Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 56: Canada Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic

Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 57: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories, Research

Laboratories & Institutes and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



JAPAN

Table 58: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other

Products - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 59: Japan Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 60: Japan 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 61: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel,

Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 62: Japan Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel,

Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 63: Japan 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid

Profile and Other Tests for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 64: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics,

Diagnostic Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and

Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 65: Japan Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic

Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 66: Japan 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories, Research

Laboratories & Institutes and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



CHINA

Table 67: China Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other

Products - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 68: China Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 69: China 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 70: China Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel,

Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 71: China Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel,

Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 72: China 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid

Profile and Other Tests for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 73: China Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics,

Diagnostic Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and

Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 74: China Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic

Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 75: China 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories, Research

Laboratories & Institutes and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



EUROPE

Table 76: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Geographic Region - France, Germany,

Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 77: Europe Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK,

Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 78: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Sales for France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of

Europe Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 79: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other

Products - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 80: Europe Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 81: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 82: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel,

Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 83: Europe Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel,

Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 84: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid

Profile and Other Tests for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 85: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics,

Diagnostic Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and

Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 86: Europe Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic

Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 87: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories, Research

Laboratories & Institutes and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



FRANCE

Table 88: France Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other

Products - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 89: France Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 90: France 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Product - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Reagents, Analyzers and Other Products for the Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 91: France Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel,

Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 92: France Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel,

Liver Panel, Lipid Profile and Other Tests Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 93: France 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by Test - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Basic Metabolic Panel, Electrolyte Panel, Liver Panel, Lipid

Profile and Other Tests for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 94: France Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics,

Diagnostic Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and

Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 95: France Historic Review for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic

Laboratories, Research Laboratories & Institutes and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 96: France 15-Year Perspective for Clinical Chemistry

Analyzers by End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Hospitals & Clinics, Diagnostic Laboratories, Research

Laboratories & Institutes and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



GERMANY

Table 97: Germany Current & Future Analysis for Clinical

Chemistry Analyzers by Product - Reagents, Analyzers and Other

Products - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR





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__________________________
New York, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Electronic Security Systems (ESS) Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05151457/?utm_source=GNW

Growth in the ESS market will be driven by the critical need to safeguard people, resources, and infrastructure amid escalating security concerns, and the convergence of IT and mobile technology with security systems. Propelled by ever-increasing security concerns, demand for electronic security systems (ESS) such as alarms, electronic access controls systems (EACS) and CCTV and video surveillance systems, among others, is witnessing significant increase. Due to their capabilities of offering affordable, easy to install and convenient solutions, the new-age electronic security devices are gaining traction among an extensive customer base. Rise in terrorist attacks, vandalism, campus violence, and the resultant need for personal safety, and security at public places such as transits, city centers, educational institutions, as well as borders is driving growth in the ESS market. Other factors responsible for the strong evolution of the market over the years include heightened levels of fear over security among individuals, stringent regulatory mandates, increase in new building constructions, and surging demand for technologically superior yet cost effective products. Rising focus on the development of smart cities in several countries across the world has been another major growth driver for the global market.



Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Electronic Security Systems (ESS) estimated at US$39.3 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$61.3 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.8% over the analysis period. CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 8.4% CAGR to reach US$28.9 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Alarms segment is readjusted to a revised 7.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 32.1% share of the global Electronic Security Systems (ESS) market. Video surveillance market globally is heading for impressive gains on account of extensive adoption of the technology in increasing number of applications across numerous verticals along with technological advances and rising concerns regarding cyber and physical security. Rise in terrorist attacks, vandalism, campus violence, and the resulting need for personal safety, and security at public places such as transits, city centers, educational institutions, as well as borders have been especially driving the CCTV and video surveillance market over the years. Alarms include all types of sensors and detectors utilized to effectively warn against the unauthorized intrusions. These systems typically include associated control panels and other related devices.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $10.6 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $9.3 Billion by 2026



The Electronic Security Systems (ESS) market in the U.S. is estimated at US$10.6 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 25.97% share in the global market. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$9.3 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 9.3% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 6.5% and 6.8% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 7.4% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$10.3 Billion by the end of the analysis period.



Electronic Access Control Systems Segment to Reach $9 Billion by 2026



Electronic Access Control Solutions, which relate to the use of technology for ensuring safety and security by tracking and preventing unauthorized access to restricted premises have been gaining significant attention in recent years. Electronic access control systems offer solutions to problems such as workplace violence, terrorism and fraud. In the global Electronic Access Control Systems segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 8.8% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$4 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$7.3 Billion by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$1.2 Billion by the year 2026, while Latin America will expand at a 10.1% CAGR through the analysis period.





Select Competitors (Total 634 Featured)



ADT LLC

Allegion plc

ISONAS

ASSA ABLOY AB

HID Global

Axis Communications AB

BIO-key, International, Inc.

Bosch Security Systems

Brinks Home Security

Chamberlain Group, Inc.

CP PLUS GmbH & Co. KG

Dahua Technology Co., Ltd.

DoorKing, Inc.

dormakaba Holding AG

Fermax Electronica S.A.U.







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05151457/?utm_source=GNW



I. METHODOLOGY



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



1. MARKET OVERVIEW

Fighting Back Against Security Threats is an Ever-Present Need

EXHIBIT 1: Terrorism Can be Bad for the Economy: Global

Economic Impact of Terrorism (In US$ Billion) for Years 2009,

2014, 2016, 2019 and 2021

EXHIBIT 2: Despite the Declining Impact of Terrorism on the

Global Economy, Several Countries are Witnessing the Dawn of a

New Era of Conflict and Violence: Number of Terrorism Deaths

by Country for the Year 2020

Transportation Emerges as One of the Most Vulnerable Sectors

for Incursions

Security Threats & Safety Concerns Spiral at Residential Places

EXHIBIT 3: Ever-Present Threat of Burglary & Home Break-Ins

Drives Demand for Home Security Systems: Number of Burglaries

Per 100,000 People by Country for the Year 2021

The Race Between the Virus & Vaccines Intensifies. Amidst this

Chaotic Battle, Where is the World Economy Headed in 2021?

These are Times When Questions Abound & Answers Are Few

So How Fast Or Slow Are We Moving?

EXHIBIT 4: How Fast the World is Vaccinated Will Determine How

Soon the Pandemic Will End: Global Percentage (%) of

Population Administered With Vaccines in Advanced Economies,

Emerging Markets, and Low-Income Countries As of July 2021

EXHIBIT 5: How & When Will the World Be Vaccinated? Global

Number of Annual COVID-19 Vaccine Doses (In Million) for Years

2020 through 2025 by Geographic Region/Country

Split Scenarios Unfold: The Great Vaccine Divide Emerges

EXHIBIT 6: Time is of Essence! What We Know So Far - ?Vaccine

Efficiency Against New Strains is Decreasing?

Progress on Vaccinations, Why Should Businesses Care?

With IMF?s Upward Revision of Global GDP Forecasts for 2021,

Most Companies Are Bullish About an Economic Comeback Despite

a Continuing Pandemic

EXHIBIT 7: A Strong Yet Exceedingly Patchy & Uncertain Recovery

Shaped by New Variants, Comes as a Relief for Suffering

Industries & Markets: World Economic Growth Projections (Real

GDP, Annual % Change) for 2020 through 2022

EXHIBIT 8: Easing Unemployment Levels in 2021 Although Moderate

Will Infuse Hope for Industries Reliant on Consumer

Discretionary Incomes: Global Number of Unemployed People (In

Million) for Years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022

How the Construction Industry, a Key Influencer of

Opportunities in the Electronic Security Systems Market, Was

Impacted by the Pandemic & What?s the New Normal?

EXHIBIT 9: Global Construction Spending (In US$ Trillion) for

the Years 2019, 2020, & 2021

Electronic Security Systems (ESS): Definition, Importance &

Benefits

Here?s What to Expect in the ESS Market in the Short-to-Medium

Term

Recent Market Activity

Innovations

World Brands



2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS



3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Smart City & Smart Home Security and Surveillance Emerge to

Provide New Opportunities for Growth

EXHIBIT 10: Global Smart Cities Opportunity (In US$ Billion)

for Years 2021, 2024, 2027

Rise of Smart Homes & Home Automation to Offer Growth

Opportunities on a Platter

EXHIBIT 11: Smart Homes Emerge as a Disruptive Trend Enhancing

Lives of Homeowners & Also Creating New Market Opportunities

for Smart Security Technologies & Solutions: Global Smart

Homes Market by Category in US$ Billion for the Years 2020

and 2022

Security and Surveillance in Smart Homes: A Review

Automation & Home Security: A Special Focus

Increased Focus on Border Control & Security Opens New Growth

Opportunities for Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems

Criminalization of Migration Drives Growth of PID in the

Perimeter Security Market

EXHIBIT 12: Crackdown on Illegal Immigration Pushes Up the

Demand Momentum for PID Systems in Border Security: Illegal

Immigrants in the United States (In Million) for Years 2000,

2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020

Smart Locks & Video Doorbells Grow in Popularity

Smart Locks Emerge as the Leading Growth Category in the Access

Control Systems Segment

Technology Innovations in the Smart Locks Space: A Review

Video Doorbells Grow in Demand Among Smart Home Owners

Critical Infrastructure Protection, a Major Application Area

for ESS

Strong Demand for Networked IP Surveillance Cameras Emerge as a

Key Trend in the Market

Growing Popularity Wireless Electronic Security Systems to

Boost Market Prospects

Biometrics Based ESS Goes Mainstream

Fingerprint Access Control: A Review

Frictionless Face and Iris Recognition Technologies to Take

Over Fingerprint Biometrics

AI to Revolutionize Electronic Security. Here?s How

Drones Security & Surveillance Rises in Prominence

Integration of Security Systems with Mobile Technology

Blockchain Based Management of Video Surveillance Rises in

Prominence

IoT Reshapes the Future of Video Surveillance

Cyber Security Issues in IP Video Surveillance Storms Into the

Spotlight

Big Data & Edge Analytics for Video Surveillance to

Revolutionize Performance



4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

Table 1: World Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in

US$ Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 2: World Historic Review for Electronic Security Systems

(ESS) by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 3: World 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets for

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 4: World Current & Future Analysis for CCTV & Video

Surveillance Systems by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan,

China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and

Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 5: World Historic Review for CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 6: World 15-Year Perspective for CCTV & Video

Surveillance Systems by Geographic Region - Percentage

Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 7: World Current & Future Analysis for Alarms by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 8: World Historic Review for Alarms by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 9: World 15-Year Perspective for Alarms by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 10: World Current & Future Analysis for Electronic Access

Control Systems by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan,

China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and

Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Million for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 11: World Historic Review for Electronic Access Control

Systems by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 12: World 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Access

Control Systems by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 13: World Current & Future Analysis for Other Segments by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 14: World Historic Review for Other Segments by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 15: World 15-Year Perspective for Other Segments by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



III. MARKET ANALYSIS



UNITED STATES

Table 16: USA Current & Future Analysis for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 17: USA Historic Review for Electronic Security Systems

(ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 18: USA 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



CANADA

Table 19: Canada Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 20: Canada Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 21: Canada 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



JAPAN

Table 22: Japan Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 23: Japan Historic Review for Electronic Security Systems

(ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 24: Japan 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



CHINA

Table 25: China Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 26: China Historic Review for Electronic Security Systems

(ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 27: China 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



EUROPE

Table 28: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - France, Germany,

Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 29: Europe Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy,

UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through

2019 and % CAGR



Table 30: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Sales for France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and

Rest of Europe Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 31: Europe Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 32: Europe Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 33: Europe 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



FRANCE

Table 34: France Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 35: France Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 36: France 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



GERMANY

Table 37: Germany Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 38: Germany Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 39: Germany 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



ITALY

Table 40: Italy Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 41: Italy Historic Review for Electronic Security Systems

(ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 42: Italy 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



UNITED KINGDOM

Table 43: UK Current & Future Analysis for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 44: UK Historic Review for Electronic Security Systems

(ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 45: UK 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



SPAIN

Table 46: Spain Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 47: Spain Historic Review for Electronic Security Systems

(ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 48: Spain 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



RUSSIA

Table 49: Russia Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 50: Russia Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 51: Russia 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



REST OF EUROPE

Table 52: Rest of Europe Current & Future Analysis for

Electronic Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video

Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems

and Other Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in

US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 53: Rest of Europe Historic Review for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 54: Rest of Europe 15-Year Perspective for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Sales for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



ASIA-PACIFIC

Table 55: Asia-Pacific Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - Australia, India,

South Korea and Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2020 through

2027 and % CAGR



Table 56: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - Australia, India, South

Korea and Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 57: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - Percentage

Breakdown of Value Sales for Australia, India, South Korea and

Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 58: Asia-Pacific Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 59: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 60: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Sales for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



AUSTRALIA

Table 61: Australia Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 62: Australia Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 63: Australia 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



INDIA

Table 64: India Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 65: India Historic Review for Electronic Security Systems

(ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 66: India 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



SOUTH KOREA

Table 67: South Korea Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 68: South Korea Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 69: South Korea 15-Year Perspective for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Sales for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



REST OF ASIA-PACIFIC

Table 70: Rest of Asia-Pacific Current & Future Analysis for

Electronic Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video

Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems

and Other Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in

US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 71: Rest of Asia-Pacific Historic Review for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 72: Rest of Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for

Electronic Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage

Breakdown of Value Sales for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



LATIN AMERICA

Table 73: Latin America Current & Future Analysis for

Electronic Security Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region -

Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Rest of Latin America Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 74: Latin America Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - Argentina, Brazil, Mexico

and Rest of Latin America Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Million for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 75: Latin America 15-Year Perspective for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Geographic Region - Percentage

Breakdown of Value Sales for Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Rest

of Latin America Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 76: Latin America Current & Future Analysis for

Electronic Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video

Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems

and Other Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in

US$ Million for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 77: Latin America Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 78: Latin America 15-Year Perspective for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of

Value Sales for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms,

Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



ARGENTINA

Table 79: Argentina Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 80: Argentina Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,

Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other Segments

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 81: Argentina 15-Year Perspective for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales

for CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems, Alarms, Electronic

Access Control Systems and Other Segments for the Years 2012,

2021 & 2027



BRAZIL

Table 82: Brazil Current & Future Analysis for Electronic

Security Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance

Systems, Alarms, Electronic Access Control Systems and Other

Segments - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Million

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 83: Brazil Historic Review for Electronic Security

Systems (ESS) by Segment - CCTV & Video Surveillance Systems,



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__________________________
London, England, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Net Savings Link, Inc. (OTC Pink: NSAV), a cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital asset technology company, today announced that the Company has agreed to acquire a 10% stake in Metaverse Network LLC. (MNC) https://metaversenetwork.llc/ . MNCs main asset is its ownership of leading cryptocurrency exchange, BQEX Ltd. https://bqex.ltd/ . BQEX Exchange has over 4 million registered users. Metaverse Network LLC. will go public in New York in Q1 2022, potentially making NSAVs stake even far more valuable. This acquisition will further expand NSAVs presence in the $500 billion global Metaverse market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFMSb-Dv7T0

Earlier this week, NSAV announced that it will partner with Metaverse Network LLC. to launch a pioneer Non-Fungible Token (NFT). Under the terms of the deal, NSAV will receive 50% of the founders pool of the token, or between 5 to 7.5% of the total NFT tokens. Additional details of this groundbreaking NFT, including the tokenomics, will be released in the next week or so. The booming NFT market surpassed $40 billion in 2021 and management expects the growth to continue in 2022.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/nft-market-surpassed-40-billion-in-2021-new-estimate-shows-1.1703953

W. Y. Cheung, CEO of MNC stated, We are thrilled to work with NSAV management. They are very blockchain savvy and their vision has always enlightened me. We are very impressed with the advanced technical ability of the NSAV team.

Dato Sri Desmond Lim, Interim CEO and Senior Vice President of Cryptocurrency Operations for NSAV and Silverbear Capital partner stated, This is another concrete step to commercialize the metaverse relationship between NSAV and Metaverse network. According to public information, Metaverse has the potential to be a $1 trillion market, which we can harness from and we believe NSAV should also prepare for this era to arrive.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/the-metaverse-is-a-1t-opportunity-after-users-increase-10x-grayscale-report

About MNC:

MNC is a centralized App that transforms diversified users to decentralized universe DApps. It is a playground that supports both creators and users for access, allowing to create a link between the present universe and Metaverse to work together in harmony. As Blockchain environments are dominating the landscape in the next era to come, MNC believes token ecology is essential to access the new era community and to operate in the decentralized economy.

About NSAV:

NSAV's vision is the establishment of a fully integrated technology company, which provides turnkey technological solutions to the cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital asset industries. Over time, the Company plans to provide a wide range of services such as software solutions, e-commerce, financial services, advisory services and information technology.

For further information please contact NSAV at info@nsavholdinginc.com

The NSAV Twitter account can be accessed at https://twitter.com/nsavtech

The NSAV corporate website can be accessed at http://nsavholdinginc.com

The NSAV Premium OTC Crypto Trading Desk website can be accessed at https://nsavholdinginc.com/otc-desk/

The NSAV Hong Kong OTC Crypto Trading Desk website can be accessed at https://hkotc.co/

The NSAVDEX 2 Exchange website can be accessed at https://nsavdex.io/

The NSAVDEX Telegram account can be accessed at https://t.me/NSAVDEXorg

Silverbear Capital Inc. https://www.sbcfinancialgroup.com.hk/ , a leading, global investment banking firm, will be advising NSAV on strategic matters related to this transaction.

Silverbear Capital Inc. (SBC) has a dynamic of disciplines on a broad commercial level and practice. SBC has a strong group of Partners in a wide range of disciplines with seasoned experience in finance, management, and professional practice. https://www.sbcfinancialgroup.com.hk/meet-our-team/ .

Disclaimer: Silverbear Capital Inc. does not constitute investment advice, or an offer or solicitation to sell, or a solicitation to buy, or any other investment product (nor shall any such shares or product be offered or sold to any person) in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities law of that jurisdiction.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Net Savings Link, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Net Savings Link, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward- looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Net Savings Link, Inc. or any other person.

Contact

Net Savings Link, Inc.

info@nsavholdinginc.com

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SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CORRECTION: The product launch date was updated to January 2022.

GIMME Beauty, the social media viral sensation delivering innovative hair care for the beauty industry, has announced the launch of its line of new cordless hot tools, featuring technology designed for all hair types. The company's Freedom Styling Iron was successfully launched last year, and the latest additions to the product line include its Freedom Curling Wand and Curling Iron, which will launch in January 2022.

GIMME Beauty's cordless hot tools offer a variety of benefits, including the shortest charge time and longest time between charges on the market. With pass-through charging technology, if there's a need to power up when batteries deplete, especially in the middle of a styling session, users have the option to plug in and continue styling  a significant differentiator in the market where other products will require downtime to recharge.

The products were named "Freedom" stylers because they empower people who need to style their hair on the go, whether they're traveling, camping or just want to do a touch-up when they're at work. It's about the freedom of not being bound by a cord or a charge. And, with the best-rated battery life, these hot tools offer the ability to style anywhere, anytime.

GIMME Beauty is focused on innovating in this space because it recognized an opportunity where current hot tools and hair care design is not meeting people's needs. "Your tools should work with your fast-paced lifestyle and provide you the freedom to function  even outside your bathroom mirror," said Jeff Durham, President and CEO of GIMME Beauty. "Our Freedom styling tools offer complete cordless flexibility and are sized just right to fit in a purse for the days we don't stop moving."

GIMME Beauty plans to innovate in the hair care space for years to come. In fact, the company just launched its dry shampoo line in September 2021. GIMME Beauty's goal is to work to eradicate bad hair days and disrupt and enhance beauty routines, lifestyles or health and wellness.

About GIMME Beauty

GIMME Beauty's vision is to design innovative hair solutions that disrupt the status quo of the health and beauty hair care category. The company's products rank among the industry's fastest-growth items, according to Nielsen Market Data. Since it launched in 2006, GIMME has become a national brand available at more than 20,000 stores across the United States. Follow GIMME Beauty on Instagram or Facebook to learn about its latest collections.

To learn more about GIMME Beauty, visit www.gimmebeauty.com.

To apply to join GIMME Beauty's community of affiliates and business partners, visit https://gimmebeauty.com/pages/community.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tiffany Kayar

tiffanyPR@newswiremail.io

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Does anyone eat Spam anymore?

How about little chunks of fried hot dogs cut up and stirred into a pot of canned baked beans?

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I dont. But I did.

Don Cunningham, President and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Development Corp. (Contributed Photo / HANDOUT)

Growing up, they were featured dinner entrees in my dads weekly meal rotation based solely on sustaining life.

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The rotation also included frozen chicken croquettes paired with mashed potatoes made from powdered flakes, Hamburger Helper with either ground beef or canned tuna, and fish sticks, lots of them, a staple on Fridays during Lent.

The gourmet entree was the Salisbury Steak TV Dinners that came in the partitioned aluminum containers complete with brown gravy, a vegetable, some whipped potatoes, and a little cobbler dessert.

Yes, my dad loved us. He still does.

But he was a single parent. Our mom had died by 33. He was a Bethlehem steelworker who after high school, got married and had his first child at 19 and his second at 21.

He did the absolute best he could with the money and culinary skills he had. And he kept us alive.

We werent poor.

We had what everyone else in the neighborhood had: Enough to get by.

Most importantly, we were happy, loved and cared for.

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My sister and I both started jobs in the seventh grade and worked throughout junior high and high school. We learned the value of money, how to save it and that we needed to work for it to buy what we wanted.

We dare not complain about our lot in life or the meal on the table. If so, we were reminded that many had it much worse and to be happy with what we had.

I hated green beans from a can; still do. My dad would heat them slightly, no butter or salt and put the pot on the table. We were required to take our fair share and eat all on our plates. They were vile.

My regular complaints were answered with a stern reminder of the starving kids elsewhere in the world that would love to have my green beans.

I didnt understand why we couldnt send the starving kids my green beans.

Reflecting back, his message was a good one. It was biblical.

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Be happy with what you have. Dont focus on what you dont have.

I suspect many working-class families of that era and earlier ones had very similar life experiences and cuisine. And learned those same lessons.

If you dont love the meal in front of you, be glad that youre not going hungry. That appears to be a lesson lost or forgotten in todays America. Maybe its a result of having too much for too long.

The fortunate man is seldom satisfied with the fact of being fortunate, the sociologist Max Weber wrote.

The pandemic has been a challenge.

Not only has it killed 840,000 Americans, but it has upended economic supply lines, led to employee staffing issues, and required rules and restrictions on social interaction like masks and social distancing to keep people safe.

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Its this eras crisis, our equivalent of an economic depression, world war or a prolonged natural disaster like a drought or famine that causes population migration.

Most Americans under the age of 85 havent lived through a real crisis. As a whole, weve not met the challenge well.

Theres no risk of any of todays generations supplanting the vaunted status of The Greatest Generation that weathered the depression, won the Second World War, and found a way to sacrifice for the greater good all while maintaining civility.

In crisis, we learn the good and bad in people.

Instead of being grateful for the modern marvel of air travel, unruly passengers delay flights, threaten staff and shout in outrage for needing to wear a mask.

Instead of being grateful for restaurants serving quality food that someone else cooks, customers yell at servers for delays and complain to managers who are struggling to find workers to serve rude people.

Instead of being grateful for the conveniently located grocery stores and drug stores carrying aisles worth of products in every variety and size that previous generations could only dream of, shoppers yell in outrage at whats not there.

Good manners and civility hold a society together. They emanate from being grateful for what you have and understanding the challenges of other people.

Theres nothing wrong with wanting things to be better.

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The desire to improve is the key to innovation, progress, and advancement.

Business Buzz Daily The daily update for the Lehigh Valley business person. >

Theres no excuse for being rude.

The only way to end a crisis and improve a society is through some level of common goal and shared burden. And the patience to understand that sometimes it takes a minute.

America is losing its optimism. Anger is replacing Ronald Reagans sunny belief that every dawn is a new day, that it can be Morning in America.

Were robbing todays young people of that wonderful feeling in youth that all is possible, and that tomorrow will be brighter. Social media, partisan news outlets and demagogue politicians want us to see enemies next door where there arent any. Not every issue needs a political solution, a comment, or a tweet.

Turn it all off. Remember to eat your green beans. Be glad that you have them.

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If were not grateful for what we have, someday we may wake up and it all will be gone.

Don Cunningham is the president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.
Tinton Falls, NJ, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Insurance Associates LLC (WIA), a Top 100 Insurance Brokerage, announced today that it acquired a team of five Rhode Island based brokers, led by David White on December 31, 2021. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

David White, along with Rod Brusini, Jerry Mack, David Francis and Bill Hunt, have been active in the Southern New England insurance marketplace for more than 25 years.

Our highly talented team is among the strongest in the area", says David White. Our focus is to help protect the reputation, personal income, and general business operations of each client. We look forward to being part of the World organization.

We are happy to welcome David White and his team to the World family, says Rich Eknoian, CEO and Co-Founder of WIA. David's team and support staff have a wealth of experience in the community and are committed to offering insurance solutions that meet their clients needs.

Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla provided legal counsel to WIA on the transaction and Mystic Capital Advisors Group, LLC advised them. Satin & Lee provided legal counsel to David White and his team, and Sica Fletcher advised them. No other advisors, diligence firms or legal counsel were disclosed.

About World Insurance Associates LLC

World Insurance Associates LLC (World) is headquartered in Tinton Falls, N.J., and is a full-service insurance organization providing individuals and businesses with top products and services across personal and commercial insurance lines, employee benefits, retirement and financial services and human capital management solutions. Since its founding in 2012, World has completed 140 acquisitions and serves its customers from more than 160 offices in the U.S. World is ranked #2 on Business Insurances Fastest Growing Brokers list, #53 on Business Insurances 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business list, #31 on Insurance Journals Top 100 Independent P&C Agencies list, and #38 on Insurance Journals Top 50 Personal Lines Agencies list. For more information, please visit www.worldinsurance.com.
GUELPH, Ontario, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Humanitarian organization Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) supports many rural communities in remote Papua New Guinea.



In late 2021, there were many happy faces when Alberta native, MAF pilot Ryan Cole, did a test landing at the Mui airstrip in Papua New Guinea. Due to the serious repairs needed, it had been almost 25 years since the airstrip has been used. The surrounding communities combined efforts on this immense undertaking, working to restore it and get it up to standards. It is now officially open and will once again serve as a lifeline to the 14 surrounding villages, and the 10,000 people living there.

Airstrips in remote locations like Mui provide access to medical evacuations for sick or injured people who may otherwise not survive their injury or illness. MAF aircraft, with the help of pilots like Ryan, also deliver vaccinations, building materials, educational supports, medical staff and so much more.

It is special to land in a place where MAF has not been in such a long time. People are extremely grateful, and our staff enjoy taking extra time to interact. In the past few years, there has been so much that has separated us, pushing those living in isolation further away from help. This airstrip, and MAFs flights, are just one way we hope to bring connection back into the world.

Mission Aviation Fellowship has been serving in Papua New Guinea since 1951. With dense jungle, mountainous highlands, and hazardous roads, the need for aircraft as a means for transportation in Papua New Guinea is great. Isolated communities rely on MAF to fly in medical staff, teachers, humanitarian aid, as well as materials to build and equip schools and hospitals.

Canadian pilot Ryan Cole has served with MAF since 2008. He has lived in Papua New Guinea with his wife Siobhan since 2016.

For more than 75 years, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has been bringing help, hope and healing through aviation to some of the most isolated places on earth. Today, we partner with over 1,500 organizations to deliver support, hope, healing, spiritual care, and community development to thousands of communities where flying is not a luxury but a lifeline.

CONTACT: Brad Bell, CEO

MAFC.org | 1-877-351-9344 | bbell@mafc.org

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/57c5ee9a-dba4-4927-ad52-138485ed8a57

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/07460be7-39b5-40c6-a973-7ad317fe3b79
Toronto, ON, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) is excited to announce, twin sisters Dakota and Jesse Brant from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory as dual recipients of the 2022 Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award.

The twin sisters and Mohawk turtle clan women are co-founders of Sapling & Flint; a jewellery manufacturer specializing in gold and sterling silver. Jesse is a goldsmith, wampum cutter and member of the Canadian Jewellers Association. Dakota is a regalia maker and visual artist with a background in small business management. Together their talents are the perfect combination and recipe for success.

By using ecommerce to create arts-based jobs for themselves and their community, they have helped raise the profile of national Indigenous art. Sapling & Flint was founded in 2017 to create conversation pieces that share the story of Turtle Island.

For the first time in CCAB history, the Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award is shared among twin sisters with an extraordinary story as co-founding entrepreneurs with complementary talents, said President and CEO, Tabatha Bull. We couldnt be happier to present this award to these two deserving and impressive Indigenous women who are setting an example for young enterprising hopefuls.

The Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur award recognizes the hard work of Indigenous business leaders under the age of 35 and honours impressive young entrepreneurs who are driving the Indigenous economy forward. This CCAB award comes with a 10K prize to benefit the business.

This is not the first time the Brant sisters have been acknowledged for their dedication and hard work. Previously, they have received the CHCH TV Business Excellence Award (2018). Also in 2018, they took the top prize at PowWow Pitch and in 2019, selected from over 5000 entries, they received Paypal Canadas Small Business makeover contest. In 2020, they were recognized for lobbying for equitable access to internet and opportunity in Indigenous communities and were bestowed with the Athlohsa Peace Award.

Their story has appeared in national media including Macleans magazine, the Globe & Mail, TrailBlazer magazine, the Toronto Star and more.

Jesse & I went into business with three goals, said Dakota Brant. First would be to use e-commerce and wholesale to create jobs in our home village of Ohswe:ken. Second was to raise the profile of authentic Indigenous art and lastly, to bring our products nationwide. We are so honoured CCAB recognizes us with this national award and that the jury has seen our passion, drive, and want to share in our vision by recognizing us with this award. Nya:wen from the bottom of our hearts.

Sapling & Flint continues to grow, creating job opportunities that are revitalizing traditional silversmithing in Ohswe:ken (Six Nations of the Grand River Territory), bringing quality products to the Canadian market and positioning Dakota and Jesse Brant as successful Indigenous women entrepreneurs in the Canadian jewellery industry.

ESS is proud to sponsor the Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award; I congratulate Dakota and Jesse Brant for raising the profile of authentic Indigenous art, fashion & design, said Sanjay Gomes, president, ESS Support Services Worldwide. Their hard work and dedication are an inspiration for other Indigenous women. The future looks bright for Sapling & Flint.

The Young Aboriginal Entrepreneur Award will be presented during CCABs Central Canada Business Forum on February 24, 2022.

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TALLINN, Estonia, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The primary goal of the JumpTask application is to revolutionize the gig economy by lowering the entry bar, enabling more people worldwide to benefit from passive income opportunities, and providing businesses with an opportunity to outsource their microtasks to a global workforce instead of overloading their workers or hiring new teams on a temporary basis. It is also aiming to introduce more people to the world of cryptocurrencies, as all the transactions on the platform are made using its own coin called JumpToken (JMPT).

The platform's first official partner, Honeygain, is a world-leading crowdsourced web intelligence network that provides its users around the globe with an opportunity to earn money passively. Due to its multi-million user base and strong social media presence, Honeygain provides JumpTask with access to a massive global audience - which has already proven to be an incredible turnover potential booster, as more than 15,000 Honeygain users joined the new JumpTask mode in its first 24 hours.

Honeygain has always prided itself on allowing its users to earn effortlessly by simply leaving the application running on their devices and sharing their extra bandwidth. This aligned perfectly with JumpTask's aim to offer remote earning opportunities that require little to no skill or experience and minimal time commitments. "Honeygain seemed like a natural fit for JumpTask since the team already has years of experience in crowdsourcing on a global level - moreover, it was already catering for those interested in cryptocurrencies by offering payments in Bitcoin," JumpTask's CEO and co-founder Juozapas M. Preiksa explains.

The JumpTask application is set to launch in the nearest months, but Honeygain users can already have their first taste by either choosing JMPT as a payout option or switching to a new JumpTask mode in their Honeygain web dashboard. Partnering up with JumpTask and adding JMPT as a new payout option will allow Honeygain to not only offer instant payouts with no must-reach thresholds to its users but also minimize transaction costs as much as possible.



About JumpTask

JumpTask is a gig economy-based marketplace that allows companies and organizations to make the most out of the collective skills possessed by a globally dispersed workforce. It is expected to attract up to 50 million new users in the next two years. JumpTask also aims to help gig workers discover and explore the crypto world by using its own cryptocurrency (JumpToken, or JMPT) for all platform-related payments. In the next two years, JumpTask is expected to grow its user base to 50 million active users and offer over a dozen microtask types that require little to no skills or experience to complete.

Contacts

Visit: www.jumptask.io

Press contact: press@jumptask.io

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NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Volkswagen AG (Volkswagen or the Company) (OTCMKTS: VWAGY) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, and docketed under 22-cv-00045, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Volkswagen American depositary receipts (ADRs) between March 29, 2021 and March 30, 2021, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violation of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.



If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired ADRs of Volkswagen during the Class Period, you have until March 15, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

Volkswagen AG (known internationally as the Volkswagen Group) is one of the worlds leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. The Group comprises twelve brands from seven European countries: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi, SEAT, SKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Scania, and MAN. Each brand has its own character and operates as an independent entity on the market. The product spectrum ranges from motorcycles to small cars and luxury vehicles. Defendant Volkswagen AG operates 118 production plants in 20 European countries and 10 countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Volkswagen AG sells its vehicles in 153 countries.

Volkswagen AG is a German corporation with its principal executive offices in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. Volkswagens ADRs trade over-the-counter under the ticker symbol VWAGY. Defendant Volkswagen AG is the parent corporation and sole owner of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. Volkswagen AG directly controls and directs the actions of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., which acts as its agent in the United States.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG. It operates a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee and houses the U.S. operations of Volkswagens brands including Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, and Lamborghini. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the company has approximately 8,000 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through a 1,000-strong dealer network.

On March 29, 2021, Volkswagen published a draft of a press release on its website for a short time with the incorrect date of April 29, announcing its purported name change from Volkswagen to Voltswagen.

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding Volkswagens business and operations. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the name Voltswagen was never going to be used by the Companys U.S. subsidiary; (ii) the Company and its spokespeople purposefully misled reporters, even after the reporters inquiries about whether the name change was an April Fools joke; and (iii) as a result, Defendants public statements and statements to journalists were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times.

On Tuesday, March 30, 2021, still two days before April Fools Day on April 1, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that a spokesman for the Company in Wolfsburg, Germany stated that [t]he whole thing was just a marketing action to get people talking about the ID.4. The WSJ also quoted a Companys official back in Germany: [t]here will be no name change.

On March 31, 2021, Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted Volkswagen AGs spokesman, Deputy Head of Corporate Communication, Christoph Ludewig: Volkswagen of America developed . . . a national US marketing campaign, with a wink, to draw attention to Volkswagens e-offensive. From the start, the goal was to generate attention for an important corporate and industry topic in the USA. The large amount of positive feedback on social media shows we achieved this goal. At the same time, we regret if in the eyes of some, we overshot the mark of the campaign. AFP also reported that [r]eporters reacted angrily to the stunt, with some pointing out that it was tone-deaf coming from a company still recovering from the 2015 dieselgate scandal, when Volkswagen was forced to admit it had for years used cheating software in cars to dupe emissions tests. Phil Chetwynd, Global News Director of AFP, wrote to the Company to protest against the deception, stating: We understand when a spokesperson is not in a position to confirm or comment on a piece of information. But we never expect them to make false statements. We strongly think serious journalists and news outlets should not be used by companies like Volkswagen for marketing and advertising purposes. For us it is a very grave breach of trust which must not be repeated.

The price of Volkswagen ADRs plummeted on this news, falling 3.84%, or $1.45 per share, to close at $36.3 per share on March 31, 2021 (from a closing price of $37.75 per share on March 30, 2021), damaging investors.

On April 1, 2021, Forbes published an article, entitled Volkswagens April Fools Stunt Misses the Markand an Opportunity to Earn Back Trust, which similarly criticized Volkswagen AGs purported name change.

The price of Volkswagen ADRs continued to fall as the market continued to process the news about the purported name change. The Companys ADR price fell 1.98%, or $0.72 per share, to close at $35.58 per share on April 1, 2021 (from a closing price of $36.3 per share on March 31, 2021), damaging investors.

In total, Volkswagens ADR price fell by $2.17 per share, or 5.75%, over the course of two trading days from March 31, 2021 through April 1, 2021, damaging investors.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .
Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (via Blockchain Wire) The newly-launched cryptocurrency celebrated what they call a 'meteoric' launch while sharing details on what's to come with their followers. Had you invested o$1,000 in MetaGold on its launch 15 days ago, it would now be worth over, $133,000.

MetaGold Rewards is a new crypto currency that pays its holders daily dividends in USDT just for owning it. The coin is the highest paying rewards token, earning holders up to 15% per month in dividends alone. The daily rewards are made possible because of the taxes paid every time someone buys and sells the coin, which are then distributed to all the holders.

After having several negative experiences investing online, the founding team at MetaGold wanted to create a better kind of crypto currency. They set out to make a rewards coin with a long-term strategy where people could feel safe to invest their money and know they would receive a robust return.

Within one day of being listed on Coin Market Cap (CMC), the largest crypto currency exchange, MetaGold climbed to the #11th spot on CMCs Top Gainers List.

Of MetaGolds bullish start, Michael Bolduc, CEO, said, We are ecstatic how quickly the market cap and trading volume for the coin increased, but its still early and investors can easily 100x their money as we continue our journey to a $100 Million Market Cap. People are hungry to invest in projects they believe are safe and provide a great return on their investment.

To achieve the successful launch, the international team of 28 people at MetaGold executed the following strategy:

Created a coin that paid the highest dividends in the crypto space.

Launched a marketing strategy built on decades of business experience.

Hired 6 full-time staff to manage customer service and marketing support.

Engage a lively, and positive community on Telegram.

Twice weekly, host live Investor updates to keep the community informed.

For more information about MetaGold you can visit their website or find them on most crypto currency marketplace listings under MetaGold Rewards (METAGOLD).

Website: https://metagoldrewards.com/

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY5p6Viieenxd2z6AUDc-yA

Contact: Michael Bolduc - owner@metagoldrewards.com
CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After an outstanding first year, Alliant, a nationwide digital credit union and one of the largest "challenger banks," announced the extension of The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account in partnership with personal finance expert Suze Orman.

In 2021, new Alliant members who opened up The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account deposited nearly $300 million. This number will grow in 2022 as these new members have made monthly savings part of their healthy financial regimen.

The account is designed to get people into the habit of saving and reward them with a $100 bonus. Once people open their new high-rate savings account and deposit at least $100 a month for 12 consecutive months, Alliant will deposit a $100 bonus if the account has a balance of at least $1,200 at the end of the 12 months.

As the first account holders begin to reach this milestone, Alliant has already paid them half-a-million dollars in bonuses.

"At Alliant, we want to help savvy savers plan for their big financial goals in a rewarding way," Alliant CEO Dennis Devine said.

"I am thrilled to partner with Alliant on this promotion again in 2022," Orman said. "We've proven that people who practice the art of saving stick with it."

In addition to the bonus, The Ultimate Opportunity Savings account holders also get a highly competitive deposit rate, no monthly fee if they sign up for eStatements, and an award-winning account.

"These new members are joining a digital credit union that can maximize their money in ways big banks can't," Devine said. "Our members are our owners and we measure our success by what we give back to them. Because we put our members first, we're one of Business Insider's Best Banks of 2022, CNBC's Best Credit Unions, and Bankrate's Best Banks and Credit Unions for Mobile Banking of 2021."

About Alliant Credit Union

Headquartered in Chicago and founded in 1935, Alliant Credit Union is one of the 10 largest credit unions in the U.S. with more than 620,000 members nationwide and about $15 billion in assets. As a digital credit union, Alliant's mission is to provide members consistently superior financial value while simplifying and enabling how people save, borrow and pay. Find out more at alliantcreditunion.org. Insured by NCUA.

About Suze Orman

Orman is the most recognized personal finance expert in America today. She is a two-time Emmy award winner, author of 10 consecutive NY Times Bestsellers, named twice by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, hosted the Suze Orman Show on CNBC for 13 years, named by Barons as one of the 100 most powerful women in finance and was spoofed on SNL four times. Orman was a waitress making $400 a month until 30 years of age.

Media contact

Katie Pins Levene

PR & Content Specialist, Alliant

MediaInquiry@alliantcreditunion.com

773-580-9507

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interra Copper Corp. (CSE: IMCX) (OTCQB: IMIMF) (FRA: 3MX) (Interra or the Company) announces further Drilling Results from the Gully Area at its 20,600 hectare Thane Property, located on traditional territory of the Takla and Tsay Keh Dene First Nations in North-Central B.C.



Results are from drill holes TH21-7, TH21-8 and TH21-11 which tested the eastern portion of the Gully Zones IP chargeability anomaly along lines 4700N and 4600N respectively as well as the southern end of line 6350E. All three holes intersected indicator low grade copper-gold mineralization. Mineralization styles intersected within the drill holes consists of localized, structurally controlled, quartz-pyrite-chalcopyritearsenopyrite fractures, veins and rare semi-massive mineralization at shallow to moderate depths proximal to diorite-(quartz) monzonite and latite porphyry contacts and south-southwest to south-southeast trending moderate to steeply (40-80) westerly dipping chloritic shears and dilational breccias. Significant mineralized intervals anomalous in some or all of Cu, Au, Ag, Mo include:

TH21-07

24.5 meters of indicator low grade copper-gold intercept from 70.0 m to 94.5 m, with an average grade of 0.13% Cu, 0.03 ppm gold, and 4.1 ppm molybdenum, and a CuEq of 0.15% CuEq.

TH21-08

TH21-8 contains two indicator style low grade copper-gold intercepts, 19.4 meters of 0.05% CuEq and 34.5m of 0.04% CuEq,

TH21-011

a low grade indicator style copper gold intercept, a 10.5m composite interval from 82.5 m to 93.0 m, grading 0.14% Cu, 0.07 ppm gold, 0.7 ppm silver and 5.5 ppm molybdenum.

See Table 1 for the chart format of these intercepts and CuEq calculation, and Figure 6 for Drill hole cross sections.

Table 1  Chart of Composite intervals and Copper Equivalent Calculations.

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1 True widths of the reported mineralized intervals have not been determined.

2 Assumptions used in USD for the copper equivalent calculation were metal prices of $3.25/lb. Copper, $1,650/oz Gold, $20/oz Silver, and USD $40/ lb Molybdenum; Recovery is assumed to be 100% / even par given no current metallurgical testing at Thane to date. The following equation was used to calculate copper equivalence: CuEq = Copper (%) + (Gold (g/t) x 0.74) + (Silver (g/t) x 0.0090) + (Molybdenum (ppm) x 0.0006)

Drilling at the Gully Zone tested the depth potential of the following surface results:

a 200 square meter IP chargeability high (up to 31 mV/V with a background of 10 ) within a highly K-spar and silica altered and resistive diorite to (quartz) monzonite and (quartz) syenite hosts;

mV/V with a background of ) within a highly K-spar and silica altered and resistive diorite to (quartz) monzonite and (quartz) syenite hosts; copper-gold outcrop mineralization of up to 3.13% Cu and 0.18 g/t Au within magnetic high and lows; and

soil samples up to 1865 ppm Cu, 0.173 ppm Au, 0.8 ppm Ag and 29.2 ppm Mo.



A plan map and cross section of these holes with drill results are included below. See figure 4 for plan view of relevant drill holes, and figures 5 and 6 for section view of the drill holes illustrating the mineralized intercepts.

Interras goals at the Gully Zone in 2021 included;

confirming and expanding copper and gold mineralization at depth from previous surface exploration programs;

testing near surface chargeability and coincident resistivity highs targeted areas observed in the 2019 and 2020 IP programs and

drilling angled holes across interpreted porphyry related alteration and associated mineralization and structural zones.



Interras results to date have confirmed;

porphyry related K-spar and lessor albite alteration and structurally controlled quartz-sulphide vein style mineralization observed at depth at Gully zone;

late phase tourmaline-quartz-pyrite veining (Figure 1, Table 2) and associated sericitic alteration potentially related to an overprinting upper alkalic-cap;

Copper-gold mineralization is coincident with near surface high chargeability and K-spar-quartzalbite altered highly resistive areas observed in the 2019 and 2020 IP programs;

sulphides of pyrite, chalcopyrite and localized molybdenite, arsenopyrite and bornite occur as quartz-sulphide veins and fractures (Figure 2, Table 2) and disseminations (Figure 3, Table 2), proximal to intrusive contacts, shear structures and within localized magnetite veins and breccias;

copper and gold mineralization at depth is at reduced grades to samples collected from the surface, which may be due to secondary supergene enrichment of the surface samples;

both sulphides and magnetite are noted to occur within areas of high chargeability

mineralization and associated alteration within the reported intervals above are hosted within the Thane Creek diorite (207 and 194Ma), Duckling Creek (quartz) monzonite to (quartz) syenite (182 and 175Ma) and latite porphyry (162.22.6Ma) intrusive phases of the Hogem Batholith (Table 2);

A Re-Os date of (202.8 +/-0.8Ma) from molybdenite within a quartz vein taken on a Gail rock sample is within the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic porphyry Cu-Au (-Mo) age of mineralization cluster of 215-205Ma observed within porphyries located throughout British Columbia (Table 2) and

at least one phase of mineralization within the Cathedral and Gully zones may be related to a later intrusive phase within the batholith (Table 2).

Figure 1: Tourmaline+quartz vein cut by pyritechalcopyrite and later calcite fractures within TH21-7 @ 69.50m.

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Figure 2: Blebby pyrite+chalcopyrite within quartz brecciated magnetite vein containing late coarse calcite proximal to increased mineralization within TH21-7 @72.50m. Sample# 42580 containing 3.42% Cu, 0.75g/t Au, 7.03g/t Ag and 1.13ppm Mo over 0.50m.

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Figure 3: Quartz-arsenopyrite-pyrite-chalcopyrite vein with sericite altered margins cutting monzonite within TH21-11 @83.00m. Sample# 41958 containing 0.19% Cu, 0.20g/t Au, 0.92g/t Ag and 13.70ppm Mo over 0.50m.

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Figure 4: Cathedral and Gully Zone Drill Hole Plan Map.

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Table 2: Summary of Intrusive Phases, Age, Observed Alteration and Mineralization within Hogem Batholith at the Cathedral and Gully Zones.

Suite Rock Type Age (Ma) Features Alteration Veining Mineralization Porphyry Sheets Latite Porphyry 162.2 2.61 Porphyritic, 20-40% plag,10-15% hrnblnd-biotite w/n a K-feldspar rich groundmass Weak localized potassic, Epidote and silicification Qtz-Epi-Cal sulphides; localized Mt-Act? and Epi-Prehnite local disseminated as mafic replacement Associated with Qtz-Epi-Cal  sulphides Duckling Creek (Quartz) Syenite 174.70.7 to 178.91.31 Fine grained to Pegmatitic, K-feldspar rich Weak localized potassic, Epidote and silicification Qtz-Epi-Cal sulphides; Local disseminated Associated with Qtz-Epi-Cal  sulphides Duckling Creek (Quartz) Monzonite and Monzonite Porphyry 179.72.5 and 178.80.22 Equigranular, Fine to medium grained, K-feldspar rich Pyx-Hrnblnd-biotite

bearing; Porphyritic varieties contain large orthoclase Phenos.



Weak- extensively

Potassic-propylitic altered; possible Lithocap alteration related to tourmaline sericite+pyrite Qtz-Epi-Cal sulphides; magnetite veins and breccias; ActQtz Disseminated, mafic and magnetite replacement Associated with Qtz-Epi-Cal  sulphides Thane Creek (Quartz) Monzodiorite 1941.11 Equigranular, Medium to Coarse grained, Pyx-Hrnblnd-plag

bearing;











Weak- extensively

Potassic-Sodic altered; possible Lithocap alteration related to tourmaline-sericite+pyrite







Qtz-Epi-Cal sulphides; magnetite veins and breccias; ActQtz and Qtzchl sulphides3







Disseminated, mafic and magnetite replacement Associated with Qtz-Epi-Cal  sulphides







Gail Zone Quartzsulphide Vein 202.80.83 Thane Creek Diorite 206.60.91

1. LA-ICPMS(Zircon) - Jones, G., Ootes, L., Milidragovic, D., Friedman, R., Camacho, A., Luo, Y., Vezinet, A., Pearson, D.G., and Schiarizza, P., 2021. Geochronology of northern Hogem batholith, Quesnel terrane, north-central British Columbia. In: Geological Fieldwork 2020, British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, British Columbia Geological Survey Paper 2021-01, pp. 37-56.

2. CA-TIMS(Zircon) - Devine, F.A.M., Chamberlain, C.M., Davies, A.G.S., Friedman, R., and Baxter, P., 2014. Geology and district-scale setting of tilted alkalic porphyry Cu-Au mineralization at the Lorraine deposit, British Columbia. Economic Geology, 109, 939-977.

3. ALS - Earth and Atmospheric Services Department of the University of Alberta, Re-Os isotopic and age data for molybdenite within a quartz-sulphide vein from outcrop sample #3288 within the Gail Zone at Interra Coppers Thane Project in north-central British Columbia.

Figure 5  TH21-7 and TH21-8 Drill hole Cross Sections

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Figure 6  TH21-11 Drill hole Cross Section

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Additional soil sampling results have been received with results to be compiled and news released in the coming weeks.

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release was reviewed, verified and approved by Christopher O. Naas, P. Geo., COO of Interra Copper Corp, who is a Qualified Person as defined in N.I. 43-101 regulations.

ON BEHALF OF INTERRA COPPER CORP.

Jason Nickel, P.Eng.

Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: +1-604-754-7986

Email: CEO@interracopper.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS:



Email: invest@interracopper.com

Telephone: +1-604-588-2110

Website: https://interracopper.com

ABOUT INTERRA COPPER CORP.

Interra is a junior exploration and development company focused on creating shareholder value through the advancements of its current assets that include the Thane Property in north-central British Columbia. Utilizing its heavily experienced management team, Interra continues to source and evaluate assets to further generate shareholder value.

The Thane Property covers approximately 206 km2 (50,904 acres) and is located in the Quesnel Terrane geological belt of north-central British Columbia, midway between the previously-operated open pit Kemess Mine and the current open pit Mount Milligan mine, both two copper-gold porphyry deposits. The Thane Property includes several highly prospective mineralized areas identified to date, including the Cathedral Area on which the Companys exploration is currently focused.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to further exploration on the Companys Thane Property, the submission of core samples and receipt of assays thereof. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.
TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United States Congressman Tom O'Halleran (D'1 AZ) visited New Use Energy's (NUE) manufacturing facility today to discuss how government can more positively interact to support startup technology companies and to exchange views on how to make it easier to bring power to Arizonians living far from the electrical grid. Congressman O'Halleran inspected NUE's Sunkit mobile solar generator that is manufactured in Tempe and deployed nationally after disasters and as an affordable solar off-grid solution. Lee Feliciano, COO

of New Use Energy, and Al Maag of the Veterans Medical Leadership Council of Arizona (VMLC) presented VMLC's project that brings solar-powered

refrigeration to disabled diabetic veterans on the Navajo Nation that does not have access to the electrical grid.

Congressman O'Halleran stated, "I am excited the see the future of disaster recovery: the ability to take care of our citizens in tough situations in America and throughout America, identifying how to help our veterans and our families in need on a consistent basis, and also to make sure that we have a thought process moving forward that innovation is part of the foundation of America, that is what has made us strong historically and that's what will continue to make sure strong now and into the future."

Paul Shmotolokha, CEO, said, "Having a visit from Cong. O'Halleran meant a lot to a young company such as New Use Energy. The congressman delved into our portable solar solutions and asked a lot of questions about how it can be used to better the lives of everyday Arizonans. He was particularly interested in our emergency management solutions, our second life solar initiative with Arizona State's Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory, and our lithium battery-based off-grid solutions that are helping veterans on the Navajo Nation."

"Based on his questions and comments, the team felt that Rep O'Halleran has a good grasp of the challenges we face as a small business in the rapidly growing mobile solar space," said Lee Feliciano, COO of NUE." We look forward to working with Rep O'Halleran and his team to help develop policies and initiatives that support innovative solutions by small businesses like ours in the clean energy space."

New Use Energy is fast establishing a track record of leading the alternative power solutions to the use of portable gasoline generator after extreme weather disasters. In 2021, NUE's solutions were deployed after the great Texas Chill, California and Colorado Wildfires, the Pacific Northwest Heat Dome, Hurricane Ida, and the devastating tornadoes in Mayfield, KY. NUE's solar-powered lithium battery solutions range from ultra-portable PowerPacs to the Sunkit solar generator to leading-edge solar trailer designs, as well as innovative lightweight highly portable solar panel solutions. For more information, contact Paul Shmotolokha pshmotolokha@newuseenergy.com.

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Attachment
CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. (TSX: PEY) ("Peyto") confirms that the monthly dividend with respect to January 2022 of $0.05 per common share per month is to be paid on February 15, 2022, for shareholders of record on January 31, 2022. The ex-dividend date for the January dividend is January 28, 2022.



Dividends paid by Peyto to Canadian residents are eligible dividends for Canadian income tax purposes.

Shareholders and interested investors are encouraged to visit the Peyto website at www.peyto.com to learn more about what makes Peyto one of North Americas most exciting energy companies. The website also includes the Presidents monthly report, which discusses various topics chosen by the President and includes estimates of monthly capital expenditures and production. For further information please contact:

Darren Gee

Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (403) 261-6081

Fax: (403) 451-4100

Certain information set forth in this document, including management's assessment of Peyto's future plans and operations, contains forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond these parties' control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. 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. Peyto's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Peyto will derive therefrom. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.
Workers at the ABARTA Coca-Cola delivery facility in Bethlehem are shown picketing early in their six-week strike outside their building on Industrial Drive. The union representing about 75 workers, Teamsters Local 773, said Friday, Jan. 14, that employees overwhelmingly have ratified a new-four year deal. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call)

Workers at ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages in Bethlehem have ratified a new four-year contract, ending a six-week strike, a union leader said Friday.

Dennis Hower, president of Teamsters Local 773 in Whitehall Township, said more than 80% of the approximate 75 workers voted to end the walkout.

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He said the new labor deal includes a 60-cent-per-hour pay raise, maintains the workers pension plan and provides for health coverage, with additional policies for employees who would prefer other insurance options. Workers were upset over the company wanting to switch health care plans and move employees from a pension to a a 401(k) retirement account.

Hower said the health insurance was the issue that put workers over the top in walking out on midnight Dec. 5. He said the company proposed moving workers only to another plan that offered uncertainty over prices for office visits and prescriptions.

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I would say we got what our members proposed right before we went on strike, Hower said. So it is what we were looking for.

Workers could begin returning to their jobs as soon as Sunday, Hower said. The last strike occurred more than 40 years ago and lasted several weeks.

The union represents delivery truck drivers, loaders and other employees at ABARTAs facility in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park I off Schoenersville Road.

Business Buzz Daily The daily update for the Lehigh Valley business person. >

The company issued a brief statement later Friday saying officials were pleased that workers ratified the contract. Early in the strike, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh-based ABARTA said the company was willing to continue negotiations. Union officials also previously said at least three subsequent contract offers were voted down by workers.

The ABARTA plant, which is off Schoenersville Road and near Route 22, used to make soda, but production ended there in 2017. ABARTA Coca-Cola is the exclusive distributor of Coca-Cola beverages in the Lehigh Valley and Warren County, New Jersey. Through other distribution sites, it also delivers soda throughout Pennsylvania and parts of West Virginia and Ohio.

The local Coca-Cola was founded in 1917 on 10th Avenue in Bethlehem as a bottling franchise. By 1941, the company moved to West Broad Street and changed its name to Quaker State Coca-Cola Bottling Co. ABARTA acquired the business in 1963 and in 1981 moved from West Broad Street to Industrial Drive in Bethlehem, in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park I. It has facilities in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

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ABARTA is separate from the Coca-Cola Lehigh Valley Syrup Plant in Upper Macungie Township.

Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com.
Warrenville, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Warrenville, Illinois -

Compass Mortgage has opened a new office in Franklin, Tennessee, which will be the companys largest office outside of its headquarters in Warrenville, Illinois. The new office, which opened December 6th, 2021, has three private offices, two app rooms and twenty workstations, or cubicles for Compass employees to work. The new office is located at 720 Cool Springs Blvd Suite 110, Franklin, TN 37067.

Compass Mortgages motto, as a mortgage processer, is Home to a Better Mortgage Experience, according to their website. As a company, they work to set themselves apart through their corporate culture, their work ethic, and the quality of their end results. They list three core values on their website. The first is Infinite Worth, the belief that all people have value, and every person should be treated with dignity and respect. As a mortgage provider, they practice this by viewing their customers as people they have relationships with and not just transactions. The company also holds to a value of Integrity, claiming they adhere to a strict moral and ethical code that will not be broken in any situation. According to their website, Compass Mortgage offers clients full transparency through communication, as a way of ensuring they will hold to their moral and ethical code. Finally, Compass Mortgages core values include Excellence, or going above and beyond in everything they do. On their website, they quote You are always moving in a direction: you are either getting better or getting worse.

This new office from Compass Mortgage joins a number of other offices in the US Midwest and elsewhere, including offices in Johnston, Iowa; Sister Bay, Wisconsin; and Stuart, Florida. The company also has an office in Chicago, Illinois, about 30 miles to the east of its headquarters in Warrenville, their largest office. They are licensed to conduct financial aid activities in several more US states, meaning home buyers in Arizona, California, Texas and Georgia, among others, can still finance their home with Compass Mortgage. The company provides home mortgages for all kinds of home buying situations, whether home buyers are buying their first home, upsizing or downsizing from a differently sized home, getting financial help to renovate or build a home, or purchasing a second home, such as a vacation home. Investors who want to purchase investment properties can also finance their property purchases with Compass Mortgage.

There is much more information about mortgages and types of home purchases available on Compass Mortgages website. People interested in learning more about mortgages from Compass Mortgage can find these resources on their website or view the company's Facebook page here for even more information and perspectives.

Along with their core values, the team at Compass Mortgages follows Aspirational Values, which they pursue in all their work. The company website represents these values as G.R.A.C.E. G is for Grit, which is what they call sustaining passion and perseverance for long-term goals. R represents responsibility, and A is adaptability, the ability to change as the environment or circumstances change, because change is constant. Finally, the C in G.R.A.C.E. stands for Customer Experience while E represents Effective Communication, which is an important part of a good customer experience. They will bring all of these values to the table when they start work in their brand new office in Franklin, Tennessee. Those interested can visit the company website for more information.

###

For more information about Compass Mortgage, contact the company here:



Compass Mortgage

Blake De Young | VP of Marketing

(630) 836-2512

Blakedeyoung@compmort.com

27755 Diehl Road, Suite 100 Warrenville, IL 60555
Orland Park, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orland Park, Illinois -

Barbee Tax Consulting, LLC is an Orland Park, IL service that has been successfully developing professional tax strategies for business owners as well as individuals for many years now. To better serve existing and prospective clients, this tax preparer Orland Park has just announced that they have moved to a new location. Its offices will now be located at 10705 W 159th St, Orland Park, IL 60467. This location offers more convenience to the companys clients that have tax-related business to conduct with them in person. Its strategically located just off the Grand Army of the Republic Highway (US Route 6) in Orland Park IL. Nearby landmarks include the Arctic Ice Arena and the 108th Ave West location of the Fifth Third Bank. The company owner, Prentice Barbee says, Those at my company and I are always looking for better ways to serve our clients. We feel that this move to our new location in Orland Park, IL will facilitate our ability to expand our services. Its enabled us to now operate out of a bigger and more modern working space. An environment that we know will make those clients that come to see us in person much more comfortable as they interact with us regarding their business and individual tax concerns.

Barbee says that this move will become even more important now that tax preparation season is here because it will make their highly acclaimed CPA in Orland Park services more accessible to a larger number of their Southwest Chicago clients. An important factor to them at Barbee Tax Consulting, LLC because they feel they can better develop customized tax plans for their clients by sitting down with them and doing an in-depth consultation. They will obtain a much clearer picture of each clients financial objectives and tax preparation needs. This helps CPA in Orland Park come up with tax preparation plans that seek to maximize tax savings while at the same time minimizing tax liability. When combined with their advanced electronic tax preparation processes helps their personal accountants and bookkeepers create a win-win scenario for their clients. Exactly what Barbee Tax Consulting, LLC has long been committed to achieving. Thats why the company is so well respected when it comes to risk management, preparing taxes in such a way that their clients get rapid refunds, and promoting tax savings that help individuals and businesses increase their cash flow. The company owner stated that they even offer IRS representation services.

Whether the company has been helping out a business or individuals with their tax strategies, reviews from clients often indicate that they have had a very favorable experience with Barbee Tax Consulting, LLC. Matthew W. stated, I could not be happier with the results of Barbee Tax consulting. I read reviews on the internet and decided to give Prentice a try. He is hands down the best around, you will not be disappointed. His knowledge, customer service and, professionalism were incredible. He takes the time to explain everything and is responsive to any calls or emails. He is very thorough and offers future advice. I couldnt be any more satisfied. I wish all businesses carried themselves like Prentice. Tina B proclaimed, This truly is a five-star (plus) Accountant firm. From the very first consultation, you are in good hands. No matter what your needs are Mr. Barbee has your best interest at heart. Im overjoyed to know that my finances and my business are in good hands.

Barbee also mentioned that one of the more unique aspects of his company is that they are also considered to be one of the top QuickBooks ProAdvisor in Orland Park. Quickbook ProAdvisors is achieved through its personnel taking advanced QuickBooks training courses and then passing the comprehensive tests that covered the material in those courses. He invites those individuals and businesses in the Orland Park, IL area that are looking for some help with their tax preparation to come to visit them at their new location or to call them or send in the contact form thats found on their website.

###

For more information about Barbee Tax Consulting, LLC, contact the company here:



Barbee Tax Consulting, LLC

Prentice Barbee

(708) 405-2112

info@barbeetax.com

10705 W 159th St, Orland Park, IL 60467
Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing for the afternoon. High 59F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low near 45F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
U.S. economic decoupling from China "a tall order,": Foreign Policy magazine

Xinhua) 09:33, January 14, 2022

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Despite bipartisan support, economic decoupling from China "is a tall order" for the United States, which will "be harder to achieve than many in Washington expect," Foreign Policy magazine has reported.

Albeit with softer rhetoric, the incumbent U.S. administration has followed its predecessor's footsteps toward China, holding a belief that the United States must "decouple" from China by reducing its dependence on Chinese products and supply chains for both economic and national security reasons, said Jeffrey Kucik, an associate professor at the University of Arizona, and Rajan Menon, a professor of international relations at the City College of New York, was quoted as saying.

"Critics of economic decoupling, notably the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, warn it will disrupt existing supply chains, exacerbate delays in production, and force companies and consumers to pay more," said the report on Tuesday. "Decoupling efforts have already affected U.S. consumers."

"As a result, Biden is facing urgent calls from U.S. companies to end Trump-era tariffs," it added.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Allentown School District superintendent John Stanford will host a series of fireside chats to gather feedback from the community the district serves, school officials said.

Stanford, who was hired in September as the districts fifth superintendent since 2010, replacing Thomas Parker, has scheduled the first of these chats for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Trexler Middle School, 851 N. 15th St., Allentown.

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Residents, parents, guardians and students will get to meet Stanford, hear his vision for the districts future and share their thoughts, according to a news release. Stanford will also present his phased entry plan process.

Other fireside chats are scheduled for:

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* Jan. 25 at Allentown Public Library, 1210 Hamilton St., Allentown.

* Jan. 26 via Zoom.

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* Feb. 1 in the East Side Youth Center Community Room, 1140 E. Clair St., Allentown.

* Feb. 2 at Fearless Fire Company, 1221 S. Front St., Allentown.

* Feb. 3 - HOPE Community Church, 314 N. 12th St., Allentown.

Those planning to attend can reserve in advance at https://forms.gle/yiJaZCgpwdhT7UzH8.

After these conversations, Stanford plans to provide the school board with a report, establish draft organization priorities for the rest of the school year and outline the foundation for a long-term strategic plan for the district.

Before coming to Allentown, Stanford was a senior chief officer in Columbus City, Ohios largest school district, where he spent 15 years.

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Morning Call reporter Andrew Scott can be reached at 610-820-6508 or ascott@mcall.com.
Virginia Signs Agreement with Denmark to Advance Offshore Wind Industry

Commit to sharing knowledge and best practices

RICHMOND  Governor Ralph Northam has signed an agreement with the Danish Ministry of Climate Energy and Utilities to work together to advance the offshore wind industry. Secretary of Commerce and Trade (SOCT) Brian Ball and Dan Jrgensen, Minister of the Danish agency, virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding Friday morning.

Virginia and Denmark agree to become partners and to share knowledge of challenges, successes, and best practices when it comes to developing offshore wind and its supply chain in each location.

"We have purposely worked to position Virginia as a leader in offshore wind. Off our coast, we have the first turbines in federal waters, and we have two major wind farmers in development. Our Port of Virginia will the launching point for turbine components on the East Coast. We are well positioned to continue growing in this area, said Governor Northam. Denmark has the highest proportion of wind power in the world, and we can learn a great deal from their experience. I thank Denmark for its cooperation and look forward to working together to build this new industry, promote clean energy, and create jobs right here in the Commonwealth."

Virginias ambition and Denmarks experience make a perfect partnership. I am therefore very pleased that Denmark and Virginia now establishes new cooperation on offshore wind. Virginia has made an ambitious decision to build a 2.6 gigawatt offshore wind farm by 2026. I hope that our long regulatory experiences within offshore wind can contribute to a successful undertaking in Virginia. At the same time, Denmark can be inspired by new and innovative approaches. Together, we stand stronger in the green transition, says Dan Jrgensen, Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities.

While the two will work on ways to quickly and efficiently develop an offshore wind industry, they will also consider bigger picture items, such as the strategic role of renewable energy, mitigating climate change, and energy security.

Virginia is all in for offshore wind, and international partners are critical to realizing the Commonwealths immense economic potential in this emerging industry, said Secretary Ball. Denmarks track record on offshore wind is impressive, and this partnership signals to the world and the country that Virginia is ready to lead on clean energy.

We are grateful to Denmark for offering their expertise. With over 6,000 wind turbines in their country, they bring a lot to the table, said Virginia Energy Chief Deputy Jennifer Palestrant. Virginia is all in for offshore wind and our passion for ensuring the success of this industry teamed with their experience in harnessing the wind industry will certainly make an impact on future development.

Virginia is proud to have two great Danish firms, Orsted and Rose Holm Inc., call the Commonwealth home. Rose Holm Inc. built its first manufacturing facility outside of Denmark in Richmond in 2020 to produce industrial fasteners with a focus on offshore wind.

Having built the worlds first offshore wind farm in Denmark and installed Americas first turbines in federal waters, our rsted team is proud the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Kingdom of Denmark have partnered to help advance the U.S. offshore wind industry, said David Hardy, CEO of rsted Offshore North America. Building a sustainable offshore wind energy industry in the U.S. requires both international experience and local expertise. This partnership formally establishes the dialogue to achieve this and will help ensure a strong clean energy future that creates good-paying jobs.

Virginia began its work toward offshore wind development in 2009 and installed the first two turbines in Federal waters in 2020. The Commonwealth is home to the largest naval base in the world and one of the largest ports in the United States. The Port of Virginia is centrally located and will serve as a hub for the United States offshore wind industry.

Virginia will be home to two major offshore wind farms currently under development. The first is the largest offshore wind farm in the United States; the Coastal Virginia Offshore Windfarm. When completed in 2026, it will generate 2.6 gigawatts of power. The second is the Kitty Hawk offshore wind farm being developed by Avangrid Renewables off the coast of North Carolina that will produce 2.5 gigawatts of power.

# # #
A developer is seeking to build a warehouse on the former site of a homeless encampment seen here Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, in the woods along Martin Luther King Boulevard in Allentown. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call)

Plans are moving forward for a 130,000-square-foot warehouse to be built in an area that was once a spot for Allentowns homeless.

Last month, the Allentown Planning Commission approved a warehouse to be built at 402 Basin St., a rugged patch of land that was once home to the city incinerator and had also been a longtime spot for the citys homeless.

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Encampment residents were evicted at the end of 2020 in a city-coordinated effort that helped connect them with local nonprofits working with the homeless. Advocates laud the planned project for bringing jobs and tax revenue back to a long-blighted area. But in a city without a year-round, permanent homeless shelter, some homeless advocates wish more could be done to help Allentowns unhoused population.

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The land

Serfass Construction Co., which is behind the project, plans to develop a portion of the land into a one-story warehouse with more than 140 parking spots, 20 truck loading docks and 13 trailer storage spaces. The company will also landscape the area and build a bridge across the Little Lehigh Creek at the intersection of South Fourth Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard, which would be the primary access point to the site.

[ FROM 2020: Eviction coming to residents of Allentowns Tent City homeless encampment ]

The $20 million construction project would bring 120 permanent jobs and 100 construction jobs to the area, said Kevin Serfass, vice president of Serfass Construction. The company plans to complete construction at the end of this year. Serfass said there are several tenants, mostly manufacturing companies, interested in the site, but as of yet, a deal has not been struck with one.

Renderings of the planned warehouse on Basin Street. (Courtesy of Serfass Construction )

That was a blighted site for a long time. It had its challenges, Serfass said. Its a nice parcel to put back on the city tax roll and overall just a nice win for the city.

Serfass came to a deal of sale with the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority in July 2020. Half of the plot of land patches of land closest to the creek wetlands  is undevelopable, according to ACIDA, because it is in a flood zone and contains existing underground infrastructure and utility easements.

Those 10 undevelopable acres will be returned to Allentown Parks and Recreation to complete the citys planned Auburn Cross Trail System. Those trail connections will also make the site accessible to potential future employees who live within walking distance of the future development.

Its a challenging site that has really good benefits to the potential workforce in Allentown, said Scott Unger, executive director of the Allentown Economic Development Corp. and ACIDA, which owned the property.

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Unger said ACIDA considered several developer proposals over the years, including housing developments, but ACIDAs priority is protecting manufacturing space in the city. He said although the Lehigh Valley region is flush with industrial parks, warehouses and manufacturing facilities, few are within walking distance of Allentown residents who dont have cars, which is what makes this project so beneficial.

Homeless evicted

To get the land ready for development, Allentown had to do more than just sign off on the deal with Serfass.

The city provided a 30-day notice to homeless residents on Sept. 25, 2020, ordering them to vacate the property, known as Tent City. Around 20 residents were living there at the time.

The city coordinated with local nonprofits, such as Pathways Housing Services, the Allentown Rescue Mission and Ripple Community Inc., to help evicted residents connect with housing and other resources.

Though encampment residents knew the day would come, the eviction was hard on them, advocates said.

Despite the complexities of whether or not that was a spot of where they or should not have been, that was home, said Sherri Binder, executive director at Ripple Community Inc.

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[ Eviction coming to residents of Allentowns Tent City homeless encampment ]

According to Ben Stephens, housing and homeless manager at Pathways, the nonprofit was able to connect some of the residents with housing, while others left the property to find a new place to live. Neither the city nor Ripple or Pathwayskept track of where residents went.

A developer is seeking to build a warehouse on the former site of a homeless encampment seen here Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, in the woods along Martin Luther King Boulevard in Allentown. (Rick Kintzel/Morning Call)

Stefanie Appel, community relations coordinator at the Allentown Rescue Mission, said three former encampment residents have been enrolled in its programs. One graduated from the Transformation Program and found a job and stable housing. The other two were in and out of emergency shelter.

City Council member Ce-Ce Gerlach, a liaison to the citys Commission on Homelessness, said she believed some former residents moved on to other homeless encampments.

Allentown has no year-round homeless shelter, though plans are in the works. The Allentown YMCA operates a warming shelter in the colder months, and the Allentown Housing Authority offers several affordable housing options, though access to those options are limited by a waitlist.

Its no easy task to access resources for affordable housing either, as they often have strict requirements that some homeless people cannot meet.

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There are so many barriers that are put up, like needing to have a job, needing to not be on drugs, Gerlach said. Sometimes barriers are created to being housed, and the housing market here is expensive, so its hard to find an apartment people can actually afford.

And some unhoused people simply dont want permanent housing, complicating nonprofits efforts. Stephens said that Pathways offers support to homeless people regardless of whether or not they are seeking a permanent home.

We support everybodys choice, Stephens said. Sometimes they just want to come up here to take a shower and thats OK.

Over a year out from the eviction, its something thats still on the minds of former residents as the site transforms.

It was rough and its something that, for our community members, it still comes up in conversation, she added. [But] people are resilient  our community members have found some other spots that seem to be working out.

Morning Call reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at 610-820-6681 and liweber@mcall.com.

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Correction: This story has been updated to include the full name of the Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority. A previous version omitted a word from its name.
Blue Biofuels, Inc. reports that it has achieved full conversion ( 99% + ) of king grass cellulosic material to water soluble sugars on a repeatable basis. This conversion occurs with a reaction time of less than one minute.

This achievement was accomplished with the companys upgraded 4th generation CTS 2.0 (Cellulose to Sugar) reactor system that has been designed to allow further process optimization as compared to earlier systems. Full conversion is the most efficient use of the feedstock possible and exceeds earlier projections. Management believes that this will lead to lower operating and feedstock costs.

CTS technology is a patented near zero carbon mechanocatalytic process that can convert virtually any plant materialgrasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid wasteinto sugars and lignin without the use of expensive chemicals like liquid acids or bases. Sugars are subsequently processed into biofuels. Lignin may be further converted into biodegradable bioplastics or used in ion exchange resins.

Virtually any biomass can be prepared and mixed with the catalyst and run through the CTS 2.0 Reactor. The cellulose and hemicellulose is broken down and converted to its C 5 and C 6 sugars, leaving a high purity lignin as a byproduct.

The pretreatment of feedstock that is necessary is size reduction, using a shredder and/or hammermill, and then mixing the feedstock with the catalyst.





This result provides the company with a strong basis to upscale to the semi-commercial 5th generation system and later to the full commercial-scale, 6th generation.

Blue Biofuels has initiated the development of the 5th generation CTS reactor based on the design parameters of the successful 4th generation system. The company intends to have the 5th generation operational within the first half of 2022.

Although Blue Biofuels is pleased with these results, they unfortunately took longer than anticipated due to delays encountered in the supply chain. The COVID-19 epidemic and accompanying lockdowns and shutdowns at suppliers and their suppliers caused longer delivery times on the modifications and optimizations of the CTS reactor that were needed on the way to obtaining this result. Going forward, the company intends to further optimize its supply chain to avoid further delays due to COVID as much as possible.

Management believes that biofuel originating from the CTS process will be eligible to receive generous D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (RINs) from the US Government. The D3 RIN is currently approximately $3.4/gallon of ethanol, which could be earned in addition to the market price of ethanol. This incentive is offered to all domestic cellulosic fuel producers whose fuel is used in the transportation industry. The Environmental Protection Agencys newly proposed revised mandate for cellulosic ethanol is 620 million gallons for 2021, and 770 million gallons for 2022.
LanzaJet, a sustainable fuels technology company and renewable fuels producer, has secured financing for its Freedom Pines Fuels plant in Soperton, Georgia (earlier post), through the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund. The Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund has made a $50-million investment to support the construction of LanzaJets (and the worlds) first alcohol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plant.

The innovative structure of Microsofts financing will enable LanzaJet to bring lower-cost sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel to the global market.

LanzaJet produces SAF and renewable diesel from low-carbon, sustainable ethanol sources. LanzaJets proven ATJ process is a continuous catalytic process that converts ethanol to Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK) or Synthetic Paraffinic Diesel (SPD) through four primary process steps that have each been proven at commercial scale: Dehydration, Oligomerization, Hydrogenation and Fractionation.





The ethanol is first dehydrated to ethylene in the Dehydration section. The ethylene is then oligomerized into longer carbon chain olefins in the Oligomerization section, where the process operating conditions can be tuned to produce a high yield of either jet or diesel. The Hydrogenation section saturates any olefins to paraffins and iso-paraffins. Finally, the product is fractionated in the Fractionation section to isolate the SPK jet blend-stock as a stable, wide boiling, paraffinic kerosene that has superior properties to conventional jet fuel including improved energy density, freeze point and thermal stability. The remaining fraction is SPD with superior properties to conventional diesel.

This investment also creates the opportunity for LanzaJet and the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund to work together in enabling LanzaJet, through the Freedom Pines Fuels plant, to catalyze the market for second-generation, waste-based ethanol feedstock, demonstrating clear demand signals for ethanol that can achieve greater carbon reductions.

The construction of Freedom Pines Fuels is progressing as planned, even with supply chain, manufacturing, and labor shortages impacting the global economy. Fabrication of the plant is well underway; some modules are already completed and final site engineering is nearing completion. The LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels plant is expected to achieve mechanical completion this year and begin producing 10 million gallons of SAF and renewable diesel per year from sustainable ethanol, including from waste-based feedstocks, in 2023.

The investment was made as part of Microsofts efforts to achieve its 2030 goal of becoming carbon negative and advancing a net-zero economy. It also allows Microsoft to access sustainable, renewable diesel for its data centers to enable Microsoft to further achieve its net-zero goals.

In September of 2021, the White House announced a target of 3 billion gallons of SAF produced per year by 2030. As part of that announcement, LanzaJet shared it would strive to achieve 1 billion gallons of SAF production in the US by 2030, significantly supporting US ambitions.

Private sector investment and government support are crucial to enabling the development and scale-up of new technologies to curb carbon emissions as the world tackles climate change. The collaboration between LanzaJet and the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund demonstrates that such an innovative investment approach breaks down barriers by deploying new technologies, improves our nations infrastructure, and creates new economic opportunities in rural communities. The development of LanzaJets Freedom Pines Fuels plant is also supported by funding from the US Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office.

Microsofts financial support of LanzaJet joins other LanzaJet funders including LanzaTech, Inc., Suncor Energy Inc., Mitsui & Co., Ltd., British Airways, Shell, and All Nippon Airways.
Vicinity Motor, a North American supplier of commercial electric vehicles, and Proterra announced a new collaboration to power Vicinitys electric transit buses and work trucks with Proterras battery technology.

Under a new, multi-year supply agreement, Proterra battery systems will power the Vicinity Lightning 28-foot electric transit bus and Vicinitys strip chassis platform to support several commercial vehicle configurations such as utility trucks, shuttle buses, and box trucks.

The agreement is also expected to support Vicinitys next-generation heavy-duty electric transit bus as well as the VMC 1200 Class 3 work truck and VMC 1500 Class 5 work truck with Proterra battery systems.

Proterra contracted to supply Vicinity with battery systems to power a minimum of 600 Vicinity commercial electric vehicles through 2024. The Proterra Powered Vicinity Lightning vehicle is expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2022.

Proterra batteries will be used in the production of Vicinity Lightning electric transit vehicles at Vicinitys Ferndale, Washington manufacturing facility. Designed for the US and Canadian markets, the Vicinity Lightning will comply with Buy America requirements for Federal Transit Administration-funded programs in the United States.
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Pennsylvania has the second most bridges in poor condition and will receive an additional $1.63 billion in federal funds over the next five years to help fix some of them, according to details of a new federal bridge program announced Friday.

Background material released by senior Biden administration officials shows that Pennsylvania has 3,353 bridges listed in poor condition  second behind Iowa, which has 4,571. The state will receive the third most money for bridges under the federal infrastructure bill, one of seven states to receive at least $1 billion over five years.

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The state is waiting for decisions by regional planning organizations before it announces which bridges will benefit from the new program, which will bring $327.2 million to the state this year.

As far as specific bridges, were not at that point yet, said Alexis Campbell, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Were doing the 2023 update [to the state bridge program] now. We will put that money to good use, for sure.

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in Philadelphia on Friday to highlight the new program.

The program requires a state match of 20% for bridges that are owned by the state. As an incentive for the state to help other levels of government, the new program waives that local match for bridges owned by counties, cities, boroughs and townships.

The additional money for bridges comes in addition to $4 billion over five years for state roads the agency will receive under the infrastructure bill. That will average out to about $1.33 billion extra for five years, but it still falls way short of the extra $8.1 billion a year the state says it needs to meet normal annual road and bridge work.

So that extra money will not stop the state from pursuing additional funding from other sources. That includes charging tolls on nine major bridges, including one on Interstate 78 near Lenhartsville in Berks County, that the department wants to turn over to private firms for replacement and maintenance for 30 years using tolling proceeds.

It also wants to replace the gasoline tax with fees for each package delivered to homes and for rides provided by services such as Uber and Lyft as well as eventually charging motorists a fee for miles driven.

Federal officials said the bridge money is available immediately and states can begin spending it this spring. They acknowledged some areas, including local PennDOT projects, have experienced trouble obtaining steel and other material due to supply chain problems.

The long-term nature of the program should stimulate industry to step up production and the shortage of materials should not delay the program overall, they said.

Nationally, the bridge program will invest $27.3 billion over five years, which the federal Department of Transportation called the largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system in the 1950s. Officials stressed that the money was allocated to states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and tribal nations according to need.

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The amount each state gets varies by the size and condition of its poor bridges. For example, Iowa has the most bridges rated poor at 4,571, but many of them are small so it will receive $438 million for upgrades while Californias 1,634 bridges are larger and more expensive, so it will receive the most money at $4.2 billion.

As far as neighboring states, New York will receive the second most money at $1.9 billion for 1,702 poor bridges; New Jersey will get $1.1 billion for 502 poor bridges; West Virginia $506.7 million for 1,5454 bridges; and Ohio $483.3 for 1,377 bridges.

This program also isnt the only one dedicated to bridges. The department is developing guidelines for a five-year, $12.5 billion competitive grant program.

___

(c)2022 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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The writer is the assistant commissioner for insurance at the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
GOLDBERG: Just Meeting With Putin Is A Concession  The US Should Be Wary Of Giving More
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.
Slavery still exists and is a widespread problem, not only through the world but in Wyoming. Human trafficking, often referred to as modern slavery, involves exploiting adults or children and forcing them to perform acts of labor or commercial sex to make a profit for traffickers.

While many people and organizations work to raise awareness of human trafficking all through the year, extra attention is given to the topic in January, which has been recognized nationally and locally as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Green River recognized the month with a proclamation at last weeks city council meeting. Part of the proclamation states: we must shine a light on this violation of the basic human right to be free from violence and abuse, pledge to ensure every victim knows they are not alone, and foster supportive communities that help survivors seek justice.

When it comes to raising awareness in Sweetwater County, one of the top names over the last few years has been Christal Martin. Martin founded the nonprofit group Sweetwater Against Trafficking several years ago after she and her family experienced the dangers of trafficking personally.

Honestly I was one of those naive parents, Martin said. My 12-year-old daughter at the time was being groomed and sexually exploited online, and her entire demeanor changed.

After finding out what was going on and putting a stop to it, Martin began to understand what a problem child sexual online exploitation is and how it is closely connected to the issue of human trafficking. But as she looked for local help for her family, she wasnt able to find much.

I started taking a deeper dive into it and realized that Wyoming didnt have the resources that we needed in order for parents and children to be more aware, Martin explained.

She also found Wyoming to be lacking in treatment needs for somebody that has been psychologically impacted by similar issues.

So I decided it was time to stand up and start fighting for Wyoming to have more resources, Martin said.

Martin and her co-founder April Moreno worked together to start Sweetwater Against Trafficking, which has focused on education and awareness. For the past four years, the group has done presentations throughout Southwest Wyoming as well as educational courses for both children and adults.

Courses run by Sweetwater Against Trafficking start with going over definitions and explanations of human trafficking, child sexual online exploitation and grooming, Martin explained.

Then they discuss issues like consent, recognizing vulnerabilities, and finding safe people to share with. They also use examples based on true stories from survivors and work on coming up with plans for various situations where trafficking-related dangers could come up.

Sweetwater Against Trafficking has also been able to work to address trafficking occurring locally in Sweetwater County, according to Martin. The group has been able to identify and work with seven different individuals that experienced a form of trafficking in their life and conduct case management with them. Sweetwater Against Trafficking also worked with the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Department in April as part of law enforcement training to identify buyers for prostitution, which is often closely tied to human trafficking.

With I-80 being here, its a very easy circuit to run, Martin said, explaining the prevalence of trafficking moving through and taking place within Sweetwater County.

Knowing human trafficking is a problem that occurs in Wyoming, especially along the interstate, the Wyoming Highway Patrol recently announced it is taking part in a new annual three-day Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative launched by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

The initiative is described as an awareness and outreach effort to educate commercial motor vehicle drivers, motor carriers, law enforcement officers, and the general public about the crime of human trafficking, the signs to look for, and what to do if you suspect someone is being trafficked.

Human trafficking has been proven to be a growing problem in the US and Wyoming, Wyoming Highway Patrol Commercial Carrier Lieutenant Dustin Ragon said in a press release. This is why the Wyoming Highway Patrol is assisting in the Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative to bring more light and gain assistance from the public and commercial drivers to reduce the occurrences.

As more organizations through Wyoming work together to combat human trafficking, some adjustments will be made, but the work will continue. Sweetwater Against Trafficking is getting ready to make changes, according to Martin. The organization under its current title will be shutting down in the future, but Martin and her colleagues will be teaming up with Uprising, a similar group based in Sheridan, in order to continue doing the same education and awareness work theyve been doing for the past several years.

When it comes to normal people getting involved in the fight against human trafficking, Martin said education is number one. There are many books, resources and training courses, like those Sweetwater Against Trafficking and Uprising offer, people can use to educate themselves about the issue. Martin also encourages people to start conversations about the problem of human trafficking  particularly for parents to begin having conversations with their children, no matter how old they are, in order to establish trust and implement safety concerns.

The more we educate the better were going to be able to combat it, Martin said.
Lori Jo Bingham, 62. passed away Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at her home in Green River, Wyoming. She was a resident of Green River for the past seven years and former resident of Denver, Colorado for many years.

She was born September 5, 1959 in Rock Springs, Wyoming; the daughter of Blaine Clay Bingham and Bonnie Jean Caligaro.

Ms. Bingham attended schools in Green River, Wyoming. She later obtained her Cosmetology License at the Beauty Academy in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

She worked for Bank of the West for 10 years as a Financial Loan Officer.

Ms. Bingham loved spending time with her family and her dog Ricky. She enjoyed gospel music and singing. Ms. Bingham spent a lot of time with her parents and liked gambling with her father.

Survivors include her parents; one son, Joel Bingham of Rock Springs, Wyoming; three brothers, Keith Bingham of Green River, Wyoming; Larry Bingham of Green River, Wyoming; Jim Clark and wife Gena of Green River, Wyoming; one aunt; two uncles; as well as several cousins; nieces and nephews.

Cremation will take place; there will be no services at her request.

Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefunerals.com.
Ronald "Ron" Hilbertus Noorda, 78, returned home to be with his Savior on January 6, 2022. He was surrounded by love and his family.

Ron was born the second youngest of 8 to Hilbertus Noorda and Anna Sieverts on August 19, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was an ambitious child who kept his family on their toes. Ron was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 8 by his father. Ron's best friends growing up were his sister Naoma and his father.

Ron graduated from Jordan High School with the class of 1961. He joined the army after graduation and served 8 years in the Army Reserves. Ron narrowly missed deployment during the Vietnam War while serving in the reserves. He attended the police academy in Sandy, Utah. Ron worked as a law enforcement officer in Sandy, UT, in Rock Springs, WY, and Uinta County, WY.

Ron and his wife, Edith, welcomed six children during their marriage. Ronnie in June of 1963, Gina in the Sept of 1964, Dave in March of 1966, Paula in July of 1967, Eric in March of 1970, and Cyndi in February 1972. Later in life, Ron married Susan and welcomed two more girls; Amanda in December of 1987 and Konnie in July of 1991. He loved his children more than words could describe. Ron was always the fun dad.

Ron was always good with his hands ranging from sewing to woodworking. He could make or fix anything including clothing for his children, a rocking horse, and holes in the drywall. He always had a side job remodeling or building something for others. Before his retirement, Ron had a small construction business doing residential work. The family knew to call him for help on home improvements and how to make a project work.

He had a big heart. Ron always loved children (especially babies), the outdoors, and animals. Throughout his life, he had many animals from chickens, dogs, cats, horses, and even rabbits. He enjoyed everything outdoor. Ron loved hunting and getting a fresh cut pine for Christmas. The kids remember driving in the snow on snowmachines after Thanksgiving and finding the almost Charlie Brown trees from the property in the mountains. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was a favorite pastime to cuddle in grandpa's chair and nap with the kitties.

Ron leaves behind a loving, large family including his children Ron Noorda of Draper, UT, Gina (John) York of Silver Lake, WA, Dave (Jane) Noorda of West Jordan, UT, Paula (Joel) Leatham of Rock Springs, WY, Eric (Candee) Noorda of Mont Vernon, NH, Cyndi (John) Coyle of Heber, UT, Amanda (Ed) Wilde of Rock Springs, WY, and Konnie (Rob) Kendall of Dunn, NC; siblings Norm (Sharon) Noorda of Henderson, NV, Leon (Katherine) Noorda of St. George, UT, Lamar Noorda of Draper, UT, Naoma Nilsson of Salt Lake City, UT, and Dan (Noma) Noorda of Herriman, UT; 32 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; many cousins; and many more friends.

Welcoming him home with open arms are his father and mother, his sister, Viola, his brother, Al, sister-in-law, Jaeneen, and cousins, Jimmy Sieverts, and Kathy Sieverts, among many friends and family.

Funeral Services will be held January 15, 2022, at 11 am with a viewing before at 10 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center in Lyman, WY. The address is 208 WY-414, Lyman, WY 82937.

Interment will take place in the Fort Bridger Cemetery following the funeral.

Floral arrangements may be directed through The Bokay in Lyman, WY.

Condolences can be left at http://www.foxfh.com.
Green River residents pay a lot for solid waste services when compared to Rock Springs residents only 15 miles to the east.

Yes, a portion of property taxes levied in Rock Springs is paid to the Sweetwater County Solid Waste District No. 1, but the bills residents in Green River receive compared to Rock Springs residents bills differ greatly. Rock Springs residents even have the choice of solid waste companies to utilize, which isnt the case in Green River.

With continued discussions about solid waste being conducted by the Green River City Council, were encouraging them to join Solid Waste District No. 1 as soon as possible. This would result in residents not being billed out-of-district rates and opens the door for better price parity in services between the countys two cities and giving Green River say in how the district operates.

Green Rivers solid waste issue dates back a few decades, when the city wanted to create a solid waste district of its own, utilizing the now-closed Green River Landfill. The idea was quieted down when the trona industry, not wanting to be included in a property tax district that would increase their costs, opted to provide the city with money to purchase new garbage trucks in return for not pursuing the tax district idea.

Once the city closed its landfill due to pressures from the EPA, its was forced into utilizing the landfill near Rock Springs as an out-of-district customer.

Green River needs to be a part of that district -- it only makes sense because a significant portion of the countys population finds itself utilizing a landfill that leaves it with no representation in how it operates. Joining the district would give Green River a voice on the waste districts board. The fact that residents would pay into the district would also open residents to the districts prices, which would mean the city would be able to negotiate for lower costs with Wyoming Waste Services when their service contract is up for renewal.

Joining the district would be a win for everyone in the city. We hope this will happen soon.
GREENWICH  With students out of classes for a four-day weekend, the Greenwich Public Schools reported 168 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and a total of 263 active cases across its 15 school buildings, according to the latest statistics on the districts online tracker.

That pushes the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in GPS in January to 1,135. Since classes began this scholastic year on Sept. 1, Greenwich has reported 1,679 cases of COVID-19 among students and staff. That compares to 700 cases of COVID-19 in the entire 2020-21 school year.

The number of new cases in each report, however, is trending downward. On Jan. 11, a total of 227 new cases were reported, with 349 cases reported Jan. 7 and 392 cases reported Jan. 4, according to the tracker. The district updates the online tracker every Tuesday and Friday to keep the community informed on the pandemic.

Since classes began for this scholastic year, the district has reported 392 COVID-19 cases in December, 65 cases of COVID-19 in November, 29 cases in October and 58 cases in September.

The district has seen a spike in cases since last months holiday recess, according to Jonathan Supranowitz, director of communications for Greenwich Public Schools. Classrooms were closed for 11 days for the holidays, during a time when COVID-19 began to surge in the community, he said last week. Students were off on Friday as teachers had a professional development day, and everyone will be off Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Active cases

There was a slight increase in the number of active cases on Friday, with 263, compared with 243 active cases as of Tuesday. The cases impact every school in the district, with the most reported at Greenwich High with 92, according to the tracker.

That was followed by Riverside with 24 active cases of COVID-19; Western with 18; Eastern with 17; Central with 14; Julian Curtiss with 13; Glenville and Old Greenwich with 12 each; and Cos Cob and Hamilton Avenue with 11 each.

Also, there were 10 active cases of COVID-19 each reported at International School at Dundee and New Lebanon, followed by North Mianus with nine cases, North Street with seven and Parkway with four.

Staff members who work at multiple buildings are counted toward each locations total.

Of the 263 active cases of COVID-19, there were 223 cases among students, 21 among teachers, 10 among non-teaching staff members, seven among service providers and two with administrators, according to the tracker.

A number of families in the district are heavily impacted by COVID-19, with 279 families reporting 611 cases during the school year.

Vaccination rates

Vaccination rates continue to rise in Greenwich, with 41 percent of children ages 5 to 11 and 90.1 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds in town now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

But the towns 25.3 percent rate of positivity is in the red zone, along with nearly every town and city in Connecticut.

Since students returned to classes in January, the district has not updated some of the data points on the tracker.

A statement on the website says, Due to the number of recent positive cases, some details have been omitted to this tracker.

The section is blank for statistics related to transmission of active cases. The district had been reporting whether cases were attributed to in-school contact, family or outside activity or undetermined origin. The totals for the school year in that category are also missing.

When students returned to classrooms last week from holiday recess, the Greenwich schools announced a number of adjustments because of the spike in COVID-19 in the community, Superintendent Toni Jones said in a statement.

All school buildings are checking to make sure there is adequate space between students when eating lunch. At Greenwich High, a gym was reopened for expanded lunch space and a fifth lunch rotation was added to reduce the number of students eating at one time, Jones said.

Additionally, all schools are limiting individuals who may enter the buildings to only essential volunteers or consultants, Jones said. Aquatics class at Greenwich High are also temporarily suspended, she said.
Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

The analysis of the 2020 voting in Greenwich given in Wildland: The Making of Americas Fury by Evan Osnos portrays Greenwich as going from the politics of Prescott Bush to the vulgarian Donald Trump. Greenwich is described as aligned with the Koch brothers and other elements pushing the Republican Party further rightward. As support, Osnos writes that Greenwichs District 10 (which approximates the Golden Triangle) voted for Clinton by two points in 2016 while voting for Trump by 13 points in 2020. The voting record does not support these claims, District 10 voted for Biden when the absentee ballots are included in the tally.

The 2020 vote in Greenwich and the other highest income Zip codes in Connecticut indicate Trump did very poorly in these Zip codes running behind John McCain and Mitt Romney as well as behind his weak performance of 2016. Biden was +20 in Connecticut overall, about six points better than Hillary Clinton. In 2016 and in 2020 Trump trailed Republicans running for state and federal office in Greenwich and in District 10.
This photo of Aiden Toussaint is seen at a candlelight vigil for the slain Whitehall student on October 8, 2021. Toussaint was shot dead on Sept. 29, 2020, near Saucon Park. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call )

Claudette Pottinger considered her son Aiden Toussaint her miracle child.

Before she became pregnant with him, she had three miscarriages, and she fought hard to bring him into this world, she told a packed courtroom in the Northampton County Courthouse on Friday. But her sons life was cut short at 17 years old when he was fatally shot in an attempted robbery Sept. 29, 2020.

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On Friday, the four teenagers who were involved in her sons death were sentenced to years in prison. Gabriel Ramos, 19, of Lehighton, was sentenced to 18 to 36 years for murder and conspiracy. Ramos had the most serious conviction of third-degree murder.

Isaac Bringuez, 18, of Bethlehem, was sentenced to six and a half to 14 years for robbery and conspiracy. Christopher Nieves, 18, of Bethlehem, was sentenced six and a half to 14 years for robbery and conspiracy, plus nine to 18 months for aggravated assault. Danielle Lyons, 19, of Bethlehem, received six and a half to 14 years on robbery and conspiracy plus one month to one year for simple assault.

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Why did they kill my son? Because he fought back? Pottinger said in her victim impact statement.

Toussaint, 17, died as the result of a robbery during a drug deal, according to law enforcement.

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Bringuez had contacted Toussaint to arrange a drug sale so he, Ramos, Lyons and Nieves could rob Toussaint of about $600 worth of marijuana, according to the Northampton County District Attorneys office. Pottinger previously said Bringuezs role in her sons murder was a betrayal, because Bringuez had known Toussaint since they were both young children.

The shooting came right after a scuffle inside Toussaints girlfriends car. Two of the suspects took off running with some of the marijuana, records say.

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Toussaint, who had a BB gun pistol at the time, followed outside the car but at some point turned around and started walking back to his girlfriends car, according to the district attorneys office. Then Lyons, who had been waiting in her car nearby, got out and began assaulting Toussaint, prompting Toussaints girlfriend to run over to help. Ramos then pulled out a handgun with a laser sight and fired at Toussaints chest.

Toussaints brother and girlfriend helped him to the car and drove him toward the hospital. They flagged down police near East 4th Street and Lynn Avenue in South Side Bethlehem and Toussaint was rushed the rest of the way to St. Lukes University Hospital in Fountain Hill, where he later died from the injuries.

Authorities previously said Toussaint followed the other teenagers and pulled out a BB gun and fired at the teens, but on Friday, the prosecution said the BB gun was broken into pieces when it was recovered and there was no way to prove it was fired at the scene.

Ramos turned himself into the police the day of the shooting; Bringuez and Nieves were arrested the next day. Lyons was arrested and charged at a later date.

Toussaint was previously described by his family as a hard-working and generous young man. A wrestler at Whitehall High School, Toussaint had plans to enlist in the U.S. Air Force and wanted to be a lawyer.

Ten people who were close to Toussaint spoke before the sentencing. All of them said Toussaint was someone who brought something special to their lives and his death has left a void that will never be filled.

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Shania Rankins, Toussaints cousin, said their family will never be the same.

I sit and watch my family members wear plastic smiles and pretend everything is OK and its not, Rankins said as she broke down into tears.

Those who spoke described Toussaint as someone who was constantly thinking of others and acting to improve the lives of those around him. Pottinger said Toussaint once saw a 21-year-old man hop out of a moving car and then attempt to run in front of it. Toussaint yanked the man out of the way and sat him on the curb to talk.

She didnt know how many lives her son had touched until after his death.

Aiden had more friends and knew more people than I did in my 30 years in Pennsylvania, Pottinger said.

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His father, Jacque Toussaint, said his son was his best friend. After his sons death, he had to change apartments because he couldnt stand having an empty room where his son once stayed.

I never wish what I have gone through on any other parent, Jacque Toussaint said.

Tyrese Green, Toussaints older brother who was with his brother on the night of the shooting, said he still has flashbacks to that time. He said he still didnt have the words to describe how he felt.

I wish I could talk to him one more time, Green said.

The defendants and some of their family also spoke to ask for leniency or express remorse for the death of Toussaint.

Bringuez said there was no excuse for what he did. took responsibility for his actions and apologized to Toussaints family.

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Lyons cried when she spoke before Judge John Morganelli and apologized to Toussaints family. She said nothing she could ever say could make up for his death.

Ramos said it still feels like that night was a bad dream and he shot Toussaint with the intent of protecting and not with the intent to kill him. Though the DAs office contested whether anyone involved in the incident was actually in any danger from Toussaint. He apologized for breaking Toussaints family apart.

Last Call Daily Get top headlines from The Morning Call delivered weekday afternoons. >

Nieves also briefly spoke.

Morganelli, said he recognized that all of the defendants had cooperated with law enforcement to some extent and expressed remorse for their respective roles in Toussaints death. He also added he took into consideration that none of them had criminal histories, as well as their ages at the time of the murder. Bringuez and Nieves were both 16 at the time.

But Morganelli added all of them were culpable at some level for Toussaints death, though some were more than others.

He said Bringuez knowingly took advantage of someone who trusted him. Morganelli told Lyons because she was the oldest and most well educated of the four, she should have known better. He added her getting out of her car and assaulting Toussaint may very well have been the key factor that led to him being shot. Nieves went to the robbery armed with a knife, Morganelli said, and his history of anti-social and violent behavior did not reflect well.

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When he got to Ramos, Morganelli saidmany people had sent letters talking about what a good person Ramos was. But Moragnelli added Ramos planned the robbery, brought the gun and ultimately killed Toussaint.

Morning Call reporter Leif Greiss can be reached at 610-679-4028 or lgreiss@mcall.com.
Instagram is testing a new vertical scroll for Stories in Turkey and Brazil. This will put the touch control in line with Reels and rival TikTok.

Instagram said back in February 2021 that it was working on vertically-scrolling Stories. Up until now, Stories have been horizontally-scrollable.

Now with a vertical scroll, you can go from one user's Story to another's, while a horizontal swipe will toggle between different Stories from the same user.

Here's a look at how Stories will work.

 Instagram is testing a vertical swipe stories feed in Turkey



h/t @yousufortaccom pic.twitter.com/KdJa9CTnTl  Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) January 12, 2022

It's not clear when the new method of Stories' scrolling will arrive for you, and even if it's certainly coming. At this point Instragram might just be doing A/B testing and decide against rolling the feature altogether.

Via
Xiaomi is preparing the Redmi Note 11 for a global launch, as it acquired multiple certificates in different markets and regions. Now a report from MySmartPrice reveals the price and an interesting change in hardware.

The phone will reportedly sell in Europe starting at 250 and will have three different memory combinations. The Redmi Note 11 will be available in Star Blue, Graphite Gray, and Twilight Blue colors.

Xiaomi sells the phone in China with a Helio G88 chipset by Mediatek, which is built on the 12nm process. The source claims the global variant will run on Snapdragon 680 built on the far more modern 6nm node, which should be far more power-efficient.

Via
The day before my flight to return to Honolulu, I dined at Nanas Cafe to enjoy a final beach sunset.

As I was waiting on the outdoor patio for the waiter to take my order, a skinny white kitten with the most beautiful blue eyes came mewling down the aisle. Ive only recently become a cat mama, having rescued a starving kitten from a gas station two years ago, but I am now a sucker for any meowster.

I ordered plain chicken for the poor thing, and while the kitten was eating it, an older handsome ginger with a squinty eye came along. The kitten rubbed against the ginger in welcome, and shared dinner on the floor.

They were obviously on their own, and I thought they were a mama and her baby. Unwilling to abandon them to fate, I messaged a friend who I knew was involved with a pet rescue group.

Frank Sangermano put the word out to Guahan Paws for Pets, and the next day, a volunteer went to dinner at Nanas and fed them as well. Volunteers checked on the two until someone could take them in as fosters a week later.

This foster angel, Chong Mi Kim, took both of them to Animal Medical Clinic to be seen, and it turned out theyre actually males. Milo, the ginger, is estimated to be about 4 years old.

He received his vaccines, medications for his URI, neutered and got his wounds treated. Hes estimated to be 4 years old, very mellow, sweet and a purrbox. Hes grateful to be saved, Kim said.

Milo has a weakened immune system due to having Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, but is expected to have a long and healthy life, according to Kim and Tina Guzman, founder of Guahan Paws for Pets .

The kitten, Willowby, is about 3 months old and has had his first set of vaccines. Hes a snuggler, Kim said.

The dynamic duo need a special family that will accept both of these loving furballs. "Willowby and Milo have a deep bond that cannot be explained and they cannot be separated. Ive never witnessed or thought possible a bond like this. This unique duo comes as a package deal, Kim said. If youre interested in fostering or adopting these special guys, send an email to guahanpaws4pets@gmail.com.
Since the Wednesday Night Markets came to a halt following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hagatnas i Sengsong CHamoru, popularly known as CHamoru Village, has seen significantly less foot traffic.

Despite that massive hurdle and some businesses choosing to leave during the course of the last two years, remaining vendors continue to create beautiful items and delicious food.

Just because the night market is on hold doesnt mean we should stop supporting these remarkable local businesses. We took a trip to the village to get a read on whats open so the next time youre itching to get out of the house, youll know exactly where to go.

Jewelry

No matter your aesthetic, theres a jewelry shop for you in CHamoru Village. Micronesian Jewelers has been in business since 1994, though back then it was known as Micronesian Goldsmiths. They make 14-karat gold, white gold, yellow gold, and sterling silver jewelry designed with local culture in mind, and made on site.

Here youll find delicate, handcrafted pendants and earrings featuring the Guam seal, latte stones, CHamoru legends, local flora and fauna, and religious imagery. Owner Susan Byler has been a part of the business since it began.

Weve been here since 1994. This location, people know this as a jewelry store and (that we) specialize in the local culture, products and things. Were also promoting culture, so CHamoru Village just makes sense. And people want us all these years, and they come back, Byler said.

I hear customers say, Oh, my mom used to shop here, and Oh, my grandmother, they told me to come here. And so we built the store based on reputation, by word of mouth.

On the other side of the centrally located food stalls, youll find Coconut Villa Gift Shop, where artist Phoebe Kelm handmakes jewelry in the business her family has owned for over 20 years.

Using natural materials like processed coconut leaves, spondylus, cowrie shells and more, Kelm creates earrings, necklaces and even seashell crowns that celebrate the beauty of natural materials.

Their hours have been significantly reduced in light of the pandemic.

When we used to open in the mornings, there were tourists here, every hour. Families, mostly. But because theres no tourists we dont even want to bother coming here, especially (because) the power goes up every month, Kelm said.

We open at 12 because well see human beings, everyones here for lunchtime. And then we close at 2 oclock. So were only here for two hours a day, closed on Sundays. But we do get customers because theyre here, theyre all locals. We rely on the locals now, and theyre supporting us. So thats very, very nice.

Clothing

Near the north end of the village is Medusa Unique Gifts and Apparel, owned by husband and wife Ben and Kseniia Quinata.

Their store opened in April 2021 and boasts eclectic clothing from a Polish brand called Medicine, as well as clothing designed by Ben Quinata, jewelry made by Kseniia Quinata, and products from both local and international artists.

Our idea is to help local Guam artists to display their work and ship it internationally. To make it known just for their art, not to make Guam just as known as a tourist destination, but also known for incredible artists that the island has. And my husband is one of them, and Im super proud of him. So were hoping to work with more local artists designing shirts, or just displaying their artwork, organizing art shows, stuff like that, Kseniia Quinata said.

The store is packed with unique, creative items  think earrings inspired by Frida Kahlo and shirts featuring leopards  that Kseniia Quinata believes can inject joy into everyday life.

They say its everyday therapy. So you wear fun clothes, you become more happy, more satisfied with your life, with yourself, she said.

Baby Products

GUbaby is a sweet spot for the littles in your life, offering a handmade clothing line, shoes, toys, and stunning, handmade baptismal gowns.

The clothes in the store tend toward the tropical, making it the perfect place to pick up locally inspired wear for your babe to rock on the beach, or to send as a gift with that special Guam touch.

Owner Naomi Ventura feels lucky to have established a customer base through her years in business as both Cutiepetunias and GUbaby, allowing her to lean on online shopping and curbside pickup throughout the pandemic.

She is grateful for the support she has received so far, and hopes the community continues to show up so that CHamoru Village can survive the lack of tourists.

The more families who visit attracts the attention of the government to make the area safer by adding more lighting when its dark, increased funding to CHamoru Villages Capital Improvement funding, etcetera. Which eventually benefits the island as it offers the foreigners visiting the island a chance to shop for gifts to bring back home to their loved ones, Ventura said.

Food

Many food stalls are open, and serve everything from CHamoru staples to Middle Eastern food. Walking around CHamoru Village is sure to whet your appetite, as many businesses grill and smoke barbecue in outdoor spaces, filling the area with irresistible aromas.

The dining area is open, and there were a few groups enjoying a weekday lunch outdoors during our visit. Whats better than some sun and local food on your lunch break?

Beyond the ones mentioned here, there are other businesses open for you to discover for yourself. With the continued lack of tourism, its more important than ever for us to support local businesses.

Next time youre making a plan, grab your family and friends for a few hours of community connection at CHamoru Village.
Guam has a surplus of dogs and cats that need furever homes, and various organizations have stepped up to help match pets to loving homes.

To assist in these efforts, the Lifestyle section will begin featuring another set of Pets of the Week, this time from Guahan Paws for Pets.

Formed as a Facebook group four years ago by Tina Guzman, the volunteer group works to rescue, rehabilitate and restore animals in need. The group adopted the Dededo Dog Park last year, and now maintains the park and holds adoption events there.

This week we are featuring four adorable pups theyve rescued, but there are many more that need homes. To view the ones currently available for adoption, go to the groups Facebook page @guahanpawsforpets

Adopting a pet

To inquire about adopting a pet, email guahanpaws4pets@gmail.com.

The group requires a home check to ensure the home is safe, Guzman said. Potential owners are required to sign an adoption contract and pay a fee of $75 for puppies or kittens, and $125 for adult animals. The fees are used to provide medical attention, food, and the animals other needs.

January promotion

Guahan Paws for Pets is encouraging adoptions of adult rescues this month with some special promotions. Adopt an adult dog and receive a puplid, or cap. Those who adopt an adult cat will receive a free scooper and litter pan.
A judge denied the dismissal of murder charges against Joyner Sked in connection with the death of former Humatak mayor Daniel Sanchez.

Skeds attorney, Terrence Timblin, wrote a motion earlier this week to dismiss the charges because it was discovered that the Guam Police Department did not confiscate the shorts of alleged co-actor, Rudy Quinata, at the time of his arrest.

In a hearing at the Superior Court of Guam, Timblin questioned a GPD detective who worked on the case before arguing his motion.

The detective testified that Quinatas shorts were not confiscated because there was no evidential value and he was arrested 2 1/2-days after the murder is suspected to have occurred.

Arguments

Following the testimony, Timblin argued the failure to confiscate Quinatas shorts makes it easier to blame Sked for the murder since her clothes were taken.

In response, Assistant Attorney General Leonardo Rapadas argued even if the shorts were confiscated and blood was found, it wouldnt be enough to determine who committed the crime.

Lets assume there was blood evidence on Mr. Quinatas shorts and it was collected. It only means that the two worked together  the theory being they were in the house at the same time, Rapadas said.

Theres nothing insidious, nothing sneaky in how GPD did not collect the evidence, Rapadas added.

Trial

After Judge Vernon Perez denied the motion, he announced a trial for Sked is scheduled for Jan. 26 with Quinatas trial to start immediately after.

Sked and Quinata are being charged with murder in connection to the death of Sanchez, who was found with blunt force trauma and stab wounds in Quinatas residence in April 2021.
The bill to rename Route 3 in Dededo as Ben Blaz Blvd. was discussed by the Legislature Friday.

Bill 223-36 was introduced in November 2021 by Sen. Chris Duenas and co-sponsored by Sens. Anthony Ada and Frank Blas Jr.

According to the bill, the renaming of the route is to recognize the career of U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Vicente Blaz, also known as Ben Blaz, because of its connection to Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, which was activated on Oct. 1, 2020 and named in his honor.

I think that the road leading to Camp Blaz, whether it be going north or south on Route 3, to be named General Ben Blaz Blvd. is most appropriate, said Duenas.

Accomplishments

Blaz was the first CHamoru to achieve flag rank in the armed forces of the U.S.

He retired from the military in 1980 and returned to Guam where he was elected as the delegate to Congress in 1984.

I think that road should reflect the dignity and the honor that I believe Guam should bestow on this great gentleman in memory and commemoration by our local government, Duenas said.

Duenas hopes the bill will be on Legislature floor soon, potentially by the February session.

Support

Supporting testimony was heard from Sen. Joe San Agustin, Speaker Therese Terlaje, Sens. James Moylan, Telo Taitague and Mr. Jose San Agustin.

During the testimony, retired Brigadier General Roderick Leon Guerrero of the Guam National Guard said that renaming the route not only preserves and honors the military legacy and contribution of Guam but also makes it easier for the public to identify.

An example he gave was Route 1, also known as Marine Corps Drive.
The Tiyan testing center will be accepting walk-ins who have symptoms of infection starting Monday.

With an increasing demand for COVID-19 testing during the latest surge, walk-ins with symptoms of infection will take priority over those without symptoms.

Starting next Monday ... for the unscheduled drive-ups, we will, as much as possible, be prioritizing symptomatic patients. So if youre a close contact, or youre there without symptoms, just please note that we are prioritizing symptomatics, Department of Public Health and Social Services spokesperson Janela Carrera said Friday.

Public Health switched to testing by appointment at Tiyan this Monday. Officials said that more tests are performed now, but space for walk-ins is limited.

Appointment slots also run out quickly. On Thursday, all appointments were filled by around 10 a.m., and both Friday and Saturday were booked by Friday morning.

Personnel are screening cars in the line at Tiyan, she said, and walk-ins may be separated into another area to wait, or be asked to come back at another time, if slots are filled up during the hour they arrive.

We are highly encouraging people to schedule those appointments, she said.

Testing is still available at local clinics, though availability and pricing may vary, Carrera added. Guam Radiology Consultants does provide free testing. On Friday, residents lined up around the building to get a test.

Carrera said Public Health may consider including clinic testing information in Joint Information Releases, which go out every night.

Testing is also available at the Northern onal Community Health Center and Southern Regional Community Health Center, though residents should call ahead.

Delayed treatment

Monoclonal antibody shipments from two manufacturers were paused nationwide by the federal government in December. Virus-fighting antibodies produced by Regeneron and Eli Lilly, both supplied to Guam, were found to be ineffective against the infectious omicron variant.

According to Dr. Bob Leon Guerrero, Public Healths acting chief medical officer, Guam still has an adequate supply for the time being and residents who are getting treated with antibodies appear to respond positively.

An order for sotrovimab antibodies, which are effective against omicron, is expected around February, Leon Guerrero said.

Removal

Two components from the early days of the pandemic on Guam are being phased out.

The COVID-19 Area Risk Score, or CAR Score, meant to track the severity of the pandemic, will no longer be used, territorial epidemiologist Ann Pobutsky said Friday. The score  which tracks new cases, the effectiveness of testing and rate of spread  has become less and less meaningful as new variants emerge.

The Guam COVID Alert app, plagued by low downloads and lack of use by those that do download it, was temporarily shut down last week, Carrera said.
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Elene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood, by Anonymous 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: Elene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood Anglo-Saxon Poems Author: Anonymous Translator: James M. Garnett Release Date: May 23, 2005 [EBook #15879] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELENE AND OTHERS *** Produced by David Starner, Annika Feilbach and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. (www.pgdp.net)

ELENE;

JUDITH;

ATHELSTAN, OR THE FIGHT AT BRUNANBURH;

BYRHTNOTH, OR THE FIGHT AT MALDON;

AND

THE DREAM OF THE ROOD:

TRANSLATED BY

JAMES M. GARNETT, M.A., LL.D.,

Formerly Professor of the English Language and Literature in the University of Virginia; Translator of "Beowulf."

THIRD EDITION.

BOSTON, U.S.A.: GINN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS. The Athenum Press. 1911. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1889, by

JAMES M. GARNETT,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Copyright, 1900, by

JAMES M. GARNETT. Copyright, 1911, by

JAMES M. GARNETT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

TO PROFESSOR FRANCIS A. MARCH

CORYPHUS OF OLD ENGLISH STUDIES IN AMERICA

WITH SENTIMENTS OF THE HIGHEST REGARD

Preface

Introduction

Elene. I. Constantine sees the vision of the rood.

II. Constantine is victorious, the sign is explained, and he is baptized.

III. Helena sets out on her journey in search of the cross, and arrives at Jerusalem.

IV. Helena summons an assembly of the Jews learned in the law, and addresses them.

V. The Jews consult apart, and Judas states the object of the Empress.

VI. Judas gives the Jews the information derived from his father and grandfather.

VII. The Jews at first refuse to act, but finally deliver up Judas to the Empress.

VIII. Judas stubbornly denies all knowledge of the matter, but after imprisonment without food consents to speak.

IX. They proceed to Calvary, and Judas offers a prayer for guidance.

X. A smoke arises, Judas digs and finds three crosses. Test of the true cross.

XI. The fiend laments that he is overcome. Judas replies to him.

XII. Helena announces the discovery to Constantine, who orders a church to be built on the spot. Judas is baptized.

XIII. Judas is ordained bishop of Jerusalem, and his name is changed to Cyriacus. Helena longs to recover the nails. Judas prays, digs, and finds them.

XIV. The nails are made into a bit for Constantine's horse. Helena admonishes all to obey Cyriacus and returns home.

XV. The writer reflects on his work, records his name; and refers to the future judgment.

Judith. IX. * * * * * * * * * * Holofernes prepares a banquet.

X. Holofernes and his guests carouse. Judith is brought to his tent. Holofernes enters and falls on his bed in a drunken sleep. Judith prays for help, and cuts off the head of Holofernes.

XI. Judith returns with the head of Holofernes to Bethulia. The people meet her in crowds. She exhorts the warriors to sally forth at dawn. They fall upon the Assyrians.

XII. The Assyrians discover the death of Holofernes and become panic-stricken. The Hebrews pursue them in flight, plunder the slain, and bestow upon Judith the arms and treasure of Holofernes. Athelstan, or The Fight at Brunanburh. Athelstan and Edmund, with their West-Saxons and Mercians, slaughter the Scots and Northmen. Constantine and his Scots flee to their homes in the North. Anlaf and his Northmen flee across the sea to Dublin. Athelstan and Edmund return home in triumph, and leave the corpses to the raven, the eagle, and the wolf. Byrhtnoth, or The Fight at Maldon. * * * * * * * * * * * Byrhtnoth and his East-Saxons are drawn up on the bank of the Panta. The wikings' herald demands tribute. Byrhtnoth angrily offers arms for tribute. Wulfstan defends the bridge. Byrhtnoth proudly permits the wikings to cross. The fight rages. Byrhtnoth is wounded. He slays the foe. He is wounded again. He prays to God to receive his soul, and is hewn down by the heathen men. Godric flees on Byrhtnoth's horse. His brothers follow him. lfwine encourages the men to avenge the death of their lord. So does Offa, who curses Godric. Leofsunu will avenge his lord or perish. Dunnere also. Others follow their example. Offa is slain and many warriors. The fight still rages. The aged Byrhtwold exhorts them to be the braver as they become the fewer. So does another Godric, not he who fled. * * * * The Dream of the Rood. In the middle of the night the writer beholds the vision of a cross decked with gold and jewels, but soiled with blood. Presently the cross speaks and tells how it was hewn and set up on a mount. Almighty God ascended it to redeem mankind. It bent not, but the nails made grievous wounds, and it was moistened with blood. All creation wept. The corse was placed in a sepulchre of brightest stone. The crosses were buried, but the thanes of the Lord raised it begirt with gold and silver, and it should receive honor from all mankind. The Lord of Glory honored it, who arose for help to men, and shall come again with His angels to judge each one of men. Then they will fear and know not what to say, but no one need fear who bears in his heart the best of beacons. The writer is ready for his journey, and directs his prayer to the rood. His friends now dwell in glory, and the rood of the Lord will bring him there where he may partake of joy with the saints. The Lord redeemed us, His Son was victorious, and with a band of spirits entered His heavenly home.

This translation of the Elene was made while reading the poem with a post-graduate student in the session of 1887-88, Zupitza's second edition being used for the text, which does not differ materially from that in his third edition (1888). It was completed before I received a copy of Dr. Weymouth's translation (1888), from Zupitza's text; but in the revision for publication I have referred to it, although I cannot always agree with the learned scholar in his interpretation of certain passages. Grein's text was, however, used to fill lacun, and in the revision the recently published (1888) Grein-Wulker text was compared in some passages. The line-for-line form has been employed, as in my translation of Beowulf; for it has been approved by high authority, and is unquestionably more serviceable to the student, even if I have not been able to attain ideal correctness of rhythm. I plead guilty in advance to any lapsus in that respect, but I strongly suspect that I have appreciated the difficulty more highly than my future critics. The Elene is more suitable than the Beowulf for first reading in Old English poetry on account of its style and its subject, which make the interpretation considerably easier, and I concur with Korting, in his Grundriss der Geschichte der Englischen Litteratur (p. 47, 1887): "Die Elene eignet sich sowohl wegen ihres anmutigen Inhaltes, als auch, weil sie in der trefflichen Ausgabe von Zupitza leicht zuganglich ist, als erste poetische Lecture fur Anfanger im Angelsachsischen." This statement is now the stronger for English readers because Zupitza's text is in course of publication, edited with introduction, notes, and glossary by Professor Charles W. Kent, of the University of Tennessee. I have appended a few notes which explain themselves, and have occasionally inserted words in brackets.

The translations of the Judith and the Byrhtnoth were made in regular course of reading with undergraduate classes, the former in 1886, and the latter in 1887, the texts in Sweet's "Anglo-Saxon Reader" being used, and compared with those in Grein and in Korner. The text of Judith is now accessible in Professor Cook's edition (1888).

The translation of the Athelstan has been added from Korner's text, compared with Grein and Wulker, and in certain passages with Thorpe and Earle. For fuller literary information than the Introduction provides, the reader is referred to ten Brink's "Early English Literature," Kennedy's translation (1883), and to Morley's "English Writers," Vol. II. (1888).

JAMES M. GARNETT.

University of Virginia, Va.,

May, 1889.

PREFACE TO EDITION OF 1900.

I have added to this reprint of my "Elene and other Anglo Saxon Poems" a translation of the Dream of the Rood, which has been on hand for several years awaiting a suitable time to see the light. A brief Introduction to the poem has been prefixed, which, doubtless, leaves much to be desired, but it is all that the translator now has time for, and I must refer to the works mentioned for fuller information and discussion. With thanks for past consideration, and the hope that this addition has made the book more acceptable, I entrust it again to indulgent readers.

JAMES M. GARNETT.

Baltimore, Maryland,

October, 1900.

PREFACE TO EDITION OF 1911.

I have read over carefully these translations with a view to another reprint, which the publishers find necessary, but I have not compared them again with the texts used. I have corrected a few typographical errors of little importance.

For the bibliography I would refer to Brandl's Sonderausgabe aus der zweiten Auflage von Paul's Grundriss der germanischen Philologie (Strassburg, 1908), in which I find noted Holthausen's edition of the Elene (Heidelberg, 1905), but I have not seen it.

I take advantage of this opportunity to say that my translation of Beowulf, of which the last reprint was issued in 1910, is not in prose, as some have misconceived it, but it is in the same metrical form as the translations in the present volume,an accentual metre in rough imitation of the original. I agree with Professor Gummere and others that this is a better form for the translation of Old English poetry than plain prose. It was approved by the late Professor Child nearly thirty years ago, as noted in the Preface to the second edition of my translation of BEOWULF, January, 1885.

JAMES M. GARNETT.

Baltimore, Maryland,

February, 1911.

In presenting to the public the following translations of the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) poems, Elene, Judith, Athelstan, Byrhtnoth, and The Dream of the Rood, it is desirable to prefix a brief account of them for the information of the general reader.

I. The Elene, or Helena, is a poem on the expedition of the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor, to Palestine in search of the true cross, and its successful issue. The medival legend of the Finding of the Cross is given in the Acta Sanctorum under date of May 4, assigned by the Church to the commemoration of St. Helena's marvellous discovery. The Latin work is the Life of St. Quiriacus, or Cyriacus, Bishop of Jerusalem, that is, the Judas of the poem. It has been usually thought that the Old English poet used this Life as his source; but Glode, in a recent volume of Anglia (IX. 271 ff.), has given reasons for thinking that the poet used some other Latin text. He rejects ten Brink's conjecture that the legend of Elene had come to England in a Greek form. As to the author of the poem, we know his name, but very little else about him. He has left us his name, imbedded in runic letters as an acrostic, in the last canto of the poem, q.v. These letters spell the word CYNEWULF; but who was Cynewulf? The question is hard to answer, and has given rise to much discussion, which cannot be gone into here. A good summary of it will be found in Wulker's Grundriss zur Geschichte der Angelsachsischen Litteratur (p. 147 ff., 1885), an indispensable work for students of Old English literature. The old view, propounded in the infancy of Anglo-Saxon studies, and held by Kemble, Thorpe, and, doubtfully, Wright, that he was the Abbot of Peterborough and Bishop of Winchester (992-1008), has been abandoned by all scholars, so far as I know, except Professor Earle of Oxford (see his "Anglo-Saxon Literature," p. 228). The later view of Leo, Dietrich, Grein and Rieger, our chief authorities, that he was a Northumbrian, and of Dietrich and Grein, that he was Bishop of Lindisfarne (737-780), has more to be said for it. Sweet and ten Brink also hold that he was a Northumbrian of the eighth century, but not the Bishop of Lindisfarne, while Wulker regards him as a West-Saxon. Professor Henry Morley, in the current edition of his "English Writers," has devoted a chapter (Vol. II. Chap. IX., 1888) to Cynewulf, and virtually concludes that we know nothing about him except that he was a poet and probably lived in the eighth century. We shall not go far wrong in regarding him as a Northumbrian poet of the eighth century, possibly the Bishop of Lindisfarne, even though his works remain to us only in the West-Saxon dialect. As in the Elene, so in the Christ and the Juliana, Cynewulf has left us his name, hence all agree in ascribing to him these poems at least. To these some of the Riddles, if not all, are usually added, but this is now contested. Other poems, as the Guthlac, Phnix, Christ's Descent into Hell, Andreas, Dream of the Rood, and several other shorter poems, have been ascribed to him with more or less probability, and very recently Sarrazin (in Anglia, IX. 515 ff.) would credit him with the authorship of even the Beowulf(!). We might as well assign to him, as has been suggested, all the poems in the two great manuscripts, the Exeter Book and the Vercelli Book, and be done with it. It is desirable that his authorship of the Dream of the Rood, which ten Brink and Sweet assign to him, but Wulker rejects, should be proved or disproved; for with this is connected the question of his Northumbrian origin, and some lines from this poem have been inscribed in the Northumbrian dialect on the Ruthwell Cross in Dumfriesshire.

However it may be, a poet named Cynewulf wrote the Elene, and thereby left us one of the finest Old English poems that time has preserved, on a subject that was of great interest to Christian Europe. A collection of "Legends of the Holy Rood" has been issued by the Early English Text Society (ed. Morris, 1871), from the Anglo-Saxon period to Caxton's translation of the Legenda Aurea; but they are arranged without system, and no study has been made of the date and relation of the several forms of the story. If Cynewulf made use of the Latin Life of Cyriacus in the Acta Sanctorum, he expanded his source considerably and showed great skill and originality in his treatment of the subject, as may be seen by comparing the translation with the Latin text in Zupitza's third edition of the Elene (1888), or in Professor Kent's forthcoming American edition, after Zupitza. The Old English text was discovered by a German scholar, Dr. F. Blume, at Vercelli, Italy, in 1822, and the manuscript has since become well known as the Vercelli Book (cf. Wulker's Grundriss, p. 237 ff.). A reasonable conjecture as to how this MS. reached Vercelli may be found in Professor Cook's pamphlet, "Cardinal Guala and the Vercelli Book." A Bibliography of the Elene will be found in Wulker, Zupitza, and Kent. English translations have been made by Kemble, in his edition of the Codex Vercellensis (1856), and very recently by Dr. R.F. Weymouth, Acton, England, after Zupitza's text (privately printed, 1888). A German translation will be found in Grein's Dichtungen der Angelsachsen (II. 104 ff., 1859), and of lines 1-275 in Korner's Einleitung in das Studium des Angelsachsischen (p. 147 ff., 1880). A good summary of the poem is given in Earle's "Anglo-Saxon Literature" (p. 234 ff., 1884), and a briefer one in Morley's "English Writers" (II. 196 ff.).

The Elene is conceded to be Cynewulf's best poem, and ten Brink remarks of the Andreas and the Elene: "In these Cynewulf appears, perhaps, at the summit of his art" (p. 58, Kennedy's translation). The last canto is a personal epilogue, of a sad and reflective character, evidently appended after the poem proper was concluded. This may be the last work of the poet, and there is good reason for ten Brink's view (p. 59) that "not until the writing of the Elene had Cynewulf entirely fulfilled the task he had set himself in consequence of his vision of the cross. Hence he recalls, at the close of the poem, the greatest moment of his life, and praises the divine grace that gave him deeper knowledge, and revealed to him the art of song."

II. The Judith is a fragment, but a very torso of Hercules. The first nine cantos, nearly three-fourths of the poem, are irretrievably lost, so that we have left but the last three cantos with a few lines of the ninth. The story is from the apocryphal book of Judith, and the part remaining corresponds to chapters XII. 10 to XVI. 1, but the poet has failed to translate the grand thanksgiving of Judith in the sixteenth chapter. The story of Judith and Holofernes is too well known to need narration. The poet, doubtless, followed the Latin Vulgate, as we have no reason to think that a knowledge of Greek was a common possession among Old English poets; but, as Professor Cook says, "the order of events is not that of the original narrative. Many transpositions have been made in the interest of condensation and for the purpose of enhancing the dramatic liveliness of the story."

The Old English text is found in the same manuscript with the Beowulf (Cotton, Vitellius, A, xv.), and, to my mind, this poem reminds the reader more of the vigor and fire of Beowulf than does any other Old English poem; but its author is unknown. It has been assigned by some scholars to the tenth century, which is rather late for it; but Professor Cook has given reasons for thinking that it may have been written in the second half of the ninth century in honor of Judith, the step-mother of King Alfred. It was first printed as prose by Thwaites at the close of his "Heptateuch, Book of Job, and Gospel of Nicodemus" (1698), and has been often reprinted, its shortness and excellence making it a popular piece for inclusion in Anglo-Saxon Readers. A most complete edition has been recently (1888) issued by Professor Albert S. Cook, with an excellent introduction, a translation, and a glossary. A Bibliography is given by Professor Cook (pp. 71-73), and by Wulker (Grundriss, p. 140 ff.). To the translations therein enumerated may be added the one in Morley's "English Writers" (II. 180 ff.). Professor Cook has also given (pp. lxix-lxxii) the testimonies of scholars to the worth of this poem. To these the attention of the reader is especially called. The Judith has been treated by both ten Brink and Wulker as belonging to the Caedmon circle, but the former well says (p. 47): "This fragment produces an impression more like that of the national epos than is the case with any other religious poetry of that epoch;" and Sweet (Reader, p. 157) regards it as belonging "to the culminating point of the Old Northumbrian literature, combining as it does the highest dramatic and constructive power with the utmost brilliance of language and metre."

III. The Athelstan, or Fight at Brunanburh, is found in four manuscripts of the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" and in Wheloc's edition (1643), printed from a MS. that was burnt in the unfortunate fire among the Cottonian manuscripts (1731). It is entered under the year 937 in all but one MS., where it occurs under 938. The poem gives a brief, but graphic, description of the fight between King Athelstan and his brother Edmund on the one side, and Constantine and his Scots aided by Anlaf and his Danes, or Northmen, on the other, in which fight the Saxons were completely victorious. The poem will be found in all editions of the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" from Wheloc to Earle (1865), and has been repeatedly reprinted, its brevity causing it to be often included as a specimen of Old English, but it is omitted in Sweet's Reader. A Bibliography will be found in Wulker's Grundriss (p. 339 ff.). To the English translations there mentioned,which include a poetical one by Lord Tennyson, after a prose translation by his son in the Contemporary Review for November, 1876,may be added the prose translation by Kennedy in ten Brink (p. 91) and the rhythmical one by Professor Morley in his "English Writers" (II. 316-17). ten Brink thinks that the poem was not written by an eye-witness, and says (p. 92): "The poem lacks the epic perception and direct power of the folk-song as well as invention. The patriotic enthusiasm, however, upon which it is borne, the lyrical strain which pervades it, yield their true effect. The rich resources derived from the national epos are here happily utilised, and the pure versification and brilliant style of the whole stir our admiration." It well serves to diversify and enliven the usually dry annals of the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle," and cannot be spared in the great dearth of poetry of this period.

IV. The Byrhtnoth, or Fight at Maldon, relates in vigorous verse the contest between the Saxons, led by the Ealdorman Byrhtnoth, and the Danes at the river Panta, near Maldon in Essex, in which the Danes were victorious and Byrhtnoth was slain. The incident is mentioned in four manuscripts of the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" under the year 991, but one gives it under 993. The MS. in which the poem was contained was unfortunately burnt in the great fire above-mentioned (1731); but Thomas Hearne, the antiquary, had fortunately printed it, as prose, in his edition, of the Chronicle of John of Glastonbury (1726); hence this is now our sole authority for the text, which is defective at both the beginning and the end. The poem has been highly esteemed by scholars, and is a very valuable relic of late tenth century literature. It has been often reprinted, and translated several times in whole or in part. Grein does not translate either the Athelstan or the Byrhtnoth. Korner translates it in full, and so does Zernial in his Program "Das Lied von Byrhtnoth's Fall" (1882). This monograph contains the fullest study of the poem that has been made. It is translated into English, with some omissions, by Kennedy in ten Brink (pp. 93-96); it is barely mentioned by Earle (p. 147), and a summary of it is given by Morley in "English Writers" (II. 319-320). A Bibliography will be found in Wulker's Grundriss (pp. 344-5). An edition of both Athelstan and Byrhtnoth has been long announced in the "Library of Anglo-Saxon Poetry," but it has not yet appeared. [1] Sweet says of the Byrhtnoth (Reader, p. 138): "Although the poem does not show the high technical finish of the older works, it is full of dramatic power and warm feeling"; and ten Brink, with more enthusiasm, calls it (p. 96) "one of the pearls of Old English poetry, full, as it is, of dramatic life, and fidelity of an eye-witness. Its deep feeling throbs in the clear and powerful portrayal." He recognizes, however, "the tokens of metrical decline, of the dissolution of ancient art-forms."

V. The Dream of the Rood is found in the Vercelli manuscript. Wulker's Grundriss gives the literature of the subject to the time of its publication (1885). Soon afterwards Morley's "English Writers," Vol. II., appeared (1888), in which an English translation is given (pp. 237-241); also Stopford Brooke, in his "History of Early English Literature" (1892), has given an account of the poem, with partial translation and epitome (pp. 436-443). (See also p. 337 and pp. 384-386 for further notice.) The poem is very briefly mentioned by Trautmann in his monograph on Cynewulf (1898, p. 40). There are some very interesting questions connected with the poem which cannot be discussed here. Was it by Cynewulf? On the affirmative side we find Dietrich, Rieger, Grein, ten Brink, D'Ham, and Sweet. On the negative, Wulker, Ebert, Trautmann, Stephens, Morley, Brooke, and others. Pacius, who edited the text, with a German translation, in 1873, thinks that we know nothing about the poet. Brooke has propounded a theory, previously adumbrated by the editors of the Corpus Poeticum Boreale, Vigfusson and Powell, that an older poem, possibly of Cdmonian origin, as shown by the long six-accent lines, has been worked over by Cynewulf, with additions, and that it is "his last work" (p. 440). Certain lines of the poem, in the Northumbrian dialect, are found on the Ruthwell Cross, which fact complicates the question of origin. These are compared by Brooke (p. 337). The other upholders of the Cynewulfian authorship think that this Dream, occurring in the early part of Cynewulf's religious life, led to the longer and more highly finished poem, the Elene, written near the close of his life. The questions of the relationship of the poem to the Ruthwell Cross and to the Elene deserve further discussion. With these is connected the question of date, and the poem has been placed all the way from 700 to 800 A.D., even a little before and a little after, possibly 675 to 825 A.D., so as yet there is no common agreement. The similarity of thought in the personal epilogue (II. 122 ff.) to the epilogue of the Elene (II. 1237 ff.) is striking, and they may be compared by the curious reader. The translation is made from the Grein-Wulker text (Vol. II., pp. 116-125), with emendations from others, as seen in the notes. All can agree with Kemble (Codex Vercellensis, Part II., p. ix) that "it is in some respects the most striking of all the Anglo-Saxon remains, inasmuch as a departure from the mere conventional style of such compositions is very perceptible in it. It contains some passages of real poetical beauty, and a good deal of fancy." Brooke says (op. cit., p. 443): "This is the last of the important poems of the eighth century. It is good, but not very good. The older part, if my conjecture be right, is the best, and its reworking by Cynewulf has so broken it up that its dignity is much damaged. The shaping is rude, but the imagination has indeed shaped it." ten Brink says (p. 53): "Cynewulf himself has immortalized this vision in a poem, giving utterance to an irrepressible emotion, but still exhibiting the delicate lines of a beautifully designed composition." The other Germans are usually so taken up with technical and mechanical questions that they leave no room for sthetic considerations. Whether Cynewulf wrote the poem or not,and the probabilities favor his authorship, though we may not hesitate to say with Morley, "I don't know,"it is certainly the work of a gifted Christian poet, who reverences the cross as the means of the redemption of mankind.

This brief Introduction will, it is hoped, be sufficient to interest the reader in the accompanying translations of some of the finest pieces of Old English poetry that remain to us from the eighth, ninth, and tenth centuries. The earlier period was the golden age of Old English poetry in the Northumbrian dialect, which poetry, there is good reason to think, was copied into the West-Saxon dialect, and it now remains to us only in that form; for, when the Northmen harried Northumbria, destroyed its monasteries, massacred its inhabitants, and settled in its homes, manuscripts perished, and the light of learning in Western Europe was extinguished. It is sufficient to recall King Alfred's oft-quoted lament, in the Preface to his translation of Pope Gregory's "Pastoral Care," to realize the position held by Northumbria in respect to culture, and when learning was restored in Wessex by the efforts of the king himself, and poetry again revived, it shone but by a reflected light. Still we should treasure all that remains, and the Old English language should be at least as well known as Latin is now, and should occupy as prominent a position in education and general culture. Until that millennial period arrives, translations of Old English poems may not be without service.

ABBREVIATIONS IN NOTES.

When had elapsed in course of years

Two hundred and three, reckoned by number,

And thirty also, in measure of time,

Of winters for th' world, since mighty God

Became incarnate, of kings the Glory, 5

Upon mid-earth in human form,

Light of the righteous; then sixth was the year

Of Constantine's imperial sway,

Since he o'er the realm of the Roman people,

The battle-prince, as ruler was raised. 10

The ward of his folk, skilful with shield,

[1]

Was gracious to earls. Strong grew the theling's Might 'neath the heavens. He was true king,

War-keeper of men. God him strengthened

With honor and might, that to many became he 15

Throughout this earth to men a joy,

To nations a vengeance, when weapon he raised

Against his foes. Him battle was offered,

Tumult of war. A host was assembled,

Folk of the Huns and fame-loving Goths; 20

[2]

War-brave they went, the Franks and the Hugs. Bold were the men [in battle-byrnies, Gn.],

Ready for war. Bright shone the spears,



The ringed corselets. With shouts and shields They hoisted the standards. The heroes were there 25

Plainly assembled, and [host, Gn.] all together.

The multitude marched. A war-song howled

The wolf in the wood, war-secret concealed not;

The dew-feathered eagle uplifted his song

On the trail of his foes. Hastened quickly 30



O'er cities of giants [3] the greatest of war-hosts In bands to battle, such as king of the Huns

Of dwellers-around anywhere might,

Of city-warriors, assemble to war.

Went greatest of armies,the footmen were strengthened 35

With chosen bands,till in foreign land

The fighters-with-darts upon the Danube's

Bank were encamping, the brave in heart,

'Round the welling of waters, with tumult of host.

The realm of the Romans they wished to oppress, 40

With armies destroy. There was Huns' coming

Known to the people. Then bade the Csar

Against the foes his comrades in war

'Neath arrow-flight in greatest haste

Gather for fight, form battle-array 45

The heroes 'neath heavens. The Romans were,

Men famed for victory, quickly prepared

With weapons for war, though lesser army

[4]

Had they for the battle than king of the Huns. They rode 'round the valiant: then rattled the shield, 50

The war-wood clanged: the king with host marched,

With army to battle. Aloft sang the raven,

Dark and corpse-greedy. The band was in motion.



The horn-bearers blew, [5] the heralds called, Steed stamped the earth. The host assembled 55

Quickly for contest. The king was affrighted,

With terror disturbed, after the strangers,



The Huns' and Hreths' host they [6] observed,

That it [7] on the Romans' kingdom's border 'Round the bank of the river a band assembled, 60

A countless crowd. Heart-sorrow bore

The Romans' ruler, of realm he hoped not

For want of force; had warriors too few,

Trusty comrades, 'gainst th' overmight

Of the brave for battle. The army encamped, 65

The earls 'round the theling nigh to the river

In neighboring plain a night-long time,

After force of their foes they first beheld.

Then in his sleep was shown to him,

To the Csar himself where he slept 'mid his men, 70

By the victory-famed seen, a vision of dream.

Effulgent it seemed him, in form of a man,

White and hue-bright, some one of heroes

More splendid appeared than ere or since

He saw 'neath the heavens. From sleep he awaked 75

With boar-sign bedecked. The messenger quickly,

Bright herald of glory, to him made address

And called him by name (the night-veil vanished):

"To thee, Constantine, bade King of the angels,

Wielder of fates, his favor grant, 80

The Lord of Hosts. Fear not for thyself,

Though thee the strangers threaten with terror,

With battle severe. Look thou to heaven,

To the Lord of glory: there help wilt thou find,

A token of victory." Soon was he ready 85



At hest of the holy, his heart-lock unloosed, Upwards he looked as the messenger bade him,

Trusty peace-weaver. He saw bright with gems

Fair rood of glory o'er roof of the clouds

Adorned with gold: the jewels shone, 90

The glittering tree with letters was written

Of brightness and light: "With this beacon thou



On the dangerous journey [8] wilt the foe overcome, The loathly host let." The light then departed,

Ascended on high, and the messenger too, 95

To the realm of the pure. The king was the blither

And freer from sorrow, chieftain of men,

In thoughts of his soul, for that fair sight.





Bade then a likeness [9] defender of thelings, Ring-giver of heroes, to that beacon he saw, 100

Leader of armies, that in heaven before

To him had appeared, with greatest haste

[Bade] Constantine [like] the rood of Christ,

The glorious king, a token make.

He bade then at dawn with break of day 105

His warriors rouse and onset of battle,

The standard raise, and that holy tree

Before him carry, 'mid host of foes

God's beacon bear. The trumpets sang

[10] Aloud 'fore the hosts. The raven rejoiced, 110

The dew-feathered eagle beheld the march,

Fight of the fierce cries, the wolf raised his howl,

The wood's frequenter. War-terror arose.



There was shattering of shields and mingling of men, Heavy handstroke and felling of foes, 115

After in arrow-flight first they had met.

On the fated folk showers of darts,

Spears over shields into hosts of foes,

Sword-fierce foemen battle-adders

With force of fingers forwards impelled. 120

The strong-hearted stepped, pressed onwards at once,

Broke the shield-covers, thrust in their swords,

Battle-brave hastened. Then standard was raised,

Sign 'fore the host, song of victory sung.

The golden helmet, the spear-points glistened 125

On field of battle. The heathen perished,

Peaceless they fell. Forthwith they fled,

The folk of the Huns, when that holy tree

The king of the Romans bade raise on high,

Fierce in the fight. The warriors became 130

Widely dispersed. Some war took away;

Some with labor their lives preserved

Upon that march; some half-alive

Fled to the fastness and life protected

Behind the stone-cliffs, held their abode 135

Around the Danube; some drowning took off

In the stream of the river at the end of their life.

Then was of the proud ones the force in joy;

They followed the foreigners forth until even

From break of day. The ash-darts flew, 140

[11]

Battle-adders. The heap was destroyed, Shield-band of foes. Very few came

Of the host of the Huns home again thence.

Then it was plain that victory gave

To Constantine the King Almighty 145



In the work of that day, glorious honor, Might 'neath the heavens, through the tree of his rood.

Went helmet of hosts home again thence,

In booty rejoicing (the battle was ended),

Honored in war. Came warriors' defence 150

[12]

With band of his thanes to deck the strong shield, War-renowned king, to visit his cities.

Bade warriors' ward the wisest men

Swiftly to synod, who wisdom's craft

Through writings of old had learnt to know, 155

Held in their hearts counsels of heroes.

Then that gan inquire chief of the folk,

Victory-famed king, throughout the wide crowd,

If any there were, elder or younger,

Who him in truth was able to tell, 160

Make known by speech, what the god were,



The giver of glory, [13] "whose beacon this was, That seemed me so sheen, and saved my people,

Brightest of beacons, and gave to me glory,

War-speed against foes, through that beautiful tree." 165

They him any answer at all were unable

To give in reply, nor could they full well

Clearly declare of that victory-sign.

Then did the wisest speak out in words

Before the armed host, that Heaven-king's 170

Token it was, and of that was no doubt.

When they that heard who in baptism's lore

Instructed had been, light was their mind,

Rejoicing their soul, though of them there were few,

That they 'fore the Csar might dare to proclaim 175

The gift of the gospel, how the spirits' Defence,

In form of the Trinity worshipped in glory,



Incarnate became, Brightness of kings, And how on the cross was God's own Son

Hanged 'fore the hosts with hardest pains; 180

The Son men saved from the bonds of devils,

Sorrowful spirits, and a gift to them gave

Through that same sign that appeared to him

Before his own eyes the token of victory

'Gainst onset of nations; and how the third day 185

From out of the tomb the Glory of heroes,

From death, arose, the Lord of all

The race of mankind, and to Heaven ascended.

So with cunning of mind in secrets of soul

[14] They said to the victor as they by Sylvester 190

Instructed had been. From him the folk-chief

Baptism received, and continued to hold it

For the time of his days at the will of the Lord.



Then was in bliss the giver of treasure,

The battle-brave king. To him was new joy 195

Inspired in his soul; greatest of comforts

And highest of hopes was heaven's Defence.

Then gan he God's law by day and by night

Through gift of the Spirit with zeal proclaim,

And truly himself devoted he eagerly, 200

Gold-friend of men, to the service of God,

Spear-famed, unfaltering. Then found the theling,

[15]

Defence of his folk, through learned men, War-brave, spear-bold, in books of God,

Where had been hanged with shouts of the host 205

On tree of the rood the Ruler of heaven



Through envy and hate, just as the old fiend Misled with his lies, the people deceived,

The race of the Jews, so that God himself

They hanged, Lord of hosts: hence in misery shall they 210

For ever and ever punishment suffer.

Then praise of Christ by the Csar was



In the thoughts of his mind [16] always remembered For that great tree, and his mother he bade

Go on a journey with a band of men 215

To [land of] the Jews, earnestly seek

With host of warriors where that tree of glory

Holy 'neath earth hidden might be,

The noble King's rood. Helena would not

On that expedition be slow to start, 220

Nor that joy-giver's command neglect,



Her own [dear] son's, but soon she [17] was ready For the wished-for journey, as the helmet of men,

Of mail-clad warriors, her had commanded.

Gan then with speed the crowd of earls 225



Hasten to ship. [18] The steeds of the sea 'Round the shore of the ocean ready were standing,

Cabled sea-horses, at rest on the water.

Then plainly was known the voyage of the lady,

When the welling of waves she sought with her folk. 230

There many a proud one at Wendel-sea

Stood on the shore. They severally hastened

Over the mark-paths, band after band,

And then they loaded with battle-sarks,

With shields and spears, with mail-clad warriors, 235

With men and women, the steeds of the sea.

Then they let o'er the billows the foamy ones go,

The high wave-rushers. The hull oft received



O'er the mingling of waters the blows of the waves. The sea resounded. Not since nor ere heard I 240

On water-stream a lady lead,

On ocean-street, a fairer force.

There might he see, who that voyage beheld,

Burst o'er the bath-way the sea-wood, hasten

'Neath swelling sails, the sea-horse play, 245

The wave-floater sail. The warriors were blithe,

Courageous in mind; queen joyed in her journey.

After to haven the ringed-prowed

O'er the sea-fastness had finished their course

To the land of the Greeks, they let the keels 250

At the shore of the sea beat by the breakers,

The old sea-dwellings at anchor fast,

On the water await the fate of the heroes,

When the warlike queen with her band of men

Over the east-ways should seek them again. 255

There was on [each] earl easily seen

The braided byrnie and tested sword,

Glittering war-weeds, many a helmet,

Beautiful boar-sign. The spear-warriors were,

Men 'round victor-queen, prepared for the march, 260

Brave war-heroes. They marched with joy

Into land of the Greeks, the Csar's heralds,

Battle-warriors with armor protected.

There was to be seen treasure-gem set

'Mid that army-host, gift of their lord. 265

[Then] was the blessed Helena mindful,

Bold in her thought, of the prince's will,

Eager in mind, in that she of the Jews,

O'er the army-fields with tested band

Of warriors-with-shields, the land was seeking, 270

With host of men; so it after befell



In little while that that force of men, [19]

War-famed heroes, to Hierusalem Came to the city the greatest of crowds,

Spear-famed earls, with the noble queen. 275



Bade she then order the dwellers-in-city

Most skilled in lore, those far and wide

Among the Jews, each one of men,

For council-talk in meeting to come,

Who most deeply the secrets of God 280

By righteous law were able to tell.

Then was assembled from distant ways

No little crowd who Moses' law

Were able to tell. In number there were

Of thousands three of those [learned] men 285

Chosen for lore. The lovely woman

The men of the Hebrews with words gan address:

"I that most surely have learnt to know

Through secret words of prophets [of old]

In the books of God, that in days of yore 290

Ye worthy were of the glorious King,

Dear to the Lord and daring in deed.

Lo! ye that wisdom [very, Gn.] unwisely,

Wrongly, rejected, when him ye condemned

Who you from the curse through might of his glory, 295

From torment of fire, thought to redeem,

From fetters' force. Ye filthily spat

On his fair face who light of the eyes

From blindness [restored], a remedy brought

To you anew by that noble spittle, 300

And often preserved you from the unclean



Spirits of devils. This one to death Ye gan adjudge, who self from death

Many awakened 'mong host of men

Of your own race to the former life. 305

So blinded in mind ye gan conjoin

Lying with truth, light with darkness,

Hatred with mercy, with evil thoughts

Ye wickedness wove; therefore the curse

You guilty oppresses. The purest Might 310

Ye gan condemn, and have lived in error,

In thoughts benighted, until this day.

Go ye now quickly, with prudence select

Men firm in wisdom, crafty in word,

Who your own law, with excellence skilled, 315

In thoughts of their minds most thoroughly have,

Who to me truly are able to say,

Answer to tell for you henceforth

Of each one of tokens that I from thee seek."

They went then away sorry-in-mind, 320

The law-clever earls, oppressed with fear,

Sad in their grief, earnestly sought

The wisest men in secrets of words,

That they to the queen might answer well

Both of good and of ill, as she from them sought. 325

Then they 'mong the host a thousand of men

Found clever in mind who the old story

Among the Jews most readily knew.

Then they pressed in a crowd where in pomp awaited

[20] On kingly throne the Csar's mother, 330

Stately war-queen with gold adorned.

Helena spake and said 'fore the earls:

"Hear, clever in mind, the holy secret,

Word and wisdom. Lo! ye the prophets'

Teaching received, how the Life-giver 335

In form of a child incarnate became,

Ruler of might. Of him Moses sang



And spake this [word], [21] warden of Israel: 'To you shall be born a child in secret

Renowned in might, though his mother shall not 340

Be filled with fruit through love of a man.'

Of him David the king a kingly psalm sang,

The wise old sage, father of Solomon,

And spake this word, prince of warriors:

'The God of creation before me I saw, 345

Lord of victories. He was in my sight,

Ruler of hosts, upon my right hand,

Guardian of glory. Thence turn I not

[22]

Ever in life my countenance from him.' So it again of you Isaiah 350

'Fore the people, the prophet, foretold in words,

Thinking profoundly by spirit of the Lord:

'I raised upon high sons young in years,

And children begat, to whom glory I gave,

Heart-comfort holy: but they me rejected, 355

With enmity hated, forethought possessed not,

Wisdom of mind, and the wretched cattle,

That on each day one drives and strikes,

Their well-doer know, not at all with revenge

Bear hate to their friends who give them fodder. 360

And the folk of Israel never were willing

Me to acknowledge, though many for them,

[23]

In worldly course, of wonders I wrought.'

"Lo! that we heard through holy books,

That the Lord to you gave blameless glory, 365

The Maker, mights' Speed, to Moses said

How the King of heaven ye should obey,

His teaching perform. Of that ye soon wearied,

And counter to right ye had contended;

Ye shunned the bright Creator of all, 370



The Lord [of Lords], [24] and followed error 'Gainst right of God. Now quickly go

And find ye still who writings of old

Through craft of wit the best may know,

Your books of law, that answer to me 375

Through prudent mind they may return."

Went then with a crowd depressed in mind

The proud in heart, as them the queen bade.

Found they five hundred of cunning men,

Chosen comrades, who craft of lore 380

Through memory of mind the most possessed,

Wisdom in spirit. They back to the hall

In little while again were summoned,

Wards of the city. The queen them gan

With words address (she glanced over all): 385

"Often ye silly actions performed,

Accursed wretches, and writings despised,

Lore of your fathers, ne'er more than now,

When ye of your blindness the Healer rejected,

And ye contended 'gainst truth and right, 390

That in Bethlehem the child of the Ruler,

The only-born King, incarnate was,

The Prince of princes. Though the law ye knew,

Words of the prophets, ye were not then willing,

Workers of sin, the truth to confess." 395

With one mind then they answered her:

"Lo! we the Hebrew law have learned,

That in days of old our fathers knew,

At the ark of God, nor know we well

Why thou so fiercely, lady, with us 400

Hast angry become. We know not the wrong

That we have done amid this nation,



Chiefest of crimes [25] against thee ever." Helena said and 'fore the earls spake

Without concealment; the lady proclaimed 405

Aloud 'fore the hosts: "Now go ye quickly,

Seek out apart who wisdom with you

Might and mindcraft the most may have,

That each of the things they boldly may tell me,

Without delay, that I from them seek." 410

Went they then from the council as the mighty queen,

Bold in the palace, them had commanded,

Sorry-in-mind eagerly searched they,

With cunning sought, what were the sin

That they in the folk might have committed 415

Against the Csar, for which the queen blames them.

Then there 'fore the earls one them addressed,

Cunning in songs (his name was Judas),

Crafty in word: "I surely know,

That she will seek of the victor-tree 420

On which once suffered the Ruler of nations

Free from all faults, own Son of God,



Whom though guiltless [26] of every sin Through hatred hanged upon the high tree

In days of old our own fathers. 425

That was terrible thought. There is now great need

That we with firmness strengthen our minds,

That we of this murder become not informers,

Where the holy tree was hidden away

After the war-storm, lest may be rejected 430

The wise old writings and of our fathers

[27]

The lore be lost. Not long will it be That of Israelites the noble race

Over the mid-earth may reign any more,

The law-craft of earls, if this be revealed: 435

That same long ago mine elder father

Victory-famed said (his name was Zacchaeus),

The wise old man, to mine own father,

[Who afterwards made it known to his, Gn.][29] son,

(He went from this world), and spake this word: 440

'If to thee that happen in the days of thy life,

That thou may'st hear of that holy tree

Wise men inquire and questionings raise

Of that victor-wood on which the true King

Was hanged on high, Guardian of heaven, 445

Child of all peace, then quickly declare it,

Mine own dear son, ere death thee remove.

Ne'er may after that the folk of the Hebrews,

The wise in counsel, their kingdom hold,

Rule over men, but their fame shall live 450

[28]

And their dominion [be glorified ever, Gn.], To world of worlds with joy be filled,

Who the King that was hanged honor and praise.'



"Then quickly I to mine own father,

The old law-sage, answer returned: 455

'How might that happen on kingdom of earth

That they on the holy their hands should lay

For reaving of life, our own fathers,

Through hostile mind, if they ere knew

That he were Christ, the King in heaven, 460

True son of Creator, Saviour of souls.'

Then to me mine elder answer returned,

Wise in his mind my father replied:

'Perceive, young man, the might of God,

The name of the Saviour. That is to each man 465

Unutterable. Him may no one

Upon this earth [ever] find out.

Never that plan that this people framed

Was I willing to follow, but I always myself

Held aloof from their crimes, by no means wrought shame 470

To mine own spirit. To them earnestly often

On account of their wrong I made opposition,

When the learned-in-lore counsel were taking,

Were seeking in soul how the Son of their Maker,

Men's Helm, [29] they might hang, the Lord of all, 475

Both angels and men, noblest of children.

They might not so foolish death fasten on him,

Miserable men, as they ere weened,

Afflict with pains, though he for a time

Upon the cross his spirit gave up, 480

Victor-child of God. Then afterwards was

Raised from the rood the Ruler of heavens,

Glory of all glories, three nights after

Within the tomb was he abiding

Under the darkness, and then on third day, 485

Light of all light, he living arose,

Prince of angels, and he to his thanes,

True Lord of victories, himself revealed,

Bright in his fame. Then did thy brother

In time receive the bath of baptism, 490

Enlightening belief. For love of the Lord

Was Stephen then with stones assailed,

Nor ill gave for ill, but for foes of old

Patient implored, prayed King of glory

That he the woe-deed would not lay to their charge, 495

In that through hate the innocent One,

Guiltless of sins, by the teachings of Saul

They robbed of life, as he through enmity

To misery many of the folk of Christ

Condemned, to death. Yet later the Lord 500

Mercy him showed, that to many became he

Of people for comfort, when the God of creation,

Saviour of men, had changed his name,

And afterwards he the holy Paul

Was called by name, and no one than he 505

Of teachers of faith, [no] other, was better

'Neath roof of heaven afterwards ever

Of those man or woman brought into the world,

Although he Stephen with stones them bade

Slay on the mountain, thine own brother. 510

Now may'st thou hear, mine own dear son,

How gracious is the Ruler of all,

Though we transgression 'gainst him oft commit,

The wound of sins, if we soon after

For those misdeeds repentance work 515

And from unrighteousness afterwards cease.

Therefore I truly, and my dear father,

After believed [in the Giver of life, Gn.],

That he had suffered, God of all glories,

Leader of life, painful penalty 520

For mighty need of the race of men.

Therefore I teach thee through secret of song,

My dearest child, that scornful words,

Hatred or blasphemy, never thou work,

Fierce contradiction 'gainst the Son of God. 525

Then wilt thou merit that thee life eternal,

Best of rewards, shall be given in heaven.'

Thus mine own father in days of old

Me unwaxen with words did teach,

Instruct with true speech (his name was Simon), 530

Man wise in words. Now well do ye know

What of that in your thought may seem to you best

Plainly to tell, if us this queen

Shall ask of that tree, now mine own mind

And thought of heart ye [well] do know." 535

Him then in reply the cleverest of all

In the crowd of men with words addressed:

"Ne'er did we hear any of men

Among this folk save thee just now,

Another thane, declare in this manner 540

Of so secret event. Do as [best] seems thee,

Thou wise in old lore, if thou be questioned

'Mong the host of men. Of wisdom has need,

Of wary words and sage's cunning,

Who shall to the noble one answer return 545

Before such a host among the assembly."



Words waxed in speech; men counsel took

On every side; some hither, some thither,

Considered and thought. Then came many thanes

To the people's assembly. The heralds called, 550

The Csar's criers: "This queen you invites,

Men, to the hall, that the council-decisions

Ye rightly may tell. Of rede have ye need

In the place of assembly, of wisdom of mind."

Ready they were, the sad-in-mind 555

People's protectors, when they were summoned

Through stern command; to court they went

Craft's might to tell. Then gan the queen

The Hebrew men in words address,

Ask the life-weary of writings of old, 560

How ere in the world the prophets sang,

Men holy in spirit, of the Son of God,

Where the Prince [of the people] his sufferings bore,

True son of Creator, for love of souls.

Stubborn they were, harder than stone, 565

Would not that secret rightly make known

Nor answer to her any would tell,

Anger-provokers, of what she sought,

But they of each word made a denial,

Firm in their minds, of what she gan ask, 570

Said that in life they any such thing

Nor ere nor since ever had heard of.

Helena spake and angrily said:

"I [now] in truth to you will say,

And of this in your life there shall be no deception, 575

If ye in this falseness longer continue

With treacherous lying, who stand here before me,

That you on the mountain bale-fire shall take,

Hottest of war-waves, and your corpses consume,

The lambent flame, so for you shall that lie 580

To leaving of life [surely] be turned.

Ye may not prove that word, which ye just now in wrong



Concealed 'neath heaps [30] of sins. Nor may ye hide that fate, Obscure its deepest might." In thought of death they were

Of pyre and life's end, and delivered then one 585

Well-skilled in songs (to him the name Judas

Was given 'fore kinsmen);him they gave to the queen,

Said of him very wise: "He may truth to thee tell,

Fate's secrets reveal, as thou askest in words,

The law from beginning forth to the end. 590

He is before earth of noble race,

Wise in word-craft and son of a prophet,

Bold in council. To him 'tis inborn

That he the answers clever may have,

Knowledge in heart. He to thee shall declare 595

'Fore the crowd of men the gift of wisdom

Through mickle might, as thy mind desires."

In peace she permitted each one to seek

His own [dear] home, and him alone took,

Judas, as hostage, and earnestly prayed 600

That he of the rood would rightly teach,

Which of old in its bed was long concealed,

And she himself apart to her called.

Helena spake to him alone,

Glory-rich queen: "For thee two are ready, 605

Or life or death, as liefer shall be,

To thee to choose. Now quickly declare

To which of the two thou wilt agree."

Judas to her spake again (he might not the sorrow avoid,

Avert the ire of the empress. [31] In the power of the queen was he): 610

"How may him befall who out on the waste,

Tired and foodless, treads the moorland,

Oppressed with hunger, and bread and stone



Both in his sight together [32] shall be, The hard and the soft, that he take the stone 615

For hunger's defence, care not for the bread,

Return to want and reject the food,

Renounce the better, if both he enjoys?"



To him then the blessed answer returned,

Helena 'fore earls without concealment: 620

"If thou in heaven willest to have

Dwelling with angels and life on earth,

Reward in the skies, tell me quickly

Where rests the rood of the King of heaven

Holy 'neath earth, which ye now long 625

Through sin of murder from men have concealed."

Judas replied (his mind was sad,

Heat in his heart and woe for both,

Whether hope of heaven with [all] his soul

He should renounce, along with his present 630



Kingdom 'neath skies, or show the rood): "How may I that find that long ago happened

In course of winters? Now many are gone,

Two hundred or more, reckoned by number;

I may not recount, now the number I know not. 635

Now many have since departed this life,

Of wise and good who were before us,

Of clever men. In youth was I

In later days afterwards born,

A child in years. I cannot what I know not 640

Find in my heart that so long ago happened."

Helena spake to him in answer:

"How has it happened among this people,

That ye so much in mind retain,

Each one of all signs, just as the Trojans 645

[33]

In fight effected? 'Twas greater terror, Well-known old war, than this noble event,

In course of years. Ye that can well

Quickly recount, how many there were

In number of men in that murderous fight 650

Of throwers-with-darts fallen in death

Under the shield-hedge. Ye have the graves

Under the stone-slopes, and likewise the places

And the number of winters in writings set down."

Judas replied (great sorrow he bore): 655

"That work of war, we, lady mine,

Through direful need remember well,

And that tumult of war in writing set down,

The bearing of nations, but this one never

By any man's mouth have we heard 660

Made known to men except here now."

The noble queen gave answer to him:

"Thou resistest too much both truth and right

Of the tree of life, and now little before

Thou truly said'st of that victor-tree 665

To thine own people, and now turn'st to a lie."

To her Judas said that he spake that in sorrow

And doubt extreme, worse evil expected.

Him quickly answered the Csar's mother:

"Lo! that have we heard through holy books 670

Made known to men that there was hanged

On Calvary the King's free child,

God's Spirit-son. Thou fully shalt

Wisdom reveal, as writings tell,

About the plain, where the place may be, 675

That Calvary, ere misery take thee,

Death for thy sins, that I afterwards may

Purify it at the will of Christ,

For help to men, that holy God,

Almighty Lord, the thought of my heart 680

My wish may fulfil, men's Giver of glory,

Helper of souls." Her Judas answered,

Stubborn in mind: "I know not the place

Nor aught of the plain, nor the thing do I know."

Helena spake with angry mind: 685

"This do I swear through the Son of the Maker

The hanged God, that with hunger thou shalt

Before thy kinsmen be put to death,

Unless thou forsake these lying tales

And plainly to me the truth make known." 690

Then bade she with band him lead alive,

The guilty one cast (the servants delayed not)

Into a dry pit, where robbed of joy,

He lingered in sorrows seven nights' time

Within the prison oppressed with hunger, 695

Fastened with fetters, and then gan he call,

Weakened by pains, on the seventh day,

Tired and foodless (his strength was exhausted):

"I you beseech through heaven's God,

That me from these sufferings ye may release, 700

Humbled by hunger. Of that holy tree

Shall I willingly tell, now longer I may not

For hunger conceal it. This bond is too strong,

Distress too severe, and this misery too hard

In number of days. I may not endure it, 705

Nor longer conceal of the tree of life,

Though with folly before I was thoroughly filled,

And the truth too late I myself have perceived."



When she that heard, who men there ordered,

The man's behavior, she quickly commanded 710

That him from confinement and out of his dungeon,

From the narrow abode, they should release.

They hastily that did soon perform

And him with honor then led they up

From out of the prison as them the queen bade. 715

Stepped they then to the place, the firm-in-mind,

Upon the hill on which the Lord

Before was hanged, heaven-kingdom's Ward,

God's child, on the cross, and yet knew he not well,

Weakened by hunger, where the holy rood 720

Through cunning of foe [34] enclosed in earth, 721-2

Long firm in its bed concealed from men,

Remained in its grave. Now raised he his voice,

Unmindful [35] of might, and in Hebrew he spake: 725



"Saviour Lord, thou hast power of rule, And thou didst create through the might of thy glory

Heaven and earth and the boisterous sea,

The ocean's wide bosom, all creatures alike,

And thou didst measure with thine own hands 730

All the globe of the earth and the heaven above,

And thou thyself sittest, Wielder of victories,

Above the noblest order of angels,

That fly through the air encircled with light,

Great might of glory. There mankind may not 735

From the paths of earth ascend on high

In bodily form with that bright host,

Heralds of glory. These wroughtest thou,

And for thine own service them didst thou set,

Holy and heavenly. Of these in the choir 740

In joy eternal six are named,

Who are surrounded with six wings apiece,

[With them are] adorned, [and] fair they shine.

Of these are four who ever in flight

The service of glory attend upon 745

Before the face of the Judge eternal,

Continually sing in glory the praise,

With clearest voices, of the King of heaven,

Most beauteous of songs, and say these words

With voices pure (their name Cherubim): 750

'Holy is the holy God of archangels,

Ruler of hosts. Full of his glory

Are heaven and earth and all the high powers

With glory distinguished,' There are two among these,

Victor-race in heaven, who Seraphim 755

By name are called. They shall Paradise

And the tree of life with flaming sword

Holy maintain. The hard-edged trembles,

The etched brand wavers, and changes its form,

Firm in their grips. That, [36] O Lord God, 760

Ever thou wieldest, and thou the sinful,

Guilt-working foes out of the heavens,

The foolish, didst cast. The accursed host then

Under dwellings of darkness was forced to fall

To perdition of hell. There now in the welling 765

Endure they death-pain in the dragon's embrace,

Enclosed in darkness. [Thee] he resisted,

Thy princely rule; therefore in misery,



Full [37] of all foulness, he guilty shall suffer, Slavery endure. There may he not 770

Thy word reject: he is fast in torments,

The author of sin, in misery bound.

If thy will it be, Ruler of angels,

That he may reign who was on the rood,

And who through Mary upon the mid-earth 775

Incarnate became in form of a child,

Prince of the angels (if he had not been

Thy Son free from sin, never so many

True wonders in world would he have wrought

In number of days. Thou wouldst not from death 780

So gloriously him, Ruler of nations,

Have awaked 'fore the hosts, if he in glory

Through the bright [maid] were not thy Son),

Now, Father of angels, send forth thy sign.

As thou didst hear the holy man, 785

Moses, in prayer, when thou, God of might,

Didst show to the earl at the noble time

Under the hill-slope the bones of Joseph,

So, Ruler of hosts, if it be thy will,

Through that bright form I'll pray to thee 790

That to me the gold-hoard, Maker of spirits,



Thou wilt reveal, that has been from men [So] long concealed. Let, Author of life,

Now from this plain a winsome smoke

'Neath heaven's expanse mount up on high 795

Playing in the air. I'll the better believe,

And I'll the more firmly stablish my mind,

Undoubting trust, upon the hanged Christ,

That he be in truth the Saviour of souls,

Eternal, Almighty, Israel's King, 800

Forever may have glory in heaven,

Rule without end the dwellings eternal."



Then out of that place a vapor arose

Like smoke 'neath the heavens. There was rejoiced

The mind of the man. With both his hands, 805

Happy and law-clever, upward he clapped.

Judas exclaimed, clever in thought:

"Now I in truth myself have known

In my hardened heart that thou art the Saviour

Of [this] mid-earth. To thee, God of might, 810

Sitting in glory, be thanks without end,

That to me so sad and so full of sin

Thou revealed'st in glory the secrets of fate.

Now, Son of God, to thee will I pray,

Will-giver of peoples, now I know that thou art 815

Declared and born of all kings the Glory,

That thou no longer be of my sins,

Those which I committed by no means seldom,

O Maker, mindful. Let me, God of might,

Amid the number of thine own kingdom 820

With the army of saints my dwelling have

In that bright city, where is my brother

Honored in glory, for that faith with thee

He, Stephen, kept, though with handfuls of stones

He was pelted to death. War's meed he has, 825

Fame without end. There are in books

The wonders he wrought, in writings, made known."

Then gan he glad for the tree of glory,

Constant in zeal, delve in the earth

Beneath the turf, so that at twenty 830

Feet by measure he found far concealed,

Down in the depths hidden in the earth

'Neath cover of darkness,there found he three

Of roods together within the sad house

Buried in sand, as in days of old 835

The host of the wicked covered with earth,

The folk of the Jews. 'Gainst the child of God

Hatred they raised, although they should not,

If the lore they'd not heard of the father of lies.

Then was his mind greatly rejoiced, 840

His heart was strengthened by that holy tree,

His spirit inspired, when the beacon he saw

Holy 'neath earth. With his hands he clasped



The cross [38] of glory, and it raised 'mid the crowd From its grave in the earth. The guests on foot, 845

The thelings, went on into the city.

They set there in sight three victor-trees

[39]

The firm-minded earls 'fore Helena's feet, Courageous in heart. The queen rejoiced

In the depth of her soul, and then gan ask 850

On which of those trees the Son of the Ruler,

Joy-giver of heroes, hanged had been.

"Lo! that we have heard through holy books



By tokens declared, that two with-him [Also] suffered, and himself was the third 855

On the tree of the rood. All heaven was dark

On that terrible day. Say, if thou canst,

On which of these three the Prince of the angels

Suffered [his doom], the Shepherd of glory."

Her Judas might not (he knew not full well) 860

Plainly inform of the victor-wood,

On which one the Saviour uplifted had been,

Victor-son of God, ere he bade them set

Within the middle of that great city

The trees with clamor, and there await 865

Till to him declared the Almighty King

The wonder 'fore the folk of that tree of glory.

The victor-famed sat, their song they raised,

The wise in rede, 'round the three roods

Until the ninth hour; new joy they had 870

With wonder found. Then came there a crowd,

No little folk, and a man deceased

They brought on a bier with heap of men

In neighborhood [nigh] (ninth hour it was),

A lifeless youth. Then Judas was there 875

In thought of his heart greatly rejoiced.

He bade then set the soul-less [youth],

Deprived of life the corpse on the earth,

The lifeless one, and up he raised,

Declarer of truth, two of the crosses, 880

The wise, in his arms o'er that fated house,

Plunged deep in thought. It was dead as before,

Corpse fast on its bier: the limbs were cold,

Clad in distress. Then was the third

Holy upraised. The body awaited 885

Until over it the theling's [cross],

His rood, was upraised, Heaven-king's tree,

True token of victory. Soon he arose

Ready in spirit, both together

Body and soul. There praise was uplifted 890

Fair 'mid the folk. The Father they honored,

And also the true Son of the Ruler

They praised in words. Be glory and thanks

To Him without end from all His creatures.



Then was to the people in the depth of their souls 895

Impressed on their minds, as ever shall be,

The wonder that wrought the Lord of hosts

For saving of souls of the race of men,

The Teacher of life. There the sinner-through-lies

Then stied in the air, the flying fiend. 900

Gan then exclaim the devil of hell,

The terrible monster, mindful of evils:

"Lo! what man is this, who now again

With ancient strife my service will ruin,

Increase the old hate, [and] plunder my goods? 905

This contest's increasing. The souls cannot,

Workers of sin, longer within

My power remain, now a stranger is come,

Whom I ere reckoned fast in his sins,

Me has he robbed of every right, 910

Of precious possessions. That's not a fair course.

To me many harms the Saviour has done,

Contests oppressive, he who in Nazareth

Was reared as a child. As soon as he grew

From childhood's years, he to him ever turned 915

Mine own possessions. I may not now

In any right thrive. His kingdom is broad

Over the mid-earth. My might is lessened

Under the heavens. The rood I need not

Joyfully praise. Lo! me the Saviour 920

In that narrow home again has confined

Sadly for sorrow. Through Judas before

Joyful I was, and now am I humbled,

Deprived of goods, through Judas again,

Despised and friendless. Still can I find 925

[40]

Through evil deeds return hereafter From the homes of the damned. 'Gainst thee will I rouse



Another king [41] who will persecute thee, And he will reject thine own instruction,

And sinful manners of mine will he follow, 930

And thee will he send then into the blackest

And into the worst terrors of torments,

That with sorrow beset thou'lt firmly renounce

The hanged King whom ere thou obeyed'st."

To him then the cunning Judas replied, 935

The battle-brave man (in him Holy Spirit

Was firmly implanted, fire-hot his love,

His wit was welling with warrior's craft),

And this word he spake with wisdom filled:

"Thou need not so strongly, mindful of sins, 940

Sorrow renew, and strife uprear,

Sin-maker of murder, for thee mighty King

In the depths beneath will thrust thee down,

Worker of sin, to miseries' bottom

Deprived of glory, who many of the dead 945

With his word awaked. Know thou the readier,

That thou with folly didst once renounce



Brightest of lights and love of the Lord, The fairest joy, and in bath of fire,

Surrounded with torments, didst afterwards dwell, 950

Consumed with flame, and there ever shalt,

Hostile in mind, punishment suffer,

Misery endless." Helena heard

How the fiend and the friend contests aroused,

The blest and the base, on both their sides, 955

The sinner and the saint. Her mind was the gladder

For that she heard the hellish foe

[The fiend] overcome, the worker of sins,

And then she wondered at the wit of the man,

How he so truthful in so little time 960

And so untaught ever became

With wisdom inspired. [Then] thanked she God,

The King of glory, that her wish was fulfilled

Through the Son of God of each of the two,

Both for the sight of the victor-tree, 965



And of the faith that [42] so bright she perceived, The glorious gift in the breast of the man.



Then was made known among that folk,

Throughout that nation widely proclaimed,

The great morning-news for a grievance to many 970

Of those who God's law wished to conceal,

Announced in the towns far as waters embrace,

In each of the cities, that the rood of Christ

Once buried in earth had been discovered,

Brightest of beacons, which since or before 975

Holy 'neath heavens had been upheaved;

And it was to the Jews the greatest of sorrows,

Unhappy men, most hateful of fates,

That they 'fore the world were unable to change it,

The joy of the Christians. Then bade the queen 980

'Mong the host of earls heralds to hasten,

Quickly to journey; they should of the Romans

O'er the high sea the lord seek out,

And to that warrior the best of tidings

Say, to himself, that the victor-sign 985

Through Creator's favor had been recovered,

Found in the earth, which ages before

Had been concealed for sorrow to saints,

To Christian folk. Then was to the king

Through the glorious words his spirit gladdened, 990

His heart rejoicing. Then was of inquirers

'Neath golden garments no lack in the cities

Come from afar. To him greatest of comforts

It became in the world at the wished-for tidings,

His heart delighted,which army-leaders 995

Over the east-ways, messengers, brought him,

How happy a journey over the swan-road

The men with the queen successfully made

To the land of the Greeks. The Csar bade them

With greatest haste again prepare 1000

Themselves for the way. The men delayed not

As soon as they had the answer heard,

The words of the theling. Bade he Helena hail,

The war-famed greet, if they the sea-voyage

And happy journey were able to make, 1005

Brave-minded men, to the holy city.

Bade also to her the messengers say

Constantinus, that she a church

On the mountain-slope for gain of both

Should there erect, a temple of God, 1010

On Calvary, for joy to Christ,

For help to men, where the holy rood

Had been discovered, greatest of trees,

Of those that earth-dwellers ever heard named

Upon the earth. So she effected, 1015

After dear kinsmen brought from the west

Over the ocean many loved tidings.

Then bade the queen those skilled in crafts

To seek out apart, the best of all,

Those who most cunningly knew how to work 1020

In joinings of stones, on the open plain

God's temple to build. As the Warden of spirits

Her counselled from heaven, she bade the rood

With gold adorn and gems of all kinds,

With the most splendid of precious stones 1025

To set with skill, and in silver chest

To enclose with locks. There that tree of life,

Best of victor-trees, has since remained



In nature eternal. [43] There 'twill be ever ready A help to the sick 'gainst every ill, 1030

Distress and sorrow. There soon will they

Through that holy creation assistance obtain,

A gift divine. Also Judas received

After fixed time the bath of baptism,

And cleansed became, trustful in Christ, 1035

Dear to the Life-warden. His faith became

Firm in his heart, when the Spirit of comfort

Made his abode in the breast of the man,

To repentance him urged. The better he chose,

The joy of glory, and the worse he refused, 1040

The service of idols, and error rejected,



Unlawful belief. To him King [44] eternal, The Creator, was mild, God, Ruler of might.



Then he was baptized who often before

The ready light [had long rejected, Gn.], 1045

Inspired was his soul for that better life,

To glory turned. Fate surely ordained

That so full of faith and so dear to God

In realm of the world he should become,

[So] pleasing to Christ. That known became, 1050

After that Helena bade them Eusebius,

Bishop of Rome, into council with her

To bring for help, the very wise [man]



By means of men, [45] to the holy city, That he might ordain to the sacred office 1055

Judas for the folk in Jerusalem,

To be their bishop within the city,

Through gift of the Spirit for the temple of God

Chosen with wisdom, and him Cyriacus

Through counsel of wit she afterwards named 1060

A second time. The name was changed

Of the man in the city henceforth for the better,

For the law of the Saviour. Then still Helena's

Mind was disturbed at the wondrous fate,

Very much for the nails, those which the Saviour's 1065

Feet had pierced through and likewise his hands,

With which on the rood the Ruler of Heaven,

Lord mighty, was fastened. Of these gan ask

The Christians' queen, Cyriacus prayed

That still for her, by the might of his spirit, 1070

For the wondrous fate the will he'ld fulfil,

Reveal by his gifts, and she addressed

This word to the bishop, boldly she spake:

"Thou, earls' defence, the noble tree

Of heavens' King me rightly didst show, 1075

On which was hanged by heathen hands

The Helper of spirits, own Son of God,

Saviour of men. Still of the nails

In thought of my mind curiosity troubles me.

I would thou should'st find those which yet in the earth 1080

Deeply buried remain concealed,

Hidden in darkness. My heart ever sorrows,

Sad it complains and never will rest,

Ere for me He fulfil, Almighty Father,

Ruler of hosts, mine own desire, 1085



Saviour of men, by sight [46] of the nails, The Holy from height. Now quickly do thou

With all humility, most excellent man,

Direct thy prayer to the heavens bright,

To the Ruler of glory, pray Strength of warriors, 1090

That to thee may reveal the Almighty King

The hord 'neath the earth, that hidden still,

Concealed from men, in secret abides."

Then gan the holy one strengthen his heart,

Inspired in his breast the bishop of the folk, 1095

Glad-minded, went with a crowd of men

Those praising God, and earnestly then

Cyriacus on Calvary

Inclined his face, his secret concealed not,

With might of his spirit called upon God 1100

With all humility, prayed Warden of angels

To open to him the unknown fate

In his new distress, where he the nails

Upon the plain Best need expect.

Then caused he the token, where they were looking, 1105

The Father, hope's Spirit, in form of fire

Upwards to rise, where they most noble



By means of men [47] had once been hidden With secret cunning, the nails in the earth.

Then suddenly came brighter than sun 1110

The playing flame. The people saw



To the giver of their will [48] the wonder made known, When there out of darkness, like stars of heaven

Or gems of gold, upon the bottom

The nails from the narrow bed shining beneath 1115

Brilliantly glittered. The people rejoiced,

The glad-minded host, spake glory to God

With one accord all, though ere they were

By the devil's deceit long in error,

Estranged from Christ. Thus did they speak: 1120

"Ourselves now we see the token of victory,

True wonder of God, that before we opposed

With lying words. Now is come into light,

Is revealed, fate's course. May glory for this

Have in the highest heaven-kingdom's God!" 1125

Then he was rejoiced who turned to repentance

Through the Son of God, the people's bishop,

A second time. He took the nails,

Disturbed with fear, and to the venerable

Queen did he bring them. Cyriacus had 1130

It all fulfilled as the noble one bade him,

The woman's will. There was sound of weeping,

Hot head-welling was poured o'er her cheeks,

By no means for sorrow. The tears were falling

O'er the plaiting of wires. [49] With glory fulfilled 1135



Was the wish of the queen. She knelt on her knees With bright belief; she honored the gift,

Rejoicing with joy, which was to her brought

For help in her sorrows. Then thanked she God,

The Lord of victories, that the truth she had learnt 1140

At that present time, that oft was announced

So long before from creation of the world

For comfort to the people. She was inspired

With the gift of wisdom, and his dwelling held

Holy Spirit of heaven, guarded her breast, 1145

Her noble heart. So her the Almighty

Victor-son of God after protected.



Then eagerly gan she with secrets of soul

Seek in her spirit by soothfastness

The way to glory. Now God of hosts 1150

His help bestowed, the Father in heaven,

Almighty King, that the queen obtained

Her will in the world. The prophecy was

By sages of old sung long before

All from beginning, as it afterwards happened 1155

In respect to each thing. The folk-queen began

Through gift of the Spirit gladly to seek

With greatest care how best the nails,

And in manner most worthy, she might apply

For joy to the folk, what was will of the Lord. 1160

Bade she then fetch a very wise man

Quickly to counsel, him who wisdom

Through clever might thoroughly knew,

Wise in his heart, and gan him ask

What in his soul seemed to him best 1165

To do about that, and his teachings she chose



In respect to her conduct. Her boldly [50] he answered: "That is becoming that word of the Lord

Thou hold in heart, holy counsel,

Most excellent queen, and the King's command 1170

Gladly fulfil, now God has thee given

Success of soul and craft of wit,

The Saviour of men. Bid thou these nails

For that most excellent of earthly kings,

Of owners of cities, put on his bridle 1175

For bit to his horse. To many that shall,

Throughout the mid-earth, become renowned,

When with that in contest he may overcome

Each one of his foes, when the brave-in-war

On either side the battle seek, 1180

Sword-contenders, where they strive for victory,

Foe against foe. War-speed shall he have,

Victory in fight and everywhere peace,

In battle success, who carries in front

The bridle on horse, when the famed-in-fight 1185

At clashing of spears, the choicest of men,

Bear shield and lance. To each one of men

Against war-terror shall be invincible

This weapon in war. The seer of it sang,

Cunning in thought. Deep moved his mind, 1190

His wit of wisdom. This word he spake:

'That shall be known that the horse of the king

Shall 'neath the proud with bit be adorned,

With bridle-rings. That beacon to God

Shall holy be called, and that one valor-blessed, 1195

Honored in war, who rides on that horse.'"

With haste then that did all perform

Helena 'fore earls, bade the theling's,

Heroes' ring-giver's, bridle adorn,

To her own son sent as a present 1200

O'er ocean's stream the blameless gift.

She bade then together those whom as best

Of men she knew among the Jews,

Of the race of heroes, to the holy city,

To the town to come. Then gan the queen 1205

The dear ones teach that love of the Lord

And peace likewise among themselves,

The bond of friendship, they fast should hold

Without reproach in time of their life,

And they to the teacher's lore should hearken, 1210

The Christian virtues that Cyriacus taught them,

Clever in books. The office of bishop

Was fairly made fast. From afar oft to him

The lame, the sick, the crippled came,

The halt, the wounded, the leprous and blind, 1215

The lowly, the sad; always there health

At the hands of the bishop, healing, they found

Ever for ever. Yet Helena gave him

Treasures as presents, when ready she was

For the journey home, and bade she then all 1220

In that kingdom of men who worshipped God,

Men and women, that they should honor

With mind and might that famous day,

With thoughts of the heart, whereon holy rood

Had been discovered, greatest of trees, 1225

Of those which from earth ever sprang up

Grown under leaves. Then spring was gone

Except six nights ere coming of summer

On the kalends of May. To each of those men

Be hell's door shut, heaven's unclosed, 1230

Eternally opened the kingdom of angels,

Joy without end, and their portion appointed

Along with. Mary, who takes into mind

That one most dear of festal days

Of that rood under heaven, that which the mightiest 1235

Finit. [51]

Ruler of all with arm protected.

Thus old and death-ready in this frail house

Word-craft I wove and wondrously framed it,

Reflected at times and sifted my thought

Closely at night. I knew not well 1240



The truth of the rood, [52] ere wider knowledge Through glorious might into thought of my mind

Wisdom revealed to me. I was stained with crimes,

Fettered with sins, pained with sorrows,

Bitterly bound, banefully vexed, 1245

Ere lore to me lent through light-bringing office

For help to the aged, his blameless gift

The mighty King meted, and poured in my mind,

Brightness disclosed, widened with time,

Bone-house unbound, breast-lock unwound, 1250

Song-craft unlocked, which I joyfully used,

With will, in the world. Of that tree of glory

Often not once meditation I had,

Ere that wonder I had revealed

About that bright tree, as in books I found 1255

In course of events, in writings declared

Of that beacon of victory. Ay till then was the man

With care-waves oppressed, a nickering pine-torch[C],

Though he in the mead-hall treasures received,

bow[Y] Apples of gold. [53] Mourned for his[Y] 1260

sorrow[N], suffered distress,

The comrade of[N], suffered distress, His secret constrained, where before him the horse[E]

Measured the mile-paths, with spirit ran

Proud of his ornaments. Hope[W] is decreased,

Joy, after years, youth is departed, 1265

The ancient pride. The bison[U] was once

The gladness of youth. Now are the old days

In course of time gone forever,

Life-joy departed, as ocean[L] flows by,

wealth Waves hurried along. To each one is [54] [F] 1270

Fleeting 'neath heaven, treasures of earth

Pass 'neath the clouds likest to wind,

When before men it mounts up aloud,

Roams 'round the clouds, raging rushes,

And then all at once silent becomes, 1275

In narrow prison closely confined,

Strongly repressed. So passes this world,



And likewise besides what things [55] have been In it produced flame will consume,

When the Lord himself judgment will seek 1280

With host of angels. Every one there

Of speech-bearing men the truth shall hear

Of every deed through mouth of the Judge,

And likewise of words the penalty pay

Of all that with folly were spoken before, 1285

Of daring thoughts. Then parts into three

Into clutch of fire each one of folk,

Of those that have dwelt in course of time

Upon the broad earth. The righteous shall be

Upmost-in flame, host of the blessed, 1290

Crowd eager for glory, as they may bear it,



And without torment easily suffer, Band of the brave. For them shall be moderate



The brightness of flame, [56] as it shall be easiest, Softest for them. The sinful shall be, 1295

Those spotted with evil, compressed in the middle,

Men sad-in-mind, within the hot waves

Smothered with smoke. The third part shall be,

Accursed sinners, in the flood's abyss,

False folk-haters, fastened in flame 1300

For deeds of old, gang of the godless

In grip of the gledes. To God never more

From that place of torment come they in mind,

To the King of glory, but they shall be cast

From that terrible fire to the bottom of hell, 1305

The workers of woe. To the [other] two parts

It will be unlike. They may angels' Lord,

Victories' God, see. They shall be cleansed,

Sundered from sins, as smelted gold,

That is in the flame from every spot 1310

Through fire of the oven thoroughly cleansed,

Freed and refined. So shall each of those men

Be freed and made pure from every sin,

From heavy crimes through fire of that doom.

Then afterwards they may peace enjoy, 1315

Eternal bliss. To them angels' Warden

Shall be mild and gentle, for that they every evil

Despised, sins' work, and to Son of their Maker

They called with words. Hence in beauty they shine now

Like to the angels, the heritage have 1320

Of the King of glory for ever and ever. Amen.



* * * * * * * *



[The glorious Creator's] [1] gifts doubted she [not] Upon this wide earth; then found she there ready

Help from the mighty Prince, when she most need did have

Of grace from the highest Judge, that her 'gainst the greatest terror

The Lord of Creation should shield. That Father in heaven to her

The Glorious-in-mind did grant, for that firm faith she had

In the Almighty ever. Then heard I that Holofernes

Wine-summons eagerly wrought, and with all wonders a glorious

Banquet had he prepared; to that bade the prince of men

All his noblest thanes. That with mickle haste 10

Did the warriors-with-shields perform; came to the mighty chief

The people's leaders going. On the fourth day was that

After that Judith, cunning in mind,

The elf-sheen virgin, him first had sought.



They then at the feast proceeded to sit, 15

The proud to the wine-drinking, all his comrades-in-ill,

Bold mailed-warriors. There were lofty beakers

Oft borne along the benches, also were cups and flagons

Full to the hall-sitters borne. The fated partook of them,

Brave warriors-with-shields, though the mighty weened not of it, 20

Awful lord of earls. Then was Holofernes,

Gold-friend of men, full of wine-joy:

He laughed and clamored, shouted and dinned,

That children of men from afar might hear

How the strong-minded both stormed and yelled, 25

Moody and mead-drunken, often admonished



The sitters-on-benches to bear themselves [2] well. Thus did the hateful one during all day

His liege-men [loyal] keep plying with wine,

Stout-hearted giver of treasure, until they lay in a swoon, 30

He drenched all his nobles [with drink], as if they were slain in death,



Deprived [3] of each one of goods. Thus bade the prince of men The sitters-in-hall to serve, until to children of men

The darkening night drew nigh. He bade then, filled with hate,

The blessed maiden with haste to fetch 35

To his bed of rest, laden with jewels,



Adorned with rings. They quickly performed, The attendant thanes, what their lord them bade,

Mailed-warriors' prince; like a flash they stepped

Into the guest-room, where they Judith 40

Wise-minded found, and quickly then

The warriors-with-shields began to lead

The glorious maid to the lofty tent



Where the mighty himself always [4] rested By night within, to the Saviour hateful, 45

Holofernes. There was an all-golden

Beautiful fly-net around the folk-warrior's

Bed suspended, so that the hateful

Was able to look through, the chief of warriors,

Upon each one that therein came 50

Of the sons of heroes, and on him no one

Of the race of men, unless the proud some one

Of the strong-in-war bade to him nearer

Of warriors for counsel to come. They then to him at rest brought

Quickly the cunning woman; went then the stout-in-heart 55

The men their lord to tell that the holy woman was

Brought to his chamber-tent. The famous then in mind

Was glad, the ruler of cities; he thought the beautiful maiden

With spot and stain to defile: that Judge of glory would not

Allow, the Keeper of honor, but him from that deed restrained 60

The Lord, the Ruler of hosts. Went then the devilish one,



The wanton [warrior-prince], [5] with [mickle] band of men, The baleful his bed to seek, where he his life should lose

[6]

Quickly within one night; he had then his end attained On earth ungentle [end], such as before he wrought for, 65

The mighty prince of men, while in this world he was,

While he dwelt under roof of the clouds. Then fell so drunk with wine

The mighty [chief] on his bed, as if he knew no rede

Within his place of wit; the warriors stepped

Out from the chamber with mickle haste, 70

The wine-filled men, who the oath-breaker,

Hateful folk-hater, had led to his bed

For the very last time. Then was the Saviour's

Glorious maiden earnestly mindful

How she the terrible most easily might 75

Of life deprive before the lustful,

The wanton, awoke. The wreathed-locked took then,

The Creator's handmaid, a sharp-edged sword



Hardened by war-strokes [?], [7] and drew from its sheath With her right hand; then Keeper of heaven 80

By name she gan name, Saviour of all

Dwellers-in-th' world, and this word she spake:

"Thee, God of Creation, and Spirit of Comfort,

Son of the Almighty, will I [now] pray

For thine own mercy to me in my need, 85

Trinity's Glory. To me greatly now then



My heart is inflamed, and my mind is sad, Sorely with sorrows oppressed; grant, Lord of Heaven, to me

Victory and faith without fear, that I with this sword may be able

To hew down this dealer of murder; grant [too] my safety to me, 90

Strong-hearted Leader of men; ne'er in this world had I

Of thy mercy more urgent need: avenge now, mighty Lord,

Glorious Giver of honor, that I am so angry in mind,

So heated within my breast." Her then the highest Judge

Quickly with courage inspired, as doth he [ever] each one 95

Of dwellers here [upon earth], who him for help to them seek

With rede and righteous belief. Then roomy in mind she became,

The holy one's hope was renewed; then took she the heathen man

Fast by his own [long] hair, with hands him towards her she drew

With marks of contempt, and the baleful one 100

With cunning laid down, the loathsome man,

As she the accursed most easily might

Wield at her will. Struck then the curly-locked



The hostile foe with shining [8] sword, The hateful-minded, that half-way she cut 105

The [evil one's] neck, that he lay in a swoon,

Drunken and wounded. Not yet was he dead,

Thoroughly lifeless; struck she then earnestly,

The maiden brave-minded, a second time

The heathen hound, that his head rolled off 110

Forth on the floor: the foul corpse lay

Lifeless behind, went the spirit elsewhere

Beneath the deep earth, and there was disgraced,

In torment bound ever thereafter,

Surrounded with serpents, with tortures encompassed, 115

Strongly enchained in the fire of hell

After his death. He need never hope,

Enveloped with darkness, that thence he may go

Out of that worm-hall, but there shall he dwell

Ever for ever without end henceforth 120

In that dark home, of hope-joys deprived.



Then had she gained glorious honor,

Judith in war, as God to her granted,

The Ruler of Heaven, who gave to her victory.

The cunning maid then quickly brought 125

The army-leader's head so bloody

In that [very] vessel in which her attendant,

The fair-faced woman, food for them both,

In virtues renowned, thither had brought,

And it then so gory to her gave in hand, 130

To the thoughtful-in-mind to bear to their home,

Judith to her maid. Went they forth thence,

The women both in courage bold,

Until they had come, proud in their minds,

The women triumphant, out from the army, 135

So that they plainly were able to see

Of that beautiful city the walls [fair] shine,

Bethulia. Then jewel-decked they

Upon the foot-path hastened to go,

Until glad-minded they had arrived 140

At the gate of the wall. The warriors sat,

The watching men were keeping ward

Within that fortress, as before to the folk,

Sad in their minds, Judith had bidden,

The cunning maiden, when she went on her journey, 145

The stout-hearted woman. Then again was she come,

Dear to her people, and then quickly ordered

The wise-minded woman some one of the men

To come to meet her from out the wide city,

And her in haste to admit within 150

Through the gate of the wall, and this word she spake

To the victor-folk: "To you can I say



A thought-worthy [9] thing, that no longer ye need Mourn in your minds: your Creator is kind,

Glory of kings: that is become known 155

Wide through the world, that to you is success

Glorious at hand, and honor is granted

For [all] those sorrows which long ye suffered."

Glad then were they, the dwellers-in-borough,

After they heard how the holy one spake 160

O'er the high wall. The host was in joy.

To the fortress-gate the people hastened,

Men, women together, in troops and heaps,

In crowds and throngs, hurried and ran

To meet the Lord's maid by thousands and thousands, 165

Both old and young: to each one became

Of men in the mead-city his mind rejoiced,

After they knew that Judith was come

Again to her home, and then in haste

With reverence they allowed her to enter. 170

Then bade the clever, with gold adorned,

Her servant-maid, thoughtful-in-mind,

The army-leader's head to uncover,

And it as a proof bloody to show

To the city-folk how she speeded in war. 175

Then spake the noble one to all the folk:

"Here ye may clearly, victory-blessed warriors,

Chiefs of the people, upon the most hateful

Heathen hero's head fix your gaze,

On Holofernes deprived of life, 180

Who chiefest of men wrought murders for us,

Sorest sorrows, and that yet more

Would he increase: but God him granted not

A longer life, that he with woes

Might still afflict us. Of life I deprived him 185

By help of God. Now I every man

Of these city-dwellers will [earnestly] pray,

Of shield-bearing warriors, that ye yourselves quickly

Hasten to fight; when the God of creation,

The glorious King, shall send from the east 190

Bright beams of light, bear forth your shields,

Boards before breasts and coats-of-mail,

Bright helmets [too] among the foes,

To fell the folk-leaders with shining swords,

The fated chiefs. Your foes are now 195

Condemned to death, and ye glory shall gain,

Honor in battle, as to you hath betokened

The mighty Lord through mine own hand."

Then the band of the brave was quickly prepared,

Of the bold for battle; stepped out the valiant 200

Men and comrades, bore their banners,

Went forth to fight straight on their way

The heroes 'neath helmets from the holy city

At the dawn itself; shields made a din,

Loudly resounded. Thereat laughed the lank 205

Wolf in the wood, and the raven wan,

Fowl greedy for slaughter: both of them knew

That for them the warriors thought to provide

Their fill on the fated; and flew on their track

The dewy-winged eagle eager for prey, 210

The dusky-coated sang his war-song,

The crooked-beaked. Stepped forth the warriors,

The heroes for battle with boards protected,

With hollow shields, who awhile before

The foreign-folk's reproach endured, 215

The heathens' scorn; fiercely was that

At the ash-spear's play to them all repaid,

[All] the Assyrians, after the Hebrews

Under their banners had [boldly] advanced

To the army-camps. They bravely then 220

Forthright let fly showers of arrows,

Of battle-adders, out from the horn-bows,

Of strongly-made shafts; stormed they aloud,

The cruel warriors, sent forth their spears

Among the brave; the heroes were angry, 225

The dwellers-in-land, with the loathed race;

The stern-minded stepped, the stout-in-heart,

Rudely awakened their ancient foes

Weary from mead; with hands drew forth

The men from the sheaths the brightly-marked swords 230

Most choice in their edges, eagerly struck

Of the [host of] Assyrians the battle-warriors,

The hostile-minded; not one they spared

Of the army-folk, nor low nor high

Of living men, whom they might subdue. 235



Thus then the thanes in the morning-hours

Pressed on the strangers unceasingly,

Until they perceived, those who were hostile,

The army-folk's chiefest leaders,

That upon them sword-strokes mighty bestowed 240

The Hebrew men. They that in words

To their most noted chiefs of the people

Went to announce, waked helmeted warriors

And to them with fear the dread news told,

To the weary-from-mead the morning-terror, 245

The hateful sword-play. Then learnt I that quickly

The slaughter-fated men aroused from sleep

And to the baleful's sleeping-bower



The saddened [10] men pressed on in crowds, To Holofernes: they only were thinking 250

To their own lord to make known the fight,

Ere terror on him should take its seat,

The might of the Hebrews. They all imagined

That the prince of men and the handsome maid

In the beautiful tent were [still] together, 255

Judith the noble and the lustful one,

Dreadful and fierce; though no earl there was

Who the warrior durst [then] awake,

Or durst discover how the helmeted warrior

With the holy maid had passed his time, 260

The Creator's handmaid. The force approached,

The folk of the Hebrews, courageously fought

With hard battle-arms, fiercely repaid



Their former fights with shining [11] swords, The old-time grudge; was of the Assyrians 265

By that day's work the glory diminished,

The pride brought low. The warriors stood

'Round their prince's tent strongly excited,

Gloomy in mind. They then all together

Began to groan, [12] to cry aloud 270

And gnash with their teeth,afar from God,

Showing their anger; 'twas the end of their glory,

Of joy and valor. The earls were thinking

To awaken their lord; they did not succeed.

Then at last and too late was one so bold 275

Of the battle-warriors that to the bower-tent

He daringly ventured, since need him compelled:

Found he then on the bed lying deadly-pale

His [own] gold-giver of breath bereft,

Of life deprived. Then quickly he fell 280

Astounded to earth, gan tear his hair,

Excited in mind, and his garments too,

And this word he spake to the warriors [brave],

Who saddened there were standing without:

"Here is displayed our own destruction, 285

The future betokened, that it is to the time



Now amongst men [13] almost arrived, When we our lives shall lose together,

In battle perish: here lies with sword hewn

Our lord beheaded." They then sad-in-mind 290

Threw down their weapons and sorrowful went

To hasten in flight. They fought on their tracks,

The mighty folk, till the greatest part

Of the army lay, in battle struck down,

On the victor-plain, hewn down with swords, 295



To wolves for pleasure, and to slaughter-greedy Fowls for a joy. Those who lived fled



The shields of their foes. [14] Went on their tracks The Hebrews' host, honored with victory,

With glory ennobled; them took the Lord God 300

Fairly to help, the Lord Almighty.

They bravely then with shining swords,

Stout-hearted heroes, a war-path wrought

Through heaps of their foes, hewed down their shields,

Cut through their phalanx: the warriors were 305

Enraged in battle, the Hebrew men;

The thanes 
The redrawing of congressional and state legislative districts every 10 years after each census is notorious for the abuse known as gerrymandering. A gerrymandered district is one where the boundaries are drawn to give an advantage to one political party over the other.

In 2011, Pennsylvania was the poster child for partisan gerrymandering. Sadly, 10 years later, it looks like we are in for its first cousin, the buddymander.

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Once again, the Republican and Democratic leaders negotiate in back rooms and handshake over which incumbents they want to protect and which ones they throw to the wolves.

What is missing is the concern for what is the right thing to do for the citizens of Pennsylvania.

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A case in point is the Lehigh Valley, where the five-member Legislative Redistricting Commission created Senate District 14 as an opportunity district for a potential minority senator. The new district includes a 28% Hispanic voting age population.

While it was good to see parts of Whitehall attached to Allentown (after all, they share economic and cultural interests), the partisan players instead created a district that doesnt do better in terms of percentage minority than our current district.

It does much more harm by splitting Allentown and splitting Bethlehem, so our two largest cities are not the center of senate districts. All this splitting will make it harder, not easier, for a Latino to be elected.

Carla Colangelo (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Proposed state Senate districts would split Allentown and split Bethlehem, so the Lehigh Valley's two largest cities would not be the center of senate districts. (Lehigh Valley Drone / THE MORNING CALL)

Why does the proposed Senate map look like this?

Look where Sen. Pat Browne, who represents Senate District 16, resides. His house is on the western end of Allentown. Notice that a little area was carved out of the Allentown section and paired with the more conservative western and northern end of Lehigh County to make the new Senate District 16.

Already a powerful senator, Browne now will have a safe seat  but at whose expense? Splitting a major municipality to benefit an incumbent is wrong on many levels. And frankly, it may not be necessary.

Sen. Browne has done much good for Allentown, and it isnt a sure bet that a Democratic candidate could beat him on his record. Let the voters decide.

Thats how a representative democracy is supposed to work.

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Sen. Browne supported Fair Districts PA-backed legislation, the Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Act, issuing a statement on May 18, 2021:

The foundation of Democracy, in large part, rests upon the pillars of transparency and fairness. Our system of government is benefited by seeking and incorporating the input of the greatest number of citizens possible to build consensus and honor these foundational ideas.

These reforms are designed to help protect against unfair political discrimination and help to enforce current constitutional protections.

Unfair political discrimination is one way to look at the buddymandering that may keep Sen. Browne in office.

Legislative Redistricting Commission Chair Mark A. Nordenberg remarked Dec. 16th, 2021, when revealing the preliminary maps, that Senate leaders shaped the Senate map with limited input from the commissions mapping team.

He also noted caucus leaders participation in the commission means the work of this commission would be influenced more directly by partisan objectives than would be true of the independent commissions that have been created in other states.

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Nordenberg acknowledged whatever might be conceptually possible, there is no practical avenue to starting with a totally new map in a Commission dominated by caucus leaders whose members live in, and have won elections from, existing districts.

Certainly, Sen. Brownes district is not the only one buddymandered.

Fair District PAs proposed Peoples Senate Map for the Lehigh Valley did split Bethlehem along county lines, but kept Allentown whole, and created a greater opportunity district, with 29.7% voting age Latino population.

One thing that Ive learned in this whole map-making process is there are many, many ways to draw the lines, and many different priorities to balance. One of those priorities should not be to worry about where the incumbents live.

The Legislative Redistricting Commission is holding public hearings on Jan. 14 and 15. The last day to submit comments is Jan. 18. After that time, the commission will make adjustments and vote on final maps that will be in effect for a decade.

So speak up now.

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Carla Colangelo, an Upper Macungie resident, is a volunteer with Fair Districts PA.




Haiti - FLASH : Dismantling of a network of fake soldiers of the Armed Forces of Haiti





Wednesday, January 12 in Hinche (Central Dept.) more precisely in the Twawoch locality, 4th rural section Agwaedyond (Left River), an operation carried out by agents of the Departmental Unit for Maintaining Order (UDMO) and the Departmental Section of the Judicial Police (SDPJ), under the direction of Divisional Commissioner Previl Jean Castro and Inspector Franclin Adolphe Junior, made it possible to dismantle a network of individuals who pretended to be soldiers of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAD'H).



9 individuals were arrested, a 22 caliber firearm, bulletproof vests, several pairs of boots, olive-green uniforms, helmets, knives, badges, cell phones, among other items were seized



Individuals arrested :



1.- Jules Gason, 64 years old, from Port-au-Prince, would be a former Consul;

2.- Mulien Buce 56, (Cornillon Grand-Bois)

3.- Jean Claude Adrien, 53, 3rd section, locality (Kare savann).

4.- Noel Sauveur, 54, (Mirbalais)

5.- Dutoire Cherelus, 51, (Cerca-Carvajal)

6.- Aguenot Fleguemonaire, 38, (Bombardopolis)

7.- Jonas Isaac, 36 (Port-au-Prince)

8.- Noel Veniel, 48 (Cerca-Carvajal)

9.- Bertolin Sever, 31, (Northeast / Terrier- Rouge)



It should be noted that, these individuals who were placed in police custody, proceeded in the evening, according to testimonies, to patrols and searches in the streets sowing fear and concern among residents.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





DR : 21 illegal Haitians arrested on a bus

Members of the Specialized Body for Land Border Security (CESFRONT) intercepted a bus carrying 21 Haitians in an irregular migratory situation traveling on the Comendador-Elias Pina section of the highway.



Senate : Creation of 3 committees

Wednesday, January 12, the Senators met around a work agenda. Three Commissions have been formed: 1) Political Sector Commission chaired by Senator Pierre Paul Patrice DUMONT; 2) Social Sector Commission chaired by Senator Denis CADEAU; 3) Economic Sector Commission chaired by Senator Jean Rigaud BELIZAIRE.



2 drivers kidnapped, a generator stolen

On Wednesday January 12, 2022, armed individuals hijacked a truck and kidnapped two drivers from the Sainte Croix Hospital in Leogane who were transporting a brand new 125 kilowatt generator that the institution had just bought on credit, which risks paralyzing operation. of the hospital center. Thursday morning the hospital was closed in protest, demanding its generator and the release of the 2 drivers, an emergency cell was set up, responsible for returning and redirecting patients.



Rudolph Jaar imprisoned in the USA

Businessman Rudolph Jaar arrested on January 7, 2022 in the Dominican Republic for his involvement in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, in particular for his financial participation, was transferred to the United States at his request. He promises to cooperate fully with American justice in the hope of a reduced sentence and he claims to have many revelations to make https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35692-haiti-news-zapping.html



Justice : Words by Martine Moise

"The will of the international makes us feel that the investigation is progressing. Well done. The suspects in the death of President Jovenel are being arrested. We encourage efforts to apprehend them all, especially those who financed this heinous crime against the Haitian people," Martine Moise.



Voodoo : Death of the Great Servant Fernand Bien Aime

Camy J. Depas Director General of the Ministry of Culture learned, with regret, of the death of the Great Servant in charge of Lakou Souvnans, Fernand Bien Aime (80 years old), which occurred on January 12 in Gonaives. "In this painful circumstance, the Ministry bows before the remains of this emblematic figure of Haitian voodoo and presents its sincere condolences to the parents, friends, relatives of the deceased and to the great family of voodoo."



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Its infuriating when people act responsibly and still get shafted.

As The Morning Calls Watchdog columnist for nearly a decade, I sadly saw that happen repeatedly with medical bills.

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Folks did the right thing, checking to make sure a hospital or facility was in their insurance network before they went there. Then they were slammed with massive bills at out-of-network rates because doctors and others who cared for them were not in-network.

This happens in about 1 in 5 emergency room visits, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

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I repeatedly called on state and federal officials to do something. Finally, they have.

A new federal law, the No Surprises Act, took effect at the beginning of the year. It outlaws surprise billing, also known as balance billing. It ensures patients pay predictable amounts for emergency care, regardless of where they are treated, and reduces the tab for medical helicopter services.

Its important you learn about your new rights, so you can dispute any improper bills.

A lot of people may not know about this, as the legislation was approved the last week of December, when our attention was focused on the holidays.

Here are the key takeaways:

* If you need emergency care, you will be billed at your in-network insurance rate, regardless of whether the hospital you go to is in your network.

In emergency situations, people dont have time to look for an in-network facility. Often, they are taken by ambulance to the nearest one.

* If you get nonemergency treatment at a hospital or facility that is in your insurance network, you cannot be charged an out-of-network rate by any of the professionals involved in your care.

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Thats only fair. Theres no way for a patient to know which specialists may see them, or be involved behind the scenes analyzing test results. So you cant prepare by making sure they all are in network.

Surprise billing was a lowlight of our unnecessarily complicated medical pricing system.

Ive documented the woes of a Bangor woman who got a $700 anesthesiology bill and a Monroe County man who got big bills from emergency room physicians and radiologists.

Under the No Surprises Act, patients who illegally are charged out-of-network prices have a process to dispute the bills.

In Pennsylvania, the state Insurance Department will handle complaints. (877-881-6388 or insurance.pa.gov/NoSurprises)

Pennsylvania residents and officials implored state lawmakers to pass a state law to solve this problem. For years, our legislators fumbled around with it.

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At hearings, they heard horror stories such as a Pike County heart attack victim whose insurance covered only $3,600 of a $32,325 bill from a heart surgeon. And of a woman who got billed more than $83,000 after complications arose following the birth of her child.

Our overpaid Pennsylvania lawmakers never did anything about it, though. Its no surprise they didnt act.

[ Four years of debate, but no help yet from Harrisburg for surprise medical bills ]

We should be glad Congress did. This is a nationwide problem, so addressing it on the national level makes sense.

The new law has limits.

It applies only to medical billing as of Jan. 1. And it applies only to insurance coverage through employer plans, individually purchased policies and the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

It doesnt apply to people without health insurance, or those with indemnity, limited-benefit and short-term limited duration plans. Health care sharing ministries also are not covered.

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Medicare, Medicaid and veterans health care coverage already have provisions prohibiting balance billing.

Medical helicopter charges are covered by the law. Thats a big win. I wrote several years ago about how costly they can be, and how the funding system wasnt fair.

Helicopter operators lose money flying patients on Medicare and Medicaid because those government insurance programs dont pay anywhere near the cost of a flight, which averages about $10,000.

So operators tried to make up the difference from privately insured patients, billing some of them $40,000 or more. Because some operators were not in network with any major health insurers, patients often were left to pay a large part of the bill.

Helicopters play an important role in our emergency medical system, especially in rural communities.

They must be able to cover their expenses. Every patient should pay the same amount, though, regardless of whether they are privately insured or have government coverage. Medicare and Medicaid should have to pay the full cost of service.

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Morning Call columnist Paul Muschick can be reached at 610-820-6582 or paul.muschick@mcall.com.

[ We should parole sick and old inmates - to save $22 million a year ]
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Published on 2022/01/13

"School 2021" aired its final episode on the 13th.

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According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings research company, KBS2's Wednesday-Thursday drama "School 2021" which had its last broadcast on the 13th, recorded 1.6% (Ep.16).

This is a slight drop from 2% (Ep.15) which was recorded in the previous episode.

Meanwhile, JTBC's "Artificial City" had a slight decrease, recording 3.929% (Ep.11) from 3.438% (Ep.12).
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GARY  A 6-year-old boy from North Chicago, Illinois, died from hypothermia before authorities found his body early Saturday wrapped in a plastic trash bag outside an abandoned home, a coroner's release said.

Damari Perry's body was naked and partially charred, Lake County Coroner David Pastrick said. The death was ruled a homicide.

An autopsy showed Damari had a bruise on his right leg, an extremely cold core temperature and partially frozen internal organs. The boy also suffered thermal injuries and charring all over his body after his death, Pastrick said.

Jannie Perry, 38, Davari's mother, remained in a hospital in Illinois on Tuesday after complaining she was ill, the Lake County (Illinois) state's attorney's office said.

Jannie Perry is facing charges of first-degree murder, concealment of homicidal death and obstruction of justice in her son Damari's death and disappearance.

She was expected to remain under guard by North Chicago police until she is brought to the 19th Judicial Circuit's bond court, state's attorney's spokesman Jim Newton said.

Watch Now: Riding Shotgun with Munster Officer Luke Tambrini

Damari's older brother, Jeremiah Perry, appeared Sunday in bond court in Lake County, Illinois, on charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 12, concealing a homicidal death and obstruction of justice. His bail was set at $3 million, Newton said.

One of Damari's siblings also is facing undisclosed charges in juvenile court, the state's attorney's office said.

Damari's body was found about 2:30 a.m. Saturday by North Chicago police and FBI agents next to an abandoned home in an alley between the 700 blocks of Van Buren and Harrison streets in Gary, authorities said.

Lake County (Illinois) Assistant State's Attorney Kyle Doyle told a judge during Jeremiah Perry's hearing Sunday that the family became upset with Damari on Dec. 29 and forced him to take a cold shower for an undetermined amount of time Dec. 30, Newton said.

Damari was removed from the shower after he became unresponsive, but his family didn't seek medical care for him, the state's attorney's office said.

After he died, Jannie Perry planned to dispose of his body in Gary and worked with others to leave him near the abandoned home on Van Buren Street, prosecutors said.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail
Hastings, NE (68901)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 59F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 41F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.
Reporter

Daisy Nelson is an alumnus of the ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. She was born and raised in Lake Havasu City. She is a multimedia journalist and layout designer. Follow her Twitter account @daisylaree_ to see her reporting process.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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The politicians tell us that if nothing is done to fix Social Security that by the year 2033 we will only be able to pay 76% of the scheduled payments.

People worked most of their lives and contributed to Social Security to collect this benefit. All of these politicians get great salaries and perks and we pay them this, from our taxes.

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I never heard any of those politicians worry about heating their homes and putting food on their table. How about them taking a pay cut?

I blame the people (voters) for this mess because they keep putting them in office. How about this: Vote everyone out and see what happens. It will send a message to the millionaires who live off of our dime.

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Reed Rummel

Bethlehem Township
We couldnt help but notice the number of articles in recent editions of this news
North eastern Syria people continue to call for the delisting of Kurdistan Worker's Party from the U.S. and EU lists as the party is a symbol of resistance not terror.

Enud Mohamed from the district of Darbassiye of the Hasaka Canton says the PKK is the sole protector and supporter of the peoples calling for their rights, Enud indicated ''all circulations against the party are mere lies''.

Enud said all countries ought to know the reality of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, without whom we would have never been able to live in peace and security, it was the fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party that supported us when we were attacked. They fought and resisted to protect the people of the region''.

Salma Abdul Rahman agrees with Enud that PKK seeks rights of peoples be protected and preserved, ''people have sacrificed many martyrs to protect the lands of Kurdistan against occupiers.

The PKK was enlisted in the black list after the Swedish PM Olof Palmer was assassinated on 28 February 1986 after claims made by Turkish media and Sweden media while the U.S. and the EU enlisted the party in 1997 and 2002 respectively.

For her part 'Ida Hisein said the credibility of the PKK are cleared by the fight it engages and the affiliation of thousands of Kurdish people and other Kurdistan peoples and many foreign ones, '' this engagement and affiliation is not groundless, there are rightful demands of peoples''.

In the same relation, Mesouj Mohamed said '' the PKK represents all strata and components of society all over the world, for this all nationalities and components are engaged in the party calling for their rights and freedom''.

Mesouj said it is six months that the Kurdistan Mountains are open to a barbaric and savage onslaught by the Turkish occupation state. The Guerrilla fighters are fighting bravely and intrepidly in the face of a high advanced technology using all types of weapons''.

In 2015 the Danish Socialist Party decided to work out to delist the party from the terrorism list of EU.

In 2019 it was announced that Stig Engstrom was behind the assassination of Olof.

L..A

ANHA
In one of the most dramatic moments of his tenure, Mayor Bill Blackburn declares a State of Emergency on March 17, 2020, flanked by a host of community leaders.
THE mother of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan more than 10 years ago says it was an honour to have his final letter home recited publicly by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Helena Tym said the words of her son Cyrus Thatcher took her breath away when they were read aloud by the film and TV star at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Cyrus, who was 19, was serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, when he died in an explosion on June 2, 2009, while on patrol in Helmand Province.

The letter, which was written to be read in the event of his death, formed part of a Letters Live event, which celebrates the power of literary correspondence from around the world.

Miss Tym, 60, of Henley Road, Caversham, said she had only heard the letter read aloud twice before, once by her youngest son, Steely, and once on the radio.

She said: To hear Benedict Cumberbatch read it, it was difficult to listen to, but it was also very, very moving and obviously we are immensely proud of Cyrus and what he achieved in his young life.

It was very strange because Cyrus had a strange way of saying things. Listening to it, and hearing Benedict read it, it was definitely Cyrus coming through. It was fantastic and a real honour for him to read it and we were immensely proud of that.

Cumberbatch, star of TVs Sherlock and the film Dr Strange, among many other roles, spoke from a podium on stage.

On several occasions, it was obvious to the audience that the actor was affected by the words. He received a round of applause upon finishing.

Miss Tym, who works as a carer, said: I have heard since that he went back to his dressing room and had a bit of a moment.

In a way, thats a good thing, if people are affected by it, thats the important thing. The words do resonate with a lot of people. There are grown men who wouldnt say what Cyrus said in his letter at his age.

I have only ever read the letter once but I do know it, it is tattooed on my memory. It never goes, it is always there. I suppose it was a bit of a shock hearing someone else read those words and you think, Oh god, my son wrote that.

It was a mixture of pride and shock, but not in a bad way  it just takes your breath away again. It is strange to hear the words you have not heard for a long time. It is like a recurring nightmare.

Letters Live is a series of events inspired by the author Shaun Ushers book Letters of Note. High-profile performers from various disciplines are invited to read letters out loud to an audience.

Other readers have included actors Olivia Coleman and Ian McKellen and comedians Alan Carr and Matt Berry.

Miss Tym, who was widowed shortly before the event, attended with Steely and his wife, Cyruss best friend David May and his mother. Her other son, Zac, had a prior engagement.

She said: It was really interesting. There were lots of modern letters, some were funny, some were poignant and some were a bit disjointed.

One went as far back as Genghis Khan and there were some from America. The strapline is extraordinary letters from across the globe so it is nice to think that Cyruss was extraordinary.

Miss Tym was asked if the letter could be used just two days after the death of her husband Robin Thatcher, 61, who had been ill with oesophageal cancer, and she readily agreed.

The other tragedy of this is that Cyruss father never heard Benedict read it out loud, which was a great pity, she said.

But, as my niece said the other day, Oh look, theres Dr Strange reading Cyruss letter, so it is interesting that he is recognised, even by an 11-year-old girl.

It was very surreal but it was an amazing experience and I am very honoured that he read it and wanted to read it because I think they can pick and choose.

Cyrus had sent his family seven letters, which they now keep safe. The last one they received Cyrus had written in case he was killed.

He wrote: Without you I believe I wouldnt have made it as far as I have. I died doing what I was born to do. I was happy and felt great about myself. Although the army was, sadly, the ending of me, it was also the making of me so please dont feel any hate towards it.

Cyrus described his father as his idol, his mother as perfect and his brothers as amazing men and he asked them all not to mourn him. Miss Tym said that despite the familys tragedies, they remained strong.

She said: It has been a very strange three months having lost Rob, Christmas and everything.

Life is difficult and it continues to kick us when were down but were made of tough stuff and we will survive it and, strangely, it is comforting when things like this happen about Cyrus.

Rob and I used to say every New Years Day I wonder what will happen with Cyrus this year. It rolls into 2022, even though it was done in 2021. Something always seems to happen. Cyruss name seems to pop up.

Cyrus, who attended Micklands Primary in Caversham and the former Chiltern Edge secondary in Sonning Common, didnt enjoy school but knew it was necessary for the army to accept him. He joined up in December 2007 straight from school.

He was passionate about the army and was described by his senior officers as having a rucksack full of potential.

In addition to serving in Afghanistan, he had also completed a tour in Kosovo.

About 1,000 people lined the streets at Cyruss funeral, which was held at the Reading Minster St Mary the Virgin Church.

He received full military honours and was buried in a military grave at the All Hallows Road cemetery in Reading.
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Sharon Jean McCarthy, 83, of Greenville, passed away on April 11, 2022 in Greenville, Texas. A memorial service will be at Wesley United Methodist Church on April 30, 2022 at 9 a.m. Coker-Mathews Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Mrs. McCarthy was born Feb. 4, 1939 in St. Louis, Mi
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Kolkata: Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati of Puri, who arrived in West Bengal to take a royal bath on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at the ongoing Gangasagar Mela, has stressed the concept of Hindu Nation. Shankaracharya Swamy has said that he has held video conferencing talks with top representatives of 52 countries in which representatives of 15 countries including Mauritius, Bhutan have categorically stated that if India declares itself a Hindu nation, they will also move in this direction.

According to media reports, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati spoke about Nepal, the worlds only Hindu nation, and said Nepal is now becoming a puppet of China. Our foreign policy has come down on that. Swamiji has expressed his concern over targeting Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh. He has expressed displeasure over the targeting of Hindu temples and deities and the demolition of statues in Bangladesh.

Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati says that the humiliation of Hindu gods and goddesses will not be tolerated anywhere in the world. He says that if minorities live comfortably in India, why cant Hindus live in Bangladesh? He said that after all Bangladesh came out of India.

Source : News Track
Xi to attend WEF virtual event

Xinhua) 09:35, January 14, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the virtual event of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Jan. 17 in Beijing, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced that Xi will attend the virtual event and deliver a speech at the invitation of Klaus Schwab, who is founder and executive chairman of the WEF.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Coins for the Year of Tiger are seen in a post office in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 14, 2022. As the Chinese Lunar New Year is upcoming, the Australia Post has issued a new set of stamps and coins to celebrate the Year of Tiger. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

SYDNEY, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Australia Post has issued a new set of stamps and coins, featuring playful images of tigers, to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Tiger.

The stamps, designed by award-winning artist and illustrator Chrissy Lau, are a testament to the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

The Year of the Tiger will fall on Feb. 1 this year.

For the second consecutive year, Lau, who is of Chinese heritage but grew up in northern England, has been commissioned by Australia Post to design the annual Chinese New Year stamps.

"The tigers are very active, courageous, persistent, (and) quite stubborn ... I also look at the wider celebration of the Lunar New Year, and all the symbolism that comes with Chinese and Asian culture," Lau told Xinhua.

The images of tigers resemble the "lucky cat" figurines that are commonly seen in Chinese and Japanese restaurants and Asian grocery stores in Australia.

Lau, who weaved in images full of symbolism in Asian cultures, told Xinhua that she wanted the vibrant images to "evoke nostalgia and a sense of multiculturalism."

To that end, the tigers on the three stamps are holding in their upraised paws an array of traditional festive objects such as plum blossoms, firecrackers, lucky endless knots and a string of mandarins.

"There are quite playful elements in the design, but if you know about Asian culture, you'll understand there are deeper meanings," Lau said.

The plum blossom, for example, can survive harsh coldness so it has come to represent perseverance throughout harsh times.

Ultimately, Lau hopes the eye-catching designs could inspire people to seek out the meaning behind the Asian iconography, such as the firecrackers which ward off evil spirits.

"If people see these designs, they don't need to be Asian or Chinese to understand them, they just need to enjoy a nice picture and then they can find out more about the meaning," she said.

"I hope the stamps make people smile and give them a sense of fun," she said.

Tiger is the third zodiac sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The Chinese zodiac cycle contains 12 animals that record years and reflect people's attributes: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. 

A boy shows his coin and stamps for the Year of Tiger near Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 14, 2022. As the Chinese Lunar New Year is upcoming, the Australia Post has issued a new set of stamps and coins to celebrate the Year of Tiger. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

A coin and stamps for the Year of Tiger is seen in a post office in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 13, 2022. As the Chinese Lunar New Year is upcoming, the Australia Post has issued a new set of stamps and coins to celebrate the Year of Tiger. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
CAIRO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Thursday called for the "immediate release" of a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged cargo ship and its crew hijacked off the coast of Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah.

In a statement, Aboul-Gheit condemned the seizure of the vessel by Houthi militia, describing it as "an act of piracy."

"It is a dangerous escalation by the Houthis against the safety of Red Sea maritime navigation," he said.

The Yemeni militias kidnapped the ship on Jan. 2, with 11 crew members from five countries on board, including seven from India and the others from Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, according to the UAE's permanent representative to the United Nations. 
CAIRO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The World Youth Forum (WYF) held in Egypt offered a real opportunity for exchanging views through constructive dialogues, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Thursday.

Sisi made the remarks at the closing session of the 4th WYF held in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, with the participation of Egyptian and international organizations, civil society institutions, and young people from across the world.

The Egyptian president said the WYF 2022 created "a state of serious and constructive dialogue for the sake of establishing peace and achieving sustainable development through ideas and creativity of the world's youth."

He declared the year 2022 as "a Year of Civil Society," during which the forum and the relevant bodies in Egypt will establish a platform for dialogue between the state and the youth, as well as local and international civil society institutions.

Among other proposals that Sisi made included assigning the forum to establish youth groups comprising local and foreign members to let them take part in the preparations for the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) scheduled for later this year in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The forum was also asked to activate a permanent platform for interactive dialogue between the youth from Egypt and the world to share visions and ideas.

"Its outcomes shall be presented periodically to the various state institutions, providing the state with a forward-looking vision on all issues and dossiers of interest," said Sisi.

The 4th WYF was held on Jan. 10-13 with the participation of leaders, officials and youth delegations from about 196 countries, whether in person or via video conference. 
The Grizzlies have signed guard Dakota Mathias to a second 10-day contract using a COVID-related hardship exception, the team announced today in a press release. Mathias initially signed a 10-day pact with Memphis near the end of December.

During his first 10 days with the Grizzlies, Mathias appeared in four games, but was limited to garbage-time action, logging just eight total minutes.

The 26-year-old shooting guard went undrafted out of Purdue in 2018 and spent his first professional season in Spain. He joined the Texas Legends  Dallas G League affiliate  for the 2019/20 campaign, then began last season on a two-way contract with the Sixers before being waived in January.

The Grizzlies announced on Thursday that big man Killian Tillie has entered the NBAs health and safety protocols, joining Yves Pons. With two players in the COVID-19 protocols and no replacement players signed, Memphis qualified for a hardship exception to sign Mathias without having to open up a spot on the 15-man roster.

Mathias 10-day contract will pay him $85,578, but that money wont count against the Grizzlies team salary for cap or tax purposes.
Lance Stephenson has been signed to a standard 10-day contract by the Pacers, according to a team press release.

Stephenson had signed a second 10-day deal under the hardship exception on Tuesday but could no longer be activated because Indiana does not currently have any players in the leagues health and safety protocols.

The veteran guard has given Indiana a huge boost during his latest reunion with the franchise. Prior to his 6-point, 6-assist outing against Boston on Wednesday, Stephenson averaged 20 PPG and 6.7 APG in the teams three previous games.

The latest 10-day will buy Indiana a little more time before making a broader commitment to Stephenson. The Pacers have an open roster spot and wont need to waive a player if they decide to retain Stephenson on a rest-of-season contract.
Taywin spent over 15 years in IT, having developed enterprise digital technology and data strategy across hospitality, food, and lifestyle businesses. Prior to joining Rosewood, Taywin held the role of Vice President of IT Digital for Minor International, where he led the design and re-platforming of the company's e-commerce web and mobile application platform. Taking his unique experience to Rosewood, he will design and implement scalable technology solutions that will deliver the very best customer service and optimize business processes further to build the most effective data-driven organization.
The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, Vail is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Pryor as General Manager of the brand-new luxury resort concept in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. A driven hospitality leader who thrives on creating unique guest experiences and delivering successful financial results, Pryor will lead The Hythe through its recent $40-million transformation, which recently debuted as Marriott International's only Luxury Collection alpine resort in North America.

A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Pryor previously served as the Associate Director of Sales at the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek. Pryor started her hospitality career as a concierge at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa and also held sales positions at the Keystone Conference Center and the Omni Interlocken Resort & Spa. Pryor joins the Luxury Collection brand with more than 25 years of hospitality industry experience across Colorado, with an extensive successful track record at numerous award-winning resorts. Previously the General Manager of The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon Vail Valley, a AAA Four Diamond resort, Pryor was instrumental in the resort's efforts to earn Colorado's first Silver LEED hotel certification as well as being named Conde Nast Traveler's #1 Resort in 2010. Pryor recently served as a board member of the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association and is involved in many Vail Valley organizations, including serving on the Vail Valley Partnership Board, and the Town of Avon's 2014 re-branding committee. Pryor participated on The Westin Owner Advisory Board and contributed to building brand awareness and implementing future initiatives for the Marriott brand.

Pryor is a mother of three and in her free time, enjoys attending their many sporting events with her husband and spending family time exploring Colorado's Rocky Mountains.
You are invited to join the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation in Los Angeles for the 4th Annual Night of a Thousand Stars Gala on January 23, 2022. This year's Gala returns to the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown - our Presenting Sponsoron the night before ALIS. Make your plans to our industry for this incredibly inspiring celebration filled with food, fun, and stories of resilience and opportunity. We will celebrate the workforce that powers our industry and raise critical support for the AHLA Foundation programs that are helping recruit and retain the industry stars of tomorrow. See you in Los Angeles!

The 2022 Stars of the Industry Award Nominations: Portal has closed! Please join us to see the winners of our 2022 Stars of the Industry Awards!

Thank you to all our members who nominated their Stars! Join us on January 23 for the Night of a Thousand Stars Gala in Los Angeles to see our Stars receive their Awards.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We look forward to seeing you on January 23, 2022 as we recognize the Foundation and honor our Stars of the Industry.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lindsay Miller.
In the presence of His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Development Fund. The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deutsche Hospitality, the umbrella brand of the German hotel company Steigenberger Hotels AG, to develop and operate Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels projects in Saudi Arabia. The agreement includes the right to exclusively launch the first Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels project in the Middle East. The MoU was signed by Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of TDF and Marcus Bernhardt, CEO of Deutsche Hospitality.

The luxurious Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels will feature the distinctive Porsche lifestyle design coupled with Steigenberger hospitality and service quality, offering an innovative hotel concept within the lifestyle segment. Offering a minimum of 150 rooms, suites, and penthouses the hotels will include a restaurant and lounge concept, exclusive meet and greet areas, and world-class health and beauty facilities, which includes a gym and wellness area. Guests will also benefit from an individualized journey at every touchpoint, driven by the hotels focus on hyper personalization, innovation, and functional approach.

Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of TDF, said: We are pleased to announce the signing of this MoU with Deutsche Hospitality, a company that blends world-class hospitality with elevated standards to attract entities to invest in, develop, and operate high-quality, iconic hotel projects in Saudi Arabia. Through this collaboration  which will result in first of its kind hospitality offerings  we continue to enhance the Kingdoms tourism offering under the National Tourism Strategy.

Marcus Bernhardt, CEO of Deutsche Hospitality, said: We are pleased to collaborate with TDF to launch new hotel projects in Saudi Arabia, including the first Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotel in the Middle East. The project will cater to the sophisticated needs of the Saudi market, creating a unique and innovative experience within the Kingdoms luxury lifestyle hotel segment that is sure to offer an incomparable guest experience. A Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotel in Saudi Arabia reflects our commitment to the region and our support for the Kingdom as a leading global tourist destination.

TDF plays a pivotal role in advancing tourism development in Saudi Arabia by enabling private investors to participate in the sector. It provides support to SMEs and large institutions alike, ranging from planning to providing support from various tourism-related government agencies. The Fund offers a variety of tailored solutions that suit the needs of investors, including direct financing, bank guarantees, and co-financing with banks.

About Tourism Development Fund

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) was established in 2020 with a capital of USD 4 billion to drive tourism growth in Saudi Arabia. TDF enables local and international investors looking to benefit from the sectors high potential by providing viable funding solutions and leveraging its wide network of partners including government entities, public and private lenders as well as operators and service providersall deployed to bring investments to life. Positioned firmly at the heart of Saudis tourism ecosystem, TDF is well placed to offer guidance and funding options to SMEs, and tailored investment solutions to qualified investors. The Funds vision is to contribute towards achieving the National Tourism Strategys objectives by unlocking opportunities in the tourism value chain for private sector investors, while focusing on long-term sustainability.

About Deutsche Hospitality

Vision, passion and cosmopolitanism. Deutsche Hospitality delivers the perfect guest experience. Tradition and an eye for the future come together in an inimitable portfolio of eight brands operating across more than 160 hotels globally. "Celebrating luxurious simplicity.": Steigenberger Icons are extraordinary luxury hotels which combine historical uniqueness and modern concepts. The Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotels brand is generating innovative impetuses in the Luxury Lifestyle Segment. Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts represent the epitome of upscale hospitality on three continents. Jaz in the City's Lifestyle Hotels dictate the rhythm in the Upscale Sector. House of Beats unites a passion for the hotel business with the fascination of lifestyle, fashion and music. IntercityHotel is located at the very hub of any destination and offers a true home of comfort and mobility in the Midscale Segment. MAXX by Deutsche Hospitality is a charismatic conversion brand which is also positioned in the midscale area of the market. Zleep Hotels provide a smart marriage of design and functionality in the Economy Segment. All of these brands are unified under H-Rewards, Deutsche Hospitality's loyalty program which yields benefits from the first booking onwards. The vision is clear. In conjunction with its shareholder Huazhu, Deutsche Hospitality aims to advance to become one of Europe's leading hotel companies.

Sven Hirschler

+49 696 656 4422

Deutsche Hospitality
Lausanne  On the occasion of its 128th anniversary, EHL Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne changes its name and becomes EHL Hospitality Business School. This new name emphasizes the managerial nature of the various hospitality professions for which EHL trains its students, and confirms the academic status and international footprint of the institution.

A new name to reflect the career opportunities offered by EHL

"Throughout our history, our positioning has always been unique. Today, the name EHL Hospitality Business School fully illustrates our identity, which has evolved with the times while remaining true to its DNA. Indeed, our roots in hospitality management and know-how continue to provide a distinctive approach to our teaching and research, which enriches our courses in management, finance and even marketing. As a result, many business leaders from diverse industries beyond the hospitality sector recruit our graduates, such as banking, real estate, consulting, and luxury manufacturing." explains Dr. Ines Blal, Executive Dean of EHL.

A new name that confirms EHLs place among the best Business Schools

EHL Hospitality Business School also reflects EHL's academic progress in the field of management studies, as evidenced by the latest QS university ranking, which places EHL in the top 5 of business management institutions in Switzerland. The quality of the academic model and its appeal are also demonstrated by the record number of students enrolled at EHL over the past two years, despite the health situation.

The new name also accompanies a reinforced Graduate School offering, including full and part time master programs, short courses and executive education focused on core hospitality competencies for the services sector.

About EHL Group

EHL Group encompasses a portfolio of specialized business units that deliver hospitality management education and innovation worldwide. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Group includes:

EHL Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne is an ambassador for traditional Swiss hospitality and has been a pioneer in hospitality education since 1893 with over 25,000 alumni worldwide and over 120 nationalities. EHL is the world's first hospitality management school that provides undergraduate and graduate programs at its campuses in Lausanne, Singapore and Chur-Passugg, as well as online learning solutions. The university of applied sciences is ranked n1 by QS World University Rankings by subject and CEOWorld Magazine, and its gastronomic restaurant is the world's only educational establishment to hold a Michelin Star for a third consecutive year.

EHL Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality has been one of the leading hospitality management colleges for hotel specialists for over 50 years. The College delivers Swiss-accredited federal diplomas of vocational education and training and of higher education in its 19th century spa-hotel in Chur-Passugg, Graubunden, to Swiss and international students from 30 countries.

EHL Advisory Services is the largest Swiss hospitality advisory company specializing in service culture implementation, business consulting, as well as the development and quality assurance of learning centers. EHL Advisory Services has offices in Lausanne, Beijing, Shanghai and New Delhi and has delivered mandates in more than 60 countries over the past 40 years.

www.ehlgroup.com

Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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When Muslims from India and Pakistan began arriving in the United Kingdom in large numbers in the 1960s, they imported two anxieties common to immigrants: what to eat, and where to pray. The new foreigners, usually men, sought places of worship and a dependable supply of nutrition associated with their homelands. This included halal food  meat and poultry killed in accordance with Quranic guidelines derived from the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. In cities such as Leeds and Manchester, where mosques werent available, Muslims prayed on factory floors or worshipped in converted flats. Halal food was harder to come by. Many urbanised Muslims sought out the services of agricultural workers who had resettled in the UK after the convulsions of empire. Men would buy chickens from farmers, former Asian farmhands or imams, who would render the food halal.

Nearly 70 years later, few areas of modern life remain untouched by the requirements of 2.7 million British Muslims. Once a marginal sector (the UK was home to just 50,000 Muslims in 1939), the halal industry now influences every aspect of the worldwide food-supply chain. Around 30 per cent of the global food market is now made up of halal products. In the UK, multiple halal certification bodies compete to authenticate halal suppliers; chains such as Nandos, Subway and Chicken Cottage sell halal items, usually chicken, as part of their menus; and Pizza Express serves only halal-certified chicken in all its 470 UK branches. Halal meat (including poultry) can now be found in supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys. In urban centres such as London, Manchester and Liverpool, secondary schools offer halal lunches to Muslim students.

For many Muslims today, this modern halal industry feels far removed from its origins in the Arabian Peninsula. While the Quran promises rivers of milk and rivers of purified honey, the earliest Muslims living in the austere environment of the Middle East in the seventh century relied mostly on limited vegetation and milk products from camels, sheep and goats. Meat production and consumption was severely restricted by the scarcity of water: camels were used to transport goods and slaughtered only in cases of necessity. Arabs consumed dates and large terrestrial birds called bustards, while the Bedouin ate grasshoppers. In coastal regions such as the Gulf, Arabs ate fish. Yet even out of this austerity, early Muslims sought to codify their religious beliefs, with halal describing not only products but also rituals regarded as lawful or permitted, and haram employed to mean the opposite. This 360-degree view of Islam can be found throughout the Quran, which states that Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. During the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, hunting land animals is forbidden, but eating seafood is lawful. In everyday dealings, charity is halal, usury is haram; most fish is halal, pork is always haram.

But for younger Muslims, the term halal has broken free of the basic rules of conduct once adhered to by their immigrant parents to encompass a wider set of welfare and lifestyle choices, including education, healthcare, travel, cosmetics, modesty fashion and financial products, as well as experiences such as birthdays, weddings and events. Hotels and beaches can be segregated and halal; cosmetics and birthday cakes can be free of animal products; financial services can be interest-free.

Even more noteworthy is the way that various aspects of halal lifestyles appear to be converging with mainstream (non-Muslim) beliefs about the environment and health consciousness. This is partly due to a growing awareness of how Muslim leaders have sought to frame Islams attitude towards food. For example, there is a growing body of religious work suggesting that veganism is probably the position most consistent with the prophet Muhammads lifestyle. Indeed, early Muslims viewed meat-consumption with suspicion. The prophets cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Sunni caliph and first Shiite imam, is reported to have said: Do not allow your stomachs to become graveyards for animals.

Opponents of factory farming, meanwhile, can take heart knowing that the Quran elevates the status of animals to those of sentient creatures. The prophet Muhammad instructed Muslims to show compassion to animals while allowing them ample access to food and water. Islam forbids hunting for sport, and Muslims are told to conduct slaughter out of the sight of other animals to minimise suffering. Muslims are also encouraged to cover the eyes of animals during slaughter to stop them from seeing their own blood. Consumers interested in movements such as fair trade will find some common ground here.

Most intriguing perhaps is the unlikely pairing of halal with so-called clean eating drives. Clean eating generally promotes produce that is grown or farmed without resort to pesticides and additives, in contrast to halals association with purity, which derives from the traditional Quranic prohibition on a very different pollutant: the consuming of blood (seen as a vector for toxins and infections). Yet, as issues of food purity and food hygiene take precedence over intensively farmed abundance, these elemental halal practices appear to be merging with secular food purism. Practitioners of halal slaughter, for example, are keen to stress that they kill animals quickly, cleanly and kindly: estimates from the Food Standards Agency suggest that up to 88 per cent of animals killed by halal methods in the UK are stunned beforehand. And with the rise of industrialised meat production making it difficult to trace where most meat comes from, halal methods (like smallscale organic farming methods) can underwrite provenance.

Companies such as Nestle are now becoming global leaders of processed halal foods aimed at Muslims and non-Muslims alike, while multinational firms such as Walmart and Carrefour are major halal suppliers. Across the world, businesses and governments are intervening to offer halal versions of national dishes that meet the expectations of both Muslims and health-conscious eaters. In Japan, pork-free ramen noodle dishes and sushi prepared without rice wine mirror the development of French-halal cooking in Europe.

Many authorities across the Western world that are approved to certify meat, including poultry, as halal are, in turn, co-opting the mantras of clean eating. Among them, Halal Transactions, based in Omaha, Nebraska, has published guidelines on Eating Clean While Eating Halal, which suggest that clean eating gains a deeper importance within the context of Islam. The rationale here is that Muslims are obligated to eat food that is not only halal, but tayyib  which can be translated as good, clean, and wholesome. Over-processed foods are not considered tayyib, while all-natural foods are. Halal Transactions goes on to state that the obligation to steward the environment can potentially be better met with organic, non-GMO, free-range, insecticide-free foods, because these classifications are based on responsible agricultural practices, obligatory in Islam.

With our food supplies both burdened and liberated by an abundance of choice, for many Muslims, meat-eating might return to the minimal space that it occupied in the days of early Islam. This would occur for reasons of health, purity and wholesomeness. For non-Muslims seeking similar assurances, the path to clean-eating might also be halal.

This article was originally published at Aeon and has been republished under Creative Commons.
Japanese engine-maker Yanmar perfected the first small diesel engine in 1933; this year, the conglomerate is showing off a hydrogen fuel cell for ocean-going boats.

Every day, one of the worlds biggest manufacturers announces a new clean energy technology, and many rely on hydrogen. Texas has an almost unequaled opportunity to lead the world in clean hydrogen, but only if our business and political leaders can see past oil and natural gas.

Texas starts out with some great advantages, said Brian Weeks, senior hydrogen development director at the Gas Technology Institute, a nonprofit that supports new technologies. Moving out of the old hydrogen industry into the new hydrogen, clean energy world has been a very long and slow process getting companies interested and government agencies involved.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Is Texas oil and gas entering its final boom cycle?

Texas is the nations largest hydrogen producer, and most of the gas goes to refine oil or make ammonia. The Gulf Coast region is home to half the nations hydrogen pipelines and enormous subterranean caverns that store gases.

Few places in the world do more with hydrogen  few clean fuels offer as much opportunity.

Yanmars hydrogen fuel cell technology creates a new market and addresses one of the most challenging industries to decarbonize, intercontinental shipping.

Texas researchers are developing new applications ranging from drone fuel to storing wind and solar power. So why is the nations largest green hydrogen hub going to Mississippi?

Were not that far along, Brett Perlman, CEO of Center for Houstons Future, acknowledged during a conference about the Future of Hydrogen in the Ontario and Texas Economies. Were just getting ready to launch our effort.

As Ive explained in past columns, hydrogen puts the hydro in hydrocarbons. The gas is the most common element in the universe and packs more energy per kilogram than any fuel other than nuclear fissile material.

Humans can generate pure hydrogen in two general ways. The traditional method heats natural gas with steam, releasing 9 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilo of hydrogen.

Electrolysis applies electricity to water, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen. If the electricity is generated by wind or solar facilities, the hydrogen is considered green. But hydrogen made from electrolysis typically costs $30 a kilogram, and it becomes economical only at $4 or less a kilo.

Hundreds of companies, though, think they can make clean hydrogen affordable. One way is to capture the carbon associated with the steam process, thus creating what the industry calls blue hydrogen. Others believe they can bring down the cost of making green hydrogen.

One of the worlds most ambitious hydrogen projects, located on the northwest border of England and Wales, will produce both colors. HyNet leverages existing natural gas production, offshore wind power, salt caverns and existing refineries to replace fossil fuels with hydrogen.

HyNet involves both the upgrade to existing infrastructure, as well as developing new infrastructure. This includes underground pipelines, hydrogen production plants and storage facilities, HyNets mission statement says. The project aims to lead the creation of a low carbon economy, protecting and creating local jobs to the North West and North Wales and across the U.K.

That sounds like something Texas should do. The Center for Houstons Future, the University of Texas, the Gas Technology Institute and a dozen private corporations are working on something similar, called H2@Scale Texas.

We have to start at the place where the existing asset base is, Perlman said, pointing to the oil and gas industry.

Texas generates 30 percent of the nations hydrogen, almost all of it produced with steam. The Houston H2 Hydrogen Hub would capture the carbon and sequester it in existing caverns to make it blue.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: How to fix the Texas power grid in 5 difficult steps

Perlman said electrolysis entrepreneurs are considering Texas because of existing hydrogen pipelines that run near natural gas power plants. Electricity generators can blend hydrogen with natural gas to reduce carbon emissions.

Electrolysis companies can also buy cheap electricity from Texas wind and solar plants when the grid doesnt need it. They effectively store the wind and solar energy as hydrogen for use later to back up the electric grid.

Texas petrochemical facilities can convert hydrogen into liquid ammonia, another way of storing renewable energy. With a bit of adaptation, ammonia can fuel diesel engines.

The state will need more pipelines, transmission lines, hydrogen storage and electrolysis equipment. But these things create jobs for oil and gas workers looking to escape a shrinking industry.

H2@Scale breaks ground in earnest next month and offers tremendous economic opportunity. If Texas wants to maintain its current leadership in the energy economy, we need to support this kind of innovation and stop living in the past.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
WASHINGTON - Texas Senator Ted Cruz's long campaign to enact sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline failed to win the necessary majority in the Senate Thursday.

Cruz introduced legislation late last year that would have placed financial sanctions on any entity or individual that helped complete and operate the controversial natural gas pipeline, which runs more than 700 miles into Germany, arguing it made Europe too reliant on Russian energy supplies.

But the Biden administration has resisted placing sanctions on the project, which enjoys support from Germany and other European nations who believe it could help alleviate recent gas shortages.

Cruz's bill managed to win over six Democrats and all but one Republican. But with 55 votes to 44, he fell short of the 60-vote majority needed for passage.

RELATED: Ted Cruz forces uncomfortable Democratic vote on Russian pipeline sanctions

Earlier in the day Cruz stood on the Senate floor and urged colleagues to support his bill to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his decision to build up troops on the the Ukrainian border in recent weeks would not be tolerated.

"President Biden should listen to the Senate and to the people and government of Ukraine, and reverse his catastrophic decision to grant Russia waivers from congressionally mandated sanctions," Cruz said after the vote. "Only immediately imposing sanctions can change Putin's calculation, stop a Ukrainian invasion, and lift the existential threat posed by Nord Stream 2.

A year ago Republicans and Democrats came together to pass sanctions legislation to try and block the construction of Nord Stream 2, overriding a veto by former president Donald Trump.

But neither Trump nor Biden elected to put sanctions in place, and since then Democratic support has faded.

At this point, its very important, as were looking at potential Russian action in Ukraine, for us to work very closely with our allies, and Germany is one of those very important allies, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., who previously co-authored sanctions legislation against Nord Stream 2, told Politico last week.. And so, I think the amendment is ill-timed."
A patient suffering from COVID-19 will remain on life support after a judge blocked the Minnesota hospital where hes being treated from taking him off a ventilator.

Scott Quiner was diagnosed in October with coronavirus and hospitalized in Waconia before he was transferred a month later to Mercy Hospital, just north of Minneapolis, KARE 11 reported. Earlier this week, doctors at the medical facility informed his wife, Anne, they could not help Quiner and planned to take actions on Thursday, January 12, 2022 that would likely end his life, according to an affidavit filed in Minnesotas Tenth Judicial District.

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As the person appointed to make her husbands health care decisions, Anne said she was searching for another facility to take Quiner in, but that she needed more time.

I have advised the doctors that I vehemently disagree with this action and do not want my husbands ventilator turned off, she in the court documents.

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Anoka County Judge Jennifer Stanfield on Thursday issued a temporary restraining order, forbidding doctors at Mercy Hospital from taking Quiner off of life support. A hearing to review the matter has been set for Feb. 11.

Anne said she would use the time to focus on getting her husband transferred. Shes currently looking at facilities in Texas.

The hospitals parent company, Allina Health, said in a statement to KSTP it was unable to comment on specific patient care, citing privacy reasons.

We will follow the courts order in this case and continue to work through the legal process. In the meantime, our care teams remain committed to providing exceptional care to all our patients based on the best medical science and treatments for a patients medical condition, Allina said.

We continue to focus on our patients and meeting the critical care needs of the community as we all navigate this challenging time together.
Discussion is swirling around details of Pearland City Councils plan to put a proposed fee to fund drainage projects before voters, with talks including if the election should happen in May, November or be dropped altogether in favor of a bond referendum.

At its Jan. 10 meeting, the council also debated possible exemptions from the fee for local school districts and religious organizations.

No decisions were made, but the council has until its Feb. 14 meeting to vote on whether to put the measure on the May ballot. The Jan. 10 meeting can be viewed at https://bityl.co/AUL1.

Representatives from Alvin ISD, the business community, Memorial Hermann Health System and a local church stated opposition to the fee and pushed to delay bringing it before voters or to instead provide drainage funding through a bond referendum.

As the ballot language stands, the fee would be $5 a month for residential property. Businesses would play a commercial fee of $1.79 a month for every 1,000 square feet of impervious cover  ground surface that doesnt absorb rainfall.

Huge burden on businesses

The fee  if approved  would be paid through customers water bills with all funds going to drainage-related capital improvement projects and maintenance of the citys current drainage infrastructure.

Russ Wilkins, owner of Frontier Forklifts & Services, said he expects school systems and religious organizations may be exempted from the proposed fee but not businesses.

He owns property in Pearland but doesnt live in the city and, therefore, wont have a vote on the issue.

This will be a huge burden on businesses and to cast this on businesses is not the right thing to do, he told the council. I feel like there should be some mechanism in the city (to pay for drainage improvements). Cant we look within and get this done some other way?

He added that he thought a bond election to provide the funding would be a good option.

Freddy Warner, chief government relations officer with Memorial Hermann Health System, said his company opposes the fee. He talked about the hospitals large investments in Pearland, including drainage infrastructure for its facilities, and the approximately $300 million worth of uncompensated care it has provided to area patients over the years.

Warner added that should the election be delayed, the hospital system wants to be part of a conversation about how to move forward.

Jim Johnson, president and CEO of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, said the business community needs to have a voice in how to improve drainage, agreeing with Wilkins that the fee could have a significant impact on businesses. He argued for delaying the election until November while the idea of a bond referendum is investigated and discussed with community members and business owners.

Bonds have an end date, unlike the stormwater fee, Johnson said.

He also referenced recent discussions with Pearland city staff where it was explained that streets and sidewalks managed by neighborhood homeowners associations would count as impervious cover and be subject to the commercial fee. Johnson said he worried those costs could be passed on to homeowners through increases in annual dues.

Before the meeting, Mayor Kevin Cole  who favors delaying the election until November while city officials meet with residents to gauge whether they want an election for a fee or bonds  asked city staff members to explain how exempting school districts would financially impact the $5.25 million the city estimates the drainage fee would generate the first year. He also asked staff members to calculate how much the fee would have to be increased if council decided to make up that lost revenue.

Should exemptions be made and the council opt to change ballot language to reflect fee increases, those modifications must be approved before the council calls the election.

The (ballot) language locks it in. If the goal is to grant exemptions and make (the funds) up, then we need to know that to pass the ballot language on to the voters, Cole said.

Assistant City Manager Trent Epperson said the exemptions would mean approximately $400,000 worth of lost revenue. To make it up, the fee would have to be increased to $5.41 for households and $1.93 for every 1,000 square feet of impervious cover for commercial properties.

If religious organizations were exempted as well, the revenue loss would be around $50,000, and the fee would have to be adjusted to $5.47 per household and $1.95 for commercial properties to offset that loss.

Council member Trent Perez said he supported offering an exemption to school districts but wasnt sure about religious organizations. Nevertheless, he said he does not want to see an increase in the proposed fees even if exemptions were made.

Just leave it as it is, and well just have a lesser value (in revenue) and we move forward from there, he said.

No other council member voiced support at the meeting for increasing the proposed drainage fee to offset losses realized through exemptions.

Perez: Drainage maintenance projects falling behind

Council member Tony Carbone reiterated his support to use bonds to complete drainage projects, a position hes consistently espoused. He said hearing residents speak out against a fee and seeing his fellow council members debate how to move forward only strengthened his position.

Lets get it to a bond, get projects vetted out and get moving on it, he said.

Council member Woody Owens said it would be prudent to delay an election in favor of gathering more information about how the community, including business owners, wants to move forward to pay for drainage improvements.

Council member Alex Kamkar and Perez both stuck to their arguments in favor of the fee. Perez spoke against issuing bonds to fund drainage projects, saying the process takes too long and the city is already behind on even properly maintaining the system it has.

We cant bond quick enough, and maintenance projects are falling behind, he said.

As an example, Perez referenced a council vote earlier in the meeting where members approved drainage and sanitation improvement work in the Willowcrest subdivision, a project of the 2019 bond package. The neighborhood is approximately 50 years old.

Kamkar agreed that bonds arent the answer, saying he favored the fee as a long-term funding source to address neighborhood-level drainage problems. He said he believes flooding will only get worse as storms continue to increase.
Virtual-reality experiences get a bad rap. Are they art? Are they events? Are they worth the astronomically high ticket prices?

The Infinite, a 60-minute immersive virtual- and augmented-reality adventure set on the International Space Station, answers many of those questions.

Technically, its art. Most of the video images are from never-before-seen footage captured by astronauts for the 2021 Emmy Award-winning film Space Explorers: The ISS Experience.

Produced by Felix & Paul Studios in association with TIME Studios, NASA and the ISS National Lab, its the largest production ever created in space. And, if youre a fan of space travel flicks such as Gravity and Interstellar, a trip to The Infinite  currently on tour at Silver Street Studios  makes IMAX feel like basic cable.

Houston rapper Bun B was fortunate to experience The Infinite during the world premiere in Montreal. He cried.

The Infinite What:A 60-minute immersive virtual- and augmented-reality adventure to the International Space Station using never-before-seen footage captured by astronauts for the 2021 Emmy Award-winning film "Space Explorers: The ISS Experience." When:Through Feb. 20 Where: Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards Details: Tickets start at $36, theinfiniteexperience.world See More Collapse

The project, made possible in part by the government of Canada, is now on Texas soil  fittingly, in Space City  through Feb. 20.

Almost everyone who journeys through The Infinite gets emotional. On Thursday, Gregory Reid Wiseman, a U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut, told fellow astronauts Anne McClain and Christine Koch that he shed tears, too.

McClain, a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, engineer and NASA astronaut, and Koch, an engineer and NASA astronaut, helped capture the footage from space.

Going through The Infinite made me think back to our mission, Koch says. I didnt realize how much I forgot. The details  its so realistic. There are so many little things to re-live.

Only 250 astronauts have ever called the International Space Station home. The Infinite provides visitors an accurate portal into life in orbit.

One of us would set up (the camera) and leave it, Koch says. Thats why its the most authentic. Wed forget it was there.

Like another crew member, Koch adds.

Organizers describe The Infinite as a life-size, 3D re-creation of the International Space Station, virtual-reality spacewalk and installation by Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda. Tickets start at $36, which isnt exactly cheap, albeit comparable to Space Center Houstons $29.95 general adult admission.

Visitors are grouped together and fitted into virtual-reality headsets. Theyre weighty and complex. Audio booms through a Beats-style headset. You wont be able to hear much aside from the astronauts recordings, Hans Zimmer-worthy soundtrack and your direct neighbor. And you wont want to.

Inside The Infinite, group members are each assigned a color. Theyll look like human-shaped constellations with an amber, purple, teal or midnight blue hue. A dazzling way to identify whos who.

The floor disappears as a zero-gravity effect kicks in. There are only three rules: Dont sit down; dont approach red-barred walls; dont remove the headset.

For roughly 35 minutes, visitors stumble around the International Space Station. There are 60-plus micro films that activate upon virtual touch. Most people view a couple dozen. To say theyre realistic would be a gross understatement.

Experience as many as you can, Koch advises. Look above and behind you to get a better glimpse of little hints that people live and work there.

The International Space Station is 3,400 square feet and houses anywhere from seven to 11 astronauts at a time. Inside The Infinite are white zippered bags, which McClain explains are cargo transfer bags. Think drawers and a closet but made for outer space.

They hold our socks, repair kits, spectrometers. You cant just set something down in space, she explains.

Koch highly recommends taking in as many external views of space inside The Infinite as possible. Her eyes water slightly as she recalls the sunrise.

The last five or so minutes of The Infinite are a seated film, with 100 percent sweeping views. Its a finale youll want to replay over and over.

To exit, visitors remove their headsets and walk through a series of mirrored tunnels and sensory installations. Whats an immersive experience without a few photo ops?

The Infinite is more activity than event, expensive and worth every cent.

We feel a huge responsibility to share this with people. Its as much yours as it is ours, McClain says. Take in the enormity.

amber.elliott@chron.com
When Moonys mother kicked her out of the house at age 17, she had nowhere to go.

For months, she slept in abandoned cars and apartments.

Anywhere I could find, said Moony, 20, whose last name has been omitted to preserve her privacy. I didnt have any clothes.

But last February, a friend suggested she visit Montrose Grace Place, a drop-in site that serves as a haven for LGBTQ youth and those experiencing homelessness in the Houston area.

On HoustonChronicle.com: 'He came in like Superman': A Clear Lake hospital chaplain's COVID mission

Housed in Montroses Kindred church, the center welcomed Moony, who identifies as lesbian  offering fellowship, food, clothing and engaging activities, like poetry writing sessions, which helped express herself.

It changed her life, said Moony, who visits the center weekly.

Its a safe place. The moment you come through the door, they welcome you like you already been there, Moony said. I dont miss a day.

Within three months, the Mississippi native secured housing through Grace Place. Now, shes on the job hunt.

For many young people like Moony, the nonprofit site has been a refuge  solace when theres nowhere else to go for the night.

Every Monday and Thursday, dozens of youth ages 13 to 24 flock to Montrose Grace Place to congregate, decompress and take advantage of its many resources. Festivities on youth night begin around 6 p.m., with hot coffee and a hearty sit-down family-style dinner prepared by volunteers  followed by a smoke break, which often gives way to music and sometimes, dancing, said program director Chaunteion Hall, 25.

Its not a party, but it can feel like a party, Hall said.

Each night also features an interactive activity, like arts and crafts or Bingo, followed by a peer-led discussion  a chance for youth of all genders and sexualities to connect and feel heard, Hall said.

They need support and they need people to listen to them, said Executive Director Courtney Sellers, 33. We tend to not listen to people experiencing homelessness. Often, society thinks they know better and that goes doubly for youth.

Resources like bus passes, toiletries, a legal aid monthly session and a list of shelters are also offered.

If the shelter cant take them in, we provide a shelter for them for a night, Sellers said.

And theres also time to shop through Tracys Closet, a vibrant wardrobe and accessories stash stocked for nearly every scenario. There are feminine and masculine clothing and beauty supplies  helpful for those who have recently started transitioning; professional attire for job interviews; natural hair care and hygiene products; and home goods like sheets and towels for those moving into a new apartment.

It gives them a chance to hang out, get out of the cold, be mentored and shop with other people who came out of homelessness, Sellers said.

The closet, a testament to why Grace Place exists  to provide a safe place for youth to express themselves as they come into their own  is also a homage to Tracy Williams, a Black trans woman who frequented Grace Place before she was murdered in 2019. She was the third reported trans woman murdered in Texas that year.

That was our first big loss as a community, as a family. We renamed the closet after her because the closet was her favorite place, said Sellers, noting that Williamss best friend Asia Jynae Harmason-Foster, another Black trans woman who frequented Grace Place, was also killed in 2020.

With transgender homicides on the rise  the Human Rights Campaign reported in November a record-high of 45 trans murders in 2021  Grace Places promise of safety and privacy for visiting youth is paramount, Sellers and Hall said. This means no one outside of staff and volunteers is allowed in during Grace Places Youth Night  newspapers included.

Were protective, Sellers said. Thats a promise weve made to the youth for the past 10 years, and its unwavering.  No ones breathing down their neck. They come here for an escape. This is a place where theyre affirmed.

On HoustonChronicle.com: J. Elle brings Third Ward fantasy series home

Though the nonprofit has no distinct religious affiliation, Grace Place was founded in 2009 by members of the Grace Lutheran Church, an LGBTQ-affirming church formerly hosted in Kindreds building. The founders had experienced homelessness themselves and wanted to provide a space for young and LGBTQ people to congregate at night, Sellers said. They opened Grace Places doors in 2010 to one person.

A little more than a decade later, the site, which is funded through a combination of grants, community donors and corporate sponsorship, has welcomed more than 1,500 people, emphasizing fellowship and community.

In 2020, as the pandemic uprooted daily life in Houston, Grace Place used grant funding to distribute $100,000 in cash to youth, assisting them with housing, food, clothing and emergency-related costs. And last year, the site served more than 3,000 meals and distributed around $15,000 in transportation assistance, with an average of 25-30 people attending each youth night.

While a handful of those who attend Grace Place are returning youth, theres always one or two newcomers, Sellers said, and regardless, somebody is expecting to see you on Monday and Thursday, and were happy and hope you walk through the door.

This can come as a relief to many youths fleeing toxic environments, including sex trafficking, abuse, abandonment or homelessness. According to a 2021 report by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, 3,055 people experienced homelessness last year.

The exact number of homeless youth in Houston, however, is difficult to pin down, Sellers said.

The population can be hidden and transient, with some not wanting people to know theyre homeless or risk being put into the foster system, Sellers said. Others, including those over the age of 18, might not sleep in shelters or on the streets, where most people experiencing homelessness are counted by organizations. Still, unhoused youth are out there, Sellers said.

Theyre in jobs. Theyre in schools, Sellers said. There are youth experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity who are out there who you dont see. Its such an important population that needs assistance, especially youth thats queer and trans  and theres so many barriers there.

Hall said many young people who visit Montrose Grace Place have been turned away from family or dont have a positive connection with relatives.

They might have run away. They might be over the age of 18. Some say their home life is toxic or its not affirming, and thats a story we hear pretty regularly, she said.

Others have experienced a lack of transitional support after aging out of foster care, said Hall, adding that once you turn 18, youre really on your own.

According to the National Foster Institute, around 50 percent of the nations homeless population has spent time in foster care and around 20 percent of young adults in foster care become homeless the moment theyre emancipated.

For the LGBTQ community, the statistics are direr.

Despite LGBTQ youth making up about 7 percent of the population, a 2014 survey of 138 youth homelessness human service agency providers found that 40 percent of youth who were experiencing homelessness identified as LGBTQ. African American and Native American youth were disproportionately represented among this population.

At Montrose Grace Place, 90 percent of attendees are people of color; 75 percent are Black, 50 percent identify as LGBTQ, and nearly all are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, with most noting that they stayed in a shelter, with a friend or on the street the night before they visited Grace Place, Sellers said.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines homelessness as a family or person who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, which includes residing at night in a place that is not meant for human habitation and living in a shelter or transitional housing. For youth specifically, categories of homelessness include those who are staying with friends but cannot stay there for longer than 14 days, those who are being trafficked or are trading sex for housing and those who left their homes because of abuse or threats of abuse and have no alternative housing.

Sellers says Grace Place aims to provide space without expectations for these youth, as well as those who might be couch-surfing  moving place to place  or unsure where their next night will be.

Here, Hall said, they can just exist.

brittany.britto@chron.com
Scouts since elementary school, Clear Lake City siblings Lisa and Adam Moore recently became the first brother-sister pair from BSA troops 849 and 848 to achieve the organizations highest award, Eagle.

For his Eagle Scout project, Adam coordinated renovation of the patio area at Mainland Medical Center in Texas City, including improvements to the drainage system. Lisa organized and led a nature-themed summer camp for elementary-aged children at University of Houston-Clear Lakes Environmental Institute of Houston.

Learn more at www.bsatroop848.org/849.

District wins statewide business practices award

Clear Creek Independent School Districts purchasing team recently received a 2022 Award of Merit from the Texas Association of School Business Officials.

I am extremely proud of Greg Cruthirds and the entire purchasing team at CCISD, said Paul McLarty, deputy superintendent of business and support services. This is the sixth year they have been honored with the TASBO Award of Merit, and it reflects the continued excellence in our district. It should also inspire confidence in our taxpayers knowing that we have such a dedicated group of individuals managing taxpayer funds.

Trinity Episcopal names interim head

Marie Kidd has joined Trinity Episcopal School, 720 Tremont St., as interim head of school.

She previously served as head of school for Crestview Preparatory School in Southern California and Trinity Episcopal School in Austin. For more information, visit www.tesgalv.org.

Area student named to presidents list

Isabella Morrison, of Friendswood, joined 427 students at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, to earn presidents list honors for the fall 2021 semester.

Qualifying students attained a GPA of at least 3.90. Learn more at www.su.edu.

Health center receives $50 million to expand care in underserved areas

Legacy Community Health recently accepted the largest gift in its 40-year history  $50 million from Houston Methodist  to build new health centers in north Houston and Pasadena.

Thousands of patients across the city will benefit from the addition of two new community health clinics in the Houston area, said Dr. Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist. Together we can expand to provide quality, specialized health care and support programs designed to tackle some of the greatest health issues impacting our communities.

Learn more at legacycommunityhealth.org and houstonmethodist.org.

Report: Rents climb in 2021

Pasadena apartment dwellers saw their rents increase 6.1 percent in 2021 compared to 1.1 percent the prior year, according to an industry study.

During the past month, however, rents decreased 0.7 percent in the city and 0.2 percent nationally, Apartment List reported in January.

Median rents in Pasadena stand at $867 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,105 for a two-bedroom unit, according to the report. Learn more at apartmentlist.com/tx/pasadena#rent-report.
After winning $250,000 on another TV game show a decade ago, Dr. Andrew Tyler of Friendswood hoped to make a killing on Jeopardy!

However, when he finally made it to the classic TV game show, Tyler and another challenger ran into a buzz saw in the form of record-breaking champion Amy Schneider of Oakland, Calif.

On Jan. 13, for example, Schneider tied James Holzhauer for the third-longest winning streak  32  in the programs history.

Amy smoked us so bad, said Tyler, 38, who nonetheless went out on a high note by responding correctly to Final Jeopardy.

In the category of The Early United States, the answer was The final piece in this series points out the analogy of the proposed government to your own state constitution. Both Tyler and Schneider correctly responded, What are The Federalist Papers?

Im happy I got Final Jeopardy, Tyler said. That was the biggest thing. I probably knew the answer from watching Hamilton, referring to a filmed version of the Broadway musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton, who co-wrote The Federalist Papers with John Jay and James Madison.

Tyler was awarded $1,000 for this third-place finish.

In 2012, while a medical student at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Tyler and his mother, Judy Tyler of Spring, traveled to New York City for the taping of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? where he won the $250,000.

In contrast, because of the corona virus, Tyler traveled alone to Culver City, Calif., where he and about a dozen other contestants served as the studio audience for several Jeopardy! shows before Tyler was plucked as a challenger along with Kelly Hartman, a retired librarian from Ohio.

It was Schneiders 17th game after amassing $631,400 in her previous victories. Since then, she has surpassed the $1.1 million mark and become the shows top female champion of all time.

Tyler was born in California and moved each time his father, Bruce Tyler, was transferred with his job at ExxonMobil. The familys travels took them to a number of states as well as the Netherlands and England, where Andrew Tyler went to high school.

Our travels might have helped me a little bit, such as in the category of British literature, but mainly in how they have given me a breadth of knowledge, Tyler said. My favorite categories were science and medicine.

The orthopedic surgeon, who is on the medical staff at HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake in Webster, is married to Dr. Grace Tyler, a pediatrician in Clear Lake. They have two children, a girl who is almost 3 and a 9-month-old boy.

A blow-by-blow account of Tylers Jeopardy! appearance, which was filmed in October and aired on Dec. 23, can be found at https://bityl.co/AVH2.

Jeopardy! is shown locally on ABC Channel 13 at 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be contacted at donmaines@att.net
January and swimming pools just dont match. But for any Deer Park residents who enjoy fishing, the two will most certainly be a match on Jan. 28 when the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department releases 400 rainbow trout into the city pool at Dow Park.

Its part of the departments statewide trout stocking schedule, and Deer Park is on the schedule for that Friday. The trout will be making the trip from Brookeland, located along the shores of Lake Sam Rayburn, which is home to the East Texas Fish Hatchery that handles all the fish deliveries this time of year.

Its an annual deal. We do it at this time of the year when its conducive for trout, hatchery biologist Zach Zemanek said. They dont like water thats warmer than 70 degrees. This is the only time in Texas, especially south Texas, that we can stock trout.

The trout that will be swimming around in our city pool actually began their trek in Missouri. Thats where the waters have been good and cold for a while now. Those hatcheries raised the fish until they became mature enough to earn a trip to Brookeland.

Zemanek reminds those who do head for the city pool, 610 E. San Augustine, that day that theres a daily catch limit of five trout and adults must have a fishing license. For those age 17 and under, no license is required.

For those who prefer more of a challenge, Burke-Crenshaw Parks lake in Pasadena, located at 4950 Burke Road, will have rainbow trout released there on Feb. 4 and 18 as well as March 4.

As college softball programs start practicing, keep an eye on 2019 Deer Park graduate Jasie Roberts at Houston Baptist University.

If she can bring something similar to what she did in 2021, the Huskies will be better off for it. She held the teams second-best batting average at .336, nearly leading the team in RBIs (29) and total bases (69). She led the squad in triples with two and ranked third in home runs with five.

In the field, she committed just seven errors over 122 chances.

The Huskies get their long campaign under way on Feb. 11 with four games in Huntsville, opposing the University of Dayton, South Dakota, Wichita State and the hosts, Sam Houston. Another highlight berfore the arrival of conference play will be the first-ever meeting with Brown University, one of the Ivy League schools, March 4-6 at Husky Field. Brown is located in Providence, R.I.

ravery@hcnonline.com
U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, said it was deeply regrettable and painful that due to incomplete paperwork federal funding had once again been kept from poor communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

(The Department of Housing and Urban Development) is requiring that the state-approved (General Land Office) submit its plan, Green said. And in that plan, there must be an analysis of how racially, ethnically concentrated areas as well as poor areas are going to benefit from these funds.

Green made his comments at an ad hoc news conference Saturday morning, less than 24 hours after HUD halted the distribution of the $1.95 billion amount, saying that the GLO had failed to submit paperwork specifying how it planned to use the money.

According to the letter sent by HUD on Jan. 7 to the GLO, the states Action Plan Amendment 1 does not include the required assessment on how the use of Community Development Block Grant mitigation funds may affect members of protected classes, racially and ethnically concentrated areas, and concentrated areas of poverty rendering the plan substantially incomplete.

In the letter, HUD said GLO had 45 days to resubmit the missing information.

The suffering are at the mercy of those who are comfortable, Green said. And if the people making these decisions were as uncomfortable as those people who are suffering, this would have been taken care of.

Green said the GLOs delays and inaction had for too long prevented much-needed federal money from reaching disadvantaged neighborhoods. Green is referring to the $4.3 billion that was awarded to Texas in 2018 after Hurricane Harvey. He said half the amount remains unallocated. The governor of Texas appointed the GLO to oversee the distribution of the federal money. Approximately $1.95 billion was earmarked for flood mitigation projects.

The GLO submitted the paperwork in question - 628 pages of meaningful analysis, said Brittany Eck, director of communications for GLO. It is Appendix H of the action plan amendment. This is a purely political move considering HUD notified the Houston Chronicle more than an hour before it notified its grantee, the state of Texas.

Eck said HUD was responsible for the hold up and the departments disapproval of GLOs plan was a mark of its partisan politics.

The amendment to the action plan that is currently being delayed by HUD would give $750 million directly to Harris County, Eck said. This allocation of funding is pending HUDs approval in addition to $488 million for H-GAC for Houston area regional mitigation projects.

The GLOs definition of analysis does not coincide with HUDs definition, Green said in response. Thats why theyre at loggerheads. If (the GLO) would get in touch with HUD, as the letter asks, they could get a better understanding of what HUD wants. The GLO seems to be indicating that weve done everything thats required of us and if they keep saying that, were going to stay in this twilight zone where were not getting anything done.

Green added that, if the GLO did not conform, he was prepared to file legislation to see Houston and Harris County directly funded by the federal government.

juhi.varma@hcnonline.com
Denzel Washington has been a Shakespearean standout for decades, but hed never seen a production of Macbeth before being crowned the lead of the latest film adaptation.

That proved to be an advantage, says Washington, who stars alongside fellow Oscar winner Frances McDormand in The Tragedy of Macbeth, out Friday on Apple TV+.

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Im glad that I hadnt seen the play or any prior film ... because I didnt feel that pressure, Washington told the Daily News. Oh my goodness, this is Macbeth and how is mine going to be different than whoever? I didnt see anybody elses, so there wasnt that pressure. Obviously, its Shakespeare. Thats pressure enough.

Washington, 67, relished bringing his own interpretation to Macbeth in the black-and-white movie, which is directed by McDormands husband, Joel Coen, and tells the tragedy of a Scottish lords political ambition after three witches deliver him a prophecy.

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The new film features older versions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth than previous iterations, which added to the urgency felt by Washington and McDormands characters during their quest for power.

I think its already there, Washington said of his approach to the role. Our age, our look, in my case his weight, and all of that is sort of built-in, so you realize, oh, this is not a spring chicken. This is the last go-round. Theyre expecting a favor here. You know, I did my job. Im expecting to be paid for it, and were passed over.

Denzel Washington in The Tragedy of Macbeth." (Apple TV+)

Washingtons history with William Shakespeare dates back to his days at Fordham Universitys Lincoln Center campus, where he starred in Othello. He also led New York City stage productions of Coriolanus and Richard III, and starred in the 1993 film version of Much Ado About Nothing.

The Tragedy of Macbeth features another Shakespeare veteran in Corey Hawkins, who stars as Lord Macduff.

Hawkins, who made his Broadway debut in a production of Romeo and Juliet, previously portrayed Macbeth as a student at Manhattans Juilliard School.

Id had access to it, but it also allowed me to, in a way, have a different level of empathy for Macbeth, Hawkins told The News. Macduff having a different level of empathy for Macbeth, and understanding how easy it is to fall victim to fate and to ambition, and what that can do to you.

[ West Side Story stars Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose on how they reinterpreted the timeless story for Steven Spielberg film ]

Corey Hawkins in The Tragedy of Macbeth. (Apple TV+)

Hawkins, who starred last year in the movie musical In the Heights, enjoyed exploring the complicated dynamic between Macbeth and Macduff, which changes over the course of the film.

Macduff looks up to Macbeth in the same way that I look up to Denzel Washington, Hawkins, 33, said. Theres a reverence there, and an honor for everything that he represents and what hes done on the battlefield. For Macduff, he sees Macbeth (and) wants to maybe one day walk in that path.

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Washington began reading scenes and discussing ideas for The Tragedy of Macbeth with Coen and McDormand, who is also a producer on the film, months before they began rehearsals.

He and Hawkins both praised Shakespeares works for stretching actors beyond their comfort zones.

I think its the most challenging, Washington said. Its hard to figure out. Its almost a foreign language. Hes the best storyteller, and theyre great, great parts.

[ Andrew Garfield, Lin-Manuel Miranda on honoring one of Broadways most influential artists with Tick, Tick... Boom! film ]

Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand in The Tragedy of Macbeth, coming soon to theaters and Apple TV+. (Apple TV+)

Hawkins believes the 1623 tragedy remains relevant four centuries later through parallels between the eras kings and queens and present-day politicians, and is impressed by how the film modernizes parts of the story as well.

Lady Macbeth should be able to be played at the point Frances is in her life, Hawkins said. Black people should be able to be on screen speaking Shakespeare in this way, on this level. Its something we havent really seen before, in terms of leading a Shakespeare company on film.

Washington, who earned Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations for his performance, also considers the themes of Macbeth to be timeless.

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Power. Lust. Greed. You know, all the things we love, Washington said with a laugh. That never gets old, right?
Jamaal Ellis, Houston Chronicle / Contributor

The FBI has created a website that seeks information on the deadly Astroworld Festival, the Houston Police Department said Friday.

Members of the public can upload photos and video from the Nov. 5 event at NRG Park. Police said in a statement that theyre specifically looking for media from between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. of the main venue area, which can be uploaded at fbi.gov/astroworld.
A 27-year-old Houston man who is suspected of leading authorities on a chase that ended with the death of an innocent victim has been arrested and is facing federal charges, authorities said Friday.

Federal authorities charged Davonte Williams "with interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence," according to a release.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Friday afternoon in a tweet that aggravated robbery charges are being filed against Williams related to two Wednesday incidents and further charges may be pending.

More than 90 minutes later, Houston Police said in a tweet Williams is facing federal charges.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Texas, if convicted, Williams is facing up to 20 years in prison for the robbery and a minimum of seven years for gun charges which would both be served consecutively.

"Interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence are pretty standard federal charges and those which we regularly pursue," stated Angela Dodge, public information officer for the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Texas, in an email Friday afternoon. "Gun crime and violent crime are priorities for us."

The chase ended in a crash at Laura Koppe and Lockwood, which left a woman dead and multiple others  including two children  injured. The dead woman has been identified as Autrey Faith Simone Davis.

Two children who were in Davis vehicle  a 5-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl  were in critical and stable conditions following the crash, and people in other vehicles were sent in stable condition to hospitals. It was not immediately clear what their statuses were later on Friday.

The deputy involved in the crash, a three-year veteran of the department, remains hospitalized in stable condition, Harris County Sheriffs Office senior deputy Thomas Gilliland said Friday morning.

Williams had apparently been out on bond related to prior aggravated assault with a deadly weapon cases, Gonzalez wrote.

Our condolences go out [to] the family of the female that lost her life during the crash, Gonzalez wrote. And we pray for the recovery of our deputy, the two small children, and everyone impacted by the crash.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash. Pending Houston Polices investigation, Gilliland said the Harris County patrol bureau and Harris County fleet review would look at the incident and see whether the deputys actions followed policy.



leah.brennan@chron.com

joel.umanzor@chron.com
Two people are in custody after an hourslong standoff where a woman and her 5-year-old daughter were held hostage inside an apartment in the Greater Greenspoint area, according to Houston Police.

The 5-year-old girl didnt appear to be injured, and the woman had minor injuries, partially due to her falling when she came out of the apartment, according to Megan Howard, commander with Houston Polices tactical operations division.

Authorities said the two people in custody  a man in his late 20s and a male juvenile  are expected to face charges. One of them, who had a previous intimate partner relationship with someone involved, is expected to be charged with aggravated assault family violence; the other male is expected to be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to authorities.

An assault, possibly involving a weapon, was reported to police about 11:30 p.m. Thursday at the apartment in the 16000 block of Cotillion Drive.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Woman dead, children and deputy injured in police pursuit of suspected robber

A woman also called authorities, asking that police leave and saying she was OK. Police protocol required they stay and SWAT officers were called out, according to Houston Polices assistant chief Chandra Hatcher.

A person who had been in the apartment told authorities that two people had forced their way in the apartment, a physical altercation occurred and at one point one male told the other one, just go ahead and shoot him, Howard said.

Fearing for his life, the person fled the apartment, according to Howard. A woman and a girl were still inside.

Officers contacted the command center and asked for further resources, and SWAT and the hostage negotiation team responded, Howard said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: After 40 years, a murdered Houston couple has finally been identified. Where is their missing baby?

After several hours, authorities convinced the woman to step outside with her daughter, according to Howard. They also convinced the males to come out, and they were taken into custody without incident, Howard said.

Authorities say they found evidence indicating two rounds had been fired in the home.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Charges were filed Thursday against a 27-year-old northeast Houston man wanted for allegedly stabbing his 5-month pregnant girlfriend, beating her with a crowbar before dousing her in lighter fluid in an attempt to set her on fire, according to Harris County court documents.

Emmanuel Mallard is charged with the aggravated assault of Jeremeisha Richards, 27, felony arson and felony violation of a protective order filed by Richards against him in a previous family violence case. A warrant was placed on Mallard as police are attempting to locate him.
During a raucous Thursday night board meeting, multiple Cypress-Fairbanks ISD trustees apologized for remarks made earlier this week by new board member Scott Henry about the percentage of Black teachers in Houston ISD and the districts dropout rate.

I felt it right away, Trustee Gilbert Sarabia, whose son teaches in HISD, said tearfully of Henrys comments. I want to apologize to our community, our students our employees and most of all, educators in our district and neighboring districts. Ive had many sleepless nights this week.

For 90 minutes, dozens of parents, community members and political leaders spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting to urge Henry to resign following comments he made Monday night during a presentation of an equity audit given to the board. Most of the crowd who spoke decried Henrys remarks as racist and said he was not fit to serve the district. Many speakers also called on the other board members to denounce Henry.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Confusion reigns as Houston schools make last-minute changes to COVID plans amid omicron wave

A handful of speakers said they supported Henry and did not want the district to implement the recommendations of the equity audit.

I cant believe Im hearing these comments from school board members, said Odus Evbagharu, a Cy-Fair graduate and chair of the Harris County Democratic Party, during the meeting. I also cant believe that when these comments were made, not one of you (other trustees) spoke out. Desmond Tutu said that if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.

None of the other trustees called for Henry to resign, however several denounced what he said.

At a Monday night board work session, Henry for 11 minutes talked about why the district should not implement any of the suggestions made in the equity audit. He also said administrators who implemented a staff training that discussed white privilege should be fired and made various false claims about HISD.

Cy-Fair has 13 percent Black teachers, Henry said during the Monday meeting. Do you know what the statewide average is for Black teachers? Ten percent. I looked it up. Houston ISD, yall use as a shining example, do you know what their average percentage of Black teachers is? Thirty-six percent. You know what that dropout rate is? Four percent. I dont want to be 4 percent. I dont want to be HISD.

Henry was elected in November after running to rid the district of so-called critical race theory with two other candidates, Natalie Blasingame and Lucas Scanlon. The three, who ousted some longtime board members, were sworn into office Dec. 9.

Henry at Thursdays meeting said he and his family have received death threats since his comment went viral on social media.

I will take that responsibility for not saying the words so eloquently, he said. Any suggestion that I said more Black teachers leads to worse student outcomes is a lie and those spreading it should be ashamed of themselves.

Scanlon on Thursday night publicly apologized for questioning the validity of the equity report and said he sees the value in what the audit recommended to the district.

I apologize for the hurt going on in this room, he said.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Conservative Houston area school board candidates win by campaigning against critical race theory

Board President Tom Jackson said that while many new trustees make missteps as they transition into being an elected official, he felt Henrys comments overstepped many boundaries.

This is something that crosses the line of almost every new trustee ever spoken to, he said, citing the times hes talked with new board members in new districts as a mentor. Each trustee has an obligation to each other. If you see that Im crossing the line, its your job to yank me back by the collar and pull me back.

Jackson said that he personally called and emailed leaders of HISD to apologize for what Henry said about the district.

Throughout the meeting, the board struggled to keep the crowd in check, as some interrupted speakers and cheered loudly.

Before the meeting, Democratic lawmakers and leaders spoke at a press conference organized by the Houston chapter of the NAACP in front of the administration building. They made the same pleas for the other board members to take formal action against Henry.

Danielle Cockrell, a Black Cy-Fair teacher and mother of a graduate of the district, said she came to the meeting because Henrys comments were personally detrimental.

It really hurt, because on a daily basis, Im striving to make connections and build relationships with my students and help them continue to better themselves, she said. Students need to see us as Black teachers. The school Im in, there is a Black population that needs to see that they can achieve more than what their circumstance dictates. Its important they see someone they can relate to that came where they came from.

Cockrell said each board member should represent the entire district.

You cannot bring in your own personal agenda or feelings, she said.

hannah.dellinger@chron.com
Dick Raycraft, the indispensable problem-solver and numbers whiz who served as Harris Countys budget chief for three decades, died Wednesday in Austin. He was 82.

Raycraft joined Harris County in 1968 and worked his way up to the powerful position managing the countys finances for Commissioners Court. He earned a reputation as an innovator who could see the big picture.

He was, essentially, the county manager before there was a county manager, former Harris County Judge Robert Eckels said. He wasnt afraid to talk policy, and while we didnt always agree, he always managed to make what I wanted to do work.

Raycraft suggested in 1972 that inmates at the county jail be screened for mental illness, which now is standard procedure, after a report revealed deplorable conditions there. He also was instrumental in devising a solution to jail overcrowding and helped develop a regional crime lab.

Former Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack said Raycraft was one of the kindest men he ever met and a public servant who earned universal respect from public officials. Radack praised the budget officer for his ability, in the pre-internet age, to retrieve documents on demand.

He had stacks and stacks of paper all over his office; desk, table floor, Radack said. In seconds he was able to find anything.

The late Precinct 1 Commissioner El Franco Lee, who died in 2016, praised Raycraft when he retired 11 years ago for studying how the county spent money, which he said resulted in a fairer distribution of funds between the four precincts.

"He never had any fear of exploring solutions," Lee said then. "Observing Dick and getting that advice and counsel, it helped me to navigate through the system without being real disruptive. He'd say, 'Have you thought about this?' I'd bounce ideas and things off him on just a whole range of issues."

Despite his outsized role in county government, the soft-spoken Raycraft downplayed his contributions.

"If I do my job right, they won't ever miss me," he said in 2005. "I'll just drop the key off and slip out the back.

Richard L. Raycraft was born in Dallas on March 27, 1939. He grew up in Alabama and Louisiana, graduating in 1956 from Warren Easton High School in New Orleans. After a stint in the Marine Corps, he earned a degree from Birmingham-Southern College. He wed Camille Pratt in 1961; the marriage would last six decades.

As a newspaper reporter in the 1960s, Raycraft covered the civil rights movement at the Birmingham Post-Herald and Harris County government for the Houston Chronicle. He then served in the U.S. State Department in Vietnam, where he helped build schools and clinics in the Mekong Delta and witnessed the Tet Offensive.

When he returned to Texas, County Judge Bill Elliott hired Raycraft as an assistant. He brought order to freewheeling, hours-long Commissioners Court sessions by creating agendas. He also earned a doctorate from the University of Houston in the 1970s; much of his research focused on urban counties in Texas.

Impressed by his work ethic and ability to get along with almost anyone, Commissioners Courts led by Republicans and Democrats kept him as budget director until his retirement in 2011. The court turned to Raycraft with virtually every difficult question or problem, making him a respected troubleshooter on all manner of issues.

He was a wonderful listener, his wife Camille said Thursday. He would meet with every department head, and they felt like they were being heard. There was never any squabbling.

The Raycrafts moved to Austin after his retirement, where he died Wednesday due to complications from Alzheimers disease. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Dede Garrison and Alysia Raycraft, and two granddaughters.

The Raycraft family plans to hold a memorial service when the threat of COVID-19 subsides, Garrison said.

Mike Morris contributed reporting.

zach.despart@chron.com
Rice University will disable a campus livestream and allow for community input after students raised numerous concerns about privacy and the right to protest, university officials announced Friday.

The live cam sits six stories high atop Fondren Library, overlooking Lovett Hall, the Academic Quadrangle and the William Marsh Rice statue, the fate of which has been the subject of campus debate. While some students at first worried the camera would expose students who take part in a monthly nighttime dash without clothes, many of their fears shifted to the cams alleged potential to aid stalkers and surveil the sculptures protesters.
A housing finance expert with Houston roots has taken the helm of Ginnie Mae, the government corporation that makes it possible for various agencies to offer low-down-payment mortgages.

Alanna McCargo, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in as Ginnie Maes president in December, is the first female president of the organization. She is taking over a position that has been empty for half a decade, since just before Donald Trump took office. During that time, acting presidents oversaw the companys operations without being confirmed by the Senate.

McCargo has long contemplated how housing finance can be used to promote home ownership, especially for historically disadvantaged groups. Before becoming president of Ginnie Mae, she was a housing finance adviser to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and vice president of the Housing Finance Policy Center at the Urban Institute, a think tank in Washington D.C.

But before all that, she lived in Houston. McCargo, a graduate of a Houston-area high school and university, said her time in the Bayou City spurred a career trying to close racial homeownership gaps and help families build wealth through home equity.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Claire Thielke, Hines Asia Pacific managing director, on Houston, technology and community

Its going to require a mortgage to get into homeownership, she said. And, as home prices surge, those mortgages are getting bigger. So weve got to find ways to strike a balance to make that monthly payment affordable so that people can own, start to build on equity and begin to build some wealth through that option.

McCargo moved to Spring, north of Houston, as a high school senior in the early 90s after her father died and her mother decided to move closer to family. Upon graduating from Klein High School, McCargo enrolled at the University of Houston, where she studied communication.

During her time there, she took a class with a professor who was researching a famous, now-defunct public housing project in Chicago, Cabrini-Green. Learning about how living conditions deteriorated at the housing projects, McCargo came to view housing as central to quality of life.

Where you live matters, she said.

After she graduated, McCargo began working at BankUnited, but on the side, she got her real estate license. She bought her first home in northwest Houston, and helped many others buy their first homes as well. Many of the barriers she saw her clients wrestling with  saving up for a down payment, having a high enough credit score  are issues she continues to spend much of her time thinking about.

Now, McCargo is taking leadership of Ginnie Mae at a time when rapid home price appreciation has pushed homeownership out of reach for many.

On HoustonChronicle.com: At pandemics start, lenders tighten credit requirements on FHA, VA loans

When you look at the racial homeownership gaps and the income gaps and the wealth gaps, theyre getting bigger, she said. So were going to have to do a lot of work to reverse those trends.

Ginnie Maes role in promoting homeownership lies in guaranteeing securities that allow agencies like the Federal Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, HUDs Office of Public and Indian Housing and the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Housing Service to provide affordable mortgage options  often, low- or no-down-payment loans. It has also worked to allow agencies to modify mortgage terms to allow those who were impacted financially by the pandemic to make necessary mortgage payment adjustments that would allow them to stay in their homes.

McCargo said she planned to support the corporations efforts the modernize its security platform, so that the issuers, servicers and investors who create a marketplace for mortgages have an easier time using it. In addition, Ginnie Mae will work to disclose more information about the loans being securitized, in an effort to make them more appealing to investors.

As investors have come to value nonfinancial factors in their portfolios  such as the social impact of their investments  Ginnie Maes mission could make its securities more attractive. So it is looking for ways to convey how many low- and middle-income homeowners were served by a particular bundle of mortgages, among other social and environmental disclosures that could potentially draw investment.

Its not easy, said McCargo of the work to expand access to homeownership. But she has built her career around that works importance. Because its such a foundational piece for (a familys) wealth going forward.

rebecca.schuetz@chron.com;

twitter.com/raschuetz
Animal advocates and law enforcement officers across the state are preparing to start enforcing one of the most significant animal cruelty laws to be passed in nearly 15 years when it takes effect in Texas on Tuesday.

The law marks a major milestone for supporters who have been working to improve the health and safety of tethered outdoor dogs across the state for more than six years. Senate Bill 5, or the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, was finally passed in October after a massive public outcry forced Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to reverse a veto and put the bill back on a special session agenda.

This is a testament to the power of the people, because if we didnt have the large public outcry...it would be two more years of those dogs living on chains with no shelter out in the extreme elements, said Jamey Cantrell, past president of the Texas Animal Control Association, the oldest and largest state animal control organization in the country.

The bill establishes a basic standard of care for outdoor animals and aims to prevent dogs from suffering and ultimately dying on the end of heavy chain tethers in extreme weather conditions.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston pet owners: It's illegal to leave your pet outside in freezing temps

The law makes it illegal to tether a dog outside with heavy chains, improperly fitted collars or anything that causes pain or injury to the dog," and requires the length of restraint to be at least five times the length of the dog or ten feet. It more clearly defines adequate shelter as a structure that keeps them safe from inclement weather and allows them to comfortably sit, stand and move around; avoid their own feces and have access to food and water that does not get easily contaminated.

This is not about overregulating pet owners; its about setting a standard for pet care, said Adam Reynolds, chief of Animal Cruelty Investigations for the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This law is aimed at reducing and preventing negligent acts and inhumane treatment for dogs.

Improperly fitted or heavy chains can cause myriad health problems for a dog and severely impact its mental health.

"Its no different than a prisoner thats in solitary confinement," Cantrell said. "It just is very difficult mentally for a social creature such as a dog to be confined in a way where they cant interact with other animals and they just get to the point where they essentially go crazy."

Most importantly, the law strikes a 24-hour waiting period law enforcement officers previously had to abide by if they saw an animal in inhumane conditions. Now, when a situation warrants, officers can immediately intervene and save an animal from suffering instead of issuing owners a 24-hour warning and waiting for them to comply.

It was a very frustrating situation with the previous law because if you are an animal control officeryou were essentially powerless to enforce the law...it was just crazy, it wasted a lot of time, Cantrell said.

In Houston, the issue of outdoor dogs living in inadequate conditions is widespread, Reynolds said.

This is an issue that is rampant not only over Harris County, but the 10 other counties that we provide services for, Reynolds said. It is not germane to one specific part of town or one community, it is something that is being addressed across the greater Houston area.

'COUNTLESS ANIMALS SUFFERED': Owners of pets left to freeze in winter storm may face criminal charges, Harris County official says

Reynolds is one of many investigators across the state working to help pet owners understand the new law and come into compliance. His office has held meetings with the assistant district attorneys office and a hierarchy of constables offices to develop plans on how to get the word out.

For Reynolds and countless others, that plan starts with grassroots education efforts, or knocking on doors and having conversations with pet owners.



We want to use education first, Reynolds said. And when there is refusal to comply with the law or where there are repeated instances of the same infractions, then our deputies are able to and will quickly act to those situations as well.



Harris County Constable Precinct 5 Corporal Kayla Fesperman said her team of investigators will now have flyers on the new law on hand when they come across a pet in need. The precinct is a founding agency of the Harris County Animal Cruelty Task Force, which responds to cases across the Houston region in coordination with multiple other organizations and law enforcement offices. Like many shelters and police agencies, they are also sharing the flyers on social media as much as possible.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Harris County Animal Cruelty Task Force credits spike in cases to pandemic, domestic abuse

Weve already talked to the DA and we are all on board (with what) our plan of action will be, Fesperman said.Its a continually growing and evolving situation and changes truly on each and every call.

If a pet owner refuses to come into compliance and meet the basic standards the law requires, he or she faces a class C misdemeanor with a penalty up to $500. That charge is elevated to a class B misdemeanor if an owner has been previously convicted, with a fine of up to $2,000 and 180 days in jail. Separate citations are issued if there is more than one dog.

While the new law does strike the use of chains, which Fesperman noted will help make a difference especially among suspected dogfighters who more commonly use chains, she said its important to clarify the law is not an all-out tether ban.

This is not eliminating tethers, but its making it safer for when they are on the tether, Fesperman said. I think there is going to be a big misunderstanding, and thats why we are working so hard on education.

The Texas Humane Legislative Network is one of the leading supporters of the new law and has been working with animal control officers statewide to prepare for its implementation, including distributing bilingual fact sheets and holding zoom webinars with shelter directors and rescue groups, said Stacy Sutton Kerby, director of government relations for the organization.

NEW LAWS: 16 important new Texas laws that went into effect in 2021

Kerby said she knows of some groups who are planning for their communities to have an implementation period for 30 days for example, so that pet owners have time to meet the new standards.

THLN has also been working to compile a list of resources for pet owners who need help coming into compliance, from spay and neuter events that offer free tethering supplies to nonprofits distributing dog houses. Kerby said its been inspiring to see the massive response from people across the region hoping to get involved and help owners better shelter their animals. She encourages Houstonians to get creative with their efforts and suggests holding fundraisers for local shelters or working with your local boy scout troop to build dog houses as a means to contribute.

This is a great opportunity to help build some trust and build relationships with (animal control officers) and with dog owners in communities by coming together to help people come into compliance as opposed to just handing out punishments, Kerby said. Ultimately at the end of the day, we dont want to see just punishment, what we want is for dogs to have a higher quality of life and remain with their people and be safe.

To report animal cruelty, visit the Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce website or call 832-927-PAWS or visit the Houston SPCA animal cruelty website or call 713-869-7722.

rebecca.hennes@chron.com
When Gov. Greg Abbott first ordered 500 members of the Texas National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border in March, Sgt. Maj. Jason Featherston, a 20-year National Guard veteran and senior enlisted leader, dutifully accepted the mission. A few weeks in the Rio Grande Valley, after all, was hardly an exotic post. The National Guard has had a presence on the border since 1989, conducting patrols and counter-narcotics operations among countless other missions.

Yet weeks into that initial deployment, Featherston started hearing whispers from fellow leaders that Abbott was planning a significant ramping up of guardsmen on the border. Featherston was puzzled. While the number of migrant border crossings had steadily increased since the beginning of the year, he believed there was no unique threat that warranted such an extreme surge in troops.

People have been coming across that border, drugs have been coming across that border since there was a border, Featherston told the editorial board. Inside the command group, it was common knowledge that this was just Gov. Abbott doing his political thing, trying to be like Trump, you know, Build a wall.

In August, state lawmakers buttressed Abbotts border sheriff cosplay with nearly $2 billion in border security funds over two years. The Texas Military Department, which oversees the states National Guard, received $311 million to deploy an additional 1,800 soldiers to the border. By November, Abbott was beating his chest in interviews about the 10,000 National Guard and Department of Public Safety troopers on the border carrying out Operation Lone Star  the official state mission to arrest and jail migrants on state charges and erect border fencing on privately owned land.

But what was surely meant to be a show of strength for Abbotts re-election campaign  and a profile boost for an executive whose presidential ambitions are well known  has steadily devolved into a disaster that is drawing withering criticism from Abbotts Republican primary opponents. The sheer number of guardsmen Abbott ordered to the border meant that many troops with hardship exemptions  for such things as caring for sick relatives and newborn babies or starting new careers  were denied and forced into deployment. Tuition benefits have also been cut and the state has struggled to pay soldiers on time.

Living conditions for some of the guardsmen stationed at the border appear to be closer to refugee camps than barracks. A video Featherston posted on his Twitter page showed a cramped trailer with 36 beds packed in like sardines, and he told the board that even basic necessities such as bathrooms are absent. The Army Times reported last month that troops are chafing at what they perceive as a lack of purpose to their mission. One junior solider assigned to observation posts at the border told the Army Times that they mostly just sleep in their Humvee.

Even more troubling is a string of suicides and suicide attempts among National Guard troops. Since November, four guardsmen have taken their own lives, raising questions about the missions indefinite timeline and involuntary deployments.

Featherston, who retired from the National Guard in November, said he was particularly distraught to hear that one of his soldiers, 1st Sgt. John Kenny Crutcher, committed suicide on Nov. 12 after time ran out on his temporary hardship waiver to care for his wife, who had just had emergency surgery, and her disabled brother. Featherston began speaking out against Operation Lone Star shortly afterward.

I could not try to plan something more incompetent than this, Featherston said. Ive never seen an operation be so screwed up.

Rather than offer a morsel of accountability for the suicides, pay delays and general low morale of the troops, Abbott responded to his critics by deflecting blame. When pressed about the guardsmen during a press conference in San Antonio on Tuesday, the governor engaged in an insolent round of what about-ism, calling it offensive to play politics with a military life lost and inexplicably pointing to the number of suicides in the military under the Biden administration.

Why are they silent about that? Abbott said. The answer: theyre just playing politics. The life of a soldier, far more valuable than the words of a politician playing politics.

The hypocrisy is staggering. Playing politics is exactly what Abbott is doing when he routinely slams Biden for mythical open border policies when Biden has, in fact, left in place President Trumps Chapter 42 policy that allows for many migrants to be immediately expelled.

Abbotts whole approach to the border problem is flawed. Throwing up chain-link fences on some private ranches will not stop people desperate enough to trek thousands of miles through harrowing conditions to ask for asylum. Simply throwing migrants in overcrowded local jails on trespassing charges wont deter them, either. Nor will profligate spending of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars remove the incentive for gangs and drug cartels to profit off of trafficking migrants.

But treating National Guard troops like his own collection of toy soldiers isnt just wasteful  its cruel. Not to mention ineffective: border encounters actually increased during the month of November, when the National Guard had its heaviest presence on the border, according to the most recent Customs and Border Protection data.

Operation Lone Star embodies the toxic mix of shortsighted policies, arrogance and naked ambition that have defined Abbotts second term as governor. We have no illusions that Abbott will do the right thing and put an immediate end to this political charade thats wasting taxpayer dollars, tearing apart military families for no good reason, and now, even costing lives. But the least Abbott could do is acknowledge the problems, promise to address them, and show some small sign that he even gives a damn.
As the outage of the online grading and attendance system used by many New York City public schools drags into its seventh day, experts say they are worried the program was the target of a ransomware attack.

Skedula, the website many city teachers use to enter grades, daily attendance and store student and parent contact information, and PupilPath, its student-and-parent-facing counterpart, have been down since last Saturday with the exception of a brief restoration of the mobile app Thursday night.

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The California company that owns the platforms reported an attempted security incident led to the shutdown.

Experts who study cybersecurity and schools say the duration of the outage and the vague communication from the company could suggest a ransomware attack, where hackers infiltrate a computer system and demand payment to restore it or refrain from releasing sensitive data.

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Based on my experience tracking K12 cyber incidents since 2016, it seems a reasonable assumption that a security-related disruption of this length could be ransomware, said Doug Levin, the national director of K12 Security Information Exchange, a group that tracks cyberattacks targeting schools and education platforms.

(John Minchillo/AP)

Kurtis Minder, the CEO of the cybersecurity firm Groupsense, said public speculation that ransomware is behind the outage is not completely uninformed.

Illuminate Education, the company that owns Skedula and PupilPath, has given little public information about the situation. A status update page has given the same message for the past four days, promising the the company is working diligently to restore service to affected applications.

A message on the Skedula home page says the company is working with third-party forensic specialists to investigate the incident and confirm the effect to our systems.

A company spokeswoman did not respond to questions Friday.

Levin says vague communication from companies or organizations dealing with cyber or ransomware attacks is commonplace.

In many cases, especially if lawyers, law enforcement, and insurance companies are involved, organizations will err on the side of disclosing as little as possible about what is actually happening, Levin said. In some cases, they may be gathering forensic evidence to charge someone with a crime; in other cases, they may be negotiating with the ransomware actors to pay an extortion demand.

Some companies fear litigation and bad press so will say as absolutely little as they are allowed by law, he added.

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(Shutterstock)

The ongoing outage raises several troubling questions for city schools and families.

First, many educators and families say it has severely hampered their ability to carry out basic classroom functions. Many teachers rely on the program to contact families, and vice versa, and the class-by-class attendance entry helps schools with COVID-19 contact tracing by providing a record of which kids shared a class with an infected classmate.

Department of Education officials noted final attendance and grades are entered in separate systems that were not affected.

Some anxious teachers are also worried that grades they entered in Skedula and didnt back up elsewhere are gone for good.

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The company has been in touch with some schools about extracting and sending data even while the website remains down, educators said. One city principal claims their school received a data capture with information including grades, but that it wasnt presented in a user-friendly format.

Teachers reported that the Skedula mobile app was back up and running briefly Thursday night  and appeared to still have all the data it did when the system shut down last Saturday  but went offline again Friday morning.

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Levin said its a good sign the company was able to recover at least some of the data, but the fact the app went down again is not a great sign.

There is also the question of whether any personal identifiable information like student and parent addresses and phone numbers, which are stored in Skedula, were compromised. Company officials told The News on Tuesday there is no confirmed evidence sensitive data was taken.

DOE spokeswoman Sarah Casasnovas added, So far there is no confirmation any of our schools information was accessed or taken.

City public schools contract with Illuminate Education on an individual basis, but the company is an approved vendor of the city Education Department, which means it signed a privacy agreement with the agency and underwent a a rigorous review process by the DOEs IT Department, agency officials said.

Schools have forked over nearly $17 million to the company since February 2019, payment records compiled by the city comptroller detail, and about $6 million last fiscal year, according to the DOE.
Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Former President Donald Trump is coming back to Texas for a rally at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on Jan. 29.

The Save America Rally will be his second appearance in the region in just two months. In December, Trump was part of a speaking tour with former FOX News personality Bill O'Reilly.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers and windy conditions developing for the afternoon. High 47F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Windy with rain showers early with some clearing overnight. Low 41F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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High winds fan wildfires in unforgettable day

Ten days before Christmas four Kansas counties were in the center of a difficult day as derecho-like winds were a prelude to wildfires that burned nearly 165,000 acres.

Kirk Dickinson, who farms 12 miles north of Walker along the Saline River valley, said he had experienced a wildfire before and lost cows about five years ago although it came at a time when friends of his from Ashland along the Kansas-Oklahoma border were also dealing with the devastation of a widespread fire.

From here east and north this was the first time these guys have gotten burned out, Dickinson said about the Dec. 15 wildfire that hit Russell, Ellis, Rooks and Osborne counties. They really lost a lot more cows east of us. Weve been through it all unfortunately before.

Dickinson said while he and his fellow ranchers knew the prairie fire was coming they couldnt see it because of the windstorm and dust.

We couldnt tell when or where. Maybe we all need to sit down and maybe shut the REA off when the winds hit 50 miles per hour and then sit back for four hours and then turn it back on.

Ken Stielow, owner of Bar S Ranch, headquartered about 7 miles south of Paradise, said the day started like any other December day but around noon the wind increased speed and he remembered the wind knocking down a tree in the front yard. He looked to the west and he could see the smoke.

The wind got stronger and stronger and in no time the roads were hard to maneuver and it blew his truck off the road. Though it was damaged, he continued to drive. He acted quickly to get his family and crew to safety.

In less than an hour it was on top of us, he said.

His son-in-law was driving a pickup and trailer and both flipped in the storm. His daughter, Stephanie, was following with another truck and trailer and that trailer caught fire. Thankfully all were safe, he said.

Ken and his wifes house was spared but other houses in the familys operation were not as fortunate. His daughter, Stephanie, and her husband lost their house, which is where many of the operations records were kept. She had been dutiful in keeping up on them and storing them electronically. They have been working to get those restored as best they can.

All the paper records were destroyed, he said.

The fire shifted because of the winds and caused some places to have little or no damage while others were engulfed. Stielow had compassion for farmers and ranchers as he knew of five who lost everything. Others experienced major losses that were tied to pastures and grass that are essential to their operation.

Thankful for the help

When he thinks back to the day of the wildfire knows that it could have been much worse for his operation. Stielow was thankful for the help of the neighbors and people in the industry who have reached out. Plus, many ranchers have received help from people they have never met with donations of supplies and hay.

Rural firefighters were heroic in what they did and he was thankful none of them died although he knows several did have injuries.

Chris Pelton, who lives about 1.5 miles south of Paradise, remembered how dry it was leading up to Dec. 15. When the wind picked up its intensity, he had a bad feeling as he thought about the potential of a wildfire. The windier it got the more he worried. The main fire started about 7 miles southwest of his operation. The wind was blowing out of the southwest and it looked like it might miss his home place.

The wind shifted to the west and came right at us, he said, adding he began the evacuation process to make sure people were safe. He tried to stay at first to put water on and stay ahead of the fire but realized the wind made it impossible.

It all happened so fast, he said. The fire was a mile and a half away when I left the house and buildings and when I got two miles away it was in flames.

Later on, he heard wind speeds could have been as high as 125 miles per hour and the fire was moving at 60 miles per hour.

Peltons family was able to find a temporary place to live in Paradise thanks to the generosity of family friends.

Warren Gfeller, rural Russell County, said he was fortunate the fire did not impact his operation, and he was able to help a neighbor by putting water around the neighbors house to protect it until the fire department arrived. He says the firefighters were heroes for many people on a dark day and the realization of what they were up against he did not fully comprehend until Dec. 16.

We were out pretty late and it was busy and it wasnt until the next morning that when I went up there to see what was going on. As bad as I thought it might be it was much worse than I even expected. The devastation was just incredible. The loss of cattle, and not just the cattle but the wildlife. The deer were trapped, and the birds couldnt get out. Its just heartbreaking.

He quickly pointed out the quick response by volunteers who brought supplies and expertise from eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and even farther regions to help.

It is amazing how the agricultural community responds to these kinds of disasters, he said. It makes me feel good to be a part of the country that responds the way it did not just to this disaster but all disasters. The see the humanity and outpouring of peoples concerns and willingness to drop what theyre doing to help others. Anytime that you think youre becoming cynical all you have to do is look at how people responded, and it gives you a new appreciation for friends and neighbors.
Correction officers at Manhattans notorious federal jail let Michael Avenatti read only one book while behind bars: The Art of the Deal by former President Donald Trump, the disgraced lawyer says in a new $94 million legal claim.

Its a pretty clear message, Avenattis lawyer, Daniel McGuinness, told the Daily News Friday. And he was told, as it says in the claim, by a fairly high-level official that it was coming from D.C.  that it was coming from the main Justice.

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Michael Avenatti (Alec Tabak/for New York Daily News)

The convicted attorney, saddled with mountainous debt, is demanding the federal Bureau of Prisons pay him $1 million for every day he was held in solitary confinement at the now-shuttered Metropolitan Correctional Center. He claims jail staff provided him with Trumps memoir during his confinement and nothing else when he asked for reading material.

Avenatti spent time in the lockup from January to April 2020 while on trial for extorting Nike for $22.5 million, and about six weeks following his conviction. The jail is notorious for housing Jeffrey Epstein when he killed himself. The judge who presided over the Avenatti case acknowledged the attorney had been held in horrific conditions before sentencing him to two years and six months in prison.

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Avenatti alleges that then-Attorney General Bill Barr himself ordered his harsh treatment behind bars.

In a statement to The News, Avenatti said he looks forward to holding Trump and Barr accountable for what they did to me in the interest of politics and revenge. Im not done fighting.

Avenatti was once a near-constant presence on 24-hour news. His arrest in 2019 began his downfall, which is still not complete. He is expected to stand trial in Manhattan Federal Court on Jan. 24 on charges he ripped off the client who made him famous  porn star Stormy Daniels  out of a $300,000 book deal. Daniels claims to have had an affair with Trump. Avenatti faces more embezzlement charges in California, where he has been under house arrest since April 2020.

The Art of the Deal - Donald Trump's book written with Toy Schwartz

In his claim against the BOP, the disgraced lawyer says MCC correction officers placed him in the cell once occupied by Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. In the neighboring cells were four accused terrorists and an accused CIA leaker.

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Its just insane that Avenatti was held there, McGuinness said.

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A spokesman for the BOP did not respond to a request for comment.
How musicians can avoid burnout with Paramores Hayley Williams

Paramores seasoned vocalist Hayley Williams gives tips on artistry and mental health in Spotifys educational Song Start series.

By Chris Mench from Spotify For Artists.

Whether youre selling out stadiums or playing your first gigs on a shoestring budget, life in the music industry can feel like a constant hustle. Artists are often trying to focus on their primary job of writing, recording music, and playing shows while dealing with the plethora of unforeseen business decisions that come with a music career. All of those factors can leave both aspiring and seasoned musicians feeling stretched thin, overworked, and burned out.

As part of our educational Song Start series, we sat down with veteran Paramore frontwoman and accomplished solo artist Hayley Williams to learn more about finding longevity in the music industry and dealing with burnout along the way.

I do think that burnout is somewhat inevitable, Williams cautions. There are times where  not necessarily even for a negative reason  youll overwork yourself and you wont know. Or theres times that you think youre making the right decision, and maybe you dont know [everything] that decision entails. But I do think that you can take all those lessons in stride, and they stack up and build your foundation.

Williams explains that she often feared speaking up about needing time to rest or deal with mental health issues because she thought it would jeopardize her career opportunities. Shes also grappled with guilt about appearing ungrateful for her bands success.

People that do music that have any degree of success, I think that it actually gets harder to ask for help, she muses. Because its embarrassing. People think, Theyre making money. They live in a [nice] home. They probably have everything they ever dreamed of.

For Williams, the reality wasnt that simple. [I spent] 15, 16 years in a band that makes a living being a band, she says. And I can tell you with full confidence, its just not happiness.

The Tennessee native also laments our cultures obsession with gossip and celebrity breakdowns, particularly when it comes to women. I think it takes a lot of courage to choose a path to health, and mental health in particular, because its a lot of work, and people dont seem as interested in health and happiness as they do in peoples breakdowns, she says. Im guilty of that too.

Williams knows firsthand how the pressures of fame can cause problems. In 2008, the band was riding a massive wave of success from its sophomore album Riot! when it abruptly canceled the remainder of its European tour, citing internal issues.

We werent equipped to deal with the success that was thrown at us, Williams explains, saying the young band members wrestled with an obligation to their new fanbase despite being overwhelmed by their career trajectory. It was really hard to come off that tour. But it was really good for us, she says.

Paramore took another prominent hiatus following the release of 2017s After Laughter, an album that chronicled Williams battle with depression and PTSD. She used the time to record and release two solo albums, creative endeavors she never thought shed get the chance to undertake. She views this creative process as cathartic.

It creates an opportunity for corrective experience when youre able to sit and write through your feelings more, she said of the healing strength she finds in songwriting. Im such a visual person. Seeing it on paper versus it being this nebulous thing in my mind thats swirling [around] is really helpful, because it becomes concrete. And I think the next step of catharsis is giving it away.

Although the hiatus was sure to disappoint some fans, it hasnt been a major detriment to the bands career. In fact, Williams recently found out Paramores streaming numbers are higher than ever.

Not only has [the break] been great for our minds, and our hearts, and even just our passion for playing music, but its actually been such a great thing for our career, she reveals. Sometimes, saying no is just as lucrative as saying yes. I think saying no has been a transformative experience for me.

Williams ultimately advises artists to listen to their guts, stand up for what they believe in, and put themselves first.

I think as long as youre flexing that muscle of discernment, that voice deep in your gut that says, This isnt me, or, This is me, and Im going to fight for this, Thats the thing to listen to, she emphasizes. It will always be there. It will be your constant companion, no matter if youre signing your first record deal or youre negotiating your masters.

To hear more from Williams on navigating the music industry, avoiding burnout, and the nuances of making music, check out her Song Start episode below:

Click here to explore more videos and podcasts from Song Start, and take a look at our Year in Music: Wrapped  featuring Paramore as one of the Artists Top Artists for 2021.

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Multi-million rights deals could lead to demands for perpetual copyright

Will the explosion in multi-million deals for artist rights and catalogs lead investors to push for perpetual copyrights so that they can make even more money?

Op-ed by Glyn Moody from TechDirt.

Back in October, I noted the huge amounts of money pouring into music copyrights, largely driven by the global rise of online streaming. Since then, that trend has continued, most notably with Bruce Springsteens sale of his recordings and songwriting catalogue to Sony, for a rumored $550 million. As I pointed out in the post, one of the problems with this financialization of the sector is that music copyrights become completely divorced from the original creativity that lies behind them. They become just another asset, like gold, petroleum or property. On the Open Future blog, Paul Keller has pointed out a plausible  and terrifying  consequenceof this shift.

As Keller notes, the more the owners of copyrights become detached from the creative production process, the less they will care about the nominal balances within the system. In particular, the central quid pro quo of copyright  that a government monopoly is granted to creators for a limited period, after which the work enters the public domain  will be perceived simply as an obstacle to greater profits. The financialization of the music world means that an artists ability to use the public domain as a foundation for future creativity, or to take advantage of copyright exceptions, will be of no interest to the corporations and private equity firms that are only concerned about the value of their own assets. For Keller, the end-game is clear:

From the perspective of financial investors, copyright is not much more than a bundle of rights created out of thin air that structure financial flows and it follows that there is absolutely no reason why they should not push for governments to make these rights last longer. Once the slate of recording artists that entered into these deals have passed away and will not be able to speak up anymore  or complain that they have been shafted  it will only be a question of time until financial investors start pushing for longer term durations or  more likely  perpetual copyright. Compared to this new class of cultural predators, the good old Walt Disney company will quickly start looking like an innocent schoolboy.

It has been hard enough in the past to make copyright a little fairer for members of the public. If Keller is right  and I fear he is  it will become close to impossible to continue that process in the future unless people start defending vociferously what few rights that they currently have in the world of copyright.

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Letter: Support Voting Rights on MLK Jr. Day

To the Editor:



The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s family has requested that there be "no celebration" on the upcoming weekend in his honor until the federal voting rights legislation is enacted.



A group of concerned citizens, in an effort to honor Dr. King's memory, met to discuss what to do. We represent a number of organizations across Berkshire County.



As a collective, we are sincerely concerned about the recent attack on the rights of citizens to vote. Voting rights are the cornerstone of Dr. King's legacy. To truly honor that legacy, we agreed that it is time to rise up to "make some good noise" to protect and strengthen our democracy by doing all we can to support and protect free and fair elections in both parties, for all people.



As reported by the Brennan Center, 19 states passed over 33 discriminatory laws in 2021 that will make it harder for Americans, especially Americans of color, to vote. Moreover, more than 440 state legislative bills in 49 states offered provisions to restrict voting access. It is up to Congress and President Biden to reverse this ominous trend.



The Freedom to Vote Act, currently before the Senate, is a comprehensive package of voting, redistricting, and campaign finance reforms that would strengthen our democracy and promote racial equity for all Americans. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which has passed in the House, would complement the Freedom to Vote Act. It would largely prevent the implementation of changes to voting rules that discriminate on the basis of race or language minority status, and it would restore voters' robust ability to challenge discriminatory laws as established by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 but gutted in the Supreme Court decision Shelby County v. Holder.



We ask that citizens across the county join us by taking at least ONE SPECIFIC ACTION in support of voting rights to honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. King this month, and continue your support throughout this critical election year.



What to do? Telephone, text and email your legislative representatives, encouraging them to work enthusiastically at their level of government for open, fair and accessible elections. Additionally, please reach out with care to friends and family in other states to enlist their help. We have compiled resources here. We have also compiled a statement of support for election workers, to ask local leaders to adopt in action.



We also encourage everyone to attend Berkshire Community College's virtual Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, which will focus on voting rights in accordance with the wishes of the King family; Monday, Jan. 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.



In this way, we envision a surge of public support for these national initiatives to maintain integrity in the voting process and the enriched support and awareness of all elections in all the United States.



Berkshire County Chapter NAACP, Dennis Powell, Pittsfield

Berkshire Democratic Brigades, Michael Wise, Great Barrington

First Congregational Church, North Adams, Lynn Rhoads

First Congregational Church, Williamstown, Lynn Chick, moderator



Four Freedoms Coalition, Sherwood Guernsey, Williamstown



Great Barrington Democratic Committee, Michael Wise, Great Barrington



Greylock Together, Alexander Davis, Jessica Dils, Wendy Penner, Williamstown



League of Women Voters Central Berkshire, Ramelle Pulitzer, Stockbridge



Left Field, Alyson Slutzky, Great Barrington



Rural Freedom Network, Sherwood Guernsey, Williamstown



Williamstown Democratic Town Committee, Arlene Kirsch, Hugh L Guilderson



Williamstown League of Women Voters, Anne Skinner



Concerned citizens: Paula Consolini and Jim Mahon, Williamstown
Lenox Cultural Council 2022 Grant Awards

LENOX, Mass.  State Representative Smitty Pignatelli and Arlene D. Schiff, chair of the Lenox Cultural Council, announced the award of 22 grants totaling $10,174, for cultural programs in Berkshire County.

"It's the local volunteers who really make this system work," said Smitty Pignatelli. "They make limited resources go as far as possible, and they make the tough decisions about which projects should be supported. Thanks to them, the arts, sciences, and humanities are part of people's everyday lives in every community across the state."

Grants have been awarded to the following programs: Arts in Recovery for Youth; Berkshire Music School's 2022 Lenox Loves Music Series; Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries' Nature in Your Neighborhood program; Cantilena Chamber Choir Corporation's All County Choir Sing; Greenagers, Inc.; Hip Hop Dance Chair Exercise for Seniors; Lenox Chamber of Commerce Winterland Tree Walk; Lenox Library's Something's Fishy! program; Mary Jo D. Maichack's The Lake of the Croaking Frogs; Michelle Marroquin's Live Music & Dance at The Mount; Music in Common's The Black Legacy Project; Nutshell Playhouse at Ventfort Hall; OLLI's Indigenous Peoples: We Are Still Here program; Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park; SculptureNow at The Mount 2022; Shakespeare & Co's 2022 Fall Festival of Shakespeare; Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center's Kennedy Park Hike; Trio Candela with the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers at the Lenox Artwalk; The CatnipJunkies: Live! From The Lenox Dining Terrace; The Stockbridge Sinfonia, Inc.; WAM Theater and Robert Zammarchi's Elijah T Grasshopper & Friends.

The Lenox Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. Statewide, more than $4.7 million will be distributed by local cultural councils in 2022.

The Town of Lenox also provided funding to the Lenox Cultural Council for this grant cycle.
A mass funeral service for 15 of the 17 victims of a horrific fire in a Bronx apartment building will be held on Sunday.

Janzana, a Muslim funeral prayer, will be said, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Islamic Cultural Center at 371 East 166th Street in the Concourse neighborhood of the Bronx.

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A memorial for the victims of an apartment building fire is displayed in front of the building in New York, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (Seth Wenig/AP)

The mosque is expecting more than 2,000 mourners, including politicians. The NYPD plans to close down streets around the event, Diawara Boubou, secretary for the center, said.

The bodies of 11 of the victims will be taken to several Islamic cemeteries in New Jersey and the remains of four others will be flown to Gambia, their native country, on Tuesday, according to Boubou.

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Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said the city would redouble efforts to assist those affected by the fire. Sen. Chuck Schumer is helping expedite visas for relatives of fire victims, she said.

The immediate priority is to make sure the residents get the services they need, Gibson said. Officials said they were working with the medical examiners office to issue death certificates as quickly as possible.

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Every funeral and burial service will be covered, Gibson said.

Residents who dont want to return to the building would be helped to find other housing, she added.

Residents are not being forced to return home. Many of them dont want to return, they are traumatized and no longer want to live here, she said.

Balloons are seen on a memorial for the victims of an apartment building fire that is displayed in front of the building in New York, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (Seth Wenig/AP)

A memorial service was held Wednesday for two other victims, 2-year-old Seydou Toure and his 5-year-old sister Haouwa Mohamadou, at the Timbuktu Islamic Center.

Mourners mobbed the sidewalk outside the mosque as the tiny caskets, draped with religious cloth, were lifted from the hearse and carried inside for the service.

The two children lived next door to the third-floor apartment where the fire started on Jan 8. Eight children and nine adults were killed in the blaze, which Fire Department officials believe was sparked by a space heater that had been kept on for several days.

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It was the deadliest fire in the Bronx in decades, eclipsed only by the Happy Land club fire that killed 87 in 1990.
BCC To Host Registration Day

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Berkshire Community College (BCC) invites all interested in applying for the spring semester to attend a free registration day on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 8 am to 12 pm.

Prospective students can walk in without an appointment and be instantly accepted to the College after applying. The spring 2022 semester begins Monday, Jan. 24.

Academic advisors and financial aid counselors will be available to help guide students through the process. Participants are also invited to join the One Stop virtual window for questions and answers at www.berkshirecc.edu/financialaid.

Participants should enter through the Welcome Center in the Susan B. Anthony building. Masks are required for all visitors regardless of vaccination status.
Bromley's 'Moms Day Off' Cancer Fundraiser

BENNINGTON, Vt.  On Friday, Feb. 4, Bromley Mountain Ski Resort will hold their Annual "Mom's Day Off" fundraiser.

Moms ski or ride for just $25 when they show the ticket seller a snapshot of their kid or kids. Regular lift tickets cost $89.

Once again, this year's event will benefit women's breast cancer care at the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center in Bennington, part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC). The Cancer Center will receive the entire $25 lift ticket cost as a donation. There will also be a $12 burger-and-beer special at the Wild Boar Tavern.
Bronx emergency room nurse Kelly Cabrera recalled the most harrowing shift of her career: Alone to cope with 15 patients, crushed by another pandemic surge, without enough time to even grab a snack.

You are forced to make the decision of who you are going to see first, the Jacobi Medical Center employee said Thursday as the COVID-19 omicron variant continued to pummel the city. And sometimes, by the time you come back to your patient, theyre not doing well anymore ... in some situations, theyve died.

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Cabrera was joined by co-workers, nursing colleagues and elected officials outside the Bronx hospital to raise a red flag about the dual threats putting patient lives at risk  a shortage of emergency room beds, leaving some patients in the hallways for days at a time, and a severe lack of nurses.

People always ask me, Whats the difference between this wave and the first big one? said Karen Lam, another Jacobi emergency room nurse. I tell them the biggest difference between this wave and the first one is the mass exodus of nurses.

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In a pandemic where we stress social distancing, patients are lying in the hallway on stretchers that are touching each other.

Medical staff protests outside New York City Health Hospital's Jacobi Medical Center Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 in The Bronx, New York. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

Reggie Antangan of the Queens Hospital Center Telemetry Unit said his 33-bed unit once had 18 to 20 night nurses.

That number has plunged to six full-timers as longtime employees chose to flee rather than face the overwhelming caseload, he said.

This is the worst Ive seen in my 15 years working here as a Health+Hospitals registered nurse, Antangan said. H+H has not done anything to help our nurses. COVID has once again pushed the hospital to the brink of exhaustion, and these nurses are running out the door.

The frontline workers were joined by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Assembly members Natalia Fernandez and Michael Benedetto, and City Council member Marjorie Velazquez.

Among the issues raised: Frustrated patients lashing out at overworked nurses unable to properly treat everyone in their care.

This is a call to action for attention, said Gibson. Our nurses deserve better, no question. And as elected officials, it is our responsibility to give you everything you deserve.

The city Health+Hospitals system responded Thursday with a statement praising its heroic nurses while detailing its plan for handling the crunch.

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We have activated many proven strategies that served us well during the first surge to help support our nurses, the statement read.

We have added hundreds of nurses and are adding hundreds more in the days ahead, we are transferring patients across our hospitals to balance the demand, and we are doing all we can to support the physical and emotional wellness of our front-line teams.

Medical staff protests outside New York City Health Hospital's Jacobi Medical Center Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 in The Bronx, New York. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

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Lam described the rigors of a typical 2022 shift with a reduced workforce and an increasing number of patients.

The ER is overcrowded and its overrun, she recounted. We have absolutely no room. And its not just the ER  the hospital is packed to capacity and there are no beds available upstairs. When that happens, the patients suffer.

When this happens, patients end up lying in the hallways for days in the ER, waiting for beds upstairs to finally open up.

Judith Cutchin, president of the state Nurses Association, said the issued affected the facilities most like to care for the citys needy.

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Jacobi Medical Center suffers from terribly inadequate resources in a system of gross inequality, she said. Public hospitals, and other safety net facilities in New York City, are the backbone of care for low-income families in particular.

Pediatric ER nurse Sean Petty, 44, worked with the team that tried to resuscitate 12-year-old Seydou Toure after Sundays fatal high-rise fired. The continuing problems, he said, were beginning to wear on everyone.

Were all suffering from moral distress, secondary to system failure, he said. In the last month, weve had numerous days where weve had two- to three-hour waits just for a patient to see a nurse in triage. Twenty to 30 people at a time, just waiting so we can be sure that they dont have something serious.
Digital economy's role set to expand

By Fan Feifei (China Daily) 09:40, January 14, 2022

A robot zitherist plays a zither for visitors at the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing. [Photo by Du Jianpo/for China Daily]

Specialists see new plans promoting technologies that can boost GDP

The digital economy is expected to play a bigger role in bolstering China's high-quality development, accelerating digital transformation and upgrading traditional industries, industry experts said.

They attributed their expectations to China's plan to develop the digital economy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

They also said innovative digital technologies like big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence are increasingly being integrated into all other sectors of economic and social development. This trend is injecting new impetus into global economic recovery as well, they said.

The added value of the core industries in the digital economy will account for 10 percent of GDP, up from 7.8 percent in 2020, according to the plan unveiled by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Wednesday.

By 2025, China will establish a market system for data elements and see the digital transformation of industries reach a new level. Moreover, digital public services will become more inclusive and a sound governance system for the digital economy will be established, said the plan.

"Facilitating the growth of the digital economy is of vital importance to cultivate new driving forces, boost high-quality and innovation-driven development and effectively address the unbalanced development in society," said Long Haibo, a senior researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council.

Technologies like big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the internet of things are evolving fast and finding a wide range of applications across industries and other economic sectors, speeding up their integration with the real economy, Long said.

Long also noted that more efforts are needed to make breakthroughs in core and basic technologies, expand the industrial application scenarios of leading technologies as well as strengthen the protection of data security and personal information.

China's digital economy was worth nearly $5.4 trillion in 2020, up 9.6 percent year-on-year, ranking second in the world, according to a white paper released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, a government think tank.

Moreover, the plan details key tasks in eight areas, including optimizing and upgrading digital infrastructure, pushing forward the digital shift of enterprises and expanding international cooperation on digital economy.

It stresses enhancing innovation of key technologies in strategic and forward-looking fields like quantum information, network communications, integrated circuits, key software, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain and new materials, as well as fostering new business forms and models.

Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Information Consumption Alliance, a telecom industry association, said, "The emerging digital technologies represented by 5G, big data and AI have played a critical role in enhancing operational efficiency, cutting costs and improving core competitiveness of traditional industries amid economic downward pressure."

He spoke highly of the nation's intensified efforts to develop the digital economy, which will inject fresh impetus into the country's economic growth and speed up digital and intelligent upgrades in enterprises. The in-depth integration of digital technologies with the real economy will further reinforce China's advantages in global supply chains, he said.

The digital economy has become a major driver of economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic and network security provides a good foundation for boosting the digital economy, said Zhou Hongyi, founder of cybersecurity company 360 Security Group.

Zhou said internet-driven companies should collaborate with traditional industries, and leverage their advantages in technologies, talent and capital to support the latter's digital transformation.

"The next five years will be a golden period for pushing forward digitalization, and the governments around the world have attached great significance to digitalization," said Kitty Fok, managing director of market consultancy IDC China.

Fok further said direct investment in digital transformation worldwide will surpass $6.8 trillion in the 2020-23 period.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
A 57-year-old man died when an SUV struck him in a Queens intersection Thursday, police said.

The victim was hit at the intersection of Metropolitan Ave. and Rentar Plaza in Ridgewood about 7:45 p.m., cops said.

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Police at the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian Thursday evening on Metropolitan Ave. near Rentar Plaza in Queens. (Gardiner Anderson/for New York Daily News)

Police responding to a 911 call found the man lying in the street with body trauma.

Medics rushed the victim to Elmhurst Hospital, but he couldnt be saved, police said.

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The 46-year-old driver of the Cadillac Escalade remained at the scene and faced no immediate charges, authorities said.

The victims identity was being withheld pending family notification
In Brief: 'Degrassi' going to HBO Max; NBC jumps in with 'Quantum Leap' reboot, and more
A trio of unruly would-be passengers at John F. Kennedy Airport viciously beat down two Delta Air Lines employees after a flight crew decided they were too drunk and belligerent to board a flight to Puerto Rico, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Long Island residents Jordan Nixon, 21, Janessa Torres, 21, and Johanna Zavala, 44, were set to board a midday flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sept. 22 after their morning flight reservation was changed.

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In the intervening hours, the women ordered nine drinks at an airport bar and showed up to their gate visibly drunk, according to prosecutors.

Zavala had difficulty walking, while Nixon smelled of alcohol and held a to-go cup filled with an orange liquid that also smelled like alcohol, the feds said.

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A Delta gate employee informed the flight crew of the three passengers state, and a flight crew member and the captain of the flight determined that the trio would not be allowed to board, according to court papers filed by prosecutors.

A security officer was called to inform the three women, and told the group that while they wouldnt be allowed on the flight, they could rebook on another flight later that afternoon, prosecutors said.

But the women refused to leave the jetway, and began cursing and screaming at the security guard, according to court papers.

Delta jets at Kennedy Airport. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Nixon began to tap on [the security guards] head and removed his radio, which had been clipped on his person. Nixon then struck [the security guard] repeatedly with his radio as he struggled unsuccessfully to regain control of it, prosecutors wrote in a memo asking a judge to set bail in the case.

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Zavala punched in the face a Delta gate employee who was trying to stop the mayhem and help the security guard, prosecutors said.

As the gate employee called for backup, the trio punched and kicked the security guard, who had fallen to the floor  and Torres stepped on the guards face, according to the feds.

The flight crew was able eventually to shield the security guard behind a glass pane to stop the assault and neither employee has returned to work at the airport since that day, according to prosecutors.

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Attorneys for Torres and Zavala did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Nixons attorney, Peter Guadagnino, said he and his client would assess the evidence in the case.
A pair of white earbuds and some video detective work led police to a Brooklyn man who they believe gunned down a Burger King cashier in a case the mayor said reinforces his policy of funding and supporting cops.

Winston Glynn, 30, a former employee of the same East Harlem fast food joint he targeted, was arrested for the murder of Kristal Bayron-Nieves, 19, who tried to give the gunman what he wanted, but was killed anyway.

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Winston Glynn, 30, the alleged killer of Kristal Bayron-Nieves outside the 25th Precinct stationhouse in Manhattan on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

The young woman told her family that she wanted to get off the night shift because she feared for her life.

We often hear the term a senseless murder, NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey said Friday. That is not a cliche in this case. There was no reason to shoot this young woman. Money had been handed over. She was trying to comply with the gunmans demands. She was killed for no apparent reason.

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Glynn, who has a pending case for menacing with a knife, walked into the Burger King at Lexington Ave. and E. 116th St. just before 1a.m. on Jan. 9, wearing a ski mask, black puffy jacket and, a give-away clue for cops  the cord from a pair of white earbuds hanging out of his pants.

Bayron-Nieves and the night manager were the only two employees in the place, serving two customers when Glynn burst in holding a gun. He pistol whipped the manager, knocking out two teeth and attacked a customer. Then he took $100 out of the register, but the greedy gunman wanted more, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said.

Kristal Bayron-Nieves was shot and killed while working on a night shift at the Burger King in Manhattan. (Obtained by Daily News)

He then ordered the teenager to open another cash drawer, but she didnt have the key. She was crouched down by the money box trying to appease him when he killed her.

Ms. Bayron-Nieves scrambles to open the drawer, Essig said. She doesnt have the key. Thats when he fires one shot, striking her and causing her death.

Police found a 9 mm bullet fragment and a shell casing at the scene.

When you see the video and think of this terrible incident  a senseless, brutal killing of a teenager who was doing the right thing, working on a Saturday night at 12:30 and had her life cut short  makes your blood boil and shocks the senses, the head detective said.

The Burger King where a cashier was killed in a robbery at a Burger King on E. 116th near Lexington Ave. in East Harlem on Jan. 9, 2022. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

Police believe that Glynn plotted to get away with the crime against his old employer by bringing a different set of clothes to the subway station and changing beforehand.

He knew this place well. He preplanned it, Essig said.

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Glynn fled the scene, leaving cops little to go on to catch him.

To say that our detectives started out with not much more than a shadow would be accurate, Corey said. That is how these cases often begin. As we see over and over again our detectives are determined and they are relentless.

Investigators pored over hours and hours of surveillance footage from the 116th St. 6 train subway stop and recognized the suspect walk into the station hours before the deadly shooting wearing different clothing and carrying a backpack. Police identified him as the gunman by the way he walked and the white cord from a pair of earbuds hanging from his pants. They spotted him on camera going back into the station after the shooting.

Using the surveillance photos, detectives were able to identify Glynn as a former employee of the same Burger King, where he worked from April to December 2020.

They were able to track him back to Patchen Ave. in Brooklyn where they found the backpack that he was carrying and distinctive clothing that matched the surveillance footage, police said. No gun was found.

Winston Glynn, 30, was nabbed in Brooklyn on Thursday, cops said. (Barry Williams/for New York Daily News)

Glynn has four prior arrests, including weapons possession, menacing, assault and criminal mischief.

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Outside the 25th Precinct stationhouse, Glynn shouted obscenities at passersby and news photographers as detectives led him to a car to take him to court for his arrangement.

Wheres our reparations for 400 years of f-king slavery! Glynn yelled.

And America is gonna burn!

Corey speculated that the suspect may suffer from mental illness, but the accused killer also refused to make any statements to police and asked for a lawyer after his arrest.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

The crime struck a chord with Mayor Adams, who met with the victims mother.

I dont come to press conferences of arrests, he said at a briefing at police headquarters. This one was so personal. For a cold-blooded killer to shoot a 19-year-old child after she complied. We have been saying this over and over again  too many guns on the streets.

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Bayron-Nieves hated the night shift and even got her mother to convince her manager to switch her to daytime work, her family told the Daily News, but the schedule change didnt come fast enough to save her life.

Adams praised the hard work that detectives performed in the case and reminded his critics that behind the statistics in the city are families suffering due to crime.

When people question my urgency of putting in place the right apparatus to give our support to the men and women performing these jobs they need to go visit Kristals mother. They need to see the pain on her face, he said.

Glynn, who is facing murder and robbery charges, is expected to be arraigned in Manhattan Criminal court later Friday.
Media workers are being targeted both by protesters and government's officials. According to local sources, journalists in Kazakhstan's regions are under increasing pressure, with at least three media workers under house arrest, while many more have been summoned for questioning by the police.

Regional journalists are now under special pressure because of their work or any criticism. Three were sent to administrative custody; in several regions, journalists were summoned for interrogation, said Vyacheslav Abramov, editor of Vlast.kz, an independent media outlet:

Other journalists denounced on social media posts arrest of the editor of altaynews.kz, Daryn Nursapar at home in Almaty who was charged of participation in demonstrations in violation of the order established by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Daryn Nursapar filmed the rally in Ust-Kamenogorsk and posted the video on his Facebook page. He was arrested on 7 January, when law enforcement officers took him away from his home.

The Russian Union of Journalists (RUJ) has been monitoring the incidents towards media workers as many Russian journalists travelled to the neighbouring country to cover the events. The RUJ recorded up to 15 incidents against both national and international reporters, including beatings and physical attacks, arbitrary arrests and seizure of their working materials.

According to official sources, some 10,000 people have been arrested since the demonstrations began on 2 January.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: We are alarmed by the situation in Kazakhstan, where journalists have been attacked and arrested in retaliation for doing their job. We continue to monitor the situation. The IFJ urges the government of Kazakhstan to stop immediately the crackdown on media and to release all journalists who are currently in jail.
Alaraby workers arrested included reporter Wael Mohammed Alhassan, office supervisor Islam Saleh, camera operator Mazen Oono and his assistant Abu Baker Ali. The team had covered protests calling for civilian rule in Sudan and denouncing the military coup that took place on 25 October 2021.

Their employer Alaraby, which is headquartered in London, UK, asked for the immediate release of their staff members. A statement said that "Alaraby Televisions coverage of the ongoing events in Sudan is objective and professional, and the team operates with all required licenses and permits to carry out its journalism."

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the UK and Ireland, an IFJ affiliate, also condemned the arrest.The NUJ calls on the Sudanese government to release the four members of staff immediately. They were there to legitimately cover the protests and it is outrageous that journalists arent able to do their jobs without fear of being arrested.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: " What happened on 13 January is another unacceptable attack on the press in Sudan. The Sudanese army must stop immediately its ongoing crackdown on media workers. We demand the unconditional release of our four Alaraby colleagues and urge the army to respect freedom of the press and provide the media corps with all the security they need to carry out their duties."
Amid the surge of COVID cases in the Philippines, Grab - Southeast Asias leading superapp, announces key initiatives as part of its ongoing commitment to providing Filipinos with a safe and reliable platform for their everyday needs while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of driver- and delivery-partners on the platform.

As of January 2022, the Philippines is witnessing a resurgence of COVID cases - breaching the 30,000 mark for new cases per day. The DOH has also declared that there have been reported cases of the more infectious Omicron variant in the country. In light of these events, Grab Philippines is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring utmost safety and hygiene throughout its platform through the following measures:

Enhancing Grabs COVID assistance fund for vaccinated Driver- and Delivery-Partners. In light of the higher COVID positivity rate in the Philippines, Grab is increasing its COVID Assistance Fund by 4X to cover the potential loss of income and medical expenses of fully-vaccinated driver- and delivery-partners who have contracted COVID and may need to undergo mandatory quarantine, and those who may experience side-effects from their booster shots. Continuous strengthening of safety and hygiene measures on mobility and delivery services. Safety is a key priority for Grab. With the recent surge in COVID cases as well as the looming threat of the Omicron variant in the Philippines, Grab continues to raise the bar on safety and hygiene to minimize the risk of COVID transmission on the platform through the following: In support of the recent government policies concerning unvaccinated individuals, Grab is expanding its GrabProtect Program to include a weekly mandatory COVID testing for unvaccinated driver- and delivery-partners starting 17 January 2022. Driver- and delivery-partners with negative COVID test results from Grab-accredited testing sites will receive bookings from the platform; Grab Philippines is also encouraging driver- and delivery-partners who are fully vaccinated for at least 3 months to get their booster shots from their respective LGUs; To ensure utmost safety and hygiene throughout the platform, driver- and delivery-partners are also urged to regularly disinfect their vehicles and their gears, and observe public health protocols. Discounted GrabCar rides going to and from vaccination centers. Grab Philippines extends its GrabCar Bayanihan initiative by providing Filipinos with safe, reliable, and affordable rides going to and from vaccination sites. GrabCar Bayanihan is available for individuals who are completing their vaccination, and even for those getting their booster shots.

Our fight against COVID is far from over - and even if many of us are vaccinated, we need to always keep our guards up to prevent breakthrough infections from impacting our homes and communities. By continuously enhancing our existing safety and hygiene protocols, we are supporting many Filipinos who rely on Grab for their everyday needs and livelihoods. Grab will continue to support the fight against COVID, and rest assured that we will continue to revisit, enhance, and tailor our safety and hygiene measures to better support our kababayans, says Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz.
When brothers Jake and Mike Carroll launched MagnaTech Autoglass in Federal Way, Washington, three years ago, they did a lot of things right. They had years of experience in the auto glass industry, they came up with a business plan targeting an underserved niche, and they chose a location where the national leader in the field did not have a physical presence. But when it came to their website, they made a common mistake. Rather than turning to a professional website designer, they chose to go the do it yourself (DIY) route.

It seemed like a smart decision at the time. Like most startups, the brothers were keeping a close eye on all expenditures. We used a template service, and we felt that since we had a website now, we were a real company, Jake Carroll recalls. We were also using Google My Business and doing a little pay-per-click advertising, so we thought we were good to go. A serendipitous encounter with a new customer soon convinced him otherwise.

Carrolls instincts about the importance of a website were right on the money. In todays digital-first world, a companys website is its new first impression. But just getting your website seen at all--let alone by the prospective customers you hope to reach--is a monumental challenge. There are more than 1.7 billion websites on the internet. Only about 15 percent of them are currently active, but thats still 200 million individual sites competing for eyeballs.

Constantly changing algorithms

Breaking through that clutter is no small challenge. About 93 percent of all the traffic websites receive comes through search engines. Google alone accounts for 78 percent of desktop and 89 percent of mobile search traffic. Organic search algorithms are constantly updated to provide users with the best results. Websites that do not keep pace with those changes fall further behind in their ability to reach prospective customers.

Regular review and fine-tuning of website content for things like conciseness, intent phrasing, long-tail keywords, and hierarchy are important for small businesses to avoid losing ground, but even that is not enough. Besides content, search engines also focus on the overall user experience. Slower-loading sites get pushed further down in search results.

Even if customers find your site, they will not stick around if it does not load quickly. A majority (53 percent) of mobile internet users will abandon a website if it takes longer than three seconds to render. Forty-seven percent of desktop users expect a page to load within two seconds, and 40 percent will abandon a site if loading takes longer than three seconds.

Carroll was not aware of these or the many other roadblocks that can prevent a small business website from reaching its full potential. Why would he be? Hes not a website design professional. But in the aftermath of replacing the windshield on Jason Morgans Jeep, his eyes were opened.

Invisible no more

Morgan is the owner of iLocal, a Seattle-based online marketing company whose services include professional website design and search engine optimization (SEO). Impressed by the quality of the work MagnaTech Autoglass provided (but less impressed with its website), he suggested a meeting. Carroll was skeptical that a small business like MagnaTech Autoglass could benefit from what iLocal had to offer, but not for long.

Jason ran this program that shows website visibility, and we saw that our site was completely invisible. We were ghosts, he says. Unless someone was using our company name as a direct keyword, we would not turn up in any searches. When Morgan ran some analytics showing the impact a new website with expanded SEO capabilities built into its backend could have on his business, Carroll decided to give it a try.

The iLocal team designed the new website and had it up and running within a month. We were just blown away, he says. The site runs smoother, and it sends quote requests directly to our email, significantly reducing the amount of time we spend on the phone. Were getting a tremendous amount of organic growth. When somebody in Federal Way or Tacoma types windshield replacement into a search engine now, we are always on that list. Not only has this been worth every penny we spent, it has literally doubled our business.
Companies can learn a thing or two from Samsung when designing their newest cutting-edge devices.

Speaking at CES last week in a massive ballroom with every other chair left empty for social distancing (thanks, Omicron), Samsung CEO Jong-Hee Han delivered a keynote in which he introduced new products and spoke about the company's vision for the future.

Here are three ways Han said the maker of everything from phones to smart refrigerators is ensuring that its technology keeps customers happy for years to come.

1. Prioritizing easy-to-use tech

One of Samsung's guiding principles, Han said, is that even the most high-tech devices should be intuitive for the user. Han unveiled a new, user-friendly portable projector, the Freestyle, which--unlike many of its competitors--can mirror a phone's screen with a single tap. "We want to find a way to redefine your relationship with the technologies you use every day," said Han.

The CEO also noted that Samsung puts an emphasis on making sure its products are highly customizable by the user, whether it's Galaxy watches with changeable faces or smart refrigerators that come in a variety of colors. During the keynote, the company introduced a new flatscreen TV that can be curved to fit the customer's vantage point, as well as a smart washing machine that uses artificial intelligence to tailor wash cycles to the user's preferences. "We're always working toward a future where the technology works seamlessly with you in the center," said Han.

2. Manufacturing with sustainability in mind

Samsung has been following the lead of other corporations around the world by leaning into sustainability in recent years. In 2021, Han said, the company made changes to its manufacturing processes that decreased the carbon footprints of products like device screens and semiconductors. It also cut back on the amount of packaging it uses for many products and began incorporating more recycled materials. In the process, the company was able to reduce its carbon emissions by 700,000 tons. For a large company like Samsung, which sells hundreds of millions of products per year, "even the smallest changes can make a big difference," Han said.

The changes will keep coming. Beginning this year, Han said, Samsung's TVs will use 30 times more recycled plastics than last year. And by 2025, every mobile device and appliance the company makes will be made at least partially from reused materials.

3. Making energy-efficient devices

Han announced that the company is expanding its SmartThings Energy service, which lets users monitor their energy usage on smart devices from air purifiers to dishwashers. The system incorporates A.I. to make recommendations on how users can reduce their energy usage--a win for their wallets and the environment. Going forward, all new Samsung TVs, monitors, and refrigerators will include the service.
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A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 71F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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A 40-year-old man stabbed to death on a Harlem street stumbled down the block for several feet before collapsing on the sidewalk in a pool of his own blood, cops and horrified witnesses said Friday.

He just staggered into a slump. People were just walking by him, said one witness who saw the victim from her apartment window. The victims blood still stained the street Friday morning, said the witness, who wished not to be named.

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If I can see it from my window up here, thats a lot of blood, the woman said.

The victim, stabbed in the neck, was rushed by medics to Harlem Hospital but could not be saved. His name was not immediately released.

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The fatal confrontation happened about 9:25 p.m. Thursday on W. 132nd St. near Lenox Ave., cops said.

Police secure the scene on W. 132 St. and Lenox Ave., where authorities said a man was stabbed on Thursday. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News)

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

A tourist renting a nearby AirBnB spotted the victim arguing with a group of men in a red car before the fatal fight erupted.

The (victim) was yelling at the guys in the car, said the tourist, who would only identify himself as Stitch. The guy that was yelling kicked the car, and once he did that they all ran at him and jumped him.

The man who dealt the fatal blow crept up on the victim as he fought the other three men off, Stitch, 45, remembered.

One of the guys came real stealth around, it looked like he punched him in the neck, he said. The next thing you know, the blood starts pouring out of his neck.

The suspects ran back to the red car and drove off. No arrests have been made.

The victim had an extensive arrest record and served two state prison terms. He served six years for drug possession and was released in March 2016.

More recently, he was convicted of robbery and drug dealing and was granted a merit release for good behavior in February 2020, according to court records.
Countries around the world are now offering their vaccinated citizens booster shots against Covid-19 given the surge caused by the Omicron variant of coronavirus.

AstraZeneca vaccine, sold as Covishield in India and as Vaxzevria in the western world, can provide solid protection against Omicron with a booster shot, the company announced on Thursday citing pilot data from a booster trial.

Those given a third dose of AstraZeneca (Covishield) showed better protection against all variants of Covid-19 - Beta, Delta, Alpha, Gamma, and Omicron. All those who received the booster shot were either vaccinated with two doses of Covishield or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).

The vaccine-maker is now planning to submit the data to health regulators around the globe as the need for booster shots heightens.

AFP

Robust antibodies after third dose

Developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of Oxford, AstraZeneca vaccine's third dose could help improve antibody response in countries where Omicron is causing record cases.

WHO

In December, a similar trial found that AstraZeneca's shot improved antibody production when given as a booster shot after a two-shot regimen was complete - be it with its own shot or with Pfizer's.

Also read: Corbevax: How Not-For-Profit Covid-19 Vaccine Wants To End Global Inequality

Even then, Pfizer and Moderna (mRNA vaccines) offer the best boost to antibodies. Unfortunately, neither of these have been approved for use in India and are not available here.

India is currently offering "precautionary dose" aka a booster shot to those with health conditions with age above 60. Those eligible can get the third dose nine months after the second shot.

Unsplash

In addition, all healthcare and frontline workers are also receiving a booster shot to protect them against Covid-19.

Also read: Booster Doses Not Enough, We May Need 'Updated' COVID Vaccines To Fight Omicron, Other Variants



What do you think - should booster shots be available for everyone in India? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.

References

Aripaka, P., & Burger, L. (2022, January 13). AstraZeneca says early trial data indicates third dose helps against Omicron. Reuters.
There is a reason an ex-partner becomes an 'ex'. While some people can amicably separate, others may have a lot of anger against the ex. But a woman went a really long way to make sure her ex gets punished.

This woman named Courtney Ireland-Ainsworth has been jailed because she made thirty fake Instagram profiles and sent vile threats to herself from them in an attempt to get her ex-boyfriend locked up.



The Sun

The 20-year-old from Brackendale, Runcorn, made 10 police statements and claimed that her former partner Louis Jolly threatened to stab her. She also complained that her ex-boyfriend was harassing and stalking her which led to him being arrested six times.

Her ex, Jolly had to spend 81 hours in custody and was charged with assault and stalking her. He was even punished with a home curfew, an electronic tag, and also lost his job.

Unsplash

However, a Police investigation revealed that at least 17 Instagram accounts were created using two of Courtney's email addresses and IP addresses connected to her home and mobile phone. "You created an entirely fictional but superficially credible web of poisonous deceit for over five months," recorder Ian Harris told Courtney.

Mr Jolly protested his innocence all through police interviews and charges were dropped when she finally confessed. In a victim impact statement, he said: At my lowest point I felt like life wasn't worth living and thought to myself that I'd be better off dead."

Liverpool echo

He said all of her allegations were untrue and had an "absolutely shattering effect" on the victim. Ainsworth, of Runcorn, Cheshire, was jailed for 10 months at Liverpool Crown Court for perverting the course of justice. She was also handed a 10-year restraining order.



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The Great Resignation, a new term that came up in the past one year or so due to the COVID pandemic, captures the rising economic trend of employees voluntarily resigning/leaving their current job.

This trend has been noticed globally, with India being no exception.



Indias Top IT Giants Affected

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Also Read: IT Giant HCL Reportedly Asked Resigning Employees To 'Return' Their Bonuses

The latest revelations from Indias top IT companies including Wipro, Infosys and TCS have signalled that this trend of high attrition rates has continued in the recently ended December quarter of the current fiscal year 2021-22.



Although all of these three IT giants reported a healthy jump in financials in their respective releases a couple of days back, they also continued to witness high levels of attrition.

Amidst the digital transformation going across industries due to COVID and the heavy demand for tech talent, the spike in attritions has continued to plague the industry.

Also Read: TCS To Allow Work From Home For 75% Employees Even After COVID-19 Lockdown Ends

TCS Revelations

TCS attrition rate reportedly rose to 15.3% in the third quarter of the current financial year (FY 2021-22) which ended on 31.12.2021, as compared to the previous quarters rate of 11.9%. However, TCS claims that this was the lowest attrition rate in the industry.

While announcing the FY2021-22s Q3 results, TCS said that the Sustained investment in organic talent development, progressive workplace policies and a vibrant culture that empowers individuals and fosters creativity, have resulted in a long-term track record for best-in-class talent retention,".

As per the press release mentioning the Q3 earnings, TCS' Chief HR Officer Milind Lakkad said that the IT giant gave preference to internal candidates for the open positions, global deployment opportunities, career paths to learning, and promotions to its employees, to retain its best talent and overcome supply side challenges.

Also Read: Ratan Tata Turns 84 -One Mistake That Cost Tata Motors Thousands Of Crores

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Infosys & Wipros Revelations

On the other hand, Infosys' voluntary attrition rate was the highest amongst these 3 IT giants. Infosys attrition increased to 25.5% in the third quarter, up from the rate of 20.1% in the previous quarter that ended on 30.09.2021.

And the other IT giant Wipro's attrition rate too, rose to 22.7%, up from the rate of 20.5% in the second quarter.

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As per Wipro, the rate is in line with expectations, and it is putting in place measures such as promotions and role-based bonuses, besides building up its fresher pipeline in this remaining quarter of FY2021-22 as well as next FY2022-23, in order to meet the growing demand.



Hiring Plan By The IT Giants

Infosys CFO reportedly said that the company continues to prioritize investments in talent acquisition and development, and have further increased our global graduate hiring programme to over 55,000 for FY22 to support our growth ambitions.

TCS, which hired 43,000 freshers in the first half of fiscal 2022, said in the third quarter itself it hired 34,000 freshers which were otherwise planned for the entire second half. TCS is expected to likely hire more in this last quarter of FY2021-22.

Wipro CEO said that the company is expected to hire a total of 17,000 freshers in FY2022 and is targeting 25,000-30,000 next year. As per him, the company remains focused on building world-class talent and on ensuring that growth isnt constrained.

Also Read: This Company Is Allowing All Its Employees To Work From Abroad For 6 Weeks Every Year

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A new federal monitor in the landmark NYPD stop and frisk case has been appointed to replace Peter Zimroth, who died last year.

Mylan Denerstein, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, will take over the role of overseeing the police department in the Floyd v. city of New York litigation from Zimroth who died of cancer on Nov. 8, at age 78.

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Denerstein was counsel to Gov. Cuomo from 2010 to 2014, and prior to that a deputy state attorney general. From 2003 to 2007, she was the FDNYs top legal advisor, and before that, a federal prosecutor in Manhattan for seven years.

Mylan Denerstein (Mike Groll/AP)

In 2013, the Daily News reported she was under consideration to serve as FDNY commissioner, but she withdrew her name from contention.

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She graduated from Columbia Law School in 1993.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (left) and Mylan Denerstein when she was Counsel to the Governor in 2013. (Mike Groll/AP)

Zimroth was appointed monitor by U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin in 2013 after she ruled the NYPDs stop and frisk strategy was unconstitutional. His role was mainly to make sure the court-ordered reforms and training were being enacted by the department.

Peter Zimroth (Walter McBride/Getty Images)

Denerstein was appointed by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres who succeeded Scheindlin.

The Floyd case was originally filed in 2008 and alleged the NYPDs stop and frisk campaign unfairly targeted young men of color. In 2011, for example, more than 685,000 people were stopped, the vast majority within those racial groups, according to NYPD data. The number of reported stops has since fallen sharply since then with just over 9,000 in 2020, police department stats show.

The NYPD reported fewer than 2,000 stops in the first three months of 2021.
Sisters Thai will open its fifth Washington area restaurant next to Capital One Hall, the new performing arts venue at Capital One Center in Tysons.

The location will be Sisters Thais largest to date at 5,029 square feet.

Having been a fan of Sisters Thai for the last decade, it is great to see their growth to become one of the regions top destinations for Thai food stated Jonathan Griffith, managing director of Capital One Center. We couldnt be more thrilled to welcome them to the exciting new Capital One Center development in Tysons to join the growing list of dynamic retail and restaurants.

John Asadoorian and Asadoorian Retail Solutions assisted in facilitating the transaction.

Planned to open in late 2022, Sisters Thais menu will include a mix of Thai favorites such as drunken noodles and pad Thai, authentic Thai street-food dishes, specialty curry bowls, and a developed drinks menu served from a central bar that will anchor the main dining area. Also featured within the space will be an outpost of the groups Magnolia Boutique Dessert Bar & Coffee, serving sweets and treats with extended operating hours.

"We are so excited to be a part of the growing development at Capital One Center, and host our flagship restaurant adjacent to Capital One Hall, said Tammie Disayawathana, owner of Sisters Thai. There is so much energy at Capital One Center, and were proud to bring our family-run business to complement this mini-city.

Next to the McLean Station on Metros Silver Line, Capital One Center also includes an urban-format Wegmans grocery, other restaurants and retailers and the boutique suite-style Watermark Hotel.
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? President Biden asserted in excerpts of a speech released before his Georgia visit on January 11, 2022.
A Christmas tree fire caused the blaze that killed 12 relatives in a Philadelphia rowhome duplex, investigators confirmed Tuesday as they identified victims and announced preliminary findings, but stopped short of officially saying a 5-year-old boy playing with a lighter was behind it.

Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel hesitated to point blame at a news conference Tuesday but said the boy was the only person on that floor. The boy, who survived the fire, told several people he was playing with the lighter when the tree caught fire, according to a search warrant issued last week.

Investigators believe that lighter was the reason the tree ignited, Thiel said. We are left with the words of that 5-year-old child, that traumatized 5-year-old child, to help us understand how the lighter and the tree came together with tragic consequences.

None of six smoke alarms inside the two-story unit were working, Thiel said, and most had been apparently been removed since an inspection the city housing authority said it conducted last year. One alarm in a shared basement did work but activated late, he said.

As many as 18 people lived or stayed in the unit at various times, officials said previously.

The 12 people who died were all on the third floor, Thiel said Tuesday. One was found alive but died at the scene.

Firefighters arrived within minutes at the duplex near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but it was already too late, Thiel said. The only other survivor was a man who jumped out of a third-floor window.

There was zero visibility, said Thiel, noting that temperatures reached nearly 1,000 degrees at the ceiling. Toxic smoke filling the entire building. And its loud in a fire.

Rest assured, those firefighters did their level best, as our medics did their best to save those lives, he said. Sometimes we are too late.

The three-story brick duplex was owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, which is the citys public housing agency and the states biggest landlord.

Housing officials said last week that the building, which had a separate lower unit, had 13 tamper-resistant, 10-year detectors, all of which were operational during the last inspection in May 2021.

Three sisters  Rosalee McDonald, Virginia Thomas and Quinsha White  and nine of their children died in the blaze, according to family members. The blaze was the deadliest fire in Philadelphia in more than a century.

The city identified the other victims as Quintien Tate-McDonald, Destiny McDonald, Dekwan Robinson, JKwon Robinson, Taniesha Robinson, Tiffany Robinson, Shaniece Wayne, Natasha Wayne and Janiyah Roberts. Officials did not provide their ages.

Fires involving Christmas trees are much more likely to be fatal than other types of house fires because they become fully engulfed so quickly, according to the National Fire Protection Association, a nonprofit safety group. There are about 160 Christmas tree fires each year in the U.S., and they cause two deaths, the group said.

Wednesdays blaze had been the deadliest fire in years at a U.S. residential building but was surpassed Sunday by a fire in a high-rise in New York Citys Bronx borough that killed 17 people, including several children.

Flames damaged only a small part of that 19-story building in the Bronx, but smoke poured through the building after tenants fleeing the unit where the blaze began left the apartment door open behind them in their hurry to escape, officials said.

Before the Philadelphia blaze, the Bronx had also held the distinction for a recent deadly fire, one that killed 13 people, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association. That fire started after a 3-year-old boy was playing with stove burners.

Photo: A Philadelphia firefighter works at the scene of a deadly row house fire, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Survivors of a Bronx apartment building fire that killed 17 people last week have already filed a lawsuit, charging that the landlords knew of defective and unsafe conditions in high-rise building.

Rosa Reyes and Felix Martinez allege in the class-action suit that the owners, Bronx Park Phase III Preservation and investment groups and individuals, failed to ensure that steel safety doors were self-closing and that smoke detectors were functioning. The landlords also neglected fire escapes and electrical lines and did not have a sprinkler system installed, the complaint states.

Fire investigators have said that a space heater was the likely cause of the blaze, but that safety doors may not have been working properly to keep smoke from spreading throughout the building. The flames damaged only a small part of the building, but smoke poured through the apartments open doors and turned stairwells into ash-choked death traps. The stairs were the only method of escape in a tower too tall for fire escapes, according to news reports.

The suit, filed in Bronx County, alleges damages exceeding $1 billion. The complaint can be seen here.

The attorney for the plaintiffs, Robert Vilensky, blogged on his web site that city officials also hold some responsibility for what has been called New Yorks deadliest fire in decades.

The unfortunate fact of this accident is that it could have been prevented, with many lives saved, with proper municipal involvement, Vilensky wrote. However, the city institutions and figures we ideally should be trusting have turned a blind eye toward addressing and fixing the condition of crucial fire safety features that the buildings landlords allowed to slide.

Photo: Firefighters at the scene of the fire on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Topics Lawsuits
COPENHAGEN  Container shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk now plans to achieve net zero emissions in its business by 2040, a decade earlier than previously announced, on the back of rising customer demand for green transportation and technical leaps.

With about 90% of world trade transported by sea, global shipping accounts for nearly 3% of the worlds CO2 emissions, and the sector is under growing scrutiny to become cleaner.

Global Shipping Industry Faces Growing Pressure to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions Leading Marine Re/Insurers Join Push to Decarbonize Global Shipping

When we set the target back in 2018, it was truly a moon-shot target, where truth be told we really didnt have a lot of very specific plans, Maersks Chief Executive of Fleet and Strategic Brands Henriette Hallberg Thygesen told Reuters.

But since then the industry has seen technological advances on the vessel side in tandem with increasing demand for carbon neutral supply chains from big corporates such as Amazon and IKEA. Maersk set a 2030 interim target for a 50% reduction in emissions per transported container, and a 70% cut in absolute emissions from fully controlled terminals.

It said the targets would now cover its entire business, including indirect emissions, and not only its vessels. The company, which has so far ordered 12 vessels able to run on carbon-neutral methanol, said it aims to transport a quarter of its seaborne freight using greener fuels in 2030.

Supply of greener fuels remain one of the main challenges, Thygesen said, adding that Maersk is in dialog with suppliers but declining to provide more detail.

Such fuels currently cost more than twice as much as conventional ones, but Maersks customers are to a high degree willing to shoulder the increased price, according to Thygesen.

The increase in cost per product is still relatively insignificant, she said.

Maersks targets have not currently been approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an independent body that checks goals are robust, but it committed to set both a near-term 1.5 degree target and long-term net-zero target with the initiative.

The group is also actively lobbying the United Nations shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization, for a global carbon levy on shipping fuels to ensure that zero and low carbon fuels become economically viable and competitive to fossil fuels.

We dont think its moving fast enough, Thygesen said.

(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen; editing by Jason Neely, Jan Harvey and David Evans)

Photograph: A Maersk container ship passes through Suez Canal, Egypt, on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Photo credit: AP Photo/Mohamed Elshahed.

Topics Trends
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Everest Re, HDI Global and Aon.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Everest Re Promotes Klinger to Head of Intl Reinsurance

Everest Re Group Ltd., the Bermuda-based provider of reinsurance and insurance solutions, announced that Artur Klinger has been named head of International Reinsurance. In this new role, Klinger will oversee the companys reinsurance business in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, reporting directly to Everest Group COO and Head of Reinsurance Jim Williamson.

Additionally, the company has appointed Rui Marliere to lead its Latin America, and Caribbean reinsurance business.

Klinger brings more than two decades of deep reinsurance experience to the role, most recently as managing director of Continental Europe at Everest where he built a successful team and achieved strong growth in the P/C treaty portfolio. Prior to Everest, Klinger held various executive roles at Munich Re, most recently as chief underwriting officer of its Swiss subsidiary NewRe, where he led a profitable global P/C business.

He was also a managing director of Munich Res Capital Partners unit, responsible for structuring reinsurance solutions to support growth and capital strategies for clients across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Klinger also served as chief actuary at Allianz Risk Transfer and Alea. He is based in Zurich and holds a Ph.D. in statistics.

Marliere has been promoted to support the Reinsurance Divisions growth objectives in Latin America and the Caribbean. He brings more than two decades of experience in the region, including leading underwriting business in Brazil, Peru, and Chile. Most recently, Marliere served as the head treaty underwriter for Everests Caribbean and Colombia portfolios. Prior to joining Everest, Marliere held various key leadership roles at XL Group in treaty and facultative underwriting, claims, and accounting.

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HDI Global Appoints Chubbs Carberry as Head of Underwriting, Ireland

HDI Global SE  UK & Ireland (HDI) announced that Niall Carberry has been appointed to the role of head of Underwriting, Ireland effective immediately.

In this role, Carberry will lead HDIs business in Ireland. He will report to Stephanie Ogden, director of Underwriting & Distribution.

Carberry joins HDI from Chubb where he has spent the majority of his career to date. In his most recent role, he held overall responsibility for the casualty portfolio in Ireland.

***

Aon Names Rutherford to UK Financial Institutions Team

Insurance broker Aon announced that it has named Pete Rutherford as enterprise client leader, Financial Institutions, in the UK. He joined the firm on Jan. 1 and reports to Richard Phelps, head of Financial institutions (FI), UK and EMEA.

Rutherford will help build key client relationships for Aon and further strengthen its leading Financial Institutions practice, joining a growing team of senior experts with broad relationships across the sector.

Rutherford brings 25 years of financial institutions experience to Aon, with deep sector expertise in banking, asset management, life companies, and insurance. He joins from HSBC, where he served as managing director, head of EMEA insurance, and UK bank coverage, responsible for managing key global clients.

He began his career at Capital Bank, and he has held several senior positions at Standard Life (now Abrdn), Clydesdale Bank, Albannach Financial Management, and The Royal Bank of Scotland.

Topics Reinsurance Aon Chubb
A boardroom battle at Generali has escalated after the No.2 investor in Italys biggest insurer resigned from the board in a challenge to the reappointment of CEO Philippe Donnet.

Donnet, who is seeking a new mandate as CEO, is at the center of a struggle between Generalis biggest investors, including construction and newspaper magnate Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone, who on Thursday stepped down from the board.

Update: Generalis CEO Bets on Buyback, Dividend Hike, Bold Profit Goals to Keep Job Mediobanca Boosts Stake in Generali as Battle Over Leadership Heats Up

Caltagirone has teamed up with eyewear billionaire Leonardo Del Vecchio, the insurers third-largest shareholder, to challenge the influence investment bank Mediobanca, Generalis biggest investor.

Caltagirone holds 8.04% of Generali, trailing Mediobancas near 13% stake. Del Vecchio is the No.3 investor with nearly 7%.

The two tycoons blame Mediobanca, which reaps a sizeable share of its income from Generali, for holding back the insurers expansion, people close to the matter have said.

Donnet, who is backed by Mediobanca and a majority of board members, in December announced Generalis first buyback in 15 years and higher dividends in a bid to keep his job.

With Italys financial sector in consolidation mode, the shareholder tensions are fueling speculation about possible M&A moves involving both Generali and Mediobanca.

Del Vecchio, 86, in 2019 became Mediobancas biggest shareholder. Caltagirone has also recently built a stake in Mediobanca.

Caltagirone and Del Vecchio in February are set to present their own CEO candidate and an alternative strategy for the insurer, a person close to the matter told Reuters on Friday.

Caltagirone began his offensive in April when he snubbed a general meeting to approve Generalis results.

In a sign of growing hostility, he voted against Donnets new strategy in December and has not attended board meetings lately, a second person with knowledge of the matter said.

He joined forced with Del Vecchio in September and their consultation pact over Generali, which includes also smaller investor CRT, controls a stake of more than 16% in the insurer.

The pact remains intact after Caltagirones resignation, a third source close to Del Vecchio added.

To carry more weight at a general shareholder meeting in April to appoint a new board, Mediobanca has borrowed shares to reach a 17% voting stake.

But around 35% of Generalis share capital is in the hands of institutional investors and small savers hold another 23%, meaning their votes are likely to decide the outcome.

(Writing by Valentina Za; editing by Jane Merriman)

Topics Generali Life Assurance (Thailand) Plc.
The detainee food strike on Rikers Island is evidence that the crisis in the jails has reached a critical stage, advocates and elected officials said Thursday.

Some 200 detainees have been refusing meals in four dorms in the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers since Friday night, demanding the return of basic services like recreation and medical visits, according to advocates and public defender groups.

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That hunger strike is a direct result of the abuse and the neglect that they are experiencing and we stand with them in unity, said Andre Ward of the Fortune Society during a protest outside the Rikers Island bridge in East Elmhurst, Queens.

One strike leader, Earvin Bowins, was abruptly transferred out of the Davoren Center by correction officials. His lawyer Christopher Boyle said a correction officer told him it was because he was a leader of the strike.

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They came and got him and said he was being moved, Boyle said. They told him, You cant be in the building anymore. Youre too influential.

Boyle found out about his clients transfer when he visited the Davoren Center after the protest.

Its a punitive transfer, you cant see it any other way, he said. So now hes in GRVC (the George R. Vierno Center), which is where the fight clubs are going on.

A judge has found that inmate leaders at the Vierno center have forced other inmates to brawl for their pleasure.

Andre Ward of the Fortune Society speaks Thursday at a rally Thursday at the Queens entrance to Rikers Island. The rally was held to support detainees on a hunger strike. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

The hunger strike protest took place four months to the day after state legislators stood at the same intersection and called Rikers horror island. Since then, the same problems of conditions and staffing persist.

Boyle suggested the situation demonstrates the federal monitor installed six years ago to oversee the jails has not improved conditions.

What has to happen is that the federal government has to come in and take control over the island. They have lost control over whats going on, he said.

Christopher Boyle, a lawyer, speaks at a rally in support of a prisoner hunger strike at the entrance to Rikers Island in Queens on Thursday. (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

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On Wednesday, the Correction Department disputed with the use of the phrase hunger strike, saying detainees were sharing commissary food.

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They resumed eating from the kitchen two days ago, a spokesman said Wednesday. No new information was offered Thursday.

Meghna Philip of Neighborhood Defender Services said that organizations clients are not getting medical treatment, nor are they being produced for legal visits and video court conferences. So far DOC is denying the basic reality of whats happening, she said.

Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday he was briefed on the strike by Correction Commissioner Louis Molina. He appeared to assert Molina met with the strikers.

Some activists suggested things could get worse.

The conditions are deplorable, were talking about basic conditions, said Raphael Medina, who sent a year at the Davoren Center as a teen in 2004 and now works as a counselor with Exodus Transitional Community. If they dont start listening, the protests are going to get worse, more structured and more dug in.

Added Jason Scott, who was previously detained on Rikers in 1995 and also with Exodus, And that means worse conditions for the prisoners.
The city of Indianapolis effectively denied a request for over $2 million in compensation made by three members of the Sikh community affected by a mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility last April.

Harpreet Singh, Lakhwinder Kaur and Gurinder Bains, who were injured or lost family members in the April 15 attack, each requested $700,000 in damages from the city. They claimed that local officials failed to pursue a court hearing that could have prevented the shooter from accessing guns used in the attack.

The city did not respond to the tort claim by the Jan. 10 deadline, The Indianapolis Star reported.

Government agencies that receive such notices can agree to pay the victims or deny the request. The citys silence is the equivalent of a denial, which opens the door for victims to respond with a lawsuit.

The Sikh Coalition told The Star, however, that its lawyers will not be pursuing a lawsuit.

Lawyers for the victims said the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County prosecutors office failed to follow Indianas red flag law when they decided not to file a case with the courts to suspend the shooters gun rights in March of 2020.

The red flag legislation, which became law in Indiana in 2005, allows police or the courts to seize guns from people who show signs that they might be violent.

The lawyers said the law doesnt give the authorities discretion and that they must file such cases with the courts. Had such a case been filed, the mass shooting could have been prevented, according to the letter that serves as a tort claim notice, which precedes a formal lawsuit.

Police said Brandon Scott Hole, 19, used the attack as an act of suicidal murder. Eight employees, including four members of the citys Sikh community, were killed and five others were injured.

Hole, a former FedEx employee, was able to legally purchase the two rifles used in the shooting, even after his mother called police in March of 2020 to say her son might attempt suicide by cop. Police seized a pump-action shotgun from Hole, then 18, when responding to his mothers call.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears has since faced sharp criticism for choosing not to pursue the red flag court hearing that could have prevented Hole from accessing the guns used in the April attack. Mears said shortly after the attack that prosecutors didnt pursue such a hearing because they didnt have enough time under the law to definitively demonstrate his propensity for suicidal thoughts.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Chubb Names Spitzer Treasurer; Harkin Appointed CFO for North America Insurance

Chubb Ltd. announced that Drew Spitzer has been appointed treasurer of the company. Currently, Spitzer serves as chief financial officer for North America Insurance. In his new role, he will be responsible for all treasury-related functions of the company globally.

Kevin Harkin is succeeding Spitzer as CFO for North America Insurance. Currently, Harkin serves as senior vice president, North America Financial Operations.

Both appointments are effective March 1.

Spitzer has more than 25 years of experience in finance, accounting and insurance. Prior to serving as CFO of Chubbs North American operations, he was CFO of Combined Insurance, a Chubb affiliate that sells personal accident and supplemental health insurance. Spitzer joined the company, then named ACE, in 2006 as senior vice president and deputy chief accounting officer. Prior to Chubb, Spitzer was a partner at Fecteau & Co. accounting firm, and a vice president at Rockledge Financial Group. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Harkin has more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance and accounting. As senior vice president, North America Financial Operations, he provided finance support for field operations and distribution management in the region, including overseeing the strategic use of technology and data in finance integration initiatives. He joined the company, then named ACE, in 2007 and has held finance roles in corporate financial planning and analysis, expense management, close functions and statutory reporting. He began his career in public accounting at Arthur Andersen and, later, EY.

Spitzer will report to Peter Enns, executive vice president, Chubb Group and CFO, and succeeds Mark Hammond, who is leaving the company. Hammond will remain with Chubb until March 1 to ensure a smooth transition. Harkin will report to John Lupica, vice chairman, Chubb Group, and president, North America Insurance and to Enns.

Arch Re Facultative Promotes Hernandez to CEO; Announces Other Executive Moves as Vivian Retires

Arch Re Facultative announced several promotions in its leadership team that were effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Santiago Santi Hernandez was named chief executive officer. Additionally, Scott Montgomery was promoted to president, Lisa Pickard was appointed Arch Re Facs first chief strategy officer and Mike Karam was named executive director and head of Hybrid Solutions. Jennifer Apgar, who has the dual roles of chief underwriting officer and chief operating officer has been given the additional responsibility of developing the infrastructure needed to handle Arch Re Facs growth.

The promotions coincide with the retirement of former Arch Re North America CEO Ken Vivian at the end of 2021.

Hernandez joined Arch Re Fac in 2007 as head referral officer. He has since held various roles, including executive director, and has served as president since 2017. As CEO, Hernandez will have oversight of Arch Re Facs global operations.

Montgomery also joined the company in 2007, serving as a managing director, and has held several positions including executive director and head of Hybrid Solutions. As president, he will add leadership oversight and focus on business development initiatives.

Pickard is Arch Re Facs first chief strategy officer, a role with an emphasis on driving initiatives around innovation and growth. She joined Arch in 2007 as underwriting director, transitioned into the Managing Director role in 2011 and most recently served as executive director.

Karam joined Arch in 2008 as an underwriting director and has held the role of programs director since 2011. As Head of Hybrid Solutions, his focus will be on creating offerings that bring together the benefits of facultative and treaty reinsurance into one product.

Apgar will continue in her dual role as chief underwriting and chief operating officer for Arch Re Fac with increased responsibilities for building out Arch Re Facs infrastructure and resources as the company expands its platform and capabilities. Apgar has been the companys CUO since 2007 and added COO responsibilities in 2014.

I want to thank Ken for his help positioning Arch Re Fac as a best-in-class facultative operation, said Maamoun Rajeh, Chairman and CEO of the Arch Worldwide Reinsurance Group. We have worked diligently to develop a deep and talented management team at Arch Re Fac and Santi is perfectly suited to continue our focus on smart decision-making, collaborating closely with our valued clients, and, most important, maintaining our unique and differentiating culture. Congratulations to Santi, Scott, Jen, Lisa and Mike on their promotions.

Hernandez added, Im excited for the opportunity to lead our team here at Arch Re Fac. Im fortunate to work alongside an incredible team and I look forward to collectively achieving Arch Re Facs fullest potential. Over the years weve endeavored to earn the loyalty and trust of our clients and we will continue to focus on developing long-term relationships with our partners.

Topics Chubb
The cost of settling workplace class-action lawsuits reached a record high in 2021, defying expectations that the COVID-19 pandemic would decrease the size and reduce the number of payouts, according to a new report by the Seyfarth Shaw law firm in Chicago.

The plaintiffs bar capitalized on a recovering economy and aligned priorities with the new Biden Administration to secure a record financial haul in 2021, stated the author, Seyfarth partner Gerald L. Maatman Jr. As the defense based on arbitration agreements with class action waivers faces increased attacks across the country, employers can look at this past year as a precursor to new legal challenges and an explosion of class and collective actions in 2022.

Seyfarths 18th annual Workplace Class Action Litigation Report says it examined a record number of 1,607 class action rulings in 2021. The analysis includes all rulings in the federal and state court systems.

The law firm reports the aggregate amount of the top 10 private monetary settlements in each of five categories of workplace class action lawsuits; employment discrimination, wage and hour, Employee Retirement Income Security Act, statutory private actions and governmental employment. Altogether, the total of the top ten settlements in each of the categories was $3.62 billion in 2021, surpassing the previous high of $2.72 billion set in 2017 and dwarfing the $1.58 billion paid out in settlements in 2020. Seyfath said a legislative trend to protect privacy and personal data in workplaces will likely generate more class action litigation in 2022.

Employers saw increases in settlement values for wage and hour claims, ERISA filings and private statutory claims, but decreases in the amount spent to resolve employment discrimination lawsuits and government enforcement litigation.

The top 10 private plaintiff statutory settlementscases involving biometric privacy, breach of contract or violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, skyrocketed to a new high of $1.67 billion. The previous record was $487 million in 2017.

Those settlements include an agreement by the University of Southern California to pay $852 million to settle a class action by 702 victims who claim they were sexually abused by the universitys staff gynecologist. Sutter Health in Northern California agreed to pay $575 million to settle litigation that accused the hospital system of abusing its market power to raise prices and force health plans to use its providers, the report says.

Seyfath said a legislative trend to protect privacy and personal data in workplaces will likely generate more class action litigation in 2022.

Allegations that employers mishandled retirement plans also led to large settlements last year. The top 10 ERIA settlements cost a total of $837 million, double the $380 million total in 2020 and the $376 million total in 2019.

Repeated waves of 401(k) fee litigation have brought more than just litigation headaches for employers; the significant exposure presented by these cases has caused many fiduciary liability insurers to make significant policy changes that make coverage more expensive and more difficult to obtain, the report says.

The top ten settlements of wage and hour class cases cost $641.3 million last year, up from $294.6 million in 2020 and $449.05 million in 2019. Seyfarth said the number of filings increased in 2021, perhaps due to a backlog that developed during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

We expect these numbers to rise ever further in 2022 with a more employee-friendly U.S. Department of Labor actively working to eliminate pro-business rules and shifting its regulatory focus toward a plaintiff-friendly agenda, the report says.

Seyfarth said the Biden Administration has reversed many of the pro-business policies adopted during Donald Trumps presidency. For example, the Department of Labor rescinded a regulation that took effect in March 2020 that created a four-factor balancing test to determine whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. Other changes may come after the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission loses its majority of Trump-appointed members later this year.

Photo: In this July 1, 2019, file photo, Dr. George Tyndall, 72, listens during an arraignment at Los Angeles Superior court in Los Angeles. The University of Southern California agreed to pay $852 million to settle a lawsuit filed by 702 students who say they were sexually abused by the staff gynecologist, according to the Seyfarth Shaw law firm.

Topics Lawsuits Trends COVID-19 Commercial Lines Business Insurance
The Supreme Court yesterday blocked the Biden Administration from implementing an order requiring businesses with more than 100 employees to require COVID-19 vaccines or testing and masks for their employees.

In National Federation of Independent Business v. Occupational Safety And Health Administration, a majority of six justices granted a stay against the COVID-19 order, finding that the order, known as an Emergency Temporary Standard, exceeds OSHAs statutory authority because it targets a public health risk and not a risk confined to workplaces. No provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 addresses public health generally, which falls outside of OSHAs sphere of expertise, they agreed.

Three justices in dissent found to the contrary that the Biden Administrations emergency rule is consistent with OSHAs authority and precedent, while also arguing that the order is not a vaccine mandate because it allows the option of testing and masks.

In a separate ruling, the court upheld a vaccine requirement for healthcare workers who are employed at medical facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid. The government has also required all federal workers to be vaccinated.

OSHA had said its emergency temporary standard would protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job.

Yesterdays ruling largely leaves it up to Congress, businesses and states to decide what, if anything, to do, although the court left open the door for OSHA to issue narrower requirements for specific workplaces. According to the politics website Ballotpedia, 20 states, have banned proof-of-vaccination requirements through executive orders or legislation.

President Joe Biden expressed disappointment with the decision and called upon businesses and states to act.

In prepared remarks, Biden said, The court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as president to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans health and economy.

Majority Ruling

The unsigned majority opinion was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

The central objection from the majority was that the rule went beyond the authority Congress gave the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that issued the rule:

Although COVID 19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. COVID19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather. That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases. Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily lifesimply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clockwould significantly expand OSHAs regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization. OSHAs indiscriminate approach fails to account for this crucial distinction between occupational risk and risk more generallyand accordingly the mandate takes on the character of a general public health measure, rather than an occupational safety or health standard.

However, the court added, OSHA does not lack authority to regulate occupation-specific risks related to COVID19. Thus OSHA could act if there is special danger because of the particular features of an employees job or workplace with targeted regulations. The opinion cites as examples regulating researchers who work with the COVID19 virus and people working in particularly crowded or cramped environments.

But the danger present in such workplaces differs in both degree and kind from the everyday risk of contracting COVID19 that all face, the court said. OSHAs indiscriminate approach fails to account for this crucial distinction between occupational risk and risk more generallyand accordingly the mandate takes on the character of a general public health measure, rather than an occupational safety or health standard.'

The six justices reiterated their view that Congress has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly. Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category, they concluded.

In closing a concurring opinion in which he was joined by Justices Thomas and Alito, Justice Gorsuch acknowledged the ruling comes at a time of stress:

The question before us is not how to respond to the pandemic, but who holds the power to do so. The answer is clear: Under the law as it stands today, that power rests with the States and Congress, not OSHA. In saying this much, we do not impugn the intentions behind the agencys mandate. Instead, we only discharge our duty to enforce the laws demands when it comes to the question who may govern the lives of 84 million Americans. Respecting those demands may be trying in times of stress. But if this Court were to abide them only in more tranquil conditions, declarations of emergencies would never end and the liberties our Constitutions separation of powers seeks to preserve would amount to little.

Dissent View

Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented, maintaining that the rule is within the authority of OSHA and OSHA did what Congress told it to do in the 1970 law and in COVID-19 legislation more recently: it took action to address COVID19s threat in work spaces. Nothing in the OSHA statute text supports the majoritys limitation on OSHAs regulatory authority, the dissenters argue, adding that the law is indifferent to whether a hazard in the workplace is also found elsewhere.

Citing the 1970 statute, they argued that the virus that causes COVID19 is a new hazard as well as a physically harmful agent and the virus also poses a grave danger to millions of employee. Further, as the law requires, the standard is necessary to address the danger of COVID19 and is based on a host of studies and government reports showing why those measures of vaccines, testing and masks are of unparalleled use in limiting the threat of COVID19 in most workplaces, they wrote.

They maintained that by staying the rule, the court is acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, displacing the judgments of the government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies.

Nothing in the OSHA statute text supports the majoritys limitation on OSHAs regulatory authority, the dissenters argue, adding that the law is indifferent to whether a hazard in the workplace is also found elsewhere.

They argued that OSHA has long regulated risks that arise both inside and outside of the workplace, and maintained that COVID19 spreads more widely in workplaces than other revenues because more people spend more time together there. And critically, employees usually have little or no control in those settings.

The dissent says that virtually every workforce and workplace has been transformed by COVID-19, with employers and employees responding to risks of transmission in work environments. It is perverse, given these circumstances, to read the Acts grant of emergency powers in the way the majority does as constraining OSHA from addressing one of the gravest workplace hazards in the agencys history, they insisted. It lies at the core of OSHAs authority. It is part of what the agency was built for.

Health and Human Services

In the other COVID-19 case decided yesterday, the Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote, found that the department of Health and Human Services, did not exceed its authority with its vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. (The case is Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, Et Al., v. Missouri, et al.)

In November 2021, the secretary of HHS, which administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs, announced that, in order to receive Medicare and Medicaid funding, participating facilities must ensure that their staffunless exempt for medical or religious reasonsare vaccinated against COVID19.

HHS issued the rule after finding that vaccination of healthcare workers against COVID19 was necessary for the health and safety of individuals to whom care and services are furnished. HHS found that In many facilities, 35% or more of staff remain unvaccinated, and those staff pose a serious threat to the health and safety of patients. The court noted that that determination was based on data showing that the COVID19 virus can spread rapidly among healthcare workers and from them to patients, and that such spread is more likely when healthcare workers are unvaccinated.

HHS also argued that, because Medicare and Medicaid patients are often elderly, disabled, or otherwise in poor health, transmission of COVID19 to such patients is particularly dangerous.

The majority of justices agreed with the government that the HHS secretarys rule falls within the authorities conferred by Congress on the secretary of HHS, who showed that a vaccine mandate will substantially reduce the likelihood that healthcare workers will contract the virus and transmit it to their patients.

The rule thus fits neatly within the language of the statute. After all, ensuring that providers take steps to avoid transmitting a dangerous virus to their patients is consistent with the fundamental principle of the medical profession: first, do no harm. It would be the very opposite of efficient and effective administration for a facility that is supposed to make people well to make them sick with COVID19, the unsigned majority opinion states.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Amy Coney Barrett, Samuel Alito and Neal Gorsuch dissented in this case, offering a view that the rule exceeded the HHS authority.

Topics COVID-19 Workers' Compensation Commercial Lines Business Insurance Medical Professional Liability
A federal appeals court has found that an insurance carrier has a duty to its policyholders in wrongful death and injury litigation, all because an exclusion clause in the liability policy was poorly worded.

James River Insurance Co. must now defend a fireworks manufacturing parent company in lawsuits brought by employees and families of employees who were injured and killed in a catastrophic explosion in Alabama in 2015. The workers can sue the parent company since they were employees of the subsidiary, and the James River liability policy exclusion was ambiguous on that point, the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decided Thursday.

We affirm the district courts order granting summary judgment in part in favor of the defendants and holding that James River has a duty to defend the insureds, U.S. Circuit Judge Jill Pryor wrote for the three-judge panel in James River vs. Ultratec Special Effects and MST Properties. MST is an affiliated company.

The explosion happened on Feb. 6, 2015 at the Ultratec factory in Owens Cross Roads outside of Huntsville. Two workers were killed and four more were injured. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the company more than $66,000 for safety violations. Lawsuits are continuing in state courts against the owners of the factory.

James River asked the federal district court in Alabama to declare that, per the wording of the policy exclusion, it had no duty to defend Ultratec and its parent and sister companies, nor to indemnify them.

The insurer argued that the policy excluded coverage for bodily injury claims brought by any employee of any insured.

But the district court and the 11th Circuit agreed with the defendant policyholders and found that the exclusion was confusing. The judges cited Alabama Supreme Court decisions from the 1980s that held that such wording could be interpreted either to mean any one of the insureds or could apply collectively to the whole group of insureds.

If a policys terms are unambiguous, the court must enforce the policy as written. But when there is doubt about whether the policy provides coverage, we must construe the policy language for the benefit of the insured, the appellate court wrote.

The court also said that another part of the policy exclusion, which spoke of separate coverage for the affiliated companies, did not help matters for James River. The defendant companies convincingly argued that the separation provision means that the exclusion applies separately for each insured, as if that entity were the only insured.

Read this way, the exclusion bars coverage only when the insured is sued by its own employee; Pryor explained in the opinion. When it is sued by another insureds employee, coverage exists under the policy. Because Ultratec is being sued by another insureds employees and not its own, the defendants say, James River has a duty to defend it in the underlying action.

The injured and killed employees were not employed by Ultratec, the parent company, so the exclusion does not bar coverage for their claims against the parent firm. James River must defend, the court affirmed.

As a side note, the subsidiary company, Ultratec HSV, appears to be immune from at least some liability claims due to the workers compensation exclusive remedy. The parties in the case had agreed that the workers were injured in the course and scope of their employment at Ultratec HSV. At one point in state court, Ultratec had argued that it and HSV were a single employer group. But the Alabama state court said that was in dispute and denied the parent company immunity under the workers comp statute.

Photo: Emergency personal and investigators at the scene of the explosion at Ultratec in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Gathany, AL.com)

Topics Manufacturing
Princess Cruises has pleaded guilty Wednesday to violating its probation related to previous environmental crimes.

Company officials signed a plea agreement in Miami federal court, according to court records. The company must pay a $1 million criminal fine and undertake remedial measures to ensure that it and its parent company, Carnival Corporation, establish and maintain an independent internal investigative office.

Just like individual defendants, corporate defendants must also comply with court orders. They are not above the law, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Juan Antonio Gonzalez said in a statement. The corporate defendant here ignored the court, choosing instead to thwart the compliance plan that was put in place to protect our environment.

Princess was fined $40 million in 2017 after pleading guilty to felony charges stemming from its deliberate dumping of oil-contaminated waste from one of its vessels and intentional acts to cover it up. As part of its probation, all Carnival-related cruise ships that used U.S. ports were required to comply with a supervised environmental compliance plan. Princess was convicted of six probation violations in 2019 and fined an additional $20 million.

A joint factual basis for Wednesdays guilty plea said Princess admitted that internal investigators had not been allowed to determine the scope of their investigations, and that draft internal investigations had been impacted and delayed by management.

Photo: A Princess Cruise ship in 2020 in Fort Lauderdale. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Pollution
K2 Insurance Services announced that Partners General Insurance Agency President Tom Farrell has taken over the primary leadership function.

Farrell joined K2 in 2019. He was promoted to president in 2021.

PGIA joined the K2 family in 2018 via a strategic acquisition from State Auto / Rockhill.

PGIA is a majority owned subsidiary of K2 and a managing general underwriter, providing primary general liability and excess coverages countrywide through a group of appointed wholesale surplus lines brokers on a non-admitted basis with offices in California, Illinois, Virginia and Connecticut.

K2 is a program underwriter and claims organization operating in more than 20 offices in the US and Europe.

CLARA Analytics named Tyler Jones chief customer and marketing officer.

Jones will be responsible for directing the companys relationship with its customers.

Jones has nearly two decades of experience in the insurance and banking industries. Jones was previously the global head of data strategy for AIG and director of information technology strategy at Kaiser Permanente.

CLARA Analytics is a provider of artificial intelligence technology in the commercial insurance industry.

Topics California Leadership
Google has said it will spend $1bn (870m) to buy up its own London offices, keeping a major presence in the UK capital at a time when firms wrestle with how to manage employee work habits.

The purchase and renovation of the Central Saint Giles complex it moved into in 2011 are being undertaken as the company finishes construction of its giant new UK headquarters in the Kings Cross area.

That complex will be replete with a three-lane swimming pool, massage rooms, and a host of exercise studios.

The latest purchase is a bet by Google that tech workers, who have been among the keenest to work from home, will want to move back into the office  at least temporarily.

Google said that it will refurbish the offices to add more flexible working space for teams rather than busy floorplans.

Remote working

In August last year, Google approved 85% of employee requests to work remotely or relocate once its offices fully re-open.

The search engine expects about 60% of its staff to work in the office a few days a week, with about 20% able to apply to work permanently from home.

Googles discussions to buy the Central Saint Giles property were reported in October.

Demand for trophy London office buildings has held up during the pandemic even as firms continue to juggle how to manage the return to office life.

Businesses committed to 819,000 square feet of new office space in the six months through September, according to British Land.

Thats the equivalent of more than 10 football pitches and includes a new headquarters for law firm Allen & Overy at the developers 1 Broadgate development and space to Facebook-owner Meta Platforms.

Trimmed office space

Google has also been trimming office space in London.

In June last year, parent firm Alphabet said it would close its seven-storey hub devoted to helping start-ups in Londons Shoreditch district and replace it with virtual services following the shift to home-working.

Google expanding its UK base is one more success story in a golden age for the UK tech industry, which has just seen another record-breaking year of growth and investment, Nadine Dorries, the UK secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport, said.

Google said it intended to be able to accommodate 10,000 employees across its UK sites once all ongoing construction and renovation projects are complete.

There are currently more than 6,400.
Downing Street has apologised to Buckingham Palace after it emerged parties were held in Number 10 the day before Prince Philips funeral last year.

Two gatherings reportedly took place at Downing Street, with the Boris Johnsons former director of communications James Slack apologising for the anger and hurt one of the events  a leaving do held for him  had caused.
Burma After Residents Flee Fighting, Myanmar Soldiers Loot Town

Junta soldiers in Kayah State. / FBR Karenni

Junta soldiers have looted houses in the Kayah State capital Loikaw after residents fled fighting between regime troops and resistance groups in the town, according to locals.

The majority of Loikaws residents fled after clashes broke out on January 7 and the junta launched airstrikes.

Witnesses said they saw people in civilian clothes stealing items from homes as junta troops in vehicles provided security for them.

They even used vehicles to carry the stolen items when they looted houses by the road. Junta soldiers went in front and people in civilian clothes followed them as they stole from the houses. How could they do that while people are in so much trouble? said a witness.

Junta soldiers have also reportedly looted shops in neighboring Demoso Township. Locals said they stole food and valuables from a shop on a main road in Demoso.

They broke open the doors of the shop and ate food and drinks. They also took food and drinks and other valuables. We feel sorry that our belongings were stolen even after we were forced to flee from our homes, said one Demoso resident.

Loikaw Peoples Defense Force said it would do as much as it can to protect the property of local residents, and vowed to take harsh action against thieves.

One Demoso resident said: We fled from Loikaw on January 10. We used to live in Demoso, and fled to Loikaw three months ago. Now, we have had to flee again from Loikaw. We bought equipment on credit just last year to run a car workshop. And we havent fully paid for the equipment yet. We had to leave behind all those things when we fled. I dont know if the equipment is still there or if it has already been stolen.

Over half of the 300,000 population of Kayah State have already been displaced by fighting following last years coup, while the majority of Loikaws 150,000 residents had fled their homes by Monday, according to locals. More people are thought to have fled as junta airstrikes continued on Thursday.

To us, it seems true that misfortunes never come on their own. While we were fleeing, our homes were being looted. I have now arrived in Shan State after a long journey. My house was only built two years ago, said one Loikaw resident.

The looting and ransacking of civilian houses by military regime forces has also been reported during raids in Sagaing and Magwe regions, as well as in Karen, Chin and Kachin states.



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Two teens have been charged with murder for their role in a New Years morning clash that ended with a good Samaritan being killed by an oncoming train, police said Friday.

A drunk straphanger obnoxiously blowing on a New Years Eve party horn sparked the brutal 2:45 a.m. fight at the Fordham Road station in Fordham Heights, suspects Braulio Garcia, 17, and Jonathan Aponte, 16, told police, according to court documents. The teens told authorities they suspected the drunken man was armed.

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Two teens, who were part of a group being sought by police after an incident led to a man being struck and killed by a subway train on New Year's Day, have been charged, officials said. Several others remain at large. (NYPD / DCPI)

Garcia and Aponte surrendered at different Bronx precincts with family members on Sunday and Wednesday, police said. Both were charged as adults but are being held at juvenile facilities.

Nine others, including three teen girls, are still being sought.

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The teens allegedly got angry at a drunken 38-year-old man who was wandering around the platform and blowing the horn to celebrate the start of the new year.

When the teens asked him to stop, they spotted a small handgun sticking out of his fanny pack, Aponte told police.

When we tried to leave together (the) two guys I was with grabbed the guy and bear hugged him, Aponte told investigators, according to court papers. The guy got away and ran away from us. My two friends chased after him and I chased him too.

The teens attacked, punching and kicking the man repeatedly as they rifled through his fanny pack, taking his wallet and cash, prosecutors said. One of the teens, who is still at large, flashed a knife.

As he lay on the ground, the victim was forced off the subway platform and onto the train tracks below, prosecutors say.

The victim suffered a fractured arm when he fell onto the tracks as a D train entered the station.

The Daily News Flash Weekdays Catch up on the days top five stories every weekday afternoon. >

Thats when Roland Hueston tried to help. He jumped down onto the tracks and tried to flag the approaching train as he attended to the injured man, prosecutors said.

The train slammed into Hueston, killing him. Yet his sacrifice slowed the train down before it hit the man sprawled out on the tracks.

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When the train finally stopped, the motormans car was hanging over the wounded mans body, prosecutors said. EMS took the drunken man to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was treated and released. The surviving victim told police he has no recollection of how he got back onto the platform.

Hueston didnt know the man he died saving, his relatives told the Daily News.

He cared a lot about the people around him and would do anything for them, his mother Milicent said. Although he didnt know the person he tried to save, were not surprised that he tried to save them when they needed him the most. Hes a hero and will continue to be remembered as a hero in our family and in the community.

Police arrested Garcia and Aponte on murder, manslaughter, robbery and other charges. A Bronx criminal court judge ordered Garcia held without bail. Aponte was ordered held on $250,000 bail.

Cops are asking anyone with information regarding the other suspects to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
Burma I Will Fight to the End, Says Yangon Resident Turned Resistance Fighter

Soe Win Naing, 26, a rising micro-influencer, left his comfortable life in his favorite city, Yangon, behind to take up arms against the junta.

It has been seven months since he went into the jungle in a border area to undergo military training and take up arms against the junta, leaving his comfortable life in his favorite city, Yangon, behind.

In his former life in the city, 26-year-old Soe Win Naing, who worked as a seaman, was a fun guy with a good income, an outgoing person dressed in high-end brands and sporting the latest high-tech gadgets. He was also a rising micro-influencer with thousands of followers on his Facebook account enjoying his regular fun posts and prank vlogs.

Sometimes, I really miss my home and my bed. I miss sleeping peacefully like in the old days, he said.

However, he said he has no regrets about the path he has chosen.

In the days following the coup, his anti-regime activities were limited to taking part in street protests, banging on pots and donating free meals to protesters. But after the military started cracking down on the peaceful demonstrations in mid-February, he was among those members of the defense teams who stood at the front of the columns to defend their fellow protesters in Yangon. They built barricades to protect protesters and neighborhoods from military incursions, and threw smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails when the protesters needed to escape.

As the juntas crackdowns on unarmed civilians turned worse day by day, and with arrests of protesters escalating, he decided to take up arms.

I decided to join an armed force as I cant let them get me. I still want to fight back against them, he said.

Many young people have joined the armed struggle to overthrow the military junta after peaceful protest columns were hit by live bullets and grenades and many of their comrades were shot dead. As of Thursday, at least 1,466 people including children, students, politician, protesters and bystanders had been killed by regime forces and more than 11,500 people arrested.

Now abroad, Soe Win Naings family at first worried about him joining the armed struggle but didnt try to stop him, as they knew they couldnt. Soe Win Naings father is himself a former political prisoner, having been jailed for his activities opposing the former military regime. His mom has already passed away.

At first, when he joined the armed force, there were some who didnt believe him or challenged his commitment, saying he was joining the group to get attention. He received comments to the effect that a rich young man such as him wouldnt survive in the jungle, Soe Win Naing said.

Theyre right about me. Im a guy who loved to hang out with friends and went to fancy restaurants, bars, wearing brandnames and focused on making more money. But they could never have guessed that I could have fun in military bootsnot in a million years, he said.

When such comments got him down, he got through it by focusing more on his training, he said.

The training days in the jungle were hard and rough without good meals or proper shelter. Sometimes he needed to move between the mountains and slept under the trees on rainy nights out in the open.

But now as a member of the Peoples Defense Force he said he has adapted to the jungle life. His group is currently among those engaged in intense fighting with junta forces together with the Karen National Union, one of the ethnic armed groups that have provided military training to youth resisting the regime.

Due to his experience and influence on social media, he was tasked with fundraising for the groups, as their budget is very limited. Within a month, he raised 140 million kyats (nearly US$80,000) for his own camp. Later, he shared it with other PDF camps nearby.

Currently, his duty is to support the front-line members who are engaged in fighting.

We have to prepare and deliver food and bullets and collect arms and ammunition from the enemy. And we have to bring back the dead bodies of our soldiers who get shot during the firefights. Those are my duties now, he said.

The revolution against the junta remains strong, from persistent street protests to armed resistance, posing the biggest challenge to the regime, which has yet to fully control the country nearly a year after its takeover.

We only need more weapons. I hope the NUG [the parallel National Unity Government] can supply more weapons to every PDF, because were all waiting for them. If we can get enough weapons, we will prevail. I dont know when exactly, but we are almost there, said Soe Win Naing.

He asked the public to do anything they can for the revolution and support the resistance groups until the end.

Most of the people from cities, some travel, some are going out and having fun; thats OK but please continue to support the revolution too. Its important. We all need to do our part, so that we can win this battle in the very near future, he urged.

For his part, he said, I will never quit. Alive or dead, I will fight till the end to win the battle.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Near Thai Border Injure Displaced Civilians

Thai volunteers prepare to transfer a wounded civilian to hospital in Mae Sot on Friday afternoon. / The Irrawaddy

More than 10 civilians have been wounded by Myanmar junta airstrikes in an area controlled by an ethnically Karen armed group near the Thai border in Karen State on Friday at noon.

Witnesses said two helicopters attacked a camp run by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Association, a splinter group of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The camp is near Lay Kay Kaw new town, where fighting between regime troops and the KNLA has raged for a month. Civilians who have fled the fighting are sheltering in the camp.

Padoh Saw Taw Nee, the spokesman for the Karen National Union, the political wing of the KNLA, confirmed todays airstrike.

They have been attacking the camp for several days. Todays strike was quite serious, he said, adding that the regime is trying to seize the area around Lay Kay Kaw.

On Friday afternoon, eight wounded civilians were taken to a hospital in the Thai border town of Mae Sot. They were wounded in their chests, heads, knees and ankles.

They said other injured civilians were left behind in Myanmar.

On Thursday, stray regime bullets and shells fell in Thai territory, causing villagers to shelter in bunkers.

Thai soldiers responded by firing smoke grenades into Myanmars territory as a warning, according to the Bangkok Post.



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NUG Accuses Myanmar Junta of Committing Crimes Against Humanity
Burma NUG Accuses Myanmar Junta of Committing Crimes Against Humanity

At least 35 civilians were killed and burned in vehicles by junta soldiers in Hpruso in December. / KSP

Myanmars parallel National Unity Government (NUG) has accused the military junta of committing crimes against humanity, citing its artillery strikes and air raids on civilians.

Many civilians were killed and injured and thousands were displaced by junta attacks using jet fighters and helicopters in Kachin, Karen, Kayah, Chin and Shan states and Sagaing and Magwe regions, and junta soldiers have committed mass killings, torched houses and used civilians as human shields, the NUG statement said on Thursday.

Its attacks violate international norms, ethics and laws created to protect humanity, said the NUG.

Hospitals and pharmacies were damaged by junta bombing in areas controlled by the Karen National Union in Hpapun District, Karen State, on Jan. 12.

This followed junta air raids on Kayah States capital, Loikaw, which displaced thousands of civilians. In December, Lay Kay Kaw, a new town in Karen State near the Thai border, was left almost deserted after aerial attacks.

On Friday, two junta helicopters attacked Lay Kay Kaw, close to areas where displaced people are sheltering beside the Moei River on the Thai border.

Ongoing airstrikes are also causing serious destruction in Sagaing Region.

The NUGs shadow health ministry, citing international agency reports, said the regime killed 32 health workers and detained 288 others and raided 355 health care centers, including hospitals and clinics, between Feb. 1 and Nov. 30 last year.

Medics were the first profession to take to the streets against last years coup and formed the civil disobedience movement to strike against military rule. The regime responded by detaining and prosecuting striking medics.

The regime is ridiculing the Geneva Convention, United Nations Security Council and domestic and international laws with its continuing violence against Myanmars people, said the parallel ministry, asking the international community to take action.

The NUG said it has been trying to provide humanitarian assistance to the displaced and take measures to hold the regime to account under international law for its atrocities.



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Burma Suspended International Infrastructure Projects Resumed in Myanmar

Yangon-Dala Bridge construction before the coup. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy

A number of development projects implemented with Official Development Assistance loans from Japan and South Korea have restarted after they were suspended following last years coup.

Among the projects are the Yangon-Dala Bridge, funded by South Korea, and the Thanlyin Bridge and the upgrading of the Yangon circular railway, both funded by Japan.

The works were suspended for some six months, and we are pushing to finish certain works ahead of the rainy season and to meet the deadline as per the agreement, said an employee of Nippon Signal, which is upgrading the signals system on the Yangon circular railway.

The project resumed in June last year and is now almost back to normal operation, added the employee.

An upgrade of the stretch of railway between Bago and Taungoo on the Yangon-Mandalay line was also resumed last month, while construction of the Yangon-Dala Bridge restarted in September last year, according to residents who live near the construction site.

Set to span the Yangon River, the bridge will link downtown Yangon and Dala Township. Funded by South Koreas Economic Development Cooperation Fund and also known as the Korea-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, the Yangon-Dala Bridge is expected to spur urbanization in Dala, which is still largely rural and undeveloped despite its close proximity to downtown Yangon.

Construction of the third Thanlyin Bridge linking Yangon and Thanlyin, implemented with loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has not yet resumed, but engineers and workers are being recruited, according to an engineer who has applied for a job on the project.

Although field work has not yet restarted, design work has long resumed. Now they are planning to resume groundwork. They are recruiting engineers. I dont know when it will resume. But I think it wont be long, the engineer told The Irrawaddy.

Another JICA-funded project to build a dam and upgrade the road in Sagaing Regions Shwebo Township was also suspended following the coup. It resumed in May last year, before being halted again due to fighting between military regime troops and local resistance groups.

JICA has not yet responded to The Irrawaddys e-mail asking the agency if its projects in Myanmar are back on track.

Japan and South Korea are only continuing with ongoing projects which were agreed with the ousted civilian government in Myanmar. The two countries have suspended all new aid to Myanmar since the juntas coup.



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Trinity, TX (77320)

Today

Mostly cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
A woman outraged over a busted dryer beat and slashed a worker at a Bronx laundromat, cops said Friday.

The 60-year-old employee was inside the Super Aunder Center Dry Cleaner on Grand Concourse near E. 182nd St. in Fordham Heights about 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 2 when the woman stormed up to her from a self-serve dryer, claiming that it wasnt working, police said.

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The two women began arguing. As tensions heated up, the customer struck the older worker in the face with a piece of plastic, cops said.

The stranger also slashed the employees elbow before storming off, cops said.

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Police released an image of a woman who authorities said attacked a worker at a Bronx laundromat. (NYPD)

The worker refused medical attention at the scene.

Cops on Friday released surveillance footage of the woman in the hopes someone recognizes her. Shes described as light skinned with a medium build with short curly hair.

At the time of the attack she was wearing black jeans, a grey sweater, glasses, a black T-shirt with letters on the front and black sneakers.

Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
Ithaca, NY (14850)

Today

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 54F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
COMPANY NEWS: Enterprise software provider Micro Focus announced the winners of its APJ Partner Awards during its annual Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) GTM Summit and reinforced the companys commitments to its distributor and reseller base in the region.

Members of the Micro Focus Partner Program can expect an enriched layer of support and enablement in 2022 across key pillars including Micro Focus Cloud Solutions, training and certifications, and upselling and cross-selling opportunities.

Recognising the increased demand from regional customers and the partner community for personalised and scalable tools that enable accelerated cloud adoption, Micro Focus rolled out and introduced enhancements to its comprehensive software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering, which now consists of 15 enterprise-grade products.

The company has also made further investments in its Partner Portal to provide easy, accessible, and up-to-date online enablement and training courses. Partners and resellers can also benefit from enhanced pre-sales tools and cloud-based online labs that will help them drive effective and fast value-selling to their customers.

Micro Focus president Asia Pacific and Japan Stephen McNulty said, Partners sit at the forefront of Micro Focus continued success, and we are very heartened to see that the strategic enhancements weve made were met with positive response. With the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, we foresee that businesses in the region will continue to accelerate their cloud transformation efforts and rely on partners to provide them with solutions that offer scalability, flexible pricing, and security. Our absolute priority is to enable our partner community with solutions that accelerate innovation and create competitive differentiation.

Micro Focus continued investments in delivering more value and growth opportunities to the partner base have been met with positive responses in Asia Pacific and Japan. The company has seen over 120% of year-on-year growth in a number of partners submitting deal registrations, which reflects an increase in net new businesses, as well as enhanced partner capabilities to better serve their customers across the region.

The following representatives from Asia Pacific and Japan were honoured at the annual Micro Focus Partner Awards for their dedication to powering innovative solutions for the regions digital future:

Kapish Services (a Citadel Group Company) - APJ Partner of the Year 2021, Business Innovation

iCognition Partner of the Year 2021, Australia and New Zealand

PCCW Solutions APJ Partner of the Year 2021, Emerging Market

Larsen And Toubro Smart World & Communication - APJ Partner of the Year 2021, Smart and Safe City Innovation

NH2 System, Partner of the Year 2021, Southeast Asia

iSET-DA Co., Partner of the Year 2021, Korea

Shanghai Wesure Information Technology Co., Ltd.  Partner of the Year 2021, Greater China

K.K. Ashisuto - Partner of the Year 2021, Japan

Cyberpwn Technologies Private - Partner of the Year 2021, India

Micro Focus vice president, channels J R Wong said, Were thrilled to acknowledge our 2021 Partner Awards winners for their continued support and commitment to help businesses in the region accelerate their transformation. Micro Focus is a partner-first organisation, and weve been very fortunate to be working with a strong and dedicated partner network. Our top priority to help partners solve their customers digital challenges remains and we will continue to innovate to broaden their capabilities and enable them to grow faster.

The Citadel Group general manager Ryan Harris said, This recognition is a true testament to a successful partnership between Micro Focus and Citadel. Were excited to continue our collaboration with Micro Focus at the technical, operational, and sales levels that brings Citadels products to customers, providing them with the breadth and depth of solution portfolio that addresses many of their practical problems.

iCognition CEO Joe Mammoliti said, FY21 saw iCognition achieving excellent growth in sales of Micro Focus products, across our clients in public, financial, and education sectors. Were thrilled that weve also achieved Platinum Partner status with Micro Focus this year. We thank Micro Focus for awarding us this award and Platinum membership, which is not only acknowledgement of our premium level of Micro Focus sales and service but recognises 18 years of an excellent partnership.
COMPANY NEWS: Flashpoint is proud to be Certified by Great Place to Work for the second year in a row.

The prestigious achievement is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at Flashpoint. This year, 96% of employees said its a great place to work37 points higher than the average US company.

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviours proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.

Great Place to Work Certification isnt something that comes easilyit takes ongoing dedication to the employee experience, said Great Place to Work vice president of global recognition Sarah Lewis-Kulin. Its the only official recognition determined by employees real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that Flashpoint is one of the best companies to work for in the country.

Were thrilled to be Great Place to Work-Certified for the second year in a row, said Flashpoint chief people officer Lisa Iadanza. The Flashpoint employee and new hire experience is our top priority and it informs everything we do. We owe our continued success to every single Flashpointer. We celebrate and thank them for all they do to earn this incredible recognition.

How Flashpoint is building a people-first company

In 2021, Flashpoints People team executed a number of initiatives to support the remote worker and remote new hire experience. All staffnew and tenuredwere given additional stipends to set up their home work environments. Furthermore, the team kicked off a new hire buddy program, which pairs new Flashpointers with employees from another team in order to build enduring and nurture-driven relationships across the company.

The People team also continued to set up virtual learning experiences and a myriad company-wide events, such as diversity and inclusion (D&I) discussion groups, trivia nights, holiday-themed activities, and other fun diversions. Finally, the People team implemented greater and improved benefits, including the 2022 kick-off of a 401K match programas well as access to Aaptiv, Headspace and Originto support the physical, mental and financial wellbeing of Flashpoint employees, as well.

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 companys profits and have a fair chance at promotion.
Sydney-based quantum control software specialist Q-Ctrl has appointed Aravind Ratnam to the role of chief strategy officer.

This is Q-Ctrl's first external CxO appointment since the company was founded.

"Aravind's extensive experience in electrical engineering, space technology, business and product strategy make him the ideal fit to take Q-Ctrl to the next level," said Q-Ctrl founder and CEO Professor Michael J. Biercuk.

"We are on an exceptional growth trajectory to become a dominant player in the emerging quantum technology industry, and we are confident Aravind will help us reach our goal."

Ratnam joins Q-Ctrl from Sense Photonics where he worked as head of products.

He previously worked at AEye as vice president of products, Intel's Wind River operation as head of connected vehicle products, IBB as senior consulting manager, and Monitor Deloitte as a senior consultant.

Ratnam started his career as a research engineer at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

He holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore, a postgraduate diploma in space science from the Indian Space Research Organisation, a master's in physics and space sciences from Florida Institute of Technology, and a master's in engineering and management from MIT.

Ratnam also serves as a board advisor to Solo Secure and Hyperspeci.al.

"I am honored to join the Q-Ctrl team to help grow the company and bring quantum computing closer to reality," said Ratnam.

"Q-Ctrl's technology has endless applications from space to transportation to climate science, and I look forward to being part of the technology's transformative growth."
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
Jacksonville, TX (75766)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 79F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
Thousands of shredded cardboard boxes and packages left behind by a group of thieves covered a stretch of Union Pacific tracks in Los Angeles where cargo trains stop and often unload their hauls.

The alarming scene was captured by CBS Los Angeles in a series of photographs and video footage published on Thursday. They show a massive amount of debris, which includes both opened and unopened packages, dumped across a huge swath of tracks in downtown Los Angeles.

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Union Pacific said in a statement to the news station that it is very concerned about the increased cargo thefts, adding that it has already taken several steps to address this criminal activity.

Shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)

We have increased the number of Union Pacific special agents on patrol, and we have utilized and explored additional technologies to help us combat this criminal activity, the statement continued. We also will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners and elected leaders.

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Thieves have long been raiding the shipping containers  often grabbing for packages from retailers like Amazon, REI and others, destined for people all over the country. Items left on the tracks, including home COVID test kits, appear to be those the criminals had no interest in or believed to lack value.

A source with knowledge of the issue told CBS Los Angeles that officials most recently cleaned the tracks just 30 days ago, and then again three months before that.




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Johnson City, TN (37604)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Ballad Health announced it would reinstate its vaccine mandate following a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court allowing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to mandate that health care workers at facilities that receive federal funding be vaccinated.

Ballad Health will take the appropriate steps to allow its team members to request religious or medical exemptions in compliance with federal law, and will comply with the Medicare Conditions of Participation, including the requirement that team members, and anyone interacting with our hospitals, be vaccinated, a statement from Ballad read.

Ballad announced a vaccine mandate for staff in November, but dropped it after a federal judge temporarily suspended its enforcement in early December. A couple of weeks later the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the mandate could stand in the 25 states  Tennessee among them  where it was not preliminarily enjoined.

In January, Ballad CEO Alan Levine wrote a letter on behalf of the hospital system asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to consider allowing certain hospitals to be exempt from the mandate and took issue with the unequal application of it. In lieu of exemptions, the system asked the federal agency to delay enforcement of the rule until June to allow facilities located in the areas with the greatest health care workforce shortages time to implement policies and procedures aimed at improving vaccination rates.

CMS should consider permitting hospitals in health professional shortage areas to seek waivers from the mandate if they can demonstrate difficulties with retention of staff, the letter said. Those parts of the country which already suffer from shortages, and which are disadvantaged in terms of recruitment and retention, need to first do no harm in terms of staffing availability.

Permitting health systems that can demonstrate staff retention challenges to seek waivers would be fair and would appropriately recognize the importance of balancing appropriate staffing levels at health care facilities with the administrations desire to increase vaccination rates among healthcare workers.

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The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the mandate for health care workers at facilities that receive federal funds could go forward, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joining the courts liberal justices to form a 5-4 majority. Another mandate requiring employees at large employers to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing was struck down, however.

The mandate for health care workers will affect more than 17 million people at approximately 76,000 health care facilities, according to the White House.

Levine, in his letter, warned that a mandate could worsen already critical staffing shortages, noting that when the regional hospital system first announced its mandate, 2,000 employees were unvaccinated and did not seek a medical or religious exemption.

That amounts to 15% of Ballads workforce, Levine said.

If the (interim final rule) were to be finalized in its current form, our facilities would likely be forced to turn away patients or reduce the services at our hospitals due to staff shortages, Levine wrote. In smaller facilities, even the loss of one or two staff members in critical positions can have a catastrophic effect on a facilitys ability to operate. The provision of critical health care services would be jeopardized and lives could be lost.

Ballads statement on Thursday expressed hope that CMS will take the recommendations seriously.

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Four people with alleged ties to a street gang have been charged in connection with the murder of an off-duty Los Angeles police officer who was searching for a new home with his girlfriend when he was fatally shot earlier this week.

Luis Alfredo De La Rosa Rios, 29; Ernesto Cisneros, 22; Jesse Contreras, 34 and Rios girlfriend Haylee Marie Grisham, 18, were charged on Thursday in connection with the slaying of Fernando Arroyos, the U.S. Attorneys Office for Central California announced. Theyre facing counts of violent crime in aid of racketeering and could face the death penalty if convicted.

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Authorities believe three of the suspects are members of the Florencia 13 gang while the fourth is a girlfriend of one of them.

Arroyos, a three-year veteran with the department, was house-hunting with his girlfriend on Monday in unincorporated Los Angeles when he was killed. The couple had just exited their vehicle and were walking toward a residence when the suspects drove up in a black pickup truck around 9 p.m.

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Rios and Cisneros are accused of confronting Arroyos, identified in court documents as F.A., and robbing him at gunpoint. The suspects allegedly targeted him because of two silver chains or necklaces around his neck.

At some point after Cisneros removed victim F.A.s chains, victim F.A. and the two suspects exchanged gunfire, according to the affidavit. Victim F.A. ran toward an alley where he collapsed and the two suspects fled.

When authorities arrived on the scene minutes later, they found the 27-year-old officer on the ground and unresponsive suffering from a single gunshot wound, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in a patrol car and pronounced dead.

The sheriffs department has been investigating the case because the crime occurred in an unincorporated area of the county. They took the suspects into custody on Wednesday.

Authorities said they have also obtained surveillance video from area, which captured the entire deadly confrontation. It also shows Contreras exiting the vehicle and helping an apparently injured Cisneros out of the truck.

All of the suspects were expected to be transferred to federal custody Friday.
Joplin, MO (64801)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 62F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 47F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Joplin, MO (64801)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 62F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 47F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Syria joins BRI amid extensive China-Mideast exchanges

(Global Times) 09:43, January 14, 2022

China wins more trust from Mideast due to equal, sincere strategy

Syria on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as the country is seeking post-war reconstruction, showing its high political trust in China, experts noted. The move came two days before the scheduled visit of the Iranian foreign minister to China - as part of the intensive visits to China of Mideast senior officials this week.

The ceremony of Syria joining the BRI took place at the Planning and International Cooperation Commission in the capital Damascus and was attended by Fadi Khalil, the head of the commission, and Feng Biao, China's ambassador to Syria, during which both sides signed MOU on Syria joining the BRI, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Khalil said the admission of Syria into the initiative revives the old role of Syria in the ancient Silk Road and will help in boosting bilateral cooperation with China and multilateral cooperation with other countries.

Feng added that the cooperation between the two countries provides the greatest contribution to the economic reconstruction and social development of Syria and it also enhances the harmonization between the BRI and the eastward strategy proposed by Syria.

The ambassador said the BRI is in line with the desire of the world for broad economic participation, noting that the initiative has become the biggest international cooperation platform in the world.

Syria had been struggled in wars in the past decade, so the major task for the Syrian government was to safeguard national sovereignty. Now it has entered a stage of reconstruction, and its decision to sign the MOU with China at this time shows its sincerity and huge political trust in China, Yin Gang, a researcher at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Yin noted that the Chinese government always showed support to the Syrian government during wars, which also lays a good political basis for the two sides' cooperation under the BRI.

Syria's signing of the MOU on BRI came amid the intensive visits of six other Middle East countries' foreign ministers to China: foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain along with the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Nayef bin Falah al-Hajrah kicked off a five-day visit to China since Monday and foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran are also scheduled to visit China on Wednesday and Friday at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Yin said that Wang Yi is expected to reiterate China's support to Iran over the nuclear issue when meeting with the Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

The two sides would also talk about the specific implementation of projects under the 25-year cooperation agreement, said Zhou Rong, a senior researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. "After Iran takes a strategy of 'Look East,' China's investment to and trade with the country exceeds the total of that from Japan, South Korea and India. China never yields to pressure from the US," Zhou noted.

Post-war reconstruction

The BRI, proposed by China in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming to build a trade, investment, and infrastructure network connecting Asia with other parts of the world along the ancient Silk Road trade routes and beyond.

"More and more countries joining the BRI amid the impact of the pandemic indicates that development and exchanges are what the world wants to see. For Arab countries, economic development is a precondition for them to step out of chaos caused by wars, for which the BRI will be a good opportunity," Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Syria, long crippled by Western sanctions, has been struggling economically and is eager to rebuild amid an isolated situation in the international community. Cooperation with China under the BRI will revive Syria's economy and help it fight the pandemic, Zhou said.

Damascus faces a serious power shortage in part due to the lack of necessary infrastructure. Any infrastructure-focused help to Syria will be a much-needed shot in the arm, said Zhou.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, Chinese investment in Syria totaled $135.7 billion by 2019. The two sides' trade totaled $1.3 billion in 2019, a year-on-year increase of 33 percent.

China has rich experiences in providing post-war reconstruction support. It has actively participated in Iraq's economic reconstruction, with bilateral friendly and practical cooperation making steady progress in various fields. The two countries have been supporting and helping each other since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December 2021, Chinese companies signed deals to build 1,000 schoolsin Iraq while 3.2 million school-aged children in the war-torn Mideast country were reported to have no access to education.

Failure of US strategy in Middle East

The priority for Mideast countries is to defeat the pandemic and revive their economies as soon as possible.

"China is not geographically near the Middle East, nor does it foster political partners in the region. China only tries to seek equal cooperation and mutual development with all Mideast countries," Yin Gang said.

China is a more friendly and trustworthy country to all Mideast countries compared to the US. China has no enemies in the region, does not want to seek monopoly, does not attach any additional conditions to cooperation with any country, and would not take sides on regional issues, Zhou said. On the contrary, the US usually has its own strategic desire behind its moves in the region, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in November 2021, during which Xi called for joint efforts to defend international equity and justice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

China, he added, attaches great importance to the development of China-Syria relations and is ready to work with Syria to achieve more results in bilateral friendly cooperation, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi said China firmly supports Syria in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and will provide as much assistance as its capacity allows for Syria to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, revitalize its economy and improve the people's well-being, so as to continuously lift China-Syria cooperation to new levels.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
David Bennett Sr. was celebrated around the world this week as the first-ever pig heart transplant recipient, though family members of the man he repeatedly stabbed in the 1980s struggled to fully appreciate the medical marvel.

Diagnosed with terminal heart disease and ineligible for a human transplant, 57-year-old Bennett decided to take a chance and undergo the experimental procedure. On Jan. 7, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore replaced his heart with one from a 1-year-old, 240-pound pig. Now, more than a week later, Bennett has yet to reject the organ and is breathing on his own without a ventilator, though he remains on an ECMO machine.

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David Bennett Sr., in 2019. (Byron Dillard/AP)

Leslie Shumaker Downey was at home on Monday, babysitting her grandchildren, when her daughter texted her a link to an article cautiously proclaiming the procedures early success, the Washington Post reported. At first, she marveled over how many people it could save, but then she read the name of the man being heralded as a medical pioneer. Hed been convicted in the 1988 stabbing of her brother, Edward Shumaker, who was left paralyzed from the waist down after the attack.

Shumaker spent two decades in a wheelchair and suffered a series of medical complications, including a stroke that left him cognitively impaired. He died at the age of 40 in 2007.

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Ed suffered, Downey told the Post. The devastation and the trauma, for years and years, that my family had to deal with.

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)

She also pointed out that Bennett went on and lived a good life, something she feels her brother was robbed of.

Now he gets a second chance with a new heart  but I wish, in my opinion, it had gone to a deserving recipient, Downey added.

Bennett, then 23, attacked Shumaker while he was playing a round of pool at the Double T Lounge in Hagerstown on April 30, 1988  after his wife at the time, Norma Jean Bennett, sat on Shumakers lap.

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The two men had gone to high school together.

According to court testimony, Bennett attacked Shumaker from behind and stabbed him seven times in the abdomen, chest and back. He then fled the scene, triggering a high-speed chase with law enforcement, which ultimately culminated in his arrest.

Bennett faced several charges in connection with the violence, including intent to murder. A jury later found him found him guilty of battery and carrying a concealed weapon but ultimately acquitted him of the intent to murder charge. He was ordered to pay $29,824 in restitution and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He served six before he was released in 1994.

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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)

Shumaker and his family also sued Bennett, who was ordered to pay $3.4 million in damages. Downey said they have not received a single cent.

Bennetts son described him as a private and generous man but declined to discuss his criminal past. In a statement to the Post issued through the hospital, he instead pointed to his fathers bravery.

My intent here is not to speak about my fathers past. My intent is to focus on the groundbreaking surgery and my fathers wish to contribute to the science and potentially save patient lives in the future.
Jorge Diaz-Johnston, a prominent LGBTQ rights advocate in Florida, was found dead in a landfill on Jan. 8, Tallahassee Police said Wednesday.

Diaz-Johnston, the brother of former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, was a plaintiff in a high-profile legal case in Florida in 2014, when he challenged the states ban on same-sex marriage in a lawsuit in Miami-Dade County  which he called an issue of equality and a civil rights issue at the time.

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Jorge Diaz-Johnston (Tallahassee Police Dept.)

The 54-year-old activist was last seen on Jan. 3 and declared missing five days later, Tallahassee Police officials said. That same day, he was sadly located deceased around 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 8.

His body was discovered in a Jackson County landfill, police said.

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Manny Diaz, a Democrat who served as mayor of Miami from 2001 to 2009, released a statement on Thursday saying that he is profoundly appreciative of the outpouring of support shown to me, my brother-in-law Don, and my family after the loss of my brother.

My brother was such a special gift to this world whose heart and legacy will continue to live on for generations to come, he added.

According to the Miami Herald, some of the plaintiffs who joined Diaz-Johnstons marriage equality lawsuit were some of the first same-sex couples to get married in Florida on Jan. 5, 2015  just hours before the stay on same-sex unions was lifted in the rest of the state.

His death is being investigated as a homicide, but investigators have yet to release details from his autopsy regarding the manner of death.

Diaz-Johnston is survived by his husband, Don Johnston, who wrote on Facebook Wednesday that he couldnt stop crying when writing the post.

He touched so many people with his kind and generous heart. It seems impossible to even fathom how to tell them all. But if you want to help, that is how you can. By sharing the best of him with each other, he wrote.

Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding the incident to please call the Tallahassee Police Department at 850-891-4200. To leave tips anonymously, people can also call Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS.
Consumer Issues and Advice Columnist

Harlan was a full-time reporter and columnist for the JI from August 1997 to September 2017, after which he has continued to write weekly Consumer Diary and Leave it to Levy advice columns. Harlan graduated from Princeton University and NYU School of Law.
Reporter

Susan covers the towns of Somers and Enfield. She joined the JI in May 2021 and graduated from Skidmore College. She recently completed docent training for the Wadsworth Atheneum and hopes to start giving tours some time next year.
01/14/2022





by Buffy Lockette

Jacksonville State University will be closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 17. Offices will be closed and classes will not meet. Please review the following hours and information for campus services.

Dining

Sodexo will operate normal dining hours over the weekend. On Monday, Jack Hopper Dining Hall will be open 8-9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 5-7 p.m.; WOW will be open 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. The Red Rooster will be open Saturday and Monday, 12-7 p.m., and closed on Sunday. All other dining locations will be closed on Monday.

Students with meal plans are reminded to update their plan for spring by Tuesday, Jan. 18. Those who fail to do so will be defaulted into Plan C, which is 10 meals per week with $400 flex. For assistance with meal plans, please call 256-782-7242.

Bookstore

The Campus Bookstore will be open on Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., to provide students the opportunity to purchase books and supplies before the second week of the spring semester. Online order pickups and Financial Aid charging will be available.

Recreation and Fitness Center

UREC will be open normal hours on Monday: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Houston Cole Library

The library will be open regular hours over the weekend: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 3-11 p.m. It will be closed on Monday.

Health, Safety, and Transportation

The RMC/JSU Health Center will be open on Monday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As always, walk-ins are seen 8-11 a.m. and patients with appointments from 1-4 p.m.

The University Police Department is open 365 days per year, 24/7. Call 256-782-5050 for assistance.

Students experiencing a mental health emergency after-hours should contact campus police at 256-782-5050 to be connected with an on-call counselor from the JSU Counseling Center.

Due to staffing shortages, jsuRIDE will suspend its service Jan. 14-19, resuming operations on Jan. 20.
The now famous Mapping Report published in October 2010 by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), listed 617 serious incidents, most of which constituted mass crimes committed between 1993 and 2003 on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which were pre-qualified as crimes against humanity, war crimes and even, in the case of the massacre of thousands of Hutu refugees, possible genocide. A decade later, almost none of these international crimes have been prosecuted, whether by a Congolese court, an international criminal court, or on the basis of universal jurisdiction.

None of these crimes has given rise to any work of remembrance or truth-seeking mechanism worthy of the name. None of the individual victims and none of the victimized communities have been granted reparations, individual or collective, material or symbolic. There has been no guarantee of non-repetition through a reform and clean-up of the security sector. In short, none of the main mechanisms of transitional justice have been put in place in the DRC, despite the massive presence of the United Nations there for more than 20 years.

In the preface to the report, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the time Navanethem Pillay noted that it looks to the future by identifying several paths that Congolese society can take to come to terms with its past. She stated that although it is primarily up to the government of the DRC and its people to define and implement an approach to transitional justice, they must be able to count on the support of the international community in this regard, and she asked the United Nations to fully support the human rights stocktaking exercise undertaken in the country by the OHCHR.

More than 11 years later, where do we stand?

A report is gathering mould

In December 2018, during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege said: A report is gathering mould in an office drawer in New York. It was drafted following professional, thorough investigations into war crimes and human rights violations perpetrated in Congo. This investigation explicitly names the victims, the places and the dates, but leaves the perpetrators nameless. () What is the world waiting for to take this into account? Lacking a response to his question, the Nobel Peace Prize winner was left proposing in June 2021, a note of Advocacy for a holistic national strategy for transitional justice in the DRC.

Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege, in December 2018, during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.  Tobias Schwarz / AFP

It is disturbing to note that Security Council Resolution 1991, adopted a few months after the publication of the Mapping Report, is completely silent on the follow-up that should be given to it. The resolution speaks in vague and general terms only of promoting lasting reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of Congo by continuing the fight against impunity. It is not surprising that the United Nations, through MONUSCO, the UN Joint Human Rights Office, the UNDP, etc. is only developing a minimal transitional justice programme in the DRC.

A sham justice system

Of the 617 incidents listed in the Mapping Report, only two, the so-called Milobs incident and the Ankoro incident, were prosecuted before Congolese military courts. The paragraphs devoted to the Ankoro case are worth reading. A careful reading of the decision suggests a lack of impartiality and independence, says the report. To the point that this trial was considered by national NGOs and victims to be impunity, using a sham justice system set up to shield the defendants from prosecution.

On the 10th anniversary of the publication of the Mapping Report, the NGO ACAT is campaigning for its recommendations to finally be implemented in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  ACAT France

This court case (as well as many others in recent times) illustrates the urgent need to remove the jurisdiction of military courts to prosecute alleged perpetrators of international crimes. Their serious shortcomings and weaknesses are detailed at length in the report: One of the major weaknesses of the judicial system in the DRC has always been the lack of independence of the courts and tribunals from the executive, legislative and administration structures of the State. Interference and interference in judicial matters by political and military authorities is common and well known. The Mapping Report recalls the principles of the United Nations, one of which states that in all circumstances, the jurisdiction of military courts should be set aside in favour of the jurisdiction of the ordinary courts to conduct inquiries into serious human rights violations.

Since then, Congolese military tribunals have continued to receive support from the United Nations and international NGOs, and have pursued a prosecutorial strategy focusing on cases primarily of sexual violence, with the automatic (and often abusive) characterization of acts of violence as crimes against humanity or war crimes. There is an urgent need to stop being naive or complacent. The result that political and military authorities expect from these military justice proceedings is purely for show. In reality, the hidden but real objective of these trials or, in many cases, of these parodies of trials, is to mask the complete or almost total inaction of Congolese justice on the prosecution of international crimes.

It would be ridiculous to pretend that the total lack of independence and serious shortcomings in terms of the right to a fair trial denounced by the 2010 Mapping Report have since disappeared as if by magic or through a slew of so-called capacity building programmes. All this makes it incomprehensible and even shocking that the United Nations and several international NGOs (TRIAL International, RCN/Justice & Democracy, Avocats sans frontieres, Physicians for Human Rights, etc.) continue to support the military justice system, which, in contradiction to legislative changes, continues to exercise a virtual monopoly on the prosecution of international crimes.

Truth-seeking and reparations on hold

Despite the recommendations of the Mapping Report, the UN has supported almost no serious initiative to investigate the truth about the mass crimes committed during the ten-year period covered by the report. The few truth-seeking activities supported by UN agencies focus on the more recent past of mass crimes committed in Kasai.

This approach prioritizes non-judicial transitional justice mechanisms, with a real risk that this will be at the expense of judicial mechanisms and guarantees of non-repetition, such as the security sector clean-up process. While welcoming some progress, such as the adoption of a provincial edict creating a provincial Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission in Central Kasai, the Congolese Society for the Rule of Law, in its many reports and communiques, points out that the three priority cases (Mulombodi, Nganza and Tshisuku) referred to [the military prosecutor] are inexplicably slow.

The Mapping Report also makes numerous recommendations on reparations, concluding that a compensation fund would be an appropriate mechanism. But here again, the technical assistance provided by the specialized agencies of the United Nations has been terribly inconsistent. How else can one explain the fact that the only government initiative is a very recent and questionable draft ministerial decree establishing the statutes of a public institution called the National Fund for Reparations to Victims of Sexual Violence and Other Serious Crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Institutional reforms and guarantees of non-repetition

In 2010, the Mapping Report noted that, as in the justice sector, reforms of the security forces, particularly the police and the army, had been undertaken at the beginning of the transition in the DRC. But it added: However, it is regrettable that transitional justice has not been taken into account in any way in these processes, which would have allowed for vetting measures aimed at ensuring that state officials who are personally responsible for gross human rights violations, in particular those in the army, security services, police, intelligence services and judiciary, should no longer exercise their functions within state institutions.

The United Nations is well aware of the individuals potentially targeted by these measures. While the identity of the alleged perpetrators of some of the crimes listed in the Mapping Exercise is not mentioned in the report, it has been recorded in a confidential database of the project submitted to the High Commissioner for Human Rights. There is also a second database. This is the database of the MONUSCO Profiling Unit, which is responsible for examining the past actions of members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) concerning respect for international humanitarian law and human rights in the context of the UNs due diligence policy and provision of UN support to non-UN security forces.

It is understandable that these databases are used as part of the due diligence policy. It is far less understandable that they are not used in a vetting process to ensure that senior FARDC officers who are alleged to have committed gross human rights violations are no longer able to remain in post. It is even less understandable that these two databases are not used to launch criminal proceedings against them.

Non-assistance to people in danger

One can only note the shocking apathy of the United Nations with regard to the implementation of transitional justice mechanisms in the DRC and bitterly regret that transitional justice is largely absent from the strategic documents that guide its action in this country. We would cite, among others: the Security Council resolutions adopted since the publication of the Mapping Report; the Joint Justice Reform Support Programme (2020-2024), in which only two lines and a footnote are devoted to transitional justice; and the MONUSCO withdrawal plan, in which transitional justice mechanisms are not even mentioned.

These astonishing shortcomings of the United Nations are carefully concealed behind statements welcoming the progress made and congratulating the Congolese authorities. The Secretary-General, for example, is encouraged by the governments commitment to the advancement of transitional justice, as evidenced by its programme of action and the recent establishment of a joint commission, composed of representatives of the national authorities and the UN, to develop a roadmap, and adds: I am encouraged by the progress made in establishing transitional justice measures in the Kasai region, which is essential for its stability. For its part, the Security Council, in a recent resolution, welcomes the steps taken by the Congolese government towards the establishment of a national transitional justice strategy. And not to be outdone, the Human Rights Council welcomes the process under way of implementing the transitional justice mechanism.

An inferior substitute for transitional justice

In reality, there is no true implementation process of transitional justice under way in the DRC. At most, there are measures being prepared by the government that risk putting in place an inferior substitute.

We have already seen that serious reservations have been expressed about the proposed National Reparation Fund. There are equally strong reservations about the establishment of a National Commission for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation contained in another draft decree prepared by the Ministry of Human Rights. If examined closely, this NCTJR would in reality be nothing more than a poor copy of the first Truth Commission that the DRC had from 2003 to 2006, which completely failed. It will not be able, as it claims, to implement the national policy and strategy of transitional justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo, since this policy has not been defined beforehand, but will instead be a means of protecting the perpetrators of abuses from future legal proceedings.

A Kasai Model of Transitional Justice?

Kasai has recently been held up as a model. Since 2016, the Kasai region has experienced large-scale violence that has left thousands dead. As a result, the Human Rights Council decided in June 2017 to appoint a team of international experts to visit the area. In late 2018, the UN Peace Building Fund funded the Peace, Justice, Reconciliation and Reconstruction in Central Kasai project. Implemented by UNDP, MONUSCOs human rights office and the international NGO Search for Common Ground, the programme aimed to put in place transitional justice mechanisms. But three years later, a question arises: can this transitional justice programme in Kasai be replicated and extended throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo? The answer is no, for several reasons.

The programme is far from having achieved its objective. Although an edict creating a provincial Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission in Central Kasai was adopted, it exists only on paper. The various forms of reparations (individual and collective, material and symbolic) are far from having been granted to the victims. In the wake of the latest Security Council resolution, the Congolese Society for the Rule of Law, the most active NGO on this question in Kasai, issued a statement in which it continues to express serious doubts about the willingness of the government of the Republic to fight impunity and fears that MONUSCOs support on this issue is limited to the North and South Kivu provinces and Ituri.

There is also another reason why replication is even more impractical. The context of the mass crimes committed in Kasai in the recent past has almost nothing to do with the context(s) of the mass crimes committed in the more distant past in eastern DRC. The vast majority of the crimes reported in the Mapping Exercise were committed in the context of an international or internationalized armed conflict that involved two or more states (Zaire/DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, etc.), thus qualifying as war crimes. In Kasai, the majority of the crimes reported in the International Expert Team report were committed in a completely different context  that of an internal armed conflict involving the national defence and security forces, the Kamuina Nsapu and Bana Mura militias.

What are the causes of this UN passivity?

The absence of a serious initiative to bring to justice those responsible for Congos suffering remains incomprehensible to the Nobel Peace Prize winner. In his latest book, The Power of Women, Mukwege recalls how, elsewhere, the international community has acted, most often through Security Council resolutions: The genocides in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda gave rise to ad hoc international courts that have indicted 250 of the worst criminals. The Special Court for Sierra Leone established in 2002 investigated the civil war that ravaged the West African country in the 1990s, and in 2012 it found former president Charles Taylor guilty of war crimes. A criminal court was established in 2003 in collaboration with international aid to prosecute the leaders of the Khmer Rouge who caused the deaths of more than 1.5 million people in Cambodia over four years during the 1970s.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2010, shortly after the publication of the Mapping Report.  Emmanuel Dunand / AFP

So why, once published, was the Mapping Report put in a drawer at UN headquarters, where more than ten years later this colossal work condemned to irrelevance still lies? Mukwege, in his book, dares to answer: A first draft of the report was leaked, and the media focused on the role of Rwandan troops in the atrocities committed and the hypothesis that the massacre of Hutu refugees on Congolese territory could amount to genocide. The Rwandan government categorically rejected this idea and said it was an attempt to validate the theory of double genocide, according to which there was a second genocide against Hutus in the DRC. Rwandan President Paul Kagame, a former military commander, threatened to withdraw his 300 Rwandan peacekeepers from the UN. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rushed to the country to ease relations.

There has been no willingness among the world powers to follow up on the work of this mapping report. The United States and the United Kingdom in particular have continued to support and protect Rwanda. And a disillusioned Mukwege concludes: As far as the Congo is concerned, the international community continues to look the other way.

A different version of this article was published on the Afrikarabia website.

Recommended reading In Congo, a special report from the mass trial for Yumbi massacres
Tunisian police used tear gas and water cannons on Friday to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting against President Kais Saieds July power grab, in defiance of a ban on gatherings.

As the country marks 11 years since late dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled into exile, police deployed heavily in central Tunis to counter anti-Saied rallies calling for an end to his coup.

The protesters had gathered despite restrictions on gatherings imposed on Thursday as coronavirus cases surge in the North African country, but which Saieds opponents say are politically motivated.

AFP reporters saw over 1,000 protesters gathered on Mohamed V Avenue, but they were prevented from reaching the iconic Habib Bourguiba Avenue, epicentre of the vast protests that toppled Ben Ali in 2011.

Some demonstrators broke through a police cordon before police baton charges and tear gas and water cannons pushed them back.

AFP reporters saw dozens of arrests.

Its the most violent intervention by security forces weve seen in the past year, both in terms of the methods used and the number of arrests, said Fathi Jarai, president of the independent anti-torture body the INPT.

Some protesters had chanted down with the coup!, a reference to Saieds July 25 moves in which he sacked the government, froze parliament and seized a range of powers.

He has since virtually ruled by decree, to the outrage of his opponents, including the powerful Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party.

Some Tunisians, tired of the inept and graft-ridden parliamentary system, welcomed his moves.

But for his critics, both in Ennahdha ranks and on the left, they foreshadowed a possible return to the same kind of autocratic practices that were common under Ben Ali.

Prominent human rights activist Sihem Bensedrine, who headed the now-defunct Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD), accused authorities of taking away Tunisians right to protest and threatening the countrys hard-won freedom.

Were here to defend the institutions of the republic, she said.

This people, which toppled a 23-year dictatorship, is not going to let another dictator take its place.

 Working for Sisi 

One of Saieds moves was to shift the official anniversary of the revolution from the date of Ben Alis flight to December 17, the day in 2010 when vegetable seller Mohamed Bouazizi burned himself alive sparking the first mass protests.

The move was seen as symbolising Saieds view that the revolution had been stolen.

Sofiane Ferhani, whose sister died in the revolution, said Saied had no right to touch the January 14 anniversary.

We wont let him do it, this day is too dear to us, he said.

Ennahdha supporters have compared Saied to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose crackdown on Islamist demonstrators in 2013 left hundreds dead.

One woman protester told a policeman on Friday: Youre working for Sisi and the United Arab Emirates!

The protests took place despite a string of measures, including a nighttime curfew and a ban on public gatherings, brought in on Thursday evening purportedly to tackle a steep rise in coronavirus infections.

Ennahdha, the biggest party in the suspended parliament, on Thursday accused Saied of utilising the coronavirus crisis for political ends, targeting what remains of the margin of freedom in Tunisia.

The showdown comes amid heightened tensions between the party and Saied after former justice minister Noureddine Bhiri and another senior Ennhadha official were arrested by plainclothes police officers on December 31 and later accused of possible terrorism offences.
Alec Baldwin handed his cellphone over to authorities on Friday as part of the investigation into a fatal shooting on a movie set last year.

New Mexico police issued a search warrant for the phone Dec. 16, seeking information about the shooting on the set of Rust that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

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Baldwin gave his phone to authorities in Suffolk County, L.I., where he owns a home. Suffolk County investigators will search the phone and provide that evidence to the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office, according to the New Mexico investigators.

The Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office does not yet have physical possession of the data to be retrieved off the Baldwin phone, a Santa Fe County spokesman said in a statement. This is in process.

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Alec Baldwin performs emcee duties at the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala at New York Hilton Midtown on Dec. 9, 2021. (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Baldwin, 63, has claimed that hes cooperated with police throughout the process and never refused to hand over the phone.

Any suggestion that I am not complying with requests or orders or demands or search warrants about my phone, thats bulls--t. Thats a lie, the veteran actor said last week in an Instagram video.

Baldwin previously said that he doesnt expect to be charged with a crime despite holding the gun when it fired Oct. 21 on the Rust set on Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe. Baldwin claimed he never pulled the trigger and that the firearm discharged when he cocked the hammer.

Alec voluntarily provided his phone to the authorities this morning so they can finish their investigation, his attorney Aaron Dyer told NBC News on Friday. But this matter isnt about his phone, and there are no answers on his phone. Alec did nothing wrong.

The Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office said in the warrant that it wants to search Baldwins phone for his communications leading up to the shooting.
Following his Netflix dramas "Squid Game" and "The Silent Sea," Heo Sung Tae is already booked for his next mystery series "Insider" with award-winning actor and Kdrama heartthrob Kang Ha Neul.

Heo Sung Tae Plays the Role of a Chief Prosecutor in 'Insider'

Hanahreum Company, Heo Sung Tae's agency, announced on January 14 that the "Racket Boys" actor is confirmed to star in the upcoming JTBC drama "Insider." He will act as Yoon Byung Wook, a senior prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

He is challenged to play a complicated role as his character is someone who couldn't look straight in the eyes of others and sometimes who doesn't hesitate to do anything for his advantage.

What We Know So Far About JTBC's 'Insider'?

JTBC's mystery drama "Insider" tells the story of a judicial trainee Kim Yo Han (Kang Ha Neul), who fell into the abyss during an investigation into a crime he didn't commit. He struggles to win the case, for powerful people set him up.

Kang Ha Neul, who is preparing for his big-screen comeback with "The Pirates: Goblin Flag," will also return on the small screen with new lead drama "Insider" following "When the Camellia Blooms" in 2019.

Heo Sung Tae will work with Kang Ha Neul for the first time this 2022. Joining them is actress Lee Yoo Young, who has been cast to play the role of Oh Soo Yeon.

"Insider" is scheduled to premiere on JTBC in the first half of this year. It has already started to gain interest from the public as it is composed of brilliant actors and exciting plotline.

On the other hand, Heo Sung Tae received worldwide recognition for his outstanding performance in the phenomenal and record-breaking Netflix series "Squid Game," which gained four nominations at the forthcoming 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Heo Sung Tae's Upcoming Drama and Movies

Apart from "Insider," Heo Sung Tae is also booked to appear and play an active role in the historical-romance KBS drama "Red Single Heart" alongside Kang Han Na, Lee Joon, and Jang Hyuk. The 44-year-old actor will have three upcoming movies this 2022, namely "Boys," "Hunt," and "Night Walk."

Sung Tae's recent drama appearance was in the Netflix sci-fi series "The Silent Sea," where he worked with Gong Yoo, Bae Doona, and Lee Joon.

Are you excited about Heo Seong Tae and Kang Ha Neul's drama? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Written by Shai Collins.
Netflix dropped spine-chilling posters of the much-awaited K-zombie series "All of Us Are Dead," starring Yoon Chan Young, Park Solomon, Jo Yi Hyun and more.

In addition, the streaming giant gave viewers a glimpse of what they could expect in the action-horror Kdrama through its new trailer.

'All of Us Are Dead' New Posters: Students Struggles to Survive the Zombie Outbreak

Netflix released a series of main posters highlighting the daunting scenario inside the university campus.

The once pleasant and appealing campus becomes a terrifying zombie's den.

Friends become enemies as the virus spreads among the students, turning them into flesh-eating creatures.

Helmed by "King 2 Hearts" and "Trap" director Lee Jae Gyoo, the highly anticipated K-zombie series is based on the webtoon of the same name.

It follows the story of a group of high school students who are trapped inside the zombie-infected campus.

"All of Us Are Dead" will highlight how the students survive amid a horrifying situation.

Interestingly, the cast includes a mix of newcomers and stars who viewers might recognize in some Kdramas. It includes Yoon Chan Young, Park Ji Hu, Park Solomon, Yoo In Soo, and "School 2021" star Jo Yi Hyun.

'All of Us Are Dead' Trailer Shows How the Virus Started

With exactly two weeks before the much-awaited D-day, Netflix unveiled the "All of Us Are Dead" main trailer as it introduced the supporting cast that would definitely spice up the action-horror Kdrama.

In a 2 minute and 22-second video, the trailer shows a typical day inside the campus not until the virus strike.

As the trailer continues, science teacher Lee Byeong Chan (Kim Byung Chul) hints at a possible virus that might take control of humanity.

When a high school in Korea becomes ground zero for a zombie outbreak, the students who are trapped inside must fight their way out.



All of Us Are Dead premieres January 28, pic.twitter.com/Ovn0Wp5vAY  Netflix (@netflix) January 14, 2022

It was then followed by a student being attacked by a lab rat and turned into a zombie, suggesting that the campus became the ground zero of the unknown virus.

The whole university was stunned by the health crisis and later on realized that it was a zombie outbreak.

Students are killing each other and the virus starts to spread around Seoul.

"A virus?" detective Song Jae Ik (Lee Kyu Hyung) asked the professor, to which he replied with a nod as he was interrogated inside an office.

"The infected human feels extreme fear. Then they only attack to survive," he mentioned in a live stream, warning the people about the virus.

The clip then featured professor Lee Byeong Chan continuing to explain the chaos to the detective.

"Rather than die as a human, I wanted him to survive as a monster. Everyone will die. Don't bother having hope," he tells the detective.

"All of Us Are Dead" release date is scheduled onJanuary 28 and will air exclusively on Netflix.

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
Starting January 15, many Americans can get home Covid-19 tests at no cost through their private insurance. They can obtain the tests from pharmacies, retailers and online vendors.
In this Sunday, June 25, 2017 file photo, Stewart Rhodes, founder of the citizen militia group known as the Oath Keepers speaks during a rally outside the White House in Washington.
The man who assassinated Robert F. Kennedy was denied parole Thursday by Californias governor.

Sirhan Sirhan, now 77, won a parole hearing in August 2021, but the decision required Gov. Gavin Newsoms to sign off on it before the killer was freed.

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I have determined that Sirhan has not developed the accountability and insight required to support his safe release into the community, Newsom wrote in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times. I must reverse Sirhans parole grant.

Sirhan Sirhan arrives for his August 2021 parole hearing, at which he was granted parole. (AP)

Sirhan applied for parole 15 times before finally winning his 16th appeal in front of the California Parole Board.

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The board said two of RFKs children advocating for Sirhans release played a role in its decision. But shortly after the news broke, six other Kennedy children slammed the move and urged Newsom to stop Sirhans release.

Sirhan Sirhan committed a crime against our nation and its people, the Kennedys statement said. He took our father from our family and he took him from America.

Sirhan, who says he doesnt remember the killing, pumped three bullets into the charismatic politician on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, the night Kennedy won Californias Democratic presidential primary. Kennedy, 42, died 26 hours later  less than five years after his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated.

Newsom noted that Sirhans memory loss story contradicted his initial statements following the assassination. Sirhan admitted to the crime in a TV interview, adding that he acted alone.

The most glaring proof of Sirhans deficient insight is his shifting narrative about his assassination of Kennedy, and his current refusal to accept responsibility for it, he wrote. It is abundantly clear that, because of Sirhans lack of insight, his release on parole would pose a threat to public safety.

Sirhan was initially sentenced to death in 1969. When California briefly outlawed the death penalty in 1972, his sentence was converted to life in prison. His next parole hearing will likely occur in February 2023.

Newsom has said RFK is one of his political heroes, and he has a picture of Kennedy with his father on his governors desk.
Hopkinsville, KY (42240)

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Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 77F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Drivers take an exit ramp off the Tobin Memorial Bridge, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in Chelsea, Mass. The Transportation Department is launching a $27 billion program to repair and upgrade roughly 15,000 highway bridges as part of the infrastructure law approved in November. The effort is being announced Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 as President Joe Biden tries to showcase how his policies are delivering for the public. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
ALBANY  Andrew Cuomos legal team once again assailed his accusers and the state attorney general over the bombshell sexual harassment report that led to the disgraced Democrats resignation.

Attorney Rita Glavinon Thursday ripped into Attorney General James and investigators who ran the probe into the ex-governor, alleging that their public report disregarded evidence that undermined the conclusions and allegations that were made.

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Touting recently acquired evidence used by investigators, Glavin took aim at several of Cuomos accusers, questioning their credibility and labeling the work done to corroborate their allegations as shoddy and one-sided.

You cant start a case by saying you believe all women. You cant, if youre a lawyer. What you can say is everybody has a right to come forward, men, women, Glavin said during a two-hour-long virtual press briefing. And they have a right to have their allegations scrutinized, evidence collected, and then you make a determination.

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Last week, an Albany judge dismissed a misdemeanor forcible touching charge against Cuomo after a former aid alleged he groped her at the Executive Mansion in late 2020.

It was the only criminal charge brought against Cuomo after the AG report detailed allegations made by 11 women. Prosecutors in several counties have declined to move forward with criminal cases despite finding Cuomos accusers to be credible.

The 64-year-old has maintained his innocence and denies ever touching anyone inappropriately.

Glavin is again calling on James to amend the initial report and wants a new, truly independent and unbiased review of the process.

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (Barry Williams / for New York Da/New York Daily News)

During the briefing, Glavin targeted former Cuomo adviser Lindsey Boylan, the first woman to go public with claims of sexual misconduct against Cuomo, stating that new evidence supports her past allegation that Boylan engaged in witness tampering.

Glavin said that Howard Zemsky, former CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation, testified Lindsay Boylan threatened him and told him to back up part of her claim because they had a more than professional relationship.

The AG had evidence that Miss Boylan was tampering with the witness trying to get him to corroborate her and threatened to destroy his life if he didnt, and they never asked her about it, and they didnt tell you about it. And they didnt put it in the report, she said.

Glavin also ripped into the media for not probing Cuomos accusers more thoroughly, specifically pointing to Charlotte Bennett, a former Cuomo aide who accused him of grooming her for sex and asking her if shed be open to dating older men.

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Cuomos team has repeatedly questioned Bennetts credibility and past involvement in sexual misconduct claims from her time as a student at Hamilton College.

On Thursday, however, Glavin took a different approach, showing a clip of Bennett telling investigators how Cuomo made her upset and uncomfortable when he commented on her hair and asked why she had it in a bun.

Petty slights and trivial inconveniences are not sexual harassment, Glavin said.

A spokesperson for the AGs office stood by the report and its conclusions.

Another day, another attempt by the former governor to attack the brave women who called out his abuse, the spokesman said. Thousands of pages of transcripts, exhibits, videos, and other evidence have already been publicly released, but these lies continue in an effort to mask the truth: Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women.
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Kilgore, TX (75662)

Today

Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 79F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
Mayor Adams made the case Friday that he is only drawing criticism for hiring his brother and a scandal-scarred ex-cop because theyre blue-collar people who typically are not in the upper echelons of city government.

Scrutiny has mounted in recent days over the mayors decision to put his younger brother, Bernard Adams, in charge of his security detail, and tapping Philip Banks, a retired NYPD chief once engulfed in a corruption scandal, as his top public safety deputy.

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But at a press conference in Queens Friday morning, Adams claimed theres a double standard because his appointments grew up working class.

Its very fascinating to me: When other mayors hired their law partners, they hired people they knew from school that they came up through the ranks with, there was nothing to say about it, Adams said.

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But I had the audacity to hire blue-collar people, everyday folks who are union members, retired members  its like, Who you think you are putting these blue-collar rookies, these everyday people who came here to this country, eked out a living, went to school at night, you know, who do you think you are thinking you could do that?

New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks at the Steinway piano factory in Astoria, Queens, New York on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Mayoral Photography Office)

Despite Hizzoners defense, government watchdogs have mostly raised concerns about the Bernard Adams and Banks picks because the former appears to violate city ethics law while the latter involves an individual embroiled in one of the worst public corruption scandals in modern New York history.

Under the City Charter, municipal government officials, including the mayor, are barred from providing any form of financial gain for relatives, and Bernard Adams is likely covered by that prohibition.

Still, Adams earlier this week installed his brother as the executive director of mayoral security, an NYPD post that comes with a $210,000 salary.

Eric Adams' brother, Bernard Adams, celebrates his brother's win as New York City Mayor at the Brooklyn Marriott in Brooklyn, New York on November 2, 2021. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

Aware of the ethics law, Adams has said hes seeking a waiver from the city Conflicts of Interest Board to be able to hire his sibling and reiterated Friday that he will comply if the agency determines he cant make the intra-family appointment.

Were so lucky to have an entity in New York City that does an analysis of the behavior of those who are elected or those who are civil service or public employees and determine if something is done correctly, he said.

And Im also happy you know, listen, I am blessed to have a brother whos qualified, whos smart, who has excellent credentials, who has the ability to protect his brother.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams visits the Steinway piano factory in Astoria, Queens, New York on Friday, January 14, 2022. (Mayoral Photography Office)

Unlike Bernard Adams appointment, Banks role as deputy mayor of public safety is not in dispute, and the Daily News spotted him at City Hall on Thursday chatting with NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

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The Banks pick has outraged some police reform advocates and ethics watchdogs who note that the ex-NYPD chief was named an unindicted co-conspirator in a sprawling public corruption scandal in which two crooked businessmen bribed top police and city officials in exchange for favors and access. Separately, Banks was accused of being connected to an illegal liquor distribution ring.

While Banks was never charged with a crime, the corruption probe resulted in prison stints for some of his close friends, including disgraced ex-jails union boss Norman Seabrook.

Deputy Mayor of New York City for Public Safety, Philip Banks (Susan Watts/New York Daily News)

In spite of his history, Banks will as deputy mayor of public safety have major influence over NYPD operations  and Adams said Friday thats because he values his talents.

Im going to hire the best people for the job that Ive known throughout my years in government and their talents, said Adams, who served under Banks while in the NYPD. And the reason I can do that is because Im the mayor. Im the mayor of the city of New York, and its going to take a while before people realize that.
Is he his brothers keeper, or what?

Days after Mayor Adams sparked a wave of criticism for naming his brother to a top NYPD job, the mayor said Thursday he would defer to the citys Conflicts of Interest Board on whether his sibling gets to keep the post.

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Adams, who appeared at an afternoon press briefing in lower Manhattan, was asked if hed in effect fire his brother if the board deems it the appropriate course of action  and he appeared to indicate he would.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams making an announcement in Collect Pond Park, Manhattan, New York, Thursday, January 13, 2022. (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

Whatever determination they make, I will follow COIB, he said. When it comes down to my brother, Ive said this over and over again: I trust my brother. Hes qualified. He can do the job. Hes the best person for the uniqueness of ... how I want my security to be.

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Last week, Adams named his younger sibling Bernard Adams as a deputy NYPD commissioner  but switched gears this week when City Hall officials said Bernard would serve in a lower-ranking, but arguably equally sensitive role  as the head of the mayors security detail.

Both jobs come with hefty salaries. The deputy commissioner post pays $240,000 a year, and the security director pays $210,000 annually.

The prospect of Bernard Adams occupying either post has raised alarm bells among good-government advocates and ethics experts whove likened such an appointment to a textbook definition of nepotism.

Bernard Adams (Shawn Inglima/for New York Daily News)

On Thursday, Mayor Adams said his legal counsel Brendan McGuire has reviewed the situation and has made it clear to him that the administration is following Conflicts of Interest Board rules  even though the City Charter prohibits elected officials from providing any form of financial gain to relatives.

The conflicts board does allow elected officials to apply for a waiver to such prohibitions though, and according to administration officials, Adams has done that. The Daily News has made repeated requests to see the administrations application, but so far The News has not received a response.

When asked if Adams might appeal COIBs decision if he doesnt agree with it, his spokesman Max Young declined to say.

When asked about the rules barring city pols from hiring family members, Adams pointed to others who have hired immediate family members in the past  possibly a reference to his predecessor Mayor Bill de Blasio, who hired his wife to run ThriveNYC and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who appointed his sister as the citys liaison to the United Nations.

Neither received a salary, though.

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C.O.I.B. will determine, Adams said, drawing out the initials of the acronym in what appeared to be a peevish response to a reporter pointing out the salary issue. My opinion doesnt matter. Its C.O.I.B.  thats the opinion that matters. And so instead of us trying to say what we feel this way or that way, it is C.O.I.B. I think its an amazing entity in our government.

Bernard Adams was at City Hall on Thursday and told The News he was planning to walk with his brother to an early afternoon press conference, but ultimately he did not make the stroll.

Mayor Adams also fielded questions Thursday about whether another controversial hire to his administration, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, fired a top cop who led an internal probe into Banks several years ago.

New York City Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Philip Banks (James Keivom/New York Daily News)

Banks, like brother Bernard, is poised to play an important role in the coming months for Hizzoner. But the mayor has taken heat over the hire because Banks, who once served as the NYPDs chief of department, faced probes that included allegations he might be linked to an illegal liquor distribution ring and that he earned money from rentals listed in the names of relatives.

Banks, who was also named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a separate bribery probe, retired in late 2014  a day before the FBI sought a wiretap to listen in on his phone calls.

The NYPDs Internal Affairs Bureau aided in the feds probe, and at the time, IAB was led by NYPD Deputy Commissioner Joseph Reznick.

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Last week, in what many critics viewed as a questionable move, Banks told Reznick he would be replaced. Adams said Thursday that his deputy mayor did not have the authority to terminate anyone and suggested the interaction between Banks and Reznick was informal.

I know he has a relationship with the chief of IAB. They both served for a long time, Adams said. But the police commissioner makes that determination. Those informal conversations that he had with someone, Im not privy to them.
Mayor Adams said Thursday he has not talked to the co-owner of the Bronx building that went up in flames over the weekend  even though the man serves as a member of the mayors transition committee.

Adams suggested that speaking to Rick Gropper, the co-founder of the Camber Property Group, would be an unwise move, despite Groppers role on his transition team, because it could taint city probes into the inferno, which has killed 17 people, including nine children.

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FDNY firefighters hoisted several ladders to rescue people through the windows during a massive apartment fire in Bronx, New York on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News)

I have not communicated with him at all, Adams said during a Thursday news briefing. Im extremely clear from my law enforcement background  the best way to taint a review is to in any way give the vision that you are trying to influence. We have trained investigators, and they will review this process. The worst thing I can do is get in the way of what theyre doing and send that signal.

Camber is a co-owner of the Twin Parks North West building that became the site of the worst fire in the city in more than 30 years when a blaze sparked by a faulty heater Sunday caused smoke to fill the entire 121-unit complex.

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Adams and city officials have blamed much of the death toll on malfunctioning self-closing doors that did not shut during the blaze, allowing smoke to spread quickly through halls and stairwells.

[ NYC law mandating self-closing doors in the spotlight after fatal Bronx building blaze ]

Adams said Thursday that he would personally take part in PSAs the city will launch on how important it is to close doors during a fire to prevent the spread of smoke.

Rick Gropper (Debbie Egan-Chin/New York Daily News)

He also defended selected Gropper to his transition team.

I had over almost a thousand people on my transition team, and it was my goal to put together a transition team with a cross-section of New Yorkers. Those who own homes. Those who are tenant advocates. It was to hear voices from the entire city, he said. I think far too often we draw lines and put up walls, and were unwilling to sit in the room with those we disagree with. I did not want that. Hes one of almost a thousand people that participated in my transition team.
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Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) is planning to introduce legislation that would publicize Dr. Anthony Faucis salary and financial holdings after the COVID-19 pandemic leader was caught calling the lawmaker a moron on a hot microphone.

The conservative senator hopes the Financial Accountability for Uniquely Compensated Individuals would make it easier for Americans to find out the hefty salary and see financial disclosures of top government officials.

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A visual aid presented by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) of the yearly pay received by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to President Biden. (Greg Nash/AP)

Fauci, who makes more than $400,000 a year as President Bidens top health adviser, correctly says the information is already public, and all that Marshall needed to do was ask.

There was no immediate word on when Marshall might introduce the bill or its prospects for success in the Democratic-controlled Congress. He has not yet released a text of the proposed legislation.

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Marshall, who tweeted about his plan Friday, apparently hopes to re-up his dramatic clash with Fauci at a Senate hearing earlier this week.

Would you be willing to submit to Congress and the public a financial disclosure that includes your past and current investments? Marshall asked Fauci.

I dont understand why youre asking me that question, Fauci replied, noting that his financial disclosures have been public since he joined the National Institutes of Health more than thirty years ago. Youre so misinformed. Its extraordinary.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to President Biden holds up screenshots from Sen. Rand Paul's campaign website asking for Fauci's firing. (Greg Nash/Pool/AP)

Shortly after the tense exchange, Faucis was inadvertently caught on a live microphone saying: What a moron, Jesus Christ!

Fauci is the most recognized public face of the effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. He has become a lightning rod for conservatives over his support for vaccines and preventive measures to limit the spread of the deadly virus.

Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 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)

Good government groups say that Fauci is right and his records can be obtained by the public. But they say the process is onerous and should be streamlined.
Kokomo, IN (46901)

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A few showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving for the afternoon. High around 70F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

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Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 47F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Parts of Indonesias main island were rocked Friday by powerful earthquake that forced high-rises in the capital of Jakarta to sway for more than 10 seconds and could bring about aftershocks.

No casualties were immediately reported as a result of the magnitude 6.6 quake, which occurred in the Indian Ocean, about 54 miles southwest of Labuan and with a depth of 23 miles, as registered by the U.S. Geological Survey.

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There was no risk of a resulting tsunami, according to Dwikorita Karnawati, head of Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency.

People wait outside as they have to evacuate their office buildings following an earthquake, at the main business district in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (Tatan Syuflana/AP)

Though Indonesias location on the Pacific Ring of Fire means it frequently feels earthquakes, theyre rarely felt in Jakarta.

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The tremor was horrible, Laila Anjasari, who lives on the 19th floor of a Jakarta apartment, told The Associated Press. We ran out and down the stairs in panic.

Fridays quake also shook two-story homes in cities like Tangerang, Bogor and Bekasi.

Last January, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake killed at least 105 people and injured nearly 6,500 in the archipelago nations province of West Sulawesi.

An Indian Ocean quake caused a tsunami in 2004 that killed more than 230,000 across a dozen countries, though most of the victims were located in the Aceh province of Indonesia.

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In upcoming book 'Growing Moral,' Stephen Angle untangles misunderstandings about Confucianism



By Kang Hyun-kyung



The 2015 census released by Statistics Korea presented interesting information about how Confucianism is viewed by the Korean public: unlike people of many other countries who deem it as a philosophy, Koreans consider it a religion.



Out of 49 million adults aged 18 and older, the survey found that some 75,000 people identified themselves as believers of Confucianism. Protestants took up the largest proportion with 20 percent, followed by Buddhists (16 percent) and Catholics (8 percent). Although its figure is relatively small compared to those of the top three religions, those who answered that their "religious affiliation" is Confucianism came in fifth, following Won Buddhists.



The census and its results made news at that time, mainly because Protestants had replaced Buddhists in the top spot, defying the findings of the 1995 census.



For people outside of Korea, however, the results present another intriguing finding that is not discussed much in Korea: there seems to be a consensus among some Koreans that Confucianism is a religion, rather than a way of life or a philosophy.





Stephen Angle, a professor of East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University

Korea is one of the rare countries that includes Confucianism in the religion category, according to Stephen C. Angle, a professor of East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University.



"I believe that Indonesia also officially considers Confucianism a religion. In some other countries, there are no official lists of religions, and so it just depends on how people identify," he said in an email interview with The Korea Times. "From my perspective, Confucianism certainly has important religious dimensions, so it would be a mistake to say simply that Confucianism is not a religion. Because many people understand religion on the model of organized, monotheistic religions, though, I understand that people often do not think of Confucianism this way."



Angle, also the author of the forthcoming book, "Growing Moral: A Confucian Guide to Life," is an expert of Confucianism having studied it for the past three decades.



In his new book, he clarifies what Confucianism is about, untangles misunderstandings about it and explains the terms, values and rituals that are emphasized in its teachings.



With his thorough analysis of the teachings of five towering thinkers, the author makes a pitch for Confucianism as a way of ritual for self-growth and claims it is time-honored learning that is still relevant to modern-day lives, even in the fast-changing digital age. The five philosophers he explored are Konzi (better known as Confucius), Mengzi (Mencius), Xunzi, Zhuxi and Wang Yangming.



Angle emphasizes that Confucianism is not an outdated philosophy. "Confucian thinkers have been able to recognize when changed conditions call for changed viewpoints even while stressing the importance of connection to the past," his book reads.



Although it has had a major impact in shaping Koreans' way of life for centuries, Confucianism is rarely portrayed as something positive among contemporary Koreans. Most times, it is singled out as one of the key sources of all sorts of negative aspects holding Korean society back from advancing. Confucian culture has been accused of propelling gender inequality, as it triggered society's now disappeared preference of sons over daughters, for example. Confucianism is also blamed for having resulted in the male-dominated social structure.



Angle says such negative stereotyping of Confucianism is common in other cultures, too. "Over the last century, many have been critical of Confucianism, seeing it as the defender of feudalism, hierarchy and patriarchy," his book reads.





"Growing Moral: A Confucian Guide to Life" by Oxford University Press
Municipal workers cover the charred city hall building for repair work in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Thursday. Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has blamed the unrest on foreign-backed terrorists and requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states. AP-Yonhap



By Kwon Mee-yoo





Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea Bakyt Dyussenbayev / Courtesy of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea

As the Kazakhstan government has restored order in the country after protests triggered by a sudden raise in gas prices earlier this year, the official Kazakh envoy in Korea has said that the recent unrest in the country would not affect Korea-Kazakhstan relations and that the country will protect foreign missions and businesses.



Kazakhstan Ambassador to Korea Bakyt Dyussenbayev said that the situation in Kazakhstan is stabilized now and that constitutional order has been restored in all regions.



"On Jan. 11, the president of Kazakhstan made an address to the people, where new political and economic reforms were announced. A new prime minister was also appointed and an updated composition of ministers was formed. All cities, including Almaty, are returning to normal life and restoration work is underway," the ambassador told The Korea Times via an e-mail interview, Thursday.



The unrest in in the Central Asian country loomed even larger for Koreans, as a Korean passenger plane was grounded in Kazakhstan's largest city of Almaty for over a week. An Asiana Airlines flight arrived at the Almaty International Airport on Jan. 5 and was grounded there as well, as the airport was taken over by anti-government protestors.



"The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea promptly informed the government of Kazakhstan about this situation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea and our embassy actively cooperated on this issue," he said.



The airport resumed operations, and the Asiana flight was able to depart Almaty Thursday and arrived in Korea the same day, after eight days of being grounded.



"The crew members and passengers are safe. In general, at present, there are no victims or injured among the citizens of the Republic of Korea."





Passengers arrive at Incheon International Airport on a Korean passenger jet from Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan, Thursday, eight days after the plane was grounded in the Central Asian nation, which was gripped by turmoil. Yonhap
Commission hit for requiring "excessive" demands for merger



On Thursday, the European Commission rejected Hyundai Heavy Industries' envisioned acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME). The commission said in a statement that the envisaged combination of the world's two largest shipbuilders would give birth to "dominant position and reduce competition in the construction of large liquefied gas (LNG) carriers." The statement said Hyundai Heavy did not formally offer remedies to address the commission's concerns that the merger would have led to fewer supplies and higher prices for LNG ships.



It is very regretful that the EU has vetoed the takeover plan as it will virtually nullify the nation's years-long efforts toward enhancing competitiveness of the shipbuilding sector through restructuring. The EU's review had been considered as the knottiest barrier in the process of Hyundai Heavy's possible acquisition of its small partner DSME which began early 2019.



Of the six countries subject to the assessment of the acquisition, the mega deal already got approval from the governments of China, Kazakhstan and Singapore. It was supposed to get easy endorsement from South Korea and Japan. The EU is home to major shippers such as Maersk and CMA-CGM, which have been complaining they might have to pay higher prices for purchase of ships once a gigantic shipbuilding firm is created.



This indicates the commission has come up with the recent decision to protect the interests of its firms, though it took issue with the possible dominance of the market by the combined firm. The EU is also taking flak for having presented seemingly "unacceptable" demands such as technology transfer, sell-off of LNG units and lowering ship prices. The EU made these requests claiming that the deal would enable the new firm to account for more than 60 percent of the world's LNG vessels. It has called on Hyundai Heavy to offer remedies to reduce the potential dominance.



Hyundai Heavy called the commission's decision "unreasonable and regretful" and said it would paralyze the efforts to realign the shipbuilding sector and avoid a possible "bloody" price competition. Hyundai Heavy said in a statement that it would take all possible measures against the decision including legal action.



The Korean government played down the effect of the EU's vetoing the deal, vowing to find another company to take over DSME. The business climate facing the shipbuilding industry has been improved compared to 2019 and the impact of the EU's decision will be limited, according to a statement jointly issued by the Ministry Economy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Financial Supervisory Commission.



We urge the relevant parties to make concerted efforts until the end by taking all possible steps such as filing a lawsuit with the European Union's court. The government should also help Hyundai Heavy in its bid toward this end while seeking a "plan B" to speed up the much-needed privatization of the debt-ridden DSME and strengthen the competitiveness of the nation's shipbuilding industry.


Kendallville, IN (46755)

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Heavy rain and thunderstorms likely. High 62F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

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Auburn, IN (46706)

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Rain. Thunderstorms possible...mainly in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

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China-built urban railway in Vietnam officially inaugurated, transports 1 million passengers in 2 months

Xinhua) 09:46, January 14, 2022

HANOI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese authorities and the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam on Thursday held a ceremony to officially inaugurate the China-constructed Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line project, the first one of the type completed in the Southeast Asian country.

Over the past two months of commercial operation, the metro line transported some 15,000 passengers per day and has welcomed 1 million passengers till Thursday, Nguyen Manh Quyen, vice chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee said at the inauguration ceremony.

"Starting commercial operation on Nov. 6 last year, the trains have run in absolute safety and well implemented the set targets. The project has been also welcomed by a large number of people in the capital as an advanced and modern mode of public transport introduced for the first time in Vietnam," the Hanoi leader said.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway project is the first metro line in the Vietnamese capital city, which is expected to solve the rapidly increasing traffic amount in the western area of Hanoi and contribute to the socio-economic development of the city. Under a city development plan, Hanoi will have a total of 10 urban railway routes by 2030, according to Quyen.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo emphasized that the metro line is a symbolic cooperation project between the two countries in the field of infrastructure to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The inauguration and smooth operation of the railway line is the epitome of the substantive, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides which is developing steadily," Xiong said, adding that China is willing to join Vietnam in deepening cooperation in key areas, helping Vietnam realize faster development.

Although the number of passengers has decreased recently due to the COVID-19 surge, passengers who have frequent demand such as those go to school and work with monthly tickets are on the rise, according to the project's operators.

Taking a trip to work on Thursday morning, Dao Van Thanh, a 33-year-old passenger from Hanoi's Dong Da district, said using the metro line is now a crucial part of his daily life.

"It helps my traveling far more comfortable these days," Thanh told Xinhua, hoping that more urban railway projects will be constructed to boost connectivity to other parts of the city.

The elevated line is more than 13 km with 12 stations covering three districts. Each train, with a designed speed of 80 km per hour, has four carriages capable of carrying up to 1,000 passengers.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong elevated railway project officially started construction in October 2011. Its trial run was completed in December 2020, with thousands of trips covering over 70,000 kilometers, enabling the system to operate commercially in late 2021, according to its investors.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Two workers were killed and five more were critically injured Friday after a fire broke out at a major oil refinery in Kuwait.

The two victims were identified as contract workers whose bodies were found on the site of the Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery, where the blaze broke out at an out-of-service gas liquefaction unit, said the Kuwait National Petroleum Company. Because the unit had already been closed for maintenance work, the since-extinguished fire did not affect facility operations.

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The five critically injured workers suffered severe burns and have been transferred to a second hospital, following treatment they and two workers with moderate burns received at an initial hospital.

In this satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC, the Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery is seen on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2021. A fire erupted in Kuwait during maintenance work at the oil refinery on Friday, Jan. 14, 2021, killing two workers and critically injuring five others, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company said. (Planet Labs PBC/AP)

The state-owned company previously said that 10 workers had been injured, including those who were treated at an on-site clinic.

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The nations Oil Minister Mohammed al-Fares and other company honchos posed for photos at the site Friday, following the blast. Pictures posted to the companys official Twitter account show them fist bumping fire fighters.

The facility  which was recently expanded in an effort to reduce emissions and increase capacity from 25,000 oil barrels daily to 346,000 barrels  was also the site of a blaze in October, during which some workers sustained light burns, according to the company. Others suffered from smoke inhalation.

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Many hospitals are halting non-urgent procedures and relying on the National Guard to meet demand as Covid-19 hospitalizations rise
A woman who created 30 fake Instagram accounts to make it appear as though her ex-boyfriend was stalking her is headed to prison, according to a report on Yahoo News.

But Courtney Ireland-Ainsworths scheme wasnt discovered until shed had her ex, Louis Jolly, arrested six times amounting to more than 80 hours spent behind bars, lost employment and home curfew. The northern English woman, 20, reportedly filed complaints against Jolly throughout the second half of 2020 and made 10 complaints to police that she was being stalked and harassed.

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Using menacing screenshots she claimed were from Jolly, including one that appeared to indicate he was going to put a f---ing blade in her chest, Ireland-Ainsworth even managed to get an order of protection against the 22-year-old man shed dated for two years.

[ New Jersey woman burns down house of man who called her for sex at 4 a.m., then fell asleep ]

Prosecutors blasted the defendant for her deliberate and malevolent lies that were uncovered after investigators discovered the IP address used on several of the fake accounts attributed to Jolly belonged to Ireland-Ainsworth.

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She reportedly confessed to the ruse and was sentenced to 10 months incarceration and issued a restraining order lasting one decade for perverting justice.

Defense lawyers argued that the breakup from Jolly caused Ireland-Ainsworth a form of PTSD, which contributed to her bizarre behavior. But the judge in the case reportedly ruled that it was the victim and his family that was impacted by the absolutely shattering effect of the defendants actions.
PARK COUNTY, Mont. - The Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) recently received a donation of 19,800 pounds of hamburger.

A collection of producers across the state helped gift the hamburger which was delivered to the MFBN on Jan. 11.

A release from statewide non-profit organization, The Producer Partnership, says it facilitated the donation through its mission of farmers and ranchers working to help end hunger in Montana.

If the Producer Partnership was going to succeed, it needed an experienced distribution partner familiar with the food business to supply the donated hamburger to all 56 counties in the state. My vision was simply to connect the dots and form a partnership to benefit Montanans in need, Matt Pierson, who established the Producer Partnership said.

This is not the first time the organization has donated hamburger to the MFBN.

According to Brent Weisgram, VP and COO of the MFBN, before the pandemic, the food bank network spent less than $2.00 per pound for hamburger.

The meat was purchased from out-of-state vendors due to the lack of USDA federally inspected beef processors in the state with the capacity to meet the quantity demands needed the release said.

Pierson said one of the Producer Partnerships first goals was to provide the Food Bank Network with as much protein as they need.

In two years, the release says the organization has collected and donated 95,967 pounds of hamburger to the MFBN.

Thats just from picking up cattle, finding a place to get them harvested, paying for the processing and dropping the donations off with our latest project of funding our own processing unit, we will turn out way more beef, added Pierson.

It is simply amazing how significant of an impact the Producer Partnership has made for the Montana Food Bank Network in such a short amount of time since we formed this partnership. We are so thankful for the support and generosity we are seeing from everyones contributions working together to achieve such great results. This is so much more than just a single donation; the Producer Partnerships concept has provided the platform for everyone to get involved to help provide a much needed resource to Montana families facing food insecurity. Special thanks to all of the generous ranchers donating their livestock, the donors contributing financially to help cover the processing fees and contributing to make the processing facility a reality, said Weisgram.
Firefighters stand outside the scene of an apartment building fire as they listen to New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro speak to reporters in the Bronx, New York on January 10, 2022. (ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)

The fire that killed 17 New Yorkers in the Bronx on Jan. 9 was utterly heart-wrenching. Based on what we know now, three discrete factors contributed to this tragedy: a continuously running space heater that malfunctioned, two doors that did not self-close, and smoke detectors that seem to have gone off so frequently that residents learned to ignore the false alarms. Focusing on these issues alone belies the larger problem: the Bronx needs adequate heat and better housing.

Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Yet when the Bronx was burning in the 1970s, the smoke signaled more than fire; it beckoned attention to the underlying social conditions of deep and concentrated poverty and decades of neglect. In the 1980s, the mounds of debris from the burned-down and demolished buildings formed the backdrop of my childhood. Over the years, I have seen buildings rise past the rubble so much so that the South Bronx skyline now includes luxury housing developments.

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This most recent fire, however, is a reminder that the legacy issues of deficient housing and unmet needs remain in effect. After all, in a properly heated building, why would a tenant need to depend on a space heater for days on end?

This question can be answered with a closer look at New York Citys own data on heat violations. Across all boroughs, the Bronx consistently registers the highest number of monthly heat complaints based on 311 calls. The city first collected this data in 2011. Many years, the number of heat complaints was similar between the Bronx and Brooklyn  but Brooklyn is 1.8 times larger, indicating that a far larger share of households in the Bronx lack adequate heating.

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There is still speculation about what happened at Twin Parks North West; sometimes, heat is just uneven through a building, even when boilers are fully functioning. But the rise in home heating costs this season may explain why some landlords might skimp on fuel, leading a tenant to supplement with an oven, stove or space heater. Inadequate heating aside, Bronx residents disproportionately experience other housing problems such as water leaks, cracks and holes, presence of mice or rats, toilet breakdowns, peeling paint and, in the summer, the lack of air conditioning.

Bronxites are also heavily rent-burdened: Compared to their fellow New Yorkers, they pay the largest portion of their income toward housing costs. In addition, the Bronx has the highest concentration of energy-burdened households, meaning that they allocate a disproportionate share of household income to utility bills.

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Sundays fire is reminiscent of another Bronx blaze that claimed the lives of three little boys in 2013. A mother in Highbridge owed $8,700 in back utility bills when Con Edison removed the meter and shut off power to her apartment. The very next day, while relying on candles for lighting, the apartment caught fire and she lost three of her five young children. The price she paid for the unpaid balance was irreversible and horrific.

A few years ago, I conducted a study to measure the prevalence of energy insecurity on the Manhattan side of Highbridge. We found that 27% of Washington Heights residents were energy insecure, with 14% deemed severely so because they lived without adequate heat due to inability to pay, used a cooking stove for heat, or experienced an interruption in utility service due to non-payment. The other 13% had received a disconnection notice.

Nationally, one in three households are energy insecure. While we do not yet know the prevalence of energy insecurity in the Bronx, the no- and low-heat complaints referenced above indicate that it is likely that this phenomenon is even more ubiquitous among Bronxites.

While Sundays fire offered a glimpse into the private nature and fatal risk of inadequate heat, another relevant indicator is the Building Energy Efficiency Rating that is mandated by Local Law 33. According to public records, 333 E. 181 St. earned a D, the lowest possible rating.

In 2015, New York City phased out the dirtiest heating fuel, No. 6 oil with great success. Nevertheless, countless buildings still relying on the least efficient and most polluting heating sources remain concentrated in the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. Its clear that building owners in these areas and that otherwise house low- and moderate-income tenants will need more financial and administrative support to achieve higher levels of efficiency if our city is to decarbonize justly.

The misery and fatal impact of inadequate heat and poor housing conditions that Bronxites face must be recognized for what it is: a predictable harm and preventable wrong. Beyond greater fire safety messages, the takeaway from this latest calamity is that Bronx residents deserve to experience energy security, thermal comfort and dignity at home.

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Hernandez is an associate professor of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health and a visiting scholar at the Russell Sage Foundation.
Have a news tip or would like to report a typo? Email Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@kvoa.com.
The Marine Corps granted two religious exemptions to the military's Covid-19 vaccine mandate, making it the first and only military branch to grant religious exceptions since the requirement went into effect in August.
Sinead OConnor has been hospitalized about a week after her teenage son died from suicide.

The Irish-born musician, 55, mourned 17-year-old Shanes death in a string of disturbing tweets Thursday, in which she indicated she planned to follow my son.

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Later that day, she added, Im sorry. I shouldnt have said that. I am with cops now on way to hospital. Im sorry I upset everyone.

OConnor announced last week that Shane had gone missing from the care of Irelands child and family agency, Tusla. He had been on suicide watch at Tallght Hospital prior to disappearing.

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Sinead O'Connor attends the Giorgio Armani & Cinema Society screening of "Albert Nobbs" at the Museum of Modern Art on December 13, 2011 in New York City. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

OConnor pleaded with the teen to make contact with authorities for his safety.

On Friday, OConnor confirmed that Shane had died by suicide.

Sinead OConnor's son, Shane.

My beautiful son, Neviim Nesta Ali Shane OConnor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God, tweeted OConnor. May he Rest In Peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.

OConnor also shared a link to Bob Marleys Ride Natty Ride, for her son.

We will always be together, she tweeted. No boundary can separate us.
A year ago, most of the people you know had probably not gotten Covid. Now, its likely the opposite, and the Lake areas current case surgein what were told is presumably the Omicron variantis mirroring the national one. (On that note, a pronunciation tip: Its ah-muh-kraan not oh-muh-kraan.)

Locally, the increase in cases can be seen in anecdotal examples, in businesses, healthcare, and government entities.

Lake Regional Health System has reintroduced heightened Covid protocols:

-One visitor per patient (exceptions will be made for pediatric patients, who may have two parents, and end-of-life situations. Lake Regional Family Birth Center and Lake Regional Skilled Nursing Facility also have separate visitor policies. See lakeregional.com/visitors for details.)

-New mask requirement: medical masks must be worn by all visitors and staff. Cloth masks, gaiters, and face shields will not be allowed.

Positive Covid inpatient numbers have been in the teens since December, said Jennifer Bethurem, Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing for Lake Regional. Bethurem said as of Friday, Jan. 14, the hospitals Covid-positive inpatient number was 20. (Note: the Covid-positive inpatient number reflects patients who have tested positive, but does not indicate whether those patients are hospitalized for Covid-related issues or another reason.) That number  20  certainly represents an increase from low points in early summer and the fall, when inpatient numbers were typically 10 or fewer, but its down from Lake Regionals high water mark of 30, in late July/early August.

The Camden County Health Department announced earlier this week they had to temporarily close their public office, due to the number of employees who had varying illnesses as well as Covid exposures. The office plans to reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

School of the Osage Superintendent Laura Nelson wrote in a district update on Wednesday, Jan. 12, COVID is currently posing challenges for our district. There are more total people (students and staff) out with COVID this week than we had all of the first semester combined.

Camdenton R-III School District Superintendent Tim Hadfield said that the Camdenton district is facing a small spike, but he said numbers are still lower than they were in the fall.

We are seeing a slight increase here since Christmas break, but again were lower than we were in the fall. But were seeing other illnesses that are going around the district like flu and a stomach bug, but all in all were doing fine right now although numbers are increasing a little bit, Hadfield told LakeExpo.

He went on to say that the increase in Covid cases and other illnesses havent affected teacher staffing beyond an ongoing substitute teacher shortage that is being felt around the state.

Were still under where we were in the fall. As a school district we want to do our best to serve our students and keep up with our mission statement of everyone learning everyday. We have a very dedicated staff and that goes for all of our staff members.

Statewide: More Cases, Fewer Deaths

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services data shows, statewide, Missouri is in its largest-ever spike of cases. More PCR tests are being administered than ever before. However, confirmed Covid deaths are notably low. The highest number of deaths happened during last winter's spike: between November 2020 and January 2021. Assuming deaths are still being measured the same way, the current surge is clearly less deadly than the one seen a year ago. For comparison, in December 2020, 1,781 Covid-related deaths were reported. In December 2021, the total was 591.

Charts comparing multiple months, year-over-year, using test, case, and death data per MDHSS are below.

Data provided by MDHSS and sorted into relevant spreadsheets can be downloaded below. Data includes positive PCR tests, total PCR tests, and confirmed deaths for all dates from March 18, 2020 through Jan. 13, 2022.
MORGAN COUNTY, Mo.  A Versailles man was seriously injured Wednesday in a crash on Missouri 5, north of Millifork Land, at 4:42 p.m.

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, Andrew Martinez, 32, was driving a 2006 Pontiac G6 when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck numerous embankments, became airborne and overturned multiple times.

Martinez sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Lake Regional Hospital. According to the crash report, Martinez was not wearing a seatbelt.
Criticism is mounting against Milwaukee Countys top prosecutor after one of the suspects in the Thursday afternoon shooting of an off-duty police officer was found to have been out of custody on a signature bond.

Some have called for Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, a Democrat, to be removed from office after an assistant district attorney requested a relatively low bail for Darrell Brooks, the man accused of driving into a Waukesha Christmas parade on Nov. 21, killing six and injuring more than 50 others.

Under a signature bond, suspects are allowed out of custody without posting any bail money. If the conditions of their bond are violated, such as if the suspect goes on to commit a crime while out on bond, they will be required to pay a pre-set amount.

Brooks had been in court 16 days before the parade attack after he allegedly hit the mother of his child intentionally with his car. He was let out of custody on a $1,000 bond.

One of the suspects in Thursdays shooting of the Milwaukee police officer is Diontae Hayes, 18. On Oct. 21, he was charged with operating a vehicle without the owners consent, a misdemeanor, and resisting an officer causing substantial bodily harm, a felony. The next day, he got out on a $500 signature bond.

We saw it last Christmas in Waukesha. We saw it yesterday in broad daylight in Milwaukee. Weve seen it each of the last three years in Milwaukee and surrounding communities. John Chisholms catch-and-release, no bail or low bail policy, is making us all less safe, state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, and Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, said in a joint statement Friday. Chisholms social justice cause has made neighborhoods in Milwaukee County and southeastern Wisconsin less safe. It has to stop.

Chisholm has resisted calls to step down. He said it was an oversight caused by human error, committed by an overworked assistant district attorney, that allowed Brooks to be given such a low bond in light of the allegations against him.

Wanggaard, a retired Racine police officer, said that he is inviting Chisholm to attend a Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety hearing on Thursday regarding Republican-backed bail reform proposals.

I encourage John Chisholm to come and testify. He can give his thoughts on improving bail in Wisconsin, because whatever hes doing isnt working, Wanggaard said.

Thursdays shooting

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said the 37-year-old detective suffered life-threatening injuries after he was shot multiple times at about 2 p.m. Thursday in the Third Ward, near the intersection of North Water and East Buffalo streets. Norman said Thursday that the detective was in stable condition at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa.

Hayes and Timonte Carroll-Robinson, 17, are accused of having attempted to rob a woman and the off-duty officer attempted to intervene. According to police, the officer fired a gun at the suspects but did not hit anyone.

This was an off-duty detective probably just ordering food, Norman said. He went into danger without any hesitation.

Other officers brought Hayes and Carroll-Robinson into custody upon their car being recognized after they fled the scene.

Evers not to move against Chisholm

A complaint demanding that Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, remove Chisholm was deemed not valid, an attorney hired by the governors administration concluded Tuesday.

The complaint from a group of Milwaukee County taxpayers has a host of technical shortcomings, attorney Matthew Fleming wrote in a memo to Evers. Nothing indicates the group swore oaths that they believe their statements were true, notary verifications were incomplete and the group failed to allege any facts that show Chisholm neglected his duties, Fleming wrote.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The new year may have just begun and Lake Geneva officials already are discussing possible street improvement projects for 2022.

Representatives from engineering consulting firm MSA Professional Services, Inc. presented a proposed list of projects for the 2022 street improvement program during the city councils public works committee meeting, Dec. 28.

The program includes street improvement work on Wrigley Drive, starting at the corner of Main Street and Cook Street and curving around to where Wrigley Drive meets Broad Street.

John Jenkins, MSA Professional Services representative, proposed that work on Wrigley Drive be conducted before or after the summer to not disrupt traffic in that area during Lake Genevas tourism season.

Thats too much work to get done in the middle of the summer. Thats not a good place to be working during the summer, Jenkins said. If things go very favorable, we can get it done ahead of Memorial Day.

Alderwoman Cindy Flower proposed that the company notify downtown business owners that street improvement work is planned for the Wrigley Drive area.

Weve surprised our downtown businesses in the past without telling them we are doing a reconstruct, and they were not happy, Flower said. So we want to make sure something goes out to them, so they are aware something is happening and the timing of it.

Jenkins said the 2022 street improvement program initially included work on Sheridan Springs Road, but they decided to move that project to another year when utility work is planned for that area.

The Utility Commission wasnt planning on doing their work on that one, Jenkins said of Sheridan Springs Road. It goes to the coordination as to does the right hand know what the left hand is doing, but that one got pulled out for work in the future.

Jenkins proposed replacing the Sheridan Springs Road project with patch-filling work on Henry Street, from Madison Street to Williams Street. About 100 feet of patch work was set to be completed on Henry Street in 2023.

Im suggesting that we move that up for this year, Jenkins said. If were just doing the patch work, we might as well do that entire segment.

Jenkins also proposed street improvement work on Warren Street, from Wisconsin Street to Dodge Street; Warren Street, from Dodge Street to North Street; or Waverly Street, from Water Street to Walworth Street; as a possible alternative to the Sheridan Springs Road project.

He said the amount of work the city can do as an alternative to Sheridan Springs Road depends on the cost of materials. Jenkins said construction costs may be 10% to 20% more than in previous years because of supply chain issues and labor shortages.

Talking with some contractors, were definitely seeing prices that we have not seen in the past, Jenkins said. My crystal ball is only so good. We cant promise you what everything is going to cost.

Other streets that are set to be worked on as part of the 2022 program include:

Pine Tree Lake from Marianne Terrace to South Lake Shore Drive

Marianne Terrace near Pine Tree Lake

Sky Lake Drive from West Main Street to Linda Lane

Spring Street from Waverly Street to Crawford Street

Campbell Street from South Lake Shore Drive to North Wells Street.

Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier asked if repair work could be considered near the area of Lake Shore Drive and Wrigley Drive, since the area between South Lake Shore Drive and North Wells Street on Campbell Street is being repaired.

There are some big holes there, and I think its more than just a cold patch fix, Fesenmaier said. Thats a well-traveled and parked-on street in the summer.

The program also is set to include sidewalk and ramp replacement near the:

southeast area of Main Street and West Street

west side of Broad Street near Brunos Liquors

west side of Broad Street near the Lake Geneva Regional News building

east side of Broad Street near Horticultural Hall.

Flower asked if the MSA Professionals would be determining if any additional sidewalks are in need of repairs. She said the city had allocated about $20,000 in the budget for sidewalk repairs.

I thought we were going to be looking for cracks and heaved sidewalks and fixing that as they did the street improvements, Flower said.

Fesenmaier said she also would like to see more sidewalk repairs including in the street improvement program.

Why are we not looking at sidewalks?, Fesenmaier asked. Thats what we said we were going to do.

Jenkins said sidewalk assessment was not included in MSA Professionals contract with the city, but that item could be included as part of the street repair program.

If thats what you want to have done, it can be, Jenkins.

Flower questioned why no alley repairs were included in the 2022 plan. She said, during the past few years, at least two alleys were repaired as part of the street improvement program.

Were suppose to do two alleys a year, and its not in here either, Flower said. I dont want to go through with no alleys. I think we need to be selecting alleys.

Flower also said she would like MSA Professionals to contact the residents who live on the streets where repair work is going to be conducted.

Its just more of an FYI communications with people, especially if were doing sidewalk and ramp updates, Flower said. We might be close to their property and just to let them know that their street is on the plan to get done.

After some discussion, the public works committee members unanimously approved to have two alleys, sidewalk assessments and communication with residents included in the street improvement program.

Representatives from MSA Professional Services are set to present more detailed plans regarding the street improvement program during the Jan. 18 finance, licensing & regulation committee meeting, which is scheduled to be held 4:30 p.m. in the city hall building, council chambers, 626 Geneva St.

Jenkins said he hopes to be able to go out for bid on the project either in late-February or early-March.

Contactors usually arent starting until mid-April anyway, Jenkins said. So if that slides a little bit, thats not the end of the world.

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The Walworth County Health Department has issued a warning about a Delavan COVID testing facility.

The Center for COVID Control (CCC), an Illinois-based COVID testing company with a location in Delavan, is the subject of several Better Business Bureau (BBB) investigations, including the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois.

An alert posted to the BBBs website indicates that the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois has received numerous complaints locally and nationally regarding alleged problems with not receiving test results, poor customer service, and requesting personally identifiable information.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is also investigating the company.

In a press release, the business stated that it is temporarily suspending COVID testing from Jan. 14 to Jan. 22 because of the increased demand for testing.

It stated, Certain Center for Covid Control (CCC) locations are experiencing high demand for testing due to the Omicron variant surge. This unusually high patient demand has stressed staffing resources, as has been widely reported, in a subset of our locations, affecting our usual customer service standards and diagnostic goals.

Erica Bergstrom, public health officer for Walworth County, said In light of recent developments regarding the Center for COVID Control, Walworth County Public Health does not currently recommend that residents utilize this companys testing services.

Instead, the county health department encourage residents to seek out testing through community partner sites at UW-Whitewater, Open Arms Free Clinic in Elkhorn, and the National Guard testing site at the Walworth County Fairgrounds. Testing is also available locally through select Walgreens locations.

For a full list of testing locations and hours in Walworth County, along with upcoming vaccine clinics and additional COVID updates, visit Walworth County Public Healths COVID home page at www.co.walworth.wi.us/856/COVID-19.
WHEATLAND  The Wheatland Town Board is considering a referendum to determine if electors would prefer the clerk and treasurer positions to be appointed, rather than elected.

The first reading of the draft ordinance that calls for the referendum took place at the Town Board meeting Monday. The second reading is scheduled to take place Jan. 24. If adopted, it will trigger an April 5 referendum question to be placed on the ballot.

The ballot would contain a yes, or no choice for each position.

If voters approve the referendum, the clerk and treasurer positions would become appointed positions when the current elected terms expire April 17, 2023.

The draft ordinance states the term of office for each appointed position would be set by the Town Board, but may not exceed three years per state statute. The board may re-appoint the officers for additional terms. However, removal by the Town Board during a term of may only be for cause, as defined by state statute.

Longtime Town Clerk Sheila Siegler said she has discussed the idea with the board several times over the years.

Siegler has been the elected clerk since 1977. Debra Vos has been the town treasurer since 1997.

According to the Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA), of 1,249 towns, there are currently: 240 appointed clerks and 800 elected clerks; 165 appointed treasurers and 875 elected treasurers; 126 appointed clerk-treasurers and 102 elected clerk-treasurers.

Among the three town governments in western Kenosha County, the clerk-treasurer position in the Town of Paris, and the separate clerk and treasurer positions in the Town of Randall are appointed; the clerk/treasurer post in Brighton is elected.

The WTA notes on its website:

Appointed clerks and treasurers: do not have to be town residents; have their qualifications, job descriptions, and wages/benefits set by the Town Board as they are essentially town employees hired by the board; cannot be removed by the board during their term of office, unless there is cause for removal (misconduct in office or neglect of duties); can be appointed for a term not to exceed 3 years, but can be appointed for a shorter period.

Elected clerks and treasurers: must be town residents; cannot be required by the board to hold specific qualifications or obtain training (unless required by state law-such as election training for clerks); can be recalled from office like other elected officials, but cannot be removed from office by a board vote; are elected for two year terms at the spring election in odd-numbered years.

Those who support a move to appointed, rather than elected positions often cite the need for advanced qualifications and the ability to look beyond the municipal boundaries to find the best candidate.
The UW Board of Regents will choose between a Milwaukee law firm leader and one of its own chancellors to be the next president of the University of Wisconsin System.

Jay Rothman, chair and CEO of Foley & Lardner, and UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Jim Schmidt were announced Friday as the finalists for the job leading the states public university system, its more than 160,000 students, 39,000 employees, 26 campuses and $6.6 billion budget.

Rothman and Schmidt offer two very different backgrounds. One has spent his career in the private sector, while the other has worked almost exclusively in higher education administration.

The next System president will face an avalanche of competing pressures from lawmakers, faculty and staff, students, community members and Regents. State funding for higher education continues to decline, the COVID-19 pandemic marches on, and a growing share of the public questions the value and affordability of a college degree. Many campuses are grappling with enrollment decline and the Republican-controlled Legislature isnt shy in sending demands about how it believes campuses should be run.

The finalists named Friday emerged from a search that yielded 44 applications, according to System data provided in response to a public records request. More than three-quarters of the applicants were men. Just seven were women. Ten of the 44 applicants did not report their race while 23 identified as white and 11 identified as a person of color.

This is the Systems second try in hiring a permanent successor to Ray Cross, who led the System from 2014 through the first half of 2020. The Regents previous search failed when the sole finalist, University of Alaska System President Jim Johnsen, withdrew his name from consideration because of process issues that many attribute to the absence of faculty and staff serving on the search committee.

Former four-term Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, 80, has been serving as interim president though he recently announced he will resign March 18.

The finalists will interview Tuesday with a Regent committee and some others, including chancellors and System executive leaders. Because of the extraordinary public input in the process, with more than 30 listening sessions held, there will be no public session with the finalists.

The board expects to vote on the new president by the end of the month.

Milwaukee attorney

Rothman, 62, has worked in the private sector for decades. He joined Foley & Lardner in 1986, became a partner in 1994 and has served as chair and CEO since 2011. The international firm employs more than 1,100 attorneys and 1,000 staff.

Rothman has lived in Wisconsin his entire life, except for the few years he attended Harvard Law School. He earned a bachelors degree from Marquette University.

Rothman, in a Friday interview with reporters, touted his connections to the states business community and fundraising experience while serving on the board for Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee. He said his skill set in overseeing information technology, talent recruitment, legal affairs, finance and other aspects of the firm would translate well in leading the System.

The System invited the Wisconsin State Journal and other news outlets to submit questions in advance of sharing the names of the finalists. The medias questions were not shared with the candidates, System officials said, and candidates were largely asked the same questions to ensure impartiality.

Rothman described a non-hierarchical structure to his firm, which depends on the entrepreneurial skills of its partners.

I suspect the same is very much true of leading the System, that you think about shared governance, and thats an important component of the System as I understand it, he said. I have functioned in that environment.

Whether to increase tuition, and by how much, will be one of the next presidents biggest recommendations to the Regents. The Legislature froze rates for in-state undergraduates in 2013 and just lifted the freeze last summer, though Thompson and the board decided against an increase this school year.

Rothman suggested looking at who has the means to pay for tuition but also said he would need to look at it with the Systems finance team.

Asked how he would navigate the Legislatures sometimes hostile relationship with the System, he said he would meet lawmakers in their districts, continually share the Systems value with the public and foster relationships based on trust, transparency and honesty.

Federal campaign finance records show Rothman has donated to politicians from both political parties. State campaign finance records show about $77,350 in donations mostly to Republicans but also to some Democrats, including Gov. Tony Evers.

Rothmans term as chair at Foley is coming to a close, and he said he is ineligible for reelection. He said it was an opportune time to think about his next chapter.

I have a passion for this state, he said. This is home for me. I want to see Wisconsin flourish.

Eau Claire chancellor

Hiring Schmidt as president would continue a trend of turning to internal candidates with academic backgrounds. The last two presidents, Cross and Kevin Reilly, led UW Colleges and Extension before their promotions.

Schmidt, 57, took over as chancellor of UW-Eau Claire in 2013. The school enrolls about 10,000 students and employs about 1,300 staff. He spent the first half of his career in various administrative positions at Minnesota institutions, including a technical college.

Nearly 40 years ago, Schmidt said he stood on the steps of the Minnesota state Capitol protesting a plan that would shift college costs from the state onto students. In his four years as an undergraduate at Winona State, he said tuition increased 146%.

Students deserve an affordable education and, Schmidt said, he did not support massive tuition increases, but keeping in-state, undergraduate tuition frozen is unsustainable.

Access without quality is no bargain, he told reporters.

Finding a funding solution is the biggest conversation Schmidt said he would need to have with the Legislature, governor and Regents.

If hired, Schmidt also plans to barnstorm the state to meet with civic and business leaders in his first 100 days, in a move similar to his pledge of meeting 50 CEOs in the Chippewa Valley region in his first 50 days at UW-Eau Claire.

Schmidt, who has an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a Ph.D. in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, emphasized giving campuses more decision-making power, such as when to cut programs. He was one of the only chancellors to publicly push back against Crosss 2020 blueprint plan to cut some programs that are available at many campuses.

The problem with the blueprint: it was top-down, he said. Its interesting, Im seeking to be UW president and one of the main things I want to accomplish is re-empowering the campuses to make these decisions.

The approach maybe wouldnt make sense decades ago when Wisconsin covered 90% of campuses costs, he said, but now, when the state kicks in between 10% and 20% of an institutions budget, schools need more flexibility to focus on leveraging partnerships with local employers.

Still, Schmidt recognized campuses need accountability. And hes accustomed to the reality of painful budget cuts, pointing to a voluntary separation incentive program he started, the first within the System that other campuses adopted in response to a $250 million budget cut. The move ended up eliminating 15% of the full-time positions on his campus.

I know the UW System, he said. I have strong opinions about what works and what doesnt.  I think I can hit the ground running.

Regents President Edmund Manydeeds, who leads the committee that will interview both Rothman and Schmidt, said in a statement that either would be an outstanding leader for our university system.

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Through the ever-lengthening gloom of COVID-19, FFA is offering students an outlet to spend time with friends, learn about agriculture, and just be themselves.
Hannah Balthaser had a fabulous day on the tanbark with Groovy, her 4-year-old Brown Swiss, as they competed for the title of supreme champion cow at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
Royal Caribbeans Mariner of the Seas departs Port Canaveral, Fla., on a 4-night Bahamas cruise, Tuesday, January 11, 2021. Royal Caribbean temporarily suspended cruise operations on three of its ships sailing from other Florida ports earlier in the week due to the surge of COVID cases in the state. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has held the cruise industry to special sailing orders to battle COVID-19 since March 2020. First it was a no-sail order, which then shifted to a conditional sail order with a long list of safety precautions.

That order is set to expire Saturday, shifting to a voluntary practice, despite a surge in omicron variant cases that have all 92 ships sailing with passengers from the U.S. under CDC investigations because of COVID cases.

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CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky in Senate hearing Tuesday indicated the CDC would not extend the order, saying the industry has stepped up and is now interested in exceeding the compliance with the sail order.

The CDC confirmed details of the voluntary program would be posted to its website when the conditional order expires, and the cruise lines that opt in must agree to adhere to its recommendations and guidance, with the CDC continuing to monitor onboard cases.

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The CDC stated it expects cruise lines to make their decision to participate in the coming week.

Thats good news and clearly shows the industry is policing itself very well, and that the protocols are working, said Port Canaveral CEO John Murray at a port commission meeting this week. The CDC is comfortable with that and the relationship with the cruise lines that theyre no longer going to have this mandatory order in place.

The original no-sail order came on the heels in early 2020 after cruise lines had already voluntarily shut down operations amid the initial global expansion of COVID-19, which included several headline-grabbing outbreaks on board cruise ships.

Princess Cruises had the deadliest aboard its Diamond Princess ship, which ended up staying docked in Japan for months with all of its passengers and crew under quarantine. The outbreak proved fatal to 13 people on board.

The order shifted to a conditional sail order in October 2020, although cruise lines had to wait more than six months later for technical guidance from the CDC before they could work to fulfill the 80 rules to ensure the publics safety.

Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises had already dipped their toes in the international waters of restarting with their own COVID-19 health protocols in place, making successful forays in Europe and Asia, and that was without the vaccines, which began to roll out in the U.S. in December 2020.

By spring 2021, though, vaccines became central to the CDCs conditional sail order parameters.

Cruise lines had two options to get approval to sail from the U.S. They could either commit to having 98% of crew and 95% of passengers be vaccinated, or they could perform a simulated sailing under the watch of CDC inspectors to prove each ships safety protocols.

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Some cruise lines announced their intentions to require vaccinations from guests, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line.

Others such as Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, opted for the test sailing approach, as many of their passengers were under the age of vaccine eligibility, and attaining 95% vaccinated on board would prove difficult.

Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fought cruise lines efforts to require vaccines while also taking on the CDC in federal court over the conditional sail order. The state won a temporary injunction against the CDC from enforcing the conditional sail order at least from Florida.

But another federal judge sided with NCLs parent company and granted a temporary injunction against the state from enforcing a law against so-called vaccine passports that went into effect on July 1, 2021, that would fine companies $5,000 per instance if they required vaccines.

Both rulings have been appealed, but higher courts have yet to rule.

In the meantime, cruise lines continued to follow the CDCs conditional sail order even from Florida, and when the government of the Bahamas began requiring vaccines for ships to even enter their waters, every cruise line shifted to require vaccines from all eligible passengers.

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There were few COVID-19 cases until December when omicron began to spread in the normal population.

By Jan. 5, the CDC was investigating cases on board every ship eligible to sail, meaning that at least 0.1% of passengers, or a single crew member, had a reported case of COVID-19. For a 4,000-passenger ship, that means at least four passenger cases had been detected.

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The surge prompted some cancellations. Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean either pulled existing ships planned itineraries in January, or in some cases delayed their debuts. Those were only for select ships and in most cases just for a couple of weeks.

But most ships continue to sail.

With omicron out there, and the transmissibility of it, its a very dynamic situation right now, Murray said. Some ports are not receiving vessels, so its changing itineraries, but the good news is nothing is shutting down like it did in March 2020.
The Environmental Protection Agency underscored its desire to work with Pennsylvania farmers on Wednesday with the signing of a letter of understanding with the states Ag Department.
By Amit Kumar

New Delhi [India], January 14 (ANI): Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and senior party leader Sanjay Raut on Friday slammed the Yogi Adityanath government and said that in the coming days, at least 10 ministers may resign from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Nominations for First Phase Begins Today Under Strict COVID-19 Guidelines.

The pre-poll churning in Uttar Pradesh has seen the BJP getting a jolt with six MLAs resigning from the party and three ministers quitting amid signals that they will join Samajwadi Party. Dharam Singh Saini became the third minister on Thursday who has resigned from the Yogi Adiyanath government in the last four days.

Sanjay Raut, on Friday, in an exclusive interview to ANI said, "This figure will keep on increasing. Look at the way people were working under pressure for five years. No work has happened in BJP's rule. People of Uttar Pradesh are saying that event management does not mean running the government. Talking of 80:20 per cent political polarisation may work but state and country can not develop."

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"Yesterday I met many unemployed people in the poll-bound state and they want change in Uttar Pradesh. When important ministers, OBC leaders are leaving, you can understand in which direction the wind is blowing," Raut told ANI.

Many leaders, who left the party over the past few days, accused the BJP government of not bothering about the rights of minorities and backward classes. Senior Shiv Sena leader reacted sharply on the number of ministers quitting the Uttar Pradesh government. He said, "As per my knowledge, this is just the beginning. 10 more ministers may resign in the coming days."

Raut reiterated that party will contest elections on 50-100 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

"I met Rakesh Tikait ji yesterday. It was not a political meeting. Uddhav Thackeray ji also spoke to him over the phone and told him that the fight for the cause of farmers is still very long and is not over yet. We will definitely fight assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh between 50 to 100 seats and we are preparing for it," he further told ANI.

The seven-phase Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly polls to be held between February 10 and March 7. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

In the 2017 Assembly elections, the BJP won a landslide victory winning 312 Assembly seats. The party secured a 39.67 per cent vote share in the elections for 403-member Assembly. Samajwadi Party bagged 47 seats, BSP won 19 while Congress could manage to win only seven seats. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, January 14: Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday organized a meeting for observers, who will be deployed for the upcoming Assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. The ECI had announced the schedule for the five poll-bound states on January 8.

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa will be held between February 10 and March 7. The counting of votes will be held on March 10. Also Read | Jharkhand Shocker: Woman Set on Fire Over Witchcraft Suspicion in Simdega District, 6 Arrested.

Officers from IAS, IPS, IRS and other Central Services have been included to be deployed as General, Police and Expenditure Observers. Also Read | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Court Acquits Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey briefed the observers.

As per electoral roll data with regard to January 1 as the qualifying date, the total number of electors in the state of Goa, Manipur, Punjab Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are 18.35 crore electors with a total of 215,368 polling stations.

Observers were briefed about their responsibilities to ensure proper direction to field-level officers so that ECI's constitutional mandate is scrupulously fulfilled. The half-day long briefing sessions will also have a comprehensive briefing by the Secretary-General ECI Umesh Sinha on Election Planning, Security Management and SVEEP aspects.

Briefing sessions were held on the training of personnel and inputs, electoral roll issues and IT applications and EVM VVPAT Management System, legal issues, MCC and expenditure monitoring etc.

All eyes of political parties are on meeting Election Commission meeting tomorrow where it will review the COVID-19 situation in poll blind states and take the decision on its earlier decision of Virtual rallies by political parties.

Election Commission had announced that no roadshow, pad-yatra, cycle/bike/vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till January 15. The commission shall subsequently review the situation and issue further instructions accordingly.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 14 (ANI): The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the state government to execute the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued on January 4 in all districts in view of the COVID-19-19 pandemic and added that no rallies, dharnas or any other political gathering shall be permitted in the entire state, till the SOP is in operation.

The High Court of Karnataka today heard PILs seeking directions to the state government not to allow rallies, dharnas and to restrain Mekedatu padayatra organised by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Suraj Govindaraj heard the matter.

Also Read | Assembly Elections 2022: Election Commission of India Organizes Meeting of Observers in 5 Poll-Bound Sates.

Senior counsel Uday Holla appeared for respondent KPCC. Learned counsel informed the bench that the padayatra has been suspended, respecting the Courts observation.

The division bench asked for the decision of the government. On behalf of the government, the Additional advocate General appeared before the Court and made his submission that the government has issued notice to respondent and the government took all steps to ensure that padayatra is not taken out.

Also Read | Jharkhand Shocker: Woman Set on Fire Over Witchcraft Suspicion in Simdega District, 6 Arrested.

High Court said that the government has banned only this particular padayatra program but the respondent stand is that it's been temporarily suspended. Senior counsel Uday Holla informed the Court, if the pandemic situation and number of cases fall down, we should be allowed to carry out padayatra and not completely ban it.

HC said that since the submission made by the Assistant Advocate General (AAG), Counsel for the petitioner and Senior counsel for the respondent KPCC. In view of guidelines issued prohibiting padayatra, respondents suspended their padayatra by themselves. The purpose for which the writ petition filed does not exist, Court said.

Following this, the High Court directed the state government to strictly execute the Standard Operating Procedures issued on January 4 in districts of Karnataka. "No rallies, dharnas, any other political rally will be permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic and so long as the SOPs issued by the government of Karnataka is operational," the order informed.

Karnataka Congress on Thursday decided to postpone the Mekedatu Padayatra due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. Addressing media persons, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, "Karnataka Congress has decided to suspend Mekedatu Padayatra with immediate effect in view of the prevailing COVID-19 situation."

"Once the number of COVID-19 cases comes down, we will start the padayatra again from Ramanagara which will continue for seven days," he said.

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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Madurai, January 14: Jallikattu competition began today at 8 am amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. Amid loud whistles, applause and cheers at Avaniyapuram village in Madurai district, as many as 300 bulls were let out into the arena of bull tamers.

The Tamil Nadu government had allowed Jallikattu with 300 bulls and 150 spectators. However, hundreds of villagers gathered on roofs and outside at Avaniyapuram to watch the events. Also Read | Thane: Fire Breaks Out at Plastic Godown in Shilphata.

Jallikattu Competition Begins at Avaniyapuram Village in Madurai

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Jallikattu competition is underway in Avaniyapuram area of Madurai pic.twitter.com/gbFiyEe6Ly  ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2022

During the event, one participant suffered from a respiratory problem and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Also Read | Tecno Pop 5 LTE With 8MP AI Dual-Rear Camera Launched in India at Rs 6,299.

A bull owner said, "Coronavirus is quickly spreading in the state. However, we are happy that the government has allowed the conduct of Jallikattu in the state."

The Jallikattu event organisers have announced gift hampers like gold coins, washing machines, cars and bikes. Every year during Pongal, Jallikattu competition is conducted in villages of Tamil Nadu.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The first list of Congress candidates for Punjab polls will be out soon.

By Siddharth Sharma

New Delhi [India], January 14 (ANI): A meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) for Punjab Assembly elections took place on Thursday through video conferencing in which discussion was held to finalise candidates.

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The first list of Congress candidates for Punjab polls will be out soon. Interestingly, Chief Minister Charanjeeet Singh Channi, who is currently representing the Chamkaur Sahib seat in Punjab Assembly, is likely to contest from two seats.

According to sources, Congress has finalised the list of more than 70 candidates which include a large number of sitting MLAs. Another round of the CEC meeting will be held and the first list of Congress candidates is likely to be announced on Friday.

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A top source in the Congress informed that the party is keen to field Channi from two seats in two different regions of Punjab.

"Apart from Chamkaur Sahib Assembly seat which comes in Maajha region of Punjab, Congress is all set to field CM Channi from Adampur Assembly constituency which falls in the Doaba Region where a large number of seats have a chunk of Dalit votes who are a deciding factor in the region. Along with that, it will not be a surprise to see sitting MPs as candidates for Assembly polls," the source added.

Talking to ANI, Congress MP Jasbir Singh Gill said that he is keen to fight if the party wants to field him for assembly polls.

"We are keen to fight if the party wants us to field for assembly polls, but it can be decided by party interim president Sonia Gandhi. If she will ask me to contest the polls, I will definitely fight the polls," Gill said.

Another Congress MP on the condition of anonymity said, "Yes, there is a discussion on fielding MPs like Pratap Singh Bajwa whose tenure is ending in March from Rajya Sabha."

When asked why Congress wants to field its sitting MPs in Assembly polls, the Member of Parliament replied that the aim behind putting them is to make the battle serious and build up the perception that the party wants to win the elections.

The MP gave the example of Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal Assembly polls where more than a dozen sitting MPs were fielded.

Having lost several states to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in recent years, Congress is seeking another term in Punjab where the party is in a strong position from municipal corporations to Legislative Assembly.

The term of the Punjab Assembly will end in March. The Assembly polls in Punjab are scheduled to take place in a single phase on February 14. The votes will be counted on March 10.

In the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, Congress won an absolute majority in the state by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government after 10 years. Aam Aadmi Party emerged as the second-largest party winning 20 seats in 117-member Punjab Legislative Assembly. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could only manage to win 15 seats while the BJP secured 3 seats. (ANI)

(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 14 (ANI): The pre-poll churning in Uttar Pradesh has seen the BJP getting a jolt with six MLAs resigning from the party and three ministers quitting amid signals that they will join Samajwadi Party. In response to this, Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said that resignations are not a big deal in Uttar Pradesh.

The Union Minister lauded the Uttar Pradesh government and said that BJP is getting support from everywhere in the state.

Also Read | Jharkhand Shocker: Woman Set on Fire Over Witchcraft Suspicion in Simdega District, 6 Arrested.

"Resignations are not a big deal in Uttar Pradesh. BJP is getting support from everywhere in the state. People will bless us and BJP will be successful in forming govt in UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur," Tomar said.

Dharam Singh Saini became the third minister on Thursday who has resigned from the Yogi Adiyanath government in the last three days.

Also Read | Kerala Nun Rape Case: Court Acquits Accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal.

In their resignation letters, the ministers have accused the BJP government of having a "callous attitude" towards Dalits, farmers, the unemployed youth and those belonging to other backward classes.

Saini, who also belongs to the OBC community, indicated that there will be more resignations of ministers and MLAs in the coming days and the process will continue till January 20.

"I have resigned because for 5 years Dalits, backward classes were suppressed, their voices were suppressed... We will do whatever Swami Prasad Maurya will say. One minister and 3-4 MLAs will resign every day till January 20," he said.

The spate of resignations began with Swami Prasad Maurya quitting the cabinet. Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC community, had joined the BJP from BSP.

Dara Singh Chauhan had resigned as minister on Wednesday.

Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10, the Election Commission said. The polls in the state 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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kabul [Afghanistan], January 14 (ANI): Afghanistan's newly appointed Ambassador to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Khan Shikib reaffirmed Kabul's stance on the Durand Line.

This comes as tension over the Durand Line fencing has recently escalated between Kabul and Islamabad and the fencing of the Line was one of the controversial issues in the era of the former government as well, according to Tolo News.

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Sardar Ahmad Khan Shikib said that the Durand problem is an issue between the two countries, it is a type of national issue and we need to refer to the nation, to the Afghans and we cannot decide about the Durand Line

Further, Ambassador Shikib urged the international community to recognize the Afghan government.

Also Read | India, UK To Kick-Off Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement Today.

"This is the natural right of Afghans to be recognized. We call on the international community to recognize us and let us enter a new era," he said.

Meanwhile, tensions over tension over the Durand Line fencing have recently escalated between Kabul and Islamabad.

While the Pakistani military has pledged to complete the fencing along the Durand Line, a senior commander of the Taliban in the eastern zone said they would not allow any more fencing, according to Tolo News.

Earlier, Pakistan Rangers exchanged mortar fire with Taliban in eastern Taliban in eastern Nangarhar province after the latter ripped away the border fence being laid by the Pakistan army in the third week of December last year.

The local Taliban official followed it up by threatening war if the Pakistanis' persisted with the border fencing.

Further, Pakistan soldiers unpleased artillery in Afghanistan's Kunar province following the incident in Nangarhar province's Gushta area. This indicates that both sides upped the ante along the disputed Durand boundary. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London [UK], January 14 (ANI): The Chinese embassy in Britain has refuted reports that a British lawyer of Chinese descent is "involved in political interference activities" in British parliament, media reported on Friday.

"China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other country's internal affairs," a spokesperson of the embassy said, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Also Read | China Using its Billions to Buy Political Influence Across the World, Says Report.

"We have no need and never seek to 'buy influence' in any foreign parliament," the spokesperson said, adding that "we firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the UK."

On Thursday, Britain's domestic security agency, MI5, sent an unusual alert to lawmakers warning that an agent of the Chinese government was actively working to subvert the political processes of Parliament, The New York Times reported.

Also Read | Hong Kong International Airport Suspends Passenger Transit Services for 150 Countries Over Omicron Variant.

This is the sort of interference "we now anticipate and expect from China," said Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative lawmaker. "But the fact that it has happened to this Parliament -- there must be a sense of urgency from this government."

This comes as tensions have heightened between the two nations, with Britain in recent years taking an increasingly firm stance against Beijing.

According to The New York Times, the UK has revoked the license of a Chinese-backed broadcaster, suspended an extradition treaty with Hong Kong and granted visas to tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents in the aftermath of a security law from Beijing that stifles political dissent. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London [UK], January 14 (ANI): Britain's spy agency, MI5 has warned lawmakers that a woman linked to the Chinese Communist Party, has been working to influence the political process of the country by establishing links with Parliamentarians.

MI5 issued an "interference alert" that Christine Ching Kui Lee has "acted covertly in coordination" with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and is "judged to be involved in political interference activities in the UK."

Also Read | US Embassy in Baghdad Confirms Rocket Attack Targeted Compound.

Ian Duncan Smith, a senior British lawmaker and former leader of the ruling Conservative Party, raised the alarm in Parliament on Thursday, saying that MI5 had warned House Speaker Lindsay Hoyle that an "agent of the Chinese government" has been actively working to "subvert" the processes of Parliament.

"This is a matter of grave concern," Duncan Smith said.

Also Read | Spider-Man Comic Book's Single Page Sells for Record USD 3.36 Million at Auction in Dallas.

"We judge that the UFWD is seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics through establishing links with established and aspiring Parliamentarians across the political spectrum," CNN quoted MI5 alert as saying.

The agency also highlighted that Lee has been facilitating "financial donations to political parties, Parliamentarians, aspiring Parliamentarians and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals."

It is worth mentioning that the UK Company Register lists Lee as a British citizen.

Lee's UK-based activities are "to represent the UK Chinese community and increase diversity," that those activities have "been undertaken in covert coordination with the UFWD, with funding provided by foreign nationals located in China and Hong Kong,"CNN reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.

Many large corporations were silent on Thursdays ruling by the high court to block a requirement that workers at businesses with at least 100 employees be fully vaccinated or else test regularly for COVID-19 and wear a mask on the job.

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Targets response was typical: The big retailer said it wanted to review the decision and how it will impact our team and business.

The Biden administration argues that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements. However, companies could run into state bans on vaccine mandates in Republican-controlled states. And relatively few businesses enacted their own rules ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, raising doubt that there will be rush for them now.

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In legal terms, the Supreme Courts conservative majority said the OSHA lacked authority to impose such a mandate on big companies. The court, however, let stand a vaccination requirement for most health-care workers.

The National Retail Federation, the nations largest retail trade organization and one of the groups that challenged the OSHA action, called the courts decision a significant victory for employers. It complained that OSHA acted without first allowing public comments, although administration officials met with many business and labor groups before issuing the rule.

Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Associations, another of the groups that fought the OSHA rule, said it would interfere with individuals private health care decisions.

Karen Harned, an official with the National Federation of Independent Business, said that as small businesses try to recover from nearly two years of pandemic, the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges.

But mandate supporters called it a matter of safety for employees and customers.

Dan Simons, co-owner of the Founding Farmers chain of restaurants in the Washington area, said vaccine mandates are common sense. He requires his 1,000 employees to be fully vaccinated; those who request an exemption must wear a mask and submit weekly COVID test results.

If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others, you would agree with my approach, Simons said.

Administration officials believe that even though the OSHA rule has been blocked, it drove millions of people to get vaccinated. Companies that used mandates to achieve relatively high vaccination rates may decide that they have accomplished enough.

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Ford Motor Co. said it was encouraged by the 88% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated. The car maker said it would review the court decision to see if it needs to change a requirement that most U.S. salaried workers get the shots.

Labor advocates were dismayed by the ruling.

This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves, said David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration and now teaches at the George Washington Universitys School of Public Health.

For their part, labor unions had been divided all along about Bidens attempt to create a vaccine mandate, with many nurses and teachers groups in favor, but many police and fire unions opposed. Some unions wanted the right to bargain over the issue with companies.

The United Auto Workers, which encourages workers to get vaccinated, said the decision wont change safety protocols such as face masks, temperature checks and distancing when possible for more than 150,000 union members at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis factories.

Among 543 U.S. companies surveyed in November by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, employers were split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers. Fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds had no plans to require the shots unless the courts upheld the OSHA requirement.

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Jeff Levin-Scherz, an executive in the firms health practice, said most companies with mandates will keep them because they are working. He said nothing short of a mandate can get vaccination rates to 90%, and you really need a very high level of vaccination to prevent community outbreaks.

United Airlines was one of the first major employers to announce a mandate, back in August. CEO Scott Kirby has said that 99% of United employees either got vaccinated or submitted a request for exemption on medical or religious grounds.

United declined to comment Thursday, but in earlier comments Kirby has sounded committed to the mandate for his employees because it was the right thing to do for safety.

Airlines fall under a separate Biden order that required federal contractors to get their workers vaccinated. That requirement was not part of Thursdays Supreme Court ruling, but it has been tied up separately since early December, when a federal district judge in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the mandate.

I would expect many federal contractors are going to wait and see because they dont want to implement something if they dont have to, said Christopher Slottee, an employment lawyer in Anchorage, Alaska.

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AP Staff Writers Anne DInnocenzio in New York, Paul Wiseman in Washington and Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.
Naypyitaw [Myanmar], January 14 (ANI): Authorities in military-ruled Myanmar on Friday filed new corruption charges against ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in connection with purchase of a helicopter.

The Southeast Asian country's democracy icon has already been put on trial for over 10 criminal charges and convicted of some of them, with a combined prison time of six years. If convicted of all charges, she could face over 100 years in prison, Kyodo News reported citing source.

Also Read | China Using its Billions to Buy Political Influence Across the World, Says Report.

The latest charges concerns the purchase of a helicopter among other things. On Friday, Win Myint, president of the elected government, in which Suu Kyi had served as state counsellor until the coup, was also charged with corruption in connection with the helicopter case, reported Kyodo News.

The military ousted Suu Kyi's democratically elected government in a coup last year in February, putting the Nobel Peace laureate under house arrest.

Also Read | Hong Kong International Airport Suspends Passenger Transit Services for 150 Countries Over Omicron Variant.

In December, Suu Kyi was sentenced to four years in prison for incitement and breaking coronavirus regulations. Then the sentence was halved to two years at the order of the military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.

On Monday, the 76-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison over an illegal import of walkie-talkies and other charges. She denies any wrongdoing, and her supporters believe the charges against her are politically motivated, Kyodo News reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad, Jan 14 (PTI) Pakistan is committed to providing all possible support to avert a major humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday, even as he welcomed United Nations' appeal for aid to its neighbour.

On Thursday, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that millions of Afghans are on the verge of death, urging the international community to fund the UN's USD 5 billion humanitarian appeal, release the country's frozen assets and reignite its banking system to avert a major economic and social collapse.

Also Read | China Using its Billions to Buy Political Influence Across the World, Says Report.

We welcome the UN's appeal for aid to Afghanistan, Khan said while chairing the third meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan.

During the meeting, the committee was briefed on the progress made on relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth PKR 5 billion, comprising food items including 50,000 MT of wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies.

Also Read | Hong Kong International Airport Suspends Passenger Transit Services for 150 Countries Over Omicron Variant.

The committee was informed that Afghanistan is currently at the throes of a major famine during the harsh winter.

While expressing concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the committee vowed that Pakistan would not abandon the Afghans at this crucial juncture.

Pakistan is committed to provide all out support to the Afghan people to avert the humanitarian crisis, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

It also renewed its appeal to the international community and relief agencies to provide aid at this critical juncture to avert economic collapse and to save precious lives in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Khan also directed the concerned authorities to explore bilateral cooperation with friendly countries as well to stave off the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan by exporting qualified and trained manpower especially in medical, IT, finance and accounting.

He also directed to extend cooperation in the fields of railways, minerals, pharmaceuticals and media to help in Afghanistan's rehabilitation process.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yousuf and the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa among others.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sacramento (US), Jan 14 (AP) Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, was denied parole Thursday by California's governor, who said the killer remains a threat to the public and hasn't taken responsibility for a crime that altered American history.

Kennedy, a U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in California's pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the shooting at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Also Read | US Embassy in Baghdad Confirms Rocket Attack Targeted Compound.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his political hero, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners who said Sirhan, 77, should be freed. The panel's recommendation in August had divided the Kennedy family, with two of RFK's sons  Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  supporting his release, and their siblings and mother vehemently opposing it.

In his decision, Newsom said the assassination was among the most notorious crimes in American history, Aside from causing Kennedy's then-pregnant wife and 10 children immeasurable suffering, Newsom said the killing also caused great harm to the American people.

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It upended the 1968 presidential election, leaving millions in the United States and beyond mourning the promise of his candidacy, Newsom wrote. Mr. Sirhan killed Senator Kennedy during a dark season of political assassinations, just nine weeks after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s murder and four and a half years after the murder of Senator Kennedy's brother, President John F. Kennedy.

He said Sirhan still lacks insight, refuses to accept responsibility and has failed to disclaim violence committed in his name. That adds "to his current risk of inciting further political violence, Newsom wrote.

In 1973, terrorists took 10 hostages at an embassy in Sudan, demanding the release of Sirhan and other prisoners and killing three diplomats when their demands weren't met, he noted.

Sirhan, who will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023, will ask a judge to overturn Newsom's denial, defense attorney Angela Berry said.

We fully expect that judicial review of the governor's decision will show that the governor got it wrong, she said.

State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society.

She said the parole process has become politicized, and Newsom chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law.

Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century, Berry said. Since the mid-1980's Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public.

During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy the "hope of the world. But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesn't recall because he was drunk.

It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did, in fact, do that, Sirhan said.

Kennedy's widow, Ethel, and six of his children hailed Newsom's decision in a statement that called RFK a visionary and champion of justice whose life was cut short by an enraged man with a small gun.

The political passions that motivated this inmate's act still simmer today, and his refusal to admit the truth makes it impossible to conclude that he has overcome the evil that boiled over 53 years ago, they wrote.

The panel's decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016  the 15th time he'd lost his bid for release.

Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didn't object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascon's policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.

The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsom's late father.

Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Army Day is the annual celebration of the Indian Army and all that they do. Army Day 2022 will be celebrated on January 15 and is sure to be a significant celebration for the nation. The Indian Army is known to play a key role in shaping the country the way it is and ensuring that everyone is safe and protected. As we prepare to celebrate Army Day, here is the significance of Army Day 2022, the origin of Army Day celebrations and more. Here Are Interesting Facts About the Indian Army.

When is Army Day 2022

Army Day will be celebrated on January 15, 2022. Every year, this day is celebrated as Army Day as it marks the day that the Indian Army got its first Commander-in-Chief post-independence.

Significance of Army Day

Army Day marks the day that Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa (then a Lieutenant General) took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on January 15, 1949.

How is Army Day Celebrated?

Army Day celebrations are observed across the country every year. However, the main celebration is the Army Day Parade conducted at Cariappa Parade ground in Delhi cantonment. The Army Day also marks the annual ceremony where the Gallantry awards and Sena medals are awarded. Here's wishing everyone a Happy Army Day 2022!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 14, 2022 03:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Sankranti is the day that the sun is considered to shift from one zodiac sign to another. Maghe Sankranti, as the name suggests, marks this transition in the month of Magha. During this festival, the sun is supposed to enter the Capricorn. Celebrated as Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu or Maghi in various parts of India, this commemoration is known as Maghe Sankranti in its neighbouring country of Nepal. Maghe Sankranti 2022 will be celebrated on January 15. As we prepare for this annual observance, here is everything you need to know about Maghe Sankranti 2022, how it's celebrated, its significance, etc. Maghe Sankranti 2022 in Nepal: Makar Sankranti Wishes, Happy Sankranti WhatsApp Messages, Images, HD Wallpapers, Facebook Quotes and Status for Loved Ones.

When is Maghe Sankranti 2022?

Maghe Sankranti 2022 will be celebrated on January 15. This observance usually coincides with the celebration of Makar Sankranti in India. However, while Indians will celebrate Makar Sankranti on January 14, Maghe Sankranti will be observed on January 15. This marks the first day in the month of Maghe, according to the Nepalese calendar.

Significance of Maghe Sankranti

The celebration of Maghe Sankranti is similar to the winter solstice festivals in India. People celebrate this day by doing everything from taking a ritualistic bath in the holy water to visiting various religious places to seek the blessings of the almighty. Maghe Sankranti is mainly celebrated in Madhesh and Tharuhat of Nepal. This festival aims to honour the sun god and thank him for a bountiful harvest.

The celebration of Maghe Sankranti is an official holiday in Nepal. Schools and colleges are usually shut down, and various organizations also take notice of this celebration. However, since Maghe Sankranti 2022 occurs on a Saturday, the celebration is anyway bound to be a fun and frivolous affair with families getting together and celebrating this auspicious day. We hope that this Maghe Sankranti celebration is filled with all the love and light. Happy Maghe Sankranti 2022!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 14, 2022 01:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
In Nepal, Makar Sankranti, also known as Maghe Sankranti, brings an end to the winter solstice in the month of Paush. It is observed on the first of Magh in the Vikram Sambat or Yele calendar. As Maghe Sankranti 2022 falls on January 14, here's a beautiful collection of Happy Makar Sankranti 2022 wishes, Makar Sankranti images, GIFs, WhatsApp messages, Facebook quotes and status to celebrate the lovely and colourful festival with your family and friends. Makar Sankranti 2022 Greetings: Heart-Warming Wishes, Quotes, HD Images For Facebook Status And Sweet Messages To Mark the End of Winter Solstice.

It is one of the few Nepalese festivals celebrated by the Madhesi and Tharu people on a fixed date. The solar festival is observed on January 14 every year in honour of the deity Surya. It follows the solar cycle of the Bikrami calendar, unlike other festivals that follow lunar cycles. The day is observed with great fanfares. People wish each other messages saying Happy Maghe Sankranti. We at LatestLY have curated messages that you can send to one and all on this auspicious day and wish them through WhatsApp stickers, GIF Images, HD wallpapers, Facebook messages and SMS.

Happy Makar Sankranti (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Enjoy This Festival With the Sweetness of Rewri, Moongfali, and Popcorn and Spread Happiness. Happy Makar Sankranti

Happy Makar Sankranti (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Sankranti, the Festival of the Sun Is Here! May It Bring You Greater Knowledge and Wisdom and Light Up Your Life for the Entire New Year. Happy Makar Sankranti!

Happy Makar Sankranti (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Hope the Sun God Fulfills All Your Wishes on This Auspicious Occasion. Wish You a Happy and Prosperous Makar Sankranti

Happy Makar Sankranti (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Hope This Festive Season Brings Joy to You and Your Loved Ones, and May All Your Wishes Come True This Year. Happy Makar Sankranti!

Happy Makar Sankranti (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: This Year, I Hope the Rising Sun of Makar Sankranti Fills Your Life With Happy Moments. Wishing You a Very Happy Makar Sankranti!

In Nepalese culture, Maghe Sankranti marks the beginning of a promising phase. People believe that they can start any auspicious and sacred ritual from this day. Sankranti means the beginning of a warmer season that is good for the harvest and the ending of the winter season. As you celebrate this day which marks the beginning of harvest season, here are WhatsApp stickers, GIF Images, HD wallpapers and SMS to all your friends and family wishing them Happy Maghe Sankranti 2022.

Latest Makar Sankranti 2022 Messages, WhatsApp Greetings, Photos & Quotes To Wish Family and Friends

The importance of this day has been mentioned in ancient epics like Mahabharata. In northern and western Nepal, the festival is celebrated as the Makar Sankranti day with a lot of excitement and zeal. The day holds not just socio-geographical importance but also historical and religious significance. As you celebrate this big day in Nepal, here are some WhatsApp stickers, GIF images, HD wallpapers and SMS that you can download and send to everyone to wish them. Happy Maghe Sankranti 2022!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 14, 2022 07:49 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Uttarayan is the day when Sun starts to move towards the northern hemisphere on the celestial hemisphere. On this day, the International Kite festival is organised which is one of the largest festivals celebrated in Gujarat. It is celebrated every year on January 14. Here's a collection of Happy Uttarayan 2022 wishes, WhatsApp messages, Makar Sankranti 2022 greetings, quotes, SMS and GIFs to celebrate the beautiful festival with near and dear ones. New Makar Sankranti 2022 Wishes & HD Images for Free Download Online: WhatsApp Messages, GIF Greetings, Stickers and Status To Send to Family and Friends.

The first International Kite festival was observed in 1989 where people from every corner of the world came forward to show their innovative kites. Though the kites are made with different items like plastic, leaves, wood, metal, nylon and other scrap material, during Uttarayan the kites are made only with lightweight paper and bamboo sticks. People in Gujarat and throughout the world send messages to their friends and family wishing them Happy Uttarayan on this day. We at LatestLY, have brought together a wide range of WhatsApp stickers, GIF Images, HD wallpapers and SMS that you can send to all your loved ones on this big day. From Uttarayan to Magh Bihu to Thai Pongal, Here's How the Different Indian States Celebrate Makar Sankranti.

Uttarayan Festival Wishes (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: May You Soar High With Success Just Like Your Kites This Makar Sankranti. Happy Uttarayan!

Uttarayan Festival Wishes (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: May We All Be Blessed With Joy and Prosperity on This Makar Sankranti. Wish You and Your Loved Ones a Happy Uttarayan!

Uttarayan Festival Wishes (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: May This Uttarayan Be Full of Moongfali, Rewari and Popcorn for You and Your Loved Ones. Wishing a Prosperous and Cheerful Uttarayan 2022 to You.

Uttarayan Festival Wishes (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: Warm Greetings on Uttarayan to You My Dear. May This Special Occasion Be Full of Smiles and Sweetness of Your Loved Ones.

Uttarayan Festival Wishes (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: May the Brightness and Happiness of the Celebrations of Uttarayan Put an End to All the Darkness in Your Life. Happy Uttarayan to You My Dear.

Happy Makar Sankranti (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: With Great Devotion, Fervor and Gaiety, With Rays of Joy and Hope. Wish You and Your Family. Happy Makar Sankranti

Happy Makar Sankranti (File Image)

WhatsApp Message Reads: May You Always Soar High Up in Life Like the Vibrant Kites That Fly in the Sky. Happy Makar Sankranti

Uttarayan marks the day when winters begin to turn into summers according to the Indian calendar. It is one of the most important harvesting days in India marked with kite flying in Gujarat. The celebration is so huge that this day is a public holiday in the state. Months before the event, households start making different types of kites for this day. People are very excited about this festival and do their preparations for the same beforehand. As you observe this grand festival, here are wishes that you can send your friends and family through WhatsApp stickers, GIF Images, HD wallpapers and SMS.

Happy Makar Sankranti GIFs

Happy Makar Sankranti (File Image)

Happy Makar Sankranti 2022 Greetings: Send WhatsApp Status, Wishes and Photos on Uttarayan Festival

During the Uttarayan festival, a mixed vegetable including yam and beans known as undhiyu is prepared. Along with it, chikki (sesame seed brittle) and jalebi are served to the people. People wish each other by messaging them Happy Uttarayan. Here are some beautiful WhatsApp stickers, GIF Images, HD wallpapers and SMS that you can send to your near and dear ones to wish them on this day. Wishing everyone Happy Uttarayan 2022!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 14, 2022 08:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The @UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (#OCHA) has said that the rights of Afghan women and girls are "under attack" and that they need the world body's support and solidarity now more than ever.



Photo: IANS (Representational image) pic.twitter.com/7uymdq2DBW IANS Tweets (@ians_india) January 14, 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.)
Makar Sankranti 2022 greetings in Telugu & Sankranthi Subhakankshalu images for free download online: Makar Sankranti is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated under different names in different states of India. But the main theme behind the harvest festival dedicated to the Sun god is the same - celebrating sweetness in life, gratitude towards nature and unity. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Makar Sankranti is celebrated over the period of four days starting with Bhogi, followed by the main day called Sankranthi while the third and fourth days are Kanuma and Mukkanuma. Now, for Sankranthi 2022 falling on January 2022, here's a beautiful collection of images and wallpapers with text in Telugu. Take a look at Makar Sankranti 2022 wishes in Telugu, Sankranthi Subhakankshalu HD images, WhatsApp messages, Facebook status, quotes and wallpapers that you can share with your family and friends. Latest Makar Sankranti 2022 Wishes: WhatsApp Status Video, Beautiful Greetings, HD Images, Facebook Messages, Quotes, Wallpapers & SMS Observe the Kite Festival.

Makar Sankranti 2022 Telugu Wishes and Messages

Sankranti Wishes in Telugu (File Image)

Sankranti Wishes in Telugu (File Image)

Sankranti Wishes in Telugu (File Image)

Sankranti Wishes in Telugu (File Image)

Sankranti Wishes in Telugu (File Image)

Sankranti Wishes in Telugu (File Image)

Sankranti Wishes in Telugu (File Image)

Sankranti Wishes in Telugu (File Image)

Latest Makar Sankranti 2022 Messages, WhatsApp Greetings, Photos & Quotes To Wish Family and Friends

(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.)
Mexico is now backed by Canada in its latest car trade conflict with the United States. This means that both of these countries are now requesting a dispute resolution panel.

According to Bloomberg's latest report, the panel is expected to include a tribunal of experts, who rule over the current USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement).

"The interpretation that the United States adopted in July 2020 is inconsistent with CUSMA and the understanding shared by the parties and stakeholders throughout the negotiations," said Canada's Minister Mary Ng, via Coast Reporter.

"Canada, Mexico, and the United States would all benefit from the certainty that CUSMA is being implemented as negotiated," she added.

Canada Joins Mexico in Latest Car Trade Issue With U.S.

Mexico was the first one to file a dispute against the current U.S. car rules. Now, Canada joins the country so that the issue on the vehicle percentage that comes collectively from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

READ MORE: California Allows Hospitals to Force COVID-Positive Asymptomatic Staff to Work to Address Staff Shortage

According to Auto News' latest report, USMCA replaced the original NAFTA (The North American Free Trade Agreement) trade pack back in July 2020. Now, Canada and Mexico want to have a more flexible interpretation of the regulations involving car manufacturing between them and the U.S.

On the other hand, Mexican Economy Minister Tatiana Clouthier gladly accepted Canada's presence in the ongoing complaint against the United States.

Why Is There a Conflict?

The current conflict in the car trade between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada revolves around how the percentage of vehicle coming from each of the countries are being calculated.

As of the moment, Mexico and Canada claim that the trade deal implemented by the USMCA wants more regionally-manufactured vehicle parts to be duty-free.

Because of this, they think that the interpretation of the United States on the car trade rules is quite inconsistent. Right now, the car incentives and automotive rules proposed and implemented by the U.S. government are being criticized by Canada and Mexico.

Meanwhile, the United States hasn't made any comment regarding the presence of Canada in the current vehicle rule conflict. If you want to know more details about the ongoing car trade regulation dispute, you can visit this link.

READ NEXT: ADP Advances the Benefit Experience for Large and Medium-sized Businesses with API Integrations
FILE - The Supreme Court is seen at dusk in Washington, Oct. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

The Supreme Courts decision Thursday to strike down vaccine mandates for private businesses but uphold the requirement for health care workers will impact Central Floridas two largest hospital systems: AdventHealth, which employs around 36,000 health care workers across greater Orlando, and Orlando Health, which employs over 23,000 workers.

Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, urged Florida hospitals to comply with these requirements, saying that the Supreme Courts decision clearly acknowledged the right of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to enact and enforce this mandate.

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Floridas hospitals are committed to ensuring access to care for millions of elderly Floridians who depend on Medicare, Mayhew wrote. Hospitals are obligated to remain compliant with the programs conditions of participation and must comply with this federal vaccine requirement now upheld by the highest court.

Nearly 4.7 million Floridians use Medicare or Medicaid as their insurance.

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The mandate requires health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order for a facility to continue receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding. It offers religious and medical exceptions.

Thursdays ruling does not end the legal battles over the vaccine mandate. It just allows the mandate to be enforced while lawsuits over the mandate continue to play out.

The ruling contradicts a Florida law that requires businesses to offer a much wider range of exceptions when asking workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Florida law, passed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Nov. 18, threatens $50,000 per violation for large companies such as AdventHealth or Orlando Health that enact mandates.

DeSantis has repeatedly argued vaccine mandate decisions should be left to the states. DeSantis office did not respond to a request for comment on the Supreme Courts ruling.

Mayhew acknowledged that there is likely confusion, given that hospitals are being told to do different things by state and federal governments, even though federal law typically overrides state law.

Hospitals do not want to be caught between the state and federal governments and may still need clarity from the courts regarding federal preemption regarding the Florida state law, she wrote.

Some large health care systems with locations in Central Florida  Nemours Childrens Health and UF Health  required staff vaccinations before Biden or DeSantis made their laws, so this ruling wont change much.

AdventHealth and Orlando Health now must enact a mandate, if they have not.

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The Health Report Weekly A weekly update on health news in Florida. >

The current deadline for health care workers to get their first COVID-19 shot is two weeks away, on Jan. 27, with a second due by Feb. 28 for those receiving vaccines that require double doses.

AdventHealth previously followed federal law and enacted a vaccine mandate for staff.

However, after a judge halted the federal mandate in December, AdventHealth paused its mandate, which had yet to meet its deadline. AdventHealth Central Florida did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday after the courts ruling.

When asked if Orlando Health will enact a vaccine mandate, spokesperson Kena Lewis said it will continue to encourage vaccinations for staff but stopped short of sharing whether it will mandate or has already mandated shots.

Our original statement stands, she wrote. Orlando Health continues to review the guidelines regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare organizations and will take appropriate steps. As a healthcare organization, we continue to strongly encourage vaccinations for all team members and physicians at Orlando Health.

Correction: A previous version of this story said that health care workers could either get vaccinated or tested weekly. Health care workers must get vaccinated unless they have a religious or medical exemption.

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ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com
Sorrento Therapeutics Mexico announced on Tuesday that their company will supply their COVID testing kits, also known as "COVISTIX," to Mexico City.

The move came after the company won their first tender offer yesterday by the Mexico City Municipal Government for purchasing their COVISTIX COVID-19 Virus Antigen Detection tests, Globe Newswire reported.

Sorrento winning the bid to supply their COVID tests to Mexico City is a product of their "active participation" in more tender orders globally as countries worldwide level up their monitoring and testing of COVID-19 among their patients.

According to the company, "COVISTIX" would provide a "rapid and sensitive" means of detecting the asymptomatic and symptomatic infections caused by the Omicron variant.

The company did not provide a specific date and time for the delivery of the COVID tests, but they said that their "COVISTIX" will be delivered to Mexico City within this week.

READ NEXT: Mexico Health Regulator Authorizes Cuba's COVID Vaccine for Emergency Use as Baja California Sur Becomes Country's Epicenter of Coronavirus

Mexico COVID Cases

Sorrento Therapeutics will deliver their COVID testing kit "COVISTIX" to Mexico City, as the country recorded a new daily record of cases on Wednesday.

According to the Federal Health Ministry, a daily record of confirmed cases amounting to 44,187 was seen in Mexico while the number of active cases in the country hit an all-time high of 222,221, Mexico News Daily reported.

When it comes to the active cases among the city, Baja California Sur remains to lead the country per capita, with over 900 active cases per 100,000 people.

Mexico City remains second, with under 600 active cases per 100,000 people. San Luis Potosi, Quintana Roo, and Zacatecas follow, with each of the cities having more than 300 active cases per 100,000 people.

The total number of Mexico's COVID active cases, which reportedly increased 21 percent in a single day, occurred amid the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

The hospitalization rate in the country did not rise as their COVID cases. However, federal records revealed that 115 public hospitals have reached the full capacity of their general care COVID wards.

Twenty-three of these hospitals are located in Mexico City, including Central Military Hospital, La Raza IMSS hospital, Villa Coapa IMSS hospital, and the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Mexico In response to COVID Surge

As the COVID cases surged in Mexico, more than half of the country's 32 states imposed measures to curb the spread of the virus.

People who wish to enter establishments such as bars and nightclubs in Jalisco need to present a negative COVID test result or a vaccine certificate. The same documents are needed to enter Tlaxcala's supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, and hotels.

Authorities in San Luis Potosi ramped up their COVID-19 testing in their municipalities.

In Baja California Sur, in-person classes were suspended, and no resumption of date have been set by the authorities.

It can be recalled that earlier in January, the sudden increase in COVID cases led to the delay of in-person classes in a dozen of Mexico's 32 states after the holidays.

Other states in Mexico aimed to slow the spread of the virus, including the states of Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Hidalgo, and Nayarit. Schools in some of those states also did not reopen on January 3, despite the government's push for teachers and students to go back to the classroom.

READ NEXT: Chile Starts Fourth Dose of COVID Vaccine As Omicron Variant Drives Increase of Cases

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Mexico's COVID Cases and Deaths are Underreported-Why? - From NOVA PBS Official
A couple in Puerto Rico now faces trial after they refused to follow COVID protocols and fill out a traveler's declaration form.

The two locked themselves in a minivan for several hours to avoid being detained, according to an NBC News report.

The Puerto Ricans were identified as Zulma Figueroa, 53, and Luis Angel Colon, 44. They arrived in Puerto Rico on a flight from Florida on January 2 with two of their children.

Figueroa and Colon reportedly refused to fill out a COVID entry form at the airport and show proof of a negative test for the virus as required by an executive order from Gov. Pedro Pierluisi.

Authorities in Puerto Rico found out about the incident when the 53-year-old Puerto Rican posted a video on social media.

Figueroa said in Spanish that travelers can arrive in Puerto Rico without getting tested in a domestic flight, and people do not need to give anyone any information.

On Tuesday, the two were accused of obstruction a public official, while facing a penalty of up to six months in prison, according to a Star Tribune News report.

READ NEXT: Chile Starts Fourth Dose of COVID Vaccine As Omicron Variant Drives Increase of Cases

Puerto Rico Couple Violation of COVID Protocols

Figueroa and Colon are accused of violating Article 246 of the Criminal Code when they refused to complete the traveler's declaration required by an executive order by Pierluisi, according to an El Nuevo Dia news report.

An attempt to execute the arrest warrant became a tense situation as the couple locked themselves in a minivan with three minors in a parked vehicle near their residence.

Police and Health Department officials were processing Figueroa's arrest and her husband when she used social networks once again to publish a video in which she maintained that her arrest and her husband were illegal.

They also accused the police of performing a show.

Anti-vaccine activists also went to the area where the arrest was being attempted. Many of the people who flocked the area were not wearing any masks.

Journalists covering the situation were also harassed and assaulted.

Four photojournalists, three reporters, and a news producer were assaulted during the coverage of the Puerto Rican couple's arrest.

The Association of Journalists of Puerto Rico, the Association of Photojournalists of Puerto Rico, and the Overseas Press Club released a joint statement regarding the matter, rejecting the incident, describing it as an attack on press freedom.

Puerto Rico COVID Protocols

Puerto Rico has ramped up its COVID protocols amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

All indoor and outdoor events will be limited to a maximum capacity of 250 people, and alcohol sales will not be allowed between midnight and 5 a.m. until January 18, according to Travel Pulse report.

Puerto Rico visitors arriving on domestic flights are required to present proof of a negative antigen or a negative COVID test result from an authorized health provider, which should be taken within 48 hours of arrival.

Unvaccinated travelers, even those with a negative test result, should quarantine for seven days after their arrival.

READ MORE: Pfizer's COVID Pill Could Have Risky Effects When Used With Other Drugs; FDA Restricts Merck's COVID Pill Use to Adults and Scenarios Where Other Treatments Are Not Available

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Puerto Rico faces staggering COVID surge despite high vaccination rate - from ABC News






Three members of the same family were shot dead at their riverfront house where they bred turtles for 20 years, according to police in the Brazilian Amazon state of Para.

The victims were identified as Jose Gomes, his wife Marcia Nunes Lisboa, and her teenage daughter Joane Nunes Lisboa, who died on the island of Cachoeira da Mucura, on the banks of the Xingu River in So Felix do Xingu, Brazil.

Corpses Found Outside Family's Home

The bodies were discovered in the early stages of decomposition outside the family's home on Sunday.

One of the corpses floats in the river, as shown in a video uploaded on social media. Another lies collapsed and barefoot in a puddle, while the other lies fallen by the river bank.

The bodies were discovered by Gomes' son.

The motive for the killings has yet to be determined, according to police.

Gomes and his family raised thousands of baby turtles that they release into the river once a year, sometimes with the assistance of neighbors or locals.

The investigation's civil police chief, Jose Carlos Rodrigues, told regional media that the crimes had shaken the community.

ALSO READ: Ecuador Police Intercepts Cocaine Worth $42 Million Destined for Tunisia Hidden in Banana Container

Environmental Advocates Grieves for Family

Environmentalists and human rights advocates grieved the family's death on social media.

A former environment minister, Marina Silva, wrote on a Twitter post, "They worked for the sake of life in the river, land and for life in general. And they were slaughtered, their lives were taken with gunfire."

In a video last December, Gomes drops buckets of newborn turtles into the river, explaining how the family has been doing this activity for 20 years.

Gomes revealed in a video that they are attempting to repopulate the river with newborn turtles so that their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would be able to catch them in the future.

In a public statement, Amnesty International Brazil stated, "Those responsible for the atrocities must be identified and held accountable immediately and efficiently."

He added that the state of Brazil commits it to the Amazon area and the rest of the country to stop the wave of violence and the cycle of impunity that is sweeping the nation.

Felix do Xingu, the home of the turtle breeder family, has continuously ranked first among Brazil's most deforested municipalities, according to government data.

According to a report released by NGO Global Witness last year, Brazil was ranked the fourth-deadliest country for land and environmental defenders in 2020. Over three-quarters of the 20 killings were recorded in the country's nine Amazon states.

Murders like these are frequently unpunished, establishing a cycle of violence and impunity.

According to Brazil's Pastoral Land Commission, a land violence watchdog, Para, which has an area five times that of the United Kingdom, has been one of the deadliest states for land defenders, with less than 5% of land-conflict homicides getting to court.

While the number of murders of land and environmental activists in Brazil has decreased from a high of 57 in 2017, according to government data, the country's president, Jair Bolsonaro, has overseen a major increase in deforestation in the Amazon.

READ MORE: 14-Year-Old Boy Among 10 Victims of Deadly Cliff Collapse in Brazil; Tragedy Caused by Heavy Rains

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: The WORLD's CRAZIEST Turtle House is BACK! - Kamp Kenan


Florida lawmakers are in discussions regarding a bill that would allow school districts in Florida to place cameras in classrooms and microphones on teachers.

State Rep. Bob Rommel introduced the measure, saying that if they can do it in a safe way to protect the privacy of students and teachers, then they should do it, according to a CBS News report.

The Republican from Naples noted that he has not heard a response, good or bad, from any teachers. However, he said that it is not their private space, adding that it is "our children's space, too."

Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco said that some of Broward County Public Schools already have them.

Fusco said that the practice was already imposed right now under limited circumstances.

The school district's website said that parents of a student can request a camera system with visual and audio capability be placed in a classroom if the student has a disability and is an individualized program, wherein the majority of students have a disability.

The practice has already been permitted under Florida House Bill 149, which has passed in July.

Fusco said that everything that happens in the classroom is monitored, watched, and heard all day. She added that there is absolutely zero privacy for everybody, even when the teacher needs to do a parent conference on the phone.

The union president also said that it is not necessary to video monitor educators at work.

READ NEXT: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Refers to U.S. Pres. Joe Biden's Delaware Beach Stay When Slamming Critics for Being Absent in December As Omicron Variant Spreads Around the State

Florida Bill Imposing New Practice in Classrooms

Rommel noted that incidents involving teachers and students could occur, and they would want to make sure that they protect everyone in the classroom.

The representative added that the footage would not be live-streamed, noting that the teacher's privacy and how they teach their class is not going to be infringed upon, according to a Tampa Bay 10 News report.

The Florida Education Association sent a statement from President Andrew Spar, addressing the new Florida bill.

The statement asked whether the video can be used by law enforcement to investigate a situation dealing with a student without parental knowledge, as well as if it can be used as evidence to show how effective a teacher is in the classroom.

Rommel argued that school districts would vote on it to see if it is worth it to protect students and teachers.

The state representative also cited incidents of bullying, adding that they do know some parents have complained of children being indoctrinated into some hateful theories, according to a Newsweek report.

The proposed measure also noted that it would allow individual school boards to implement policies on their own.

Principals would be in charge of video camera recordings and it would be retained for at least three months from its recording date or until the conclusion of an investigation, according to another Tampa Bay 10 News report.

The law would also require each school district to complete and vote on whether to implement classroom cameras, including an estimation of costs. The deadline for the vote would be Jan. 1, 2023.

READ MORE: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Announces State Will Officially File Lawsuit Against Pres. Joe Biden's COVID Vaccine Mandate

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Florida bill would allow video recordings in classrooms | Morning in America - from NewsNation Now






California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday did not allow Robert F. Kennedy's killer, Sirhan Sirhan, to be released over parole more than half a century after he was accused of committing the crime.

According to New York Post, Newsom said on Thursday that the reason he did not approve Sirhan Sirhan's parole is that he possesses an "unreasonable threat to public safety."

"After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy," Newsom wrote. The California governor further explained that Sirhan also lacks the insight that would "prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past."

In addition, California Governor Gavin Newsom also noted that the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy is one of the most "notorious crimes" in the history of the United States, contending that the RFK's assassination caused "immeasurable suffering" to Kennedy's family as well as "great harm" to the American people.

READ NEXT: Robert F. Kennedy's Assassin Recommended for Parole: Could He Soon Be a Free Man?

Sirhan Sirhan's Attorney on Gavin Newsom's Decision

Sirhan Sirhan's attorney does not agree with Gavin Newsom's decision to not grant parole to the Robert F. Kennedy assassin.

According to USA Today, Sirhan's attorney, Angela Berry, will seek the help of the judge to overturn Gavin Newsom's decision on the parole.

"We fully expect that the judicial review of the governor's decision will show that the governor got it wrong," Berry underscored.

The defense attorney also slammed the California governor, claiming that Gavin Newsom politicized the parole of Sirhan when he "chose to overrule his own experts [on the parole board],' ignoring the law."

The decision for Sirhan's parole came after two commissioners from the California Board of Parole recommended Sirhan's parole when two sons of the late Robert F. Kennedy favored the shooter's release.

Berry also argued that according to state law, inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they are "current unreasonable public safety risk."

Berry noted that "not an iota of evidence exists to suggest that Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society."

Robert F. Kennedy's Widow, Ethel Kenedy, Lauds California Gov. Gavin Newsom's Decision

Although Sirhan's camp was not in favor of the decision, the Kennedys, on the other hand, lauded Gavin Newsom's decision on Thursday.

RFK's widow and his six children wrote in a statement that the "political passions" that motivated Sirhan of killing Robert F. Kennedy are still fresh today. The family also noted that his refusal to admit what he did during that time proves that he is still the same man 53 years ago.

In 1968, Sirhan reportedly shot Robert F. Kennedy as he celebrated in a room full of his supporters in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after he won the pivotal Democratic presidential primary.

Sirhan was initially sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 1972 when California Supreme Court paused capital punishment.

Although Sirhan was denied his parole, he will be scheduled for a new parole hearing in February next year.

READ NEXT: Hunter Biden's Ex-Wife Kathleen Buhle Opens Up About Their Divorce in Her Book

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: California Governor Denies Robert F Kennedy Assassin Sirhan Sirhan Parole - From ABC7
Queen Elizabeth has stripped her son Prince Andrew of military titles and the use of His Royal Highness amid the sexual allegations with the Duke of York, who is currently facing a U.S. civil lawsuit.

A royal source said that Andrew will stop using the style of His Royal Highness in an official capacity, according to a BBC News report.

The action came after a judge has slammed his bid to dismiss the case that was founded on sexual assault allegations against him, which he has consistently denied.

One source close to the duke said that he would continue to "defend himself" against the case brought in New York by Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Buckingham Palace released a statement, saying that Andrew's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen with the Queen's approval and agreement.

The Palace added that Andrew will continue not to have any public duties and will be defending his U.S. civil lawsuit as a private citizen.

One close source said that the changes had been made with the agreement of Andrew instead of being imposed from the top, according to The Daily Beast News report.

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace refused to say if Andrew had visited his mother to personally receive the news of his excommunication from royal life.

READ NEXT: Virginia Roberts Giuffre's Lawyer Says They Will Try to Have Members of Royal Family, Including Meghan Markle, to Testify in Prince Andrew's Trial

Prince Andrew's Removal of Titles

The duke's current roles will be handed to other members of the family. His roles include Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, which is one of the oldest regiments in the British army, according to an Independent report.

However, the details of the new arrangement are yet to be announced.

Andrew's other military titles include honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; as well as commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm.

He is also the royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers, and royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Courtiers reportedly sought to uproot reputational harm to the monarchy by removing the duke from official royal life, while also distancing him from the wider family.

Meanwhile, a federal judge has rejected an argument by Andrew that he was protected from legal prosecution by the terms of a $50,000 settlement Giuffre made with Jeffrey Epstein.

Giuffre's lawyer, David Boies, said that the Queen's action speaks for themselves.

A public call by more than 150 military veterans wrote to the Queen in her role as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The veterans said in their letter that it was "untenable" for Andrew to retain his military position.

Royal author and former government minister Norman Baker also commented on the matter.

Baker said that the fact the Palace is describing him as a private citizen in light of his court case tells that he has well and truly been "chucked under the royal bus."

The government insider added that the royal family cannot escape the damage that will elevate as the U.S. court case progresses.

READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II Warns British Media to Stay Away From Balmoral - And Her Son Prince Andrew

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Prince Andrew Stripped of Titles Amid Sexual Assault Lawsuit - from Inside Edition






U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that the United States is still trying to figure out what the Havana Syndrome is and what is causing its symptoms as diplomats continue to feel ill with the mysterious disease.

According to Blinken, the entire federal government is working to get to the bottom of the said illness, The Guardian reported.

"We are working overtime across the entire government to get to the bottom of what happened, who's responsible," Blinken said in an interview with MSNBC. The secretary of state furthered that to date, they still do not know exactly "what's happened" and who is behind the mysterious condition.

Blinken also shared that he spoke to the state department employees who described the symptoms of the illness and how Havana Syndrome affected and "disrupted" their lives.

"There is no doubt in my mind that people have been directly and powerfully affected," the secretary of state underscored.

In the meantime, Blinken assured that they are "caring for anyone who's been affected" by the Havana syndrome. He also noted that they will protect their officials "to the best of their ability."

READ NEXT: Couple in Puerto Rico Face Trial After Refusing to Follow COVID Protocol

New Havana Syndrome Cases

The secretary of state announced the status of their investigation on Havana syndrome, as four new cases of the condition were detected in Europe.

According to Al Jazeera, at least three diplomats serving for the United States consulate in Geneva were believed to have been stricken by the Havana Syndrome. The outlet furthered that one of the three individuals was needed to be medevacked from Switzerland to the U.S. for treatment.

Meanwhile, Embassy officials also reported another official who was stricken by the syndrome in Paris.

It can be recalled that in August, diplomats involved in the Russia-related issues, including cyber security, were also stricken by the syndrome in Vietnam, prompting the delay of Vice President Kamala Harris' flight when she visited the country.

It was not clear how many diplomats in Vietnam were affected by the Havana Syndrome during that time.

Reports noted that Havana Syndrome affected about 200 U.S. diplomats, officials, and family members overseas.

Havana Syndrome cases among U.S. diplomats were also recorded in other countries such as China, Colombia, Serbia, and Austria.

Havana Syndrome Raised by the U.S. With Russia

Havana Syndrome was a condition that was first reported in Cuba in 2016. To date, the syndrome continues to stoke foul play.

Officials who were affected by the disease reported that they experienced different symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, memory loss, and cognitive difficulties.

A 2020 report from the National Academy of Sciences committee, which was commissioned by the Department of State, found that "directed" microwave radiation is likely causing the illness. However, the report did not mention a source in their claim.

On Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that they had raised the issue with Russia. However, they could still not decide on who was responsible for the syndrome.

It can be recalled that Russia, China, and the United States said that they have researched microwaves for military purposes. However, Moscow dismissed the accusations against it for using the microwave as a weapon in their U.S. missions.

READ NEXT: Ecuador Police Intercepts Cocaine Worth $42 Million Destined for Tunisia Hidden in Banana Container

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Havana syndrome: Secret Espionage Warfare or Mere Medical Disorder? - From DW News
Texas teen Adalia Rose Williams has passed away at the age of 15 after her fight against the "Benjamin Button" disease, which is a rare genetic illness.

Williams was diagnosed as a baby with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. The announcement of her passing was posted on her Facebook page, according to a New York Post report.

The post received around 714,000 reactions, with 138,000 comments and 93,000 shares. The post read that Williams is no longer in pain and is now "dancing away to all the music she loves."

Many fans have left their comments and expressed love and support below the post. They all hoped that Williams "rest in peace."

Williams was also known as a YouTube content creator. She posted across other social media platforms as well, documenting her life and showing the realities of navigating the world while having the progressive condition that she was diagnosed with at just three months old.

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Adalia Rose Williams Life Across Social Media Platforms

Williams garnered 2.91 million subscribers on YouTube and 379,000 Instagram followers, according to a Daily Mail report.

Williams' mother, Natalia Pallante, said that the doctors had noticed something wrong during the first few months of the birth of her child.

Pallante said that when Williams was born doctors were not very happy with her growth.

She added that it was one of the symptoms that first showed up. In addition, the skin on William's "tummy was really tight and just different looking."

Williams received her diagnosis at three months and soon started losing her hair. The veins also became visible while her skin thinned out.

Williams eventually got several siblings after her mother met Ryan.

Ryan said that they just treat Williams just like a normal kid and try to give her the best life, adding that they do not mention the word "progeria" frequently.

Pallante said that her daughter had had struggles, citing incidents wherein the teen would sometimes wish that "she looked like everybody else" and could do what everybody else can do.

Williams' mother continued on and said that her daughter would then say, "who needs hair anyway," saying that she has a lot of wigs and can have different hair every day.

Pallante described Williams as "rambunctious," and that she loved watching her grow.

The family thanked the doctors and nurses that worked for years to keep Williams healthy, according to a Mirror report.

Williams became popular when she uploaded her video dancing to PSY's Gangnam Style and Vanilla Icewere. It went viral in 2015.

Michael Costello, who is known for being Jennifer Lopez's designer, had gifted the YouTube star dresses for her birthday in December 2019. One of the gowns was a Princess Jasmine costume from the film Aladdin, while the other was a one-shoulder fuchsia gown.

Costello said on Instagram that he always struggles thinking of a name when people ask him who is his favorite celebrity to dress. He then thanked Williams for the chance to dress her.

READ MORE: Gov. Greg Abbott Wants an Investigation on Sexually Explicit Materials Availability in Texas Public Schools

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Adalia Rose's Cause of death & Obituary | adalia rose funeral, try not to cry So Heartbreaking - from FMI News






The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded Hunter College a grant of $1,238,000 to support scholarly groups at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies (Centro) that will bring together academics, journalists and artists to study issues confronting Puerto Rico and its diaspora throughout the United States. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation supports a wide range of initiatives to strengthen the humanities, arts, higher education and cultural heritage.

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"As a former director of Centro and a product of Puerto Rico, I am especially grateful to the Mellon Foundation for this important and generous gift," said Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez. "CUNY and Centro have a long-standing bond with Puerto Rico and New York's Puerto Rican community. This grant will support innovative thinking that makes real contributions to a better future for the island and its diaspora here in New York and across the country."

"Hunter College is honored to have Centro be recognized for its leadership in Puerto Rican studies," said Hunter College President Jennifer J. Raab. "The grant provided by the Mellon Foundation will enable Centro to continue building on its legacy and further its role as the premier site of collaborative research regarding Puerto Rico and its diaspora."

"We are thrilled to receive this support and recognition from the Mellon Foundation," said Bonilla, Centro's director and a professor in Hunter's Department of Africana & Puerto Rican/Latino Studies. "We plan to convene a broad group of thinkers and creators from across Puerto Rico's intellectual and geographic communities to engage in collaborative research regarding the pressing issues facing our communities."

One important goal for these study groups is to develop new policy recommendations as well as theoretical foundations and conceptual pathways for thinking and reimagining Puerto Rico and its future.

Centro has a 50-year history of interdisciplinary and collaborative research of the history and culture of the Puerto Rican experience in the United States. The new grant will help reinvigorate this legacy by creating benchmark publications, media products and artistic projects that can bridge long-standing divisions within Puerto Rican Studies. These divides are not just linguistic, geographic and ideological, but also reflect the wide range of experiences among Puerto Rican communities.

"Recent experiences like Hurricane Maria and the COVID crisis have shown that there is not one singular Puerto Rican experience but a multiplicity of realities, visions and desires," said Dr. Bonilla. "Even the basic terminology for describing Puerto Rico is subject to conceptual debate: Is it a colony, a territory, a dependency or a nation?"

By bringing scholars, journalists and artists together into study groups, Centro hopes to spur not only the production of academic texts, public scholarship and journalistic writing but to also foster artistic endeavors in a way that can cross-pollinate and help plant new seeds for thinking and envisioning the future. Each study group will consist of 12 core members - two co-conveners, six scholars, two artists and two journalists - split evenly between Puerto Rico and the diaspora. This core group will in turn convene additional outside experts to present at public events and work within smaller break-out groups focused on more specific sub-themes and questions.

The inaugural study group, to be convened in January by Dr. Bonilla and Dr. Efren Rivera from the University of Puerto Rico Law School, will focus on the question of decolonization. The second group will launch in the fall of 2022, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria, and will focus on how to create a more just and inclusive post-disaster future. Each study group will result in a collectively authored publication with concrete policy recommendations for Puerto Rico's political, economic, social and cultural future. They will also contribute to a digital media hub featuring long-form journalistic pieces, multimedia products, interviews, podcasts and other artistic projects created by group members throughout the project period.

RELATED ARTICLE: NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, Comcast's Internet Essentials Program Donate 2,000 Laptops and Free High-Speed Internet to Latino Communities in Need
A judge in Michigan has come under criticism after she publicly shamed an elderly cancer patient for not properly maintaining his lawn despite medical treatments leaving him weak.

Michigan Judge Alexis G. Krot said on Wednesday told 72-year-old Burhan Chowdhury that he should be "ashamed" about the situation of his yard, according to a Law and Crime news report.

Chowdhury received a ticked in August 2021 for a civil infraction after he failed to keep the lawn and alley surrounding his property free of weeds.

The proceeding over the matter was held via Zoom video conference.

Chowdhury was asked how he wanted to plead, and the elderly answered that he was "very old" and a cancer patient," which made him unable to take care of the vegetation in the area.

Chowdhury can be heard struggling to breathe throughout the exchange and was pausing to take deep breaths.

However, Krot had no sympathy for the health condition of the elderly man and said that she would give him jail time over the matter if she could.

READ NEXT: Michigan School Shooting Suspect Ethan Crumbley Brought Bird's Head, Ammo to School Ahead of Massacre: Lawsuit

Elderly Man's Lawn Case

Krot also went on to say and pointed at the photo on the screen, saying that it was "shameful" and that neighbors should not have to look at that condition, according to 850 WFTL News Talk report.

Chowdhury's son, Shibbir Chowdhury, appeared on the video.

He cleared up the matter and noted that the yard has since been cleaned up.

The younger Chowdhury then said that he would take care of the $100 fine the judge had imposed on the household.

Chowdhury was diagnosed with cancer in the lymph nodes in 2019, according to his son. Chowdhury does not speak much English, according to a Click on Detroit News report.

Shibbir said that since his father's cancer diagnosis, he and his mother have been trying to tidy up the lawn.

He added that he usually takes care of the stuff in the backyard and everything. However, he said that at the time, he was out of the country.

Shibbir said that they did violate the city ordinance, admitting that there were really mistakes and he should have taken care of that.

He noted that he was shocked at what happened, citing the judge's way of saying that his father should serve jail time was what bothered him, according to a Lad Bible report.

Shibbir said that they were really shocked by it and did not expect the judge to yell at them in this kind of situation.

Chowdhury's wife had also faced health problems of her own after falling down the stairs and hurting her back.

Shibbir also commented on the online support that his family has received after the footage was shared publicly, noting that people understand that situations like theirs could really happen.

Meanwhile, the Michigan judge has been unable to comment on the matter.

READ MORE: Michigan School Mass Shooting: Parents of Ethan Crumbley, Who Killed 4 Fellow Students and Injured 7 Others, May Face Charges

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Judge Alexis G Krot loses her mind over cancer patient not being able to clear out bush at home - from Life with DAE Smith






TALLAHASSEE  Florida lawmakers appear to be speeding toward extending COVID-19 legal protections for hospitals, nursing homes and other health-care providers as the pandemic enters its third year.

The House Health & Human Services Committee on Friday approved a bill (PCB HHS 22-01) that would extend the legal protections until June 1, 2023. That came a day after the Senate Rules Committee approved the Senate version of the bill (SB 7014), setting up the issue to go to the full Senate next week.

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The protections were approved during last years legislative session but are set to expire March 29. They address lawsuits involving issues such as transmission of COVID-19 and treatment of people with COVID-19.

I think the health-care entities need this protection. It was asked even last year what the term would be, and unfortunately, we do have to extend it. My prayer is we wont have to extend it again, said Rep. Ralph Massullo, a Lecanto Republican who is a dermatologist. We have faced COVID for the last two years, but COVID is a very dynamic situation.

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But Laura Youmans, an attorney and lobbyist for the Florida Justice Association trial lawyers group, said the liability protections lower the standard of care for patients.

This bill is not moving us forward to getting back to business, Youmans said. We think that the best way to get back to business is to get back to normal and get back to an acceptance that Floridians deserve the highest standard of care when they go to the doctor, when they go to the hospital or are in a nursing home.

Florida Hospital Association lobbyist David Mica Jr. disputed that.

Our front-line workers are taxed on every single way that they can (be), Mica told the House committee. What we hope is that in this limited exception that you all provided last year that we can extend that to protect against frivolous lawsuits  and keep our focus where it needs to be.

Under the law passed last year, health care providers can still face COVID-19 lawsuits. But the legal protections require a higher standard of proof for plaintiffs. In such cases, plaintiffs have to prove by the greater weight of the evidence that the health care provider was grossly negligent or engaged in intentional misconduct.

The proposed extension, which was approved by the House committee Friday in a 15-5 vote, has support from major health-care and business groups.

The full Senate is expected to take up its version of the bill Wednesday.
This week on the Wrongful Conviction podcast (a Lava for Good series), Jason Flom talks with Stephanie Spurgeon, the Florida woman who spent nine years in prison despite maintaining her innocence after being convicted of manslaughter in the death of 1-year-old Maria Harris.

ALSO READ: After a Netflix Biopic, a Podcast Will Be Released To Explore Selena's Legacy and Impact on Latino Culture

Spurgeon was a married mother of two who had been running a daycare facility from her home for 15 years. On August 21, 2008, Stephanie took care of Maria for the first time. Maria's grandmother picked her up that day, but soon noticed Maria was unresponsive. After eight days in the hospital, Maria passed away.

Because Spurgeon was the last supervisor of the child, she was accused of murder and convicted of manslaughter based on the prosecution's argument of Abusive Head Trauma. After nine years in the Florida prison system, numerous Innocence Projects helped Spurgeon assert her innocence, and in 2021, she accepted an Alford Plea and was finally freed.

In Wrongful Conviction, Flom discusses the details of Spurgeon's case (including Shaken Baby Syndrome - a junk science theory that was previously covered by attorney Josh Dubin in his podcast Wrongful Conviction: Junk Science). Flom also talks with Spurgeon about her time behind bars, her day-to-day routine during those nine years, her lowest points, and the high points that helped her survive until her release.

To listen to this episode and explore all the Lava for Good series, visit www.lavaforgood.com or find them on every major podcast platform.

RELATED ARTICLE: Florida Man Sues Authorities Over Wrongful Conviction; Exonerated 37 Years Later After Forensic Dentist Shares Testimony About Faulty Beeswax Mold
Date of the judgment

11/01/2022

Bench

Justice L.Nageswara Rao

Justice B.R.Gavai

Parties

Appellant -Union of India And Anr.

Respondent - Shaikh Istiyaq Ahmed And Ors.

Subject

It was ruled that sentence of a repatriated Indian convict imposed by a foreign court is not to be reduced just because it is higher than a similar sentence imposed in India.

Overview

The respondent was charged under section 30(1)(f)(II), 47(2) and 5(2) of Dangerous Drugs Act (Mauritius) and was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 26 years for having possession over 152.8 grams of heroin.

On 4th March 2016, under Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003, he was sent to India. An appeal was filed by the respondent under section 13(6) of the Act asking to reduce his term of imprisonment to 10 years referring to section 21(b) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1994.

On 3rd December 2013, the Central Government decided to reduce the time period spent in remand but by a different order dismissed the plea of respondent seeking reduction of imprisonment to 10 years.

The respondent then challenged this before the High Court of Bombay and the plea was allowed on 2nd May 2019.

The Central government argued that as per the Repatriation Act, India was bound to respect the time period of sentence imposed by Mauritius. By relying on Article 8 of the agreement between the government of both the Countries, they argued that India is bound by legal nature to follow.

Also, section 13(6) of Act can only be adopted when the order is incompatible with the Indian Law which was not the situation here.

They argued that the respondent seeks to set aside the order of Supreme Court of Mauritius. Also, the plea for reducing sentence is influenced by a foreign policy which should not be taken seriously as it will weaken the bilateral ties.

The respondents argued that no valid reasons were provided by the Central government while rejecting the plea of respondent. Moreover, in many occasions the sentence of prisoners who were repatriated to India was reduced.

They argued that for the crime of possession of drugs the maximum term of imprisonment was 10 years u/s 21(b) of NDPS Act and hence the sentence imposed for 26 years was incompatible with the Indian Law.

Judgment Analysis

The central government handed a document to the Court- Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Bringing them Home - Repatriation of Indian Nationals from Foreign Prisons. It was an analysis referring to the guidelines for transfer of prisoners under Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003 which was issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India on 10th August 2015 under the aforesaid Act.

The Court noted that in similar cases, reference should be made to Narcotics Bureau of India.

The prisoner should be informed of the punishment he would be going through after repatriation in India and only after giving consent, the prisoner shall be repatriated. Here the respondent submitted the same on 19th October 2015.

After reading section 12 and 13 of the Act along with Article 8 of the Agreement, Honble Supreme Court picked over some principles-

a) Any request for transferring a prisoner from a State to India will be subject to conditions given in the agreement between India and the respected State.

b) The term of imprisonment shall be according to section 12(1) of the 2003 Act. The sentence imposed by the transferring State will be applicable in India.

c) On accepting the request of transfer of Indian prisoner who was convicted in another State, a warrant must be issued for detention of prisoner as per section 13 of 2003 Act.

d) The issued warrant must mention in it the period of imprisonment and its nature as per the conditions of section 12(1) of the Act, agreed between both the States.

e) The sentence of the prisoner shall be in accordance with the warrant.

f) In situation where the government feels that the nature of the sentence is incompatible with the Indian law, the government has the authority to change the punishment to match the penalty for a similar crime committed in India.

g) If the Government is considering a request for adaptation, it must ensure that the adapted sentence is as close as practicable to the penalty imposed by the contracting state.

As per these principles the Court held that the sentence imposed in Mauritius was binding in India. Warrant of detention was also issued where it was stated that the term of imprisonment was 26 years.

Moreover, it was cleared by the Court that the question of adaption will only arise if the central government thinks that the laws are incompatible with the laws of India.

The Court explained that the use of Indian Laws in not limited to the NDPS Act, and the incompatibility indicated the opposition to the fundamental laws of India.

Hence the order passed by the central government was upheld by the Court.

Conclusion

The Honble Supreme Court issued a landmark decision establishing the rules for the repatriation of inmates under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act of 2003. The Court debated whether a sentence issued by a foreign court on an Indian offender who has been repatriated to India can be heavier than a term imposed in India for a comparable offence. The period of the punishment will be determined by the transfer agreement between the foreign nation and India, according to the Court. The Indian government can only change a foreign court's decision if it is "incompatible with Indian law."

The Court did emphasize, however, that just because a foreign court's penalty is harsher than that under Indian law does not mean it is incompatible with Indian law. In this case, incompatibility would imply a violation of India's fundamental laws.

Click here to download the original copy of the judgement
As omicron continues to spike statewide, a growing number of Florida residents are being hospitalized with COVID-19.

In Orange County, 1,192 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 from Jan. 5 to 11, according to the latest White House report.

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COVID-19 patients make up 24%, or one out of four of the patients hospitalized in Orange Countys intensive care units, which provide the highest level of care for the sickest patients, according to the report. With seven Orange County hospitals reporting data, 93% of 464 intensive care unit beds are full and 91% of 4,785 inpatient beds are full.

Across the state, 14,020 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 from Jan. 5 to 11, according to the latest White House report. In comparison, 10,285 were hospitalized the previous week. The week before that, it was 4,626. At the height of the summer surge of cases in August, nearly 17,000 were hospitalized with COVID-19. Hospital officials have said they can add more ICU beds if needed.

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The Florida Department of Health reported 430,297 new coronavirus cases this week among Florida residents to bring the cumulative total to 4,992,265. With 470 more fatalities on record, 63,158 Florida residents have died.

This weeks 470 deaths reflect an increase from the 184 reported last week, but deaths can take several days or weeks to be reported. The majority of the newly reported deaths are people who died before this week. The death count has not reached anywhere near September levels, where nearly 2,500 new deaths were reported multiple weeks in a row.

The number of weekly cases increased compared to the previous weeks 397,114. Positivity decreased to 29.3%. Thats for new cases only and excludes anyone who previously tested positive.

Of note, the state reports deal only with Florida resident cases and exclude non-residents cases, which are no longer available.

Statewide, 15,067,643 residents, or 72% of people age 5 and up, have received at least one vaccination shot, including 8,332,005 who have completed their shot regimens through Jan. 13, plus 4,632,038 who completed their series then got a booster. Statewide, 194,631 received an additional dose last week.

Central Florida added 89,344 resident infections this week, based on the actual date the state opened the case, for a total of 964,810: 30,752 more in Orange for 319,793; 8,905 more in Osceola for 98,133; 14,834 more in Polk for 167,753; 6,412 more in Lake for 70,093; 1,248 more in Sumter for 17,476; 7,462 more in Volusia for 96,863; 11,548 more in Brevard for 108,383; and 8,183 more in Seminole for 86,316.

You can sign up for our Florida coronavirus updates by subscribing to The Health Report newsletter at OrlandoSentinel.com/newsletters.
Portland, TN (37148)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning with thunderstorms becoming likely this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 80F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 53F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Thousands of people packed into Tullamore town park on Friday evening for a sombre vigil of music, poetry and prayer in memory of murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy.

The outpouring of grief dramatically demonstrated how the entire community and country has been affected by the death of Ashling in a violent attack on the banks of the Grand Canal.

Such was the size of the crowd that the vigil, scheduled for 4pm, did not commence until 4.20pm. Proceedings were relayed to the vast crowd, scattered over the park in line with Covid restrictions, by a large screen.

Fittingly music dominated with Ashling's friends playing a host of her traditional favourites including Tabhair dom do lamh and a special composition in memory of Ashling by Attracta Brady entitled Don Chroi Naofa.

Clergy from all the Christian churches in Tullamore were also in attendance to lead the huge crowd in prayer for Ashling's family and friends and the entire community.

Fr Joe Gallagher, parish priest of Tullamore, said people stood in solidarity with each other to share their feelings and to support Ashling's family.

He said that all over the country communities were united with women who fear and know the trauma of violence.

"We remember her heartbroken family, her colleagues in work, in music, in sport, in friendship and her young pupils in first class who loved their teacher.

"This is a time of grief beyond words. We need to be together. We need to support one another in this dark time.

"We stand together, united with groups all over our country, and indeed beyond, united with women who fear and know the trauma of violence. United in grief, in anger, in shock.

"In this dark evening we want to hold a light in our hands, to stand together in solidarity with one another to share our tears and deep grief. Time to pray, to reflect, to listen, to be together."

Poems specially composed for the vigil were recited by Sinead Cullen and Alan Murphy who said he understood what Ashling's family were going through due to his own experience of the death of his young son Jordan in a road accident.

Master of Ceremonies, Ronan Berry said the attendance was here as a community to grieve and to come together to try and make sense of what has occurred in our town and country.

We hope that this event brings some peace and solace to you all, he stressed.

Prayers of the faithful, the Our Father, St Francis' prayer for peace and a psalm from the Bible were also recited by representatives of the churches before the formalities concluded with a musical procession.

Many of those in the crowd held lighted candles which were brought to the stage at the end of proceedings while more candles were placed at different areas throughout the park.

Many stayed on after the vigil had concluded to reflect on the events of the past couple of days which have changed Irish society forever.
A Kildare judge stressed that young people "shouldn't rush into marriage" during a court case.

Judge Desmond Zaidan made the comments during an alleged domestic violence hearing in Naas District Court on Thursday, January 13.

He heard testimony from a woman who sought a protection order from the court against her partner.

The woman, who said that she was from the Travelling community, alleged that her husband was trying to control her, even going so far as to forbidding her from talking to her friends and family.

The woman further alleged that he refused to let her leave their home, as well as their relationship in general.

After being informed by the woman that she was married at the age of 17, the Judge said that he had issue with the fact that the defendant married so young.

Previously, the previous minimum age of marriage in Ireland was 16, but this was increased to 18 in 1995.

Speaking directly to the woman, he said: "Now, it's not your fault, you were in love... all I'm saying is that there's a reason why this law is in place."

The judge agreed to grant an interim protection order.
A downtown Orlando Thai and sushi restaurant shut down for nine days can finally reopen.

Oudom Thai and Sushi at 100 S Eola Dr. #105 in Orlando initially shut down on Jan. 5.

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Inspectors found 25 violations, six of which were a high priority.

Those violations included utensils stored in dirty water, flying insects, improperly stored raw animal food, and more than 30 roaches found in the walls and pipes behind the cooking equipment.

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On Jan. 7, Oudom Thai posted a message on their Facebook page they were closed for cleaning and planned to reopen on Jan. 11.

Officials returned on Jan. 10 and found 12 violations, three of which were a high priority.

They received a time extension for the flying insects, roaches, and improperly stored raw animal food, but the restaurant remained closed.

Inspectors returned for a third visit on Jan. 12.

They found seven violations, two of which were a high priority.

Officials extended yet another time extension for flying insects and roaches.

Oudom Thai only had one basic violation on the fourth and final visit on Jan. 14.

Inspectors gave the restaurant their stamp of approval, and the restaurant was allowed to reopen.
The male who was arrested and detained by An Garda Siochana investigating the murder of teacher Ashling Murphy in Tullamore on Wednesday afternoon has now been released from this detention.

This man has been completely eliminated from Garda enquiries and is no longer a suspect in the case, according to a statement from An Garda Siochana this evening.

Investigations are continuing into the fatal assault on the 23-year-old woman that occurred at approximately 4pm on Wednesday, 12th January, 2022, along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore, County Offaly.

An Garda Siochana continue to appeal for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/ green front forks (pictured below).

Gardai continue to appeal for any person with any information on this fatal assault, who may not already have spoken to investigators, to come forward with that information.



Anyone who was in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore, County Offaly before 4pm, yesterday afternoon Wednesday, January 12, to make contact with them.



Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
A mistake in identification may have resulted in gardai arresting and questioning the wrong man on Wednesday in connection with the murder of schoolteacher Ashling Murphy in Tullamore.

A source close to the investigation said the man in detention denied any involvement in the death of the 23-year-old from the beginning.

It is understood that because of commentary on social media since the arrest, and the distribution of images on social messaging platforms, the man, described as a 40-year-old, is being brought to safe accommodation for the night after his release.

Commenting on those claims, the solicitor for the former suspect, Donal Farrelly, told the Tullamore Tribune - a sister paper of the Leinster Leader and KildareNow - tonight it is now quite clear this man had nothing to do with the incident and has been cleared of all allegations.

Mr Farrelly added: Police are now continuing with other lines of inquiry because he has been fully ruled out.

The solicitor was speaking after An Garda Siochana released a statement saying the man had been eliminated from their enquiries and is no longer a suspect.

The statement added: An Garda Siochana continue to investigate this fatal assault that occurred at approximately 4pm on Wednesday, 12th January, 2022, along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore, County Offaly.

An Garda Siochana continue to appeal for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/ green front forks.

Gardai continue to appeal for any person with any information on this fatal assault, who may not already have spoken to investigators, to come forward with that information.

Gardai continue to appeal to any persons that were in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore, County Offaly before 4pm, yesterday afternoon Wednesday, 12th January 2022, to make contact with them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Two research projects undertaken by Maynooth University researchers will feature on upcoming episodes of RTEs Change Makers series on Monday, 24 and Monday, 31 January on RTE 1 television at 8:30pm.

Change Makers highlights the most transformative research-led projects and the inspiring people behind them across the country.

The Maynooth research projects featuring on the show, listed below, will also be available to view on the RTE Player.

Monday 24 January, 8:30pm: The Story Exchange Project

Monday 31 January, 8:30pm: The STEM Passport for Inclusion Project

The Story Exchange Project

Describing the work of Maynooth University researcher, Dr Sarah Meaney Sartori, and Maynooth University students, the programme focuses on a unique collaboration between Maynooth University, Mountjoy Prison and Gaisce  The Presidents Award - on the Story Exchange Project.

Young people in custody in Mountjoy Prison and young people in Maynooth University, come together in the prison for peer-to-peer workshops to create a sense of shared ambitions and endeavour. Maynooth University students are randomly partnered with inmates to share a story from their lives, then each participant re-tells their partners story in the first person. These discussions help challenge stereotypes.

Focusing on gender equality, the STEM Passport for Inclusion Project episode features Maynooth University lecturer Dr Katriona OSullivan describing the project.

The project, which is funded by Microsoft Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland, Accenture, and the RDI Hub, supports 1,000 girls from working class communities across Ireland to move into STEM courses and careers. Current trends show that working class girls are least likely to enter STEM careers due to a myriad of factors including a lack role models, reduced STEM knowledge, experience and a limited availability of STEM subjects.

Dr OSullivans work involves identifying the STEM needs of girls and challenging gender bias by supporting women in accessing STEM skills to reduce the risk of working-class girls and women being left out of the 21st-century job market.

Other episodes of Change Makers have covered topics such as childrens health, the environment, and health and technology, and are available to watch on the RTE player now.
Pandemic restrictions must only remain in place if there is a strong public health rationale for them, the Health Minister has said.

Despite record high case numbers driven by the Omicron variant, hospital and critical care figures have remained stable amid high levels of vaccination and natural immunity.

Public health chiefs are set to meet next week to assess the epidemiological picture, with a phased reopening of society on the cards in February.

Stephen Donnelly said today (January 13) restrictions have come at a huge cost and must only be maintained if there is a strong public health argument for them.

Asked if restrictions were justified given the high level of immunity from boosters and prior infection, Minister Donnelly said: I think thats the question we should always be asking.

Any restrictions we put in place are very, very serious.

Youll remember two years ago, it was alien to us, the idea that we walk around wearing masks.

But I think, particularly the restrictions that impinge upon peoples freedoms, that impinge upon peoples civil liberties, they are very, very serious.

Even when theyre not under regulation, even when theyre advisory.

And then the advice or the restrictions that impact on people running their businesses, going to work, they come at a huge cost.

Were all aware as well of the isolation and the impact that has on mental health.

These restrictions, they have never [been] treated lightly. They come at a huge cost to so many people.

So I think not only should we be asking that question now, I think thats the question we should always ask.

We should only have these restrictions in place if theres a very good public safety and public health rationale for them.

Minister Donnelly was speaking from a vaccination centre at the RDS in Dublin after Ireland passed a landmark 10 million vaccine doses administered.

The impact theyre having on keeping the country safe is fantastic, he said.

I was talking to some of our intensive care people this morning. They were reporting that the numbers are still steady.

Theyre not seeing anything in the non-intensive care patients that would suggest that those numbers are going to start rising quickly in the coming days.

With testing capacity stretched to the limit, it is believed Ireland may be experiencing as many as 500,000 positive cases a week.

This, coupled with high vaccination levels, has led to speculation Ireland may soon achieve herd immunity against the virus.

Herd immunity is an interesting one in this. The hypothetical figure you need has kept changing, Minister Donnelly said.

As it was explained to me, the more contagious these things are, the higher the number of people you need to have either vaccine immunity or natural immunity.

I would imagine, given the extraordinarily contagious nature of Omicron, that the number would be very high.

10 MILLION vaccines in just a year. Was at Cabinet when I got word that the 10 millionth dose was happening. Amazing achievement and huge thanks to the people who stepped forward and the amazing teams in our vaccine centres, GP practices and pharmacies and all the volunteers pic.twitter.com/YxC41l5Jve  Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) January 12, 2022

The minister said Ireland may soon be past the peak of the Omicron wave.

He added: The question were all asking is, When is the peak?

I think Professor (Philip) Nolan (the chair of Nphets Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group) was pointing out last night that, given that theres a lot more cases out there than we are recording, he said we could actually have passed the peak before it is picked up on PCR.

But the peak is a combination of exactly that.

Its a combination of people who were vaccinated, the number of people who are boosted, and then the number of people who have natural immunity or have been boosted naturally from getting it.

Well be looking at some updated modelling soon to see exactly what that might be.

Minister Donnelly said it was too early to say restrictions will be lifted in February, and that he did not want to pre-empt the outcome of next weeks Nphet meeting.

But he said the country has done incredibly well and thanked the public for their efforts during the pandemic.
Irish police were continuing to question a man on Thursday evening as they investigate the killing of a young teacher as she jogged along a canal.

The murder of 23-year-old Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, Co Offaly, has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities across Ireland over the coming days.

A 40-year-old man has been arrested and is being quizzed by gardai.

The Irish police force has promised to leave no stone unturned in bringing Ms Murphys killer to justice.

Ms Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore, was killed on Wednesday afternoon while running along the banks of the Grand Canal.

Those who knew her described her as a gifted musician who was loved by her pupils.

Her death has sparked fresh conversations about the safety of women in Ireland, with many questioning how such an attack could happen in broad daylight.

Senior Irish politicians promised that justice would be delivered for Ms Murphys family and condemned violence against women.

Irish premier Micheal Martin said the teacher represented the best of modern Ireland.

The entire country is devastated and shocked by the violent and barbaric killing of Ashling Murphy, a young woman in the prime of her life, he said.

There is no place in our society for violence, particularly violence against women. It cannot and will not be tolerated.

The safety and security of women is at the core of our societys values.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar expressed his condolences to the family of Ms Murphy.

He tweeted on Thursday afternoon: There must be zero tolerance for any violence against women.

Mr Varadkar called Ms Murphys death truly devastating and senseless.

Every effort is being made to make sure justice is served, he added.

Dublin, Galway, and Belfast are among the locations where vigils have already been arranged, with the impact of the attack felt on both sides of the Irish border.

Superintendent Eamonn Curley told reporters on Thursday morning around 50 officers are working on the investigation as he appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said gardai do not believe Ms Murphy knew her killer and said he is likely a male who acted alone.

The scene remained closed off at the Grand Canal as the probe continued on Thursday evening, when gardai confirmed a post-mortem examination has been completed.

Also on Thursday evening, Irish police issued a fresh appeal for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks to come forward.

My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community. Please anyone with information, come forward to An Garda Siochana. The Gardai will investigate this awful crime and ensure justice is done.  Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 12, 2022

The route along the Grand Canal is often busy and is a popular spot for walkers and joggers.

Floral tributes were left outside the school gates of Durrow National School, where Ms Murphy taught, as the local community reeled in the wake of the attack.

Principal of Durrow National School, James Hogan, said the school community is utterly devastated.

He told RTE radio Ms Murphy was a bright light who put a smile on anyones face.

He added: Aisling was a shining light to the kids and a very professional and talented young teacher.

She was an inspiration to so many, not just in our school but across the wider community of schools.

A young woman cant even go for a run along a canal pathway- at four oclock in the middle of the day -only to be attacked & murdered Sincere sympathies to her family. We need to urgently address why we live in a country where this can happen!  Josepha Madigan  (@josephamadigan) January 12, 2022

Dr Labhras O Murchu, from traditional music organisation Comhaltas, said Ms Murphy was among the finest exponents of the concertina and fiddle and was also learning the uilleann pipes, adding: We know that she and her family are at the heart of her local community.

She was a much-loved school teacher and had so much to offer in so many ways.

Declan Harvey, Fianna Fail councillor for the area, said: I am devastated. I couldnt sleep last night thinking of it all because it is a place I go all the time.

She went there jogging, she does it regularly. I am lost for words.

Mr Harvey said it is a route that he and his family often walk.

Tullamore is probably the safest place in the world, and after yesterday people will be nervous to go down to the canal, he added.

Its a lovely area and helps clear your head. Its a very popular route that everyone takes. People walk their dogs, people with their kids and prams.
Hundreds of women, men and children attended a candlelit vigil in Newbridge's Liffey Linear Park at 4pm today to pay their respects to murdered teacher Ashling Murphy.

The Newbridge vigil was one of many that took place across Kildare on Friday, January 14.

Other areas that held vigils included Naas, Athy and Maynooth.

A number of people became emotional during the ceremony, which saw a row of lights, candles and flowers being laid in the 23-year-old's memory.

Several local public representatives also attended the event.

The vigil was organised by Sarah Reidy, who said: "There was a great turnout: I really appreciated the help from Chris Pender and Leanne Ni Neill, as well as Eleanor Keogh, who delivered a speech."

"May beautiful Ashling rest in perfect peace," she added.

'We should all be able to feel safe'

During her speech, Newbridge native Keogh said: "The Justice Minister (Helen McEntee TD) has said that no stone will be unturned, but I feel that more needs to be done to make women feel safe."

"In a park like this, we should be able to go for a walk, or go for a jog... I've noticed on Facebook that since this has happened, that quite a lot of women have put up things like: 'I normally go running, would anyone like to join me because I'm just too afraid to go along the canal in, for example, Roberstown or Sallins.'

"We should all be able to feel safe, whether its 4 O' clock, 6 O' clock or 12 O' clock," Keogh added.

She further said that it was "devastating" for the children Ashling taught to find out that their teacher "could die under such horrific circumstances."

Near the end of her speech, Eleanor Keogh said that men should stand up alongside women in order to prevent similar tragedies from happening.

She also admitted that she couldn't sleep thinking about what happened to Ashling Murphy, and even added that a sibling of hers taught Ashling as a student.

"Hopefully someone will be found and will be brought to justice," she concluded.

'Exhausting'

One female onlooker, who wished to remain anonymous, said that it was "exhausting" for women to always be on alert, and to drill into young girls' minds that they must always be on alert.

She also said that she was disappointed at the lack of men who turned up: "It looks as if it's only 15, maybe 20 per cent of the crowd are men."

One male bystander, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: "Ashling Murphy's death had a great effect on me when I heard about it: I have two daughters myself, and they always go out for a run themselves too."

"I wanted to show support for her family, her friends, her students and fellow teachers.

He added: "As a parent, you never stop worrying about your children, no matter what age they are; and if they're living at home, you wait until you hear the door latch."

As for what he'd like to see changed, he echoed Eleanor Keogh's sentiments: "I would like to see men hold other men to account when they see any unusual behaviour or bad treatment towards women."

"We need to support women in all stages of life," he concluded.

Gardai believe that Ashling Murphy was beaten to death by a man in what is suspected to be a random attack.

The late primary school teacher had been jogging along a stretch of the Grand Canal, known as Fionas Way, in memory of missing woman Fiona Pender.

Anyone with information about the murder is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

If you have been negatively affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Women's Aid at 1800 341 900.

Additionally, you can email Samaritans Ireland at jo@samaritans.ie or ring 116 123, or visit the Rape Crisis Centre at drcc.ie.
Hundreds of people gathered in Galway city centre on Thursday night for a vigil in memory of Ashling Murphy.

Ms Murphy, a 23-year-old primary school teacher in Tullamore, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur in Co Offaly.

A 40-year-old man has been arrested and is still being questioned.

A number of vigils will take place in cities and towns in the Republic and Northern Ireland to remember the teacher over the coming days.

Organisers said that hundreds of people gathered in Eyre Square in Galway city centre.

Several speakers addressed the crowd during the vigil, at which a moment of silence was held.

Musicians also played Irish traditional music in memory of Ms Murphy, a talented musician.

Roisin Nic Lochlainn, the president of NUI Galway Students Union and one of the organisers of the vigil, told PA news agency that they wanted to send a message of solidarity.

I think women across the country today are just feeling all of the emotions.

Its a mix of rage and sadness and anger and despair as well, she said.

Ireland has failed women for centuries.

Were all just thinking the same thing  when is it going to end?

How many other women is it going to take for something to actually happen?

We know that Ashling would have taken that precaution to go in daytime and in a busy place.

We know that because its what almost every single woman does.

The Womens Council of Ireland is organising a vigil for Ms Murphy outside Leinster House from 4pm on Friday, to coincide with the time she was attacked.

The group said the vigil is being held to remember Ms Murphy and to support all who knew and loved her.

Women must be safe in our homes and our communities.

Join us and call for an end to mens violence against women, they said.

People have been asked to bring flowers or candles.

A minutes silence will held in memory of Ms Murphy.

Events will also be held in Tullamore, Galway, Nenagh, Limerick, Cork, Derry and Belfast.

Floral tributes and messages have been left close to the scene, with one describing her as a wonderful teacher, friend and exemplary role model.
A CANDELIGHT vigil for murdered teacher Ashling Murphy will be held in Limerick this evening.

The public event will start at 6pm at Arthur's Quay Park this Friday to pay tribute to the 23-year-old who was killed in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon.

Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Daniel Butler, will attend the vigil after he opened a book of condolence for the former Mary Immaculate College student earlier this week.

A number of smaller events will also take place in towns and villages in County Limerick and tributes are being planned across the country to remember the talented musician and beloved schoolteacher.

Last night a man who had been arrested in relation to the murder was released without charge and gardai say he is no longer a suspect in the case.

Ms Murphy was out for a run along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore, County Offaly when she was fatally attacked at 4pm on Wednesday.

Gardai are appealing for any information on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/ green front forks in relation to the attack.

Candles, flowers and the College flag at half mast. All signs of the continued shock here @MIC_Limerick at the horrific murder of our graduate Ashling Murphy. This has to be a watershed in the rejection of gender based violence in Ireland #AshlingMurphy #sheonlywentforarun pic.twitter.com/NvJ0jgkciO  Prof. Niamh Hourigan (@niamhhourigan1) January 14, 2022

They are also appealing to any persons that were in the Cappincur/Canal walk area of Tullamore, County Offaly before 4pm, yesterday afternoon Wednesday, 12th January 2022, to make contact with them.



Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The man released by police investigating the murder of young teacher Ashling Murphy in Co Offaly has had his life ruined, his solicitor said.

On Thursday night, gardai released the 40-year-old, stating he is no longer a suspect.

Donal Farrelly, who represented the man during his two days of questioning, condemned those who had tried to identify him on social media.

The murder of Ms Murphy, 23, in Tullamore on Wednesday afternoon as she jogged by a canal has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities across Ireland on Friday and over the coming days.

Mr Farrelly said: This man has been vilified on social media and clearly identified on social media.

The solicitor said his client had endured a traumatic period while at Tullamore Garda Station.

Any form of interrogation or questioning is inherently traumatic, Mr Farrelly said.

And hes been through two days of this.

Mr Farrelly said he did not want to provide any details about the mans identity, though he did confirm his age.

People in the town initially drew comfort from the knowledge police had quickly apprehended a suspect.

But Mr Farrelly said his client had also faced the troubles and trauma of social media.

It has ruined his life and he has been deeply affected by it, Mr Farrelly said.

He confirmed the man stayed away from his home and local area on Thursday night after his release.

Gardai investigating the fatal assault on a woman yesterday in Tullamore are appealing for info on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars & distinctive yellow/green front forks. Please call Tullamore GS (057 932 7600) or the Garda Confidential Line (1800 666 111). pic.twitter.com/XUDhQvuDgU  An Garda Siochana (@GardaTraffic) January 13, 2022

We must never lose sight of the dreadful trauma to the Murphy family, said Mr Farrelly, who voiced his every sympathy to Ms Murphys loved ones.

But this is an innocent man, who has now been cleared, he added.

On Friday morning, gardai issued a renewed appeal for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a bicycle  a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks  to come forward.

A vigil in memory of Ms Murphy has been organised in Tullamore for Friday afternoon, and also at a number of locations in Offaly and across the country.
WASHINGTON : A 36-year-old Indian-American has been sentenced to 66 months in prison in the US for buying stolen Apple products meant for Native American school children in the US state of New Mexico and then selling them online.

In addition to the sentence, US District Judge Catherine C Blake also ordered Saurabh Chawla, who is from Aurora in Colorado, to pay USD 713,619 as restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.

He is also asked to sign an order of forfeiture requiring him to forfeit a 2013 Tesla Model S, USD 2,308,062.61 from accounts held in his name, and the sale of property in Aurora, Colorado, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of Maryland on Wednesday.

As per the court documents, Chawla bought Apple products from Kristy Stock, who worked for the Central Consolidated School District in New Mexico from 2010 to 2019 and was responsible for overseeing a programme to provide Apple iPods to school children with the intent of benefitting Native American children living on tribal reservations in New Mexico.

The court also sentenced Stock, who admitted that she stole more than 3,000 iPods from 2013 to 2018 purchased by the school district, to 18 months in prison.

Chawla's accomplice James Bender has also been sentenced to a year and a day in prison, the statement said.

According to the documents, from October 2015 to 2018, Stock and Chawla dealt directly with each other, in emails, texts, and phone calls. Stock repeatedly advised Chawla of the items she had obtained, providing details such as the model, colour and number of Apple products available.

Chawla and Stock then negotiated a price, and Stock shipped the items to Chawlas relative on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. Chawla paid Stock through PayPal.

Stock admitted that she received more than USD 800,000 in illegal proceeds from selling stolen iPods worth more than USD 1 million. After his relative received the stolen goods from Stock, Chawla listed them for sale online through eBay at a substantial markup, the statement said.

Beginning in 2014, James Bender agreed to allow good friend Chawla, and a relative of Chawlas, to sell goods and merchandise through Benders eBay accounts.

Chawlas eBay account had previously been suspended due to security concerns. From May 2014 through August 2019, Bender and Chawla conspired so that the latter could use Benders eBay and PayPal accounts to sell stolen goods and merchandise, it said.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
Chinese envoy urges conflicting parties in Yemen to immediately end violence

Xinhua) 09:51, January 14, 2022

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday called on conflicting parties in Yemen to immediately cease fire and end the violence plaguing the country.

"An early end to the conflict would mean saving more lives. All parties to the conflict should immediately cease fire, put an end to violence, exercising maximum restraint, and refrain from taking any actions that could lead to a complicated escalation of the situation," Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council briefing on Yemen.

Dai noted that China has paid great attention to letters from both the permanent representatives of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the president of the Security Council, sent respectively in December and January.

Saudi Arabia has condemned the Houthis attack on a store in the Saudi city of Jazan, which resulted in civilian casualties, and the UAE has reported on the seizure of an Emirati flagged cargo ship by the Houthis on the high seas of the Red Sea.

"China is deeply concerned about these reports. We have noticed that many countries in the region as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have expressed concern about seizure of the ship by the Houthis," the envoy said.

"China supports the Security Council in pronouncing on these developments and condemning all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructures. We hope that the relevant issues will be properly resolved as soon as possible, that the ship and its crew will be released, and that the maritime safety of the Red Sea and channels of international navigation will be maintained," he said.

"As the new year has just begun, the Yemeni people urgently need to gain confidence and hope for the future. We hope that all parties in Yemen will demonstrate good political will, engage the special envoy without conditions, exchange views candidly, and reach a realistic and feasible political solution at an early date. In this process, attention must be paid to the views of women, youth and other groups," Dai said.

"The Yemen issue concerns peace and stability in the Gulf region, and the regional situation also affects the situation in Yemen. China calls on regional countries to play an active role in promoting peace talks on the Yemen issue, as doing so serves the common interests of all parties," he said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
A 52-year-old Central Florida leader at Boy Scouts of America was arrested Friday on charges of sexual battery and molestation, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office.

Three children told investigators in December they had been touched repeatedly for several years by John Larsen, district executive for Lake County, according to an arrest report.

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It was not immediately clear from the heavily redacted report if the three children are boy scouts.

A mother of one of the victims told investigators that her son said Larsen has been touching him and performing sexual acts on him since he was approximately eight years old, the affidavit said.

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(Volusia County Corrections)

The womans younger son told her Larsen also touched him sexually at Larsens residence, and she stated she had no idea any of this had been going on, the arrest report said.

Another juvenile  who is friends with the two brothers  described encounters with Larsen that made him uncomfortable, said he told Larsen to stop but Larsen ignored him, and this continued until about a year ago, according to the report.

According to Larsens LinkedIn profile, he became the district executive for Lake in 2018 and was tasked with development and implementation of educational programs, including STEM.

Breaking News As it happens Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. >

As of Friday afternoon, his name has been removed from the online BSA staff list of the Central Florida Council.

Larsen was jailed on two counts of sexual battery on a victim less than 12 years of age, two counts of sexual battery on a child 12 or older and four counts of lewd molestation.

The arrest report said Larsen works with children daily and goes to schools to recruit children to join the boy scouts.

Because of the role he held in the community, detectives believe there could be more victims, the Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

Anyone who may have been a victim or has information about Larsen is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriffs Office Sex Crimes Unit at 407-254-7000 Ext. 70641 or Ext. 70557.

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This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

lgarza@orlandosentinel.com
India has announced a USD 900 million loan to Sri Lanka to build up its depleted foreign reserves and for food imports, amidst a shortage of almost all essential commodities in the island nation.

On Wednesday, the governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal said that the island nation is negotiating a USD one billion loan from India to import goods from the country.

The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay met Cabraal on Thursday and expressed Indias strong support to Sri Lanka in the wake of RBI extending over USD 900 million facilities over the last week".

These comprise deferment of Asian Clearing Union settlement of over USD 509 million and currency swap of USD 400 million," the tweet said.

Cabraal on Wednesday said that billion-dollar loan negotiations with India had reached its advanced stage.

Commenting on India's gesture, analysts here said the Indian assistance could have contributed to Sri Lankas doubling of reserves announced at the end of December.

The central bank said that the reserve position had doubled to USD 3 billion from being down to USD 1.5 billion by December or sufficient for just a months imports. Cabraal claimed that the forthcoming Indian loan would be for food imports.

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a shortage of almost all essentials due to a shortage of dollars to pay for the imports.

Additionally, power cuts are imposed at peak hours as the state power entity is unable to obtain fuel to run turbines. The state fuel entity has stopped oil supplies as the electricity board has large unpaid bills.The only refinery was shut as it was unable to pay dollars for crude imports.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Queen Elizabeth II's second son, Prince Andrew, was on Thursday effectively stripped of his position in royal life, in a dramatic move as he faces a US civil case for sexual assault.

British media quoted an unnamed royal source as saying he would no longer use the "His Royal Highness" (HRH) title, which designates senior members of the royal family, in any capacity.

The move came after Buckingham Palace announced that he had given up his honorary military titles and charitable roles as the US case looms.

"The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen," a statement read.

A New York judge on Wednesday dismissed an attempt by Andrew's lawyers to have the case brought by Virginia Giuffre thrown out.

Giuffre, 38, accuses Andrew -- often called the Queen's "favourite son" -- of sexually assaulting her in 2001 when she was 17, claiming she was delivered to him by Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, who strenuously denies the allegation, was forced to quit public life after a calamitous 2019 interview in which he claimed to have no memory of meeting Giuffre and defended his friendship with convicted paedophile Epstein, who was found hanged in prison in 2019.

Public outrage at the time saw several charities and associations distance themselves from him and he has rarely been seen in public since.

On Thursday, he was seen being driven from his house near Windsor Castle, west of London, an AFP photographer said.

- Veteran's anger -

More than 150 Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army veterans wrote to the Queen, calling on her to strip Andrew of his ranks and titles in the armed forces.

The 95-year-old head of state is commander-in-chief of the army, navy and air force.

"Were this any other senior military officer it is inconceivable that he would still be in post," they wrote in a joint letter made public by the anti-monarchy pressure group Republic.

"Officers of the British armed forces must adhere to the very highest standards of probity, honesty and honourable conduct.

"These are standards which Prince Andrew has fallen well short of," they said, adding that he had "brought the services he is associated with into disrepute".

Senior members of the British royal family have typically been appointed as honorary heads of military units, with the Queen's approval.

Andrew was honorary colonel of the Grenadier Guards, whose soldiers guard Buckingham Palace in their distinctive bearskin hats and red tunics.

Royal patronages are associations with charities and other organisations.

- 'Rabbit running scared' -

For a monarchy beset by crises, 2022 was meant to celebrate Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne, with parades, pageants and public holidays.

But Andrew's legal woes threaten more pain for the ageing monarch, after her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's shock move to the United States, from where they criticised royal life, including accusing it of racism.

Andrew will likely have to respond to Giuffre's accusations from Britain in a recorded deposition, unless he successfully appeals or reaches a settlement.

One of Giuffre's lawyers, David Boies, told the BBC on Wednesday his client was not ruling out a deal, but a financial settlement would not be enough.

"It's very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her and vindicates the other victims," he said.

Royal historian Anna Whitelock said there were "no good options" for Andrew. A financial agreement would also raise questions about where the money came from, she told AFP.

According to the British media, he recently settled a dispute over a 6.6 million ($9 million, 7.9 million euros) debt, which will allow him to sell a Swiss chalet he bought in 2014 for a reported 18 million.

The BBC's former royal correspondent, Jennie Bond said Andrew has recently "given the impression of a rabbit running scared of hiding behind his mother's tartan skirts... trying to avoid the court papers being served on him".

In 2002, the Queen's Golden Jubilee year saw the death of her younger sister, Princess Margaret, then their mother, also called queen Elizabeth.

"And now this is another jubilee in which something so distasteful is hanging over the whole of the next few months," she told Sky News.

"But how embarrassing for a 95-year-old woman to have to challenge her 61-year-old son about his allegations of sexual misconduct."

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is a giant ape-like creature that some people believe roams North America. It is a cryptid (or species rumored to exist)and just like the Chupacabra or Loch Ness monster, there's scant physical evidence to suggest Bigfoot is actually out there. But that doesn't stop alleged sightings of the ape that never shows its face or Bigfoot buffs from trying to prove there's life in the legend.

Most Bigfoot sightings occur in the Northwest, where the creature can be linked to Indigenous myths and legends. The word Sasquatch is derived from Sasqets, a word from the Halqemeylem language used by some Salish First Nations peoples in southwestern British Columbia, according to the Oregon Encyclopedia. It means "wild man" or "hairy man."

As early as 1884, the British Colonist newspaper in Victoria, Canada published an account of a gorilla type creature captured in the area. Other accounts, largely decried as hoaxes, followed, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia. Sasquatch book author John Green compiled a list of 1,340 sightings through the 19th and 20th centuries. But the modern Bigfoot or Sasquatch myth gained new life in the late 1950s.

In 1958, the Humboldt Times, a local newspaper in Northern California, published a story about the discovery of giant, mysterious footprints near Bluff Creek, California. In the story, they referred to the creature that made them as Bigfoot, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Bigfoot curiosity grew rapidly during the second half of the 20th century, after an article in True magazine, published in December 1959, described the 1958 discovery.

The footprints near Bluff Creek were a prank by a man called Ray Wallace, his children revealed after his death in 2002, according to Smithsonian Magazine. By that time, though, Bigfoot was firmly established in popular culture across the continent. Since the 1958 article was published, a wealth of other claims have been made about Sasquatch tracks, casts, photos, videos, and other "evidence."

Related: Infographic: Tracking belief in Bigfoot

Alleged image of Bigfoot, taken northeast of Eureka, California in 1967. (Image credit: Bettmann/Contributor via Getty Images)

There have been more than 10,000 eyewitness accounts of Bigfoot in the continental U.S. in the last 50 years, Live Science reported in 2019. In these accounts, Bigfoot is usually described as being about 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3 meters) tall and covered in hair.

Eyewitness reports, or sightings, are the most common evidence put forward for the existence of Bigfoot. Unfortunately, these are based on human memories, and memories are not reliable, Live Science previously reported. In crime cases, for example, witnesses can be influenced by their emotions and may miss or distort important details. In the same vein, people also often overestimate their ability to remember things. When it comes to cryptids like Bigfoot, the human brain is capable of making up explanations for events it can't immediately interpret, and many people simply want to believe they exist, Live Science previously reported.

Related: Real or not? The science behind 12 unusual sightings

The most famous Bigfoot video is a short film taken in 1967 by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin, known as the "PattersonGimlin film," or "Patterson film." Shot in Bluff Creek, the video shows what appears to be a large and hairy bipedal ape, or Bigfoot, striding through a clearing. The video's authenticity is still debated but it was likely a hoax, with the ape-like figure just a human wearing a costume.

With the rise of high-quality cameras in smartphones, photographs of people, cars, mountains, flowers, sunsets, deer and more have gotten sharper and clearer over the years; Bigfoot is a notable exception. The logical explanation for this discrepancy is that the creatures don't exist, and that photographs of them are merely hoaxes or misidentifications.

Audio recordings

Some people claim to have heard Bigfoot shrieks, howls, growls, screams or other vocalizations. The creatures are also associated with other noises, such as wood-knocking, according to Scientific American. Strange noise recordings associated with Bigfoot occasionally attract media attention but the noises can often be attributed to known animals, such as foxes or coyotes.

Experts can't always identify the exact animal in strange recordings that cryptozoologists, people who search for creatures rumored to exist, point to as Bigfoot evidence. In 2019, for example, a YouTube video of mysterious howls and screams in a forest in northwestern Ontario, Canada went viral, driving Bigfoot speculation. Jolanta Kowalski, Ontarios Ministry of Resources and Forestry media relations officer, told Vice News at the time: Our biologists say it could be a larger mammalfor example a wolfbut because its a considerable distance from the recorder there is no way to know for sure.

The late anthropologist Grover Krantz investigated sound recordings claimed to be of Bigfoot for his book "Big Footprints: A Scientific Inquiry Into the Reality of Sasquatch" (Johnson Books, 1992). He listened to at least 10 tapes and found "no compelling reason to believe that any of them are what the recorders claimed them to be," Live Science previously reported.

Elusive hard evidence

There is no hard evidence for the existence of Bigfoot. Krantz, the anthropologist who investigated sound recordings, also discussed alleged Bigfoot hair, feces, skin scrapings and blood in his "Big Footprints" book. "The usual fate of these items is that they either receive no scientific study, or else the documentation of that study is either lost or unobtainable," he wrote. "In most cases where competent analyses have been made, the material turned out to be bogus or else no determination could be made."

When alleged Bigfoot samples are subject to vigorous scientific analysis, they typically turn out to be from ordinary sources. For example, in 2014, a team of researchers led by the late geneticist Bryan Sykes from the University of Oxford in England, conducted genetic analysis on 36 hair samples claimed to belong to Bigfoot or the Yeti  a similar ape-like creature said to exist in the Himalayas. Almost all of the hairs turned out to be from known animals such as cows, raccoons, deer and humans. However, two of the samples closely matched an extinct Paleolithic polar bear, Live Science previously reported. These samples may have come from an unknown bear species or a hybrid of modern bears, but they were from a bear, not a primate.

Related: Bigfoot's FBI file reveals strange story of a monster hunter and 15 mysterious hairs

The study of genetics provides another reason to doubt the existence of Bigfoot. A single creature can't breed and maintain a population, much less a species. For Bigfoot to be viable, it would need to have a population, or populations, large enough to avoid inbreeding and low genetic diversity, or else face extinction.

The existence of multiple Bigfoot increases the chances that one would be killed by a hunter or hit by a motorist on a highway, or even found dead (by accident, disease, or old age) by a hiker or farmer at some point, yet no bodies have ever been found. People do occasionally claim to find bones or other large body parts. For example, a man in Utah discovered what he thought was a fossilized Bigfoot skull in 2013. A paleontologist confirmed that the "skull" was simply an oddly weathered rock, Live Science previously reported.

Blurry image of a supposed Bigfoot sighting. (Image credit: RichVintage via Getty Images)

Bigfoot hoaxers have further complicated the problem of sorting Sasquatch fact from fiction. Dozens of people have admitted or been found out to have faked Bigfoot prints, photographs, and nearly every other type of Bigfoot evidence. One prominent example is Ray Wallace, whose family revealed he was responsible for the footprints near Bluff Creek in 1958. An even earlier example is the late Rant Mullens, who was a logger in Toledo, Washington. In 1982, he admitted to carving giant feet out of wood and using them to make fake tracks with the help of a friend in the 1920s, The Chronicle, a Washington newspaper, reported in 2007. This built on the legend of ape-like men decades before Wallace's footprints helped make Bigfoot a phenomenon.

There are also 21st century examples of Bigfoot hoaxes. In 2008, two men from Georgia claimed to have a complete, frozen Bigfoot specimen that they found on a hike. Their Bigfoot turned out to be a gorilla costume, Reuters reported in 2008.

Justin Humphrey, an Oklahoma lawmaker, proposed creating a Bigfoot hunting season in January, 2021, CNN reported. Humphrey suggested that the hunting season could coincide with an annual Bigfoot festival that takes place in Honobia, Oklahoma, and would help to bring more tourists to the area. Oklahoma tourism officials later announced a $2.1 million bounty in March for the capture of a live Bigfoot, NPR reported.

Related: 'Expedition Bigfoot' scours Oregon woods for signs of the mythical and elusive beast

Scientific evidence for the existence of a modern-day Bigfoot may be proving elusive, but a giant, bipedal ape did once walk the Earth. A species named Gigantopithecus blacki was about 10 feet (3 m.) tall and weighed up to 595 lbs. (270 kilograms), based on fossil evidence. However, Gigantopithecus lived in Southeast Asia, not North America, and went extinct hundreds of thousands of years ago. The extinct ape is also more closely related to modern orangutans than to humans or our closest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, Live Science previously reported.

Additional resources

Many books about Bigfoot have been published. For a critical history of the Bigfoot phenomenon, check out "Bigfoot: The Life and Times of a Legend" (University of Chicago Press, 2010). Another option is "Searching for Sasquatch: Crackpots, Eggheads, and Cryptozoology" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013), which explores the relationship between professional scientists and cryptozoologists, as well as the nature of monster hunting in the late 20th century.

The Times-Standard, a newspaper covering California's North Coast, looks at the reporting that sparked the Bigfoot phenomenon if you want to learn more about the origins of the contemporary myth. The University of California Berkeley's Cal Alumni Association offers great information on whether bigfoot is worthy of scientific analysis and whether science benefits from such monster hunts.

Benjamin Radford is deputy editor of "Skeptical Inquirer" science magazine and author of six books, including "Tracking the Chupacabra" (University of New Mexico Press, 2011) and "Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries" (Rhombus Publishing Company, 2010). His website is www.BenjaminRadford.com.

Bibliography

Ashley P. Taylor, Live Science, "What is the most genetically diverse species?" April 24, 2021. https://www.livescience.com/most-genetically-diverse-species.html

Ben Crair, Smithsonian Magazine, "Why Do So Many People Still Want to Believe in Bigfoot?" Sep. 2018. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-so-many-people-still-believe-in-bigfoot-180970045/

Benjamin Radford, Live Science, "Bigfoot Blamed for Strange Shrieks," Jan. 29, 2013. https://www.livescience.com/26663-bigfoot-strange-sounds.html

Benjamin Radford, Live Science, "Bigfoot Hoaxer Killed in Accident," Aug. 28, 2012. https://www.livescience.com/22742-bigfoot-hoaxer-killed-in-accident.html

Grover Krantz, "Big Foot-Prints: A Scientific Inquiry into the Reality of Sasquatch," Johnson Books, 1992. https://www.amazon.com/Big-Foot-Prints-Scientific-Inquiry/dp/1555660991/

Ivan Sanderson, True magazine, "America's Abominable Snowman," Dec. 1959. https://www.flickr.com/photos/subtropicbob/16624964322

Karen Stollznow, Scientific American MIND Guest Blog, "(Big)foot in Mouth: Bigfoot Language," July 24, 2013. https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/bigfoot-in-mouth-bigfoot-language/

Lauren M. Johnson, CNN, "Oklahoma lawmaker proposes a bill that calls for creation of a Bigfoot hunting season," Jan. 25, 2021. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/25/us/oklahoma-lawmaker-bigfoot-hunting-season-bill-trnd/index.html

Mindy Weisberger, Live Science, "Closest Living Relative of Extinct 'Bigfoot' Found," Nov. 13, 2019. https://www.livescience.com/gigantopithecus-bigfoot-orangutan-cousin.html

Mindy Weisberger, Live Science, "'Expedition Bigfoot' Scours Oregon Woods for Signs of the Mythical and Elusive Beast," Dec. 8, 2019. https://www.livescience.com/expedition-bigfoot-travel-channel.html

MJ Banias, Vice, News, "Viral Video Captures the Screams of a Mystery Creature," Nov. 12, 2019. https://www.vice.com/en/article/d3aqva/viral-video-captures-the-screams-of-a-mystery-creature

Nicki Thomas, The Canadian Encyclopedia, "Sasquatch," Jan. 21, 2007. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sasquatch

Reuters Staff, Reuters, ""Bigfoot" was rubber gorilla costume," Aug. 20, 2008. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bigfoot-hoax/bigfoot-was-rubber-gorilla-costume-idUSN2035207920080820

Robert Roy Britt , Live Science, "Monsters, Ghosts and Gods: Why We Believe," Aug. 18, 2008. https://www.livescience.com/5046-monsters-ghosts-gods.html

Robert Roy Britt, Live Science, "'Skull' Claimed as Rock-Solid Evidence of Bigfoot," June 29, 2013. https://www.livescience.com/37858-skull-claimed-as-bigfoot-evidence.html

Robert Walls, The Oregon Encyclopedia, "Bigfoot (Sasquatch) legend," Jan. 22, 2021. https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/bigfoot_sasquatch_legend/

Scott Detrow (host), NPR, "Oklahoma Places $2.1 Million Bounty On Bigfoot's Head," March 9, 2021. https://www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975125841/oklahoma-places-2-1-million-bounty-on-bigfoots-head?t=1641994362302

Stephanie Pappas, Live Science, "Eyewitness Testimony Can Be Tragically Mistaken," Sep. 22, 2011. https://www.livescience.com/16194-crime-eyewitnesses-mistakes.html

The Chronicle, "Toledo Retiree Admits Bigfoot Hoax in 1982," April 11, 2007. https://www.chronline.com/stories/toledo-retiree-admits-bigfoot-hoax-in-1982,212478

Tia Ghose, Live Science, "Sorry, That 'Bigfoot DNA' Came from a Raccoon," July 2, 2014. https://www.livescience.com/46631-bigfoot-samples-from-existing-animals.html
You may have experienced some signs youre in love. Can't get someone out of your head? Daydreaming about them when you should be working? Imagining your futures together? These dizzying thoughts are just a few of the telltale signs you're in love.

In fact, scientists have pinned down exactly what it means to "fall in love." Researchers have found that the brain of a person in love looks very different from one experiencing mere lust, and it's also unlike the brain of someone in a long-term, committed relationship. Studies led by Helen Fisher , an anthropologist at Rutgers University and one of the leading experts on the biological basis of love, have revealed that the brain's "in love" phase is a unique and well-defined period of time. Here are 13 telltale signs you're in love.

Thinking this one's special

When you're in love, more dopamine is released in the brain. (Image credit: Getty)

When you're in love, you begin to think your beloved is unique. The belief is coupled with an inability to feel romantic passion for anyone else. According to a 2017 article in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior , this monogamy results from elevated levels of central dopamine  a chemical involved in attention and focus  in your brain .

Focusing on the positive

Being in love can alter the focus of a person's thoughts. (Image credit: Getty)

People who are truly in love tend to focus on the positive qualities of their beloved, while overlooking his or her negative traits. According to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , relationships are usually more successful when partners are idealized.

Those who are in love also focus on trivial events and objects that remind them of their loved one, daydreaming about these precious little moments and mementos. According to research published in 2013 in the journal Motivation and Emotion , being in love prevents people from focusing on other information.

This focused attention is also thought to result from elevated levels of central dopamine, as well as a spike in central norepinephrine, a chemical associated with increased memory in the presence of new stimuli.

Emotional instability

Those in love can experience a range of emotions. (Image credit: Getty)

As is well known, falling in love often leads to emotional and physiological instability. You bounce between exhilaration, euphoria, increased energy, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, trembling, a racing heart and accelerated breathing, as well as anxiety, panic and feelings of despair when your relationship suffers even the smallest setback.

These mood swings parallel the behavior of drug addicts, according to a 2017 article in the journal Philosophy, Psychiatry and Psychology . And indeed, when in-love people are shown pictures of their loved ones, it fires up the same regions of the brain that activate when a drug addict takes a hit. According to Fisher , being in love is a form of addiction and when this is taken away from someone they can experience "withdrawals and relapse".

Intensifying attraction

Romantic attraction is associated with central dopamine (Image credit: Getty)

Going through some sort of adversity with another person tends to intensify romantic attraction, according to Fishers research. Central dopamine may be responsible for this reaction, too, because research shows that when a reward is delayed, dopamine-producing neurons in the mid-brain region become more productive.

Intrusive thinking

Intrusive thinking can come in many forms. (Image credit: Getty)

People who are in love report that they spend, on average, more than 85 percent of their waking hours musing over their "love object," according to Fisher. Intrusive thinking, as this form of obsessive behavior is called, may result from decreased levels of central serotonin in the brain, a condition that has been associated with obsessive behavior previously. (Obsessive-compulsive disorder is treated with serotonin-reuptake inhibitors.)

According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Psychophysiology , men who are in love have lower serotonin levels than men who are not, while the opposite applies to women. The men and women who were in love were found to be thinking about their loved one for around 65 percent of the time they were awake.

Emotional dependency

People have evolved to show signs of emotional dependency in a relationship. (Image credit: Getty)

People in love regularly exhibit signs of emotional dependency on their relationship, including possessiveness, jealousy, fear of rejection, and separation anxiety. For instance, Fisher and her colleagues looked at the brains of individuals viewing photos of a rejected loved one, or someone they were still in love with after being rejected by that person.

The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed activation in several brain areas, including forebrain areas like the cingulate gyrus that have been shown to play a role in cocaine cravings. "Activation of areas involved in cocaine addiction may help explain the obsessive behaviors associated with rejection in love," the researchers wrote in 2010 in the Journal of Neurophysiology.

Planning a future

The hormone oxytocin creates bonds between people. (Image credit: Getty)

Longing for emotional union with a beloved, seeking out ways to get closer and day-dreaming about a future together are also signs of someone in love. According to an article by Harvard University , when serotonin levels begin to return to normal levels, the hormone oxytocin increases in the body. This neurotransmitter is associated with creating more serious relationships.

Lucy Brown, a neuroscientist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, says this drive to be with another person is sort of like our drive toward water and other things we need to survive.

"Functional MRI studies show that primitive neural systems underlying drive, reward recognition and euphoria are active in almost everyone when they look at the face of their beloved and think loving thoughts. This puts romantic love in the company of survival systems, like those that make us hungry or thirsty," Brown told Live Science.

"I think of romantic love as part of the human reproductive strategy. It helps us form pair-bonds, which help us survive. We were built to experience the magic of love and to be driven toward another"

Feelings of empathy

Feeling of empathy are heightened when in love. (Image credit: Getty)

People who are in love generally feel a powerful sense of empathy toward their beloved, feeling the other person's pain as their own and being willing to sacrifice anything for the other person.

In Fishers study, the scientists discovered significant patterns in the brain activity of people who were in love. Their mirror neurons, which are linked to feelings of empathy, were more active in people who were in a long-term, loving relationship.

Aligning interests

People in love may be "brain-chemical" opposites (Image credit: Getty)

Falling in love can result in someone reordering their daily priorities to align with those of their beloved. While some people may attempt to be more like a loved one, another of Fisher's studies, presented in 2013 at the "Being Human" conference, found that people are attracted to their opposites, at least their "brain-chemical" opposites.

For instance, her research found that people with so-called testosterone -dominant personalities (highly analytical, competitive and emotionally contained) were often drawn to mates with personalities linked to high estrogen and oxytocin levels  these individuals tended to be "empathetic, nurturing, trusting and prosocial, and introspective, seeking meaning and identity," Fisher said in 2013 .

Possessive feelings

Strong feelings of attachment is a sign of love. (Image credit: Getty)

Those who are deeply in love often experience sexual desire for their beloved, but there are strong emotional strings attached: The longing for sex is coupled with a desire for sexual exclusivity, and extreme jealousy when the partner is suspected of infidelity. According to the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, oxytocin is released during sexual activity. This hormone creates social bonds and develops trust.

This attachment is thought to have evolved so that an in-love person will compel his or her partner to spurn other suitors, thereby ensuring that the couple's courtship is not interrupted until conception has occurred. According to Fisher this evolved as a biological need, enabling people in romantic relationships to focus [their] mating energy on a particular individual.

Craving an emotional union

(Image credit: Getty)

While the desire for sexual union is important to people in love, the craving for emotional union takes precedence. Fishers 2002 study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that 64 percent of people in love (the same percentage for both sexes) disagreed with the statement, "Sex is the most important part of my relationship with [my partner]."

Feeling out of control

A lack of control over your feelings is a common sign of love. (Image credit: Getty)

Fisher and her colleagues found that individuals who report being "in love" commonly say their passion is involuntary and uncontrollable.

For her 1979 book "Love and Limerence," the late psychologist Dorothy Tennov asked 400 men and women in Connecticut to respond to 200 statements on romantic love. Many participants expressed feelings of helplessness, saying their obsession was irrational and involuntary.

According to Fisher, one participant, a business executive in his early 50s wrote this about an office crush, "I am advancing toward the thesis that this attraction for Emily is a kind of biological, instinct-like action that is not under voluntary or logical control. ... It directs me. I try desperately to argue with it, to limit its influence, to channel it (into sex, for example), to deny it, to enjoy it, and, yes, dammit, to make her respond! Even though I know that Emily and I have absolutely no chance of making a life together, the thought of her is an obsession," Fisher reported in 2016 online in Nautilus.

Losing the spark

The dynamic of a relationship can change over time. (Image credit: Getty)

Unfortunately, being in love doesn't always last forever and psychologists say that the early euphoric stage lasts no longer than three years, according to Fishers blog. It's an impermanent state that either evolves into a long-term, codependent relationship that psychologists call "attachment," or it dissipates, and the relationship dissolves. If there are physical or social barriers inhibiting partners from seeing one another regularly  for example, if the relationship is long-distance  then the "in love" phase generally lasts longer than it would otherwise.

Additional resources

To find out why people crave love and learn more about the research of Helen Fisher, you can watch her TED talk The brain in love . For further reading about love and the body, the book The Science of Love and Attraction , written by neuroscientist Dr. Guloglu, explores how and why people love.

Bibliography

"Romantic love: An fMRI study of a neural mechanism for mate choice" The Journal of Comparative Neurology (2005). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cne.20772

"Differences in Neural Response to Romantic Stimuli in Monogamous and Non-Monogamous Men". Archives of Sexual Behaviour (2017). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-017-1071-9

"The benefits of positive illusions: Idealization and the construction of satisfaction in close relationships". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (1996). https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-01707-007

"Reduced cognitive control in passionate lovers". Leiden, Universiteit (2013). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131111091355.htm

"Addicted to love: What is love addiction and when should it be treated?". Philosophy, Psychiatry and Psychology (2017). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5378292/

"Reward, Addiction, and Emotion Regulation Systems Associated With Rejection in Love". Journal of Neurophysiology (2010). https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jn.00784.2009
Orlando police are investigating a shooting that happened Thursday night between two male teenagers at an apartment complex in the Richmond Estates neighborhood, according to the department.

Officers were doing a traffic stop in the 4300 block of L.B.McLeod Road when they heard gunshots coming from the nearby Crossroads Apartments and went to check out the scene, said OPD spokesperson Lt. William Chris Becton.

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Residents told the officers that shots were fired in the area and pointed out some of the property damage, Becton said.

Investigators believe two sixteen-year-old boys were shooting at each other, Becton said, and one of them was arrested at the apartment complex. The other suspected shooter fled the scene.

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Police have not said if anyone was injured or detailed the circumstances of the shooting.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

lgarza@orlandosentinel.com
Laredo school districts will transition to remote learning from Jan. 17-21.

UISD Superintendent David Gonzalez made the first move on Thursday with full support from the districts board of trustees in an emergency meeting.

The LISD board followed suit a few hours later.

COVID-19 numbers have been rising in our community and in the state of Texas, Gonzalez said. This has resulted in a lack of employees being able to report to campuses because of quarantine and isolation periods.

UISD reported more than 1,000 employee absences Thursday. More than 550 of the absences were teachers and 266 of them were without substitutes.

A large pool of the 700 substitutes declined to take jobs from fear of exposure to the virus.

Javier Montemayor said face-to-face instruction is the best way to educate students, but there isnt enough available staff to meet their needs.

I think one week of remote conferencing will hopefully curb this spike, Montemayor said. I have constituents who want their kids to stay in school, and I do too. However, looking at the numbers, I think its important that we take a step back and allow some time to heal.

LISD instructors may teach from their classrooms, and if they do, they must accept students, which would negate the boards goals for the remote period.

For UISD, Gonzalez said he hopes the remote-learning period combined with the two weekends will allow the safe return to campuses, but it wont work as intended without support from the community.

All we ask from our parents is to be vigilant of whats out there, Gonzalez said. We need them to help us out and keep our students safe at home.

Monica Garcia relayed a similar message at the LISD meeting.

Were doing this to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Dont use this to go on vacation, Garcia said. We cannot tell you how to use your time, but we want to go the extra mile to provide an added layer of safety for everyone. Be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

UISD reported 4,300 remote conference requests as of Thursday. The in-person attendance rate declined every day this week and was at 70% at the time of the meeting.

Nearly 1,500 students had been confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 or were in close contact with a positive case. This figure didnt include the more than 1,000 cases yet to be reviewed.

Executive Director Melissa Cruz said many students were showing symptoms on campuses, and there was a good chance they could infect their teachers. Therefore, David Garcia, Associate Superintendent of the Human Resources Department, recommended the board extend emergency paid sick leave to vaccinated employees for up to 20 days in a 12-month period.

A federal mandate issued in April 2020 afforded individuals to be out for 10 days, given they prove a positive test or exposure. If someone tested positive once, they couldnt afford a second infection.

The board voted to approve Garcias recommendation of an additional 10 days, but it added a person must be vaccinated to receive the extra benefits. LISD did not do the same for its staff.

Aliza Flores Oliveros said the change was the right thing to do.

If youve gotten your three shots, wear your mask and social distance, youre doing everything you can to protect yourself, Flores Oliveros said. Its only fair we do this, especially if you get sick coming to work.

The additional days will be crucial to UISD employees for the remainder of the year because the district expects this dilemma to return after spring break.

Ricardo Rodriguez said the numbers will be the same or even worse come March.

Were looking after our employees. Were adding more time than the state gives them, Rodriguez said. We also encourage our employees to get vaccinated, which we cannot enforce. They still need to be careful because 20 days is still not a lot for a whole year.

The district has a 95% vaccination rate among employees. It is also the largest testing entity in Laredo and the third largest in Texas.

The last move the UISD Board made was the approval of purchasing 30,000 COVID-19 antigen tests with $400,000 from a federal grant.

The details of providing tests to families are yet to be determined.

marcus.trevino@lmtonline.com
The man accused of speeding away from a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy who later crashed and killed a young woman in the ensuing high-speed chase Wednesday night is now in federal custody on robbery and weapons charges. But as state and federal prosecutors build their case against 29-year-old DaVonte Williams, attorneys in the Harris County District Attorney's Office tasked with prosecuting vehicular crimes are also looking at potential charges for the deputy behind the wheel.

Federal prosecutors on Friday filed charges against Williams for interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He's also facing a state-level charge of evading in a motor vehicle causing death, according to prosecutor Sean Teare who heads the DA's vehicular crimes division. Detectives claim Williams pulled a gun during consecutive robberies at an Exxon gas station and CVS pharmacy along the Eastex Freeway late Wednesday. As the deputy tried to stop Williams in the CVS parking lot, he allegedly sped off in a Lincoln Town Car, and the deputy pursued.

The deputy told dispatchers that Williams was driving "at a high rate of speed" before catching up to him. He chased Williams for a little under two miles before crashing with a Kia Borrego driven by 22-year-old Autrey Davis at the intersection of Laura Koppe Road and Lockwood Drive around 10:50 p.m. The collision split Davis' Borrego and sent the deputy's cruiser careening into a nearby parking lot in a ball of flames. Investigators did not disclose the order of events that led to the crash.

Davis was pronounced dead on scene, while two young children in her car were hospitalized. One of the children was listed in critical condition. Williams continued to flee after the deputy crashed but was arrested late Thursday. Investigators did not disclose how they determined Williams was the man who robbed the stores and fled from the deputy.

OnScene.TV

As robbery detectives focused on Williams, vehicular crimes investigators with the Houston Police Department are still gathering data related to the crash and working with Teare's office to determine if the deputy should be charged.

"This is the very beginning of what's going to be a relatively long investigation," Teare prefaced in a phone call Friday. "But it could go all the way as high as manslaughter. Criminally negligent homicide could be a potential charge. Any time you're talking about travelling at high speeds, whether or not you're an officer or not, we've got to determine if it's reckless, negligent or none of the above."

Teare said the case will be presented to a grand jury in the coming months. Investigators have pulled telemetry data from the cruiser's computer and are assessing the findings, including determining how fast the deputy was driving and any evasive action he might or might not have taken.

In recent weeks, the Houston area saw a spike in deadly crashes involving law enforcement officers. In each case, the officers survived but left behind someone dead. On Dec. 4, Houston police officer Orlando Hernandez, 25, drove onto a Sunnyside sidewalk while responding to a call and killed 66-year-old Michael Wayne Jackson. Hernandez remains on active duty.

Then on Dec. 26, HPD officer Christopher Cabrera crashed into 75-year-old Charles Payne, who later died in the hospital. Cabrera was later relieved of duty, according to police.

The HCSO deputy behind the wheel in Wednesday's wreck has not been identified.
Lockport, NY (14094)

Today

Cloudy with rain developing this afternoon. High around 65F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low around 50F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
The first Florida preschool program launched by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos will open in an Orlando affordable housing development this fall, giving toddlers from low-income communities a shot at a premium educational start.

Ability Housing, a not-for-profit multifamily rental housing developer, said Thursday it had signed a 10-year agreement with the Bezos Academy to open a tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschool in its Village on Mercy apartment community on Mercy Drive.

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The preschool will follow a full-day, year-round schedule with space for 40 children, ages 3 and 4. Preference will be given to families who live in Village on Mercy, but the program is also open to other families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty limit.

Shannon Nazworth, president and CEO of Ability Housing, said the preschool is part of her organizations mission of building housing that serves as a springboard for our families futures, with the goal to eliminate intergenerational poverty amongst our residents.

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Bezos first outlined his plan to build a network of preschools in November 2018, when he launched the $2 billion Bezos Day One Fund that gives grants to nonprofits helping homeless families. It took another two years to open the first school, located in Washington State.

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Since then, the program has opened four additional schools in Washington and announced plans for six more across the country, including the one in Orlando.

As part of the agreement with Ability Housing, the Bezos Academy will cover operating expenses for the preschool programs at no cost to the families. The academy will cover all school supplies and the childrens meals as well.

About half of all preschool-aged kids in the U.S. arent in school, often due to cost or availability, said Mike George, president of Bezos Academy. Thats just not right.

Guests tour the new affordable housing project, Village on Mercy. Friday, December 13, 2019. (Sarah Espedido / Orlando Sentinel) (Sarah Espedido/Sarah Espedido)

Extensive research has found early childhood to be a critical time for brain development. Children who attend high-quality preschool are more likely to read proficiently by third grade  an achievement closely tied to success in high school and college. Bezos, who attended a Montessori school at age 2, is a proponent of the collaborative, hands-on approach the schools employ.

Orlandos success can have no greater measure than the opportunities we create for our children, said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Ability Housing and Bezos Academy will help shape our citys next generation.

More information and an application to the lottery-based selection process will be posted at bezosacademy.org once the schools opening date is set.

ksantich@orlandosentinel.com
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Two men and a young person are to reappear before Longford District Court in February charged with assault causing harm.

Patryk Mikotow, 10A Cloverwell, Edgeworthstown and Gift Osabuehien, 25 Pairc Na Habhainn, Edgeworthstown and the young person who cannot be named because of his age, all appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens last Tuesday morning.

The court heard that, on August 29, 2021, at approximately 1am, a 999 call was made to report an assault outside a fast food restaurant in Edgeworthstown.

When Gardai arrived at the scene, they met the victim whose face was bleeding. He was intoxicated at the time, the court heard, and was unable to give details of what happened.

His cousin was with him and told Gardai that they had been jumped by a gang of youths from Edgeworthstown, said Sgt Enda Daly for the state. In the process of the investigation, Gardai harvested CCTV footage from the area and observed all three defendants striking the victim in the face and head.

The injured party ran away, the court heard, and he was chased and further assaulted.

A medical report furnished to the court confirmed the injured party had a number of injuries, including broken teeth as a result of the assault.

Judge Owens, on hearing the evidence, accepted jurisdiction and remanded all three defendants on bail to February 1.
Depaul and the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) have reached an agreement for Depaul to take over the management of the SVP homeless service in Longford.

Both Depaul's St Martha's and Bethany House will have a capacity of 22, catering for both men and women and includes a transfer of nine staff for the service.

Last Monday afternoon marked the handover of the management of homeless services across a number of locations around Ireland, with an event taking place at Deerpark House, Cork, attended by An Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

SVP 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.

Depaul is a leading provider of services for people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Established in 2002 Depaul now manages over 30 specialised accommodation and outreach services and has been at the forefront of providing additional homeless services throughout the ongoing pandemic.

Depaul provides over 600-bed spaces per night and in 2020 supported over 3,500 people.

The landscape of running homeless accommodation in Ireland has changed over the last number of years.

This includes changes to government policy to a focus on housing-led solutions. SVP is transferring the management of seven hostels to Depaul due to its high level of specialisation in service delivery specifically in relation to the changes in government policy and the broader landscape. Crucially, the move benefits those who use the services.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said, "This transfer demonstrates the responsibility, foresight and vision of two organisations coming together to have a positive impact on people facing homelessness.

Our Housing for All plan seeks to support our most vulnerable by significantly increasing the number of tenancies for those experiencing homelessness and who have more complex needs.

Yet the pathway to eradicating homelessness is bound up with the constructive contributions of organisations like Depaul and SVP, working together in a progressive and transformational manner to meet the ever-changing needs of people facing homelessness.

Depaul CEO, David Carroll said, This has been an extensive process to ensure the smooth transition of service delivery always with the service user in mind. We would like to acknowledge the work of SVP in these services for many years which have helped so many people affected by homelessness. SVP staff and volunteers at these hostels have brought comfort to many and brought many others into a more settled environment.

For further information about Depaul and its services please visit https://ie.depaulcharity.org/
THE principal of the school where murdered Offaly teacher Ashling Murphy worked has paid a heartfelt tribute to his former staff member.

James Hogan, principal of Durrow National School, said the 23-year-old was a beautiful, gifted and talented lady.

She was a talented teacher, extraordinary sportsperson, traditional Irish music enthusiast, very active and fit, an inspiration to all, said Mr Hogan.

She gave 110% to everything she put her hand to. And the kids and their education was her priority.

She taught a class of 28 boys and girls and those children were today dealing with the sudden loss of a teacher they loved.

Today was very much about talking, being open and saying it's ok to be sad and have feelings, and say we're all hurting and remember the good things about Ms Murphy, said the principal

They all did little notes and lovehearts, poems and prayers and Mass cards and left them in memory boxes.

He said Ashling's death was devastating for the school and the whole community and he paid tribute to the psychologists who came to provide support.

The road ahead is going to be tough but I can reassure everyone that the school and the community will always have support services her to cater for the kids, the families, and ourselves, the staff. Because when this new reality dies down it's going to be tough and hard for everyone.

Ashling Murphy began work in Durrow as a substitute teacher in March 2021 and was then appointed to First Class as a permanent teacher.

Mr Hogan said his thoughts were now with her family and he expressed his deepest sympathy.

I know them at a personal level too outside of the school through traditional music. I grew up playing music and her family are musical and I know them really well. Words can't describe how to express sympathy to them.

Mary Daly, chair of the school board of management spoke of the terrible shock and sadness she had felt.

The loss of any life is tragic but to know a girl after getting her college finished and starting work here, it was just devastation for the whole community and the wider community and worldwide, said Ms Daly.

She was the light in shining armour here. That was the feeling from everybody and the little pupils, to see the way they came up so dignified, and to see them go home this evening. It was heartbreaking.

Fr Joe Gallagher, parish priest of Tullamore, joined the school staff for a period of reflection this afternoon and said that was important to have that few moments to pray and reflect and strengthen the bonds and support one another and understand how valuable we are to one another and what we can do for one another.

Fr Gallagher added: When somebody is pulled out like that all of a sudden it is then we realise how important we are to each other and how we can do so much. It's something that touches everybody very deeply.

Book of condolence to open at Longford County Council for murdered Offaly teacher Ashling Murphy Members of the public will be able to relay their sympathy to the family of murdered primary school teacher Ashling Murphy tomorrow when a book of condolence is opened tomorrow by Longford County Council.

He said the feeling when he heard the news of the tragedy was surreal.

It was unbelievable, it was just a total, total shock, and you think this could just not be true. For it to happen in your own town and a place we all know and walk. You meet so many people down there.

And to think that she was coming home from school and going out to get a bit of air and exercise and then for that to happen. The whole town is feeling it and it has touched so many people all over the country and we've got messages from so many places, all expressing their sympathy and support and offering their prayers.
The man released by police investigating the murder of young teacher Ashling Murphy in Co Offaly has had his life ruined, his solicitor said.

On Thursday night, gardai released the 40-year-old, stating he is no longer a suspect.

Donal Farrelly, who represented the man during his two days of questioning, condemned those who had tried to identify him on social media.

The murder of Ms Murphy, 23, in Tullamore on Wednesday afternoon as she jogged by a canal has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities across Ireland on Friday and over the coming days.

Mr Farrelly said: This man has been vilified on social media and clearly identified on social media.

The solicitor said his client had endured a traumatic period while at Tullamore Garda Station.

Any form of interrogation or questioning is inherently traumatic, Mr Farrelly said.

And hes been through two days of this.

Mr Farrelly said he did not want to provide any details about the mans identity, though he did confirm his age.

People in the town initially drew comfort from the knowledge police had quickly apprehended a suspect.

But Mr Farrelly said his client had also faced the troubles and trauma of social media.

It has ruined his life and he has been deeply affected by it, Mr Farrelly said.

He confirmed the man stayed away from his home and local area on Thursday night after his release.

Gardai investigating the fatal assault on a woman yesterday in Tullamore are appealing for info on a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars & distinctive yellow/green front forks. Please call Tullamore GS (057 932 7600) or the Garda Confidential Line (1800 666 111). pic.twitter.com/XUDhQvuDgU  An Garda Siochana (@GardaTraffic) January 13, 2022

We must never lose sight of the dreadful trauma to the Murphy family, said Mr Farrelly, who voiced his every sympathy to Ms Murphys loved ones.

But this is an innocent man, who has now been cleared, he added.

On Friday morning, gardai issued a renewed appeal for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a bicycle  a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks  to come forward.

Gang of youths appear in Longford court on assault charge Two men and a young person are to reappear before Longford District Court in February charged with assault causing harm.

A vigil in memory of Ms Murphy has been organised in Tullamore for Friday afternoon, and also at a number of locations in Offaly and across the country.
Vigils in memory of Ashling Murphy will take place across Ireland today.

Ms Murphy, a primary school teacher in Tullamore aged in her 20s, was killed on Wednesday afternoon along the banks of the Grand Canal at Cappincur in Co Offaly.

A 40-year-old man who was previously detained at Tullamore Garda Station was released without charge yesterday evening (January 13).

The hunt for Ms Murphy's killer continues as Gardai confirm the man is "no longer a suspect".

A number of vigils will take place in cities and towns in the Republic and Northern Ireland to remember the teacher.

The Womens Council of Ireland is organising a vigil for Ms Murphy outside Leinster House from 4pm today (January 14) , to coincide with the time she was attacked.

The group said the vigil is being held to remember Ms Murphy and to support all who knew and loved her.

Women must be safe in our homes and our communities. Join us and call for an end to mens violence against women, the said.

People have been asked to bring flowers or candles. A minutes silence will be held in memory of Ms Murphy.

Events will also be held in Tullamore, Galway, Nenagh, Limerick, Cork, Derry and Belfast.

Floral tributes and messages have been left close to the scene, with one describing her as a wonderful teacher, friend and exemplary role model.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education has committed 3million to improving literacy among adults in Ireland.

Minister Simon Harris's commitment is part of the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy, which aims to ensure all adults can fully engage in society and realise their potential through literary, numeracy and digital literacy.

Speaking about the strategy, he said, "In 2022 we plan to build on and accelerate the implementation of the strategy. We know there are too many people who cannot read, who cannot write, who cannot write an email or make a bank transfer. This is not a failure of the person but a failure by the State."

According to the minister, the large sum was allocated in Budget 2022 in order to "do better".

He said, "This investment will enable us to establish the partnership structures and initiate focused coordination support which are critical to delivering on the targets set for adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy."

The strategy will include the recruitment of literacy co-ordinators, a national programme office, the establishment of a new collaboration and innovation fund, as well as the continued roll-out of the Adult Literacy Awareness campaign.

Ireland's literacy practices across FET programmes at NFQ levels 4, 5 and 6 were recently assessed in a report, which Minister Harris welcomed.

He said, "I would like to thanks SOLAS and ETBI for their fantastic work on this report and national guidelines. FET programmes at Levels 4-6 place many new demands on learners. These may include advanced study skills and also more complicated literacy and numeracy tasks than those needed for earlier experiences of study, or in daily life.

"These guidelines will provide practitioners with the tools to identify whether a new learner will need help with reading, writing or numeracy in order to participate successfully in their chosen programme, decide on a range of appropriate support measures and resources and monitor the learners progress in literacy and numeracy."

"This will ensure that learners are not left behind and can complete their programmes successfully."
Crime, Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: January 14 2022

During the summer of 2021, Legislator Drucker introduced and spearheaded unanimous passage of legislation to establish the Task Force.

Under Legislator Druckers proposal, appointments to the Task Force must be made no later than International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, 2022, and the Task Forces recommendations for legislative action must be submitted to the Legislatures Presiding Officer and the Minority Leader no later than Yom Hashoah on April 28, 2022.

In response to an alarming and frighteningly persistent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in recent years Legislator Drucker co-introduced the resolution establishing the Special Legislative Task Force to Combat Antisemitism on June 22, 2021. It was adopted unanimously by the full Nassau County Legislature in August 2021.

For millennia, the scourge of antisemitism has plagued societies around the world, and Nassau County is not exempt from its noxious presence, Legislator Drucker said. Like so many others, I have grown weary of lamenting the prevalence of antisemitism in our society. It is time for decisive action, and I look forward to working alongside the members of Nassaus Special Task Force to devise solutions that will eradicate hatred and bias wherever it currently festers.

ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM

Membership of the Special Legislative Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism will consist of six Legislators - three appointed by the Nassau County Legislatures Presiding Officer and three chosen by the Minority Leader - who will then select five additional community leaders based upon their expertise and background in opposing anti-Semitism and intolerance. The County Executive or a designee will also serve an ex officio advisory member of the task force.

Working under the guidance of the Working Definition of Anti-Semitism as adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the task force is directed to host one or more public hearings to engage governmental and community leaders, law enforcement personnel, clergy, academics, members of the public and key stakeholders to gather facts about the origins and extent of anti-Semitism in Nassau County.

Upon the completion of these hearings and a public comment period of at least 60 days, the task force will submit a report containing recommendations for legislative action.

In addition to its fact-finding mission, the Special Legislative Task Force to Combat Antisemitism is tasked with educating youth by hosting a Virtual Youth Roundtable Against Antisemitism. Focused upon how the law and public policy can help to diminish bias and insensitivity, the event will be known as Cardozo Day in honor of esteemed New York jurist and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Benjamin N. Cardozo.
Seminole County Public Schools and its teachers union agreed this week to a salary plan that would boost minimum pay to $47,500 -- the state target -- and provide one-time supplements to veteran instructors. (tab1962 / Getty Images/iStockphoto)

All Seminole County Public Schools teachers would earn at least $47,500 under a new proposed agreement that would boost minimum pay to the state goal and also give one-time payments of $750 to $3,200 to instructors with 10 or more years on the job.

The agreement  which must be voted on by both teachers and the Seminole County School Board  also would provide annual raises of about $250 or $300 to most teachers.

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Seminole teachers are worth so much more, said Dan Smith, president of the Seminole Education Association, on the unions Facebook page announcing the deal.

But Smith said he was pleased district administrators, after months of meetings, agreed this week to spend $4 million on the extra payments for veteran teachers, who were largely left out of Gov. Ron DeSantis push to boost starting pay.

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As in other districts, Seminole administrators said state budget cuts  the district lost more than $6 million  and an expected increase in students made it hard to put more money into raises. The states push to boost starting teacher pay also meant that most of the money allocated for teacher salaries had to be spent on that effort.

Seminole County superintendent Serita Beamon speaks at the Seminole County School Board chambers in Sanford on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

The proposal discouraged and upset some teachers, who on Facebook called it a raw deal and a joke, noting the $304.27 raise for highly effective teachers would amount to an extra $5.85 a week.

Others reiterated the complaint that DeSantis initiative left Seminole teachers with a decade or more of experience earning the same as new college graduates.

Money isnt the only thing, but 12 years and you start thinking, is there no value for experience? said Joe Dalesandro, a civics teacher at Milwee Middle School in Longwood.

In his 12th year of teaching, Dalesandro said he now earns $46,900. He would be among the 1,586 Seminole teachers who were bumped up to $47,500 if the proposal is adopted. A newly graduated education major from the University of Central Florida would earn the same.

Teaching is a profession he loves, Dalesandro said, and his job brings him joy.

But he and his colleagues are frustrated with a pay scale that does not keep up with the rising cost of living nor reward teachers for time spent improving their skills. As a result, Dalesandro, 35, said he knows too many teachers his age who are leaving the classroom, contributing to an ongoing teacher shortage.

If we dont have talented teachers its obviously a negative experience for our students and their families, he added.

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Because he has worked more than 10 years, Dalesandro also would get a one-time experience supplement of $750. Teachers with more years on the job would get bigger supplements, with 20-year veterans getting $2,200.

Seminole schools also reached an agreement earlier this week with the unions that represent cafeteria workers, school secretaries, custodians and others, giving them a dollar-an-hour raise and offering one-time supplements of $300 to $1,000 to those with 10 or more years experience.

Friday, the district announced an agreement with its bus drivers, who since the fall have been pushing for pay increases, saying $14.53 an hour is too little and is exacerbating a driver shortage.

The new proposal would hike pay to $16.53 an hour, and the district also would offer one-time supplements of $300 to $2,500 to drivers based on years of experience.

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Chonta Henderson, president of Seminole County School Bus drivers association, said Thursday she was pushing most to get experienced drivers more money. A driver for 16 years, Henderson said she earns the same $14.53 an hour as a new hire. She hustles to do fields trips to make my paycheck look something and, like other drivers, still finds her finances a struggle.

DeSantis announced in 2019 that he wanted all Florida teachers earning a minimum of $47,500, and in 2020 the Florida Legislature earmarked money for those increases. But only 13 of 67 districts, Orange Countys among them, reached the $47,500 target the first year.

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Seminole got to $46,310 but this year would hit the $47,500 goal, raising the salaries of the 35% of its 4,538 teachers who are not yet earning that minimum.

Because the other raises would be small  $248.95 to $304.27 for the year  the unions bargaining team requested supplements for veteran teachers, trying unsuccessfully for a three-year plan.

About 54% of the districts teachers have 10 or more years on the job and would get a supplement.

The union, Smith said, will push again in a new round of bargaining that begins in March for a commitment to future payments for veterans. I want this supplement to be an ongoing thing, he added.

lpostal@orlandosentinel.com
(Alliance News) - Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Ltd announced on Friday it has completed the asset acquisition of DataGryd Datacenters LLC, as the final outstanding condition was satisfied.

The digital infrastructure asset-focused investment firm announced the acquisition of the New York data centre last Wednesday. It was completed on Friday in an all-cash deal of USD74 million, about GBP54.7 million.

Cordiant has bought Datagryd's data centre operating platform in New York, which soon will operate under a new brand name. Cordiant will invest a further USD75 million of expansion capital in the platform over the next three years.

It also announced last Wednesday the acquisition of Emitel SA, a Polish digital infrastructure company, for GBP352 million.

Cordiant's share price lowered by 0.1% to 107.90 pence each in London on Friday morning.

By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Correcting the disposal is for a nominal sum, while GBP15.5 million was the original purchase price.)

(Alliance News) - Foxtons Group PLC on Friday unveiled plans to sell the sales business of estate agent Douglas & Gordon Ltd for a nominal amount.

Under the deal, the London-based estate agent will sell Douglas & Gordon's sales business and all of its branches, while integrating the D&G lettings business into the Foxtons network. The sales business is being sold to its current chief executive officer, James Evans, with GBP3.7 million to be left in the business to cover working capital requirements and retained liabilities.

In March 2021, Foxtons acquired D&G and its lettings business, which comprised the majority of the company's revenue, and a loss making sales business. Foxtons paid GBP15.5 million at the time, with the acquisition coming with GBP3.9 million in cash. "This was an attractive valuation which ascribed no value to the D&G sales business," it said.

Wanting to dispose of any loss making businesses was a major driver in offloading the sales business, Foxtons explained. The integration of D&G's lettings business was driven by both companies having an established branch network which "overlaps significantly".

"D&G has performed extremely well over the last ten months under Foxtons ownership and this next step is a real win-win for both parties to the transaction," commented Chief Executive Nic Budden.

"We have an excellent track record of acquiring and integrating lettings businesses and expect to deliver significant growth in operating profit through the integration of the D&G lettings business into Foxtons highly scalable infrastructure," he added.

D&G lettings is expected to deliver an operating profit of around GBP4 million in 2022, Foxtons stated. This is an increase of over GBP2 million on the operating profit contributed by the whole D&G business in 2021.

Shares in Foxtons were down 0.4% in London on Friday morning at 41.39 pence each.

By Will Paige; willpaige@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Mymique Baxter is principal at Kato Public Charter School. Education to me is making sure that I and the people Im working with are passing on skills and knowledge to the next generation.
LAUDERHILL  A man who claimed God spoke to him and he was doing Gods work has been arrested for setting a police cruiser on fire outside a Lauderhill synagogue late Wednesday night, officials said.

Brian Bocage, 21, was identified, located, and arrested late Thursday night, according to Lauderhill police, which said it received assistance from the Broward Sheriffs Office.

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Lauderhill police responded to a synagogue in the predawn hours Thursday after a report of a car on fire in its parking lot.

Bocage said he knew the cruiser was unoccupied and didnt intend to injure anyone, according to police.

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Bocage also said he harbored not hatred toward police, members of the synagogue, or Jews.

The fire was set shortly before midnight Wednesday at the Synagogue of the Inverarry, at 6700 NW 44th St., according to Lauderhill police. The car that was burned was a marked Lauderhill police cruiser that was placed there to deter potential crimes after a vandalism incident at the synagogue earlier this month.

Police said the cruiser was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. Lauderhill Fire Rescue extinguished the fire.

Lauderhill police responded to the parking lot of Synagogue of the Inverarry at 6700 NW 44th St. in Lauderhill in the predawn hours on Thursday after a report of a car on fire in the lot. (Joe Cavaretta)

Police said a man wearing dark hoodie, dark pants and light sneakers poured a substance on the cruiser and set it on fire. The cruiser is a total loss.

No one was inside the cruiser and no damage was done to the synagogue.

Video surveillance captured the crime.

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Deputies from the Broward Sheriffs Office were already seeking Bocage for other crimes. The arrest report said deputies provided Lauderhill police Bocages Instagram page that had several videos of arsons including the cruiser at the synagogue.

Police said Bocage confessed to that act after he was showed still images from the video that captured tattoos on his forearms while pouring the substance on the cruiser. Bocage also confessed to the crime in which he was wanted by deputies.

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Bocage is charged with second-degree arson and criminal mischief for burning the Lauderhill cruiser.
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MIAMI  Two airport cargo workers were shot in a workplace dispute at a warehouse near Miami International Airport, police said.

The gunfire erupted Thursday night at the cargo building west of the airport, Miami-Dade police said in a news release.

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A dayslong dispute culminated with the shooting involving four workers, according to Miami-Dade police Det. Alvaro Zabaleta.

One man was shot in the abdomen and another man was shot in the leg, according to news outlets.

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The victims, ages 18 and 23, were taken to nearby hospital by relatives who also work at the location, the news release said. They were later transferred to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where they remained in stable condition, police said.

Police detained the suspected shooter and a 31-year-old employee. Authorities have not released their names.

The investigation is continuing.
Robert Tyrone Hayes, 38, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder. Authorities say he killed three prostitutes in Daytona Beach from December 2005 to February 2006, and later killed a woman in Palm Beach County in 2016. (Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, handout)

A man suspected of killing four Florida women including three in Daytona Beach more than 15 years ago appeared in court Friday morning.

South Florida law enforcement officials arrested Robert Tyrone Hayes in Sept. 2020 for the 2016 homicide of Elizabeth Bey in Palm Beach.

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The Palm Beach killing was similar to the deaths of LaQuetta Gunther, Julie Ann Green, and Iwana Patton in Central Florida that took place between 2005 and 2006.

DNA recovered from the killing of Bey drew a match to two of the three Daytona Beach cold cases involving Gunther, Green, and Patton.

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At a 2019 press conference announcing the connection, then Daytona Beach police Chief Craig Capri called Hayes a disgusting serial killer.

Hayes appeared in court via Zoom as a judge from the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court ruled on more than 10 motions from the prosecutors and the defense team.

The judge granted and denied several motions for both sides.

Prosecutors cant discuss Hayes employment at a West Palm Beach restaurant regarding any complaints of harassment or garnishment of his wages due to child support. Additionally, they cant use anything he posted on Facebook unless any of the earlier actions are relevant to the case.

There were two motions regarding two other women: Lauren Kelly and Stacy Gage.

Kelly identified Hayes as the man who tried to kill her by pointing a gun at her head and forcing her to give him oral sex sometime from 2004 to 2005. Gage was killed and may have been associated with one of the victims in the case, the judge ruled.

The prosecution and defense team agreed Kelly shouldnt be allowed to testify, and Gages killing shouldnt play a part in the trial.

The judge granted both motions.

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Left to right: LaQuetta Gunther, Julie Ann Green and Iwana Patton. (Handouts)

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Hayes defense team argued against the use of toxicology reports. Medical examiners found drugs in all four victims. The defense argued drugs found in the victims varied from person to person; therefore, the reports cant be used as a basis for connecting them. They believe the reports are prejudicial, and the jury would infer Hayes was either a drug dealer or a user himself, giving evidence of bad character.

Prosecutors told the judge the drugs showed a pattern relevant to all the victims.

The judge agreed and will allow prosecutors to use the reports at trial.

There were other motions regarding autopsy photos and a diary that may belong to Hayes. The judge ruled some of the autopsy photos could be used but was undecided on whether the journal would be admissible.

The defense team said law enforcement collected the diary from Hayess sister, and while it does include Hayes thoughts, they arent time stamped.

Prosecutors countered the diary was found in Hayes home and portions of it were an admission of guilt that he killed someone, though it wasnt clear if that someone was one of the victims or an unrelated person.

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Hayes is currently in custody at the Volusia County Jail facing first-degree murder charges for all four victims.
Meadville, PA (16335)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain during the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Low 56F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy poses for photos with constituents as she arrives at a town hall meeting in Sanford, on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando Sentinel)

Stephanie Murphy takes a swig of her coffee, seeming relieved to sit down for a moment.

Its Monday, and she just finished making the morning run to her two kids school. Today she made the run twice, since her 11-year-old son had forgotten his homework binder as 11-year-old boys sometimes do.

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A staffer will soon swing by the Winter Park coffee house where were meeting to shuttle her off to the airport. There, shell catch a flight to Washington to spend four days as one of 435 cogs in the dysfunctional, slow-churning machine that is the U.S. House, and four nights in a townhome with a roommate whos another one of those cogs. During the week, family chats take place via Facetime.

Not much longer though. Murphy has decided to leave Congress, saying she wants to spend more time with her family. But weve heard that line before.

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I figure there must be more to it. And I later learn Im right  especially when Murphy concedes that she hasnt ruled out a future run against Floridas junior senator, Rick Scott.

But first you have to understand how rare Murphy is as both a Democrat who ousted a Republican in Florida and as a moderate in Congress. And also how she spent most of the past year taking fire from party operatives on both sides.

Im accustomed to being stoned by Republicans, she said. I was a bit surprised to see Democrats eat their own.

The idea of Democrats attacking Murphy wouldve been laughable six years ago. Back then she wasnt a target; she was a savior.

It was 2016, and Florida Democrats were staring another loss dead in the eye.

Veteran GOP Congressman John Mica had won re-election so many times, the district was practically named after him. And Democrats were struggling to find someone to take him on.

Finally, Murphy stepped up, facing an uphill battle. But she had an impressive background as a Pentagon specialist, an inspiring story as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees and a command of the issues. Plus, the Florida Supreme Court had forced the Legislature to stop gerrymandering the district specifically to help Mica win. And with the Seminole County/Winter Park district finally drawn into sensible shape, Murphy won.

Over the ensuing years, Murphy would champion the issues Democrats care about most: education, health care, the environment and jobs. But she also cared about balanced budgets and wasnt afraid to butt heads with Nancy Pelosi or even the White House.

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In short, Murphy was what Republicans fear most  largely unbeatable because she advocated populist ideas that guaranteed her re-election.

The GOP raged against her with near-weekly press releases, calling her a coward, a fraud, a phony and a socialist. It was like listening to playground insults at an elementary school if the kindergartners all watched Tucker Carlson.

The GOP attacks fell flat. But pressure also started building against Murphy from the activist wing of her own party that was angry she wouldnt quickly embrace multi-trillion-dollar spending plans. Murphy had concerns about costs. Activists started protesting at her office, accusing her of being a sell-out and in the pocket of Big Pharma.

The accusations rankled Murphy, who said she wanted most everything Joe Biden wanted, but also wanted spending accountability and was willing to make concessions to get a deal done.

Members of Our Revolution Florida protest outside Rep. Stephanie Murphys office in Orlando to urge her to support the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package, on, Wednesday, September 8, 2021. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)

Coming from a country with authoritarian roots, she dislikes extremism, no matter where its coming from. The extreme right is trying to dismantle democracy, she says. The extreme left is trying to dismantle capitalism. She believes most Americans are in the middle, where she is.

The jockeying continued until early last month, when Murphy took center stage in brokering a deal to get Bidens scaled-down package across the goal line in the House.

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Suddenly, Murphy went from saboteur to savior again. The New York Times all but sainted her in its piece: How Stephanie Murphy, a Holdout on Bidens Agenda, Helped Salvage It. Washington is a fickle place.

RINO Speaker of the House in Florida, beta @ChrisSprowls (the guy who kills the Pro-Life, Pro-2A, & E-Verify Bills each year) moved my legislative office because hes BIG mad I call him out



This year Im filing a mental health & wellness Bill to help fragile people like Sprowls  Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) September 16, 2021

I have little doubt Murphy could win re-election no matter how her district is redrawn this year. Chatter about GOP legislators rigging the district for tantrum-throwing Republican legislator Anthony Sabatini is silly. The only people who dislike Sabatini more than Democrats are the Republicans  who stripped him of committee assignments and stuffed him in a basement office just so they wouldnt have to see or hear him as often.

But Murphy had had enough of the U.S. Houses battle royales.

She contemplated taking on Marco Rubio in the Senate until national Democrats thought Val Demings was a better matchup. Now she doesnt rule out challenging Rick Scott in 2024.

Political Pulse Weekly Get latest updates political news from Central Florida and across the state. >

Frankly, I think Scott would be a better face-off. Murphy could try to do to Scott what she did to Mica: oust an entrenched incumbent, and compare her record as a do-something deal-maker to Scotts as a do-little grouser.

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy hugs Vietnam veteran Paul Bertram, Jr., during a ceremony at VFW Post 5405 in Winter Springs, Fla., Wednesday, November 6, 2019. The Winter Park congresswoman, who was born in Vietnam in 1978, hosted the event as a part of the U.S. Department of Defense Vietnam Veterans 50th Anniversary Pin Program. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

But first, she says, she wants to take a beat, think things over and attend more Girl Scout meetings and spelling bees.

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Basically, she sounds like a woman who would indeed rather spend time with her family than another two years on the Houses frenzied, 435-person treadmill. The more deliberative Senate might be a different ballgame.

Shes not alone in her frustration. About two dozen House Democrats, many moderate, are leaving this year, setting up what may be a Democratic bloodbath this November.

I think this country could use a little more moderation and cooperation. Ill take someone I agree with 75% of the time over someone who screams bloody murder all the time.

But even if Murphy leaves her seat at the end of this year and never returns to Washington, she seems at peace. Ive really felt honored to do this job as both a refugee and immigrant, she said. Its a real reflection of what makes America great.

smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com
Recently, a video of Ajay Devgn had gone viral on social media where was seen visiting the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala while dressed in traditional black attire.

Now, according to a report in TOI, Ajay Devgn followed a number of rituals before his Sabarimala Temple visit. These include wearing black for days leading up to the visit, sleeping on a chatai etc.

Take a look at the video below:

A source told the website, Ajay followed quite a few rituals required for a month or so. The visible ones were that he was spotted wearing black, he did not cut hair or nails for about a month and he did not shave either.

Another source added, For 11 days, he slept on a chatai on the floor, wore black, did the Ayyappa Pooja twice a day, ate only vegetarian food without any garlic/onion, walked barefoot wherever he went, didnt use any perfume and did not have any alcohol.

 TOI

Sharing a video of himself, Ajay had written, Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.



Soon after his return from Kerala, Ajay began filming for the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Kaithi.

Reportedly, titled Bholaa, the film is helmed by Dharmendra Sharma, who is Ajays cousin and also accompanied him to his Sabarimala Temple visit.

The mahurat of the film was done on January 11 and Ajay shot for the film for 56 minutes only from 7:44 am to 8:35 am with minimal cast and crew.

Directed by Lokesh Kanagraj, Kaithi starred Karthi in the lead role and was a critical as well as commercial success.

 Instagram

Besides the Kaithi remake, Ajay will also be seen in films like Runway34, which he himself has directed, Thank God, Raid 2, Maidaan, Gangubai Kathiawadi and RRR among others.


On January 13, Jason Momoa took to Instagram and shared a note announcing divorce with his wife and actor Lisa Bonet. The two met in 2005 and started dating soon after. After over a decade of courtship, they got married in 2017.

As soon as the news of their divorce was announced, a section of people started blaming Jason Momoas Game of Thrones co-star Emilia Clarke for it. Referring to the pictures that the two actors shared on their Instagram accounts back in August 2021, people started calling her a homewrecker.

 Warner Bros

A comment on Instagram read, This was posted August 2021, and has nothing to do with their divorce, my goodness! Its January 2022! Another stated, So @emilia_clarke is a HOMEWRECKER now?



Amidst the backlash that was uncalled for, fans came out in support of the actress and called people out for blaming her for the divorce.

One user tweeted, if you read about jason momoa's separation and your first thought is how it relates to emilia clarke then go straight to hell thanks and leave her out of it.

Another defended her saying, Please exclude Emilia Clarke from this Jason Momoa/Lisa Bonet situation. She has been in a long term happy relationship with this ugly yt man so stop this homewrecker theory. Thank you and have a great day.

 Instagram/Jason Momoa

A third tweet read, emilia clarke just minding her business yet is being dragged into this divorce drama.this is why i hate those blind item things because people treat them like gospel (despite there being no proof of legitimate source to back them up) and use them justify attacking people.



Take a look at some of the tweets below:

Please exclude Emilia Clarke from this Jason Momoa/Lisa Bonet situation. She has been in a long term happy relationship with this ugly yt man so stop this homewrecker theory. Thank you and have a great day pic.twitter.com/xXB55anYL3  a*nie (@yensmilia) January 13, 2022

if you read about jason momoa's separation and your first thought is how it relates to emilia clarke then go straight to hell thanks and leave her out of it  kaeden (@fruityelsa) January 13, 2022

emilia clarke just minding her business yet is being dragged into this divorce drama.this is why i hate those blind item things because people treat them like gospel (despite there being no proof of legitimate source to back them up) and use them justify attacking people  yennefer of vengerberg enthusiast #thewitcher (@falkadorren) January 13, 2022

not yall calling my girl Emilia clarke a HOMEWRECKER ???? smh  preying mantis (@nataliekillz_) January 13, 2022

this emilia clarke / jason mamon mess is so twitter lol pic.twitter.com/AVVX06aLBG  (@thetowerofjoy) January 13, 2022

Emilia Clarke is just minding her own business. Dont drag her into Khal Drogos divorce. pic.twitter.com/SOqeQtxVSv  Monika (@mon1787) January 13, 2022

Fucking asshole, leave Emilia Clarke out of your delulu narrative. pic.twitter.com/Yg3KzXvC1F  Undeuxtrois (@Daenerys4lyfe) January 13, 2022

Why are people blaming Emilia Clarke for Jason momoa and Lisa bonets divorce???? pic.twitter.com/DHwDPfk4uZ  I hate trump (@willowhalliwell) January 13, 2022

i can imagine twitterless emilia clarke being oblivious to all these accusations and wbk once she hits post on her ig she uninstalls the app pic.twitter.com/hYlZFchXKf  zuzu (@miliasmoon) January 13, 2022

Emilia Clarke has been target #1 of every homewrecker theory thats dropped in Hollywood for the past 5 years omg arent niggas tired? Come up with something new  the order's pr manager (@dempseyroIIing) January 13, 2022

emilia clarke rn with people inserting her in the narrative of jason mamoas divorce: pic.twitter.com/yqVMs6uyZ4  zuzu (@miliasmoon) January 13, 2022

While there were also a few others who hoped and wondered if Emilia and Jason will start dating each other now.

One user tweeted, i just have a feeling that jason mamoa and emilia clarke are gonna start dating now that hes divorcing like this isnt something you do with a married man than post to millions of people!! and the comment!!

Another commented, to everyone saying that he should call/get with emilia clarke all due respect but you want to give that to a white woman????

Take a look at some of the tweets below:

i just have a feeling that jason mamoa and emilia clarke are gonna start dating now that hes divorcing like this isnt something you do with a married man than post to millions of people!! and the comment!! pic.twitter.com/IhWi0xM1jN  colin robinson (@oldhagcackles) January 13, 2022

to everyone saying that he should call/get with emilia clarke all due respect but you want to give that to a white woman????  i want to bailey-ve (@been_herde) January 13, 2022

sooooo Jason Momoa and Emilia Clarke can start dating now, right? or pic.twitter.com/zGGoDJKd55  stormborn  (@glittertrash666) January 13, 2022

 Instagram/Jason Momoa

All those blaming Emilia Clarke for Jason Momoas divorce really need to calm down and get a life.


Some stars live a life that is larger than life itself and when you dont have a dearth of financial aids, the shenanigans you indulge in also have no limits. Here are 5 Tollywood superstars who have their own private jet and save time while flying, because time is money after all.



1. Ram Charan

The megastar of Telugu cinema has his own airline company called TruJet so not only he owns a jet or few of his own, his airlines company also assists in ground handling of aircrafts for other bigger planes. He uses the jet to mostly travel with his wife for getaways.

 Instagram

2. Allu Arjun

The Pushpa star owns a luxurious house which looks straight out of a sci-fi movie, a customised vanity van which costs over Rs 7 crore so it's only natural that he also owns a jet to fly with family or for work. He was spotted using his jet for promotions of Race Gurram and also when he flew to Udaipur for a family wedding.

 Instagram

 Instagram





3. Nagararjuna

The star of the Akkineni family has a private jet which is often used for taking private family vacations.

 Instagram

4. Jr. NTR

The RRR star is reportedly the owner of a jet that cost him a whopping Rs 80 crore and is parked at the Shamshabad airport in Hyderabad. He is known to only use the machine when he actually needs it.

 Instagram

5. Mahesh Babu

Another star that owns a private charter jet of his own and uses it to fly with wife Namrata Shirodkar and his family. The couple has often shared inside pics of their private jet while traveling.

 Instagram

Just like his megastar son Ram Charan, yesteryears heartthrob and one of the most respected names in the country, Chiranjeevi is also the proud owner of a private jet of his own which he uses for work and family trips.

 Instagram

Source: Times Now


A Memorial Service of Christian Burial will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home Chapel. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Mrs. Cobb, 68, of Meridian, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022, at Bedford Care Ce
TALLAHASSEE  The Senate Reapportion Committee approved a new Florida congressional map Thursday with no discussion or debate.

Only one committee member, Democratic Sen. Audrey Gibson, voted against the plan, which adds a new 28th district in Central Florida, which would be expected to favor Republicans.

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With nearly all Democrats on the committee voting for the map, its a sign that the plan meets the states constitutional requirement that districts be contiguous and drawn without benefitting a political party or candidate.

The plan will now go to the full Senate. The House Redistricting Committee still needs to approve its version of the congressional map.

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Floridas population growth of 2.7 million new residents between 2010 and 2020 led to the new seat in the once-every-decade redistricting process.

The Senate vowed to follow the Constitution, a promise that was made after a three-year court battle the last time the state drew political maps.

The state Supreme Court threw out the Republican-led Legislatures maps, which were drawn with the help of state Republican Party consultants.
Owensboro City Commissioners said Thursday there are in favor of a city parks plan to repair and renovate Cravens Pool.

Commissioners said the plan to invest $600,000 into the pool would keep a recreation asset in the neighborhood.

Mayor Tom Watson said he expects city officials will approve the project.

On Tuesday, parks director Amanda Rogers recommended the city repair deficiencies in the pool and add water features to make the pool more appealing. The plan also calls for the pool to be lengthened 40 to 50 feet, and for shading to be added to the deck and concession areas.

I think practically, theres so little opportunity for young people and families in the neighborhood to engage in recreation, Commissioner Bob Glenn said. Given the price tag (Rogers) gave, its a good proposal.

Later, Glenn said, If you upgrade the facility, you will bet more people visiting the facility and using it.

The life of the pool would be extended 10 to 15 years.

That gives us time to look at a larger plan, Glenn said, adding that the city would look at, what is the future of pool facilities in Owensboro? 

Commissioner Jeff Sanford said he supports the project.

I want to make that a nice centerpiece for the neighborhood, Sanford said. I want it to look new, and I want it to pop.

Commissioners said they believed the project could be funded with American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

Sanford said other funds might be available through the parks budget.

Im not sure exactly where well put it from, Sanford said. We are fortunate we are doing well and we have the money. I want to invest it on the west side.

Mayor Pro Tem Larry Maglinger said, My thought is to go with what (Rogers) recommended  to renovate it, upgrade it, expand it and get it up to code.

Parks officials conducted a survey and held a public meeting last year to hear what the public wanted for the 46-year-old pool. Rogers recommendation sounded like what the citizens wanted, Maglinger said.

Parks officials are hoping the repairs keep the pool in operation for as many as 20 years, Maglinger said.

Nobody really knows how long it can last, Maglinger said. Later, he said, All I know is they want to have a pool, and thats a practical way to get it going.

Commissioner Mark Castlen said repairing the pool would help the neighborhood.

Theres not a whole lot for parents and children to do in that area, Castlen said. I feel like expanding the pool and making an investment is a good idea.

The pool currently is so small, Castlen said, the kids are on top of each other.

I feel thats why a lot of people dont use it, Castlen said. Its so compact, its uncomfortable for people to sit there.

The proposed changes are really going to increase the usage of the pool,Castlen said. The work will take time, given delays in the construction industry, Castlen said.

I think its going to be at least a two-year project, Castlen said.

Watson said he would have liked Owensboro Public Schools to have been involved. OPS owns the property.

Rogers said previously OPS officials said they wont be involved, because their funds can only be used for educational purposes, not recreation.

I was a little disappointed the school district wont be involved, Watson said.

But Watson said he believes the project will go forward.

I dont think anyone is going to stop it, Watson said.

James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse
Daviess Fiscal Court is one step closer to entering into a contract with a broadband service provider in an effort to bring high-speed fiber internet to rural Daviess County.

During its regular meeting Thursday, Fiscal Court unanimously approved a contract with Morley and Associates Inc. for contract preparation and negotiation in connection with the project.

Morley and Associates Inc. of Newburgh, Indiana, will be paid a fixed fee of $9,700 by the county for its services.

Jordan Johnson, assistant county treasurer, said before the meeting Thursday that Daviess County received five responses to its request for proposals for broadband service. Responses were received from Conexon Inc., ATT, Matrix Design Group, Spectrum and Watch Communications.

While the county has selected the Kansas City, Missouri-based Conexon Inc. as the successful proposal, a final deal has not yet been reached.

Until the contract is signed, we dont have a deal with anyone, County Treasurer Jim Hendrix said during the meeting. Right now, we know who we think it is going to be, subject to a mutually agreeable contract.

Johnson said that because the contract was still in the negotiation phase; he could not comment on the overall budget for the project.

Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said during his State of the County address earlier this month that he was proposing Daviess County utilize the nearly $20 million received through the American Rescue Plan Act to, implement a public-private partnership, bringing affordable and reliable high-speed broadband to the unincorporated areas of Daviess County.

Johnson said the county is looking to move forward with the project rather quickly.

We have some target dates. We are hoping to have the contract drafted within the next two months, and then work would begin immediately, he said. Tonights agenda item will be to hire Morley and Associates to negotiate on the countys behalf and draft a contract that will come back to Fiscal Court for final approval and that is when they will commit to the project.

Nathan Havenner, Messenger-Inquirer, nhavenner@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-228-2837
A bill that allows students in alternative learning settings to take the General Educational Development (GED) test if they are not on track to graduate from a traditional high school passed the House Standing Committee on Education this week with the help of Daviess County Public Schools educator Jeremy Camron.

Camron, principal of Owensboro Day Treatment, testified during the hearing about House Bill 194 that is sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson, an Owensboro Republican. The bill is also supported by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents.

And since Camron and Johnson presented it to the committee, the Kentucky Department of Education has also shown its support.

Owensboro Day Treatment is a Kentucky Education Collaborative for State Agency Children (KECSAC) funded school run by the Department of Juvenile Justice, giving it an A6 designation. Alternative learning programs, like DCPS Heritage Park High School and Owensboro Public Schools Emerson Academy are designated A5 schools by the state. Alternative learning programs, or A5 schools, are funded and run by local boards of education.

Approximately 3% of students in the state are enrolled in alternative education programs in the commonwealth.

In 2012, the drop-out age for Kentucky students was raised from age 16 to 18, and at that time a greater emphasis was placed on high school graduation. At that time, the pathway for students to earn GEDs was also discontinued, according to Camron.

Camron went on to explain that a 2017 bill was passed into law that allowed students who are referred to as state agency children, or students enrolled in A6 schools who are minors in the custody of or supervision of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the opportunity to pursue GEDs. It did not include students in alternative learning programs, or attendees of A5 schools.

Camron said the 2017 law has been a game-changer for many state agency children because many of them come from traumatic backgrounds, and they need access to as many tools as possible to be successful.

We like to think of it as actually providing hope, Camron said. Its so easy to shut down when life is throwing things at you. Our goal is still for kids to graduate from high schools, if possible.

However, he said, for some kids that isnt a realistic goal, and it would take them until age 20 or 21 to do so.

Some kids in alternative learning programs, and programs like ours, have an immediate need, he said. They need to be able to move on with their lives and get a good job.

In the five years he has been at the school, Camron said he only has had three students obtain their GED. One of those students was able to obtain a job relatively quickly after leaving high school, and makes at least $5,000 a month in a factory.

There needs to be multiple tools to help these kids have success in life, and we want to make it so that students from Heritage Park or Emerson, or other alternative learning programs, can have that same opportunity, he said.

Johnson said the bill applies to students who are 17-years-old and older enrolled in an alternative learning program who have insufficient credits to graduate within a reasonable time period.

He said often students in that position resign themselves to failure and simply become another dropout statistic.

Basically, they looked at their situation and said Why bother?  Johnson said. But by allowing these students to obtain GEDs, they can be turned from dropouts into students who can continue on with post-secondary education. They can learn a trade, get a good-paying job, or perhaps maybe join the military.

He said HB194 would give those students hope for a successful future where they have believed there was not.

Bobbie Hayse, bhayse@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7315
TALLAHASSEE  Despite criticism that more needs to be done to address majority-minority districts, the Florida Senate next week will consider new congressional and legislative district lines drawn by the Reapportionment Committee on Thursday.

The panel approved proposals for revamped congressional districts (SB 102) and Senate districts (SJR 100). Also, 40 cards were drawn from a glass container that randomly designated each proposed Senate district with an odd or even number.

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Districts designated odd will be up for election in 2022 and again in 2024, which could allow a number of freshman senators, including Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, Jim Boyd, R-Brandenton, Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral, Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, and Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, to serve an extra two years beyond the ordinary eight years required by voter-approved term limits. Districts with even numbers would have elections in 2022 and 2026.

All 40 Senate districts are up for election this year as part of the once-a-decade reapportionment process. During the 2024 and 2026 elections, Senate candidates will run for four-year terms.

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Senate Reapportionment Chairman Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, said he believes the card draw was equally as random as a bingo cage and colored ping-pong balls that were used in 2012 to determine odd and even districts.

The full Senate is expected to take up the proposed maps Wednesday. While the Senate is drawing its own lines, it will ultimately have to reach an agreement with the House on congressional lines that will then go to the governor.

The House is at least a week behind in its map-making process, as it has to draw 120 House districts. Similar to the Senate, the House is drawing its own map, along with a congressional map.

New districts need to be in place before qualifying for this years elections begins June 13.

Rodrigues wouldnt say that he expects legal challenges. But he said he was advised during a conference in July that about 2,400 court cases were filed nationally during the last redistricting cycle.

What I took away from that is, youre more likely to have litigation than not, Rodrigues said. So, as you move forward, you prepare as if its going to happen but hope that it doesnt.

The Republican-dominated committee rejected an amendment by Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, to address a majority-minority Senate district in Northeast Florida, where populations have grown and shifted over the past decade. Gibson, who is Black, serves in such a district but cannot run again this year because of term limits.

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African-American districts, or those that give them the ability to elect the candidate of their choice, have not expanded in terms of square miles since the previous map was drawn, Gibson said. Its impossible for that to be true.

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Gibson said she objected to both maps because, When we have an opportunity to do better, we should.

Sen. Randolph Bracy, D-Ocoee, voted against the Senate map, and Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, reversed his vote to no on the congressional lines. Rouson said he favors keeping Congressional District 14, a seat held by Democrat Kathy Castor, solely within Hillsborough County and avoiding splits of cities in Pinellas County that are currently in District 13.

Steven Mangual, an advocate for LatinoJustice PRLDEF, voiced opposition to both maps for failing to provide proportional representation for Hispanics, despite massive Hispanic population growth in Florida over the past decade.

Mangual also contended the redistricting process hasnt been fully accessible to limited English-proficient citizens. He noted that sections of the legislative redistricting website are only available in English and that the number of Hispanic majority-minority districts is unchanged from the current lines.

Spanish-dominant Floridians deserve to have their voices heard in meaningful ways and participate in this redistricting process, Mangual said.

Asked about Manguals comments, Rodrigues replied, I am 100 percent confident that we are fully compliant with all federal requirements, constitutional requirements and state statutes.
When members of the Owensboro Fire Department began digging into the agencys history for a research project, they were assisted by Daviess County Public Library officials Savannah Warren and Christina Clary.

Some of the information uncovered during the research was a bit surprising.

There were some stories I thought were really interesting (such as) the time the dog got caught between two houses and firefighters were called to get it free, Clary said. There was also a story of a pet parrot up in a tree the department was called to, somehow, get down.

Another story from nearly a century ago was about how fire engines wouldnt be allowed to drive over 30 miles per hour to fire calls. Stories like that show just how much things have changed, Clary said.

Thursday afternoon, firefighters presented a plaque to Warren and Clary, in thanks for their extensive work on the project. Lt. Andrew Behl, who is one of the firefighters volunteering time to work on the history project, said Clary and Warren compiled a large amount of information.

It was exactly what we needed and exactly what we wanted, Behl said. If we had to be here doing (the research), we would still be working.

Warren said the librarys Kentucky Room has newspaper articles on file going to the departments founding. Most of the information came from newspaper articles, while some came from insurance underwriter reports, Warren said.

The research was time-consuming.

It has been at least two months of work, Warren said.

The project included scouring newspaper articles to find tidbits of history.

For the first 40 years, theres scant material, Warren said.

Behl said the goal is to have a written history the department can donate to the Kentucky Room and also have at the fire station. A multimedia exhibit of interviews is planned, although that work has been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Behl said.

OFD officials would like to hear from anyone with stories to tell about family connections to the department, Behl said. Warren said the project was right in line with the librarys area of expertise.

They came to us and asked if we could help, because we deal with this stuff every day, Warren said. We were happy to help.

James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse
The Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education approved on Thursday the creation of two new positions at Owensboro High School, one that will help with school safety, and another that will expand the schools mental health services.

Matthew Constant, OPS superintendent, told board members during the board luncheon that both positions are paid for with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief federal funding.

The money can be used for addressing learning loss due to the pandemic, including payment for methods of assessment and tracking; repairs and improvements to school buildings related to health needs and cutting disease transmission; to pay for nurses, mental health professionals and emergency leave days for employees; as well as teacher salaries to support intervention and remediation services, along with substitute teachers when regular personnel are absent on COVID-19 isolation or quarantine.

Constant said the school safety associate position will be another proactive set of eyes and ears in the school building who will assist with school and safety checks.

They also will be the bridge between the community and the school building, he said.

Jared Revlett, district spokesman, said this position wont be like a school resource officer. The school safety associate wont be armed, and they wont have arresting power.

Like most schools across the country, OHS has been contending with high emotions and the mental health concerns that have been exacerbated by students living through the pandemic.

Fights have been taking place within the school setting, and a lot of issues that are happening outside in the community are coming into the school, Revlett said.

This position will be an extra, friendly presence there to get connected with students, to build some relationships, and help cut down on some of these issues coming out of the pandemic year, he said.

He said some students have been dealing with pandemic-induced school disruptions differently, and some still have a lot of maturing to do.

The district is looking for someone who has good communication skills, and is good at cultivating relationships with young people for the position.

The other new position that was approved is an additional licensed mental health professional that will be called a student assistance coordinator.

This person will be able to do more small group therapy and more wraparound aftercare services as students are away from the traditional learning environment for awhile, and then return back to the building, Constant said.

Bobbie Hayse, bhayse@messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7315
The Center, in partnership with Louisville-based nonprofit SOS, was able to distribute $25,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment to area nonprofits and agencies.

The Center is a community-focused organization, designed to provide a central resource hub for organizations serving families and children in Owensboro and Daviess County, making it the perfect partner for SOS in distributing supplies to agencies and organizations in need, according to Executive Director Erica Wade.

The supplies were donated by SOS, which collects surplus medical supplies from hospitals and medical institutions and redistributes them to local, regional and global communities in need  diverting approximately 500,000 pounds from going into landfills each year.

SOS is a global health organization that focuses on mitigating health disparities in underserved communities by providing critically needed medical supplies and health resources.

Supplies donated by SOS were delivered to The Center Thursday morning, where they were then distributed to local nonprofits and other agencies.

The supplies included personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene items, first aid and wound care supplies and medical equipment such as shower chairs, walkers and canes.

They use us  knowing we like to collaborate with all of our organizations  to help make the reach outs to all of the other nonprofits, she said. The benefit is that it saves all of these nonprofits quite a bit of money towards this type of equipment, like PPE and hygiene items so that they can then put that money towards programming.

Supplies were distributed to 21 different organizations and agencies.

CASA of the Ohio Valley received PPE items, as well as stuffed animals.

PPE, according to Executive Director Ashley Evans-Smith, will allow volunteers for CASA to make more in-person visits with the children they work with, allowing them to better advocate for those families.

Our volunteer advocates have made an effort to stay connected to all of the kids that they serve throughout COVID, she said. This will allow more of them to be able to safely advocate for their kids, both by spending more time with them and by safely visiting schools, therapists, and of course, advocating at the courthouse.

Daviess County High School also received hygiene items and PPE, which Principal Matt Mason said will help kids stay safe during the pandemic and make sure schools remain open.

Any medical supplies we get, with todays climate and what we deal with in schools, is going to help us help kids, he said. Ours is mainly PPE supplies, so its going to help. Anything is going to help these days and we just want to keep schools open and keep the kids safe.

Christie Netherton, cnetherton @messenger-inquirer.com, 270-691-7360
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MANISTEE  The Manistee-Ludington area PFLAG group is expected to meet via Zoom Sunday at 1 p.m., according to a news release from the organization.

Lou Anne Smoot is the guest speaker for the Jan. 16 meeting. She plans to "share the struggle of hiding her homosexuality in Texas for 60 years and how she built the courage to come out. As a member of a conservative family which raised her in the Baptist faith she faced a number of challenges to acknowledging her sexuality," according to a news release
The timeless Good Samaritan spirit

Xinhua) 09:56, January 14, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 30 years after first rescuing someone drowning in Qingyun Lake, Zhao Li has been nominated as a national ethical role model, one of the most important milestones in his life.

Zhao, a villager living near the lake in east China's Shandong Province, has saved 16 drowning people over the decades including a child who accidentally slipped into the water and a woman who attempted to commit suicide by drowning herself in the lake.

"I realized that one person's ability is limited. A professional team can save more people's lives," he said. Thus, he set up a rescue center consisting of volunteers skilled at swimming in August 2020.

They purchased speedboats and life vests with their own money to assist the government's emergency rescue missions, raise public awareness on drowning prevention, and popularize rescue methods.

Currently, the rescue center boasts more than 100 volunteers. In their latest endeavor, they rushed to Xinxiang, a city in rain-ravaged Henan Province in central China, and helped evacuate more than 1,000 people in three days.

Zhao was among 10 winners of the national ethical model awards bestowed last November for those who "act bravely for a just cause," a value that has been an essential underpinning of Chinese society for millennia.

This fine tradition hailed by the Chinese nation since ancient times establishes that a person should be committed to upholding justice and shouldering social responsibility.

Today, some administrative regulations provide that "acting bravely for a just cause" refers to an action of a citizen who fights to stop any criminal acts or acts in an emergency in order to protect state property, public interests, people or their property from danger in disregard of his personal safety.

Indeed, the unselfish efforts of Zhao and the award he has won are an important reminder of this age-old virtue. He is just one of the countless everyday heroes in the country who have acted courageously to do what is righteous.

Li Lingzhi, a college student in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, tried to stop a man from stealing cables outside a residential compound last August. He suffered from a serious knife cut on his face while fighting with the thief who attempted to run away. The thief was finally caught by police, and fortunately Li got recovered.

Despite the risk of COVID-19 infection, Wang Yong, an ordinary courier in Wuhan, organized a team and offered free shuttle rides as well as daily necessities for medical staff from Jinyintan Hospital, designated by the city to treat coronavirus patients, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

One day in January 2021, border patrolman Laqini Bayika happened to see a boy fall through the ice on a frozen lake in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The man ran to the boy and saved him from drowning, yet tragically was claimed by the freezing water in the process.

Whether in ancient times or today, "acting bravely for a just cause" is always commendable and an important indicator of social progress.

Reflecting this importance, China has launched a series of measures to pass down this fine tradition. National and local funds have been set up to reward heroes who help others. The country's Civil Code also gives emphasis to the protection of those who are ready to help others.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
The Orion capsule for Artemis I is stacked on the Space Launch System at Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2021. (Frank Michaux, NASA)

The biggest rocket to ever lift off from Earth is on tap for launch from Kennedy Space Center this spring, but it wont be the only new name to make its Space Coast debut this year.

While the Artemis I mission to the moon will carry the new Orion spacecraft into space for the first time, launches in 2022 look to send up missions from new Axiom Space and Sierra Space for the first time while Boeing hopes to finally get its CST-100 Starliner to the International Space Station.

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But the first Artemis mission, that looks to finally send NASAs massive, multibillion Space Launch System off the ground after years of delay, is the headliner.

We are going to be as aggressive as we can be in a safe and technically feasible way to beat our competitors with boots on the moon, said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in November when he outlined the next steps for the Artemis program.

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Originally to have launched in 2016, the development of the program has already topped $20 billion, and future launches of Artemis face further delays and $2 billion price tags per launch. Artemis I, though, is gearing up for a payoff, targeting either March or April for liftoff.

It all depends on the results of a wet dress rehearsal in which the 322-foot-tall, rocket that weighs more than 5.75 million pounds is rolled out to the launch pad to be filled with propellants, drained, and returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building for analysis.

If all goes well, its next trip to the pad will be the last time its on Earth, lifting off with 8.8 million pounds of thrust on a mission that will take it 280,000 miles away, 40,000 miles beyond the moon, which is farther than any human-rated spacecraft has ever flown.

If successful, NASA will move forward with Artemis II, targeting May 2024 with a crew to orbit the moon, and then Artemis III in 2025 that looks to return humans to the lunar surface, including the first woman, for the first time since the Apollo program ended in 1972.

The SLS design is geared toward bringing both humans and cargo to deep space. The initial design has the capacity to haul 59,500 pounds to the moon. Future designs look to increase that capacity to more than 100,000 pounds.

Right now theres only one rocket thats capable of doing this, and this is SLS with Orion on top, Nelson said in November. Were going with what weve got.

This rendering shows the Boeing CST-100 Starliner capsule designed to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. (Boeing)

Boeings Starliner capsule

While NASAs deep-space craft may finally take off, another spacecraft looks to turn the page on its effort to be certified to take astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner has had its share of problems completing a test flight as part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program and join SpaceX with its Dragon capsule in ferrying humans to the ISS.

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While the initial uncrewed test flight successfully launched and landed in December 2019, software issues were among several problems with the mission that meant Starliner never rendezvoused with the ISS. After working through all of the 80 issues with NASA, the company was set once again to try its uncrewed test flight in August 2020, but a new issue involving stuck valves forced more delays.

Now the company has decided to introduce new hardware for the test flight and is aiming for another attempt.

Our objective was to get back to flight safely and as soon as possible, said Boeing Vice President John Vollmer, the companys commercial crew program manager.

NASA and Boeing officials say the launch window is open in May from Cape Canaveral, with the Starliner sitting atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, but several potential dates are under review. If successful, a follow-up crewed test flight could also occur in 2022, and then regular use alongside SpaceXs Crew Dragon in 2023.

This Nov. 11, 2017 photo provided by Sierra Space shows the Dream Chaser spacecraft landing after a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (Ken Ulbrich / AP)

When Boeing and SpaceX won the initial Commercial Crew contract from NASA, another company was left out  Sierra Nevada Corp. Now redubbed Sierra Space, its efforts may see fruition still this year with its Dream Chaser set to share space station cargo resupply duties with launches from Cape Canaveral.

With what looks like a mini space shuttle, Dream Chaser is still on target to make its first flight to the ISS by the end of the year. While the company still has plans to build a crew-capable version of the Dream Chaser, its first duties will be to take the first of seven contracted supply flights to the station.

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It has named the first vessel the Dream Chaser Tenacity and will launch atop United Launch Alliance rockets. Something unique for NASA, though, will be the spacecrafts ability to return to Earth, landing just like the space shuttle at what is now run by Space Florida and called the Launch & Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center.

To have a commercial vehicle return from the International Space Station to a runway landing for the first time since NASAs space shuttle program ended a decade ago will be a historic achievement, said Sierra Space Chairman Fatih Ozmen.

SpaceX crewed missions

At the same time, SpaceX will continue to ramp up flights in its Crew Dragon atop Falcon 9 rockets. Having already flown five times with humans from Kennedy, its set to send NASA astronauts to the ISS on both the Crew-4 flight in April and Crew-5 in October.

But first, SpaceX has been hired by another company, Axiom Space, to ferry its own set of paying civilians to the ISS.

The mission, AX-1, is targeting liftoff as early as Feb. 28, will be the first time civilians will have visited the NASA side of the station. All previous space tourism ventured have come from passengers on Russian Soyuz rockets.

The missions four crew include Axiom employee and commander former NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria and three civilians  Larry Connor, Mark Pathy and Eytan Stibbe  who each paid Axiom $55 million for the trip.

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Christian Maender, director of in-space manufacturing & research for Axiom, said the SpaceX partnership is in place for its first four launches, with a second one planned in November 2022.

We dont care which Uber we get as long as we get there, he said.

Axioms eventual goal is to launch its own modules, the first as early as 2024, to attach to the ISS and have those disconnect for their own standalone private space station.

It really is about expanding the opportunity to do more work in space to a set of organizations and entities that maybe have not had access to space traditionally, Maender said.

SpaceX will also continue its high volume turnaround of Falcon 9 launches from both Kennedy and Canaveral while also attempting the fourth ever launch of its massive Falcon Heavy rocket for a Space Force mission in the first quarter of 2022.

Falcon Heavy, Starship

Go For Launch - Space News Weekly Fix your telescope on all space-related news, from rocket launches to space-industry advancements. >

Falcon Heavy, which generates more than 5 million pounds of thrust on liftoff, first flew in 2018, taking SpaceX founder Elon Musks personal Tesla into deep space as part of its test flight. It has not flown since 2019.

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It will continue to be the heavy-lift workhorse for SpaceX until it completes its next generation spacecraft Starship under development at its Texas launch facility. SpaceX is awaiting Fed Aviation Authority approval for its first orbital test flight sometime after Feb. 28.

While not expected to arrive to the Space Coast in 2022, the company is building out a Starship launch complex at KSC.

And while Elon Musks company will be busy on all of those fronts, ULA is hoping to introduce its new Vulcan rocket, while Blue Origin is aiming to launch its first New Glenn heavy-lift rocket by the end of the year.

In addition, two smaller rocket companies look to make their first launches from Canaveral. Relativity Space with its 3-D printed rockets and Astra Space have plans for test launches from complexes not used for years.

In all, the new players and new payloads promise to make 2022 a busy launch year.

This is an inflection point in our nations space program, Nelson said in October 2021. Theres a lot of exciting things happening right here at Kennedy. Theres a lot of exciting things happening to our overall space program.
The online workshop Is the ACT or SAT Best for Me? with Priyanka Shingala is designed to help teens who are starting to think about college entrance exams. The program takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. Test prep adviser and college counselor Priyanka Shingala, of the college preparation company, Lets Talk College, will discuss the following topics: breakdown of each exam by topic and time; good scores to aim for; determining which exam to take; the optional essays; sending scores: score history vs. score choice; test-optional, test-blind and test-flexible universities; and when testing should start. This program is especially relevant to current sophomores, juniors and their parents; however, anyone interested is welcome to join. Registration required. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org to register.

Story times

During the month of January, the Childrens Library continues to offer different story times for children ages six months to 5, either in person or via Zoom. The in-person programs are Big Kids Story Time for children ages 4 to 5 on Tuesdays, Jan. 18, and Jan. 25, from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m., and Family Story Time for children ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers on Wednesdays, Jan. 19, and Jan. 26, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Attendees should bring blankets to reserve spaces for the in-person story times. Masks will need to be worn at all times by adults and children amid the coronavirus pandemic. Space is limited in order to maintain social distancing. Registration is required for each session. Masked walk-ins welcome if space allows. On Zoom, Mother Goose on the Loose, for children ages six months to 2, will take place on Thursdays, Jan. 20, and Jan. 27, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org for more information or to register. Zoom invitation links will be sent to registrants before the programs begin.

Learning about Alzheimers disease

The special presentation Alzheimers Conversations: Protecting your Health and Wealth Joint Seminar takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 19, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The following topics will be discussed: Alzheimers disease risk factors, warning signs, resources and how people can join the battle; protecting finances and family with designated beneficiaries, legacy, and estate strategies; preparing for the unexpected; and knowing the red flags of financial scams. The online seminar will also be presented by Maria Xavier of Edward Jones investments and Robin Roscillo of the Alzheimers Association. Registration required. Register at www.wiltonlibrary.org, or call 203-762-6334. Contact Wilton Library Board Member Andrea Sato at asato@wiltonlibrary.org with any questions.

Author talk

Author Philip Clark will visit the Wilton Library to discuss his acclaimed biography, Dave Brubeck: A Life In Time, in person on Thursday, Jan. 20, from 7 to 8 p.m. The librarys COVID-19 protocols will be followed. First published in 2020, the centennial of Brubecks birth, a new expanded edition has just come out in the U.K. with a U.S. release to follow. Clark will share the backstory about how his book came into being and discuss the expanded content in his new edition while busting some myths about the jazz legend. Clark will also incorporate musical examples to illustrate how many of Brubecks songs have seeped into rock, pop, reggae and hip-hop music genres, among ohters. Clark is a music journalist who has written for publications like The Wire, Gramophone, The Guardian, Jazzwise, the Financial Times and the London Review of Books. He is also trained as a composer, but these days prefers to play improvised music. Registration is required. Register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org or call the circulation desk at 203-762-6334.

Art and meditation

As Wilton Librarys certified Zentangle instructor, Amy Lilien-Harper teaches all people from beginners to experienced artists. Zentangle Art Workshop: Zooming with Amy, is on Monday, Jan. 24, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The meditative art form uses simple steps to teach practitioners how to create beautiful patterns. The virtual program is for adults, and teens ages 13, and older. All skill levels are welcome. Visit the librarys registration link for suggestions of the supplies that will be needed for the event. Registration is required as space is limited. Register online at www.wiltonlibrary.org. A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants prior to the session.

Book discussion for senior citizens

The next Senior Center Book Discussion will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 25, from 11 a.m. to noon. Michael Hess leads a discussion of Washington Post staff writer and former public policy scholar Christian Davenports book, The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month through May. Books are available at the library. Call the Wilton Senior Center at 203-834-6240 for more information or to register.

The library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Visit www.wiltonlibrary.org for information, to register for virtual programming, for information about the librarys Digital Library, or any of the librarys other databases. For those Wilton residents, who need a library card to access the Digital Library, call the librarys Circulation Desk at 203-762-6334. If anyone has questions about accessing, or using the Digital Library, email reference@wiltonlibrary.org.
MIDDLETOWN  The Middlesex Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is gearing up to once again begin offering free tax return filing service to low- and moderate-income households (those with yearly incomes of less than $60,000) in the greater Middletown community by the end of January.

VITA volunteers are IRS-certified volunteer tax professionals whose goal is to help their clients receive all of the tax credits for which they are eligible.

Beginning Jan. 31, VITA plans to prepare tax returns in person this year at two convenient Middletown locations, and will follow appropriate protocols to ensure the health and safety of volunteers and clients.

The tax preparation schedule/locations are:

 Mondays to Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. at MARC Community Resources, 25 Industrial Park Road (new location)

 Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the North End Action Team, 654 Main St.

All returns are prepared by appointment only. Scheduling an appointment is easy and can be done one of three ways: visit the Russell Library information desk, call 2-1-1 or visit uwc.211ct.org/taxhelp, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A coalition of committed volunteers and local nonprofit organizations makes the Middlesex VITA program possible. Lisa Liesener, the new steering committee chairperson for the coalition, is looking forward to her first year in this leadership position. Liesener started volunteering with VITA four years ago.

The heartfelt thanks we receive and the sense of relief we can feel from people after helping them complete their tax returns is extremely rewarding, said Liesener. Being able to put my love of numbers to work for a couple months each year is something I do to balance out my professional life, which is usually spent outside in the natural world exploring the woods with children.

Liesener also runs the local nonprofit Everyone Outside, which helps children and adults learn to connect with nature.

Since its establishment in 2008, the Middlesex VITA coalition has helped more than 650 Middlesex County area residents each year to file their tax returns, returning almost $1 million in tax refunds back to the Middletown area each year. Members are committed to having volunteers reflect the community they serve, and hope that clients and volunteers alike experience an inviting and inclusive environment that celebrates the diversity of our community.

VITA is a free program offered through the IRS. Local VITA sites are coordinated by the Middlesex VITA Coalition, a partnership of the Middlesex United Way, Russell Library, the North End Action Team, and MARC Community Resources. The Middlesex VITA Coalition receives support from the Connecticut Association of Human Services.

Shawonda Swain is president and CEO of the Middlesex United Way in Middletown.
The recently shuttered Shrek 4-D attraction at Universal Studios now has a construction wall around it with 'Despicable Me' minion graphics on it. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

Its not really a wall-to-wall construction wall at Orlandos theme parks, but it might seem that way at times.

The dividers have different purposes at attractions. Sometimes the park is building something new. Sometimes theres a refurbishment or maintenance happening. Sometimes the wall helps keep the future a mystery.

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The recent permanent closure of the Shrek 4-D attraction at Universal Studios already had watchers on alert. Then the wall was installed and decorated with multiple minion images a la Despicable Me and Universal released a video with the building and a banana, preferred fruit of minions. The rumor mill went bananas, too.

Heres a roundup of some ongoing theme park projects. The walls have a way of popping up overnight, so were sticking to major productions.

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Islands of Adventure visitors pass by the walled-off entrance to Jurassic Park River Adventure, which is undergoing maintenance. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

Universal Orlando

A curious aspect of the newly minted minions is that the old Shrek building is across the street from the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction, which also has a bunch of minions plastered on it. But the artistic style is different.

The stance from Universal lacks specifics, indicating that an exciting new attractions experience is in the works.

Nearby, the Revenge of the Mummy coaster has been walled off, which enthusiasts were warned of late last year. It closed in early January and will remain so until late summer, Universal said.

Next door at Islands of Adventure, the longstanding wall at Poseidons Fury has seen heavy machinery inside the barrier and various characters stationed outside it. Universal has made no announcement about the show, which debuted with IOA in 1999.

Its Jurassic Park River Adventure currently has a long brown wall sealing off the entrance and much of the view of the rides splashdown area. But not all of it. Visitors can see scaffolding high along the rock wall.

Walls have shifted positions over the months around Ice Breaker, a roller coaster scheduled to open at SeaWorld Orlando in February. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

SeaWorld Orlando

The most dominant wall at SeaWorld isnt long for this world. It has, at points, completely surrounded Ice Breaker, a roller coaster that has tantalized for months by just standing there and looking ready. But now an opening date of Feb. 18 has been announced, although there will be annual passholder previews beginning in late January.

The wall now basically blocks off the pathway to Bayside Stadium. Other iron fencing looks to be what will be used after opening, the kind of safety barrier that keeps pedestrians from running beneath the rail.

Themed walls separate Epcot visitors from construction in the front part of the theme park. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Walt Disney World

Epcot has been the reigning wall champion of Wall Disney World for a while. Even now the central part of Future World, basically from Spaceship Earth on back, is dramatically off limits. Eventually, a water play area themed to Moana will be back there, as well as the Connection Cafe and Eatery in the space that was once known as Electric Umbrella. Monorail riders can see down into the construction area as it makes its Epcot loop.

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Nearby, visitors can get a feel for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride, which has a dramatic roofline looming above its construction wall. Disney says the coaster will open sometime this summer. Also back there will be the Play! Pavilion in the space that was Wonders of Life once upon a time.

Theme Park Rangers Weekly The latest happenings at Disney, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and other Central Florida attractions. >

At Magic Kingdom, work continues on Tron Lightcycle / Run attraction. Walls make viewing from both sides  from Tomorrowland and Fantasylands Storybook Circus  difficult and sends curious types to the elevated PeopleMover or even to the grandstand at Tomorrowland Speedway.

The Tron construction also has prompted extended closure of the Walt Disney World Railroad stations.

A much shorter downtime is expected for the recently walled-off Splash Mountain. Its scheduled to return in February, a sure sign that this rehab isnt the total Princess and the Frog makeover that was announced in June 2020. Workers and scaffolding were seen on the side of the mountain this week.

Hollywood Studios mostly emerged from wall mode after the openings of Star Wars: Galaxys Edge and Mickey & Minnies Runaway Railway. A wall remains at the base of Toy Story Land, which features renderings of an announced eatery called Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant.

Disney's Animal Kingdom visitors rest near a fence where the Primeval Whirl coaster was recently removed. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

Disneys Animal Kingdom is almost a wall-free zone. Expedition Everest is undergoing maintenance, and theres a construction wall sealing off part of the queue from the walkway. Cast members field questions and guard the door.

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The wall that surrounded DAKs now-demolished Primeval Whirl ride has been replaced by a tall blue fence that frames picnic tables.

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President Joe Biden said Thursday he is sending 120 military medical personnel to six "hard-hit" states to provide relief as the latest highly contagious variant of the coronavirus sweeps through the country and jams up hospitals.

The deployment to Michigan, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New Mexico comes after U.S. Army North announced Dec. 30 that 65 doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists were going to hospitals in three states.

But the military assistance could still just be the beginning, depending on how the omicron variant spreads. The Pentagon said it now has 1,000 additional active-duty medical troops ready for deployment to civilian hospitals around the country if needed.

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The announcements echoed the earlier days of the pandemic when the active-duty military was called up, hospitals struggled to treat waves of patients sick with COVID-19, and vaccines had not yet been approved. But the Pentagon said it will not be sending out hospital ships or setting up field hospitals this time.

"These are smaller teams, and they're going to hospitals -- actual, you know, brick-and-mortar hospitals -- to help alleviate the strain on the health care workers that are already there," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Thursday.

The omicron variant has swept through all areas of the U.S., among the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike. But unvaccinated Americans are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized with the disease than the 210 million people in the country who have been vaccinated and are likely to experience mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic, Biden said in a television address Thursday.

Biden said too many Americans are still "sitting on the sidelines" of the pandemic fight because they haven't taken the vaccine. "If you haven't gotten vaccinated, do it," he said.

"But as long as we have tens of millions of people who will not get vaccinated, we're going to have full hospitals and needless deaths," Biden added.

Omicron is now expected to account for about 95% of COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control. There were 705,264 new cases reported Jan. 5, which is more than double the peak number of cases in January of last year.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, along with Biden and the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, met Thursday with military personnel who were already supporting hospitals in Arizona, New York and Michigan.

More than 400 active-duty medical troops were assisting federal and state partners with the pandemic before the new deployment, Kirby said. Since Thanksgiving, over 800 military and federal emergency personnel have been deployed to 24 states, Native American tribes and U.S. territories, according to Biden.

In addition to the active-duty assistance, more than 15,000 National Guard troops are activated in 49 states to aid the pandemic response in areas including clinical care, testing and vaccinations, Kirby said.

"It's been a long road, but what's clear is we get through this when everybody does their part," Biden said. "No matter where you live, no matter your political party, we've got to fight this together."

-- Travis Tritten can be reached at travis.tritten@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @Travis_Tritten.

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Newly appointed Brig. Gen. Michael Lehnert built the first detention facility in the war on terror at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 20 years ago and has regretted it ever since.

On Jan. 4, 2002, Lehnert, now a retired major general, received orders to take 1,000 Marines from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and deploy to "Gitmo" within 96 hours to construct holding pens for the arrival of al-Qaida and Taliban prisoners captured by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

The detention facility that came to be known as Camp X-Ray was to be the solution to the dilemma faced by then-President George W. Bush's administration: What to do with those captured by U.S. forces in Afghanistan and, later, Iraq?

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The administration was against treating the captives as prisoners of war, entitled to humane treatment under the Geneva Conventions, and so designated them "unlawful enemy combatants." It also ruled out bringing them to the U.S., where they would receive due process from the courts and be protected from "enhanced interrogation techniques."

"The Bush administration settled on Guantanamo," Lehnert testified to Congress last month, and the detention facilities, which cost the U.S. about $540 million annually, have been an unresolved legacy of the 9/11 attacks since the first 20 hooded prisoners arrived there on Jan. 11, 2002.

"The speed of Guantanamo's creation and the urgency to gain information had bad consequences," Lehnert said. "The legal ambiguities that make Guantanamo an attractive choice for some policymakers sets up extra challenges for the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who must execute those policies."

In addition, "the subsequent decision to subject detainees to enhanced interrogation techniques and to avoid application of the Geneva Conventions except when it suited us cost us international support and aided our enemies," Lehnert said.

Then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in early 2002 called those sent to Guantanamo the "worst of the worst" who had to be kept from returning to the battlefield or plotting more attacks on America. The risk of releasing them for lack of evidence was too great, he said.

Rumsfeld eased up somewhat on his stance at a Pentagon briefing in June 2005. "The United States government, let alone the U.S. military, does not want to be in the position of holding suspected terrorists any longer than is absolutely necessary. But as long as there remains a need to keep terrorists from striking again, a facility will continue to be needed," he said.

Lehnert spoke at a Dec. 7 hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee titled "Closing Guantanamo -- Ending 20 Years of Injustice" that went mostly unnoticed on the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks. He was among panelists who argued both for and against shutting down the detention facility.

At the hearing, Lehnert echoed the concerns of the families of 9/11 victims, who have yet to see the alleged planners of the terror attacks brought to trial.

Those held without charge since the Guantanamo detention facility was set up deserve justice by either being charged and brought to trial or released, Lehnert said, but "more importantly, the relatives of the victims of 9/11 and of other terrorist attacks deserve justice and they deserve closure and they aren't getting it."

In her testimony at the hearing, Colleen Kelly, a nurse from the Bronx whose 30-year-old brother, Bill, was killed in the north tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11, said, "For the families, there's been no justice or accountability as yet.

"After 9/11, we expected our government to uphold the rule of law in seeking accountability for our relatives' deaths, yet that has failed to happen," she added.

Currently, five co-defendants, including Khalid Sheikh Muhammed, considered the architect of the 9/11 attacks, are awaiting trial before a military commission at Guantanamo that has been in the pre-trial stages for nine years.

Several Republicans at the hearing argued that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August and the Taliban takeover made it impossible to consider releasing the remaining prisoners at Guantanamo.

"Twenty years after 9/11, the Taliban is back in charge," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., adding that at least five of the individuals now in the Taliban government are former Guantanamo detainees.

Graham charged that 229 of more than 700 detainees released from Guantanamo thus far and sent to countries willing to accept them "have gone back to the fight. And we're talking about releasing people. This is nuts."

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said that "releasing terrorists who will only attack us again does not protect the American people."

During the Bush administration, the detainee population at Guantanamo swelled to about 780, but more than 500 were transferred to the custody of other nations or released before Bush finished his second term.

About 242 detainees were being held when President Barack Obama came to office with a pledge to shut down Guantanamo within a year, mainly by sending detainees to the U.S. for trial. But Congress blocked the plan by refusing to fund the transfers to the U.S.

However, Obama continued the policy of transfers to other countries, and only 41 detainees remained by the time he left office, according to the Defense Department.

At a campaign rally in February 2016, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would keep Guantanamo open if elected, adding, "We're gonna' load it up with some bad dudes."

Once in office, Trump directed then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to keep Guantanamo open, but the population remained stable.

In May 2018, the first Guantanamo inmate to be released under the Trump administration was sent to Saudi Arabia to finish out the remaining nine years of a sentence handed down by a military commission during the Obama administration. He had pleaded guilty to plotting to blow up ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Joe Biden came to office with 40 inmates at Guantanamo; in July 2021, the first inmate to be released during his administration was repatriated to Morocco, bringing the population down to 39. That inmate, 56-year-old Abdul Latif Nasser, was never charged with a crime.

Biden also has pledged to shut down Guantanamo, but Congress has continued to block any chance of sending the detainees to the U.S. to resolve their cases.

In recent years, Congress has put the restrictions into the annual defense policy bill, or National Defense Authorization Act, on a bipartisan basis and did so again in the fiscal 2022 NDAA, which Biden signed Dec. 27.

The restrictions include "a ban on the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the United States," as well as a ban on the use of Defense Department funds to build facilities in the U.S. to house those detainees.

On Tuesday, the 20th anniversary of the first detainees' arrival at Guantanamo, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., went to the Senate floor to argue again for closing the facility, which he called a "legal black hole" for those sent there.

"Every day Guantanamo remains open is a victory for our nation's enemies," who have used the existence of Guantanamo as a recruiting tool, Durbin said. "It is a symbol of our failure to hold terrorists accountable and our failure to honor the sacrifices of our service members. These failures should not be passed on to another generation; they should end with the Biden administration."

At a Pentagon briefing Monday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said, "The administration remains dedicated to closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. There's nothing -- nothing's changed about that. We are in a review right now about the way forward there, so I won't get ahead of that."

He said that the 39 inmates remaining at Guantanamo "are the hardest cases to deal with and to adjudicate. And so, we're working our way through that right now."

 Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

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When the Pentagon asked Google to quietly build a tool that could identify objects in drone footage, what it found was a nascent worker revolt against explicitly building weapons.

The program, Project Maven, was launched in April 2017 with the goal of processing video taken by drones. The plan was to identify and label objects in those videos using computer algorithms, with those labels helpful for troops who would be picking targets.

It presented the possibility that the military could finally process all the thousands of hours of video collected by drones, much of which typically sat unused and unwatched, and then rapidly make life or death decisions relying on trusted computer algorithms.

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But in March 2018, Google workers raised internal objections to the company's participation in the project, before coming out with a public letter arguing that Google should not be "[b]uilding this technology to assist the US Government in military surveillance -- and potentially lethal outcomes."

In response to the letter, and the resignations of multiple employees, Google announced it would not renew the contract and published a set of guiding principles for how it would use and develop artificial intelligence, or AI. While Google maintains military contracts to this day, Project Maven hangs over the Pentagon and all of Silicon Valley as a cautionary tale about applying commercial code to military ends.

But Maven was hardly the first time the Pentagon contracted tech companies to build an object recognition tool. A year before Maven got up and running, the Air Force Research Lab signed a contract on a little-noticed program called VIGILANT, details of which were disclosed in October 2021 as part of a Freedom of Information Act request.

"VIsual Global InteLligence and ANalytics Toolkit", or VIGILANT, was first commissioned in 2016.

While the Air Force has not publicly disclosed details of its deal with Kitware, a New York-based technology company, for VIGILANT, documents about the regularly changing contract offer some insight into how the military hopes to adapt the kind of data processing that thrives in Silicon Valley to use in wars abroad.

The contracts reveal a desire to increase the fundamental tempo of intelligence collection and, with it, targeting. The promise is time savings from algorithms taking a first sweep for potential targets. The possible follow-on effects are impenetrable targeting tools, with errors as classified as airstrikes and harder to attribute.

A remotely piloted aircraft student pilot and an RPA student sensor operator operate an MQ-9 flight simulator, Dec. 10, 2019, on Holloman Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Quion Lowe)

Crucial to developing algorithms to identify objects is training this processing on synthetic data, or fake data concocted from fragments of real information. Creating that data has long been a part of training automated identification algorithms. It's how tech companies regularly prepare machines to operate in the real world, where they might encounter rare events.

To create this synthetic data for drone footage, the Air Force Research Lab turned to Kitware, a company with an existing framework for processing data from multiple sources. The software is open source, meaning that all its code is publicly disclosed so that programmers can develop and riff off of its initial kernel of code.

When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Kitware said the company did not have permission to speak publicly about the program.

The documents outlining the contract with Kitware described how the Air Force thought the technology could be used for everything from combat to farming.

"This demonstration system will be delivered for analyst assessment and transition into operations at Air Force, the intelligence community and commercial companies," reads the contract award. "With great potential for both military and commercial analytics, applications range from mapping crop damage in precision agriculture to commercial vehicle counting to adversary order of battle monitoring."

VIGILANT, at least in 2016, was pitched as both sword-adjacent and a ready-made plowshare.

The Pentagon Gets Interested in Automated Target Recognition

The military had begun looking in earnest at object recognition after academic researchers demonstrated in a very narrow 2015 test that computers could do better than humans at labeling objects.

"As far as the Department of Defense was concerned, that was an important day," former Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work said in an interview with The Atlantic.

The 2016 contract award for VIGILANT focused only on satellite footage, and came with the premise that it would release "both the framework and the analytics as open source," facilitating its use by organizations outside of government.

A year after the initial award of VIGILANT, the DoD started funding Project Maven, with the stated objective of developing algorithms to label data in drone-collected videos, and then figure out how the military could incorporate those algorithms in planning.

Maven, like VIGILANT, was about using AI to shift the balance of time. In May 2017, John Shanahan was an Air Force lieutenant general overseeing a range of emerging tech acquisitions. He told Defense One that the goal of Maven was to clean up video, "finding the juicy parts where there's activity and then labeling the data." This would replace the work done at the time by three-person teams of analysts. With the AI doing a first pass over the video, the human analysts would in theory be able to devote more of their time to confirming highlighted findings, instead of discovering and analyzing changes themselves.

"Project Maven focuses on computer vision -- an aspect of machine learning and deep learning -- that autonomously extracts objects of interest from moving or still imagery," Marine Corps Col. Drew Cukor, head of the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Function team, said in a DoD press release in July 2017.

While VIGILANT trained on satellite imagery, and Maven on drone images, any hard separations between the programs would blur with the launch of VIGILANT 2.

A Raven operator performs preventative maintenance checks and services to a Raven unmanned aerial vehicle at Combat Outpost Nagil, Laghman province, Afghanistan, Oct. 13, 2009. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Derek Kuhn)

VIGILANT 2, awarded by the Air Force to Kitware in February 2018, expanded the focus to electro-optical sensors, primarily but not exclusively on satellites. Working with data across a range of sources was a goal of the software outlined in the first contract. In VIGILANT 2, it becomes explicit, with the contract noting, "While commercial satellite data will be the focus of this effort the technology developed can be applied to other electro-optical platforms both in the air and space domains."

That meant building a model with, and for, data from satellites and data from aircraft, including footage recorded by military drones. To be most useful, the algorithm processing that data would have to be able to work across a range of sensors. In practice, the algorithm was to deliver "change detection capabilities," by contrasting recent images with past collected imagery. That's a data processing challenge and a data-identifying challenge.

When done by open-source analysts, change detection often starts with identifying a point of interest, and then looking backward in time at earlier images while fixated on that point to recognize any small changes. The process, useful for investigations, is a kind of after-the-fact assessment. For the military, which wants to direct the movement of people and vehicles in real time, automated analysis could identify changes of military significance faster  at least, that's the idea.

If the algorithm could correctly identify a vehicle, and if it could track it across satellite and drone footage quickly enough, and comprehensively enough, then what VIGILANT 2 offered would be the means to see and follow that vehicle's movements across a country, possibly leading the military to locate and then target insurgent networks. That premise, tantalizing as it is, comes with deep caveats at every stage, from the specificity of tracking to even correctly identifying a vehicle in the first place.

Models of Failure

Accurately identifying a target, especially at distance from an actual firefight, can be a difficult task. Doing so in accordance with the laws of war, which set standards for when members of a military are legally allowed to pull triggers, is an elaborate process, one for which the Joint Chiefs of Staff published a 230-page manual in 2016. The manual, which was made available to the public in November of that year, emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying a target, noting, "In extreme cases, failure to exercise due diligence in target development can result in outcomes that have negative strategic repercussions for the United States and its allies."

Because so much in military targeting hinges on the identification being correct, it makes the stakes for any targeting tools high. This is especially difficult in a field, like computer vision, where errors are an almost inevitable part of development.

"Machine learning is only ever going to be as good as the quality of its labels. It is only ever going to be that good," said Liz O'Sullivan, who in January 2019 left a job at the tech company Clarifai over objections to that company's work on Project Maven. "If you have too many blue and orange people in your data set, and you're trying to identify pink people, it's not going to work as well. And it's going to have a higher error rate. What degree of error rate is acceptable when you're taking a human life?"

O'Sullivan left Clarifai after realizing that the company's technology would end up being used for military operations.

"Part of my journey was basically realizing that if you want to advance the science of object detection, you're just inadvertently going to be contributing to this global arms race. And so it didn't make any sense for me to ultimately continue down that path, " she said.

The Air Force Research Laboratory, which commissioned VIGILANT 2, did not respond to a request to comment for this story.

One of the special challenges for VIGILANT 2 is that it was training not only with publicly available data, but also classified data. It would also incorporate synthetic data into its analysis, so that the object identification algorithm could learn to find certain types of objects for the military without those items having been captured by satellites or drone footage. In these cases, Kitware would build 3D models of objects and then incorporate them into the process of object identification.

Incorporating synthetic data for rare or hard-to-observe events is a fairly common process in training identification algorithms. The stakes of doing it for the military, and generating synthetic data that anticipates as-yet undetected possible targets, risks targeting decisions being made on imagined fears, coded through AI into legibility.

"They're trying to use computer vision to read minds, and it's not a crystal ball," said O'Sullivan. "It can't see through walls, and the assertion that it can infer intent based on patterns is just outrageously naive."

Consider the steps one would take to identify a suspected chemical weapons facility. Are there external tanks or barrels? If those are known and modeled, can that model be reasonably incorporated into existing footage of facilities? And what happens if a building with such a setup is selected as a valid target? If the intelligence, modeling and targeting were all correct, then it's possible a strike on such a facility would meet its military objectives.

If any part of it was wrong, then a wholly innocuous facility that just happens to look like a valid target ends up destroyed, and lives are likely lost, too.

Some strikes, and the possibility of helpful data, are deliberately left off video. In a Dec. 12, 2021, story, The New York Times detailed the actions of Talon Anvil, a military unit charged with finding targets for the U.S. war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Talon Anvil operated from 2014 through 2019, a timeline that overlaps with the first known operational uses of Project Maven for computer-assisted object identification and targeting.

As reported, in a move designed to avoid accountability for casualties inflicted by its strikes, "Talon Anvil started directing drone cameras away from targets shortly before a strike hit, preventing the collection of video evidence."

An MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flight line of Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 19, 2014, prior to maintenance that will keep it flying and training the next generation of Air Force pilots and sensor operators. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aaron Montoya)

Edge Computing

In an update to the VIGILANT 2 contract, from September 2020, a work order specifically requested that more of this data labeling work be done by unsupervised machine learning. Unsupervised learning is a process that puts a tremendous amount of trust in AI to find similarities in images, and then group those found objects together in useful categories, rather than having a human dictate those categories.

This was a design call that leans toward speed of identification over accuracy, making more labels available quickly at the expense of training the algorithm to more accurately find known quantities.

"The contractor will explore techniques and algorithms that will provide the USAF with a high degree of [Automatic Target Recognition] flexibility by producing new Deep Learning based models that can be trained as fast as possible with the lofty goal of hours," reads the contract.

This is in contrast to existing targeting systems, which can take months or years to build and are sensor-specific. By asking Kitware to build Automatic Target Recognition that can load in hours onto a new camera, the Air Force is suggesting that the process itself is sufficiently trustworthy to be put into combat rapidly.

Another addition outlined in the VIGILANT 2 contract is an emphasis on incorporating sensors from satellites as well as sensors from aircraft into the same analysis. The Air Force also requested that the identification software be designed to fit on smaller devices, able to run entirely as much as possible on a satellite or a plane.

While this is still specified as a "user-in-the-loop" technique, meaning a person would still be involved in the analysis, the ability to process intelligence on a machine without sending it back to the computer of a human operator means the human would, at best, be approving targeting assessments made by an algorithm, instead of having the option to review both the data and the assessment.

In the world of public and peer-reviewed research on computer vision, examples of algorithmic error abound. In one of the more famous examples, researchers had a trained algorithm that correctly identified a Granny Smith apple with 85% confidence. But when the researchers instead put a paper on the apple that read "iPod," the algorithm said it was an iPod with 99.7% confidence.

Placing trust in algorithms for targeting decisions, even if it is just the initial winnowing down of collected evidence, means leaving military actions open to unique errors from machine intelligence.

The military is investigating some of these limitations, and the results are not promising. This month, Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Simpson described a target-recognition AI, trained on a specific angle of a missile. Fed a different angle of that same missile, the algorithm correctly identified it only 25% of the time. But more troubling for Simpson, Defense One reports, is that "It was confident that it was right 90 percent of the time, so it was confidently wrong. And that's not the algorithm's fault. It's because we fed it the wrong training data."

VIGILANT by Kitware is just one of a host of software tools built to bring data processing from the online worlds of Silicon Valley to the life-or-death stakes of military operations. As of September 2020, VIGILANT 2's contract award was for up to almost $8 million, or about 1/10th the cost of a single F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.

Yet despite its huge promise at discount rates, the technology is fundamentally trying to solve a human problem. AI can look for patterns in video footage, and it can make approximated guesses about what objects it has found on the ground below. But it is doing so at human direction, from where the cameras are put to what kinds of objects it is told to look for. What AI mostly adds to that is a kind of distancing between the fallible decisions of intelligence collection and the false certainty of algorithmic assessment.

"We've always been worried that the military is going to take their horrible track record of drone violence and use that as a training set to generate a model," O'Sullivan said. "And in doing so lock in all of the mistakes that we've made in the past as predictive of being what kinds of mistakes will happen in the future. And I think there's a really great risk of that happening with this case."

Related: Austin: AI Is Crucial for Military, but Commanders Will Pull the Plug on Misbehaving Systems
The Biden administration's plan to cover the cost of home COVID-19 tests does not apply to Tricare beneficiaries.

Beginning Saturday, private and group health insurers will be required to reimburse the cost of eight take-home COVID tests per month under an initiative announced by President Joe Biden on Jan. 10.

But as a federal health program, Tricare's nearly 8 million beneficiaries who aren't on active duty will not have the same access, although the military health system is reviewing its policies, according to a Defense Health Agency spokesman.

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Under Tricare, tests are covered only when ordered by a doctor for patients with symptoms; who have had prolonged exposure but no symptoms; are having surgery; or are overseas and need to be tested.

All other reasons -- personal concern, workplace safety, returning to work or school, travel or access to services -- are not covered.

In a major effort to broaden access to testing across the U.S., Biden ordered insurers to cover the cost of eight COVID-19 test kits per month for people with health insurance starting Jan. 15.

The initiative requires insurers to reimburse for the full cost of take-home tests at their network pharmacies and at out-of-network retailers for a $12 copayment per test.

And under the directive, patients with an underlying health condition or other factors will not be limited on the number of tests they can be reimbursed for if they have a doctor's order.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tricare beneficiaries have been able to have their COVID-19 tests covered only if they have symptoms or have been in contact with a person who has tested positive and they have a doctor's order.

Tricare spokesman Peter Graves said Thursday that policy remains in place but the Department of Defense is reexamining its rules.

"The Defense Health Agency is reviewing the latest guidance on at-home testing kits in order to identify whether any changes to the current policy are warranted," Graves said in an email to Military.com.

The new insurance reimbursement plan also does not apply to Medicare, which provides the primary coverage for military beneficiaries who use Tricare For Life  meaning those patients are also excluded under the initiative.

Despite not being covered under the federal program's reimbursement plan, Tricare users should still be able to get access to free tests.

As part of the announcement, the government will establish "thousands of locations," according to Biden, to distribute free take-home tests and will create a website for anyone to order free rapid antigen tests for delivery.

Beginning Jan. 19, anyone can order free tests for home delivery at www.COVIDTests.gov.

Some states like Vermont already have programs in place that require insurers to reimburse for tests. Other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia, already have been giving away free tests at COVID-19 test sites, community centers, libraries and community health clinics.

With the spread of the Omicron variant of the illness, test kits have remained in short supply at retailers and via community distribution.

Earlier this month, the Defense Department awarded contracts to a number of rapid antigen test makers, including Abbott, maker of the BinaxNOW test; iHealth Lab; and Roche Diagnostics for the purchase of 380 million over-the-counter tests, and to Goldbelt Security for distribution of a planned 500 million tests.

The DoD is the contracting agency because it has the infrastructure and capability to "acquire goods and services as rapidly and effectively as possible for the federal government in support of the American public," according to Pentagon spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell.

There have been more than 460,000 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in the military community since the beginning of the pandemic, including military personnel, family members, civilian employees and contractors.

Nearly 650 have died, including 88 troops, 34 dependents, 394 civilians and 133 contractors, according to the DoD.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

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SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea on Friday fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles in its third weapons launch this month, officials in South Korea said, in an apparent reprisal for fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration for its continuing test launches.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired 11 minutes apart from an inland area in western North Pyongan province, where North Korea is known to operate key missile bases and has frequently conducted test launches in recent years.

The missiles flew 430 kilometers (267 miles) cross-country on a maximum altitude of 36 kilometers (22 miles) before landing in the sea, the military said.

Japans coast guard urged vessels to pay attention to falling objects, but Chief Cabinet Secetary Hirokazu Matsuno said there were no reports of damage to vessels or aircraft.

Hours earlier, North Korea issued a statement berating the Biden administration for imposing fresh sanctions over its previous missile tests and warned of stronger and more explicit action if Washington maintains its confrontational stance.

The sanctions targeted five North Koreans over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the Norths missile programs in its response to the Norths missile test this week. Washington also said it would seek new U.N. sanctions.

The test-launch of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday  the second in a week  was overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, who said it would greatly increase his countrys nuclear war deterrent.

North Korea has been ramping up tests of new, potentially nuclear-capable missiles designed to overwhelm missile defenses in the region. Some experts say Kim is going back to a tried-and-true technique of pressuring the world with missile launches and outrageous threats before offering negotiations meant to extract concessions.

Following an unusually provocative run in nuclear and long-range missile tests in 2017 that demonstrated the Norths pursuit of an arsenal that could target the American homeland, Kim initiated diplomacy with former President Donald Trump in 2018 in an attempt to leverage his nukes for economic benefits.

But the negotiations derailed after Kims second summit with Trump in 2019, when the Americans rejected his demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of the Norths nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since pledged to further expand a nuclear arsenal he clearly sees as his strongest guarantee of survival, despite the countrys economy suffering major setbacks after it shut its borders during the pandemic as well as persistent U.S.-led sanctions.

His government has so far rejected the Biden administrations open-ended offer to resume talks, saying Washington must abandon its hostile policy first  a term Pyongyang mainly uses to describe the sanctions and joint U.S.-South Korea military drills.

South Koreas presidential office said National Security Director Suh Hoon and other senior officials convened an emergency National Security Council meeting, expressed strong regret over the continued launches and urged Pyongyang to recommit to dialogue.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said North Korea appears to be signaling it will not be ignored and will respond to pressure with pressure.

North Korea is trying to lay a trap for the Biden administration, Easley said. It has queued up missiles that it wants to test anyway and is responding to U.S. pressure with additional provocations in an effort to extort concessions.

The timing of the launch and detection of multiple missiles suggest North Korea demonstrated weapons that were already operational, rather than some of its other missiles under development, as it sought to signal Washington, said Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Seouls University of North Korean Studies.

He said the North may have tested a solid-fuel missile apparently modeled after Russias Iskander mobile ballistic system, or another short-range weapon that looks similar to the U.S. MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System.

Both missiles, which the North has tested since 2019, are designed to be maneuverable and fly at low attitudes, which potentially improves their chances of evading and defeating missile defense systems.

In a statement carried by North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency, an unidentified Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday defended the Norths previous launches as a righteous exercise of self-defense.

The spokesperson said the new sanctions underscore hostile U.S. intent aimed at isolating and stifling the North. The spokesperson accused Washington of maintaining a gangster-like stance, saying that the Norths development of hypersonic missiles is part of its efforts to modernize its military and does not target any specific country or threaten the security of its neighbors.

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 defenses because of their speed and maneuverability.

Such weapons were on a wish-list of sophisticated military assets Kim Jong Un unveiled early last year along with multi-warhead missiles, spy satellites, solid-fuel long-range missiles and submarine-launched nuclear missiles.

Still, experts say North Korea would need years and more successful and longer-range tests before acquiring a credible hypersonic system.

In an interview with MSNBC, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the Norths latest tests profoundly destabilizing and said the United States was deeply engaged at the U.N. and with key partners, including allies South Korea and Japan, on a response.

I think some of this is North Korea trying to get attention. Its done that in the past. Itll probably continue to do that, Blinken said. But we are very focused with allies and partners in making sure that they and we are properly defended and that there are repercussions, consequences for these actions by North Korea.

___

Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
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A high court in the Malawi's capital Lilongwe dismissed on Thursday an application by a civil society group that aimed to stop government from implementing mandatory Covid-19 vaccines.

As of now we still have to analyze the whole document then sit down to discuss the way forward, said lawyer Oscar Taulo after the ruling, adding that they can reapply the case to the Supreme Court.

He represents Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), and freelance journalist Mundango Nyirenda, who brought the case to court.

Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda said the case was thrown out because health minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda's announcement was an intention, not a requirement.

You can't sue based on intention, said Nyirenda.

We don't have policy on mandatory vaccination because for that to be effective there has to be a process, he added.

That apparently wasn't the case in December, when both CDEDI and Nyirenda filed their application after Chiponda announced plans by government to make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory for frontline staff.

Health workers, civil society and journalists were considered frontline workers.

"Accumulating data is continuing to indicate that the majority of those being admitted to our emergency treatment units or losing their lives to COVID-19 have not been vaccinated, said Chiponda, justifying the decision.

Vaccine anger

Human rights groups, media organisations and legal experts questioned the legality of the decision. They called for the government not to 'coerce' but instead 'convince' the people to get the vaccines.

Executive director for CDEDI Sylvester Namiwa and Nyirenda applied not only to stop the ministry from implementing the mandatory administration of the Covid-19 vaccine, but to prevent private and public institutions from demanding Covid-19 certificates from employees and customers in order to access their premises.

On Thursday afternoon, dozens of anti-compulsory vaccination supporters stood outside court while the judgement was read.

They were brandishing signs reading "decisions should be based on real science", "let's live with Covid, just like we do with Malaria and TB", and 'let people's views be heard on freedom of choice', among others.

To be vaccinated is a choice. One has to choose whether to take it or not. What I have observed is that government wants to kill the rights of the people, said Boniface Chikanda, one of the protesters.

He was holding a sign which read "why all this censorship? Same Covid or it's something else."

Some residents were disappointed at the decision.

If they want to start with the civil servants, then obviously that law might be extended to ordinary people like us. We're not ready for that, said Blantyre resident Chisomo Kapata.

Rights issue

If some Malawians refuse to get vaccinated based on belief, then their right premises on freedom of conscience and belief protected in Section 33 and 45 of the Constitution, said Patrick Mpaka, Malawi Law Society president.

Compulsory vaccination interferes with the human right of bodily integrity, which is part of the right to private life enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in Section 21 of Malawi Constitution, said Mpaka.

Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) had also opposed Malawi Government's plan to introduce mandatory Covid-19 vaccination saying compulsory jabs violate fundamental human rights.

Vaccination has been a contentious issue in the southeastern African nation where myths and misinformation are rife.

Data on how many health workers and other civil servants were vaccinated is hard to come by. But according to WHO, right now fewer than 1.5 million people of the 17 million total population have received vaccine doses.

Last week, community members in the southern district of Mulanje rushed to school with weapons after hearing a false rumour that their children are receiving the vaccines.

There has been other attacks targeting health workers across the country.
Morocco on Thursday endorsed United Nations-led talks over the Western Sahara conflict, as the world body's new envoy visited on his first official trip since taking office.

Staffan de Mistura, a former UN envoy to Syria, met the North African kingdom's top diplomat Nasser Bourita in Rabat, the foreign ministry said.

De Mistura is later expected to visit Morocco's arch-rival Algeria, which backs the Polisario Front seeking independence in Western Sahara.

Moroccan officials reiterated the kingdom's "commitment to the resumption of the political process conducted under the exclusive auspices of the UN to achieve a political solution" based on a Moroccan plan for autonomy, the official MAP agency reported.

Rabat sees the Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony with access to lucrative phosphate resources and rich Atlantic fisheries, as its sovereign territory.

But the Polisario Front, which took up arms in the 1970s to seek independence there, demands an independence referendum on the basis of a 1991 deal that included a ceasefire.

The truce collapsed in 2020, after the Trump administration recognised Rabat's sovereignty over the Western Sahara in exchange for Morocco re-establishing ties with Israel.

Morocco has offered limited autonomy but rejected calls for independence.

King Mohamed VI reiterated that position in a November speech, calling for a "peaceful solution" to the conflict but vowed that "Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara will never be up for negotiation".

The last talks, under De Mistura's predecessor Horst Kohler, were in Switzerland in 2019, in a roundtable format including Morocco, the Polisario, Algeria and Mauritania.

But Algiers has since refused to take part in further roundtable discussions.

Analysts say that while Rabat considers Western Sahara a regional issue -- and the Polisario an Algerian proxy -- Algiers sees it as a struggle by the Polisario for national liberation from a colonial power.

De Mistura's trip follows months of heightened tensions between Morocco and Algeria since the Trump-brokered deal.

The veteran Italian-Swedish diplomat is to visit Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria at the weekend before heading to Algiers and Nouakchott.

His spokesmen says he aims to listen to all parties in order to map out "a constructive resumption of the political process".

A UN Security Council resolution late last year called for "the parties" in the Western Sahara dispute to resume negotiations "without preconditions".
14.01.2022 LISTEN

A group calling itself Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers is admonishing Ghanaians across the country not to make or receive calls on February 8, 2022, as a way of expressing displeasure to the ongoing SIM Card re-registration.

In a statement from the group, it has declared Tuesday, February 8, 2022, as a No Calls Day.

We, the undersigned Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers, having consulted Ghanaians across the country, have set aside Tuesday 8th February 2022 as a No Calls Day.

On that day, we call on all Ghanaians not to make or receive phone calls as a way of registering our disquiet about the circus surrounding the SIM card re-registration exercise, part of a statement from the group dated January 13 has said.

The No Calls Day boycott according to the Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers would be the first in a series of national boycotts to protest against the current inhumane process of re-registration of SIM cards.

The group argue that there is no law in Ghana that requires Ghanaian mobile network subscribers to Re-register their SIM cards.

They say attempt to impose this on subscribers or block their lines would amount to an infringement of their property rights.

As a matter of urgency, the Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers are demanding that the National Communication Authority (NCA) withdraw its directive for mobile network customers to re-register their SIM cards by 31st March 2022.

Read the full statement from the Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Accra, 13th January 2022.

GHANAIANS TO BOYCOTT MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS

We, the undersigned Concerned Mobile Network Subscribers, having consulted Ghanaians across the country, have set aside Tuesday 8th February 2022 as a No Calls Day. On that day, we call on all Ghanaians not to make or receive phone calls as a way of registering our disquiet about the circus surrounding the SIM card re-registration exercise.

The No Calls Day boycott on 8th February would be the first in a series of national boycotts to protest against the current inhumane process of re-registration of SIM cards.

There is no law in Ghana that requires Ghanaian mobile network subscribers to Re-register their SIM cards.

Any attempt to impose this on subscribers or block their lines would amount to an infringement of their property rights.

Our demands are as follows:

(I) The National Communication Authority (NCA) should immediately withdraw its directive for mobile network customers to re-register their SIM cards by 31st March 2022.

(II) When the appropriate legal framework is in place, a re-registration exercise can be done without having subscribers spend productive hours and several days in long queues in the midst of a ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.

(II) Theres understandably a need to eliminate crime. But the fight against criminals must be within the law. We therefore demand that the NCA and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) must come up with a better and innovative way of re-registering the SIM cards by first amending existing law; and, secondly, to do so without the current inhumane re-registration process we are witnessing.

If the NCA and the MNOs fail to heed these demands, we shall, starting Tuesday, 8th February 2022 begin the first of a series of planned boycotts until the rights of customers to be treated with dignity are respected.

Signed:

Mr. Ras Mubarak

Prof. Raymond Atuguba

Mr. Kofi Bentil

Mr. Franklin Cudjoe

Mr. Kofi Kakraba Pratt

Dr. Kwesi Owusu

Mr. James Afedo

Mr. Selorm Branttie

Mr. Francis Kofi Korankye-Sakyi

Mr. Samson Lardy Anyenini

Mr. Manasseh Azure Awuni

Akyaaba Addai - Sebo

Mr. Kwame Mfodwo

Ms. Amma Sarfo-Kantanka

Mr. Michael Ofori - Akuffo
The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Thursday, January 13, 2022, had the honour to lead the commercial launch of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in Accra as a special guest of honour.

The ground-breaking innovative initiative is set to provide the platform for connecting payments across the continent with no stress in order to accelerate Africas trade to inspire growth, develop, as well as transformation.

This is set to give the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) a massive boost as the continent comes together to do business with ease.

PAPSS has commercially come into play to champion the elimination of intra-African financial borders, connect African markets to each other, enable local currencies to be used, alleviate the need for offshore clearance and settlement of payments.

Speaking at the launch of PAPSS in Accra today, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who represented President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said he is confident that the socioeconomic benefits for citizens of participating countries and to the large extent the entire continent will be enormous.

Ghanas Vice President while commending the pioneers of PAPSS stressed that it is an African Solution to an African problem.

The PAPSS which will allow member states to transfer funds within Africa on the same day and at a lower cost is set to benefit Africas exporters and importers by providing a faster, safer, and secure transfer of funds.

My humble opinion, PAPSS is an African solution to an African problem and it is the most practical and the most important achievement in payment system integration on the African continent since independence from colonial rule, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia emphasised.

He said it is the closest Africa has come to achieving a common currency, hence Africans should be very proud of this feat, demonstrating that technology can solve many problems.

Speaking at the commercial launch of PAPSS, the Secretary General of AfCFTA, H.E Wamkele Mene described the event as timely, noting that he has no doubt about the positives it will spread across the continent.

The commercial roll-out of the PAPSS today is, therefore, timely and set to boost intra-Africa trade significantly by making cross-border payments less reliant on third currencies and is set to save the continent up to US$5 billion dollars annually, which is the amount currency convertibility costs Africa., he said.

According to H.E Wamkele Mene, implementation of the AfCFTA with PAPSS in play will lead to an increase in trade transactions in Africa, He said this will in turn create greater demand for cost effective payments services, underpinning the important nexus between PAPSS and implementation of the AfCFTA.

H.E Wamkele Mene assured that as a secretariat, the AfCFTA remains committed to a continued partnership with the Afreximbank and other continental institutions in developing tools that create an enabling environment for the successful implementation of the AfCFTA, for the achievement of the economic transformation and industrialization of African economies.

Delivering an address at the launch, CEO of PAPSS, Mr. Mike Ogbalu III said he is delighted that the system which has gone through testing and piloting within the West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is finally going live across the continent.

He explained that the system is not looking to take out existing payment systems but rather it is here to bring payment systems together to make financial transactions in trading easier.

Allow me to emphasize that PAPSS is not designed to compete with or replace our existing payment systems. PAPSS is designed and operates to facilitate the connectivity at a continental level that brings all payment systems together into one network that is interoperable, efficient and affordable," Mr. Mike Ogbalu III shared.

He said with the system designed to make African currencies regain value and to domesticate intra-Africa payments coming into full force, the continent is on a journey towards prosperity.

PAPSS as a core payment infrastructure provides the superhighway which connects others to reach every part of this continent. Together, we create the Africa that We Want, Mr. Mike Ogbalu III shared.

Taking his turn to speak at the launch, the president and Chairman of the Board of Director of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah gave the assurance that his outfit will continue to play its role to strengthen trading in Africa.

He reiterated that while PAPSS will surely strengthen African currencies, it is just the beginning of bigger things to come to make the continent greater.

Prof. Benedict Oramah emphasised that through PAPSS, We will make intra Africa trade most attractive and also create employment for the people.

About PAPSS:

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is a Financial Market Infrastructure that has been developed and initiated through a collaborative effort of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Afreximbank and the African Union Commission, working together with the West African Monetary Institute and associated central banks in the West Africa Monetary Zone.

It is designed to ensure instant payments for goods and services between African jurisdictions, payments are initiated and settled in the local currencies of initiators and beneficiaries immediately eliminating the need for third (hard) currencies to consummate trade within our region.

This is expected to save the continent over US$5 billion in payment transaction costs every year. PAPSS will facilitate and help drive the enormous growth in intra-African trade resulting from the African Continental Free Trade Areas creation of a single market throughout Africa.

It will facilitate the payment, clearing and settlement system for intra-African trade; simplify intra-regional transactions; and reduce the cost, duration and time variability of cross-border payments.
The United Nations called Thursday on Mali's ruling junta to announce an election timetable amid anger at its suggestion it could stay in power for five years before holding a vote.

"It is absolutely essential that the government of Mali present an acceptable election timetable," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters. He said he hoped to "get in contact quickly" with the junta.

"I am working with the ECOWAS and the African Union to create conditions which can allow the government of Mali to adopt a reasonable and acceptable position to accelerate a transition which has already been underway for a long time," he added, referring to the Economic Community of West African States.

ECOWAS, in a sharp escalation after months of pressure, last week agreed to shutter borders with the impoverished Sahel state and impose a trade embargo.

The move came after Mali's interim government proposed staying in power for up to five years before staging elections, defying international demands that it respects a promise to hold elections on February 27.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, in an interview on Wednesday with AFP, called for the European Union to follow up with its own sanctions.

France is winding down an operation in which it has sent thousands of troops to Mali and neighboring Sahel countries to fight jihadists.

Sweden, which has around 370 troops in Mali, said Thursday it was "very concerned about developments" related to "the postponement of elections".

Speaking at a conference Thursday, the EU special envoy for the Sahel, Emanuela Del Re, backed sanctions by the bloc but said that the world needed to keep Mali "engaged and not isolated".

"The position of the European Union must be coherent and must show firmness in asking for concrete and acceptable responses by the Malian authorities," she told an online conference of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

"We must keep the dialogue open and alive, holding the transition authorities to their commitment."

Mali's army initially promised to stage elections in February of this year, after staging a coup in August 2020.

But in December, it suggested staying in power for up to an additional five years, citing security concerns.
Lamine Bina casts a long shadow over his herd on a plain in the Central African Republic's rural northwest.

In the middle of the annual trek to summer pastures, the herder looks nervously between his herd and the horizon.

Both armed militias and pro-government forces are known to frequently target nomads like Bina, 37, a Fulani whose name has been changed for his safety.

For two decades he has made the same trek between October and June, leaving the arid plateaus of Chad and Sudan to reach the plains of the Central African Republic and its sizable livestock markets.

But the resurgence of violence in the vast, troubled country has made nomadic life even harder.

After three years of declining violence, the civil war has flared up again, with rebels launching an offensive a year ago to overthrow the head of state, Faustin Archange Touadera.

The resurgence of violence in the vast, troubled country has made nomadic life even harder. By Barbara DEBOUT AFP

They were quickly repelled by a lightning army counter-offensive supported by hundreds of Russian mercenaries from the private security company Wagner, according to the UN.

The civil war began in 2013 between CAR's dysfunctional state and several armed groups, some of which still control as much as two-thirds of CAR's vast expanse.

After being routed in the cities, the rebels changed tactics and are now carrying out guerrilla actions in the countryside including kidnapping herders for ransom, especially during the trek to summer pastures.

The ransoms are a windfall for the militias as livestock farming accounts for around 13 percent of the CAR's gross domestic product, according to the UN.

"I've lost a lot of oxen," says Bina in his long beige boubou robe, stroking the snout of one of his herd.

"The rebels regularly ask me for money, but I can't pay. They take 10 or 15 oxen and the situation can quickly deteriorate if I refuse," he says.

Taxed, looted, killed

The extortion takes a toll on Bina, who owns about 70 head of cattle.

Out of fear of being targeted again, he stays in the town of Paoua, a town 500 kilometres (300 miles) northwest of the capital Bangui.

"The situation forces me to sell locally, at a lower price," he said, his voice dampened by the sound of hooves and mooing.

The civil war began in 2013 pitting CAR's fragile government against a multitude of armed groups. By Barbara DEBOUT AFP

"Here, I can earn between 200,000 and 300,000 CFA francs (300 to 450 euros, $345 to $520) per head, whereas in Bangui the prices rise to 400,000 CFA."

Mahamat, a fellow herdsman, said: "We also need to graze our animals in the bush, and travel -- but the rebels are there".

Rebels around Paoua belong to the Return, Reclamation and Rehabilitation (3R) faction, one of the region's most powerful armed groups, presenting itself as a Fulani self-defence militia.

Before the joint army-Russian offensive, the group had a grip on the whole of the northwest, pocketing substantial income from the annual migrations.

Out of fear they would be taxed, looted or killed, many herders joined the group or relied on 3R to back them in their long-running clashes with sedentary farmers.

After being routed in the cities, the rebels changed tactics and are now carrying out guerrilla actions in the countryside. By Barbara DEBOUT AFP

Violence between the two pre-eminent forms of farming has been entrenched in the region for centuries.

Some nomads migrate with their animals from the Sahel to graze in less arid areas, in this case from Chad and Sudan to the Central African Republic, frequently triggering land disputes and deadly clashes.

'Burnings, attacks and killings'

Now, the nomads also claim to be victims of pro-government forces, in particular Russian paramilitaries, recently accused by the UN of crimes against civilians in the CAR.

Out of fear they would be taxed, looted or killed, many herders joined the group or relied on 3R to back them in their long-running clashes with sedentary farmers. By Barbara DEBOUT AFP

"The military accuse us of being in cahoots with the rebels," said a farmer in the Paoua area who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.

"It is not uncommon for them to shoot at us and our animals," he says.

Thierry Vircoulon, a specialist in the region at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), said Fulani herders are "targeted by the pro-government forces" who mistake them for members of the 3R militia.

"The Russians make a very simple ethnic identification" and do not try to differentiate between herders and militiamen, adds Roland Marchal, a researcher at the Centre de recherches internationales (CERI) at Sciences Po in Paris.

The herders, pushed out of established migratory corridors, take other routes -- sometimes, along with their herds, encroaching on farmers' fields.

In June 2021, at least 14 people were killed in fighting between the two communities in the northwest, near the border with Chad.
Four major geostrategy meetings took place in Europe this week with one common denomator: the relationship between Russia and the west. What was the conclusion? Things are not going well.

The series of talks, including a US-Russia bilateral meeting, a Nato-Russia summit in Brussels, a gatheringof 54 EU Defence and Foreign ministers in Western France and a meeting of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (Osce) in Vienna, all focused on one thing: the deteriorating relationship between Moscow and the West.

The EU, UK and the US are deeply concerned by a massive concentration of some 100,000 Russian troops along the border with Ukraine and wants the soliders to "go back to the barracks" according to the US State Department.

Moscow says the deployment is in reaction to what it perceives as an increasing assertiveness by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) which it accuses of expansioninsm, with plans to incorporate former Soviet Union states Georgia and Ukraine, as well as EU member Finland.

Bilateral talks in Geneva

The week kicked off on Monday with a 7-hour meeting between US Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and her Russian counterpart, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

Ryabkov was reported as saying to Sherman that Russia "had no plans to invade Ukraine," and that the two sides agreed to more efforts to curb tensions from turning into a full-blown confrontation. But no real breakthrough was achieved.

On Wednesday, another Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, met with Nato head Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, with Sherman representing the US delegation.

There was some progress at that gathering, as both sides revived the Nato-Russia council - a platform that has not met since 2019.

"It is a timely opportunity for dialogue at a critical moment for European security. When tensions are high, it is even more important that we sit down around the same table and address our concerns," according to Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

But things did not improve as Western delegations to Nato underlined that Moscow would have no veto on Ukraine - or on any other country - wishing to join the military alliance and warned Russia would pay a high price if it invaded Ukrainian territory.

At the end of their meeting, Nato's 30 member states told the Russian envoys to return to Moscow and advise President Vladimir Putin to join them for a series of confidence-building talks on limiting provocative military exercises, arms control and reciprocal limits on deploying missiles.

But essentially, no breakthrough was reached, with both sides citing "deep" and "fundamental" differences when the meeting was over, without going into details.

Vienna get-together

For the third round of talks, the world's largest security body, the OSCE, met in Vienna on Thursday and little progress was reached there, either.

On the eve of that meeting, Russian spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said that Russia had no "shortage of political will" to continue meetings but reiterated that Moscow needed to see concrete results.

He added that Russia expects "concrete" written answers to its security demands in the coming days.

However hopes on progress where dashed when Ryabkov stated in an interview with the Rusian language channel RTVI that Moscow "sees no reason to hold a new round of security talks with the West in the coming days following a lack of progress during ongoing negotiations."

Brest: the EU wants to have a say too

Meanwhile, 54 EU Defence and Foreign ministers began a three-day meeing in the French port city of Brest on Wednesday. By Thursday, they declared that they "would not negotiate with Russia over Ukraine's future."

While stopping short of threatening President Vladimir Putin with a possible military response, defence and foreign ministers from the bloc said an invasion would prompt "severe sanctions" and ruin Moscow's relationship with the EU for decades.

"Russian movements are part of the pressure," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting. There "should not be negotiation under pressure," he said.

"We have received assurances that nothing will be decided nor negotiated without the Europeans, and coordination with the Americans is absolutely excellent," Borrell said, adding that the EU is "in constant contact with the US - more than 100 contacts this week".

While there no formal joint resolution on the crisis is expected when the ministers' meeting wraps up this Friday, a political statement is likely.

Longest war in Europe since WW2

Russia has put intense pressure on Ukraine since 2014, after a revolution overthrew a government that had sided with the Kremlin against moving closer to Europe.

Russia seized and annexed the Crimean Peninsula eight years ago and Moscow backs an insurgency in eastern Ukraine in which more than 13,000 people have died, making it the longest armed conflict on European territory since the Second World War.

(With wires)
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Former Black Stars player, Anthony Baffoe has charged the Black Stars to go all out to beat the Panthers of Gabon when they clash on Friday at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in the second Group C Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) ongoing in Cameroon.

The former Black Stars player, after the team's final training session on Thursday evening, charged the players to show hunger and zeal to emerge victorious over the Panthers.

The Black Stars lost 1-0 to Morocco last Monday in the first group match and are chasing a win to revive their chances of cruising to the knockout stage.

He said, You must show hunger, hunger to win, Aubameyang has recovered.

I don't know if it is Jonathan Mensah, Dziku or Daniel Amartey, I don't care who is going to play at the Central defense.

From day one when you move out of the dressing room when you go into the tunnel, they must feel you. Not smiles, it's no more joking.

Gabon is going to fall tomorrow.

Baffoe went hard on Arsenal player, Thomas Partey saying, you can't allow yourself to have a bad day, it is not possible to have a bad day.

Sweat for the nation, sweat for the flag, sweat for the shirt, and sweat for your families.

He urged the players to take advantage of the competition to make a name for themselves. I know what you are made of, in African Cups, that's where you make your name

Ghana is at the bottom of the group with no points behind Comoros, Morocco, and Gabon.

GNA
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Clashes broke out here Friday between police and demonstrators celebrating the 11th anniversary of the Tunisian revolution that sparked what has come to be known as the 'Arab Spring'
Hon. George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mining, has allayed fears of workers at the Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) stressing that some initiatives undertaken by the government will guarantee the long-term survival of the company.

The future of the company he said, has been a subject of discussion in the media space in recent times after the company's major shareholder pulled out.

He indicated that the exit of the investor created uncertainties with the workers threatening to embark on a demonstration if government fails to step in.

The Ministry, in a series of meetings with the Ghana Mines Workers Union and other key Government stakeholders, has assured the workers of government's commitment, determination and drive to ensure that the Ghana Bauxite Company operates at its optimum.

Following a number of engagements with investors and other key government institutions on the issue, the Deputy Minister announced that "a headway" has been found and that the company will continue its operations.

He disclosed that government will in due course announce the decision which he believes will excite the workers.

Hon. George Mireku Duker made this known at a meeting held on Thursday 13th January, 2022 at the Companys premises at Awaso in the Western North Region.

This engagement is to let us acknowledge all the efforts we have made regarding the continuity of GBC and its affiliates.

"One of the legs of GBC had the intent of offloading its shares and government created the environment for that to happen. As the Deputy Minister, I can boldly say that we have gone through the entire process and the future is bright.

"In due course, the entity that the shares was offloaded will be made known by the sector Minister.

The respect you accorded us when we came here and how you have managed and comported yourselves is highly impressive.

"You have been able to control the workforce and continue operations of the mine, he maintained.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC), Mr. Michael Ansah lauded the timely intervention of the Ministry in resolving the issue and reaffirmed the commitment of his entity to the entire process.

He also praised the management of the company for keeping the company running so far and explained some key decision taken by government in his area to prevent the closure of the company.

On his part, the Chief Executive of Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District Assembly, Mr. Alfred Amoah, called for continuous engagements between workers and the management to ensure that a more harmonious working relationship is established at the Mine.
Many people, including African leaders, abuse power, as soon as they know the opposition, a person or people fear them.

According to doctors, fear is normal, because we are human beings, unfortunately, that feeling of agitation and anxiety that often runs through the minds of human beings, is what many leaders, especially in third world countries, use to amass wealth, to oppress people, and denial of justice.

Akufo Addos swift action, domination, and oppression, against the media, to stop criticizing his bad governance, incompetence, financial frauds, massive corruption, reckless spending, and the lack of accountability, put fear in many people throughout Ghana.

The situation worsened after the assassination of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a Ghanaian journalist. Akufo Addo capitalizes on fear within Ghana and enjoyed every bit of it to rule the country with nepotism, tribalism, and hate to his detriment today.

Since the president believes that Ghanaians fear him, he manipulates the political system, cheats, and dominates people he hates.

Akufo Addo was successful with his mischievous leadership because he realized that many, especially, the tribal bigots, hate John Mahama and, therefore, never experienced what the tribal links media and the bigots did against Mahama.

The abuse of power, due to fear, exists in many institutions throughout Ghana, including the educational sector.

At school, the senior prefect will continue to bully the young ones, once he knows they fear him. All comes to an end if the non-fearless one puts up a resistance.

Thus, things wouldnt have been worst in Ghana under such bizarre circumstances, if the people, including the religious communities, journalists, head of churches, etc, had played a role in addressing the issues going bad under the administration of Akufo Addo.

Overcome by feelings of fear, many Ghanaians were confined to permanent silence and the efforts to speak against what is affecting their own country were paralyzed.

I know Ghanaians are intelligent people, even though there are many tribal fools. However, it baffles me a lot when many failed to realize the dangers of appointing family members to manage the offices of the main pillars holding a country, the finance and the judiciary.

Finance is part of the system of state at a higher level. Without the appropriate usage of finance, the country collapses and without an effective judiciary system, crime and corruption increase with impunity.

Akufo Addo purposely appointed his relative Ken Ofori-Atta as the Finance Minister, to cover up corruption and financial frauds, while he appointed another relative, Gloria Akuffo as the Chief Justice, that is to prevent any corrupt NPP politician or family member to go to prison.

How do you expect Ghana to thrive politically and economically under family members committing both judicial and financial crimes with impunity?

If Ghanaians had put fear behind them to challenge Akufo Addo squarely and to let him know his errors, things wouldnt have been so bad for the country as it is today.

Certainly, I dont fear Akufo Addo because, in my life in Europe, I have no fear of any European or American politician. Firstly because politicians capitalize on the fear of people by committing more crimes.

They also enjoy the fact that people fear them. I will not give you that impression that I fear you, and above all, dont forget that every man you see was once a baby.
The Minister for National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah has said the vision of the National Security Strategy document launched by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo is to maintain Ghana as a peaceful, tolerant, socially cohesive, secure and prosperous constitutional democracy.

He said it consolidates all the policy initiatives on National Security Policy Framework with the ultimate goal to mobilise and coordinate the efforts of all sectors of the society, especially GAF to deal with security threats in the country.

Mr Kan-Dapaah said armed robbery, chieftaincy disputes, piracy, terrorist activities outside the country; threats of secession by certain groups and unemployment were on top of the list of security challenges bedeviling the country and therefore urged GAF to put its outmost best to curb the challenges. He reiterated government's commitment to retooling GAF to deal with the challenges and promote security in the country.

He said these on Thursday 13 January 2022 when his ministry sensitised the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on the document.

Speaking at the workshop, the Minister for Defence, Hon Dominic Nitiwul highlighted that the security sectors of Africa continue to face several facets of domestic challenges, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and gradual recession.

He said the country was faced with two major external issues; the Jihadist.

Movement and terrorist activities in the Northern part of Ghana and piracy at the Gulf of Guinea. The Minister stated that there was a pressing need to develop effective National Security Strategies.

He continued that combating these threats required real-time and national security policy with clear directions to resolve them. He was optimistic that the workshop would support Officers of GAF in the effective management of security, especially at the borders across the country by way of curbing criminal and rebellious activities.

According to Hon Nitiwul, the National Security Strategy, when implemented will also optimise the effectiveness of the security and intelligence sector by improving the current system and structures.

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama in his remarks said GAF remains the key national asset within the National Security landscape which is well positioned to play significant roles in achieving the security and defence objectives of the strategy.

---3news.com
Mr Abraham Koomson, Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has called on workers to express interest in activities of their unions and hold their leaders accountable.

Workers must wake up and deal with the leaders first because if you don't hold them accountable they will mislead you, as governments during negotiations, look at the capacity of the union and if the leaders are inactive, they will just not attend to your needs, he stated.

Mr. Koomson who was analyzing the labour front in 2021 and projecting for 2022 at the Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Industrial News Hub Boardroom Dialogue platform, asked union leaders to be vibrant for the interest of employees.

The GNA-Tema Industrial News Hub Boardroom platform serves as a weekly media think-tank platform for state and non-state and commercial operators to communicate to the world on topical issues of national interest.

He said workers must have the courage to take on their leaders who 'sleep on their mandate' saying that the workers must critically access individuals'capacity before they elect them into a leadership position, union leaders must have the skills and integrity to withstand pressure from other fronts.

He mentioned that some of the unions were not doing well in representing the interest of the workers adding that they were rather in the position for their personal gains.

Leaders of the unions must do whatever they could do to make the industries survive and even though, it is advisable to join a trade union, you must look for a union that can represent your interest, don't just any union.

The GFL Secretary-General explained that unions were formed by workers themselves adding that, there was no external party that could regulate their activities, as such, it was the responsibility of the workers to elect competent people who could represent and be able to scrutinize their actions.

He cautioned leaders of labour unions to be practical enough to fight for the needs of their members.

Mr Koomson said the Labour Act had consolidated and updated the various pieces of former legislations, and introduced provisions to reflect ratified International Labour Organisation Conventions.

He said it covered all employers and employees except those in strategic positions such as the Armed Forces, Police Service, Prisons Service and the Security Intelligence Agencies.

Mr Koomson identified major provisions of the Labour Act as including; the establishment of public and private employment centres, protection of the employment relations, and general conditions of employment.

Others are; the employment of persons with disability, employment of young persons, employment of women, fair and unfair termination of employment, protection of remuneration, temporary and casual employees.

The rest are the formation of unions, employers' organisations and collective agreements, strikes, the establishment of a National Tripartite Committee, forced labour, occupational health and safety, labour inspection and the establishment of the National Labour Commission.

GNA
The Nkawkaw Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service is on a manhunt for Mohammed Issaka, aged 35, who is reported to have raped and impregnated his 15-year-old step-daughter at Kwahu Nsabaa in the Eastern Region.

Mr. Issaka, who is currently on the run, is also wanted for allegedly forcibly having sexual intercourse with his two biological daughters aged 16 and 19.

The 30-year-old mother of the victim, Abena Joyce, first broke the news of her husband's alleged sexual abuse to members of the community, which later got to the attention of the chief and the police.

The Nkawkaw Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, who have begun investigations into the case of defilement and incest, want the public to volunteer vital information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.

The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional police command, DSP Ebenezer Tetteh, said the victims are being sought to assist in investigations.

Nkawkaw DOVVSU are investigating a case of defilement and incest involving Mohammed Issaka, 35, of Kwahu Nsabaa near Kwahu. He is reported to have raped his 15-year-old step-daughter and had sex with 2 other biological daughters aged 16 and 19. The police are currently on a manhunt for the suspect, while the victims are being sought to assist the police in investigation. We are appealing to residents in and around Kwahu Nsabaa to volunteer vital information that could lead to the arrest of Mohammed Issaka to assist the police in investigations, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Kwahu Nsabaa in the Eastern Region, Nana Osei Twum Barimah, is urging the police to take action against the suspect.

The Chief of the area, who expressed shock over the matter, said in an earlier interview that the matter must be thoroughly looked into and the suspect punished.

I summoned the man, his wife, and his children. The children testified that it was true. One of them even said she was pregnant for her father. This has never happened here since I became chief We know what to do from our end because he has defiled the land. We want the police to also take the matter up, Nana Osei Twum Barimah said.

---Citinewsroom
A 49-year-old man Kwabena Agyapong Kissi' has been nabbed by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for posing as a doctor in parts of Accra.

The man who was using a fake professional profile claimed to be a lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon and a surgeon at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

He is alleged to have prescribed drugs for some of his victims who were cancer patients.

Upon interrogations by the NIB, the suspect admitted to administering oral prescriptions to over 25 patients.

He noted the prescriptions had worked for them.

He also denied being an employee of the University of Ghana.

The man has been operating since 2017 although he has not got a facility.

He is also alleged to have endorsed the passport forms of some unsuspecting victims.

According to the suspect, after reading Biological Science at the University of Ghana, he has been reading lots of medical journals thus, his ability to prescribe drugs for patients.

--- classfmonline.com
Demonstrations called by the ruling military in Mali against stringent regional sanctions were expected to kick off on Friday amid growing international pressure over delayed elections.

Leaders from the West African ECOWAS bloc agreed to sanction Mali last week, imposing a trade embargo and shutting borders, in a decision later backed by the France, the United States and the European Union.

The move followed a proposal by Mali's junta to stay in power for up to five years before staging elections -- despite international demands that it respect a promise to hold the vote in February.

The junta cast the sanctions as "extreme" and "inhumane" and called for demonstrations.

Assimi Goita, a special forces colonel, led a coup that ousted Mali's elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, in August 2020. By MICHELE CATTANI AFP

Strongman Colonel Assimi Goita, who first took power in a coup in August 2020, has also urged Malians to "defend our homeland".

In the capital Bamako, a rally was due to begin at around midday, followed by a prayer and a series of speeches. Mali's interim prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga was expected to speak at 1700 GMT.

As well as closing borders and imposing a trade embargo, leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also halted financial aid to Mali and froze the country's assets at the Central Bank of West African States.

The sanctions threaten to damage an already vulnerable economy in landlocked Mali, one of the world's poorest countries.

A brutal jihadist insurgency has also raged in Mali since 2012, with swathes of the vast country's territory lying outside of government control.

'Cut off'

Mali is already beginning to feel the effects of the sanctions. Several airlines, including Air France, have suspended flights to Bamako.

The country is also at risk of cash shortages. Kako Nubukpo, a commissioner at the West African Economic and Monetary Union, said that it is "cut off from the rest of the world".

France, Mali's former colonial master, and the United States have both stated their support for the ECOWAS sanctions.

Land borders with Mali have been cut off except for the frontiers with Mauritania and Algeria, which are not members of the regional bloc ECOWAS, and Guinea. By Elonore HUGHES AFP

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrel said on Thursday that Brussels will follow ECOWAS in taking action against Mali over delayed elections.

The same day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it is "absolutely essential that the government of Mali present an acceptable election timetable".

Despite the pressure, many in Mali have rallied behind the military junta, with nationalist messages flooding social media.

Mali's relations with its neighbours and partners have steadily deteriorated since a coup led by Goita in August 2020 against 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.

But he 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.

His government has argued that rampant insecurity in Mali prevents it from organising safe elections by the end of February.
Mr Earl Ankrah, Acting Director, Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Head of Public Affairs, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), says employees cannot demand from the employer what "they did not negotiate."

He said the demands of the employee must be consistent with agreed conditions of service.

Speaking in a media engagement on labour agitations over conditions of service in the country, Mr Ankrah, said using the workplace analogy, the employee could not embark on an industrial action at the expense of the company and that the employee had an option to resign.

Demands from the employee are supposed to be consistent with what the employee is entitled to. You don't tell an employee to come up to the employer and say I am entitled to something, which was never negotiated."

Members of UTAG started a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday January 10, to demand better conditions of service.

The National Labour Commission (NLC) Thursday afternoon met with Government officials and the National Executive Members of UTAG to resolve the impasse.

Briefing journalists after the two-hour meeting, Dr Solomon Nunoo, the National President of UTAG, said the NLC had advised the Association to sit down with the employer and "talk a little more."

He said the NLC held the opinion that the industrial action was illegal, but the Association argued otherwise.

Dr Nunoo was, however, silent on whether UTAG would call off its industrial action after meeting the NLC.

Mr Ignatius Baffuor Awuah, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, told journalists after the meeting that the Government would act on the guidelines issued by the NLC to resolve the impasse.

He, however, did not indicate what constituted the guidelines or the next line of action of the Government.

GNA
A former President of the African Development Bank, Donald P. Kabenuka has eulogised the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his immense contributions to the progress and impact of the Bank on the African continent.

Over a decade ago, Dr. Bawumia worked for the African Development Bank as a Resident Representative for Zimbabwe to oversee the restructuring of the country's struggling currency and economic crisis.

The man who supervised the appointment of Dr. Bawumia to that challenging position, Donald P. Kabenuka who is in Ghana for the launch of the Pan- African Payment System, has given an insight into why Dr. Bawumia was appointed to that position, as well as the excellent work he did for the African Development Bank.

Speaking at a ceremony last night to climax the launch of the Pan African Payment System, the former President of the African Development Bank described Dr. Bawumia as a man of "highly developed technical skills with a very good political insight,", and also paid glowing tributes to his work, both for the African Development Bank and for Ghana as Vice President.

"I don't want to flatter my brother here because he does not like flattering. But I recall when he joined us, he was coming from the Oxford. I spoke with him and I realised this was a young man with huge potential to help me solve one of the biggest problems I had at the time in one of the countries," said the former President of the African Development Bank.

"I needed someone with a combination of highly developed technical skills, very good political insight and a sense of where one could sense things strategically, and I appointed Bawumia to that position.

"We have made a lot of progress, the African Development Bank. I was privileged to lead that institution ten years ago, but with the help of Dr. Bawumia. Thank you Sir for what you did in the African Development Bank," Donald P. Kabenuka added.

The former head of the Africa Development Bank stressed that considering the work Dr. Bawumia has done for Ghana as Vice President, he doesn't regret letting Bawumia leave the job, even though he was initially reluctant.

"I tell you, he did not disappoint. When he announced he was moving on for what he is doing now, I was very reluctant. But now seeing what you have done for your country, I think we made the right decision to let you go."
After Paris faced Beijing's anger over high-level French delegations to Taiwan, China now seems to have turned the page, seeking to mend the relationship with the EU and France, which holds the union's rotating presidency.

Chinese Vice President and Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Qishan met via video link with diplomatic counsellor to French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday.

Symbolically, Wang did his part of the meeting from the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, traditionally the place where Chinese top leaders meet with foreign guests they deem of high importance.

"Relations between China and France have maintained a healthy and stable development momentum," Wang was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.

Bonne, who is in China but attended a strategy forum in the eastern city of Wuxi, also met with China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.

'Opportunistic'

The mild wording is a far ring from the agressive attacks France had to endure after two high level French cross-party delegations visited Taiwan: a Senate delegation lead by former Minister of Defence Alain Richard last October, followed by a parliamentary mission two months later.

China protested strongly against the missions, with the state-run Global Times calling them "silly," "self-contradictory" and "opportunistic".

China was also worried about France's willingness to take part in naval exercises of the Quad, a loose, strategic alliance between the US, Japan, India and Australia, designed to contain China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region, calling Paris's participation "a publicity stunt" that "won't strenghten the loose group".

Aukus

But things changed after the UK, the US and Australia formed the Aukus alliance, resulting in Canberra cancelling a billion dollar submarine deal with France in favor of US ships.

Comments in the Chinese press highlighted Paris' anger, mocking that with Aukus, the US "picks up stone to smash its own feet" at the expense of allies like France.

France's refusal to participate in a diplomatic boycott, by the US, the UK, Australia and others, of the Olympic Winter Games to be held in Beijing in February, was duely noted.

But the turning point came when France took over the EU's presidency on January 1.

'Systemic rival'

Relations between China and the EU had been deteriorating gradually over the last two years, with tit-for-tat sanctions over Brussel's criticism on Beijing's handling of Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong and it's increasingly hostile tone towards Taiwan, with Brussels calling China a "systemic rival" in a recent policy paper.

China is also furious about EU member Lithuania, that first lobbied the World Health Organization on a full membership for Taiwan, and then allowed the self-ruling island to open a de-facto representative office in its capital Vilnius  a red line, as Beijing regards the island as an "unseparable part" of its territory.

But during Bonne's visit to China, Wang Qishan said France should lead other EU members towards a correct understanding of China, and independently develop relations and carry out cooperation with China.

And Wang Yi added that China supports the European integration, supports the EU's development and growth, and supports the EU playing a greater role in the international arena.

No matter whether China-EU relations are in good times or encounter setbacks, this policy will not change."
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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The paradigm shift in the geopolitical dynamics in the Asia Pacific is in the offing since President Biden assumed the Office. The Biden Administration took an apparent deviation from his predecessor- Trump's foreign policy, so far this Region is concerned. Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) treaty, which left the region open to Chinese dominance and Beijing took the opportunity to a full extent and exceedingly established its influence on AsiaPacific. However, for now, Mr. Biden's emphasis on Democratic values and human rights as a security strategy, by reviving its leadership position in the Asia- Pacific theatre, is going to make a polarized world and may galvanise a shadow Cold- War 2.0.

The Biden administration is strengthening its alliances, especially the EU, and concentrating more on the Asia-Pacific region than his predecessor. During Donald Trump's presidency, the detente in the US-Russia relations raised the eyebrows of a number of US policymakers and allies. As a result, Trump was indicted by the congressional Committee on the accusation of Russia's meddling in his presidential election. But Mr. Biden has recalibrated the WashingtonMoscow relationship. The US-led NATO military alliances are stoking tensions near Moscow's border. The West accosted Russia on the issue of forceful subjugation of Rule of Law and its opposition leader. Russia also retaliates with military-technical measures in both the EU's neighbourhoods (Eastern and Southern), through the gas pipelines and refugees being used as means of exerting pressure, which is understandably having an unnerving impact on the energy and migration sector.

In 2022, the world appears to be on the verge of re-orientating its long-held policy towards the US-China polarisation. The cash-rich Chinese announcement of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has disrupted and unsettled the US traditional Asian allies. Chairman Xi's policy of 'deep pocket' for his neighbours made proselytisation of US loyalists towards Chinese pull in Asia-Pacific. Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia have gravitated towards China's orbit of influence which will jolt the geopolitical orientation of ASEAN nations. In Asia, China is investing approx 100 billion USD annually. China-backed North Korea's Sabre rattling makes US allies - Japan and South Korea concerned. China warned the Western Leaders on the issue of Taiwan and threatened not to 'play with fire'. The situation is increasingly deteriorating in the South China Sea, Korean Peninsula, the opening up of Arctic routes and trade wars. Thus, China is gradually becoming more assertive and is beginning to challenge the leadership of global power.

In 2022, the World's eyes will be on the US and its western allies; more specifically as to how they polarise the Asian states towards its orbit of influence. We experienced this political polarisation by the US during the Cold War and after WW-ll. US efforts to align Asia-Pacific countries are reflected by the 2021 trips of the US secretaries of State and Defence to this region. China's BRI is countered by the US initiatives to revive Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)- a strategic security dialogue between the US, Australia, Japan, and India and another strategic security pact within Australia, United Kingdom and US (AUKUS). The most important events in 2021 were the G-7 Summit, NATO Summit and Summit for democracy. The future threats from China and Russia were clearly spelled out by the US-led Western leaders in those Summits. Their rivals are also reverberating equally in every region. As a result, an ominous trepidation of another Cold War is looming over the horizon.

In the Indo-Pacific region, China has severe economic, political and military influences. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh are pursuing various multi-billion-dollars Infrastructural development projects funded by China. These South Asian States have billion-dollars military deals with China. So, Quad is a strategic posture for US presence in this region to curb and countermeasure China's influence. China exposed political rifts with India by border skirmishes or growing threats to India's "chicken neck". President Biden seeks to build a strategic framework to counter the growing influence of China in this region. Recent punitive actions by the US against Bangladesh and Myanmar are devised in the Indo-Pacific strategy against China and inducement for geopolitical polarisation. Meanwhile, China is expanding the horizons of its global influence in Africa and Latin America.

The Covid-19 pandemic is widening the chasm and pre-existing discontent for vaccine diplomacy. We will see the initiative of forming broader strategic alliances, more political destabilisation attempts in Vassal states. Future unpredictable technological and arms trade competition could revolutionise defence, cooperation, and economy among State to State, The Asian states are going to watch a confrontation between development and Rule of Law, That is why, the economic, political and military alliances may no longer follow the same trajectory as before. At this moment, this region offers China an edge over America, but one thing is for sure, things will never be the same as we are going to enter 'The Age of Uncertainty'.

M A Hossain, a political and defence analyst, writes on diversified topics in Bangladeshi and foreign newspapers. His Twitter handle is: @writemah71
14.01.2022 LISTEN

It is rather unfortunate that innocent students would have to suffer as a result of dishonesty on the part of the government. We live in a society where people who practise evil are rather held in high-esteem yet expect a certain miracle to change the affairs of our nation. Hell no! When last did you see a rural teacher? Truth is many of these industrious teachers who had impacted lives over the years can only boast of a rickety bicycle. It is worthy of note that when they are adjudged the Overall Best Teacher in their Circuit or District, the best the nation can do is gift them a fridge, cutlass, bicycle, sewing machine just to mention but a few.

The shoes of these teachers to a large extent indicate that times are hard. Has it occurred to leadership to change the narrative? Some politicians only get into politics with the sole aim of engaging in malfeasance and enriching themselves at the expense of the citizenry. No wonder, some politicians never end well. The records are there to expose hence wouldnt delve into it for the purposes of telling a hard truth. Nonetheless, the new crop of politicians do not take a clue from their predecessors. A newly graduated female teacher who gets posted to Kroforfrodo, a village around Assin Akropong will remain in a state of ecstasy by virtue of the name Kroforfrodo literally meaning a new town.

However, she will experience a never ending suffering because of bedbugs. These are some of the ordeals a female teacher goes through at Kroforfrodo. What about the other ordeals they face aside from Kroforfrodo? Ask yourself if she were your child as a President, Minister of State, Member of Parliament, Head of Public Affairs at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) would you have allowed her go through such hardships or the usual protocol will be implored by way of a panacea? We all claim to be Christians and Muslims but our lives dont please God. The earlier we behave as genuine people the better for all of us.

The lecturer never read bachelor of penury in hardship management. Please, get it. An ant that sits on top of an anthill soon forgets it is on the ground. Position brings out the true colours of a man. Watch them before power and after power, there you will understand that a mans heart is full of deceit. Is it the first time, UTAG have gone on strike? You dont create an impression as though there wasnt warning signs. Public relations professionals shape an organization's image. They build the brand, spread the organization's message and minimize the effect of negative publicity. I must be quick to hint that some of our PR Practitioners lack this ability.

This brings me to the comment made by the Head of Public Affairs at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Mr. Earl Ankrah which indicated that lecturers can not negotiate while they are on strike so they must call off the strike before they can engage. That is what the Labour Commission will recommend per the law. If the employee is not happy with anything, the best thing is to resign he added. It is sad for such a comment to come from a man of his calibre. Besides, in times like this, being decorum with your comment will go a long way to help issues.

Lectures deserve better and I side with Secretary of the University of Ghana chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UG UTAG), Prof. Ransford Gyampo saying the deceitful and cunning strategies of the government in dealing with conditions of services of lecturers motivated the strike action by the university teachers. It is without doubt that the lecturers havent been treated fairly. They deserve better like the politicians so that, it doesnt create the impression that our hard working lecturers read bachelor of penury in hardship management.

Im therefore by this piece appealing to the government to do the needful. If your children are abroad and that you dont feel what we are feeling, please, we are here and desire to complete our semester.

Author: Stephen Bernard Donkor, An Award-winning Journalism student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)

Email: [email protected]
Call credit and data bundle especially is without a tinge of a doubt, very expensive in Ghana and one find it difficult searching for the people or institutions whose duty it is to protect consumers from the clear exploitation of these profit-oriented TELCOs.

We are saddled with all kinds of charges with no one or institution to speak on our behalf and the straw that breaks the camel's back is when MTN et al make changes in their call and data plan without any modicum of courtesy for prior notification to their subscribers.

References are made to some specific services MTN offers to its customers and the percentage of upward adjustment of the cost of such services just around December, 2021 to show how the ordinary consumer is at the mercy of these ever-profit making TELCOs and get answers as to who or what institution protects us from such arbitrary charges.

The TELCOs like any other businesses have the right to increase their charges with the view to making reasonable profit but if the percentage of the increment of such charges are of the extreme, who speaks for the ordinary man who is affected.

some services like MTN Mashup and many more have been more than quadrupled at the tail end of December, 2021 without even bringing to the attention of the subscribers only for them to detect after seeing the speed with which data bundles got exhausted was not normal.

For example as a customer, i had to call to find out that changes had been made after realising the rapid of depletion of my voice call on Mashup but they can send sms to notify customers about some promo that fetches them more money and even to the extent of notifying to buy data and call credit when a customer does not have enough on his or her phone as if the person does not know him or herself.

Below if the comparison of the previous and the current offer for a GH 10.00 voice calls on Mashup.

Previous offer options

303.95 MB 303.95 minutes 364.74 MB 243. 15 minutes 425.53 MB 182.37 minutes 607.90

Current offer options

303.95 MB 303.95 minutes 364.74 MB 243. 15 minutes 425.53 MB 182.37 minutes 607.90

Clearly, from the above even though one could contend the offer for data bundle remains the same, it is essentially social media bundle. Again, the package for voice calls offers which is the bone of contention has been reduced by more that 50%. in effect what this means is that your GH 10.00 is now worth less than GH 5.00.

Also, Kookrokoo which used to give over 400 MB data bundle and 30 minutes voice calls is now only 400 MB with no voice call package. What makes these increments worrying, apart from the proportion of the changes, is their craft to conceal it from customers.

On back of the issues raised above and many more serious others, one really wants to know the role the Ministry of Communication, National Communication Authority and Consumer Protection Agency ought to play to regulate the TELCOs' quest for profit making which impact directly on consumers disposable income.
Toppled Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was mulling a return home even as he was aboard a plane taking him into exile in 2011, according to a recording published by the BBC on Friday.

The audio excerpts, if genuine, offer a rare insight into the final hours of the late autocrat's 23-year-rule.

The British broadcaster released them on the 11th anniversary of Ben Ali's flight to Saudi Arabia on January 14, 2011, following four weeks of vast street protests.

They appear to be of calls Ben Ali held with key allies including his defence minister and the chief of the army.

The BBC said it had checked the recordings with forensic experts who found no evidence they were fakes. It also checked them with people familiar with their participants, who said they could identify the speakers.

In one call the night before his departure, a man believed to be tycoon and Ben Ali confidant Tarak Ben Ammar congratulates the president on a speech earlier in the day in which he had assured the public "I got the message".

But the autocrat tells Ben Ammar his speech had lacked fluency.

The next day, demonstrations mount further and arrangements are made to get Ben Ali out of the country.

In a later call apparently from the plane to Saudi Arabia, the dictator asks a man -- apparently defence minister Ridha Grira -- about the situation on the ground back home.

Grira says an interim president has taken office. Ben Ali responds that he will be back in the country "in a few hours".

In another call, he speaks with someone believed to be confidant Kamel Eltaief.

"The situation is changing rapidly and the army isn't enough," Eltaief says.

Ben Ali interrupts him: "Do you advise me to come back now or not?"

After a long pause, Eltaief responds: "Things aren't good."

Ben Ali would never set foot in Tunisia again, dying in exile in Saudi Arabia in 2019.

The 11th anniversary of his fall comes amid a deep political and economic crisis in Tunisia after President Kais Saied last July sacked the government, froze parliament and seized an array of powers.

Some Tunisians tired of the corrupt post-revolution system welcomed those moves, but Saied's opponents call the measures a coup and warn he is returning the country to a Ben Ali-style autocracy.
Of the total number of 31 cases recorded by the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) last year, 20 were non-maintenance of children.

A total of 18 cases were reported in 2020 with nine of them being on child maintenance.

Mrs. Dorcas Tandoh, the District Director of the Commission who made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Abura Dunkwa was disappointed that some parents were exposing their children to societal ills by neglecting and denying them their basic needs.

"A child is unaware of the existence of institutions to make reports on the abuse of their rights until he or she is assisted, she stated.

Children's right to life, free from violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect among others, she noted, must be protected by all stakeholders.

She expressed great concern about the unwillingness of some Ghanaians to report cases of abuse of children that demanded probe and redress and assured all that the Commission would protect their identity if they blew the whistle.

Mrs. Tandoh told the public not to be worried about being victimized because they were protected under the whistle- blower's act.

Going forward, she appealed to Civil Society Organizations and the private sector to help change the narrative of many neglected children in the Area.

Meanwhile, she said the Commission would intensify its educational programmes at the community level, group, schools and institutions on how they could demand accountability from public officers.

She said frequent sensitization would afford the citizenry to learn basic human rights and permit those who do not have the opportunity to access legal services to also report and pursue corruption related cases.

GNA
Mr Earl Ankrah, Acting Director, Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Head of Public Affairs, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), says workers cannot negotiate conditions of service while on strike.

The law says you cannot negotiate at the National Labour Commission while on strike, he said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on agitations by worker unions over conditions of service.

He said demands by employees must be consistent with what they were entitled to.

You can only insist on issues that you have negotiated, issues that are contained in your conditions of service, when you have not been promised anything, you cannot get up and demand it, he explained.

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) last week embarked on industrial action to demand for 'better conditions of service.

The National Labour Commission, after meeting UTAG and the other stakeholders, including Government over the strike, directed UTAG to call it off and resume work.

The NLC asked UTAG to formally submit "the other issues in dispute to the employer for redress for the parties to negotiate on them and report back to the Commission after one month, that is 16th February, 2022."

GNA
Tunisian police used tear gas and water cannons on Friday against hundreds of demonstrators who defied a ban on gatherings to protest against President Kais Saied's July power grab.

As the country marks 11 years since the fall of late dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, hundreds of Saied's opponents staged rallies against his July 2021 power grab.

They had gathered despite restrictions imposed on Thursday, ostensibly to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 300 protesters gathered on Mohamed V Avenue, where some broke through a police cordon before being forced back by police with batons.

AFP reporters saw several being arrested.

Security forces had deployed heavily to block them from reaching the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue and the Interior Ministry headquarters, where vast protests in early 2011 had forced Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia.

Some of the protesters on Friday chanted "down with the coup!", a reference to Saied's July 25 moves in which he sacked the government, froze parliament and seized an assortment of powers.

He has since virtually ruled by decree, to the outrage of his opponents, including the powerful Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party.

Some Tunisians, tired of the inept and graft-ridden parliamentary system, welcomed his moves.

But for Ennahdha supporters, they are reminiscent of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's crackdown on the Islamist opposition, which left hundreds dead in 2013 and thousands imprisoned since.

"You're working for Sisi and the United Arab Emirates!" one woman told a policeman.

The protests took place despite a string of measures including a nighttime curfew and a ban on public gatherings, brought in on Thursday evening purportedly to tackle a steep rise in coronavirus infections.

Ennahdha has said the measures are politically motivated.
14.01.2022 LISTEN

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) branch in the Greater Accra Region has condemned the alleged attack on Radio Ada yesterday.

The party says it is barbaric.

Some masked, heavily-built men on Thursday morning attacked Radio Ada, a community radio station at Ada Foah in the Greater Accra Region, and ransacked its on-air studio without provocation.

The raid followed persistent warnings to the station by some chiefs in the area, to stop their broadcasts on a project being spearheaded by businessman Daniel McKorley (McDan) which involves the Songhor salt lagoon.

After learning of reports of the attack, the NDC Greater Region has issued a statement stating that this and many others is taking a notorious dimension under this government to have media houses suffer one abuse or the other for being critical of the government.

The party stresses that this cannot be acceptable in any civilized democratic society.

According to the NDC Greater Accra Region, its view is that the attack on Radio Ada and other media personnel in recent times is an irony under a government that touts the credentials of democracy, of which media freedom is a critical component.

For this particular attack on Radio Ada, the NDC wants government to, as a matter of urgency, commission an independent investigation into the matter and possibly bring the perpetrators of such a heinous crime to book.

Below is the statement from NDC Greater Accra:

14th January, 2022

PRESS STATEMENT.

TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES

GREATER ACCRA NDC CONDEMNS ATTACK ON RADIO ADA.

The NDC has noted with concern the savagery attack on Radio Ada on Thursday the 13th January 2022 while operating on air. The Regional Secretariat of the Party, especially the Regional Communication Bureau takes serious exception to the disgusting incident of vandalism in the studios of the said Media House, its presenters and the visitors at the station.

It is taking a notorious dimension under this government to have Media Houses suffer one abuse or the other for being critical of the government. This indeed cannot be acceptable in any civilized democratic society, and Ghana cannot be an exception. In our view as the largest opposition Party in Ghana, it is an irony to have such barbarism being exhibited under a government that touts the credentials of democracy, of which media freedom is a critical component.

The event at Radio Ada cannot be separated from other preceding incidents in which President Akufo Addo's Pastor, Rev. Owusu Bempah with men believed to be National Security Operatives viciously and violently attacked the offices of Radio XYZ and Power FM without any locus. We cannot gloss over the harassment of one of Ghana's seasoned journalists, Manasseh Azure Awuni, who was hounded out of this country for being critical of the NPP government.

Again, it is on record that, on the 1st of January, 2021 a Citi FM journalist, Umaru Sanda Amadu was embarrassed in public by a police patrol team under the guise of searching for weapons in his car. The arrest and molestation of two other Citi FM Journalists, Caleb Kudah and Zoe Abu-Baidoo on the 11th May 2021 by the National Security Operatives for reporting a story exposing a possible case of financial loss to the state cannot be lost on us.

Owing to these inhuman treatment to suppress media freedom by State institutions, the government of the NPP has a huge responsibility to act swiftly to deflate possible accusations in the act of intimidation exhibited at Radio Ada on the said date.

To succeed in doing that, we wish to passionately advise the government to, as a matter of urgency, commission an independent investigation into the matter and possibly bring the perpetrators of such a heinous crime to book.

We finally wish to express our solidarity, and join hands with Radio Ada and many other media Houses that have come under similar intimidation in the struggle to push further the frontiers of media freedom and establish a formidable democracy in Ghana. Thank you.

Signed.

Jerry Johnson

(NDC Regional Communication Officer-Greater Accra)
Malians took to the streets en masse on Friday, AFP correspondents saw, after the military junta called for protests against stringent sanctions imposed by the West Africa bloc ECOWAS over delayed elections.

In the capital Bamako, thousands of people wearing the national colours of red, yellow and green gathered in a central square, for a rally staged by the military government.

A large crowd also gathered in the northern city of Timbuktu, AFP correspondents reported. Social media also showed mass demonstrations in the towns of Kadiolo and Bougouni in the south.

Leaders from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) agreed to sanction Mali last week, imposing a trade embargo and shutting borders, in a decision later backed by the France, the United States and the European Union.

The move followed a proposal by Mali's junta to stay in power for up to five years before staging elections -- despite international demands that it respect a promise to hold the vote in February.

The junta cast the sanctions as "extreme" and "inhumane" and called for demonstrations.

Assimi Goita, a special forces colonel, led a coup that ousted Mali's elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, in August 2020. By MICHELE CATTANI AFP

Strongman Colonel Assimi Goita, who first took power in a coup in August 2020, has also urged Malians to "defend our homeland".

On Friday, his office said the interim government had developed a "response plan" to the potentially crippling sanctions, without specifying details.

It added that the government remained open to dialogue with regional institutions and did not intend to engage in "arm-wrestling".

As well as closing borders and imposing a trade embargo, ECOWAS leaders also halted financial aid to Mali and froze the country's assets at the Central Bank of West African States.

The sanctions threaten to damage an already vulnerable economy in landlocked Mali, one of the world's poorest countries.

A brutal jihadist insurgency has also raged in Mali since 2012, with swathes of the vast country's territory lying outside of government control.

'Cut off'

Mali is already beginning to feel the effects of the sanctions. Several airlines, including Air France, have suspended flights to Bamako.

The country is also at risk of cash shortages. Kako Nubukpo, a commissioner at the West African Economic and Monetary Union, said that it is "cut off from the rest of the world".

France, Mali's former colonial master, and the United States have both stated their support for the ECOWAS sanctions.

Land borders with Mali have been cut off except for the frontiers with Mauritania and Algeria, which are not members of the regional bloc ECOWAS, and Guinea. By Elonore HUGHES AFP

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrel said on Thursday that Brussels will follow ECOWAS in taking action against Mali over delayed elections.

The same day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it is "absolutely essential that the government of Mali present an acceptable election timetable".

Despite the pressure, many in Mali have rallied behind the military junta, with nationalist messages flooding social media.

Mali's relations with its neighbours and partners have steadily deteriorated since a coup led by Goita in August 2020 against 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.

But he 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.

His government has argued that rampant insecurity in Mali prevents it from organising safe elections by the end of February.
Millions of high-grade FFP2 masks are to be given to French teachers and thousands of extra staff hired after the government  faced with widespread criticism over its "unlogistical" school Covid protocols  held talks with angry union bosses.

Headmasters, inspectors, school nurses, maintenance staff and even parents joined teachers Thursday for nationwide rallies rallies to demand clearer Covid guidelines.

In the aftermath of this strike, Prime Minister Jean Castex, Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer and Health Minister Olivier Veran met with teachers unions at the Ministry of Education in order to re-establish trust and dialogue.

New measures include holding meetings twice a month with unions, distributing five million FFP2 masks to teachers  especially ones who work with children too young to wear masks  hiring 3,300 contractual staff to replace those absent, postponing next week's evaluation for first graders, and possibly putting off the Baccalaureate exams planned for March.

Sophie Venetitay, spokesperson for the secondary school union SNES-FSU, welcomed the measures but remained cautious.

We felt that they were listening and willing to explain a certain number of things to us. They have made some commitments. It remains to be seen whether these fine promises will be kept in the long term, she said.

Although the Education Ministry said that almost 40 percent of France's primary school teachers had participated in the school walk out, the French press dubbed this strike as historic, massive and closely followed  with top French union Snuipp putting the figure at 75 percent, as one out of every two primary schools were closed yesterday.

Presidential elections

Candidates for April's upcoming presidential vote capitalised on the strike to express their views on the government's handling of the issue. Macron has prided his team on keeping schools open to ease pressure on parents and ensure that the economy does not suffer as a result of the pandemic.

In an interview with Le Parisien, Damien Abad, advisor to Valerie Pecresse, candidate for the Les Republicains party, accused Blanquer of having created a big mess at school.

While far-left candidates Jean-Luc Melenchon and Socialist Anne Hidalgo joined protestors marching in Paris. And finally, Jordan Bardella, spokesman for the far right National Rally, said the strike demonstrated that the problem above all is Emmanuel Macron.

When asked whether he could acknowledge that he had made mistakes regarding the management of the crisis, especially the clumsy communication between the government and education staff concerning updates to Covid protocol, Blanquer replied: I am not perfect, I make mistakes, it's in the nature of human beings.

(With Wires)
A research by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has uncovered that four of the cases of electoral violence recorded during the 2020 general elections are currently in court.

The 2020 general elections entered the history books of Ghana as one of the most violent elections with several persons killed.

A year on, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development is collaborating with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) to track the progress of the cases from the last election.

Such cases were recorded in 11 constituencies in six (6) out of the 16 administrative regions in Ghana.

According to the CDD-Ghana, the goal of this project titled, Post-Elections Accountability on Elections Security, is to advocate for the speedy resolution of all the cases to engender public trust in the security and criminal justice system and limit the tendency for potential reprisal attacks in future elections.

In a statement from the advocacy group providing findings on the cases tracked, it says, out of the 12 cases tracked, four (4) are in court, three (3) are still under investigation, three (3) has been forwarded to the Attorney General's (AG) office for advice, while two (2) have been settled by the parties involved.

For the purposes of transparency, CDD-Ghana has recommended that the Ghana Police Service should periodically provide the public with updates on the status of each of the cases.

It has also made an appeal to the Attorney General (AG) to expeditiously consider cases forwarded to his office for advice to enable prosecutions to commence.

Meanwhile, CCD-Ghana has assured that with collaboration from WANEP and NCCE, it will continue to monitor and update the public on the status of the cases for the next two months.

Read the full CDD-Ghana report HERE:
As basic schools resume on January 18, the Bawku Municipal Assembly, in the Upper East Region, says more security deployment is required to guarantee the safety of pupils following renewed chieftaincy disturbances in the area.

The assembly plans to ensure security escorts for students in tertiary and second cycle institutions in Bawku.

Speaking to Citi News, the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Amadu Hamza, said, it will be difficult to protect school pupils from the feuding factions in all basic schools if the government does not deploy more security personnel to the area.

The minister and I are working day in and day out to ensure that we get security to escort students to go in there and also to ensure their safety while they are in school.

He noted, for example, that there are some Kusasis who are in there. They are afraid when they come, their lives are going to be in danger.

The Municipal Chief Executive of Bawku, Amadu Hamza, says his outfit is reviewing security measures to sustain peace in the area.

There was gunfire in parts of the town in December last year following attempts to perform final funeral rites for a Chief who died about 41 years ago.

The Upper East Regional Security Council, among other things, placed a ban on the wearing of a smock and banned male pillion riders.

Outside the school kids, Mr. Hamza, said the security escort is being provided for the feuding factions in an attempt to prevent an attack.

His overall plan is to prevent such tensions from flaring up and disrupting the community.

Mr. Hamza noted that the effects of the tensions were even affecting revenue generation.

As we talk right now, the women have deserted the market. They have formed artificial markets. It is difficult to get in these taxes, he said as an example.

---citinewsroom
Dr Wilberforce Aggrey, the husband of the Ashanti Regional Lands Commission staff who went missing, has on Friday, 14 January denied bail by the Court.

The KNUST lecturer is currently standing trial for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of his wife, Rhodaline Amoah-Darko.

The AGs office, which has taken over the case, represented by Charles Edward Addo Yirenkyi noted that they are yet to dispatch their advice on the matter although it is ready.

He also noted that further investigations will have to be conducted into the matter.

Counsel for the KNUST lecturer prayed the court to grant their client bail.

Counsel for the state however argued that the accused will interfere with investigations if granted bail.

According to Counsel for the state, the witnesses are people who worked under Dr Aggrey.

The court subsequently denied the accused bail.

The case has since been adjourned to Friday, 28 January 2022.

Meanwhile, members of the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, an association Ms Darko belonged to prior to her disappearance, who were in court, have accused the Police of giving the accused privileges even in custody.

They have therefore called on the authorities to look into the matter.

The Attorney Generals (AG) office requested to take over the trial of Dr Aggrey.

This was disclosed by the prosecutor handling the case, Chief Inspector Moore Ankrah on Friday, 26 November 2021 during hearing at the Asokwa District Court in Kumasi.

The KNUST lecturer is currently standing trial for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of his wife, Rhodaline Amoah-Darko.

Staff of the Lands Commission, who were present in court, indicated their excitement with the AG's decision to take over the case.

According to the Lands Commission staff, they want justice for their missing colleague.

Dr Aggrey has been charged with kidnapping.

According to the police, the KNUST lecturer was invited for interrogation following incoherent statements he made when his wife went missing on Monday, 30 August 2021.

The husband made a report to the police on Thursday, 2 September 2021 after the wife allegedly left home at Gyenyase in Kumasi and did not return.

Per police investigations, communication from the KNUST lecturers phone reporting the incident to family members and that from the alleged kidnappers using the missing ladys phone to demand a ransom, were from the same location close to the residence of the couple.

The prosecutor for the case told the court that the lecturer had admitted to sending messages from the wifes phone under threats from the alleged kidnappers that his family would be harmed if he failed to do so.

He revealed that the messages that had been sent from Mrs Aggreys phone to her husbands phone and later from her husbands phone to relatives were all sent from the same location near the couples residence, according to their investigations.

He further revealed that the lecturer explained that he had to send his wife to a location near the Volta Lake to ensure her safety.

He has, however, not been able to disclose to the police where his wifes phone is currently.

The police, in a statement released earlier, had indicated: It must be placed on record that as of today, Wednesday, October 27, 2021, the police has no evidence linking Dr Aggrey to the disappearance of Rhodaline.

The statement continued: Investigations are still ongoing and at this point, we are unable to disclose any information to the public on the matter.

The 32-year-old wife left home for Sunyani on Monday, 30 August 2021 and has since not been found, her family disclosed in a statement following her disappearance.

---classfmonline.com
14.01.2022 LISTEN

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called on the Police to, as a matter of urgency initiate investigations into attack of Ada-based radio station, Radio Ada, and prosecute the perpetrators.

The MFWA, in a statement published on its website on Friday, condemned the incident and called for swift prosecution of the perpetrators.

The MFWA vigorously condemns this shameful attack on Radio Ada and its staff by the cowardly hoodlums. It is a vicious attack that seeks to silence the media house and instil fear in journalists, the Foundation said.

It added that: We are confident that the station and its staff will continue to stand firm in service to the public and demand that the authorities take measures to provide them the needed protection. We urge the Police to conduct thorough investigations into the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.

Radio Ada, a community radio station in Ada in the Greater Accra Region, was on Thursday, January 13, 2022, allegedly attacked by some men, leading to the assault of two journalists and the destruction of the Station's equipment.

Management of the Station, in a statement, attributed the attack to its Manor Munyu and other programmes on the recent developments in the Songor lagoon.

The attackers openly declared that they had come to vandalise the station because of its Manor Munyu and other programmes discussing the recent developments in the Songor. They threatened to inflict further havoc should the station continue with programmes on the Songor, the management said.

Meanwhile, Management of the Station said they had reported the attack to the Big Ada Police, as well as the National Media Commission for investigation and appropriate action.

The station will shut down for a few days from tomorrow to enable it to review and repair the extent of the damage caused, the statement said.

GNA
The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that his government will re-open a consulate in Hungary.

Ghana opened a resident diplomatic mission in Budapest in Hungary in 1962 but it was closed in 1966 after the overthrow of the first Republic.

At a makeshift banquet hall at the Jubilee House on Thursday, January 13, 2022, while hosting President of Hungary, Janos Ader and first lady Anita Herczegh Ghana President Akufo-Addo indicated that the country will re-open its mission in the European country soon.

Relations between Ghana and Hungary have been very cordial and continue to grow. Hungary established diplomatic relations with Ghana quite early in our independent life when she opened a resident mission in Accra in 1961.

In the spirit of reciprocity, Ghana opened a resident diplomatic mission in Budapest in 1962 until 1966 when after the overthrow of the first Republic, the mission was closed.

The republic of Hungary however maintained its mission in Accra until 1989 when it was closed. It reopened its embassy in 2017 during the first year of my presidency. I am hopeful that every soon, Ghana will also reopen her mission in Budapest, H.E Nana Akufo-Addo said while giving a toast.

The Hungarian President, Janos Ader, and his wife, Anita Herczegh, are in Ghana as part of a state visit to Ghana.

The visit which is scheduled to last five days will see the Hungary President and his wife visiting the Newill Academy School in Koforidua, and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra.
As many as 35 healthcare professionals, medical researchers and public health experts from across the world have appealed to the Indian government and state governments to adopt evidence-based response while handling COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 to avoid mistakes of the second wave.

In an open letter, they say, Despite the weight of evidence and the crushing death toll of the delta wave, we find the mistakes of the 2021 response being repeated in 2022. We urge you to intervene to stop the use of medications and diagnostics that are inappropriate for the clinical management of COVID-19.

Highlighting unwarranted medications, unwarranted tests and unnecessary hospitalisations, these experts have proposed five measures, from updating the home-care protocol to revising the June 2021 guidelines of the directorate general of health services to handle the COVID pandemic.

Here is the open letter sent by these healthcare experts to the Indian government and state governments...

Less than one year ago, the devastating delta wave of the pandemic resulted in the greatest public health emergency of our times. The response to the pandemic, while marked by innumerable examples of personal sacrifice and grit, was riddled with missteps  several of which were avoidable. While there continues to be much uncertainty amidst the outbreak of this novel disease, there is now substantive high-quality scientific literature that provides unequivocal guidance on the clinical management of COVID-19.Despite the weight of this evidence and the crushing death toll of the delta wave, we find the mistakes of the 2021 response being repeated in 2022.

We urge you to intervene to stop the use of medications and diagnostics that are inappropriate for the clinical management of COVID-19. We draw your attention to three critical issues:

1. Unwarranted medications

The vast majority of patients with COVID-19, with asymptomatic and mild symptoms, will require little to no medications. Most prescriptions we have reviewed in the past two weeks include several COVID-19 kits and cocktails. The prescribing of vitamin combinations, azithromycin, doxycycline, hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, and ivermectin for treating COVID-19 is irrational practice. Such wanton use of drugs is not without harm as the Delta wave has shown. Outbreaks of opportunistic fungal infections like mucormycosis in India, and aspergillosis in Brazil were attributed to the widespread abuse of inappropriate medications.

2. Unwarranted tests

The vast majority of COVID-19 patients will need no additional diagnostics after the initial positive rapid antigen or PCR test, except  in some cases  home monitoring of their oxygen level. There is also growing evidence that while the omicron variant may cause many breakthrough cases among previously infected or previously vaccinated populations, the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease, among them, will be lower.

Yet, CT scans and a battery of laboratory tests like d-dimer and IL-6 are routinely being prescribed by practitioners across the country in asymptomatic and mild cases, placing undue financial burden on families.

3. Unwarranted hospitalisations

Patients continue to be admitted to hospitals without clinical justification. Unnecessary hospitalisations, besides further adding to the financial load, also risk the lives of hundreds of thousands of other, non-COVID patients that cannot find a hospital bed for more emergent conditions.

Two years into the pandemic, there is no justification whatsoever for allowing these unwarranted practices to continue. Health care workers in India rely heavily on government guidelines which have unfortunately promoted expensive diagnostics and medications with limited evidence. The public and the medical community are also subject to gross misinformation on social media. We believe it is incumbent on state agencies and on professional medical societies to put an end to this travesty, in the best interest of the nation.

We therefore request the Central and State governments to institute the following policies immediately, with regard to the COVID-19 medical response in India:

1. Update the evidence-based June 2021 DGHS guidelines. In particular, provide specific guidance on the use of monoclonal antibodies, given their limited efficacy for the Omicron variant, and their continued widespread use.

2. Through public education and professional training, discourage the use of medications that have no supporting evidence for the treatment of COVID-19, including alternative therapies, potions, antibiotics, cocktails, and drugs like Molnupiravir, which are expected to be widely abused and inappropriately prescribed.

3. Through public education and professional training, discourage the use of unwarranted diagnostics, especially for asymptomatic and mild cases, where none are required, except for confirmatory Antigen or PCR tests.

5. Stop any state-sponsored promotion or distribution of medications, cocktails, alternative therapies or potions that are not scientifically proven therapies.

We underscore the importance of ramping up proven effective public health strategies, including universal masking in all public places. Provide communities the resources to do so through mass media campaigns and the regular distribution of appropriate three-ply masks. Provide all healthcare workers adequate N95s and eye protection. Continue to accelerate vaccination, building on current success.

We stand ready to provide any assistance asked of us with preparing any of the above material.

We very much hope that you implement these policies with the urgency they merit.

In the spirit of our shared mission of serving patients,

1. Dr Anant Bhan, Yenepoya (deemed to be) University, Mangaluru

2. Dr Rajani Bhat, Pulmonologist, boardofdoctors.com , Bangalore

3. Dr Anjali Chhabria, MindTemple, Mumbai

4. Dr Sonia Dalal, Dalal Sleep and Chest Medical Institute, Vadodara

5. Dr Bharat Gopal, Sr Chest Physician, New Delhi

6. Dr Richa Gupta, Christian Medical College, Vellore

7. Dr Raghuraj Hegde, Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore

8. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Sunrise Hospital, Kakanad, Kerala

9. Dr Yogesh Jain, Sangwari, Chhattisgarh

10. Dr Yogesh Kalkonde, Sangwari, Chhattisgarh

11. Dr Arvind Kumar, Medanta  the Medicity, Gurugram

12. Dr Charuta Mandke, Dr. R. N. Cooper Municipal General Hospital

13. Dr R K Mani, Yashoda Super Specialty hospital, Ghaziabad UP

14. Dr Pavitra Mohan, Basic Healthcare Services, Rajasthan

15. Dr Nachiket Mor, Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health

16. Dr Sanjay Nagral, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai

17. Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, The Liver Institute, Rajagiri Hospital, Kerala

18. Dr Ashish Satav, Mahatma Gandhi Tribal Hospital, Amravati

19. Dr Tushar Shah, Advanced Multispecialty Hospital, Mumbai

20. Dr Satendra Singh, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi

21. Dr Aqsa Shaikh, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi

22. Dr Zarir Udwadia, PD Hinduja National Hospital; Breach Candy Hospital

23. Dr Sonali Vaid, Public Health , Incluve Labs

24. Dr Shitij Arora, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, US

25. Dr Satchit Balsari, Harvard Medical School, US

26. Dr Kartik Cherabuddi, University of Florida Health, US

27. Dr Sumanth Gandra, Washington University School of Medicine, US

28. Dr Manoj Jain, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, US

29. Dr Manoj Mohanan, Duke University, US

30. Dr Madhukar Pai, McGill University, Canada

31. Dr Priya Sampathkumar, Mayo Clinic, US

32. Dr Bhavna Seth, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, US

33. Dr Amita Sudhir, University of Virginia, US
The shares of Sintex Industries Ltd (Sintex) are lower circuit from 11 January 2022 onwards after a report from The Economic Times mentioned that Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Welspun have emerged as the top-2 contenders with conditional bids to acquire the bankrupt company.

The report says that the RIL offer, if accepted, will lead to existing equity being written off. In the new shareholding structure, RIL will hold 79%, Assets Care and Reconstruction Enterprises (ACRE) will hold 11% and lenders will receive a 10% equity stake. However, the plan is not yet finalised and Sintex Industries' resolution professional (RP) Pinakin Shah has asked the two bidders to resubmit their revised unconditional resolution plans.

The latest shareholder data showed that individual investors with up to Rs2 lakh capital are holding 74.02% stake in the company. Retail investors have been buying most of the stocks going into such resolution proceeding, in the hope to find the next Ruchi Soya. But most resolutions are leading to equity write off such as DHFL(Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd). It is still not clear how the resolution plans became public and who leaked, it as it is a clear violation of the resolution laws.

On the news item Sintex clarified "Presently, the company is under the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) under the IBC Code 2016 and is making all necessary disclosures required to be disclosed under the said Code and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligation and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015."

A bunch of shareholders have demanded that since details of the bids have been leaked, it violates the principle of maintaining confidentiality during the entire resolution process.

They cite a comment by the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in the Videocon resolution case. The NCLT had said, even if the confidentiality clause is in existence, in view of the facts and circumstances as discussed above a doubt arises upon the confidentiality clause being in real-time use, therefore, we request IBBI to examine this issue in depth so as to ensure the confidentiality clause is followed unscrupulously, without any compromise in letter and spirit by all the concerned parties, entities connected. If not IBBI can frame appropriate regulations, safeguards there by the maximisation of value of the assets of the Corporate Debtor(s) would further increase which in turn will benefit all the stakeholders.

Citing this ruling, shareholders of Sintex have requested the resolution professional to cancel the existing ongoing process immediately; invite fresh bids; debar the defaulting bidders  RIL and ACRE from the process.

Lenders of Sintex Industries have received 16 expressions of interest (EoIs), including bids from foreign fund CarVal Investors and Varde Capital-backed Aditya Birla Asset Reconstruction Co. Other EoIs came from Edelweiss Alternative Assets Advisors Ltd, Asset Reconstruction Company of India (Arcil), Prudent ARC, Ludhiana based Trident Ltd, Punjab-based Lotus Hometextile, Mumbai-based Indocount Industries and Nitin Spinners.

RIL has been looking to diversify its business from petrochemicals to telecommunication, green energy and fashion. It has recently purchased IPR (intellectual property rights) to use the iconic Lee Cooper brand in India and acquired a stake in some other fashion brands. RIL is interested in Sintex since it had been a supplier to global brands such as Armani, Hugo Boss, Diesel and Burberry. RIL has also entered into partnerships with Burberry Group Plc, Hugo Boss AG and Tiffany & Co.

Spring Ventures a deep tech investment firm led by Aviv Refuah had also bought 30.5 lakh Sintex shares at Rs12.7 per share in December 2021. The matter is still under consideration and equity write-off (delisting) may be declined by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) as in the case of Alok Industries which has been acquired by RIL.

SEBI, addressing minority shareholders concerns in the case of Alok Industries, said the resolution plan must lay down specific procedure to complete delisting of such shares or provide an exit option to the existing public shareholders at a price specified in the resolution plan.
HELENA, Mont. - Election season is officially underway as candidates from all over Montana file for a variety of political offices.

The newest seat to be voted on is Montanas second congressional seat. Back in November, a special committee decided on how to divide Montana in half to create two different congressional districts.

Several candidates have announced they plan on running for those seats. But up until Jan. 13, nothing was official as that is the first-day candidates are eligible to file for any office.

You can find the current list of candidates for all offices across Montana on the states Secretary of State website here.

Voters will decide who will be on the general election ballot through a primary vote in June.
MISSOULA, Mont. - While the pandemic brought challenges to many small business across the Treasure State, one Missoula beer company is expanding, and a woman is leading the charge.

It's no secret Montana is known for its beer.

In 2019, C+R Research ranked Montana second for having the most breweries and largest economic impact per capita.

Just last month, smartasset ranked Missoula 13th on the Best Cities for Beer Drinkers list.

Part of what makes this industry so great, is the talented people within it.

One of those people is Hannah Talbott. She's Highlander Beer's newest president.

She brings extensive knowledge and 13 years of experience. She completed the World Brewing Academy Brewing Technology Program at the Siebel Institute in Chicago, has a Masters in Business Administration and is a Certified Cicerone.

On top of that, she's served in a variety of roles including as a brewer and CEO of a brewpub near Minneapolis.

Talbott recognizes she's not the typical person you'd see running a brewery. She shared what it's been like to move up the ranks.

"I think you're often very much underestimated, but it's a pretty opening and welcoming industry once you get in it and you can prove that you can do this job as good as a man," Talbott said.

As president, she oversees the entire operation. One aspect being company culture and inclusion efforts.

She said she felt like she really made it in the beer industry after getting hired at Highlander as general manager in 2017. As she now serves as president, she hopes others see they can do it too.

"It's a male dominated industry, but it's not only for men," Talbott said. "Women can be really successful in this industry and I want other women to know that. Know they can be in my shoes, at another brewery, doing the same thing and be just as successful."

Talbott's advice for anyone looking to get into beer is to get educated. Take any opportunity you can to learn something about the industry and surround yourself with mentors who can build you up.

Looking ahead, Highlander Beer is expanding. It will be opening a second location in Salmon, Idaho later this year and expand distribution of canned beers into Idaho grocery stores.
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Any conversation with Lori Long, who has been daydreaming about her wedding for years, inevitably wanders into the logistical and spiritual and design elements of a wedding: Maybe it would be at Tarpys Roadhouse, where she and Mark Contreras went on their first date, or maybe at their church, Madonna del Sasso in Salinas. Shes considered flowers, and they long ago picked their rings. But Long and Contreras, who had hoped for a short engagement have instead been engaged for five years and not yet gotten married, because an antiquated, discriminatory provision of Social Security rules stand in their way.

Long is mostly interested in talking about love and marriage, but the conversation inevitably turns to this years-long bureaucratic nightmare, and to her disability. Long was born with a rare autoimmune disease, hereditary ankylosing spondylitis, which results in tiny fractures to her spine, a painful condition that requires lots of physical therapy and stretching, beginning every morning first thing when she wakes up, just to enable herself to get out of bed. She describes medical care as a full-time job, in addition to her part-time job at Home Goods. She relies on $1,224/month from Social Security Disability Insurance to cover expenses. (Contreras works in accounting.)

Along with some 1.1 million other Americans, Long receives SSDI under a special program for adults whose medical disability started before they were 22.

But theres a catch: SSDI recipients, known in bureaucratese as adult disabled children, or DACs, can keep those benefits as long as they remain single, or if they get married to another disabled personbut not to an able-bodied person. For Long, and an untold number of others, this has the effect of prohibiting them from getting married to who they love.

We had our battles legalizing interracial marriage and same-sex marriage (the cultural battles to normalize them continue). Longs heartbreak at learning she had to choose between critical benefits and fulfilling a lifelong dream motivated her to become something of a scholar on that historyand an activist calling for changes to allow more inter-abled marriages.

She took her complaint to the staff of her congressman, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, and even his staff was shocked to learn about the provision. They wrote to the Social Security Administration to find out if it could possibly be true, and the SSA wrote back: Unfortunately for Ms. Long, she was given the correct information[her] benefits will terminate upon the marriage.

Thus began a years-long campaign by Long, who would rather be working on floral arrangements than on political activism, but she persisted. She got resolutions of support for a law to roll back these outdated Social Security provisions from her state senator, Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.

You make our work happen. The article youre about to read is from our reporters doing their important work  investigating, researching, and writing their stories. We want to provide informative and inspirational stories that connect you to the people, issues and opportunities within our community. Journalism takes a lot of resources. Today, our business model has been interrupted by the pandemic; the vast majority of our advertisers businesses have been impacted. Thats why the Weekly is now turning to you for financial support. Learn more about our new Insiders program here. Thank you. JOIN NOW

And finally today, Jan. 13, Panetta introduced the Marriage Equality for Disabled Adults Act. The current law can put people in a position where they are forced to choose between their health care or their happiness, Panetta says in an email. That type of marriage penalty is antiquated.

Long knows she still has a ways to go before it becomes lawthere may be hardliners in Congress who dont want to touch Social Security at allbut today is for her a celebration and an achievement already.

We are encouraged that by sharing our journey, and our love, the lives of others will be positively impacted by the important bill Congressman Panetta has authored, Long writes in a statement. Its wonderful that the proposed bill will help survivors of childhood disability across the country achieve marriage equality."

A few years ago, Contreras got Long a wedding band in addition to her engagement ring. Mark said, You are my wife, Long says. I wear the band on the outside of the engagement ring, and when we actually take our vows, I will move it to the proper spot.

To Lori and Mark: Heres to hoping that happens soon. And congratulations on getting this far.

Read the full newsletter here.
Facebook: Midland County Sheriff's Office

On Thursday, Midland County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested a man facing a murder warrant in Mexico.

Earlier in the day, the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the United States Marshals Service received information that fugitive Manuel Adriano-Ruiz, who was wanted for a federal supervised release violation and a murder warrant issued in Mexico, was believed to be in the Midland area, according to a news release from Midland County.
Over the years, Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt Lopez has developed a reputation for making smart investments, especially in areas that might offer high risk but can present high rewards, including benefits for consumers.

This has included everything from developing nuclear power and Internet service in Venezuela to letting the world know about Hawkers, an innovative line of high-quality but affordable sunglasses with interchangeable lenses.

Under his guidance, a group of Spanish college students were able to receive the funding and the business expertise to propel Hawkers into a global brand, selling millions of glasses online and bypassing traditional retail channels.

In 2017, Alejandro Betancourt Lopez decided that the next area of opportunity in Spain was going to be ride sharing, a concept that is taking off in the U.S. and other countries.

In general, ride sharing bypasses public transit and traditional taxi services to have private operators pick up private passengers and take them to their destination. Its easy and affordable and can be ordered and paid for from a mobile phone.

Spain, however, has limitations for ride sharing in place, especially in larger cities like Madrid or Barcelona. One rule requires that every ride share company employee must have a special license, and only a certain amount of licenses is available in each market.

As early as 2018, Alejandro Betancourt Lopez began seeing the popularity of these ride sharing services like Uber in other countries and other markets, and was sure that the Spanish community would benefit from them. But he needed to move fast before other entrepreneurs had the same idea.

Not wanting to miss an opportunity, he formed a new division of his company, Auro Travel, which focused on developing and eventually implementing ride sharing throughout Spain. Hes now founder and CEO.

The Arrow Division of Auro Travel began its mission by trying to purchase as many licenses as it could, which would make sure it was prepared when ride sharing eventually became available by the areas population.

Every market had its own number of licenses, and Arrow has steadily gained 2,000 licenses, including Madrid and other communities in Spain. It also has 2,000 vehicles to provide these services.

The timing was perfect  by now, these licenses are in high demand.

Even if Auro Travel doesnt end up using every license it has purchased, the company can still make them available to other ride share companies wanting to be part of this market, such as Uber or Cabify.

As Auro Travels license acquisition efforts continues, Alejandro Betancourt Lopez and his other associates are working on the next step, which is developing a unique mobile app for Arrow that people wanting a ride can use to connect to a driver.

The app makes it easy to order a ride to a particular destination, pay the driver, see when he or she are approaching the pick-up point, alert when they arrive, and take care of other details.

It is now in the beta phase, which means people can download it, explore it and learn about its features and services, although official ride sharing for the company isnt taking place due to little demand for travel due to COVID pandemic conditions.

Alejandro Betancourt Lopez is also looking ahead for future business opportunities related to ride sharing. Once Spain is under control and ride sharing is going smoothly, hed like to see if a similar model can be implemented in other countries.

This could start with Western Europe, especially when activities resume after the COVID pandemic. With the foundation in Spain, it could go up against other existing companies.

He hopes ride sharing can be useful for operators as well  analysis of the markets shows that theres opportunities for everyone, from full-time drivers to people wanting a little extra money as a side business.

Ride share could eventually be successfully that it could lead to fewer people buying or needing personal vehicles. With more people working from home, there are fewer commuters, so a need for everyone to have their own car isnt as emphasized anymore. Or if they do drive, they can use public transit or ride sharing.

Plus, a growing number of drivers are more environmentally focused and concerned, so the idea of driving less also has some appeal.

Besides possible interest from passengers and ride operators in the future, Auro Travel is seeing interest from investors.

A 2019 investment round brought in more than $10 million in funding.
Muskogee, OK (74401)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High near 65F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 53F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Etlat-e-Rooz (translated by RAWA), January 13, 2022

Sources in Kabul say Taliban forces shot and killed a young woman at a checkpoint in the Dasht-e Barchi area. The incident took place yesterday evening (Thursday, Jan.13,2022) in the Gulai area of the 13th district of Kabul. The victim of this incident is named Zeinab Abdullahi.

Fatemeh, the victim's sister, told the daily Al-Inta'a that she and her sister and son-in-law were confronted by a Taliban checkpoint on their way back from a wedding in Gulai and were stopped at the checkpoint; But Taliban forces opened fire on their vehicles a few meters away.

She said two bullets hit her sister's heart and she died on the spot.

The victim's sister says Taliban forces initially denied the killings, saying they were the work of armed robbers. But he said the 13th District Criminal Officer had confirmed that the killings had been carried out by Taliban forces.

He added that when the body was transported from the hospital, the Taliban told them that the group could only feel sympathy.Fatemeh said no one else was injured in the attack and that two children with them were terrified.Taliban security officials have not yet commented.

Interior Ministry spokesmen did not respond to a call from the daily Etlat Rooz newspaper. Earlier, the Taliban killed a young man at a checkpoint in Kabul. The group confessed to the murder, calling it a misunderstanding.
We Are China

China's foreign trade up 21.4 pct in 2021

Xinhua) 10:31, January 14, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's total goods imports and exports expanded 21.4 percent year on year to 39.1 trillion yuan (6.14 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2021, official data showed Friday.

Exports rose 21.2 percent, while imports went up 21.5 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
The S.C. Court of Appeals has ordered Horry County to pay workers compensation to the family of Timothy Causey, an Horry County Sheriffs Office deputy who died two months after working three 12-hour shifts at a complex damaged by a large structural fire.

Causey had performed security duties at Windsor Green apartments in March 2013, after the fire destroyed 26 buildings.

The ruling reverses an appellate panel with the South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission, which itself had reversed a SCWCC Single Commissioners decision to award death benefits.

Our review of the Appellate Panel's orderin conjunction with the medical records, deposition transcripts, live testimony, and submitted expert opinionsconvinces us that substantial evidence does not support the Appellate Panel's findings, the court wrote, most notably, its statement that '[n]o opinion of any doctor who actually treated Causey supports a finding that Causey sustained any injury due to his alleged smoke exposure.'

Describing a series of errors, the court found that the appellate summaries had contained multiple discrepancies when compared with the deposition transcripts, deemed witnesses who could not speak with a degree of medical certainty as corroborating while dismissing the only ones who could as speculative and repeatedly mischaracterized physician testimony  at one point leading the panel to not only misunderstand the medical opinion of the admitting physician but then ask the other physicians questions that misstated Causeys condition.

The Appellate Panel relied upon its finding that no opinion of any doctor who actually treated Causey supports a finding that Causey sustained any injury due to his alleged smoke exposure, the court wrote. This finding, in addition to the Panel's opening statement that four of Deputy Causey's treating physicians agreed smoke exposure played no role in Causey's death mischaracterized Dr. Charlton Strange's testimony. Other MUSC physicians then relied upon the mischaracterization of Dr. Strange's testimony in responding to questioning during their own depositions.
An informational meeting about a proposed 1,418-mile carbon-capture pipeline that could be built across the region drew a good-size crowd Thursday to Hamilton's in Jacksonville.

The Heartland Greenway system would go through Brown, Scott, Morgan and Sangamon counties.

A separate line would tap into the system near the Adams-Schuyler counties line, carrying captured carbon dioxide through Henry, Knox, McDonough and Schuyler counties.

The pipeline would carry carbon dioxide  up to 15 metric/tons a year  from South Dakota to a permanent sequestration site in Christian County, east of Jacksonville.

It would have 20 receipt points, all ethanol and fertilizer processors.

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, Navigator CO2 vice president of government and public affairs, spoke during Thursday's presentation.

"What we want to make sure is that landowners feel like they are being treated uniformly across that footprint," Burns-Thompson said.

The company will return to communities along the pipeline to discuss ag-related issues, including ag-mitigation agreements, she said, noting that residents will have several opportunities for in-person discussion.

Lindsay McQueen, manager at Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau, said it's a different type of pipeline, one area residents aren't yet familiar with.

"It's a learning curve for all of us," she said.

Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau also will have a meeting at 1 p.m. March 1 at Prairieland FS, 1132 Veterans Drive, to provide more information about the project, McQueen said.

Betty Niemann, of Jacksonville attended Thursday's presentation and said the pipeline is an interesting concept, but not one with which she agrees.

The project would impact farmers and landowners by selling land to investors who would use the land to profit, Niemann said.

There also are questions about the effects of putting a lot of liquefied, pressurized CO2 into Illinois farmland, she said.

The next step after the informational presentations in various communities involves working with landowners to get voluntary survey permissions so Navigator CO2 crews can take a more detailed look at the land, its environmental attributes and cultural aspects that determine if it is suited to pipeline construction.

Landowners can take a look at the maps and see the half-mile corridor, though the pipeline will not be a half-mile wide, Burns-Thompson said.

"We are seeking a 50-foot easement," she said.

There also will be conversations with landowners on the future use of the land so the company can work with communities to determine where within the half-mile corridor would be the best spot for the 50-foot easement, Burns-Thompson said.
The fact that we rank low in trust should surprise no one. Our political partisanship, in particular, is so evident as not to be a matter of dispute.

There are ways to rebuild trust. In a classic psychological study, social psychologists Muzafer and Carolyn Sherif divided 22 11-year-old boys into two groups and assigned them into separate cabins unbeknownst to each other. The researchers were interested in examining whether deep personal divisions can reverse. Each group spent the first week undergoing an environment to build internal cohesiveness.

At the end of that week, the groups learned of the other groups existence and were given information to create enmity and hostility toward them. The process was successful enough that the groups refused to eat together in the same dining room.

In the final phase of the experiment, the psychologist sought to turn the rival groups into friends. They created teamwork exercises forcing the two groups to collaborate. The effort worked to the degree that the boys decided to ride the same bus home at the end of the experiment.

It is too much of a stretch to generalize the success in reducing hostility and gaining trust from this little study to our current divisions. However, there are some lessons to consider.

Unless people have contact, distrust is difficult to overcome. Additionally, collaboration in reaching a mutual goal goes a long way in reducing distrust.

There are examples of that happening right now. The U.S. military stands out. It has made significant progress in integrating women and people of color, both thought nearly impossible, not many years ago. Although there are numerous examples of ongoing problems in this endeavor, the transition has been largely considered a success in progress. The enormous social change is fundamentally based on close contact and common goals.

Getting citizens to trust their opposition through conversation is Fools Gold. The distrust and even hatred right now among our citizens are too great. An external force is needed  the government.

To be clear, the government cannot directly promote trust, but it can provide an environment where some amelioration of our distrust dilemma can occur. Its been done before, perhaps, not as a goal, but achieved through government action.

Franklin Delano Roosevelts Civil Conservation Corps built cohesiveness within our citizenry roughly 80 years ago. The CCC was a great success in providing millions of men with work and financial solvency. But the CCC was more than economics. It brought together men from all over the country to live and work together. My father, who had never traveled far from home, reveled in the experience. Not only did he provide essential financial assistance to his family, but his view of his world and his country also expanded. I believe he never felt more American than during that experience.

President Joe Biden has called for a modern version of the CCC in what the administration calls the Civilian Climate Corps. The aim is to address the threat of climate change, strengthen the countrys natural defenses and maintain its ailing public lands.

As laudable as these intentions are, the United States faces a more significant problem than even climate change. Unless it addresses the deep division within our citizenry, we will be unable to function and worse.

Creating citizen programs to address the many malaises plaguing our country may sound outrageous to some. Still, the poison of our national distrust is so great as to call out for some government action to address the issue. The consequences of inaction are potentially catastrophic.

Distrust of other groups is corrosive. It keeps us on edge, vulnerable to conspiracies. It reduces our sense of safety and well-being. It undermines democracy.

Its not an exaggeration to state that significant portions of the American public feel hatred or disgust with their opponents. Another group is utterly frustrated and has disengaged. Creating government programs that engage Americans to work together in this dangerous national environment could be an important step in rebuilding trust.
Watertown, SD (57201)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 51F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 37F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Calaveras Public Health "Along with getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a well-fitting mask helps protect yourself and others from COVID-19." View Photo

Tuolumne County Public Health reports a woman in her 40s has died due to Coivd-19. There are 218 new Covid-19 positive cases identified since yesterday, 208 are community cases and 10 are Sierra Conservation Center inmate cases. The newly reported community cases include 44 cases age 17 or younger and 39 cases age 60 or older. Tuolumne Countys active community cases increased 124 to 710 including 7 people who are hospitalized. Sonora High School sent a notice to parents that states there were 20 students and two staff members who tested positive today. Since Sonora High students returned from winter break January 3rd parents have been notified of 53 students and seven staff members identified with Covid. All parents are notified when cases were last on campus and close contacts are individually notified. The High School rescheduled their Winter Formal scheduled for this weekend to February 12.

Tuolumne Public Health Officials noted yesterday the state Covid testing has been delayed due to high usage statewide with results taking up to 4 or 5 days. Tuolumne health officials also say, While our COVID response team continues case investigation and contact tracing efforts, due to the large increase in cases that we are experiencing, we will not reach everyone with a personal phone call. Vaccination and other COVID-related data is on the State website. Tuolumne residents who receive a positive test result 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 state reports the 14-day average for Covid-19 hospitalized patients is 13 up from nine. The state reports two ICU beds available in Tuolumne County out of six.

The new Covid cases by gender and age: 13 girls and 12 boys age 11 or younger, 11 girls and eight boys age 12 to 17, 17 women and 20 men age 18 to 29, 19 women and 14 men in their 30s, 17 women and 13 men in their 40s, 20 women and five men in their 50s, 13 women and 13 men in their 60s, six women and two men in their 70s, four women in their 80s and one man over 90.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports 105 currently active inmate cases. There have been 1,693 inmate cases at the Sierra Conservation Center, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports the SCC manages 3,195 inmates with 82% vaccinated including all the southern fire conservation camps and has tested 53% of the prisons population in the past 14 days. There are 80 staff members reporting they have Covid an increase of seven out of 1,160. A total of 516 staff members report they are or have been Covid positive with a 56% vaccination rate reported among the staff.

The total current case rate, a 14-day average for Tuolumne County increased to 133.6 from 113.7 per 100,000 population. The case rate reached a low of 15.1 on December 17th. A total of 81 individuals were released from isolation, in all 6,916 have been released from isolation. 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.

Due to Covid-19 shortages, the Tuolumne County Animal Control office is closed until further notice. They state they are still taking care of the animals, and will be servicing emergency calls. If you have an animal emergency call their line at 209-694-2730.

Calaveras County Public Health reports 50 new cases since yesterday. There are 15 more active cases for a total of 127 active cases including two Covid hospitalizations. Six of the new cases are age 17 or younger and six are age 65 and older, in total 890 under age 17 and 840 over 65 have been identified with Covid. There are 34 more counted as recovered for a total of 4,777 cases and 56.03% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated in the county. According to the state, Calaveras 14-day average for Covid hospitalizations remains at two with no increase or decrease and there remain five ICU beds available.

Calaveras County Public Health states The latest Omicron variant spreads more easily than other variants weve had so far. While breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are expected, vaccines continue to prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent Omicron variant emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters. Calaveras public health officials note Along with getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a well-fitting mask helps protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Learn about the different types of masks and how to make sure youre getting the best protection. (see image) The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status, until February 15, 2022. This will be updated as CDPH continues to assess conditions on an ongoing basis.

Get the most out of masking: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/

Get vaccinated and boosted. schedule an appointment https://myturn.ca.gov/

Get tested for COVID-19 (PCR only): covid19.calaverasgov.us

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 and will be open on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Monday, Jan. 17th. 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 1/13 0 231 (9) 196 4,170

(62) Calaveras 1/13 50 127 (2) 364 4,999

(94) Mariposa 1/13 42 53 (13) 279 2,081

(18) Mono 1/13 6 145 291 2,266

(5) Stanislaus 1/13 1,565 8,415 (192) 9,051 94,024

(1,503) Tuolumne 1/13 218 710 (7) 982 9,482 (153) Reported cases at end of 2021 and 2020
John Harvey Porter View Photo

Sonora, CA  A tenant was arrested twice within two weeks over the holidays first for allegedly firing a gun at the landlord and the second time for stealing her phone.

Tuolumne Sheriffs Deputies made a return visit to a home on Dusty Trail for a report of a man who took his landlords phone and then showed her a knife. The tenant, 57-year-old John Harvey Porter, lives in a trailer on the property but had left the scene before deputies arrived. Just six days before on Dec. 30th, Porter was arrested for firing a gun at his landlords back as she walked away, as reported here.

In this latest incident last week, the landlord told deputies that Porter knocked on her door and asked to use her cell phone. She complied but says he then ran back to his trailer with her phone in hand while she shouted at him to give it back. The landlord followed him to the trailer where Porter reportedly had grabbed a pocket knife and pointed it at her while refusing to return the phone. The landlord went to her home and called 911.

Deputies made a sweep of the area and found Porter walking westbound on Highway 108. He was subsequently arrested for felony Robbery and committing the crime while released on bail. His bond was set at $50,000. Neither the knife nor the victims phone were recovered.
Sacramento, CA  Sirhan Sirhan, convicted assassin of Robert F. Kennedy, will not be released from prison, as Governor Gavin Newsom has rejected his pardon.

While Sirhan has been locked up over a half-century after the 1968 slaying, Newsom denied the two-person parole panels recommendation to set him free. The governor, who named RFK as his political hero, said Sirhan even at age 77 poses an unreasonable threat to public safety. In his decision Newsom noted, Mr. Sirhans assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history. He added that Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past.

Sirhan will appeal the governors denial, according to his lawyer who pointed to the fact that the parole commissioners had found Sirhan suitable for release because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century.

Several members of Kennedys family including his widow, Ethel, and six of his children hailed Newsoms decision, but two of RFKs sons Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporting his release. This is Sirhans 16th time that he has lost his bid for release. While originally sentenced to death, his sentence was commuted to life in 1972 when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment. A new parole hearing for Sirhan will be scheduled for no later than February 2023. View Newsoms decision here.
Dr. Eric Sergienko Receives Vaccine View Photo

Sonora, CA  Thursday was the largest single-day increase in COVID cases in Tuolumne County since the start of the pandemic with 208 in the community and 10 at the Sierra Conservation Center.

Of note, there were over 300 reported on Monday, but the number reflected the weekend as well. Interim Health Officer Dr. Eric Sergienko has looked at data from places like South Africa, the United Kingdom, and New York, which saw the arrival of Omicron earlier, and says it has consistently been an eight-week Omicron wave.

He says, We started seeing our inflection point locally just before Christmas, so really the peak of our epidemic curve with Omicron will probably be around the 20th of January, or a little bit afterward.

Case rates will then likely plateau and start to decrease.

Thankfully, like other areas, the symptoms with Omicron have been less severe. Dr. Sergienko adds, We are not seeing that 6-8-percent of our population requiring hospitalization like we were with earlier waves. It is probably too early to say a percentage, but it could be around 1-2 percent, and well see how it continues to play out.

Local schools have been among the areas reporting a recent spike in cases. Of the 208 community cases yesterday, 44 were under the age of 18.

Dr. Sergienko notes that Public Health and school officials met this week to discuss whether sporting events should put in place crowd limitations. In the end, the group decided against implementing any types of capacity limits but will continue to enforce things like masking measures.
The Plainview City Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Plainview Independent School District to extend 35th Street.

As construction on the new Plainview ISD campus behind Thunderbird Elementary  to be named North Plainview Elementary  continues, the district felt it makes sense to pave 35th Street and the stretch of Kokomo St. that runs just north of the edge of the current Thunderbird campus and New Covenant Church in anticipation of the increase in traffic in the area.

The new Thunderbird campus currently under construction sits on a piece of land that was once John D. Stoneham Park between Lexington St. and Kokomo. The two roads currently lead to dead ends. As part of the construction project, the school district plans to pave Kokomo up to W. 35th St. and the stretch of 35th St. between Lexington and Kokomo. School officials approached the city to pave the rest of W. 35th St. that will connect it to Joliet St.

During a regular Council meeting Tuesday night, Director of Public Works Tim Crosswhite said $150,000 was budgeted by the city for this project (to pave the stretch of the road between Kokomo and Joliet). The final costs are estimated to be $134,445.71.

Crosswhite said the work will be done by the districts contractors.

The work on the two-lane roadway will include two additional stop signs, two speed limit signs, according to a plan created by Parkhill.

The item was unanimously approved with a 6-0 vote by the council. Councilwoman Norma Juarez was absent.

The Council also approved the purchase of a new cab dump truck and a compact excavator.

Crosswhite said the vehicles will be used for various day-to-day services.

Sixty thousand dollars were budgeted for the purchase of the dump truck. The 2022 F-450 DRW XL 4WD Regular cap dup truck purchase is $59,362, which is under budget.

The truck will be purchased from Caldwell Country Ford.

The excavator will be purchased from YellowHouse Machinery Co. There was $95,000 budgeted for this item. The bid for it was $87,000. The $8,000 trade-in brought the price down to $79,000.

During the council comment period, Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Blackerby said, I commend staff on their usual good job of coming in under budget.

The purchases were both unanimously approved with votes of 6-0.
Mike Sutter /San Antonio Express-News

Some cowboys need a strong cup of black coffee to start their day's work, but in San Antonio an ice-cold serving of Big Red might do the job. Enter the inaugural Big Red and Barbacoa Cowboy Breakfast. Doc Brown's is hosting the puro San Antonio spin-off of a longtime local tradition in late January.

The official Cowboy Breakfast, which has helped kick off rodeo season in San Antonio for more than 40 years, has been in flux due to the pandemic. Doc Brown's owner Elizabeth Kidder says the Alamo Ranch-area bar is ready to fill any gaps during its event on Friday, January 28. Kidder, who also once owned Cooter Brown's, says the event is continuation of a similar event that was hosted at the now bygone bar. However, the Big Red and barbacoa additions are all new.
Update 8 p.m. Saturday:

The red flag warning is in effect for all of South Central Texas on Saturday. Several small wildfires were reported Friday, which the National Weather Service says is due to finer fuels being drought stressed and cured from the winter freeze. Saturday's wind speed would make any fire have the potential to spread quickly.

The winds have also caused power outages in various parts of San Antonio. Residents can view and report outages here.

Update 4 p.m. Friday:

The National Weather Service has upgraded the fire weather watch to a red flag warning. Due to weather conditions, the weather agency is advising residents not to throw cigarette butts, drag trailer chains that could cause sparks, or park a recently-driven car on dry grass. Outdoor burning should also be avoided and dead vegetation cleared.

Original story below:

San Antonio is in for one heck of a cold front, so dont hold onto those weekend plans too tightly. A January 14 report from the National Weather Service says a cold front is expected to roll into San Antonio and move through the region late Friday night.

The cold front is also expected to bring strong and gusty winds throughout the day on Saturday, which is expected to have a high of 51 degrees. A wind advisory will be in effect for all of South Central Texas from late Friday night through 6 p.m. Saturday as winds are expected to range between 35 and 50 miles per hour. Winds could even cause small tree limbs to be blown down, NWS warns.

National Weather Service

Saturday night will see a low of 34 degrees, NWS predicts.

Along with a wind advisory, residents in areas southwest of Interstates 10 and 37 across the southern Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande will also have a fire weather watch. This is due to the area having low humidity.

National Weather Service

NWS says a red flag warning is likely to replace the fire weather watch later in the day. All residents are urged to avoid activities that could cause a wildfire.

Sunday will be slightly warmer, with a high near 61 and a low of 37.
Yves here. Helmer does the useful service of providing direct quotations from Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on how the US needs to do what it has pointedly failed to do so far in its negotiations over the festering crisis over Ukraine; provide written responses to the Russia formal position. Given Americas history of being not agreement capable and in particular reneging on verbal commitments to not move NATO into former Warsaw Pact countries, getting the US to make a simple and clear statement of what if anything it proposes to do would seem to be a reasonable basic step.

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

What will be written on the US Governments piece of paper since the Russian Government already knows  its intelligence services know, the Solar Winds hackers know  what was not written on the papers which Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman was reading at the Geneva talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Monday?

Sergei Lavrov, Russias Foreign Minister, announced on Thursday evening the US should now produce on paper its proposals for reducing the risk of war. Or else, Lavrov also told Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, the US will have war with Russia. Enough arrogance of the highest degree, and foaming at the mouth, Lavrov told Blinken. That the Secretary of State of a serious state [ ] declares such things is  Lavrov left the expletive unsaid.

We hope that the promises made now in Geneva and Brussels will be fulfilled. They concerned the fact that the United States and NATO would put their proposals on paper. We have clearly and repeatedly explained to them that we need to have an article-by-article reaction to our documents. If some position is not suitable, let them explain why and write on paper. If it is suitable with amendments, then they should also be done in writing. If they want to exclude or add something  a similar request. We gave our thoughts in writing a month ago. There was plenty of time in Washington and Brussels. Both of them promised that they would put their reaction on paper.

Lavrov was waving the American piece of paper to remind that the piece of paper which British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain displayed on September 30, 1938 (lead image), on his return from talks with German Chancellor Adolph Hitler, contained the line expressing the desire of our two peoples never to go to war with one another again. That turned out to be false  Hitler didnt mean it; Chamberlain wasnt sure but wanted his electorate to believe it, plus time to prepare.

Lavrov is announcing that Russia today knows the US intention is to go to war; and that Russia is prepared and is already on war footing on all fronts.

That Sherman told Ryabkov on Monday the United States and Russia agree that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought is just as false, Lavrov has now declared  unless what follows is Shermans paper. On that paper there must be legal guarantees of non-expansion of NATO to the East, legal guarantees of non-deployment of shock [nuclear] weapons in our neighbouring territories that pose a threat to Russias security, and in principle, the return of the configuration of the European security architecture to 1997, when the Russia-NATO Founding Act was signed. On its basis, the Russia-NATO Council was subsequently created. These are three key requirements. The rest of the proposals depend on how the conversation goes on these three initiatives.

Lavrovs declaration also dismissed as empty the attempts to intervene in the Russia-US negotiations by Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general now approaching the end of his term; and Josep Borrell, the Europe Union foreign minister from Spain. Stoltenberg, Lavrov said, was shaking the air. Borell had been emotional and not very polite.

Lavrovs spokesman, Maria Zakharova, followed at her briefing on Thursday by remarking: It seems that there are two J. Borrells: one is the one who speaks, and the second is the one who writes. Or one J.Borrell, who speaks, but other people write for him. Both in style, and in language, and in the expressions used, these texts do not belong to one person. Its obvious.

The only interlocutor left in Europe Lavrov identified as serious is France. Germany went unmentioned; the British were not to be believed, Lavrov commented; the US Senate is suffering from a nervous breakdown a psychological point thats difficult to explain.

Read the full text of Lavrovs interview in Russian here. The ministrys official English translation will follow later today.

Left to right: Sergei Lavrov and interviewers for Channel 1, Dmitri Simes (videolink) and Vyacheslav Nikonov.

Zakharovas briefing is here.

In her press briefing after the Geneva talks on Monday, Sherman had spelled out eight points of seeming convergence between the two states. She also claimed she knew what was on Ryakovs paper: Minister Ryabkov and I know each other very well. We worked on the Syria chemical weapons deal together. We worked on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [Iran] together. Weve obviously now worked on the SSD [Strategic Stability Dialogue] in my role as deputy secretary of state. We know each other very, very well. So we can be very straight-up with each other to the extent that we can be, knowing that we are here for our national interests and are very loyal to those national interests.

Lavrov reversed Shermans claim with its own echo. We know the American negotiators quite well. We have met with them many times on various occasions, including negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program and the START-3 Treaty. They roughly understood what the conversation would be. It was fundamentally important for us to fulfill the direct instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said that we are obliged to put these issues concerning the entire architecture of European security in the strictest way. There is not only Russias unilateral demand not to strike it and not to do anything that causes us dissatisfaction, but also principles aimed at ensuring the security of everyone without infringing on someones interests and without harming the security of anyone.

Lavrov explicitly dismissed Shermans attempt to dictate Russias national interests on Russian soil in demanding the withdrawal of troops exercising in the west and south back to their barracks. I dont think there is a need to explain the absolute unacceptability of such requirements. We will not discuss them.

Also unmentioned is the withdrawal of about 10,000 Russian troops to their barracks, announced by the Russian Army on December 25-26. So far there has been neither US acknowledgement nor reciprocal response.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/

We will continue the standby mode, but it cannot be long, Lavrov warned this concession is temporary. We are used to starting from the cruel reality, he added. It consists in the fact that we are promised a written response. We will wait for it and then we will determine our next steps. As for optimism, we have such a proverb: Who is a pessimist? A pessimist is a well-informed optimist.

Zakharova concluded her briefing: We are already waiting now for the specifics, and not peering into their emotional mood and feelings. We are waiting for an answer from them.

The specifics on the US paper already appear to be non-reciprocal and for that reason are non-starters, Lavrov and Zakharova emphasized. Lavrov identified the refusal of the US and NATO to withdraw deployment of substantial combat forces on a permanent basis on the territory of the new members; and the US and allied rejection of mutual verification of nuclear warhead installations in Romania and Poland. As for the dual-capable Aegis missiles, Lavrov said their deployment on ground or at sea cannot be a temporary arrangement. The initiative not to deploy shock weapons near the borders of Russia  this is a useful thing, but apart from the main requirement of non-expansion of NATO to the East, it is unlikely to be of significant importance.

Lavrov omitted to mention nuclear-armed US Navy operations in the Baltic and Black Seas. If there are to be confidence building measures on these fronts, the Russian side will be watching the Bosphorus Straits in the coming days to see if the number of US Navy and other NATO vessels moving north into the Black Sea appears to drop by comparison with last year. A Turkish Navy website makes it possible for everyone to observe.

Source: Foreign Warships On Bosphorus in 2022

Source: https://turkishnavy.net//

Zakharova spelled out the specifics of ongoing US reinforcement of Ukrainian forces and escalation of attack capabilities on the Donbass front. This year they plan to hold a number of joint military exercises, the scale of which will be many times larger than in the past. As it became known from reports, including the media, contrary to the declared desire of the US authorities to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the conflict, at the end of December 2021, Washington approved the allocation of an additional $ 200 million to Kiev for the supply of ammunition, electronic warfare equipment, lethal weapons to Ukraine. In addition, a group of Republicans submitted to the lower house of Congress a bill On guarantees of Ukraines independence through strengthening its defense capability, providing for the allocation of another $450 million to Kiev, of which $100 million should go to the purchase of air defense equipment/missile defense and warships. It is also planned to expand the range of weapons supplied

Sherman said she had told Ryabkov we believe genuine progress can only take place in a climate of de-escalation, not escalation. If Russia stays at the table and takes concrete steps to de-escalate tensions, we believe we can achieve progress.

The response from Moscow on Thursday is that this is as empty and false as the piece of paper Hitler gave Chamberlain. Lavrov and Zakharova are saying they know the American intention and they arent pretending to be Chamberlain.

They have also requested the Americans be more punctual than the Germans. Lavrov has set a deadline for delivery of the paper of one week; he didnt say if its a calendar or work week.
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 United States Supreme Court weighed in yesterday on the Biden administrations COVID-19 vaccine mandates in two separate, unsigned per curiam opinions, National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Biden v. Missouri,

The outcomes are unsurprising and were largely reflected in the drift of oral argument, conducted less than a week before these decisions were handed down.

Private Employer Vaccine Mandate Temporarily Blocked

In the first decision, the Court temporarily blocked implementation of a rule promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requiring employees of businesses with more than 100 employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing at their own expense and wear masks at work.

The OSHA rule took effect three days before yesterdays Supreme Court decision. The rule pre-empts contrary state laws and applies to about 84 million employees.

The Court did not opine on the merits of OSHAs rule, but merely blocked its enforcement, while a legal challenge remains pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Yet the Court will almost certainly grant grant certiorari to consider the OSHA rules merits. Yesterdays ruling leaves little doubt what the majority of the Court thought of the merits of the challenge.

SCOTUS Blog succinctly summarized the Courts decision:

Describing the mandate as a significant encroachment into the lives  and health  of a vast number of employees, the court emphasized that Congress must speak clearly if it intends to give a federal agency the authority to exercise powers of vast economic and political significance. In this case, the court continued, Congress did not. It gave the Department of Labor the power to establish safety standards for the workplace, rather than broad public health measures. Although COVID-19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, the court acknowledged, it isnt a risk that workers encounter simply by virtue of being at work  COVID-19 spreads virtually anywhere that people gather. Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life  simply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clock  would significantly expand OSHAs regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization, the court concluded. And indeed, the court noted, the fact that OSHA has never adopted a similar regulation is a telling indication that the vaccine-or-test mandate exceeds the agencys power.

The handwriting is clearly on the wall. Liberal and conservative justices disagree fundamentally on who should decide pandemic policy. On the one hand, the dissent by the Courts most liberal jurists , Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan, maintains the issue is the prerogative of the federal government, acting through OSHA. Yet on the other hand, a concurrence by three conservative justices, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch, contends such policy is a matter for states and Congress to decide.

Per SCOTUS blog:

Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan penned a rare joint dissent in which they complained that employees, more than any others, have little control, and therefore little capacity to mitigate risk from the spread of COVID-19. The majoritys ruling, they contended, stymies the Federal Governments ability to counter the unparalleled threat that COVID-19 poses to our Nations workers. The dissenters tackled the same question that was at the heart of a concurring opinion filed by Justice Neil Gorsuch (and joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito): Who should decide how to respond to the pandemic? For Gorsuch, the answer is clear: the states and Congress. The dissenters reached a very different conclusion: OSHA, with its expertise in workplace safety and its status as a politically accountable government agency, is better suited to make decisions about how to protect workers from COVID-19 than a court, lacking any knowledge of how to safeguard workplaces, and insulated from responsibility for any damage it causes.

In the second per curiam opinion, by a 5-4 vote, the Court temporarily upheld a nationwide COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers at facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, unless a worker qualifies for a medical or religious exemption. Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and the Courts three liberal justices comprised the majority.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) promulgated the rule at issue in Biden v. Missouri in November, to apply to roughly 10 million health care workers nationwide. Two federal district courts, in Louisiana and Missouri, had previously blocked enforcement of the HHS rule in about half of the states. This decision now clears the way for HHS to enforce its vaccine mandate fnationwide or health care workers.

The Bottom Line

With the federal private sector vaccine mandate now temporarily blocked, employers themselves must now decide whether or not to require vaccination. As The New York Times reports:

The employer decision undercut one of President Bidens most significant attempts to tame the virus and left the country with a patchwork of state laws and policies, largely leaving companies and businesses on their own.

Companies have taken different positions on whether or not to require employees to be vaccinated. Per the NYT:

Several major companies, like United Airlines and Tyson Foods, already have mandates, while others had held back and waited for legal battles to be resolved. Some companies have been anxious about losing employees at a time when workers are already scarce. While firms with mandates have said those worries largely have not come to fruition, a national requirement could have helped ease those concerns. Walmart, Amazon and JPMorgan Chase, three of the largest employers in the United States, have yet to issue broad requirements for their workers. Some companies that have waited have cited concerns about the costs of setting up testing programs and pushback from unvaccinated employees.

The separate health care worker mandate has been upheld and applies to nearly all U.S. health care workers. If HHS aggressively enforces this mandate, it risks exacerbating crisis employment conditions in the health care sector, as many unvaccinated health care workers may now opt to quit rather than comply.

States such as California have already decided to allow asymptomatic health care workers who have tested positive to remain at their posts  although it recommends they be deployed to care for COVID-19 patients.

Once appeals are exhausted, the Court is soon likely to grant certiorari to consider more fully both the OSHA and HHS vaccine mandates. At that point, it looks likely that the OSHA mandate will be fully overturned, while the Court will uphold the HHS mandate.

With the Biden administration stymied in its ability to implement a nationwide vaccine policy via OSHA, state-level vaccine mandates will then come to the fore. That is unless Congress were to decide to act  which is highly unlikely at present, especially given the deep divisions over COVID-19 policy and questions of the ongoing efficacy of vaccines, especially as new virus variants emerge.

Per the NYT:
Casada, associates to be issued subpoenas following audit investigation

Operative's former girlfriend said she was hoodwinked into setting up secretive PAC
(Natural News) In a report that advocates governments using psychological operations against their own population, the Financial Times asserts, with no proof, that Russia and China are responsible for pushing anti-vax sentiment and criticism of lockdown measures in the west.

(Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Summit.news)

The article quotes Mikael Tofvesson, head of the Swedish Navys new Psyops division, who says foreign aggressors are trying to sow division by targeting areas of public concern such as crime, Covid vaccinations, the governments response to the pandemic, and immigration.

The most important task in psychological defence is to inoculate the population against believing false information, states the article, which is written by Elisabeth Braw of the American Enterprise Institute, a neo-con think tank.

Such measures were deployed in the United Kingdom during the first lockdown, when scientists in the UK working as advisors for the government admitted using what they now admit to be unethical and totalitarian methods of instilling fear in the population in order to control behavior during the pandemic.

One scientist with the SPI-B admitted that, In March [2020] the Government was very worried about compliance and they thought people wouldnt want to be locked down. There were discussions about fear being needed to encourage compliance, and decisions were made about how to ramp up the fear.

Of course, contrary to the claims in the article, the primary goal of psychological operations, whether directed against an enemy or a domestic population, is to instill fear and change behavior  telling the truth is hardly a priority.

Far from dispelling false information, psychological operations routinely rely on using false information to influence and manipulate the enemy.

Psy-Ops are a crucial weapon in the war against disinformation https://t.co/Wv0FHYGjfH | opinion  Financial Times (@FT) January 11, 2022

Psychological operations have long been a part of military operations, and are typically defined as the use of propaganda and other methods to influence the attitudes and behavior of foreign adversaries, writes Allum Bokhari.

What the FT is advocating  and what many have long suspected  is the use of these techniques by western military, security, and intelligence forces against their own citizens.

Hostile states including Russia, China and Iran have increased their use of disinformation and online propaganda to amplify anti-vax sentiment and foment political tensions in Europe and the US, Braw claims.

However, the report contains no evidence whatsoever that Russia and China are responsible for any coordinated attempt to sow doubts about COVID-19 vaccines or lockdown measures.

Indeed, the mere fact that the newspaper complains about disinformation in the context of COVID-19 conspiracy theories is pretty rich given that the constantly invoked Russian collusion charge is itself a baseless conspiracy theory.
If you already subscribe to our print edition, use your account number to sign up for FREE access to our online edition AND our eedition. Thanks for reading The Rockport Pilot.
(Natural News) Health officials fired the heads of the outpatient and medical departments and suspended the general manager of Xian Gaoxin Hospital for neglect of an expectant mother, who was turned away from the facility for lack of up-to-date negative Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) test results. The woman subsequently had a miscarriage.

A video of the incident triggered anger on Chinese social media and was the latest in a series of complaints about the lockdown mandate in the city of Xian in Shaanxi province, the site of Chinas strictest lockdown since the early days of the pandemic.

In July last year, unvaccinated residents in parts of China have been banned from accessing public services, including in-patient departments of hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries and other public areas to boost vaccination rates.

A frenzy of forced vaccinations also began that month as President Xi Jinping set a target of fully vaccinating 1.1 billion people, or 80 percent of the population, by end of October.

In September last year, senior China researcher Yaqui Wang said setting population percentage targets without clear protections for peoples rights opens the possibility of authorities abusing the quota to force vaccination jabs and this is exactly what has played out in recent months across the country.

She cited cases where the authorities didnt use physical force on unvaccinated netizens but relied on other coercive tactics, such as cutting off welfare, retirement or health insurance benefits for anyone who refused vaccination, harassment through constant phone calls or frequent home visits, arbitrary detention and censorship by demanding the deletion of social media posts exposing cases of forced vaccination.

Currently, the Chinese government is persisting with a zero-COVID strategy ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in February.

A legal analysis on public health and private life under COVID-19 vaccination policies published by the Risk Management and Healthcare Policy states that China prioritizes collective rights, such as health, over individual rights, such as privacy. However, the mandatory vaccination policies lack statutory authorization of local governments and will restrict Chinese citizens autonomy, fundamental rights and freedoms and compromise their privacy.

Vaccine mandates becoming a hot topic around the world

Strict implementation of COVID-19 vaccine mandates has become a hot button issue across the world. (Related: Insurance companies and hospitals use personal data to deny services.)

Northeastern University experts say that refusing to administer treatment is highly unethical and violates a physicians duty of care, which can carry legal implications.

As an emergency department doctor, you treat who is in front of you. To do so is a legal obligation and their vaccination status does not change that, said Robert Baginski, associate clinical professor and director of interdisciplinary affairs for the Department of Medical Services at Northeastern.

Timothy Hoff, professor of management, healthcare systems and health policy at Northeastern said: In theory, doctors can dismiss patients who do not need urgent care because of vaccination status. But it still raises ethical questions. For example, a physician who wants to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 may view taking on unvaccinated patients as a risk to their safety or the safety of their staff.

According to Baginski, a doctor would have to explain the reasons for refusing treatment and offer to connect the patient with an alternative provider. Otherwise, it could be a breach of duty of care doctrine.

Patricia Illingworth, a philosophy professor and an ethics expert at Northeastern, said: If the reason a physician refused to treat a patient who is unvaccinated was simply to incentivize them to get the jab, then that would seem ethically problematic because it can erode trust in the [medical] profession.

Vaccination status should not be a factor into who gets treatment and who doesnt unless its to determine a patients condition. Its vital that health authorities continue to urge that, she added.

Watch the full video below about hospital refusals for unvaccinated.

This video is from the OnlyTruch4Me channel on Brighteon.com.

Follow Pandemic.news for more news related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources include:

FT.com

HRW.org

SCMP.com

DovePress.com

DAmore-McKim.NorthEastern.edu

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The latest release from Project Veritas has prompted Dr. Robert Malone, the inventor of mRNA (messenger RNA) technology, and author Dr. Naomi Wolf to call out Tony Fauci and his friends for committing premeditated manslaughter against millions of people.

Malone appeared alongside Wolf, who is also a former adviser to Bill Clinton, on an episode of Steve Bannons The War Room to talk about the newest revelations from James OKeefe.

One of the things Malone said right out of the gate is that the whole thing is bigger than the Pentagon Papers. That is when Wolf chimed in to back him up, saying that the people who coordinated this at the highest levels are basically guilty of committing mass genocide.

The fact that Dr. Fauci grossly perjured himself is hugely apparent, Wolf stated.

It is the least of the crimes if indeed these are verified documents  I cant overstate this. This is a premeditated kind of manslaughter of millions of people coordinated at the highest levels according to these documents. Treatments that would have saved lives were intentionally or reportedly intentionally suppressed.

Fauci lied under oath and committed treason against the American people

Pretty much everything Fauci has been saying for the past two years is lies and nothing but lies. Fauci lied about masks, lied about ivermectin, and lied about gain of function research, among many other lies.

We now know that Fauci basically plotted this whole thing long in advance (and so did Bill Gates). The plandemic was no accident, in other words.

Fauci also spent your tax dollars to commit his crimes against humanity, which have resulted in untold millions of deaths all around the world.

After EcoHealth Alliance was denied funding from DARPA, Fauci made sure Peter Daszak, the head of that organization, got it from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) instead.

DARPA, it turns out, knew full well that EcoHealths proposed research involving gain of function experiments on bat coronaviruses was dangerous, which is why it turned down the proposal. Fauci made sure it happened anyway, only to later lie about it under oath before Congress.

The proposal does not mention or assess potential risks of Gain of Function (GoF) research, reads a direct quote from DARPAs rejection letter, which was unearthed as part of the Project Veritas investigation.

This quote, by the way, merely addressed what was in EcoHealths proposal, which based on this clearly included mention of GoF  which again, Fauci denied to Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) had ever taken place under his watch.

These are serious crimes, and anyone besides Fauci who was complicit in committing them will hopefully face justice as this saga continues to unfold.

If the Department of Defense felt this [gain-of-function] research was too dangerous to proceed with, why in the world did the NIH, NIAID and EcoHealth Alliance recklessly disregard the risks involved? asked OKeefe in his video presentation about these revelations.

NIAID, by the way, stands for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which Fauci has headed for many, many years.

Isnt it obvious that there were higher ups that coordinated, planned and approved this scheme to wipe out millions of people worldwide while burying any opposition / disclosure of their plan? responded a commenter to this quote at The Gateway Pundit.

If you read some of the literature on this subject, you will find reports that this mass annihilation has been in the planning stage for several years. What remains largely unknown is why? What was their purpose, what was their total plan and who are these people?

The latest news about Faucis crimes against humanity can be found at Treason.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Ron Schuler, Manitobas minister of infrastructure and emergency measures, was replaced by Reg Helwer for keeping mum about his Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status. Helwer is also the minister for central services.

Liberty has its price, today I paid for mine, Schuler tweeted on December 30, 2021.

Premier Heather Stefanson, who announced the changes earlier that day, said she replaced Schuler for his comments on COVID-19 vaccines and his refusal to discuss his vaccination status. She added that all her caucus members had met the requirement to be fully vaccinated by December 15.

A day after the deadline, Schuler had said he was not against vaccines as they had amazing benefits. But he did not join the government in urging everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Instead, he told the people to listen to their doctors and the decision comes down to their individual rights.

For months, Schuler deflected questions about his vaccination status by describing it as private health information that is protected by Canadas federal law: the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Specific to personal health information, there is also the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA).

In a news briefing, he said he fundamentally believes in the protection of civil liberties and the right to make own health choices.

This is a fundamental liberty. It is our right to make our own healthcare choices and it is also our right to choose to keep our healthcare choices private. No one should ever be coerced to make a healthcare choice or publicly divulge their choice, or for that matter feel that they have to publicly defend their choices. I believe those are liberties, Schuler said.

In her first public comment about the matter, Stefanson said Schulers messaging on vaccines was not consistent with the governments vaccination efforts to get Manitobans fully vaccinated.

She added: We are the ones that form a public policy in the cabinet and so certainly, we do expect that cabinet ministers would follow through with those commitments that were making and the policies that were putting in place. Requiring every member of the caucus to be fully vaccinated is the right thing to do.

Christopher Adams, an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Manitoba, pointed out that Schuler was not discouraging people from getting vaccinated, which showed he wasnt standing in the way of the provinces efforts.

Canadian officials removed from office for veering off COVID narrative

Meanwhile, Premier Douglas Robert Ford removed Chatham-Kent-Leamington member of provincial parliament (MPP) Rick Nicholls from the Ontario PC Party caucus after failing to provide a legitimate reason for exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. Nicholls will also not be permitted to seek reelection as a PC candidate.

Ford said that political leaders interact daily with the public, including those most vulnerable to COVID-19. According to Ford, he expected every PC caucus member and candidate to be vaccinated to protect themselves and the people in their community, besides showing support to the roles vaccines play in the fight against COVID-19.

Responding to local media about Nicholls health status, Chatham-Kents Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby said that Nicholls was free to make his own decisions and would make sure he gets vaccinated if he decides to.

Scarborough Center MPP Christina Mitas is also unvaccinated. However, CTV News Toronto had learned that she was provided with a medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. The premiers office had not elaborated on the grounds the exemption was granted.

Cambridge MPP Belinda Karahalios announced on Twitter that she had tested positive for COVID-19 in early December 2021.

Speaker of the House Ted Arnot ejected her from the PC caucus after she voted against the controversial pandemic emergency powers bill that grants the government powers to extend some or amend some emergency orders a month at a time for up to two years amid the coronavirus pandemic. She called Bill 195 an unnecessary overreach on parliamentary democracy after the vole.

At its core, Bill 195 takes away the legislatures ability to vote on the use of extraordinary emergency powers on Ontarians for the next year, Karahalios said in a statement. The bill essentially silences every single Ontario MPP on the most important issue facing our legislature today by transferring away the ability for Ontario MPPs to consider, debate and vote on how emergency powers are used on Ontarians.

York Centre Progressive Conservative MPP Roman Baber was booted from the PC caucus in January last year when he criticized the provinces lockdown measures, calling them deadlier than COVID in a two-page open letter he posted on Twitter that month.

Barbers letter claimed that locking parts of the provinces economy, shutting down schools and requiring residents to stay at home had caused a multitude of problems, including an increase in deaths due to drug overdoses, a backlog in the treatment of cancer, an increase in suicidal ideation and eating disorders.

In a statement reported in the Toronto Star, Ontario Premier Ford said Baber undermined the tireless efforts of our frontline health workers at this critical time and hes putting people at risk. I will not jeopardize a single Ontarians life by ignoring public health advice. (Related: WOW: Canadian provincial leader actually admits officials got it wrong with widespread COVID lockdowns in tearful apology.)

Watch the video below about whats happening in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

This video is from the Amor De Cosmos II channel on Brighteon.com.

Read more reports like this at Tyranny.news.

Sources include:

TheStar.com

CBC.ca

GlobalNews.ca

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The United States is currently suffering from a phenomenon called mass formation, where social anxieties over a common threat lead to less-than-sober groupthink due to a strong community desire to combat the said threat. This can occur in any number of species, such as mega-flock behaviors in birds to ideological narrative acceptance in humans.

Around 62.3 percent of Americans have already been vaccinated, whether willingly or unwillingly, yet, President Joe Biden is still declaring the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) as the pandemic of the unvaccinated. Since the definition of fully vaccinated is about to change according to Dr. Anthony Fauci and Press Secretary Jen Psaki, the list of unvaccinated is about to expand.

The government is still relying on vaccines that do not work as advertised, and are still shutting down early treatments for the disease like ivermectin.

The mass formation phenomenon, for people, can be naturally occurring, such as the case with plagues and pandemics. However, it could also be synthetic constructs such as that was seen in Nazi Germany, which can be exploited often for political gain.

Dr. Robert Malone, who is credited as part of the team that created the mRNA technology, said as much. In a conversation with Joe Rogan in The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Spotify, Malone shared, When you have a society that has become decoupled from each other and has free-floating anxiety in a sense that things dont make sense, we cant understand it, and then their attention gets focused by a leader or series of events on one small point just like hypnosis, they literally become hypnotized and can be led anywhere.

Malone described how leaders can exploit the COVID situation because they identify with their leaders, who come it with plans to solve the problems for them.

Mass formation holds following the lefts insistence of only two binary categories of vaccination status to exist: vaccinated or unvaccinated. This is a tactic to pit various segments of the population against each other in order to coerce unending compliance for all, which is a political end goal of a greater plan.

Further, the mass formation theory says that the more absurd the narrative becomes, the more strong believers of the narrative cling to its absurdities. This phenomenon occurs because believers are fearful of the pre-narrative threat that going along with any absurdity is preferable as long as it comes with a promise of delivery from the said threat.

Mass formation and COVID response

For COVID-19, the government is insistent on using mRNA gene therapies or vaccines to combat it. However, with the 29 distinct proteins of the virus, the mRNA vaccines only recognize one of them: it is nothing more than a sparring partner.

The human immune system needs to see as many parts of the actual virus as possible to become fully prepared to attack the real thing, and this is why traditional vaccines that use inactivated or live virus work better compared to the mRNA therapy, and the flawed proposition by the government is what is wrong within the current mass formation phenomenon. (Related: Being worried about COVID-19 impairs a persons cognitive abilities.)

For those who are still thinking outside the current mass formation, rational science is necessary. Rational science tells people to use all manner of early therapies to combat COVID-19 as early as possible. In a pandemic, healthcare workers should try existing drugs not yet proven effective through double-blind studies, as long as they fit known science, show strong evidence of working and demonstrate safety.

Mass formation thought says to deny the existence of early treatment regimes and withhold all treatment until the disease progressed to the final phase, and give patients oxygen and blood thinners.

It does not have to remain this way: physicians need to reengage with medical truth and act accordingly to get to a new normal that is better than previous ones. However, a conscious choice must be made to get out of the mass formation way of thinking.

Watch the video below to learn more about the mass formation phenomenon:

This video is from the ZGoldenReport channel on Brighteon.com.

Read more about what the government is doing to solve COVID-19 at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

WND.com

Spotify.com
(Natural News) Protesters at Wenceslas Square in Central Prague questioned the effectiveness of the current vaccines and went on to reject the vaccination of children as the government ordered compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for individuals in different groups and professions. The nation of 10.7 million already fully vaccinated 6.7 million, while over 2.8 million received their booster shots.

The protest followed smaller demonstrations in smaller cities in the Czech Republic on Saturday, as the previous government released an order in early December that made vaccination mandatory for those in the 60 and over age group as well as for medical personnel, police officers, firefighters and medical students. Protests took place in Usti nad Labem, Olomouc, Karlovy Vary and others, although the highest turnout was in Brno, with a reported 2,000-strong turnout.

Because the order will not be in effect until March, it can still get overturned as Prime Minister Andrej Babis administration was replaced later in December by a new one formed by five parties that won Octobers parliamentary election and is now led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

While the new administration opposed the mandates for the older population, it did not rule out the possibility that it may remain compulsory for some, depending on the development of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country. The government is expected to announce the final decision about the mandate by the middle of February.

Meanwhile, health authorities expect the omicron variant to become the dominant strain in the country beginning next week, while countries around the globe are now dealing with a winter surge of the infections driven mostly by the omicron variant, which, though less severe than previous strains, remain more infectious.

No major incidents were reported following the rallies, though the Brno crowd was said to have ignored police requests to observe social distancing and other safety measures.

The Otev?eme ?esko (We Will Open Czechia) group of protesters originally formed to protest the closure of restaurants and other venues during the height of the restrictions in the country, but they are now focusing on measures related to vaccination, as mandatory vaccination for select groups is being considered.

On Friday, January 7, the Czech Republic reported 6,666 new COVID-19 cases, which is about 1,700 more than just a week ago, according to their Health Ministry. The number of patients hospitalized, however, has decreased, with around 2,500 patients reported, compared to 3,120 the previous Friday. Their incidence rate is now at 404 cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days.

Omicron variant in wastewater?

According to employees of the Prague water supply company, they were able to detect the presence of the omicron variant using a new device at the citys Central Wastewater Treatment Plant on Cisa?sky Ostrov. The new method of testing will be carried out at other treatment plants as well, according to PVK spokesperson Tomas Mrazek. (Related: Defeat the Mandates: Rally for personal liberty and health freedom launches Jan 23.)

Wastewater samples have been tested for COVID in a number of places, including schools and the Prague airport, however, the government only tested for earlier variants.

The testing method uses a special device in the sewer of any given facility, which gathers the samples that PVK employees take to the laboratory at regular intervals.

COVID-positive employees in some institutions may be allowed to work

Health Minister Vlastimil Valek told the media that the government is now considering allowing employees of selected institutions to work despite testing positive for COVID-19. He said that the Interior Ministry has been tasked to choose critical bodies of infrastructure that are indispensable for state operations and whose employees would be able to work despite being quarantined with COVID-19. The same will be true for social and health care workers and school staff as well, according to Valek following negotiations with representatives of the employers and the Czech Chamber of Commerce.

Watch the video below for more information on how the Czech Republic is handling the pandemic.

This video is from the Truth or Consequences channel on Brighteon.com.

Go to Pandemic.news for more updates on COVID-19 around the world.

Sources include:

HeadlineUSA.com

Expats.cz

TheHill.com
(Natural News) Colette Martin, a practicing nurse from Louisiana, testified in front of the Health and Welfare Committee hearing in December, saying that children have terrifying reactions to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. She noted that children are at risk for potentially life-long health problems such as myocarditis, but her concerns have been dismissed.

Hospitalizations have been skyrocketing in children who received their vaccine shots, despite being too young. Children admitted in wards with COVID-19 soared in recent weeks, with pediatric hospitalizations at their highest rates compared to any prior point in the pandemic.

While the overall hospitalization rate among children and teens is still lower than any other age group, they do account for around five percent of average new daily hospital admissions.

As of Tuesday, the average number of under-18 patients admitted to the hospital per day rose to 766, double the figure reported just two weeks ago.

Martin stated that people are potentially sacrificing children for fear of maybe dying or getting sick of a virus that has a 99 percent survival rate for healthy individuals. She also stated that more children have died from the COVID-19 vaccine than COVID itself.

Moreover, she believes that hospital treatment protocols are killing COVID patients. Doctors in hospitals agree that the treatments are not working, but that its all they had, even though it is technically what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will allow them to give.

Vaccinated children at risk of permanent damage

Children, in particular, are at risk for potentially life-long health problems, with myocarditis emerging as one of the most common, especially among boys and young men.

In September 2021, a team of researchers posted an analysis of VAERS data that showed more than 86 percent of children ages 12 to 17 reported symptoms of myocarditis severe enough to require hospitalizations.

The researchers found that cases of myocarditis explode after the second shot, and disproportionately affect boys. Despite this, few doctors are willing to talk about it.

A paper on myocarditis that has since been taken down also showed that it is inversely correlated to age, so younger individuals have a higher risk. It is also dose-dependent, with boys having six times greater risk of contracting myocarditis after the second dose.

Excess deaths also keep rising. In the week ending November 12, 2021, for instance, the U.K. reported 2,047 more deaths occurring in that same period between 2016 and 2019. (Related: Mercks Combination Childrens Vaccine Linked to Convulsions.)

While COVID-19 cannot be to blame entirely, it was listed on the death certificates for over 1,000 people. What is telling, however, is that non-COVID deaths have also been higher than the weekly average in the five years before the pandemic: heart diseases and strokes appear to be the reasons for excess deaths, and both are known side effects of the COVID vaccine.

VAERS reports massive numbers of adverse effects and deaths

Jessica Rose, a research fellow at the Institute for Pure and Applied Knowledge in Israel said that the average number of adverse event reports following vaccination has been around 39,000 annually, with an average of 155 deaths for all vaccines combined, however, the COVID jabs account for nearly a million adverse event reports as of December 17, 2021, including over 20,000 deaths, not including the underreporting factor, which is significant and likely raging from five to 40 times higher than the actual reported numbers. (Related: Excess mortality in UK children observed after vaccine rollout the shots appear to be causing children to die.)

The Food and Drug Administration and the CDC have also ignored standard data analyses that can shed light on causation. In the case of COVID jabs, 50 percent of deaths occur within 48 hours of injection, and it is not conceivable that over 10,000 people died two days after the shot from something other than the vaccine itself: it is not pure coincidence, especially as so many of them were younger with no underlying lethal conditions that threaten to kill them at any given time.

Watch the video below for more information about vaccine injury and death:

This video is from the Tammy Cuthbert Garcia channel on Brighteon.com.

Get more updates about COVID-19 vaccines and more at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

ABCNews.go.com
(Natural News) COVID-19 as a bioweapon that is designed to isolate humanity and create a pathologic pathogenic fear that stakeholders use to manipulate people into an irrational course of action. Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, a known family physician said. According to him, even if the entire population of the whole world contracts COVID-19, the death rate would be a little less than 0.5 percent.

In the December 28 episode of Brighteon.TVs The Stew Peters Show, host Stew Peters spends time looking into the most momentous interviews of 2021, including one with Dr. Vladimir Zelenko. Peters shared, In the nearly two years since he was hard at work, saving all of those lives, the powers that be turned against Dr. Zelenko because of his thoughts on drugs like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, vitamins like quercetin, and zinc and vitamin C and d3, among other things.

Peters shared in his channel that in 2020, a set of commercially engineered symptoms have been branded and has now been marketed as the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). The spread of this virus (or bioweapon, as Zelenko stated) allowed the Biden administration to make the United States into a perpetual police state in the name of fighting the disease. Amidst all this is Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, a humanitarian demonized by the government for saving thousands of lives, while the government and pharmaceutical giants continue their push for mask mandates, vaccination and isolation.

Zelenko developed one of the first treatment protocols for COVID-19 back in March 2020, saving potentially thousands of lives for his innovative use of drugs like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, zinc and vitamins C and D3.

After testing his cocktail of drugs on hundreds of patients in 2020, some of whom had mild or moderate symptoms, Zelenko claimed that 100 percent of them survived the virus with no hospitalizations nor need for a ventilator. Fox News host Sean Hannity quickly promoted Zelenkos success on his TV and radio shows. There had been people who were hopeful about hydroxychloroquine as possibly the biggest game-changer in the history of medicine.

Today, doctors still believe that hydroxychloroquine is safe and effective for the early treatment of COVID-19, and ivermectin works in both early and late stages of the disease, thanks to its dual antiviral and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action.

However, it seems that more and more people are dying from the government response to the virus: lockdowns and global immunization programs have caused adverse effects far more than the number if the government did not decide to intervene: the world is on the verge of potentially genocidal events due to the man-made bioweapon now sweeping the planet.

Experts weigh in on COVID-19 response

Zelenko pointed out that there are experts who have weighed in their own thoughts on the COVID-19 bioweapon.

Dr. Luke Montague, a Nobel Prize winner in medicine for discovering HIV, said that COVID-19 immunization is the biggest risk of genocide.

Dr. Michael Yeadon, former vice president and head of vaccine development for Pfizer, said that for every one child or adult that dies from COVID, a hundred will die from the vaccine. Dr. Dolores Cahill from Ireland said that in her opinion, around 90 percent of people who got vaccinated will be dead within two years, however, Yeadon said he wont go that far: it could be 75 percent in three years.

Dr. Robert Malone, who had the original patents on the delivery technology for the mRNA vaccines and one of the nations leading experts, advised people not to get vaccinated because the government is not being transparent with its side effects.

Dr. George Fareed, who was named CMA Rural Physician of the Year in 2015 wrote a letter to the White House Taskforce and to Dr. Anthony Fauci stating that while HCQ is not useful in advanced stages of COVID-19, it can save lives when used in the early stages.

The HCQ cocktail recommended by Zelenko can be used for outpatients to prevent hospitalization and keep ICUs from being overrun with COVID patients. It can also be used early in hospitalizations to prevent patients from requiring mechanical ventilation and reduce the length of their hospital stays. Finally, HCQ and zinc can be used for prophylaxis for high-risk individuals, including front-line health providers and first responders. (Related: Pioneer of hydroxychloroquine-zinc protocol for covid calls plandemic a war against God.)

Zelenko noted that the worlds experts are warning that this can be a global genocidal event based on experiments made on animal models: The vaccines killed the animals when they were loaded with antibodies, which challenged the actual virus and immunized them. The animals died because of their own immune system, and thats whats going to happen to vaccinated humans as well.

Zelenko pointed out that according to Malone, patients who have been vaccinated have higher viral titers in their noses than unvaccinated patients: the injections are the things that are causing this massive number of deaths.

Watch more of the conversation on the December 28 episode of The Stew Peters Show below:

The Stew Peters Show airs Mondays through Fridays from 7:00 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Read the latest COVID-19 news at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

ChicagoTribune.com

TheDesertReview.com
(Natural News) According to Dr. Mark McDonald, child psychiatrist and author, the United States has been gripped by a pandemic  not the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), but by a unique kind of mass hysteria known as mass formation psychosis.

Mass formation psychosis is when a significant portion of society is somewhat hypnotized and unable to properly use their rational abilities.

In an interview with political commentator and producer Del Bigtree on his show The HighWire with Del Bigtree, Dr. Mark McDonald, one of the people who coined the term mass formation psychosis  or mass delusional psychosis, as he refers to it  explained that it makes people unable to think.

Being unable to think, acting as a herd, thats what I mean by mass delusional psychosis, he said.

While in this mass psychosis, the attention of entire segments of society is hyperfocused on one single issue or event. This can then lead to people being led to believe and do whatever they want by influential members of that society  usually a countrys elite, or members of government  regardless of data proving that doing so would be catastrophic to societys well-being.

During the pandemic, McDonald said he met with many patients and their parents who were experiencing the harms brought about by mass formation psychosis.

According to McDonald, many parents refused to bring their children to see him, even though it would have been the right thing to do, because they were frightened they or their children would catch a fatal disease simply by coming to my office.

Many of the children of the parents he did see were suffering from episodes of mental distress.

One told me his eight-year-old son had put his fist through a plate-glass window at home, unable to tolerate being confined to a two-room apartment 24 hours a day for months on end, said McDonald. Another patient began wetting the bed again. Yet another attacked her brother with a kitchen knife. Later that summer, in speaking with colleagues  I discovered that this was happening everywhere.

The fuel for this mass delusion, according to McDonald, is fear. In this case, fear of the coronavirus.

We cannot become massively, delusionally psychotic without first being scared, explained McDonald. The fear has been the driver behind this pandemic, from the very beginning. Without fear, it all falls apart.

Scientifically, medically, we won this battle at the very beginning. Weve known how to treat this disease. Weve known how to help people, weve known how to keep people safe from probably week two, week three, he continued. But we have collapsed as a country physically, psychologically, economically, not because of a virus, but because of fear. (Related: Nurse whistleblower says true outbreak gripping the nation is not the coronavirus, but the pandemic of fear  Brighteon.TV.)

Mainstream media already trying to censor discussion on mass formation psychosis

When he explained where this overhyped fear of the pandemic comes from, McDonald explained that governments around the world, in collaboration with mega corporations and mainstream media outlets, have all been colluding together to perpetuate the mass delusional psychosis.

Since the term became popularized, some of the worlds largest mainstream media outlets, like Reuters and the Associated Press, have already released articles claiming that there is no evidence of mass formation psychosis in society.

According to 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.

The Associated Press called mass formation psychosis an unfounded theory that supposed experts of psychology say is not supported by evidence, and is similar to theories that have long been discredited.

According to The Conservative Treehouse, these so-called fact checks serve no purpose other than to stop people from recognizing what is most likely the cause of their own psychosis.

Watch the entire Jan. 10 episode of The HighWire with Del Bigtree here:

This video is taken from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com.

Learn more about mass formation psychosis and its effects on America by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

StrangeSounds.org

Reuters.com

APNews.com

TheConservativeTreehouse.com
(Natural News) European Union drug regulators on Tuesday warned frequent COVID boosters could adversely affect the immune system and said there are currently no data to support repeated doses.

(Article by Megan Redshaw republished from ChildrensHealthDefense.org)

This comes a month after EU drug regulators said it made sense to administer COVID-19 vaccine boosters as early as three months after the initial two-shot regimen, amid concerns over the Omicron variant.

According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), continued booster doses every four months could pose a risk of overloading peoples immune systems and lead to fatigue.

Instead, the agency recommended countries space out the intervals between boosters and coordinate their programs with the onset of the cold season in each hemisphere  following blueprints of influenza vaccination strategies.

While use of additional boosters can be part of contingency plans, repeated vaccinations within short intervals would not represent a sustainable long-term strategy, the EMAs head of vaccines strategy, Marco Cavaleri, said Tuesday during a press briefing.

Boosters can be done once, or maybe twice, but its not something that we can think should be repeated constantly, Cavaleri said. We need to think about how we can transition from the current pandemic setting to a more endemic setting.

Cavaleri said more data is needed on the impact of Omicron on vaccines and a better understanding of the evolution of the current wave to decide whether a vaccine specific to the new variant is needed.

Preliminary results from recently published studies are showing that the vaccine effectiveness against the symptomatic disease is significantly reduced for Omicron and tends to wane over time, Cavaleri said.

It is important that there is a good discussion around the choice of the composition of the vaccine to make sure that we have a strategy that is not just reactive  and try to come up with an approach that will be suitable in order to prevent a future variant, he added.

Just last month, Cavaleri, speaking on behalf of the EMA, said it made sense to administer COVID boosters as early as three months after the initial two-dose regimen due to extremely worrying infection numbers.

While the current recommendation is to administer boosters preferably after six months, the data currently available support safe and effective administration of a booster as early as three months from completion, Cavaleri said during a press briefing in December.

WHO warns repeated boosters not viable strategy against new variants

The World Health Organizations (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) on Jan. 11 warned, a vaccination strategy based on repeated booster doses of the original vaccine composition is unlikely to be appropriate or sustainable.

The expert group, created by the WHO to assess the performance of COVID vaccines, said providing fresh doses of already existing vaccines as new strains of the virus emerge is not the best way to fight a pandemic.

TAG-CO-VAC said COVID vaccines that can prevent infection and transmission, in addition to preventing severe disease and death are needed and should be developed.

Until such vaccines are available, and as the SARS-CoV-2 virus evolves, the composition of current COVID vaccines may need to be updated, the group said.

COVID vaccines need to be genetically and antigenically close to the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, be more effective in protection against infection, and should elicit an immune response that is broad, strong and long-lasting in order to reduce the need for successive booster doses, TAG-CO-VAC said.

Its over, people, Alex Berenson, former New York Times reporter and best-selling author, wrote. Aside from a few unlucky Israelis, no one is going to receive a fourth dose of the original vaccine.

Berenson wrote:

Everyone with eyes can see it doesnt work against Omicron  and if you havent gotten a third dose, at this point, why would you? You are getting at most weeks of marginally improved protection for potentially severe side effects.

Instead the WHO is now promising/demanding vaccines based on whatever the dominant Sars-Cov-2 strain is at the moment. That promise is as empty as all the others the health bureaucrats and vaccine companies have made.

Berenson noted there have been at least five major variants of concern in the last year alone, two of which became globally dominant.

Even the mRNA vaccines cannot be cooked up and delivered fast enough to match whatever strain of virus becomes dominant, Berenson said. COVID is faster than the scientists.

UK expert calls for COVID to be treated as an endemic virus similar to flu

COVID should be treated as an endemic virus similar to the flu and mass vaccination should end after the booster campaign, said Dr. Clive Dix, former chairman of the UKs vaccine task force.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an endemic refers to the constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area, whereas a pandemic is an out of control epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people.

We need to analyze whether we use the current booster campaign to ensure the vulnerable are protected if this is seen to be necessary, he said. Mass population-based vaccination in the UK should now end.

Calling for a major rethink of the UKs COVID strategy, Dix encouraged the ministers to urgently back research into COVID immunity beyond antibodies to include B-cells and white blood cells, called T-cells.

Dix said there should be a shift to disease management from viral spreading, and stopping progression to severe disease in vulnerable groups should be the future objective.

Read more at: ChildrensHealthDefense.org
(Natural News) The SGT Report finds new evidence of premeditated mass murder via experimental mRNA Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, and it presented facts that can no longer be ignored in its January 6 episode.

Youve sold us out to globalism. You are working for your globalist partners. I wonder how much theyre paying you to betray Canada, a woman accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a video taken from a 2019 town hall in Regina.

The video resurfaced in light of Canadas vaccination mandates as more evidence surfaced of the vaccines being created for mass murder

In this episode, the hosts discuss presentations by former Pfizer scientist Mike Yeadon, citing how different batches of the vaccine have different formulas in order for the company to have an experiment within an experiment to try out what kind of dosage is needed in order to do this and what it looks like in order to kill people.

New information also showed that there had been 950 different batches of vaccines, and the baseline is that normally, nothing happens. But in some batches, there is toxicity about 3,000 times more than the baseline, like the companies are trying to find out the doses of the effect of something depending on how many people die. The numbers are usually dependent on the different batches; however, the data Yeadon pulled is only from Pfizer. There are different structures with others such as Johnson & Johnson, which had a horrible accumulation of cases in certain batches.

The bottom line is that there are some batches that, at least on their surface, appear to be harmless, so according to Mike Yeadon, there is a one in 200 chance that a person is going to run into one of the dangerous batches. (Related: The globalists are preparing for mass murder in the weeks ahead.)

However, despite seeming like a game of Russian roulette, it is not so: its a trial, so it is planned. All the batches are sent somewhere and they are supposed to be used and all registered. At times they are equally transported over the use of an entire state and sometimes theres a local spot. The pharmaceutical companies take turns; they have different ideas on what they could try out in the trials, and all doctors think they are giving the same types of vaccines for everyone, but they are not. They have been misused for a big trial with no ethics committee, leaving people as the victims.

Specific batches with lethal outcomes

Adverse events are not occurring randomly in batches or lots of vaccines made by any given manufacturer. Evidence from Yeadon showed that only five to ten percent of batches or lots are associated with almost all the deaths connected with the COVID vaccines.

Given the tight requirements of consistency that are necessary for deploying medical products, it is absolutely impossible for these fatalities to be coincidental.

Analysts have discovered that there are only four to five different sets of batches or lots of the Pfizer vaccine deployed in the U.S. that showed Dose Range Finding effects, which are necessary to figure out lethal outcomes. There is also a quiet period between these lethal batches, the purpose of which is to establish a baseline for the effects of the vaccines.

All three big pharma companies, namely, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, are doing similar, sinister studies and are operating in such as way so that they will not run over each other.

Various reports through November 26, 2021 showed that there had been 19,532 deaths, 99,943 hospitalizations, 102,000 urgent care visits, 145,000 doctors office visits, 300 anaphylaxis reactions and 11,636 cases of Bells Palsy. These numbers dont even cover pericarditis and myocarditis, which are among the most common adverse effects of the vaccines. Finally, there is also the issue regarding the vaccines safety for pregnant women, as there had been at least 2,508 miscarriages that occurred as a result of the experimental vaccines. (Related: Former Pfizer VP warns booster shot is an extermination weapon to mass murder human beings.)

All these are data that would hold up in a court of law and all those who continue to perpetuate the lie that the experimental vaccine is both safe and effective are now guilty and culpable of perpetuating the lie to depopulate a large percentage of the population.

Watch the full January 6 episode of SGT Report below:

You can catch the SGT Report on Brighteon.com.

Follow Pandemic.news for more updates about the dangers of COVID-19 vaccines.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

MarkTaliano.net
Delhi BJP continues to oppose the AAP government's new excise policy alleging that it encourages sale and thereby, consumption of liquor in the national capital.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and mayors of all three municipal corporations have said that liquor shops will not be allowed to open in the capital by violating the rules of the master plan.

"All the shops that are open will be closed, FIRs will be registered against them, and no new outlet will be allowed in non-conforming areas.

"There are 80 municipal wards in Delhi where permission has not been given for liquor shops in non-conforming areas. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia himself has admitted this. Despite this, licenses for liquor shops were issued for these areas by breaking the rules. If a person deliberately breaks the law, why should an FIR not be registered against him? If FIR can be lodged against Majithia in Punjab, then why not against Manish Sisodia in Delhi?," he asked.

On January 3, the BJP Delhi protested against the Arvind Kejriwal-led government's new excise policy by obstructing traffic at 15 spots across the national capital.

"Every single individual of Delhi, including women, are concerned about liquor shops coming up close to their houses," Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said on Sunday while announcing the protest.

"Kejriwal wants to make Punjab liquor-free but is adamant to make Delhi a city of liquor. We will oppose this move." Since the introduction of the new excise policy, the BJP has been protesting against the Kejriwal-led government.

Under this policy, nearly 850 liquor shops are supposed to open up across city as the state government exited the liquor business.

The opposition party has also objected to the opening of new liquor shops in close vicinity to residential areas, religious sites and educational institutes.

While announcing the policy, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said that it would revolutionise Delhiites' liquor buying experience by giving the liquor vends a new shape.

He had also claimed that the policy would further put a complete ban on the modus-operandi of liquor mafias operating in the union territory.

Reacting to Monday's protests, Sisodia tweeted: "BJP is furious over the implementation of the new excise policy because Kejriwal government has put a stoppage to the theft to Rs 35,000 crore in Delhi.

"This money is now being received by the government which will use it for the benefit of masses, earlier this money used to go to the pockets of BJP leaders and liquor mafia," he had alleged.
(Natural News) Dr. Clive Dix, former head of the United Kingdoms Vaccine Task Force, recently admitted that the vaccines failed to stop infection and transmission of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). He told Sky News that the vaccines must only be given to the most vulnerable members of society like those with comorbidities.

Dix said the government must focus on a targeted approach in the deployment of vaccines. Corporate media and Big Pharma brand persons with this kind of thinking as anti-vaxxers.

However, Dix is not just an ordinary observer. It took a while, but he finally realized the uselessness of the vaccines when used in mass vaccination. He was appointed chairman of the governments U.K. Vaccine Task Force in June last year.

Dix is also against lockdowns being imposed by some European authorities. People should just go to work, go about their business. If they get ill, go home and stay home. Dix said. Other doctors also shared Dixs observation that the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine efficacy is limited at best.

Science behind COVID-19 vaccines not strong enough

One of the doctors questioning the science behind the COVID-19 vaccines is Dr. Steve James, who works for the National Health Service (NHS). Currently unvaccinated and a consultant at the Kings College Hospital in London, James told Health Secretary Sajid Javid on camera that the science behind mandatory COVID-19 vaccines isnt strong enough.

He told Javid that he became infected with COVID-19 and now has the antibodies for the virus. I had COVID at some point. Ive got antibodies, and Ive been working on COVID ICU since the beginning of the pandemic. Ive not had a vaccination, I do not want a vaccination.

James added that the vaccines are reducing transmission only for about eight weeks with delta and probably less with omicron. James asked Javid if his stance may lead to dismissal as the latter reportedly threatened to fire more than 100,000 NHS staff who refused to get vaccinated.

Startled, the Javid chose to give a safe answer. I respect that, but there are also many different views, he said.

James said the rules must be changed to allow individuals with naturally-derived antibodies not to be required to be vaccinated. The protection I got from transmission is probably the equivalent to someone who is vaccinated.

In 2020, the NHS issued warnings to staff that the Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine was a risk for those with a history of allergic reactions.

Dixs comments came at a time when the NHS and major domestic healthcare bodies in the United States are determined to dismiss unvaccinated healthcare workers. This, of course, has resulted to a shortage in manpower that is crippling the medical systems to the detriment of patients.

Stop measuring case numbers and getting fixated by stopping those numbers. We now need to manage disease, not virus spread, Dix stressed. His emphasis is quite clear and that is to stop the progression of COVID-19 to a severe disease in vulnerable groups. Hospitals, therefore, need to undertake early interventions and care in out patient settings.

According to Dix, the problem with the governments approach is that it is trying to stop the spread of the virus when it should be managing the disease.

Watch the video below to know the truth about the NHS.

This video is from the Red Pilled channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

FoxNews.com

GreatGameIndia.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Health experts are already casting doubts on reports of a possible new Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) strain that combines the elements of both the delta and omicron variants. Dubbed as deltacron, scientists say that the strain may only be a result of lab processing error.

A researcher from Cyprus discovered the potential new variant and named it deltacron because of its omicron-like genetic signatures within delta genomes.

The researcher, Leonidios Kostrikis, is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus, and his team said they found 25 cases of the deltacron mutation, adding that at the time, it was too early to tell whether there were more cases of the new strain or what impact it could have globally. However, the findings had already been sent to GISAID, an international database that tracks the changes in the virus.

Other experts, however, doubt the findings, with a World Health Organization official tweeting that the deltacron is likely due to a sequencing artifact, a variation that is introduced by a non-biological process.

WHO COVID expert Dr. Krutika Kuppali said that in this case, there was likely a lab contamination of omicron fragments in a delta specimen. She expressed that the two did not form a super variant and that there is no such thing as deltacron.

While it is possible for coronaviruses to genetically merge (a process known as biological recombination), experts noted that the mutations identified by the Cypriot team were located on a part of the genome that is vulnerable to an error in sequencing procedures.

Other scientists have agreed that the findings could be a result of a lab error. Virologist Tom Peacock from Imperial College London also said that deltacron sequences reported by large media outlets clearly look like contamination. He went on to say that experts who had a look at the sequences came to the same conclusion that it does not look like a real recombinant.

Fatima Tokhmafshan, a geneticist from the Research Insititute of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal agreed, adding that deltacron is not a recombinant, but rather a lab contamination [because] looking at recent GISAID submission from Cyprus, the clustering and mutational profile indicate no mutation consensus.

Dr. Boghuma Kabisen Titanji, an infectious diseases expert at Emory University in Atlanta also added a cautionary approach, saying that the deltacron story should be interpreted with caution as information currently available is only pointing to contamination of a sample, as opposed to true recombination of both variants.

However, she also noted that the possible mixing of genetic material is a possibility, as both strains continue to circulate. Recombination can occur in coronaviruses, she said, explaining that the enzyme that replicates their genome has a tendency to slip off the RNA strand it is copying and rejoining where it left off. With the delta and omicron variants in circulation, the dual infection can increase this concern. (Related: Omicron variant may protect against delta, new study finds.)

Scientist who discovered deltacron defends findings

The scientist who announced the deltacron discovery, Kostrikis, defended his findings, saying that they are not a result of a technical error. He said in an email that the cases he identified indicate an evolutionary pressure to an ancestral strain to acquire these mutations and not a result of a single recombination event.

He also said that the findings came after the samples were processed in multiple sequencing procedures in more than one country, with at least one sequence from Israel deposited in a global database exhibiting genetic characteristics of deltacron.

Michael Hadjipantela, the Cyprus health minister, said that the ministry was aware of deltacron reports, although it was not something to worry about at the moment.

Whether or not the new strain is confirmed, the emergence of hybrid variants in the future remains to be a possibility. So long as variants continue to thrive around the world, we will be at the mercy of this type of development, Christian Brechot, head of the Global Virus Network and a former director of the Institut Pasteur said.

Watch the video below for more developments on the deltacron variant.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

Go to Pandemic.news for more updates on the COVID-19 virus.

Sources include:

CNBC.com

France24.com
(Natural News) There is a lot of misinformation currently spreading regarding vaccines. Even licensed healthcare practitioners, who people are supposed to look up to as experts on these dangerous medicines, will sometimes be ignorant of the truth or outright lie about vaccines. Here are 12 facts about vaccines that doctors most likely are not telling their patients. (h/t to GlobalResearch.ca)

Vaccines have been killing people for centuries

In the early 18th century, when France was still ruled by a king, a young Louis XV contracted smallpox. This disease had killed his father and helped lead to the death of one of his brothers. One of Louis XVs nurses hid him from the doctors who wanted to inoculate him with a primitive version of todays vaccines. This saved his life, and he went on to live to the age of 64.

The father of modern vaccines killed his own child after vaccinating him

In 1796, Dr. Edward Jenner, the creator of the worlds first modern vaccine, gave the experimental drug to his own young son. This boy soon suffered brain damage because of the vaccine, which made him mentally disabled. He later died at the age of 21 because of tuberculosis.

Because of his experiences, Jenner refused to have his other children vaccinated. He later created a new formula for the smallpox vaccine which he sold despite having no protective value.

Flu vaccines are made from toxic ingredients

The flu vaccine is one of the most widespread vaccines in use today. Many physicians today who inject their patients with the flu vaccine every year often refuse to disclose the toxic ingredients contained in these vaccines.

The flu vaccine contains formaldehyde, a highly toxic substance commonly used as a preservative. Contact with bare skin can cause severe burns, and inhaling the vapor can cause a severe reaction to a persons respiratory tract.

The flu vaccine also contains thimerosal, a mercury compound that can cause all of the symptoms of mercury poisoning, including hearing and speech difficulties, muscle weakness, vision changes and nerve loss in the hands and face. (Related: FLU SHOT WARNING: Despite official recommendations, this vaccine endangers pregnant women and babies because it STILL contains MERCURY.)

The tuberculosis, polio and diphtheria vaccines caused more cases of both diseases

When the vaccines for tuberculosis, polio and diphtheria were first introduced, people all over the world soon learned that none of those vaccines prevented the diseases from spreading. On the contrary, the vaccines resulted in more cases of diphtheria, polio and tuberculosis, with evidence strongly suggesting the vaccines contributed to the spread.

In many American states, the number of people who got polio before the introduction of the vaccine was far less than those found after the deadly vaccine became widespread. In many parts of the world, governments no longer rely on the tuberculosis vaccine to control the spread of the disease.

The hepatitis B vaccine causes brain damage

The government of France used to have a mass vaccination program for children for the hepatitis B vaccine. The country ended this program almost as soon as it began after the government received more than 15,000 lawsuits. It turned out that the hepatitis B vaccine was giving children brain damage and other serious health problems.

Doctors routinely ignore legitimate reasons for not vaccinating patients

Many Big Pharma companies now publish long lists of reasons why doctors should not recommend vaccinations to patients. Despite all this information, doctors rarely provide their patients with any of this knowledge.

Vaccines are given to infants as young as eight weeks old

Vaccines are being given to infants as young as eight weeks old even though there is no scientific evidence showing that this is a safe thing to do.

The American government has paid vaccine damage compensation to parents of autistic children

Countless children in the world were rendered autistic because they were given vaccines during their infancy. In the United States, the federal government has paid millions of dollars to the families of these children.

The whooping cough vaccine causes far more harm to children than the disease itself

The introduction of the whooping cough vaccine came at a time when the number of people who were dying from this disease had already fallen far from its peak. Its introduction did not reduce the incidence of this disease.

Furthermore, children who are given the whooping cough vaccine are significantly more likely to develop brain damage because of the dangerous vaccine. Their risk of developing brain damage is as high as one in 6,000.

General practitioners in the United Kingdom receive massive payoffs from the government for giving vaccinations

The government of the United Kingdom gives bonuses to general practitioners depending on how many vaccines they administer. This bonus program extends to the administering of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

According to the chief executive of the National Health Service, health practitioners will get an extra 15 pounds ($20) for every COVID-19 vaccine shot they administer until the end of January. They receive 20 pounds ($27) per dose if they give them on Sundays.

Healthcare workers who visit households to provide COVID-19 vaccine doses will also earn a 30-pound ($40) premium for the visit.

As many as 3,000 children are killed or injured by vaccines each year in the US

According to the Department of Health and Human Services National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, between 2,500 and 3,000 children are either killed or injured by vaccines each year.

Vaccines do not work

The one main truth that doctors do not tell their patients about vaccines is that they do not work. In fact, a vast majority of the people who receive vaccines do not develop any kind of resistance to the diseases they were supposed to be protected against.

Listen to this Situation Update episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how the COVID-19 vaccine wars have gone kinetic as concentration camps for the unvaccinated are activated.

Listen to more episodes of the Health Ranger Report podcast on its channel on Brighteon.com.

Learn more truths about vaccines by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

AHRP.org

CDC.gov

Healthline.com

LBC.co.uk

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Alex Jones talks about mass intentional homicide in the community in the January 10 episode of The Pete Santilli Show, where he shared that the medical-industrial complex is nothing but a bunch of government minions.

He also said that in this communist, state-run system, the government guidelines have nothing to do with promoting life. He went on to state that testing facilities are scams, saying, We literally have 50 to 100 people sitting in a frickin parking lot waiting to get on the conveyor belt of death. Its disgusting to me.

Jones was talking about how people are on the internet to get scheduled for tests, and then all of a sudden, they are being put on the rat wheel and getting treated with remdesivir, getting ventilated. It is a massive, intentional homicide.

COVID and mass formation psychosis

A video went viral recently about a new phenomenon linked with COVID-19, called mass formation psychosis, a theory that suggests millions of people have been hypnotized into believing ideas about COVID-19, including steps to combat it such as mass testing and vaccination.

Jones called the phenomenon a scam; however, the posts, which had been shared online this week, dismissed the efforts made by the government to combat COVID-19.

The term gained attention after Dr. Robert Malone used it on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on December 31, where he described it as similar to hypnosis, adding that people literally become hypnotized and can be led anywhere.

Malone further claims that this same phenomenon was responsible for the rise of Hitler in 1930s Germany. (Related: Dr. Robert Malone warns of mass formation psychosis amid COVID pandemic.)

However, psychology experts say that the concept described by Malone is not just unsupported, it is also similar to other theories, such as mob mentality and group mind, that have long been discredited. The concept of mass formation psychosis explains that millions of people believe in a mainstream narrative that makes them trust the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Malone cast doubt on vaccine safety and claimed that the phenomenon has resulted in a third of the population being hypnotized into believing the nations top infectious disease expert and information from mainstream news outlets.

When you have a society that has become decoupled from each other and has free-floating anxiety in a sense that things dont make sense, we cant understand it, Malone said. He also claimed that these people, who have been hypnotized, will not allow their narrative to be questioned.

COVID as mass intentional homicide

Jones accused the medical-industrial complex of being nothing more than a bunch of government minions in a community, state-run system, with people sitting in parking lots, waiting to get on the conveyor belt of death.

Jones line of thinking comes from the fact that the pandemic has already previously agreed on the maliciousness of Chinas Communist Party, and whether or not the economic giant started by planning out COVID as a biological weapon, it certainly now turned it into one.

The pandemic is a mass death event, and assessments of its impact should center on collective experiences of death, loss and grief. By using death as a foreground in theorizing the pandemic, people will be able to better understand the ways in which it is reordering the world.

In 2021, deaths in the U.S. have included more and more younger people, with every age group under 55 seeing its highest death tolls, surpassing over 700,000 deaths by October.

The new and alarming surge of deaths means that the pandemic is officially one of the deadliest in American history, overtaking the toll from the influenza pandemic of 1918 and 1919, which killed around 675,000 people.

Watch the full January 10 episode of The Pete Santilli Show with Alex Jones below:

You can catch the The Pete Santillio Show on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

OregonLive.com

Japan-Forward.com
(Natural News) A nonprofit group led by former members of the Trump administration on Wednesday threatened to sue the health departments of Minnesota and Utah after they issued guidance that considers race and ethnicity to determine COVID-19 treatment eligibility.

(Article by Isabel van Brugen republished from TheEpochTimes.com)

America First Legal (AFL) in two separate letters to both states accused the health departments of issuing blatantly racist, unconstitutional, and immoral policies that direct the ration of medicine based on race and self-selected ethnicity.

In Utah, COVID-19 patients are subject to a scoring system to determine who is most at risk, and therefore, eligible for certain treatments. The racial/ethnic category receives two points, similar to patients with the highest-risk comorbidities such as being severely immunocompromised, having diabetes, or being obese.

The system grants one point for COVID-19 patients with other high-risk comorbidities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic liver disease.

A patients age also determines how many points they receive. A person aged 16 to 20 would receive one point, while those aged 71 to 80 would receive four.

Meanwhile, in Minnesota, a document from the health department says that based on guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, race and ethnicity alone, apart from other underlying health conditions, may be considered in determining a patients eligibility for [monoclonal antibodies].

The FDA has acknowledged that in addition to certain underlying health conditions, race and ethnicity may also place individual parents at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, the document states.

It is ethically appropriate to consider whether a patient has elevated risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes and that this risk cannot be adequately addressed by determining eligibility based on underlying health conditions (perhaps due to impaired access to health care and underdiagnosis of health conditions that elevates risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes), it says.

AFL president Stephen issued a statement calling for the policies to be immediately rescinded.

These racist policies decide questions of life and death based on skin color and must be rescinded immediately. Its an abomination. They radically violate federal law, the United States Constitution, and the sacred principle of equal justice for all, said Miller.

Equity is the use of raw societal power to discriminate against American citizens based on their race or other protected characteristicsand these equity programs spreading throughout government must be abolished if liberty and equality are to survive and endure. No right is safe if the government can award or deny medical care based on race. End this horrid injustice, Miller added.

Gene Hamilton, AFLs vice-president and general counsel, said the policies are rooted in Marxist principles and social justice.

They demand the use of government power to distribute and redistribute resources not based on equal rights, but based on equity, he said in a statement.

All Americans who reject the influence of Marxism and support equal rights for all should prepare themselves to fight back against these efforts in the weeks, months, and years ahead. We at America First Legal will not stand by idly and let this happen, Hamilton added.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Minnesota Department of Health and Utahs health department for comment.

Read more at: TheEpochTimes.com
(Natural News) The Washington State Board of Health had a scheduled meeting on January 12 where officials discussed changes that would allow authorities to detain unvaccinated people in quarantine facilities and require Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines for children who will be attending school.

The proposed revision is part of the states Communicable and Certain Other Diseases Act, which suggests including a new COVID protocol. The amendment involves procedures for isolation or quarantine and will allow health officers to issue emergency detention orders, causing a person or a group of persons to be immediately detained for quarantine and isolation purposes.

The revision also specifies that an emergency detention order could be issued by local health officers based solely on his or her discretion.

Mandatory isolation can be ordered if the health officer has reason to believe that the person or group of persons is, or is suspected to be, infected with, exposed to or contaminated with a communicable disease or a chemical, biological or radiological agent that could spread or contaminate others. This mandatory isolation can also be extended if the health officer has reason to believe that the persons in question could pose a serious and imminent risk to the safety and health of others.

Upon finishing the assessment, those who are deemed to be public health threats could be asked to comply with requests for medical examination, testing, treatment, counseling, vaccination or decontamination of persons or animals, isolation, quarantine and inspection and closure of facilities. (Related: Advanced knowledge? CDC started hiring QUARANTINE program managers last November to cover quarantine centers in Texas, California, New York, Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts and more.)

Health officers were given police power to force citizens to comply with isolation orders

However, those who refuse to voluntarily comply can be compelled to do so, as the revision will give others the power to call on police in case someone refuses to comply with the order.

Specifically, the text stated that local health officers may invoke the power of police officers, sheriffs, constables and other officers and employees of any political subdivisions within the jurisdiction of the health department to enforce orders regarding quarantine and isolation. This means that if the revision is approved, anyone can be forced to get tested, treated or vaccinated if the local health authorities decide it would contribute to the safety of others.

While this kind of practice seems unthinkable, it has already been employed in other democratic countries such as Australia and Germany.

Australia is already using its army to relocate COVID positive cases and their contacts to mandatory supervised quarantine facilities.

In Germany, local media reported that at least 15 people in the 10 larges cities have been forcibly placed in quarantine facilities in 2021 for disregarding domestic isolation requirements.

Washington state uses its emergency detention order to legalize the isolation and detainment of people who are deemed to be public health threats for a period not exceeding ten days, although a local health officer could be given the right to petition the superior court for an order that authorizes the continued detention of a person for up to 30 days.

There have also been reports of the WSBH recruiting candidates for a new Isolation and Quarantine Strike Team which will be in charge of the Isolation and Quarantine facility for non-Washington residents traveling in the state who tested positive for COVID-19 or who would have been exposed to those who tested positive, but with no residence or location in which to spend their 10-14 day isolation period.

A similar initiative has also been discussed in New York, which fortunately has been pulled in late December.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 continues its rampage through Washington state, as it recorded over 6,037 new cases after breaking records over the holiday break, with 6,883 cases on Dec. 30; 10,470 cases on Dec. 31; 8,521 cases on New Years Day; and 8,054 cases on January 2.

By Monday, the statewide totals were at 882,144 cases and 9,853 deaths. The case total included 103,033 probably infections, with the death data not updated due to technical issues. From December 22 to 28, 15.6 percent of staffed ICU beds in Washington were occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Watch the video below to learn more about the COVID-19 situation in Washington State.

This video is from the Truth for Consequences channel on Brighteon.com.

Get more updates about COVID-19 at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

TheNewAmerican.com

TheNewsTribune.com
(Natural News) State legislators in Washington have filed a bill that would authorize the creation of a strike force that will be used to involuntarily detain people who remain unvaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

The bill is known as WAC 246-100-040. It is a proposed revision to the states COVID-19 pandemic protocol as laid out by the Communicable and Certain Other Diseases Act. The revision outlines provisions for isolation or quarantine.

The amended provisions would give designated health officers in the state the discretion to issue an emergency detention order causing a person or group of persons to be immediately detained for purposes of isolation or quarantine.

It also allows these designated health officers to call in law enforcement officers to assist with the detention of noncompliant Washington residents.

A local health officer may invoke the powers of police officers, sheriffs, constables and all other officers and employees of any political subdivisions within the jurisdiction of the health department to enforce immediately orders given to effectuate the purposes of this section, reads the amended provision.

Designated health officers are required to provide sufficient documentation proving that the unvaccinated residents who will be subjected to forced isolation and detention have repeatedly refused requests for medical examination, testing, treatment, counseling, vaccination, decontamination of persons or animals, isolation quarantine and inspection and closure of facilities before they are forced into involuntary confinement in state-approved quarantine facilities.

The health officers and other members of their strike forces may also hire consultants who will be tasked with providing guest transport to and from quarantine facilities and to prepare these facilities to receive guests, ensuring rooms are stocked and have been properly cleaned, among several other administrative and operational tasks that may be outsourced to them.

The legal detention period lasts for a period not to exceed 10 days. But a judge can issue a court order extending the detention for a period not to exceed 30 days if the offending individual continues to refuse to get vaccinated.

Ginny Streeter, an official working for the Washington State Department of Health, said that the states isolation and quarantine facilities will be occupied not just by Washington residents, but also by travelers like people on vessels that have outbreaks on their ships who berth on the Washington Coast and international and interstate travelers who test positive at SeaTac airport.

Washington authorities deny legalizing strike force and concentration camps

Since this story broke, the Washington State Board of Health has been forced to publicly deny that it is preparing to create isolation camps for unvaccinated Washingtonians. The Health Board has also received thousands of furious and concerned emails asking for this proposal to be retracted.

Health Board Chair Keith Grellner has denied that such a change will be implemented.

Just to be really clear  there are no conversations about isolation and quarantine camps, he claimed. There are no rules existing or in the making to create isolation and quarantine camps.

There are no rules [to forcibly quarantine the unvaccinated], continued Grellner. And there is no process in place to create a rule to involuntarily quarantine or isolate COVID-19 positive people. Regardless of vaccination status, there are no laws and no plans to do that.

According to Grellner, the Health Board has received more than 25,000 emails about the supposedly not real proposal, and that some of these messages have crossed the line.

Board of Health members and our Board of Health staff, were actually being threatened, claimed Grellner. And its just, its not okay.

Mainstream media outlets that ran these stories have uncritically accepted Grellners claim that the quarantine camps are not real and have not made any effort to independently verify the information.

Other mainstream media outlets claim that the bill was actually introduced in 2015 and was supposed to be a measure designed to protect the state against a potential outbreak of Ebola.

Listen to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks more about the concentration camps being activated all over America for the unvaccinated.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Learn more about the concentration camps being prepared for unvaccinated Americans at VaccineWars.com.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

ChristianityDaily.com

KREM.com

WNYT.com

Brighteon.com
Up to 44 people across 25 states were infected with Salmonella Uganda between December 24, 2020, and December 2, 2021, according to a recent report from the CDC.

At least twenty-one of the people who became ill had previously owned or come in contact with bearded dragons. These bearded dragons were purchased online or at pet stores, according to the CDC.

CDC Warns About Keeping Bearded Dragons As Pet

In Washington and Wisconsin, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported four cases each of salmonella linked to the animal. Three cases were documented in California, Oregon, and Rhode Island, as per Outsider.

Those who were sick ranged in age from 1 to 84 years old, but no one has died as of yet. Eight of the victims were under the age of five. A hospital visit was necessary for 15 of 37 persons who reported their medical information.

Salmonella germs can be found in the excrement of bearded dragons. According to the CDC, anyone who comes into contact with a reptile's surroundings is at risk of contracting a disease. However, this does not include its cage or food.

Bearded dragons should not be kept as house pets by anybody under the age of five or over the age of 65, according to the CDC.

A bearded dragon should not be kept by anyone who has a damaged immune system or is otherwise at risk of an infection. People in these groups are more likely to become ill as a result of the germs carried by the critters.

Also Read: Pet Bearded Dragons Carry Rare Form of Salmonella

Safety Tips for Bearded Dragon Owners

Avoid kissing, cuddling, and eating or drinking near the pet. Salmonella can enter the body through this method and cause illness.

Immediately wash hands with soap and water after handling or feeding a bearded dragon, and after cleaning or sanitizing the area in which it lives and roams.

The kitchen and other locations where food is stored or prepared should be unaccessible by the pets.

Always take the any material that have come in contact with the animal outside before cleaning them.

Symptoms of Salmonella

If you or someone you know has any of the following salmonella symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible:

Fever greater than 102F and diarrhea.

Persistent diarrhoea lasting more than three days without improvement

Diarrhea with blood.

Vomiting so much that you are unable to keep liquids down,

When you notice symptoms of dehydration such as a dry mouth and throat, frequent urination, and dizziness upon standing up.

You should still take care of yourself despite the fact that most people get better in 4 to 7 days without any therapy. The world has already entered a COVID-19 pandemic. The addition of salmonella doesn't seem appealing.

Related Article: Can Bearded Dragons Make Great Exotic Pets?

For more news, updates about bearded dragons and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
A total of 1,74,000 Delhi government school students, also called mentees, have been taught by 44,000 mentors under the state government's 'Desh ke Mentor' programme, Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday.

"We had received a total of 2,20,000 applications from Delhi government students. Of these, 1,74,000 have been mentored. As for the mentors, of the 44,000 mentors, nearly 500 each are from IIT and IIM, 15,600 are either doing their graduation or Ph.D from a well-known education institute and 7,500 have completed their studies and are currently working at a good post," Sisodia said during a press conference this afternoon.

Launched in October 2021, the programme aims to provide voluntary mentors to students from class IX to XII. Those aged between 18 and 35 can sign up to become mentors through an app developed by Delhi Technological University.

"Those who volunteered to be mentors are made to undergo a psychometric test, their educational background is taken care of and they are trained accordingly, only after which they are assigned a mentee. We have also ensured that mentees are only assigned mentors of the same gender." he said.

Under the programme, the mentor is required to give 10 minutes every week for a minimum period of two months, which can be extended for four months.

The programme recently came under the scrutiny of the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which has recommended that it be suspended until the safety "loopholes" are "overhauled".

The Commission stated that it received a representation from one Lalit Wadher last year, who alleged that the programme allows children to get in contact with "unknown persons", and exposes them to danger.

AAP senior leader Sisodia and MLA Atishi have blamed BJP of playing politics over the matter by involving the commission. "A BJP activist from Chhattisgarh has filed a complaint with NCPCR, who in return asked us about the steps we have taken to ensure children's safety. After we have answered each and every question of theirs, NCPCR has stated that no police verification is being done of mentees," he pointed out.

"NCPCR has further said that there is a probability of child trafficking via phone calls and asked is there any mechanism to prevent the origin of cybercrime and child trafficking," Delhi Deputy CM tells, sharing that on the above-mentioned grounds the commission has asked to "Immediately suspend the concerned scheme initiative."

"We have seen the status of education infrastructure in the BJP-led states, the party should work in their respective states and not intervene in the progress of those who are actually working to make a change," he added.
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The University of Connecticuts Interim President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi announced Friday he is leaving the school for a new job at a health insurance company.

Agwunobi also serves as the CEO and executive vice president for health affairs at UConn Health.

UConns board of trustees will meet Jan. 26 and is expected to name Radenka Maric, the schools vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship, as its new interim president effective Feb. 1.

Agwunobi will stay on through Feb. 20, according to the university. He is leaving for a job with Humana, a health insurance company based in Kentucky.

While I am excited about this new opportunity, the decision to leave UConn and UConn Health was extremely difficult, Agwunobi wrote in his resignation letter. This is an amazing university and special place. It has truly been an honor to serve as a leader here and to work with all of you.

Agwunobi made history as UConns first person of color to lead the school dating back to its founding as the Storrs Agricultural School in the 1880s. But his tenure was short, holding the post for less than a year after taking the job last May.

Agwunobi replaced President Thomas Katsouleas, who departed the school after just two years.

Prior to coming to UConn and UConn Health, Agwunobi held leadership positions at health care systems in Atlanta, Providence and Spokane, Wash. He also served as secretary to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, according to UConn.

Gov. Ned Lamont thanked Agwunobi for his service to the school.

Dr. Agwunobi has helped to steer UConn and UConn Health through unprecedented times, all while overseeing significant growth in research and enrollment. UConns Medical School has grown under his leadership, and our flagship higher education institution has strengthened its reputation as a national leader, Lamont said.

I have had the pleasure of spending time with Andy, and I will miss his thoughtful outlook and positive demeanor, he added.

Daniel Toscano, chair of UConns board of trustees, wrote in a letter that the board will launch a national search and hopes to announce a new president by the fall. The board plans to name its advisory search committee and a smaller steering committee within the coming weeks, Toscano wrote.

We are fortunate to have had his stewardship at UConn for as long as we did, he said. His impact on our academic medical center will be felt for years to come. And he will forever be a Husky.
New Castle, PA (16103)

Today

Rain likely. High near 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
2021 homicides Chronologically, the 11 deaths in 2021 were: Feb. 6  Jason Miles, 39, was shot and killed on Marshall Avenue on the city's East Side. New Castle police arrested Jordan Perretti, 38, in connection with his death, and he is in the Lawrence County jail awaiting trial. Perretti also is accused of robbing a pharmacy before the homicide occurred. Feb. 16  Lamar Johnson, 32, was shot and killed outside of a Union Township home. Markeace Perkins, 26, is in custody in Tennessee as a suspect in a homicide that occurred there after Johnson was shot and he fled. He is accused in Johnson's death. Feb. 18  Juan Carter Hernandez, 33, was shot and killed by a New Wilmington police officer in New Wilmington after officers witnessed him stabbing 24-year-old Chyna Carillo to death. And while Carillo's death is not included in the 10 homicides, injuries she suffered from the incident caused her death in a Youngstown hospital, Johnson said. April 8  Darius T. Ramsey, 22, formerly of Erie, was shot and killed by 51-year-old Marcus Respress in Neshannock Village in a return-fire situation in their vehicles. Although Respress faces gun-related charges, he was not charged with Ramsey's death. Earlier police reports were that Ramsey fired first at Respress and Respress fired back. New Castle police chief Bobby Salem said, "We had a clear picture of the victim pointing a gun at the person who shot him, then he shot the victim. It was a clear case of self defense." May 12  John Micco, 78, and Margaret Kahrer, 81, were brutally stabbed to death in their homes on Dewey Avenue. Kahrer's son, Louis Vincent Esposito, 59, is in jail without bond, charged with their murders that occurred during an evening rampage. He also is accused of shooting a neighbor in the chest and injuring him during that incident. Micco was Kahrer's and Esposito's landlord in the duplex where they lived. May 19  Leo Burris, 9 months old, died in the emergency room of Jameson Hospital. He had been in foster care in Lawrence County and had suffered traumatic brain injury when he was 3 months old, while living in Allegheny County with family members. Johnson said the death is being investigated by authorities in Allegheny County, and charges are pending there against a suspect for the injuries that later caused the tot's death. Sept. 18  Christopher Rush, 34, was shot and killed by Union Township police at a sportsmen's club in Mahoning Township after Rush stabbed several people, including an officer, with a knife. He died of multiple gunshot wounds to the trunk, according to police reports, and his death was ruled as a homicide. Oct. 25  An-Tyne Johnson, 31, of New Castle, died after a chase with another car, gunfire and a car crash on Liberty Avenue. The other driver, whom police have identified, suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital. Salem said there are numerous videos of Johnson's vehicle chasing the shooter, and the shooter's car had been shot about 10 times before he returned one shot that struck Johnson. "It was another evident case of self-defense," Salem said. Oct. 26  Devon Thompson, 21, of Beaver Falls, was shot in the chest at 413 E. Leasure Ave. on the city's North Hill. Daniel Tweedlie, 18, of New Brighton, Beaver County was arrested as the suspect in Thompson's murder. Tweedlie is in the county jail without bond, awaiting trial.

Lawrence County logged a record year in 2021 for homicides, with 10 reported by the county coroners office and one where a murder was committed in New Wilmington but the victim died out of county in the hospital. Six of the deaths were within the city of New Castle. Two of the deaths, one in Mahoning Township and one in Union Township, were the results of shots fired by police. Neither officer faced charges in connection with those incidents. Anytime theres an officer-involved shooting death, we rule it a homicide, Coroner Rich R.J. Johnson explained. The dictionary definition of homicide is the killing of one person by another. New Castle police chief Bobby Salem said within the past 11 years, the city has had 45 homicides and all but two of those have been solved, either with charges or determinations of self-defense. The two unsolved cases remain open and active, he said. One is the murder of 22-year-old Dakota Olinger, who was shot in the head at a house on Franklin Avenue on the citys East Side on Sept. 29, 2017. The police have offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Olingers death. The other unsolved murder is the death of 26-year-old Vaughn Slaughter, who was from Detroit. He had been fatally shot in the neck and head the evening of June 26, 2016. He was found dead just after the shooting occurred. He was in the passenger seat of a vehicle parked on Walnut Street by someone who thought he had heard fireworks. In comparison to the six cases this year, the city had three homicides in 2020, four in 2019, and six in 2018, Salem said. There are a couple of years when we had seven or eight, Salem said. The year 2013 was the only one when there were no homicides in the city, and there was only one both in 2015 and in 2017. Johnson said that 2021 overall was busy for his office, with 886 total incidents logged, including 108 deaths determined to have been from natural causes. There also were nine deaths from motor vehicle accidents, 15 accidental deaths from falls, explosions, fires and electrocutions and three cases still pending. When its not handling deaths, the coroners office continues its education in advancements, Johnson said. In 2021, he and his deputies attended more than 100 hours of training in classes of forensic crime scene investigations, motor vehicle collision reconstruction, crime scene photography, investigating drug deaths, traumatic injuries and firearms investigations. Johnson and his chief deputy, Anthony Bo DeCarbo, also successfully completed a week-long coroners training offered by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Johnson also maintained his status as a board-certified medico-legal death investigator.

2021 homicides Chronologically, the 11 deaths in 2021 were: Feb. 6  Jason Miles, 39, was shot and killed on Marshall Avenue on the city's East Side. New Castle police arrested Jordan Perretti, 38, in connection with his death, and he is in the Lawrence County jail awaiting trial. Perretti also is accused of robbing a pharmacy before the homicide occurred. Feb. 16  Lamar Johnson, 32, was shot and killed outside of a Union Township home. Markeace Perkins, 26, is in custody in Tennessee as a suspect in a homicide that occurred there after Johnson was shot and he fled. He is accused in Johnson's death. Feb. 18  Juan Carter Hernandez, 33, was shot and killed by a New Wilmington police officer in New Wilmington after officers witnessed him stabbing 24-year-old Chyna Carillo to death. And while Carillo's death is not included in the 10 homicides, injuries she suffered from the incident caused her death in a Youngstown hospital, Johnson said. April 8  Darius T. Ramsey, 22, formerly of Erie, was shot and killed by 51-year-old Marcus Respress in Neshannock Village in a return-fire situation in their vehicles. Although Respress faces gun-related charges, he was not charged with Ramsey's death. Earlier police reports were that Ramsey fired first at Respress and Respress fired back. New Castle police chief Bobby Salem said, "We had a clear picture of the victim pointing a gun at the person who shot him, then he shot the victim. It was a clear case of self defense." May 12  John Micco, 78, and Margaret Kahrer, 81, were brutally stabbed to death in their homes on Dewey Avenue. Kahrer's son, Louis Vincent Esposito, 59, is in jail without bond, charged with their murders that occurred during an evening rampage. He also is accused of shooting a neighbor in the chest and injuring him during that incident. Micco was Kahrer's and Esposito's landlord in the duplex where they lived. May 19  Leo Burris, 9 months old, died in the emergency room of Jameson Hospital. He had been in foster care in Lawrence County and had suffered traumatic brain injury when he was 3 months old, while living in Allegheny County with family members. Johnson said the death is being investigated by authorities in Allegheny County, and charges are pending there against a suspect for the injuries that later caused the tot's death. Sept. 18  Christopher Rush, 34, was shot and killed by Union Township police at a sportsmen's club in Mahoning Township after Rush stabbed several people, including an officer, with a knife. He died of multiple gunshot wounds to the trunk, according to police reports, and his death was ruled as a homicide. Oct. 25  An-Tyne Johnson, 31, of New Castle, died after a chase with another car, gunfire and a car crash on Liberty Avenue. The other driver, whom police have identified, suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital. Salem said there are numerous videos of Johnson's vehicle chasing the shooter, and the shooter's car had been shot about 10 times before he returned one shot that struck Johnson. "It was another evident case of self-defense," Salem said. Oct. 26  Devon Thompson, 21, of Beaver Falls, was shot in the chest at 413 E. Leasure Ave. on the city's North Hill. Daniel Tweedlie, 18, of New Brighton, Beaver County was arrested as the suspect in Thompson's murder. Tweedlie is in the county jail without bond, awaiting trial.

Lawrence County logged a record year in 2021 for homicides, with 10 reported by the county coroners office and one where a murder was committed in New Wilmington but the victim died out of county in the hospital.

Six of the deaths were within the city of New Castle.

Two of the deaths, one in Mahoning Township and one in Union Township, were the results of shots fired by police. Neither officer faced charges in connection with those incidents.

Anytime theres an officer-involved shooting death, we rule it a homicide, Coroner Rich R.J. Johnson explained. The dictionary definition of homicide is the killing of one person by another.

New Castle police chief Bobby Salem said within the past 11 years, the city has had 45 homicides and all but two of those have been solved, either with charges or determinations of self-defense.

The two unsolved cases remain open and active, he said.

One is the murder of 22-year-old Dakota Olinger, who was shot in the head at a house on Franklin Avenue on the citys East Side on Sept. 29, 2017.

The police have offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Olingers death.

Story continues below video

The other unsolved murder is the death of 26-year-old Vaughn Slaughter, who was from Detroit.

He had been fatally shot in the neck and head the evening of June 26, 2016.

He was found dead just after the shooting occurred. He was in the passenger seat of a vehicle parked on Walnut Street by someone who thought he had heard fireworks.

In comparison to the six cases this year, the city had three homicides in 2020, four in 2019, and six in 2018, Salem said.

There are a couple of years when we had seven or eight, Salem said.

The year 2013 was the only one when there were no homicides in the city, and there was only one both in 2015 and in 2017.

Johnson said that 2021 overall was busy for his office, with 886 total incidents logged, including 108 deaths determined to have been from natural causes.

There also were nine deaths from motor vehicle accidents, 15 accidental deaths from falls, explosions, fires and electrocutions and three cases still pending.

When its not handling deaths, the coroners office continues its education in advancements, Johnson said.

In 2021, he and his deputies attended more than 100 hours of training in classes of forensic crime scene investigations, motor vehicle collision reconstruction, crime scene photography, investigating drug deaths, traumatic injuries and firearms investigations.

Johnson and his chief deputy, Anthony Bo DeCarbo, also successfully completed a week-long coroners training offered by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Johnson also maintained his status as a board-certified medico-legal death investigator.

dwachter@ncnewsonline.com
In their hunt for elusive exomoon candidates, astronomers have looked at 70 cool gas giants found by NASAs Kepler space telescope. Theyve found only one signal that could indicate an exomoon, about 2.6 times larger than Earth, orbiting a Jupiter-sized exoplanet called Kepler-1708b. Named Kepler-1708b-i, it joins Kepler-1625b-i as another example of an unexpectedly large exomoon candidate  echoing the surprise that hot-Jupiter discoveries elicited in the mid-1990s.

In the last three decades, more than 4,000 planets around stars other than the Sun have been discovered.

These alien worlds display remarkable diversity, from highly eccentric Jupiters to compact, coplanar systems of rocky planets.

In an effort to understand the formation and evolution of such systems, more detailed knowledge about their environment and properties is sought  such as the existence and nature of potential.

Given the abundance of moons in our Solar System, it is reasonable to presume that exomoons will reside around some exoplanets  which has motivated efforts to detect them.

One of the most promising strategies for seeking exomoons focuses on transiting planets.

Astronomers have found more than 10,000 exoplanet candidates so far, but exomoons are far more challenging. They are terra incognita, said lead author Professor David Kipping, an astronomer in the Department of Astronomy at Columbia University.

In the current study, Professor Kipping and his colleagues looked at the sample of the coldest gas giant planets captured by NASAs planet-hunting spacecraft, Kepler.

After scanning 70 planets in depth, they spotted the new exomoon candidate orbiting Kepler-1708b, a giant planet about 5,500 light-years away in the direction of the Cygnus and Lyra constellations.

Its a stubborn signal. We threw the kitchen sink at this thing but it just wont go away, Professor Kipping said.

The new exomoon candidate, Kepler-1708b-i, is about a third smaller than the Neptune-sized moon that the team earlier found orbiting a similar Jupiter-sized planet, Kepler-1625b.

Both supermoon candidates are likely made of gas that has piled up under the gravitational pull caused by their enormous size, Professor Kipping said.

If one astronomers hypothesis is correct, the moons may have even started life as planets, only to be pulled into the orbit of an even bigger planet like Kepler-1625b or Kepler-1708b.

Both moons are located far from their host star, where theres less gravity to tug at planets and strip off their moons.

In fact, the astronomers sought out cold, giant gas planets on wide orbits in their search for exomoons precisely because the analog in our own Solar System, Jupiter and Saturn, have more than a hundred moons between them.

If other moons are out there, they will likely be less monstrous, but also harder to spot, Professor Kipping said.

The first detections in any survey will generally be the weirdos. The big ones that are simply easiest to detect with our limited sensitivity.

Observations from other space telescopes, like Hubble, will be needed to verify the discovery, a process that could take years, he added.

The discovery is described in a paper published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

_____

D. Kipping et al. An exomoon survey of 70 cool giant exoplanets and the new candidate Kepler-1708 b-i. Nat Astron, published online January 13, 2022; doi: 10.1038/s41550-021-01539-1


South Norfolk church schools are set to merge South Norfolk church schools are set to merge

The Diocese of Norwich St Benets Multi Academy Trust has been given the green light to amalgamate Harleston CE Primary Academy and Archbishop Sancroft High School into one All Through School.

Following a six-week consultation in September 2021 with questionnaires and a public meeting, the decision to become an All Through School has been welcomed by staff and parents alike.



Richard Cranmer, CEO St Benets Multi Academy Trust explained that by closely working together, they can secure an exciting and successful future for all children from 3 to 16 years of age and strive to provide excellent working conditions and career opportunities for all staff.



He said: This is a vision we have been working on since June 2017 and we are thrilled that we have been given the green light from the Department for Education to amalgamate Harleston CE Primary Academy and Archbishop Sancroft High School into one All Through School.



Richard Cranmer said back in September 2021 that ensuring successful, sustainable education in market towns within rural areas is challenging.



In January 2019, the governing bodies of ASHS and HPA took a significant step towards this vision by coming together to form a single governing body called The Harleston Federation that oversees the work of both academies today.



In July 2021 the Trust restructured the leadership team across the academies to reflect the Federation structure, including the appointment of one Executive Headteacher. This was a key step in our journey towards an All Through School and the school improvement impact it brings.



Richard Cranmer said: The St Benets Trust Board, with full support from the Diocese of Norwich, have asked that the two academies now start actively planning to become one All Through School, taking children from the age of three to 16 years and opening the new All Through School at the latest by September 2023. It is our intention to achieve this by September 2022.



Mr Rob Connelly, was appointed Executive Headteacher for the Harleston Federation in September 2021. He said: The Harleston Federation represents a very significant milestone for this very special community.



He added: The future of both schools and ultimately the formation of an All-Through School will be supported by ensuring exceptional staff provide the foundations and consistency required to experience Life in all its fullness.



Pictured above are Rob Connelly, left, and Richard Cranmer. Picture from St Benet's MAT.





Keith Morris, 14/01/2022
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Mark Jephson, one of New Zealands most experienced executives in the corporate trustee sector, has joined fast-growing specialist consultancy firm, Mosaic Financial Services Infrastructure, as partner.

Jephson, former Perpetual Guardian chief executive, brings a unique perspective and in-depth industry knowledge to his new role, according to Mosaic founder partner, Myles Allan.

Were very pleased to have Mark on board, Allan said. His thorough understanding of how the corporate trustee, licensed supervisory and funds management markets actually operate in NZ will be a huge benefit to our clients as they face the challenges and opportunities of growth, regulatory change and technological development.

Mark adds a complementary layer of expertise to the Mosaic team.

After a 20-year career in the financial services industry in NZ, Australia and the UK, Jephson said he was looking forward to his new consulting role.

Mosaic has a lot of lived experience in the team, which is a point-ofdifference that encouraged me to join the business, Jephson said. Im excited about bringing my experience to help fund managers understand the views of regulators and supervisors, for example.

But while the NZ corporate trustee, licensed supervisor and funds management sectors were facing a lot of regulatory noise at the moment, he said fund managers still had to focus on day-to-day operations like unit pricing, PIE tax and investment processes.

The long-term opportunities for fund managers, banks, wealth managers and other financial services firms in NZ are strong  as long as they do things the right way, Jephson said.

Prior to serving almost two years as Perpetual Guardian chief he spent over 12 years in senior corporate trustee roles at Guardian Trust. Jephson was also chair of the Trustee Corporations Association of NZ from December 2017 until August 2020.

Since June last year he has been consulting for Public Trust.

Including Jephson, Mosaic now has six partners and an overall team of 70 consultants and project delivery specialists.

More recently, the Auckland-headquartered firm hired Jigs Jamnadas as its inaugural chief operating officer.

Allan said the rapid growth that has seen Mosaic staff numbers more than double over the last four years reflected an increasing demand in the NZ financial services industry for independent guidance from seasoned experts as well as practical solutions to operational issues.

Jephson formally joins Mosaic on January 24.

For further information please contact:

Myles Allan Mosaic

Founding Partner

021 411 956

myles.allan@mosaicfsi.com

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Pikeville, KY (41501)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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LeConte Nix: We have to normalize that going to therapy is great and is needed  just like going to a movie or your regular doctors appointment. We all have stuff that we hide mentally or avoid. Now, think about a young adult who only knows how to deal with anger by violence of some sort, because he or she has never been taught how to handle certain situations."
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
Our County Editor

Dave Hinton is editor of The News-Gazette's Our County section and former editor of the Rantoul Press. He can be reached at dhinton@news-gazette.com.
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Longview, TX (75601)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 79F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive disease that affects 2.8 million people worldwide and for which there is no definitive cure, is likely caused by infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), according to a study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers.

Their findings were published online in Science on January 13, 2022.

The hypothesis that EBV causes MS has been investigated by our group and others for several years, but this is the first study providing compelling evidence of causality. This is a big step because it suggests that most MS cases could be prevented by stopping EBV infection, and that targeting EBV could lead to the discovery of a cure for MS." Alberto Ascherio, professor of epidemiology and nutrition, Harvard Chan School and senior author of the study

MS is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that attacks the myelin sheaths protecting neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Its cause is not known, yet one of the top suspects is EBV, a herpes virus that can cause infectious mononucleosis and establishes a latent, lifelong infection of the host. Establishing a causal relationship between the virus and the disease has been difficult because EBV infects approximately 95% of adults, MS is a relatively rare disease, and the onset of MS symptoms begins about 10 years after EBV infection. To determine the connection between EBV and MS, the researchers conducted a study among more than 10 million young adults on active duty in the U.S. military and identified 955 who were diagnosed with MS during their period of service.

The team analyzed serum samples taken biennially by the military and determined the soldiers' EBV status at time of first sample and the relationship between EBV infection and MS onset during the period of active duty. In this cohort, the risk of MS increased 32-fold after infection with EBV but was unchanged after infection with other viruses. Serum levels of neurofilament light chain, a biomarker of the nerve degeneration typical in MS, increased only after EBV infection. The findings cannot be explained by any known risk factor for MS and suggest EBV as the leading cause of MS.

Ascherio says that the delay between EBV infection and the onset of MS may be partially due to the disease's symptoms being undetected during the earliest stages and partially due to the evolving relationship between EBV and the host's immune system, which is repeatedly stimulated whenever latent virus reactivates.

"Currently there is no way to effectively prevent or treat EBV infection, but an EBV vaccine or targeting the virus with EBV-specific antiviral drugs could ultimately prevent or cure MS," said Ascherio.
From Monday, 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after five full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.

The decision has been made after careful consideration of modeling from the UK Health Security Agency and to support essential public services and workforces over the winter.

It is crucial that people isolating with COVID-19 wait until they have received two negative lateral flow tests on two consecutive days to reduce the chance of still being infectious.

The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. If an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on day 6 and day 7 to release from isolation.

It is essential that two negative lateral flow tests are taken on consecutive days and reported before individuals return to their job or education, if leaving self-isolation earlier than the full 10 day period.

For instance, if an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on both day 6 and day 7 to release from self-isolation, or positive on day 6, then a negative test is required on days 7 and 8, and so on until the end of day 10.

Those who leave self-isolation on or after day 6 are strongly advised to wear face coverings and limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, work from home if they can do so and minimize contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19.

The default self-isolation period continues to be 10 days, and you may only leave self-isolation early if you have taken two LFDs and do not have a temperature in line with guidance.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

After reviewing all of the evidence, we've made the decision to reduce the minimum self-isolation period to five full days in England. These two tests are critical to these balanced and proportionate plans and I'd urge everyone to take advantage of the capacity we've built up in tests so we can restore more freedom to this country, whilst we are keeping everyone safe."

Existing public health measures remain in place, including:

staying at home if you feel unwell

getting a test if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms

wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces

working from home if possible

maintaining social distancing and regular hand washing

taking up the offer of the free COVID-19 vaccine

Self-isolation may continue in certain circumstances, such as for those who work with vulnerable people. A full list will be published in guidance in due course.

Vaccinations remain our best defense against COVID-19, offering substantial protection against infection and hospitalization - and the government continues to urge the public to get boosted as soon as you're eligible.

In line with today's announcement, the government will also consider the guidance for close contacts of people with COVID-19, including around the advice for fully vaccinated contacts to take daily LFDs for 7 days.

Background
China remains favored investment destination: WSJ

Xinhua) 11:26, January 14, 2022

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China remains an investment destination as its technology startups attracted a record amount of venture funding last year, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

In the year of 2021, venture-capital investors put 129 billion U.S. dollars into more than 5,300 startups in China, higher than the market's last record of around 115 billion dollars for 2018, the report quoted data of Preqin investment database as saying.

Unlike in previous years, when most Chinese tech funding went to internet startups in e-commerce, it said, the bulk of the money in the past year headed into areas such as semiconductors, biotechnology and information technology.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
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An international metastudy led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has identified a specific gene variant that protects against severe COVID-19 infection. The researchers managed to pinpoint the variant by studying people of different ancestries, a feat they say highlights the importance of conducting clinical trials that include people of diverse descents. The results are published in the journal Nature Genetics.

In addition to old age and certain underlying diseases, genetics can influence whether we become severely affected or only suffer mild illness from COVID-19. Previous studies on mainly people of European ancestry have found that individuals carrying a particular segment of DNA have a 20 percent lower risk of developing a critical COVID-19 infection. This DNA segment encodes genes in the immune system and is inherited from Neanderthals in about half of all people outside Africa.

This region of DNA is, however, packed with numerous genetic variants, which makes it challenging to disentangle the exact protective variant that could potentially serve as a target for medical treatment against severe COVID-19 infection.

To identify this specific gene variant, researchers in the current study looked for individuals carrying only parts of this DNA segment. Since the Neandertal inheritance occurred after the ancient migration out of Africa, the researchers saw a potential in focusing on individuals with African ancestry who lack heritage from the Neanderthals and therefore also the majority of this DNA segment. A small piece of this DNA region is, however, the same in both people of African and European ancestries.

The researchers found that individuals of predominantly African ancestry had the same protection as those of European ancestry, which allowed them to pinpoint a specific gene variant of particular interest.

The fact that individuals of African descent had the same protection allowed us to identify the unique variant in the DNA that actually protects from COVID-19 infection." Jennifer Huffman, first author of study and researcher at the VA Boston Healthcare System in the U.S.

The analysis included a total of 2,787 hospitalized COVID-19 patients of African ancestry and 130,997 people in a control group from six cohort studies. Eighty percent of individuals of African ancestry carried the protective variant. The outcome was compared with a previous, larger metastudy of individuals of European heritage.

According to the researchers, the protective gene variant (rs10774671-G) determines the length of the protein encoded by the gene OAS1. Prior studies have shown that the longer variant of the protein is more effective at breaking down SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the disease COVID-19.

"That we are beginning to understand the genetic risk factors in detail is key to developing new drugs against COVID-19," says co-author Brent Richards, senior investigator at the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital and professor at McGill University in Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred considerable collaboration among researchers in different parts of the world, which has made it possible to study genetic risk factors in a wider diversity of individuals than in many previous studies. Even so, the majority of all clinical research is still being done on individuals of predominantly European descent.

"This study shows how important it is to include individuals of different ancestries. If we had only studied one group, we would not have been successful in identifying the gene variant in this case," says the study's corresponding author Hugo Zeberg, assistant professor at the Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet.
Prostate cancer is the second deadliest cancer in men in the United States. The incidence of prostate cancer in Black men is nearly 60% greater than the incidence in white men. The mortality rate for prostate cancer in Black men is more than double that of other race/ethnic groups. It is the widest racial disparity of any cancer and extends to various stages of the prostate cancer care continuum. It reflects a confluence of multiple social, environmental and genetic factors. Dr. Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, PhD, MPH, a prostate cancer researcher at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center-Jefferson Health (SKCC) and assistant professor of medical oncology at Thomas Jefferson University, says that lack of awareness around prostate cancer is a major contributor.

Through all the studies I've done and talking directly to individuals from the community or who were recently diagnosed, I've seen first-hand that there is a lack of knowledge about prostate cancer. So men, particularly Black men, may not even realize that they are in a high-risk category or know about screening and early detection. There is a dearth of basic information in some communities." Dr. Charnita Zeigler-Johnson, PhD, MPH, prostate cancer researcher at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center-Jefferson Health (SKCC) and assistant professor of medical oncology at Thomas Jefferson University

This was the main motivation behind a recent study Dr. Zeigler-Johnson conducted with colleagues at SKCC and collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania to implement and evaluate an educational intervention for prostate cancer. They targeted this intervention to four areas in Philadelphia with the highest prostate cancer burden, which they had identified in a previous study. For that work, using data from the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry, the researchers were able to identify areas where men were being diagnosed with advanced disease and dying from prostate cancer at the highest rate. They then used geospatial software to pinpoint these areas on a map, which allowed them to visualize prostate cancer hotspots. The researchers then used this tool to focus their outreach to the four areas where they would have the biggest impact, and engage communities in these neighborhoods.

In total, 239 men from the selected neighborhoods took part in the study, of which 118 from two of the neighborhoods were assigned to a control group. They received general education on men's health issues and leading a healthy lifestyle. Another 121 men from the other two neighborhoods were assigned to the intervention group, which received prostate cancer-specific educational sessions on prostate health, prostate cancer screening, symptoms, detection, staging and treatment. Consistent with the racial composition of their community, 95% of the control group and 89% of the intervention group were Black.

To implement their outreach, the researchers partnered with trusted community members who lived in the selected neighborhoods and trained them to deliver the educational sessions to the control group and intervention group. Dr. Zeigler-Johnson says that having these trusted peer-educators was a critical component to building safe spaces where the men felt comfortable opening up and asking questions. This was also reflected in the physical accessibility of the spaces the researchers chose to hold the sessions - recreation centers, churches and synagogues, transitional housing sites, public libraries and civic neighborhood organizations.

"When we conducted focus groups in the target communities, it was clear that men didn't just want physicians or scientists telling them to 'do this and do that'", says Dr. Zeigler-Johnson. "They wanted to hear the real deal, from people who are a reflection of their community."

Dr. Zeigler-Johnson was also intentional about including prostate cancer survivors as research team members; they helped recruit and train the peer educators to ensure transparency about the prostate-cancer information given to the intervention group. Their perspectives on how the disease affects physical and mental wellness, caregivers, and its long-term effects was vital to creating educational sessions that accurately reflected the lived experience of the disease. "They're also testaments to survivorship. It's important for men in these high-risk communities to see that there can be success on the other side of this ordeal," she adds. "Hopefully it diminishes some of that fear and apprehension that prevents some men from being proactive in their care."

A survey was administered at baseline, immediately post-session, one month post-session and four months post-session, to assess three main measures  1) knowledge about prostate cancer 2) concern/fear about prostate cancer and 3) a patient's intention to get screened for prostate cancer. At baseline, there were no differences in any of the measures between the control group and intervention group. Knowledge and intention to screen increased significantly post-session, and remained increased at one month and four months post-session for the intervention group that received prostate cancer-specific education  a result the researchers had hoped for. Strikingly, they observed a similar effect in the control group.

"It speaks to the power of these spaces that enabled the men to learn from a trusted peer-educator but also from each other," says Dr. Zeigler-Johnson. "So even though men in the control group weren't directly talking about prostate cancer, there was clearly a beneficial effect of having these open conversations about health in general that many men, particularly Black men, may be reticent to have."

Even though the researchers were surprised to see the effect in both groups, they feel encouraged that similar community-led educational programs could have broad effects on health behavior. The results were also a validation of their mapping tool that allowed them to focus their educational outreach in populations where they could have the biggest impact.

Currently, collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a study using the same tools and education materials to validate their approach. In the current study, researchers were unable to evaluate how the intervention motivated change in behavior, for instance, talking to a doctor about prostate cancer screening. The collaborators hope to conduct more studies to follow patients over longer periods of time to evaluate the long-term impact of the educational intervention.

Dr. Zeigler-Johnson hopes that this combined approach of epidemiological mapping and community outreach will be an important model for disparities research. "If we want to reduce prostate cancer disparities or any other health disparity, we have to be on the ground and working with communities," she says. "But we also have to narrow in on the highest-risk individuals to be most impactful. We can't treat our communities as monoliths."
In the past, studies have indicated that the virus concentration in a room when infected humans exhale aerosols can be determined by combining the viral load in the lungs and throat with the known emissions of respiratory aerosols.

Other factors such as the size of the room, air exchange rate, and half-life of the virus when it is airborne also impact the viral emission strength.

A current study used a Monte Carlo model to describe the expected distribution of viral emission by an infected population of people who were either silent, speaking softly, or loudly. It also published a spreadsheet-based tool for the assessment of indoor airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 concerning room and ventilation parameters, different vocal and physical activities, and the types of masks worn by the emitter and the receiver.

The tool was further updated by the addition of a recirculating air purification parameter and a CO2 simulator.

However, these initial models were developed for the wild type (WT) of the virus. With time several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged, the Delta (B1.617.2) variant and the recent Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant having higher transmissibility.

Available data suggested that the viral loads of these variants were higher than the WT. The viral load of Omicron was reported to be ten- to one hundred-fold higher than that of Delta. Furthermore, the number of cells infected for a given number of ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus copies were found to be doubled and quadrupled for Delta and Omicron respectively.

The critical dose of virus copies beyond which it is said to be infectious was reported to be 500 for the WT while it was 300 copies for Delta and 100 copies for Omicron. Also, the immune evading property of Omicron was found to be higher as compared to Delta and WT.

A new study published in Swiss Medical Weekly aimed to determine the risk from higher viral loads and infectivity associated with the new variants of concern for SARS-CoV-2 by estimation of high, very high, and super-emitting individuals in a population along with the impact of a lower critical dose.

About the study

The study involved modeling the variants of concern using random sampling. A near-field/far-field well-mixed model was used for the estimation of emission rates for viruses in aerosols when a person is either silent, talking softly, or talking loudly. Several factors such as vocal loudness, room characteristics, average air velocity, air exchange rate, and degree of physical activity and mask types worn by the emitter are then combined with the half-life of the virus for determination of viral load after a given time along with the time required to reach the critical dose.

Furthermore, in the updated version the single air exchange term was replaced by outdoor air supply and recirculating air-cleaning devices. Also, a CO2 calculator was added to the tool for the determination of CO2 concentration at quarter-hourly intervals as well as when leaving the room.

Findings

The results indicated that the emergence of the variants of concern led to an increase in the frequency of super-emitting individuals. During the circulation of WT, the super-emitters were reported to be 1 in 1000 infections while during Delta it was 1 in 30 and during Omicron it was 1 in 10 or 20. Moreover, the frequency of high and very high emitting individuals also increased for Delta and Omicron as compared to WT.

The results also reported that the Omicron and Delta variants had much higher infectivity and lower critical dose as compared to the WT and cannot be controlled by wearing surgical masks. For Delta and Omicron, FFP2 respirators were found to provide sufficient protection rather than surgical masks. However, even FFP2 respirators were found to be ineffective in case of prolonged exposure to extreme aerosols.

The current study, therefore, demonstrates that higher viral load along with higher infectivity leads to the rapid spread of Omicron and Delta. However, there are other ways by which variants can affect transmission such as altered mucus viscosity and increased viral production near the vocal cords. Further research needs to be done to address such questions.
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 78F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 53F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
(Newser)  Update: A British surgeon who burned his initials into the livers of two patients no longer has a medical license. On Monday, the UK's Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found Simon Bramhall, 57, had broken trust with his patients through his actions during the 2013 surgeries, and that the branding had caused "significant emotional harm" to at least one of the patients, reports the BBC. This week, the MPTS ordered he be removed from the medical register, saying in a hearing that his act of "professional arrogance ... seriously undermines patients' and the public's trust and confidence in the medical profession." Our original story from 2018 follows:

A UK surgeon busted for laser-inscribing his initials into the livers of two transplant patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 2013 won't go to jail for his "arrogant" act. Sky News reports 53-year-old Simon Bramhall managed to avoid time behind bars for "[betraying] the trust" of his patients, instead being hit with 120 hours of community service and a nearly $14,000 fine for the assault charges against him. "This was conduct born of professional arrogance of such magnitude that it strayed into criminal behavior," Judge Paul Farrer said Friday.

Bramhall's "handiwork" had been found in 2014 when one of the initialed livers failed (not because of what Bramhall had done), and another surgeon discovered the etchings during a second operation. Bramhall is still practicing, now as an anesthetist at another hospital. Per the Guardian, Queen Elizabeth Hospital confirmed Bramhall hadn't messed up the liver's functioning, noting in a statement that while he "made a mistake in the context of a complex clinical situation  we can reassure his patients that there was no impact whatsoever on the quality of his clinical outcomes."

A prosecutor also noted that while Bramhall later considered his actions "naive and foolhardy," he knew during the operation "the action could cause no harm to the patient." That hasn't eased the mind of one patient, who said in a victim impact statement she felt "violated" and is still having a hard time with it all. What may have somewhat mitigated Bramhall's sentence is that fact that Farrer realized "on both occasions you were tired and stressed and  this may have affected your judgment." (Read more surgeon stories.)
(Newser)  Update: San Francisco's Millennium Tower is now 26 inches off center, with 10 inches of that tilt occurring last year while work on a supposed fix was underway, according to the project's chief engineer. A retrofit was halted in the summer after the building sank further into soft soil, with engineers last month blaming soil removal and vibration as six steel support piles were installed in August, per NBC News. Structural engineer Ronald Hamburger told a city hearing Thursday that the best path forward would be to reduce the originally proposed 52 piles to 18. He added the residential tower continues to tilt at a rate of three inches to the north and west each year, per NBC Bay Area. The city said it would complete a review of his proposal by March. Our original story from August follows:

The $100 million project to stop the Millennium Tower from sinking into the San Francisco earth was going fineuntil the building sank another inch. Now the construction work has been stopped, SFGate reports, and luxury condo residents who have worried about this since 2016 will continue to stress. Since the work began in May, the building has added to its lean; it's now tilting 5 inches toward Fremont Street, 25% more than before, per NBC Bay Area. The work was halted on Aug. 2, shortly after the project's lead designer offered reassurance in late July that a half-inch settlement was nothing to worry about. The steps involved in the fix were:

Drill holes 3 feet across along Mission Street.

Line the holes with tubular, steel shafts.

Sink smaller piles inside the steel shafts to bedrock, 250 feet deep.

Connect the new foundation, under the sidewalk, to the original one.

The problem might be the steel shafts. Ronald Hamburger endorsed stopping the drilling for the shafts to see if that was compressing the soil; the 1-inch drop happened once the first of the 52 piles had been installed. The foundation is built on sand instead of bedrock, but that's true for other San Francisco towers that aren't sinking. Hamburger said the work will stop for two to four weeks.

One structural engineer said it's clear this fix isn't going to work. "The way to solve the problem, as I see it, is not to continue going on the route that is showing you the wrong route, but to recoup, reconfigure the solution and do something that has a better chance of working," Joshua Kardon said. Hamburger stands by the plan, saying that once the piles are in place and the weight shifted to them, the tower will "begin to recover some of the tilting," he said. "There has been no material harm to the building and it remains fully safe." (Read more Millennium Tower stories.)
(Newser)  Update: Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's killer will remain in a California prison, ignoring a parole board's recommendation. Newsom said Sirhan Sirhan has yet to accept responsibility for the crime, Politico reports. Nor has he disclaimed violence, the governor's statement said. "Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past," he said. In an opinion piece Thursday in the Los Angeles Times, Newsom wrote, "Kennedy's assassination not only changed the course of this nation and robbed the world of a promising young leader, it also left his 11 children without a father and his wife without a husband." Our original story from August follows:

Some of late politician Robert F. Kennedy's children were horrified to learn of the recent vote to grant parole to their father's convicted killer over 50 years after his assassination. Per Politico, six of RFK's kids issued a statement condemning the decision to grant parole to Sirhan Sirhan and vowing to challenge it "every step of the way." The statement came after two of their siblings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Douglas Kennedy, separately showed support for Sirhan. The six children expressing outrage over the decision were Joseph P. Kennedy II, Christopher G. Kennedy, Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Maxwell T. Kennedy and Rory Kennedy. "We adamently oppose the parole and release of Sirhan Sirhan and are shocked by a ruling that we believe ignores the standards of parole of a confessed, first-degree murder," their statement read, in part.

Previously, Douglas Kennedy, who was a toddler when his father was gunned down in 1968, told a two-person board panel that he was moved to tears by Sirhans remorse and that the 77-year-old should be released if hes not a threat to others, per the AP. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a letter that he met Sirhan in prison and was moved when he wept, clinching my hands and asked for forgiveness. The ruling will be reviewed over the next 120 days by the boards staff. Then it will be sent to the governor, who will have 30 days to decide whether to grant it, reverse it or modify it. If Sirhan is freed, he must live in a transitional home for six months, enroll in an alcohol abuse program, and get therapy. (Read more Sirhan Sirhan stories.)
(Newser)  When enrollment at college and universities dropped sharply in 2020, officials hoped it was a one-year blip caused by the pandemic. Instead, numbers are still dropping and analysts fear a wider shift away from higher education could be underway. According to data released Thursday by the National Student Clearinghouse, undergraduate enrollment in fall 2021 was down 3.1% from the previous year, for a total two-year drop of 6.6%, the biggest in more than 50 years. Doug Shapiro, head of the NSC's research center, tells NPR that the year-on-year drop of nearly 500,000 undergraduates is "very frightening." Far from "filling the hole" of last year's declines, he says, "we are still digging it deeper."

According to the NSC's estimates, the biggest decline in 2021 was at four-year institutions, but community college enrollment has dropped the most since the start of the pandemic, with a decline of more than 13%. Shapiro tells the Washington Post that with wages rising and plenty of low-skilled jobs available, young people are "questioning the value of college. They may be looking at friends who graduated last year or the year before who didnt go and they seem to be doing fine. Theyre working; their wages are up." He says the trend could be starting to "build its own momentum as a cultural shift and not just a short-term effect of the pandemic disruptions."

Shapiro says he is especially worried about young people from middle- to lower-income families who decide against college, possibly "trading a short-term gain for a long-term loss." He warns that while earning good money might seem more attractive than college right now, their future income could be stagnant if they don't upgrade their skillsand a shortage of skilled workers is bad for the whole economy. The NSC says only 2% of high school graduates who decided against college in 2020 enrolled the following year. "Theres a great deal at stake," Shapiro says. "We have to get students back on track, re-engage them." (Read more college stories.)
Homestead, FL (33030)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning giving way to a few showers late. Thunder possible. High 86F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
(Newser)  School districts are urging parents to help out in classrooms as the omicron variant forces some educators to stay home. "We can't keep up, there is no labor pool," Don Austin, superintendent of California's Palo Alto Unified School District, says in a video shared Sunday, urging parents to volunteer for classroom support and custodial work amid a surge in cases, per ABC News. "No amount of money can solve this issue. We need your help." Meanwhile, the Hays Consolidated Independent School District in Kyle, Texas, has asked parents to consider becoming substitute teachers. The district put out a request for "certified and eligible non-certified" teachers last week, adding it would waive a college training requirement.

Substitute teaching requirements have been relaxed in numerous states, per Insider, though successful applicants still need to pass a criminal background check. "We believe that having someone in class, even if we temporarily forgo the college hours requirement, is better than the alternative of having to close schools," Hays CISD said, per KTBC. It said it has 500 substitute teachers in a typical school year but "started this year with only about 100 subs because of delta." The district said it increased that number to 300 but saw "greatly increased" demand with the spread of omicron, accompanied by "increased teacher absences." It described 292 requests for substitutes on Tuesday alone.

"For those sub needs that are unfilled, we have campus staff and central office staff that are helping." Some teachers are filling in during what would normally be off-duty periods, the district added, stressing the need for teachers or anyone else who is sick, has tested positive for COVID-19, or had close contact with someone who is positive, to stay home. Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra similarly put out a call for parents to fill in as substitute teachers back in October, amid "a severe shortage of workers." More recently, Michigan passed a law allowing cafeteria staff and bus drivers to fill in for teachers, while Pennsylvania passed legislation allowing eligible college students to teach, per Insider. (Cases may be peaking on the East Coast.)
(Newser)  GOP unhappiness with the commission that runs the presidential debates reached a peak Thursday, when the Republican National Committee told the nonprofit it wants its candidates to sit out the event in the future. The committee told the nonprofit in a letter that it plans to require its candidates to sign a pledge promising to stay out of future events sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, the New York Times reports. Party Chair Ronna McDaniel referred in the letter to giving candidates an "opportunity elsewhere" to debate, but there's no word on what that forum would be or whether the Democratic Party would sign on.

McDaniel's Democratic counterpart accused the GOP of trying to hide its candidates from voters, per the Hill. "During the last presidential election, the Republicans decided to not have a platform for the first time ever so it's a natural progression," Jaime Harrison said. "First no platform and now no debates." The commission, which was launched by both parties in 1987 and is billed as nonpartisan, said the Republican Party wants changes in the way the debates are handled. Democrats have not called for any changes. If the commission blocks "meaningful reforms necessary to restore its credibility," McDaniel said, the party will look elsewhere.

A Republican official and a commission official have been talking for months about the party's complaints that Democrats are favored by the process. The commission said that as a neutral entity, "which neither favors nor disfavors any party or candidate," it doesn't negotiate over its process with anyone. Its officials wonder if someone's confusing the campaigns in the primary and generalwhen there's only one candidate left per partyraces. The commission doesn't have anything to do with debates during the primaries. The RNC will vote on the pledge requirement next month. (Read more Commission on Presidential Debates stories.)
(Newser)  Everyone seemed to welcome or lament the Supreme Court's decision Thursday on the Biden administration's vaccine-or-testing mandate for large companiesexcept the companies. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican leader in the effort to block it, said the ruling is "a big win for workers across the country." Some public health experts argued it will now be more difficult to hit vaccination levels required to defeat the coronavirus pandemic, the Washington Post reports. "This Supreme Court ruling will cost lives," a Boston emergency room physician posted on Twitter.

But many of the large companies that would have been affected by the rejected requirements didn't say much Thursday. The administration points out that they're free to impose their own rules, though they could be thwarted by new state bans, per the AP. Many, including Target, said they want to study the court's ruling before doing anything. The National Retail Federation, the American Trucking Associations, and the National Federation of Independent Business are among the organizations that praised the ruling.

Labor has been split on mandates, with many police and fire unions opposed. But labor advocates were displeased, per the AP. "This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves," said David Michaels, who ran OSHA under President Obama. The UAW plans no safety changes at plants. The co-owner of a restaurant chain around Washington that has a mask-or-testing mandate said it makes sense. "If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others," Dan Simons said, "you would agree with my approach." (Read more mask mandates stories.)
(Newser)  Dr. Mehmet Oz wants to debate Dr. Anthony Fauci. Oz, who is running for a Senate seat in Pennsylvania, challenged the top White House medical adviser to a debate in a campaign ad released in a tweet Thursday, the Hill reports. "It's past time Fauci faces the fact that he got COVID wrong," the Republican candidate said. "So, doctor to doctorlet's debate." Oz said he wanted to debate to "give the American people the truth about COVID-19. Im game. Anytime. Anywhere." The last episode of the candidate's Dr. Oz talk show airs Friday.

Oz repeated the challenge in appearances on Newsmax and Fox News Thursday. On Fox, he told host Brian Kilmeade that Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, is a "petty tyrant that has had all kinds of interactions with the media and uses them as allies to shut down dissent and debate." At a Senate committee hearing earlier this week, Fauci clashed with Republican senators including Sen. Rand Paul. On Thursday, dozens of medical experts released an open letter defending Fauci, Yahoo reports. "We deplore the personal attacks on Dr. Fauci," they wrote. "The criticism is inaccurate, unscientific, ill-founded in the facts, and, increasingly, motivated by partisan politics." (Read more Dr. Oz stories.)
(Newser)  North Korea on Friday fired at least one possible ballistic missile in its third weapons launch this month, officials in South Korea and Japan said, in an apparent reprisal for fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration for its continuing test launches. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the weapon was fired toward the east but did not immediately say where it landed or provide other details, the AP reports. Japans Prime Ministers Office and the Defense Ministry said also said they detected the North Korean launch and said it was possibly a ballistic missile. The Japanese coast guard urged vessels between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, as well as the East China Sea and the North Pacific, to pay attention to further information and to keep clear when recognizing falling object."

The Biden administration on Wednesday imposed sanctions on five North Koreans over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the Norths missile programs in its response to the Norths missile test this week. It also said it would seek new UN sanctions. The announcement by the Treasury Department came just hours after North Korea said leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a successful test of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday that he claimed would greatly increase the countrys nuclear war deterrent. Tuesdays test was North Koreas second demonstration of its purported hypersonic missile in a week. The country in recent months has been ramping up tests of new, potentially nuclear-capable missiles designed to overwhelm missile defense systems in the region.

In a statement carried by North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency, an unidentified Foreign Ministry spokesperson defended the Norths launches of purported hypersonic missiles as a righteous exercise of self-defense. The spokesperson said the new sanctions underscore hostile US intent aimed at isolating and stifling the North despite Washingtons repeated calls for Pyongyang to resume diplomacy that has stalled over disagreements about sanctions relief and nuclear disarmament steps. The spokesperson accused the United States of maintaining a gangster-like stance, saying that the Norths development of the new missile is part of its efforts to modernize its military and does not target any specific country or threaten the security of its neighbors.

(Read more North Korea stories.)
(Newser)  "Be afraid and expect the worst," cyberattackers warned in a massive hacking attack on Ukrainian government websites Friday. The warning message was left on the foreign ministry's website in Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish, the New York Times reports. "Ukrainians! All your personal data was uploaded to the internet, the message read. "All data on the computer is being destroyed. All information about you became public." Ukrainian authorities denied that any personal information had been leaked, though the websites taken offline included one that stored Ukrainian citizens' electronic passports and vaccination certificates, reports the AP.

Foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said Friday that websites of numerous government ministries were temporarily down and teams were working to restore them. He told the AP that while it is too early to prove who was behind the attack, "there is a long record of Russian cyber assaults against Ukraine in the past." Josep Borrell, the European Union's top diplomat, condemned the attack and said EU cyber units would offer assistance to Ukraine's government, reports Reuters. "I can't blame anybody as I have no proof, but we can imagine," he said.

"We are going to mobilize all our resources to help Ukraine cope with these cyberattacks," Borrell said. "Sadly, we expected this could happen." Tensions were already extremely high before the cyberattack. Russia still has around 100,000 troops deployed near the Ukraine border and talks between Russia, the US, and NATO this week failed to defuse the crisis. NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg warned Wednesday that there is a "real risk for a new armed conflict in Europe," per the Guardian. Moscow has called for NATO to roll back its deployments in eastern Europe and permanently block Ukraine from joining the alliance. (Read more Ukraine stories.)
(Newser)  A brother and sister in Ohio could face prison after cutting down what a prosecutor describes as an "irreplaceable" black walnut tree, one of the largest in the state and perhaps more than 250 years old. "This is so ridiculous that they're doing this," Todd Jones, 56, who felled the tree located 7.5 feet outside his property boundary on land owned by Cleveland Metroparks in the Cleveland suburb of Strongsville, tells Cleveland.com. Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael O'Malley, however, says he takes seriously his office's duty to protect the 24,000-acre regional park system. "We will not ignore people trespassing onto park property and illegally cutting down irreplaceable trees for profit," he tells the New York Times.

A Metroparks employee was checking on saplings planted on land newly acquired by the park district when she noticed cages around the saplings had been smashed and at least one sapling had been destroyed, apparently by the falling of the massive black walnut tree, whose "freshly cut" stump stood nearby. A relative living at Jones' next-door property said the 56-year-old had planned to hire a logging company to cut down the tree so it could be sold for lumber to help pay off $15,000 in tax liens. The Cleveland Metroparks Police Department determined the tree, with a circumference of 17.25 feet, was worth at least $28,800, though it was allegedly sold for $2,000. The two largest known black walnut trees in Ohio measure 17.5 feet and just under 19 feet around, per Cleveland.com.

Police say Jones claimed the tree was his, despite admitting to never seeing a boundary survey. They also say he initially denied knowing who removed the tree before claiming sole responsibility in an effort to protect his sister, Laurel Hoffman, who'd signed a contract with the logging company claiming a property survey showed her to be the tree's rightful owner. Both Jones and Hoffman are charged with grand theft and falsification, fourth-degree felonies, and face up to 18 months in prison on each count if convicted. "This is insane," Jones counters, per Cleveland.com. "There was no ill intent." In fact, he argues the charges are payback for Metroparks trying and failing to buy his for-sale property for less than the property valuea claim the park district denies. (Read more Cleveland stories.)
(Newser)  "We're committed to the safety and happiness of all dogs in our care, and peace of mind for pet parents." That's the promise of pet-sitting and -walking service Wag, as seen on its website, but one pet owner says her dog is now dead after being left in Wag's care. Insider reports Colorado woman Liz Giorgi was set to embark on a trip overseas to honor her late father, and so she hired Wag to take care of her two dogs. On Jan. 5, she says, she got the news that one dog, Fran, had gone missing. As she was in a remote location abroad and wouldn't be able to get home to the Denver area for at least five days, she recruited others to help look for Fran, posting a "missing" poster on Twitter.

"Too many cold nights in a row," she noted in her tweet. "We are now offering a reward to get Fran home." In the meantime, Giorgi says, her attempts to reach someone right away at Wag led nowhere, and her Twitter feed for the next week was clogged with posts pleading for help in finding her dogas well as blasting Wag for not doing enough and not offering her an apology. Then, about a week after Fran vanished, a devastating update.

"I'm sad to report that my soul dog, Fran, has died," Giorgi posted on Thursday. She thanked those who'd helped her, but not without a warning about Wag. "Never use @WagWalking - they will harm your faith." She also tagged Wag's CEO, Garrett Smallwood, and said she was "waiting for a simple 'I'm sorry.'" In a follow-up post, she revealed how she was informed her dog died: "This is how the @WagWalking call goes if they lose & kill your dog: 'I'm calling to report we have news on your pet. Our local contact has informed us she has not made it. She has passed away. These instances are incredibly rare, but do happen. Do you have any questions?"

Insider says that Wag and Smallwood had not yet responded to its requests for comment as of Friday morning. Giorgi is also now alleging that Wag deleted all her messages with the caregiver she says lost Fran. Insider notes that the pet service has had complaints in the past, including from a couple who said a Wag walker stole their dog in June 2019, as well as from a couple in Los Angeles who filed a lawsuit later that year, claiming their French bulldog was fatally hit by an SUV due to an inattentive Wag walker. (Read more missing dog stories.)
(Newser)  The US says Russia is so bent on invading Ukraine that it's cooking up a phony reason to justify it. In other words, Moscow is allegedly working on a "false-flag" mission. "We have information that indicates Russia has already prepositioned a group of operatives to conduct a false-flag operation in eastern Ukraine," an anonymous US official tells the Washington Post. "The operatives are trained in urban warfare and in using explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russia's own proxy-forces." All of which could lead to a Russian invasion later this month or in February. Other big outlets, including the AP, are quoting the same official. The development comes amid high tensions: Russian troops are massed on the Ukraine border, and talks between Russia and the West to defuse the situation have gone nowhere. More:

'Dead end' talks: "The drumbeat of war is sounding loud and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill," says Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The organization held talks in Vienna on Thursday, but Russian diplomats later declared them to be at a "dead end," per Axios. "It seems the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years," agreed Zbigniew Rau, the Polish chairman of the group.

"The drumbeat of war is sounding loud and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill," says Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The organization held talks in Vienna on Thursday, but Russian diplomats later declared them to be at a "dead end," per Axios. "It seems the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years," agreed Zbigniew Rau, the Polish chairman of the group. US role: If Russia does invade, the New York Times reports that the US might fund an insurgency, essentially a "guerrilla war against Russian military occupation." After such an invasion, "US and NATO military assistanceintelligence, cyber, anti-armor and anti-air weapons, offensive naval missileswould ratchet up significantly," James Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral and former supreme allied commander at NATO, tells the newspaper. "And if it turned into a Ukrainian insurgency, Putin should realize that after fighting insurgencies ourselves for two decades, we know how to arm, train, and energize them."

If Russia does invade, the New York Times reports that the US might fund an insurgency, essentially a "guerrilla war against Russian military occupation." After such an invasion, "US and NATO military assistanceintelligence, cyber, anti-armor and anti-air weapons, offensive naval missileswould ratchet up significantly," James Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral and former supreme allied commander at NATO, tells the newspaper. "And if it turned into a Ukrainian insurgency, Putin should realize that after fighting insurgencies ourselves for two decades, we know how to arm, train, and energize them." Familiar: White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that Russia similarly conducted a false-flag operation before its annexation of Crimea, reports the AP. "We saw this playbook in 2014," says Sullivan. "They are preparing this playbook again." The US also says Moscow is infiltrating Ukrainian social media to "fabricate Ukrainian provocations," another tactic used in 2014.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that Russia similarly conducted a false-flag operation before its annexation of Crimea, reports the AP. "We saw this playbook in 2014," says Sullivan. "They are preparing this playbook again." The US also says Moscow is infiltrating Ukrainian social media to "fabricate Ukrainian provocations," another tactic used in 2014. What Russia says: Moscow has consistently denied that it plans to invade Ukraine. But it also wants assurances that Ukraine won't join NATO, a position the US rejects, per the AP. The US has warned Moscow that it faces broad sanctions should its troops advance over the border.

(Read more Russia-Ukraine conflict stories.)
Shamokin, PA (17872)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 68F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 51F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday expressed pride and appreciation of the achievements of Bahraini diplomacy in its more than 50-year-old history.

These achievements follow the principles and firm values that shaped Bahrains civilised identity that pursues tolerance, coexistence and respect for others, said HM the King on the occasion of the Diplomatic Day of Bahrain, which falls on January 14th every year.

Bahrain, HM King said, is pleased to express thanks and appreciation for the prominent role played by Bahraini diplomacy at the regional and international levels to build bridges of cooperation and consolidate friendship with brotherly and friendly countries around the world.

For more than fifty years, Bahraini diplomacy has reflected the foreign policy of Bahrain, which is moderation and balance.

Bahrain, HM King said, seek to build relations with countries of the world, support the international community to enhance peace and security, address urgent issues and challenges, and achieve Goodness and a decent life for all of humanity.

What Bahraini diplomacy had achieved through the efforts and giving inside and outside the country is a source of pride, said His Majesty, adding, this reflects the loyalty, sincerity and dedication of the people in serving their country, achieving higher interests, defending its positions, and highlighting achievements.

Comprehensive development, HM King said, always constituted our supreme goal, as it affects the life and livelihood of the Bahraini person and the realisation of his aspirations and hopes.

His Majesty congratulated all the diplomats and thanked and appreciated them for their efforts and dedication in performing their responsibilities and tasks entrusted.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrains passport has improved its power on the latest Henley Passport Index ranking, even as COVID-19 and its new Omicron variant create havoc across the globe.

The passport now ranks 62nd on the Henley Passport Index, climbing seven positions from the 69th rank held last year.

The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations.

However, in 2020, Bahraini passport held a much better position at 61, which went down again to 63rd in 2019.

In 2018, Bahrain was at 64th rank and in 2017 at 66th rank.

In 2006, when Henley started publishing the ranking, Bahrain held 59th rank.

Bahrainis currently have visa-free access to 84 destinations around the globe.

Bahrain added 46 places for its people to access visa-free since 2006.

The current rankings are for the first quarter of 2022.

Updated quarterly, the Henley Passport Index is considered the standard reference tool for global citizens and sovereign states when assessing where a passport ranks on the world mobility spectrum.

With historical data spanning 17 years, the Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority.

Saudi 65th Neighbouring Saudi Arabia takes 65th rank on the index with Belarus, Bolivia and Thailand.

Saudi Nationals have visa-free access to 79 destinations.

The passport of the United Arab Emirates enjoys a remarkable position at the top with 15th rank, the highest spot yet achieved for the Arab nation throughout the indexs history, and a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 175.

Kuwait ranks 54th on the index, where its passport holders can access 95 destinations visa-free.

Oman passport holders are ranked 64th on the index, where they have access to 80 destinations visa-free.

Oman shares its rank with China.

Who is at the top?

Japan toppled Germany in 2017 to take the number one spot on the index and enjoys that prime position to date.

Japan also shares its number one spot with Singapore.

Japanese have access to 192 visa-free destinations.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain Health Ministry published its complete list of health centres for receiving the COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots.

The ministry had announced earlier that booster shots are now available by choice for those between 12 and 17 years.

The ministry had also said that the Green shied will not change to yellow on the BeAware application for children between 12 and 17 years if they do not receive a booster shot.

Adolescents who have received two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine will receive the Sinopharm or Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots, approved for use six months after the second dose.

However, adolescents who received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will get the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot only, six months after the second dose.

From Sunday to Thursday, Sinopharm vaccine:

1. Shaikh Salman Health Centre

2. The National Bank of Bahrain Health Centre in Arad

3. Ahmed Ali Kanoo Health Centre

4. Jaw & Askar Clinic 5. Ibn Sinna Health Centre 6. Budaiya Coastal Clinic

7. Zallaq Health Centre Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine:

1. Sitra Mall

2. Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait Health Centre  HIDD

3. NBB Health Centre  Dair

4. Yousif A. Rahman Engineer Health Centre

5. Sitra Health Centre

6. Hamad Kanoo Health Centre

7. Mohamed Jasim Kanoo Health Centre

8. Shaikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al Khalifa Health Center

9. Hamad Town Health Centre

10. Isa Town Health Centre 11. Muharraq Health Centre

12. Bilad Al-Qadeem Health Centre

13. Sabah Al-Salem Health Centre

14. Al-Naim Health Centre 15. AAli Health Centre

16. Kuwait Health Centre 17. Budaiya Health Centre

18. Sh. Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Health Centre

19. Al-Hoora Health Centre Sputnik V vaccine:
BROOKFIELD  For more than three decades, Maj. John Puglisi has showed up to work at the Brookfield Police Department. Over the years, he has held many titles, and worked in many roles, slowly working his way up the ranks. But on Feb. 1, he will arrive at the station with a new title: police chief.

I was pleased when the Board of Selectmen endorsed me and the Police Commission endorsed me, Puglisi said. Its been a good department to work for, a good town to work for.

Chief James Purcell is retiring on Jan. 31 after roughly five years in his head role and 38 years on the force, and Puglisi has been tapped to take his spot. In 2017, Purcell took over from former Chief Robin Montgomery, a Vietnam veteran and former FBI agent who retired after 16 years as chief at the age of 71.

Hes been serving Brookfield for many years, and weve just been extremely lucky to have him, First Selectman Tara Carr said of Puglisi. His professional experience is perfect for the job, so its time for his promotion.

Before learning that Purcell was retiring, Puglisi said he had started applying to chief positions in other places. But after Purcell filed his intent to retire with the town, things moved quickly. There were interviews with the Police Commission, and with former First Selectman Steve Dunn and again with Carr once she took office in late 2021.

On Monday, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved his appointment.

I think people respect him for his forthright way of doing business, and I think hell make a name for himself as time goes on, said Purcell. Johns extremely well-regarded, hes an accomplished officer, hes a decorated officer.

Puglisis salary has not yet been finalized yet.

Puglisi said he made the decision to stay on and take on this big role in Brookfield because of the atmosphere.

Its a known, he said. Ive been here for 34 years.

Puglisi will be the departments fourth chief since its inception in the 1970s.

He brings a good amount of experience from being here in town so I think well be very fortunate that hes taking over, Capt. Peter Frengs said.

Getting to know the new chief

Growing up on Long Island, Puglisi arrived in Connecticut as an 18-year-old, and has spent his entire career with the Brookfield police. After attending Nassau Community College and Western Connecticut State University, Puglisi started out as a Brookfield patrol officer in 1988. He never imagined that he would one day become chief.

I dont think it was ever on my radar when I first started, he said.

Puglisi was promoted to corporal in 1995, and then to patrol sergeant in 2002. By 2008, he was given the title of police captain, and stayed in that role for eight years before becoming a Brookfield police major.

Along the way, Puglisi also held other titles that came with a broad spectrum of responsibilities, from emergency services commander to scuba team commander to lake patrol officer. Since 2015, Puglisi has also been the chief of the Lake Lillinonah Authority Marine Patrol.

But his career hasnt just been titles and promotions. His dedication to the community has been honored numerous times over the years.

Puglisi won the Medal for Bravery in 2005 for pulling an unconscious driver from a burning car on a cold January day in 2002, and has also received a Gallantry Star and a Distinguished Service award.

When he isnt at work, Puglisi said he spends a lot of time with his young grandson, and enjoys hiking, camping, and snowmobiling with his wife in Maine.

One of Puglisis four children, his eldest son, is a police officer in Monroe.

Into the future

In his new role, Puglisi will focus on implementing the townwide radio system, finishing the departments accreditation process, the possibility of building improvements, and continued community outreach through events like the annual Toy Drive and Special Olympics.

He is also dedicated to working on the camaraderie within the force.

Puglisi said his stability, open mindedness, and accountability will help him in his new role.

Im also kind of a stickler for holding people accountable for what theyre supposed to be doing, he said.

As the new police chief, Puglisi will be working even more closely with other Brookfield leaders.

Ive had the pleasure of speaking privately with John on a number of occasions, Carr said. I really appreciate not only his experience, but his vision for, first and foremost, keeping Brookfield safe.
As Bitcoin prices rise, so will the incentive to mine it, creating a feedback loop that spells trouble for the climate.

by Robin Scher

For advocates of cryptocurrency, the promise of an economic future that is managed by a blockchain (a decentralized database that is shared among the nodes of a computer network, as opposed to being held in a single location, such as a central bank) is compelling. For anyone paying attention, the rapid expansion of cryptocurrency has been stunning. In 2019, the global cryptocurrency market was approximately $793 million. Its now expected to reach nearly $5.2 billion by 2026, according to a report by the market research organization Facts and Factors. In just one yearbetween July 2020 and June 2021the global adoption of cryptocurrency surged by more than 880 percent.

But the increasing popularity of cryptocurrency has environmentalists on edge, as the digital mining of it creates a massive carbon footprint due to the staggering amount of energy it requires. Based on data from the Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index from Digiconomist, an online tool created by data scientist Alex de Vries, the carbon footprint of Bitcoin, the worlds largest cryptocurrency, is equivalent to that of New Zealand, with both emitting nearly 37 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, according to a February 2021 CNBC article.

To understand why this is a problem, its important to explain what goes into creating a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Unlike fiat money, which is regulated through central banks, transactions in Bitcoin are tracked through a public ledger consisting of a network of computers around the world: the blockchain. Mininga process in which computational puzzles are solved in order to verify transactions between users, which are then added to the blockchainallows this validation to take place, which is an energy-intensive process.

Its been a bit of a wild ride for Bitcoin. The market price of a single bitcoin plunged below $30,000 in June 2021 for the first time since January 2021falling by more than half from its April peak of around $65,000. Nevertheless, some analysts and billionaire investors are still feeling bullish about the crypto coin, as several leading businesses continue to adopt the currency.

Goldman Sachs started trading Bitcoin futures (agreeing to transact the coin at a predetermined future date and price). Tesla invested $1.5 billion in Bitcoin. PayPal announced in March 2021 that it would allow its U.S. customers to use cryptocurrency to pay its millions of online merchants. In September, El Salvador became the first country to make bitcoin legal tender. This, coupled with the fact that big-name brands like AT&T, Home Depot, Microsoft, Starbucks and Whole Foods now accept bitcoin payments, could pave the way for mainstream use. But if the bulls are right and the price of a single Bitcoin eventually hits $500,000, it would pump more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than what is released by countries like Brazil or Mexico.

Another sector shaken up by digital assets is the art world, as digital artworks have been making headlines for the huge amounts theyve been selling for on the market through the use of nonfungible tokens, more commonly known as NFTs, a type of guarantee backed by the Ethereum blockchain. In simpler terms, the works are created, or minted, through a process called proof-of-work (PoW), which establishes its unique identity, as explained in an article on Hyperallergic.

This is arguably an improvement over the traditional art market when it comes to storing the value of the original work but is terrible for carbon emissions. The carbon footprint of a single Ethereum transaction as of December 2021 was 102.38 kilograms of CO2, which is Equivalent to the carbon footprint of 226,910 VISA transactions or 17,063 hours of watching YouTube, according to Digiconomist. Meanwhile, the electrical energy footprint of a single Ethereum transaction is about the same amount as the power that an average U.S. household uses in 8.09 days, the website further states.

In March 2021, Austrian architect Chris Precht announced that he was [abandoning] plans to sell digital artworks backed by NFTs due to the environmental impact of mining the digital tokens, according to Dezeen magazine. He said that he had created three digital artworks and wanted to sell them using blockchain technology. I wanted to create 300 tokens because I had three art pieces and I wanted to make each one in an edition of 100.  I would have used the amount of electricity I usually use in two decades, Precht explained.

[W]ere largely powering 21st-century technology with 19th-century energy sources, Andrew Hatton, head of information technology at Greenpeace United Kingdom, told CNBC. He attributes this energy usage to the huge amount of data-crunching needed to create and maintain this cyber-currency, a process that demands a lot of electricity. The problem, according to Hatton, is that only about a fifth of the electricity used in the worlds data centers comes from renewable sources.

Another crucial aspect of cryptocurrency is that there is only a limited supply available. So, over time, as more bitcoin is mined, the complex math problems needed for transactions get harder to solve, demanding more energy in turn. The system is designed this way so that each digital token that gets issued contains its own unique cryptographic reference to the blockchain, ensuring its security. The issue of energy usage over time is further exacerbated by incentives attached to mining. In terms of Bitcoin, each time a miner solves the complex hashing algorithm required to produce bitcoin (the PoW), they receive a small amount of the cryptocurrency itself.

The inherent problem with this, as Charles Hoskinson, co-founder of Ethereum, told CNBC, is that the more successful bitcoin gets, the higher the price goes; the higher the price goes, the more competition for bitcoin; and thus the more energy is expended to mine [it]. As the price continues to rise, so will the incentive to mine the cryptocurrency, creating a feedback loop that spells trouble for the climate.

According to December 2021 figures from the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, Bitcoin makes up around 0.52 percent of the total global electricity consumption. That might not sound like much, but Digiconomist calculates Bitcoins total annual power consumption to be around 204.50 terawatt-hours, equivalent to the power consumption of Thailand.

Such numbers should be taken with a good deal of salt. Bitcoins energy use depends crucially on its price, which swings wildly. The authors [of a paper published in April in the journal Nature Communications] assume that the long-term trend will be upward because the rate at which new bitcoins are created is designed to halve every four years. Reality will doubtless prove more complicated, noted the Economist. But the general picturethat bitcoin is a dirty businessfits with other research. One oft-cited model, which uses publicly available blockchain data, reckons its global energy consumption is already equal to that of Kazakhstan, and that its carbon footprint matches Hong Kongs.

Another problem besides the gargantuan energy usage is where that energy comes from. There is no definitive statistic related to the proportion of renewable versus fossil fuel-powered electricity used for bitcoin mining. Earth.org cites two conflicting measures of Bitcoins energy usage: CoinShares, a cryptocurrency asset management and analysis firm, reported in 2019 that 74.1 percent of Bitcoins electricity comes from renewables, while the University of Cambridge puts that number at 39 percent, according to a report it issued in 2020.

A better indicator of Bitcoins electricity source is not how it is powered but where its power comes from. A March 2021 article by Quartz estimates that since April 2020, around 65 percent of bitcoin mining capacity, or hashrate, was based in China due to its cheap electricity. This figure should give a better understanding of the primary source of fuel currently powering Bitcoin.

In May 2021, at least half of Chinas significant share of bitcoin mining was located in the coal-rich province of Xinjiang, according to the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, cited by Quartz. In 2020, 63 percent of Chinas bitcoin mining came from coal-fired plants, Fortune reported in July 2021, citing figures from Rystad Energy. The energy research firm estimates that if China were to eliminate bitcoin mining, it would cut CO2 emissions by 57 million [metric tons]the equivalent to what the entire country of Portugal emits in a year, the Fortune report noted.

Despite these figures, a more renewable, energy-conscious future may lie ahead for cryptocurrency. In September 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the UN General Assembly that his country would strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. That could lead to provinces such as Xinjiang being forced to move more toward renewables. The call from Beijing has also prompted nearby territories such as Inner Mongolia (which made up 8.7 percent of Chinas bitcoin mining in 2020) to ban all crypto mining in mid-2021. If the change doesnt come from within China after these crackdowns, bitcoin mining may grow somewhere else as miners look to explore clean energy like surplus natural gas, shifting their focus from China to countries like Iceland, Norway, and Canada, according to Quartz.

Its important that any valid criticism of Bitcoin considers the broader perspective around energy usage. As Michel Rauchs, a research affiliate at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, explained to CNBC, Although we agree the amounts [of energy needed by Bitcoin] are ludicrous right now, that is still half as much as inactive home appliances in the U.S. consumed. A similar line of logic could be applied to a variety of everyday tasks such as sending emails or using the internet in general, both of which use up a fair share of energy too.

What we have here is people trying to decide what is or is not a good use of energy, Meltem Demirors, chief strategy officer of CoinShares, told CNBC. For Demirors, Bitcoins energy transparency places it in a better position than other, more opaque energy-consuming industries such as the banking industry.

To this effect, a May 2021 report produced by Galaxy Digital, a financial services and investment management firm based in New York, puts the energy consumption of Bitcoin at less than half that produced by the banking and gold industries. Putting this finding into perspective, the reports authors note that Bitcoin is a fundamentally novel technology that is not a precise substitute for any one legacy system. What this means is that, unlike traditional currency or gold, Bitcoin is not solely a settlement layer, not solely a store of value, and not solely a medium of exchange. This makes Bitcoins relative energy consumption productive in comparison to comparative sectors, given its robust potential uses.

Galaxy Digitals report further addresses the source of energy used by miners to generate Bitcoin. Critics often assume that the energy expended by miners is either stolen from more productive use cases or results in increased energy consumption, according to the report. But because of inefficiencies in the energy market, bitcoin miners are incentivized to utilize nonrival energy that may otherwise be wasted or underutilized, as this electricity tends to be the cheapest. A recent case in point can be found in El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has announced the use of geothermal energy to power its bitcoin mining.

The promise of such an endeavor offers hope for a more sustainable cryptocurrency future. Whether this will make much difference to the climate crisis in light of government and industrial inaction remains to be seen. Even if cryptocurrency finds a way to coexist with a fossil-free future, critics point out that the majority of the wealth created by Bitcoin goes to a disproportionately small number of investors. An article in the Wall Street Journal, while referring to a recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Researchwhich was conducted by researchers from the MIT Sloan School of Management and the London School of Economicsstated that the top 10,000 bitcoin accounts hold 5 million bitcoins, an equivalent of approximately $232 billion. Speaking about Bitcoin, Antoinette Schoar, a finance professor at MIT Sloan School of Management and co-author of the study, said, Despite having been around for 14 years and the hype it has ratcheted up, its still the case that its a very concentrated ecosystem.

A version of this article first appeared on Truthout and was produced in partnership with Earth | Food | Life, a project of the Independent Media Institute.

Robin Scher is a writer based in South Africa. He is a graduate of the Cultural Reporting and Criticism program at New York University. Follow him on Twitter: @RobScherHimself.
HALIFAX, NS, Jan. 14, 2022 /CNW/ - With Environment Canada predicting heavy snow, rain, freezing rain and strong winds across the Atlantic region this weekend, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is sharing tips to help keep your family and property safe.

"As we've seen in previous years, winter storms can cause extensive damage. Being prepared for any severe weather event is important for your personal and financial security," said Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Atlantic, IBC. "We want to ensure that residents in Atlantic Canada are ready for the rain, strong winds, freezing rain and heavy snow that are currently forecast for the region."

IBC's Top 10 Tips to Prepare for Severe Weather

Create an emergency preparedness plan for your family. Move valuable items out of your basement to higher levels in your home. Assemble disaster safety kits for your home, car and office. Prepare for power outages. Have flashlights and portable lighting ready. Always be careful if lighting candles. Protect or move property that might be damaged by flying debris. Park vehicle in garage, if possible. Have someone check your property if you are away. Make sure downspouts are clear of debris and that they direct water away from your home to prevent ice-damming and basement flooding. Charge electronics and have back-up power sources available. If your home gets its water from a well, ensure you have extra water in tubs and other vessels to flush toilets and for other purposes. Check with your insurance representative to make sure you have appropriate coverage.

Safety Tips

Only if safe to do so:

Clear snow from your roof and deck to avoid potential collapse, or hire a professional to clear the snow.

Clear snow and ice well away from natural gas or propane meters, exhaust vents and basement window wells.

Clear snow away from all windows.

If you need to drive, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before you start out. Drive according to the conditions.

Keep your sidewalk and the front stairs of your house clear of snow and ice to prevent falls and injuries.

Rest Easier. Know What's Covered.

Talk to your insurance representative to make sure you have appropriate coverage.

Damage to homes caused by wind is usually covered. This includes damage caused by flying debris or falling branches or trees, or damage caused by water entering through openings.

If you have purchased comprehensive or all perils automobile insurance coverage, damage to vehicles from wind is usually covered. This coverage is not mandatory, so check your policy.

In certain circumstances, homeowners who are unable to return home due to insured damage are entitled to additional living expenses.

Resources

Anyone with questions about their individual policy should contact their insurance representative.

For general insurance information contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422 ext. 228) or visit IBC.ca/disaster.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.

For media releases and more information, visit IBC's Media Centre at www.ibc.ca. Follow us on Twitter @InsuranceBureau or like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

For further information: Media Contact: Vanessa Barrasa, Manager, Media Relations, 416-550-9062, [email protected]
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2022 /CNW/ - Nova Mentis Life Science Corp. (CSE: NOVA) (FSE: HN3Q) (OTCQB: NMLSF) ("NOVA" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company and global leader in first-in-class psilocybin-based therapeutics and complementary diagnostics for neuroinflammatory disorders reviews its 2021 drug development accomplishments and its planned 2022 steps towards drug approval and commercialization.

"As we enter 2022, I want to thank NOVA's shareholders for their continued support and investment in our company. We, despite being a small drug biotech company, have achieved tremendous progress last year in our psilocybin research and drug development program, as well as established new partnerships that will help accelerate our efforts and guide us on the pathway to drug approval and commercialization," says Will Rascan, NOVA's CEO & President. "NOVA has laid the necessary groundwork to quickly move in 2022 to submit applications to the regulatory agencies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe for phase 2A clinical studies of psilocybin in fragile X syndrome (FXS), a rare disease with unmet medical needs. I personally look forward to reporting to our shareholders this year that our clinical studies have achieved positive clinical results and that NOVA is on its way to potential drug approval and commercial sales."





The Nova 2021 Story - Accomplishments:

Development of manufacturing process for non-GMP >98% purity psilocybin under proprietary manufacturing agreement (PDMO); NOVA ownership of Drug Master File (DMF) to be used in drug regulatory submissions.

Psilocybin export/import application approved by the U.S. DEA and Italian Ministry of Health; Proof of efficacy and safety established by Dr. Viviana Trezza , Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy .

, Roma Tre University, . NOVA proprietary synthetic non-GMP psilocybin proof of efficacy and safety established in 4 preclinical autism spectrum disorder (ASD) models. Significant modulation of anxiety symptoms and improvement of cognition.

Microdose psilocybin therapeutic levels established in preclinical fragile X syndrome (FXS) model.

Approval granted of Orphan Drug Status from U.S. FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for psilocybin treatment of FXS. This status will provide the Company market exclusivity and significant financial benefits in both regions, including the potential to rapidly advance our clinical program toward regulatory approval and commercialization.

Patent filings:

a. manufacturing process for psilocybin and tryptamine derivatives; July 2021.

b. Worldwide diagnostic mRNA neuroinflammatory PCT application; November 2021.

Completed manufacturing supply of cGMP (>98% purity) psilocybin for U.S., Canada and Europe phase 2 clinical studies.

and phase 2 clinical studies. Developed novel mRNA technology to monitor pre- and post- neuroinflammatory drug treatment response. Acquire FDA Real World Evidence (RWE) to prove drug efficacy.

The Nova 2022 Story  Future Catalysts:

Finalize human dose delivery formulation for phase 2A human IND regulatory submissions.

Joint venture with Mycrodose Therapeutics to develop transdermal psilocybin patch; Schedule 1 license completed and drug shipped to R&D facility in San Diego, CA.

Strategic relationship with a major university regarding serotonin research. Cooperative clinical setting for enrolling ASD patients in Observational Study and future FDA phase 2A study.

Design and submit Phase 2A psilocybin fragile X syndrome INDs to the U.S. FDA, Health Canada and European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Preparation of psilocybin manufacturing process file in support of Phase 2A IND filings with U.S. FDA, Health Canada and EMA.

Consummate ongoing pharmaceutical industry partnerships to promote psychedelic drug development and commercialization in the U.S., Canada and Europe .

and . Potential sales of NOVA cGMP manufactured drug to doctors and clinics exploring use of psilocybin under Health Canada's recently enacted Special Access Programme (SAP) to restricted drugs for psychedelic therapy.

Recruitment of patients for NOVA's North American autism clinical study, which was listed on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04869930), a database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world. This Observational Study based in the US and Canada [NM101: Establishing a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Index in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)] is a large-scale effort to measure genetic neuroinflammatory biomarkers and the neurotransmitter serotonin in an attempt to further understand the development and progression of behavioural symptoms observed in ASD and FXS.

Debt Settlement and RSU Grant

The Company has entered into a debt settlement agreement pursuant to which the Company has agreed to issue 1,056,583 common shares (each, a "Share"), at a deemed price of $0.06 per Share, to settle indebtedness of $63,395 (the "Transaction"). All Shares issued pursuant to the Transaction are subject to a statutory four-month and one-day hold period.

In addition, the Company has granted 2,350,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to directors, officers and consultants of the Company. The RSUs are valid for a two-year term and are governed by the Company's RSU Plan, approved by the Company's shareholders on December 22, 2020.

About Nova Mentis Life Science Corp.

Nova Mentis Life Science Corp. is a Canadian-based biotechnology company and global leader in developing diagnostics and psilocybin-based therapeutics for neuroinflammatory disorders. Nova is the first biotech company to achieve psilocybin orphan drug designation in both the United States and European Union.

The goal is to diagnose and treat debilitating chronic conditions that have unmet medical needs, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS).

For further information on the Company, please visit www.novamentis.ca or email [email protected].

On Behalf of the Board

Will Rascan, President & CEO

Nova Mentis Life Science Corp.

Phone: 778-819-0244

Toll Free: 1-833-542-5323

Twitter: @novamentislsc

Instagram: @novamentislsc

Facebook: @novamentislsc

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Nova Mentis Life Science's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

SOURCE Nova Mentis Life Science Corp.

For further information: [email protected]
A woman and a girl were injured in the rocket attack and another one landed inside a nearby school, the Iraq Security Forces said, adding that they are still working to assess casualties and damages.

The US Embassy in Baghdad came under a rocket attack targeting its compound by suspected terrorist groups on Thursday. A woman and a girl were injured in the rocket attack and another one landed inside a nearby school, the Iraq Security Forces said, adding that they are still working to assess casualties and damages.

Taking to Twitter the embassy said, The US Embassy compound was attacked this evening by terrorist groups attempting to undermine Iraqs security, sovereignty and international relations, reported Sputnik News. Furthermore, the Iraq Security Forces said that the rockets were fired from an area south of Baghdad and targeted the so-called Green Zone that hosts diplomatic missions administrative buildings, and embassies, including The US embassy.

The US embassy is regularly targeted by missiles in a series of attacks in Iraq and Syria, including indirect rocket fire attacks near the Ain al-Asad Airbase in Iraq and Green Village base in Syria. Recent attacks were undertaken right before and after the second anniversary of the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force. In January 2020, Qasem was killed in a US airstrike on the outskirts of Baghdad in Iraq.

Notably, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi ordered to set up special committees in June 2021 to thwart airstrikes.
Labour Party MP Barry Gardiner, who was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 2020, had received funds from the alleged Chinese agent, Ching Kui Lee.

After British intelligence agency MI5s sensational revelation about a female Chinese agents interference in the countrys political process, it has now come to light that a Labour Party MP, Barry Gardiner, who was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 2020 had received funds from the alleged Chinese agent. Barry Gardiner has been elected MP from Brent North a constituency that has a significant Indian diaspora, since 1997.

In an interview with Sky News, Gardiner admitted receiving funds from Ching Kui Lee. He also revealed that his office employed Lees son as a diary manager. However, according to Gardiner, Ching Kui Lees son was asked to resign the same day Gardiner received information about her alleged involvement in political subversion in the UK.

MI5 had issued an alert that Christine Ching Kui Lee has acted covertly in coordination with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and is judged to be involved in political interference activities in the UK.

Ian Duncan Smith, a senior British lawmaker and former leader of the ruling Conservative Party, raised the alarm in Parliament on Thursday, saying that MI5 had warned House Speaker Lindsay Hoyle that an agent of the Chinese government has been actively working to subvert the processes of Parliament. This is a matter of grave concern, Duncan Smith said.

We judge that the UFWD is seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics through establishing links with established and aspiring Parliamentarians across the political spectrum, CNN quoted MI5 alert as saying. The agency also highlighted that Lee has been facilitating financial donations to political parties, Parliamentarians, aspiring Parliamentarians and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals.
New Haven police Officer Diane Gonzalez died Monday after slipping into a coma following an on-duty crash Sept. 9, 2008. The crash occurred between Gonzalez and Sgt. Dario Scott Aponte at Chapel and East streets as they were responding to what at the time was believed to be a life-and-death domestic violence call in the citys Fair Haven section.

Aponte was killed; Gonzalez, who was 47 at the time, suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Columnist Yvonne Ridely described it as royal act of treachery

by Latheef Farook

In one of the most shameful developments the British Queen awarded former British Prime Minister Tony Blair knighthood, the oldest and most senior British order of chivalry, in the new year honors list.

Tony Blair is a war criminal. He,together with US President George Bush Junior, black mailed and misled the world, invaded oil rich almost developed ancient Muslim country of Iraq in March 2003 and killed more than a million innocent Muslims besides subjecting hundreds of thousands to worst form of torture and destroying the country infrastructure.

Describing the award an insult to people who grew up in the shadow of the Iraq war more than a million people signed a petition ,within six days,demanding to revoke the knighthood awarded to Blair. The petition states that Blair was "personally responsible" for the killings of countless innocent lives and that he should be held accountable for "war crimes".

Scott Nelson / Getty Images - US Army orders an Iraqi woman to the ground to search during a search and destroy mission March 27, 2003, near the town of An Najaf, Iraq.

The Labour MP Richard Burgon tweeted: It says a lot about what is wrong with our system when, after being one of the leading architects of the Iraq war, Tony Blair is honored with a knighthood while Julian Assange, who exposed war crimes in Iraq, faces extradition to the USA and a lifetime in prison.

Well known British columnist Yovonne Ridely described Blair's knighthood to Blair as a royal act of treachery against his victims in Iraq and Afghanistan

Among those to have given their backing to the petition is Rose Gentle, whose 19-year-old son, Gordon, was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra in 2004. She told the Daily Record that Instead of standing in front of the Queen being made a Sir with that stupid grin on his face, hed be better going to the cemetery and standing in front of my sons grave to see what hes done.

"The British Empire has always honored its best killers with knighthoods, road names, statues...Tony Blair is not an aberration," said one political activist.

Without any valid reason Bush and Blair dispatched troops and war planes to bomb the innocent Iraqi people in March 2003. Within days, water and power supplies were cut off, and millions of people were deprived of water, electricity, medicine, food and even shelter. US planes continued to rain death on the Iraqi people.

By systematically depriving water, electricity, medicine and food, Bush and Blair deliberately committed genocide on innocent civilians.

Imagine the terrifying prospect for the ordinary Iraqi citizens who suffered incessant bombardment as Bush and Blair unleashed the most destructive firepower to kill them indiscriminately. Day in and day out the skies over Iraq rained bombs  and the most pernicious ones to boot  which shook the earth and relegated once thriving cities into bloody human abattoirs. Child survivors, many of them maimed for life, remain haunted by the nightmare of the gruesome catastrophe.

Caught up in this vicious and prolonged bloodbath they had to scan the skies constantly in anticipation for the dreaded shriek of lethal shells whistling overhead and finally bursting around them in a mighty climatic boom. Several have seen their loved ones and neighbours blown to smithereens their homes which have served for many as instant concrete tombs.

There was carnage everywhere. And the whole world, including human rights champions in Europe, watched the slaughter as helpless spectators.US troops mercilessly slaughtered Iraqi soldiers who had surrendered. Unfortunately no one know exactly how many Iraqis perished in this carnage

US soldiers stood by and watched, while invaluable historic artefacts were openly robbed from the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad. A pattern of looting began everywhere the day the US troops entered the area.

Around 170,000 items, including the Warqa Vase of 3500 BC, the bulls head of Ur and the squatting Akkadian King of 2300BC, were robbed. Lamenting over this pillage, British MP Boris Johnson, also the editor of The Spectator, cried his heart out when he said, it fills me with rage to think that at least some of the spoils of Iraqs National Museum will, in all likelihood, end up as the bibelots in the brownstone of some bankers in New York.

They didnt stop there! Even the dead and buried were not spared!

Shortly after the invasion came the American Terror War gulag where appalling abuses were inflicted upon harmless citizens. Thousands of innocent Iraqi men, women and teenagers, were indiscriminately herded into prison camps and subjected to the most sadistic torture imaginable.

US forces used the most vicious interrogation techniques including hooding, stripping detainees naked, subjecting them to extremes of heat, cold, noise and light, and depriving them of sleep. This heartless routine which included infliction of pain, discomfort, and humiliation has expanded in all too many cases into vicious beatings, sexual degradation, sodomy, electrocution, near drowning, and near asphyxiation. Several detainees had died under questionable circumstances while in incarceration.

These bestial crimes were kept under wraps until Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a series of expose articles illustrated by damning photos of the torture by US military police of prisoners in the Iraqi prison of Abu Ghraib near Baghdad.

One American stated: We have destroyed a country and created political chaos for no reason whatsoever.

Middle East and the Muslim world was weakened and the region was made safe for Israel whose more than 4000 year old dream was to destroy Iraq and its military force.

Anglo-American weapons, oil, banking and other corporate conglomerates flourished on the blood and flesh of Iraqi people. The irony is that Arab tyrants, including Egypt and Saudi, were active collaborators in this carnage against their own Iraqi brothers to please US and ensure their regimes.
SHERMAN  Around 10:30 p.m. last Thursday, Grace Davlos, of Sherman, thought she heard her 5-month-old daughter, Lydia, make a sound that was like a sneeze.

I went in the bedroom to check on her, and she was gasping for air and wheezing, said Davlos 32, who along with her husband, Matthew, has a 2-year-old daughter, Estella.

After calling 911 and riding with Lydia in an ambulance to Danbury Hospital, Davlos later learned that Lydia  who has no underlying medical conditions had COVID-19.

It was just really scary, it happened so suddenly, Davlos said, adding her daughter had no previous symptoms.

The week before, the rest of Davlos family had contracted what they described as mild cases of COVID-19, but were all starting to feel better.

Arriving at Danbury Hospital, Lydia, who had been given oxygen in the ambulance, was still struggling with her oxygen levels, her mother said.

She was given more oxygen and was kept on it, and also given a drug to open her airways, Davlos said.

Lydia stayed on oxygen through the night with a temperature of about 99 degrees, said Davlos, who stayed overnight with her daughter.

The following day, Lydia showed much improvement, her mother said. She had been given a steroid to help her lungs, was taken off oxygen for several hours and was later sent home.

Lydia is nearly recovered, said Davlos, a designer who works from home.

Uptick in cases

On Monday, Monica M. Buchanan, a senior director at Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford, said the center is seeing many more infant and pediatric cases of COVID-19.

During any point during the pandemic, we average at a peak two patients. In the past three weeks, we have hit numbers of 17 admitted patients with COVID, Buchanan said. While the numbers are still relatively small, they are the largest we have seen since COVID hit the US. Its nearly a 750 percent increase. Today, we have eight cases in-house.

Dr. Beth Natt, a regional clinical director at Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford, said the uptick in cases at the center has closely mirrored the increase of cases throughout the state. Although the majority dont need hospitalization, the number of pediatric patients hospitalized with COVID has increased as well, Natt said.

Infants and young children mostly have symptoms of COVID-19 similar to those in many other common viruses, Natt said  Mild cold and cough symptoms, a hoarse voice, vomiting and diarrhea, and fever.

As physicians, we are looking for the same things that would worry us for a child that has any illness: Are they able to drink well enough to keep themselves hydrated? Are they working hard to breathe? Are they comfortable and playful or ill-appearing? Natt said.

If parents have any concerns of that nature, they should reach out to their pediatrician for advice or bring their child to a local emergency department, she said.

Because of their developing immune system, we also worry if a young infant has a fever in the first two months of life, Natt said. Because it is hard to tell if a fever is due to a virus or a bacterial infection, any fever  a temperature over 100.4  in an infant under two months of life, should be promptly evaluated.

Typically, Natt said symptoms in infants can begin very quickly.

Be mindful to watch for fever, drinking, wet diapers and changes in breathing, she said. If an infant has a known exposure, I would be watching (him or her) for the next 10 days, but more closely in the first week.

She added young children have a higher risk of hospitalization with viral illnesses.

This is true with COVID-19 as well as influenza, RSV and other common viruses, she said. If an infant requires hospitalization for COVID-19, the treatment is typically supportive care, including making sure theyre drinking well or adequately hydrated, helping with their breathing or oxygenation if they're having difficulty, and monitoring them to ensure that they get over the illness.

She added children tend to get worse for a few days before they start to improve.

Prevention

When parents test positive for COVID-19, it can be very hard  if nearly impossible  to socially distance from their young children.

This is always a really difficult situation. First, parents should know that they should do their best, Natt said. Although we would recommend having other people help to care for the infant when a parent is ill, this is not always possible.

She added good hand-washing and wearing masks can go a long way.

Additionally, she said parents should try to separate older siblings who test positive from newborns as best they can.

Its safe to continue to breastfeed when a mother has COVID, she added.

We recommend that mothers wear a mask when they are feeding the infant and continue to do good hand washing before handling the infant, Natt said.

In general, since infants are at higher risk of infections in the first few months of their lives, she recommends limiting their exposure to large numbers of people and making sure those coming to visit are healthy.

With the high prevalence of COVID at this time, we would recommend that parents mask when they are in public areas, and be thoughtful in the number of people that they have coming over the house to visit the new baby, she said.

She also recommends being up to date on immunizations for COVID-19 as well as the flu and whooping cough  for everyone who is helping to care for the baby.

And of course, just because somebody has tested negative for COVID does not necessarily mean that they do not have one of a number of other viruses that can make an infant ill, Natt said.

She recommends having those with a recent illness wait until theyre completely better before they help care for the infant.

Parents should not panic after learning their infant has COVID.

Most infants do very well, and many have very mild symptoms. Treat your child as if they have any other virus, but be mindful to the isolation and quarantine guidelines from the CDC, Natt said. Ensure they are comfortable, drinking well, and have easy work of breathing, and communicate closely with your pediatrician if you have any concerns.

sfox@milfordmirror.com 203-948-9802
MILFORD  Students will return to class before Labor Day in the 2022-23 school year, with 181 instructional days on tap.

The Board of Education, at its meeting Monday, approved the 2022-23 academic calendar in a 9-1 vote, with board member Adam DeYoung (D-5) opposed.

We did have a first read on this, and we made a change to reflect the language on the correct spring break and noted that if we had any excessive snow days, it would be added to June but would not go beyond June 23, said Superintendent Anna Cutaia.

If the school district needs to deduct more days due to emergency or snow closures, Cutaia said it will be deducted from the April 2023 vacation, which runs from April 10-14. If there are delayed start times, the delay will be two hours after the regular start of the school.

In the next school year there are a total of 181 instructional days, and the first day of school for the 2022-23 school year is scheduled for Aug. 31.

There are 20 school days in September with two Holidays; Sept. 5, Labor Day, and Sept. 26, Rosh Hashanah. There are also 20 educational days in October and one holiday, Yom Kippur on Oct. 5 and one early dismissal for day for students on Oct. 26.

Going into November, there are 19 education days. On Nov. 1, there is no school for students because of professional learning for staff. Nov. 16 is early dismissal for students, and on Nov. 23, there is early dismissal for all students and staff. Nov. 24-25 is the Thanksgiving Holiday.

December only has 16 instructional days due to the Holiday Recess starting on Dec. 23 and going through Dec. 30. There is one early dismissal day for students on Dec. 7.

When students come back from the Holiday Recess on Jan. 3, 2023, there will be 20 instructional days. There is no school on Jan. 16 for Martian Luther King Day, and early dismissal for students and professional learning for staff is scheduled for Jan. 25.

February has 18 instructional days. There is no school on Feb. 17 and 20 for Winter Recess, and on Feb. 22, it is early dismissal for students.

In March, there are 22 school days. On March 8, there is no school due to professional learning for staff, and one early dismissal day for students is scheduled for March 15.

April has the second-fewest instructional days at a total of 14 primarily due to Good Friday on April 7 and spring recess scheduled on April 10-14. On April 26, there is an early dismissal for students.

In May, there are 22 instructional days. May 17 is early dismissal for students, and there is no school on May 29 because of the Memorial Day Holiday.

June has the fewest instructional days, with only nine scheduled for the 2022-23 school year and the last day of school being June 13.
NEW HAVEN  Five seventh-graders at Bishop Woods School were sent to the hospital Friday after eating an edible product containing THC that one of them had brought to school , according to officials.

After ingesting the product, some of the students demonstrated lethargy while others began vomiting, Mayor Justin Elicker said at a press conference outside the school.

At around 11:30 a.m., there was a 911 call that was made from inside the school about students that had eaten an edible substance, he said. It has been tested on site. It is confirmed that it has THC.

It was a purchased product, an edible that was identified, with THC, said Maritza Bond, the citys director of public health.

While the incident remains under investigation, officials strongly believe the substance did not contain fentanyl, according to Elicker.

The Police Department is investigating the incident, particularly where the substance came from, he said, later adding, The police have been on scene. Theyre investigating, and for a student who brings in a substance like this, there will likely be consequences.

The affected students were in stable condition as of early Friday afternoon, New Haven police Officer Scott Shumway said in an email. He previously had said police were investigating a report of multiple overdoses at the school.

The event affected seventh-graders aged 12 to 13, Superintendent of Schools Iline Tracey said Friday afternoon.

During a later press conference, a recording of which is available on his Facebook page, Elicker said it was one of the five hospitalized students who had brought the edible to school.

A student brought in some edibles and shared that with four other students, he said.

The edible was a candy bar, according to officials.

There was a package that was found that the substance was in that was labeled with the amt of THC, Elicker said.

One expert pointed to the states decision to legalize cannabis for adult users over the age of 21, suggesting it could give young people increased access to cannabis through family members.

Were most worried about kids being exposed to cannabis, were not so worried about a 32-year-old who wants to go to the dispensary and buy some weed or bud or a vape and go use it responsibly ... but Im worried about their 14- or 15-year-old (who) knows that you keep it in the breadbox, said Dr. J. Craig Allen, vice president of addiction services at Hartford HealthCares Behavioral Health Network. It gets introduced to younger and younger people.

He called cannabis edibles one of the most concerning, in part because of the concentration of cannabis product in them. The doses are not, eat this candy bar, the doses are like eat two squares. Whens the last time you ate three squares of a candy bar?

With high THC doses and young cannabis users, theres a higher chance of ill effects such as over-sedation, vomiting and loss of control of bodily functions, he added. In one story he was told by a emergency room worker in the state, a familys four children, all under the age of 8, had gotten into the familys edibles. All of them were hospitalized and the youngest was kept in the intensive care unit, Allen said.

Justin Harmon, director of marketing and communications with the New Haven Public Schools, initially said in an email that the students ingested what appeared to be candy brought in by another student and began vomiting.

They were transported to the hospital. The New Haven police are investigating what may have been in the candy, said Harmon, noting officials also were looking into who brought the foodstuff to the school. The parents of the children who were transported to the hospital have been informed.

Harmon said staff, after sweeping the school, determined no other students had eaten the candy.

All other students at the school are well, and school is proceeding. Social workers are going to classes to talk to the students about what happened, Harmon said.

School officials also are warning students (not to) accept anything from anyone except your parents or the cafeteria, Tracey said during the press conference.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  A paraprofessional at Brennan-Rogers Magnet school is accused of bringing a loaded gun to campus.

Sonnetta Powell, 31, faces charges of second-degree breach of peace and possession of a weapon on school grounds, police Interim Chief Renee Dominguez said Friday. Powells bail was set at $50,000, she said.

Police began investigating at 12:04 p.m. Friday after another school staff member reported the paraprofessional might be in possession of a gun, according to Dominguez.

At first, Powell told police the gun was in her vehicle, the chief said, but she later admitted it was on her person.

It was registered to her, however you cannot have a weapon on school grounds, Dominguez said.

In a press conference following the arrest, Dominguez said the gun was loaded but that Powell did not threaten anyone.

She apparently seemed to have been concerned about how some of the students are behaving and she wanted to protect herself, Superintendent of Schools Iline Tracey said during the press conference, a recording of which is available on Mayor Justin Elickers Facebook page.

Were thankful that we were able to get (the gun) off her without incident, Dominguez said.

meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
NEWTOWN  The Sandy Hook families who won a defamation suit against extremist Alex Jones in Connecticut want to know whether the Infowars host used Facebook to amplify conspiracy theories as both sides prepare for a trial to establish damages.

But since Facebook deactivated Jones accounts in 2018, his lawyers said they had no access to the social media data the families seek, according to court records.

So the families asked a judge for permission to subpoena Facebook.

Data concerning the spread of, and audience engagement with, the Jones defendants social media posts ... is highly relevant to establishing a causal nexus between the Jones defendants conduct and the harm suffered by the plaintiffs, the families argued in papers filed with state Superior Court. The requested data would show how the Jones defendants used Facebook to dramatically boost the spread of their defamatory statements about the plaintiffs.

This week, Jones attorneys disagreed, calling the information that the families are requesting in the Facebook subpoena information that cannot possibly inform a jury as to how any damages could be calculated.

On Wednesday, state Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis disagreed, granting the families their motion to subpoena Facebook.

Bellis order is the latest development for eight families who lost loved ones in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting who took Jones to court for calling the worst crime in modern Connecticut history staged, synthetic, manufactured, a giant hoax, and completely fake with actors. Sandy Hook parents in Texas brought three cases against Jones over the same comments.

In both states late last year, parents won the defamation cases against Jones by default, setting the stage for jury trials to establish damages.

On its website, Facebook says it discloses account records solely in accordance with our terms of service and applicable law, including the federal Stored Communications Act.

A court order is required to compel the disclosure of certain records or other information pertaining to the account, not including contents of communications, which may include message headers and IP addresses, in addition to the basic subscriber records, such as name, length of service, credit card information, email address(es), and a recent login/logout IP address(es), if available.

In Connecticut, Bellis latest order means the Sandy Hook families can compel Facebook to turn over from Jones 14 deactivated Facebook accounts subscriber information including the subscribers identity, mail address, telephone numberand payment information.

According to public reporting, (Jones) Facebook pages had millions of fans, likes, and subscribers when the accounts were deactivated, the families argued in court papers. The Jones defendants shared their articles, videos, and memes on Facebook in order to reach as large an audience as possible.

Jones attorneys argued in vain that the opposite was the case.

Sandy Hook was but a minuscule fraction of the content published, Jones lawyers said. Thus, the motion should be denied because there is no need for the subpoena at all.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Light rain developing this afternoon. High 62F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 49F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
For Falls Mayor Robert Restaino, the announcement Wednesday night of a resolution of a years-long dispute between the state of New York and the Seneca Nation of Indians over the sharing of casino slots revenue was both exciting news and an opportunity to forge a new chapter for gaming in the Cataract City.

"Oh yeah, I'm excited, on two fronts," Restaino said Thursday afternoon. "I'm excited (the dispute) is finally over and I'm excited we're moving on to a new (gaming) compact."

The end to what had become a bitter dispute over the terms of revenue sharing requirements in the current gaming compact between the Senecas and the state appeared to come suddenly. But Restaino said he had been told that a resolution was in the works.

"Since the fall, I'd been advised by both state representatives and Seneca representatives that conversations (on the dispute) were ongoing," the mayor said. "With Governor (Kathy) Hochul now in the driver's seat I was hoping this would happen more quickly."

Response to the resolution of the Casino Cash stalemate Niagara Falls portion of slots revenue from Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino is shared wi

Restaino said he believed that the departure of Gov. Andrew Cuomo probably jump-started negotiations to end the revenue sharing stand-off.

"I'm sure that former Governor Cuomo was approaching this in a way that he felt was in the best interests of the state," Restaino said. "But Governor Hochul has an understanding, on a granular level, of how this (dispute) has affected host communities."

The terms of the current gaming compact cover the operations of casinos, by the Seneca Nation, in the Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca. Along with the state, those three communities receive a percentage of the revenues generated by slot machines operated on the casino properties.

Late Thursday afternoon, Hochul, through a spokesman, released a brief statement expressing satisfaction with the resolution of the revenue sharing dispute.

"I am pleased to have reached an agreement for the resumption of payments on terms that serve both the State and the Nation and that benefit Western New York communities, and I look forward to beginning discussions toward a new compact," the governor said.

Restaino shared Hochul's desire to move on to negotiations on a new gaming compact. The current compact expires in December 2023.

"It's great that we've got (the revenue sharing dispute) behind us, now let's move on to a new compact," the mayor said. "That, to me, is the bigger bear to tackle."

Falls city government officials had no involvement in the negotiation of the current compact in 2003. Restaino said he hoped that negotiators for the state and the Senecas would look to "what has worked best" in the present compact, while "tweaking" elements that were problematic.

"What may work best in one host community may not work for another," the mayor said.

While acknowledging that the compact will be a contract between the state and the Seneca Nation, the mayor said he hoped there would be "close conversation" between the state's representatives at the talks and Falls officials.

"I don't think we would expect a seat at the (negotiating) table," Restaino said. "But I would hope we could be in the huddle with the state. Local governments know the impact of the compact."

The announcement of the resolution of the dispute, and the plan to enter into talks for a new compact, came from Seneca Nation President Matthew Pagels.

"The Seneca Nation announce(s) that it has signed an agreement with New York State to begin discussions on a gaming Compact, aimed at fortifying the long-term operations of the Nations three Western New York casino properties, which collectively employ thousands of local workers and contribute significantly to the regions economy," a statement from Pagels read. "A Compact agreement, bolstered by greater federal scrutiny as a result of our efforts over the past four years, can ensure greater equity for the Nation, long-term stability for our gaming operations, and continued progress for the Seneca people.

In outlining the resolution of the revenue sharing dispute, Pagels said the nation will realize more than $40 million in disputed fees and cost savings over the remaining life of the current compact. He also said that the national will resume remitting to the state the revenue sharing payments that had been held in escrow during the dispute.

"The Nation will then resume quarterly revenue share payments, as stated in the Compact. New York State returns a percentage of those payments to the communities of Niagara Falls, Salamanca and Buffalo, where the Nations casinos are located," Pagels statement read. "Now is the time to move forward.

COVID-19 has impacted business at the downtown casino and will likely impact the amounts of future payments. The Falls last received a casino cash payment of $16.4 million in 2016. That was down from a highpoint of $21.6 million in 2012.

The state has provided advances to the Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca to make up for the withheld revenue sharing payments. Those advances will now be repaid to the state.

Restaino said even after repaying the advances he expects that there will be some "extra" revenue sharing money for city coffers.

"But I can't give you an exact sum," the mayor said.

He estimated the extra revenue sharing could reach several million dollars. Revenue sharing money must be earmarked for economic development use.
Former Ghanaian striker, Asamoah Gyan, has tipped Nigerias Super Eagles as the team to beat at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCO...





Former Ghanaian striker, Asamoah Gyan, has tipped Nigerias Super Eagles as the team to beat at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cameroon.





Nigeria defeated seven-time champions, Egypt, in their opening Group D game on Tuesday.





Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the match to give Nigeria a 1-0 win over Egypt as Liverpool ace, Mohamed Salah, was kept silent all through the encounter at the Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua.





However, having watched all the teams play in the opening round fixtures of the 2021 AFCON, Gyan singled out Augustine Eguavoens side as the most outstanding team so far in the 24-team tournament.





According to the former Sunderland star, the Super Eagles showed the character of a potential champion.





Yes, as of today, Nigeria stands out as the team with the will to conquer all oppositions going by what happened in the match against Egypt, Gyan told SuperSport.





Every other potential winner of the tournament seems to be playing with too much caution and this explains why most of the matches havent been impressive.





But when you look at Nigeria, they showed the character of a potential champion considering the way they dominated Egypt all through the 90 minutes.





Nigeria deserved to score more goals in the match [against Egypt], but they were unlucky in the final cut. This was a team that had its pre-tournament challenge as they were unable to have some of their best forwards (Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo and Emmanuel Dennis) for the tournament and playing a strong team like Egypt in the opening match was an acid test and they excelled.
Senator representing Borno South in the red chamber of the National Assembly and Chairman Committee on Army, Mohammed Ali Ndume on Friday ...

Senator representing Borno South in the red chamber of the National Assembly and Chairman Committee on Army, Mohammed Ali Ndume on Friday said there was no attack at the Police Training School in Gwoza as alleged and reported in the media.

Ndume, who hails from Gwoza, said if there was such, he would be in the know as his people would have called to inform him.

Reports had claimed dozens of police officers were abducted after Boko Haram members overran the Police Training School in Limankara village about 20km from the main Gwoza town. But the Senator said the reports being circulated are fake.

His words, It is not true that some police officers were kidnapped in Limankara, In fact, there are no policemen in Limankara, we only have military troops/battalion in Limankara who are up and doing, and there is no attack of such nature. I will describe the reports as untrue and baseless.

I have been receiving daily updates on the efforts troops are doing to safeguard Limankara and other communities in Gwoza, and I am much impressed.

The troops in Limankara are not only stationed in one place, we have them at the deserted Police Mobile Training School, some hills around those axes with sophisticated surveillance cameras and equipment to spot terrorist movement.

So as far as I am concerned and as Chairman Senate Committee on Army who is privileged to have security information all over the country, Limankara community and other surrounding villages are calm and peaceful with Military Battalion stationed at strategic places who have been crushing fleeing Boko Haram insurgents crossing from Sambisa forest to the Mandara mountains of Cameroun on daily basis, he said.

Meanwhile, NigerianEye gathered that the Borno State Police Command will soon speak about the alleged attack to clear the air.
George Obiozor, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, says the federal government should adopt political solution on the case of Nnamdi Ka...

George Obiozor, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, says the federal government should adopt political solution on the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him by the federal government.

In November 2021, south-east traditional and religious leaders had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to grant amnesty to Kanu to deescalate tension in the zone.

But Buhari, in a recent interview, had said he cannot release Kanu, adding that the IPOB leader should defend himself in court.

Asked to respond to Buharis recent comment on Kanu, Obiozor, in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, said political solution is possible since militants in the south-south and repentant Boko Haram members have been offered amnesty.

We in Igboland have made it categorically clear that we prefer a political solution to it  a dialogue to end it. It is clear to the rest of Nigeria, he said.

And we have repeatedly said that Igbo nation is not at war with Nigeria. Therefore, what is happening can be handled. I will use the words political solution as the answer. Dialogue is the answer.

Just as other sections of Nigeria, some areas of Nigeria, people who behaved like Kanu have been forgiven, given amnesty and integrated into the country.

So, what we are asking is for Mr President to use the prerogative of mercy to look into the situation in the south-east.

Prerogative of mercy is exclusively the right of the president. We are not talking about court. We are not talking about use of force. Use of force is dangerous for everybody and it will definitely not solve the problem. It will make it worse.

We are not new to Nigerias politics. We saw in south-south  Niger Delta Avengers, MEND  and the rest, even the present Boko Haram, those who said they are repenting, how they are being rehabilitated.

The problem of federalism is that the sensitivity is very much on the surface. If you dont do one as you have done others, you will have problem.
The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Abdul Umar, has said no mobile police officer was abducted by Boko Haram during an attack on the Pol...

The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Abdul Umar, has said no mobile police officer was abducted by Boko Haram during an attack on the Police Mobile Training College, Gwoza.

The police chief, who admitted that there was an attack on the college, said the insurgents were successfully repelled by policemen.

Umar, while addressing a press conference in Maiduguri on Friday, labeled the published report as fake news, noting that: The attention of the Borno State Police Command has been drawn to news making the rounds on social media, alleging that undisclosed number of PMF personnel were abducted at the Police Mobile Training College, Gwoza.

The Command wishes to categorically debunk the news, consider it as fake news and also to inform the general public that the insurgents, who attacked the PMF training college on the 13th January, 2022 at about 2022hrs were successfully repelled by our gallant officers and men.

He said: The police did not record a single casuality nor loss of fire arms and no casuality on the part of the police was recorded.

Umar added that: On this note, I am using this medium to call the attention of the general public to disregard any misleading information that may likely cause panic and disturb the peace of innocent citizens who are roaming endlessly in search of a greener pasture, and to assure them of our commitment, focus and determination toward bringing an end to the insurgency and other crimes and criminality in Borno State.
President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan visited the Central market in Nguru, Yobe State to sympathize with the victims of the market...





President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan visited the Central market in Nguru, Yobe State to sympathize with the victims of the market inferno which occurred last Saturday.





Lawan arrived at Nguru in the afternoon, paid homage to the Emir of Nguru and later proceeded to the main market to see for himself what happened.





The Senate President later donated the sum of N10 million towards rebuilding the market and appealed to other people in the community to make similar contributions to ease the sufferings of those affected by the fire incident.





In a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Senate President, Mr Ola Awoniyi, he said Lawan also witnessed the flag-off of relief materials to the victims by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).





Speaking shortly before the distribution of the relief materials, Lawan prayed against a recurrence of such an incident.





He said: Incidents like this happen because they are destined to happen. But like some said, there are causes and sources of such accidents. We need to look at why the fire outbreak is happening almost on a yearly basis in our market here.





Nguru Central Market is a very important market to us in Yobe State and in the Northeast. We have so many people who benefit from this market directly and indirectly.





So we are supposed to do everything and anything possible within our limit to support our people who have lost so much in their businesses to the fire accident.





When I learnt about the fire incident, I immediately placed a call to the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development to inform her of this development and of course, she sent NEMA Northeast to come and see what has happened here.





NEMA has brought some relief materials for our people. But because this is relief material, this is simply to cushion the immediate impact of that accident.





I want to commend the Chairman of Nguru Local Government Council for assuring us that all those that are affected will benefit from the relief materials appropriately.





The Minister of Humanitarian Affair and Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said in a speech read on her behalf by her Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Grema Ali Alhaji that it was a sad incident because of the extent of damage caused and losses to livelihoods of many persons.





She said the relief materials brought were based on the damage assessment and need analysis conducted by NEMA.





The Minister said the North East Development Commission (NEDC) had been directed to assess the situation for further assistance to the victims.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 53F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.

Many large corporations were silent on Thursdays ruling by the high court to block a requirement that workers at businesses with at least 100 employees be fully vaccinated or else test regularly for COVID-19 and wear a mask on the job.

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Targets response was typical: The big retailer said it wanted to review the decision and how it will impact our team and business.

The Biden administration argues that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements. However, companies could run into state bans on vaccine mandates in Republican-controlled states. And relatively few businesses enacted their own rules ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, raising doubt that there will be rush for them now.

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In legal terms, the Supreme Courts conservative majority said the OSHA lacked authority to impose such a mandate on big companies. The court, however, let stand a vaccination requirement for most health-care workers.

The National Retail Federation, the nations largest retail trade organization and one of the groups that challenged the OSHA action, called the courts decision a significant victory for employers. It complained that OSHA acted without first allowing public comments, although administration officials met with many business and labor groups before issuing the rule.

Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Associations, another of the groups that fought the OSHA rule, said it would interfere with individuals private health care decisions.

Karen Harned, an official with the National Federation of Independent Business, said that as small businesses try to recover from nearly two years of pandemic, the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges.

But mandate supporters called it a matter of safety for employees and customers.

Dan Simons, co-owner of the Founding Farmers chain of restaurants in the Washington area, said vaccine mandates are common sense. He requires his 1,000 employees to be fully vaccinated; those who request an exemption must wear a mask and submit weekly COVID test results.

If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others, you would agree with my approach, Simons said.

Administration officials believe that even though the OSHA rule has been blocked, it drove millions of people to get vaccinated. Companies that used mandates to achieve relatively high vaccination rates may decide that they have accomplished enough.

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Ford Motor Co. said it was encouraged by the 88% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated. The car maker said it would review the court decision to see if it needs to change a requirement that most U.S. salaried workers get the shots.

Labor advocates were dismayed by the ruling.

This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves, said David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration and now teaches at the George Washington Universitys School of Public Health.

For their part, labor unions had been divided all along about Bidens attempt to create a vaccine mandate, with many nurses and teachers groups in favor, but many police and fire unions opposed. Some unions wanted the right to bargain over the issue with companies.

The United Auto Workers, which encourages workers to get vaccinated, said the decision wont change safety protocols such as face masks, temperature checks and distancing when possible for more than 150,000 union members at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis factories.

Among 543 U.S. companies surveyed in November by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, employers were split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers. Fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds had no plans to require the shots unless the courts upheld the OSHA requirement.

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Jeff Levin-Scherz, an executive in the firms health practice, said most companies with mandates will keep them because they are working. He said nothing short of a mandate can get vaccination rates to 90%, and you really need a very high level of vaccination to prevent community outbreaks.

United Airlines was one of the first major employers to announce a mandate, back in August. CEO Scott Kirby has said that 99% of United employees either got vaccinated or submitted a request for exemption on medical or religious grounds.

United declined to comment Thursday, but in earlier comments Kirby has sounded committed to the mandate for his employees because it was the right thing to do for safety.

Airlines fall under a separate Biden order that required federal contractors to get their workers vaccinated. That requirement was not part of Thursdays Supreme Court ruling, but it has been tied up separately since early December, when a federal district judge in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the mandate.

I would expect many federal contractors are going to wait and see because they dont want to implement something if they dont have to, said Christopher Slottee, an employment lawyer in Anchorage, Alaska.

___

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AP Staff Writers Anne DInnocenzio in New York, Paul Wiseman in Washington and Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.
Yes. Gov. Hochul chose Mr. Benjamin, and she's stuck with him through the election.

No. The state should have the option to remove someone under criminal indictment.

Vote

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The Orleans Parish Library has books to grab almost any interest. Meetings for two groups of readers, devoted to mysteries and manga, are coming up.

Up first, on Zoom on Jan. 20, mystery-lover Shelby Goddard will host the monthly Who Dun It? Book Club from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Januarys title is Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead, by Olga Tokarczuk, a fairytale-like thriller set in a remote Polish village that follows the journey of a reclusive woman as she inserts herself into a local murder investigation, confident she knows whos to blame.

But, with a reputation as an eccentric who prefers the company of animals over humans, she finds it increasingly difficult to convince anyone to listen.

On Jan. 27, graphic novel-loving teens are invited to join the librarys Manga Book Club, which meets monthly over Zoom. The group will discuss Kimi ni Todoke, by Karuho Shiina.

The teens won't meet in February, but will reassemble on March 17 to dive into all things Sailor Moon.

The mystery club is back in February, however, to discuss Chris Bohjalians The Flight Attendant  the murder-mystery sensation that was recently adapted into an HBO series of the same name, staring Kaley Couco. That meeting is on Feb. 17.

Drive Your Plow Over The Bones of the Dead, and The Flight Attendant are available through the library in print, e-book and audiobook form. Reserve a copy at catalog.nolalibrary.org or by downloading the NOLALibrary app.

For mystery-club details, email sgoddard@nolalibrary.org or visit nolalibrary.org/events. New members are always welcome.

TEEN TECH: The New Orleans Public Librarys Best Buy Teen Tech Center will host a virtual open house at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19 on Twitch. Attendees will meet the centers staff while engaging in games like Among Us, Minecraft and Roblox, and explore what tech is available to Teen Tech Center members. Register at nolalibrary.org/events.

Located on the second floor of the Main Library, the Teen Tech Center is designed to be a safe, comfortable and engaging space just for teens and is equipped with technology and multimedia tools that can be used for music and video production, interactive programming, graphic design and much more.

Membership is limited to ages 13 to 18, and all members must complete an application with signed permission from a parent or legal guardian. Visit bbttc.nolalibrary.org for more information.

TELLING STORIES: The New Orleans Public Library hosts weekly outdoor storytimes at three library locations: Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive; Milton H. Latter Memorial Library, 5120 St. Charles Ave.; and East New Orleans Regional Library, 5641 Read Blvd.

Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., children and their caregivers are invited to read, sing, talk, write and play together in a format designed for infants to 5-year-olds at these locations.

Jane LeGros is the director of marketing and communications for the Orleans Parish Library.
Did you know that your Jefferson Parish Library card gets you access the Louisiana Collection, 32 videos that focus on the Louisiana and New Orleans ways of life?

The Louisiana Collection can be accessed by going to the librarys website, then to the Digital Content tab at the top of the page, and then to the Kanopy icon. Kanopy is one of the librarys free streaming services. Type in Louisiana Collection is the search bar, and 32 videos pop up.

The collection consists of the following videos and more.

"Jai ete au bal " (I went to the dance)

(I went to the dance) " Mardi Gras: Made in China, Globalization Gone Wild "

Mardi Gras: Made in China, Globalization Gone Wild " The Sons of Tennessee " (gay Mardi Gras krewes)

The Sons of Tennessee (gay Mardi Gras krewes) " Being Poor in New Orleans "

Being Poor in New Orleans " This Aint No Mouse Music " (roots music)

This Aint No Mouse Music (roots music) " Yeah You Rite! Language in New Orleans "

Yeah You Rite! Language in New Orleans " Bayou Maharajah " (pianist James Booker, who Dr. John called the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced)

Bayou Maharajah (pianist James Booker, who Dr. John called the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced) " Mosquitoes and High Water  the Islenos of New Orleans "

Mosquitoes and High Water  the Islenos of New Orleans " Bogalusa Charm  A Charm School in Rural Louisiana "

Bogalusa Charm  A Charm School in Rural Louisiana " Zydeco  African American Dance Hall Music in Southwest Louisiana "

Zydeco  African American Dance Hall Music in Southwest Louisiana " Tchoupitoulas  A Portrait of New Orleans "

Tchoupitoulas  A Portrait of New Orleans " Rodents of Unusual Size  Giant Swamp Rats Invading Coastal Louisiana "

BEST BOOKS OF '21: According to Emily Temple, a writer for lithub.com, there were at least 49 lists from 33 outlets describing the best books of 2021, but she suspects there are more. The lists recommended 785 books of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, of which 138 appeared on three or more lists.

In nonfiction, "Empire of Pain, The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty" by Patrick Radden Keefe, made 19 lists. In fiction, Colson Whiteheads "Harlem Shuffle" made 17 lists.

The Jefferson Parish Library has most of the books on those lists in one form or another: book; eBook; audiobook. If we dont, we can track it down for you.

GROWING MUSHROOMS: The 2022 ingredient of the year, according to The New York Times, is the mushroom. In recent years, more people have become involved in cultivating their own mushrooms. The library has books, eBooks, audiobooks, and videos that focuses on the subject of fungiculture, mushroom agriculture, mycelial farming  through use of both outside and inside logs.

Most materials focus on the six recognized phases of mushroom cultivation. Among them are "Mycelial Mayhem"; "The Essential Guide to Cultivating Mushrooms"; "Edible Mushrooms"; and "Mushrooms." Plus many more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Robert Olen Butler, author of 12 novels and six short-story collections including "A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1993, was born on Jan. 20, 1945. Butler taught at McNeese State University for 15 years, and made frequent trips to New Orleans. We have all of his books in our collection. Come in and check them out.

COMPUTER CLASSES: Receive free computer training at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, or at the West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey. Seating is limited, and online registration is required.

Visit the Computer Classes page at www.jplibrary.net/training and click East Bank Regional Schedule or West Bank Regional Schedule.

Upcoming Metairie classes include:

Beginner Computer  10 a.m. to noon Jan. 19.

Microsoft Word 2  6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 19.

One-on-One Instruction  10 a.m. to noon Jan. 20.

Jan. 20. Microsoft Excel 2  10 a.m. to noon Jan. 24.

Jan. 24. Basic Computer  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 24.

JPL Digital Content  10 a.m. to noon Jan. 25.

Jan. 25. One-on-One Instruction  10 a.m. to noon Jan. 27.

Jan. 27. Microsoft Word 1  6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 27.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 28.

Beginner Computer  10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 29.

Saturday, Jan. 29. Microsoft Excel 3  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 31.

Upcoming Harvey classes include:

Microsoft Word 1  10 a.m. to noon Jan. 21.

Jan. 21. Microsoft Word 2  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 21.

Microsoft Excel 1  10 a.m. to noon Jan. 26.

Jan. 26. Microsoft PowerPoint 1  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 26.

Basic Computer Skills  10 a.m. to noon Jan. 29.

Jan. 29. Basic Computer Skills  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29.

Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library.
A firm contracted by the Orleans Parish School Board to lead a national search for a new superintendent for the NOLA Public Schools district held eight community meetings this week but drew only about 25 attendees from the public.

Greenwood Asher & Associates was seeking input on what qualities and skills community members want in the 44,000-student districts next superintendent. Henderson Lewis Jr., who has held the $250,000 per year job since 2015, is set to depart at the end of this school year. After receiving a one-year extension in his contract in the early months of the pandemic, last June, Lewis announced the 2021-22 school year would be his last leading the all-charter school district.

Among other things, participants expressed concerns about declining enrollment, student well-being, accountability for underperforming or poorly managed charter schools, ensuring teachers could provide input on policy and striking a balance between charter school and district responsibilities.

The search firm held the sessions on both Monday and Tuesday. About 25 people total attended the eight sessions, based on The Lens observations. Two sessions attracted only one member of the public and one had zero participants.

The rise in COVID-19 cases prompted the firm to hold virtual rather than in-person sessions.

People are immensely consumed with the surge right now, KIPP New Orleans Schools CEO Rhonda Kalifey-Aluise said. I do hope we will have other opportunities to involve a broader swath of the community.

Krystal Hardy Allen, a community and policy advocate, asked if there was anything the firm could do to increase community participation. I wonder how many people actually know about it aside from it being posted on NOLA-PSs (Instagram) page.

Cerise Martin, an administrator with KIPP New Orleans Schools, also asked that the firm ensure they were making opportunities for community input available to the citys growing Latino population and encouraged them to provide translation services. There did not appear to be translation services at the sessions on Monday and Tuesday.

Kevin Griffin-Clark, a vocal education advocate who ran unsuccessfully for the Orleans Parish School Board in 2020 and New Orleans City Council in 2021, said he wants a superintendent who would assist struggling schools rather than waiting for them to fail and ultimately closing them.

When will you step in with a failing school? he asked.

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Education advocates have long asked for the district to step in to assist struggling schools instead of allowing them to languish and then be closed. While the district does have some ability to involve itself in the schools it oversees, charters have broad autonomy in how they conduct their business.

Orleans Parish School Board member Carlos Zervigon said that was a constant message hed been hearing from constituents.

If a school is underperforming how do you handle that? he asked.

Kalifey-Aluise also said she hoped the new superintendent would be prepared to face declining enrollment in the city.

I think we need to make sure were mining for skills to be able to address this declining population and declining enrollment problem in our city, she said. At some point that is going to require addressing a very different population number than we planned for many years ago.

The district is currently working on a plan to address enrollment and two schools announced last week they would close at the end of the year.

Kalifey-Aluise asked if the search process was still on track.

We still have high hopes of getting back to New Orleans before interviews, consultant David Presley said. I dont anticipate, at least at the moment  all these things are so fluid and flexible  but I have not heard any mention of delay.

Early April is kind of the end of the runway, he said and promised to ensure the search timeline is uploaded to the districts superintendent search website.
Fort Lauderdale  A new 48-story skyscraper with a dramatic design would transform downtown Fort Lauderdale, dominating the skyline and securing bragging rights as the citys tallest tower.

But first, the 545-foot-tall project needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The tower, a joint venture between Kushner Companies and Aimco, will also need commission approval in the coming months.

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Broward Crossing, a 1.8 million-square-foot project with 956 apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows and nearly 24,000 square feet reserved for restaurants and shops, would sit across from the Brightline station at 300 W. Broward Blvd.

Fans are already raving about the towers futuristic design.

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Its very dramatic, Mayor Dean Trantalis said Thursday. Its dynamic in form and shape as opposed to a static rendering that we see in almost all the other buildings in our downtown. It creates movement and awe as you look at it.

The development calls for a long rectangular cut-out between two towers to add light and sweeping views for those living in the interior units. Penthouse lofts are on the two top floors.

High up, a bridge connects the top 11 floors between the two towers, adding a touch of drama to the buildings iconic look.

Down below, a 10-story podium features 1,031 parking spaces along with a lounge, fitness center and library, all topped by a landscaped deck with cabanas, a space for yoga plus a sunrise pool on the east and a sunset pool on the west.

Broward Crossing, a new tower proposed for 300 West Broward Blvd., would be Fort Lauderdale's tallest building. The project calls for 956 apartments along with nearly 24,000 square feet of space for restaurants and shops. (ODA Architecture/Courtesy)

The new design might force other developers to step up their game when pitching projects in Fort Lauderdale, said Charlie Ladd, a developer and longtime board member of the Downtown Development Authority.

Its a big step and an audacious step to build something that sophisticated, Ladd said. It has a glass perimeter skin, which is very expensive. And it has quite a bit of flair. Any time someone is pushing to do stuff that is better and more sophisticated, its good.

Both Ladd and the mayor compared the towers design to Arquitectonicas Atlantis condo on Brickell Avenue in downtown Miami. The 20-story glass tower, built in the 1980s and featured on Miami Vice, features a five-story cut-out in the middle.

[ RELATED: Super tall and super edgy towers may soon have a Flagler Village address ]

Stephanie Toothaker, the attorney representing the developer of Broward Crossing, agrees that the new design raises the bar for the level of architecture in Fort Lauderdale.

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Its different  and people like it when you are willing to take a chance with a design, she said. Its a game changer. I think the days of box on box are over for Fort Lauderdale. Developers are going to be expected to come to the table with their A game.

The Broward Crossing tower has an expensive design but its too soon to say what the project would cost to build, Toothaker said.

New York-based Kushner Cos. is owned in part by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump. Kushner stepped down as CEO of Kushner Cos. when he began working in the White House as senior adviser to Trump, yet retained a substantial ownership stake in the company. Aimco, based in Denver, is a partner in the project.

The tower, if built, is bound to become an important landmark for downtown Fort Lauderdale, said Steve Glassman, the district commissioner.

First impressions

My first impression was Wow! Glassman said. I thought the architecture was really cool. We have several cool buildings downtown, but we have too many boxes. This design really does make a statement for Broward Boulevard as a gateway for people heading into the city from the west.

[ RELATED: Traffic hell heads for Searstown ]

Not everyone loves the idea of a new tower.

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Critics worry nearly 1,000 new apartments will only add congestion and gridlock to a growing downtown.

Sherry Harris, a New York native, moved to Las Olas 11 years ago after 32 years in Los Angeles. And she sees no reason for yet another high-rise downtown.

Its just taking Fort Lauderdale in a direction thats overloading the downtown, she said. Its becoming so crowded. And the traffic is horrendous. Im sure the design is fantastic and it will create a market for young people to move downtown. But its being overbuilt. Its just too much.

The tower's 10-story podium features 1,031 parking spaces along with a lounge, fitness center and library, all topped by a landscaped deck with cabanas, a space for yoga plus a sunrise pool on the east and a sunset pool on the west. (ODA Architecture/Courtesy)

Break ground in 2023

If approved, the project would break ground in 2023 and take up to 18 months to build, Toothaker said. She believes the tower will win FAA approval in the next few months.

The city has no height cap for high-rise towers built in that section of downtown, but the FAA has a height limit of 500 feet, Trantalis said.

FAA officials declined to comment Thursday.

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[ RELATED: Kushner plans 4 high-rise towers in downtown Fort Lauderdale ]

An earlier design concept discussed last year called for four curved towers with 1,300 apartments plus offices and shops. That design has been replaced by the new one.

Longtime resident Christian Garay loves the futuristic look of the new design.

Im all for modernizing the cityscape, said Garay, president of the nearby Sailboat Bend Civic Association. I think its great for Fort Lauderdale.

Garay says he has friends in real estate who tell him the city needs more high-rise towers.

Now more than ever youre seeing a lack of available properties out there, both commercial and residential, he said. Theres not enough properties on the market to keep up with demand. The city needs to progress. And buildings like this show progress.

Broward Crossing, a tower with a dramatic design proposed for 300 West Broward Blvd., has a fan in Mayor Dean Trantalis. It creates movement and awe as you look at it, he says. (ODA Architecture/Courtesy)

Evolution of downtown

The mayor has heard from plenty of critics worried about what they call overbuilding, but says its all just part of the evolution of downtown.

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What were learning is that density doesnt necessarily equate to traffic, Trantalis said. If you concentrate the density in a small area, it encourages people to live, work and be entertained within walking distance of their homes.

As for the naysayers upset about all the high-rise towers opening downtown, Ladd had this to say: Theyre all full.

Fort Lauderdale has been growing since 1960, Ladd argued.

Last I heard they dont have cities in the United States where they say, No one else can come here, he said. Builders will stop building when people stop filling up the buildings.

Glassman also defended the citys ongoing development boom.

Do you stop all development or do you move forward and accommodate all the people and businesses moving here? he said. What do you do, just shut the borders and say, Were through? People want to be here. Thats not a bad thing.

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Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan
Public health officials have largely accepted that last year's Mardi Gras helped make New Orleans an early coronavirus hotspot in the U.S., even if a lack of testing made it hard to be sure.

But a new study that sought to pinpoint how the virus spread through the city has found that 2020 Carnival revelry was responsible for tens of thousands of coronavirus cases, after a single person likely brought it to New Orleans in the weeks before Mardi Gras.

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute, Tulane University, LSU Health Shreveport and several other institutions said in a pre-publication report released Monday that the coronavirus probably arrived in New Orleans about two weeks before Fat Tuesday, likely from a person traveling from Texas.

They found that almost 800 people were likely infected by time crowds died down on Ash Wednesday, and that those new infections went on to seed most of the 50,000 confirmed cases in Louisianas first wave over the next few months.

The entire outbreak in Louisiana is almost certainly fueled by what happened on Mardi Gras, said Mark Zeller, study author and a researcher at Scripps. Its basically the snowball. Once its going, its just going. Its really hard to stop.

The paper, which hasn't yet gone through peer review, used death data to retroactively model how many cases the city would have had. It employed genome sequencing to trace the cases to a single source and cell phone tracking data to help simulate the spread.

The findings, taken with earlier studies and reports focused on the spread in New Orleans, added further evidence that Mardi Gras was a superspreader event that changed the shape of the pandemic, both in Louisiana as well as across the southern U.S.

CDC: Mardi Gras quickened spread of coronavirus in Louisiana; canceling was never recommended A report issued by the nations top health agency this week says Mardi Gras likely accelerated the spread of the new coronavirus in Louisiana,

And it suggests that the timing of Carnival could hardly have been worse, with the festivities picking up steam just before shut downs were recommended by federal officials. It was also a period when providers had little experience treating coronavirus patients and a limited ability to test and track exposure.

In March, I think New Orleans had the sharpest increase of patients anywhere in the world, said Zeller. Its just very unfortunate timing. If Mardi Gras would have been two, three weeks earlier, maybe it wouldn't have resulted in this many cases.

The virus spread through New Orleans differently than other cities with early spikes, like Seattle and New York City. In those places, multiple people likely brought in slightly different strains over a short period of time, seeding mini-outbreaks that quickly exploded.

But based on the study's examination of the genetic variety of the virus present in New Orleans, Mardi Gras essentially created cruise ship-like conditions, where a single variety of the virus quickly spreads wildly from a single source.

Its the same kind of situation, said Robert Garry, a Tulane University virologist and one of the papers lead authors. A cruise ship, people are crammed into smaller spaces, people are in these confined areas, said Garry. Almost like with a Mardi Gras krewe, right? People spend a lot of time together, in the balls, in those close spaces.

Garry said that in other cities, international travelers brought strains in from different places. But as scientists mapped the spread of the virus based on genetic similarities between cases, they found the same was not true in Louisiana.

Health news in your inbox Reporter Emily Woodruff shares weekly updates and insights on local health news, including COVID coverage and medical research. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

+7 New Orleans leaders bristle over Mardi Gras criticism, point to lack of coronavirus warning A growing consensus that Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans helped to seed the citys spiraling coronavirus crisis has spawned a wave of r

People worried a lot of travelers were coming in from Asia and Europe introducing different strains, that didnt happen, said Garry. It tells us about the way this virus spreads  when people get into close spaces, talking and shouting and having a good time, drinking, thats where it spreads.

That only one main strain was passed around was part luck and part timing, according to Jeremy Kamil, a professor of microbiology and immunology at LSU Health Shreveport who helped coordinate sequencing of coronavirus test samples. Louisianas unique pattern of a single strain helped illuminate the reach of Mardi Gras as a superspreader.

Cantrell: New Orleans would have called off Mardi Gras if coronavirus 'red flags' were raised With national media giving New Orleans heat for not canceling this year's Mardi Gras celebration as the coronavirus epidemic spread overseas, 

"Its like a spark," said Kamil. "In Louisiana, by chance, there was more than one introduction, but only one caught fire."

Although larger areas, such as Houston, had more strains of the virus, Mardi Gras seemed to set off a chain of transmission that shaped the path of the pandemic as it ripped through New Orleans, making it a city with the highest deaths per capita at times.

In some ways, it was lucky that only one strain took hold. But it took hold at the most opportune time for a virus -- when people were jammed together in crowds, sharing drinks and food, yelling and singing with little thought of a respiratory virus.

It was a sweet spot in the pandemic, in that it was a very early phase, said Kamil.

+2 Louisiana coronavirus: 867 more confirmed cases reported; 102,376 more vaccine doses given The Louisiana Department of Health reported 867 more confirmed coronavirus cases and 18 more confirmed deaths in its noon update Tuesday.

Like humans, viruses pass down certain characteristics to each other. When scientists analyze all those differences, a picture starts to emerge, just like ancestors on a family tree.

When you do that with the New Orleans strains, they show up on one branch of the tree, said Garry, which means they were related.

The paper compared 235 Louisiana genome sequences to sequences from other parts of the country and the world. Over 30,000 pieces of each virus were analyzed and compared so scientists could connect the dots between transmission.

The paper also puts to rest the idea that Mardi Gras seeded infections across the U.S. The virus strain in New Orleans did seed infections throughout the south  to other parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama  but stay-at-home restrictions and limited air travel appear to have kept it from spreading to other regions.

As the city looks ahead to a Mardi Gras that will look very different this year with bars closed, pedestrian traffic limited and go-cups banned, the study authors hope their findings will serve as a warning about the downstream effects of gathering while the virus circulates.

With new, more transmissible variants in circulation, the chain of transmission is even harder to break.

If college students are crowding on Bourbon Street, a lot of those people wont get seriously ill, said Kamil. But if they go home and visit grandma, or if they spread it to someone else who spreads it to someone else who works in a nursing home or is a prison employee, then all of a sudden youre indirectly involved in a chain of events where now you, in some way, have participated in the death of 90 people.
The small-claims court judge in New Orleans who was hit with federal tax-fraud charges last week has been suspended from the bench.

Acting on a request from Judge Ernestine Teena Anderson-Trahan, the Louisiana Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended her while her tax-fraud case is pending. The court announced the suspension on Friday.

Anderson-Trahan will be paid during her suspension, but she could be charged for the cost of a temporary replacement if she is convicted of a felony. The court hasn't finalized a temporary appointment for her post at 2nd City Court, which handles small claims and evictions in Algiers.

Anderson-Trahan is accused of failing to tell the IRS about cash payments she received for officiating marriages and legal fees she earned before becoming a judge.

The marriage fees first came under public scrutiny four years ago when WVUE-TV reported that Anderson-Trahan was charging couples $100 for a marriage, 20 times the fee allowed by state law.

Those fees went from dubious to allegedly criminal when the judge failed to report them to the government, according to the feds. The four-count grand jury indictment against the judge doesnt state how much money she is accused of failing to report, but WVUE estimated that she may have collected as much as $219,000 in cash over six years.

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Anderson-Trahans defense attorney said the judge will be vindicated when her case is heard.

Judge Trahan is not guilty of these charges, Mike Magner said in a statement. The law requires that one act willfully in order to violate the federal tax laws. In no way did the judge knowingly fail to meet her obligations. We fully expect that she will be vindicated at trial.

Her arraignment is set for Jan. 24.

Although they were rarely in the public eye before the pandemic, 1st and 2nd City Courts have become unusually prominent since due to their key role in eviction cases.

Anderson-Trahans current term expires at the end of 2024.
A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a former New Orleans building inspector to 2 years in prison for taking at least $65,000 in bribes, two years after his indictment and the unrelated collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel brought intense scrutiny of the citys Department of Safety and Permits.

Kevin Richardson, 59, left city government under a cloud four years before the hotels collapse. But his 2019 indictment fed into fears that the city was failing to properly oversee construction projects. After he was charged, Richardson cooperated with authorities.

Clad in a green mask and appearing with his lawyer over Zoom, Richardson bowed his head before U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan delivered the sentence.

Morgan said that prison time was necessary to provide a clear message to all that corruption in New Orleans city government will not be tolerated.

"Mr. Richardson was a public employee, and a person in position of public authority  But Mr. Richardson has admitted that he abused that trust, not just once but many times over an eight-year period. And he did it for personal gain, to the tune of at least $65,000," Morgan said.

Morgan handed down a prison term on the low end of Richardson's recommended sentencing range of 30 to 37 months under federal guidelines.

+2 New Orleans Hard Rock collapse: Despite calls for justice, criminal charges will be 'complex' issue Last Halloween, weeks after three workers on the Hard Rock hotel project in New Orleans were killed in a crush of concrete and steel, a judge 

Richardson pleaded guilty to using an interstate facility with intent to carry on unlawful activity. His plea, on Oct. 29, 2019, came just 17 days after the sudden collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel claimed the lives of three construction workers.

In the aftermath of the Hard Rock disaster, Richardson submitted to interviews with federal investigators and former U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite, who was tapped by the city to lead a probe of the safety and permits department.

But there were very few questions about Hard Rock because it happened well after he left the city, according to Richardsons defense attorney, John Hall Thomas.

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A state grand jury in New Orleans is considering charges in connection with the Hard Rock Hotel collapse, but so far none have been handed up.

Without mentioning the Hard Rock, Morgan on Thursday said there's a broad understanding of what can happen when flaws in buildings go undetected.

"We all know the harm that can occur if a building is declared to be compliant with building codes when it is not," she said. "This is not a victimless crime."

According to court records, Richardson admitted that he took bribes from property owners to falsely report that their properties had no violations. In other instances, he attested that buildings complied with city and state codes when he had never visited them.

Hard Rock Hotel collapse: Inspectors scolded over lapses weeks before fatal collapse The same questions now dogging the New Orleans building inspectors who were assigned to the doomed Hard Rock Hotel project  namely their wher

In one notable case in 2014, he created a fraudulent certificate of completion for the demolition of a residence near Dillard University when it was still standing.

The city says it fired Richardson in January 2015, after he fell under suspicion for falsifying and deleting public records. He has admitted that in 2017, after he left the city job, he paid a department analyst $3,000 to issue bogus permits. Citing unnamed sources, WWL-TV reported that the analyst was Richella Maxwell. She later agreed to resign.

In Richardsons account at the hearing Thursday, he walked away from his city job.

I knew I couldnt continue on like I was going, getting money, so I really walked away, he said. I have character now. I had none back then.
Two days after New Orleans police found a dismembered torso, human head, hands and other remains in a deep freezer aboard a bus parked outside a suspected meth lab, authorities were still waiting for the body parts to thaw to ascertain whether they belonged to a woman who had been living with the suspected lab operator, senior law enforcement sources said Thursday.

Meanwhile, court records documenting the suspected victim's separation from her husband outline the depths of the struggle that Julia Dardar  a 36-year-old mother of two  was having with drug addiction and psychiatric issues before she was reported missing last month.

The investigation into Dardars disappearance led to Tuesdays discovery of the frozen, mutilated corpse, along with a machine-powered saw covered in what appeared to be flesh and bodily fluids. It also prompted the arrest of the bus owner, Benjamin Beale, who remained jailed Thursday in lieu of $100,000 bail on allegations of obstructing justice in a death investigation as well as running an illegal drug lab.

Until the remains at the center of the case thaw and an autopsy can determine how the person died, it is unknown whether Beale will face murder charges. Police on Thursday had no way to know whether the grisly scene was the aftermath of a homicide, the attempted cover up of an overdose death, or other possible scenarios, according to the sources.

An Orleans Parish Coroners Office spokesman declined to comment Thursday on a timeline. The body parts must be defrosted in a refrigerator, which is a process that could take days.

Relatives of Dardars estranged husband, Micah Dardar, are bracing for the worst. Dardar posted a statement on Facebook early Wednesday calling Beale demonic and demented and urging authorities to ensure Beale can never  hurt anyone again.

Later, he posted a video of Julia Dardar dancing with the younger of their two daughters, along with the caption: This is the Julia I want to remember.

Before she went missing, Dardar and the scientist she married in 2003 were raising two girls, ages 13 and 17, in Slidell, according to their mutual friend Cheska Eymard.

Julia Dardar enjoyed working on cars as a mechanic and doting on her daughters, who inherited their mothers artistic spirit. One wants to be a fashion designer, Eymard added.

But, at some point over the years, Julia Dardar became addicted to methamphetamines, which wreaked havoc on her mental state, Eymard said. Her sickness was bad enough that she once purchased drugs in front of one of the girls. She also put her hands on her daughter when family members pleaded for her to seek treatment, her husband alleged in divorce filings.

Dardar was estranged from her husband by June. He filed for divorce in August, court records show.

Even though Micah Dardar continued making sure his wife had money to support herself, Eymard said, Julia Dardar moved into Beales place in the 2200 block of Pauline Street in the Florida neighborhood, which police now suspect was outfitted with equipment to manufacture meth.

Beale, who uses the non-binary pronouns they and them, appears to have bonded with Dardar over their shared affinity for Burning Man, the free-form art and musical festival that is held in the Nevada desert. Eymard said she believes the pair were initially friends but then became lovers, even taking a trip to California together to pick up a bus that another late, so-called burner had left to Beale in his will.

The couple eventually returned. Then last month, Micah Dardar became worried when he spotted Beale driving his wife's white Toyota Prius without her, Eymard said.

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He reported Julia Dardar missing on Dec. 23 and directed police to Beale. Beale later told an officer that Dardar had moved out the previous week, and suggested that she might be suicidal, having left her car and belongings behind, police wrote in criminal court records.

Beale  who has also used the name Kelley Kirkpatrick  spoke again to a detective at a New Orleans police station in the St. Claude area on Jan. 5. Beale allegedly asserted that Dardar had either taken her life or overdosed in Bywater at an abandoned U.S. Navy base that is frequented by squatters, while Beale worked on a plan for her to move out.

But officers doubted Beales story because Beale had not suggested Dardar was missing or in peril until after her estranged husband had called the police.

Police raided Beales home Tuesday and found the human remains in a deep freezer plugged into the home via a long extension cord.

The torso had a deep, linear cut along the left shoulder, seemingly inflicted post-mortem, police wrote in court records. The other body parts detached from the torso were also frozen, with a reciprocating saw containing bits of flesh and fluid on the blade surface nearby, the court records added.

Furthermore, the records noted, there were goggles, a plastic face shield and garbage bags, all of which are useful to someone cutting up a body.

Police turned up equipment and ingredients used to produce meth during the rest of their search of the house, which is a block away from an elementary school.

They booked Beale on obstruction of justice and drug-related counts. Whether Beale faces more serious charges likely hinges on the autopsy findings.

Beales arrest sent shockwaves across New Orleans, with many knowing Beale for selling tooth gems on the street, spinning fire sticks and playing rave-style drum music.

For their part, Dardars daughters and estranged husband were left to come to grips with the developments and what they fear it means for their family.

Hes just trying to take care of their girls and himself, Eymard said.

Eymard then said she knew how Dardar would want to be remembered.

She was a good mom who tried her best, Eymard said. The meth  meth is a horrible, horrible addiction.
Benjamin Beale is in custody after a dismembered body was found in a freezer Tuesday at Beale's property in the Florida area of New Orleans.

Police were searching the home on Pauline Street as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Julia Dardar, who also was living at the property.

Authorities stopped short of saying the headless torso belonged to Dardar, or asserting that she was murdered. They said the condition of the body prevents immediate identification or the determination of a cause of death.

Beale remained in the Orleans Parish Justice Center as of noon Thursday on several charges, including obstruction of justice in a death investigation.

Here's what we know so far about Beale from authorities, neighbors and social media.

Who is Benjamin Beale?

Beale, 34, also went by the name Kelley Kirkpatrick. Police describe Beale as male. Acquaintances said Beale uses the non-binary pronouns they and them.

Beale was known for attending Burning Man, the free-form art and music festival that is held in the Nevada desert. Beale would also frequent a regional festival called Engulf, which is held in Kentwood. Organizers say the Louisiana event is inspired by Burning Man.

Beale also practiced acroyoga, which combines yoga and acrobatics, according to multiple acquaintances, who asked that their names not be published. The acquaintances, who knew Beale as Kelley Kirkpatrick, said Beale had fallen out of favor with many in both communities over allegations of harassment and other misbehavior.

'Dexter' photo on social media

After Beale's arrest became public Wednesday, many went to Beales social media accounts, where they pointed out a past picture Beale posted with a filter paying tribute to the fictional television show Dexter, which is about a vigilante who kills and dismembers people he considers to be bad.

Another photo showed an alligator with its innards dissected. Yet another displayed Beale holding an assault-style rifle while wearing equipment that popular culture often associates with those running meth labs: gloves, goggles and a hazardous materials suit.

How do Beale and Dardar know each other?

A Facebook post under the Kirkpatrick name suggested Beale and Dardar, 36, met sometime before June 2021. The post showed Beale thanking Dardar for helping with an elderly neighbors move.

More recently, Dardar and Beale - using the Kirkpatrick name - each started GoFundMe pages soliciting donations to support their return from a West Coast trip they had taken on a bus Beale inherited from a friend. Beales post lamented that the bus, which had made annual voyages to Burning Man for almost 20 years, had been vandalized and had otherwise deteriorated.

Dardars post described how she had helped repair the bus, and now she was stuck on the West Coast with no funds to get home to New Orleans, where she hoped to see her daughter receive a diploma.

I am 1,800 miles from home in California, she wrote on the GoFundMe page. I need fuel, food and shelter. Although I have been sleeping in my car and hitting up food banks in order to get by, my back is screwed up from failed epidurals so its not the most comfortable place to sleep.

Neighbor Tracy Pearson said Beale and Dardar went on a trip to California last year to pick up the bus, which was parked at the home Wednesday. It was mostly white and had a red, reptilian-like eye painted above the windshield.

She went out there to help him, Pearson said

How long had Beale and Dardar lived on Pauline Street?

Beale bought the house at 2327 Pauline Street in October 2020, according to online property records. The sale price was $127,500.

Dardar arrived more recently and lived in the school bus near the rear of the property, straddling an empty lot, said Pearson, who lives next door.

She was a nice girl, always tried to work on the house, Pearson said.

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Dardar made it back to New Orleans after Hurricane Ida struck Aug. 29, and Beale followed later, Pearson said.

Pearson said Beale and Dardar often walked their small black mixed-breed dogs together in the neighborhood. Beale would also spin firesticks, play loud rave-style drum music and try to sell tooth gems.

The only thing I heard was a lot of funny music, said another neighbor across the street who would not be identified. Boom, boom, boom. No real music.

Invited neighbor over for a visit

The day before police found the severed torso, Beale invited a neighbor over for a visit.

Mike Major, who lives across the street, told Beale on that visit that hed recently seen Dardar walking down the block.

Hes like, You didnt. Shes been missing. Unless you saw a ghost, bro, Major recounted.

+5 Neighbor says he saw missing woman at house the week before dismembered body found in freezer On Monday, a day before police arrested Benjamin Beale after finding a severed torso in a school bus on his property, Beale invited a neighbor

Major said he told police the same thing when detectives first showed up on the block last Friday.

I wasnt the only one who saw her. Thats what kind of sickens me, Major said, standing in his backyard on Wednesday. She looked skinny as f**k.

Now I know he was using me as a tool, Major said. He wanted an alibi.

How long has Julia Dardar been missing?

Dardars estranged husband reported her missing two days before Christmas.

He said she had moved in with Beale at the Pauline Street house. The report prompted an officer to visit and speak with Beale, who said Dardar had moved out the previous week, records say.

Beale added that Dardar left behind all of her belongings, including her white Toyota Prius, and that Beale, too, wanted to report her missing out of concern she was suicidal, the records say.

What did police find at the house?

Officers obtained a warrant to search Beales home Tuesday. During the raid, they spotted a power cord leading from Beale's home to a blue school bus parked in the backyard, the records said. Police followed the power cord to a deep freezer in the back of the bus.

Investigators looked inside the freezer and found what appeared to be the headless torso of a woman. The torso had a deep, linear cut along the left shoulder, which seemed to be inflicted after the woman had died, police wrote in court records.

Officers then noticed an ice chest nearby. They opened it to find a reciprocating saw that appeared to have bits of flesh and fluid on the blade surface, investigators wrote in the court records. There was also a plastic face shield, goggles and garbage bags near the freezer.

What has Beale told police?

Beale spoke to a detective at a New Orleans police station in the St. Claude area on Jan. 5. Beale described fretting that Dardar had either taken her life or overdosed in Bywater at an abandoned U.S. Navy base that is frequented by squatters, while Beale worked on a plan for her to move out.

After the search Tuesday, they took Beale to police headquarters for questioning, authorities said, and Beale refused to provide a statement.

Beale was then arrested and charged with obstruction of justice in a death investigation, including creating/operating a clandestine drug lab, illegal carrying of weapons, distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, according to online jail records.

Magistrate Court Commissioner Albert Thibodeaux set Beale's bail at $400,000. Beale remained in custody as of Thursday morning.
Post-mayoral life has been lucrative for Mitch Landrieu, according to financial disclosures he filed with the White House last month.

Landrieu, whom President Joe Biden appointed to oversee federal infrastructure spending, made almost $2 million over the last two years, largely in salary from the nonprofit he heads and from his consulting firm.

The former New Orleans mayor also listed thousands of dollars in income from speaking fees, providing political commentary for CNN and his salary as a fellow at the University of Chicago and Harvard University.

The financial disclosure was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, which profiled Landrieu on Wednesday. In his new role, Landrieu will be charged with managing $1 trillion in infrastructure spending that Biden made a top priority last year. The money was included in a bill passed by Democrats in Congress with a few Republican votes.

The last 30 years, Ive seen almost everything that I can see thats in this bill, amazingly, Landrieu told The Journal. And thats why Im looking forward to using the things that Ive learned, the things that I did well, the things that Ive done poorly, to craft a new mousetrap that actually makes the country stronger and better.

Landrieu's financial disclosures provide a glimpse into how he spent his time, and made money, since leaving office in 2018 after being barred by term limits from seeking re-election.

The White House did not respond to a request to make Landrieu available for comment on the filing on Thursday.

A significant source of Landrieu's income was the nonprofit he founded, the E Pluribus Unum Fund. That organization, which he started after the fights over taking down monuments to Confederate leaders and a White supremacist militia in 2015, is aimed at promoting racial equity in the South.

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For 2020 and 2021, the nonprofit paid Landrieu a total of $662,500 in salary.

According to a 2018 filing with the IRS, E Pluribus Unum is a 501(c)4, a designation that indicates that they are a tax-exempt social welfare group. Such organizations are often involved in politics or advocacy that would be prohibited for more traditional charities.

That filing showed the organization raised about $2.4 million in 2018 and did not specify how much it paid to individual employees. The filing also did not specify where the money came from.

More recent filings were not available.

Landrieu took in another $1 million during those two years from his position as president of First Day LLC, a Baton Rouge-based consulting firm. The financial disclosure does not specify the firm's clients, though Landrieu listed himself as a consultant to the Rockefeller Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Emerson Collective elsewhere on the form.

On the disclosure form, Landrieu wrote that he would suspend his consulting business while working for the federal government.

In the last year, Landrieu also received $25,000 apiece from Harvard and the University of Chicago for serving as a fellow in their Institute of Politics programs and indicated he had made more than $5,000 a year in speaking fees from the Washington Speakers Bureau. Separately, he said he had made more than $5,000 from political commentary for Turner Broadcasting, which owns CNN, and from speaking fees from the University of Michigan and from Blue Meridian, a philanthropic group in New York City.

Landrieu also listed income from a wide variety of stocks, $147,000 in annual income from a state pension from his time as lieutenant governor, income from property his family owns and a variety of stocks and other investments.
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.
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Williamsport -- The Pennsylvania College of Technology has received another community donation to support is NOW program, a dual enrollment program for high school and career/technology center students.

The $1000 donation from Susquehanna Community Bank marks its third donation through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC).

The banks $1,000 donation will enable academically qualified students to take tuition-free courses for college credit. In 2020-21, 1,512 students from 47 high schools and career and technology centers earned more than 5,600 credits valued at more than $3.3 million through Penn College NOW.

The Penn College Foundation is approved as an Educational Improvement Organization under the EITC program administered by the state Department of Community & Economic Development.

We appreciate the continued generosity of Susquehanna Community Bank to help support Penn College NOW dual enrollment, said Elizabeth A. Biddle, director of corporate relations. Through their support, we are able to offer college curriculum options to high school students in programs that are essential to the economy and the workforce.

We are pleased once again to partner with the Penn College Foundation to support the innovative program Penn College NOW, said Mike Loeh, assistant vice president/commercial relationship manager for Susquehanna Community Bank.

The program offers a vital opportunity for students to earn college credits that will help them build momentum toward careers that provide family sustaining wages and career growth opportunities. As a bank, we are fully committed to the communities that Penn College serves, and this program is one that we are proud to participate in.

To make an EITC gift to Penn College, please email corporate@pct.edu.

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MARGATE  A Broward Sheriffs deputy sustained a serious injury to one of his legs Friday after a suspect wanted for a gun-related crime used his car to ram several unmarked Sheriffs Office cars, authorities said.

Deputies spotted Carlos Alberto Valladares Lugo, 34, about 11:15 a.m. Friday in the 7300 block of Royal Palm Boulevard in Margate. Lugo was wanted by deputies for an incident Monday at Park Lakes Elementary School in Lauderdale Lakes.

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When deputies tried to arrest Lugo on Friday, he intentionally rammed several unmarked law enforcement cars, deputies said.

The deputy sustained a serious injury to one of his legs and was taken by Margate Fire Rescue to the hospital. Theres no word on his condition or exactly how he was injured.

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Deputies said they were looking for Lugo because he went to the school on Monday seeking his gun, which he said was in a students backpack.

Lugo left the school without the gun soon after he arrived. Deputies later found the gun.

Lugo is charged with possession of a firearm by a violent career offender, but officials said more charges could be added.
Williamsport  BAE Systems Inc. has provided $10,000 in grant support for welding materials to be used in welding and metal fabrication programs at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The company is a longtime partner of the colleges welding program, recruiting students for operations in its York manufacturing plant.

The donation will further the colleges welding expansion project and now grants the company a feature on the Welding Recognition Wall at the Copper Level ($100,000 to $249,999). The expansion project will increase the size of the welding lab to 55,000-plus square feet.

Additionally, BAE Systems participates in on-campus recruiting, pop-up recruitment tables, and Career Fair activities at Penn College.

The company is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company that delivers a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services.

BAE Systems continues to invest in hands-on welding technology education at Penn College, said Elizabeth A. Biddle, director of corporate relations. Through this support, BAE Systems is further helping Penn College students by providing different materials for them on which to hone their skills. We thank them for this generous support.

Supporting the Pennsylvania College of Technology welding program is a critical step in developing the future of welding for combat vehicles, said Ross H. Davis, welding engineering manager and a 2007 alumnus of the college. The talent coming from this group, and the shared commitment to quality, gives our company the opportunity to successfully execute our mission, enabling reunions between soldiers and their families.

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Williamsport, PA (17701)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 53F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Washington, D.C.  Climate research tied to commercial agricultural is a hot topic, one that continues to be funded by the government.

The latest $9 million investment, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday, Jan. 12, promises to create new partnerships, including partnerships with higher education institutions.

The investments are specifically directed toward two programs, the Cooperative Extension and USDA Climate Hubs partnerships. The investment is part of the National Institute of Food and Agricultures Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the nations leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences.

Pennsylvania State University will undergo one of the initial six funded projects, receiving a sum of $1,500,000.

Pennsylvania State is expected to create an education program to help private forests adapt and mitigate climate change; prepare minority owners to take advantage of carbon market opportunities; and prepare the forestry extension workforce to better serve their clients in forest carbon and climate issues.

The efforts will be in collaboration with the Northern Forests and Southeast Climate Hubs.

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Lewis Township, Pa.  A tractor trailer driver from Nebraska was killed Thursday in a crash on Interstate 80 westbound that shut the roadway down for several hours.

Kenneth L. Mitchell, 52, of Omaha, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Pennsylvania State Police at Milton.

The crash occurred at 10:53 a.m. at mile marker 194.5 in Lewis Township, Union County.

Police said Mitchell veered off the north shoulder of the road. When he attempted to correct, his Freightliner Cascadia sharply swerved onto the travel lanes and overturned. Mitchells tractor trailer then slid into the guide rail on the south side of the road and came to final rest facing southeast across both travel lanes, police said.

Both lanes of I-80 westbound were closed for several hours and re-opened by 4 p.m., according to PennDOT.

A detour using I-180 and Route 220 was in place.

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Majority Lithuanians oppose Vilnius' policy on China, poll shows

Xinhua) 13:20, January 14, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 60 percent of surveyed Lithuanians oppose Vilnius' current policy toward China, while only 13 percent support it, according to a recent survey conducted by a private company on behalf of the country's foreign ministry.

With 21 percent of respondents rating "very negatively" and 37 percent "negatively" about the policy, the poll added to the mounting pressure on the ministry.

The poll's results came after Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda last week acknowledged the country had made "a mistake" by allowing the establishment of a "representative office" in Vilnius bearing the name of Taiwan instead of Taipei.

In response, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said recognizing one's mistake is a right step, but "it is more important to take actions" to return to the right track of upholding the one-China principle.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
POMPANO BEACH  Two men were arrested on theft and weapons charges in Pompano Beach after being caught with a stolen Porsche and a supply of guns and ammunition, officials said.

Adolph Giunta, 21, and Jamaal Sims, 18, both of Pompano Beach, were arrested about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday after police were alerted they were driving a 2021 Porsche Macan stolen from Miramar, according to the Broward Sheriffs Office.

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The Porsche was spotted near West Atlantic Boulevard and South Cypress Road. A Broward Sheriffs Office helicopter followed the car to a house on the 100 block of NW 30th Avenue.

Jamaal Sims is charged with carrying a concealed firearm and tampering with evidence in relation to a Jan. 12 arrest, officials said. (Broward Main Jail)

When they got to the house, Giunta, who was driving, and Sims both got out of the car and ran toward the house. Deputies said Sims threw a gun onto the roof of a nearby residence.

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Deputies surrounded the house and arrested both men.

Adolph Giunta is charged with grand theft of a car and committing a third-degree felony with a weapon in relation to a Jan. 12 arrest, according to officials. (Broward Main Jail)

Giunta had a Glock 17 with a 30-round magazine. Sims had thrown away a Glock 19 that had one round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine. Inside the car, deputies also found an AR-15-style rifle with a fully-loaded 40-round magazine.

Giunta faces charges of grand theft of a car and third-degree felony with a weapon. Sims faces charges of carrying a concealed firearm, tampering with evidence and trespass conveyance.
Eight months after a Weston mom was killed while riding her bicycle, a driver has been charged in her death.

But the defendants lawyer says the deadly crash was a terrible accident, not a crime.

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Oion Syvell Johnson, 24, of Syracuse, N.Y., was arrested in New York in December and extradited to Florida on Tuesday. He faces charges of vehicular homicide and reckless driving. Johnson bonded out of jail on a $60,000 bond Wednesday.

Sunny LaValle, a wife and mom of a 7-year-old boy, was riding southbound at 8 a.m. on a Sunday in May when she was hit from the rear by Johnsons 2014 Kia Optima in the 3200 block of Bonaventura Boulevard, her body likely carried by the Kia and deposited in the swale, according to the Broward Sheriffs Office.

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[ Lee en espanol: Lo siento mucho, hombre. Me quede dormido: Conductor acusado de la muerte de madre de Weston que montaba bicicleta ]

His car had drifted to the right and off the road, the Sheriffs Office said.

Investigators said he hadnt been speeding, and there was no indication he aggressively applied the brakes after the impact.

After the collision, Johnson apologized to her, according to Johnsons defense lawyer, Saam Zangeneh.

A witness told police that Johnson had just woken up with the crash.

According to a sheriffs report, Johnson acknowledged that. When a deputy asked who was driving, Johnson gestured to himself and said, Im so sorry, man. I fell asleep, the report said.

He said he was in town with friends to celebrate another friends birthday, and had not slept but maybe a few hours since arriving in town the Friday before.

Johnson also said he was trying to stay awake by lowering the window while driving. Records show him and his friends had spent the weekend at a club and on a charter boat, where nobody slept.

But authorities said he made the decision to keep driving back to his Airbnb, which led to the willful or wonton disregard for safety.

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Zangeneh said his client had gotten lost, and a 10-minute drive turned into an hour.

He said his client hadnt been drinking, and had nothing more than a few parking tickets his whole life. He was on his way to Miami. He was going the wrong way. He had not drank, not a drop.

He is very remorseful for whats happened, its devastated him. This is something hes going to have to live with for the rest of his life. This was an accident, not a criminal act.

[ RELATED: A driver hit a pack of bicyclists and killed two. Her penalty? A suspended drivers license. ]

Johnson had two passengers with him, both of whom were sleeping, according to his lawyer.

Records show LaValle died 49 minutes later at the hospital.

LaValles familys attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, said she leaves behind a husband and a young son, who is now 8.

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Its been very difficult for them, he said. The arrest and charges has been a long time coming. They are anxious for the next step.

If it will ever bring closure is a different issue.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com or 954-572-2008 or Twitter @LisaHuriash
Andrean High School National Honor Society students, a plastic surgeon's office in Schererville and the Lake County auditor and recorder offices all recently donated to breast cancer care in Northwest Indiana.

The Cardinal Flahiff Chapter of the National Honor Society from Andrean High School raised money to help breast cancer patients at the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center. The students donated $1,900 to help women being treated with breast cancer.

Annually, Andrean's National Honor Society members participate in a community engagement project to support breast cancer research and treatment. NHS members design and sell a sweatshirt in which the proceeds are donated to the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center. The "Stronger Together" sweatshirt was a huge success and Andrean's NHS was able to donate $1,900, National Honor Society sponsor Melissa Miller said.

The money will help women with breast cancer get to doctor's appointments and with expenses like groceries.

The funds also help us educate women about their disease and offer emotional support, Franciscan Health Crown Point Breast Care Center Nurse Navigator Joan Filipowski said.

It's the fifth year Andrean's National Honor Society students have donated to the Franciscan Health Foundation's cancer care program.

I would like to thank these students and the staff for their support over the years for this cause," Franciscan Health Foundation Director of Development MinDee Richard said. "Andrean High School and its students do a phenomenal job of giving back to their community and I want them to never underestimate their ability to make someone elses life better through their generosity.

The Lake County auditor and recorder offices also recently donated to Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point.

Lake County Auditor Payroll/Purchasing Coordinator Sharon Tillery, a breast cancer survivor and former patient at the Breast Care Center Crown Point, organized a dress down day in which employees raised the funds.

The Lake County Auditor John Petalas and staff were so humbled to have the opportunity to support and give back to the Breast Care Center at Franciscan Health Crown Point. Thank you, Breast Care Center, for all you do for our community, Tillery said.

Petalas staff donated $250, while Recorder Gina Pimentels staff gave another $160 to the cause.

We feel honored that both the auditors office and recorders office chose us to donate to," Breast Care Center Director Michelle Kleszynski said. "We are so privileged to serve the patients in our community and your generosity truly touches our hearts. Thank you from all of us at the Breast Care Center.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Gus Galante in Schererville also gave $1,300 to help women in need of breast cancer care at Community Hospitals Womens Diagnostic Center in Munster. The donation will help patients without insurance who couldn't otherwise receive diagnostic breast care.

If we can help just one individual get the care that they need, then it will be very much worth the effort, Galante said. I hope that this proactive stance will inspire others to do the same and spark other donations.

Community Healthcare can provide same-day testing results and start breast cancer treatment within 10 days of diagnosis.

Until we can prevent breast cancer, our strongest weapon against it remains the detection of it at the earliest time that we can, said Mary Nicholson, the medical director of the womens center in Munster. This funding will enable us to serve many more with the care they need."

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A new board-certified endocrinologist and internal medicine physician has joined the Franciscan Health Physician Network and is practicing medicine in Northwest Indiana.

Thottathil Gopan is welcoming new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Munster Medical Center at 761 45th St., Suite 110, in Munster.

Gopan trained for his medical career at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in Pondicherry, India.

He did his residency at St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital at Columbia University in New York City and completed his fellowship at Cleveland Clinic, which U.S. News and World Reports has ranked as the second-best hospital in the United States and which is consistently listed among the best hospitals in the country.

"Dr. Gopans clinical interests include type 1 and type 2 diabetes, insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring, thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome and androgen-excess disorder," Franciscan Health said in a press release.

Gopan is seeing patients both in-person at Franciscan Health's Munster office and virtually via telehealth appointments.

For more information or an appointment, call (219) 922-3020 or visit franciscanhealth.org.

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The Indiana House could vote as soon as Tuesday to approve a controversial plan restricting Indiana companies from imposing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement on their employees  even as coronavirus infections surge across the Hoosier State.

The Republican-controlled chamber made two minor revisions to House Bill 1001 Thursday, setting up a final decision on advancing the plan to the Senate when state representatives return to the Statehouse next week following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

House approval is nearly certain since 57 lawmakers in the 100-member body have signed on as co-sponsors of the proposal, including Northwest Indiana state Reps. Julie Olthoff, R-Crown Point; Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie; Hal Slager, R-Schererville; and Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso.

The legislation would compel all Indiana businesses with a COVID-19 vaccine requirement, except federal contractors and likely most health care providers based on Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling, to allow any full- or part-time employee with a medical, religious, or general objection to the vaccine, or a recent COVID-19 infection and recovery, to opt out of the company's vaccine mandate.

Employers could then require those employees participate in weekly COVID-19 testing. However, the cost of the testing could not be passed on to the worker, and companies would be permitted to seek state reimbursement of their testing costs for employees choosing not to get the vaccine.

The measure also provides that workers who lose their jobs for refusing to comply with a company's vaccine mandate would have their departure classified as non-voluntary, thereby entitling the workers to receive unemployment benefits.

But, under a House amendment adopted by voice vote Thursday, businesses would not be required to pay higher unemployment premiums, or be otherwise penalized, if their anti-vaccine employees claim unemployment benefits following termination.

A second House amendment, approved 64-23, prohibits business contracts from including provisions that require employees to waive their right under the legislation to refuse to comply with an employer's COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

At the same time, the House voted 83-5 to reject a call to give up an estimated $369 million in federal COVID-19 aid to states and individuals that state Rep. Curt Nisly, R-Milford, said would signal Indiana's displeasure with what he claimed is excessive, unsustainable federal spending.

Another proposed change that would have allowed Hoosiers to opt out of all vaccinations without consequence  backed by state Rep. John Jacob, R-Indianapolis, in the name of "bodily autonomy"  was ruled out-of-order by House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, as insufficiently related to the underlying proposal.

The revised legislation faces an uncertain fate once it leaves the House as leaders in the Republican-controlled Senate, and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, repeatedly have signaled they're not on board with the plan.

The proposal also is strongly opposed by business leaders who say Indiana's pro-business reputation will be threatened if the General Assembly meddles so deeply into how Hoosier businesses run their operations and manage their employees.

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Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte is accepting applications for grant funding for health and wellness projects and programs in LaPorte County.

The nonprofit that aims to help all LaPorte County residents be healthy seeks to make the county one of the 10 healthiest communities in Indiana by 2030.

It is accepting proposals for its 2022 Cycle 1 grants through Feb. 25. It will provide grants that contribute to positive change in the community while showing measurable progress toward its strategic priorities of Healthy Children, Healthy Living and Healthy Minds.

The Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte asks community groups to come up with fresh ideas for tackling public health issues in LaPorte County.

"To achieve our vision of becoming one of the 10 healthiest communities in Indiana by 2030, it will take all of us," President and CEO Maria Fruth said. "It will take bold steps, innovative ideas and dedicated partners implementing evidence-based practices.

The Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte has invested more than $30 million in the community since it was launched in 2017 with proceeds from the sale of the IU Health LaPorte Hospital. It outlines grant eligibility requirements, timelines and instructions online at hflaporte.org/grantmaking-overview. A letter of inquiry must be submitted by Jan. 21 for any grants sought over $25,000.

For more information, call 219-326-2471, email contact@hflaporte.org or visit hflaporte.org.

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Emagine Portage and Emagine Frankfort will screen a special movie honoring the late great Betty White of "The Golden Girls" fame and innumerable other credits.

"Betty White: A Celebration" will screen at Emagine Portage at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. on Monday. The multiplex at 6550 American Way was long known as the Portage IMAX before Michigan-based Emagine rescued it from bankruptcy.

It will also be screened at 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10 p.m. Monday at Emagine Frankfort at 19965 S. LaGrange Road in south suburban Frankfort.

"This celebration of Americas sweetheart is an opportunity to remember Betty Whites amazing life and career," Emagine said in a press release. Its a time to come together and enjoy Bettys classic moments on 'The Golden Girls,' 'SNL,' 'Hot in Cleveland,' 'The Proposal' and 'The Mary Tyler' Moore Show, among others."

Not just hastily slapped together as a tribute, the documentary was originally slated to be released in theaters as "Betty White: A Birthday Celebration" to mark her 100th birthday. But the television legend died just short of becoming a centenarian on Dec. 31 so the PG-13-rated movie was renamed.

"Drawing from her final interview, this film provides a backstage look at her career, and insights into what was most important to her," Emagine said in a press release. "Plus hear from the friends who loved her, including Ryan Reynolds, Carol Burnett, Valerie Bertinelli, Jennifer Love Hewittand dozens of other celebrity friends who offer their tribute to this beloved icon."

For more information, visit Emagine-Entertainment.com.

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Well, 2022 is here, but so is another round of COVID-19, and once more the virus is threatening to cramp the attempts of musicians everywhere to return to their livelihood as entertainers.

Unlike last year, when musicians performed in front of cameras streaming their songs in the hopes homebound viewers would pony up some coins in their virtual tip jars, they are still forging ahead with live shows, although more stripped down in approach.

Sure, there are still plenty of groups in our area pushing through the darkness of COVID with fingers crossed, doing full band performances at many area venues still offering such, while working hard to keep patrons safe. But there has been a noticeable shift in the last few months locally to stripped down musical offerings.

More and more duos have been popping up at local pubs and restaurants, not only keeping their own numbers down, but also helping keep costs down for the venues who are struggling with restrictions caused by both the virus and drastic staff shortages. Some of the best of the area's band talents have been pairing up to continue bringing great live music offerings to a public still thirsty for live performances after so many months when live music was not an option for them.

While there are still many full band shows at larger venues, the smaller ones are booking wisely as entertainers providing quality sets of music that keep people coming through the doors. Catch some of those pairings out and about this weekend from the listing below.

Musical duo Chad Burton and Nicole Garza -- now sporting the mash-up name Chicole -- are found tonight at Emilio's Cantina (9400 Indianapolis Blvd.) in Highland harmonizing to Burton's excellent guitar playing. More: facebook.com/nicolegarzamusic.

NWI's perennial acoustic duo Chris & Lou keep on keeping on with their harmonies and twin guitars at the Miller chapter of the Izaak Walton League (1250 Crisman Road) this Friday from 8-11 p.m. More: facebook.com/MillerChapter.

Classic rock band The Muddsharks brings its stripped down version, The AcoustiSharks, to Merrillville's Catch Table & Tap (500 E. 81st Ave.) from 7-10 p.m. Friday. More: facebook.com/themuddsharksband.

Two of the best in their respective crafts -- vocalist Lauren Dukes and guitar virtuoso Marco Villarreal -- pair up at Shady Creek Winery (2030 Tryon Road) in Michigan City on Sunday from 1-4 p.m., before moving over for a repeat show at Goblin & The Grocer Pub (1 W. Dunes Highway) in Beverly Shores from 5-7:30 p.m. More: facebook.com/mvplusultra.

Jessica Lopez Schmidt -- formerly of Mr. Funnyman and currently the namesake of the full band Jessi & The Fizz -- has taken to pairing up with various area accompanists to successfully keep busy in the local haunts. Catch Jessi on Friday with one of her frequent collaborators, guitarist Greg Guidotti at the 313 Taproom (313 Ridge Road) in Munster. On Saturday, Jessi pairs up with keyboardist Michael Young for a different set of songs at White Rhino (101 Joliet St.) in Lansing. More: facebook.com/jessiandthefizz.

Northwoods Falls (8101 Wicker Ave.) in St. John features duo acts from 7-10 p.m. every Thursday with The Bad Alley Duo performing tonight. The AcoustiSharks swim in with a stripped down classic rock set on Jan. 20, and The Jack Whittle Duo perform blues-rooted Americana on Jan. 27. More: facebook.com/NorthwoodsFalls.

Bassist and blues vocalist Susan Williams, of The Wright Groove Band, often pairs up with other musical friends. This Saturday Williams teams with guitarist/vocalist Robin Chandler for a performance at American Legion Post #66 (132 N. Wiggs St.) in Griffith from 7-10 p.m. Williams does a full band Wright Groove show from 7 p.m. to midnight on Friday at Aloft (243 E. Ontario St.) in Chicago. More: facebook.com/susan.williams.1800.

Jeremy Smolen has been a staple on the local NWI music scene for years, and often pairs up with musical peers for both stripped down acoustic shows and full on band shows billed as Smolen & Friends. This Friday finds Smolen pairing with vocalist Gloria Rivera at Lake Dale Ale (5512 W. Main St.) in Lowell. More: facebook.com/JeremySuperJSmolen.

Aaron Harris is another regional musician who has been a staple on the scene for many years, and like the above mentioned Jeremy Smolen, Harris has a variety of musical friends in his address book upon which to call for special stripped down gigs. This Friday at Highland's R-Bar (9521 Indianapolis Blvd.), Harris pairs with vocalist Amy McCormick of the Listen Betty band. More: facebook.com/amymccormickmusic.

Even the long-running band Nick Danger has taken to stripping down their show for special venues like tonight's performance at Blue Point Oyster & Sushi Bar (13 Lincolnway) in Valparaiso. Always present at the duo and trio shows is bassist and band leader Jerry Clemons, with revolving accompaniment in tow. Catch the full Nick Danger Band on Friday at Buddy & Pals (1206 E. Summit St.) in Crown Point.

MUSIC NOTES

Those rockers looking for full on concert events to attend this weekend can find plenty of offerings and options on that front as well.

 As the aptly titled "Simply Elton" title of the program suggests, a tribute to Sir Elton John is on the menu for 8 p.m. this Friday at Hobart Art Theater (230 Main St.) in downtown Hobart. Tickets are $12 advance/$15 at door. Then at 7 p.m. Saturday, comedian Pat Tomasula of WGN-TV fame, headlines a night of laughs with special guest Adam Burke. Tickets are $20 advance/$25 at door. More: brickartlive.com.

 Country blues starts the weekend of music at Leroy's Hot Stuff (333 W. U.S. 20) in Porter as Bob's Country Bunker with guitarist Gerry Hunt takes the stage on Friday. Jam band Dead To Rights will deliver plenty of Grateful Dead and other jam band favorites on Saturday, before the weekly "Blues Jam with Corey Dennison" returns from 7-11 p.m. on Sunday. More: leroyshotstuff.com or 219- 926-6211.

 The MegaBeatles brings the Fab sounds of John, Paul, George and Ringo to the stage of Griffith's Avenue 912 (202 W. Ridge Road) at 7 p.m. for a double set of songs sure to have their audience singing along. The MegaBeatles is a blending of The Crawpuppies and The Chris & Lou Band performing a repertoire of only Beatles songs. Tickets start at $20. More: facebook.com/MegaBeatles.

 The aforementioned Northwoods Falls (8101 Wicker Ave.) in St. John has full bands this weekend with Jamrose on Friday and The Rak Brothers on Saturday. Both nights has music running from 8 p.m. to midnight. More: facebook.com/NorthwoodsFalls

 Popular party rock band NAWTY turns up the juice at 9 p.m. Saturday on the stage of Decibels at On The Roxx (2524 Portage Mall) in Portage. More: facebook.com/decibelsatroxx.

 Two of the Region's best blues guitarists team up for this week's "Toasted Thursday" at The Toasted Chicken (9750 S. Roberts Road) in Palos Heights. Tonight's 5-8 p.m. event features guitarist Derek Caruso with his band The Blues Fuse, with special guest guitarist Rocco Calipari Sr. of Howard & The White Boys fame joining them on stage. More: facebook.com/toastedchicken420.

 Eric Lambert will perform live in-studio Friday from 2-3 p.m. on Lakeshore Public Radio's "Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges" radio program. Lambert has been getting lots of international attention with his newest CD, "Beating The Odds." Tune in at 89.1FM on the dial or via the stream at lakeshorepublicradio.org.

Lambert will also perform live in-studio on Sunday (7-9 p.m.) at WIMS-AM/FM to promote his new album and his upcoming all ages Jan. 22 concert at Front Porch Music in Valparaiso. Tune in Sunday at AM-1420, 106.7FM and 95.1FM on the dial, or via the stream at wimsradio.com.

Seats are limited for the upcoming Front Porch Music concert and reservations are required. Tickets: $15. More: facebook.com/FrontPorchMusicValpo.

Opinions are solely those of the writer. Reach him at beatboss@aol.com.

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CALUMET CITY  Following an armed robbery in Calumet City, a police chase ensued into Chicago, ending in the capture of two suspects with the help of a police dog.

At 11:33 p.m. Tuesday the Illinois State Police Emergency Response Network alerted local law enforcement of a vehicle that was seen fleeing the scene of an armed robbery in Calumet City.

The Illinois State Police Air Operations located and tracked the suspect vehicle from the northbound lanes of Interstate 94 at East Sibley Boulevard to the South Chicago Suburbs and then back to downtown Chicago.

Two suspects were seen exiting the vehicle to flee from police on foot. Troopers arrived quickly and chased the two individuals, eventually capturing them. Police reported that one suspect was apprehended by a police dog.

Both individuals were taken to the Cook County Jail. After the arrests, officers recovered a weapon from the suspects.

Calumet City police did not immediately respond Thursday evening with further information on the robbery.

In a separate incident, at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, an Illinois trooper spotted a vehicle that was reported to be stolen in an aggravated vehicular hijacking at 12:27 p.m. Wednesday in Chicago.

The vehicle was seen heading north on I-94 at 83rd Street and the trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over, but it led chase.

The pursuit continued east Interstate 290 toward downtown Chicago, however troopers successfully stopped the vehicle near 55th Street and Michigan Avenue.

Three juveniles abandoned the vehicle to try and run away, however after a brief foot chase, all three juveniles were arrested. One of the suspects was treated at a hospital for an injury that happened while being apprehended by a police dog.

The ISP has a multitude of resources available to help identify, apprehend, and convict individuals who flee on the Chicagoland expressways, stated ISP District Chicago Capt. David Keltner. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stop those who threaten the safety of motorists in Chicago and across the state.

The names of the suspects have not yet been released by police.

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HAMMOND  A Munster woman tied to a federal investigation of an unidentified elected official has received probation.

U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon imposed a two-year term of court supervision Thursday on 55-year-old Mary L. Cossey.

Cossey pleaded guilty last summer to a wire fraud charge that she lied to federal bankruptcy officials and cheated creditors out of tens of thousands of dollars they lent her.

The government accused Cossey last year of defrauding the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Hammond between 2013 and 2019 when she appealed to that court for relief from bill collectors.

Bankruptcy rules requires a debtor to disclose and turn over all projected disposable income to a bankruptcy trustee who shares that out with creditors  while the debtor must live on a reduced budget.

Federal prosecutors allege Cossey concealed from the court that she had access to the credit card of a close friend who allowed Cossey to continue riotous spending on vacations, jewelry and other luxuries while publicly claiming she was broke.

That was a violation of bankruptcy court rules, which bars debtors from favoring some owed creditors at the expense of others.

Cosseys money pal is identified in court records only as Individual A.

Veteran defense attorney Scott King, who represents Cossey, has said attorneys in the case know the name of Individual A, but neither he nor federal prosecutors are making it public since that person isnt charge with any wrongdoing at this point.

King disclosed in a recent memo to the court that Cossey and her bankruptcy were part of a three-year-old federal inquiry into someone more important that Cossey knows.

King states in his memo, Ms. Cossey and her mother (Regina Cossey) were contacted by federal agents regarding their service and history with an elected official.

King doesnt identify the elected official in question, nor does he say directly state Individual A is the elected official under suspicion.

Nevertheless, King said Cossey worked on the political campaign of the unnamed elected official and had access to a credit card linked to the official.

King said Cossey used that credit card to pay campaign expenses. Cossey also used it for her own personal spending with increasing frequency, until she racked up more than $200,000 in non-campaign debt on Individual As credit card  about the same time she wasnt paying her other creditors.

There is no public indication  to date  Cossey told the agents that put the elected official in any criminal jeopardy.

There is little doubt Cossey was well known in Northwest Indianas highest political and social circles.

An official of the Michigan Citys Lubeznik Center for Arts, Lake County Councilman Charlie Brown, Calumet Township Trustee Kimberly Robinson and Gary City Councilwoman Mary Brown are among many to wrote letters to the court in support of Cossey, saying she has performed public service for several civic and social organizations.

Cossey worked in Gary government during former Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson's administration, first in a newly created position of director of constituent services in 2013. There, she received an $80,000 annual salary.

She also served as executive director of the Gary Housing Authority. She left Gary government in 2015.

Freeman-Wilson, now serving as president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, has declined comment on the Cossey case and couldnt be reached Thursday for comment.

Freeman-Wilson has not been charged with any wrongdoing, nor is she identified in court records as being connected to the scheme allegations.

Cossey gave up her right to make government prosecutors prove their case before a jury last summer in return for the U.S. Attorneys office not opposing Cosseys request for probation, rather than a prison term.

Cossey agreed to make $81,159 in restitution to her creditors who lost the most.

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GARY  Gary businessman and community leader Norman Bailey was among two people killed in two separate homicide shootings in the city early Friday morning, police said.

Bailey, 60, of Gary, was gunned down shortly before 3 a.m. at the Blue Room Lounge at 224 E. 16th Ave., Gary police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said.

A 28-year-old Gary man injured in the same shooting was later treated for a gunshot wound at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus, police said.

"On behalf of my family and the city of Gary, I extend our deepest condolences and prayers for peace and comfort to the family and friends of Norman Bailey, who was tragically and senselessly taken from (us) early this morning," Gary Mayor Jerome A. Prince said in a prepared statement.

"In business, he was a hands-on leader who showed the best our Gary community has to offer. As a public servant, including his time on the Gary Community School Corp. Advisory Board, Mr. Bailey showed his heart and love for his neighbors and the children throughout our city.

"And, on a personal level, I always looked forward to his warm smile and his insightful recommendations on how to make our community a better place. We all will miss him, but I know well always be grateful to have made fond memories with Mr. Bailey.

Prince vowed the city police department "will use every tool available to bring the person or people responsible for this heinous act to justice."

Witnesses of the shooting said when the group heard gunfire, they began to run out of the lounge, at which time they realized the injured 28-year-old Gary man had been shot in the leg and buttocks area, police said. He was taken to the hospital by another individual for treatment.

Anyone with information about the shooting is encourage to contact Detective Greg Fayson of the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or contact the Gary Crime tip line 1-866 CRIME GP.

Officers were called to a second shooting shortly after 5 a.m. Friday in the 2400 block of Broadway, Hamady said.

Officers arrived to find a man lying on the ground, and firefighters determined he was dead, police said. The man had gunshot wounds to the torso area of his body.

He was identified by the Lake County coroner's office as Lamontrel McFarland, 42, of Gary.

Anyone with information about this shooting is encouraged to contact Sgt. Kris Admas of Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or contact the Gary Crime tip line 1-866 CRIME GP.

Check back at nwi.com for updates as they become available.

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Floridas large employers saw some relief Thursday from being whipsawed by contradictory state and federal laws that govern COVID vaccine mandates: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Biden administration directive that large private companies require their employees to get inoculated.

You dont have to worry anymore, said Peter H. Meyers, professor emeritus at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. It is the Florida law which is applicable.

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But the court allowed the federal government to authorize a mandate for health care workers at facilities that receive federal funding.

Florida employment law analysts said that clarity was what businesses really longed for as the Biden administration sought to use the authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to impose COVID vaccine requirements on employers with 100 or more people on the payroll.

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As President Biden campaigned for more ways to expand vaccinations nationally, the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis led a charge in the Republican-dominated state Legislature to bar employers from requiring vaccines unless they made a series of accommodations to workers who did not want the jab.

[ RELATED: Pressure mounts for health care providers: Florida threatens fines for complying with the federal vaccination mandate ]

Feds vs. state

Under legislation passed last fall, local Florida governments cant impose vaccine mandates on employees. But private businesses with vaccine requirements must offer exemptions for medical or religious reasons, or if a worker has previously had COVID-19. Any worker who agrees to wear a mask and be tested regularly must be exempted as well.

Businesses with fewer than 100 employees are subject to a $10,000 fine per violation, and larger businesses are subject to $50,000 fines.

Attorney General Ashley Moodys office is empowered to investigate complaints, and given a $5 million budget under the bill to do so.

It was like mom saying you could do something and dad saying you cant, so who are you going to listen to? said Jay Starkman, founder and CEO of Engage PEO, a human resources consulting firm in Fort Lauderdale.

Starkman said Thursdays high court decision itself changes little for companies because many were simply waiting to see how the justices would rule.

No one has done much. Everybody was waiting to see, he said. I dont think this changes much in the world. It would have changed a lot if they had upheld the mandate.

A number of Florida firms followed the advice of their lawyers who urged them to be prepared to follow the federal mandate if it survived the courts scrutiny. To do otherwise would have been foolhardy, analysts said, because of heavy fines the U.S. government was prepared to levy if companies missed deadlines that were set for the end of this month and in February.

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Michael Elkins, a Fort Lauderdale employment lawyer with the firm MLE Law, said he represents a national bar and restaurant chain that was anxious about the uncertainty lasting too much longer.

Weve been waiting and waiting, and I talked with the president and HR director yesterday and they said, What do we do? he recalled. I said, Give it until tomorrow, which meant today [Thursday].

He said the court noted that OSHA can still regulate workplace issues narrowly, but its actions must be industry specific and done in a very narrow way.

Higher costs were a certainty

Peter Dyga, president and CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors Floridas east coast chapter, said the outcome was definitely a relief to association members. Those companies were trying to figure out how to comply.

The organization was among the early private sector opponents to challenge the mandate in court.

As a practical matter, he said, contractors try to estimate their costs of doing business a year in advance. They didnt have the opportunity to do so with the mandate. The additional costs incurred by the mandate would have been passed along to consumers.

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They really dont think about that, he said of the government.

Still, the mandate had the effect of persuading more people to get a shot, local observers said.

There are some people that say the mandate was effective because as soon as it came out some people got vaccinated who wouldnt have gotten vaccinated, Starkman said.

The federal requirement called for employees at large businesses to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job.

[ RELATED: Florida Legislature approves new rules countering vaccine mandates in the workplace ]

The courts orders Thursday during a spike in coronavirus cases was a mixed bag for the administrations efforts to boost the vaccination rate among Americans.

The courts conservative majority concluded the administration overstepped its authority by seeking to impose OSHAs vaccine-or-test rule on U.S. businesses with at least 100 employees. More than 80 million people would have been affected.

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OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here, the conservatives wrote in an unsigned opinion.

This artist sketch depicts lawyer Scott Keller standing to argue on behalf of more than two dozen business groups seeking an immediate order from the Supreme Court to halt a Biden administration order to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation's large employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, is seated at right. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

In dissent, the courts three liberals argued that it was the court that was overreaching by substituting its judgment for that of health experts. Acting outside of its competence and without legal basis, the Court displaces the judgments of the Government officials given the responsibility to respond to workplace health emergencies, Justices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a joint dissent.

The White House always anticipated legal challenges  and privately some harbored doubts the mandates would stand.

The administration nonetheless still views the rule as a success at already driving millions of people to get vaccinated and for private businesses to implement their own requirements that are unaffected by the legal challenge.

Both rules had been challenged by Republican-led states, including Florida.

In addition, business groups attacked the OSHA emergency regulation as too expensive and likely to cause workers to leave their jobs at a time when finding new employees already is difficult.

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Health care mandate stands

The vaccine mandate that the court will allow to be enforced nationwide scraped by on a 5-4 vote, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joining the liberals to form a majority. The mandate covers virtually all health care workers in the country, applying to providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding.

It potentially affects 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions.

The challenges posed by a global pandemic do not allow a federal agency to exercise power that Congress has not conferred upon it. At the same time, such unprecedented circumstances provide no grounds for limiting the exercise of authorities the agency has long been recognized to have, the court wrote in an unsigned opinion, saying the latter principle governs in the health care cases.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in dissent that the case was about whether the administration has the authority to force healthcare workers, by coercing their employers, to undergo a medical procedure they do not want and cannot undo. He said the administration hadnt shown convincingly that Congress gave it that authority.

[ RELATED: First responders nationwide are resisting COVID vaccine mandates ]

Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett signed onto Thomas opinion. Alito wrote a separate dissent that the other three conservatives also joined.

At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the U.S.

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More than 208 million Americans, 62.7% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of those have received booster shots, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All nine justices have gotten booster shots.

A separate vaccine mandate for federal contractors, on hold after lower courts blocked it, has not been considered by the Supreme Court.

Information from The Associated Press was used to supplement this news article.
CROWN POINT  Two alleged gang members were in custody Thursday on charges they fatally shot a mentally disabled man as he rode his bicycle May 25 in North Hammond, court records showed.

David C. Velazquez, 21, of Hammond, and Terrell Bradley, 23, of Calumet City, each are facing one count of murder in the homicide of 26-year-old Asael Wilson, of East Chicago.

A third suspect, a 41-year-old man, was named in court records, but there was no public record of a case against him.

Hammond police learned from witnesses and surveillance video that Wilson was riding his bicycle north on Indianapolis Boulevard about 7:45 p.m. May 25 when an aqua-colored minivan turned south from State Line Road and accelerated toward him.

As the van rounded the corner, its passenger sliding door opened, its backseat passenger pointed a gun and several shots were fired at Wilson at point-blank range, Lake Criminal Court records state.

Several muzzle flashes appeared to come from the firearm, and Wilson was knocked off his bicycle, records state.

Wilson immediately stood up and limped across the street into a McDonald's restaurant, where he collapsed and staff called for medics.

The aqua-colored van, which also was occupied by a driver and front seat passenger, continued traveling south on Indianapolis Boulevard and appeared to take the on-ramp to the Indiana Toll Road, records state.

Hammond police identified Velazquez as a suspect by using facial recognition technology, according to court documents.

Authorities identified a third man by comparing surveillance images with banking records related to purchases he made in the area at the time of the homicide, records state.

A Chicago police officer identified Bradley as a member of the Spanish Vice Lords street gang after Hammond police circulated surveillance images of him, documents state. Velazquez and the third suspect also are alleged to be members of the gang.

Velazquez has pleaded not guilty. He was arrested in November and had a hearing scheduled for Thursday on his petition to let bail.

Murder defendants typically are not afforded bail, unless a court determines that proof is not evident or the presumption of guilt of murder  not a lesser offense such as voluntary manslaughter  is not strong.

John Cantrell, Velazquez's defense attorney, said his client didn't commit the crime.

"The police have the wrong guy," Cantrell said. "I intend on proving this at the bail hearing."

Defense attorney Michael A. Campbell represents Bradley, who was in custody at the Cook County Jail, records showed.

"Mr. Bradley is innocent of this charge, and we are eager to establish it in court," Campbell said.

Charging documents detail how police used a witness's description of an aqua-colored Honda Odyssey with temporary license plates, multiple surveillance videos, license plate reader data, body camera footage of the third suspect driving an aqua-colored Honda Odyssey, bank records and physical descriptions  including clothing and tattoos  to identify the three suspects.

Wilson's family told police he had a mental disability and often rode his bike from his home in East Chicago to a relative's home on Chicago's East Side.

Wilson left his relative's home in Chicago on his bike about two hours before he was shot with the relative's debit card, which he planned to use to purchase food. The relative did not know of anyone who would want to harm Wilson, documents state.

Velazquez, Bradley and the third suspect likely first spotted Wilson as he waited in line at a Dairy Queen while they were parked at a Luke's gas station across the street, records allege.

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GARY  A suspect crashed head-on with a police vehicle after leading a car chase Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

At 1:25 p.m. Thursday, a Lake County sheriffs officer tried to pull over a black Jeep that was seen speeding in the area of U.S. 20 and Clay Street in Gary, said Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.

The driver refused to pull over and sped up, leading chase, Martinez said. As the suspect drove through an alleyway at Whitcomb Street, his Jeep struck a Lake County patrol car in a head-on collision, Martinez said.

The officer was able to do a pit maneuver to try and stop the Jeep safely when the suspect lost control of the vehicle, striking the police car and then crashing into a tree, Martinez said.

Police arrested the driver, a 22-year-old Portage resident, and the passenger, a 23-year-old Merrillville resident. Their identities are pending as formal criminal charges are filed. There were no injuries reported in the incident.

Police found two handguns and discovered one of the guns had been reported as stolen, Martinez said. A quantity of suspected ecstasy pills and marijuana also were found, he said.

I am so pleased that Lake County police officers were able to use their training, knowledge and expertise to stop this vehicle without anyone getting hurt, Martinez said. When it comes to vehicle thefts and carjackings, I take these types of crimes very seriously. I have put more targeted patrols on the streets to help bring car thieves to justice. Those efforts are truly helping to make our communities safer."

The case remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Department. Gary police assisted in the incident.

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EAST CHICAGO  A bar connected to an East Chicago councilman was searched after a warrant was obtained by authorities investigating a homicide that happened outside of the establishment, police said.

Officers with East Chicago Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division executed a State of Indiana search warrant at 4 p.m. Thursday at Ralo's Bar, at 3948 Alder St., said East Chicago Deputy Chief Jose Rivera. The warrant was in reference to a homicide that happened outside of the location Christmas morning.

The search warrant was for electronic surveillance systems, he said.

Rivera said in the investigation, authorities contacted East Chicago Councilman-At Large Dwayne Rancifer.

Rancifer stated that when he was contacted by police, he directed investigators to the man who operates the business, who he said had retained an attorney.

Rancifer said while he is the owner of the liquor license to the bar, another individual is the operator of the business. The councilman said he has cooperated with police and has had no involvement in the day-to-day operations of the establishment.

I have been fully cooperative with police from the beginning, Rancifer said. As a council member and citizen I am concerned for the safety and well-being of all of our community members. It is unfortunate this crime happened and I will ensure that we do all we can to make the community a better place. And I hope whoever committed this crime is brought to justice.

Police said on Dec. 25, officers tried to make contact with those inside the bar, but someone locked the door. Rivera stated customers and employees inside the bar refused to open the door and speak with police.

Rancifer said that he does not frequent the bar and was not aware of the incident until the next day.

I have no direct information as to the reason why that had happened, Rancifer said.

On that day, Eric Douglas, 32, of East Chicago, was shot and killed in the 3900 block of Alder Street, about three blocks from Douglas' Butternut Street home, around 1:45 a.m., according to the Lake County coroner's office and East Chicago police.

Officers initially were dispatched to the area after the department's ShotSpotter tool indicated four rounds were fired nearby.

After police arrived, officers discovered Douglas face down on the sidewalk in front of Ralo's Bar with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Medics pronounced Douglas dead at the scene.

Rivera previously said East Chicago detectives plan to follow-up with the owner of the bar and contact the Indiana State Excise Police "regarding previous problems with this establishment."

Anyone with any information about the crime can contact Detective Daniel Ponce by email: dponce@eastchicago.com; or at 219-391-8318. Anonymous tips also can be submitted by calling 219-391-8500.

Rivera said this is an ongoing investigation and no further details can be released at this time.

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MICHIGAN CITY  Four alumni of Michigan City High School returned to school recently to share their college experience, advice, wisdom, and tips with juniors and seniors in the MCHS Early College Program.

All four guest speakers were once enrolled in the Early College Program, which focuses on preparing MCHS students for college and careers through personal attention and classes that result in both high school and college credits.

Jake Miller, who is currently studying business at Valparaiso University, advised students to apply to several colleges and universities, and then find the most compatible match.

You need to apply, apply, apply, he said. Apply to as many schools as you can because these are your options.

He also stressed the importance of good grades and extracurricular involvement, saying that colleges often look at academics as well as how much effort a student puts into his campus and community involvement.

Another Valparaiso University student, Brenda Huizar, who is studying nursing, said it was the MCHS Early College program that helped get her where she needed to be to succeed in college.

You guys are in the best program she told the audience, describing how the Early College program helped her grow. Push yourself and try the best you can.

Javant Hodges, also a former MCHS Early College student, is now studying exercise science at Indiana University and hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon.

It will be a long road for me, but I was well prepared through Early College, he said, referring to his future career plans. I have a goal, and I want to strive to achieve that goal. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Chris French is a junior at Wabash College. His advice to todays high school students focused on having a vision for the future.

There is a difference between dreams and making that a reality, he said, something he learned through the Early College program. He challenged the students to have a visioning session for themselves. Be honest with yourself and think beyond college. Where do you want to be?

More information about Michigan City High Schools Early College program is available by visiting www.EducateMC.net/earlycollege.

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VALPARAISO  The Valparaiso Police have added three additional officers with the swearing in of Sean Liesenfelt, Craig Lundy, and Jacob Schleyer.

Mayor Matt Murphy performed the ceremony Friday in the council chambers at City Hall. Chief Jeff Balon, with numerous officers and civilian staff, joined the families and friends of the new officers, who were in attendance to witness the event.

Balon welcomed the hires to the Valparaiso Police Department family and congratulated them on their appointments.

Liesenfelt is a 2011 graduate of Munster High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University Northwest, while majoring in criminal justice.

He has further earned his masters degree in public management from IUN in 2018. He comes to the Valparaiso with seven years of law enforcement experience, having graduated from the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 2015 and serving with the IUN Police Department from 2015-2022.

Lundy is a 2016 graduate of Washington Township High School, having earned training and certification as an aviator. He earned his private pilots license in 2017, a commercial pilots license in 2020, and is a certified drone operator.

He has been working as a jailer with the Porter County Sheriffs Department since 2021.

Schleyer is a 2011 graduate of Evergreen Park High School in Illinois and earned his Associate of Science degree from Prairie State College in 2019, while majoring in criminal justice.

He further served in the U. S. Army from 2011-2014, having attained the rank of Pfc.

He comes to Valparaiso with two years of law enforcement experience, having graduated from NILEA in 2021 and serving with the Michigan City Police Department since 2020.

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Two men suspected in the armed theft of a luxury car have died after jumping into a Chicago-area river while fleeing police. Illinois State Police say a 2020 Rolls-Royce that was taken during a carjacking was spotted about 4:40 a.m. Saturday in Chicago. The occupants of the Rolls-Royce stopped south of Chicago in Lansing where they got into a luxury SUV and again drove off. The SUV crashed and some of the people inside the vehicle then entered the Little Calumet River. Members of a Chicago police marine unit removed a 27-year-old man and a 21-year-old man from the river. They later were pronounced dead at a hospital. Three others have been arrested.
In a fiery hearing Friday, a federal judge excoriated a lawyer for the University of Florida who accused political science professors of having misled the court in a lawsuit challenging the schools conflict-of-interest policy.

Christopher Bartolomucci, who represents University of Florida officials, received a tongue-lashing from Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker after arguing that newly discovered facts revealed misconduct by political science professors Sharon Austin, Michael McDonald and Daniel Smith.

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The tenured professors filed the lawsuit after university officials denied their requests to serve as plaintiffs witnesses in a legal battle about a 2021 state elections law (SB 90) that would, in part, make it harder for Floridians to vote by mail. In denying the professors requests, university officials said that going against the executive branch of the state government was adverse to the schools interests.

[ RELATED: Federal judge allows UF professors lawsuit to move forward ]

The professors, who were joined by three other faculty members in the lawsuit, contend that the universitys conflict-of-interest policy violates First Amendment rights, discriminates based on viewpoint and content and has a chilling effect. The plaintiffs have asked Walker for a preliminary injunction to block the policy, adopted in mid-2020, from being enforced.

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Bartolomucci said Friday that evidence uncovered Wednesday showed that the professors had already begun working on the elections case before their requests to serve as witnesses were rejected.

This court should not enjoin a process that the plaintiffs dont even abide by. Theres no chilling effect. The policy didnt chill them.  These plaintiffs went to work even before they made a request, Bartolomucci argued.

The lawyer also reiterated arguments that the plaintiffs lack standing to sue the university because they arent being harmed by the policy.

These plaintiffs arent injured by the process. They dont even honor the process, Bartolomucci said, suggesting that Fridays hearing should be postponed until the defendants were allowed to file supplemental briefs on the issue.

But an irate Walker said he was mystified by Bartolomuccis newly discovered facts. The judge noted that he had given lawyers for the defendants  University of Florida President Kent Fuchs, Provost Joseph Glover and UFs Board of Trustees  ample opportunity to take depositions and conduct discovery before hearings last week and Friday.

[ EDITORIAL: By pandering to Tallahassee, UF disgraces itself once again ]

The timing of the filing of the professors expert reports in the elections case is a matter of public record, Walker said during a telephone hearing attended by national media outlets including The Chronicle of Higher Education, CNN and The Washington Post.

Im just perplexed, and Ill go so far as it strains credulity, for you to suggest that these are newly discovered facts when placed in context that its all part of the public record, Walker said. Im flummoxed that youre saying that these are the very reports and the expert testimony were talking about, yet judge we had no idea, none at all. Im just flabbergasted, in the last two days I learned the earth is not round and theres gambling in Casablanca.  Im using strong language for a reason, because at the end of the day both you and Mr. ONeill [David ONeill, an attorney for the professors] are officers of the court before you are lawyers representing a client.

Bartolomucci said lawyers for the defendants pieced the facts together after learning of them Wednesday night and argued that the timing of the expert witness reports and the requests was not included in the plaintiffs legal complaint, drawing another rebuke from the judge.

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When did you decide, Mr. Bartolomucci, other than, We really dont have a defense  were going to  for the press benefit on this hearing drop this bombshell and attack the professors for having unclean hands, Walker said. I view this 11th-hour epiphany on your part to be questionable. But again, did this miraculously come up as an issue?

Bartolomucci said the defendants lawyers began to research the filings in the election case Wednesday night.

Ive heard enough, Walker interrupted, adding, serious ethics issues, I think, now exist in this case.

The UF conflict-of-interest policy drew a national spotlight after the political science professors were blocked from testifying in the elections case. Fuchs ultimately walked back the decision, saying the professors would be allowed to be paid as plaintiffs experts if they did so on their own time and did not use school resources. Fuchs also quickly assembled a task force to review the issue and signed off on recommended changes to the conflict-of-interest policy.

Under the revised policy, there is a strong presumption that the university will approve faculty or staff requests to testify as expert witnesses.

But the lawsuit maintains that the revised policy doesnt go far enough.

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UF has had multiple opportunities  to say what should be obvious to any university administrator: We will never attempt to prohibit faculty from speaking as citizens because of the content of their speech or popularity of their opinions,

ONeill, the plaintiffs attorney, argued Friday.

The universitys interest is not the interest of the majority party in the state Legislature or its current governor. That is academic freedom 101, he said.

To bolster their arguments about the policy, the plaintiffs have pointed to comments by UF Board of Trustees Chairman Morteza Mori Hosseini, who lashed out at unidentified professors during a board meeting in November.

Hosseini accused faculty members of having taken advantage of their positions by using their university jobs to improperly advocate personal political viewpoints to the exclusion of others.  Our legislators are not going to put up with the wasting of state money and resources, and neither is this board.

ONeill said Friday that Bartolomucci has done an excellent job of explaining the chill that these plaintiffs and other faculty members are subject to under the conflict-of-interest policy.

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Far from walking away from the initial denials  the defendants are now doubling down on them and making it clear that these plaintiffs may be subject to punishment for their refusal to follow what they strongly believe is an unconstitutional prior restraint, he argued.

Walker last week rejected a request by university leaders to dismiss the case. The judge said Friday he expects to issue a ruling on the plaintiffs request for a preliminary injunction within 10 days.
When parents are the ones behind the lens, they also ought to reflect on what theyre projecting to the outside world and the impact their behavior has on others.

Constant documentation can translate as being self-centered rather than kid-centered, he said. Parents need to be aware of that, of how much they promote themselves through their kid.

Foster a healthy self-image.

A 2018 study published in Developmental Psychology found that children start to care about other peoples opinions as early as 14 months old. In essence, positive or negative cues from an experimenter in the study influenced a childs decision to press a button on a toy robot, and the children modified their actions depending on how the experimenter might perceive them. The study found the children were driven to present themselves well.

Were continually communicating to others what is likable, valuable and praiseworthy, and children  even at a very young age  use the values that we place on objects to guide their behavior, Sara Botto, the lead author of the study, said at a TEDx talk in March.

I contacted Ms. Botto, a doctoral student at Emory University, to ask if constantly being photographed could affect a childs budding self-awareness. As with so many other questions, theres no definitive answer.

Taking a bunch of pictures to document memories is not harmful in and of itself, Ms. Botto said in an interview on Friday. But if parents, either verbally or in social media comments, use the pictures to highlight a childs clothing or to make judgments about a childs appearance, for example, then theyre communicating to the child whats significant in those photographs. So its essential to be aware of what message is being conveyed and how your child might interpret it.

Kids are very good at picking up social cues of whats important and whats not, she said.

When pictures and videos are posted on social media, sometimes it can seem as though an image  and the reactions we receive in response to the image  are more important than the lived experience that led to the picture in the first place.
A lawyer for Alec Baldwin said on Thursday that the actor would turn over his cellphone this week to authorities investigating his fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set for the film Rust, nearly a month after detectives secured a search warrant for the device.

The pledge came hours after the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office  which is investigating the shooting  had released a statement pointedly noting that the warrant had been obtained on Dec. 16 but that to date, the cellphone has not been turned over to authorities.

Mr. Baldwins lawyer, Aaron Dyer, said in a statement that he and his client had reached an agreement with officials in Santa Fe County last weekend regarding the actors phone and that they were finalizing logistics with the authorities in New York, where Mr. Baldwin has a home.

Ever since this tragic incident, Mr. Baldwin has continued to cooperate with the authorities, and any suggestion to the contrary is simply untrue, Mr. Dyer said in the statement. We requested that the authorities obtain a warrant so that we could protect his privacy on other matters unrelated to Rust and have been working through that process.
Russia warns it may abandon diplomacy

Russian officials signaled yesterday that they might abandon diplomatic efforts to resolve the security crisis surrounding Ukraine, bringing a whirlwind week of talks to an ominous end and deflating hopes that negotiators could move to ease tensions in Eastern Europe. Russias next move will most likely be up to its president, Vladimir Putin.

Sergei Ryabkov, Russias deputy foreign minister, said the Wests current approach led only to a dead end. Michael Carpenter, the U.S. official present at the negotiations, also depicted the two sides as engaged in a standoff with no clear resolution. Ukraine said Russias massing of troops needed to be reversed.

Jake Sullivan, President Bidens national security adviser, said that the U.S. was prepared to talk further, especially about missile deployments and military exercises in Europe, but was also preparing to respond to a further Russian invasion of Ukraine. We have been very clear with Russia on the costs and consequences of further military action or destabilization, he said. So were ready either way.

Related: A Russian-led military alliance began withdrawing troops from Kazakhstan on Thursday, Moscow said. Putins recent actions there, in Belarus and in Ukraine show that he is straining to maintain a sphere of influence.
Harrison Snow began bartending at age 18, in Providence, R.I. Nearly three years later, in 2020, he was behind the bar at the Paris Seaport Bar & Creperie in Boston. That job proved a stroke of luck, because the restaurants cocktail menu was supervised by a man ever-dressed in retro sport shirts and porkpie hats who was known throughout the city as Brother Cleve. A musician and D.J. of local renown, he was the acknowledged godfather of the citys cocktail scene.

Brother Cleve hadnt hired Mr. Snow, but he liked what he saw. I was impressed by his knowledge of contemporary techniques and spirits, but also classic cocktails, he said. I saw a lot of myself in him.

Mr. Snow was impressed, too. So when he and his business partner, Jake Hodas, decided to open their own bar, Lullaby, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, he knew he had to get Brother Cleve involved.
An ailing Maryland man who received a pigs heart last week in a pioneering transplant procedure has a criminal record stemming from an assault 34 years ago in which he repeatedly stabbed a young man, leaving him paralyzed.

The victim, Edward Shumaker, spent two decades in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down, and suffered numerous medical complications including a stroke that left him cognitively impaired, before he died in 2007 at age 40, according to his sister, Leslie Shumaker Downey, of Frederick, Md.

The Washington Post first reported the transplant patients criminal record and the assault that led to it on Thursday. The revelations have prompted debate about how patients are selected for cutting-edge medical care.

The patient, David Bennett Sr., 57, is being closely monitored at the University of Maryland Medical Center for signs that his body is rejecting a heart received from a genetically modified pig. He was still doing well on Thursday, hospital officials said.
Researchers in Scotland reported on Thursday that pregnant women with Covid were not only at greater risk of developing severe disease, but also more likely to lose their fetuses and babies in the womb or shortly after birth, compared with other women who gave birth during the pandemic.

The risk of losing a baby through stillbirth or the first month of life was highest among women who delivered their babies within four weeks of the onset of a Covid infection: 22.6 deaths for every 1,000 births, four times the rate in Scotland of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 births.

All of those deaths occurred in pregnancies among unvaccinated women, the researchers found. Quite strikingly, no baby deaths occurred in women who had SARS-CoV-2 and were vaccinated, said Dr. Sarah J. Stock, the papers first author, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of Edinburgh Usher Institute in Exeter.

The study also found a higher rate of preterm birth among women diagnosed with Covid, a rate that spiked if the baby was born within a month of the mother falling ill. More than 16 percent of these women gave birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy, compared with 8 percent among other women.
Not long after a misdemeanor sex-crime charge was dropped last month against former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, his aides told his supporters to stay tuned, signaling that he would soon go on the attack.

On Thursday, Mr. Cuomos lawyer, Rita Glavin, did just that, holding a nearly two-hour news conference to try to undermine the credibility of some of the women who accused Mr. Cuomo and to sharpen her broadsides against the state attorney generals office, which oversaw the investigation that concluded Mr. Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women.

In one example, Ms. Glavin cited a threatening message that she said one of Mr. Cuomos accusers, Lindsey Boylan, had sent her boss. The attorney general, Letitia James, did not release the contents of the message, Ms. Glavin said, but Mr. Cuomos camp had learned of it as part of the criminal case against the former governor that was recently dismissed.

Ms. Glavin also highlighted other previously undisclosed comments or messages from some of Mr. Cuomos accusers and other witnesses, suggesting that they showed that both the report  which she said deliberately ignored evidence favorable to the former governor  and Mr. Cuomos accusers were compromised.
City officials said on Thursday that a total of 35 apartments in the 120-unit building were under orders to vacate as a result of the fire. The rest were considered habitable. Smoke damage alone is not typically considered a reason to vacate under New York Citys building codes.

So even as funeral preparations were made for many of the victims and investigators explored what other conditions may have contributed to the fire, which officials have attributed to a running space heater and two doors that did not close properly, some of those who were able to flee to safety were frustrated by their current circumstances.

A group of tenants, joined by local activists and religious leaders, gathered near the building on Thursday to voice two complaints: that money being raised for victims families and other residents was not reaching them quickly enough and that tenants were being encouraged to return too soon.

The families are not getting all the support that they need, Mona Davids of Social Impact Strategies, which organized the event, said of the slow pace of financial relief. She also said some tenants were wary of going back to the site of a catastrophe that had left them badly shaken.

If your apartment was not destroyed, even though its reeking of smoke, even though youre going to be re-traumatized, you must go back into that building, she said residents were being told.
Mr. Avenatti, 50, was arrested and jailed in January 2020 after prosecutors said he had violated the terms of his bail in a fraud case he faced in California. Mr. Avenatti said in his claim that he had initially been held in solitary confinement in the Santa Ana Jail in Orange County and had then been taken to Manhattan and detained at the now-closed Metropolitan Correctional Center, much of that time in its most secure wing, 10 South.

Traditionally, 10 South was used to hold detainees charged with terrorism and other notorious crimes. Its most notable recent occupant was Joaquin Guzman Loera, the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo.

To take a man who has lived for decades without any criminal convictions, no history of violence, Mr. Avenatti said in a phone interview with one of his lawyers on the line, and within 72 hours put him under these conditions where he is housed in the most restrictive, diabolical unit in the entire United States for pretrial detainees, is unheard-of.

Mr. Avenattis claim, a copy of which was provided to The New York Times by his lawyers, says that while he was in detention, he spent about 94 days in solitary confinement or under locked-down status. For the vast majority of that time period, I was in 10 South, he said in the interview.

Last July, when he was sentenced to two and a half years in the Nike case, Judge Paul G. Gardephe of Federal District Court observed that Mr. Avenatti had been held in horrific conditions at the M.C.C. for more than three months, in solitary confinement for much of the time and in lockdown for nearly all of it; first, because a loaded handgun had been smuggled by someone into the facility, and later because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the view of Lilliana Mason, a Johns Hopkins University political scientist who studies polarization and political violence in America, the country could soon experience a conflagration like the summer of 2020, but 10 times bigger.

Even elected Republicans have been invoking the prospect of civil conflict. In December, before she was suspended from Twitter, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia conducted a Twitter survey to gauge interest in a national divorce between Republican- and Democratic-leaning states. In August, Representative Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina said, If our election systems continue to be rigged and continue to be stolen, then its going to lead to one place and thats bloodshed.

Civil war, or ordinary crisis?

Certainly Walters argument has skeptics. The Times columnist Michelle Goldberg, for example, points out that the list of contemporary anocracies that have fallen into all-out civil war consists without exception of countries transitioning from authoritarianism to democracy. Its not clear, however, that the move from democracy toward authoritarianism would be destabilizing in the same way, she writes. To me, the threat of America calcifying into a Hungarian-style right-wing autocracy under a Republican president seems more imminent than mass civil violence.

There is also good reason to doubt that a substantial share of Americans are willing to commit political violence. In a recent working paper, a team of researchers led by Sean J. Westwood of Dartmouth argued that polls showing otherwise are in fact illusory, a product of ambiguous questions and disengaged respondents. As it stands, political violence is quite rare in the United States, accounting for little more than 1 percent of violent hate crimes. These findings suggest that although recent acts of political violence dominate the news, they do not portend a new era of violent conflict, the authors wrote.

The Times columnist Ross Douthat agrees: Despite fears that Jan. 6 was going to birth a Hezbollah wing of the Republican Party, there has been no major far-right follow-up to the event, no dramatic surge in Proud Boys or Oath Keepers visibility, no campaign of anti-Biden terrorism. Republicans who believe in the stolen-election thesis seem mostly excited by the prospect of thumping Democrats in the midterms, and the truest believers are doing the extremely characteristic American thing of running for local office.

Beyond public opinion, there are other limiting forces in American political life that make a civil war unlikely, William G. Gale and Darrell M. West of the Brookings Institution write.

Private, not public, militias: When Southern states seceded in 1860, they employed police forces, military organizations and state-sponsored militias. Todays violent extremist groups, by contrast, wield no state-backed power.

No regional split: True, cities tend to lean Democratic and rural areas Republican. But that is a far different geographic divide than when one region could wage war on another, they write. The lack of a distinctive or uniform geographic division limits the ability to confront other areas, organize supply chains, and mobilize the population.

The federal justice system remains intact: Although there has been a deterioration of procedural safeguards and democratic protections, the rule of law remains strong and government officials are in firm position to penalize those who engage in violent actions.

As all these authors write, one can be skeptical of the civil war hypothesis and still be profoundly concerned about the state of U.S. democracy. I know a lot of civil war scholars, Josh Kertzer, a Harvard political scientist, tweeted recently, and very few of them think the United States is on the precipice of a civil war. But, he added, The point isnt that political scientists believe everything is fine!
TALLAHASSEE  After years of trying, Florida lawmakers are on the verge of significantly restricting access to abortion with Gov. Ron DeSantis signaling his support and conservatives in control of both state and federal high courts.

Abortion bans have failed in the Florida Legislature in recent years, but signs point to a different outcome this session, which convened Tuesday.

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State legislators are considering a bill that would ban most abortions in Florida after 15 weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape or incest. Abortion is presently legal through the 24th week of pregnancy in Florida.

Anti-abortion groups see 2022 as the year to act.

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Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established a constitutional right to abortion, is on shaky ground. Floridas state Supreme Court is solidly conservative with DeSantis appointees filling three of the seven seats.

[ RELATED: DeSantis calls Florida the freest state, attacks federal government in address ]

Republican politicians who control Tallahassee will face voters later this year in elections. Abortion likely will be at the forefront with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to deliver a decision over the summer on Mississippis 15-week abortion ban. That law, which lower courts have blocked from taking effect, served as the model for Floridas proposal.

Oral arguments suggest the high court will uphold Mississippis law, said Elizabeth Nash, who tracks state abortion policy for the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights.

For a long time, abortion has been an issue that has ginned up the conservative base and now even more so because we have a solidly anti-abortion U.S. Supreme Court, she said.

Two influential GOP state lawmakers  state Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, and state Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach  filed Floridas anti-abortion legislation.

They appear to have the backing of Floridas key political leaders.

DeSantis called a 15-week ban very reasonable and signaled he would sign it. Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls have also embraced the proposal, stressing their opposition to abortion.

State Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, is leading efforts to ban most abortions after 15 weeks in Florida. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

The proposal (SB 146/ HB 5) includes an exception for serious medical emergencies or if a fatal fetal abnormality is detected.

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The Senate version has been assigned to two committees, while most bills get at least three committee hearings. The House version is scheduled to be heard by three committees.

Another bill modeled after Texas six-week ban has been filed. That proposal, though, hasnt gotten traction in Florida. Texas law relies on citizens to enforce it by suing abortion providers.

John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, said he favors an outright restriction on abortion, but a 15-week ban would still mark a significant victory for anti-abortion groups.

If this passes, it will be the most comprehensive, robust pro-life bill protecting unborn children in Floridas history post-Roe, said Stemberger, an Orlando attorney.

Supporters of abortion rights are vowing to fight, but Democrats have little power in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani said Floridians dont want their access to abortion restricted, and she is hoping to mobilize public opinion to derail the ban. The Orlando Democrat worked for Planned Parenthood before being elected.

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There is no such thing as a reasonable abortion ban, she said at a rally outside the Capitol. There is nothing reasonable about taking away my rights, getting between me and my doctor and my God and my family and making decisions about my pregnancy.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, speaks at a rally outside the Florida Capitol protesting a proposed 15-week abortion ban. (Skyler Swisher)

In October, more than 1,000 protesters shut down streets in downtown Orlando as part of a national womens march against abortion restrictions.

Florida has taken a softer stance on abortion than its Southern neighbors, making it a destination for women from other states seeking medical care, Nash said. If Florida limits abortion, it will have consequences beyond its borders, she said.

Meanwhile, anti-abortion voters will be watching what the governor and Legislature do, said Lynda Bell, president of Florida Right to Life. DeSantis is widely seen as a possible presidential contender in 2024, and abortion is a key issue for conservative voters.

Its time to act, Bell said. The pressure is on.

A 20-week abortion ban failed to pass the Florida Legislature this past year, and so-called heartbeat bills that ban abortion at about six weeks of pregnancy have also stalled. The state Constitution includes a right of privacy that the state Supreme Court has used in the past to strike down abortion restrictions.

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But todays court has a different ideological makeup than it did in 1989, when justices struck down a law requiring teenage girls to get their parents consent for an abortion. In 2020, the Florida Legislature approved a similar parental-consent law that is now on the books.

[ RELATED: Over 1,000 demanding access to abortion shut down downtown Orlando streets ]

The landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 said states could not ban abortions before fetal viability, which is now considered to be about 23 to 24 weeks. Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the case involving Mississippis abortion law, focuses on whether fetal viability should be the standard on how far states can go in limiting access to abortion.

Last year, 68,449 abortions were recorded in Florida, according to statistics kept by the Agency for Health Care Administration. The vast majority  64,345, or 94%  were done during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Floridas abortion debate will be watched nationally as it plays out during the legislative session, which ends on March 11, Nash said.

The impact of it will be felt far and wide, she said.

sswisher@orlandosentinel.com
Parler certainly paid the price for his egregious statement, even as Meta executives claimed  falsely  that most of the problem was on platforms other than Facebook. It was not, which is a point the new Parler C.E.O., George Farmer, made to me in a recent interview.

The George Washington University program on extremism detailed over 270 charging documents. And 54 percent of those documents, if I recall correctly, were related to Facebook, 13 percent to Twitter, 13 percent to Instagram, and only 5 percent were referencing Parler, he said. Scapegoating Parler as somehow a unique sort of medium through which people communicated in the run-up to January the 6th is both false and misleading.

Well, maybe scapegoating is, but pointing fingers at the bigger guy for bad management does not absolve any of the other tech companies. Nor does it mean that the committee should not carry through with an examination into how moderation is conducted  or avoided  throughout the powerful social media ecosystem and, more important, how these platforms are so susceptible to manipulation by bad actors.

Ultimately, the abuse of digital tools for violent ends is not a free-speech issue, although that is always raised as an effective smoke screen. This sector is chock-full of sketchy players with ill intent who try to blend in with the online loudmouths and malcontents.

There is, of course, a caveat. Disdainful as it may be, innocent people should be allowed to say stupid, evil, vile things online, even if they get amplified far too much. So its important the committee be razor-focused on what it wants to glean from these tech giants. Big Tech will use the rallying cry of user privacy  as though it has ever cared about that  to try to wiggle out of what is clear mismanagement and a gross dereliction of duty on its part.

So I say bring on the subpoenas! And by the way, if you cheer when such legal demands are aimed at someone you dont like  like Bannon or Hannity  you need to support the quest for truth, no matter where it leads. In other words: Mark Zuckerberg, youve been served.

4 Questions

I caught up with Adam McKay, the Hollywood writer, producer and director, whose most recent work includes the buzzy Netflix allegory Dont Look Up and, on HBO Max, Succession. He answered my questions about streaming content, tech moguls and cryptocurrency. Ive edited his answers.
She at no time gave consent, Anita M. Rodriguez, the assistant states attorney who prosecuted the case, said during Mr. Clintons sentencing hearing on Jan. 3, according to a transcript. In fact, earlier in the evening, she had specifically indicated that she did not want any sexual contact with this defendant.

Mr. Schnack argued that mandatory sentences take away a judges discretion.

Every individual should be judged by the court in doing its sentence and not by a legislator years and hundreds of miles removed, he said, according to the transcript.

He also said that prosecutors had not proved their case against Mr. Clinton and that the girl was able to consent. Mr. Schnack said that she made many decisions that night, including drinking and stripping down to her underwear to go swimming.

They werent the best decisions, he said. She did know what was going on.

Judge Adrian said he knew that, by law, Mr. Clinton was supposed to serve time in prison, but in this case, the sentence was unfair, partly because Mr. Clinton turned 18 just two weeks before the party and, until his arrest, had no criminal record.

That is not just, Judge Adrian said during the Jan. 3 hearing, according to the transcript. There is no way for what happened in this case that this teenager should go to the Department of Corrections. I will not do that.

He said that if he ruled that the sentence was unconstitutional, his decision would be reversed on appeal. Instead, he said, what he could do was find that the people failed to prove their case.

Judge Adrian chastised the parents and other adults who he said provided liquor to the teenagers at the party and failed to exercise their parental responsibilities.
We got a hit, he said. Suddenly, we had a suspect.

Investigators said that the suspect, Mr. Alahverdian, had used a slew of aliases, including Nicholas Rossi. He was convicted in 2008 of sexual imposition and public indecency under that name.

Those charges stemmed from an encounter between Mr. Alahverdian and another Sinclair Community College student in Dayton, Ohio, who told a campus police officer that Mr. Alahverdian had groped her and masturbated in front of her in a stairwell.

The conviction, which Mr. Alahverdian unsuccessfully appealed, required him to register as a sex offender. That victim had also met him on Myspace, which Mr. Leavitt said had been a pattern.

What we found was a trail of victims, Mr. Leavitt said. We knew that if we charged him and if that were public, that wed never find him.

In Glasgow, hospital employees were able to identify Mr. Alahverdian from photographs, according to investigators, who said that his fingerprints and DNA had been provided to Interpol.

Laura Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the Crown Office, which prosecutes criminal cases in Scotland, said Arthur Knight had appeared in a virtual court hearing from Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on Dec. 23 in connection with the extradition proceedings. Ms. Hamilton said the Crown Office had not scheduled future court dates.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said the force had arrested a 34-year-old man on Dec. 13 in Glasgow in connection with an international arrest warrant.
Complicating experts understanding of the trajectory of the Omicron surge in the United States have been questions about the reporting of new cases. People have increasingly turned to at-home tests to confirm their infections, and many of those are not counted in official data. But the case trend lines, which as recently as a week ago showed rapid growth almost everywhere in the country, remain helpful in outlining the broad pattern.

In Chicago, Dr. Allison Arwady, the public health commissioner, said on Thursday that she was much less worried than I was even three, four, five days ago about the citys outlook. With cases spiking to record levels in Chicago, a labor dispute between City Hall and the teachers union canceled classes for a week. By Thursday, with school back in session, there were signs that reports of new cases and test positivity may be leveling off, even as hospitalizations continued to increase.

It is still too early in terms of being able to clearly say this is the peak, were on the way down, Dr. Arwady said. But I think we are seeing some signs of certainly flattening across many different metrics.

New York City has averaged about 38,000 new infections a day over the past week, down slightly in recent days but still near the highest rate of the pandemic. Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York said this week that it looks like we may be cresting over that peak, but that transmission remained high.

At University Hospital in Newark, the number of patients with Covid has held about steady at 150 for the past five days. Dr. Shereef Elnahal, the president and chief executive of the hospital, said he was hopeful that the rapid spike in hospitalizations since late December had finally leveled off.

With all the caveats, God willing, knock on wood, we are beginning to see a plateau in daily hospitalizations, Dr. Elnahal said.
For those Republicans who dare to publicly oppose Donald J. Trump, politics can be a lonely place.

Both Jeff Flake, the former Senator from Arizona, and Cindy McCain, the widow of Senator John McCain, landed ambassadorships in the Biden administration, but has anyone heard from the former senator from Tennessee, Bob Corker, lately? As for the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump last year, the former president has succeeded in pushing them out, or else frightened most of the rest into silence, with the fates of a few others  notably, Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming  yet to be written.

As for the broader network of disaffected Republican strategists and activists who worked to defeat Trump in 2020, the upcoming midterms are highlighting a conundrum: With Trump not on the ballot, what should they be doing in 2022?

Some still hope to change the Republican Party from within, while others have determined that the entire institution has become a danger to American democracy. Many are increasingly frustrated, too, with the direction of the Democratic Party and the Biden administration, and have peppered their new allies with advice, both publicly and privately.

The result is a Never Trump movement that finds itself splintered as the election season begins, with various groups pursuing their own strategies and no discernible central organizing hub.
WASHINGTON  Thousands of federal inmates will become eligible for release this week under a rule the Justice Department published on Thursday that allows more people to participate in a program that allows prisoners to earn shorter jail terms.

As part of those guidelines, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has begun transferring eligible inmates to supervised release programs, residential re-entry centers or home confinement.

The rule, together with a decision by the department last month that well-behaved inmates released to home confinement during the pandemic would not have to return to prison, is a major step toward overhauling and shrinking the federal prison system, which some Democrats and Republicans consider costly and often unfair.

The guidelines published in the Federal Register on Thursday affect how the Justice Department and the Bureau of Prisons carry out the First Step Act, the sweeping bipartisan criminal justice legislation enacted in 2018 under the Trump administration. The measure expands job training and other efforts aimed at reducing recidivism, expands early-release programs and modifies sentencing laws.
WASHINGTON  The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol issued subpoenas on Thursday to four major social media companies  Alphabet, Meta, Reddit and Twitter  criticizing them for allowing extremism to spread on their platforms and saying they have failed to cooperate adequately with the inquiry.

In letters accompanying the subpoenas, the panel named Facebook, a unit of Meta, and YouTube, which is owned by Alphabets Google subsidiary, as among the worst offenders that contributed to the spread of misinformation and violent extremism. The committee said it had been investigating how the companies contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what steps  if any  social media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalizing people to violence.

Its disappointing that after months of engagement, we still do not have the documents and information necessary to answer those basic questions, said the panels chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi.

The committee sent letters in August to 15 social media companies  including sites where misinformation about election fraud spread, such as the pro-Trump website TheDonald.win  seeking documents pertaining to efforts to overturn the election and any domestic violent extremists associated with the Jan. 6 rally and attack.
The pipeline itself is the wedge, Mr. McConnell said. Thats the whole point. Thats been Putins goal: decoupling Ukraine from Europe and making Europe even more reliant on Russian gas.

Mr. Cruzs legislation set off a fierce round of lobbying, squeezing in particular centrist Democrats who have long been supporters of Ukraine. On a Christmas Eve video call with a bipartisan group of more than 20 lawmakers, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine cast Nord Stream 2 as an existential threat to his country, arguing that the pipeline posed as much risk to Ukraine as the Russian troops amassing on its border, according to four people briefed on the call, who described it on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment on it.

Mr. Zelensky, they said, expressed frustration that the Biden administration had waived sanctions on the pipeline last year. Since then, Mr. Zelensky has promoted Mr. Cruzs bill on Twitter.

A lobbyist who represents the Ukrainian oil and gas industry, including the state-owned company Naftogaz, reached out this week to the offices of Senate Democrats to urge support for Mr. Cruzs bill, according to a person familiar with the outreach.

An email sent on Monday to Senate offices by the lobbyist, which was forwarded to The New York Times, included a screenshot of Mr. Zelenskys tweet, and added the message, Ukraine Pres. Zelensky calls on all senators to vote in favor of Nord Stream 2 sanctions.

But the Biden administration marshaled its own forces against the legislation. Responding to a request for a briefing by two Democratic senators, the State Department sent officials to Capitol Hill on Monday to brief lawmakers and dissuade them from supporting the bill. The next day, the issue came up again as senators met with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in a closed-door meeting to discuss an upcoming delegation trip to Ukraine.

In an effort to further head off defections, Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, unveiled on Wednesday a Democratic alternative to Mr. Cruzs bill that would impose sanctions on top Russian government officials, including Mr. Putin, if Russia engages in or supports a significant escalation in hostilities or hostile action in or against Ukraine. It would also provide Ukraine with $500 million in supplemental emergency security assistance in the event that Russia invades.
Sometimes Bridget Everett, the actress, comedian and self-proclaimed cabaret wildebeest, wonders what would have happened if she had never left Kansas. She has a pretty good idea.

Id probably live in Kansas City, or Lawrence, she said. I would probably work in a restaurant and have two D.U.I.s and sit on the couch a lot in my underwear.

This was on a Monday afternoon in mid-December at John Brown BBQ, a purveyor of Kansas City-style barbecue in Queens, which is to say the closest that a person can get to Kansas within the New York City limits. (Not very close, as it turns out, though Everett said that the sides were delicious.) She was joined by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, the creators of Somebody Somewhere, a wistful Kansas-set half-hour comedy that arrives Sunday on HBO.

Everett, 49, stars as Sam, a woman whose biography parallels her own, to a point. After years of bartending in a big city, Sam has returned to her hometown. She has a soul-eating job at an educational testing center and various family obligations  a father (Mike Hagerty) with a struggling farm, a mother (Jane Brody) with addiction issues, and a sister (Mary Catherine Garrison) with a wobbly marriage and an Instagrammable approach to evangelical Christianity. Sam sits on the couch a lot in her underwear.
AS YOU WERE

By Elaine Feeney

392 pp. Biblioasis. Paper, $16.95.

Image

In 2022, its almost standard to confess a medical crisis to Google before telling your husband. Sinead Hynes, the 39-year-old Irishwoman at the center of Feeneys debut, types her terminal cancer diagnosis into her search engine  and discloses it to a bird sitting on the hood of her car  but keeps it from her family. Dwelling in my body had become complicated, and negotiating language for its actions and more specifically the actions of my wayward cells was far from simple, she thinks. She continues to withhold even as shes admitted to the hospital, fibbing to her fellow patients and nurses about why shes there. For solace she consults Google under the covers and banters in emoji with her husband, Alex, who knows little about her prognosis. She figures telling him, forcing him to think about death, would be selfish. Her childhood conditioned her to repress her feelings and evade attention; around her volatile father, I kept bad news to myself.

Though Sinead divulges little out loud, the novel is intensely confessional; her mind is always busy, like an insect. Her internal monologue is frantic, even incantatory: Chanting, she says, I use it now to control the pain. Sinead calms herself by fixating on the catheter bag of another patient, or on two hung-over student nurses sharing an orange energy drink. The palpitating rhythm of her thoughts is reminiscent of trying to distract yourself from a Pap smear or a blood draw.

Feeney intersperses that inner focus with the chatter and gossip in the ward. Sinead avoids her own reality by inhabiting the lives of others: Margaret Rose, who makes endless calls to her family on her Nokia phone, and Jane, who asks Sinead if she can borrow a bra. The novel reads almost like a humorous screen adaptation of an illness memoir, its gaze trained more on the lived experience inside a hospital than on looming death. Feeneys prose is intentionally not morbid; there is more levity than self-pity or wallowing in the remorselessness of fate. But lurking just beneath the chipper tone are the protagonists repression and guilt  in Janes words, I think tis afraid of living ya are, no? Sinead laments the incarceration of the body of the woman, of her mind in contemporary Ireland, and insists: I would decide my death date. Losing control of her body, she retains control of her narrative. This is hers. Choice. She made it.
REALITY+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy, by David J. Chalmers. (Norton, $32.50.) A philosopher argues in favor of embracing digital worlds and employs virtual reality technology to reach new insights on longstanding philosophical questions.

THE VANISHED COLLECTION, by Pauline Baer de Perignon. Translated by Natasha Lehrer. (New Vessel, paper, $17.95.) De Perignons debut recounts her quest to recover her familys art collection after learning that paintings owned by her great-grandfather may have been stolen by Nazis in World War II.

WORN: A Peoples History of Clothing, by Sofi Thanhauser. (Pantheon, $30.) This diligently reported account of human clothing covers the history of textiles in five stories  linen, cotton, silk, synthetics, wool  while commenting on the environmental and labor ethics of the clothing industry.

THE LEOPARD IS LOOSE, by Stephen Harrigan. (Knopf, $26.) A 5-year-old boys world is shaken when a leopard escapes from the Oklahoma City zoo in this rendition of postwar America.
SHAHRZAD & THE ANGRY KING

By Nahid Kazemi

Angry kings storm through literature. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the earliest extant poem that has come down to us, the people of Uruk entreat the gods to save them from their rulers raping and plundering. In The Thousand and One Nights, Sultan Shahryar takes a virgin every night and kills her in the morning. And in many classic fairy tales, ogres and Bluebeards are undone by the cleverness and courage of young protagonists. Shahrzad & the Angry King takes its cue from this tradition.

A gentle and beguiling picture book with a spirited child heroine at its heart, its a fable for our troubled times. Shahrzad is a scrap of a girl, with round currant bun eyes, heavy brows and a wild Afro-style mop of hair, but she is also a reincarnation of her famous precursor, Scheherazade. We are invited to follow this enterprising urchin, in a sprigged greeny-blue tunic, striped shorts and flip-flops, as she scoots blithely on her own through an unnamed, generic contemporary metropolis.

The artist-writer Nahid Kazemi is Iranian, went to art school in Tehran, where she began her career, and now lives in Canada; the theme of cultural loss colors some of her earlier works, such as The Orange House (2016). Kazemi doesnt specify the place, the time or the ethnicity of her angry king  dark-haired and bearded, his trousers tucked into his boots, he looks vaguely Central Asian  but its clear that, like many mythic and fairy-tale tyrants, he stands in for rulers everywhere who, in history and in the present day, will do any amount of harm to their own people rather than relinquish power. Hes a stock villain, almost a cartoon figure, except that so many world leaders have made cartoonishness all too real.
I left my job as an emergency medicine doctor after serving two waves. I gave everything I had. We ran out of medications. We ran out of staff. Our 12-bed I.C.U. unit had more than 60 ventilated patients. I cried with the families over the phone, of course, because they were barred from their loved ones. Then, the country made the vaccine political. I couldnt take on the emotional burden again, knowing there was a vaccine that could prevent another inevitable surge. I served my community, my state and my country. I couldnt emotionally take on more senseless deaths. I left the hospital with PTSD and entered a jobless market.  Kayla Guidry, emergency medicine doctor, Brooklyn, N.Y.

I havent left yet, but I cut my hours back significantly. I hit a breaking point where I couldnt stop crying on my days off. I dreaded work and still do.  Whitney Hopes, registered nurse, Utah

As a group, after two years of this pandemic, we are all suffering from PTSD. I have colleagues who gave their lives to this pandemic, others so scarred from disease that they may never work again. Very little thanks coming our way. Sometimes even scorn. Its stressful to discover that the person in cardiac arrest that we just spent 45 minutes intubating and doing chest compressions on died of complications of Covid and rewarded my team with a massive exposure to the virus for all of their efforts to save him. He never bothered to get vaccinated. We are all pretty much fed up with this.  Louis Cooper, attending physician, emergency medicine, New York, N.Y.

I am a palliative care doctor and we serve the end of the train with Covid as well as many other diseases. Although it is stressful and draining, and may ultimately take its toll on many of us, it is also critical. We need to remain devoted and compassionate to the care of patients near the end of their lives no matter what choices they have made or what got them there. We also need to support the teams of people who are taking care of these patients to reduce the degree of burnout they are experiencing.  James Bell, M.D., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I had to leave my job due to developing long Covid. I realized that not only was my body a problem, but my brain processing was as well. I feared I would make a serious mistake that could impact patient outcomes. It was a terrifying experience that finally allowed me to listen to my physicians advice to take long-term leave.  Nicole, medical technician, Hendersonville, N.C.

I was a nurse during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, so I wasnt a stranger to fearing for your life because of your job. But in both instances when I saw what my patients were going through, I couldnt desert them. Just yesterday one of my patients reached up from his bed for my hand and I realized that he was supporting me, wanting to thank and encourage me. How can you leave when you get that almost every day?  Lawana Kelly, registered nurse, Kansas City, Mo.
The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a vaccine-or-testing mandate for large employers, parts of which were set to go into effect on Monday.

Heres what it means for companies.

The government could try again with a new rule.

Devising a more tailored emergency rule for a specific set of higher-risk companies, addressing the court majoritys criticism of the employer mandate as a blunt instrument, could be quick. Or the agency could use the traditional rule-making process, but that might take years.

Employers can still enforce their own mandates, but it may be more fraught.

The blocking of a federal rule subjects larger employers to a patchwork of city and state vaccine rules, which would have been pre-empted by a single federal rule. New York City, for example, requires all on-site workers to be vaccinated, while Florida passed a law banning such requirements. And the administrations separate mandate for federal contractors is on hold and likely headed to the Supreme Court, too. Some companies, like Boeing, have delayed mandates until its fate is certain, while others, like Citigroup, have said they are going ahead regardless.

Companies that were on the fence now probably wont introduce mandates.

A spokesman for Macys, which began to request the vaccination status of its employees this month, said the retailer was evaluating this late-breaking development. In a November poll of companies by Willis Towers Watson, about a third of respondents said they planned to mandate vaccines only if the governments now-discarded rule took effect.
In 2021, oil prices rebounded from a decline in 2020, rising in response to growing demand as the coronavirus pandemic appeared to be ebbing. That helped drive inflation, and consumers grumbled about higher prices at the pump.

In November, President Biden led a multilateral effort  which included Britain, Japan, South Korea, India and China  to release oil from national reserves. OPEC Plus, a group of oil-producing nations, agreed to increase supply gradually. Adding to uncertainty about the oil prices are the still unclear effects of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus on the economic recovery. Longer term, there are major questions about how the world might make the transition to cleaner forms of energy like solar and wind power from oil, coal and natural gas.

David Lebovitz, a global market strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, said the large integrated oil and natural gas producers are working on developing renewable energy technologies in a bid to stay relevant. They have one foot on either side of the energy line, he said, so its a way for investors to play both sides of the story if they dont want to make a commitment.

Funds that invest in the energy industry tend to be dominated by these global companies. For example, the Energy Select Sector SPDR, an exchange-traded fund run by State Street Global Advisors that ended the year with $26.4 billion in assets, had total returns of 53.26 percent in 2021 after a management fee of 0.12 percent. Forty-four percent of the portfolio is invested in two companies, Exxon Mobil and Chevron.
Over the last two decades, workers without four-year college degrees have lost ground in the occupations that used to be ladders to middle-class lives for them and their families.

While the trend has been well known, putting a number on the lost steppingstone jobs has been elusive. A new study, published on Friday, estimates that such workers have been displaced from 7.4 million jobs since 2000.

The research points to the persistent challenge for the nearly two-thirds of American workers who do not have a four-year college degree, even as some employers have dropped the requirement in recent years.

These workers have been displaced from millions of the precise jobs that offer them upward mobility, said Papia Debroy, head of research for Opportunity@Work, the nonprofit that published the study. It represents a stunning loss for workers and their families.
Chasing one years hot market sectors often means losing money in the next year.

Thats an old lesson in investing, and it has been borne out once again.

Stock sectors that were big losers in 2020 soared in 2021 to become the years biggest winners, while the highfliers of the previous year posted returns that ranged from mediocre to awful.

There are 11 sectors in the benchmark S&P 500 stock index: information technology, health care, financials, consumer discretionary, communication services, industrials, consumer staples, energy, utilities, real estate and materials.

They rise and fall with disturbing regularity.

The big winner in 2020 was the consumer discretionary sector, with companies like Amazon.com, Tesla, Home Depot and Nike. It returned 58 percent, including dividends, that year but only 19 percent in 2021, the third-worst of all sectors. That was well behind the nearly 29 percent return, including dividends, posted by the overall S&P 500 index. The biggest loser for 2020 was energy, with a decline of 35 percent. But it provided investors with a whopping 53 percent gain for 2021.
Good morning. Eric Kim tells the story of lemon-pepper chicken wings this week in The New York Times Magazine, tracing Atlantas favorite flavor down all the Peachtree Streets and Boulevards and into the kitchen of the Magic City strip club. He emerged with a recipe for the wings thats all his own (above), as much Korean as Atlantan, with deliciousness to spare.

There is a seamless convergence between Atlantas hot-wing culture and Koreas fried-chicken culture, Eric wrote, an emphasis on shattering crispiness and a balance in flavors, most notably the lip-smacking teeter-totter of sour and sweet. True. I hope youll make his wings this weekend.

But not only them! You could use Erics lemon-pepper seasoning on salmon fillets or shrimp, or on thinly sliced bulgogi beef. It tastes good on pizza, too, he reports, and I dont doubt it. (Lemon pepper is also a secret weapon in this terrific Italian American salad.)

This weekend, Id also like to make Naz Deravians new recipe for eshkeneh-yeh adas, a lentil and egg drop soup, and Hetty McKinnons kung pao cauliflower, salty, sweet, sour and spicy. And maybe some miso-glazed fish?
The complications

Saliva also has trade-offs. While the virus appears to build up in saliva early, the nose may be a better place to detect it later in the course of infection.

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology found that while the virus often spiked first in saliva, it ultimately rose to higher levels in the nose. Their results suggest that highly sensitive tests, like P.C.R. tests, may be able to pick up infections in saliva days earlier than they do in nasal swabs, but that less-sensitive tests, like antigen tests, might not.

The data on saliva are still mixed, some experts noted.

There are these few studies that I have found really very interesting, said Dr. Mary K. Hayden, an infectious disease doctor and clinical microbiologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

But Dr. Hayden said she was interpreting the new studies cautiously because for years and years and years, research has suggested that nasopharyngeal specimens are best for detecting respiratory viruses.

Some scientists also have practical concerns. The mouth is a little more of an uncontrolled environment compared to the nasal passages, said Joseph DeRisi, a biochemist at the University of California, San Francisco, who is a president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub and an author of the cheek swab paper. Did you drink a Coke right before you took the test? The pH will be different. And those things matter.

Saliva can be viscous and difficult to work with, especially when patients are sick and dehydrated, Dr. Marie-Louise Landry, director of the clinical virology laboratory at Yale New Haven Hospital, said in an email.

Ultimately, different approaches may be required in different circumstances. For people who have had symptoms for several days, nasal swabs might be a good choice, while saliva might be best suited for the large-scale surveillance screening of asymptomatic people, Dr. Hansen suggested. We need to get the right test into the right places, he said.
Their accounts were truly awful. (And yet, the attendant citizen-journalist videos were so mesmerizing, particularly the one where the flight attendants duct-taped a drunken passenger to his seat after he groped and assaulted them.)

It felt like wed reached a moment of unraveling, not just on airplanes and in restaurants but everywhere. Id been throwing ideas around with Rachel Dry, the editor of the Sunday Business section, who is always looking for new ways to tell the story of how the pandemic is affecting our lives. There were a number of directions we could have taken to explore this phenomenon: concentrating on one sector of the economy, for instance; or on the declines in customer service among companies that do much of their business via the internet; or further examining the Great Resignation, which has resulted in so many employees fleeing the workplace.

Our article, which was published earlier this month, ended up focusing on customer-worker interactions, because there was so much rich material  and because there was a larger point to be made about the weary, fractious state of the country right now. With help from our friends at the Morning newsletter, we invited readers to tell us what they had experienced as customers or as workers in public-facing jobs. We asked: Why was everyone so angry?

The responses were shocking  and unsurprising. Unsurprising in that we had seen it for ourselves, and even felt it sometimes  the surges of rage at the airport, the annoyance at having to wait outside to present a vaccination card at a restaurant, the near-despair when some product in a store was unexpectedly unavailable.

What was shocking was how widespread these episodes were, and how egregious the behavior. From across the country, employees told stories of trying to manage customers out-of-control petulance. The supermarket clerk who had to deal with a mans outburst in the dairy aisle because he could not find the Cambozola, a type of blue cheese, he wanted. The flight attendant forced to listen to a political lecture from a passenger who had followed him into the galley, raging about injustice. The supervisor at a Midwest trade association who said that her once-reasonable customers had become just plain mean, berating and, threatening her staff for the pettiest of reasons.
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The actor Alec Baldwin turned his phone in to the police in Suffolk County, N.Y., on Friday morning, his lawyer said, starting a process that will allow investigators to collect data related to his fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the film Rust last year in New Mexico.

Mr. Baldwin agreed to a process in which he would hand over his iPhone and its password, and the phones data would be reviewed by officials from the Suffolk County police department and district attorneys office before the relevant data would be passed to the authorities in New Mexico, according to a search agreement provided by Mr. Baldwins lawyer. Mr. Baldwin, who has a home in Suffolk County, handed the phone over to the police himself, his lawyer, Aaron Dyer, said.

Juan Rios, a spokesman for the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office, said his office had been notified that the phone was handed over to the authorities in Suffolk County, N.Y.

According to the terms of the search agreement, officials in Suffolk County will review the phones communications  including texts, emails, call records, voice mail messages, digital images and internet browser history  between June 1 and Dec. 5 last year, and will exclude any communications with his lawyers or his wife, Hilaria, which are protected by privilege.
In each case, her children are not abandoned outright; they are left in the care of fathers and other relatives. When a man leaves in this way, he is unexceptional. When a woman does it, she becomes a monster, or perhaps an antiheroine riding out a dark maternal fantasy. Feminism has supplied women with options, but a choice also represents a foreclosure, and women, because they are people, do not always know what they want. As these protagonists thrash against their own decisions, they also bump up against the limits of that freedom, revealing how womens choices are rarely socially supported but always thoroughly judged.

A mother losing her children is a nightmare. The title of The Lost Daughter refers in part to such an incident, when a child disappears at the beach. But a mother leaving her children  thats a daydream, an imagined but repressed alternate life. In the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That, Miranda  now the mother to a teenager  counsels a professor who is considering having children. There are so many nights when I would love to be a judge and go home to an empty house, she says. And on Instagram, the airbrushed mirage of mothering is being challenged by displays of raw desperation. The Not Safe for Mom Group, which surfaces confessions of anonymous mothers, pulses with idle threats of role refusal, like: I want to be alone!!! I dont want to make your lunch!!

Being alone: that is the mothers reasonable and functionally impossible dream. Especially recently, when avenues of escape have been sealed off: schools closed, day care centers suspended, offices shuttered, jobs lost or abandoned in crisis. Now the house is never empty, and also you can never leave. During a pandemic, a plucky middle-class gal can still have it all, as long as she can manage job and children simultaneously, from the floor of a lawless living room.

Cards on the table: I am struggling to draft this essay on my phone as my pantsless toddler  banished from day care for 10 days because someone got Covid  wages a tireless campaign to commandeer my device, hold it to his ear and say hewwo. I feel charmed, annoyed and implicated, as I wonder whether his neediness is attributable to some parental defect, perhaps related to my own constant phone use.
BARCELONA, Spain  When Billie Eilish called pornography a disgrace in a recent radio interview, the quote made headlines. The Grammy-winning musician said she had started watching at around age 11, to learn how to have sex, and that she was now angry about the way she felt porn misrepresented women.

When people talk about pornography, theyre often referring, like Eilish, to its commercial, heterosexual variety, which is what most of the free porn online tends to be. On those sites, youd be forgiven for thinking it all looks the same. But depending on the sexual politics and vision of its creator, porn can look wildly different.

Take, for example, the work of the Swedish filmmaker Erika Lust. She has built her production company, Erika Lust Films, into an art-house pornography behemoth by offering something outside the porn mainstream. Most viewers watch Lusts stylish, highly produced films by subscribing to her websites, where she also distributes videos by other like-minded directors. But her own films have also been screened in regular movie theaters in Berlin, London, Paris, Los Angeles and New York.

Theres not just one type of porn, Lust said in an interview at her office in Barcelona, where she has lived since 2000. People see it as one monolithic entity, but its not.
The concern reaches beyond housing court. Many officials and housing advocates worry that a rush of eviction cases could send New Yorks precarious recovery in the wrong direction, and not just economically. There are also fears that crime and homelessness could edge up.

The numbers, which soared in 2020, remain staggering. The National Equity Atlas, a research tool that collates national economic data, estimated that 591,000 households in New York State are behind on rent and owe more than $1.97 billion. In New York City, households that are behind owe an average of about $3,500.

My colleague Mihir Zaveri writes that even before the pandemic, a quarter of the households in the city were severely cost-burdened, meaning that more than half their incomes went to rent and utilities. The pandemic only made things worse. The state has received more than 291,000 applications for rent relief since last summer.

The eviction crisis is a challenge for Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has made housing a centerpiece of her agenda as she prepares to run for a full term in November. She has been under pressure from landlords, who have lost enormous amounts of rental income during the pandemic and have complained that the moratorium was easily abused. She has also been criticized by left-leaning Democrats for letting the moratorium run out before new eviction safeguards were ready.

Hochul said this week she that she was talking with state lawmakers about next steps. She and three other Democratic governors  Gov. Philip Murphy of New Jersey, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois  wrote to the federal government, seeking more rent relief for states like theirs with large concentrations of renters.
She has been pressured by many landlord groups, who have lost substantial amounts of rental income during the pandemic and who have felt the moratorium was too heavy handed and easily abused. She has also faced searing criticism from her partys left wing for allowing the moratorium to expire without supporting sweeping new eviction protections.

Ms. Hochul said this week that she and state lawmakers were discussing next steps. On Thursday, she and the governors of California, New Jersey and Illinois sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Treasury calling for more rent relief to states with high numbers of renters.

Elected officials and housing advocates worry that the end of the moratorium could reverberate far beyond housing court, leading to an uptick in crime, homelessness, mental health issues, coronavirus outbreaks and more. A moratorium on commercial evictions and foreclosures also ends on Saturday.

Agustina Velez, 41, is certain that she would have been homeless without the moratorium.

She lost her job cleaning homes in 2020 when the pandemic hit New York. Her husband lost his job as a cook. They struggled to pay the $1,300 monthly rent for their studio apartment in Corona, Queens, where they live with their two sons.

They have both since found some work, but they owe more than $8,000 to their landlord. At one point during the pandemic, he told them he wanted to evict them.

Im so afraid that one day Ill come back and all of our belongings will be outside of our building, Ms. Velez said. We live with that fear.
After more than two years in court, several lawsuits against the school were recently settled. The terms of the settlements have not been disclosed, but all of them involve payouts to the plaintiffs, said Ralph DeSimone, their lawyer. Former students said the settlements represented the first time in decades that their accounts about the Family School had been taken seriously.

New students were routinely strip-searched upon arrival  not by counselors, but by other students  and assigned to families with staff members in the role of Mom and Dad. Students who attended the school, even years apart, uniformly describe being mocked, jeered at and forced to confess to the group offenses as arbitrary as thinking impure thoughts. Other confessions were followed by physical punishment. And there was no one to turn to for help.

My parents were told if I said anything bad, I was just manipulating and I wanted to come home and not to believe me and to turn me in, one former student, Elizabeth Ianelli, 42, said in a deposition filed last year, one of several attacking the school. And I was told that if I tell my parents anything, that there would be severe consequences. She would learn just how severe in the months and years that followed.

The cases were filed after the State of New York passed the Child Victims Act in 2019, which allowed plaintiffs a one-year window to bring sexual-abuse lawsuits for episodes in which the statute of limitations had already expired. The act led to new accusations, some dating back decades, against the Roman Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts of America and Prince Andrew, a son of Queen Elizabeth II who was a friend of the financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The window was extended into 2021 because of the pandemic but has now closed, and state and federal courts are addressing at least 10 cases involving the school filed in the past three years.

The cases describe abuse in the 1990s and 2000s that former students said still haunts them well into adulthood. In many states, theres more regulations on nail salons than places that literally incarcerate children, said Maia Szalavitz, author of the 2006 book Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids. This is a huge part of American culture that is very underground.
Vincent N. Schiraldi, the commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction, was struggling to restore order in the Rikers Island jail complex when he asked a jail union boss for a meeting in the fall.

The reply he received was blunt, Mr. Schiraldi said in an interview. The union leader, Patrick Ferraiuolo, president of the Correction Captains Association, refused  confident that the reform-minded commissioner, who had angered the unions with his oversight policies, would be replaced when Eric Adams took over as mayor. Youre gone, he said.

Within weeks, that prediction came to pass.

The advance knowledge of Mr. Schiraldis firing offered an early hint at how closely aligned Mr. Adams had become with the citys powerful correction unions even before he took office. It also foreshadowed a series of pro-labor decisions he would make almost immediately after his swearing-in, actions that the former commissioner and some advocates say signal a return to prominence for unions that had been put on the defensive in the final months of the previous administration.

Flanked by union representatives last month, Mr. Adams announced that he would reinstate solitary confinement as a tool for managing detainees, a policy the correction officers union had pushed in the face of Mayor Bill de Blasios decision to eliminate it.
Its so hard to get your head around this if youre an antitrust person whos used to dealing with the business world, said Sarah Flanagan, vice president for government relations and policy development for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Its not necessarily the same dynamic in the higher-ed marketplace. Competition has probably led to higher prices. (Flanagans organization includes most of the members of the 568 group, but she said she was not speaking on their behalf or addressing the allegations in the lawsuit.)

On that score, its interesting to look at research published last year by Ian Fillmore, an assistant professor of economics at Washington University in St. Louis. He examined how a broader group of 1,200 colleges and universities used the information they collected about family finances to allocate financial aid. He found that low-income students received only about 22 percent of the money the schools saved by giving less financial aid to rich students who didnt need it. The other 78 percent of the money was kept by the schools to use as they saw fit. In an interview, Fillmore said: That doesnt sound bad if you think they will do wonderful things with their money. If you think they spend their dollars on something socially wasteful, its terrible.

The class-action lawsuit is likely to cause protracted pain for the elite schools. To decide how much money to ask for, the litigants are probably going to seek extensive records of admissions and financial aid decisions. That could be embarrassing. As a first stab, the lawsuit estimates that the defendants have overcharged over 170,000 financial-aid recipients by at least hundreds of millions of dollars.

Beyond that, Im having trouble imagining that Congress will want to renew the schools antitrust exemption past Sept. 30. In the early 1990s, the exemption could be construed as a reward to universities that chose to make their admissions decisions need-blind and a way of encouraging more universities to do the same. But elite colleges and universities have a harder time now arguing for special treatment. They are richer now than they were three decades ago, their tuition sticker prices have skyrocketed and they are increasingly mistrusted by conservatives. In 2019 only 33 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters thought colleges and universities had a positive effect on the way things are going in this country, down from 53 percent who said so in 2012, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Among Democrats and people leaning toward the Democratic Party, the positive share held steady over the same period at 67 percent.

Personally I like these schools. I think they produce amazing research and education. I interview economics professors from the 568 group just about every week and I even attended one of the defendants (Go Big Red!). But I think the schools need to brace themselves for a world where they face the same antitrust scrutiny as anyone else. On that score, the issues are remarkably similar to those in the Supreme Courts decision in June that the N.C.A.A. could not ban relatively modest payments to student-athletes. In that case as in this one, schools argued that competition would be ruinous. But is it?

The readers write

Free trade has been a punching bag for politicians and self-interested business folks forever, as you mention in your Monday newsletter. But its virtues are undoubtable. Just look at the growth in G.D.P. for everyone and how many nations have been lifted from poverty because of it. You can see the data in Rhymes With Fighter, my book on Clayton Yeutter, who liberalized trade in the 1980s and 1990s as U.S. trade representative and then as agriculture secretary. Strategic and vital industries  say, chips and the like  should probably be guarded. But I suspect these are exceptions.
Masks are another example. If you can have only the best, youll focus on N95 masks, see they are in short supply at the start of the crisis and tell most people they shouldnt wear masks at all because only certain ones provide the best protection, and we have to save them for those at highest risk. A population-level view argues that cloth or surgical masks  which arent anywhere near as good as N95s but were easier to get  would lower the risk for everyone when the pandemic was beginning, and therefore would be helpful. It took until April 2020  many weeks into the pandemic  for the C.D.C. to recommend mask wearing for the general public.

When better masks are more available (as they are now), then of course everyone should be encouraged to use them, even if not everyone will wear one  but the C.D.C. is still sticking to any mask is better than no mask. While true, fearing that some individual might not wear any mask if you strongly recommend a better one misses a chance to potentially raise overall safety.

Its not just doctors who focus on individual risk; its also patients. For example, parents might reason that the risk to their child from Covid (and other vaccine-preventable diseases) in the United States is very low, so why take on any risk of a vaccine at all? But from the perspective of the public health system, only with herd immunity, or something close to it, can we begin to see an end to this pandemic  and that requires near-universal vaccination. Overfocusing on encouraging people to vaccinate to protect themselves, which is what every chart comparing curves of hospitalization among the vaccinated and unvaccinated tries to do, misses opportunities to explain that the biggest reason to vaccinate is often to protect others, especially those who cannot protect themselves.

The response to Covid is just one way this dichotomy expresses itself. Much of the way medicine discusses screening for diseases in general focuses on the individual. Diagnosing cancer often feels like failure and leads to an unrelenting push for earlier and earlier detection. This is how medicine ends up recommending mammograms sooner and more often. If you pull back to the population, you may see that screening mammograms in young, healthy women have done little to reduce their mortality, and much to worry them.

So what can be done about this? A start would be for those making decisions to explicitly define their goals when deciding which lens to use.

If were trying to prevent Covid surges and end the pandemic, then we need to center the population in our thinking. Health authorities need to get tools like rapid tests and better masks to as many people as possible, especially those who are more likely to spread disease, even if theyre at low risk themselves. People need to be persuaded or incentivized to vaccinate to protect others.

If you are sick, even with severe Covid, you want someone with a doctors viewpoint caring for you. America, however, is not a patient. And wed all be better off, as a society and as individuals, if those in control of our countrys health stopped thinking of it that way.
Yesterday I wrote about Americas surprising success in limiting the economic damage from Covid-19. Compared to expectations and compared to our handling of the 2008 financial crisis, weve done remarkably well. But other countries have also done well, in some cases and by some measures better. In fact, among major advanced economies, the star performer of the pandemic era, arguably, is  France.

France? For as long as I can remember, U.S. media coverage of the French economy has been relentlessly negative.

Back in 1997, The Timess Roger Cohen described France as Americas favorite European basket case (although he had the good grace to make fun of his own premature pessimism 16 years later.) Indeed, in the 90s we were told that France was too culturally stagnant to keep up with modern technology; another 1997 article was titled Why the French Hate the Internet. (France currently has higher broadband penetration than we do.) During the 2010-13 euro crisis, I constantly read assertions that France was next in line to join the afflicted economies of Southern Europe  France is in Free Fall, asserted an editor at Fortune.

The data never actually supported this negativism. What was really going on, I believe, was that business and economic discourse in the United States is strongly shaped by conservative ideology  and given that ideology, France, with its huge social expenditure, high taxes and extensive economic regulation should have been a basket case. So reporting about France seized on every negative development as a sign that the long-awaited disaster was finally arriving.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

President Ilham Aliyev has said that Azerbaijan's newly-laid 240 MW Khizi-Absheron Wind Power Plant will contribute to the country's energy security.

He made the remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for the plant to be built in Azerbaijan by Saudi Arabias ACWA Power on January 13.

I am glad that the company implementing and investing in this large renewable energy project is from brotherly Saudi Arabia. As you know, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have very close friendly and fraternal relations. We have been working hard to develop these relations since independence, he stated.

Aliyev noted that the establishment of this station once again shows that the Azerbaijani state attaches great importance to the production of renewable energy.

He recalled that about a year ago, Azerbaijans Energy Ministry and Saudi Arabias ACWA Power signed an executive agreement on building the 240 MW wind power station.

In fact, the decision was made to build the station, we have been working hard for the past year, and today we are celebrating this wonderful day together, he said.

Noting that this plant will be the largest power plant in the countrys renewable energy sector, he emphasized that the plans to save natural gas will also be resolved. He added that this station will be of great importance in reducing the adverse impacts on the environment.

The president also mentioned that the investor of this station is AquaPao, the largest energy company in the world.

According to the information provided to me, the power generation capacity of the stations built by the company is more than 42,000 MW. So it would not be too difficult to imagine its proportions, and I am glad that this company is also interested in Azerbaijan, he said.

Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Mentioning Saudi Arabias political support provided to Azerbaijan during the occupation, Aliyev emphasized that bilateral political relations are at a very high level.

Saudi Arabia is one of a handful of countries that did not establish diplomatic relations with Armenia at all due to the Armenian occupation, and this is a great moral support for the Azerbaijani people and the Azerbaijani state, it is a sign of brotherhood, he said.

He also stated that both countries are actively cooperating in the various sectors of the economy, as well as in the energy field in the OPEC+ format. The president noted that the establishment of the OPEC+ format played a special role in the cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.

Countrys energy field

Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan has been working hard to ensure its energy security for many years since gaining independence.

Azerbaijan is one of a handful of countries in the world that fully produces both crude oil and natural gas, oil products and electricity to meet domestic demand, and at the same time exports these four products to world markets, he said.

He underlined that the countrys energy security is fully ensured and the growing exports of natural gas and electricity have a positive impact on the energy security of other countries.

According to the results of last year, our non-oil sector and non-oil industry have grown by about 20 percent, he said.

Noting that renewable energy production is one of the main tasks on the countrys agenda in the energy field, the president stated that negotiations are underway on the construction of a large solar power plant in the liberated territories [in Jabrayil region]. He added that the power generation potential of this station will be equal to 240 MW.

I can say that as a result of accurate analysis, it has transpired that a total of about 10,000 megawatts of renewable wind and solar electricity can be produced in the liberated areas. Of course, we would like investors and companies from friendly countries to explore these opportunities and start these big projects together with us, he said.

Aliyev also noted that Azerbaijan fully meets domestic demand, and at the same time exports electricity to all neighboring countries.

At the same time, the Green Agenda, which is almost at the forefront of the global agenda, has been approved, and we, in turn, declared the liberated territories, an area of 10,000 square kilometers, a green energy zone. Several hydropower plants have already been built and are operating. We have specific plans to build solar and wind power plants, he said.

The president expressed confidence that after the opening of this largest renewable energy plant, or perhaps even before it opens, Azerbaijan will begin to implement other investment projects.
Evening Leather? Too leathery. Bahama Mama? Too beachy. Peaches and Cream? Out of season. Sweet Kitty? No.

On the Sunday before Christmas, in a windowless basement under a braiding salon in Downtown Brooklyn, the actress and novelist Dagmara Dominczyk searched for the perfect aroma. A candle devotee since her undergraduate days at Carnegie Mellon University (I burn them morning to night, she said), she had arrived for a Sip & Smell Experience: a free two-hour workshop hosted by Katelys Candles that she had found on Eventbrite.

Upon arriving, Kevin Pierre-Louis, the organizer, seated her on a greige vinyl sofa and presented her with a caddy of about 50 small bottles with hand-printed labels. His assistant handed her a glass of sparkling rose, which she sipped with care.

Im a spiller, she said. I spill. I stain.

Youre too pretty, Mr. Pierre-Louis said. I dont see you spilling.
Meerim Ilyas and Maheisha Adams met in April of 2019 while attending the European Lesbian Conference in Kyiv, Ukraine.

When the two decided to meet for dinner one night after the conference, both assumed it was a professional invitation. Yet by the end of the meal, the flowing conversation turned decidedly personal. Both left the dinner besotted. Meerim is beautiful and intelligent, a fabulous conversationalist, and is always bubbling with ideas, Ms. Adams said.

But romance presented challenges: they lived thousands of miles and an ocean apart and their backgrounds were wildly different.

Ms. Adams, now 42, was raised on the plains of Guthrie, Okla., by her mother and women in her extended family. After receiving a bachelors degree in child development from Oklahoma State University, she earned a master's degree in family relations and child development from the University of Central Oklahoma.
We have been like this for more than two years.

Technically, we are still married, although we have filed for divorce. Some of the neighbors still seem to think we are together. The kindly pharmacist always asks for updates and sends his regards. But we arent a couple: We no longer share a bed, no longer smooch, no longer take turns making the salad, no longer give each other halfhearted back rubs, no longer dream of trips to Italy, no longer put our arms around each other in public, no longer fight about the shades being crooked, no longer outsource our intimacy to Netflix, no longer write checks to a couples counselor, no longer hope to fix it.

But for a while we were still enmeshed in each others lives, which is why I was caught in the act of doing a wifely chore by the woman with whom he is building intimacy and trust. After that, we decided the division between our places needed some clearer boundaries.

Some things had to change, including laundry duty.

It can be difficult to imagine feelings or arrangements that you dont have language for. For example, learning the word schadenfreude to name that dark feeling within yourself felt, to me, like the pleasure of tasting an entirely new cuisine. When I learned that word, I was not only relieved of the shame of that feeling  I could also laugh at myself for it.

We dont have the right vocabulary for our relationships with our former spouses. The term ex is loaded. The symbol X itself is a crossing out, as if, by getting married and then divorced, you made a mistake that needs scratching out with a big red pen. Or maybe the X is a coming together (the meeting point of two diagonal lines) and then splitting apart. But, like many exes, we share a child: We will never fully split. Unlike many exes, we share a checking account and a household.

My ex is the source of the Y chromosome that made our son. He makes music videos with our child (him on the piano, the boy on the drums) and takes him camping for days at a time. My ex lives upstairs from me, encourages me to date, texts me C.D.C. updates, discusses the boundaries between our apartments so he has a chance at building a loving relationship with his girlfriend (whom I like), and he texts from the grocery store to see if I need anything.
Googles chief executive approved an agreement with Facebook at the heart of an antitrust lawsuit that 16 states and Puerto Rico have lodged against the search giant, according to a portion of the complaint revealed on Friday.

The lawsuit, led by the Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, argues that Google has obtained and abused a monopoly over the network of technology used to deliver ads online.

When publishers started using an alternative system for selling their ad space, Google worked to undermine it by creating a similar system that it controlled, according to the lawsuit. The states argue that Google reached a deal with Facebook to have the social network join its effort in an effort to kill the publishers competing plan.

In the newly unredacted portion of the lawsuit, filed in federal court, the states said Sundar Pichai, the companys chief executive since 2015, also personally signed off on the terms of the deal.
Out of the 2,700 rooms sold, Mr. Campbell said only 35 have been canceled since Jan. 1.

For guests who cannot travel because of government restrictions or lockdowns, Atlantis is showing more flexibility and issuing credits for future cruises, Mr. Campbell said. Because of the fast-changing circumstances of the pandemic, he said, the company is approaching cancellation requests on a case-by-case basis and trying to accommodate as many people as possible.

We are here to take care of people and we are doing our best, he said. But if someone comes to us and just says they want their money back, because they dont feel comfortable going on the cruise, then we recommend that they take out cancel for any reason travel insurance.

Since restarting operations in the United States in June, many cruise lines and tour operators have adopted flexible cancellation policies, offering credit or refunds to customers who want to make itinerary changes because of the coronavirus.

Before the pandemic, Atlantic Events hosted more than 25,000 guests each year, organizing specialty gay and lesbian events on cruise ships and resorts around the world. Last year it was forced to cancel or postpone several events, including its 30th anniversary cruise.

We had almost two years with no income, and we are a tiny self-financed company. It was a huge challenge to survive, Mr. Campbell said.

While the company does not offer refunds, it says that the health and safety of its guests is a top priority and it will be enforcing Royal Caribbeans health and safety protocols, which includes a mask mandate indoors except while eating and drinking and in crowded spaces outdoors. Royal Caribbean officials say that while the Omicron variant has driven up cases on board its ships in recent weeks, most infections have been mild and have not resulted in severe illness. Still, with a growing number of crew members and passengers contracting the virus, the cruise line, like other cruise companies, has canceled several voyages this month in what it said was an abundance of caution as a result of ongoing Covid-related circumstances.

Passengers booked on the Atlantis cruise are closely watching the Celebrity Millennium cruise ship, which was chartered by another L.G.B.T travel company this week for a seven-night Caribbean cruise. The capacity for that ship is much smaller, at 2,218 passengers, but coronavirus cases have been reported to the C.D.C. and reached their threshold for an investigation.
Mr. Katko had been among a shrinking group of lawmakers who appealed to voters outside of his own party. When Mr. Biden won his central New York district in 2020 by 9 points in 2020, Mr. Katko prevailed by 10.

But the same centrist credentials that allowed Mr. Katko to hang onto his seat made him a target in conservative circles. After Republican leaders tasked him to work with Democrats on a proposal to create an independent Jan. 6 commission, they then abandoned the effort in favor of shielding Mr. Trump and the party from further scrutiny, urging lawmakers to oppose the plan Mr. Katko had negotiated.

When Democrats formed their own select committee to investigate the riot anyway, Mr. Katko infuriated hard-right members by voting in October to hold Stephen K. Bannon in criminal contempt of Congress for stonewalling their inquiry.

And Mr. Katko was one of 13 House Republicans who voted in November for the infrastructure bill, leading some in his party to brand him and the other G.O.P. supporters of the legislation traitors, and to call for Mr. Katko to be stripped of his leadership role on the Homeland Security Committee. He had been in line to become the panels chairman if Republicans won control of the House.

The anger from his right flank followed Mr. Katko home. The Conservative Party, a minor party in New York that backs Republicans in most races, had denounced him last April and formally withdrew its support from his re-election bid after he voted for a Democratic bill extending protections for gay and transgender rights.

Bernard Ment, the party chairman in Onondaga County, home to Syracuse, said that position was the last straw. In an interview, he called Mr. Katko a Democrat, though he retained support from his local Republican Party organization.

Hes been the one guy whos tried to work on both sides of the aisle, Mr. Ment said. The problem is hes managed to alienate a lot of conservative voters and tick off a lot of Republicans, and I dont think he can make up the ground with Democratic voters.
The Ohio Supreme Court struck down a congressional map skewed to favor Republicans on Friday, ruling that it was the equivalent of a dealer stacking the deck, and sent it back to state lawmakers to try again.

The map would have given Republicans an advantage of 12 seats to three in elections for the House of Representatives, even though the G.O.P. has lately won only about 55 percent of the statewide popular vote.

This is not what Ohio voters wanted or expected, the court said of the map.

Mapmakers in Ohio are not allowed to unduly favor one party in redistricting, after voters overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the Ohio Constitution in 2018. The proposed map was drawn by Republicans in the Legislature and passed without Democratic support, and the court rejected it in a 4-to-3 decision.

When the dealer stacks the deck in advance, the house usually wins, wrote Justice Michael Donnelly for the majority, adding that the Republicans plan was infused with undue partisan bias.
Administration officials interviewed this week said that plans to help Ukrainian insurgents could include providing training in nearby countries that are part of NATOs eastern flank: Poland, Romania and Slovakia, which could enable insurgents to slip in and out of Ukraine. Beyond logistical support and weapons, the United States and NATO allies could also provide medical equipment, services and even sanctuary during Russian offensives. The United States would almost certainly supply weapons, the officials said.

Since Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, successive U.S. administrations have taken pains to limit military support to Ukraine largely to defensive weaponry. The United States has provided about $2.5 billion in military aid to Kyiv, including anti-tank missiles and radar that enables the Ukrainian military to better spot sources of artillery fire. The assistance has also included patrol boats and communications equipment.

The United States is also moving toward providing Ukraine with battlefield intelligence that could help the country more quickly respond to an invasion, senior administration officials said.

But all of that aid has been calibrated not to provoke Mr. Putin, officials said. If Russian troops crossed the border, the officials said, the United States could offer offensive weaponry and training.

Given the right equipment and tactics, Ukraine can dramatically reduce the chances of a successful invasion, a former Ukrainian defense minister, Andriy P. Zagorodnyuk, wrote in an op-ed for the Atlantic Council on Sunday that reads like an instructional manual for how the United States can support an insurgency. By combining serving military units with combat veterans, reservists, territorial defense units and large numbers of volunteers, Ukraine can create tens of thousands of small and highly mobile groups capable of attacking Russian forces. This will make it virtually impossible for the Kremlin to establish any kind of administration over occupied areas or secure its lines of supply.

But it is difficult to know whether Ukrainians would be willing to start an insurgency campaign that could drag on for years or even decades. Some Ukraine experts point to Crimea, where there has been little armed resistance since Russia invaded. And Mr. Putin could limit his siege to the eastern parts of Ukraine, which lean more pro-Russian than the west.

A Western military adviser to the Ukrainians said that details of a specific resistance there remained a closely held secret. But already, particularly in the west, Ukrainians are joining territorial defense forces that train in guerrilla tactics.
Russia has also demanded that the United States remove all of its nuclear weapons from Europe, and that Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia, three surrounding states that once were part of the Soviet empire, never join NATO.

It is still unclear whether Mr. Putin believes those are realistic strategic objectives  Wendy R. Sherman, the deputy secretary of state, called them nonstarters this week  or whether his true focus is on bringing Ukraine to heel. The Russian president wants to expand his countrys sphere of influence to include more of the old Soviet bloc, especially former Soviet republics like Ukraine.

The United States has vowed both severe financial and technological sanctions if Russia invades, and it has said it would consider arming a Ukrainian insurgency to make any Russian occupation expensive and bloody. Both Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have warned their Russian counterparts in recent telephone calls that any swift Russian victory in Ukraine would probably be followed by a bloody insurgency similar to the one that drove the Soviet Union from Afghanistan.

After the Biden administration made the new accusation against Russia, Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California and the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said the news underscored the need to provide Ukraine with the defensive weapons needed to deter aggression, and, if unsuccessful at deterrence, make a Russian invasion costly to the invaders.

The Kremlin pushed back against the intelligence assessment. So far, all these statements have been unfounded and have not been confirmed by anything, Dmitri S. Peskov, Mr. Putins spokesman, told TASS, a state-run news agency.

The intelligence finding was reported earlier by CNN.

One senior Biden administration official said there was concern that saboteurs or provocateurs could stage an incident in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, creating a possible pretext for a coup. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine declared several months ago that he believed a coup attempt was underway, but it never materialized.

Ukraines military intelligence service announced earlier on Friday that it had intercepted information about a plot by Russian spies to start a sabotage operation from disputed territory in Moldova, south of Ukraine, where Russia maintains a large contingent of troops. The plan, according to the intelligence service, was to attack Russian troops stationed at a weapons depot near the border with Ukraine and blame it on Ukrainian forces.
A trial in Zimbabwe of a freelance reporter working for The New York Times, a case viewed as a litmus test of press freedom in the southern African country, paused on Friday after three days that included testimony by a chief witness for the state, who could not produce the documents at the heart of the case.

The reporter, Jeffrey Moyo, 37, has been accused of fabricating accreditation documents for two Times journalists, Christina Goldbaum and Joao Silva, who flew from South Africa to the southwestern Zimbabwe city of Bulawayo last May for a reporting trip.

They were ordered expelled after a few days. Mr. Moyo was arrested and charged a few weeks later, and could face up to ten years in prison, a fine, or both. He has pleaded innocent.

The trial in Bulawayo, which began Wednesday and initially had been expected to last four days, will resume on Feb. 14. Lawyers for Mr. Moyo attributed the adjournment to procedural delays at the outset of the trial, scheduling conflicts, and longer-than-expected witness testimony and cross-examination.
New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) Continuing with his New Year telephonic conversations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held talks with his counterparts from Argentina and Brazil.



During his talk with Argentinian FM Santiago Cafiero, the two discussed bilateral cooperation, including in trade, and also Covid challenges.



In a tweet, he said:



A virtual review of our ties with FM @SantiagoCafiero of Argentina. Noted our expanding cooperation, including in commerce.



Discussed Covid challenges, pharma trade, mining, defence, nuclear and space issues.



Our coordination in multilateral forums has been long standing.



During his talk with FM Carlos Franca of Brazil, the two agreed to hold an early meeting of the Joint Commission.



They also affirmed their commitment to work closely in the UNSC, BRICS and IBSA.



A productive discussion with FM Carlos Franca of Brazil. Agreed to hold an early meeting of our Joint Commission.



Affirmed our commitment to work closely in the UNSC, BRICS and IBSA, he tweeted.

UNI/RN
NEW DELHI  A Catholic bishop who was accused of repeatedly raping a nun in southern India over a two-year period was acquitted on Friday, bringing an end for now to what appeared to be the countrys first case of its kind.

The bishop, Franco Mulakkal, who had been on trial since 2020, had consistently said he was innocent. Praise the Lord, he said after the verdict in the city of Kottayam in Kerala State.

The judge overseeing the trial, G. Gopakumar, said prosecutors had failed to prove their case, according to news reports. Investigating officers in Kerala said the ruling would be appealed to a higher court.

The case, believed to be the first in India in which a bishop was charged with raping a nun, highlighted deep divisions within the Catholic Church in the country. The church was slow to react to the nuns accusations against Bishop Mulakkal, and it did so only after five of her fellow nuns protested publicly in support of her.
SEOUL  North Korea fired two ballistic missiles on Friday, its third missile test this month, hours after it warned of stronger and certain reaction if the United States helped impose more sanctions on the North in response to its recent series of missile tests.

Two short-range ballistic missiles took off from Uiju, a county near the northwestern corner of North Korea, and flew 267 miles before crashing off the countrys east coast, the South Korean military said. The missiles were launched from train cars and hit targets on an island off the east coast, North Koreas state media reported on Saturday. The North began launching missiles from train cars in September.

The new tests raised tensions at a sensitive time in the region, as China geared up for the Winter Olympics in Beijing next month and South Korea for its presidential election on March 9. The escalation also comes at a time when the Biden administration is struggling in its diplomacy to stave off a potential Russian invasion in Ukraine.

Earlier on Friday, the Norths Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing a proposal by the United States that the U.N. Security Council place fresh sanctions on North Korea following several ballistic and other missile tests since September 2021.
GIGLIO PORTO, Italy  The curvy granite rocks of the Tuscan island of Giglio lay bare in the winter sun, no longer hidden by the ominous, stricken cruise liner that ran aground in the turquoise waters of this marine sanctuary ten years ago.

Few of the 500-odd residents of the fishermens village will ever forget the freezing night of Jan. 13, 2012, when the Costa Concordia shipwrecked, killing 32 people and upending life on the island for years.

Every one of us here has a tragic memory from then, said Mario Pellegrini, 59, who was deputy mayor in 2012 and was the first civilian to climb onto the cruise ship after it struck the rocks near the lighthouses at the port entrance.
KYIV, Ukraine  Hackers brought down dozens of Ukrainian government websites on Friday and posted a message on one saying, Be afraid and expect the worst, a day after a breakdown in diplomatic talks between Russia and the West intended to forestall a threatened Russian invasion of the country.

Diplomats and analysts have been anticipating a cyberattack on Ukraine, but proving the source of such actions is notoriously difficult. Ukraines Foreign Ministry did not directly blame Russia for the attack, but pointedly noted that there was a long record of Russian online assaults against Ukraine.

A Ukrainian government agency, the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security, which was established to counter Russian disinformation, later issued a statement more directly blaming Russia for the hack.

We have not seen such a significant attack on government organizations in some time, it said. We suggest the current attack is tied to the recent failure of Russian negotiations on Ukraines future in NATO, it added, referring to Moscows talks with the West.
The talks allowed Mr. Putin to revisit Russian grievances over how the Cold War ended, in hopes of placing them back on the table for renegotiation 30 years later. His deputy foreign minister, Aleksandr V. Grushko, even warned the alliance off a policy of containment of Russia and insisted that free choice does not exist in international relations  suggesting that Ukraine would have to bow to Russian wishes.

But the more the discussion evoked the Cold War  with its firm dividing line through Europe, and its competing Russian and Western systems and spheres of influence  the more it reminded European and American allies of NATOs purpose.

Deterring Russia is in the DNA of NATO, because Russia is what can bring existential threats to European nations, said Anna Wieslander, chair of Swedens Institute for Security and Development.

That threat now is more than territorial, she said. Russia is also trying to undermine NATOs democratic cohesion. Russia is targeting our elections, our social media, our parliaments and our citizens, and it is become more obvious now that Russia is not part of our value system, Ms. Wieslander said.

As it drafts a new strategic concept to be ready this year, NATO is concentrating on resilience against new hybrid and cyberthreats, highlighting its defense of the democratic institutions of member states, not just their territory.

NATO is its member states, and its what allies make of it, said Sophia Besch, a defense analyst in Berlin for the Center for European Reform. Its not out of business because we didnt let it, and weve changed its raison detre to what are the major strategic concerns of the day.
Connect with your partner.

Focus on your relationship (if applicable) and shore that up before the often-rocky first year of parenting hits. Dr. Saxbe said that a couples relationship quality tends to decline around the transition to parenthood, but you dont have to follow that trend. The year following childbirth is one of the most stressful times in marital relationships; couples who havent adequately prepared for the hardships of parenting in terms of logistics, child-rearing philosophies and financial issues are more likely to experience conflict and marital stress, said Noosha Niv, a psychologist and the founder of the Mind Matters Institute, in Glendale, Calif. How can you prepare your relationship? Reflect on the strengths and challenges within your union, Dr. Morelen suggested. (And check out our guide for how partners can best support pregnant women.) A new baby will stress even the healthiest of relationships, so its important to build strong communication strategies with your partner before the baby arrives.

Establish parenting values.

Dr. Niv said she helps expecting couples to establish where their parenting values align and, more important, where they dont align. Its important to identify and reconcile values surrounding parenting before the baby is born; reaching resolution on parenting topics is far more difficult when youre stressed and sleep-deprived, she said. If youre parenting with a partner, its a good idea to discuss child rearing philosophies before the baby arrives. When youre visualizing and preparing your parenting plans, add your baby to the picture. Think about what your baby will be like, said Dr. Morelen. Think about traditions youd like to share, lessons youd like to teach, songs youd like to sing, etc.

Face fears.

Its natural to feel afraid of or anxious about certain aspects of parenthood. Give yourself permission to feel a range of emotions, said Dr. Morelen. Talk to trusted loved ones about your feelings  chances are youll learn that youre not alone. But if fear or stress is persistent, Dr. Trent recommended taking a hard look at the scenario that scares you. Set aside a block of time solely devoted to nailing down what, specifically, about the situation or possible outcome is evoking fear or stress, she said. Doing so allows you to realistically appraise the actual concern (instead of the more nebulous fear) and also allows for problem-solving. If this strategy doesnt provide enough relief, consider seeking professional help to ease anxiety.

Overestimate recovery time.

Its helpful to overestimate how much recovery and support time youll need. Postpartum medical care generally ends after the six-week postpartum checkup, and hormones have usually evened out by that point. But studies have shown that it can take six months to a year to fully recover (physically and mentally) from childbirth. According to a study by researchers at the University of Michigans School of Nursing, it can take over eight months for pelvic floor recovery alone. Research by Julie Wray, of the University of Salford in England, found that mothers need up to a year to recover. Its just not realistic to expect to bounce back two weeks after birth. Unfortunately, it also may not be realistic to avoid going back to work.

To aid in recovery, Jephtha Tausig, a psychologist in New York City, recommended that new mothers outsource some tasks. If you can have others help with errands and chores (laundry, cleaning, making meals, etc.) that will make a huge difference, she said. Dont try to do it all, because that just might not be possible. Be gentle with yourself. Being tired and slightly overwhelmed is all completely normal  you cant plan to accomplish much if you are the primary caregiver at home with baby, noted Dr. Nataki Douglas, a Newark, N.J.-based ob-gyn and an associate professor and director of translational research for the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Womens Health at Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School.
Atlantic General Hospital declared a yellow alert in the emergency room for five hours Monday night due to high patient volumes. The designation stopped any ambulances from bringing patients into the ER. The hospital also implemented red alert overall due to not having any cardiac beds that stayed in effect until Wednesday morning.
Stillwater, OK (74078)

Today

Cloudy early, becoming mostly sunny this afternoon. High 67F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low near 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Bob Brody

I know how much you want to get in touch with me. Usually you reach out through email. And usually email is fine for business purposes. Except I no longer check my email. Thats because email is so yesterday.

Youve texted me, too. Only nobody texts anymore. Youre probably the only one now. I stopped texting in 2018. Its so retro.

Youve phoned me, too. Now admittedly, my phone system is tricky. The six-step automated response gives you 12 options. Then youre put on hold for four hours. Except I never check my voicemail. The phone is history.

Thank you, by the way, for inviting me to join you for calls on Zoom. I liked the idea of Zoom until I saw what I look like on camera. Then, even worse, I saw what you look like on camera. So Ive moved past Zoom. Zoom is dead to me.

But listen, I want to maintain contact with you for potential future collaborations. The key is to find communications tools that keep us ahead of the curve.

Oh, hey, do you have that new app? Whats it called again? Oh, right, WhatsApp! Everyones doing WhatsApp! All my lobbying clients and colleagues do business on WhatsApp now. Even our labradoodle does WhatsApp.

At least that was the case last week. Nobody bothers with WhatsApp anymore. WhatsApp is prehistoric. I mean, come on! Unicorn startups have introduced new, better apps in just the last 30 seconds. Anyone with half a brain knows most apps are outdated before theyre even downloaded.

No wonder nobody in our community of executives and entrepreneurs can ever get in touch with anyone anymore.

If youre looking to stay current, get Signal or Slack. Or Snapchat or WeChat. Or Yammer or Telegram or Thema. Or you could opt for Webex or Facebook Messenger or Microsoft Teams. Or Google Hangouts or Adobe Connect or GoToMeeting. But you better hurry. By next week theyll already be antediluvian.

Okay, so your office building is just down the block from my office building. Technically we could catch up at the coffee shop right around the corner. But that would bring us face to face. And face to face is three-dimensional. In 2021, everyone with a high school diploma realizes three dimensions are at least one dimension too many.

Besides, going face to face would entail a conversation in real time. Nobody in the business community risks communicating in real time anymore. Real time is so 1965.

Conceivably your best bet might be to move into the metaverse. You just have to find the right real estate agent. I hear you can still score a three-bedroom ranch house in the metaverse for a song.

How about if we just go back to basics? Smoke signals? Tin cans connected by string? Are you receptive to megaphones or semaphore? What about tribal drums or carrier pigeons or walkie talkies or American Sign Language?

In the new year, I want us to stay in touch. Well figure it out. Meantime, please keep me posted. Take my word for it: Im all ears. Just never mind the headphones I'm always wearing.

***

Bob Brody, a media consultant and essayist in Italy, is author of the memoir Playing Catch with Strangers: A Family Guy (Reluctantly) Comes of Age. His humor has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times and The Guardian, among other publications.
UW Joins Buffalo Bill Center, UK Institutions in Digital Humanities Project

This drawing of Wyomings Wind River Mountains by Charles Preuss is the first published image of the Rocky Mountains published in a government expedition report -- John C. Fremonts Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the year 1842; and to the Oregon and North California, in the years 1843-44. The image is part of Cardiff Universitys Illustration Archive, which will be used in a digital humanities project also involving the University of Wyoming and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. (Image courtesy of Cardiff University)

Researchers at the University of Wyoming and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West have joined international colleagues in Wales in a new project aimed at developing digital tools to analyze historical book illustrations to gain a more thorough understanding of history.

Using a nearly $500,000 grant from the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities and the United Kingdoms Arts and Humanities Research Council, the team will use cutting-edge computing techniques to uncover hidden histories contained in the collections of several cultural institutions.

Leading the project are UW Vice Provost for Global Engagement Isadora Helfgott, an associate professor of history, and Julia Thomas, a professor of English literature at Cardiff University in Wales. Also participating are UW American Heritage Center Director Paul Flesher; Jeremy Johnston, the Hal and Naoma Tate Endowed Chair of Western History at Codys Buffalo Bill Center of the West; and a team of computer scientists at Cardiff University.

Historical book illustrations, many of which have now been digitized and made available online, have an untapped significance in cultural institutions, Helfgott says. We will develop digital methods that open up this neglected material to new uses and applications. Im thrilled to be brought into this project by colleagues at Cardiff University who have deep expertise in developing and mobilizing digital humanities tools that can deepen our engagement with these sources.

UW President Ed Seidel says this project shows how digital technologies are impacting all fields of study, including the humanities.

Im delighted that UW is part of an international collaboration using the latest technologies to provide new insights into history, including Wyomings fascinating history, Seidel says. This groundbreaking work, part of our growing partnership with Cardiff University, exemplifies what computing can do in a wide variety of disciplines.

In addition to historical illustrations held by the American Heritage Center and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the three-year project engages a core digitized collection of illustrated books from the British Library and involves archives of illustrations maintained by cultural institutions in the United Kingdom, including Cardiff Universitys Special Collections and Archives, the National Trust and Lambeth Palace Library. The researchers are developing computer vision tools to examine and compare large collections of book illustrations.

We will use these digital tools to cluster and group illustrations according to significant aspects; analyze them based on visual features; display subsets of illustrations in structured ways; and identify visual categories, Helfgott says. These new ways of looking will reveal hidden histories and enable discovery research.

This project can be understood as taking initial steps toward creating a search engine that works on images just as todays search abilities work on text, Flesher says.

In addition to strengthening ties between UW and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West -- which will enable statewide dialogue about the complex history of Wyoming and the American West -- the projects collaboration with institutions in the United Kingdom will broaden its reach to explore the Wests connection with global trends and attitudes.

The history of book illustrations is shared between the United Kingdom and the United States, with illustrated books widely circulated between these countries, Helfgott says. Being in conversation with United Kingdom cultural institutions will encourage consideration of global connections and new avenues for inquiry about influences of and on the history of Wyomings people and landscapes.

For example, Cardiff Universitys Special Collections and Archives, a partner on the project, contains an abundance of rare illustrations relating to Wales and the Welsh, along with illustrated books about America written for prospective Welsh emigrants.

Helfgott, who is part of a group developing a new School of Computing at UW, says digital technologies are making a big difference in the humanities.

Through this innovative use of computing, humanities scholars will be able to move beyond the analysis of individual images, or even groups of images, to identify broader patterns, she says. This will not only enrich our understanding of national histories and national identities through common visual constructions of people and place, but also help identify counter-narratives that might deepen our current understanding of history.


The Youth Well-being Policy Review of Moldova study is part of the OECD Development Centres Youth Inclusion Project, co-financed by the European Union. The key findings and recommendations of the study were presented in Chisinau by the Development Centre of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research of the Republic of Moldova.

In the past decade, the Republic of Moldova has made considerable socio-economic progress. However, young people continue to face multiple and interconnected challenges. The OECD Development Centres analysis of youth well-being in Moldova uses an innovative multi-dimensional approach to look at various dimensions of well-being affecting young people and gives recommendations for the formulation of public policies in favour of youth and for government action.

The event was opened by welcoming and introductory remarks by Mr Radu Rebeja, State Secretary for Youth and Sports, Ministry of Education, Culture and Research; Mr Fabien Schaeffer, Project Manager, EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova; and Mr Ian Brand-Weiner, Policy Analyst, OECD. During his speech, Mr Rebeja highlighted the Ministrys efforts in developing the youth sector and the Youth Inclusion projects contribution in providing evidence to improve policies to foster youth well-being.

Mr Ian Brand-Weiner, presented the main findings, conclusions and recommendations of the review and emphasised the need for policy co-ordination and making youth a priority beyond the work of the Ministry of Education, Research and Culture, as well as the need for investing in the provision of professional, local youth services (including health) in order to better tap the Republic of Moldovas youth dividend.

A panel discussion on Youth policies and provision of youth services in youth centres in Moldova was held during the event. This panel discussed the implementation of youth policies in the regions and local provision of services through youth centres and youth workers.

Over 50 representatives from ministries, youth organisations, non-governmental organisation, UN agencies, youth centres and development partners participated in the event. Participants recognised the importance of providing employment and participation opportunities, the low percentage of youth making use of youth friendly services and the ways of improving outreach were major discussion points.

Agenda of the event >

Presentation "Youth well-being policy review of Moldova study" >

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Ms Naoko Ueda, Deputy Director of the OECD Development Centre, presented the Youth Well-being Policy Review of Viet Nam in a high-level event organised in Hanoi, Viet Nam on 22 November, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) and Germanys Hanns Seidel Foundation. The activity was attended Mr Vu Dang Minh, Director of the Youth Affairs Department under the MOHA; Dr Axel Neubert, Director of Hans Seidel Foundation (HSS); Mr Tom Corrie, Deputy Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Viet Nam and Ms Astrid Bant, Representative of UNFPA-Viet Nam.

Ms Ueda highlighted the urgent need to invest more in human capital development, working towards striving to expand training opportunities for all young people and narrow the gap between the skills of young people and the needs of the labour market. Capacity building, institutional understanding and innovative participatory platforms would help enhance the civic participation of young Vietnamese, she added.

The Youth Well-being Policy Review of Viet Nam study is part of the OECD Development Centres Youth Inclusion Project, co-financed by the European Union. It provides a full diagnosis on the situation of young Vietnamese. The analysis uses a multidimensional approach to look at various dimensions of well-being affecting young people and gives recommendations for the formulation of public policies in favour of youth and for government action.

Two panel discussions were held during the event. The first focussed on the main findings from the Review and the second panel presented progress made in implementing the Vietnamese Youth Development Strategy (VYDS) 2011-2020 and the remaining challenges.

Agenda of the event>

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In the news:

To make Viet Nam's economic boom more inclusive, invest more in the disadvantaged and rural youth

Multiple challenges facing Vietnamese youth: report

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Despite Cambodias economic growth, young Cambodians face multiple challenges: according to the Youth Multi-dimensional Deprivation Indicator (Y-MDI) developed by the EU-OECD Youth Inclusion project, one young person in five is deprived in at least two well-being dimensions, including health, employment, education and civic participation, while 40% fare poorly in at least one dimension, mostly in education. Cambodia has made significant progress in achieving universal primary education. The enrolment rate in secondary school however, drops significantly, despite it being compulsory. Both access and quality of education are crucial issues and indicate a need for more relevant school curricula, better trained teachers and more resources for school improvements. Young people find it hard to integrate into the labour market due to limited education and training, poor access to job information and inadequate skills. Only 31% of youth have matching qualifications for their current occupations, while 23% are overeducated and 46% are undereducated. In addition, decent work is difficult to find for young people: almost three-fourth of employed youth are underemployed, with a higher proportion of poorly paid youth. About half of working youth in Cambodia are in the agriculture sector, but out of the 250 000 post-secondary graduates in 2014, only 3% are from technical and vocational fields like agriculture, science and engineering. For young people, agriculture equals hard labour and low income. Yet, the potential to develop profitable businesses along the agro-food value chain is real. Public investments are needed to improve rural infrastructure, and policies should support the training of farmers and rural youth in business development and marketing. Despite improvements in the health situation of youth, much remains to be done. The major challenges are sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues, which affect mostly adolescent and young girls. Teenage (15-19) pregnancy affects 12% of girls. Early marriage and early pregnancy affect negatively education and employment outcomes for young women. In rural areas, they are three times more likely to become teenage mothers than their urban peers. Youth participation in politics has been limited. A majority of youth, especially those living in rural areas and migrant workers, are excluded from the initiatives of political parties and NGOs. The rapid spread of social media, however, is changing the situation: youth are increasingly informed and engaged in civic and political activities. However, the lack of trust in communities, political agendas and the justice system act as a barrier to participation. Furthermore, youth are cautious about participating in political activities due to the legacy of the war.
IN an emotional vigil at the Grand Canal, Cappincur this evening, Ray Murphy played the banjo as his daughter Ashling's favourite song 'Sweet Sixteen' was sung.

Hundreds attended the candlelit vigil and joined in the rosary as Chinese lanterns were released into the darkened sky in memory of the murdered 23-year-old.

The vigil took place at Digby Bridge on the canal, very close to the crime scene where Ashling's life was taken on Wednesday afternoon.

Ray Murphy was joined by his bandmates from Best Foot Forward for a touching performance of the song and local priests Fr Patrick O'Byrne and Fr Declan Thompson led prayers for the grieving family.

Local woman Mary Daly decided that Cappincur should host its own vigil to show solidarity with the family and the GAA club quickly organised the event.

Ms Daly said she was delighted that Ray, his wife Kathleen and their two surviving children Cathal and Amy could see that the community supported them.

It was lovely. We feel honoured to have the family out here, we really do, in their hour of need, said Ms Daly.

Another local resident, Brendan Killeavy, a former Sinn Fein councillor, said everybody felt for the family because so many people have young children and sisters of their own.

It's a terrible tragedy for the area, such a nice area for people to come to walk, to run, to socialise together, to think that this could happen so close to home, said Mr Killeavy.

The reason people come to vigils is because that is all we can really do at times like this to show solidarity with the family. Ashling was such a young woman with her whole life ahead, and she had her life taken in such circumstances.

For the family to be here and see so many people it might be some comfort for them over the coming weeks and months and that will be much needed for them.
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann has paid tribute to the late Ashling Murphy as an unforgettable person who was one of the finest exponents of traditional music.

The traditional Irish music organisation, which promotes Irish culture around the world, issued a tribute in the wake of the young Offaly woman's violent death in Tullamore.

The teacher was a member of Ballyboy Comhaltas Branch in Co Offaly. She played fiddle and concertina. She was very active in traditional music circles in County Offaly participating in Fleadhanna Cheoil at County, Provincial and All Ireland competitions with great success.

"All of us in Comhaltas and the world of Irish traditional music are shocked at the untimely death of Ashling Murphy. She was an exceptionally talented young lady who made an unforgettable impression on all who had the good fortune to know her," it said.

Comhaltas said Ashling was selected for her outstanding musical prowess to do the 14 day Comhaltas Concert of Ireland in 2017 and the ten day Comhaltas Concert Tour of Britain in 2018. Members invited to be members of these Tour Groups have outstanding proven talent in their area of music, song and dance. Comhaltas said Ashling proved herself to be an outstanding team member with great leadership abilities.

Ashling was selected for her outstanding musical prowess to do the 14 day Comhaltas Concert of Ireland in 2017 and the 10 day Comhaltas Concert Tour of Britain in 2018 Members invited to be members of these Tour Groups have outstanding proven talent in their area of music, song and dance. Ashling proved herself to be an outstanding team member with great leadership abilities.

She was invited to join the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland in 2017 and continued to date. This Orchestra has performed at many national events including the visit of Pope Francis in 2018 of which Ashling was part. Ashling graduated from Mary Immaculate in May 2021 with B.Ed in Primary Education and had just started her primary teaching career in Durrow in September 2021 where she taught first class.

"Ashling was among the finest exponents of the concertina and fiddle and was also learning the uilleann pipes. She has featured in our Comhaltas Concert Tours and was also a valued member of the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland," said the statment.

Comhaltas said Ashling comes from a very musical family, her father Ray is a well known banjo player and her sister Amy is well known also playing concertina and button accordion. They say both Ashling and Amy taught music to many young students in the local Comhaltas Branch and these students went on to perform as solo artists and also in ceili bands and grupai cheoil with great success.

"We know that she and her family are at the heart of her local community. She was a much-loved school teacher and had so much to offer in so many ways," said the national movement. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"She exhibited great leadership qualities and was a fabulous mentor and role model to students both in her professional career as a teacher and her music teaching in the Offaly area.

"She always had such a bubbly, sunny disposition and always involved in her local community putting on music and choral performances," said Comhaltas.

The statement says the organisation is still coming to terms her loss.

"The brutal manner of her death  in the middle of the day  as she jogged by the banks of the peaceful canal in Tullamore has left us numbed and bewildered. The suffering of her family at the loss of such a young and beautiful person is beyond understanding.

"We share their grief with them and we will always remember Ashling as one who enriched our lives with her warm personality; uplifting musicmaking; compassionate, outgoing and generous friendship.

"Ashling, you will always be in our thoughts and prayers as we cherish the memories and friendship of your short but exceptional life. Ar dheis De go raibh do anam uasal ceolmhar.

"From all your musical colleagues and friends in Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann," concluded the organisation.
The Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said that every resource will be provided to officers investigating the murder of 23-year-old Ashling Murphy.

Gardai are continuing the hunt for the killer of the young teacher, who was found dead on Wednesday after going for a run on the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

This morning (January 14), Ms McEntee tweeted: Every resource will be provided to An Garda Siochana to find who murdered Ashling Murphy. It is vital that we all support the Gardai in their work.

She urged anyone with information to contact Gardai.

The murder of the 23-year-old primary school teacher in Tullamore on Wednesday afternoon has triggered widespread outpourings of grief and anger, with vigils planned in towns and cities across Ireland today (January 14) and over the coming days.

Every resource will be provided to An Garda Siochana to find who murdered Ashling Murphy. It is vital that we all support the Gardai in their work. Please anyone with any information, particularly on this Falcon Storm mountain bike, come forward to Gardai. pic.twitter.com/a9Mb0Ojdnp  Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) January 14, 2022

This morning, Gardai issued a renewed appeal for witnesses and asked anyone with information about a bicycle  a Falcon Storm mountain bike with straight handlebars and distinctive yellow/green front forks  to come forward.

Last night, officers released a man they had been questioning over the death of Ms Murphy, stating he is no longer a suspect.

The mans solicitor has since said that he has had his life ruined.

Donal Farrelly, who represented the man during his two days of questioning, condemned those who had tried to identify him on social media.

The family of Ms Murphy have described her as a special girl and a little angel.

On Thursday, Gardai promised to leave no stone unturned in bringing Ms Murphys killer to justice.

Ms Murphy, a teacher at Durrow National School in Tullamore, was killed while running along the banks of the Grand Canal.

Those who knew her described her as a gifted musician who was loved by her pupils.

In an interview with the Irish Independent newspaper, her father Raymond said: She was a great worker, with great drive. A marvellous musician.

She crammed so much into her short life.

Durrow N.S is utterly devastated by the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Ms. Ashling Murphy. Ashling was a very professional and talented young teacher. We are deeply saddened by her tragic loss. Our thoughts are also with her beloved family at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/7eNEs28h4R  Scoil Cholmcille (@DurrowNS) January 14, 2022

Her death has sparked fresh conversations about the safety of women in Ireland, with many questioning how such an attack could happen in broad daylight.
STANDING orders were suspended at the monthly meeting of Tullamore Municipal District to allow councillors to extend their sympathies to the family of Ashling Murphy who was murdered along the canal line last Wednesday January 12.

Councillor Danny Owens proposed that a book of condolence be set up to allow people to express their grief.

"We should do it as the depth of feeling out there, particularly within our own county, is incredible and people would like to have a methodology to express their personal thoughts," he said.

All of the councillors extended their sympathies to the Murphy family, Ashling's mother Kathleen, her father Ray, brother Cathal, sister Amy and the extended Murphy and Leonard family.

"She was taken from this world far too soon," said Cllr Owens. "No words can describe the impact that such a tragedy is having on the family and the wider community, not only in Offaly but countrywide. Many people both near and far have spoken today about the numbness felt since the news first broke. That a vibrant young woman setting out on her chosen path in life as a teacher with so much life to live was taken away in an instant. This is the most awful thing that could have happened. Life can be very cruel, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and may Ashling rest in peace," said Cllr Owens.

Seconding the motion for a Book of Condolence to be made available, Councillor Neil Feighery, said, "words seem wholly inadequate to convey the sense of deep shock and horror at the senseless death of Ashling Murphy. The manner in which Ashling was so cruelly taken from her family has numbed the parish of Killoughey, Tullamore, and the wider country. Ashling grew up in the Blueball, near myself and Cllr Owens. She comes from a wonderful family who are immersed in the community and sporting life. This awful crime has shaken us all to our core and forced us to question the things we all take for granted. A young woman out for a jog on the greenway on a bright sunny January afternoon, and to be taken this way is truly abhorrent, I know Ray and Kathleen were so proud of Ashling and all she had achieved musically and professionally."

Councillor Sean O'Brien said: "This tragedy has stunned us all, stunned the people of Tullamore and Offaly and throughout the country. We can see there are vigils to be held in Dublin, Galway, Longford and one in Banagher and everywhere, it's a real tragedy and it has touched people. I think we all have to stand up for women, they have a right to walk, run, cycle or do whatever they wish and I think we have seen too often violence against women in this country. We all have to look at ourselves and look at a change of culture and respect for women, particularly young women. It's something we have to keep in mind."

Councillor Ken Smollen said: "Speaking as the father of two daughters and a daughter the same age as Ashling, my niece has also recently graduated as a school teacher. No words can ever describe the devastation and awful anguish being felt by Ashling's parents, Ray, Kathleen, Cathal and Amy, family and friends and school children who absolutely adored her. Her colleagues and everyone. I just wish to be associated with the other councillors remarks and offer my deepest sympathies to Ashling's family. As Councillor O'Brien said we have to look after our women folk, it is for that reason I have a motion sent into Offaly County Council for the February county council meeting in relation to domestic violence."

Councillor Frank Moran said: "It's devastating news and the whole of Offaly, not just Tullamore but the whole of the country, is in deep shock. I would just like to be associated with the comments. May she rest in peace," he said.

Councillor Declan Harvey broke down as he spoke of Ashling and her tragic death.

"The canal line is such a place of recreation, peace and tranquility, now that it has been taken away from us by this cowardly act. I am horrified because women and men should be allowed to go and have a walk, cycle and run. There is a big headline on Facebook, She went out for a run and she didn't come home. It's wrong," he said.

Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Councillor Tony McCormack, said: "It's a shocking state of affairs to see a young woman who did everything right, had gone to work yesterday morning, looked after her students, on her way home decided to go for a run. If you were going to choose somewhere safe you would say make sure it's in a public area, make sure that it is well lit up, make sure that there were other people going along there, and she did all of this and still this happened. I am 52 years of age, something like this has never happened in Tullamore before. Tullamore was a safe place yesterday. I am hoping that people will feel safe here again in the very near future. The grand canal and greenway is a fantastic amenity and we all know how much it was used over the lockdown, especially during the period when you could only travel within 5k of your home. It's something that hopefully we can continue to use."

The Director of Services, Tom Shanahan, also expressed his sympathy to the Murphy family on behalf of the management and staff in Offaly County Council. He spoke of the sense of shock and the devastation the family must be feeling and the impact on their lives.

The expressions of sympathy was followed by a ten-minute break out of respect to Ashling and her family.

To add your name and message to the Book of Condolence for Ashling visit the Offaly County Council website or Facebook page.
A vigil is to be held this afternoon just metres from where school teacher, Ashling Murphy was murdered on Wednesday last

The vigil takes place at 4.30pm at Digby Bridge on the Grand Canal in Cappincur, just outside Tullamore

A vigil will also take place in Ashling's native Killoughey from 7pm to 8pm in Mountbolus GAA pitch. A vigil will also be held at Tullamore Town Park from 4pm on Thursday.

Organisers ask that people wear face masks, maintain social distancing and adhere to Government Covid restrictions.

People can also bring candles to the vigils if they wish.

Similar vigils will take place all over Ireland, north and south, and hundreds attended a vigil for Ashling in Galway held yesterday.

People in Tullamore are in shock at the brutal murder of the young teacher as she exercised on the canal towpath on Wednesday last in Cappincur, on the outskirts of the town.
Thousands of people packed into Tullamore town park on Friday evening for a sombre vigil of music, poetry and prayer in memory of 23-year-old school teacher Ashling Murphy who was brutally murdered on Wednesday afternoon last.

The outpouring of grief dramatically demonstrated how the entire community has been affected by the death of Ashling in a violent attack on the banks of the Grand Canal.

Such was the size of the crowd that the vigil, scheduled for 4pm, did not commence until 4.20pm. Proceedings were relayed to the vast crowd, scattered over the park in line with Covid restrictions, by a large screen.

Fittingly music dominated with Ashling's friends playing a host of her traditional favourites including Tabhair dom do lamh and a special composition in memory of Ashling by Attracta Brady entitled Don Chroi Naofa.

Clergy from all the Christian churches in Tullamore were also in attendance to lead the huge crowd in prayer for Ashling's family and friends and the entire community.

Fr Joe Gallagher, parish priest of Tullamore, after calling for a minute's silence, said people stood in solidarity with each other to share their feelings and to support Ashling's family.

He said that all over the country communities were united with women who fear and know the trauma of violence.

"We remember her heartbroken family, her colleagues in work, in music, in sport, in friendship and her young pupils in first class who loved their teacher.

"This is a time of grief beyond words. We need to be together. We need to support one another in this dark time.

"We stand together, united with groups all over our country, and indeed beyond, united with women who fear and know the trauma of violence. United in grief, in anger, in shock.

"In this dark evening we want to hold a light in our hands, to stand together in solidarity with one another to share our tears and deep grief. Time to pray, to reflect, to listen, to be together."

Poems specially composed for the vigil were recited by Sinead Cullen and Alan Murphy who said he understood what Ashling's family were going through due to his own experience of the death of his young son Jordan in a road accident.

Master of Ceremonies, Ronan Berry said the attendance was here as a community to grieve and to come together to try and make sense of what has occurred in our town and country.

We hope that this event brings some peace and solace to you all, he stressed.

Prayers of the faithful, the Our Father, St Francis' prayer for peace and a psalm from the Bible were also recited by representatives of the churches before the formalities concluded with a musical procession.

Many of those in the crowd held lighted candles which were brought to the stage at the end of proceedings while more candles were placed at different areas throughout the park.

Many stayed on after the vigil had concluded to reflect on the events of the past couple of days which have changed Irish society forever.
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Multilateralism sheds light on Asia-Pacific prospect in 2022

Xinhua) 13:33, January 14, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Coming into force at the beginning of the year, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade deal, set "multilateralism" as a key word for Asia-Pacific region in 2022.

This year China took over as the chair of BRICS and will host the 14th BRICS Summit, while the APEC Informal Leaders' Retreat, the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit, and meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will also be held in Asian countries throughout the year, providing solid multilateral platforms for global leaders to address economic and pandemic challenges facing the global community.

Meanwhile, the surging Omicron variant, humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and irresponsible political and military actions taken by the United States still cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of the region.

VICTORY FOR MULTILATERALISM

After eight years of negotiations, 15 Asia-Pacific countries, covering about 30 percent of the global population, gross domestic product and trade volume, in November 2020 signed the RCEP deal, which came into force on Jan. 1, 2022.

According to China's Ministry of Commerce, within the RCEP framework, over 90 percent of the import tariffs between participating countries would be phased out, bringing benefits to both enterprises and consumers.

The import and export of goods worth more than 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars annually between China and other RCEP members will thus be subject to preferential tariffs, it added.

The entry into force of the agreement is of great significance in promoting regional trade, reinforcing the industrial and supply chains and quickening global economic recovery from the pandemic.

"In addition to tariff reduction, the RCEP has also set a benchmark for economic and trade rules in the Asia-Pacific region," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin, hailing the rollout of the pact as "a major victory for multilateralism and free trade."

CHALLENGES REMAIN

Despite the rays of hope brought by the pact, the prospect for economic recovery in Asia-Pacific remains uncertain due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which has triggered another wave of pandemic in the region since late 2021. Countries are once again forced to impose strict control measures and boost vaccination drives. Hoping for the best while preparing for the worst, Asia-Pacific countries are walking a tightrope at the year's beginning.

In Afghanistan, humanitarian crisis is worsening, as the United Nations' World Food Program warned earlier that the country is facing "an avalanche of hunger and destitution."

If the crisis is not alleviated, Afghanistan may again fall into turmoil and chaos and turn into a hotbed of extremist and terrorist organizations, endangering regional security and stability.

The United States, who plunged Afghanistan into a dire situation following the two-decade war and imposed unilateral sanctions on the country after its hasty flight, should absolutely take the blame for aggravating the already miserable humanitarian crisis.

Apart from in Afghanistan, Washington, a longtime trouble maker in the region, has also been spreading lies and erecting obstacles in the Pacific by setting up exclusive blocs such as AUKUS and Quad, putting in peril regional peace and stability.

Facing economic and security risks, regional countries should uphold true multilateralism and stand in even stronger solidarity for cooperation, analysts said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
UW Trustees Approve Launch of School of Computing

UW Senior Research Scientist Ramesh Sivanpillai, center, works with students Nicholas Case and Sarah Weidler to review spectral reflection data taken of grass and trees, as collected by a hand-held spectrometer. Use of computing and new data science technologies to solve real-world problems across all disciplines is at the heart of UWs new School of Computing. (UW Photo)

The University of Wyomings commitment to raise its performance in computing and technology, both to improve students education and better serve the state and nation, has taken a major step forward with the creation of a new School of Computing.

UWs Board of Trustees voted today (Thursday) to authorize the launch of the new academic unit. Reporting to the provost, it initially will be housed in the College of Engineering and Applied Science to accelerate its development. Eventually, the School of Computing will become a separate unit similar to the School of Energy Resources and Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, with its own dean and interdisciplinary connections across the university.

Computings impact is found in virtually every discipline today, and new data science technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and blockchain are starting to transform every academic discipline, every industry and every aspect of modern society, UW President Ed Seidel says. Access to world-class infrastructure and workforce training in computing and data is critical for Wyoming citizens and for UWs students. The School of Computing will be the catalyst for the university to emerge as a leader in rural computing and data science, and to generate additional revenue streams and industry partnerships.

The school will begin operations immediately, including appointment of an interim director, hiring of initial staff members and advertising for faculty members. One-time funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act allocated by Gov. Mark Gordon will be used to accelerate the development of the school.

The primary purposes of the School of Computing curricular programs will be to provide more students with career pathways that utilize the power of computing and technology; provide new opportunities to increase the diversity among UW students using computing in their disciplines and careers; and establish a pipeline of tech-savvy graduates for Wyomings and the global economy, says Provost and Executive Vice President Kevin Carman. This will be a cross-university school with joint appointments possible with any UW department; will eventually have robust, multiple pathway degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; and will leverage partnerships with industry, national laboratories and units across UW.

Starting the School of Computing within the College of Engineering and Applied Science will minimize costs and the administrative burden, allowing resources to be focused primarily on student programs. During this incubation period, estimated to be about four years, the school will focus on identifying and offering needed courses and certificate programs; working with other UW units and Wyoming community colleges to develop a sequence of first-year and sophomore-level courses for students interested in majoring in computing-related programs; and partnering with UW departments to create minors in computing.

Plans call for bachelors degree programs in the School of Computing -- including 2-plus-2 agreements with the community colleges -- to launch in the 2024-25 academic year.

The plan for the School of Computing sets the stage for the betterment of academic development and opportunities for all students at the University of Wyoming, says Hunter Swilling, president of the Associated Students of UW, which passed a resolution in support of the plan. I really believe that this will help all of the students of UW by teaching us essential skills for the workforce.

At the end of its first five years, the School of Computing is expected to have -- in addition to a director, a business manager and an office manager -- 10-13 faculty members in computing, the majority of whom are envisioned to be jointly hired with other UW departments; five graduate assistants; 15 undergraduate scholars; and 10 faculty affiliates.

Ultimately, plans call for the school to have about 24 faculty members, with a dean, more graduate assistants and other support staff. This structure will support planned undergraduate and graduate degree programs in computing, along with collaborative research programs with public- and private-sector partners.

The schools pace of growth will depend, in large measure, on its ability to secure external funding, as well as on student demand.

All School of Computing faculty and research scientists will have significant expectations for securing external funding through grants and corporate partnerships, Seidel says. There will be excellent opportunities for investments from corporations and individuals, and fundraising to support School of Computing programs will be a priority of the administration and faculty.

Incubating the School of Computing in the College of Engineering and Applied Science will allow the new school to work closely with the soon-to-be-combined departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering, which are part of the engineering college. While UW will continue to offer degrees in those fields, the envisioned degree programs in the School of Computing will have a somewhat different focus -- looking at how computing applies to a broad range of disciplines, with less of an engineering emphasis.

The School of Computing will not be an engineering only entity -- it will help a wide variety of both technical and nontechnical students, faculty and staff, says Cameron Wright, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. But having it start in our college provides an excellent and supportive place for us to best see what works and what doesnt. This approach gives the School of Computing the best chance of flourishing and becoming a unit that contributes to the advancement of computing across colleges and disciplines.

The School of Computing will take a lead role in efforts to assure that all UW students graduate with digital literacy, regardless of their areas of study. A revision of the universitys general education curriculum, called the University Studies Program, is getting started just as the School of Computing launches.

Its important that all UW undergraduate students learn how digital and computational tools and approaches are increasingly part of their chosen disciplines and all aspects of life, Carman says. At a general level, students should be exposed to the variety of ways that digital tools can be used to accomplish computational tasks across all disciplines and gain introductory experience in using them.

The School of Computing will provide connections to and build on the variety of existing digital assets at UW, such as the Advanced Research Computing Center, the Data Science Center, the Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center, the Shell 3D Visualization Center, the Innovation Wyrkshop and UW Libraries. The new school also will complement UWs Tier-1 Engineering Initiative, Science Initiative and Trustees Education Initiative, as well as UWs relationship with the National Center for Atmospheric Research-Wyoming Supercomputing Center near Cheyenne.

I couldnt be more excited about what the School of Computing has the potential to do for UW, our community colleges in the Wyoming Innovation Partnership and the state as a whole, Seidel says. Building upon past investments and existing strengths, we can make a big statewide impact in economic and workforce development, education and research of importance to Wyoming in this digital age.
OK! Magazine 14 Jan 2022

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Christian identity and the role of parents and godparents was the core of Popes Francis message for the Mass celebrated on Sunday morning, 9 January, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Holy Father presided at Holy Mass in the Sistine Chapel, during which he administered the Sacrament of Baptism to 16 newborns, seven boys and nine girls. The following is a translation of the impromptu homily delivered by the Pope after the Gospel reading.

Today we commemorate the Baptism of the Lord. There is a beautiful liturgical hymn on todays feast day that says that the people of Israel went to the Jordan with bare feet and bare soul, that is, a soul that wished to be bathed by God, that had no wealth, that was in need of God. These babies too come here today with a bare soul, to receive the justification of God, the strength of Jesus, the strength to go forward in life. They come to receive the Christian identity. It is this, put simply. Your children will receive their Christian identity today. And you, parents and godparents, must safeguard this identity. This is your task throughout your lifetime: to protect the Christian identity of your children. It is a daily commitment: to make them grow with the light they will receive today. This is all I wanted to say to you, this is todays message: to protect the Christian identity you have brought your children to receive today.

This ceremony is a bit long, and babies feel strange in an unfamiliar environment. Please, they are the protagonists: make sure that they are not too hot, that they feel comfortable... And if they are hungry, you can easily nurse them here, in front of the Lord, there is no problem. And if they cry, let them cry, because they have a community spirit, lets say an orchestral spirit, an ensemble spirit, and all it takes is for one to start  because everyone is musical  and immediately the orchestra begins! Let them cry, let them feel free. But dont let them feel too hot, and if they are hungry, dont let them stay hungry.

And so, with this peace, we go on with the ceremony. And dont forget: they will receive the Christian identity and your task will be to safeguard this Christian identity. Thank you.
You shall be my witnesses is the Holy Fathers invitation to the faithful in his Message for the World Mission Day 2022, which will be celebrated on Sunday, 23 October. The following is the English text of the Popes Message which was released on Thursday, 6 January, Solemnity of Epiphany.

You shall be

my witnesses (Acts 1:8)

Dear brothers and sisters!

T

hese words were spoken by the Risen Jesus to his disciples just before his Ascension into heaven, as we learn from the Acts of the Apostles: You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (1:8). They are also the theme of the 2022 World Mission Day which, as always, reminds us that the Church is missionary by nature. This year World Mission Day offers us the opportunity to commemorate several important events in the Churchs life and mission: the fourth centenary of the founding of the Congregation de Propaganda Fide, now the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and the second centenary of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith. A hundred years ago, the latter, together with the Society of the Holy Childhood and the Society of Saint Peter the Apostle, was granted the title Pontifical.

Let us reflect on the three key phrases that synthesize the three foundations of the life and mission of every disciple: You shall be my witnesses, to the ends of the earth and you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

1. You shall be my witnesses  The call of every Christian to bear witness to Christ

This is the central point, the heart of Jesus teaching to the disciples, in view of their being sent forth into the world. The disciples are to be witnesses of Jesus, thanks to the grace of the Holy Spirit that they will receive. Wherever they go and in whatever place they find themselves. Christ was the first to be sent, as a missionary of the Father (cf. Jn 20:21), and as such, he is the Fathers faithful witness (cf. Rev 1:5). In a similar way, every Christian is called to be a missionary and witness to Christ. And the Church, the community of Christs disciples, has no other mission than that of bringing the Gospel to the entire world by bearing witness to Christ. To evangelize is the very identity of the Church.

A deeper look at the words, You shall be my witnesses, can clarify a few ever timely aspects of the mission Christ entrusted to the disciples. The plural form of the verb emphasizes the communitarian and ecclesial nature of the disciples missionary vocation. Each baptized person is called to mission, in the Church and by the mandate of the Church: consequently, mission is carried out together, not individually, in communion with the ecclesial community, and not on ones own initiative. Even in cases where an individual in some very particular situation carries out the evangelizing mission alone, he must always do so in communion with the Church which commissioned him. As Saint Paul VI taught in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, a document dear to my heart: Evangelization is for no one an individual and isolated act; it is one that is deeply ecclesial. When the most obscure preacher, catechist or pastor in the most distant land preaches the Gospel, gathers his little community together or administers a sacrament, even alone, he is carrying out an ecclesial act, and his action is certainly attached to the evangelizing activity of the whole Church by institutional relationships, but also by profound invisible links in the order of grace. This presupposes that he acts not in virtue of a mission which he attributes to himself or by a personal inspiration, but in union with the mission of the Church and in her name (No. 60). Indeed, it was no coincidence that the Lord Jesus sent his disciples out on mission in pairs; the witness of Christians to Christ is primarily communitarian in nature. Hence, in carrying out the mission, the presence of a community, regardless of its size, is of fundamental importance.

In addition, the disciples are urged to live their personal lives in a missionary key: they are sent by Jesus to the world not only to carry out, but also and above all to live the mission entrusted to them; not only to bear witness, but also and above all to be witnesses of Christ. In the moving words of the Apostle Paul, [we are] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies (2 Cor 4:10). The essence of the mission is to bear witness to Christ, that is, to his life, passion, death and resurrection for the love of the Father and of humanity. Not by chance did the apostles look for Judas replacement among those who, like themselves, had been witnesses of the Lords resurrection (cf. Acts 1:21). Christ, indeed Christ risen from the dead, is the One to whom we must testify and whose life we must share. Missionaries of Christ are not sent to communicate themselves, to exhibit their persuasive qualities and abilities or their managerial skills. Instead, theirs is the supreme honour of presenting Christ in words and deeds, proclaiming to everyone the Good News of his salvation, as the first apostles did, with joy and boldness.

In the final analysis, then, the true witness is the martyr, the one who gives his or her life for Christ, reciprocating the gift that he has made to us of himself. The primary reason for evangelizing is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him (Evangelii Gaudium, 264).

Finally, when it comes to Christian witness, the observation of Saint Paul VI remains ever valid: Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 41). For this reason, the testimony of an authentic Christian life is fundamental for the transmission of the faith. On the other hand, the task of proclaiming Christs person and the message is equally necessary. Indeed, Paul VI went on to say: Preaching, the verbal proclamation of a message, is indeed always indispensable The word remains ever relevant, especially when it is the bearer of the power of God. This is why Saint Pauls axiom, Faith comes from what is heard (Rom 10:17), also retains its relevance: it is the word that is heard which leads to belief (ibid., 42).

In evangelization, then, the example of a Christian life and the proclamation of Christ are inseparable. One is at the service of the other. They are the two lungs with which any community must breathe, if it is to be missionary. This kind of complete, consistent and joyful witness to Christ will surely be a force of attraction also for the growth of the Church in the third millennium. I exhort everyone to take up once again the courage, frankness and parrhesia of the first Christians, in order to bear witness to Christ in word and deed in every area of life.

2. To the ends of the earth  The perennial

relevance of a mission of universal evangelization

In telling the disciples to be his witnesses, the risen Lord also tells them where they are being sent: in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Here we clearly see the universal character of the disciples mission. We also see the centrifugal geographical expansion, as if in concentric circles, of the mission, beginning with Jerusalem, which Jewish tradition considered the centre of the world, to Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The disciples are sent not to proselytize, but to proclaim; the Christian does not proselytize. The Acts of the Apostles speak of this missionary expansion and provide a striking image of the Church going forth in fidelity to her call to bear witness to Christ the Lord and guided by divine providence in the concrete conditions of her life. Persecuted in Jerusalem and then spread throughout Judea and Samaria, the first Christians bore witness to Jesus everywhere (cf. Acts 8:1, 4).

Something similar still happens in our own day. Due to religious persecution and situations of war and violence, many Christians are forced to flee from their homelands to other countries. We are grateful to these brothers and sisters who do not remain locked in their own suffering but bear witness to Christ and to the love of God in the countries that accept them. Hence, Saint Paul VI encouraged them to recognize the responsibility incumbent on immigrants in the country that receives them (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 21). More and more, we are seeing how the presence of faithful of various nationalities enriches the face of parishes and makes them more universal, more Catholic. Consequently, the pastoral care of migrants should be valued as an important missionary activity that can also help the local faithful to rediscover the joy of the Christian faith they have received.

The words to the ends of the earth should challenge the disciples of Jesus in every age and impel them to press beyond familiar places in bearing witness to him. For all the benefits of modern travel, there are still geographical areas in which missionary witnesses of Christ have not arrived to bring the Good News of his love. Then too no human reality is foreign to the concern of the disciples of Jesus in their mission. Christs Church will continue to go forth towards new geographical, social and existential horizons, towards borderline places and human situations, in order to bear witness to Christ and his love to men and women of every people, culture and social status. In this sense, the mission will always be a missio ad gentes, as the Second Vatican Council taught. The Church must constantly keep pressing forward, beyond her own confines, in order to testify to all the love of Christ. Here I would like to remember and express my gratitude for all those many missionaries who gave their lives in order to press on in incarnating Christs love towards all the brothers and sisters whom they met.

3. You will receive power from the Holy

Spirit  Let us always be strengthened and

guided by the Spirit.

When the risen Christ commissioned the disciples to be his witnesses, he also promised them the grace needed for this great responsibility: You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses (Acts 1:8). According to the account in Acts, it was precisely following the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples that the first act of witnessing to the crucified and risen Christ took place. That kerygmatic proclamation  Saint Peters missionary address to the inhabitants of Jerusalem  inaugurated an era in which the disciples of Jesus evangelized the world. Whereas they had previously been weak, fearful and closed in on themselves, the Holy Spirit gave them the strength, courage and wisdom to bear witness to Christ before all.

Just as no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3), so no Christian is able to bear full and genuine witness to Christ the Lord without the Spirits inspiration and assistance. All Christs missionary disciples are called to recognize the essential importance of the Spirits work, to dwell in his presence daily and to receive his unfailing strength and guidance. Indeed, it is precisely when we feel tired, unmotivated or confused that we should remember to have recourse to the Holy Spirit in prayer. Let me emphasize once again that prayer plays a fundamental role in the missionary life, for it allows us to be refreshed and strengthened by the Spirit as the inexhaustible divine source of renewed energy and joy in sharing Christs life with others. Receiving the joy of the Spirit is a grace. Moreover, it is the only force that enables us to preach the Gospel and to confess our faith in the Lord (Message to the Pontifical Mission Societies, 21 May 2020). The Spirit, then, is the true protagonist of mission. It is he who gives us the right word, at the right time, and in the right way.

In light of this action of the Holy Spirit, we also want to consider the missionary anniversaries to be celebrated in 2022. The establishment of the Sacred Congregation De Propaganda Fide in 1622 was motivated by the desire to promote the missionary mandate in new territories. A providential insight! The Congregation proved to be crucial for setting the Churchs evangelizing mission truly free from interference by worldly powers, in order to establish those local Churches which today display such great vigour. It is our hope that, as in its past four centuries, the Congregation, with the light and strength of the Spirit, will continue and intensify its work of coordinating, organizing and promoting the Churchs missionary activities.

The same Spirit who guides the universal Church also inspires ordinary men and women for extraordinary missions. Thus it was that a young French woman, Pauline Jaricot, founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith exactly two hundred years ago. Her beatification will be celebrated in this jubilee year. Albeit in poor health, she accepted Gods inspiration to establish a network of prayer and collection for missionaries, so that the faithful could actively participate in the mission to the ends of the earth. This brilliant idea gave rise to the annual celebration of World Mission Day, in which the funds collected in local communities are applied to the universal fund with which the Pope supports missionary activity.

In this regard, I think too of the French Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson, who established the Association of the Holy Childhood to promote the mission among children, with the motto Children evangelize children, children pray for children, children help children the world over. I also think of Jeanne Bigard, who inaugurated the Society of Saint Peter the Apostle for the support of seminarians and priests in mission lands. Those three Mission Societies were recognized as Pontifical exactly a hundred years ago. It was also under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit that Blessed Paolo Manna, born 150 years ago, founded the present-day Pontifical Missionary Union, to raise awareness and encourage missionary spirit among priests, men and women religious and the whole people of God. Saint Paul VI himself was part of this latter Society, and gave it papal recognition. I mention these four Pontifical Mission Societies for their great historical merits, but also to encourage you to rejoice with them, in this special year, for the activities they carry out in support of the mission of evangelization in the Church, both universal and local. It is my hope that the local Churches will find in these Societies a sure means for fostering the missionary spirit among the People of God.

Dear brothers and sisters, I continue to dream of a completely missionary Church, and a new era of missionary activity among Christian communities. I repeat Moses great desire for the people of God on their journey: Would that all the Lords people were prophets! (Num 11:29). Indeed, would that all of us in the Church were what we already are by virtue of baptism: prophets, witnesses, missionaries of the Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the ends of the earth! Mary, Queen of the Missions, pray for us!

Rome, Saint John Lateran, 6 January 2022, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Francis
Vaccination is a moral obligation for the common good, and a political commitment is needed to pursue the good of the general population, Pope Francis said in his traditional beginning of the year address to members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, whom he received in audience on Monday morning, 10 January. A comprehensive commitment on the part of the international community is necessary so that the entire world population can have equal access to essential medical care and vaccines, he underscored. The following is the English text of the Pontiffs address which he delivered in the Hall of Benedictions.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Yesterday concluded the liturgical season of Christmas, a privileged period for cultivating family relationships, from which we can at times be distracted and distant due to our many commitments during the year. Today we want to continue in that spirit, as we once more come together as a large family which discusses and dialogues. In the end, that is the aim of all diplomacy: to help resolve disagreements arising from human coexistence, to foster harmony and to realize that, once we pass beyond conflict, we can recover a sense of the profound unity of all reality.1

I am therefore particularly grateful to you for taking part today in our annual family gathering, a propitious occasion for exchanging good wishes for the New Year and for considering together the lights and shadows of our time. I especially thank the Dean, His Excellency Mr George Poulides, the Ambassador of Cyprus, for his gracious address to me in the name of the entire Diplomatic Corps. Through all of you, I extend my affectionate greetings to the peoples you represent.

Your presence is always a tangible sign of the attention your countries devote to the Holy See and its role in the international community. Many of you have come from other capital cities for todays event, thus joining the numerous Ambassadors residing in Rome, who will soon be joined by the Swiss Confederation.

Dear Ambassadors,

In these days, we are conscious that the fight against the pandemic still calls for a significant effort on the part of everyone; certainly, the New Year will continue to be demanding in this regard. The coronavirus continues to cause social isolation and to take lives. Among those who have died, I would like to mention the late Archbishop Aldo Giordano, an Apostolic Nuncio who was well-known and respected in the diplomatic community. At the same time, we have realized that in those places where an effective vaccination campaign has taken place, the risk of severe repercussions of the disease has decreased.

It is therefore important to continue the effort to immunize the general population as much as possible. This calls for a manifold commitment on the personal, political and international levels. First, on the personal level. Each of us has a responsibility to care for ourself and our health, and this translates into respect for the health of those around us. Health care is a moral obligation. Sadly, we are finding increasingly that we live in a world of strong ideological divides. Frequently people let themselves be influenced by the ideology of the moment, often bolstered by baseless information or poorly documented facts. Every ideological statement severs the bond of human reason with the objective reality of things. The pandemic, on the other hand, urges us to adopt a sort of reality therapy that makes us confront the problem head on and adopt suitable remedies to resolve it. Vaccines are not a magical means of healing, yet surely they represent, in addition to other treatments that need to be developed, the most reasonable solution for the prevention of the disease.

A political commitment is thus needed to pursue the good of the general population through measures of prevention and immunization that also engage citizens so that they can feel involved and responsible, thanks to a clear discussion of the problems and the appropriate means of addressing them. The lack of resolute decision-making and clear communication generates confusion, creates mistrust and undermines social cohesion, fueling new tensions. The result is a social relativism detrimental to harmony and unity.

In the end, a comprehensive commitment on the part of the international community is necessary, so that the entire world population can have equal access to essential medical care and vaccines. We can only note with regret that, for large areas of the world, universal access to health care remains an illusion. At this grave moment in the life of humanity, I reiterate my appeal that governments and concerned private entities demonstrate a sense of responsibility, developing a coordinated response at every level (local, national, regional, global), through new models of solidarity and tools to strengthen the capabilities of those countries in greatest need. In particular, I would urge all states, who are working to establish an international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response under the aegis of the World Health Organization, to adopt a policy of generous sharing as a key principle to guarantee everyone access to diagnostic tools, vaccines and drugs. Likewise, it is appropriate that institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization adapt their legal instruments lest monopolistic rules constitute further obstacles to production and to an organized and consistent access to healthcare on a global level.

Dear Ambassadors,

Last year, thanks also to the lessening of the restrictions put in place in 2020, I had the occasion to receive many Heads of State and Governments, as well as various civil and religious authorities.

Among those many meetings, I would like to mention that of 1 July 2021, devoted to reflection and prayer for Lebanon. To the beloved Lebanese people, who are working to find a solution to the economic and political crisis that has gripped the nation, I wish today to renew my closeness and my prayers. At the same time, I trust that necessary reforms and the support of the international community will help the country to persevere in its proper identity as a model of peaceful coexistence and brotherhood among the different religions.

In the course of 2021, I was also able to resume my Apostolic Journeys. In March, I had the joy of travelling to Iraq. Providence willed this, as a sign of hope after years of war and terrorism. The Iraqi people have the right to regain their dignity and to live in peace. Their religious and cultural roots go back thousands of years: Mesopotamia is a cradle of civilization; it is from there that God called Abraham to inaugurate the history of salvation.

In September, I travelled to Budapest for the conclusion of the International Eucharistic Congress, and thereafter to Slovakia. It was an opportunity for me to meet with the Catholic faithful and Christians of other confessions, and to dialogue with the Jewish community. I likewise travelled to Cyprus and Greece, a Journey that remains vivid in my memory. That visit allowed me to deepen ties with our Orthodox brothers and to experience the fraternity existing between the various Christian confessions.

A very moving part of that Journey was my visit to the island of Lesbos, where I was able to see at first hand the generosity of all those working to provide hospitality and assistance to migrants, but above all, to see the faces of the many children and adults who are guests of these centres of hospitality. Their eyes spoke of the effort of their journey, their fear of an uncertain future, their sorrow for the loved ones they left behind and their nostalgia for the homeland they were forced to depart. Before those faces, we cannot be indifferent or hide behind walls and barbed wires under the pretext of defending security or a style of life. This we cannot do.

Consequently, I thank all those individuals and governments working to ensure that migrants are welcomed and protected, and to support their human promotion and integration in the countries that have received them. I am aware of the difficulties that some states encounter in the face of a large influx of people. No one can be asked to do what is impossible for them, yet there is a clear difference between accepting, albeit in a limited way, and rejecting completely.

There is a need to overcome indifference and to reject the idea that migrants are a problem for others. The results of this approach are evident in the dehumanization of those migrants concentrated in hotspots where they end up as easy prey to organized crime and human traffickers, or engage in desperate attempts to escape that at times end in death. Sadly, we must also note that migrants are themselves often turned into a weapon of political blackmail, becoming a sort of bargaining commodity that deprives them of their dignity.

Here I would like to renew my gratitude to the Italian authorities, thanks to whom several persons were able to come with me to Rome from Cyprus and Greece. This was a simple yet meaningful gesture. To the Italian people, who suffered greatly at the beginning of the pandemic, but who have also shown encouraging signs of recovery, I express my heartfelt hope that they will always maintain their characteristic spirit of generosity, openness and solidarity.

At the same time, I consider it essential that the European Union arrive at internal cohesion in handling migration movements, just as it did in dealing with the effects of the pandemic. There is a need to adopt a coherent and comprehensive system for coordinating policies on migration and asylum, with a view to sharing responsibility for the reception of migrants, the review of requests for asylum, and the redistribution and integration of those who can be accepted. The capacity to negotiate and discover shared solutions is one of the strong points of the European Union; it represents a sound model for a farsighted approach to the global challenges before us.

Nonetheless, the migration issue does not regard Europe alone, even though it is especially affected by waves of migrants coming from Africa and from Asia. In recent years, we have witnessed, among others, an exodus of Syrian refugees and, more recently, the many people who have fled Afghanistan. Nor can we overlook the massive migration movements on the American continent, which press upon the border between Mexico and the United States of America. Many of those migrants are Haitians fleeing the tragedies that have struck their country in recent years.

The issue of migration, together with the pandemic and climate change, has clearly demonstrated that we cannot be saved alone and by ourselves: the great challenges of our time are all global. It is thus troubling that, alongside the greater interconnection of problems, we are seeing a growing fragmentation of solutions. It is not uncommon to encounter unwillingness to open windows of dialogue and spaces of fraternity; this only fuels further tensions and divisions, as well as a generalized feeling of uncertainty and instability. What is needed instead is a recovery of our sense of shared identity as a single human family. The alternative can only be growing isolation, marked by a reciprocal rejection and refusal that further endangers multilateralism, the diplomatic style that has characterized international relations from the end of the Second World War to the present time.

For some time now, multilateral diplomacy has been experiencing a crisis of trust, due to the reduced credibility of social, governmental and intergovernmental systems. Important resolutions, declarations and decisions are frequently made without a genuine process of negotiation in which all countries have a say. This imbalance, now dramatically evident, has generated disaffection towards international agencies on the part of many states; it also weakens the multilateral system as a whole, with the result that it becomes less and less effective in confronting global challenges.

The diminished effectiveness of many international organizations is also due to their members entertaining differing visions of the ends they wish to pursue. Not infrequently, the centre of interest has shifted to matters that by their divisive nature do not strictly belong to the aims of the organization. As a result, agendas are increasingly dictated by a mindset that rejects the natural foundations of humanity and the cultural roots that constitute the identity of many peoples. As I have stated on other occasions, I consider this a form of ideological colonization, one that leaves no room for freedom of expression and is now taking the form of the cancel culture invading many circles and public institutions. Under the guise of defending diversity, it ends up cancelling all sense of identity, with the risk of silencing positions that defend a respectful and balanced understanding of various sensibilities. A kind of dangerous one-track thinking [pensee unique] is taking shape, one constrained to deny history or, worse yet, to rewrite it in terms of present-day categories, whereas any historical situation must be interpreted in the light of a hermeneutics of that particular time, not that of today.

Multilateral diplomacy is thus called to be truly inclusive, not canceling but cherishing the differences and sensibilities that have historically marked various peoples. In this way, it will regain credibility and effectiveness in facing the challenges to come, which will require humanity to join together as one great family that, starting from different viewpoints, should prove capable of finding common solutions for the good of all. This calls for reciprocal trust and willingness to dialogue; it entails listening to one another, sharing different views, coming to agreement and walking together.2 Indeed, dialogue is the best way to realize what ought always to be affirmed and respected apart from any ephemeral consensus.3 Nor should we overlook the existence of certain enduring values.4 Those are not always easy to discern, but their acceptance makes for a robust and solid social ethics. Once those fundamental values are adopted through dialogue and consensus, we realize that they rise above consensus.5 Here I wish to mention in particular the right to life, from conception to its natural end, and the right to religious freedom.

In this regard, in recent years we have seen a growing collective awareness of the urgent need to care for our common home, which is suffering from the constant and indiscriminate exploitation of its resources. Here I think especially of the Philippines, struck in these last weeks by a devastating typhoon, and of other nations in the Pacific, made vulnerable by the negative effects of climate change, which endanger the lives of their inhabitants, most of whom are dependent on agriculture, fishing and natural resources.

Precisely this realization should impel the international community as a whole to discover and implement common solutions. None may consider themselves exempt from this effort, since all of us are involved and affected in equal measure. At the recent COP26 in Glasgow, several steps were made in the right direction, even though they were rather weak in light of the gravity of the problem to be faced. The road to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement is complex and appears to be long, while the time at our disposal is shorter and shorter. Much still remains to be done, and so 2022 will be another fundamental year for verifying to what extent and in what ways the decisions taken in Glasgow can and should be further consolidated in view of COP27, planned for Egypt next November.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!

Dialogue and fraternity are two essential focal points in our efforts to overcome the crisis of the present moment. Yet despite numerous efforts aimed at constructive dialogue between nations, the deafening noise of war and conflict is intensifying.6 The entire international community must address the urgent need to find solutions to endless conflicts that at times appear as true proxy wars.

I think first of Syria, where the countrys rebirth does not yet clearly appear on the horizon. Even today, the Syrian people mourn their dead and the loss of everything, and continue to hope for a better future. Political and constitutional reforms are required for the country to be reborn, but the imposition of sanctions should not strike directly at everyday life, in order to provide a glimmer of hope to the general populace, increasingly caught in the grip of poverty.

Nor can we overlook the conflict in Yemen, a human tragedy that has gone on for years, silently, far from the spotlight of the media and with a certain indifference on the part of the international community, even as it continues to claim numerous civil victims, particularly women and children.

In the past year, no steps forward were made in the peace process between Israel and Palestine. I would truly like to see these two peoples rebuild mutual trust and resume speaking directly to each other, in order to reach the point where they can live in two states, side by side, in peace and security, without hatred and resentment, but the healing born of mutual forgiveness.

Other sources of concern are the institutional tensions in Libya, the episodes of violence by international terrorism in the Sahel region, and the internal conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia, where there is need to find once again the path of reconciliation and peace through a forthright encounter that places the needs of the people above all else.7

Profound situations of inequality and injustice, endemic corruption and various forms of poverty that offend the dignity of persons also continue to fuel social conflicts on the American continent, where growing polarization is not helping to resolve the real and pressing problems of its people, especially those who are most poor and vulnerable.

Reciprocal trust and readiness to engage in calm discussion should also inspire all parties at stake, so that acceptable and lasting solutions can be found in Ukraine and in the southern Caucasus, and the outbreak of new crises can be avoided in the Balkans, primarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dialogue and fraternity are all the more urgently needed for dealing wisely and effectively with the crisis which for almost a year now has affected Myanmar; its streets, once places of encounter, are now the scene of fighting that does not spare even houses of prayer.

Naturally, these conflicts are exacerbated by the abundance of weapons on hand and the unscrupulousness of those who make every effort to supply them. At times, we deceive ourselves into thinking that these weapons serve to dissuade potential aggressors. History and, sadly, even daily news reports, make it clear that this is not the case. Those who possess weapons will eventually use them, since as Saint Paul VI observed, a person cannot love with offensive weapons in his hands.8 Furthermore, When we yield to the logic of arms and distance ourselves from the practice of dialogue, we forget to our detriment that, even before causing victims and ruination, weapons can create nightmares.9 Today these concerns have become even more real, if we consider the availability and employment of autonomous weapon systems that can have terrible and unforeseen consequences, and should be subject to the responsibility of the international community.

Among the weapons humanity has produced, nuclear arms are of particular concern. At the end of December last, the Tenth Review Conference of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which was to meet in New York in these days, was once again postponed due to the pandemic. A world free of nuclear arms is possible and necessary. I therefore express my hope that the international community will view that Conference as an opportunity to take a significant step in this direction. The Holy See continues steadfastly to maintain that in the twenty-first century nuclear arms are an inadequate and inappropriate means of responding to security threats, and that possession of them is immoral. Their production diverts resources from integral human development and their employment not only has catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences, but also threatens the very existence of humanity.

The Holy See likewise considers it important that the resumption of negotiations in Vienna on the nuclear accord with Iran (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) achieve positive results, in order to guarantee a more secure and fraternal world.

Dear Ambassadors!

In my Message for the World Day of Peace celebrated on 1 January last, I sought to highlight several factors that I consider essential for promoting a culture of dialogue and fraternity.

Education holds a special place, since it trains the younger generation, the future and hope of the world. Education is in fact the primary vehicle of integral human development, for it makes individuals free and responsible.10 The educational process is slow and laborious, and can lead at times to discouragement, but we can never abandon it. It is an outstanding expression of dialogue, for no true education can lack a dialogical structure. Education likewise gives rise to culture and builds bridges of encounter between peoples. The Holy See wished to stress the importance of education also by its participation in Expo 2021 in Dubai, with a pavilion inspired by the theme of the Expo: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

The Catholic Church has always recognized and valued the role of education in the spiritual, moral and social growth of the young. It pains me, then, to acknowledge that in different educational settings  parishes and schools  the abuse of minors has occurred, resulting in serious psychological and spiritual consequences for those who experienced them. These are crimes, and they call for a firm resolve to investigate them fully, examining each case to ascertain responsibility, to ensure justice to the victims and to prevent similar atrocities from taking place in the future.

Despite the gravity of such acts, no society can ever abdicate its responsibility for education. Yet, regrettably, state budgets often allocate few resources for education, which tends to be viewed as an expense, instead of the best possible investment for the future.

The pandemic prevented many young people from attending school, to the detriment of their personal and social development. Modern technology enabled many young people to take refuge in virtual realities that create strong psychological and emotional links but isolate them from others and the world around them, radically modifying social relationships. In making this point, I in no way intend to deny the usefulness of technology and its products, which make it possible for us to connect with one another easily and quickly, but I do appeal urgently that we be watchful lest these instruments substitute for true human relationships at the interpersonal, familial, social and international levels. If we learn to isolate ourselves at an early age, it will later prove more difficult to build bridges of fraternity and peace. In a world where there is just me, it is difficult to make room for us.

The second thing that I would like to mention briefly is labour, an indispensable factor in building and keeping peace. Labour is an expression of ourselves and our gifts, but also of our commitment, self-investment and cooperation with others, since we always work with or for someone else. Seen in this clearly social perspective, the workplace enables us to learn to make our contribution towards a more habitable and beautiful world.11

We have seen that the pandemic has sorely tested the global economy, with serious repercussions on those families and workers who experienced situations of psychological distress even before the onset of the economic troubles. This has further highlighted persistent inequalities in various social and economic sectors. Here we can include access to clean water, food, education and medical care. The number of people falling under the category of extreme poverty has shown a marked increase. In addition, the health crisis forced many workers to change professions, and in some cases forced them to enter the underground economy, causing them to lose the social protections provided for in many countries.

In this context, we see even more clearly the importance of labour, since economic development cannot exist without it, nor can it be thought that modern technology can replace the surplus value of human labour. Human labour provides an opportunity for the discovery of our personal dignity, for encounter with others and for human growth; it is a privileged means whereby each person participates actively in the common good and offers a concrete contribution to peace. Here too, greater cooperation is needed among all actors on the local, national, regional and global levels, especially in the short term, given the challenges posed by the desired ecological conversion. The coming years will be a time of opportunity for developing new services and enterprises, adapting existing ones, increasing access to dignified work and devising new means of ensuring respect for human rights and adequate levels of remuneration and social protection.

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God has plans for [our] welfare and not for evil, to give [us] a future and a hope (29:11). We should be unafraid, then, to make room for peace in our lives by cultivating dialogue and fraternity among one another. The gift of peace is contagious; it radiates from the hearts of those who long for it and aspire to share it, and spreads throughout the whole world. To each of you, your families and the peoples you represent, I renew my blessing and offer my heartfelt good wishes for a year of serenity and peace.

Thank you!

1 Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (24 November 2013), 226-230.

2 Message for the 2022 World Day of Peace (8 December 2021), 2.

3 Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti (3 October 2020), 211.

4 Ibid.

5 Ibid.

6 Message for the 2022 World Day of Peace, 1.

7 Urbi et Orbi Message, 25 December 2021.

8 Address to the United Nations (4 October 1965), 5.

9 Meeting for Peace, Hiroshima, 24 November 2019.

10 Cf. Message for the 2022 World Day of Peace, 3.

11 Message for the 2022 World Day of Peace, 4.
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.
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Excitement is brewing at the Mid-Michigan Childrens Museum in Saginaw as a beloved gallery is set to re-open next week.

The gallery, called Aunt Sugars Farm & Uncle Pickles Barn, is a place where kids can play while learning the story of agriculture in the Great Lakes Bay Region. It was closed due to upgrades being made, according to Mid-Michigan Children's Museum.

The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for the reimagined Aunt Sugars Farm & Uncle Pickles Barn, slated from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21 at the museum, 315 W. Genesee Ave. in Saginaw.

Photo provided/Michigan Sugar Company

The gallery was established when the museum opened in 2008 through gifts from Michigan Sugar Co. and Hausbeck Pickles & Peppers. The centerpiece of the upgrades is a loft constructed inside the barn where children can play and access a spiraling slide coming out of the barn. Additionally, there is a new conveyor system and chute children may use to move foam sugarbeets and pickles from the field to the market, according to the release.

Photo provided/Michigan Sugar Company

Photo provided/Michigan Sugar Company

"The entire upgrade is designed to help better tell the story of agriculture, specifically how crops like sugarbeets and pickles get from the farm field to your table," Rob Clark, director of communications and community relations at Michigan Sugar Co., said in a news release. "We wanted to create a space that has some layers and new spaces for kids to play and explore. Plus, a slide is just fun for kids."

Mid-Michigan Childrens Museum officials worked with ZENTX Media Group of Freeland to complete the upgrades, according to the release.

The changes to the barn come on the heels of another significant addition to the gallery  a mural painted on the wall behind the barn that helps tell the story of agriculture in Michigan and the Great Lakes Bay Region.

The mural, painted by Grand Rapids artist Michael Pfleghaar, features fields of crops typically found in Michigan, including sugarbeets, pickles, corn, soybeans, wheat, potatoes, hay, pumpkins and apples, as well as a farm with livestock and horses.

Here is a look at artist Michael Pfleghaars mural at the Mid-Michigan Childrens Museum. Pfleghaar painted the mural in April 2021.

Photo provided/Michigan Sugar Company

Lori Hausbeck, executive projects manager at Hausbeck Pickles & Peppers, said she envisions families interacting with the mural in fun ways.

"I can see parents and their children playing little eye-spy and counting games for sure," she said in the release. "There are endless possibilities and whats really great is that all of this interaction will not only be fun for kids, but it will be educational."

Mid-Michigan Childrens Museum President Ann Doyle said she could not be happier with how the upgraded gallery has come together.

"We are so excited to cut the ribbon and re-open Aunt Sugars Farm and Uncle Pickles Barn, and we know area families are equally looking forward to exploring the new space," Doyle said in the release. "Weve had many visitors over the past month asking when the exhibit would be opened because they want to come just for that. We know it is going to be a very popular space."

Doyle said the project wouldnt have been possible without the significant gifts made by the contributors.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Collin Periatt.

Wednesday, Jan 12:

9:53 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Hope Township residence to locate a 14-year-old juvenile runaway and attempt a juvenile pickup order. Deputies located the juvenile, and he was taken into custody. The juvenile was transported to the juvenile care center without incident.

9:06 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Jerome Township location for a report of an assault that occurred earlier in the day. The deputy made contact with a 15 year Jerome Township male who advised he was assaulted by another 15 year old. A report was sent to the Midland Prosecutors Office for review.

6:47 p.m.  Officers responded to a vehicle crash involving property damage near East Wackerly Street and Elliot Court.

11:46 a.m.  Officers responded to a hit-and-run property damage call on Swede Avenue.

10:29 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to an Edenville twp. residence reference possible threats being made by a neighbor. Deputies spoke to the caller, a 64-year-old Midland woman, who advised there is an ongoing property line dispute. After speaking to the neighbor, a 61-year-old Edenville Twp. woman, it was clarified that no threat was made.

8:20 a.m.  Officers investigated a report of larceny on James Savage Road.

7:24 a.m.  A 56-year-old Cadillac woman hit a piece of debris in the roadway from a previous crash. The only damage to the vehicle was the front left tire.

Tuesday, Jan 11:

9:35 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to meet with a Breckenridge Police Officer to pick up a subject with a warrant out of Midland County. A 36-year-old Jasper Township male was arrested by Breckenridge Police Department on the warrant. The deputy transported the inmate to the Midland County Jail without incident.

4:22 p.m.  Officers responded to a hit-and-run property damage call near West Buttles and Jerome.

3:53 p.m.  Officers responded to a vehicle crash involving property damage near Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road.

1:24 p.m.  A 55-year-old Lee Twp male was cited for driving without a valid license following a traffic stop for a license plate violation in the City of Midland.

12:52 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Larkin Township residential building site regarding a larceny of a catalytic converter. The deputy spoke with the 62-year-old business owner, who stated that a converter was taken off one of his work trucks. The converter is valued at $500. No suspects have been identified.

10:37 a.m.  An animal control deputy was requested to assist the Midland Police Department in catching a loose dog in the city. MPD officers were able to secure the dog prior to the deputy arriving on the scene.

9:47 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Twp. residence at the request of the Midland Police Department to attempt to locate a 23-year-old Midland female who was believed to be potentially suicidal. Deputies spoke to a 28-year-old female who stated the 23-year-old was not at the residence. MPD later located the 23-year-old in the City of Midland.

8:43 a.m.  Deputies and Midland Police Department officers executed a high-risk search warrant in the City of Midland.

Monday, Jan 10:

9:57 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Jerome Township residence and made contact with a 52-year-old Jerome Township woman. The woman advised she had been fighting with her husband, a 62- year-old Jerome Township man. The woman was staying at a neighbor's residence, and her husband kept bothering her by coming to the neighbor's residence and knocking on the door. The woman wanted her husband to be talked to and told to leave her alone. The woman was advised of the personal protection order process.

7:13 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to a Larkin Township residence to assist a 54-year-old woman who suspected her 15-year-old son of using drugs. The deputy spoke with the juvenile and provided drug addiction/counseling resources to the mother.

5:11 p.m.  A deputy spoke with a 27-year-old Lee Township man via telephone after he got into a verbal argument over the phone with his ex-wife's 45-year-old Midland boyfriend. He stated that the argument was regarding the children that he and his ex-wife have together. The 27-year-old wanted to report the incident in case the arguing escalates in the future.

4:17 p.m.  Officers responded to a case of a domestic verbal disturbance on Abbott Road.

3:41 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a possible overdose at an Edenville Twp. residence. Deputies made contact with EMS, which stated a 41-year-old Edenville Twp. woman was being transported to Midland ER for stomach pain after consuming mouthwash in an attempt to become intoxicated.

1:50 p.m.  A deputy was dispatched to the area of South Schreiber Road near East Gordonville Road for the report of a one-vehicle traffic crash.

11:13 a.m.  Deputies responded to a civil dispute at an Ingersoll Twp. residence. Deputies spoke to the 25-year-old Ingersoll Twp. caller, who stated that her 62-year-old mother was refusing to give up the keys to her vehicle. The 62-year-old said the vehicle was purchased using her money. She was advised that it would have to be handled via civil court. The 62-year-old ultimately gave the keys back to the 25-year-old without incident.

10:23 a.m.  An animal control deputy received a complaint regarding a dog bite that occurred in the City of Coleman. Deputy arranged for rabies testing after a man was bitten while trying to provide care to a dog that had been struck by a car.

5:11 a.m.  Officers responded to a property damage vehicle crash near Waldo Avenue and East Patrick Road.

3:12 a.m.  Officers responded to a domestic violence and conditional bond violation call on Bay City Road.

2:55 a.m.  Deputies conducted a traffic stop at a Jerome Township location. Deputies made contact with the 32-year-old male driver. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the male didn't have a valid driver's license. The male was issued a citation. A report is being sent to the Midland County Prosecutor's Office.

1:48 a.m.  Officers responded to an assault call on Cinema Boulevard.

1:24 a.m.  A deputy conducted a traffic stop in the City of Midland. A 23-year-old Saginaw man stopped his car and then pulled away before stopping a short distance later. The man had an expired license. Controlled substances were located during a search of the vehicle. A report will be sent to the Midland County Prosecutor's Office for review.

12:16 a.m.  Deputies responded to a Midland Township residence regarding a 45-year-old Midland Township woman requesting help with her 17-year-old daughter. The mother believed her daughter needed to go to the ER to speak with a doctor regarding her mental well-being. A deputy provided the 17-year-old a ride to MyMichigan Medical Center per her request.
To the editor:

It was truly appalling to see how our brave John Moolenaar, was unable to recognize the Capitol Police that protected his very life on Jan. 6, 2021 by the simple act of attending a service in their honor at the Capitol building last week. Yet he floods our local population with stories of his unflagging support for the police, the Constitution, fair elections, etc. Maybe he wasn't in fear for his life that day? What would that tell us?
Ann Brown, age 67, of Palestine, Texas, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022 in Palestine, Texas. Funeral service will be held at 10AM on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Evangelistic Temple. Burial will follow at Tennessee Colony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6PM to 8PM on Thursday, May 5, 2022 a
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Some 40 civil society organisations (CSOs) under the umbrella the Election Observation Mission in Mali (MODELE-Mali) on Thursday called on the transitional authorities to work towards a return to constitutional normality within "a reasonable period of six to nine months"
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday recommended two new drugs to treat patients with COVID-19, one for patients with critical diseaseand one for non-severe cases
Conakry,Guinea (PANA) - The President of the Transition in Guinea, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, on Thursday reiterated his support for Mali and reiterated his decision not to close the common border with its neighbour, whch has been hit by several sanctions after going back on an agrement to hold elections next month
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN High Commissioner for Refuges (UNHCR), is calling for concerted international action to end armed conflict in Africas Central Sahel region, which has forced more than 2
Photo: (Photo : TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Image)

As cases of community infection rise across the U.S. this January 2022, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning to parents and consumers to be careful about buying fake COVID-19 tests.

In a post on the FTC official site, Colleen Tressler of the Division of Consumer and Business Education said that fake COVID-19 tests are not simply a waste of money. It also increases a person's risk of "unknowingly spreading" the virus since the fake tests are inaccurate.

Tressler noted that she's not surprised that fake COVID-19 tests exist since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also issued a warning in November 2021 against scammers and opportunists who sell unauthorized testing kits online. Because of the increasing demands for this convenient product, several consumer experts also warned their states against pop-up stores with fake kits.

Read Also: Dogs Detecting COVID-19 Working in Some Massachusetts School

Here are some ways to avoid paying for a fake test:

1. The kits should be FDA-approved.

It's very easy to refer to the FDA website for a list of approved at-home test kits. Some of the more popular brands include Abbott BinaxNow and Quidel QuickVue. The FDA also keeps a separate list of fake products if you carefully explore the official site.

2. Only buy from reputable stores.

The FDA basically has trusted online sites as well, which consists of major, reputable pharmacies and retail stores like Walmart, Walgreens, or CVS. However, be aware that these stores have announced they will limit the number of at-home kits sold per customer since stocks are depleting fast. Hence, many customers are forced to look for other sources.

A popular site like Amazon may have both authorized and fake COVID-19 tests. The key to verifying this is to look at the entity selling the item. Take note that Amazon, and similar shopping sites, have third-party sellers on their platforms, which means that you could end up transacting with a scammer.

If you're unsure about the seller, look at the reviews or feedback on the platform. Better yet, google the name and see if they have been involved in a complaint. The FTC said red flags might appear if you do your proper research first.

3. Don't take feedback at face value.

If the seller or store has some reviews, don't take these at face value. Make a comparison with other sites, or better, ask for some feedback from your own circle. You might have friends on social media who have had transactions from these sites. According to the FTC, the comparison will help form the right decision.

4. Use your credit card for purchases.

Per Tressler, it's easier to dispute a transaction if there are records to trace. You could file for dispute with the credit card company and get your money back if the seller has proven fraudulent.

Take note that the White House is also aware of the increasing incidents of fake COVID-19 tests. Thus, President Joe Biden has asked insurance companies to cover this benefit. So, ask your insurer about it so you won't be wasting money.

Related Article: Omicron and Croup: Parents Need to Watch Out for This New Symptom in Kids Under 5
Paris, TN (38242)

Today

Partly cloudy early. Thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 51F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
VIENTIANE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Laos reported 916 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, including 908 community cases, according to the Lao Ministry of Health.

Among the newly recorded community cases, 309 were detected in Lao capital Vientiane, Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Lao Ministry of Health Sisavath Soutthaniraxay told a press conference on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, eight imported cases were recorded, with four in Vientiane, three in Champasak, and one in Savannakhet province.

The country also registered seven new deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, raising the national death toll to 464. The new deaths included four in Vientiane and one each in Savannakhet, Bolikhamxay and Sekong province.

Laos reported its first two confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 24, 2020. 
In late December Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple is reportedly Preparing to begin iPhone SE (2022) Trial Production to work out any last minute changes." The report noted that "analyst at JPMorgan Chase Bank in a note to clients stated that Apples new iPhone SE 5G mobile phone has the potential to lure nearly 1.4 billion low- to mid-end Android phone and about 300 million older iPhone model users." PMorgan Chase analyst Samik Chatterjee also thought that Apple could drop that price to as low as $269."

Today, Samsung has released an iPhone SE 3 challenger branded the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 Pro. It's a rugged smartphone that features a removable battery, a feature long gone in todays smartphone market.

(Click on image to Enlarge)

The compact phone, priced at 275,000 won (US$231.80), comes in black and white and features a 5.3-inch LCD display as well as a water resistant and dustproof body.

The Korea Herald added that "The most distinctive feature is a 3,000 mAh replaceable battery that lasts long enough for all-day use and supports a quick charge rate of up to 15 watts."

The original XCover 5 was released in March 2021 and today's announcement seems to be more of a rebranding campaign than a being new phone.

Korean carriers have started promotions for the budget phone for kids, offering special plans consisting of educational content.

Earlier this morning Patently Apple posted a report titled "New 2022 iPhone SE 3 Renderings have been Posted.

On January 11, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S21 FE at $699 to challenge Apple's iPhone 12 as presented below.

Samsung is getting aggressive right out of the gate for 2022, with their next-gen flagship phone, the Galaxy S22, due out next month.
A fugitive who faked his own death to escape sex and fraud charges in the US was caught at a hospital in Scotland after being put on a ventilator with a COVID infection.



Nicholas Alahverdian, 34, was arrested on an Interpol notice at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on December 13. He had checked in under the alias Arthur Knight, and was intubated after nearly dying of the virus.



Alahverdian - who claimed to have died of cancer in February 2020, aged 32, before being buried at sea - is being sought over a 2008 sexual assault charge in Utah.



He is accused of raping an ex-girlfriend in September 2008, with police investigating Alahverdian discovering he'd been reported to the police over similar alleged attacks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Utah and Ohio.



The faker, who is also known as Nicholas Rossi, was convicted of sexual assault following an 'encounter' with another student at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio.



Read Full Story .... dailymail.co.uk >>> :

















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Deputy Education Minister, Hon. Rev. Ntim Fordjour, has disclosed that schools are expected to reopen on the 18th of January, 2022.



He says a Committee made up of Headmasters and Teachers which he chaired was constituted to design an academic calendar for the next three years.



Public basic schools were supposed to reopen on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, but the resumption date was extended by a week.



The earlier January 11 basic school reopening date, was postponed amid the conduct of the maiden edition of the national standardized test for all primary four students in government basic schools.



He noted that an official 2022 school calendar in due course will be made available to relevant stakeholders, prospective students and members of the general public this week.



The Member of Parliament for Builsa South Constituency has said the delay in the announcement of the government school reopening date is a worrying situation that must be addressed quickly.



We dont know exactly when Public Basic Schools will reopen. Today, January 10, 2022, Private Basic schools have reopened. When will Public Basic schools reopen, we need to know, the Education Committee member urged.



Watch Video Below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has decided to mainstream COVID-19 management into its service delivery value chain across the country as part of its agenda for the year.

This means the management of the disease will no longer be done solely by designated facilities but in almost every health facility under the GHS.



Speaking with the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said the mainstreaming would ensure that all health facilities had a role to play in the management of COVID-19.



The measure, he explained, was to enhance COVID-19 response and help improve health outcomes across the board.



This year, we are going to focus on ensuring that we mainstream the management of COVID-19. This means that all our peripheral facilities from all levels will have a role to play in case management, so that we slowly move out of this emergency phase, he said.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the measure was not just for COVID-19 response but formed part of delivering on the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).



As such, we are restructuring our sub-district healthcare system to make it more efficient, so that we can have model health centres running 24 hours daily to take up majority of the primary health cases to help decongest our hospitals, he said.



He acknowledged the fact that because the quality of care provided in health facilities at the grass-root and community levels was often not the best, people with minor health issues that could be handled at the lower facility levels went straight to hospitals, causing congestion, hence the restructuring and revamping of services along the value chain.



That was to ensure that quality and a wide range of healthcare services were much closer to the people to help decongest hospitals, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said.



Technology



We also want to take a critical look at telemedicine using digital approaches to provide access to quality care. If there is anything that we can learn from COVID-19, then it is exploring innovative ways of working and reaching the public with healthcare services to ensure quality care for all, he noted.



He also mentioned staff welfare, capacity building and motivation as priority areas for this year, especially because healthcare workers had been overstretched due to COVID-19.



He expressed gratitude to all healthcare workers for their enormous and relentless contributions, while thanking the media for supporting the sector with the needed advocacy that had contributed to the strides made.



Control



Giving an update on the current COVID-19 situation, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said Ghana was recording a decline in infections and active cases, a development which, he said, could be a signal that the fourth wave was under control.



We are currently in our fourth wave and we hope that this decline is signaling the end of that wave or the start of the process to take us out of it, he said.



The director-general attributed the decline to the national vaccination drive and public health protocols instituted.



We know that the public health measures put in place and the fact that over 50 per cent of the people in the major hotspot area, Greater Accra, have had at least a shot of vaccine, meaning that they have the potential of clearing the virus quicker, resulting in the decline in active and new cases, he said.



He said the active cases had dropped from 13,000 to 9,200 as of yesterday.



He described the fourth wave as the tallest and steepest wave the country had experienced.



Get vaccinated



Dr Kuma-Aboagye reiterated his appeal to the public to disregard all myths and misconceptions around COVID-19 vaccines and get vaccinated to help safeguard public health.



Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccines prevent severe illnesses, hospitalisation and deaths; the vaccines are safe, effective and free, he said.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye said COVID-19 vaccines boosted the immune system to fight the disease better and helped to avert severe illness and death.

Source: graphiconline.com









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Emirates Airlines has announced the resumption of flights to five destinations, including Ghana.



The airline in a statement said all passengers arriving from Ghana Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Uganda) and Angola must present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate with a QR code for a test conducted at an approved facility, within the stipulated time frame prior to the flight departure.



Emirates resumes operations and raises safety bar for customers, employees

The statement added that the test validity is calculated from the time the sample was collected.



Covid-19 protocols for passengers arriving and transiting Dubai:



Passengers travelling to Dubai from Guinea (CKY), Uganda (EBB) or Ghana (ACC) require a negative PCR test result with a QR code conducted within 48 hours of departure, a 06 hours Rapid PCR with a QR code, and a PCR test on arrival in DXB.

Passengers travelling from or via Senegal (DSS) require a negative PCR test result with a QR code conducted within 72 hours prior to departure, and a PCR test on arrival in DXB.

Passengers travelling to Dubai from Angola (LAD) and Cote dIvoire (ABJ) require a negative PCR test result with a QR code conducted within 72 hours of departure, and a PCR test on arrival in DXB.

Passengers who are required to take a COVID19 PCR test on arrival must remain in self-quarantine until they receive the test result.

Passengers transiting in Dubai from Guinea (CKY), Uganda (EBB), Ghana (ACC) and Cote dIvoire (ABJ) are only required to follow the travel requirements of their final destination

Passengers transiting in Dubai from Angola (LAD) are required to have a negative PCR test result with a QR code conducted within 72 hours of departure and meet the travel requirements of their final destination.

Passengers transiting in Dubai from Guinea via Senegal (CKY via DSS) are required to follow the travel requirements of their final destination.

UAE Nationals and children under the age of 12 are exempt from these requirements.

Suspension



The resumption of flights comes a fortnight after Emirates suspended indefinitely the entry of travellers from 10 African countries including Ghana.



The airline said passengers on direct and transit flights from Ghana, Angola, Guinea, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Zambia and Zimbabwe will not be permitted to travel to Dubai from December 28, 2021.



That suspension was aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19, particularly in light of the emergence of the Omicron variant.



This resulted in the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa urging President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to boycott the next Dubai Expo in protest of the decision of Emirates.

Source: graphiconline.com









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Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has urged the Police administration to ensure that the attackers of Radio Ada face the full rigours of the law.



The Minister was reacting to reports that staff of the radio station were attacked on Thursday by a group of unknown young men following discussions about the songhor lagoon project in the Greater Accra Region.



Speaking to pressmen in Accra, the Minister condemned the attack and asked the Police to ensure that the culprits are held responsible for their actions. The media are guaranteed the necessary freedoms to go about their work in this country. There is no justification for a group of people to physically attack a radio station and its staff for comments they have made on air. Even. If a party is aggrieved at the comments made, there are legitimate and legal avenues for seeking redress. But such conduct cannot and should not be allowed to go unpunished.



The National Media Commission or the Courts constitute legitimate places to register displeasure at the conduct of the media if one is unhappy about any content published. Where even content has the potential to offend the security of the area, the Police may be informed to take the necessary action through legal means. But attacks of this nature are totally unacceptable and the perpetrators' must be identified, investigated, prosecuted and sanctioned.



The Minister additionally said he had spoken to the management of the station and asked them to make a report to the office of the Coordinated mechanism on the safety of journalists at the National Media Commission to take action.



He bemoaned the situation where attacks on journalists go unpunished saying it could breed a culture of impunity and intolerance of media work if not nipped in the bud. He also warned that such acts have the potential to weaken Ghanas ranking on press freedom indices if not immediately addressed.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Western and Western North Regional Coordinator of the National Ambulance Service, Dr. Tawiah Siameh, has said that the doctor at the Holy Child Hospital Fijai in Sekondi-Takoradi got the referral wrong in the matter of the death of the 30-year-old nursing mother who was being transferred from Takoradi to Accra.



Dr. Tawiah Siameh explained in an interview with Johnnie Hughes on the New Day show on TV3 Thursday, January 13, that there are basic things every doctor must know when it comes to referrals.



These include understanding the Ghana National Referral Policy Guidelines, assessing the patients situation, and taking into consideration the distance of the referral centre.



Asked whether the doctor who referred the deceased nursing mother got it wrong in making the referral decision, he answered "Yes, he got it wrong.



He further explained You need to do an assessment of the patients situation, take into consideration the distance of the facility and the resources.



Know and understand the Ghana National referral policy guidelines.



If these were taken into consideration the best way is to have referred to the regional referral Centre [because] we have everything, we have the human resources, specialists, facilities.



Head of Public Relations at the National Ambulance Service (NAS), Simon Yousiff Kewura, had also said earlier that the Service could not be blamed for the death of the nursing mother



Speaking in an interview with Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson on Connect FMs Omanbapa morning show, Mr. Yousif Kewura revealed 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.



Narrating events leading to the death of his wife on Connect FMs 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 wifes 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 to buy fuel.



He explained that the officials caused an 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.



Juaboso lawmaker, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has called for the interdiction of the ambulance crew following the death of the nursing mother who was being transferred from Takoradi to Accra on referral.



Following the death of the woman, the husband John Obiri Yeboah, accused personnel of the National Ambulance Service of gross unprofessionalism, leading to the death of his wife.



Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, January 12, Mr. Mintah Akandoh said We will never leave this matter, we will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion. So far, we have listened to the family, we have listened to the facility for the referral. There are more questions than answers that have been provided so far.



So, for me, even at this hour if the ambulance driver and the crew are interdicted pending investigation that won't be bad at all.





Source: 3 news









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Daovone Phachanthavong, the vice executive president of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, speaks in an interview with Xinhua in Lao capital Vientiane, Jan. 7, 2022. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

By Chanthaphaphone Mixayboua, Zhang Jianhua

VIENTIANE, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, could bring great economic development opportunities to the region, and the agreement is very beneficial for Laos, said Daovone Phachanthavong, the vice executive president of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI).

Being part of the agreement would provide more market opportunities for Laos to expand production for export and promote the tourism sector, the LNCCI official told Xinhua in an interview here on Friday.

"Laos is very fortunate to build a community with a shared future with China and sign the RCEP agreement," said Daovone.

"With the opening of the Laos-China Railway, Laos has become an important node on the China-ASEAN land corridor. The lion's share of the railway transportation of goods between China and ASEAN will pass through Laos, which can greatly promote the economic development of Laos."

RCEP, taking effect on Jan. 1, groups 10 ASEAN members namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

The entry into force of RCEP has provided Laos with the best cooperation opportunities in terms of personnel exchanges and business exchanges, and deepened the interconnection between Laos and other ASEAN member countries.

Daovone said, "RCEP and the Laos-China Railway can effectively reduce the cost of commodity trade. It will help support our economic growth by stimulating new investment and providing greater market access for Lao products. More and more commodities from Laos can be exported to other ASEAN countries."

Daovone has been engaged in the business of logistics and trade with Chinese companies since 2002 and his business has expanded to more than 10 industries so far.

"After the agreement takes effect, it can reduce intra-regional trade costs and transportation prices. The cost of our export products is much lower than before," said Daovone.

"RCEP can also bring more employment channels to the people in the region."

Laos-China Railway has transformed Laos from a land-locked country into a land-linked country, through which the country has achieved interconnection with China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries, said Daovone.

Meanwhile, RCEP, covering nearly a third of the world's population and gross domestic product, is a mega trade pact that aims to break down trade barriers and promote investment.

"I believe that the ASEAN economy will definitely have better development in the future," said Daovone. 
US President Joe Biden referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as 'President Harris' in yet another slip of the tongue while addressing students in Atlanta.



The gaffe which isn't the first by the president, was made while speaking about voting rights on the campus of Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College on Tuesday, January 11. He didn't correct himself after making the error. Referencing last year's Capitol Hill riot on January 6, he told the crowd:



'Last week, President Harris and I stood in the United States Capitol to observe one of those before and after moments in American history.' Biden has referred to his second-in-command as 'President Harris' multiple times since coming into office - including at a speech in South Carolina last month.



In December 2020, before the Biden administration was sworn in, Biden called Harris the 'president-elect.' During the 2020 election, Donald Trump and Republicans accused Biden of suffering from cognitive decline .



Watch the video below.





Biden calls Kamala President Harris yet again pic.twitter.com/vYaQlIGtdW

 Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) January 11, 2022









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The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who is against the mandatory vaccination exercise has asked what his critics make of the petition filed against the vaccine rollout by some medical doctors.



This comes after he was heavily criticized for his dissenting opinion on the mandatory vaccination exercise being undertaken by the Government of Ghana.



Some 11 doctors have written to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to issue a directive for the nationwide vaccine rollout in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic to be paused.



The doctors say the risks associated with these vaccines, per the data studied so far, outweigh the potential benefits, if any.



In their petition dated Monday, January 10, 2022, the doctors, who call themselves Concerned Ghanaian Doctors, cited how the UK and Israel are still battling with the virus despite the high vaccination rate of their respective populations.



These countries have very high vaccination rates, currently deploying booster programmes, yet they are struggling to get the virus under control especially with these new variants, the doctors observed in the jointly-signed petition.



Assuming as a country we are to vaccinate more than 50% of our population, are we going to continue with perpetual boosters every 3 to 6 months in an attempt to maintain vaccine-induced immunity for this disease?



Where then is the endpoint when these vaccines do not stop infection or the spread of Covid-19? Is this financially feasible for us as a nation?



They contended that the case fatality rate is not as high as anticipated especially given the fact that not many citizens are testing.



For them, the vaccines becoming a mandate is only a ploy by some pharmaceutical companies to rake in profits.



If there is safe, effective, affordable, freely available early treatment for Covid-19, vaccines are no longer a priority.



It doesnt take a genius to recognise the financial benefit of pharmaceutical companies in demonising potential early, effective treatments.



If these medications do work, thats wonderful in the human races fight against Covid-19. However, they are practicably placebos if they dont work. Why the suppression and demonising of these early treatments then, if the concern is health.



Considering all these, wouldnt it be prudent to pause and ask ourselves whether these novel vaccines are necessary in the first place, they quizzed.



For them, Ghana, and for that matter Africa, must lead the way in the fight against Covid-19.



All the relevant metrics show that Ghana and Africa at large have done better than most of the world with respect to the pandemic even before the advent of these vaccines.



It is possible the rest of the world are rather to learn from us.



The doctors are Dr Timothy Oblijah Armah, Dr Bismark Opoku-Asare, Dr Faisal Adjei, Dr William Ghunney and Dr Bernard Boateng Adjei.



The others are Dr Doreen Oye Agyei, Dr Michael Agyemang-Wiredu, Dr Richard Fayah and Dr Sedem Cyril Klinogoh.



The rest are Dr Phil Dowuona and Dr Emmanuel Awuttey.



Reacting to this news, Sammy Gyamfi said in a tweet on Wednesday, January 12 that I wonder what my critics will say now that Medical Doctors, scientists including infectious disease specialists have come out to confirm my views against compulsory COVID-19 vaccination.



Sammy Gyamfi had noted that it is only Ghana that is championing mandatory vaccination.



He said on the Sunrise show on 3FM hosted by Alfred Ocansey on Wednesday, January 12 that one can enter the United States and other parts of the world today, without vaccination.



You can enter USA today without vaccination. Its only Ghana that is championing mandatory vaccination, Sammy Gyamfi who is also a private legal practitioner said.



He further stated that We have been doing so well without this mandatory vaccination. Look at the countries with the highest vaccination rate, they are still battling with the virus.



Health advisor says when youre suffering from complications it means the vaccine is working so some people keep these problems to themselves. If you take the vaccine and something happens to you, you cant hold anyone responsible.



He had sued the Attorney General (AG) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) over the mandatory vaccination exercise.



He wants A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents breach or threaten to breach the Applicants fundamental human rights as enshrined under Article 21(1)(g) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.



A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents violated Section 2(1) of the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (ACT 1012) and Sections 21, 22 and 30 of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) and therefore illegal.



A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene the guidelines of the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana on the administration of Emergency Use Authorized medical products and same are unreasonable.



A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene the guidelines of the World Health Organization regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travellers, and that same is unreasonable.



A declaration that the impugned directives of the Respondents contravene medical ethics and best practices that govern COVID-19 vaccine administration.Revision-8-KIA-Covid-Guidelines-Dec11-2021-1Download



The government introduced the mandatory vaccination exercise as part of efforts to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.



This move formed part of efforts to ensure that the rate of infection does not rise during the Christmas season.



Among the measures, Airlines who board passengers without proof of payment for the COVID -19 test and would/ could not pay for the test in Ghana will be fined US$3500 per passenger.



Also, non-Ghanaian passengers may be refused entry and be returned to the point of embarkation at a cost to the Airline.



The month of December has been declared by the GHS had as the vaccination month.



Addressing a press conference in Accra on Sunday, November 28, 2021, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kumah-Aboagye said vaccination was the surest way to deal with the virus.



He further assured that the authorities are going to scale up surveillance measures at the Kotoka International Airport during the Christmas season to ensure that Covid infections do not increase.



He further said that the mistakes that were made in December last year which occasioned the escalation of infections in January this year, will not be repeated.



There is going to be strict enforcement of the protocols at the KIA. We are going to increase surveillance. We are expecting an increased number of people to arrive in the country.



we are going to ensure that our logistics are prepared, we will continue our surveillance to be able to look at that, we are going to look at isolation centres, he said.



He added Our contact tracing will be strengthened.



We are going to engage with religious organizations to ensure that activities in done in Christmas are in accordance with Covid protocols.



Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsia Asare, allayed fears of persons who are worried about the potential reaction from taking the covid vaccine.



He stated that it is normal to experience headaches, body pains and other reactions. These are indications that the vaccine is functioning properly in the body, he said.



If you are vaccinated and you feel slight headache it means the vaccine is working very well, he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, December 4 with Dzifa Bampoh.



Dr Nsia Asare further urged all persons who are yet to receive their vaccines to do so in order to save their lives and the lives of others.



In his view, Ghana could not afford to go through fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic hence the government, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has taken the vaccination exercise a step higher in order to get as many as possible inoculated.



Vaccination centres, he stated, are being created closed to the people in the communities including market areas to make it easier for them to go through the exercise.



We cannot afford a fourth wave, he said, adding that we can all do this together if you are vaccinated, he said.



The GHS) this week issued new guidelines to deal with the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana ahead of the Christmas season.



The guidelines include measures to vaccinate as many as possible before Christmas on December 25.



In a press release issued on Thursday, December 9, the GHS said All persons, 18 years and above arriving in Ghana will be required to provide evidence of full vaccination for Covid-19 vaccines.



All unvaccinated Ghanaians and residents of Ghana who are currently outside the country and intend to return within 14 days from the midnight of 12 December 2021 are exempted. However, they would be vaccinated on arrival at the airport.



It added, all Ghanaians travelling out of the country are to be fully vaccinated effectively 12th midnight 2021.









I wonder what my critics will say now that Medical Doctors, scientists including infectious disease specialists have come out to confirm my views against compulsory COVID-19 vaccination. https://t.co/AgAEo9J83V

 Sammy Gyamfi (@SammyGyamfi2017) January 12, 2022

Source: 3 news









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The Founder and leader of the All People's Congress (APC), Mr Hassan Ayariga has urged the Majority and Minority to co-operate for the good of Ghanaians.

He stated that Ghanaians expected the current composition of Parliament to impact positively on their lives, hence the need for Members of Parliament (MPs) to work together in the interest of the people.



Speaking to the Daily Graphic on his partys expectation from the eighth Parliament, which resumes sitting on January 25, this year, Mr Ayariga bemoaned development in the House last year in the election of the Speaker of Parliament and the consideration of the electronic transaction bill.



Co-operation



He said Ghanaians would prefer cooperation to conflict among MPs when it came to debate on national issues instead of the chaos witnessed on the floor of Parliament during some sittings of the house last year.



Mr Ayariga alluded to the chaos on the floor of Parliament in January last year during the election of the Speaker of Parliament and the brawl that broke out in December in the chamber over a proposed tax on electronic transactions.



According to him, Ghanaians deserved better than what was witnessed in the House in 2021.



Economy



On the economy, Mr Ayariga said the year 2021 was challenging for countries all over the world of which Ghana was no exception.



He said a number of businesses and individuals experienced economic hardships due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.



He appealed to the government to implement policies and programmes that would support the productive sectors, as well as individuals to relieve them from the hardships they endured in 2021.



Mr Ayariga called on the government to pursue and roll out stimulus packages for business, especially those in the informal economy to enable them to manage the social and economic impact of the COVID -19 pandemic.

Source: graphiconline.com









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Joseph Maker Gordon (2nd R), his wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem (2nd L) and his son Ngok Joseph Maker (1st R) pose for a photo with a member of a Chinese medical team at Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Jan. 13, 2022. Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to Juba, is now grateful to Chinese doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua)

by Xinhua writer Denis Elamu

JUBA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A South Sudanese man, who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to the capital Juba, is now grateful to Chinese medical doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments.

Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba, was recently in pain after developing hemorrhoids under the skin around his anus and underwent surgical operation which did not go well as he continued to release blood in his stool.

To compound matters, his aging wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem had chest and breast pain (mastalgia) while his 22-year-old son Ngok Joseph Maker needed an operation after suffering a cartilage piercing bump.

Gordon told Xinhua on Thursday that the 9th batch of Chinese medical team has eased the burden of treating his family after the trio were successfully examined and provided with proper treatment at the Juba Teaching Hospital.

"We came to Juba teaching hospital to visit Chinese doctors, my son was having pain in his ear and they managed to do the operation without consultation charges," he said after being examined following his operation two weeks back.

Gordon was operated on in a health facility outside Juba Teaching Hospital, but he continued to experience bleeding amid pain while releasing his stool.

"I personally came for hemorrhoid treatment, the operation was done late last year, they (Chinese) managed to stop the bleeding, and they said their role is to help patients as part of bilateral relations with South Sudan," he disclosed.

The 15-member medical team arrived in the country from Anhui Province in September last year.

"I call on South Sudanese who cannot afford medical costs in private health facilities to come to the Chinese, they have done several operations," added Gordon.

He expressed further relief after Chinese doctors assured him of a follow-up of his wife's medical recovery, noting that they also promised to operate Guem if the need arises.

Gordon, who underwent a successful operation on his ear last week by a team of Chinese doctors, said he had been enduring severe pain since 2019.

"The swelling in my ear started after piercing my ear with the needle in 2019. It was operated on in 2020 but the pain continued. I was again this year operated on at Juba Teaching Hospital," said Joseph who is now relieved of the pain.

Ding Zhen, general surgeon and team leader of the Chinese medical team who treated the family, said they will monitor Gordon's family.

He noted that Guem suffered pain in her chest and breast for five years.

"We will follow up with her (Guem) case to ensure she is totally healed of her pain," said Ding.

However, Gordon noted the need to support Chinese doctors in the translation of local languages in order to ease their communication with patients in need of their services.

"We have a problem with language, their work is practical but they need translators to pass the message to patients so that they can understand, their services, especially minor operations that I witnessed, are very good," he said. 

Ngok Joseph Maker (2nd R), Joseph Maker Gordon's son, poses for a photo with members of a Chinese medical team at Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Jan. 6, 2022. Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to Juba, is now grateful to Chinese doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua)
World Poker Tour Signs Celeb DJ Steve Aoki as Brand Ambassador

January 13, 2022 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S.

The World Poker Tour (WPT) made a huge splash on the heels of Season XX by adding talented American DJ Steve Aoki as a brand ambassador.

Aoki, 44, has over 8.2 million Twitter followers and is a regular performer in the hottest nightclubs in Las Vegas and all around the world. He gives the WPT a mainstream celebrity name representing the brand, potentially bringing in a new audience to the popular poker tour.

Its such an honor to be joining the WPT family. I have watched and admired the WPT for many, many years and to now be part of the WPT family; it feels so surreal and I am incredibly grateful, Aoki said in a press release.

Aoki is an avid poker player who has often competed in Hollywood games against his celebrity friends such as Dan Bilzerian, a social media icon and GGPoker ambassador. Last year, Aoki competed in a few episodes of Poker After Dark on PokerGO along with Bilzerian.

Adding Star Power to the World Poker Tour

According to a press release, Aoki's role will be to help raise brand awareness for the World Poker Tour, a task that shouldn't be much of a problem given his already massive social media audience. The new WPT ambassador is a respected musician and record producer. He's currently touring the country with his next stop in Chicago at the TAO Chicago nightclub on Friday.

The popular DJ is the son of Rocky Aoki, a restaurateur who founded the Japanese cuisine restaurant chain Benihana. Steve Aoki's partnership with the WPT will include an invite-only charity poker event in mid-2022 benefiting the Aoki Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money for brain science and research. Details of the event haven't yet been made available.

The World Poker Tour will kickoff its 20th season January 21 in Hollywood, Florida with the $3,500 buy-in Lucky Hearts Poker Open at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. A complete schedule for the first half of Season XX events were released earlier this week, but the WPT informed PokerNews that additional tournaments could be added at a later date.

Steve Aoki on Poker After Dark.

Aoki has an extensive history of playing poker beyond his appearance on Poker After Dark. And he isn't the first high-profile celebrity to rep a major poker tour. Actor and comedian Vince Vaughn announced "Shuffle Up and Deal" to start the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table and will serve as Master of Ceremonies for this year's WSOP when it moves to Bally's and Paris on the Las Vegas Strip.

*Image courtesy of PokerGO.

Sharelines Read the details of the @WPT's new big signing in DJ Steve Aoki.
Jason Hickey of Marina Del Rey, California is the chip leader at the end of Day 1a of the Mid-States Poker Tour(MSPT) $1,110 Main Event, part of the Showtime Series at San Diegos Sycuan Casino Resort. In total, there were 98 runners for the first of three flights this weekend, and 11 will return on Sunday for the combined finale.

Hickey is in search of his first MSPT win after running his stack up to over 100 big blinds on Day 1a. Other players moving on to Sundays Day 2 include Ken Morey, Andrew Ostapchenko, Rich Alsup, and David Leese.

Day 1a Leaderboard

Place Player Chips Big Blinds 1 Jason Hickey 441,000 110 2 Ken Morey 381,000 95 3 Luke Nguyen 364,000 91 4 David Leese 204,000 51 5 Charly Peterson 195,000 49 6 Nathan Trimble 195,000 49 7 Andrew Ostapchenko 176,000 44 8 Leonid Vaisburg 148,000 37 9 Woo Suk Oh 139,000 35 10 Rich Alsup 106,000 26 11 Katerina Grishakova 101,000 25

Day 1a Action

Day 1a saw several highlights from players up and down the leaderboard. Early in the day, Richard Lanes tracked down the PokerNews team to share a royal flush. A short time later, Marcel Sabag sent Matt Morfitt to the rail with ace-queen.

Luke Nguyen is among the chip leaders after running well all day. He picked up nines to crack Tai Purperos aces on his way to finishing second in chips. Katerina Grishakova will look for a spot to spin it up after making a run for Day 2 with hands like this one, where she Anthony Pitesa packing with ace-king.

Luke Nguyen

Two of the Day 1a survivors qualified their way to the MSPT Main Event through the ClubGG app. Charly Peterson and Woo Suk Oh will return on Sunday after earning their seat for the event through the subscription poker app.

Other players that took their shot on Day 1a but came up short include Gary Crite, Dantram Huynh, and Matt Morfitt. Players will have additional opportunities to enter on Friday for Day 1b and Saturday for Day 1c. Players advancing from all three flights will meet on Sunday for the Day 2 finale.

Day 1b will kick off tomorrow at 3 p.m. PST. Players will start with 25,000 in chips and play 40-minute levels. Registration is open until the beginning of Level 13 and players have unlimited rebuys until that point.

Be sure to keep it here all weekend long with the PokerNews team for live updates from the MSPT Main Event at Sycuan Casino Resort in San Diego.
China, India hold 14th corps commander level meeting

Xinhua) 13:35, January 14, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 14th round of the China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point on the Chinese side on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of National Defense.

Representatives from the defense and foreign affairs establishments of the two sides were present at the meeting, the ministry said in a statement, noting that the two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views for the resolution of relevant issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of China-India border areas.

They agreed that both sides should follow the guidance provided by the leaders of the two countries and work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest possible date, noting that this would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and make effective efforts to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector including during winter. They also agreed to stay in contact via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues via dialogue as soon as possible.

It was also agreed that the next round of the Commanders' talks should be held at the earliest.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Customers select cosmetics in a duty-free shop in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

HAIKOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 81 million domestic and overseas tourists visited south China's tropical island province of Hainan in 2021, up 25.5 percent year on year, which is equivalent to 97.5 percent of the number in 2019, local authorities said Thursday.

Hainan's total tourism revenue increased 58.6 percent over the previous year to about 138.4 billion yuan (about 21.7 billion U.S. dollars), up 30.9 percent compared to 2019, according to the provincial department of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

Last year, Hainan saw the inking of agreements and launch of 32 tourism projects as well as the establishment of over 40 new companies related to tourism, culture and sports.

The province reported 49.5 billion yuan of offshore duty-free shopping in 2021, up 80 percent year on year, with more than 70 million items purchased by 6.72 million shoppers.

The per capita shopping amount registered in the offshore duty-free shops of Hainan logged 7,368 yuan, an increase of 20.2 percent compared to 2020.

China aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025 and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035. 

A customer buys products in a duty-free shop in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Customers select cosmetics in a duty-free shop in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

Customers select products in a duty-free shop in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)
FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The Biden administration can't enforce a vaccine-or-testing mandate for large employers, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

The 6-3 decision was driven by the conservative majority on the court.

The mandate was a crucial component of the White House's plan to tackle the COVID pandemic as cases skyrocket due to the Omicron variant.

President Joe Biden reacted to the decision with dismay.

I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law, he said in a statement. "This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden."

Still, Biden said that he will still push companies to help vaccinate their employees.

"The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans health and economy," Biden added. "I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped up -- including one third of Fortune 100 companies -- and institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers and communities."

The Supreme Court did rule 5-4 in favor of another mandate, this one for vaccination of health care workers at hospitals and other health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

"Todays decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the requirement for health care workers will save lives: the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses and others who work there," Biden said. "It will cover 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities. We will enforce it."

Under the large employer mandate rejected by the Supreme Court, employers would not have had to pay for testing, the Times reported.

That mandate also included exemptions for employees with religious exemptions and those whose jobs don't require close contact with others, such as those who work from home or are always outdoors.

Last month, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, in Cincinnati, ruled in favor of the mandate for large employers, the Times reported.

More information

Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more on COVID vaccines.

SOURCE: White House, statement, Jan. 13, 2022; The New York Times
FRIDAY, Jan. 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The Supreme Court began to hear oral arguments on Friday as it weighs whether the Biden administration can enforce vaccine mandates for large companies. The justices are also hearing arguments on a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers.
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Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
A former systems manager at Boeing Co. is pleading guilty to defrauding the government out of more than $122,000 from a federal loan program created to save jobs during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Attorney's office said Suzanne Weintraub and unidentified associates "both known and unknown" illegally obtained the Payroll Protection Program money through a "defunct" retail bakery.

The scheme started in April 2020, according to prosecutors. The U.S. Small Business Administration approved the forgivable $122,445 loan about two months later to a sole proprietorship called Sunny Bee Cookies LLC, which listed the same address as a home Weintraub owns in the RiverTowne neighborhood off S.C. Highway 41 in Mount Pleasant.

The emergency funding was requested to help meet payroll for six jobs, according to a database of the federal loans. The funds were transferred electronically to an account in South Carolina from an out-of-state bank.

The government said Weintraub included bogus tax and payroll documents in the bakery's application to the SBA.

She was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She faces up to five years in prison, three years in a supervised release program and a fine of $250,000.

Weintraub was not formally indicted. Interim U.S. Attorney Corey Ellis charged her in a Jan. 12 court filing known as an information. By then, she already had signed a plea agreement. Her defense attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

Weintraub is required to cooperate with investigators and forfeit any money, property or other assets she received from her role in the conspiracy. Prosecutors are seeking to recoup a minimum of about $37,000 from her.

No hearings have been scheduled in the case.

According to Weintraub's LinkedIn profile, she started working for Boeing in North Charleston in 2015 as an information technology project manager and became a business systems manager in 2018. The planemaker said in a Jan. 13 statement that she's no longer employed with the company.

The government appears to be taking a hard stance on crimes involving funds from the national COVID-19 economic relief program known as the CARES Act. The U.S. Attorney's office announced Thursday that a Blythewood woman was sentenced to two years in prison after she pleaded guilty to obtaining more than $1.2 million in loans by submitting fraudulent documents.
Even with the omicron variant spreading and the federal government's top health agency issuing its sternest warning, cruise ship enthusiasts  and the businesses that cater to them  remained undaunted on Jan. 13 as the Carnival Sunshine left Union Pier Terminal in downtown Charleston for its first voyage in nearly two years.

"We've all had three vaccines and we tested negative yesterday," said Melissa Thompson of central Virginia, who was getting ready to board the Sunshine with her son and two friends. "I'll speak for all of us  we trust in the Lord to keep us safe where we're going."

This week's voyage  a four-night trek to Nassau, Bahamas  kicks off a cruise calendar in Charleston that will bring 104 visits from a dozen ships, but the home-ported Sunshine is the only one that begins and ends its trips at Union Pier. The others make brief ports of call in Charleston before heading to other destinations.

Mary Mayo of Wilmington, N.C., said concerns about COVID-19 linger, but she and her husband, Joey, are fully vaccinated and believe Carnival Cruise Line has done all it can to ensure a safe vacation.

"We're going to go into it with positive thoughts and, you know, whatever happens we're going to worry about that at that time," she said.

Cruises are resuming in the wake of the Centers for Disease Control issuing its strongest warning  a Level Four  advising all travelers to avoid cruise ships even if they are fully vaccinated.

But for businesses near Union Pier Terminal, the twice-weekly return of cruise ship passengers is a welcome sign.

"This is a beautiful, fabulous things for Charleston," said Eric "Shorty" Koenig, who helps run the bar and dining room at Queology barbecue restaurant, which sits across Concord Street almost in a straight line from where cruise ships dock. Koening said he's aware of the heightened coronavirus concerns, "but we have to live our lives and just keep moving."

"All of the local folks have major positive attitudes toward the cruise ships disembarking and the people spending their money," he said.

Tommie Robertson, who lives near the cruise terminal, has been outspoken about the industry's health dangers in the past, but said she will "defer to the CDC's recent advice" when it comes to the coronavirus. To Robertson, the biggest concern for locals is the cruise ships' "dangerous-to-health emissions being released in high-density residential areas."

State Sen. Sandy Senn, who represents the part of Charleston where cruise ships dock, was one of the most vocal opponents of having the Sunshine sail while COVID was first spreading in the spring of 2020. As more is known about the virus and with health measures increasing, she is taking a different view these days.

"I think today is very different than two years ago," Senn said. "At the start of the pandemic, we knew very little except that it originated in China. Our doctors did not know how to treat the killer disease and, therefore, the port officials were reckless by allowing passengers and crew members to get off a cruise ship unchecked. Today, though the virus mutates, I think everyone understands that if they get on a cruise ship they have accepted a known risk."

"I believe a return to business as usual is and has been warranted for some time now," Senn said.

Carnival is requiring most passengers to be fully vaccinated before they can board the Sunshine and the line's other ships, with narrow exceptions for children and those with documented medical conditions that prohibit them from getting the vaccine. Passengers must complete an online health questionnaire within 72 hours of sailing and they must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test with 48 hours of their cruise.

In addition to the measures Carnival and other cruise lines are taking, the State Ports Authority  which owns and operates the Port of Charleston  is stepping up efforts to make sure its cruise-related facilities remain free of the coronavirus. For example, the maritime agency has contracted with a vendor to clean large areas of the cruise terminal with a disinfecting fogger prior to every vessel's arrival. The SPA's disinfection team will continuously clean high-touch areas, such as handrails and doorknobs, whenever a ship is at dock. Hand- sanitizing stations are located throughout the terminal and all staff, guests and crew must wear face marks while in the facility.

Jim Newsome, the SPA's president and CEO, said he's happy to have Carnival and other cruise lines back at the port. Charleston hosted 213,081 cruise ship passengers in 2019, the last full year for cruising at the port, and the industry accounts for about $100,000 a month in operating profit for the maritime agency.

"They're a great company and we really enjoy doing business with Carnival," Newsome said. "They've been through a lot. They really sort of saved their business through the pandemic and they're now getting it started back again."

Even with the stricter standards here and nationwide, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told a Senate panel this week that there has been a 30-fold increase in coronavirus cases  about 5,000 instances  aboard cruise ships in a two-week period at the end of December.

"What I can't predict is what the summer will bring," she told legislators.

Cruise lines point out the percentage of coronavirus cases on ships is far less than what is being seen among the general public nationwide.

"Cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard, far fewer than on land, and the majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature," the Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement.

On Jan. 13, the same day the Sunshine resumed, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported the state had over 14,000 newly confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases and 32 new deaths related to the virus.

Despite the CDC's highest warning level and stated concerns, the health agency appears ready to let its conditional sailing order  which mandates steps for preventing and handling coronavirus cases on cruise ships  expire on Jan. 15. Once that happens, health protocols such as vaccination requirements will become voluntary. If cruise lines choose not to follow the CDC's guidance, they'll simply be added to a list indicating the agency hasn't reviewed whatever health measures the ship's operator has in place.

"I wouldn't say I'm concerned about it," Joey Mayo said of the onboard coronavirus threat. "Whether you go to the gym, the supermarket or anywhere else, you can get COVID just as easily as you could on a cruise ship."

"This has been going on for two years now," Mary Mayo said. "We're going to continue to move forward and be cautious but, you know, live our life."
COLUMBIA  A longtime Richland County Sheriff's deputy has been chosen to lead a police department close to home.

The city of Forest Acres hired Sheriff's Department Capt. Don Robinson as its next police chief, the city announced Jan. 13. Robinson, 53, had spent his entire law enforcement career, almost 30 years with the sheriff's office.

Captain Robinsons expressed vision meshed with councils goals and objectives for moving Forest Acres forward," Mayor Frank Brunson said in a statement. "He offers decades of local experience to our region and brings a unique set of organizational abilities to our department."

Robinson will begin Jan. 31.

He'll oversee a department of 39 officers when fully staffed, with an annual budget of $3.8 million. The agency polices a city of 10,000 people that borders Columbia to the northeast.

Robinson replaces Gene Sealy, who had been police chief since 1994 and retired after almost 50 years with the department.

At the sheriff's department, Robinson was a region commander and had previously served as a lieutenant in criminal investigations.

I believe my ability to recognize crime trends and establish a crime prevention policy will help build on the firm foundation built by Chief Gene Sealy," Robinson said. "I look forward to continuing his departments strong legacy of delivering quality service to our citizens and maintaining positive connections with the community.

Robinson has lived in Forest Acres more than 20 years.

New police chiefs have taken over at other Midlands police departments during the past year.

West Columbia promoted Marion Boyce to police chief in September 2021, replacing longtime chief Dennis Tyndall. The city of Cayce hired Chris Cowan, who had been a deputy chief with Richland County Sheriff's Department.
COLUMBIA  Michael Amiridis, a native of Greece with expertise in chemical engineering and a reputation as a personable college administrator, was hired Jan. 14 as the University of South Carolinas next president.

Amiridis is returning to the Columbia campus, where he taught two decades ago and eventually rose to the rank of chief academic officer. He left in 2015 to lead the University of Illinois Chicago, where he launched a $750 million fundraising campaign and helped reach a school record in research awards.

He was approved unanimously following a two-hour, closed-door meeting by USC trustees, a change from the 11-8 vote to hire former president Bob Caslen in 2019 after a contentious board meeting and campus protests. Amiridis will earn $900,000 a year when he starts this summer  $250,000 more than Caslen and $300,000 more than he makes in Chicago.

After the board vote, he called his new job a "homecoming" that he could not pass up.

"I'm overwhelmed with emotion right now because it's a great honor and great responsibility for me to have the confidence of the Board of Trustees," Amiridis told reporters. "As the president, it will be my responsibility to make the case for the importance of the University of South Carolina and to develop solutions to the problems that have led some to question the value of higher education. We need to be more accessible and more affordable."

He was hired just nine hours after he was formally revealed publicly as a candidate for the post. He spent a whirlwind day in meetings and interviews with administrators, faculty, staff and community leaders before the board vote.

Amiridis said the final negotiations took place in "the last few days" and that he came to Columbia on Jan. 12, the last time the board met before the vote.

His name often came up first among preferred successors because he understands the academic and political challenges of the school that boasts an annual budget approaching $2 billion, more than 50,000 students and more than 12,000 employees across eight campuses.

Amiridis, 59, is considered a popular pick after garnering respect as an affable, effective leader and is seen as a steadying force after Caslen's tenure was cut short abruptly amid a plagiarism scandal.

His arrival came together quickly after USC lost its top presidential pick in December.

The board targeted Amiridis because of his experience at USC and his strong desire to come back. He was interested in the job in 2019 after Harris Pastides ended his 11-year tenure, but USC instead hired Caslen, a retired general and West Point superintendent who lasted just two years.

After resigning in May, Caslen called coming to USC the "biggest regret of my life."

Asked about how he would regain any lost respect for the administration after Caslen's departure and the hurried announcement over his replacement, Amiridis said, "Gen. Caslen is an American hero. And he has my respect and my gratitude for his service to this country and I believe this is true for all Americans. We're looking forward (and) we're looking forward to establishing trust."

Despite the general excitement about Amiridis hiring, some critics are arguing that USC leaders failed to follow through on their promise for an open search after the 2019 presidential hunt ended with a singular focus on Caslen, a move pushed in part by Gov. Henry McMaster, and earned a sanction from accreditors.

The current search also was beset with problems.

In November, Lou Kennedy, a major USC donor, quit the presidential panel after a spat with board Chairman Dorn Smith over how the search was proceeding.

USC's initial top pick to succeed Caslen, Purdue University Engineering Dean Mung Chiang, backed out in December just days before he was expected to win board approval, citing family reasons.

Some other leading applicants opted out after Chiang was named the board's preferred candidate. It is unknown if Amiridis was among the five candidates sent to the board in December, but he said he was among the 11 semifinalists interviewed in Atlanta in November.

Smith did not take questions from reporters after the Amiridis vote.

The other finalist for the job announced by the board, besides Amiridis and Chiang, was University of Connecticut engineering professor Cato Laurencin, who is African American. This was the second straight USC presidential search that included no announced female finalists.

Recruiting Amiridis became vital for the USC board, which was coming under fire for the second time in two years for its presidential searches. Three pieces of legislation are under consideration at the Statehouse that would remove current university trustees and cut the size of the board in half.

In returning to USC, Amiridis will have several key spots to fill, including provost and vice presidents over research and fundraising. He will oversee crucial construction projects, notably the $300 million health sciences campus planned for the BullStreet District that is the most expensive college project in state history.

He also will look to smooth over relationships with two of USC's top three donors, Kennedy and financier Darla Moore, who have pledged to stop giving to their alma mater in spats with the board and administration.

In the late 1980s, Amiridis came from Greece to pursue a chemical engineering doctoral degree at the University of Wisconsin. He started a 21-year career at USC in 1994 as a chemical engineering professor. He rose through the ranks as chair of the department of chemical engineering and dean of the College of Engineering and Computing.

He was promoted to provost in 2009, soon after Pastides took the president's office.

Amirdis created a dashboard to better track academic performance with benchmarks against peer colleges, rebuilt the international study office and helped the school move toward online classes, including the creation of the Palmetto College where students at USC's satellite campuses can take courses taught in Columbia.

He became interested in leading a college, applying to run Florida State University.

Amiridis then left USC in 2015 to become chancellor at University of Illinois Chicago, which has 34,200 students, about the same number as USC's Columbia campus, and about 13,000 faculty and staff. The Chicago school has an annual budget of $3.8 billion, double that of the entire USC system.

During livestreamed panel sessions with faculty and staff on Jan. 14 that amounted to his only public job interviews, Amiridis was asked often about diversity, an issue close to the surface since the 220-year-old college has never had a leader who was a woman or person of color.

At his current school, Amirdis said he has five people of color in his 10-member Cabinet and three of the schools 16 deans are African Americans.

It's extremely important because it's the diversity of opinion that matters when the Cabinet sits together, he said. "And I'm very grateful because, in a number of cases, they protected me. They convinced me to do something that I was not convinced about.

He pledged to explore diverse candidates in filling open administration and dean posts.

To boost minority faculty representation at University of Illinois Chicago, Amiridis said the school implemented a pair of measures: a promise they would hire any qualified faculty of color whether there was an opening in the department or not and the creation of groups of minority graduate students who would be tenure-tracked.

Those two programs added 50 faculty of color, increasing the number of African American and Latinx faculty by 30 percent in two years, he said.

As USC deals with professors accused of sexual misconduct remaining on the payroll, Amiridis was asked about how he would handle those types of complaints

There is no room for sexual predators in an academic community. Let's be clear about this, he said. Part of the misunderstanding that we have sometimes, tenure is not a free ticket for bad behavior.

Amiridis said the University of Illinois Chicago has the Office of Access and Equity that investigates sexual harassment and assault claims at the school.

My goal is also to be proactive, not only to rectify situations, but prevent situations, and education of our students, educational faculty and staff is extremely important, he said.

Within the University of Illinois system, Amiridis is known for his work to grow enrollment at the Chicago campus, said Robert Jones, chancellor of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Under Amiridis' leadership, the school has seen seven straight years of record enrollment.

Amiridis also attracted a $40 million donation from MacKenzie Scott, the novelist, philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. It is the largest gift from an individual in the school's history. The funds are used to aid first-generation and low-income students in a number of ways, from funding internships and tuition assistance for summer classes to covering student housing costs.

"This is like a homecoming for him from my perspective, Jones said of Amiridis' appointment to USC's top office. And it doesn't get much better than that."

Jessica Holdman contributed from Columbia.
Uygur truck drivers Mansur Patar (L) and Manmanti Nurtou pose for a photo in front of a truck in the City of Kurla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 6, 2022. (Xinhua)

URUMQI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mansur Patar never expected that he would make the headlines one day for something that he considers "trivial."

In December last year, 38-year-old Mansur Patar and 42-year-old Manmanti Nurtou, both Uygur truck drivers from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, found themselves chauffeuring a truck across China as a favor to a recent acquaintance.

The journey from Xinjiang to the destination in east China's Jiangsu Province covered about 4,700 km and took eight days and nights. However, the two drivers performed the task entirely free of charge, bearing the cost of the journey, amounting to 3,000 yuan (about 472 U.S. dollars), all on their own.

Their only aim was to help Zhao Xulei, a man they had met just days before, and who had since suffered a serious eye injury.

"It's tiring to drive such a long distance and for so long, but it's quite rewarding," said Mansur Patar. "We don't think it's such a big deal, because this is the least we can do for our friend."

It all started in early November last year. Zhao, a 41-year-old truck driver from Jiangsu, met Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou in some cotton fields in the city of Korla, Xinjiang. They lived, worked and dined together for 11 days, forming a strong bond of friendship.

Disaster struck on Nov. 17 when Zhao's left eye was hit by a bundle of freight, causing serious damage.

"I was too badly injured to continue with my journey back home and didn't have anyone in the city or in Xinjiang that I could depend on. Faced with such a depressing situation, I called Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou for help," Zhao recalled.

Zhao was surprised when they rushed immediately to his hospital, helping him handle his medical procedures and offering to chauffeur his truck back to his hometown.

For Zhao, his truck was not just a means of transport. It provided him and his wife with a reliable income, while paying the tuition fees for his children and supporting elderly family members.

And most importantly, the truck gave him the confidence that he would eventually pay off his debts, totaling about 300,000 yuan, and could look forward to a bright future.

Unfortunately, the prognosis for his injury was not good. He would likely be blind in his left eye and would suffer reduced vision in the other one. As a consequence, he would probably have to give up on his driving career.

Had the accident not happened, Zhao would have made a sum of money from transporting cotton in Xinjiang and returned to his hometown of Jiangsu to be with his children he hadn't seen for months, just like he did in the past years.

For now, he faced the problem of what to do with his vehicle, which was sitting in a local parking lot with fees of 30 yuan per day.

"We knew that Zhao had spent more than 100,000 yuan on treating his eye, which was compounded by the delay to his work caused by his injury. The parking fees would come as a double blow for his debt-ridden family," said Mansur Patar.

To help Zhao pull through this most difficult situation, Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou decided to lend a hand -- chauffeuring his truck to his hometown, at their own expense.

They mulled the project over and discussed it with their family members. After winning their support, the two men made detailed arrangements ahead of departure.

"We decided to load some fruit onto the truck, transporting it from Xinjiang to Jiangsu to offset the fuel costs," said Mansur Patar. "We decided to take our rest and meals in the truck, so as to reduce both the costs and time. We bought bags of bottled water, instant noodles, pickles and naan, a staple food for Xinjiang people."

On Dec. 6, they drove to Aksu Prefecture to load up with apples. Three days later, they set out from the city of Korla and headed for Jiangsu, with about 4,700 km of road ahead of them.

They took turns driving and kept in touch with Zhao, who was in Beijing for further treatment, updating their real-time locations via their WeChat group.

On the early morning of Dec. 17, they arrived at Peixian County in the city of Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, after eight days and nights of driving. They informed Zhao of their arrival and Zhao's wife booked a hotel for them, emphasizing that they should stay in the county and wait until he returned after treatment.

Two days later, Zhao came back from Beijing and was reunited with his friends.

"When we met, the three of us hugged and cried," said Zhao. "We are like brothers now, and we will always be brothers."

In the following days, Zhao's family treated the men to fresh seafood, as well as other local specialties, and took them to various tourist sites.

On Dec. 27, Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou returned to Xinjiang. Thereafter, the three men spoke via video-chat every day, sharing funny events from their everyday lives. Zhao would always update them on his recovery status.

Before long, the story surfaced on social media, arousing widespread sympathy and respect among netizens.

Early this month, on hearing of their heroic deeds, the government of Peixian County sent a letter of thanks to the government of Korla, and entrusted the city officials with handing over a reward of 10,000 yuan to Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou.

Zhao says he has further plans to express his appreciation for the kindness that was shown to him.

"I made a deal with Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou. I will come to Korla after the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, visit the local tourist attractions and savor Xinjiang delicacies, together with my two old friends," said Zhao. 

Zhao Xulei (C) poses for a group photo with Uygur truck drivers Mansur Patar (1st L) and Manmanti Nurtou during their trip to Jining City, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 21, 2021. (Xinhua)
COLUMBIA  The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control decided that DeBordieu Colony homeowners can keep the sandbags they put on an eroding beach without state permission.

Bags have been on the sand in the gated Georgetown County community, behind a degrading wood bulkhead, since the fall of 2020. The owners of four houses with the bags did not get emergency permits from DHEC to keep them. Those properties then became part of a research proposal by Coastal Carolina University professor Paul Gayes to study how sand dunes with filled bags inside would fare over time.

The board voted 3-2 on Jan. 13 to allow the research, with the condition that it did not affect DHEC's still-pending investigation of the legality of the sandbag placement. But the board also stipulated that at the end of that investigation DHEC could not order the homeowners to remove the bags.

"This decision was not taken lightly. It affects the coast of South Carolina," said acting board chair Seema Shrivastava-Patel, who did not cast a vote. "We have confidence in our staff also."

The homeowners argued via three attorneys, including state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, to keep the bags in place. The hope is that they will be covered up as a beach renourishment project spits 650,000 cubic yards of recovered sand back onto the beach this year.

That conflicts with existing state regulations, DHEC staff said, which specify that sandbags are only a temporary solution on the beach for emergencies and cannot be permanently installed and covered with sand.

The board ultimately agreed with the homeowners' legal team, which requested the hearing after staff turned down Gayes' research proposal. The board's decision could now be appealed by an interested party, however, to the S.C. Administrative Law Court.

The Coastal Conservation League, which has been the ALC appellant in many other such cases, is "considering next steps," said Emily Cedzo, who works on coastal policy for the group.

"I don't know how it works to turn an enforcement issue into a research project," Cedzo said. "I don't know that that's ever been done before."

Gayes, who heads Coastal Carolina's Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies, argued to the board that mounting disasters are putting pressure on the state's beaches, and that the renourishment of Debidue Beach was not guaranteed to hold up for long. He said the sandbags now on the beach are a "vehicle of opportunity" to study a new path in beach management. (The community is "DeBordieu Colony," but the beach and the island are spelled differently: "Debidue Beach" and "Debidue Island.")

For years, beachfront homeowners and state regulators have played a game of cat-and-mouse over what can be placed on an eroding beach to stop the rising sea from assaulting nearby homes. Seawalls and bulkheads are explicitly banned because ricocheting waves will carry sand away from the shoreline as they bounce off the structures.

DHEC staff argued Jan. 13 that the effects of sandbags were similar with Blair Williams, a permitting manager with the agency's coastal office, saying there was "little scientific knowledge to be gained" by the study. Gayes disputed that claim.

But in many cases, as with the wooden wall that's also on Debidue, armoring was already in place before South Carolina's seawall ban was enacted decades ago.

Whether to replace Debidue's bulkhead has been a repeated issue of its own, with potentially statewide implications. A special exception to allow the wall's reconstruction there was quietly added to a state bill in 2019 shortly before it was sent to Gov. Henry McMaster, who ultimately rejected the bill, saying the special exception for one community was improper, and legislators upheld that veto.

At the same time, South Carolina's centerpiece Beachfront Management Act has radically changed in recent years, with a 2018 revision that moved the state from a policy of "retreat" from the beach to one of beach "preservation."

This new policy direction came up multiple times in the board hearing as Goldfinch, simultaneously mentioning the concerns of his Senate district and arguing for the DeBordieu homeowners, claimed that DHEC had failed to produce new regulations that would match the intent of lawmakers.

Williams argued that the agency had made changes in other coastal regulations after the 2018 revision, notably in the regulatory lines that determine where beachfront building can occur.

Goldfinch later replied, "I do not want to act smug in any way saying this, but I do not appreciate a staff member telling me what the legislative intent of the act was."
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 86F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
One of the 11 South Carolinians facing charges over last years Capitol riot could be thrown in jail after prosecutors alleged he tried to persuade his estranged wife, a potential witness in his case, not to testify against him.

William Norwood III violated the conditions of his April release by texting and emailing his wife against a judges order, prosecutors wrote in a filing that revealed more about the Greer mans role in the attack on the Capitol building.

Norwood told her to keep [her] mouth shut and pleaded with her, Do not throw me under the bus, after she aided the FBIs investigation of him, Justice Department lawyers wrote Jan. 13.

The content of the defendants text messages with his estranged wife ... show what appears to be a sustained campaign by the defendant to coerce, intimidate, threaten, and corruptly persuade a potential government witness to recant her statements to law enforcement and to obstruct justice, prosecutors wrote.

In a Jan. 13 hearing held just hours after the filing became public, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan warned he was extremely concerned about the allegation. The irate judge gave Norwoods defense attorney a month to come up with an argument for why Norwood shouldnt be detained.

Im inclined to revoke bond, the judge said.

The FBI arrested Norwood in February 2021 after seeing screenshots of text messages where he bragged to family members about storming the U.S. Capitol, fighting police officers inside and stealing their gear. Unlike six of his fellow Palmetto State defendants, he has refused to plead guilty. He insists he was lying in the family group chat and never assaulted any officers. His trial on seven federal charges is expected to begin this summer.

Norwood was allowed out of jail while his case played out, but only with a judges order that he not contact his estranged wife. Tampering with a witness carries serious penalties: up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

But Norwood did it anyway, court filings allege.

He pressured her to recant her statements to the FBI in connection with his case, but she refused, texting him back: "I will tell the whole truth," prosecutors wrote.

"Do not throw me under the bus," Norwood wrote, according to court records. "What part of spousal privilege don't you get???"

At one point, after Norwood's wife texted him that she refused to write "another bogus (expletive) email," Norwood wrote, in all caps: "STUP (expletive) LYING ABOUT EVERYTHING AND HELP ME LIKE YOU SAID YOU WOULD."

Eventually, Norwood's wife took her concerns to his defense attorney.

"Robert Norwood has been trying to [coerce] me into emailing you, stating that, anything from my statements to the FBI were not true," she wrote, according to court records. "However, I do not feel comfortably lying [sic] about anything. ... I do not feel comfortable in anything that he was telling me to do."

Prosecutors argued that allowing Norwood to remain out on bond endangers both his estranged wife and the integrity of their criminal case against him. They said Norwood can no longer be trusted to obey the conditions of his bond and suggested he be subject to more intense monitoring if allowed to remain free.

"The defendant should be detained pending trial," they wrote.

Norwood and his attorneys have repeatedly declined to comment publicly about his case, saying it wouldn't be appropriate while charges are pending.

But prosecutors' Jan. 13 court filing provided new details about Norwood's alleged role in the riot, citing videos that showed the Greer man reveling in the chaos.

Investigators found Norwood was one of the first in a mob of then-President Donald Trump supporters to breach the Capitol building that day  entering through a Senate Wing door around 2:23 p.m., "just ten minutes after rioters violently shattered the windows next to the door with stolen police riot shields and weapons."

Once inside, they wrote, Norwood recorded a video of himself shouting, "Well, we're in this (expletive) now. What now! This is our house.  Where you at, Nancy?"

Norwood then led a pack of rioters through House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, investigators said, stealing a coaster and filming a video of the crowd outside from her office balcony.

"It's our house (expletive)," Norwood shouted in that video, investigators said.

In another video, he yelled: "The soldiers' house! Go home police!"

Norwood later led a group as they pushed open a set of interior doors, "which allowed hundreds of rioters to stream into the U.S. Capitol Building from the outside," investigators wrote.

In other videos, Norwood taunted officers inside the building, calling them a series of expletives and threatening to "take our house back."

He left the Capitol building at 2:59 p.m., more than 30 minutes after entering it, and stole a police vest and helmet from a bin sitting outside it, investigators wrote.

Evidence published in Norwood's case showed he  like the thousands who marched on the Capitol that day  believed Trump's disproven claim that Democrats stole the 2020 presidential election with strategic fraud in battleground states.

It took hours for Capitol security to clear the building of rioters. Congress, which had evacuated the building, returned later that evening to formally certify Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election.
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a new investigation in South Carolina involving adults with mental illness who have been subjected to unnecessary institutionalization inside adult care homes.

The investigation will seek to determine if "South Carolina needlessly segregates individuals with mental illness in adult care homes ... by failing to provide integrated community-based mental health services," the agency said Jan. 12.

The Justice Department has not reached any conclusions about the case.

People with disabilities have too often been unlawfully isolated in institutions, including state psychiatric hospitals and adult care homes, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the agencys Civil Rights Division said in a news release. The Civil Rights Division will continue to defend the rights of individuals with mental illness to access the community-based services they need and to participate fully in community living.

The federal government alerted Gov. Henry McMaster's office about the investigation before announcing it publicly. A spokesman for the governor did not immediately respond to The Post and Courier's request for comment.

Advocate Brenda Bryant, whose 48-year-old daughter Stephanie Windham lives in a group home for adults with special needs in Florence, welcomed the investigation. Stephanie was gang-raped, Bryant said, while living in another group home nearly 30 years ago. Bryant has long argued that South Carolina unnecessarily warehouses adults like her daughter to pull in millions of federal dollars.

She anticipates the federal investigation will uncover widespread abuse and neglect.

"It's been a long time coming," Bryant said.

Sue Berkowitz, executive director of the Appleseed Legal Justice Center in Columbia, said federal law dictates that people with disabilities live and receive services in the "least restrictive environment" possible. This policy is commonly called the "Olmstead" rule, referencing the 22-year-old landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Olmstead v. L.C. It mandates that those with disabilities are entitled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to live and receive services in their homes and communities, instead of inside institutions.

But experts say that's not happening in South Carolina, where hundreds of "community residential care facilities" are licensed across the state by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control to house adults with mental illness and special needs.

"Most of them, theyre horrible. Its nowhere that you would ever want your family member to be," said Kimberly Tissot, executive director of Able SC. "Theres abuse and neglect constantly. Theyre treated more like prisoners than actual residents."

State leaders have long been aware of these problems, she said. Separate reports issued in 2009 and 2013 by a group called Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities outlined the "unsafe and deplorable" conditions inside the state's community residential care facilities. Among many findings, the group reported that some of these homes are "dirty, do not provide enough food, do not appropriately administer physician prescribed medications, violate residents rights, and do not provide protection from potential harm."

Tissot said she was relieved when she heard the federal government opened the investigation because she is optimistic that something will finally be done to protect these adults.

"Our state does a very poor job in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act," she said. "Its 30 years old. Theres really no justification for that."

Anyone with information relevant to the federal investigation should contact the Department of Justice by email, Community.SouthCarolina@usdoj.gov, or through the Civil Rights Divisions Civil Rights Portal, civilrights.justice.gov.
Sarah Mae Flemming was six days away from 21 years old when she boarded a bus in Columbia on June 22, 1954. She was a maid on her way to work. A little more than one month earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered its decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case, deeming school segregation unconstitutional.

As Flemming scanned the interior of the bus and began to walk down the aisle, she took note of the racial division and claimed an empty seat on the boundary. Perhaps she assumed she had crossed the invisible threshold and entered the Black section. Others thought differently. The bus driver accused her of violating the rules.

Flustered and humiliated, she signaled the driver to let her off, but as she made her way to the front door, he assaulted her, punching her in the stomach, and insisting she exit through the rear door.

She did not prevail in court, but Flemmings lawsuit helped lay the groundwork for the Montgomery bus boycott and Rosa Parks deliberate provocation, staged just 17 months after the young maid from Columbia decided to challenge South Carolina Electric & Gas, which operated the citys public buses.

Flemming was one of many women involved in the civil rights movement who helped change the course of history. Most resisted injustice quietly. Many stepped forward to join the front lines of the battle  people such as Charlestons Mary Moultrie, who led the 1969 Charleston hospital strike; Marion Wright, an attorney from Bennettsville who was active in Mississippi and then founded the Childrens Defense Fund; and Modjeska Monteith Simkins, a Columbia resident and activist in the NAACP state conference, which she helped establish.

Women were a driving force in the long civil rights battle, going back to Reconstruction, said Bobby Donaldson, director of the Center for Civil Rights History and Research at the University of South Carolina. In some ways these women defied assumptions and expectations. ... They went beyond the prescribed roles of women.

Their battle did not only entail civil rights.

These were individuals fighting both racial and gender discrimination in the Jim Crow South, Donaldson said.

They proved themselves essential.

Ella Baker was active in the NAACP during the 1940s. Inspired by the success of the Montgomery bus boycott, she moved to Atlanta in 1957 and helped create the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

After the Greensboro, N.C., sit-ins in February 1960, she understood the importance of recruiting young people to the movement. She left SCLC and organized a conference at her alma mater, Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., where the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was founded.

She was a mentor to Diane Nash, Bob Moses, John Lewis and Stokely Carmichael, and she played a critical role in advancing the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in 1964, an outcome of Freedom Summer. The party challenged the legitimacy of the all-White delegations to the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City. Baker was director of the partys office in Washington, D.C.

She was a proponent of grassroots organizing, calling into question the role of the charismatic frontman. Strong people dont need a strong leader, she said.

Fannie Lou Hamer grew up picking cotton in a sharecropper family in Mississippi. A restive and intelligent woman, she began to challenge the status quo in the 1950s, eventually joining SNCC and playing a pivotal role during Freedom Summer.

Hamer was on her way to a citizenship conference in Charleston organized by SCLC in 1963 when police in Greenwood, Miss., arrested her and the others on the bus, then beat them in jail. Hamers injuries, both physical and psychological, were lasting.

She forged on and assumed a commanding position as co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which she represented as a delegate at the 1964 Democratic convention.

Baker and Hamer are just two of the nations most prominent female civil rights leaders. South Carolina produced many such crusaders, including Mary McLeod Bethune, who was born to former slaves in Mayesville in 1875, and who founded the National Council for Negro Women 60 years later. She served as an adviser to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, helping to create the Federal Council on Colored Affairs, colloquially known as the Black Cabinet.

Others include Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, a protege of Booker T. Washington who in 1897 founded the Denmark Industrial School, later to become Voorhees College. And Charlotta Spears Bass, a native of Sumter who was the first Black woman to own and operate a newspaper in the U.S. In 1952, she was the first African American woman to be nominated for vice president, appearing on the Progressive Party ticket.

Millicent Brown was among a group of students to integrate the Charleston County public schools in 1963 and went on to become a professor of history and a community activist.

Christine O. Jackson led the YWCA Greater Charleston starting in the segregated 1960s, emphasizing the imperative to defeat racism and empower women. In 1972, Jackson organized the city's first MLK Celebration.

When we think about the civil rights movement, we cant just focus on Martin Luther King and these male leaders, said Cherisse Jones-Branch, dean of the graduate school at Arkansas State University and a Charleston native. Often they are the face of the movement, but whos in the trenches? Whos using connections to raise money, to recruit? Women are doing all that work in the background  and not always in the background.

They were consummate multitaskers, often addressing various acute problems simultaneously, Jones-Branch said. Take the hospital strike. Mary Moultrie and her legions of Black nurses were challenging wage disparities and ill treatment and institutional segregation and a lack of access among African Americans to good health care, she said.

There are a whole bunch of women who we will never know or hear much about who are foot soldiers of the civil rights era, she said. In order for us to really tell the story of what happened, we have to dig deep.

But not always.

One of the most important leaders of the freedom struggle was Septima P. Clark. King called her the mother of the movement, and for good reason. Clark was an educator who became active in the Charleston NAACP, helping to set up citizenship schools on Johns Island and elsewhere.

In 1956, the state of South Carolina made it illegal for state employees to maintain membership in civil rights organizations. Clark refused to repudiate the NAACP, and consequently lost her job as a schoolteacher and administrator after 40 years of employment.

She worked at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee  at first during the summers, then full time  leading workshops and training activists, including Rosa Parks just before the Montgomery bus boycott. In the 1960s, she became SCLCs director of education, continuing the work she had done at Highlander.

The civil rights movement was not immune to misogyny and sexism. Men generally preferred to occupy the spotlight, and women were not always appreciated, or encouraged to assume leadership positions. Baker didnt think SCLC was particularly hospitable to women. And SNCC, remarkably egalitarian for its time, contained its discontents.

Many women in the movement are not happy and contented with their status, wrote a few of SNCCs White female members in a position paper presented in late 1964. It needs to be made known that much talent and experience are being wasted by this movement when women are not given jobs commensurate with their abilities. It needs to be known that just as Negroes were the crucial factor in the economy of the cotton South, so too in SNCC are women the crucial factor that keeps the movement running on a day-to-day basis. Yet they are not given equal say-so when it comes to day-to-day decision-making.

Nevertheless, movement leaders took for granted that both genders shared a common goal, and they adopted a pragmatic approach, Donaldson said.

If the focus ... was to combat injustice, I think they understood that it would be nearly impossible to move the agenda forward without strong engaged women working side by side, he said.

In Columbia, Simkins took a leading role. She raised money not only to keep the NAACP state conference operating but also to provide financial assistance to African Americans challenging segregation and racism in the courts.

The movement needed money, Donaldson said. Mrs. Simkins and others were very skilled at identifying potential sources of funding, then transferring funds to the movement struggle.

In this way, she garnered essential support for the Briggs v. Elliott legal battle in Clarendon County, and for other racial justice efforts. She was also a driving force behind John McCrays Columbia-based newspaper The Lighthouse and Informer, which boldly defended Black victims of White violence and discrimination.

She was an architect of the movement in the mid-20th century, Donaldson said.

Many other women of South Carolina made important contributions to bettering the state. Lucille Simmons Whipper was the College of Charlestons first African American administrator who organized the committee that would eventually establish the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. She went on to a new career in the General Assembly.

Bernice Robinson, a Charleston native, helped establish Citizenship Schools in South Carolina and served as field supervisor of adult education for SCLC. She held workshops throughout the South and at the Highlander School so African Americans might pass the literacy tests that generally barred them from the polls. In the first part of the 1970s, Robinson worked for the S.C. Commission for Farm Workers, supervising workers and directing day care centers. She was the first Black woman in South Carolina to run for elected office.

But most women sought to advance the cause of racial justice in relatively modest ways, Jones-Branch said.

Their efforts began at the very beginning. Enslaved women found discreet ways to protect their families, maintain their cultural heritage and defend against soul-killing forces. They became the bedrock of their communities, finding ways to carry on, no matter what, and this in itself was a powerful form of resistance.

In 1854, before the start of the Civil War, Elizabeth Jennings Graham challenged segregation on a New York City streetcar. This wasnt just a Southern problem, Jones-Branch said.

These acts of courage persisted, one after another for centuries, sometimes provoking White wrath, sometimes breaking through into the national consciousness.

Today, women of color continue the work in classrooms, in the streets, in the pages of books. Three of them  Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi  started the Black Lives Matter movement after Trayvon Martins death in 2012. Author-attorney Michelle Alexander has called attention to the issue of mass incarceration, a phenomenon she calls the new Jim Crow. Attorney Maya Wiley, founder of the Center for Social Inclusion, works to dismantle structural racial inequity.

In South Carolina, many Black women are challenging the social order in myriad ways  some in health care (Faith Polkey, a pediatrician and administrator), some in government (Teresa Wilson, Columbia's city manager), some in academia (Tamara Butler, director of the Avery Research Center), some in cultural preservation (Victoria Smalls, director of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor), some in historical interpretation (Toby Smith, cultural history interpretation coordinator for Charleston County Parks). You can read about them in February, when The Post and Courier publishes its 12 Black Leaders to Know in South Carolina for 2022.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekend's wintry weather forecast.

"There is a potential for very dangerous conditions caused by accumulations of ice and snow," he said in a Jan. 14 news release. "I urge South Carolinians to monitor their local weather forecasts and begin taking safety precautions."

Forecasters warned of a possible mix of snow, sleet and rain beginning the evening of Jan. 15 and into the morning of Jan. 16, particularly in the Upstate and Midlands regions.

The wintry weather could create hazardous road conditions and cause power outages, officials said.

McMaster's executive order helps state agencies coordinate any resources necessary in the days ahead, said Kim Stenson, S.C. Emergency Management Division director.

McMaster is expected to provide updates on the storm during a press conference at the S.C. Emergency Operations Center in Columbia at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 15.

Freezing temperatures are expected to last through the start of next week, particularly at night, forecasters warn.

The S.C. Department of Public Safety also advised motorists to be aware of changing road conditions this weekend. The S.C. Highway Patrol and State Transport Police will increase staffing during the weekend to help ensure motorists safety.

During winter weather emergencies, DPS will follow the lead of the SCEMD in activating its emergency plan and will work closely with other state agencies, including the S.C. Department of Transportation, State Law Enforcement Division, Department of Natural Resources and others, sharing resources such as four-wheel drive vehicles and personnel.

We have been monitoring the forecast throughout the week, increasing staffing, and taking every precaution to ensure we are ready for whatever comes our way, SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV said. Even a small amount of snow or ice can cause hazardous conditions, so, our primary message is stay off the roads in affected areas and ensure you are prepared if travel is essential since conditions can change unexpectedly.

Motorists should check the weather forecast frequently before and while driving since conditions can deteriorate quickly, officials said.

"SCEMD Director Kim Stenson is coordinating with all county emergency managers to make sure there are no unmet needs in terms of winter storm response resources," according to the S.C. Emergency Operations Center.

Parts of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties are expected to see rain and colder temperatures, while other parts of the state could see snow, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures were expected to hover a few degrees above freezing in the tri-county area on the night of Jan. 15 into the following day, with rain mixed in.

Northern portions of Dorchester and Berkeley counties were most likely to see freezing rain and light ice accumulation.

The state's Severe Winter Weather Guide, which contains checklists and tips on preparing for a winter storm, can be found at www.scemd.org.

Jocelyn Grzeszczak contributed to this story.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
COLUMBIA  A longtime advocate for teachers at the Statehouse is joining the race to lead South Carolina's K-12 public schools.

Republican Kathy Maness, executive director of the Palmetto State Teachers Association, is running to replace retiring state Superintendent Molly Spearman.

"In light of Superintendent Spearman's decision to retire and with so many challenges facing education today, many of you have approached me to run," Maness said in a video attached to a Jan. 13 email. "Running is not something that I ever planned on doing or maybe even wanted to do, but the time is right."

The email, provided first to The Post and Courier, went out four days before Maness officially kicks off her campaign in Lexington, where she's lived for 28 years.

Maness joined the nonprofit's staff in 1993 after teaching 9 years at an elementary school in Lancaster, her hometown.

Beyond her day job lobbying for teachers, Maness is a member of Lexington Town Council, an office she first won 18 years ago. Her profile in that role was elevated in November 2020 when she became the first person from South Carolina to become president of the National League of Cities, a municipal advocacy group.

Maness, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the University of South Carolina, said her background makes her uniquely qualified for the role.

"As an educator and someone who has devoted my whole life to students, teachers and parents, I will be ready day one, there will not be on-the-job training for me. I think that is important," she told The Post and Courier after the email went out. "Will I be ready for everything? Do I know every policy? No, but we need someone who understands the public schools of South Carolina to be our next superintendent."

Her announcement makes the race a three-way field of Republicans so far. More candidates could join. They can't officially file for the June primaries until mid-March. No Democrats have come forward to run so far.

The last time there was no incumbent on the ballot was 2014, when Spearman, also a former teacher, won her first term following a four-way Democratic primary and after beating seven other Republicans in the GOP contest. No one challenged her bid for a second term.

Maness faces an uphill fundraising battle against Ellen Weaver, who earlier this week reported raising nearly $127,500 since announcing her candidacy in late November. Maness collected just under $11,000 last month, according to campaign filings with the State Ethics Commission, which reflect donations through Dec. 31.

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Weaver's another familiar face at the Statehouse, though sometimes on opposite sides from Maness.

As president of the conservative think tank Palmetto Promise Institute, Weaver is a chief advocate of school choice legislation that uses state taxes to help parents pay private tuition  proposals long opposed by public school teachers and administrators.

Since 2019, Weaver has also been chairwoman of the Education Oversight Committee, leading a legislative-appointed board of legislators, business people and educators. The agency, which is independent from the state Education Department, oversees student testing and school report cards.

And while this is Weaver's first run for office herself, the Bob Jones University graduate worked for former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint for 12 years, initially as the Greenville Republican's executive assistant while he was in the U.S. House and the past three years as his state director. DeMint founded Palmetto Promise Institute with campaign money when he left the Senate in 2013.

The third Repubican, Kizzi Gibson, an educator in public schools for more than 18 years, was the first to start raising money, months before Spearman announced last October that she wouldn't seek a third term. The Lexington District One art teacher has received about $7,750 in donations over the last six months, according to campaign filings.

Unlike other states, South Carolina does not have a teachers' union. Like other public employees in the Palmetto State, teachers aren't allowed to collectively bargain or go on strike. South Carolina does, however, have several groups that advocate for South Carolina's more than 50,000 teachers.

The Palmetto State Teachers Association was formed in 1976 to give teachers a choice of a professional association with no affiliation to a national union and grew to be the state's largest.

In her video message to members, Maness said her decision came with "much prayer and conversation" with her family and the association's team.

The email, sent out from board president Betsy Portune, noted the board gave her permission to run. While Maness will continue her role as executive director, she has the board's blessing to take time off in the coming months to campaign.

Maness decided "she can best serve the educators, students and families of our state in the coming year by seeking the office of superintendent," reads the message from Portune, a teacher in the Williston-Elko school district.
"I feel 100 percent safe in Xi'an and it's just truly incredible to see how prepared and organized the government is," said a Hungarian expat who lives in China's Xi'an, as the city battles a resurgence of COVID-19. #GLOBALink





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
South Carolina will receive around $55 million this year from the Biden administration's infrastructure bill toward fixing hundreds of bridges throughout the Palmetto State that are in poor condition.

The funds, from the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill signed last year by the president, are the first wave of more than $200 million being used to fix South Carolina bridges over the next five years.

More than 700 bridges in the state have been determined to be in "poor structural condition," according to data provided by the S.C. Department of Transportation. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given South Carolina bridges a "C grade" on its infrastructure report card.

While the DOT did not mention specific problems, the main focus will be repairing bridges that have weight restrictions and were built before more many modern vehicles began occupying the roadways.

"Our focus will be removing load postings from bridges," said Justin Powell, deputy secretary for finance and administration, with the S.C. Department of Transportation. Thats really our focus right now, and well be working over the next couple of years.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that the influx of money is the largest bridge investment since the creation of the highway system under President Dwight Eisenhower's administration.

Modernizing Americas bridges will help improve safety, support economic growth, and make peoples lives better in every part of the country  across rural, suburban, urban and tribal communities," Buttigieg added.

The state DOT has been trying to make bridges a priority for nearly half a decade.

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The department's existing 10-year plan included repairing or replacing 465 bridges statewide. The agency's oversight board approved putting an additional $69 million annually into bridge work and boosting the target to 500 bridges fixed by mid-2027. The new money from the infrastructure bill will be weaved into that effort.

"We've been working on this and we've been identifying how this new money will strategically apply to our 10-year plan," Powell said. "It's part of an overall strategic effort."

Since passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Biden White House has promoted that it is providing more than $5 billion to South Carolina for roadwork. But most of that was already destined for the state DOT's coffers under prior federal law.

The new law increases federal highway aid flowing directly to the DOT by $250 million or so annually, from roughly $735 million to $1 billion yearly, through 2026.

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the state's lone Democrat in Washington and who voted for the infrastructure package, praised the Biden administration for helping repair his home state's bridges.

"This funding is long overdue for our state, and I am pleased that the Biden-Harris administration has made fixing our bridges a high priority, Clyburn said in a statement. This historic investment will ensure that our communities have safe and reliable bridges for not only drivers, but pedestrians and cyclists alike."

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham was the lone Republican from South Carolina to support the bill.
There have been contradictions about our local government's strategy on COVID-19 testing and limitations for those who have come in close cont Read more
Yesterday, in a post about Joe Bidens historically bad speech in Georgia, I invited history-minded readers to tell me about a presidents speech worse than Bidens. Professor Andrew Busch has cited one for me.

Andrew Busch is Crown Professor of Government and George R. Roberts Fellow at Claremont McKenna College. He reached back to 1948 to find a case of a president rivaling Biden for vitriol and demagoguery.

Andy writes:

Without in any way demeaning Bidens accomplishment, I would suggest one possible competitor. Toward the end of his 1948 come-from-behind campaign, Harry Truman delivered a speech in Chicago on October 25 which rivalled Bidens in its scale of sheer demagoguery. In our time, Truman said, we have seen the tragedy of the Italian and German peoples, who lost their freedom to men who made promises of unity and efficiency and sincerityand it could happen here. Truman suggested that Republican nominee Thomas Dewey was only a front man for a clique of fascistic businessmen such as those who propelled Mussolini and Hitler into power. Sounding amazingly like Joe Biden, Truman declared that Republican leaders, of course, give lip service to the principles of democracy. But the Republicans preach one thing and practice another. The actions of the Republican 80th Congress opened the gate to forces that would destroy our democracyThis is not just a battle between two parties. It is a fight for the very soul of the American Government. For the whole text, see [here].

Trumans Chicago speech is an example of Harry giving em hell. Truman liked to say he didnt give Republicans hell, he just told the truth and they think its hell.

But in Chicago at least, the hell Truman gave was slander of the most egregious kind.

Still, Andrew observes that Truman fans can point to mitigating facts, at least when it comes to comparing him and Biden:

Of course, one might grant Truman a bit of leeway, caught as he was in the heat of a difficult campaign. Biden does not have that excuse. Trumans demagoguery is also arguably counterbalanced by concrete achievements such as aid to Greece and Turkey, NATO, the Berlin airlift, and the defense of South Korea against communist aggression. Biden, so far, has no such credits to balance the debit.

Right. And its almost certain that Biden never will.

STEVE adds the New York Times front page headline about the speech:
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held a phone conversation with his counterpart of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, over bilateral relations.

China appreciates the UAE's support for the smooth going of the National Day of China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, Wang said, adding China will continue to support the UAE in making the Expo one of the most successful Expos to help the UAE enhance its international status and influence, and open up new space for diversified development.

Wang welcomed all countries to visit the China Pavilion, saying he believes the pavilion will serve as a window for enhancing mutual understanding and friendship with China.

China and the UAE are comprehensive strategic partners and bilateral cooperation in various fields is at the forefront of China's cooperation with countries in the region, Wang noted.

China appreciates the UAE's understanding of and support for China's legitimate propositions on issues concerning China's core interests, Wang said, adding that China also supports the UAE in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.

China always views its relations with the UAE from a strategic and long-term perspective and stands ready to work with the Arab country to continuously advance and deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries, Wang said.

For his part, Sheikh Abdullah thanked China for its valuable and strong support for the UAE to successfully host the Expo and fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The UAE attaches great importance to its friendship with China and always puts bilateral relations as a priority in its diplomacy, he said.

Noting that the UAE and China are strategic partners as well as true friends in need, Sheikh Abdullah said that the UAE-China relationship has become a model of international relations.

Both sides adhere to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and believe that the fight against COVID-19 should be conducted in a scientific manner, said Sheikh Abdullah, adding that the UAE stands ready to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and push for greater development of bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Wang said that anti-pandemic cooperation between China and the UAE serves as an example of international solidarity against COVID-19 and further deepens friendship and mutual trust between the two sides.

Noting that the trade volume between the two countries increased substantially last year despite headwinds, Wang said China has full confidence in the prospects of bilateral relations, and the China-UAE relations will surely become more resilient and stable.

China will continue to ensure the steady supply of vaccines and concentrates to the UAE, make solid progress in building Chinese vaccines filling and packing lines, carry out joint research and development of anti-COVID-19 drugs, and further strengthen cooperation in energy, production capacity, finance and high technology, so as to produce more practical cooperation outcomes, Wang said.

Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE supports China in hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics and wishes the Beijing Winter Olympics a complete success.

Wang said China welcomes leaders of the UAE to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, and would like to take this opportunity to raise bilateral relations to new levels and achieve new results in cooperation in various fields.

The two sides also exchanged views on deepening cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE supports the joint statement recently issued by the GCC secretariat and China, and fully agrees to establish a free trade area between the GCC and China as soon as possible.

Wang stressed that China stands ready to work with the Gulf countries to speed up the construction of the free trade area, so as to provide good news for and inject new impetus into efforts to develop the economy of both sides and the world at large.

Congratulating the UAE on serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Wang said China is willing to work closely with the UAE to solve hotspot issues, maintain communication and coordination in the face of global challenges, and stick to and practice true multilateralism, as well as promote democracy in international relations, jointly defend regional peace and stability, protect the legitimate rights and interests of emerging markets, and safeguard international justice.

Both sides also exchanged views on issues related to Yemen, the Iran nuclear deal and the Middle East. 
By a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court has halted the Biden administrations vaccination-or-testing requirement on large American employers. The majority doubted the existence of legal authority for the sweeping mandate. The Courts three liberals  Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan  dissented.

The Court did, however, allow to remain in place the administrations requirement of vaccinations for most health-care workers at facilities that receive Medicaid and Medicare funds. The vote in that case was 5-4. The dissenters were Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Barrett.

There was a concurring opinion in the employer mandate case. Justice Gorsuch wrote it. He was joined by Justices Thomas and Alito.

Gorsuchs concurrence declares that power to respond to the pandemic rests with the States and Congress, not OSHA. He cites the major questions doctrine.

My quick reading of the opinions (I wanted to get this initial report on the case up quickly) didnt reveal substantive disagreement, on the surface anyway, among the six Justices in the majority. However, there was a clear divergence in approaches among the six in the vaccination-for-healthcare-workers case.

There, Justice Barrett joined the three Justices who concurred in the employer-mandate case as a dissenter. The Chief Justice and Kavanaugh sided with the employer-mandate dissenters (the three libs) to form a majority.

The two cases confirm that Roberts and Kavanaugh now constitute the Supreme Courts center. The four more conservatives Justices will have to be joined by at least one of these two to gain a majority in highly controversial cases.

The four conservatives went 1-for-2 today.

BY THE WAY: Dan McLaughlin believes todays decisions bode poorly for Bidens mandate for employees of federal contractor.
We have occasionally turned to science writer Matt Ridley for clarity and illumination. He brings both to the latest news about the lab-leak theory of the origin of Covid-19. His Spiked column asks Why did scientists suppress the lab-leak theory? Subhead: In private, they said it was plausible. In public, they called it a conspiracy theory. Ridley recounts:

In December 2019 there was an outbreak in China of a novel bat-borne SARS-like coronavirus a few miles from the worlds leading laboratory for collecting, studying and manipulating novel bat-borne SARS-like coronaviruses. We were assured by leading scientists in China, the US and the UK that this really was a coincidence, even when the nine closest relatives of the new virus turned up in the freezer of the laboratory in question, at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Now we know what those leading scientists really thought. Emails exchanged between them after a conference call on 1 February 2020, and only now forced into the public domain by Republicans in the US Congress, show that they not only thought the virus might have leaked from a lab, but they also went much further in private. They thought the genome sequence of the new virus showed a strong likelihood of having been deliberately manipulated or accidentally mutated in the lab. Yet later they drafted an article for a scientific journal arguing that the suggestion not just of a manipulated virus, but even of an accidental spill, could be confidently dismissed and was a crackpot conspiracy theory.

Jeremy Farrar  who organised the call on 1 February with Patrick Vallance, Francis Collins, Anthony Fauci and a Whos Who of virology  had already spilled a few of the beans in his book, Spike, published last year. He wrote that at the start of February 2020 he thought there was a 50 per cent chance the virus was engineered, while Kristian Andersen of the Scripps Research Institute was at 60-70 per cent and Eddie Holmes of Sydney University put it at 80 per cent. But some time after the call they all changed their mind. Why? They have never troubled us with an answer.

Now, however, we have an email from Farrar, sent on Sunday 2 February to Francis Collins, head of the National Institutes of Health, and Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. It recounts the overnight thoughts of two other virologists Farrar had consulted, Robert Garry of Tulane University and Michael Farzan of the Scripps Research Institute, as well as Farrars own thoughts. Even after the call, their concern centred on a feature of the SARS-CoV-2 genome that had never been seen in any other SARS-like coronavirus before: the insertion (compared with the closest related virus in bats) of a 12-letter genetic sequence that creates a thing called a furin cleavage site, which makes the virus much more infectious.
On Friday, filmmaker and founder of EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu, acknowledged the disappointment expressed by critics over her newly produced comedy movie, Chief Daddy 2.

The star-studded movie was exclusively released on NETFLIX on January 1, almost three years after the first installment.

After Chief Daddy was released in 2018, fans looked forward to the sequel. The movie tells the unique but hilarious story of a dead wealthy man whose numerous concubines and children jostle for his inheritance.

But fans who were left disappointed and angry at the sequel expressed their views on social media.

PREMIUM TIMES, in its review, described the movie as an unnecessary sequel that leaves viewers utterly confused and angry.

Countless negative feedback followed, forcing Ms Abudu and her team to restrict comments on their social media pages. It is the first time in the history of Nollywood that Nigerians would speak in one voice and condemn a Nollywood film in its entirety.

The criticism nonetheless, Chief Daddy 2 is number four on the Top 10 in Nigeria category on Netflix.

Response

In a post on her verified Instagram page, Ms Abudu didnt apologise for letting Chief Daddy fans down but promised to do better in subsequent productions. She noted that those who are pained about the film are appreciated.

Her speech read: As the CEO of the EbonyLife Group, I am aware of the mixed reactions to the release of Chief Daddy 2 on the 1st of January on Netflix. While some people enjoyed the film, others did not, and so I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our Chief Daddy fans that felt some disappointment with the sequel.

Thank you so much for caring and for sharing your concerns so passionately. Over the years, we have been the privileged recipients of your love and support of our productions  from Fifty, The Wedding Party, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, Your Excellency, The Governor, Castle and Castle, Oloture, and of course Chief Daddy 1 amongst others. All these fantastic stories are on Netflix for your viewing pleasure. So, when you express your disappointment with us, please know your voices are heard.

Warning

While stating that her team appreciates the constructive feedback and would continuously improve to deliver excellent quality productions, she sternly warned against trolling.

She said : What we do not welcome are insults, abuse, or any form of trolling towards myself and members of my team. Please share your feedback respectfully. Otherwise, we will have to restrict entries to you on our pages.

We dont want anyone to miss out on finding out about the exciting stories we have for you in the pipeline. Thank you for listening, and rest assured that we have great things in store for you, with some amazing titles coming your way soon.

Abudu,Bode Asiyanbi, Hiedi Uys, and Salah Sabiti wrote the story.

The lead casts of the movie included Shaffy Bello, Funke Akindele-Bello, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Rahama Sadau, Mawuli Gavor, Beverly Naya, and Falz.

Others are Linda Ejiofor, Beverly Osu, Ini Edo, Broda Shaggy, Uzor Arukwe, Zainab Balogun, Rachel Oniga, Nedu Wazobia, and Chigul.
Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria in 2020 and its consequences on the economy  economic recession and hike in essential commodity prices  Nigerians sought an effective response from the government  the executive and the legislature  in 2021.

As activities in the National Assembly restarted in February 2021, the common expectation was that lawmakers would kickstart legislative interventions to cushion the effects of the pandemic on Nigerians. Other than the supplementary budget, approval of loan requests and the annual budget, very little was done by lawmakers to directly relieve the citizens of the hardship brought by COVID-19.

Instead, the legislature and the executive engaged in bickerings over the 774,000 special works programme being supervised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Furthermore, the lawmakers are yet to question the proposal by President Muhammadu Buhari of N5,000 for 40 million poor Nigerians in the event of the removal of petroleum subsidy.

While the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill and Climate Change bill has been lauded, the complicity of the House of Representatives in the war against the media and social media brought the lawmakers under criticism. Nigerians opposed the draconian National Broadcasting Commission and the Press Council bills introduced in the House by Segun Odebunmi (APC, Oyo) in 2021 which they saw as an assault on the media.

In summary, 2021 had its good, bad and ugly sides as far as the performance of the lawmakers is concerned.

The Good

In 2021, the House of Representatives broke the 17 years jinx of the Petroleum Industry Bill with the passage of the bill in July and the subsequent signing into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The House also passed the Climate Change bill sponsored by Samuel Onuigbo. After several failed attempts in past assemblies, the bill was not only passed but signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Legislative Interventions

In 2021, the House successfully intervened in several issues. In November, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, brokered peace between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a move that stopped a pending industrial action by the union.

Such parliamentary diplomacy has become the hallmark of the House under Mr Gbajabiamila.

In December, he chaired a similar meeting between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates over a crisis in the aviation sector between the two countries.

Recovered loots probe

In May, an ad-hoc committee investigating the status of recovered loots started the probe into all the assets recovered by the government.

In the first 10 sittings, the committee had in attendance the Minister of Finance, Ahmed Zainab; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris; the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa; the Customs Comptroller-General, Hammed Ali and several others.

During the investigation, several ministries, departments and agencies were queried by the committee, notably, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Malami whose office was indicted for spending from the recovered loot account, and the accountant-general for approving money from the account without an appropriation from the National Assembly.

Six months after, the committee is yet to conclude the investigation as the focus of the probe has shifted to the banks yet to remit money deposited by MDAs before the implementation of the TSA.

Security Summit

After passing a series of motions and resolutions on security with little or nothing to show for it, the House in May decided to hold a security summit.

The summit which was attended by traditional rulers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, representatives of the Nigerian Governors Forum and representatives of the military was aimed at providing a solution to confront the insecurity across the country.

Following the summit, the committee chaired by the Speaker gave 19 recommendations to address the security challenges facing the country. The recommendations were adopted by the House and with assurance from Mr Gbajabiamila that the president will ensure the implementation of the recommendations.

However, killings, kidnappings and general insecurity persisted across the country. In December, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), moved a motion on the surge in killings in his constituency.

The Bad And The Ugly

Stance on Twitter ban

When the federal government announced the ban on Twitter, the National Assembly was on holiday. There was the expectation that lawmakers would intervene via a resolution urging the government to reverse the ban.

Some members of the opposition had informed PREMIUM TIMES that they would resist any attempt by the leadership of the House to prevent lawmakers from voicing their concerns on the matter. However, when the House resumed on June 8, Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila outwitted the lawmakers by announcing a probe during his speech, instead of allowing a substantive motion that would lead to debates. Dissatisfied lawmakers had to stage a walk-out in protest.

The outcome of the House investigation into the ban was a tactical approval of the muzzling of social media.

That time be allowed for the Federal Government of Nigeria and Twitter to enter into the dialogue process, one of the resolutions reads.

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Deaths in the House

In 2021, the House lost several lawmakers to the cold hands of death. Ossy Prestige (APGA) died in Germany on February 9 while treating an undisclosed illness.

In March, two members died. Haruna Maitala died in a ghastly motor accident along the Abuja-Keffi road while going to Jos, while Hassan Kila died at the National Hospital in Abuja.

In April, Suleiman Lere died at a hospital in Kaduna State. Also, in August, Adebayo Omolafe passed away at the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, Ondo State.

The spokesperson of the House, Ben Kalu (APC, Abia) blamed the death of lawmakers on the financial status of the House. According to Mr Kalu, members are under pressure from financial demands from their constituents.

Deputy Speaker blocks petition from Nigerians in Diaspora

Another ugly moment in the House was the drama that ensued between the Deputy Speaker, Mr Wase (APC, Plateau), and Mark Gbillah (PDP, Benue).

Mr Gbillah had attempted to present a petition from Association of Tivs residents in the United States. He was however stopped from doing so by Mr Wase, who was presiding over the session on that day.

The petition was on the displacement of some communities in Benue due to the armed herdsmen attacks in those communities.

Mr Wase argued that the group is composed of faceless individuals that have no locus on the issue. The farmers/herders crisis remains a sensitive matter due to the ethnic nature of the conflict. Even though Mr Wase argued that it was a matter of parliamentary procedure, it was viewed by many from the prism of ethnicity, because Mr Wase is a Fulani.

The argument on locus by the deputy speaker irked many Nigerians in Diaspora, who in a letter to Mr Gbajabiamila threatened to stop remittances to Nigeria. Days after, Mr Gbajabiamila overruled his deputy and permitted the same petition to be laid.

Gagging the media

Segun Odebunmi (APC, Oyo) was in the news in 2021 for all the wrong reasons. As a lawmaker with no background in media, he authored two bills to regulate the media. The NBC and the NPC bills sought to introduce draconian measures to regulate the media.

At the public hearing on the bills, members of the fourth estate of the realm and civil society organisations rejected the bills but the government delegation, led by Lai Mohammed, canvassed support for them.

Following the combined effort of the media and CSOs, Mr Odebunmi was forced to step down the bills.

Politicising insecurity..

After countless motions and resolutions on insecurity with little or nothing to show for it, some lawmakers could not resist the temptation to politicise insecurity.

Shortly before embarking on the Christmas and New Year holidays, the deputy speaker moved a motion on recent killings in his constituency. During the debate on the motion, the Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu, who is notorious for making jokes out of issues, said he is happy that some members of the ruling party were feeling the heat.

It has been going on and on around, I am happy that the number six citizen has been affected. I am happy that he has been affected.. The APC government has failed..,

He was cautioned by the speaker, who said We are dealing with a matter that affects everybody, whether you are an APC member or PDP. We should not reduce such matters to partisan matters.

While the lawmakers bantered, Nigerians are still living in fear due to mass abductions in schools, armed invasion of communities, kidnapping along highways, insurgency in the Northeast and general insecurity across the country.

Messy PIB, Electoral Bill

For three days in July, Nigerians sat on the edge of their seats, watching as the lawmakers deliberated on two important pieces of legislation, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Electoral Act amendment bill.

While the PIB deals with the economy, the electoral bill deals with electoral reforms.

As always, the lawmakers politicised the two laws. During deliberation, Nigerians saw their lawmakers in fistfights and all sorts of theatrics. Within the two days, the lawmakers treated the two bills along partisan lines.

2022 projections

In the new year, election activities will be in full swing and some lawmakers will prefer to be in their constituents rather than stay in Abuja. But Mr Gbajabiamila has assured Nigerians that the House will ensure that it continues to hold sittings in 2022 despite the electioneering activities that will be going on.

Meanwhile, there are several unfinished legislative businesses before the House. The ad hoc committee on constitution alteration has to conclude the process before the end of 2022.

The House also has to resolve issues around the electoral bill which the president has already rejected. While there is a clamour for the lawmakers to veto the president, Mr Gbajabiamila said it will be resolved in January without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

President Buhari during a recent interview on Channels TV said he would be disposed to signing the electoral bill if the direct primaries clause is removed from the bill.
The British royal family Thursday in a statement announced it has stripped Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, of his royal patronages as a result of the ongoing sexual abuse lawsuit against him.

With the Queens approval and agreement, The Duke of Yorks military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen, the statement reads.

The royal family also noted that the prince will be defending the allegation against him as a private citizen.

The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.

The 61-year-old Duke of York was forced to step down from public duties in 2019 because of his connections to convicted U.S. sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, and after a disastrous interview on the BBCs flagship current affairs programme, which he had hoped would clear his name.

Things took a turn for the worse when a U.S. judge struck out an appeal to dismiss a civil lawsuit against him in which Virginia Giuffre accused him of sexual abuse when she was 17.

According to Aljazeera, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said Ms Giuffre, who is now 38, could pursue claims that Mr Andrew allegedly battered her and intentionally caused her emotional distress while Mr Epstein  a financier who killed himself in jail in August 2019 just before he was due to stand trial on sex trafficking charges  was trafficking her.

The prince has denied Ms Giuffres accusations that he forced her to have sex more than two decades ago at a London home of Mr Epsteins former partner and associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and abused her at two Epstein properties.

Aljazeera also reported that the removal of Mr Andrews military roles came after more than 150 Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army veterans wrote to the queen.

The 95-year-old head of state is the commander-in-chief of the army, navy and air force.

Were this any other senior military officer it is inconceivable that he would still be in post, the veterans wrote in a joint letter made public by the anti-monarchy pressure group Republic.

Officers of the British armed forces must adhere to the very highest standards of probity, honesty and honourable conduct.

These are standards which Prince Andrew has fallen well short of, they wrote, adding that he had brought the services he is associated with into disrepute.

Back Story

Ms Giuffre filed the suit against the prince in August 2021, accusing him of rape and sexual assault of a minor, as well as inflicting psychological and emotional harm. She is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

According to a report by NPR, Ms Giuffre alleged that the abuse occurred sometime between 2000 and 2002 when Ms Giuffre was part of Mr Epsteins inner circle and Mr Andrew was around 40 years old.

Ms Giuffre said Mr Andrew sexually abused her in three different places when she was a minor: at Mr Maxwells home in London, at Mr Epsteins mansion in New York, and at Mr Epsteins private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her lawsuit includes the now-famous photo of the prince with his arm around Ms Giuffres waist  an image she said was taken shortly before he abused her.
At least, 27 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have reported 395 cases of Circulating Mutant Poliovirus Type 2 (cMPV2).

The executive director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

Mr Shuaib said cMPV2 outbreaks are caused by immunity gaps in children due to several reasons, including low routine immunisation coverage, and missing children during immunisation campaigns.

He said the suspension of several polio campaigns and other health programmes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to increased transmission of the circulating mutant poliovirus.

The suspension of several polio campaigns and other health programmes in 2020, as well as disruptions to routine immunisation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, created further immunity gaps which led to new and wider outbreaks, and further increased transmission of the circulating mutant poliovirus both globally and within Nigeria, he said.

Polio Virus

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. It is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the faecal-oral route or, through contaminated water or food and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis.

cMPV2 is a form of polio that often occurs due to low immunisation rates within communities. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative said the virus can mutate and take on a form that can cause paralysis just like the wild poliovirus.

The viruses thrive in areas with poor sanitation, open defecation, and inadequate access to clean drinking water. Malnutrition occasioned by increasing poverty is also a predisposing factor in exposed children.

Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) expressed concern that Nigeria is causing the virus to spread to other countries. It also expressed concerns about the poor quality of supplementary immunisation activities conducted to date and routine immunisation.

It would be recalled that Nigeria and the African region were certified Wild Polio Virus (WPV) free in 2020, following a verification and certification process by the African Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (ARCC) which spanned three years of no detection of WPV.

In September 2021, the NPHCDA announced an outbreak of vaccine-derived poliovirus across 12 states with 121 cases, a development that put the polio-free status under threat.

Mr Shuaib, however, said no cases of WPV have been reported anywhere in the country since the last case in 2016.

Till date, there has been no case of WPV anywhere in the country, he said.

Collaboration

Mr Shuaib said these non-wild polio viruses which originated because of normal changes in the reproduction of viruses in the environment are not as virulent as WPV and are also being reported in many other countries.

He said Nigeria in collaboration with donors and development partners has acquired new tools and resources to ensure the outbreaks are contained through very robust outbreak responses using the novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) which has been shown to be effective in halting the spread of the cMPV2.

He said all 36 States and FCT have completed at least one nOPV2 Outbreak Response (OBR).

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He said: Several other rounds of the OBR as well as other campaigns to improve the mucosal immunity of children aged o-5 years old using Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV) have also been planned for this year.

Efforts are also being ramped up to increase routine immunisation coverage beyond pre-COVID values.

He assured Nigerians that the agency and partners will continue to conduct surveillance and vaccination campaigns to prevent and contain any possible importation of the WPV into the country.

We use this opportunity to reiterate the importance of parents and caregivers bringing their children for routine immunisation against vaccine preventable diseases, he said.
The police in Zamfara State have recovered a rocket launcher and a locally fabricated gun during a heavily engaged gun duel between the police and some hoodlums.

In a statement on Thursday, the police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Shehu, said the rocket launcher and the gun were recoverd after the gun battle at some locations under Gummi, Bukkuyum and Maru.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how bandits stormed communities in Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas, killing at least 200 residents recently.

Mr Shehu said the bandits were forced to retreat into the bush with wounds, leaving the rocket launcher and the gun.

According to the statement, the pooice also arrested four suspects in connection with culpable homicide, conspiracy, cannibalism and dealing with human parts in Gusau, the state capital.

The suspects are Aminu Baba, Abdulshakur Muhammad, Abdullahi Buba and Ahmad Tukur. The exhibits found in their possession include intestine, esophagus, penis and two eyes.

During interrogation, one of the suspects said he was contracted to source for human parts at the sum of N500,000 which he did before his arrest.

The buyer of human parts, one Aminu Baba, who has 19 children, confessed to the crime and his revelations are assisting police investigation in arresting other members of his gang. He further confessed that he usually eats the human parts and identified throat as the most delicious part. He also sells some away, the statement added.

Among suspects paraded were a Nigerien national, Aisha Ibrahim, who was accused of stealing her co wifes two-year old child with the intent of selling him, and three peesons, Usama Usman, Saifullahi Aminu and Zainab Aliyu, suspected of vandalising and removing copper wire valued at N700,000 in Tsafe Local Government Area.
A State High Court in Uyo has postponed judgement on a case asking it to set aside its earlier ruling in which the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, was awarded N1.5 billion as damages for libel.

The judgement was scheduled for Tuesday in a State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, after the claimants counsel, Samuel Ikpo and defence counsel, Inibehe Effiong, had presented their arguments in the case.

But the judge, Ekaete Obot, who is the state chief judge of Akwa Ibom State, ordered the defence counsel, Mr Effiong, to file an application for change of counsel.

Justice Obot said Mr Effiong came in through the backdoor, and that she could grant him appearance in the matter.

Mr Effiong took over the case after the court, on December 15, 2020, ruled that the defendant, Leo Ekpenyong, should pay the claimant, Governor Emmanuel N1.5 billion as damages for libel.

Governor Emmanuel had sued Mr Ekpenyong for defamation of character over a publication in which he accused the governor of buying judgment from the 2019 National Assembly Election Tribunal.

Mr Effiong, who made his first appearance for the matter on November 25, 2021, argued that the court had breached the Nigerian Constitution in its December 15, 2020 judgment against his client, Mr Ekpenyong.

In less than five minutes court session on Tuesday, Justice Obot ordered Mr Effiong to apply for regularisation of counsel as he (Mr Effiong) was taking over the same case from the former counsel. She further ordered that the former counsel be served.

The court is hearing the matter simultaneously with another defamation case between a former senator, Effiong Bob, and Mr Ekpenyong, which the court had ordered Mr Ekpenyong to pay N150 million as damages to Mr Bob.

Justice Obot postponed the judgment to January 17.
A review of the issues covered in 2021 by the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) predictably shows positives and negatives for the body tasked with making decisions on conflict prevention, management and resolution. The PSC met over 80 times last year and discussed many of the continents violent conflicts, records show.

On the plus side, the council spent lots of time on disasters and crisis management. And the nexus between climate change and insecurity appeared on the agenda for the first time at the level of heads of state. This shows a shift towards long-term human security issues  a deviation from the PSCs traditional preoccupation with outbreaks of violent conflict.

Another 2021 focus was political transitions. Council delegations visited Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic to liaise with stakeholders and develop an action plan for sustainable AU support for political transitions. The trip to Somalia helped narrow the divergence between the positions of that government and the PSC on the future of the AU Mission in Somalia.

The growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism prompted several meetings, including at the ministerial level, where a strategy to counter the problem was discussed. The need for more support to AU-endorsed initiatives such as the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram was also covered, along with the G5 Sahel and the deployment of 3,000 more troops to the region. Finalising the AU Sahel stabilisation strategy was prioritised.

The PSC also conceptualised a strategy to stabilise and develop Boko Haram-affected areas, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin. Consensus was reached on the need for sustainable financing from the United Nations for AU-led peace support operations, including those providing counter-terrorism.

Coups and unconstitutional changes of government were also consistent topics in 2021. Military takeovers in Mali, Guinea and Sudan were deemed unconstitutional, and the PSC suspended these countries from participating in AU activities pending a return to constitutional order under civilian rule.

In Mali and Guinea, the council waited for the Economic Community of West African States to pronounce on matters before taking a position. The only country where the PSC intervened directly was Sudan  its swiftest action against an unconstitutional change of government.

The council has been criticised for delaying its decisions while waiting for regional bodies to make the first move. Its handling of the unconstitutional power transfer in Chad following Idriss Debys death in April 2021 was also harshly assessed. Contrary to AU norms, the PSC endorsed an 18-month transitional plan drawn up by the military that had assumed power.

The council held two meetings on elections, with particular attention on COVID-19, and received many reports from AU electoral observer missions. A novel attempt was also made to evaluate the implementation of the PSCs annual workplan. But a better methodology and prior planning are needed for this to become a useful tool in holding the council accountable for its performance.

In contrast to the above achievements, the PSCs record of responding quickly and proactively to crises and dealing with long-term conflict challenges was less impressive. Although it encouraged member states to address the root causes of insecurity, the council has consistently failed to highlight and confront the governance deficits that underlie many of the continents conflicts.

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, in 2021 the continent saw 13 051 protests and riots, resulting in 1 297 reported fatalities. These anti-government protests were often about a lack of safety and rule of law, and rising inequality, corruption and oppression  problems that werent discussed by the PSC. Until it boldly addresses member states governance failures, the bodys ability to prevent conflicts will be limited.

Conflict prevention is at the core of the PSCs mandate. Yet even with the support of the AUs continental early warning system, the PSCs 2021 track record  as in previous years  shows a lack of quick action in favour of a fire-fighting role. This is likely because of the way the council sets its agenda. Countries with internal conflicts generally dont want to appear on the PSC agenda, so they refrain from placing others on the agenda.

The AUs guiding principle of sovereignty has also hindered early PSC action. Some member states object to council intervention because it would interfere in countries internal affairs or create a precedent that can be misused. This approach allows underlying drivers of insecurity, particularly governance deficiencies and rising inter-communal tensions, to go unaddressed.

And although the AU Commission chairperson has powers to advance any peace and security concern, he appears to prefer diplomatic tools. The chairperson periodically issues statements on particular issues, but these havent necessarily been linked to PSC decisions.

The tension between the role of the PSC and that of regional economic communities  who some believe should intervene first  also limits the AUs ability to swiftly and adequately respond to crises. When Mozambique chaired the PSCs ministerial meeting on terrorism, for example, the Cabo Delgado crisis was never discussed. Analysts believe this is because the Southern African Development Community invoked the principle of subsidiarity, which allows it to lead the quest for solutions there.

From 5-6 February, 15 new PSC members will be elected during the AU summit. To positively impact peace and security in Africa, they need to show stronger political will and concentrate on tackling the councils weaknesses.

PSC Report, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Addis Ababa

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).
The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas NLNG Limited (NLNG) says it will supply 100 per cent of its liquefied petroleum gas to the Nigerian market to crash the prices of cooking gas.

The NLNG on Thursday in a statement signed by Andy Odeh, the general manager, external relations and sustainable development, said it will prioritise the domestic market for 100 per cent of its butane and propane production.

It said the move is designed to increase LPG availability in Nigeria, diversify its use and support the federal governments Decade of Gas initiative.

According to the statement, NLNG is currently the highest single supplier of LPG to the domestic market, with an estimated 400,000 metric tonnes supplied in 2021.

The milestone is coming just three months after the company supplied its first propane cargo into the domestic market and has developed a scheme to sustainably supply propane for usage in cooking gas blending as well as in agro-allied, autogas, power and petrochemical sectors of the Nigerian economy to further deepen gas utilization in Nigeria, the statement said.

The cost of cooking gas has been on the rise since the beginning of last year.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the hike in the prices of cooking gas has forced many women into harmful alternatives such as using firewood and charcoal for cooking.

In December, Mele Kyari, the NNPC Group Managing Director, at the inauguration of a 120-metric tonnes LPG storage and bottling plant by Emadeb Energy Services Limited, said the corporation is currently working towards increasing the supply of LPG, in a bid to force down its rising price in the country.

Two things are in play, one is the supply and the other is the international price of gas, he said at the time.

It (price) moves with the price of every other petroleum product including crude oil and its derivatives. So it is a reflection of what is happening in the international market.

What we are doing is to increase supply. Once the supply is increased the prices will come down.

Speaking on the development, Philip Mshelbila, the managing director and chief executive officer of NLNG said the announcement marked the companys strong commitment to the continued growth of the domestic LPG market and its passion to increase utilization of one of the most versatile energy sources in the world.

Gas, as the cleanest of the fossil fuels, has become an essential energy source to be reckoned with during this energy transition period. Other countries are revolutionizing their energy industry to cut down on carbon emissions drastically. Nigeria should not be left out in this drive, considering its abundant gas resources, Mr Mshelbila said in the statement.

READ ALSO: Reps panel to meet Petroleum Minister over hike in price of cooking gas

He said gas is essential for life and living at the moment because it can support everything we will need to develop our economy and create better living standards for Nigerians. We need to change the narrative, and NLNG is being pragmatic about it.

We are ardently following up on the commitment we made in March 2021 at the NLNG-sponsored pre-summit conference of the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) 2021 organized by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to support the Decade of Gas declaration by the Federal Government. We are driven by our vision to remain a globally competitive LNG company helping to build a better Nigeria and are making a reality of our collective dreams that one day we can switch all cooking fuels to gas, and power our vehicles with gas as encapsulated in the governments National Gas Expansion Program and the Autogas Policy, he said.

Committing to this, he said 100 per cent of our LPG supply is a major milestone in our journey of domestic gas supply.

We supplied our first Butane (LPG) cargo into the domestic market in 2007, which helped to develop over the years the LPG industry in Nigeria from less than 50,000 tonnes to over 1 Million tonnes market size annually by the end of 2020.

In 2021, we increased our LPG supply commitment from 350,000 metric tonnes (or 28 million 12.5kg cylinders) to actual delivery of 400,000 metric tonnes (or 32 million 12.5kg cylinders) thereby directing most of our production into the domestic market. But this was not enough for NLNG, hence this commitment to do all that we possibly can and supply 100% of our LPG production to the domestic market, he added.

NLNG is jointly owned by four the federal government, represented by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Shell Gas B.V, TotalEnergies Gas & Electricite Holdings, and Eni International.
A charter train arrives at the Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

XI'AN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A high-speed train carrying over 400 university students departed from the city of Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Friday morning, heading for Xi'an, the provincial capital.

The train was providing an exclusive service to help college students return for the winter vacation amid the latest resurgence of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Xi'an has registered 2,031 local cases of COVID-19 since Dec. 9, 2021, amid the fresh outbreak. Of these, 676 had recovered by Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. in Shaanxi launched the first charter train this year to transport a total of 1,126 college students from the city of Ankang to Baoji.

The company has launched seven charter trains between different cities in the province so far this year, transporting a total of 5,521 students.

The railway company said more charter trains will be launched to send students back home to ensure their safety. 

A student leaves Xi'an North Railway Station after scanning a QR code in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Students queue up to leave Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Students leave Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A student receives nucleic acid test after arriving at Xi'an North Railway Station in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)
At least 13 people have been confirmed killed in an attack by suspected bandits on Tuesday in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The police spokesperson in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, said 13 persons were killed and not 37 as reported in some platforms.

The police said the assailants attacked villagers who were harvesting crops on their farm in Nakundna village in Shiroro council area. A statement by Governor Abubakar Bello, however, indicated that the attack spread to another village called Wurukuchi.

The police spokesperson said a police tactical team led by the Area Commander in Shiroro had been drafted to the area. He said the incident was not immediately attended to due to the rough terrain and lack of communication network in the area.

Governor Bello, in a statement by his media aide, Mary Noel-Berje, described the attacks as insane and unacceptable. He added that the act was barbaric and inhumane.

According to the statement, the governor commiserates with the victims of the attacks which occurred in Nakudna and Wurukuchi communities. He shared in the pains and grief of the victims, reiterating that more decisive actions would be taken to guarantee the lives of the inhabitants of the vulnerable communities.

The governor said the worrisome part of the security challenges was the inability of the farmers to harvest their farm produce, which he said might trigger food insecurity in the state.

Mr Bello said a coordinated and simultaneous attack on the terrorists by security agents in the affected states would go a long way towards achieving success.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the deadly incident occurred amidst an ongoing security offensive in parts of Shiroro council area.

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Attacks by armed groups have continued in the North-west and North-Central Niger State despite repeated government assurance to address the escalating atrocities.

In Niger State, officials said over 151, 380 people, mostly peasant farmers, were displaced by the activities of bandits in the last two years.

The displaced persons were registered in 13 local government areas of the state, with Rafi council area neighbouring Zamfara and Kaduna topping the chart with 28,987 displaced persons.

In the Shiroro council area, where the latest incident occurred, over 27,678 persons were displaced within the period.
The Ogun State government has set up a panel of enquiries into the alleged assault on a nurse by a medical officer at the General Hospital, Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, in Abeokuta on Thursday.

Mrs Coker said the government went into action to look into the matter of the alleged battery after it got wind of the information.

She maintained that the present administration would not tolerate any harmful acts from government officials.

The commissioner added that the public service rules frowned at assault, battery and other vices by workers, who were expected to be good role models.

She, however, called on members of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to sheathe their swords and cooperate with the government in its efforts to get to the root of the matter.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association had proceeded to down tools after the incident.

The association maintained that unless the doctor in question was redeployed, it would not resume work.

The commissioner revealed that the officer responsible had been subjected to Gender-Based Violence valuation, while the panels investigation was ongoing.

I urge the union to release its members to resume back to work, while the government regret the shameful act. We should not let the innocent people of Ayetoro bear the brunt.

Two wrongs do not make a right. The case has been reported to us. We will not fold our arms to see misconduct, assault and other vices thrive in our health facilities.

We have set up a panel of enquiry to look into the issue and report back to us without wasting time, and I assure you that necessary disciplinary action will be taken after the findings.

I want to plead with unions and all concerned stakeholders to give the government the opportunity of doing a thorough investigation, she said.

(NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said on Thursday that it had arrested a suspected fake Army General for alleged N270 million fraud.

EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that Bolarinwa Oluwasegun was arrested by the operatives of the Lagos zonal command of the commission.

Mr Oluwasegun is accused of making false representations to the complainant, Kodef Clearing Resources, that President, Muhammadu Buhari had shortlisted him and one other to be appointed as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and, thus, needed a short grant to press and process the appointment.

He was also said to have forged a letter of appointment as COAS purportedly signed by the President and showed the same to the victim to further prove his claim.

EFCC said the suspect was arrested at his house in the Alagbado area of Lagos State on Wednesday.

Upon his arrest, six pump action guns, three cartridge bullets, a swagger stick and several forged documents were recovered from him, the statement added.

Read EFCCs full statement

EFCC Press Release

EFCC Arrests Fake Army General Who Claimed Buhari Nominated Him As COAS for Alleged N270m Fraud

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested one Bolarinwa Oluwasegun, a fake Army General, for an alleged N270m fraud.

The suspect, who posed as a General in the Nigerian Army, allegedly made false representations to the complainant, Kodef Clearing Resources, that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, had shortlisted him and one other to be appointed as the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, and that he needed a short grant to press and process the appointment.

He also allegedly forged a letter of appointment as COAS purportedly signed by the President and showed the same to the victim to further prove his claim.

In the said letter, he claimed that he needed to pay a certain amount of money into the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as part of the requirements for the appointment as COAS.

Mr Oluwasegun, in his bid to defraud the victim, also allegedly forged several documents and the signature of the President.

He was arrested at his house in the Alagbado area of Lagos State on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

Upon his arrest, six pump action guns, three cartridge bullets, a swagger stick and several forged documents were recovered from him.

The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations have been concluded.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

13 January, 2022
A high court in Lokoja has sentenced one Muritala Dare to death by hanging for stabbing his colleague to death with a broken bottle.

The judge, Josiah Majebi at High Court 2, Lokoja, found the accused guilty after considering his involvement in an incident that occurred on August 16, 2020 around the NUJ area of the Lokoja metropolis.

Mr Dare was charged for culpable homicide punishable with death under Section 221 (a) and (b) of the Kogi State Penal Code.

According to the charge, Mr Dare caused the death of one Lukman Karim by stabbing him on the neck and hand with a broken bottle.

The prosecutor called three witnesses and tendered seven exhibits, which included the defendants confessional statement, a Coroners Ordinance (Chapter) Report of Medical Practitioners and a Nigeria Police Post-Mortem Examination report dated 19th August, 2020.

While giving evidence, the principal , witness who is attached to the Quick Response Unit of the Kogi State Police Command, said the accused was apprehended at his hideout after committing the crime.

He said his victim was confirmed dead at the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, and his corpse later deposited in the morgue.

Upon examination of the pieces of evidence presented before the court and particularly relying on the confessional statement made by the defendant, Mr Majebi averred that: a confession is an admission at any time by a person charged with a crime stating or suggesting that he committed the crime.

It is well settled that in a criminal trial (that) an issue may be proved by direct evidence (evidence of an eye witness) confession or admission voluntarily made by the defendant and circumstantial evidence.

Thus while concluding that the entire case of the prosecution was built on the confessional statement of the defendant, which though he tried effortlessly to deny during the trial, the statements he made during the course of investigating the matter were adequate to rely upon in passing the judgment, the judge said.

The trial judge added: It is trite law that a valid voluntary statement entered without objection and admitted in evidence is good evidence.

No amount of subsequent argument against it or retraction will vitiate its admissibility and potency as a voluntary statement and the mere denial by the defendant will not be a good reason for rejecting it.

It is only desirable to have some evidence of circumstances which make it probable that the confession was truly confessional, as in Exhibit P1 in the instant case.

I have carefully perused and considered Exhibit P1. It is confessional in nature.

I am compelled to consider the legal propriety/status of the said Exhibits P1 & P P6 in view of the fact that their admissibility is being challenged by the learned counsel for the defendant under issue two of his issues for determination and more importantly, that as earlier stated, the entire case by the prosecution herein is built on them particularly Exhibit P1.

Mr Majebi further said there were sufficient reasons to arrive at the conclusion that the evidence contained in the statements made by the defendant were convincing enough even outside his confessional statement.

I am of the view that there is sufficient evidence outside the confessional statement of the defendant to make it probable that the statement is true.

Aside the admission of the defendant that he stabbed the deceased to death with a broken bottle, his averments in Exhibits P6 are materially the same with his averments in Exhibit P1.

Hence, his averments in Exhibits P6 corroborate his averments in Exhibit P1.

In the two Exhibits, the defendant averred that he knew the deceased.

In Exhibits P6, the defendant stated that he worked with the deceased at the same place under high tension, and in Exhibit P1, he stated that he had issues with the deceased after they were sacked from their former shop.

That on 16th day of August, 2020 he had a fight with some persons, including the deceased.

While in Exhibit P6, he stated that he removed the broken bottle he had earlier kept in his pocket and stabbed the deceased with it on his neck and left hand leading to his death, the judge said.

The court held that the stated evidence of circumstances made it possible that the statement made by the defendant and contained in Exhibit P1 was truly confessional.

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He noted that for the prosecution to succeed in a charge of culpable homicide, under Section 221 (a) of the said Penal Code, it must have the ingredients of the death of a deceased resulting from the act of a defendant.

He said the act would have been done with the intention to cause death or that the defendant knew or had reason to know that death would be the probable and not only the likely consequence of his act.

He, therefore, concluded that all these essential ingredients were already manifest in the matter and supported by other evidence.

I have carefully looked and considered Exhibit P1 and I am satisfied that it is direct, positive and admits the essential elements of the offence of Culpable Homicide as stated against the defendant.

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There is a nexus between the act of the defendant and the death of the deceased. The fact that the deceased died on the 16th day of August, 2020 is not in dispute between the prosecution and the defence.

The substance of the case, established by the evidence adduced. is that the deceased was killed by the defendant.

There was no scintilla of evidence from the defendant both in Exhibit P1 and his oral evidence to show that the killing of the deceased was in self-defence or provocation as was canvassed by his counsel, he said.

In conclusion, his lordship found the defendant guilty of the charge of culpable homicide and convicted him accordingly.

Premised on the above findings, I hold that the prosecution has proved all the ingredients of the charge against the defendant and thereby raising the presumption of guilt against him in respect of the charge.

That you, Dare Murtala, is hereby sentenced to death for the offence of culpable homicide for which you are convicted.

The sentence of this Court upon you is that you will be hanged by neck until you be dead and may the Lord have mercy upon your soul, he pronounced.

(NAN)
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday said his administration is committed to infrastructural and human capital development in the hinterlands of the state.

He spoke during a working visit to Ifelodun and Isin local government areas,

The governor made his first stop at Oke Onigbin and Owu Isin towns where he inspected its moribund water works and some ongoing projects in the area.

Led by Isin TIC Chairman, Tunde Fadipe, and the Onigbin of Oke Onigbin, Oba Salahudeen Kamaldeen, the governor promised to look into the challenges of the water works which served Iji-Isin, Isanlu Isin, Pamo Isin, Iwo Isin, Abaja and Owu Isin in Isin Local Government Area.

The monarch said the area last got public water over a decade ago.

The governor then toured the Ile-Ire District in Ifelodun local government area, beginning from Owode Ofaro where work is going on on a bridge connecting the district to Oke Aba town in Isin local government area.

Mr AbdulRazaqs convoy then touched down at Owode, Afin, Ikosin, Idera, Alabe, and the two Oreke communities, an impromptu tour the elated locals said was the first of such by any governor in this Republic.

He also visited the location of the expansive marble deposits in Oreke, saying the tour offered him an opportunity to interact with the people directly and get feedbacks on governments activities and programmes, as well as know their other immediate needs.

It is mid-term for us. I came to find out on my own the state of infrastructure, education, water, and human capital development in this axis of our state. We are talking and visiting the people to get feedback. Our budget is still in the state house of assembly, some of these feedbacks will be pushed to make sure that the budget is approved in a manner that benefits the people, especially because we are still engaging our lawmakers, he said, accompanied by the TIC Chairman for Ifelodun, Jide Ashonibare..

Road construction and infrastructure is an ongoing process. Its very expensive. We have allocated billions in this 2022 budget to this sector. We have heard the request of our people and we will see what we can do to gradually address these challenges.

The monarchs commended the governor for the visits and for the construction of the Awere and Imu bridges that connect the communities, as well as the recent recruitment of teachers and construction of school facilities in the area.

They seek the construction of the road which connects the district to ease transportation of farm produce, boost the local economy and development of the area.

Some of the monarchs that hosted the governor on the visit include the Olu of Owode Ofaro Oba Raheem Ayilara; Onidera of Idera, Oba James Oladipo Buraimoh (African Tiger); and Afetu of Alabe, Oba Bamidele Aderounmu.
Adamawa senator, Aishatu Binani, has dismissed reports alleging that the federal government failed to install solar street lights in her senatorial district, even after funds were made available.

The report alleged that the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) used imaginary solar streetlights projects in some communities in the state.

The senator, who represents Adamawa Central, described the report as false and misleading.

She said the All in One solar street lights were installed in five of the seven local governments areas of her senatorial district by OSSAP-SDGs, as stated in the terms of the contract.

The local government areas are  Fufore, Yola North, Yola South, Song and Hong  with each having 320 All in One Solar Street Lights to the credit of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDGs.

In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES, Ms Binani explained that the project was embarked upon and executed to the admiration of many as it was a dream come true for the beneficiaries.

The Installation of these lights was perfectly executed and evenly distributed across the wards, districts, and special areas of need in consultation with some stakeholders and traditional rulers from the various local government areas.

A symbolic commissioning of the streetlights projects was held at Limawa Ward in Yola North on the 6th of August, 2020, at about 08:30 pm and was witnessed by some stakeholders, party officials and traditional title holders.

She further said she facilitated the execution of the project due to high demand by the people across the 76 wards in her constituency which will help curb rising incidents of rape, robbery, killings and other atrocities which were usually perpetrated under the cover of darkness in their areas.

The senator, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on SDGs and facilitator of the project challenged anyone in doubt to visit the 56 wards across Yola South, Yola North, Fufore, Song, and Hong Local Government Areas for confirmation. While she noted that the projects were in tune with Sustainable Development Goals (7 and 11).

ALSO READ: Inadequate funding stalls constituency projects in Oyo town

Ms Binanis statement comes about five days after the OSSAP-SDGs released a similar statement, dismissing the report.

The statement by Rotimi Ajayi, the head of communications unit, disclosed that the federal government fully executed the N1 billion contracts for the installation of solar street lights in Adamawa State.

OSSAP-SDGs, hereby, categorically denied insinuations that the contracts were not carried out as stated in the terms of the award.

For the avoidance of doubts, OSSAP-SDGs wishes to state emphatically that the contract was fully and duly executed with strict adherence to due process and for the benefit of the good people of Adamawa, part of the statement read.
The National Varieties Release Committee (NVRC) has released 49 high-yielding crop varieties to boost Nigerias agricultural productivity.

The release of the new crop varieties was announced on Wednesday by the NVRC chairman, Oladosu Awoyemi, during its 30th meeting of the National Committee on naming, registration and release of crop varieties, livestock breed/fishes in Ibadan.

Mr Awoyemi explained that all the 49 hybrid varieties of 11 crops submitted for consideration, registration and release by the Nigerian research institutes and private sector seed companies were approved for release.

The released crop varieties include two rice hybrids namely Arize 6444 Gold and Arize TEJ Gold.Two high protein-rich oat varieties namely SAMOAT 1 and SAMOAT 2, three Durum wheat varieties namely LACRI-WHIT 12D and LACRI- WHIT 13D, he said.

Also released are three proVitamin A hybrids cassava, namely; UMUCASS 52, UMUCASS 53 and UMUCASS 54.

Nineteen maize varieties namely ILOMAZ 2; HAKIM 1, HAKIM 2; HAKIM 3; DK7500; SAMMAZ 64, 65, 66, 67; Drought TECO WE8206; WACQH6, WAC55E, WAC14M5, among others. he said.

On the activities of NVRC, Mr Awoyemi said the decree that set up the committee makes it mandatory for anybody who wants to release new varieties of crop into the Nigerian farming community to send samples of that seed to a research institute that is relevant for it.

The research institute will test such seeds across the ecological zones for which it is recommended.

And, when they are satisfied that it is suitable for cultivation in Nigeria, then, they will bring it to the committee to officially consider it for release on registration, he said.

The NVRC Chairman said, We have a national register of all important products that are produced in Nigeria that have been certified by the committee.

And, if there is any new research officer who wants to go into any crop he has to go into the register to see what has been done in the past before he can now start on what to do in the future, he noted.

In December 2020, Nigeria released 18 varieties of high-yielding crop varieties to farmers during the 29th meeting held that year. This brings the total high-yielding varieties of crops released to farmers to 67 within two years.

In his remarks, Mohammed Alhassan, Jigawa State Commissioner for Agriculture who sponsored the release of Durum Wheat said, This is the first time hard wheat (durum wheat) would be registered and released to Nigerian farmers.

He said Durum wheat is very high in yielding as it has very low fertiliser requirement, and produces big grains which are attractive and that the price is different in the markets which will give farmers high earnings.

The commissioner explained that the expectation of farmers in Jigawa was to continuously improve varieties of various crops planted in the state.

Mr Alhassan said the vision of the state government is to make sure that the economy of the country was improved through agriculture for the benefits of Nigerians, especially people of Jigawa.

In a similar manner, Sheu Ado, the national coordinator for maize research, said the development in the new crop varieties were encouraging.

He noted that some crops, which were not even grown previously in the country, such as oats, are now being cultivated to improve the availability of food in the country.

If we can grow our own oats, then, such an amount of money spent in foreign exchange on importation of oats will be conserved for the country, he said.

In his remarks, Olusegun Ojo, the Director-General of National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), said the 49 crops that have been officially released by the committee would be passed on to the council.

He explained that the council would make arrangements for wide multiplication of the crop for distribution to all farmers across the country.

The expectations of the farmers will be higher yields, better resistance crops and at the end of the day, what farmers will be taken home as a result of the higher yields would be higher productivity and more income in their pockets.

The process of getting a crop released for broad distribution involves testing the seed at research institutes and on farmers fields across the country.

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It is only when representatives of farmers have accepted that the crop is good for them and that such crop is better than the old varieties, then we bring it to the committee for consideration for official release, he said.

Abdullahi Mustapha, director general, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), said the agency was saddled with the responsibility of looking into the genetic constituents of the crops.

Looking at it from that angle, this is the transformation of the crops and bringing in new varieties of the crops; it affects gene constituents so the gene threat is what defines the quality, the yield and characters there, the official said.
The detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has appealed to his supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during his next court appearance, January 18, in Abuja.

His lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, made this known in a statement after his visit on Thursday to Mr Kanu in detention.

He said the IPOB leader was in a cheerful mood and is confident of victory in the long run.

Mr Ejiofor said: Onyendu utilised the opportunity afforded by our visit to mandate us to admonish his teeming supporters and followers.

He advises those of them that would appear in court in demonstration of their unflinching support and loyalty to him to conduct themselves with decorum, be civil in their conduct and comportment, shun violence and deviant behaviour in any manner or form, and exercise restraint in speech.

The lawyer said he and Mr Kanu discussed final preparations ahead of the legal battle.

We coalesced the product of our individual reflections on the most potent legal strategies henceforth to be adopted, fine-tuned and harmonised them, and then distilled them into a single, conclusive, potent, workable formula.

We are optimistic that the court outings of Onyendu would be impressive. Onyendu himself is in high spirits. Our discussions with him further reassured him and strengthened his determination to persevere unrelentingly, the lawyer said.

Mr Ejiofor said the world will behold an interesting dimension in the harmonised workable formula Mr Kanus legal team has put together, adding that Mr Kanus detractors would be put to shame.

We have caused formal correspondences to issue on responsible, sovereign, democratic governments and other international institutions to prevail on the Nigerian Government to caution uncouth and overzealous security agents.

We can authoritatively declare to you, that those correspondences are receiving the requisite attention they deserve.

We are optimistic that there would be a positive transformation in the conduct and general approach of the said overzealous security agents at the next appearance of Onyendu in court.

We make bold to state for the umpteenth time that Onyendu has not committed any offence known to law. For this reason, he must be released unconditionally.

Mr Ejiofor said Mr Kanu expressed his appreciation to his followers and supporters within and outside Nigeria.

The IPOB leader was arrested last year in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria to stand trial for alleged treason.

IPOB has been linked to deadly attacks in Nigerias South-east and South-south.

The group is seeking an independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the South-east and part of the South-south.
The wives of the five engineers declared missing in Effium Community of Ebonyi State, Nigerias South-east, said they marked Christmas and the New Year in grief and pain over the fate of their husbands, who went missing about two months ago.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that an Enugu-based engineering firm, Nelan Consultants, had on November 3, 2021, deployed the five engineers on supervision of the ongoing Abakaliki Ring Road project at Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The project is funded by the African Development Bank.

NAN learnt that the engineers were allegedly abducted from the site by unknown armed men, who also took away their project vehicle.

The community where they were abducted has been enmeshed in a protracted communal crisis with its neighbouring Ezza community.

The missing engineers are Nelson Onyemeh, a director and partner to Nelan Consultants, Stanley Nwazulum, Ernest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor and Samuel Aneke.

Mr Onyemehs wife, Patricia, 58, told NAN in Enugu on Friday that she and the wives of the other four engineers, along with their children, spent the Yuletide praying and hoping that their husbands and breadwinners would return alive.

She said this Christmas was the worst in their lives.

We were indoors grieving and praying that my husband will come back alive.

Nobody is telling us anything. The children kept asking for their fathers whereabouts since he left the house in November 2021.

The families of Nwazulum, Ejiofor and Aneke said they were still traumatised by the incident and that all their efforts to find the missing engineers had not yielded any positive result.

They appealed to the Ebonyi State Government, the Nigerian Police and other concerned individuals and groups to assist them in finding their husbands.

ALSO READ: Police declare four persons missing in Ebonyi community

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Government had, in its reaction on December 20, 2021, exonerated itself from any involvement in the incident.

The Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji had said at a news conference in Abakaliki that the government had no hand in the disappearance of the engineers.

Mr Orji said, It has become imperative to put the records straight on the allegations and misrepresentation of facts conveyed to the public from certain quarters over the unfortunate incident that befell Engr. Nelson Onyemeh and (the) other four engineers.

Based on the report of the police investigation on the incident, we view as disheartening, the unfortunate circumstances that led to the sad news.

We, therefore, extend our heartfelt condolences to all the families and the Nelan Company for this dastardly act by criminal elements, while hoping for a comprehensive crackdown on the perpetrators, the commissioner said.

(NAN)
Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun 1 Area Command who were pursuing some suspected rice smugglers Thursday night have shot a two-year-old girl, PREMIUM TIMES have learnt.

The incident occurred at Itawaya, near the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Photos made available to this newspaper showed the bullet hitting the childs armpit. She was rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. A man also sustained gunshot injuries.

A witness said the customs officers opened fire on a suspected smuggler who turned out to be innocent.

The witness, who simply identified himself as Wale, said such incidents are recurring in the community.

Those customs officers thought the man was smuggling rice, so they opened fire on him. It was one of the stray bullets that killed the child and also inflicted injuries on the mother, he said.

It was after they have committed the murder that they realized the man they were chasing was not with rice. Thats what we face here all the time.

Unfortunately, it happened the day President Buhari was in other zones of the State to commission projects. May God rescue us, a source said anonymously.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the NCS in Ogun 1 Area command, Ahmed Oloyede, confirmed the incident.

He said the command is currently devastated by the development, adding that investigation has commenced into the incident.

It is true, it happened and Oga (his boss) has been very devastated about the matter since he heard of it yesterday. In fact, I just learnt that he will be visiting the family of the toddler today.

He added that the officers fired the shots in the line of duty.
A man walks past the National COVID Memorial Wall on the south bank of the Thames River in London, Britain, on Jan. 13, 2022. From Monday, the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated people in England who test positive for COVID-19 will be reduced from seven days to five full days, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

LONDON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- From Monday, the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated people in England who test positive for COVID-19 will be reduced from seven days to five full days, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced Thursday.

If they have negative lateral flow tests on day five and on the morning of day six, they will be allowed to leave their homes, said Javid.

Javid added the move should "maximise activity in the economy." Allowing people to return to work earlier, it will help address staff shortages, British newspaper The Guardian reported.

Modelling by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) based on data before the Omicron rise showed more than 30 percent of cases remain infectious on the fifth day.

Official figures on Thursday showed Britain added 109,133 COVID-19 cases in the latest 24 hours, bringing the total number to 14,967,817, and a further 335 deaths, taking the total death number to 151,342.

More than 90 percent of people aged 12 and above in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine, more than 83 percent have received both shots, and more than 62 percent have received booster jabs. 

Photo taken on Jan. 13, 2022 shows the National COVID Memorial Wall on the south bank of the Thames River in London, Britain. From Monday, the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated people in England who test positive for COVID-19 will be reduced from seven days to five full days, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

A man walks past the Big Ben and a COVID-19 rapid test kit in London, Britain on Jan. 13, 2022. From Monday, the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated people in England who test positive for COVID-19 will be reduced from seven days to five full days, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

People wearing masks walk on the Westminster Bridge in London, Britain, on Jan. 13, 2022. From Monday, the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated people in England who test positive for COVID-19 will be reduced from seven days to five full days, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

People wearing masks walk on the Westminster Bridge in London, Britain, on Jan. 13, 2022. From Monday, the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated people in England who test positive for COVID-19 will be reduced from seven days to five full days, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced Thursday. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
I think it would be useful to orient the discussion towards establishing the costs that Nigerians pay to fund and support foreign university budgets. Consciousness of the vastness of the expenditure might push us towards reflecting on how some of the said resources can be used to revive the Nigerian university system. Academic capitalism is not local, it is global. The university as enterprise is not in Nigeria, it is abroad.

Last week, I attended a Convening on Higher Education in Africa, organised by Professor Toyin Falola of the University of Texas at Austin. The conference held at Babcock University and focused on the theme of the impact of private universities on public universities in Africa. Participants were drawn from university faculty, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), education regulators, founders, donors, students, and independent researchers from Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Nigeria. It was an exciting debate on the complex relationship between the public and private sectors in higher education.

The original argument for the establishment of private universities was to create more access for students but the reality today is that the private sector has not substantially increased access. In addition, private universities have not really recruited and trained their own faculty, they poach from the public sector for staff and are dependent on moonlighting. The terrible story that has emerged is that many public university lecturers that are rarely seen by their students go to teach students in the private sector with assiduity and devotion for the extra money. The raison detre of private universities, at least in Nigeria, is that public universities are perpetually on strike and parents need universities where their children can study, fully covering the syllabus and not spending more than the required number of years before graduation. This is being achieved and already the age of graduands of private universities is significantly lower than that of the public sector.

Nigeria currently has a total of 198 universities, half of which, 99, are private. The private universities however host only about 10 per cent of the total students in the country. The breakdown of the universities is as follows:

45 Federal Universities with 1,310,825 students = 62.4 per cent.

54 State Universities with 578,936 students = 27.5 per cent.

55 Private (Christian) Universities with 98,358 students = 4.68 per cent.

5 Private (Muslim) Universities with 29,984 students = 1.4 per cent.

39 Private (Secular) Universities with 81,908 students = 3.9 per cent.

At the Babcock Conference, Dr Hannah Muzee of the University of Cape Town described this era we are in as one of academic capitalism, because many of the proprietors of private universities conceive of their organisations as enterprises that provide a service but should also produce profit. The consensus at the conference is that in Nigeria, not all private universities see their mission as profit making.

A couple of years ago, we carried out research with the Institute of Education of the University of London on universities as a public good in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. Our findings showed a deep commitment by the governments and people of these countries to higher education as a public good that the state should bear responsibility for. The system worked as an elite model up till the 1980s, when the demand for access grew and in the process of rapid and significant expansion, massification developed. The governing elites in these countries responded with their feet, taking their children out of public sector universities on the grounds that quality had fallen, and sending them abroad. Those who could not afford foreign universities demanded for the establishment of private universities in their countries and the outcome is a two-tier system, essentially separating the children of the elite from those of the general people.

At the Babcock Conference, Dr Hannah Muzee of the University of Cape Town described this era we are in as one of academic capitalism, because many of the proprietors of private universities conceive of their organisations as enterprises that provide a service but should also produce profit. The consensus at the conference is that in Nigeria, not all private universities see their mission as profit making. Nonetheless, they are seen as enterprises that should, at least, break even. So far, that is not happening. Most private universities are making heavy losses. The reason is simple. I discussed with a number of proprietors and Vice Chancellors of private universities and their story is that the student base they have is too small to support the huge land acquisition, infrastructure development, security, construction and bank loan costs that they have incurred. In the coming years, many will collapse as bankrupt businesses, because although they charge high fees, the fees are too low to support their costs.

The real problematic they face is not with public universities in Nigeria. The Nigerian university system is complex and class based and operates in an international environment in which many within the elite send their children abroad for their education. According to the United Kingdoms Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Nigeria was the third non-European Union country sending the highest number of students to the UK. In 2009/10, it had 16,680 students in its higher institutions and in 2010/11, there were 17,585 Nigerian students in those institutions, ranking only behind India and China. The United Kingdom has been actively soliciting for Nigerian fee-paying students for decades, with each student paying, on average, 12,000 each just for tuition. It was the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who first drew attention to the cost of education of elite children abroad. He said there were about 71,000 Nigerian students in Ghanaian tertiary institutions and they spent about US$1 billion on tuition and upkeep at that time: The tuition paid by Nigerian students studying in Ghana with a better organised education system is more than the annual budget of all federal universities in the country.

A fraction of the amount spent by the elite on their children abroad would be enough to adequately fund higher education in Nigeria. This is what led us to the current paradox in which progressive Nigerians insist that the government must fully fund public universities, but as the elite know that the university system is broken, they vote with their feet and send their children abroad for university education.

A fraction of the amount spent by the elite on their children abroad would be enough to adequately fund higher education in Nigeria. This is what led us to the current paradox in which progressive Nigerians insist that the government must fully fund public universities, but as the elite know that the university system is broken, they vote with their feet and send their children abroad for university education. According to the International Educational Exchange data released by the Institute of International Education (IIE), there were 11,710 Nigerian students pursuing their educational goals in the United States in 2017. When you add the numbers of Nigerian students in Malaysia, Canada, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Hungary, India, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Cyprus and Germany, it is easy to see why private universities in Nigeria have been squeezed out of resources. There is a political economy crisis generated by the fact that the Nigerian elite place massive amounts of money in foreign universities, undermining both public and private universities in Nigeria.

Essentially, our elite has made nonsense of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides that:

Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels Government shall promote science and technology

Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end, Government shall as and when practicable provide:

Free, Compulsory and Universal Primary Education;

Free University Education; and

Free Adult Literacy Programme.

As a nation, we have decided to divert the resources for these to foreign institutions.

The Babcock Convening had drawn out battles between ASUU activists, who see the private universities as the problem, and the private university warriors who see ASUU as the ogre that has killed the public universities with their strikes, forcing the need to go private. I think it would be useful to orient the discussion towards establishing the costs that Nigerians pay to fund and support foreign university budgets. Consciousness of the vastness of the expenditure might push us towards reflecting on how some of the said resources can be used to revive the Nigerian university system. Academic capitalism is not local, it is global. The university as enterprise is not in Nigeria, it is abroad.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.
To discuss the propriety or morality of receiving the heart of a pig, is like blaming the victim A drowning human being will clutch at anything, even a straw, to survive; given the option of dying without a heart transplant or surviving, even if the heart transplanted is that of a pig, almost all rational human beings will prefer the heart of a pig. Having such a transplant does not make the recipient a pig; that is more behavioural.

On Friday, January 7, David Bennett, 57, an American from Maryland, underwent surgery; the first human being to receive a pig heart transplant. It was a highly experimental operation and there are no guarantees that the genetically modified pig heart will work for him. But the only option available for him was death and he was not in a hurry for Judgement Day. On the eve of the transplant, Bennett said: 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 seven-hour surgery at a Baltimore hospital was performed by Dr Bartley Griffith.

Two days after the transplant, Bennett, although still connected to a heart-lung machine, was breathing on his own. The transplant proved that a modified animal heart can be welcome in a human without an immediate rejection. The doctors, learning from the 1984 baboon heart transplant on a dying infant, Baby Fae, said they removed a sugar in the pigs heart cells to stop an hyper-fast organ rejection. Baby Fae had survived only for 21 days.

Essentially, the human heart, which is the size of a clenched fist, is a muscle pumping blood to all parts of the body, thereby providing it with oxygen and nutrients. It is also part of the system that controls the blood pressure and heartbeat.

Medicinenet explains that: The heart is a pump, usually beating about 60 to 100 times per minute. With each heartbeat, the heart sends blood throughout our bodies, carrying oxygen to every cell. After delivering the oxygen, the blood returns to the heart. The heart then sends the blood to the lungs to pick up more oxygen. In other words, the heart is life.

Yes, the heart is personal to each human, but sometimes it needs a replacement, which hitherto had been with another human heart.

for the Nigerian masses and the middle class, a serious heart problem is nothing but a death sentence. But their chances of a heart transplant might have become brighter because in the long run, the modified heart of a pig may be easily available and much more affordable. It might also be better received by the immune system.

Perhaps the person with the longest heart transplant experience is Cheri Latzke Lemmer, who received a new human heart at 24 in 1981, went back to work and 40 years later, is still alive.

The race to get an alternative for human heart transplant is basically due to the lack of donors; many people, even when terminally ill, prefer taking their hearts with them to the grave. At any time, thousands of human beings are waiting for a transplant and at least a quarter of them die while on the queue. Not all who get the transplant survive, as they may suffer rejection due to the immune system, displaying xenophobic traits by seeing the new heart as foreign, and attacking it. Again, after transplant, there can also be graft failure or the narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the heart.

Also, heart transplant can be unaffordable for many. For instance, in Nigeria, a heart transplant may cost between N16-20 million. A Nigerian worker on the monthly national minimum wage of N30,000, assuming he spends no kobo from his wages and pays no taxes or bills, will need to work for half a century to be able to afford a transplant. Yet in the public service, the maximum he can work is 35 years. So, for the Nigerian masses and the middle class, a serious heart problem is nothing but a death sentence. But their chances of a heart transplant might have become brighter because in the long run, the modified heart of a pig may be easily available and much more affordable. It might also be better received by the immune system.

To discuss the propriety or morality of receiving the heart of a pig, is like blaming the victim. As the German playwright, Bertolt Brecht (18981956), was wont to argue; we are not talking in the name of morality, but in that of its victims. A drowning human being will clutch at anything, even a straw, to survive; given the option of dying without a heart transplant or surviving, even if the heart transplanted is that of a pig, almost all rational human beings will prefer the heart of a pig. Having such a transplant does not make the recipient a pig; that is more behavioural.

Even without a pig heart transplant, some humans behave like pigs. I recall that for decades, before the Black Lives Matter Movement, radical Black activists who reject the racism that was, or is, the American establishment, called the United States policemen, pigs, or use the word pig as a synonym for the policeman. Some even use explicit racist terms like, White pigs.

In 1848, the great Anglo-Irish hymn writer and poet, Cecil Frances Alexandertaught this creationist view of God to young childrenAll Things Bright and Beautiful. In it, she asserted: All things bright and beautiful/ All creatures great and small/All things wise and wonderful/The Lord God made them all/He gave us eyes to see them/And lips that we might tell/How great is God Almighty/Who has made all things well.

There are those who believe the heart is the soul and spirit of the human. Hence when they say a person has a kind heart, it means he is a good person. As such, given the fact that we tend to be quite religious, the question arises, will a person with a pig heart transplant make heaven? I do not need to ask the disjointed Mummy G.O of Nigeria, an expert on Heaven Affairs, who claims to be familiar with heaven and knows those who will make it there and those who will not. But I know that the make of the heart of the candidates for Hell or Heaven, whether natural or transplanted, will not count in their Grade Point Average, GPA.

Scripturally, I do not know if the pig is unclean. But my conviction on this is guided by the experiences of Apostle Peter. He was hungry and while his food was being prepared, he fell into a trance in which he was shown all sorts of animals, birds and reptiles. Then, a voice came to him: Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said:  No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. But the voice came again: Do not call anything unclean that God has made clean. Peter experienced this three times. (Acts: 9-16)

The Apostles emphasised that God is the maker of heaven and earth. In 1848, the great Anglo-Irish hymn writer and poet, Cecil Frances Alexander, who is also famous for writing the Christmas carol, Once in Royal Davids City, taught this creationist view of God to young children in one of the most beautiful and captivating hymns ever written titled, All Things Bright and Beautiful. In it, she asserted: All things bright and beautiful/ All creatures great and small/All things wise and wonderful/The Lord God made them all/He gave us eyes to see them/And lips that we might tell/How great is God Almighty/Who has made all things well.

If you agree, then in a question of life or death, you are unlikely to accept the heart of a human being but reject the heart of a pig, for God made them all.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.
A State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has struck out the case against a National Youth Service (NYSC) corps member accused of killing a man in the state.

Chidinma Odume, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, was standing trial for allegedly hacking Akwaowo Japheth to death on January 10, 2021.

In her confessional statement to the police, Ms Odume claimed that the late Japheth threatened to kill her upon her refusal to oblige his request to remove her clothes so he could have sex with her.

In his ruling on Thursday, the judge, Bassey Nkanang, struck out the case and discharged the accused person following the Nolle Prosequi entered on January 10 by the state attorney general.

Justice Nkanang said the ruling was pursuant to section 211 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 71 (1) of the Criminal Code Procedure Law of Akwa Ibom State.

This case shall be and is hereby struck out and the accused person accordingly discharged, the judge ruled.

Nolle Prosequi is a formal notice of discontinuation of the prosecution without a conviction.

Ms Odume was posted to Uyo, in 2020 for her mandatory one year NYSC programme.

PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach the Attorney General, Uko Udom, for comments as of the time of filing this report.
The police in Ebonyi State said they have arrested three suspected child traffickers and rescued no fewer than 32 victims in the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, disclosed this while briefing reporters in Abakaliki on Friday.

She said the 32 victims rescued were 16 males and 16 females.

Ms Odah, a deputy superintendent of police, said the victims were indigenes of Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River and Benue States.

She said the three suspects were arrested after a series of investigations on a missing person.

On January 7, at about 9300 hours, a case of a missing person was reported by Mrs Ijeoma Nwankor of Uterufie village, Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state.

She told the command that her daughter, Chidera, age 16, left home to an unknown destination.

In the course of our investigation, a companys advertisement sheet containing a phone number was found in the daughters room.

The owner of the phone number, who was later identified as Christian Nwankwo, M and aged 19 years was trailed and arrested.

The suspect made useful information to the police and led the operatives to their hideout at Okposi Umuaghara, Ezza Local Government Area of the state, where two other gang members were arrested, Ms Odah stated.

The spokesperson said it was alleged that the victim was being used for forced labour and sexual exploitation, in the name of networking for the company.

She urged members of the public to shun crime.

(NAN)
A former minister of Education in Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili, has explained why the governor-elect of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, has appointed her to head his 80-member transition team.

Mr Soludo wants solid groundwork for his governance, Mrs Ezekwesili said on Thursday via a Twitter post.

https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1481699673106788353

I have accepted and will teamwork with my distinguished colleagues to help achieve his transition goals and competent governance, she added.

The appointment of the former minister has excited many Nigerians who see it as the right step from Mr Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Hallmark of a transformational leader, a Twitter user, Camillus Iheanacho (@IdeasLogin), said, while commenting on Mrs Ezekwesilis post.

Assemble the best team possible to achieve (the) ultimate objective. Excellent, were rooting for your success. The knowledge-based global economy is within our strength. Cant wait to see the SE finally take off. Brick by brick, starting with Anambra, he added.

Good choice. So much expectations from Anambrarians and Nigerians. The choice of @obyezeks is best for the development of (a) blueprint for the next four years and beyond, said another Twitter user, Segun Olugbemi (@segunolugbemi1).

Other members of the transition committee are a professor of political economy, Pat Utomi, a former minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, and a renowned human rights activist and former chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu.

The committee, which would be inaugurated on January 19, is to liaise with Governor Willie Obianos administration for a smooth transition to when Mr Soludo would be sworn-in in the next two months, March 17.

Mr Soludo won the Anambra governorship election in November, last year, on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
A transporter, Oluwaniyi Olajire, on Friday, begged a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve his marriage, citing his wifes promiscuous habit.

In the petition, Mr Olajire, who resides in Onikoro-Akobo area in Ibadan, also alleged that his wife dresses provocatively.

I have been a good husband. I have provided my wife with all the necessary things to make her life comfortable.

My lord, as soon as Omolabake settled in my home in 2010, she started wearing skimpy dresses, trainers, and generally wearing masculine outfits.

Worst still, Omolabake started bringing men into my matrimonial home and I warned her against it. She fights me and has an ill temper, he said.

He tendered a picture of Omolabake arriving in a hotel in Ibadan as an exhibit before the court.

Mr Olajire argued that his wife got him arrested by the police at Akobo station for challenging her over the lover she took to the shop.

I saw my children last on December 17, 2021. I dont know where she has taken them to. Please grant me custody of my children, Mr Olajire said.

The respondent consented to the suit and did not deny the allegations.

Omolabake, a food vendor, however, contended that her husband was irresponsible.

Olajire did not give me money to establish my business and I did so through my personal savings.

On my return from where I went to buy bread one day, he slapped me for no reason.

My lord, I cook and sell Noodles to young boys in my shop, Olajire has accused me of sleeping around.. she said.

She said as a result of his frequent nagging about her male customers, she told Olajire to stop coming to her shop.

Delivering his ruling, the President of the Court, S.M. Akintayo, ordered Omolabake to produce the three children.

Mrs Akintayo counselled the couple to maintain peace and order.

She adjourned the suit until March 3, for judgment.(NAN)
White Bear Lake, MN (55110)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 56F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 35F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
FILE - This artist sketch depicts lawyer Scott Keller standing to argue on behalf of more than two dozen business groups seeking an immediate order from the Supreme Court to halt a Biden administration order to impose a vaccine-or-testing requirement on the nation's large employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Supreme Court in Washington, Jan. 7, 2022. The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job. The court's order Thursday during a spike in coronavirus cases deals a blow to the administration's efforts to boost the vaccination rate among Americans. (Dana Verkouteren via AP, File)
Members of a Chinese medical team pose for a photo at the National Central Hospital El-Maarouf in Moroni, the Comoros, on Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

MORONI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Since the outbreak of the pandemic, China's support in areas including vaccines, medical equipment and personnel, has been decisive in the Comoros' fight against the COVID-19, said Nicolas Moussa M'Madi, director-general of the National Central Hospital El-Maarouf, Comoros, in a recent interview with Chinese media.

"I was able to see a strong support (from China) throughout the pandemic... As the hospital's director general, I can testify that the support was really decisive in dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," said the chief of the national hospital.

M'Madi recalled that the cooperation between China and the Comoros in the field of health has a long history. "Since 1997, China has been sending medical teams to the Comoros, with medical workers from various specialities such as cardiology, gynaecology, surgery and anaesthesiology," he said, "these services are much appreciated by the population, and we have a lot of people coming for consultation."

The Chinese medical team also brought new equipment to the national hospital and helped train local doctors so that these medical services could continue working after its departure, he added.

M'Madi recalls that the vaccination campaign against the COVID-19 was launched in April 2021 in the Comoros by President Azali Assoumani thanks to a donation of 100,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine, when the WHO COVAX programme vaccines were not yet available.

"With the strong friendly relations between the Comoros and China, we were able to opt for the Sinopharm vaccine. We chose to start the campaign with the Sinopharm and we were very satisfied", he said.

The latest official figures show that nearly 250,000 people have now been vaccinated with two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine in the Comoros, which means a complete vaccination rate of around 30 percent of its total population and one of the highest in Africa.

"Overall, the vaccine has produced few side effects", Mmadi said. And when a new wave of the epidemic hit the Comoros, his hospital had no cases of people who had been vaccinated but died from the new coronavirus infection. "So we are very satisfied with the overall effectiveness of the vaccination."

In addition to the vaccine, China has provided various forms of support to the Comoros, from medical supplies including testing reagents and ventilators to the dispatch of short-term medical teams.

"We have received help from a dedicated Chinese medical team during the fight against the epidemic," said Mmadi. "This team of a dozen Chinese medical workers, who came to the Comoros between April and June 2021, provided technical support in various areas of epidemic prevention and control."

"It was really a great learning experience for us and support for our teams to be able to take care of severe cases. We were also able to get some equipment: respirators, gasometry, extractors", he added.

During his recent visit to the Comoros, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China was ready to help the Comoros achieve its goal of universal immunization by the end of this year.

"At present, we are more prepared than at the beginning of the pandemic, with better equipment and better-trained medical staff. We need to be vigilant about the current wave, but we are confident that we will overcome it," Mmadi concluded. 

Photo taken on Jan. 13, 2022 shows the National Central Hospital El-Maarouf in Moroni, the Comoros. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

A Comoran doctor massages a patient at the National Central Hospital El-Maarouf in Moroni, the Comoros, on Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Chinese doctor Pang Lufeng examines a patient at the National Central Hospital El-Maarouf in Moroni, the Comoros, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
BELGRADE, Serbia, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Telekom Srbija, the TMT leader in Western Balkan region, is today announcing its efforts to accelerate the digital transformation of the Serbian economy and society, in keeping with the national digitalisation priorities outlined in the Serbian Digital Agenda. In 2022 the business will focus on rolling out the 5G network. It will also continue its EUR 25m investment for start-ups in multiple sectors, while furthering its cooperation with Vodafone, covering Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to provide access to all important resources in the sphere of digital transformation.

A 5G spectrum auction is expected in mid-2022, to be followed by the implementation of the 5G Network in Telekom Srbija by the end of year. Recently, on 15 December 2021, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced that it will lend EUR 70 million to Telekom Srbija for the rollout of the 5G telecommunications network and extension of the existing 4G network across the Republic of Serbia, recognising us as a key market leader in the region. The EIB loan will enable 60% of Serbians residents to gain access to the latest 5G network and extend the benefits of the 4G network to nearly everyone in the country.

Earlier last year, Telekom Srbija set up its first Corporate Venture Capital Fund for start-up ideas, aiming to invest EUR 25 million over the next five years which means that Telekom Srbija will invest five million euros per year for start-ups in Serbia and region. In 2022 Telekom Srbija through its CVC Fund will continue to invest heavily in multiple fields of business such as AI, Big Data, FinTech, e-commerce, IoT, media and telco, AdTech, B2B/B2C, SaaS, blockchain etc.

The company's cooperation with Vodafone, covering Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, will make it possible for the business to increase the efficiency of its operations, optimise costs and improve customer experience in the coming year. All of which are key strategic priorities for Telekom Srbija.

Vladimir Lucic, Chief Executive Officer of Telekom Srbija, said: "We see digital opportunities as a big part of a more sustainable future of the Serbian economy and society. This will make it possible for us to increase the efficiency of our operations, optimise costs and improve customer experience, which are our key strategic priorities. Digitalisation can unlock unlimited potential and hidden revenues for businesses and Public Administration by freeing up resources for more crucial tasks. I am confident that investing in digital technology and innovation can bring tangible results and make positive steps towards a greener and more resilient tomorrow for our customers, investors and partners."

More about Telekom Srbija at: https://mts.rs/About-Telekom/About-us

SOURCE Telekom Srbija
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA), a private non-profit whose mission is to support PA prevention professionals in eliminating substance misuse and risk-related behaviors, contracted with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to conduct a preliminary survey assessment of Pennsylvania higher education institutions. The intent of the survey was to collect preliminary data about current alcohol-related issues on campus and efforts to mitigate the negative effects of student alcohol use.

"The overarching goal of this project is to establish a statewide collaborative that provides technical assistance support to institutions of higher education to address their alcohol issues and to identify state and national resources that can assist with prevention and intervention efforts," said Jeff Hanley, CPA Executive Director. "During this unpredictable environment, it is important that college students take the necessary measures to protect their health and well-being. To support all students and assist in combating college drinking, forming a statewide collaborative is of utmost importance. Locally, prevention professionals, community coalitions, and families can work with college administrators to provide education to students about the risks associated with alcohol use and offer access to support services for those who misuse alcohol or struggle with mental health issues".

The following survey findings emerged when examining administrator perceptions of student drinking behavior:

61.5% of respondents expressed some level of concern about student alcohol use relative to other problem behaviors experienced on campus.

80.8% of administrators report alcohol use contributes to other problems experienced by students, at least some of the time.

A majority of the student affairs administrators (73.1%) agreed that "most student alcohol use occurs in off-campus settings."

Approximately one-third of responding colleges reported they do not have full-time staff dedicated to campus alcohol prevention.

"An important part of the mission of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is to reduce and prevent underage and dangerous drinking, especially on college and university campuses across the state. Studies like this collect vital data the PLCB can use to inform decisions about where we allocate our resources in conducting this work," said Tim Holden, Chairman of the PLCB. "It is critical that the PLCB and our partners in prevention are aligned in our goals, practices, and efforts."

PA Institutions of Higher Education do share a commitment to prevent student alcohol use on campus. To enhance these prevention efforts, colleges and universities can designate a full-time, professional to address campus alcohol efforts, commit adequate funding for alcohol prevention and intervention programs, practices, and strategies; and, establish and utilize internal alcohol taskforces and coalitions.

To learn more and read the full report, please visit https://commonwealthpreventionalliance.org/pa-higher-education-needs-assessment/.

SOURCE Commonwealth Prevention Alliance
CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new research report the "Aircraft Wire and Cable Market by Type (Wire, Harness, Cable), Application (Power Transfer, Data Transfer, Flight Control System, Avionics, Lighting), Aircraft Type, Conductor Material, Insulation Type, End User and Region - Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global market for aircraft wire and cable is estimated to be USD 1.5 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 1.9 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. The growth of this market is mainly driven by the digitalization and electrification of aircraft systems, increase in aircraft renewals and aircraft deliveries and growing technological developments.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=105042386

The Aircraft Wire and Cable Market includes major players Amphenol Corporation (US), Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (US), Collins Aerospace (US), TE Connectivity (Switzerland), and Nexans SA. (France). These players have spread their business across various countries includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. COVID-19 has impacted their businesses as well.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the end-use industries adversely, resulting in a sudden dip in 2020 aircraft orders and deliveries. This is expected to negatively impact the aircraft market in the short term, with slow recovery expected in Q1 of 2021.

Multiple application of aircraft harness is expected to fuel the growth of the Aircraft Wire and Cable Market during the forecast period.

The harness segment is estimated to lead the market during the forecast period, with a share of 47% in 2021. Wire harness is an assembly of electrical cables or wires which transmits signals or electrical power throughout an aircraft. In the aerospace industry, aircraft contains miles of wiring harnesses. Applications in aerospace industry include engine, fuselage, wing, landing gear, avionics, and a host of other functions. Aircraft wire harness also includes composite, Ethernet, data bus, RF coaxial and specialty cable assemblies such as MS3154.

The UAV segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on aircraft type, the UAV segment is projected to be the highest CAGR rate for the Aircraft Wire and Cable Market during the forecast period. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones, these smaller aircraft help ground troops cover more territory more safely. The increased surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of these small UAS depend on payloads that may include multiple cameras and sensors for a variety of frequencies, such as infrared, thermal, and visible light, as well as sophisticated embedded computing and storage devices. Since flight time depends on how much weight the aircraft carries, these increased payloads can make keeping weight down a challenge. As a result of efforts to optimize swap, trends in connectors and cabling include lighter weight materials, quick disconnects, multiple ports and multi-functions, and compact cabling.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Aircraft Wire and Cable Market"

320 - Tables

45 - Figures

256 - Pages

Inquiry before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=105042386

The avionics segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the avionics segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the Aircraft Wire and Cable Market during the forecast period. As the aircrafts have changed their avionic systems to digital the aircraft wire and cable companies need to provide new avionics systems for the aerospace industry.

The copper alloy segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Based on the conductor material, the copper alloy segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the Aircraft Wire and Cable Market during the forecast period. Copper wires are widely used in aerospace industry because of its electrical properties. In aircraft, copper is used primarily in the electrical system for bus bars, bonding, and as lockwire. Copper is the electrical conductor in many categories of electrical wiring. Copper wire in aircraft is used for power generation, power transmission, power distribution for telecommunications, electronics circuitry, and countless types of electrical equipment.

The thermoplastic segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Based on insulation type, the thermoplastic segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the Aircraft Wire and Cable Market during the forecast period. A new class of thermoplastic composites has strength and modulus (stiffness) values comparable to metals and thermosets. The technology involves continuous glass fibers or carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic polymer matrix, usually consisting of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or Ultem PEI (polyetherimide). The composites are made from high-performance, thermally stable plastics, hence can be used at elevated temperatures.

The OEM segment is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Based on end user, the OEM segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR rate for the Aircraft Wire and Cable Market during the forecast period. OEMs are responsible for the integration of wire and cables onto aircraft systems during the assembly stage. After reduction in the market in 2020, the aircraft industry is recovering gradually with an increase in air passenger traffic, which is driving the aircraft wire and cable sector.

The North American market is projected to contribute the largest share from 2021 to 2026

Aircraft Wire and Cable Market in North America is projected to hold the highest market share during the forecast period. North America accounted for the largest share of 35.5% of the Aircraft Wire and Cable Market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. The presence of major wire and cable manufacturers like Amphenol Corporations and CarlisleIT is one of the major reasons for the growth. The presence of aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Lockheed Martin which are the major military players in the world is also one of the reasons for the growth of the market in this region.

The Aircraft Wire and Cable Market is dominated by a few globally established players such as Amphenol Corporation (US), Carlisle Interconnect Technologies (US), Collins Aerospace (US), TE Connectivity (Switzerland), and Nexans SA. (France).

Related Reports:

Lighting Control System Market by Installation Type (New and Retrofit), Offering (Hardware, Software, and Services), End-use Application (Indoor and Outdoor), Communication Protocol, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2024

Aircraft Electrical Systems Market by System (Power Generation, Conversion, Distribution, Energy Storage), Component, Technology, Platform (Commercial Aviation, Military Aviation, Business & General Aviation), End-User, Application & Region - Global Forecast to 2030

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- America First Political Committee today formally initiated actions to remove Censured Florida Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL-26 Congressional District) from the Republican Party. Gimenez has become 'Persona Non Grata' in the 26th Congressional District and the State of Florida.

RINO Carlos Gimenez RINO Liz Cheney

Carlos Gimenez, a Republican in name only (RINO), otherwise known as a Socialist Democrat, has a long record of supporting radical socialist policy, dating back to his time as Miami-Dade Mayor. As Miami-Dade Mayor, Gimenez locked down and destroyed small businesses. Gimenez was also tainted with corruption and ethics accusations including unauthorized business dealings with Communist China.

In Washington, D.C., Carlos Gimenez has voted with Nancy Pelosi and the radical leftists. Gimenez also defended disgraced Liz Cheney after she voted in favor of the 'Sham Impeachment' against Donald Trump. Gimenez doubled down in defending Cheney after the Republican Caucus censored and removed Liz Cheney from Republican Party Leadership. Gimenez went further in voting for the 'January 6' Socialist Democrat witch hunt against American Citizens and Republican voters.

America First has been actively involved in censuring and removing RINO Liz Cheney from the Wyoming Republican Party and stripping her of all leadership positions in the Republican Party.

Gimenez, like Liz Cheney openly votes and sides with the Socialist Democrats. Some notable examples include:

Gimenez openly supported and voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016. That alone was grounds for expulsion from the GOP. After supporting and voting for Hillary Clinton in 2016, Gimenez 'hustled" Donald Trump and flipped to support and 'supposedly vote for' Trump in 2020;

Gimenez voted with Nancy Pelosi on H.R. 550, to allow the federal government to create a database, track unvaccinated Americans, who could be targeted, segregated, discriminated against, and forced to comply with vaccination mandates;

Gimenez voted with Nancy Pelosi on Anti-Second Amendment legislation HR-8, making it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to purchase, own, carry, and use a firearm;

Gimenez voted with Nancy Pelosi on H.R. 6 for 'Open Borders and Amnesty' to over 20 million criminal illegal aliens, which would permanently avoid deportation, obtain a pathway to citizenship, and full voting rights;

Gimenez also voted with Nancy Pelosi to strip Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of all Congressional Committee positions.

About America First Political Committee:

Our mission is to protect the integrity of the U.S. Constitution, promote conservative political candidates and policy that puts America First.

America First Contact:

Contact: J. Stephens

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.americafirstpc.org

Phone: 202-495-1505

SOURCE America First Political Committee
BELIZE CITY, Belize, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to further protect the health and wellbeing of international visitors and Belizeans from COVID-19, Belize Tourism Board (BTB), the official tourism organization for Belize, has released new safe travel standards for any persons entering the country. Effective Feb. 15, 2022, all visitors are required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance  a mandatory insurance that helps protect travelers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses, if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Belize.

The cost of the policy is $18 USD and provides coverage for up to $50,000 USD in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days. This insurance plan will come online under the country's public health regulations and provide cover for lodging expenses due to quarantine up to $2,000 USD (max $300/day USD). Travelers will also be covered for emergency assistance services such as air evacuation and emergency expenses related to pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, it covers trip cancellations and expenses incurred by COVID-19 positive travelers for extended stays.

Some important entry highlights are listed below:

It is recommended that travelers purchase the Belize Travel Health Insurance prior to their travel to Belize . However, purchases can be made upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport or at Belize's land borders.

. However, purchases can be made upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport or at land borders. Visitors must purchase Belize Travel Health Insurance and are required to complete the Customs and Immigration form that is provided on all flights to Belize .

. Exempted from this mandatory insurance are Belizean nationals, permanent residents and travelers with QRP or Long Stay status and flight crews.

status and flight crews. All international tourists must book their stay in Belize at a Gold Standard property (approved hotel or accommodation) and present confirmation at immigration.

at a property (approved hotel or accommodation) and present confirmation at immigration. All travelers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, entering Belize through the Philip Goldson International Airport from other countries, will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test.

through the Philip Goldson International Airport from other countries, will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test. If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of USD $50 per passenger. Children under the age of 5 years will not be required to present a negative test.

In the past year, Belize has implemented several traveler protocols to keep visitors feeling safe, including the Tourism Gold Standard Program and Travel Belize app, which enables travelers to seamlessly plan their vacation with certified hotels and tour operators (an entry requirement). The new Travel Health Insurance mandate underscores Belize's commitment to health and safety, enhancing travel confidence and giving visitors peace of mind to schedule that well-deserved vacation for 2022 and beyond.

About Belize Tourism Board

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is a statutory body within the Belize Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations. The BTB works in conjunction with members of the private sector  including the Belize Hotel Association, Belize Tourism Industry Association and Belize National Tour Operators Association  and is dedicated to building tourism in the most economically and environmentally sustainable manner. As a part of its responsibilities, the BTB promotes Belize as a premier tourism destination to both in-country and international consumers. Among its outreach to the international travel market, the BTB markets the country's unique attractions to travelers, members of the travel trade industry and media outlets in key markets. The BTB is also dedicated to developing and implementing tourism programs that will help strengthen and grow the Belizean tourism industry; promote good destination stewardship; and instill high quality standards for accommodations and travel experiences. For more information on the BTB and its services, visit www.travelbelize.org .

Media Contact

Lauren Arwood

Senior Account Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE Belize Tourism Board
DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cell and Gene Therapy Business Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Twice-Monthly Publication Cell and Gene Therapy Business Outlook will offer the following:

Market Sizing and Forecasting of CAGT Markets: Each issue sizes up the market opportunity and projects the future revenues for a given therapeutic segment.

Keeping an Eye on Financing: With billions of investment dollars announced each year, Cell and Gene Therapy Business Outlook tracks who is getting financed (and the companies behind the financing) each issue. On a regular basis we will analyze trends in that financing.

News Briefs and Analysis of the Science That will Shape Tomorrow's Business: Cell and Gene Therapy Business Outlook is designed to provide the most relevant news. With a focus on what the recent news of the day means for business, our curated news and news analysis means that you and your organization can be confident you won't miss an important development in cell and gene therapy.

Deals Between CAGT Companies Tracked: Each issue's "Recent Deals Table" tracks the important deals between stem cell companies as well as the deals they engage in (tech transfers, partnerships, mergers, distribution and other activities) with companies outside the industry.

Cell and Gene Therapy Tools: This newsletter will also report on developments, product launches and deals relating to the makers of cell and gene therapy manufacturing equipment and supplies.

Target Audience Includes:

Director, Vice President or Manager of Market Research

Director, Vice President or Manager of Marketing

Director, Vice President or Manager of Research and Development

Director of Business Insights

Director of Business Development

CEO

Reviews

"Great product overall...and external comprehensive analysis"

- A Major Pharmaceutical Company

"GT and CT have been a hot topic! We are tasked to know this area and need a resource like this"

-Consulting Firm

"The charts and tables are a good idea to keep up with the amount of new announcements in CGT. We appreciated the scientific discussion in this issue and your recent webinar." -Cell and Gene Therapy Startup

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/upanl3

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- An investigation on the E.U.'s outsourcing of immigration enforcement to Libya prompted further discourse among politicians, religious leaders, human rights advocates, and legislators.

The Outlaw Ocean Project, a journalism non-profit directed by award-winning investigative reporter Ian Urbina, partnered with the New Yorker to publish the 10,000-word story.

The reporting revealed that the E.U. has for years sent money and equipment to Libya's Coast Guard to catch migrants headed to Europe. These migrants are then placed in detention centers run by militia groups.

In Greece, Pope Francis condemned Europe's policies of "self-interest and nationalism," that he said had led to a wholesale mistreatment of innocent migrants so vast it represented nothing less than the "shipwreck of civilization."

Days after two dozen migrants drowned while attempting to cross the English Channel, French President Emmanuel Macron argued that Europe's future depended on its ability to control its borders.

In the days after the investigation was published, Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush said that her country was tired of doing Europe's bidding in limiting migration to the E.U. "Please do not push the problem in our lap and please do not point your fingers at Libya and portray us as a country which abuses and disrespects refugees," said the minister.

Human rights advocates argued that erecting an invisible wall across the Mediterranean is not the way to respond to the global stampede that climate migration has set in motion. They instead called for policies and resources that would address the push factors driving migrants toward Europe.

Recent legal actions taken against the E.U. before the International Criminal Court and the United Nations have become part of a broader challenge to the E.U.'s policies in the wake of the investigation's findings.

The story was published in outlets across the United States and Europe, and throughout the Middle East and Africa, running ultimately in 11 languages, 26 countries and 53 magazine, radio, television and newspaper outlets.

At the center of the investigation was the death of Aliou Cande, a farmer and father of three who was killed inside one of these detention centers. Police initially listed him in paperwork without a name.

Soon after the story was published, the hashtag #AliouCande went viral and the link to the story was seen by more than 13 million people on Twitter alone.

About The Outlaw Ocean Project:

The Outlaw Ocean Project is a journalism non-profit that produces investigative stories about human rights and environmental concerns on the two thirds of the planet covered by water. Investigative reporter Ian Urbina founded the organization after spending years at sea reporting stories about lawlessness at sea for the Times, and later for The Outlaw Ocean book, published in 2019.

One of the limitations of the traditional model used especially by legacy news outlets, is that worthy investigative stories are typically seen by only a small fraction of the public because these stories get published in just one outlet and typically in just one language. Part of what The Outlaw Ocean Project and Ian Urbina seek to do is not just produce polished narrative investigative journalism but also convert that journalism into new forms in order to reach new audiences.

Ian Urbina

Investigative Journalist

The Outlaw Ocean Project

[email protected]

This release was issued through WebWire. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com.

SOURCE The Outlaw Ocean Project
"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
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Industrial solar generator Market by Type (below 40 KWH, 40-80 KWH, 80-150 KWH, and over 150 KWH) Application (Electrical Industry, Oil and Gas Industry, and others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global industrial solar generator market was estimated at $195.2 million in 2020 and is expected to hit $907.0 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 16.9% from 2021 to 2030.

Drivers, restraints, and opportunities-

Increasing demand for sustainably generated electricity drives the growth of the global industrial solar generator market. On the other hand, availability of alternative energy sources impedes the growth to some extent. However, emergence of government policies on renewable resources by providing tax relaxations and incentives is anticipated to pave the way for lucrative opportunities in the future.

Download Sample PDF (220 Pages PDF with Insights): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/14052

COVID-19 scenario-

Huge disruptions in the supply chain led to significant slowdown in the production of industrial solar generators, thereby impacting the market negatively, especially during the initial phase.

However, as the global situation is getting better, the market is anticipated to revive soon.

The 80-150 KWH segment to retain the lion's share-

On the basis of type, the 80-150 KWH segment held the major share in 2020, garnering more than one-fifth of the global industrial solar generator market, owing to increasing usage of high capacity solar generators in different industries. The 40-80 KWH segment, on the other hand, is projected to cite the fastest CAGR of 18.0% throughout the forecast period.

Get detailed COVID-19 impact analysis on the Industrial Solar Generator Market: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/14052?reqfor=covid

The oil and gas industry segment to dominate by 2030-

On the basis of application, the oil and gas segment contributed to the lion's share in 2020, holding nearly half of the global industrial solar generator market, due to increasing awareness about renewable energy. However, the electrical industry segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 18.2% from 2021 to 2030.

Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, held the major share in 2020-

By region, Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and North America, dominated in 2020, garnering around two-fifths of the global industrial solar generator market. The same region is also expected to cite the fastest CAGR of 18.3% throughout the forecast period, owing to growing awareness about renewable energy in China, India, and other Asia-Pacific countries.

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Key players in the industry-

Ameresco

Intech Clean Energy

Altern Limited

REC Solar

Goal Zero LLC

Jakson Group

Juwi

Kirchner Solar

Hollandia Solar

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians on Thursday condemned increasing violence and the slaying of an aid worker in al-Hol, the largest camp for displaced people and refugees in Syria.

The killing on Tuesday followed an armed attack on a health facility in the camp, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

The UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Syria, Imran Riza, and UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis Muhannad Hadi, "condemned the abhorrent incident and the ongoing violence."

"On behalf of the entire humanitarian community in Syria, the two senior UN officials expressed condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the victim," OCHA reported. Neither the identity of the victim nor the exact circumstances of the slaying were immediately available.

"They also called on all parties with influence to ensure appropriate security measures to allow humanitarian assistance to continue to be delivered in a safe and effective manner," the office said.

The camp in northeast Syria "continues to see a significant decline in the rule of law and increased violence among residents, with a range of appalling attacks reported," the office said. This is the first death in al-Hol of an aid worker or resident this year.

Last year, 89 Syrian and Iraqi camp residents, including one humanitarian worker, were killed, OCHA said. The camp is the largest for refugees and internally displaced people in Syria, with around 56,000 people, over half of whom are under 18.

OCHA said humanitarian workers stopped operations for two days to review safety protocols because of the slaying.

"The UN and other humanitarian organizations remain committed to mobilizing and delivering regular life-saving and essential aid to al-Hol," the office said. "But their work can only be effective when steps are taken to address persistent safety issues."

Camp residents in al-Hol "need dignified, informed, and durable solutions to their displacement," OCHA said. "The United Nations reiterates its call for all responsible parties to take urgent and meaningful action to resolve this issue and uphold the rights, dignity, and humanity of each individual living in al-Hol." 
COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrated Cannabis Solutions, Inc., (OTCPINK: IGPK) issues Shareholder update for 2022. The past few years have been spent cleaning up the entity and becoming a fully reporting entity. In June of 2021 IGPK accomplished this task with the clearance of its S1 Registration. Now its time to build the company through acquisitions of revenue producing entities with tangible assets. These acquisitions will build the asset base and revenue needed for the Company to move up exchanges.

Consolidated

The Closing will take place this quarter with Consolidated. The delays are related to auditing a private company that has significant inventory carried each quarter. Since the auditor was not present from day 1 a history of every piece of inventory purchased and sold must be tracked from initial delivery to the warehouse to delivery to the purchaser. Due to the Covid-19 and the workers within facility not wearing masks, Our CEO Matthew Dwyer for health reasons cannot go to Consolidated to assist. IGPK, had the IT person for Consolidated setup online access to allow our CEO to remote login to their Server to source the information needed. Once we complete the initial audit, moving forward the auditors will simply do a physical count each year. Consolidated has several acquisition targets that should help drive revenue to $5 million gross annually with a Net of around 20%.

California

The Company has been pursuing multiple deals in the cannabis sector in California, from raw land to operating entities. We are moving forward with the acquisition of an operating entity in California. The Company has revenue of approximately $300,000 per month (with sizable room to grow) and tangible assets of approximately $5 million dollars. This acquisition will accomplish several goals for the Company; 1) will begin to build our asset base for future market moves; 2) establishes significant revenue for the Company; and 3) The acquisition brings on board season management, allowing us to grow through future acquisitions.

Caribbean

The Company has been working with locals in the Caribbean to enter the cannabis sector. Things are progressing and soon Parliament will vote to allow medical cannabis. IGPK will be positioned to work with our local partner(s) to acquire real estate and buildout a facility to grow and manufacture products for the medical market. IGPK will assist with funding to purchase all the equipment and real estate, which will then be leased to a local management entity. This is a very exciting opportunity for IGPK, the local Caribbean market is not that large, it is the over 600,000 monthly tourists and the ability to export products where we see the opportunity. We plan to use our contacts from the California operation to obtain products that can be manufactured, then exported to contacts in Europe for distribution.

Wisconsin

The Company has decided not to pursue a hemp farm in Wisconsin at this time. The steep decline in hemp prices spurred by the Farm Act have reduced the profitability of the hemp market. We will not renew our licenses for 2022. The Company has other opportunities to act upon that will have an immediate effect on the Company.

During the first quarter of 2022 IGPK will launch a newly designed website incorporating our acquisitions and adding enhanced features such as Level 2 stock quotes to its investors page.

Integrated Cannabis Solutions, in compliance with SEC regulations, will use social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter and its own website at www.igpk.org to announce key information in compliance with Regulation FD.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, estimates of services and equipment markets, release of corporate apps, growth of platform, target markets, product releases, product demand and, business strategy. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects and development stage companies. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. No information in this press release should be construed in any manner whatsoever as an indication of our future revenues, financial condition, or stock price.

SOURCE Integrated Cannabis Solutions, Inc.
RCIS leadership transition

Jason Meador, who has been at Zurich since 2013, will move to Zurich's crop insurance business, Rural Community Insurance Services, on Feb. 1 as Head of RCIS. Reporting to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn, Meador will be responsible for the direction and strategic planning of Zurich's crop insurance business, including the expansion of precision agriculture and other advanced technology, and for ensuring strong relationships with key stakeholders in the agriculture industry, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS), crop agents and the U.S. Congress. He will work closely with Zurich's Government & Regulatory Relations team in Washington, D.C., on issues and advocacy related to the federally funded crop insurance program.

Mike Day will stay on through March 31 to assist in Meador's transition. Day's retirement comes after nearly 40 years in crop insurance, which included serving on the NCIS Executive Committee and the Executive Committee of the Crop Insurance & Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB).

"Mike ensured RCIS, as one of the country's largest and most dependable crop insurance providers, earned and held the trust of farmers and agents. Mike played a significant role in the successful transition when Zurich acquired RCIS in 2016," said Terryn. "We thank him for his 33 years of leadership and advocacy at RCIS. Jason will draw on Mike's legacy and his own broad skills and experience to continue to support the strength and vitality of American agriculture."

Meador, a Navy veteran who enlisted at 18, joined Zurich years later as a Strategy Business Partner to the former Commercial Markets business unit and Technical Underwriting function. He then became Head of Strategic Execution for North America before moving to the former Alternative Markets business unit as its Chief Operating Officer. His 17 years of insurance experience, including at Boston Consulting Group, were preceded by his work in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, where he was Program Manager for Steam Generator Technology and Fleet Support at Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University.

Head of Captives

Succeeding Meador as Head of Captives on Feb. 1, Dawn Hiestand will be responsible for the overall strategy and operational management of Zurich North America's Group Captives insurance business, which includes member-owned, agency and fronted captives. She will report to Head of U.S. National Accounts Paul Horgan.

Since joining Zurich in 2000, Dawn has held leadership positions in Claims, Operational Transformation and Underwriting. She served as Chief Operations Officer for Alternative Markets before serving in the same role for Direct Markets. She is also Head of the Women's Innovation Network, Zurich's largest and oldest employee resource group.

She previously practiced law at private firms. She earned her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Valparaiso University and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1997.

Chief Customer Officer

Alban Laloum has been selected for the role of Chief Customer Officer for Zurich North America, reporting to Kristof Terryn. Effective Feb. 1, Laloum will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for the expanded Customer Office, which now will encompass Distribution in addition to Marketing and Customer Experience functions, to deliver distinctive expertise and customer experience, expand Zurich's reach and deepen distribution relationships. This will include building on digital and technical capabilities and enhancing end-to-end servicing across the customer journey.

Laloum has been with Zurich since 2013, joining as Global Broker Relationship Leader after leading Marsh's Multinational Practice globally for three years. His 26 years of experience as a broker include roles leading Marsh's international practice for the Midwest region and its Risk Management and Client Executive practice.

Laloum holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Insurance from the University of Hartford, a post-graduate degree from Centre des Hautes Etudes d'Assurances in Paris and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Head of Construction

Kelly Kinzer, previously Head of Construction Casualty and, before that, Head of Construction Property at Zurich North America, had been leading Zurich's Construction business on an interim basis since November, following the departure of Karen Reutter. Kinzer officially became Head of Construction on Jan. 1. She will be accountable for delivering underwriting results, sales execution, talent management strategies and innovative products and services, such as the Zurich Construction Weather Parametric solution that she helped launch in 2021. She will report to Paul Horgan.

Kinzer started her career at Zurich before moving to roles at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty then Marsh & McLennan, where she was Senior Vice President. She then spent four years at Willis Towers Watson, where she progressed to Executive Vice President and Head of Construction Broking for North America before rejoining Zurich in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Olaf College.

"These newly named leaders illustrate the outstanding talent and great bench strength we have here at Zurich North America," Terryn said. "They will continue to keep the focus on truly knowing our customers  their challenges and their goals  and ensure we deliver the differentiated solutions and excellent service they have come to expect from Zurich."

About Zurich North America

Zurich North America is one of the largest providers of insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals. Our customers represent industries ranging from agriculture to technology. Zurich North America is part of Zurich Insurance Group, a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. Read more at www.zurichna.com/services/about-zurich.

Visit us on social media: LinkedIn and Twitter





SOURCE Zurich North America
ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stepping into 2022, COVID-19's presence still continues to linger around the world. That being said, it's critical to remain mindful of the tech trends that drive digital transformation. MobiDev experts listed the most important healthcare technology trends that impact the industry in 2022.

Trend 1 Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Healthcare Technology Trends and Digital Innovations in 2022

In the healthcare industry, machine learning is extremely helpful for the development of new pharmaceuticals and the efficiency of diagnosis processes. AI is helping analyze CT scans to detect pneumonia. Mentioning Mental health, MIT and Harvard University researchers have utilized machine learning to track trends and mental health in correlation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trend 2 Telemedicine

Telehealth is expected to grow to $185.6 billion by 2026. If you need a dedicated telemedicine app, one of the most important technologies that will be needed is WebRTC, an open-source API-based system.

Trend 3 Extended Reality

One of the most popular and useful forms of this technology is the use of mixed reality headsets like Microsoft Hololens 2 by surgeons. The headset can provide heads up information to the surgeon while allowing them to use both of their hands during the procedure.

Trend 4 IoT

The global IoT medical devices market is projected to reach USD 94.2 billion by 2026 from USD 26.5 billion in 2021. With the healthcare industry becoming increasingly more connected through these technologies, IoT cannot be ignored.

Trend 5 Privacy and Security

Ensuring your organization is HIPAA compliant is an essential first step toward avoiding costly data breaches. If you are serving patients internationally, it may be a good idea to consider the regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union.

Trend 6 Organ Care and Bioprinting

With the world's transplantation market size predicted to reach $26.5 billion by 2028, organ transplants are certainly an important part of the healthcare industry. The Organ Care System developed by Transmedics is a great example. Bioprinting has been done in the past but has not yet hit the mainstream.

More detailed information about Healthcare Technology Trends in 2022 can be found at:

https://mobidev.biz/blog/technology-trends-healthcare-digital-transformation

MobiDev is a US/Ukraine software engineering company focused on helping visionaries create their products. The company invests into technology research and has years of experience building AI-powered solutions, implementing machine learning, augmented reality, and IoT.

Media contact:

Nana Hrytsenko

[email protected]

888-380-0276

SOURCE MobiDev
NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Vault Holdings Inc., leading the way in tokenomics and metaverse data visualization, valuation, and monetization, today announced it has developed a metaverse art gallery in collaboration with the inaugural international art event World Art Forum, hosted by the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The patented Datavault platform mints NFTs of participating artists in support of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through art in Egypt and the world. The gallery proves the resourcefulness of NFTsin its transformation of data objects through the metaverseto create new digital assets from existing works. It will also showcase ADIO's data packet technology to create custom call-to-actions within the NFT art itself. The World Art Forum will take place in Cairo, Egypt at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization from January 15-19, 2022.

"We couldn't have envisioned just a few years ago the heights that NFTs would reach in their potential to not only improve the financial stability of artists, but also to address the social ills in the world. Sustainability and our collective carbon footprint are issues that the metaverse have helped to address. Through NFT art, Datavault can effortlessly repurpose art to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials via our patented technology. What this exhibit's attendees, artists, owners, and collectors will witness is the emerging capability of NFT art to provide sustainable alternatives for creators, and the NFT market overall," says Nathaniel Bradley, co-founder and CEO of Data Vault Holdings.

The World Art Forum, open to the public, will feature more than 150 pieces and sculptures from 27 countries. Art will be represented by more than 20 local, regional, and international galleries. The event will showcase NFTs minted by Datavault from cultural centers in Africa, Europe, Asia, the United States, and the Middle East.

Datavault's novel technology will mint NFTs of distinguished artists in painting, ceramics, sculpture, and visual arts. Artists include: Heidi Fosli (Norway), Abinoro Akporode Collins (Nigeria), Giorio Piccaia (Italy), Jorg Van Daele (Belgium), Larissa Noury (France), Wissam Fahmy (Egypt), and Ahmed Nawar (Egypt).

The works will be featured alongside more than 1,000 anticipated visitors over the course of the five-day event, which will also include guest panelists across the fields of government, the arts, and global development. Datavault's metaverse gallery will provide a successful proof-of-concept for the utility of NFTs as a sustainable, revenue-generating art form for artists, collectors, and owners.

Datavault adds another layer to the Data Revolution through its support of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in conjunction with the United Nations Representative Office In Egypt. Datavault's metaverse gallery will help to specifically promote SDG #17, which focuses on building partnerships among artists, development partners, and organizations to integrate art with the fundamental social issues of todayissues such as equality, women's empowerment, and cultural dialogue. Additionally, Datavault's patented platform offers a securitized digital item that provides continual royalties and residual income. Datavault will also further authenticate the minted NFTs through the use of ADIO's proprietary data packet technology.

Previously, Datavault laid the groundwork for the multidisciplinary World Art Forum collaboration through the platform's inaugural metaverse gallery last month at the global art fair Art Basel Miami Beach, hosted December 2-5. Datavault demonstrated its patented crypto technology creating NFTs from original works of featured artists from around the world, as digital art for purchase. Also last month, Datavault completed the full metaverse exhibition "NFTs: Timeless and Ancient Art Exhibition", in collaboration with the New York art gallery Saphira & Ventura from December 28-30. This exhibit provided an accessible means for experiencing new and existing monetization capabilities within the emerging NFT space, through the minting of NFTs from participating artists' works as well as ancient masterpieces. Moreover, Saphira & Ventura will participate in this year's World Art Forum as one of more than 20 featured art galleries.

Starting January 15, in collaboration with the World Art Forum, Datavault will leverage the potential within the metaverse and use art as a universal language to promote artistic expression, financial viability, and sustainable development. Datavault has only begun to tap into the limitless possibility of NFTs across mediums and locations.

About the World Art Forum

The World Art Forum aims to use art to connect global regions, artists, and galleries; establish partnerships among them; and facilitate integration between art and societal issues. The event features artists from around the world who share the goal of raising awareness about global issues and establishing a more sustainable future. This year's inaugural event will be under the auspices of the Egyptian government in partnership with the United Nations Representative Office in Egypt. Learn more about the World Art Forum here .

About Data Vault Holdings Inc.

Data Vault Holdings Inc. is a technology holding company that provides a proprietary, cloud-based platform for the delivery of branded data-backed cryptocurrencies. Data Vault Holdings Inc. provides businesses with the tools to monetize data assets securely over its Information Data Exchange (IDE). The company is in the process of finalizing the consolidation of its affiliates Data Donate Technologies, Inc., ADIO LLC, and Datavault Inc. as wholly-owned subsidiaries under one corporate structure. Learn more about Data Vault Holdings Inc. here .

About Datavault Inc.

Datavault Inc. holds a patented, cloud-based technology that transforms the way in which businesses value and trade data. The Datavault Inc. team has transferred decades of experience in enterprise solutions, blockchain technology, and digital security to help clients transact data objects in real time. Datavault Inc. holds the Information Data Exchange (IDE), a first-of-its-kind exchange that enables registered buyers and sellers to trade data objects for cash or other monetary assets, including cryptocurrencies. Learn more about Datavault Inc. here .

About ADIO LLC

ADIO LLC has developed a breakthrough ad-driven monetization platform that enhances user experience through high-frequency audio advertising. ADIO uses its patented pioneering data pocket technology to integrate into an audio file for a more robust user experience. Learn more about ADIO LLC here .

About Saphira & Ventura

Saphira & Ventura Art Design Architecture, is a global talent management network focused on art, design and architecture as well as alternative forms of expression such as NFTs, working with artists and cultural creators from various countries. Saphira & Ventura Art Design Architecture challenges the traditional perception of the meaning of art, fashion, design, and customs, seeing through the lens of inclusion, purpose, and positive self-expression. In this spirit, the Saphira & Ventura group is bringing new technologies to seek, develop and validate its scalable business model, improve transactions through the use of blockchain technology, and enhance the user experience. Learn more about Saphira & Ventura here .

Company Contact:

Data Vault Holdings Inc.

48 Wall Street, Floor 11

New York, NY 10005

1-844-DATA-400

Media Contact:

Angry Apples Marketing

1-844-GO-ANGRY

[email protected]

www.goangry.com

SOURCE Data Vault Holdings Inc.
MELBOURNE, Fla., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Nuclear Corporation (Sun Nuclear), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mirion Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: MIR) ("Mirion"), today announced the full program for the 2022 QA & Dosimetry Symposium (QADS), April 8-9, in Orlando, Florida. Hosted by Sun Nuclear, QADS is the premier Continuing Education event focused exclusively on Quality and Patient Safety in Radiation Oncology. In its 13th occurrence, QADS offers attendees timely and clinically relevant continuing education.

2 Days, 6 Session Themes, 20+ Presentations

QADS attendees can expect lively discussion and continuing education on diverse topics across six session themes:

Safety & Quality Control in Challenging Environment

Cybersecurity in Healthcare

Commissioning & QA for Stereotactic Modalities

Advances in Treatment Delivery & Quality Assurance

How to Detect Errors in Patient Treatment

Practical Dosimetry & QA

"With QADS, our aim is to present topics that are most relevant to the medical physics community right now, building a program based on insights from industry associations, publications, community discussion forums, and feedback from our global customer base," said Eric Schloesser, Sun Nuclear President. "We're pleased to share the 2022 program, featuring multidisciplinary talks with practical guidance on Quality Assurance."

Many cancer centers and radiation therapy departments cite cyberattacks and the COVID-19 pandemic as major disruptors for them, leading to workflow interferences and operational discontinuity. QADS will feature a session on these particular challenges, including keynote presentation Cybersecurity Issues in RT and Solutions, as well as a presentation on Incident Learning in Challenging Times - A Physician's Perspective, addressing the pandemic through the lens of incident learning and how clinical processes have changed for the short-term or beyond.

Sun Nuclear is also pleased to welcome Ehsan Samei, Ph.D., to its QADS program. Dr. Samei is the Chief Imaging Physicist at Duke University, the AAPM President Elect, and the founder of the AAPM Medical Physics 3.0 initiative, with the goal to redefine, reinvigorate, and promote the practice of sustainable excellence in medical physics. He will present learnings from this initiative and the implications for Diagnostic Imaging Quality Assurance.

The full QADS program can be seen at qasymposium.com. QADS has applied to CAMPEP for approval of 14 MPCEC hours. QADS is also seeking MDCB, SAM credits, as well as Medical Error and General Credits approved by the FL Council of Medical Physicists.

Registration to attend QADS is open now, and early registration pricing is available through January 21, 2022. QADS will take place at the JW Marriot Orlando, Bonnet Creek Resort and Spa. Sun Nuclear is committed to following all COVID-related protocols in accordance with the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for the safety of all attendees, speakers and staff in attendance.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "hope," "intend," "may," "might," "should," "would," "will," "understand" and similar words are intended to identify forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to, statements regarding the technology and benefits of the Mirion product's technology for Mirion and its customers. There are a significant number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release, including those described under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" set forth from time to time in filings and reports we make from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

You should not rely on these forward-looking statements, as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

About Sun Nuclear Corporation

Sun Nuclear, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mirion Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: MIR) provides innovative solutions for Radiation Therapy and Diagnostic Imaging centers. Our mission is to enable healthier lives by improving the avoidance, detection and treatment of cancer. More than 5,000 cancer centers worldwide rely on us for independent, integrated Quality Management. With a focus on ongoing support, we aim to ease technology adoption, enhance workflows and improve outcomes  so that healthcare providers can achieve real results for Patient Safety. Visit us: sunnuclear.com. Follow us: @sunnuclear.

Contacts

For investor inquiries:

Brian Schopfer

[email protected]

For media inquiries:

Matthew Maddox

[email protected]

SOURCE Sun Nuclear Corporation
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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

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Contacts:

SpendEdge

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Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
Market Dynamics

Factors such as the growing use of digital payment solutions are notably driving the third-party banking software market growth. However, the factors such as issues related to data privacy and security may impede 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 third-party banking software 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 third-party banking software market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. The third-party banking software market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including Accenture Plc, Capgemini Services SAS, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Fiserv Inc., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Oracle Corp., SAP SE, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., and Temenos AG.

Few Companies with Key Offerings

Accenture Plc - The company develops and provides software for core banking.

The company develops and provides software for core banking. Capgemini Services SAS - The company develops and provides software for core banking through its application services business segment.

The company develops and provides software for core banking through its application services business segment. Fidelity National Information Services Inc. - The company offers FIS Suite, it is a comprehensive, end-to-end, agile, and component core banking solution, aimed at meeting all the needs of banking organizations.

The company offers FIS Suite, it is a comprehensive, end-to-end, agile, and component core banking solution, aimed at meeting all the needs of banking organizations. Fiserv Inc - The company offers Agiliti and Cleartouch. Agiliti is a cloud-based and complete core banking suite that is an end-to-end, feature-rich, and multi-channel software infrastructure solution. Cleartouch is an integrated, online, real-time bank platform that delivers advanced business analytics for banking organizations.

The company offers Agiliti and Cleartouch. Agiliti is a cloud-based and complete core banking suite that is an end-to-end, feature-rich, and multi-channel software infrastructure solution. Cleartouch is an integrated, online, real-time bank platform that delivers advanced business analytics for banking organizations. Infosys Ltd - The company offers third-party banking software through the Financial Services segment.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive scenario provided in the third-party banking software 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 End-user , the market is classified into retail users and corporate users.

, the market is classified into retail users and corporate users. By Deployment , the market is classified into on-premises and cloud-based.

, the market is classified into on-premises and cloud-based. By Application , the market is classified into core banking software, asset and wealth management software, and other banking software.

, the market is classified into core banking software, asset and wealth management software, and other banking software. By Geography, the market is classified as Europe , North America , APAC, South America , and MEA.

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Related Reports -

Islamic Banking Software Market -The Islamic banking software market has the potential to grow by USD 3.88 billion during 2021-2025, and the market's growth momentum will decelerate at a CAGR of 19.33%. Download a free sample now!

Fintech Software Market -The fintech software market size is expected to reach a value of USD 25.48 billion, at a CAGR of 8.97%, during 2021-2025. Download a free sample now!

Third-party Banking Software Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 10% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 3.04 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 7.52 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution Europe at 33% Key consumer countries US, UK, China, Germany, France, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Accenture Plc, Capgemini Services SAS, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Fiserv Inc., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Oracle Corp., SAP SE, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., and Temenos AG 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 provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American journalist Pieter Friedrich launched the new year by conducting a 7-day hunger-strike in solidarity with persecuted Christians in India, which has been ranked by Open Doors USA as the 10th most dangerous country in the world in which to be a Christian.

Friedrich interviewed by Fr. Joshua Lickter Pieter Friedrich in Delhi, India

"That's at least the third year in a row in which they ranked India as the tenth most dangerous country," said Friedrich when interviewed by Anglican priest Fr. Joshua Lickter. He added, "I chose to do this in order to stand in solidarity with the Indian Christian Church, and to demonstrate to the persecuted Christians in India that there is somebody  there's somebody abroad, outside of their country, a fellow Christian  who understands what they're going through, and who is willing to stand up and speak out, or temporarily starve themselves."

Friedrich, consuming only water, tea, and coffee, was on hunger-strike from the morning of January 5 to the morning of January 12.

Besides Open Doors USA, the Voice of the Martyrs has recently labeled conditions for Indian Christians as "hostile." Additionally, International Christian Concern awarded India as well as its prime minister, Narendra Modi, its "Persecutor of the Year" award, stating, "Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in 2014, Christian persecution has skyrocketed." In 2021, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended that the US State Department list India as a "Country of Particular Concern" for the second year in a row. "In 2020, for example, mobs  fueled by false accusations of forced conversions  attacked Christians, destroyed churches, and disrupted religious worship services," warned USCIRF in its latest report.

"Imagine if you're worshipping in whatever congregation it is that you choose to attend, and all of a sudden, a mob breaks in and they beat you, they start to beat whoever's leading that particular congregation, and the police come in and they start to make arrests  but they're not arresting anyone from the mob, they're arresting you just for being there in that congregation," said Fr. Lickter. "That's the kind of thing that's going on at an increased level in India right now. It's just so alarming."

According to United Christian Forum for Human Rights, an India-based watchdog group, Christians throughout India suffered over 500 attacks in 2021. The Forum reports that attacks have increased in number every single year since 2014. They reported 127 attacks in 2014; their 2021 figures demonstrate a four-fold increase over seven years.

"My hope, my prayer, is that the American Christian clergy would  beyond my hunger-strike, as they begin to, hopefully, have an opportunity to be informed and educated about the issue  be prompted and provoked to speak out and stand in solidarity with their suffering brothers and sisters in India," said Friedrich. "The American Christian Church, sadly, and I think it's due to ignorance, is almost entirely silent on this issue."

Media Contact:

Pieter Friedrich

916-907-4341

[email protected]

SOURCE Pieter Friedrich
SHANGHAI, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 13, 2022 local time, ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO; HKEX: 2057) ("ZTO" or the "Company"), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China, held its 2022 Nationwide Network Conference in Shanghai.

In 2021, ZTO delivered 22.3 billion parcels and grew volume 31.1% YoY, secured its first place by market share in the industry while maintaining service quality among the top. ZTO becomes the first express delivery company in the world with an annual parcel volume exceeding 20 billion.

In the speech titled "Empower partners and strengthen infrastructure, improve service quality and efficiency, and achieve synergy - Reaching quality growth new heights through digitization and precision management", Chairman Meisong Lai provided a positive outlook on the national economic development and expressed high confidence in the near-term growth prospects of China's express delivery industry as it takes on a greater focus on growth quality than speed. Mr. Lai also set corporate objectives for market share gain, earnings expansion, service enhancement, safety improvement and Zecosystem development. With carefully laid out 9 initiatives for 2022, ZTO plans to drive coordinated efforts in core capability investments across network, expand application of data-driven tools for operational efficiency and maximize resource planning and utilization among its ecosystem businesses.

About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and HKEX: 2057) ("ZTO" or the "Company") is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.

For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. 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", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "going forward", "ought to", "may", "seek", "intend", "plan", "projection", "could", "vision", "goals", "aim", "aspire", "objective", "target", "schedules", "outlook" and similar statements. ZTO Express may make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, 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. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about ZTO Express's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in ZTO Express's filings with the SEC and HKEX. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and ZTO Express undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +86 21 5980 4508

SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OMNICOMMANDER kickstarts 2022 by celebrating five years in business working in the financial industry as a website design, marketing, and cybersecurity company.

"I'm extremely proud of everything that the team at OMNICOMMANDER has accomplished over the last five years. In that span of time we have become not only the largest credit union website provider (nearly 500 credit unions in 47 states) but also the highest rated (with over 100 5-star Google reviews). Our work has won numerous awards by several state leagues as well as national ones. We've built strong partnerships within and outside of the industry that allow us to deliver best-of-breed solutions to our clients. Being a veteran-owned and operated business, we've received recognition as a leader in developing and hiring former service members as well as military spouses," expresses Eric Isham, CEO.

Originally established as a single owner-operator shop in Miramar Beach, FL, OMNICOMMANDER has expanded to nearly 100 COMMANDOs and a total of three offices with two additional ones in Nashville, TN and Salt Lake City, UT.

"Recognizing the continued need and adoption of our products and services by our clients, we made a concerted effort to double down on our already aggressive hiring efforts. In fact, we have already hired 12 new people in 2022!" states Eric Isham, CEO. "In order to house all the new COMMANDOs, we are in the process of building out a new, 9500 square foot flagship office in Nashville that will be unlike anything anyone has ever seen while simultaneously building out our new offices in Salt Lake City, home of our CYBERCOMMANDER division."

OMNICOMMANDER's mission to save the credit union industry continues to be the bedrock guiding principle that drives the company forward. "When I first started working in this industry stuffing paper checks in envelopes for a bill pay company, there were well over 10,000 credit unions," remembers Eric Isham, CEO. "Currently, there are less than 5,000, and every day brings new news of another one disappearing. I honestly believe that one of the driving factors of the industry collapse is that credit unions have traditionally struggled with telling their story. Through proper marketing and digital communication, I'm certain we can fix this. In fact, a majority of our clients outperform their peers in several meaningful categories. It's working."

"Our integrated CHATCOMMANDER solution, which is operated by live chat agents, has performed hundreds of thousands of chats and driven thousands of new members and new loans for our credit unions. Through the various natural disasters over the past year and of course the staff shortages due to COVID, our team has continued to be a steady and reliable source of communication between our financial institutions and their members. Just as impressive is our CARCOMMANDER solution, a white-labeled, tailored, complete car buying service all the while staying on the credit union's website. This exciting solution has driven millions of dollars in new auto loans for our clients. When these solutions are combined with a mobile responsive, ADA Compliant website, the results are incredible," exclaims Eric Isham, CEO.

About OMNICOMMANDER

OMNICOMMANDER is a veteran-owned and operated credit union website design and marketing firm. Focusing on member experience, the company ensures every touchpoint has a remarkable interface. Alongside the incredible design, OMNICOMMANDER creates websites with built-in mobile responsiveness, SSL encryption, and observance of ADA guidelines. OMNICOMMANDER provides marketing services, including targeted marketing, branding, and social media, to enhance every aspect of a brand's digital presence. OMNICOMMANDER's cybersecurity division CYBERCOMMANDER is the industry's premier cybersecurity provider. Offering customized compliance solutions that help our partners stay two steps ahead of cybercriminals.

For more information, visit OMNICOMMANDER on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Contact info:

Name: John Pennycuff

Email: [email protected]

Organization: OMNICOMMANDER

Address: 495 Grand Blvd #201, Miramar Beach, FL 32550

Phone: +1(800) 807-3109

Related Links

omnicommander.com

SOURCE OMNICOMMANDER
BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the virtual event of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Jan. 17 in Beijing, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced that Xi will attend the virtual event and deliver a speech at the invitation of Klaus Schwab, who is founder and executive chairman of the WEF. 
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. Honda's 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 2020, 95 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
BANGALORE, India, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ammonia Market is segmented by Type- Liquid Ammonia, Gas Ammonia, By Application - Fertilizer, Refrigerant, Polymer Synthesis, Others. Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022 - 2028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Chemicals Industry Category.

The Ammonia market size is estimated to be worth USD 75390 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 80500 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 1.1% during the review period.

Major factors driving the growth of the Ammonia market.

The major factor that is driving the Ammonia market is the growing use of Ammonia in applications for fertilizers, Refrigerant, and Polymer Synthesis.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE AMMONIA MARKET

The production of food crops naturally depletes soil nutrient supplies. In order to maintain healthy crops, farmers rely on fertilizers to keep their soils productive. Fertilizers can also help increase levels of essential nutrients, like zinc, selenium, and boron, in food crops. Ammonia is a basic building block for ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which releases nitrogen, an essential nutrient for growing plants, including farm crops and lawns. A major share of ammonia produced worldwide is used in fertilizer, to help sustain food production for billions of people around the world.

Ammonia derivatives are used in a variety of industries. Ammonia, for example, is becoming more popular as a refrigerant. When released into the atmosphere, unlike many other gases, ammonia does not deplete ozone or cause global warming. This property of ammonia aids in the gas's reintroduction as a refrigerant. Ammonia is a powerful refrigerant that is utilized in the preservation and processing of food. Ammonia is also used in the manufacturing of explosives and polymers. Carpet, textiles, animal feed, plastics, foams, and building items all employ industrial ammonia as feedstock. Thus the growing use of Ammonia as a refrigerant is expected to further fuel the ammonia market growth.

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AMMONIA MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Based on region, Asia-Pacific dominated the market with China holding the largest market share of about 35%. Asia-Pacific was followed by North America, and Europe, both having a share of about 35 percent.

Based on product type, The liquid segment is expected to be the most lucrative during the forecast period. The reason for this is that liquid ammonia is utilized in a wide range of items, from refrigerators to top freezers to blockbuster drugs developed and marketed by pharmaceutical companies. Farmers can pump ammonia into the surface of their crops' soil to boost crop yields automatically and drastically.

Based on application, the fertilizers segment is expected to hold the largest ammonia market share. NH3 is a component of ammonium nitrate fertilizers, which release nitrogen, an essential nutrient for plant growth, including lawns and farm crops. Farmers primarily rely on fertilizer to keep their soil productive in order to maintain healthy crops.

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TOP COMPANIES IN THE AMMONIA MARKET

Global Ammonia key players include Yara, CF, Shandong Everlast AC Chemical, Hangzhou Hengmao Chemical, DOW, etc. Global top five manufacturers hold a share of over 20%.

Market By Region

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

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SIMILAR REPORTS

- The global Aqua Ammonia market was valued at USD 577.5 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 641 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 1.5% during 2021-2027.

- The global Liquid Ammonia market was valued at USD 59430 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 70370 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 2.4% during 2021-2027.

- The global Ammonia Alum market was valued at USD 18 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 18 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of -0.2% during 2021-2027.

- Global Ammonia Catalysts Market Outlook 2022

- Global Ammonia Condensers Market Research Report 2021

- Global Ammonia Unloading Station Market Research Report 2021

- Global Ammonia Flow Control Unit (AFCU) Market Research Report 2021

- Global Ammonia Injection Grid (AIG) Market Research Report 2021

- Global Electronic Special Ammonia (H3N) Market Outlook 2022

- Global and United States High Purity Ammonia Market Insights, Forecast to 2027

- Global and United States Metallurgical Grade Anhydrous Ammonia Market Insights, Forecast to 2027

- Global and China Super Pure Aqueous Ammonia Market Insights, Forecast to 2027

Click Here To See Related Reports on Ammonia Market

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TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V): LIT

Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE): OAY3

OTCQB Venture Market (OTC): PNXLF

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. (TSXV: LIT) (FSE: OAY3) (OTC: PNXLF), ("Argentina Lithium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained Zoppa Media Group ("Zoppa") to act as an investor relations consultant to the Company, to assist with corporate finance and investor relations programs. Zoppa has been engaged for a term of one year at a monthly fee of $1,500.

Zoppa is at arm's length to the Company. Principals of Zoppa currently own 456,000 shares of the Company as of the date hereof and may purchase securities in the Company from time to time for investment purposes. Zoppa's appointment as an investor relations consultant to the Company is subject to regulatory approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Argentina Lithium

Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp is focused on acquiring high quality lithium projects in Argentina, and advancing them towards production in order to meet the growing global demand from the battery sector. The management group has a long history of success in the resource sector of Argentina, and has assembled a first rate team of experts to acquire and advance the best lithium properties in the world renowned "Lithium Triangle". The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Nikolaos Cacos"

_______________________________

Nikolaos Cacos, President, CEO and Director

https://www.facebook.com/argentinalithiumcorp/

https://twitter.com/arglit

https://ca.linkedin.com/company/argentina-lithium-&-energy-corp.

https://plus.google.com/103374365154724549351

https://argentinalithium.com/feed

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.

SOURCE Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp.
TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To help the men and women serving overseas feel supported throughout deployment, Brandon Dutkiewicz, a local Army Veteran created Support A Troop, a mobile app that allows users to sponsor a Deployed military member by sending a care package. Deployed troops log onto the app, make a profile, and create a registry of needed items. These can range from toothpaste and granola bars to fitness equipment and supplements. All items on the wish list are very inexpensive, allowing greater flexibility for those interested in giving back.

Army Veteran Creates Free Mobile App That Allows People to Send Care Packages to Deployed Troops

To send a package, users simply scroll through the available profiles and choose the troop they wish to support. Once a care package is sent, the military members who received the donation can take a photo of themselves and the materials to share with the donor in-app. Support A Troop also gives users the option to donate to military dogs, as well.

"I was deployed to multiple war-torn areas throughout Afghanistan. While there, my battle buddies and I faced a major problem. We had no one to support us back home, which made many of us feel forgotten and depressed," said Dutkiewicz. "When I left the military, I decided to build Support A Troop to help bridge the gap between deployed troops and people who want to support them."

In addition to helping boost morale amongst troops, Dutkiewicz created the free mobile app to make sure that military personnel were receiving the items that were needed most. While there are many organizations that send care packages overseas, as well as soldiers' friends and family, Dutkiewicz noticed that a lot of the items accepted were being thrown away due to a surplus of similar products. The registries created within Support A Troop help active military members more clearly communicate the products they want or need, specific to their journey.

"Health and wellness is a large part of the military culture, so users will see a lot of fitness related items on the app. Those deployed spend a lot of time exercising and its common for members to spend their money on yoga mats, protein powder, or workout supplements," said Dutkiewicz. "Supporting their lifestyle while overseas is very meaningful to our troops."

On top of sending care packages, Support A Troop also allows users to sign up to become a $1 Member Donor. All monthly donations go directly to the non-profit organization iSupport Deployed Troops, Inc. Additional features will be rolled out in the future to continue enhancing user experience and increase the connection between troops and donors.

Support A Troop is available to download for free on Google Play and Apple's App Store. For those interested in sponsoring a military member or for additional information about Support A Troop's mission, visit https://supportatroop.com/ and https://supportatroop.com/links

PRESS CONTACT

Brandon Dutkiewicz

845-798-9773

https://supportatroop.com

SOURCE Support A Troop
ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Athenix Body Sculpting Institute , a leading aesthetic plastic surgery center on the west coast, achieved another record year in 2021 with same store sales growth of 143 percent versus the prior year. The company credits its success to the unparalleled cosmetic results and first-in-class patient experience provided by Athenix's plastic surgeons and seasoned supporting staff.

As the largest full-service aesthetic plastic surgery center on the west coast, Athenix has served over 50,000 satisfied patients offering a full spectrum of aesthetic plastic surgery procedures including breast augmentation, body contouring, and facial procedures. In the past decade, Athenix has gained widespread recognition, attracting patients from across the United States and internationally due to their unique, differentiated procedures which produce dramatic results for their patients in a safe environment of their fully accredited surgery centers.

"Our continued growth is a testament to our relentless focus on our patients," says James M. Haefner, CEO of Athenix Body Sculpting Institute. "For over a decade, we've stayed true to our mission to deliver beautiful, life changing cosmetic results, while ensuring that each patient has an exceptional experience at every touch point in our organization. We look forward to maintaining the level of excellence we're known for as we continue to expand nationally."

Some of the company's top procedures in 2021 were Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL), a procedure that produces accentuated curves around the buttocks, Mommy Makeovers, and Athenix's signature 360-degree Tummy Tuck, a procedure that removes excess skin due to significant weight loss or pregnancy. Celebrity fitness trainer and star of USA Network's Biggest Loser, Erica Lugo, underwent this type of tummy tuck procedure at Athenix to remove loose skin after losing 160 pounds. Due to high patient demand, these types of specialized procedures can have a waiting list of up to nearly one year. Before and after photos of these procedures can be found at https://www.athenixbody.com/gallery/

Athenix has five locations in Washington, Portland and California, with plans to expand nationally starting this year. To learn more about Athenix Body Sculpting Institute, please visit https://www.athenixbody.com/

SOURCE Athenix Body Sculpting Institute
DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Austria Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report considers the present scenario of the Austria data center market and its market dynamics for the forecast period 2021-2026. It covers a detailed overview of several growth enablers, restraints, and trends in the market. The study includes the demand and supply aspects of the market.



Austria is a growing data center market in Eastern Europe, with Vienna considered as a strategic location for data center development. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major boost to the Austria data center market, with increasing digitalization and cloud adoption by enterprises.

As of 2021, the total population of Austria is around nine million, with around eight million internet users. Internet penetration in Austria stood at around 90% in January 2021. A lot of small and medium-sized businesses are also using social media and e-commerce platforms for their business these days. This whopping internet adoption will drive the demand of the data center market in Austria.

AUSTRIA DATA CENTER MARKET INSIGHTS

In Austria , colocation service providers are the major contributors to data center area growth. The data center and networking market added around 50,000 square feet of area in 2020.

, colocation service providers are the major contributors to data center area growth. The data center and networking market added around 50,000 square feet of area in 2020. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will also have a significant impact on the Austria Market in the coming years and will have to attract further investments into the country.

Austria aims to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030, hydropower contributes to a major part of renewable energy. The push towards renewable energy production in the country will increase further investment in clean energy sources throughout in cloud and data center market of the region in the forecast period.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT

As of 2021, the total population of Austria is around nine million, with around eight million internet users. Internet penetration in Austria stood at around 90% in January 2021 .

is around nine million, with around eight million internet users. Internet penetration in stood at around 90% in . In 2020, Digital Realty, NTT Global Data Centers, and Magenta Telekom were some of the major data center investors in the country.

Microsoft, a global cloud provider, plans to establish a cloud data center in Austria , which is likely to attract other hyperscale investors, thereby expanding colocation services in the country.

AUSTRIA DATA CENTER MARKET VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Digital Realty, NTT Global Data Centers, Nessus, DATASIX, GRZ IT Center, STACKIT, A1 Telekom Austria are among a few of the prominent colocation providers operating in Austria

Digital Realty acquired over 230,000 square feet of land near Vienna , for the development of a new data center facility with a capacity of 40 MW power capacity.

, for the development of a new data center facility with a capacity of 40 MW power capacity. ISG, Dipl.-Ing. H. C. Hollige, ICT Facilities, COOLtec Systems, and ZAUNERGROUP Holding are some of the contractors and subcontractors operating in the market.

IT Infrastructure Providers

Atos

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

IBM

Lenovo

NetApp

Data Center Construction Market Contractors & Sub Contractors

-Ing. H. C. Hollige

ISG

ICT Facilities

ZAUNERGROUP Holding

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Cummins

Eaton

Legrand

Rittal

Piller Power Systems

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Vertiv Group

Key Investors

Digital Realty

Magenta Telekom

NTT Global Data Centers

Stadtwerke Feldkirch

REPORT COVERAGE



EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

Vienna

Other Cities

List of upcoming facilities in the region (Area and Power Capacity)

AUSTRIA DATA CENTER INVESTMENT COVERAGE

Infrastructure Type

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Tier Standard

IT Infrastructure

Server

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches and Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Rack Cabinets

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Building Development

Installation and Commissioning Services

Building Design

Physical Security

Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

Cooling systems

CRAC and CRAH Units

Chillers

Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Tier Segments

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS RESEARCH?

Market size available in the investment, area, power capacity, and colocation revenue.

An assessment of the data center investment in Austria by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators. Data center investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country.

A detailed study of the existing Austria data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about the data center in Austria market size during the forecast period.

data center market landscape, an in-depth industry analysis, and insightful predictions about the data center in market size during the forecast period. Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party facilities in Austria

Facilities Covered (Existing): 24

Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 3

Coverage: 11 cities

Existing vs. Upcoming (Data Center Area)

Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data center colocation market in Austria

Market Revenue & Forecast (2021-2026)

Retail Colocation Pricing

Classification of the Austria market investments into multiple segments and sub-segments (IT, power, cooling, and general construction services) with sizing and forecast.

market investments into multiple segments and sub-segments (IT, power, cooling, and general construction services) with sizing and forecast. A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspect of the market.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the Austria data center market?

data center market? How many existing and upcoming data centers facilities are in Austria ?

? Who are the key investors in the Austria data center industry?

data center industry? What segments are covered in the Austria data center market?

data center market? What are the factors driving the data center colocation market growth in Austria ?

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 : Existing & Upcoming Third-Party Data Centers In Austria

20+ Unique Data Center Properties

Data Center IT Load Capacity

Data Center White Floor Area Space

Existing Vs Upcoming Data Center Capacity by Cities

Cities Covered

Vienna

Other Cities

Chapter 2: Investment Opportunities In Austria

Data Center Investments

Investment by Area

Investment by Power Capacity

Chapter 3: Data Center Colocation Market In Austria

Colocation Services Market in Austria

Retail Colocation vs Wholesale Data Center Colocation

Colocation Pricing (Quarter Rack, Half Rack, Full Rack) & Add-ons

Chapter 4: Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Market Trends

Market Restraints

Chapter 5: Market Segmentation

IT Infrastructure: Market Size & Forecast

Electrical Infrastructure: Market Size & Forecast

Mechanical Infrastructure: Market Size & Forecast

General Construction Services: Market Size & Forecast

Chapter 6: Tier Standard Investment

Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV

Chapter 7: Key Market Participants

IT Infrastructure Providers

Construction Contractors

Support Infrastructure Providers

Data Center Investors

Chapter 8: Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5e698f

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Belpointe PREP, LLC (NYSE American: OZ) ("Belpointe PREP" or the "Company"), the first and only publicly traded qualified opportunity fund, is issuing this press release in light of unusual trading activity related to the Company's Class A units. While Belpointe PREP does not normally comment on market activity, the Company confirms that it is not aware of any undisclosed material change in the business, operations or affairs of the Company that would account for the recent increase in trading activity and the related deviation of its trading price from its net asset value of $100.00 per Class A unit.

About Belpointe PREP

Belpointe PREP, LLC is the first and only publicly traded qualified opportunity fund listed on a national securities exchange. Belpointe PREP's investments consist of properties located in qualified opportunity zones for the development or redevelopment of multifamily, student housing, senior living, healthcare, industrial, self-storage, hospitality, office, mixed-use, data centers and solar projects located throughout the United States and its territories. Belpointe PREP also intends to acquire, develop or redevelop and manage a wide range of commercial real estate assets located throughout the United States and its territories, including, but not limited to, real estate-related assets, such as commercial real estate loans and mortgages, and debt and equity securities issued by other real estate-related companies, as well as making private equity acquisitions and investments, and opportunistic acquisitions of other qualified opportunity funds and qualified opportunity zone businesses, with the goal of increasing distributions and capital appreciations.

For more information about Belpointe PREP please visit BelpointeOZ.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking, such as statements containing estimates, projections and other forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words and phrases such as "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "continue," "could," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "seek," "should," "will," "would," "expect," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "outlook," "effort," "target" or the negative of such words and other comparable terminology. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Any forward-looking statements expressing an expectation or belief as to future events is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future events and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond our control. Therefore, we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in any forward-looking statement. Except as required by applicable law, including federal securities laws, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform them to actual results or revised expectations.

Investor and Media Relations Contact:

Cody H. Laidlaw

Belpointe PREP, LLC

255 Glenville Road

Greenwich, Connecticut 06831

[email protected]



SOURCE Belpointe PREP, LLC
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Berger Montague PC has settled a lawsuit brought against Chicago Title Co. on behalf of its individual clients who are alleged victims in a more than $400 million Ponzi scheme engineered by Gina Champion-Cain through ANI Development. The case is Allred, et al. v. Chicago Title Company, et al., No. 2021-00007823 (San Diego Sup. Ct.).

Berger Montague PC has reached a settlement on behalf of its individual clients and is notifying other investors who suffered losses of their opportunity to participate in the settlement. The option to join the settlement is available only through January 21, 2022.
LONDON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BizClik Media Group,the UK's fastest growing publishing company, has published the January edition of Energy Digital magazine.

The digital edition of Energy Digital is a trusted industry source for in-depth reports and interviews with the leading minds in the energy industry.

This month's edition features an extensive lead interview with Nicola Tagliafierro, Enel X's Head of Sustainability, about innovative solutions in the renewable energy, electric mobility and energy efficiency sectors.

"Every company wants to talk about sustainability but it is very important to talk again about 'effective sustainability'  to avoid the situation of clearly green washing or circular washing," she said.

The January edition also contains extensive interviews with key thought leaders such as Herve Suquet, VP Orange's Energy Group, and SSE's Ronnie Fleming and Chris Platts, who discuss the company's digital transformation.

The magazine also profiles Mercedes-Benz' tie up with Visa, which looks set to drive a new era of in-car spending, and analyses how blockchain platforms  now worth $1.4 billion to the industry  are helping firms reach climate change goals.

Editor in Chief Dominic Ellis said: "It is clear that the coming year will see even greater focus on digital technology, as firms looks to drive sustainability targets and corporate efficiencies."

You can visit Energy Digital for daily news and analysis of the ever-changing energy industry, or click here to read the digital magazine.

About BizClik Media Group

BizClik Media Group (BMG) is one of the UK's fastest growing media companies with a global portfolio of leading industry, business and lifestyle digital communities.

BizClik's expanding portfolio includes Technology, AI, FinTech, InsurTech, Supply Chain, Procurement, Energy, Mining, Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, Mobile, Data Centres, Cyber, and Sustainability.

For more information, please visit https://www.bizclikmedia.com/

Media Contact:

Kathryn Webb

[email protected]

SOURCE BizClik Media
LONDON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- BizClik Media Group, the dynamic content partner to the world's leading brands, has released the January edition of Technology Magazine (INSERT LINK). Published monthly, the digital edition of Technology Magazine is a trusted industry source for in-depth reports and interviews with the leading minds in the technology sector.

This month's edition features an extensive lead interview with Mihaela Mazzenga, Senior Vice President of Technology Strategy at Valtech, discussing the 'headless revolution' within eCommerce.

Headless commerce provides businesses with the ability to give their customers a variety of shopping experiences and allows them to be flexible as the retail landscapes they inhabit.

Valtech is leading the charge as part of the MACH Alliance: "One of the weaknesses of the API economy alone was a lack of a cohesive voice and holistic view of capabilities. Where we have arrived today with MACH is a natural progression of software engineering concepts fueled by the cloud, " said Mazzenga.

The January edition also contains extensive interviews with key thought leaders from Vodafone, Finastra, Capgemini, RAF eXperimental, IMI, City of Tucson, CEPH, Reckitt, Presidio, Bell Canada, Dassault Systemes, Glovo, NTT, Arvato Systems, Ferrexpo, Taurus, Asuta Medical Centers, OnProcess Technology and Quarry Mining.

Editor in Chief of Technology Magazine, Alex Tuck, commented: "Technology's tentacles stretch far and wide across industries, as shown with the variety of sectors this month. Valtech is helping to take eCommerce to new levels; Vodafone continues to push the invisible boundaries of 5G technology; CEPH provide a digital report on fulfilling the potential of open source software storage; there's pioneering fintech with Finastra and we get eXperimental with the RAF - not to be missed!"

You can visit Technology Magazine for daily news and analysis of the ever-changing data centre industry, or click here (INSERT LINK) to read the full January edition of the magazine.

About BizClik Media

BizClik Media Group is a UK-based media company with a global portfolio of leading industry, business and lifestyle digital communities, covering topics from the

BizClik's portfolio includes Technology & AI, Finance & Insurance, Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Energy & Mining, Construction, Healthcare, Wireless Communications & Data Centres. For further information, please visit https://www.bizclikmedia.com/

Media Contact:

Kathryn Webb

[email protected]

SOURCE BizClik Media
A medical worker takes a swab sample from a citizen at a COVID-19 testing site in Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin, Jan. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

TIANJIN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- North China's Tianjin Municipality will launch the third round of citywide nucleic acid testing at 7 a.m. Saturday, said the municipal epidemic prevention and control headquarters.

The mass testing is scheduled to be completed in about 24 hours, it added.

The municipality of 13.9 million people that neighbors Beijing has conducted two rounds of citywide mass testing.

The infections in Tianjin were first reported on Dec. 8, and the gene sequencing found the first two locally transmitted confirmed cases were the VOC/Omicron variant.

Conducting the third round of citywide nucleic acid testing is necessary to curb the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant and protect the lives and health of citizens, Han Jinyan, deputy head of the municipal health commission, said at a press conference held on Friday.

"The Omicron variant is highly contagious and hard to detect. The first two rounds of mass testing have basically contained its spread in communities," said Han, adding that the third round is vital to block its transmission in the community.

The second reason for carrying out the third round of all-staff testing is to ensure the smooth holding of the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics, Han said.

Thirdly, as the Spring Festival is approaching, personnel movement during the festival may increase the risk of the spread of the epidemic, Han noted.

"We hope that everyone can return home safely and through the third round of mass screening, we can detect hidden infections in the community early to best curb the epidemic," Han said.

As of Thursday, a total of 142 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and 22 asymptomatic carriers have been logged in the latest epidemic resurgence in Tianjin. 
LONDON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Business Worldwide Magazine (BWM) this week revealed the winners of its strongly-contested Global Corporate Excellence Awards 2021

This year's Award winners were companies which had put compassion and innovation to the fore as staff  and CEOs themselves - struggled to cope with the new rules wrought by the global pandemic. Not to mention supply issues and, for UK and European companies, the delays wrought by Brexit at customs.

New ways of working for employees and ensuring customers could continue to access products and services meant technology played a huge part when it came to innovation. But other areas the BWM judging panel considered of crucial importance this year were creativity, customer satisfaction, staff engagement and a sense of commitment to the wider community in which they operate. After all, the pandemic was all about ensuring others were safe  whether that was staff, customers or the environment in which companies operated.

The Global Corporate Excellence Awards represent companies  from as far afield as Australia to the UK, and the West Indies to Canada. Sectors represented are equally as varied and include Health, Finance, IT, Manufacturing and Pharmaceuticals.

Victor Stone, of BWM said he is continually taken aback at how the standard of nominations excel from one year to another  despite the huge disrupter that is COVID-19.

He said: "We are always impressed at what we read and find it astonishing that once again our short-listed entrants exceed our expectations.

"Congratulations to all our winners in what has to have been one of the toughest years for business since the last big recession at the start of 2007."

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, businesses were also judged on their commitment to sustainability  especially in light of the publicity surrounding COP 26. How inspiring the company proved to their employees and others in their field was important too, while the panel was interested to hear their ongoing vision post-pandemic.

Further information on the companies which picked up titles in the Global Corporate Excellence Awards 2021, can be found at: https://www.bwmonline.com/2021-global-corporate-excellence-awards-winners/

About Business Worldwide Magazine



Business Worldwide Magazine is the leading source of business and dealmaker intelligence throughout the world. Our quarterly magazine and online news portal enable an established audience of corporate dealmakers to track the latest news, stories and developments affecting the international markets, corporate finance, business strategy and changes in legislation. This readership includes of CEO/CFO - Banks, Corporate Lawyers and Venture Capital/Private Equity Companies to name a few.

Contact

David Jones

Awards Department

E: [email protected]

W: http://www.bwmonline.com

SOURCE Business Worldwide Magazine
MIAMI, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cano Health, Inc. (NYSE: CANO) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cano Health, LLC ("Cano Health"), completed a repricing of its approximately $644.4 million senior secured Term Loan B maturing November 23, 2027 (the "Term Loan").

The Term Loan will bear interest using a forward looking-term rate based on the secured overnight financing rate ("Term SOFR"), replacing LIBOR as the reference rate. Based on current Term SOFR rates, the overall pricing of the Term Loan was reduced by 0.75% to the sum of (i) Term SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment ("CSA") and (ii) 4.00%, with a Term SOFR plus CSA floor of 0.50%. Previously, the Term Loan was priced at LIBOR plus 4.50% with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%.

About Cano Health

Cano Health operates value-based primary care medical centers and supports affiliated medical practices that specialize in primary care for seniors in Florida, Texas, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, California, Illinois, and Puerto Rico, with additional markets in development. As part of its care coordination strategy, Cano Health provides sophisticated, high-touch population health management programs including telehealth, prescription home delivery, wellness programs, transition of care, and high-risk and complex care management.

Cano Health's personalized patient care and proactive approach to wellness and preventive care sets it apart from competitors. Cano Health has consistently improved clinical outcomes while reducing costs, affording patients the opportunity to lead longer and healthier lives. Cano Health serves a predominantly minority population (80% of its patients are Latino or African American) and low-income population (50% of its members are dual eligible for Medicare and Medicaid). For more information visit www.canohealth.com or www.canohealth.com/investors/.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Alan Oshiki or Sydney Isaacs

Abernathy MacGregor

(212) 371-5999 / (713) 817-9346

[email protected] / [email protected]

Media Relations Contact:

Patricia Graue

Brunswick Group

(212) 333-3810

[email protected]

SOURCE Cano Health, Inc.
As of December 23, 2021, the number of passenger trips passing Yuxi Station had exceeded 85,000. Since the first international freight transport train in Yuxi was sent from Yanhe Station on December 27th, more than 50 cargoes of cold chain transport goods had been sent, according to the Publicity Department of Yuxi City.

A ride on the China-Laos train offers a convenient way to experience the unique natural scenery and cultural customs along the Yuxi section. The Chengjiang fossil site, as the only fossil world heritage site in Asia, reveals the evolutionary history of Cambrian earth organisms and is regarded as one of the most amazing scientific discoveries of the 20th century. Ailao Mountains spans tropical and subtropical zones, and is listed by the United Nations as a Man and Biosphere Reserve for forest ecosystem positioning observation and international migratory bird protection. Yuxi, with its unique history and culture, will welcome tourists from all over the world with open arms.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=412650

Caption: Yuxi, Yunnan, China

SOURCE The Publicity Department of Yuxi City
ZURICH, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) today announced that Drew Spitzer has been appointed Treasurer of the company. Currently, Mr. Spitzer serves as Chief Financial Officer for North America Insurance. In his new role, he will be responsible for all treasury-related functions of the company globally.

Kevin Harkin is succeeding Mr. Spitzer as Chief Financial Officer for North America Insurance. Currently, Mr. Harkin serves as Senior Vice President, North America Financial Operations.

Drew Spitzer Kevin Harkin

Both appointments are effective March 1. Mr. Spitzer will report to Peter Enns, Executive Vice President, Chubb Group and Chief Financial Officer, and succeeds Mark Hammond, who is leaving the company. Mr. Hammond will remain with Chubb until March 1 to ensure a smooth transition. Mr. Harkin will report to John Lupica, Vice Chairman, Chubb Group and President, North America Insurance and to Mr. Enns.

"Drew, who has been with Chubb for more than 15 years, is a seasoned finance and accounting executive with deep experience across our commercial and consumer insurance businesses," said Mr. Enns. "He's a strong, effective manager with a strategic mindset, technical proficiency and proven capabilities in financial planning and analysis and credit management. We are confident in appointing Drew to this new global role at Chubb."

"Chubb has deep bench strength, and we are delighted to elevate Kevin to lead the North America Insurance finance team," said Mr. Lupica. "Kevin, who has also been with the company for 15 years, has broad experience in corporate finance and accounting, and has effectively overseen important financial transformation initiatives in the region."

"We want to thank Mark for his many contributions to Chubb over the past 12 years. We wish him the best in his future endeavors," said Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Spitzer has more than 25 years of experience in finance, accounting and insurance. Prior to serving as Chief Financial Officer of Chubb's North American operations, he was Chief Financial Officer of Combined Insurance, a Chubb affiliate that sells personal accident and supplemental health insurance coverages to consumers in North America. Mr. Spitzer joined the company, then named ACE, in 2006 as Senior Vice President and Deputy Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to Chubb, Mr. Spitzer was a Partner at Fecteau & Company, an accounting firm, and a Vice President at Rockledge Financial Group. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Spitzer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Mr. Harkin has more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance and accounting. As Senior Vice President, North America Financial Operations, he provided finance support for field operations and distribution management in the region, including overseeing the strategic use of technology and data in finance integration initiatives. He joined the company, then named ACE, in 2007 and has held finance roles in corporate financial planning and analysis, expense management, close functions and statutory reporting. He began his career in public accounting at Arthur Andersen and, later, EY. Mr. Harkin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Richmond.

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, Paris, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com

SOURCE Chubb Limited
TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Citizen Systems America Corporation, a leading manufacturer of world-class printing technology, is proud to announce the newest generation of best-in-class, point-of-sale, top exit receipt printers with the release of the new CT-E301 and CT-E601 at NRF 2022 in New York City.

The newest additions to Citizen's full line of point-of-sale printers will be on display at the company's tradeshow booth #906 during the show beginning January 16th, 2022.

CT-E301 in black and white Disinfectant ready and self-protective housing graphic

Both the CT-E301 and CT-E601 products provide outstanding value and a safer and reliable printing option in all vertical market segments that require receipt printing. The silver Ion infused plastics materials, or "protective housing" used in the construction of the product plastics provide a "passive kill" which suppresses growth of germs that can be transmitted through human touch. The added ability to disinfect the robust plastics also provides a barrier against transmission of germs, further adding a potential layer of protection for employees and customers in point-of-sale, restaurant, hospitality and more.

Both built with Citizen high quality construction, also provide small footprint for space saving in crowded customer facing usage areas. Advanced print speeds of 250mm/s (CT-E301) and 350mm/s (CT-E601) provide excellent performance for the value-based pricing.

Ultimately flexible with the availability of several communications options, including a lightning port (CT-E601) for use in tablet applications and optional black or white plastics makes the CT-E301 and CT-E601 family of products extremely versatile and a perfect family extension of the CT-E351 and CT-E651 line of front-exit Citizen receipt printer products.

The new ANTI-CURL function, available in both new products, for end of receipt roll printing also ensures the user can take advantage of the complete roll of receipt paper!

Both products have software development kits available for iOS, Android, and Windows compatibility.

"Installing products that are highly reliable, built to delight the user and are able to be properly cleaned to actively reduce the transmission of contaminants and germs is a very valuable dynamic during these times of concern and cautionary measures," said Glenn Williams, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Management at Citizen Systems America. "We are extremely pleased to offer these new, highly functional and value-added point-of-sale products at a time when they are needed by our user base. We ask them to follow the proper cleaning instructions that we have posted on our web site for maximum effectiveness."

Following strict guidelines published on the company's web page here https://www.citizen-systems.com/us/support/189/. Citizen products can be cleaned and sanitized with specific chemical and cleaning agents that have passed the company's own testing criteria of frequent sanitizing.

*Both CT-E301 and CT-E601 are not available for resell into Canada

About Citizen Systems America

"Citizen Systems America" is the America subsidiary of Citizen Systems Japan - the electronic products affiliate of Citizen Watch Co. Ltd., the world-renowned manufacturer of fine watch timepieces. Citizen headquarters is located in the greater Los Angeles area, California.

Citizen develops and markets printers for point-of-sale, industrial solutions, barcode and label, portable and general thermal technology usage applications. Citizen products provide solutions that are used in a variety of industries including, retail, manufacturing, food service, healthcare, banking and many more.

For over four decades, Citizen products have set the standard for performance, reliability, and value in the marketplace. For more information, please visit Citizen Systems America's website at: www.citizen-systems.com.

Editorial Contact:

Nick Greer, Marketing Specialist

Citizen Systems America Corporation

Phone: (310) 710-0432

[email protected]

CITIZEN SYSTEMS AMERICA CORPORATION

363 Van Ness Way, Suite 404

Torrance, CA 90501

(310) 781-1460 Fax (310) 781-9152

www.citizen-systems.com

SOURCE Citizen Systems America
JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- CMS Energy announced today it will provide 2021 year-end results along with a business and financial outlook at 9:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, February 3, 2022.

A webcast of the presentation will be available on CMS Energy's website, cmsenergy.com. An audio replay will be available approximately three hours after the webcast and will be archived for 30 days on CMS Energy's website in the "Investor Relations" section.

CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) is a Michigan-based energy company featuring Consumers Energy as its primary business. It also owns and operates independent power generation businesses.

For more information on CMS Energy, please visit our website at cmsenergy.com. To sign up for email alert notifications, please visit the Investor Relations section of our website.

SOURCE CMS Energy
CALGARY, AB, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer Nadeem Velani will address the CIBC Western Institutional Investor Conference on Jan. 21, 2022, at 10:05 a.m. ET.

CP will provide access to the live audio webcast at investor.cpr.ca. Replays will also be available following the conclusion of the event.

About Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR

SOURCE Canadian Pacific
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Custom Truck One Source, Inc. (NYSE: CTOS, "CTOS" or the "Company") today announced the completion of the acquisition of HiRail Leasing, Northshore Rail Contracting and Heavy Equipment Repairs (collectively, "HiRail" or the "HiRail Leasing Group") for $46.0 million, subject to fleet and other customary purchase price adjustments.

With over 600 rental units, HiRail is among the largest rail equipment rental providers in Canada and serves Canada's leading railways and rail contractors. HiRail's two locations in Ontario and Alberta will also extend Custom Truck's geographic reach in the region. HiRail has a diverse rental fleet including light duty, medium duty and heavy-duty trucks fitted with a wide array of attachments including rail gear, grapples, knuckles, mechanic and welding equipment and snowplows and also provides complementary upfitting and repair services.

"We are excited to welcome HiRail to the Custom Truck team," said Custom Truck CEO Fred Ross. "This acquisition allows us to accelerate growth in our core rental business. We will leverage our one stop shop capabilities in rental, sales, equipment upfitting, and service to meet the critical equipment needs of new and existing customers across Canada. We are impressed with the business HiRail has built in Canada and look forward to working with all of their existing employees."

"HiRail has earned the trust of Canada's leading rail customers by providing reliable, best-in-class service for over thirty years," Ryan McMonagle, Custom Truck President & COO said. "We look forward to carrying on that tradition and building on that reputation to expand our presence in Canada and to support our customers, employees and communities."

The HiRail acquisition was financed with cash on hand as well as drawings on Custom Truck's existing credit facility.

ABOUT CUSTOM TRUCK ONE SOURCE

Custom Truck One Source, Inc. is one of the largest providers of specialty equipment, parts, tools, accessories and services to the electric utility transmission and distribution, telecommunications and rail markets in North America. CTOS offers its specialized equipment to a diverse customer base for the maintenance, repair, upgrade and installation of critical infrastructure assets, including electric lines, telecommunications networks and rail systems. The Company's coast-to-coast rental fleet of more than 9,000 units includes aerial devices, boom trucks, cranes, digger derricks, pressure drills, stringing gear, hi-rail equipment, repair parts, tools and accessories. For more information, please visit customtruck.com.

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 and within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. When used in this press release, the words "estimates," "projected," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should," "future," "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's management's control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in this press release. This press release is based on certain assumptions that the Company's management has made in light of its experience in the industry, as well as the Company's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors the Company believes are appropriate in these circumstances. As you read and consider this press release, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results and are subject to and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions at the time they are made, you should be aware that many factors could affect the Company's actual performance and results and could cause actual results or results of operations to differ materially from those expressed in this press release. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include: difficulty in integrating Nesco Holdings and Custom Truck LP businesses following the acquisition of Custom Truck LP (the "Acquisition") and fully realizing the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition; public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic; the cyclicality of demand for our products and services and our vulnerability to industry, regional and national downturns, which impact, among others, our ability to manage our rental equipment; fluctuation of our revenue and operating results; our inability to obtain raw materials, component parts and/or finished goods in a timely and cost-effective manner; competition, which may have a material adverse effect on our business by reducing our ability to increase or maintain revenues or profitability; any further increase in the cost of new equipment that we purchase for use in our rental fleet or for our sales inventory; aging or obsolescence of our existing equipment, and the fluctuations of market value thereof; uncertainties in the success of our future acquisitions or integration of companies that we acquire; our inability to recruit and retain the experienced personnel we need to compete in our industries; further unionization of our workforce; disruptions in our information technology systems or a compromise of our system security, limiting our ability to effectively monitor and control our operations, adjust to changing market conditions, and implement strategic initiatives; unfavorable conditions in the capital and credit markets and our inability to obtain additional capital as required; our inability to renew our leases upon their expiration; our failure to keep pace with technological developments; our dependence on a limited number of manufacturers and suppliers and on third-party contractors to provide us with various services to assist us with conducting our business; risks related to our operations outside of the United States, including changes in local political or economic conditions, foreign exchange risks and compliance risks with local laws and regulations; potential impairment charges and our inability to collect on contracts with customers; failure of federal and state legislative and regulatory developments that encourage electric power transmission infrastructure spending to translate into demand for our equipment; material disruptions to our operation and manufacturing locations as a result of public health concerns, equipment failures, natural disasters, work stoppages, power outages or other reasons; changes to international trade agreements, tariffs, import and excise duties, taxes or other governmental rules and regulations; our exposure to various risks related to legal proceedings or claims, and our failure to comply with relevant laws and regulations, including those related to occupational health and safety, environment and government contract; significant transaction and transition costs that we will continue to incur following the Acquisition; the interest of our majority shareholder, which may not be consistent with the other shareholders; our significant indebtedness, which may adversely affect our financial position, limit our available cash and our access to additional capital, prevent us from growing our business and increase our risk of default; significant operating and financial restrictions imposed by the agreements governing our existing debt; and uncertainties related to our variable rate indebtedness. For a more complete description of these and other possible risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and its subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. These cautionary statements should not be construed by you to be exhaustive and are made only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.

INVESTOR CONTACT

Brian Perman, Vice President, Investor Relations

844-403-6138

[email protected]

SOURCE Custom Truck One Source, Inc.
BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, DeleteMe (The Online Privacy Company) released its DeleteMe 2021 PII Marketplace Report , highlighting the metrics, trends, consumer behaviors, and attitudes shaping the ecosystem of online personal information.

The global data broker ecosystem is currently a $200bn industry, with over 4,000 data brokers worldwide and 230 in the United States, with hundreds of data points for every person who has ever spent any time on the internet.

DeleteMe's 2021 PII Marketplace Report reveals key insights that impact everyday consumers and businesses alike:

The amount of online PII (represented by the sample of DeleteMe users) has grown 150% in the past 2 yrs, driven by a combination of a growing level of detail included in data broker profiles, as well as more time spent online due to Covid-fueled remote work and commerce.

Online PII has changed qualitatively over time, from basic 'directory'-style data points to including detail on family networks, more information about past residences and employment, as well as emerging sources that can provide historical location-tracking or other behavioral insights.

Availability of detailed online PII is helping drive rapid growth in consumer fraud, social-engineering ransomware attacks businesses, and new forms of targeted harassment.

Consumer privacy concerns are rising due to the increased amount of daily life being spent online, and growing awareness of the potential for information abuse.

The biggest worries are about over-reliance on cell phones with weak privacy protections, growing awareness of the exploitability of account authentication processes, and daily annoyances like unsolicited robocalls.

'Big Brother isn't the problem'; respondents expressed least concern about Govt handling of PII, but expressed increased concern with unregulated commercial sale of personal info to 3rd parties.

More than 50% of consumers express a demand for greater limits on how PII is collected, shared, and used, as well as greater transparency about how information is already being employed.

The report leverages internal research conducted by DeleteMe and survey data. The full report can be found on the company's website .

"PII proliferation poses a rising threat to individual privacy, corporate cybersecurity, and personal well-being," adds Rob Shavell, co-founder and CEO at DeleteMe. "Tighter regulation on data collection and processing is needed, and better education about privacy is essential. Although our study found that more consumers are now taking the time to understand the privacy features and tools available to them, many still take no measures at all to protect their privacy online. And that's a problem."

For a free scan to see which of the top data brokers are selling your personal information, visit JoinDeleteMe.com/scan.

About DeleteMe: https://joindeleteme.com/

DeleteMe is the leading online privacy personal information removal service. In business for over 10 years, DeleteMe's privacy advisors have successfully completed over 25 million opt-outs from data brokers, ensuring consumers and businesses' online privacy.

About DeleteMe for Business: https://joindeleteme.com/business-privacy/

DeleteMe for Business services tens of thousands of members, including Fortune 500 companies, with special plans for protecting executives, employees, and their families from harassment, doxxing, identity theft, phishing, telemarketing, robocalls, and scams.

Contact:

Steve Marcinuk

[email protected]

SOURCE DeleteMe

Related Links

https://joindeleteme.com


NUTLEY, N.J., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Eisai announced today the presentation of six abstracts across various gastrointestinal cancers during the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (#GI22), which is taking place in-person in San Francisco and online from January 20-22. Notable data include a primary analysis from the Phase 2 TACTICS-L trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of LENVIMA in combination with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of patients in Japan with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) (NCT03838796; Abstract #417).

Additional presentations will highlight Eisai's commitment to researching potential treatments for patients across the cancer continuum, including trial-in-progress (TiP) posters from the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program evaluating KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (NCT04949256, Abstract #TPS367), gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (NCT04662710; Abstract #TPS369) and HCC (NCT04246177; Abstract #TPS494). Eisai will also share research updates on the Phase 4 STELLAR study evaluating safety and tolerability of LENVIMA in patients with uHCC (NCT04763408; Poster Abstract #TPS485), as well as a Phase 2 study of KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA and belzutifan in patients with advanced solid tumors, including HCC, colorectal cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and biliary tract cancer (NCT04976634; Abstract #TPS669).

"Gastrointestinal cancers account for one in four cancer cases and one in three cancer deaths globally, with these malignancies expected to increase over the coming decade. It is with these staggering statistics in mind that we remain dedicated to exploring the potential of LENVIMA alone and in combination as a treatment for advanced cancers," said Richard C. Woodman, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, CCLO, Oncology Business Group at Eisai. "This research is reflective of our human health care (hhc) mission and our unwavering commitment of working to develop innovative and effective treatment options for patients living with difficult-to-treat cancers."

In March 2018, Eisai and Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada), through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA. To date, more than 20 trials have been initiated under the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program, which is evaluating the combination across more than 10 different tumor types. For more information on the LEAP program, please visit clinicaltrials.gov.

This release discusses investigational compounds and investigational uses for FDA-approved products. It is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy and safety. There is no guarantee that any investigational compounds or investigational uses of FDA-approved products will successfully complete clinical development or gain FDA approval.

The full list of Eisai presentations is included below. All abstracts will be made available on Tuesday, January 18 at 5:00 PM EDT and will be available on demand via ASCO's website.

Cancer Type(s) Study/Trial Abstract Title Presentation Details Lenvatinib Gastrointestinal Cancer TACTICS-L Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy in combination strategy with lenvatinib in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (TACTICS-L) in Japan: Primary analysis Abstract: 417

Poster Session B: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract

Kazuomi Ueshima, MD Kindai University Faculty of Medicine

January 21, 2022 3:05 P.M. EST STELLAR/Study 508 A multicenter, observational, phase 4 study (STELLAR) to evaluate the safety and tolerability of lenvatinib (LEN) in patients with advanced or unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) Abstract: TPS485

Trials in Progress Poster Session B: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract

Markus Peck-Radosavljevic, MD, MBA Klinikum Klagenfurt

January 21, 2022 3:05 P.M. EST Lenvatinib Combinations Gastrointestinal Cancer LEAP-014 LEAP-014: An open-label, randomized, phase 3 study of first-line lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in esophageal carcinoma squamous cell carcinoma Abstract: TPS367

Trials in Progress Poster Session A: Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach and Other GI Cancers

Jong-Mu Sun, MD, PhD Samsung Medical Center

January 20, 2022 3:00 P.M. EST LEAP-015 A randomized phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of first-line pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy in patients with advanced/metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: LEAP-015 Abstract: TPS369

Trials in Progress Poster Session A: Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach and Other GI Cancers

DJ Cohen, MD Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

January 20, 2022 3:00 P.M. EST LEAP-012 LEAP-012 Trial in progress: Transarterial chemoembolization with or without lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma not amenable to curative treatment Abstract: TPS494

Trials in Progress Poster Session B: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract

AB El-Khoueiry, MD Keck School of Medicine of USC

January 21, 2022 3:05 P.M. EST Solid Tumors MK-6482-016 Phase 2, open-label study of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib and belzutifan in patients with advanced solid tumors Abstract: TPS669

Trials in Progress Poster Session A: Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach and Other GI Cancers

Robin K. Kelly, MD University of California San Francisco Department of Medicine

January 20, 2022 3:00 P.M. EST

About LENVIMA (lenvatinib) Capsules

LENVIMA is indicated:

For the treatment of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC)

In combination with pembrolizumab, for the first line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

In combination with everolimus for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following one prior anti-angiogenic therapy (RCC)

For the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

In combination with pembrolizumab, for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) that is not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation.

LENVIMA, discovered and developed by Eisai, is a kinase inhibitor that inhibits the kinase activities of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors VEGFR1 (FLT1), VEGFR2 (KDR), and VEGFR3 (FLT4). LENVIMA inhibits other kinases that have been implicated in pathogenic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression in addition to their normal cellular functions, including fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors FGFR1-4, platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR), KIT, and RET. Lenvatinib also exhibited antiproliferative activity in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines dependent on activated FGFR signaling with a concurrent inhibition of FGD-receptor substrate 2 (FRS2) phosphorylation. The combination of lenvatinib and everolimus showed increased anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity as demonstrated by decreases in human endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation, and VEGF signaling in vitro and decreases in tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of human renal cell cancer greater than with either drug alone. In syngeneic mouse tumor models, lenvatinib decreased tumor-associated macrophages, increased activated cytotoxic T cells, and demonstrated greater antitumor activity in combination with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody compared to either treatment alone.

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

Hypertension. In DTC (differentiated thyroid cancer), hypertension occurred in 73% of patients on LENVIMA (44% grade 3-4). In RCC (renal cell carcinoma), hypertension occurred in 42% of patients on LENVIMA + everolimus (13% grade 3). Systolic blood pressure 160 mmHg occurred in 29% of patients, and 21% had diastolic blood pressure 100 mmHg. In HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma), hypertension occurred in 45% of LENVIMA-treated patients (24% grade 3). Grade 4 hypertension was not reported in HCC.

Serious complications of poorly controlled hypertension have been reported. Control blood pressure prior to initiation. Monitor blood pressure after 1 week, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and then at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose when hypertension is controlled or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Cardiac Dysfunction. Serious and fatal cardiac dysfunction can occur with LENVIMA. Across clinical trials in 799 patients with DTC, RCC, and HCC, grade 3 or higher cardiac dysfunction occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients. Monitor for clinical symptoms or signs of cardiac dysfunction. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Arterial Thromboembolic Events. Among patients receiving LENVIMA or LENVIMA + everolimus, arterial thromboembolic events of any severity occurred in 2% of patients in RCC and HCC and 5% in DTC. Grade 3-5 arterial thromboembolic events ranged from 2% to 3% across all clinical trials.

Among patients receiving LENVIMA with pembrolizumab, arterial thrombotic events of any severity occurred in 5% of patients in CLEAR, including myocardial infarction (3.4%) and cerebrovascular accident (2.3%).

Permanently discontinue following an arterial thrombotic event. The safety of resuming after an arterial thromboembolic event has not been established, and LENVIMA has not been studied in patients who have had an arterial thromboembolic event within the previous 6 months.

Hepatotoxicity. Across clinical studies enrolling 1327 LENVIMA-treated patients with malignancies other than HCC, serious hepatic adverse reactions occurred in 1.4% of patients. Fatal events, including hepatic failure, acute hepatitis, and hepatorenal syndrome, occurred in 0.5% of patients. In HCC, hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients (5% grade 3-5). Grade 3-5 hepatic failure occurred in 3% of LENVIMA-treated patients; 2% of patients discontinued LENVIMA due to hepatic encephalopathy, and 1% discontinued due to hepatic failure.

Monitor liver function prior to initiation, then every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and at least monthly thereafter during treatment. Monitor patients with HCC closely for signs of hepatic failure, including hepatic encephalopathy. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Renal Failure or Impairment. Serious including fatal renal failure or impairment can occur with LENVIMA. Renal impairment was reported in 14% and 7% of LENVIMA-treated patients in DTC and HCC, respectively. Grade 3-5 renal failure or impairment occurred in 3% of patients with DTC and 2% of patients with HCC, including 1 fatal event in each study. In RCC, renal impairment or renal failure was reported in 18% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients (10% grade 3).

Initiate prompt management of diarrhea or dehydration/hypovolemia. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue for renal failure or impairment based on severity.

Proteinuria. In DTC and HCC, proteinuria was reported in 34% and 26% of LENVIMA-treated patients, respectively. Grade 3 proteinuria occurred in 11% and 6% in DTC and HCC, respectively. In RCC, proteinuria occurred in 31% of patients receiving LENVIMA + everolimus (8% grade 3). Monitor for proteinuria prior to initiation and periodically during treatment. If urine dipstick proteinuria 2+ is detected, obtain a 24-hour urine protein. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Diarrhea. Of the 737 LENVIMA-treated patients in DTC and HCC, diarrhea occurred in 49% (6% grade 3). In RCC, diarrhea occurred in 81% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients (19% grade 3). Diarrhea was the most frequent cause of dose interruption/reduction, and diarrhea recurred despite dose reduction. Promptly initiate management of diarrhea. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Fistula Formation and Gastrointestinal Perforation. Of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA or LENVIMA + everolimus in DTC, RCC, and HCC, fistula or gastrointestinal perforation occurred in 2%. Permanently discontinue in patients who develop gastrointestinal perforation of any severity or grade 3-4 fistula.

QT Interval Prolongation. In DTC, QT/QTc interval prolongation occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QT interval prolongation of >500 ms occurred in 2%. In RCC, QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 11% of patients receiving LENVIMA + everolimus and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 6%. In HCC, QTc interval increases of >60 ms occurred in 8% of LENVIMA-treated patients and QTc interval >500 ms occurred in 2%.

Monitor and correct electrolyte abnormalities at baseline and periodically during treatment. Monitor electrocardiograms in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias, or those who are taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval, including Class Ia and III antiarrhythmics. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery based on severity.

Hypocalcemia. In DTC, grade 3-4 hypocalcemia occurred in 9% of LENVIMA-treated patients. In 65% of cases, hypocalcemia improved or resolved following calcium supplementation with or without dose interruption or dose reduction. In RCC, grade 3-4 hypocalcemia occurred in 6% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients. In HCC, grade 3 hypocalcemia occurred in 0.8% of LENVIMA-treated patients. Monitor blood calcium levels at least monthly and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on severity.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS). Across clinical studies of 1823 patients who received LENVIMA as a single agent, RPLS occurred in 0.3%. Confirm diagnosis of RPLS with MRI. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue depending on severity and persistence of neurologic symptoms.

Hemorrhagic Events. Serious including fatal hemorrhagic events can occur with LENVIMA. In DTC, RCC, and HCC clinical trials, hemorrhagic events, of any grade, occurred in 29% of the 799 patients treated with LENVIMA as a single agent or in combination with everolimus. The most frequently reported hemorrhagic events (all grades and occurring in at least 5% of patients) were epistaxis and hematuria. In DTC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 2% of LENVIMA-treated patients, including 1 fatal intracranial hemorrhage among 16 patients who received LENVIMA and had CNS metastases at baseline. In RCC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 8% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients, including 1 fatal cerebral hemorrhage. In HCC, grade 3-5 hemorrhage occurred in 5% of LENVIMA-treated patients, including 7 fatal hemorrhagic events. Serious tumor-related bleeds, including fatal hemorrhagic events, occurred in LENVIMA-treated patients in clinical trials and in the postmarketing setting. In postmarketing surveillance, serious and fatal carotid artery hemorrhages were seen more frequently in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) than other tumors. Safety and effectiveness of LENVIMA in patients with ATC have not been demonstrated in clinical trials.

Consider the risk of severe or fatal hemorrhage associated with tumor invasion or infiltration of major blood vessels (eg, carotid artery). Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue based on severity.

Impairment of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Suppression/Thyroid Dysfunction. LENVIMA impairs exogenous thyroid suppression. In DTC, 88% of patients had baseline thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level 0.5 mU/L. In patients with normal TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH level >0.5 mU/L was observed post baseline in 57% of LENVIMA-treated patients. In RCC and HCC, grade 1 or 2 hypothyroidism occurred in 24% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients and 21% of LENVIMA-treated patients, respectively. In patients with normal or low TSH at baseline, elevation of TSH was observed post baseline in 70% of LENVIMA-treated patients in HCC and 60% of LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients in RCC.

Monitor thyroid function prior to initiation and at least monthly during treatment. Treat hypothyroidism according to standard medical practice.

Impaired Wound Healing. Impaired wound healing has been reported in patients who received LENVIMA. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks following major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of LENVIMA after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ). ONJ has been reported in patients receiving LENVIMA. Concomitant exposure to other risk factors, such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, dental disease, or invasive dental procedures, may increase the risk of ONJ.

Perform an oral examination prior to treatment with LENVIMA and periodically during LENVIMA treatment. Advise patients regarding good oral hygiene practices and to consider having preventive dentistry performed prior to treatment with LENVIMA and throughout treatment with LENVIMA.

Avoid invasive dental procedures, if possible, while on LENVIMA treatment, particularly in patients at higher risk. Withhold LENVIMA for at least 1 week prior to scheduled dental surgery or invasive dental procedures, if possible. For patients requiring invasive dental procedures, discontinuation of bisphosphonate treatment may reduce the risk of ONJ.

Withhold LENVIMA if ONJ develops and restart based on clinical judgement of adequate resolution.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity. Based on its mechanism of action and data from animal reproduction studies, LENVIMA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of lenvatinib during organogenesis at doses below the recommended clinical doses resulted in embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity, and teratogenicity in rats and rabbits. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus and advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LENVIMA and for at least 30 days after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions

In DTC, the most common adverse reactions (30%) observed in LENVIMA-treated patients were hypertension (73%), fatigue (67%), diarrhea (67%), arthralgia/myalgia (62%), decreased appetite (54%), decreased weight (51%), nausea (47%), stomatitis (41%), headache (38%), vomiting (36%), proteinuria (34%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (32%), abdominal pain (31%), and dysphonia (31%). The most common serious adverse reactions (2%) were pneumonia (4%), hypertension (3%), and dehydration (3%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions in 68% of LENVIMA-treated patients; 18% discontinued LENVIMA. The most common adverse reactions (10%) resulting in dose reductions were hypertension (13%), proteinuria (11%), decreased appetite (10%), and diarrhea (10%); the most common adverse reactions (1%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were hypertension (1%) and asthenia (1%).

In RCC, the most common adverse reactions (20%) observed in LENVIMA + pembrolizumab-treated patients were fatigue (63%), diarrhea (62%), musculoskeletal pain (58%), hypothyroidism (57%), hypertension (56%), stomatitis (43%), decreased appetite (41%), rash (37%), nausea (36%), decreased weight (30%), dysphonia (30%), proteinuria (30%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (29%), abdominal pain (27%), hemorrhagic events (27%), vomiting (26%), constipation (25%), hepatotoxicity (25%), headache (23%), and acute kidney injury (21%). The most common serious adverse reactions (2%) were hemorrhagic events (5%), diarrhea (4%), hypertension (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), pneumonitis (3%), vomiting (3%), acute kidney injury (2%), adrenal insufficiency (2%), dyspnea (2%), and pneumonia (2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients receiving LENVIMA in combination with pembrolizumab, including cardio-respiratory arrest (0.9%), sepsis (0.9%), and one case (0.3%) each of arrhythmia, autoimmune hepatitis, dyspnea, hypertensive crisis, increased blood creatinine, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myasthenic syndrome, myocarditis, nephritis, pneumonitis, ruptured aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 51% of patients receiving LENVIMA and pembrolizumab. Serious adverse reactions in 2% of patients were hemorrhagic events (5%), diarrhea (4%), hypertension (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), pneumonitis (3%), vomiting (3%), acute kidney injury (2%), adrenal insufficiency (2%), dyspnea (2%), and pneumonia (2%). Permanent discontinuation of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both due to an adverse reaction occurred in 37% of patients; 26% LENVIMA only, 29% pembrolizumab only, and 13% both drugs. The most common adverse reactions (2%) leading to permanent discontinuation of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both were pneumonitis (3%), myocardial infarction (3%), hepatotoxicity (3%), acute kidney injury (3%), rash (3%), and diarrhea (2%). Dose interruptions of LENVIMA, pembrolizumab, or both due to an adverse reaction occurred in 78% of patients receiving LENVIMA in combination with pembrolizumab. LENVIMA was interrupted in 73% of patients and both drugs were interrupted in 39% of patients. LENVIMA was dose reduced in 69% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (5%) resulting in dose reduction or interruption of LENVIMA were diarrhea (26%), fatigue (18%), hypertension (17%), proteinuria (13%), decreased appetite (12%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (11%), nausea (9%), stomatitis (9%), musculoskeletal pain (8%), rash (8%), increased lipase (7%), abdominal pain (6%), and vomiting (6%), increased ALT (5%), and increased amylase (5%).

In RCC, the most common adverse reactions (30%) observed in LENVIMA + everolimustreated patients were diarrhea (81%), fatigue (73%), arthralgia/myalgia (55%), decreased appetite (53%), vomiting (48%), nausea (45%), stomatitis (44%), hypertension (42%), peripheral edema (42%), cough (37%), abdominal pain (37%), dyspnea (35%), rash (35%), decreased weight (34%), hemorrhagic events (32%), and proteinuria (31%). The most common serious adverse reactions (5%) were renal failure (11%), dehydration (10%), anemia (6%), thrombocytopenia (5%), diarrhea (5%), vomiting (5%), and dyspnea (5%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions or interruption in 89% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (5%) resulting in dose reductions were diarrhea (21%), fatigue (8%), thrombocytopenia (6%), vomiting (6%), nausea (5%), and proteinuria (5%). Treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 29% of patients.

In HCC, the most common adverse reactions (20%) observed in LENVIMA-treated patients were hypertension (45%), fatigue (44%), diarrhea (39%), decreased appetite (34%), arthralgia/myalgia (31%), decreased weight (31%), abdominal pain (30%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (27%), proteinuria (26%), dysphonia (24%), hemorrhagic events (23%), hypothyroidism (21%), and nausea (20%). The most common serious adverse reactions (2%) were hepatic encephalopathy (5%), hepatic failure (3%), ascites (3%), and decreased appetite (2%). Adverse reactions led to dose reductions or interruption in 62% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (5%) resulting in dose reductions were fatigue (9%), decreased appetite (8%), diarrhea (8%), proteinuria (7%), hypertension (6%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (5%). Treatment discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 20% of patients. The most common adverse reactions (1%) resulting in discontinuation of LENVIMA were fatigue (1%), hepatic encephalopathy (2%), hyperbilirubinemia (1%), and hepatic failure (1%).

In EC, the most common adverse reactions (20%) observed in LENVIMA and pembrolizumabtreated patients were hypothyroidism (67%), hypertension (67%), fatigue (58%), diarrhea (55%), musculoskeletal disorders (53%), nausea (49%), decreased appetite (44%), vomiting (37%), stomatitis (35%), decreased weight (34%), abdominal pain (34%), urinary tract infection (31%), proteinuria (29%), constipation (27%), headache (26%), hemorrhagic events (25%), palmarplantar erythrodysesthesia (23%), dysphonia (22%), and rash (20%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.7% of those treated with LENVIMA and pembrolizumab, including 2 cases of pneumonia, and 1 case of the following: acute kidney injury, acute myocardial infarction, colitis, decreased appetite, intestinal perforation, lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, malignant gastrointestinal obstruction, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, pulmonary embolism, and right ventricular dysfunction. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 50% of patients receiving LENVIMA and pembrolizumab. Serious adverse reactions with frequency 3% were hypertension (4.4%), and urinary tract infection (3.2%). Discontinuation of LENVIMA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 26% of patients. The most common (1%) adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of LENVIMA were hypertension (2%), asthenia (1.8%), diarrhea (1.2%), decreased appetite (1.2%), proteinuria (1.2%), and vomiting (1.2%). Dose reductions of LENVIMA due to adverse reactions occurred in 67% of patients. The most common (5%) adverse reactions resulting in dose reduction of LENVIMA were hypertension (18%), diarrhea (11%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (9%), proteinuria (7%), fatigue (7%), decreased appetite (6%), asthenia (5%), and weight decreased (5%). Dose interruptions of LENVIMA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 58% of these patients. The most common (2%) adverse reactions leading to interruption of LENVIMA were hypertension (11%), diarrhea (11%), proteinuria (6%), decreased appetite (5%), vomiting (5%), increased alanine aminotransferase (3.5%), fatigue (3.5%), nausea (3.5%), abdominal pain (2.9%), decreased weight (2.6%), urinary tract infection (2.6%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (2.3%), asthenia (2.3%), and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (2%).

Use in Specific Populations

Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose. LENVIMA may impair fertility in males and females of reproductive potential.

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild (CLcr 60-89 mL/min) or moderate (CLcr 30-59 mL/min) renal impairment. LENVIMA concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe (CLcr 15-29 mL/min) renal impairment. Reduce the dose for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe renal impairment. There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC and severe renal impairment. LENVIMA has not been studied in patients with end-stage renal disease.

No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with HCC and mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A). There is no recommended dose for patients with HCC with moderate (Child-Pugh B) or severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment. No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and mild or moderate hepatic impairment. LENVIMA concentrations may increase in patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe hepatic impairment. Reduce the dose for patients with DTC, RCC, or EC and severe hepatic impairment.

LENVIMA (lenvatinib) is available as 10 mg and 4 mg capsules.

Please see Prescribing information for LENVIMA (lenvatinib) at http://www.lenvima.com/pdfs/prescribing-information.pdf.

About the Eisai and Merck Strategic Collaboration

In March 2018, Eisai and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, through an affiliate, entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of LENVIMA. Under the agreement, the companies will jointly develop, manufacture and commercialize LENVIMA, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA.

In addition to ongoing clinical studies evaluating the KEYTRUDA plus LENVIMA combination across several different tumor types, the companies have jointly initiated new clinical studies through the LEAP (LEnvatinib And Pembrolizumab) clinical program and are evaluating the combination in 13 different tumor types (endometrial carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, urothelial cancer, biliary tract cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, glioblastoma, and pancreatic cancer) across more than 20 clinical trials.

About Eisai

Eisai is a leading global research and development-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, with approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. We define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call our human health care (hhc) philosophy. We strive to realize our hhc philosophy by delivering innovative products in therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs, including Oncology and Neurology. In the spirit of hhc, we take that commitment even further by applying our scientific expertise, clinical capabilities and patient insights to discover and develop innovative solutions that help address society's toughest unmet needs, including neglected tropical diseases and the Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information about Eisai, please visit www.eisai.com (for global headquarters: Eisai Co., Ltd.), us.eisai.com (for U.S. headquarters: Eisai Inc.) or www.eisai.eu (for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand headquarters: Eisai Europe Ltd.), and connect with us on Twitter (U.S . and global) and LinkedIn (for U.S. and EMEA).

LENVIMA is a registered trademark used by Eisai Inc. under license from Eisai R&D Management Co., Ltd.

KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A.

SOURCE Eisai Inc.
China steps up discipline supervision, inspection in 2021

Xinhua) 17:02, January 14, 2022

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Amid China's continued efforts to improve discipline supervision, disciplinary organs nationwide dealt with over 1.47 million people for breaches of discipline in the first nine months of 2021, according to official statistics.

Among them, around 1.05 million people, or 71.5 percent, were subject to reprimand and education, while 21.9 percent faced light penalties and minor organizational adjustments to official positions.

People subject to the other two forms of discipline supervision and enforcement, namely heavy penalties and major adjustments to official positions as well as investigation and prosecution, accounted for 3.1 percent and 3.6 percent of the total, respectively.

Last year saw two rounds of routine central disciplinary inspections carried out to detect disciplinary and law violations among officials, with inspectors dispatched to 57 Party organizations.

To date, a total of 254 Party units across the country had been targeted in eight disciplinary inspections launched by the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

In 2021, CPC central inspection teams received 83,000 public complaints and tip-offs, and 487,000 were filed to local discipline inspection authorities nationwide, helping to resolve a number of pressing issues concerned with the people's interests including education, healthcare and environmental protection.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, speaks during a national conference devoted to the country's fight against pornography and illegal publications in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official on Friday vowed to harshly crackdown on pornography and illegal publications in 2022.

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a national conference devoted to the country's fight against pornography and illegal publications.

Hailing the progress in the crackdown in 2021, Huang demanded continued efforts to wipe out online vulgar content, illegal publications for children, and root out channels spreading such harmful information, so as to create a sound cyberspace for the youth.

The official also stressed the need to improve legislation for industries involved and further promote law-based regulation. 
"2021 was a pivotal year for us at Eltropy, as our customer base more than doubled in size, averaging almost three new clients a week. Now, more than ever, financial institutions are putting a premium on their digital communications capabilities, and our march towards offering the best in class service along with the best omnichannel product on the market continues into this new year.", said Ashish Garg, the founder and CEO of Eltropy.

The new financial institution customers are located across the U.S. and include the likes of Valley Strong Credit Union, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Weokie Federal Credit Union & Mid-Oregon Credit Union

"We are proud to offer the only omnichannel solution to feature text messaging, video banking, secure chat, co-browsing, screen sharing and chatbot technology. With the need to digitize accelerated due to Covid-19, Eltropy is proud to offer the best and only all encompassing omnichannel solution", continued Ashish.

With the uncertainties the pandemic brings surrounding being able to meet in person, the future of in-person branch interactions and how Financial Institutions connect with their members is rapidly approaching. Eltropy's omnichannel solution is enabling Financial Institutions to take on the challenges that this pandemic brings with stronger, digital communications capabilities. So that FIs can offer their services anywhere and anytime on their customer's mobile devices.

"Eltropy is one of our top partners, with their commitment to providing best-in-class service with a best in class team," says Jenny Jackson, sales distribution channel and alliance manager at CUNA Strategic Services. "On behalf of CUNA Strategic Services, we congratulate team Eltropy on a record breaking 2021, and are excited to see them continue to pioneer the digital communication space for Financial Institutions."

"Our members are at the core of everything we do and being able to connect with them more effectively and efficiently is our top priority," said Raj Bandaru, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer of Kinecta Federal Credit Union. "We looked at several solutions in the market, but Eltropy's Enterprise-level platform stood out from the competition. This is the only platform that offers workflows for each department, while providing integrations into IT systems, along with built-in compliance and data security."

About Eltropy

Eltropy enables Financial Institutions to digitally engage in a secure and compliant way. Using our world-class digital communications platform, Credit Unions, Banks, Debt Collectors, Insurance Companies, Lenders and FinTechs can improve operations, engagement and productivity. We are proud to be the only omnichannel solution to offer text messaging, video banking, secure chat, co-browsing, screen sharing and chatbot technology. Eltropy also integrates with IT systems, such as Symitar and Corelation, and uses Analytics to provide engagement insights. For more information about Eltropy, please visit eltropy.com.

About CUNA Strategic Services

CUNA Mutual group is a financially strong insurance, investment and financial services company enabling people to make financial decisions that work for them. The company was built on the principle of "people helping people" and the belief that a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone. For more information, visit cunamutual.com.

About Kinecta Federal Credit Union

Kinecta Federal Credit Union is the country's 35th largest credit union, with assets over $6.5 billion and over 270,000 member owners. Our 800+ employees serve members from 32 branches, a variety of specialty offices, and highly responsive call centers on both coasts. Banking the Southern California area for more than 80 years, with recent expansion into Northern California, New York and New Jersey, Kinecta offers its members a full range of financial products through the Credit Union and its subsidiaries, Kinecta Wealth Management and Kinecta Insurance Services. - For more information, visit https://www.kinecta.org .

Contact: Jonathan Manousaridis, +17742798872, [email protected]

SOURCE Eltropy
BEIJING, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) on 1 January 2022, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) hosted the event, "RCEP: Looking Beyond Ratification," in partnership with Asia House on 13 January, bringing together experts from Asia Pacific to discuss the impact of the agreement on economic development and geopolitics, and how businesses can benefit from the world's largest trading bloc. Over 700 participants registered worldwide for this webinar.

CKGSB's Founding Dean and Professor of China Business and Globalization, Dr Xiang Bing, kicked off the event highlighting the importance of RCEP, which represents 29% of the global population, 36% global GDP and 34% of global trade. He said, "RCEP represents Asia's collaborative approach to promoting free trade and globalizationRCEP economies, despite having different levels of development and resource endowment, have strong economic and trade complementarity, and deeper economic and trade cooperation among them means better utilization of resources and higher levels of efficiency in production."

Two panels  moderated by Jeremy Browne, UK's former Minister of State for Asia Pacific  featured experts' views on RCEP's broader implications and benefits for businesses. Panellists included Anna Robeniol, Advisor to the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community, and Tetsuya Watanabe, Vice-President, Research Institute of Economy Trade, and Industry, who were lead negotiators for the RCEP agreement.

Experts welcomed the new trade agreement saying it will benefit the region, and potentially contribute to post-pandemic economic recovery. Speakers agreed it will strengthen supply chains, which will increase market opportunities and jobs, and lead to a more closely-integrated economy. However, they noted that larger nations may face challenges as production moves to smaller countries. Tao Zhigang, Professor of Strategy and Economics and Associate Dean at CKGSB, said, "The key is to ensure you have re-distribution programs helping those who suffer from the process of globalization, such as re-training, economic assistance and common prosperity."

The event ended with a fireside chat with Gita Wirjawan, Indonesia's former Trade Minister, who said, "We have seen the death of multilateralism in the last decadeThe fact that the number of RCEP countries have decided to move ahead and show to the world that this is a good piece of multilateral understanding; I think it is equity, it's equity for humanity's ability to re-multilateralize."

SOURCE Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) announced the three finalists for the 2022 National Weatherperson of the Year award, an annual honor recognizing an outstanding weatherperson for leadership in promoting disaster safety education and resilience.

The three finalists listed in alphabetical order include:

Kenneth Graham, Director  National Hurricane Center

Ken received his Bachelor of Atmospheric Science Degree at the University of Arizona and earned a Master of Science Degree in Geosciences from Mississippi State University. While in Mississippi, he was a broadcast meteorologist for a CBS affiliate and was an agricultural meteorologist for the Mississippi Network Radio. Ken previously served as the Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NWS Forecast Office in the New Orleans/Baton Rouge region, providing tropical cyclone information in addition to tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and flash flood watches and warnings.

Ken is nominated for his leadership at the National Hurricane Center and his innovative approach to using social science in hurricane outreach.

Chris Sowers, Meteorologist  6ABC Philadelphia

Chris graduated with a Meteorology degree from Kean University in Union, New Jersey. He also has his NWA Seal from the National Weather Association and numerous certificates for mesoscale circulation and forecasting. In 2005, Chris began his on-air career as a Chief Meteorologist for WNKY in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He then served as the weekend meteorologist for WFLD in Chicago, Illinois, from 2008 to 2011. Chris joined Action News as the weekend morning meteorologist in May 2011. Chris has 20 years of television forecasting experience, 17 of those years spent in a top-five market.

Chris is nominated for his longstanding dedication to meteorology and the education and safety of his viewers.

Dr. Reed Timmer, Extreme Meteorologist and Storm Chaser

Dr. Timmer is an extreme storm chaser and highly recognized in the public eye from the reality television series Storm Chasers on the Discovery Channel. He has a Ph.D. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma and is the designer of the SRV Dominator vehicles used for chasing tornadoes. He established TornadoVideos.net (TVN), the premier source of weather footage for news and production companies, and TVNweather.com, a live stream of severe weather events that warns viewers located in the path of a dangerous storm. Dr. Timmer has documented more than 1,000 tornadoes and has also chased and intercepted a vast amount of hurricanes, floods, and blizzards, providing up-to-the-minute reporting that has saved countless lives.

Dr. Timmer is nominated for his dedication to informing his followers about all types of severe weather and for his service following a disaster.

"Our 2022 award finalists go above and beyond to help protect people and property from severe weather," said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "These exemplary individuals were nominated for their unconditional dedication to excellence in meteorological science, innovative use of technology, and commitment to community outreach and education."

Previous winners include:

2014 - Jim Cantore , On-Camera Meteorologist, and Co-Host, "AMHQ" - The Weather Channel

, On-Camera Meteorologist, and Co-Host, "AMHQ" - 2015 - Max Mayfield , former National Hurricane Center Director

, former National Hurricane Center Director 2016 - Alex Garcia , Chief Meteorologist - KABB Fox 29 - San Antonio, TX

, Chief Meteorologist - - 2017 - Dr. Richard Knabb , Hurricane Expert, and National Tropical Program Manager - The Weather Channel

, Hurricane Expert, and National Tropical Program Manager - 2018 - Ada Monzon , Chief Meteorologist - WIPR-TV, Noticias 24/7, Univision Radio ( WKAQ 580 AM)

, Chief Meteorologist - ( 580 AM) 2019 - James Spann , Chief Meteorologist - ABC 33/40 , Birmingham, AL

, Chief Meteorologist - , 2020 - Joe Snedeker , Morning Meteorologist - WNEP - Newswatch 16 , Scranton, PA

, Morning Meteorologist - , 2021 - Ginger Zee , Chief Meteorologist - ABC News

FLASH originated the National Weatherperson of the Year Award to coincide with the celebration of National Weatherperson's Day on February 5, the birthday of the pioneering weather observer John Jeffries. After a decade of research on the ground, Jeffries piloted a hot air balloon in 1774 to test weather conditions and advance the science of meteorology. His work paved the way for many aspects of meteorology today.

Visit the FLASH or National Weatherperson's Day Facebook pages or click here before January 23 to vote on a finalist. Follow @FederalAlliance on Twitter for updates. The FLASH Board of Directors will select the winner, and the name will be announced on Friday, February 4.

Visit the 2022 National Weatherperson of the Year Award page for information on previous winners.

About FLASH

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from disasters. The FLASH partnership includes more than 100 innovative and diverse organizations that share a vision of making America a more disaster-resilient nation, including FEMA, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Huber Engineered Woods, International Code Council, ISO - Verisk Analytics, Lowe's, MyRadar, National Weather Service, Simpson Strong-Tie, State Farm, and USAA. In 2008, FLASH and Disney opened the interactive weather experience StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes in Lake Buena Vista, FL. FLASH's signature program No Code. No Confidence. - Inspect2Protect.org provides consumers with a one-of-a-kind building code transparency tool to quickly identify their community's building code. Learn more about FLASH and access free consumer resources by visiting www.flash.org and www.Inspect2Protect.org , calling toll-free (877) 221- SAFE (7233), following @federalalliance on Twitter, and Facebook.com/federalalliance .

SOURCE Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
NASSAU, Bahamas, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FTX Trading Limited ("FTX"), today announced the launch of FTX Ventures ("the Fund"), a $2 billion venture capital fund focused on backing the world's best teams building in the digital asset ecosystem. FTX Ventures' core mission is to advance global blockchain and web3 adoption, with a broad investment mandate across social, gaming, fintech, software, and healthcare. The Fund will invest in multi-stage companies and projects, providing flexible funding and strategic support from FTX and its network of global partners.

"Our investors at FTX have made a deep impact in supporting our growth and development. We strive to do the same at FTX Ventures and are excited to find the brightest minds and disruptive innovation in tech," says Sam Bankman-Fried.

Alongside the Fund's launch, crypto investor Amy Wu joined FTX to lead Ventures, gaming, M&A and commercial initiatives. Amy was most recently a Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, a $10B+ multi-stage venture fund, where she led crypto and gaming investments, including the fund's investment in FTX. She was previously an executive at Discovery, Inc., a global media company, where she led operations and finance across Asian markets, digital businesses, and sports.

Ms. Wu says, "I am thrilled to be joining FTX to work alongside Sam and some of the smartest people disrupting the financial services industry. With FTX Ventures, we are looking to support entrepreneurs building generational businesses. We're particularly excited about web3 gaming and its ability to bring mainstream audiences into the ecosystem."

FTX Ventures will launch with a team of eight, including General Partner Ramnik Arora, Advisor Armani Ferrante, and others.

About FTX Ventures

FTX Ventures is a multi-stage venture capital fund focused on supporting the world's best teams building in crypto and web3. The fund provides flexible funding and strategic support from FTX and its network of global partners. FTX Ventures currently manages $2B in AUM.

To learn more about FTX Ventures, please visit http://ventures.ftx.com/ or contact [email protected].

About FTX

FTX is a cryptocurrency exchange built by traders, for traders. It offers innovative products, including industry-leading derivatives, tokenized stocks, prediction markets, and an OTC desk. FTX strives to be an intuitive but powerful platform for all kinds of users, and to be the most innovative exchange in the industry.

To learn more about FTX, please visit: https://ftx.com/

Media Contact

Jay Morakis

M Group Strategic Communications (for FTX Ventures)

646-859-5951

[email protected]

SOURCE FTX Trading Ltd.
Products and services were submitted in the fall of 2021 using a simple application, and then were posted on a private site with an enhanced description and attendant materials. These products were batched into small groups and sent to the LibraryWorks database of more than 80,000 librarians at public, K-12, academic, and special libraries. Only customers with experience with these products/services in their facilities were permitted to judge the products/services, resulting in a truly unbiased score.

This confirms our hard work and commitment to providing high-quality digital resources to libraries is making an impact.

Each judge scored the product on a numeric basis from 1-10 on a series of questions regarding functionality, value, customer service experience and overall satisfaction. The product with the overall highest score was awarded the coveted Product of the Year award. Gale In Context: For Educators received the top score this year, achieving a 9.95.

Gale In Context: For Educators is an award-winning lesson planning tool that enables educators to find and personalize digital learning content, plan learning activities that work well for remote or in-person environments and provide equity for all students. Fueled by content from the Gale In Context student databases, it includes custom lesson plans and exclusive tools to help educators teach with easily-sharable, curriculum-aligned resources, while enabling seamless collaboration within and across schools and districts.

Jenny Newman, publisher and MLA program manager said, "It's hardly a surprise that Gale scored so well. They've been at the forefront of the library industry for more than 65 years. That experience in the library, combined with new tools for use in the classroom, is what makes Gale In Context: For Educators so powerful."

In feedback received about Gale In Context: For Educators, MLA judges praised its innovation, accessibility and high-quality content from a trusted source:

"I'm often a pilot school for various content platforms so that we can stay ahead of the latest and greatest resources coming out but I seem to find myself consistently referring to what Gale has done with Gale In Context: For Educators. They've set the bar pretty high!" MLA judge

"To better create a more equitable learning environment, Gale has found a way to blend accessibility and learning better than any other company/product on the market." MLA judge

"Our staff (librarians as well as classroom teachers and school-based administrators) have found this resource to be content rich. It is a time saver and staff know they are getting high quality content from a trustworthy source." MLA judge

Other Gale products that were awarded and honored with a 2022 MLA include:

"What makes the Modern Library Awards so special is the fact that the judges are actual customers who use our products," said Paul Gazzolo, senior vice president and general manager at Gale. "These recognitions underscore and confirm that our hard work and commitment to providing high-quality digital resources to libraries is making an impact, and we are absolutely thrilled to receive such an honor."

Gale will showcase and demonstrate Gale In Context: For Educators at the Future of Education Technology (FETC) Conference, January 25-28 in Orlando, FL at Gale booth #3917.

About Cengage Group and Gale

Cengage Group, an education technology company serving millions of learners in 165 countries, advances the way students learn through quality, digital experiences. The company currently serves the K-12, higher education, professional, library, English language teaching and workforce training markets worldwide. Gale, part of Cengage Group, provides libraries with original and curated content, as well as the modern research tools and technology that are crucial in connecting libraries to learning, and learners to libraries. For more than 65 years, Gale has partnered with libraries around the world to empower the discovery of knowledge and insights  where, when and how people need it. Gale has 500 employees globally with its main operations in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit www.gale.com .

Follow Gale on:

About LibraryWorks

LibraryWorks helps administrators to make informed decisions about library technology, automation and software, collection development and management, facilities and furnishings, staffing, purchasing, and other areas that drive effective strategic planning and day-to-day operations. Our family of resources can enable you to identify best practices, monitor trends, evaluate new products and services, apply for grants and funding, post or find a job, and even enjoy some library humor. https://www.libraryworks.com/

About the Modern Library Awards program

The Modern Library Awards (MLAs) is a review program designed to recognize elite products and services in the market which can help library management personnel enhance the quality-of-experience for the library user and increase the performance of their library systems. https://www.modernlibraryawards.com/

Media Contact:

Kayla Siefker, Gale, part of Cengage Group

248-915-9624

[email protected]

SOURCE Gale, part of Cengage Group
MAJURO, Marshall Islands, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gate.io, one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges, is launching several new partnership and membership programs for its institutional clients through its Gate.io Institutional Services division, adding $10 million in liquidity to clients through these new offerings.

Special programs for brokers and market makers

Gate.io recently launched a massive new promotional campaign for its broker program. With $10 million in liquidity to support brokers on the platform, Gate.io has invited qualifying institutional clients to use the platform. The brokers' main role will be to invite VIP traders to trade on Gate.io's platform and reap rewards. Brokers can:



Get a bonus of up to $10,000 /person for inviting VIP 11+ level traders.

/person for inviting VIP 11+ level traders. Get up to 50% rebate for inviting traders below VIP 11.

Currently, Gate.io's Broker Program supports three types of brokers including referrers, API and exchange brokers. Each type of broker will earn rewards and bonuses based on their use of the platform and the company has expanded offerings to attract designated market makers (DMM) from across the world.

Both the broker and DMM programs are key focuses for Gate.io as the company focuses on increasing liquidity on its exchange while continuing its expansion. Because of partnerships with leading companies in the space, Gate.io supports some of the leading cryptocurrencies in the world with flexible leverage of up to 100x, a frequency of 900r/s for order placement, 5000r/s for order cancellations and support for over 300 connections through WebSocket.

GIS VIP services and promotions

Gate.io recently launched a new campaign for its VIP users, where users can enjoy benefits such as reduced trading fees, VIP tier upgrades and more for a month through its referral program. Through Gate.io's VIP service, users receive benefits such as lower trading fees, exclusive 1-on-1 meetups with the Gate.io team and access to exclusive products and services.

The company continues to focus on expanding its institutional offerings, ensuring companies are provided with a top-tier trading platform.

About GIS

Gate.io Institutional Services is one of the company's core services, which covers VIP clients from around the world ranging from hedge fund firms, professional trading firms, market makers, and many more. Well-established partners on the platform include Nibbio, Tower Research and Banxa.

SOURCE Gate.io
HAL S5301 will feature life like movement to simulate symptoms of stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). HAL S5301's technology including conversational speech, lifelike movement, and next-generation simulated physiology has never been seen before. These industry-first capabilities are here to usher in Gaumard's next revolutionary leap in simulation.

John Eggert, Gaumard's Executive Vice President, commented, "HAL S5301 is the first simulator to fulfill educational objectives across multiple clinical disciplines. Using the latest technology, conversational speech and AI have been incorporated to emulate real life. For the first time, we have developed a simulator for brain injury training with highly advanced motor movements. HAL S5301 brings Gaumard's most advanced technologies to offer the world's most advanced simulator."

"HAL S5301 represents Gaumard's next generation of astonishingly realistic patient simulators with the most advanced UNI operating system which manages vital signs, assessments, and debriefing," said James Archetto, Gaumard's Vice President of U.S. Direct Sales. "In addition, HAL S5301 introduces advanced anatomy and physiology in simulated cardiac, respiratory, and vascular physiology, including arterial access, lung compliance, and high fidelity auscultation."

Archetto added, "Real medical equipment can be used to monitor and diagnose HAL S5301's clinical condition, just as it can be on all of our high-fidelity simulators. It is designed to be a key component for professional-level training across clinical disciplines as well as academic-level education. An optimized simulation program using HAL S5301 enables safe and effective learning opportunities."

For more information on HAL S5301 visit the product page here. For photography see here.

About Gaumard Scientific

Gaumard Scientific is recognized by health care educators and students worldwide for its commitment to innovation with the development of the most advanced patient simulation technology. Gaumard designs and manufactures simulators at its global headquarters in Miami and markets them directly in the U.S. as well as through distributors in 70 countries. Gaumard's customer base includes militaries, emergency medical services, major teaching hospitals and nursing schools.

Gaumard's product launch timeline reflects the company's unwavering commitment to innovation. In 2000, Gaumard launched the revolutionary family of NOELLE maternal and neonatal care simulators that changed the way training is conducted. In 2004, Gaumard pioneered the use of fully tetherless technology with the introduction of the family of HAL simulators. In 2014, the company introduced VICTORIA, its most advanced maternal and neonatal care simulator as part of the NOELLE family. In 2017, Gaumard introduced Super Tory, the first newborn simulator developed to meet the challenges of neonatal care specialists training in real environments. Pediatric HAL, the world's most advanced pediatric patient simulator and the first capable of simulating lifelike emotions through dynamic facial expressions, movement and speech was launched in 2018.

For company and product information visit www.gaumard.com.

Follow Gaumard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/GaumardInFocus ; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gaumardsimulators ; on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/gaumard-scientific ; and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/gaumardmedsimulators .

Company Contacts:

International Sales:

Peter Eggert

Senior Vice President,

Vice President International Operations

(800) 882-6655

[email protected]

U.S. Direct Sales:

James Archetto

Vice President, U.S. Direct Sales

(800) 882-6655

(305) 484-3309 Mobile

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Russo Partners:

David Schull

(212) 845-4271

(858) 717-2310 Mobile

[email protected]

SOURCE Gaumard Scientific
DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Ceramics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (Traditional, Advanced), by Application (Sanitary Ware, Abrasives, Tiles), by End-use (Building & Construction, Industrial), by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2021-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global ceramics market size is expected to reach USD 348.0 billion by 2028. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2021 to 2028. The growth of the construction sector, along with the increasing demand for medical equipment from the healthcare sector is expected to propel the market growth over the forecast period.



Ceramics are made generally from carbides, oxides, and nitrides. The traditional products comprise whiteware, porcelain, stoneware, and chinaware. The aforementioned products are mostly deployed in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings; thus, rising construction activities across the globe coupled with renovation of existing properties are driving the market.



The growing medical industry is another factor propelling the market growth. Ceramics are extensively used for several purposes including dental & bone implants, hip & joint replacement, and femoral heads. Furthermore, technological advancements and government investment for research and innovation of advanced ceramics are augmenting market growth.



For instance, in July 2021, the UK government provided funding of GBP 18.27 million (~USD 24.33 million) under the Strength in Places Fund (SIPF) to the Midland Industrial Ceramics Group (MICG). The funds shall be utilized in creating a leading R&D program, new businesses in the Midlands, and benefit the supply chain. MICG was launched to deliver a world-leading approach to advanced ceramics.



The Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate over the forecast period. Rapid urbanization and rising standard of living owing to increasing per capita income are anticipated to boost the expansion of residential and commercial construction such as shopping malls and retail chains. Thus, the steady growth of the construction sector in the region is projected to drive the demand for ceramics over the coming years.



Ceramics Market Report Highlights

Based on product, the traditional segment held the largest revenue share of over 58.0% in 2020. The share is attributable to increasing demand for authentic products in the construction sector, which are made using traditional ceramics

Based on application, the tiles segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 5.4% over the forecast period owing to increasing construction activities in residential and commercial sectors across the world

Based on end-use, the building and construction segment is expected to register a CAGR of 4.2% over the forecast period owing to increasing consumption of ceramic products in the architectural projects as they are economical and aesthetically attractive

Asia Pacific held the largest revenue share of over 40.0% in 2020 on account of the increasing construction spending in developing economies owing to the expansion of the manufacturing sector in the region and increasing investments in restaurants, hotels, and resorts

Companies Mentioned

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

Kajaria Ceramics Limited

AGC Ceramic Co.Ltd.

3M

RAK Ceramics

Kyocera Corporation

Unifrax

Saint Gobain

Morgan Advanced Materials

Momentive

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Market Insights

2.2. Segmental Outlook

2.3. Competitive Insights



Chapter 3. Ceramics Market Variables, Trends, and Scope

3.1. Market Outlook

3.2. Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping

3.3. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.3.1. Raw Material Outlook

3.3.2. Manufacturing Outlook

3.4. Market Dynamics

3.4.1. Market Driver Analysis

3.4.2. Market Restraint Analysis

3.4.3. Market Challenge Analysis

3.5. Regulatory Framework

3.6. Business Environmental Analysis

3.6.1. Porter's Analysis

3.6.2. PESTEL Analysis



Chapter 4. Ceramics Market: Product Outlook Estimates & Forecasts

4.1. Definition & Scope

4.2. Ceramics Market: Product Movement Analysis, 2020 & 2028

4.3. Traditional

4.4. Advanced

Chapter 5. Ceramics Market: Application Outlook Estimates & Forecasts

5.1. Definition & Scope

5.2. Ceramics Market: Application Movement Analysis, 2020 & 2028

5.3. Sanitary Ware

5.4. Abrasives

5.5. Bricks & Pipes

5.6. Tiles

5.7. Pottery

5.8. Others

Chapter 6. Ceramics Market: End-use Outlook Estimates & Forecasts

6.1. Definition & Scope

6.2. Ceramics Market: Application Movement Analysis, 2020 & 2028

6.3. Building & Construction

6.4. Industrial

6.5. Medical

6.6. Others

Chapter 7. Ceramics Market Regional Outlook Estimates & Forecasts

7.1. Regional Snapshot

7.2. Ceramics Market: Regional Movement Analysis, 2020 & 2028

7.3. North America

7.4. Europe

7.5. Asia Pacific

7.6. Central & South America

7.7. Middle East & Africa

Chapter 8. Competitive Analysis

8.1. Competitive Scenario

8.2. Company Categorization (Key Innovators, Market Leaders, Emerging Players)

8.3. Vendor Landscape

Chapter 9. Company Profiles



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fg97bz

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
Download our free sample report today to get a detailed understanding of the major forces driving this market across geographies.

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Key Medical Devices Contract Manufacturing Sourcing and Procurement Report Highlights:

Market growth 2021-2025: USD 45.82 Billion Growth momentum & CAGR: Accelerate at a CAGR of 11.70% Top Pricing Models: Volume-based contractual pricing, and Cost Plus Markup pricing Key consumer countries: North America , Europe , and APAC Supplier Selection Criteria: Technical specifications, Operational requirements, Acceptance criteria, and Evaluation criteria Top Suppliers: Gerresheimer Ag, Flex Ltd., and Jabil Inc

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Insights into buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers:

Several strategic and tactical negotiation levers are explained in the report to help buyers achieve the best prices for the Medical Devices Contract Manufacturing market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Medical Devices Contract Manufacturing pricing levels, pros, and cons of prevalent pricing models such as Unit-based pricing, and Bundled pricing, category management strategies and best practices to fulfil their category objectives.

For more insights on buyer strategies and tactical negotiation levers, www.spendedge.com/report/medical-devices-contract-manufacturing-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report

Key Drivers and Trends Fueling Market Growth:

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the low bargaining power of suppliers.

Price forecasts are beneficial in purchase planning, especially when supplemented by the constant monitoring of price influencing factors.

Identify favorable opportunities in Medical Devices Contract Manufacturing TCO (total cost of ownership).

Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes.

Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities.

To know more about various other market drivers, trends and challenges.

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Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

Appendix

About SpendEdge:

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SOURCE SpendEdge
"Our people are the foundation of Grover Gaming." - Garrett Blackwelder, Founder of Grover Gaming Tweet this

The Employees' Choice Award, now in its 14th year, is based solely on the input of employees, who elect to provide anonymous feedback by completing a company review about their job, work environment, and employer on Glassdoor, the worldwide leader on insights about jobs and companies.

"The world of work is rapidly evolving, fueled by the pandemic and now millions of workers reevaluating their expectations from employers. This year's Best Places to Work winners are leading the way by listening and responding to employee feedback and reimagining the employee experience to truly put their people first," said Christian Sutherland-Wong, Glassdoor chief executive officer. "It's inspiring to see these employers step up during the pandemic to expand and grow company cultures where employees feel supported and valued in and out of work. Congratulations to all of this year's Employees' Choice Award winners."

Glassdoor's Best Places to Work were determined using company reviews shared by U.S.-based employees between October 20, 2020, and October 18, 2021. To be considered for the U.S. small and medium company category, a company must have had fewer than 1,000 employees and have received at least 30 ratings across each of the nine workplace attributes (overall company rating, career opportunities, compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, senior management, work-life balance, recommend to a friend, and six-month business outlook) considered as part of the awards algorithm.

Grover Gaming develops software, game content, and gaming systems for lotteries and charitable gaming jurisdictions, and is licensed in Ohio, New Hampshire, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Ontario Canada, and Virginia. Based in Greenville, NC, Grover Gaming has over 350 employees across 9 states including a design studio in Wilmington, NC and a Software Development Center in Chicago, IL. The company is also a 3-year Inc 5000 and Inc 500 award recipient, ranking #194 in 2020, recognizing the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States.

SOURCE Grover Gaming, Inc.
BAGHDAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Two bomb attacks on Friday targeted headquarters of two major Sunni parties in the Iraqi capital Baghdad without causing casualties, a source with the Interior Ministry said.

The attacks took place in the morning when unidentified gunmen threw hand grenades at the headquarters of Taqaddum Alliance, headed by the re-elected Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, in the Adhamiyah neighborhood in northern Baghdad, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Another attack with hand grenades targeted headquarters of Azem Alliance, headed by businessman Khamis al-Khanjar, in the Yarmouk neighborhood in western the capital, the source said.

Earlier, the two Sunni groups allied to form a larger Sunni parliamentary group, including 65 Sunni lawmakers, who later managed to ally themselves with the Sadrist Movement and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). They all later voted to re-elect al-Halbousi as parliament speaker on Jan. 9, when the Iraqi parliament held its first session, which witnessed a heated debate between the parliamentary blocs.

The Iraqi parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held on Oct. 10, 2021 in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services. 
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Term Limits (USTL), the leader in the non-partisan national movement to limit terms for elected officials, announces that Herschel Walker, 2022 United States Senate candidate in Georgia has signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge. With his pledge, Walker promises if elected to support the U.S. Term Limits amendment of three (3) House terms and two (2) Senate terms and no longer limit. Georgians regardless of political affiliation overwhelming support term limits for Congress.

The U.S. Term Limits amendment pledge is provided to every announced candidate for federal office. The U.S. Term Limits constitutional amendment has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate by Senator Ted Cruz and his colleagues (SJR 3) and the U.S. House by Representative Ralph Norman (HJR 12).

"Herschel Walker is a name known throughout Georgia for his playing days at UGA and I am thrilled that Herschel has signed the pledge supporting term limits on Congress is on the U.S. Term Limits team. We are gaining momentum throughout Georgia so that we can join the growing number of states supporting congressional term limits," said Dr. John Cowan, Georgia State Chair for U.S. Term Limits."

"As Georgia's next U.S. Senator, I am proud to sign a pledge to support term limits," Herschel Walker said. "Serving our great country is a privilege and should not be used for personal fame or profit. We need to hold our elected officials accountable to represent the people who elected them."

Phillip Blumel, President of U.S. Term Limits noted, "We have seen a dramatic increase in supporters wanting term limits on Congress. More than 82% of Americans have rejected the career politician model and want to replace it with citizen leadership. The way to achieve that goal is through congressional term limits."

According to the latest nationwide poll on term limits conducted by Scott Rasmussen term limits enjoy wide bipartisan support. Rasmussen's analysis states, "Support for term limits is broad and strong across all political, geographic and demographic groups. An overwhelming 82% of voters approve of a constitutional amendment that will place term limits on members of Congress."

Find out more at termlimits.org.

Media Contact:

David Johnson, Strategic Vision PR Group

Ph: (404) 380-1079

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE U.S. Term Limits
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Human Growth Hormone (hGH) Market by Application (Growth Hormone Deficiency, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, Small for Gestational Age, and Others), Route of Administration (Intravenous, Intramuscular, Subcutaneous, and Oral), and Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Clinics, and Online Pharmacy): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030." According to the report, the global human growth hormone industry generated $3.86 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $9.21 billion by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 9.0% from 2021 to 2030.

For Right Perspective and Competitive Insights, Get Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5557

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Increase in prevalence of menopausal disorders, rise in awareness regarding post-menopausal issues among women, and surge in new product launches by leading players propel the growth of the global human growth hormone market. However, expensive nature of treatment and fatal effects of hormone replacement therapy hinder the market to some extent. Contrarily, availability of alternative options for hormone replacement therapies and adoption of telemedicine for hormone replacement therapy create new opportunities in the next few years.

Covid-19 Scenario

The Covid-19 pandemic put a stress upon the healthcare systems across the world and impacted the human growth hormone market considerably. The non-elective procedures were postponed to avoid possibility of cross-contamination and shift in resources to take care of Covid-infected patients.

The patients with decreased growth hormone secretion had a higher risk factor for Covid-19 infection and required extra care to prevent any infection. For instance, patients suffering from Prader-Willi syndrome may not display any typical symptoms such as high temperature and experience a higher-than-normal pain threshold, which in turn, may delay in the diagnosis of Covid-19.

The turner syndrome segment to continue its lead position during the forecast period

Based on application, the turner syndrome segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020 contributing to nearly one-third of the global human growth hormone market, and is estimated to continue its lead position during the forecast period. This is due to increase in incidence of turner syndrome across the globe. However, the growth hormone deficiency segment is projected to register the largest CAGR of 10.1% from 2021 to 2030, owing to rise in hormone deficiency disorders with adoption of sedentary lifestyles.

Do You Have Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Industry Expert: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5557

The hospital pharmacy segment to continue its dominant share during the forecast period

Based on distribution channel, the hospital pharmacy segment contributed to the highest market share in 2020, accounting for more than half of the global human growth hormone market, and is projected to continue its dominant share during the forecast period. This is attributed to preferences and ease of availability of artificial or recombinant human growth hormones in hospital pharmacies. However, the online pharmacy segment is estimated to witness the fastest CAGR of 10.2% from 2021 to 2030. This is due to surge in the preference for online pharmacies with availability of human growth hormone formulations at low costs.

North America to continue its lead position by 2030

Based on region, North America held the highest share in 2020, contributing to nearly half of the global human growth hormone market, and is expected to continue its lead position by 2030. This is due to increased consumption of human growth hormone medicines in this region to treat various disorders such as turner syndrome and growth hormone deficiency. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to portray the highest CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period, owing to rise in healthcare expenditure and penetration of leading players.

Leading Market Players

Abbott Laboratories

Bayer AG

Eli Lilly and Company

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Genentech, Inc.)

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. (Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)

Merck KGaA

Mylan N.V. (Viatris Inc.)

Novartis International AG

Novo Nordisk A/S

Pfizer Inc.

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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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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.

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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SOURCE Allied Market Research
CAMDEN, N.J., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAGE Studios celebrates its explosion into the New Jersey market with the execution of five new location leases. IMAGE is a nationwide franchise with a luxury real estate model that is revolutionizing the future of the salon industry by empowering entrepreneurs in the franchising world as well as the beauty, health, and wellness industries.

IMAGE Owner Sean Knapp is getting ready to open the doors to local entrepreneurs in Cherry Hill and Turnersville in Spring 2022. "The buzz around our first IMAGE location has been incredible," said Sean. "We are building an impressive space - our salon will be a benchmark for cutting-edge design."

"We are excited to welcome our first IMAGE Pros in New Jersey!" said IMAGE Owner Rimon Ebrahim who is part of a team investing in the north New Jersey market. "We will be opening in East Hanover and look forward to growing the IMAGE brand, making IMAGE Studios #1 for our Pros and their clientele." Ebrahim's location will open with 60 individual salon suites at his East Hanover location making it the largest IMAGE Studios location in the country.

This wave of new IMAGE Owners and locations has IMAGE opening in states all along the east coast - showing its dominance in the salon suite industry. IMAGE Founder & CEO Jason Olsen celebrated the brand's growth in New Jersey, "We are excited to announce that leases are being executed across the state and we are opening locations throughout 2022. With over 150 locations now in development, 2022 will be another monumental year for IMAGE Studios!"

IMAGE Studios is an exclusive salon suite that creates modern, high-end salon spaces at affordable rates for salon professionals - this makes it possible for professionals to become successful entrepreneurs. IMAGE Studios provides a unique opportunity by bringing together like-minded professionals and the guidance of mentors invested in the success of their business owners.

SOURCE IMAGE Studios
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This week SBP released $450,000 in grant funding as part of their Hurricane Ida SHARE FUND to nine non-profits rebuilding in impacted regions in Southeast Louisiana.

"No single nonprofit can serve all the needs after a disaster. SBP works to build collective impact through our SHARE fund. These grants will allow our partners to focus on doing what they do bestserving families through rebuilding services." says Liz McCartney, SBP Co-founder and COO. "We're grateful to all these nonprofits serving under-resourced communities across southeast Louisiana."

The seven recipients, among them Rebuilding Together NOLA, Healthy Gulf, Rice and Beans and Hope Disaster Recovery, will impact 165 homes in the region. By supporting these partners SBP will be supporting boots on the ground in nine different parishes.

"Most of our clients are elderly, live in rural areas, and have incomes less than 50% AMI," explains Sonya Meyers, Director of Development at Hope Disaster Recovery. "We are grateful for this generous funding to help those who are often left behind."

Since 2017, SBP's SHARE intervention has granted $6.7 million to dozens of rebuilding partners across 5 disaster-impacted states, shared 72 AmeriCorps members, and trained 1,073 individuals from 31 organizations on disaster recovery best practices. The added capacity led to our partners rebuilding more than 800 homes for families than SBP could have done alone.

"In the wake of Hurricane Ida, our associates and local partners, such as SBP, were on the ground providing relief and resources for communities," said Brooks Nelson, Senior Manager, Disaster Preparedness and Response at Walmart.org. "Now the work toward recovery continues through SBP's SHARE program, which brings together community partners to ensure we can reach more Ida-impacted families more efficiently."

Since Hurricane Ida touched down in August, SBP has completed muck and guts, mold remediation and roof tarping for 295 homes. At the end of this year, they'll have rebuilt 7 Ida-impacted homes between Orleans and Terrebonne Parish with the ultimate goal of rebuilding 85 homes by December 2022

ABOUT SBP

SBP, a social impact organization focused on disaster resilience and recovery, solves the challenges facing at-risk communities by bringing the rigor of business and innovation to drive social impact, create resilient communities, and streamline recovery. To shrink the time between disaster and recovery, SBP takes a holistic approach  reducing risk, increasing resilience and improving the recovery process  to effect transformational change in the disaster recovery system and restore opportunity and security for people and communities.

Since its founding in 2006 in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, SBP has rebuilt homes for more than 3,000 families with the help of 150,000 volunteers in 14 communities across the U.S. and in the Bahamas.

To learn more, visit www.SBPUSA.org

Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @SBPUSA

SOURCE SBP
Understanding this problem, the InfoFX team has come to assist Vietnamese investors in making the best decisions possible when choosing a brokerage firm. Let's find out what makes InfoFX such a powerful tool.

Our history

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Now at the current state, InfoFX is an information hub in which a large amount of data has been aggregated and analysed, to give every investor an accurate picture about the brokerage industry and about almost every firm in that industry.

The data here is collected and processed weekly. The data is collected using our professional network, our smart A.I tools and is verified carefully by our experts before publishing on the website.

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Our Regional Presence

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InfoFX platform offers various tools and services to help investors, especially inexperienced ones, navigate among hundreds of options out there in the market. The tools and services are user-friendly, focusing on the needs of the investors. These includes:

Ranking lists. Ranking lists are the most convenient tools to find out the current best brokerage firms in the industries. These firms are ranked based on the quality of their services, their reliability, the efficiency of their trading platform, and their security strength. The rankings are done by our experts by collecting extensive customers' feedback, professional evaluation of the website and their experiences with the services.

Ranking lists are the most convenient tools to find out the current best brokerage firms in the industries. These firms are ranked based on the quality of their services, their reliability, the efficiency of their trading platform, and their security strength. The rankings are done by our experts by collecting extensive customers' feedback, professional evaluation of the website and their experiences with the services. Detailed review of each brokerage firm. We do not just rank firms, we also give a comprehensive review about their services and trading platform. Each firm is evaluated based on our own experiences with them (yes we opened real accounts and deposited real money to test the services) and customer feedback that we could gather. We also tested their account protection measures to see how they help investors avoid running excessive loss. Last but not least, we also looked into their legal documents and operating history to check their legitimacy.

We do not just rank firms, we also give a comprehensive review about their services and trading platform. Each firm is evaluated based on our own experiences with them (yes we opened real accounts and deposited real money to test the services) and customer feedback that we could gather. We also tested their account protection measures to see how they help investors avoid running excessive loss. Last but not least, we also looked into their legal documents and operating history to check their legitimacy. Frauds and Scams Reports . We have a place for the investors community to report fraud and scam. All of these reports are done by investors and will be verified intensively before publishing on the platform. Assisted by a smart search tool, investors could quickly find out all the reports of a specific broker and the details of the incidence.

. We have a place for the investors community to report fraud and scam. All of these reports are done by investors and will be verified intensively before publishing on the platform. Assisted by a smart search tool, investors could quickly find out all the reports of a specific broker and the details of the incidence. Investors support. We do not just help investors have their voice heard, we also provide services to help them regain their loss from as much as possible. These losses could be from theft or hacks, or simply because of misleading information spread by greedy brokers.

We do not just help investors have their voice heard, we also provide services to help them regain their loss from as much as possible. These losses could be from theft or hacks, or simply because of misleading information spread by greedy brokers. Online trading talks. We frequently organize online trading talks conducted by experienced investors or analysts. These talks are aimed to help investors understand the current state of the markets, probable future events and their impacts, and how investors can protect their investment. These talks also act as an online discussion where investors can exchange ideas with the speakers.

SOURCE InfoFX
(INSD: OTC PINK)

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - The Board of Directors of Instadose Pharma Corp., a Nevada corporation, ("Instadose US") announced that effective January 14, 2022, they have accepted the planned resignation of Grant F. Sanders as Chairman and CEO of Instadose US and as Chairman of its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary ("Instadose Canada"). Mr. Sanders will not hold any officer or director positions at Instadose US or Instadose Canada following his resignation.

Mr. Sanders had committed to lead Instadose Canada through its transition to a publicly traded US company (Instadose US), as outlined in the Final Order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia approving the plan of arrangement between Instadose US and Instadose Canada. After completion of the share exchange on December 31, 2021, which was the exchange of shares from Instadose Canada to Instadose US, and the first record setting international Cannabis shipment, Mr. Sanders has paved the road to success for the Instadose US business model. "I feel confident that the new management team and corporate structure is in excellent position to execute on my vision of Instadose US becoming the largest global distribution platform for medicinal cannabis," stated Mr. Sanders.

During a 30-day transition period, Mr. Sanders will continue to support Instadose US and its wholly owned subsidiary (Instadose Canada) with his in-depth knowledge of this global cannabis distribution platform.

Alex Wylie will assume the role of interim Chairman of Instadose US, and interim CEO of Instadose US and Instadose Canada Mr. Wylie will continue in his role as CFO of Instadose US and Instadose Canada. Instadose US' Board of Directors will initiate a process to find a permanent Chairman and CEO of Instadose US. Alex Wylie will be a potential candidate for the role of CEO and/or Chairman.

Ed Borkowski has decided not to accept the position of CEO of Instadose Canada and instead agreed to assume the position as Vice Chairman of Instadose Canada. He will advise and guide the organization as it continues its transition into the US public markets.

About Instadose US

Instadose US is establishing a large commercial outdoor growing, cultivation, production and global distribution platform for medicinal cannabis and cannabinoid oil (the "Global Distribution Platform"). Instadose US endeavors to utilize the Global Distribution Platform to open the commercial gateway to a new wholesale marketplace capable of providing pharmaceutical industry companies with large, sustainable, consistent, diverse, and low-cost supplies of high-quality medicinal cannabis and cannabinoid oil for use in bulk as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Instadose US's Global Distribution Platform spans five (5) world continents to date, including Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, and North America. Within each continent, Instadose US is establishing operational subsidiaries and joint venture partnerships to secure access to government-issued licenses and permits in countries including The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Portuguese Republic, the Republic of India, Colombia, Mexico, and Canada, each seeking to increase their level of participation within the global medicinal cannabis industry.

For more information, please visit us at: www.instadosepharma.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's plans and other aspects of our anticipated future opportunities. Forward-looking information typically uses words such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "trend", "sustain", "project", "expect", "forecast", "budget", "goal", "guidance", "plan", "objective", "strategy", "target", "intend", "estimate", "potential", or similar words suggesting future outcomes, statements that actions, events or conditions "may", "would", "could" or "will" be taken or occur in the future, including statements about our plans, focus, objectives, priorities and position. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this press release contains forward-looking information with respect to our upcoming shipments of Medical Cannabis. The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by our Board and Management. Although we believe 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. Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, by its very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Our actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that we will derive therefrom. Management has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking information provided in this press release in order to provide security holders with a more complete perspective on our future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are not exhaustive. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and we disclaim 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.

SOURCE Instadose Pharma Corporation
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The LA Art Show is thrilled to announce that international model and actress Kaia Gerber will be the official host of the 2022 Opening Night premiere party, kicking off the Los Angeles 2022 art season. The event will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Wednesday, January 19 from 7-11 p.m.

Kaia Gerber

Gerber, known for her love of fashion, art, and culture, is a perfect voice for the next young generation of collectors and a great supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital  and the LA Art Show. With a passion for fostering community, whether it be her social media-based book club or lending her platform to others for the sake of education, Gerber is an exciting addition to this year's LA Art Show.

For going on eight years, the LA Art Show has been a strong and unwavering supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as it leads the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. In 2022 St. Jude continues to be the beneficiary, with 15% of all ticket proceeds going towards its life saving mission: Finding cures. Saving children.

Opening night attendees will be given a special sneak peek of the LA Art Show's exciting new programming. As opening night guests navigate the fair, they will discover some of the latest trends in art, experience new technology, and participate in discussions about the ecological state of our world.

The LA Art Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from January 19 - 23, safely uniting the contemporary art community. As the city--and west coast's--largest art fair, and one of the most diversely programmed in the world, the LA Art Show features a comprehensive lineup of local and international exhibitors ranging from the traditional contemporary and modern art to digital art and more!

About Kaia Gerber

Kaia Gerber is a muse to many. She made her debut for the Young Versace ad campaign at the age of ten. Since then, she has worked with the likes of Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Isabel Marant, Loewe, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Versace, and countless other luxury brands. Having graced numerous international and US magazine covers, as well as being honored with the Daily Front Row's 2017 Breakout Model of the year and the 2018 Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, she has established herself in the new generation of fashion icons. Kaia has swiftly made her mark, working with celebrated photographers like Steven Meisel, Inez & Vinoodh, Craig McDean, Mikael Jansson, and David Sims. She has been the face of campaigns for Marc Jacob's Beauty and the brand's Daisy fragrance since 2016 and has been a brand ambassador for OMEGA as of 2017. In 2018 Gerber became the face of YSL Beaute and partnered with the late Karl Lagerfeld to create the Kaia x Karl collection which combined Lagerfeld's iconic Parisian chic with Kaia's laid-back California style.

About the LA Art Show

The LA Art Show creates one of the largest international art fairs in the United States, providing an exciting, immersive, insider art experience to sponsors, their select guests and VIP clients. The show attracts an elite roster of national and international galleries, acclaimed artists, highly regarded curators, architects, design professionals, along with discerning collectors. Visit more at www.LAArtShow.com

MEDIA & RED CARPET REQUESTS: Hijinx PR | Heidi Johnson | [email protected] 323.204.7246

Media Inquiries

Heidi Johnson

HIJINX Arts

[email protected]

323.204.7246

SOURCE LA Art Show
CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a research report "Lawful Interception Market by Component, Network (Fixed Network, Mobile Network), Network Technology Type, Communication Content, Mediation Device, Type of Interception, End User (Lawful Enforcement Agencies, Government) & Region - Global Forecast to 2026" published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Lawful Interception Market size is expected to grow USD 3.5 billion in 2021 to USD 12.9 billion by 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 29.3% during the forecast period. The Lawful Interception Market is growing due to the rapid adoption of advanced technologies.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Lawful Interception Market"

277  Tables

40  Figures

225  Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1264

Managed services segment to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The mobile network aids in the monitoring of real-time data from any wireless network. 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and other wireless access technologies such as WLAN and WiMAX are all part of the mobile network. The mobile network integrates with most of the leading vendors in the Lawful Interception Market. The emergence of smartphones, laptops, and smart gadgets helps the implementation of lawful interception across networks. Lawful interception for mobile data is implemented in the core network of the operator. In an LTE network, Ultimacy LIMS directly interfaces with MME nodes for monitoring control plane data (IRI) and System Architecture Evolution/Packet Data Network Gateway elements for user plane data.

Government segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period

Government agencies, such as CIA and NSA in the US, GCHQ in the UK, Ministry of Home Affairs and CBI in India, MSS in China, PSIA of Japan, are among the few government agencies of several countries widely adopting the lawful interception solution. For instance, in India, on 20th December 2018, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order authorizing ten security and intelligence agencies to intercept, monitor, and decrypt any information in any computer resource in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000. Countries, such as the US and the UK, have adopted mass surveillance programs to combat any threat to their national security.

Request a Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=1264

Asia Pacific (APAC) region to record the highest growing region in the Lawful Interception Market

APAC is one of the fastest-growing economies due to the growing network technologies, digital infrastructure, and smartphone and internet penetration. These factors have stimulated the cases of cybercrimes by using social networks for subversive activities and terrorism in the region. Countries such as India, China, and Japan contribute a major share to APAC's economy. These countries are experiencing a major threat from hacker groups or terror networks with the increasing penetration of digital infrastructure and heavy investment in network technologies by key industry telecom players in the region. The use of social networks to influence netizens and give rise to crimes is one of the major factors that actuate the market for lawful interception in the region.

Key and innovative vendors in the Lawful Interception Market are Utimaco (Germany), Vocal Technologies(US), AQSACOM (US), Verint (US), BAE Systems (UK), Cisco (US), Ericsson (Sweden), SS8 Networks. (US), Elbit Systems (US), Matison (Croatia), Shoghi (India), Comint (Mexico), Signalogic (US), IPS S.P.A (Rome), Tracespan (Isreal), Accuris Networks (US), EVE Compliancy Solutions (Netherlands), Squire Technologies (UK), Incognito Software (Canada), GL Communications (US), Septier Communications (Isreal), NetQuest (NJ), ETSI (France), Atos (France), Trovicor (Dubai).

Browse Adjacent Markets: Information Security Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Cybersecurity Market with Covid-19 Impact Analysis by Component (Software, Hardware, and Services), Software (IAM, Encryption, APT, Firewall), Security Type, Deployment Mode, Organization Size, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

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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MarketsandMarkets INC.

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Suite 430

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USA: +1-888-600-6441

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Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/lawful-interception-market.asp

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/lawful-interception.asp

SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kids have been a strong focus of concern over the course of this pandemic, feeling the mental and social strain of repeated lockdowns and social restrictions. For youth ages 6-18, recent data indicates up to 70 per cent have experienced a deterioration of mental health and well-being in some aspect. The next generation is experiencing anxiety, depression, and uncertainty during a time when social interaction is critical for their mental and social development.

Dr. Richard Tytus, Co-Founder of Banty CME and Let Kids Be Kids event moderator.

On Wednesday, January 19, join Dr. Martha Fulford (Infectious Diseases Physician and Associate Professor at McMaster University) and Dr. Khrista Boylan (Pediatric Psychiatrist and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University), along with moderators Dr. Richard Tytus and Dr. Dennis DiValentino for an exclusive online event, Let Kids Be Kids.

Let Kids Be Kids will include a number of medical professionals whose opinions are in contrast to current governmental policiesmaking this event a controversial and intriguing discussion on this current issue.

Let Kids Be Kids presenters will address COVID-19-related matters that are top of mind for healthcare professionals as they care for their pediatric patients and offer guidance to parents. They will also speak to the concerns being had by those in the general public.

Separate sessions will be held for healthcare professionals (2pm to 3:30pm ET) and the general public (4pm to 5:30pm ET). They will both feature interactive Q&A opportunities. Register for free at https://banty.com/covid.

Topics being discussed will include, but are not limited to:

Defining the pandemic and where we are now  a pandemic of panic and positive PCR

What it means for our kids  is mandatory pediatric vaccination required?

What's the real risk of letting children return to school? It's not as high as you think

What's the real risk of letting children grow up again? Extracurriculars, kids seeing grandparents, socializing with their friends, etc.

Pivoting to the "New Normal"  new treatments are on the horizon

"While much of the media has focused closely on the impact of school closures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has not been enough discussion about how children are mentally and emotionally coping with their lifestyle changes," explains moderator Dr. Tytus. "Children don't just need to be at school, they need to be able to participate in extracurriculars; have social activities with children their own age; visit grandparents; and not have their development stunted as a result of the many lockdowns and restrictions."

Let Kids Be Kids is powered by Banty CME, an industry leading provider of virtual continuing medical education events. Click here to register for free.

About

Banty CME

The Banty CME service provides Continuing Medical Education (CME) to medical professionals. Each CME session is brought to life using Banty's high-end technological prowess, studio solutions, equipment, and other facilities.

Dr. Martha Fulford

Dr. Fulford is an associate professor at McMaster University. Dr. Fulford provides infectious disease consultations for both the pediatric and adult patient populations.

Dr. Khrista Boylan

Dr. Boylan is a clinician researcher whose aim is to identify developmental and clinical processes which contribute to persistent depression in adolescents. She also studies the epidemiology of oppositional behaviour and irritability in children and adolescents. She leads or participates in several studies with clinical and community participants. Dr. Boylan is also a faculty member of the Oxford Centre for Child Studies.

Dr. Richard Tytus

Dr. Tytus is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, and Co-Founder of Virtual Medicine solution, Banty Inc. He is currently on the National Virtual Medicine Task Force for clinical practice guidelines.

Dr. Dennis DiValentino

Dr. Dennis DiValentino is a family physician in Hamilton, ON and an Assistant Clinical Professor, Family Medicine at McMaster University. In 2017, he received a Joule Innovation grant for his social innovation, Ramcare, to help provide care to marginalized individuals using mobile tele-medical units.

Media Contact:

Scott Wilson

289-259-8059

[email protected]

SOURCE Banty Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank was awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation to benefit the Building Hope Campaign. This grant will support the Food Bank's efforts to combat hunger in the local community and work to address the increased needs of our communities due to COVID-19.

With the generous support from the S. Mark Taper Foundation, the Food Bank will continue the process of transforming a warehouse in the City of Industry into a state-of-the-art food distribution center that will significantly increase our capacity and efficiency. The project will expand our freezer/cooler capacity and include a volunteer center, cold dock, sustainability center, food kit production center and food rescue center.

In honor of this generous grant, the new food rescue center will be named after the S. Mark Taper Foundation. The food rescue center plays a key role in the Food Bank's operations, providing space for volunteers to glean and sort donated food and preventing perfectly good nutritious food from becoming food waste.

"As a nonprofit organization, the LA Regional Food Bank relies on the generosity of our community to continue our essential work," said Food Bank President and CEO, Michael Flood. "This transformational gift from the S. Mark Taper Foundation will allow us to improve our infrastructure and benefit our neighbors in need for years to come."

The Food Bank is thankful to the S. Mark Taper Foundation for its commitment to helping communities with the greatest needs. Prior to the pandemic, the Food Bank and our Partner Agency Network served roughly 300,000 people each month, but now, that number is closer to 900,000.

To learn more about the Food Bank's new facility, please visit the Building Hope Campaign webpage.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES REGIONAL FOOD BANK

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been mobilizing resources to fight hunger in Los Angeles County since 1973. To support the Food Bank's vision that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County, food and grocery products are distributed through a network of 700 partner agencies and directly to those in need through Food Bank programs. The Food Bank has distributed more than 1.7 billion pounds of food, the equivalent of 1.35 billion meals, since 1973. The total value of food and grocery product distributed since the Food Bank's inception is $2.3 billion. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Bank tripled the number of people helped, and now reaches 900,000 people every month. The Food Bank is a 4-star rated charity by Charity Navigator. For more information, visit LAFoodBank.org.

Media Contact:

David May

Director of Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 13, 2022. Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans.

"We need to act now to prevent economic and social collapse and find ways to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans," the UN chief told reporters at the press stakeout at the UN headquarters in New York.

"Without creative, flexible and constructive engagement by the international community, Afghanistan's economic situation will only worsen. Despair and extremism will grow," he noted.

The top UN official also urged the United States and the World Bank to unfreeze Afghan funds, locked since the Taliban's return to power, to prevent "the nightmare unfolding in Afghanistan" from getting worse.

"The U.S. has a very important role to play because most of the financial system in the world operate in dollars and, obviously, there is a meaningful volume of funds that are frozen in the United States and in several other countries in the world. But the way to apply them in a way that is not diverted but really serves the interests of the Afghan people is something in which we are working hard to make sure that all the necessary guarantees are provided," said the secretary-general.

Noting that the World Bank administers a reconstruction trust fund for Afghanistan and last month the bank transferred 280 million U.S. dollars from that fund to UN Children's Fund and World Food Programme operations Afghanistan, Guterres said that "I hope the remaining resources - more than 1.2 billion dollars - will become available to help Afghanistan's people survive the winter."

Guterres also called on the Taliban to protect the rights of women and girls.

"No country can thrive while denying the rights of half its population," he said.

The United Nations and partners launched a more than 5 billion dollars funding appeal for Afghanistan on Tuesday, in the hope of shoring up collapsing basic services there, which have left 22 million people in need of assistance inside the country, and 5.7 million requiring help beyond its borders. 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 13, 2022. Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans. (Xinhua/Xie E)
Featuring 40 pages of warm phrases compiled into acrostic poems, Be My Valentine: A Poem of Love and Be My Valentine: A Poem of Friendship were composed to inspire and celebrate the special bonds between two people. Both hardcover books are offered in English and Spanish with space for a handwritten message for an even more personalized touch. Pairing perfectly with its red or pink classic roses or Passion arrangements, the books can be added to a stunning box set experience, which includes a hand-blown glass vase.

"Love can be expressed in so many ways and with our Valentine's Day gift sets, we want to help people everywhere in showing their emotions while making the experience one-of-a-kind and memorable to both parties," said Bianchi. "No matter your age or gender, the greatest messages can be expressed through flowers and books."

Luz Flora offers high-quality blooms handpicked at their peak of freshness. Early orders are advised for Valentine's Day to allow extra time for transit as well as to ensure proper opening and blooming ahead of the occasion. The company offers overnight shipping throughout the continental United States, with local delivery and pick-up available in South Florida. For more information on Luz Flora, visit www.luzflora.com.

About Luz Flora

Luz Flora is the nation's premier gift book and luxury flower provider delivering fresh and hydrated low-maintenance floral arrangements. Each bouquet is handpicked from the hills of Ecuador with the option to include an illustrated book that celebrates the occasion. For more information on Luz Flora or to place an order, call 305-424-2525 or visit www.luzflora.com.

Media Contact:

Kristen Skladd

586-222-2423

[email protected]

SOURCE Luz Flora
The potential growth difference for the mobile value-added services (VAS) market between 2020 and 2025 is USD 497.27 billion. To get the exact yearly growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Talk to our analyst .

Key Market Dynamics:

Market Driver

Market Challenges

The rapid increase in smartphone penetration and digitization of key industries are some of the key market drivers. However, factors such as constraints in content monetization will challenge 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 mobile value-added services (VAS) market analysis report also provides detailed information on other upcoming trends that will have a far-reaching effect on the market growth.

To learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio. Read our FREE Sample Report right now!

The mobile value-added services (VAS) market report is segmented by Product (mobile advertising, mobile games, mobile music, and video streaming, mobile money and m-commerce, and mobile publications) and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA).

The mobile value-added services (VAS) market share growth by the mobile advertising segment will be significant for revenue generation. Technavio report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the mobile value-added services (VAS) market size and actionable market insights on each segment.

View our free sample report for additional insights into the contribution of all the segments, and regional opportunities in the report.

Some Companies Mentioned with their Offerings

The mobile value-added services (VAS) market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as forming strategic partnerships to compete in the market.

Alphabet Inc. - The company offers Google Pay, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube, and Google Play Music for customers.

The company offers Google Pay, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube, and Google Play Music for customers.

America Movil SAB de CV - The company offers Wireless VAS and other wireless services such as mobile payment solutions, machine-to-machine services, mobile banking, and others.

The company offers Wireless VAS and other wireless services such as mobile payment solutions, machine-to-machine services, mobile banking, and others.

Apple Inc. - The company offers Apple Music, Apple Pay, and Apple TV for customers.

The company offers Apple Music, Apple Pay, and Apple TV for customers.

Cisco Systems Inc. - The company offers VAS network architecture this reduces the hardware management cost and provides better hardware utilization.

The company offers VAS network architecture this reduces the hardware management cost and provides better hardware utilization.

Huawei Investment and Holding Co. Ltd. - The company offers a Value-Added Service (VAS) Transformation Program to facilitate the evolution of carrier networks toward LTE and network functions virtualization (NFV) and build digital VAS.

The company offers a Value-Added Service (VAS) Transformation Program to facilitate the evolution of carrier networks toward LTE and network functions virtualization (NFV) and build digital VAS. To gain access to more vendor profiles with their key offerings available with Technavio, Click Here

Related Reports:

Mobile Virtual Network Operator Services Market -The mobile virtual network operator services market size has the potential to grow by USD 29.8 billion during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period. Download a free sample now!

Visible Light Communication Market -The visible light communication market size has the potential to grow by USD 91.7 bn during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period. Download a free sample now!

Mobile Value-added Services (VAS) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 14.10% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 497.27 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 11.07 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution APAC at 59% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, India, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Alphabet Inc., America Movil SAB de CV, Apple Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Huawei Investment and Holding Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Reliance Industries Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, and Vodafone Group Plc 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.

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
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A SpaceX Dragon cargo resupply spacecraft is set to depart the International Space Station Friday, Jan. 21. NASA Television, the agency's website, and the NASA app will provide live broadcast of the spacecraft's undocking and departure beginning at 10:15 a.m. EST.

Ground controllers at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California, will send commands at 10:40 a.m. for Dragon to undock from the space-facing port of the station's Harmony module and fire its thrusters to move a safe distance away from the station. Controllers will command a deorbit burn the following day.

After re-entering Earth's atmosphere, the spacecraft will make a parachute-assisted splashdown about 4:25 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, off the coast of Florida. NASA TV will not broadcast the splashdown but the agency will provide updates on the space station blog.

Dragon will carry back to Earth more than 4,900 pounds of supplies and valuable scientific experiments that were designed to take advantage of the space station's microgravity environment. Splashing down off the coast of Florida enables quick transportation of the experiments to NASA's Space Station Processing Facility at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, allowing researchers to collect data with minimal sample exposure to Earth's gravity.

Some of the scientific investigations that Dragon will return to Earth include:

Last light: A state-of-the-art light imaging microscope, the Light Microscopy Module (LMM) will return after about 12 years on the station. LMM, sponsored by NASA's Division of Biological and Physical Sciences, made it possible to observe and record the way matter is organized and moves on the microscopic level, and supported ground-breaking colloid research, plant studies, and thermophysics experiments.



A state-of-the-art light imaging microscope, the Light Microscopy Module (LMM) will return after about 12 years on the station. LMM, sponsored by NASA's Division of Biological and Physical Sciences, made it possible to observe and record the way matter is organized and moves on the microscopic level, and supported ground-breaking colloid research, plant studies, and thermophysics experiments. Tiny structures, assemble: The InSPACE-4 physics study is returning samples that could provide insight into how to harness nanoparticles to fabricate and manufacture new materials, including medical diagnostics and thermal shields for Earth and space applications.



The InSPACE-4 physics study is returning samples that could provide insight into how to harness nanoparticles to fabricate and manufacture new materials, including medical diagnostics and thermal shields for Earth and space applications. Cell signaling in microgravity: The ESA (European Space Agency) investigation Cytoskeleton contributes to understanding of how the human body responds to microgravity. The study could support development of countermeasures to help astronaut crew members maintain optimum health on future space missions.

SpaceX's 24th Commercial Resupply Services mission delivered more than 6,500 pounds of research investigations, crew supplies, and vehicle hardware after launching Dec. 21 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy.

Learn more about SpaceX missions for NASA at:

https://www.nasa.gov/spacex

SOURCE NASA
BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Buyers Brokers Only, LLC's Femion Mezini, the No. 1 producing exclusive buyer agent in the United States, has created the Mezini Team to provide an even greater level of customer service for his home-buying and investor clients.



Mezini, who individually helped clients purchase more than $52 million in real estate in 2021 alone, has teamed up with Michael Lord, an experienced buyer agent.



Besides helping a wide range of consumers, from first-time homebuyers to those in the luxury market, the Mezini Team also represents investors in the Greater Boston area.



Both Mezini, of Westwood, and Lord, of Norwell, are licensed attorneys in Massachusetts.



After college graduation in California, Mezini received his Juris Doctor degree and a Master's of Business Administration degree from Western New England College School of Law and School of Business in May 2006. Mezini also earned a Master's of Law degree, or LLM, in banking and finance from Boston University School of Law. Lord, a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and his Juris Doctor degree from Massachusetts School of Law in Andover. Lord also has had extensive experience as a real estate lawyer in his previous work.



"My approach is not to sell my clients on a particular property but, instead, to help them make educated decisions," Mezini said. "Always doing what is in the best interest of my clients has resulted in a growing customer base, including repeat clients and an extensive network of referrals."



In 2021, Mezini helped home buyers and investors purchase properties in many cities and towns, including Boston, Westwood, Natick, Quincy, Franklin, Somerville, Arlington, Lexington, Cambridge, Medfield, Waltham, Concord, Dover, Millis, Dedham, and several other Greater Boston communities.



"Femion and I are excited to expand our coverage area and provide clients with an even higher level of customer service," Lord said. "Providing clients with professional advice and hands-on and patient representation makes for a smooth and efficient home-buying process."



Mezini and Lord have experience helping clients purchase single-family, condominium, and multi-family properties. They also work with a highly experienced group of loan officers, real estate lawyers, home inspectors, and other top-notch professionals.



ABOUT BUYERS BROKERS ONLY, LLC: Buyers Brokers Only, LLC, headquartered in Haverhill, Massachusetts, provides exclusive buyer agent services to homebuyers throughout the Greater Boston area, Southern New Hampshire, and the State of Rhode Island. Buyers Brokers Only, LLC exclusively represents home buyers, never home sellers. The company's consumer advocates have helped home-buying and investor clients purchase more than $1 billion in real estate since 2005. Its real estate brokers are 100 percent loyal to homebuyers 100 percent of the time and members of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents.



Media Contact:

Richard Rosa

[email protected]

9788355906



Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12900690



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Buyers Brokers Only, LLC
CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- North Park University (North Park), serving a socio-economically diverse population of students and ranked #3 in ethnic diversity for Midwestern Universities by U.S. News and World Report, hosts Yorri Berry to keynote its annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration January 19, 2022, 12:30-2:30pm CST.

As a global children's rights advocate and poet, Berry is devoted to advocating for equality and justice and eradicating homelessness domestically and internationally. North Park offers learning opportunities to engage with dynamic leaders like Berry, who model and foster social justice in the very communities in which we live and work. Berry, who has performed the spoken word from the very pulpit Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his last sermon, also leads a national program that trains formerly homeless youth leaders from over 20 US states and four continents and partners with non-profit, government, business, and community leaders in the fight to end homelessness.

During the Facebook live celebration, Berry will deliver a poetic reflection on the importance of the social justice dialogue of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and provide insight on pursuing a career that advances equality through civic engagement in metropolitan areas. Following the keynote, a moderated discussion and panel of North Park students and staff will empower attendees to reflect on the importance of one's role in furthering equality and justice in Chicago.

Sharee L. Myricks, North Park's Director of Diversity, invited Berry to campus after being inspired by her poem, "The Audacity of Inclusivity," for its moving message on equality and justice. "This year's campus theme bears the same name as we strive at North Park to make bold efforts to provide a sense of belonging and equitable support for all," said Myricks.

North Park's Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life promotes ongoing programming utilizing a social justice lens, deepening its actions towards an inclusive, intercultural campus environment. Called to pursue lives of significance and service, North Park strives to cultivate spaces of inclusivity.

This Facebook live event on January 19th 12:30-2:30pm is free and open to the public.

ABOUT NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY

North Park University is city-centered, intercultural, and emerging as the model for Christian higher education in 21st Century America.

SOURCE North Park University
WARSAW, Poland, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OncoArendi Therapeutics S.A. ("OncoArendi"; WSE: OAT), a clinical stage biotechnology company that uses its world leading medicinal capabilities to discover and develop first in class small molecule drug candidates that directly modulate RNA and unexplored protein targets to treat multiple incurable diseases, announces the appointment of Nancy Van Osselaer, Paul van der Horst and Rafal Kaminski to its Supervisory Board. These appointments bring considerable international experience to the Company across all stages of drug development as well as in finance and business development.

Marcin Szumowski, Co-founder & CEO, commented, "We are pleased to welcome Nancy, Paul and Rafal as new members to the Supervisory Board. Together, they bring a deep understanding of medicine and extensive global experience in drug and business development. The breadth of knowledge Nancy and Rafal have gained in working at leading science-driven companies and Paul's broad experience as a senior business executive and successful track record of business transactions will be invaluable as we plan to advance our portfolio of innovative assets targeting both protein and mRNA targets."

Dr Nancy Van Osselaer, PhD

Dr Van Osselaer is an experienced global biopharmaceutical professional with over 25 years experience leading drug development projects at leading pharmaceutical companies. Nancy currently serves as an independent consultant for her company Why2What, which provides strategic implementation advice to biotech companies.

Nancy was previously Vice President Early Stage Development portfolio leader at Galapagos, where she was responsible for the strategy and development of early assets, including the cystic fibrosis program and various highly innovative assets in the immune-inflammation space. Before joining Galapagos, Nancy worked at UCB where she worked to identify better outcomes for neurology patients beyond the current treatment regimes.

Prior to this, Nancy spent over 17 years at Johnson and Johnson contributing to multiple registration files and participating in development review committees.

Nancy is a pharmacist by training and holds a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Antwerp, Belgium.

Dr Paul van der Horst, PhD

Dr van der Horst has a strong track record of biotech business development having acted as lead negotiator in over 20 licensing and M&A transactions and raised over $1.3 billion through capital market transactions during his career.

Paul currently serves as Chief Business Officer at Agomab Therapeutics and prior to joining Agomab, he was Head of Corporate Development at Galapagos. In this role, he led all major transactions, investments, licensing and M&A activities, most notably, a key negotiator for Galapagos' transformative $5bn strategic collaboration with Gilead Sciences.

From 2013 to 2016, Paul worked at Kempen & Co a boutique investment bank with specialist expertise in life sciences and healthcare, where he was responsible for transatlantic brokerage and investor transactions related to European pharmaceutical and biotech stocks.

Paul studied medicine and holds a PhD in Gynaecological Oncology from the Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam. Paul is a member of the Board of Directors at ImmuneTune.

Dr Rafa Kaminski, MD, PhD

Dr Kaminski has over 20 years experience in drug discovery, clinical candidate delivery and late stage development alongside global R&D and industry leadership experience. He was previously the Company's Scientific Officer and a member of its Management Board. Dr Kaminski will shortly be taking up an executive position as Chief Scientific Officer at Angelini Pharma, the pharmaceutical division of Angelini Industries.

Prior to joining OncoArendi in 2020, Rafal spent over 13 years at UCB and Roche, in senior medical positions in neurology and experimental therapeutics. At both companies, he was responsible for the strategy and portfolio of preclinical projects and selection of clinical candidates, leading the R&D teams.

Rafal obtainined his medical degree and pharmacology doctorate at the Medical University of Lublin (Poland), completing his post-doctoral training at Radboud University, Netherlands and the National Institute of Health, serving as a research and visiting fellow for over 7 years, gaining expertise in neurology, oncology and inflamatory disease.

For further information, please contact:

OncoArendi (PR & IR)

Magdalena Licka

Email: [email protected]

MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (Financial PR)

Frazer Hall, David Dible, Sandi Greenwood. Eleanor Perkin

Email: [email protected]

About OncoArendi

OncoArendi is a clinical stage biotechnology company that uses its world leading medicinal capabilities to discover and develop first in class small molecule drug candidates that directly modulate RNA and underexplored protein targets to treat multiple incurable diseases.

OncoArendi's world class medicinal chemistry has allowed it to generate a diverse pipeline of nine distinct programs with the support of leading academic life science insitutions globally, These include the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB), which has significant expertise in RNA science.

OncoArendi has an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with Galapagos for the global development and commercialization of OncoArendi's OATD-01. OATD-01 is a Phase 2-ready chitotriosidase/acidic mammalian chitinase (CHIT1/AMCase) inhibitor for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other diseases with a fibrotic component. .

OncoArendi's headquarters and laboratories are located in Warsaw, Poland and the company is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ticker: OAT).

For more information, please visit https://oncoarendi.com/en/ LinkedIn: @OncoArendi Therapeutics | Twitter: @oncoarendi | YouTube: @ OncoArendi Therapeutics

SOURCE OncoArendi Therapeutics
DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- After 12 consecutive and successful award ceremonies in Middle East and Africa, Hozpitality Group is pleased to announce the 5th "Middle East Chef Excellence Awards" to be held on 20th June 2022 at the luxurious Address Sky View Dubai. These awards are in association with the Emirates Culinary Guild Dubai and ICCA in Dubai.

"As always, we will also have Young Chef Cook Off finals at the event and semi-finals will be held at our partner ICCA in Dubai on 9th June 2022". Our confirmed partners so far are Danube Hospitality, ICCA Dubai, Restofair RAK, Fusia Events, Absolute Frame, Weeyak, Wassup Dubai & ZEE TV Group," said Raj Bhatt, Founder and CEO, Hozpitality Group.

"For the Popular Choice Awards, the winners are purely based on popular choice and will be announced in a ceremony on 20th June 2022. We also have some Judges Choice Awards on top of the Popular Choice Awards. The evening will also have a cook off among some young chefs and the winners will be presented with the Young Chef of the Year trophy," said Vandana Raj Bhatt, MD, Hozpitality Group.

Hozpitality Group's Middle East Chef Excellence Awards - MEA recognizes the talented Chef within the industry from different categories and departments in the Middle East and Africa.

"We will also be having a live cook off and awarding some young chefs at the Award night," added Chef Uwe Micheel, President Emirates Culinary Guild. "For the 1st Round Recipes, all Chefs are invited to send one Recipe along with pictures by email to [email protected]. The 2nd Round, Semi Finals will be held between 16 chefs at ICCA. The finalists will then battle it out at the Award night for the prestigious 'Young Chef of the Year Trophy,'" added Chef Uwe.

The Hozpitality Excellence Awards are for Chefs working within:

Hotels/Resorts/Apartments

Airlines (Domestic & international)

(Domestic & international) Restaurants/Catering Companies (freestanding or in hotels)

(freestanding or in hotels) Facilities Management Companies

Judging Criteria

"Judging will be a combination of end-users and trade professionals, our network members and the Judging Panel. As an Official entrant, after the enrolment deadline, you will receive your specific company's voting website link, to distribute to your selected end-users, colleagues and trade professionals, for voting accordingly. The final consolidation will be carried out which will include online votes and the Panel's votes," explained Raj Bhatt.

The list of Nomination Categories are:

AWARDS BY POPULAR CHOICE:

Executive Chef of the Year - Institutional Catering (Airlines, Catering etc)

Executive Chef of the Year  Hotel

Executive Chef of the Year- Free Standing Restaurant

Executive Sous Chef of the Year

Pastry Chef of the Year

Chef de Cuisine of the Year

Sous Chef of the Year

Chef de Partie of the Year

Demi Chef of the Year

Commi Chef of the Year

Kitchen Steward of the Year

Kitchen helper of the Year

Hidden Gem of the Year

Entrepreneur Chef of the Year

Rising Star Chef of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award

Food Blogger of the Year

AWARDS BY JUDGES CHOICE:-

(For nomination in this category, write to [email protected])

Chef Supporter of the Year  Individual

Culinary Partner of the Year  Company

Food Supplier of the Year

Non Food Supplier of the Year

AWARDS BY CHEF COOK OFFS:-

Young Chef of the Year (By Cook Offs)

For details, Pls visit http://www.hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com/cook-off

For any more information regarding the awards please write to [email protected]

For more details and pictures of the awards, Pls connect on:

https://www.facebook.com/hozpitalityexcellenceawards/

https://www.facebook.com/Hozpitality/

http://www.hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com

About Hozpitality Group:-

Hozpitality is an online platform for professionals from Hotels, Restaurants, Airlines, Travel agencies, Clubs, Cruise Lines, Cinemas, Spas, Schools, Suppliers and Retail. Hozpitality offers Branding options, a Community Network for Employers and Job seekers, a directory of Hospitality Suppliers, Latest Hospitality News, Hotel News, Movements and Appointments and Hospitality Announcements Hotel Industry Recruitment, Professional CV designing, Hospitality Courses etc. We provide an effective platform where all hospitality professionals can come together, network and benefit.

Hozpitality.com offers a selection of best Hotel Management Institutes, Schools and Universities and Hotel management Courses. Hospitality Students can search and apply for Hotel management Courses and join the School's Alumni and network with their colleagues. Hozpitality also offers a Market Place for Hospitality Suppliers where Hospitality Products, Services, Offers and Deals can be listed and sold to millions of Global Hospitality professionals.

Hozpitality reaches out to over 1 million professionals from over 186 countries through its 2 group websites, www.hozpitality.com and www.hozpitalityplus.com with Registered Members and Social Media from over 186 countries.

The dedicated hospitality Media and News website Hozpitalityplus.com, publishes and shares the latest hospitality news, announcements, hotel openings, promotions, events, hospitality movements and appointments, reviews, blogs, etc.

Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards are presented to recognize top industry organizations which have shown skill, creativity, ingenuity and success in the Middle East & North Africa's growing hospitality industry. www.hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com

To know more about the group, please visit:

www.hozpitality.com , www.hozpitalityplus.com , www.hozpitalityexcellenceawards.com

Contact:

Raj Bhatt

Founder & CEO

HOZPITALITY GROUP

A SUBSIDIARY OF VR ONLINE GROUP

P.O Box 119395, Dubai, UAE

Phone:- +971 4 334 31 77, Fax:- +971 4 334 31 78

Email:- [email protected]

SOURCE Hozpitality Group
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Orea Mining Corp. ("Orea") (TSX: OREA) (OTCQX: OREAF) (FSE: 3CG) is pleased to announce the commencement of a diamond drilling program at the Maripa Gold Project ("Maripa"), located in eastern French Guiana, France. Orea has an option to acquire up to a 70% interest in Maripa.

Ten thousand (10,000) meters of diamond drilling have been approved by the State services on Maripa. Fourteen (14) drill holes, for 2,140 meters, are planned as an initial investigation by Orea of the promising Changement gold zone ("Changement"), with 1,000 meters of drilling to be completed this January and February. The initial program consists of 5 drill hole fences at 200- to 250-meter north-south spacing, which will test a 1,050-meter strike extent of the Changement gold mineralized trend, as defined by historical drilling and surface sampling by Orea. Drill pad and access road construction was completed and the drilling contractor has mobilized the equipment on site for an anticipated start date of January 15th.

Maripa and Changement maps are available at the following links:

Orea Project Locations:

www.oreamining.com/i/nr/2022-01-14-map-maripa-location.pdf

Maripa Project Geology:

www.oreamining.com/i/nr/2022-01-14-map-maripa-geo.pdf

Changement Planned Drill Hole Locations:

www.oreamining.com/i/nr/2022-01-14-map-maripa-changement.pdf

Changement Gold Zone

The Changement area was subject to placer gold mining from 1859 to 1950. All creeks peripheral to the deposit have been worked over time. Underground hard rock mining was recorded as early as 1880 and the deposit was exploited at surface by three shallow open pits from 1985 to 1996. Total declared historical placer and hard rock gold production is estimated to be approximately 100,000 ounces, with 40,000 ounces from hard rock. The Changement gold mineralization is localized within two subparallel north-northwest striking, moderately west dipping, shear zones of 10 to 25 meters in width cutting Paramaca Formation mafic volcano-sedimentary sequences. Gold mineralization is associated with quartz veining and sulfides, mainly as pyrite. The deposit has been traced by drilling to shallow depths over a lateral (strike) distance of 1,250 meters. A total of 63 diamond drill holes (4,500 meters) were drilled by the French geological survey (BRGM, 1978-1998) and by IAMGOLD (2002-2004). Most of drilling was confined to the surface oxidized saprolite layer.

Prospecting by Orea in 2019 identified numerous abandoned mine shafts and adits excavated by illegal artisanal miners, located some 800 meters to the south of the Changement mine main pit. Stockpiles of rock extracted from the mine workings consist of mineralized quartz-pyrite veins and mafic volcanic wall rock. Select samples of the mineralized material returned numerous high-grade assays including 115.70, 83.48, 68.43, 42.60, 29.57, 15.51, 14.70, 9.42, 6.05, 5.98, 52.33, 17.20, 16.99, 14.64, 14.50, 9.75, 9.00, 7.36 and 6.83 g/t gold (see news releases dated November 26, 2019). The discoveries extended the Changement gold mineralized trend another 250 meters to the south.

About Maripa

Orea entered into an agreement in July 2018 with IAMGOLD Corporation to acquire up to a 70% interest in Maripa. Maripa is located in eastern French Guiana along a paved national road, approximately 60 kilometers south of the capital city of Cayenne. The project is comprised of up to five contiguous exploration permits that cover an area of 120 square kilometers, namely the Changement, Maripa, Orapu, Crique Veoux (pending) and Maripa Sud-Est permits.

Past exploration at Maripa includes 134 diamond drill holes, for a total of 9,000 meters, which partially defined 5 broad gold zones; namely, from north to south, Changement, Filon Dron, Maripa Sud-Est, Rhyodacite and Filon Scieur. Drilling was limited to shallow depths within the oxidized saprolite layer with all 5 prospects returning drill hole intersections of economic interest with demonstrated potential for expansion and mineral resource delineation. Gold mineralization is associated with shear-tension quartz vein systems and vein stockworks localized along major fault zones marking a regional deformation corridor known as the Northern Guiana Trough (NGT).

Initial prospecting by Orea in 2019 and 2020 in the north half of Maripa led to the discovery of 5 new quartz-gold vein systems with high-grade gold potential in the vicinity of the Changement and Filon Dron gold zones.

In October-November 2020, Orea completed 8 diamond drill holes, for 1,168 meters, that tested 4 separate targets identified in the central part of the Maripa (see news release date January 27, 2021). Six (6) of the 8 drill holes served to test the depth and lateral extent of 3 gold mineralized shear-hosted vein systems traced at surface in and around the Filon Dron gold zone. Four (4) drill holes intersected wide shear zones marked by quartz veining, strong hydrothermal alteration, and sulfide mineralization over 18 to 27 meters, which returned gold values.

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.
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pan Zheng, MD, Ph.D., is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Distinguished Executive for her excellent work in the field of Medical Research and in recognition of her work at OncoC4 Inc and OncoImmune Inc.

Pan Zheng MD PhD

Dr. Zheng is the Co-Founder of Oncolmmune Inc, and OncoC4 Inc. She has devoted her career to her goal of establishing the safety and efficacy of OncoImmune products through Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials, as well as the first-in-human trials, for cancer patients and healthy research participants. Dr. Zheng has also dedicated her time to teaching at many nationally recognized academic institutions.

For her college education, Dr. Zheng attended Peking Union Medical College, where she graduated with her Medical degree in 1987. Dr. Zheng then studied at Yale University, graduating with her Ph.D. degree in Immunobiology in 1994. After that, she completed an Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency with the NYU School of Medicine in 1998. After studying Clinical and Anatomic Pathology, Dr. Zheng became board-certified by the American Board of Pathology.

Dr. Zheng worked as a resident in Beijing at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1987 - 1989, where she gained experience in Internal Medicine. She took on an Anatomical Pathology and Clinical Pathology residency in 1994 at New York University, and during her final year there, she began working as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology. In 1998, Dr. Zheng started at Ohio State University, first as an Assistant Professor and later as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology. After more than seven years, she took on a position as a Professor at the University of Michigan. She took an interest in studying cellular injury, inflammation, inflammatory cytokines, stem cells, tumor immunology, and cancer biology in prostate cancer. In 2013, Dr. Zheng began teaching at the Children's Research Institute at Children's National as a McKnew Endowed Professor. She also took on a role as a Professor at the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine from 2018 - 2020.

In 2000, Dr. Zheng Co-Founded OncoImmune. Dr. Zheng is familiar with designing and executing clinical trials focused on Immuno-oncology and Inflammation. After twenty years of working toward scientific breakthroughs in clinical trials, OncoImmune was acquired by Merck, and Dr. Zheng made her exit in order to branch off into new areas of research.

In 2021, Dr. Zheng co-founded OncoC4, where she is the Chief Medical Officer of the company, located in Rockville, MD. She started OncoC4 to begin a new cancer immunotherapy research and development of novel biologicals. She has recently established the safety and therapeutic efficacy of CD24Fc or SACOVIDTM. Hospitalized or severely ill COVID-19 patients who received SACOVIDTM had a 60% better chance of clinical recovery than other patients who received a placebo. She continues to lead clinical development into the testing of cancer immunotherapy products. Dr. Zheng is also working on the first-in-human phase IA/IB clinical trial, which is recruiting patients with solid metastatic tumors and non-small cell lung cancer for testing of a novel anti-CTLA-4 antibody treatment. In preclinical studies, the antibody proved highly effective for immunotherapy purposes and lacked immune-related toxicities.

In other areas of her team's research, Dr. Zheng has engineered CAR-T cells (ON782) and bi-specific antibodies (ONC783) that reach to a wide range of cancer cells, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and brain cancer. These treatments have been shown to have a broad reactivity to these cancers and are currently in preclinical trials. In other veins of research, OncoC4 is also launching ONC-784, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) program.

On a personal note, Dr. Zheng enjoys spending time with her son, daughter, and other family members.

For more information, visit www.oncoc4.com.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who
BEIJING, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix New Media Limited ("Phoenix New Media", "ifeng" or the "Company") (NYSE: FENG), a leading new media company in China, today announced that it has received a letter from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") dated January 5, 2022, notifying the Company that it is not in compliance with the NYSE's price criteria for continued listing standard because, as of January 4, 2022, the average closing price of the Company's American Depositary Shares (the "ADSs") was less than US$1.00 per ADS over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. This press release is issued within the 30-day period following receipt of such notice as required under the NYSE rules.

Pursuant to Section 802.01C of the NYSE's Listed Company Manual, a company will be considered to be below compliance standards if the average closing price of its security as reported on the consolidated tape is less than US$1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. The Company has six months ("the Cure Period") following receipt of the notice to regain compliance with the minimum share price requirement. The Company can regain compliance at any time during the Cure Period if on the last trading day of any calendar month during the Cure Period the Company has a closing share price of at least US$1.00 and an average closing share price of at least US$1.00 over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of that month. In the event that at the expiration of the six-month Cure Period, both a US$1.00 closing share price on the last trading day of the Cure Period and a US$1.00 average closing share price over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the Cure Period are not attained, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures.

To address this issue, the Company intends to monitor the market conditions of its listed securities and is still considering its options. As required by the NYSE rules, the Company expects to notify the NYSE of its intent to cure its ADSs' price deficiency within the applicable time period required by the NYSE. During the Cure Period, the Company's ADSs will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE, subject to its compliance with other NYSE continued listing standards and other rights of the NYSE to delist the ADSs. The NYSE notification does not affect the Company's business operations, its Securities and Exchange Commission reporting requirements, credit agreements or other contractual obligations.

About Phoenix New Media Limited

Phoenix New Media Limited (NYSE: FENG) is a leading new media company providing premium content on an integrated Internet platform, including PC and mobile, in China. Having originated from a leading global Chinese language TV network based in Hong Kong, Phoenix TV, the Company enables consumers to access professional news and other quality information and share user-generated content on the Internet through their PCs and mobile devices. Phoenix New Media's platform includes its PC channel, consisting of ifeng.com website, which comprises interest-based verticals and interactive services; its mobile channel, consisting of mobile news applications, mobile video application and mobile Internet website; and its operations with the telecom operators that provides mobile value-added services.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. 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. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Phoenix New Media's strategic and operational plans, contain forwardlooking statements. Phoenix New Media may also make written or oral forwardlooking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Forms 20-F and 6-K, 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. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Phoenix New Media's beliefs and expectations, are forwardlooking statements. Forwardlooking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forwardlooking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of online and mobile advertising, online video and mobile paid services markets in China; the Company's reliance on online and mobile advertising for a majority of its total revenues; the Company's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its services; the Company's expectations regarding maintaining and strengthening its relationships with advertisers, partners and customers; the Company's investment plans and strategies, fluctuations in the Company's quarterly operating results; the Company's plans to enhance its user experience, infrastructure and services offerings; competition in its industry in China; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the Company; and the effects of the COVID-19 on the economy in China in general and on the Company's business in particular. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its registration statement on Form F-1, as amended, and its annual reports on Form 20-F. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Phoenix New Media does not undertake any obligation to update any forwardlooking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries please contact:

Phoenix New Media Limited

Qing Liu

Email: [email protected]

ICR, LLC

Robin Yang

Tel: +1 (646) 405-4883

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Phoenix New Media Limited
MINSK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Communications and Informatization of Belarus on Wednesday issued a new postage stamp to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and China.

A total of 30,000 sets of the stamp are issued, and each set has five pieces, according to the press service of the ministry.

Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong, together with senior Belarusian officials attended the issuing ceremony for the stamp and the first-day cover.

Developing relations with China is a priority of Belarus' foreign policy, the ministry said on its website, noting that the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits and actively carried out dialogues between governments, departments and regional administrations.

Diplomatic relations between China and Belarus were established on Jan. 20, 1992. 
ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The growing consumer preference of piroctone olamine over ketoconazole in hair care products particularly in anti-dandruff shampoos has spurred the revenue sales, finds a TMR study on the piroctone olamine market. The global valuation is projected to expand at CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period (20212031), and reach worth of US$ 1.35 Bn by 2031.

Companies in the piroctone olamine market have successfully expanded the customer base by leveraging an assortment of traditional and social media to enrich awareness about the cosmetic benefits of personal care ingredients. They have enhanced the brand credibility by scientifically backing the efficacy of piroctone olamine in various hair care formulations.

The application of bath products, sunscreen, and anti-acne products has risen, thus augmenting the size of piroctone olamine market. The growing sales of sunscreen and bath products containing piroctone olamine is anticipated to offer sizable opportunities to market players during the forecast period, finds the TMR study.

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Key Findings of Piroctone Olamine Market Study

Broad-spectrum Protection Imparted by High Purity Piroctone Olamine Propelling Prospects: Personal care products manufacturers are increasingly adopting piroctone olamine owing to broader protection it has against a variety of microbiological species. In particular, 99% purity of piroctone olamine is being publicized as an anti-dandruff agent, given its effectiveness in broad-spectrum elimination of fungi and molds. Furthermore, it is being used in vast range of anti-acne products and deodorants.

Moreover, other compositions of piroctone olamine are also being investigated by researchers for their anti-mycotic efficacy and antifungal effectiveness in hair care formulations. These R&D activities have extended the horizon in the piroctone olamine market.

Rising Demand for Anti-dandruff Shampoos to Fuel Growth Prospects: Shampoos containing piroctone olamine are effective in improving the scalp health, notably in treating chronic scalp disorder of dandruff.

Several studies over the past few years have found the efficacy of hair care products containing piroctone olamine in improving scalp condition and in preventing premature hair loss. A few of the studies have been published online in the NCBI. The growing evidence has helped players in the piroctone olamine market boost the commercialization avenue of their products, thus unlocking new revenue streams.

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Key Drivers

The growing need for cosmetic antioxidant in hair care products to improve scalp condition has underpinned the prospects of piroctone olamine market. The need has intensified due to growing global burden of hair shedding and hair thinning in men and women. The scalp application of antioxidants has gained popularity as a complementary treatment for boosting scalp hair volume.

The growing awareness about the benefits of anti-acne products and medicated soaps is a key driver for the piroctone olamine market. Consumers have notably become aware of natural compounds in personal care products.

Piroctone Olamine Market: Regional Landscape

Asia Pacific held a leading share of the global piroctone olamine market in 2020. The expanding personal care industry has accelerated the growth prospects of the Asia Pacific piroctone olamine market. In addition, foreign direct investment (FDI) has increased to some developing countries in Asia, despite the disruptions due to COVID-19 pandemic. The trend has also favored the expansion of opportunities, find TMR analysts in a study on piroctone olamine market.

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Piroctone Olamine Market: Key Players

Some of the key players in the piroctone olamine market are:

Shandong Chuangying Chemical Co. Ltd.

Wuxi Zhufeng Fine Chemical Co. Ltd.

Zhonglan Industry Co. Ltd.

Somu Group

Kumar Organic Products Limited

YanTai Aurora Chemical Co. Ltd.

Spec Chem Industry Inc.

Clariant AG

Lonza

Global Piroctone Olamine Market: Segmentation

Piroctone Olamine Market, by Purity

99%

98%-99%

97%-98%

Piroctone Olamine Market, by Application

Hair Care

Deodorants

Bath Products

Anti-acne Products

Sunscreen

Others (including Washing Products and Anti-microbial)

Piroctone Olamine Market, by Region

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

Germany



France



U.K.



Italy



Spain



Russia & CIS

& CIS

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China



India



Japan



ASEAN



Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC Countries



South Africa



Rest of Middle East & Africa

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Polypropylene Carbonate Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/poly-propylene-carbonate-market.html

Polyimide Fibers Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/polyimide-fibers-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.

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SOURCE Transparency Market Research
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: New York, N.Y., January 13, 2022. 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 Oak Street Health, Inc. (NYSE: OSH) between August 6, 2020 and November 8, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). 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 14, 2022.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Oak Street 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 Oak Street Health class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2210.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 14, 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: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Oak Street Health maintained relationships with third-party marketing agents likely to provoke law enforcement scrutiny; (2) Oak Street Health was providing free transportation to federal health care beneficiaries in a manner that would provoke law enforcement scrutiny; (3) these activities may be violations of the False Claims Act; (4) as such, Oak Street Health was at heightened risk of investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") and/or other federal law enforcement agencies; (5) as a result, Oak Street Health was subject to adverse impacts related to defense and settlement costs and diversion of management resources; and (6) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

To join the Oak Street Health class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2210.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.
DEER PARK, Ill., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Service King Collision is now open and offering its streamlined, digital-first automotive collision repair services to the Deer Park community at 20168 N. Rand Road.

The 11,200-square-foot autobody repair facility, located on Rand Road just north of Lake Cook Road, features modern finishes that highlight its state-of-the-art auto industry environment. The facility recently opened its doors at the turn of the year and created multiple jobs for the local community.

Service King Now Providing Best-in-Class Vehicle Collision Repairs in Deer Park

"We're proud to introduce our industry-leading auto repair services to Deer Park and its surrounding communities," said Service King Director of Construction and Development John Gageby. "We're also excited to be able to provide employment opportunities to those devoted to helping Service King deliver best-in-class services to the area. Service King Deer Park will be the new go-to place for top-of-the-line customer service and an overall efficient, technologically advanced vehicle collision repair experience."

Deer Park's first Service King marks the 34th facility in Illinois, with more than 300 locations systemwide. The Deer Park location is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more about Service King, visit serviceking.com.

About Service King Collision

Service King Collision, which is now celebrating 45 years of experience in the automotive repair industry, is a leading national operator of comprehensive, high-quality auto body collision repair facilities. The organization is consistently recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction, quality workmanship and giving back to the industry through innovative training and recruiting initiatives. Service King traces its roots back to Dallas, Texas and founder Eddie Lennox who opened the very first Service King in 1976. Today, Service King operates locations in 24 states and the District of Columbia across the U.S.

For more information and to find a local Service King, visit serviceking.com and follow Service King on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Contact:

Mark Carrigan, Service King Collision

972.930.9933

[email protected]

SOURCE Service King Collision Repair
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Institutional investors, in coordination with Rhia Ventures, have filed 11 shareholder proposals for the 2022 proxy season that address the misalignment between the corporation's stated values and their support for politicians and political groups who undermine them. An additional four proposals focus on companies' preparedness for the workplace repercussions of the likely overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Collectively, the investors own or manage $11.8 billion in assets.

In the 2021 proxy season, three proposals addressed values misalignment, receiving an average of 38% level of support. (One proposal at Pfizer received over 47% in support.) The strong votes demonstrated that a growing proportion of shareholders want corporations to think twice before funding politicians without regard to their positions on fundamental issues that challenge the sustainability of the workforce, the environment, and our democratic institutions.

After the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, numerous companies vowed to reassess their political giving criteria. Still, numerous companies that pledged to discontinue support for members of Congress who challenged the election results have backtracked on their promises.

The majority of the 2022 proposals call on companies to report publicly at least once a year on "the congruence of political and electioneering expenditures during the preceding year against publicly stated company values and policies and disclosing or summarizing any actions taken regarding pausing or terminating support for organizations or politicians, and the types of incongruent policy advocacy triggering those decisions." They point to instances where the companies are funding the members of Congress who challenged the election results and those working to erode access to health care (including reproductive health care), slow progress on climate change and restrict voter access to the polls and LGBTQ rights.

The Office of Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner is a co-filer of a shareholder proposal at The Home Depot. The proposal calls attention to the company's $7.5 million in contributions to politicians and political organizations working to restrict access to abortion in the 2016-2020 election cycles. Some of the same lawmakers the company has supported also voted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

"In order for companies to deliver long-term financial value to investors  including the 60,000 members of the Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island and all Rhode Island taxpayers, they must support democracy and the rule of law," said Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. "As Treasurer, I will hold the companies that we invest in accountable for their political spending to strengthen the pension fund that Rhode Islanders and their families rely on for retirement security and strengthen our economy for the long term."

Elise Belusa, acting director of Tara Health Foundation, commented, "As we enter a new year that will bring more challenges to access to reproductive health, it is increasingly important for companies to be bold and protect this care for their employees and all those in their networks." Tara Health co-filed The Home Depot proposal and has re-submitted last year's proposal to Pfizer for this year's proxy.

Four additional proposals address the pressures companies face due to restrictive reproductive health care legislation regarding employee well-being, recruitment, and retention. They call on companies to provide a report publicly on "any known and any potential risks and costs to the company caused by enacted or proposed state policies severely restricting reproductive health care, and detailing any strategiesthat the company may deploy to minimize or mitigate these risks." Rhia Ventures director of corporate engagement Shelley Alpern said that this reporting to shareholders is needed because "Employers, as well as employees, bear these costs. Women who can't access abortion are three times more likely to leave the workforce than those who can. State-level abortion restrictions keep 500,000 or more women in their childbearing years out of the workforce ."

The Educational Foundation of America (EFA) has filed three proposals for investors' consideration in 2022. "We're not convinced that companies are actively thinking about, much less preparing for, the harms that employees will face if Roe v. Wade is overturned or critically weakened. Our proposal at Lowe's Companies describes some of these impacts and the repercussions on the company," noted David Stocks, EFA's Executive Director.

Risk Mitigation Proposals Kroger Company Unitarian Universalist Association Lowe's Companies The Educational Foundation of America TJX Companies Trillium Asset Management, Zevin Asset Management Walmart Inc. Clean Yield Asset Management

Rhia Ventures is a nonprofit organization developing a vibrant sexual, reproductive, and maternal health market that contributes to equitable outcomes for all women and other birthing people in the US. Rhia uses complementary strategies to transform this market, including direct investment, technical assistance, field building, and corporate engagement.

Tara Health Foundation aims to improve the health and well-being of women and girls in the U.S. through the creative use of philanthropic capital.

Rhode Island's pension fund holds shares in thousands of companies in its investment portfolio. Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner uses the influence of the state's pension fund to compel companies to adopt more responsible corporate practices by introducing resolutions that promote social and environmental responsibility as well as customer safety, workers' rights, and corporate diversity at companies' annual meetings for the consideration and approval of other shareholders.

The Educational Foundation of America (EFA) is a family foundation that envisions a society in which every person has a meaningful voice in inclusive democracy, with unrestricted access to complete reproductive freedom, and lives in creative, thriving communities on a healthy, regenerative planet.

Contact:

Michael Ceraso,

(626) 257- 8991,

[email protected]

SOURCE Rhia Ventures
ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, January 14th, at 4:00pm, Shincheonji Church of Jesus hosted the virtual "Shincheonji Americas Press Conference" in response to the growing interest of pastors and media worldwide toward the successful results of Shincheonji's recent Bible seminar series on the book of Revelation, "The Testimony on the Prophecy and Fulfillment of Revelation. Over 100 media representatives from 27 countries participated in the conference.

Shincheonji Church

From October 28 to December 27 of last year, Shincheonji Church hosted a 10-week online Bible seminar series, piquing the interest of over 6 million viewers. As a result, over 700 churches and pastors worldwide voiced intent to collaborate with Shincheonji in learning and sharing the scriptures.

The press conference, which streamed live on Shincheonji Church's Youtube channel, included words from pastors who attended the Revelation seminar series, a Q&A session from media and press and a speech from Shincheonji's Chairman Man Hee Lee, who has been working for 39 years to provide free Bible education worldwide. Media companies in attendance included Religio Mag, Nicaraguan TV station Bolsa de Noticias, as well as numerous broadcast TV and radio stations.

Chairman Lee expressed that the Book of Revelation is recorded in parables, so the Revelation seminar may have difficult content that is clearly understood after understanding the parables. Therefore, "The Parables of the Secrets of Heaven and the Testimony of the Fulfillment", which started on January 3rd is a 24-lecture seminar series available for anyone to access and learn.

"It says in the Bible that things will not remain as parables forever, but there comes a time when things will be spoken plainlythis is when the prophecies in parables become fulfilled," Chairman Lee emphasized. "The true entities of the prophecies appear once they are fulfilled. These true entities will be revealed in the future lectures."

The ongoing Parables seminar series will be broadcasted in 24 different languages on the church's YouTube channel.

"The 1,200 pastors who signed an MOU regarding Bible education will be listening to this seminar series," a representative of Shincheonji stated. "Every believer of God should understand these wordswe ask all of the Christians around the world, including pastors, to pay close attention."

Media contact:

Scott Alwin

562-344-5016

[email protected]

SOURCE Shincheonji Church
CLEVELAND, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation union (SMART-TD) who work for the BNSF Railway initiated steps to go on strike following the railroad's announcement of its so-called "Hi-Viz" attendance policy, which BLET National President Dennis Pierce and SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson called "the worst and most egregious attendance policy ever adopted by any rail carrier."

Presidents Pierce and Ferguson said the impending policy, which BNSF plans to implement on February 1, repudiates numerous collectively bargained agreements currently in place throughout the BNSF system. It is so restrictive that employees would be penalized for missing work to attend the funeral of an immediate family member.

"This unprecedented BNSF policy repudiates direct and clear contract language, and in application, will attempt to force our members to report for duty without regard for their medical condition as we struggle to come out of a pandemic," President Pierce and President Ferguson said. "It also stands to take away any ability by our members to avoid working fatigued when they are routinely called without warning due to the complete lack of reliable train lineups, thus creating the potential for an even more unsafe railroad operation. So-called 'forced overtime' in an industry where safety is so critical not only repudiates our agreements, it stands to enact irreparable harm on hundreds of full time employees whose non workplace obligations prevent them from being at work every day of their life."

BNSF's new Hi-Viz policy is a points-based system which penalizes employees  who in many cases have no assigned days off  any time they take time off work for practically any reason. In a FAQ that BNSF sent out to its employees, the carrier claimed that they "must improve crew availability to remain competitive in the industry" and that their revised Hi-Viz program helps with this issue "by incentivizing consistent and reliable attendance." BNSF goes on to claim that a reduction in absenteeism will improve predictability of work assignments. However, the affected employees and their unions have made clear that they view BNSF's approach to this issue as a juxtaposition. That is: if the carrier instead focused its efforts on predictable scheduling of assignments and competent management of its furloughed employees, there would be no need to impose such draconian attendance policies.

"Our members have simply had enough of the treatment they are enduring from the BNSF Railway," President Pierce and President Ferguson said. "The Company's half-baked attempt to characterize this policy as an 'improvement' and an 'incentive' is nothing short of disingenuous, and outright insulting. Although BNSF will not admit it, it has implemented so-called Precision Scheduled Railroading and is attempting to do more with less by intimidating our members, under threat of discipline and/or termination, into working additional shifts while they continue to furlough junior employees. Our members have worked tirelessly to keep goods moving during a global pandemic, but the railroad is once again placing monetary profits over people to appease shareholders and Wall Street. Our membership is tired, frustrated and fed up with the treatment they continue to receive. As is the growing trend among all major rail carriers, the working conditions at BNSF have deteriorated to the point that there are many tenured employees leaving the railroad industry because they can no longer tolerate the treatment that they must endure on a daily basis. This new attendance policy may be the tipping point for what may be the 'great railroad resignation.'"

On January 12, President Pierce and President Ferguson gave permission to their Organizations' respective BNSF General Committees of Adjustment to begin polling their membership regarding a withdrawal from service over this major dispute. Under BLET internal law, a majority of the membership at any given railroad, or their Local Chairmen, must vote in favor of a strike and the National President and the General Chairmen must approve the date for any withdrawal from service. Under the SMART Constitution, the Union's leadership may authorize a strike after the affected General Chairpersons obtain two thirds majority approval from the Local Chairpersons under their jurisdiction.

Collectively, the Unions represent more than 17,000 active members at the BNSF.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen represents nearly 57,000 professional locomotive engineers and trainmen throughout the United States. The BLET is the founding member of the Rail Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The SMART Transportation Division is comprised of approximately 125,000 active and retired members of the former United Transportation Union, who work in a variety of crafts in the transportation industry.

CONTACT: John Bentley,

Public Relations Dept.

P 216 241 2630

E [email protected]

SOURCE Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET)
CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Spaulding Ridge, a global cloud advisory and implementation firm, today announced Silvr Lining Group, a Salesforce company based in London, will be joining Spaulding Ridge as a part of its global Salesforce practice.

As UK's leading Salesforce multi-cloud experts, Silvr Lining Group has extensive experience driving large integrated solutions for leading organizations. The company offers numerous Salesforce solutions, including Service Cloud, CPQ, Sales Cloud, Analytics Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Financial Services, and Einstein.

"The absorption of Silvr Lining Group into our Salesforce practice continues to add technical depth to our growing capabilities," Jay Laabs, CEO, Spaulding Ridge, says of the addition. "Like Spaulding Ridge, Silvr Lining Group works hand-in-hand with clients for optimum output, making them a valuable addition to our existing European Salesforce team."

"We are excited at the prospect of what our joint venture can bring to the European market. It was apparent from our first meeting that Spaulding Ridge shared our drive in bringing client success to the forefront of everything we do," says Danny Ayres, CEO, Silvr Lining Group. "We look forward to what the future holds as part of the Spaulding Ridge team."

About Silvr Lining Group

Based in London, Silvr Lining Group is a privately held Salesforce Consultancy formed by leading Salesforce consultants and business analysts who have technical depth handling large integrated solutions for organizations across the UK.

About Spaulding Ridge

An award-winning provider of Cloud solutions and advisory services, Spaulding Ridge helps leading companies deploy Best-in-Cloud solutions on a global scale. Spaulding Ridge enables organizations to accelerate operational efficiency, drive digital transformation, and increase competitive advantage.

Spaulding Ridge partners with digitally savvy companies to help:

Finance gain control: Increase top-line revenue, gross margins, and profits through better insight. Connect financial planning to strategy and automate financial close processes.

Increase top-line revenue, gross margins, and profits through better insight. Connect financial planning to strategy and automate financial close processes. Sales increase productivity: Manage quota and territories more consistently and effectively, automate customer contracts and onboarding.

Manage quota and territories more consistently and effectively, automate customer contracts and onboarding. Operations drive efficiency: Improve supply chain agility, automate strategic sourcing and purchasing, deliver superior customer service experiences.

To learn more, visit spauldingridge.com.

SOURCE Spaulding Ridge, LLC
One year after launch, the Stacks developer community has gone from 0 to 350+ million monthly API requests

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiro , the go-to developer tools company for the builders of the Bitcoin economy, celebrates record growth on the one-year anniversary of Stacks , the blockchain that makes Bitcoin programmable. In just one year, the Stacks ecosystem has gone from 0 to 350+ million monthly API requests, 50,000 Hiro Wallet downloads, 2,500 Clarity smart contracts deployed, and dozens of companies launched. This momentum has made Stacks the largest and fastest growing Web3 project on Bitcoin.

Stacks connects directly to Bitcoin, bringing fully expressive smart contracts to the world's original blockchain while maintaining Bitcoin's guiding principles of security and decentralization. Hiro tools make it possible for Stacks developers to unleash Bitcoin's full potential and create decentralized applications that grow the Bitcoin economy.

"Stacks has seen incredible growth in the last year," said Dr. Muneeb Ali, CEO of Hiro. "As of December 2021, Stacks is the fastest growing Web3 project on Bitcoin, and the tools Hiro has built have powered truly innovative use cases of smart contracts on the world's original blockchain, from Bitcoin DeFi, DAOs, and gaming to expressing Bitcoin culture through Bitcoin NFTs."

In 2021:

The first-ever fully expressive smart contracts were built for the Bitcoin blockchain, thanks to Clarity, Stacks' native programming language built in partnership by Hiro, the Stacks Foundation , Algorand, and other ecosystem developers. Over 2,500 smart contracts have been deployed and, according to the annual Electric Capital Report more than 120 developers per month are actively using Hiro tools, including 350+ million monthly API requests.

, Algorand, and other ecosystem developers. Over smart contracts have been deployed and, according to the annual more than developers per month are actively using Hiro tools, including monthly API requests. The Hiro Wallet, the #1 wallet in the Stacks Ecosystem, saw more than 40,000 downloads in its first year. Through this wallet, users can participate in stacking to earn monthly Bitcoin rewards as well as connect to over 50 applications and services.

downloads in its first year. Through this wallet, users can participate in stacking to earn monthly Bitcoin rewards as well as connect to over 50 applications and services. More than 11,000 users earn over 100+ Bitcoin in monthly rewards on Stacks, with over $50 million in total rewards delivered to participants in the Stacks consensus mechanism, which has surpassed $1B in total value locked.

users earn over 100+ Bitcoin in monthly rewards on Stacks, with over in total rewards delivered to participants in the Stacks consensus mechanism, which has surpassed in total value locked. DeFi for Bitcoin became a reality with:

The launch of xBTC  the only wrapped Bitcoin asset secured by the Bitcoin blockchain;



Arkadiko's lending protocols generating over $50 million in locked assets within the first two weeks of launch; and

in locked assets within the first two weeks of launch; and

The addition of Lightning decentralized swaps, where users can swap STX for Bitcoin, stablecoins, and more.

The first projects to launch on Stacks laid the foundation for new innovation. With CityCoins launching in New York City and Miami , over $50 million was generated for city treasuries. Over 140,000 NFTs were minted on Stacks, showing the demand for art inspired by and built for Bitcoiners. Finally, Hiro customers, including Arkadiko, ALEX, Sigle, Layer, and Moonray, collectively raised over $24 million .

"Stacks is the driving force to build a user owned internet," said Brittany Laughlin, Executive Director of the Stacks Foundation, an independent non-profit organization that supports Stacks related governance, research and development, education, and grants. "The Stacks community has proven the incredible potential of smart contracts for Bitcoin, from DeFi to NFTs, city coins to philanthropic efforts, portable identity to new infrastructure, all in a single year. The technology and resources are all here, what happens next is dictated by visionary builders. We can't wait to see what's next!"

For more details on the first year's growth, go to https://from0to.hiro.so/ .

About Hiro

Hiro, a public-benefit corporation, builds developer tools for Stacks so the world can build applications for Bitcoin. Together with Stacks, Hiro's suite of tools unlocks the full potential of Bitcoin through smart contracts, digital assets and decentralized applications. For more information, please visit: https://www.hiro.so/

Contact

Lexi Wangler

[email protected]

SOURCE Hiro
HOBART, Australia, Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- StratoKey, a leading provider of cloud security and data protection solutions, announced the release of their Cloud Compliance Manager (CCM) product. CCM is designed to provide organizations with Automation, Management, and Reporting for their compliance programs. CCM automates much of the work involved in Compliance Reporting, directly against the relevant regulation. CCM delivers a complete end-to-end compliance solution, that can be adapted (through a visual report/template builder) and customized to any regulation or security policy.

StratoKey CCM overview:

Drop-in Compliance Templates for any regulation (HIPAA, ITAR, CMMC, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, SOX, GDPR, etc.)

for any regulation (HIPAA, ITAR, CMMC, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, SOX, GDPR, etc.) Visual Template Editor to allow for UI based creation, customization, and editing of templates

Automatic creation of Compliance Plans

Kanban & Project Plans



Compliance progress visualizations

Generation of Compliance Tasks

Task creation, editing, comments, and team assignments



Tasks can have Discovery data attached, such as data discovered via plugins and integrations

Audit Trail

Detailed Audit Trail for all compliance actions and activities

Compliance Discovery plugins and integrations:

plugins and integrations: Automatically gather detailed information on users, access, fields, pages, records

Automated Reporting

Compliance Reports generated on-demand

Complete Audit Trail for all associated Tasks





Full Compliance Reports, delivered on your reporting schedule





Summary Compliance Reports

Data Classification interface

interface Classify all discovered Pages, Fields, Groups, and Users according to regulatory requirements (CMMC / ITAR etc.)

Change Management & Security Monitoring

& Security Monitoring Automatic change detection and change management

Web Services Interface (API) to feed compliance data into StratoKey CCM

to feed compliance data into StratoKey CCM Feed the compliance discovery service



Create ad-hoc Tasks based on actions in SaaS applications



Integrate with any application

Centralized Compliance Program Deployment

Central deployment and management of Compliance Programs

Compliance regulations (such as HIPAA, ITAR, CMMC, and even NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171) are supported through ready-to-go "Compliance Packs". Compliance Packs are templates that provide a compliance plan comprised of Tasks, project plans, schedules, and automatic compliance reports. Reports can be easily customized and edited via our Visual Template Editor, which provides an editable report interface.

Integrations automatically feed data into CCM, which translates into compliance Tasks. Each Task directly aligns into a compliance report. This report has the actual regulation text broken down into sections, with Task completion leading to a pass outcome. This direct relationship between compliance Tasks and Regulation means that all compliance work output directly contributes to a completed Compliance Report.

The StratoKey CCM product compliments the StratoKey CASB, helping organizations deliver and report on end-to-end compliance. The StratoKey CASB is responsible for implementing security controls and data protection measures. CCM provides the compliance program management through Tasks, Discovery, and Reporting directly against regulation or standards. CCM has the capability through plugins to automatically discover StratoKey CASB encrypted and tokenized data, and compile data classification lists. Any changes to encryption are detected and logged as Change Management Tasks.

The CCM platform provides organizations with consistent, predictable, and auditable compliance, removing ad-hoc actions and compliance management via spreadsheets. StratoKey CCM brings a clear, auditable, and transparent compliance program to organizations. This program ultimately delivers automated compliance reports and deep integration with the StratoKey CASB.

For more information on StratoKey CCM please visit https://www.stratokey.com

About StratoKey

Founded in 2012, StratoKey is a leading provider of cloud security solutions that secure high value data against cyber threats. The StratoKey CASB utilizes encryption paired with analytics to defend sensitive data and assist organizations in meeting regulatory compliance requirements. The StratoKey CCM platform assists organizations in managing and reporting on compliance with regulations such as HIPAA, ITAR, CMMC, GDPR and standards such as NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171.



If you would like more information please contact StratoKey on +61 (0)3 6222 6379 or visit www.stratokey.com

SOURCE StratoKey
CRANBURY, N.J., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Targeted Oncology, a multimedia resource that offers engaging content and expert opinions on standard and emerging treatments in the field of oncology, is excited to announce three additions to its Strategic Alliance Partnership (SAP) Program.

"We are pleased to welcome three additions to the Targeted Oncology Strategic Alliance Partnership program," said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, parent company of Targeted Oncology. "Having the opportunity to collaborate with such established organizations helps us continue to achieve our goal of optimizing patient care."

The new partners are as follows:

The SAP program is building a community of advocacy groups, medical associations and medical institutions to foster collaboration and an open exchange of information for the ultimate benefit of patients and their families, and to improve patient care. As part of this joint effort, Targeted Oncology will work with partners to share exclusive content and information.

For more information about the Targeted Oncology SAP program, click here.

About Targeted Oncology

TargetedOnc.com , the website for Targeted Oncology, provides practicing oncologists with the latest news and insights on next-generation therapeutics and their molecular targets. As the field of oncology moves toward systemic biology and molecular aberrations, oncologists struggle to stay up-to-date with cancer therapeutics. Targeted Oncology provides breaking news and updates on this burgeoning field, focusing on the next stage of cancer development, cutting-edge therapies and biological targets. Content is organized by tumor type, news and conference coverage. Targeted Oncology 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 Targeted Oncology
People watch news reporting projectiles launched by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2022. The DPRK fired two short-range projectiles into eastern waters, the third launch in less than two weeks, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on Friday. (Photo by Seo Yu-Seok/Xinhua)

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two short-range projectiles into eastern waters, the third launch in less than two weeks, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on Friday.

The JCS said in a statement that the South Korean military detected two projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, which were launched northeastward into the East Sea from the DPRK's northwestern Uiju area in North Pyongan Province at about 2:41 p.m. (0541 GMT) and 2:52 p.m. local time (0552 GMT) respectively.

The projectiles traveled some 430 km at an altitude of around 36 km. The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States were precisely analyzing further details on them, according to the JCS.

The JCS noted that the South Korean military was monitoring relevant situation and maintaining readiness posture to prepare for the possibly additional launch by the DPRK.

The DPRK said earlier this week that it successfully conducted a "hypersonic gliding warhead" test on Tuesday under the supervision by top leader Kim Jong Un.

The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said last week that it successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5.

South Korea's presidential National Security Council (NSC) held an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures towards Pyongyang's projectile launches, according to Yonhap news agency. 

People watch news reporting projectiles launched by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 14, 2022. The DPRK fired two short-range projectiles into eastern waters, the third launch in less than two weeks, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on Friday. (Photo by Seo Yu-Seok/Xinhua)
Last Mile Delivery Market Report Highlights:

Market growth 2020-2025: USD 59.81 billion Growth momentum & CAGR: Accelerate at a CAGR of almost 16% YoY growth (%): 14.80% Performing market contribution: the US at 82% Key consumer countries: the US and Canada

Want more data and information that is not included in this report? Reach out to our analysts and get this report can be personalized according to your needs. Speak to an Analyst.

Regional Market Analysis

With 82% of the growth originating from the US, this region will record a fast growth rate during 2021-2025. The US and Canada are the key markets for the last mile delivery market in North America.

During the projection period, the last mile delivery market in the United States is expected to increase steadily. The market will grow due to factors such as the large volume of e-retail purchases and the rise in the number of customers opting for rapid and seamless delivery services. The demand for reverse logistics in the last mile delivery model is being driven by a large number of businesses offering free returns and exchanges.

Apart from the rapid economic growth, the other key reasons for the increasing last mile delivery market's growth in the US is:

The number of last-mile delivery service providers in the United States is likely to increase in the future years, making the industry more competitive. New York , Los Angeles , Houston , Austin , Seattle , Portland , Salt Lake City , and New Orleans , where the density of the millennial population is significantly higher than in other parts of the country, are major cities generating demand for last mile delivery services.

For Additional Information about the regional market: Request for a free sample report.

Key Vendors and Vendor Strategies

Allied Van Lines Inc., ArcBest Corp., Averitt Express Inc., AxleHire Inc., C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., CEVA Logistics AG, CRST International Inc., DDC Logistics Inc.., Deutsche Bahn AG, Deutsche Post DHL Group, DSV Panalpina A/S, Fastmile Logistics Inc., FedEx Corp., are a few of the key vendors in the last mile delivery market.

The vendors in the market are constantly focusing on broadening their product portfolio through expanding their product offerings. Additionally, vendors are focusing on expanding their presence in new regions.

For instance:

In December 2020 , Deutsche Bahn AG, was recognized as a global leader in the fight against climate change by CDP

, Deutsche Bahn AG, was recognized as a global leader in the fight against climate change by CDP In December 2020 , DSV Panalpina A/S, the company completed the acquisition of Prime Cargo and Globeflight.

, DSV Panalpina A/S, the company completed the acquisition of Prime Cargo and Globeflight. In January 2020 , FedEx Corp, announced that it had been ranked among the most admired companies in the world by a survey published in FORTUNE magazine.

Download our free sample report to get a brief understanding of various other vendors and the vendor's strategies.

Key Market Drivers

Our analysts have extensively outlined the information on the key market drivers and their impact on the last mile delivery market.

Growing B2C e-commerce industry in the US

In the United States , the B2C e-commerce industry contributed significantly to overall retail sales. The rise of the B2C e-commerce industry in the United States has been aided by the increasing adoption of the Internet and online purchasing. The B2C e-commerce market in the United States is predicted to increase rapidly. Due to the simplicity of making purchases and the convenience of shopping from home, many individuals nowadays prefer to shop online rather than visiting brick-and-mortar businesses to make purchases. Shopping online also saves time. During the projection period, the online retailing market in North American countries is likely to see continued expansion and investments, fueling demand for last-mile delivery services.

Related Reports:

Healthcare Logistics Market in North America by Product, Service, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Dry Bulk Shipping Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Last Mile Delivery Market In North America Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 16% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 59.81 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 14.80 Regional analysis US and Canada Performing market contribution The US at 82% Key consumer countries US and Canada Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled CRST International Inc.A , Deutsche Bahn AG, Deutsche Post DHL Group, DSV Panalpina A/S, FedEx Corp., Werner Enterprises Inc., J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., United Parcel Service Inc., United States Postal Service, and XPO Logistics 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.

Download our free sample report

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Vendor Landscape

The market structure is expected to remain fragmented during the forecast period. Vendors are deploying improved R&D strategies to compete in the market.

AGS Corp., Bloomberg LP, FeedSyndicate LLC, ProQuest LLC, RELX Plc, Research Solutions Inc., S&P Global Inc., Thomson Reuters Corp., United Press International Inc., Wolters Kluwer NV among others are some of the few key vendors competing to maintain their market position in the market.

A significant number of vendors are expected to enter the market with some innovative solutions during the forecast period which will eventually increase the competition among the vendors. Other than information services, these vendors provide the information that is applicable to other various processes (finance, marketing, global relations, customers and operations) in the value chain of business. Moreover, the changing customer requirements are encouraging the vendors for developing new strategies to meet their demands and forcing them to invest heavily in retaining and expanding their customer base.

View more about the market's vendor landscape highlights with a comprehensive list of vendors and their offerings.

Key Market Segmentation

Segmentation by Type:

News syndicate:



The supplying of information such as news and artworks is included in the news syndicate segment and the rise in the need of organizations to make better decisions is driving the new syndicate segment share growth.





Moreover, with mobile-based information services, the users can have access to data, news and analytics through any connected mobile or computing device. Thus, with the rise in adoption of virtual sessions and interactive news across the regions, the news syndicate market segment is expected to elevate at a moderate pace and drive the information services market growth during the forecast period.



Libraries and Archives

Request a FREE Sample of this report for more highlights into the market segments.

Regional Market Outlook

APAC will contribute 40% of the market growth during the forecast period. The growth of this region can be credited to the adoption of digital platforms. Moreover, the strong infrastructure and competitive pricing are estimated to boost the information service market growth significantly during the forecast period.

Apart from regions, if we look at the country-wise market growth, China and Japan will contribute to the highest market growth.

Download our FREE sample report for more key highlights on the regional market share of most of the above-mentioned countries.

Latest Trends, Driving the Global Information Services Market

Market Driver:

The use of information services for risk management:

Most of the enterprises in this era of globalization are determined for expanding their availability in both domestic and international markets. Moreover, the information services support organizations in alleviating and effectively handling the risks from internal and external factors. This is done by providing updated data points about companies' operational markets, strategies of competitors, adoption of technology and other information. Therefore, the inclusion of information services by organizations facing business risks for handling the internal and external factors is expected to drive the market share growth during the forecast period.

Market Trend:

The involvement of AI in the information management is one of the key factors boosting the information services market share growth:

Most of the enterprises around the world are incorporating AI systems for developing and utilizing the data from information services. AI helps in automating several processes and increases the efficiency of those processes. As most of the employees spend time in paperwork, which causes a reduction in the ROI of enterprises and surge in total costs. Furthermore, AI in information services helps in restructuring the unstructured data, improving data quality, and also enhancing the information security. Therefore, such advantages of integrating AI in the information services are anticipated to fuel up the efficiency of vendors performing in the global information services market during the forecast period.

Find additional information about various other market drivers & trends mentioned in our FREE sample report.

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Information Services Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 50.34 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 5.69 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution APAC at 40% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Germany, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled AGS Corp., Bloomberg LP, FeedSyndicate LLC, ProQuest LLC, RELX Plc, Research Solutions Inc., S&P Global Inc., Thomson Reuters Corp., United Press International Inc., and Wolters Kluwer NV Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, 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
PORT VILA, Vanuatu, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of Vanuatu has been severely affected by the pandemic and ongoing natural disasters, leaving it with a shrinking growth rate and depleted fiscal balances. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged the importance of its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, noting that the income from the Programme equates to close to 50% of the country's revenue.

Understanding the importance of the Programme and its impact on the country, the current Government has taken a proactive stance to review and re-evaluate the Programme's architecture to ensure a robust offering that provides economic growth to the people of Vanuatu and adds security and protection to the international community. With this at the forefront of the Government's intention, the Citizenship Commission has made great strides to identify the risks of the Programme. This has led the Government to take decisive action by adopting more vigorous due diligence and a streamlined citizenship process.

In line with the nation's objective, the government has formally finalised the engagement with its first international due diligence service provider, UK agency, FACT UK. The company is the first of several leading global due diligence agencies to be appointed to provide robust due diligence service. The CEO of Fact UK, Kieron Sharp, with vast international experience having been trained by the FBI Academy and also acted as Head of economic crime at Interpol, leads a highly qualified team. The Government welcomes the appointment as the first endeavour to vet CBI applicants thoroughly. FACT UK shall perform extensive checks covering sanctions lists, open-source checks, and on-the-ground assessments. It also leads in IP protection, intelligence, and computer forensics, along with forensic investigation and security verification.

Vanuatu's due diligence processes will be further enhanced to ensure that only reputable investors can obtain citizenship. Therefore, each investor application will undergo a comprehensive and careful audit to mitigate any security, financial crime, and reputational risks. No resources will be spared in the due diligence exercise to ensure the protection and security of both Vanuatu and the international community.

The Government shall retroactively run full due diligence checks on all CBI applicants granted citizenship in the last six years to ensure that only reputable applicants have been approved. If an economic citizen fails the due diligence check, their citizenship will likely be revoked.

The country will use a multi-layered approach involving several entities, including authorised agents, CBI Units, an independent due diligence firm, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and partner governments. A thorough review of the Programme will be undertaken to re-establish its protocols, bringing the Programme in line with internationally accepted standards. Our newly appointed Marketing Service Provider, CS Global Partners, will assist, guide and advise the Government to redesign the entire CBI offering.

"We are proud of the progressive steps we have taken as a country to strengthen the application and verification process of our CBI Programme. After a lengthy selection process of onboarding strategic partners, we look forward to shaping the Programme to be highly reputable and globally recognised."

"We take the safety and security of all nations very seriously and will not compromise on security checks of applicants looking to gain citizenship in Vanuatu. Our efforts in increasing capabilities in this area are testament to our respect for international relations."

The country has been doing extensive work with international partners to ensure that it can compete successfully in the global market. Vanuatu's Parliament recently passed its first Cybercrime Act, following technical assistance received in 2018 from the Council of Europe via its Global Action on Cybercrime Extended (GLACY+) project, which aims to harmonise the country's national legislation with international standards in the field.

Vanuatu has a long-standing relationship with the Council of Europe, having participated since 2011 in some fifteen regional, international, and national capacity building activities.

SOURCE Government of the Republic of Vanuatu
Available for toddlers and kids, the UGG x Big Bird Fluff Yeah takes cues from the much-loved character and is equal parts cute and cozy  offering everything kids love about the original like soft sheepskin, easy entry, and a vibrant color palette. For the little ones, the UGG x Big Bird Bixbee updates a customer favorite with your baby's favorite character and wraps their foot in super-soft terry cloth. Cozy and adorable, the style is also machine washable for easy cleaning.

Cherished characters Elmo and Cookie Monster also make an appearance on the Infants Bixbee, as well as our best-selling Chukka. The UGG x Elmo Neumel and UGG x Cookie Monster Neumel feature character applications in their iconic colors. Offering everything kids love about the original like soft UGGplush lining and a durable, cushioned sole.

About UGG

Founded in 1978 by an Australian surfer on the coast of California, UGG is a global lifestyle brand renowned for its iconic Classic boot. First worn by Hollywood royalty, fashion editors and then the world, UGG designs and retails footwear, apparel, accessories, and homewares with an uncompromising attitude toward quality and craftsmanship. UGG is an environmentally and socially conscious brand which strives to be socially just, economically inclusive, and environmentally restorative. Delivering more than $1.5 billion in annual sales, UGG partners with the best retailers globally and owns concept and outlet stores worldwide in key markets including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing. For more information, please visit www.ugg.com @ugg #UggLife

About Foot Locker, Inc.

Foot Locker, Inc. leads the celebration of sneaker and youth culture around the globe through a portfolio of brands including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, Eastbay, atmos, WSS, Footaction, and Sidestep. With approximately 3,000 retail stores in 28 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as websites and mobile apps, the Company's purpose is to inspire and empower youth culture around the world, by fueling a shared passion for self-expression and creating unrivaled experiences at the heart of the global sneaker community. Foot Locker, Inc. has its corporate headquarters in New York.

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, the pioneering television show that has been reaching and teaching children since 1969. Today, Sesame Workshop is an innovative force for change, with a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. We're present in more than 150 countries, serving vulnerable children through a wide range of media, formal education, and philanthropically funded social impact programs, each grounded in rigorous research and tailored to the needs and cultures of the communities we serve. For more information, please visit sesameworkshop.org.

Press Contact:

UGG

Matty Magnin

PR Manager

Office: (212) 247-8552 x2772

Mobile: (917) 842-2391

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE DECKERS BRANDS/UGG
The solutions provided by Uppsala Security involved in this new collaboration are the Crypto Analysis Transaction Visualization (CATV) , a virtual asset tracking security tool and the Crypto Analysis Risk Assessment (CARA) , an AI and Machine Learning-based virtual asset risk assessment tool.

In this particular collaboration, CARA is especially enhancing the virtual asset tracking solution by receiving and filtering Dark Web-related threat data from NSHC. The joint work between the two projects started with the " AI Data Processing Voucher Project " hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT of South Korea on September 20, 2020.

The virtual asset tracking solution, including CATV and CARA, was installed on NSHC's DarkTracer, a platform that provides Dark Web security threat information.

By introducing Uppsala Security's virtual asset tracking solution, NSHC's customers can respond to security threats such as the abuse of existing personal information as well as security threats of virtual assets.

Prior to this, NSHC and Uppsala Security signed a Business Agreement to eradicate cybercrime, and recently, they trained private companies and government agencies in the open-source intelligence (OSINT) monitoring technology.

Patrick Kim, Founder & CEO of Uppsala Security, said, "As observed in recent times with the experiences involving the Silk Road incident and Hydra case, the crimes involving virtual assets have been increasing rapidly. With the NSHC's DarkTracer and its virtual asset tracking solution we can provide new insights into related crimes. DarkTracer, which has accumulated over 100 Billions of vast dark web intelligence indicators, and Uppsala Security's virtual asset tracking and analysis solutions are jointly used to conduct a correlation analysis, in order for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to be able to receive new insights into the related crimes."

About NSHC

NSHC was founded as a security consulting company by a team of white hat hackers in 2003. Since then, the company has expanded businesses from security solutions to security information consulting in the last 10+ years. Based on the best technology, NSHC supplied about 180 domestic smartphone app security solutions and is currently providing security services throughout Asia, including Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia.

About Uppsala Security

Uppsala Security built Sentinel Protocol, the first crowdsourced Threat Intelligence Platform powered by artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and machine learning. Supporting the framework is a team of experienced cyber security professionals who have developed an award-winning suite of advanced tools and services for Crypto AML/CFT, Transaction Risk Management (KYC/KYT), Transaction Tracking, Regulatory Compliance, and Cybersecurity enabling organizations of every type and size to protect their crypto assets from malicious attacks and scams while meeting stringent regulatory compliance standards. Today Uppsala Security has over two thousand (2K+) users including government agencies, financial institutions and leading enterprises providing crypto exchanges, payment services, wallets, custodial services, gaming, and fintech solutions.

Uppsala Security is headquartered in Singapore, and has branch offices in Seoul, South Korea and Tokyo, Japan. You can follow Uppsala Security on Telegram , LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook and Medium .

SOURCE UppsalaSecurity; NSHC
"With over 1500 pitches from 30 industries representing an array of early-stage and mature startups, we are delighted to announce the Top 5 winners of the 'Affies'. Allowing us to offer real solutions, such as tools, resources, and opportunities for these great founders," said Oscar Lin, General Manager of the Monitor Business Unit at ViewSonic. "By utilizing ViewSonic's innovative devices and software, we hope to help passionate entrepreneurs and startups learn, grow, and realize their dreams."

The five categories included: Best B2B, Best Consumer, Best Creator, Best Frontier, and the public-voted People's Choice. The winners of each of the categories were announced and given the opportunity of an investment or exclusive weekly one-on-one meetings with the Hustle Fund General Partners. They also received ViewSonic products valued at USD 6,000.

ViewSonic also provided the audience who joined the online ceremony with prizes, including a VG2440V video conferencing monitor, a TD1655 portable touch monitor, and a VG3456 ultra-wide docking monitor. For more information on The Affies, please visit the campaign website.

Winners of The Affies

Best B2B : Roberto Inetti of ROBOAMP. A SaaS company looking to decrease website loading time to a second or less with a single line of code.

: Roberto Inetti of ROBOAMP. A SaaS company looking to decrease website loading time to a second or less with a single line of code. Best Creator : Helen Huang of Co.Lab. An e-learning platform for live instructor-less classes.

: of Co.Lab. An e-learning platform for live instructor-less classes. Best Consumer : Tavis Schriefer of teleCalm. A stress-free phone service that protects seniors and empowers caregivers through filtered incoming and outgoing calls.

: of teleCalm. A stress-free phone service that protects seniors and empowers caregivers through filtered incoming and outgoing calls. Best Frontier : Robert Luo of Mi Terro . A US-based company with a solution to re-engineer agricultural waste into plastic-alternative packaging material.

: of . A US-based company with a solution to re-engineer agricultural waste into plastic-alternative packaging material. People's Choice: Danielle Lumetta of Before Noon. A self-care membership platform focused on releasing stress.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, digital signage, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 30 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference." To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

About Hustle Fund

Hustle Fund is a pre-seed/seed-stage fund based in San Francisco and Singapore founded in 2017 by Elizabeth Yin, Shiyan Koh, and Eric Bahn. From their combined experience as successful founders, tech employees, and investors, Hustle Fund's General Partners learned that, despite entrenched stereotypes in the venture world, great founders look like anyone and come from anywhere. Hustle Fund's core investment strategy is to invest in teams who demonstrate relentless speed and execution (defined as 'hustle') and has turned the VC model on its head. The investment team reviews over 600 deals per month, moves quickly to invest a modest initial check, and then works with the founder to monitor their speed/execution before qualifying startups for a larger, concentrated checks. Hustle Fund has developed an incredible global reputation with founders and investors alike.

[i] The Awards is hosted and sponsored by ViewSonic International Corp., located in New Taipei City, Taiwan. ViewSonic International Corp. is a subsidiary of ViewSonic Corp. located in California, USA.

SOURCE ViewSonic
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from Washington state will have an opportunity next week to hear from NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space call will air live at 12:50 p.m. EST Tuesday, Jan. 18, on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website.

NASA astronauts Kayla Barron and Raja Chari will answer prerecorded video questions from students participating in Mount Rainier National Park's Education Program. Barron's hometown is Richland, Washington. The event, hosted by Mount Rainier National Park in partnership with Columbia Crest A-STEM Academy in Ashford, Washington, includes activities for students tied to the theme "Connections through Community." The school, named after the summit peak of Mount Rainier, is the nearest school to the park. Through the long-standing partnership with Mount Rainier National Park's Education Program, students explore teamwork, adventure, ecosystems, and astronomy.

The event will be virtual. Media interested in covering it should contact Kevin Bacher, Public Information Officer at Mount Rainier National Park at: 360-569-6567 or [email protected].

Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance, and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Astronauts living in space aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through the Space Network's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS).

For more than 21 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to the Moon, with eventual human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers  the Artemis Generation  ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery.

See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at:

https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation

SOURCE NASA
DUBLIN, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hospital Services Market Research Report by Hospital Type, by Service Type, by Service Areas, by Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Hospital Services Market size was estimated at USD 7,254.92 billion in 2020, is expected to reach USD 8,483.17 billion in 2021, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.29% to reach USD 22,162.24 billion by 2027.



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2018 and 2019 are considered historical years, 2020 as the base year, 2021 as the estimated year, and years from 2022 to 2027 are considered the forecast period.

Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Hospital Services Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Market Share Analysis:

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Hospital Services Market, including 3M Company, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., Beckman Coulter Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, China Resources Phoenix Healthcare Holdings Company Limited, Community Health Systems, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, General Electric Company, Helios Technologies, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medline Industries, Inc., Medtronic PLC, Optum, Inc., Ramsay Health Care Ltd, Sanofi SA, Smiths Group PLC, Spire Healthcare Group PLC, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., and Universal Health Services Inc.



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Hospital Services Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Hospital Services Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Hospital Services Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Hospital Services Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Hospital Services Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Hospital Services Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Hospital Services Market?



Key Topics Covered:



1. Preface



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Market Overview



5. Market Insights

5.1. Market Dynamics

5.1.1. Drivers

5.1.1.1. Growing elderly population coupled with increasing prevalence of hospital services

5.1.1.2. Increasing disposable income and demand for better healthcare services

5.1.1.3. Rising penetration of health insurance worldwide

5.1.2. Restraints

5.1.2.1. Concerns over gap between demand and supply of hospital services

5.1.3. Opportunities

5.1.3.1. Emerging demand in untapped areas of developed and developing economies

5.1.3.2. Rising investment in healthcare infrastructure and professionals

5.1.4. Challenges

5.1.4.1. Lack of strict protocols and standards pertaining to facilities in hospitals

5.2. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19



6. Hospital Services Market, by Hospital Type

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Private Hospital

6.3. Public/Community Hospital

6.4. State-owned Hospital



7. Hospital Services Market, by Service Type

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Inpatient Services

7.3. Outpatient Services



8. Hospital Services Market, by Service Areas

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Acute Care

8.3. Cancer Care

8.4. Cardiovascular

8.5. Neurorehabilitation & Psychiatry Services

8.6. Obstetrics & Gynecology

8.7. Pathology Lab, Diagnostics, and Imaging



9. Americas Hospital Services Market

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Argentina

9.3. Brazil

9.4. Canada

9.5. Mexico

9.6. United States



10. Asia-Pacific Hospital Services Market

10.1. Introduction

10.2. Australia

10.3. China

10.4. India

10.5. Indonesia

10.6. Japan

10.7. Malaysia

10.8. Philippines

10.9. Singapore

10.10. South Korea

10.11. Taiwan

10.12. Thailand



11. Europe, Middle East & Africa Hospital Services Market

11.1. Introduction

11.2. France

11.3. Germany

11.4. Italy

11.5. Netherlands

11.6. Qatar

11.7. Russia

11.8. Saudi Arabia

11.9. South Africa

11.10. Spain

11.11. United Arab Emirates

11.12. United Kingdom



12. Competitive Landscape

12.1. FPNV Positioning Matrix

12.1.1. Quadrants

12.1.2. Business Strategy

12.1.3. Product Satisfaction

12.2. Market Ranking Analysis

12.3. Market Share Analysis, By Key Player

12.4. Competitive Scenario

12.4.1. Merger & Acquisition

12.4.2. Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership

12.4.3. New Product Launch & Enhancement

12.4.4. Investment & Funding

12.4.5. Award, Recognition, & Expansion



13. Company Usability Profiles

13.1. 3M Company

13.2. Agilent Technologies, Inc.

13.3. Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

13.4. Beckman Coulter Inc.

13.5. Becton, Dickinson and Company

13.6. China Resources Phoenix Healthcare Holdings Company Limited

13.7. Community Health Systems, Inc.

13.8. F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

13.9. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

13.10. General Electric Company

13.11. Helios Technologies

13.12. Koninklijke Philips N.V.

13.13. Medline Industries, Inc.

13.14. Medtronic PLC

13.15. Optum, Inc.

13.16. Ramsay Health Care Ltd

13.17. Sanofi SA

13.18. Smiths Group PLC

13.19. Spire Healthcare Group PLC

13.20. Tenet Healthcare Corporation

13.21. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

13.22. Universal Health Services Inc



14. Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6t4v66

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
Sensyne Health PLC (AIM:SENS) said it is in detailed talks with a number of parties after putting itself up for sale in November.

The formal sale process (FSP) has involved discussions with other companies or investors and progress has been made on both management buy-out (MBO) and non-MBO options, a statement said. The board stressed there was no certainty any offer would be made.

Meanwhile, the clinical artificial intelligence company said it "made strong progress" in the first half of its financial year to 31 October 2021 and it now has more than 75 "opportunities in the pipeline" compared with 25 in October. Pandemic-related delays however are slowing the conversion of pipeline opportunities into commercial agreements.

With the three deals announced in the past month and a half, namely a research deal with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, plus strategic partnerships with Exscientia and RwHealth, the company now has 16 research agreements with NHS Trusts and US healthcare health systems and a database of 48.3mln anonymised patient records.

Pipeline opportunities include half of the top 10 pharma companies, along with all current and former customers and diverse smaller potential customers from the US, Europe and Asia, spanning end uses from drug discovery through to clinical development to post-marketing surveillance.

However, the company said it has faced significant commercial headwinds including contract delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact pharma companies, changing priorities and increased competition. These factors are slowing the conversion of this strengthened pipeline into commercial agreements.

With a cash position was 2.8mln as of 12 January and a substantial debtor being pursued for monies due under contract, Sensyne said it signed a non-binding agreement with a number of its institutional shareholders to provide 6.35mln of funding via a loan note, with an additional 5mln to be provided by mutual consent.

The company said the board believes the financing will proceed to completion in the near term, without it the company is unlikely to be able to continue to trade beyond early February 2022 by which time the FSP will not have concluded.
Craig Martin from Dynam Capital, the investment manager for VietNam Holding Limited (VietNam Holding Ltd (LSE:VNH)) catches up with Proactive London to talk about their 2021 performance.

Martin also talks through their prospects for 2022 after having what he describes as a 'terrific year' growing net assets close to 64% and the share price more than 80%. Making the fund 'one of the top performing funds in Vietnam and in the UK'.

He also highlights their ESG credentials, 'we managed to do all of this with a lower carbon footprint than an ETF or index'.
BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday said China will continue to maintain and practice true multilateralism, and is ready to enhance cooperation with all countries to contribute to the post-pandemic global development.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing when responding to a query about the upcoming 2022 World Economic Forum (WEF) virtual session. Earlier in the day, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the virtual event and deliver a speech on Jan. 17 in Beijing.

Wang said mankind is faced with unprecedented challenges, as demonstrated by the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, increasing uncertainties in global economic recovery, the widening development gap between the North and the South, and the headwinds against economic globalization.

Against such a backdrop, Xi's attendance and delivery of a speech at the WEF are of great significance, Wang said.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, China has been actively carrying out international cooperation on pandemic response, promoting a stable recovery of the global economy, improving global governance, and working with all countries to counter common challenges, he said.

China will continue to maintain and practice true multilateralism, and is ready to enhance cooperation with other countries to contribute China's wisdom and strength to the post-pandemic development of the world, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang added. 
Panthera Resources PLC (AIM:PAT) (Panthera Resources PLC (AIM:PAT)) Mark Bolton talks to Proactive London about the completion of its drilling operations at the Bassala gold project in Mali.

Some 8,546 metres of air core drilling was completed, across 152 holes, and composite samples have been sent for assay.

Results are expected on or about the end of January, the company said in a statement. It also noted all geochemical and chargeability targets have now been drilled with shallow AC.
State-owned French utility EDF said its performance for 2022 will be impacted to the tune of billions of euros by the electricity price cap imposed by the French government.

Frances energy and environment ministry on Thursday said EDF must increase the volumes of nuclear power it sells to its smaller competitors this year by 20 terawatt-hour (TWH) to 120 TWH in order to keep market prices down.

The price at which EDF will have to sell that electricity will be increased to 46.2 euros per megawatt-hour (MWH) from the current 42 euros. However, that price is still below EDF's actual production costs and far below current market prices of more than 100 euros per MWH.

EDF said in a statement that the price cap would impact its EBITDA for 2022 by around 8.4 bn based on the market prices on 31 December 2021 and by around 7.7bn based on the market prices on 12 January 2022.

The final impact on the groups EBITDA will depend on the market prices over the implementation period, EDF said, as it withdrew its 2022 EBITDA guidance.

The group added that it will consider appropriate measures to strengthen its balance sheet structure.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told the French daily Le Parisien on Thursday that without the new price cap new measures, power prices would jump by more than 35% instead of 4 % on 1 February.

He said the European Commission had approved the French government's plan.
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Blencowe Resources PLC (LSE:BRES) (Blencowe Resources PLC (LSE:BRES)) Mike Ralston joins Proactive London after appointing Australian engineering firm Battery Limits to assist in the pre-feasibility study (PFS) of the Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda.

He tells viewers all about Battery Limits which he says is one of the most experienced graphite project development engineers internationally, with extensive experience in East African graphite projects.

Battery Limits will lead and ultimately sign off the PFS, while specialised sub-consultants in Uganda and South Africa will assist with tailings storage design, geotechnical and hydrological studies under the supervision of Battery Limits.
Mining Capital's Alastair Ford talks to Proactive London about Blencowe Resources PLC (LSE:BRES) which is advancing the Orom-Cross jumbo flake graphite project in Uganda.

He says graphite is yet to 'catch fire' in this latest round of commodity price rises which bodes well for the future of the firm. He says it's looking like they can dig it up - 'free digging' as it is called - without complications.

The firm announced today the appointment of Australian engineering firm Battery Limits to assist in the pre-feasibility study (PFS) of the Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda.

Orom-Cross is a potential world-class graphite project both by size and end-product quality, with a high component of more valuable larger flakes within the deposit.
A long-time seller of BT Group PLC (LSE:BT.A) has reversed course and upgraded the telecoms giant.

In an endorsement of sorts, UBS now has a 'neutral' rating and said most of the hurdles it foresaw in 2021 have been dealt with, specifically the 5G spectrum auction, fibre regulation, the pension review and rising broadband infrastructure.

One major risk remains and that is to broadband arm Openreach, but with M&A a feature following the increase in Altices stake to 18%, UBS has raised its price target to 170p from 135p.

The Swiss bank is sceptical over the possibility of a full takeover bid, highlighting substantial barriers in the form of the UK government and the BT Pension Scheme.

The UK government has a right of veto in strategic sectors under the National Security and Investments Act and has already indicated it could intervene in the case of BT.

Separately, a change of control could see the pension deficit being viewed on a solvency basis rather than an actuarial basis leading to a deficit of >23bn as of June 2020. 

Openreach makes up the bulk of UBSs valuation, but developments such as TalkTalk announcing new wholesale broadband partnerships in the coming months and VM02 outlining its plans remain major uncertainties hence the neutral stance.

Price rises at the end of the month are a potential positive, especially if rivals follow suit as was reported would be the case yesterday.

In theory, these might be 8-9% (CPI+3.9%), though increases on that scale might run into regulatory problems believes the bank.

Shares in BT rose 0.4% today to 178.9p.
Patience is a virtue, they say, but then in the small-cap oil sector a little bit of giddiness can go a long way too.

Somewhere in between is the growing excitement around Advance Energy PLC (AIM:ADV) and the Buffalo-10 well, presently being drilled offshore Timor-Leste.

Advance Energy shares are up close to 9% in the past week as the drill-bit moves closer to its target zone.

A week ago, a rather technical and anodyne RNS marked the progress down to around 800 metres and this Friday a similar statement confirmed drilling had reached 2,700 metres.

It means the wells target, the Elang reservoir, is expected in the coming days as Buffalo-10 is deepened down to it total measured depth at 3,500 metres.

Buffalo-10s goal is to confirm the presence of commercial quantities of high-quality light oil that could open up an early re-development of the Buffalo field.

Small-cap investors could be rewarded with a quick uptick in value and followed by a rapid route to cashflow.

Drilling to date bodes well, according to Fridays announcement, which said noted that the geology on the way down to the target has been on prognosis with the operators geophysical interpretation.

Its an interesting and slightly positive footnote.

Ultimately it is the next announcements that will matter, whether or not the target zone has the oil that the company and partners hoped for. A success will likely catapult the share higher.

The quick turnaround from Buffalos acquisition (Advance picked up 50% in MM) to this value catalyst is, more or less, by design.

Speaking with Proactive last year chief executive Leslie Peterkin explained that the company targets assets in the eastern hemisphere that have a short timeline (three to five years) to reaching a significant inflexion point.

The companys strategy is to invest but not operate any of these projects.

Advance has firm criteria in terms of targeting proven resources and existing or near-term cash flow  criteria that appear hand-in-glove.

In the field, Buffalo-10 operator Carnarvon Petroleum is testing an undrilled crest of the structure on the acreage with the aim of recertifying resources to reserves.

Pre-drill, the certified contingent resource sits at 34mln barrels.

It is not virgin territory and as the field was developed and operated by BHP and Nexen from 1999, producing 21mln barrels of crude over five years until it was shut in.

At its peak output was a very respectable 45,000 barrels of oil a day from 2 wells.

The concept for Buffalo is for a three-well operation tied to a floating storage facility (FSPO), to potentially yield some 40,000 barrels a day. The oil is a very light crude (53-degree API).

So, success with Buffalo-10 could open a lucrative project for Advance Energy and Carnarvon.

Economics laid out in the competent persons report (CPR), year-one gross free cash flow would be in the order of US$276mln at a crude price of US$50 (today, Brent is changing hands at US$85). Its predicted that the project could take less than 12 months to achieve payback.

Subject to the well results, the partners have aimed to have the final investment decision for the field development later this year, which could mean material revenue-generating production as soon as 2023.

Once the proposition is laid out one might wonder why there isnt more hype around the imminent well result.

Perhaps its a sign of the times and reflects a need for less bombastic communications for hydrocarbon companies amidst the era of ESG.

Or perhaps its the case that the teams behind the project prefer a quieter form of confidence.

In any case, the Buffalo-10 result is likely to come in the next week and it is certainly shaping up to be one to look out for.
Hygrovest Ltd (ASX:MMJ) has significantly outperformed a declining Canadian cannabis market, the investment holding groups net asset value (NAV) decreasing just 13% compared to a 46% decline in the benchmark over the same period.

The specialist investment company is now looking to close the 61% gap in its share price to NAV ratio by working with its largest investment, Weed Me, to achieve liquidity during 2022 and realising underperforming or illiquid investments.

Hygrovest intends to hold its Entourage Health Corp convertible debenture and recover full value (current book value is at a 55% discount to face value) while awaiting the cessation of escrow arrangements with Embark Health and Vintage Wines Estates.

The company says funds generated from divestments will be applied as dividends to HGV shareholders and to make investments which the board considers to be prospective of higher capital growth and greater diversification.

HGV remains well funded to continue pursuing its investment goals. The company has total assets of A$37 million, with immaterial current liabilities, comprising cash of A$4 million and a portfolio of listed equities (C$4 million), listed convertible loans (C$3 million) and unlisted loan securities (C$4 million).

Current portfolio strategy

While Hygrovest is looking to reduce its overall exposure to the underperforming Canadian cannabis market, the companys current cannabis-based interests are outperforming the market average as the sector transitions away from large, mass producers toward smaller craft producers.

Weed Me: Weed Mes unaudited book value stands at A$12.9 million, the best-performing investment in HGVs portfolio. The company is in the high revenue growth stage and HGV remains optimistic for future capital growth from its investment.

HGV is working with the company to maximise exit value during the next 12 months.

Its portfolio of investments include:

 Harvest One: As the companys largest shareholder, Hygrovest has a A$4.2 million investment, holding 22% in the restructured listed cannabis business.

 Entourage Health Corp: A$3.3 million. Hygrovest will hold convertible notes until maturity in Sept 2022  currently at a 55% discount to face.

 Southern Cannabis Holdings: A$2.4 million. Diversifying its products to continue sales growth  Hygrovest is working with SCHs management to produce a liquidity event in the next 12 months.

 Sequoya: A$3.2 million. Sequoya is seeking new capital. HGV is considering an extension of loan facilities.

 Vintage Wine Estate: A$3.1 million. Hygrovest is a small investor in VWE  the investment is in escrow until December 2022.

 Embark Health: A$1.5 million. Hygrovest's investment will be acquired by listed BevCanna Enterprises Inc following shareholder approval in December 2021.

 Brainworks Foundry Inc: A$1.4 million. It is a new investment in digital healthcare made in September 2021.

 Valo Therapeutics: A$1.0 million. It is a new investment in healthcare made in November 2021 and Hygrovest is supportive of the companys targeted public listing in 2022.

About Hygrovest

Hygrovest is a global cannabis investment company with a focus on adding to its portfolio of investments across Australia, Canada and Europe.

The companys core business is holding investments across the full range of emerging cannabis-related sectors including healthcare, technology, infrastructure, processing, cultivation, and retail.

Hygrovest has also made investments in sectors outside of cannabis, such as but not limited to, natural resources, pharmaceuticals, and software services technology.
AVZ Minerals Ltd (ASX:AVZ) is now trading on the OTCQX Best Market under the ticker AZZVF, taking advantage of the growing opportunities for the global lithium sector, particularly in the North American market.

The OTCQX Best Market is the highest market tier of over-the-counter markets, on which some 11,000 United States and global securities trade.

High trading standards

Companies trading on this exchange must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, demonstrate compliance with US securities laws, be current in their disclosure and have a professional third-party sponsor.

Along with its high fiduciary standards, the OTCQX Best Market is known for its value and ease of access to US investors, brokers and institutions seeking to trade, and AZZVF stocks will be well placed to capitalise on this eager market.

Waiting market

We have long recognised the opportunities provided by the North American capital markets, and with a burgeoning interest in the global lithium sector, our majority-owned Manono Lithium and Tin Project is generating significant investor interest, said managing director Nigel Ferguson.

We believe AVZs admission to the OTCQX Best Market will benefit all of our shareholders, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of the company to US investors, and allowing us to efficiently grow our North American shareholder base.

The company will continue to have its primary listing on the ASX and be subject to and comply with the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act 2001.

Rimon Law acted as the companys OTCQX sponsor. US investors can find current financial disclosure and real-time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The Manono Project

The Manono Project, in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa, hosts the world-class Roche Dure mineral resource of 400 million tonnes, including lithium, tin and tantalum.

It is positioned as a clean, sustainable source of lithium, making a contribution to global green energy and supplying vital clean battery minerals. The company is proud of the mines ESG credentials  it is forecast to be one of the lowest carbon-emitting hard rock mines in the world.
DomaCom Ltd reported continued growth in the DomaCom Fund over recent months, with its funds under management (FUM) pushing through the $100 million mark in early calendar 2022.

It recorded an impressive approximate 33% rise in FUM over the past 12 months from the $75.3 million recorded at the end of the December 2020 quarter.

It was only in September 2021 that FUM moved above the $90 million mark.

The fractional investment platforms ability to invest in a wide menu of assets with unique features that meet the investment needs of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) and seniors contributed to this FUM uplift.

DomaComs investment model continues to gain traction with progressive advisers, who see the clear advantages it offers to their respective client bases.

Enhance product offerings

DomaCom CEO Arthur Naoumidis said: We are delighted with the continued growth in the DomaCom funds FUM over recent months.

It in part reflects our decision some years ago to diversify the funds asset mix into other property subclasses besides residential.

The FUM growth can also be attributed to the DomaComs teams continued ability to enhance the product offerings feeding off the fund.

As part of this process, they have worked diligently to secure unique rulings for SMSFs and seniors looking to downsize and use their home to top up their super  and this quest is ongoing.

Power FUM growth

Naoumidis continued: There is another important driver behind the continued excellent FUM growth our fund has achieved.

This is the support of a small but growing supporter base among financial service licensees, their adviser networks as well as their smaller investor and SMSF client bases. Investors serviced by these early adopter advisors continue to derive benefits from exposure to the wider spread of asset classes accessible via the fractional investing model.

We anticipate that the DomaComs teams ongoing ability to evolve the fractional investing platforms product offerings as well as continued growth in the number of financial advisors investing client monies into the Fund will power FUM growth over the coming year.

Broadening investment mandate

The bulk of the FUM increase achieved over recent months was attributable to property acquisitions for small investors and SMSFs.

Taking a longer-term perspective, the strong growth reported in the funds FUM over the past few years is in part attributable to a willingness to invest in a wider range of assets going beyond the standard residential property, which dominated the funds investment portfolio in its early days.

This broadening of the funds investment mandate means small investors and SMSFs have been able to access asset classes often characterised by big-ticket items, which were previously only available to sophisticated investors.

Small investors and SMSFs can now gain exposure to a range of commercial property opportunities, rural farmland, renewable energy, property developments, disability and affordable housing, special opportunities in new business, mortgage lending and land banking.

Continued innovation

Continued innovation of the product suite attached to the DomaCom Fund has also played a key role in this FUM growth.

DomaComs Shariah-compliant housing finance solution for Australias Islamic community will be released early this year.

The continued evolution of the DomaCom platform and the innovative financial models that feed off it have continuously demonstrated its capability to syndicate almost anything that passes a strict due diligence process for groups of investors, families and friends.

The FUM growth the DomaCom Fund continues to enjoy has been aided by the fact that SMSFs  a key target market  represent a significant percentage of Australian investors who are able to curate a portfolio of high value assets by syndicating with other investors to maintain a balanced portfolio.
BEIRUT, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. will allow Lebanon to import natural gas and electricity from Egypt and Jordan through Syria, without being subject to restrictions imposed by the U.S. Caesar Act which prohibits cooperation with Syria, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said on Thursday.

The U.S. authorities have informed Egyptian officials about Lebanon's capability of importing energy through Syria, Bou Habib said during his meeting at Baabda Palace with President Michel Aoun to inform him about his recent visit to the United States.

The energy and oil ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon had agreed last September to supply Lebanon with electricity from Jordan and natural gas from Egypt through the Arab Gas Pipeline to solve the electricity crisis in Lebanon.

Bou Habib also noted that U.S. officials expressed keenness to resume the process of demarcating the southern maritime border between Lebanon and Israel, and the U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein will come to Lebanon within the next few days to resume his efforts with the aim of moving forward in this regard.

Lebanon has been going through an unprecedented financial crisis due to the failing policies adopted by successive governments which resulted in a public debt hovering over 96 billion U.S. dollars. 
CV Check Ltd (ASX:CV1) continues the financial year with strong growth, outlined in a flash quarterly update to market on its revenues and the outlook for its employment screening and software-as-a-service (SaaS) products. This has led to its latest 'Buy' recommendation.

Robust demand

In its recent valuation report, Shaw and Partners pointed to healthy tailwinds for the company, which the broker attributed to increased regulatory factors in pre-employment screening, including COVID-19 vaccination checks.

Also positive for the company is an unprecedented demand for Cited, the companys SaaS-based real-time compliance monitoring product.

With A$1.2 million in SaaS revenues for the first half of the financial year, the company is set for fairly flat half-on-half revenues, but its significant pipeline for Cited gives Shaw and Partners considerable confidence of strong growth on the other side.

Recommendation

CV1 continues to deliver significant growth and demonstrates robust demand for its core pre-employment screening and SaaS products. The group continues to trade at a significant discount  around 60%  to its peers, with upside potential on SaaS penetration, ongoing acceleration in pre-employment screening revenues and further merger and acquisition activity. On these grounds, the broker backs a continued buy recommendation.

Revenue

Revenue looks roughly as expected  at A$6.5 million, up 83% year-on-year and 3% quarter-on-quarter  in line with Shaw and Partners estimate of $6.8 million. Quarters three and four are seasonally stronger for the group and represent 60% of total revenue in the 2021 financial year.

We forecast revenues of A$13.9 million in the second half of 2022, which would translate to 52% of total 2022 revenue, the report said. "On this basis and notwithstanding COVID related impacts and employment activity, we see upside risk to our estimates if seasonality trends hold in the 2022 financial year.

Cross-sell and SaaS opportunity

In December 2021, the broker noted that CV1 has an opportunity to cross-sell its Cited workforce management modules to relevant enterprise and business customers, which represented an estimated A$3 million to $9 million annual SaaS opportunity based on up to 10% market penetration.

Since then, the company has indicated there is 'unprecedented demand' for the product, so the forecast could be for stronger-than-anticipated growth.

Robust cash collection and cash balance

Cash receipts for the quarter tracked ahead of revenues at A$8.3 million (up 35% year-on-year), which implies strong cash collections at 128% of revenues. This translated to a final cash balance of A$12.2 million for the calendar year  healthy considering the group is now cashflow positive  and included A$1 million for a one-off payment related to the finalisation of its acquisition of Bright People Technologies.

Significant discount compared to peers

The company is trading on 2.3x sales for the current financial year, which is around a 60% discount to peers. We expect CV1 to deliver outperformance in 2022 driven by increased penetration in its SaaS compliance monitoring products, which are becoming increasingly relevant given regulatory scrutiny and complexity in the Covid environment," the report said.
Tribe Property Technologies Inc. (TSX-V:TRBE) aims to change the way people experience community living, connect with their neighbors, and interact with their homes.

In other words, the company wants to make life easier for homeowners and tenants  particularly when it comes to postal deliveries amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by using the power of digitization and artificial intelligence.

Vancouver-based Tribe recently partnered with Bluemyth Technologies, a Canada-based internet application company, to bring smart parcel delivery solutions to strata and condominium buildings.

Simplifying the process

The partnership adds customized smart locker subscription services to Tribe communities, eliminating the need for residents to wait for parcels and simplifying the process for property managers and on-site staff as online shopping and home delivery continue to boom. The service is 100% automated and secure.

"Where upfront installation costs can be a common barrier for an existing strata or condo building, Bluemyth's subscription-based model, inclusive of installation and maintenance fees, provides financial flexibility, while adding value to the building," said Tribe CEO Joseph Nakhla.

What we love about it is that it allows for a large number of homes to be managed by a small number of storage lockers in the building," he added.

Tribe also struck a partnership in late 2021 with Luxer One, a leading developer of smart locker technology, to bring secure and versatile parcel storage to Tribe communities across Canada, including automated package acceptance.

Luxer One, a technology company specializing in contactless pickup and drop-off for packages and goods, develops smart package lockers while its access control technology is used and preferred across industries, including multi-family residential, retail, commercial, and higher education.

"We see this as an incredible opportunity to transform the community-living experience for those already living in multi-family residential communities in Canada," said Nakhla, whose company manages about 40,000 homes comprised of more than 100,000 residents.

He noted that the Luxer partnership brings customized smart locker subscription services to Tribe communities, eliminating the need for residents to wait for parcels and simplifying the process for property managers and on-site staff.

"Five years ago, a condo or apartment building would receive between 10-20 packages a day, now they are receiving anywhere between 50-200 a day. This shift has created a need for logistical parcel storage solutions for residents in multi-family dwellings."

In fact, online shopping and home delivery continue to boom in Canada. In 2021, Canadian shoppers made an average of 27.4 online purchases per year, up from 16.6 in 2019.

Offering integrated service-technology platform

For Tribe, automating parcel delivers is just one of many services that the company provides with its integrated service-technology platform that is designed to help the entire community of a building - owners, tenants, landlords, boards and councils, property managers, service providers, and real estate developers. Its blended service and technology (Tribe Home) are integrated into every community with the ability to connect, inform, educate, and protect.

The company seeks to acquire highly accretive targets in the fragmented property management industry and transform these businesses through streamlining and digitization of operations. Tribes platform decreases customer acquisition costs, increases retention, and allows for the addition of value-added products and services through the platform.

Last year proved to be the companys best year yet  underscored by record third-quarter revenue of C$4.1 million, a 259% year-over-year increase, driven by acquisitions as well as organic growth. Tribe also generated a record gross profit of C$2 million, a 364% increase from the same period last year.

Tribe has continued to see substantial revenue growth for the third quarter in a row with progress across all of our M&A activities, digital partnerships, and organic growth, Nakhla said.

Also in 2021, its shares started trading on the OTCQB Venture Market in the US under the symbol TRPTF in addition to its listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada, making its stock more accessible to US-based investors.

Plans for 2022

Looking ahead, Tribe enters 2022 after raising $18 million recently which will help the company execute on its acquisition pipeline and finance working capital and general corporate purposes as well. The company hopes to grow via M&A opportunities with property management and prop-technology firms.

Tribe, which employs some 200 staffers, naturally wants to expand beyond Canada into the massive US market with an eye on Boston, New York, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

We havent been coy or shy about telling the world that we are very active in that effort, said Nakhla. We have assembled a tremendous M&A corporate development team with a healthy pipeline. But more importantly, we have assembled an M&A integration team that is looking to ensure that the delivery of services to communities can only improve and digitize.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
North Korean hackers stole US$400mln worth of cryptocurrency and digital assets last year according to research conducted by blockchain analysis firm, Chainalysis.

The attacks largely focussed on investment firms and centralised exchanges, with the state denying any involvement in the cybercrime.

According to Chainalysis, the number of incidents rose from four to seven compared to 2020, with the value of crypto stolen increasing nearly 40%.

The company also said hackers used tactics such as phishing emails, code exploits and deploying malware to target hot wallets, which are linked directly to the net and cryptocurrency network.

Lazarus Group is believed to be behind the attacks and is also reportedly controlled by North Koreas intelligence agency, Reconnaissance General Bureau.

The group was accused of masterminding the "WannaCry" ransomware attacks in 2014, where international banks, customer accounts and Sony Pictures were victims.

According to the United Nations, the North Korean government has used stolen cryptocurrency to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

North Korean hackers have been caught out in attempts to hack US companies. Last February, the US charged three North Korean hackers for trying to steal US$1.3bn worth of cash and cryptocurrency from US banks, Hollywood movie studios among others.
Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (CSE:SIXW) President and CEO Jon Gluckman spoke to Proactive about deploying its nanotechnology in a second phase for mining company Rio2s Fenix Gold Project in Chile.

Gluckman explains how the Vancouver, Canada-based group's IXOS purification polymer helps to extract gold from cyanide leach solutions, while being more efficient, have higher capacity, and offer environmental benefits compared to current processing methods.
CEO Alex Pernin said the project has the potential to sequester significant amounts of atmospheric CO2 from enhanced management of their forest resource

Star Royalties Ltd (TSX-V:STRR) said it has increased its gross revenue royalty on carbon offset credits from forested lands in Elizabeth Metis Settlement (EMS) in Alberta to 40.5%.

The royalty is owned by Stars pure green subsidiary Green Star Royalties, which will receive a share of revenue from the creation and sale of carbon offset credits.

The royalty is now expected to generate annual revenues equivalent to around 9,000 carbon offset credits starting in 2023, expanding Toronto-based Stars unique carbon credit portfolio.

The move also provides carbon finance for improved forest management practices in Alberta to create biosequestration-based compliance carbon offset credits, according to a statement from Star.

As per the term sheet, Green Star paid EMS C$600,000 in cash to increase its royalty to 40.5% of EMSs revenue share from the forest project. The royalty covers the entire forest project and has a term of the earlier of 10 years commencing on the date EMS receives any gross revenue from the monetization of carbon offset credits, or the date until the first 225,000 carbon offset credits are issued and sold in connection with the project.

Star Royalties CEO Alex Pernin told investors that the project has the potential to sequester significant amounts of atmospheric CO 2 from enhanced management of their forest resource.

This upsizing of our royalty not only represents a pure green investment in a tier-one jurisdiction with cash flow visibility, but it also highlights the intuitive and replicable structure of our revenue sharing business model, Pernin said.

This re-investment also demonstrates our ability to partner with Indigenous communities to unlock their many carbon sequestration opportunities. Our company is committed to sustainable environmental solutions and continues to view this as a highly scalable business model with attractive returns."

The EMS forest project covers a forested area of 15,457 hectares around 230 kilometres northeast of the provincial capital city of Edmonton. Carbon offset developer and marketer Bluesource is assisting EMS in developing the project to generate carbon offset credits that can be sold to federally regulated industrial emitters. Revenue will be split with the majority going to EMS and the remainder to Green Star Royalties.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CSE:AGN, OTCQB:AGNPF) said it has received positive feedback from the US Food and Drug Administration at its pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND) meeting for its investigation of NP-120, or Ifenprodil, for the treatment of chronic cough.

Ifenprodil is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist specifically targeting the NMDA-type subunit 2B (GluN2B).

The Vancouver-based company said that the FDA meeting produced helpful guidance on the Phase 2b protocol design that was submitted by the company as well as the endpoints that had been selected. The US federal agency also requested standard genotoxicity testing be completed prior to beginning the Phase 2b study, which the company estimates will take approximately 90 days to complete.

We are very pleased with the response we received from the US FDA, said Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals in a statement. We look forward to the final data set from our IPF and chronic cough study so that we can plan our next steps.

The company filed the pre-IND meeting request to seek guidance in the event the company decides to move forward with a chronic cough Phase 2b study in the US. On September 20, 2021, the company reported positive trending interim data from the chronic cough part of its 20-patient proof-of-concept Phase 2 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic cough study being conducted in Australia and New Zealand.

The interim analysis examined 24-hour and waking cough counts measured using an ambulatory cough monitor at baseline and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment with Ifenprodil, 20 mg three times daily. The data showed a trend to a relative reduction in cough count when compared to each patients baseline measurement control, the company said.

The company noted that in its pre-clinical animal cough study, Ifenprodil showed both a dramatic reduction in cough count and a delay in cough onset when compared to vehicle controls in a well-accepted acute cough in-vivo animal study. Gefapixant, Mercks lead phase 3 trial drug for chronic cough, was also tested in the study.

Algernon is a drug re-purposing company that investigates safe, already approved drugs, including naturally occurring compounds, for new disease applications, moving them efficiently and safely into new human trials, developing new formulations and seeking new regulatory approvals in global markets.

Contact Ritika at ritika@proactiveinvestors.com


Silver Range Resources (AIM:RRL, ASX:RRS) CEO Mike Power joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has added to their portfolio by acquiring two new projects in Nevada.

Power tells Proactive more about Tonto del Pueblo and Alimony, which are both located in Nye County.
Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd said it has closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing by issuing 37,348,532 units at a price of $0.03 each for gross proceeds of $1,120,455.96.

In total, the company has issued 109,032,378 units for gross proceeds of $3,270,971.34 under the entire private placement financing. The financing has been oversubscribed by $270,971.34.

Each unit in the second tranche consists of one common share of Naturally Splendid and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share for a period of two years from the date of the issue at an exercise price of $0.05 per share.

As previously announced, the proceeds of the financing will be directed primarily towards the purchase of new manufacturing equipment and facility upgrades to accommodate the manufacturing of plant-based entrees for the company's 10-year exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreement with Flexitarian Foods Pty. Ltd., a division of Australia's largest plant-based manufacturer.

Funds will also be allotted for inventory from key suppliers, investor relations fees of $90,000, repayment of accounts payable, general working capital purposes as well as accrued management fees of $278,371.71 and future management fees totaling $108,000.00 for three senior management personnel through to the end of the Second Quarter of 2022.

In a statement, J. Craig Goodwin Naturally Splendid Enterprises CEO commented: "The Company is pleased to close the second tranche of this capital raise, exceeding our target of three million dollars. The new manufacturing lines have now been ordered, and upgrades to our existing manufacturing facility to accommodate the production of our plant-based lines have begun".

He added: "The first step is to install and commission two (2) packaging lines that will increase the opportunity to pursue retail opportunities. The first packaging line which was previously announced to be operational in January 2022, is now operational. Retail packaging will be finalized shortly, and we expect our retail packaging to be available by early February allowing us to begin penetrating the Canadian retail market.

"The second packaging line is scheduled to come on stream in February 2022. This second packaging line, greatly enhances our packaging capabilities by being able to accommodate a wide variety of packaging mediums, optimizing new opportunities specifically for the retail and direct to consumer markets. While we are building out our own manufacturing, we will continue to import product from our Australian partners. We look forward to providing updates in a timely manner as we embark on this most exciting opportunity".

Under the second tranche, the company paid finders' fee of $4,900 and 303,338 non-transferable warrants to Clarus Securities Inc., $7,035 and 234,500 non-transferable warrants to Research Capital Corporation., $3,500 and 116,666 non-transferable warrants to Canaccord Genuity (TSX:CF, LSE:CF) Corp., and $10,500 and 350,000 non-transferable warrants to St. Peter Invest Corp.

The securities issued under the second tranche are subject to restrictions from resale for a period of four months and a day pursuant to applicable securities laws and the exchange hold period.

Founded in 2010, Naturally Splendid Enterprises operates a food manufacturing facility just outside Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. The company has established numerous healthy, functional foods under recognized brands such as Natera Sport, Natera Hemp Foods, CHII, Elevate Me and Woods Wild Bar, and most recently Natera Plant Based Foods, a line of delicious plant-based meat alternatives for the rapidly growing plant-based market segment.

The company has a myriad of new products and line extensions under development that are approaching launch. Through Plasm Pharmaceutical, it has been approved for conducting a phase 2 clinical trial approved by Health Canada for treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19). The company has also developed proprietary technologies for the extraction of high-demand, healthy omega 3 and 6 oils from hemp.

Naturally Splendid Enterprises contract manufacturers for healthy, functional food products and ingredients focusing on plant-based ingredients. The company provides contract manufacturing services for many healthy food companies, private labeling a wide variety of nutritional food products destined for global healthy food markets.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Wallinger has joined the board following Bruce Kenways retirement as director

Silver Range Resources Ltd (TSX-V:SNG, OTC:SLRRF) said it has acquired two new gold properties in western Nevada.

The properties are Tondo del Pueblo (TDP) and Alimony, located in Nye County.

At Tondo del Pueblo, the company said gold has been found in east-striking shear zones hosting quartz veins cutting Triassic Excelsior Formation metasedimentary rocks, with one shear exposed for at least 400 meters (m) along strike.

In addition, it said grab samples collected from quartz veins within the exposed shears returned assays up to 35.4 grams per ton (g/t) gold (Au). Four of the 10 samples collected during staking returned assays greater than 5 g/t Au.

Sampling in the area by the Nevada Bureau of Mines & Geology returned analyses up to 9.5 g/t Au and 500 parts per million (ppm) silver (Ag), noted Silver Range, which examined, sampled, and staked TDP in October 2021.

At the Alimony property, the company said that gold is found in silicified tuffs within Miocene Milltown Andesite with mineralization exposed in several shafts and pits.

Grab samples returned up to 4.84 g/t Au with six of 24 rock samples collected returning analyses greater than 1 g/t Au. The Milltown Andesite and associated rhyodacite hosted the bulk of the extensive gold resources mined in the Goldfield Mining District. Reconnaissance soil lines across 200m of the inferred strike of mineralization detected anomalous gold on all lines.

Meanwhile, Silver Range said Bruce Kenway retired from the board, effective January 14, 2022. Kenway served as a director since August 2011 and chaired the Silver Range Audit Committee during that period.

And Elizabeth Wallinger has been appointed a director, effective January 14, 2022. Since 2011, she has worked in the mineral exploration industry as an exploration geologist with Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited and most recently at Sentinel Corporate Services Inc. as a corporate controller for various junior mining companies. Wallinger also serves on the board for GGL Resources Corp (TSX-V:GGL)., a Vancouver-based junior explorer.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Altiplano Metals CEO Alastair McIntyre joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has released assay results from 6 more drill holes from exploration drilling at the Farellon copper-gold mine in Chile.

McIntyre telling Proactive all the holes have intersected the mineralized vein system at depth observed up to 24 m below the current 360 m operational level and along the NE-SW strike extensions. McIntyre also told Proactive the company-owned drill rig was recently moved to Maria Luisa to prepare for an approximately 5,000-metre surface and underground exploration drilling program.
BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Coming into force at the beginning of the year, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade deal, set "multilateralism" as a key word for Asia-Pacific region in 2022.

This year China took over as the chair of BRICS and will host the 14th BRICS Summit, while the APEC Informal Leaders' Retreat, the Group of 20 Leaders' Summit, and meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will also be held in Asian countries throughout the year, providing solid multilateral platforms for global leaders to address economic and pandemic challenges facing the global community.

Meanwhile, the surging Omicron variant, humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and irresponsible political and military actions taken by the United States still cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of the region.

VICTORY FOR MULTILATERALISM

After eight years of negotiations, 15 Asia-Pacific countries, covering about 30 percent of the global population, gross domestic product and trade volume, in November 2020 signed the RCEP deal, which came into force on Jan. 1, 2022.

According to China's Ministry of Commerce, within the RCEP framework, over 90 percent of the import tariffs between participating countries would be phased out, bringing benefits to both enterprises and consumers.

The import and export of goods worth more than 1.4 trillion U.S. dollars annually between China and other RCEP members will thus be subject to preferential tariffs, it added.

The entry into force of the agreement is of great significance in promoting regional trade, reinforcing the industrial and supply chains and quickening global economic recovery from the pandemic.

"In addition to tariff reduction, the RCEP has also set a benchmark for economic and trade rules in the Asia-Pacific region," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin, hailing the rollout of the pact as "a major victory for multilateralism and free trade."

CHALLENGES REMAIN

Despite the rays of hope brought by the pact, the prospect for economic recovery in Asia-Pacific remains uncertain due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which has triggered another wave of pandemic in the region since late 2021. Countries are once again forced to impose strict control measures and boost vaccination drives. Hoping for the best while preparing for the worst, Asia-Pacific countries are walking a tightrope at the year's beginning.

In Afghanistan, humanitarian crisis is worsening, as the United Nations' World Food Program warned earlier that the country is facing "an avalanche of hunger and destitution."

If the crisis is not alleviated, Afghanistan may again fall into turmoil and chaos and turn into a hotbed of extremist and terrorist organizations, endangering regional security and stability.

The United States, who plunged Afghanistan into a dire situation following the two-decade war and imposed unilateral sanctions on the country after its hasty flight, should absolutely take the blame for aggravating the already miserable humanitarian crisis.

Apart from in Afghanistan, Washington, a longtime trouble maker in the region, has also been spreading lies and erecting obstacles in the Pacific by setting up exclusive blocs such as AUKUS and Quad, putting in peril regional peace and stability.

Facing economic and security risks, regional countries should uphold true multilateralism and stand in even stronger solidarity for cooperation, analysts said. 
United Nations, Jan 14 : UN humanitarians have condemned increasing violence and the slaying of an aid worker in al-Hol, the largest camp for displaced people and refugees in Syria.

The killing on Tuesday followed an armed attack on a health facility in the camp, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday.

Imran Riza, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Syria, and Muhannad Hadi, the UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, "condemned the abhorrent incident and the ongoing violence." "On behalf of the entire humanitarian community in Syria, the two senior UN officials expressed condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the victim," OCHA reported.

Neither the identity of the victim nor the exact circumstances of the slaying were immediately available, Xinhua news agency reported.

"They also called on all parties with influence to ensure appropriate security measures to allow humanitarian assistance to continue to be delivered in a safe and effective manner," the office said.

The camp in northeast Syria "continues to see a significant decline in the rule of law and increased violence among residents, with a range of appalling attacks reported," the office added. This is the first death in al-Hol of an aid worker or resident this year.

In 2021, 89 Syrian and Iraqi camp residents, including one humanitarian worker, were killed, OCHA said. The camp is the largest for refugees and internally displaced people in Syria, with around 56,000 people, over half of whom are under 18 years.

OCHA added that humanitarian workers stopped operations for two days to review safety protocols because of the slaying.

"The UN and other humanitarian organisations remain committed to mobilising and delivering regular life-saving and essential aid to al-Hol," the office said.

"But their work can only be effective when steps are taken to address persistent safety issues." Camp residents in al-Hol "need dignified, informed, and durable solutions to their displacement," OCHA added.

"The UN reiterates its call for all responsible parties to take urgent and meaningful action to resolve this issue and uphold the rights, dignity and humanity of each individual living in al-Hol."
Lucknow, Jan 14 : Two more legislators, belonging to the Apna Dal, an ally of the BJP, have resigned just ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled to take place next month.

Following his resignation, Chaudhary Amar Singh said: "This government is a liar and no development has been done. I met Akhilesh Yadav and will join him. Soon more people will join us." He is likely to contest his Shohratgarh seat in Siddhartha Nagar on an SP ticket.

The other Apna Dal MLA R.K. Verma, who represents the Vishwanath Ganj seat of Pratapgarh, also announced that he is leaving the party.

Both the legislators blamed the Yogi Adityanath government for their leaving the alliance.

With the two new resignations, a total of 12 MLAs from the ruling alliance in Uttar Pradesh have quit, blaming the state government of being anti-backward.

Ten BJP MLAs, including three ministers, have quit the BJP since Tuesday.

It started with the exit of top minister Swami Prasad Maurya, followed by three MLAs close to him on the same day - Bhagwati Sagar, Roshan Lal Verma, and Brijesh Prajapati.

On Wednesday, another state minister Dara Singh Chauhan and MLA Avatar Singh Bhadana quit. Bhadana joined the RLD, an ally of the SP.

On Thursday, Minister Dharam Singh Saini, and three other BJP MLAs - Vinay Shakya, Mukesh Verma and Bala Awasthi - also left the party.

All three ministers who have quit are key OBC (Other Backward Class) leaders, claiming that the interests of the community are being neglected.
Kabul, Jan 14 : The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that the rights of Afghan women and girls are "under attack" and that they need the world body's support and solidarity now more than ever.

In a statement on Thursday, the OCHA said that girls and women in the war-torn nation are deprived of basic rights and humanitarian organisations must aim to scale up assistance by providing food, healthcare, education, livelihood opportunities and protection services, reports TOLO News.

According to the OCHA, 11.8 million women and girls need urgent humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

The statement came after a gathering of women activists in Kabul on Wednesday stayed awake all night and "lit candles for freedom".

Reacting to the OCHA statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the allegations were baseless and "false information".

In a tweet, Mujahid said that since the Taliban took over Afghanistan last August everyone's rights have been protected, including women.

Also on Thursday, a report by the Human Rights Watch said that Afghanistan's economic and humanitarian situation has been worsened after the Taliban's return to power and that women and children are the biggest victims of the situation.

The report also expressed concern over Afghan journalists and activists being arrested and threatened by the Taliban.
Madrid, Jan 14 : The Spanish government has agreed to offer a booster dose against Covid-19 to everyone aged over 18 in an effort to stop the further transmission of the virus.

Previously the booster jab had only been available for people aged 40 and over, along with those who had been given the single dose 'Janssen' vaccine, essential workers and those with immune deficiency problems, reports Xinhua news agency.

The administration of the third dose would be "in descending age order", Minister of Health Carolina Darias said on Thursday.

Darias said that the minimum time between receiving the second and third vaccination would be reduced from six months down to five.

She also said that anyone who had been infected after receiving a second vaccination would need to wait at least a month before receiving a booster shot.

According to figures issued by the Ministry of Health, 33.95 per cent of the population have so far been given the booster shot, while 80.39 per cent were fully vaccinated and 84.67 per cent received just one dose.
Lucknow, Jan 14 : The filing of nominations for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections for 58 seats in 11 districts will begin on Friday under strict Covid guidelines, said Ajay Kumar Shukla, UP chief electoral officer.

At the time of filing of papers, only two persons will be permitted to accompany the candidate to the returning officer's room.

Candidates can submit their nominations online through the Suvidha App and submit the copy of the application regarding online submission to the returning officer.

Due to the implementation of Covid protocol by the ECI, no candidate will be allowed to take out procession at the time of filing nomination papers. Only two vehicles can be used by the candidate at the time of nomination, he said. The ECI has fixed the polling time from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Shukla further said, "The Election Commission is committed for holding free, fair, inclusive, peaceful and Covid-safe polling in the state." Out of the 58 Assembly seats going to polls in the first phase, nine seats are reserved for scheduled castes. The elections for the 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly will be held in seven phases.

The last date for filing nominations for the first phase is January 21. The scrutiny of nominations will be done on January 24 while the last date for withdrawal of papers is January 27.

The eleven districts where polling will be held in the first phase are Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura and Agra.
Lucknow, Jan 14 : The Lucknow University (LU) has deferred the examinations scheduled to take place from Friday after 50 students have tested positive for Covid-19.

Of the 50 students, 32 are from the Habibullah Boys' hostel, 10 from Mahmudabad Boys' hostel and eight from Lal Bahadur Shastri Boys' hostel.

An M.Sc student, residing in the Nivedita Girls' hostel, has also tested positive. She later left the hostel with her guardian.

The remaining students of the hostel also got tested and reports are awaited.

After the outbreak on the campus, Lucknow University Associated College Teachers' Association (LUACTA) also threatened to boycott examinations in view of rise in cases.

LU spokesperson Durgesh Srivastava said: "The university has deferred examination. It will re-schedule all the examinations between January 15 and 31. The next examination schedule will be announced shortly." Earlier, three students, two from Mahmudabad and one from Habibullah hostel, tested positive after which RT-PCR test of all the inmates was done by the health officials from the CMO office.

While several students left the hostels, those whose examinations were scheduled stayed back.

Meanwhile, students alleged that negligence of the university administration was the reason behind the spurt in Covid cases on the campus.

"We will quarantine all infected students in the hostel itself. They will be given food in disposables while those who want to go home will be permitted to leave if their guardians come to pick them up and their condition is not serious," the LU spokesperson said.

"We can't take the risk of allowing students from Uttarakhand or far-flung places to travel in such conditions. They are not just students but our children too and due care will be taken." Earlier, the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) had also announced to defer the examination after Covid cases were reported on the campus.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Seoul, Jan 14 : North Korea on Friday warned that it will have to take "stronger and certain reaction" after the US imposed new sanctions over Pyongyang's recent missile launches.

In a statement carried by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a spokesperson for the North's Foreign Ministry said the recent launch of what it claims to be a hypersonic missile was an "exercise of right to self-defence".

"If the US adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it," Yonhap News Agency quoted the KCNA statement as saying.

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

On Wednesday, the US slapped sanctions on six North Koreans involved in the reclusive regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

The move came a day the North launched what it claims to be a newly developed hypersonic missile on Tuesday, the second such test in less than a week.

"The DPRK's recent development of new-type weapon was just part of its efforts for modernizing its national defence capability," the KCNA statement said.

"It did not target any specific country or force and it did not do any harm to the security of neighbouring countries." North Korea has been testing a series of new weapons amid a deadlock in its nuclear negotiations with the US.

The nuclear talks remain stalled since their Hanoi summit in 2019 ended without a deal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the North may continue launching more missiles, describing it as North Korea "trying to get attention".
London, Jan 14 : The Buckingham Palace has announced that Duke of York Prince Andrew's "military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen" In a brief statement issued on Thursday, the Palace said that the 61-year-old Prince Andrew "will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen", reports xinhua news agency

The announcement came as Prince Andrew faces a civil case in the US over claims he sexually assaulted a woman when she was 17, which he has consistently denied.

The Duke of York held several honorary military titles following a 22-year service in the Royal Navy, Sky News reported.

Andrew is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Kanpur, Jan 14 : Riya Shakya, daughter of rebel BJP MLA Vinay Shakya, has written to the Superintendent of Police (SP) Aurraiya, demanding security for herself and her brother.

Riya, in her letter given to SP Abhishek Verma, however, did not mention from whom she and her brother were facing threat.

In the letter, Riya said that as the Assembly elections were round the corner, she will step into politics as the successor of her father. Therefore, a security cover is being required for her and her brother.

The SP, meanwhile, has given instructions to the officer concerned that any step should be taken only after understanding the family issues and a thorough investigation.

"Riya has asked for police security cover. Keeping in mind the things said by Riya, I have instructed the circle officer (CO) Bidhuna, Mahendra Pratap Singh, to look into the matter. A decision on this will be taken only after thorough investigation," he added.

Riya, a resident of Bhataura village of Kotwali Bidhuna, had grabbed limelight after she posted a video earlier this week, claiming that her father had been kidnapped.

Her statement, however, was dismissed by her father, who has now quit the BJP to join former Minister Swami Prasad Maurya.

He had told reporters on Wednesday that his daughter's allegations were false and baseless and he was safe and sound at his ancestral residence in Shanti colony in Etawah along with his mother and brother.

He added that the act by his daughter is just a political gimmick.

The police also termed Riya's allegations to be unsubstantiated.
Sanaa, Jan 14 : Fighter jets of the Saudi-led coalition forces struck a military camp controlled by the Houthis, t in Yemen's capital Sanaa, the militia announced.

The airstrikes on Thursday hit the al-Sawad camp in southern Sanaa, which is adjacent to a public hospital, Xinhua news agency reported citing a statement by the Houthis.

Meanwhile, the coalition said it targeted the transfer of weapons to the frontlines of Marib Province, calling on the Houthi militia to stop any such attempt, the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV reported.

On Monday, the Yemeni government army backed by the coalition announced the liberation of the southern province of Shabwa from the Houthi militia.

The army said it is advancing to the southern districts of the neighbouring province of Marib.

In February last year, the Iran-backed Houthi militia began a major offensive against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib.
Visitors learn about drones at the 22nd China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 200,000 new high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be cultivated by the end of 2025 as China strives to foster a favorable environment for the growth of such firms, according to a notice recently issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

China will, in particular, boost the development of innovative sci-tech SMEs featuring key technologies, research personnel, high-value intellectual property rights, and high research input, according to the notice.

More efforts will be made to support high-tech SMEs to generate innovation as well as introduce domestic and global talents by optimizing related policies and injecting diverse resources, the notice added. 
Los Angeles, Jan 14 : Indian-born Singporean actress Anjana Vasan, whom many will remember from 'Spider-Man: Far From Home', has been newly cast in Season 4 of the BBC America action thriller series 'Killing Eve'. Season 4 will debut on February 27.

Camille Cottin, the French actress most recently seen in Ridley Scott's 'House of Gucci', has been upped to a series regular and the Royal Shakespeare Company's Robert Gilbert finds himself in the cast, where French celebrity actress Marie-Sophie Ferdane will now be a recurring guest star, reports 'Variety'.

The series follows MI6 spy Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) as she chases down international assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer). Cottin plays HAlAne, the highest-up revealed member of The Twelve, an organisation that hires assassins to commit murders.

Vasan will play Pam, a young new assassin in training whose work in the family funeral business granted her solace from her relationship with her bullying brother, notes 'Variety'. Vasan is best known for starring in the Channel 4 sitcom 'We Are Lady Parts' as Amina, and has also appeared in 'Cyrano' and 'Mogul Mowgli'.

Gilbert will play Yusuf, a warm and charismatic ex-army bad boy who works to help Eve on her mission of revenge. He recently appeared as Angus in 'The Tragedy of Macbeth' with other previous credits including 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' and 'Ready Player One'.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : As travel tech major OYO prepares for its much-awaited public listing, the continued satisfaction of its hotel partners and winning back dissatisfied partners will play a key role in determining how its business performs and, by extension, how its stock holds up.

The company has recently been affected by some of its hotel partners publicly complaining, filing cases and even writing to the regulator.

The moot question here is: Has IPO-bound OYO regained the trust of its hotel partners which it also addresses as Patrons? Let's take a closer look at its patron policies through its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filed with SEBI.

With over 157,000 storefronts worldwide, the 40 reported cases against the company or its directors translate to less than 0.02 per cent of its storefronts. OYO sources say that majorly of these originate due to shifting from minimum guarantee to revenue sharing arrangement. As per DRHP, at its peak, 14.7 per cent hotels had minimum guarantee. This number is down to nearly zero now.

After bingeing on growth and expansion, the company seems to have refocused its priority to course correct on the hotel partner front.

Revenue growth is by far the biggest and most meaningful value proposition that OYO claims to provide its hotel partners worldwide. Its DRHP tries to prove it by showing the median revenue growth for a storefront after 12 weeks of a hotel joining the OYO platform.

The highest revenue uplift for storefronts is in the European Vacation Homes Business at 2.4 times, while India is still at a healthy 1.9 times increase in revenue.

The platform has several revenue enhancement tools, including machine-learning based dynamic pricing algorithms which use hundreds of parameters such as the supply and demand, seasonality and local trends to arrive at the optimal real-time price for a room and thus maximising partner revenues.

Another pricing tool is the Tariff Manager, which gives partners control over pricing based on their understanding of potential local demand. Currently, 45 per cent of OYO hotels use a tariff manager on a monthly basis globally.

It has introduced a prepaid e-wallet to simplify revenue collection and reconciliation process and moved from a monthly reconciliation process to now offering hotel partners daily payouts to improve their working capital flow.

It does consistent engagement with partners now via regular town halls. All of this has led to an increase in Patron satisfaction score from 30.1 per cent for the three months ended September 30, 2020, to a healthier 72.3 per cent for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

OYO now has over 2,700 hotel partners with more than one property signed up on its platforms. For India, this translates to 9.5 per cent of the hotel owners.

New hotels are joining the OYO platform via a self-onboarding tool, 'OYO 360', which automatically generates digital contracts based on property details and KYC documents provided by hotel partners.

In fiscal 2021, almost all the company's contracts with new hotel Partners were signed and managed digitally, says the DRHP.

However, OYO still hasn't been able to assuage all of its sceptics. Some traditional hoteliers still believe that the model of offering season wise pricing with minor discounts is the only way to keep the small hotels category viable.

Few others are still to come to terms with the abolition of the minimum guarantees which gave them certainty of revenues and are still in courts demanding compensation. There are signs of thawing though; according to company sources, close to 1,300 hotel partners facing issues in the past have joined back.

Given the buoyant IPO market, OYO's public offering may sail through successfully, but the continued partner satisfaction will have a huge impact on its growth and hence its stock performance. A point OYO's founder Ritesh Agarwal would do well to take note of.
Washington, Jan 14 : Google has called for a public-private partnership to identify a list of critical open source projects and find new ways of identifying software that might pose a systemic risk, as the world grapples with the recent log4j open source software vulnerability that has put millions of devices at hacking risk.

Following a summit on open-source security hosted at the White House on Thursday, Google said the collaboration between government and the private sector was needed for open-source funding and management.

"We need a public-private partnership to identify a list of critical open source projects -- with criticality determined based on the influence and importance of a project -- to help prioritise and allocate resources for the most essential security assessments and improvements," said Kent Walker, president for global affairs and chief legal officer at Google and Alphabet.

Open source software code is available to the public, free for anyone to use, modify, or inspect.

Since it is freely available, open source facilitates collaborative innovation and the development of new technologies to help solve shared problems.

"That's why many aspects of critical infrastructure and national security systems incorporate it. But there's no official resource allocation and few formal requirements or standards for maintaining the security of that critical code," said Google.

In fact, most of the work to maintain and enhance the security of open source, including fixing known vulnerabilities, is done on an ad hoc, volunteer basis.

"Longer term, we need new ways of identifying software that might pose a systemic risk -- based on how it will be integrated into critical projects -- so that we can anticipate the level of security required and provide appropriate resourcing," Google noted.

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," according to Microsoft.

Cyber criminals are making thousands of attempts to exploit a second vulnerability involving a Java logging system called 'Apache log4j2'.

Google recently said that more than 35,000 Java packages, amounting to over 8 per cent of the Maven Central repository (the most significant Java package repository), have been impacted by the recently disclosed vulnerabilities with widespread fallout across the software industry.

The Apache Software Foundation has released several updates in the wake of the widespread 'Log4Shell' vulnerability in Log4j version 2 branch.
Hyderabad, Jan 14 : Cyberabad police have busted a Rs 50 crore global credit card scam and arrested a seven-member inter-state gang of fraudsters.

The accused, who hail from Delhi and Hyderabad, were cheating foreign customers under the pretence of providing technical services.

Cyber Crime police of Cyberabad Commissionerate made the breakthrough after busting a fake call centre in Mohali, Punjab during the investigation into a complaint by Abdul Nayeem, Authorised signatory of HDFC Bank Credit Intelligence and control unit, Hyderabad.

The complainant sought action against a merchant for multiple suspicious transactions happening on the swiping machine issued to them. Transactions were done through 85 different international cards to the tune of Rs 64.40 lakh between December 18 and 23, 2021.

According to Cyberabad Police Commissioner Stephen Raveendra, the gang was involved in cheating payment gateways. The accused targeted residents of the United Kingdom, Singapore and Australia.

The arrested were identified as Naveen Bhutani, Mohit and Monu, all residents of New Delhi. Nagaraju Bondada, Donthula Sravan Kumar, Sadhanala Mukkanti Srinivasa Rao and Pavan Vennelakanti are all from Hyderabad. The police seized Rs 1.11 crore cash, three four- wheelers, laptops, mobile phones, cheque books and debit cards from them.

Naveen Bhutani, with the assistance of Monu, established three call centers at various places like Janakpuri of New Delhi, Kaushambi of Ghaziabad and Mohali of Punjab for cheating customers under the guise of providing technical services. Naveen runs Google ad campaigns with his contact numbers in Australia, UK and Singapore for his companies providing technical services to solve problems relating to PayPal, Amazon and technical devices like router, Internet.

When customers responded to Google Ads, telecallers were taking remote access to their devices to resolve the issue. They were collecting payments through payment gateway links provided by Mohit.

Police said Mohit was collecting payment gateway links from Nagaraju and Srinivas offering them 50 per cent commission. Nagaraju used to collect cheated amounts through bank accounts linked with payment gateways and forward them to Mohit after deducting his commission and taxes.

The accused were also cheating victims through inbound calls generated through phishing mails or SMS about any of their recent purchases. Customers were ending up making transactions from their account. During remote access, they also capture the card credentials and use the same for transactions later as OTPs or PINs are not required for international transactions.

Naveen and his associates were also cheating the customers from these countries by obtaining their mobile numbers and transaction history through various websites after dialling them to get the OTP sent to their mobile phones. By informing tele-callers that their email accounts are compromised, the accused were offering technical services by asking them to make payment. During this process they were also collecting customers card credentials like card number, expiry and CVV for further use. The accused were making payments using these cards during night hours of the respective countries of the customers so that the customers could not block card or report fraud.
San Francisco, Jan 14 : Indian-American Saurabh Chawla, who bought stolen Apple products from school employees in the US and sold those on eBay and Amazon, has been sentenced to 66 months in prison.

Colorado resident Chawla, 36, bought up stolen electronics and other goods and resold them on e-commerce platforms. He also bought stolen iPads from New Mexico school districts.

According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, Chawla worked with a FedEx distribution centre manager from Delaware named Joseph Kukta to steal packages before they made it to customers.

Those thefts included shipments of Nike sneakers and devices from Apple, Epson, Kenwood, and Magellan, among other merchandise.

Chawla allegedly paid Kukta $1.5 million, according to court documents.

The Chawla saga came to light when US District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Kristy Stock, 46, of Waterflow, New Mexico, to 18 months in prison for federal charges of interstate transportation of stolen goods and tax fraud.

Stock admitted that from 2013 to 2018, she stole more than 3,000 iPods purchased by the school district and sold them on eBay to Chawla and others for her personal benefit.

"From October 2015 to 2018, Stock and Chawla dealt directly with each other, in emails, texts, and phone calls. Stock repeatedly advised Chawla of the items she had obtained, providing details such as the model, colour and number of Apple products available," according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.

Chawla and Stock then negotiated a price, and Stock shipped the items to Chawla's relative on the Eastern Shore in Maryland.

Chawla paid Stock through PayPal.

Stock admitted that she received more than $800,000 in illegal proceeds from selling stolen iPods worth more than $1 million.A After his relative received the stolen goods from Stock, Chawla listed them for sale online through eBay at a substantial markup.

According to Stock's plea agreement, and other court documents, beginning in 2014, "defendant James Bender agreed to allow a good friend, defendant Chawla, and a relative of Chawla's, SC2, to sell goods and merchandise through Bender's eBay accounts".

Chawla's eBay account had previously been suspended due to security concerns.

From May 2014 through August 2019, Bender and Chawla conspired so Chawla could use Bender's eBay and PayPal accounts to sell stolen goods and merchandise.

"Chawla, age 36, of Aurora, Colorado, and Bender, age 36, of Baltimore, Maryland, were sentenced to 66 months and to a year and a day in federal prison, respectively," said the US Attorney's Office.

Additionally, Chawla was sentenced to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $713,619, and to sign an order of forfeiture requiring him to forfeit a 2013 Tesla Model S ($2,308,062.61) from accounts held in his name, and the sale of property in Aurora, Colorado.
Cape Town, Jan 14 : The man who is suspected of setting fire to the South African Parliament, which gutted buildings in the legislative capital Cape Town, has started 30-day mental observation at a psychiatric hospital, authorities said.

In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa (NPA) said 49-year-old Zandile Christmas Mafe appeared at Cape Town Magistrates' Court on Thursday, and was ordered to be admitted for observation, reports Xinhua news agency.

In Mafe's second appearing at court earlier this week, it was revealed that he was diagnosed of paranoid schizophrenia after being sent for mental observation by the state on January 3 and the NPA argued for his referral to a psychiatric hospital.

Mafe currently faces charges of terrorism, housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, two counts of arson and possession of an explosive device.

The suspect was arrested on January 2, when the fire broke out, with suspected stealing property after he gained entry to the parliamentary precinct without authorization, according to the police.

The fire lasted more than 70 hours, severely damaging the building of the National Assembly (NA), the lower house, and completely burned down the NA chamber.

It also caused extensive damage to the century-old Old Assembly building that houses the National Council of Provinces, the upper house.

The southern African country has three capitals.

Besides Cape Town, the two others are the administrative capital Pretoria that hosts the national government and the presidency, and the judicial capital Bloemfontein that hosts the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Khartoum, Jan 14 : A high-ranking Sudanese police officer was killed during fresh protests in capital Khartoum demanding a civilian rule in the country.

"Acting Interior Minister and the Police's Director General eulogise the death of Brigadier General Ali Barima Hammad, who died while performing his duty to protect the demonstrators near Stack Medical Laboratory," the press office of the Sudanese police said in a statement.

The police did not reveal the circumstances which led to the death of the senior police officer, but the new casualty might mark an escalation of confrontations between protesters and security forces.

Sudanese protesters took to the streets again on Thursday in the capital Khartoum and other cities in new and increasingly regular demonstrations to demand civilian rule.

Protesters gathered in central Khartoum and tried to reach the presidential palace, witnesses told Xinhua.

Crowds of demonstrators in Omdurman also headed towards Al-Arbaeen Street, a vital street leading to a bridge linking Omdurman and Khartoum, they added.

Khartoum State's Police issued a statement earlier on Thursday announcing partial closure to some bridges linking the major cities of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri.

Military units have been deployed at the entrances of most of the bridges and on the internal roads to the presidential palace and the army's general command headquarters.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a coup on October 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government.
Seoul, Jan 14 : North Korea fired an unidentified projectile eastward on Friday, hours after it warned of a "stronger and certain" response following the US' imposition of new sanctions, South Korea's military said.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced the launch, the third in a little over a week, without elaborating further, reports Yonhap News Agency.

Earlier in the day, Pyongyang issued the warning after Washington slapped the sanctions on six North Koreans involved in the regime's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes on Wednesday.

"If the US adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it," a spokesperson of the North's Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency.

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The North fired what it claims to be hypersonic missiles on January 5 and Tuesday, in an apparent quest for new advanced weapons amid a deadlock in nuclear talks with the US.
New Delhi, Jan 14: China has formally opened another front in its bellicosity in the South China Sea, and practically forcing Jakarta to accept a dispute in the Natunas, where there is none, as the area concerned is within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Indonesia as per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Beijing claims that its "nine-dash" line, an artificial boundary invented by the CCP (Communist Party of China) that covers most of the South China Sea, giving it ownership of this entire maritime area extending to the EEZ of Indonesia in the Natuna Islands. The EEZ is an area extending up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline of a country. While other countries have a right of innocent passage in such territory, a country has special rights regarding exploration and use of maritime resources in its EEZ, to the exclusion of other powers. Jakarta has always stood up to China bullying her in the EEZ without declaring it loudly.

China has repeatedly told Indonesia to halt an oil and natural gas development project in the South China Sea, claiming infringement on its territorial waters. But in early December last year, it officially communicated to the Indonesian government to stop appraisal drilling at Harbour Energy's (LON:HBR) Tuna Block offshore Indonesia in maritime territory that both nations view as their own during a months-long standoff in the South China Sea, reported Reuters. The unprecedented demand raised tensions over natural resources between China and Indonesia in a volatile area of global strategic and economic importance. China not only objected to the drilling operations, but had also sent coast guard vessels into the area to mount pressure on Indonesia. Jakarta has not openly disclosed about China's protests, as that would amount to an admission of a dispute in the area. Even while it does not acknowledge the existence of a dispute, Indonesia in May 2020 sent the United Nations a letter rejecting Beijing's historical claims in the sea indicated by its nine-dash like maps.. China, in turn, sent a counter reply to the UN, maintaining its claims in the South China Sea while seeking a solution through negotiations, which Jakarta flatly rejected.

While not inclined to make the spat with China public, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has pursued Jakarta's traditional diplomatic approach of being equidistant from both the United States and China. Like most other ASEAN countries, Indonesia doesn't want to take sides between the two rival powers despite all the Chinese bullying. And he adopted a clever strategy of roping in Britain and Russia to deal with the Chinese pressure. Jakarta sought the support of a consortium of Britain's Harbour Energy and Russian state oil company Zarubezhneft to lay a pipeline across the North Natuna Sea to connect with Vietnam's offshore network. The two companies have already announced that they have found a modest gross gas resource of 600 billion cubic feet after drilling of two appraisal wells in the Tuna block, about 10 km from Indonesia's EEZ. Despite Beijing's objections, the drilling continued for six months and was completed last November with Indonesia's Bakamla (Badan Keamaanan Laut Repulik Indonesia- Indonesian Maritime Security Agency)- claiming success in their ventures, which some analysts called it "a grand 'victory' over the Chinese." Beijing's bellicosity in the South China

China equally doesn't let Vietnam drill oil and gas in its own EEZ, which forced Hanoi to seek Tokyo's support. Similarly, China doesn't let the Philippines drill oil in its own waters either, which ultimately forced Manila to start drilling in open defiance to China. Not only that, Beijing imposes annual summer fishing bans in the South China Sea in an attempt to deprive other legitimate countries from fishing in their own EEZ. Both Malaysia and the Philippines too, face an aggressive Beijing in their South China Sea possessions. China already controls the Scarborough Shoal - a disputed feature in the South China Sea, claimed by both Beijing and Manila. Presently, Chinese maritime militias are also eyeing Whitsun Reef, a geographical feature in Filipino waters, which is also being claimed by China. Malaysia, on the other hand, is itself a victim of Chinese bullying. Chinese coastguard ships harass Malaysian oil and gas vessels operating in their own waters. China claims Malaysian territory also and forbids it to drill there.

Signs of Unity among the Claimant States Brunei, a tiny Sultanate, where China has invested extensively, was naturally passive for a long time in its response towards Beijing denying the country to drill in its own EEZ. But last year, Brunei was appointed as the ASEAN chair and was no longer passive and it quietly showed the ability to mobilise claimant states of ASEAN as well as Indonesia, to express concern about China's aggressive behaviour over the South China Sea disputes. This happened despite China's attempts to woo Brunei through vaccine diplomacy sending a batch of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines in a donation to which its Second Minister of foreign affairs Haji Erywan thanked the former. In January, a Chinese state-owned company Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group had also signed a deal to redevelop and manage a fisheries port in Brunei. But the tiny Kingdom decided to cooperate with other South China Sea disputants who wanted to tackle Beijing's assertiveness in the hotly contested region. While China is trying to pull Brunei to its side, the latter, it seems, has made up its mind to stick with fellow South China Sea disputants within the regional bloc.

Singapore, which is neither a claimant state on the South China Sea, nor has any disputes with any ASEAN members, is also increasingly becoming active on finding a way to manage the conflict. Recent agreements for cooperation in oil exploration and maritime security sectors suggest that some ASEAN members are ready to forgo their own petty differences and take on the main challenge, China. Plans for a maritime accord between Malaysia and Vietnam, for instance, indicate how the ASEAN neighbours are ready to come closer to each other in face of growing Chinese revisionism. However, minor the shift is, it is the beginning of a semblance of unity among some ASEAN members in the face of China's belligerence and their own existential crisis.

Indonesia dares China The most recent subtle initiative Indonesia has taken is to invite officials in charge of maritime security from five other countries in ASEAN to meet early next year to discuss how to respond to China's assertiveness in the South China Sea. Head of Bakamla, Vice Adm. Aan Kurnia, was quoted in the Indonesian media as telling reporters that he had invited his counterparts from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam to a meeting in February 2022 to "share experiences and foster brotherhood" among the countries facing similar challenges posed by China. Maritime agencies from the six countries took part in an ASEAN Coast Guard Forum last October, signalling willingness to cooperate. The Jakarta Post quoted Aan as saying that it is important "to present a coordinated approach" in matters related to the South China Sea, and "how to respond in the field when we face the same 'disturbance'." The vice admiral did not mention China by name.

A meeting similar to the ASEAN Coast Guard forum would be a "great opportunity for ASEAN coast guards and maritime law enforcement agencies to talk and cooperate with each other," Satya Pratama, a senior Indonesian government official and a former Bakamla captain was quoted to have said. "It is also a good idea for Indonesia [through Bakamla] to explain Indonesia's intention so that others can understand and follow suit," he said.

"Coast guards in Southeast Asia have a bad history of cooperation - they see each other as their primary challenges, even worse than the navies, which have learned to cooperate amid competition," to quote Thomas Daniel, a senior fellow at Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS).. This is reflected in ASEAN's attempt to negotiate a Code of Conduct (COC) to regulate maritime activities there, with some nations like the current ASEAN chair Cambodia reluctant to criticize Beijing. This also finds expression in the comment by the Filipino foreign secretary Teodore Locsin Jr. who spoke of those difficulties earlier last month when he addressed a meeting between foreign ministers from ASEAN and Group of Seven (G7) developed countries. He said that as ASEAN countries and China struggle to agree on the South China Sea issues, "recent incidents and the heightened tension ... remain a serious concern." "These worrying developments underscore the urgency and importance of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea ... But negotiations for the COC, even on our watch, went nowhere," Locsin said. Antonio Carpio, a former justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, had his own suggestion that five ASEAN coastal states - the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, plus Indonesia - should form a coalition "to oppose China's hegemony and bullying" Challenges to Unity remain

Forging unity among the five ASEAN states is not going to be an easy task, as there are longstanding trust issue between them, as well as fear of retaliation by China. In the meantime, however, the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency signed a memorandum of understanding last month on cooperation in strengthening maritime security and safety between the two forces. But overlapping maritime claims have been an irritant in Vietnam-Indonesia bilateral relations for decades. The two countries frequently clash over the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. In 2019, for example, Indonesia seized and destroyed 38 Vietnamese vessels for illegal fishing. A similar situation is seen between Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as between Indonesia and Malaysia. Yet the very attempt by Indonesia to create some understanding between the coast guards of the five countries signals a resolve on their part to display their unity vis-A -vis the Chinese bully. Whether the attempt to forge unity succeeds or not, it surely heralds a shift in the ASEAN way of doing things from consensus principle to pragmatic approach to deal with China challenge.

Indonesia bolstering its own defences Meanwhile, on its own,Indonesia is preparing herself for any eventuality and looks to bolster its defences in and around Natuna, suspecting that China is exploring opportunities to seize effective control of the islands. The Indonesian military is lengthening an air base runway so that additional planes can be deployed, together with the construction of a submarine base as well. Local fishing vessels act as eyes and ears, take part in an early warning system on the lookout for approaching Chinese ships. With the USA, Jakarta is building a joint training facility for coast guard personnel near Natuna. The two nations held their biggest joint military exercise to date this August, spanning three locations in Indonesia. The drills simulated island defences.

Indonesia could be the next buyer of BrahMos after the Philippines To build its defence capacities and capabilities Indonesia also has growing defence cooperation with Japan, Australia and India. New Delhi has already finalized a deal with the Filipinos for supply of Brah-Mos supersonic missile systems, jointly produced by India and Russia, amid China's aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea region. BrahMos will upload substantial confirmed capacity to the Philippines' coastal defences, and it compares favourably with the anti-ship missiles in carrier with different navies. It is some distance quicker than the U.S. Army's Tomahawk or the Chinese language PLA Army's YJ-18.

India is exploring the possibility of selling the BrahMos cruise missile to Indonesia, and a team from the Indo-Russian joint venture that makes the weapon system visited a state-run shipyard in Surabaya last year to assess the fitting of the missile on Indonesian warships, Besides the BrahMos, India has offered to supply coastal defence radars and marine grade steel to Indonesia and to service the Russian-made Su-30 combat jets flown by the Indonesian air force as part of efforts to deepen bilateral defence and military cooperation.

With a commanding maritime strategic location and ample attributes of developing its national power, Indonesia could well become the spearhead within the ASEAN to checkmate China's expansionist drive in the South China Sea.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 14 : A Kerala court on Friday acquitted Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal in the nun rape case.

Kottayam Additional district court judge G.Gopakumar's verdict enabled Franco to walk out free.

The trial extended over 105 days with 39 witnesses being examined and 122 documents produced before the court.

While serving as Bishop of the Jalandhar Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, he was accused of raping a nun, who belonged to the Missionaries of Jesus congregation.

During his visits between 2014 and 2016 to Kerala, he was accused of raping the 43-year old nun on 13 occasions. Later, he was removed from the charge of the Jalandhar diocese.

A complaint was filed against him in June 2018 in Kerala and Mulakkal was arrested on September 21, 2018 on rape charges.

He secured bail on October 16, 2018.

The charge sheet names 83 witnesses, including the Cardinal of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Mar George Alencherry, three bishops, 11 priests and 22 nuns.

Of the 83 witnesses, 39 were called and they were heard.

Franco had approached the Kerala High Court and also the Supreme Court to quash the FIR against him, but both the courts failed to do so and the trial began.

Meanwhile, the former Kottayam SP of Police Harisankar who oversaw the probe said he was supremely confident that the verdict would be against the accused.

"This was the least expected as the witnesses did a very clean job. An appeal should be filed," said Harisankar.

The public prosecutor informed the media that an appeal would be filed.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
A video screenshot shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaking during a press conference in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 14, 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday spoke highly of the "unique architecture of Russia-China ties" and Russia's and China's joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and solve international problems. (Xinhua)

MOSCOW, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday spoke highly of the "unique architecture of Russia-China ties" and Russia's and China's joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and solve international problems.

The annual summits of the national leaders, meetings of the heads of government, and sessions of various commissions at the level of deputy prime minister (premier) "have proved to be very efficient," Lavrov said during his press conference summarizing Russian diplomacy in 2021.

The outcomes of the mechanism "have been thought-through and can be implemented in practice. The mechanism allows us to achieve our goals," he said when answering a question raised by Xinhua.

One of the achievements is the record-high turnover of Russia-China trade in 2021, Lavrov said. The trade turnover surged by 35.8 percent year-on-year to reach nearly 146.9 billion U.S. dollars, according to the General Customs Administration of China.

In the international arena, Russia and China are jointly defending the United Nations Charter, the norms of international law, international fairness and justice, territorial integrity and independence, and upholding the settlement of all crises by diplomatic means and non-interference in the internal affairs of any state, Lavrov said.

The top Russian diplomat positively assessed the alignment of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative.

The two countries are also closely cooperating within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Afghanistan and Central Asian issues enjoy special significance, he said.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit China early next month, Lavrov said that the two heads of state are expected to cover all aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation during their talks in Beijing. 

A video screenshot shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaking during a press conference in Moscow, Russia, Jan. 14, 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday spoke highly of the "unique architecture of Russia-China ties" and Russia's and China's joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and solve international problems. (Xinhua)
Bengaluru, Jan 14 : The Karnataka Railway Police have arrested a person in connection with the suicide case of a doctor, who was blackmailed over his videos, the police said on Friday.

The Railway police stumbled upon the crime while investigating the case of the doctor, who committed suicide recently by coming under the train near Kengeri in Bengaluru.

According to police, they have taken an accused into custody from Bhopal and launched a hunt for other members of the gang. The gang members had trapped the doctor through a dating app. After getting introduced to him and developing friendship, the victim doctor had started chatting with the accused openly.

One of the accused spoke to him posing as a girl and asked the doctor to go undress while chatting and he obliged. Later, the doctor was blackmailed over the video and the accused persons demanded money.

The victim had made Rs 67,000 online transfer to the accused. He continued to get extortion calls from the accused later also and they threatened to make the videos viral if he failed to pay them more money. The doctor unable to take pressure, committed suicide by coming under the train last week.

However, when the investigation began, the police found out a suicide note days after the the doctor's death where in he had mentioned about the gang blackmailing him.

According to the police, this is the second such case in the state capital. In a similar case, a youth committed suicide after coming under pressure of extortion calls over his videos. The K.R. Puram police arrested three persons from Rajasthan in the case.

The Railway police said that the victim doctor was a single child of his parents. The police have requested the people not to get trapped on social media platforms where miscreants pose with provocative photographs of women. "The accused somehow make the victims go nude and later blackmail them for money. People should be careful before chatting with strangers on social media platforms," the police warned.
Hyderabad/Amaravati, Jan 14 : Sankranti celebrations began across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Friday with 'Bhogi'.

Villages and towns across in both the Telugu states came alive with traditional celebrations to mark the major harvest festival.

The celebrations kicked off with 'Bhogi' or burning of old and unwanted items like old clothes, mats and broom sticks in the belief that new things will usher into their lives.

People in villages and towns began the day with 'Bhogi' and prayers. Women were seen playing and dancing around the fire.

Sankranti is a major festival, which highlights the rich Telugu culture.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his wife Bharati participated in the Sankranti celebrations held in traditional manner near his residence at Tadepalli in Amaravati.

Ministers, MPs and state legislators also participated in 'Bhogi' at various places in both the states. Leaders of various political parties and officials also took part in 'Bhogi'.

A festive atmosphere prevailed in residential colonies in Hyderabad and the outskirts besides Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam and other towns and villages in both the states.

For a third consecutive year, farmers in various villages in Amaravati region staged protests during Sankranti to oppose the state government's move for trifurcation of the state capital. Raising slogans of 'Jai Amaravati' they demanded that Amaravati be retained as the only state capital.

This time the protestors burnt in 'Bhogi' fire the copies of the government orders to form Amravati Corporation comprising 19 villages. They paid tributes to 180 farmers who lost their lives during the protest over the last two years.

Lakhs of people employed in Hyderabad headed to their homes in various districts of both the Telugu states.

State road transport corporations of both Telangana Andhra Pradesh operated special buses and Railways operated special trains to carry people to their destinations from Hyderabad.

Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan and Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao greeted people on Sankranti.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Dakshina Kannada : , Jan 14 (IANS) Karnataka local court has rejected the bail plea of a police constable who was arrested on charges of sexually exploiting a minor rape survivor.

The Puttur Fifth District and Sessions Court gave the order on Thursday.

The accused cop, a police constable attached to the Kadaba police station in Dakshina Kannada district, was arrested on September 28. The police have submitted a charge sheet regarding the case and after 100 days of his arrest the court rejected his bail plea considering the seriousness of the case.

The accused had met the minor girl when she had lodged a case of rape two years ago in Kadaba police station. Misusing his power, the accused used to interact with the minor girl regarding the case. He visited her house on the pretext of issuing summons and developed friendship with the girl.

After promising to marry her, the accused sexually exploited the girl. When the girl became five-and-a-half months pregnant, her parents came to know about it and questioned the accused.

The accused flatly refused to marry the girl. In turn, he told her parents to get the abortion done and he would give the money.

The horrific incident came to light when the father of the victim had lodged a complaint with the police against the police officer. The accused had also kept the victim and her mother as captives in an undisclosed location.

The investigations revealed that the accused policeman made a digital transfer of Rs 35,000 to the cellphone of the victim's mother and they got the abortion done.

Superintendent of Police Dakshina Kannada district Rishikesh Bhagawan Sonawane stated that the accused would be terminated from the service. He also underlined that the police department will never take his side.

The jurisdictional Kadaba police that are investigating the case have registered cases under IPC Section 376 (2) (Being a police officer, public servant, takes advantage of his official position and commits rape on a woman), 506 A(criminal intimidation), 5 (A), 5 (J) (ii)6 of Pocso (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act 2012.
Vienna, Jan 14 : The latest round of talks aimed at defusing tensions between Russia and the West within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has ended here without a breakthrough as both sides warned of potential escalation.

Alexander Lukashevich, Russia's permanent representative to the OSCE, said after the talks that Moscow was disappointed by the West's response to its proposals on Ukraine and European security, reports Xinhua news agency.

However, Lukashevich said that Moscow will not give up on diplomacy and that the sides must reach an agreement or else run the risk of a potentially catastrophic outcome.

"It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is greater than ever before in the last 30 years," said Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, whose country will chair the OSCE in 2022.

Michael Carpenter, US envoy to the OSCE, also warned of a major security crisis in Europe.

"The drumbeat of war is sounding loud and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill," he said.

The Vienna talks followed bilateral meetings between Russia and the US in Geneva on Monday and Russia and the NATO in Brussels on Wednesday.

However, these negotiations have failed to narrow their differences.

Russia has repeatedly accused the West of threatening its security by expanding NATO eastwards and deploying weapons systems near the country's borders.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Chinese government's rights record and its "wolf warrior" diplomacy resulted in increasingly negative public perceptions of the government in some countries abroad, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in its World Report 2022.

New research from AidData revealed $385 billion in "hidden debt" owed by developing countries to Chinese authorities. Some foreign governments took more concrete measures to press the Chinese government to improve its rights record, at home and abroad, but those remained inadequate to effectively challenge the scope and scale of Beijing's abuses, the report said.

Beijing and Hong Kong authorities moved aggressively to roll back rights in Hong Kong.

Pro-democracy activists were arbitrarily arrested and detained. In January, authorities arrested 53 politicians for "subversion" for their involvement in a July 2020 public opinion poll.

The Chinese authorities are committing crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang.

Abuses committed included mass arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, mass surveillance, cultural and religious persecution, separation of families, forced returns to China, forced labour, and sexual violence and violations of reproductive rights.

Little news trickled out of Xinjiang in 2021, however, as the authorities maintained tight control over information, and as access to the region, already limited, was further constrained due to Covid-19 movement restrictions.

Some Uyghurs who disappeared into Xinjiang's abusive "Strike Hard Campaign against Violent Terrorism" were confirmed imprisoned, including prominent academic Rahile Dawut, though her alleged crime, length of sentence, and location of imprisonment remained unclear, the HRW said.

A report by the Uyghur Human Rights Project showed the Xinjiang government dispossessed Uyghurs by confiscating $84.8 million worth of assets from 21 jailed Uyghurs and auctioning the assets online.

Neighbouring governments continued to facilitate Beijing's abuses. Last September, Kazakh authorities banned a Russian-American researcher, Yevgeniy Bunin, from the country in apparent efforts to stymie his work documenting Xinjiang's abuses.

Also in the same month, Turkey denied entry to Dolkun Isa, president of the Uyghur exile organisation Uyghur World Congress.

Uyghurs abroad from Afghanistan to Morocco feared deportations to China as the Chinese government continued to seek their return for alleged terrorism, a term vaguely defined under Chinese law that encompasses peaceful expression and advocacy.

Last March, Chinese consumers boycotted international clothing brands for vowing to stop purchasing cotton from Xinjiang due to reports of forced labour. In April, Shenzhen police shut down the Chinese affiliate of a US labour auditing non-profit, Verite.

In July, US photography company Kodak deleted from Instagram a photographer's post calling Xinjiang "dystopian". The US Customs and Border Protection agency issued numerous import bans related to Xinjiang, including cotton and tomatoes from Xinjiang, and all downstream products that use Xinjiang cotton and tomatoes manufactured outside the region. There are growing calls for other countries to impose similar bans on Xinjiang imports.

Authorities continued to detain or prosecute people for criticizing the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Between January 2020 and June 2021, the Twitter account SpeechFreedomCN recorded at least 663 arrests for Covid-19-related speech. In March, retired professor Chen Zhaozhi was put on trial on charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" for posting on social media, "the Wuhan pneumonia is not a Chinese virus, but Chinese Communist Party virus".

Authorities harassed, detained, or prosecuted numerous people for their online posts and private chat messages critical of the government, bringing trumped-up charges of "spreading rumours", "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", and "insulting the country's leaders".

A 2021 Wall Street Journal report found that 58 Chinese users were punished with prison sentences between six months and four years since 2017 for their posts on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube -- all platforms banned in China.

An increasing number of people were punished for speeches deemed "unpatriotic". In February, at least seven people were detained for comments in relation to the border clash with Indian troops. In March, the government passed a provision stipulating that slandering "heroes and martyrs" could be punished with up to three years in prison. Former journalist Qiu Ziming was sentenced to an eight-month prison term for suggesting the real death toll of Chinese soldiers in the clash was higher than the official figure, the HRW said.

Authorities continued to suppress online content not in line with "core socialist values". They targeted "misbehaving celebrities" and their online fan groups, and banned some reality shows. In April, censors deleted from WeChat and other websites an article penned by former premier Wen Jiaobao in which he wrote: "China, in my vision, should be a country of justice and fairness." Chinese law allows people to practice only five officially recognized religions in officially approved premises, and authorities retain control over personnel appointments, publications, finances, and seminary applications.

Since 2016, when President Xi called for "Sinicization" of religions, which aims to ensure that the Chinese Communist Party is the arbiter of people's spiritual life, state control over religion has strengthened, the HRW said.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
Chennai, Jan 14 : Fictional micro-series 'Aanandham Aarambham', starring actress and 'Bigg Boss Tamil' contestant Abhirami Venkatachalam and actor Santhosh Prathap in the lead, is to release exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar on January 14.

The eight-episode micro-series traces the heartwarming relationship of two coffee lovers, Ranjani and Ramcharan, starting from their proposal to their first wedding anniversary.

Each four-minute episode displays how coffee becomes an integral part of their everyday life to build an equal relationship. For Ramcharan and Ranjani, filling bitter-gaps becomes easier over coffee and eventually becomes a back-in-love tactic.

Santhosh Prathap, who has delivered hit films like 'Sarpatta Parambarai' and 'Oh My Kadavule', said, "This initiative to create a series around coffee and the relationship between two individuals is a brilliant idea to connect with audiences. I appreciate that we could tell a story about something so simple with such ease through a relatable storyline. I hope that your coffee break is made even more special with Aanandham Aarambham." 'Aanandham Aarambam' begins with Ram proposing to Ranjani for marriage in a dramatic way over Zoom as his overseas assignment is coming to an end. Ram then meets Ranjani's parents to get their approval. Though they are initially unsure about him, Ram wins her parents' hearts with his magical coffee as they too, like Ranjani, are coffee lovers.

On their wedding day, Ram promises Ranjani that he'd never have coffee without her and he will always prepare her first cup of coffee every morning. From here the story progresses in an episodic format with incidents happening at different points in their life.

The story showcases the small tiffs that crop up between the couple for no reason at all and how it is resolved either by the caring attitude of Ramcharan or by the love of Ranjani for Ram.

The couple discovers issues and differences that they were not aware of through their long distance relationship, which brings in more conflicts that they need to resolve together now that they are together in person.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The crackdown against African nationals residing illegally in the national capital continued with the Delhi Police apprehending 12 more foreigners with expired visas in the past three days, an official said here on Friday According to the official, a police team of the Dwarka district apprehended the African nationals during four separate operations. They have been identified as Peace Ugbedeojo Kadiri, Caroline Oganna Eyioko, Mercy Silver Kamah, Onyeka Chika Amurie, Emmanuel Okeke, Stephen Mansiki Nnorom, Samuel Chigozie Okechukwu, Chinonye Franklin Chidiob, Uchechukwu Edwin Okeke, Paul Emera Ekeleme, Johnson Nnoruka and Emmanuel Nwokemodo.

"After verification of their credentials, it was found that they were overstaying in India without a valid visa," the official said. They were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) along with their original passports. The FRRO has ordered their deportation.

The Dwarka district police had recently launched 'Operation Varchasva' to make Dwarka area crime-free. Since the launch of the operation, several gangsters, snatchers, and robbers have been arrested within a small period of time.

The police are also keeping a tab on foreign nationals living here illegally. Pertinently, some African nationals living in and around the national capital are involved in the illicit drug trade and are being regularly caught by the police.

A Delhi Police official said that the number of African nationals looking for money-earning opportunities is increasing in the national capital. The Uttam Nagar Police Station area has a mixed population of approximately 3.75 lakh. A lot of African nationals, looking are residing here with fake or expired visas, he added.

"There are also cases under the NDPS Act registered against them for supplying drugs to locals and people from other areas. Additionally, a few cases of cyber fraud have also surfaced in which these Africans are allegedly involved," the official said.

The 12 African nationals have been sent to the detention centre at Lampur Border.
Mumbai, Jan. Jan 14 : Taking a serious view of the massive spike in Covid-19 cases in the past fortnight, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cracked the whip on "unreported" home tests that prevent tracking of infected persons or their contacts, officials said here on Friday.

The BMC has ordered all retail manufacturers/distributors of such home testing kits sold to pharmacies, chemists or dispensaries to inform the Food & Drugs Commissioner and the civic body's Epidemiology Cell of the same.

The civic authorities said that all Covid-19 positive tests either through Rapid Antigen Test Kits or Home Test Kits, were expected to be reported to the ICMR by the concerned laboratory or the individuals who are found infected.

However, there are suspected to be instances of persons testing positive on Home Test Kits which have not been brought to the notice of ICMR.

This has resulted in no tracking of such patients and the infection keeps spreading through their contact, making it difficult to contain the spread of the virus, said BMC Commissioner I.S. Chahal.

The BMC has also ordered all chemists/pharmacies/medical stores/dispensaries to provide details of such Home Test Kits sold to the customers to the FDA and Epidemiology Cell in a prescribed format.

The retailers shall also issue a bill to the concerned buyer and maintain a record of such sales.

The FDA Commissioner is entrusted with monitoring the sales and distribution of the Home Test Kits and informing the persons concerned to report the test outcome on a given App.

The Epidemiology Cell will collate the data received through email from the manufacturers/distributors, forward them to the concerned BMC Ward Medical or Health Officers for further actions like monitoring the health of the person/s testing positive and uploading their data on ICMR or App.

The latest BMC orders came as the state remained in the 46K range of daily Covid-19 infections in the ongoing third wave, with the infection spreading at a much faster rate than the two previous waves, despite the vaccination process going on rapidly.

In Maharashtra, Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nagpur continue to be the worst-hit districts besides the added complications of 1,367 Omicron cases in the state.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Lucknow, Jan 14 : Former BJP ministers Swami Prasad Maurya and Dharam Singh Saini along with other MLAs, on Friday, formally joined the Samajwadi Party along with their supporters.

Maurya accused the BJP of coming to power in 2017 by duping backward castes. He said that the BJP had projected Keshav Maurya as chief minister, but then brought 'someone else from Gorakhpur like a Skylab'.

Maurya said that all his efforts would be to free Uttar Pradesh from the misrule of the BJP. He said that the Yogi Adityanath government has misled the people of the state.

"I want to tell the BJP that its countdown to failure begins today," he said.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, while welcoming the leaders into his party, said that the BJP was robbing the poor to give benefit to the rich.

Taking a dig at deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya, he said, "Now that these leaders have come here, I wonder what will happen to those who are made to sit on stools." He also said that worried over the fact that so many leaders were joining the SP, Yogi Adityanath had already left for Gorakhpur even though he was supposed to return on March 10.

Meanwhile, former minister Dara Singh Chauhan did not formally join the Samajwadi Party on Friday.

Sources said that Chauhan, along with some more legislators, will join on Sunday.
Bengaluru, Jan 14 : A man who burgled watches valued at Rs 2 crore after breaking into a watch showroom in Indiranagar locality of Bengaluru has been arrested, police said on Friday.

He was identified as 37-year-old Akthar, a resident of Madeenanagar in Mangammanapalya.

According to the police, as many as 171 branded watches have been seized from him.

Akthar, who hails from Bihar, committed the burglary on January 5 at a showroom in Indiranagar locality. The police have launched a manhunt for four accomplices of Akhtar.

They used to identify shops and showrooms in the morning and later burgled the goods.

The accused used to take a house on rent in metropolitan cities to commit burglaries. They used to go to the showrooms and shops posing as customers and observed the security arrangements.

The burgled goods were sold on the Nepal-Bihar border at throwaway prices.
The domestic rubber industry had a strong recovery in export turnover last year, after 10 years of plunging due to a strong reduction in the export price of rubber.

Vietnamese rubber products are exported to more than 80 countries and territories in the world. Viet Nam now ranks third on the global market in terms of export value.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam's rubber exports in 2021 reached 1.93 million tonnes, earning US$3.24 billion. The exports rose by 11.7 per cent in volume and 36.2 per cent in value on year. The strong growth in value was due to the continuous increase in export rubber prices.

The industry achieved the export turnover of $3.2 billion in 2011 due to the record high export rubber price. However, in nine following years, the rubber export turnover dropped below $3 billion due to the sharp decline in export rubber prices, even falling to below $2 billion. By 2020, thanks to the recovery of export prices, the rubber export turnover reached $2.38 billion.

In addition, Vietnamese rubber products entered many key markets, partly pushing the total rubber export value up in 2021.

Last year, rubber exports grew strongly in many key markets, such as the US, EU, Malaysia, South Korea and India.

In the first 10 months of 2021, exports surged by 96.4 per cent in volume and 153.6 per cent in value to India; 57.8 per cent in volume and 95.2 per cent in value to South Korea; 80.5 per cent in volume and 130 per cent in value to the US; and 79 per cent in volume and 129.7 per cent in value to Germany.

China continued to be the largest export market for Vietnamese rubber products with the exports of 1.2 million tons of rubber, earning $1.96 billion in 11 months of 2021, according to the General Department of Customs. The export increased by 1.71 per cent in volume and 26.3 per cent in value over the same period in 2020.

Tran Ngoc Thuan, chairman of the Viet Nam Rubber Association (VRA), said rubber was a key export agricultural product, accounting for a large part of the total export turnover of Viet Nam's agricultural products.

In 2021, the rubber industry achieved impressive growth in exports despite COVID-19. Many processed rubber products such as tires, gloves and rubber gaskets had a large segment in the industry's export turnover.

According to the association, the scarcity of rubber materials made the export price rise in 2021. The global natural rubber supply was in short due to a prolonged rainy season in some Asian countries.

That low supply of latex is likely to continue in 2022, leading to the price to continue to be high.

Meanwhile, the easing of restrictions related to the pandemic would significantly contribute to the recovery of rubber demand in 2022, such as the reopening of international borders of some countries and the resumption of more economic activities using rubber.

Therefore, the prospect of the domestic rubber industry in 2022 will be very bright, with strong growth in exports and export prices continuing to stay high.

The industry expects its export value of rubber to reach $3.5 billion for this year, according to the association

However, regional and world markets are forecast to continue to experience complicated and unpredictable developments such as slow economic growth, trade wars between major economies, and increasing use of technical barriers and trade remedies. Other factors include the impact from Industry 4.0 and customer demand for sustainable products.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are coordinating with localities, associations and businesses to implement solutions on developing the value chain for Viet Nam's rubber industry and increasing connection between production and export. It will develop products associated with branding in a sustainable manner.  VNS
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Friday launched the enhancement of the civil aviation safety oversight systems project financed by the Chinese government for 1 million U.S. dollars grant.

The Chinese government through its South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund (SSCAF) provided the grant to finance the project to be implemented for one year by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through its Technical Cooperation Bureau.

Launching the project in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, the Deputy Minister for Works and Transport, Godfrey Kasekenya, said the aviation industry must assure that safety and reliability compliance remained robust and ambitious so that air transport's core value offerings are duly safeguarded.

"Aviation is a major contributor to global economic prosperity," said Kasekenya, adding that through providing the only safest rapid worldwide transportation network, aviation is essential for global business, and generates economic growth, creates jobs, and facilitates international trade and tourism.

Hamza Johari, the director general of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), said the main purpose of the project is to provide technical assistance to Tanzania to enhance its aviation safety oversight system.

Barry Kashambo, the ICAO regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa, thanked China for its donation to the ICAO through its South-South Cooperation funding mechanism.

He said out of the 4 million U.S. dollars initially donated by China to ICAO, 1 million U.S. dollars has been allocated to Tanzania for the technical assistance project, 2 million U.S. dollars was allocated for the development and conduct of training courses for civil aviation senior and middle managers program that has been completed, and 1 million U.S. dollars will be supporting ICAO efforts to provide capacity-building assistance in the Republic of Congo.

Xu Chen, the Minister Counselor in the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, said through this project, China hoped to help Tanzania strengthen capacity building in civil aviation safety oversight, promote the integration of Tanzania's civil aviation industry with the international standards.

Xu added that the project will also train more outstanding aviation professionals for Tanzania and make contribution to the development of Tanzanian civil aviation industry.

He said China is willing to support Tanzania in developing its civil aviation industry and promoting its connectivity with other African countries as well as the world, including China. 
New Delhi, Jan 14 : MI5, the UK's domestic intelligence agency, has warned British lawmakers that a woman connected to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been working to interfere in the political process, CNN reported.

MI5 alleges in an alert that Christine Ching Kui Lee has "acted covertly in coordination" with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), of the CCP and is "judged to be involved in political interference activities in the UK", the report said.

The MI5 "interference alert" said: "We judge that the UFWD is seeking to covertly interfere in UK politics through establishing links with established and aspiring Parliamentarians across the political spectrum." The alert also added that Lee has been facilitating "financial donations to political parties, Parliamentarians, aspiring Parliamentarians and individuals seeking political office in the UK, including facilitating donations to political entities on behalf of foreign nationals", CNN reported.

The UK Company Register lists Lee as a British citizen.

MI5 said that while Lee has said her UK-based activities are "to represent the UK Chinese community and increase diversity", that those activities have "been undertaken in covert coordination with the UFWD, with funding provided by foreign nationals located in China and Hong Kong".
San Francisco, Jan 14 : Microsoft's board of directors has hired a reputed law firm to review the effectiveness of the company's sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies and practices, including the inquiry against Bill Gates.

The report by law firm Arent Fox will summarise the results of any sexual harassment investigations against members of the Board of Directors and the company's senior leadership team, including the allegations that a Board committee investigated beginning in 2019 involving Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Gates.

"We're committed not just to reviewing the report but learning from the assessment so we can continue to improve the experiences of our employees. I embrace this comprehensive review as an opportunity to continue to get better," said Satya Nadella, Microsoft's Chairman and CEO.

At the conclusion of the review, the Board will publish a thorough transparency report for employees, shareholders and the public, expected to be in the spring of this year.

The review will include concerns raised by employees in 2019 in the "In Need of Assistance" email thread, steps the company has taken to respond to these concerns, and additional steps that could further strengthen these safeguards.

The email thread followed a class-action lawsuit filed in March 2018 alleging there were 238 cases of sexual harassment and/or discrimination encountered by Microsoft female employees between 2010 and 2016.

The review will also include an analysis of policies, practices and commitments to create a safe, inclusive work environment.

"It will assess the steps that have been taken to hold employees, including executives, accountable for sexual harassment or gender discrimination. The report will include data on the number of sexual harassment cases investigated and their resolution," Microsoft said.

Microsoft shareholder and activist Arjuna Capital had sought a report from Microsoft on the effectiveness of its policies to battle sexual harassment in the workplace.

After Gates announced to divorce his wife Melinda French Gates, media reports surfaced about alleged inappropriate conduct by him towards Microsoft employees.

Microsoft received a complaint in 2019, while Gates served on its board.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : A total 1,74,000 students of Delhi government-run schools called mentees, are being mentored by 44,000 teachers under the state government's 'Desh ke Mentor' programme, Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia said on Friday.

"We had received a total of 2,20,000 applications from Delhi government students. Of these 1,74,000 are currently being mentored. Of the 44,000 mentors, nearly 500 of them are from IIT and IIM, 15,600 are either doing their graduation or PhD from a well-known education institute and 7,500 have completed their studies and are currently working at a good post," Sisodia said during a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Launched in October 2021, the programme aims to provide voluntary mentors to students from class IX to XII. Those aged between 18 and 35 can sign up to become mentors through an app developed by the Delhi Technological University.

"Those who volunteered to be mentors are made to undergo a psychometric test, their educational background is taken care of and they are trained accordingly, only after which they are assigned a mentee. We have also ensured that a male mentor is assigned to a male mentee and female mentor to a female mentee," Sisodia said.

Under the programme, the mentor is required to give 10 minutes every week for a minimum period of two months, which can be extended up to four months.
London, Jan 14 : Starting from January 17, the self-isolation period for fully vaccinated people in England who test positive for Covid-19 will be reduced from seven days to five days, UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced.

If they have negative lateral flow tests on day five and on the morning of day six, they will be allowed to leave their homes, Xinhua news agency quoted Javid as saying.

He added the move should "maximise activity in the economy".

Modelling by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) based on data before the Omicron rise showed more than 30 per cent of cases remain infectious on the fifth day.

The UK has so far reported 15,064,590 Covid-19 cases and 151,833 deaths.

More than 90 per cent of people aged 12 and above in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine, over 83 per cent are fully vaccinated, and some 62 per cent have received booster jabs.
Canberra, Jan 14 : Authorities in several Australian states have remained steadfast that in-person classed would go ahead without delay at the end of January despite an ongoing Covid-19 resurgence.

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet has pushed back against calls to delay the start of the school term, saying on Friday: "We are completely committed to getting schools open day one, term one, in a way that is safe for students and for teachers," reports Xinhua news agency.

And despite predictions that as much as 50 percent of the state could be infected during the Omicron wave, the Premier insisted that people would need to learn to "live alongside the virus".

On Friday, NSW reported 63,018 new cases, over half of which were self-reported as Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs). Currently, 2,525 people are in hospital with the virus, and 29 deaths were reported in the state.

Part of the state's bid to safely return students to the classroom has been a rush to vaccinate children before the start of the term.

However, vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 have only been approved since the beginning of January, and just 6.5 per cent of this cohort have received their first dose in NSW.

Following suit, the state of Victoria said schools would reopen as planned.

On Friday, the state reported 34,836 new cases and 18 deaths.

Other states, despite having lower case numbers, have taken a more cautious approach.

In Queensland, the start of the school term has been delayed by two weeks in a bid to push through the peak of the Omicron wave before the return of students.

Prof. Adrian Esterman, chair of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of South Australia, told Xinhua that as schools reopen it would be necessary to implement health measures to avoid outbreaks.
London, Jan 14 : Meta (formerly Facebook) is facing a $3.1 billion class-action lawsuit in the UK over allegedly abusing its market dominance and if the lawsuit succeeds nearly 44 million British Facebook users could receive a $68 payout each.

Competition law expert Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen has brought the class-action lawsuit against Facebook's parent firm Meta at the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal, Daily Mail reported on Thursday.

The lawsuit claims that Facebook should pay its 44 million UK users compensation for the exploitation of their data between 2015 and 2019.

"It is claimed this allowed the firm to generate billions in revenues from their data, while users received no monetary returns, which the claim labels an 'unfair deal', said the report.

The lawsuit alleged that Facebook made billions by "imposing unfair terms and conditions that demanded consumers surrender valuable personal data to access the network".

"In the 17 years since it was created, Facebook became the sole social network in the UK where you could be sure to connect with friends and family in one place," Gormsen said in a statement.

"Yet, there was a dark side to Facebook; it abused its market dominance to impose unfair terms and conditions on ordinary Britons giving it the power to exploit their personal data. I'm launching this case to secure billions of pounds of damages for the 44 million Britons who had their data exploited by Facebook," she elaborated.

Dr Gormsen is a Senior Research Fellow at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) and the director of the Competition Law Forum.

The lawsuit claimed that Facebook was able to impose terms and conditions on UK users which enabled this data gathering because of its market dominance.

The claim is being brought in London under the Consumer Act 2015.

Reacting to the lawsuit, a Meta spokesperson said that people access our service for free.

"They choose our services because we deliver value for them and they have meaningful control of what information they share on Meta's platforms and with whom. We have invested heavily to create tools that allow them to do so," the company spokesperson added.

The UK case came after Facebook lost an attempt this week to strike out an antitrust lawsuit in the US by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

US competition watchdog FTC can proceed with a breakup lawsuit against Facebook's owner, a federal judge ruled.
Kabul, Jan 14 : The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday that it has continued to expand its relief operations across Afghanistan in response to mounting complex humanitarian needs.

The UN agency wrote on its website that it has continued to re-engage established livelihood, community development and infrastructure projects, reports Xinhua news agency.

"(The) IOM, along with the rest of the humanitarian community, is committed to stay and deliver relief and assistance to mobile and displaced populations in Afghanistan," it said.

"We will continue to operate in a neutral and impartial manner but insist on unimpeded access and assurances that our staff and service providers can deliver assistance and services -- particularly to women and girls and those most vulnerable -- without interference," added the UN agency.

According to sources, the IOM's financial requirements under the joint Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Afghanistan in 2021 totaled $108.5 million, targeting 1.9 million among the most vulnerable people including those on the move.

"This includes a $24 million appeal released in August which outlines immediate funding requirements in order to respond to pressing humanitarian needs." The Afghan economy after the Taliban's takeover in August 2021 has suffered from the US freezing of over $9 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank as well as a halt in funds by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

On Tuesday, the UN and partners launched a more than $5 billion funding appeal for Afghanistan, in the hope of shoring up collapsing basic services there, which have left 22 million people in need of assistance inside the country, and 5.7 million requiring help beyond its borders.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : India's December merchandise exports rose to $37.81 billion, higher by 38.91 per cent on a year-on-year basis, official data showed on Friday.

Exports during December 2020 stood at $27.22 billion.

The data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed that in comparison to December 2019, last month's exports rose by 39.47 per cent.

"Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in December 2021 were $28.92 billion, registering a positive growth of 29.67 per cent over non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports of $22.30 billion in December 2020," the ministry said.

In comparison to December 2019, non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in December 2021 registered a positive growth of 37.31 per cent.
January 14 : Kareena Kapoor said her kids, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan, are absolute monsters, specially Taimur. But she transformed herself into a monster with a filter and added, But today I am gonna show them who the real monster is.

Kareena was actually promoting a new filter by Hotel Transylvania: Transformania and the film on her Instagram handle on Friday. My family absolutely loves this franchise, she said. Sharing a video clip on her Instagram handle, Kareena was seen promoting Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, and urged netizens to watch it on Amazon Prime.

Kareena started the video by saying, My kids are absolute monsters, specially Taimur. But today I am gonna show them who the real monster is. She then used a monster filter and transformed her face to a monsters. Check out this new filter by Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. My family absolutely loves this franchise, so don't forget to watch it on Amazon Prime.

Sharing the clip, the actress wrote, My house will be filled with monsters this weekend I'm going to spend some family time watching #HotelTransylvaniaOnPrime @primevideoin. Whats your plan for the weekend? Kareena added Blackpink's song How You Like That in the background of the video.

Fans reacted to the video excitedly. One of them commented, You look pretty even after applying that monster filter on your face. What kind of a sorcery is that. Another wrote, Looking gorgeous bebo. While still another wrote, That's my favourite movie of all times.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is an animated monster comedy film produced by Sony Pictures Animation and released by Amazon Studios. Intended to be the fourth and final instalment of the Hotel Transylvania franchise and the sequel to Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018), the film is directed by Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon. It has released on Amazon Prime on today. The film features the voices of Selena Gomez (Mavis), Brian Hull (Drac), Jim Gaffigan (Van Helsing), Kathryn Hahn (Ericka), Steve Buscemi (Wayne), Molly Shannon (Wanda), David Spade (Griffin the Invisible Man) and Keegan-Michael Key (Murray).

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kareena was last seen in Irrfan Khan starrer Angrezi Medium, which was released in 2020. She will be seen next with Aamir Khan in Laal Singh Chaddha. Helmed by Advait Chandan, the film is the official adaptation of Hollywood classic Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks. The film also stars Naga Chaitanya and Mona Singh. Kareena has turned a producer and has signed a new film with Hansal Mehta, and will co-produce the venture with Ekta Kapoor.
Lucknow, Jan 14 : A cobra, a snake, a mongoose are now a part of the political narrative in Uttar Pradesh where the election process has begun.

Apart from this, 'daggamar' (unauthorised) vehicles, sun and darkness are also being used to describe rivals in the polls.

BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia set off the slugfest when he described UP deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya as the 'sun' and former minister Swami Prasad Maurya as 'andhkaar' (darkness) on the day the latter quit the BJP.

The tweet was later deleted but UP Law Minister Brajesh Pathak picked up the narrative and wrote, "BJP is that "sun" that has spread the light of development and eradicated the darkness of corruption." Swami Prasad Maurya tweeted, "Naag-roopee RSS evam saanp roopee BJP ko Swami roopee nevala UP se khatam kar ke hi dam lega (Swami will be the mongoose which will finish the cobra-like RSS and snake-like BJP from UP." BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh responded by tweeting, in Hindi "Those not given ticket in double-engine train are being offered ticket in black by Tipu Sultan for a ride in his rickety vehicle-like party." Tipu is the pet name of SP president Akhilesh Yadav.
MANILA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines reported 37,207 new COVID-19 infections on Friday, the highest one-day case count since the outbreak, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 3,129,512.

The Department of Health (DOH) said that the number of active cases soared to 265,509. The positivity rate slightly dipped to 47.3 percent from the record 47.9 percent the previous day.

The DOH said that 81 more people died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the country's death toll to 52,815. Eight laboratories failed to submit data on Friday.

With surging infections, the government reimposed restrictions in Metro Manila, its adjacent provinces, and several provinces with high virus clusters across the country to force people, particularly the unvaccinated, to stay at home.

The national police said at least 372 areas in Metro Manila and Luzon island are under hard lockdown. Police and local officials impose granular lockdowns on houses, streets, or buildings with virus clusters.

Metro Manila, the region with the most active and new cases, will remain under alert level 3 on a scale of 5 until Jan. 31, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a virtual press conference on Friday.

Nograles said there is no need to raise the alert level for now, adding that bed and intensive care unit utilization rates are still relatively low despite record level daily case counts.

"We are closely monitoring the situation in Metro Manila. If the bed utilization rate hits 71 percent, then it would be the right time to elevate to alert level 4," he said, adding the government is trying to manage the situation to prevent raising to the second-highest alert level.

Meanwhile, the government has eased the travel restrictions for returning Filipinos. Under the new rule, travelers from the so-called "red list" countries and regions can even enter through regular flights from Jan. 16 to Jan. 31.

The Philippines' COVID-19 infections surged to record levels since last Saturday due to high mobility, poor compliance with safety health protocols, and the fast-spreading Omicron and Delta variants.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH projects cases peak by the end of January or the second week of February. "The peak of cases is not going to happen soon. The cases will continue to rise," she said.

According to DOH, over 53.3 million people have been fully vaccinated. The Philippines, which has around 110 million population, has tested more than 24 million people since the outbreak. 
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Congress is facing a tough battle in Goa while trying to be ahead of the BJP as the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are spoiling the grand old party's game in the state.

The Congress is trying to put up a strong face and has denied any alliance talks with the Trinamool despite speculations in the political circles. Jittered by the Congress stance, the Trinamool has launched an offensive against the Congress.

"The Trinamool has been saying that they are open to alliances, but Congress is not willing to accept and behaving like an emperor," Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra said, adding: "Need of hour in Goa is to defeat BJP - no one should be on their high horse. AITC will not, repeat not, shy away from walking the last mile." Speculation of an alliance between the two parties was triggered after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar told reporters that his party is in talks with the Congress and the Trinamool Congress for a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming elections in Goa.

The Trinamool is alleging that the Congress was not been able to form the government in the state in 2017 and could not even retain its flock of MLAs.

But, the Congress has not accepted the open offer and party General Secretary K.C. Venugopal has said that there are no talks with the Trinamool. Congress senior observer P. Chidambaram too has ruled out such a possibility.

The Congress' Election plank for Goa will consist of the following central themes -- economy, employment, education, environment, ethos of Goa," Chidambaram has said.

The Congress has got some solace with the former Ports Minister in the BJP-led government, Michael Lobo joining the party.

The party has released two lists for the polls, but had witnessed defection of MLAs and discontent in the party over the delay in the announcement of tickets as many aspirants are getting restless.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Supreme Court said a court deciding a bail application cannot completely divorce its decision from material aspects of the case, as it set aside a Rajasthan High Court order granting bail to a man who allegedly strangled a disabled man.

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna said: "The High Court has lost sight of the aforesaid material aspects of the case and has, by a very cryptic and casual order, de hors coherent reasoning, granted bail to the accused. We find that the High Court was not right in allowing the application for bail filed by the respondent-accused." It said the present case is not fit for granting bail to the accused, against the backdrop of serious allegations against him. "Strangely, the State of Rajasthan has not filed any appeal against the impugned order," it added.

The top court judgment came on a plea filed by Manoj Kumar Khokhar against the Rajasthan High Court, which granted bail to an accused who allegedly sat on the chest of his disabled father, Ram Swaroop Khokhar, and forcefully strangled him, causing his death at a bus stand.

The FIR was registered in December on 8, 2019 and the accused arrested on December 10.

The petitioner claimed that the accused is a person exercising significant political influence in the Bhopawaspachar village and the possibility of him threatening or otherwise influencing the witnesses, if on bail, cannot be ruled out. The high court granted bail to the accused in May 2020. The petitioner moved the apex court challenging the high court order.

The top court noted that it is not necessary for a court to give elaborate reasons while granting bail, particularly when the case is at the initial stage and the allegations of the offences by the accused would not have been crystallised as such.

"However, the court deciding a bail application cannot completely divorce its decision from material aspects of the case such as the allegations made against the accused, severity of the punishment if the allegations are proved beyond reasonable doubt and would result in a conviction..".

The bench emphasised the court should exercise its discretion in a judicious manner and in accordance with the settled principles of law. "Thus, while elaborate reasons may not be assigned for grant of bail or an extensive discussion of the merits of the case may not be undertaken by the court considering a bail application, an order de hors reasoning or bereft of the relevant reasons cannot result in grant of bail," it added.

"The respondent accused is on bail. His bail bond stands cancelled and he is directed to surrender before the concerned jail authorities within a period of two weeks from today."
Jerusalem, Jan 14 : Israel has detected some 20 cases of a new sub-variant of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid.

The sub-variant, known as BA.2, was discovered during genetic sequencing of Covid patients. It contains more mutations than the original Omicron and may be more violent.

While scientists were concerned about the new development, the danger posed by the new sub-variant is still uncertain.

According to Israel's Health Ministry, there was no evidence that BA.2 behaved differently than Omicron, Jerusalem Post reported.

BA.2 was first seen in China a few weeks ago, and is suspected to have originated in India. It has also been observed in Denmark, Australia, Canada and Singapore, state media Kan reported.

Israel has in the past week seen a new record of virus carriers, increasing from 12,000 a day to 48,000.

The number of serious patients, while still limited, has also started to increase. There were 283 patients on Thursday compared with 136 a week earlier.

In addition, 284 new patients were classified as serious over the previous seven days, marking an increase of 189 per cent over the previous week, the Post reported.

However, as the Omicron causes only mild disease, the general situation of patients appears to be much better than in previous waves.

According to the World Health Organization, the Omicron variant (parent Pango lineage B.1.1.529) includes three descendent lineages (BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3). While BA.1 and BA.3 have the 69-70 deletion in the spike protein, BA.2 does not.

Recently, scientists at Department of Biotechnology's Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) in India also noted the significant presence of both BA.1 and BA.2 in genone tests conducted in the country.

BA.1, in particular, has been co-circulating with Delta and also replacing it in Maharashtra and several other states. BA.3 has not been detected so far in the country, media reports said.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually interact with startups on Saturday morning.

Startups from various sectors including agriculture, health, enterprise systems, space, industry, security, fintech, environment will be part of this interaction.

"More than 150 startups have been divided into six working groups based on themes including growing from roots; nudging the DNA; from local to global; technology of future; building champions in manufacturing; and sustainable development," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

Each group will make a presentation before the Prime Minister on the allotted theme in the interaction. The aim of the interaction is to understand how startups can contribute to the national needs by driving innovation in the country.

"As a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, a week-long event, "Celebrating Innovation Ecosystem", is being hosted by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, from January 10 to 16. The event marks the sixth anniversary of the launch of the Startup India initiative," the statement said.

The PMO claimed that the Prime Minister has been a firm believer in the potential of startups to contribute significantly to the growth of the nation.

"This was reflected in the launch of the flagship initiative startup India in 2016. Government has worked on providing an enabling atmosphere for boosting the growth and development of startups. This has had a tremendous impact on the startup ecosystem in the country, and has led to a staggering growth of unicorns in the country," the PMO added.
Bengaluru, Jan 14 : In a shocking incident, a woman in Karnataka has lodged a complaint against her husband for hiding his HIV positive status from her, police said on Friday.

In a complaint with the Basavanagudi Woman's Police Station, the victim(25) said even after learning that he was HIV infected, she continued to live with him but he threw her out of the house and snatched all the jewellery given by her parents.

Based on the complaint, the police have registered an FIR against the 35-year-old engineer residing in Basavanagudi.

According to police, the accused working at a reputed company married the victim -- an accountant in a private firm -- on March 12, 2018. Even during their honeymoon, he did not consummate the marriage citing stomach ache.

Upon returning from honeymoon, he started harassing her for dowry.

He also took lakhs of rupees from the woman' father on the pretext of taking up computer courses in SAP.

Meanwhile, the victim found his medical test report, which stated that he was HIV positive, while checking his room when he was away for some work.

Later, to her horror, she too tested positive for the virus. The woman told police that her husband had not disclosed about his HIV status before marriage.

"My husband is not even telling me whether he got it after coming into contact with other women. Now, I am infected with HIV after coming into contact with him," she has told police.

The accused continued to harass following which she approached the State Women's Commission. The officers had counselled the couple.

Further investigation is on.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Union Health Ministry on Friday clarified that there is no vaccine shortage in Maharashtra.

The ministry quoted some media reports which alleged vaccine shortage in Maharashtra, stating that such reports are incorrect.

"There have been some media reports alleging vaccine shortage in Maharashtra, further stating that due to lack of vaccine the state government is unable to increase the pace of vaccination. Such reports are ill-informed and incorrect," the ministry said.

It further said that as per the reports available till date, Maharashtra has over 24 lakh unutilised doses of Covaxin, adding that an additional 6.35 lakh doses have been received on Friday.

The ministry said that as per the weekly consumption data available on Co-WIN, the average consumption by Maharashtra for Covaxin to cover the eligible beneficiaries in the 15-18 age bracket and for the precautionary dose is almost 2.94 lakh doses per day. Therefore, the state has adequate vaccine doses for about 10 days to cover the eligible beneficiaries with Covaxin, the ministry said.

The state has 1.24 crore unutilised and balance Covaxin doses available as on date. With an average consumption of 3.57 lakh per day, this will sustain for more than 30 days for the beneficiaries to be vaccinated using the vaccine, as per the ministry.

Earlier on Friday, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that the state is facing a shortage of doses to ramp up the vaccination drive.

"We are facing a shortage of Covaxin and Covishield. We have demanded additional 50 lakh Covishield doses and 40 lakh Covaxin doses from the Central government," said Tope.

However, the ministry said that vaccine shortage in Maharashtra does not reflect the correct picture of the available stock of balance and unutilised vaccine doses with the state.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Jan 14 : Shares of pharmaceutical firm Aurobindo Pharma declined nearly 5 per cent on Friday after global watchdog USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) sent a warning letter to the company in connection to its unit in Hyderabad.

According to reports, the USFDA through the letter warned the firm for poor manufacturing practices, problems with claims for what a product can do, or incorrect directions for usage.

Later in the day, the shares of the company, however, pared some of its intraday losses and settled 3 per cent down at Rs 696.

The pharmaceutical company, through a regulatory filing, confirmed that it received the letter from the USFDA.

"This action follows the recent inspection of the Unit by the USFDA in August 2021. The Company believes that this will not impact the existing business from this facility. The Company will be engaging with the regulator and is fully committed in resolving this issue at the earliest," it said in the filing on Friday.

"The Company is also committed to maintaining the highest quality manufacturing standards at all of its facilities across the globe," it added.

Aurobindo Pharma exports its products to over 155 countries across the globe with more than 90 per cent of its revenues derived from international operations.
Washington, Jan 14 : Disappointed after months of engagement, a US House panel has slammed YouTube parent company Alphabet, Meta (formerly Facebook), online discussion forum Reddit and Twitter for failing to provide additional information on how those platforms were used to organise violent events at the US Capitol on January 6 last year.

Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the Select Committee has issued subpoenas to four social media companies as part of its investigation into the January 6 attack on the US Capitol and its causes.

After inadequate responses to prior requests for information, the Select Committee is demanding records from Alphabet, Meta, Reddit, and Twitter relating to the spread of misinformation, efforts to overturn the 2020 election, domestic violent extremism, and foreign influence in the 2020 election.

"Two key questions for the Select Committee are how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what steps "if any" social media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalising people to violence," said Chairman Thompson.

It's disappointing that after months of engagement, "we still do not have the documents and information necessary to answer those basic questions".

Alphabet's YouTube was a platform for significant communications by its users that were relevant to the planning and execution of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, including livestreams of the attack as it was taking place, according to the committee.

Meta platforms were reportedly used to share messages of hatred, violence, and incitement; to spread misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories around the election; and to coordinate or attempt to coordinate the Stop the Steal movement.

Reddit was the platform for the "r/The_Donald" 'subreddit' community that grew significantly on Reddit before migrating to the website TheDonald.win in 2020, which ultimately hosted significant discussion and planning related to the January 6 attack.

"Twitter subscribers reportedly used the platform for communications regarding the planning and execution of the assault on the United States Capitol, and Twitter was reportedly warned about potential violence being planned on the site in advance of January 6," said the committee.

Twitter users also engaged in communications amplifying allegations of election fraud, including by the former President himself.

The Select Committee has set a new deadline for the four social media companies to provide requested information by January 27.

US President Joe Biden said last week that Americans must ensure such an attack like that on the US Capitol a year ago "never happens again" as the country seems more divided than ever.

One year after the deadly attack on the Capitol, Democrats and Republicans still differ sharply over its key aspects, aftermath and the related congressional investigation.

The Capitol riot led to multiple deaths, over 100 injuries and damage to the Capitol.
A sudden series of new developments in the Amazon & Future Group - Reliance acquisition dispute has paved the way for another set of controversial rulings by the High Court of Delhi. The present article will analyze the judgment passed by Single Judge and subsequent order of the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court with regard to these recent developments.

I. BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE PERTINENT FACTS The sudden twist in the turn of events was triggered by the order passed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on December 17, 2021 ('Revocation Order'), wherein the CCI, contrary to its earlier approval, decided to keep in abeyance its initial order November 28, 2019 ('Approval Order') -- where the Commission was pleased to approve Amazon's proposed acquisition of 49 per cent of the shareholding of the Future Coupons under Section 6 of the Competition Act, 2002.

It was contended before the CCI by Amazon, that they had the intention to strengthen and further augment the business of Future Coupons. On the basis of these representations, CCI granted the approval. By virtue of the proposed acquisition, Amazon sought to acquire strategic control over Future Retail by strategic investment into Future Coupons.

Moreover after a complaint made by Future Coupons, the CCI vide the 'Revocation Order' made scathing observations over Amazon's conduct, wherein it has observed that Amazon had 'deliberately' made false statements and suppressed material particulars about the true nature of the proposed 'Combination' for which it sought the CCI's approval.

In view of the shocking revelation of facts and owing to Amazon's 'willful misrepresentation', the CCI was pleased to keep in abeyance the 'Approval Order' that was earlier passed by it.

Furthermore, the CCI issued directions to Amazon ordering them to furnish fresh particulars in the relevant Form envisaged under the Combination Regulations, 2011 of the Competition Act.

It is also pertinent to note the exemplary and penal nature of the Revocation Order as the CCI was not hesitant in imposing a penalty of Rs 202 crore on Amazon for their 'mala fide and deliberate misconduct' by which they 'misled' the Commission by furnishing false particulars. It is needless to say that such 'misconduct' on the part of Amazon was tantamount to fraud and in turn was a violation of the public policy of India.

Parallel to the developments before the CCI, the on-going Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) administered arbitral proceedings generated traction. In the aftermath of the 'Revocation Order' passed by the CCI, Future Retail & Future Coupons - the Respondents in the said arbitral proceedings (collectively referred to as Future) were each quick to prefer two applications for Termination (Termination Application) of the arbitral proceedings under Section 32(2)(c) of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996 ( A&C Act).

The said 'Termination Applications' were predicated primarily on the findings made by the CCI in its 'Revocation Order', more particularly with regard to Amazon's 'fraudulent' representations.

Further, it was contended by the Future, that in view of the CCI's findings against Amazon, it became evident that Amazon could not assert its right over Future Coupons. Resultantly, the failure to close Future Coupon's Share Subscription Agreement (SSA) and the Shareholders Agreement (SHA) and the corresponding failure to execute the "single integrated bargain" rendered the on-going arbitral proceedings "impossible" within the meaning of Section 32(2)(c) of the A&C Act.

Thereafter, the Arbitral Tribunal (Tribunal) decided that it should proceed with a hearing on the substantive and evidentiary aspects of the matter before hearing the 'Termination Applications'.

Aggrieved by the Tribunal's decision, the Future persistently urged the Tribunal to hear the 'Termination Applications' before the evidentiary hearings in the light of the effect that the 'Revocation Order' had cast on the arbitral proceedings. However, despite repeated assertions by the Future, the Tribunal vides its procedural orders dated December 29, 2021, December 30, 2021 & December 31, 2021 (impugned orders) declined to accede to any of the Future's requests.

It is needless to say, that the Future was aggrieved by the Tribunal's refusal to hear the 'Termination Application' prior to the evidentiary hearings. Therefore, the Future was quick to invoke their constitutional remedies under Article 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India before the Delhi High Court challenging the impugned orders. Accordingly, Future Retail and Future Coupons each preferred two petitions before the Delhi High Court.

II. THE JUDGMENT OF THE SINGLE JUDGE The Single Judge of the Delhi High Court was confronted with the question of whether he should exercise his jurisdiction under Article 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India and thereby grant the relief sought by Future Retail and Future Coupons in their respective petitions. As both petitions arose from the same arbitral proceedings and owing to the commonality of the impugned orders, the Single Judge proceeded to hear and decide both the petitions by passing a common judgment.

Before opining on whether the Court should arbitrarily exercise its constitutional power under Article 226 & 227 by interfering with the impugned orders of the Tribunal, the Court laid down its opinion with regard to facts on record and the Tribunal's conduct in refusing to postpone the hearing of expert witness.

From the documents on record, the Court noted that the hearings from January 5 to 7, 2022 were dedicated to the 'Expert Hearing' whereas the hearing on January 8, 2022 was to be for oral submissions on the 'Termination Applications'.

In view of the factual position, the Court rejected the Future's contention that the Tribunal had not scheduled a day of receiving oral submissions on the 'Termination Applications'.

The Single Judge proceeded to reason by making the observation that the Tribunal had been more than accommodating to both the parties.

Furthermore, it was contended by the Future that the hearing of the 'Termination Applications' should have taken priority over the hearing of the expert witness. It was contended that the 'Termination Applications' go to the very root of the matter and if the said applications were allowed, the arbitral proceedings would not survive. Rejecting these contentions, the Court held that there was no merit in the submission that just because the hearing of the expert witnesses proceeded the 1. Judgment dated 4.01.2022 in CM(M) 2/2022 & CM No.176/2022 hearing for the Termination Applications that the Tribunal was not willing to consider or discounted the merit of the Termination Applications.

Consolidating its opinion, the Single Judge reiterated that the administration of the arbitral process lies with the arbitrator and that such contentions did not warrant any interference from Court.

Furthermore, the Court laid emphasis and concurred with the reasoning employed by the Tribunal in its decision to schedule one day for hearing the 'Termination Applications'.

The Single Judge concluded finding that there was no infirmity in the decision of the Tribunal in refusing to postpone the hearings of the expert witnesses. The Court observed that acceding to such a request for adjournment would nonetheless derail arbitration proceedings.

In order to further augment its reasoning, observations regarding the difficulties in scheduling fresh dates for modern-day arbitrations were made, as most often the concerned parties find it difficult to come to a consensus. Lastly, the Court rejected all the contentions put forth by the Future pertaining to difficulties that arose owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is our opinion that the reasoning employed by the Single Judge on this issue is cogent and demonstrates sufficient application of mind with respect to the evidence on record. However, it would not be out of place to note that the Court has erred by failing to take cognizance of the ground on which the 'Termination Applications' were predicated i.e. the 'Revocation Order'.

As rightfully put forward by the Future that the CCI's Revocation of Amazon's Combination would go to the very root of the maintainability of the arbitral proceedings. It is also pertinent to note that in the event that the Tribunal finds merit in the grounds of the 'Termination Applications', the entire arbitral process would be rendered infructuous.

It is our opinion that such an outcome would nonetheless have resulted in huge waste of costs incurred by both parties in pursuing the arbitral proceedings pending the disposal of the 'Termination Applications'.

It is also our opinion that the Single Judge has erred by failing to take cognizance of the findings made by the country's apex anti-trust regulatory body and the resultant ramifications in the 'Revocation Order'.

After laying sufficient emphasis on the factual particulars and the Tribunal's conduct in refusing to postpone the evidential hearings, the Court was confronted with the question of whether it could exercise its jurisdiction under Article 226 & 227 of the Constitution of India and thereby interfere with the impugned orders.

The Single Judge proceeded to discuss the settled position of law by relying on the judgment of the Apex Court in Deep Industries v ONGC 2 ('Deep Industries').

The Supreme Court in Deep Industries settled the question that the non-obstante embodied in Section 5 of the A&C Act does not bar a party from assailing the order of an Arbitral Tribunal before the Constitutional Courts under Article 226 & 227.

The Supreme Court in Deep Industries, while keeping in mind the doctrine of minimal judicial interference, imposed fetters on the powers of the Courts by connoting that the High Courts must be circumspect in exercising their extraordinary powers and must strictly invoke them when the resultant orders are "patently lacking in inherent jurisdiction" 3.

In view of the aforesaid ruling of the Apex Court in Deep Industries, the Single Judge was constrained to accede to the position that Court could exercise jurisdiction under Article 227 and thereby interfere with orders passed by Arbitral Tribunals.

However, the Single Judge held that there was a small window for interference with orders passed by arbitral tribunals and more particularly when the orders are procedural in nature.

Moreover, it was clearly enunciated in Surender Kumar Singhal v Arun Kumar Bhalotia (Surender Kumar Singhal) that the powers envisaged by Article 226 & 227 can be exercised against orders of the arbitral tribunals in "exceptional circumstances". Applying this criterion to the present, Applying this criterion to the present

2 2020 15 SCC 706

3 2020 15 SCC 706 at para 17 4 2021 SCC OnLine Del 3708

case the Single Judge refused to exercise the jurisdiction vested in it and thereby upheld the impugned orders.

It is our opinion, that the exceptional circumstances envisaged in Deep Industries and Surender Kumar Singhal warranted application to the facts of the present case in view of Amazon's fraudulent conduct. However, the Single Judge has erred in applying the dictum of the Apex Court in Deep Industries.

III. THE ORDER OF THE DIVISION BENCH Resultantly, the judgment of the Single Judge was challenged by Future before the Division Bench of the Delhi High Court. The Division Bench was quick to note the observations made by the CCI in the Revocation Order.

The Division Bench observed that the earlier Approval Order was now kept in abeyance and concurred with Future's contention that the SSA & SHA between Amazon and Future Coupons became unenforceable. Resultantly, the arbitration agreement was rendered unenforceable.

The Division Bench laid further emphasis on the scathing observations made by the CCI against Amazon's conduct and thereby held that opinion that the Tribunal ought to have considered hearing the Termination Applications before the evidential hearings. Accordingly, the judgment of the Single Judge and the arbitral proceedings were stayed.

It is our opinion that the Division Bench correctly paid heed to the observations made by the CCI with regard to Amazon's deceitful and fraudulent conduct and resultant ramifications of the Revocation Order and accordingly set-aside the judgment of the Single Judge.

CONCLUSION 5 Order dated 5.01.2022 in LPA 6/2022 & LPA 7/2022 It is our opinion that the order of the Division Bench rightly set-aside the judgment of the Single Judge in the Petition filed by the Future against the Tribunal's impugned orders.

It is also our opinion that the order of the Division Bench has exemplified an approach that can guide Courts when they are confronted with tricky situations on whether to exercise their extraordinary powers under Article 226 & 227 of the Constitution.

It is true that the on-going arbitral proceedings between Amazon and the Future Group are being adjudicated by an international tribunal administered under the SIAC Rules, but in essence the arbitration still remains a domestic arbitration seated in New Delhi.

In view of the above, it is imperative that the orders passed by top-regulatory bodies such as the CCI must be afforded adequate consideration by international arbitral tribunals, so that India's domestic public policy and the India's anti-trust framework is not thwarted for want of consideration by foreign arbitral tribunals.

It is our opinion that order of the Division Bench has not cast any eclipse on the sacrosanct concepts of "ease of doing business" and "investor confidence" in India. The Division Bench's approach is in fact a welcome-step in reminding international arbitral tribunals of their duty to pay adequate heed to the orders of sovereign bodies and to protect India's domestic public policy.

(Hiroo Advani is an authority on arbitration law and one of only two Indian lawyers ever listed in the International Who's Who of Commercial Arbitrators)
Dharamsala, Jan 14 : Expressing the US administration's strong commitment towards human rights, US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Uzra Zeya, on Friday called on China to hold direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives without any preconditions to achieve meaningful autonomy for Tibetans.

Special Coordinator Uzra Zeya made these comments in an interview with Tibet TV.

Speaking about her role, she said she "sees the role as fully reflecting President Biden's commitment to centre human rights and democratic values in the US foreign policy writ large".

She expressed her own commitment to working with the international community and engaging People's Republic of China (PRC) officials on advancing human rights of the Tibetan people and preserving their unique historical, religious, cultural and linguistic rights, including calling upon the PRC to end interference in the selection and veneration of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders.

Elaborating further, she explained her role also include calling upon the PRC to end its surveillance and harassment of Tibetan diaspora communities all over the world, including in the US.

She called on the PRC to engage in direct dialogue without preconditions with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives to resolve differences and achieve meaningful autonomy for Tibetans, according to a post on the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).

"We are also calling for increased access to Tibet for the US and other officials, including journalists like yourself, and we seek reciprocity from China regarding the access that PRC officials enjoy in our country. We want to promote activities that protect the environment and the water resources of the Tibetan plateau on which over a billion people depend.

"We also seek to address the very significant humanitarian needs of the Tibetan refugees. We want to support opportunities for these refugees to improve their livelihood and we must ensure that they are not forcibly returned to China.

"So it is a multi-pronged agenda that we are pursuing, one that we seek to intensively engage international partners to build support in this very concerted effort," she added.

Emphasising her commitment to restore the Sino-Tibetan dialogue, she said she intends to work intensively with partners throughout the US government, the US congress, and with likeminded partners and governments in the international community.

The Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human rights described resuming the Sino-Tibetan dialogue as the cornerstone of the special coordinator's role and something that she will continue to call for.

She explained that the US administration believes that a negotiated agreement that leads to meaningful autonomy for Tibetans and ensures the preservation of their religion, culture and language provides the best hope for long term stability in the region.

Responding to questions on the US government's stance on the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics and the issue of reciprocal access, she said: "With respect to the Olympics, I want to underscore that the US took a principled decision not to send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics games given the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and their other severe human rights abuses including in Tibet.a The Dalai Lama has been living in India since fleeing his homeland Tibet in 1959. The government-in-exile is based in this northern hill town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.
BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 14th round of the China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point on the Chinese side on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of National Defense.

Representatives from the defense and foreign affairs establishments of the two sides were present at the meeting, the ministry said in a statement, noting that the two sides had a frank and in-depth exchange of views for the resolution of relevant issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of China-India border areas.

They agreed that both sides should follow the guidance provided by the leaders of the two countries and work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest possible date, noting that this would help in restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and enable progress in bilateral relations.

The two sides agreed to consolidate on the previous outcomes and make effective efforts to maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector including during winter. They also agreed to stay in contact via military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues via dialogue as soon as possible.

It was also agreed that the next round of the Commanders' talks should be held at the earliest. 
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The explosives-laden bag which was found in the Ghazipur Flower Market area of the national capital on Friday contained a mixture of RDX and Ammonium Nitrate, National Security Guards Director General MA Ganapathy said.

"Prima facie it looks like RDX & Ammonium Nitrate mix, around 3 kgs," Ganapathy told IANS.

He said that they have shared all the details of the chemical composition of the explosive material with the Delhi Police.

The IED was found concealed in an unattended bag at the Ghazipur flower market, triggering panic among the people.

Later the NSG bomb disposal squad with the help of police personnel dug an approximately 8 feet ditch in an open ground where the bag carrying the IED was disposed. "The NSG conducted a controlled explosion of the recovered IED at around 1.30 p.m.," an official said.

Sources said that the Special Cell of the Delhi Police has registered a case under relevant provisions of the Explosives Act.

"An investigation has been launched and the forensic teams have collected evidence from the spot and taken it for examination," the sources added.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Dharamsala, Jan 14 : One of the longest serving civil servants and the last surviving government official of independent Tibet, Tsedrung Gyaltsen Choden, passed away in the United States at the age of 102, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said on Friday.

A prayer service to mourn his demise was held at the Kashag Secretariat here on January 12, which was attended, among others, by CTA President Penpa Tsering.

Delivering the eulogy for the deceased, Tsering said: "We have gathered here today to mourn the demise of Kungo Gyaltsen Choden la who was perhaps the last surviving government official of an independent Tibet before 1959." He served the Tibetan government from a young age. After coming into exile, he served the exile government in various capacities for the entirety of his life, he added.

"He was one of the longest serving Tibetan civil servants and we offer our deepest condolences to his family members. We believe that he has lived a truly meaningful life serving the Tibetan people and fulfilling the aspirations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama." According to the CTA, Choden was born in 1920 at Medo Gongkar near Lhasa. He was third among the four children born to father Jangchup Phuntsok and mother Kelsang Dolma. He started his schooling from 1930.

In 1935, he joined Tashi Lhunpo monastery to study Buddhist theology and philosophy.

In 1946, he was selected as an accountant. He came into exile in 1959 and retired from active service in 1992.

The Dalai Lama has been living in India since fleeing his homeland Tibet in 1959. The government-in-exile is based in this northern hill town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.
Mumbai, Jan 14 : Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) - the country's biggest and richest civic body - just got smarter, too, with the launch of a WhatsApp chatbot to deliver various services to 1.80 crore people under its jurisdiction.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray unveiled the chatbot offering 80 citizen-related services, 24x7 in Marathi and English, in an easy-to-access format - the first of its kind in the country, and only the third in the world after Dubai and Singapore.

Mumbai city and suburban Guardian Ministers Aslam Shaikh and Aditya Thackeray, Mayor Kishori Pednekar, BMC Commissioner I.S. Chahal, WhatsApp India's Director Shivnath Thukral and Infobip Managing Director India Harsha Solanki were among those present at the virtual launch.

"The BMC chatbot will provide at least 80 important services like water and electricity bill payments, house rent payment, licences renewal and various other essential municipal services for the benefit of the people. The model is of a transparent and accountable corporation taking advantage of information technology," Chief Minister Thackeray said at the unveiling.

"I have always believed that 'ease of living' must be one of the top priorities of any government and this initiative brings it to the forefront. Though Covid times have pushed people to Work From Home, they are still compelled to visit BMC offices for their works," said Aditya Thackeray.

The new facility not only enables WFH but also empowers the citizens in a transparent, accountable, easy to use and time-bound quality municipal services at the click of a button, he added.

Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai in India besides Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo in South America, had earlier launched a similar WhatsApp service but these were limited to Covid-19 and Covid vaccination purposes only, a WhatsApp spokesperson told IANS.

However, the BMC has packed in a huge range of services in its Chatbot - developed by Infobip - to streamline and make citizen engagement more inclusive and accessible, akin to Singapore and Dubai, said the spokesperson.

"MyBMC Assist" chatbot is free to use and built on the WhatsApp Business platform to serve multiple use-cases that cater citizens, tourists and businesses, ensure quick and easy realtime answers to multiple queries, send alerts and reminders to enable BMC remain on its toes 24x&," said a BMC officer.

"Intuitive technologies like WhatsApp have made critical contributions in helping governments to deliver citizen-centric services in a simple, safe and secure manner. This (MyBMC Assist) chatbot is a testament to the effective and scalable, transformational power of technology put to use by the BMC," commented WhatsApp India Public Policy Director Shivnath Thukral.

Citizens can get started on the chatbot MyBMC Assist with just a aHi!aA on the number - +918999228999 - to get information on their wards, nearby amenities like schools/hospitals, a range of civic services, BEST services, tourist destinations, directly lodge complaints, apply for festival permissions, licences renewals, payments and a lot more, from the comfort of their homes - a 'boon' with the civic elections round the corner.

Now, the government plans to take this model and replicate it in other cities and districts of Maharashtra to promote a paperless, good form of e-governance coupled with ease-of-living, and prove a game-changer, assured Minister Aditya Thackeray.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Chennai, Jan 14 : Actor Sibi Sathyaraj, who is the son of well-known actor Sathyaraj, on Friday urged people to get themselves vaccinated, pointing out that doing so would help keep the intensity of Covid down.

Taking to Instagram to express his Pongal greetings, the young actor posted a video clip in which he said, "It is sad to see Covid numbers rising during festival time. Because, when Covid is around, we won't be able to celebrate carefree.

"The joy of a festival lies in the fact that we go and visit friends, relatives and exchange plesantries. However, with Covid around, we now have to maintain social distancing and wear masks.

"However, there is a silver lining. The small good thing about this entire exercise is that several doctors are now expressing the opinion that the intensity of the wave this time around is much less, thanks to the large number of those who have got themselves vaccinated twice.

"So, the point here is those who haven't got themselves vaccinated, please get yourself vaccinated. Those who have taken one dose, take the second one. If you are eligible, please take the booster dose as well. The other good news is that the government has now approved vaccination for those in the age group of 15 to 18 years," he said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hobart, Jan 14 : A fine hundred by Travis Head (101) and a half-century by Cameron Green (74) put Australia in control as they reached 241/6 against England on a rain-hit day one of the fifth and final Ashes Test, here on Friday.

A 121-run stand between Head and Green helped Australia rebuild from a tricky start on day one of the day-night Test in Hobart.

Having been reduced to 12/3 in the first hour with David Warner (0), Usman Khawaja (6) and Steve Smith (0) dismissed, two of those accounted for by Ollie Robinson, the hosts were in trouble when Head walked in. However, with Marnus Labuschagne (44) for company, Head quickly put the pressure back on the visitors, adding 53 runs in the next 43 balls.

Labuschagne was let off earlier in the day by Zak Crawley and made England pay with some exquisite shots. He was well complemented by Head, who also put the foot on the pedal, to push Australia into the driving seat.

Before Labuschagne could get his fifty, however, Stuart Broad had him in a tangle with one that was directed straight at the stumps. Walking across, Labuschagne missed one headed for the middle stump and was down on all fours as soon as the stumps were uprooted.

The dismissal did not quite have the effect England were hoping for, however, as Green and Head took Australia to dinner with no further damage.

After the break, the duo kept the scoreboard ticking. Head was in complete control and completed his fifty at nearly run-a-ball. Crunching anything too short or too full, the left-hander, who had started the series off with a blistering 148-ball 152 in Brisbane followed by a 54-ball 51 in Adelaide, made England pay with his aggressive approach again.

Green, fresh off a half-century last Test, also looked in control and England failed to find the breakthrough they needed. The century stand came up with Head closing in on a hundred and Green nearing his fifty. The former got there first, slicing Chris Woakes behind point for a couple, but his joy didn't last long as he flicked the next ball straight to mid-on to depart for 101.

Green got to his half-century soon after, and at tea, despite the loss of Head, Australia seemed to be in a better position. Shortly after the break, Green pulled Mark Wood straight to deep mid-wicket to be dismissed for 74.

A drizzle broke out thereafter, interrupting play and dashing England's hopes of running through Alex Carey and the Australian lower-order.

Brief scores: Australia 241/6 (Travis Head 101, Cameron Green 74; Stuart Broad 2-48) vs England
Chandigarh, Jan 14 : Just a month ahead of the Assembly polls in Punjab, a special task force (STF) of Punjab Police on Friday recovered a 5-kg improvised explosive device (IED) and Rs 1 lakh in cash near the India-Pakistan border.

The seizure from the outskirts of Dhanoa village in Ajnala subdivision close to the Attari border was made on a tip-off about the smuggling of arms and ammunition from across the border.

STF Assistant Inspector General Rashpal Singh told the media: "On a specific alert our teams started a search operation and found a suspected packet in fields." Initially, the packet seemed to be carrying a consignment of drugs. "Sensing explosives, a bomb disposal squad was summoned. The 5-kg IED along with Rs 1 lakh was found in the packet.

A day earlier, Punjab Police recovered 2.5 kg RDX, one detonator, codex wire, five explosive fuses along with wires, 12 cartridges of AK 47 Assault Rifle.

Director General of Police (DGP) V.K. Bhawra said the recovery of RDX was made on the interrogation of Amandeep Kumar, the prime accused in the two recent incidents of grenade attacks in Pathankot.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Defence Ministry has allocated Rs 320 crore to clear the backlog of pending applications for welfare schemes for widows and dependent children of the veterans on the occasion of Veterans' Day on Friday.

The ministry launched a slew of initiatives for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans' Day which is celebrated on 14th January every year.

In a series of tweets, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) has allotted Rs 320 crore to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) to clear the backlog of pending applications for welfare schemes especially education and marriage grants for widows and dependent children of the veterans.

This will benefit over 1,66,000 wards and widows of ex- servicemen.

The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board, is being utilised to fund a number of welfare schemes for ex-servicemen, widows and dependants. These welfare schemes aim to provide financial assistance to the ex-servicemen fraternity, widows, dependants and maintain various facilities -- Cheshire Homes/Paraplegic Homes/War Memorial Hostels -- meant for ex-servicemen and their dependants.

The Directorate General of Resettlement also issued around 7,900 job letters to retired ex-servicemen in the government sector, PSUs, banks and the private sector from April-December 2021, out of the re-employment given to over 22,000 during the same period.

The aim is to facilitate re-employment of ex-servicemen in the corporate sector.

The Directorate-General Resettlement is an attached office of the MoD which facilitates resettlement of ex-servicemen by organising pre and post retirement training, re-employment and self employment.

Nearly 60,000 Armed Forces personnel retire or are released from active service every year, most of them being in the age bracket of 35 to 45 years and need a second career to support their families.

The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare also launched a dedicated Raksha Pension Shikayat Nivaran Portal designed to speedily redress pension, including family pension-related grievances of ex-servicemen and their dependents. The portal will enable processing of grievances quickly by the DESW.

Through the portal, an SMS and e-mail will be forwarded to the applicants on their registered mobile number and e-mail, intimating confirmation of registration of grievance and for tracking its status.
Hyderabad, Jan 14 : The Telanagana Forest Department of Telangana has taken various measures to implement the ban on use of nylon/synthetic thread in kite-flying during Sankranti festival.

The department has constituted mobile squads to check sale and purchase of 'manjha' or Chinese 'manjha' as nylon/synthetic threat is popularly called.

The department is mainly focusing on twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and surroundings where many people, especially youngsters take to kite flying during Sankranti festival.

Similar mobile parties have been formed in the districts by the district forest officers to implement the ban orders.

The state government had issued orders in 2016 imposing total ban on 'manjha to save birds as well as for the safety of humans.

The Environment, Forests, Science and Technology Department had issued orders imposing a ban on procuring, stocking, sale and use of 'manjha'.

The action was taken as its use is causing grievous injury to human beings and birds and causing problems for transmission lines and other communication devices and traffic movement. Such material is also causing adverse effects on soil, waterways due to its non-biodegradable nature.

The National Green Tribunal on July 11, 2017 imposed a total ban on use of nylon/synthetic thread in kite flying during Sankranti all over the country.

To create awareness among the people and also shop keepers selling kites and 'manjha', posters have been brought out by the Forest Department in English, Telugu and Urdu languages informing about the ban orders and requesting not to sell or purchase it.

According to Forest Department officials, due to the sustained efforts in implementing the ban since 2016, the sales and use of the banned manja has been coming down. There is now more awareness among the sellers as well as buyers.

The department with the help of NGOs and volunteers is ensuring display of posters in the shops to create awareness about the harm caused by these banned substances on animals, birds, humans, and environment.

Apart from the Forest Department, the Police Department, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials and NGOs are also working to implement the ban orders. Overall the impact of awareness among the general public against use of the synthetic 'manjha' is positive, the forest officials said.

The Forest Department has also set up 24 x7 helpline with toll free number 18004255364 and land 040-23231440. Any complaints regarding sale or purchase of the banned 'manjha' can be registered on these numbers
Amaravati, Jan 14 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy along with his wife YS Bharathi Reddy participated in the Sankranti celebrations at the Gosala (cow shelter) in his Tadepalli residence here on Friday.

Attired in traditional dhoti and kanduva (shoulder cloth), the Chief Minister arrived at the event and extended greetings to all the people present on the occasion. Later, he interacted with the children who performed in various cultural programmes.

Priests welcomed him with 'Poornakumbham' or traditional honours, and festivities were held in a traditional way depicting Telugu culture.

On various occasions in the past, the BJP has targeted the chief minister over his faith and accused him of targeting Hindu temples and promoting Christianity in the state.

Ministers Vellampalli Srinivas, Government chief whip Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy, and other public representatives were also present on the occasion.
Lucknow, Jan 14 : An FIR has been lodged at the Gautam Palli police station in Lucknow against the Samajwadi Party for violation of model code of conduct as well as Covid protocols.

The action was taken after a huge crowd gathered at the SP office on Friday afternoon for the joining of former BJP minister Swami Prasad Maurya, Dharam Singh Saini and other legislators in the party.

Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash said that the Samajwadi Party's virtual rally was held without prior permission.

"Upon receiving information, a police team was sent to the SP office. Action is being taken on the basis of their report," he said, adding that Section 144 is in force in the state capital.

Samajwadi Party's Uttar Pradesh unit chief Naresh Uttam Patel said, "It was a virtual event inside our party office. We did not call anyone, but people came. People work abiding by Covid protocols." He further said, "Crowds were there even at BJP ministers' doorsteps and in markets, but they only have a problem with us." The Election Commission of India (ECI) had on January 8 announced a ban on physical rallies in light of the surge in Covid cases in parts of the country.
SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two short-range projectiles into eastern waters, the third launch in less than two weeks, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said on Friday.

The JCS said in a statement that the South Korean military detected two projectiles, presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, which were launched northeastward into the East Sea from the DPRK's northwestern Uiju area in North Pyongan Province at about 2:41 p.m. (0541 GMT) and 2:52 p.m. local time (0552 GMT) respectively.

The projectiles traveled some 430 km at an altitude of around 36 km. The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States were precisely analyzing further details on them, according to the JCS.

The JCS noted that the South Korean military was monitoring relevant situation and maintaining readiness posture to prepare for the possibly additional launch by the DPRK.

The DPRK said earlier this week that it successfully conducted a "hypersonic gliding warhead" test on Tuesday under the supervision by top leader Kim Jong Un.

The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said last week that it successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile on Jan. 5.

South Korea's presidential National Security Council (NSC) held an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures towards Pyongyang's projectile launches, according to Yonhap news agency. 
Kiev, Jan 14 : State-sponsored hackers have hit Ukraine with a 'massive cyber-attack, shutting down several government websites amid heightened tension with Russia.

Sky News reported on Friday that the disruption came at a time of extreme tension with Russia, which has reportedly gathered around 100,000 troops at Ukraine's border.

"As a result of a massive cyber-attack, the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of other government agencies are temporarily down," said the Foreign Ministry in Kiev.

"It's too early to draw conclusions, but there is a long record of Russian assaults against Ukraine," a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying.

Websites of the Foreign Ministry, National Security and Defence Council and the government's Cabinet of ministers were among those affected.

On some of the websites, a text in three languages - Ukrainian, Polish and Russian - said all data of Ukrainians uploaded to the network have become public.

Russia has repeatedly been accused of cyber-attacks against Ukraine.

The targeting of Ukrainian government websites came as talks between representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Russia concluded without a clear outcome, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg describing the differences between the two sides as "significant" and "will not be easy to bridge".

Alexander Lukashevich, Russia's permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said after the talks that Moscow was disappointed by the West's response to its proposals on Ukraine and European security.

Stoltenberg has also warned Russia that a further military aggression against Ukraine would carry a "high political and economic price".
Kolkata, Jan 14 : Amid an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, the Calcutta High Court on Friday asked the West Bengal state election commission to consider postponing the election in four Municipal Corporations by at least four to six weeks.

The commission has been given 48 hours to come out with its stand on the matter.

The division bench of Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava was hearing a PIL filed by one Bimal Bhattacharya, who argued that considering the escalating Covid-19 situation, the civic polls should be postponed.

West Bengal is currently among the top contributors nationwide of the coronavirus cases.

The PIL was filed after the state's poll panel announced that elections in four municipalities -- Asansol, Bidhannagar, Siliguri and Chandannagar -- would be held as scheduled on January 22, and counting would take place on January 25.

Elections are due in seven municipal corporations of West Bengal, including Asansol Municipal Corporation, BidhanNagar Municipal Corporation, Chandernagore Municipal Corporation, Durgapur Municipal Corporation, Howrah Municipal Corporation and Siliguri Municipal Corporation.

During the hearing on Thursday, the state government and the commission have tried to push the responsibility on each other.

Jayanta Mitra, the advocate appearing for the state election commission, had said that the commission cannot take the decision of stopping an election because it is the state's responsibility.

"According to law, the commission cannot cancel a pre-declared election but if the disaster management act is implemented in the state, then the election will have to be cancelled," Mitra said.

On the other hand, the advocate appearing for the state said that the commission only has the authority to cancel the election and the state has got nothing to do with it. The division bench asked both the state and the commission about their lack of coordination in this matter. On Friday, the court directed the commission to take the final decision on this issue.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Pakistan government is considering reimposing Coronavirus restrictions, particularly on weddings, due to an uptick in Covid-19 cases, Geo News reported.

Speaking to Geo News, Parliamentary Secretary on Health, Nausheen Hamid, termed weddings as a "super-spreader" of Covid cases.

Hamid said: "We are considering to completely ban eating at weddings as it is the peak time when the virus is spread as people remove their masks to eat food." Hamid further added that this matter will be discussed in the upcoming National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting scheduled to be held in a day or two.

The NCOC, she said, will issue a clear policy highlighting the restrictions on the venue, number of guests at the wedding etc., the report said.

Shedding light on other measures, the PTI leader said that the government's main focus is to ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are being followed, hence, the officials are trying to make sure that vaccination certificates are being checked at all public places.

"We are going to re-follow the strategy applied previously regarding smart lockdown," she said, adding that lockdowns will only be imposed in areas where necessary.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Bengaluru, Jan 14 : The Covid-19 surge has proved to be costly for the Kannada film industry, aka Sandalwood, as the movies that made a good start at the box-office are not being able to capitalise on their success.

The reason? The Karnataka government has limited occupancy in cinema theatres to 50 per cent because of the third wave.

Producers who had planned grand Sankranthi releases have deferred their movies. And the film trade estimates that by the time the third wave peters down, scores of theatres across the state will permanently close down.

'Badava Rascal', starring actor Dhananjaya, released on December 24 and showed all signs of becoming a hit. The movie team had already begun a tour across the state to celebrate its success, but it received a rude shock when the 50 per cent limitation was announced in the first week of January.

Dhananjaya stated that though the makers were happy with the box-office pickings, the restrictions had affected the prospect of the movie doing even better.

The Nikhil Kumaraswamy-starrer big-budget movie 'Rider', also released on December 24, had begun well at the box-office, but then had to incur heavy losses. 'Arjun Gowda', the movie starring Prajwal Devraj, was also hit badly by the state government's decision.

The big Kannada movies will now be slated for release during the Varamahalakshmi, Ganesha and Vijayadashami festivals. In fact, when the second Covid wave hit hard, major releases, including pan-India projects such as the Kichcha Sudeep-starrer 'Vikranth Rona', had to be postponed.

No Kannada film has been released after December 31. With experts predicting that the third wave will peak in February, the producers are unsure about releasing their movies. Industry sources said there won't be any big releases for another two months, which is going to spell doom for theatre owners.

By the time the third wave subsides, industry sources said, more than 200 theatres will shut down permanently. With no new movie being released, they are managing with movies which have released last month, even with 50 per cent occupancy.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : A group of around 35 doctors from across the country have written an open letter to the union health ministry over the unwarranted testing, medication and hospitalisation during the ongoing Covid pandemic and sought urgent intervention for an evidence-based response to the current wave.

"While there continues to be much uncertainty amidst the outbreak of this novel disease, there is now substantive high-quality scientific literature that provides unequivocal guidance on the clinical management of Covid-19. Despite the weight of this evidence and the crushing death toll of the delta wave, we find the mistakes of the 2021 response being repeated in 2022", said the open letter.

The doctors have identified three main issues of unwarranted medication, unwarranted tests and unwarranted hospitalisation.

The letter says that the vast majority of patients with Covid-19, with asymptomatic and mild symptoms, will require little to no medication. "Most prescriptions we have reviewed in the past two weeks include several Covid-19 "kits" and cocktails. The prescribing of vitamin combinations, azithromycin, doxycycline, hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, and ivermectin for treating Covid-19 is irrational practice. Such wanton use of drugs is not without harm as the Delta wave has shown. Outbreaks of opportunistic fungal infections like mucormycosis in India, and aspergillosis in Brazil were attributed to the widespread abuse of inappropriate medications", said the letter.

Talking to IANS, Dr Anant Bhan, Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangaluru, one of the signatories, said that with almost two years of dealing with the pandemic behind us, it's extremely important that we ensure that evidence based medical and policy decisions are made. Our letter appeals to all relevant stakeholders to focus on public health measures including vaccination, and ensure inappropriate medications and diagnostics are discouraged.

In the open letter, they have appealed to the central and state health authorities to stop these "unwarranted" practices and promote evidence-based medicine. It has suggested to update the evidence-based June 2021 DGHS guidelines. Through public education and professional training, discourage the use of medications that have no supporting evidence for the treatment of Covid-19, the doctors said.

The doctors have also suggested to discourage the use of unwarranted diagnostics, especially for asymptomatic and mild cases, where none are required, except for confirmatory Antigen or PCR tests and to publish guidelines in local languages. Stop any state-sponsored promotion or distribution of medications, cocktails, alternative therapies or potions that are not scientifically proven therapies, suggests the letter.

Provide all healthcare workers adequate N95 masks and eye protection. Continue to accelerate vaccination, building on current success, said the letter signed by a few Indian-origin doctors from Harvard and Johns Hopkins universities in the US.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Indian Air Force said on Friday that the Court of Inquiry constituted to probe the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu on December 8 has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as cause of the accident.

The country's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 12 armed forces personnel were killed in the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

Sharing preliminary findings of the tri-services Court of Inquiry report, the IAF said the chopper crash was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley.

The inquiry team analysed the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident.

The Court of Inquiry has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident.

The accident was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley, which led to spatial disorientation of the pilot.

"Based on its findings, the Court of Inquiry has made certain recommendations which are being reviewed," the IAF said.

General Rawat was on a visit to the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Nilgiri Hills to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : With 423 cases in the last 24 hours, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is the worst-hit among Central Armed Police Forces by the Omicron-triggered third wave of the Covid pandemic with the highest number of the active cases due to its duty at major airports at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru and in metro rail in many cities.

According to official data released on January 13, the CISF accounts for over 33 per cent of all active Covid cases in the paramilitary forces so far and most of its troopers who have tested positive are deployed at airports, including in Delhi and Mumbai, which recorded big surges in coronavirus cases since the beginning of this year.

As per the data, the CISF had 2,237 active cases till January 13 while the total number of active cases among all paramilitary forces stood at 6,595. The data also revealed that till January 10, the total number of Covid cases reported in the force was 1,307, 379 till January 6, and 485 till January 7.

The force has been reporting a high number of cases because of the deployment at the airports despite taking all precautionary measures like wearing masks, face shields, and making minimum contact with passengers, the numbers are still consistently high, CISF officials said.

The officials also said that this has been a trend as the CISF personnel are in contact with the foreign travellers arriving in India from various countries.

The CISF Director-General has directed all field units to take extra precautions.

Though the CISF tops in the tally, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) are also facing the brunt of the third wave.

The latest data also revealed that the CRPF has recorded 362 cases in last 24 hours with active caseload of 1,824, followed by the BSF with 182 cases in last 24 hours and a total of 1,048 active cases while the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) saw 187 cases in last 24 hours but it has only 892 active cases.

Another border guarding force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has 365 active cases with only 60 cases reported in the last 24 hours. The National Security Guard (NSG) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are much better as they have recorded minimum cases - 48 and 181, respectively, as on January 13.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 14 : As the elections are nearing in five states the Congress is witnessing internal rifts on the issue of who would be the chief ministerial face in the upcoming polls in Punjab and Uttarakhand. The party has, however, categorically stated that it is unlikely to project anyone as the CM face of the party and will go with collective leadership of the state. The issue will be settled after the results are out.

The Congress is wary of Punjab State President Navjot Singh Sidhu asserting himself for the top post ahead of the polls, while colliding with party colleagues. Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi too is trying to impress the party high command while in Uttarakhand Harish Rawat wants to be the captain of the ship and is saying that it all depends on the party whether he will contest or not contest the polls. The Central Election Committee is meeting virtually on Saturday to decide on the poll tickets.

The party is trying to balance the warring factions and pacify the leaders like Harish Rawat in Uttarakhand who has been opposing the induction of BJP turncoats but the Congress leadership is eyeing the winnability factor in the state.

Sidhu on Thursday had questioned his own government and had said "A system which could not give justice to our Guru and could not punish the big fish involved in the drug trade needs to be demolished. I categorically state that I'm not running for any post and it's either this system will stay or Navjot Singh Sidhu," he tweeted.

"The fight is to change this system which has eroded Punjab like termites and is being run by mafias in connivance with mischievous politicians. This system cries for a change & reforms as the glory of Punjab has been annihilated by the nexus of a few political leaders and mafia," Sidhu said in another tweet.

The Congress, so far, has not named anyone as the chief ministerial face for the Assembly elections in the five states, as the party feels that it might lead to infighting and internal rifts which could damage its prospects in the polls.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Confederation of All Indian Traders (CAIT) has moved the Competition Commission of India (CCI), seeking a direction to block the acquisition of Cloudtail India by Amazon.

Cloudtail is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Prione Business Services, a joint venture of Amazon and Catamaran Ventures and is also presently the largest seller on Amazon's e-commerce platform, Amazon.in.

Citing the proposed structure of stake in Cloudtail, the plea said: "Amazon would have 100 per cent stake in Cloudtail, post the proposed combination. It is submitted that if the proposed combination is allowed, then it would cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition." CAIT argued that complete control of Amazon will result in Cloudtail getting further preference on its platform.

In a statement, CAIT, providing instances wherein Amazon gives preference to Cloudtail, said such preference will only become more pronounced after this transaction, which would have a destabilising effect on the e-commerce market in India.

The traders' body petition said: "Another evidence showing that Amazon has given preference to Cloudtail on its platform is the fact that Cloudtail's revenue has increased significantly over the years. In FY 2021 only, Cloudtail's revenue increased by 46 per cent to INR 16,639 crore." The plea argued that Cloudtail gets preference on the platform of Amazon, and with the proposed combination, it would become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon, and gain further advantages such as access to immense financial resources and data, in addition to better listing on the platform.

In a statement, CAIT said: "Cloudtail charges less fees/commission and is a preferential seller on the platform, and with a 100 per cent acquisition of Cloudtail, a preferred seller and the marketplace at its e-commerce portal, Amazon will cause an adverse effect on the market." It alleged that this transaction is not only in violation of competition law but is also a violation of FDI norms too.

The traders' body argued that Amazon has emerged as a gatekeeper and an essential trading partner of retailers to reach out to the consumers, especially in Covid period and even post Covid situation, consumer behaviour is likely to change significantly and shift towards e-commerce only.

"Therefore, it is crucial that Amazon as a marketplace remains neutral and fair. This Hon'ble Commission has itself stated that rules of engagement for the platforms become important and it has to be ensured that the relationship is not exploited by the platforms. Therefore, Amazon cannot be allowed to have a special relation with a few of its sellers, to the disadvantage of other smaller sellers," added the plea.

A CAIT statement said Amazon has proposed to completely acquire Prione by acquiring all the shares held by Hober Mallow Trust. "Presently, Prione is controlled by Hober Mallow. Seventy Six percent (76 per cent) of the share capital of Prione is held by Hober Mallow. Amazon Asia-Pacific Resources Pvt Ltd already owns 23 per cent of the share capital of Prione, and Amazon Eurasia Holdings S.a.r.l. owns 1 per cent of the share capital of Prione. Therefore, Amazon holds 24 per cent stake in Prione as of today. However, by acquiring the shares of Hober Mallow,Amazon and its affiliated entities would have 100 per cent stake in Prione," it added.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The National Security Guard and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on Friday averted a major terror attack in the Ghazipur Flower Market area of the national capital by defusing a 3-kg Improvised Explosive Device planted in the crowded market.

The IED, which was found concealed in an unattended bag at the Ghazipur Flower Market, triggered panic among the residents of the capital less than a fortnight ahead of January 26, Republic Day.

But how did the police find it? The bag was first spotted by a local vendor, however, he did not pay any heed to it and left. When he returned after sometime, the bag was still there after which he informed a civil defence volunteer in the area who then made a PCR call around 10.16 a.m. The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) was also informed at the same time. A DFS official confirmed to IANS that they received a call around 10.20 a.m. about an unattended bag at the Ghazipur Flower Market after which one fire engine was rushed to the spot.

With suspicions mounting the Delhi Police alerted the anti-terror force -- NSG -- about the suspicious object around 11 a.m. which sent its bomb disposal squad equipped with a bomb disposal container called Total Containment Vessel (TVC).

The NSG is a world class federal contingency force which deals with anti-terrorist activities in all its manifestations.

The Delhi Police deployed its anti-terror unit, the Special Cell, to deal with the situation. Over 30 policemen, wearing a green jacket having 'Special Cell' printed on it, swarmed the entire area. The police cordoned off the area for the safety and security of the people. Heavy police presence in and around the area made things look very serious at that time. The NSG personnel, wearing the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) suit or bomb suit, were also at the spot.

Then the NSG bomb disposal squad with the help of the police personnel dug an approximately 8 feet ditch in an open ground where the bag carrying the IED was dumped. At sharp 1.30 p.m. a loud thud was heard after which everybody heaved a sigh of relief. The NSG conducted a controlled explosion of the recovered IED in that ditch, saving several lives that could have been snuffed out if the bomb had not been found and defused in time.

National Security Guard Director General MA Ganapathy speaking exclusively to IANS said that the explosives-laden bag contained a mixture of RDX and Ammonium Nitrate. "Prima facie it looks like RDX & Ammonium Nitrate mix weighing around 3 kgs," Ganapathy informed. He added that they have shared all the details of the chemical composition of the explosive material with the Delhi Police.

The Delhi Police immediately handed over the case to its Special Cell which detects, prevents and investigates cases of terrorism, organized crime and other serious offences in Delhi. The Special Cell has registered a case under relevant provisions of the Explosives Act.

The preliminary probe has so far revealed that the bomb was kept inside an iron box which was then carefully concealed in a black bag. Sources privy to the probe told IANS that a timer was also attached to the improvised explosive device. The police are currently examining all the CCTV footage from the area.

Interestingly, it was learnt that a huge camera was already in place at the entrance gate of the Ghazipur Flower Market, but the camera's focus was not towards the spot where the explosives-laden bag was kept. "The forensic teams have also collected evidence from the spot and taken it for examination," an official said. However, the forensic report may take at least two weeks to come.

"It is being suspected that the conspirators might have done a recce before planting the bomb at the spot," official sources said, adding that the CCTV footage is of vital importance in this case.

Sources said the police in the national capital were already on alert in view of Republic Day on January 26. "Such events can be used by anti-national elements having nefarious designs to carry out terror attacks in the city," a top official had told IANS recently.

In September, 2021, the Delhi Police Special Cell had busted a big terror module of the ISI and the underworld and arrested 8 Pakistan-trained terrorists from several places in the country. The arrested terrorists were planning to carry out terror attacks in the country during this festival season.

A month later in October, another Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) trained terrorist was arrested from the Laxmi Nagar area of Delhi. The police had recovered an AK 47 rifle along with several other arms and ammunition from him.
ZAGREB, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Croatia has a population of 3,888,529 in 2021, down by 396,360 inhabitants, or 9.25 percent from the last census in 2011, the country's Central Bureau of Statistics said in a statement on Friday.

Over the past 30 years since its independence, the Croatian population has decreased by 895,736, the statement said, noting that throughout Croatia, there are only three cities, namely Zagreb, Split and Rijeka, have more than 100,000 inhabitants.

The population decrease is blamed mainly on the low fertility rate and emigration, according to local media reports.

The national population census was conducted in 2021 and the Central Bureau of Statistics is expected to publish other results of the census later. 
Patna, Jan 14 : The Bharatiya Janata Party may be part of the government in Bihar but its alliance partners are not letting go of any issue to criticize its leaders and policies.

On Friday, HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the latter uploaded a photograph on social media of eating food in the house of a Dalit family in Gorakhpur.

Manjhi without taking the name of Yogi Adityanath, said people eating food in the house of a Dalit family are snatching our morsel of food.

"When elections come, many leaders of different political parties will go to the houses of Dalits and tribal families to eat food. They are responsible for taking away the development share of Dalits and tribal people of the country," Manjhi said.

Manjhi also attacked the BJP over comparing Samrat Ashoka with Aurangzeb. He said that the BJP leaders reckoned that Samrat Ashoka belonged to the backward class community and that is why they are humiliating a great ruler just because of his caste. Manjhi announced to hold demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in Delhi from January 17.

Jitan Ram Manjhi is a leader who claims that the Ramayan is not based on the truth. It is an imaginary book. The character of Lord Rama is also imaginary, he says.

Manjhi is president of the Hindustani Awam Morcha in Bihar having 4 seats in the assembly and trying to play the role of a kingmaker in the state.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : A court here on Friday refused to grant bail to engineering student and 'Bulli Bai' app creator Neeraj Bishnoi, who was arrested by the Delhi Police from Assam for creating a platform for defaming women of a particular community.

Noting that the accused ran a vilification campaign against the dignity of the women of a particular community containing derogatory material through the app affecting communal harmony of the society, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Patiala House Courts, Pankaj Sharma, denied the bail application.

The court also observed that the accused created the app where women journalists and celebrities of a particular community who are famous on social media are targeted and they are projected in a bad light with an objective to insult and humiliate them.

Last week, Bishnoi, who was arrested by the IFSO (Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit) of the Special Cell of Delhi Police had been sent to seven days' custody.

He was a student of second-year B.Tech, computer science, at Vellore Institute of Technology, Bhopal.

According to police, Bishnoi had, in October, had created a list of women whom he wanted to defame online on his digital devices, a laptop, and cell phones.

He was tracing women activists all over social media and downloading their photos.

On January 1, this app, which was performing on Github's space, posted photos of a number of women of a particular religion. These included journalists, social workers, students, and famous personalities.

It happened six months after the controversy of Sulli Deals.

Vishal Kumar Jha, the engineering student, was one of the followers of 'Bulli Bai', which led the police to him.

Hosting platform Github provided space to 'Sulli Deals', and the 'Bulli Bai' too was created on it.

Later, after the controversy erupted, Github removed the user 'Bulli Bai' from its hosting platform.

But by then, it had sparked a nationwide controversy.The app was also being promoted by a Twitter handle with the name @bullibai, with the display picture of a Khalistani supporter.
Cape Town, Jan 14 : South Africa captain Dean Elgar said on Friday that there were hopes within the team that they could win the series. He was also extremely proud of his team 'responding brilliantly' after being 0-1 down and then making a comeback to clinch the series 2-1.

"Pretty elated, I think it will sink in in a day or two, maybe this evening. Couldn't be prouder of the group. The guys responded brilliantly. After the first loss, had a lot of hope knowing we can still win this," said Elgar in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Elgar said that he asking the players to respond better in the next two matches at Johannesburg and Cape Town did the trick for them. "Asked the players to respond in a better nature, better way and they responded brilliantly. Extremely happy. Challenging your players within the group, need character to stand up. The way our bowling unit delivered throughout the series is brilliant." "I threw down the challenge after the first game and the guys responded brilliantly. Got a young, talented group. Every day in this environment, we're gaining this experience. Unreal to see how a group that doesn't have the repertoire or names can gel together as one. Extremely proud of this group." Further talking about throwing the challenge to his players on performing well, Elgar remarked, "If you want to operate at a high performance level, have to have tough chats. If guys don't like it, it's up to them to deal with. I've got old-school mentality with new-school twist. Laid down challenges to senior players as well, great to see them take it on board and deliver." Elgar signed off by saying that the hurt from the 113-run loss at Centurion fuelled South Africa to do well in the next two Tests. "Would like to think I gave us the best message for us to go out and perform. Us as a close group, we've been hurting a little bit and it's something for us to feed off." "We played as a unit, if you can do that, if you have guys moving away, it's challenge to pull them in. I think as a unit, we've grown massively over the last two Tests. I'm already thinking of the next series. Lot of positives, but in order to grow, need to curb the challenges we have."
New Delhi, Jan 14 : Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said in pandemic situations like Covid-19, tele-consultation is a boon, especially for the primary health care, while noting that going to a doctor is not always possible during the pandemic .

Highlighting the services being provided through the digital platform of tele-consultation, Mandaviya said that E-Sanjeevani is a revolution in the health sector in the country.

It is providing affordable and accessible health care as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He also emphasised that PM Modi in review meeting with the Chief Ministers of States on Thursday, had highlighted that tele-medicine facilities will help a great deal in providing healthcare services to the needy.

Mandaviya was on a visit to the eSanjeevani teleconsultation facility at the CGHS headquarters, here on Friday, and observed the consultation being provided by doctors through tele-consultation.

He said that this platform is addressing the shortage of doctors and specialists at ground level while reducing the burden on secondary and tertiary level hospitals. It is also plugging the digital health divide that exists in urban and rural India, he added.

The Health Minister recommended the doctors to seek consultation with subject experts and specialists through the hub-spoke model.

eSanjeevani, the national Telemedicine Service of the Government, is a technological intervention conceptualised by the Health Ministry, implemented and operationalized by C-DAC to enable remote doctor consultations. It has been deployed in two modes: eSanjeevani AB-HWC, Doctor-to-Doctor telemedicine system under Ayushman Bharat Scheme at Health & Wellness Centres, to provision specialised health services in rural areas and isolated communities.

The second model is eSanjeevaniOPD, a Patient-to-Doctor telemedicine system to enable people to get outpatient services in the confines of their homes.

eSanjeevani AB-HWC has accounted for over 1.60 crore consultations. Currently, around 33,297 Health and Wellness Centres acting as 'Spokes' are aligned to over 2,991 'Hubs' of District Hospitals and Medical Colleges.

eSanjeevani OPD platform has served over 65 lakh patients in 35 states and UTs. Over 1,10,988 doctors and paramedics have been trained and on-boarded, so far. 664 online OPDs have been set up on eSanjeevani OPD and a total of 2.17 crore tele-consultations have been done till date.
London, Jan 14 : 'Bridesmaids' and 'Pitch Perfect' star, and body positivity advocate, Rebel Wilson will host the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards on March 13.

The Australian actress, who has been living and working in Hollywood for more than a decade, "stole the show" at the 2020 BAFTAs, recalls 'Variety'.

In her "a gag-filled speech" while presenting the award for best director, she managed to mention Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, coronavirus (then still but a conceptual threat), the lack of swag bags, 'Cats' (in which she had starred) and the absence of women nominated for best director.

That was before the actress, best remembered for her character 'Fat Amy' in 'Pitch Perfect', had lost 60 pounds last year.

The 2020 BAFTAs took place semi-virtually and were hosted by British presenters Edith Bowman and Dermot O'Leary.

"I look at the exceptional, daring talent nominated in this category and I don't think I could do what they do," Wilson had said of the all-male nominees. "Honestly, I just don't have the b***s."Reacting to the announcement that she was going to host the BAFTAs, Wilson said with her characteristic humour: "I am very honoured to be hosting the EE British Academy Film Awards in March, where Covid will no longer exist because it will clearly have been cancelled by then." She added: "It's going to be so much fun! I don't wanna put any pressure on this -- I know I'm not going to be funny because I am no longer fat. And besides, I'm not going to 'sweat-it' with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can't sweat ... or cause offence to people because of my adorable Australian accent."
Bengaluru, Jan 14 : The Karnataka government which had consistently assured that guest lecturers' demands would be considered on humanitarian grounds, has come out with many relief measures including hiking the salaries by more than double.

The decisions taken by the government based on the three-member committee will benefit thousands of guest lecturers working in the government first-grade colleges.

Hailing Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai for personally taking interest in addressing the demands of guest lecturers, C.N. Ashwatha Narayana, Minister for Higher Education, on Friday announced the decision of the government.

He said the salaries have been raised by more than double.

In a novel strategy, four types of classifications have been formulated to fix the salaries. Earlier, the guest lecturers were paid a salary of Rs 13,000 per month for those with UGC prescribed eligibility and 11,000 per month for those who do not have UGC prescribed eligibility. Now the salaries have been increased from a minimum of Rs 26,000 per month to a maximum of Rs 32,000 per month.

Now, those who have been serving as guest lecturers for more than 5 years and possessing UGC prescribed qualification will receive emoluments of Rs 32,000/month, while those who have been serving as guest lecturers for less than 5 years with UGC prescribed qualification will be paid Rs 30,000 per month.

Similarly, those who have been serving as guest lecturers for more than 5 years but do not have UGC prescribed qualification will receive Rs 28,000/month, while those who have been serving as guest lecturers for less than 5 years but do not have UGC prescribed qualification will be paid Rs 26,000/month, the minister elaborated.

In other prominent measures as a relief to the guest lecturers, it has been decided to pay the salaries before the 10th date of every month and to appoint them on the academic year basis of 10 months duration, instead of semester basis as prevailed earlier.

He further added workload of lecturers will be readjusted in cases where there is a shortage of it.

As UGC prescribed eligibility conditions will be made mandatory for recruiting guest faculty in the coming years, 3 years' time has been set for guest lecturers to clear the required tests/examinations, Narayana pointed out.

It has been also decided to give weightage to seniority of service while appointing guest lecturers. To ensure this, a selection list will be prepared based on the existing parameters of the department.

Based on the above parameters, an online portal has been set up and candidates can apply from January 17. Applicants can mention 5 colleges of their choice while submitting applications and they need to submit within 7 days, Narayana said.

The government had constituted a three-member committee headed by ACS of the Higher Education Department on December 15, 2021, and it submitted the report within one month. The committee had convened meetings on December 28, January 5, and January 12, respectively.

Ashwatha Narayana and Basavaraja Horatti, Chairman of Legislative Council had also conducted meetings during the winter session at Belagavi and later at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru wherein MLCs, representatives from teachers and graduates constituencies, and associations of guest lecturers were present.
Bengaluru, Jan 14 : Jaipur Pink Panthers defeated table-toppers Patna Pirates 38-28 in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 8 at The Sheraton Grand, Whitefield, here on Friday.

Raider Deepak Hooda scored a Super 10 and was aided by Arjun Deshwal with nine points as the Panthers continued their habit of beating top teams in Season 8. Patna had an off day on the mat with their raiders struggling to make the required impact.

The first half was a closely contested affair with Jaipur matching Patna blow-for-blow. Monu Goyat looked impressive for the Pirates in the initial minutes while in-form Deepak Hooda took the majority of raiding duties for the Panthers. There were no tackle points scored in the first ten minutes with scores even at 10-10.

Pink Panthers' Sahul Kumar slowly found the rhythm in the defence towards the closing stages of the half. He and Deepak Hooda combined to inflict the first all-out in the last minute to open a 4-point lead. Jaipur's Arjun Deshwal then produced a 2-point raid to end the half 18-12 in their favour.

Prashanth Rai and Sachin also started raiding more for the Pirates in the second half, but they failed to close the gap on the Panthers. Patna thought they had a Super Raid when Monu Goyat's finger sneaked past the midline close to the 9th minute of the half. But the referees said the raider's struggle had been over.

With 10 minutes remaining, Jaipur had a 5-point lead. The big difference between the teams was how they approached their Do-or-Die raids. Jaipur converted most of theirs while the Pirates often perished.

Jaipur had a healthy 7-point lead, and they used the momentum to inflict another ALL OUT with under two minutes remaining. Mohammadreza Shadloui had a poor outing in the left corner for Patna and Jaipur picked points off him to clinch the win.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The BJP's Central Election Committee (CEC) will meet next week for the second time to finalise candidates for Goa, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

In its first meeting on Thursday, the BJP CEC has finalised candidates for 172 Assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh where polling will be held in the first three phases.

Goa has already recommended shortlisted names to the party's CEC for approval, and Uttarakhand will be sending shortlisted names in a day or two.

While several rounds of meetings for Uttar Pradesh have been held in Lucknow and in the national capital. On Thursday, the BJP CEC meeting to finalise candidates for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls was held in hybrid mode as few of the CEC members, including party chief J.P. Nadda, have tested positive for Covid-19.

Sources said that the next meeting of the BJP CEC is likely to be held mid next week to finalise more candidates of Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.

"Depending on the health of CEC members, the decision to hold meetings physically or in hybrid form will be decided," a party leader said.

Before Thursday, a lot of discussion and deliberation took place in meetings chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10, while in Punjab, Goa, and Uttarakhand elections will be held on February 14, and in Manipur, it will also be in two phases - on February 27 and March 3.

Counting of votes will take place on March 10.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : Both night and weekend curfew will continue to be in force in the national capital in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said on Friday.

While night curfew comes into force from 10 pm to 5 am every day, the weekend curfew that was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on January 4 kicks in at 10 pm of Friday and continues till 5 am of the subsequent Monday.

"It is to inform that night curfew and weekend curfew on the movement of individuals in the NCT of Delhi will remain in force till further orders," DDMA said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while answering a question on Covid-19 restrictions, said on Friday afternoon that the curbs will be tightened only if necessary, but if Covid cases begin to decline, the government will relax the restrictions.

"The number of Corona cases is rapidly increasing while Omicron infections are widespread. The infection rate in Delhi has now reached nearly 29 per cent," he said, adding that there is no cause for panic as the number of patients admitted to hospitals is very low, as is the number of deaths.

Delhi on Friday reported 24,383 new Covid cases, pushing the total infection tally to 16,70,966, while the positivity rate mounted to 30.64 per cent.

A total of 34 deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the national capital's overall Covid death toll to 25,305.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 14 : India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sought a report in connection to a recent "near-collision" incident in Dubai involving two India-bound flights, sources said on Friday.

The purported safety related incident occurred at the time of take-off. The two Emirates airlines flights were headed for Hyderabad and Bengaluru, respectively.

Post the safety breach, an investigation was launched by the UAE's aviation investigation.

An Emirates spokesperson said: "On January 9, flight EK524 was instructed by air traffic control to reject take-off on departure from Dubai and this was completed successfully.

"There was no aircraft damage, nor were there any injuries. Safety is always our top priority, and as with any incident we are conducting our own internal review. The incident is also under investigation by the UAE AAIS and we are unable to comment further."
ANKARA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkey on Friday said the first meeting between Turkish and Armenian envoys in Moscow was positive and that they will continue negotiations for full normalization of ties without preconditions.

"During their first meeting, conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the special representatives exchanged their preliminary views regarding the normalization process through dialogue between Turkey and Armenia," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The parties agreed to continue negotiations "without preconditions aiming at full normalization," it said, adding that the date and venue of their second meeting will be decided in due time through diplomatic channels.

Since the two neighboring nations do not have diplomatic relations, Turkey and Armenia appointed their special envoys and they held their first meeting on Friday aiming to end decades-old hostilities.

Turkey appointed Serdar Kilic, a former ambassador to the United States, as the special representative, while Armenia appointed National Assembly Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan for talks.

This meeting is to be followed by the resumption of charter flights between Istanbul and Yerevan.

The relations between Turkey and Armenia were severed in 1993, during the first war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, when Turkey closed the border with Armenia in support of Azerbaijan.

Turkey and Armenia made serious attempts to restore ties in 2008-2009, with American and Swiss intermediation, but the effort broke down due to mounting pressure from Azerbaijan.

In last year's war, Armenia lost control of the territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, which provided a new impetus to restore ties between Ankara and Yerevan. 
Mumbai, Jan 14 : Maharashtra has added over one lakh new Covid-19 cases to the state tally which shot above 71 lakh on Friday with a stupendous 200-plus Omicron cases, with Pune overtaking Mumbai, health officials said here.

After recording record high of 46,723 on Wednesday, the number of new Covid infectees in the state figures dropped to 43,211 and the fatalities also fell from 36 to 19, and the mortality rate dipped from 2 per cent to 1.98 per cent.

After 207 Omicron cases on January 9, the state infections of the variant shot up to a new peak of 238, sparking fresh concerns among the health authorities.

The government is continuing the intensive surveillance of passengers arriving at the three international airports - Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur - since December 1.

A total of 277,114 travellers have landed here, including 42,062 from the "high risk" countries from where 523 have tested positive and 580 from other countries, with all their reports sent for genomic sequencing to confirm if they are afflicted by Omicron.

Besides, another 4,641 positive samples from field surveys conducted since November 1 have been sent for genomic sequencing with the results of 83 are awaited, the officials said.

Omicron has spread extensively across several districts in the state, and out of the 1,605 cases till date, 859 have recovered.

Mumbai was edged out by Pune as far as the total Omicron infections are concerned.

Now, Pune has 677 cases of the variant, followed by 629 in Mumbai, 79 in Thane, 59 in Sangli, 51 in Nagpur, 19 in Raigad, 18 in Kolhapur, 13 in Satara, 11 in Osmanabad, nine in Amravati, six each in Palghar, Akola, and Buldhana, three each in Nanded, Aurangabad, and Gondiya, two each in Ahmednagar, Gadchiroli, Latur, Nandurbar, Nashik, and Solapur, and one in Jalna.

Of the 43,211 new Covid-19 cases, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region alone accounted for 22,037 infections, while Mumbai city remained at a high, with 11,317 new cases.

The next is Pune circle's 11,421 infectees, Nashik circle's 3,182, Nagpur circle's 2,552, Kolhapur circle's 1,264, Latur circle's 1,227, Aurangabad circle's 913 and Akola circle's 615.

The number of people sent to home quarantine shot up hugely - from 17,95,631 on Thursday to 19,10,361 now, and another 9,286 have been shunted to institutional quarantine.

Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar remain at the top with the highest number of active cases currently in the state, with the afflictions shooting up from 251,828 a day before to 261,658, with the recovery rate dropping from 94.39 per cent a day earlier to 94.28 per cent.

The cumulative figures of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 now stands at 71,24,278 cases and 141,756 deaths, while a total of 67,17,125 patients have fully recovered till date.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 14 : India's December merchandise exports rose to $37.81 billion, higher by 38.91 per cent on a year-on-year basis, official data showed on Friday.

Exports during December 2020 stood at $27.22 billion.

The data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed that in comparison to December 2019, last month's exports rose by 39.47 per cent.

"Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in December 2021 were $28.92 billion, registering a positive growth of 29.67 per cent over non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports of $22.30 billion in December 2020," the ministry said.

In comparison to December 2019, non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports in December 2021 registered a positive growth of 37.31 per cent.

Similarly, India's merchandise imports in December 2021 increased by 38.55 per cent over last year to $59.48 billion from $42.93 billion.

The ministry data showed that last month's exports rose by 50.24 per cent in comparison to December 2019.

"Non-petroleum, non-gems and jewellery (gold, silver and precious metals) imports were $35.47 billion in December 2021 with a positive growth of 34.28 per cent over non-petroleum, non-gems and jewellery imports of $26.41 billion in December 2020 and a positive growth of 47.32 per cent over non-petroleum, non-gems and jewellery imports of $24.07 billion in December 2019." Consequently, the trade deficit widened by 37.92 per cent on a year-on-year basis to $21.68 billion in December 2021 from $15.72 billion in the like period of 2020. It had widened to $12.49 billion in December 2019.

ICRA's Chief economist Aditi Nayar said: "While the merchandise trade deficit in December 2021 pulled back from the levels seen in September 2021 and November 2021, benefitting from high exports ahead of the Christmas season, non-oil non-gold imports climbed very sharply.

"The surge in non-oil non-precious imports in December 2021 was led by electronic goods, fertilisers, chemicals and coal, all of which reported a YoY increase of more than $1 billion. While the improvement in exports was fairly broad-based, nearly 40 per cent of the YoY increase in non-oil exports was on account of engineering goods." EEPC India Chairman Mahesh Desai said: "While the order pipeline has been remarkably good, we could see some slowdown in case Omicron disrupts the global supply chain.

"In recent weeks, we have seen some signs of volatility and uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic wave across the world but by putting suitable policy measures in place the government could provide a cushion to the trade and business." FIEO President A. Sakthivel said that though the government has announced a slew of measures to support exports, the need of the hour is to soon announce extension of the interest equalisation scheme and allow transfer of 'MEIS' and expand usages of 'RoDTEP' and 'RoSCTL' scrips.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : To boost the marketability of products and to further improve the income of farmers, the North Eastern Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS) is working on ways for value addition of spice crops by Community Based Organisations (CBOs).

Fetching the right price for agricultural produce is one of the biggest challenges faced by the farmers in remote areas. Despite the high quality of their produce and their demand in the market, farmers often do not get prices that commensurate with the quality.

According to the Ministry of Development of North-East Region, "The CBOs formed by NERCRMS, Shillong and the Changlang Community Resource Management Society (CCRMS) are playing a vital role in addressing these challenges. The spice crops sourced from the individual farmers are processed by the CBOs at the Centralised Processing and Packaging Unit, Arunachal Pradesh." The products are then branded under the label of Namdapha Goodness.

The CBO members pay special attention ensuring that standard quality and food safety measures are maintained throughout the production stage.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : Four radars, four new initiatives and nine publications along with a promise to further improve the accuracy of forecast - both intensity wise and spatial distribution wise - to fight the increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events marked the 147th foundation day of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday.

Four radars viz. C-band Polarimetric Doppler at Veravali at Mumbai, X-band Polarimetric DWRs at Ayanagar at Delhi, Pallikarnai at Chennai, and Leh were inaugurated on the occasion, virtually.

Appreciating the initiatives and contribution of IMD in safeguarding the life and property with its accurate prediction and timely dissemination of forecast and warnings, Union Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said: "There is still scope for improvement. The forecast needs to be even more accurate and timely." Singh said that India has taken a lead in the continent to provide weather and climate services to South Asian, South-East Asian, and West Asian countries and also added that the Ministry of Earth Sciences will deploy and use drone-based observation technology in a big way for strengthening the localised forecasting.

He said that the government is committed to make the IMD a world class organisation for better delivery of services enabling a common man to take weather-wise and climate-smart decisions.

Ladakh Lt Governor R.K. Mathur and MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal joined the occasion virtually and in their speeches, drew attention to the difficulties that the terrain offers and gave suggestions for the IMD to improve reach of its forecast.

The event also witnessed launch of four initiatives viz. a dedicated website for Aviation Weather Services, Geospatial Services for severe weather monitoring & forecasting, Climate Hazards and Vulnerability Atlas, and Public Observation System through "crowd sourcing mobile app." IMD DG, Dr M. Mohapatra gave an elaborate view on the IMD's achievements in the past and also spoke about future plans. Secretary, Earth Sciences, Dr M. Ravichandran and Chairman ISRO, Dr K Sivan also spoke on the occasion.

As many as nine publications were released on the occasion - The Annual Climate Statement for 2021, Report on Cyclonic Disturbances over North Indian Ocean during 2021, Report on Verification of sub-basin-wise quantitative precipitation forecast during SW Monsoon 2021, Report on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model Products for Sectoral applications, Report on Use of Weather Information for Secure, reliable and economic operation of Indian power grid, Report on Information Seeking and UtiliSation behaviour of the Intermediate Users of Weather and Climate Services, Report on Meteorological Applications of Indian GNSS derived IPWV, International Journal Mausam, January 2022 issue and Mausam Manjusha, IMD's in-house journal.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed on Friday that the nomination for Nari Shakti Puraskar, 2021 is open till January 31, and applications or nominations may be made on the online on the portal www.awards.gov.in.

The MHA also said that the details regarding eligibility and guidelines with respect to Nari Shakti Puraskar are available on the above said portal.

The Nari Shakti Puraskar is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to acknowledge the contributions made by individuals and institutions to celebrate women as "game-changers" and "catalysts of positive change in society".

In 2020, a total of 15 women were presented this award, including Padala Bhudevi from Andhra Pradesh, who has been working for the welfare of tribal women, and Kalavati Devi from Kanpur, a mason who has been the driving force for reducing open defecation in the district.

The first three Indian Air Force woman fighter pilots -- Mohana Singh, Bhawana Kanth and Avani Chaturvedi -- were also conferred the Nari Shakti Puraskar, along with mountaineers Tashi and Nunghsi Mallik.
Patna, Jan 14 : Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Prof Chandrashekhar has written a letter to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of Madhepura, seeking cancellation of the FIR registered against one Brahmadev Mandal, 84, who has taken 12 doses of Covid vaccine.

"He has taken 12 doses of Covid vaccine but he is not a criminal. Hence, the FIR should be withdrawn against him," Chandrashekhar, an MLA of Madhepura Sadar, said.

"Mandal could be a case study as he has taken 12 doses of Corona. It could be a great investigative subject for medical science for the entire world," he said.

Following his letter, Madhepura SP Rajesh Kumar also reacted to it.

"Mandal is an elderly person and we are not treating him as accused. I also appeal to him to come before the police and cooperate in the investigation," Kumar said.

Mandal, after the registration of the FIR, is at large. The police have launched a manhunt.

Jan Adhikar Party leader Rajesh Ranjan also criticised Madhepura police for treating him as accused.

"It is a failure of the health department. In a bid to hide the failure, the health department had registered an FIR against him," Yadav said.

Brahmadev Mandal is facing charges of cheating.

He has taken vaccines from February 13, 2021 to January 4 2022, using different identity proofs. Mandal also violated the norms of Covid guidelines.

A native of ward number 8 of Aurai locality in Madhepura, he had claimed that he has no fault. It is a negligence of the health department of Bihar.

"The vaccine is useful to fight Corona as well as improve my immunity to fight with other diseases. I did not make any mistake or had any wrongful intent behind taking the vaccine 12 times," Mandal had earlier said.

"How the health department has given me the vaccine 12 times? It is the negligence of the health department. The officials of the health department are trying to hide their own failure and blaming me," he had said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 15 : Two decades back, they were considered to be archrivals as both the countries, India and Brazil, started campaigning hard for the permanent seat in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) since they were the two countries with striking similarities, one in the eastern hemisphere, the other from the southern hemisphere, known as the 'mirror image nations' in the diplomatic world.

Both are fast developing countries with emerging economies, huge land with large population, growing domestic consumer market and increasing youth population but tables turned around in 2006 when India and Brazil started their strategic partnership.

Since then, n-number of high-level visits, many bilateral MoUs, cultural exchanges and an India-Brazil Joint Commission for political, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation, a long voyage of bilateral diplomacy traveled, which has one more milestone on friday when India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar had a conversation with his Brazilian counterpart Carlos Franca.

India-Brazil have agreed to work closely for UNSC as both countries have been claiming their due -- the permanent membership in UNSC. India and Brazil, along with China, Russia and South Africa, engaged in multilateral diplomatic relations through BRICS, also agreed to expand this forum internationally and use it for strengthening their position globally.

Jaishankar and Carlos Franca also spoke about IBSA, the India-Brazil-South Africa forum, which has representation of three continents by their largest democracies. Both the Foreign Ministers discussed holding an early meeting of the India-Brazil Joint Commission.

"A productive discussion with Brazil Foreign MInister Carlos Franca. Agreed to hold an early meeting of our Joint Commission. Affirmed our commitment to work closely in the UNSC, BRICS and IBSA," the India's External Affairs Minister tweeted In 2019, S. Jaishankar had met his former Brazilian counterpart Ernesto Araujo on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

On the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting held in Rio de Janeiro on July 25, 2019, General V.K. Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, met Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo and had bilateral discussions.
Jakarta, Jan 15 : A 6.6-magnitude earthquake jolted off the Banten province of Indonesia with strong tremors felt in the capital Jakarta, the country's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said.

The Agency earlier released a report on the quake with a magnitude of 6.7 and then revised it to 6.6 which was reported on Friday.

It did not issue any tsunami warning as the tremors did not potentially trigger giant waves, Xinhua news agency reported.

The quake took place at 4:05 p.m. Jakarta time (0905 GMT), with the epicentre at 52-km southwest of Sumur sub-district of Pandeglang district in Banten province and a depth of 10 km under the seabed, the Agency added.

In Pandeglang district, Banten province, at least 13 buildings and houses were destroyed, but there was no report of casualty, Girgi Jantoro, Head of the Operational Unit of the Provincial Disaster Management Agency, said.

"So far, 10 houses and three school buildings were damaged, but no report of those injured or killed was issued," the disaster agency official told Xinhua through phone, adding the tremors triggered panic among residents, making them rush outside.

The tremors were strongly felt in the capital of Jakarta and triggered panic among residents as well, who rushed outside from high buildings and houses, Acting Spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency, Abdul Muhari said in a text message.

Muhari added that so far, no one was reported to be wounded or killed after the powerful quake.

The tremors were also felt in nearby Lampung province, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.

Several aftershocks with the strongest magnitude of 5.7 followed the main shock, according to the Agency.
Moscow, Jan 15 : Governor of the US state of Texas, Greg Abbott has criticised the White House for causing illegal crossings on the border with Mexico, Russian state media has reported.

The current administration has endangered the lives and property of Texans by failing to do its job of securing the border, the Governor said.

According to the report, Texas state troopers have arrested thousands of migrants under Operation Lone Star, which was launched by Abbott in March 2021, in an attempt to combat the smuggling of illegal aliens and drugs, Xinhua news agency reported.

Illegal border crossings into the US skyrocketed to a 61-year high in 2021, it added.
Istanbul, Jan 15 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed cooperation opportunities between their countries in a phone conversation, Turkey's Directorate of Communications has said.

The two leaders exchanged views on strengthening the collaboration in the defense industry and trade, the directorate added on Friday on its website.

It added that the two leaders also addressed regional and global issues, including the latest developments in Syria and Ukraine and the refugee problem, Xinhua news agency reported.
LONDON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- In a brief statement issued here on Thursday, the Buckingham Palace said that "With (Queen Elizabeth II's) approval and agreement, the Duke of York's military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen."

It said that Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, "will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

The announcement came as Prince Andrew faces a civil case in the United States over claims he sexually assaulted a woman when she was 17, which he has consistently denied.

The Duke of York held several honorary military titles following a 22-year service in the Royal Navy, Sky News reported.

Andrew, 61, is the third child and second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 
Baghdad, Jan 15 : Two bomb attacks targeted headquarters of two major Sunni parties in the Iraqi capital Baghdad without causing casualties, a source with the Interior Ministry said.

The attacks took place on Friday morning when unidentified gunmen threw hand grenades at the headquarters of Taqaddum Alliance, headed by the re-elected Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, in the Adhamiyah neighbourhood in northern Baghdad, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Another attack with hand grenades targeted headquarters of Azem Alliance, headed by businessman Khamis al-Khanjar, in the Yarmouk neighbourhood in western part of the capital, the source said.

Earlier, the two Sunni groups allied to form a larger Sunni parliamentary group, including 65 Sunni lawmakers, who later managed to ally themselves with the Sadrist Movement and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). They all later voted to re-elect al-Halbousi as Parliament Speaker on January 9, when the Iraqi Parliament held its first session, which witnessed a heated debate between the parliamentary blocs, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Iraqi parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held on October 10, 2021, in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services.
Acquiring Clearcode represents a major step for the ARICOMA Group, and it fits perfectly with our plans to expand to new, dynamic markets across Europe," says Ludovic Gaude, Head of Custom Software Development operations at ARICOMA Digital, part of ARICOMA Group.

ARICOMA Group continues to deliver on its expansion strategy as it acquires the Polish software development company Clearcode. The company specialises in custom AdTech and MarTech platform development, and has worked with many top-tier AdTech companies, agencies, publishers and global media companies. ARICOMA Group, an emerging pan-European IT services player backed by KKCG, will acquire Clearcode to enter the booming market of advertising and marketing technology.

Acquiring Clearcode represents a major step for the ARICOMA Group, and it fits perfectly with our plans to expand to new, dynamic markets across Europe. Poland represents one of the largest markets in the Central Eastern European region and Clearcode has a wonderful position here,  says Ludovic Gaude, Head of Custom Software Development operations at ARICOMA Digital, part of ARICOMA Group.

We are thrilled to be joining the ARICOMA Group. This acquisition will turbocharge our growth plans over the next few years. Being part of ARICOMA Group will mean more business opportunities for Clearcode and quicker expansion into new markets and industries, says Piotr Banaszczyk, CEO at Clearcode.

The decision to be acquired by ARICOMA Group was an obvious one for us. The many synergies between Clearcode and ARICOMA Group were one of the main areas that attracted us, adds Piotr Banaszczyk.

Being a software development company that specializes in AdTech and MarTech, were one of only a few companies that has the experience and knowledge required to design and build the complex tech that powers programmatic advertising and digital marketing. With this acquisition, were confident that well quickly become the number one AdTech and MarTech development company in Europe and the US, explains Tomasz Chmielewski, COO at Clearcode.

The new connections well form as part of ARICOMA Group will allow us to offer more services to our clients, especially around data processing, data science and machine learning, which are increasingly playing a bigger role in programmatic advertising and digital marketing, Tomasz Chmielewski adds.

The agreement between Clearcode and ARICOMA Group has been finalised, with a 100 % share in Clearcode now belonging to ARICOMA Group. Representatives of Warsaw Equity Group (who had a 22% stake in Clearcode), also contributed to the negotiations, alongside representatives of the ARICOMA Group. The sale price hasnt been revealed.

With Clearcodes 100 professionals, ARICOMA Group will consist of 10 companies, with a consolidated turnover exceeding EUR 340 million and over 3,000 employees.

About Clearcode

Clearcode is a leading software development company that specializes in advertising technology (AdTech) and marketing technology (MarTech). Since 2009, tech companies, publishers, agencies and brands have been partnering with Clearcode to design and build real-time bidding (RTB), programmatic, data, and analytics platforms for the digital advertising and marketing industries.

Clearcode offers its clients years of AdTech and MarTech development experience and domain knowledge of the inner workings of the programmatic advertising and digital marketing industries.

With offices in Wroclaw and Katowice, Poland, Clearcode has over 100 employees across management, finance, HR, development, marketing, and design.

About the ARICOMA Group

ARICOMA Group is a leading Central European IT Services provider with a significant Scandinavian presence, over EUR 340 million of revenue and 3,000 specialists providing services to over 200 clients in 20+ markets from its 15+ Europe-based delivery centres. ARICOMAs focus is to help both private- and public-sector clients navigate the ever-changing demands, risks, and business opportunities.

Through its portfolio companies, it provides end-to-end digital transformation solutions, including UX design and consulting, custom software development, IT infrastructure and IT operations management, cloud operations, and cloud security services. The company is owned by KKCG Group, a private investment company with 7bn AUM.
Ravensafe LLC was originally one of 170+ companies selected for the AFWERX Challenge Showcase and has since been awarded an AFWERX Phase 1 Small Business Innovative Research contract to help contribute and develop tactical mobile power. AFWERX is a program ran by the US Air Force that engages new entrepreneurs and their innovations in Air Force programs.

Ravensafe is an innovator in the Portable Power sector and can successfully supply the US Air Force with its line of military-grade portable electrical power systems. The goal of this research is to develop an energy storage system that uses solar power to quickly charge supercapacitors. The use of supercapacitors will reduce the United States Military's reliance on lithium-Ion Batteries. This will also decrease the United States dependence on rare earth metals from countries that may or may not be friendly to the goals of the United States. According to Arthur Maxwell, CEO: "Our system will not only lower costs for the Air Force, it will also remove the need for costly and fatal fuel convoys.

Ravensafe Chief Scientist Chris Petrella, is one of 150 experts in the energy field that has been selected to attend the US Army Vertex Cohort in Austin, Texas next month. Mr. Petrella will be providing expert opinions on systems that offer increased mobility in Multi- Domain Operations (MDO) as well as mobile-generated power to recharge militarized ground vehicle capabilities at the point of need.

About the company

Ravensafe LLC designs and manufactures American-made mobile electrical power storage systems with proprietary technology that delivers lightweight solar power storage for tactical and emergency situations.

For more information, please visit http://www.ravensafe.com
With our comprehensive platform, Florida residents can now benefit from comprehensive reproductive and prostate care with specialists who can meet these very specialized needs from the comfort of home," says Reza Amin, CEO and founder of Bastion Health.

Bastion Health, First-Ever Comprehensive App-based Telehealth Platform for Mens Health, Provides Florida Residents Quick and Convenient Access to Urologists and Mens Health Specialists for Reproductive and Prostate Care

Bastion Health Meets the Need for Floridas Most Vulnerable Population Susceptible to Prostate Cancer

Bastion Health, the first-ever comprehensive app-based telehealth platform for mens health specializing in reproductive and prostate health, is available to Florida residents to provide quick and convenient access to urologists and mens health specialists. Bastion aims to normalize the conversation surrounding mens health and offers a way for men to proactively take control of their health from the comfort of their own home with convenient consultations, diagnostic testing, assessments, clinical treatment plans, and on-demand educational content from Mayo Clinic and Harvard Health, through the Bastion Health AI-powered app. With studies showing a 50% reduction in sperm count over the last 40 years, along with 50% of men having prostate issues after the age of 45, mens health has become a rapidly growing public health issue.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy among elderly men and is the second-leading malignancy in the Western world. In the United States, Florida is home to the nations largest share of men 85 years or older as a percentage of the state population (2.29 percent), according to the most recent census data. By making its telehealth platform available to this especially vulnerable population, Bastion Health will change the conversation around this critical mens health issue where it is needed most urgently  and ultimately establish a model platform for mens health on a national scale.

Bastion offers consumer reproductive and prostate telehealth packages starting at $100, which includes a 30-minute consultation with a nurse practitioner specializing in mens health. A deep clinical assessment, diagnostic testing, and treatment plans with a Bastion Health specialist in urology and reproductive health will be provided. Mens health educational content curated and customized from the Mayo Clinic, as well as Harvard Health, will also be provided in the initial consultation package and will cover topics such as lifestyle, wellness, and nutrition. Proprietary at-home semen analysis diagnostic testing kits will be offered in 2022.

We are thrilled to launch Bastion Health in the state of Florida, says Reza Amin, CEO and founder of Bastion Health. With our comprehensive platform, Florida residents can now benefit from comprehensive reproductive and prostate care with specialists who can meet these very specialized needs from the comfort of home.

Bastion Health was founded in 2020 by Reza Amin with $2.2M in seed funding through the Werth Family Investment Associates.

For more information on Bastion Health, visit http://www.getbastion.com.

About Bastion Health

Bastion Health is the first-ever comprehensive app-based telehealth platform for mens health specializing in reproductive and prostate health, offering quick and convenient access to urologists and mens health specialists. Bastion aims to normalize the conversation surrounding mens health and offers a way for men to proactively take control of their health from the comfort of their own home with convenient consultations, diagnostic testing, assessments, clinical treatment plans, and on-demand educational content, available through the Bastion Health AI-powered app. Bastion Health was founded by Reza Amin and is based in Farmington, CT.
The partnership with Cross Company gives Kreon a unique opportunity to offer its measuring arms to meet the metrology needs of the American market.

Cross Precision Measurement, a division of Cross Company, is proud to announce their partnership with Kreon. Kreon, a metrology company based in France, is a manufacturer of portable CMMs, 3D scanners, and software. Cross provides precision measurement products and calibration to a wide range of customers spread across the Southeast and Midwest United States. Cross Precision Measurement will offer Kreons full line of measurement equipment and software across their entire territory.

Thierry Rebillard, president of Kreon, said of their new distributor, The partnership with Cross Company gives Kreon a unique opportunity to offer its measuring arms to meet the metrology needs of the American market. He went on to say, We select our distributors in order to provide the best services and support for consumers of Kreon products. Our resellers are real professionals working alongside customers to help solve their most challenging measurement dilemmas. Kreon has a distribution network of more than 60 partners around the world.

This is Crosss first portable CMM line. Greg King, Cross Precision Measurement Group President, said of the new line, We are so excited to be able to offer Kreons products to our customers. Those in the automotive, consumer products, and aerospace industries will particularly benefit from this new line. Portable CMMs and 3D scanners will allow them to measure large parts in situ without having to move them to a lab for inspection. This will help them to improve efficiency while also raising the quality of their products.

About Cross Company

Cross Company is a 100% employee-owned solutions company that is innovating the industrial world one customer at a time. Cross specializes in robotics and machine automation, industrial measurement and calibration, process solutions, industrial and hydraulic hoses & fittings, and is an original equipment supplier in the mobile vehicle systems integration industry. To learn more about Cross visit http://www.crossco.com.

About Kreon

Kreon is a manufacturer of metrology equipment based in France. For more than 30 years, the Kreon company has implemented advanced technologies and manufactured systems with high-quality materials. They are committed to providing our customers with solutions aiming to help them to decrease production costs and time, to increase efficiency and to control their processes. To learn more about Kreon visit http://www.kreon3d.com.
"The need has never been greater. I invite my colleagues to seize this open call for abstracts as an opportunity give voice to their accomplishments, creative solutions and science-based approaches."

APNA is seeking abstract proposals for both podium and poster presentations that address all levels of psychiatric-mental health nursing administration, education, practice, and research. The APNA 36th Annual Conference will deliver hundreds of evidence-based presentations to 1800+ registered and advanced practice nurses. Nurses from varied backgrounds are encouraged to share their initiatives, practice innovations, clinical expertise, and more by submitting an abstract online by March 7 at 11:59 pm Eastern.

The conference theme highlights Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Activating Our Voices: Who We Are, What We Do, What We Need, reminding nurses to be vocal about their ability to support mental health and shape policies crucial to providing care. APNA President Leslie Oleck, MSN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, LMFT, says, As nurses we need to inform ourselves, the healthcare community, and the public about the capabilities of psychiatric-mental health nurses, which will elevate our profession and strengthen our practice. The need has never been greater. I invite my colleagues to seize this open call for abstracts as an opportunity give voice to their accomplishments, creative solutions and science-based approaches. I look forward to seeing what you will submit.

All abstracts will undergo peer review by the APNA Scholarly Review Committee and notifications of acceptance status will be made by April 20. Suggested topics for abstract submissions include but are not limited to:

Addictions/Substance Use

Administration

Advanced Practice

Child & Adolescent

Complementary & Alternative Therapy

Cultural Humility

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Emergency/Disaster Preparedness

Emergency Departments

eTools/Electronic Health Records

Forensic

Graduate Education

Inpatient

Integrated Physical & Mental Health Care

International

Leadership

LGBTQIA+ Issues

Mens Health

Military/Issues Related to Returning Service Members

Nursing Professional Development

Older Adults

Outpatient

Pharmacology

Policy

Private Practice

Psychotherapy

Recovery

Research

RN-PMH Practice

Safety

Self-Care

Undergraduate Education

Violence

Womens Health

Many options are available to organizations interested in participating in the APNA 36h Annual Conference, including industry-sponsored symposia, sponsorship and advertising opportunities, promotional product theaters, and exhibits in the Exhibit Hall. Visit http://www.apna.org/AnnualConference for more information.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is a national professional membership organization committed to the practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing and wellness promotion, prevention of mental health problems and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders. APNAs membership is inclusive of all psychiatric-mental health registered nurses including associate degree, baccalaureate, advanced practice (comprised of clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners), and nurse scientists and academicians (PhD). APNA serves as a resource for psychiatric-mental health nurses to engage in networking, education, and the dissemination of research.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Centers Commission on Accreditation.
"InVest USA is offering to provide an Active Shooter vest to Phoenix Officer Jackie Ravelo for her courageous selfless devotion to the lives of others.

A police officer from Phoenix went considerably beyond the call of duty by donating a piece of herselfliterally, in the form of one of her kidneys, to a young girl to give her a second chance at life. InVest USA CEO Michael Letts heard about her valiant donation and immediately agreed to donate a bulletproof vest to Officer Jackie Ravelo, to offer additional protection for her work on the job as a police officer.

While it was two years ago that Jackie contributed her kidney, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she finally was able to meet the organ recipient.

Michael Letts said, InVest USA is offering to provide an Active Shooter vest to Phoenix Officer Jackie Ravelo for her courageous selfless devotion to the lives of others.

InVestUSA is a 501c3 non-profit organization that donates Active Shooter Vests to law enforcement agencies, fire departments, paramedics, and other first responders across America. The Invest USA motto and mission is to Protect those who protect us.

Letts says that any first responder in need of a vest can contact InVest at info@investusa.org 803-556-2528 or InvestUSA.org

ABOUT INVEST USA:

InVestUSA is a national grassroots 501c3 non-profit organization that provides bulletproof vests to law enforcement officers and first responders through sponsorship, fundraising with communities and local civic groups and churches, and education and training programs. Since 1993, InVestUSA has donated more than 7500 bulletproof vests in 25 states. The group maintains that bulletproof vests save lives, vowing to provide them to those who protect others. Michael Letts is the CEO and Founder of In-Vest USA.
Living Water Series #1: an inspiring work for young believers. Living Water Series #1 is the creation of published author Charlene Dance, a loving wife and devoted mother and a retired cosmetologist, retired special education specialist, and psychology instructor.

Dance shares, London, a happy, free-spirited little girl, looked forward to going to school daily. She is so used to all the loud screams of the other little children walking around her and beside her. This morning was different. London seemed to be alone, and it was oddly peaceful. This day, London was able to hear what she may not have heard if the normal noise was around her. Londons life was changed in one morning. She learned that in her quiet time, it is important to listen and be patient. London is pleased to share her story and to even become more enlightened through it all. London is faced with Gods presence and taught how to be thankful even in the quiet times of unwavering life.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Charlene Dances new book will delight the imagination as young readers discover an encouraging lesson.

Dance offers readers a unique opportunity to explore their faith within the pages of this imaginative work.

Consumers can purchase Living Water Series #1 at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Living Water Series #1, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against Containment Solutions, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that Containment Solutions, Inc. violated the California Labor Code. The Containment Solutions, Inc. class action lawsuit, Case No. BCV-21-102972, is currently pending in the Kern County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here.

The complaint alleges Containment Solutions, Inc. failed to compensate employees for all the time they were under Defendant's control. Employees were from time to time allegedly required to work longer than four hours without being provided their ten minute rest periods. Additionally, employees were allegedly required to work for more than five hours without receiving an off-duty meal break.

The complaint further alleges Defendant retaliated against Plaintiff. Plaintiff brought to the attention, of the Plant Manager and the Director of Human Resources, the allegation that Defendant failed to follow the California Labor Code regarding the payment of overtime wages. Allegedly, Defendant retaliated because of these allegations by denying Plaintiff job opportunities and placing unreasonable demands on Plaintiff's everyday work duties.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against Containment Solutions, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is an employment law firm with offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside and Chicago that dedicates its practice to helping employees, investors and consumers fight back against unfair business practices, including violations of the California Labor Code and Fair Labor Standards Act. If you need help in collecting unpaid overtime wages, unpaid commissions, being wrongfully terminated from work, and other employment law claims, contact one of their attorneys today.

***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT***
Carrie Cason with Engel & Volkers Gainesville lists Snooty Fox Farm, a 341-acre thoroughbred horse farm in Alachua, Florida for $5,499,000 Since affiliating herself with Engel & Volkers, Carrie has become the go-to person known for successfully selling unique and luxurious homes in her market, said Peter Giese, Chief Executive Officer at Engel & Volkers Florida.

Engel & Volkers Florida today announced a new listing by Carrie Cason with Engel & Volkers Gainesville. Cason is representing the Snooty Fox Farm, a 341-acre property located on NW County Rd 239 in Alachua, Florida. It is offered at $5,499,000. The land has been used for the last 49 years as a thoroughbred horse farm by the Cotter family; in which time it developed an impressive pedigree of award-winning racehorses.

This is a beautiful legacy property that has contributed to the rich history of our area, said Cason, License Partner of Engel & Volkers Gainesville. Having produced several award-winning thoroughbred horses, it is clear that these facilities are top-notch for equestrian training. The home fits the equestrian style and is complete with beautiful wood finishes from floor to ceiling. Its situated on a hill with beautiful views of the sunset and rolling pastures. Located within an hour of the famous World Equestrian Center, this property is a true horse-lover's dream!

The Snooty Fox Farm earned a place in equine history as the birthplace of two Wood Memorial winners and one Kentucky Derby participant. The Cotters owned Hurry Home Hillary, a mare who gave birth to a colt named Bellamy Road. This foal was owned by the Kinsman Stable, the nom de course of George Michael Steinbrenner III, and went on to win the 2004 Cradle Stakes and 2005 Wood Memorial Stakes, amongst others. He was considered a favorite for the 2005 Kentucky Derby, but finished seventh. He then ended his career with a second place finish in the 2005 Travers Stakes. The Cotters bred Toby's Corner from Bellamy Road, who was the winner of the 2011 Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial Stakes and more.

Carrie came highly recommended by multiple people, said Carrie Cotter, part owner of the property. Alachua is a niche market and this property requires a unique buyer, so we wanted to garner as much exposure as possible with a global company like Engel & Volkers.

The 341-acre property offers an eight-stall barn with four adjacent paddocks, grass show jumping ring, feed room and workshop, and three fenced pastures. The 4,904 square foot home contains four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, formal sitting room, dining room, library and study, laundry room, and two game rooms. The house, which is centered around the kitchen, features wide-plank, tongue and groove hardwood floors throughout, as well as a walk-in cupula with 360-degree views of the property.

Since affiliating herself with Engel & Volkers, Carrie has become the go-to person known for successfully selling unique and luxurious homes in her market, said Peter Giese, Chief Executive Officer at Engel & Volkers Florida. Due in part to the Engel & Volkers + Land Rover Polo School and the tournaments it sponsors, our brand has become synonymous with selling equestrian properties across the globe.

Cason came to Engel & Volkers in 2020 when she secured the franchise rights to Alachua and Columbia Counties. Her first shop, Engel & Volkers Gainesville is slated to host an official grand opening on February 3, 2022. She has represented several record-breaking transactions including Honey Lake Plantation, located in Madison County for $6.5 million in 2016. The Double Barrel Ranch is currently under contract for $4,995 million; the previous highest sale price for a single-family home in Lake City was $1.73 million. She has been in the real estate industry for over twenty years, earning her brokers license in 2004 and designations such as the GRI and CCIM along the way. She has closed over 600 transactions throughout her career, totaling a volume of more than $150,000,000.

###

Press contact:

Linzee Werkmeister, Junior Vice President, Marketing & Franchise Support

Email: Linzee.Werkmeister(at)evrealestate.com

Tel: (239) 348-9000

About Engel & Volkers:

Engel & Volkers is a global luxury real estate brand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1977, Engel & Volkers draws on its rich European history to deliver a fresh approach to luxury real estate in the Americas with a focus on creating a personalized client experience at every stage of the home buying or selling process for todays savvy homeowner. Engel & Volkers currently operates approximately 240 shop locations with 5,000 real estate advisors in the Americas, contributing to the brands global network of over 14,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate and yachting. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and platforms; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit http://www.evrealestate.com.

About Engel & Volkers Florida:

Engel & Volkers Florida is the Master License Partner of the global luxury real estate brand Engel & Volkers in the state of Florida. Recognized for uniquely recruiting, training and equipping some of the top professionals in the real estate industry, Engel & Volkers Floridas exclusive business model positions its franchisees at the top of the premium market to gain market share and support their bottom line. The company represents franchise locations in 44 markets: 30A Beaches, Amelia Island, Belleair, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs-Estero, Cape Coral, Clermont, Delray Beach, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers Downtown, Gainesville, Hollywood Beach, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jupiter, Madeira Beach, Marco Island, Melbourne Beachside, Melbourne Central, Melbourne Downtown, Miami Coconut Grove, Neptune Beach, Ocala, Olde Naples, Orlando, Orlando Downtown, Orlando-Winter Park, Palm Beach, Palm Coast, Pompano Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Sarasota, South Tampa, St. Augustine, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Stuart, Tampa Water Street, Venice Downtown, Vero Beach, Wellington, and Windermere.

Engel & Volkers Florida is continuing to strategically strengthen and expand its presence in premium real estate markets across the state of Florida. If you would like to know more about the Engel & Volkers brand or how to join its global networkwhich is known for demonstrating competence, exclusivity and passion, feel free to call our corporate office, located at 633 Tamiami Trl N, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102 USA. Tel: +1 239-348-9000.

For more information about Engel & Volkers Florida, please visit http://www.florida.evrealestate.com
by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Amid an increasingly heated nationwide debate on anti-pandemic regulations, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the Joe Biden administration's vaccine-or-test mandate for large businesses.

In a 6-3 decision, the conservative-majority said the White House overstepped its authority by seeking to impose the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) rule requiring workers at U.S. businesses with 100 or more employees to either get vaccinated or submit a negative COVID-19 test weekly.

According to the court, Congress has not given OSHA the power to enact such a rule. "Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly," it wrote in an unsigned opinion.

"It is instead a significant encroachment on the lives -- and health -- of a vast number of employees," it added.

The mandatory vaccination measure of OSHA, which would affect 1.8 million business entities and around 84 million workers in the United States, started to take effect on Monday, but some workers were in limbo as they await a ruling of the top court.

The court's decision came as COVID-19 infections linked to the highly contagious Omicron variant are increasing rapidly across the United States, and Americans, from officials, experts to the general public, are becoming intensely divided over coronavirus-related measures.

Unsurprisingly, the ruling caused a new round of disagreement and argument in the country. Biden, in a statement issued in the wake of the ruling, said he was "disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law."

The ruling "does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans' health and economy," he said, calling on states and businesses to step up vaccination requirements to protect workers, customers and communities.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh called the court's decision "a major setback" to the health and saftey of workers in the United States. Gerald Harmon, president of the American Medical Association, one of the largest doctors' groups in the country, said he was "deeply disappointed" because the court "halted one of the most effective tools" in the fight against the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the country's retail groups rejoiced at the court's decision. In a statement on Thursday, the National Retail Federation's Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French said it is "a significant victory" for employers.

The federation urged the Biden government to "discard this unlawful mandate and instead work with employers, employees and public health experts on practical ways" to increase vaccination rates and contain the spread of the virus.

At the same time, the Supreme Court, with a 6-3 vote, upheld on Thursday a vaccination requirement for health care workers at facilities that receive federal funds.

This mandate will apply to over 17 million health care workers across around 76,000 facilities that participate in the federally-funded Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Darrell West, a senior fellow of the Brookings Institution, said he believed the vaccine mandate for workers is a way to protect public health. "For many years, the United States has had mandates for polio, measles, and mumps, among other diseases," West said.

In Washington D.C. area, Kathy Atwood, a housewife in her 60s, said she believed people should be mandated to get the vaccine. Greg Aston, an auto maintenance worker in his 40s, said he does not support the onerous requirement for businesses, but expressed his hope that more people will get vaccinated to avoid the potentially deadly effects of the virus.

Although the Omicron variant has a much lower risk of hospitalization and death, the United States is witnessing a seven-day average death toll of over 1,500 in recent days, which has taken the country's total tally to nearly 850,000, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed. 
Jaycee Peralta Its important to have legal counsel and representation not only when you're a franchisor, but also a potential franchisee. I think it is important to have someone there to make sure that everything's by the book.

Jaycee Peralta, a South Florida attorney, has been named In House Attorney for Franchise Founders.

Franchise Founders is growing and adding additional brands to its portfolio of franchise brands. Due to its long-term vision to be the leading franchise incubator in the industry, the company has decided to bring all legal counsel in-house.

As the franchise incubator chief attorney, Peralta will handle all legal matters for new and existing franchise brands. She will draft the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for each of Franchise Founders brands. She will also handle state registrations, renewals and other state filings. Franchise Counsel at Franchise Founders also manages the franchise onboarding process, presenting all the required paperwork for each prospective franchisee through the process before they sign their franchise agreement.

Recently, she was also put in charge of overseeing the franchisee approval committee, ensuring each prospect is the right fit for each respective brand as well as ensuring they are equipped to become successful franchisees.

Its important to have legal counsel and representation not only when you're a franchisor, but also a potential franchisee. I think it is important to have someone there to make sure that everything's by the book, Peralta said. I have a passion for franchising because I believe in the business model. We have some amazing unique brands, and we are looking at adding several additional concepts in 2022.

Peralta has been practicing law for six years  three of those years in the franchise arena  with a diverse background in her practice. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law.

Im excited to be working for Franchise Founders and all their brands, Peralta said. My main goal is hitting the ground running in 2022 and following the law with franchise sales. Franchise Founders is an entrepreneurial company, and I am excited to wear several hats within the organization .

In her spare time, Peralta loves to take walks with her dog, go kayaking, and exploring the Miami areas food scene.

For more information about Franchise Founders, please visit franchisefoundersgroup.com.

About Franchise Founders

Franchise Founders is a group of seasoned, motivated entrepreneurs who use their experience to help grow successful businesses through franchising. Among the brands that Franchise Founders has made an equity investment into are:



Bobby Chez, a gourmet to go restaurant concept that specializes in crab cakes, seafood and house made sides

Patriot Broadband, a wireless internet services provider for rural America

Rizzieri Salon, an upscale hair/color and skin/beauty company

Sparklean, an all-natural, biodegradable jewelry and glass cleaning solutions franchise

Xtension Envy, an innovative hair extension membership model

The Franchise Founders team has expertise in a variety of industries, including technology, retail, health & beauty and foodservice. They seek to partner with business owners who are experts in their industry, have a proven business model and a commitment to excellence. For more information about Franchise Founders and how they grow franchise concepts from the ground up, explore their website at franchisefoundersgroup.com.


2021GlobalEdtechInvestmentCover "I have been publishing this annual whitepaper on global edtech investments every year since 2004," comments Sam S. Adkins, Chief Researcher at Metariverse. "I have never seen such a surge in funding."

A breathtaking $53.68 billion was invested in 1,284 edtechs across the planet in 2021. This is vastly higher than the funding made to edtechs in 2020: a record-breaking year at the time. The free whitepaper is called "The 2021 Global Learning Technology Investment Patterns: Gigantic Spike in Funding in 2021."

"I have been publishing this annual whitepaper on global edtech investments every year since 2004," comments Sam S, Adkins, Chief Researcher at Metariverse. "I have never seen such a surge in funding. While it would be easy to cite the pandemic as the root cause, particularly for the massive funding going to live remote Collaboration-based Learning firms, it does not explain the sharp spike in funding going to AI-based Learning and Game-based Learning companies."

The Serious Play Conference (SPC) is the exclusive distributor of this Metariverse whitepaper. The free whitepaper has 71 pages, 8 tables, and 13 charts. The new edtech investment whitepaper is available for free here: https://www.seriousplayconf.com/downloads/metariverse_2021-global-learning-technology-investment-patterns/

In 2021, the US accounted for the vast majority of funding. Just over $40.04 billion went to US learning technology developers in 2021. This is 74% of all global investments made in 2021.

"Due to draconian regulations imposed on learning technology providers in mid-2021 in China that essentially gutted the learning technology industry," comments Adkins. "The funding in China all but dried up in the second half of 2021. China accounted for only $2.21 billion in funding in 2021, down dramatically from the $11.52 billion invested in Chinese edtechs in 2020."

In sharp contrast, India became the second-largest investment hub in 2021 with nearly double the funding made to Chinese companies. Just over $4.411 billion in capital flowed to 136 learning technology companies in India in 2021. Yet, 52% of this went to just one company; the online education juggernaut BYJU'S raised $2.262 billion in five rounds in 2021. ($1.2 billion of this was a term loan made to BYJU'S in November 2021.)

"Very high amounts were invested in a handful of companies in 2021," adds Adkins. "Cambium Learning garnered the highest single amount at $2.15 billion in August 2021 with a direct loan made by the investment firm Blackstone. Articulate Global obtained $1.5 billion in June 2021. India's Eruditus (Emeritus) raised $650.0 million in August 2021. Just over 154 companies raised at least $100.0 million in 2021.

Investments increased in all nine learning technology types in 2021, but they spiked dramatically for Collaboration-based Learning, AI-based Learning, and Game-based Learning. Investment in Cognitive Learning companies tripled in 2021 compared to the year before.

About Metariverse

Metariverse (formerly Metaari) is an ethics-based quantitative market research firm that identifies revenue opportunities for advanced learning technology suppliers. We track the learning technology markets in 126 countries. We have the most complete view of the international learning technology market in the industry. Metaari focuses solely on advanced learning technology research on products that utilize psychometrics, neuroscience, location intelligence, game mechanics, robotics, cognitive computing, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality. For more information about our research, email research@metariverse.com.
Help the Families and Loved Ones Affected by the Bronx Apartment Fire

A malfunctioning space heater killed 17 people, including 8 children, in a 120-unit Bronx apartment building last Sunday.

New York communities are grieving after an apartment fire raged through a 19-story apartment building on Sunday. Seventeen people have died in the fire and nearly 60 people were injured, 35 of which are in critical condition and still fighting for their lives.

Victims of the fire also reported that smoke detectors went off frequently, up to 5 or 6 times a day, misleading many into believing there was no threat until it was too late. The fire is believed to have been the result of a defective space heater that residents were forced to keep on to stay warm. Making matters worse, the 1970s apartment building did not have any safety fire escape routes.

Several organizations have developed programs to help those who have been affected by this tragic event. Those who have been displaced by the fire, suffered injuries, and/or lost loved ones can reach out to the following organizations for monetary assistance, survival kits, and additional support.

Organizations Include:



Mayor Eric Adams and the City of New York are also collecting donations to provide victims with emergency relief supplies.

Goidel & Siegel are proud to be a part of a community of people who come together when tragedy strikes. They want to remind residents of a few important safety tips that may help save lives in the event of a fire:

Stay low to avoid smoke inhalation

Stop, drop, and roll

Close doors when escaping

Do not go back inside the building

Call 911

It is also important to implement a fire safety plan in preparation of the unfortunate event of a fire. They encourage families to develop a plan to get out, including at least two ways out of every room.

For more information, call or text 929-593-2024 or visit https://www.goidelandsiegel.com/.

More About Goidel & Siegel

There may be multiple parties legally responsible when these tragedies occur. The Goidel & Siegel injury lawyers have helped the people of New York City recover thousands of dollars for over 30 years.

The insurance companies and legal defense departments take this team seriously. Goidel & Siegel fight endlessly to get their clients the compensation that they deserve.

Reach out to the Goidel & Siegel burn injury lawyers today if you or a loved one has suffered from an injury or death caused by a fire.
This past year has been very exciting for the Improved Pharma team. Were grateful to our collaborators for all they are doing to advance pharmaceutical development and are thrilled to be a part of these very important studies.

Developing new tools and advancing pharmaceutical development is a key part of Improved Pharmas mission. In 2021, the results from several research and development projects were published with our team of consultants and collaborators. Most of the research focused on the development of amorphous materials and understanding their behavior in amorphous dispersion formulations. The next largest field of study that was published involved salt and polymorph screens of bedaquiline. Other publications focused on abuse-deterrent formulations and quality risk factors. In total, 8 studies enabling the advancement of several pharmaceutical products were published. The complete list is referenced below.

This past year has been very exciting for the Improved Pharma team, exclaims Dr. Stephen Byrn, CSO of Improved Pharma. Were grateful to our collaborators for all they are doing to advance pharmaceutical development and are thrilled to be a part of these very important studies.

Publications on amorphous materials:

Acoustic levitation and high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction: A fast screening approach of niclosamide amorphous solid dispersions

By Barbosa, Eduardo J.; Andrade, Marco A. B.; Gubitoso, Mariana R.; Bezzon, Vinicius D. N.; Smith, Pamela A.; Byrn, Stephen R.; Bou-Chacra, Nadia A.; Carvalho, Flavio M. S.; de Araujo, Gabriel L. B.

From International Journal of Pharmaceutics (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (2021), 602, 120611.

The levitation of samples in an acoustic field has been of interest in the preparation and study of amorphous solid dispersions (ASD). Here, niclosamide-polymer solutions were levitated in a multi-emitter single-axis acoustic levitator and analyzed for 10 min at a High-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction beamline. This assembly enabled high-quality and fast time-resolved measurements with microliter sample size and measurement of solvent evaporation and recrystallization of niclosamide (NCL). Polymers HPMCP-55S, HPMCP-50, HPMCP-55, Klucel, and poloxamers were not able to form amorphous dispersions with NCL. Plasdone and Soluplus demonstrated excellent properties to form NCL amorphous dispersions, with the last showing superior solubility enhancement. Furthermore, this fast levitation polymer screening showed good agreement with results obtained by conventional solvent evaporation screening evaluated for five days in a stability study, carried out at 40 C/75% RH. The study showed that acoustic levitation and high-resolution synchrotron combination opens up a new horizon with great potential for accelerating ASD formulation screening and analysis.

Amorphous dispersions of flubendazole in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: Formulation stability assisted by pair distribution function analysis

By Bezzon, Vinicius D. N.; Ferreira, Fabio F.; Smith, Pamela; Benmore, Chris J.; Byrn, Stephen R.; de Araujo, Gabriel L. B.

From International Journal of Pharmaceutics (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (2021), 600, 120500.

We use X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analysis applied to high-energy synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data to evaluate the amorphous solid dispersions interactions and their aging stability. The obtained systems are based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (hypromellose) derivatives and flubendazole (FBZ) drug dispersions prepared using a spray-dryer technique. We carry out stability studies under aging parameters (40 C/75% relative humidity) to tune the systems' recrystallization. The results reveal that ion-base interactions between the drug-polymer matrix are responsible for reducing clustering processes yielding slower recrystallization and different ordering in the hypromellose phthalate (HPMCP/FBZ) and hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS/FBZ) systems and complete drug clustering in hypromellose (HPMC-E3/FBZ). The structural ordering was accessed using differential X-ray PDFs that revealed the region between 3.5 A and 5.0 A could be related to FBZ intermolecular interactions and is more ordered for the least stable system (HPMC-E3/FBZ) and less ordered for the most stable system (HPMCP/FBZ). These results show that the ion-base interactions between drug and matrix occur at these intermolecular distances.

Development of a Pediatric Mini-Tablet Formulation for Expedited Preclinical Studies

By Lavan, Monika; Wang, Xueqi; McCain, Robyn; Jannasch, Amber; Cooper, Bruce; Hostetler, Scott; Byrn, Stephen; Knipp, Gregory

From AAPS PharmSciTech (2021), 22(1), 40.

Multiple considerations are essential to address the main challenges of dose flexibility and patient adherence in pediatric drug development, particularly for oncology. Mini-tablets, 2 mm in diameter, were manufactured using a rotary tablet press at a set weight and compression force level. The physical characteristics were consistent for mini-tablets throughout multiple batches. Polymeric amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) was used as a solubility enhancing technique to increase solubility and exposure of lapatinib. The effects of the polymeric excipient and disintegrant on drug release properties were investigated. While having a lower apparent solubility and shorter storage stability, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E3 (HPMCE3) formulation provided a higher percentage of drug release compared to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP). The intermolecular interaction within the ASD system plays a role in the level of apparent solubility, physical stability, and concentration of free drug available in an aqueous environment. Juvenile porcine models at two different weight groups (10 and 20 kg) were used to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters of lapatinib. While the dose-normalized exposure of drug was found to be lower in the pig study, the dose flexibility of mini-tablets enabled a constant dose level to be administered to achieve equivalent plasma concentration-time profiles between the two groups. This linear scaling in the amount of drug in pediatric and adult population has also been observed in human clinical studies.

A high energy x-ray diffraction study of amorphous Indomethacin

By Benmore C J; Benmore S R; Weber J K R; Edwards A D; Shrader C D; Bhat M H; Cherry B R; Yarger J L; Smith P; Smith D; Gozzo F, Shi C, Byrn S R

From Journal of pharmaceutical sciences (2021).

Amorphous pharmaceuticals often possess a wide range of molecular conformations and bonding arrangements. The x-ray pair distribution function (PDF) method is a powerful technique for the characterization of variations in both intra-molecular and inter-molecular packing arrangements. Here, the x-ray PDF of amorphous Indomethacin is shown to be particularly sensitive to the preferred orientations of the chlorobenzyl ring found in isomers in the crystalline state. In some cases, the chlorobenzyl ring has no preferred torsional angle in the amorphous form, while in others evidence of distinct isomer orientations are observed. Amorphous samples with no preferred torsion angles of the chlorobenzyl ring are found to favor enhanced inter-molecular hydrogen bonding, and this is reflected in the intensity of the first sharp diffraction peak. These significant variations in structure rule out amorphous Indomethacin as a possible standard for x-ray PDF measurements. At high humidity, time resolved PDFs for >40 hours reveal water molecules forming hydrogen bonds with Indomethacin molecules. A simple linear hydrogen bond model indicates that water molecules in the wet amorphous form have similar hydrogen bond strengths to those found between Indomethacin dimers or chains in the dry amorphous form.

Publications on salt and polymorph screens:

Salts and Polymorph Screens for Bedaquiline

By Okezue, Mercy; Bogdanowich-Knipp, Susan; Smith, Daniel; Zeller, Matthias; Byrn, Stephen; Smith, Pamela; Purcell, Dale K.; Clase, Kari

From AAPS PharmSciTech (2021), 22(7), 228.

Bedaquiline is used to treat multi-resistant tuberculosis in adults. The fumarate salt is commercially available and used in the product Sirturo. To provide open access to bedaquiline molecule once the patent on the chemical substance expires, new salts were screened. This work offers additional information on the bedaquiline system, as new salts may present better pharmacokinetic properties. The current studies focus on the attempted isolation of the acetate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, hydrobromide, succinate, hydrochloride, tartrate, lactate, maleate, malate, and mesylate salts of bedaquiline. Potential salts were screened using a unique combination of conventional screening, and small-scale experiments supplemented by crystallographic analysis and infrared microspectroscopy. Salts were prepared on a larger scale by dissolving 1:1 ratios of the individual salt formers and bedaquiline base (30 mg, 0.055 mmol) in different solvents and allowing the solutions to evaporate or crystallize. X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques and spectroscopic and thermal analyses were employed to characterize the salts. The benzoate and maleate salts were selected as lead candidates after reviewing preliminary characterization data. To determine the most stable forms for the leads, a polymorph screen was conducted using solvents of various polarities. These salt screens successfully generated five new salts of bedaquiline, namely, benzoate, maleate, hydrochloride, besylate, and mesylate. The existence of these salts was confirmed by powder XRD, proton NMR, and IR spectroscopies. TGA and DSC thermal analysis along with hot-stage optical microscopy were further used to characterize the salts. The polymorph screen conducted on the salts suggested the absence of additional polymorphs at 1 g scale.

Maleate salts of bedaquiline

By Zeller, Matthias; Bogdanowich-Knipp, Susan; Smith, Pamela; Purcell, Dale K.; Okezue, Mercy; Smith, Daniel T.; Byrn, Stephen R.; Clase, Kari L.

From Acta Crystallographica, Section E: Crystallographic Communications (2021), 77(4), 433-445.

Bedaquiline is one of two important new drugs for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). It is marketed in the US as its fumarate salt, but only a few salts of bedaquiline have been structurally described so far. We present here five crystal structures of bedaquilinium maleate {systematic name: [4-(6-bromo-2-methoxyquinolin-3-yl)-3-hydroxy-3-(naphthalen-1-yl)-4-phenylbutyl]dimethylazanium 3-carboxyprop-2-enoate}, C32H32BrN2O2+C4H3O4-, namely, a hemihydrate, a THF (THF) solvate, a mixed acetone/hexane solvate, an Et acetate solvate, and a solvate-free structure obtained from the acetone/hexane solvate by in situ single-crystal-to-single-crystal desolvation. All salts exhibit a 1:1 cation-to-anion ratio, with the anion present as monoanionic hydromaleate and a singly protonated bedaquilinium cation. The maleate exhibits the strong intramol. hydrogen bond typical for cis-dicarboxylic acid anions. The conformations of the cations and packing interactions in the maleate salts are compared to those of free base bedaquiline and other bedaquilinium salts.

Publications on abuse deterrent formulations:

Evaluation of tableting performance of Poly (ethylene oxide) in abuse-deterrent formulations using compaction simulation studies

By Yu, Dongyue; Seelam, Raghunadha Reddy; Zhang, Feng; Byrn, Stephen R.; Hoag, Stephen W.

From Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Philadelphia, PA, United States) (2021), 110(7), 2789-2799.

Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been widely used in abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) to increase tablet hardness. Previous studies have shown that formulation variables such as processing conditions and particle size of PEO can affect ADF performance in drug extraction efficiency. This work aims to understand the effect of PEO grades and sources on the compaction characteristics of model ADFs. PEOs from Dow Chemical and Sumitomo Chemical with different molecular weights were examined using a Styl'One compaction simulator at slow, medium, and fast tableting speeds. Particle-size distribution, thermal behavior, tabletability, compressibility using the Heckel model, compactibility, and elastic recovery were determined and compared between the neat PEOs and model ADFs. Multivariate linear regression was performed to understand the effect of compression conditions and PEO grades and sources. Our results show that neat PEOs with high molecular weight exhibit high tabletability. The source of neat PEOs contributes to the difference in tabletability, out-die compressibility, compactibility, and elastic recovery. However, the influence of the PEO source on tabletability and compactibility decreases after adding the model drug. In our model ADFs, tablets using PEOs with high molecular weight have high crushing strength, and tablets using PEOs from Dow Chemical display low elastic recovery.

Publications on quality:

The Identification of Quality Risk Factors for Non-biological Complex Drugs and Epilepsy Drugs Using Statistical Analysis of Formulation-Based Recalls in the USA

By Kerstiens Emily A; Clase Kari L; Byrn Stephen R

From AAPS PharmSciTech (2021), 23(1), 19.

Pharmaceutical companies use the quality by design (QbD) approach to build high-quality drug products. A thorough understanding of risk factors is required to successfully employ QbD. In order to better understand risk factors that potentially impact drug product quality and inform future QbD approaches, we hypothesized root causes of drug product recalls based on publicly available data and a retroactive analysis of drug products recalled by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) from 2012 to 2018. We focused on two categories of drug products that pose unique regulatory challenges and an increased risk of shortage that could hinder the adequate supply of quality medicine to the patient. Knowing the significant risk factors from previous drug product recalls can help inform QbD and avoid future recalls. Quality recall reasons were studied individually to find risk factors associated with each recall category. Logistical regression statistical tests were done in R using a significance level of 0.05 to find correlations between a recalled product and its manufacturing information such as excipients and manufacturing steps. The results showed significant positive and negative correlations, such as products containing magnesium stearate are more likely to be recalled for impurities and degradation. This information could be used in the future to inform the design and manufacturing of drug products, ensuring consumers receive high-quality products with a low risk of recall.

About Improved Pharma

Improved Pharma is a research, consulting, and information company dedicated to improving pharmaceutical methods, formulations, and processes. Services include solid-state form studies, formulation design, synchrotron techniques, analytical testing, and expert consulting for the development and defense of intellectual property matters. The company was founded in 2006 by Stephen and Sarah Byrn, who also founded SSCI.

For more information about the analytical technique discussed in this press release or about Improved Pharmas services, please contact us at 1-765-463-9951 or info@improvedpharma.com.
Givex, the global IT platform focused on providing merchants with critical customer insights, is helping Latin American food delivery company iFood completely revolutionize the Brazilian food tech market. Through this partnership, Givex and iFood are establishing a cutting-edge model for modern food delivery that will likely soon be adopted around the world.

Givex is a global company with customer operations in more than 70 countries around the world in addition to being a leader in omnichannel processing of gift cards, loyalty and digital exchange vouchers. iFood works with partners on initiatives that elevate business intelligence, technology and management solutions for the more than 270,000 restaurants registered in more than 1,200 cities throughout Brazil.

In December 2019, iFood migrated its iFood Card program to Givex's platform with the aim of making the iFood Card a 100 per cent omnichannel product, fully integrated into all major sales channels in the country. As a leader in processing technology, Givex is supporting technical, strategic and security scalability to help achieve iFoods ambitious goals.

Givex is incredibly proud to be the iFood Card technology partner, bringing not only processing power, but integrated data intelligence and sales channels that enable real-time tracking of card performance and scalability. This is only the beginning and we look forward to seeing what other milestones iFood can achieve with Givex support, said Maria Costa, Managing Director of Givex Brazil.

Now, less than two years after initiating the partnership, over 10 million iFood cards have been sold, growing into a massive omnichannel card program and expanding iFoods brand presence through Givex to connect to over 150,000 POS platforms and 50 million users from digital wallets.

Today, with Givexs help, the iFood card has built a uniquely lucrative position in the Brazilian market, developing and growing both online and offline channels. For example, iFood recently rolled out a method to give unbanked end users access to food delivery through gift cards acquired offline. The company also launched an initiative to benefit B2B consumers by offering companies the possibility to reward their colleagues and leverage iFoods ecosystem through loyalty initiatives and segmented promotions.

Looking ahead, Givex  which recently listed its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol GIVX  will continue to scale its operations and partner with innovating global clients like iFood to not only increase profits for investors, but also help promote progress in the fast-evolving global food technology landscape.

Additionally, on Tuesday, January 18th, Givex and iFood will join together for a speaking panel at the 2022 National Retail Federation show in New York City, discussing the success of the iFood card with the support of Givex technology.

For more information about Givex visit: https://www.givex.com/.

About Givex:

Givex (TSX: GIVX) is a global IT platform focused on providing merchants with useful customer insights. The Givex platform supports the processing of simple or complex gift card programs, customized loyalty programs, stored value/loaded tickets, a powerful omnichannel point of sale system with options that include fully integrated payment processing, kitchen display systems, Inventory controls, labor management, kiosks, handheld ordering tablets and merchant-skinned online ordering websites.

The platform also has fully integrated management and consumer apps. The platforms portal also provides merchant support tools, hundreds of customizable reports, campaign management templates and most importantly, a flexible easy-to-use analytics tool that enables merchants to make informed decisions about how to communicate with and cater to their customer needs. The platform is also flexible and can be integrated to a wide variety of third party vendors. Learn more at givex.com.
Lerner and Rowe Gives Back Supports the 2022 Southern Arizona Heart Ball Lerner and Rowe Gives Back is proud to once again support the Southern Arizona Heart Ball.

Lerner and Rowe Gives Back is pleased to be a fifth-year sponsor of the Southern Arizona Heart Ball that directly supports the American Heart Associations fight against heart disease and stroke. For 2022, the Southern Arizona Heart Ball features a Miami Nights theme and will be held on Saturday, February 12 from 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. MST at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa. Funds raised will be used to support their health and education initiatives in Tucson that advocate for healthy policies and improved hospital quality of care, identify and remove barriers to healthcare access, fund medical research, and promote advanced cardiovascular healthy behaviors that help every heart.

To participate in this life-saving fundraiser and celebration of life, register and buy tickets online or make an online donation.

Our team firmly believes that it is our responsibility to advocate for the lives of the young and old who cope with the effects of illness or diseases. That is why we are proud to once again support the Southern Arizona Heart Ball. The funds raised from this annual fundraiser do much to help improve the overall heart health and well being of our families, friends, and community members, stated Kevin Rowe.

For more specific information about the 2022 Southern Arizona Heart Ball, please contact Teresa Shami with the American Heart Association at (520) 917-7520 or Teresa.Shami@heart.org.

More about Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys

Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys is a powerhouse law firm representing personal injury clients. Attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe have grown their law firm into one of the largest personal injury firms in the country, with over 50 attorneys and nearly 400 support employees located in Arizona, Nevada, California, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee. The law firms continuous exalted levels of success can be attributed to the high levels of respect and dignity shown to victims and family members hurt in an accident.

For those injured outside one of the previously listed states, Lerner and Rowe has an established network of attorneys across the country, ready to help. The firm takes pride in nourishing these relationships as they know a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon the victims of tortious conduct.

For more information about Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys in Tucson, please call 520-977-1900. To connect with the law firm socially, follow Lerner and Rowe on Twitter and Instagram, or become a fan of its Facebook page. Also, visit lernerandrowegivesback.com to learn more about the many other community services that the lawyers and legal support team of Lerner and Rowe actively support.

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Mansueto Ventures, parent of leading business publications Inc. and Fast Company, has named media veteran Stephanie Mehta as chief executive officer Stephanies stewardship of Fast Company these past few years has led to incredibly noteworthy journalism that we all are proud of, says Joe Mansueto, founder of Mansueto Ventures.

Mansueto Ventures, parent of leading business publications Inc. and Fast Company, has named media veteran Stephanie Mehta as chief executive officer and the newly created position of chief content officer, effective January 10. Mehta will replace Eric Schurenberg, who has stepped down after 10 years with Mansueto Ventures.

Stephanies stewardship of Fast Company these past few years has led to incredibly noteworthy journalism that we all are proud of, says Joe Mansueto, founder of Mansueto Ventures. Her leadership and collaboration with colleagues have led to significant growth across our live events, podcasts and recognition programs. For these reasons, and many more, I believe she is exceptionally well-positioned to lead Mansueto Ventures.

Mansueto Ventures is an incredibly special organization, Mehta said. Im excited to work with the entire team to help steer the company and our two storied editorial brands, Inc., and Fast Company, in this fast-changing media landscape.

Mehta, 51, has served as editor-in-chief of Fast Company since March 2018. She previously served as a deputy editor at Vanity Fair, and held senior leadership roles at Bloomberg Media and Fortune. She started her career at the Virginian-Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, Va., before moving to The Wall Street Journal in 1994 to cover small business and venture capital. She serves on the boards of the American Society of Magazine Editors, the Womens Forum of New York, and Airbel Impact Lab, the research and innovation arm of the International Rescue Committee.

Eric Schurenberg joined Mansueto Ventures in 2011 as the editor of Inc.com, rising to editor-in-chief of Inc. in 2014. Mansueto tapped him to be the CEO of Mansueto Ventures in 2017. In that role, Schurenberg combined Inc. and Fast Company under a single leadership, overseeing four consecutive years of 50% or better gains in the bottom line. Each year that he was CEO, Mansueto Ventures posted the best financial performance of its history, says Mansueto. He achieved this during what would turn out to be the most difficult years in our companys history, a perfect storm of Covid, civil strife, and recession, on top of the secular headwinds the entire media industry faces. He did this with a grace and integrity that I truly admire. Though Erics tenure at Mansueto Ventures is over, this is not good-bye from me. Eric is passionate about the battle against misinformation and restoring trust in professional journalism. I look forward to investing alongside him as he begins his next chapter.

As the publisher of both Inc. and Fast Company, Mansueto Ventures is home to two of the most iconic and vibrant brands in the world of business publications. Every day, the content, awards and events produced help entrepreneurs and innovators succeed. All provide useful insights, spark essential conversations and provide much needed inspiration.
The Secret Service of Angels: a gripping tale of faith and unexpected turns. The Secret Service of Angels is the creation of published author Mary 'Fig' Stearne, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Stearne shares, Have you ever heard the expression, What you dont know cant hurt you.

Well, this story is more like what you cant see wont hurt you, or can it?

All around us, there is another dimension that no human can see or feel, except to those whom are chosen. They will team up with the Secret Service of Angels, and one of the chosen ones is trying to solve an eight-year-old mystery.

Marias grandparents were presumably killed by what was called an act of nature. She will be accompanied by a friend from her adolescent years, Robert McDaniel, who will make their journey together complete and unforgettable. Maria Thomson will discover that her grandfathers stories were not just stories but facts about a secret life he and her grandmother shared.

Tobit, Marias grandfather, was in the military, and he also was a CID (Criminal Investigation Command) agent. But there was a special agency within the agency that very few knew about. Now after eight years, Lieutenant Maria Thompson and Corporal Robert McDaniel both in the Marine Corps will be involved in a battle that no human could ever prepare themselves for.

Maria and Robert will devote themselves to a mystery they were destined to solve. On Marias grandparents Sarah and Tobit Wrights estate, they will find a box that holds visions that must not get into the enemys hands. And this enemy is the prince of darknessthe one whom some say does not exist. And that is what he wants the world to believe. His ancient fallen angels will bring all their evil powers to stop Maria and Robert. The angels of the Lord will also do what they were created for: to weed the fields of the world and bring home the good seedsthe children of the kingdom. Just like the parable of the weeds in the field.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Mary 'Fig' Stearnes new book is certain to delight and entertain as readers race to find out what will become of Maria and Robert.

With an ancient evil stirring in the shadows, will Maria and Robert make it out with their lives? Readers will be excited to see how this compelling work turns out.

Consumers can purchase The Secret Service of Angels at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Secret Service of Angels, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Harleys extensive experience, including his many years as a PCAOB inspector, arms him with a unique knowledge of the regulatory landscape that will serve him, the Firm and our clients well as he takes on this new role, said John Haslbauer, Partner at PKF OConnor Davies.

PKF OConnor Davies, LLP, one of the nations largest accounting, tax and advisory firms, today announced that it has hired Harley Aronoff to serve as Partner, PCAOB Quality Assurance Leader. Aronoff  who joins the Firm with over 15 years of experience working in broker-dealer regulations and operations  will be responsible for further expanding the Firms Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) practice and training staff on PCAOB standards. His hiring is part of the Firms ongoing talent acquisition strategy aimed at driving growth by bolstering key practice areas with recognized industry leaders.

Harleys extensive experience, including his many years as a PCAOB inspector, arms him with a unique knowledge of the regulatory landscape that will serve him, the Firm and our clients well as he takes on this new role, said John Haslbauer, Partner at PKF OConnor Davies. Harley is a great addition to our team. Hes a recognized expert whose decisions are informed by real-world experience, and were confident hell have an immediate and long-lasting impact on the Firm and its relationships.

Prior to joining the Firm, Aronoff spent eight years as a PCAOB inspector, where he also served as a broker-dealer technical expert on the Broker-Dealer Inspection Groups Technical Review Committee. Prior to that, he was the Financial Reporting Manager at Citi Hedge Fund Services, where he was responsible for the preparation and filing of regulatory computations and Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single (FOCUS) Reports for over 50 broker-dealers. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Branch Operations Specialist at Edward Jones & Co. He also was a former Series 24 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licensed Principal for a regional broker-dealer. Aronoff will work out of the Firms New York City office.

PKF OConnor Davies has a great culture and a top-notch team, and Im really excited to join the Firm at such an exciting time, Aronoff said. Im confident the experience I gained as a PCAOB inspector, and throughout my career, will provide insights that will allow clients to make smart, informed decisions that keep them in the best regulatory and business situation possible.

Aronoff holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois. A Certified Public Accountant in the state of Florida, he is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

PKF OConnor Davies continues to expand through organic growth and acquisitions on the East Coast. It has supported this growth with a strategic combination of promoting from within coupled with an ongoing focus on top-tier external hires.

About PKF OConnor Davies, LLP

PKF OConnor Davies, LLP is a full-service certified public accounting and advisory firm with a long history of serving clients both domestically and internationally. With roots tracing to 1891, the Firm has 16 offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Florida and Rhode Island and more than 1,200 professionals providing a complete range of accounting, auditing, tax and management advisory services. PKF OConnor Davies is led by over 135 partners who are closely involved in the day-to-day management of engagements, ensuring a high degree of client service and cost effectiveness.

The Firm is a top-ranked firm, according to Accounting Todays 2021 Top 100 Firms list and was recently recognized as one of Americas Best Tax and Accounting Firms by Forbes. PKF O'Connor Davies was named one of Vault's 2022 Accounting 50, a ranking of the 50 best accounting employers to work for in North America and ranked among the top 50 most prestigious accounting firms in America in a complementary Vault survey.

PKF OConnor Davies is the lead North American representative of the international association of PKF member firms. PKF International is a network of legally independent member firms providing accounting, tax and business advisory services in over 400 locations in 150 countries around the world. With its tradition, experience and focus on the future, PKF OConnor Davies is ready to help clients meet todays ever-changing economic conditions and manage the growing complexities of the regulatory environment. For more information, visit http://www.PKFOD.com.


Que Porcupine: The Bigger Man: an encouraging tale of doing what is right regardless of what is easy. Que Porcupine: The Bigger Man is the creation of published author Rhonda Billings.

Billings shares, Deep in the forest of Canopy Woods live many interesting animal friends. One curious fellow is Que Porcupine. Que loves all the animals in the forest. Well, he loves almost all. He is sometimes made fun of and bullied by an unlikely trio: Ronnie, Ricky, and Josephine Rabbit. They love to make fun of Que. They do not realize how their words hurt his feelings. Canopy Woods would be a wonderful place to live if not for the rabbit clan.

But the rabbits soon get into a very sticky situation. They need help, and they need help fast. Will Que go to their rescue? Will he be the bigger man and forgive the rabbits? Or will Que just walk on by and let the rabbits fend for themselves?

Come along on a journey through Canopy Woods to discover if Que Porcupine can be the bigger man.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Rhonda Billingss new book will provide young readers and the adults who love them with an important opportunity to discuss bullying and doing what is right.

Billings shares a charming story of a precocious little porcupine and three unkind rabbits caught up in an unexpected situation.

Consumers can purchase Que Porcupine: The Bigger Man at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Que Porcupine: The Bigger Man, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told a press conference Thursday that there were nearly 400 killings in the second largest U.S. city, the most in a single year over the last 15 years.

According to an annual crime statistics release by the mayor, last year recorded 397 homicides, up by 42 from 2020 and second only to 480 killings in 2006.

Overall, crime was up in Los Angeles last year over 2020. All Part 1 crimes, including murder, manslaughter, sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson, went up 4.6 percent while property crimes were up 4.2 percent, and violent crimes were up 3.9 percent.

Moreover, there were far more victims shot in the city with a population of about 4 million over the last two years. The number of people shot was 1,337 in 2020, 1,459 last year and 946 in 2019.

The Chief of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Michel Moore noted that the disastrous fallout of COVID-19 hit Angelinos both financially and psychologically, and the city and country failed to meet the increasing demands for all types of services for those being left behind.

However, compared to the violence in the 1980s and 90s, the last two years were still among the safest in the city's history. 
Lakesha Butler, PharmD, clinical professor in the SIUE School of Pharmacys Department of Pharmacy Practice and director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the School. The revised oath charges all pharmacists to take an active responsibility in promoting health equity and commit to being change agents in the system of pharmacy practice and beyond.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacys (SOP) Lakesha Butler, PharmD, lent her expertise to a national committee charged with incorporating equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism (DEIA) into the Oath of the Pharmacist.

Butler, clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the SOP, was called upon by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) in April 2021.

She was asked to represent the AACP in her role as council of sections chair-elect and due to her expertise in DEIA. Butler and 10 other representatives from the AACP and APhA were charged with proposing revisions incorporating DEIA while ensuring the oath remained broad in scope.

After suggesting tentative changes, the joint committee sought feedback from pharmacists across the nation through town hall meetings and written suggestions. Revisions were finalized by the committee and voted on and approved by the AACP and APhA boards of directors in November 2021. The last revision of the oath was approved in 2008.

The updated oath states, I will promote inclusion, embrace diversity, and advocate for justice to advance health equity. Additional changes included incorporating more contemporary language.

The joint committee led a critical charge of boldly expanding our professional oath to include the necessary elements of DEIA, Butler said. The revised oath charges all pharmacists to take an active responsibility in promoting health equity and commit to being change agents in the system of pharmacy practice and beyond.

SIUE is fortunate to have Dr. Butlers leadership in addressing DEIA issues not only locally, but also at the national level, said SOP Dean Mark Luer, PharmD, FCCP. Pharmacists are particularly well positioned to improve the health of their communities, and by embracing the tenets of DEIA, the profession is committing itself to reducing the equity gaps that currently exist in the U.S. healthcare system.

AACP and APhA will host a profession-wide virtual event at 7 p.m. CST Tuesday, Jan. 18 for all pharmacists, faculty members, administrators and student pharmacists to reaffirm their commitment to the newly revised Oath of a Pharmacist.

The newly revised oath will be recited at this event and by spring 2022 pharmacy graduates across the country, Butler said. It was an honor to be invited to contribute to this important endeavor that will have a lasting impact on the pharmacy profession.

Todays pharmacists improve patients lives through the medication and education they provide. The School of Pharmacy is dedicated to developing a community of caring pharmacists through a curriculum that is nationally recognized as a model for offering students a unique combination of classroom education, research, community service and patient care. Areas of excellence include a drug design and discovery core, pediatric practice, chronic pain research and practice, and diabetes research and practice.
veritree, the restorative platform that connects mission-driven companies with nature-based solutions, today announced that it had reached 100% funding for the Cardano Forest, a first-of-its kind crowdfunded program that pledges to plant, trace and verify more than 1 million trees together with the Cardano Foundation, the not for profit organization and custodian of the Cardano blockchain.

The Cardano Forest is a blockchain-enabled reforestation project that leverages surging interest in Cardanos blockchain and community of users. Participants exchange ada, Cardanos native token, for NFTrees  non-fungible tokens that represent trees to be planted  and earn digital certificates, NFT art provided by digital artists Egon (stellarhood.com) and Damian (cardanotrees.com), and other incentives based on their contributions.

More than 4,600 users have signed up for the program, donating more than one million ada to-date, which will allow for the reintroduction of native tree species in Kenya. Planting will commence in early 2022, in coordination with experienced restoration partners already participating on the veritree platform.

As a nature-based technology platform, veritree offers unprecedented insight into the status of the forest. The platform integrates real-time site monitoring and data collection with blockchain-based accounting and verification in order to generate the most actionable and trustworthy tools for assessing and communicating reforestation impact. In the first quarter of 2022, Cardano Forest donors will be able to redeem their veritree tokens for an NFT planting certificate and NFT artwork, corresponding with their live trees once they have been planted, and monitor the Cardano Forest website (ito.veritree.com/) for project updates.

Each veritree project is carefully curated to maximize environmental conservation, human wellbeing, and climate action. veritree also complements each project with a technology suite that best assesses and communicates impact. The Cardano Forest project sits atop the Cardano blockchain, which it uses to enhance traceability and verification, providing a range of benefits in the crowdsourced campaign.

Were proud to see such enthusiasm across the Cardano network for this project, which showcases how blockchain can be leveraged for good,said veritree CEO Derrick Emsley. The Cardano Forest brings together Cardano, its Foundation, and its community of users to collectively realize, and verify real, positive change.

Frederik Gregaard, CEO of the Cardano Foundation, said, We at the Cardano Foundation are delighted with the success of the Cardano Forest. It is an incredible example to showcase how SDG reporting can be transparent with blockchain technology and, most importantly, showcase the power of the Cardano community.

veritree partners with global organizations looking to establish transparency and accountability for ecological, social, and climate-positive restoration. Earlier this month, veritree announced a partnership with Samsung Electronics America to plant and monitor two million mangrove trees on the Madagascar coastline in 2022, moving the organization closer to its goal of planting and verifying one billion trees by 2030.

ABOUT VERITREE:

veritree is a reforestation platform that connects nature-based solutions with mission-driven companies ready to lead the restorative economy. With on-the-ground monitoring and blockchain verification, veritree improves transparency and trust through data and tools that restore ecosystems, revitalize communities, and fight climate change. Founded by tentree, the clothing brand that pioneered customer-engaged tree planting, veritree scales consumer-centric planting programs between planting organizations and corporations around the world. veritrees mission is to plant and verify one billion trees within the decade. For more information, visit veritree.com.
VFS Continues Record Growth, Exceeds 160 Corporate Members The 36 new organizations that joined VFS during 2021 include companies, non-profits and government agencies from around the world who are supporting all aspects of vertical flight.

The Vertical Flight Society (VFS), the worlds leading non-profit organization working to advance vertical flight, reports today that the explosive growth of worlds electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft plus significant developments in military and civil rotorcraft have continued to expand its membership.

As of Jan. 1, 2022, a total of 163 companies are now members of VFS, a net 19% growth from a year ago and a doubling over the past five years. The number of individual members has also grown to more than 6,300  a net increase of nearly 10% (550 individuals) over the past 12 months and a 30% growth (1,400 individuals) over the past five years. Much of this growth is due to the extensive support efforts and resources that VFS provides to the vertical flight industry, including technical resources, talent acquisition, educational opportunities and networking.

The 36 new organizations that joined VFS during 2021 are listed below. Descriptions of each company, including links to websites and contact information, are found in the VFS Corporate Member Directory (https://vtol.org/corporate-members). Information on the benefits and rates for corporate membership are posted on our Corporate Membership page (https://vtol.org/corporate).

AnalySwift, LLC  Small Business Class

Archer Aviation  Small Business Class

BAAZ GmbH  Associate Class

CAFE Foundation  Affiliate Class

Caldwell Intellectual Property Law, LLC  Small Business Class

Community Air Mobility Initiative  Affiliate Class

Crown Consulting, Inc.  Small Business Class

Cypress International  Associate Class

Eagle Aviation Technologies, Inc.  Small Business Class

Electric Power Systems, Inc.  Small Business Class

Elroy Air  Small Business Class

ENSCO Avionics  Small Business Class

Garudeus Aviation, Inc.  Small Business Class

Helo Holdings, Inc.  Associate Class

Hydroplane, Ltd  Small Business Class

Intelligent Energy, Ltd  Small Business Class

Intellisense Systems, Inc.  Small Business Class

LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions, Inc  Small Business Class

Levanta Tech, LLC  Small Business Class

LogistiWerx, Inc.  Small Business Class

Mobius.energy Corporation  Associate Class

National Renewable Energy Laboratory  Associate Class

Ohio Unmanned Aircraft System Center  Associate Class

Olsen Actuators, Ltd  Associate Class

Plug Power, Inc.  Small Business Class

PteroDynamics  Small Business Class

Real-Time Innovations  Small Business Class

Sentient Science  Small Business Class

SkyDrive, Inc.  Associate Class

SMG Consulting  Associate Class

Tier 1 Engineering  Small Business Class

TruWeather Solutions, Inc.  Small Business Class

UP.Partners  Small Business Class

Urbineer, Inc.  Small Business Class

Woolpert  Associate Class

Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd.  Bronze Class

These new corporate members include companies, non-profits and government agencies from around the world who are supporting all aspects of vertical flight. In addition to civil and military rotorcraft developments, such as the US Armys Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program, eVTOL developments increased markedly in 2021.

This past year saw steady technical progress and eye-popping financial investments in the leading eVTOL developers, said Mike Hirschberg, VFS Executive Director. VFS had estimated $4.5B of investments in eVTOL companies in 20102020. However, last year saw several additional developers go public and/or attract sizeable private investments; the total additional global estimate in 2021 alone was around $6B.

As of today, the Society has cataloged over 590 different electric VTOL concepts from nearly 350 companies and innovators on its authoritative World eVTOL Aircraft Directory at http://www.evtol.news. When VFS launched the site in April 2017, only a dozen eVTOL programs were under development. Nearly 200 new designs were added in 2021 alone. The site currently also hosts more than 600 eVTOL news stories, including some 270 in-depth articles from the Societys Vertiflite magazine, the leading periodical on eVTOL and rotorcraft developments.

VFS has been at the forefront of what it calls the Electric VTOL Revolution since 2014 when it held the worlds first meeting of the eVTOL development community. Now, the Societys 9th Annual Electric VTOL Symposium  being held Jan. 2527 in-person in San Jose, California, and also virtually, as part the VFS Transformative Vertical Flight (TVF) Technical Meeting  continues as the worlds largest and longest-running event focusing on the incredible promise, progress and challenges of eVTOL aircraft.

As in previous years, the annual symposium will present the latest insights, trends and progress in eVTOL developments. This months symposium features plenary presentations by government leaders from NASA, the US Army, US Air Force and the FAA, as well as industry talks from Sikorsky, Hyundais Supernal, Lilium and Wisk. More than 50 additional VIP speakers and panelists in the symposium cover important topics regarding eVTOL, while more than 60 technical papers on rotorcraft aeromechanics, eVTOL, the Mars Helicopter, advanced air mobility (AAM) will be presented. Details are available at http://www.vtol.org/TVF2022. This is a hybrid event with a virtual connection for global benefit.

When VFS launched the first TVF meeting in 2014, the idea of electric VTOL aircraft was greeted with widespread skepticism, but growing technical progress, flight demonstrations, government validation and private investment have helped reverse public perception. It is now recognized that the vertical flight market is poised for significant expansion over the next few years as eVTOL aircraft enter service that can have higher performance than conventional helicopters for certain missions, as well as lower operating costs and lower noise.

VFS was founded as the American Helicopter Society in 1943 by the visionaries of the early helicopter industry, who believed that technological cooperation and collaboration were essential to support this new type of aircraft. Today, history is repeating itself, with VFS playing a similar role helping to advance todays revolutionary eVTOL aircraft.

VFS holds the largest and longest-running vertical flight technical conference in the world, which this year will be its 78th Annual Forum & Technology Display on May 10-12, 2022, in Ft. Worth, Texas, USA: http://www.vtol.org/forum.

VFS is @VTOLsociety on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Vimeo and YouTube

The Vertical Flight Society

2700 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 275, Fairfax, VA 22031, USA

1-703-684-6777  fax: 1-703-739-9279

staff@vtol.org  http://www.vtol.org
Ten-year-old Adele Tatten turns a pen at Woodcraft in Woburn, Massachusetts, with her grandfather, Papa John Santoro, a store employee. We are once again thrilled with the results of the 2021 Turn for Troops program.

A total of 14,703 unique wood pens are waiting to be distributed to active duty and recovering members of the US military, thanks to the efforts of Woodcraft Turn for Troops volunteer pen turners who exceeded the 2020 pen total by 697 pens. The overall 18-year total is now 219,970.

We are once again thrilled with the results of the 2021 Turn for Troops program, Woodcraft President and CEO Jack Bigger said. Congratulations to Woodcraft stores and volunteers who turned the fourth highest number of pens since Woodcraft launched the program for military men and women in 2004.

Woodcraft corporate office personnel check periodically with their contacts around the globe for assistance in identifying military personnel to receive these unique thank-you gifts. Stores also receive requests, and sometimes a service member or a family member will contact Woodcraft asking about pens. To request that pens be sent to active duty or recovering military members, contact Lori Harper in the Woodcraft corporate office: (304) 865-4107 or lori_harper@woodcraft.com.

Turn for Troops volunteers range in age from children to senior citizens. Young turners this year included Adele Tatten, 10, who turned her first pen at Woodcraft in Woburn, Massachusetts, with instruction from her grandfather, John Santoro, a store employee (see photo). The fifth grader has been watching and helping Papa John in his workshop since she was a toddler. To learn more about Adele, read the Woodcraft blog.

Top 4 Stores in 2021

#1 Tucson, Arizona, 2,189  Tucson takes the #1 spot for the second year in a row, its 7th time holding the spot in 18 years (5-year streak from 2011-2014).

#2 Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1,739  Grand Rapids has been a Top 4 store since 2014, moving up to #2 from #3 in 2020 (#1 in 2018 and 2019).

#3 Cleveland, Ohio, 1,449  Cleveland made its first appearance in the Top 4.

#4 Boise, Idaho, 1,272  Boise has been in the Top 4 every single year.

Other Top Store Totals from 500-1,000

#5 Chattanooga, Tennessee, 995

#6 Rockville, Maryland, 965

#7 Knoxville, Tennessee, 913

#8 San Carlos, California, 824

#9 Nashville, Tennessee, 620

Top Overall Store Totals

Stores in the top 4 overall remain unchanged from 2020.

#1 Tucson topped 26,000 with a total of 26,203.

#2 Nashville added another 620 to its total, bringing it to 21,858.

#3 Grand Rapids exceeded 20,000 with a total of 20,960.

#4 Boise also exceeded 20,000 with a total of 20,050.

#5 San Carlos, at 11,978, is nearing 12,000, and is the only other store with over 10,000.

Individual and Group Volunteers

Woodcraft lost a faithful volunteer in June when Nial J. Hadden Sr. of Fredonia, New York, passed away. Like some other turners and turning groups, Hadden made pens throughout the year. At the time of his passing, Nial had turned 60 pens for 2021.

Nials son Lee turned another 10 pens, bringing Nials overall total to 1,230. In his note to Woodcraft, Lee wrote: It brought him great joy and a sense of purpose in his retired years. He always referred to it as his military order. I finished his last military order and sent it. I know he would have wanted it completed.

Other volunteers and the number of pens they submitted include:



The Villages Woodworkers Club in Florida, 440 pens (2,695 overall).

New Mexico Woodturners based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 209 pens.

Old Country Guild of Woodturners in the Albany, New York area, 180 pens (230 overall).

Algoma, Wisconsin, School District, 20 pens.

William Cowan of Fort Pierce, Florida, 10 pens.

Although Woodcraft sponsors the Turn for Troops Turn-a-Thon around Veterans Day, pens are distributed year-round. Pens have been shipped to Afghanistan, South Korea, Kuwait, Germany, Nigeria, Romania and Niger, covering all military branches and the National Guard. Woodcraft has also sent pens to several US military ships: USS George H.W. Bush, USS Lassen, USS Bataan and USS Tripoli.

For more information about Woodcraft, please contact the Woodcraft store nearest you, visit Woodcraft.com or call (800) 535-4482. Click here to learn more about Woodcraft franchise opportunities or email woodcraftfranchise@woodcraft.com. Follow Woodcraft on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest.
Dhonielle Clayton is an author, COO of We Need Diverse Books, and president of Cake Creative, a creative development company whipping up diverse books for a wide array of readers. Her new book, The Mirror: Shattered Midnight, is the second novel in the four-book fairy tale series written with Julie C. Dao, J.C. Cervantes, and L.L. McKinney. It follows one family over several generations and the curse that plagues it. We spoke with Clayton about fairy tales for modern audiences, cultural relevancy in fantasy and science fiction, and the importance of realistic and positive representation for BIPOC children in literature.

How did you come to be a part of The Mirror series?

Im a Disney author and they approached me and said, Hey! We want to do this really cool, innovative series where authors come together in a shared universe and write a fairy tale with a curse that has plagued several generations of a family. We want you to write one generation of the family. I was like, Sure! I would love to! They laid out their vision and, of course, when I saw 1920s New Orleans I said, That is for me.

So you always knew youd be writing the second book? What inspired you to pick that generation and plot?

Yeah. They sent me a loose overview of who people are in the first book and how it connects to the second. Then I got in there and I fixed it with my expertiseknowing the historical beats and the patterns of migration and movement for Black Americans during the 1910s, 20s, and 30s. I was able to apply that logic to the magic and make sense of the big overview beats that Disney wanted included. Harlem and Chicago are the iconographies that loop in our imaginations when we think of the 1920s. At least, thats the case for me when I think about what Black people were doing at that time. Trying to find out about what it was like for people living in New Orleans is a very different thing. I was really inspired by the city itself, and the streets, and the Black history, and the fact that it is known as the birthplace of jazz. I wanted to make sure that music was the foundation of the novel itself. I said, Look, we cant write about the 1920s, we cant write about the birth of American jazzwhich is a Black musical traditionwithout this being the cornerstone and the heart of the book. So really, music was the inspiration.

Youve collaborated with authors on short story collections and books before. What has it been like collaborating on a saga? Whats your individual writing process like?

Collaborating is my favorite thing in the world because I learn so much about myself and others. Collaborating with Julie C. Dao, Jennifer Cervantes, and L.L McKinney was great. These are three other women of color. We all have different visions of story. Each one of them has a superpower in terms of how they write. It was fun to get in the trenches with them. Wed have story conversations, wed have Zooms, we would deep dive, have our own chat, and just break story and solve story problems. Each one of us had our plot overview. We wrote each book, one-on-one, with our wonderful editor, Brittany Rubiano, and talked about how changes would affect everyone elses books. But we also let the other women read each others work so that we could make sure everything aligned.

[My own]

writing process is a mess. I dont have one. I dont write every day. I write in strong bursts, probably once a week, once every other week, but I get a lot done. I go on writing retreats, but its just chaos. Whenever anyone asks that question you want it to be cuteyou get up every day and have your coffee, sit down and write for four hours. I wish!

What do you think makes fairy tales important in childrens literature and what are some of your favorites?

Im actually a childrens scholar. I have a masters in childrens literature, I read the entire canon, and I know the history and origin of childrens books and fairy tales are a big part of that. Fairy tales have such an interesting history of being these tools of indoctrination and tools for transmitting culture, warning, and things to keep children safe. But theyre also great instruments for story, and theres something primal that makes us attracted to the fairy tale. Thats why they have such staying power in the marketplace.

I like fairy tales that we dont get to see a lot. like the Anansi tales and fairy tales that are a little bit more obscure, Norwegian and darksuper dark. So, I guess I would pick East of the Sun and West of the Moon as one of my favorites. I really like that theres always peaks and valleys, high-highs and low-lows in fairy tales. This saga has that. It has some fairy tale tropes that weve turned on their heads and ones that were remixed. When you engage with American history and with people of color and queer people, the way the fairy tale manifests must look different. Cinderella is not Cinderella when she lives in a brown or Black body.

Some of my favorite tropesand ones that I tried to evoke in the bookare the Cinderella aspects, but theres no poverty. There are shoes and you see these shoes in every single [Mirror] book, but they change. Youre like, Oh, a glass slipper! But its not quite a glass slipper. Its shoes that have been passed down and then change depending on the feet of the wearer and the time period theyre in, but theyre still family heirlooms. There is a mirror and that mirror has a specific power and purpose. Theres my main character, Zora, who has two cousins who sort of function like the stepsisters, but theyre not evil. Theyre products of their time and have their own desires and traumas that theyre working through. I took some familiar things, but I translated them through the lens of Black American culture in their historical context. I really wanted them to feel remixed and culturally resonant for the community, so that it doesnt feel like the Grimm fairy tale or all of the fairy tales that have a white European context overlaid on top of Black characterswhere it doesnt feel like its really them.

Zora is very independent and strong-willed. Would you consider her a heroine?

Yes; shes just a complicated heroine. Sometimes in fictionespecially fiction for young adults and historical fictionwe forget the sort of boxes that people who live in certain bodies are placed in. The look of the heroine has to change. It has to adapt. She might not be able to slay the dragon, but shes able to figure out the source of her magic and how it works as much as she can. [She has to] try to find love and try to find something that shes invested in and go for her dreams even though she is boxed in by the evils of racism in 1920s America. That, to me, makes her a heroine.

How important was it to you that Zora be Black and Philip white as opposed to the other way around? Would the story have been drastically different?

The story would have been drastically different. My book was to bring two branches of a family together. The family you meet in Broken Wish were Julies characters. Theres Mathilda [Zoras grandmother] and then theres Philips ancestor. Those two had a broken agreement between them that set off a fairy tale curse. Then, in my book, you see the [descendants] of those families coming together to face that broken promise. Zora and Philip being together can either heal the broken promise between the two families, or can make it worse.

Having to have them wrestle with the color line and falling in love across the color line was a very contentious and very hard thing to do. I had to look up a lot of different laws and search for stories. [Love across the color line] was very traumatic; a lot of family drama went down because of it. Children were even taken from homes by police. It would have been the better choice for [Zora] to be with a Black man, but I had to bring those two families together to exacerbate the curse and make it work for Jennifers book.

Zora quite literally has Black Girl Magic. How important is it for Black girls to see themselves represented in fantasy fiction?

It is of the utmost importance. I grew up reading and loving fantasy and science fiction and never getting to see Black women do anything. In those works we were always in historical settings as the mammy, or the slave, or the sidekick to the main event and I was tired of that narrative. I wanted to think about Black people in a historical context, but with the dignity and the grace that we see in their stories, and also give them magic.

For me, Zoras magic was always going to be music. When we first started, they wanted her to be a dancer and I said, No. Shes a musician. We are dancers, we love to dance in our community, but she is a musician. That is her musical center. [In her time] the birth of jazz is coalescing into one of the most important Black musical traditions (aside from gospel and hip hop) and we have to honor that. Zora represents that and her mother represents food. These pillars of Blackness are where I was drawing inspiration from so that my reader never forgets Zora is a young Black woman. [She has] a white grandmother, but she is a Black woman. That is the story of the Black American experience: there are these white ancestors, but these are Black people first and foremost. It was important to me to make sure that was clear.

When I had to [look back in time] for this book I was really looking for our joy, and music is our joy. Food is our joy. We had our own clubs, our own societies, our own tailorswe had such industry. I wanted to showcase that. Yes, the racism lingers [throughout the book]. You see it, it touches them, but I really wanted to also showcase friendship, family, and the fact that we had our own stuff going on. It was important to me that Zora have literal Black Girl Magic. I wanted her to have something so powerful that it could change the world both musically and physically, that she could protect herself and others. Im writing to the 16-year-old kid that I was, who was desperate to see magic in the books that I loved and the time periods that I was interested in. To have been able to read something like Shattered Midnight would have been so great to me as a young reader.

What do you hope readers gain from your book and the saga as a whole?

[I want to show readers]

that you can save yourself, people you love, and the world, and also be deeply flawed. You may not be perfect, but you still have value. Zora is grappling with so many different thingsshe had to leave home, she has a big secret and that secret influences how she feels about her magic. She wants to be a formidable artist, but sexism [dictates] that jazz musicians are men and shes supposed to be a pretty songbird. But she doesnt want to just be a pretty songbird; she wants to play every instrument and be taken seriously. Shes trying to grapple with if she deserves to have love and [whether or not] that will compete with her ambition. She has a person who wants to be with her, but is from across the color line. It isnt all roses and fairy tales when it comes to how America treats Black people and people of color. I wanted to put that all into a mixer and have a conversation about it and have a story that could both speak to Julies first family in the saga, and also pave the way for Jennifer Cervantess addition.

You are COO of We Need Diverse Books and active with other groups dedicated to diversifying YA. What has that journey been like?

There are ups and downswhen you ask a power structure to change, you get a lot of hate mail, death threats, and rape threats. That is something that I have lived with since 2014 while working with Ellen Oh, the president of We Need Diverse Books. But its worth it to see queer, BIPOC kids get the representation that theyve always deserved and to know that they are the heroes of stories; that they can save their neighborhoods and the world; that they deserve to have the relationship that white children have had with literature forever. They deserve to see themselves reaffirmed. I really feel like its my lifes work.

You have lots of books coming out. How do you manage it all? Whats next?

I only got messed up for 2022 because of coronavirus! Shattered Midnight was supposed to be out in October 2021. I was only supposed to have that and Blackout last year. Now I have quite a few books coming out [in 2022]. I have The Rumor Game, which is like Gossip Girl set in D.C., where I grew up: these three girls are grappling with the fallout of a really bad rumor that goes viral. Then I have my middle grade debut, The Marvellers, which is my answer to magic schools. What happens when all of the children of the world can go to a magic school? What does that look like when you have a global magical community and youre wrestling with anti-Blackness? I am also working on my first adult book, but have not sent it out to publishers. For people who want a taste of it, I have a short story thats set in the world that Im working on. Its in a collection called Vampires Never Get Old, which is edited by Zoraida Cordova and Natalie C. Parker.

The Mirror: Shattered Midnight by Dhonielle Clayton. Disney-Hyperion, $18.99 Jan. 18 ISBN 978-1-368-04642-8
The author of more than 25 novels for young readers, many of which have been adapted for the screen, and the winner of not one, but two Newbery Medals, Kate DiCamillo is no stranger to the book and film industries. Her fourth film adaptation, based on her 2001 novel The Tiger Rising, is set to hit theaters on January 21, and will be released digitally on February 8.

The film is written and directed by Ray Giarratana, and produced by Deborah Giarratana and Ryan Donnell Smith, with Queen Latifah serving as an executive producer. It stars Christian Convery (from the Netflix fantasy series Sweet Tooth) who plays the main character, Rob Horton Jr., a boy who finds a tiger caged in the woods near his home, and Madalen Mills (Jingle Jangle) as Robs confidant and classmate Sistine Bailey. In addition, movie watchers may recognize some familiar faces in the cast. Katharine McPhee (Karen in Smash and an American Idol runner-up) and Sam Trammell (Sam in True Blood) play Robs parents Caroline and Robert Horton; Dennis Quaid (American Underdog) appears as Beauchamp, the motel and tiger owner; Queen Latifah (Joyful Noise) takes on the role of Willie May, a housekeeper at the motel; and Douglas M. Griffin (Charlie on Hap and Leonard) is Mr. Phelmer.

The project has been a long time in the making. Giarratana had first started writing the screenplay 10 years ago, after coming across the book when his wife advised him to talk to their friend, literary agent, Jason Dravis. I remember he walked over to his bookshelf, pulled off the book, and handed it to me, Giarratana recounted. And I asked, You think I can do something with this? And he said, Yeah, I just got a feeling. 

It took a few rewrites, but when DiCamillo eventually received the screenplay from Giarratanas team, she told PW, she was impressed at how true it stayed to her book. Theres not a moment where I thought, Oh I wish they had done this  Even before visiting the set, she received a letter from a resident of the town where the film was being shot, containing a picture of the sign for the Kentucky Star Motel, a prominent location in the book. It was so much like what I had in my head and thats the way the whole movie feels. Its really incredible.

But trying to create the film was an uphill battle. The script was initially sent to Micheal Flaherty, co-founder and former president of Walden Media, who has since left the company. For the next several years it was [a matter of] trying to find people that could get it , Giarratana said. [At the time], the movie industry was changing. Its hard to get a movie made without a superhero in it. Covid also played a part in delays, the project having wrapped photography in December 2019 with an expected release date of September 2020.

The script, on the other hand, came together so seamlessly that DiCamillo and Giarratana momentarily forgot who had written what. After [filming scenes] we went out to dinner and I remember [DiCamillo] said something to me like, I love that one scene you shot today, and I told her Oh Kate, come on. Thats your book; I just put a camera there. And then she said, No I dont think thats in the book, and I said, I think you wrote that. And neither one of us honestly remembers who wrote it.

The actors talents were no exception to the abundance of talent. It is a dream cast, DiCamillo said. Madalen, who plays Sistine, blows it out of the park. Giarratana was just as impressed with the actors ability to connect deeply with the characters, bringing up when he sent the script to Latifah. She is a tremendously powerful woman, and Im sending her a script to play a maid. Shes going to laugh the whole thing away! But Latifah found a personal connection with Rob Jr.s character, prompting her interest in the project. Giarratana praised her performance, saying she brings every bit of heart and soul to her character. You dont get in the way of really good artists, he said. Ever.

DiCamillo said she was brought to tears after viewing an early screening. There are two mes watching it. One is the person who wrote the book and the other is a kid that is totally [engrossed] in that storyI cried.

Karen Lotz, president and publisher of Candlewick Press, which publishes DiCamillo, and group managing director of Walker Books Group, is just as thrilled with the films release. With its stellar cast and champions, this new life that it has found on the screen is incredibly exciting, she told PW. The original story has such a visual pull to it, so a movie is a dream come true. Who does not want to look into the eyes of that tiger?

Fans of DiCamillo will be pleased to know that she is currently working on a new novel. I just finished calling up a friend [asking], Would you be able to read a few pages for me? And thats all I can share, she teased.

Giarratana hopes the film is a reminder that sometimes we dont realize who is there to help us get out of a difficult situation. But if we can each give each other a little bit of grace, we can get through this, he said. DiCamillo wishes for audiences to connect with the storys message of acknowledging the sorrows we carry. I hope everybody who sees it walks away feeling comforted and seen. Its a beautiful enough movie that it can do that.
The 10th Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero this week announced that he will retire from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), effective in mid-April, 2022. A highly respected and celebrated library leader, Ferriero was appointed by President Barack Obama and has served as Archivist since November 6, 2009, presiding over one of the most consequential periods in the institution's history.

In his 12 years leading NARA, Ferriero oversaw the the transformation of the National Archives into a leader in the governments transition to a digital future, electronic records management, and was a strong advocate for the principles of Open Government. Under his leadership, NARA used technology to expand public access and engagement, forged strong relationships with partner organizations, and increased outreach to traditional and new stakeholders.

Since his confirmation as Archivist in 2009, David has served with distinction, working closely with sitting and former presidents, and across the federal government, to ensure that our nations story is preserved and made available to future generations of Americans," said President Joe Biden, in a statement. "From the administration of presidential libraries to undertaking initiatives to promote broader access to the Archives, Davids important work will benefit generations of Americans for decades to come.

Former president Barack Obama also praised Ferriero's service.

Over the past 12 years, David Ferriero has guided the National Archives into the 21st century, and our democracy is stronger as a result," Obama said. "David knows better than anyone that good recordkeeping is the backbone of open government, and under his leadership the National Archives was able to give these records new life through increased access and engagement with the American people. Thanks to his dedication, we are better equipped to draw from our past as we work to forge a brighter future."

Before becoming the nation's archivist, Ferriero served as the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries (NYPL), part of a leadership team that oversaw the integration of four research libraries and 87 branch libraries into one seamless service for users, and in the process creating the largest public library system in the United States and one of the most impressive research organizations in the world. Before joining NYPL in 2004, Ferriero served in top positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Duke University, where he led major initiatives including the expansion of facilities, the adoption of digital technologies, and a re-engineering of printing and publications.

 Davids important work will benefit generations of Americans for decades to come. 

In an announcement this week, Ferriero expressed gratitude to NARAs employees for their dedication and hard work.

My time at the National Archives gave me the opportunity to bring openness, access, and inclusion to the agency, Ferriero said. Working with such gifted and talented staff who are dedicated to preserving our nations records and its heritage has been a great honor and the highlight of my career. It is with gratitude for the staff at the National Archives, especially my Management Team, that I have pride in what we have all accomplished together.

NARA Deputy Archivist Debra Steidel Wall will serve as acting Archivist of the United States upon Ferriero's departure, until the President nominates and the Senate confirms a successor.

Ferrieros departure also comes as the National Archives is deepening its commitments to access, equity, and in improving the "customer experience." In a statement, Wall said that work will continue.

We aim to continue down the path that David Ferriero has begun, Wall said. The National Archives latest Strategic Plan is dedicated to advancing equity and improving service delivery by connecting with and providing access to underserved and underrepresented communities. And while we are extraordinarily sad to see the Archivist depart, we could not be more grateful for his remarkable vision and exceptional leadership.
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Book sales in the U.K. rose 3%% last year, according to Nielsen BookScan, with more than 212 million print books sold, accounting for total sales of 1.82 billion, the highest figure ever recorded by BookScan.

In France, Vincent Montagne, president of the French Publishers Association (Syndicat National de lEdition, SNE) said that revenue from sales was up 20% over 2020 and 19% from 2019 -- though specific sales figures were not offered. The French Booksellers Association (Syndicat de la Librairie Francaise, SLF) confirmed these numbers, stating that sales at member stores were up 20.4% in 2021, compared to 2020, and by 24.3% compared to 2019. Anne Martell, SLF president and co-director at the Martelle family bookshop in the northern city of Amiens, reported the news to The Bookseller magazine.

French booksellers were assisted in 2021 by several programs implemented by the French government. This includes a campaign in support of reading and the creation of the Culture Pass, which gave 18-year-olds across the country 300 to spend on cultural products, including books  provided they are not purchased online. This resulted in the sale of some 426,000 books at nearly 3,000 participating bookstores. The pass is being extended to all 15-17 year-olds for 2022, which may give another boost to the industry.

The French government is currently debating the merits of Vivendis proposed acquisition of Lagardere, which would see the merger of the two largest publishers in France: Vivendis Editis and Lagarderes Hachette. On January 7, the SNE issued a press release signed by its 720 members calling for the government to guarantee diversity in publishing, as well as fair access to markets and materials to prevent the risk of abuse. Editis and Hachette did not sign the letter.

German publishers saw sales across Germany, Austria and Switzerland rise approximately 3% overall in 2021 compared to 2020, and 1% when compared with 2019, according to Media Controls 2021 market report. Much of this was the result of modest increase in the number of books sold plus higher prices. Book sales at bricks-and-mortar stores were hit by lockdowns and fell 11% compared with those from the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Daniel Castro-Lacouture, a professor and administrator at Georgia Institute of Technology, will be the new dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, effective June 1.

Castro-Lacouture, currently a Georgia Tech professor of building construction and executive director of the professional masters program in occupational safety and health, was assistant professor of civil engineering at Ohio University before joining the Georgia Tech faculty in 2006. He served as chair of the School of Building Construction at Georgia Tech for more than 11 years.

As chair, Castro-Lacouture oversaw considerable growth in the number and diversity of tenure-track faculty and the creation of six new academic programs, including the professional masters in occupational safety and health, which was the first online graduate degree in the College of Design in partnership with Georgia Tech Professional Education, the master of real estate development, and the PhD with a major in building construction. He also led development efforts that resulted in the renovation and naming of the school building, doubling and upgrading the collaborative workplace area, and guided the schools strategic planning process.

Dr. Castro-Lacouture is an outstanding choice to lead the Polytechnic Institute as we continue to rethink and redesign how students can master the competencies required in our evolving innovation marketplace, President Mitch Daniels said. I know the college and all of its students will benefit from their new deans experience and energy.

Castro-Lacouture earned his PhD in civil engineering from Purdue in 2003 and served as a teaching assistant in the Division of Construction Engineering and Management and a staff resident at Hillenbrand Hall.

The current situation and outlook of the Polytechnic Institute, featuring talented and caring people, state-of-the-art facilities, and an inspiring mission, convinced me that it was the right time to become the next dean, Castro-Lacouture said. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, as I could not wish for a better return to Purdue to build upon fond memories of a great education and an exceptional sense of community.

Castro-Lacoutures research centers on the feasibility of multi-scale applications of digital technologies for preconstruction and construction processes. At the project level, his focus is on construction exchanges and change management using building information modeling. At the community level, he investigates sustainable energy and building connectivity for smart cities. He is co-author of the book Sustainability in Engineering Design and Construction (2016, CRC Press) and is the co-editor-in-chief of Automation in Construction (Elsevier). At Georgia Tech, he designed and taught new courses in safety and health leadership culture, capstone projects and zero-energy housing. Castro-Lacouture serves on the board of directors of the International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction, and the International Green Builder Certification Board.

Before his studies at Purdue, Castro-Lacouture received a BSc in civil engineering from Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia, and an MSc in construction management from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Earlier in his career, he spent four years in industry as a project engineer.

As dean of Purdue Polytechnic Institute, he will report to Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity, and will be responsible for working with college faculty, staff and students to lead the development and implementation of an aggressive and ambitious strategic plan, building on the well-deserved reputation the college has earned for leading-edge innovation and excellence in all mission areas.

I look forward to welcoming Dr. Castro-Lacouture back to campus, Akridge said. His leadership experience at Georgia Tech, his disciplinary background in construction management, his academic preparation in our College of Engineering, and his vision and passion for the role are a terrific fit for the dynamic, creative Polytechnic Institute.

I want to add my deepest thanks to Interim Dean Carrie Berger, who has done an outstanding job moving the college forward during this time of transition. Berger will continue to serve in her role until May 31.

Akridge also acknowledged the efforts of the search advisory committee. Id also like to thank the search committee, with a special thanks to committee chair Karen Plaut, dean of the College of Agriculture, he said. The finalists for this position were all outstanding and the committee did great work throughout the recruiting and review process.

Members of the search advisory committee were:
After serving 30 years in the Army, veteran Bo Balcavage and his wife Kim needed a change. The couple moved across the globe for the military, living in 19 different houses in the process.

When it was time for Bo to retire, the pair wanted to pick a special place for their permanent home. They had no idea then that they'd end up sharing it with total strangers.

The Balcavages are Airbnb hosts; they make a business of renting out the bottom level of their house to short-term guests. It all started when the Pennsylvania natives moved to Cape Porpoise, Maine, and saw an opportunity to build a bottom-level suite for family visits and potential short-term guests.

Even then, they couldn't have expected the demand. The couple officially opened an Airbnb listing in June 2020, and they were quickly booked solid for the next six months. Kim estimates they've made about $40,000 from their side gig as hosts since then. They charge guests $175 per night and will soon be increasing their rates.

"I've always wanted to have bed and breakfast, but I'm not a morning person," said Kim Balcavage, who also runs a leadership development company with her husband. "When we retired, this was not on my radar, but in the back of my mind hosting people was always something I wanted to do, and I wanted to continue to meet new people."

Meanwhile, Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Gibson and his wife and Alina also decided to give short-term rental hosting a try in the summer of 2020. The Louisiana-based couple purchased a condo on the beach near Pensacola, Florida, as a second home and crash pad for family and friends, but it often sat empty.

When the family listed the space on short-term vacation rental platforms, they were blown away by how quickly it filled up.

"Within hours, we were getting bookings, for hundreds of dollars a day even," Matthew Gibson said. The two enjoyed the hosting experience so much that they decided to make a retirement plan out of the venture. They already owned a long-term rental and found the vacation house was earning four times as much money with short-term guests. They purchased four more units in the beach town ahead of Matthew's terminal leave this June.

"That was a turning point for what we were going to do," said Matthew Gibson. "I was looking at government jobs, and now I'm going to go live on the beach. This is so much more hands-on, and I get to play a bigger part in my future versus a 9 to 5 job."

According to Airbnb, many military families are choosing similar paths. The service reported that 10% of hosts are active or retired military and collectively earned $40 million on the platform from January through September 2021.

However, the two host families caution that running a short-term rental isn't the right fit for all military families, and people should do their research before jumping in. Hosting usually requires a sizable investment upfront and entails a lot of work to keep visitors happy. Hosts need to do extensive research on ever-changing local and state short-term rental rules to ensure they're following the law. Units need to be fully furnished and styled, cleaned after every visitor and expertly marketed to remain competitive with the other rentals in the area.

"I think all the years of traveling while we were in the Army certainly taught me what I like about staying in certain places and what I don't like about staying at certain places," said Kim Balcavage. "I did a lot of research, which is one thing I recommend if people want to start their own. Research what other people are offering, read the reviews and see what people like about them, then do it better."

Both couples pressed that hosting is not passive income, and the host or management company needs to be nearby to respond to issues or requests. They believe it would be difficult for an active-duty service member to successfully manage a rental from a distance or on a deployment without a strong local team, which can be hard to find during the current labor shortage.

"I tell my family if you see me on my phone, I'm answering somebody's questions about where the ice is or something like that," added Alina Gibson, who is now an Airbnb Ambassador. "It's very hands-on for sure, and it takes a lot of upkeep. We've kept 120-plus families happy, and that's not easy to do."

Airbnb wants more retired and active-duty members to become hosts and has even formed partnerships with veteran career recruiting organizations Boots2Roots and Live and Work in Maine The platform has pledged to award up to $15,000 in free Airbnb stays for military families that are job or house hunting in the state.

"A lot of folks coming out of the military, even though they may not be experienced in business, are entrepreneurial and like to be self-sufficient," said Bill Benson, retired Army Colonel and executive director of Boots2Roots. "Hosting a rental is a chance to use something that you live in, in a beautiful place, to maintain the lifestyle you want. I think the opportunity is something that would be very appealing to folks coming out of the military."

Learn more about Airbnb's partnership with Boots2Roots and Live and Work in Maine.

-- Read the original article on MilitaryFamilies.com.

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Launch seminar for Global Intellectual Property Protection & New Constitutionalism (Oxford University Press, 2021), eds Jonathan Griffiths and Tuomas Mylly. Available for open access here.

16th February 2022, 1700-1830 GMT (1800-1930 CET / 0900-1030 Pacific / 1200-1330 EST)

Panellists

Professor Tuomas Mylly, University of Turku & Professor Jonathan Griffiths, Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (introduction by the editors)

Professor Graeme Dinwoodie, Global Professor of Intellectual Property Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law (commentator)

Professor Uma Suthersanen, Professor of Global Intellectual Property Law, Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (commentator)

The constitutionalization of intellectual property law is often framed as a benign and progressive integration of intellectual property with fundamental rights. Yet this is not a full or even an adequate picture of the ongoing constitutionalization processes affecting IP. Global Intellectual Property Protection & New Constitutionalism, written by international experts and covering a range of different areas of intellectual property law, takes a broader approach to the process. Drawing on constitutional theory, and particularly on ideas of new constitutionalism, the chapters engage with the complex array of contemporary legal constraints on intellectual property law-making. Such constraints arising in international intellectual property law, human rights law (including human rights protection for right-holders), investment treaties, and forms of private ordering.

This collection aims to illuminate the complex role of this "constitutional" framework, by analysing the overlaps, complementarities, and conflicts between such forms of protection and seeking to establish the effects that this assemblage of global and regional norms has on legal reform projects and interpretations of IP law. Some chapters take a broad theoretical perspective on these processes. Others focus on specific situations in which the relationship between intellectual property law and broader "constitutional" norms is significant. These contexts range from Art 17 of the EU's Digital Single Market Directive, to the implementation of harmonized trade secrets protection, from the role of Canada's Charter of Rights to the impact of the social model of property in Brazil.
The international climate alarmist industry comprises a number of special interests. There are the activists, fundamentally anti-human and deeply disingenuous, demanding that billions of the global poor suffer and die in order that the planet be saved. There are the experts in pursuit of bigger budgets and research grants. There are the editors of the peer-reviewed journals, transforming science into a propaganda exercise. There are the bureaucrats massively expanding their budgets and powers, the politicians seeking to transfer ever more wealth, and the journalists desperate to produce clickbait even as they remain invincible in their ignorance.

There are the official environmental groups whose business model is the use of political, regulatory, and judicial processes to steal other peoples property. There are the foundation officials writing checks in hot pursuit of invitations to the right cocktail parties. There are the Hollywood airheads addicted to thunderous applause on the red carpets. Dont forget the corporate gasbags myopic, ignorant, incapable of ideological battle, and so naive as actually to believe that they can placate the environmental Left. There are the international organizations striving toward utopia through ever-greater coercion. And  of course  there are the innumerable useful idiots engaged in virtue-signaling.

Yes, it is a diverse group indeed, but its members share two habits. The first is a common (but not universal) reluctance to confront the evidence on the nonexistent climate problem emergency crisis catastrophe apocalypse. Many scientists and policy scholars have discussed the fundamental inconsistency between the mainstream climate existential threat narrative and the actual evidence on climate phenomena. Even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in its 5th (page 12-78) and 6th (page 12-115) assessment reports, is deeply dubious about the various severe effects  the horror stories  often asserted to be looming as impacts of anthropogenic (man-made) warming, particularly over the course of this century, the maximum time horizon that plausibly can be described as foreseeable.

The second is the purported limit on warming asserted to be necessary for global safety, a parameter that has been driven almost wholly by the political needs of the climate industry, and virtually not at all by science. Put aside the fact that the official safety limit shunts aside the distinction between natural and anthropogenic temperature trends; the climate industry simply asserts that all warming is anthropogenic. That is why it has not attempted to explain  for example  the sharp warming that occurred from 1910 to 1945, which could not have been caused by increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG), principally carbon dioxide, which changed only from about 300 ppm to 310 ppm over that period. It is clear that some of the recent warming is anthropogenic, some is natural, and no one knows the respective magnitudes.

Recall from 2009 the official safe limit on warming: 2C above pre-industrial levels, as decreed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at the 15th Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen. That limit was repeated endlessly by all of the usual suspects; and the pre-industrial base period has been defined, reasonably, as the 18501900 time frame, that is, the decades immediately following the end of the little ice age. Can it surprise anyone that some warming would follow that period?

Unfortunately for the climate alarmists, the satellite temperature data are not cooperating with the science. On average the climate models underlying the most recent (6th) IPCC assessment report predict 0.4C of warming per decade for the period 19792019, and 0.5C of warming per decade for 20192050, or, crudely, about 45C of warming over the course of a century. The actual warming record as measured by the satellites for 19792019: 0.16C per decade, or about 1.6C per century. (The weather balloon measurements are virtually identical.)

Accordingly, the actual data have created a massive problem for the climate industry: They suggest strongly that the 2C safety limit will be achieved without any climate change/GHG policies at all. Unless the satellite data can be shown to be wrong  a task essentially impossible  the only option available to rescue the climate industry and its massive funding, perquisites, and powers is a change to the asserted safety limit.

Which is precisely what the climate industry has done. As of 2015, the safety limit now is 1.5C, as the UNFCCC made clear:

The universal agreements main aim is to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The 1.5 degree Celsius limit is a significantly safer defense line against the worst impacts of a changing climate.

Yes, the IPCC, in a deeply dubious study, has moved the goalposts. The supreme silliness of that report is illustrated by its assertion (page 18) that as of 2018, pathways that limit global warming to 1.5C  show clear emission reductions by 2030. In other words, we  the developed and the less-developed economies  had better get moving on serious reductions in GHG emissions over the next eight years, and this time we mean it. Note that for 19902019, annual global GHG emissions (Table B.1) grew by over 58 percent, and almost 13 percent for 20102019.

Let us consider now the latest satellite temperature data through December 2021: Since 1979, the average increase (anomaly) in the land/ocean temperature trend has been 0.14C per decade, or about 1.4C over the course of a century. Accordingly, the latest data remain inconsistent with the average of the climate models, and in particular continue to suggest that over the course of this century even the new, lower safety limit on global temperature increases might be achieved if there occurs a substantial cooling period, a phenomenon that is very far from implausible.

Consider this statement from the IPCC itself in the Summary for Policymakers for the 6th Assessment Report:

A.1.3 The likely range of total human-caused global surface temperature increase from 18501900 to 20102019 is 0.8C to 1.3C, with a best estimate of 1.07C. It is likely that well-mixed GHGs contributed a warming of 1.0C to 2.0C, other human drivers (principally aerosols) contributed a cooling of 0.0C to 0.8C, natural drivers changed global surface temperature by 0.1C to +0.1C, and internal variability changed it by 0.2C to +0.2C. (Footnotes omitted)

The IPCC here is playing a shell game: Of the total global temperature increase since 1850 of about 1.1C, it is not plausible that anthropogenic effects would have been observed before 1960 (or even later), when carbon dioxide concentrations reached about 317 ppm. (Carbon dioxide concentrations were about 284 ppm in 1850.) At 0.14C per decade, temperatures over the 19602100 period will have increased by about 2C, again without any GHG policies at all.

So the IPCC somehow must justify the new safe limit of 1.5C. Its estimate quoted above is that GHGs have contributed between 1C and 2C of warming since the end of the little ice age, even apart from the cooling effects of other emissions. As those other emissions  principally aerosols  are phased down as a result of policies on fossil fuels and other emissions, the attendant cooling effects will diminish. So even with an immediate net-zero emissions policy implemented globally, the 1.5C limit already has been reached, and any additional warming over the course of this century means that it will be exceeded.

But even this blatant effort to create an ex post science rationale for a political number  the 1.5C limit  is not quite sufficient. Temperatures have increased about 1.1C since the end of the little ice age through about 2020. At 0.14C per decade, temperatures will have increased only slightly more than 2C by 2100 with no policy interventions. Hence the need for the lower safety limit of 1.5C, but that will be reached by 2050 under current trends. But what if there occurs again a cooling period more pronounced than that over 1945-1970, perhaps as a result of diminished solar activity or increasing aerosol emissions from Asia or some other cause understood only poorly?

And so the climate alarmists cannot rest: They cannot risk an outcome in which even the new safety limit might be achieved without (forced) reductions in international GHG emissions. Because they obviously cannot wait until there is a cooling period, it is wholly reasonable to hypothesize that the safety limit will be reduced yet again. How this will be justified politically is far from clear  first the 2C and then the 1.5C safety limits received enormous publicity  and deep public skepticism about yet another movement of the goalposts would be a certainty. And so the justifications  the horror stories, the imminent arrival of the apocalypse, the mass die-offs purportedly already in process, the need for immediate capitulation to the demands of the climate industry, the denunciations of dissenters, etc.  will increase exponentially in decibel level, shrillness, and utter irrationality.

The admonitions and hysteria already are becoming ever louder. This reality is illustrated by the recent decision by Google to demonetize the most important science website reporting the monthly satellite temperature data  no, I am not kidding  because of unreliable and harmful claims. That is the Google characterization of two scientists  John R. Christy and Roy W. Spencer  and a website that has simply reported the satellite temperature record since 1979! In short, Google now is censoring the actual science in an effort to prop up the climate industry.

In its own way this process will be supremely amusing. But what else can the climate industry do to save the planet, and its own interests, and not necessarily in that order?

Benjamin Zycher is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
With stable and high demand for specialty rice from Asia, the European Union (EU) remains a highly potential market for rice exporters of Vietnam, the Dau tu (Vietnam Investment Review) reported.

In 2021, Vietnam shipped about 60,000 tonnes of rice worth 41 million USD to the EU, rising nearly 1 percent in volume and over 20 percent in value from the previous year. That included some 40,000 tonnes of fragrant rice worth almost 30 million USD, up over 9 percent in volume and nearly 30 percent in value.

The EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), coming into force on August 1, 2020, has helped raise prices of the Vietnamese grain by 10 - 20 USD per tonne, partly making up for the modest increase in volume due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the EU statistical office Eurostat, among the 10 largest rice suppliers for the bloc, rice from Vietnam saw the strongest price growth, 20.3 percent, to an average of 781 USD per tonne.

The Foreign Trade Agency under Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade attributed those outcomes to businesses capitalisation of advantages created by the EVFTA. Besides, they are also stepping up the production of high-quality rice such as fragrant, long-grain, and specialty varieties to enter demanding markets.

For example, fragrant rice accounted for 70 percent of the countrys total rice exports to the EU, compared to 64 percent in the previous year.





Workers prepare rice for transportation (Photo: VNA)

With 27 member states, a population of about 516 million, and annual per capita GDP of over 35,000 USD, the EU has great demand for imported goods, especially agricultural products (more than 160 billion USD each year), from around the world.

To Vietnam, the EU is its third largest importer of agricultural products, about 5.5 billion USD per year. However, farm produce from the Southeast Asian nation has made up just 4 percent of the blocs imports of these commodities. In particular, Vietnamese rice only has a market share of merely over 1 percent.

The Vietnam Food Association predicted rice exports to the EU will continue growing well in 2022. Notably, the improved quality of fragrant rice has met European consumers demand.

The optimisation of the EVFTA to export rice at zero-percent tariffs is being promoted by the enterprises with large material production zones such as Loc Troi, Tan Long, and Trung An.

Pham Thai Binh, General Director of the Trung An Hi-Tech Farming JSC, said the EVFTA is bringing about greater opportunities for agricultural products of Vietnam, including rice. The firm has made use of the agreement to sell thousands of tonnes of rice to such markets as Switzerland, France, and Germany.

Meanwhile, Loc Troi was the first to export 126 tonnes of fragrant rice to the EU under the EVFTA, in September 2020. It is currently accounting for nearly 70 percent of Vietnams rice exports to this bloc./.

VNA
Britney Spears has responded to her sister Jamie Lynn Spears' recent interview on Good Morning America, which touched on Britney Spears' conservatorship, their relationship and more.

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Britney Spears , in a lengthy post on Twitter Thursday, said she watched the interview while she had a 104 degree fever.

"I watched it with a 104 degree fever lol and it was actually kind of nice having a fever so high cause I had to surrender to not caring. I just couldn't give a [expletive] but my head hurt so bad," Britney Spears said.

"The 2 things that did bother me that my sister said was how my behavior was out of control. She was never around me much 15 years ago at that time... so why are they even talking about that unless she wants to sell a book at my expense," she continued.

Britney Spears brought up a tribute performance Jamie Lynn Spears did for her at the 2017 Radio Disney Awards that was also discussed on GMA. Britney Spears has said in the past that she was hurt by the performance, which included remixes of her songs.

"I know it may sound like a silly thing to most people but I wrote a lot of my songs and my sister was the baby. She never had to work for anything. Everything was always given to her!!! If you were me, you might understand asking for 13 years for remixes to go into a small venue show and on tours !!!" Britney Spears said.

"Britney sitting there seeing a 15 minute performance of everything I have ever wanted.... But see, I always was the bigger person. They all got to DO IT and PLAY ME and I always sat there and took it. But see, now it's a joke ... the last thing I would ever do is ask for what was just given to her !!! So yes, they did ruin my dreams," she continued, before noting that when she asked Jamie Lynn Spears why she did the performance, that her sister responded that it wasn't her idea.

Britney Spears concluded by stating that she would be taking a break from Instagram and mentioned how her fever went down to 101 degrees.

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"My family ruined my dreams 100 billion percent and try to make me look like the crazy one... my family loves to pull me down and hurt me always so I am disgusted with them," she said.

Jamie Lynn Spears then responded to Britney Spears' post on Twitter with her own message on Instagram.

"I just wish her well. Brit, I am always here, you know behind the scenes I have always been here. It's become exhausting when conversations and texts we have in private don't match what you post on social media. I know you're going through a lot and I never want to diminish that, but I also can't diminish myself," Jamie Lynn Spears said.

"Quite frankly, the things being said are absolutely not the truth, and I have to clarify that, because now it's getting harder for me to rationalize to my oldest daughter why our family continues to get death threats, as a result of their aunt's vague and accusatory posts, especially when we know she could tell the truth, and put an end to all of it in one second if she wanted to," Jamie Lynn Spears continued.

Jamie Lynn Spears went on to say that she will have to set the record straight herself in order to protect her family's well being and defended releasing her upcoming memoir, Things I Should Have Said.

"There are no sides, and I don't want drama, but I'm speaking my truth to heal my traumas, so I can close this chapter and move forward, and I wish my sister could do the same. No matter what comes, I will always love my big sister, and be here for her. It's time to put an end to the unhealthy chaos that has controlled my life for so long," she concluded.
Westworld and The Batman actor Jeffrey Wright has signed on to narrate Lincoln's Dilemma, a docu-series about the 16th President of the United States, for Apple TV+

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The four-part adaptation of David S. Reynolds' book, Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times, is set to premiere on the streaming service on Feb. 18.

It will feature the voices of The Queen's Gambit actor Bill Camp as Abraham Lincoln and Hamilton alum Leslie Odom Jr. as Frederick Douglass.

"The series features insights from a diverse range of journalists, educators and Lincoln scholars, as well as rare archival materials, that offer a more nuanced look into the man dubbed the Great Emancipator," a press release said.

"Set against the background of the Civil War, Lincoln's Dilemma also gives voice to the narratives of enslaved people, shaping a more complete view of an America divided over issues including economy, race and humanity, and underscoring Lincoln's battle to save the country, no matter the cost."
Kyliegh Curran says her character Harper solves some of her own family mysteries in Season 2 of Disney's Louisiana-set, time-travel and haunted-hotel series, Secrets of Sulphur Springs.

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"Harper's journey is a lot of back and forthing through time and a lot of digging her family roots out," Curran told UPI in a recent Zoom interview.

"It's kind of unknown, her backstory, because of her father [who died when she was little.] Going back in time, she figures out what happened to her family and the Tremont and the actual haunting of it. That ends up fixing a lot of broken bonds."

The show begins with middle-school student Griffin (Preston Oliver) moving with his family into the dilapidated Tremont Hotel, which happens to have a resident ghost and a secret portal to the past in the basement.

Harper, who is obsessed with the history of the building, befriends Griffin and together they explore the inn, find the portal and travel to 1990 where they meet their own parents as kids, as well as Savannah (Elle Graham,) a missing girl whom their town believes is dead. By the end of Season 1, Griffin and Harper realize Savannah is very much alive; she just relocated to the 1960s.

Season 2 follows Griffin and Harper as they travel to 1930 where Harper meets her great-grandmother after Savannah finds old photos of Harper's family.

Although time-travel is loads of fun for the characters, Curran said it is also dangerous since there is the chance they could get trapped forever in the wrong decade and never see their loved ones again.

"There's the issue of maybe changing the timeline and preventing some huge event or even your own birth," Curran said. "There are also the rules of the era and being a person of color and dealing with all that jazz, so there are a lot of risks for Harper and Griffin traveling back in time. They are always on their toes."

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In Season 1, Harper unsuccessfully goes back in time and tries to prevent her father's death in a car accident. She also sees what a mean girl her mother was when she was younger. Both experiences shape who she becomes going forward.

"She never really got to be with her dad that long, so I think it was good that she got to know her dad even more and got to see him again and figure out more about his family, so she is more connected to him," Curran said.

"But also if I found out [in real life] my mom was a hardcore bully in the 1980s, I would have cried," Curran joked. "It makes her feel closer to her, in a way. Finding out how your parents were at your age is a big connecting thing."

Friendship is also a major theme in the show, with Griffin, Harper and Savannah going to extraordinary lengths to protect one another.

"They are solving all the mysteries together and they don't move on without each other," Oliver said. "This season, Harper gets stuck in a whole other time and Griffin is trying his very hardest to get her back. He freaks out. He stands up for her. He will do anything to get her back."

"Season 1, they all are left terrified and pretty confused, and, in Season 2, they are getting through that confusion and figuring out things," Graham added.

"Savannah finds a way to communicate and keep friendship with others she's not in the same time era with at all. She finds ways to help them out when she is in the 1960s while they are in the 1930s and 2000s, and she makes new friends along the way, as well."

Showrunner Charles Pratt Jr. and creator/executive producer Tracey Thomson said the series is intended to be a mystery/thriller -- with hints of Back to the Future and Goonies -- that parents and children can enjoy together.

"It's a family show, not a kids' show and that wasn't really Disney Channel's thing. We had to do a little persuading," Pratt Jr. said.

"We were not going to make these typical Disney parents. We wanted to give them full-rounded lives and they became very interesting, especially since we were seeing their kid selves in the past. That gave us a key and a window to explore."

"The biggest compliment anyone can give us is that adults enjoy the show," Thomson said.

"When we wrote it, [network executives] were saying, 'Are the kids going to be interested in the parents' storylines?' And, as Chuck said, when they are meeting their parents in the past, yes, they will be and you tie everything to a mystery and it makes them want to watch."

The team also didn't want to shy away from showing the risks a contemporary Black girl would be taking by visiting a time when customs, laws and some people were hostile to people of color.

"It was important to all of us to let Harper tell the story to inform kids about the difference between time periods as to what life was like back then and have Griffin face the realities along with Harper," Thomson said.

"It's more obvious to Harper. Where she knows what she is going to encounter when she goes back, Griffin almost doesn't seem to realize that is going to be so much in their faces. For all of us, it was important to not ignore that aspect of history and sugarcoat it in any way."

Co-starring Kelly Frye, Diandra Lyle and Josh Braaten, Season 2 of Secrets of Sulphur Springs debuts with two back-to-back episodes on the Disney Channel Friday. The entire second season will be available on Disney+ next Wednesday.
Rebel Wilson will host the 2022 EE British Academy Film Awards this spring.

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The British Academy of Film and Television Arts confirmed in a tweet Friday that Wilson, 41, will host the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony March 13 in London.

The event will take place at Royal Albert Hall and broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer. Guests are expected to attend in person.

"We can't wait for Rebel to bring her trademark humour and unique charisma to the ceremony on Sunday 13 March," the post reads. "You won't want to miss it!"

Wilson attended the 2020 ceremony, where she presented the award for Best Director.

Wilson takes over as host from Edith Bowman and Dermot O'Leary, who hosted the 2021 semi-virtual ceremony.

"I am very honored to be hosting the EE British Academy Film Awards in March, where Covid will no longer exist because it will clearly have been canceled by then. It's going to be so much fun!" Wilson said in a statement. "I don't wanna put any pressure on this -- I know I'm not going to be funny because I am no longer fat. And besides, I'm not going to 'sweat-it' with nerves because I have a peculiar medical condition where I can't sweat... or cause offense to people because of my adorable Australian accent. So basically I'll just be there to hang out with Dame Judi Dench and together we'll both try and bond with Daniel Craig. And yes, I do mean 'bond.'"

"This show will be an anniversary celebration of some important British film franchises such as Harry Potter and not such as Cats. Everybody's going to love it, I'm sure! See you guys in March," she added.

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This year's BAFTA nominations will be announced Feb. 3.

Wilson is known for playing Patricia "Fat Amy" Hobart in the Pitch Perfect film series and has since starred in Isn't It Romantic, The Hustle and Cats.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/13/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

eliminated Arun Kumar and Natalia Kumar in Scotland right before production on Season 33 shut down in February 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic during Wednesday night's episode on CBS.The "Father and Daughter" team were ousted from the Race at the end of the third leg once they arrived at the Pit Stop in Glasgow, Scotland and met host Phil Keoghan in tenth -- and last -- place."Dad, you did amazing!" Natalia shouted with happiness despite losing the leg."I am so happy that I did this, and she is getting married soon and this is the best experience any father could have hoped for," Arun shared.'s two-episode event that aired last week featured back-to-back legs in London, England."Singing Police Officers" Michael Norwood and Armonde "Moe" Badger got eliminated in Leg 1, and then the second leg turned out to be a non-elimination leg.The remaining ten teams were told to keep racing and travel north by train for more than 400 miles to Glasgow, Scotland.Teams found their next clue on the windshield of one of many cars awaiting them.Before Arun and Natalia boarded the train, Arun said he wanted to do this race with his daughter because they had watched the show all their lives and Natalia was about to get married in June 2020.But "Dating Couple" Caro Viehweg and Ray Gantt were learning more and more about each other every day."Being in a new relationship, you don't know much about the person. I've never seen him in a stressful situation, but hey, that's what we signed up for!"All of the teams hopped on the same train to Scotland, and "YouTube Sensations" Taylor Green-Jones and Isaiah Green-Jones ripped open their clue in first place.Taylor and Isaiah were followed by "Married Couple" Connie Greiner and Sam Greiner in second place, "Internet Personalities" Kim Holderness and Penn Holderness in third place, and then "Childhood Friends" Anthony Sadler and Spencer Stone in fourth place."Best Friends" Ryan Ferguson and Dusty Harris were racing in fifth.The teams learned they must drive themselves across Scotland's largest city to Glasgow's west end and find Oran Mor, a beautiful stone church, where they'd pick up their next clue.Ray had just learned to drive a stickshift a couple of weeks before going on the Race, so he had some trouble starting his car.Kim and Penn made it to the church in first place and discovered one member of each team had to complete a Roadblock task, which teased, "Who thinks they have this one in the bag?"Kim opted to do the task, which required the participating Racers to join a Scottish bagpipe band by assembling a bagpipe using a bag, a bag cover, a mouthpiece, pipes and more.Once assembled, the Racers had to play a note for the length of a traditional Scottish anthem, and then, once done successfully, the pipe major would hand a team its next clue.Anthony and Spencer found their clue in second place, followed by Ryan and Dusty.Spencer and Dusty chose to do the Roadblock task.Meanwhile, Arun went down the wrong route on the highway once it split despite his daughter's correct direction instructions.Kim finished the Roadblock in first place, and her team ripped open their next clue in first place, which sent them to the Walter MacFarlane-built Saracen Fountain in Alexandra Park Dusty wrapped up the task in second place, and Spencer wasn't far behind him.But "Married Educators" Akbar Cook Sr. and Sheridan Cook appeared to get stuck in stop-and-go traffic, which was hard for Akbar, a new driver.As for Caro and Ray, they bickered as Ray drove the car to the church. His car "bottomed out," which made Caro whimper in the backseat. And Ray snapped at his girlfriend saying she should get a license and drive or not stress him out so much."Twins and Radio Hosts" Marianela "Lulu" Gonzalez and Marissa "Lala" Gonzalez arrived at the church in fourth place, and Lala decided to take on the task.Arun and Natalia made it to the Roadblock in fifth place, and Natalia opted to do the task."Flight Attendants" Raquel Moore and Cayla Platt got to the church next.Taylor and Isaiah eventually arrived to the task in ninth place, and Akbar and Sheri arrived at the church in tenth -- and last -- place.The res of the Racers who attempted the Roadblock task were Sam, Raquel, Caro, Isaiah, and Akbar.Arun and Natalia completed the Roadblock in fifth place and then spent about five minutes helping another team, which they later regretted.Arun and Natalia were then followed by Lulu and Lala in sixth place, Connie and Sam, Raquel and Cayla in seventh place, Caro and Ryan in eighth place, Akbar and Sheri in ninth place and Taylor and Isaiah in tenth place.Isaiah didn't realize he needed to "dress" his bagpipe by putting a satin cover on it.Meanwhile, Kim and Penn made it to the fountain in first place and learned they must complete one of two possible Detour tasks: "Kilt" or "Rebuilt.""Kilt" required teams to put on a show of their own. Wearing full Scottish attire, including a kilt, the team members must sing and perform a famous song. A note-perfect performance would result in the team receiving their next clue."Rebuilt" required the teams to repair two whiskey barrels by hammering their heads and replacing their tops. Once the barrels were ready to roll, they'd receive their next clue.Kim and Penn chose to sing and dance since they make goofy family videos for a living.Anthony and Spencer got to the Detour next, and they were then followed by Ryan and Dusty. Both teams chose to do the whiskey barrels.Raquel and Cayla, racing in fourth place, chose "Rebuilt as well as Connie and Sam in fifth place.Sixth-place Racers Caro and Ray agreed to repair a whiskey barrel, and Lulu and Lala in seventh place opted to perform a song.Arun and Natalia, in eighth place at this point in the leg, chose to take on "Rebuilt." However, Natalia seemed to quickly regret that decision once she realized how physical and challenging the task turned out to be."I don't think we're going to get this," Natalia told her dad."I won't be able to memorize the song," Arun responded.After working hard for a while, Natalia convinced her dad to switch tasks since her strengths are dancing and singing. She said she was not going to lose hope just yet.Taylor and Isaiah received their Detour clue in ninth place and chose "Kilt" because they had a dancing-wedding video go viral and also like to sing, and then Akbar and Sheri raced to the "Kilt" task in last place.Kim and Penn finished the Detour in first place and were instructed to drive to the University of Glasgow, the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world, which would serve as the Pit Stop for the third leg of the Race.Ryan and Dusty raced to the Pit Stop in second place, with Anthony and Spencer on their heels in third.Connie and Sam completed the Detour in fourth place, and they were followed by Raquel and Cayla in fifth place and then Caro and Ray in sixth.Lulu and Lala raced to the university in seventh place, and then Taylor and Isaiah jumped ahead of Arun and Natalia by leaving the Detour in eighth place.Arun and Natalia were aware they were one of the last two teams still racing the leg, along with Akbar and Sheri. Arun struggled to memorize and recite the correct lyrics, and he became very frustrated."Come on, Dad, I believe in you!" Natalia said, cheering her father on in light of Arun's apparent racing weakness.Akbar and Sheri passed the father and daughter team in ninth place and were thrilled about not having to leave the Detour in last place.Arun cried about failing the challenge and letting his daughter down, but Natalia insisted he had done his very best and she's "so proud" to have him as a dad, which also made her cry."Dad, you didn't fail me!" Natalia said in an emotional moment.After the Scottish leg, Kim and Penn met host Phil Keoghan on the Pit Stop mat in first place.For winning the leg, Kim and Penn received a five-night trip for two to Cape Cod in Massachusetts.Ryan and Dusty completed the leg as Team No. 2, which made Anthony and Spencer Team No. 3.Connie and Sam met Phil at the Pit Stop in fourth place, and Caro and Ray finished the leg as the fifth-place team.Raquel and Cayla made it to the Pit Stop in sixth place, followed by Lulu and Lala in seventh place.Taylor and Isaiah ran to Phil in eighth place while Akbar and Sheri got a little lost and were looking for the Pit Stop.Despite losing their way, Akbar and Sheri stepped on the Pit Stop mat in ninth place, and the team was overjoyed to have survived another leg."This leg was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," Akbar confessed to the cameras. "And I've done some things!... How dare I get in front of everyone and give up? That never crossed my mind. We were going to get here rain, sleet or snow."And finally, Arun and Natalia hustled to the Pit Stop as the tenth -- and last -- place team, and Phil informed them, "You have been eliminated from the Race.""It sucks and it's disappointing," Arun noted. "We finished in the Top 3 yesterday and we could have done well."Natalia said spending this time with her father and experiencing three legs with him -- "and being competitive and goofy with him -- was "great.""We'll never forget this," Natalia gushed.Suddenly, a graphic flashed across the screen that read, "February 28, 2020."Phil gathered the teams together to announce, " has traveled over a million miles around the world and visited almost 100 countries. And from Day 1, our No. 1 priority has been to make sure that all of you are safe.""Right now, the world is dealing with the coronavirus, and in order to keep you safe, we believe the best choice for all of us is to suspend the Race. In an ideal world, the planets will align and we will pick this Race back up again."Phil added, "And hopefully have all of you starting the Race again. We understand the sacrifices all of you have made, and we know to have you all come back and start back on this race again would be challenging."The teams had very quickly bonded like a family, and while they appeared disappointed, everyone kept a smile on his or her face.Phil told the teams they could return home, regroup, and come back "better and faster" than they were in the beginning."You guys are one of a kind, and we want to see you go home safe to your families," Phil announced. "Thank you very much!"And a whopping 19 months later, picked back up in St. Gallen, Switzerland with most of the teams having returned, and Phil addressed the group and said the world had been waiting for them to resume racing.With that being said, the episode ended on a cliffhanger.
TRAVERSE CITY  Several northern Michigan breweries and restaurants closed at the beginning of the new year because several members of their staff tested positive for COVID-19.

At least three breweries and restaurants closed for several days and experienced five- to six-figure losses; others only closed for an afternoon. Some restaurants, despite having staff test positive, were able to stay open.

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

How widespread the positive tests were among staff determined owners decisions.

Three breweries and restaurants that closed for several days were Shorts Brewing Company in Bellaire and Rare Bird Brewpub and Firefly Kitchen and Bars in Traverse City.

All three owners, Scott Newman-Bale, CEO of Shorts, Tina Schuett, co-owner of Rare Bird and Trish Wiltse, president and co-owner of Firefly, said they experienced five- to six-figure losses from the nearly week-long closures.

While she said it came at the perfect time because it was naturally a slow time of year for them, Schuett said she estimates Rare Bird took a $15,000 hit due to their closure on the low end. She said Rare Bird usually does anywhere from $6,000 to $20,000 in sales, depending on how busy it is.

All three also said it was their first significant closure because of COVID-19 apart from the mandated closure of restaurants in March 2020.

Wiltse, who also owns Bubbas Restaurant and The Kitchen, had to close Bubbas for eight days in November, reopening the day after Thanksgiving.

During the January closures, Newman-Bale said he had 18 or 19 out of 180 employees test positive; Schuett said she had seven out of 30 staff test positive; and Wiltse said she had five to 10 or 11 staffers test positive out of about 100 employees across all three restaurants, using at-home rapid tests.

Newman-Bale said he got COVID-19 himself, after contracting it once already in early 2020, and that his wife also got sick, despite both of them getting vaccinated and boosted in November.

The upside was that Newman-Bale said he gave away food that would have otherwise gone bad to Spark in the Dark, a network of Facebook groups across Michigan which connects those giving away items with those who need them.

The Jan. 8 post garnered 22 comments and gave away several pounds of sliced sandwich turkey, sliced ham, and a lot of roasted mushrooms to 10 people in about two hours, Abagail Mckiernan, executive director at Spark in the Dark, said.

I think it was a huge asset to our community, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, she said, talking about how the group launched four new groups during the pandemic.

But, while all restaurants have been affected by the pandemic, not all experienced long closures.

I think more than being closed, places have had to restrict their hours, Scott Graham, executive director of the Michigan Brewing Guild, said.

Farm Club Owner Gary Jonas said one of their servers tested positive and said she wasnt coming in, and three to four other staff were already quarantined due to exposures, resulting in them closing early one day.

Matt Therrien, owner of Lake Ann Brewing Company, said they havent had to close but did have one employee test positive on Jan. 2 due to a Christmas party, as well as one staff-person test positive in September.

We havent been super COVID-concerned, he said, saying he believes his business has adapted to the pandemic rather than taken a hit.

Justine Therrien, Lake Ann Brewing bartender and Matts niece, said she was the employee that tested positive, after hanging out with four people at someones house, with two other people testing positive in that encounter.

I honestly didnt think I had it, she said, saying she was surprised she had made it this long without getting COVID-19.

Justine said after she tested positive with an at-home rapid test, she had one day of symptoms but still took eight to nine days off of work at Lake Ann Brewing to quarantine in her room, to avoid getting her roommates sick. She said they both took tests and tested negative.

She said she took a couple of hikes by herself but said quarantining was kind of boring but is now recovered and back to work.

Rick Schmitt, co-owner of Stormcloud Brewing in Frankfort, similarly said four employees tested positive out of 35 to 40 employees recently which wasnt sufficient enough for them to close.

They did close once during the summer of 2020 for a couple days after several college-aged staff went out on a boat together, resulting in one staffer testing positive.

I dont know if were doing it better than everyone else, he said.
Traverse City, MI (49684)

Today

Showers this morning, becoming a steady rain during the afternoon hours. High 47F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low 37F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
In accordance with COVID-19 protocols, the next two meets on the schedule for Georgia gymnastics have been postponed. The Bulldogs were set to be on the road against Kentucky on Jan. 14 and host Iowa on Jan. 17.
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast scheduled for Friday, Jan. 14 to be held at the University of Georgia has been switched from an in-person event to a virtual one with no reason given for the format change.
After a fire destroyed the Georgia Theatre in 2009, a documentary detailing the event and its aftermath was released in 2011, the same year the venue was reopened. Over a decade has passed since the documentary's release, and today, it serves a reminder of what the theater means to the Athens community.
The news desk has compiled a list of events going on throughout the upcoming week that are open to the public. The list features The sixth Annual Athens Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Music Festival, the Farm Burger Grand Opening, the University of Georgia gymnastics meet against Florida and the UGA swimming and diving meet against Tennessee.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy skies. High 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 47F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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Tim Wessel currently serves in his fifth year on the Brattleboro Select Board, after serving as both Chair and Vice-Chair. He writes occasionally on the convergence of politics and policy in Windham County. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Brattleboro Reformer.
Beckley, WV (25801)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
While the pandemic continues to surge in Connecticut schools, school staff have been pushed to the brink to keep students learning and schools operating.

State data on Thursday showed 2,467 school staff and 12,740 students reported COVID-19 infections over the last week  an overall increase since the first few days school buildings reopened.

The Department of Public Health also updated numbers from early last week, which revealed more infections than previously thought. The new data showed 2,767 staff and 9,826 students reported new cases through Jan. 5, a few days after school resumed post-winter break.

The high case counts and related low attendance have pushed school staff to the brink. Many report inadequate access to high-quality masks and COVID-19 test kits, despite the close proximity to students their jobs call for. Some have also missed paychecks when required to quarantine or fill in for absent teachers.

Were expressing a concern, said Cynthia Ross-Zweig, the paraeducator council president at CSEA SEIU Local 2001. This crisis is not over, and people need support.

In a recent survey of unionized employees, close to two-thirds of paras and more than half of support staff said they didnt have access to N95 masks and home testing kits when they returned to school.

Theyre dedicated to education, Ross-Zweig said of the staff. They just want to be afforded the protections to make sure they can do their jobs.

Kimberly DeBartolomeo was one of many paraeducators who had to quarantine this school year. First, she had to stay home from New Fairfield Middle School  then her children were exposed to the virus, and she had to miss work again to care for them.

Whereas last school year that time wouldve come from designated sick days for COVID-19, this year DeBartolomeo had to pull from her own supply of time off. And if she runs out of days before June, shed be forced to forego payment.

The practice in not uncommon  58 percent of paras have to use sick time when the district requires them to quarantine, according to the coalition survey.

Some of the paras, including myself, rely on this money, she said. We need our paycheck, and we need to be at work... We dont want to expose anyone to getting ill, but a lot of us do rely on that income.

Just under a third of paras and a quarter of other support staff have experienced or expect to face a loss of income as a result of snow days and remote learning days, the survey found.

Over the past few weeks, DeBartolomeo has also had to step up when her colleagues were out with COVID-19 or to quarantine due to more frequent exposures.

Weve been asked to leave our para position for maybe a period, or two periods, or even the day to substitute as a teacher, DeBartolomeo said.

That can be difficult to juggle with the responsibilities already delineated in her job description.

I do my best and treat it as a double role, she said. I help them as the teacher and the para. I just do the best that I can in both roles, as I think any other teacher would.

These positions are usually among the educators most likely to have close contact with students. A paraprofessional in special education, for example, may work one-on-one with children, or a therapeutic support facilitator could be called in to physically help students with some disabilities.

These folks are the ones who are literally hands on, said Sherrie Weller, a Bridgeport Board of Education employee and president of AFSCME Local 1522, representing non-certified staff in local schools.

The majority of paraprofessionals, 84 percent, said they cant socially distance while supporting their students, unions found.

Some of those children cant or struggle to wear masks, educators have said. And as staff have been stretched too thin, theyve reported an inability to deliver special education. More than half said they have been unable to fully implement IEP and 504 plans due to the shortages  directly impacting students with disabilities.

We need to have a better system in place to protect everybody, Weller said.
NEW HAVEN  Old-timers in Fair Haven Heights and Fair Haven remember past nightmare closures of the ancient Grand Avenue Bridge that lasted years longer than they were supposed to and cost millions of dollars more than anyone imagined.

Not this time.

When the vintage 1898 swing bridge, which has been closed now for 18 months while its inner workings got a $28 million overhaul, reopens at 7 a.m. Jan. 18, it will be more like a pleasant dream: its reopening a couple of months early and a bit under budget.

This bridge connects neighborhoods, said Fair Haven Heights resident Ed Ozyck. I think people have missed that tremendously. Im really looking forward to the opening of it.

The bridge, which connects residents in Fair Haven to their neighbors in Fair Haven Heights, even got a makeover in the process, trading in its longtime basic black color scheme for a new shade of pale Oregon D.O.T. green  chosen by the community.

The city and other stakeholders are going to throw a neighborhood party from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday featuring a bridge walk and performances to celebrate its return.

I am super happy. I cant be more pleased that they finished on time, said Alder Rosa Ferraro Santana, D-13, who lives in and represents Fair Haven Heights.

So what happened?

It was a big, complicated job in the middle of a vastly unprecedented time for us, said City Engineer Giovanni Zinn, who gets much of the credit for it, although hes quick to share the credit with city Chief Structural Engineer Zachary Shapiro, contractor Mohawk Northeast and bridge designer Hardesty & Hanover.

Zinn credited careful planning with making things run as smoothly as they did.

The process began with a study in 2009 and 2010 to determine what the bridge needed, then we worked to try to get ahead of it with the idea to do the work in a planned fashion, as opposed to having something go wrong and then responding to it.

Theres always small issues that come up and that you have to deal with  I mean, were working with a bridge where there are parts that go back to the original bridge in 1898, Zinn said.

But this project went surprisingly smoothly.

Well have it open on the 18th at 7 in the morning, Zinn said. Were doing a bunch of testing right now.

The project budget included more than $24 million for construction and design, plus another $4 million for inspection. The new bridge has an expected life of at least 30 years.

I think one of the things that we tried to do ... was design a project that eliminated construction risk, Zinn said. We made a decision to fully replace the approach spans  which had been original from 1898.

They also changed the structure types on the bridge decks, which saved us about 100,000 pounds, replacing the old, steel decks with with exodermic decks on the center, he said. Its a composite deck  the lower half is all steel and the upper half is all concrete.

They replaced the approach spans with new, more modern ones that eliminate the bumps people used to drive over when crossing, and replaced all the electrical and mechanical components, everything that moves the bridge, Zinn said.

That included installing splash-proof motors, moving the components higher to accommodate future sea level rise, completely changing and modernizing the control system  it now gives operators error and feedback messages  and rebuilding and expanding the two sidewalks, widening the southern sidewalk into a promenade.

Finally, they installed new lighting and a special polymer overlay on the bridge deck to preserve the bridge going forward, Zinn said.

Im thrilled. Im just absolutely thrilled, Santana said. Every time a bridge is closed in this area we have to be concerned. ... In the past, it caused a chaos  thats what I was trying to avoid.

Even while the bridge has been closed, folks still could get around by taking Quinnipiac Avenue to Route 80 or the nearby Ferry Street bridge or Water Street into New Haven proper. But itll save so much time  its a matter of going down Grand Avenue to downtown. Its a straight shot for me.

They did a lot of outreach. Giovannis team was wonderful, Santana said. They kept the job going on time. There are some punch list items that will need to be done in the spring. But all in all, the city did a great job.

Not that everything has been perfect.

Its been a rough couple of years for some business owners that depend on people crossing the bridge, including the Grand Vin wine and spirits store and Ziggys Pizza on the Fair Haven Heights side and Grand Apizza on the Fair Haven side, among others.

I feel sorry for Grand Vin, located at 23 E. Grand Ave., Santana said. Hes been a trooper.

Grand Vins owner for the past 17 years, Ben Tortora, said its been tough.

I cant wait for the bridge to reopen, Tortora said. Its been a very trying two years. I knew it had to be done ... and I know it will be better because of it, but Ive been stranded here.

I had 12 clients  12 that I know of  that walked here every day from that side of the bridge, and those 12 clients spent $165 a day with me, Tortora said. So at the end of the week, I was down $1,000. So it affected me greatly. What hurt me the most was there was no help.

Also, during 18 months, every time it snows, they never plowed in front of my store, which for 18 months has been on a dead-end leading up to the bridge. I feel like a second-class citizen here, he said.

But my neighborhood customers are faithful and Im fortunate enough to have a fair amount of business from out of town, Tortora said. Those accounts kept him afloat, he said. If I didnt have my out-of-town clientele supporting me, I probably would have had to close my store.

Residents on both sides of the bridge cant wait to get the bridge back open.

Im totally thrilled, which I cant often say, said Ozyck. I look at it this way  fate smiled upon Fair Haven and Fair Haven Heights. ... All of a sudden, its like, We got it done early.

He praised Zinn and Shapiro for their efforts.

Zach Shapiro and Giovanni are just so good at communicating with the neighborhood, Ozyck said.

Lee Cruz, co-chairman of the Fair Haven Community Management Team, said that while nothing is perfect ... I think it was very nicely executed. City officials did a really nice job of keeping us informed. Originally, I think we were looking toward March or April, and here were are.

Fair Haven Heights resident Patricia Kane, who helped lead the ranked choice voting process that chose the new color for the bridge, said it appears theyve done a great job.

Unfortunately, its taken its toll on local business, Kane said. We were hoping the city would do more for them.

But overall, people here are excited that the bridge will be reopening, she said.

Kat Calhoun, chairwoman of the Quinnipiac East/Fair Haven Heights Community Management Team, said she has the reopening date on her calendar and personally, Im very excited about the reopening.

She would have preferred a blue bridge, but shes getting used to the green, she said.

I missed the bridge, Calhoun said. I look forward to it being open  and I think everyone I know looks forward to it reopening.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
TORRINGTON  The Northwest CT Community Foundation is awarding scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year. Scholarship applications are now available for the more than $150,000 available to area students. Scholarship guidelines, requirements and applications are available on the Community Foundation website.

Scholarship applications for the 2022-23 academic year must be submitted by April 1, 2022. The Northwest CT Community Foundation serves Litchfield County with a collection of more than 30 scholarship funds from local donors.
Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

TORRINGTON - The Arc of Litchfield County, also known as LARC, has been awarded a grant from the Eva M. Coty Fund, a fund of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, Inc., for a new generator at one of the agencys group homes, according to a statement.

The generator replaces an old model which stopped working last summer. An essential piece of equipment, the generator will allow the residents to remain in their home when there is a power outage in the area.
Dreamstime / TNS

The head of a Norwalk environmental consulting company has pleaded guilty to paying bribes to a maintenance official at Massachusetts colleges to obtain work contracts, federal prosecutors said.

Stephen Dinapoli, of Wilton, pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield, Mass., to one count of conspiracy and two counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts said. He is scheduled to appear for sentencing on April 20.
(The Center Square)  The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the Biden administration's vaccine mandate on private sector businesses, though it allowed a separate mandate to stand for certain health care workers.

The private sector ruling came on a 6-3 vote, with the court's three liberal justices all siding with the Biden administration's argument that the mandates are legal, and its majority conservative wing saying only Congress has the authority to give the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the power to implement such a widespread federal mandate.

"The question before us is not how to respond to the pandemic, but who holds the power to do so. The answer is clear: Under the law as it stands today, that power rests with the States and Congress, not OSHA," justices wrote in the majority opinion.

OSHA implemented the private sector mandate, which was set to affect 84 million workers across the country. If the Supreme Court upheld the mandate, businesses with 100 or more employees would have been required to check the vaccine status of all of their workers. Those who were not fully vaccinated would have faced weekly COVID-19 tests. Companies who violated the mandate faced stiff fines.

In December, the U.S. Senate voted to rescind Biden's vaccine mandate, with two Democrats joining all Republicans in the vote. The U.S. House has not taken a vote on the matter.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who led 27 states in their lawsuit against the Biden administration, celebrated the ruling.

Americans have lost too much to this disease already  all of us want this pandemic to end  but it is critical that we do not lose our Constitution, too, Yost said. Todays ruling protects our individual rights and states rights to pursue the solutions that work best for their citizens.

The court heard oral arguments Friday from administration attorneys and attorneys representing states and individuals challenging the constitutional authority of the president to issue such mandates.

Todays ruling represents a monumental victory for all Americans, and a reminder that the Biden Administration and the federal government cannot rule by executive fiat, said Patrick Hughes, president and co-founder of the Liberty Justice Center. The Supreme Court saw this mandate for what it really is: An attempt to bypass Congress and the will of the American people."

Liberty Justice Center and the New Orleans-based Pelican Institute for Public Policy filed suit against the Biden administration on behalf of Louisiana grocery store owner Brandon Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people across 16 grocery stores in Louisiana and Mississippi.

"The Supreme Court's decision to halt the illegal vaccine mandate is a win for American workers and business owners in every corner of the country," Sarah Harbison, general counsel at the Pelican Institute, said. "Business owners like Brandon Trosclair fought and beat the Biden Administration on behalf of their team members and communities to keep the government out of individuals' private health care decisions."

In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court upheld a Biden vaccine mandate for most health-care workers at providers that receive Medicaid and Medicare dollars.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the liberal wing in upholding the health-care mandate in a 5-4 decision.

This story is developing and will be updated.
Meanwhile, Indonesia urges Phnom Penh to stick to what was agreed at previous meetings.

Indonesia and Malaysia, two of ASEAN's founders, on Thursday criticized the Cambodian prime ministers controversial trip to crisis-ridden Myanmar last week, with Kuala Lumpurs top diplomat saying Hun Sen should have consulted other members of the bloc first.

An official at Indonesias foreign ministry, meanwhile, urged Cambodia to stick to what the 10-member regional bloc had agreed to in meetings, including a five-point consensus to put Myanmar on the path to democracy.

The public comments from the officials were the first by ASEAN member-states outside Cambodia and Myanmar after Huns Sens trip to Naypyidaw on Jan. 7-8.

Malaysia is of the opinion that [Hun Sen] has the right to visit Myanmar as head of government of Cambodia, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told reporters at a dinner in Kuala Lumpur, when asked about Hun Sens visit to Myanmar.

However, we also feel that because he has already assumed the chair of ASEAN, he could have probably consulted if not all, a few other ASEAN leaders and seek their views as what he should do if he were to go to Myanmar, Saifuddin added, referring to Cambodias role as the 2022 holder of the blocs rotating chairmanship.

The Southeast Asian bloc took a hard line against Myanmar late last year when it disinvited coup leader Min Aung Hlaing from its top meeting of the year, the ASEAN summit, because the senior general had reneged on the five-point consensus. Similarly, before that, an ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar canceled his trip there after he was told he could not meet all parties in the conflict, including democracy leaders such as Aung San Suu Kyi.

Hun Sen, though, upon assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN, promptly said that the junta should be represented at meetings. He then dashed off to Myanmar, met the junta leader and did not meet democracy leaders.

ASEAN members needed to work in concert to achieve progress in hammering out a solution to the situation in Myanmar, Abdul Kadir Jailani, director general for Asia, the Pacific and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday.

We hope that the Cambodian chairmanship can consistently implement what has been agreed [to] in previous ASEAN meetings  the implementation of the five-point consensus  and make efforts to achieve significant progress, he said.

Thats what we have to work on together.

Noeleen Heyzer, the United Nations special envoy on Myanmar, meanwhile stressed the same point in a conversation with Hun Sen on Thursday.

'No significant progress'

Indonesia, the largest and most populous nation in Southeast Asia, along with Malaysia, were among the five original members of ASEAN when it was born in 1967. The bloc has long operated on the principle of consensus in collective actions and policies.

The Indonesian and Malaysian officials made their comments a day after Cambodia canceled an in-person ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Siem Reap set for Jan. 18-19, citing travel difficulties for regional diplomats. But, according to analysts, the shelving happened likely because several of the blocs-member states had decided not to attend the meeting in protest of Hun Sens unilateralism on Myanmar.

Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore have previously backed shutting out the military regimes representatives from these gatherings for their failure to implement ASEANs consensus reached last April, two months after the Feb. 1 coup that toppled an elected Burmese government.

When asked which countries this time around had reservations about Hun Sens trip, Saifuddin declined to name names, but said there were some which said the Cambodian PM had the right to visit Myanmar.

There are people who think that he should not have taken the visit because his visit has been construed as some recognition to the military junta of Myanmar, Saifuddin said.

But there are also others who feel that, well, as the head of government of Cambodia, he has the liberty to visit Myanmar for what is seen as normal bilateral visit. President Jokowi called him before his visit and I am sure you have read the discussion between Hun Sen and Jokowi.

Saifuddin was referring to comments made on Twitter by Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo after a phone conversation with Hun Sen.

Should there be no significant progress on the implementation of 5PCs [five-point consensus], Myanmar should only be represented by non-political level at ASEAN meetings, Jokowi had said.

And when asked whether Hun Sens trip to Myanmar had achieved anything, Saifuddin replied no.

Regarding Cambodias postponement of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, Saifuddin said the Omicron situation and other diplomats prior commitments meant that not everyone could attend.

As for Indonesias Abdul Kadir, he said that Indonesia understood that the postponement was due to travel restrictions following the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

But at the same time, we must also admit that within ASEAN there are still many things that we need to iron out in order to come to a common stand on the issue of Myanmars representation, he said.

We know that there has been no significant progress ... so Indonesia is consistent with the previous decision taken by ASEAN that Myanmar should only be represented by non-political representatives.

Cambodia did not announce when the foreign ministers meeting would take place, and Indonesias Abdul Kadir also said he did not know either.

What we know is that the physical meeting will be postponed. As for a new date or whether it will be held virtually, we are still communicating, he said.

United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer (right, on television screen) speaks to Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia (left, on TV screen) at a virtual meeting, in Phnom Penh, Jan. 13, 2022. [Photo courtesy of Samdech Hun Sen, Cambodian Prime Minister via Facebook]

Cant be at a stalemate

Muhammad Arif, an international relations professor at the University of Indonesia, said any upcoming ASEAN meeting would be key to determining progress on Myanmar.

If in the next ASEAN meeting, Myanmar is represented in full official capacity and with full diplomatic credentials, it will clearly be a setback for Indonesia, which rejects the military junta in Myanmar, he told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.

Divisions within ASEAN will also only embolden the military rulers in Myanmar, he said.

He [Hun Sen] should speak in his capacity as chairman of ASEAN and his recommendations should be in line with the five-point consensus. The emphasis should be on seeking constructive dialogue involving all parties, Arif said.

For his part, Cambodias PM Hun Sen took to Facebook on Thursday to defend his meeting with Burmese junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

He said the meeting between him and the Burmese military leader was in line with the ASEAN constitution and the blocs five-point consensus.

Cambodias plan over the recent visit to Burma as the ASEAN chair is to seek solutions to end the violence, and [ensure a] ceasefire, which are in line with the five- point consensus. In addition, [the meeting aims] to provide humanitarian aid needed by Myanmar during this transition period, he wrote.

We cant be at a stalemate and we need to seek solutions to resolve this deadlock in order to find an opportunity for negotiation.

One regional analyst, Derek Grossman, said via Twitter on Thursday that he believes the divisions in ASEAN are stark.

Hun Sens recent Myanmar visit exposes deep ASEAN fissures. Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore are against legitimizing the junta. But Cambodia along with Laos, Vietnam and Thailand all likely think theres no other option, he said.

ASEAN is in trouble.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, with additional reporting by RFA's Khmer Service.
As more people cross into Thailand each day, medical supply shortages raise health concerns in the border camps.

A migrant girl looks on at a village near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot, Thailand, Jan. 7, 2022.

More than 20,000 people who fled fighting between the military and anti-junta forces in two townships in Myanmars Kayin state remain displaced as clashes continue in the area, residents and aid groups said Wednesday, creating a humanitarian crisis that is spilling across the border into neighboring Thailand.

Burmese Aid for Refugees spokesman Ye Min told RFAs Myanmar Service that the refugees originated from the townships of Myawaddy and Kawkareik, where for nearly a month government troops have battled a combined group of prodemocracy Peoples Defense Force militiamen and fighters with the Karen National Liberation Army  the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU) political group.

Currently, there are tens of thousands of people who have fled the fighting in Myawaddy township due to the intensity of the Lay Kay Kaw clashes [beginning on Dec. 15], he said.

There are thousands more in Kawkareik township and in Mutraw district in KNU [controlled] territory  the refugees have not yet been able to return home. We estimate this based on the location of the villages and the population. The number of refugees could be even more than 20,000.

Most refugees have fled to makeshift camps along the banks of the Thaung Yin (Moei) River and into neighboring Thailand, with more crossing the border every day. Those in Thailand told RFA that Thai authorities have allowed them to stay and accept relief items from donors. An estimated 4,700 refugees from Myanmar are sheltering in Thailand, according to the Thai government.

Aid workers told RFA on Thursday that the Thai government had sheltered more than 3,000 refugees from Myanmar at a cattle ranch and nearby buildings in Mae Sots Mae Kot Kin village in Tak province, due to the continued fighting across the border in and around Lay Kaw Kaw.

They said that during the third week of December, about 6,000 refugees from Myanmar fled across the border, after which some returned, and others resettled with friends and family in Thailand. A tiny fraction of the refugees was urgently resettled in third countries, as well.

Ye Min, of the Aid Alliance Committee relief organization, said the number of Myanmar refugees in Thailand fluctuates between 3,000 and 5,000 a day, as some are moving back to Myanmar or Thailand depending on fighting situations. He said some refugees were living in makeshift tents along the banks of the river on the Myanmar side of the border to monitor the intensity of the fighting.

There are about seven or eight groups with their own population of 100-200 on the Myanmar side of the river, he said.

If the situation gets worse, they can easily run to the other side and stay by the river. If the situation is better, they can go back to their villages. The sides are in proximity. The refugees live that way, tolerating the situation.

Refugees, who have fled a flare-up in fighting between the Myanmar army and insurgent groups and settled temporarily on the Moei River Bank, bathe in the river waters on the Thai-Myanmar border, in Mae Sot, Thailand, Jan. 7, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Clashes ongoing

Meanwhile, fighting continues in Kayin state, with residents and aid groups reporting heavy shelling on Wednesday morning in Ploo village near Lay Kay Kaw and a military airstrike in Kawkareik township earlier this week.

A refugee inside Thailand told RFA on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal, that most people who have tried to return home come back to the border amid the ongoing clashes.

[Pro-military Karen leaders] came to the refugee camps and tried to persuade people to return. They said people could return home, but even people who left the Thai side have come back, she said.

It is not safe to go back because fighting could erupt at any time.

She said the refugees are living on donor-supplied food and aid and are concerned about their long-term survival. Among those sheltering along the riverbank on the Myanmar side are the elderly, newborn babies and the sick, she said, adding that there is a shortage of medicine in the area and no access to medical care.

A migrant boy looks on at a village near the Thai-Myanmar border in Mae Sot, Thailand, Jan. 7, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Junta claims

North along the Thai frontier, the capital of Kayin's neighboring Kayah (Karenni) state, Loikaw, has seen two-thirds of its population of 100,000 flee military attacks on anti-junta forces in the region, a local officials said.

Loikaw had seen its population swell in recent weeks with some 30,000 war refugees seek shelter from raids. But on Jan. 6, troops loyal to the military regime fired heavy weapons and sent tanks and helicopters into Loikaw to battle joint forces of the Karenni Army and the Peoples Defense Force and Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), sparking another exodus.

As many as 60,000 civilians from Loikaw have fled to areas along southern Shan State in past five days after the military launched air raids on local militias on Wednesday, local officials said.

The junta said it attacked forces in Loikaw with heavy weapons after they tried to attack and open a prison. Loikaw residents told RFA that only 10 percent of the citys population remains in town and many are urgently preparing to flee.

The junta has arrested more than 8,560 civilians and killed 1,463 since its Feb. 1 coup, mostly during non-violent protests of the coup, according to the Bangkok-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Following the takeover, the military launched offensives in several of the countrys remote border regions, where residents have reported various human rights abuses perpetrated by government troops against civilians.

When asked whether authorities intend to resettle the refugees from Kayin who are sheltering along the border with Thailand, junta Deputy Information Minister Zaw Min Tun said efforts are underway.

In the case of Lay Kay Kaw, or wherever they may be, our policy is to ensure that [refugees] can be resettled in their original homes, he said.

We called them back for resettlement within two or three days after the fighting. We are always working to resettle refugees.

However, a Peoples Defense Force member who is fighting alongside the Karen National Liberation Army in Kawkareik township told RFA that the fighting has not stopped, and that the junta is still targeting the area with airstrikes.

There have been two airstrikes in Kawkareik in recent days. They were using helicopter gunships, he said.

It was a bit quiet yesterday and today but on the Lay Kay Kaw side, there was artillery fire this morning fired towards Ploo. On the Lay Kay Kaw side, refugees have been running from place to place due to heavy artillery fire. They cant stay in any one place and are on the move at all times.

Refugees, who have fled a flare-up in fighting between the Myanmar army and insurgent groups and settled temporarily on the Moei River Bank, eat under a makeshift tent on the Thai-Myanmar border, in Mae Sot, Thailand, Jan. 7, 2022. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Refugees at risk

A statement issued on Thursday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that in southeast Myanmar, at least 654 houses and other civilian properties  including churches and schools  have been destroyed or burnt down since May. It said that as of Jan. 3, some 162,000 people remained displaced from Kayin and Kayah states since fleeing their homes.

Those displaced by the recent fighting join more than 500,000 refugees from decades of conflict between the military and ethnic armed groups who were already counted as displaced at the end of 2020, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, a Norwegian NGO.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
On Dec. 20, 2021, U.S. Undersecretary of State Uzra Zeya was designated by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to serve as U.S. special coordinator for Tibetan issues. She will serve in this role concurrently with her position as undersecretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights. On Jan. 13, RFA Tibetan Service reporter Tashi Wangchuk spoke with Uzra Zeya about her new role and the challenges lying ahead. The interview was edited for length.

RFA: This is your first media interview since becoming the U.S. special coordinator for Tibetan issues. Thank you so much for speaking with us. You have stressed the importance of promoting dialogue without preconditions between the Peoples Republic of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives. Can you elaborate on this? Have you started to reach out to the PRC or the Dalai Lama on this matter?

Uzra Zeya: Well, first of all, Im so honored to be able to take on this role and that Secretary Blinken has designated me to serve as the special coordinator for Tibetan Issues and has elevated this role again to the under secretary level. Since being named I have engaged intensively first with the Central Tibetan Administration, and I was very pleased to meet with their North American representative in my first meeting since taking on this role. I am already engaging with other like-minded partners who we hope will work alongside us in seeking to advance the human rights of the Tibetan people and help preserve their unique cultural, religious, historical and linguistic traditions.

So with respect to direct dialogue: yes, we call upon the PRC to engage in direct dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives without preconditions in the hope that this can help achieve a negotiated agreement on Tibet that provides the best hope for the long-term stability of the region and its people.

RFA: China is trying to make Mandarin Chinese the common language in all minority areas including Tibet by 2035, and the PRC is rapidly implementing its policy of Sinicizing Tibetan Buddhism by forcing monks and scholars to learn Chinese and translate Tibetan Buddhist texts into Chinese. Many are very concerned that this will eradicate the Tibetan language and religion. What can the Biden administration and the international community do to stop this from happening?

Uzra Zeya: The United States is deeply concerned by the human rights abuses perpetrated by the PRC against the Tibetan people, and this includes the Sinicization efforts that you mentioned. Were also seeing abusive practices including arbitrary arrest and detention, censorship, restrictions on freedom of movement, restrictions on peaceful assembly, and interference in the veneration by Tibetan Buddhists of their religious leaders, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. So our view is very clear-cut. We believe this interference and repression needs to stop. I think its vitally important to shine a light on whats happening, and our public reporting and annual reports on human rights or annual reports on international religious freedom are vitally important ways to show whats happening and to build international support for calling for these practice to end.

RFA: When are you planning to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama? Has a date been set? Would you go to Dharamsala?

Uzra Zeya: Let me say first of all that I was so honored to receive a letter of congratulations from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and I took to heart his support for my mission. So I certainly hope to have the opportunity to engage His Holiness the Dalai Lama directly. As you know, the challenges of the global pandemic have made it a little bit more difficult in terms of our international travel and engagement, so were taking full advantage of the ability to engage virtually. But I certainly hope to have the opportunity to engage His Holiness the Dalai Lama directly, and once we have a confirmation well be happy to share it publicly.

RFA: What message would you like to give to Tibetans inside Tibet and throughout Asia?

Uzra Zeya: I think the message I would like to give to your Tibetan audience is one of U.S. appreciation and solidarity to underscore our commitment to advance the human rights of the Tibetan people and our appreciation for your culture and for your unique religious and linguistic traditions, and to tell you that the U.S. is absolutely resolute in offering continued humanitarian support. And Im working to build an international partnership to help bring an end to this severe repression being experienced by Tibetans inside China.
Torture, mass detention, religious persecution are among the abuses highlighted in new report.

A guard tower rises along the perimeter fence of an internment camp in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in a file photo.

China in 2021 increased its repression of ethnic minorities in Tibet and the northwestern region of Xinjiang, severely restricting freedom of religion and pursuing coercive assimilationist policies aimed at creating a single national identity, a rights group said Thursday.

State measures taken in Xinjiang especially constituted crimes against humanity, with abuses including mass detention and enforced disappearances, New York-based Human Rights Watch said in its World Report for 2022.

Chinese officials also committed torture, mass surveillance, cultural and religious persecution, forced labor and the separation of families, the rights group said, adding that information flows from the region had largely been blocked during the year.

Authorities maintained tight control over information, [and] access to the region, already blocked, was further constrained due to COVID-19 movement restrictions, HRW said.

Some Uyghurs detained by police were confirmed to have been imprisoned, however, including prominent academic Rahile Dawut, though her alleged crime, length of sentence, and location of imprisonment remained unclear.

There were also reports of Uyghurs dying in detention, including biotech researcher Mihriay Erkin, 31, businessman Yaqub Haji, 45, and poet and publisher Haji Mirzahid Kerimi, 82, HRW said.

Chinese authorities in Tibetan areas meanwhile continue to restrict freedom of religion, expression, movement and assembly, the rights group said. They also fail to address popular concerns about mining and land grabs by local officials, which often involve intimidation and unlawful use of force by security forces.

Tightened controls over online communications during the year led to a growing number of detentions in 2021. Tibetans caught communicating with people outside China were harshly punished regardless of the content of their communications.

Coercive assimilationist policies also continued during the year, with Chinese language classes made compulsory in schools in ethnic minority areas in 2021 and even kindergartens ordered to use Chinese as a medium of instruction, Human Rights Watch said.

At least eight Tibetan prisoners or suspects were released due to ill health, some due to torture, four of whom died soon after, though the true number is unknown due to extreme information controls in Tibet, the rights group added.

Freedoms of movement, expression suppressed

Speaking to RFA, Sophie Richardson  China director at Human Rights Watch  said it has become increasingly difficult for the rights group to get reliable information out of Tibetan areas.

The Chinese government has used the [COVID-19] pandemic to suppress both the freedom of movement and freedom of expression across the country, she said.

We have seen repeated lockdowns and seen it become more difficult for journalists, diplomats and independent activists to move across the country and report freely.

If the Chinese government has nothing to hide across the Tibetan plateau, then it should be allowing the free flow of information, not the lack of it, Richardson said.

The Sinicization of Tibetan religion and language is now the Chinese governments foremost priority in Tibetan areas, said Tenzin Dorjee, a former commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Now with the appointment of a U.S. special coordinator for Tibetan issues, we urge the U.S. coordinator and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to take a stronger position on Chinas restrictions of freedom of religion with regard to Tibetan Buddhists inside Tibet, Dorjee said.

Written in English by Richard Finney, with reporting by Tenzin Dickyi for RFAs Tibetan Service.
Friends of the late monk were trying to carry the remembrance to India for protection.

Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who died in 2015 in a Chinese prison under mysterious circumstances, is shown top left. Remaining images show the statue commissioned by the late monk's students and built by artists in Shenzhen, China.

Authorities in western Chinas Sichuan province last year seized a life-size statue of a revered Tibetan religious leader that was being taken into Tibet and arrested those involved in the statues manufacture and transport, RFA has learned.

The statue of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who died in 2015 in a Chinese prison under mysterious circumstances, was commissioned by the late monks students and was built by artists in Shenzhen, China, said Tenzin Yarphel, one of Tenzin Deleks students now living in Europe.

The initial plan was to bring Rinpoches statue to India, but there were too many restrictions against sending it there, so it had to be brought to Tibet and hidden away until the right opportunity to move it arose, Yarphel said.

Tenzin Delek Rinpoches statue was seized in June 2021 by police in Dartsedo in Sichuans Kardze (in Chinese, Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture while being taken to Lithang, the religious leaders home county, Yarphel said.

A Tibetan man named Kalsang Tsering who had arranged to pick up the statue and bring it to Lithang was then taken into custody along with an assistant, Yarphel said.

There was no information about their whereabouts or well-being for a long time, so Tibetans living in the region began to distribute flyers asking for information about them. However, the Chinese police later said that both were in their custody.

The two men were interrogated and beaten for about 20 days and ordered to avoid any contact with Rinpoches family in Lithang, Yarphel said. And they were forced to promise not to involve themselves with any activity like this again in the future.

Another Tibetan and a Chinese man who had brought the statue to Dartsedo were also taken into custody and held for almost 20 days, Yarphel said. And Chinese authorities also arrested the Tibetan man who had first arranged for the statues construction in Shenzhen, releasing him after almost a month.

Police in Lithang later stormed the house of Rinpoches younger sister Dolkar Lhamo, said a source living in Tibet.

About 20 Public Security Bureau officers came in September to ransack the family shrine, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. They took away all the photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other relics. They even took away a picture of Nyima Lhamo, Rinpoches niece who now lives in New York, he said.

Dolkar Lhamo and two other family members were then detained for about 18 days and were beaten and tortured under questioning about the statue before being released, he said.

Family threatened by police

Nyima Lhamo told RFA that she is now unable to contact her family in Lithang.

During my last conversation with my mother, Dolkar Lhamo, she asked me not to get in touch with her anymore as she had been threatened with severe consequences by the Chinese police if she talked with me, she said.

I would like to ask all human rights defenders and the U.S. special coordinator for Tibetan issues to take up my familys case with the Chinese authorities to safeguard their freedom of movement and freedom of speech.

I would especially like to request the U.S. special coordinator to help my mother visit me here so she can get proper medical treatment in the United States, she said.

Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, 65, died in prison in Sichuan on July 12, 2015, 13 years into a 22-year sentence following what rights groups and supporters called a wrongful conviction on a charge of bombing a public square in Sichuans provincial capital Chengdu in April 2002.

Widely respected among Tibetans for his efforts to protect Tibetan culture and the environment, he was initially sentenced to death, but his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. An assistant, Lobsang Dondrub, was executed almost immediately, prompting an outcry from rights activists who questioned the fairness of the trial.

Chinese authorities are now banning public discussions of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche seven years after his death, removing him from official religious histories and shutting down an online chat group devoted to his memory, Tibetan sources say.

Translated by Dorjee Damdul and Tenzin Dickyi for RFAs Tibetan Service. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Le Manh Ha is the 6th person arrested for human rights advocacy this year alone.

Le Manh Ha, pictured in a screenshot of a video published on his Facebook page.

Police in Vietnam have arrested land rights activist Le Manh Ha on charges of spreading anti-state materials on social media, his wife told RFA Thursday.

Has arrest Wednesday already marks the sixth time since the start of this year that authorities have detained people for human rights advocacy.

He had been operating a YouTube account called Peoples Voice Television and a Facebook account called Voice of the Vietnamese People, where he shared his criticisms of the government.

Years ago, the government took his communitys land in Na Hang district in the northern province of Tuyen Quang to build a power plant. He has said that the government has not yet paid him and his former neighbors proper compensation. Since then, Ha has studied Vietnamese law and has helped others with legal advice and petitioning the government.

Police in plainclothes arrested Ha Wednesday in Tuyen Quangs Chiem Hoa district. They took him to his current home in Tuyen Quang city and searched his house. His family told RFAs Vietnamese Service that the authorities have not yet provided them with any documentation related to the arrest.

At about 8:30 a.m. yesterday when I was getting my mother to the hospital, a local resident informed me that the police arrested Ha in Chiem Hoa, Has wife, Ma Thi Tho said.

I decided to return home and got back around 9 a.m. and there were many police officers, around 20 or 30 of them, surrounding my home, she said.

She said the police brought Le Manh Ha to the home at about 10:30 that morning.

Shortly after his arrival, they read out a house search warrant and an order to prosecute my husband, she said.

Among the items taken from Has house were books on Vietnamese laws and its constitution.

Tho said police officers told her that her husband was in violation of Article 117 of Vietnams penal code, which prohibits spreading propaganda against the state. Article 117 has been described by analysts as a vague set of rules frequently used by authorities to stifle peaceful critics of the countrys one-party communist government.

The real reason is because he has been fighting for the people, Tho said.

Le Dinh Viet, Has defense lawyer, said his client has been fighting to correct the injustice of not being compensated for his land during the construction of the hydropower plant.

He did not break any laws, Viet said.

The Tuyen Quang hydropower plant began operations in 2008, but the government has not yet finished compensating affected families. Authorities promised to provide 16 square meters of land in Tuyen Quang city for each family, but in 16 years, only half of them have received their plot of land.

While all land in Vietnam is ultimately held by the state, land confiscations have become a flashpoint between citizens and their government. Some small landholders have accused authorities of pushing them aside in favor of lucrative real estate or infrastructure projects, and then paying too little in compensation.

The Vietnamese government is using criminal law to intimidate and shut down people peacefully protesting against land confiscation, Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in December 2021 about the arrests of other land rights activists in the country.

The government should release [everyone] arrested and imprisoned under Article 117, and abolish this abusive law, he said.

Among the remaining five arrestees this year were Le Thanh Nhat Nguyen, Le Thanh Hoan Nguyen, and Le Thanh Trung Duong, monks at the Peng Lai Temple in the southern province of Long An.

The three monks, along with their previously arrested leader Le Tung Van, were charged with article 331 for abusing rights to freedom and democrary to violate the States interests, legitimate interest of organizations and individuals.

State media did not reveal their crime, but article 331 is often used in cases involving activists advocating for human rights and religious freedom.

The other two arrestees were Nguyen Thai Hung and his wife Vu Thi Kim Hoang from the southern province of Dong Nai. Hung was in the middle of a livestream when police stormed in and arrested the couple.

Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Representatives of Armenia and Turkey have agreed to continue negotiations after a first round of talks in Moscow on January 14 aimed at normalizing relations after years of animosity.

Ruben Rubinian, the deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament, and Serdar Kilic, a former Turkish ambassador to the United States, agreed during their meeting in the Russian capital that Turkey and Armenia should work to regulate ties through dialogue and without preconditions, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

"The date and place of the second meeting will be determined via diplomatic channels," the ministry said.

Going into the talks, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said it expected the negotiations to result in the establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey as well as the opening of the border between the two countries.

Last month, Armenia lifted a ban on the import of Turkish goods that had been a burden mostly to Armenians, and Turkey announced charter flights to Armenia would be allowed.

Relations between Armenia and Turkey have historically been complicated over the 1915 killings of Armenians at the hands of the Ottomans.

But it was the war between Armenian separatists and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh during the Soviet Union's chaotic breakup in 1991 that soured any potential for relations between Ankara and Yerevan. Armenia's victory prompted Turkey to seal the border in 1993 in support of its Turkic allies in Baku.

Regional dynamics changed when Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a six-week conflict in 2020 over Nagorno-Karabakh that had been under ethnic Armenian control for nearly three decades.

NATO member Turkey threw its weight behind Azerbaijan in the war, which ended with a Russia-brokered cease-fire in November 2020 that allowed its Turkic ally to regain control over parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territory, with Russian peacekeepers on the ground.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States has raised an illness with Russia that has afflicted American diplomats as it works to find out what the ailment is and what causes it.

Blinken said virtually the entire government is working to get to the bottom of the illness known as Havana Syndrome, which has afflicted about 200 U.S. diplomats, officials, and family members.

"To date, we don't know exactly what's happened and we don't know exactly who is responsible," Blinken said in an interview with MSNBC on January 13.

His comments came after a report in The Wall Street Journal saying that more American diplomats were reported ill in Paris and Geneva, where the United States and Russia held security talks on January 10 over Moscow's troop buildup near the Ukrainian border.

Weve raised this with the Russians, but we still dont have a determinationof who is responsible, he said. Weve made clear that if they are responsible, or for that matter, anyone who is responsible will suffer severe consequences.

U.S. officials suspect directed radio frequency or energy attacks have caused sickness and even brain damage in U.S. diplomats and intelligence officials in Cuba, China, Russia, Europe, and other places.

The mysterious illness carries symptoms that include migraines, nausea, memory lapses and dizziness. It is named Havana Syndrome after first being reported among U.S. officials in the Cuban capital in 2016.

Blinken said he has met with State Department employees around the world who described the illness and how it has disrupted their lives.

"There is no doubt in my mind that people have been directly and powerfully affected," he said.

Based on reporting by MSNBC and Reuters
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned as judicial harassment a recent court ruling in Bulgaria where two journalists and a website were found guilty of defamation for articles they published in 2018.

The Sofia City Court (SCC) found that Boris Mitov, now a journalist for RFE/RLs Bulgarian Service, and Stoyana Georgieva, had caused physical and mental anguish to Svetlin Mihailov, a former chairman of the SCC, and ordered them and the website that published the articles four years ago to pay him damages amounting to 60,000 Bulgarian lev ($34,659).

In 2018, Mitov was covering Mihailovs bid to become head of the SCC, Bulgaria's largest district court, for the news website Mediapool. At the time, Georgieva was the editor in chief of Mediapool.

Four of those articles were examined by the court, and Judge Daniela Popova ruled on December 21 that they contained defamatory allegations against [Mihailov].

Lawyers for Mitov and Georgieva argued that the articles in question contained information about Mihailov, including questions about his sizable wealth and property, that had appeared at the time and since then in other publications.

In her ruling, Popova did not specify exactly what extracts from the articles in question she found indecent, vulgar, and cynical.

Popova ordered the two journalists and Mediapool to each pay Mihailov 20,000 lev ($11,553).

This gag-verdict could set a dangerous precedent for press freedom in Bulgaria, said Pavol Szalai, the head of RSFs European Union and Balkans desk, in a statement issued on January 14. The disproportionate amount of damages that the journalists have been ordered to pay could have a chilling effect on media covering matters of public interest.

We urge the Sofia appeal court to overturn this decision. At the same time, we call on the government to adopt concrete provisions so that abusive lawsuits can no longer muzzle press freedom in Bulgaria, Szalai added.

Popova took over the case only two months before issuing her final ruling, replacing another judge who had been dealing with it for nearly a year, Reporters Without Borders noted.

Her decision, the media monitoring group said, makes no mention of the fact that the plaintiff is a public figure and was, moreover, the courts former president.

RFE/RL President Jamie Fly had called the courts decision outrageous and said it was meant to intimidate some of Bulgarias finest investigative journalists for reporting publicly known facts.

The public has a right to accountability, and intimidation tactics like this will not keep RFE/RL from informing its audience about issues of public interest, Fly said in a statement.

Lawyers for the two journalists and Mediapool have appealed the ruling.
Democrats in the U.S. Senate have defeated a bill that would have slapped sanctions on businesses involved in the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas), needed at least 60 votes to pass. It was defeated by a vote of 55-44 on January 13.

Lawmakers from both parties have opposed the pipeline, but Democrats said Cruz's bill would have harmed relations with Germany at a time when the U.S. is seeking to present a united front against Russia and its troop buildup near the border with Ukraine.

Cruz said the 55-44 vote showed a majority of senators support fast action on the pipeline.

"Only immediately imposing sanctions can change [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's calculation, stop a Ukrainian invasion, and lift the existential threat posed by Nord Stream 2," Cruz said.

Other Republicans accused Democrats of being timid in standing up to Putin.

Putin can smell the weakness, Senator John Barrasso (Republican-Wyoming) said before the vote. Stopping this pipeline should be an area of bipartisan agreement.

The $11 billion undersea pipeline was completed in September but has not yet received regulatory approval from Germany.

Critics say Nord Stream 2 will increase Europes energy reliance on Russia, while enabling Moscow to reroute gas exports around Ukraine, depriving the country of billions of dollars a year in transit fees.

Democrats emphasized that much of the work on the pipeline was done under the administration of former President Donald Trump.

This is the Trump-Putin pipeline, said Senator Robert Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey) and sponsor of a rival bill to impose sanctions on Russia if it invades Ukraine. That bill has yet to come up for a vote.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
The White House has accused Russia of sending saboteurs into eastern Ukraine in order to stage an incident that could provide a pretext for an invasion if Moscow's security demands are not met.

Spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters on January 14 that U.S. intelligence indicates that Russia "has prepositioned a group of operatives to conduct a false-flag operation in Ukraine. The operatives are trained in urban warfare and using explosives to conduct acts of sabotage.

Our intelligence indicates that Russian influence actors are already starting to fabricate Ukrainian provocations in state and social media to justify a Russian intervention..."

The comments come after a week of high-stakes talks in Geneva, Brussels, and Vienna between U.S. and European officials with Russian diplomats who have essentially demanded a whole-scale reorganization of Europes security structure.

Russia has deployed nearly 100,000 troops to areas along Ukraines borders, prompting Western intelligence officials to warn that Moscow could be poised to conduct a new invasion of Ukraine.

"Our intelligence also indicates that Russian influence actors are already starting to fabricate Ukrainian provocations in state and social media to justify a Russian intervention and sow division in Ukraine, Psaki said.

"The Russian military plans to begin these activities several weeks before a military invasion, which could begin between mid-January and mid-February," she added.

In Moscow, the U.S. intelligence assessment, which was earlier announced by unnamed U.S. officials, was derided.

"Until now, all these statements have been unfounded and have not been confirmed by anything," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by state news agencies as saying.

As the United States and its Western allies have raised alarms over a massive Russian troop buildup near Ukraine, Russia has asked for written guarantees that the NATO military alliance will not admit former Soviet states such as Ukraine, among other demands.

Washington and its NATO allies held three rounds of talks with Russia in an attempt to defuse the situation, but while expressing openness to dialogue they have made clear that NATO's open-door policy for sovereign states is not negotiable.

Moscow, which has denied that it is planning to invade Ukraine, has said it could not wait indefinitely for a written Western response to its security demands.

We have run out of patience, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during his annual foreign policy conference on January 14. We expect a written response from our Western colleagues on our proposals.

We are convinced that, if there is a will to compromise, one can always find mutually acceptable solutions, he said.

Earlier, a U.S. official who discussed the alleged false-flag operation said the U.S. intelligence was based on intercepted communications and observations of the movements of people.

Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists who control parts of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions has killed more than 13,200 people since April 2014.

Several Ukrainian government website were hit by hackers overnight, disabled and defaced by poorly worded cybergraffiti that made threats about Ukraines sovereignty. As of the evening of January 14, more than 12 hours after going down, the Foreign Ministrys website and several others remained out of service.

Ukraine's Security Service said in a statement late on January 14 that its criminal investigation revealed some signs of the involvement of "hacker groups associated with the special services of the Russian Federation."

No group has taken responsibility for the attack, but Russian hackers linked to Moscow have repeatedly been blamed for cyberattacks on Ukrainian government websites and infrastructure in the past.

U.S. officials have threatened Russia with "massive and severe" sanctions and other measures if a new invasion of Ukraine does occur. Among the measures floated publicly include cutting Russia out of the SWIFT global system for bank messaging and major new export restrictions of technology to Russia.

New legislation making its way through the U.S. Senate threatens new restrictions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, as well as personal sanctions against President Vladimir Putin if an invasion occurs.

With reporting by The New York Times and Reuters
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Moscow has "run out of patience" with the West and expects a written response to its demands for security guarantees within a week after diplomatic talks with NATO and the United States failed to make headway on the issue amid a buildup of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine.

Diplomats have offered a dire assessment of a week of high-level diplomacy that included bilateral talks between Washington and Moscow, and separate rounds of discussions with NATO and the the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) against the backdrop of Western concerns that Russia's military buildup on Ukraine's doorstep may be a prelude to an invasion.

Speaking at his annual foreign policy news conference on January 14, Lavrov said the Kremlin wouldnt wait indefinitely for the Western response to Moscows demands that NATO neither expand nor deploy forces to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet states, which the Kremlin has said were key to diplomatic efforts to defuse soaring tensions over Ukraine.

We have run out of patience, Lavrov said at the news conference.

Washington and its allies have firmly rejected Moscow's demand for security guarantees precluding NATO's expansion and warned of "massive consequences" if Russia renews its aggression against Ukraine. U.S. officials have cast Russia's combative rhetoric and buildup of some 100,000 troops near Ukraine as a pressure tactic and said that the United States, while open to dialogue, will never submit to blackmail or allow such threats to be rewarded.

NATO has also stated clearly that it would not compromise on core principles, including the right for sovereign nations to decide what kinds of security arrangements they want to be part of.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said earlier this week that no alliance member was willing to budge on NATO's open-door policy, while reiterating a commitment to meaningful reciprocal dialogue with Russia.

Lavrov said Russia, too, wants the standoff over security in Europe to be resolved with mutual respect and a balance of interests, but has warned it will consider various options to respond if the West spurns Russia's security proposals.

The White House has said that the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine remains high and on January 14 announced it had intelligence suggesting Russia had sent saboteurs into eastern Ukraine to stage an incident that could be used as a pretext to justify an invasion in the event its demands in negotiations are not met. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the assessment was based on "unfounded" information.

Lavrovs comments came hours after Kyiv reported a massive cyberattack on several government websites.

"Some say the cyberattack could be the prelude for other activities, military activities," Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told reporters at a meeting of the bloc's top diplomats in the French city of Brest.

The standoff with Russia "is serious, more serious than anything we've seen in recent years," Schallenberg added.

Referring to the cyberattack on Ukraine, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde added that this is "exactly the kind of thing that we have warned of and that we are afraid of.

"If there are attacks against Ukraine, we will be very harsh and very strong and robust in our response," Linde said.

Despite the increased tensions, Russia and the West have agreed to leave the door open to possible further talks on arms control and confidence-building measures intended to reduce the potential for hostilities.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on January 14 that she will travel to Moscow next week for talks over the Ukraine crisis, even though she admitted a quick solution is unlikely to be found.

"It is a characteristic of diplomacy in a crisis that it takes a lot of persistence, patience and strong nerves ... This is why it is so important to intensively make use of varying channels of communications," she said from an informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers in the French port city of Brest.

In related news, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on January 14 that troops stationed in eastern Siberia and the Far East region have been scrambled for movement across the country as part of snap drills to check their readiness to perform their tasks after redeployment to a large distance.

The ministry noted that special attention will be given to the assessment of the country's transport infrastructure to ensure the movement of troops, adding that the troops will conduct drills involving firing live ammunition after the redeployment.

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 and supported separatist clashes in Ukraines east after anti-government protests toppled Ukraine's Russia-friendly former president, Viktor Yanukovych, in February 2014.

Fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists who control parts of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions has killed more than 13,200 people since April 2014.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP
Five Western nations, including the United States, have welcomed Serbias upcoming referendum on judicial reforms but expressed regret that Kosovo will no longer allow the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to collect the ballots of eligible Serb voters living there.

The January 16 referendum on amendments to the constitution aims to depoliticize the appointment of prosecutors and judges to help qualify Serbia for eventual accession to the European Union.

The proposed changes are a key step to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and to enhance the transparency and effectiveness of the countrys rule of law institutions, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, and the United States said in a statement issued on January 14 by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade.

The five nations also expressed regret that Kosovo has not allowed the OSCE to collect the ballots of eligible voters living there, which had been the case previously.

We call on the Kosovo government to allow Serbs in Kosovo to exercise their right to vote in elections and electoral processes in accordance with this established practice, they said in the statement.

A day earlier, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a post on Twitter that he had discussed the issue with both Kosovos Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He said that people should be able to exercise their right to vote.



Kurti countered by saying, A referendum in the sovereign territory of another state is not a practice accepted by any democratic country.



Serbs in Kosovo with dual citizenship can vote in Serbias referendum by mail or in the liaison office in Pristina, Kurti said in a tweet on January 12.



Vucic told Serbias state-run RTS TV channel on January 12 that there would be "greater and far-reaching consequences than expected" if polling stations were not opened in Kosovo, so Serbs could participate in the referendum.

The Western Balkan country is a candidate for EU membership but to achieve that goal it must strengthen the independence of the judiciary and improve the rule of law.

In November, the Council of Europe, the EUs rights watchdog, said its constitutional advisory body concluded that most of the proposed amendments were made in line with its recommendations.

The plebiscite will be held under a new referendum law which abolished a minimum 50 percent turnout threshold.

That law was condemned by environmental groups who said it may be used by the government to give free rein to foreign mining companies in the country.
Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who has been out of the country since December, says he will return to Ukraine despite rumors he will be immediately arrested on charges of suspected treason.

Poroshenko told Current Time in an interview that the case investigators have been trying to build against him for allegedly helping separatists sell some 1.5 billion hryvnyas ($54 million) worth of coal to Kyiv in 2014 and 2015 targets "the fate of all Ukraine."

"I will not end up behind bars, they will not have enough courage, forces, or will for that," he said when discussing what he thinks will happen upon his return to Ukraine, expected on January 17.

"I am coming back not to defend myself from [President Volodymyr] Zelenskiy, but to defend Ukraine... We must defend Ukraine from [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, defend the country from the incompetent, rotten, and absolutely corrupt authorities," Poroshenko added.

In December, Ukraine's State Investigation Bureau said Poroshenko had been placed under formal investigation for high treason, accusing him of "facilitating the activities" of separatists fighting government forces in a conflict that has claimed more than 13,200 lives since April 2014. Poroshenko rejected the accusations as politically motivated.

On January 6, Ukrainian authorities said that a court in Kyiv had frozen Poroshenko's property as part of a formal investigation into alleged high treason, which he has rejected.

The 56-year-old former president, who is now a lawmaker and the leader of the opposition European Solidarity party, has denied the allegations while accusing Ukrainian authorities of crossing "a red line" by bringing treason charges against a former head of state.

Last month, prosecutors asked a Ukrainian court to arrest Poroshenko with bail set at 1 billion hryvnia ($37 million).

Poroshenko faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the treason charges.
About three hours after the conclusion of the most important European security talks in years, Russia's deputy foreign minister sat before a thicket of news microphones and offered up a combative postmortem:

Further degradation of the situation with NATO, Aleksandr Grushko said on January 12, will lead to "the most severe and unpredictable consequences for European security."

Shortly after, he added this:

"Today was a frank conversation. It was difficult, but frank, but this is already good from the point of view of the situation of European security. I want to emphasize again that we have made the first step forward," he said. "We look at this very realistically -- that is, we don't have lofty expectations -- but we're pragmatic. If there is a chance to move in the right direction, why wouldn't you take that chance?"

With around 100,000 Russian troops staged along Ukraine's border and relations between Moscow and NATO and the United States slipping toward outright conflict, Russian, U.S., and European diplomats tried to stop that slide this week.

It's not yet clear if they accomplished that. In Washington, the White House national-security adviser had tough new warnings for Moscow; the Kremlin's spokesman called the talks "unsuccessful."

At the very least, though, several experts said they appeared to be a baby step in the right direction. Or simply not a step in the wrong direction.

"Something absolutely unbelievable is happening as a result of the Russia-NATO talks," Tatyana Stanovaya, a Russian political analyst, wrote in a post on Telegram. "NATO rejects Russia's main demands, but offers to continue the dialogue. Very constructive rhetoric, a sharp decrease in hostility.

"On the Russian side, based on the statements of Grushko, there is an appearance of optimism, a very calm, reassuring mood," she wrote. "On the one hand, it is obvious that what is happening is a great achievement in itself -- a multilateral response to the decades-long accumulation of contradictions."

To be sure, public statements from Russian officials have been contradictory. Grushko's colleague, Sergei Ryabkov, said talks were at a "dead end," telling the Russian channel RTVi: "I don't see any grounds to sit down in the next few days."

"We need ironclad, waterproof, bulletproof, legally binding guarantees. Not assurances. Not safeguards. Guarantees," said Ryabkov, who led the Russian talks in Geneva earlier in the week.

Later, Ryabkov sounded an even more pessimistic note: "Moscow sees no reason for new meetings with the United States and its allies on security proposals," he was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency on January 13.

At his annual news conference on January 14, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also sounded pessimistic. Still, he said Moscow would wait for a written reaction before deciding how to proceed.



"We expect a written response from our Western colleagues on our proposals," he said. "We are convinced that, if there is a will to compromise, one can always find mutually acceptable solutions."

"Russia is waiting for U.S.-NATO reaction and will make up its mind after [it] receives it," Nikolai Sokov, a former Russian diplomat who is now at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Nonproliferation, told RFE/RL. "In the meantime, they have to indicate they are ready to keep talking.

"There is a glimpse of hope. Just a glimpse, but at least something," he said.

Open Door, Closed Door

In Brussels, where Grushko spoke, his remarks were preceded by statements from the NATO secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, and the lead U.S. negotiator, Wendy Sherman, the No. 2 official at the U.S. State Department.

Neither minced words, either about NATO's long-standing "open-door" doctrine or about Western warnings on Russian military forces deployed to regions along Ukraine's border.

But both also made small signals of the possibility of progress.

"There is plenty to work on, where we have places where we can enhance mutual security," Sherman told reporters. "There are some places we cannot. But there is progress that can be made."

"There was no commitment to de-escalation, no," she said, when asked about Russia's stance during the talks. "Nor was there a statement that there would not be," she added after a pause.

If there were any cracks at all in the nearly shut door, it may be because the severity of the situation is keeping officials on both sides from letting it close completely.

"I think the talks achieved more or less the only thing they could achieve, which is that no one stormed out in anger," said Sam Greene, director of the Russia Institute at King's College London. "Both sides are sticking to their initial positions, which is unsurprising, given how fundamental both sides' positions are.

It seems difficult to impossible for the Russian leadership to take back the maximalist positions expressed in the two draft treaties."

"I have a hard time believing, though, that Moscow seriously thought that a few hours of talks would yield serious concessions from the U.S. and the NATO allies," he told RFE/RL. "Despite the rhetoric, I think they're in this for the long haul, and that's a good thing -- because as long as they're talking, they're not shooting."

Europe: Pre-1997

Russia has proposed, with two documents presented as draft treaties, rewriting the entire framework of European security, first erected in the late 1990s, then expanded in the 2000s -- mainly through the expansion of NATO.

Given the sweeping nature of the Russian demands, and given the threat of a second Russian invasion of Ukraine, negotiators -- Russian and American, above all -- are now engaged in higher-level discussions, both at the Kremlin and at the White House, to decide what will follow after Geneva, Brussels, and Vienna.

"It seems difficult to impossible for the Russian leadership to take back the maximalist positions expressed in the two draft treaties," Sabine Fischer, an expert on Russia at the German Institute for International and Security Studies in Berlin, told RFE/RL. "As a result, the overall situation will remain fragile, particularly along the Russian-Ukrainian border.

"Moscow wants its main counterpart to be the U.S. and not NATO," she said in e-mailed comments. "Perhaps they hope that a slightly more conciliatory attitude in the talks with Washington will secure a more positive atmosphere and will focus attention and effort on this strand of interaction."

Russia's proposals for essentially rolling NATO protections for its newest members back to 1997, and extracting a pledge that the alliance will never admit former Soviet republics like Ukraine and Georgia, were dead on arrival as far as the Americans, and the alliance, were concerned. Russia is also demanding a pledge that NATO not send offensive "strike" weaponry to Ukraine.

"We will not allow anyone to slam closed NATO's open-door policy, which has always been central to the NATO alliance," Sherman said.

But Sherman suggested that discussion on things like the deployment of intermediate-range missiles in Europe could be an area for agreement.

In Washington, White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan mixed new warnings with inducements for Moscow. He said U.S. intelligence had not decided if Russia was committed to a new invasion.

"I'm not going to put myself in the head of the Russians," Sullivan said on January 13. "As you see from their public comments...they've said many different things, some of them contradictory.... Different speakers over the course of this week have given both hopeful signs and deeply pessimistic signs. You'll have to ask them where they stand in respect to their positioning.

"So as things stand right now, Russia has the opportunity to come to the table," he said.

This week's talks were positive in that there was no complete breakdown, said Dmitry Trenin, a longtime Russia expert and head of the Carnegie Moscow Center: no "scandal or final rupture."

"But it does not now allow for counting on a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis in European security," he wrote.

Any negotiation is about finding "a balance between preferred and acceptable," Sokov said. "All sides mustaccept that they will not get what they wish, no matter how justified they believe their position is. Once you accept that, chances for a positive outcome radically increase."
Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2022 (January 2022)

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has occupied an important position as a basic framework for Asia-Pacific economic integration and cooperation since its first ministerial meeting in the Australian capital of Canberra in 1989. The 21 economies participating in APEC account for about 40% of the global population, about 50% of global trade and about 60% of global gross domestic product (GDP). Annual APEC ministerial and summit meetings attract wide interest from all quarters. Japan's Ministry of Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) played a great role in the creation of APEC (Note 1). The Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) initiative put forward in the 2010 APEC Yokohama Vision has continued to guide regional economic integration agreements including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (Note 2). Will APEC continue to work as an important international framework in the region? In the following, I would like to argue that the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, announced in 2020, indicates the future direction of APEC, and discuss the environment surrounding APEC and APEC's roles, looking to the next two decades of APEC. Figure. APEC Members Source: APEC Secretariat

Putrajaya Vision 2040

APEC is promoting a new vision in the 2020s. Following the Bogor Goals delivered in 1994 and the Osaka Action Guidelines developed in 1995, in 2020 APEC formulated the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action in 2021. The Putrajaya Vision 2040 states, "Our Vision is an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations." It then declared that APEC would pursue three economic drivers: (1) trade and investment, (2) innovation and digitalization, and (3) strong, balanced, secure, sustainable and inclusive growth. The 2021 Aotearoa Plan of Action specified the objectives, the evaluation of progress, individual actions and collective actions regarding the three economic drivers. In the future, specific actions will be implemented in line with the Plan of Action.

Environment surrounding APEC

Since the creation of APEC in 1989, the environment surrounding APEC has changed dramatically. First, China's presence has increased substantially since the 2000s. Regional and free trade agreement negotiations in the Asia-Pacific region have made much progress. In September 2021, China and Taiwan applied to join the CPTPP. Second, great hopes have been placed on the presence in Asia of the United States under the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. At the October 2021 East Asian Summit, U.S. President Joe Biden delivered the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Third, new multilateral forums have been developed in addition to the Group of Seven and APEC, including the Group of 20 and the East Asian Summit. The sharing of roles and cooperation among the multiple forums have become important. Fourth, the world including APEC now faces a new challenge of recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The world is being forced to enhance supply chains, promote green economy and digital economy initiatives and facilitate human mobility.

APEC's roles

In such circumstances, I would like to make the following three points regarding the roles that APEC should play. First, APEC should serve as an incubator of ideas. APEC has implemented advanced and ambitious talks and initiatives under its voluntary and nonbinding principles. In 2012, APEC developed a list of environmental goods for tariff reduction and removal, leading to the World Trade Organization's negotiations on an Environmental Goods Agreement. (In 2021, APEC updated the list.) In 2011, APEC created the Cross-border Privacy Rules (CBPR) System, which is used for protecting personal information through corporate validation. (Talks are underway on the expansion of the CBPR system beyond APEC.) Second, APEC should take advantage of the uniqueness of its membership. The 21 APEC member economies are seven members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (excluding Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar), the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Korea and Japan. While the confrontation between the United States and China is controversial, APEC can provide the two countries with opportunities to discuss their cooperation along with other major regional economies. Third, APEC as a long-lasting regional framework has robustly developed its institutional frameworks including the secretariat, budgets and committees. It annually implements more than 100 projects for economic and technical cooperation, capacity building and other purposes. Japan has contributed to regional development by carrying out various projects, including training for capacity building for quality infrastructure development and investment, as well as workshops for sharing digital technologies in order to facilitate trade. Through such projects, APEC can be expected to further consolidate development infrastructure for the Asia-Pacific region.

Future prospects
Written By

Joe Schulz served as the reporter of the Green Laker in 2019 and 2020, before being hired as a reporter for the Commonwealth in October 2020. He is from Oshkosh and graduated from UW-Oshkosh in December 2020 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

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Roanoke Rapids, NC (27870)

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Morning sunshine will give way to isolated thunderstorms this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

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Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mostly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Danvers, MA (01923)

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Rain showers early becoming more intermittent for the afternoon. High around 55F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 43F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
An independent investigation into an incident involving a La Mesa police officer who twice body-slammed a handcuffed student at Helix Charter High School concluded the officer did not use excessive force, that his actions were not racially motivated and that he did not lose his temper during the incident.

The findings were disclosed Tuesday to the La Mesa City Council nearly a year after the incident, which occurred when school officials asked a school resource officer to escort a 17-year-old female student who refused to leave the campus.

The altercation between the student, who is black, and Officer Scott Wulfing, who is white, occurred on Jan. 19, 2018. Cellphone footage that has been shared widely on social media shows the officer flinging the student, who was handcuffed, over his hip and onto the cement and then body-slamming her a second time.

 A La Mesa police officer forced a 17-year-old Helix High School student to the ground after she refused to comply with directions, the chief of police said in a statement.

Scott Tiedemann, a lawyer representing investigator Barry Aninag, told the City Council that concerns about the officers conduct raised by the city were not supported by the evidence and were deemed unfounded, though he did not share publicly any of the specifics used to reach that conclusion.

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Aninags investigation sought to make a determination about whether any La Mesa Police Department use-of-force policies or procedures were violated and whether race played a role.

The City Council was not given a copy of the report because of privacy laws that govern police personnel matters.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis pressed Tiedemann several times for more information, noting that the city had waited a year to get the report, which was originally supposed to be finished in 90 days, dating back to last February when Aninag was hired.

Tiedemann said he was not able to share many details of Aninags report because California penal code states that personnel records of a peace officer are confidential and cannot be disclosed in a civil proceeding.

The information that is gathered by the investigator... is confidential, Tiedemann said several times. Im prohibited from elaborating on that information.

Aninags group was paid $155 per hour for investigative time including consultation, preparation, interviews, and documentation. City Manager Yvonne Garrett said the total investigation cost was $22,089.

Tiedemann said 20 people were interviewed by Aninag, including administrators at Helix, but that multiple attempts to interview the student, Brianna Bell, were unsuccessful.

Bell is now attending school at Winston-Salem University on the East Coast. Last October, Bell filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the city of La Mesa and Wulfing. Bells complaint cites excessive force, Civil Rights Act code violations, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and assault and battery.

Wulfing has been on paid administrative leave since the incident but will be back on the beat next week, La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez said. Another school resource officer has been assigned to all the La Mesa area schools, including Helix.

City Councilman Bill Baber, an attorney, said more discovery and discussion will take place as the federal court case moves forward.

The council was unanimous in pushing for a future discussion of its police departments standards.

Councilwoman Akilah Weber said she hoped Vasquez would provide a review of the police departments use-of-force policy. She said she wanted to hear options for de-escalating a situation without using violence.

Weber also asked the City Council to look into creating a citizens advisory board or oversight committee in conjunction with the police.

Brianna Bell, who was thrown to the ground by a La Mesa police officer on Jan. 18, 2018, spoke out publicly about her experience last February. (K.C. Alfred/San Diego Union-Tribune)

Arapostathis asked city staff to bring back information for a public discussion on the police departments use-of-force policies and look at how other cities run police review boards.

Vasquez said he is extremely supportive of the opportunity to discuss his departments use-of-force policy.

We can explain the policy, which is looked at frequently, Vasquez said. We do take it seriously and are always looking for best practices, assuring that our policy complies with state law and federal law. We review and discuss it frequently with staff. With the members of the public I work with, I have had those policy discussions and we will continue to do so.

Aeiramique Blake, a friend of Bells, told the City Council that for nearly a year she and others involved in restorative justice have been working with Vasquez on better practices for officers.

She attended a Helix Charter High School board meeting in December and requested  but has not yet been given information  on the schools own investigation of the incident.

Kevin Osborn, Helixs executive director, told The San Diego Union-Tribune that its investigation of the Jan. 19 incident was shared with our board as part of a confidential attorney-client communication related to anticipated litigation and that the communication is exempt from public disclosure.

In an email sent Thursday, Osburn said, At a school of 2,500 students, on occasion, law enforcement is called upon to assist in resolving student-related matters. In these rare cases, the school relies on the officers to address matters appropriately.

Osburn said the schools goal is to avoid outside intervention.

We provided several professional development days last spring and this school year focused on training our entire staff on restorative practices and discipline...to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and building relationships, he said.

Blake told the City Council she was disappointed in Tiedemanns report, and believed the city wasted its money on the investigation with no useful information. Blake said the city needed to make things right you need to do better next time.

Weve all seen the video, and I believe in putting things in context, but theres certain things where you see it and you know it was wrong, Blake said. Where a young lady is slammed to the ground twice. While she is in handcuffs or any kind of restraint, a grown man sends a young lady to the ground. There is never an excuse for that.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
Sanford, NC (27330)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed the Ministry of Transport allow to expand the scale and frequency of regular international flights, including those from/to Europe and Australia.

CAAV Director Dinh Viet Thang suggested the ministry permit the authority to inform aviation authorities of France, Germany, the UK and Russia on the resumption of regular international passenger flights, with the initial weekly frequency of 10 flights per leg for each side.

CAAV also sent documents to aviation authorities of Australia to inform that airlines of both countries can resume regular flights between the two nations with 10 flights per leg a week.

CAAV proposes increasing frequency of regular intl flights hinh anh 2

An airplane of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (Photo: VNA)

It also wants to take the initiative in working with countries and territories to decide on markets and frequency based on demand as well as aviation agreements.

In the first week of this year, 16 regular passenger commerce flights arrived in Vietnam from the US, Japan, Thailand and Cambodia, among others, bringing nearly 1,000 passengers.

The authority's statistics indicated that about 140,000 overseas Vietnamese are hoping to return home to celebrate the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year)  Vietnams longest and biggest traditional festival. In excess of 30,000 passengers per week are projected to fly home in the coming time.

CAAV has informed authorities in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan (China) on the increase of weekly passenger flights to 14 per leg amid rising demand./.

VNA
The cost of living in Hawaii is notoriously high. Its not a cheap place to buy a home. Therefore, you might be surprised that Hawaii has the lowest property taxes in the United States, by far. If youre looking for the best of the best, here are the lowest property taxes in Hawaii.

Hawaii Has The Lowest US Property Tax Rates

Most people are surprised to learn this. After all, the land is expensive and limited and valuable. Therefore, you would think property taxes would be sky high. The reality is the opposite. Honolulu Civil Beat reported a few years back that Hawaiis rate is about 50% lower than the second-lowest state in the nation which is Alabama.

That said, the report goes on to explain that this isnt always a great thing. Hawaii makes up for that with other taxes. Plus, the cost of mortgages and rents there is still quite high. Move to Hawaii 365 explains that the states effective real estate tax rate is just .28% which is considerably lower than the national average. However, the states median home value is over $600,000, which is much higher than the national average. Therefore, Hawaiians pay an average of about $1700 per year in property taxes, which is higher than many states despite the fact that the rate itself is much lower.

So, if youre concerned about overall cost of living in Hawaii, then there are many factors to take into consideration. But if you want to live there, then it doesnt hurt to know where to find the lowest property taxes in Hawaii.

Where Are The Lowest Property Taxes in Hawaii?

There are five counties in the state of Hawaii. However, most reports dont include Kalawao County, which is home to fewer than one hundred humans. Of the four counties typically counted in reports, Smart Asset says that the lowest property taxes are in Maui County, where they are only .19%. The highest are in Honolulu County, where they are .29%. Note that this is still considerably lower than the property taxes in any other state. Kauai and Hawaii counties rates are .25% and .28% respectively.

That said, theres a diverse range in median home value across these different counties. The most expensive homes are in Honolulu County, where the media cost is about $649,800. Since this is also the area with the states highest tax rate, the average median annual tax payment is almost $1900.

Maui County has that low .19% tax rate. However, it has the second-highest median home value at just under $600,000. In contrast, Hawaii County has the lowest median home value at just over $333,000. As a result, the annual payment in Hawaii is only $940 on average whereas in Maui, its $1123. Kauai County has homes that are slightly lower in value than in Maui but their tax rate is so much higher than the average payment there is $1376 per year.

You Should Also Know

If youre over the age of 60, and especially if youre over the of 70, then youll want to pay attention. You get big property tax exemptions in Hawaii. Therefore, your rate will end up lower overall than other people in the same areas in the state.

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Several schools in Seattle and around the Puget Sound closed Friday or announced they were shifting to remote learning as educators continue to grapple with staffing shortages and student absences amid a surge in new coronavirus cases.



Seattle Public Schools canceled classes at Chief Sealth International High School, Cleveland High School, Lincoln High School and at all Interagency High School sites.

The district also announced that students at Aki Kurose Middle School, Mercer Middle School, Meany Middle School, Olympic Hills Elementary and South Shore PreK-8 will attend remote classes until Jan. 21. The same is true for elementary students at Broadview-Thompson K-8.



Classes at Franklin High School and Lowell Elementary will also be online until Jan. 17 and 19, respectively.



As the extraordinarily contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus began to spread throughout Washington last month, the return to online learning for some of the states public school students seemed almost inevitable. The state is now averaging nearly 16,000 new cases per day, a whopping 217% increase over the past two weeks.



Its clear that schools are not immune from the surge. Seattle Public Schools, which tracks the number of new cases in the district on a per-week basis, recorded 803 new cases among students and staff between Jan. 1 and Jan. 7. The districts previous one-week high in new cases for the school year was 139.



In the Lake Washington School District, the second-largest district in the state behind Seattle Public Schools, classes at Redmond Middle School were canceled Friday.



In a message to parents on Thursday, the district said 25% of the schools staff would be absent Friday. Administrators plan to meet Monday to decide whether the school will temporarily shift to remote learning.



Students at four of the districts high schools  Lake Washington High School, Juanita High School, Redmond High School and Emerson High School  are attending classes online until the end of next week.


 

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Kids built forts out of branches, climbed repurposed logs and sipped on applesauce pouches Thursday morning at the preview of Wander Woods, a new nature-based play space at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

Wander Woods, which was constructed from natural materials sourced from San Francisco, is a part of the academys new Thriving California initiative and mission to regenerate the natural world through the use of science, learning and engagement with nature, according to the academys Executive Director Scott D. Sampson.

Sampson said the academys mission to alleviate habitat loss, fight climate change, and preserve nature is possible with the help of younger generations and their connection to nature.

If kids grow up to become adults that arent connected to their local place, why on earth would they save those places or care about them? Sampson said.

Ryce Stoughtenborough / The Chronicle

For a deep and lasting bond with the natural world to take hold, children need to engage early and often with bodily contact with the outdoors. They need the freedom to climb trees, pick flowers, make forts and get filthy along the way.

Two-year-old Rio Davis, who had the honor of helping cut garland rope to open the park, was able to experience that natural freedom as she played with sticks and made new friends.

Rios mom, Amy Davis, said Wander Woods is a place where her daughter can engage with other children and safely explore.

Ryce Stoughtenborough / The Chronicle

With everything going on, I feel like its good for them to be out in nature, Davis said. And in San Francisco theres lots of gorgeous places like Golden Gate Park and all the playgrounds, but this is something where they can just really get down and dirty.

The new outdoor exhibit isnt just for playing with friends. Wander Woods also has an outdoor classroom where kids can participate in a variety of classes like Scientific Sketching. Sampson encouraged teachers and students to visit the open concept classroom to gain critical skills in outdoor learning to apply to their own schools.

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.

Wander Woods was built in partnership with nature-based playscape designers Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds  which also designed the new Nature Exploration Area at Herons Head Park in the Bayview-Hunters Point community.

Ryce Stoughtenborough / The Chronicle

Sloane Bullecks, the U.S. business manager at Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, said San Franciscos Recreation and Parks Department wants to partner to build more natural play spaces across the city.

According to Bullecks, the spaces provide more collaborative and imaginative play that children cant always get with a traditional, plastic playground.

Wander Woods officially opens to the public Friday, and families can join in grand opening festivities including puppet shows, insect investigations, water play and more.

Ryce Stoughtenborough is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ryce.stoughtenborough@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rstoughts
A state appeals court has upheld Californias emergency workplace rules for COVID-19, which require employers to have prevention programs, provide protective equipment and provide paid leave to employees who have been exposed to the virus.

The regulations, issued in November 2020 by the state Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, were challenged by the Western Growers Association, other farming organizations and the California Business Roundtable, which argued they were unnecessary and overly burdensome for employers.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman refused to block the regulations last February, saying, Lives are at stake. Upholding his ruling, the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco said the state had ample reasons for protecting workers from exposure to the coronavirus.

By late 2020, the disease was spreading through workplaces, endangering employees as well as the general public, and demonstrating the need for immediate action, Justice Sandra Margulies said in the 3-0 ruling. She said the board found a particularly high risk of transmission among migrant farmworkers, living in dormitory-like facilities provided by their employers.

Margulies said the states previous workplace rules, in effect during the first eight months of the pandemic, did not require employers to issue protective equipment or provide essential hygiene. She said the board, appointed by the governor, acted within its area of expertise in determining that the protections were inadequate.

The ruling was issued Dec. 21 and certified by the court on Wednesday as a precedent binding on lower courts in California. Opponents could seek review in the state Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court moved in the opposite direction Thursday, voting 6-3 to block the Biden administrations nationwide regulations ordering businesses with 100 or more employees to require their workers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or wear masks and be tested weekly. The court said federal law did not authorize the administration to impose such requirements on companies with a total of 84 million employees.

In a separate 5-4 ruling, the justices allowed the government to enforce a vaccination requirement for most health care workers.

The California regulations, currently scheduled to stay in effect until mid-April, apply to all employees except those who were already covered by special protective rules for particularly vulnerable worksites such as hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, and those working from home.

The board required every employer to have a written coronavirus prevention program, including training, identification of hazards, social distancing, and provision of masks and other protective equipment. Employees who have been exposed to the virus at work must be given at least 10 days off, with pay and benefits.

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.

Upholding the paid-leave requirement, the court said it encourages employees to report any exposures they have had to the disease rather than keeping silent, thus allowing employers to minimize possible additional exposures to other workers.

The ruling was praised by Stacey Leyton, a lawyer for labor unions who filed arguments in support of the states regulations.

As we continue to face new phases of this public health crisis, preventing workplace spread is critical to protecting workers, their family members and the community at large, she said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Tony Avelar / Associated Press 2019

Hillsborough Heiress Tiffany Li settled a wrongful death suit arising from the killing of Keith Green, her ex-boyfriend and father of her two children, negating what was expected to be a salacious civil trial scheduled to begin Jan. 31 in San Mateo County Superior Court.

The settlement was reached before a hearing Wednesday, putting an end to the civil lawsuit brought by Colleen Cudd, Greens mother, plus his children, ages 6 and 9, and his estate against Li and her former fiance Kaveh Bayat, who was suspected of shooting and killing Green in 2016.
The San Francisco Unified School District and a number of unions reached a tentative agreement on Thursday over health and safety conditions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

School district officials will provide an additional 10 days of sick leave for employees to be taken for COVID-19 related reasons, will continue offering weekly coronavirus testing for students and staff at all sites, and provide high quality face masks, such as N95, KN95 or KF94 masks to students and staff, the school district announced in a statement Thursday evening.

This week, school district officials said, they are distributing more than 73,000 KN95 masks for school staff, which they say is equal to more than a one-month supply.

United Educators of San Francisco, one of the unions that reached the tentative deal, said in a Facebook post that the major agreement was reached Thanks to the enormous pressure by our educators and the community.

UESF president Cassondra Curiel said, We are proud of the big step forward that was made tonight.

Educators and all schools workers have been keeping our schools and communities safe in the midst of incredible challenges, Curiel said. All of us want to be able to do our jobs so students can learn safely.

School district Superintendent Vincent Matthews said he is grateful to our labor partners for their work in ensuring we can continue to support students where we know they learn and thrive best  in school.

We are glad to be able to provide additional sick leave in recognition of our employees ongoing commitment to the health and safety of our school communities, Matthews 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.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez

This story will be updated.
Social media is swirling with photos of empty grocery store shelves. In the Bay Area, some shoppers have reported theyre not always able to get the particular items theyre looking for at the store.

The situation in California is far less dire than the toilet paper and hand sanitizer shortages the region endured at the start of the pandemic, industry experts say. This time, the issue is rooted in staffing shortages and smaller-scale supply chain snags.

Its not anything remotely similar to March 2020, said Nate Rose, a spokesperson for the California Retailers Association. March 2020 was a time of unprecedented demand at the stores, and thats not the case today.

Grocery stores in San Francisco and Berkeley  including Safeway, Target, Trader Joes and Berkeley Bowl  have been fully stocked. Shoppers said theyve had no trouble finding what they needed.

Rose pointed out that while customers may notice certain items out of stock on a given night, those items are likely to be back on the shelf the next day  an experience people had even before the pandemic. The difference now, he explained, is that those situations are happening a little more often.

As one Bay Area social media user put it: There are a few things that I am used to getting that are more intermittent, but no empty shelves.

Why? Experts point to two issues:

The omicron surge: Stores are still feeling supply chain issues that have persisted throughout the entire pandemic due to disruptions caused by the omicron variant surge, Rose said, which causes spottiness on store shelves.

The supply chain is built to be just in time, Rose said. Right now, its running a little bit behind.

Both Rose and Rachel Michelin, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, said the highly contagious variant is causing unexpected and significant staff absences. Those are compounding labor shortages that already affected every stage of the supply chain  from production to manufacturing to shipping and delivery to sales.

The staffing issue is big. Were feeling it regardless of what type of retail youre in, Michelin said.

The challenge right now is that its very inconsistent, she said, and confusion about constantly changing quarantine rules is adding to that difficulty.

Winter weather: Difficult winter weather conditions are also contributing to the problem in many states, Michelin, said  with the East Coast, Southeast and Washington state recently getting pummeled by storms that slowed food shipments.

However, California, at least so far, does not seem to be as affected by weather-related problems.

Problems with the weather absolutely have an impact. I just dont think were seeing it here as much, she said. That doesnt mean we wont down the road, but I think that at least for the time being, no one has sounded the alarm with me.

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.

How long will the problems last?

Michelin is hopeful that the challenges will start to ease as the omicron variant levels off.

Vivek Sankaran, CEO of the Idaho grocery store chain Albertsons, which owns Safeway, said in an earnings call Tuesday that the company does expect more supply challenges over the next four to six weeks, as omicron wears on.

Rose said that its important shoppers know that, while they may encounter some inconsistencies at various stores, there arent any severe or long-term stock issues they should be worried about.

Theres plenty of food, theres plenty of products, he said.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Ryce Stoughtenborough contributed to this report.

Danielle Echeverria is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DanielleEchev
At Good Good Culture Club, the eclectic new restaurant from Liholiho Yacht Club, beef short ribs get marinated in both smoky Mexican guajillo chiles and misoyaki, the Japanese-influenced Hawaiian sauce of miso, sake and sugar. Chicken wings come stuffed with sticky rice, and bone-in pork belly finds depth from oyster sauce and lemongrass. The food is served on brightly colored plates in a dining room punctuated with light streaming in from skylights, pops of neon and plants on almost every surface.

The restaurant, which opened recently in the Mission District (3560 18th St.), hopes to defy boundaries just like Liholiho. But at Good Good, the wide-ranging inspiration for the food is rooted in a big behind-the-scenes change: Staffers now drive the ideas, part of the owners effort to create a more collaborative, equitable restaurant.

The thought to add guajillo chiles to the short ribs came from a sous-chef. The pork belly was inspired by family barbecues co-chef Kevin Keovanphengs Laotian family hosted as immigrants in San Diego. A neon blue sign hanging over the kitchen asks, Did you eat yet?  an homage to the term of endearment framed through food used by several employees families.

Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Owner Ravi Kapur is still deeply involved, but two co-chefs, Keovanpheng and Brett Shaw, are running the kitchen. To take better care of employees, Good Good is open for dinner five days a week and will distribute a 20% service charge, which the owners call an equity fee, equally among the staff in lieu of tips. Employees spent two days in training sessions on topics like growth mindset and diversity, equity and inclusion. The chefs encourage all staff to contribute ideas.

So far the result is a playful menu thats purposefully not tied to a single cuisine and with lots of personal references. Theres aromatic Laotian sausage that Keovanphengs mother sold as an informal side hustle for years, a mantle he picked up during the pandemic under his pop-up, Baan Keo. A pandan bibingka dessert, a sweet Filipino rice cake, nods to a pop-up that Shaw and wine director and dining-room manager Aimee Arcilla ran out of Liholiho in 2020 called Hunnybee. They often collaborated with Keovanpheng.

Good Good also has another new culinary focus: wood-fired cooking. Logs of almond wood are stacked next to the kitchen to fuel the grill, where oyster mushroom skewers and meats get charred and smoked.

Desserts include their take on Filipino halo halo, served with fresh jackfruit and ube ice cream, and a chocolate mousse cake layered with haupia, Hawaiian coconut.

The collaborative nature of (Good Good) makes it so that any cook or anybody in this restaurant who wants to have an influence on the direction on the menu, we welcome that, Shaw said.

Liholihos bar director, Janice Bailon, created a cocktail menu that taps into a pandemic desire to escape and be transported. There are bright and fun drinks you can imagine sipping poolside with ingredients like coconut, lychee and hibiscus and names like Vanishing Point.

Courtesy Joe Matty/

A gin cocktail features lemons preserved in the sweet-salty Li Hing Mui, or dried plum powder from Hawaii, mixed with shiso liquer and Japanese umeshu (plum liqueur). Bailons take on an old-fashioned gets a hit of richness from a black sesame syrup made by grinding the seeds with cane sugar and letting them sit overnight so the seeds oils saturate the sugar.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Good Good is designed to be more casual than Liholiho, which is set to reopen this spring. The new restaurant takes a limited number of reservations and keeps lots of tables for walk-ins. Diners will order on their phones using QR codes.

Fans of Liholiho will remember the tropical rooftop patio that became so popular during the pop-up on 18th Street that it had to be reserved far in advance. But the team didnt set out to open a carbon copy of Liholiho. They hope Good Good Culture Club will have a distinct identity.

Were not opening Liholiho Yacht Club No. 2, Kapur said. It should be different.

Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
This years drought in California was devastating for wine grape yields, and it was also terrible for the key ingredient in beer: barley.

The shortage, caused by weather conditions like drought and heat rather than supply-chain holdups, means that price increases for Bay Area beers are inevitable, according to local craft brewers. And some brewers are worried that the crop issues could lead to potential quality declines too.

Despite the fact that farmers planted more acres of barley than in 2020, the yield was still down 38% in Canada, according to a report by the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre, which described the 2021 harvest as one of the worst in a generation in both quality and quantity. (Many U.S. breweries rely on Canadian barley.) The U.S. only fared slightly better, with a year-over-year decline of 33%.

Climate change is real, and this emphasizes that beer is an agricultural ingredient, said Ron Silberstein, co-founder of Admiral Maltings, a first-of-its kind craft malt house in Alameda. A malt house like Admiral takes grain  usually barley  allows it to sprout, then roasts it to various levels (from light for pilsners to dark for stouts) for breweries. This becomes the building block of beer, which is produced when the malted grains starches are broken down by enzymes created during germination into sugars, which get consumed by yeast during fermentation. While most grains can be used, good-quality craft beer is made entirely from malted barley.

Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle Left: Curtis Davenport moves bags of malt at Admiral Maltings in Alameda.; Right: Admiral Maltings in Alameda is one of the few craft malt houses in the country, producing malted barley in small batches with deeper flavors for craft breweries. Carolyn Fong / Special to The Chronicle

A drought and heat wave in Idaho, North Dakota, Montana and Western Canada, where most of the barley used in the U.S. is grown, meant crop failure and lower yields this year. Late-season rains added to the problems, leading to a process called chitting, in which the barley sprouts before harvest time. In that scenario, the barley would need to be used right away or discarded.

Admiral Maltings is unique in that it buys barley from small farms, mostly in California, and malts its grains in smaller batches on a specially designed malting floor. This can produce deeper flavors than the large, automated tanks used by industrial malt houses. Since Admiral opened in 2017, top Bay Area breweries like Armistice, Drakes and Standard Deviant have begun relying on its high-quality malt.

But this years barley harvest has thrown Admirals business into chaos. A combination of drought and heat stress meant that most of the barley crop failed in the Sacramento Valley, where Admiral buys some of its grain. They got luckier in Tulelake, another area where they source, where the barley plants water efficiency and residual ground moisture allowed a good harvest, Silberstein said. Thats despite the fact that the farmers there got no water from that regions lake for the first time in 100 years.

The only thing that saved Admiral, said Silberstein, was the fact that it had some barley in reserve from a surplus in previous years. Still, the company is feeling the price pressure.

Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle

Theres no question theres going to be a price increase, said Silberstein, who is already seeing 25% price increases from farmers. Admiral Maltings prices for malt, currently around $1.01 per pound, will rise 11%, he said.

The price of barley from the larger malt houses, like Brewers Supply Group, which sources grain from North America, has already begun to rise, said Michael Guilford, head brewer at Petalumas HenHouse Brewing Co.

It is a substantial increase of 40%, especially for a raw ingredient that goes into nearly every one of our beers, said Guilford, who expects to purchase 1.8 million pounds of malt this year.

While Guilford hasnt seen a decrease in that malts quality yet, it is something all brewers are preparing for. One key concern is an especially high level of protein in this years grain. A typical barley harvest would have a maximum protein level of 11%, but the harvest this year was around 14%, a large enough difference to create serious concerns about reduced fermentation efficiency and longer days for brewers.

At Alaro Craft Brewing in Sacramento, co-owner Ray Ballestero has taken pride in using local ingredients. Out of the 11 tap handles in his taproom, four use barley grown in the surrounding area. He had been making a beer called Bennett, a Sacramento Pale Ale, using hyper-local components: Sacramento-grown barley malted by Admiral Maltings, local hops and a yeast strain developed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico.

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That sort of brewing is getting expensive. I think for big guys that have better margins its probably not that much of an impact, said Ballestero about the barley price increase. Whereas larger breweries can save money by buying grain in bulk and keeping it in large grain silos, a small producer like Alaro purchases barley by the 55-pound sack. That makes his brewery especially sensitive to price fluctuations.

Whether this past barley harvest was just a one-off bad year or a more permanent, climate change-driven shift in growing regions remains to be seen.

Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle Carolyn Fong/Special to The Chronicle Left: Chris Lucas picks up barley grain inside the grain kiln at Admiral Maltings; Right: A glass of Tremor California light lager organic 100% Admiral pils - made with Admiral Maltings malt - photographed at The Rake pub. Carolyn Fong / Special to The Chronicle

Agricultural schools like UC Davis are trying to get ahead of the problem, developing new strains of grain optimized for disease resistance and drought tolerance. One strain, Butta-12 barley, is designed to withstand crop diseases specific to the Sacramento Valley.

For Admiral Maltings Silberstein, the whole situation is a lesson about the importance of decentralized growing, which has been slow to catch on because it costs more to farm grain at smaller scales. If more farms throughout the U.S. produced grain, a crop failure in one area might not be catastrophic for the industry nationwide.

That might also lead to more interesting-tasting beers. Farmers growing different kinds of malt in more places would give brewers a chance to showcase different terroirs, possibly even near where they brew. What small-scale production lacks in efficiency and pricing, it gains in the ability to show regional flavor nuances.

It (would be) easier for them to make a beer that represents their region in a unique way and as craft artisan beverage producer, said Silberstein. What could be more important than that?

Lou Bustamante is a Bay Area freelance writer. Email: food@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thevillagedrunk
California hospitals are bracing for a rising tide of coronavirus patients in the coming weeks that health officials say is likely to surpass last winters surge and overwhelm health care systems that are already struggling to keep up with demand.

The intense pressure on the states health care system comes amid a national omicron-fueled surge that has led to record-level hospitalizations nationwide and is further challenged by industry-wide staffing shortages. On Thursday, President Biden said he is sending 120 military personnel to six states to help overburdened health systems. California, which still has lower hospitalization rates than hard-hit states like New York, was not one of them.

The president also announced plans to send 500 million more test kits to American households, doubling the amount promised earlier, though its not clear when those kits will be available.

In California, health officials said they were eager for federal reprieves in staffing and testing, both of which are under enormous strain thats expected to worsen in the near future.

We thought last year was as bad as it could be, Carmela Coyle, president of the California Hospital Association, said in a news briefing Thursday. She said this surge, stoked by a variant that causes milder illness in general but is astonishingly infectious, could be worse for hospitals than last winters wave.

We are looking at a very, very difficult next four to six weeks, with the demands on Californias health care system greater than anything weve seen before, Coyle said.

As of Wednesday, nearly 13,000 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus in California, including 1,630 in the Bay Area. Both of those numbers are rapidly approaching the peaks of last winters surge, when 22,000 people statewide  and 2,200 in the region  were hospitalized with the virus in early January.

Though there are hints that this surge may be leveling off in parts of the country, including early signs of waning in the South Bay, coronavirus cases are not expected to crest for another week at least, assuming California follows the omicron trajectory recorded in a few other countries.

Hospitalizations typically lag a week or two behind cases. That means coronavirus hospitalizations could peak at the end of January  potentially with more than 30,000 patients across California, according to state forecasts.

The upside is that because people usually dont get as sick from omicron as with previous variants, there probably will be less pressure on intensive care units, less need to put people on ventilators, and ultimately fewer deaths in this surge, even with the very high case counts, health experts say.

So far, intensive care patients are making up a smaller proportion of overall hospitalizations than they have during previous surges. In the Bay Area, hospitalizations currently are 50% higher than the peak of the summer surge caused by the delta variant, but there are fewer patients in intensive care: 221 ICU patients as of Wednesday, compared with 311 on the worst day in August. At the height of last winters surge, 539 people were in intensive care in the Bay Area.

Doctors said theyre seeing that mild illness play out both in terms of treating less severely ill patients, but also reporting a spike in people who arent very sick seeking care in emergency rooms. Health officials across the state have begun pleading with people to not go to emergency rooms for mild symptoms or to get tested for the coronavirus.

Our ER and on the ambulatory side, the doctors are really busy, said Dr. Gary Green, an infectious disease doctor at Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital. Our ER is swamped and our ambulatory docs are swamped with not only phone calls but also with patients who have mild symptoms who are really worried about COVID.

A large proportion of those currently hospitalized with the coronavirus are not actually sick with COVID: At some facilities, a third to half of patients with the coronavirus dont have symptoms and are being treated for other medical conditions, but tested positive upon being admitted. That could also mean a lighter burden on intensive care services in the coming weeks, compared with earlier COVID surges.

But with coronavirus cases so high  more than 100,000 new cases being reported every day in the state, and more than 15,000 daily in the Bay Area  that inevitably will lead to many more people requiring hospital care for COVID, health officials say.

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We have this warped view about how mild, or milder, omicron is, when it clearly can kill and put a lot of people in the hospital, Dr. Eric Topol, executive vice president of Scripps Research in La Jolla (San Diego County), said in a virtual update on the surge Thursday with Dr. Robert Wachter, chief of medicine at UCSF.

Patient loads overall will almost certainly be much higher this winter than last, health officials say. At the peak of last winters surge about 53,000 people were hospitalized for all medical conditions, not just COVID; the current hospital census for the state is about 52,000.

And hospitals statewide were coming into this surge with about 20% less staff than last year, Coyle said. Plus, many hospitals are now dealing with massive numbers of staff  including nurses and doctors  who are unable to work due to having COVID, having been exposed to the virus and needing to quarantine, or taking care of family members who are ill.

Last week, the California Department of Public Health introduced an order allowing health care workers who test positive for the coronavirus but do not have symptoms to immediately return to work if necessary. Coyle said she expects few hospitals to use that option.

But we are down to crunch time and there are really very few options that are left, she said. We are heading into a third year of a pandemic that we just cant wish away. We find ourselves at this moment on the precipice of the most challenging time to date for Californias health care system.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Catherine Ho contributed to this report.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
If sewage from Santa Clara County is any indication, a hopeful trend for omicron in the Bay Area may be on the horizon  even as hospitals prepare for a surge of patients that is not expected to crest for at least a few more weeks.

The countys wastewater surveillance tool, which measures levels of COVID-19 genetic material in its sewage systems, has shown that levels of the virus peaked around Jan. 6  and have fallen dramatically since then.

The countys tool revealed similar curves among wastewater surveillance systems in Palo Alto, San Jose, Sunnyvale and Gilroy  pointing to the possibility that the Bay Area may have already reached its most troubling ridge of omicron infections.

We didnt know that (the data) was going to be such a great metric for infection when we started, but it turns out that it is, said Stanford University Professor Alexandria Boehm, who worked with Santa Clara County to track its sewage plant as part of the Sewer Coronavirus Alert Network project, which monitors COVID-19 infection across 11 wastewater treatment plants.

That tracking also shows relatively consistent patterns from several other sewage plants in San Mateo County, San Francisco, Davis, Merced and Modesto  a promising indication for the region at large, and one that mirrors data collected in cities such as Boston, where wastewater surveillance also measured a steep decline of COVID-19 after a sharp peak.

This may be the first sign that we have plateaued and started to come down, said Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of the UCSF Department of Medicine. The cases now are a less reliable number than they used to be before. ... We have to rely on other ways of getting a sense of how this virus is in the community.

The Bay Area is still reporting high levels of infection, but that measurement is subject to distortion based on multiple factors, including testing delays, the high proportion of unreported home testing results, and the people who may get infected but not tested, experts say.

Were still on the ascent portion of the curve right now, said UC Berkeley infectious disease expert Dr. John Swartzberg. But if the wastewater data is accurate and the virus is going to behave ... much like it behaves in other parts of the country and internationally, then ... the numbers will start to level off within a week or so.

However, coronavirus hospitalizations typically lag infections, so already short-staffed medical facilities likely have not yet seen the worst of the omicron surge. State forecasts show coronavirus hospitalizations could peak at about 30,000 across California at the end of January.

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The quick turnaround (about 24 hours) of wastewater surveillance testing  which measures the concentration of RNA, from SARS-CoV-2 in the effluent  and its ability to capture infection across an entire community has made it a far more in real time depiction of how prevalent COVID-19 is in society.

Early in the pandemic, wastewater surveillance revealed a significant surge of the virus in Yosemite, far before anyone there reported being sick. In the past year, UC Davis has also expanded its sewage sampling sites to track any spikes in infections.

According to the wastewater data, Swartzberg said, we should see clinical case counts declining in about four to 10 days. But this period will be crucial to controlling the spread and making sure we dont see another crest after coming down, experts say.

The prevalence is so high that it will remain sky-high for several weeks, said Wachter, whose son was one of the many fully vaccinated individuals who tested positive for omicron through a rapid home test. It is literally raining omicron, and the rain has slowed down a little bit, but its still awfully wet out there.

Annie Vainshtein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avainshtein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @annievain
If youre among those fortunate enough to have gotten your hands on an at-home COVID-19 test during the omicron surge, pharmacists say its a good idea to check the expiration date.

Over-the-counter rapid antigen tests have been hard to find in the Bay Area and elsewhere as demand has skyrocketed, with decisions about safety, quarantining and isolation hinging on whether you test positive or negative.

But pharmacists say theres another wrinkle: The test kits have a shelf life, and using old tests could mean inaccurate results.

Heres what pharmacists and test manufacturers are saying about expiration dates, what they mean, and what you should do if you find your test kit has expired.

What do the expiration dates on at-home antigen tests mean?

Each test manufacturer marks expiration dates on the outside of the test boxes  and the shelf life differs from brand to brand.

The length of time between manufacturing and expiration has to do with how long the manufacturers studies ran  whether it was six, eight or 12 months, for example, said Dr. Richard Dang, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy and president of the California Pharmacists Association.

That ends up being the data submitted to the (Food and Drug Administration), and the FDA reviews the data and issues expiration lengths based on the data that was received, he said.

The dates reflect the stability data that each company has on how long the tests last, Dang said.

The tests contain chemicals and reagents that react with the solutions and the samples the user collects to see if virus is present, he explained.

Essentially, those chemicals can break down or degrade over time, he said. The (dates) reflect the amount of time the chemicals can still be valid.

The dates represent something in those test kits, whether the strip, reagent or maybe a chemical in there thats going bad, said Dr. Clint Hopkins, owner and pharmacist in charge at Puccis Pharmacy in Sacramento.

David Dermer/Associated Press

Can I use a test after the expiration date?

We dont have a definitive answer for how long after the expiration date a COVID tests results could still be valid, Dang said.

Without that information, it would generally not be recommended to use it past the expiration date, he said. The reliability of that test may not be as good.

He added that in the pandemic, testing is meant to detect infections to prevent spread, so if results are incorrect due to expired ingredients, that could potentially contribute to transmission.

But consumers should be aware that the suggested expiration date can change based on new data.

Abbott, which makes the BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card, originally specified expiration dates between six and nine months.

The shelf life was extended to 12 months, Aly Morici, a spokesperson for Abbott, told The Chronicle in an email. Other sources indicate the shelf life is now even longer  letters from the Food and Drug Administration to Abbott show the agency first updated the shelf life to 12 months last spring, and most recently on Jan. 7, extended it further to 15 months. Dang also confirmed a 15-month shelf life.

The shelf life for the CareStart COVID-19 Antigen Test was also incrementally increased by the FDA throughout last year, from the original 6 months to 9 months in March, then to 12 months in July, and finally 16 months in December.

The label on my test indicates its expired. Should I throw it away?

Experts say not to use the test past the expiration date printed on the box unless you know for certain it has been given an extension. Dang said to check on the manufacturers website, call the customer service number, or search for letters granting revisions on the FDAs emergency use authorization database for antigen tests.

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If you confirm the test has expired, Hopkins said usually he would advise not using it, but said it might be good to hold onto it for a month or two to see if the expiration date is extended.

I wouldnt hold on to it for a year, and I wouldnt use it or trust any results from it unless a study is done to show the results were going to be valid, he said.

Whats the best way to store at-home tests?

Generally, experts say to store at-home tests at room temperature. To be completely sure, check the storage instructions on the packaging. QuickVue, for example, advises users to store the tests at 59 to 86 degrees. CareStart tests are 33.8 to 86 degrees. Ellume and Flowflex tests should be stored between 36 and 86 degrees. BinaxNows storage temperatures are 35.6 to 86 degrees.

Morici said if a BinaxNow test is stored outside that temperature range for a short period of time, such as a couple of hours to two days, it should be OK to use as long as the test and its components are used at room temperature.

Still, experts say its best to store tests properly. Dang said to definitely avoid extreme temperatures, whether high heat or freezing environments, which can break down substances and chemicals a lot faster.

That includes high humidity environments, like in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, which can lead to degradation of drugs and other things, Hopkins said. He advised keeping the tests in a kitchen cabinet or another room, safely stowed away from children.

Is it OK to stockpile tests?

The need for at-home tests varies from person to person. Those with less exposure and risk of coronavirus infection wont need as many. Generally, experts say you should keep enough to cover your anticipated needs  but dont hoard them.

Two good reasons: They can expire and theres a low supply right now, Dang said.

Keeping only what youre likely to use will ensure that tests arent wasted, and those who urgently need them have a better chance of finding them.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
As the omicron wave continues to wreak havoc on Californias education system, theres another issue that continues to challenge state high school students ability to succeed. And its one that precedes the pandemic by over two decades.

Students are being misinformed about what counts as a passing grade to gain admission to a University of California or California State University campus.

UC and CSU, two of the largest university systems in the nation, require that high schoolers achieve a passing grade on each of their core academic courses, known as A-G courses. These courses include subjects that are foundational to a high school education, including history, English, mathematics, science and foreign languages. Since the mid-1990s, UC and CSU have designated a passing grade to be a C or above.

However, many districts, including Oakland Unified School District, continue to count a D as passing. That means a student can get what the school tells them and what they think are passing grades in core courses across four years of high school, only to find out when college admissions season comes along that they had one, two, three or more grades that disqualified them from getting into UC or CSU.

Just 35% of Black students and 47% of Latinx students in Oakland completed the A-G requirements needed for admission to the states four-year public universities, according to publicly available data. Meanwhile, 80% of white students meet the A-G standard in Oakland. As Black and brown students comprise some 90% of total enrollment in Oakland, theres a glaring inconsistency with these figures and the districts graduation rate being north of 70%. With so much talk about building bridges to college and careers, this inconsistency means that many students are unwittingly walking the plank as they exit high school.

How do we know students arent aware of this discrepancy? We asked them.

Last summer, student leaders from the organization I founded, Energy Convertors, launched the Dump the D campaign. They surveyed 446 Oakland students to assess their understanding of the A-G requirements, their own learning progress and their perspective on a host of other education issues.

Of the students surveyed, just 37% knew if they had fully completed their A-G requirements, known as A-G eligible, and fully half of students didnt know what A-G eligible even meant. Whats more, kids arent hearing this essential information from the adults in their lives  just 45% said that an adult has explained the A-G process.

We see the impact of these dynamics in high schools across Oakland.

For example, Oakland Tech, one of the citys six comprehensive high schools and often most sought after, had the most Black high school seniors in the district in the 2019-2020 school year. According to the California Department of Education, of the 127 Black seniors, 114 graduated on time from high school  a laudable 90% graduation rate. However, out of the 114 graduates, just half were eligible for the UC or CSU systems, meaning just 47% of the schools Black seniors completed A-G requirements. Its the same story at Castlemont High, home of the largest Latinx graduate population in 2019-2020. Of its 91 Latinx graduates, just 40 were A-G eligible.

Thanks to the advocacy of Oakland student and parent leaders, the district is now considering changes to the grading system. These changes may include moving a passing grade to what is now a C  up from 65 to 70 on a scale of 100  lowering a C to a 65 or giving students who get between a 65 and 70  what would have been a D  a grade of incomplete.

Some schools in Oakland are proving that you dont need to lower standards to get kids on track for college eligibility. These schools, like Coliseum College Prep Academy, MetWest High School and those in the Lighthouse Community Public Schools network, give students a not passing grade if they fall below a C. But the communication doesnt stop there. They provide counseling about the A-G requirements and learning support to get those students on track.

The Oakland school district is beginning discussions with parents, students and educators on these issues, which is a good place to start. Honest and candid conversation would be a big and needed reversal on this issue. But, as our Energy Convertor student leaders have proposed, we can and should do more. Rather than lowering the bar for students by making a 65 a passing grade, we should raise the bar for the entire system by requiring more of our public schools when students fall short of a C. That means more academic support when students need it and tailored, ongoing learning interventions to get them back on track and make sure they stay there.

In addition to Dumping the D, the school system should implement an easy-to-understand early warning system that communicates to students if theyre on track with their A-G requirements. A red, yellow, green color-coded system on report cards would be easily understood and effective. This warning system should then be coupled with parental notification and support from school staff for any student receiving a yellow or red warning.

More than anything, we need to provide students with the respect of honesty and truth about how theyre doing. We cannot hope to build student agency, resilience and success if were not candid about issues as big as their futures outside of the classroom.

Charles Cole III is the founding executive director of Energy Convertors, an Oakland-based student empowerment and advocacy organization.
I was fortunate to be one of only eight college students to ever study directly under the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in a classroom. That intense experience at Morehouse College 60 years ago solidified a shared belief with King that actions are more powerful than words in ensuring civil rights.

As we mark Kings birthday this year, it is a remembrance unlike almost any other. It is a time for working deeds in celebration of his life and for mobilization to ensure the fulfillment of his dream. It is a time for Congress to take action to preserve the voting rights that King fought so hard to gain, not only for Black Americans, but for all Americans. Those rights are under attack in statehouses and courtrooms around our nation.

Emboldened by the Big Lie of our disgraced former president, state legislators across the country have enacted draconian voter restriction laws, not only in the Deep South, but in 19 states across the country. These laws will effectively prevent millions of voters from being able to have their ballots counted by reducing or eliminating early voting and voting by mail and adding onerous identification requirements.

Some state lawmakers have even proposed legislation that could potentially allow legitimate elections to be overturned. In this regressive environment, the most important action we can take as a nation is to stamp out those racist laws with the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 and the Freedom to Vote Act. Both bills have been held up for months in the Senate, through the intransigence of Republicans and with the assistance of two supposed Democrats who, in this case, are opponents of the core democratic principle of the right to vote. As these vital bills remain bottled up, state lawmakers are becoming more emboldened to invent new ways to deny people the vote, as effectively as ever.

Make no mistake. These newly enacted voter restriction laws in a growing number of states are transparent efforts to disenfranchise voters of color. They are a blatant attack on the fundamental Constitutional rights of Americans meant to maintain the power structure created and sustained by systemic racism.

President Biden has called for an end to the filibuster, which is being used by opponents to prevent the Senate from even debating the bill. That would be a drastic step, one that some worry would create risks in the future should Republicans take back control of the Senate. Yet in a political environment poisoned by the Big Lie and just a year after armed rioters invaded the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election, some kind of drastic action is needed. Because without these bills, we might see millions of voters permanently disenfranchised because of their race or ethnicity. Indeed, the situation today is reminiscent of 1957, when King chastised lawmakers who refused to act on voting rights as men (who) so often have a high-blood pressure of words and an anemia of deeds. Senators profess their dedication to the Constitution and the right to vote, yet they stand on the proverbial schoolhouse steps refusing to allow their fellow citizens access to the ballot box.

King believed that the shortest path to freedom went through the polling booth. That path is being blocked, and words will not remove the barricade; only action will. And unless Congress acts, and does so with conviction, we will surely see elections decided not by the vote of the majority, but by the machinations of the minority, and the perpetuation of the systemic racism King devoted his life to eradicating.

Amos C. Brown is pastor of the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, president of the San Francisco branch of the NAACP and sits on the national board of the organization.
A Diamond Heights group that spent $100,000 fighting the biggest housing development in that San Francisco neighborhood in decades has withdrawn opposition after the builder agreed to a series of concessions.

Developer Marc Babsin said the parties reached a settlement last weekend on the 24-unit condo project at 1900 Diamond St. after he agreed to save 10 Monterey cypress trees, set back the buildings and create a parklet with a public platform offering 180-degree views from the downtown skyline to Mount Diablo and south along the bay.

In addition, the developer, On Diamond LLC  an affiliate of Emerald Fund  agreed to build a public staircase connecting Diamond Street and Diamond Heights Boulevard, which will connect Diamond Heights to Upper Noe Valley. The new plan also calls for the number of driveways to be reduced from 15 to eight, which will result in fewer curb cuts and more street parking.

Babsin said the negotiations, which carried on through Thanksgiving and Christmas break, were tough but that the project improved because of the input. The neighbors hired their own attorney, architect and engineer, and some of their ideas were incorporated into the new design.

We had over 30 meetings  which is a lot for a project of 24 units, Babsin said. Its an example of a dedicated effort by a community and a project sponsor to work together over time.

In a letter to the 800 residents who had signed a petition opposing the development, 1900 Diamond for All said the compromise proposal addresses many of the neighborhood concerns.

Although some may be disappointed, there has been a considerable investment in time and money in this effort, the letter said. After 1.5 years pushing for a better outcome; addressing environmental, neighborhood and legal concerns at a cost of (more than) $100k in legal, architects and expert fees, significant changes have been made by the Emerald Fund to the project which benefit the neighborhood.

Steve Chaffin, an organizer with the group, declined further comment.

Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle 2021

While the development will be all market rate, Babsins group will pay $2.8 million in affordable housing fees to the city. Of the 24 units, 21 will be three and four bedrooms, which Babsin said will help keep families in the city. Over the past decade, just 10% of the housing produced in San Francisco has been three bedrooms or more.

This is family housing, and we are in a major family housing crisis, Babsin said, noting that several friends with children had left the city in the past year. The project is hopefully still viable.

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, whose staffer Jacob Bintliff was involved in the negotiations, said, Babsin deserves a lot of credit for working with the neighborhood and coming up with something that works.

He said he would prefer if the units were smaller  and therefore less expensive  but he was pleased a deal had been reached. The homes average 2,500 square feet and will probably fetch more than $3 million each.

The good thing about the project is that it will create housing in a neighborhood that has not had very much built in recent memory, Mandelman said. My concern has been that some of that housing is clearly very large single-family homes. I dont think that is a priority.

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 neighborhood opponents had also questioned whether the current property owner, the Cesar Chavez Foundation, has the right to sell the land to a market-rate developer. The foundation, which owns the adjacent Vista Del Monte low-income housing development, bought the property using public money  tax-exempt affordable housing bonds issued by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority  and the deal included a deed restriction that requires it to maintain the property for affordable multifamily rental uses for a period of 55 years.

Jana Asenbrennerova/Special to The Chronicle 2021

While the city attorney looked into the matter, the office declined to take on the case, according to 1900 Diamond for All.

Carolyn Lee, an attorney for the Cesar Chavez Foundation, said the property had been subdivided in 2019, and the portion of land slated for development has absolutely no remaining deed restrictions, regulatory agreements, declarations, covenants or any other recorded encumbrance that would prevent it from becoming market-rate housing.

Both the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had signed off on the subdivision and proposed sale of the land, Lee wrote in a letter.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen
Mayor London Breed criticized the Board of Supervisors this week as obstructionist and suggested some supervisors were hypocrites for calling for more homeless services and housing while rejecting hundreds of homes and delaying the approval of a new shelter.

When asked on the New York Times Sway podcast published Thursday what obstacle shed like to get rid of, Breed said with a laugh that she would remove the Board of Supervisors.

She clarified that she doesnt actually want to strip away the legislative branch of government, but would love to see the politics of the board removed. She said she wants supervisors to do what they know is right rather than whats going to keep them in office.

In the remarks, Breed struck a pragmatic tone and tried to distance herself from politics at a time when shes being criticized as too political in the wake of declaring an emergency in the Tenderloin.

Breed said that when she decided to tackle problems in the Tenderloin, she didnt weigh the political calculus of who this might appeal to or not. I just decided ... this is not working.

A former supervisor and board president, Breed said she was pressured into taking certain stances to appease the liberal wing of District 5, when she wasnt very supportive of many of those policies.

I see a lot of that because theyre catering to one specific audience, she said. Im trying to do whats best for the entire city.  I think having supervisors who are accountable to the entire city would be very helpful.

Supervisors are elected by residents in their districts, while the mayor is elected citywide.

She also said her experience as a Black woman who grew up in public housing and often felt unsafe informed how shes approaching the situation in the Tenderloin, where shes pushing for more police while trying to get rid of open-air drug dealing and use.

Breed said ideologies have failed the city and its Black residents and distracted from finding solutions to problems. She said District Attorney Chesa Boudin and some members of the board, who are white and didnt grow up in poverty, havent experienced what its like to feel unsafe and not trust the police.

Boudin couldnt immediately be reached for comment.

The mayor and supervisors have butted heads over the past year, with criticism swinging both ways. Supervisors have probed department heads in the wake of citywide corruption scandals. Both Breed and Board President Shamann Walton accused each other and their staffs of bullying last summer.

Walton said in response to Breeds comments Thursday hell keep trying to push everyone to work together in a productive manner.

Breed said that while she has good relationships with most supervisors, some have also worked to take away her power and ability to do things.

A charter amendment aiming for the June ballot by Supervisor Aaron Peskin in part would chip away at the powers of the mayor by giving supervisors authority to replace their colleague if a supervisor leaves the board before an election. Another by Supervisor Connie Chan shifts some of the mayor's power to appoint and remove members of other boards to the supervisors.

Chan said the mayor joking about removing the legislative branch to rule without accountability ... sounds about right, noting that during the COVID-19 emergency, the mayor had broad powers that werent subject to board oversight.

Breeds spokesman Jeff Cretan previously said Breed was praised for her pandemic leadership and slammed the charter amendments as a petty attempt to undermine the powers of the office of the mayor.

Cretan said Thursday Breed has been clear what her priorities are  advancing public safety, addressing homelessness and mental health, supporting children and families, building more housing faster and getting our recovery going as we continue to navigate this two-year pandemic.

He cited her collaboration on various efforts with supervisors and said shes open to working with anyone.

Breeds interview flicked at recent controversial votes by the board  the rejections of a group housing project in the Tenderloin and a nearly 500-unit development in SoMa that are currently under scrutiny by the state. Chan said its unfortunate that the mayor seems to take things so personally when there are genuine policy disagreements about what kind of housing was needed in the affordability crisis.

Breed also criticized supervisors delay of a vote on a 250-bed shelter last week. She criticized that supervisors called for more community outreach, which she said had already been done, and trying to use that as an excuse to not see that thing go through.

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.

Peskin, who represents the district in which the proposed shelter is located, defended his push to delay the vote three weeks. He said community input was lacking compared to past projects and questioned the process for picking a nonprofit to run the site. He also asked why homeless resources were clustered in that area.

When asked whether he was beholden to constituents  such as Post Street neighbors who opposed the new shelter  Peskin didnt directly answer, but touted previous attempts to get a navigation center for youth in his district. Eventually, he worked to open one at 888 Post St.

I wouldnt say everyone was flag-waving supporters of that concept, Peskin said. Youre talking to a supervisor who has walked the walk and who has stood up for the facilities that the city needs, but has done it in conjunction with the neighborhoods. I think that is what real representation consists of, whether youre district supervisor or a citywide mayor.

I think that it is better to approach these situations with honey than with vinegar, but the mayor is welcome to her views, Peskin added.

The three supervisors who voted to delay the shelter were quick to point to their records supporting housing and shelter while rationalizing their decision for more time on the new proposal.

Supervisor Matt Haney said he will support it, but there were questions to consider about whether the city could purchase instead of lease the building. Hes pushed to get more housing and services in other districts instead of concentrated in his. In response to Breeds comments, he said all supervisors should do whats best for the people they represent and the whole city.

Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who wants the city to buy the building, said people try often to give San Francisco a bad rap that we kill people with process but that there wasnt enough time for the community to review the proposal.

Supervisor Gordon Mar said that he was always open to working with Breed even though they wont agree on everything.

I was elected to represent the communities of District 4, and the legislative branch exists, in part, to be a check and balance on the executive branch, he added. Those are responsibilities I take seriously, but they dont prevent me from working constructively and collaboratively.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench
Beauty company Sephora is moving its U.S. headquarters to 350 Mission St., a glassy tower in the Transbay area, after signing San Franciscos biggest new office lease during the pandemic.

The LVMH-owned company subleased 286,000 square feet across 16 floors from Salesforce. The tech company previously occupied all 30 floors in the tower until it scaled back its offices due to remote work and listed around half of 350 Mission St. for sublease in 2021. Sephora will move into the space in 2023, consolidating two existing offices at 425 Market St. and 525 Market St.

The deal is the citys biggest since Visas headquarters lease at Mission Rock in November 2019, which was slightly larger at 300,000 square feet. The largest lease during the pandemic, excluding renewals, was previously financial tech startup Chimes 191,833-square-foot lease at 101 California St. last year.

Sephoras deal is evidence of demand for high-end downtown buildings and follows Yelps headquarters lease in the same building. The deal builds upon modest growth in the citys office market at the end of 2021, when the vacancy rate fell slightly to 19.9% from 20.5% in the prior quarter.

Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images

New leasing activity in 2021 totaled 4.8 million square feet, more than double the 2.2 million square feet in 2020 but less than 2019s 7.7 million square feet, according to real estate brokerage Cushman & Wakefield.

350 Mission is thoughtfully designed to support and enhance the future of work at Sephora, which puts a strong focus on our employee culture, collaboration and flexibility, Jeff Gaul, Sephora senior vice president of store development, said in a statement. Most importantly, this move consolidates the number of buildings our corporate employees work in and supports our hybrid in-person and remote work practices while providing ample room for growth as Sephora continues to be a leading employer in the Bay Area.

He cited the towers views of the Bay Bridge, collaboration space, and easy access to restaurants and gyms as draws to the building.

As San Franciscos largest private employer, were committed to continued growth and giving back to the community. By embracing a new hybrid way of work were able to sublease a portion of the floors in 350 Mission Street, and welcome Sephora to the building, a Salesforce spokesperson said.

Although leasing activity has picked up, the omicron variant has pushed coronavirus cases to record highs in California and the Bay Area, throwing office return plans into disarray. City officials estimate 15% of San Francisco office workers will stay remote permanently when the economy stabilizes in 2023, one of the reasons business tax revenue is expected to grow by only 1% in the next fiscal year.

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.

Sephora parent LVMH, headquartered in Paris, had record revenue of 44.2 billion euros ($50.6 billion) in the first nine months of 2021, up 46% from the prior year. Luxury goods have seen a boom in sales during the pandemic, thanks in part to the wealthy benefiting from a soaring stock market and other investments. The companys other brands include Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Fendi.

LVMHs Selective Retailing division, which includes Sephora, had organic revenue growth of 13% in that period compared to 2020, but was still down 23% compared to 2019.

Sephoras activity returned to 2019 levels despite store closures, and it opened spaces for the first time in Kohls stores, the company said.

Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf
Im in a psychedelic Volkswagen bus careening down Lombard Street with the stereo blasting Born to be Wild. As we round each sharp turn, I hold my breath, but my tour guide looks unfazed.

A fearless, fabulously dressed woman named Judith, she tells me about the time she took the vintage vehicle full of tourists down Lombard Street in the pouring rain, the brakes protesting with each slippery curve. This, in comparison, is nothing.

Lombard Street is our final stop on the tour after two hours of gallivanting around the city. Weve chugged past the jaw-dropping bridge views at Fort Point, the multimillion dollar homes in Sea Cliff, the lush greenery of Golden Gate Park and the hippie shrine of Haight-Ashbury, all the while listening to the Grateful Dead and flashing peace signs at delighted onlookers.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

My day as a pretend tourist has been led by San Francisco Love Tours, a company that relishes in making a spectacle with its fleet of hand-painted rainbow Volkswagens. I may know better than to call it San Fran, but I find that even after living my entire adulthood in the Bay Area, theres still tons I dont know. For the real tourists, though, the effect of a tour like this is even more illuminating.

Some media coverage would have you think San Francisco is a dystopian hellhole, but surely tourists dont leave with that same impression after seeing it for themselves.

People get to walk away understanding the fallacy that sometimes gets created that San Francisco is just overrun by homelessness and needles, said Allan Graves, founder of San Francisco Love Tours. Or that the people who are extreme advocates for the city are a cesspool of communists that are just trying to take control of the entire city. People kind of walk away knowing that we're not like that.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

But its not just the breathtaking bay views or the swans floating placidly at the Palace of Fine Arts that change these skewed perceptions. Its the deft words of the tour guides fielding (sometimes ignorant) questions about the city they love.

These are the most common questions tourists ask about San Francisco according to five experienced San Francisco tour guides  and how they answer them.

Charles Russo/SFGATE Charles Russo/SFGATE Charles Russo/SFGATE Charles Russo/SFGATE Views through the Volkswagen Bus windows with San Francisco Love Tours. Charles Russo/SFGATE Views through the Volkswagen Bus windows with San Francisco Love Tours. Charles Russo/SFGATE

How do people afford to live here?

San Francisco has historically been an expensive city, but it's only getting worse now that we are running out of room. If you are not in finance, tech or health care, there are only a few ways to stay in the city. Rent control, multiple jobs, a good service industry union or you take advantage of your community network to find an affordable place. Most people now live with too many people in one place or simply live outside the city limits. -Stuart Watts, San Francisco Native Tours

I read in Tales of the City  you can have a nice apartment or live in a nice neighborhood or have good roommates, but you can't have them all at the same time. I also say frankly that most working class people can't afford to live here and have been forced to move farther and farther out to the exurbs. -Eric Schaefer, Fogcutter Tours

Sometimes I tell them its like the frog in the pot. If you have a frog in boiling water, itll jump right out, but if you've been cooking here for 30 years, you dont know any better. -Allan Graves, San Francisco Love Tours

Charles Russo/SFGATE

How much does that house cost?

I dont get invited to parties in this neighborhood.  The short answer is too much. -Schaefer

Is it always this cold (in summer)?

Yes (in summer) but if you want to warm up, the farther away from the water, the warmer it gets. Its probably going to hit 90 in Napa today. -Chad Thompson, Vantigo Tours

Most people expect SF to be like SoCal. Warm with palm trees everywhere.  You can always tell who's a city kid based on how many layers they have. Most of us are wearing a couple and have one or two more in our bag. -Watts

I try to explain that our summer comes later.  I also hand them one of the blankets I have on my open bus and say that the sun will probably be out by 11 a.m.! -Schaefer

How often do earthquakes happen? Whens the next earthquake?

If a group is fun, you can drive over a pothole or a section of bad road and say, RIGHT NOW! More often, I just say that there are one or two a year that we can feel and they remind us that we [should] have 72-hour earthquake kits. Then I explain that I don't actually have one of those, but I am totally going to get to it! -Schaefer

I tell them the story of my standing in the shower at a health club on Bay and Kearny when the 89 earthquake happened. Didnt feel a thing. -Gary Laufman, Gary Tours

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Why are there naked people?

Just freedom of expression! -Thompson

Just like cannabis, there have been naked people running around the city since the 60s. There were a whole lot more during the Summer of Love, but there is still a handful left that usually hang out on the nude part of Baker Beach or in the Castro. The most ironic part is one of the previous supervisors of the neighborhood, Mr. Wiener, was fighting against the nudity in the neighborhood. You just can't write that kind of stuff. -Watts

A naked guy was walking down Haight and the people in my car were shocked. I just said, Oh him. Were used to that. -Laufman

Why are there so many COVID rules here?

San Francisco is usually ahead of the curve and takes aggressively proactive and progressive approaches to legislation. It definitely helps that we have been through serious pandemics before like AIDS/HIV and now take health quite seriously. We believe in science. -Watts

At first it was hard to adjust to all the new rules but you can see in retrospect that SF did far better [at keeping people healthy] with the rules in place and so now you are here you can feel comfortable that you will be at low risk for infection. -Thompson

Why is there so much poop and needles/homelessness in SF?

I talk about the expense of living here and mention that most people who are homeless here were housed here. If the group is interested in going deeper, I also talk about the Navigation Center program and all the great things that the city and nonprofits are doing, but point out that places to live seem to get more expensive at an even faster pace. -Schaefer

The first part is pretty easy, there are not enough public restrooms in the city! It is a problem that we've had since I can remember. There are always conversations around poop with lots of concerns, but the simple answer is we need more public restrooms.  We need to start giving more of a st about st.

The needles are a way more complicated conversation. This I am not sure we will ever have a cure for, but there are a whole lot of different approaches we need to try to help manage this issue hopefully sooner than later. Having safer shelters, needle exchanges, deposit boxes, safe injection sites (paired with rehabilitation support programs) and most importantly getting people into housing; I believe [these] would be great steps in the right direction to begin addressing this issue. -Watts

Is my car safe?

Not if you have something in it. I'm serious, I mean anything. -Watts

No, dont leave anything in the car, no pennies or iPhone charger. Especially if its a rental or out-of-state plates. -Thompson

Charles Russo/SFGATE Charles Russo/SFGATE Charles Russo/SFGATE Charles Russo/SFGATE Scenes from a VW Bus tour with San Francisco Love Tours. Charles Russo/SFGATE Scenes from a VW Bus tour with San Francisco Love Tours. Charles Russo/SFGATE

Why does the city shut down so early?

A lot of New Yorkers are really surprised by that, when they come out here and they expect things to be late-night or 24 hours. I always have to explain that were just kind of a foggy, sleepy town that tends to shut down on the earlier side. -Watts

Can we smoke weed here?

Yes, you just have to be 21 to smoke anything in California. But remember discretion is key. I wouldnt spark up at a kids playground. -Thompson

Can we hotbox your car?

No, you can't hotbox my car. It's custom-built and doesn't have any windows. -Schaefer

Hell no! Haha, but we can stop at a dispensary on this tour for later! -Thompson
The remembrances poured in for Nicholas Alahverdian, saying that he had succumbed at 32 to non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2020. His last words were fear not and run toward the bliss of the sun, an online tribute to Alahverdian read.

There was an in memoriam citation with the signature of a congressman on official letterhead, even a death notice purportedly quoting the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island.

But his demise was greatly exaggerated, the authorities in two states said this week. Alahverdian, a convicted sex offender wanted on a rape charge in Utah, was alive and not so well, prosecutors in Utah and the Rhode Island State Police said.

He was recently arrested in Scotland, according to the authorities in the United States, who said that Alahverdian, 34, had been hospitalized with COVID-19 in Glasgow and had at one point been placed on a ventilator.

He had been using the name Arthur Knight while living in that country and eluding investigators, who said on Thursday that they were now seeking to extradite him to the United States on a rape charge that has been pending since September 2020. The Providence Journal earlier reported Alahverdians arrest.

The case, which prosecutors said involved a sexual assault on a woman  whom Alahverdian had reportedly met on Myspace  in 2008 in Orem, Utah, had been sealed until recently. The charge was filed seven months after he faked his death, said David O. Leavitt, the chief prosecutor in Utah County, which includes Provo.

We dont make a practice of charging dead people, Leavitt said Thursday, adding that Alahverdian could very well have known that we were onto him.

Leavitt said that DNA from Alahverdian matched genetic evidence that had been taken from the victim. But that rape kit, like a multitude of others sitting on shelves in the county, had long gone unanalyzed, he said.

After being elected as county attorney in 2018, Leavitt said, he ordered that DNA evidence from scores of languishing rape kits be entered into a national database of registered sex offenders.

We got a hit, he said. Suddenly, we had a suspect.

Investigators said that the suspect, Alahverdian, had used a slew of aliases, including Nicholas Rossi. He was convicted in 2008 of sexual imposition and public indecency under that name.

Those charges stemmed from an encounter between Alahverdian and another Sinclair Community College student in Dayton, Ohio, who told a campus police officer that Alahverdian had groped her and masturbated in front of her in a stairwell.

The conviction, which Alahverdian unsuccessfully appealed, required him to register as a sex offender. That victim had also met him on Myspace, which Leavitt said had been a pattern.

What we found was a trail of victims, Leavitt said. We knew that if we charged him and if that were public, that wed never find him.

In Glasgow, hospital employees were able to identify Alahverdian from photographs, according to investigators, who said that his fingerprints and DNA had been provided to Interpol.

Laura Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the Crown Office, which prosecutes criminal cases in Scotland, said Arthur Knight had appeared in a virtual court hearing from Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on Dec. 23 in connection with the extradition proceedings. Hamilton said the Crown Office had not scheduled future court dates.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said the force had arrested a 34-year-old man on Dec. 13 in Glasgow in connection with an international arrest warrant.

The Rhode Island State Police and the FBI referred questions on Alahverdians current status to Leavitts office, which said that it was not immediately clear whether Alahverdian was still hospitalized.

The online tribute to Alahverdian, which gave Feb. 29, 2020, as the date of his death and clocked in at nearly 1,000 words, said that his earthly remains were cremated with his ashes scattered at sea.

At the time of his passing, the room was filled with the sounds of the end credits for the 1997 film Contact by composer Alan Silvestri, a film and score which held special meaning for Alahverdian, the tribute read. The movie, adapted from a novel by Carl Sagan, involves a possible message coming from a distant star system.

The tribute said that Alahverdian had earned acclaim as a child welfare reform advocate, drawing from his own experience of being raped and assaulted in Rhode Islands child welfare system.

It quoted Jorge O. Elorza, the mayor of Providence, remembering Alahverdian as a a beloved community leader whose selflessness and lifelong contributions to the residents of the State of Rhode Island have earned him the unwavering admiration and respect of many.

A spokeswoman for Elorza did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

On a Facebook tribute page for Alahverdian, an in memoriam citation signed by Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., is still prominently displayed.

According to Langevins office, the citation, which includes the House seal, was requested by someone claiming to be a member of Alahverdians family. An aide to Langevin described it as a common courtesy for the office to accommodate such requests, though he said that had it known about Alahverdians background, it would not have granted it.

The person requesting the tribute asked for Langevin to read the citation on the floor of the House, a request that the office said had been denied.

Every year, my office issues many condolence cards to Rhode Islanders during their times of mourning, Langevin said in a statement Thursday. If police reports are accurate, it is disturbing that this one was abused to further this apparent deceptive plot to escape justice. I hope he is brought to justice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Leavitt said that Alahverdians victims ranged far and wide because of his deception and were not limited to those in the sexual assault cases. The exhaustive search for him, he said, sent a powerful message to people, including the woman Alahverdian is accused of raping in Utah.

She certainly hasnt rested from her suffering, he said, and from our perspective, we shouldnt be resting, either.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
A South Sudanese man, who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to the capital Juba, is now grateful to Chinese medical doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments. Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba, was recently in pain after developing hemorrhoids under the skin around his anus and underwent surgical operation which did not go well as he continued to release blood in his stool. To compound matters, his aging wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem had chest and breast pain (mastalgia) while his 22-year-old son Ngok Joseph Maker needed an operation after suffering a cartilage piercing bump. Gordon told Xinhua on Thursday that the 9th batch of Chinese medical team has eased the burden of treating his family after the trio were successfully examined and provided with proper treatment at the Juba Teaching Hospital. "We came to Juba teaching hospital to visit Chinese doctors, my son was having pain in his ear and they managed to do the operation without consultation charges," he said after being examined following his operation two weeks back. Gordon was operated on in a health facility outside Juba Teaching Hospital, but he continued to experience bleeding amid pain while releasing his stool. "I personally came for hemorrhoid treatment, the operation was done late last year, they (Chinese) managed to stop the bleeding, and they said their role is to help patients as part of bilateral relations with South Sudan," he disclosed. The 15-member medical team arrived in the country from Anhui Province in September last year. "I call on South Sudanese who cannot afford medical costs in private health facilities to come to the Chinese, they have done several operations," added Gordon. He expressed further relief after Chinese doctors assured him of a follow-up of his wife's medical recovery, noting that they also promised to operate Guem if the need arises. Gordon, who underwent a successful operation on his ear last week by a team of Chinese doctors, said he had been enduring severe pain since 2019. "The swelling in my ear started after piercing my ear with the needle in 2019. It was operated on in 2020 but the pain continued. I was again this year operated on at Juba Teaching Hospital," said Joseph who is now relieved of the pain. Ding Zhen, general surgeon and team leader of the Chinese medical team who treated the family, said they will monitor Gordon's family. He noted that Guem suffered pain in her chest and breast for five years. "We will follow up with her (Guem) case to ensure she is totally healed of her pain," said Ding. However, Gordon noted the need to support Chinese doctors in the translation of local languages in order to ease their communication with patients in need of their services. "We have a problem with language, their work is practical but they need translators to pass the message to patients so that they can understand, their services, especially minor operations that I witnessed, are very good," he said.


On a sunny Saturday afternoon in 1992, a 6-year-old boy named Qa'id Walker-Teal was pedaling his bicycle at a school playground in Marin City.

Nearby, rap musician Tupac Shakur was posing for photographs and signing autographs with residents of the community where he once lived with his mother.

A fight broke out. Then shots. A bullet struck Qa'id in the forehead, killing him and sending shock waves rippling across the tightly knit community, which had been celebrating its 50th anniversary with an annual festival that August day.

Shakur and his friends were arrested and released, and no one was ever charged with Qa'id's death.

Now, three years later, the annual festivals have stopped. Many residents are left unsettled, saying they will not be satisfied until the killers are convicted.

A Marin County Superior Court jury is expected to be seated today in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Qa'id's parents against Shakur and his half-brother Maurice Harding.

The suit contends that Shakur pulled a gun during the fight, brandished it, then dropped it when he was punched by someone in the crowd. It alleges Shakur then told Harding to pick up the gun and shoot.

Shakur's attorneys, meanwhile, say the wrong person is being sued. They note that Harding was arrested and charged with the killing but was eventually released for lack of evidence.

Shakur's lawyers are nevertheless negotiating a monetary settlement. Before the 120 potential jurors walked into court yesterday, Shakur's attorney Dennis Cunningham said he thought a settlement had been reached -- for $300,000.

Cunningham said he was told that one of the rapper's record companies had agreed to pay that sum to Qa'id's parents, Ocita Teal and Darrell Walker. Lawyers for Teal and Walker, however, said no such agreement had been made.

Cunningham says his client is "a hair's-breadth away from bankruptcy" and that the settlement from an unidentified record company was offered because Shakur "felt bad about it. . . . It's a bad thing that happened. He wants to acknowledge that."

The defense attorney acknowledged that the bullet that killed Qa'id was traced by authorities to a gun registered to Shakur. "Bad on him for allowing his gun to be in that place," Cunningham said. But, he added, "it was a mob scene and it was nasty . . . Somebody fired the gun over the heads of the advancing crowd that was going to do them harm."

Marin City was traumatized by the killing of the boy and is still seeking answers, said Pastor Fred Small of the Marin City Church of God.

"We're so close, what happens here affects everyone," he said. "I don't think he did it, but if he's willing to contribute something, we'll have to accept that as closure, I guess."

Shakur, meanwhile, was released three weeks ago on $1.4 million bail from Clinton State Prison in Dannemora, N.Y., while he appeals his conviction for sexually abusing a fan in a New York City hotel.

The rap musician, known for lyrics that are often about sex and violence, has been arrested six times since 1993. The incidents ranged from an assault to a gunfight, in which the charges were dropped.

At his sentencing in the sexual abuse case, Shakur said he was leaving his fate to God: "I've been shot five times, and He's brought me this far."

Police and eyewitnesses say that on Aug. 22, 1992, Shakur appeared at the outdoor festival in Marin City, a community of public housing and condominiums just north of Sausalito.

The annual event was one of the oldest and longest-running festivals put on by African Americans in Northern California. It was an attempt to inform people about black heritage, a bright spot in a poor neighborhood made up of many of the descendants of World War II shipyard workers.

As a teenager, Shakur spent time in these housing projects. He later romanticized those times in some of his music.

His attorneys claim in court documents that Shakur lived with his mother and "like many others there, they were poor and hard up. When the defendant began to achieve success as a practitioner of 'rap,' putting out a hit record which led to further opportunities and successes . . . he was able to leave his hard life in Marin City behind him, pursuant to the American Dream."

Shakur's lawyers say he went to the festival from his new home in Oakland that day with a few friends and another rap music group he was promoting. In Marin City, court documents say, he was "mobbed" by young fans and spent the next hour or so hanging out with them.

Then, the attorneys claim, Shakur was confronted by a group "supposedly greatly offended by derogatory statements about Marin City which the defendant reportedly had made in a televised interview weeks or months before. . . . "

According to police reports, Qa'id was on his bicycle, about 100 yards away, when gunfire erupted. A sheriff's sergeant said Shakur was struck in the face, and that Harding allegedly fired three to six shots into the crowd, striking Qa'id.

Shakur was held and later released. Detectives searched his Oakland home and seized ammunition. Shakur denied having a gun or knowing that any of his friends had a gun. Attorneys for Qa'id's parents, however, state in court documents that Qa'id was killed by a bullet fired from a .380 Colt automatic handgun registered to Shakur.

Attorneys for Qa'id's parents have stated in court documents that they may call as many as 29 witnesses to the events surrounding the shooting.

Marin City residents are left searching for answers.

"All of those who had guns, I think, are guilty," said Pastor Small. But, he said, "some things, you have to wait for an eternity to reveal the truth of."
Aloha,

For the past decade or so, Ive seen the changes firsthand to Hawaiis shoreline  and not just in Waikiki. My home beach on the west side of Oahu is wrecked, unrecognizable from the days I frequented it as a kid. The North Shore is battling erosion like Ive never seen before; some homes are barely surviving, and they are not alone.

In the beginning, I shrugged my shoulders, as most people probably would, but its become evident through the years that things are not getting better. This is what prompted me to dive into the issue of how climate change is affecting Hawaiis beaches.

What Ive learned is heartbreaking, to say the least.

Please read to the end, as Kekai Keahi has some inspiring words from a Hawaiian perspective on how to look at nature and the changes that may come, whether youre in agreement with the timeline or not.

A hui hou,

Christine Hitt

Hawaii editor



Hawaiis famed Waikiki Beach could disappear by the end of the century. Its not the only one.

Waikiki Beach is often where visitors first fall in love with Hawaii. Its soft sand, calm and inviting waters and view of Leahi (aka Diamond Head) are known worldwide. Once home to Hawaiian royalty, Waikiki is now a popular tourist destination, generating 41% of the states tourism revenue in 2015.

But climate change threatens the iconic beach. With global sea levels estimated to rise at least 3 feet by 2100, Waikiki Beach may not be around at the turn of the century. Some scientists think Waikiki Beach could disappear even sooner. Read more.

More stories:

Hawaii lifeguard blasts tourists for attempting to surf deadly waves. Lifeguard tells you fing not to go out, you dont f-ing question it. Read more.

How The Rock, Ludacris and Bob Saget helped this Maui bakery rise to cookie stardom. The Maui Cookie Lady is producing some of the nations most desired cookies. Read more.

Virus hospitalizations rise in Hawaii as omicron spreads. The state saw 331 patients in its hospitals Wednesday. Read more.

On Hawaii is curated by Hawaii editor Christine Hitt. You can contact her at Christine.Hitt@sfgate.com.
Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack have bought a lot of dirty, grungy houses on HGTV's "Flip or Flop," but their latest property is especially creepy.

In the Season 12 episode "Addition Condition," these flippers buy a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Anaheim, CA, for $475,000. The house has a particularly odd layout, so El Moussa gets the idea to turn one bedroom into an accessory dwelling unit, a private apartment the future buyers can rent out.

However, the flippers know it would be difficult to rent out any part of this house as it stands. With dark rooms and a weird layout, Haack and El Moussa get an unsettling feeling when they first take a tour.

"This is creepy," Haack says, looking around. "I feel like I'm in a murder mystery."

They give the home a complete makeover, and in the end, the scariest thing about this house is how much they spend on renovations. Read on to see how El Moussa and Haack turn this ominous property into a cute, midcentury modern abodeand get plenty of tips for creating an ADU within your own home, and much more.

This house had an avocado exterior color and ugly porch railings. HGTV

When Haack and El Moussa first check out their latest flip, they're not at all pleased with the exterior. The porch features a dated floral railing, and the house is covered in a throwback color that was once all the rage.

"This house is, like, avocado," Haack says. Still, the house is in fairly good shape and she picks out a modern color scheme of gray with white trim and black shutters.

"The whole house looks completely different," Haack says once the paint is done. "The paint colors look super nice."

These railings date the house. HGTV

To finish the exterior, El Moussa has an idea for the intricate floral porch railing: "We leave all of this, and we just cut out the designs."

So the team cuts out the floral parts, leaving behind sleek, simple metal rails. It costs a lot less than a new railing and makes the exterior look much more modern.

After: Now, the railings look new. HGTV

A midcentury style can be a bit 'funky'

Before: Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack weren't happy with this dark kitchen. HGTV

Inside the home, Haack says, "I would have to sage it" to clear negative energy, but El Moussa disapproves.

"We will never sage a house," he says.

In place of sage, El Moussa and Haack fix up the space by removing one wall, opening the kitchen up to the living room. Then they fill the kitchen with midcentury modern woodgrain cabinets and a white and blue backsplash that El Moussa calls "funky."

After: This kitchen is packed with midcentury modern style. HGTV

Funky or no, Haack likes the backsplash: "I love it. Midcentury is all about fun patterns, textures, mosaics."

At first, El Moussa wasn't sure about this backsplash, but it looks great! HGTV

You don't need a huge house to build a beautiful ADU

Before: This bedroom was accessible only through another bedroom. HGTV

When Haack and El Moussa first tour this house, they're surprised to find that two of the four bedrooms are connected. Clearly, they'll need to fix this.

"No one wants to walk through a room to get to a room," Haack says.

However, instead of rearranging the doorways, El Moussa surprises Haack by suggesting they turn the back bedroom and bathroom into a studio ADU with a kitchenette.

"It takes away the funky floor plan, it makes everything functional, and it increases the value," El Moussa says.

After: An accessory dwelling unit can add value. HGTV

The change would cost about $30,000, but El Moussa knows it'll be worth the expense.

"We'd probably sell the house for $50,000 to $70,000 more," he says.

Haack notes that this will leave the main house with only one bathroom, but El Moussa's fix is clearly the right choice. By adding a kitchenette and a separate entrance, these flippers allow the future buyers a chance to make income off their property (or just provide a private space for in-laws or an adult child).

Haack and El Moussa prove that a homeowner doesn't need a separate guesthouse, detached garage, or entire floor to create an ADU.

Different bathrooms should feel similar but not identical

This dated bathroom was due for an upgrade. HGTV

While the main house and the separate apartment are both part of the same property, Haack wants to make sure the spaces complement each other but have their own unique design.

"The main house and the ADU will have similar looks," she says. "For example, we're using the same shower tile on the main house, only in blue."

After: The bathroom in the main house has a deep blue shower. HGTV

Using the same tile in different colors is a great way to give these two bathrooms a similar style without looking identical. It's a great idea for anyone designing two bathrooms in the same housewhether one bathroom is part of an ADU or not.

After: The bathroom in the ADU has a white version of the tile in the main house. HGTV

Turn a pool into a putting green

Before: The flippers didn't want to keep this pool. HGTV

In the backyard, these flippers find a lot of concrete and an old, oddly shaped pool.

"There's something very awkward about the shapethis, like, oval situation," Haack says. "It looks like a bathtub."

While Haack and El Moussa want to fill in the pool, they're afraid of how the finished product will look.

"This entire backyard is concrete. If we fill in this pool right here, this is going to be concrete," El Moussa says.

After: This putting green is a fun alternative to the pool. HGTV

Contractor Israel Battres suggests turning the filled pool into a putting green, and the "Flip or Flop" hosts love the idea.

"That's the best idea you've ever had," Haack says.

Filling in the pool costs $3,000 while the putting green on top is an additional $2,000. It turns out to be a unique feature that adds color to this yard. With a lot of concrete still there, this yard still isn't perfect, but El Moussa and Haack found a novel way to get rid of an unwanted pool.

Is this house a flip or flop?

After buying this home for $475,000, El Moussa and Haack plan to renovate it for around $90,000. But after taking down a kitchen wall and transforming one bedroom into a separate apartment, they spend a shocking $161,000 on the renovation. Factoring in $30,000 for closing costs and commission, the house has a break-even price of $666,000.

They list the property for $799,000 and end up getting nine offers, accepting one for $855,000. If this deal goes through, El Moussa and Haack stand to make a profit of $189,000. It's proof that even spooky homes can be turned aroundno sage required.

The post Here's One Thing Tarek El Moussa and Christina Haack Will Never Do appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Sharon, PA (16146)

Today

Rain. High 67F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Low 57F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
photo: Beowulf Sheehan

Jessamine Chan, a former book review editor at Publishers Weekly, has had short stories published in Tin House and Epoch. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. Her debut novel, The School for Good Mothers (reviewed below), is an imaginative and chilling depiction of a dystopian future where society's hypervigilance and surveillance is particularly brutal on new mothers.

This is such an unusual and gripping novel. I found myself thinking about the plot, the imagery and the issues long after I had finished it. What inspired you to tell this story?

First, thank you for reading and spreading the word! Hearing that my work has made a lasting impression is so satisfying. This story emerged from a few different threads of inspiration. When I started the project in 2014, my partner and I were trying to decide whether to have a baby, so I was ruminating on motherhood with great anxiety and ambivalence. Around that time, I happened to read a nonfiction article about one mother's struggle to regain custody of her toddler son after leaving him home alone, and her nightmarish experience with the family court system. The story lingered in my mind. I felt so much rage on the mother's behalf. In addition to the way she was treated, the way that Child Protective Services--and everyone working for the state--spoke to that mother, and the way they talked about parenting, sounded cold and clinical to me, almost like science fiction.

How did the plot come to you? Was it prompted by real-life news or current events?

The book's plot came to me on one really good writing day, where I wrote feverishly for six hours and wound up with the foundation for the book. From that day's scribbling, I had Frida's whole arc, all the main characters, the school, the tech elements and, most importantly, the voice. I wish I could say I sat down with a plan, but I tend to write toward a feeling or image, or even by just playing around with sentences and following the lines until I hit upon a cool idea. The inciting incident was inspired, on a subconscious level, by a story I'd read in the New Yorker, but once I started reading about parents who got in trouble with CPS, I found that this story was one of many, whereby one misstep can change your life.

What inspired you to set this novel in a dystopian future with speculative elements, and how did that aid in the storytelling?

I was interested in using speculative elements to raise the stakes and hopefully see our current reality more clearly. While I was writing, I didn't spend much time dwelling on the "why" of it all and just followed my crazy ideas to their conclusion. There's a note on my bulletin board from a workshop teacher, Percival Everett, that says: "Don't worry about what it means. Just make the world. Keep making the world." Though this book has big themes, I don't think about theme when I'm drafting. I write almost entirely from instinct.

The surveillance in my book is based on the feeling of being watched and judged by other parents, and thus, society. For example, I remember one impasse I had with my daughter where she did the "protestor resisting arrest" move on the sidewalk and simply wouldn't budge or get in her stroller. I felt the eyes of West Philly on me as she screamed and I implored her to cooperate, alternating between a raised voice and a lot of begging. It was not my best parenting moment. I wanted to take that feeling of being monitored and make it literal, using imaginary future technology.

As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, how did your upbringing influence your perception of the idealized American family and guide your shaping of the characters?

As a child of the '80s and early '90s, growing up in a mostly white community in suburban Chicago, I was always aware that my Chinese family was different, and that I was different. We always had at least one grandparent living with us, and almost all our socializing was with my aunts, uncles and cousins. If there were problems, such as a grandparent in the hospital, we banded together. The sense of duty to elders is just one of many differences. I'm writing about American parenting from an outsider's perspective. Perhaps that's one reason I felt free to make things strange. As the years went on, I explored Frida's Chinese identity more and more, especially as she relates to the other mothers at the school. Knowing that I was creating the complicated, thorny and flawed Chinese American heroine I always wanted to read helped me stay motivated to finish the book.

You discuss themes of race and class. To what degree do you feel those are drivers of the characters' actions or experiences?

I'm not sure that race and class drive the characters' actions, but I do think they impact the characters' experiences. It's hard to think of any parenting decision that can be completely disentangled from one's race and class. Though I'm hesitant to make sweeping pronouncements, and shy away from fiction that does, I wanted to raise questions about the ways mothers from different backgrounds are surveilled or judged. In the real world, someone like Frida would not be as likely to be caught or punished. Her race and social class would likely afford her a certain invisibility to the authorities. I also wanted to call attention to the fact that any "universal" standard of parenting is inherently biased, because how can any standard take into account all the differences in race, class, culture and life circumstances?

What kind of stress do you think society's unrealistic expectations or constant surveillance place on new mothers?

What's especially troubling is that everyone is talking about the unreasonable pressures that mothers face, but little is actually changing in terms of resources or policy. It's hard to quantify the impact of expectations or the feeling of being watched or the feeling that you have to act like everything is perfect, because it's just there. How are you supposed to tune those messages out? I was reading books about this very issue, so I was aware that these cultural pressures (the "cult of motherhood") would add nothing good to my life, but I couldn't escape those feelings of inadequacy.

During my first year of motherhood, one week sometimes felt like a single long day. But in addition to just surviving, I was constantly judging myself by external measures, including whether I was happy during every single moment, because the message I was getting from society was that if I ever felt frustrated or bored, that meant I was doing something wrong. I wish all mothers could be free from the added stress of such impossible expectations.

How do you think society could better support new mothers?

If this were a country with just family leave policies, government-sponsored childcare, universal pre-K and more jobs that paid a living wage, I think the experience of motherhood, and parenthood in general, would be very different. The novelist Lydia Kiesling recently posted a great tweet noting that one hour of most jobs doesn't pay for one hour of childcare. So much of the burden is placed on individual families, but the problems are systemic and, unfortunately, most of the people making policy decisions are men. --Grace Rajendran, freelance reviewer and literary events producer
SHELTON  Community members have taken to social media to pay respect to Police Officer Rich Van Tine, who died Friday after nearly a year-long battle with cancer.

Van Tine was a 24-year resident of Shelton and a Marine Corps veteran who served in the Gulf War. The former state trooper is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and two sons, Ben and Alex.

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Officer Richard Van Tine after a valiant battle with cancer, the Shelton Police Department posted on its Facebook page Friday  a post that elicited several responses and shares.

Being that we were both Connecticut State Troopers, we already had a natural bond, Police Chief Shawn Sequeira said. Coming to the Shelton PD only strengthened our relationship.

Sequeira said Van Tine was a valuable member of the force who was enthusiastic about joining the force in his hometown.

Rich was and will always be remembered as distinguished trooper, officer, marine, and even more as a dedicated husband and father, Sequeira said. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Several Shelton police officers participated in No Shave November to raise money for Van Tine, who was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a type of cancer of the liver, in early 2021 and had been undergoing treatment. Officer John McMahon also started a GoFundMe page, which has raised nearly $14,000, for Van Tine.

Im heartbroken about this, said Mayor Mark Lauretti, who has known Van Tine since his days as a member of the State Police. He was a terrific person  this is a terrible loss.

Van Tine was a state trooper for 25 years, assigned to the bureau of special investigations and handled cases dealing with narcotics, auto theft and public corruption. He retired from the State Police when he joined the Shelton Police Department in 2020.

Van Tines friends and former colleagues with the State Police had held a benefit night at Portofinos in New Haven on Nov. 2. Many Shelton officers, as well as Lauretti, attended as well, and, in all, the event raised more than $7,000 to help Van Tines family and cover some of his medical expenses.

On the GoFundMe page, McMahon stated that Van Tine is a strong warrior and bravely fighting this battle with cancer. McMahon added that worrying about his familys financial security has weighed on Van Time and sometimes feels unbearable.

Rich has always provided for his family and the inability to work these past several months is one of the most difficult challenges he is facing, McMahon wrote. He has served his city with pride and true care and concern for the residents of Shelton. It is imperative for a person of Richs caliber to receive recognition not only for his career, but for the outstanding person he is.

brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com
The city-owned Mas property could become a manufacturing corporate park  and extending Constitution Boulevard North is the key to making it a reality.

Mayor Mark Lauretti at a joint meeting of the Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands commissions earlier this month presented concepts for developing the nearly 70-acre parcel near Bridgeport Avenue, with plans that included extending Constitution Boulevard to reach Shelton Avenue/Route 108.

The Mas property extends about halfway to Route 108 from Bridgeport Avenue, and the city has secured the rights-of-way for the rest, he said.

The hour is now, Lauretti said. The economic cycle comes once every 10, 15 years, and if you miss it, you will be left behind. When people are ready to put their oar in the water, we have to be ready as well.

Lauretti said he called the joint meeting to open a dialogue with both commissions, since the city would need a zone change before any work could be done on the site.

Members of both commissions sought assurance that the development would not adversely affect the surrounding residential neighborhoods. To that, Lauretti asked that both commissions rewatch a drone flyover of the area, which shows how the city melds residential with similar developments.

The vision is great ... I love it, P&Z Commissioner Mark Widomski said.

The Mas property was the citys first Planned Development District in the 1980s, but the designation has expired. Lauretti said a new zone change request would call for the property to move to light industrial or another similar zone. Much of the land is zoned residential.

There has been significant interest from light industrial (operations) over the past nine months, Lauretti said. These are some national name brands.

Lauretti said one major manufacturer  whose name he would not give because negotiations are ongoing  is seeking a 270,000-square-foot building on the property.

While negotiating with the company, Lauretti said he has since been approached by two other companies each eyeing 100,000-square-foot buildings.

We have a significant number of companies from Connecticut and New York looking to relocate here, Lauretti said. They are seeking to consolidate and bring their headquarters here. They want to be in Shelton, for many reasons.

The companies, according to Lauretti, are major manufacturers, which would also distribute their products from the location.

This is all contingent on getting access and the road constructed  that will not be a small task, Lauretti said. But I think at this point  I think the economic viability for this type of use is now there. The uses in the whole area would be consistent  it would become a manufacturing corporate park.

In 1988, the P&Z approved a Planned Development District for most of the Mas property that included four 10-story office buildings and an 82-unit residential condominium.

The project collapsed in the real estate crash of the late 1980s. The lead development entity was Citytrust, a Bridgeport-based bank that no longer exists.

The city bought the land after it went into foreclosure from the FDIC and got an adjoining small parcel from the FDIC once environmental remediation was completed.

The Mas property is now vacant. It is mostly wooded with considerable stone ledges and several ponds, including one some 600 feet long and 250 to 300 feet wide, and lies between Bridgeport Avenue, Cots Street, Tisi Drive, Sunwood Condos on Nells Rock Road, Regent Drive, Walnut Avenue, and Kings Highway. Part of the land abuts the back of the Perry Hill School property.

Lauretti said some of the lands rougher features could be terraced into the landscape. He also said some of the interested companies recommended the creation of walking trails.

The wetlands features are what are attracting interested companies, Lauretti said.

Lauretti said the April 7 meeting was held to give commissioners a flavor of where we would and could go depending on the challenges.

Plans on the city website show an extended roadway with seven separate lots, one of which is 10.6 acres of designated open space. Each of the remaining lots has one structure on it. In all, there is a 276,250-square-foot building, two 105,000-square-foot buildings, and two 34,250-square-foot buildings, along with related parking for each separate structure.

Constitutional Boulevard North would extend northerly, terminating at Shelton Avenue/Route 108 where it intersects with Nells Rock Road, according to Lauretti.

Lauretti said the road work would cost between $10 and $12 million. He said he plans to seek state and federal highway funding to cover roadway development.

There is a lot of money out there right now ... the government is printing a lot money, Lauretti said. The government likes shovel-ready jobs, and this is about as shovel-ready as it gets. Its right in their wheel house. Its economic development, and its jobs.

Im hopeful the Lamont administration will see the value of this project, Lauretti added, saying that in his 30 years as mayor he has received funds from four different governors and five U.S. Presidents.

These governors understand the value a place like Shelton brings to the state. Weve become an employment hub, he said.

Lauretti said plans remain preliminary. The mayor said he is working with the citys commissions, with engineering firms and the State Traffic Commission.

The last eight months have been very hectic, Lauretti said.

brian.gioiele@

hearstmediact.com
Wood chips flew through the air over the weekend as woodcarvers from near and far descended upon the Shippensburg Fairgrounds to showcase thei
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Tata Projects Limited, one of the fastest growing industrial infrastructure companies in India. is expanding its global footprint with an array of projects in the transmission and distribution sector.

The company has bagged orders worth approximately US$ 323 million for transmission and distribution projects across Africa.

The company has been awarded a US$ 79 million AfDB funded project for 280km 400kV D/C overhead transmission line from Nyakanazi to Kigoma in Tanzania In East Africa region in West Africa region,

The company also bagged secured contracts worth around US$ 244 million, having mix of transmission line, sub-station and distribution projects.

Tata Projects has expertise in executing large and complex urban and industrial infrastructure projects.

In West Africa region, TATA Projects secured contracts worth around USD 244 million, having mix of Transmission Line, Sub-station and Distribution projects. TATA Projects signed an approximately USD 106 million contract for a distribution project in Mali being funded by World Bank under the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Program. Additionally, it also secured a Sub-station Extension order from EDM, Mali.

TATA Projects further strengthens its presence in the region by securing around 500km of 330kV overhead transmission line projects in Burkina Faso and Niger, having approximate worth of USD 110 million, funded by World Bank and AfDB.

After strengthening its presence in East and West Africa, TATA Projects has successfully forayed into the Central African nation of Cameroon, wherein the company was awarded a transmission line project worth around USD 21 million, being funded by World Bank.

Speaking about the company's growth in Africa, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, SBU Head - International Business, TATA Projects Ltd, said, "Electricity is a necessity and implementation of these projects will touch a larger populace and connect them to an improved system. This contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal number 7 i.e. ensuring access to 'Affordable and Clean Energy' for all. As we transcend, we need to measure ourselves in sequential journey of touch, connect, access, effectiveness and affordability to have sustainable growth of the Community, Country and Co-existence of TATA."

Upon completion, these projects will enhance system capacities, unlock demand centers and make power accessible to consumers, ushering development and economic prosperity in the region.
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Come to my home, and you can set your clock to it. Just before dinner, as Im laying down cheap cutlery in the blissful haze of a Gin Blossoms super-mix (my cooking music of choice), my five-year-old comes to the table, commandeers my phone and Spotify account, and the refrain hits again.

Seven-foot frame, rats along his back! he belts dramatically, circling the table with a rockers sneer across his face.

Mirabel, voiced by Stephanie Beatriz, and Bruno, voiced by John Leguizamo, in a scene from Encanto. Credit:Disney

Anyone with a young child at home, and even some without, will be familiar with the line, burned into our brains after endless replays over the past month or so. Its from We Dont Talk About Bruno, the breakout tune from Disneys Encanto, about the magical Madrigal familys outcast uncle (John Leguizamo) whos shunned due to his inconvenient prophecies.

Theres something comforting, amusing even, in knowing this isnt just happening to me.
Benjamin Law has resigned from his position on the Sydney Festival board in the wake of the Israeli embassy funding controversy which sparked an artists boycott and disrupted this years festival.

The author and journalist had faced some criticism on social media in recent weeks for not publicly acknowledging the boycott, which saw more than 20 acts exit the festival in protest of the boards decision to accept $20,000 from the embassy to stage Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharins work Decadance.

The protests organisers said the partnership with Israel made the event unsafe for people of Arab background and promoted apartheid in the Middle East.

Comedians Tom Ballard, Judith Lucy, Nazeem Hussain and Maeve Marsden are among those who have supported the boycott, while the NSW arts minister Ben Franklin criticised the protest as did a host of entertainers, including rocker Gene Simmons, Oscar-winning producer Emile Sherman and singer Deborah Conway, in an open letter.
We are almost a quarter-way through the 21st century  time enough to check on how we are doing. Were we justified in striding into the New Millennium, as I did, with exuberance and optimism? My partner and I bragged we were now global citizens as we each celebrated the new century from iconic global locations, me watching fireworks at the Sydney Opera House, and him, studying in China, from the Great Wall. My brother, who managed an office building in Adelaide, had to work. Just in case. But Y2K did not happen, and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief that the doomsayers were wrong. All was well with the world.

And so it seemed as we trained ourselves to use 20 instead of 19 when recording dates. Before the end of the first year, the Serbian despot Slobadan Milosevic had been ousted by popular demand; this was followed by what would become known as the colour revolutions in Georgia and then Ukraine, where millions marched to demand democracy replace dictatorships.

Sydney welcomes in the new millenium. Credit:Andrew Taylor

Before the decade was over, even the peoples of North Africa and the Middle East were clamouring for an end to repressive government, first in Tunisia and Algeria, then, in what was labelled The Arab Spring, in Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Bahrain. Democracy seemed to be breaking out all over.

We breasted the new century confident the recently adopted Kyoto Protocol was going to see developed nations comply with mandatory targets to reduce greenhouse emissions. In 2006, Kyotos second year of enforcement, former US vice-president Al Gores film An Inconvenient Truth was a global hit and a massively influential educational resource on what lay in store for the world if we failed to act urgently to address climate change.
For the past three weeks, Ruth Cromers usually very busy schedule has been extremely quiet.

While she would normally be catching up with friends for coffee, attending appointments such as personal training sessions and working in her job proofing easy-read English documents, her support worker has been on furlough after being identified as a close contact of someone with coronavirus and then testing positive.

Ruth Cromer at home in Randwick. She has been unable to work after her disability support worker tested positive to COVID-19.

I need her with me to do all that, Ms Cromer said.

She added it was a bit disappointing to have had to cancel so many things this summer, including trips to Bondi Junction Westfield.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said he was disappointed that a small percentage of health staff had refused to get vaccinated. Every frontline health worker is invaluable. Its sad and unfortunate that a very small number of staff, out of the more than 170,000 health staff have declined to be vaccinated and therefore could not continue to care for patients, Mr Hazzard said. The risk factor for patients and other staff was always the problem and the reality is 99.4 per cent of the staff were vaccinated and they shouldnt be put at risk by having to work with people who have made a decision that is their entitlement but not the desirable one in the health setting. Despite NSWs Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant saying up to half the population could contract Omicron, Mr Perrottet remained steadfast there was no alternative but to push through and accept the presence of the virus.

Mr Perrottet this week said he was confident children would be back in classrooms for the start of term one, but a return-to-school plan is yet to be unveiled with pupils set to return in less than two weeks. NSW teachers and childcare workers are so far not included on the worker exemption list. What I will say is that well have kids back in school on day one, term one, in an environment that is safe for teacher and for students. That is our number one focus, he said. Mr Perrottet said NSW was working closely with Victoria to develop its back-to-school plan, which will be announced next week. While he was confident the state would soon have adequate supplies of rapid antigen tests ahead of schools returning, he said the government was yet to determine how they would be used. A large supply of rapid tests were expected to arrive over four days next week, he said.

There were 2527 coronavirus patients in hospital with the virus on Friday, including 185 in intensive care. While fewer than 5 per cent of people are not vaccinated in NSW, non-vaccinated people make up 50 per cent of those in ICU. Modelling released by NSW Health last week estimated the state would reach a peak of 4700 COVID-positive hospitalisations by late January, and, in this scenario, 273 patients would be in intensive care. But a severe nurse and doctor staffing shortage, with thousands of healthcare workers off sick or isolated, has forced NSW Health to mobilise a surge workforce including shifting administration staff who are normally desk-bound to hospital wards, asking intern doctors to start work ahead of schedule and fast-tracking nursing graduates into hospitals. The Herald understands that, if intensive care admissions edge close to 1000, private hospital intensive care wards would be used to cope with demand. A senior Westmead Hospital doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that about 15 per cent of the hospitals staff are unable to work each day because of illness or isolation.

Loading Staffing furloughs and the need to separate COVID-19 patients from others has become incredibly difficult, the doctor said. On every shift. beds are closed because staff are off. There has been a serious underestimate of how the spread of the virus would just take out huge numbers of doctors and nurses. On top of that, some hospitals are struggling to obtain any rapid tests. As another 63,018 cases were reported on Friday, with at least 9000 reported in south-western and western Sydney. Mr Perrottet said that, despite health system pressures, hospitalisations and intensive care admissions were below projections in modelling released last week. Dr Chant estimated that, while up to half the states population could contract Omicron, not all would have symptomatic infection or even know that theyve been infected. There are still people that have not experienced or been exposed to Omicron, Dr Chant said, noting it was vital as many people as possible received three doses of a vaccine before being exposed.

Loading Roughly 1.5 million people in NSW have received a booster shot, about 20 of the population aged over 18. On the second day positive rapid antigen tests were included in the states daily infection numbers, Fridays new recorded infections included 37,938 that were self-reported from at-home tests and 25,080 from PCR testing. Mr Perrottet said more than 40 per cent of the eligible population had received a booster shot. About 63,800 children aged 5 to 11 have received a first dose, representing just under 9 per cent of the population in that age group.
Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Bannaby, in the Upper Lachlan Shire of the NSW Southern Tablelands, are a dozen or so landholders with an axe to grind.

Among them are investment bankers, media executives and small business owners. They are not the sort of people you would normally expect to find protesting against an energy project.

But they are incensed over electricity operator Transgrids plans to build a new 500kV transmission line through their properties  especially when there is an existing corridor nearby.

Propety owners Christine and Peter Rose, with Mal Brierley, are fighting Transgrids proposed route for the new power lines. Credit:Rhett Wyman

One of the states largest energy infrastructure projects, the 350-kilometre loop aims to future proof the network and will connect the Snowy Hydro 2.0 scheme with a new substation at Wagga Wagga and upgraded substations at Maragle and Bannaby, north-east of Goulburn, at a cost of $3.3 billion.
Seated in the raised public gallery, well back from the dock in which White stood, Johnson was overcome with a mixed bag of emotions. Shock. Bewilderment. But underlying it all was a deep, pervading feeling of relief. That he will not have to endure the ordeal of a trial, with all its stresses, suspense and uncertainty. Then on Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Helen Wilson refused to grant White leave to withdraw his plea, convinced he was of sound mind when he made it, and convicted him of murder, with sentencing likely in May (Whites legal team have indicated they will appeal this judgment). Justice Wilson also lifted a non-publication order that had prevented media from reporting on the proceedings. The long journey is finally over, reflects Johnson. That journey began with a phone call in December 1988 while Johnson was on holidays in California (he is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts) with his wife and six- week-old baby, informing him his younger brothers body had been found at the base of the cliffs at North Head. US mathematician Scott Johnsons death was initially declared a suicide after police failed to identify the location as a gay beat. I flew to Canberra, where Scott was living with his partner, recalls Johnson. And we drove up to Manly police station, where we were told the case had already been closed. The investigating team consisted of a couple of young constables, not detectives. One told me straight up, This is where people go to jump, especially homosexuals. Scott had taken his own life, they insisted  a narrative the police will stick to for nearly three decades.

Steve Johnson never believed his brother committed suicide, but was at a loss of how to convince the police to investigate the death, and so he got on with his life. In the course of the next few years, Johnson made more money than he ever dreamt he would, after selling a world-first algorithm enabling photos to be sent over the internet, something hed earlier exchanged ideas on with Scott, who finished a PhD in mathematics just before his death. Then in 2005 Johnson got word that an inquest chaired by NSW Deputy State Coroner Jacqueline Milledge was examining the deaths of three gay men at the Bondi clifftops, propelled by an investigation led by Detective Sergeant Steve Page, whose groundbreaking evidence from Operation Taradale suggested these were gay hate murders. Milledge drew headlines when she described the original police investigations in the late 1980s as grossly inadequate and shameful. It was becoming apparent that in the eyes of many of the police back then, gay lives did not matter as much as heterosexual ones. Police arrest Scott White. Johnson hired an award-winning, former Newsweek investigative journalist to look into Scotts murder. Dan Glick arrived in Sydney on a cloudless day in May 2007 and within hours of jogging around North Head, and speaking to locals, he confirmed the spot where Scott was found was a well-known gay beat. I met a man who had been stabbed up there, says Glick. I turned up reports of more than a dozen men who were known gay bashers in the northern beaches around the time of Scotts death. What I couldnt figure out, and still cant understand, is why police at the time pretended not to know any of this or make any possible connection to Scotts death.

Following the third inquest, a $1 million reward was offered for information leading to an arrest; in 2020 Steve Johnson matched this with another $1 million. Then police commissioner Mick Fuller told reporters the Johnson investigation needed a new set of eyes and put Detective Chief Inspector Peter Yeomans from the sex crimes unit in charge. Loading Acting on a tip off, NSW police, led by Yeomans, went to Whites Lane Cove flat in May 2020 and arrested him. White pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder last year before reversing his plea this week. Yeomans has admitted that without an informants evidence, spurred on by the $2 million reward, the case couldnt have been solved. Steve Johnson now hopes the NSW government will not lose its nerve on the terms of the upcoming NSW special inquiry into gay and lesbian hate crimes between 1970 and 2010, giving it the powers of a Royal Commission to investigate the wave of murders that peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I do think [the Scott Johnson case] provides an extraordinary model for solving the murders of other gay men. It proves these cases can be solved.

Asks Dan Glick, Where is the accountability for all the past mistakes that individual police officers made, for the anguish they perpetrated, not just on Scott Johnsons family, but for the dozens if not hundreds of other people who were murdered, beaten, marginalised and otherwise ignored? Steve Page insists there were many well-intentioned and professional police investigators in the 1980s and 90s, but the failings of the police force overall need to be examined by a Royal Commission. One of the best ways to give this inquiry the best chance of success is for it to be given royal commission powers, Page says. There are a lot of family and friends of gay men who want answers, and they dont have access to the private support team that leaned into the Scott Johnson case. On Thursday, the Supreme Court gave permission for Steve Johnson to view the evidence, which is likely to be suppressed for the media until sentencing. On Friday afternoon, he pored over a raft of documents with his solicitor and police officers. Ive always wanted to know what my brothers last hours were like, Johnson reflects.
A womans body has been found after fire engulfed a home within a complex in Sydneys west.

One person was unaccounted for when more than 30 firefighters arrived at the property on Hammers Road, Northmead, about 9.30am on Friday.

Emergency services were called to the house fire in Northmead on Friday morning. Credit:Fire and Rescue NSW

Fire and Rescue NSW said crews in specialised breathing apparatus battled the flames and established protection hoses to ensure the safety of neighbouring properties.

Crews extinguished the fire that had spread throughout the home, FRNSW said. One person was located deceased inside the premises.
We also say there is a significant health risk and that those conditions breach international human rights law. Heat concerns raised for two decades Prison inspections are legislated to occur a minimum of every three years but for more than a decade, Roebourne has been reviewed every two years. The increased frequency of OICS reviews has been due to the agencys ongoing concerns about a facility built in 1984 that a previous inspector said was probably the worst prison in WA and the state government itself thought about closing in 2003. The first report on Roebourne by the OICS, based on an inspection in 2002, raised the heat of the prison as one of its biggest issues.

Prisoners said that the heat of their cells was the most uncomfortable aspect of their time in the prison, with many talking about the lack of ventilation in their cells and the efforts they went to in order to cool down, it said. Many prisoners indicated that the early lock-up meant that they spent over 12 hours in hot, poorly ventilated cells. Loading Changes have been made over the years so prisoners have access to small desktop fans and ice but at the same time a rise in prison population has meant the 7 square metre cells at Roebourne have been home to two people despite being designed for just one. By 2016 the OICS stopped asking generally for climate control solutions and outright recommended air conditioners needed to be installed in every cell.

OICS inspector Eamon Ryan told WAtoday the department had brought in heat mitigation for during the day  with things like misters on the verandahs and air conditioning in the recreation room and a limited number of special cells for prisoners with medical conditions  but it was a different story when the sun went down. When theyre [prisoners] locked in at night and the cell doors are closed and theres two men in a small room, thats when the temperatures can be stifling, he said. Thats the reason why we have constantly recommended some form of heat mitigation. A lot of people say, in the Kimberley the people who live there and in the Pilbara people are used to it, but I can guarantee you if youre in the Pilbara tonight [Thursday] and you dont have air conditioning, youre dragging your mattress out to the verandah.

The temperature overnight in Roebourne following the 50.5 degree day remained higher than 30 degrees. A special review by the OICS of thermal conditions in the prison six years ago found cell temperatures in the 2014 summer period never fell below 29 degrees. The average night temperature in non-airconditioned cells recorded in the special report was 33 degrees and typically over 35 degrees just before midnight. There were 82 cases of heat-related illness reported between 2010 and 2016 to the prisons health centre. Several studies and cases into solutions have been prepared over the years including a business case in 2016 that suggested spending $2.4 million on air conditioning with a recurring operational spend of $310,000.

Solar panels could also have been included as part of the project but the corrective services arm of the West Australian Department of Justice declared the air-con initiative was not a priority in response to the 2020 inspection report of the prison. The same report stated prisoners spoken to by the OICS in 2019, shortly after a 48.1 degree day in Roebourne, were upset air-conditioning had been installed in staff toilets but not any prison living areas. Ice machines like the ones found at crib rooms on mine sites and footy clubs are available for prisoners who can fill up small plastic bags to stay cool with before the cubes melt. Credit:Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services Mr Ryan said quite simply the current situation was not humane and prisoners health and welfare was at risk. Theres logistical difficulties with the prison being old, and the costs. I acknowledge those things, but there are human beings in there and they need to be treated decently, he said.

Mr Ryan said there was about 169 people in the prison at the moment and generally about 90 per cent of inmates were Aboriginal. Unaware there was no cooling ALS WA wrote to the corrective services and Aboriginal affairs ministers on August 7, 2020, raising concerns about the temperatures at Roebourne prison in a letter co-signed with Pilbara organisations and the WA Council of Social Service. Ms Barter said there was no response to the letter. Another letter has since been sent to the ministers in December.

Human Rights Watch Australian researcher Sophie McNeill said it was deeply shameful the cells in the prison still did not have any airconditioning despite a recommendation by the prison inspector six years ago to do so. WA is a wealthy state that had a record budget surplus this year, she said. How in good conscience can the department continue to refuse to install this? The McGowan government should fix this immediately, these prisoners at Roebourne cannot continue to be treated in this manner. A Department of Justice spokeswoman said a number of effective controls were employed to manage the heat risk across the state. At Roebourne, this includes fans in every cell, airconditioning in the recreation hall, shade structures in the main areas of the prison and a flexible routine to adjust to the Pilbaras heat conditions, she said.

There are a number of airconditioned cells available for prisoners with medical conditions and air-conditioned transition cells for Section 95 prisoners who undertake full-day outdoor physical activities. When asked about the lack of airconditioning at the facility WA Premier Mark McGowan said he was not familiar with the issue. Look, I have been to Roebourne prison ... I was unaware there was no cooling, he said. I assume theyre trying to put in place measures as we speak to keep the population there as cool as possible. Thats pretty obscene temperatures  50 degrees plus  thats really hard.
The Australian accent is a curious beast that is constantly evolving.

Depending on where you come from you might say good day rather than gday, pronounce the Melbourne Bayside suburb of Brighton differently to your neighbour, or even argue over the pronunciation of words like plant and dance.

From the development of our accent, derived from the early settlers who arrived as convicts from all over the United Kingdom, to more recent influences from America, the Pacific Islands and even text messaging, you might not think you have an Australian accent, but you absolutely do.

Whether its Paul Hogans thick strayan or Cate Blanchetts posh, refined dialect, the evolution of how we speak is fascinating.
It could be the perfect sport for our times: socially distanced, stress-free and for those lucky enough to live by the bay, very close to home.

So, its perhaps no surprise that the stand-up paddleboard craze sweeping post-lockdown Melbourne has made the outsized boards yet another hard-to-come-by item as demand outstrips supply.

Sharon Bourke (left) teaching Amber Sarda how to paddleboard at Brighton. Credit:Joe Armao

Instructor and competitive stand-up paddleboard racer Sharon Bourke has been teaching beginners to master their boards and the bays fickle winds since 2015 and says demand for her coaching sessions has surged since the city emerged from its COVID-19 lockdowns.

Its getting super popular, Ms Bourke said.
London: The office of Britains prime minister has apologised to the Queen for two parties held at Downing Street the night before she buried her husband Prince Philip and when the country was in mourning.

Its deeply regrettable that this took place at a time of national mourning, Johnsons spokesman, Jamie Davies, told reporters on Friday.

We acknowledge the significant public anger.

The parties, revealed by Londons Telegraph, continued into the early hours of the morning of the funeral and were so rowdy a swing belonging to the prime ministers son Wilfred was broken.

A staff member was reportedly sent to the Co-op supermarket on Strand with a suitcase to buy booze while another staffer DJed the tunes.
With input from other members of the Royal Family, including the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge, it had already been decided Andrew could play no part in the Platinum Jubilee events. But when it was confirmed he would be facing the prospect of either a civil trial or an out-of-court settlement, it was decided he would have to participate as a private citizen rather than a prince of the realm. The palace has always been a stickler for precedent and the decision to allow Andrew to retain his Dukedom and use his HRH in a private capacity echoes the treatment of Edward VIII following the abdication in 1936, and more recently, the Duke of Sussex. Prince Andrew serving as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy during the Falklands war in 1982. Indeed, some could view the unequivocal and uncompromising nature of the announcement as a shot across the bows as Prince Harry prepares to release his autobiography in the northern autumn. (It is said the Queen has already been consulting lawyers ahead of the eagerly-anticipated publication by Penguin Random House). It goes without saying Her Majesty will share her second, and some say favourite, sons sense of distress over the way things have worked out.

Part of Andrews unpopularity was borne out of the fact it was always clear he enjoyed the trappings of his royal life - and wasnt shy in asserting his authority as a rather over-pampered blood prince who grew up second-in-line to the throne. However, his closest allies hope that his new-found separation from the crown will finally give him the freedom he has so far lacked to fight these allegations. Loading I genuinely believe that in the long run this will prove to be the Dukes independence day, said one. Its been almost impossible for him to do anything without worrying about damaging the monarchy, or his mother. This was really the only viable option available to him. If he has learnt anything from the past two years, it is that if you are a member of the Royal family falsely accused of heinous crimes, then it is almost impossible to clear your name. If he says nothing, hes accused of hiding behind his mothers skirts, and if he speaks out, hes victim shaming. He now has the latitude to clear his name as a private citizen. The jury remains out on whether Andrew will actually opt for a courtroom showdown or go for the less exposing option of negotiating a settlement with Giuffre, however.

The 38-year-old mother of three claims Jeffrey Epstein forced her to have sex with Andrew in his New York mansion, in London, and on the late billionaire paedophiles private island in the US Virgin Islands in 2001 when she was 17. The Duke of Yorks military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen. Credit:Getty With the Duke having strenuously denied the claims since they first surfaced in 2015, it had been suggested that he would want to avoid a pay-off for fear it would imply guilt. Yet with his reputation shot to pieces - and his military affiliations and Royal patronages now removed - arguably he has little left to lose. Andrews friends are urging him to fight to clear his name in court, but it is a high stakes gamble, especially considering the burden of proof in civil cases is on the balance of probabilities. Both options are potentially financially ruinous, with talk of any settlement already at $US5 million - some 10 times the amount Epstein paid Giuffre in 2009. Andrews non-royal status may make it more difficult for the palace to justify the Queen contributing to his legal bills. And what happens to Andrews taxpayer-funded bodyguards now is anyones guess.

The rumblings of this sorry saga started just before the Diamond Jubilee, when the Duke made what he later admitted was an ill-judged decision to maintain an association with Epstein following his release from prison. After a decade of allegation and innuendo, this crisis has reached its peak in the foothills of another Jubilee - an unprecedented milestone for the Queen as she fast approaches 96. In removing the Andrew, Duke of York, the 95-year-old monarch has once again reminded her subjects that no one is bigger than the institution that she has stalwartly served for nearly seven decades. Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636. Telegraph, London
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Tax cuts seem to be everywhere  except in Alabama
By Tang Hua

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 that was recently signed into law by US President Joe Biden not only rampantly hypes up China threats, but also, the second time after 2020, says the naval forces of Taiwan should be invited to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise.

The biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC) is the largest-scale international joint maritime exercise in the world, which carries a strong political implication other than flexing muscles. When China and the US were on good terms, China was twice invited to participate in the RIMPAC in 2014 and 2016, but after bilateral ties deteriorated, Washington has kept Beijing out since 2018 for what it called the militarization of the South China Sea.

Since then, RIMPAC has become a stage on which the US performs the act of using Taiwan to contain China. The NDAA 2020 proposed to invite Taiwan to RIMPAC for the first time, but Washington dismissed the idea after weighing the pros and cons, and now it is harping on the same string again.

Technically, having Taiwan participate in RIMPAC doesnt help its defense capabilities as the US claims. The RIMPAC 2020 had only 10 participating countries compared with 26 in 2018 because of the pandemic, the length was cut from more than a month to two weeks, and only basic exercise subjects were kept, such as artillery firing, maritime security operation, and humanitarian disaster relief and rescue. The massive scale-down of the exercise made it hard to foster any kind of military interoperability among the participants, and as the pandemic lingers on, there is a good chance that the RIMPAC this year will just go through the motions as it did in 2020.

Politically, if the US did invite Taiwan to the exercise, it would face inestimable geopolitical risks. The US expressly committed in the three China-US Joint Communiques to maintaining only cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with Taiwan island on the premise of recognizing the government of the Peoples Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. Inviting Taiwan to the RIMPAC exercise would be a despicable act of treachery that would undermine the political foundation for China-US ties and the important political consensus reached by the two countries.

More importantly, RIMPAC is a military exercise to which only sovereign states are invited. Any attempt to invite the Taiwan region to participate would seriously challenge the one-China principle and harm China's core interests in national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that would definitely court strong countermeasures from the Chinese side.

Yet such a farce that is barely meaningful but risks armed conflicts has met enthusiastic welcome and acclaim from politicians in Washington and the Taiwan island. On the one hand, with the mid-term election nearing, the Biden administration urgently needs to cater to the extreme anti-China forces at home by playing the hardball against China. It could also rip off the Taiwan authorities by selling weapons and equipment to the island, which in turn would ingratiate itself with the behind-the-scene arms dealers. On the other hand, the Taiwan authorities could seize the opportunity to propagate Americas staunch commitment to defending Taiwan, the unbreakable relation between America and Taiwan, and Taiwans elevated international standing, in the attempt to deceive the Taiwan people, spread Taiwan independence, and rake in political interests.

While American and Taiwan politicians are colluding and conspiring for selfish political calculations, the Chinese mainland keeps in mind the overall interests of the Chinese nation. The peace and reunification across the Taiwan Strait concern Chinas sovereignty, security and development interests, and the wellbeing of people living on both sides of the strait. China will never make concessions on this question.

Therefore, no matter how many times the American and Taiwan politicians manipulate the Taiwan question, no matter how frequently they flex muscles, they will never shake China's adamant resolve and stance on the Taiwan question. Rather, they would only find themselves being left with less and less leeway and finally ending up in a dead end, with their wretched plots and ploys smashed by the iron will of the Chinese government and people to achieve national reunification.

Editor's note: This article is originally published on china.com.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.
Redshift and blueshift describe how light shifts toward shorter or longer wavelengths as objects in space (such as stars or galaxies) move closer or farther away from us.

Redshift and blueshift describe the change in the frequency of a light wave depending on whether an object is moving towards or away from us. When an object is moving away from us, the light from the object is known as redshift, and when an object is moving towards us, the light from the object is known as blueshift.

Astronomers use redshift and blueshift to deduce how far an object is away from Earth, the concept is key to charting the universe's expansion.

To understand redshift and blueshift, first, you need to remember that visible light is a spectrum of color each with a different wavelength. According to NASA, violet has the shortest wavelength at around 380 nanometers, and red has the longest at around 700 nanometers. When an object (e.g. a galaxy) moves away from us it is 'red-shifted' as the wavelength of light is 'stretched' so the light is seen as 'shifted' towards to red end of the spectrum, according to ESA.

Related: What is a light-year?

Redshift, blueshift and the Doppler effect

The concept of redshift and blueshift is closely related to the Doppler effect  which is an apparent shift in soundwave frequency for observers depending on whether the source is approaching or moving away from them, according to the educational website The Physics Classroom. The Doppler Effects was first described by Austrian physicist Christian Doppler in 1842 and many of us experience the Doppler effect first hand almost every day without even realizing it.

We've all heard how a siren changes as a police car rushes past, with a high pitch siren upon approach, shifting to a lower pitch as the vehicle speeds away. This apparent change in pitch to the observer is due to soundwaves effectively bunching together or spreading out. It is all relative as the siren's frequency doesn't change. As the police car travels towards you the number of waves are compressed into a decreasing distance, this increase in the frequency of sound waves that you hear causes the pitch to seem higher. Whereas then the ambulance goes past you and moves away, the sound waves are spread across an increasing distance thus reducing the frequency you hear so the pitch seems lower.

This principle of the Doppler effect applies to light as well as sound.

American astronomer Edwin Hubble (who the Hubble Space Telescope is named after) was the first to describe the redshift phenomenon and tie it to an expanding universe. His observations, revealed in 1929, showed that nearly all galaxies he observed are moving away, NASA said.

"This phenomenon was observed as a redshift of a galaxy's spectrum," NASA wrote. "This redshift appeared to be larger for faint, presumably further, galaxies. Hence, the farther a galaxy, the faster it is receding from Earth."

The galaxies are moving away from Earth because the fabric of space itself is expanding. While galaxies themselves are on the move  the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way, for example, are on a collision course  there is an overall phenomenon of redshift happening as the universe gets bigger.

The terms redshift and blueshift apply to any part of the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio waves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. So, if radio waves are shifted into the ultraviolet part of the spectrum, they are said to be blueshifted or shifted toward the higher frequencies. Gamma rays shifted to radio waves would mean a shift to a lower frequency or a redshift.

The redshift of an object is measured by examining the absorption or emission lines in its spectrum. These lines are unique for each element and always have the same spacing. When an object in space moves toward or away from us, the lines can be found at different wavelengths than where they would be if the object were not moving (relative to us).

Three types of redshift

At least three types of redshift occur in the universe  from the universe's expansion, from the movement of galaxies relative to each other and from "gravitational redshift," which happens when light is shifted due to the massive amount of matter inside of a galaxy.

This latter redshift is the subtlest of the three, but in 2011 scientists were able to identify it on a universe-size scale. Astronomers did a statistical analysis of a large catalog known as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and found that gravitational redshift does happen  exactly in line with Einstein's theory of general relativity. This work was published in a Nature paper.

"We have independent measurements of the cluster masses, so we can calculate what the expectation for gravitational redshift based on general relativity is," said University of Copenhagen astrophysicist Radek Wojtak at the time. "It agrees exactly with the measurements of this effect."

The first detection of gravitational redshift came in 1959 after scientists detected it occurring in gamma-ray light emanating from an Earth-based lab. Previous to 2011, it also was found in the sun and in nearby white dwarfs, or the dead stars that remain after sun-sized stars cease nuclear fusion late in their lives.

How does redshift help astronomers?

Redshift helps astronomers compare the distances of faraway objects. In 2011, scientists announced they had seen the farthest object ever seen  a gamma-ray burst called GRB 090429B, which emanated from an exploding star. At the time, scientists estimated the explosion took place 13.14 billion years ago. By comparison, the Big Bang took place 13.8 billion years ago.

The farthest known galaxy is GN-z11. In 2016, the Hubble Space Telescope determined it existed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. Scientists measured the redshift of GN-z11 to see how much its light had been affected by the expansion of the universe. GN-z11's redshift was 11.1, much higher than the next-highest redshift of 8.68 measured from galaxy EGSY8p7.

Scientists can use redshift to measure how the universe is structured on a large scale. One example of this is the Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall; light takes about 10 billion years to go across the structure. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey is an ongoing redshift project that is trying to measure the redshifts of several million objects. The first redshift survey was the CfA RedShift Survey, which completed its first data collection in 1982.

One emerging field of research concerns how to extract redshift information from gravitational waves, which are disturbances in space-time that happen when a massive body is accelerated or disturbed. (Einstein first suggested the existence of gravitational waves in 1916, and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) first detected them directly in 2016). Because gravitational waves carry a signal that shows their redshifted mass, extracting the redshift from that requires some calculation and estimation, according to a 2014 article in the peer-reviewed journal Physical Review X.

Additional resources

Learn more about the Doppler Effect with NASA and explore Doppler Shift with the University of California, Los Angeles. You can also read up on wave characteristics with the educational website BBC Bitesize.
The full moon of January, called the Wolf Moon, will occur Monday, Jan. 17, at 6:48 p.m. EST (1148 GMT), according to NASA.

Moonrise in New York City is at 4:31 p.m. that afternoon, according to Time and Date. The moon will be in the constellation Virgo and rises about 24 minutes before sunset.

The full moon happens because the moon is exactly on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. The moon looks illuminated because we see the sun's light reflected from it, and because the moon's rotation period is the same as its orbital period, we always see the same face of our satellite world.

Related: Best night sky events of January 2022 (stargazing maps)

The timing of the full moon is the same everywhere, since it is determined by where the moon is relative to the Earth rather than its apparent position in the sky, which is slightly different depending on one's location. Observers in the British Isles and Portugal will see the moon become full at 11:48 p.m. local time, while those in western continental Europe will see it at 12:48 a.m. on Jan. 18. On the eastern side of Australia, the moon is full 10:48 a.m. on Jan. 18.

Since the full moon is on the opposite side of the sky as the sun, Northern Hemisphere observers will see it relatively high in the sky  essentially the moon is in the position the sun would be during the daytime in the summer months. From New York City this means the moon hits a maximum altitude of about 74 degrees; observers just a bit further south in Miami will see it reach 87 degrees  nearly at the zenith (directly overhead) at 12:46 a.m. on Jan. 18. In the Southern Hemisphere the reverse is true, as it is summer there. In Melbourne, Australia, the full moon will reach a maximum altitude of only 26 degrees at 1:14 a.m. local time on Jan. 18.

The moon moves relatively quickly against the background stars, because it is so close (relatively speaking) to Earth, a mere 239,000 miles (384,000 kilometers) on average. So approximately every hour the moon appears to move one of its own diameters eastward. One effect of this is that for one day every lunation, or lunar month, the moon takes a bit longer than 24 hours to make a full circuit around the sky. On those days the moon never crosses the local meridian, the line drawn through the zenith from north to south. That day will differ slightly depending on one's longitude but it is always within a day or two of the full moon. In New York it happens to be on the night of the full moon, whereas in Melbourne it is on Jan. 16.

Stars and constellations

Northern Hemisphere skies are full of bright stars  the constellations of Orion, Taurus, Gemini and Canis Major are all in roughly the same patch of sky. Each is made up of enough first- and second-magnitude stars that they are visible even from light-polluted locations; the three stars marking Orion's belt are obvious even in cities like New York, Paris or Chicago.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the summer stars are high in the early evening; in mid-southern latitudes (as in, for example, Santiago, Chile, Melbourne or Cape Town) the constellations that make up the legendary ship of Jason, the Argo, are high in the southeastern sky. The three constellations are Carina, the keel, Puppis, the deck and Vela, the sail. The brightest star among them is Canopus, which will be to the right of Sirius as one faces roughly south. Further east (right) one can see Achernar, the star that marks the end of Eridanus, the river, and if you follow the trail of stars that make up the river's course you'll end up near an "upside down" Orion.

Visible planets

This sky map shows where Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury can be seen after sunset on Jan. 17, 2022, as seen from New York City. (Image credit: SkySafari app)

On the night of the full moon Jupiter will be the most visible planet after sunset. In New York the sun sets at 4:55 p.m. local time and the sky gets dark enough to see planets and bright objects by about 5:30 p.m.; Jupiter at that point is in the southwest, about 24 degrees high.

In December Saturn and Mercury were also visible, but by Jan. 17 Saturn will be only 7 degrees high a half-hour after sunset, while Mercury is only about 5 degrees up. To see either one would need a very flat western horizon and very clear weather. By 5:52 p.m. in New York Mercury sets; Saturn follows at 6:08 p.m. local time. Jupiter, meanwhile, sets at 7:52 p.m., so it should be visible in mid-northern latitudes until about 7:30 p.m. local time before it is likely to be behind a building or a tree.

Mars, meanwhile, rises at 5:13 a.m. on Jan. 18, in New York, and is just visible in the predawn sky  by 6 a.m. local time it will be about 9 degrees high. As the year progresses it will get easier to see, as the planet moves slowly westward.

The Wolf Moon

The January full moon is often called the Wolf Moon, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, which may date back to Native American tribes and early colonial times when wolves would howl outside villages.

According to the Ontario Native Literacy Project, the Cree, whose traditional territory extended from what is now Quebec to Alberta and surrounded Hudson's Bay, called the January lunation Opawahcikanasis, or the "Frost Exploding Moon"  since in that part of the year one might hear the cracks in some trees as ice forms and falls off.

In the Southern Hemisphere, December is during the summer, and the Maori of New Zealand described the lunar months in January to February (counting from one new moon to the next, the full moon would be halfway through the month) as Hui-Tanguru, or "The foot of Ruhi now rests upon the earth," according to the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ruhi refers to a star in the constellation Scorpio, near Antares (called Rehua).

In China, the traditional lunar calendar calls this full moon lunation the 12th month, Layue, or Preserved Month, named for the practice of preserving meats during the winter. The Chinese lunar new year is in February, so this January marks the end of the year rather than the beginning.

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A "blood moon" happens when Earth's moon is in a total lunar eclipse. While it has no special astronomical significance, the view in the sky is striking as the usually whiteish moon becomes red or ruddy-brown.

The moon orbits around Earth, while Earth orbits around the sun. The moon takes about 27 days to orbit Earth and goes through regular phases in a 29.5-day cycle. The difference in these two cycles has to do with the relative positions of the sun, Earth and moon, which change during the moon's orbit.

Lunar eclipses can only happen during a full moon, when the sun fully illuminates the surface. Usually a full moon has no eclipse because the moon orbits in a slightly different plane than the Earth and the sun do. However, at times the planes coincide. Earth passes in between the moon and the sun and cuts off the sunlight, causing an eclipse.

If Earth partially blocks the sun, and the darkest part of its shadow falls across the moon's surface, it is called a partial eclipse. You will see a black shadow taking a bite out of the moon. Sometimes, the moon passes through the lighter part of Earth's shadow, causing a penumbral eclipse. Only seasoned skywatchers will be able to tell the difference, because the moon only darkens very slightly.

During a full eclipse, however, something spectacular happens. The moon is fully in Earth's shadow. At the same time, a little bit of light from Earth's sunrises and sunsets (on the disk of the planet) falls on the surface of the moon. Because the light waves are stretched out, they look red. When this red light strikes the moon's surface, it also appears red.

Skywatcher Keith Burns took this montage of images, which shows the Dec. 20, 2010, total lunar eclipse. The montage won a NASA contest to become an official NASA/JPL wallpaper for the public. (Image credit: Keith Burns/NASA/JPL)

How red the moon appears can depend on how much pollution, cloud cover or debris there is in the atmosphere. For example, if an eclipse takes place shortly after a volcanic eruption, the particles in the atmosphere will make the moon look darker than usual.

While there are planets and moons all over the solar system, only Earth is lucky enough to experience lunar eclipses because its shadow is just large enough to cover the moon completely. The moon is slowly drifting away from our planet (at roughly 1.6 inches or 4 centimeters a year) and this situation won't persist forever. There are roughly two to four lunar eclipses every year, according to NASA, and each one is visible over about half the Earth.

How a blood moon saved Christopher Columbus

Some ancient cultures didn't understand why the moon turned red, causing fear. At least one explorer  Christopher Columbus  used this to his advantage in 1504.

According to a Space.com Skywatching columnist Joe Rao, Columbus and his crew were stranded on an island now known as Jamaica. At first the Arawak people who lived there were welcoming, but over time, Columbus' crew grew restless and murdered or robbed some of the natives. Understandably, the native people weren't eager to help the crew search for food, and Columbus realized famine was drawing near.

A blood moon seen over California in 2018. (Image credit: Getty Images )

Columbus had an almanac with him foretelling when the next lunar eclipse would take place. Armed with this information, he told the Arawak that the Christian god was unhappy that Columbus and his crew received no food. God would turn the moon red as a symbol of his anger, Columbus said. As the event took place, frightened people "with great howling and lamentation came running from every direction to the ships laden with provisions, praying to the Admiral to intercede with his god on their behalf," according to an account by Columbus' son Ferdinand.

When is the next blood moon?

The next total lunar eclipse, and therefore the next blood moon, will be May 16, 2022. Several partial and penumbral lunar eclipses occurred since the previous total lunar eclipse on May. 25-26, 2021, and NASA has a list of all the lunar eclipses until 2100.

Additional resources

If you have a budding astronomer at home who wants to learn more about eclipses check out Solar and Lunar Eclipses (Explore Outer Space) by Ruth Owen or take a look at NASA's Space Place webpage on the different types of moons.

Bibliography

K. G. Strassmeier et al "High-resolution spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry of the total lunar eclipse January 2019," Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 653, March 2020, https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201936091

Natural History Museum, "Lunar eclipse guide: what they are, when to see them and where," May 27, 2021.

Royal Museums Greenwich, "How to see a lunar eclipse," January, 2022.

Jessica Marshallsay, "Blood moon rising: How lunar eclipses might help us find life on other planets," The University of Queensland, January, 2022.
SHELTON - The city has agreed to sell 25 acres of the city-owned Mas property to Fairfield-based RC Bigelow Inc. - known worldwide as Bigelow Tea.

The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to approve the sale after an executive session. No details were given as to the purchase price as of Thursday night.

Cindi Bigelow, third generation president and CEO, said for more than 70 years, Bigelow Teas headquarters and production facility have been in Connecticut.

We are thrilled to remain and grow in this state, Bigelow said. The company plans to build a large warehouse within five years to handle distribution needs that will cover the next two decades.

Bigelow said the family-owned company was blessed to be continually growing. Bigelow Tea also is expanding its facilities in Louisville, Ky. and Boise, Idaho.

We feel very fortunate to be in this position and take our commitment to our communities very seriously, Bigelow said.

This move comes as the city prepares to submit an application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a zone change on the 70-acre piece of property. The city expects to have this submitted to the commission and a public hearing next month.

A major portion of the development is extending Constitution Blvd. West, with bids coming in between $4.5 million and nearly $10 million, Mayor Mark Lauretti said in December.

Shelton state Rep. Jason Perillo helped secure $5 million in funding for the road extension in the states 2021 bond package. The funding will be available once approved by the state Bond Commission, according to Perillo.

Extending the roadway and use of the Mas property has been on the table for years, but Lauretti began the most recent push in April when he presented preliminary plans for creating the road leading into the city-owned land, which would be developed into a manufacturing corporate park.

The 70-acre parcel  known as the Mas property  sits near Bridgeport Ave. and the roadway plans include extending Constitution Blvd. to reach Shelton Ave./Route 108. Lauretti said a zone change would be needed, requiring plans to go before P&Z at some point.

The Mas property is now vacant. It is mostly wooded with considerable stone ledges and several ponds, including one that is about 600 feet long and 250 to 300 feet wide, and lies between Bridgeport Ave., Cots Street, Tisi Drive, Sunwood Condos on Nells Rock Road, Regent Drive, Walnut Avenue, and Kings Highway. Part of the land abuts the back of the Perry Hill School property.

brian.gioiele@hearstmediact.com
Though the numbers are small, Connecticut hospitals are seeing the highest rate of pediatric COVID admissions since the pandemic began.

Connecticut Children's Medical Center said Thursday there were 15 pediatric COVID patients being treated, three of them in intensive care.

Of the pediatric COVID admissions at Connecticut Children's, half were incidental admissions  hospitalized for another issue and found to test positive for the coronavirus, according to spokesperson Monica Buchanan.

These are the highest numbers since the pandemic started, Buchanan said. Prior to seeing 15 to 17 patients admitted on any given day the last two weeks, we would only see a high of two patients admitted.

Yale New Haven Health director of infection prevention Rick Martinello said his hospital system has an 11-bed pediatric intensive care unit.

Over the last two weeks, we've had four to five of those beds with COVID patients in them, Martinello said, mostly unvaccinated, and some of them requiring mechanical ventilation.

According to the states data released Thursday, 76 percent of those between the ages of 12 and 15 have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, and 39 percent of those aged 5 to 11 have started the process.

The rise in pediatric hospitalizations comes as the states overall COVID numbers are starting to decline. The state reported 22 fewer hospitalizations, dropping the total to 1,895 and a daily positivity rate of 19.35 percent.

Ive got to tell you that the infection rate went down below 20 percent and thats the first time this month, Gov. Ned Lamont said Friday during an unrelated press conference. And hospitalizations are down. So a few days does not make a big trend, but it is positive that were bending the curve.

Many hospitalizations are incidental, Martinello said.

Something that has changed is, we're seeing upwards of about 40 percent or so, who come in, and we're testing everybody when they're coming in, but are coming in for reasons other than a principal diagnosis of COVID, he said of Yale New Haven Health hospitals.

Ajay Kumar, executive vice president and chief clinical officer for Hartford HealthCare, pegged that number closer to 30 percent.

While the number of patients has stabilized to a certain extent, Kumar said, incidental COVID is something we need to keep an eye on at the moment.

Hartford HealthCares chief epidemiologist, Ulysses Wu, said he believes Connecticut has already hit the peak of the latest wave of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.

I suspect the peak has already happened, if these numbers continue to hold, Wu said.

Wu said his analysis of statewide COVID data suggests that Connecticut hit a peak in the rate of hospitalizations and deaths on Jan. 11. The peak of percent positivity was on Jan. 7, Wu said, and the seven-day rolling average of new cases peaked on Jan. 5.

If they hold true, we are now on the downside of the roller coaster at this point, Wu said.

As for why younger people are getting hospitalized at greater rates, Martinello said its probably a combination of factors.

It's not clear if there's something that has been changing with the virus, making those individuals more susceptible, he said. Is it the behavior of that population and how they may be using masks? Or is it because that population is still mostly unvaccinated? It's probably all the above with the last one being the principal driver.

Wu said that while the average age of hospitalized patients has gone down, it hasnt been that drastic of a change.

A lot of this was because a lot of the boosters were distributed somewhat on age-base at the beginning, he said. Its a shift in the social population, how our approaches to vaccination are at this point.
Fred Parris, co-founder of the famous doo-wop band the Five Satins and writer of In the Still of the Night, has died, the bands Facebook page announced Friday.

Parris died at the age of 85 after a brief illness, the band said after 11 a.m. Friday. It is unclear when exactly the prolific singer and songwriter died.
As the state Republican party prepares for its quadrennial convention for governor and Congress on May 7, several recent meetings of suburban town committees have been the site of contentious membership challenges, with moderates ousted by conservative GOP voters.

Town committees in Greenwich, Easton, Guilford and Woodbury have seen surprise votes from conservatives fired up by Donald Trumps grievances, along with face mask fatigue and school controversies.

Ben Proto, state Republican chairman, said the town committee votes were fairly run.

At the end of the day, Republicans came out and voted for the people they wanted to represent them on the local town committee, Proto said. I believe in the election process. Whether or not there will be primaries will be up to the folks who were defeated. I support the elections. I support the primaries. There will be town committee members who will elect chairmen who will work to advance the Republican agenda and principles, and work together to elect more Republicans in 2022.

But a political scientist at Sacred Heart University who is an expert on Connecticut Republicans, believes the conservative takeovers in recent caucuses are a sign of a shrinking state Republican party that is being taken over by a faction that will not help the GOP in the long run.

Gary Rose, chairman of the Department of Government at Sacred Heart University, said louder, more-conservative voices have been taking over the state Republican party even as the voter ranks have decreased sharply over the last 20 years.

Their influence becomes more pronounced as the party gets smaller, said Rose, in his 40th year at Sacred Heart.

In Easton and Greenwich, Trump-aligned conservatives took over the majority of those town committees, ousting longtime moderate members in surprise maneuvers. Some of the defeated members in Easton are pursuing petition campaigns to possibly force a townwide Republican primary in March.

In Woodbury, a mask mandate at a town committee meeting exploded into a noisy confrontation that preceded the removal this week of several longtime town committee members, including Louis C. DeLuca, a former state Senate minority leader.

Guilfords inter-party squabble appears to be an extension of the local school board battle over how race is taught in schools and the so-called critical race theory that led to major Democratic and independent victories last November in the voting for the Board of Education, Proto said.

The Easton uprising was the product of organizing among the conservative local Citizens for Responsible Government.

The ERTC membership for the next two years reflects a new group of equally talented and diverse backgrounds with a shared purpose of serving Easton, Wendy Bowditch, the Easton RTC chairwoman, said in a diplomatic Facebook post after the votes. They will work together to further the cause of important Republican issues here in our town.

But according to the Easton Courier, the petition effort among the ousted is already underway in the party division.

I wish the new Republican Town Committee good luck, said Adam Dunsby, a former Easton first selectman. In an interview on Thursday, Dunsby who also served in the state House of Representatives, said he will not seek to regain his seat on the town committee, although he supports the petition effort.

Shortly after the reelection of Republican Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo in November, Dan Quigley, chairman of the GOP town committee, wrote that it was time to move on, past Trump. Quigley narrowly retained his spot on the committee.

Congratulations to all the newly elected members of the Greenwich RTC, Camillo tweeted Wednesday night. I look forward to working with you. For all those who ran, thank you being a part of the democratic process, and for being willing to serve. Thank you to all who served this past term. Job well done!

The Waterbury Republican-American reported that 90 local GOP members met in the Woodbury firehouse on Monday, and after an argument over mandatory masking, a majority defeated some longtime committee members, including DeLuca, who in addition to being a leader in the General Assembly, was a former moderator of the local town meeting.

What we are seeing is a faction that in the past would have been balanced by moderate factions, or even more liberal leaning town committee members, who dont exist anymore. Its not too surprising, but its not a formula for winning a statewide campaign, said Rose, whose school hosted Connecticuts only Trump appearance during the 2016 presidential campaign.

While more right-wing proponents may win local party control and town council or first selectman seats, the victories are small and isolated, Rose said.

The party needs a big tent, Rose said. The pro-Trump element of the party doing this is not consistent with long-term success. Certainly, it doesnt lend itself to coalition building.

But Proto predicted that the 2022 election season is going to be a very good year for Republicans in Connecticut. We have the momentum and enthusiasm to elect more Republicans in the General Assembly and more Republicans in our congressional delegation.

Nancy DiNardo, Democratic state chairwoman, said she is concerned about the rise of ultra-conservatives.

The Connecticut Republicans have moved farther and farther right, so its troubling, but not surprising that far-right candidates are taking over local town committees, she said. The question is, how far are they going to go? Its one thing to be a fiscal conservative, but are the Republicans going to embrace these sexist, racist, anti-LGBT, anti-Muslim, and anti-immigrant agendas? Their leadership seems to shrug it off, so it looks like thats a yes.

Nationally, Republicans on Thursday were widely reported to be planning to require future GOP presidential candidates to reject participation in forums sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The move reflects Trumps long held grievances against the commission. In a letter to the commission, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel voiced frustration with its response to a long list of complaints, according to the Associated Press.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
Student loan borrowers in Connecticut will soon receive cash payments as part of a $1.85 billion settlement the state reached with student loan provider Navient, formerly part of Sallie Mae Bank. The settlement was part of a coalition comprised of 39 attorneys general who sought restitution and debt cancellation for student loan borrowers following the companys alleged unfair and deceptive loan practices. The loan servicer will cancel $1.7 billion in student loan debt owed by approximately 66,000 borrowers, according to NPR.

But which student loan borrowers will be affected by the settlement? And how will they know if their debt has been canceled? Heres how the Navient student debt cancellation and restitution affects Connecticut borrowers.

How many people in Connecticut will be affected by the Navient settlement?

According to the office of Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, 1,339 borrowers will receive a total of $19 million in direct private loan debt relief, and 4,875 borrowers will receive nearly $1.3 million in restitution.

How do I know if my student debt was canceled?

Borrowers receiving loan debt cancellation will receive a notice from Navient by July 2022, according to Attorney General Tongs office. At this time, they will also receive any refunds on payments made on the canceled loans after June 30, 2021.

How will I receive restitution payment?

Borrowers who are eligible for a restitution payment  money paid as compensation to loan borrowers placed in certain long-term loan forbearances  will receive approximately $260, according to Attorney General Tongs office. They will be notified by a postcard in the mail from the settlement administrator this spring.

What is forbearance?

According to the Federal Student Aid website, forbearance is a period in which a borrower is authorized to not make payments on their loan or temporarily make smaller payments. In this time of nonpayment, interest still might accrue on the loan.

Who is eligible for debt cancellation?

The office of the attorney general for Massachusetts clarifies the borrowers that are eligible for student debt cancellation as those who took out private subprime student loans (made to borrowers with low credit scores) through Navients predecessor, Sallie Mae, between 2002 and 2014, and then had more than seven consecutive months of delinquent payments prior to June 30, 2021.

Debt cancellation can also apply to those with non-subprime private student loans that were issued by Sallie Mae Bank and other lenders between 2002 and 2014 for borrowers who attended specific for-profit schools, the office notes. These schools include University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute, among others. For these loans to qualify for cancellation, the office notes that the loan must have been in past due status for more than seven consecutive months prior to June 30, 2021.

Who is eligible for restitution payment?

Those who can receive restitution payment must live in a restitution-participating state (like Connecticut) as of January 2017 and entered repayment on a direct or FFEL Program loan (Family Federal Education Loan) before January 2015, according to the Massachusetts attorney generals office. They also need to have had at least one federal loan that was eligible for income-driven repayment.

Borrowers eligible for restitution must have had at least two years of consecutive verbal or administrative forbearance between October 2009 and January 2017, where at least one of the forbearances was entered through a phone call, and where at least half of the forbearance time was prospective (i.e., not used to bring a past-due loan current), the Massachusetts attorney generals office notes.

Finally, eligible borrowers must have not enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan before the forbearance period.

Do I need to do anything to benefit from the settlement?

According to NerdWallet, cancellation of debt will be automatic, and borrowers will not have to do anything to have the cancellation take effect.

How do I know if Navient is my student loan servicer?

According to the Federal Student Aid website, borrowers can identify their loan servicer by logging into their studentaid.gov account, navigating to their account dashboard and viewing the My Loan Servicers section. They may also call Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243.

For private loan servicers, the Massachusetts attorney generals office notes that borrowers should look for their most recent bill or check their credit report.
HARTFORD  Police said they found nearly 40 bags of fentanyl in a Hartford school after three seventh-grade students were hospitalized Thursday.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Thursday one of the students was in grave condition after being taken to the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in the city. The condition of the child, who is 13 years old, has not changed, according to Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert.

Two other students were also taken to Connecticut Childrens Medical Center after complaining of feeling dizzy. The two students were released from the hospital later that day, police said.

City officials said they believe all three students came into contact with the suspected fentanyl at the same time during a class at the Sport and Medical Sciences Academy. Officials said a teacher witnessed one of the students, who is believed to have ingested the drug, collapse later in gym class.

Officials found nearly 40 bags of fentanyl in two classrooms and the schools gymnasium.

The substance was in a pure, powder form and wasnt cut with other drugs, which was confirmed through tests conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The drugs were packaged for street sales with identifying logos, Boisvert said in a press conference Friday.

Police said later Friday that the drug found in the school was about 50 times more potent than what has regularly been found and tested in the region, Boisvert said.

Police believe the student that is still in the hospital was the one who brought the drugs to the school, Boisvert said.

Law enforcement also conducted a search at the students home, but Boisvert could not go into further details.

The school was closed Friday for decontamination.

In a similar episode just 24 hours later, officials in New Haven said five students at Bishop Woods School, a K-8 magnet school, fell ill and were hospitalized after they ate candy brought in by another student. A district official said New Haven police are investigating what may have been in the candy.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opiate about 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, comprised the largest share of drug overdose deaths in Connecticut between 2015 and 2021, according to state data.

But the data suggests overdoses among young people are exceedingly rare  during that time frame, only one child 14 and younger died from fentanyl or fentanyl analog, the figures show. It was also the only overdose death in that age group reported during that time. Thats out of more than 5,200 deaths from drug overdoses reported during the years covered in the report.

Still, the drugs can harm young people more readily than adults because of simple biology.

Adolescents can be impacted more significantly by opioids in general because they tend to be smaller and have less fat, said Dr. J. Craig Allen, vice president of addiction services at Hartford HealthCares Behavioral Health Network. But that point is moot he said when it comes to those who have not previously been exposed to opioids, who have a stronger reaction to the drug.

Heroin is really potent and can shut down your respiratory drive system and lead to loss of consciousness ... and death. Now thats heroin  and fentanyls 50 times stronger than that at least, Allen said.

While historically teens and adolescents have sought out experimenting with drugs, the unfortunate tragic game-changer is that with these super-potent opioids ... that experimentation can be deadly, he said.

The problem with fentanyl is that it has been infused into all kinds of drugs, Allen said, pointing to recent reports of cannabis found laced with fentanyl, and cases where the substance is passed off as prescription pills using a pill press.

He said the episode illustrated the need for schools to have naloxone, an anti-overdose nasal spray sold under the brand name Narcan often carried by first responders. Parents who know their kids are experimenting with drugs should also have it on hand, he said.

Staff writer Liz Hardaway contributed to this report.
Milton, PA (17847)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Ashtabula, OH (44004)

Today

Periods of rain. High 64F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, overcast overnight with occasional rain. Low 51F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
This is archive content that is no longer updated. Go to the up-to-date statistics page.

A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Turnover of trade 2022, February

Published: 14 January 2022

Turnover in trade grew by 10.5 per cent in November

According to Statistics Finland, turnover in total trade adjusted for working days increased in November by 10.5 per cent from November 2020. The working day adjusted volume of sales in total trade, from which the impact of price changes has been eliminated, went down by 0.6 per cent. Turnover increased in all main industries of trade.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G), %

Turnover growth in wholesale trade continued strong

Turnover in the trade industry with the biggest turnover, wholesale trade, grew in November by 16.1 per cent, but sales volume decreased by 1.9 per cent year-on-year. The more favourable development in turnover than in sales volume in wholesale trade is explained by higher prices especially of processed petroleum products.

In retail trade, working day adjusted turnover increased in November by 4.3 per cent and sales volume by 1.1 per cent from last years November. Turnover in daily consumer goods trade increased by 1.1 per cent from the previous year, but sales volume decreased by 2.4 per cent in the corresponding period. Turnover in department store trade grew by 4.7 per cent and sales volume by 3.6 per cent from the year before. Turnover in specialised store trade increased by 6.3 per cent and sales volume by 3.3 per cent from November 2020.

In November, turnover in motor vehicle trade increased by 4.3 per cent and sales volume by 0.7 per cent from one year back.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover and sales volume in industries of trade, November 2021, % (TOL 2008)

Seasonally adjusted turnover grew compared to October

Seasonally adjusted turnover in total trade grew by 2.0 per cent in November compared to October. Seasonally adjusted sales volume increased by 1.0 per cent. In October, seasonally adjusted turnover grew by 0.2 per cent, but sales volume went down by 1.5 per cent compared to the month before.

Change in seasonally adjusted turnover and sales volume in total trade (G) from the previous month, %

Trend of turnover and sales volume in total trade

The calculation of indices of turnover of trade is based on the Tax Administrations data on self-assessed taxes, which are supplemented with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The volume index of sales is calculated by removing the effect of price changes from the value index series.

The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well.

The data for the latest month are preliminary and they may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months.

Source: Turnover of trade, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Lauri Pullinen 029 551 3043, kauppa.suhdanne@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Katri Kaaja

Publication in pdf-format (286.8 kB)

Updated 14.1.2022

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Turnover of trade [e-publication].

ISSN=1799-0939. November 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 3.5.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/klv/2021/11/klv_2021_11_2022-01-14_tie_002_en.html
This is archive content that is no longer updated. Go to the up-to-date statistics page.

A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Index of turnover in industry 2022, February

Published: 14 January 2022

Turnover in industry grew by 20.6 per cent in November

According to Statistics Finland, working day adjusted turnover in industry (TOL BCD) increased in November by 20.6 per cent year-on-year. Turnover grew in almost all main industries. The development was partly due to the state of emergency caused by the coronavirus one year earlier. Among the main industries, turnover grew strongest in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, by 54.1 per cent from one year ago. The growth in the industry was in part affected by risen prices of electricity. Seasonally adjusted turnover in industry (TOL BCD) grew in November by 3.1 per cent compared with October.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing (BCD), % (TOL 2008)

Working day adjusted turnover in the chemical industry increased by 42.8 per cent and in the forest industry by 26.5 per cent in November compared with the year before. Turnover in mining and quarrying was 22.4 per cent higher and turnover in the metal industry 10.6 per cent higher than one year earlier. The textile, clothing and leather industry went up by 8.9 per cent and the food industry by 5.9 per cent. Turnover decreased only in the electrical and electronics industry, by 13.9 per cent from twelve months earlier.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing by industry, November 2021, % (TOL 2008)

Export turnover grew in November in nearly all main industries

Export turnover grew most in mining and quarrying, by 47.3 per cent, and in the chemical industry, by 43.2 per cent from the previous year. Export turnover in the forest industry was 30.8 per cent higher and in the textile, clothing and leather industry 22.8 per cent higher than one year ago. Growth was also recorded in the metal industry, up by 6.2 per cent and in the food industry, by 0.7 per cent. Export turnover decreased only in the electrical and electronics industry, by 17.8 per cent from twelve months earlier.

Annual change in working day adjusted export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing by industry, November 2021, % (TOL 2008)

Domestic turnover grew in November in all main industries. Turnover grew most in the chemical industry, by 41.6 per cent from one year earlier. Domestic turnover in the metal industry grew by 21.7 per cent and in the electrical and electronics industry by 21.4 per cent. Domestic turnover in the forest industry was 17.6 per cent higher and in the food industry 8.3 per cent higher than one year earlier. Domestic turnover in mining and quarrying increased by 6.5 per cent.

Trend series of turnover, export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing (BC), 1/2007 to 11/2021, % (TOL 2008)

The index of turnover in industry describes enterprises whose main industry is manufacturing. The calculation of the indices is based on the Tax Administrations self-assessed tax data which are supplemented with data obtained with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnovers of manufacturing enterprises can vary considerably, especially in the metal industries. The variation is mainly due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major machinery deliveries and projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the delivery had required the work of several months or years.

The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well.

The data for the latest month are preliminary and are released at a delay of around six weeks. The data may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months. Revisions to the data may be particularly significant on the more accurate industry levels of export turnover and domestic turnover.

Source: Index of turnover in industry 2021, November, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Jussi Haavisto 029 551 3341, Heli Suonio 029 551 2481, myynti.teollisuus@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Katri Kaaja

Publication in pdf-format (336.3 kB)

Updated 14.1.2022

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover in industry [e-publication].

ISSN=1798-596X. November 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 3.5.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tlv/2021/11/tlv_2021_11_2022-01-14_tie_001_en.html
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The Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) is demanding that Interior Minister Lucian Bode be dismissed from office, claiming that the serious events of late "revealed the inability of the Ministry of Interior to keep public peace, the rule of law and security."

"Increasingly more frequent deficiencies in ensuring the safety of the public are due to the lack of predictability in the Interior Ministry institutions, a crisis of authority, poor management, chronic shortage of staff and lack of training and experience of police forces. Given all this, AUR considers it necessary for Lucian Bode to be fired. In recent days, several serious events took place that revealed the inability of the Ministry of Interior to keep public peace, the rule of law and the safety of the public," AUR said in a press statement released on Friday, Agerpres reports.AUR points to recent cases in Giurgiu County, in Bucharest and in Sibiu County."A minibus driver was killed very close to the headquarters of the Police, the Prosecutor's Office and the Court of Bolintin Vale, Giurgiu County. A police officer injured two children on the crosswalk. One died and, while he was drawing his last breath, the officer turned the body around with his foot, in a last gesture that synthesises dehumanisation. The Poiana Sibiului police chief was recently arrested after committing crimes for years on end without his superiors in the Interior Ministry taking action," reads an AUR press statement.AUR also criticises some measures taken by the law enforcement."Mr Bode has joined in the humiliation, deprofessionalisation and ridicule of the Romanian police. Taking unfair advantage of the plague, those in power have seriously hijacked the fundamental role of law enforcement, gearing them against their own citizens, through absurd measures, or to missions totally unbecoming for their duties. Police have been forced to hunt unmasked elders or elders vending parsley on the sidewalk, to be guardians of institutions or to check the type and composition of face masks," according to AUR Chairman George Simion.
The head of the General Police Directorate of the Municipality of Bucharest, Bogdan Berechet, announced on Friday evening that he has ordered the discharge from the position of police officer who fatally injured a 13-year-old girl on a pedestrian crossing, emphasizing that the Bucharest Police did not try "to hide this event for a second".

"Regarding the tragic event that took place yesterday, the police, together with the case prosecutor, immediately started investigations to clarify the situation as soon as possible and to order the legal measures. Following the evidence administered, the case prosecutor ordered the judicial control measure for 60 days. Given the measure ordered by the prosecutor in the case, according to the Statute of the police officer, as Chief of the Bucharest Police, I ordered the discharge from the position of the policeman," Berechet said.

He clarified the information circulated in the public space according to which the spokesperson for the capital city's

Police had erroneously transmitted the fact that the policeman was on a mission, and the prosecutor who made statements on Friday stated the opposite.

"I would like to clarify this situation, namely the fact that the police officers are on a mission as long as they are during the program. The prosecutor's statements referred to the fact that the investigation revealed that the policeman was not on an urgent mission. Bucharest Police transmitted today, around 17.00, a response to the request of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the District 1 Court through which we informed that the policeman was on a mission, carrying out specific police activities. The Prosecutor's Office informed the public that the police officer was not on a special mission to call for an emergency or to justify the use of light signals. The investigation carried out by the case prosecutor will provide all the details for a quick clarification of the situation. Not for a second did someone try to cover up this event. On the contrary, I believe that we are the first to be interested in solving the case and ordering the legal measures", said Berechet, Agerpres informs.
Save Romania Union (USR) national chairman Dacian Ciolos says the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) have displayed "hooliganism," accusing the public authorities of allowing the AUR representatives to break the law.

"From Diana Sosoaca, whom no one had the courage to ask why she was not wearing a mask while an entire country had to do it, to the assault on Parliament a few weeks ago and today's entry by force and aggression into the building of the Timisoara City Hall, all this is allowed and supported by the state authorities," Ciolos wrote on Facebook.

He called on law enforcement to do their duty and take seriously what he calls slippages from the rules of a functioning society. According to him, the "extremist movement" in Romania is not one born of an ideology supported by society.

On Friday, AUR leader George Simion posted a video on Facebook showing him entering the Timisoara City Hall along with dozens of people chanting "Hei, Fritz, nu uita, Timisoara nu-i a ta!" (Hey, Fritz, don't forget, Timisoara is not yours!). Simion managed to get into the building after saying that he had found two more closed doors.

"I have come with Mr Banciu, who is the representative of the Revolution Memorial and whom I want you to grant audience. He is a revolutionary, he fought for our freedom and you do not grant him audience. Who is granting us audience today? This is how the Fritz administration deals with the citizens and with those whose people were killed or survived the Revolution," Simion told city hall employees.

Later, in a statement in the streets, the AUR leader claimed that Dominic Fritz would illegally hold the position of mayor.

"I came across a pupil of Mr Klaus Iohannis. Him being PNL [National Liberal Party], came to campaign for Dominic Fritz, parachuted here in Timisoara from Germany, without a permanent resident visa. This man is illegally holding the position of mayor and the entire country must know it. We don't want other parachuted or their ilk," Simion said.

Also on Friday, Timisoara Mayor Dominic Fritz (USR) said that "a gang of members and supporters of AUR, led by George Simion", illegally entered the mayor's office "by physical force", in order to create "chaos and panic in the institution and among the people of Timisoara" who were in the building.

The mayor accused the Gendarmerie and the Local Police of witnessing this act of violence "impotently."

The Romanian Gendarmerie said in a press statement that it has no security duties for the Timisoara City Hall and that "the gendarmes in the City Hall area acted immediately after being notified., Agerpres informs.
Health Minister Alexandru Rafila said on Friday that the average COVID-19 bed occupancy rate in Romania is 16% nationwide, with the highest value, 34%, reported by Suceava County, Agerpres reports.

The clarifications were made at a joint news conference with Education Minister Sorin Cimpeanu on a new joint order of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health regarding health and safety in schools. According to him, in-person instruction in the pre-university/related schools will depend on the occupancy rate at county level of the hospital beds intended for the care of COVID-19 patients."We have envisaged an instance in which schools in a county will close when 75% of the COVID-19 beds are occupied under resilience plans," Rafila said.He added that bed occupancy data will be published on the website of each public health directorate. On Friday, the highest bed occupancy rate was reported by Suceava County (34%); it was followed by Cluj County (28%). In Bucharest City and Ilfov County the occupancy rate was 16%.Rafila said schools should be kept open, but not at any cost. He added that following the expansion of the Omicron strain, the number of hospitalisations is making up about 2-2.5% of the number of new daily cases of SARS-CoV-2. He showed that the COVID-19 Omicron variant can spread to vaccinated people as well, but in a "much easier" form than in unvaccinated people."We need to adapt the way we open schools or keep them open to epidemiological developments, and also to the new features of the Omicron strain, which have changed the picture - if you look at what is happening now in Romania and in other countries as against the past. This disease has a much higher transmissibility at the moment. Incredible numbers: for example, in France now there are 300,000 new cases in one day; in the United Kingdom and Italy - more than 200,000 new cases in one day. These are countries that have a population about three times larger than the population of Romania," said Rafila.
Education Minister Sorin Cimpeanu said on Friday that 460,000 pupils have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus so far, and over 70% of the education staff have been immunised, Agerpres reports.

"More than 200,000 educational staff, representing more than 70% of the total number of educational staff, are vaccinated. It is the largest socio-professional category vaccinated. Two - we had 2,838 educational units on Monday with a 100% vaccination rate. Three - one week ago, at the end of last week, on Friday, we had 456,000 vaccinated pupils. Now we have 460,000 vaccinated pupils. (...) In education, employees and pupils understand better the importance of the vaccine than the national average population," the Minister told a press conference.Cimpeanu stated that the parents reported more and more ophthalmological conditions generated by the online teaching of children."100% safety does not exist in Romania or in any other state of the world. It is a matter of risk management, a balanced and responsible management in which the gain is not only that of stopping the educational losses, but also of stopping and remedying socio-emotional disorders... Unfortunately, in recent days I have seen even extreme gestures of some young people, of some students that are certainly related to the pressure felt from the lack of socialisation because of online schooling. (...) Parents have reported more and more children's eye diseases caused by online teaching," the minister said.Cimpeanu said that he worked with several health ministers, "better" with some, "less" with others, but this time "he has really found answers" at the Ministry of Health.
The former mayor of Bucharest's Sector 5, Marian Vanghelie, was taken into custody by prosecutors with the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA), on Thursday night, in a case where he is accused of forming a criminal group, of influence peddling and abuse of office, with damages of over 256 million RON, judiciary sources specified for AGERPRES.

DNA informed on Thursday in a press release sent to AGERPRES that it is investigating 22 suspects, including civil servants, directors of institutions subordinated to the mayoralty and Local Council of Sector 5 for crimes of corruption and assimilated to corruption regarding illegal, over-evaluated acquisitions made by SC Economat Sector 5 (a company whose only associate is the local council).DNA prosecutors note in the ordinance that at the end of 2018, Marian Vanghelie, who at the time was a councilor with the Sector 5 Local Council, Marian Leonard Petre - who was the CEO of SC Economat sector 5, as well as a businessman have formed an organized criminal group, to which other people (company administrators) have subsequently added, and whose purpose was obtaining goods by the companies controlled by Vanghelie and the people who supported the group, by damaging the budget of SC Economat Sector 5 (where the majority shareholder is the Local Council of Sector 5).
Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu supported on Thursday, in Brest, France, a series of elements that would best reflect Romania's interests, during the informal meeting on the elaboration of the Strategic Compass and the security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, informs a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

As for the Strategic Compass, Aurescu welcomed the evolution of the document that will define this instrument that must, in the opinion of the Romanian side, have a practical character, in accordance with the principles of the EU Global Strategy of 2016."Thus, (Aurescu, ed. n.) said that it is necessary to clearly highlight the complementarity and partnership with NATO and the US, in particular. He stressed the importance of an adequate reflection of the current security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, including in the wider Black Sea region. He recalled the impact on European security of the protracted conflicts in the Black Sea region and advocated an increased EU commitment to resolving them, including through the strategic document under discussion. He added that in-depth discussions are needed regarding the EU's rapid intervention capacity, taking into account the need to ensure full complementarity with NATO and avoid any duplication, and to strengthen the instruments for combating hybrid threats," the MAE release said.The discussion on the security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood took place in the context of deteriorating security environment in the region and recent developments. Bogdan Aurescu presented Romania's assessment of these and stressed the importance of the EU unit, based on the common principles and values, and the continued preparation of the adoption of firm and credible measures to deter Russia, including sanctions, to be adopted in case of continuing the aggressive, escalating approach on the part of Russia, while strengthening the resilience of Ukraine and the other partners in the Eastern Neighbourhood, the press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads.The Foreign Minister stressed the need for concrete de-escalation of the security situation, as well as the fact that attempts to undermine the current parameters of the European security architecture remain unacceptable.According to the MAE release, Aurescu emphasised the need to intensify the EU-US and EU-NATO partnerships, as well as to reflect the adequate security situation in the Eastern Neighbourhood, including in the context of the elaboration of the Strategic Compass.The Romanian foreign minister reiterated the importance of increasing the EU's involvement in the management and resolution of the protracted conflicts in the wider Black Sea region, given the impact on the security situation in Eastern Europe and starting from the results of the tour carried out in the South Caucasus in June last year, together with the Austrian and Lithuanian counterparts, in coordination with and with the mandate of the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.He reiterated his support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and welcomed the visit made by High Representative Josep Borrell earlier this month, confirming the EU's "strong" commitment to this country.
Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Friday attended the second day of the informal Gymnich-type meeting of EU foreign ministers organised by the European External Action Service and the French Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The agenda included EU-China relations and recent developments in Mali, with the EU foreign ministers attending a working lunch with representatives of the African Union leadership, according to a press statement released by the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE).

The main topic was the preparations for the EU-African Union Summit, scheduled for February 17-18.

Regarding the debate on EU-China relations, Aurescu pointed out that the EU's multi-faceted approach in the joint communication "EU-China: A Strategic Outlook" of March 2019 is still largely valid and emphasised the importance of the EU's standing on the fundamental values of international law, democracy and human rights.

Aurescu reiterated the importance of the unity of the member states and voiced solidarity with Lithuania and support for the continuation of coordination with partners, such as the US and Asian countries that share the same values and objectives with Romania. He also expressed his support for the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy as soon as possible. He pointed out that there may be openness to co-operation with China under a framework agreed by the EU in areas such as climate change, biodiversity, response to the COVID-19 pandemic and international affairs of common interest, such as the Iranian nuclear file and Afghanistan.

Developments in Mali were addressed considering an extraordinary summit of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), held in Accra on January 9, that decided to keep in place sanctions on Mali's transitional authorities. Aurescu expressed support for the adoption of targeted sanctions against those who hinder the democratic transition in Mali, in addition to the measures adopted in December 2021. He also underscored the need to carefully analyse the impact of possible economic sanctions in order not to undermine the European Union support for the civil and political transition and the fight against terrorism.

At an informal lunch with representatives of the African Union (AU), the foreign minister of Senegal, the country to hold the chairmanship of the African Union in 2022-2023, and the chairman of the African Union Commission, the EU foreign ministers discussed how to strengthen EU-AU strategic links based on common priorities such as prosperity, security and mobility, and in preparation for the February 2022 EU-AU Summit.

The head of the Romanian diplomacy also voiced Romania's support for the development of the EU-Africa partnership in a strategic way, with an emphasis on concrete initiatives and substantial results, to the benefit of both continents. Aurescu unveiled Romania's priorities for the African continent, with an emphasis on education and training, sustainable agriculture / food security, peace and security, combatting misinformation, healthcare, and disaster management. He pointed out that education is one of the most effective tools for a sustainable social and economic recovery, including amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as for building societal resilience and tackling the challenges facing Africa, Agerpres informs.
The Justice Ministry announces it has participated this week in completing the answer of the Romanian authorities on the assessment questionnaire sent by the US Department of State for the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report or TIP Report.

According to a ministry release sent to AGERPRES on Friday, the process was conducted under the coordination of the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons and the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.The TIP report is an annual assessment by the US Government, which examines the efforts of countries around the world to prevent and combat human trafficking.Based on the findings, this mechanism places the evaluated states in four levels - Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch List, and Tier 3."The 2022 edition of the report is of crucial value for Romania, as it will decide to promote or demote the Romanian state from the Tier 2 Watch List level it has been on for two years. A possible demotion of Romania would have undesirable consequences in terms of bilateral relations, as it may impose certain restrictions on the nature of financial assistance," the release informs.The Ministry of Justice adds that, since the end of 2019, it has organised an inter-institutional front to fight human trafficking.In this regard, repeated working meetings were held with the leadership of the Public Prosecutor's Service, the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT), the Interior Ministry (MAI), the United States Embassy, as well as with other institutions with responsibilities in the field.At the same time, working meetings were held with EU counterparts, the Commissioner for Justice and ambassadors, for a close cooperation in combating the phenomenon on a cross-border level.
Lipovan Russians and Ukrainians in Tulcea County are celebrating the old New Year or the New Year by the Julian calendar, in churches on Friday mornings, according to tradition, and some accommodation units have hosted the Old Believers and their parties.

For the Lipovan Russian community in Sarichioi commune, the holiday is even more important, in the context of the church celebrating its patron saint, and no believer went to parties on Thursday night to Friday."The Lipovan Russians do not party. They go to church.The New Year begins with the feast of St. Basil the Great. Very few people celebrate New Year's Eve. Only on the first day of the new year, after going to church and thanking God for enduring another year in good health, they come home, eat and wait for guests. The houses are open and there are parties going on," Corina Davidov, born in the village of Sarichioi, told AGERPRES.In the past years, after the religious service, the children took wheat and went to acquaintances to sow, so that the year would be fruitful, but in recent years, the custom has been lost.The dishes prepared by the housewives for the festive meal on the first day of the new year will be of the most diverse - horseradish cold cuts, sarmale [stuffed cabbage rolls], steak, cozonac [traditional cake].Some hotels in Tulcea County hosted parties for the Lipovan Russian and Ukrainian communities on Thursday through Friday, a hotel in the municipality hosting the first New Year's Eve party, after the one on the first night of the new year by the new calendar was canceled due to lack of requests.Tulcea County has the largest Lipovan Russian community in Romania, 16,350 members, according to the National Institute of Statistics quoted on the website of the Lipovan Russian Community in Romania.Some Ukrainians in the county also celebrate the old New Year, Chilia Veche, Crisan, Sfantu Gheorghe and Caraorman being just a few communities where the elders still keep their customs.
The National Culture Day is marked every year, starting with 2011, on January 15, the chosen date being that of the birth of the Romanian national poet, Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889), Agerpres reports.

On November 16, 2010, the Chamber of Deputies adopted a draft law by which Mihai Eminescu's birthday became the National Culture Day, the normative act gathering 175 votes "in favour", one "against" and two abstentions.The bill was initiated by 50 Social Democratic Party (PSD) deputies and senators and Liberal Mircea Diaconu, who signed this initiative. The initiators' explanatory memorandum reads: "The National Culture Day will be, in our vision, a day when we not only celebrate a great creator, but also a day of reflection on the Romanian culture, in general, and of the cultural projects of national interest".The decree for the promulgation of the Law on declaring January 15 as National Culture Day was signed on December 6, 2010, and Law no. 238 of December 7, 2010 was published in the Official Journal no. 831 of December 13, 2010.Mihai Eminescu's birthday became the National Culture Day in the Republic of Moldova as well, following the decision of the authorities of this country.Mihai Eminescu's outstanding personality - both in literature and in journalism, history and philosophy - impressed not only his contemporaries, but also those of the next generations.Literary critic Titu Maiorescu said in his study "Eminescu and his Poems" (1889): "As humanly as can be predicted, Romanian poetic literature will begin in the twentieth century under the auspices of his genius and the form of the national language, having found in poet Eminescu the most beautiful achievement to date, will be the starting point for all the future development of the mold of the Romanian thinking".A good friend of Eminescu's, writer Ioan Slavici wrote: "Eminescu spent all the moments of his life working, because he did not consider himself sufficiently prepared for what he wanted to do and we have very little left of him, and from the little we do have, most of it is, in his opinion, still unfinished work, which he published with a bent heart, yielding to the persistence of others. It seldom happened that he himself was satisfied with what he wrote, and he was dissatisfied not with what he said, but with the way in which his thoughts were reproduced. (...) His knowledge of the literature of all peoples, the universal history and the Romanian history in particular, the philosophy of all times and the classical and Romanian languages was particularly vast", according to "Memories" volume (Minerva Publishing House, 1983).Poet Lucian Blaga mentioned, in the volume "The Mioritic Space" (Cartea Romanesca Publishing House, 1936), about the "Eminescu Idea": "It is for us, for our nation, a power idea. I don't know to what extent we are succeeding in making it a power idea. For our intellectual growth, for our spiritual development, it is an essential idea".In a recording from the Radio Archive (1955 or 1957, lasting 14 minutes and 33 seconds), poet Tudor Arghezi said, referring to Eminescu: "Talking about the poet is like shouting in a vast cave: it cannot reach him without upsetting others. Only the speech of the strings could tell the story, on the harp and sway in the distance its delicate, glorious solitude. (...) In a way, Eminescu is the most pure saint of Romanian verse. From the dramatic tumult of his life the crucified was chosen. (...) Being very Romanian, Eminescu is universal, this is what everyone who reads knows. I regret that the padlock of tongues cannot be unlocked with foreign keys (...), poetry belongs to language better than prose (...)".In the volume "Eminescu's Poetry" (Cartea Romaneasca Publishing House, 1930), Tudor Vianu appreciated: "Eminescu's mind works with the idea of the world's origins, of infinity, of creation, that is, with the highest concepts made by human reason. (... ) There is, in all of Eminescu's poetry, a consideration of things very high and very far, from a point of view that shames any narrowness of mind, any limited selfishness. The poet's great intellectual superiority is one of the most striking forms of his manifestation and that which explains the such overwhelming prestige of his work".George Calinescu wrote in the book "The Life of Mihai Eminescu" (Publishing House for Literature, 1964): '"Thus passed away, in the eighth lustrum of life, the greatest poet who ever emerged and will ever emerge, perhaps, from the Romanian land. The waters will dry up in the riverbed, and a forest or a fortress will rise over the place of his burial, and a star will fade in the sky in the distance, until this earth gathers all its sap and lifts them into the thin pipe of another lily with the power of his fragrance".Garabet Ibraileanu states that "Eminescu is an almost inexplicable event in our literature. He is so great compared to his predecessors that it can no longer be an "evolution" of literature, but a leap. Eminescu is the father of Romanian artistic literature. Eminescu created almost entirely the language of Romanian poetry, having established beforehand the literary language. (...) Eminescu is more than a first-rate Romanian poet. He is beyond the dimensions of Romanian literature". ("Mihai Eminescu, studies and articles", Junimea Publishing House, 1974)For Constantin Noica, Eminescu represents "the complete human being of Romanian culture". He added (in the volume "Eminescu or Thoughts on the complete human being of Romanian culture", Humanitas Publishing House, 2014): "With his magical name we open all the gates of the spirit. But it is not about Eminescu's works, his culture, his projects, his variants, the retained plutonic treasures or the possible systems of philosophy, it is about everything; about this extraordinary performance that a culture consciousness open to everything gives one".Literary critic and eminescologist, academician Prof. Dr. Zoe Dumitrescu Busulenga (later Mother Benedicta) notes in her study "Eminescu - Culture and Creation" (1976): "Like a fixed star, Eminescu's work now illuminates the nation's entire sky sharing its glorious rays, showing its participation in the algorithms of universal genius". (...) "His light, of the Poet, is eternal because the actuality of the "great ones" is eternal".***Mihai Eminescu was born on January 15, 1850, in Botosani. He was a poet, prose writer, playwright and journalist, considered by posthumous literary critics as the most important poetic voice in Romanian literature. He had a good philosophical education, his poetic work being influenced by the great philosophical systems of his time, by ancient philosophy - from Heraclitus to Plato, by the great systems of thought of Romanticism, by the theories of Arthur Schopenhauer, Immanuel Kant and the theories of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.He was active in the "Junimea" literary society and worked as an editor for the "Timpul" newspaper. He published his first poem at the age of 16, and at the age of 19 he went to study in Vienna. Although he lived only 39 years, he left to posterity a vast literary creation - poetry, prose, dramaturgy - and journalistic activity. Mihai Eminescu's manuscripts, collected in 46 volumes (approximately 14,000 pages), were donated to the Romanian Academy by Titu Maiorescu, on January 25, 1902.Mihai Eminescu died on June 15, 1889, in Bucharest. He was elected, post-mortem (October 28, 1948), a member of the Romanian Academy, according to the website https://academiaromana.ro/.
On the eve of National Culture Day, President of the Romanian Academy Ioan-Aurel Pop urges cherishing national values "the way they are", cultivating the "sweet as honeycomb" Romanian language without ostentation and affectation, and placing them all in the European intellectual concert.

"European culture does not exist per se, because it is not the product of a European people or a European language. European culture exists through national cultures which express the specificity of each people, in the context of the common European heritage," Ioan-Aurel Pop told AGERPRES.The Academy President considers that the celebration of Romanian culture on the birthday of poet Mihai Eminescu is not fortuitous, as he is "definitely iconic" in the constellation of the country's spiritual creators."He was not declared the epitome of Romanian culture by some court, nor was he imposed by any state institution, but by life itself, by the great collective personality of the Romanian people, and therefore he cannot be judged, admonished or taken off the pedestal though someone's will. In his work Eminescu expresses in a nutshell the entire history of Romanian and European culture. Eminescu's verse is classical like that of Horatius, Virgil and Ovid, he sings the gallant love and honor of medieval knights just like the bards and troubadours of yore, he depicts the 15th century Middle Age of Prince Alexander the Good as Victor Hugo did in Notre Dame de Paris for the French space. But Eminescu also anticipates the world of the future, projecting through his apprehension of the lightspeed reality and the eternally moving ideational universe the Romanian cultural and scientific creation in the last century of the second millennium and towards the third millennium. Born at a precise time (January 15, 1850) and in a certain place (in the Upper Country of Moldavia), Eminescu's creation ended with his earthly passing at a premature age, but he was touched by an angel's wing and was destined for eternity," said the academician.For Ioan-Aurel Pop, "Eminescu is European, because he expresses the essence of the Romanian spirit, and is the most representative Romanian creator because he fitted the common European denominator", so that from this point of view he can stand with good reason "in the lineup formed - let's say - of Adam Mickiewicz, Petofi Sandor and Taras Shevchenko, representative of the Central-Southeast European side of continental romanticism."
Approximately 100,200 persons, Romanian and foreign citizens, with over 37,700 means of transportation (including 15,900 trucks) have carried out verification formalities at border crossing points nationwide, in the last 24 hours, the General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPF) informed on Friday.

Approximately 39,100 people with 15,700 means of transportation were at the entry points, while the exit points were reached by 61,00 people with 22,000 means of transportation, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES.According to the quoted source, the most transited borders were:- The Hungarian border - approximately 48,500 people and 21,900 means of transportation.- The air border - approximately 18,700 people.- The Moldovan border - approximately 13,900 people and 4,500 means of transportation;- The Bulgarian border - approximately 12,600 people and 8,400 means of transportation.IGPF adds that 24 foreign citizens were denied entry in the last 24 hour, as well as nine Romanian citizens were barred from exiting, because of various legal reasons.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said on Friday, during consultations with officials of the Romanian Association of Banks (ARB), that an inter-ministerial department for dialogue with the banks will be created at the government level under the authority of the prime minister which objectives include a programme of entrepreneurship, business education, working with banks, under which Romanian business people can understand and access the development opportunities offered by access to capital.

According to a government press statement, the main subjects of the meeting were the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the unfoldment of government funding programmes in support of certain business sectors, along with debureaucratisation and digital transformation projects at the level of the public administration.

"We need a real partnership that will capitalise on Romania's economic growth potential, access to capital for the business community and support in addition to the tens of billions of euros that will enter the country in the coming years under PNRR and operational programmes. In addition to the 30 billion euros - investment to support the PNRR reforms - we have 12 billion drawn from the funds for the years 2014-2020, to which are added funds for the years 2021-2027, for which we must receive approvals for operational programmes. European money will support Romania's economy, along with banking and finance instruments. The business community, SMEs, Romanian farmers need access to capital. We will create an inter-ministerial department for dialogue with the banks, at government level, operating under the authority of the prime minister. We want to start together with the banking system a programme of entrepreneurial education, doing business, working with banks, under which Romanian business people can understand and access the development opportunities offered by access to capital," Ciuca is quoted as saying in the statement.

Also discussed was developing government funding programmes and state-aid schemes to support small and medium-sized enterprises, and the agri-food industry, with an emphasis on increasing competitiveness and economic performance.

"The future funding generated for the support of major energy projects were presented as important opportunities for the banking sector to be involved, with special attention being paid to projects for the domestic production of the necessary resources."

The participants highlighted the need to expand digital transformation projects to include the public administration, both in the relationship between the government and the public, and in the relationship between the government and the business community.

"Electronic signatures can play an important role in optimising access to information streams, it was also mentioned during the meeting. As a matter of fact, the digital transformation of the administration is an important plank in PNRR for which substantial funding is earmarked. At the same time support offered especially to small or medium-sized enterprises will be essential both in the area of banking and finance education, as well as for their digital transformation., Agerpres informs.
The policeman who fatally injured a 13-year-old girl on the pedestrian crossing on Thursday was placed under judicial control by the Prosecutor's Office attached to the District 1 Court.

The agent is under criminal investigation for the crime of manslaughter, and he was heard by prosecutors on Friday. After the hearing, the investigators decided that the police officer should not be detained and placed him under judicial control.

"It should be noted that according to the information held, the defendant at the time of the accident was on duty, but was not on a special mission to claim urgency and thus justify the use of light and acoustic signals. Investigations are ongoing and will continue in the direction of clarifying all aspects of the case," the Prosecutor's Office states in a press release.

Also on Friday, the spokesperson for the Prosecutor's Office attached to the District 1 Court, Radu Calin, made a few clarifications on this case.

"On January 13, 2022, the suspect, a police officer in the General Directorate of Police of the Municipality of Bucharest, the 15th Police Station, while driving a police car on a boulevard in District 1, when at a pedestrian crossing, due to non-compliance with the maximum speed limit allowed in localities, did not yield priority to the victim and injured her, causing traumatic injuries, which led to the immediate death of the victim. The minor victim, aged 13, was engaged in crossing the road on the pedestrian crossing. At the moment, the case prosecutor is considering taking some preventive measures," said Radu Calin.

The representative of the Prosecutor's Office specified that the car driven by the policeman had the light signals in operation, but not the acoustic ones, and the agent was not on a mission.

On the other hand, he refused to confirm that the policeman was going "to get food," as this information appeared in the press.

"The suspect was informed of the accusation (...). It was established that he did not respect the speed regime in the respective area. An expertise was ordered to establish the exact speed," the spokesperson for the Prosecutor's Office detailed.

The press office of the Bucharest Police reported on Friday that the policeman had obtained his driving license in Romania in 2012 and exchanged it in 2016 in the UK, being valid on the basis of reciprocity with the European Union.

The accident happened on Thursday in District 1, when the police officer behind the wheel ran over two girls crossing the street. One of them was transported to hospital, and the other died at the scene of the accident, Agerpres informs.
Lani Guinier (1950-2022) taught me almost everything I know about voting rights

A brilliant professor, she showed me how the old Confederacy never really gave upnot after the Civil War, not after the Voting Rights Act, not ever.
One of the countrys largest student loan servicers will cancel the debt of tens of thousands of borrowers in an agreement with dozens of state attorneys general.

Under the terms of a new settlement released Thursday, Navient will provide student loan relief worth a total of $1.85 billion. The vast majority of that money ($1.7 billion) will come in the form of balance cancellation for roughly 66,000 borrowers with private loans, many of whom borrowed from Sallie Mae in the early to mid-2000s to attend for-profit colleges with low graduation rates. Another $95 million will be distributed in the form of $260 cash payments to 350,000 federal borrowers that Navient placed in certain long-term forbearance programs.

Looking for the Best Student Loan Refinance Company? Refinancing your Student Loan at a low rate could allow you to pay off your loan faster and pay less money over the life of your loan. Click on your state to get started!

The settlement is the culmination of a years-long series of lawsuits over allegations that Navient, before it spun off from Sallie Mae, originated predatory subprime loans. More recently, as a federal student loan servicer, Navient was accused of pushing student borrowers into expensive forbearance plans rather than educating them about more affordable options like income-driven repayment plans. The result, the attorneys general allege, was that struggling borrowers accrued mountains of unnecessary debt while Navient profited. Navient denies the allegations.

The company is one of the largest student loan servicers in the country, but announced this fall that it would discontinue its partnership with the Education Department.

How to know if youre eligible for loan cancellation or relief payments

If youre a private borrower eligible for relief under the terms of the settlement, theres nothing you need to do. Navient will notify you by July 2022 if your loan debts will be canceled. The company will also refund any payments made on canceled loans after June 30, 2021.

If youre a federal borrower, you should make sure your studentaid.gov account is updated with your current address. Youll receive a postcard this spring if youre eligible for the $260 payment.

For more information, you can visit www.NavientAGSettlement.com.

Refinancing your student loan could allow you to payoff your student debt early. Lower your interest rate or reduce your monthly payment.

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Streaming networks seemingly infinite appetite for original dramas is a boon for books. Authors are selling single novels or a whole series to HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime and their competitors, often after actors-turned-producers put options on the works with the intention of starring.

Mystery novels are a natural for adaptation, from all those early Agatha Christies to Ann Cleeves Vera and Shetland. Even Louise Pennys beloved Three Pines books are coming to life on Prime.

When the prolific Lisa Gardner introduced a new character, people-finder Frankie Elkin, in last years Before She Disappeared, I was picturing the TV series (and wishing for it) even before I finished the book. Turns out, I thought like Hilary Swank, who will play Frankie and plans to produce a just-announced adaptation. (No word on where or when.)

Meanwhile, Gardner brings Frankie back in One Step Too Far (Dutton, 410 pages, $27), due out Jan. 18. This second in the series finds Frankie  a jobless, essentially homeless recovering alcoholic who has made it her life work to find missing persons, if only to give their families closure  on the move again.

From inner-city Boston, where she toyed with a relationship with a sympathetic cop, Frankie heads for the wilds of Wyoming to find a hiker missing five years. She is not, to understate the matter, suited for the wilderness.

Going along with her, however, is riveting. I enjoyed every bit of One Step Too Far, from Frankies resourcefulness in unfamiliar territory to the quirky crew (Bigfoot hunters?) with which she teams up for the search. Even the cadaver dog.



Stacy Willinghams debut novel, A Flicker in the Dark (Minotaur, 356 pages, $27.99), was snapped up by Emma Stone even before it was published last week and is expected to be adapted for HBO Max. No word on whether Stone will also star, but shed be a good fit as Chloe Davis, a psychologist who has managed to put her own childhood trauma behind her.

Actually, no. She hasnt. Chloe, who has a desk drawer full of pills and a fiance she thinks may be too good to be true, left her hometown of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, behind, but she couldnt leave her memory of the day her father was pegged as the monster raping and murdering girls not much older than Chloe.

When similar murders start happening again, Chloe becomes obsessed, to the point of self-destruction. Unfortunately, shes also one of those characters who sometimes does things so stupid, shes seemingly begging to be a victim.

Willinghams plot is twisty, swirling past plenty of red herrings to come together nicely in the end. But this first-time novelist could have used an editor pointing out some off-kilter turns of phrase, as when a character emerges from the shower with a crisp white towel around his waist. If towels are crisp, something has gone wrong in the laundry.

TV producers might also think about amping up the atmosphere. Except for the crayfish boil and swampy humidity, this Louisiana could be pretty much anywhere.



Alafair Burkes 2018 The Wife was sold to Amazon Studios that year in what was billed as a seven-figure bidding war. Nothing yet has come of it, but Burke (whose father is crime novelist James Lee Burke) has been busy, adding two more novels to her previous 18, including six co-authored with Mary Higgins Clark.

Burkes latest is Find Me (HarperCollins, 299 pages, $26.99), which sees amnesiac Hope running from the past she cant remember, a past that, after 15 years, seems to be catching up with her.

What kind of game are you playing? the man at the door demands.

When Hope cant be found, her best friend, Manhattan defense attorney Lindsay Kelly, wont give up searching for her, even at great personal cost. But Find Me is also a gift for fans of Burkes cop Ellie Hatcher, last seen in her own series in 2014. Skipping back and forth between Lindsay chapters and Ellie chapters can be confusing for newcomers, but the fog clears in the end.



Rachel Hawkins follows up last years The Wife Upstairs with Reckless Girls (St. Martins, 284 pages, $27.99), a title that doesnt quite capture the essence of this cold-hearted adventure-mystery about a sailing trip to a little Pacific paradise that may be haunted. And if it wasnt before, chances are it will be before Lux, boyfriend Nico and their weird paying passengers are done with it.

Hawkins is wonderful at setting a scene, in this case the most beautiful place anyone has ever seen. But her plot is overly complicated, with too many characters, none very likable, telling too many stories in flashback.

Thats not to say Reckless Girls  if retitled, say, Terror Island  might not make a pretty and trashy TV movie. Until then, the book may seem like a good one to save for a beach read. But dont. Really, dont.



Dark Night (Minotaur, 276 pages, $26.99), the third entry in Paige Sheltons Alaska Wild series, is the best to date, full of action and with personal consequences all around.

After seven months in Benedict, Alaska, her first hard winter finds Beth Rivers  a thriller writer hiding from the man who abducted and terrorized her back home in St. Louis  still dogged by her past.

But soon Beth gets an unexpected visit from her mother, Mill, herself on the run from the law. (Though I really did love my mother ... a sense of dread washed through me at hearing her call.) Mill has her own motives, as do almost all the others in Benedict, and its unclear throughout who the bad guys and gals are, and vice versa.

The plot is marred only by a crucial coincidence, one big enough to drive a dogsled through. What were the chances? everyone muses. The need to suspend disbelief over that twist is nicely balanced by the welcome arrival of Gus the sled dog. Finally, Beth has a fellow she can rely on.

And speaking of TV adaptations, this series would be a good one, maybe when Discovery+ gets around to doing drama.



Diane Chamberlain has written 30 novels, but somehow, none seems to have made it to the screen. The latest, The Last House on the Street (St. Martins, 346 pages, $27.99), isnt quite a mystery, although theres certainly a mystery involved. Its equal parts family drama (a new widow tries to adjust to the house she and her late husband built), character study and ghost story (what is lurking in the woods behind Kaylas new home?). In alternating chapters, Last House also flashes back to the 1965 campaign for voter registration in the South, as remembered by Ellie, Kaylas new neighbor.

Chamberlain sets her book in North Carolina, where she now lives, and its so atmospheric, you may want to swat a mosquito. In her childhood, fast-growing kudzu made beautiful monsters that rise up from the earth to the sky in the shapes of dragons and dinosaurs. Her language throughout is lovely, as when Kayla, unable to sleep in the new house, sits at the window staring at the only neighbors light as if its shining from a lighthouse and I am lost at sea.

Chamberlain also paints a vivid picture of the learning experience of the young Northerners (plus Southerner Ellie) working with poor Black families.

Whatever its genre, Last House Is strong, suspenseful and a very good read.



One last word: Alice Feeneys Rock, Paper, Scissors (Macmillan Audio, $39.99) came out in September, but its a perfect winter listen. A ghost story without ghosts, its set in a crumbling holiday rental in the Scottish Highlands where a weekend getaway for a married couple with dueling ulterior motives soon dissolves into scares. Its the most enjoyable audiobook to which Ive listened in a while, even if I do have to keep turning up the heat.

Gail Pennington is a former longtime television critic for the Post-Dispatch.

Alafair Burke When  7 p.m. Jan. 25 Where  facebook.com/stlcolibrary How much  Free More info  slcl.org
Two months after Pfizers COVID vaccine was authorized for children ages 5 to 11, just 27% have received at least one shot, according to Jan. 12 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Only 18%, or 5 million kids, have both doses.

The national effort to vaccinate children has stalled even as the omicron variant upends schooling for millions of children and their families amid staffing shortages, shutdowns and heated battles over how to safely operate. Vaccination rates vary substantially across the country, a Kaiser Health News analysis of the federal data shows. Nearly half of Vermonts 5- to 11-year-olds are fully vaccinated, while fewer than 10% have gotten both shots in nine mostly Southern states.

Among Missouri counties, St. Louis County had the highest percentage  24.5%  of fully vaccinated kids as of Jan. 12, according to the CDC data. That compared favorably to the statewide rate of only 13.1%. The lowest rate was in Ripley County, a county in the Missouri Ozarks, where just 0.5% of the 5- to 11-year-olds were fully vaccinated.

Pediatricians say the slow pace and geographic disparities are alarming, especially against the backdrop of record numbers of cases and pediatric hospitalizations. School-based vaccine mandates for students, which some pediatricians say are needed to boost rates substantially, remain virtually nonexistent.

You have these large swaths of vulnerable children who are going to school, said Dr. Samir Shah, a director at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center. Compounding the problem is that states with low vaccination rates are less likely to require masking or distancing or other nonpartisan public health precautions, he said.

In Louisiana, where 5% of kids ages 5 to 11 have been fully vaccinated, Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, added the shot to the list of required school immunizations for the fall, over the objections of state legislators, who are mostly Republicans. The District of Columbia and California, where about 1 in 5 elementary school kids are fully vaccinated, have added similar requirements. But those places are exceptions  15 states have banned COVID vaccine mandates in K-12 schools, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy.

Mandates are one of multiple scientifically valid public health strategies, Shah said. I do think that what would be ideal; I dont think that we as a society have a will to do that.

Vaccine demand surged in November, with an initial wave of enthusiasm after the shot was approved for younger children. But parents have vaccinated younger kids at a slower pace than 12- to 15-year-olds, who became eligible in May. It took nearly six weeks for 1 in 5 younger kids to get their first shot, while adolescents reached that milestone in two weeks.

Experts cite several factors slowing the effort: Because kids are less likely than adults to be hospitalized or die from the virus, some parents are less inclined to vaccinate their children. Misinformation campaigns have fueled concerns about immediate and long-term health risks of the vaccine. And finding appointments at pharmacies or with pediatricians has been a bear.

One of the problems weve had is this perception that kids arent at risk for serious illness from this virus, said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Thats obviously not true.

Parents are left to weigh which is more of a threat to their children: the COVID virus or the vaccine to prevent the virus. Overwhelmingly, research shows, the virus itself presents a greater danger.

Kids can develop debilitating long-COVID symptoms or a potentially fatal post-COVID inflammatory condition. And new research from the CDC found that children are at significantly higher risk of developing diabetes in the months after a COVID infection. Other respiratory infections, like the flu, dont carry similar risks.

Katharine Lehmann said she had concerns about myocarditis  a rare but serious side effect that causes inflammation of the heart muscle and is more likely to occur in boys than girls  and considered not vaccinating her two sons because of that risk. But after reading up on the side effects, she realized the condition is more likely to occur from the virus than the vaccine. I felt safe giving it to my kids, said Lehmann, a physical therapist in Missouri, where 20% of younger kids have gotten at least one dose.

Recent data from scientific advisers to the CDC found that myocarditis was extremely rare among vaccinated 5- to 11-year-olds, identifying 12 reported cases as of Dec. 19 out of 8.7 million administered doses.

The huge variations in where children are getting vaccinated reflect what has occurred with other age groups: Children have been much less likely to get shots in the Deep South, where hesitancy, political views and misinformation have blunted adult vaccination rates as well. Alabama has the lowest vaccination rate for 5- to 11-year-olds, with 5% fully vaccinated. States with high adult vaccine rates such as Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine have inoculated the greatest shares of their children.

Even within states, rates vary dramatically by county based on political leanings, density and access to the shot. More than a quarter of kids in Illinois populous counties around Chicago and Urbana are fully vaccinated, with rates as high as 38% in DuPage County. But rates are still below 10% in many of the states rural and Republican-leaning counties. In Madison County, in the Metro East, the rate is 18.6%; its 16.9% in neighboring St. Clair County.

Nationally, a November Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that 29% of parents of 5- to 11-year-olds definitely wont vaccinate their children and that an additional 7% would do so only if required. Though rates were similar for Black, white and Hispanic parents, political differences and location divided families. Only 22% of urban parents wouldnt vaccinate their kids, while 49% of rural parents were opposed. Half of Republican parents said they definitely wouldnt vaccinate their kids, compared with just 7% of Democrats.

The White House said officials continue to work with trusted groups to build vaccine confidence and ensure access to shots. As weve seen with adult vaccinations, we expect confidence to grow and more and more kids to be vaccinated across time, spokesperson Kevin Munoz said in a statement.

The hunt for shots

Just before her younger sons 5th birthday, Lehmann was eager to book COVID vaccine appointments for her two boys. But their pediatrician wasnt offering them. Attempts to book time slots at CVS and Walgreens before her son turned 5 were unsuccessful, even if the appointment occurred after his late-November birthday.

It was not easy, she said. Wanting to avoid separate trips for her 10-year-old and 5-year-old, she nabbed appointments at a hospital a half-hour away.

Both of my kids have gotten all their vaccines at the pediatrician, so I was kind of shocked. That would have certainly been easier, Lehmann said. And the kids know those nurses and doctors, so I think it would have helped to not have a stranger doing it.

The Biden administration has pointed parents to retail pharmacies and 122 childrens hospitals with vaccine clinics. Nationwide, more than 35,000 sites, including pediatricians, federally qualified health centers and childrens hospitals have been set up to vaccinate young kids, according to the administration. Yet administering the COVID vaccine to children presents obstacles that havent been as prominent for other inoculations.

Enrolling pediatricians in the COVID-19 vaccine program is a challenge because of the application process, reporting requirements for administered doses, and staffing, said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers.

Many of them are short-staffed right now and dont necessarily have huge capacity to serve, she said. Plus, its not as easy to engage the schools in school-based clinics in certain areas just due to the political environment. Health centers, government officials and other groups have set up more than 9,000 school vaccination sites for 5- to 11-year-olds nationwide.

The CDCs long-standing program, Vaccines for Children, provides free shots for influenza, measles, chickenpox and polio, among others. Roughly 44,000 doctors are enrolled in the program, which is designed to immunize children who are eligible for Medicaid, are uninsured or underinsured, or are from Native or Indigenous communities. More than half of the programs providers offer COVID shots, although the rates vary by state.

Pharmacies have been heavily used in Illinois, where 25% of 5- to 11-year-olds are fully vaccinated.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, a pediatrician and the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said 53% of shots administered to younger children as of Jan. 5 were done at pharmacies. Twenty percent occurred at private clinics, 7% at local health departments, 6% at federally qualified health centers and 5% at hospitals.

You need all pieces of the pie to get more kids vaccinated, Ezike said.

Kids respond to the greater good

The Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham, Alabama, tried to boost vaccinations with a party, offering games and treats, even a photo booth and a DJ, along with shots given by a well-known local pharmacy. Brooke Bowles, the centers director of marketing and fund development, estimated that about half a dozen of the 42 people who got a dose that mid-December day were kids.

Bowles was struck that children were more likely to roll up their sleeves when their parents emphasized the greater good in getting vaccinated. Those children were just fantastic, she said. In parts of the Deep South like this one, pro-vaccine groups face a tough climb  as of Jan. 12, only 7% of Jefferson Countys children had gotten both shots.

The greater good is what pediatricians have emphasized to parents who are on the fence.

Children are vectors for infectious disease, said Dr. Eileen Costello, chief of ambulatory pediatrics at Boston Medical Center. Theyre extremely generous with their microbes, spreading infections to vulnerable relatives and community members who may be more likely to end up in the hospital.

Seventy-eight percent of the hospitals adult patients have received at least one dose. For children 5 and up, the figure is 39%, with younger children having lower rates than adolescents, Costello said. Particularly amid an onslaught of misinformation, it has been exhausting to have these long conversations with families who are so hesitant and reluctant, she said.

Still, she can point to successes: A mother who lost a grandparent to COVID was nonetheless reluctant to vaccinate her son with obesity and asthma whom Costello was seeing for a physical. The mother ultimately vaccinated all four of her children after Costello told her that her sons weight put him at higher risk for severe illness.

That felt like a triumph to me, Costello said. I think her thinking was, Well, hes a kid  hes going to be fine. And I said, Well, he might be fine, but he might not.
ST. LOUIS  Vaccinations and other COVID-19 preventive measures have been an unmitigated success story in Missouri nursing homes, pushing case rates near zero and depressing weekly deaths, statewide, for months.

But now, infections are spiking again, according to federal data released this week. And case rates among Missouri nursing home workers  with the lowest vaccination rates in the nation  are even worse.

At the same time, some facilities are grappling with employee shortages yet unseen during the pandemic.

Its really a challenge for facilities to get and retain workers, and that goes directly to patient care, said Marjorie Moore, executive director of VOYCE, a south St. Louis County nonprofit that advocates on behalf of nursing home residents. If theres not enough people to work in the facility, quite honestly, theres not enough people to take care of all of the residents. Thats really scary.

Nursing homes statewide reported 895 cases among residents for the week ending Sunday, down from a peak of 1,339 last fall, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, cases among nursing home staff ballooned to 1,261, up from a peak of 981 last fall.

And while many nursing homes residents are vaccinated  87%, in Missouri  just two-thirds of nursing home staff are immunized, lower than any state in the nation.

Still, vaccinated residents are faring relatively well, overall, against COVID-19 during this wave, even when breakthrough cases occur, said Dr. Charles Crecelius, medical director for two area nursing homes and an elder care specialist for BJC Medical Group.

Theyre not getting infected as much, Crecelius said. Theyre not going to the hospital nearly as much. ... Theyre definitely not as sick.

Nursing homes have contended with staffing shortages throughout the pandemic, but the latest surge has sent yet-unseen numbers of health care workers home due to illness or exposure.

In some cases, the absences have forced some homes to curtail activities and space out bathing schedules.

Moore, the patient advocate, said VOYCE has been fielding more complaints from residents about issues such as unanswered call lights.

Some nursing home workers have left the industry during the pandemic, in some cases due to burnout or low pay. As the U.S. population ages, the industrys workforce issues will continue, Moore predicted.

This is a problem that is going to be with us for a really long time, Moore said.

Some nursing homes are bringing on short-term workers through contracts with staffing agencies  which have helped bridge workforce gaps in the regions health institutions throughout the pandemic. But they are often more expensive than other employees, at times are in short supply and arent as familiar with the residents.

The homes are really in a bind, Crecelius said. Theres just not the labor force there, at times.

In the past, if a nursing home had an outbreak, some facilities would opt to form a dedicated unit to isolate those residents. And often, they would even take on additional COVID-19 patients from hospitals  normally those who were no longer contagious, but still needed care and rehabilitation, Crecelius said. During this surge, facilities are so overwhelmed, they often cant do that.

On Thursday, the number of COVID-19 patients in area hospitals declined slightly but was still the second-highest on record, at 1,356.

Admissions broke records again, with the seven-day average reaching 215 newly admitted COVID-19 patients. The data, provided by the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, includes patients in area BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health and St. Lukes Hospital facilities, and the numbers lag two days.

The hospitals reported 24 COVID-19 deaths, the highest daily number since Jan. 7, 2021.

We likely wouldnt have had this fourth surge, had everybody gotten vaccinated, Crecelius said. So Im still encouraging vaccination, for the future. So that the next time we think were over this, we really will be.

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ST. LOUIS  Kellie Meehan and her team hear the desperation in the doctors and nurses voices. Their patients need life-saving care that their small hospitals are not equipped or trained to provide.

Meehan is the director of nursing logistics at Mercys throughput center for Missouris eastern region. The center is like a traffic control tower for patient transfers. The staff takes calls from hospitals seeking to transfer a patient to a Mercy facility, and they direct the patient to an appropriate unit.

Typically, the requests are easily accommodated. Surges in COVID-19 patients during the pandemic have, at times, made the transfers difficult.

But this surge is different.

Meehan said she is having to do something she never thought she would ever experience in her career: turn down dire cases that could easily be treated.

She refers them to other hospital systems, but she knows those hospitals are facing the same capacity crisis. While she and her team dont know what happens after they hang up the phone, she knows people are likely dying every day.

What is happening now, unfortunately, is these patients are not getting the care they need, and they are not surviving in some cases, Meehan said.

The conversations are heartbreaking, she said, unfathomable for her and for those calling.

You get to a place where you feel like you are the one that is determining the outcomes of a patient, and its one of those situations where we know under normal operations, these patients would be fine, there would be no problems, she said.

One reason why this surge is different is the hyper-infectious omicron variant. It caused a sharp spike in COVID-19 patients that came fast and furious, tripling hospitalizations in just a few weeks to the highest, by far, in the pandemic.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, which includes the major hospitals in the St. Louis area, reported a total of 1,378 COVID-19 patients on Friday  more than triple the number six weeks ago  and much higher than the 962 seen last winter.

Hospitalizations in Missouri hit 3,310 patients on Wednesday, the latest data available, almost 500 higher than last years peak.

Across the country, hospitalizations of people with the virus have increased 80% in the last two weeks, also surpassing the previous record. Deaths have increased by 30% to more than 1,600 being announced nearly every day.

At the same time, many health care workers have become infected and are having to isolate or quarantine because of exposure.

What we are definitely still experiencing is this rise in patients in the population of the hospital, and the decline of co-workers from all capacities throughout the hospital, not just those at the bedside, but every ancillary area and everything that make a facility run, Meehan said.

Skilled nursing, rehabilitation and hospice facilities are also dealing with outbreaks, leaving hospitals with nowhere to discharge some patients. Ambulance drivers are also out of commission.

Meehan said hospitals are trying to adapt the best they can by canceling elective surgeries, converting units into intensive care units, grouping together patients waiting to be discharged and shuffling staff in ways that still keep patients safe. Staff members are working harder than ever. But its still not enough.

Leaders at small hospitals across Missouri and in the Metro East share stories of boarding patients in their emergency rooms for days, losing a patient who likely wouldve survived elsewhere and performing a surgery that staff doesnt typically do.

Jon Doolittle, president of the Missouri Hospital Association, said the crisis is difficult for hospital leaders to talk about openly.

No one wants to stand up and say, Hey, this tragic thing happened at my facility. But we know things are happening, Doolittle said. Staff and hospitals are dealing with time-critical circumstances where lives are saved or not, and its easy to imagine that when you hurt the ability of the system to provide life-saving care, there are going to be very real consequences.

It is uncharted territory for those on both ends of the system, on both ends of their phone calls, Meehan said.

My heart goes out to those providers because they took an oath to do no harm, and they are doing everything humanly possible to take care of these patients, but theres just nowhere to go, Meehan said.

Its very emotional, she said, her voice shaking. From my perspective, I always think what if that were my mom or my grandma or my loved one? And that is somebodys loved one.

Boarding ER patients

During the first week of January at HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Breese, Illinois  a 45-minute drive from St. Louis  the most staff members ever were out because of COVID-19 and not one bed was available in the 48-bed facility, nor anywhere in HSHSs 15-hospital system.

The Breese hospital has just six emergency room beds and two special care beds, a step down from intensive care.

We are boarding patients in our ER for days at a time because we were not able to transfer them to St. Louis or our own larger hospitals in our system in Springfield, Illinois, said CEO Chris Klay.

Patients were moved into the hallway to free up space for others coming in. Staff worked to move other patients around within the system or put them on a helicopter to facilities far from their families. Patients with cardiac or neurological emergencies are prioritized to get the immediate care they need, but Klay said its not easy.

Care of critically ill patients was not compromised, he said. But, he added, Its not without a lot of pushing and pulling to get them into the right environment.

HSHS hospitals had more wiggle room this past week, but Klay said the workforce is at its most fragile point in the pandemic. Many staff members continue to test positive for COVID-19.

Tomorrow, what will our team look like? Will we have the right team in place to take care of the patients in front of us? That is a question I dont have an answer for, Klay said. At some point, and I hope this day doesnt come, will we want to get a patient to a higher-level of care and its not there?

Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri, has had to board six to eight patients over the past week in its 12-bed emergency room, CEO Michael Calhoun said. The hospital, which is close to Springfield and just two to three hours from Kansas City, St. Louis or Columbia, never has to board patients.

The facilities that are in urban centers are so full, so we call 70 to 100 different hospitals looking for a transfer, and we are calling every day, Calhoun said.

The hospital has expanded to 12 intensive care beds, and has about 32 other medical beds. The beds are full, with about 22 occupied by COVID-19 patients, he said. The hospital is having to turn down requests from even smaller hospitals seeking care for their patients.

Patients whom Citizens Memorial needs to transfer to higher-level care are typically not COVID-19 patients, Calhoun said. They need a neurologist that can do a procedure we cant do, or a dialysis service or a gastroenterology service we cant provide. Those are the kinds of patients who end up waiting in our ER for beds.

Eventually, they find a spot, he said, but its two to three days later.

Were good at stabilizing care while they wait, he said, but we do worry that delay could cause a problem.

Calhoun is also worried about whats to come, as the omicron surge in outstate Missouri is lagging behind urban areas. The hospital and its affiliated clinics do most of the COVID-19 testing in the area, and its seeing 100 new cases a day as opposed to 30 during previous waves.

The hospital was performing more than 100 monoclonal antibody infusions a week, a therapy that helps prevent high-risk individuals who get COVID-19 from ending up in the hospital, Calhoun added. Those medications, however, dont work well against the omicron variant. A new version has been developed, but it is still in short supply.

Im nervous, he said, what these next couple weeks are going to look like.

Whatever is needed

The 24-bed Hermann Area District Hospital, about an 80-minute drive from St. Louis, does not have an intensive care unit but has trained staff able to care for patients on ventilators if necessary, said Dr. Michael Rothermich, the hospitals chief of staff.

The hospital has struggled to transfer patients during previous surges in the pandemic, and some who died might have survived at a large facility, Rothermich said. He has seen one such case recently with a patient needing additional respiratory support.

With this surge we have already had one patient that we thought might have a better chance of survival if we could get them an ICU bed, but before a bed opened up at another hospital, the patient rapidly declined and has since died, he said.

Chances of survival are better in a large hospitals intensive care unit where experienced nurses are monitoring just a couple patients and able to identify early signs of complications, he said. A team of specialists can respond immediately.

As long as nothing goes wrong, a patient can recover just as well in our hospital or in a medical/surgical ward at any hospital, Rothermich said. However, when a patient is so sick, they have just been put on a ventilator, there are innumerable things that can go wrong  if those problems are not identified quickly and an appropriate rapid intervention take place, the outcome is seldom good.

Dr. Harbaksh Sangha is the chief medical officer at Lake Regional Health Hospital in Osage Beach, Missouri. Even with a 35-bed emergency department and 18-bed intensive care unit, the hospital is finding itself boarding as many as 10 patients in its emergency department with nowhere to send them.

What has helped, Sangha said, is having unusually high level of expertise for a hospital its size. Staff this past week was unable to transfer a patient with a tumor growing into the airway, so the surgery was done there.

Ideally, it shouldve been done in a center with higher expertise, Sangha said. But we are ready for any eventuality. We are doing whatever is needed.

Rationing care?

At Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla, nearly two hours from St. Louis, the 242-bed facility is full, staff says. About 18% are COVID-19 patients.

Unable to transfer patients for days or even a week, the hospital is taking care of more critically ill patients than ever, said Keri Brookshire-Heavin, chief nursing officer.

The problem is we are not always capable of taking care of everything like an urban center would be, Brookshire-Heavin said.

The patients include those whove had strokes or who have cancer. Staff can stabilize and monitor them, but not do much more, said Dr. Nathan Ratchford, chief medical officer.

We dont typically have the specialists to take care of these patients, Ratchford said. They either stay in the emergency room or possibly go to a floor while waiting for a bed in a tertiary facility. Best we can do is stabilize them and support them and give them fluids.

The situation wears on staff and frustrates patients and families, they said. Its hard to know how the delays will affect patient outcomes.

We can keep patients in a holding pattern until the care they need opens up, but long-term, we dont know the impact that is going to have on their health, Ratchford said.

Dr. Ann-Elizabeth Mohart, chief medical officer at Mercy Washington, said they have begun preparing staff for the possibility the region will move into providing crisis standards of care  where care is rationed to those likely to benefit most  by talking with ethicists, chaplains and other experts in end-of-life care.

If we get to the point, we need to be ready mentally, spiritually and psychologically, Mohart said, to support families through the decisions.

The hospital staff is already facing having those conversations when they are unable to find a four-hour treatment where a machine purifies blood in patients whose kidneys have failed.

Very commonly we get patients who have acute kidney injury and they need hemodialysis, Mohart said. We call the entire region, the entire state, and there is simply not a single hemodialysis bed available.

What does staff do?

We have an excellent palliative care and chaplain staff who are very trained in, if we are not able to offer treatments to patients, what kind of conversations do we begin to have to have with each other and with patients and families  very difficult conversations, Mohart said.

The hospital leaders urged every person to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which greatly reduces the chances of ending up critically ill or dying, and to wear a mask in public to help prevent spread of the virus.

Every persons life depends on the community working together to lessen the load on hospitals, they say.

If you get into a car accident today, there may not be a trauma bed or even a surgical staff or nurse available, Mohart said. If you have a heart attack, a stroke, if you fall and break your hip, anyone who unexpectedly may suddenly need the hospital system, will absolutely be affected by this.

Originally posted at 4:22 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14.

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FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The nomination of former U.S. Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Robert Califf to again lead the agency now heads to the full Senate for a vote, after a Senate committee on Thursday voted 13-8 for approval.

Among those who voted against Califf's nomination were Democrats who expressed concerns about his links to pharmaceutical companies, The New York Times reported.

No date for a Senate vote on Califf's nomination has been set. During the last year of the Obama administration, Califf had been confirmed in a 89-to-4 Senate vote to become FDA commissioner, the Times reported.

If confirmed again, Califf will take over an agency that's been under the spotlight during the pandemic as it dealt with decisions about vaccines, treatments, tests and masks, the Times reported.

The agency has been criticized for sluggish approval of rapid at-home tests, leading to test shortages as the Omicron variant raged across the country and consumer demand soared for tests for schoolchildren and workers, the Times said.

Meanwhile, high-risk COVID patients are facing severe shortages of treatments that can help battle Omicron -- even as the FDA remains the gatekeeper to therapies and diagnostics that could help.

Other major challenges facing the FDA are new e-cigarette rules and accelerated approval of drugs, an issue triggered by the agency's approval of the controversial, pricey new Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm.

Califf appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in mid-December, answering questions about the pandemic, the opioid crisis and other topics.

As a cardiologist, Califf led clinical trials at the Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina for decades. Recently, he led clinical policy and strategy for Verily, the life sciences arm of Google. During the hearing, he emphasized the value of existing data, much of it in patients electronic medical records, to help answer difficult questions about drugs and devices.

During the hearing, Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont took Califf to task for his ties to major pharmaceutical companies, which include consulting fees and stock ownership of as much as $8 million.

That is exactly the close relationship Big Pharma has exploited to regulate the FDA, instead of the FDA regulating them, Sanders said.

In response, Califf told the Senate committee that the FDA and its parent agency, the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, have strict ethics rules that he plans to follow.

More information

Visit Duke University for more on Robert Califf.

SOURCE: The New York Times

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The Biden administration can't enforce a vaccine-or-testing mandate for large employers, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

The 6-3 decision was driven by the conservative majority on the court.

The mandate was a crucial component of the White House's plan to tackle the COVID pandemic as cases skyrocket due to the Omicron variant.

President Joe Biden reacted to the decision with dismay.

I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law, he said in a statement. "This emergency standard allowed employers to require vaccinations or to permit workers to refuse to be vaccinated, so long as they were tested once a week and wore a mask at work: a very modest burden."

Still, Biden said that he will still push companies to help vaccinate their employees.

"The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans health and economy," Biden added. "I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped up -- including one third of Fortune 100 companies -- and institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers and communities."

The Supreme Court did rule 5-4 in favor of another mandate, this one for vaccination of health care workers at hospitals and other health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

"Todays decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the requirement for health care workers will save lives: the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses and others who work there," Biden said. "It will cover 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities. We will enforce it."

Under the large employer mandate rejected by the Supreme Court, employers would not have had to pay for testing, the Times reported.

That mandate also included exemptions for employees with religious exemptions and those whose jobs don't require close contact with others, such as those who work from home or are always outdoors.

Last month, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, in Cincinnati, ruled in favor of the mandate for large employers, the Times reported.

More information

Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more on COVID vaccines.

SOURCE: White House, statement, Jan. 13, 2022; The New York Times

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
Aisha Sultan Aisha Sultan is home and family editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Aisha Sultan 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

For the better part of two years, I gave up a sanctuary when I needed it the most. I practice yoga in a small studio inside a sprawling suburban gym. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, I put my membership on hold.

It seemed like a sensible decision, given the infectious disease ravaging the country. Instead of posing in a downward-facing dog, I walked my dog through miles of parks. After I got vaccinated last February, I ventured back into the studio. I had missed it. The gym required advance reservations, social distancing and masking during the classes.

It was inconvenient, but a worthy trade-off for trying to end the pandemic, especially since I had seen firsthand the impact of getting a bad case of COVID. By May, the CDC said vaccinated folks didnt need to wear masks anymore, and I was part of the crowd who ditched them in a hurry. The gym, which is in a politically conservative part of the metro area, had also dropped its protocols.

Then the delta variant hit. By the end of July, the CDC reversed itself and said even vaccinated people should start masking in areas with high rates of transmission. I dont think many people went back to masking in the gym. But I was busy at work and teaching a writing class; I didnt have time to make it there, anyway.

The new year would be a good time to get back in shape and shed some pandemic pounds, I thought. But by January, the highly contagious omicron variant was in town. Even though my risk as a healthy, triple-vaxxed person in my 40s was very low, I put the mask back on. I wanted to avoid even a mild case  and more importantly, I didnt want to unintentionally spread the virus to someone who might be at greater risk.

But I noticed a strange phenomenon at the gym: No one was masking anymore, despite the local surge in cases and hospitalizations and a countywide mask mandate. It was a weird feeling to be the only person wearing a mask. It reminded me of a conversation Id had with a young niece who attends a large public high school in Texas. They dropped the mask mandate long before her age group could get vaccinated. During the delta surge, Id urged her to keep her mask on.

She said she wore it the first day back to school, but quickly realized she was the only one among hundreds of students.

So awkward, especially for a young teen. She retired her mask immediately.

Even as an adult, I could relate from just the few days I went to the gym masked. In my case, its no big deal to table my resolution for a bit. The surge should peak in a few weeks. I can subscribe to online classes for now and rejoin in person soon enough.

Its a different risk calculus for those who are required to show up for work or school and who are more vulnerable to serious illness. Each of us is facing personal decisions about responsible pandemic behavior. Our sense of responsibility has to be able to adjust to different circumstances.

At my gym, Im guessing a new category of anti-maskers has emerged. These are people who believe in science, who are vaccinated and are at low risk for serious illness. All the data show the ones most at risk are the unvaccinated. Some in the vaxxed group feel the unvaxxed have made their choices by this point. They no longer feel a moral obligation to make additional sacrifices for those unwilling to protect themselves.

Its an understandable feeling. But there are some holes in the logic.

Not everyone who is vulnerable to serious illness is willfully unvaxxed. The immunosuppressed among us did not choose their ailments, for example, and age is a risk factor none of us can change. The elderly can be vulnerable, even if fully vaccinated, and at the other end of the spectrum are the nations infants, toddlers and preschoolers: No children under 5 are even eligible for the vaccine yet.

And from a logistical standpoint, its in everyones best interest to lessen the chances of yet another variant emerging. Shrugging at the rampant spread of illness is not fair to health care workers  who are burned out, overwhelmed and sick in large numbers  who must deal with the fallout. When too many people get sick at the same time, any system will struggle to operate.

Im still willing to gather in places where I know everyone is vaccinated or wearing masks. And Im looking forward to getting back to yoga.

But Ill wait until it offers more peace of mind.

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One day early in 1980, Joan Lang saw a frantic man running toward her dog grooming shop at 4455 Gravois Avenue.

"My dentist has been arrested," the man said.

"Arrested for what?" Lang said. Murder, he said. But that wasn't what caused the man consternation about Dr. Glennon Engleman's arrest.

"He was upset because he was in jail and he did not have his dentures back," Lang said.

The arrest caused consternation among some patients of Engleman, who had his office in the 4600 block of Gravois Avenue. Others who knew him as a good dentist and citizen were shocked.

But when a jury in federal court on Sept. 25, 1980 found Engleman guilty in the Jan. 14, 1980, car bombing that killed Sophie Marie Barrera, police saw it as a step toward wrapping up investigations that began 22 years earlier.

From the start, police suspected Engleman in the shooting death of James S. Bullock. When Bullock was killed near the St. Louis Art Museum in 1958, Engleman's ex-wife, Edna, had been married to Bullock for six months.

When he was behind bars, Engleman bragged it took the Soviet satellite Sputnik and Cuban leader Fidel Castro to take him off page one of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat during the Bullock investigation.

But investigators couldn't find enough evidence to charge Engleman.

Meanwhile, police suspected Engleman in other violent deaths, including the 1963 death of Eric Frey, a business partner who died in what was ruled an accident in Franklin County.

There also was the fatal shooting of Peter J. Halm of Kirkwood in 1976. Halm's wife was a dental assistant for Engleman before she married Halm.

But then Barrera died in an explosion as she started her car outside her dental lab near the South Side National Bank. Barrera had sued Engleman for failing to pay bills he owed her lab.

After the explosion, Ruth Engleman, one of his ex-wives, went to police and started talking. With her help, police were able to arrest and convict Engleman for the killing of Halm for insurance money and then for Barrera's killing.

In 1985, Engleman pleaded guilty to murdering three others. Altogether, he was a suspect in 12 killings.

Engleman received two life sentences for the slayings of Barrera and Halm. He died at 71 in 1999 at the Jefferson City Correctional Center.

Joan Lang's husband, Mike, recalled Engleman as a nice man who always paid the dues for the Granada Gravois Business Association. Mike Lang was a wedding photographer and the association's secretary. He and his wife later owned Dreamland Palace, a German restaurant near Waterloo, Ill.

Mike Lang recalled several neighbors who received free dental work from Engleman.

Engleman was highly intelligent, Lang said. "You could talk to him and you would hear the wheels humming," Lang said.

Longtime South Side dentist Dr. Lester Joern didn't know Engleman personally. But he did have patients who went to him.

"These patients - I have three or four of them that come in here - they said he was a nice dentist. He did great work," Dr. Joern later recalled.

Dr. Joern said he heard plenty of stories about Engleman from collegues.

"Let's face it, I'm a celebrity - Jesse James, the Dalton Gang and Dr. Engleman," he told reporters in jail.

Officially, Bullock's killing remains unsolved. But authorities are confident they got their man.

Remember these notable St. Louis-area serial killers?
ST. LOUIS  A former official of a St. Louis University program pleaded guilty in federal court here Friday to five felony wire fraud charges and admitted orchestrating a $518,000 fraud.

Bretton M. DeLaria, 31, worked for the university's 1818 Advanced College Credit Program at the time of the fraud, through which high schoolers can earn college credit. He was also treasurer of the Missouri Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, which supports those types of programs.

In April 2019, DeLaria began creating and submitting false invoices from MoACEP to the university, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Dowd said. DeLaria then had the payments sent to his personal accounts or to two PayPal accounts he'd set up for the partnership and a vendor, Dowd said. He also used his university credit card to pay a total of $75,405 in fake invoices.

DeLaria was fired from both positions in June 2020.

At his April 22 sentencing, DeLaria could face 41 to 51 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. He has agreed to forfeit his home in St. Louis and will be ordered to repay the money.

"Saint Louis University is outraged by the acts admitted to by Bretton DeLaria in federal court," officials said in a statement. They said DeLaria was terminated after the thefts were discovered, the incident was reported to the FBI and changes were made to ensure no repeat of the illegal activity.

"The University will not tolerate theft or other illegal activity by anyone in its community," the statement says.

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JEFFERSON CITY  Republican lawmakers are once again looking to put limits on Medicaid expansion, proposing a constitutional amendment that would impose work requirements on Missourians newly eligible for the government-funded health care program.

The proposed constitutional amendment, sponsored by Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, would give lawmakers legal authority to determine the amount and recipients of Medicaid funding, effectively determining Medicaid eligibility. If passed by lawmakers, the amendment would be placed on the November ballot.

Medicaid expansion, which was approved as a constitutional amendment by Missouri voters in August 2020, expands eligibility requirements to include people up to 138% of the federal poverty limit. This equates to $17,774 for a single individual and $36,570 for a household of four. By the end of 2021, 38 states had expanded Medicaid.

GOP lawmakers last year refused to increase Medicaid funding to accommodate the broader population, leading Gov. Mike Parson to halt the expansion ahead of the original July 1 start date.

A court order reversed this decision, allowing low-income Missourians to apply and begin receive benefits starting in October. Stretched to cover the broadened pool of enrollees, the Medicaid funding approved by lawmakers is set to run out in mid-February, according to budget director Dan Haug.

More than 53,000 Missourians eligible under the expansion had enrolled by the end of December, with many more applications pending. This represents only a small portion of the more than 275,000 low-income adults who could enroll under the new expansion eligibility requirements.

The expansion made Missouri eligible for $1.1 billion through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Under the proposed amendment, if passed by both the Legislature and the electorate, future attempts by lawmakers to refuse funding for those eligible recipients could be constitutionally legal. Last year, a similar proposal by Smith failed to make it to a committee vote. Smith, who serves as House Budget Committee chairman, also previously proposed adding work requirements as a qualification for Medicaid enrollment.

Enrollees ages 19 to 65 would have to complete 80 hours of work or community engagement, or apply to receive a disability, child care or other exemption.

President Donald Trumps administration encouraged states to adopt work requirements for Medicaid, but that authorization was rescinded by the Biden administration in early 2021.

In the 17 states that have attempted to implement work requirements, the administration has either revoked the waivers, state officials have withdrawn plans, or legal challenges and the pandemic have stalled out pending efforts, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation tracker.

Smith did not respond to requests for comment.

House Speaker Rob Vescovo, R-Arnold, offered no hint of his position on Smiths proposal Friday.

I need to talk to Cody about it, Vescovo told the Post-Dispatch. Ive read it; I just dont have any comment on it yet.

Democrats in the House and Senate have remained uniformly in favor of the expansion, voting in 2021 for the increased Medicaid funding.

After they didnt get their way last year, Republican politicians in #moleg are plotting to completely destroy Medicaid in Missouri  less than two years after Missourians voted to expand coverage, the House Democratic Caucus tweeted of the proposal.

Progressive initiatives with strong Missouri GOP opposition like Medicaid expansion, an increase in the minimum wage increase and approval of medical marijuana, have been passed by voters in recent years through the initiative petition process.

Republicans have filed a wave of bills this legislative session which would make passing measures through this process more difficult.

Originally posted at 2:20 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14.

Editors note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the gas tax increase was approved by initiative petition.

Grace Zokovitch gzokovitch@post-dispatch.com
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

Not long after Dave and Jennifer Guyton moved to Hazelwood, they realized their neighbors were organized into two camps:

There were those who thought the city of Hazelwood was trying to bankrupt the Robertson Fire Protection District, and those who thought the fire district was bankrupting the city. The dispute has been raging for more than two decades, almost as long as the city has contracted with the fire district to serve an area that Hazelwood had annexed.

Over the years, that contract has grown increasingly expensive, and the two parties have ended up in court over an attempt by the city to use its existing department to serve the area  where the Guytons live, for significantly less money.

The Guytons, concerned about the potential for their property taxes to dramatically rise, decided to do some investigation. We didnt know who to believe, Jennifer says. We came in as outsiders.

The Robertson district has one of the highest tax rates in St. Louis County and a fairly low call volume. In their initial investigation, looking at publicly available data comparing fire districts in St. Louis County, the Guytons found that the Robertson fire district spends a lot of money, without a lot show for it at times.

For instance, Robertson, they found, has the highest cost per call of all the fire protection districts in St. Louis County, and its more than twice as much as Valley Park, a district with a similar number of firehouses, calls and assessed valuation.

The Robertson districts costs for fuel, internet, cellphones and vehicle turnover all appeared to be higher than other fire districts in St. Louis County, in some cases by significant amounts.

The Guytons wanted to know where the money was going. With some of their neighbors they formed a nonprofit called Residents of Hazelwood Inc., and they filed some Sunshine Law requests to get answers. I wanted to see the facts, Dave says.

The fire district, as too many government bodies often are in Missouri, has been slow to respond to their requests. They got some information from looking at minutes for old meetings. For instance, the district has a program where it sells old equipment  including SUVs and ambulances  to employees, at apparently significant discounts. The Guytons sought the details: bids, sales records, and the like.

They didnt get the records.

Thats why earlier this month, Residents of Hazelwood filed an open records lawsuit against the fire district.

Plaintiff Residents for Hazelwood, Inc., has requested the defendants (Robertson Fire Protection District, its custodian of records, and its secretary) many times to make available or produce the districts public records pursuant to Missouris freedom of information statutes, the lawsuit, filed by attorney Paul Martin, alleges. The defendants have failed or refused many of these requests, preventing the plaintiff from investigating, assessing, and disclosing the districts expenditure of public funds and their use of district resources.

The lawsuit names the district, its fire chief, Maynard Howell, and its board secretary, Michael Conley, as defendants. Chuck Billings, the general counsel for the fire district, declined comment. He said an outside attorney, Dan McLaughlin, is handling the defense. McLaughlin didnt return a phone call seeking comment.

The lawsuit notes that the district has a high turnover of vehicles, in which older models are sold to employees, but Sunshine Law requests didnt produce the records from those alleged sales, including the sale of a state-of-the-art ambulance that was, apparently, sold to Howell.

The districts practice of internal disposition of surplus property appears to have also resulted in the sale of other equipment to district insiders, including automobiles, computers, iPads, and commercial grade generators, but the plaintiff has not been able to identify the cost of the original equipment, to whom the equipment was sold, the condition of the equipment at the time of sale, or whether the sales were made at fair market value, due to the failure or refusal of the district to produce the requested records, the lawsuit alleges.

For the Guytons, the issue is simple. If the Robertson fire district can defend its out-of-whack spending that is causing budget problems for the city of Hazelwood, and high property taxes for its residents, it ought to be able to show residents the paperwork that explains the spending.

Wheres the money going? Jennifer asks. Its a good question.

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Recommendations from the Biden administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seem to change weekly regarding coronavirus precautions. Americans are justifiably confused and are at risk of tuning out. For a Democratic administration struggling to create the appearance of command authority during an ongoing national crisis, the mixed messaging feeds the Republican narrative that Democrats are incompetent.

Americans should, first of all, remember the pandemic response under the previous administration. President Donald Trump proposed on national television the consumption of cleaning fluid as a coronavirus remedy. He directly contradicted his own experts. He refused to wear a mask in public, becoming infected and requiring emergency treatment. But to Trumps credit, he spearheaded the crash development of vaccines that, today, are keeping people alive.

President Joe Biden in some senses had to build Americas pandemic-response network from zero because of Trumps obstinacy and cultivation of a political environment that encouraged millions of Americans to reject masks and vaccines. Their refusal is the primary force behind new, record-high infection rates that are pushing health care resources to the breaking point. Such obstinacy also helps extend the life of the virus so it can continue mutating into more infectious variants such as the current omicron wave.

To convince the public that the experts know what theyre talking about, and their advice should be followed, the administrations message must be delivered with greater clarity and consistency.

The pre-omicron quarantine period for people exposed to the virus used to be 10 days. Now its five days, according to CDC guidance, or not at all, unless the person shows symptoms. Asymptomatic people can still be contagious, so they should stay at home. Or maybe just wear a mask. But forget about cloth masks; make sure its an N95. Should students return to remote learning or stay in classrooms? Who knows?

Nationally, courts have flip-flopped on whether employers must comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules. The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked an administration rule requiring employees either to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing and wear masks. Large companies that had just implemented the OSHA rules now could have to change course, adding to the confusion.

The CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, says the virus constantly changing nature creates a moving target. You know, this is hard to come up with a consistent, clear message, she told Fox News.

But the fundamentals havent changed and bear repeating: The safest way to avoid infection is to avoid large groups and wear a properly fitting mask. Fully vaccinated and boosted people are still vulnerable to infection but tend to have milder symptoms, whereas unvaccinated people are the ones currently overwhelming hospitals.

Why should exasperated members of the public not start tuning out? Because they could be the next ones seeking emergency hospital treatment. Given current wait times, its far smarter to be overly cautious than throw caution to the wind.
Impartiality for Nazism?

As if to demonstrate how off-the-rails conservatives have gone in trying to micromanage school curriculums and remove anything they deem politically sensitive, an Indiana lawmaker has suggested that lessons about fascism and Nazism should strive to be impartial. Republican state Sen. Scott Baldwin made the comment during a committee hearing about legislation intended to ban critical race theory and other divisive concepts from schools.

The Indianapolis Star reports that a history teacher testified to his concern that it would require teachers to be neutral about fascism, when the current default position of teaching is to condemn it.

The teacher perhaps thought he was using a hypothetical that even hard-right proponents of the bill would recognize as absurd. He was wrong.

Marxism, Nazism, fascism  I have no problem with the education system providing instruction on the existence of those isms, Baldwin responded. I believe that weve gone too far when we take a position.  We need to be impartial. But teaching racial tolerance is a problem? Baldwin later apologized.

The coined bird sings

The image of celebrated poet Maya Angelou, a St. Louis native, will be the first to appear on a new line of quarters now being shipped by the U.S. Mint. Angelou, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the 1969 book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, died in 2014 at age 86. The new quarter depicts her with outstretched arms as a bird flies behind her along with a sunburst background.

What a fitting tribute to have Dr. Maya Angelou become the first Black woman on the U.S. quarter, former first lady Michelle Obama posted on Instagram. She was a phenomenal woman whose comfort in her own skin made so many of us feel seen in ours.

Other path-blazing women to be honored on the new coins will include the first woman astronaut, Sally Ride, and Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to become principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (the first woman Treasury secretary, by the way) praised the new options available with the currencys redesign, presenting a chance to say something about our country with each new issue.

Better late than never

Louisianas governor last week posthumously pardoned Homer Plessy, a Black man whose 1892 protest of a segregated train added his name to one of the worst Supreme Court rulings in U.S. history. Plessy, 30, boarded a whites-only car on the train in hopes of challenging a state law that required rail companies to provide separate cars for Black and white passengers.

The Supreme Court ultimately heard the case, Plessy v. Ferguson, and sided with the state, ruling that segregation in public accommodations was constitutionally valid as long as the law provided for separate but equal amenities. The 7-1 ruling would stand until the court overruled it in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which outlawed segregation in schools.

Plessy was fined $25 for his crime and died in 1925 with the conviction still on his record. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the pardon in a New Orleans ceremony near the spot where Plessy was arrested. While this pardon has been a long time coming, Edwards said, we can all acknowledge this is a day that should have never had to happen.

Drinking urine to keep vaccine police at bay

Anti-vaccination activist Christopher Key, who maintains a website denouncing the vaccine police, is now promoting drinking his own urine as a coronavirus cure. Key, who is neither a physician nor a scientist, says in an online video: OK, and I know to a lot of you this sounds crazy, but guys, Gods given us everything we need.

It doesnt just sound crazy. It is crazy.

Key asserts that the coronavirus vaccine is the worst bioweapon I have ever seen. His remedy? I drink my own urine. Within 24 hours of the posting, urine and #urineIdiot was trending on Twitter.

Key also is infamous for telling pharmacists in a Springfield, Missouri, Walmart that they would be executed for their crimes against humanity, and pharmacists were violating the Nuremberg Code by administering coronavirus vaccines.

Defying death to save a life

A dramatic video released this week demonstrated the extraordinary bravery of Los Angeles first responders after an airplane pilot made an emergency landing last Sunday. The plane landed intact but came to a stop right on a railroad crossing. The pilot was stuck inside, bleeding from multiple injuries sustained during the hard landing. The video shows first responders maneuvering a gurney up to the plane in hopes of pulling the pilot out and rolling him to safety.

But time wasnt on their side. The sound of a horn from a rapidly approaching train left first responders with stark choice: abandon the rescue and run for their lives, or continue trying to help the pilot and risking everyones death. They chose the latter. They shoved the gurney out of the way and dragged the man a few feet away with seconds to spare before the train came barreling through at high speed, slicing the plane in half.

One rescuer at the scene said he was grateful to be alive after realizing how close they all came to death. The pilot was taken to a hospital to be treated for the injuries he received during the landing  miraculously the only injuries anyone at the scene sustained that day.
LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: Stocks lower as half-point US rate hike looms

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - 12:22

Shares were trading slightly lower in London at midday Tuesday, as investors prepare for interest rate hikes in both the US and UK later this week.

All eyes are on the conclusion on Wednesday of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting, where it is expected to lift borrowing costs by half a percentage point. It would be the first time since 2000 that the US central bank has raised rates by 50 basis points at one meeting.

Earlier Tuesday, Australia joined the tightened cycle started by central banks elsewhere. The Sydney-based central bank raised the main lending rate by 25 basis points to 0.35%, the first increase since November 2010.

The FTSE 100 index was down 32.64 points, or 0.4%, at 7,511.91. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index was down 12.02 points, or 0.1%, at 20,696.69. The AIM All-Share index was down 2.31 points, or 0.1%, at 1,019.95.

The Cboe UK 100 index was down 0.7% at 745.25. The Cboe 250 was down 0.5% at 18,172.69. The Cboe Small Companies climbed 0.1% to 15,174.74.

In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 in Paris was up 0.2% and the DAX 40 in Frankfurt was up 0.4%.

Markets are particularly worried about lockdown in China and how fast US interest rates might go up. We'll get clarity on the latter tomorrow when the Federal Reserve gives its latest policy decision, with markets expecting half a percentage point increase in the Fed Funds rate. Central banks typically raise rates by a quarter percentage point, but the Fed is under pressure to be more aggressive to combat rising inflation, said AJ Bell's Russ Mould.

The Bank of England will announce its own rate decision on Thursday.

Can the BoE surprise with a 50bps hike at some point this year? The short answer: it's a long shot, commented Sanjay Raja, senior economist at Deutsche Bank. While a bigger move may be on the table in the coming meetings, we see...reasons why a 50bps move remains unlikely in the UK, despite other central banks upping the ante for bigger moves.

Raja noted that the UK central bank moved early, so it doesn't need to catch-up with global peers. As well, more so than other advanced economies, the UK is at risk of falling into recession.

In the FTSE 100, M&G was up 3.0% at midday on Tuesday, after HSBC raised the investment manager to 'buy' from 'hold'.

In addition, St James's Place was up 1.9% after HSBC also upgraded the wealth manager to 'buy' from 'hold'.

BP was up 2.0%. The oil major swung to a first-quarter loss due to its decision to exit from its shareholding in Rosneft in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine; however on an underlying basis, the oil major reported a big jump in profit.

For the three months that ended March 31, BP swung to an attributable loss of $20.38 billion from a $4.67 billion profit in the first quarter last year. BP said the reported result included pretax adjusted items of $30.8 billion.

By its preferred metric, BP swung to a replacement cost loss of $23.04 billion from a replacement cost profit of $3.33 billion the year before.

The London-based firm attributed the loss to its decision to exit its near-20% shareholding in state-owned Russian oil firm Rosneft. BP said that, in the first quarter, the total post-tax charge for this was $25.5 billion.

On an underlying replacement cost basis, BP reported a profit of $6.25 billion, up 54% from $4.07 billion in the fourth quarter of last year and more than doubled from $2.63 billion a year ago.

BP raised its first-quarter dividend by 4.0% to 5.46 cents from 5.25 cents the year before. Further, during the first quarter BP generated surplus cash flow of $4.1 billion and said it intends to execute a $2.5 billion share buyback prior to announcing its second quarter results.

Rival oil producer Shell, which posts its own first-quarter numbers on Thursday, was down 1.0%.

BP's results come as calls from the opposition Labour Party for a windfall tax on UK oil majors grow louder, as the country grapples with a cost-of-living crisis.

Last week, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak appeared to distance himself from such a tax but did not entirely rule it out.

The chancellor called on companies making generating large profit to invest the cash back into the UK instead.

It sounds appealing. 'Great, we're taxing bad energy companies more, that will solve all our problems', he said in an interview with Mumsnet. The reason we haven't gone down that road is, really simply we need to invest more. That's why we haven't gone for some extra tax. Because what I don't want to do is discourage investment in our own energy supplies.

The view was echoed by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson who said on Tuesday that a windfall tax on big energy firms would deter investment and make it harder to meet the country's net-zero environmental goals.

At the other end of the large-caps, Segro was the worst performer, down 7.4%. Kepler Cheuvreux downgraded the warehouse property investor to 'hold' from 'reduce'.

In the FTSE 250, Auction Technology Group was the best performer, up 7.0%, after JPMorgan raised the online auction operator to 'overweight' from 'neutral'.

Energean was up 4.5%. Subsidiary Energean Israel signed a gas sales agreement with the East Hagit Power Plant Ltd Partnership.

Under the agreement, Energean will supply gas to East Hagit for a term of 15 years, with a total contract quantity of up to 12 billion cubic feet. Energean said the agreement has the potential to generate revenue of up to $2 billion over the offtake period.

On AIM, Hutchmed (China) was down 15%, after the drugmaker said the US Food & Drug Administration has rejected its surufatinib for treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

In a complete response letter, the FDA said the current data package, based on two positive phase three trials in China and one bridging study in the US, does not support an approval in the US at this time.

The FDA said a multi-regional clinical trial of surufatinib required for US approval. Surufatinib was approved in China for the treatment of pNETs and extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours in June 2021 and December 2020, respectively.

The dollar was higher across the board as the US Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting gets underway. The pound was quoted at $1.2512 at midday on Tuesday, down from $1.2568 at the London equities close Friday.

The euro was priced at $1.0517, down from $1.0547. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar was trading at JP130.11, up from JP129.68.

On the economic front, UK manufacturing sector activity edged higher last month on increased intakes of new business against a backdrop of rising price inflationary pressures, S&P Global said.

The UK S&P Global-CIPS manufacturing purchasing managers' index was 55.8 points in April, up slightly from the preliminary estimate of 55.3 and the score of 55.2 registered in March.

S&P said the start of the second quarter saw a mild growth acceleration in the UK manufacturing sector. The rate of expansion in output improved from March's five-month low, leading to a further solid increase in staffing levels.

Brent oil was quoted at $106.51 a barrel on Tuesday at midday, down sharply from $110.30 at the London equities close on Friday. Gold stood at $1,858.33 an ounce, down from $1,906.75.

New York was pointed to a slightly lower open ahead of earnings reports from semiconductor maker Advanced Micro Devices, drugmaker Pfizer, and coffee-house chain Starbucks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was called down 0.2%, the S&P 500 down 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite down 0.3%, based on futures trading. The stock indices had closed up 0.3%, 0.6% and 1.6% respectively on Monday.

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The December 24 elections did not happen and there are disagreements in Libya and the UN over a new date for national elections. The UN also wants to replace many of the local officials in the GNU (Government of National Unity). In late 2020 the UN brokered the creation of the GNU, yet another temporary government to unite Libya. The Turks, Russians, GNA (Government of National Accord), HoR (House of Representatives) and LNA (Libyan National Army) agreed to withdraw their forces as part of a late 2020 ceasefire/national unification plan. This agreement called for national elections to be held by the end of 2021. That did not happen, mainly because of the continued presence of Turkish forces and disagreements over the new constitution and who can run for office. The Turks realize they dont have to fight to remain in Libya, just disrupt and delay any efforts, like elections or a UN condemnation, to force them to leave or fight to stay.

With those tactics Turkey also blocks efforts to bring an end to twelve years of civil war. This makes Turkey unpopular with most Libyans. Turkey does not care and is determined to get its way. This became a problem in early 2020 when the Turks sent enough troops to rescue the GNA, a failed UN and Moslem Brotherhood backed government. The GNA failed to attract a national following and instead a local military leader, with a locally recruited army of trained and better disciplined soldiers, tried to do what UN diplomacy and threats could not. The eastern force, the LNA, has been around since 2015, when it was formed in eastern Libya and proceeded to eliminate rivals, especially Islamic radical groups, throughout the country. The LNA is still dealing with Islamic terrorist and tribal feuds in the south. The tribal and Islamic terrorist groups sustain themselves by smuggling and stealing oil and using crude refineries to turn it into kerosine that is then sold on the black market. The GNA is preoccupied by efforts to keep the peace in Tripoli, where rival militias continue to fight each other.

The rival HoR government, which opposes another Islamic government and UN support for the Islamic factions, backs the LNA. In early 2019 all the GNA had left was the traditional capital (Tripoli) and the nearby (to the east) coastal city of Misrata. Both cities are dominated by dozens of rival militias, many of them seeking an Islamic government but mainly looking out for themselves. The LNA went after Tripoli in early 2019, from two sides and slowly pushed back the desperate militias, who would lose their independence and lucrative criminal enterprises if the LNA succeeded. The UN condemned the LNA and ignored Turkey shipping in weapons and military advisors to assist the GNA. By the end of 2019 Turkey sent in combat troops. The Turkish support violated the UN arms embargo on Libya, as does the support Russia, Egypt, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and a few other countries have provided for the LNA. The LNA agreed to a ceasefire and national elections. The Turks and thousands of their Syrian Arab mercenaries are still there and prepared to stay indefinitely. Egypt, for the first time in centuries, finds hostile Turkish troops next door and is not pleased.

Other Curses

One thing both the GNA and HoR agree on is the harm done by the people smuggling gangs and European NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) that assist the smuggling gangs in getting the illegal migrants to Europe via Libya. For the last three months the GNA has joined the LNA in cracking down on the smugglers and trying to send the illegals back to their home countries.

In other key areas the GNA/UN and the HoR/LNA do not agree, though the LNA/UN keeps trying to replace the effective and incorruptible (by Libyan standards) head of the NOC (National Oil Corporation) who gets along well with the LNA, which controls most of the oil facilities and has long cooperated with the NOC. Increasing oil production and keeping it going has to deal with endemic corruption, including theft of funds and periodic extortion efforts by the PFG ( Petroleum Facilities Guard) militias that protect the oil facilities from everyone except the greedy PFGs.

January 8, 2022: American diplomats believe the December 24th elections could have been held despite continuing disputes over which candidates were legitimate. The situation was made worse when the election commission and GNU officials refused to admit that the elections did not happen. Admitting the obvious would have forced them to give a reason. The Americans back UN plans to get more dependable officials in the GNU and election bureaucracy. The elections are now supposed to be held on January 24th but few in Libya believe that is realistic. More realistic dates are mid-2022 or by the end of the year or never as long as the Turks and the GNA still exist.

January 6, 2022: Libya belongs to the Arab League, but only the UN backed GNA faction is recognized by the Arab League, which limits what the Arab League can do because the rival HoR controls most of the country, and oil facilities. The current mess began in 2011 when the Arab League found itself unable to muster enough unity to deal with the rebellion against dictator Kaddafi, who planned mass murder of Libyans to eliminate the rebels. What the Arab League could do was call for international (Western) intervention in Libya. Many Arabs considered it shameful that the Arab world could not handle the military intervention itself. Despite trillions of dollars in oil income and hundreds of millions of Arabs demanding something be done, the Arab League had to call on outsiders to save Libya from degenerating into an interminable bloodbath. The Western air support enabled the rebels to win, killing Kaddafi in the process. The Arab League then became divided over how to deal with the continued fighting after 2011 and divisions within Libya between those who wanted an Islamic government and the majority who did not. The UN chose the Islamic faction while most Arab League members backed the majority who wanted nothing to do with another Islamic government, which was what Kaddafi used.

December 31, 2021: Many of the 7,000 Syrian Arabs hired by Turkey to serve as mercenaries in Libya report that they have finally gotten some of the seven months of unpaid wages. Only partial payments were made and four months of unpaid wages are still overdue. These Syrian Arabs are paid $600 a month while Turkey handles living expenses, medical care and military supplies for their Syrian mercenaries. This adds up to a total of at least a thousand dollars a month per man. Turkey suffered severe economic setbacks in 2021 which impoverished a lot of Turkish voters and forced the Turkish government to cut expenses where it could, usually without prior notice of explanation about when delayed payments to foreign suppliers (like the Syrian mercs) would be made good. Turkey has hired at least 20.000 Syrian Sunni Arabs mercenaries since 2016 to serve in Syria and later Libya. The Syrian mercs in Syria could more effectively complain about back pay and other problems while those who volunteered for duty in Libya are literally cut off from home. In addition to back pay issues, many of these mercs were not provided with brief trips back to Syria to visit families. These visits, at Turkish expense, were part of the deal for those signing up to serve in Libya for up to a year. Turkey says it will pay these back wages but wont say when because the economic problems in Turkey are getting worse and the Turkish government has to concentrate on that before dealing with its unpaid mercenaries in Libya.

December 24, 2021: The December 24 elections that are supposed to unite the country under one government did not take place. Libya is still divided by multiple factions, foreign intervention and interference, as well as a major problem with corruption. The situation is further complicated by Russia, one of the few nations with a UN veto, that is blocking the appointment of UN officials to lead the UN Libya operations, if the proposed candidate is seen as a threat to Russian interests in Libya. Several senior UN officials in Libya have resigned, citing the difficulties dealing with the factions and their foreign backers, like Russia. The UN is also unwilling or unable to sanction Turkey for intervening in 2019, and breaking a number of international treaties and UN sanctions, to rescue the UN backed GNA in Tripoli. The result is that the UN insists the December 24 national vote will go ahead eventually while foreigners and locals in Libya doubt the election will work and the fighting will resume.

December 21, 2021: Turkey revealed that nearly 900 Libyan Navy personnel are currently receiving training from the Turkish military and training consultants. The training is permitted under the Memorandum of Understanding on Security and Military Cooperation Turkey with the UN recognized Libyan government in November 2019.

December 20, 2021: The NOC declared force majeure restrictions on the western oil export ports of Zawia and Mellitah. This halted about a third of oil exports. The problem was demands from the local PFG. It took nearly three weeks to deal with the PFG demands.

Its been a year since PFGs threatened or actually shut down oil exports if they did not receive more money, job security or other special treatment. A year ago, it was back pay and other promised benefits. The PFGs have long been seen as a permanent source of corruption. PFGs are tribal militias hired (or bribed) by previous post-2011 governments to keep oil fields, pipelines and port facilities secure. Soon many, if not most, PFGs went rogue, shut down the facilities they guarded and, in effect, tried to blackmail whoever was paying them to pay more. This was driven by tribal feuds over how oil revenue should be allocated. Libya has always been very corrupt and Kaddafi remained in power for decades by playing the tribes off on each other with oil income. Those who cooperated got more, those who caused trouble got less. With Kaddafi gone many tribes wanted payback for past real or imagined injustices. Many of the PFGs came to support the GNA but as long as some of them continue to resist, oil income is crippled and the much-feared food crisis is still approaching. General Haftar and the HoR government have been successful negotiating with the PFGs and offering a better deal (larger share of oil income) and less corruption. Haftar has a reputation for being much less corrupt. PFGs often shut down oil fields and ports because GNA has not paid them. In these cases, GNA often delivered the cash but some or all of it was stolen by PFG leaders who denied they were stealing. The GNA has to collect and publicize enough evidence of the theft to convince other militias and tribal leaders that the corrupt PFG men must be replaced. This is difficult to do and meanwhile PFGs are constantly demanding adequate compensation before they will allow oil to be pumped, moved via a pipeline to the export facilities or loaded on tankers. The details of how much adequate compensation any PFG is paid is usually kept secret because in Libya the feeling is that no one group is getting their fair share of the oil wealth that has kept the country functioning since the 1970s. Without the cash provided by oil exports Libya could not import enough food and other essentials to keep the population alive. PFGs are acutely aware that if they lose control of the oil facility they protect, they lose their jobs. This makes many PFGs extremely defensive and paranoid. The overall problem is that PFG compensation has little relationship to how dangerous the work is but rather is more a matter of tribal politics. It has taken several years for tribes in areas where there are oil facilities to realize that if they do not cooperate everyone will suffer, which is what has been happening and is getting worse.

December 19, 2021: An HoR delegation completed a visit to Turkey to work out some of the problems Turkeys presence in Libya had caused. The Turks had suggested the visit but not a lot was accomplished. The Turks hoped to find some prominent HoR officials they could bribe or intimidate into cooperating with Turkey. It is unclear if that effort had any success.
VANCOUVER, CANADA, and UTTENWEILER, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2022 / XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY)(OTC:XPHYF)(FSE:4XT) ("XPhyto" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement (the "Agreement") with TechUnit s.r.o. (Limited) ("TechUnit") for the distribution of Covid-ID Lab in the Czech Republic as an initial priority market followed by Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Russia.

Covid-ID Lab is a rapid RT-PCR test for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 based on the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. To perform the test, Covid-ID Lab requires only a 20-minute PCR run time without prior RNA extraction as part of the sample preparation. After the RT-PCR sample processing, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is detected on a test chip within 5 minutes and if SARS-CoV-2 is present, the result can be read visually immediately.

The Agreement provides TechUnit with the right to distribute and sub-distribute Covid-ID Lab on a non-exclusive basis within the Czech Republic with the potential for territorial exclusivity based on performance. XPhyto looks forward to building a close strategic relationship with TechUnit and will provide its new distributor with technical training and product, strategy, and marketing support. The parties are reviewing opportunities for the distribution of Covid-ID Lab in additional European territories including Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Russia. TechUnit is a privately owned company based in the Czech Republic focused on medical product distribution, advertisement and promotion.

"Execution of the distribution agreement with TechUnit is an important step toward building strong European sales," said Prof. Dr. Thomas Beckert. "This is an important relationship with excellent potential for additional territorial expansion."

The Company expects to continue to sign additional distribution agreements in the near future and will release details upon execution of such agreements.

XPhyto's diagnostics and drug formulation business is led by Prof. Dr. Beckert. Prof Dr. Beckert is a German-based scientist and corporate executive with over 20 years of healthcare management experience.

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

About XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. is a bioscience accelerator focused on next-generation drug delivery, diagnostic, and new active pharmaceutical ingredient investment opportunities, including: precision transdermal and oral dissolvable drug formulations; rapid, low-cost infectious disease and oral health screening tests; and standardization of emerging active pharmaceutical ingredients for neurological applications, including psychedelic compounds and cannabinoids. The Company has research and development operations in North America and Europe, with an operational focus in Germany, and is currently focused on regulatory approval and commercialization of medical products for European markets.

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.

Hugh Rogers, CEO and Director

Investor Inquiries:

Mr. Knox Henderson

T: 604-551-2360

E: [email protected]

Forward looking statements

This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "develop", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "propose" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and in this release include the statement regarding the Company's goal of building a successful diagnostic, drug delivery, and medical cannabis company. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including: that the Company may not succeed in developing a commercial product; that the sale of products may not be a viable business; that the Company may be unable to scale its business; product liability risks; product regulatory risk; general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; currency risks; competition; international risks; and other risks beyond the Company's control. The Company is under no obligation, and 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 expressly required by applicable law. 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 news release.

SOURCE: XPhyto Therapeutics Corp

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FILE PHOTO: People exit and enter Wells Fargo ATM in the Manhattan borough of New York, October 10, 2015. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

By Noor Zainab Hussain and Elizabeth Dilts Marshall

(Reuters) -Wells Fargo & Co on Friday beat analysts' estimates for fourth-quarter profit as a rebound in U.S. economic growth encouraged more customers to take loans and the bank kept a tight lid on costs.

Profit jumped 86% to $5.8 billion, or $1.38 per share, flattered by a $943 million gain from the sale of some businesses and an $875 million reserve release from pandemic-related losses that did not materialize.

Average loans were down 3% from the fourth quarter last year, although the bank noted that loans ticked up in the last six weeks of 2021. "Period-end" loans rose 1% from the same time last year, and were up 4% from the third quarter.

"The strong economy continues to positively impact our customers and our results," Chief Executive Officer Charlie Scharf said on a call with analysts.

The bank's shares were up 3.2% in afternoon trade on Friday and have gained 20% since the start of the year.

The other lever Wells pulled to boost its top line was expenses. Scharf has made cost cuts a cornerstone of his turnaround plan, targeting $10 billion in savings annually over the long term.

The bank cut non-interest expenses by 11% to $13.2 billion by reducing personnel costs, the number of bank branches and its office space.

Headcount across the company fell by more than 7% over last year to 249,000 employees from 269,000, as the bank let go of 20% of managers who had only a few direct reports and 40% of non-engineering technology workers.

Wells Fargo closed 270 branches and reduced branch staffing in some locations because overall teller transactions are down 30% from pre-pandemic levels, executives said.

With fewer workers in offices, the bank offloaded 7% of its office space real estate portfolio in 2021 and plans to cut it by another 5% this year.

And Scharf said they are nowhere near done.

"If you go back over a decade, one of the strengths of this company was never efficiency," Scharf said. "As we get the efficiencies we're starting to see, it is like peeling the onion back. The next set of opportunities become even clearer."

ASSET CAP

The fourth-largest U.S. bank has been in regulators' penalty box since 2016 when a sales-practices scandal came to light, and it has paid billions in fines and restitution.

Wells Fargo is also operating under a $1.95-trillion asset cap imposed by the Federal Reserve in 2018, which has crimped its ability to boost interest income by improving loan and deposit growth.

"We still have a multi-year effort to satisfy our regulatory requirements  with setbacks likely to continue along the way  and we continue our work to put exposures related to our historical practices behind us," Scharf said.

Still, Chief Financial Officer Mike Santomassimo said Wells could see as much as an 8% increase in net interest income this year over 2021 if projections on loan growth and the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes hold.

According to Refinitiv estimates, Wells Fargo earned $1.25 per share excluding items, compared with analysts' average expectation of $1.13.

Total revenue rose 13% to $20.9 billion, also topping estimates of $18.9 billion. Net interest income fell 1% in the quarter.

Meanwhile on Friday, JPMorgan Chase & Co and Citigroup Inc both beat analyst profit estimates. While profits at JPMorgan, the country's largest lender, were hurt by a slowdown in its trading arm, a stellar performance at its investment banking softened the impact.

Investors have been focused on banks benefiting from the U.S. Federal Reserve indicating it might raise interest rates sooner than expected due to unabated inflation.

If (Wells) can maintain the momentum they have right now on expense cuts  they have some tailwinds coming into this year from higher rates and the improving economy, which should benefit loan growth and boost net interest income," said John Mackerey, an analyst with DBRS Morningstar.

(Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru and Elizabeth Dilts-Marshall in New York; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Nick Zieminski)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. (Azincourt or the Company) (TSX.V: AAZ, OTCQB: AZURF), is pleased to announce that construction of the exploration camp for the winter 2022 exploration program has commenced at the East Preston uranium project, located in the western Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Discovery Mining Services is building the exploration camp at Snoop Lake and will maintain, staff, and manage the camp for the duration of the program, under the supervision of TerraLogic Exploration Inc. In addition, drilling and geological crews will be arriving on site in the next few days, and drilling is anticipated to commence within the next week, utilizing two diamond drill rigs provided by Full Force Drilling Ltd.

The 73 km winter road to access the property and campsite was completed by Accurate Industries who will maintain the road and facilitate transport of fuel and supplies to camp for the duration of the drill program.

TerraLogic Exploration Inc. will facilitate and execute a planned diamond drilling program under the guidance and supervision of Azincourts Vice President, Exploration, Trevor Perkins, P.Geo, and Jarrod Brown, M.Sc., P.Geo, Chief Geologist and Project Manager with TerraLogic Exploration. The program will consist of a minimum of 6,000m of drilling in 30-35 drill holes. Drilling will focus on the A-G and K-Q trends, commencing in the G Zone where the 2021 drill program ended and where elevated uranium levels were encountered. The program will continue to evaluate the G zone to the south and then move to assess the K-Q trend. The program may be modified as results warrant.

The team has done tremendous work getting things to this point, said president and CEO, Alex Klenman. The road build was far larger than any weve done previously on the property. In the past we had utilized local accommodations for the crew, but with the greater size and scope of this program, and the more southern location of the drill targets, building a large and logistically suitable camp was critical. Were eager to get the drills on site and begin the program, continued Mr. Klenman.

We are very happy with progress to date with road building and camp construction, said VP, Exploration, Trevor Perkins. The drill crew and geologists arriving on site is the final step to getting drills spotted and turning, continued Mr. Perkins.

East Preston Targets

The primary target area for the 2022 program continues to be the conductive corridors from the A-Zone through to the G-Zone (A-G Trend) and the K-Zone through to the Q-Zone (K-Q Trend) (Figures 1 and 2). The selection of these trends is based on a compilation of results from the 2018 through 2020 ground-based EM and gravity surveys, property wide VTEM and magnetic surveys, and the 2019 through 2021 drill programs, the 2020 HLEM survey indicates multiple prospective conductors and structural complexity along these corridors.

The 2019-2021 drilling programs on the A-G Trend confirmed that geophysical conductors comprise structurally disrupted zones that are host to accumulations of graphite, sulphides, and carbonates. Anomalous radioactivity has been demonstrated to exist within these structurally disrupted conductor zones. The 2022 drilling program will target similar structurally disrupted zones prioritized on the presence and strength of corresponding electromagnetic, magnetic and gravity geophysical anomalies.

Permitting and Community Engagement

Permits are in place to complete all the planned work through the winter of 2022. Azincourt Energy continues to be engaged in regular meetings with the Clearwater River Dene Nation and other rights holders to ensure that concerns of the local communities are addressed. Azincourt looks forward to a continued close working relationship with CRDN and other rights holders to ensure that any potential impacts and concerns are addressed and that the communities can benefit from activities in the area through support of local business, employment opportunities, and sponsorship of select community programs and initiatives.

Shares for Debt

The Company also announces that it has reached an agreement with an arms-length creditor to settle outstanding indebtedness totaling $250,000 through the issuance of 3,333,333 common shares (the Settlement Shares) at a deemed price of $0.075 per Settlement Share. The indebtedness relates to professional services rendered to the Company.

Issuance of the Settlements Shares remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Upon issuance, the Settlement Shares will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Figure 1: Target corridors at the East Preston Uranium Project, Western Athabasca Basin Saskatchewan https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/85d51e59-9970-4abe-85d5-272f91bfd599

Figure 2: Road access to the East Preston Uranium Project, Western Athabasca Basin Saskatchewanhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a017f43-fe3a-4c13-9389-0b0b3c6b07b9

Figure 3: 2022 Drill Target areas at the East Preston Uranium Project https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eda3c77c-8129-4823-b369-89888d1f827c

Figure 4: Project Location  Western Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canadahttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e3d9a8c-0d2e-4ffd-b34a-e3b60f928a7d

About East Preston

Azincourt controls a majority 70% interest in the 25,000+ hectare East Preston project as part of a joint venture agreement with Skyharbour Resources (TSX.V: SYH), and Dixie Gold. Three prospective conductive, low magnetic signature corridors have been discovered on the property. The three distinct corridors have a total strike length of over 25 km, each with multiple EM conductor trends identified. Ground prospecting and sampling work completed to date has identified outcrop, soil, biogeochemical and radon anomalies, which are key pathfinder elements for unconformity uranium deposit discovery.

The East Preston Project has multiple long linear conductors with flexural changes in orientation and offset breaks in the vicinity of interpreted fault lineaments  classic targets for basement-hosted unconformity uranium deposits. These are not just simple basement conductors; they are clearly upgraded/enhanced prospectivity targets because of the structural complexity.

The targets are basement-hosted unconformity related uranium deposits similar to NexGens Arrow deposit and Camecos Eagle Point mine. East Preston is near the southern edge of the western Athabasca Basin, where targets are in a near surface environment without Athabasca sandstone cover  therefore they are relatively shallow targets but can have great depth extent when discovered. The project ground is located along a parallel conductive trend between the PLS-Arrow trend and Camecos Centennial deposit (Virgin River-Dufferin Lake trend).

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Azincourt Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Azincourt Energy Corp.

Azincourt Energy is a Canadian-based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration, and development of alternative energy/fuel projects, including uranium, lithium, and other critical clean energy elements. The Company is currently active at its joint venture East Preston uranium project in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the Escalera Group uranium-lithium project located on the Picotani Plateau in southeastern Peru.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP.

Alex KlenmanAlex Klenman, President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Azincourt. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially.

For further information please contact:

Alex Klenman, President & CEOTel: 604-638-8063[email protected]

Azincourt Energy Corp.1430  800 West Pender StreetVancouver, BC V6C 2V6www.azincourtenergy.com

Figure 1 Target corridors at the East Preston Uranium Project, Western Athabasca Basin Saskatchewan Figure 2 Road access to the East Preston Uranium Project, Western Athabasca Basin Saskatchewan Figure 3 2022 Drill Target areas at the East Preston Uranium Project Figure 4 Project Location  Western Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

Source: Azincourt Energy Corp.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  Hundreds of Japanese troops and aircraft from Japan and the United States took part in an annual jump into a drop zone east of Tokyo on Thursday.

More than 100 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers assembled Thursday at Yokota, the U.S. airlift hub in western Tokyo, to gear up and board an Air Force C-130J Super Hercules. They were bound for the Camp Narashino training grounds in Chiba prefecture.

They were joined en route by another 150 Japanese jumpers aboard an Air Self-Defense Force aircraft from Iruma Air Base in Saitama prefecture.

Stars and Stripes was not permitted to ask questions at the event; however, it was hosted by the Ground Self-Defense Force, according to a statement provided by Yokota and attributed to Air Force Capt. Chelsea Jones, a Super Hercules instructor pilot. Seven aircraft were involved in the jump, including three Air Force Super Hercules, two Japanese C-130H Hercules and two Japanese Force Kawasaki C-2s.

Jones said the jump, which had been in the works since October, highlights the joint relationship between U.S. and Japanese forces that can provide combat power anywhere in the region.

The Air Force started participating in the event alongside the Japanese in 2020. At the time, Ground Self-Defense troops of the Narashino 1st Airborne Brigade jumped with soldiers of U.S. Army Reserve Alaska and the 82nd Airborne Division. No U.S. troops took part in Thursdays jump.

The event traces its roots to the 1960s, and in the 1970s was open for public viewing, according to a Yokota news release. It opened for public viewing in the 1970s.

Inclement weather, including high winds, stifled three days of jump training and grounded the jumpers, Jones said in her statement.

But the troops got off the ground Thursday with no glitches, she said.
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Tribune News Service)  A Fort Bragg soldier who made a 911 call in the homicide case of another Fort Bragg soldier who was found decapitated in May 2020 is facing charges.

According to a Fort Bragg court docket, Spc. Alex Becerra faces charges of: conspiracy; three counts of disobeying a superior officer; failure to obey an order; two counts of making a false statement; and wrongful, use, possession or manufacturing of a controlled substance.

Becerra's arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 20.

Becerra made a 911 call May 23, 2020, to report Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez, 21, of Chino, California, missing at Cape Lookout National Seashore in Carteret County.

Roman-Martinez was last seen alive May 22, 2020, when he was camping with seven other soldiers, according to an August news release from the Army Criminal Investigation Command.

Roman-Martinez's severed head washed ashore six days later.

At the time of his death, Roman-Martinez was a human resource specialist assigned to Headquarters Company, 37th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

On Thursday, a spokesman for the 82nd Airborne Division said Becerra's charges are "unrelated to the cause of Enrique Roman-Martinez's death, which remains unsolved."

"The charges in this case are merely accusations and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty," Lt. Col. Brett Lea, a spokesman for the division, said.

Roman-Martinez's family has questioned the comments Becerra made to the Carteret County dispatcher in the 2020 911 call. Becerra told the dispatcher the group Roman-Martinez was camping with went to bed about midnight.

He said he woke up at 8:30 a.m., and that the group searched for Roman-Martinez all day.

A park ranger has said that a ranger encountered the group earlier during the day, and they did not mention that Roman-Martinez was missing at that time.

"We might be afraid that he hurt himself," Becerra told the dispatcher. "We're really not sure."

When asked by the dispatcher whether Roman-Martinez had any known medical or mental health conditions, Becerra said, "He wasn't diagnosed, but he did have suicidal tendencies."

Roman-Martinez's sister, Griselda Martinez, said in May that when she heard Becerra's comment, it upset her because her brother was not suicidal.

Months after Roman-Martinez's partial remains were found, an autopsy report revealed that a "somewhat crescent-shaped, incised vs. chop wound ... about 3/4 of an inch deep," was found on his neck.

The autopsy report notes that the soldiers camping with Roman-Martinez provided no explanation of his death.

The medical examiner wrote that because the lower half of Roman-Martinez's body was not recovered, officials couldn't definitively say if decapitation was the cause of death or if he died another way.

However, the examiner wrote, "the findings, in this case, are most consistent with death due to homicide."

In an Oct. 19 letter to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, California Rep. Norma Torres, who represents the soldier's home congressional district, questioned the investigation and said there's been "no justice for Roman-Martinez or his family."

Torres asked the inspector general to review the timeline of the investigation including how long it took for investigators to arrive at the scene; requirements for soldiers reporting colleague missing; and how the Army treats a person of interest during an investigation.

Griselda Martinez has said it took three days for an official search to be launched, and that in that time rain possibly destroyed evidence.

"I feel like no one took it seriously until they found my brother's remains," she said in May.

Authorities announced in December 2020  nearly seven months after Roman-Martinez's head was found  that divers were searching the water for evidence and the rest of the remains.

Griselda Martinez said investigators told the family that there didn't seem to be a motive for the other soldiers to harm her brother.

She questioned why those soldiers waited so long to report her brother missing.

"You still don't do that  especially in the Army," she said. "From what's been explained to me, everyone sticks together and watches out for each other."

In November, a spokesman for the Army Criminal Investigation Division said that although Roman-Martinez's case was not closed, it was moved to "cold case status."

Jeffrey Castro, a spokesman for the Army CID, said special agents working on the case are personally invested in finding the truth about what happened to Roman-Martinez.

"They will not let this case go unsolved," Castro said.

According to the CID's August news release, a specialized task force comprised of CID agents, members of the FBI and the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit has executed more than 100 warrants and subpoenas, conducted more than 400 interviews and returned to the island seven times to conduct air, land and sea searches for additional evidence.

The news release stated that there were searches of cellphones and vehicles along with more than 130 items analyzed at the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory in Atlanta.

None of the items revealed any trace of blood, DNA, or other forensic evidence, the CID news release stated.

The release said that agents "investigated suspected illegal drug use on the evening of May 22, 2020," but the statement did not indicate if any evidence was found to support that suspicion.

"As always, if new information pertinent to any of our investigations becomes available, CID can and often does reopen investigations if warranted," Castro said in November.

In an email Thursday, Griselda Martinez said that CID officials initially told the family's lawyer that no charges would be filed and did not notify the family of any changes.

"I don't know much, my family and I are upset," she said. "We just found out about the charges, even if they're not homicide."

Lea, a spokesman for the 82nd Airborne Division, reiterated on Tuesday that the Army CID has offered a $50,000 reward "for information leading to a resolution in this investigation."

Anyone with information about the death is asked to call Army special agents at 910-396-8777 or the Military Police Desk at 910-396-1179.

They can also anonymously submit information at https://www.cid.army.mil/report-a-crime.html.

rriley@fayobserver.com

(c)2022 The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.)

Visit The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.) at www.fayobserver.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI  A New England-based task force found a new way to give a rock-solid footing to a relationship with counterparts from France that dates to the American Revolution.

Army Mountain Warfare School instructors led dozens of French troops through a five-day mountain combat course at Djiboutis Arta Range Complex last month, aided by Task Force Iron Gray of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain).

The mountain warfare school was originally founded in Jericho, Vt., to train the brigades soldiers, but now also trains others in the U.S. and foreign militaries. Its training site is named for Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary War hero and leader of the Green Mountain Boys, who took the French-built Fort Ticonderoga in New York from the British in May 1775.

This unit has a very rich history with the French military, said Lt. Col. Frank Tantillo, Iron Grays commander.

Two of the brigades oldest units trace their lineage to Americas earliest militias, which were allied with French forces during the Revolution. The brigade formed the 26th Division, which fought at Belleau Wood in World War I and again in France during World War II.

The task force consists of National Guard light infantry and other troops from units in Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine and Colorado that are all part of the Armys only active mountain brigade.

The U.S.-led course gave the 32 troops from Frances Fifth Overseas Interarms Regiment a new view on what we do, Capt. Benoit Malet, the officer in charge of the French Desert Commando Course, said in a U.S. military video.

Graduating French troops earned the Army National Guards distinctive Rams Head badge awarded by the mountain warfare school.

Officials brought the mountain course to Djibouti for the first time to return the favor after the French put dozens of Americans through several offerings of the grueling French desert commando training, Tantillo said during a wide-ranging interview in October.

The 42-year-old said his arm was still 13 shades of purple and blue days after he bruised it on an obstacle on the French course.

During the mountain course, the longtime allies literally strengthened ties, learning skills such as knot-tying, rappelling, casualty evacuation, climbing and lowering techniques.

U.S. soldiers assisting the instructors also gained new perspectives. Trainers used techniques such as a body belay, which advanced-level military mountaineer Staff Sgt. Elijah Amendola, 31, said hed never seen in action.

Three French soldiers anchored the ropes with their bodies, creating a single connection point to lower a simulated casualty down a rocky outcropping, said the 12-year Army veteran.

They didnt even flinch, said Amendola, who was in the litter playing the casualty. I appreciate that nothing failed there.

The citizen-soldier from Connecticut, a forward observer-turned-religious affairs noncommissioned officer, deployed with the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, which originated as a militia in the late 1600s.

Three hundred years, were back and working with the French again, he said in a phone interview.

Throughout the deployment, the Americans also conducted live-fire events with the French, took them on in fitness contests and conducted combat water survival training in their pool, Tantillo said.

We dont get that exposure as a National Guard unit to work with the French military, said the veteran of two Afghanistan tours. Thats not, like, a thing.

Task Force Iron Gray returned home this week after a nine-month deployment providing security in the Horn of Africa, where the U.S. is helping fight extremist groups and building local forces.

As part of the East Africa Response Force, Iron Gray often drilled to stay sharp in case it was called up to protect U.S. interests in a crisis.

We live on amber so everyone else can live on green, Tantillo said, using colors on a traffic light as alert levels.

At the time, the soldiers were on standby as a coup unfolded 750 miles away in Sudan. Theyd been up late packing bags and loading gear onto pallets, Tantillo said.

They would have had minutes to mobilize if they had been called on, much like their Minutemen forebears.
PYEONGTAEK, South Korea  A woman accused in the September killing of a U.S. soldiers 3-year-old son was convicted Friday by a South Korean court and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Jamaica Eblacas, 30, was found guilty of killing the boy, Noa Calhoun, the son of Army Pvt. James and Kourtney Calhoun, by a three-judge panel at the Pyeongtaek Branch of the Suwon District Court.

Neither James nor Kourtney Calhoun appeared in court on Friday.

Eblacas admitted during a November court appearance to killing the child. She was charged with murder in conjunction with child abuse, which carries a minimum of three years in prison and a maximum penalty of death under South Korean law. Prosecutors had recommended a 30-year sentence.

Eblacas actions were serious and cruel, Chief Judge Kim Seyong said during the sentencing.

She does not seem to have been reflecting on herself sincerely, Kim said, referring to previous court appearances in which Eblacas failed to respond to questions from the bench or the prosecutor.

The court also banned Eblacas from working for any child-services organization for 10 years after serving her sentence.

James Calhoun, a former 2nd Infantry Division soldier stationed at Camp Humphreys, knew Eblacas, a Filipina bartender, through a mutual acquaintance, he told Stars and Stripes in December.

Calhoun left Noa and his 7-year-old brother in Eblacas care while he hung out with friends the night of Sept. 5, he said in December. He said he expected to pick them up the following morning.

Instead, police responding to a disturbance call the following morning discovered Noas body, bruised and lacerated, in a home near Eblacas workplace, a short walk from Camp Humphreys main gate.

In sentencing Eblacas, the court considered that she may have been mentally unfit at the time of the killing, the judge said. Eblacas statements during her previous court appearances were mostly incomprehensible, according to her court translator.

Eblacas defense attorney, Jung Wang Jae, argued that she displayed symptoms of schizophrenia during a previous marriage and spoke of casting out evil spirits while in police custody after the killing.

I hope the court takes it into consideration that  the defendants religious issue has mixed with the defendants psychiatric issue, Jung told the court Dec. 22. Even if the defendant was not mentally defective, it was a situation that the defendant was at least mentally weak at the time.

Jung said Eblacas did not cooperate with him and refused a psychiatric exam. Following the hearing, he told Stars and Stripes the sentence was appropriate but that he planned to file an appeal.
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The U.S. Navy has canceled plans for a port call by one of its warships on Japans northernmost island amid a nationwide spike in coronavirus cases.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale and its crew of 240 were scheduled to visit Otaru, Hokkaido, Feb. 6-11, according to the citys website.

The Stockdale deployed in August from San Diego with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and stopped in Guam on Dec. 23, according to a U.S. Pacific Fleet statement that day.

However, officials from the Navy and Otaru said Thursday that next months port call had been canceled.

The U.S. 7th Fleet confirmed the cancellation but declined to provide Stars and Stripes with more information.

"As a matter of policy and to safeguard operational security, we do not comment on the specifics of ship schedules," 7th Fleet spokesman Lt. Mark Langford said in an email Thursday.

The Japan Coast Guard told Otaru officials about the cancellation Tuesday but did not provide a reason why the warship wouldnt come, Tomoyuki Seki, an official with the citys general affairs department, told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday.

Otaru, along with Sapporo city and the Hokkaido Government Office, had planned to ask the Navy to reconsider the visit due to the pandemic surge and the difficulty of conducting friendship activities under those conditions, Seki said.

However, the Navy canceled the visit before they made the request, he said.

We are relieved of the result when we think of the current infection situation, Otaru Mayor Toshiya Hazama said Wednesday, according to Seki.

The move coincides with surging coronavirus cases in Japan. On Wednesday the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported 13,052 cases, the most in four months.

The U.S. military population in Japan, which includes more than 50,000 service members, was ordered Monday to stay on their bases or in their off-base homes until Jan. 24 to help curb the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus respiratory disease.

The order arose after the Japanese government drew U.S. authorities attention to the spread of cases in communities surrounding U.S. bases on Okinawa and near Hiroshima starting in mid-December.

U.S. ships have made regular port calls at Otaru, but the Stockdales visit was to have been the first in two years, Seki said.

The Navys last stop there was made in 2019 by the USS Blue Ridge, the 7th Fleets flagship, according to the citys website.
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TOKYO  The spread of COVID-19 on U.S. military bases in Japan appeared to slacken Friday as infection numbers in Japan itself rose to heights not seen since August.

Tokyo reported 4,051 new cases of the coronavirus respiratory disease Friday, nearly 1,000 more than the previous day, according to public broadcaster NHK and metropolitan government data. The metro last reported a figure that high, 4,350, on Aug. 27.

Japan reported 18,677 COVID-19 cases Thursday, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The country hasnt seen that many new infections since Sept. 2, according to the World Health Organization.

U.S. Forces Japan reported 608 new COVID-19 cases at 18 bases Friday, and, for the first time in January, two hospitalizations. It did not say where those patients were being cared for. Another 107 cases were pending confirmation, according to the USFJ daily update.

Kadena Air Base on Okinawa accounted for the most cases  214 people that tested positive there since Thursday, according to USFJ. Yokosuka Naval Base, homeport south of Tokyo of the U.S. 7th Fleet, reported the next highest daily total, 64 infected people.

The U.S. military population on Friday finished its fifth day of a 14-day stay-at-home order aimed at curbing the coronavirus surge in Japan. Japanese authorities appealed to the U.S. secretaries of state and defense to limit travel in the country by Americans whom many Japanese faulted for introducing the omicron variant into the country. U.S. base commanders acknowledged that some of their people returning from holiday leave or reporting for duty were infected with the coronavirus.

Okinawa prefecture, still in a record-breaking wave of new cases, reported 1,596 cases Friday, along with another 480 in the U.S. military community on the island, according to the prefectural Department of Public Health and Medical Care.

In December, Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki sharply criticized the Marine Corps for allowing untested Marines to enter Japan, a move Tamaki suggested was behind omicron cases among several Japanese employees at U.S. bases.

Finger-pointing

Dr. Yoshihiro Takayama, an infectious disease specialist at Chubu Hospital on Okinawa, said the government assumed a direct link between the COVID-19 strain the Marines introduced in mid-December and the omicron strain that infected the Japanese employees.

At the moment, we presume that it spread from the U.S. military because COVID cases increased among the base workers and the genome of the virus did not match the genome of the virus that is prevalent in mainland Japan, Takayama told Stars and Stripes by email Friday.

The proof lies in genome testing, but the military has not provided samples to be tested, he wrote. Military authorities on Okinawa in December said they lack the technology to do a genome survey but have not commented further.

The spread of COVID-19 could have been delayed and its spread slowed had the U.S. tested its personnel bound for Japan, Takayama said. The omicron variant has proven more easily transmissible than the delta variant but appears to cause less severe illness.

In the meantime, people of Okinawa could have gotten their booster shots and we could have prepared hospitals for the pandemic, he said. As a doctor, I wish we had two more weeks to prepare for this and it started gentler.

Local anger

Sending unscreened personnel from the United States, a global COVID-19 hotspot, into Japan, where new coronavirus cases were only in double digits, may yet have consequences, Jeff Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University Japan in Tokyo, told Stars and Stripes in an email Tuesday.

The surge in base-related cases has strained the alliance and put the drawbacks of the US military presence in the limelight, he wrote. There were earlier warnings from Okinawa in 2020 about US based personnel evading strict testing and quarantine protocols after transferring to Japan, and promises to rectify such lapses, but slipshod practices have persisted.

The COVID-19 testing flap raised existing dissatisfaction with the U.S. military on Okinawa, Kingston said. Many Okinawans were already angry over Tokyo siding with the U.S. over relocating Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Camp Schwab in Henoko over Tamakis objections, Kingston wrote. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party may pay a price at elections later this year.

Henoko has aroused local anger on Okinawa but now there is a nationwide backlash to the U.S. military presence due to unduly lax attitudes about a major public health crisis, he said. The public will wonder why US personnel are not subject to strict border controls and quarantine concerns applied to everyone else and why the [Japanese government] is so subservient.
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(Tribune News Service)  Personnel from the Wright-Patterson Air Force Bases 88th Medical Group are being deployed again to help civilian hospitals in their fight against COVID.

Staff from the Wright-Patterson Medical Center are being deployed to Michigan to augment civilian COVID operations in support of FEMA, Col. Christian Lyons, 88th Medical Group commander, said in a recent Facebook town hall held by base leaders.

Deployments will continue in upcoming weeks, Lyons said.

Kristen Van Wert, a spokeswoman for 88th Medical Group, said Friday Medical Center personnel have been deployed constantly to help in the COVID fight. She did not say how many staff are being deployed or where they were going.

Its part of the COVID response, but its not specific to what Biden announced (Thursday), Van Wert said.

Its the second such deployment of Medical Center personnel in less than a year, and its happening at a time when staffing shortages at the base Medical Center, the Air Forces second largest hospital, have become exacerbated due to illnesses among staff.

At the time of the recent town hall, some 60 members of the centers staff were COVID-positive, Lyons said.

I implore all those watching today to realize that routine medical care and elective procedures may be deferred in order to accommodate the high volume of inpatients across the region, Lyons said then.

Last year, some 120 Airmen from the 88th Medical Group were sent to a COVID-19 mission in Detroit.

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Thursday said 1,000 active-duty military medical personnel would form six teams to deploy to hospitals in Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Michigan and New Mexico.

Theyre part of a major deployment of our nations armed forces to help hospitals across the country manage this surge of the Omicron virus  this surge thats having an impact on hospitals, Biden said Thursday.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the 1,000 are only the first wave of expected deployments.

Omicrons surge in cases has led to a high number of hospitalizations, and hospitals are dealing with more and more patients in the midst of staffing challenges and faced with a highly transmissible virus that does not spare our health care workers, Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday.

(c)2022 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

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Russias domestic security agency on Friday arrested 14 alleged members of the REvil ransomware gang and announced that it had eliminated the group at the request of Washington.

The move is welcome, but analysts said it seems aimed to send a signal that such cooperation would cease if the United States and Western allies impose sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The timing here is not an accident, said Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator think tank.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said it raided 25 addresses in Moscow, St. Petersburg and several regions, seizing more than $1 million in U.S. currency, euros, bitcoin and rubles, as well as computer equipment and 20 luxury cars.

The Russia-based REvil gang has carried out numerous attacks on major global companies, including the July attack on software provider Kaseya and the May attack on the worlds biggest meat-processing business, JBS. Former REvil associates also are believed to be responsible for the May cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline that led to gas shortages on the U.S. East Coast.

The arrests marked a rare positive moment in U.S.-Russia relations after a flurry of diplomatic efforts in Europe this past week failed to deter Russias military buildup near Ukraine and persuade Moscow to deescalate.

President Joe Biden asked for President Vladimir Putins cooperation to fight cyberattacks and ransomware when the two met in Geneva in June, but Fridays arrests are Russias first major operation to halt Russia-based ransomware attacks around the globe.

Since the June summit, senior U.S. and Russian officials in an experts group have held at least a half-dozen calls in which the Americans have sought Moscows cooperation on cybercrime. The individuals arrested were discussed on those calls, with the United States passing information about them to the Russians so they could act, said a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matters sensitivity. This is really a credit to Bidens approach, the person said.

This is a significant action by Russian law enforcement against one of the most prominent ransomware gangs in the world, Alperovitch said. It also serves as a signal  amidst potential significant deterioration of relations over Ukrainian conflict  to showcase the type of meaningful help Russia can provide to the U.S. if it chooses to  or not.

Putin has already warned Biden that in the event of severe sanctions over invasion of Ukraine, there could be a full break in diplomatic relations, meaning that cooperation like todays action on ransomware, among other things, would cease, Alperovitch added.

The FSB said U.S. law enforcement provided detailed information about the gang leaders identity and criminal activities.

The FSB of Russia established the full composition of the REvil criminal community and the involvement of its members in the illegal circulation of means of payment, and documented illegal activities, an FSB statement said.

Russian television showed FSB agents clad in black bursting into apartments, wrestling suspects to the ground and handcuffing them behind their backs, and searching apartments and computers. One suspect had dozens of thick bundles of ruble bills in a compartment under his bed, according to the video.

The hacker shown was involved in the Colonial Pipeline incident, according to one U.S. official. Although that attack was claimed by a different Russian-speaking hacker group, DarkSide, it is not uncommon for hackers to work for more than one group, and it is quite possible that the hacker shown worked for both REvil and DarkSide, analysts said.

It is likely that the leader of DarkSide started off by working as an affiliate for REvil, said Allan Liska, intelligence analyst at the cyber firm Recorded Future. There is also a good deal of overlap between the malware DarkSide and REvil use to lock up victims computers, he said.

Russian investigators Friday asked a Moscow court to hold one of the suspects, Roman Gennadyevich Muromsky, 33, in prison for two months pending investigation of his alleged crimes, Tass news agency reported.

A Justice Department complaint filed last month in the Northern District of Texas named Aleksander Sikerin of St. Petersburg as a member of REvil. According to the complaint, U.S. law enforcement seized $2.3 million of cryptocurrency in August tied to ransomware attacks that U.S. officials say Sikerin carried out.

The FSB arrests of alleged REvil gang members sent a message of the benefits of cooperation with Russia, while at the same time underscoring the potential costs to the United States if relations worsen.

Diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis over Ukraine appeared to founder Thursday. Russian officials said there was no point in continuing security talks after U.S. and NATO officials ruled out Russias key demand that Ukraine, Georgia and other nations, including Sweden and Finland, be barred from ever joining NATO.

Russian officials have threatened to cut all ties with Washington if the Biden administration carries out its threat to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia should it launch a new attack on Ukraine.

The REvil arrests also came as unknown hackers targeted Ukrainian government websites early Friday, blocking access and warning Internet users to expect the worst.

Viktor Zhora, deputy head of Ukraines state agency of special communication and information protection, said that close to 70 federal and local government websites were attacked, many of which were swiftly restored.

Dixon reported from Belgrade, Serbia, and Nakashima reported from Washington.
MOSCOW  Special envoys from Turkey and Armenia met in Moscow on Friday for a first round of meetings aimed at ending decades of bitterness between their countries and establishing diplomatic ties. Both countries said the meeting was conducted in a "positive and constructive atmosphere."

Although Turkey was among the first countries to recognize Armenia's independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the two neighbors share a bitter relationship and have no diplomatic ties.

Both countries hope that the talks will bolster peace efforts for the Caucasus region and lead to the reopening of their border to encourage trade and boost economic ties. Charter flights between Yerevan and Istanbul are expected to resume next month.

The Turkish and Armenian foreign ministries said in separate statements that their special representatives "exchanged their preliminary views regarding the normalization process."

They said the two sides would continue with their negotiations "without preconditions," adding that the date and venue of their second meeting would be decided later.

Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency said the meeting between the envoys lasted for about 90 minutes. Serdar Kilic, a former Turkish ambassador to the United States, is representing Ankara in the talks, while Armenia appointed its deputy parliamentary speaker, Ruben Rubinyan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow was assisting Yerevan and Ankara establish a direct dialogue and expressed hope that the effort would be successful.

"Armenia and Turkey have appointed their special representatives. Russia helped to reach such an agreement, we are very pleased that their first meeting is taking place in Moscow today," Lavrov said during a news conference. "Our role is to help establish a direct dialogue."

It's the regional foes' second attempt at reconciliation.

Turkey and Armenia reached an agreement in 2009 to establish formal relations and to open their joint border, but the agreement was never ratified because of strong opposition from Azerbaijan.

This time around, however, the reconciliation efforts have Azerbaijan's blessing. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said Ankara would "coordinate" the normalization process with Azerbaijan.

Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan, shut down its border with Armenia in 1993, in a show of solidarity with Baku, which was locked in a conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In 2020, Turkey strongly backed Azerbaijan in the six-week conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, which ended with a Russia-brokered peace deal that saw Azerbaijan gain control of a significant part of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkey and Armenia also have a more than century-old hostility over the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians in massacres, deportations and forced marches that began in 1915 in Ottoman Turkey.

Historians widely view the event as genocide. Turkey vehemently rejects the label, conceding that many died in that era, but insisting that the death toll is inflated and the deaths resulted from civil unrest.

Last year, U.S. President Joe Biden formally recognized the killings as genocide, joining several other countries that have already done so.

___

Suzan Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey.
KYIV, Ukraine  Unknown hackers launched an attack on Ukrainian government websites early Friday, blocking access and warning Internet users to expect the worst.

The attack comes as tensions soar between Russia and NATO, the Western military alliance, because Russian troops are massing on the Ukrainian border, prompting fears of an invasion.

A spokesperson for Ukraines cyber police said that more than five government sites were attacked and authorities have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators. Officials said it was too early to say who was behind the attacks.

In a later briefing, Viktor Zhora, deputy head of Ukraines state agency of special communication and information protection, said that close to 70 federal and local government websites were attacked, and a substantial portion are up and working again.

Russia has been behind similar incidents before, however, raising fears that it could mark the opening salvo in broader Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Just hours before the attacks, Dmitri Alperovitch, an expert on cybersecurity and co-founder of CrowdStrike, a leading firm in the field, told a Washington Post Live discussion that Ukraine had already been subjected to increased cyberattacks, which he said could be a prelude to an invasion.

We are also seeing increased cyber intrusions that appear to be intelligence collection for potential execution of a kinetic operation by the Russians, he said. A lot of people, myself included, expect very likely an invasion of Ukraine to occur in the next month or so.

Earlier this month, Ukraines state security services said that they had blocked in December close to 60 cyber attacks against information systems of state institutions. These included malware and web app attacks.

On Friday morning, Ukraines Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Education and Science posted on social media that their sites were down, and local media reported that the countrys main government website, the Emergency Situations Ministry and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs were also affected.

Visitors to some Ukrainian government sites were greeted with a message  written in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish  telling them that their personal data had been uploaded to the public network and destroyed.

All information about you has become public, be afraid and expect the worst, the message said. This is for your past, present and future.

Officials have maintained that the hackers did not obtained peoples personal information. Ukrainians data is safe, Mykhailo Fedorov, minister for digital transformation, posted in social media.

The attack came immediately after a flurry of diplomatic efforts in Europe failed to resolve the mounting crisis over Russian demands for sweeping new security arrangements by the United States and NATO. Among other demands, Russia wants them to block Ukraine and other Eastern European and former Soviet countries from ever joining the alliance.

Russia has positioned up to 100,000 troops and military equipment near Ukraine, and U.S. intelligence has warned that an invasion is being planned.

Russian officials have denied any plans to move against Ukraine and insist that the country has the right to deploy its forces anywhere on its territory. Moscow has also threatened to abandon any further security talks amid Washington and NATOs refusal to budge in the face of its demands.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added on Friday that he expects U.S. and NATO forces to use the tensions as a pretext to build up their forces in the region. He also said that Russia was ready for any new sanctions, which Western countries have threatened to impose if Russia invades Ukraine.

They are capable of anything, but rest assured we are ready for any turn of events. Any illusions we might have left in the economy have vanished over the past seven years, he said at a news conference Friday. Every mechanism of economic ties that depend on entities controlled by the West clearly contain risks, but we are getting rid of them in a swift and consistent manner, first and foremost in high-tech sectors.

Ukraine was the main target of the devastating NotPetya cyberattack in June 2017 that hit the countrys banks, ministries, subway and other organizations. The United States, Britain and others blamed the attack on the Russian military, although Moscow denied any role.

The virus spread across the world, impacting major global companies, including Merck, a pharmaceutical firm; shipping companies Maersk and FedEx; and others, bringing some transport operations to a halt.

In 2015 and 2016, blackouts hit portions of Ukraines electrical power grid. Investigators later determined that hackers caused the power cuts. In 2015, some 225,000 people were affected.

Dixon reported from Belgrade, Serbia.
The U.S. military is likely to reduce the number of troops it keeps in the Middle East and Central Asia while remaining engaged in those regions to counter Iran and extremist threats, multiple analysts and a former head of Central Command said.

Fewer resources there would allow the Pentagon to concentrate on deterring China from engaging in a fight for Taiwan and other territories in Asia, and to keep focusing on Russia, which is in an armed standoff with NATO over Ukraine.

A 2021 federal review of troop deployments directed the Pentagon to assess its enduring posture requirements in the Middle East.

The administrations of former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump previously proposed shifting focus away from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The U.S. could move some troops elsewhere, consolidate the number of U.S. bases and decrease the time the Navys aircraft carriers spend in the region, Joseph Votel, a retired general who helmed U.S. Central Command from 2016 to 2019, said in a recent interview.

The troops remaining would still be able to respond to threats, but the U.S. would have to be more thoughtful in using this smaller force, said Votel, now a senior fellow on national security at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

Our interests and challenges remain generally the same, but whats different is that were going to have a different force structure on the ground, Votel said.

An estimated 40,000 to 60,000 troops are deployed to CENTCOM, a recent statement from the command to Stars and Stripes said.

These troops are deployed to 21 countries, from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan in the northeast. They train with local military units, operate drones and maintain a vast network of bases necessary to move U.S. troops throughout the area.

In an email, CENTCOM declined to discuss the future posture of its forces.

The U.S. is most likely going to try to right-size the number of troops in the Middle East by making modest but still significant cuts, said Michael E. OHanlon, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Do we really need (7,000) or 8,000 troops in Kuwait? Could we make do with (5,000) or 6,000? OHanlon asked.

The U.S. has already withdrawn from Afghanistan and reduced its footprint in Iraq. And last summer it announced the closure of U.S. Army Camp As Sayliyah-Main in Qatar.

This is overall just an evolutionary moment for CENTCOM, said Jason Campbell, a policy researcher at Rand Corp.

The commander in charge of CENTCOMs next steps may soon be Army Lt. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C.

If his nomination is confirmed as expected by the Senate, Kurilla will have to gauge what is needed to deal with continuing threats in Iran and Afghanistan.

Iran views the U.S. campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria as contrary to its ambitions for dominance in the Middle East, analysts said.

Attacks on American troops continue even after the U.S. announced the end of its combat operations in Iraq in December. Two drone attacks occurred this month on the anniversary of the U.S. airstrike that killed Irans former spy chief, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

Future conflicts in the region are expected to be in the gray zone, in which ill-defined campaigns of subterfuge and aggression fall below the threshold of outright war, Votel said.

Tehran boasts advanced missile and drone technology, which it has exported throughout the region via proxies, and has been accused by the West of pursuing nuclear weapons.

Iran has an objective to be the regional hegemon, said Votel, who had Kurilla as his chief of staff. This will be one of the big challenges for the (incoming) CENTCOM commander: orchestrating and constructing the partnerships and coalitions to help us deal with that.

Another challenge remains in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, where terrorist groups like al-Qaida and the local Islamic State branch operate.

Afghanistan and the immediate region is absolutely going to remain a focal point, because theres a broad consensus that there are a number of threats that continue to stem from there, Campbell said.

The U.S. may need to conduct anti-terror operations in Afghanistan via aircraft carriers or bases in countries surrounding the Persian Gulf, such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

But if these partner nations believe the U.S. is abandoning the region or is unable to promote their interests, they may start hedging their bets by reaching out to China and Russia, analysts said.

The Chinese are constructing a secret military base in the UAE, The Wall Street Journal reported in November, while the Russians have long been in the region, particularly through their ties to Syria.

Americas Gulf partners, theyve heard now for almost three U.S. administrations that the U.S. is getting out of the Middle East and pivoting to Asia, said Katherine Zimmerman, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

They are reading the winds of geo-strategic change and have started courting or responding to Chinese courtship and to Russia making inroads, Zimmerman said.

America is unprepared to counter Chinese and Russian diplomatic and economic efforts to win favor in the Middle East, some analysts said.

The U.S. doesnt have ambassadors appointed to many countries in the region, Campbell noted.

Meanwhile, China has sent some of their best diplomats to win people over, he said.

If the U.S. shifts too many resources out of the Middle East to focus on China in the Pacific and Russia in Europe, then the result may be those two countries increasing their presence in the Gulf, OHanlon said.

Winding down the U.S. presence in the Middle East has been a difficult process in the past and will continue to be so in the future, OHanlon said.

When weve tried to say, Were minimizing our role, it tends to come back and bite us, he said.
Military commanders on Thursday initiated an investigation into troops ordered to the U.S.-Mexico border by the president as House lawmakers called for a separate investigation into National Guard troops sent to the border by the Texas governor.

U.S. Northern Command announced its investigation is to examine a wide range of alleged issues that have occurred among troops deployed on a federal mission along the southwest border.

About 2,400 service members  a combination of active-duty and National Guard troops from 20 states  are now deployed along the border with Mexico, according to NORTHCOM officials. Their work includes monitoring security cameras and sensors to alert U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents of activity along the border. Troops also have administrative and support duties.

Military officials would not say Thursday what issues are being investigated, what triggered the NORTHCOM investigation, what exactly it would cover or how long it could last. Officials also did not confirm whether the investigation was related to a series of criminal incidents that involved troops serving along the border.

News reports have highlighted some incidents, including a drunken driving accident in Texas that resulted in the death of a service member, federal drug charges against a service member in Texas and an allegation of sexual assault involving troops in Arizona.

Later on Thursday, more than a dozen House Democrats called on the inspector general for the Texas Military Department to investigate news reports that those troops serving under Republican Gov. Greg Abbott have suffered pay issues, poor living conditions and lack of necessary equipment.

The state-sponsored deployment, known as Operation Lone Star, began in March 2021 and has swelled to include about 10,000 Texas National Guard members serving at the border and in support roles across the state. Those troops report to Abbott and support the Texas Department of Public Safety. They are not included in NORTHCOM investigation.

NORTHCOM has overseen thousands of troops deployed to the border since the federal mission began in April 2018 under President Donald Trump and has continued under President Joe Biden. The service members work alongside Border Patrol agents in a variety of support roles that allow those federal agents to conduct direct border security.

Trump initially declared an emergency at the border and sent troops in response to thousands of migrants traveling north through Mexico toward the United States. Biden ended the emergency order, but left troops in place.

A Government Accountability Office report released last year found the mission reduced the readiness of active-duty units assigned to the border because it led to missed or delayed training and caused a strain on troops rotating in and out of the mission.

The NORTHCOM investigation, known as a 15-6, will be led by a general officer and has the full support of Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, the commander North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, according to a statement from the command. The investigating officer will have an investigative team of senior members from the active military, Army Reserve and National Guard.

The independent investigation team will take the time required to thoroughly answer the commanders inquiry, identify concerns, and report findings, as directed. The full extent of the issues, if any, will be determined by the investigation team. Due to the ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide any additional details at this time, according to the NORTHCOM statement.

The House lawmakers in their letter to Col. Daniel Heape, the Texas Military Department inspector general, asked him to launch a full investigation into the actions related to the mission and how the mission is impacting the well-being, morale, and overall readiness of our troops so Texans can have a full accounting of what is happening to these service members.

These alarming reports call into question decisions made by the leadership of the TMD and Governor Abbott and necessitate an immediate impartial and comprehensive investigation of all [Texas Military Department] actions related to [Operation Lone Star] and the conditions of National Guard troops deployed at the U.S.-Mexico border, the lawmakers wrote.
With his signature eye patch and fiery speeches, Stewart Rhodes is among the most recognizable leaders of the anti-government movement - and one of its most controversial.

As founder of the Oath Keepers, part of the self-styled militia segment of the far right, Rhodes projected himself as the commander of a private army willing to confront tyrannical federal authorities and defend the Constitution by any means necessary.

In reality, according to extensive interviews with his associates and extremism trackers, Rhodes is a couch-surfing propagandist whose thousands of recruits paid membership dues but mostly acted as keyboard warriors, disseminating violent rhetoric but rarely showing up in great numbers when Rhodes called.

The Oath Keepers contingent that participated in the U.S. Capitol attack was among the biggest showings researchers have seen from the group - about two dozen members or associates, including Rhodes, have been charged with conspiracy, and a handful more face other charges related to individual actions they allegedly took that day.

It was also a moment that would implode the organization and alienate Rhodes from other anti-government leaders. Oath Keepers members, including those charged in the Capitol attack, bristled at what they see as Rhodess pattern of calling on followers to rise up and then abandoning them when they faced legal consequences.

He sets the stage for other people to very quickly make the decision for themselves to engage in criminal or violent behavior, said Sam Jackson, an extremism scholar whose book Oath Keepers traces Rhodess path from Army paratrooper to Yale Law graduate to far-right figure.

Rhodess record of eluding arrest ended Thursday, when he was taken into custody and charged with seditious conspiracy, along with 10 other Oath Keepers members or associates. The news spread quickly among far-right militants and the researchers who study them, with both camps parsing what the development might mean for the broader movement.

The Oath Keepers origin story begins in 2008, during the mobilization of the anti-government movement in response to the election of President Barack Obama. Rhodes introduced the concept at an April 19 rally in Lexington, Mass., echoing the date and location of the first shots of the American Revolution.

Tasha Adams, Rhodess estranged wife and a vocal critic, said her husband had become increasingly radical in the years before Obama was elected. Adams said she cared for their children while Rhodes studied constitutional law at Yale and then served as an aide to libertarian then-Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.

By 2008, Adams said, Rhodes was on a more militant path, imagining himself as the next George Washington. When she expressed misgivings about the then-fledgling Oath Keepers project, Rhodes reassured her, she said.

He swore to me there would never be any actual militia training, Adams recalled. He said this is about pushing the First Amendment to the absolute limit and thats it. We called it the libertarian version of the ACLU.

Instead, researchers say, the Oath Keepers evolved into a major plank of the anti-government movement, a collection of far-right armed groups that share conspiratorial beliefs about an overreaching government that seeks to disarm and subjugate citizens. The idea is implicit in the Oath Keepers slogans of Guardians of the Republic and Not on our watch!

Rhodes appealed to veterans and former police officers to defend the Constitution, through armed rebellion if necessary. Researchers say the group was instrumental in pushing such once-fringe rhetoric into the mainstream. Even without large numbers of Oath Keepers showing up for standoffs with federal authorities, extremism trackers say, their role in the spread of far-right ideology is dangerous.

If you have 10,000 people who start using this language of calling sitting congresspeople oath breakers, or saying military members have the right to refuse vaccination because thats an unlawful order, Jackson said, well, Oath Keepers there are still having some sort of effect.

Experts say Rhodes and other far-right leaders grew more visible during the rise of Donald Trump, whom they perceived as an ally and who was the first major-party presidential candidate to be widely embraced by the militia movement.

Oath Keepers raised more than $350,000 in crowdfunding campaigns to cover their travel and other expenses to attend the pro-Trump rally outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, according to researchers at the nonpartisan Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies. The group booked a block of hotel rooms and, Rhodes has said, positioned so-called quick-reaction forces nearby in case emergency backup was needed.

But Rhodes has maintained that there was never any intention to enter the Capitol and that the groups role was mainly to provide security on a day when Trump supporters, at the presidents urging, were protesting the congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election. Members who went inside the Capitol, Rhodes has said, went totally off-mission.

As the months ticked by with no charges against him, many in the anti-government movement turned on Rhodes, excoriating him for letting his followers take the heat. His reputation was shredded in right-wing forums, where he was accused of being an FBI informant, the only way many militants could rationalize his not being charged.

The idea that Rhodes might again escape consequence while his foot soldiers languished in jail was the final straw for members who had long complained that Rhodes misused the groups funds for such personal expenses as fancy steak dinners and hair dye.

Some Oath Keepers chapters, which already had only a loose affiliation with Rhodes, declared their independence completely.

Hampton Stall, an extremism researcher who monitors self-styled militia groups, said any future iteration of the Oath Keepers is likely to come from an insurgency thats trying now to regroup into a movement that can endure beyond Rhodes.

If theres any sort of accountability that ever comes to him, it will have been after years of him basically telling people to take up arms and shoot people, Stall said. His role within the Oath Keepers environment is less about coordinating specifics and more about creating the fertile ideological soil for violence.
(Tribune News Service)  Jeremy and Claire McIntire are launching the 3rd Annual Operation Valentines Day to collect valentines for troops deployed overseas.

Valentines are being collected at Stow (Ohio) City Hall from now through Jan. 29.

Receiving greetings from people back home is very important for our service members, said Jeremy McIntire. Troops can often find themselves going days or even weeks without hearing from a loved one. There is no better feeling than coming back from a mission and finding that you received mail.

He is an Iraq war veteran, Purple Heart recipient and serves as president of Stow City Council.

The response from the community has been amazing over the last two years, said Claire McIntire. Its wonderful to see people come together to support our troops, we have already had people send valentines to be included.

Schools, churches, organizations, retirement facilities and individuals are encouraged to create valentines with messages to the troops.

Participants are asked to adhere to the following guidelines when creating valentines:

Send a handwritten letter, note or handmade card. Soldiers feel extra special when they receive handmade, individually created valentines. Envelopes are not required.

Keep your cards to a size of 8 inches by 11 inches or under for ease in shipping and distribution.

Cards cannot include glitter, food or candy, but there are still many ways to personalize a handmade card. Write a message to them and say, Thank You, tell them about yourself and wish them a Happy Valentine Day. The troops are away from their loved ones and friends, so they really want to know that people back home appreciate them, said the McIntires. We know our service men and women appreciate receiving the cards each year.

Military personnel love to communicate with others. You can include your school, church or organization name, address and/or email contact on each card so recipients can write back. Cards from children/students must include a first name only. If you do not receive a reply from a service member, do not be discouraged. Remember: The troops are busy.

Photos of the sender, senders family, church, or classroom participants can add a personal touch to your card.

Keep your messages positive. Start with a salutation, such as Dear Hero or  Dear Brave One. All cards will be screened. Do not put individual valentines in sealed envelopes. Bundle cards and send in a single large envelope or box containing all of the valentines.

To arrange pickup of valentines from schools, churches, businesses and retirement homes in Stow, contact Jeremy McIntire at mcintireforstow@gmail.com ; or Claire McIntire at claireamcintire@gmail.com .

Individuals can drop off their valentines through Jan. 29 in a drop box located at the front desk in the Stow City Hall atrium, 3760 Darrow Road, Stow (driveway is located off Graham Road) Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

An additional collection box will be located at 1904 Baker Lane, Stow.

On its website, the United States Post Office explains the importance of military mail: More than 1.4 million Americans serve in the military, with about 200,000 of those troops serving overseas. Members of the armed forces can feel isolated while deployed, often in dangerous conditions. The military discovered long ago that mail boosts the morale of troops serving in other parts of the world, so it has made military mail a high priority. Military mail provides members of the armed forces with a vital link to their communities. Mail call is the moment when the front line and home front connect.

When this campaign was launched in 2020, it was anticipated to receive 1,000 - 2,000 valentines; to the McIntires surprise, the campaign collected over 12,000 valentines for the troops.

We cannot think of a better holiday to let someone know you are thinking of them than Valentines Day, said Jeremy McIntire. Please join Claire and I to help bring smiles to the brave men and women serving overseas by sending them a valentine.

2022 www.beaconjournal.com.

Visit beaconjournal.com .
(Tribune News Service)  The military is seeking to boost the production of a key component of Americas nuclear arsenal at the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant despite criticism the move violates international nuclear arms agreements.

The Tennessee Valley Authority will outline its plans to federal regulators next week about how it will increase production of tritium, the radioactive isotope of hydrogen needed to turn an atomic bomb into a far more explosive hydrogen bomb.

TVA says such work is part of its national defense mandate spelled out in its charter and has been safely conducted at Watts Bar for nearly two decades to help replenish tritium supplies that decay over time.

But anti-nuclear activists argue that using a civilian nuclear power plant to help make nuclear bomb materials risks putting nuclear weapons into the hands of more countries and terrorists and will put more radioactive tritium into the Tennessee River and Chattanoogas drinking water.

Using commercial nuclear reactors to produce nuclear weapons materials is a violation of the international nonproliferation agreements, said Tom Clements, executive director of the Savannah River Site Watch, although the government has gone to some lengths to use materials that officials say are not obligated by such agreements.

Clements group has opposed efforts to maintain and boost bomb materials in South Carolina and Tennessee. Increasing the amount of such production by TVA will only make it worse. The production of tritium at Watts Bar is very questionable, and instead of expanding production, it should be curtailed.

Ralph Hutchison, coordinator of the Oak Ridge Peace Alliance, also worries that increased tritium production at Watts Bar will boost the amount of the radioactive isotopes that leak into the Tennessee River and will heighten health risks for those down river of the Spring City, Tennessee, nuclear plant, including Chattanooga and Cleveland.

Tritium as an isotope of hydrogen will bond with oxygen and create radioactive water, Hutchison said by phone. Even though the river is big, there is health risk if there is more radioactive water in the river that supplies the drinking water for Chattanooga and other cities.

TVA and its nuclear regulator, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, monitor radioactive levels in the water and land around Watts Bar, and the amount of tritium and other radioactive materials remain within the commissions acceptable levels. But before TVA may boost its tritium production by irradiating more tritium-producing burnable absorber rods at Watts Bar, the federal utility must obtain commission permission for an amendment to its nuclear license.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has scheduled a teleconference meeting to hear about TVAs latest plans to produce more tritium production at Watts Bar at 9 a.m. next Wednesday.

Military mission

TVA is responding to a request from the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semi-autonomous agency of the U.S. Department of Energy that is responsible for maintaining Americas nuclear stockpile.

TVA has always had a mission to support our nations defense, TVA spokesman Jim Hopson said in an emailed statement. TVA power helped energize the Manhattan Project and aluminum production for World War II and today provides reliable energy to Oak Ridge National Lab, the Y-12 complex and numerous military installations in our region. This mission also extends to Watts Bars irradiation of tritium producing burnable absorber rods to support the U.S. Department of Energys need for tritium.

TVA began producing tritium for the military in 2003 at Watts Bar Unit 1, and Watts Bar Unit 2 joined the process in 2020. The rods are inserted into each reactor during each fuel cycle and removed during routine refueling outages.

After TVA irradiates the rods, the NNSA harvests the resulting tritium at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, where the agency puts the gas into reservoirs that are sent to the security administrations Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, to be installed in nuclear weapons.

Although the process slightly reduces the amount of electricity generated by Watts Bar when the rods are added to the reactor core, TVA is reimbursed by the security administration for all expenses and lost power associated with the tritium production.

TVA loads Watts Bar with 1,792 rods during each of its refueling cycles, and the nuclear security agency wants to raise the number of rods in each cycle to more than 2,400.

Hopson said even with the proposed increase, the higher total still remains under the 2,500 rods per unit or 5,000 rods per site limit that was analyzed as part of a 2016 environmental study.

Hopson said that study determined that there were no significant environmental impacts at that level and TVA continues to meet all federal and state requirements related to this activity.

Need for site

The National Nuclear Security Administration turned to TVA to begin making the tritium after the U.S. Department of Energy deemed that its last tritium-producing nuclear reactor at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina was unsafe and shut that reactor down. At the time, the military had sufficient reserve supplies of tritium, especially since arms reduction agreements cut the number of nuclear weapons maintained by the United States. But the radioactive isotope decays at an annual rate of 5.5%, or a half-life of 12.5 years.

The Clinton administration in the late 1990s turned to TVA as a federally owned corporation to produce the tritium.

TVA initially proposed selling the unfinished Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant in Hollywood, Alabama, to the military to allow the nuclear bomb material to be made separately from a civilian nuclear power plant. TVA began building the Bellefonte plant in the early 1970s, but the twin-reactor facility was never completed.

Instead of the tritium production at Bellefonte, the security agency asked TVA to make the tritium at its newest nuclear plant, the twin-reactor Watts Bar plant in Rhea County, with the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant near Soddy-Daisy as a backup for the tritium production.

By making some changes in plant equipment and operations, the TVA nuclear plants can be used to irradiate tritium-producing burnable absorber rods.

Critics argue that such an approach, although cheaper than building another Department of Energy reactor to make the tritium, violates the international standard of not using commercial nuclear power plants for nuclear weapons production. The no dual use policy grew out of President Dwight D. Eisenhowers 1950s Atoms for Peace program, which funded much of the research and development of nuclear power, including work at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

But before launching the tritium program at Watts Bar, the Department of Energy cleared the way with an interagency review that found that tritium is not a fissionable material capable of sustaining a nuclear reaction. Thus, it is not classified as a special nuclear material and is therefore not subject to the prohibition in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.

Any change in the number of rods in the Watts Bar reactors must be reviewed and approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and will require nuclear engineering analyses and technical reviews. Since TVA began irradiating the rods in 2003, there have been five license amendments to boost tritium production, Hopson said.

dflessner@timesfreepress.com

(c)2022 the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

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WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs delayed the rollout of its new $16 billion electronic health record system in Ohio because of major staff shortages caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the agency announced Friday.

The electronic health record was set to launch March 5 at the VA Central Ohio Health Care System in Columbus, but VA leaders pushed the rollout to April 30. The agency said a significant number of the workforce, approximately 209 people, are unable to work because of positive cases of the coronavirus. That number has doubled in the past week, the VA said.

The department has been training employees how to use the system ahead of the launch. Moving forward with the training during the surge of coronavirus cases would have a negative effect on medical care, the agency said.

As we see the pandemic surge in the Columbus community, we need to support the medical professionals while they focus their attention on meeting the health care needs of their patients, said Terry Adirim, who manages the VAs electronic health record efforts. EHR deployment activities must be weighed against community health and can be resumed when it is appropriate to do so.

The number of coronavirus cases in Franklin County, Ohio, surged 153% during the past two weeks, the VA said. The rise in cases among VA employees in Columbus is one of the largest changes in this status across all VA medical facilities nationwide, according to the department.

In 2017, the VA started to overhaul its electronic health record system. It awarded a contract to Cerner Corp., a technology company in Kansas City, Mo. The new system is supposed to be capable of sharing patient data seamlessly with the Defense Department, which could limit problems when a service member transitions out of the military.

Columbus was expected to be the second VA site to transition to the new system. It first went live at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., in 2020, but staff there complained they were not introduced to the system until the day that it launched and didnt know how to use it.

Shortly after becoming the VA secretary in February 2021, Denis McDonough paused the project and ordered a 12-week internal review. The review revealed patient-safety problems, escalating costs, a lack of productivity and ineffective training on the new system for health-care providers, among other issues.

McDonough vowed to correct the problems before deploying it in Columbus. In a report released in November, the VA outlined its lessons learned from the Spokane rollout. It listed 11 facilities at which the electronic health record is supposed to launch in 2022.

The department planned for the system to deploy at a third site in Walla Walla, Wash., just weeks after the Columbus launch. However, the agency is reviewing coronavirus cases there before moving forward.

VA officials are continuously reviewing the conditions at upcoming implementation sites to ensure local conditions allow for a safe deployment, the agency said.
Stillwater, OK (74074)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High 67F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low around 50F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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.
The leaders of Japan and Australia recently signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) to facilitate bilateral defense and security cooperation. According to the agreement, the two countries will streamline the entry and customs clearance procedures needed to admit each others military forces (personnel, equipment, etc.) to enter their territory and carry out operations based on their military facilities.

Australia is the second country after the US to sign such an agreement with Japan, and the inking made the two countries quasi military allies with their defense and security cooperation entering a new stage.

In fact, Japan and Australia have obviously sped up their defense and security cooperation ever since they elevated the bilateral relationship to be special strategic partnership in 2014, and the focus of cooperation has shifted from non-traditional security domains such as humanitarian aid to the so-called major-country competition and tackling major-country threats in a planned and phased manner with targeted actions. In June 2021, the Japanese government officially listed Australia as the second country after the US, whose weapons and equipment can be protected by Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF). During the Japan-Australia joint maritime training off the Japanese coast in November that year, JMSDFs frigate Inazuma escorted the Australian Navys HMAS Warramunga frigate, the first time that the Japanese side took such a measure for a foreign vessel other than Americas. Besides, Tokyo and Canberra also expect to complete the mutual dispatch of military liaison officers within 2022.

Japan and Australia have always served as two anchors of US' attempt to meddle in the Asia-Pacific affairs. Now the US has continued to advance the Indo-Pacific strategy and taken the US-Japan-India-Australia quadrilateral security dialogue as the core structure for weaving a composite regional network of allies. This has created a relatively relaxing environment for Japan and Australia to, through maneuvering and coordination, jointly seek strategic independence, defense independence, and a greater say over regional affairs.

With the passing of the New Security Act in 2016, Japan practically broke the limitation of defense only imposed by its Pacifist Constitution, after which it has moved faster to forge bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation with Americas allies and partners. Australia, with its favorable location and well-rounded and systematic military resources, stands out as a reliable option that Japan can use to expand its influence southward. According to Japanese media, Tokyo intends to copy what it did with Australia  signing the cooperation agreement  in seeking defense cooperation with other major countries like Britain and France, envisioning for itself a blueprint for achieving a much grander strategic ambition.

For Australia, Japan is also an ideal pivot to help it become more responsive to sensitive regional hotspot issues in the northern direction, enhance its engagement and discourse power in regional affairs, assist in implementing Americas Indo-Pacific strategy, and cement its position as a medium power.

At this stage, the prospects of Japan-Australia defense and security cooperation are still largely dependent on how America judges the regional security situation and the trend of major-country games, although their own strategic objectives and appeals do play a part. It is also Americas judgment and decision that will largely decide how far the quasi alliance between Japan and Australia can go  the US leads, allies follow situation remains unchanged. Whats worth noting is that what Tokyo and Canberra are doing now  hyping up major-country threats and building Cold War-like defense cooperation  may end up becoming a new scourge that will rock the regional security order.
The Cook Islands has reopened its borders to fully vaccinated New Zealanders, but with less fanfare and more trepidation than last year's kick-off.

The two-way quarantine-free travel bubble lasted just three months in 2021 before authorities pulled the pin due to Auckland's Delta outbreak.

Since then, the island nation has vaccinated close to 100 percent of its eligible population, paving the way for today's reconnection.

Resort operator Tata Crocombe told RNZ today's excitement was mixed with fear and apprehension given previous setbacks.

"We've been open and closed before. Omicron is running away in Australia. There's so much uncertainty."

Tata, the owner of the Rarotongan Beach Resort, says initial demand had been modest, below what he had hoped and expected.

"There's no stampede [of tourists] this time. This has been very muted, very measured, very slow."

He says the summer months were typically quiet for the Cook Islands, but believed demand was also down due to traveller fatigue with tourists delaying plans due to the constant uncertainty.

"If you listen to our colleagues in Queenstown, they're not even getting the Aucklanders to move to Queenstown in the numbers they would've expected, so the market is definitely spooked."

Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott says that concern was widespread in the industry.

"There's a lot of nervousness ... a little bit of fear," says Scott. "There's worry that we're opening to very low occupancy."

Scott, who manages the Muri Beach Club Hotel, says most properties were at 30-40 per cent capacity over the next few months, but would pick up from April onwards.

"Maybe it's a blessing in disguise," she says.

"We haven't had Covid here ... perhaps a slower start does allow us to adapt to some of the new procedures and practices that have come on board."

Cook Islands Tourism Australasia general manager Graeme West says bookings were "reasonably quiet" for the next few months, but that would turn around as New Zealand moved into winter.

"Given we're starting mid-January, the demand has been good, but not as crazy as last time. From April on, we're seeing very good bookings."

House of Travel chief operating officer Brent Thomas says it would take a long time for international travel to return to pre-Covid-19 levels, but the Cook Islands was well placed to bounce back.

"The Cook Islands itself is actually a relatively small destination in terms of its capacity so it's not some place that takes a lot to fill it up."

Air New Zealand's chief operational integrity and safety officer David Morgan says the airline had "strong demand" for bookings this month, with "some seat availability in late January and February".

The airline was offering a daily service between Auckland and Rarotonga but would adjust the schedule "where possible" as it monitored demand.

Only double-vaccinated travellers, from the age of 12 up, will be allowed into the Pacific nation, with a negative Covid-19 test required no more than 48 hours before departure.

Once in Rarotonga, passengers will need to take a rapid antigen test before travelling on to Aitutaki.

- RNZ/Craig McCulloch
Keith and Shirley Carter are looking forward to the Tauranga South Community Patrol having an uninterrupted year of successful monthly car boot sales at Tauranga Racecourse.

This Saturday, January 15, will be the third time theyve been able to hold one at the new location, after Covid restrictions made it impossible to proceed during previous months.

The monthly sale is the main form of fundraising for the local patrol.

Getting up before dawn doesnt faze the couple, who have both been contributing to the Greerton community for decades. Keith has been helping keep the Greerton community safe as a volunteer patroller since 2005, and as a founding member of the Greerton Night Owls - now Tauranga South Community Patrol  he has liaised between police and the local community.

He has also coordinated with police to establish local crime hot spots and arrange patrollers for those areas.

Its no surprise to Tauranga South Community Patrol chair Maureen Kathan that Keith was recently awarded the Queens Service Medal for services to the community. She first met the couple in 2007.

My husband and I had just returned from living overseas for 30 years and wanted to involve ourselves in some local community work, says Maureen. We had seen an article in the local newspaper about something called Night Owls.

It sounded interesting so we called in on the local organiser of this newly formed organisation at his shop on Chadwick Road and met Keith.

Maureen says it was the beginning of a long relationship working with Keith in the now renamed Tauranga South Community Patrol.

From the very beginning it was obvious that this man was dedicated to improving the lives of those around him and working to make the community a safer place to live in.

At that time he and Shirley owned the Tauranga Rug Company and were working full time. That didn't stop Keith from volunteering hours and hours of his free time into establishing a strong patrol and making it the successful patrol it is today.

With Shirley, Keith attended a Community Patrols National Training Seminar in 2007, securing the first marked patrol car.

Since 2012, Keith has helped distribute tamper-resistant screws throughout community patrols in New Zealand - an initiative with police that inserts a special screw in registration plates to prevent them being stolen.

The couple took over the local car boot sale, which has run every third Saturday in Greerton since 2009, and is now located at Tauranga Racecourse. They purchased and supplied all equipment needed for the car boot sale including all that is required for a sausage sizzle.

Over the past 14 years I have worked closely with Keith on the [Tauranga South Community Patrol] committee and have seen first-hand the sensible, pragmatic approach he takes when working through challenges, says Maureen.

His ability to inspire those around him, both in his words of wisdom and his ethic of hard work, is what has made him an outstanding person in the community.

Tauranga South Community Patrol car boot sale and sausage sizzle is held every third Saturday of the month at Tauranga racecourse from 6.30am-12noon. A single site is $5 and a double site $10.
Luna has once again topped the 2021 list of the most popular names for female cats and dogs in New Zealand, with Loki and Charlie topping the male lists for felines and canines respectively.

That is according to information from with Southern Cross Pet Insurance regarding animals under their umbrella.

According to Southern Cross yearly list of its insureds top pets names, Luna has been the most popular female name for cats for six years running, and for five consecutive years for dogs.

Loki and Charlie took home the top male pet spots this year, knocking Archie off the 2020 podium for both cats and dogs, although both names have featured highly in Southern Cross yearly top 10 in previous years.

Popular female pet names this year included Coco, Molly, Daisy and Lola, while favourite male dog names included George, Milo, Teddy and Bear.

By comparison, pet owners in the US are more adventurous when naming their pets, often tapping into popular culture.

Names like Pfizer, Zoom and Covid have zoomed up the charts, although the USAs top 10 list also features many similar names that were also chosen by New Zealanders.

The popularity of the name Luna can be partly attributed to the Harry Potter character, Luna Lovegood, as well as celebrity parents like John Legend and Chrissy Teigen choosing the name for their daughter.

One Auckland couple, Ben and Lea Harris from Birkenhead, instead took inspiration for the name of their new Maltese Terrier, Luna, from a popular TV medical drama.

We couldnt decide on a name when we first got her, but we were watching a television show together that we both enjoy, New Amsterdam. It had a character called Luna and thats where we got our inspiration from, says Lea.

Ben and Lea Harris named their Maltese Terrier after a New Amsterdam character. Supplied photo.

Meanwhile, the name Loki has been popularised by Marvels Thor comic and film franchise, which was how Marie Gibson from Wellington arrived at the name for her Domestic Shorthair cat.

The choice to name our cat Loki was a family decision, says Marie.

We're all big fans of the Thor movies, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Loki is Thors half-brother and the Norse god of mischief, so it seemed a perfect fit for our mischievous cat.

Meanwhile, some of this years more quirky and humorous pet names included Lord Archie, Cucumber, Crumpet and Cheddar Cheese.

Southern Cross Pet Insurance CEO, Anthony McPhail said it was clear a lot of thought and imagination goes into the naming of Kiwi pets.

Naming a pet takes a lot of care and consideration, just like human parents naming their child, says Anthony.

Some people have a name they love, or they want their own personality or tastes to shine through in the naming of their pets.

We also know how important it is to owners that their pets are thriving and healthy. Southern Cross is there for pet owners, providing cover for over 50,000 pets and giving them peace of mind that, if something goes wrong, their pet will be well cared for.

Southern Cross Pet Insurance most common pet names (born in 2021)

Top female cat names

1. Luna

2. Molly

3. Coco

4. Lola

5. Lulu

6. Lily

7. Ivy

8. Cleo

9. Nala

10. Tilly

Top male cat names

1. Loki

2. George

3. Charlie

4. Milo

5. Bear

6. Leo

7. Simba

8. Ziggy

9. Ted

10. Tigger

Top female dog names

1. Luna

2. Coco

3. Daisy

4. Bella

5. Poppy

6. Millie

7. Frankie

8. Rosie

9. Molly

10. Maggie

Top male dog names

1. Charlie

2. Teddy

3. Archie

4. Milo

5. Loki

6. Bear

7. Rocky

8. Ollie

9. Buddy

10. Max
There are 18 community cases of Covid-19 today and one case in the Bay of Plenty that is under investigation.

The Bay of Plenty case originally tested positive while in Waikato, but has a Bay of Plenty address.

The Ministry of Health says the case remains under investigation and will be transferred to Waikatos case total.

Of the other new cases, there are 11 in Auckland, four in the Waikato and two in Canterbury.

There are 43 people at the border with Covid-19.

New Zealand continues to see many border cases arriving from overseas, reflecting the growing number of Omicron cases globally, says the ministry.

The seven-day rolling average of border cases is 31.

The Ministry says forty five percent of the population currently eligible have now received their booster shot.

We are strongly recommending boosters for anyone over the age of 18 who had their second vaccine dose at least four months ago.

Omicron update

To date, there are now 266 Omicron Covid-19 cases detected at the border since 1 December.

During the same period, more than 18,000 people have arrived and been processed through Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities

New Zealand has taken steps to manage the risk of a community Omicron outbreak linked to border cases, including increasing the period overseas arrivals must spend in MIQ, and shifting the focus of whole genome sequencing to areas of most risk, such as for any cases in border workers.

The MIQ system exists to catch cases at the border. Managed isolation and quarantine facilities are well set up to care for Omicron cases and protect the community. The staff at facilities are experienced in managing and caring for positive cases.

All Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities follow very strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures developed by the Ministry of Health to manage the risks of spreading Covid-19. People in MIQ undergo regular routine testing.

All travellers arriving into New Zealand require a pre-departure test. Travellers must receive their test 48 hours prior to travel. Travellers also must complete four tests while in managed isolation. This testing regime provides an extra level protection to our existing border measures.

Covid-19 vaccine update

Vaccines administered to date (percentage of eligible people): 3,986,487 first doses (95%); 3,890,397 second doses (92%); 34,606 third primary doses; 678,943 booster doses

Vaccines administered yesterday: 1,421 first doses; 3,595 second doses; 591 third primary doses and 41,664 booster doses.

Maori (percentage of eligible people): 505,366 first doses (88%); 473,566 second doses (83%).

Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people): 273,827 first doses (96%); 264,167 second doses (92%).

Vaccination rates by DHB with active cases (percentage of eligible people)

Northland DHB: First doses (89%); second doses (85%)

Auckland Metro DHBs: First doses (96%); second doses (95%)

Waikato DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%)

Bay of Plenty DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (91%)

Lakes DHB: First doses (92%); second doses (89%)

Wairarapa DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (93%)

Capital and Coast DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (97%)

Hutt Valley DHB: First doses (96%); second doses (94%)

Canterbury DHB: First doses (98%); second doses (97%)

Hospitalisations

Cases in hospital: 34; North Shore: 4; Auckland: 8; Middlemore: 17; Tauranga: 4; Waikato 1

Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region wards only): Unvaccinated or not eligible (9 cases / 37%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (5 case / 21%); fully vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (9 cases / 37%); unknown (1 case / 4%).

Average age of current hospitalisations: 50

Cases in ICU or HDU: 2; Middlemore: 1; Tauranga: 1

Cases

Seven day rolling average of community cases: 26

Seven day rolling average of border cases: 31

Number of new community cases: 18

Number of new cases identified at the border: 43

Location of new community cases: Auckland (11), Waikato (4), Bay of Plenty (1), Canterbury (2),

Number of community cases (total): 11,254 (in current community outbreak)

Cases epidemiologically linked (total): 8,542

Number of active cases (total): 618 (cases identified in the past 21 days and not yet classified as recovered)

Confirmed cases (total): 14,572

Contacts

Number of active contacts being managed (total): 4,784

Percentage who has received an outbound call from contact tracers (to confirm testing and isolation requirements): 82%

Percentage who has returned at least one result: 80%

Tests

Number of tests total (last 24 hours): 15,486

Tests rolling average (last 7 days): 15,101

Auckland tests total (last 24 hours): 7,642

Wastewater

There has been a wastewater detection in South Wairarapa on 10 January thought to be linked to the four cases reported yesterday.

NZ Covid Tracer

Poster scans in the 24 hours to midday yesterday: 2,527,892

Manual diary entries in the 24 hours to midday: 41,505

My Vaccine Pass

My vaccine pass downloads total: 4,772,722

My vaccine pass downloads (last 24 hours): 14,916

Regional updates

We are continuing to ask anyone in New Zealand with symptoms  no matter how mild  to get tested, even if youre vaccinated. Please stay at home until you return a negative test result. We are also asking people to regularly check the locations of interest as these are regularly updated and to follow the advice provided.

Testing and vaccination centre locations nationwide can be found on the Healthpoint website.

Please also continue to check for any updated Locations of Interest and appropriate health advice, updated regularly on the Ministrys website.

Auckland

There are 11 cases to report in Auckland today.

Health and welfare providers are now supporting 859 people in the region to isolate at home, including 184 cases.

Waikato

There are four new cases in the Waikato today, four are linked to previous cases. Three are in Ngaruawahia and one is in Huntly.

One new location of interest was confirmed in Te Aroha.

Pop-up testing sites are operating in Whitianga, Whiritoa, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, Tokoroa, Otorohanga, Putaruru, Ngaruawahia, Huntly and Hamilton today. For details of all dedicated testing sites including other general practices, please visit the Healthpoint website

Public Health staff, primary care and manaaki providers are supporting 29 cases to isolate at home.

Bay of Plenty

Today we are reporting one case in Bay of Plenty, who originally tested positive while in Waikato, but has a Bay of Plenty address. This case remains under investigation.

This case will be transferred to Waikatos case total.

Canterbury

The two cases we reported yesterday are being included in todays official tally of case numbers
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Tahlequah, OK (74464)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 67F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.
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Aditya Team-BHP Support

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2021 Tata Altroz DPF issues and engine failure | Good experience with Tata's After Sales Service Madhuprasad Kigga for sending this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via



Quote: Hi All,



I am Madhuprasad, a regular reader of the Team-BHP (not a member though).



I am a driving enthusiast and love to drive, specifically long distances on lonely highways and in the Western Ghats with light music. Generally, I am calm and composed, but occasionally, I drive to test the engine (read significantly faster and touching triple digits). Earlier, I had a 2015 Fiat Punto Evo - a fantastic drivers car. People who have owned a Punto will agree with me that it is very hard to replace with a similar car at that price point.



When Tata introduced the Altroz, I just went for a test drive casually. Initially, I tested the NA petrol, which was not impressive as many of you will agree. But, at that time, none of the dealers in Bangalore had diesel TD cars. One fine day, however, Cropex Auto at Hosa Road, Bangalore, was able to arrange a test drive with a diesel car, which I drove for about 5 km before transferring the booking amount. Sold the Punto with mixed feelings and took delivery of the Altroz (D) on 4th February, 2021 with a big smile on my face.



I enjoyed the Altroz to the fullest and availed the first free service within 5 days of delivery. All was well till 7,100 km. After that, for the first time, the infamous DPF issue popped up. I regenerated the DPF according to the procedure given in the manual and informed the service personnel about the same during the scheduled second free service. Everything was fine for the next 200 odd km, when, once again, the DPF indicator appeared in the MID and before I could figure things out, the car went to safe mode, where the engine RPMs are limited to 2,000 and a there is a drastic reduction in the pulling power. This was a surprise to me as my car hardly runs in the city to have the DPF clogged within 250 km after the previous regeneration. Without ignoring it, I immediately informed the service center and took the car into there where they carried out a computer-aided regeneration. Everything was fine till 8,500 km, when again, the DPF indication appeared and the car went to restricted drive mode in the middle of a highway drive. I called the service center and they asked me to drive it in the same condition to a nearby service center, which was almost 150 km from where I was, and the SA informed me it was not a problem. After driving for about 50 km, the car became normal and SA told that DPF was not cleaned and there was no need to visit the service center. At 9,500 km, the same story repeated. This time I visited the service center and asked them what the exact problem was. They promptly blamed it on the government regulations and carried out a computer-aided regeneration along with recent software updates. During this chaos, I noticed a drop in the performance. However did not talk about it with the service center. I now think this was the big mistake!!!



Everything was fine till 13,200 km when I was traveling along with my family for a weeks break on 31st October. After a nice breakfast at Pakashala near Yediyuru on Bangalore-Mangalore highway, I was enthusiastically overtaking a vehicle (which one, I cannot recall now) when a loud noise came from the engine with a lot of white smoke from the exhaust followed by knocking from the engine. Immediately, I pulled over and called the nearest service center which was Automatrix at Hassan. After trying several times, I realized it was a Sunday and the service center could be closed. Then I called the Tata customer service where they gave the phone number of the Service Manager, Mr. Vasudev. He told me that the service center was closed, but, he would be available and I could visit it (of course he suggested, I could slowly drive the car to the service center). I slowly reached the service center at 9.30 am and he called one service engineer (Mr. Yogish) who closely diagnosed the car. He drained the engine oil completely to realize that there was 6.5 liters of oil instead of 5 liters. He asked me and my family to have a nice lunch and come back, which we did. After finishing the lunch at 2.30 pm we visited the service center, where they had breaking news.



Sir, engine failure.



This was an ultimate shocker for me and my family. However, the Service Manager (Mr. Vasudev), engineer (Mr. Yogish), and Tata CRM (Mr. Nithin Patil) came to our rescue and helped us to quickly recover from this trauma.



Sir, we are here to help you. We take complete responsibility for this and will replace the whole engine assembly, turbocharger, all fuel injectors, and catalytic converter. Please continue your travel. We will completely reimburse your travel expenses. Also, we give you a substitute car for your travel as soon as you come to Bangalore for your daily commute till your car is repaired.



This was a nice gesture and I appreciate Tata for this promise. My family traveled back to our home in a taxi, and I did not take the substitute car as we had my wifes Kwid at home.



After 20 days I got my Altroz back (during all these days, Mr. Vasudev was promptly updating me about the developments) and drove it back to my home. Mr. Vasudev also suggested that I should closely look for oil leaks over the next 1,500 km.



While driving back home, immediately I noticed a few things; Performance had improved significantly Mileage had improved significantly (a controlled drive at 80 km/h on the highway gave me 28 km/l) As suggested, I was monitoring for oil leaks and yes, there was an oil leak even before 500 km. Again, I spoke to the CRM and Mr. Vasudev for the next course of action (again on a Sunday). The CRM told me that he would send a service advisor to our home from Key Motors and they will take the car, rectify all the problems and deliver it back to our home.



Promptly, on the next day (Monday) at 9.30 am, service advisor, Mr. Abhishek visited our home, inspected and suggested the solution and took the car to the service center and delivered it as promised.



Till this point, I did not have any clear idea what the problem was as Mr. Vasudev or the CRM were not able to answer all my questions. Therefore, I thought of discussing this in detail with Mr. Abhishek and following details were given:



One batch of the cars (manufactured in Dec-2020 and Jan 2021) had a problematic fuel injector. This results in the failure of the FI and the diesel flows instead of spraying. Unless the diesel sprays, it will not burn completely and the excess diesel flows into the engine oil. This results in the increasing quantity of engine oil. As diesel does not burn completely, the rings of pistons do not function properly and this results in minute scratches on the cylinders. The oil leakage after the engine replacement was due to the gasket which was not replaced earlier.



This is the most convincing answer I got. Experts in the forum please let me know if this could be true. If not, what could be the other reason?



What I learned from the whole story: Keep yourself calm and composed. This is very important if you have a small kid. Do not let tensions into your life. Do not generalize the failure in a car unless it is reported by mass. One case may spoil the reputation of a whole brand and a very good product (in this case it is diesel Altroz). No need to shout all the time at a person from a service center or company. They will help. Enjoy life. There will be ups and downs. Take them equally. Do I hate my car? Absolutely not. I love it and now, even more. Now it has run 16,000 km. We all see news of how a company / dealer cheats a person. However, we dont see often a news on good customer support. In this case, I share my positive experience with the company / service center.



Enjoy some photos. Questions are welcome.



Thank you



Madhu



























Thanks tofor sending this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP share page
Viju BHPian



Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yokohama, Japan Posts: 985 Thanked: 2,292 Times

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re: Kuroguma Files | A 3500 km Snowy Road-trip to the Northern Tip of Japan Day 3

Hakodate --> Sapporo



We visited Lake Toya, which was surprisingly still in liquid form. It was pretty huge, and there were cute little ducks swimming around, although the banks were fully covered in snow. The kids had a gala time playing in the snow.





After enjoying the serenity of the place for an hour or so (and having decided to return in summer), we left to our next destination - Makomanai Takino Cemetery (yes, you read that right).



As the cemetery closes by 4 p.m., we had to make a dash in the snow to be there at least by 3 p.m.



Driving in the snow was tough on day 1, but as I got used to how the car behaved in the snow, it gave me more confidence after each day. Although my wife usually drives some of the distance during our road trips, she had no experience driving in snow, and did not want to take a chance. I was only too happy to play Tokyo drift all by myself.



Makomanai Takino was on a totally different level that we had anticipated. The Moai statues, and the stone henges, along with the Buddha statues were breath-taking. Also the place is covered in flower fields during summer. That means we have to go back there as well in summer. Ugh!













As we spent a lot of time out in the cold, we went to a lovely little hot spring on the way to the hotel, and then checked in. The hotel itself was average, and all the eateries nearby were booked out, unfortunately. We had to make do with some 'ramen' noodles, which we can get anywhere in Japan.



Day 4

Sapporo --> Asahikawa



This was a special day. We went to this place called Biei - a little bit off the beaten track, but made famous mainly due to social media influencers. There were basically two things we wanted to see there - the 'Lone Christmas Tree' (self-descriptive I suppose!) and the 'Blue Pond' in which the water turns into multiple shades of exotic blue as the day progresses.



The tree was nice, and we took the mandatory photographs from the nearby street, as the tree itself is located on a private property. Blue Pond was unfortunately covered in snow, and all we saw was a single shade of white, and no hint of blue. I guess at this rate we have to re-do the whole trip in summer!













The surprise find of this day was the nearby Shirogane Onsen (onsen - natural hot spring) nearby, which we loved dipping in. Also, there was this waterfall nearby called Shirahige Taki, where the snow looked like a white beard. That kind of compensated for not being able to see the blue pond. Without any exaggeration, I have never seen a more beautiful waterfall ever before!





We had a lot planned for the day. The final destination was called 'Ningle Terrace' - an hour's drive away, and it was already dark, as the sun sets around 4:30 p.m. in winter. But we decided to try it out anyway. It was like a hobbit land, with little souvenir shops, and brilliant winter lighting all around. But we were a bit late, and most of the shops had already closed.



Nevertheless, the dinner that night was mouth-watering crab in a hot pot, and some very yummy wagyu beef. Satisfied, we went to bed, as the next day's drive was going to be long.







We visited Lake Toya, which was surprisingly still in liquid form. It was pretty huge, and there were cute little ducks swimming around, although the banks were fully covered in snow. The kids had a gala time playing in the snow.After enjoying the serenity of the place for an hour or so (and having decided to return in summer), we left to our next destination - Makomanai Takino Cemetery (yes, you read that right).As the cemetery closes by 4 p.m., we had to make a dash in the snow to be there at least by 3 p.m.Driving in the snow was tough on day 1, but as I got used to how the car behaved in the snow, it gave me more confidence after each day. Although my wife usually drives some of the distance during our road trips, she had no experience driving in snow, and did not want to take a chance. I was only too happy to play Tokyo drift all by myself.Makomanai Takino was on a totally different level that we had anticipated. The Moai statues, and the stone henges, along with the Buddha statues were breath-taking. Also the place is covered in flower fields during summer. That means we have to go back there as well in summer. Ugh!As we spent a lot of time out in the cold, we went to a lovely little hot spring on the way to the hotel, and then checked in. The hotel itself was average, and all the eateries nearby were booked out, unfortunately. We had to make do with some 'ramen' noodles, which we can get anywhere in Japan.This was a special day. We went to this place called Biei - a little bit off the beaten track, but made famous mainly due to social media influencers. There were basically two things we wanted to see there - the 'Lone Christmas Tree' (self-descriptive I suppose!) and the 'Blue Pond' in which the water turns into multiple shades of exotic blue as the day progresses.The tree was nice, and we took the mandatory photographs from the nearby street, as the tree itself is located on a private property. Blue Pond was unfortunately covered in snow, and all we saw was a single shade of white, and no hint of blue. I guess at this rate we have to re-do the whole trip in summer!The surprise find of this day was the nearby Shirogane Onsen (onsen - natural hot spring) nearby, which we loved dipping in. Also, there was this waterfall nearby called Shirahige Taki, where the snow looked like a white beard. That kind of compensated for not being able to see the blue pond. Without any exaggeration, I have never seen a more beautiful waterfall ever before!We had a lot planned for the day. The final destination was called 'Ningle Terrace' - an hour's drive away, and it was already dark, as the sun sets around 4:30 p.m. in winter. But we decided to try it out anyway. It was like a hobbit land, with little souvenir shops, and brilliant winter lighting all around. But we were a bit late, and most of the shops had already closed.Nevertheless, the dinner that night was mouth-watering crab in a hot pot, and some very yummy wagyu beef. Satisfied, we went to bed, as the next day's drive was going to be long. Last edited by Viju : 14th January 2022 at 01:18 .
In brief: Google Android TV is featured in smart TVs manufactured by many of the biggest OEMs in the industry. However, Google TV, the Google-developed launcher that sits on top of the OS, isn't as famous. Google plans to improve that in 2022, bringing new features and improving content providers' apps.

Director of Product Management Rob Caruso outlined some of what we can expect from the Google TV user interface in 2022. He didn't make any firm early announcements, opting to provide a general guideline of Google's research instead.

Some of the new features could be related to fitness, offering integrations with Google fitness services (Google Fit, Fitbit) and third-party services. Caruso also mentioned improved integration with smart home controls, similar to the new features found on Android devices. Additionally, Google TV users can also expect more communication apps such as Zoom and more free live TV channels, allowing users to watch content even if they don't have an active subscription with a content provider.

Besides betting on new features, Google also wants to improve existing content providers' apps, including Netflix, which still doesn't allow users to add movies and shows to Google TV's watchlist. Caruso promised that "things will get better," but we'll have to wait and see how things unfold.

Caruso expects the new features and improvements on content providers' apps to increase Google TV's adoption. At the moment, Google has 250 device partners worldwide, from which seven are some of the biggest TV OEMs in the industry. However, most of these use the old Android TV or custom versions.

"Over time, our bet and desire is that the Google TV experience will be the preferred choice for us and our partners that we deploy, but Android TV is still out there and it is still being deployed, and it's obviously still supported," said Caruso.

Considering the 110 million monthly active Android TVs worldwide, TCL is likely the OEM selling the most Google TVs. At CES 2022, the TV manufacturer claims it sells about 10 million Android and Google TVs per year. That's almost 10 percent of the whole Android TV market. During CES, the company also announced its new $10,000 8K Google TV.
Recap: Block CEO Jack Dorsey back in October teased the company's interest in building custom silicon to mine Bitcoin. He presented a laundry list of concerns that need to be addressed including making mining more decentralized, efficient and accessible as well as expanding silicon development beyond the handful of companies that currently specialize in this area.

Block has confirmed plans to move forward with the project. Thomas Templeton, Block's general manager for hardware, reiterated the importance of making mining more distributed and efficient seeing as it goes far beyond the creation of new coins.

Block's team spoke with members of the mining community and found that for most, mining rigs are expensive and delivery can be unpredictable. Reliability is also an issue as things like heat dissipation and dust build up can contribute to frequent crashes that require reboots. "We want to build something that just works," Templeton said.

Unsurprisingly, Templeton found that miners universally want lower power consumption and higher hash rates. Finding the right balance of performance versus power usage and noise generation will be very important.

Block is also mulling over which tech to adopt and which industry partners to team with.

To help get the ball rolling, Block is building a core engineering team consisting of system, ASIC and software designers that'll be led by Afshin Rezayee. The engineer graduated from the University of Toronto with a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2002 and has been with Block for nearly seven years as the lead of their Canadian hardware group.

Image credit: Michael Fortsch
What just happened? Russia's FSB has arrested members of REvil, a ransomware group responsible for many cyberattacks across the US last year, including the Kaseya attack. Amid the arrest, the FSB seized millions of dollars in cash and assets.

According to machine translation of the FSB's announcement, the Russian agency raided 25 addresses belonging to 14 people. During the raids it sized around 426 million rubles (about $5.6 million), $600,000 USD, 500,000 Euros, computers, crypto wallets, and 20 cars. The FSB charged the suspects with "illegal circulation of means of payment."

The raids took place at the request of US authorities after they reported on a member of the group. That part of the FSB's announcement may be a reference to Operation GoldDust, in which Romanian police arrested two people linked to REvil last November. In October, German authorities claimed to have identified a REvil member vacationing in the Mediterranean.

Below is a video of the FSB's REvil raids pic.twitter.com/Oh7Ef2GpQO --- Catalin Cimpanu (@campuscodi) January 14, 2022

Last summer, REvil's ransomware software was responsible for the cyberattack on business platform Kaseya, which affected hundreds of US businesses. Soon after, President Joe Biden made clear he wanted the Russian government to act on the activities of gangs like REvil that operate from inside Russia. The country has been accused of turning a blind eye to the gangs' actions as long as they don't attack anyone inside Russia.

A US official told The Washington Post one person the FSB arrested was involved in the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack, which was claimed by another ransomware group - DarkSide. It's possible the individual worked for both DarkSide and REvil.

The FSB's announcement comes around the same time that Ukranian government servers were attacked. No one has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack, but it occurred amidst fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, which the Ukranian government suspects would begin with cyberattacks on the country's infrastructure. Over 100,000 Russian troops are currently massed near the Ukranian border.
Several health experts called Spotify to establish a firm policy that will prevent COVID-19 misinformation from spreading all over the platform. Amid the pandemic, coronavirus cases continue to surge together with the increasing number of false claims about vaccines, medicines, and more.

To address this concern, doctors, nurses, educators, and scientists wrote a letter to the Swedish music streaming giant to fulfill its responsibility in removing wrong information about the healthcare crisis.

The Joe Rogan Spotify Podcast

Just a short throwback to April 2021, Tech Times reported that comedian Joe Rogan shared his opinion about vaccination on his Spotify podcast. During the discussion, he said that "healthy" young persons should not be forced to be vaccinated. According to him, the most vulnerable individuals should be the only ones who should get a shot.

After the brief talk about getting the COVID-19 vaccination, several critics hit Rogan about his point of view. Some comments said that people should get their advice on vaccinations from CDC and not from Rogan.

Rogan's anti-vax promotion has reached Media Matters, an information watchdog that corrects COVID-19 conspiracy theories and other erroneous details about vaccines and medicines.

Related Article: YouTube Cracks Down on COVID-19 Misinformation Deleting Over 1 Million 'Dangerous' Videos

Robert Malone's False Claims About COVID-19

Just last December 31, Rogan engaged with Dr. Robert Malone on his podcast regarding coronavirus. Engadget reported that the latter said that he was one of the virologists behind mRNA technology.

During the podcast, Malone has reportedly spoken about "mass formation psychosis" which led people to believe in the effectiveness of the vaccines. He also created false claims about the use of ivermectin as a legit COVID-19 solution.

After that, several platforms including Twitter and YouTube banned the viral clip about Malon's false claims. The social media firm banned him after he violated the COVID-19 misinformation policy.

Spotify Needs COVID-19 Misinformation Policy

Another report from Rolling Stone said that medical professionals wrote a letter to Spotify to create an official misinformation policy that other platforms have.

Instead of addressing concerns by informing Rogan or deleting the podcast episode, the music streaming giant should have a set of rules that will put content creators accountable for the spread of false COVID-19 information.

In an interview with Axios, Spotify boss Daniel Ek said that the company has no "editorial responsibility" over podcasts.

"We have a lot of really well-paid rappers on Spotify too, that make tens of millions of dollars, if not more, each year from Spotify. And we don't dictate what they're putting in their songs, either," he said.

How Social Media Platforms Address COVID Misinformation

When the pandemic began in March 2020, Twitter was able to act quickly to mitigate the spread of wrong coronavirus information.

At that time, the social media giant said that all tweets which discuss "unverified claims" about COVID-19 will be removed.

The solution was rather different with Reddit. Tech Times wrote that the platform refused to ban communities that allow COVID-19 misinformation. It immediately drew flak from other Redditors back in September.

Read Also: Facebook Combats Misinformation, Removes 14 Million Deceptive COVID-19 Related Posts in 2020



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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 Cape Canaveral landing might create some sonic boom sounds as it travels faster than the speed of sound to the Space Force Station.

Before the landing of the first stage of the Falcon 9, SpaceX is launching the Transporter-3 Mission in Florida.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 Cape Canaveral Landing

As per the news story by Florida Today, the space exploration firm of billionaire Elon Musk is launching its Transporter-3 mission, wherein the Falcon 9 rocket is landing in the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The Falcon rocket is landing 10 minutes after the lift-off of the booster, which, in turn, could produce a loud sonic boom as it rapidly goes to Landing Zone 1.

Florida Today added in the same report that sonic boom sounds are nothing new with Falcon landings. In fact, the loud window-rattling noise previously even reached as far as Tampa, Florida.

This time around, though, according to the report by CBS 12 News, officials are warning that residents of Florida could hear multiple sonic booms due to the landing of the Falcon 9 rocket.

The loud noise could likely reach various counties in Florida, such as Indian River, St. Lucie, Polk, Volusia, Brevard, Range, Osceola, Okeechobee Country, and Brevard.

Some experts have previously issued a warning that sonic booms are loud enough to shock those who will hear them. However, it is to note that it is relatively safe, and it could rarely leave any damage, to begin with.

Read Also: SpaceX Starship: Elon Musk Releases Drone Shot of Launch and Catch Tower; Launch Coming this Month?

SpaceX Transporter-3 Mission

According to the website of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch of the Transporter-3 mission will be flying various commercial and government-owned nanosatellites and microsatellites.

The Falcon 9 is specifically bringing these small satellites to orbit, marking the third Transporter or rideshare mission of SpaceX.

As per the report by Teslarati, the Transporter-3 mission is the second orbital launch for 2022. It comes a week after the first Falcon 9 launch for the new year.

On top of that, the Transporter-3 also marks another first for the SpaceX Falcon 9. It is the first time that the rocket is doing another "land landing" after over six months.

Teslarati further said in the same report that SpaceX is planning to carry out a total of four rideshare launches for this year.

The first 2022 liftoff of the SpaceX rocket also launched in its facilities in Florida, wherein it housed 49 new Starlink internet satellites.

Related Article: SpaceX Starships Featured on Katy Perry, Alesso Music Video | Boston Dynamics Robot Seen?

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that he will be speaking for the upcoming product roadmap update that will take place on Jan. 26. According to the tech billionaire, more information will be revealed in the 2021 Q4 earnings call.

Here's what to expect for the next earnings report including updates about Cyber Truck and Semi.

Tesla Product Roadmap Update

According to a report by Electrek, the EV maker will discuss a summary of the Q4 earnings along with the annual update last year. Tesla will be hosting a Q&A webcast on the said date at around 4:30 PM to tackle more about the company's plans for business and products.

This time, Elon Musk is expected to lead the conference after he failed to attend last year's meeting. In the same report, the business tycoon said in December that he will be speaking about the product roadmap update for the next call.

Related Article: Tesla 'Holiday' Software Update Shows TikTok Integration with Theater, Waypoints, UI, and More: Release Notes

Where is Tesla Cybertruck Listing?

Recently, Tech Times reported that the online listing for Tesla Cybertruck disappeared on its website. The removed information on the page included all the specs and prices for the electric pickup truck.

With that, we expect Musk to answer questions about why the company decided to remove all of the details about it, including its production state which was initially mentioned to begin in late 2022.

The Tesla boss will update the customers and investors about the new upgrades and changes for the EV. In addition, Musk previously stated that it would sport a new top trim together with its quad-motor version. However, he did not mention the exact pricing for this vehicle.

Originally, the tri-motor edition was incorporated into the previous Cybertruck top trim. This version features more than 500 miles of range. It costs $69,900.

Could We See the Tesla Semi This Time?

Speaking of the road map, some people believe that Tesla will provide details about the Tesla Semi. The company investors anticipate that Musk will give updates for the timing and production specs for its volume production that will be staged at Gigafactory Austin.

Furthermore, the shareholders expect that they will hear a word about the Tesla Model Y production in Austin and Berlin.

In another report from The Verge, the California Department of Motor Vehicles is reportedly weighing the situation if it will allow Tesla's FSD beta to operate amid complaints about its safety.

According to the report, several groups voiced their concerns about the launch of the Level 2 driving feature in the public. However, some are still skeptical if autonomous driving will not cause harm to the drivers.

Still, the agency will revisit the options if it permits the automaker to use its technology despite being scrutinized because of its potential road dangers.

Tesla Hacking Incident by a Teen

Meanwhile, Tech Times tackled on its latest report that a teen is set to face interrogations after it allegedly spied the owners through the app's vulnerabilities.

So far, we only knew that Tyler Corsair, a fact-checker revealed the identity of the German youngster, David Colombo. The teenager was suspected to use an unidentified app to carry out his Tesla hacking scheme.

Read Also: Elon Musk Congratulates Tesla for Q4's 300k Production, Deliveries of EVs; 2022 Plans?



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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Rug pulls are almost everywhere, and opportunists take their time to attack investors off-guard amid the popularity of blockchain.

The rise of cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens has paved the way for people to have another outlet for income at the cost of high risk.

Over the past year, the case of rug pulls has been increasing in numbers. Despite many warnings about these cases, many users are still unaware of its signs.

In this article, we will discuss the first NFT rug pull that took place in 2022. Also, we will know later how you can avoid falling on this scam, so here we are.

What is Rug Pull?

According to Coinmarketcap, a rug pull is a common maneuver that developers do if they want to run away with high profit. Usually, the incidents take place in the crypto and NFT industries.

When a P2E (play-to-earn) game creator abandons a high-earning game without any notice, that is considered a rug pull. When this happens, the investor will be left with no funds to retrieve.

Normally, these developers target Defi (decentralized finance) investors. If you observe that a new token is created and immediately listed on a particular exchange, do not jump quickly to invest in it. Some experts say, DYOR first before putting your money into the token.

In 2021 alone, Financial Post reported that rug-pull scams stole $2.8 billion worth of crypto assets which accounted for 36% of total tokens from victims all around the world.

Regarding the biggest rug pulls, the worst one to happen involves Turkey-based exchange Thodex.

At that time, the site founder quickly withdrew all of the funds from millions of users, amounting to $2.6 billion. This is also where the $58 million Anubis DAO was stolen.

Last year, the most controversial rug pull was connected to the popular Netflix series "Squid Game." A SQUID coin reportedly appeared and hit an all-time high price of $2,861 in November.

However, the profit for the investors was rather short-lived after the developers took away a fund worth $3.38 million.

Related Article: Rug Pull NFT Games | How to Avoid Being Scammed and Go for Legitimate Games Like 'Axie Infinity,' 'Splinterlands,' and More

First Big NFT Rug Pull of 2022

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, NFT-based project Frosties suffered from a rug-pull attack after seeing that its 8,888 NFTs suddenly plunged to nearly zero in value, Livemint reported. The team has already raked $1.3 million, but that did not end there.

What turned out to be an earning has instead transformed into huge losses for investors when Frosties creators found out something wrong earlier this week.

Of course, the users were quick to react that the Twitter and Discord account and even Frosties' website had disappeared instantly. They found out that the unknown intruder had withdrawn $1.1 million (ETH) and $4,000 worth of Ether tokens for the past two days.

How to Detect if the NFT Investment is Rug-Pull or Not

Smart investors often put their money into popular NFT projects that are trusted by the public. For instance, many buy digital arts from Cryptopunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club because these communities are already known for their legit creations.

However, whether it is a reputable or a newcomer project, every user should know the clear signs of this scam. Here's what you need to check before investing in an NFT project, according to Forkast.

The project came out overnight.

The project developers are anonymous

Low liquidity rate

Unlocked liquidity

Uneven distribution of the token

Low "total value locked"

Lack of social media engagement and suspicious website

Absence of audits

For anti-rug pull apps, take a look at these four tools:

Token Sniffer

Rug Doctor

Binance Smart Chain Explorer

Etherscan

On top of these scams, the fake NFT wallets are also everywhere, like in the case of "Axie Infinity" that's why devs warned users about their presence, per Tech Times.

To safeguard artists' NFTs, Adobe launched "content credentials" on its Photoshop app. This would prevent copyright strikes from occurring, which later become a way for some people to steal someone's work.

Read Also: Crypto Scam Victims Should NOT Expect Government Compensation: FCA Chief

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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Apple has slightly changed some words from its previous notice about the iCloud Private Relay error. The old message said that mobile carriers should be "solely" blamed.

According to the latest report, the Cupertino tech giant has updated the notice for all users. It said that the carriers should not always be blamed for the problem.

iCloud Private Relay Original Notice

The Verge wrote in its report that the iPhone maker changed its tune when it announced that the issue with the cell carrier could be solved. Here's what it says for those who did not see the old message about the iCloud Private Relay error.

"Private Relay is turned off for your cellular plan. Your cellular plan doesn't support iCloud Private Relay. With iCloud Private Relay turned off, this network can monitor your internet activity, and your IP address is not hidden from known trackers or websites."

Earlier this week, the notice caught the attention of iOS 15.3 beta users who were still experiencing some issues with it. Wireless network operator T-Mobile said that the issue might be happening due to the latest iOS 15.2 update, which accidentally toggled off the feature.

In defense, Apple explained that no changes took place to iCloud Private Relay upon the iOS 15.2 update, per the company's spokesperson.

Previously, T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T were blamed for the issue since they have allegedly disabled it from the networks. It turned out that it was not the real case. In fact, the problem only occurred by accident.

Related Article: Apple iCloud Private Relay to Release as Beta Feature when iOS 15, iPadOS Releases This Fall-Why?

Private Relay Notice With iOS 15.3 Beta

In another article written by Engadget, the problem fix might be as simple as tweaking some settings to return to the default one. Apple now released the updated notice in line with the iOS 15.3 beta.

"Private Relay is turned off for your cellular plan. Private Relay is either not supported by your cellular plan or has been turned off in Cellular Settings. With Private Relay turned off, this network can monitor your internet activity, and your IP address is not hidden from known trackers or websites."

In September 2021, Tech Times reported that a security flaw that hit Cloud Private Relay had been reported leaked users' IP addresses. Instead of stopping third-party trackers, it did the opposite, as the research said.

Apple Unveils Possible Fix

From the official support page of the iPad maker, the fix for the Private Relay error was rather simple. If the feature has been switched off through the cellular data, the customers should do the following steps.

Go to the network's settings. Turn on "Limit IP Address Tracking."

If they are experiencing problems with their WiFi, they can do the same thing by going to the WiFi settings.

Elsewhere, Tech Times taught the readers last October 2021 how to set up the iCloud + Private Relay on their Mac devices. The article also noted the difference between Apple's feature and VPN.

Read Also: Apple iOS 15.2.1 Update: Should You Upgrade iPhone, iPad Now or Wait for iOS 15.3?

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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
"PUBG: Mobile" clearly has a lot of shooting game competitors. Since it is so popular, some titles are seemingly copying the graphics, maps, and other Krafton's mobile action game features.

Now, Krafton decided to attack one of the titles similar to "PUBG: Mobile." The South Korean game publisher confirmed that it filed a lawsuit against Garena because its "Free Fire" allegedly conducts copyright infringement.

Based on the allegations made by Krafton against its giant competitor, Garena copies many aspects of "PUBG: Mobile," integrating them into "Free Fire."

These include weapon selections, game structure, gameplay, maps, and other in-game content.

'PUBG: Mobile' Vs. 'Free Fire'

According to Tech Crunch's latest report, Garena launched "Free Fire" just a few months after "PUBG: Mobile" was released back in 2017.

Also Read: 'Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection' for Nintendo Switch is Coming: Release Date and Everything You Need to Know

On the other hand, Google and Apple started selling the new shooting title to mobile players. The original name of Garena's title is quite similar to Krafton's. However, "Free Fire: Battlegrounds" was later changed to "Free Fire."

Because Google and Apple were also involved, Krafton decided to include them in the lawsuit. The giant South Korean game maker also announced that YouTube played a role in the copyright infringement found in "Free Fire."

Krafton said that YT should be included in the lawsuit because it hosted some videos showing gameplays of "Free Fire" and "Free Fire MAX."

Major Similarities of the Two Games

Sportskeeda provided some of the major similarities of "PUBG: Mobile" and "Free Fire." One of these is the so-called "Time Zone." Players need to fight their enemies in both titles while surviving the shrinking "Zone."

If they are outside the area's diameter, their health bar will decrease, depending on the size of the Zone. Aside from this, the reward system, weapons, and generals in-game rules of "Free Fire" are quite the same as those offered in "PUBG: Mobile."

In other news, Twitter released the most-talked-about video games on its platform. Meanwhile, "PUBG: Battlegrounds" free-to-play update recently offered exciting rewards.

For more news updates about "PUBG: Mobile" and other popular shooting games, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: 'Fortnite' Leaks Green Goblin, Mary Jane Coming to Battle Royale for Spider-Man; But there's a Catch

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Written by: Griffin Davis

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
President Joe Biden's rule requiring all workers at massive companies to get vaccinated and get tested weekly was blocked by the US Supreme Court.

The justices stated that the vaccine mandate exceeded the authority of the Biden administration.

COVID Vaccine Mandate Blocked

The justices of the Supreme Court rules that a limited vaccine mandate could stand for staff at healthcare facilities that are government-funded, according to The Washington Post.

The Biden administration said that the mandates would help the country fight the pandemic. President Biden, whose approval rate has been on a downward spiral, expressed his disappointment with the court's decision to block "common-sense life-saving requirements" for employees.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump celebrated the decision and said that vaccine mandates would have destroyed the American economy.

Also Read: Google Leaked Memo: Employees to Lose Pay, Get Fired for Failing to Follow COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

The workplace vaccine mandate of the Biden administration would have required all workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine, or wear a mask and get tested weekly at their own spending, according to Gizmodo.

The mandate would have applied to companies with 100 employees and above and it would affect 84 million workers in the country. It was created to be enforced by employers.

Opponents, like several Republican politicians and some businesses, said that the Biden administration was over-stepping its power with the mandate, which were announced back in November and immediately drew challenges.

In the end, President Biden's vaccine mandates stood or fell based on the interpretations of the federal statute, and not due to the principles of liberty or the appeals to the public.

Split Decision

According to a majority of the Supreme Court, President Biden had the US law on his side when he ordered all healthcare workers to get COVID-19 shots, but using a workplace safety statute to push a vaccine mandate on the employers was "a bridge too far."

Last year, hundreds of employees protested the Biden administration's vaccine mandate.

The United Airlines had even dismissed 593 employees for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Again, the current balance of the Supreme Court comes into relief, with four Republican justices, three Democrats, and two who are at the ideological fulcrum.

The mixed judicial bag is the latest setback for a COVID-response plan that usually has seemed a step behind the latest update in the pandemic.

The Biden administration was very slow to encourage booster shots and caught off guard by the surge in Omicron cases, according to ABC News.

Now, President Biden will have to convince the Congress to act on mandates or he needs to figure out ways to lead the country out of the pandemic that has affected it for two years now.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court justices agreed with the argument, saying that the workplace safety rule for employers was too broad to fall under the authority of the Department of Labor's Occupational Health and Safety Administration or DLOHSA to regulate the safety in the workplace.

The court's majority wrote that the virus can and does spread at public places, including events, schools, and even at home, basically everywhere where people can gather and that risk is no different from the daily dangers that people face from air pollution, crime, or any other disease.

The court added that the virus is no exercise of federal power, it is just a significant encroachment on the lives and the health of a vast number of employees.

The more limited rule about more than 10 million staff at healthcare facilities that got government funding did not pose the same concern, as the Supreme Court decided by 5-4.

Related Article: Apple Asks Employees for 'Voluntary' Vaccination Status Report | No Mandate Given

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Crypto firms have started to bombard people from London with a record number of ads on public transportations during 2021. This fueled calls for a ban to prevent alluring people into what was described as "risky investments."

Surge in Crypto Ads Causes Major Concerns as Calls to Ban Gambling and Crypto Ads Rise

According to the story by The Guardian, the surge in crypto ads, which remain unregulated in the United Kingdom, has caused concerns regarding the risk of addiction and financial harm. To add, this is particularly given by the wide volatility in the price of certain digital currencies like Bitcoin, as it reached a record high before crashing.

The Transport for London has also not implemented any ban on gaming ads as promised by the mayor, which allowed the industry to step up its marketing activity in the meantime. To add, the Guardian obtained records from the Freedom of Information Act showing TfL services displaying 39,560 crypto ads from 13 different firms in the span of six months from April to September in 2021.

eToro, Floki, Crypto.com, and Luno Money Among Ads Shown on London Transportation Systems

Advertisers include eToro, Floki, Crypto.com, and Luno Money, with its campaign telling people it was "time to buy" bitcoin banned by ad regulators for being "irresponsible." With that, in 2019, the only ad offering crypto services on TfL trains and buses was eToro which paid for five digital displays as well as 40 "supersides."

Despite many people working from home in 2020, the total volume of crypto ads has increased, with certain companies like Luno Money and Coinfloor buying a massive 1,595 ads between them both.

39,560 Crypto Ads were Shown in the Span of Six Months

Before the most recent surge, 2018 was previously the "busiest year" for crypto ads on TfL as per the data collected in 2017. During that time, 15,000 ads appeared in 12 months compared to the 39,560 ads for 2021 in the span of just six months.

The ads in 2021 included promotions for firms like Kraken, Hex, BOTS, and Puglife. Overall, about $1.1 million was spent by crypto companies on TfL tube and train ads ever since 2018 without including spending data for buses.

Read Also: Ethereum Average Transaction Fees at $46.22 with AVAX Fees at Just $0.000004

Mayor Urged to Ban Gambling and Crypto Ads

The Green party's former co-leader, Sian Berry, urged the mayor to move forward with the ban on gambling and extend it to crypto ads. She noted that investment bubbles have always worked by dragging in even more "inexperienced suckers" towards a cycle's end.

She noted that the risk is that they are drawing people more likely to lose their money which is considered "equivalent to gambling." She also shared that she thinks those types of promotions should be banned by Transport for London.

Related Article: Tesla Clarifies Sent Crypto Aside From Dogecoin Will Not Be Returned--Only DOGE Accepted

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Russian government has successfully seized the suspects behind the notorious REvil ransomware gang on Friday, Jan. 14, upon the request from the US authorities.

The country's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced during the press release that it shut down the hackers' operation after chasing the culprits in 25 different addresses across Moscow.

FSB Detains REvil Hackers

The recent raid that Russia's security team launched has resulted in the arrest of 14 suspected hackers that operate under REvil.

According to TechCrunch, the pursuit involved chasing the suspects at 25 addresses in several places in the country.

The same group which attacked Kaseya, Colonial Pipeline, and JBS Foods had previously exploited other firms from different parts of the world.

Moreover, Tech Times reported months ago that the notorious crew disappeared without a single trace back in July. At that time, experts believed that there was a reason why the group decided to remain silent temporarily.

One possible reason behind this is the lack of members. Some of them could have decided to retire since they already earned a lot of money from their ransomware schemes.

The decision to seize the hacking group was made possible through the request of the US authorities, the agency announced in a statement.

The group is popular due to its established tactics of injecting malware into the companies' systems and spreading exploits across their networks. However, the authorities identified that besides these activities, REVil participated in bank heists which usually target foreigners.

Related Article: Zero-Day Attack: REvil Ransomware Gang Seeks $70 Million to Decrypt Encryption Following Kaseya Hack [UPDATE]

Illegal Circulation of Means of Payment

The government has not yet released the names of every REvil member. They will be charged for their involvement in the "illegal circulation of means of payment," which falls under Russian law.

"As a result of joint actions of the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the organized criminal community ceased to exist, the information infrastructure used for criminal purposes was neutralized," the security department said.

Furthermore, the Russian authorities were able to retrieve the following during the search activity, Bleeping Computer wrote.

more than 426 million rubles (approximately $5,5 million)

600 thousand US dollars

500 thousand euros (approximately $570,000)

20 luxury cars

computers

crypto wallets

REvil Decryption Tool For the Ransomware Victims

In September 2021, Tech Times wrote that BitDefender developed a decryption software for REvil malware victims. The good news for them is it is free of charge.

The cybersecurity company said that it was made possible with the help of an anonymous law enforcement body. Despite releasing an anti-malware tool, BitDefenders still warned the people that any time, the group might strike them again.

Just on Friday, Jan. 14, Ukraine suffered from a massive cyberattack after the unknown hackers shut down the government websites across the country, per The New York Times.

According to FSB, REvil has a long-time record of hacking several establishments in Ukraine. Despite this possibility, the authorities said it was too early to conclude that they were responsible for the latest incident.

Read Also: Cryptocurrency Crime Impact Expected To Fall Even Further This Year--Report

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Madisonville, KY (42431)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 77F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 52F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Louisiana ranks as one of the worst states of the country when it comes to meeting the needs of essential caregivers, with the nation's lowest average hourly pay of $10.60, a recent study showed.

Louisiana has one of the lowest projected 2028 job totals in the United States, too, at 10,500, as ongoing staff shortages in caregiving continue, forcing families across the state to find alternative assistance options.

Steadily growing demand, consistently low pay, and inadequate supply numbers have created the current caregiver shortage occurring across the country, wrote Sean Marchese, a registered nurse and a medical writer who authored the Asbestos report. A multitude of factors have led us to this point.

+6 13 nurses sued Louisiana ICE facility saying mold made them sick; judge throws out 12 of the claims Three years ago, 13 nurses who worked at the LaSalle Detention Facility in Jena, filed a lawsuit against GEO Group, the private company that r

COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on nursing home residents and staff. Lost on the Frontline, an April 2021 collaborative project by Kaiser Health News and The Guardian, found 3,607 U.S. healthcare worker certified deaths since the pandemic began. Of those, 77 were in Louisiana.

Low pay for caregivers and the increasing number of people in need of long-term care, is strangling communities across the country, including Louisiana, the study found. Families are forced to pay more money for fewer services, while caregivers are paid less to serve a larger population.

And as The Advocate | The Times-Picayune has reported, caregivers sometimes have to work in squalid environments. In 2021, at least 15 nursing home residents died among 843 who were evacuated to a filthy warehouse because of Hurricane Ida. They came from facilities owned by Baton Rouge nursing home magnate Bob Dean. The Louisiana Department of Health has shuttered seven homes owned by Dean and revoked Deans Medicaid provider agreements. Dean has appealed.

Nursing home owner Bob Dean under investigation in Oregon over potential animal neglect In Louisiana, Bob Dean achieved the sort of infamy no one wants after Hurricane Ida, when he ordered hundreds of nursing home residents evacua

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A 2020 Genworth survey found that in-home care costs an average of $36,608 to $38,324 per person for home-care. Adult day health care costs an average of $13,000, and the cost for an assisted living facility can be more than $46,200 a year, according to the survey. A private room in a nursing home facility is far more expensive than any other solution, an average cost of $70,565 per person.

In 2019, the median household income for Lafayette Parish was $51,264.

With 61% of family caregivers also working, the juggling required to manage a loved ones care takes a lot of energy and focus. Of those surveyed, 26% report having difficulty coordinating care in an effort to ease their burden, Marchese said in the Asbestos study, noting that one in five Americans had to provide care to an adult or child with special needs by themselves without being paid.

Every day for the next nine years, 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65, and seven out of 10 people will require long-term care in their lifetime, a trend that Marchese in the report called The Silver Tsunami.

Acadiana experiencing blood shortages amid Omicron variant, following national trends Lafayette Parish and surrounding areas are experiencing blood shortages at alarming levels amid the Omicron variant surge of COVID-19, followi

This demographic group grew rapidly, exploding from 41 million people in 2011 to 71 million in 2019, he said. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates this number will keep rising, projecting it will reach 82 million by 2030. Therefore, by then, the demand for home health care is anticipated to grow by 46% with more than 1 million new home care jobs needing to be filled.

In his report, Marchese showed that a total of 57,050 people are currently employed as a caregiver in Louisiana. The job growth is at 8%, one of the worst in the country. In comparison, bordering Texas attested a 35% job growth with a projected 667,000 number of available jobs by 2028.
State and federal officials said Friday Louisiana will be getting its first installment of about $1 billion for bridge repairs, part of the $1 trillion infrastructure measure approved by Congress last year.

This years allocation is $202.6 million and will include work in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas.

Louisiana has the third-largest bridge infrastructure in the nation. The state owns 7,846 bridges, with 795 needing major repairs or replacement. Another 4,736 are locally owned, with 793 in need of upgrades or replacement.

"Bridge closures or weight restrictions severely hinder our agriculture, manufacturing and service industries as well as public transit, commuter travel and school bus routes," Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a statement. "Limiting closures will provide a better overall quality of life to our residents, motorists and businesses."

Louisiana Republicans reject infrastructure bill negotiated by GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy that passed Congress Louisianas Republican delegation in the U.S. House voted against the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that was negotiated by Republican U.S.

The law, a key priority of President Joe Biden, is called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The $1 billion for bridges will be allocated over five years. Up to 400 bridges are targeted for repairs.

"This new federal investment comes at the right time as many of our bridges, including those on the interstate system, are 45 to 65 years old," said Shawn Wilson, secretary for the state Department of Transportation and Development.

"The number of bridges falling into poor condition is expected to increase greatly in the coming years and this funding will allow us to make necessary improvements before these bridges deteriorate to the point of closure," Wilson said. "Having shared bridge closures with the public for some time, no parish is exempt and problems exist on state and local bridges alike."

The state has a backlog of about $14 billion for road and bridge projects, and the price is even more to finance mega projects.

Among projects that will move forward this year because of the federal aid are repairs on the U.S. Hwy. 61/Airline Highway and Jefferson Highway overpass in Baton Rouge.

Others include upgrades to the Harvey Canal Tunnel on U.S. 90 in Jefferson Parish and the Intracoastal Waterway Gulf Outlet Bridge rehabilitation project on La. 47 in Orleans Parish.

+2 Biden hails infrastructure win as 'monumental step forward' WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Saturday hailed Congress' passage of his $1 trillion infrastructure package as a monumental step forward 

Second District U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, the lone Democrat in the state's congressional delegation, said as a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure he was involved in crafting the legislation.

"Repairing our bridges will make our community safer, create jobs in our local economy, allow commerce to move more efficiently and help us stay connected," Carter said in a statement.

His office noted that the law includes separate funds for larger bridges through a competitive grant program.

Details on that aid will be announced later.

U. S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, the lone Republican in the delegation to back the bill, said in a statement the aid means "a bridge is coming to a river near you."

"Our bridges have been in desperate need of repair for decades," Cassidy said. "Today we take a giant step to secure the future of Louisiana infrastructure."

A total of $26.5 billion is being allocated nationwide for bridge upgrades.

The Biden administration said Friday the bridge money is the largest such spending since the nation's interstate was built in the 1950s.
In his latest bid to attract new students, Superintendent Sito Narcisse is proposing to convert two Baton Rouge elementary campuses into health care and environmental education programs backed, respectively, by Baton Rouge General Medical Center and LSU.

The School Board on Thursday gave preliminary approval to both proposals, which would transform Park Elementary as well as the former Polk Elementary. A final vote is set for Jan. 20.

Park Elementary would shift from a traditional elementary school, stopping at fifth grade, and add a middle school. It would be redubbed, Park Elementary Medical Academy.

The former Polk Elementary would become a sixth-through-12th-grade school. It would be renamed the Eva Legarde Research Center for Coastal Studies and Environmental Studies. The former Polk campus was renamed in honor of Legarde, a former School Board member. The proposed new school would be the first Baton Rouge public school named after an African American.

Baton Rouge's Polk Elementary likely to be renamed after first black woman to serve on School Board James K. Polk step aside. Eva Legard is taking over.

Both programs would start in August. Park would add a sixth-grade class and the Eva Legarde school would start with just a sixth grade. Both would expand over time, with Park finishing with an eighth grade in 2024 and Eva Legarde reaching 12th grade by 2028.

The vote Thursday for both items was a unanimous 8-0. Only board member Dawn Collins was absent, due to a family emergency.

Since arriving in Baton Rouge, Narcisse has pressed for new programs to add high quality seats for a school system that has steadily lost students over time to private schools, charter schools and suburban public schools.

In that vein, he persuaded the School Board in November to approve a new arts-focused conservatory middle-high school at Broadmoor Middle.

Unlike the conservatory school, the two new proposed schools are not magnet schools. Instead, Narcisse is calling them Focus Choice schools. Unlike most magnet schools, Focus Choice schools dont have academic entrance requirements for all incoming students such as a minimum GPA or test score. Also, these schools work hand in hand with outside partners in job fields to help students prepare for careers in those fields.

This is a dream coming true before our very eyes, Edgardo Tenreiro, chief executive officer for Baton Rouge General, told the board.

Tenreiro said Baton Rouge General has a school of nursing that the Park Elementary program could feed into, noting theres a shortage of nurses right now.

Narcisse said hes trying to identify a high school that Park would feed into to continue the program and plans to bring a proposal on that back to the board in February.

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Theresa Porter, director of magnet programs, said that shift at Park would keep the 270 students currently at that school to stay, but they would need to maintain a 2.8 GPA in the future to remain Park students. Students who opt out would transfer to neighboring elementary schools. Meanwhile, enrollment at the new Park would be open to students across the school system, though those living within two miles of the campus at 2680 Bogan Walk would be given priority in the admissions process.

Park Elementary is a neighborhood elementary that has had an F letter grade from the state for several years. Its potentially in danger of state takeover, though, the state for the past two years have waived letter grades due to the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic.

The new Eva Legarde Research Center would be developed through a partnership with LSU and The Water Institute, a consortium that conducts research on coastal issues in Louisiana and other Gulf states.

It would have about 50 students in grades six to 12, or about 350 overall. While there would be open admissions in the early grades, eighth-graders would need a minimum 3.0 GPA to continue on into high school. In return, graduates of the school would gain automatic admission to LSU.

Narcisse said a special steering committee that has helped develop the Eva Legarde school asked for a minimum GPA for high school students.

Theres an expectation for the type of work that needs to happen to be effective in those areas, Narcisse said.

Christopher DElia, dean of LSUs college of coast and the environment, said the college has successfully partnered for years with science-minded students at Scotlandville High and he sees the new Eva Legarde school as an opportunity to expand on that.

Im looking for more of the same and better, and I just cant tell you how excited we are about this opportunity, DElia said.

The former Polk Elementary, at 408 E. Polk St. and just north of LSU, was a neighborhood school for years but was closed a few years ago due to dwindling enrollment. It was renovated in 2014.

What will Baton Rouge school board maps look like? Public gets first glimpse Thursday After months of waiting and delays, residents of East Baton Rouge Parish this week will get their first look at the first draft of required ma

In other action, the School Board voted 7-1 to finish by March 17 its work in developing new election district maps for itself. Board member Evelyn Ware-Jackson was the only No vote, urging a different timeline that would have ended on April 21.

The redistricting is necessitated by the 2020 U.S. Census. The School Board has a deadline of June 20 to submit maps to the Louisiana Secretary of States Office. Thats the latest to be in time for Nov. 8 School Board elections. Qualifying is July 20-22.

Supporters of the March 17 timeline said it would allow people interested in running for School Board more time to figure out which districts they live in and launch their campaigns, and if the board needs more time it can always delay a vote.

Opponents complained thats not enough time to keep the public informed, especially if, as some advocates seek, the School Board considers reversing a controversial 2014 decision to reduce the size of the board from 11 to its current nine members.
A Baton Rouge man accused in the 2020 slaying of a woman whose body was found amid burning brush has failed to persuade the state's top court to throw out statements he made to police and evidence collected from his house.

Kim Powell, 54, is awaiting trial April 25 on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of Courtney Lee, 25, of Baton Rouge. Her body was found on Spanish Town Road.

+2 In fatal shooting of woman found in burning brush, Baton Rouge man indicted A Baton Rouge man was indicted Wednesday in the June shooting death of a woman whose body was discovered amid burning brush on Spanish Town Road.

Powell claims police did not have probable cause to arrest him, so any statements or physical evidence obtained after he was taken into custody should not be allowed at his trial.

A gun was found in his home, according to court records, which do not say whether it was the weapon used to kill Lee.

State District Judge Fred Crifasi rejected Powell's arguments in June, and a state appellate court denied his appeal in October without issuing written reasons.

A unanimous Louisiana Supreme Court likewise denied his appeal on Wednesday without giving written reasons.

In his June ruling, Crifasi, who is presiding over the case, said the facts indicate that extensive video surveillance recorded by multiple cameras from a nearby building showed a vehicle entering and leaving the area where Lee's body was found just before the body was set on fire, "and it did so on multiple occasions."

The vehicle was a white Ford Expedition with distinct damage to its passenger side. Police used traffic camera systems to obtain the license plate of the SUV and determined it was registered to Powell, the judge said.

"No other vehicles turned down the road leading to the particular area where the victim's body was found," he wrote.

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After the Expedition left the area for the last time, the video surveillance evidence revealed that a Black male was seen walking in the area and ultimately out of the range of the video but toward the location of Lee's body, Crifasi stated.

"Sometime after, the same subject is seen returning from the area and again into video surveillance shortly before smoke is seen emanating from the area of the victim's location," he said.

The man had a distinct gait and appeared slightly bowlegged, Crifasi added.

When police caught Powell, he was driving the white Expedition, the judge said.

"The defendant is also noted to have an appearance consistent with the subject in the surveillance evidence, including his build, skin tone, gait and slightly bowed legs," he wrote.

Crifasi found there was probable cause to arrest Powell. The judge also said Powell was properly advised of his rights "prior to making statements to police regarding his alleged involvement with this matter."

+2 Baton Rouge man arrested in shooting death of 25-year-old woman on Spanish Town Road A 52-year-old Baton Rouge man faces a count of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 25-year-old woman whose body was found Saturday

Firefighters found Lee's body after responding to a brush fire in the 1000 block of Spanish Town Road on June 13, 2020. Coroner's officials confirmed she died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Powell faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison if convicted as charged.
In an open letter to Louisiana State Police head Col. Lamar Davis released Thursday, the mother of Ronald Greene reiterated her demands for justice, comparing the agency superintendent to a "besuited Blackface puppet" and questioning his commitment to holding troopers accountable for their efforts to whitewash the brutal 2019 arrest that left Greene dead.

Mona Hardin, who testified before a Louisiana legislative committee last month, specifically criticized Davis for allowing his second-in-command, Doug Cain, to continue climbing the ranks of State Police despite recent allegations that he played a role in the alleged coverup.

Her letter comes as federal prosecutors are poised to ask a federal grand jury to indict one or more troopers involved in the case. In response to the letter, State Police officials emphasized that the agency continues to cooperate with the ongoing federal probe.

"I have the utmost confidence in my leadership team and our handling of this investigation during my administration," Davis said in a statement. "LSP personnel will continue to provide assistance into the ongoing review of the incident and we will continue to offer our full cooperation to all investigating authorities."

The agency came under fire after the Greene family filed a lawsuit in 2020. Since then, the family has frequently visited Louisiana from Florida to meet with attorneys and elected officials and protest the inherent racism they believe contributed to his death.

+3 How much did John Bel Edwards know of Ronald Greene's fatal arrest? Advocates want answers As the focus of Ronald Greenes death in a brutal 2019 encounter with Louisiana State Police turns from wrenching video images of his arrest i

"During my visits, I have had to repeatedly share space with Doug Cain and bear witness to his well-dressed facade of professionalism," she wrote. Hardin questioned why Cain was promoted to his current high-level position, where he remains, in light of recent revelations that he supported efforts to downplay the actions of troopers involved in the case. Those allegations are contained in investigative notes kept by Sgt. Albert Paxton, the State Police detective who investigated Greene's death.

Meanwhile, Hardin wrote, Davis is seeking to punish Paxton and Trooper First Class Carl Cavalier, who leaked some of the investigative notes in question. Both have been critical of how top State Police brass reacted to the deadly incident, during which a group of troopers brutally beat and repeatedly stunned an unarmed Greene following a long high-speed police chase north of Monroe.

In his notes, Paxton claimed that former State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves, who later retired, waved off the idea of criminal charges, describing the deadly arrest as "awful but lawful."

'Awful but lawful': In Ronald Greene case, State Police leaders rejected early arrest of trooper Months after Ronald Greene died following a violent struggle with Louisiana state troopers who brutally beat and repeatedly tased the unarmed 

Paxton submitted his retirement papers Jan. 3, weeks after testifying before the same Senate committee as Hardin, where he argued State Police leaders are pursuing disciplinary action against him because he helped bring the situation to light.

"I'm being investigated because I won't participate in a coverup  and I won't lie," he testified last month.

Paxton was brought up for disciplinary investigation in August for "dissemination of information to an unauthorized source without proper authority."

Cavalier faces termination for his role in exposing the case after he gave several taped media interviews and published a fictional book about a Black law enforcement officer working for a racist agency. He also sued the department in September claiming racial discrimination.

State Police detective who claimed coverup in Ronald Greene case files to retire The Louisiana State Police detective who claimed that agency brass blocked his efforts to seek criminal charges against at least one trooper i

In her letter to Davis, Hardin praised both Paxton and Cavalier for their "brave actions" and thanked them for helping her uncover the truth. She said State Police officials initially told her Greene died from injuries sustained in a car crash. But leaked bodycam footage later revealed troopers beat him and left him prone for several minutes while he cried out for help.

"The manner in which your agency protects its own considering the wrongdoing is likened to the action of a gang or other entity of organized crime," Hardin wrote. "Colonel Davis, my family and I are waiting for you to do the right thing.

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"We are waiting for you to prove that your agency is more than a gang of thugs willing to die upon a hill of lies. Colonel Davis, we are waiting on you to prove that you are more than an overpaid, besuited Blackface puppet, positioned to continue the coverup."

Davis was appointed superintendent after Reeves stepped down amid a widening scandal surrounding the Greene case and several others, all involving the majority-White Troop F based in Monroe, where Reeves spent most of his State Police career. Davis became the fourth Black superintendent and promised to root out systemic racism inside the agency.

But recently, a fuller chronology from Paxton raises more questions about Cain, who was promoted to lieutenant colonel when Davis became superintendent. In a lengthy summary included in his disciplinary appeal, Paxton wrote that Cain repeatedly pushed aside his concerns about the case.

In December 2020, Paxton wrote, he raised questions about the conduct of Master Trooper Kory York, who received 50 hours of discipline over his role in Greene's physical restraint, which included dragging Greene by his leg shackles and forcing him to stay prone on the ground.

"He says York has already been punished and we are not going back," Paxton wrote of Cain.

+5 Louisiana State Police leaders ignored concerns about excessive force, investigator testifies The Louisiana State Police detective in charge of investigating whether troopers used excessive force in the killing of Black motorist Ronald 

Paxton also told Cain that the damage to Greene's vehicle was inconsistent with the narrative pushed by then-Troop F Commander John Peters, who has since retired, according to the detective's notes. Peters argued Greene died from the crash.

Paxton said Cain responded: "It is my understanding they did not kill Greene."

Paxton wrote in his appeal that Cain, Davis and Faye Morrison, then lead counsel for the state agency, met on May 20, 2021 with Union Parish District Attorney John Belton and two members of his office. In that meeting, Paxton wrote, Cain argued that Greene was only screaming out because a taser probe was being removed.

"Doug Cain defends Lt. (John) Clary and does not want him prosecuted. Lori James says that Doug Cain seems angry the DA is even considering charging Clary," Paxton wrote.

Paxton accuses Clary of hiding his bodycam footage of the fatal arrest, the circumstances of which are now the subject of a federal civil rights investigation. Sources with knowledge of the federal investigation say its reach extends well beyond Greene's death to include allegations of a high-level whitewash.

Paxton wrote that he was kept out of the loop on that May meeting. The next day, State Police for the first time released bodycam footage of the deadly encounter, including footage from Clary's camera, after the Associated Press first released some of it.

In Ronald Greene death investigation, questions surround efforts of Monroe FBI agent Union Parish District Attorney John Belton hadn't yet seen all of the damning body camera footage of Louisiana State Police troopers repeatedl

Belton, who has declined to file charges against any troopers as the federal probe plays out, declined to comment on the meeting.

In his appeal, Paxton acknowledges developing "a healthy case of paranoia" that led him to document his interactions with superiors in the Greene case. State Police officials, meanwhile, pushed back on the significance of his notes.

"We cannot speculate on the context and inference of Sgt. Paxton's personal investigative notes," State Police spokesperson Lt. Melissa Matey said. "We routinely engage in discussions with investigators and prosecuting authorities on the circumstances surrounding incidents and investigations. The investigation into Mr. Greene's death began the very night of the incident with evidence having been provided to state and federal investigators during the entire process."
Louisiana businesspeople and politicos weighed in on the U.S. Supreme Courts decisions about the Biden administrations requirement that employers vaccinate nearly 100 million workers and require regular COVID-19 tests to those who refuse.

The high court decided four cases on two issues: Recently enacted rules by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, called OSHA, which applied to roughly 84 million workers, covering virtually all employers with at least 100 employees; and regulations by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, called CMS and part of the U.S. Health and Human Services department, that Medicare and Medicaid facilities vaccinate about 10 million staffers in order to receive their federal funding.

Majorities on the high court voted that the wording in the law that gives OSHA the ability to regulate employers doesnt provide a clear authority to require vaccinations as workplace safety measures. A 6-3 majority suspended the Biden vaccination mandate for employers across the nation.

Justice Brent Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts then switched sides and backed an opinion that Health and Human Services does have the authority to make vaccination demands on health care workers. The 5-4 majority in these cases allowed the CMS-ordered vaccinations to continue for healthcare employees.

+4 U.S. Supreme Court considers COVID vaccine rules; Louisiana attorney argues remotely WASHINGTON  Fully vaccinated and mostly masked, the U.S. Supreme Courts conservative majority appeared skeptical Friday of the Biden adminis

Though a split decision, the Supreme Court rulings are largely seen as a setback for President Joe Biden and his efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 after nearly two years of pandemic.

But Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who filed lawsuits challenging both issues, was delighted about the outcome of the workplace lawsuits, not so much for the health care decision.

As I am hopeful the OSHA decision brings relief to the millions of Americans whose lives were going to be impacted by Bidens overreach, I am devastated for our healthcare heroes whom the government is now forcing to violate their consciences in order to keep their jobs, Landry said in a statement. I remain steadfast in my belief that healthcare decisions should be made by individuals, not dictated by bureaucrats intent on forcing medical procedures on people who do not want or need them.

The OSHA rule, issued in November, was to take effect Monday, though federal enforcement had been delayed until February. Several major companies agreed with the vaccination mandate. Others voiced support but never issued vaccination policies to their employees.

The National Federation of Independent Business, which represents smaller companies, was one of several groups and businesses to challenge the mandate on the grounds that OSHA didnt have the legal authority to require employers to enforce vaccinations.

NFIB v OSHA 011322.pdf (173.60 KiB) U.S. Supreme Court decision in NFIB v OSHA on vaccination rmandate

Brandon Trosclair, an Ascension Parish grocer who filed a lawsuit in federal court against OSHA challenging the vaccine mandate, said Thursday he was super relieved by the court ruling.

Trosclair owns 15 Ralph's Market, Butcher Boy and Save A Lot stores in south Louisiana and Mississippi and has nearly 500 employees. He said the vaccine mandate would cost him 25% to 30% of his existing employees.

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Were already short-handed and understaffed, he said. It would have been that much more of a burden on us as a business. We also would have faced very, very heavy fines and we didnt want to be in a position to lay off any people.

Stephen Waguespack, president and chief executive officer of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the states largest and most influential business lobbyist, said mandating employees get vaccinated or requiring regular testing of unvaccinated employees would have been a massive burden on companies still recovering from the pandemic-induced business downturns and struggling to find workers.

While we encourage everyone to consult with their doctor about getting vaccinated, theres no doubt that a one-size fits-all approach is the wrong one, Waguespack said. Employers across the country can rest easier tonight thanks to the Supreme Courts decision.

Todays ruling rejects federal government overreach. It is a win for personal liberties and the 80 million Americans affected by this decision, said U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge. People should get vaccinated, but President Biden should not be able to force [private businesses] to do it. The Supreme Court agrees.

Some local and state laws still require employers to mandate vaccines or weekly testing.

The fight isnt over, U.S. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, said in a statement that couched the difference of opinion as a battle with an authoritarian government. Republicans will continue to speak up for the many health care workers who have been wrongly fired due to a similar mandate. They were on the front lines during the worst times of this pandemic, and many have natural immunity from prior infections," he said.

Becerra v Louisiana 011322 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Becerra v Louisiana on CMS vaccination rules.

A 5-4 majority found that healthcare workers are in a different category than the rest of the workforce largely because medical institutions often require vaccinations to protect the workers as well as the patients. Though some providers raised issues about the mandates, no health care provider joined the opponents of required vaccinations.

Meanwhile, Baton Rouge area hospitals said they were plotting next steps following the ruling.

Katie Johnston, a spokesperson for Baton Rouge General, said 99% of the hospitals staffers have either been vaccinated or approved for an exemption. The hospital had not previously issued a mandate for its employees.

Were currently reaching out to the remaining group (of unvaccinated employees) to determine their next steps, Johnston said in an email. Staffing is an enormous challenge in healthcare right now, and we need our entire team working together to care for the patients who need us.

Caroline Isemann, a spokesperson for Womans Hospital, said the facilitys priority was to remain in compliance with any CMS mandates. We will be following closely and looking to CMS for further guidance on how to move forward, she said in an email.

Mark Ballard of The Advocate | The Times-Picayune Capitol news bureau, Business Editor Timothy Boone, and staff writer Robert Stewart contributed to this report.
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The chief executive of Australian coal miner New Hope has abruptly resigned after just 18 months in the job, and will depart the business immediately.

Reinhold Schmidt, who joined the $1.8 billion ASX-listed coal miner in August 2020, has handed in his resignation following a short period of personal leave, the company said on Friday.

Reinhold Schmidt has abruptly resigned as CEO of Australian coal miner New Hope Corporation. Credit:Louise Kennerley

New Hope chairman Robert Millner said Mr Schmidt had led the company through a turbulent time for the business and the wider coal mining industry including a severe downturn in demand and prices for the fossil fuel.

We are grateful to Mr Schmidt for his contributions to the business and wish him well in the future, he said.
Amid low interest rates, many Aussies decided this was the year to dip their toe into foreign exchange markets. Other, more experienced investors saw opportunities to take on more risks but also diversify their trading positions.

Sameer Bhopale, Chief Marketing Officer of FXCM, says a combination of factors over the past year prompted more traders to enter currency markets. As markets were in turmoil due to the pandemic, the price of FX instruments and other asset classes became more volatile. These price movements translated into opportunities.

New traders seized investment opportunities amidst market turmoil. Credit:Getty

For instance, during the pandemic, thematic investing became more popular as investors had less time to research individual stocks, but were keen to take a position in the markets based on their view about a particular theme or topic. As an example, an investor may take the view sectors such as commodities are undervalued, and choose to invest in a basket of assets that allows them to express this view.

Bhopale says low interest rates, as well as investor uncertainty around the pandemic and lockdowns, meant many new investors saw an opportunity to enter the market. They wanted to put their capital to work, rather than leaving it in a bank account earning next to no interest.
It is tempting to wonder if the refusal to co-operate has to do with Angier herself. Her biography of Primo Levi was much criticised for its intrusive, over-confident psychologising, and for having too much Angier in it: to a lesser extent, her Sebald work has some of the same problems.

She dramatises her interviews with her sources; she writes in the presumptuous subjunctive mood (He would have thought) and hovers solicitously over the young Sebald as he arrives in Fribourg (I imagine lending him the 1928 Baedeker guide to Switzerland). And although she follows the consensus that Sebalds life was deeply affected by three events  the Holocaust, the allied bombing of German cities, and the death of his adored grandfather  she has some theories of her own about his personality.

On the basis of his adolescent shyness with girls, for example  nothing unusual in a Catholic in the 1950s, one might think  along with a passage from an unpublished novel where the author-surrogate is propositioned by a man, and the recurrence of gay-ish themes, Angier wonders if Sebald was secretly frightened of being homosexual. Biographers alchemy turns what can only be surmise into a fact; thankfully, however, Angier doesnt then try to make it the key to everything.

Although Angier writes with warmth, not hostility  she might be annoying sometimes, but never odious  her response to some of Sebalds idiosyncrasies can seem a little over-invested. He liked to spin tall tales, especially when he was young, and appears to have regarded interviews, like his books, as an opportunity to blur the lines between fact and fiction. Angier herself once interviewed him, and sounds personally aggrieved by this.

Still, despite the occasional gotcha tone, Angiers findings do sharpen our sense of the art, the transformative processes behind all writing. It is intriguing to learn that the models for Henry Selwyn and Cosmo Solomon in The Emigrants were not Jewish, and that in The Rings of Saturn some of the apparently real characters who share the page with Kurt Waldheim and the Empress Tzu-hsi never existed at all.
Skin covers more than psoriasis. Readers who revisit the excruciating awkwardness of teenage tongue kissing, described as centrifugal, may find they can now laugh about it. A very brief history of racism, begins with anthropologist Felix von Luschans 36 glass tiles, supposedly representative of the skin colours that class all of humankind, the professional racists perfect instrument.

Cyndi Laupers psoriasis was diagnosed after the days when in her pale skin, Sergio del Molino writes, the whole light of the world is reflected. Credit:

While he sometimes wishes he were invisible, del Molino bares his own skin in this reflective, sometimes digressive, beautifully written book. Linked essays build on a foundation of erudition and self-examination, often literal. Skin manages to transcend what some readers might see as eccentricities, including the oft-appearing figure of the witch. It shows that the psychic damage of a disfiguring, even, as he would have it, monstrous skin condition can be lasting.

Normal, sensitive, oily and dry are categories offered to users of skincare products. Yet normal skin is a slippery concept. Having just written a book about the human exterior, I may have skin in the game but, unlike Spanish writer Sergio del Molino, I have never had to live with the skin condition psoriasis, and the itchy shame of its flaking plaques.

But racisms history is not always as obvious as the taxidermied human, the Black Man of Banyoles, displayed in a museums glass case. Sometimes it must be read by passing a candle flame over a document, to reveal secret lemon-juice wash.

Did Stalins psoriasis contribute to his evil doing? Credit:

The books discussion of psoriasis, particularly as it manifests on the authors body and soul, is, however, its strength. The superb chapter-long account of John Updikes psoriasis, which the American wrote about at length, starts with the phrase There once was a writer . . ., del Molino first to admit that it takes one to know one.

You may prefer to know nothing more about Josef Stalin, but he too had psoriasis. Del Molino writes, those who are made into freaks by skin conditions have a desire to pass on their blemishes, eruptions and wounds to everyone. I disagree, much as I do with the authors glib claim that anyone wrapped up in their own problems is a potential mass murderer. Were that true, the entire human race would be obliterated by now. But I was absorbed by descriptions of Stalin in the pool at his summer house in Sochi with two henchmen, both with psoriasis. What a coincidence.

Coal tar baths did not help Vladimir Nabokov, who referred to his damned skin, and to the psoriasis that distressed and tortured him as my Greek. It seemed to coincide with stressful moments in his life, of which there were many. According to del Molino, it isnt a persons state of mind that aggravates the autoimmune condition, but psoriasis itself that embitters a persons nature. Again, I reflect that ravaged skin on the outside is not necessarily a reflection of ones inner life, despite the villains and monsters that populate our stories, and cruellest imaginings.
Gillespie, with his background in musical theatre (he currently has Waitress on high-rotation at home), wasnt at all familiar with Parkers cosmic wizardry. He says the band received a list of potential covers from ABC Music manager Nick Webb, including Rihannas Umbrella, but Parkers song struck a chord. As soon as we heard Elephant, it seemed a good fit. The lyrics were semi-Wigglish; we have a few songs about elephants, too, he laughs. Gillespies pitch-perfect evocation of Parkers vocals, not to mention his keytar solo, have been singled out among the covers highlights. But he initially underestimated the songs deceptive complexity. It seemed quite straightforward. But then we actually went to rehearse it, and the phrasing and the timing of it - we were kind of blown away, he is an incredible musician, he says of Parker.

We had a really tricky time. With some of the bars I think we counted to, like, 11, so we knew when to come in on that bass riff. It was a great exercise because most of our songs are so simple, just in 4/4 time. Since then, Ive listened to a lot of [Tame Impalas] music, and there are some great songs. Loading Field says an early iteration of the cover was so respectful to the source material it led Webb to quip, Sounds like a cover band. Whats Wiggly about it? His solution? Bring in some Fruit Salad (yummy, yummy). The final, manic version - with Lachys embrace of Parkers Lennon-ist delivery, Simons booming baritone, and Emma having the time of her life trading time-signatures behind the kit - has a warm cross-generational charm, musicians appreciating other musicians (Parker, for his part, also reacted favourably to The Wiggles effort.) We played it for my daughters and they gave it the thumbs up, which is not always a given, jokes Field. I was like, okay, this is good - were celebrating a great piece of Australian writing with another great piece of Australian writing, if I do say so myself!

Bryce Mills, host of Triple Js breakfast show which presents Like a Version, says the idea to get The Wiggles on was first suggested by a listener. I honestly didnt think itd happen, but when it did, I spent the whole day with a huge smile on my face, he says. Watching people who defined your childhood stand in front of you and play a song from an artist whos helped define your early adulthood is a really weird but really joyous feeling. People around the world felt the same way Not many covers can win over three generations at once. Given the tracks novelty value, its viral triumph was more or less guaranteed. But it was so successful it even prompted an upcoming album titled ReWiggled, with The Wiggles covering classics from contemporary bands, like The Chats Pub Feed, and vice-versa. Triple J listeners have grown up with The Wiggles, theyve grown up with Fruit Salad, Field says. I was talking to the guys from Lime Cordiale recently, and they were telling me how they listened to The Wiggles when they were kids. So Ive started listening to their music too, its been good.

Besides the next-gen incongruity, the mere existence of The Wiggles Elephant perhaps isnt the outlier it seems. Loading Any parent whos endured repeats of The Wiggles discography would be aware of the bands affinity for pops classic building blocks - deeper cuts like Today and The Wonder of Wiggle Town that, like Parkers own work, are inherently indebted to The Beatles and The Beach Boys - and their wider spirit of musical discovery, from Pryces infatuation with Saint-Saens to Fields insistence on pulling out his bagpipes. When I was at university becoming an early childhood teacher, our music teacher Rosemary Harle told us that children will get whatever music their parents listen to, that one radio station or that one style of music. So when The Wiggles started it was always, well, maybe we can give the whole world of music, Field explains. Children are so open to every kind of music, so well do a bit of classical, do some rock. And then Highland music and folk music - I mean, I dont know where kids are going to hear that if we dont play a bit of it. I feel weve got a responsibility to play all styles of music for children, because theyll get pop radio any time.
As extraordinary as it sounds, many thousands of elderly, frail and vulnerable people in Australias aged care facilities are still waiting for COVID-19 booster shots that could provide a vital extra layer of protection against the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

More than 35 per cent of the nations 2700 private and not-for-profit aged care homes have not even received their batches of COVID-19 booster shots. Companies contracted to conduct booster clinics in aged care facilities are grappling with staff shortages due to infection or close-contact exposure. Doctors, who might be able to do the job, are already flat out handling enormous volumes of COVID-19 cases in the community and there is no real incentive for them to do aged care booster work.

As for the aged-care operators, some say more than one-third of their staff are off work due to COVID-19 infection or exposure. Shortages of staff have led many hundreds of facilities to lock residents in their rooms as the number of COVID-19 cases among residents has soared sevenfold in the past few weeks.

It is an appalling, harrowing and unacceptable situation that could have been anticipated and, possibly, avoided. After all, we have been here before. About 1000 Australians with COVID-19 have died in aged care since March 2020. While most of those deaths occurred 18 months ago in private facilities in Victoria, concerns about the Omicron variants effects on the elderly are real.
Scotch College has defended what it says were extensive background checks on a principal who was sacked over misconduct allegations before he even started his new role.

Matthew Leeds, who was set to start at the Hawthorn private school this year, had his contract terminated after a whistleblower raised allegations about his actions at previous employer Geelong Grammar.

Scotch College in Hawthorn. Credit:Joe Armao

Mr Leeds most recent employer, Sydneys prestigious Shore school, defended him on Friday, while Geelong Grammar confirmed it had investigated Mr Leeds in 2017 after a whistleblower raised misconduct allegations.

It is understood no allegation of sexual abuse against a child has been levelled against Mr Leeds.
Miners could face the end of two years of prosperity where they remained almost untouched by COVID-19 within Premier Mark McGowans fortress WA when the state opens up in three weeks.

Curtin University infectious disease expert Archie Clements likened WAs isolated mining fly-in fly-out camps to islands that were very vulnerable places during pandemics.

WAs miners and gas producers constant production will be challenged by COVID-19 in coming months. Credit:Krystle Wright

They are good at keeping infection out, but if the infection gets in it tends to sweep through the entire population and incapacitate them, he said.

And with Omicrons high transmissibility, Professor Clements rated the chance of an outbreak completely shutting down operations as highly likely.
Police have moved to evict a large group of anti-vaccine, Original Sovereign protesters camped near the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in a move welcomed by traditional owners, after two men accused of lighting a fire at nearby Old Parliament House were given bail.

Dozens of police officers moved in to dismantle the camp of around 200 people on Friday afternoon, ahead of a planned protest on Saturday.

Police at the perimeter of the protest camp site between Old Parliament House and the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra on Friday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Two of the protest groups leaders were bailed in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday morning after being arrested and charged over a fire at Old Parliament House on December 30 that damaged the 95-year-old buildings facade.

Bruce Buddy Shillingsworth, 30, and Dylan Didge Wilson, 38, are banned from entering the Parliamentary Triangle under their bail conditions, meaning they could face contempt of court charges if they attend the groups planned protest at the site on Saturday.
House rents in some of Victorias most popular regional towns have soared by as much as $80 per week over the past year, new data shows, as the desperate desire to make a sea or tree change continues during the pandemic.

Melburnians are seeking out the ultimate lifestyle with a bigger home and cheaper rents than those found in highly sought-after areas such as the Mornington Peninsula.

Rentals along the Mornington Peninsula have become highly competitive.

Rents in the popular seaside area, just over an hour from Melbournes CBD, have skyrocketed over the past two years as people scrambled for a home close to the ocean during the worst of the coronavirus lockdowns.

In Mount Eliza alone, rents rose by 13.7 per cent over the year to December, to a median weekly rent of $850, Domains latest rent report revealed.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Virginia Giuffre alleges she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew who is the Duke of York and the Queens third child. She says the abuse occurred when she was trafficked while underage to Prince Andrew by paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who ended his life in his jail cell in 2019, and Epsteins associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking in December. Giuffre, 38, alleges the abuse happened at Maxwells London flat, on a Caribbean island owned by Epstein and at his Manhattan mansion in New York  where state laws introduced in 2019 allow victims of historical sexual abuse to launch civil cases against their perpetrators. Its these laws that Giuffre, an American who now lives in Australia with her family, has used to pursue the duke, alleging that he battered and intentionally inflicted emotional distress on her. Andrew, 61, denies the allegations but he did not deploy this defence as his main argument in trying recently to stop Giuffres lawsuit from going ahead. Instead, his lawyers attacked her credibility and motivation and, chiefly, claimed that a financial settlement struck between Epstein and Giuffre in 2009 shielded him from any Epstein-related lawsuits. In a decision made public this week, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan disagreed and gave Giuffre the green light to pursue her case against the Duke. So, what are his options now?

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Credit: First, what does battery mean? Giuffre alleges that, as well as being on call for Epstein for sexual purposes, she was lent out to other powerful men including Andrew, read the 44-page opinion from Kaplan on January 11. She says on one occasion, the prince abused her at Epsteins apartment in Manhattan. The allegation that the plaintiff was forced to sit on the defendants lap while he touched her is sufficient to state a battery claim under New York law, regardless of which part of her body the defendant ultimately is alleged to have touched, the judge said. Loading [Bodily] contact is offensive if it is wrongful under all the circumstances, which certainly is a reasonable inference from Ms Giuffres allegations. The opinion also states that Giuffre alleges Epstein, Maxwell and Andrew compelled her to engage in sexual acts by express or implied threat and she feared death or physical injury to herself or another, among other repercussions, if she disobeyed. She says she continues to suffer significant emotional and psychological distress and harm as a result.

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Can the prince just ignore the matter? Andrew has now been stripped of his royal patronages and military titles, leaving him to defend the case as a private citizen. On Thursday, both Buckingham Palace and the dukes lawyers were making no comment about his next move. However, legal experts say he has no good options. Already, the London Telegraph reported, the process would be moving towards the discovery stage, with the duke having to submit requested documents, such as phone logs, emails or diaries, and depositions (oral testimonies) due mid-July. Hes reputationally toast at the moment, says Mark Stephens, an international lawyer and partner at London firm Howard Kennedy. Hes in an appalling position; he was in a bad position before this case, but hes in a worse position now as a result of this application. Judge Lewis Kaplan has thrown a judicial hand grenade into the middle of this and the royal family. The prince could appeal the ruling by Kaplan. However, this would lead to further delays and there is no guarantee that a higher court would accept his case, given the strength of Kaplans ruling. Or he could ignore the matter  refuse to provide depositions, not turn up at the hearing, simply not engage. This is called defaulting, and it would lead to an automatic judgment against him and an order that he pay damages, which would not be a finding about any facts but would still be disastrous for his reputation. Still, Stephens says this nuclear option could be desirable in the sense that any default money order is not enforceable in Britain and Andrew has no assets in the United States where the case is being heard. Defaulting would also save the prince from a trial in which he is cross-examined on camera by David Boies, considered one of the United States most formidable trial lawyers.

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What about a settlement? Settlements are a common enough path for people facing civil lawsuits. A settlement is, in essence, a deal between the parties to end litigation and, by definition, they are out of court. They can bind the parties to any terms they can agree to: an apology, payment of money, non-disclosure conditions, and so on. For Andrew, a settlement would put an end to the litigation and so stop any further revelations during a trial but Giuffre may not agree to it, preferring her day in court and the opportunity for vindication. I think its very important to Virginia Giuffre that this matter be resolved in a way that vindicates her, Boies told Newsnight following the Manhattan ruling. A purely financial settlement is not anything that I think shes interested in, he said. What if the matter were to go to trial? Because this is a civil lawsuit, if it went to trial it would be up to Giuffres team to prove the allegations were true on the balance of probabilities rather than beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the tougher burden of proof required in criminal cases.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Chris Aguero knew hed have to be prepared when his students returned to the classroom earlier this month after the US holiday season. As the latest wave of coronavirus ravaged the country, the Texas principal had no doubt his school - deep in the heart of a state where vaccinations and masks are widely shunned - would be at risk. He was right. Austin Jewish Academy principal Chris Aguero with students at his Texas school. Credit:Drew Anthony Smith By the time Americas 130,000 schools opened their gates to kickstart the new year last week, the seven-day average of daily new cases in the US had hit 480,273 infections. Among them were some of Agueros much-needed teachers. His solution to plug the staff shortages? Ask parents to substitute. Coming back we definitely had a number of teachers and families who had tested positive over the break itself, who were not eligible to return with everybody else on the week of January 4, he told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald this week. Its all about risk assessment for us, so in the absence of not really feeling comfortable bringing in outsiders, whose activities and behaviour we dont really know or cant guarantee, it made sense to turn to our parent community.

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Like many educational leaders around the world, Aguero is now doing what he can to ensure schools remain open and minimise the knock-on effects of the pandemic: staff shortages and burnout; fatigued families juggling work and home life; children desperate to learn and socialise. In Massachusetts, dogs are being trained to sniff out COVID-19 in classrooms, cafeterias and gyms. If the presence of the virus is detected, authorities notify the school nurse who immediately informs those potentially infected. In Washington DC, the local council is giving out rapid antigen tests, with staff and students now required to present a negative result before returning to the classroom. And in Texas, Agueros independent school, which caters for pre-kindergarten to year 8 students, isnt the only one calling on parents to help. Education officials in Hayes County, just south of Austin, recently posted a request on social media and emailed families asking them to consider filling in for teachers. Parents would still have to pass a criminal background check and do a short orientation, but principals can use their discretion to waive a requirement to have at least 30 college hours before a class. President Joe Biden meets with the White House COVID-19 Response Team. Credit:AP

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While the pandemic forces schools to innovate, the vexed debate over whether to keep classrooms open has also exposed new fault lines between teachers, parents and governments - many of them in Democrat-led cities aligned with US President Joe Biden. Having come to office promising to defeat the virus, America under Bidens watch is now in short supply of coronavirus tests, about a third of the country remains unvaccinated, and countless buildings - including schools - are in desperate need of ventilation upgrades. Loading Indeed, even as the President told schools this month that they can and should remain open, data from Burbio, which tracks closures, showed least 5409 schools had cancelled class or switched to virtual learning for at least one day in the first week of January - more than triple the amount at the end of December. Among them were schools in Chicago, the old stomping ground of former US president Barack Obama, where a bitter stand-off over COVID protocols resulted in classes being shut down for five days until they finally resumed on Wednesday. In a stoush that rose to national prominence, the Chicago Teachers Union accused the citys mayor Lori Lightfoot of failing to have an adequate COVID safe plan in place, and presented authorities with a list of demands, including switching to remote learning if the COVID positivity rate exceeded certain metric thresholds. But Lightfoot, a high-profile Democrat, hit back, insisting that schools are not the source of significant spread while warning the union that its decision to walk off the job would harm hundreds of thousands of Chicago families who rely upon (the citys public schools) for the daily needs for their education, for their nutrition, for their safety.

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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Credit:AP In middle of the battle were thousands of parents: some sympathetic to the teachers cause, others so outraged that they launched legal action over what they claimed was an illegal strike that would exacerbate Americas longstanding inequalities. Remote learning was a catastrophic failure, specifically for black students, Natasha Dunn, a mother of three and a local community activist, told CNN. So while we have people who are fighting to keep schools closed, theres nobody fighting to close the gaps that existed before the pandemic. School closures have been a fixture of the pandemic since March 2020, when all 50 states shifted to remote learning to mitigate the spread of what was then a new virus. But while some closures lasted for a few months, some areas, such as parts of California, continued with remote learning for more than a year. By the start of 2021, as Americans began getting vaccinated and infections began to decline, experts were cautiously forecasting a return to normalcy. Then came Delta, with its first case recorded in the US in March, followed by Omicron in December. As schools reopen in the US, parents are beginning to worry about vaccination, and mask regulations. Credit:AP

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The latest surge has caused a political headache for Biden who is confronting the same challenge many of his counterparts face: balancing the need to keep hospitalisations down, with the need for society to learn to live with the virus. But far from being able to control COVID as Biden once promised, the US is now averaging more than 700,000 new cases a day, as the Omicron variant accelerates the virus spread faster than at any previous point in the pandemic. And while Omicron appears to cause less severe illness than previous strains, hospitalisations have nonetheless increased more than 80 percent over the last two weeks, also surpassing the previous record. With midterm elections this year, where the Democrats risk losing their slim majority in Congress, Republicans can smell blood. On Monday, the partys house minority whip Steve Scalise and fellow Congressman James Comer even wrote to the Democrats House Whip, James Clyburn, calling from an inquiry into Bidens failed response. After acknowledging that were all frustrated as we enter the new year Biden on Thursday announced that his administration would buy an extra 500 million home testing kits and mail them to people - doubling the 500 million committed before Christmas - and would make higher quality masks available for free, although it is not entirely clear how or when. Students at the Austin Jewish Academy with principal Chris Aguero. Credit:Drew Anthony Smith The White House also announced that it would increase the number of tests available to schools by 10 million per month and is urging districts to adopt the CDCs Test To Stay guidelines, which mixes contact tracing and serial testing. Under those rules students who should otherwise quarantine can, with vigilance, remain in school.

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All-New Honda Civic Type R Arrives at Tokyo Auto Salon

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2022 -- Fresh from testing at the Suzuka Circuit, the all-new Honda Civic Type R made its first public appearance in prototype at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan's premiere high-performance and custom car show. Wearing a special camouflage designed exclusively for Type R, the prototype is featured in a new action-packed test-driving video, so TAS visitors can go behind the scenes with Honda engineers and experience the development of Type R. The best performing Civic Type R ever will be officially unveiled this year. #HondaCivic #TypeR

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. Honda's 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 2020, 95 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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.
Associate Editor

Brent Addleman is an Associate Editor and a veteran journalist with more than 25 years of experience. He has served as editor of newspapers in Pennsylvania and Texas, and has also worked at newspapers in Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Kentucky.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives at the Capitol in Concord, New Hampshire.
The new U.S. administration of President Joe Biden wants to resume South Korea-U.S. military drills, which were suspended by then-U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 as a carrot to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Gen. Paul LaCamera said during a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday that field maneuvers are much better than the current computer simulations.

The next commander of the U.S. Forces Korea has expressed concerns about the halt of major joint exercises with South Korea for the last three years.

"They are extremely important to build readiness," LaCamera said. "They are also extremely important to allow that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen get an opportunity to work with our [South Korean] allies and see just how good they are."

He added that such training is a potential bargaining chip in negotiations with North Korea but added his duty is to identify and reduce dangers caused by halted training.

In a written statement to the Senate prior to the hearing, LaCamera also stressed the need to deploy more so-called strategic assets such as an aircraft carrier and F-22 and F-35 fighter jets to the Korean Peninsula. He also called for trilateral drills with South Korean and Japanese troops, be it near the Korean Peninsula or on the U.S. mainland.

The South Korean government has been bending over backwards to appease North Korea and is likely to be alarmed at the prospect of resuming the joint drills on the former scale. But North Korea has already severed all communication with South Korea, so it is unclear how resuming the exercises could make things worse.

A 1985 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, LaCamera has served in airborne and special operations forces and fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Stars and Stripes, the American military newspaper, on Tuesday called him one of "the Army's most combat-experienced officers."
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DuBois, PA (15801)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 58F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
New Castle, IN (47362)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 71F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low around 50F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Towanda, PA (18848)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Steady light rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 53F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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
Melanie joined The Daily Times in the early 90s and has served as the Life section editor since 1993. A William Blount and UT alum, Melanie is generally the early arriver who turns on the lights in the newsroom.

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Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of Nixons White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever. To find out more about Patrick Buchanan and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators website at www.creators.com.
Boredom during the pandemic was the impetus for one 9-year-olds learning how to build a new appone that could help his nonverbal, autistic brother communicate with the world.

Sean Porter from Southport, UK, learned how to code from his dad, Liam, who owns a cleaning business but was left idling during the pandemic and decided to teach his son.

Then, in the fall, a project at school tasked Sean with designing a computer game, but he decided to use his newfound tech savvy to help his 6-year-old brother, Adam, instead.

(Courtesy of Kirsty Nestor)

Like many children on the autism spectrum, Adam seldom speaks, and finds it difficult to communicate his needs and wants. An estimated 40 percent of autistic children like Adam are nonverbal.

Sean is older and Adam was diagnosed with autism when he was two-and-half, but he never used to speak or anything like that and had intensive speech therapy, Seans mom, Kirsty, 31, told the Echo.

To help Adam, the app allows him to simply push the icon indicating whether hes hungry, tired, wants to go to the toilet, or other things.

Its just opened up more choice for Adam, Liam told ITV News. After we created it, hes now asking for more things and hes developing faster.

Sean Porter, 9, and his younger brother, Adam, 6. (Courtesy of Kirsty Nestor)

Now, Adam is more easily able to reach out and explain himself to family members and others, though there is still potential for development.

[Sean] wants to go more into it and if it does go anywhere he wants to make it user specific for each specific child, Kirsty told the Echo. Children with autism have specific drinks they want, you cant just say to them what drink they want that drink they are used to having.

Sean and the app. (Courtesy of Kirsty Nestor)

Not only has Seans invention helped his brother; its also garnered him praise at school. His headteacher, Mr. McCann, lauded the lad in a Twitter post, captioning:

Well this young man has only gone and developed his own app for non-verbal children. Absolutely amazing. Ive told him to remember me when he is rich and famous!

The budding entrepreneur has his sights on distributing the app more widely to help more autistic kids like Adam. Sean has already given two tablets with the app to kids in need and is now working on number three.

In the future, he wants to either be a game developer or a professional MMA fighter.

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Like an episode from Lassie, a Shiloh shepherd in New Hampshire is being hailed a hero after leading state police to the scene of an accident where a pair of motorists were badly injured and in need of rescuing.

On the evening of Jan. 3, around 10 p.m., New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) Trooper Sandburg arrived at the Interstate-89 bridge between New Hampshire and Vermont in Lebanon. It was there that he spotted a dog on the loose, 1-year-old Tinsley.

Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon Police at first attempted to corral the canine, but they noticed the shepherd turned northward toward a section of damaged guardrail near the junction at Interstate-91. There, they discovered a badly damaged pickup truck that had rolled over off the roadway.

Two men had been ejected from the vehicle with serious injuries and were hypothermic.

The dog wanted Trooper Sandberg and the officers to follow her. Tinsley, the dog, never tried to run away but rather lead them further up the road and over the bridge, NHSP Lieutenant Dan Baldassarre, commander of Troop D, told The Epoch Times.

Its a real-life Lassie story, Tinsley led law enforcement directly to the crash scene to provide assistance. Shes the hero.

The officers learned that one of the men, Cam Laundry, was the dogs owner. It quickly became apparent that Tinsley led Trooper Sandberg and the Lebanon Police to the crash site and injured occupants, NHSP stated.

Tinsley enabled first responders to reach the victims sooner than they otherwise would have, EMTs said. Both men were taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for care. Meanwhile, Tinsley did not appear to be injured in the crash, NHSP stated.

Laundry told the station that he planned to reward his heroic furry best friend and that shes his guardian angel.

She gets spoiled all the time, Laundry told NBC. Shell get some venison probably burger tonight and probably some back scratches with it.

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Banners are displayed at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco to condemn the Chinese Communist Party on Chinas National Day on Oct. 1, 2020. (Ilene Eng/The Epoch Times)

Americas Old Regime Is a Dangerous Failure on China

Commentary

The Biden administration is the last remnant of the old regime of U.S. foreign policy. Its quixotic negotiations with Russia and, more importantly, its accommodation with China seeks Americas return to the era before the Trump administration, where U.S. strategic interests were ignored and subverted by Chinese influence and lucre.

The old regime aided Chinas rise. Its damage to U.S. interests and allies has been so significant and transparent that new leadershipa type that accurately perceives the China threatis needed in the U.S. foreign policy community.

The Biden administration has considered reducing U.S. forces in NATO-member states in Central Europe as contingency options, in return for Russian pledges to not invade the rest of Ukraine.

The details are ambiguous and no doubt the Biden administration is considering other contingency options, such as changing or eliminating sanctions against Russia. In contrast, its likely that Russia wont be held to actions that couldnt be easily reversed. Fundamentally, Russia is demanding new security guarantees that would alter Europes security architecture.

To even consider tying Russian aggression to NATO as an option is a disaster, as it threatens the security of NATO allies, particularly on the alliances eastern border. The narrative is also dangerous because it encourages hybrid warfare tactics, including the exploitation of the sizable Russian minorities in Estonia and Latvia, as well as Lithuania. Russian intervention in Kazakhstan has only increased concerns about Russias willingness to use force.

But Russia is a bellwether. It reveals that the Biden administration will entertain the sacrifice of the security of U.S. allies. As damaging to NATO and U.S. credibility as this is, it isnt the sole or even greatest problem. China is, and the Chinese regime is the true beneficiary of the administrations maladroit ruminations and actions.

Whats happening with Russia and Ukraine presently cant be divorced from the central strategic problem faced by the United States and its alliesthe negative consequences of Chinas rise. That threat compels undivided attention, perpetual alacrity, and indefatigable response. That threat requires that no discussion, options, or trial balloons regarding territorial compromise should be made by the United States under any circumstances.

The Biden administrations actions in Europe affect U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific as well. Discussion of force or territorial concessions understandably heightens concern among key allies and friends, including the Indians, Japanese, and Taiwanese. It aids the Chinese regimes global narrative of U.S. decline and perception among Chinese leadership that the United States is weak.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) conduct a passing honors ceremony with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Murasame-class destroyer JS Ikazuchi (DD 107) and Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) in the Philippine Sea, on Sept. 19, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Haydn N. Smith)

The restoration of the Bourbons was doomed to fail because the French Revolution made citizens of those who were formally peasants. The ancien regime was shattered beyond repair. The United States has an old regime as well, which seeks to return to accommodating Chinas rise and managing U.S. decline. The U.S. Old Regime is as maladaptive as the Bourbons for the times and the threats that the United States faces.

The U.S. foreign policy community wont recognize or accept that the world of the old regime is gone. The Biden administration might resist the Chinese regime in its rhetoric, but on a substantive level, its actions are tepid as precious time passes, narrowing the window when the United States could act to stop Chinas expansion and weaken the Chinese regime.

The old regime hopes to return to the period before the election of 2016, where access, and thus lucre, by Western businesses to the Chinese market was traded for the transfer of industries, wealth, and knowledge to the Chinese regime. Countless U.S. chief executives, financiers, politicians, institutions, and academics profited from this sordid exchange.

Through their actions, theyve exposed the American people, the U.S. economy, and the national security of the United States to enormous costs and vulnerabilities. Through their actions, theyve undermined a prosperous, healthy, and sound future for the American people. Few said anything to stop this while the Chinese regime looted the intellectual capital and property of the West with the help of Western elites.

Beijing must be amazed that it got away with it for so long. Its strategy of threat deflation worked for three decades and still ensures that the U.S. old regime doesnt perceive them as a threat.

Theres no going back to the world before, which defined international politics from 1989 until 2016. The new world brings greater security competition between the United States and its allies and the Chinese regime, as well as greater friction between China and its neighbors for three reasons.

First, like most rising great powers in history, more power and wealth correlates to greater coercive diplomacy, aggression, and demands. The Chinese regime has risen and is now a great power well on its way to becoming a superpowerand its emboldened. Beijing wants changeright now. China causes alterations of the landscape of global politics every day. Thats a recipe for trouble for its neighbors, U.S. interests, the liberal international order, and all of those who dont share its objectives or vision for the future.

The second is the nature of the Chinese regime. Under Chinese leader Xi Jinpings rule, Beijings aggression will continue. Xi inherited from his predecessor, Hu Jintao, a wealthier, more powerful, and more assertive Peoples Republic of China. But Xi has taken Chinas aggression to new levels, equaling or even going beyond Mao Zedongs conception. Like Mao and Deng Xiaoping, Xi will remain in power until he dies, is incapacitated, or is overthrown.

Third, as the old regime wont address the threat from China, the absence of U.S. leadership will ensure that Beijing is able to advance its interests unchecked, which, in turn, further emboldens the regime. Important steps by Australia, India, and Japan individually and in concert are valuablebut the orchestra needs its U.S. conductor.

The U.S. ancien regime is gone, even if it doesnt know it. Americans now live in the world of its consequences. These circumstances will be more challenging for the United States and compel questions of how the United States could let this happen as China grew decade after decade, what must now be accomplished to stop it, and, as the Biden administration wont provide it, from where leadership to resist the Chinese regime will be found.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Ancient tales of wisdom remind us of the traditions and moral values that have been treasured all over the world. We hope the stories and messages in our Tales of Wisdom series help uplift the hearts and minds of our readers.

This retold tale is one of many audio stories from the discontinued Ancient Tales of Wisdom program by the Sound of Hope Radio Network, now transcribed and printed here for the enjoyment of our readers.

Listen to the audio story, or read it below, and be transported into another world!

Listen to Audio Story:

King Lu Ai Gong asked Confucius, Is it true that the fate of a nation is determined by heaven and not just the actions of men?

Confucius answered, The fate of your country will depend on your own actions. Special phenomena cannot alone change the fate of your nation.

Statue of Confucius. (aphotostory/Shutterstock)

The king said, Okay. Could you please provide some facts regarding to this statement?

Confucius said: During King Zhous period of the Shang Dynasty, near the city wall of the capital, there was a little bird that gave birth to a big bird. The king consulted a soothsayer about it. The soothsayer said, Whenever a small thing gives birth to a big thing, it means that the nation will unify the land and the nation shall become more and more prosperous.

The king thus became very complacent. He thought that he could just depend on the omen. He stopped working hard in ruling his country and became extremely brutal toward his officials and the people. None of the officials in the imperial court were able to stop him. In the end, outside enemies attacked their country and overthrew the Shang Dynasty. This is an example of a good omen that brought disaster, the reason being that the king gave up good actions and disobeyed the law of heaven.

King Zhou of Shang. (Public Domain)

In comparison, during the time of King Zhous ancestor King Tai Wu, the morality in society was very bad, and the laws of the nation were very chaotic. This had caused the growth of an abnormal plant, which grew inside the imperial compound. It grew very quickly. Within seven days, it was large enough for two people to embrace it. The king consulted a soothsayer, and the soothsayer said, This type of wild plant should not grow inside the imperial compound, but now it does. It means that the nation is about to come to an end.

King Tai Wu was very scared. He began to watch his actions carefully and he also thought about how the earlier kings ruled the nation correctly and cared about the people. Within three years, many kings of other countries heard about King Tai Wus great virtue and as many as 16 kings had sent their messengers to visit and pay their respects to the Shang Dynasty. This is an example of giving up bad actions, and as a result, the supposedly bad omen had turned good.

Therefore, when heaven makes special phenomena and disasters appear, it is heavens warning to rulers; when the officials dream about strange and meaningful stories, it is heavens warning to the officials. Disasters and strange phenomena will not defeat the good policies and good decrees of a nation; dreams will not defeat high morals and great virtues. If one can do things like thisgiving up bad actions and following good actionsthis would be the best way of governing a country. Only the wise kings are able to do so.

King Lu Ai Gong said, Your teaching will serve precisely to correct my ignorance. It is so wonderful to hear your teachings!

Confucius with his student. (Illustration  YANGCHAO/Shutterstock)

King Tai Wu gave up bad actions and became honest, and his country began to flourish, whereas King Zhou gave up good actions and became evil, and his country was destroyed. The reflection in todays world is the present leadership in China, the Chinese Communist regime, notorious for its human rights atrocities and unscrupulous methods of ruling the country. It is in dire straits, with its failed attempts to settle the massive and crippling unrest throughout China, with the Chinese people more than ever desperately unhappy and rebelling against the treachery toward them. With an uplifting of the Chinese leaderships methods of rule and its overall moral nature as a whole, requiring a move away from communism, there could be a gradual settling of the people, and harmony would then naturally blossom in China, and beyond.

This retold tale is transcribed and printed with permission from the Sound of Hope Radio Network, It was originally published by Pureinsight.org and authored by Lu Wen. Audio by Sound of Hope Radio Network. Copyright  2012. All rights reserved.

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Greg and Christine Barnes at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Calif., on Jan 13, 2022. (Yang Jie/The Epoch Times)

ESCONDIDO, Calif.Although the holiday season is behind us, some couples are still reaping the benefits of a well-chosen Christmas gift. Greg Barnes is an attorney from San Diego. He and his wife Christine gifted Shen Yun Performing Arts tickets to each other for Christmas.

We first learned about the show through The Epoch Times. Weve been following Shen Yuns locations and we found out that they were coming to Escondido. We just had to do a visit to see it, Mr. Barnes said. We gave each other a Christmas gift, those nice seats that we had. We just loved the show. Its amazing!

New York-based Shen Yun features a live orchestra in all of its performances. During a different season, Shen Yuns Symphony orchestra also tours around the world.

Im a musician, I play the piano, and the music is so beautiful, Mr. Barnes said. And I have to thank The Epoch Times because every day I get my email from The Epoch Times, and it has music from the Shen Yun orchestra, and I play it every day, its so beautiful!

Its the only way to watch a show, with live music, he added.

He also reflected on Shen Yun not being able to perform in China. As a company that presents China before communism, the communist regime of China does not allow Shen Yun to perform there.

I have to say that watching the show makes me feel both happy and uplifted to see it, but sad for the people of China, and the fact that the [Chinese Communist Party] has locked down and just destroyed the culture of the Chinese people, and I pray that someday this will stop, Mr. Barnes said.

Shen Yun uses performing arts to raise awareness of the injustices going on in China and Mr. Barnes expressed his support of their effort.

I think thats very smart. I think its an excellent way for them to be able to get the message out to the world about whats happening to them, he said.

The patented digital backdrop that Shen Yun utilizes is always a wonderful surprise for first-time audience members. The backdrop is used to extend the stage endlessly and allows the dancers to appear in any setting the production wishes.

When it was over, I had to jump to my feet because I felt so uplifted.  Greg Barnes

I mean, when it was over, I had to jump to my feet because I felt so uplifted. It was just a beautiful show. And the technology of that screen, and the people coming down and appearing on the stage is phenomenal. The first time when it happened, we couldnt believe it. Its beautiful, Mr. Barnes said.

Reporting by Yang Jie and Maria Han.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
A new national survey reveals that Aussies are at high risk of lacking non-COVID-19 healthcare during the pandemic. (Studio Romantic/Shutterstock)

Aussies Health at High Risk as COVID pulls the focus on Medical Care: Research

A new national survey of over 13,000 Australians reveals that the health of Aussies is at risk as the pandemic pulls focus towards the more immediate COVID-19 medical care.

The research, conducted by a group of experts at Monash University, found that people with symptoms of depression and anxiety, those who performed unpaid work, lived alone; were of low socioeconomic status, were living on government benefits, or who had personal experience of COVID-19 had 4450 percent less access to necessary health/disability care during physical distancing restrictions caused by the pandemic.

Missed opportunities in routine healthcare can lead to much worse outcomes across a raft of medical conditions, including mental health, cancer and chronic disease, first author of the study, Prof. Flavia Cicuttini, said.

Our findings can help doctors identify and prioritise Australians who may have missed out on potentially life-saving medical care for non-COVID related health issues during lockdowns, and may also help identify those most at risk as our health systems buckle under the Omicron outbreak.

St Vincents Hospital in Sydney, Australia, on June 26, 2020. (AAP Image/James Gourley)

The researchers urged doctors to pay particular attention to the groups listed as they contained the most affected by the healthcare changes.

We are facing major challenges as we deal with the current wave of Omicron. Once we emerge from this, it will be important to make sure that our most vulnerable groups are not left behind as we catch up on much needed healthcare for non-COVID conditions, they said.

The data of the research was gathered in April 2020 as part of the Living With COVID Restrictions study. The online surveys aimed to see how people in Australia experienced their life during the pandemic.

Similarly, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) of New South Wales (NSW) has also called on the government to give attention to the strain on hospitals related to non-COVID care issues.

As the Delta outbreak in Greater Sydney and across NSW grew this winter, the system pivoted to look after acute COVID-care patients which put a unique strain on hospitals across the State, AMA president Danielle McMullen said in a statement on Dec. 15, 2021. We know many people delayed care for serious issues that will likely become more apparent in 2022 and have long-term ramifications for the system.

Non-urgent elective surgeries in the Greater Sydney area were suspended for months in 2021 to help assuage the pressure on the healthcare system.

Ambulances arrive at St Vincents Hospital on December 28, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. COVID-19 testing clinics are at capacity in Sydney with increased demand and centres closing for public holidays. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

The AMA urges the NSW Government to anticipate and accommodate these healthcare needs by ensuring that hospitals have the necessary workforce to respond to the demand.

Our message isprepare now by bolstering workforce numbers. We need more healthcare workers to deal with non-COVID care issues, particularly, increasing rates of cancer, stroke, heart attack, and diabetes, McMullen said.

The president said that 62 percent of respondents in the associations Senior Doctor Pulse Check said they feel the number of medical staff is inadequate, while 8 in 10 indicated they are experiencing workplace stress, most citing excessive workloads and lack of resources.

Meanwhile, it was revealed at the end of 2021 that hospitals in Sydney, were severely understaffed amid the Omicron breakout, planned to recruit staff from overseas, and begged nurses to work overtime during the New Year holiday.
A sign indicating sold out rapid antigen tests is posted in a Balgowlah pharmacy in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 10, 2022.(Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Australia Unions Decry Move to Ease Isolation Requirements for Close Contacts

Australian unions have slammed the national cabinet decision to allow close contacts in essential industries who test negative to COVID-19 to return to work.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), the peak union body, also condemned the decision against making rapid antigen tests (RATs) free and accessible for all Australians.

The announcement [on Jan. 13] allowing more workers who are close contacts to attend work is not a solution to the current crisis, the union said. It increases risk; and could increase sickness in workplaces and across the community at a time health workers and hospitals are already overwhelmed.

ACTU wrote to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday evening demanding free RATs and the restoration of paid pandemic leave for close contacts and those forced out of work but have yet to receive a response.

The federal governments plan to open up, if there is one, has clearly failed our health systems, our economy, and the essential national supply chains, ACTU Secretary Sally McManus said.

She said if the prime minister and the federal government will not act on their demands, then the unions will step up to provide national leadership.

Accordingly, the ACTU has called a crisis meeting of union leaders representing all workers to consider our response to the prime ministers regrettable failure of leadership, to ensure that Australia can get through the continuing pandemic without compromising the safety of workers and the Australian community, she said.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) predicted that the transport crisis would significantly worsen in the coming weeks due to the national cabinets decision.

Distribution centres will become virus hotbeds sending more essential workers to their sick beds, infecting their families along the way, TWU National Secretary Michael said.

Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on May 13, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham told ABC radio that the newer Omicron variant was a game-changer, with actual demand for tests far exceeding what had been previously modelled by health advisers.

Birmingham said the government had been planning for Australias reopening in response to health advice for the Delta variant, where there had been a strong preference to keep using PCR testing as much as possible.

If we could all have predicted what the Omicron variant would look like, of course, we would have prepared for it in different ways, he said. But ultimately, we modelled very carefully how we would reopen against the Delta variant.

Omicrons changed a lot of that, its changed, vastly, the case numbers that were seeing and the world is seeing in terms of COVID-19.

Birmingham added that while the government knew there would be more variants after Delta, it is not possible to predict what kind of impacts those new variants would have.

Meanwhile, the Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) welcomed the national cabinet decision but warned that until supply constraints on RATs were resolved, employees in isolation will still be unable to return to work.

We have been calling for rapid antigen tests to be freely and widely available for Australians, small business, and other industry settings since September last year, ACCI Andrew McKellar said. The government must redouble its efforts to procure the supply Australia needs.

As soon as the availability of rapid antigen testing makes this possible, the national cabinet should take action by extending the close contact protocols announced today to all workers.
A worker cleans while wearing a mask at a restaurant at Southbank, Brisbane in Australia, on June 29, 2021. (Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Australian Businesses Need to Hedge Against Great Resignation: Research Group

Australian employersalready facing difficulties keeping afloat during the pandemicwill need to hedge against a possible Great Resignation that could see a massive shift of employees moving away from their current jobs to new ones.

The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has given Australians a chance to pause and reflect, and for many, they have actually taken the choice to reprioritise their lives, Sophie Renton, managing director at McCrindle Research, told The Epoch Times.

Its not absolute. The Great Resignation is not definitely going to happen. But the environment is there for the potential of it, she added. So, there is an opportunity for employers to listen to their team to understand where theyre coming from, and to design a work environment that people want to be a part of.

Renton said Australian businesses had so far been able to stave off the start of a Great Resignation due to ongoing waves of COVID-19, which has helped maintain the status quo.

I think the point that well see this tension is when business leaders possibly try to go back to the historical way of working, but employees for almost two years have experienced a different way of workingand the Great Resignation is when that tension comes, she said.

Another factor that has given employees greater bargaining power is the dramatic cut to migration since the pandemic began in April 2020, a situation that has left businesses scrambling for talent.

The workforce that is within Australia is the workforce that is here. Therefore, it is a bit more of an employees market than an employers market, Renton said.

She conceded that Australia was unlikely to be hit by the Great Resignation to the same level as the United States, which saw millions resign over the course of 2021.

Tanveer Ahmed, a clinical psychiatrist, said the trend was a big negotiating tool for employees.

I think a lot of people wont always want to leave their current job if they can tweak some of the things they feel like theyre not getting, he told The Epoch Times.

Ahmed said the impact of the Great Resignation would be less marked because fewer Australians had been impacted by deaths from COVID-19a situation that has pushed individuals in the United Kingdom and the United States to reassess their current values and needs.

Even our economy doesnt necessarily lend itself to the same levels [of the Great Resignation], he said.

Its more pronounced in professional service economiesits much harder if youre in a physical jobso theres a degree of middle-class privilege, he added. But you look beyond the key areas of Sydney and Melbourne, and its not necessarily a big service economy.
State's Attorney for Baltimore Marilyn Mosby speaks to reporters in Baltimore, Md., on Aug. 24, 2016. (Larry French/Getty Images for BET Networks)

Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby Indicted on Federal Charges

Baltimore, Marylands top prosecutor was charged Thursday with perjury and making false mortgage applications.

Democrat Marilyn Mosby, 41, was indicted by a grand jury.

The indictment says Mosby submitted requests related to COVID-19 for withdrawals from retirement accounts in order to obtain funds without paying a penalty but did not meet any of the qualifications for the special distribution allowed under the CARES Act, such as experiencing adverse financial consequences from the virus from being quarantined or laid off.

The forms Mosby, who makes over $247,000 a year, signed for the withdrawals stated that she affirmed under penalties for perjury the statements and acknowledgments made in this request.

Mosby allegedly used the funds to make a downpayment for a vacation home in Kissimmee, Florida.

Authorities say Mosby made false statements on applications for mortgages to buy the property and another in the same state, including not disclosing she had unpaid federal taxes from multiple previous years, authorities said.

Further, just before closing on the Kissimmee home, Mosby reached a deal with a vacation home management company giving it control over the rental of the property but a week later allegedly signed a document that stipulated she maintain exclusive control over ownership of the home and land.

Mosby faces up to 70 years in federal prison if convicted of all counts.

Mosby is slated to make an initial appearance in federal court in Baltimore but the hearing has not yet been scheduled, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Maryland.

We will fight these charges vigorously, and I remain confident that once all the evidence is presented, that she will prevail against these bogus chargescharges that are rooted in personal, political, and racial animus five months from her election, Mosbys lawyer told news outlets in a statement.

Mosby read a prepared statement to reporters in Baltimore Friday, declining to take any questions.

She said Baltimore residents should know shes committed to her job even while facing the charges.

I also need citizens who I am blessed to serve to know that Im innocent of the charges that have been levied against me, and I intend to fight with every ounce of energy within my being to prove my innocence, Mosby added.

Mosby trumped incumbent Gregg Bernstein in the Democrat primary for the prosecutor position in 2014 and took office in January of the next year.

She has presided over a spike in violence that includes a rise in murders, which critics blame on her office choosing to stop prosecuting a number of offenses such as drug possession and some traffic violationsa policy initially enacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but made permanent last year due to its alleged success.
Beijing 2022 in Jeopardy? Omicron Crushes Chinas Zero-COVID; Robert Atkinson on Tech IP Theft in China

Is Omicron going to crush Beijings chance to hold the Olympic Games? The latest variant is highly contagious, and it challenges the effectiveness of Beijings zero-COVID policyin which the Chinese regime will lock down an entire city in an attempt to eliminate COVID in the area. In this episode, I lay out some of the political implications and hard choices Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, has to make facing the ongoing surge.

And I spoke with Dr. Robert Atkinson, president and founder of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, who tells us what risks are associated with tech companies that are invested in China. Recent news regarding Teslas new store in Xinjiang drew wide attention. Atkinson tells us how China steals intellectual property and then weaponizes it through export.
Sirhan Sirhan reacts during a parole hearing at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego on Aug. 30, 2019. (Gregory Bull/AP)

California Governor Rejects Parole for Robert F. Kennedy Assassin

SACRAMENTO, Calif.Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, was denied parole Thursday by Californias governor, who said the killer remains a threat to the public and hasnt taken responsibility for a crime that altered American history.

Kennedy, a U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in Californias pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the shooting at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his political hero, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners who said Sirhan, 77, should be freed. The panels recommendation in August had divided the Kennedy family, with two of RFKs sonsDouglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.supporting his release, and their siblings and mother vehemently opposing it.

In his decision, Newsom said the assassination was among the most notorious crimes in American history, Aside from causing Kennedys then-pregnant wife and 10 children immeasurable suffering, Newsom said the killing also caused great harm to the American people.

It upended the 1968 presidential election, leaving millions in the United States and beyond mourning the promise of his candidacy, Newsom wrote. Mr. Sirhan killed Senator Kennedy during a dark season of political assassinations, just nine weeks after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s murder and four and a half years after the murder of Senator Kennedys brother, President John F. Kennedy.

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy speaks to the delegates of the United Auto Workers at a convention hall in Atlantic City, N.J., on May 9, 1968. (AP Photo)

He said Sirhan still lacks insight, refuses to accept responsibility and has failed to disclaim violence committed in his name. That adds to his current risk of inciting further political violence, Newsom wrote.

In 1973, terrorists took 10 hostages at an embassy in Sudan, demanding the release of Sirhan and other prisoners and killing three diplomats when their demands werent met, he noted.

Sirhan, who will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023, will ask a judge to overturn Newsoms denial, defense attorney Angela Berry said.

We fully expect that judicial review of the governors decision will show that the governor got it wrong, she said.

State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society.

She said the parole process has become politicized, and Newsom chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law.

Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century, Berry said. Since the mid-1980s Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public.

Sirhan Sirhan arrives for a parole hearing in San Diego on Aug. 27, 2021. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP)

During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy the hope of the world. But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesnt recall because he was drunk.

It pains me  the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did, in fact, do that, Sirhan said.

Kennedys widow, Ethel, and six of his children hailed Newsoms decision in a statement that called RFK a visionary and champion of justice whose life was cut short by an enraged man with a small gun.

The political passions that motivated this inmates act still simmer today, and his refusal to admit the truth makes it impossible to conclude that he has overcome the evil that boiled over 53 years ago, they wrote.

The panels decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016the 15th time hed lost his bid for release.

Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didnt object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascons policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.

The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsoms late father.

Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972.

By Don Thompson
A medical helicopter rests next to the Drexel Hill United Methodist Church after it crashed the day before in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby, Pa., on Jan. 12, 2022. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo)

Caller at Helicopter Crash Site Told 911 Pilot Wasnt Alert

UPPER DARBY, Pa.A man at the scene of a medical helicopter crash outside Philadelphia this week told a dispatcher he was most concerned about the infant girl who survived, but that the pilot was the only passenger not alert after the wreck, according to a 911 call excerpt released Thursday.

The unidentified caller described the pilot as a middle-aged man in the transcript released by Delaware County officials.

He is breathing, he is talking, he told the dispatcher. My main concern right now is the 2-month-old child, I need an ambulance here right away.

The dispatcher said help was already on the way.

The pilot somehow crash-landed the helicopter without loss of life next to a church in a residential area of suburban Philadelphia.

Brian Rayner, senior safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, told reporters Wednesday he was grateful that the occupants were relatively unhurt in the 1 p.m. Tuesday crash.

The pilots injuries were most severe, but the other two adults and the girl were miraculously unhurt, he said.

A spokesperson for Childrens Hospital of Pennsylvania said no new information about the girls condition was available.

The Eurocopter EC135 medical helicopter was owned by Denver-based Air Methods, an air medical emergency transport service. The company said the aircraft it was part of the LifeNet program based in Hagerstown, Maryland.

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)
A customer waits to pick up her order outside a KFC restaurant where a table is set up at the entrance for contactless pickup of orders placed online in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China on Feb. 14, 2020. (cnsphoto via Reuters)

China Calls for Boycott of a KFC Meal Citing Excessive Buying and Food Wastage

A major government backed Chinese consumer rights group has called for a boycott of a meal deal launched by American fast food chain KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) in mainland China. It said that the promotion sent consumers into a buying frenzy and caused food to be wasted.

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of KFC opening its first restaurant in China, the fried chicken chain launched a promotion with mainland Chinese toy maker Pop Mart called KFC X DIMOO on Jan. 4. A mystery box that came with certain meals contained a toy, some of which were limited edition Dimoo toy dolls.

KFC also said on Jan. 5 that if consumers buy a 99 yuan ($15.60) family bucket meal, they can have one of the Dimoo dolls.

The promotion caused a buying frenzy of people who wanted to collect the dolls. On Chinese online platforms, the prices of KFC blind boxes were resold at prices up to 8 times higher than the original price, ranging from 600 to 800 yuan ($100-$126).

On its official website, the China Consumers Association, a Chinese regime backed organization, criticized KFCs promotion on Jan. 12. It said that according to the sales rules, to collect a complete set of the toy dolls, at least 6 sets of meal deals needed to be purchased, and the probability of getting a doll in a blind box was 1:72. In order to collect all the dolls, consumers would need to spend 10,494 yuan (about $1652) to buy 106 sets of meals at a time. Some people paid others to purchase meals for them just to get a blind box, and some just threw the food away after getting a toy.

The article criticized KFCs use of limited edition blind box sales to induce and condone consumers irrational and excessive purchase of meal sets, which is against public order, good customs, and the spirit of the law. The consumers association called on the public to boycott the KFC meal promotion.

KFC officials did not respond to criticism from the China Consumers Association. A customer service staff of KFC Shanghai said on Jan. 12 that the blind box promotion is still on, but stores that have sold out will not restock them. In Beijing, a KFC spokesperson said the blind boxes were sold out.

The Chinese regime passed an anti-food wastage law and launched a major campaign against food wastage in 2020 amid the COIVD-19 outbreak, ordered by Party leader Xi Jinping. It banned both domestic and international binge eating videos on media and social media as part of the regimes tightened control of internet content.

Social media influencers who make a living by binge eating online were shut down and restaurant goers were told not to order more than they can eat. The campaign caused controversy, as many citizens pointed out that the major food waste in China was caused by the government officials prevalent use of taxpayers money for extravagant banquets.
Staff members stand near a Boeing 737-800 airplane of Air China on the tarmac of Beijing Capital International Airport, which is shrouded in dust as the city is hit by a sandstorm, in Beijing, China, on March 28, 2021. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters)

China Punishes US Airlines

Beijing splits Europe from America through aircraft purchases

News Analysis

The United States, Europe, Japan, and other powerful economies should align more closely to protect democracy against Chinas unscrupulous trade policies.

But as illustrated by the airline industry, Beijing skillfully uses its gatekeeper status to the massive China market to play the democracies against each other.

Since at least 2019, for example, Beijing has effectively used aircraft preferences to split the United States from Europe by manipulating purchases to benefit European manufacturers at the expense of U.S. companies such as Boeing. This scares countries such as Germany and France into silently accepting Beijings illiberality, including its now widely recognized goal of global hegemony.

When two of Boeings 737 MAX planes crashed in 2019, Beijing took the opportunity to be the first to ground the jet, and was the last major airline market to only partially approve MAX flights. More than 185 of 195 regulators globally cleared the MAX to fly after November 2020, yet 100 of the planes that China ordered still remain idled.

A Boeing 737 MAX airliner is pictured at the Boeing Factory in Renton, Wash., on Nov. 18, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2021, Europes Airbus delivered 90 planes to China, but Boeing only delivered two. Chinas Xiamen Airlines, which previously only used Boeing jets, announced plans in November 2021 to purchase 15 new Airbus A321 planes for its fleet.

China was the destination for a quarter of planes in 2021, according to Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, who claimed on Jan. 10 to have a strong presence in China. Airbus has a final assembly facility in Tianjin for A320 single-aisle jets, and increased plane deliveries by 8 percent in 2021.

Beijing is also cutting U.S. airline access to China, with six more flights canceled on Jan. 13. The ostensible reason is the failure of airlines to enforce COVID-19 testing, and a growing number of COVID-positive passengers arriving in China.

Before the pandemic, U.S. and Chinese airlines operated approximately 100 China flights per week, now reduced to just 20. Hong Kong is currently undergoing a two-week ban on flights from the United States, Britain, and six other countries.

Beijing and Washington have sparred over air services since the start of the pandemic, according to Reuters, including through retaliatory 40 percent capacity limitations that Beijing started against United Airlines in August 2021.

Beijings constriction of flight routes from the United States has increased the cost of a ticket to as much as $6,000.

Airlines typically pay half the purchase price upon delivery of the aircraft, indicating to investors that Boeing will report 2021 sales of only $65 billion on Jan. 26 from 280 deliveries out of 909 orders, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Many Boeing orders went undelivered due to COVID cancellations, the 737 MAX crashes, and 787 Dreamliner production problems. But in the case of China, regulatory delays have an additional political motivation.

Airbus, which announced a new wide-body freighter last year to challenge Boeings dominance in that segment, has the advantage of still being able to deliver to Chinese airlines, a market all but closed to Boeing at present because of broader trade tensions between the U.S. and China, according to the Journal.

That helps Airbus in the short term, given that Airbus now controls 60 percent of the workhorse jet market. The A320neo is sold out for the next few years, and the A321neo is selling increasingly well, including for international service.

Airbus is outselling the largest MAX six to one with its own large plane, according to year-end orders of aircraft not yet delivered.

Boeing seeks to increase production, but realizing this requires not only the recovery of airline traffic to pre-pandemic levels last seen in 2019, but a resumption of China deliveries. That resumption would require Chinese regulators to fully clear the 737 MAX.

Pre-pandemic, a quarter of Boeings orders came from China. But since the trade dispute of 2017, Beijing hasnt ordered more Boeing jets. The 100 MAX jets idled for China now cost Boeing a fortune, with ever greater regulatory demands for new upgrades, training, maintenance, and paperwork to get some hoped-for delivery date in 2022 that could actually be never.

Beijings punishment of Boeing scares Airbus, and in turn Brussels, Berlin, and Paris into going soft on Chinas human rights abuse and territorial aggression. Beijing can ensure that Europe wins the general aviation manufacturing competition until China is able to acquire the necessary technology to compete. That leaves the United Stateswhich is advocating for a tougher and united stand against the Chinese Communist Partyout in the cold from the China market, and with deteriorating economic strength compared to Beijing.

While Europes economic interests may in the short term be served by U.S.China tensions, in the long term, Brussels should cooperate more closely with Washington, or see the world increasingly fall into Beijings illiberal orbit.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A 'Citi' sign is displayed outside Citigroup Center near Citibank headquarters in Manhattan in New York City on Dec. 5, 2012. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Citigroup Maintains Vaccine Mandate Deadline Despite SCOTUS Ruling

Citigroup is standing by its Jan. 14 deadline by which it expects employees to be fully vaccinated or receive an approved exemption, the firms head of human resources said in a statement, which came as the Supreme Court overturned the Biden administrations vaccine-or-test requirement for large businesses.

Sara Wechter, Head of Human Resources at Citi, said in a statement that, one day ahead of the Friday deadline, the company has achieved a 99 percent rate of compliance with its COVID-19 vaccination policy.

This level of compliance helps us create a safer workplace, protect your families and our communities, and ensure continuity of our business operations, Wechter said.

Citis policy, announced several months ago, requires U.S.-based staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, or obtain a state-permitted exemption or an accommodation on medical or religious grounds.

Going into the last day, we expect the number of employees who have not complied will decrease even further, Wechter added.

Wechters announcement came on the heels of a ruling by the Supreme Court on Thursday blocking the Biden administrations COVID-19 vaccine-or-test mandate for private businesses employing 100 or more staffers. The ruling means that the mandate is blocked while the case goes back for consideration by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.

The Biden administration has argued that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements, though companies opting to do so could run into state-level mandate bans, which some GOP-led states have imposed.

The National Retail Federation, the biggest retail trade organization in the United States and one of the groups that challenged the Biden administrations vaccine-or-test mandate, called the courts decision a significant victory for employers. Other groups that opposed the mandate, like the American Trucking Associations and the National Federation of Independent Business also hailed the courts decision.

President Joe Biden expressed his disappointment with the Supreme Court ruling in a statement, saying the decision does not stop him from pushing businesses to impose mandates.

The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure, but that does not stop me from using my voice as President to advocate for employers to do the right thing to protect Americans health and economy, Biden said.

I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped upincluding one third of Fortune 100 companiesand institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities, Biden added.

Employers have been split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers, with a November survey by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson finding that, among 543 U.S. companies surveyed, fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds of the firms polled said they had no plans to require shots unless the courts upheld the Biden administrations mandate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
People receive boxes of KN95 face mask during a back to school event offering school supplies, Covid-19 vaccinations, face masks, and other resources for children and their families at the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA in Los Angeles, California on Aug. 7, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Congress Distributes Made in China Masks to House Members, Drawing Criticism From GOP Lawmakers

Congress distributed KN95 masks with a stamp that reads Made in China to members of the House of Representatives. The masks origin renewed concerns among lawmakers about Americas dependence on Chinese personal protective equipment (PPE).

The House physician had required legislators to upgrade their masks to N95 or KN95, instead of using cloth ones, due to increasing cases of COVID-19 omicron variant in the country, according to a Jan. 14 Fox News report.

But the masks delivered from the Office of the Attending Physician were manufactured in China, prompting pushback from some lawmakers.

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Jan. 11, requesting that masks and other PPE provided to Congress members are domestically produced.

Members of Congress should not have to wear masks manufactured by unfriendly regimes. President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party pose a clear and real threat to our nation, one that must be taken seriously, reads the letter.

If we should have learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemicit is imperative to break U.S. dependence on foreign medical supply chains, added Wittman.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted U.S. reliance on Chinese medical supplies, and the dangers it entails. According to Rosemary Gibson, senior adviser at the Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute, the United States depends on China for masks, scans, prescription drugs, and their ingredients, among other supplies.

Gibson, who is also co-author of China RX: Exposing the Risks of Americas Dependence on China for Medicine, previously told The Epoch Times that this reliance poses a danger to national security, as it exposes the United States to a lack of availability of crucial medicines, such as antibiotics, as well as PPE.

Congressman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), chairman of the House GOP Doctors Caucus, said that the fact the masks we are mandated to wear in the U.S. Congress are made in China is just one example of our inabilities to protect and treat Americans without relying on adversaries, according to Fox.

These Chinese masks further highlight our need to divest away from the [Chinese Communist Party]. Our national security and our health depend on it, he added.

Because of these security concerns, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2022, contains a prohibition for the United States to acquire PPE, such as masks, from China, North-Korea, Russia and Iran. However, exceptions to this rule include buying equipment that cannot be procured as and when needed from other nations, as well as purchases that do not surpass $150,000.

Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C) underscored the irony of acquiring protective gear from China, where the CCP Virus, which causes COVID-19, originated.

We are fighting a virus that came from China, yet the Speaker [Pelosi] is comfortable with publicly supporting a Chinese manufacturer, sending our taxpayer dollars overseas and further advertising our dependency on China  on the faces of Congress, Murphy said, Fox reported.

At the height of the pandemic, many American companies rushed to produce N95 masks as well as other PPE. However, the Chinese regime has been attempting to drive the American PPE industry out of business through dumping, according to Anders Corr, China analyst and Epoch Times contributor. Dumping is an unfair trade practice banned by the WTO that involves selling goods abroad at less than fair value.

Its likely a purposeful strategy by Beijing, which wants to keep America dependent on China for life-saving medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, wrote Corr. If America is dependent upon China, Chinas path to global hegemony will be easier.
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 30, 2020. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Conservatives Want Security Review of Chinese Takeover of Canadian Mining Company

The Conservative Party is calling for a national security review of the purchase of a Canadian lithium mining company by a Chinese state-owned enterprise.

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd announced it would be purchasing Neo Lithium in October, opening a 45-day period during which the federal government could conduct a review. However, no review took place.

Its concerning that the foreign takeover of Canadian lithium mining company Neo Lithium was not immediately subject to a national security review by the Liberal government, wrote Conservative MPs Michelle Rempel Garner and Ed Fast in a statement.

Canada is falling behind in developing its critical mineral industries, and allowing the foreign takeover of companies like Neo Lithium without due diligence could further weaken our strategic interest in developing a domestic supply of lithium and other critical minerals.

Rempel Garner, critic for natural resources, and Fast, critic for industry, note the mineral is an important component of electric vehicles that could play a key role in meeting our climate targets.

They also say that shortages of these critical minerals are detrimental to supply chains, noting the impact the shortage of semiconductors is having on the auto industry.

Canadas Conservatives are calling on the Liberals to immediately conduct a national security review of the takeover under the Investment Canada Act and to explain why a national security review was not completed in the first place, the statement said.

Perhaps a reason why the deal did not trigger an automatic review is because Neo Lithiums sole project, the 3Q minewhich it says is one of the largest lithium brine deposits in the worldis located in Argentina. But there could be other concerns related to the nature of the purchaser or the transfer of proprietary information.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made securing critical minerals a key objective for his minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Trudeau wrote in his December mandate letter to the minister that he should work to attract investments in minerals processing, cell manufacturing, and zero-emissions vehicle parts and assembly manufacturing and ensure the protection and development of our critical minerals.

Champagne, along with Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, was told to launch a Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to make Canada a global leader in mining and the production of batteries.

Currently, Canada is not extracting lithium from the ground despite having reserves. The North American Lithium mine operated shortly in Quebec in 2018 and 2019 but closed due to low prices. Sayona Quebec purchased the mine last August and announced in December it was working on a relaunch and was conducting additional drilling.
Constitutional Rights Group to Take Legal Action Against Quebecs Tax on the Unvaccinated

A Calgary-based charter rights advocacy group says it will launch a legal challenge against the government of Quebec regarding its plan to impose a health tax on residents who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

On Jan. 11, Quebec Premier Francois Legault said a significant financial penalty will be imposed as a tax for those who refuse the vaccine. He didnt reveal how much the penalty will be or when it will be implemented, but said later in the week that a bill to impose the measure will be put forth to the provinces legislature in February for a vote.

The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announced that it will take legal action against the province in a statement issued Thursday.

The proposed Quebec health tax is an egregious violation of the Charter rights of Quebecers and an affront to equality which Canada was, in times past, known for, the Justice Centres president John Carpay said.

This is a blatant attack on a minority of society. Historically, persecution of a minority through taxation has paved the way for further and worse measures. We will fight this discriminatory and unscientific tax in court and defend the right to bodily autonomy of Quebecers and all Canadians. This injustice has no place in Canada.

In May 2021, Legault said he would gradually lift restrictions and return to normalcy if 75 percent of adult Quebecers were vaccinated.

Currently, the province has exceeded that goal, with 85 percent of eligible residents receiving at least one shot, and 78 percent fully vaccinated with two required doses.

Quebec has implemented some of the strictest public health measures in North America. On Dec. 31, 2021, the province reintroduced a nightly curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., which will be lifted on Jan. 17. Quebec had previously imposed a similar curfew for five months from January to May 2021.

On Jan. 13, Legault said the province will extend its vaccine passport requirement to large indoor retail settings of more than 1,500 square metres, including big box stores like Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, and Costco. Grocery stores and pharmacies are some of the exceptions, which are deemed essential.

The announcement of a tax on those who decline the COVID injections, like the vaccine passport, is discrimination and wrong, Carpay said.

Vaccines do not stop people from contracting or spreading COVID, so there is no medical or scientific justification for the financial persecution and discrimination against vaccine-free citizens.

The Justice Centre noted that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that every individual has the right to bodily autonomy, which means a person has the right to control his/her own bodily integrity.

Another civil rights group, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), criticized Quebecs proposal in a statement released Wednesday, saying it raises significant equity concerns.

We know that some of those who remain unvaccinated are individuals who face serious barriers to accessing health care, and many have a low level of trust in the system because of negative experiences in the past, said Cara Zwibel, director of Fundamental Freedoms and acting general counsel for the CCLA.

This is a divisive measure that will end up punishing and alienating those who may be most in need of public health supports and services.

A number of European countries have imposed some kind of financial burden on unvaccinated citizens. In Austria, the first nation in Europe to create such a tax, a fine of up to 3,600 euros (roughly C$5,100) will be levied on people aged 14 and over who refused to receive a vaccine every three months.

In Greece, individuals over 60 years old will incur a fine of 100 euros (C$143) if they still havent received a shot by Jan. 16.
The Tesla logo is seen outside a dealership in the Brooklyn borough of New York on April 26, 2021. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Court Rejects Tesla Push to Reinstate Higher US Fuel Economy Penalties

WASHINGTONA U.S. appeals court on Thursday rejected a request from Tesla Inc. to quickly reinstate higher civil penalties for automakers who fail to meet U.S. fuel economy standards.

The Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals had rejected the electric vehicle makers request in April for immediate action pending a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) review. Tesla again asked the court in August to take immediate action. The court on Thursday issued a brief order rejecting that request.

Tesla sells credits to other automakers to help them meet government vehicle emissions requirements, and says those credits are less valuable due to changes in rules made by former President Donald Trumps administration.

In August, NHTSA issued a notice saying it could impose higher penalties for prior model years. It submitted a draft proposal to the White House in December for regulatory review.

Automakers have said hiking penalties could cost them at least $1 billion annually, both for failing to meet the rules and higher prices for credits used to meet the rules.

The Trump administration in its final days delayed a 2016 regulation that more than doubled penalties for automakers failing to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements.

Tesla in August met with NHTSA and urged them withdraw Trumps action immediately.

A group representing major automakers including General Motors, Toyota, Ford, and Volkswagen opposed Teslas request.

That Tesla might benefit from more certainty about the worth of the CAFE credits that it has amassed is hardly a reason to cut off an ongoing administrative process, the group told the appeals court.

Chrysler parent Stellantis said in August costs related to potential higher CAFE penalties could be about $597 million. Fiat Chrysler paid nearly $150 million for failing to meet 2016 and 2017 requirements.

By David Shepardson
The building of Ukrainian Foreign Ministry during snowfall in Kyiv, Ukraine, in an undated photo. (Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)

Cyberattack in Ukraine Targets Government Websites

KYIV, UkraineA cyberattack left a number of Ukrainian government websites temporarily unavailable Friday, officials said.

While it wasnt immediately clear who was responsible, the disruption came amid heightened tensions with Russia and after talks between Moscow and the West failed to yield any significant progress this week.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko told The Associated Press it was too soon to say who was behind it, but there is a long record of Russian cyber assaults against Ukraine in the past.

Moscow had previously denied involvement in cyberattacks against Ukraine.

About 70 websites of both national and regional government bodies were targeted in the attack but no critical infrastructure was affected and no personal data accessed, according to Victor Zhora, deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection.

The hack amounted to a simple defacement of government websites, said Oleh Derevianko, a leading private sector expert and founder of the ISSP cybersecurity firm. The hackers got into a content management system they all use, but didnt get access to the websites themselves.

The main question, said Derevianko, is whether this is a standalone hacktivist actionpatriotic Russian freelancersor part of a larger state-backed operation.

A message posted by the hackers in Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish claimed Ukrainians personal data was placed online and destroyed. It told Ukrainians to be afraid and expect the worst. In response, Polands government issued a statement noting that Russia has a history of such disinformation campaigns and that the Polish in the message was clearly not from a native speaker.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been running high in recent months after Moscow amassed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraines border.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that the alliance will continue to provide strong political and practical support to Ukraine in light of the cyberattacks.

In the coming days, NATO and Ukraine will sign an agreement on enhanced cyber cooperation, Stoltenberg said in a statement.

Russia has a long history of cyberattacks against Ukraine, including nearly thwarting its 2014 national elections and briefly crippling parts of its power grid during the winters of 2015 and 2016. In 2017, Russia unleashed one of most damaging cyberattacks on record with the NotPetya virus that targeted Ukrainian businesses and caused more than $10 billion in damage globally.

Ukrainian cybersecurity professionals have been fortifying the defenses of critical infrastructure ever since. Zhora has told the AP that officials are particularly concerned about Russian attacks on the power grid, rail network, and central bank.

Experts have said recently that the threat of another such cyberattack is significant as it would give Russian President Vladimir Putin the ability to destabilize Ukraine and other ex-Soviet countries that wish to join NATO without having to commit troops.

If youre trying to use it as a stage and a deterrent to stop people from moving forward with NATO consideration or other things, cyber is perfect, Tim Conway, a cybersecurity instructor at the SANS Institute, told the AP in an interview last week.

Conway was in Ukraine last month conducting a simulated cyberattack on the countrys energy sector. The United States has been helping Ukraine bolster its cyber defenses through agencies including the Department of Energy and USAID.

The White House didnt immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

In a separate development Friday, Russias Federal Security Service, or FSB, announced the detention of members of the REvil ransomware gang, which was behind last years Fourth of July weekend supply-chain attack targeting the Florida-based software firm Kaseya. The attack crippled more than 1,000 businesses and public organizations globally.

The FSB claimed to have dismantled the gang, but REvil effectively disbanded in July. Cybersecurity experts say its members largely moved to other ransomware syndicates. They cast doubt Friday on whether the arrests would significantly impact Russian-speaking ransomware gangs, whose activities have only moderately eased after a string of high-profile attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure last year including the Colonial Pipeline.

The FSB said it raided the homes of 14 group members and seized over 426 million rubles ($5.6 million), including in cryptocurrency as well as computers, crypto wallets and 20 elite cars bought with money obtained by criminal means. All those detained have been charged with illegal circulation of means of payment, a criminal offense punishable by up to six years in prison. The suspects werent named.

According to the FSB, the operation was conducted at the request of U.S. authorities, who reported the leader of the group to officials in Moscow. Its the first significant public action by Russian authorities since U.S. President Joe Biden warned Putin last year that he needed to crack down on ransomware gangs in his country.

Experts said it was too early to know if the arrests signal a major Kremlin crackdown on ransomware criminalsor if it may just have been a piecemeal effort to appease the White House.

Bill Siegel, CEO of the ransomware response firm Coveware, said hell be watching to see what kind of prison time those arrested get. The follow-through on sentencing will send the strongest signal one way or another as to IF there has truly been a change in how tolerant Russia will be in the future to cyber criminals, he said via email.

Yelisey Boguslavskiy, research director at Advanced Intelligence, said that while the arrests do follow a pattern of Kremlin pressure on ransomware criminalsincluding in some cases prompting them to hand over decryption keysthose arrested could simply be low-level affiliates, not the core group that managed the data-scrambling malware. The REvil syndicate also apparently ripped off some affiliates so it had enemies in the criminal underground, he said.

REvils attacks crippled tens of thousands of computers worldwide and yielded at least $200 million in ransom payments, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in November when announcing charges against two hackers affiliated with the gang.

Such attacks brought significant attention from law enforcement officials around the world. The United States announced charges against two affiliates in November, hours after European law enforcement officials revealed the results of a lengthy, 17-nation operation. As part of that operation, Europol said, a total of seven hackers linked to REvil and another ransomware family have been arrested since February.

The AP reported last year that U.S. officials, meanwhile, shared a small number of names of suspected ransomware operators with Russian officials, who have said they were investigating.

Brett Callow, a ransomware analyst with the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, said that whatever Russias motivations may be, the arrests would certainly send shockwaves through the cybercrime community. The gangs former affiliates and business associates will invariably be concerned about the implications.

By Yuras Karmanau, Frank Bajak, and Dasha Litvinova
Defendant Hums in Courtroom to Avoid Hearing Fentanyl Murder Advisement

SANTA ANA, Calif.A man who had pleaded guilty to possession for sale of fentanyl and methamphetamine was directed by his public defender to hum inside the courtroom to avoid hearing an advisement that he could be charged with murder if someone dies from drugs he sells, according to the Orange County district attorney.

In court, the defendant was instructed to continue humming as a legal maneuver to not hear the advisement, even after being instructed multiple times by the judge to stop.

Im not going to let these drug dealers get away with murder, Orange County DA Todd Spitzer said in a statement. This defendantand his deputy public defenderdont want to hear it. The judge wasnt having it, telling the public defender in no uncertain terms she was not going to allow humming in her courtroom. It was inappropriate, she scolded.

The defendant then withdrew his guilty plea, where he was going to be given a plea deal of 2 years and 8 months for the crime, and if he is later convicted, the DAs Office will have another opportunity to read him the advisement that he could be charged with murder.

You can hum all you want, but it doesnt change the fact that drug dealers are killing people by selling them fentanyl, and at some point, they will face the music, Spitzer said.

OC DA Todd Spitzer speaks at a news conference in Santa Ana, Calif., on Jan. 25, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Due to skyrocketing fatal fentanyl-related poisonings, the DAs Office announced in November that they will now issue an advisement to individuals convicted of drug trafficking crimes that if they sell fentanyl and other drugs to someone who dies as a result of the drug, the dealer can be charged with murder.

The move comes amid a fentanyl epidemic across the country and California communities as a whole. In Orange County, fatal fentanyl poisonings have increased more than 1,000 percent over the past five years and are projected to get worse going into 2022, according to the DAs Office.

Most fentanyl victims are unaware that they are even taking the substance, as many illicit drug manufacturers put fentanyl inside fake prescription pills that appear to be oxycodone or Percocet. The drugs are then sold on the street to victims who believe they are buying legitimate pills, causing them to be poisoned by the fentanyl they didnt know it was laced with.

The drug is highly dangerous and is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. As little as 2 milligrams can kill someone.

These are not overdoses. These dealers are essentially handing a loaded gun to unsuspecting victims knowing that they will probably die, and they dont care, Spitzer said.
Scott Atlas (L), senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany arrive ahead of President Donald Trump for a news conference at the White House in Washington, on Aug. 12, 2020. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo, File)

Denial of Natural Immunity in CMS Vaccine Mandate Unprecedented in Modern History: Scott Atlas

Denying natural immunity in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) vaccine mandates is unprecedented in modern history, a prominent public health expert said.

Dr. Scott Atlas, a former White House COVID-19 Task Force adviser during the Trump administration, made the remarks after the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decide to uphold the CMS vaccine mandates in a Thursday ruling.

He told The Epoch Times that the ruling is another serious denial of scientific fact specifically mentioning the denial of natural immunity in CMS vaccine mandates.

Our continued denial of superior protection in recovered individuals, with or without vaccination, compared to vaccinated individuals whove never had the infection, he said. The denial of that is simply unprecedented in modern history, proven fact and decades of fundamental immunology are somehow denied.

If we are a society where the leaders repeatedly deny the fact, Im very concerned about the future of such a society, he added.

The Epoch Times reached out to the SCOTUS, CMS, and the White House for comments.

Members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the Biden administrations private business vaccine mandate imposed by the Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Meanwhile, Americas highest court decided to uphold the CMS vaccine mandate covering 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities.

In the 54 ruling in the CMS vaccine mandate, John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh joined the Democrat-nominated trio of justices, while Clarence Thomas offered a dissent that was joined by Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett.

The majority of the court stated that the vaccine mandate falls within the authorities that Congress has conferred upon the Health and Human Service Secretary (HHS) Xavier Becerra.

CMS is part of the HHS.

The ruling also disagrees with the dozens of red states who said that CMS failed to consider the benefits of natural immunity.

Given the rule-making record, it cannot be maintained that the Secretary failed to examine the relevant data and articulate a satisfactory explanation for his decisions to require vaccination of employees with natural immunity from prior COVID-19 illness, read the majority opinion (pdf).

CMS applauded the SCOTUS ruling saying its extremely pleased for the results.

We look forward to working with health care providers and their workers to protect patients. We will continue our extensive outreach and assistance efforts encouraging individuals working in health care to get vaccinated, CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said in a statement.
Delta Diner draws crowds with a constantly innovating team

Delta Diner is an unexpected vision in the Wisconsin Northwoods. As you come around the bend on an old county highway, a classic aluminum diner appears at the roadside, shining like brand new in the sun, alongside a smoking open-air Jamaican jerk shack, a coffee and ice cream stand, and a craft-beer bar built into a couple of shipping containers connected by an arcing steel rooftop. Stop for the photo; stay for the food.

From Dream to Diner

In 1994, Todd and Nina Bucher left the career world on the East Coast, cashed in their 401Ks, and bought some land near the edge of the Chequamegon National Forest between Ashland and Iron River in Todds home state of Wisconsin. They lived a year in a 13-foot trailer with two dogs and two cats while both of them worked and Todd built a house near Delta, where there was practically nothing but a small stone storage structure and the ruins of the 1923 Delta Store, a grocery, bar, restaurant, gas station, and post office that succumbed to fire in 1973. So many times the Buchers had passed that lot, imagining what could be done with it. Finally, they bought it.

Todd and Nina Bucher. (Courtesy of Delta Diner)

Todds childhood love of diners dictated the plan. He found a 1940s Silk City diner abandoned in a lot in Upstate New York, had it renovated in Cleveland, and moved it to its unlikely new home in the woods in Delta, a town without an actual town, surrounded by hidden lakes and cabins. It took nearly two years to get the project going, but in November 2003, the Buchers opened Delta Diner in the proverbial middle of nowhere. And they didnt just play it safe with the same old trusty offerings either.

The operation is anchored by a renovated 1940s Silk City diner. (Courtesy of Delta Diner)

Not Your Ordinary Menu

We wanted to kick it up a little, Todd said. And so he has. How about a Greek omelet with gyro meat, summer sausage, spinach, tomatoes, Greek olives, and tzatziki sauce? Or very flat Norwegian pancakes poured around jalapeno slices laid on the grill? They actually sweeten with the heat, Todd said of his hotcakes. Theres stuffed French toast with mascarpone and blueberries, and hashbrowns folded around pulled pork. Pedros Mexican Benny is a turn on Benedict with two eggs over cornbread topped with a spicy chorizo gravy. Todd says they spent months dialing in the recipes that have made it to the menu or daily specials.

One such returning special, a spin on southern Red Eye gravy, became the focus of one of the diners two appearances on Guy Fieris Food Network series Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Served over biscuits, the gravy is made with pork sausage, diced prime rib, and bacon, with cayenne, black pepper, and a fine Turkish grind of espresso beans. Fifty percent will be addicted, and fifty percent wont be able to eat it, Todd said.

Anyone can find something they like on the menu, but not everything on the menu is designed for everyone. Either you love it or you cant do it. If everyone is OK with it, then no one loves it.

The menu is full of creative twists on classic diner dishes. (Courtesy of Delta Diner)

Results speak for themselves: Customers drive from 45 minutes to six or even eight hours just for a meal. A Hungarian traveler had seen the diner on the Food Network and made it a goal to visit during his trip to America.

Adapting and Growing

Delta Diner initially opened daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but when customers showed an interest in burgers, which arent on the daily menu, Todd started Burger Mondays, featuring a menu of seven specialty burgers, fries, and the usual malts and shakes, but from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. instead.

Not long after the opening of the diner, Nina created Taste Budz, a coffee counter and ice cream shop in the old stone storage building, perfect for waiting customers.

But bigger plansplus upgrades to the diners existing kitchendemanded bigger spending. Rather than turning to a bank, the Buchers opened their LLC to 35 small investors, many of them loyal customers, to become silent shareholders.

Then came the Tin Tap House and Chicken Shacktogether called the TapShacktwo mural-covered containers connected by an arcing steel roof. The bar container serves eight brews from Earth Rider Beer in Superior, Wisconsin, with a Caribbean-style lager brewed specifically for the outlet. Open Wednesday to Sunday afternoons in season (its closed until spring), the shack serves jerk pork and ribs, seafood fritters, and the Lilliput Speciala jerked half chicken, with callaloo, rice and peas, and festival breadnamed for the inspiration for the setup, Lilliput Jerk Centre. (Nina Bucher is friends with its Montego Bay owners after more than 25 years of annual girls getaways to Jamaica.)

During high season, the TapShack, the diners version of a traditional Jamaican jerk pit, serves jerk chicken, pork, ribs, and Friday fish. (Courtesy of Delta Diner)

Not every new idea has worked, or at least not right away. Friday Fish friesa cultural imperative in Wisconsindid well in the diner in high season, but didnt pay off in winter, but Bucher didnt want to keep adding it and taking it away. Instead, it became Caribbean-style and moved to the TapShack, which is only open in high season when the fish fries make business sense.

For one season, a Pancake Porch experiment served breakfasts through a side window for those who didnt want to brave long wait times for the diners 48 seats, but it never took off. Prior to the pandemic, we couldnt give away outdoor seating; the market wanted the interior experience. That changed, and now they serve up to 60 with some extra outdoor tables.

A Different Work Model

In 2016, the diner introduced a no-tip policy. We are in the experience business, and everyone in the house is contributing to that, Todd said. Everybody needs to be addressed in terms of compensation in a way that is both fair and equitable. Raising menu prices 20 percent funds a starting wage of $15 an hour for full-time workers out front or in the kitchen. Each server explains this policy to any new customers while also walking them through each item on the menu that day.

For years, Todd worked the grill himself, but kitchen staff mastered the tasks, giving him more time to work on other projects, such as the TapShack as well as a line of in-house products. The house hot sauces and the devilishly delicious Delta Diner spicy pickled garlic are produced on site and for sale up front. The growing product line spreads out revenue from just dining.

The diner adapted during the pandemic, with online orders and pickup, and even closing during a couple winter months. But the experience made Todd realize some of the staff could use a break from an exhausting busy season, so the diner closed for November and December 2021. Employees who needed to stay working focused on production work with Delta Diner products, while those with a side gig or artistic ambition were able to take advantage of some personal time. Starting Jan. 1, they reopened for Saturdays and Sundays only.

On the Map

The parking lot is full on a summers day, and a crowd waits as much as an hour or more to get a table or counter stool inside. Some days you might find a long row of Harleys or classic cars in the lot, as road touring groups often add Delta Diner to their itinerary.

We are in the experience business, and it revolves around food and vibe. One happens to be diner and the other is very island and Caribbean. That vibe has to be right, and the food has to be right, and you have to put the right customers on that platform, Todd said. But he sees another development for the TapShack, and it involves the small stage that appeared at the edge of the woods in 2021.

The TapShack will continue to offer the jerk experience most of the time, said Todd, but on 20 special designated days, we are going to build an experience around a combination of food and musicit could be Cajun, it could be Southern, it could be soul food. And all of this can be found in what was just a forgotten lot along a highway in the woods.

Todd isnt surprised, however. What they dont teach you in business school about location, location, location is that if you want to build something totally unique, you are better off creating that location and drawing people to it.

If you build it, they will come? Seems so. Put Delta Diner on your road-trip bucket list.
Many older folks ask about getting disability benefits from Social Security. (Juice Verve/Shutterstock)

Disability Support Sector Cut to the Bones as Staff Furloughed Due to Virus

People with disability are missing out on vital services as a large number of the sectors aid workers have been forced into COVID-19 isolation across the country.

Health and Community Services Union official Roisin McGee said as many as 20 percent of carers were furloughed as they are either isolating or sick with the virus, which sent dangerous signals to workers.

This industry has already been cut to the bone, but staffing numbers are now at the minimum safety level, McGee said.

Its dangerous for workers and worrying for people with a disability who need support.

The staff who are still working nowtheyve worked through pandemics, lockdowns, seeing their colleagues get sick and maybe die. And now theyve seen their fellow employees burn out and leave.

In Victoria, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) screening checkwhich ensures workers do not present an unacceptable risk to participantshad been delayed to up to 12 weeks, the union official noted.

The NDIS check is important, but it cant come at the expense of disabled peoples care, McGee said.

The situation was also observed in Tasmania, where major NDIS provider Able Australia has acquired only seven rapid antigen tests for Tasmanian staff, the Guardian reported.

This was simply not good enough, the national director of engagement at Able Australia, Chandi Piefke, said, noting the state has over 100 staff and clients, and Australia has been three years into the pandemic.

The standard channels which apply to health and aged care dont seem to be available to the disability sector, which is really disappointing, Piefke told the Guardian.

This has added more pressure on some disability service workers who said they did not have access to any government grants even if they had to take time off work after contracting COVID-19.

Our members are under extreme pressure, ASU NSW/ACT branch acting secretary Angus McFarland said.

They are on the frontline, putting their own health and wellbeing at risk to support vulnerable people and communities.

As a result, they are getting infected with the virus or becoming close contacts and having to take time off work without pay.

According to a survey of 700 Australian Services Union members, among NDIS staff who caught the virus, 23 percent of them had to take unpaid sick leave.

At the same time, the disability service staffing shortages had put the lives and health of thousands of vulnerable people at risk, People With Disability Australia president Samantha Connor said.

Weve had reports of people not getting basic assistance for days on end, people sleeping in their wheelchairs because theres no one to help them get into bed, Conner noted.

There have been calls for the sector to have priority access to free rapid antigen tests like their aged care counterparts so that carers can prove they are able to provide service to clients without queuing for hours for a PCR test and days for the result.
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole replaces his mask at the end of a news conference responding to the federal governments COVID-19 response, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Jan. 6, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Discriminatory and Wrong: Conservative Leaders Oppose Quebecs Proposed Tax on the Unvaccinated

Conservative Leader Erin OToole says he is opposed to Quebecs plan to tax residents who refuse COVID-19 vaccination, while other Conservative politicians are also speaking out against the controversial penalty.

OToole stated his position on Quebec Premier Francois Legaults proposal during a Facebook Live event on Jan. 13, calling it unfair and predicting that it wont persuade vaccine-hesitant Quebecers to finally roll up their sleeves. He also said Quebecs proposal doesnt align with Canadas approach to health care and that its easy to turn a frustrated 85 percent of the population against 10 or 15 other percent of the population, referring to those who are vaccinated and those who refuse to get the shot.

Earlier this week, Legault announced plans to impose a significant financial penalty on unvaccinated adults who dont have a medical exemption. He said on Jan. 13 that a bill will be introduced in the provinces National Assembly early in February so all political parties will be ale to vote either for or against and propose adjustments, if necessary.



According to official data, 85 percent of Quebecs population have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

As well as OToole, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe all ruled out the possibility of introducing a similar penalty for unvaccinated residents of their provinces earlier this week. Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore also said that he wont recommend a similar punitive tax on the unvaccinated.

A number of Conservative MPs also criticized Legaults proposal on Twitter.

Any tax targeting unvaccinated people is discriminatory and wrong. Period. Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre wrote.

Thornhill MP Melissa Lantsman called the proposal legally and ethically wrong.

The scapegoating of the unvaccinated gets worse by the day. This tax will do nothing to keep anyone safe, tweeted St. Albert-Edmonton MP Michael Cooper. Several civil liberties and constitutional rights group have also condemned Quebecs plan.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) said in a statement issued on Jan. 12 that the proposed tax on the unvaccinated raises significant equity concerns.



We know that some of those who remain unvaccinated are individuals who face serious barriers to accessing health care, and many have a low level of trust in the system because of negative experiences in the past, said Cara Zwibel, acting general counsel for the CCLA.

This is a divisive measure that will end up punishing and alienating those who may be most in need of public health supports and services.

Conservative MP Mark Strahl applauded the CCLAs condemnation of the shameful policy, while noting that Canadas charter recognizes individual autonomy over our bodies and medical decisions.

On Jan. 13, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announced that it will launch legal action against Quebec for the planned health tax, which it says violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The proposed Quebec health tax is an egregious violation of the Charter rights of Quebecers and an affront to equality which Canada was, in times past, known for, states Justice Centre president John Carpay.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Jan. 12 that he would need more details about Quebecs plan before saying whether he would support it. The following day he said the province has indicated the plan will be in line with the principles of the Canada Health Act, which guarantees universal health-care access to Canadians.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
Elon Musk Says Tesla Accepting Dogecoin Payments for Some Merchandise; Cryptocurrency Surges

Elon Musk has announced that Tesla is accepting payment for some merchandise with Dogecoin, sending the meme-based cryptocurrency surging and marking a return for the electric-vehicle maker to accept digital currencies for some purchases.

While the Tesla CEO wrote on Twitter on Jan. 14 that Tesla merch buyable with Dogecoin, he didnt provide further details as to which specific items customers could buy with the cryptocurrency.

According to Teslas website, customers are unable to purchase Tesla electric vehicles with the currency, but they can buy some collectible items that include a Cyberwhistle, a Giga Texas Belt Buckle, and a Cyberquad four-wheeler for children.

The support page on the electric carmakers website states that customers simply need to look for the Dogecoin symbol next to the order button for Dogecoin-eligible products, and they must have their own dogecoin wallets set up to pay with the cryptocurrency. Its also the buyers responsibility to ensure that Dogecoin is transferred to Teslas Dogecoin wallet accurately.

Tesla also warns that orders that are overpaid with Dogecoin wont be refunded to the original form of payment. It also noted that hackers or other similar groups might try to cause problems with the Dogecoin network or your payment that could affect your transaction, for which Tesla wont take responsibility in the case of lost or stolen digital assets.

Financial institutions and governments across the world, including some U.S. lawmakers, have called for the cryptocurrency market to be regulated and have warned about the risks that the digital asset market poses.

Dogecoin co-creator Billy Markus, who goes by the name of Shibetoshi Nakamoto, wrote on Jan. 14, Yo, its happening, on Twitter alongside an image of Teslas Cyberwhistle, which was available for a price of 300 Dogecoin.

The cryptocurrency has gained 17.1 percent in 2022, Barrons reported.

This isnt the first time that Musk, a cryptocurrency supporter, has said Tesla will accept dogecoin as payment for merchandise. In December, he announced that the company would accept dogecoin as payment for merchandise on a test basis, which sent the cryptocurrency soaring by 24 percent.

In March 2021, the electric car maker briefly accepted Bitcoin payments for its products, including its cars, a move that it announced one month after it invested $1.5 billion in the cryptocurrency.

But just two months later, the company said it would no longer be accepting the cryptocurrency as payment because of Musks concerns over the amount of energy consumed during the bitcoin mining process, which is done through computers solving equations and puzzles.

We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel, Musk said in a statement at the time.

According to data from TRG Datacenters, dogecoin uses 0.12 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per transaction, in comparison to Bitcoin and Ethereum, which consume 707 kWh and 62.56 kWh per transaction, respectively.
SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks on a screen during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, on June 29, 2021. (Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Elon Musks SpaceX to Launch 3 South African-Made Nanosatellites: Why This Is Historically Important

Elon Musk is giving a major hat-tip to his birthplace by launching the first nanosatellite constellation made entirely in South Africa on todays SpaceX Transporter-3 mission.

What Happened

According to a report from South Africas News24, the three nanosatellites are part of the first Maritime Domain Awareness Satellite constellation (MDASat-1) and will be deployed in low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 326 miles.

According to the South African Department of Science and Innovation, the nanosatellites will be used to monitor the nations coastline.

Why It Matters

This will be the first time a satellite constellation developed entirely on the African continent will orbit the Earth. Blade Nzimande, South Africa minister of higher education, science, and innovation, hailed the launch as a major step forward for his nations space industry.

This will further cement South Africas position as an African leader in small satellite development and help the country to capture a valuable share of a niche market in the fast-growing global satellite value chain, said Nzimande, whose department allocated $1.7 million into the three-year development of the MDASat constellation.

Musk, whose leadership of SpaceX and Tesla Inc. made him the worlds richest person with a $282 billion net worth, was born in the South African capital of Pretoria in 1971. He emigrated in 1989 to Canada and relocated to the U.S. in 1992, acquiring citizenship 10 years later.

By Phil Hall

 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
An exhaust pipe of a car is pictured on a street in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 22, 2018. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

EU Court Rejects Cities Bid to Curb Car Emissions

BRUSSELSThe European Unions top court dismissed a complaint on Thursday brought by the cities of Brussels, Madrid, and Paris against the European Commission in which they accused it of setting car emissions limits for nitrogen oxides too high.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) thereby overruled an earlier judgment in favor of the cities from the General Court, the EUs second-highest chamber, which prompted an appeal by Germany, Hungary, and the Commission.

The case revolves around the Commissions introduction after the 2015 Dieselgate scandal of real driving emissions testing to complement laboratory procedures and its setting of emission limits on nitrogen oxides for light passenger and commercial vehicles.

The cities complained that the limits were higher than those of the Euro 6 standard that applies to light vehicles registered since 2015. As such, they argued, it undermined their abilities to regulate the circulation of vehicles to reduce air pollution.

The General Court backed their view, as did the advocate-general in his advice to the CJEU judges. However, they overturned the General Courts ruling.

The CJEU found that the Commissions directive concerned only registration and sale of vehicles and not their circulation on roads, so the cities were not directly concerned by the legislation.

However, the higher court said the cities could still limit circulation of vehicles to protect the environment without infringing EU law.
A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is placed on laptop keyboard in this illustration taken, on Nov. 2, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Facebook Parent Company Meta Sued for $3.2 Billion in First-of-Its-Kind UK Class Action Lawsuit

Facebook parent company Meta is being sued for 2.3 billion ($3.2 billion) in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit in the United Kingdom for allegedly abusing its market dominance and exploiting user data.

The social media giant is being sued by competition law expert Dr. Liza Lovdahl Gormsen, who took to Twitter on Friday to announce the class-action lawsuit against Meta on behalf of affected UK Facebook users.

Facebook is by far the largest social network in the UK. Yet, there was a dark side to Facebooks ubiquity: it is alleged to have abused its market dominance to impose unfair terms and conditions on ordinary Britons giving it the power to exploit their personal data, Lovdahl Gormsen said in a statement. As many as 44 million UK Facebook users may have been subject to this abuse by Facebook.

By exploiting users data, both within the Facebook platform and off-platform through mechanisms like the Facebook Pixel, the company was able to build very detailed pictures of users internet usage, Gormsen said. By using deep data profiles of its users, the company generated excessive profits.

Gormsen, who specializes in EU and UK Competition Law; UK Company Law and Corporate Governance, went on to claim that Facebook had abused its market dominance to strike an unfair bargain with users, imposing terms and conditions on a take it or leave basis to access to its social network in exchange for users highly valuable personal data, and zero monetary recompense.

The lawsuit, which will be heard by Londons Competition Appeal Tribunal, argues that Facebook set an unfair price for its 44 million affected UK users and should pay them compensation for the exploitation of their data between 2015 and 2019.

The price set for gaining access to the social network was the surrender of UK users highly valuable personal data on a take it or leave it basis for using the network, Gormsen said. In return, users only received free access to Facebooks social network, and zero monetary recompense whilst Facebook generated billions in revenues from its users data. This unfair deal was only possible due to Facebooks market dominance.

Dr. Gormsen said her lawyers, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, have informed Meta of the claim. The lawsuit is seeking 2.3 billion in damages plus interest.

Due to the sheer scale of Facebooks user base, the class action lawsuit is being done as an opt-out collective action, meaning that affected UK users will automatically be a part of the claim unless they decide to opt-out from it.

A Meta spokesperson told The Epoch Times: People access our service for free. They choose our services because we deliver value for them and they have meaningful control of what information they share on Metas platforms and who with. We have invested heavily to create tools that allow them to do so.

Gormsens lawsuit comes after a federal judge earlier this week ruled that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can proceed with its antitrust lawsuit against Meta.

The FTC filed its lawsuit against the social media giant last year alleging that the company holds an unlawful monopoly in personal social networking services, around 60 percent of the social media networking market, and maintained it by acquiring the competitors Instagram and WhatsApp.

However, the case was dismissed in June last year after a judge found that the FTC had failed to plausibly allege that Facebook has monopoly power in the market for Personal Social Networking (PSN) services.

On Tuesday, District of Columbia Judge James Boasberg said that the commissions revised version of the complaint this time contained enough alleged facts to plausibly establish that Facebook exercises monopoly power in the market for PSN services.
Leaflets in support of Tong Ying-kit, the first person charged under the national security law, are placed at a shopping mall near the High Court, in Hong Kong, on July 30, 2021. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

First Person Convicted Under Hong Kongs National Security Law Drops Appeal

HONG KONGThe first person convicted under Hong Kongs national security law and jailed for nine years last July has dropped his decision to appeal, his lawyer said on Thursday.

Former waiter Tong Ying-kit, 24, was found guilty of terrorist activities and inciting secession after driving his motorcycle into three riot police officers in 2020 while carrying a flag with the protest slogan Liberate Hong KongRevolution of our times.

The ruling was seen as a watershed moment for Hong Kongs judicial system. Tong had indicated at the time through his lawyer, Clive Grossman, that he would appeal.

Grossman, however, told Reuters on Thursday in an email that Tong, who had pleaded not guilty, had decided not to appeal.

I have no idea why he dropped the appeal, said Grossman.

The decision was first reported in the Hong Kong Free Press, which cited Grossman as saying he was surprised by it.

The Chinese regime imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020 punishing what the Chinese Communist Party considered acts of subversion, terrorism, collusion with foreign forces, and secession with possible life imprisonment.

Critics, including Western governments, say the law has been used to silence dissent, with scores of pro-democracy campaigners arrested, civil society groups disbanded, and free speech curtailed.

At the end of Tongs closely watched trial, Judges Esther Toh, Anthea Pang, and Wilson Chanpicked by city leader Carrie Lam to hear national security casesruled that the slogan he carried on his motorbike was capable of inciting others to commit secession.

Human rights groups criticized his conviction, saying it imposed new limits on free speech, and the precedents set by the trial contrasted with Hong Kongs common law traditions.

Several other national security cases are pending, including a conspiracy to commit subversion case involving 47 of the citys most prominent campaigners for democracy including Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, Owen Chow, Gwyneth Ho, Sam Cheung, and former lawmakers Eddie Chu, Wu Chi-wai, and Lam Cheuk-ting.

Last month, police raided pro-democracy online news outlet Stand News, froze its assets, and charged two editors with conspiring to publish seditious publications, leading to its closure.
Fractional Homeownership: A Growing Trend in Newport Beach With No Regulation

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.Though complaints about short-term rentals in Newport Beach had led to more regulations, the city still doesnt yet know how to deal with fractional homeownershipa new and growing trend where multiple individuals pool their money together to buy a shared home that each of them can use throughout the year.

Many Newport Beach residents have complained about short-term rental operations due to loud noises, partying, trash, and other issues related to their tenants, who are largely out-of-town visitors.

The complaints prompted the city to impose new regulations on short-term rental since October, including a minimum three-night stay requirement, a cap of 1,550 citywide short-term lodging permits, and a new minimum tenant age of 25.

However, for months, nothing has been done about fractional homeownership, though its emerging issues were brought up in a city council meeting back in November.

There are several companies specialized in facilitating fractional homebuying, with Pacaso as a prominent example.

With Pacasos model, the company acquires a house, markets it on the multiple listing service, and establishes a limited liability company (LLC) that owns the house. The house can then be sold to between two and eight buyers whoas a groupretain 100 percent ownership, and Pacaso is employed as a property manager to streamline the experience.

While its unclear how many houses in the city are under fractional ownership, 56 percent of single-family homes in the city are owned by an LLC or trust, according to the city.

This new type of homebuying is becoming more popular among people wanting to purchase a second home, since it allows them to spend less money by splitting the cost with other co-owners.

While co-ownership makes second-home-buying more affordable and cost-effective, some people are not so happy with it.

The Newport Beach neighborhood of Balboa Island on Dec. 29, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

In Newport Beach, neighbors have made frequent complaints about the noise, parking, and party-style behavior coming from people occupying the co-owned houses.

Despite the co-owners having property ownership over such homes, councilmembers said many people compared fractional homeownership to short-term rentals since the growing complaints in the city about these two types of home occupancy have been similar.

We didnt know there were problems with short-term rentals until they became very prolific, Councilwoman Joy Brenner said during the November meeting. Im already getting complaints from some people about [co-owned homes].  Theyre behaving like short-term rentals, and theres a lot of coming and going and  a lot of noise.

Brenner said the council should be more proactive about the issues surrounding fractional homeownership and certainly look at every protection that we can offer to our residents in the future.

One member of the public said that because co-owners can choose to stay for only a short period of timeas little as two daysthe operation of home co-ownership is indeed similar to that of short-term rentals.

There is an app where you book no more than two weeks at a time, said Russell Doll, a Newport Beach resident who lives next to a Pacaso-managed house, during public comment. So these are short-term stays, it starts to behave like a mini hotel, people check in, people check out, you have a lot of turnover.  Its not only eight people, its the extension of their friends and family that then occupy these properties.

Other public commenters who co-owned a home through Pacaso said they have been very pleased with the experience and try to be great neighbors when theyre visiting their property.

Ellen Haeberle, a representative from Pacaso who spoke to the city council during the November meeting about how their system works, said the operation of fractional homeownership is much different from that of short-term rentals, where homeowners in Newport Beach need to have a business license and rental permit in order to rent out their property to short-term tenants.

The families that we serve are owners, not vacation renters, these co-owners make a large financial investment in their home and return to their home throughout the year just like any other second homeowner, she said.

Haeberle also said the company takes neighbor relations very seriously and has been enforcing good neighbor conducts that go beyond the citys own ordinances, including quiet hours between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Each home is supported by a local home manager, she said. We have one dedicated to Newport Beach, who is available to neighbors seven days a week. And if Pacaso learns that policies have been violated, we take action, and our owner agreement gives us the right to suspend owner stay rights as an enforcement mechanism.

While Pacaso is only a little over a year old, the company said it has had minimal complaints from neighbors.

When purchasing a fractional home, all co-owners must also agree to a code of conduct, which prohibits holding large events or parties or renting out the property for any length of time.

On the other hand, while co-owners are not allowed to rent out their shared property, their friends and family are allowed to use the house without any co-owner on site.

Co-owners can also choose to part ways with Pacaso and opt for another companys management service, or they can manage the property sharing themselves.

Councilman Noah Blom said during the meeting that he was concerned about how far the city should go in potentially banning fractional ownership.

In this regard, I dont see four to eight owners of a single house really destroying our city. I feel like those people have actually put in $500,000 or a decent amount of money, but [this type of ownership] is not ideal, I get it, Blom said.

He also noted that this way of getting a vacation home may just be the way of the future though traditional homeownership is easier for the city to regulate.

We would love it if it was a single-family owner for every house, and thats the old way, Blom said. But I also think that we have to look towards what the reality of the future may be. And a lot of people that are trying to create this life for themselves and maybe this is the best way they get to do it.

At this point, the city hasnt taken any further action on the matter.

John Pope, the citys public information manager, told The Epoch Times via email that the council so far has no current plans to discuss the issue in upcoming meetings.
Syrian woman Yasmen Almashan holds the pictures of her five in Syria died brothers before the verdict in front of the court in Koblenz, Germany, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Martin Meissner/AP Photo)

German Court: Syrian Man Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity

KOBLENZ, GermanyA former Syrian secret police officer was convicted by a German court Thursday of crimes against humanity for overseeing the abuse of detainees at a jail near Damascus a decade ago.

Anwar Raslan is the highest-ranking Syrian official so far convicted of the charge. The verdict was keenly anticipated by those who suffered abuse or lost relatives at the hands of President Bashar Assads government in Syrias long-running conflict.

The Koblenz state court concluded that the defendant was in charge of interrogations at a facility in the Syrian city of Douma known as Al Khatib, or Branch 251, where suspected opposition protesters were detained.

The court sentenced the 58-year-old to life in prison. His lawyers had asked judges last week to acquit their client, claiming that he never personally tortured anybody and that he defected in late 2012.

This day, this verdict is important for all Syrians who have suffered and are still suffering from the Assad regimes crimes, said Ruham Hawash, a survivor of Branch 251 who testified in the trial.

This verdict is only a beginning and we have a long way to gobut for us affected people, this trial and todays ruling are the first step towards freedom, dignity and justice, she said.

Serda Alshehabi comments on the verdict in front of the building of the Higher Regional Court in Koblenz, Germany, on Feb. 24, 2021. (Thomas Frey/DPA via AP)

alleged that Raslan supervised the systematic and brutal torture of more than 4,000 prisoners between April 2011 and September 2012, resulting in the deaths of at least 58 people. Judges ruled that there was evidence to hold him responsible for 27 deaths.

A junior officer, E yad al-Gharib, was convicted last year of accessory to crimes against humanity and sentenced by the Koblenz court to 4 years in prison.

Both men were arrested in Germany in 2019, years after seeking asylum in the country.

Victims and human rights groups have said they hope the verdict in the 19-month trial will be a first step toward justice for countless people who have been unable to file criminal complaints against officials in Syria or before the International Criminal Court.

Since Russia and China have blocked efforts for the U.N. Security Council to refer cases to The Hague-based tribunal, countries such as Germany that apply the principle of universal jurisdiction for serious crimes will increasingly become the venue for such trials, experts say.

We are starting to see the fruits of a determined push by courageous survivors, activists and others to achieve justice for horrific atrocities in Syrias network of prisons, said Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch.

The verdict is a breakthrough for Syrian victims and the German justice system in cracking the wall of impunity, she added. Other countries should follow Germanys lead and actively bolster efforts to prosecute serious crimes in Syria.

People line up in front of the court in Koblenz, Germany, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Martin Meissner/AP Photo)

The trial is the first of its kind worldwide and other courts may cite the verdict and evidence heard in Koblenz, said Patrick Kroker, a lawyer with the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights. The group represented 14 victims who under German law were able to take part in the proceedings as co-plaintiffs.

The goal remains to bring senior Assad associates, such as former Air Force Intelligence chief Jamil Hassan, to justice for their crimes, said Kroker. Germany issued an international arrest warrant for Hassan in 2018, but bringing him and other senior Syrian officials to trial will be difficult, as the country does not extradite its citizens.

Still, the European Unions judicial cooperation organization, Eurojust said the ruling will leave a lasting mark on international criminal justice.

It noted that photographs of alleged torture victims smuggled out of Syria by a former police officer, who goes by the alias of Caesar, were a key part of the evidence against Raslan.

Human rights experts said it was significant that the Koblenz court had deemed the allegations of sexual violence to be among the crimes against humanity Raslan was convicted for. However, the judges didnt convict him over the enforced disappearances, meaning those will have to be prosecuted separately in future proceedings.

Conservative estimates put the number of those detained or forcibly disappeared in Syria at 149,000, more than 85 percent of them at the hands of the Syrian government, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Most disappeared or were detained soon after peaceful protests erupted in March 2011 against Assads government, which responded to the rallies with a brutal crackdown.

The Syrian government denies it is holding any political prisoners, labeling its opposition terrorists. After battlefield wins, it has negotiated limited prisoner exchanges with various armed groups, which families say offer partial solutions for a very small number of people.

Raslans lawyers can appeal the verdict.

By Christoph Noelting and Frank Jordans
A worker wears a protective mask at the Volkswagen assembly line after VW re-starts Europe's largest car factory after coronavirus shutdown in Wolfsburg, Germany, on April 27, 2020. (Swen Pfoertner/Pool via Reuters)

German Economy Short of Pre-Pandemic Level Despite 2.7 Percent Growth in 2021

BERLINThe German economy failed to return to its pre-pandemic size in 2021 as microchip shortages hit production in the car industry and further COVID-19 restrictions slowed down the recovery of Europes largest economy in the final months of the year.

Gross domestic product grew 2.7 percent in 2021 after plunging 4.6 percent in the first coronavirus crisis year 2020, preliminary figures from the Federal Statistics Office showed on Friday.

The figures, which were in line with analysts forecasts in a Reuters poll, mean that Germanys economic output was still some 2 percent below the pre-crisis 2019 level, the office said.

The worlds fourth-biggest economy shrank in the final three months of 2021 after growing in the previous two quarters as resurgent coronavirus infections led to renewed restrictions in retail and hospitality, the office said.

An early estimate pointed to a fourth-quarter contraction between 0.5 percent and 1.0 percent quarter-on-quarter, a spokesperson added.

The main growth drivers in 2021 were a jump in exports and massive public spending to cushion the impact of the pandemic, the office said.

However, the development and domestic production of a COVID-19 vaccine by German start-up BioNTech also boosted growth, a statistics office spokesman said, without quantifying the impact.

Germany increased net new borrowing to a record 215 billion euros ($245.87 billion) last year following an unprecedented sum of 130 billion euros in 2020 to fund the fight against COVID-19.

The public sector deficit of all state levels rose to 153.9 billion euros or 4.3 percent of economic output.

The economy ministry said in its monthly report that ongoing supply bottlenecks for important primary products in manufacturing were likely to persist for a while.

Most economists expect the German economy to shrink again in the first three months of 2022, driving it into another technical recession, defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction, after the economy shrank in the first two quarters of 2020.

($1 = 0.8744 euros)

By Michael Nienaber and Miranda Murray
Google Executive in Charge of Tackling Disinformation Becomes DHS Senior Leader

Former senior advisor to ICE director calls the appointment 'suspect'

A past senior aide to former President Barack Obama, who became a Google executive in charge of tackling disinformation, has joined the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a senior leader from this week.

Kristie Canegallo, who was vice president of Trust and Safety in Google beginning March 2018, was appointed chief of staff in DHS on Monday.

I am excited to share with you that Kristie Canegallo will join our Department as our new Chief of Staff on January 10, 2022, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

I have worked closely with Kristie in the past and know firsthand that she will be a great colleague and of tremendous support to us all, Mayorkas said.

Kristie Canegallo (center left) with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and others in the White House on June 25, 2015. (Pete Souza/White House)

According to Googles website, Canegallos role was to ensure Google is a trusted source of information, content, and interactions across Googles portfolio, including Google Search, Google News, YouTube, and advertising platforms.

Before that, Canegallo served as White House deputy chief of staff from 2014 through January 2017, during which time she crossed paths with Mayorkas, then-director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Jon Feere, who was the senior advisor to the director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the Trump administration, has raised concerns about the appointment.

The Biden administration is fully aware that their anti-borders policies are wildly unpopular, so their selection of a person who has spent her time eliminating opinions online is certainly suspect, Feere told The Epoch Times via email.

Shes now playing a key role in the release of thousands of criminal aliens into our communities and will naturally see a lot of pushback on this horrific agenda, he said.

It wouldnt be surprising to her see former Google colleagues help her out by expanding their definition of anti-migrant and further stifling speech online, he continued.

While speaking at a conference in Europe, Canegallo highlighted Googles work with the EU on their anti-hate speech Code of Conduct. The results show that the top category for swift removal of illegal hate speech is what they call xenophobia/ anti-migrant hatred. (cont.) pic.twitter.com/Alxe0HqN9q  Jon Feere (@JonFeere) January 10, 2022

In 2021, close to 2 million illegal immigrants from 150 different countries were apprehended along the southwest bordermore than double 2019, the last pre-pandemic year, according to data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

While there is certainly a need for Silicon Valley to bar criminal content, a line is quickly crossed when policy preferences and opinions are banned in an overbroad manner, added Feere, now director of investigations at the Center for Immigration Studies.

Fighting disinformation was an important part of Canegallos work with Google. In 2019 at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, she and her team presented a white paper (pdf) detailing how Google tackle[s] the intentional spread of misinformation.

Google and other Big Techs such as Twitter and Facebook have been widely criticized for their censorship and political bias.

In an early 2020 article titled Supporting the 2020 U.S. election, Canegallo said her team span the globe to monitor and disrupt account hijackings, inauthentic activity, disinformation campaigns, coordinated attacks, and other forms of abuse on our platforms on a 24/7 basis.

CBS 60 Minutes found that in 2019, Google took down over 300 of President Donald Trumps political ads. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said at the time that some of the videos were not approved to run. But Google didnt give specific reasons why it took down the ads or what company policy they violated.

In a co-authored article published in December 2020, Canegallo vowed to fight misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.

One of the strategies is to raise authoritative information. The article said that since the beginning of the pandemic, Google has given $250 million in grants to help more than 100 government agencies around the world run critical public service announcements about COVID-19.

Our teams have removed more than 700,000 videos related to dangerous or misleading COVID-19 medical information. We also continue to remove harmful COVID-19 misinformation across other products like Ads, Google Maps, and the Play store, the article stated.

DHS hasnt responded to a request from The Epoch Times for comment.
GOP Rep. Katko, Who Voted For Trump Impeachment, Announces Retirement

Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), one of a handful of Republicans who voted with Democrats to impeach President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally, has announced that he will retire at the end of his term.

Katko, who has faced criticism and ostracism from GOP colleagues for his impeachment vote, is the third House Republican who voted for impeachment to retire. Also retiring are Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), one of two Republicans who sit on the Democrat-dominated Jan. 6 Committee.

In total, ten GOP lawmakers voted to impeach Trump, and retirements from this small coalition of defectors have far outpaced general GOP House member retirements. Among the 12 House Republicans who have announced their intention to retire, three are from Republicans who voted for impeachment.

Katko and others have faced pressure from other Republicans not only over his impeachment vote, but also over his vote on the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and his support for forming the Jan. 6 Committee.

Like other GOP retirees who defected on important issues, Katko would have been prime targets for primary challengers later this year, especially as Trump readies a laundry list of endorsements in races across the nation.

Katko made the announcement in a Facebook post.

For the past 32 years, Ive devoted my life to protecting and serving our community and our country, Katkos post began. First as a federal prosecutor, and now as a Member of Congress, it has been my mission to unite people in order to solve serious problems.

Katko continued: We have had great success in this mission: passing a long-needed and bipartisan infrastructure package, addressing drug addiction and mental health, lowering taxes on the middle class, leading efforts to secure our homeland and keep this country safeand far too many others to mention.

In his post, Katko also tried to bury any speculation that his retirement was based on reelection concerns.

Over the course of the past three years, my wife Robin and I buried all four of our parents. To say that those gut-wrenching times provided life-changing perspective for me is putting it mildly, Katko explained. Thats why, after 32 years of public service, I have decided not to seek re-election to Congress, so that I can enjoy my family and life in a fuller and more present way.

I am thrilled to begin this next and best chapter of my life alongside Robin and our family, Katkos announcement concluded.

Following Katkos announcement, President Donald Trump released his own statement celebrating the retirement.

Great news, another one bites the dust. Katko, from Upstate New York, is gone! Trump wrote in a brief statement.

In addition to voting for the creation of the Jan. 6 Committee, Katko was one of nine Republicans who voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress.

Democrats decision to pursue a contempt charge against Bannon was itself controversial and unprecedented, as Bannon claimed to be protected from legislative subpoena by executive privilege. Despite a long precedent of accepting executive privilege as a defense in such cases, Attorney General Merrick Garlands DOJ moved ahead with the charges.

GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) urged his caucus to vote against the contempt charge at the time, arguing that the Jan. 6 Committees subpoena was invalid. However, Katko was unswayed and voted with Democrats to hold the former White House advisor in contempt of Congress.

Aside from his more recent votes, Katko has long been a relatively unpredictable swing voter.

In 2019, Katko co-sponsored legislation that would have dramatically expanded Civil Rights Act protections to apply to all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Also in 2019, Katko joined with Democrats to pass a resolution condemning efforts by the Trump administration to weaken or undo the Affordable Care Act [Obamacare].

Retirements have been heavy in the House ahead of the 2022 midterms, especially among Democrats.

At the time of publication, 26 House Democrats have announced that they intend not to seek reelection. Many of these hail from districts that are considered GOP targets in the 2022 House races, which are widely expected to go strongly in Republicans favor.

Katkos retirement is sure to kick off a bidding war among GOP contenders for Trumps endorsement to the now-empty seat as Trump-adjacent Republicans move to consolidate their hold on Congress.

Katkos office could not be immediately reached for comment.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, prepares to testify before a Senate panel in Washington on Jan. 11, 2022. (Greg Nash/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

GOP Senator Plans to Introduce FAUCI Act to Make Disclosures Readily Accessible

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) is preparing to introduce a new bill that would require easy public access to disclosure forms filed by government officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Marshall, a first-term senator, plans to introduce the Financial Accountability for Uniquely Compensated Individuals (FAUCI) ACT, a spokesperson confirmed to The Epoch Times in an email.

The act would require financial disclosures filed by government officials like Fauci, the longtime head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to be made available on the website of the Office of Government Ethics.

It would also make public a list of all confidential files within the government whose disclosures are not available to the public.

Marshall and Fauci clashed this week during a Senate hearing, with the senator telling Fauci that his staffers had been unable to locate the doctors financial information.

He asked Fauci to submit a disclosure to Congress and the public. Fauci replied that his disclosures are public knowledge and have been for the decades hes been in his position.

The disclosures, though, are not available unless people fill out a document and mail it to NIAID, a spokesperson for the agency told The Epoch Times in an email.

People just need to fill out a simple half-page form called Request to Inspect or Receive Copies of Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Reports or Other Covered Records,' the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson has not responded to a query about how long it takes for the disclosure to be sent once the form is received.

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) questions Biden administration officials during a Senate panel hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 11, 2022. (Greg Nash/Pool via Reuters)

The Epoch Times has submitted the form for Faucis most recent disclosures via mail and email but has not heard back about either submission yet.

The form only allows two options for receiving a requested disclosure: pick it up at the Office of Government Ethics or receive it by mail.

A reporter who obtained Faucis 2019 disclosure said it took over two months to get it after first asking for it.

She published the document, which precedes the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, online.

Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, has served multiple presidents. During the pandemic, hes been a key influencer of government policy and regularly talks to media outlets about recommendations and rules regarding the COVID-19 and the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the disease.

Marshalls office noted the barrier to accessing the documents and some transparency advocates agreed the forms should be easily accessible online.

NIAID did not respond to a request for comment on the act, the text of which has not yet been released.
AR-15 style rifles are displayed for sale at Firearms Unknown, a gun store in Oceanside, Calif., on April 12, 2021. (Bing Guan/Reuters)

Gun Sales Soar as Crime Waves Hit Los Angeles

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.A gun store owner in Beverly Hills is seeing a growing number of customers latelyfrom celebrities to university studentswho are terrified by the increase of crime in the area.

Elias Chalhub, owner of Bear Arms Defense, said his shop stays busy from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

Its been a steady increase since the summer, Chalhub told The Epoch Times. Theres a palpable fear of violent crime.  People are in the store every day, all day, looking for home defense weapons and business defense weapons.

Locals are absolutely terrified by the uptick in robberies targeting wealthy and celebrity residents, according to Chalhub.

The city was also shaken after the December shooting death of philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, wife of famed music executive Clarence Avant, who was killed during a home invasion robbery. Criminals have also targeted shops in the area with smash-and-grab burglaries.

A screenshot of security footage of a daytime robbery in Hancock Park, Calif., on Nov. 28, 2021. (Courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department)

Ive lived in Los Angeles for 28 years and have seen a couple of different crime waves, Chalhub said. This is unlike anything Ive ever seen.

The store sells a variety of self-defense gear and approaches the process differently, he said.

Instead of offering a wall of guns for customers to choose from, they talk to their customers to find out what will work best for them. Sometimes that means purchasing pepper spray, bear spray, batons, or other nonlethal weapons. The store also carries remote-control pepper spray, he said.

Bear Arms Defense has two armed security guards stationed at the store to instruct buyers on safe firearm handling.

The store also offers a gun safety class for first-time gun owners on the first and third Saturday each month, taught by active military personnel or an active-duty law enforcement officer.

We get a lot of celebrities, Chalhub said. Youd recognize all their names.

Theyve also seen reality stars, tech executives, and University of CaliforniaLos Angeles students, he said.

We outfitted the entire staff that runs the cafe in the building, he said.

A 32 caliber handgun in Temecula, Calif., on March 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

In 2018, a University of California Firearm Violence Research Center study found that there were about 4.2 million gun owners in the state and 20 million firearms. That was about 14 percent of the population.

By 2021, the number of firearm owners in the state increased to about 28 percent, according to statistics published by the Pew Research Center.

What we do know, based on the information that we have read, is that in California there are hundreds of thousands of new gun owners, Executive Director Sam Paredes of Gun Owners of California, told The Epoch Times. The organization is the oldest pro-gun political action committee in the United States.

Women account for a large portion of those new sales, he said.

The information we have seen indicates that over 50 percent of [new gun owners] are actually women, Paredes said. If you look at the total again, more than 50 percent of the new gun owners are African American and Hispanic.

In speaking with gun dealers throughout the state, Paredes said the numbers of buyers are flying off the charts, sparked by crime reports and the news that law enforcement was spread too thin.

In Los Angeles, gun sales began to jump when media reports first started showing videos of the riots taking over other cities, followed by the news that organizers were moving riots into the suburbs, Paredes said.

Purchases face two hurdles in California, according to Paredes. The availability of guns in the state is limited, as are the types of guns residents can purchase.

State regulations have banned some firearms and knives and imposed restrictions on stun guns, laser scopes, silencers, and armor-piercing bullets.

The LA City Council also banned ghost guns in 2021, which are untraceable firearms built from components bought online or produced by a 3D printer.

First-time firearm owners were surprised to find an abundance of gun regulations in California, such as background checks, waiting 10 days to buy a gun, and passing a written test before making a purchase, Paredes said.

Its definitely changing the perspective on gun ownership for a lot of people who are gun ownersand Ill tell you this, most of them are not Republican, Paredes said.

Finding ammunition continues to be a problem. California has strict rules for buying ammunition, including background checks and a registry.

Manufacturers in the United States are working heroically to increase their volumes to meet their demand, Paredes said. It still might be a couple of years before we find some level of normalcy.

The cost of firearms is also increasing, which might impact the lower-income population and the ability to buy a weapon, Paredes said.

A California-legal AR-15 style rifle is displayed for sale at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, Calif., on June 5, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Local law enforcement has also seen an increase in people who want to carry concealed weapons.

Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department created a new Concealed Weapons unit last year to process hundreds of pending applications.

According to Sheriff Alex Villanueva, the department added a supervisor sergeant to the unit to work on the backlog of 278 permits. The department has received 8,605 applications and issued 2,085 concealed weapon permits since Villanueva took office in 2018, he said on Jan. 12.

Were well on the way to clear up the backlog, so we can get it turned around, Villanueva said.

Usually, permits take between two and 90 days to process. Now they take about 180 days with the high volume of applications and staff shortages, which Villanueva said was unacceptable.

According to the latest numbers, California was home to 121,000 concealed weapons permit holders, or about 0.3 percent of the population, according to the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, a concealed weapons rights organization.
Hackers Linked to North Korea Stole $400 Million in Crypto: Report

Cybercriminals linked to North Korea carried out at least seven attacks on cryptocurrency platforms last year, netting some $400 million in digital assets, according to blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis.

Calling 2021 a banner year for North Korean hackers, the Jan. 13 Chainalysis report said that many of the cyberattacks were likely carried by a group known to security researchers as APT 38, or the Lazarus Group, which is believed to be led by the reclusive regimes main intelligence agencythe Reconnaissance General Bureau.

These attacks targeted primarily investment firms and centralized exchanges, and made use of phishing lures, code exploits, malware, and advanced social engineering to siphon funds out of these organizations internet-connected hot wallets into addresses controlled by the North Korean regime, Chainalysis said.

After seizing the crypto assets, the hackers began a careful laundering process to cover up and cash out, the report said, noting a significant increase in the rogue actors use of software tools called mixers to conceal their operations.

North Korea is a systematic money launderer, and their use of multiple mixerssoftware tools that pool and scramble cryptocurrencies from thousands of addressesis a calculated attempt to obscure the origins of their ill-gotten cryptocurrencies while offramping into fiat, Chainalysis said.

Lazarus Group has stolen and laundered vast sums of digital currencies every year since 2018, typically in excess of $200 million, according to Chainalysis. The number of North Korea-linked cyberattacks rose from four in 2020 to seven in 2021, while their value in dollar terms rose by around 40 percent, the group added.

While North Korea has denied involvement, its regime has been linked to major cyberattacks, including a 2013 campaign that paralyzed the servers of South Korean financial institutions, the 2014 hacking of Sony Pictures, and the WannaCry malware attack of 2017.

The 2014 Sony hack led to the release of tens of thousands of confidential Sony emails and business files. The WannaCry cyberattack in 2017 scrambled data on hundreds of thousands of computers at government agencies, banks, and other businesses across the globe and crippled parts of the British health care system.

In February 2021, U.S. authorities charged three computer programmers linked to North Korea with a massive hacking spree aimed at stealing more than $1.3 billion in money and cryptocurrency from financial institutions and companies.

The scope of the criminal conduct by the North Korean hackers was extensive and long-running, and the range of crimes they have committed is staggering, Acting U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison for the Central District of California said in a statement at the time. The conduct detailed in the indictment are the acts of a criminal nation-state that has stopped at nothing to extract revenge and obtain money to prop up its regime.

The U.N. Security Council said in a 2019 report (pdf) that ill-gotten gains from North Korea-linked hacks have been used to bolster the regimes ballistic missile program and other weapons systems.
Taya of Hillsong United sings during the opening night of the Hillsong UNITED tour at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas on April 25, 2019. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)

Hillsong Defends Itself Against Alleged Health Order Breaches

Hillsong Church has defended its summer camps after being accused by Tasmanian Senator Jacquie Lambie they had breached New South Wales (NSW) COVID-19 public health protocols.

Lambie called Hillsongs actions shameful and bizarre after social media posts on Thursday night showed a rock-style concert in progress as part of their Wildlife summer camp, an apparent breach of NSW public health orders.

She told Sky News on Friday that although the three-day event in Newcastle might be called a camp, they could have left out the music festival part.

Im very surprised that a lot of parents have allowed their kids to go to these big gatherings in the first place, especially if they havent lined up to be vaccinated yet, she said.

Its sad when youre sitting here in Tasmania and every day youre watching things for the next two or three months being cancelled because they dont want to take responsibility if they have a massive outbreak if its a super spreader. So I just find this bizarre.

The Tasmanian senator said that religious groups are permitted to go to church and sing hymns but not to run concerts out in the paddock or in a church.

I think this has been absolutely shameful of Hillsong to be doing this in the first place, and quite frankly, they ought to be fined, Lambie said.

Senator Jacqui Lambie following a television appearance in the media gallery at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Mar. 18, 2021. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

This comes after a public health order banning singing and dancing at indoor venues was amended on Tuesday to include outdoor events. The new COVID-19 restrictions mean that event organisers must ensure that no one other than musical performers sings or dances at their events.

A spokesperson for Hillsong told The Epoch Times via email that the footage was of the churchs summer youth camps which are not music festivals.

These are high school-aged events that include sporting activities and games. They are alcohol-free events, held outdoors, and the number of students attending each camp is just over 200, the spokesperson said.

The students are known to us and part of the same social network. All of these factors have been communicated by the NSW Government as low-risk as described under current guidelines.

Hillsong also said they had implemented strict COVID-19 safety procedures before and during the camps, including having paramedics on site 24 hours and providing COVID-19 testing capabilities.

In addition, the spokesperson explained that over the three-day duration, the amount of time spent singing was small.

However, we regret giving any perception that we were not playing our part to keep NSW safe, and we sincerely apologise to the community at large, the spokesperson said.

Our heart is for people, and loving and caring for all people is at the core of our church.

Hillsong said they have spoken to NSW Health and followed instructions to cease student singing and dancing during services at the camp.

NSW Health has said they did order Hillsong to stop singing and dancing at the event. However, NSW police have ruled out the possibility of a fine at present.

This comes as New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet said at a press conference on Friday: If the legal teams believe that it was a breach of the public health order, then my expectation would be that a fine would be in place by the police force.

He also said that even if technically Hillsong was within the rules, it definitely wasnt in the spirit of the rules.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet looks on during a COVID-19 update at Mrs Macquaries Point during New Years Eve celebrations on December 31, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Two potential loopholes do exist for the Church within the NSW Health rules with the Business Rules in NSW, stating that while singing and dancing by attendees at music festivals (both indoor and outdoor) is prohibited other than for performers who are performing or rehearsing on the premises. the rules apply to indoor music festivals with over 1,000 attendees, but does not list the amount for outdoor festivals.

It also declares that music festivals do not include events that use a single stage.

Footage from the Hillsong event shows that attendees were singing and dancing; however, it is not clear whether more than one stage is present. Hillsong also notes that just over 200 attendees were at the event.
A logo of Japan's high-tech giant Hitachi at an exhibition in Tokyo, on Oct. 29, 2013. (Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP via Getty Images)

Hitachi to Sell About Half Its Stake in Construction Unit: NHK

TOKYOJapans Hitachi Ltd. will sell about half its 51 percent stake in unit Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. to trading firm Itochu Corp. and investment fund Japan Industrial Partners, public broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday.

Hitachi will sell the stake for about 200 billion yen ($1.7 billion), according to a Nikkei business daily report, which did not identify the source of the information.

The construction units market value at the end of share trading in Tokyo was 753 billion yen.

The sale would represent the final tranche of Hitachis decade-long business portfolio overhaul, following sales of chip-making equipment manufacturer Hitachi Kokusai Electric and chemicals maker Hitachi Chemical.

We are considering various ways improve corporate value, but we have no decision yet, Hitachi said, when asked about the NHK report.

Hitachi Construction, the smaller rival of Komatsu Ltd. and Caterpillar Inc., generated 813 billion yen ($7.1 billion) in its last full business year from sales of excavators, wheel loaders, dump trucks and their parts.

It employs about 25,000 people worldwide with about three-quarters of sales outside Japan.

($1=114.6200 yen)

By Tim Kelly and Chang-Ran Kim
Insurance Companies Lose $44 Billion During Pandemic

Insured losses amounting to $44 billion during the pandemic and risks of newer variants popping up increased the strain on risk management companies around the world, said a recent report by international insurance intermediary group Howden.

Although enormous losses have been reported so far, Howden said that it still lags far behind the $100 billion loss predicted at the beginning of the pandemic. The first nine months of 2021 were hit with $5.5 billion in claims for global insurers, while 2020 recorded $3.5 billion. The insurance industry was hopeful with the rollout of vaccines, but variants like Delta kept people hospitalized for longer periods and in more severe conditions.

COVID-19 was third in line for the biggest amount of losses after Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 terrorist attack, said the broker. As companies were forced to shut down from region-wide lockdowns and the resulting loss in business, along with mass cancellation of events, insurers took away COVID-19 coverage from certain policies.

Theres only so much event cancellation coverage out there, theres only so much civil action coverage out there, and when you get to $40 billion, thats pretty much exhausting what was underwritten, said David Flandro, head of analytics at Howden.

The amount of losses directly correlates to the computation of premiums. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calculate excess deaths by subtracting the expected number of deaths from the observed number during specific time periods.

Since Feb. 1, 2020, there have been 952,707 excess deaths in the country, according to estimates from the CDC, that could be directly or indirectly attributed to COVID-19.

Death rates are up 40 percent from what they were pre-pandemic, and numbers being reported vastly understate the actual death loss among working age people from the pandemic, said Scott Davidson, CEO of insurance company OneAmerica, in a video conference held by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Hospital Association.

It may not be all COVID on their death certificate but deaths are up in huge numbers. Were also seeing an uptick in disability claims. At first, it was short-term disability claims and now were seeing long-term disabilities.

Davidsons company offers employers group life insurance that mostly covers people from 18 to 64 years of age. Premiums have started to give up as the costs are rising for employers. Most of us in the industry are starting to target, and add, premium loads on to employers that are based in counties that have low vaccination rates, he added.

Interest in purchasing insurance has gone up during the pandemic. However, the underwriting process that decides the premium has evolved as in-person health checks have now become difficult with social distancing rules.

Many insurance companies have resorted to video calling potential clients, conducting phone interviews, and reviewing their physicians prognosis, instead of conducting direct physical health examinations. Insurers are also opting for increasing automated underwriting to make larger policies available to the public.

Claims in the Americas during Q3 went up from $31 million in 2020 to $111 million for Dutch insurer Aegon. Metlife and Prudential Financial also reported a hike in claims. Munich Re, the German multinational reinsurance company, elevated its 2021 pandemic-related life and health claim estimate from $458 to $687 million dollars.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Italy Marks 10 Years Since Deadly Costa Concordia Shipwreck

GIGLIO, ItalyItaly on Thursday marked the 10th anniversary of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster with a daylong commemoration ending with a candlelight vigil marking the moment the ship slammed into a reef and then capsized off the Tuscan island of Giglio.

Church bells rang out as a commemorative Mass got underway in the Giglio church to honor the 32 people who died in the Jan. 13, 2012, shipwreck. It was the same church that opened its doors and took in hundreds of survivors on that freezing cold night, giving them shelter after they had arrived on shore in lifeboats, some of them having shimmied down the side of the liner.

I invite you to have the courage to look forward, Grosseto Bishop Giovanni Roncari told relatives of the dead, survivors, and the Coast Guard officials who helped coordinate the rescue that night. Hope doesnt cancel the tragedy and pain, but it teaches us to look beyond the present moment without forgetting it.

Under a brilliant sun and blue sky, survivors and relatives later planned to place a wreath in the water where the hulking liner finally came to rest on its side off Giglios coast. The Concordias captain, Francesco Schettino, is serving a 16-year prison sentence for having ordered the crew to take the ship off course to come closer to Giglio in a stunt. He then delayed an evacuation order and abandoned ship before all the passengers and crew were evacuated.

Francesco Schettino, right, the captain of the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, is taken into custody by Carabinieri in Porto Santo Stefano, Italy, on Jan. 14, 2012. (Giacomo Aprili/AP Photo)

The 10th anniversary is also recalling how the residents of Giglio took in the 4,200 passengers and crew, giving them food, blankets and a place to rest, and then lived with the Concordias wrecked carcass for another two years until it was righted, and hauled away for scrap.

Those residents gave a warm welcome to Kevin Rebello, whose brother Russel Rebello, a Concordia waiter, was the last person unaccounted-for until crews finally discovered his remains while dismantling the ship in 2014 in a Genoa shipyard.

Kevin Rebello, brother of Russel Rebello, a waiter who died in the shipwreck of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, arrives in the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Andrew Medichini/AP Photo)

Kevin Rebello had become close to many Giglio residents during the months that divers searched for his brother. And on Thursday, as he arrived at the church for the commemorative Mass, he was given an award from the Civil Protection Agency.

This is for him, Kevin Rebello told reporters as he clutched the plaque. He would be proud of it.

The anniversary comes as the cruise ship industry, shut down in much of the world for months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is once again in the spotlight because of COVID-19 outbreaks that threaten passenger safety. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control last month warned people across-the-board not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of the risks of infection.

For Concordia survivors, the COVID-19 infections on cruise ships are just the latest evidence that passenger safety still isnt a top priority for the industry. Passengers aboard the Concordia were largely left on their own to find life jackets and a functioning lifeboat after the captain delayed an evacuation order until it was too late: many lifeboats were unable to lower to the water because the ship was listing too heavily.

Passenger Ester Percossi recalled being thrown to the ground in the dining room by the initial impact of the reef gashing into the hull, which she said felt like an earthquake. The lights went out, and bottles, glasses and plates flew off the tables and onto the floor.

Italian firefighters conduct search operations on the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia that ran aground the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, on Jan. 15, 2012. (Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo)

We got up and with great effort went out on the deck and there we got the life vests, those that we could find, because everyone was grabbing them from each other, to save themselves, she recalled. There was no law. Just survival and that is it.

Costa didnt respond to emails seeking comment on the anniversary.

Cruise Lines International Association, the worlds largest cruise industry trade association, stressed in a statement to The Associated Press that passenger and crew safety was the industrys top priority, and that cruising remains one of the safest vacation experiences available.

Our thoughts continue to be with the victims of the Concordia tragedy and their families on this sad anniversary, CLIA said. It said it has worked over the past 10 years with the International Maritime Organization and the maritime industry to drive a safety culture that is based on continuous improvement.

By Trisha Thomas and Nicole Winfield
Oath Keepers member Jeremy Brown, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret, dressed in tactical gear at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Jan. 6 Defendant Says FBI Tried to Recruit Him to Spy on Oath Keepers

Jeremy Brown says his refusal led to 2021 arrest for being at U.S. Capitol on day of violence

A retired U.S. Army Green Beret arrested for being at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, says the FBI tried to recruit him to spy on the Oath Keepers group a few weeks before the violence at the Capitol.

Jeremy M. Brown, 47, who is being held in the Pinellas County Jail in Florida on federal misdemeanor charges related to Jan. 6, told The Epoch Times he believes his arrest and prosecution are payback for his refusal to become a confidential informant.

Brown said he went to the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6 dressed in tactical gear to provide security for event organizers and for VIPs who spoke at the rally.

He said FBI agents from the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) met with him in late 2020 and asked him to become an informant.

On Dec. 11, 2020, the exact same Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) agents that (later) arrested me attempted to recruit me as a confidential informant, Brown said in a letter to The Epoch Times from the Pinellas County Jail. Their pitch was intended to gauge my interest in infiltrating law-abiding citizen groups that had no criminal history and certainly were not designated terrorist groups.

Jeremy Brown shown on police bodycam footage being told to back away from police lines at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (U.S. Department of Justice)

The Oath Keepers is an association of former military, police, and first responders whose mission includes defending the U.S. Constitution and protecting constitutional rights. They are often described as a right-wing militia or an anti-government paramilitary organization, labels the group rejects.

Brown joined the Oath Keepers within a week of the November 2020 presidential election. I joined the Oath Keepers to help them on their path to doing their mission, which is to build an organization that has a community outreach to not only law enforcement and military, but also to citizens, Brown said on a March 2021 podcast.

Brown said he recorded the FBI meeting for his own protection. He told the agents he wasnt interested in being an informant. Of course I declined to pursue any offer from the agents and went on my way, he said.

Less than a week before he met with the FBI agents, Brown received a visit at his home by two agents who inquired about some things Brown posted on the social media site Parler. Brown later began an email correspondence with an FBI agent in Tampa and was asked to a meeting.

Brown said he met with two agents on Dec. 11 in a restaurant in Ybor City, Fla., and recorded the interaction. Within less than a minute of the start of the meeting, one of the agents made an offhand reference to Brown possibly working with JTTF again. Later in the meeting, they made the pitch to him to be a confidential informant.

The audio from the meeting can be heard on a 2 hour 4 minute video of a podcast interview Brown did with Brandon Gray of JustAnotherChannel.com, posted on a web site Brown set up for his legal defense.

On March 4, 2021, Brown was a guest on the podcast to disclose the FBIs recruitment attempt asking him to spy on the Oath Keepers.

FBI Recruitment Effort

In the days and weeks that followed the events of Jan. 6th, I was disgusted and appalled at the blatant lies that were coming from the media, politicians and the Department of Justice, Brown said.

I went public to counter the false narrative and expose the truth to the American people, he said. I know I was making myself a target of the FBI, but I swore an oath to the U.S. Constitution, so the choice to speak out was an easy one.

Brown said people kept posting links to his interview on the Facebook page of the FBIs Tampa field office.

So they were well aware that their failed CI [confidential informant] recruit was now an outspoken whistleblower exposing the FBIs actions prior to Jan 6th, Brown said.

William Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C., declined comment on Browns assertions. Following our usual practice, we are not commenting on cases beyond what is submitted or stated to the court, Miller said in an email.

Jeremy Brown dressed in tactical gear at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Brown provided security at the Stop the Steal Rally. (JeremyBrownDefense.com)

In June, reporting by the news site Revolver.news raised the possibility that FBI informants were embedded in the crowds at the Capitol on Jan. 6. This stirred public interest in Browns March podcast interview, he said, resulting in a flurry of media interviews.

I spoke the truth about my firsthand account and gave my professional opinions based on 20 years of special operations experience, Brown wrote, some of which was working with the JTTF and other similar agencies on foreign soil.

This clearly got the attention of the FBI and almost immediately, friends of mine began being contacted by the FBI, some of whom were questioned and threatened with being charged with crimes, Brown wrote. They wanted details about Jeremy Brown. My own sister was personally contacted on her new cell phone number by the very agent that was in the recorded recruitment meeting.

The agent told Browns sister that the FBI/DHS (Department of Homeland Security) was concerned I had been radicalized and that I may be suicidal, Brown said. This was particularly upsetting, because the siblings lost a brother to suicide in late 2018, he said.

When my sister told me this, I attempted to contact this agent via his official government email multiple times in hopes of addressing his concerns, but I received no response, Brown said.

FBI Raid and Arrest

On Sept. 30, Browns 47th birthday, he received a call from the FBI agent who contacted his sister. The agent left a voicemail using a fake hey buddy tone, saying he was aware that Brown and his girlfriend had plans to move and just wanted to see how I was doing, Brown said.

Of course I did not return the call, but I did send the voicemail recording to numerous friends and warned them that they were probably coming to get me soon, Brown wrote to The Epoch Times. Later that afternoon at approximately 4 p.m. they came, right before we were leaving to donate clothes and housewares to the Salvation Army.

As many as 40 agents from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and local law enforcement descended on Browns property in 15-20 vehicles, he said.

Without ever reading me my rights, they handcuffed me and put me in their unmarked SUV, Brown said. Along with the misdemeanor arrest warrant, the ATF was there with a search warrant for our property and RV.

Clearly, when you are accused of being in a restricted area [at the Capitol] nearly 1,000 miles away 9 months prior, the ATF needs to show up to conduct a search, Brown said. Despite requesting multiple times to see any of the warrants I should have been served with, they repeatedly refused to show any of them, claiming they were too many pages.

When asked by me and my girlfriend to produce the warrants at the time of arrest, they refused to produce them, Brown said. One agent was even recorded stating, We dont know what we are looking for yet. They should look for a copy of the Constitution and read it.

Jeremy Brown served in the U.S. Army from 1992 through 2012 and became a special forces master sergeant. (JeremyBrownDefense.com)

Brown said he was whisked away by the same two FBI agents who tried to recruit him in December 2020 and at the time told him he was a zero out of 10 concern to the FBI.

Federal agents spent more than five hours at Browns property. They seized items, a summary of which fit on one typed page, he said.

On that list were legal weapons that belonged to my girlfriend and were just recently purchased, legal ammo and military gear and manuals that were never even in D.C., he said. Most disturbing of all was they seized my 58 foot American flag that I flew regularly behind our RV.

Agents also found a short-barrel rifle, sawed-off shotgun, 8,000 rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades, prosecutors said. Brown was charged in a separate federal case for possessing some of the items seized by federal agents.

Brown had also posted a warning sign to federal agents at his home that read: You are being used as a pawn by enemies of this Republic and if they return, bring a bigger tactical package, prosecutors said during Browns initial court appearance in October 2021. Brown said the sign was nothing more than a jab at the agents who visited him in December 2020.

Brown said he believes his prosecution is meant to frighten and silence anyone who challenges the prevailing narrative on Jan. 6.

Illegal Acts by FBI and DOJ

All of these illegal acts by the FBI and DOJ are meant to silence me and keep me from exposing their lies and corruption, Brown wrote. Their fake charges and overzealous arrest was meant to intimidate not only me, but also the American people.

Brown served in the U.S. Army from 1992 to 2012, earning the rank of special forces master sergeant serving in the famed Green Berets. He served with the 1st Ranger Battalion, three special forces groups (1st, 7th, and 5th) and Special Operations Command-Central.

In 2020, Brown ran for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Floridas 14th Congressional District, but withdrew from the race before the August Republican primary.

Brown said while he was at the Stop the Steal rally, standing near the stage where President Trump was to speak, he received a call from the FBI.

I explained where I was and what I was doing, so on January 6th, 2021, they were well aware of my location and purpose for being there, Brown said.

On Jan. 7, I texted that same agent with a video of the murder of unarmed female Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt by a Capitol police officer and told him, Here is a contact report for you!  Brown said. He acknowledged watching the video with a wow. 

That was the last contact Brown had with the FBI until he was arrested, he said.

Federal prosecutors charged Brown with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted federal building, and being disorderly in attempting to impede or interrupt official government business.

Both charges are misdemeanors.

A federal judge ordered Brown held without bond pending his trial.

Police Bodycam Footage

Brown was turned into the FBI by someone identified in charging documents as Witness 1, who provided social media photos of Brown at the U.S. Capitol, dressed in tactical gear.

Another photo of Brown was taken on the east side of the Capitol, more than 100 feet within the restricted grounds that law enforcement had originally set up to protect Congress and Vice President [Mike] Pence during the certification of the Electoral College vote, the charging documents read.

Brown also appeared on police bodycam footage outside the east doors of the Capitol at 4:27 p.m. on Jan. 6.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia ordered the crowd to back up.

 Brown only retreated when pushed with police baton sticks, the charging document said. During this encounter, Brown repeatedly claimed the officers were, in his opinion, violating the laws and the Constitution of the United States.

An unnamed defendant who pleaded guilty to a federal charge of obstructing an official proceeding told the FBI Brown coordinated his trip to D.C. using the encrypted messenger application Signal.

On one Signal chat session, Brown messaged, we have an RV an (sic) van going. Plenty of gun ports left to fill. We can pick you up. Brown nicknamed his RV Ground Force One, according to an FBI affidavit filed Sept. 29, 2021.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri on Jan. 7, 2022, shows how deputies chased and apprehended Garrett James Smith, 22, whose backpack contained a pipe bomb. (Pinellas County Sheriffs Office/YouTube)

Brown messaged the following on Jan. 6, 2021: Everything you are watching on the media and houses of Congress is a lie! I was shot in the neck with pepper balls and beating in the forearm with a night stick trying to shield unprotected civilians from being hit in the head. This was an exercise in the unrestrained addiction to power.

Brown said evidence against him has been labeled by prosecutors as sensitive or highly sensitive, but the search warrant for his property was leaked to left-leaning media before he saw the paperwork.

On Jan. 6, 2022, a rally was held outside the Pinellas County Jail. A Florida man was arrested with a pipe bomb in his backpack, after he approached the rally, being held in support of Browns release from jail. Brown spoke to rally attendees from inside the facility.

Arrest of Sleeper Over Pipe Bomb

Garrett James Smith, 22, of Oldsmar, Fla., is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail at the jail. He is charged with three counts of making/possessing/discharge of a destructive devicea felonyand one misdemeanor count of loitering or prowling.

Pinellas County sheriffs deputies chased Smith running across the parking lot where the rally was being held. They stopped him a short distance away.

Deputies found a pipe bomb in his backpack, according to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. He was dressed in all black. He had a black covering over his face and he was carrying a black backpack, Gualtieri said at a Jan. 7 news conference. He was running fast and it looked like he was fleeing from something.

The bomb squad from the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office determined the pipe bomb in the backpack was a live device. When searching Smiths car, deputies found M-80 firecrackers. A search of his residence found another pipe bomb and several grenades in his bedroom, Gualtieri said.

Smith is what we call a sleeper and these are the most concerning individuals because there is no opportunity to intervene and thwart their criminal activity until they actually act, the sheriff said.

Were fortunate in this situation that something caused Smith to flee before he ignited the explosive device and deputies were able to apprehend him.

Smith refused to speak with investigators.

Gualtieri said family reported that Smith recently move to Florida from Portland, Ore., the site of months of Antifa and Black Lives Matter violence in 2020.
California Assemblyman Kevin Kiley speaks to reporters at The Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, Calif., on Aug. 4, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Kevin Kiley Removed From California Education Committee

Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) was unexpectedly removed from Californias Education Committee after serving as vice chair for five years.

Since joining the legislature, Kiley served on the committee that reviews all education legislation before it receives a full vote by the state Assembly.

Kiley, who has spoken out against statewide mandates in K12 schools regarding COVID-19 and critical race theory (CRT), was taken by surprise when he received the announcement on Dec. 27.

State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon removed Kiley with no official reason given to him, Kiley told The Epoch Times.

Without any notification or any warning, I was taken off this committee that Ive been on for all my five years in the legislature.

However, a spokesperson from Rendons office claimed his removal wasnt targeted.

The Speaker makes regular changes to the makeup of Assembly committees, spokeswoman Katie Talbot told The Epoch Times in an email. This change was one of more than 20 changes made to committees that daynone of which were retaliatory.

Still, the Assemblyman speculates his tendency to speak out against education throughout the state is the cause of his removal.

Ive been an outspoken critic of the corrupt education policies of Gavin Newsom in our legislature, Kiley said. Ive taken a long-standing critic of the failure to serve our students.

During his time on the education committee, Kiley advocated and attempted to introduce legislation to open schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

All of that did not go over well with the leaders of the legislator and the governor, Kiley said.

He also pushed for school choice and made efforts to put the needs of students first, he said.

I have actively questioned authors who bring bills to our committee that are not in the interest of students, Kiley said. I made them justify their bills. I asked them tough questions.

With Kiley being off the committee, he said he fears questionable education legislation will be passed without a second thought.

Although Kileys time as vice chair has come to an end, he said he anticipates using his position as a member of the legislature to continue to speak out against the K12 CRT curriculum, COVID-19 mandates, sex education curricula, and potential attempts to close schools again.

This attempted retaliation is only going to make me more vocal in trying to get our state on the right course, Kiley said.

Assemblywoman Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) of Californias first district, serving a portion of Northern California counties, has assumed the role of vice chair of the Education Committee.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman (L) and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (R) pose for pictures as they attend security talks on soaring tensions over Ukraine in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 10, 2022. (Denis Balibouse/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Kremlin Calls Talks With US and NATO So Far Unsuccessful

MOSCOWThe Kremlin on Thursday gave a bleak assessment of Russias security talks with the United States and NATO this week, describing them as unsuccessful and saying there was disagreement on fundamental issues.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Moscow viewed a sweeping sanctions bill unveiled by U.S. Senate Democrats extremely negatively and that its timing meant it looked like an attempt to put pressure on Moscow.

Peskov said two rounds of talks so far this week between Russia and the West had produced some positive nuances but that Moscow was looking for concrete results, not nuances.

The talks, which moved to Vienna on Thursday for a meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, are centred around an array of security demands that Moscow has made of the West, while building up forces near Ukraine.

The proposed sanctions legislation, backed by the White House, would target top Russian government and military officials, including President Vladimir Putin, and key banking institutions if Moscow engages in hostilities against Ukraine.

Peskov said imposing sanctions on Putin would be tantamount to severing relations between Moscow and Washington.

We view the appearance of such documents and statements extremely negatively against the background of an ongoing series of negotiations, albeit unsuccessful ones, Peskov told reporters.

The proposed measures do not contribute to a constructive atmosphere in these negotiations, he said.

Russia has spooked Kyiv and the West by massing troops and hardware near Ukraine, sparking fears that it is considering invading. Moscow denies any such plans and says it can deploy forces on its territory however it chooses.

Moscow is seeking an array of security guarantees from the West including legally binding promises that NATO will never allow former Soviet Ukraine to become a member and that the alliance will pull back troops from former Communist states in central and eastern Europe that joined it after the Cold War.

The United States has dismissed these demands as non-starters but Washington and NATO have said they are willing to hold talks with Russia on arms control, missile deployments and confidence-building measures.

By Dmitry Antonov and Tom Balmforth
Leading NJ Republican Seeks Action to Curb Governors Emergency Powers

A leading New Jersey Republican wants lawmakers to act to curb the governors emergency powers.

This week, Gov. Phil Murphy reinstated New Jerseys public health emergency, saying an uptick in COVID-19 cases made the action necessary. The move came a day after state lawmakers declined to proceed with SCR165/ACR223 to extend the governors emergency powers.

As weve learned over the past two years, the Governor of New Jersey has an astonishing amount of power under state law once they declare a State of Emergency or a Public Health Emergency, state Sen. Declan OScanlon (R-Monmouth), said in a news release. They can shut down schools and businesses, force people to stay home, and mandate compliance with an unimaginable breadth of orders and directives that impact all facets of life.

According to OScanlon, in New Jersey, a state of emergency can remain in effect until the governor ends it. The governor can declare public health emergency for 30 days and has the discretion to issue subsequent 30-day extensions.

Its unclear if Governor Murphy had the authority to declare a new Public Health Emergency that essentially grants himself the same powers the Legislature allowed to expire, OScanlon added. What is clear, however, is that New Jerseys emergency power laws are so vague and broadly written that the governor risks little by making a new declaration to claim the extra power he wants. Thats why we need to fix our laws to set explicit new limits on emergency powers and ensure the Legislature has a strong oversight role.

During his State of the State this week, Murphy, a Democrat, said the state remains on a war footing against a virus that has now taken on a form that is overwhelming our collective psyche as it tests our state.

The governor asserted his public health emergency is vital to ensuring our continued and coordinated response so we can move forward and put COVID behind us.

By T.A. DeFeo
A man walks past a billboard for 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a state investment fund, at its flagship Tun Razak Exchange development in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Feb. 27, 2015. (Olivia Harris/Reuters)

Malaysia Govt Receives $80 Million From KPMG in Settlement Over 1MDB Scandal

Malaysias government has received RM340.92 million ($80 million) from international accounting firm KPMG in settlement over the firms fiduciary duties in auditing the accounts of scandal-hit state fund 1Malaysia Development (1MDB) from 2010 to 2012, its Finance Ministry said on Thursday.

This follows KPMGs agreement in September last year to settle a civil suit filed by 1MDB over the firms alleged negligence and breach of contract in its audit of the state funds financial statements.

The settlement with KPMG was described as one of the largest 1MDB-related settlements by an audit firm in Southeast Asia, which valued at more than 800 times the audit fees earned by the company.

The ministry said in a statement that the fund was deposited into Malaysias Assets Recovery Trust Account, which has received a total of RM19.138 billion ($4.5 billion) in seized funds related to the 1MDB financial scandal.

The funds will be used to settle 1MDBs outstanding debts, it stated.

1MDB was set up by former Prime Minister Najib Razak when he took office in 2009. It relied primarily on debt to fund investment and economic development projects and was overseen by senior Malaysian government officials.

However, the state fund amassed massive debts, and U.S. investigators allege that at least $4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by Najibs associates.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said in a statement that the government has repaid RM13.3 billion of 1MDBs debt so far, with RM38.81 billion ($9.28 billion) in debtcomprising principal and coupons or profit for bonds and Sukukstill outstanding as of Dec. 31, 2021.

However, the current balance of the Trust Account is sufficient to pay off only the principal amount of the bonds for 2022, Zafrul said.

Once all the Trust Account funds are utilized, the government will continue to bear the obligation to pay the balance of 1MDBs debts, whose issuance was backed by a government guarantee and letter of support, he added.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to recovering the 1MDB asset and allocating adequate funds to manage the national financial burden caused by the 1MDB financial scandal.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, wearing a face mask with his supporters arrives at a courthouse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 28, 2020. (Vincent Thian/AP)

Last month, Malaysias Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Najibs appeal to overturn his conviction and upheld the High Courts verdict against him.

Najib was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined RM210 million ($50 million) in July 2020 after being found guilty of transferring RM42 million ($9.9 million) from SRC International, a former unit of 1MDB, into his bank accounts.

He faced seven charges encompassing criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering, but pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied any wrongdoing.

Najib has reportedly filed an appeal to the Federal Court against the Court of Appeals decision in December last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In this file photo, emergency crews work at the scene of an accident, in San Diego on March 15, 2021. (Gregory Bull/AP Photo)

Man Who Opened Fire on Restaurant Got 49 Years in Prison

SAN DIEGOA man who opened fire into a Hillcrest restaurant with an assault rifle, but missed about a dozen people inside the eatery, was sentenced Friday to 49 years in state prison.

Stefano Markell Parker, 32, pleaded guilty last year to five counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm in connection with the Feb. 12, 2019, shooting at The Asian Bistro on University Avenue.

Parker previously faced nearly a dozen attempted murder counts and a potential 374 years-to-life sentence in the case.

San Diego police said Parker opened fire from the street at about 7:40 p.m., sending patrons inside the restaurant ducking for cover. None of the people inside was struck by gunfire.

Parker fled the scene but was arrested a short time later in an alley on Fourth Avenue, according to police, who said the rifle used in the shooting was located nearby.

Police and prosecutors have not disclosed a motive for the attack.

The discovery of a homophobic social media post from Parker, as well as the shootings location in Hillcrest, led investigators and city leaders to suspect a potential anti-LGBTQ motivation.

However, Parker was not charged with hate-crime allegations in connection with the shooting.

A few months after the shooting, Parker was found mentally incompetent to stand trial in the case and was sent to Patton State Hospital on at least one occasion for treatment.

Prior to imposing the 49-year sentence, San Diego Superior Court Judge Frederick Link said he believed that prior to coming to California, Parker did not get the treatment he should have received.

He committed a very serious crime. He endangered a lot of people. Thank God that nobody was injured, Link said.

Parkers pleas also came with an admission that he has a 2006 murder conviction out of Alabama, when he was a juvenile. He was sentenced to 20 years in that case, but served just four.
A Microsoft logo is seen on an office building in New York, on July 28, 2015. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Microsoft Invests $50 Million in Alcohol-to-Jet Fuel Biorefinery

Microsofts Climate Innovation Fund will invest $50 million in a LanzaJet facility in Georgia to produce jet fuel from ethanol next year, according to a LanzaJet press release.

The invested funds will go toward finishing the construction of the Freedom Pines Fuels Plant in Soperton, Georgia, with plans to start producing 10 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel per year from sustainable ethanol, including from waste-based feedstocks, in 2023.

LanzaJet, a Chicago-based spinoff of clean energy company LanzaTech, says that the facility is the worlds first alcohol-to-jet sustainable fuel production plant.

The renewable fuel company says its goal is to bring lower-cost sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel to the market.

LanzaJet officially spun out from LanzaTech in 2020 after major investors put money into the new energy company.

Along with making renewable jet fuel, the company is developing new technology that turns waste into chemicals that can be used to build plastics.

Oil producers and other petroleum trading companies including Suncor Energy and Shell are also funding the renewable energy plant.

Other investors include British Airways, All Nippon Airways, Japanese investment firm Mitsui & Co., and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Airlines have been facing increasing global pressure from governments and green energy advocacy groups to lower their carbon footprints.

Governments and investors are attempting to boost incentives to produce low-carbon emitting jet fuel.

A 2050 zero-net emissions growth, sustainable fuel agenda has been pushed for years by the economic pundits at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Biden administration announced last year, that it had agreed to lower aviation emissions by 20 percent by 2030 and with a goal to achieve net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.

In September, the White House set a target for the production of 3 billion gallons of SAF in the United States per year by 2030.

Biden has also pushed tax credits for SAF production as part of his Build Back Better plan, which has stalled due to serious opposition in Congress.

The European Union, meanwhile, is aiming to increase the amount of SAF to 63 percent of overall jet fuel production by 2050.

Many corporations like Microsoft are equally supportive of the economic directives coming out of the WEF.

Officials at Microsoft have said that it will further support the carbon negative agenda by ending its use of fossil fuels by 2030 and removing all the carbon that it has emitted to date by 2050.

Microsoft founded its Climate Innovation Fund in 2020, to invest $1 billion over the next four years to speed up the development of carbon removal technology.

The software company has been studying sustainable fuel sources, such as hydrogen fuel cells, as a way to make its cloud data centers less dependent on diesel fuel.

As part of the joint announcement with Microsoft, LanzaJet said its goal is to achieve 1 billion gallons of sustainable jet fuel production in the United States by 2030.

However, the airline industry is considered one of the hardest to decarbonize.

Renewable aviation fuel still accounted for less than 0.1 percent of the current global jet fuel demand of about 330 million tonnes in 2019.
The Microsoft logo is seen at the International Cybersecurity Forum (FIC) in Lille, France, on Jan. 28, 2020. (Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images)

Microsoft Launching Inquiry Into Effectiveness of Its Sexual Harassment Policies, Including Gates Allegations

Microsoft announced on Thursday that it is launching an inquiry into the effectiveness of its policies and practices regarding workplace sexual harassment and gender discrimination, including its handling of allegations about co-founder Bill Gates.

The company said it plans to issue a thorough and transparent public report with its findings this spring which will include data on the number of sexual harassment cases investigated, as well as their resolutions.

It comes in response to an advisory shareholder resolution (pdf) last year calling for such a review. At the time, shareholders noted that the issues regarding sexual harassment and gender discrimination within the company can harm shareholder value and result in higher staff turnover, lower productivity, and increased absenteeism, as well as higher sick leave costs.

Our culture remains our number one priority and the entire Board appreciates the critical importance of a safe and inclusive environment for all Microsoft employees, Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said in a prepared statement on Thursday.

Were committed not just to reviewing the report but learning from the assessment so we can continue to improve the experiences of our employees.

Microsoft has hired law firm Arent Fox LLP to conduct the inquiry which will specifically focus on the effectiveness of the companys workplace sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies, training, and related policies, including a review of concerns raised by employees in a 2019 In Need of Assistance email thread, which saw dozens of women working at the company share stories of sexual harassment and discrimination.

The inquiry will also look into the steps Microsoft has taken in response to these concerns and will include an analysis of policies, practices, and commitments to create a safe, inclusive work environment.

Arent Foxs report will also provide a summary of the results of any sexual harassment investigations since 2019 against members of the Board of Directors and the companys Senior Leadership Team, including the board investigation of co-founder Bill Gates.

Finally, the inquiry will assess the steps that Microsoft has taken to hold employees, including executives, accountable for sexual harassment or gender discrimination.

In addition to the above, the review will also benchmark Microsofts current practices against best practices adopted by other companies in an effort to identify areas of improvement, something which the company noted had not been called for by the shareholder resolution but which they had opted to do.

The firm is experienced in these matters and has not previously been involved in representing Microsoft in employment matters, nor has it done a significant amount of work for the company in the past, Microsoft said of Arent Fox.

Arent Fox will first deliver its findings and recommendations privately to the Board and management, who will then prepare a plan of action based on the recommendations and report this to the Board. The report will then be published to the public.

Gates announced he was stepping down from the Microsoft board in March 2020 to focus more time on his philanthropic priorities. In 2019, a board committee began investigating allegations that Gates had sought to initiate an intimate relationship with a company employee in the year 2000.

When contacted for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson referred The Epoch Times to the companys announcement regarding the inquiry.
United States Marines register their details as they queue to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Camp Hansen on April 28, 2021 in Kin, Japan. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

Military Grants First Religious Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

The Marine Corps is the first U.S. military branch to grant religious exemptions to the militarys COVID-19 vaccine mandate, nearly two months after the vaccination deadline for active-duty Marines.

The Marines approved two requests for religious accommodation from the mandate, the branch said in a statement on Thursday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the mandate in August 2021, but every branch had resisted granting religious accommodations, sparking lawsuits and allegations that the military was violating federal law by discriminating against religious troops.

The lack of approvals prompted a federal judge earlier this month to block the mandate for a group of Navy personnel, with the judge finding the record overwhelmingly demonstrates that the Navys religious accommodation process is an exercise in futility.

While the ruling didnt directly apply to the Marines, it likely triggered the militarys first religious exemption approvals, Sean Timmons, managing partner of Tully Rinckeys Houston office, told The Epoch Times.

I think the Marines saw the opinion, saw them get just completely get ripped a new one, admonished, reprimanded judicially  and they saw that, now theyre reacting to it; theyre trying to correct it after the fact, he said.

Theyre basically a bank robber who robbed the bank trying to return the money. Im not a bank robber. Im just borrowing money. Its laughable, comical, he added.

A Marines spokesman declined to share details of the approved exemptions, telling The Epoch Times that the branch was hamstrung by privacy considerations.

All I confirm that we had two approved religious accommodations, he said.

Requests for religious accommodations are meticulously reviewed by multiple superiors, the spokesman added in an emailed statement. If they all clear the request it reaches the deputy commandant who decides whether to approve or deny it.

While the Marines are the first branch to approve religious exemptions, the pair that were cleared are a small fraction of the 3,350 religious exemption requests received. Over 3,200 have been rejected.

No other military branch has granted any religious exemptions yet, according to data published this week and answers from spokespersons for the branches.

The Navy has received over 3,700 requests for religious accommodation from the mandate and approved zero. The Army has not approved any of the over 2,100 religious exemption requests. The Air Force has rejected over 2,300 requests, with another 2,158 pending.

Authorities have defended the lack of approvals, which contrast with the thousands of medical exemptions that have been granted.

We understand its weighing on your minds, and we are working through these as expeditiously as we can  to make sure were looking at each one of them on a case-by-case basis, so that we are following and giving you due process as we go through that review, Gen. Arnold Bunch Jr., commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, told troops in a virtual town hall last week.

Even troops who end up receiving a religious exemption will be deemed nondeployable unless they also receive a medical exemption, according to court records and lawyers representing troops seeking accommodations.

And troops with pending accommodation requests have faced repercussions, including one case where a Navy SEAL was barred from traveling to receive treatment for a deployment-related traumatic brain injury.

The militarys deadlines for active-duty and reserve troops to get vaccinated passed weeks or months ago, except for a deadline for Army reservists and National Guard personnel.

Branches have been increasing punitive measures against troops with pending, rejected, or no accommodation requests who remain unvaccinated, including separating them from the forces. Two-hundred and eighty nine Marines have now been separated with the vaccine refusal discharge code, the branch said. The Air Force has kicked out 87 active-duty Airmen and the Navy has booted 20 service members.

The Army says it has not kicked out any soldiers for not adhering to the mandate. Army officials plan to issue before the end of January more specific guidance to commanders regarding the mandatory initiation of separation for such soldiers.

The Coast Guard, the only branch outside the purview of the Department of Defense, did not respond to requests for comment.

Correction: A previous version of this article had a higher count of Marines who were kicked out for refusing vaccines. The Marines later said it reported the wrong number.
Military Leadership Is Failing Us: Unvaccinated Marine Officer Who Was Denied Religious Exemption Speaks Out

An unvaccinated Marine Corps officer is sounding the alarm, saying that the denial of religious exemptions for the Defense Departments (DoD) COVID-19 vaccine mandate which went into effect in August is a direct assault on the rights of service-members everywhere, and may be part of a larger effort to purge the military of conservative-leaning Christians.

The Epoch Times spoke to Major Lewis Paul (a pseudonym), who has served in the Marine Corps for almost 20 years. Paul spoke to the publication on the condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. He explained the process of seeking a religious accommodation, indicating that each request travels up the chain of command, with the final decision made at Headquarters Marine Corps. That decision, he said, is based on a recommendation from the three-member Religious Accommodation Review Board which then forwards requests to Lt. Gen. David Ottignon, the Deputy Commandant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs, for decision and signature.

While a response is supposed to be given within 30 days, Paul said he did not get his response from headquarters until nearly 100 days later. Denials can be appealed directly to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, which is where Paul finds himself today. If his appeal is denied, he will have 30 days to comply by taking the vaccine or face punitive separation from the Marine Corps.

Pauls religious accommodation request was accompanied by a negative endorsement from his leadership that essentially said, do not recommend, he said. Given the sensitivity that normally accompanies religious accommodation requests, the appropriate endorsement, he said, should have been a neutral endorsement, one that would have simply allowed his request to be considered based on its individual merits. Paul also noted that after enduring what he described as an interrogation from the chaplain, he had to defend his accommodation before each Commander who told him that he should comply with mandate, as there was no chance a request would be approved.

The chain of command has no business making a decision on what is or what is not a sincere religious belief, but they chose to add their own negative endorsementand I would submit this is nothing more than a rush to show how loyal they are to the current administration, rather than advocate for their Marines, Paul said.

The process has left him feeling betrayed, he added.

Mike Berry, whose legal work at First Liberty Institute helped secure a preliminary injunction in early January that stopped the DoD from taking any action against a group of Navy SEALs who have religious objections to the vaccine mandate, told The Epoch Times that betrayal is a universal feeling experienced by many in similar situations across all branches of military service.

[Service members] feel like [military and civilian] leadership has let them down after many yearsin some cases, decadesof honorable and faithful service, Berry said. Many are feeling ignored or even spat upon.

All in the name of political agenda and political expediency, people of faith who are serving in uniform are being told that the only people that matter are those who chose to get the vaccine or those who dont hold to sincerely held religious beliefs that would prevent them from getting the vaccine, he said.

A Legacy Cut Short

Despite public statements stating every religious accommodation would be reviewed on its individual merits, Paul said, each case is only being looked at as a formality to appease the law, as the Marine Corps currently has no intention of granting any religious accommodation to not take the shot.

He noted that his refusal letter was a word-for-word match with the statement every Marine receives when they are denied accommodation. The letter from the Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs said the decision must be consistent with mission accomplishment, including consideration of potential medical risks to other persons comprising the unit or organizations, [and] immunizations are a critical component of individual and unit readiness.

It also noted there was no less-restrictive way of accommodating the request in a way that ensures military readiness and the preservation of the health of the force.

When Paul sought additional documentation about the decision, he was only given additional that appeared to be template documents that only left space for the decision-makers initials, with no space for comments.

Paul finds it highly unlikely that the Marine Corps reviewed his case on its individual merits, as required by law in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993.

Thousands of Marines face dismissal for their continued refusal to get the shot. The Marines had required all members to get the jab or apply for an exemption by November 2021. To date, only two Marine Corps Religious Accommodation requests have been approved, according to Jan. 13 statement from the Marine Corps, making the Marines the first military branch to grant religious exemptions.

As of Jan. 12, 3,350 requests have been made with 3,212 processed, the Marines said. Meanwhile, 351 Marines have been discharged for refusing to take the vaccine.

Ninety-five percent of the Marines are fully vaccinated and an additional 2 percent partially vaccinated, the Marines said. It added that of the Marines who have been hospitalized due to COVID-19, 88 percent were unvaccinated.

Before the mandate went into effect in August, Paul said the Marine Corps took steps midsummer to rewrite the religious accommodation order, pointing to Marine Corps Order 1730.9, which as signed on July 12.

The latest July order, he said, added language that specifically addressed immunizations to a different degree than the previous order. It basically suggests that everything can be considered for religious accommodation, except immunizations, and that previously wasnt the case, he explained. It also appears that the previous version of the order has been scrubbed from the web.

There were many steps taken to change the process and ensure that the only answer Marines would ever receive would be a declined religious accommodation, he said.

Paul realizes he is fighting an uphill battle with a lot to lose. Ultimately, officers who refuse the vaccine will be removed from the Marine Corps in one of two ways. The first would include accepting non-judicial punishment and separation without court-martial, via a board of inquiry. He considers this option an admission of guilt of wrongdoing.

The other option would be to refuse non-judicial punishment and face court-martial, which has the potential to result in a federal conviction. Not only would my good name be besmirched with this option, Paul said, I would be potentially barred from fundamental rights and the ability to participate in the very society I have defended my entire adult life.

After nearly two decades of service in the Marine Corps, he said, My legacy could end in a federal criminal conviction, which should give everyone a great deal of pause, considering that I have done nothing other than stand firm for truth, remained firm in my religious convictions, and upheld my obligation to defend the constitution.

Pauls legacy extends beyond his own service. Both he and his spouse have had a family member serve in every major conflict since the Revolutionary Wara span of over 230 years. We have bled and died for this country, he said. This betrayal would leave a lasting bitter taste in our family and would no doubt influence our future families decisions whether to volunteer or not.

Leadership Failing Those Who Gave All

Every person who joins the military takes an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, Paul said, adding that its an oath thats taken very seriously, because every service member understands it could include supporting and defending the Constitution up to, and including, the cost of ones own life.

He has witnessed Americas finest give up their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice to defend their oath. Ive had to bury them in front of their families, [and] Ive had to pick up my friends body parts.

While each of these incidents sadden him, he is proud that so many have protected and defended Americas freedoms. But who defends our rights as military members? he asked. Civilian and military leadership is failing us.

The fundamental freedom to practice his religion is being taken away, he said.

Where my faith was always very aligned with my service, its the Marine Corps that has shifted its position and has decided that that faith no longer matters in favor of political expediency.

Deeper Issues Ahead

Berry, of First Liberty Institute, said, you dont have to be a genius to see there are threats to Americas national security all around the world, whether its Chinas hypersonic weapons, Iran enriching uranium, or the Taliban in Afghanistan, there are threats to national security.

A large part of the nations military readiness depends on an all-volunteer military, the steady supply of volunteers thats ready to fight on behalf of our nation, he said. By not allowing religious accommodation, he said what this is doing is telling a huge cross section of America, that is, people of faith, people hold to sincere religious beliefs, that you are not welcome in the military.

To that end, Paul said the Marine Corps decisions have little to do with protecting service members from the virus. Instead, I would caution people that the vaccine is being used as a mechanism to politically purge the ranks, he said.

Many of his fellow Marines are leaving the Corps. There are many who saw this coming and chose to retire or end their active service quietly, he said. Moving ahead, Americans will be far less inclined to pick up arms and join the military in the future.

According to Paul, the military is facing a serious recruitment and retention problem within the ranks that relates to poor leadership, failures in Afghanistan, and an unconstitutional order to vaccinate. He noted this will go down as one of the most reckless decisions ever made, as we are seeing our personnel numbers purposely depleted in the face potential great-power conflicts.

For Paul, the issue goes much deeper than a purging of the ranks. In the years ahead, he said it could take a more sinister turn. What happens when this new military thats hypercompliant is now given another unlawful orderand this time its not a vaccination? he asked. We have long prided ourselves as having a Military that will do the morally right thing in the face of adversity, but this goes away if the moral backbone is purged from the military.

Regardless of who is being purged, perhaps the question we should ask ourselves is what is the real cost? he said. Military leaders will insist this is about readiness, but there may be long term implications that will reverberate through history.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Pentagon for comments.
The Moderna logo is seen at the Moderna campus in Norwood, Mass., on Dec. 2, 2020. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

Moderna, Novavax, and Other Vaccine Stocks Extending Losses

COVID-19 vaccine stocks are all retreating sharply for a second day running on Friday.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against President Joe Bidens quest to make it mandatory for large businesses employing over 100 people to have their staff vaccinated and undergo weekly testing. The mandate is a significant encroachment on the lives and health of a vast number of employers, the court said.

The court, however, permitted the vaccine mandate for health care workers in facilities which receive government funding.

President Biden expressed disappointment at the verdict and said he was disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law.

Novavax Inc., specifically, has been the hardest hit, given the delay in getting authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine in the United States and Europe.

Investors are also worried about how far out the vaccine windfall can support these companies. With the Omicron variant proving to be highly infectious, there is a view among the scientific community, herd immunity could soon be reached, bringing the pandemic to an end.

At last check, Moderna, Inc. shares were down 2.59 percent at $204.73.

BioNTech SE was slipping 3.44 percent at $196.00.

Pfizer Inc. shares were moving down 1.08 percent to $54.94.

Novavax was down 1.39 percent to $110.82.

Johnson & Johnson was receding 0.56 percent to $167.81.

By Shanthi Rexaline

 2021 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
An underprivileged Indian child, drinks milk lying on the lap of a helper at Apnalaya, a voluntary organization which provides free meals to children of economically challenged parents in Mumbai, India, Monday, April 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Modi Government Under Fire for Indias Plunge in Global Hunger Index Ranking

JAIPUR, IndiaThe government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming under fire from various quarters over India slipping to near the bottom of the Global Hunger Index in 2021, despite having huge food stocks.

India ranks 101st out of the 116 countries in the 2021 Global Hunger Index (GHI) report, which puts the second-most-populous nation behind its neighbors Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. In 2020, it was No. 94.

The index is a peer-reviewed annual report, jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, thats designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. The publishers say that the index seeks to trigger action to reduce hunger around the world.

With a score of 27.5, India has a level of hunger that is serious, the publishers say in the report.

GHI scores are calculated each year to assess progress and setbacks in combating hunger.

Indias government has strongly condemned the methodology adopted by the institutions.

It is shocking to find that the Global Hunger Report 2021 has lowered the rank of India on the based on Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimate on the proportion of the undernourished population, which is found to be devoid of ground reality and facts, and suffers from serious methodological issues, Indias Ministry of Women and Child Development said in taking an aggressive stance against the report.

The publishing agencies of the Global Hunger Report, Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, have not done their due diligence before releasing the report, the ministry stated.

The methodology used by FAO is unscientific.

However, professor Arun Kumar, a retired professor of economics at one of Indias prestigious universitiesJawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)said that questioning the methodology is wrong since the same system also is being used to rate other countries.

Kumar, who also is the Malcolm Adiseshiah Chair professor at the Institute of Social Sciences, points out that in December 2021, India had stockpiles of 21.3 million tons of wheat, 37.9 million tons of rice, and 35.9 million tons of unmilled paddy.

These huge stocks are three times the average stocks required to be held for various purposes. Excess stocks are not just a result of excess production but also a lack of purchasing power with the poor. That is why there is malnourishment among women and children [up to 40 percent are malnourished], he said.

He pointed out that under the Right to Food in Indias constitution, cheap food is provided and yet there is malnourishment. It shows that the situation remains grim for the poor.

Kumar says the problem has worsened since 2016 because of demonetization.

This was further aggravated by the structurally flawed GST (goods and services tax) and its poor design and implementation, Kumar said.

On Nov. 8, 2016, Modi suddenly announced the demonetization of all 500-rupee ($7) and 1,000-rupee banknotes.

GST was implemented in India in the latter half of 2017.

COVID-19-related lockdowns also have affected the situation.

All this points to the persisting hunger, despite the massive stocks of food, which are partly rotting, Kumar said.

The opposition Indian National Congress (INC), commonly known as the Congress Party, criticized the Modi government on the issue.

Global Hunger Index 2021 [out of 116] Nepal 76, Bangladesh 76, Myanmar [Burma] 71, Pakistan 92, India: 101, Gaurav Pandhi, INCs national coordinator for digital communications and social media, wrote in a tweet. In 2014, we were at 55! BJPs hunger for power has left India hungry, worse than our neighbours and Godi Media isnt going to talk about this!!

Godi Media is a term coined by Indias opposition parties for the media outlets that publicly support Modi.
Navient Agrees to $1.7 Billion Student Loan Cancellations to Settle With States

Student loan giant Navient will cancel $1.7 billion in debts owed by approximately 66,000 borrowers as part of the settlement the company reached Thursday with a coalition of 39 states attorneys general.

One of the largest providers of student loan services, Navient in recent years had faced allegations of questionable practices. In 2019, an audit (pdf) by the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Inspector General found that Navient representatives tended to place borrowers into long-term forbearances instead of offering them other more affordable income-driven repayment options.

The agreement announced Thursday will put an end to a series of lawsuits and investigations, which accused Navient of violating consumer-protection laws or causing borrower harm, according to the Delaware-based company.

Under the terms of the settlement, Navient will cancel loan balances of some 66,000 borrowers with certain qualifying private education loans that were originated largely between 2002 and 2010 and later defaulted and charged off. The company will notify the qualified borrowers in the coming days pending final approval by the court.

In addition to the loan cancellations, Navient will make a one-time $145 million payment to the states. The states are expected to use a portion of that payment to cover their expenses and use the rest to offer affected borrowers some reimbursement.

The companys decision to resolve these matters, which were based on unfounded claims, allows us to avoid the additional burden, expense, time and distraction to prevail in court, Mark Heleen, Navients chief legal officer, said in a press release.

Navient also expressly denies violating any law, including consumer-protection laws, or causing borrower harm, the companys release reads.

The settlement comes as progressive advocates and Democratic lawmakers pressure President Joe Biden to fulfil a promise he made on the 2020 presidential campaign trail to cancel at least $10,000 of student debt per person.

We should forgive a minimum of $10,000/person of federal student loans, as proposed by Senator [Elizabeth] Warren and colleagues, Biden wrote on Twitter in March 2020. Young people and other student debt holders bore the brunt of the last crisis. It shouldnt happen again.

Since taking office, the Biden administration has provided student loan relief totaling $9.5 billion, a relatively small portion of the $1.7 trillion federal student loans portfolio. In April 2021, Bidens chief of staff Ron Klain revealed that his boss had asked Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to study whether the U.S. president has the executive authority to cancel student loan debt.

In an October 2021 interview with The Atlantic, Cardona said his department was still studying that question.

Were focused and its a priority for me, and for President Biden to make sure that part of the conversation is examining loan forgiveness. Those conversations are continuing, Cardona told the outlet.
North Korea's intermediate-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 lifting off from the launching pad at an undisclosed location near Pyongyang on Aug. 29, 2017. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

North Korea Fires 2 Projectiles After It Warns of Stronger Action Against US Sanctions

North Korea fired two short-range projectiles eastward on Friday, South Koreas military said, shortly after Pyongyang warned of a stronger reaction over new sanctions imposed by the United States.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said that two suspected ballistic missiles were launched from North Pyongan Province and traveled about 430 kilometers (267 miles) at an altitude of 36 kilometers, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The first missile was launched at around 2:41 p.m. on Friday, followed by the second missile at 2:52 p.m., the JCS stated.

Japans Defense Ministry also claimed to have detected a possible ballistic missile launch from North Korea, though no details on the incident have been released.

This marks the third reported missile launch by Pyongyang this month. North Korea previously claimed it launched two hypersonic missiles on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11, respectively, the second of which was fired under the watch of its leader Kim Jong-un.

North Koreas Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement hours before the missile launch criticizing the U.S. for imposing new sanctions on the country and warning of a stronger response if Washington maintains its confrontational stance.

The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six North Koreans, one Russian, and a Russian firm it said were responsible for procuring goods from Russia and China for North Koreas weapons programs, an action that follows a series of North Korean missile launches, including two since last week.

In a statement carried by state media Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang claimed that its recent development of a weapon was for the purpose of modernizing the national defense capability, not of targeting a specific country or force, nor of endangering the security of neighboring countries.

Increasing the national defense capability is a legitimate right of a sovereign state, the ministry said, adding that the sanctions imposed by the United States were evidence of provocation and gangster logic.

North Korea went on to criticize President Joe Bidens administration for pursuing a policy that isolates and suffocates Pyongyang while calling for diplomacy and dialogue to advance denuclearization.

Talks led by the United States seeking to get North Korea to advance denuclearizationincluding to surrender its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile arsenalhave been stalled since February 2019; Kim and then-President Donald Trump were unable to come to an agreement over disputes about international sanctions on Pyongyang.

The Biden administration has said it is open to a dialogue with North Korea at any time without preconditions, but the authoritarian state accused the United States of having hostile policies such as military drills and sanctions that it must withdraw against Pyongyang before any talks can resume.

The United States recently reiterated that it holds no hostile intent toward Pyongyang.

Mimi Nguyen Ly and Reuters contributed to this report.
Lithium batteries displayed in the workshop of a lithium battery manufacturing company in Huaibei, eastern China's Anhui Province, on Nov. 14, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Ottawa Skips Security Review of Chinas Purchase of Canadian Lithium Company

Ottawa did not review the potential national security impacts of a Chinese state-owned companys plan to purchase Canadian lithium company Neo Lithium Corp.

On Oct. 10, 2021, Zijin Mining Group Ltd. announced its plan to acquire all of Neo Lithiums outstanding common shares for $960 million. Neo Lithiums shareholders approved the arrangement with Zijin Mining at a special meeting on Dec. 10, 2021.

All foreign entities that take over Canadian companies through purchases are subject to an initial screening by the federal government, and if Ottawa believes a deal could pose threats to national security, it will be subject to a more thorough review under section 25.3 of the Investment Canada Act.

Zijin Minings purchase of Neo Lithium did not undergo such review by Ottawa.

The law states they have 45 days after announcement to start a review if they believe there is a specific concern, Carlos Vicens, a spokesperson with Neo Lithium, told The Globe and Mail in an email. The timeline passed in early December and no review was done.

Sophy Lambert-Racine, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Developmentthe federal agency responsible for the administration of the Investment Canada Actsaid foreign investments in Canadian companies are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

This process is undertaken in consultation with Canadas national security and intelligence agencies, Lambert-Racine told The Globe in an email, adding that Ottawa is committed to defend the countrys national and economic security, which includes strong consideration for critical mineral assets.

In March 2021, the Government of Canada issued a revised Guidelines on the National Security Review of Investments, which takes into account the potential impact of a foreign investment on critical minerals and their supply chains. The critical minerals refer to the federal governments Critical Mineral List of 31 minerals, which includes lithium.

Lithium is the lightest known metal with the greatest electrochemical potential, and is therefore critical to electric vehicles and other consumer electronics, according to the Neo Lithium website. Global lithium consumption is estimated to increase between 3 to 5 times over the next decade due to the increased use of electric vehicles.

Canada falls behind in lithium developing and processing compared to the United States, Australia, and, particularly, China, which accounted for over two-thirds (77 percent) of global lithium-ion battery manufacturing in 2020.

How is it possible that Ottawa gave the thumbs up to a Chinese takeover of Neo Lithium? This is a critical metal for the renewable economy, NDP MP Charlie Angus wrote on Twitter. There is a major geopolitical fight for control of these minerals and Canada is being left on the sidelines.

Wesley Wark, senior fellow at the Ontario-based Centre for International Governance Innovation, told The Globe that he expected Ottawa to scrutinize the Zijin Mining deal, due to fears for disruption of critical mineral supply in North America and the potential loss of intellectual property to China.

I would imagine that this would go to [a formal security review] because its an early test case with the new strategy that the government is developing on critical minerals, Wark said, adding that Ottawa would look very negatively to a Chinese acquisition of a Canadian critical minerals company.

The Chinese state-owned Zijin Mining, which saw a net profit of roughly US$ 1.76 billion in the first three quarters of 2021, said it is rapidly positioning itself among the global Tier 1 miners.

Prior to Neo Lithium, Zijin Mining had acquired two other Canadian mining companies. In December 2018, it gained 100 percent ownership of the Vancouver-based Nevsun Resources Ltd, and in 2020, it bought 68.7 percent of Continental Gold Inc.

Neo Lithium is currently developing a mine in the Lithium Triangle in northwest Argentina. The 3Q project is the worlds top three lithium brine projects in terms of grade, the seventh-largest in term of size, according to Neo Lithium President and CEO Waldo Perez.
A general view of the exterior of the Pepco Holdings Inc corporate headquarters in Wash., on March 30, 2012. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Pepco Group Quarterly Revenue Rises on 161 Store Openings

Pepco Group, the owner of PEPCO, Poundland, and Dealz discount retailer brands in Europe, posted a 12 percent rise in its quarterly total revenue on a constant currency basis, driven by performance at its PEPCO banner that saw a 20 percent revenue jump.

The group, which listed on the Warsaw stock exchange last May, said on Thursday its first-quarter revenue for the period of October-December came in at 1.35 billion euros ($1.54 billion), with like-for-like sales up 0.7 percent.

Pepco Group said it delivered its strongest quarter in terms of store openings with 161 new branches, 146 of which were PEPCO, including 55 in the strategically important Western European markets of Italy, Austria and Spain, which continue to trade ahead of expectations.

It is particularly pleasing that despite the supply chain and demand challenges presented by COVID-19, the strength of the consumer proposition of all three of our brands ensured that we delivered a resilient trading performance, Chief Executive Officer Andy Bond said in a statement.

The group had previously said that it sees Europe as its addressable market, following encouraging initial performance of PEPCO stores in Western Europe.

PEPCO, predominantly present in eastern Europe, plans to open in Germany in the first half of 2022 and has a strong pipeline of store launches for 202122 and beyond, Bond had said last month.

($1 = 0.8742 euros)

By Karol Badohal
People queue to be vaccinated at the New South Wales Health mass vaccination hub in Homebush in Sydney, Australia on Aug. 23, 2021. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Pfizer CEO Says Vaccine Offers Limited Protection Against Omicron Amid Spike in Australias Vaccinated Hospitalisations

The recent spike in the COVID-19 hospitalisations of fully vaccinated patients in New South Wales (NSW) has prompted concerns of a loss in the efficacy of existing vaccines against the Omicron variant of the CCP virus.

This comes after NSW recorded a greater number of double-dose vaccinated individuals presenting to hospitals with COVID-19 than those who were unvaccinated, although the data showed that unvaccinated were still more likely to end up in hospital because a higher proportion amongst the unvaccinated population had been admitted.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla outlined the company would have a new vaccine ready in March capable of better handling new strains, such as Omicron, than its predecessor.

We know that the two doses of the (existing) vaccine offer very limited protection, if any, Bourla told Yahoo! News on Jan. 10.

Bourla also stated that a third dose of the current vaccine only offered reasonable protection against hospitalisation and deaths and was less effective in stopping transmission.

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)

In NSW, 95.1 percent of people aged 16 and over have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.7 percent have received two doses as of Jan. 11.

However, overall cases of COVID-19 have spiked in the state, recording more than 92,264 COVID-19 cases after it enforced the reporting of positive results from rapid antigen tests dating back to Jan. 1. Of these, 50,729 came from the last seven days, but NSW Health clarified that this figure could include double-ups from individuals submitting multiple tests.

As of Jan. 12, NSW saw at least 2,242 hospitalisations and 175 admissions to intensive care, with NSW Health saying that Omicron had supplanted Delta as NSWs primary form of infection but clarified the strain had a lower rate of hospitalisation and ICU admission than Delta.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it, too, believes current vaccines may need to be reworked to ensure they are effective against Omicron and possible future variants of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

The composition of current COVID-19 vaccines may need to be updated to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide WHO-recommended levels of protection against infection and disease by VOCs (variants of concern), including Omicron and future variants, a WHO technical body stated on Jan. 11.

Students wait to receive the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 at Qudos Arena in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 9, 2021. (Dean Lewins-Pool/Getty Images)

Despite concerns of inadequacy in providing immunity to the latest variant, Prime Minister Scott Morrison remained firm in the continued vaccination rollout and encouraged parents to take their 5 to 11-year-olds to get jabbed as the nation acquired more vaccines for children.

Living with COVID means continuing to ensure we press ahead with the vaccination program, and the childrens vaccine commences today, Morrison said in a press conference on Jan. 13.

We have contracted 3.3 million vaccinesthere are over 2 million of those which are already in the country, the balance will be here within a week. There are 2.3 million children in those age groups of five to 11. There are 6000 places where people can go and get those childrens vaccines.  the aim here is to have as many of the places where you can go and get it, he said.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended a third booster dose to raise the effectiveness of immunity granted by the vaccines, with some research suggesting a significant loss in efficacy against Omicron for those with only two doses.

A recent pre-print study from the UK suggested that protective effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 due to the Omicron strain was not observable after two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and was only approximately 35 percent at about 4 to 6 months after two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, ATAGI states.

A family sits during an observation period after the administration of their Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Sydney Road Family Medical Practice in Balgowlah, Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

However, Pfizers goal to create a new vaccine and the widespread distribution of vaccines altogether has been challenged by some over fears it catalyses the creation of new variants of the virus.

Belgian virologist and vaccinologist Dr. Geert Vanden Bossche wrote in a Nov. 30 article that the continued push for mass vaccination for COVID-19 could expand the evolutionary capacity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein beyond Omicron.

Dr. Bossche, whose vaccine-industry credentials include positions at GSK Biologicals, Novartis Vaccines, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, had been raising concerns about the issue for close to a year.

The unprecedented extent of human intervention in the COVID-19 pandemic is now at risk of resulting in a global catastrophe without equal, this call cannot sound loudly and strongly enough, Bossche said in an open letter (pdf) in March, 2021.

As stated, I am not against vaccination. On the contrary, I can assure you that each of the current vaccines has been designed, developed and manufactured by brilliant and competent scientists. However, this type of prophylactic vaccine are completely inappropriate and even highly dangerous when used in mass vaccination campaigns during a viral pandemic, he said.
A woman wears a mask while taking pictures of the COVID-19 virus model on display at the Enlightenment of COVID-19 science exhibition in Wuhan Natural History Museum, in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on July 18, 2021. (Getty Images)

Politicizing COVID-19 From the Start

Commentary

From the moment COVID-19 appeared, the pandemic became inseparable from politics.

Political frenzy was inevitable, since the SARS-CoV-2 virus may have escaped from a level-4 security virology lab in Wuhan, China.

The rapid-fire spread soon threatened to indict the Chinese communist government for nearly destroying the world economy and killing millions.

Western elites, in response, feared that their own lucrative investments in China would be jeopardized by such disclosuresand acted accordingly in defending Beijing.

Nonetheless, one scenario that remains intriguing is that the escaped virus was birthed by gain-of-function research scientists, overseen by elements of the Chinese communist military. Worse, the lab was given subsidies by U.S. health authorities, routed through third parties. Hiding all of that damaging information warped government policy and media coverage.

Belatedly, a panicked China shut down all domestic travel in and out of Wuhanbut not flights abroad to Western Europe and the United States.

The rest is history.

From the outset, the World Health Organization simply spread false talking points about the outbreak from the Chinese government, delaying a robust global response.

President Donald Trumps political opponents initially told Americans to shop and travel as usual. Then came a sharp pivot as cases mounted, and they blamed the president.

The U.S. 2020 ban on travel from China was met with charges of racism and xenophobia from presidential candidates. Ironically, many were simply channeling racist and xenophobic Chinas propaganda.

Many doctors kept hammering the need for therapeutics, including taboo off-label use of cheap generic drugs. The use of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin was widely ridiculed, despite continuing studies from abroad attesting to their usefulness.

Trumps Operation Warp Speed project to develop vaccinations was also pilloried. Candidates Kamala Harris and Joe Biden did their best to talk down the safety of the impending inoculations. But once in power, they projected their own prior harmful rhetoric onto so-called anti-vaxxers.

Then they claimed credit for the initial success of the Trump vaccinations.

Pfizer had promised a major preelection announcement about its likely rollout of a vaccine in October, just days before the 2020 election. Then, mysteriously, Pfizer claimed the vaccine, in fact, wouldnt be ready before Nov. 3. A few days after the election of Biden, the company reversed course and announced the vaccinations would soon be available.

Then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo obstructed almost all federal help with Trumps fingerprints on it. That way, Cuomo became a media, Emmy-winning darlingbefore resigning in disgrace.

Cuomos policies of steering infected patients into long-term-care facilities doomed over 10,000 of the elderly. Now New York is illegally using race to grant preferences in the allotments of tests and new drugs.

The rhetoric of the media-progressive nexus that mandatory, massive lockdowns were necessary all but destroyed a booming Trump economy and denied critical medical care to millions. Emphasizing therapeutics, natural herd immunity, and the resilience of the youth to the disease were all pronounced anti-science by the demagogues on the left.

Various celebrities and politicossuch as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and failed presidential candidate Hillary Clintonboasted the pandemic lockdown offered the perfect crisis that must not go to waste politically. Actress Jane Fonda even crowed that COVID-19 was a gift from God to the left in helping to end Donald Trump.

In the waning days of the 2020 campaign, Biden went so far as to blame Trump personally for all the deaths from the virus.

Once the vaccinations had seemed to work in early 2021, an upbeat Biden boasted that he would end the virus by summer 2021, by following the science. He went so far as to claim that no one had been vaccinated prior to his inauguration, even though 17 million, including Biden himself, had been.

Then Nemesis answered such hubris.

The unforeseen Delta and Omicron variants hit. A new phrase, breakthrough case, revealed that the vaccinations often could only prevent serious illness, but not infection or infectiousness.

Suddenly, the best and brightest people with three shots, who had blasted the red-state rubes as the ignorant un-vaxxedgot sick. More have now died from the virus on Bidens watch than on Trumps.

A warped economy amid renewed COVID-19 outbreaks helped to further destroy Bidens waning popularity.

In reaction, the left now calls for realism, emphasis on treatments, and acknowledgment of the value of natural immunities. Its even newly curious about the origins of the virus, and the need to get back to normal.

Were suddenly told that thousands died with rather than because of COVIDthe exact opposite of what we heard in the Trump era.

A skeptic might suggest that terror over the impending midterms finally made the left face reality.

Politicizing the pandemic is a euphemism. In truth, thousands of Americans have died needlessly because of weaponized disinformation about Chinas culpability, vaccines, useful drugs, lockdowns, racial preferences, and long-care facilities.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A screen announces the listing of private-equity firm TPG, during the IPO at the Nasdaq Market site in Times Square in New York City, U.S on Jan.13, 2022. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Private Equity Firm TPG Valued at Over $10 Billion in Strong Market Debut

TPG shares rose nearly 12 percent in their stock market debut on Thursday, valuing the 30-year-old private equity giant at more than $10 billion, after the company went public to cash in on a pandemic-driven boost to the buyout industrys profits.

TPG will be looking at expanding its franchise into other areas such as credit and infrastructure, Chief Executive Officer Jon Winkelried told Reuters in an interview.

We will continue to build on the business in the way we have historicallyorganic growth, seeing opportunities and building into it, he said.

TPGs stock market debut comes a decade after most of its major peers went public. The firm spent years recovering from a string of poor investments in the 2000s and diversifying its private-equity platform into growth and social impact investing.

The company holds nearly $109 billion in assets under management, with investments across a range of industries including in companies such as Airbnb Inc, Spotify Technology SA, Burger King, and McAfee Corp.

Founded in 1992 by David Bonderman and Jim Coulter, TPG was launched as Texas Pacific Group in Mill valley, California. Its first major investment was in the then bankrupt Continental Airlines in 1993.

Known for its leveraged buyouts, TPG has invested across sectors from retail to healthcare.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based companys shares opened at $33. TPG and its selling shareholders sold 33.9 million shares priced at $29.50 each, the mid-point of its target price range of $28 and $31 apiece announced earlier, raising about $1 billion.

TPGs net income jumped more than fivefold to $1.7 billion for the nine months ended September 2021. Its revenue surged to $3.89 billion, from $564.4 million a year earlier.

J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, TPG Capital BD LLC and BofA Securities are the lead underwriters for the offering.

By Manya Saini and Chibuike Oguh
The Quebec Superior Court in Montreal is seen on March 27, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz)

Quebec Mans Visitation Rights With Child Suspended by Judge Due to Not Being Vaccinated

A Quebec man has lost his child visitation rights after a Superior Court judge issued a temporary suspension on the grounds that he is not vaccinated and appears to oppose the provinces COVD-19 public health measures.

It would normally be in the best interest of the child to have contact with his father, but it is not in his best interest to have contact with him if he is not vaccinated and is opposed to health measures in the current epidemiological context, Judge Jean-Sebastien Vaillancourt wrote in his ruling on Dec. 23.

However, the suspension of Misters access must be for a short period since the situation related to the pandemic is changing rapidly, even more so with regard to the Omicron variant, and it may be necessary to reassess the situation in the short term.

Vaillancourts ruling came after the father requested to have access to his 12-year-old son for one more day over the Christmas holidays. His request was contested by the boys mother, who requested all access be suspended after learning he is unvaccinated, anti-vaccine, and a conspiracy theorist, according to the judgment.

The father told the court he did not get the shots due to his reservations about the COVID-19 vaccines. He added that he has respected the provinces public health measures and has hardly left his house.

But the mother produced excerpts from the fathers Facebook page containing articles and messages such as Quebec Stand-up, Report from Lucie Laurier which you wont find on French CBC, and Masks are useless.

The excerpts from Misters Facebook page leads one to believe that he is indeed what is commonly called a conspiracy theorist, Vaillancourt wrote. The Court has strong reason to doubt that he is respecting the health measures as he claims to do in his written statement.

Vaillancourt reasoned that even though the son has been fully vaccinated, the protection is not enough for him to meet his unvaccinated father, especially in light of the Omicron variant that is currently spreading in Quebec.

The judge also noted that the couple has two other children aged seven months and 5 years old, and who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. In Quebec, children under 5 are not offered vaccination.

In view of these circumstances, it is not in the interests of any of the three children that the father can exercise access at this time, Vaillancourt wrote.

The judge set another hearing for Feb. 8.

The Canadian Press and Noe Chartier contributed to this report
Queen Strips Prince Andrew of Military Titles After Judge Allows Sexual Abuse Lawsuit to Proceed

Britains Prince Andrew has been stripped of his military titles and charities, which have been returned to the Queen, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday.

With The Queens approval and agreement, the Duke of Yorks military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen, the palace said in a statement.

Andrew, 61, will also stop using the style His Royal Highness in an official capacity and all of his roles have been returned to the Queen with immediate effect and will be redistributed to other members of the Royal Family, the BBC reports.

Andrew served in Britains Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot and instructor and as the captain of a warship. He flew a number of missions during the Falklands War in 1982.

The announcement comes one day after a judge in the United States on Wednesday rejected his bid to dismiss a civil lawsuit brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, who alleges that he sexually abused her when she was 17 years old.

Attorneys for Prince Andrew had claimed that the language used in a settlement between Epstein and Giuffre would invalidate Giuffres lawsuit against him.

But in a 46-page detailed ruling (pdf), Manhattan federal court judge Lewis Kaplan rejected that claim and said the 2009 deal cannot be seen to benefit Andrew.

Independent of whether the release language applies to Prince Andrew, the agreement, at a minimum, is reasonably susceptible to more than one interpretation on the equally important question of whether this defendant may invoke it, Judge Kaplan said.

Kaplans decision means Andrew could be forced to give evidence at a trial later this year if no settlement is reached.

Giuffre claims that Andrew sexually abused her on three occasions between 2001 and 2002, including once at disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins New York City mansion, where he forced her to engage in sex acts against her will.

Giuffre filed the civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan last year seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me, she said in a statement at the time. The powerful and rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions. I hope that other victims will see that it is possible not to live in silence and fear, but to reclaim ones life by speaking out and demanding justice.

The Duke of York has denied all allegations against him and told the BBC in 2019 that he had no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre, despite photographic evidence to the contrary.

I can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened, he said at the time. I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever.

However, Andrew stepped away from royal duties in November 2019 and has rarely appeared in public since, aside from on a few occasions following the death of his father, Prince Philip, in early 2021.

Thursdays statement appears to signal that the Royal family is seeking to distance themselves from the scandal following an already turbulent few years which saw the queens grandson Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan Markle drop their royal duties and move to Los Angeles before accusing the royal household of racism in a highly-publicized interview with Oprah.

On Thursday an open letter to the Queen, which was signed by more than 150 Royal Navy, RAF, and Army veterans called for Andrew to be stripped of his military titles.

It is clear for all to see that Prince Andrew has been proven unfit to wear the uniform of any of Britains armed forces, the letter reads. That he is able to continue in numerous roles within the military is a disgrace, and an insult to those who continue to serve with distinction.
Phlebotomist Loreto Valino (R) prepares to draw blood from the arm of Nora Turner as she donates blood at Vitalant blood donation center in San Francisco, California on Jan. 11, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Red Cross Warns US Blood Shortage Jeopardizing Patient Care

The United States is in a dire blood supply crisis and patients are suffering, so declared the American Red Cross (ARC) in an appeal to the nation for more blood donations.

ARCs Jan. 11 statement said the worst blood shortage in over a decade is posing a concerning risk to patient care.

Amid the crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will have to wait, it said.

The American Red Cross, which provides 40 percent of the nations blood supply, reports that some hospitals are getting one-fourth of the blood needed.

According to the ARC, out-patients forced to wait two or three days for the right blood type are seeing their conditions deteriorate to the point that they require hospitalization due to the delay, further straining hospital systems already inundated with patients.

In a mid-December joint statement, a coalition of Americas leading blood suppliers warned: Blood centers across the country are reporting less than a one-day supply of blooda dangerously low level[which means]life-saving blood may not be available for some patients.

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

A phlebotomist tends to a blood donor during the Starts, Stripes, and Pints blood drive event in Louisville, Kentucky on July 7, 2021. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Spokesperson Nick Gehrig of Vitalant, a non-profit blood supplier servicing 900 hospitals across 28 states, told The Epoch Times, Patients rely on donated blood every day, which can take up to a few days to be tested and processed. More donors are needed in the coming daysto ensure there is enough blood on the shelves to address emergency and routine patient needs.

In a statement released on Jan. 10, Vitalant, in operation since 1943, called the present shortage historic. It reported that December blood donations fell far short of the need and that the trend has continued into January.

Vitalants website states that its type O blood supply is at less than half of the desired four-day inventory levels, and the organization finds it worrisome that its usual donor appointment slots are not filling up.

Type O is the most transfused blood type, and along with type O-negative, is the most needed, though all types are in short supply.

The ARC and Vitalant attribute the current blood shortage to many potential donors coming down with regular seasonal ailments, travel, winter weather, and the effects of the pandemic.

The pandemic complications they cited include people working remotely, limits on the number of people who can gather in one place, blood drive cancellations, and public misunderstanding of donation eligibility.

The shortage of blood donors has been aggravated by the Delta and Omicron variants of the coronavirus, say the blood suppliers.

Blood donations from qualified donors, vaccinated or unvaccinated, are welcomed by both the American Red Cross and Vitalant.

Only three percent of Americans give blood.

Every year nearly five million Americans need blood transfusions, using 45,000 units of blood daily and over 16 million units annually. Every two seconds somebody needs blood.
A smartphone with the website of Israel's NSO Group, which features 'Pegasus' spyware, is displayed in Paris on July 21, 2021. (Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images)

Report: Dozens of El Salvador Journalists, Activists Hacked

MEXICO CITYDozens of journalists and human rights defenders in El Salvador had their cellphones repeatedly hacked with sophisticated spyware over the past year and a half, an internet watchdog said Wednesday.

Reporting on its latest findings about use of the Israeli firm NSO Groups Pegasus spyware, the University of Torontos Citizen Lab said it had identified a Pegasus operator working almost exclusively in El Salvador in early 2020.

While the researchers could not conclusively link the hacks to El Salvadors government, the report said the strong country-specific focus of the infections suggests that this is very likely.

Sofia Medina, spokeswoman for President Nayib Bukele, said in a statement that El Salvador is no way associated with Pegasus and nor is a client of NSO Group. She said the government does not have licenses to use this type of software.

The government is investigating the use of Pegasus to hack phones in El Salvador, she said.

Medina said that on Nov. 23 she, too, received an alert from Apple as other victims did saying she might be a victim of state-sponsored hacking. She said El Salvadors justice and security minister received the same message that day. The Citizen Lab investigation did not include government officials, Medina said.

NSO, which was blacklisted by the U.S. government last year, says it sells its spyware only to legitimate government law enforcement and intelligence agencies vetted by Israels Defense Ministry for use against terrorists and criminals.

In a statement, NSO said it does not operate the technology once it is given to a client and cannot know the targets of its customers. But it said the use of its tools to monitor activists, dissidents or journalists is a severe misuse of any technology and goes against the desired use of such critical tools. It noted that it has terminated multiple contracts in the past due to client misuse.

NSO does not identify its customers. But people familiar with the company said it does not currently have an active system in El Salvador. The people, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were discussing the companys clients, said NSO is trying to obtain the phone numbers that were tracked and will investigate to see if there was any misuse.

The company will act with all measures at its disposal based on the contractual agreements, the people said.

Bukele, a highly popular president, has railed against his critics in El Salvadors independent press, many of whom were targeted in the hacking attacks.

Citizen Lab conducted a forensic analysis of 37 devices after the owners suspected they could be the targets of hacking. Their investigation carried out with Access Now was reviewed by Amnesty Internationals Security Lab.

John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at Citizen Lab and an author of the report, said the aggressiveness and persistence of the hacking was jaw-dropping.

Ive seen a lot of Pegasus cases but what was especially disturbing in this case was its juxtaposition with the physical threats and violent language against the media in El Salvador, Scott-Railton said.

This is the kind of thing that perhaps wouldnt surprise you in a dictatorship but at least on paper El Salvador is a democracy, he said.

Citizen Lab has been identifying Pegasus victims since 2015, when abuses of the spyware against journalists and human rights activists were discovered in Mexico and autocratic Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia. Dozens of cases have since been uncovered, including of a dozen U.S. State Department employees in Uganda, British lawyers and a Polish senator who led the oppositions 2019 parliamentary campaign.

While Citizen Lab is not blaming the mass hack on the Bukele government, Scott-Railton said all the circumstantial evidence points in that direction. The victims are almost exclusively in El Salvador.

The infrastructure used to infect Pegasus victims is global so the command-and-control servers managing the surveillance in this case would not be expected to be local.

Twenty-two of those targeted work for the independent news site El Faro, which during the period of hacking was working on stories related to the Bukele administrations alleged deal-making with El Salvadors street gangs to lower the homicide rate and support Bukeles party in mid-term elections in exchange for benefits to gang leaders.

Bukele has vehemently denied there was any negotiation with the gangs. In December, the U.S. Treasury designated two officials from Bukeles government, and alleged as El Faro had that the administration made a deal with the gangs.

Julia Navarrete, one of the El Faro journalists whose phone was hacked, said Wednesday that this software doesnt just allow someone to listen in all calls, it is entered in the device and extracts all of the information.

An Israeli woman uses her iPhone in front of the building housing the Israeli NSO group, in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Aug. 28, 2016. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)

Carlos Dada, El Faros director, said the high point of interventions in their phones was in September 2020, when El Faro broke the story about the alleged negotiations between Bukeles government and the gangs.

These coincidences in the end are not so gratuitous, he said. The highest intensity of the telephone interventions against 22 people at El Faro happened in the months around our most sensitive publications and most critical of the government.

Carlos Martinez, an investigative reporter with El Faro, said the analysis found that the hackers spent 269 days inside his phone.

That doesnt stop being frightening, he said. Its difficult to process.

The spyware operator actually tried to enter his phone again while it was being analyzed, allowing investigators to determine that the operator was in El Salvador.

Apple sued NSO in November, trying to stop its software from compromising its operating systems. Facebook sued the company in 2019, alleging that it was hacking its WhatsApp messenger app.

By Christopher Sherman and Frank Bajak
Russia Is a Natural Friend; China Is Not

The West's conflict with Russia over Ukraine threatens to drive Russia into China's sphere

Commentary

Contrary to the spin from neocons and the mainstream media, Russia is playing defence, not offense, in its confrontation with the West over Ukraine. Misunderstanding Russias motivations, and its fundamental nature, could have tragic repercussions for us, not least further driving Russia away from the Westits natural allyinto the arms of China, its natural enemy.

Almost continuously since the 17th century, when Peter the Great began to transform Russia along Western lines following his tour of Europe, Russia has identified with the West, and sought to join the West. The Russian court spoke French. Tsar Alexander II freed the serfs after Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. Even Russias embrace of communismthe only time it strayed from its Judeo-Christian traditionswas a Western import, Karl Marx being the fashion in Germany, France, and England.

Today, Russia embraces traditional Western values more than does the West itself. While many in the West now reject our heritage, tearing down statues commemorating our history, rejecting the traditional family, and adopting critical race theory, Russia leads the opposition to wokeism.

In 2020, 80 percent of Russians voted to change their constitution by codifying a defense of the institution of marriage as a union of a man and a woman; the creation of conditions for a decent upbringing of children in the family, as well as for the responsibilities of adult children to care for parents. Last year, President Vladimir Putin criticized Westerners for our reverse discrimination against the majority in the interests of minorities and the aggressive deletion of whole pages of their own history. Such views are not those of an ideological adversary of the West; rather, they reflect the mainstream view in most of Americas 50 states.

Neither should Russia be perceived as a natural enemy of the United States when no country over the centuries has been a more steadfast ally. Before American independence, Russias Catherine the Great defied Britains mercantile system by trading directly with the American colonies. During the American War of Independence, Russia sided with the United States, financing the colonies and using its diplomatic leverage to help the colonies obtain a favorable peace. During the American Civil War, to dissuade Britain or France from militarily supporting the Confederacy, Russias Tsar Alexander II sent his Baltic and Pacific fleets to New York and San Francisco, along with instructions to their admirals to report to President Lincoln for duty should the Europeans enter the war. During both world wars, Russia was allied with the United States against Germany.

Yes, Russia during its communist aberration over most of the 20th century was a Cold War adversary of the West, but as President Barack Obama correctly observed, those fixed on the Russia of the 1980s are stuck in a Cold War time warp that leads to reckless foreign policy (pdf).

NATOthe defensive alliance of 12 countries that the West established in the late 1940s to oppose Soviet Russian attempts to advance westward, into Western Europes sphere of influencemorphed after the Cold War into an offensive alliance of 30 countries that expanded eastward toward Russias borders.

The danger of equating Soviet Russia with post-Soviet Russia was presciently put in A Fateful Error, a 1997 New York Times op-ed by George Kennan, the diplomat who earlier developed for the United States the Cold-War policy of containing Soviet Russia. Containing post-Soviet Russia by expanding NATO would be the most fateful error of American policy in the entire post-cold-war era, he wrote, arguing it would inflame the nationalistic, anti-Western and militaristic tendencies in Russian opinion and impel Russian foreign policy in directions decidedly not to our liking.

A NATO expansion would soon backfire, he wrote, since Russia would likely look elsewhere for guarantees of a secure and hopeful future for themselves. That elsewhere has become China, despite its culture being alien to Russia and despite a history of territorial and diplomatic disputes serious enough to lead to military clashes. Yet, from Putins perspective, he has no choice but to ally with China, given the Wests failure to welcome Russia back to the fold after it rejected communism and given its persistent rebukes of Putins demonstrations of good will.

I would like to emphasize that we are interested in close cooperation with the United States on international affairs, Putin stated in 2016 in a speech to Russian ambassadors. Two weeks earlier at a St. Petersburg economic forum that had then-European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson in attendance, Putin said that he considers the United States a great power, today perhaps the only superpower. We accept this. We want to work with the United States and we are prepared to. This outreach, along with others, including his desire for free trade with the EU, were all rebuffed in deed if not in name.

Ukraine is but the latest example of Western belligerence. Although the West portrays Russia as the aggressor, it was the West that engineered the violent overthrow of Ukraines pro-Russian democratically elected leader in 2014, leading to a referendum in the Crimean Republic in which 97 percent voted to join the Russian Federation. Contrary to a drumbeat of Western predictions that a Russian annexation of eastern Ukraine was imminent, none has occurred, consistent with Putins position throughout the conflict. He wants a diplomatic solution that largely restores a status quo in which Ukraine remains a buffer state. The West bloody-mindedly wants NATO to expand into Ukraine, raising for Russia the prospect of NATO missiles on the UkraineRussian border, pointing at Moscow.

To maximize the tightening of the screws on Russia, the West is also wielding economic weapons, such as the threat to sabotage Russias ability to use the international banking system. The unfortunate endgame of this brinksmanship would further push Russia into the arms of communist China, pitting the awesome nuclear weaponry of the Western powers against the awesome nuclear weaponry of a RussianChinese alliance. This cannot end well.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Patricia Adams Follow Patricia Adams is an economist and the President of the Energy Probe Research Foundation and Probe International, an independent think tank in Canada and around the world. She is the publisher of internet news services Three Gorges Probe and Odious Debts Online and the author or editor of numerous books. Her books and articles have been translated into Chinese, Spanish, Bengali, Japanese, and Bahasa Indonesia. She can be reached at patriciaadams@probeinternational.org.
Russian military vehicles drives upon arrival at Almaty airport, as part of a peacekeeping mission of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in this still image from video released by Russia's Defence Ministry, on Jan. 9, 2022. (Russian Defence Ministry/ via Reuters)

Russia-Led Bloc Starts Pulling Troops out of Kazakhstan

ALMATYA Russia-led military bloc began pulling its troops out of Kazakhstan on Thursday after a week-long deployment during the worst bout of unrest in the Central Asian nations post-Soviet history.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev asked for assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) last week after initially peaceful protests, triggered by a sharp increase in car fuel prices, turned violent in many big cities.

Thanks to your arrival, Kazakh military and security forces were able to carry out their immediate task of locating and detaining bandits, Kazakh Deputy Defense Minister Mukhamedzhan Talasov told CSTO troops at a departure ceremony in Almaty on Thursday, where they stood with their respective flags. The Russian group was the most numerous.

The Kazakh authorities announced the completion of what they called an anti-terrorist operation in most of the country on Wednesday, although they have yet to declare its biggest city Almaty fully secure.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern over the Russian deployment, prompting an angry response from the Kremlin. U.S.-Russian relations remain at crisis point over a buildup of Russian troops near another of Russias neighbors, Ukraine, despite international talks this week.

It was unclear how many troops out of about 2,500 sent in by the CSTO were leaving immediately. The alliance has said the peacekeeping contingent would take 10 days to fully withdraw.

CSTO troops were first deployed to government buildings in the capital city of Nur-Sultan, away from the centers of unrest, and later guarded some key infrastructure objects in Almaty, such as large power plants.

The authorities have detained almost 10,000 people over the unrest in which some protesters attacked security forces, captured and torched government buildings and looted shops.

They have said some of the attackers were foreigners trained by radical Islamic terrorists. Tokayev has said this justified CSTO involvement although he has not specified who the foreigners were. He has dismissed some of his senior security officials who were later charged with treason.

Some Kazakhs have echoed Blinkens comment that Kazakhstan might have a hard time getting rid of Russian troops after letting them in. Tokayev has said no foreign troops would remain in the country after Jan.23.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall with an Australia day mask made by Detmold Group in Adelaide, Australia on Nov. 30, 2020. (Kelly Barnes/Getty Images)

SA Speaker Wants Parliament Recalled Despite Premiers Refusal

The South Australian parliamentary Speaker Dan Cregan has written to Premier Steven Marshall urging him to recall parliament ahead of the state election in March to help deal with the current COVID-19 outbreak.

All crossbench and Labor MPs have also signed the letter, calling for the House of Assembly to sit for three days from February 8, a request quickly rejected by the premier.

The states upper house, the Legislative Council, is already scheduled to sit that week.

Cregan said MPs were deeply concerned the government had not adequately prepared for the arrival of the Omicron variant in its arrangements for opening the states borders in November.

Health staff conduct tests at the COVID-19 testing centre in the Reactivating the Repat Hospital in Adelaide, Australia, on March 11, 2020. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Daily virus infections hit a peak of 4506 on January 9 and have averaged 3830 over the past week.

Families and individuals are fearful for their safety and confused by unclear messages, the speaker said in the letter.

Businesses are facing extraordinary economic hardship. Retail and stock distribution chains are facing worker shortages.

Frontline staff and allied health professionals, including ambulance officers, general practitioners, chemists, nurses and community care providers, are under unacceptable pressure.

Cregan said as Speaker he was satisfied it was in the public interest for the assembly to meet earlier than originally scheduled.

Parliament last sat in December, when it was adjourned until after the state election on March 19.

Sitting dates for the new parliament have not yet been listed on its website calendar.

Marshall said there would be no recall of the parliament before the election.

Were only a few weeks away now from going into caretaker mode, he said.

My focus 100 per cent now is on listening to the experts and keeping South Australia safe.
San Diego State Receives Record Number of Undergrad and Transfer Applications

SAN DIEGOA record 76,792 candidates applied to San Diego State University (SDSU) for fall 2022, a number which university leaders say bodes well for the institution following several tumultuous years in the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced Jan. 14.

The applicants include students from all 50 stateswith a record number of first-time applicants from Californiaas well as 74 countries. Including both first-year and transfer students, the university has received 99,027 undergraduate applications, another record.

This is an incredibly positive testament to the resilience of students and their families, as well as the value they place on higher education, said SDSU President Adela de la Torre. A record number of San Diegans, Californians and students everywhere see SDSU as their pathway for a brighter future.

The university has also received more than 7,000 graduate applications to date, bringing total applications to more than 106,000.

This also further demonstrates the importance that we grow, and we grow quickly, de la Torre said. Our campus expansion at SDSU Mission Valley and our new programs at SDSU Imperial Valley will both be essential if we are to fulfill our promise to the incredibly diverse and deserving students at our door, looking for an opportunity.

According to the university, while the application period typically ends in November, the deadline for fall 2022 admissions was extended to Dec. 15 to support families that have been impacted by COVID-19 and other hardships. The university has begun admitting early applicants and all other prospective students can expect to be notified of their admission status in March, a statement from SDSU read.

SDSU has around 34,500 students and has an acceptance rate of around 37 percent, according to U.S. News and World Reports data, last updated in fall of 2020.
Fire damage covers the front of the house of San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher in San Diego, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Gregory Bull/AP Photo)

San Diego Supervisors House Fire Is Considered Suspicious

SAN DIEGOPolice are treating a fire at the home of a San Diego County leader and his wife, a prominent labor official, as suspicious.

County Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher said he and wife Lorena Gonzalez and their family were awoken by smoke alarms around 4 a.m. on Wednesday.

The front of our house was engulfed in flames, but we were able to safely evacuate out another door, Fletcher said in a statement.

The fire caused about $30,000 of damage to the house and another $6,000 in damage to a vehicle parked in front, said Monica Munoz, spokeswoman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Specially trained police and fire investigators with the San Diego Metro Arson Strike Team were called to the scene, a Police Department statement said.

The fire is being treated as suspicious in nature, it said.

Police officers were quickly on the scene and firefighters saved the house, Fletcher said.

The fire also burned an American flag outside the front of the home, according to Fletcher, a former Marine who served two combat tours.

Our family is safe and for us, that is all that matters, he said.

The Democratic supervisor has been an outspoken proponent of the countys COVID-19 policies and has advocated for business restrictions during peak periods of the pandemic, drawing fervent support and criticism. He has often led the countys pandemic news briefings and fielded questions about state restrictions, to some extent making him a leading face of the government response.

Public comments made during the county supervisor meetings have featured angry yelling over public health restrictions.

Gonzalez has also drawn strong reactions from supporters and critics. As a Democratic state assemblywoman, she successfully pushed for her ambitious labor laws, including a gig worker law. She sharply criticized Elon Musk after the founder of Tesla Inc. threatened to move company headquarters out of California amid reopening restrictions. Tesla later announced it was moving to Texas.

Last week, Gonzalez resigned from the Assembly to become leader of the California Labor Federation.
Santos Agrees to Pay Cattle Station $400,000 Over Fracking Dispute

Energy supplier Santos has agreed to pay cattle station owner Rallen Australia $400,000 after failing to update them on the extent of their fracking operation on Rallens property in the Northern Territorys Beetaloo Basin.

The dispute ended in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on Friday, with Santos agreeing to pay legal fees, adhere to a 12-month moratorium on petroleum operations, and reform its stakeholder engagement policies, NT News reported.

This comes after the two major Australian companies appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday, with Rallen accusing Santos of misleading the landowners by not informing them of an expansion of the operation, which may prove environmentally risky.

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 but had not properly advised the new landowners, Rallen Australia, NT News reported.

The two wells at the centre of the dispute have already been drilled and are in use.

Santos legal representative Jonathan Horton QC had admitted from the outset that there was inattentiveness to the revised EMP but said the matter was squarely on the consumer law plane rather than a regulatory breach, which would result in a more severe penalty.

Rallen senior counsel Marcus Pesman told the court that Santos had an obligation to inform stakeholders of the revised plan, saying that the extent of Santoss engagement with stakeholders was a one-sentence email.

Horton argued 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.

In the Friday hearing, Justice Judith Kelly stressed that in order for the companies to continue working with each other, coming to an understanding was critical.

Under the new agreement, Santos is permitted to flow test the two wells at Tanumbirini, but other petroleum activities have been put on hold until Dec.31, 2022.

Santos said in a statement that they endeavour to improve the way they engage with landholders and look forward to a constructive working relationship with Rallen.

A Cabot Oil and Gas natural gas drill stands at a hydraulic fracturing site in South Montrose, Pennsylvania, on January 18, 2012. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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 of fracking 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, have mounted a campaign against fracking in the Northern Territory, saying the practice could potentially cause substantial 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.

Victoria Kelly-Clark contributed to this article.
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine at Stanford University, at his home in California on April 17, 2021. (Tal Atzmon/The Epoch Times)

SCOTUS Ruling on Health Care Vaccine Mandate a Big Mistake, Stanford Professor Says

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Thursday allowing the Biden administration to continue mandating COVID-19 vaccines for most health care workers is really unfortunate and a big mistake from a health policy perspective, said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya a professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Bhattacharya, a senior scholar of Brownstone Institute, told The Epoch Times the ruling presents a situation that is FUBAR, a military slang term that stands for [expletive] up beyond all repair.

Thats what this is, right? This is FUBAR, he said, adding, From a health policy perspective, from a public health perspective, it is a big mistake.

The Supreme Court on Thursday let stand a vaccination requirement for health care workers at places that receive funding from Medicare or Medicaidthis accounts for about 10.4 million workers at 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers, according to the federal government, down from the over 17 million it originally said. The mandate has medical and religious exemptions, but does not include opt-outs for people who developed natural immunity from having previously contracted COVID-19, nor opt-outs by submitting to weekly testing.

Bhattacharya said the SCOTUS ruling is really unfortunate, and likely to create labor shortages in American hospitals for the foreseeable future. Its already the case that theres a reduction in staff hospital bedstens of thousandsand thats because theyve lost so many workers in hospitals. [Health care workers] left because they didnt want the vaccine.

Health care workers care for a patient in Coronado, Calif., on May 7, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A Real Strange Situation

The professor said there are two aspects that amount to what he calls a real strange situation.

Firstly, many health care workers who left due to the vaccine mandates are COVID-recovered, because theyve worked for the frontlines [for] all of 2020, Bhattacharya said, adding that these people are better protected against transmitting the disease than the vaccinated.

If youre already naturally immune and dont have the vaccine, youre better protected against infection and transmission than someone thats just vaccinated but not naturally immune, according to Bhattacharya.

A study from Israel posted in early December 2021, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, suggested that the immunity that people have after recovering from COVID-19 is better than the protection from vaccination.

Peer-reviewed research from Qatar in late November, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggested that unvaccinated people who recovered from COVID-19 have little risk of getting reinfected.

The Brownstone Institute has compiled a list of 146 research studies it says demonstrate that naturally acquired immunity is equal to or more robust and superior to existing vaccines.

Secondly, health authorities across the United States are allowing health care workers who have mild or no symptoms who have COVID-19 to return to work to alleviate staffing shortages amid the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, Bhattacharya noted. Of course, theyre vaccinated, and so theyre allowed to come back, he said.

So put those two pieces together, this vaccine mandate gets rid of the natural immune-unvaccinated [and] basically induces hospitals to permit COVID-positive vaccinated workers to work, Bhattacharya said.

On Twitter, he said, The vax does not halt transmission, so no marginal benefit to patients regarding covid risk either.

The vaccine mandate in this case actually may result in more exposure of patients to the virus than otherwise would have happened without the vaccine mandate, Bhattacharya told The Epoch Times.

In a statement to The Epoch Times, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said the agency is extremely pleased the Supreme Court recognized CMS authority to set a consistent COVID-19 vaccination standard for workers in facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid.

Vaccines are proven to reduce the risk of severe disease, the federal agency asserted. The prevalence of the virus and its ever-evolving variants in health care settings continues to increase the risk of staff contracting and transmitting COVID-19, putting their patients, families, and our broader communities at risk. And health care staff being unable to work because of illness or exposure to COVID-19 further strains the health care system and limits patient access to safe and essential care.

CMS is already implementing its health care worker vaccination rule in 25 states and territories that were not covered by preliminary injunctions. Todays decision will enable us to fully implement this rule, and we look forward to working with health care providers and their workers to protect patients. We will continue our extensive outreach and assistance efforts encouraging individuals working in health care to get vaccinated.

Californias frontline health care workers held simultaneous protests against the governments mandatory vaccination order at Kaiser Permanente-Riverside Medical Center in Riverside, Calif., on Aug. 21, 2021. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times)

HHS Secretary: Upholding COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Will Undoubtedly Save Lives

In the ruling (pdf), five justices noted that the HHS secretary determined that a COVID-19 vaccine mandate will substantially reduce the likelihood that healthcare workers will contract the virus and transmit it to their patients.

The justices also wrote that the HHS secretary, Xavier Beccera, cited data prior to the spread of the Omicron variant that suggested that the spread of the COVID-19 virus is more likely when healthcare workers are unvaccinated.

Upholding the requirement that health care workers be vaccinated will undoubtedly save lives. HHS will enforce it, Becerra said in a statement on Twitter late Thursday, referring to the SCOTUS ruling.

Biden in a statement Thursday praised the ruling by the Supreme Court, saying the decision will save lives: the lives of patients who seek care in medical facilities, as well as the lives of doctors, nurses, and others who work there.

It will cover 10.4 million health care workers at 76,000 medical facilities. We will enforce it, he said.

When the mandate was announced by CMS in November 2021, HHS said it would cover approximately 76,000 providers and over 17 million workers. The White House and the agency did not respond to requests for comment about the discrepancy.

Lower courts blocked the mandate from being enforced in certain parts of the country before the Biden administration sought a stay from SCOTUS in mid-December.

The CMS temporarily suspended the mandates enforcement nationwide in early December and later reinstated its mandate to apply to facilities in half of the U.S., where the mandate hadnt been halted by the courts.

The latest SCOTUS ruling means all facilities funded by Medicaid or Medicare across the country must comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.

Editors note: This article has been updated with a statement from CMS.

Mimi Nguyen Ly Follow Mimi Nguyen Ly is a journalist based in Australia.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 13, 2022. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo)

Senate Democrats Block Bill That Would Sanction Entities Linked to Russian Pipeline

Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked a bill that would have imposed sanctions on entities involved with the planning, construction, or operation of Russias Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and garnered yes votes from Cruz, 48 other Republicans, and six Democrats.

Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) joined Republicans in voting for the bill.

But 43 Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voted against the legislation, leaving it short of the 60-vote threshold.

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) missed the vote due to being in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

While the Trump administration imposed sanctions on entities linked to the pipeline, the Biden administration lifted them after President Joe Biden took office, claiming it was too late in the construction timeline to make a difference.

The massive pipeline stretches from Russia to Germany and the United States and its allies oppose it because of the leverage it gives Russia over a number of countries in the region.

Cruz was able to get the bill voted on in an agreement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) after the Republican blocked Bidens nominees to the State Department.

The vote, though, wasnt successful.

The White House had lobbied against the bill.

The Administration does not believe this bill is a genuine effort to counter Russian aggression or protect Ukraine, the White House said in a statement before the vote. In fact, if passed, the legislation would only serve to undermine unity amongst our European allies at a crucial moment when we need to present a unified front in response to Russian threats against Ukraine.

Cruz portrayed the bipartisan support of the bill positively while criticizing Bidens administration for its position.

Despite furious White House lobbying, a large bipartisan majority of senators (55-44) once again voted for immediate sanctions on Putins pipeline. President Biden should listen to the Senate and to the people and government of Ukraine, and reverse his catastrophic decision to grant Russia waivers from congressionally mandated sanctions. Only immediately imposing sanctions can change Putins calculation, stop a Ukrainian invasion, and lift the existential threat posed by Nord Stream 2, he said in a statement after the vote.

Sen. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, this week introduced a different bill that has support from the White House.

The legislation, which has 38 Democrat co-sponsors, would impose sanctions on Russia and greenlight military support for Ukraine if Russia invades its neighbor.

Ultimately the most effective sanction on Russia is a strong and unified Ukraine, and I look forward to working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues so that we can provide the people of Ukraine the type of support they need to confront the bully in Moscow, Menendez said in a statement.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks to reporters after a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

House Passes Election Reform Bill, Senate to Take Up Soon

Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced late Thursday the Senate is set to take up legislation related to elections on Jan. 18.

Earlier on Thursday, Democrats in the House combined two separate voting billsthe Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Amendment Actinto a single text, and approved the measure with a 220-203 party-line vote.

The legislation was sent to the Senate where Democrats are using a procedural loophole to bypass a filibuster and force the legislation to the floor for a debate.

While Senate Republicans are therefore barred from blocking debate, they can still block their Democrat colleagues from holding a final vote.

Schumers announcement of Jan. 18 is one day off from his self-imposed deadline of Jan. 17 to take up the election-related measure.

Due to the circumstances regarding COVID and another potentially hazardous winter storm approaching the D.C. area this weekend, the Senate will adjourn tonight, Schumer said on the Senate floor. However, we will be postponing recess so the Senate can vote on voting rights. We will return on Tuesday to take up the House-passed message containing voting rights legislation.

Make no mistake, the United States Senate will, for the first time this Congress, debate voting rights legislation beginning on Tuesday.

He adds, And if Senate Republicans choose obstruction over protecting the sacred right to vote, as we expect them to, the Senate will consider and vote on changing the Senate rules, as has been done many times before, to allow for passage of voting rights legislation.

The John L. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, among a slew of provisions, would restore some aspects of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in an effort to boost federal control over elections in the United States.

The Freedom to Vote Act would create federal standards for voting by mail, early voting, and voter ID, among other provisions.

In addition to combining the two bills into a single text, Democrats placed it into previously passed legislation extending NASAs authority to lease its facilities.

President Joe Biden on Thursday met with Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill, calling on them to overhaul the filibusterthe 60-vote threshold to advance legislation in the chamberso they could bypass the unanimous objections of Republicans and pass the legislation with a simple majority in the narrowly-divided chamber.

But before the presidents arrival to the U.S. Capitol, Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) reiterated they would not support changes to the filibuster, putting the strategy in doubt.

Eliminating the 60-vote threshold will simply guarantee that we lose a critical tool that we need to safeguard our democracy from threats in the years to come, Sinema said.

Biden himself expressed doubt that the legislation would pass Congress after the senators signaled their opposition. The honest-to-God answer is I dont know whether we can get this done, he told reporters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A nurse tends to a non-covid patient on a ventilator at Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan, on Dec. 17, 2021. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images)

EXCLUSIVE: States Investigating Surge in Mortality Rate Among 1849-Year-Olds, Majority Unrelated to COVID-19

Health departments in several states confirmed to The Epoch Times that they are looking into a steep surge in the mortality rate for people aged 18 to 49 in 2021a majority of which are not linked to COVID-19.

Deaths among people aged 18 to 49 increased more than 40 percent in the 12 months ending October 2021 compared to the same period in 20182019, before the pandemic, according to an analysis by The Epoch Times of death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The agency doesnt yet have full 2021 figures, as death certificate data has a lag of up to eight weeks or more.

The surge differed greatly from state to state, with the most dramatic increase in young-to-middle age deaths in the South, Midwest, and the West Coast, while the northeastern states generally saw much milder spikes. Public health authorities in several states with some of the largest increases are examining the issue.

Texas saw the 18 to 49 age mortality jump 61 percent, the second-highest increase in the country. Of that, less than 58 percent was attributed to COVID-19.

Our Center of Health Statistics is looking at the data, said Chris Van Deusen, the head of Media Relations at the Texas Department of State Health Services, via email. Well get back with you.

Florida, which saw an increase of 51 percent, 48 percent of that attributed to COVID-19, is also probing the matter.

I am looking into it to see if there is some sort of correlation/causation, said Jeremy Redfern, spokesman for the Florida Department of Health via email.

Nevada saw the highest increase, 65 percent, of which just 36 percent was attributed to COVID-19.

Shannon Litz, a public information officer at the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, said via email she passed on questions regarding the mortality spike to the agencys Office of Analytics for review.

The District of Columbia experienced an increase of 72 percent, none of it attributed to COVID-19.

Robert Mayfield, spokesman for D.C.s health authority, referred The Epoch Times to the districts Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), which suggested it lacked the expertise to analyze the phenomenon.

OCME does not currently have an epidemiologist (the position is being advertised) so it has no present ability to analyze the data, said the offices spokesman Rodney Adams via email.

Arizona recorded a 57 percent increase, 37 percent of which was attributed to COVID-19.

Arizonas Department of Health Services couldnt respond to questions regarding the issue because its data is not yet finalized, said Tom Herrmann, the agencys public information officer, via email.

Other states with some of the highest increases were Tennessee (57 percent up, 33 percent attributed to COVID-19), California (55 percent up, 42 percent attributed to COVID-19), New Mexico (52 percent up, 33 percent attributed to COVID-19), and Louisiana (51 percent up, 32 percent attributed to COVID-19). None of their health authorities responded to requests for comment.

The mortality surge seemed to be significantly milder in the northeast. New Hampshire saw no increase, Massachusetts had only a 13 percent spike (24 percent of it attributed to COVID-19), and New York, one of the worst-hit by the pandemic in the region, was up 29 percent (30 percent of it attributed to COVID-19).

CDC data on the causes of those excess deaths arent yet available for 2021, aside from those involving COVID-19, pneumonia, and influenza. There were close to 6,000 excess pneumonia deaths that didnt involve COVID-19 in the 18 to 49 age group in the 12 months ending October 2021. Influenza was only involved in 50 deaths in this age group, down from 550 in the same period pre-pandemic. The flu death count didnt exclude those that also involved COVID-19 or pneumonia, the CDC noted.

A part of the surge could be likely blamed on drug overdoses, which increased to more than 101,000 in the 12 months ending June 2021 from about 72,000 in 2019, the CDC estimated. About two-thirds of those deaths involved synthetic opioids such as fentanyl that are often smuggled to the United States from China via Mexico.

For those aged 50 to 84, mortality increased more than 27 percent, representing more than 470,000 excess deaths. Some 77 percent of the deaths had COVID-19 marked on the death certificate as the cause or a contributing factor.

For those 85 or older, mortality increased about 12 percent with more than 100,000 excess deaths. There were more than 130,000 COVID-related deaths in this group, indicating these seniors were less likely to die of a non-COVID-related cause from November 2020 to October 2021 than during the same period of 20182019.

Comparing 2020 to 2019, mortality increased some 24 percent for those aged 18 to 49, with less than a third of those excess deaths involving COVID-19. For those aged 50 to 84, mortality increased less than 20 percent, with over 70 percent of that involving COVID-19. For those even older, mortality jumped about 16 percent, with nearly 90 percent of it involving COVID-19.

For those under 18, mortality decreased about 0.4 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. In the 12 months ending October 2021, it fell some 3.3 percent compared to the same period in 20182019.
Negotiators say talks between Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna ended Thursday with no breakthrough toward defusing tensions regarding Russian troops massed at the border with Ukraine.

The talks were the third diplomatic effort this week to resolve the impasse, all of which ended without any resolutions.

Speaking to reporters following the talks, Russia's permanent representative to the OSCE, Alexander Lukashevich, told reporters the talks were a disappointment and he expected more substantial, in-depth discussions.

But Lukashevich indicated Moscow has not given up on diplomacy, as did his fellow Russian negotiators during talks early this week with U.S. diplomats in Geneva, and NATO leaders in Brussels.


Members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photograph at the Supreme Court in Washington on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool/Getty Images)

Legal Experts Respond to Supreme Courts Split Decision on Vaccine Mandates

The Supreme Courts decision blocking the Biden administrations private-sector vaccination regime was viewed positively by legal experts consulted by The Epoch Times but the other decision allowing the mandate requiring health care workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 received a mixed reception.

The rulings came mid-afternoon on Jan. 13 after the high court heard oral arguments on Jan. 7 about the two separate mandates on an emergency basis. An array of business groups, along with Ohio, Missouri, Louisiana, and two dozen other states, asked for the federal mandates to be blocked.

The ruling allowing compulsory vaccination of health care workers is a terrible decision that is going to result in people dying, Robert Henneke of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, told The Epoch Times.

The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to block the mandate issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), finding the challenge to it was likely to succeed. The rule forced employers with at least 100 employees or most of the nations private workforce to subject their employees to vaccinations aimed at preventing COVID-19 or to regular testing to detect it.

The decision split cleanly along partisan lines.

All Republican appointees on the high courtChief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrettwere in the majority in the courts opinion in National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) v. Department of Labor.

Administrative agencies are creatures of statute and possess only the authority that Congress has provided, the majority opinion states. The Secretary has ordered 84 million Americans to either obtain a COVID19 vaccine or undergo weekly medical testing at their own expense. This is no everyday exercise of federal power. It is instead a significant encroachment into the livesand healthof a vast number of employees.

Although COVID-19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. COVID-19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather, the opinion continues.

All the Democratic appointeesJustices Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayorwould have allowed the mandate to go forward. Their dissenting opinion states that the court seriously misapplies the applicable legal standards and stymies the Federal Governments ability to counter the unparalleled threat that COVID19 poses to our Nations workers.

Henneke, who represented a coalition of Texas temporary staffing companies in the OSHA challenge, was pleased to win but wary of the reasoning adopted by the high court.

Without the constitutional questions being taken on by the Supreme Court, weve won the battle today, but we still are left fighting the war, he told The Epoch Times.

Its the correct outcome but unfortunately the majority opinion misses the forest for the trees because it doesnt address except in touching reference  the bigger constitutional issues or defects in the Biden administrations claim of authority.

By narrowly ruling on a very focused, textual statutory analysis of the OSHA statute, the court invites further creativity by this administration to look for other statutes to claim novel and unprecedented power.

Jim Burling, vice president of legal affairs for the Pacific Legal Foundation, said he was pleased the OSHA ruling limits executive branch authority.

This ruling has an importance that extends beyond the confines of these cases and may have a lasting effect on the executive branchs behavior.

Burling said the court recognized the importance of the separation of powers, where the legislature passes the laws, where the executive [enforces] those laws, and the judiciary is the traditional arbiter of whether the law is being followed.

This is a really important thing for our liberty, as James Madison pointed out in the Federalist Papers, when the Constitution was being debated, that when you have these parts of government together in one person, thats the very definition of tyranny.

Curt Levey, president of the Committee for Justice, said the ruling was a victory for the Constitution because it reminded the administrative state that its job is to interpret statutes, not to expand them. Levey said he was happy the decision emphasizes separation of powers  if you know theres going to be an OSHA thats going to be in charge of vaccine mandates, thats got to come from Congress, not from the executive branch.

The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to lift lower court stays that had halted enforcement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) emergency regulation, finding the governments challenge to it would probably be successful. The rule, now in effect, requires more than 10 million employees at health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In this case, all three liberal justicesBreyer, Kagan, and Sotomayorsided with the government in the courts opinion in Biden v. Missouri. Two conservatives, Roberts and Kavanaugh, also sided with the government.

The majority opinion states: Congress did grant authority to the health secretary to promulgate regulations he considers necessary to protect health and safety. Although a vaccination mandate is unprecedented, we agree with the government that the Secretarys rule falls within the authorities that Congress has conferred upon him, they added.

Thomas wrote a dissenting opinion that was joined by Alito, Gorsuch, and Barrett.

The case is only about whether [HHS] has the statutory authority to force health care workers, by coercing their employers, to undergo a medical procedure they do not want and cannot undo. Because the Government has not made a strong showing that Congress gave [HHS] that broad authority, I would deny the stays pending appeal, the dissent states.

Levey said the HHS ruling was a closer call than the OSHA ruling.

You can always make an argument about how somehow this is regulating occupational safety and Health, as the court said, where this is really about regulating public health, and thats not within OSHAs power.

But with the HHS case, it was a closer fit, Levey said.

Anyone listening to that argument would have said, yeah, when I think of regulating health care facilities and health care workers, this seems like a natural fit, whereas the other was just commandeering employers to do something that really has no relationship to employment.

But Henneke was critical of the HHS mandate ruling.

I think its a terrible decision, and Im fearful that its going to be immediately disastrous and disruptive to our healthcare industry, and its going to result in people dying.

The ruling gives far too much deference to a broad and vague reading of an ambiguous statute related to HHS that the Biden administration claimed gave this authority to the federal government.

The decision will inflict damage on the health care system and will lead to layoffs and staffing shortages, which will make things dangerous and damaging, especially in rural settings.

Rural areas already have a very difficult time in obtaining sufficient workers to provide staffing for rural health care needs, Henneke said.

Even if its only 10 to 15 percent of the workforce, that has at this point not taken the COVID vaccine, eliminating that staffing in short order from a rural Texas nursing home, will create serious problems.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this article.
Teachers and school personnel gather during a demonstration called by teachers' unions to denounce "an indescribable mess" because of the new government's measures against COVID-19, in Marseille, southern France, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Clement Mahoudeau/AFP via Getty Images)

Teachers Across France Stage Mass Walkout Over Governments Ever-Changing COVID-19 Rules

Teachers across France staged a mass walkout on Thursday in protest over the governments ever-changing COVID-19 rules for those working in the education sector which they say fail to protect both staff and students.

The French Ministry of Education estimated that around 31 percent of all school teachers across the country took part in the strike on Thursday, 38 percent of whom worked in primary schools and nearly 24 percent in secondary schools.

A statement from the Mayor of Paris office said that in the capital city, roughly 58 percent of the teaching staff took part in the strike, and around 200 schools were forced to close, although trade and teachers unions put those figures much higher, at 75 percent.

The protests came as teachers across France are growing increasingly frustrated with the governments ever-changing policies regarding the pandemic which has seen testing rules for children changed several times since the start of this year alone, oftentimes at the very last minute.

On top of that, educators say the governments approach to the pandemic is failing to protect children or ensure replacement cover for teachers who are falling ill with the coronavirus. Unions are also calling on the government to provide more protective FFP2 face masks for staff as well as carbon dioxide monitors in classrooms so that they can ensure that they are sufficiently ventilated, as per The Guardian.

A protestor holds a placard reading Exhausted directress during a demonstration called by teachers unions to denounce new government measures against COVID-19, in Marseille, southern France, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Clement Mahoudeau/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite a surge in virus cases in schools across France, which have reached record highs of close to 370,000 new daily cases, the government has so far kept classes open and required all pupils in contact with an infected person to get tested three times.

We had reached such a level of exasperation, tiredness, and anger that we didnt have any other option but to organize a strike to send a strong message to the government, union leader Elisabeth Allain-Moreno said.

On Monday, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that the rules were changing yet again, telling TV station France 2 that students would now be required to take three self-administered COVID-19 at home, which will be free, as opposed to having PCR or antigen tests and then two self-administered tests on day two and day four.

This will have an effect on the queues [outside pharmacies], Castex said.

Teachers and school personnel march during a demonstration called by teachers unions to denounce new government measures against COVID-19, in Marseille, southern France, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Clement Mahoudeau/AFP via Getty Images)

But on Thursday, Snuipp-F.S.U., a leading union of elementary school personnel, criticized the government for allegedly updating the rules via the media as opposed to informing teachers beforehand.

The prime ministers televised speech ignoring the demands of personnel has once again demonstrated government contempt amplifying their anger and their mobilization, SUNipp-FSU said. Once again, the protocol relief is announced in the media, and staff in schools must respond from this morning to family questions without any official instructions.

The union stressed that the mass protests were not a strike against the virus but illustrated the growing frustrations among teachers, noting that the lack of replacements for sick teachers is adding extra pressure on the education system.

Not only does the current protocol fail to protect students, staff, and their families but it also completely disorganizes the school, SUNipp-FSU said. Under current conditions, students cannot learn correctly.

France has seen dozens of protests in recent months over the strict measures that have been put in place across the nation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country has enforced a health pass, meaning that people have to show either proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter restaurants, cafes, and bars, visit cinemas and use inter-regional trains.

A waiter wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus serves customers at the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris, on July 12, 2021. (Michel Euler/AP Photo)

However, the government wants to enact a law by the middle of this month which would drop that health pass and stop unvaccinated people from being able to enter hospitality venues, essentially banning unvaccinated people from public life.

President Emmanuel Macron has been outspoken about his thoughts on those who refuse to get vaccinated and promised to make their lives miserable, which sparked backlash across the nation.

Im not for pissing off the French  Now the unvaccinated, I really want to piss them off. And so, were going to keep doing it, until the end. This is the strategy, Macron said during an interview with Le Parisien earlier this month.

Macron added that while he wont send [unvaccinated people] to prison, he will make their lives more complicated and encourage people who refuse to get vaccinated to do so by limiting as much as possible their access to activities in social life.

So we need to tell themfrom Jan. 15, you will no longer be able to go to the restaurant. You will no longer be able to go for a coffee, you will no longer be able to go to the theatre. You will no longer be able to go to the cinema, he said.

France is one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world, with more than 90 percent of people aged 12 and older being fully vaccinated.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The Lab Leak: The Plots and Schemes of Jeremy Farrar, Anthony Fauci, and Francis Collins

Commentary

Jeremy Farrar is a former professor at Oxford University and the head of the Wellcome Trust, an extremely influential non-government funder of medical research in the UK and a big investor in vaccine companies.

Some people regard Farrar as the UKs Anthony Fauci. He had much to do with the pandemic response, including the lockdowns and mandates in the UK. For the entire pandemic ordeal, he has been in touch with his colleagues around the world. He has written a book (it appeared July 2021 but was probably written in the Spring) on his experience with the pandemic.

I reviewed already.

In general, the book is chaotic, strongly backing lockdowns without ever presenting a clear rationale for why, much less a road map for how to get out of lockdowns. I swear you could read this book carefully front to back and not know anything more about pandemics and their course than you had at the beginning. In this sense, the book is an abysmal failure, which probably explains why it is so little talked about.

That said, the book is revealing in other ways, some of which I did not cover in my review. He carefully presents the scene at the beginning of the pandemic, including the great fear that he, Fauci, and others had that the virus was not of natural origin. It might have been created in a lab and leaked, accidentally or deliberately. This awesome prospect is behind some of the strangest sentences in the book, which I quote here:

By the second week of January, I was beginning to realise the scale of what was happening. I was also getting the uncomfortable feeling that some of the information needed by scientists all around the world to detect and fight this new disease was not being disclosed as fast as it could be. I did not know it then, but a fraught few weeks lay ahead. In those weeks, I became exhausted and scared. I felt as if I was living a different persons life. During that period, I would do things I had never done before: acquire a burner phone, hold clandestine meetings, keep difficult secrets. I would have surreal conversations with my wife, Christiane, who persuaded me we should let the people closest to us know what was going on. I phoned my brother and best friend to give them my temporary number. In hushed conversations, I sketched out the possibility of a looming global health crisis that had the potential to be read as bioterrorism. If anything happens to me in the next few weeks, I told them nervously, this is what you need to know.

Sounds like a thriller movie! A burner phone? Clandestine meetings? What the heck is going on here? If there really was a virus on the loose and a looming crisis of public health, why would your first impulse be, as a famous guy and so on, to write about it, tell the public everything you know, inform every public health official, open up and prepare people, and get to work finding therapeutics that can save lives? Why would you not immediately investigate the demographics of risk and inform people and institutions of the best-possible response?

What the heck is all this cloak-and-dagger about? Seems like a bad start for a responsible public policy.

The next chapter reveals some of the background to all this high dudgeon:

In the last week of January 2020, I saw email chatter from scientists in the US suggesting the virus looked almost engineered to infect human cells. These were credible scientists proposing an incredible, and terrifying, possibility of either an accidental leak from a laboratory or a deliberate release . It seemed a huge coincidence for a coronavirus to crop up in Wuhan, a city with a superlab. Could the novel corona-virus be anything to do with gain of function (GOF) studies? These are studies in which viruses are deliberately genetically engineered to become more contagious and then used to infect mammals like ferrets, to track how the modified virus spreads. They are carried out in top-grade containment labs like the one in Wuhan. Viruses that infect ferrets can also infect humans, precisely the reason ferrets are a good model for studying human infection in the first place. But GOF studies always carry a tiny risk of something going wrong: the virus leaking out of the lab, or a virus infecting a lab researcher who then goes home and spreads it . The novel coronavirus might not even be that novel at all. It might have been engineered years ago, put in a freezer, and then taken out more recently by someone who decided to work on it again. And then, maybe, there was  an accident? Labs can function for decades and often store samples for just as long. In 2014, six old vials of freeze-dried variola virus, which causes smallpox, were uncovered in a lab in Maryland, US; though the samples dated back to the 1950s, they still tested positive for variola DNA. Some viruses and microbes are disturbingly resilient. It sounded crazy but once you get into a mindset it becomes easy to connect things that are unrelated. You begin to see a pattern that is only there because of your own starting bias. And my starting bias was that it was odd for a spillover event, from animals to humans, to take off in people so immediately and spectacularlyin a city with a biolab. One standout molecular feature of the virus was a region in the genome sequence called a furin cleavage site, which enhances infectivity. This novel virus, spreading like wildfire, seemed almost designed to infect human cells . The idea that an unnatural, highly contagious pathogen could have been unleashed, either by accident or design, catapulted me into a world that I had barely navigated before. This issue needed urgent attention from scientistsbut it was also the territory of the security and intelligence services . When I told Eliza about the suspicions over the origins of the new coronavirus, she advised that everyone involved in the delicate conversations should raise our guard, security-wise. We should use different phones; avoid putting things in emails; and ditch our normal email addresses and phone contacts.

Keep in mind, we are talking here about the last week of January. The top experts in the world were living in fear that this was actually a lab leak and perhaps a deliberate one. This consumed them completely, knowing full well that if this were true, we could see something close to a world war developing. And then the question comes up concerning responsibility.

Lets move to the next chapter:

The next day, I contacted Tony Fauci about the rumours over the origins of the virus and asked him to speak with Kristian Andersen at Scripps. We agreed that a bunch of specialists needed to urgently look into it. We needed to know if this virus came from nature or was a product of deliberate nurture, followed by either accidental or intentional release from the BSL-4 lab based at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Depending on what the experts thought, Tony added, the FBI and MI5 would need to be told. I remember becoming a little nervous about my own personal safety around this time. I dont really know what I was scared of. But extreme stress is not conducive to thinking rationally or behaving logically. I was exhausted from living in two parallel universesmy day-to-day life at Wellcome in London, and then going back home to Oxford and having these clandestine conversations at night with people on opposite sides of the world. Eddie in Sydney would be working when Kristian in California was asleep, and vice versa. I didnt just feel as if I was working a 24-hour dayI really was. On top of that, we were getting phonecalls through the night from all over the world. Christiane was loosely keeping a diary and recorded 17 calls in one night. Its hard to come off nocturnal calls about the possibility of a lab leak and go back to bed. Id never had trouble sleeping before, something that comes from spending a career working as a doctor in critical care and medicine. But the situation with this new virus and the dark question marks over its origins felt emotionally overwhelming. None of us knew what was going to happen but things had already escalated into an international emergency. On top of that, just a few of usEddie, Kristian, Tony and Iwere now privy to sensitive information that, if proved to be true, might set off a whole series of events that would be far bigger than any of us. It felt as if a storm was gathering, of forces beyond anything I had experienced and over which none of us had any control.

Well, there we go. Was there ever a doubt that Fauci and so on were consumed by fear that this was a lab leak from their own colleagues and friends in Wuhan? Has he denied this? Im not sure but this account from Farrar is pretty extraordinary proof that discovering the viruss origins was the major concern from these official and influential scientists for the last part of January through February. Rather than thinking about things such as How can we help doctors deal with patients? and Who is vulnerable to this virus and what should we say about that?, they were consumed by discovering the origin of the virus and hiding from the public what they were doing.

Again, I am not interpreting things here. Im only quoting what Farrar says in his own book. He reports that the experts he consulted were 80 percent sure it had come from a lab. They all scheduled an online meeting for Feb. 1, 2020.

Patrick Vallance informed the intelligence agencies of the suspicions; Eddie did the same in Australia. Tony Fauci copied in Francis Collins, who heads the US National Institutes of Health (the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, which Tony heads, is part of the NIH). Tony and Francis understood the extreme sensitivity of what was being suggested,  The next day I gathered everyones thoughts, including people like Michael Farzan, and emailed Tony and Francis: On a spectrum if 0 is nature and 100 is releaseI am honestly at 50! My guess is that this will remain grey, unless there is access to the Wuhan laband I suspect that is unlikely!

These discussions and investigations continue for the whole month of February. This explains so much about why health officials in so many countries were entering into panic mode rather than calmly addressing an emerging problem in public health. They spent all their energies on discerning the origin of the virus. Were they worried that they would be implicated due to financial ties? I dont really know and Farrar doesnt go into that.

Regardless, it took them a full month before this small group finally came out with what appeared to be a definitive paper appearing in Nature: The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2. The date it appeared was March 17, 2020. That was the day following the announcement of lockdowns in the United States. We now know that the paper was written as early as Feb. 4, and went through many drafts over the coming weeks, including edits by Anthony Fauci himself. That paper has since been debated very extensively. It was hardly the last word.

What strikes me most in retrospect concerning the idea of the lab leak is the following. During the most critical weeks leading up to the obvious spread of the virus all over the Northeast of the United States, leading to incredible carnage in nursing homes due to egregious policies that failed to protect the vulnerable and even deliberately infected them, public health officials in the U.S. and UK were consumed not with a proper health response but with fear of dealing with the probability that this virus was man-made in China.

They deliberated in secret. They used burner phones. They spoke only to their trusted colleagues. This went on for more than a month from late January 2020 to early March. Whether this virus originated as a lab leak or not in this case is not so much the issue; there is no question that Farrar, Collins, Fauci, and company all believed that it was likely and even probable, and they spent their time and energies plotting the spin. This fear consumed them entirely at the very moment when their job was to be thinking of the best public-health response.

Maybe their time should have been about telling the truth as they knew it? Explaining how to deal rationally with the coming virus? Helping people who are vulnerable protect themselves while explaining to everyone else that there is no point in panicking?

Instead, in the midst of the panic they both felt and then projected to the public, they urged and got lockdowns of the worlds economy, a policy response never before attempted on this scale in response to a virus.

The virus did what the virus does, and all we are left with are the breathtaking results of the pandemic response: economic carnage, cultural destruction, large amounts of unnecessary death, and an incredible paper trail of incompetence, fear, secrecy, plotting, and neglect of genuine health concerns.

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.
Pro Brexit supporters celebrates as the United Kingdom exits the EU during the Brexit Day Celebration Party hosted by Leave Means Leave at Parliament Square in London, England, on Jan. 31, 2020. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The Tyranny of Polling: The UK 1 Year After Brexit

Commentary

Political editor Toby Helm, in discussing an Opinium survey, reports that one year after the United Kingdom left the European Union, more than six out of ten voters believe Brexit has either gone badly or worse than they expected.

Interestingly, the poll results also indicate that 7 percent of Remainers think Brexit has gone better than expected. Overall, Helm informs his readers that just 14 percent of all voters said Brexit had gone better than expected.

According to a Statista poll, as of Dec. 2021, 49 percent of people in Great Britain thought that it was wrong to leave the European Union, compared with 38 percent who thought it was the right decision.

During the surveyed period, from the beginning of 2020 to the end of 2021, the share of people who regret Brexit has been slightly higher than those who support it. However, this poll also disclosed that the percentage of people who are undecided remains static, ranging between 11 and 13 percent.

The value of these statistical polling exercises should be questioned. It is doubtful that it is possible to gain a reliable insight into the views of people in the United Kingdom only one year after Brexit became a reality.

A pro-Brexit activist (L) holding a placard and wearing a union flag-themed shirt talks with an anti-Brexit demonstrator holding an EU flag as they protest near the Houses of Parliament in London, England, on Jan. 29, 2019. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images)

Common sense suggests that there will always be teething problems when a country implements a change of this magnitude.

Also, to take poll results seriously, pollsters should indicate the number of people surveyed. This is important because, depending on the size of the electorate, the pool of polled people must be representative of the total population.

Hence, the results of these Brexit polls may not be statistically significant. Additionally, one would like to know whether closed questions, which could be answered with a yes or no, were asked of the interviewees. Typically closed questions do not provide polled people with an opportunity to reflect on the relevant issues and, hence, the results of the poll could easily be manipulated.

In any event, a poll only reports on the perceptions of the people who participate in the polling exercise. The results of the poll are devoid of the reasoning and reflection one would expect to be undertaken to reach an informed and considered opinion on a relevant issue.

In the context of Brexit, one wonders what information is gained and what new insights, if any, are revealed by these polls, considering it takes many years to ascertain the success, or lack of it, of Brexit.

Moreover, the polling took place in a climate of fear generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty created by interminable lockdowns and border closures and the rampaging Omicron spread certainly impact on peoples ability or willingness to render a considered verdict on Brexit.

It is thus entirely possible this may have adversely impacted the implementation of post-Brexit policies and coloured the perceptions and perspectives of pollsters and interviewees.

UK chief Brexit negotiator David Frost (L) looks on as Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) poses for photographs after signing the Brexit trade deal with the EU in number 10 Downing Street in London, England, on Dec. 30, 2020. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

George Canning, a noted British politician, who held the position of foreign secretary and became prime minister for four months, until his death on Aug. 8, 1827is remembered for his aphoristic statement: You can prove anything with statistics, except the truth.

Cannings perceptive statement can even be applied to the results of the Opinium poll.

Indeed, 51.9 percent of the British electorate voted for Leave. According to the Opinium poll, 26 percent of these Leave supporters thought Brexit has either gone badly or worse than they expected.

However, 16 percent of these Leave supporters thought all the time that it would go badly (and still voted for it). This means that only 10 percent of Leave supporters were genuinely surprised by the negative Brexit outcomes in their country. Therefore, the conclusion that six out of ten voters believe Brexit has either gone badly or worse than they expected may be statistically correct, but fails to tell the bigger picture.

The beneficial or negative impact of Brexit may not really be known for some time. But the long-term prospects of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement are promising because it offers zero tariffs and free movement of goods.

Admittedly, new trade barriers of a bureaucratic nature have impeded the free flow of goods since Brexit. For example, as of Jan. 1, 2022, there are full customs checks on goods exported from the EU to the UK (excluding Northern Ireland, for which special rules apply). Naturally, this brings with it more paperwork, higher costs for European exporters and UK importers, and fewer profits.

Border Communities against Brexit protestors take part in a demonstration in Newry, Northern Ireland, on Nov. 20, 2021. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

But Brexit also freed up the opportunity for the UK to enter into new trade agreements, which are likely to be profitable eventually.

One of these agreements is the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement, signed virtually on Dec. 17, 2021, which is described on the website of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as the gold standard trade agreement that represents a once in a generation deal for Australia and a historic moment in our relationship with the UK. This agreement is, however, not yet in force.

The tyranny of polling leads to the making of hasty and ill-considered policy decisions.

In this context, columnist Charlie Harper notes that: Somewhere along the way, media outlets decided that public opinion polls were the best tools to explain public policy questions  telling the public what others support or oppose has been prioritised as a shortcut over detailed analysis with pros and cons of proposals.

Yet, polling is now a regular scourge, anxiously analysed by politicians. To maintain their grip on power, they are willing to follow the so-called majority which is supposedly represented by these surveys.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
An Ottawa Police cruiser is seen in Ottawa, Feb. 1, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Three Sent to Hospital After Explosion, Fire at Ottawa Business

OTTAWAThe Ottawa Police Service says an explosion and fire at a business in the city has sent three people to hospital.

The service says in a release that police, firefighters and paramedics responded Thursday afternoon and fire officials say they received numerous emergency calls reporting large flames and heavy black smoke.

Ottawa Fire Services says two people are in critical condition and one has minor injuries.

Officials say a family reunification centre has been set up at the Woodvale Pentecostal Church to ensure everyone who was working at the business is accounted for.

Police say emergency crews continue to search the site and monitor the scene for flare-ups.

The Ontario Fire Marshals office is investigating.
Cuban exiles rally at Versailles Restaurant in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood in support of protesters in Cuba on July 12, 2021, in Miami. The protests in Cuba marked some of the largest displays of antigovernment sentiment in the tightly controlled country in years. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Trials of 57 Cuban Protesters Begin Amid Human Rights Violations

A series of trials has begun in Cuba for 57 protesters who were involved with the massive anti-government protests on July 11, 2021.

Some of the defendants face up to 30 years in prison for demonstrating against the nations communist government, despite the right to assemble and protest being protected by article 56 of the nations constitution.

You simply cannot protest against the regime in Cuba, Cuban-born analyst Fernando Menendez told The Epoch Times.

The Cuban government has scheduled a total of three trials, with 21 protesters being charged in the eastern city of Holguin, 20 being charged in Havana, and 16 being charged in Santa Clara.

The July 2021 protests were the largest that the politically embattled nation has seen in decades.

Thousands of peaceful protesters took to the streets over several critical shortages involving water, electricity, food, and medicine.

President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel referred to the unarmed demonstrators as mercenaries.

As the demonstrations commenced, Diaz-Canel urged supporters of the communist regime to fight back by using violence.

We call on all revolutionaries to go to the streets to defend the revolution, he said. The order to fight has been given.

In January 2021, there were 138 documented political prisoners being held in Cuba. By the end of the year, that number surged to 955, according to a report from the Spanish legal organization Prisoners Defenders.

There are no individual rights in Cuba, Menendez said.

Growing up in Havana, his family was part of the middle class that, like many others, supported Fidel Castros administration in the beginning. That was before the dictator nationalized the nations big industries and began seizing foreign-owned assetsand allied Cubas interests with the Soviet Union and China, of course.

Fast forward by more than a half-century and the administration of Diaz-Canel, an ardent supporter of the former Castro dynasty, has engaged in multiple human rights violations against detainees from the July protests, according to a Human Rights Watch report.

Security officers detained not only peaceful protesters, but also intercepted people on their way to the demonstrations. Military and police arrested more than 1,000 people, according to Cuban rights group Cubalex. More than 500 of them are still being detained by the state.

Unlike previous protests, the internet played an integral part in the enormity of the July demonstrations.

Because of the internet, people were able to post videos of what was happening, and it caught on like wildfire throughout the country, Menendez said.

Another protest to demand the release of the people detained from the July demonstrations was organized by the Cuban Civic Group Archipielago and scheduled for Nov. 15, 2021. The group notified authorities in September of their intention to march, which resulted in denied permit requests based on accusations that the rally was an attempt by the United States to cause disorder and topple the government.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the attempted demonstration a failed operation orchestrated by the United States.

Menendez said people will do almost anything to avoid the notoriously terrible conditions of Cubas prisons, including relay information to the communist regime of any anti-government speech or behavior perpetrated by family or friends.

Ive met people whove been to Cuban prison. Im amazed theyre even alive, he said.

During a statement made on Jan. 14, Diaz-Canel said, Those who lead have to be in the street, listening to the people and promoting the participation of the entire population, which must raise, propose, agree on priorities, provide solutions, participate, and control what is done.
Democrat Sharif Street and Republican Kathy Barnette are among many candidates seeking party nomination in the primary election for Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race. (Photos provided by the campaigns)

Two US Senate Candidates in Pennsylvania Weigh In on Voting Legislation

President Joe Bidens push this week for voter rights legislation that he says will address racism and voter suppression elicited very different reviews from two candidates running for U.S. Senate in the Pennsylvania primary. Here is what they said.

Sharif Street, Democrat

Pennsylvania state Sen. Sharif Street voiced support for the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which restores parts of the 1965 Civil Rights Act. Street, an attorney, graduated from Morehouse College where Biden gave his speech.

He says the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been systemically weakened by the Supreme Court for more than a decade.

The new Jim Crow is the old Jim Crow. It is about stopping people of color, especially black and brown folks, from casting a vote or having their voices counted, Street wrote in a statement. It is the very thing Dr. (Martin Luther) King called out, the doctrines of interposition and nullification in his I Have A Dream speech. It is processes advanced by George Wallace, the segregationist Governor of Alabama, to nullify the votes of black and brown people by bringing the state between the people, their duly cast ballots and the elections result. This is what occurred on Jan. 6, when insurrectionists, the progeny of the civil rights era segregationists, rioted in our nations capital to violently overturn the duly elected victory of President Biden. The 2020 General Election saw record minority participation across our nation.

What about requiring voters to provide identification? The topic has been debated in Pennsylvanias General Assembly.

Voter ID sounds pretty innocuous, right? We just want people to show some ID to prove that they are who they say they are, Street told The Epoch Times. But when you look at in practice, the (state) bill, as written in House Bill 1300 was so restrictive on the type of ID that could have been used, that it wouldnt have even allowed my Senate ID to count as a state ID.

House Bill 1300 is a state election reform bill that includes a voter ID requirement.

If you craft a bill in a way that you restrict the types of ID that can be used, you could have a whats called a disproportionate impact on people of color, and so those laws are designed in many cases to seem racially neutral, but in fact we know, have a disproportionate impact on people of color, and that is another that is another example of why we need some standardization and protection from the voting rights.

Asked why he believes people of color struggle so much with getting appropriate ID, Street said a disproportionate share of people of color have low income.

There are lots of societal barriers to not getting necessarily getting an ID, but getting the types of ID that are prescribed in House Bill 1300, Street said. Do I think you could craft a fairer version of a voter ID bill? Probably could. But 1300 just doesnt do that. Secondly, I think its a solution in search of a problem. We dont have a problem of people showing up in person and impersonating someone else to vote. That just is not really a systemic problem. Theres no evidence that is a systemic problem anywhere.

Kathy Barnette, Republican

To see Democrats use this as a tool to fundamentally change this nation, it is beyond upsetting, Kathy Barnette told The Epoch Times. According to the narrative, only black people do not know how to get an ID. They dont say Indians, Asians, or Hispanics, they say black people. Out of all the people in America, only black people dont know how to get an ID, or are too lazy. I find that to be beyond a racist trope. Its humiliating that out of all the people, only black people have to see another black person jump on that bandwagon and use that for their own personal gain.

Barnette says her race is the least interesting thing about her and race never came up when she was in the military, working in finance, or teaching as an adjunct professor of corporate finance.

Ive never spoken so much about race until I got into politics, Barnette said.

Barnette grew up on an Alabama pig farm, in a home with an outhouse but no heat, insulation, or running water. She was the first in her family to graduate college.

She notes that more than half the black population in Philadelphia is not vaccinated.

And yet the powers that be, all Democrat in Philadelphia, has issued a mandate that if you want to go to a restaurant, you have to show a vaccination card, Barnette said. So black people can get a vaccine card, but they cant get an ID to make sure they can vote. To get a vaccine card, youve got to show your ID. If you want to start talking about Jim Crow 2.0, then think about the 52 percent of black people in downtown Philadelphia who dont have a vaccine card and now theyre not being allowed to enter into the front doors of a restaurant.

I know a lot of black people across different social, economic, and education stratums. I dont know one black person who does not have an ID, Barnette said. I mean, you want to get on the airplane? Buy liquor? Buy cigarettes? Go to a nightclub? Youve got to have an ID.

Theyre using voter ID and black people as a weapon to get what they ultimately want. That is, federalizing our elections. They want to take our state control. They want to centralize it in D.C., and we know that things go to D.C. to either die or get real complicated.

She pointed to health care, now in the hands of politicians, bureaucrats, and lobbyists.

Were worse off. Our health care system is in crisis right now as a direct result of it being federalized.

As usual, Democrats are using the color of my skin, and that is what I find so disturbing, Barnette said. They are using the color of my skin because its powerful. It allows them just shut up a large majority of the American population who may feel guilty for whatever the reason, and just force their ideology.

Other Candidates

At least 19 candidates are running for Pennsylvanias open U.S. Senate seat. At one point there were at least 30, but some have dropped out, and others have little or no internet presence or budget. Here is a look at the 19, organized by party affiliation:

Republicans

Carla Sands: a chiropractor who was appointed to President Donald Trumps Economic Advisory Council and later served as an ambassador to Denmark in the Trump administration.

Jeff Bartos: ran for lieutenant governor in 2018. Bartos owns a contracting company and several real estate acquisition and development companies.

Kathy Barnette: author of Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain: Being Black and Conservative in America. She is a veteran, former adjunct professor of corporate finance, and a political commentator.

Everett Stern: founder and intelligence director of Tactical Rabbit, a private intelligence agency that provides clients with legal, business, and national security intelligence. Previously ran for Senate.

Mehmet Oz: a celebrity doctor who was a frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Robert Bobby Jeffries: a self-described proud millennial. Works in warehousing and logistics.

Sean Gale: an attorney. His brother Joe Gale is running for governor.

Martin Rosenfeld: worked as a county deputy sheriff, state constable, and co-owner of a gun shop; handled accounting and tax preparation for 40 years.

James Edward Hayes: semi-retired from a career in engineering and construction.

David Xu: a self-described redneck, Xu served in the Army for 30 years and is a small business owner.

David McCormick: a hedge fund executive who worked in Treasury Department under President George W. Bush and West Point graduate.

Democrats

John Fetterman: Pennsylvanias lieutenant governor.

Conor Lamb: U.S. Representative in his second term.

Val Arkoosh: a doctor and elected county commissioner.

Malcolm Kenyatta: a state representative from District 181.

Kevin Baumlin: a doctor and chair of emergency medicine at a Pennsylvania hospital.

Sharif Street: a Pennsylvania state representative from Philadelphia.

Alexandria Khalil: a former small business owner, educator, community organizer; and member of the Pennsylvania Department of Healths Health Equity and COVID-19 Rural Healthcare Taskforce.

Larry Johnson: teacher, attorney, and author of several books, including Expositions on the Divine Nature, Progressive-conservatism and a new America, and Bronx Boy.
A government sign advising people to "Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives" is displayed on the advertising boards in Piccadilly Circus in London on April 13, 2020. (Glyn KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

UK Government Accused of Using Propagandistic Nudging During CCP Virus Pandemic

Behavioural science has been used inappropriately during the CCP virus pandemic to scare the public into complying with the rules, a former leading member of the governments controversial Nudge Unit said.

Simon Ruda, a co-founder of the Behavioural Insights Team (BI)the UK governments original nudge unit before its privatisation and global expansionquestioned if behaviour science has inadvertently been used to sanction state propaganda during the crisis.

Two BI executives currently sit on the governments 48-member Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (SPI-B), a sub-group under the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). Other SPI-B members are mostly university professors and scientists from a number of government departments.

According to the governments estimate, the information campaign on CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemicusing every means possible including social media, influencers, radio, TV, and widespread digital marketinghas reached 95 percent of adults on average 17 times per week at the peakthe biggest since World War II.

A SAGE document published in the early days of the pandemic, which presented options the government could use to increase adherence to social distancing measures, included advice such as increasing the perceived level of personal threat with hard-hitting emotional messaging; using media to increase the sense of personal threat and sense of responsibility to others; using social approval for desired behaviours; and considering the use of social disapproval for failure to comply.

Britains Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (L), Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (2nd L), and staff take part in a national clap for carers to show thanks for National Health Service (NHS) workers and frontline medical staff outside the Foreign Office in London on April 9, 2020. (Henry Nicholls/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Writing in Unherd on Thursday, Ruda said he considered it nuts to think of behavioural science as tactics befitting an unsavoury authoritarian regime six years ago, but having witnessed how governments around the world had responded to the pandemic, he now appreciates the vulnerabilities of well-intentioned, democratic regimes, and the potential for behavioural science to be used inappropriately.

Still a supporter of using behavioural science in public policy, such as finding ways to help parents engage with their childrens homework and measuring improved education and parental engagement, Ruda warned against using the tool in ways he said are less appropriate and more propagandistic, such as invoking different emotions to convince people to stay at home during the pandemic.

Ruda suggested that although the tactic could help achieve effects that are immediately measurable, they may also cause unintended longer-term effects, such as worse inter-societal relations and reduced trust in institutions.

Some of the consequences have already materialised, he indicated.

In my mind, the most egregious and far-reaching mistake made in responding to the pandemic has been the level of fear willingly conveyed on the public, he wrote.

Initially encouraged to boost public compliance, that fear seems to have subsequently driven policy decisions in a worrying feedback loop.

Ruda said he suspected that government communicators and news broadcasters are more to blame, but urged behaviour scientists to reflect on where to draw the line between the choice-maximising nudges of libertarian paternalism, and the creeping acceptance among policymakers that the state should use its heft to influence our lives without the accountability of legislative and parliamentary scrutiny.

Nudging made subtle state influence palatable, but mixed with a state of emergency, have we inadvertently sanctioned state propaganda? the behaviour scientist questioned.

Ruda also criticised the governments for placing all value on data, as it risks de-prioritising reflection, reason, and debateand obscuring the limitations of that data as a depiction of reality.

He said metrics such as CCP virus infections may be the most feasible to measure now, but theyre not necessarily whats most important overall, and the the trade-offs many governments are making in their responses to the pandemic dont seem to be grounded in utilitarian rationality.

A stay home, protect the NHS, saves lives message is seen on a postmark on a stamped envelope in Penarth, Wales on April 16, 2020. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The narrow fixation on data has obscured peoples objectivity, Ruda suggested, observing that it is the proponents of evidence and empiricism, our best and most educated elites, who are now often the least willing to hear information that challenges their worldview or runs contrary to their identity.

Ruda urged institutions using behavioural science to look beyond the immediate policy objective, make sure they themselves understand how best to use it, and have multidisciplinary teams, a strong culture of intellectual humility, and designed-in cognitive diversity to tackle problems, especially in times of uncertainty.

A government spokesperson said: Since the start of the pandemic we have followed the advice of our world-leading scientists and medical experts, taking the right measures at the right time to defeat coronavirus.

As a responsible government, we have informed the public through every means possible as to the severity of COVID-19, providing clear information and guidance about the behaviours they should take to protect themselves, their families, and others, including most recently encouraging everyone eligible to get boosted.
Extinction Rebellion activists Martin Newell and Sue Parfitt stand outside the Inner London Crown Court, London, on Jan. 14, 2022. (PA)

UK Jury Clears Extinction Rebellion Activists Who Blocked Rush-Hour Train

A jury has cleared three Extinction Rebellion activists who caused 77 minutes of disruption to a rush-hour train in central London in 2019.

Shortly before 7 a.m. on Oct. 17, 2019, Philip Kingston, 85, super-glued his hand to a Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train at Shadwell Station, while Sue Parfitt, 79, and Martin Newell, 54, climbed on the roof and said prayers for the planet.

Despite causing 15 trains to be delayed or cancelled, the trio were unanimously acquitted on Jan. 14 by a jury at Inner London Crown Court of obstructing the railway.

The three activists, who are members of Christian Climate Action, a group within Extinction Rebellion, said they were strongly motivated by their Christian faith.

But Conservative MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said he does not see their action as being a particularly Christian thing to do.

The selfish actions and egos of these individuals prevented people from getting to work to provide for their families, children from attending school, wasted the time of our emergency services, and put peoples lives at risk, he said.

Clarke-Smith criticised the jurys decision as giving the green light to people looking to commit all manner of appalling crimes in the name of religion to justify their extreme political ideologies.

He said he would always defend the jury system, but said it clearly needs a review.

Tom Hunt, another Conservative MP, also called the verdict a dangerous precedent.

Speaking outside the court, Parfitt said she felt the court has vindicated their action and the verdict showed the protest had been the right thing to do.

Mike Schwarz, solicitor at the law firm Hodge Jones and Allen, which represented the defendants, said: There is mounting evidence from the courtsand in particular from juriesthat the public is taking the climate crisis and the increasingly urgent need to focus on it far more seriously than government and business. This verdict is part of this escalating pattern.

The verdict comes just over a week after a jury cleared four people of criminal damage over the toppling of a statue of 17th-century British merchant Edward Colston, who was involved in the slave trade.

Following the jury verdict on Jan. 5, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman said vandalism remains a crime and the government expects police to take it seriously.

Commenting on both cases, Tom Hunt, the Conservative lawmaker, told Daily Mail: Unfortunately, I suspected that the disappointing Colston statue verdict might be a green light for other criminal acts, and that is what we are starting to see.

It is clear to me that those committing vandalism and damaging public property, or blocking public access like roads or railways, should be punished. I am disappointed to see another instance where this has not been the case, and concerned about the precedent this continues to set.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Detail of an MI5 Security Service Interference Alert (SSIA) identifying Christine Ching Kui Lee as "an agent of the Chinese government operating in the British Parliament, issued by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons on Jan. 12, 2022. (House of Commons/PA)

UK Minister Calls for Stronger Laws After Chinese Spy Found Operating in Parliament

The UK needs to strengthen its laws to prosecute foreign agents engaged in political interference activities, Home Secretary Priti Patel said after a Chinese Communist spy was found to have been operating in the British Parliament.

Britains MI5 security agency took the unusual step of sending an alert to Parliament warning that an individual named Christine Ching Kui Lee has been knowingly engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The alert, which was made public on Jan. 13, said Lee has been facilitating financial donations to British political parties and politicians, and warned that anyone contacted by her should be mindful of her affiliation with the Chinese state and remit to advance the CCPs agenda in UK politics.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said it is deeply concerning that UK parliamentarians have been targeted.

Britains Home Secretary Priti Patel leaves Downing Street after attending a cabinet meeting in central London on Oct. 27, 2021. (Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images)

But she told broadcasters: This development has come as a result of the strong structures the United Kingdom has in place to identify foreign interference or any potential threats to our democracy.

She said Christine Lee has been the subject of a long-standing investigation.

Although the security services have put MPs on alert, Patel said the activity was currently under the criminal threshold.

She said more alerts of this nature can be expected in the future, and the government is working to look at what measures we can take to strengthen our laws, our legislations, to effectively lead to the type of prosecutions that we currently cannot deliver.

Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who made public the MI5 alert, expressed frustration over the lack of further measures against Lee.

How can it be that an agent of a foreign despotic and despicable power engaged in political interference on behalf of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party can have nothing done to them, no further action, other than theyre not allowed in @UKParliament? he wrote on Twitter.

The main opposition Labour party said the information from MI5 is extremely serious.

We condemn in the strongest terms the attempts by China to interfere in Britains democratic processes, said Labours shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper.

Awards and Donations

Hong Kong-born Christine Lee, 58, who has a law firm with offices in London and Birmingham, has over the years been pictured with high-profile British politicians from all major parties.

Lee received an award from Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019 for her work on a project promoting good relations between the Chinese and British communities in the UK, and was a VIP guest when David Cameron hosted President Xi Jinping in London in 2015.

Although Lee has publicly stated that her activities are to represent the UK Chinese community and increase diversity, MI5 noted that her activities have been undertaken in covert co-ordination with the UFWD, with funding provided by foreign nationals located in China and Hong Kong.

Among those to accept donations from Lee is the senior Labour MP Barry Gardiner, who received more than 500,000 ($687,000) over six years to cover staffing costs in his office as well as employing her son as his diary manager.

Barry Gardiner, then shadow secretary for international trade, addresses delegates at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, England, on Sept. 26, 2016. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Following the disclosure, Gardiner said he had liaised with the security services for many years regarding his contacts with Lee but had only learned on Thursday that she had been engaged in illegal activity.

Lee also donated 5,000 ($6,870) to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey in 2013, and in 2014 she helped sponsor a Chinese Liberal Democrats dinner to support the partys then-candidate for Somerton and Frome, Sarah Yong.

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrats said Davey was shocked by the revelation, which was the first time he has been given cause to be concerned about the donation to his local party association.

According to the MI5 alert, Lee has extensive engagement with individuals across the UK political spectrum, including through the All-Party Parliamentary Chinese in Britain Group, which has been disbanded.

In 2013, she funded flights for a four-day trip to Beijing for then Labour MP for Hendon Andrew Dismore, in his role as chairman of the Chinese in Britain group of MPs.

United Front Veteran

The Chinese Embassy in London rejected MI5s claims, insisting that China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countrys internal affairs.

It said: We firmly oppose the trick of smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the UK.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused the UK government of making groundless allegations and hyping the China threat to serve its own purposes.

But MI5s claim has been backed up by academic research into the Chinese regimes influence operations overseas.

Martin Thorley, a postdoctoral research fellow at Exeter University, found that Lee is connected to multiple united front groups serving the CCP regime and is an overseas member of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Congress (CPPCC), the CCPs political advisory body.

Through investigations into Chinese-language sources, Thorley found records of Lees meetings with various United Front and CPPCC affiliated individuals, as well as an image of her shaking hands with CCP leader Xi Jinping himself.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Jan. 14 that the issue is being taken seriously and that ministers are committed to strengthening anti-espionage legislation through a new counter-state threats bill.

It will be deeply concerning that an individual who is knowingly engaged in the interference activities of the Chinese Communist Party targeted parliamentarians, the spokesman said.

Safeguarding our democracy will always be an absolute priority for this government. We have robust systems in place but we will always ensure security services and law enforcement have the powers they need to tackle future threats.

PA Media contributed to this report.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki speaks at a press briefing at the White House in Washington on Jan. 14, 2022. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo)

US Says Russia Plotting False Flag Operation as Pretext for Invading Ukraine

New intelligence indicates Russia is plotting a false flag operation that would create a pretext for invading Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday.

Without getting into too much detail, we do have information that indicates that Russia is already working actively to create a pretext for a potential invasion, for a move on Ukraine. In fact, we have information that theyve pre positioned a group of operatives, to conduct what we call a false flag operation, an operation designed to look like an attack on them or their people, or Russian speaking people in Ukraine, as an excuse to go in, John Kirby, the Pentagons spokesman, told reporters in Washington.

Additionally, there are indications that Russian actors are starting to fabricate provocations in state and social media, he added.

Kirby declined to share the provenance of the intelligence but called it very credible.

And again, weve seen this kind of thing before out of Russia. When there isnt an actual crisis to suit their needs, theyll make one up, and so were watching for that, he said.

Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops along its border with Ukraine in recent months and Ukrainian officials have said they fear an attack is imminent.

At the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki during a briefing said Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating a pretext for invasion.

She used the same line about Russia apparently pre-positioning operatives to carry out a false flag operation, describing the operatives as trained in urban warfare and using explosives, and described the influence operation Kirby did.

The United States said Russia used similar tactics when it annexed Crimea during the Obama administration.

The United States is ready regardless of what Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials decide to do, Psaki said.

Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, had told a briefing Thursday that U.S. intelligence officials had developed information pointing to fabricating a pretext for an invasion, but that the information had been downgraded. Kirby said it was downgraded to enable officials to talk about it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting in Moscow, Russia, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Alexey Nikolsky/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a news conference in Moscow, Russia, on Jan. 14, 2022. (Maxim Shipenkov/Pool via Reuters)

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on infrastructure in Washington on Jan. 14, 2022. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Biden, who frequently avoids answering questions from reporters, ducked the press on Friday after delivering remarks on the infrastructure bill Congress passed and he signed last year.

The U.S. president has spoken with Putin several times in recent months, warning against invading Ukraine. The administration has also sought to assure Ukraine it will help if Russia does invade.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media that the new U.S. claims were unfounded and have not been confirmed by anything.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow Friday that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was using tensions between Russia and Ukraine to boost its military presence in Ukraine.

We have reasons to believe that the vociferous statements being made by the West: that if Russia does not comply with the Wests demands regarding how to deal with its [Russian] troops on its territorywhich is absurd per sethen, in the next two-three months, the West will be increasing activity of the NATO Rapid Deployment Forces and Special Operations Forces around our borders, he said.

One point of contention between Russia and Western powers is NATOs openness to accepting Ukraine as a member.

Ukraine, meanwhile, said a cyberattack that hit the country earlier in the day was carried out by Russia and called for a three-way meeting with the leaders of Russia and the United States.

The matters involving Russia relate to the life and death of our country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, told reporters in an online event.

Nick Ciolino contributed to this report.
Where Are We Now? An Interview With Jay Bhattacharya

Jay Bhattacharya, senior fellow of the Brownstone Institute and a professor at Stanford University, was one of three signers of the Great Barrington Declaration.

In this interview with Unherd, conducted by Freddie Sayers, he reflects on the aftermath and how events have transpired since the document was signed and promulgated. He speaks to a range of issues from lockdowns to vaccines and mandates.

Jay further reflects on the incredible silence surrounding the unprecedented use of lockdowns that contradict all 20th-century public-health practice. He addresses the political claims made against the Declaration and his own take on what it was like to be embroiled in the storm then and now.

Weve been vindicated. The lockdowns were the single biggest mistake in public health history. I dont see how anyone can look at lockdown and say that was successful policy. Weve had lockdowns in country after country after country. Would you call lockdown a success in the UK? Would you call the lockdown in Peru a success? The lockdown in India or the United States? I dont think by any measure you could call them a success.

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.
Pope Francis leaves at the end of the New Year's day mass in St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican City, on Jan. 1, 2022. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images)

Why the Pope Is Wrong About Latin Mass Restrictions

Commentary

Throughout its history, the Catholic Church developed rich forms of liturgical worship in both East and West, a testament to its universality. In the West, a form of the Mass developed, known as the Latin or Roman Rite. Its origins can be traced back to Apostolic times and its form remained essentially unchanged for centuries, until it was replaced by a Novus Ordo (new form) of Mass in 1969.

There is a widespread, and very mistaken, idea in the Church that the Second Vatican Council, held from 1962 to 1965, ordered the change to the Mass. This is patently not so.

As the Council stated in its document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy): Holy Mother Church holds all lawfully recognized rites to be of equal right and dignity; that she wishes to preserve them in the future and foster them in every way.

This took into account various rites of Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as the many nuances then existing in forms used by religious orders and in local Churches and regions.

Further, it was the express wish of the Council that the use of Latin in the rites is to be preserved and that the ancient music of this language, Gregorian Chant and Polyphony, be given pride of place in liturgical services, since they express to the highest degree the purposes of sacred music laid down by the Church: the glory of God, the sanctification of the faithful, making prayer more pleasing, promotion of unity of minds, and the conferring of greater solemnity upon the sacred rights.

Ancient Latin music such as Gregorian Chant expresses the glory of God. (FNeumann/Pixabay)

In fact, the liturgy was to be carefully and thoroughly revised in the light of sound tradition, to make it more suitable for modern times.

Notwithstanding the introduction of the new Mass, the Traditional Rite has survived and, particularly over the last 40 or so years, experienced rapid growth, particularly among young people.

Let me state at the outset that it is not my intention here to delegitimise the Novus Ordo Mass. On weekdays I often attend Novus Ordo Masses. All my sacraments have been celebrated in the Novus Ordo, and yes, it can be celebrated very devoutly and prayerfully.

However, since its implementation there is one incontrovertible fact. Rather than the Mass being, as the Second Vatican Council declared, the summit of the Churchs life, the insistence on modernising has led to dwindling congregations, except in parishes and orders that are faithful to tradition, doctrine, and the Churchs Magisterium (teaching).

I believe this is a factor of great irritation to Pope Francis and his fellow travellers, hence the draconian crackdown on tradition.

Last year, the Pope issued a motu proprio (document) entitled Traditionis Custodes, calling for the restriction of the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. A further document addressing its implementation, the Responsa ad Dubia (Response to Questions), outlined these restrictions, which mean that many priests will be banned from saying the Traditional Mass, and it will only be able to be celebrated in limited settings.

All this has been done in the name of fostering unity in the Church.

A general view at St Peters Basilica as Pope Francis celebrates the Epiphany Mass at Vatican City, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images)

Archbishop Roche, the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, which is responsible for issuing these documents, has stated in the past that the Ordinary Form (that is, the Novus Ordo), has much to learn from the Extraordinary Form and that the latter is a valid expression of the Churchs liturgy.

However, the tenor of Traditionis Custodes and the Responsa are completely contradictory to these public statements, and, in the view of this correspondent, fail on two counts: first, on the idea of disunity, and second, even more importantly, on their legality.

In attending the Traditional Mass, I have not encountered people who wish to cause division in the Church, which Traditionis Custodes suggests. On the contrary, I know many joy-filled (especially young) people who love their faith and stand foursquare with the teachings of the Churchs Magisterium.

The Traditional Mass, as far as I can see, is a source of unity for the Church, not division. It is the earnest desire of those in the Latin Mass community to be part of the Universal Church, not separate from it.

The Traditional Mass, as I have observed, also draws people to the Church who, inspired by a love of their faith and the law of prayer being the law of belief, find in it a sense of the sacred that allows them to give their children the greatest gift they can give, the gift of faith.

These are exactly the kind of people, I would have thought, the Church aspires to attract, since they are a source of growth and a living witness to a life-giving faith. They should be encouraged and supported, not discouraged.

Since the post-conciliar liturgical reforms, there has always been a question of the authority of the pope to change the rite. Again, I reiterate, I am not out to denigrate the Novus Ordo, but rather demonstrate that restrictions on the Traditional Mass are of doubtful legitimacy.

As the great 20th century theologian and liturgist, Monsignor Klaus Gamber, observed in his work The Reform of The Roman Liturgy, the argument that the Pope has the authority to change the Mass is based on the notion that he has the full and highest power in the Church, derived from the First Vatican Council, that pertains to the discipline and rule of the Church spread out over all the world.

However, as Gamber demonstrates, this discipline in no way applies to the liturgy, which popes through the ages have repeatedly observed is founded on apostolic tradition. Therefore, as Gamber notes the rite cannot fall into the discipline and rule of the Church.

Believers pray during the Christmas mass at the Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images)

What is more, there is not a single document, including in the Churchs Code of Canon Law, in which there is a specific statement that the pope, in his function as supreme pastor of the Church, has the authority to abolish (and thus by extension, restrict) the traditional rite. Gamber quotes St Gregory the Great in this regard: As long as the Church is of one Faith, different ritual customs do not harm her.

He further notes that there are also other limits to this full and highest power, that is, in matters of dogma, the pope is bound to follow the tradition of the universal Church. As noted in the opening paragraph, if one looks at the history of the Churchs liturgy, he or she will find that the Mass had been essentially unchanged from Apostolic times until the post-Conciliar reforms.

After initially banning the celebration of the Traditional Mass, Pope Paul VI, perhaps recognising such a ban was invalid, allowed its use in England and Wales, and then to Archbishop Marcel Lefebvres Society of St Pius X. Successive popes have also recognised that it not proper for the Traditional Mass to be restricted.

St John Paul II further allowed for its increased celebration in 1984 and 1988 (exhorting that it was a legitimate aspiration), and Benedict XVI restored full rights to the traditional liturgy.

Since these initiatives, as noted in previous sections, the communities and seminaries linked to the Traditional Mass have multiplied, the frequency of the faithfuls attendance has increased, and the spiritual life of many young people and many families has found an unexpected impetus.

It is therefore Papa Bergoglio and Archbishop Roche who are causing division, on false pretences. So much for Fratelli tutti and inclusivity!

I conclude by citing the words of the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano: Traditionis Custodes and the Responsa must simply be ignored, returned to the sender. They must be ignored because it is clear that their intention is to punish Catholics who remain faithful, to disperse them, and to make them disappear.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Wisconsin Governor Wont Remove Milwaukee County DA Over Handling of Defendant in Waukesha Parade Attack

Wisconsins governor decided this week not to remove Milwaukee Countys district attorney because a lawyer hired by his office found a petition asking for the removal was not valid.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, tapped attorney Matthew Fleming to review the petition, which was filed last month by county residents against Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, another Democrat.

Residents took issue with how Chisholms office requested bail of just $1,000 after Darrell Brooks was accused of ramming his vehicle into the mother of his child.

Brooks, following his release, allegedly used the same vehicle to plow into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, leaving six people dead and dozens of others injured.

Chisholm in a statement after the most recent crime said his offices bail recommendation was inappropriately low and later blamed an assistant prosecutor who he claimed did not review an assessment that advised prosecutors to seek a high bail amount.

Residents said that because Chisolm has refused to resign over what happened, the governor should remove him. State law lets governors remove officers of the state for corrupt conduct in office or for crimes or misdemeanors.

Fleming, though, concluded that the petition suffers from several flaws, both formal and substantive, that render it insufficient to invoke the power the petitioners demand Governor Evers exercise.

The outside counsel said that the complaint failed to include statements indicating that the petitioners attested to the truth or reliability of the petition and the notary certificates were incomplete.

He also asserted that the petition failed to outline which charges support removing Chisholm in part because there are a variety of factors that could have contributed to Brooks being released on low bail.

Given the horrific tragedy that occurred in Waukesha and the severity of the claims in the petition, outside counsel was retained to give the petition fair and impartial review and make a recommendation based on that review, Britt Cudaback, communications director for Evers, told The Epoch Times in an email.

Darrell Brooks is escorted out of the courtroom after making his initial appearance in Waukesha County Court in Waukesha, Wis., on Nov. 23, 2021. (Mark Hoffman/Pool/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)

Based on the findings, the petition does not meet the conditions necessary for Evers to remove Chisholm, she added.

Chisholms office did not respond to a request for comment.

Orville Seymour, one of the county residents who filed the petition, said he reviewed the outside counsels determination and disagreed with the findings.

The claim that the petition was not notarized, for instance, is wrong. It was clearly notarized, he told The Epoch Times.

Nobody tried to get in touch with Seymour during the review process, who is exploring different courses of action to take on the matter.

I guess we knew going in that he wasnt going to remove Chisholm. I think the downside for the governor, hes up for election in less than a year, and hes already got the Kenosha riots hanging over his head. Now, I think the people in Waukesha are clearly not gonna forgive the fact that he did not remove John Chisholm and make southeast Wisconsin safe again, Seymour said.

In addition to the petition, Evers has faced pressure from state and local legislators to remove Chisholm.

Brooks is being held on a $5 million bond and is facing 71 new charges that prosecutors added this week.
Inventors burn patents in protest outside the Patent Trial and Appeal Board on Aug. 11, 2017. (Courtesy of US Inventor)

With Millions at Stake, Inventors Fight US Patent System

The U.S. patent law system once rewarded inventors for the telephone, the lightbulb, and the airplane. But some inventors now say that the same system has turned against them.

According to them, the trouble started with the 2011 America Invents Act (AIA). Under that law, its cheaper to file lawsuits in a patent court to declare an inventors patent to be invalid than it is to pay the inventor for using their work. If an inventor creates a valuable new product or technology, this law incentivizes companies to steal their idea and bring a lawsuit to the patent office to overturn the patent.

What it has become is a tool for large businesses to invalidate the patents of smaller companies in order to utilize their inventions without paying them for it, Emmy Award-winning inventor Glenn Sanders said.

For inventors who often spend years and tens of thousands of dollars getting a patent, the consequences of this act have been devastating, according to inventor David Furry.

That was a $60,000 gamble, Furry said, referring to his patent. If it didnt work, it wasnt worth anything.

Inventors protest outside the Patent Trial and Appeal Board on Aug. 11, 2017. (Courtesy of US Inventor)

Furry knows the patent industry from the inside. He created a camera designed to detect tiny, low-temperature gas leaks.

To protect his idea, he spent about two years getting a patent. Most patents cost between $7,000 and $20,000.

We got a very, very tough examiner, Furry said. Its kind of luck of the draw.

But inventors have good reason to endure the patenting process. Patents give inventors a legal monopoly on their invention for a limited time. During that time, no one can make their invention without paying them. If the invention is useful, a patent can make an inventor millions of dollars.

Gas leak detection is a multi-million-dollar industry, and no visual device on the market was able to detect the small gas leaks that Furrys camera could. He was poised to reap the rewards of his work. Exxon Mobile used his camera to find leaks at gas facilities worldwide.

Then FLIR, a company that Furry had previously worked with, started producing his camera without paying him for it. When Furry sued them for patent infringement, FLIR responded by taking the case to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), arguing that the camera wasnt a breakthrough and didnt deserve a patent.

The PTAB was created through the AIA. It evaluates patents and decides whether there were good reasons to grant them. Among inventors, the PTAB has a nicknamethe patent-killer. In about 84 percent of cases, the PTAB decides to invalidate patents. In comparison, civil court cases go in favor of the person suing only 56 percent of the time.

The appeal board disputes these figures. Its own statistics show a win rate for inventors of about 59 percent.

Josh Malones invention, Bunch-o-Balloons, allows someone to fill 100 water balloons at once. (Courtesy of US Inventor)

But the truth is very different, according to US Inventors fellow Josh Malone.

PTAB counts lawsuit wins and losses, but US Inventor counts actual patents lost, according to Malone. If an inventor gets his patent challenged three times and loses on the third, it doesnt matter if he won the first two challenges.

US Inventor also counts settlements as patent owner losses, because patent owners lose the right to their cut of the profits.

Inventors sometimes face a relentless barrage of lawsuits, according to Paul Morenville, the founder of US Inventor. In one instance, a company called Zond owned 10 patents, but faced 120 different petitions for patent invalidation, according to Morenville. It eventually lost all of them to this legal bombardment.

We consider that to be 10 patents 100 percent invalidated, he said. But PTAB considers that as less than 10 percent invalidated.

Its cheaper to use the PTAB to invalidate a patent than to pay an inventor for patent infringement, according to patent attorney James Yang.

Also, patent owners cant file counterclaims of infringement to the PTAB and find themselves only able to play defense.

When Furrys case went to patent court, his patent was invalidated for a shocking reason. The court said his patent idea wasnt original because there was already a camera designed to detect jet engine exhaust that often reaches thousands of degrees.

Furry said the ruling didnt make sense.

They compared leaks that Im finding with probably half the gas that comes out of a cigarette lighter to the gas coming off of the F-15 jet engine. They said its the same thing, he said.

As FLIR continued to violate his patent, Furry watched his own sales decline. Furry said that losing his patent probably lost him $48 million.

It hurts, but Im not going to dwell on any of that, Furry said. If the Lord had intended that to happen, it would have happened.

Glenn Sanders (center), Gregory Gonsalves, his lead patent counsel, and Rita Chipperson, his patent prosecution counsel, pose with their Emmy Award at the US Patent Office in August 2019. (Courtesy of US Inventor)

Many inventors have stories similar to Furrys situation.

Sanders invented a small microphone that both recorded and transmitted audio at the same time. For actors and movie producers, the device was a welcome solution to faulty wireless connections. For his work, Sanderss company Zaxcom received an engineering Emmy Award for innovations in wireless technology.

We have what is effectively the Nobel Prize of the industry, which is an Academy Award, Sanders said.

But a competitor, Lectrosonics, used the technology in violation of Sanderss patent. When Zaxcom sued in response, Lectrosonics asked PTAB to overturn Sanderss patent. PTAB ignored the rewards Zaxcom had received for innovation and ended the patent, according to Sanders. It compared his device to a previous inventiona large backpack that performed a similar function, but was too big for an actor to use.

Sanderss patent was specifically for small, concealable devices.

We were given a patent that basically said that the patent is only valid if the transmitter is easily concealed, hidden, and to the point where an actor could use it, he said.

Making a transmitter as small as a cigarette box required new technology, according to Sanders.

It was a lot of electronics, a lot of software, a lot of miniaturization, he said. Theres a whole host of things that had to be worked out to make this work. Its a big deal.

Another inventor, Rod Pinkston, created a new feral hog trap that uses cameras and cellphone activation to help trappers catch an entire herd of hogs at once. A third inventor, Roy Smith, created a new type of childrens shoes with lights that shine underneath their fabric, not under hard plastic.

Each of these inventors discovered competitors who were copying their patent without paying them, sued the competitors for infringement, and watched the competitors complain to PTAB rather than pay for patent infringement.

Rod Pinkstons phone-operated feral hog trap from 2019. (Jager Pro)

According to Malone, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and other Big Tech companies often infringe patents, then use PTAB to avoid paying for intellectual property theft. Apple alone has about 700 patent challenges to its name.

They get good rates from their attorneys because they do such volume, Malone said. So for probably $100,000, you can take out a patent that may be worth tens of millions of dollars.

China also gets in on the action. Spy drone company Shenzhen DJI, Chinese social media company TikTok, and Chinese phone company Huawei have all used PTAB to kill patents with lawsuits.

The Big Tech companies that kill the most patents have many former employees within PTAB, according to Malone. He also noted that Big Tech attorneys often become PTAB judges, then decide in favor of their former employers.

Their attorneys have applied to work at PTAB and then become high ranking judges and set policy, he said. One of them ruled in favor of Apple in 23 out of 24 cases. And then they go back and work for Apple for huge salaries and bonuses.

Currently, the Biden administration has nominated attorney Kathi Vidal as PTAB director. Vidal has worked for Apple, Microsoft, and other companies that have filed a total of 2,381 PTAB cases to revoke patents.

Right now, shes the attorney-of-record in 14 pending PTAB cases on behalf of companies trying to revoke patents.

In one case, the U.S. Patent Office (USPTO) told federal Judge Gary Taranto that it picks administrative patent judges with the intent of ensuring the ruling desired by the patent offices director.

The director is trying to ensure that her policy position is being enforced by the panels, a USPTO official told the judge.

Inventors also say that PTAB judges are financially incentivized to judge against them. Investigations have shown that PTAB judges get more money when they rule against inventors.

One analysis found that judges appeared to earn an average bonus of $255 per decision when granting institution, but only an average of $208 per decision when denying institution. They also appeared to earn an average bonus award of $314 per case when canceling patent claims, but an average of $2 when upholding all patent claims.

However, federal circuit courts have rejected claims of PTAB bias.

In response to these criticisms, a PTAB spokesman said the bonus structure mentioned in this study no longer exists and that administrative patent judges have never received bonuses based on decision outcomes.

Our administrative patent judges are technical subject matter experts in various areas of patent law who work tirelessly to uphold the America Invents Act standards set forth by Congress and serve our world-class innovation system, he said.

But inventors dont seem to trust that their patents will be upheld anymore.

Furry, who held a patent worth millions of dollars before PTAB invalidated it, said he now advises inventors to spend money on advertising instead of patents.

What I would do is try to keep as many of the secrets to myself as I could and try to make as much money as I could with it before a competitor started showing up, he said. Its not worth it at all.

Correction: A previous version of this article contained a photo caption that misidentified the person posing in the photo with Glenn Sanders. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
An aircraft of Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air is seen on the tarmac at Schoenefeld airport in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, on Aug. 24, 2020. (John Macdougall/AFP via Getty Images)

Wizz Air Urges EU to Keep Use It or Lose It Airport Slot Rule

Europes airport slot rules should not be changed to protect legacy airlines, the head of European low cost carrier Wizz Air said on Thursday, adding that if a company could not operate its slots they should be made available to rivals.

An easing of the use it or lose it rule has allowed legacy carriers to preserve airport access during the coronavirus crisis despite a sharp drop in traffic, sparking protests from low-cost rivals keen to expand into once-congested airports.

Leave the slot rules as they used to be prior to the pandemic and the market will sort it out, Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi told Reuters in an interview in Abu Dhabi.

We would be able to operate those slots at constrained airports so why are they protected for the benefit of legacy carriers who are incapable of operating them because they are inefficient?

Varadi said easing the rules was, in a way, distorting the market because it protected legacy carriers struggling to fill planes from lower cost rivals that could sell all their seats.

Under European Union airport rules, airlines must use at least 80 percent of their take-off and landing slots in order to keep them for the following year.

The EU suspended those rules at the start of the COVID-19 crisis, but has started partially restoring them, rekindling concerns over empty flights as the pandemic continues.

Varadi, head of Wizz Air since its inception in 2003, said access to airports should be prioritised as a public interest.

Irelands Ryanair this week accused Lufthansa of exploiting climate concerns to stifle competition after the German carrier complained it had to operate tens of thousands of additional flights to comply with slot rules.

By Alexander Cornwell
While the Supreme Court has blocked President Joe Bidens attempt to require all employees of large companies to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face testing and mask mandates, many Connecticut businesses have implemented their own policies.

To assess the extent of corporate vaccine policies, Hearst Connecticut Media Group contacted all 25 of the Connecticut-headquartered companies on last years Fortune 1,000 list of the firms with the highest annual revenues.

READ MORE: How Connecticut companies are responding to omicron surge

Here is a summary of vaccine policies at Connecticuts largest companies, which responded before the Supreme Courts ruling:

Charter Communications, Stamford, No. 64 on 2021 Fortune 1,000 list: We continue to follow local and state order requirements and strongly encourage our employees to get vaccinated, the company said in a statement.

Synchrony, Stamford, No. 187: Synchrony continues to strongly encourage our employees to get vaccinated and boosted. Our return to office continues to be voluntary for fully vaccinated employees, said Lisa Lanspery, a Synchrony spokesperson. As a reminder, we gave everyone the option to work remotely after a company survey showed 85 percent of our workforce wanted some form of work-from-home model even after the pandemic. Anyone who does choose to come back into one of our offices does have to be vaccinated, but not yet boosted.

Stanley Black & Decker, New Britain, No. 209: Under the current state of law, we are required to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration-adapted Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standards rules requiring that all employees either be fully vaccinated or undergo weekly testing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, the company said in a statement.

Otis Worldwide, Farmington, No. 236: As a global organization doing business in 200 countries and territories around the world, we must be sensitive and aware of variable access to vaccines and pandemic recovery efforts, the company said in a statement. We strongly encourage colleagues to get vaccines and boosters, when and where available. In addition to our policy, Otis will continue to comply with all applicable national and local laws and regulations.

Xerox Holdings, Norwalk, No. 415: There have been no changes to Xeroxs return-to-office policy, and we have further enhanced our safety protocols to include reimplementing mask requirements for even vaccinated employees and canceling all in-person holiday events, the company said in a statement. Safety of our employees is our top priority, and all are required to complete a daily health check prior to coming into the office. We are closely monitoring all trends and will adjust protocols as necessary. We are also encouraging employees to get their booster when eligible and strongly recommend employees are tested before returning to the office in 2022.

Pitney Bowes, Stamford, No. 664: We recently informed team members that as of Feb. 1, 2022, we will be requiring boosters for entry into the office, Pitney Bowes spokesperson Bill Hughes said. Currently, only vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter our offices, unless they have an approved accommodation.

We continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated and if vaccinated, to get a booster when eligible. For anyone entering our offices who are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot, but have not yet had one, they are required to wear a mask in the office.

Terex, Norwalk, No. 735: Terex strongly encourages our team members to take the COVID-19 vaccine if their medical advisers recommend it, the company said in a statement. We do not require vaccination as a Terex policy, but encouraging vaccination, including boosters if appropriate, is part of a rigorous suite of safety protocols that we follow in all of our facilities.

Terex COVID-19 safety practices align with state and national guidance, and at our Norwalk corporate HQ this includes the CDC and the state of Connecticut. Since the onset of the pandemic, Terex has focused intently on doing all that we can to keep our team members safe from the coronavirus.

Interactive Brokers Group, Greenwich, No. 848: We are not mandating vaccines, said Michael Kerrigan, Interactive Brokers director of human resources. We will follow the new OSHA requirement that allows vaccinated staff to return openly and unvaccinated staff to also return openly by complying with weekly testing.

Cigna, The Hartford, Emcor Group, Amphenol, United Rentals, W.R. Berkley, Frontier Communications, Booking Holdings, Silgan Holdings, Hubbell, Gartner, Crane, Knights of Columbus, Peoples United Financial and Edgewell Personal Care did not respond to requests for their vaccination policies.

XPO Logistics and SS&C Technologies responded, but declined to publicly reveal their policies.
On Thursday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of attorneys general in announcing a settlement with Navient, formerly the second-largest student loan servicer, totalling $1.85 billion in relief due to allegations of "widespread abuse in their student loan origination and servicing business," the attorney general's office said in a press release.

"Borrowers in Illinois and across the country are unfairly overburdened with student debt that they cannot afford to repay," Raoul said in a statement. "When borrowers experience issues with making repayments on their student loans, they should be able to turn to their servicer for accurate information, as well as trustworthy help and guidance. Navient failed to do so and instead steered borrowers into more debt. Todays settlement will hold Navient responsible for its predatory and deceptive actions and hopefully serve as a template for reform across an industry that is in desperate need of it."

The settlement resolves claims that since 2009, Navient illegally steered student loan borrowers into forbearances instead of informing them of alternate programs such as the federal Income-Driven Repayment Program. The interest accrued as a result of these forbearances put consumers further into debt, the coalition of attorneys general alleges, while the company concurrently claimed to help borrows minimize their total interest costs.

Income-Driven Repayment plans during this time could have reduced borrowers' payments to as low as $0 per month, the coalition said, provided interest subsidies for certain loans and/or provided debt forgiveness after 20 to 25 years in repayment.

Approximately 18,470 Illinois borrowers will receive $4,923,550 in restitution payments, 5,217 Illinois borrowers will receive $133,546,979 in debt cancellation, and Illinois will receive a direct payment of $7,243,479.

Federal loan borrowers who qualify for relief under this settlement do not need to take any action except to update or create a studentaid.gov account to ensure the U.S. Department of Education has their current address. For more information, visit www.NavientAGSettlement.com.

Consumers receiving private loan debt cancellation will receive a notice from Navient, and they will be refunded any payments made after June 30, 2021. Illinois borrowers who are eligible for restitution will receive a postcard in the mail from the attorney generals settlement administrator in spring 2022.

The settlement also resolves Raouls claims that Navient, formerly Sallie Mae, originated subprime private loans to students attending for-profit colleges with low graduation rates, despite knowing that a high percentage of such students would not be able to repay them. Navient allegedly issued these loans as part of its "preferred lender" programs with schools, in order to increase the companys highly-profitable federal and "prime" private loans  without regard for borrowers and their families, many of whom were unknowingly ensnared in debts they could never repay, Raoul said.

Navient will make a total of $95 million in restitution payments of about $260 each to approximately 350,000 harmed consumers nationwide, and it will cancel nearly $1.7 billion in subprime private student loans owed by nearly 66,000 borrowers nationwide. In addition, Navient will pay $142.5 million to the attorneys general.

Borrowers who will receive restitution or forgiveness span all generations: Navients harmful conduct impacted everyone from students who enrolled in colleges and universities immediately after high school to mid-career students who dropped out after enrolling in a for-profit school in the early 2000s, Raoul said.

It is expected that the settlement administrator will mail restitution checks of approximately $260 in mid-2022. Consumers may  but are not required to  opt into receiving an electronic payment instead of a check. Details on how to request an electronic payment will be included on the postcards and will be posted on the settlement administrators website. The settlement administrator can be reached at 1-833-630-1416.

The attorney generals office investigated and sued Navient over widespread abuses across all aspects of Navients business, including student lending, student loan servicing and student loan debt collection. The lawsuit alleged that Navient violated consumer protection laws by utilizing numerous illegal servicing and collection methods and, as Sallie Mae, through its origination of predatory subprime loans. Specifically, the lawsuit alleged that Navient:

 Unfairly and deceptively offered financially-distressed federal loan borrowers forbearances, instead of informing them about the terms and benefits of income-driven repayment plans, and helping them apply where appropriate.

 Failed to adequately inform borrowers who did choose income-driven repayment programs of their yearly obligation to re-certify their income and family size.

 Failed to follow borrowers instructions concerning how excess payments should be allocated.

 Trained its agents to deceptively ask borrowers who were behind on their payments to pay an amount that included the next upcoming regular payment, without clarifying this was not necessary.

 Deceptively promoted a "co-signer release" benefit for its private loans.

 Made subprime, predatory loans to students attending for-profit colleges with low graduation rates while operating as Sallie Mae.



Todays settlement requires Navient to notify borrowers of the Department of Educations important changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which offers millions of qualifying public servants a waiver that may count past payments towards loan forgiveness. Attorney General Raoul encourages all Illinois residents who work in the government or non-profit sectors to review the PSLF website to determine whether they might qualify for loan forgiveness.



The settlement also requires Navient to notify borrowers about the U.S. Department of Educations recently announced PSLF limited waiver opportunity, which temporarily offers millions of qualifying public service workers the chance to have previously nonqualifying repayment periods counted toward loan forgiveness  provided that they consolidate into the Direct Loan Program and file employment certifications by Oct. 31, 2022.



On Oct. 20, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced the transfer of Navients contract to service 5.6 million loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education to Maximus/Aidvantage. Following completion of this transfer, Navient will continue to service its existing portfolio of private student loans and legacy Federal Family Education Loans issued before the FFEL program ended in 2010.



Raoul filed the settlement as a proposed consent judgment today in the Cook County Chancery Division. The settlement will require court approval.

Raouls office has discharged more than $14 million in fraudulent private student loans since 2019. The office also worked to pass the "Know Before You Owe" legislation, which recently became law and aims to alert borrowers of their remaining federal student loan eligibility to help them steer clear of predatory private loans like those provided by Navient, the Raoul said.



Student borrowers who have questions or are in need of assistance can call the attorney general's Student Loan Helpline at 1-800-455-2456.

Joining Raoul in leading the settlement are the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington. This settlement was also joined by attorneys general in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Are you up for a good satire? Dont Look Up is the most political science fiction satire I have ever seen.

It seemed to me that when casting this film, the major criteria for most of the significant roles was that you won or had been nominated for an Academy Award. Dont Look Up is top heavy with Oscar winners.

Two insignificant astronomers at Michigan State University sight a comet that is 4 to 6 miles wide headed straight for the Earth. In their efforts to warn people of the imminent danger they run into all sorts of ignorance on the part of the military, politicians, media, and the general public.

Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio plays astronomer Dr. Mindy, a mild-mannered, shy man who finds he likes being thrust into lime-light when he tries to warn the world of impending disaster. Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence is Kate, a Ph.D. candidate who originally finds the comet but is frustrated over the ignorance of those in power who dont grasp the significance of how destructive the comet is going to be. Three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep is President Orlean; a woman whose behavior is supposed to mimic that of former President Donald Trump and does. Academy Award nominee Jonah Hill is her lame-brained son and her Chief of Staff, Jason Orlean.

Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett is Brie Evantree, a news anchor who sets her cap for Dr. Mindy while Tyler Perry plays her co-anchor. Ron Morgan is Dr. Oglethorpe of NASA who joins Dr. Mindy and Kate trying to save the Earth. Academy Award nominee Timothy Chalamet is Yule, Kates boyfriend. Academy Award winner Mark Rylance plays Peter Isherwell who bears a strong similarity to Elon Musk.

The acting is over the top but is fun to watch to see if you can recognize the real people the actors resemble. Unfortunately, the film sets up a scenario that, if occurred in real life, may be just as devastating.

Meryl Streep plays a pretty good villain as the ditzy President. DiCaprio and Lawrence pretend it is a drama, which makes it more plausible. You wont be disappointed in the acting. Academy Award winner Adam McKay directed and wrote the screenplay based on the story by David Sirota.

While I enjoyed the film, it drug a little and needed to be shored up a bit. McKay could have, and should have, cut about 10-15 minutes to make it move at a faster pace.

Steadfast Republicans are going to hate this Netflix movie but everyone else will find it fun. I give it 4 stars.
EDWARDSVILLE  Four people have been charged with the Dec. 27 burglary of a barn in rural Edwardsville.

Bobby L. Walker, 32, of Sorento; Rowan M. Cook, 19, and Brett A. Foster, 36, both of Staunton; and Richard W. Wilson, 38, of Mount Olive, were each charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony.

Walker was also charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and driving while license revoked (third subsequent offense), both Class 4 felonies, and improper lane usage, a Class P misdemeanor.

The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department.

According to court documents, on Dec. 27 Walker and Cook allegedly entered a barn in on Illinois 143 in Edwardsville to commit theft. Foster and Wilson allegedly entered the same barn Dec. 28 to commit theft.

Walker was also charged for allegedly attempting to flee from a Madison County sheriffs deputy in a 2006 Cadillac Escalade, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit, while his license was revoked for a 2013 DUI conviction out of Macoupin County. He also has convictions for driving while license revoked out of Macoupin County in 2014 and 2018.

Bail was set at $75,000 for Walker; and $50,000 each for Cook, Foster and Wilson.

Other felony charges filed Jan. 11 include:

 Lucas P. Robbins, 28, of Caseyville, was charged with residential burglary, a Class 1 felony. The case was presented by the Edwardsville Police Department. On Jan. 1 Robbins allegedly entered a home in Edwardsville to commit theft. Bail was set at $100,000.

 Tiffany K. Kerley, 32, of Pontoon Beach, was charged with robbery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On Oct. 19 Kerley allegedly took car keys and documents from another person by entering their vehicle and striking them in the face and head. Bail was set at $45,000.

 Leron M. Revan, 24, of St. Louis, was charged with offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Jan. 10 Revan allegedly had a stolen 2011 Dodge Charger. Bail was set at $60,000.

 Deandre L. Higgins, 34, of Alorton, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, both Class 4 felonies. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Jan. 10 Higgins allegedly had 100-500 grams of cannabis and was driving a 2010 Hyundai Elantra, attempting to flee from a Granite City police officer, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit. Bail was set at $35,000.
EDWARDSVILLE  The Madison County Historical Society, which was founded on Dec. 7, 1921, is recognizing 2022 as its centennial.

The Illinois State Historical Society recently recognized the MCHS as an Illinois Centennial Organization, stating the MCHS has contributed to the civic and economic heritage of the State of Illinois for one hundred years.

Last month, for the first time in 97 years, the county cut public funding of the society.

In a Sept. 15 meeting, the county voted unanimously to end the county's lease of the museum and library and to give the society $300,000.

Over the past few years, several county board members have questioned whether the county should be in the museum business. Annually, the county budgets $250,000 for the society.

The museum, located at 715 N. Main St., is the former residence of Dr. John Weir. The Madison County Archival Library is still open to the public and located at 801 N. Main St.

Several years ago, the society hired an outside contractor to replace the roof, and since that time, the museum roof has experienced enough leaking that the building cant be open to the public.

We couldve had at least a part of the museum open by now if it wasnt for the roof, Cindy Reinhardt said. Theres so much we cant move forward with until we get the roof fixed.

Reinhardt, a local historian, is one of the directors of the MCHS. She handles all public relations matters for the organization and deals with memberships, all while also being the editor of the newsletter.

Im absolutely passionate about the work done at the historical society, Reinhardt said. Ive personally used the collection so many times and I know the people there and dedicated to preserving Madison County history.

With the public funding being cut, a primary part of what the society is relying on are memberships, which go toward keeping the Archival Library open. The staff has since been cut back to two qualified volunteers who are consistently working on projects.

We preserve the information, as well as photographs, documents, artifacts and all kinds of these things, Reinhardt said. If we werent there, theres nowhere else for those things to be preserved. There are costs that go along to that preservation, and to keep the lights on and building heated.

One such piece of documentation that is preserved is the guardianship index, which shows records that cant be found anywhere else and is one of a kind, as Reinhardt said.

There are six different levels of membership, and they each include a historical newsletter that is published six times a year. In the past, the newsletter has won awards from the Illinois State Historical Society. Members also receive discounts at the MCHS gift shop and are notified of special events happening.

The important thing is that youre supporting the preservation of Madison County history, Reinhardt said.

Before COVID, the special events happened more frequently, but the speaker series has been able to adjust to an online format.

For 2022, theres more in-person events, including Route 66 tours that use a guiding app, and workshops.

Memberships start as little as $35 and go as high as $1,000.

The capital campaign has different levels as well, but more so focuses on creating a new museum experience with interactive technology and hands-on educational exhibits.

One such interactive exhibit the society is looking at is an interactive map that shows migration patterns across Madison County and the way different immigrant groups have moved around over the years. A grant is in the works to get that exhibit paid for.

The one-time donation levels range from a brick sponsor to a gallery sponsor depending on the donation amount.

Reinhardt says no matter how long youve been in the area, being connected with history is important.

Even if you havent been here long, youre a part of Madison County history, Reinhardt said. It doesnt matter how long youve been here. Youre a part of this story.

For more information about the museum or library, contact (618)-656-7569 or email library@madcohistory.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.

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.

Beginner Knitting Group with Greta

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. via Zoom through the Glen Carbon Library. Experience how easy it can be learning to knit through a structured, interactive social knitting group. Perfect for true beginners or those looking for an easy refresh project. Different intermediate skills will be introduced on a project-by-project basis. Set up as a 2-day class with homework in between. Registration Required.

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.

Adult Zumba with Aimee

6 - 7 p.m. through the Glen Carbon Library. This program has been changed to a virtual program for January due to Covid-19 positivity rates in the area. Log in to Zoom for a fun night of Zumba from the comfort of your own home with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Registration required.

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

Medicare Q&A with Jon Bergmann

6 - 7 p.m. at Glen Carbon Library in the Youth Room. Bring your questions on how to register and what is covered when you sign up for Medicare. Please wear a mask. Requires Registration.

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.

STEM Activity Kits

2 p.m. at the Glen Carbon Library. Registration required. Do you enjoy exploring science, technology, engineering and math in fun and crafty ways? Then register for a to-go STEM kit. Once a month, the library will dive deep into a project for the whole family.

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

Adult Zumba with Aimee

6 - 7 p.m. through the Glen Carbon Library. This program has been changed to a virtual program for January due to Covid-19 positivity rates in the area. Log in to Zoom for a fun night of Zumba from the comfort of your own home with a Zumba Fitness instructor. Registration required.

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.
EDWARDSVILLE  Oaxaca Margarita Bar & Restaurant is set to open Monday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Alejandra Perez and her husband Rolando Juarez partnered with another family member, Dagoberto Garcia, to open the bar and restaurant, which is located at 6185 Bennett Dr., Suite D right off the campus of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and next to the new 1818 Chophouse location.

Perez, having moved here during her middle school years, graduated from Edwardsville High School in 2012, and wanted to stay in the area because of the quality of the school district.

Perez, Juarez and Garcia and their families are from Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico.

The Intelligencer was invited to be shown around the bar and restaurant before the official open date and learn about what Oaxaca brings to the table, literally.

Walking in the door, you notice the bright, lively colors and the handmade artwork around the bar and restaurant.

We want to make it a fun atmosphere, Perez said. I feel like in Edwardsville, we need a happy place.

With the main focus being margaritas, Oaxaca boasts as the first margarita bar in the southern Illinois and Metro area.

Instead of using traditional tequila that may be seen at bars, Oaxaca uses mezcal. Though the alcoholic drinks are from the same plant, mezcal has a strong smoky flavor and has an alcohol content of roughly 55 percent, compared to tequilas 40 percent.

On the distinctly designed and colorful menus, Oaxaca offers 20 specialty margaritas and in total, has more than 50 different flavors. Each week, a new flavor will be chosen as the special of the week.

The bar area seats roughly 40 and the restaurant as a whole can seat another 100 people. A patio area is planned to be added in the next couple months when spring approaches. The patio is slated to feature an additional 20 tables and live music, with a DJ on Thursday nights.

Were really excited, Juarez said.

Perez added, weve been planning this a long time. We both grew up here and we want to give something fun to Edwardsville. Were really thankful for everyone who helped make this happen.

Since most Mexican restaurants in the area use more dishes from northern Mexico, Oaxaca, being a southern state, will have a mixture of Tex-Mex food, with authentic dishes from Oaxaca, including Tlayudas, which are a large and thin corn tortilla smeared with black beans, topped with cabbage, quesillo (Oaxaca cheese) and homemade salsa, with a choice of grilled chicken or grilled steak. A crispy finish is achieved through toasting over an open flame.

Another authentic Oaxaca dish to be served is the enchiladas de mole, which is three shredded chicken enchiladas with the traditional mole oaxaqueno, fresh cheese, sour cream, onions, and paired with rice and beans. Mole is the national dish of Mexico and the Oaxacan states are noted as the best place to get the dish.

The chef and cooks are originally from Oaxaca and other restaurant workers and servers are SIUE students. Perez saw this as a way to give more jobs to local college students for an opportunity to gain experience.

After six months of construction and planning, Oaxaca will open Monday. The bar and restaurant hours are Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to midnight, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For additional information, visit https://oaxacamargaritabar.com.
GLEN CARBON  During Tuesdays board meeting, trustees unanimously approved a Springfield firm to provide professional consulting engineering services related to the villages planned water treatment plant, alternatives and costs.



Scott Hunt, a municipal team project manager with WHKS, spoke to the mayor and trustees.



We submitted a professional services agreement, a PSA, to the committee for consideration, Hunt said. What it covers is bringing the village some updated numbers. The last water treatment plant report the village did was in 2018 with another [engineering] firm. It evaluated several options for the village to proceed with some version of a connection to neighboring communities or building your own water treatment plant.



They will also evaluate and update data in the 2018 report  existing infrastructure, adequacy and anticipated life expectancy of equipment.



What this PSA covers is the portion of that report that recommended your own water treatment plant.



He said the scope will also bring the numbers and data from the previous report in line with current costs. General supply-and-demand, the pandemic and supply chain issues all play roles in rising costs of materiel, labor and other factors over the past three years.



Well look at the report, well make sure that you have a good set of numbers moving forward to compare to the other alternatives, Hunt said. Well also review that report for treatment recommendations. There were specific treatment types recommended for the new plant. Well evaluate those to see if we agree with those recommendations.



Another part of the scope is to drill a test well. Another company will drill the well to assess the well field groundwater for quantity and quality.



So, starting off, we know your water quality from the very beginning, Hunt said. WHKS will help the village with that assessment, review the water quality results then compare them to the 2018 results to ensure the treatment matches water quality. They will evaluate treatment technology based on the results of the test well.



WHKS will also help the village in dealing with aspects that involve the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).



Hunt estimates that the assessment will be complete by April 1, but it is contingent on water quality samples from the test well.



The total cost will be $44,700, including groundwater assessment and technical assistance. A copy of the project planning report that will be turned over to the IEPA will include the 2018 water treatment plant report and WHKS own findings as an addendum.



Besides the cost of its own water treatment plant, alternatives include cost of joining Maryvilles water system and continuing the possibility of purchasing water from Illinois-American Water beyond 2026, when the villages current agreement ends.



The next village trustee meeting is Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. in village hall, 151 N. Main St.
Wiser minds than mine have said that at some point we will be obligated to speak out against a wrong. My time apparently has come.

It is probable that you did not know that last week the Illinois legislature passed a law targeting Madison County that will deny a right to vote to two thirds of this county. The historical right, for two hundred years in Illinois, has been for citizens to be able to elect their judges and to later decide whether that judge should be retained in office. A bill specific to our county, originally sponsored by, then supported by, and voted for by Senator Rachelle Crowe and Representative Katie Stuart will now prohibit two thirds of us from having a vote on those issues. The bill was immediately signed by Governor Pritzker and is now a law.

I have reviewed the law. It is a complex matter, but I will simplify. The county will be divided into three districts for judgeship elections. In general terms, Section A is the western part from Venice north through Granite City, Wood River to Alton; B extends through most of Edwardsville south through Maryville and Collinsville; C is everything east of that and north of Edwardsville, i.e Highland, Hamel, Bethalto, Godfrey, and to parts of Alton. (A has been gerrymandered to extend one long distortion through the north of Edwardsville reportedly to include the residences of a few chosen candidates). Each area is purported to have the same voter population.

Out of eight possible circuit judgeships, the first three vacancy elections for a judge will go to A, the next three to B, and lastly, C will only get two. There are two vacancy elections now set for 2022, but the lawmakers have been told that a Democratic judge will soon announce that he will not seek retention and thus a third seat opens. In the last week before official campaigns may begin, the new law now will require that a candidate for judge must reside in a district to run in that district. Two Republican judges now in office, not residents of A, who have long made public their intent to run, and have begun preparations, will be forced to, within one week, move their residences to the new district A.

The new law provides that voters in districts B and C will never have a vote in these elections in A. In a probable violation of the Illinois Constitution, they will never have a vote in whether those judges elected in A should be retained. If judgeships open in the other districts, two thirds of the county will again be deprived of any vote to elect or retain those judges. As structured, also taking into consideration the redistricting again in ten years, it is likely that as a resident of districts B or C, you may not have an opportunity for many years, if ever, to decide who runs your courts. The right to decide who hears our cases, in criminal and civil, our divorces, our injury claims, any of our lawsuits, will be restricted or removed entirely.

The most sinister part of this law against our voters includes the following. Only Madison County will lose the right to vote on a county wide basis in any new judge's retention election. No voters in any other county will lose that right. Similar redistricting for other counties specifically protects that right; for Madison County it is omitted. No other county in Illinois will have the unbalanced assignment of judges as ordered for us. No other county will have all new judgeships assigned to one district rather than equally distributed. No other county will have the law in effect immediately to alter the 2022 election while it is in progress. No other county will be forced into immediate changes to filing, petitioning, and deadline requirements. No other county will be forced to have the County Clerk immediately modify ballots and districts to accommodate these last minute changes. There are several more issues that follow along this disruptive line including nearly impossible deadlines for the Illinois Board of Elections and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.

This is not just an internal courthouse problem. This is a direct assault on a citizen's long cherished right to decide who it will entrust with administering the law and justice. It is an effort to deprive us all and to limit our ability to decide who will hold these offices and have this power. The claim is made that this is for the sake of diversity. That is an obvious charade and can be dismissed after a moment's consideration. It appears to have been structured specifically to target Madison County citizens, but I foresee a costly backfire against the designers and presumed beneficiaries of this law.

A further consequence of this law will be the start of a vicious cycle of highly politicized judicial elections injecting corrupting interference and partisanship into the courts. I was a judge in this circuit for nearly twenty years. I know that while we had our differences, my brother and sister judges set aside politics and focused on doing our best to attain fairness and just results. This new law brings political interference and attacks to the court system and will almost assuredly result in bitter and expensive election fights, the near certain and frequent removal of judges by retention losses, wholesale replacement of associate judges, and great damage to the trust and prestige we grant to the courts. Some good judges will not seek to stay and face the vicious politics; and bad judges may be untouchable and remain. None of this is good for anyone in the county.

While sitting judges are prohibited from speaking on this, I ask others to join in a statement with me that this law is simply wrong and is unjustified. I ask other civic organizations to make clear that removing these rights of voters is a dangerous and improper act. The Democratic party, the Republican party, bar associations, civic clubs, the county, cities and towns, League of Women Voters, thoughtful individuals, all your voices are needed.

I will gladly meet with Representative Stuart or Senator Crowe in any public forum to discuss this legislated bombshell. How can it possibly be right for our own legislators to limit our ability to govern ourselves and participate in critical elections? In the meantime, I ask those legislators to renounce this law and to immediately introduce legislation, with their expressed full support, to repeal this indefensible assault upon our Courts and our Madison County voters.
Eagles are returning to their winter homes in southwest Illinois and the region is ready to welcome visitors from around the Midwest to southwest Illinois for the winter travel season. Our area is more commonly known for summer and fall travel, however the winter months between late December and early March have become just as popular with visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the American bald eagle and other birds that call the Mississippi River home for winter.

The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau has several options for visitors to enjoy the American bald eagle. Every Saturday in January visitors can hop on a shuttle tour in Alton or Grafton. In Alton, the popular 45-minute guided eagle tours will showcase the best places to see wintering eagles. Tickets are $10 per person. The remaining tours are scheduled for Jan. 22 and 29 and will begin and end at the Alton Visitor Center, 200 Piasa St., Alton. Tours are available at 10 a.m. and noon.

Grafton eagle watching guided shuttle tours are two hours and will begin and end at the Grafton Visitor Center, 950 E. Main St., Grafton. Tours are available Jan. 22 and 29 at 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $23 per person. Tickets for both tours must be purchased in advance on the tourism bureaus website at www.riversandroutes.com

Eagle watching guided tours are a great way to celebrate the winter tourism season. We want to encourage people to take an eagle watching road trip to visit the region and guided tours are a large part of that adventure. During the winter months, up to 1,000 eagles call the region home. Seeing eagles in the wild is a one-of-a-kind experience that really seems to light up outdoor activities in southwest Illinois.

In addition to the guided tours, the Tourism Bureau is also encouraging self-guided eagle watching with its eagle watching mobile passport. The Eagle Watching Passport, which is free to download to mobile phones, encourages self-guided eagle watching tours and provides users with an opportunity to enter to win a three-day, two-night stay in the region in 2022 after checking in to five different locations. The passport is available to download on the bureau's website.

A video accompanies each passport stop on the passport to provide more information about the locations. The videos were created by Pere Marquette State Park Site Interpreter Kayla Alexander.

Annually, the opportunities for eagle watching continue to grow along the Great River Road in southwest Illinois. The Tourism Bureau continues to invest in product and partner events with the National Great Rivers Museum and the Audubon Center at Riverlands to encourage more visitors to the region to overnight and spend money locally at our attractions, shops, and restaurants. This year the Tourism Bureau is spending $35,000 in digital advertising to target potential visitors in St. Louis, Central Illinois, Chicago, Indiana, and Paducah-Kentucky.

Visitors can head out to view the eagles on their own, or they can take part in some of the traditional eagle watching events in the region, including eagle meet & greets, eagle watching tours and live bird demonstrations. Events take place nearly every weekend and throughout the week in January.

For visitors who would like to make eagle watching a winter getaway, there are numerous eagle packages and specials available at hotels and bed & breakfast inns in Alton, Grafton, and Elsah. Local shops, restaurants and pubs are open on the weekends to welcome visitors with specials and eagle merchandise.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

A mix of clouds and sunshine with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds SSW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low 38F. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.
Sevierville, TN (37876)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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The Chairman of Cubana group of companies, Obi Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana was on Thursday January 13 interrogated by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for an alleged link to the illegal drugs business.

Obi Cubana was questioned for about five hours at the Abuja headquarters of the NDLEA before he was granted bail and asked to return at a future date.

Sources told the publication that suspicious payments were made into Cubanas account by three convicted drug dealers from Malaysia, Nigeria and India.

It was further gathered that operatives of the NDLEA and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have now widened the probe into Cubana and his business network, based on the premise that he may be involved in the drug business.

The source told the publication; Obi Cubana arrived at the NDLEA office around 9am and responded to questions for some hours before he was granted bail at 2pm. There are suspicions that he may be a drug kingpin. Some convicted drug dealers paid funds into his account.

We have been able to establish three of such payments. One of the persons that paid money into his account was convicted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; another one that was convicted in New Delhi, India; also paid money into his account while a third person that was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and convicted in 2017, also paid money into Cubanas account."

Cubana is reportedly expected to present some documents to NDLEA on their next meeting.

The socialite who has been in the nightclub business since 2006, grabbed international headlines last July when he organised a lavish funeral for his mother, Ezinne Iyiegbu, in Oba, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State.

He disclosed how he made his money during an interview with BBC Pidgin months ago. According to him, he came to Abuja for his National Youth Service Corps programme in 1999 and served at the National Assembly.

The 46-year-old said he went into the real estate business where he got a contract to furnish houses. The socialite added that he got a contract with the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company and later ventured into the hospitality sector where he has made billions of naira.

He has since opened branches of Cubana club in about five states including Imo, Lagos, Rivers, Enugu and Abuja.

Some of Obi Cubana's associates who have also been grilled include Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest; and the Chairman, Five Star Group, Emeka Okonkwo aka E-Money.
95% of Phuket new COVID cases are Green patients

PHUKET: An estimated 95% of all new COVID-19 cases being detected in Phuket are resulting in mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all, Dr Witita Jang-iam, Deputy Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, has confirmed.

COVID-19Coronavirushealthtourism

By The Phuket News

Friday 14 January 2022, 01:19PM

Dr Witita Jang-iam, Deputy Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, confirmed the news yesterday (Jan 13). Photo: Radio Thailand Phuket

Dr Witita said yesterday (Jan 13) that the number of people across the island confirmed to be infected with Omicron continued to spiral upward.

However, she added, The lack of serious infections is why provincial authorities are placing emphasis on Home Isolation Treatment, so we can reserve hospital beds for critically ill patients.

Dr Witita noted local health officials had been monitoring the rising number of new infections since the New Year celebrations.

But from the analysis of the data we have found that most of the infected, more than 95%, were Green patients. That is, there are no symptoms at all or that there are very few symptoms, she said.

And only 0.5% to 1% required admission to the ICU, or were Red patients. It can be confirmed that Omicron is a much less dangerous virus strain than Delta, she added.

This may be due to many factors. For example, a lot of the people of Phuket have received vaccinations. This may have helped create group immunity, and now when an infection occurs the body can react quickly, so the person is infected but not seriously ill, Dr Witita explained.

Dr Witita pointed out that initial preparations for treatment of people infected in the latest outbreak saw every government hospital set up a special respiratory clinic.

But from the increase in the number of infected people in Phuket, which has been in the hundreds each day, this service in each hospital is not enough, she said.

Therefore, we would like to emphasise that people should help each other strictly maintain personal protection measures, such as wearing a mask, washing their hands and not being in a crowded community. Avoiding eating with others will also help. We believe that no matter which strain of the virus it is, this will help prevent it from being able to enter the body, she added.

To help alleviate the caseload on local hospitals, the government is calling for all local people who test positive by ATK (antigen test kit) to contact the Aunjai Clinic, set up at the Auditorium of the new Phuket Provincial Hall on the south side of Phuket Town.

The Aunjai Clinic provides services for those who have tested positive for ATK and can travel to the Aunjai Clinic for treatment, Dr Witita said.

In addition to the Aunjai Clinic, the Phuket Covid-19 Call Center hotline has been opened at 076-254200 to provide advice on treatment guidelines or coordinate referrals for infected people to receive treatment according to the standard procedure, she said.

The Phuket Covid-19 Call Center hotline has staff who also speak English. A foreigner can press 88 [when asked by the recorded service], and the service will be available in English.

This is for the convenience and confidence of the people of Phuket and tourists who are staying in the Phuket area now, she added.
Another false alarm over COVID-positive tourist missing

PHUKET: A Russian tourist who was reported to the 191 police hotline for disappearing from his room at a hotel in Patong after testing positive for COVID-19 has been found safe and sound  at his hotel room in Patong.

tourismhealthCOVID-19patong

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 14 January 2022, 09:17AM

Tourist Police question the Russian man at his hotel room in Patong. Photo: Supplied

News reports began circulating yesterday afternoon after local reporters were alerted that the 191 police hotline had informed Patong Police to be on the lookout for the Russian man, a 25-year-old. Copies of the Russians passport were circulated, along with a copy of laboratory test results issued by Vachira Phuket Hospital confirming that the man had tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday (Jan 10). The reports urged people to notify police of his whereabouts by calling the 191 hotline or the Patong Police by calling 076-342769 (24 hours). Tourist Police began their search, and by 5:30pm Maj Boonyarit Inthakarn of the Patong Tourist Police Patrol had confirmed that the Russian man had returned to his hotel. The man said he was feeling stressed, and went to get some fresh air on Patong Beach, he added.
Approved Test & Go travellers can arrive after deadline

BANGKOK: Travellers who were previously approved for the Test & Go Thailand Pass can enter the country after the Jan 15 deadline, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

CoronavirusCOVID-19healthtourism

By Bangkok Post

Friday 14 January 2022, 05:51PM

International passengers arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport on Dec 20. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb / file

The concession was announced by CCSA assistant spokeswoman Apisamai Srirangson this afternoon (Jan 14), reports the Bangkok Post.

Dr Apisamai said 30% of the approved Test & Go travellers had arrived before the New Year, and this rose to 50% during the New Year holiday.

The government earlier suspended the one-night quarantine Test & Go entry programme indefinitely as Omicron variant infections began to spread rapidly.

However, previously approved Test & Go registrants were allowed to continue arriving, and the deadline was extended from Jan 10 to Jan 15.

Previously approved travellers can still arrive after the Jan 15 (this Saturday) deadline. The CCSA at its next meeting will consider additional measures, Dr Apisamai said.

Officials were monitoring the condition of arrivals in this group, as well as those in the Sandbox entry programme. They would ensure that infections did not overload the local health system, she said.
Supergirl ready for Barbie in ONE showdown

MMA: Thai teenage star Supergirl Jaroonsak Muaythai is ready to take on Ekaterina Barbie Vandaryeva in what will be her second appearance in ONE Championship in Singapore this evening (Jan 14).

Muay-ThaiMMA

By Bangkok Post

Friday 14 January 2022, 08:45AM

Supergirl (right) in action during a recent fight. Photo: Bangkok Post

The 18-year-old high school senior, who switched camps recently, has been training at Marrok Force MMA in Bangkok to prepare for her strawweight Muay Thai bout against Vandaryeva at ONE: Heavy Hitters at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Although the Thai is 11 years younger than her opponent, the Bangkok resident owns a 38-5-1 record.

Not everything depends on age and strength, Supergirl said. There are things I can use to fight her, like my techniques.

One of those techniques is her spearing knee, a weapon shes perfected and is feared for. Being the taller fighter, Supergirl will, no doubt, try to use it.

However, she also must be wary of the Belarusians strengths, especially the kicks.

Her kicks are super fast, and she looks quite stronger than I am, so Im now trying to bulk up, she said.

Supergirl is no stranger to the ONE circle. She made her debut at ONE: A New Breed II and scorched Milagros Lopez with a right hand just 60 seconds into the bout for the knockout victory.

Despite looking in top form, Supergirl admits she wasnt entirely in control of the bout. I was so nervous in that fight. I didnt really do what I thought [I should have], she said.

Everything happened from muscle memory. Like when I grabbed her leg and punched her, I didnt plan to do that. It happened automatically because once youre punched, you punch back.

When I won, I felt like it went so fast. I was so nervous, and it ended in just one minute. I didnt even put my all in yet.

Now that the Thai has got her first ONE match-up out of the way, she will be more comfortable in the circle against Vandaryeva.

In fact, the high schooler sent a stern warning to her opponent.

I might be young but my punches are not to be fooled around with, she warned.
Suspects in killing of Bengal tigers surrender

KANCHANABURI: Four men wanted for killing two Bengal tigers found skinned, their meat cooking on a grill, in a jungle camp near the Myanmar border surrendered to police yesterday (Jan 13).

animalscrimewildlifedeath

By Bangkok Post

Friday 14 January 2022, 10:33AM

Four men wanted for killing two Bengal tigers are escorted into a police van sent to pick them up at a road checkpoint in Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi, yesterday (Jan 13). Photo: Supplied / Piyarat Chongcharoen

They said the tigers had preyed regularly on their cattle, so they used a dead cow the big cats had killed as bait and shot them with borrowed guns, according to police.

Police and national park officials led by Thong Pha Phum police chief Pol Col Santi Pithaksakul, boarded a van to pick up the four suspects at a road checkpoint in tambon Pilok of Thong Pha Phum district around noon, reports the Bangkok Post. They were taken to Thong Pha Phum police station for further interrogation.

Earlier, national park officials had told reporters there were five suspects in the killing of the two tigers. Police said later there were four suspects, not five.

The four were identified as Kukue Yindee, 37, holder of the pink ID card issued to hilltribe people; Jorhaeng Phanarak, 38, also holder of a pink ID card; Supachai Charoensap, 34, and his brother Ratchanon Charoensap, 30. All were from tambon Pilok in Thong Pha Phum district.

During questioning, the four men told police that they raised cattle for a living. During the past two months, tigers had killed and eaten about 20 cows belonging to them and other local farmers.

They felt they had no choice but to put an end to it. They used the carcass of a cow killed by the tigers as bait, and lay in wait for them. They only wanted to get rid of the tigers killing their cattle, they said. They had no other motive.

They told the police that they had borrowed shotguns issued to some defence volunteers.

Charoen Chaichon, head of the Thong Pha Phum National Park, said yesterday that park officials had presented evidence gathered at a campsite near the border to investigators at Pilok police station.

The evidence included two slain female Bengal tigers, one shotgun, five shotgun cartridges, two home-made rifles, 176 rounds of ammunition, two bottles containing gunpowder, one bag of gunpowder, one loaded shotgun, a parcel envelop addressed to Dao Khongjitvivat, a pack of blood presure pills with the name Mrs Jorpae, and 22 ping-pong bombs, Mr Charoen said.

National park officials have sought permission from police investigators to keep the carcasses of the two Bengal tigers, four folding knives, three flashlights, one solar cell panel with its accessories, five hammocks, ropes and other items.

The national park chief said park officials Wanchai Soonkham and Uthen Buaroy had been assigned to file charges with Pilok police against the suspects for violations of the forest reserve law, the National Park Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.

A source said the suspects were local residents and planned to surrender to police later yesterday.

Niphon Chamnongsirisak, director of the Protected Area Regional Office 3 (Ban Pong), on Wednesday revealed the hunting and killing of the wild animals at the Thong Pha Phum National Park headquarters.

National park rangers seized the pelts of two Bengal tigers and other items at a campsite near the Myanmar border on Jan 9.

The hunters fled the campsite, leaving meat from the tigers cooking on a grill.
Clearfield, PA (16830)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. High 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. High 58F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

Tonight

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 44F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Tomorrow

Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. High 61F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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.
Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Generally cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 18C. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 11C. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
EDWARDSVILLE  A Collinsville woman was charged Thursday with kidnapping in a custodial case involving 2- and 4-year-old boys.

Myeisha L. Cook, 27, of Collinsville, was charged Jan. 13 with kidnapping, a Class 2 felony, and child abduction, a Class 4 felony.

The case was presented by the Collinsville Police Department.

According to court documents, on Jan. 11 Cook allegedly took the boys without the consent of their legal guardian and violated the terms of a Sept. 20 court order.

Bail was set at $50,000.

Other felony charges filed Jan. 13 include:

 Edward D. Burnett, 41, of Alton, was charged with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender (second subsequent offense), a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On Nov. 5 Burnett allegedly failed to register with Alton Police. The Illinois State Police Sex Offender database lists Burnett as a noncompliant sexual predator. He has prior convictions for failure to report a change of address/employment and criminal sexual assault out of Madison County. According to the database, the victim was 9 at the time and Burnett was 22. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Shaun A. Milleson, 49, of Highland, was charged with threatening a public official, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Highland Police Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 10 Milleson allegedly threatened a Highland police officer. Bail was set at $30,000.

 John C. Riddlespriger, 54, of the 2100 block of Hickory Street, Alton, was charged with domestic battery (three prior convictions), a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On Jan. 11 Riddlespriger allegedly spit in the face of a household or family member. He has prior Madison County convictions for domestic battery in 2005, 2010 and 2019. Bail was set at $40,000.

 Dmarcus M. Williams, 29, of Granite City, was charged with domestic battery (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Dec. 19 Williams allegedly struck a household or family member in the face with his hand. He has a 2017 Madison County conviction for aggravated domestic battery. Bail was set at $15,000.

 Thomas C. Pinkerton Jr., 26, of Granite City was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On Jan. 12 Pinkerton allegedly was driving a 1997 Dodge Ram when he attempted to flee from a Granite City police officer, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles per hour above the posted speed limit. Bail was set at $15,000.
EDWARDSVILLE  Legal action against a new state law creating judicial subdistricts in Madison County could be filed within a week, according to Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine.

At a special meeting Thursday the county board voted overwhelmingly to condemn the state law signed Jan. 7 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and authorized Haines office to consider legal action.

The board voted 21-2 for the resolution, with Jack Minner, D-Alton, and Victor Valentine, D-Edwardsville, the only no votes. Five members were absent.

Haine said his office will research how the law could be challenged and may bring in outside legal counsel. The county may challenge several specific parts of the bill that appear to target Madison County and take effect immediately.

I think there may be a viable lawsuit because of the short time-frame, Haine said, adding it might not impact the rest of the state.

The bill, which was amended and passed within hours on Jan. 5 by both houses of the General Assembly, required candidates for one of the new Madison County subcircuits to begin circulating nominating petitions Thursday, Jan. 13.

Current judges Amy Sholar and Christopher Threlkeld, both Republicans, had previously announced they would seek retention in the November election that originally included the entire circuit. Because of the new law, both have established new residencies within a week inside the newly created Subcircuit 1, a heavily Democratic region.

Many county board members on Thursday expressed outrage at the law.

The ability to choose our judges was literally stolen in the dead of night, said county board member Erica Conway-Harriss, R-Glen Carbon, who participated via telephone. This reeks of everything that voters hate about politics.

Mike Babcock, R-Bethalto, said the state law specifically targets two sitting Republican judges. He said values are shifting in the county and becoming more conservative, adding it was shameful what they (lawmakers) are doing to Madison County.

The new law creates four judicial subcircuits in the third Judicial Circuit, which includes Madison and Bond counties, effective immediately. It also creates, 2024, new subcircuits in the 7th Circuit which includes Morgan, Sangamon, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin and Scott counties, and in the circuit serving DuPage County. The bill also changes subcircuits in Cook, Kane, McHenry and Will counties.

This is a pure political move by certain people," said Mike Walters, R-Godfrey and chairman of the board's Judiciary Committee.

A common refrain among board members was that the new law disenfranchises two-thirds of the circuit's voters in the next judicial election, which is the June primary. Several board members also noted that, under the new law, some voters may not get to vote in a judicial race until 2030  and because the subcircuits will be revisited at that time, they could possibly not vote then.

Many board members complained nobody sought the opinions of local judges or other court officials their opinion,.

Not one judge was contacted, including (Chief Circuit Judge William) Mudge who is a Democrat, said Walters. Where I live we wont get to vote until 2030.

The only county board member to question the resolution was Bill Stoutenborough, D-Alton. His primary concern was how much a legal challenge could cost and the chances for success. He later voted in favor of the resolution.

State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Glen Carbon, and state Sen. Rachelle Crowe, D-Edwardsville, were criticized for voting in favor of the bill. Both were asked to attend Thursday's meeting. Crowe sent a representative who did not speak; Stuart did not attend. State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, also declined to attend, according to Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler.

State Rep. Amy Elik, R-Fosterburg, and Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, did attend the meeting. Both were very critical of the new law and how it was passed.

Its even worse than we thought, Elik said.

Plummer, a member of the Senate's Redistricting Committee, said it was never discussed in committee. He questioned who wrote the bill and created the maps.

This is a complete overreach by one branch of government to another branch, he said, adding that it is not supposed to work like this.

The bill originally dealt with court security; it was introduced in the House in February 2021 by Stuart and originally sponsored in the Senate by Crowe. On Jan. 5 it was amended by Illinois Senate President Dan Harmon, D-Oak Park, before being approved along party lines.

Madison County Democratic Party Chairman Randy Harris on Friday blasted Republicans for fake outrage.

He said the new judicial subcircuits creates more representation for some areas of the county, adding that "not one elected circuit judge currently lives within one of the newly created subcircuits.

Its not a coincidence that this Republican-led effort to disenfranchise an area of the county is made up of working-class, union, and minority voters," he said. "Basically, the Republicans dont think the voters of Alton, Granite City, Wood River, East Alton, Pontoon Beach, Madison and Venice deserve a voice on the judiciary and are going to do everything in their power to stop it."
To promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption and help establish a nationwide network of EV charging stations, five governors in the Midwest region (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota) agreed to join what they term the Regional Electric Vehicle Midwest Coalition. Based on the groups initiative, the goal of this coalition is to foster increased cooperation between participating states to advance our transportation sectors transition to EVs.

As the governors move forward with this collaboration, they must do the following: ensure that the private sector is a key stakeholder in these decisions, and advocate for policies that will produce the greatest number of EV charging stations, or risk hindering the transition to EVs.

The most effective strategy for the deployment of EV infrastructure is the same as what resulted in fueling stations being conveniently located across the country  fair competition and private sector investment.

Utility companies are usually at the forefront of lawmakers minds when it comes to EVs. With the need to meet increased electricity demands to accommodate this initiative, they deserve that consideration in the process. However, utility companies are often provided government funding AND can use their monopoly on energy production to eliminate competition in the EV charging market.

One anti-competitive advantage that is allowing utility companies to corner this emerging marketplace is demand charges, which are extra fees utility companies charge for electrical usage during peak times to ensure the electrical grid is prepared to withstand energy needs.

Small businesses are often overburdened by these charges, thus discouraged from moving forward with EV charging installations.

Many small fuel stops and convenience stores have tried to join the EV transition and host direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations. These chargers allow EV customers to charge their cars in a shorter time frame. But, when a DCFS is used, it almost always peaks energy usage, triggering additional fees. When added to the basic cost of electricity, EV chargers quickly become unprofitable. According to research, nearly all businesses operating DCFC chargers lose money.

Another unfair advantage is that utility companies are getting approved to increase fees on their current ratepayers to cover the cost of constructing and operating EV chargers, where convenience stores and other fueling stations must use private capital for this investment.

This ability for utility companies to unfairly compete in this market will inevitably lead to fewer EV charging stations, given how vital the private sector's role is in fueling our transportation sector. Therefore, the private sector must be among the key stakeholders that are brought to this discussion to create a fair partnership for fund development.

When these governors state they will develop an approach informed by industry, academic, and community engagement, I hope the private sector will have their voices heard. Small fuel stops were an invaluable asset to creating the interconnected national transportation network we all know today, and they will continue to help forge a new EV future if lawmakers support fair competition.
Once again, the post of legislative inspector general is vacant.

The Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission needs to get its act together and appoint a new inspector general. Right now, the Legislature has no watchdog investigating corruption in its ranks.

That is not a good state of affairs.

Carol Pope, the legislative inspector general since 2019, announced in July she was leaving the job, but the commission has been unable to agree on recommending a replacement. Ordinarily, that might not necessarily raise a red flag, but before Pope, the office was unoccupied for four years. Illinois cant afford to make a habit of letting such an important office sit empty.

Weve seen this sorry scenario play our before, with dire results. In 2017, while no one held the job of legislative inspector general, a victims rights advocate testified her sexual harassment complaint against a state senator went nowhere for more than a year. More recently, no investigation has been started into a complaint filed on Dec. 23 because there is no inspector general to do it.

That is no way to handle allegations of wrongdoing.

According to Popes letter of resignation, her last day was Thursday. The opportunity for a seamless transition to a new inspector general has already been squandered because no date has been set for both the House and Senate to be back in session and in a position to confirm a new inspector general. The Legislature adjourned last week without discussing the matter.

According to news reports, the four Republicans on the eight-person commission want to recommend Joseph Hartzler, a former assistant U.S. attorney who helped to prosecute convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. The four Democrats prefer former federal prosecutor David Risley, who has the advantage of having worked as an investigator under Pope. Both Hartzler and Risley worked in the administration of former Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Any recommendation or recommendations by the commission are sent to the Legislature for a final vote.

Reportedly, Democrats on the commission think the Republicans are trying to force through their preferred candidate by ignoring other qualified applicants and forcing the Legislature to take the GOP choice. Republicans say the Democrats are trying to add their own candidate to the list of recommendations because they know the Democratic majorities in the Legislature will have the final say.

Its unfortunate the recommendation process has not been completed in a transparent and bipartisan fashion.

Impartial, zealous and cautious

Picking an inspector general requires thoughtful consideration. A candidate must not only be impartial but also should be both zealous about investigating ethical violations and be cautious about unfairly going after people because of ordinary mistakes. Former Executive Inspector General James Wright, for example, was accused of the latter when he urged then-Attorney General Lisa Madigan to file a complaint against former Gov. Pat Quinns chief of staff, Jerry Stermer, after Stermer reported he accidentally responded to three non-government messages on his state cell phone instead of his personal one.

Last spring, the Legislature passed a bipartisan ethics reform measure that gave the inspector general authority to issue subpoenas, a long-sought reform. But the IG still must get the commissions permission to issue those subpoenas and to make public reports on lawmakers who engaged in misconduct. That didnt sit well with Pope, a former prosecutor and appellate court judge, who called for more independence, as did her two predecessors. Even after last years reforms, she said the office remains a paper tiger.

State Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, has introduced a bill with additional proposals, including barring elected officials from sitting on the commission, giving the legislative inspector generals office independent subpoena power and broadening access to commission minutes for journalists and the public, ideas that were floated in 2020 before the Joint Committee on Ethics and Lobbying.

But even if more reforms are put into place, they wont make much of a difference if there is no qualified, fair-minded inspector general to investigate legislative corruption.

Fill the job.
SPRINGFIELD  Last year was a deadly year for police officers.

A report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows 458 officers died in 2021, a 55% jump compared to 2020 and the most since 1930.

COVID-19 was the leading cause of death, followed by gunfire and traffic accidents.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Marcia Ferranto said 62 officers died by gunfire.

Five of those officers were from Illinois, including Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmins who was fatally shot Oct. 26 when he approached a suspected stolen vehicle. Scott Hyden, 31, of Highland, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm at a peace officer, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, offenses relating to motor vehicles, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon.

When you look at what is happening on around the country today, there is no mistake that crime is up, Ferranto said.

Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association, is concerned about several new criminal justice reform laws in Illinois, especially the ending of cash bail.

Now you are talking about subjecting that statewide, Kaitschuck said. I think it was Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart who reported the other day indicating he was aware of 90 murder suspects that are on electronic monitors. Murder suspects. Thats crazy.

The NLEOMF report shows ambush-style murders of police officers were up more than 300% from six in 2020 to 19 in 2021.

There were 58 officers killed in traffic-related incidents in 2021, with 27 being "struck-by" fatalities. Despite Scotts Law in Illinois which requires motorists to move over when passing a vehicle on the side of the road, many of these fatal struck-by crashes occurred while officers were investigating motor vehicle crashes or assisting motorists. Struck-by fatalities represent an increase of 93% over this time last year.

The average officer was 48 when he or she died, the report states. The youngest officer was 21, while the oldest was 79.

Of the 458 officers who died, 417 were men and 41 were women. The average officer left behind two children.
According to a Gallup poll last year, just 12 percent of Americans have confidence in Congress. Thanks to a recent communication I received from Rep. Rodney Davis, the Republican who represents me in the House of Representatives, I now have a better understanding why that poll number is so depressingly low.

The text of Davis message is as follows:

January 6 marks one year since the riots at the Capitol. The actions of those who breached the Capitol were lawless and wrong. Those who broke the law that day should be punished as the law requires and face the consequences of their actions.

As the top Republican charged with oversight of the Capitol Complexs security, it pains me to say that we are in no better position to avoid a similar breach of the Capitol today because Speaker Pelosi has failed to address the serious security vulnerabilities that still exist.

The Democrats have been more interested in exploiting January 6 for political purposes and pursuing phony investigations of President Trump instead of securing the Capitol.

Thats why I voted no on and have consistently spoken out against Pelosis sham January 6 Select Committee. I will continue to hold Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats accountable for playing politics with the Capitols security.

The first paragraph receives a hearty Amen! from this columnist. The Jan. 6 assault on our nations seat of government was an outrage. More than 150 police officers  86 from the Capitol Police and 65 from the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington  suffered injuries ranging from bruises and lacerations to concussions and rib fractures. Five police officers died in connection with the insurrection.

Davis denunciation of the rioters distinguishes him from the more extreme members of his party. Georgia Congressman Andrew Clyde had the gall to liken the insurrection as nothing more than a normal tourist visit. Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar admonished the FBI for seeking leads from the public to track down and arrest persons he praised as peaceful patriots.

Farnoush Amiri of the Associated Press related an incident that epitomizes the envenomed mindset of the insurrectionists. A group of officers testified to Congress in July about the physical and verbal abuse they faced from supporters of former President Donald Trump, Amiri wrote. Harry Dunn, a Black officer, recalled an exchange he had with rioters who disputed that Biden defeated Trump.

When Dunn told the rioters that he had voted for Biden, mob members responded with racial epithets. A woman wearing a pink MAGA shirt yelled, You hear that, guys! This **** voted for Joe Biden! At that point, about 20 mob members joined this woman in screaming, Boo! ***!" Dunn stated in his testimony. He told Congress that he had never before been called that racial epithet while in uniform. Later that night, Dunn said, he sat in the Capitol Rotunda and wept.

Yes, the first paragraph of Davis message rocks. Unfortunately, however, the next three paragraphs are a train wreck.

Davis obviously has no desire to anger the Trump supporters who reside  and vote  in his congressional district, so he completely ignores Trump's role in instigating the attack on our Capitol. Trumps speech at the rally preceding the insurrection reiterated the lie hes been peddling to gullible Americans since last November: that Democrats stole the election. You dont concede when theres theft involved, Trump told the crowd. We will not take it anymore. Trump goaded the crowd into taking action. If you dont fight like hell youre not going to have a country anymore.

Trump  the leader of your party  is responsible for the Jan. 6 insurrection, Congressman Davis, whether or not you choose to acknowledge it. Theres nothing phony about investigating Trumps role in this outrage. Democratic lawmakers and a few Republicans such as Liz Cheney take attempted coups very seriously. Trump and his co-conspirators ultimately will be held accountable for their actions.
EDWARDSVILLE  After one week of online learning, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is returning to in-person classes.

Some SIUE faculty, staff and students are not happy with the decision.

On Jan. 6, SIUE announced it would shift courses online for the first week of the spring semester, starting on Jan. 10 and extending through Jan. 17 (the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday).

On Wednesday, it was announced on-ground classes for the SIU System campuses in both Edwardsville and Carbondale will resume Tuesday, Jan. 18. In response, three Illinois Education Association (IEA) unions issued a joint statement Friday morning unhappy with the decision.

The three unions  the SIUE Faculty Association, the non-tenure track Faculty Association and the Professional Staff Association  represent more than 850 faculty and staff.

The press release stated the SIU Board and System President Dan Mahoney have mandated all classes be returned to face-to-face, although the COVID rate on campus continues to climb.

The board and president are putting students, faculty, and staff at risk at a time when the positivity rate, both on campus and in the community in which we live and work, has never been higher, said President Ed Navarre, representing 400 tenure-line faculty at SIUE. We cant help but feel that we are being treated as expendable.

The statement added that the seven-day average for COVID-19 positivity rate among students and employees at SIUE jumped to 13% before most students even returned to campus. According to SIUEs mitigation plan, a campus positivity rate of 8% automatically triggers restrictions.

However, students and employees who are symptomatic are excluded from campus data because they are required to test off campus, the statement read. Additionally, the mitigation plan does not consider the positivity rate in the surrounding community, which has skyrocketed to 24%, giving the Metro East a higher positivity rate than the Chicago area.

We had only two days notice to completely overhaul the first week of classes, and now in the middle of the first week, we get two days notice to shift everything back, Navarre said. This is not how quality, thoughtful teaching is done, and it is certainly not how faculty and staff want to do things at SIUE.

Michele Lorenzini, president of the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association, also expressed disappointment with the decision to return to on-ground classes.

The board and presidents mandate is not well-organized, Lorenzini said. For example, there is no mechanism for mandatory campus testing to be enforced. Also, faculty wont know by Tuesday which students were not tested, or tested positive, and are not allowed in the classroom.

"The administration promised to provide KN95 masks to all faculty, too, but those masks wont be here by Tuesday," she said. Meanwhile, offices are required to de-densify, indicating that they know the infection rate is too high to safely be on campus. Yet all the classrooms have been returned to full capacity, so faculty and students will not have social distancing.

Starting Jan. 18, SIUE will require all students, staff and faculty to test each week, regardless of vaccination status, if they will be living, working, studying or engaging with campus during that week.

We anticipate that we will continue this practice until the Omicron surge has subsided, a campus message released on Wednesday read.

With the shift to on-ground and hybrid instruction, SIUE will expand its multi-layer approach to safety:

 Weekly testing expectations are broadening to include all campus community members who engage on-ground.

 De-densification of office spaces continues to be encouraged, to the extent possible, while ensuring critical student support.

 Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to wear more protective masks. SIUE said it has ordered an additional supply of masks with improved protection (level-3 surgical and KN95) that will be distributed to campus, once received.

 SIUE community members are strongly encouraged to complete a primary series of the COVID vaccine and receive a booster.

The SIUE union press release noted the highest positivity rates in Madison County are among 12- to 39-year-olds.

While the campus has an approximately 80% vaccination rate, the booster is not required, the statement read. Additionally, the SIUE campus includes the Head Start program, serving students who are too young to be vaccinated.

Kim McClellan represents about 200 members, both grant-funded employees at the East St. Louis center and Head Start program, and counselors and advisors on the Edwardsville campus.

McClellan, likewise, spoke against the decision to reinstate in-person learning.

Jeopardizing student-facing staff during a pandemic goes against the university's stated values of wisdom and integrity, McClellan said.

McClellan also discussed a perceived lack of guidance in the system-wide mandate for the Pre-K-12 population at the East St Louis Center.

The community we serve includes families, students, and staff from among the most vulnerable populations, McClellan said. The mandate is silent about how we should keep trying to keep staff and students safe with such limited resources and options.

Navarre cited the Edwardsville School District as an example of how Metro East schools are struggling to deal with rising COVID numbers.

We look at how difficult things are in the District 7 schools in our community, Navarre said. So many people are sick and this variant spreads so quickly. We want our SIUE community to be as safe as possible, so were uncertain why these decisions from the board and president in Carbondale put our community in danger.

"SIUE's eventual decision to shift to remote learning on Jan. 10 was the responsible one, Lorenzini added. The SIU System's decision to go back on-ground en masse Jan. 18 defies all of the data."

Some SIUE students have begun a petition to give SIUE more options for safe learning. As of 4 p.m. Friday, the petition had 732 signatures.

After only one week of online learning, SIUE is reinstating in-person classes despite a nationwide COVID resurgence, the petition read. We as a student body understand both sides of the issue as some of our classmates have had to put their academic careers on hold for quite some time due to this ongoing global pandemic.

The petition noted the current wave of COVID is more difficult to detect within the first days of infection, making a negative test less of a buffer than it was previously.

Testing inaccuracies combined with the fact that certain classes have the potential to exceed 200 students poses the potential to spread the virus quickly and with devastating consequences, the petition read. SIUE must consider that COVID is not ending anytime soon and provide its students with long-term solutions that give them the option to continue learning while also feeling safe.
EDWARDSVILLE  A jury deliberated for less than 45 minutes before finding Brady Witcher guilty in a 2019 triple slaying that capped a crime spree from Alabama to Illinois.

Witcher, 43, of Birmingham, Alabama, had been charged with nine separate counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery in the Dec. 19, 2019 shooting of Shari Yates, 59; her son, Andrew AJ Brooks, 30; and John McMillian, 32.

The killings capped what prosecutors called a crime spree that included kidnapping and torture.

Sentencing will be set at a later date, according to Madison County States Attorney Tom Haine, Witcher faces natural life in prison. Haine also said it has not been determined if Witcher will be sent to Tennessee or Alabama to stand trial for other crimes.

These murders shocked the entire Madison County community, Haine said. We are glad the jury agreed that the evidence clearly showed that Brady Witcher is a heartless murderer. It was a dark day when he and his co-defendant drove into our community, fleeing crimes in multiple other states, and destroyed so many lives. With this verdict, the families of Shari, AJ, and John can know both of these killers will spend the rest of their lives in jail.

During closing arguments, Assistant States Attorney Lauren Maricle sited overwhelming evidence that Witcher and his girlfriend, Brittany McMillan, 30, also of Birmingham, went on a cross-country crime spree that culminated in a horrific massacre of the three victims by Witcher.

He methodically executed every single human being at that home, Maricle said.

She said the two had left others alive at previous crime scenes, and decided not to leave any witnesses in Bethalto.

He walked into Shari Yates home and executed three people, Maricle said. All for a Ford Fusion that Shari Yates probably would have just given to him.

Defense attorney Steve Griffen attempted to place the blame for the murders with Brittany McMillan, who had previously pleaded guilty.

He said there is no direct evidence that Witcher ever entered the house.

However, Maricle pointed out that Witchers gun, a .45 caliber handgun, was positively identified as the murder weapon, and Witcher had admitted to a corrections officer at the Madison County Jail that he had killed the three victims.

She also said it did not matter if Witcher was the actual shooter, because he participated in the crimes.

Closing arguments and jury instructions ended at about 10:15 a.m., and the jury came back with a verdict before 11 a.m.

On Dec. 19, 2019, authorities found the bodies of Yates, Brooks, and McMillian in a home on Mill Street in Bethalto. McMillan and Witcher were arrested in a Days Inn in Hazelwood, Missouri. Both were charged with nine counts of first-degree murder, one county of armed robbery, and one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking.

In December, McMillan pled guilty to three counts of first-degree murder for her role in the killings. She is serving a life sentence, the maximum sentence available under Illinois law. There is no relation between Brittany McMillan and John McMillian.

Witchers trial began with jury selection Monday, and opening arguments Tuesday morning. By Thursday afternoon both sides had presented their cases.

This case involved a level of complexity that is highly unusual, with almost 400 exhibits and dozens of witnesses, which is due to extraordinary police work, Haine said. Assistant States Attorney Lauren Maricle deserves special praise for her fantastic lead prosecution of this case and as chief of our Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant States Attorney Morgan Hudson was also integral to this successful prosecution, and did an excellent job on behalf of the victims of this terrible crime.
Scranton, PA (18503)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 52F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Many moons ago on a work trip to Tokyo I interviewed the head of Ito Yokado, one of Japans biggest supermarket and fast food chains, now part of the Seven & I group.

In exchange for granting an audience, the then chief executive, Masatoshi Ito himself, wanted to know from me how on earth Marks & Spencer managed to make such fabulous margins on its ready-made meals.

He was moving into convenience foods  one of the first in Japan to do so  and was desperate to know how M&S got away with charging such high prices for cheddar cheese topping on a baked potato.

Trusted: While M&S has had to trim back on margins, the profits on its convenience foods are still plump while the quality is one of the best to be found on the High Street

Mr Ito wasnt knocking M&S, but wanted clues so he could do the same. It was a good question then, when the group was the pioneer in ready-meals, and remains so today.

While M&S has had to trim back on margins, the profits on its convenience foods are still plump while the quality is one of the best to be found on the High Street.

And its these high standards in the food division which have powered M&S to be the fastest growing grocer over the Christmas period.

With sales up 10 per cent, it reported its highest-ever revenue for the festive period, which will help it to make a healthy 500million for the year.

As the company adverts repeatedly tell us, This is not just food, it is M&S food. For once, the slogan may be right.

As other retailers are reporting as well, there is a big shift in how customers are shopping. It also looks as though M&S joined forces with Ocado in the nick of time as online sales  and in-store pick-ups  rose by just over 50 per cent.

Sales were down in the stores by 10.8 per cent while stores in retail parks outperformed those in city centres.

Whats also interesting is that while the rest of the grocery trade is mainlining on price cuts, M&S has kept its head and so far avoided going into battle on pricing. Quite the reverse.

At the half-year stage, chief executive Steve Rowe made the point of saying that maintaining quality is core to its food business, and that it would be ending promotions on some lines and improving Dine In meals to ensure customers maintain their perception of trusted value.

While its a horrible expression, the strategy makes sense. Despite recent problems, M&S is still one of the great legacy brands which customers do trust and will continue to do so.

It also suggests quality will remain the Holy Grail, one which will feed into higher margins. Mr Ito would be pleased.

The big question now is whether the big US and UK private equity houses on the prowl for opportunities in the grocery market  especially the ones which missed out on Morrisons  will take another peek at M&S. If so, the shares, despite a strong rise in the past 12 months, are still looking rather cheap.

The Two Martins

A couple of the Citys biggest beasts are also on the prowl: The two Martins  Sorrell and Gilbert.

Former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell is out hunting for deals again, having just snapped up the Californian-based data consultancy, 4 Mile Analytics, to add to the Media Monks subsidiary, part of his S4 Capital group.

Over at AssetCo, Martin Gilbert, founder of Aberdeen Asset Management, now known as Abrdn, has come out tops in the bidding war for boutique asset manager River & Mercantile, after Premier Miton Group pulled out.

The pair might be brilliant deal-makers but its time they renamed their businesses. S4 sounds like an ageing pop group and AssetCo is ditchwater dull, though at least both are better than Abrdn.

Despite Brexit

Remember Project Fear? How there would be a bloody exodus of talent from Britain and a mass migration of bankers from the City? There were warnings that 230,000 jobs would be lost because of Brexit while JP Morgan claimed it would have to move 4,000 roles.

Yet at the latest tally, around 7,000 financial jobs have gone elsewhere while JP Morgan has lost 400. Of course there are bound to be shake-outs, but that will be because of business evolving, rather than Brexit.

The prophecies of doom were always political, never based on financial, practical or geographic facts. While no-one wants to crow, the fact is that the general jobs market  and the City  are in fine shape.

Whats more, headhunter Hays says Brexit has boosted opportunities for Brits, and that the UK is now one of the strongest recruitment markets in the world. Tant pis.
The last of the three Persimmon fat cats to cash in from a 185million bonus scheme is leaving the housebuilder.

Mike Killoran, who was one of former chief executive Jeff Fairburns key lieutenants, has been at the company for 26 years.

But the 60-year-old will leave today having served as finance boss since 1999. Persimmon has poached Jason Windsor, who held the same role at Aviva, to replace him.

Mike Killoran, who was one of former chief executive Jeff Fairburns key lieutenants, has been at the company for 26 years

Killoran was one of three senior house builders at Persimmon to be handed tens of millions of pounds of shares in a controversial bonus scheme that cost Fairburn his job.

Killoran was handed 35million of shares in 2017 and 25million in 2018 while Fairburn received a total of 82million and Dave Jenkinson got 43million.

Fairburn was forced out in 2018 amid a public outcry over the payments. He was replaced by Jenkinson, but he left last year and was succeeded by Dean Finch.

The departure of Killoran came as Persimmon reported bumper figures after cheap mortgage deals and the stamp duty holiday sent the property market into a frenzy during the pandemic.

Revenues rose 8 per cent to 3.6billion in 2021 as it completed the sale of 14,551 new homes, the company said in a trading update.

This was around 1,000 more than in 2020  though it was below 2019 levels.

It was also boosted by rising property values as the average selling price of its homes rose from 230,500 in 2020 to 237,000 last year.

However, the company said increasing numbers of staff have been off work since Omicron hit, disrupting some moves.

It said: The updated Government guidance has led to a pick-up in sickness-related absenteeism, with some customers also choosing to delay moving into their new home as they isolated.

Home-buying inquiries remained encouraging, however, despite Government support schemes coming to an end.

The companys order book stood at 1.62billion at the end of last year  below the 1.69billion of the year before but above the figure recorded in 2019.

Killoran navigated Persimmon through the pandemic, including lockdowns which initially rocked the construction industry.

He joined the company in 1996.

But bosses will hope his departure finally draws a line under a high-profile row about the bonus scheme set up in 2012.

The trading update followed the Governments announcement on Monday that all leaseholders in high-rise blocks should not have to pay for remediation works on dangerous cladding.

This includes those in properties between 11 metres and 18 metres tall.

Persimmon insists it constructed only a very small proportion of buildings affected by cladding problems.

Persimmon shares fell 0.5 per cent, or 13p, to 2608p.
The founders and executives of British tech star Blue Prism are in line to scoop nearly 170millio after a takeover deal was waved through by shareholders.

The firm, which is one of the biggest on Londons junior market and a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) group, provides automation technology to businesses including Jaguar Land Rover, the NHS, eBay, HSBC and Barclays.

It is being bought by American group SS&C for 1.24billion.

Blue Prisms chief exec and chairman Jason Kingdon (pictured) is in line for a 75m windfall if the 1.24bn sale to American group SS&C goes through

At a shareholder meeting yesterday, over 98 per cent voted in favour of the deal, which is priced at 1275p per share.

However, the firms AI expertise means the takeover will be scrutinised under the new National Security and Investment Act, which gives ministers more power to intervene in the foreign sale of strategically important firms.

It could add months of delays and even mean the deal is blocked.

If it goes through, Blue Prisms boss and chairman Jason Kingdon is in line for a 75million windfall, while co-founders Alastair Bathgate and David Moss will make 59million and 18million respectively.

Another executive, Terry Walby, will make 17million.
Hunger for data about people who use buy now, pay later services is benefiting Experian, which has upped its revenues outlook after strong performance in its third quarter.

The UK-listed company, which generates credit reports and scores based on consumer borrowing and payment habits, said it was making 'good progress' in Britain in new client segments, such as buy now, pay later.

Experian's clients - which in Britain include banks like HSBC and Barclays, among a raft of other companies and government bodies like HMRC - are demanding its services to know whether an applicant is real or fraudulent.

Experian is benefiting from the growth in popularity of buy now, pay later services

'The interesting thing about buy now pay later, is that more people want to know what it means for the total indebtedness of the consumer, or how is the consumer handling debts,' Experian's chief communication officer, Nadia Ridout-Jamieson, told Reuters.

Against a background of soaring bills and food costs, BNPL services have been growing in popularity, with many consumers using Klarna, Clearpay and others to spread payments or pay later.

Recent data from TSB shows that more Britons than ever are turning to BNPL services, with the number of customer transactions with Klarna alone increasing 59 per cent in the 12 months from 1 December 2020.

Experian reported a 11 per cent jump in revenues at constant exchange rates in the last three months of 2021.

It has been helped by rising demand for credit reports in the run-up to Christmas, when typically more people turn to credit cards to pay for extra expenses.

Experian has a long history - it had its beginnings in 1803 when London tailors began exchanging the details of customers who were slow at settling their debts.

Experian shares have risen by around 15% over the past year

Demand for its services to businesses and consumers was strongest in the US, its largest market with a near-70 per cent share of all revenues, where sales rose by 13 per cent.

In the UK and Ireland, which contributes to 13 per cent of all revenues, organic sales rose 8 per cent at constant currency.

Strong demand for data analytics and a strong uptake of its Artificial Intelligence-powered platform also contributed to lift sales in the UK.

Experian now expects annual revenues to grow between 16 per cent and 17 per cent, above an earlier forecast of a 15 per cent to 17 per cent jump.

However, the firm narrowed its organic revenue forecast for the year, dented by weakness in its Europe, Middle East and Africa markets.

The companys shares have fallen 1.7 per cent to 31 today, although they remain around 15 per cent ahead of a year ago.
Tifton, GA (31794)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable.
Cumberland, MD (21502)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 74F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with thundershowers developing overnight. Low 59F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Thomasville, GA (31792)

Today

Sunshine this morning. Increasing clouds with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 86F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Arrivals from overseas will be banned from public transportation and have to use their own car or designated buses to their destination from Jan. 20 as the Omicron panic grips Korea. They will also need to show a negative coronavirus test issued within 48 hours before departure to Korea, down from 72 hours.



Travelers from abroad move to get tested for coronavirus at Incheon International Airport on Thursday. /Yonhap

According to health authorities, daily COVID-19 cases among arrivals from abroad hit a record 391 on Thursday, or 1,326 this month. Some 119 Korean corporate executives who attended the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week came back positive. Most of the latest patients from overseas are infected with Omicron.

A man heads to a coronavirus test station at Incheon International Airport on Thursday. /Newsis

Authorities will also continue to put a one-week "flight circuit breaker" in place, which suspends operations of a flight for a week if a plane is found to have carried three or more COVID-19 patients into Korea. What the measures are supposed to achieve now that Omicron is already firmly established in Korea is unclear. Meanwhile, the daily tally of new coronavirus infections stood at 4,542 as of Friday morning with 659 severe cases.
Kingsport, TN (37660)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
A German court on Thursday jailed a Syrian ex-intelligence officer for life for murder, rape and crimes against humanity, handing down the first ever conviction for state-backed torture committed during Syrias civil war after a landmark trial.

Anwar Raslan was found guilty on 27 of out 58 counts of murder, rape and sexual assault carried out at a Damascus prison run by a unit of President Bashar al-Assads security services that he headed.

The 58-year-old, a colonel when he defected to the Syrian opposition in 2012 and who prosecutors said was granted asylum in Germany two years later, had denied all charges.

The Assad government denies it tortures prisoners.

The trial was held under Germanys universal jurisdiction laws, which allow courts to prosecute crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.

Prosecutors supported by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) had gathered evidence since 2016 from nearly 50 Syrian torture survivors living in Germany, and from others based elsewhere in Europe, the ECCHR  an NGO founded by lawyers in 2007  said.

Mariam Alhallak, whose son died during interrogations by government agents after being abducted at Damascus University in 2012, the year after the war began, welcomed the verdict.

It means a lot to me because I have a feeling that justice is happening, she said outside the court in the western German city of Koblenz, one of a group of Syrian mothers holding pictures of children they said were killed or tortured in Syrian government facilities.

Its a small step toward the justice we hope will be achieved: accountability for all those who committed violations, including the criminals who killed my son.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet hailed what she called a landmark leap forward in pursuing justice for the serious human rights violations perpetrated in Syria.

This is a clear example of how national courts can and should fill accountability gaps for such crimes wherever they were committed, she said in a statement from Geneva, urging other states to employ the same princples of extra-territorial jurisdiction.

Inside the court Raslan, dressed in a black jacket and wearing glasses and a white face mask, gave a brief, wry smile as he waited for the verdict to be read out after a police officer removed his handcuffs.

Syrian human rights lawyers said he had defected to Turkey before moving on in 2014 to Germany, where he contacted police saying he feared former colleagues could take his life. He was arrested by German authorities in 2019.

THE CRUELTY CONTINUES

The verdict against Raslan, which will give hope to survivors of atrocities committed during the war after attempts to establish an international tribunal for Syria failed, was the second handed down during the trial, which began in April 2020.

Last year, another former member of the Syrian intelligence services was sentenced to 4-1/2 years in jail for abetting the torture of civilians.

The trial demonstrates that accountability for the Assad regimes heinous atrocities is possible  if national prosecutors and judges choose to act, said Eric Witte of the Open Society Justice Initiative, which supported several witnesses in the case.

As much as we welcome the outcome of this trial, we must not forget that the cruelty of the crimes proved in court continues to this day in Syria.

A second trial of a Syrian doctor suspected of crimes against humanity, including torturing prisoners at a military hospital in the city of Homs in 2011 and 2012 and killing one using a lethal injection, opens in Frankfurt next week.

At the U.N. Security Council, Russia and China have vetoed attempts by Western powers to refer the Syrian crisis to the International Criminal Court, leaving survivors of torture and chemical weapons attacks with limited options to seek justice.

But some of the estimated 800,000 Syrians living in Germany have opposed the Koblenz trial, saying it discourages defections by Syrians who may have more evidence of crimes committed by the government, after Raslan was encouraged by senior opposition members to change sides.

It is natural that Syrians are going to have different views on how to seek justice, said Witte. Some want an amnesty and to save the trial for Bashar al-Assad and his top officers.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Eighteen of the 20 Capital Region ZIP codes with the fastest-growing total gross incomes are in Columbia and Greene counties, a new report showed Thursday.

The report, released by the Center for Economic Growth, does not tabulate income on a per capita basis, but instead looks at IRS data to see the total amount of money gained in a ZIP code that year, which can include "wages, dividends, capital gains, business income, retirement distributions as well as other income, according to the report.

The 18 ZIP codes, which are among 181 ZIP codes in the Capital Region, were clustered in the rural parts of the counties, according to the report, which shows growth between 2018 and 2019.

The fastest grower in the region was a ZIP code that includes much of Lexington in Greene County, which saw a whopping 36.2 increase in gross income, followed by Germantown and Austerlitz in Columbia County, which both saw growth just above 30 percent.

Ancram, Hillsdale and Ghent in Columbia County and Prattsville and two ZIP codes in Windham all saw growth of more than 20 percent.

As comparison, New York state's total gross income actually fell between 2018 and 2019, dropping 1.8 percent to $865.7 billion, according to James Schlett, the Center for Economic Growth's director of research and communications.

The report does not bifurcate the incomes of new arrivals and existing residents, so it does not show if the rapid rise is due to new people moving in or the incomes of existing residents rising.

An increasing number of downstate residents have moved to the two counties over the last two decades, a trend multiplied during the COVID-19 pandemic  a time period the center has not yet captured.

CEG Chief Economic Development Officer Katie Newcombe said the report was encouraging for the region.

"We want to see people relocate, by and large, to the region," she said. "The unfortunate story for New York as a whole is population loss, so as a region, we do want to differentiate ourselves."

F. Michael Tucker, the president of the Columbia Economic Development Corp., said solid conclusions could not be made from the report, but believed it boded well for Columbia County.

"This data sets a baseline pre-pandemic that can be an indicator of greater future growth and income," he said.

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The question, according to Newcombe, was "whether this is a momentary trend, or whether it's going to be a lasting trend."

The report also tabulated the ZIP codes with the highest number of new income earners making more than $200,000 a year. The report did not differentiate between those making over $200,000 who moved to the region between 2018 and 2019 and existing residents who began earning above $200,000 in that time period.

The only Twin Counties ZIP code on this list is one based in the city of Hudson that includes the town of Greenport and parts of several other Columbia County municipalities. The ZIP code had 50 new income earners making more than $200,000.

However, many of the ZIP codes above Hudson on the list had far larger population bases, allowing the communities to add individual high-income earners at a faster clip.

High-income earners do not directly benefit local government coffers, since income tax goes to the state, but budgets do benefit from more spending through sales tax. The local portion of the 8 percent sales tax rate is 4 percent in both Columbia and Greene counties.
A recent study proposed a connection between an increase in the black bear population and a higher prevalence of blacklegged ticks, colloquially known as the deer tick, which spreads Lyme disease. Researchers from Penn State examined this spike in Pennsylvania, which coincided with a growth in its population of black bears.

Here in the Hudson Valley, the black bear population has also risen precipitously in recent decades.

Jeremy Hurst, wildlife biologist at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), says the DEC tracks New Yorks black bear population estimates based on how many bears hunters take in a hunting season. Data show that from the mid-1990s to 2015, the number of bears taken by hunters in the southern portion of the state, which includes the Hudson Valley, went from under 200 to over 1,000 per hunting season, indicating a sharp rise in the overall bear population.

More bears roaming where there are also more people living (like in the suburbs) can result in other conflicts, like bears getting into rubbish and birdseed and being involved in auto crashes.

To better manage the bear population and mitigate those subsequent problems, the DEC opened up bear hunting statewide starting in 2014. It appears to have stabilized the bear population, Hurst says of the measure.

Ticks vs bears, deer and mice

Considering the bear population growth was dramatic enough that it required intervention, where does that leave the prevalence of ticks? Should we start calling the deer tick, which is commonly associated with the white-tailed deer that it feeds upon, the bear tick?

The continued impact on tick abundance, I think that is a real stretch, Hurst says of black bears. The density of bears is so much lower than the density of other potential tick hosts, mainly white-tailed deer.

The DEC estimates 6,000 to 8,000 black bears currently roam the state in areas open to bear hunting, like the Adirondacks and the Catskills. By contrast, the DEC estimates that statewide, 220,000 white-tailed deer are killed by hunters each year  just a portion of the overall deer population, which according to Hurst is estimated to between 1 and 1.2 million.

In addition to there being fewer bears in New York, Dr. Richard S. Ostfeld, disease ecologist and senior scientist for the Cary Institute, says that bears host much fewer ticks per animal than other animals, such as white-tailed deer and mice. Ostfeld cites two studies, one conducted in Pennsylvania, and one conducted in New Jersey, that observed the prevalence of ticks on black bears. The Pennsylvania study is the one cited by some reports that claim bears may be leading to an increase in tick populations.

But Ostfeld takes a counterview, saying the studies findings are illustrative of relatively low numbers of ticks on black bears. In the New Jersey study, they found 29 blacklegged ticks from a total of 11 bears, so less than three per bear, he says. So what youre getting is handfuls of ticks per bear.

Though that study did find a higher prevalence of dog ticks on the bears, dog ticks arent known to transmit Lyme disease. And while the Pennsylvania study found exclusively blacklegged ticks on its bears, Ostfield says the numbers still werent staggering  fewer than 10 ticks per bear.

White-tailed deer, however, can host dozens to sometimes hundreds of adult ticks per deer, and small mammals host hundreds of immature ticks, Ostfield says.

If you compare bears to a lot of other wildlife, theyre just not hosting very many ticks.

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Its the small mammals, like mice, that are actually the biggest predictor of Lyme disease, Ostfeld says. When Lyme disease was discovered, scientists falsely identified the tick that was transmitting it as a new tick and gave it the common name deer tick. In actuality it was a tick that had been discovered 200 years earlier, with a common name blacklegged tick, he explains. Though scientists now use the proper name blacklegged tick, deer tick was easier to say and prevailed in much of the public sphere. That, Ostfeld says, has led to a disproportionate focus on deer in regards to ticks when it is mice that are far more important.

In our studies in Millbrook, and weve been doing this for 30 years, we find that if you want to predict the number of [blacklegged] ticks, it correlates statistically much more strongly with mice than deer, says Ostfeld. So there are some misleading conclusions that can be drawn when you call the tick the deer tick. The public, at least, think of deer as being the only game in town.

As for whether Lyme disease affects bears, there havent been studies into it, but its unlikely, says Kevin Hynes, wildlife biologist at the DEC Wildlife Resources Center in Delmar. Bears are pretty disease-resistant animals, he says, noting that the biggest disease-related problem facing bears is mange.

Ostfeld says if Lyme did affect bears, they still likely wouldnt pass it back into non-Lyme-infected ticks. If animals are infecting the ticks that feed on then, then those ticks can make other animals or people sick, says Ostfeld. Black bears dont appear to play that role.

However, Ostfeld says more research is needed to conclusively understand the relationship between black bears and ticks, adding that he finds the discovery of relatively low numbers of ticks on bears when compared to other animals curious. He says skin density could play a role, but there hasnt been research done to draw a conclusion.

If you compare bears to a lot of other wildlife, theyre just not hosting very many ticks, and I dont know the reason or cause of that, he says. Adult ticks like to climb off the ground up to about thigh-high or so, and thats a good place to run into bears, deer, and other medium-large mammals. Theyre just not feeding in great abundance on bears. And Im not sure why.
For most of her life, Alice Green has been front and center as an activist in the local civil rights movement and the illustration on the cover of her latest book, We Who Believe In Freedom: Activism and the Struggle for Social Justice (King Jesus Press), captures her courage and commitment perfectly.

I love that illustration, said Green, who is also proud that her book was published by a local Black press. That picture was from back in 2020 when the city had decided to remove the young people from their encampment where they had been protesting for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Green went down to the South End of Albany, and she saw a line of police officers facing the demonstrators. Many of the officers had covered up their badges, and they were forcing everyone to get behind these barricades; well, I thought, Im not going to do that. Im going to stand and face them. 

As she stood alone in front of the barricade Green could tell the officers were confused and not sure what to do. I think they were wondering if they should forcefully remove me. They knew who I was. Eventually another woman came forward and linked arms with me and after a while more people came from behind the barricades and joined us, which seemed to defuse the confrontation. Sometimes you must resist especially when you think youre right.

There were some parts of the book Green enjoyed writing and other parts that were extremely difficult. Its always difficult for me to write about some of the horrible things that have happened to our young people like 19-year-old Ellazar Williams who was shot in the back by the police in 2018 and is paralyzed today from the chest down.

She enjoyed writing about the work shes done with so many incarcerated people. Ive met many wonderful people in the jails, and Ive gotten so much gratitude back from them. Theyve helped me understand the conditions under which theyve lived, the forces that were acting upon them, and how they came to become incarcerated. I love hearing their hope of one day being free and how they will live differently.

As the director of the Center of Law and Justice, a civil rights organization she founded in 1985, Green has spent much of her adult life working to improve the lives of incarcerated people and trying to find ways to improve criminal justice. Most people dont understand how significant the impact of incarceration is in the Black community. Its hard to find any family that has not been impacted in some way by it.

She said most Black people in our community live in fear of being arrested. Its like another type of enslavement. Legislators seem to believe that punishment is the only answer. We do punishment and it doesnt work. We have a very high recidivism rate of prisoners returning to jail in this country. Im a believer in trying to divert our young people from getting in to the criminal justice system. We need to help them where theyre at before its too late.

Green said the idea of law and order is a popular campaign issue, that punishment is the only way to make our country safe. I take serious objection to that. Ive visited prison systems in other countries, Amsterdam, Brussels and Germany, and its amazing how different they are from us. They treat incarcerated people like human beings, and their rates of recidivism are much lower.

In her book Green looks back at her childhood growing up in the only Black family in Witherbee, a small mining hamlet in the Adirondack Mountains. My dad moved us from Greenville, S.C., because he feared that one day he would be arrested for some minor infraction in the South. He was an outspoken person, and he realized things would not go well for him if he stayed, so he had the courage to leave and find work in the iron ore mining industry.

Life in Witherbee and being an outsider in the community had a way of helping Alice Green to become tough. My mother tried to encourage us to act white and fit in as much as possible, but I grew up not knowing very much about what life was like in the South. I knew very little about Black people. I didnt know who I was or where I came from. In school there was never a discussion about Black people, and we never read any stories about them.

The book also traces some of the history of the city of Albany and how the Black community has struggled to fit in there. I barely scratched the surface of the racial history of Albany, but its obvious when you look into it how the Albany police department and the Black citizens of the city have struggled.

Although Alice Green feels she is always a positive person, she is not as optimistic today as she was during the summer of 2020 when there were numerous protests going on in the country over the slaying of George Floyd. I was very optimistic then to see so many people coming together Black and white, young and old, to make a statement that we needed to change our system.

She was also excited that Gov. Cuomo signed executive order 203 which forced jurisdictions to look at the criminal justice system and to make significant changes. Im disappointed that nothing really came from that either. We got a few changes but nothing significant, and today I once again see a lot of voter suppression throughout the country.

Green believes Donald Trump had a horrible impact on civil rights in this country. He appealed to many white supremacists and they were very emboldened. I still have a lot of hope for our young people though. Theyre the ones who will one day be in control of this country. I hope some of this racist talk doesnt filter down into their beliefs.

As she looks back on her career, shes proud that the Center of Law and Justice has stayed in the fight for social justice. I dont see myself ever retiring from this work. I cant turn my back on a community and a people that need help. They give me the support and the energy to continue this work.
ALBANY - Even if President Joe Bidens full $2 trillion Build Back Better plan isnt passed in the near term, many of the green energy proposals such as tax credits and other incentives could be passed separately, policymakers said on Friday.

The optimal is Build Back Better, New Yorks 20th District Democratic Rep. Paul Tonko said. But were also in the midst of our appropriations bills, he added. If we get Build Back Better, thats a home run. Otherwise, if there are essential needs, incentives that are required, they can be taken up at the appropriations table.

Everybody feels a sense of urgency about getting these incentives going. In one way or another we are determined to get these incentives, said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.

Tonko and Granholm, a former Michigan governor, were among officials at the Port of Albany to celebrate the finalization of several large contracts to build and operate a series of massive wind turbines off the coast of Long Island. They were joined by Gov. Kathy Hochul and executives of state agencies as well as several wind turbine and energy companies, including Equinor Wind, BP and Marmen Welcon.

Welcome to the future, Hochul said in remarks given in a cavernous barn-like building at the port, where the backdrop included a locomotive and pieces of heavy equipment. This is what the future looks like for the green energy economy.

The projects will support the state's goal of developing 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2035. That could power 6 million homes.

The wind turbine initiative, started by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and carried on by Hochul after she became governor when Cuomo stepped down in August, translates into a lot of development and new jobs for the Albany area.

MarmenWelcon, for instance, plans to build the approximately 400-foot-tall towers supporting the turbines at a planned expansion of the Port of Albany into the neighboring town of Bethlehem, creating hundreds of construction and permanent manufacturing jobs.

Much of New York's, and the nations, push toward carbon-free green energy, though, relies on a proposed menu of tax breaks and other incentives included in Bidens Build Back Better plan. That ambitious plan, which would also expand programs such as child care benefits and early education initiatives, has been held up in a closely divided Senate with moderate West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin saying he wont support it due to the cost. The entire GOP conference also opposes BBB, and theres no immediate end to that deadlock.

With that in mind, Tonko and Granholm said, when questioned, that they might have to rely on other legislative moves, such as appropriations or separate pieces of legislation to move the green energy incentives forward.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Despite the uncertainty about paying for it, lawmakers on Friday cheered the progress they have made toward getting the massive wind tower project going.

A year ago, many of the same players gathered outside at the port (Fridays event was indoors) to celebrate the news that the port would host the wind tower manufacturing plant. And more recently in October, representatives from Orsted wind as well as Riggs & Distler construction and Eversource utilities announced a deal in which platforms for the offshore towers would be built at the Port of Coeymans, which is also on the Hudson River about 10 miles south.

The towers and platforms will be moved to Long Island on barges, which Granholm noted is another source of employment. The barges have to be built somewhere. Those are more jobs, she said.




ALBANY  District 6 Albany County Legislator Sam Fein is telling city officials he and others want better protection for Giffen Elementary School students on South Pearl Street.

Fein, in a letter, expressed safety concerns for children in the South End being dropped off. Parents and children at Giffen Elementary face street squalor, intimidation, and threats of harm on a regular basis, the letter reads.

The letter attributed these challenges to the concentration of services for the homeless and people in need up the street at Capital City Rescue Mission.

Fein, Common Councilman Derek Johnson and a host of parents signed the letter detailing concerns about people who visit a number of nearby social service organizations, specifically citing the Rescue Mission clients wandering the street during the day.

The group listed panhandling, public urination, littering, liquor and drug paraphernalia in addition to people sleeping on sidewalks as everyday occurrences on and near the school grounds.

Perry Jones, executive director of the Capital City Rescue Mission, said the agency does a lot that's valuable for the community. He pointed to efforts, including clothing and food drives, backpack giveaways and providing transitional housing for those in need.

However, Jones noted that although staff members try their best to police what happens near the building, they can't control such things as the large amounts of beer sold to people at nearby convenience stores.

"We're not blind to that but we really work hard to know what's going on out there," he said. "We're going to see some of the same activities there whether we are there or not."

Jones said he's glad the letter asked other officials to help out. He believes the mission is a good partner in watching the neighborhood and keeping it safe.

"We are committed to the neighborhood, to making school kids safe. We do our best to be out there," he said.

The letter also cited a recent alleged attempted abduction of students from Giffen Elementary. Authorities said a man tried to lure away students arriving at the school with candy, but the children ignored the person and notified school staff, who called the police.

Ron Lesko, the city school districts director of communications, confirmed the Dec. 16 incident. A memo to parents from the school district said someone was arrested by police and released following a court appearance.

Lesko said the school requested extra support from police during dismissal that day, which was granted, and the beat officer has provided a regular presence" during arrival and dismissal times.

Fein said such issues have existed for years, but the Rescue Missions plan to expand has prompted a larger discussion surrounding childrens safety. Community members have opposed the expansion plan, recounting similar challenges.

"Parents have had enough and just want some action, he told the Times Union.

Crystal DeBouse, a former Giffen Elementary School parent and South End resident, said she feels unsafe walking around the neighborhood and felt unsafe when her children attended the school.

Ive never seen so many people waiting outside of a shelter waiting to get in. Having the school so close to the mission feels like a huge issue," she said. The kids safety is at risk. Its really not making me feel good about the mission, she added.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Letter details issues

The signatories acknowledged a need for social services, but said housing several homeless shelters and addiction treatment centers within a few blocks around the school fosters a deep inequity, one that would never be tolerated in a more affluent neighborhood.

We have a responsibility to create a neighborhood around their school that nurtures students positive growth and development, and provides plenty of examples of healthy, productive, and caring adults, the letter said.

We must locate services for the homeless more evenly throughout the region and do more to address the needs of the people using these services so that they do not disproportionately impact Giffen Elementary School students, parents or teachers, it added.

The letter called on leaders to take steps like rejecting the Rescue Missions expansion plan, adding more light to school grounds, stationing a police officer at Giffen during drop-off and pickup, additional county resources for the homeless and identifying options outside of the South End to locate social services.

Those who signed also requested that the Rescue Mission join the Albany County Coalition on Homelessness and engage in open conversations with Giffen Elementary staff and the community about how to better address safety and quality of life in the neighborhood. The group similarly called on local police and fire department officials to partake in and contribute to those discussions.

"As a community, we must do all we can to support the students at Giffen. Rejecting the proposed expansion of Capital City Rescue Mission is an important step in this ongoing process, the letter concluded.

Jones said he understands the group would like the city planning board to reject its proposal, but the expansion is meant to improve the quality of life for those the mission helps.

"I understand the letter and the mission is doing positive things in the area. We'll work harder and better," Jones said.
HALFMOON  A federal judge will allow longtime NXIVM president Nancy Salzman to delay the start of her three-and-a-half year prison sentence for another month.

Senior U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis on Friday approved a request made earlier in the day by Salzman attorney Robert Soloway, who highlighted a COVID-19 outbreak at the West Virginia federal prison camp where he said Salzman is headed.

"To be clear, until late into this week, Ms. Salzman had no intention of seeking a delay in surrender," Soloway said in a letter to the judge, adding that his client is now "very fearful of surrendering into a facility that is in the throes of a failed response to a COVID surge and is reportedly unsafe."

The judge will allow Salzman to report to prison on Feb. 21. She had been ordered to report by Jan. 19.

Salzman and Raniere co-founded NXIVM, also known as Executive Success Programs (ESP), in 1998. Photos of the faces of Raniere, known as "Vanguard," and Salzman, known as "Prefect," greeted students of NXIVM as they walked in the doors of the cult-like personal growth company at 455 New Karner Road.

Salzman was arrested in 2018, months after Raniere was picked up in a Mexican fishing village, far from the Knox Woods townhouse complex in Halfmoon where he and more than two-dozen NXIVM members resided.

In March 2019, Salzman pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy. She was the first of five NXIVM defendants  including Raniere and her daughter, Lauren, who became the government's star witness  to be convicted in the racketeering case led by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn that toppled the the organization's leadership.

Salzman admitted, among other crimes, that she tried to obtain names and passwords of email accounts of perceived NXIVM "enemies," including journalists, in files kept in her basement on Oregon Trail in Halfmoon.

But Friday, to boost his argument, Salzman's attorney highlighted the work of journalists who reported on skyrocketing COVID-19 rates at the Alderson federal prison camp in West Virginia, a 677-inmate women's facility

"News reports, and other reliable information coming to her counsels the instant request to seek postponement," he told the judge.

Soloway said a consultant named Jennifer Myers, who operates a women-focused prison business, "maintains personal contact with her clients inside Alderson" and "strongly urges Ms. Salzman to seek delay in surrender for her personal safety until the surge at Alderson abates, even if her desire is to get it [her sentence] begun to move toward its completion.

Soloway said Salzman put her affairs in order and planned to drive with one of her daughters to Alderson. He said Salzman had received permission to leave a day early to arrive earlier and placed her elderly mother in a New Jersey assisted living facility.

"Mostly, at this point, she simply wants to begin her incarceration to start counting the days off until it concludes," Soloway said.

Soloway said Salzman would like to join her elderly mother for a medical appointment on the same day she is expected to report to prison. He said his client does not trust the facility.

At Salzman's sentencing in September, victims of NXIVM spoke of their distrust in the notorious company and its leaders. The judge sentenced Salzman to the three-and-a-half year term, imposed a $150,000 fine and required her to be on three years of supervised release following her prison term.

In 20 years at Ranieres side, you left trauma and destruction in your wake, Garaufis told Salzman.

The guilty plea included admission of underlying acts, including one in which Salzman doctored tapes to be used as evidence in a civil lawsuit in New Jersey against cult expert Rick Ross and others.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

When given a chance to speak, Salzman said she has changed drastically in the past three years and rejects Raniere, a onetime lover whom she she now regards him as a predator. Court filings revealed that Salzman, like many women in Raniere's circle, was subjected to his cruel criticism and shunning.

Raniere, 61, was convicted at trial of all counts, including sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy and racketeering charged with underlying acts of possessing child pornography, child exploitation and identity theft. He is serving a 120-year sentence in an Arizona prison.

NXIVM's former operations director, Clare Bronfman, the Seagram fortune heiress, is serving six years and nine months for conspiring to harbor or conceal illegal immigrants for financial gain, and fraudulent use of identification. Ex-actress Allison Mack, a former high-ranking NXIVM member and first-line member of Dominus Obsequious Sororium (DOS), Raniere's secret "master/slave" club, and who cooperated with prosecutors, is serving three years in prison. She and Lauren Salzman, also a former DOS first-line member, pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.

Lauren Salzman and NXIVM bookeeper Kathy Russell, who pleaded guilty to visa fraud, received probation.
Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 81F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low around 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
More violence this week in otherwise peaceful Kansas suburbs reminds us that even enclaves far away from the urban core must cope with rising gun violence.



Here are the basics . . .



When officers arrived at the scene they found a 17-year-old male victim that had gunshot wounds to his torso and an 18-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his leg.



The victims tell police that two people, who they know, came to the house and a dispute happened. During the altercation the victims were shot by one of the suspects, who were described as a white male and a black male, both in their late teens to early 20s. They ran from the scene in a white vehicle, possibly a Ford Focus with black painted wheels or missing all four hubcaps.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . .

Two people taken to hospital with injuries after shooting in Shawnee SHAWNEE, Kan. - Police are on the scene investigating after two people were injured in a shooting Thursday evening in Shawnee, Kansas. The shooting was reported just after 5:30 p.m. near W. 51st Place and Noble Street, just east of K-7.

Shawnee police investigating after 2 shot Thursday evening KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Shawnee Police Department is investigating a shooting that left two people injured on Thursday evening. Officers responded to the 5100 block of Millridge Street at around 6 p.m. The circumstances surrounding the shooting weren't immediately available, but the two victims were located in that area.

Shawnee police investigate shooting near 51st, Monticello Police in Shawnee are investigating a shooting that injured two teenagers Thursday evening near 51st Street and Monticello Road.Authorities said officers were called about 5:30 p.m.

Suspect arrested in connection with Thursday double shooting in Shawnee KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Shawnee police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect in connection with a double shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. Thursday evening. The two victims of the shooting are both in stable condition, and one has since been released from the hospital.

Developing . . .
Jackson County jumps on the COVID remaking bandwagon even if it didn't work the first time around.



Accordingly, and in fairness, here's the word from courthouse . . .



Jackson County Executive recommends public health order requiring universal masking for K-12 schools



KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr.  in consultation with Jackson County Health Department Acting Director Ray Dlugolecki, MPH and Emergency Management Coordinator Troy Schulte  is recommending a public health order requiring universal mask-wearing at K-12 Jackson County public schools. A majority support of the Jackson County Legislature will be required to enact the order, which would take effect on Tuesday, January 18 at the earliest, or upon adoption by the Legislature and signature of the County Executive.



The proposed public health order aligns with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Jackson County Health Department. County Executive White is making the recommendation in response to the significant surge in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations due, in part, to the highly-contagious Omicron and Delta variants and stagnant vaccination rates in Eastern Jackson County.



We know how valuable in-person learning is for students, but maintaining that practice is becoming increasingly difficult as schools struggle to have enough teachers in the classroom and more children are getting sick at an alarming rate, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. Masking wearing has proven to be an effective way to mitigate the spread of the virus and will help keep students, teachers, staff and visitors safe in school buildings. Our vigilant masking efforts, combined with vaccinations for everyone ages 5 and older, will be key to reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread in schools.



County officials continue to meet regularly with Jackson County school district superintendents to discuss the status of COVID-19 and a collective response and provided their input leading up to the County Executives recommendation for K-12 universal masking. High levels of COVID-related hospital admissions and associated staffing shortages are putting a significant strain on hospitals, limiting the number of available ICU and non-ICU beds that are forcing facilities to enter periods of diversion. At a briefing this week, Childrens Mercy reported a record number 34 kids hospitalized with COVID infections since the pandemic began and stressed the importance of wearing a mask.



I think it does certainly help, said Childrens Mercy Chief Emergency Management Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Watts. We know as pediatricians that a vital piece to pediatric well-being is for the kids to stay in school.



The latest data from the Jackson County Health Department shows:



- The 7-day case rate per 100,000 has reached an all-time pandemic high. The week of January 2, there were 1,101 total new cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days. This case rate is more than 10 times higher than the CDCs classification of high transmission.



- The percent positive for school-aged children remains extremely high. While the overall percent positivity is 35.5% for the week of January 2, the percent positivity for ages 10-19 are above 40%.



- The 7-day average of daily new cases increased nearly 450% in the Kansas City region from 898 new cases per day on December 6, 2021, to 4,885 new cases per day on January 4, 2022.



- Vaccination coverage remains low in younger populations. With the exception of the newly authorized 5-11 age group, 25-34 year olds have the lowest vaccination completion percentage at approximately 49%. This age group continuously has among the highest case rates as well, currently holding the highest COVID-19 case rate for December 2021.



If approved by a majority of the Legislature, the public health order would remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. on February 3, 2022.



###

Developing . . .


Thankfully, the local murder count taking a brief pause. Typically, January is one of the safest months of the year in KCMO.



Nevertheless, in this post we share TKC news gathering featuring police action, mugshots and any number of ALLEGED misdeeds . . .

KCPD investigating after person is shot several times at 31st & Lister KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- One person is in critical condition after being shot multiple times in Kansas City, Missouri on Thursday. The KCPD says that citizen contacted them from E. 27th Street and Walrond Avenue at 2:05 p.m., saying that a shooting victim had called him after being shot at E.

Kansas City police investigating after man found shot inside vehicle KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, police are investigating a shooting that critically injured a man on Thursday afternoon. Officers responded just after 2 p.m. to the area of East 27th Street and Walrond Avenue. There, they located the man shot inside of a vehicle. No suspect information was immediately available.

1 person recovering after shooting in Independence KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Independence Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred around 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the 300 block of North Leslie Avenue. One person was transported to an area hospital after sustaining critical injuries and is recovering.

Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for armed robbery at Waffle House near KCI PLATTE COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- A Kansas City man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for an armed robbery at a Waffle House near KCI. According to Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd, a jury convicted 22-year-old Marqus Wilson back in October of first-degree robbery.

Victim critically wounded in shooting holds suspect until police arrive KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A person critically wounded by gunfire managed to hold the suspect until police arrived. KCMO officers went into a house at about 6:40 p.m. in the 1000 block of North Agnes Avenue, a department news release states. They arrested the suspected shooter and the wounded victim was taken to a hospital.

Kansas City police ask for help finding missing 64-year-old man Kansas City police are asking for help in finding William Green, 64.Police said Green was last seen Thursday morning near East 70th Terrace and Prospect Avenue.Green has medical issues and needs medication, authorities said.He was last seen wearing a gray hat, black coat, blue jeans and black shoes.

Kansas City police investigating after man found shot inside vehicle KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Missouri, police are investigating a shooting that critically injured a man on Thursday afternoon. Officers responded just after 2 p.m. to the area of East 27th Street and Walrond Avenue. There, they located the man shot inside of a vehicle. No suspect information was immediately available.

Kansas City police warn Chiefs fans about ticket scams Chiefs fans headed to Sunday's playoff game will invest a lot to be there with tickets, parking and in some cases, travel costs. Unfortunately, some won't make it inside the stadium because they've been scammed.Fraudulent tickets are out there.

Developing . . .


And so, according to the stats, pandemic news is starting to look dire once again amid the "dark winter" promised to us by Prez Joe Biden.



Accordingly . . .

We share some news about his latest defeat, a minor vaxx win for hospitals, along with a litany of local news links that don't offer an encouraging glimpse at Kansas City coping with another wave of COVID.



Check TKC news gathering . . .



Supreme Court blocks Biden OSHA vaccine mandate, allows rule for health care workers The Supreme Court on Thursday issued mixed rulings in a pair of cases challenging Biden administration vaccine mandates, allowing the requirement for certain health care workers to go into effect while blocking enforcement of a mandate for businesses with 100 or more employees.

'Cuckanaugh': Conservatives Rip Brett Kavanaugh for Saving Biden's Health Care Vaxx Mandate Conservatives are ripping Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh online after he sided with the court's liberal wing to save President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate for health care workers on Thursday. The court struck down the president's mandate which used the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to compel private employers to force employees to either get jabbed or submit to regular testing.

Trump and Republican lawmakers applaud the Supreme Court striking down Biden's 'disastrous' vaccine-or-test mandate for large private companies Top Republicans praised the Court's decision to block Biden's vaccine-or-testing mandate for large private businesses. "Biden's disastrous mandates are unconstitutional," Trump said. The court's conservative majority found the administration doesn't have congressional authorization to impose the policy.

Progressives scold Supreme Court for possibly striking down Biden's vaccine mandates: 'Very wrong' Progressives put the Supreme Court on blast after last week's oral arguments suggested the justices were likely to strike down at least one of President Biden's federal vaccine mandates. The Supreme Court sat for nearly four hours of oral arguments last week in the case that will determine the constitutionality of Biden's COVID-19 OSHA vaccine regulations.

MO, KS lawmakers react to Supreme Court halting COVID-19 vaccine rule for businesses KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Lawmakers from Kansas and Missouri are sharing their reactions following the Supreme Court ruling to block a vaccine mandate for large businesses . The ruling blocks businesses with more than 100 employees from requiring employees to be vaccinated or tested regularly along with masking at work.

Multiple Kansas City area school districts closing due to rise in COVID-19 cases KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Multiple school districts in the Kansas City area are canceling classes on Friday citing rising COVID-19 numbers, other illnesses and not having enough substitute teachers. Eudora and De Soto school districts in Leavenworth County joined USD 204 Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Thursday in its decision to put the school year on hiatus until next week.

Kansas City-area urgent care clinics dealing with influx of patients amid COVID-19 surge KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Urgent care clinics in the Kansas City area are seeing more patients than ever. HCA Midwest Health operates 10 "CareNow' urgent care centers throughout the area. "Overall, urgent care volume has increased nearly 15% from this same time period in 2021. However, COVID volumes have increased by more than 50%.

Concerns over KC-area COVID-19 testing sites reported to state health officials Leaders with the Jackson County and Clay County Health departments tell KMBC 9 Investigates they have raised concerns with Missouri state health officials over newly formed COVID-19 testing sites tied to the Center for COVID Control.The Chicago-area company advertises free rapid and PCR tests at more than 300 locations across the country.

KU doctors: Emergency room is for emergencies, not COVID-19 tests KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Doctors are reminding patients that the emergency department of the hospital should be used only for emergencies. RELATED: Where to find a COVID-19 test in Kansas City During its daily COVID-19 live stream, doctors at The University of Kansas Health System said they've seen people arriving at the ER looking to get a COVID-19 test.

MARC calls for private business actions to help overwhelmed hospitals KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Local government leaders from across the metro area say they're trying to coordinate efforts to stem the latest surge of COVID-19.

Developing . . .
Brevard, NC (28712)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Johnstown, PA (15901)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by increasing clouds with showers developing this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thundershowers overnight following a period of rain early. Low near 60F. Winds SSE 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
Thousands of Connecticut student loan borrowers will receive cash payments as part of a $1.85 billion settlement the state has reached with Navient.

In a joint statement with Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull and Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez, Attorney General William Tongs office said Thursday the settlement was part of a coalition with 39 attorneys general, who allege the company engaged in unfair and deceptive student loan practices.

States claimed that since 2009, despite vowing to help borrowers find the best repayment options for them, Navient steered struggling student loan borrowers into costly long-term forbearances and away from more affordable income-driven repayment plans, the statement said.

In a statement, Mark Heleen, Navients chief legal officer, said the claims were unfounded and the company agreed to the settlement to avoid the additional burden, expense, time and distraction to prevail in court.

Navient is and has been continually focused on helping student loan borrowers understand and select the right payment options to fit their needs, his statement said. In fact, weve driven up income-driven repayment plan enrollment and driven down default rates, and every year, hundreds of thousands of borrowers we support successfully pay off their student loans.

Connecticut officials said 1,339 borrowers in the state will receive $19 million in private loan debt relief, while another 4,875 borrowers will receive almost $1.3 million in restitution. The state will also receive more than $141,000 from the settlement, which will be placed in the general fund.

This settlement will send millions of dollars directly to thousands of Connecticut borrowers who were deceived by Navients abusive practices, Tong said in a statement, calling the settlement a massive victory for borrowers.

But the attorney general said the billions of dollars in student loans owed by Connecticut families remains an insurmountable barrier for many, and pledged to continue working on the financial crisis brought about by the debt.

Tongs office said he filed the settlement as a proposed stipulated judgment and complaint in State Superior Court on Thursday. It will require the courts approval.

The states alleged that Navient pushed borrowers to forbearance options, where loan payments are temporarily paused or reduced, rather than income-based repayment plans. That meant that borrowers saw interest add up on their loan balances, rather than obtaining forgiveness, interest subsidies or low payment options.
(BPT) - As the weather heats up  and pandemic FOGO (fear of going out) continues to fade  adventure seekers, families and travel enthusiasts alike are trading in their winter jackets for hiking boots and bathing suits and getting ready to get back outdoors.
On January 13, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Valerii Zaluzhnyi took part in a meeting of the NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session with Ukraine.

As the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine informs, Zaluzhnyi briefed the meeting participants on the current security situation around the borders of Ukraine, in the temporarily occupied territories, and in the Joint Forces Operation area.

"Russia has not come to terms with the European choice of the Ukrainian people and continues its aggression against us and increases its military presence around our border," the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stressed.

As noted, the threat of a new stage of Russia's armed aggression, along with its ultimatum to the West, requires a comprehensive and consolidated response based on the inviolable values of a democratic world.

Zaluzhnyi also expressed confidence that the Armed Forces of Ukraine would become a worthy and effective combat component of NATO Allied forces.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine thanked the governments of the partner countries for their unwavering consolidated support of Ukraine and effective assistance to the Ukrainian army.

Moreover, Zaluzhnyi held several bilateral meetings. In particular, he discussed the practical implementation of Ukraine's NATO EOP status and continued mutually beneficial military cooperation with Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer. The development of relations between the armed forces at the battalion-brigade level was touched upon during the talks with the Slovak side, and the security of the Azov-Black Sea region  with the Georgian side.

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The representatives of the Verkhovna Rada Group on Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Turkey visited the Baykar Teknolojileri production facilities in Istanbul.

"We strengthen defense cooperation with Turkey. Ukraine establishes cooperation with the Turkish company Baykar. Today, we have visited the facilities producing the Baykar Teknolojileri military equipment. The company demonstrates a high level of production effectiveness and quality," Rustem Umerov, co-chair of the Verkhovna Rada Group, posted on Facebook on January 13.

The MP reminded that the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar, signed in September 2021 a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and Bayraktar Savunma on construction and equipment of a joint training center for maintenance, repair, and modernization of unmanned combat aerial vehicles, as well as training of personnel involved in the operation of Bayraktar UCAVs.

"For a long time, our army has seen the lack of unmanned systems that could be used to reconnoiter and adjust artillery fire. Strengthened cooperation with our Turkish partners can gradually solve this problem," Umerov noted.

The politician reminded that the Ukrainian Navy had received the first Bayraktar TB2 UCAV last July. This vehicle has an extended range of up to 300km and provides a possibility to place control stations on the Navy ships.

"We do not want a war, but we are ready to resist in order to protect our people and borders. That is why we do not stand still. We bolster the performance of our Armed Forces. The defense of the future is not sabre-rattling, but the use of intellect to reduce human losses," Umerov wrote.

As reported, on January 12-13, the Ukrainian parliamentary delegation visited Ankara and Istanbul.

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Two new Airbus H125 helicopters, delivered under the agreement between the governments of Ukraine and France, arrived at the Kharkiv International Airport on January 13.

The helicopters join the fleet of the Kharkiv Separate Aviation Squadron of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Service informs.

As part of the implementation of the intergovernmental agreement with the French Republic and the implementation of the investment project of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to create a unified system of aviation security and civil protection, Ukraine should get 55 new models of aircraft. In particular, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine will receive 24 new helicopters.

As reported, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine adopted the first batch of helicopters under the UkraineFrance contract in January 2020.

To date, the Service already has seven Airbus H125 helicopters.

Photo credit: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev have signed a joint declaration which sets out the position of the two countries on many issues and challenges.

As an Ukrinform correspondent reports, the signing ceremony of a number of bilateral documents took place in Kyiv.

"We signed a joint declaration of the presidents of Ukraine and Azerbaijan. It reaffirms the readiness to provide mutual support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity of our state within internationally recognized borders, jointly counter hybrid threats, the desire to ensure peace and stability in the Black Sea-Caspian region and beyond. These and a number of other provisions of the declaration testify to the unity and closeness of our views on many issues and challenges of both regional and global dimensions," Zelensky said.

In particular, the Joint Declaration establishes arrangements to provide mutual support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries within their internationally recognized borders; the desire to intensify bilateral substantive cooperation in political and security, trade and economic, fuel and energy, military and technical, infrastructure, transport, aircraft, agro-industrial, cultural and humanitarian and other fields.

In addition, the document defines readiness to intensify cooperation in combating hybrid threats, strengthens cooperation in the defense industry, and mentions direct intentions to deepen cooperation within international and regional organizations and fora, including the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, and Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister  Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk and Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov signed the intergovernmental agreement on food safety cooperation to simplify import, export, transit, and re-export procedures.

Vereshchuk and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the ministries of economy of Ukraine and Azerbaijan on emergency cooperation in bilateral trade. The document defines the mechanism of such interaction in the event of threats related to epidemics and other natural and man-made disasters.

Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Roman Leshchenko and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov signed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the agricultural sector. The document will promote the development of cooperation in crop production and food security, mutual legal assistance in the field of land relations, efficient use of agricultural land, investment in projects for processing agricultural raw materials, trade in fertilizers.

CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine Yuriy Vitrenko and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov, who is also the Chairman of the SOCAR Supervisory Board, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, Naftogaz of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, and SOCAR company. The document creates conditions for expanding cooperation in the energy sector and joint implementation of projects in the oil and gas market of Ukraine, including oil supply and transportation to our country, transportation of oil products, joint use of oil pipelines, exploration and production of hydrocarbons, construction of new refineries and reconstruction of existing ones in the territory of Ukraine, gas supply to Ukraine, storage of fuel in underground storage facilities in Ukrainian territory, etc.

The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan on cooperation in land relations, state-owned land management, and state land cadastre was signed by Chairman of the State Service Serhiy Zavadsky and the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan.

The presidents of the two countries also held UkraineAzerbaijan talks in an expanded format.

As reported, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is on a working visit to Ukraine.

Photo credit: Presidents Office

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he hopes that Azerbaijani businesses will actively participate in the privatization of state property in Ukraine.

Zelensky said this at a joint press conference with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Kyiv on Friday, January 14, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"During our meeting, we separately discussed the prospects for Azerbaijani businesses participating in privatization in Ukraine. We look forward to the active participation of our partners," Zelensky said.

He stressed that such participation of Azerbaijani businesses would open up prospects for new mutually beneficial projects in the future.

Aliyev is on a working visit to Kyiv.

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In 2021, UkraineAzerbaijan trade turnover hit a record high of almost $1 billion for the first time over the past seven years.

"Despite the pandemic, the trade turnover hit a record high of almost $1 billion for the first time over the past seven years," President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said at a joint press briefing with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Ukraine and Azerbaijan have set a goal to double bilateral trade by 2024, he added.

"We also seek to increase the amount of mutual investment and the number of large-scale joint projects. In particular, the participation of Azerbaijani companies in the Great Construction projects," Zelensky said, clarifying he means the implementation of joint projects in Ukraine and in Azerbaijan.

As reported, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is on a working visit to Ukraine.

Photo credit: Presidents Office

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Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with Ukraine in many areas, including food, energy, etc.

"We are ready to cooperate in all areas, and I want to reiterate that this cooperation is based on our strong friendship," President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at a joint briefing with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He informed that together with the President of Ukraine they discussed food security issues, in particular the establishment of joint ventures in food industry.

"We will be able to create a new dimension in our relations through such joint activities, innovative solutions. This is just one of the steps we are taking in our relations," the President of Azerbaijan said.

He also mentioned the fields of energy and oil refining, expressing confidence that new decisions will be made in the months ahead of the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission.

"As for our cooperation in other areas, we have no differences of opinion," Aliyev said.

He also pointed out the deep interest of the Azerbaijani people in Ukrainian culture.

The Azerbaijani leader invited the President of Ukraine to pay a visit to Baku.

As reported, the presidents of Ukraine and Azerbaijan agreed to hold a meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

As reported, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is on a working visit to Ukraine.

Photo credit: Presidents Office

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The EU has announced a decision to prolong for the next six months, until July 31, 2022, a package of sanctions earlier imposed on the Russian Federation for destabilizing Ukraine.

The relevant statement has been released by the European Council press service, Ukrinform reports.

"The Council today decided to prolong the restrictive measures currently targeting specific economic sectors of the Russian Federation by six months, until 31 July 2022. The Council decision follows the latest assessment of the state of implementation of the Minsk agreements - initially foreseen to happen by 31 December 2015," the statement reads.

It is recalled that the sanctions in question were initially introduced on July 31, 2014, in response to Russia's actions aimed at destabilizing Ukraine. The said restrictive measures limit access to EU primary and secondary capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies and prohibit forms of financial assistance and brokering towards Russian financial institutions.

EU sanctions also ban the direct or indirect import, export or transfer of all defense-related material and establish a ban for dual-use goods for military use or military-end users in Russia.

In addition, sanctions further curtail Russian access to certain sensitive technologies that can be used in the Russian energy sector, for instance, in oil production and exploration.

The EU earlier imposed a number of sanctions against Russia over its aggressive actions against Ukraine. These include the aforementioned economic sanctions against certain sectors of Russia's economy and sanctions for undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, which are in force until March 15, 2022, and get prolonged every six months, as well as restrictive measures for the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. on the territory of the Crimean peninsula, which are applied on the Crimean peninsula and remain valid until June 23, 2022.

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The threat of a Russian military invasion of Ukraine is "high" as Putin could pursue with the move under any pretext or even without any but the United States and its allies are ready for any scenarios.

This was stated on Thursday during a White House briefing by U.S. President's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"[I]t is certainly the case that the threat of military invasion is high," Sullivan said.

The official stressed that no one in the U.S. administration has any illusions about the prospects for potential conflict and potential military escalation by Russia.

According to Sullivan, the U.S. intelligence community has developed information that Russia is laying the groundwork to have the option of fabricating a pretext for an invasion, including through sabotage activities and information operations, by accusing Ukraine of preparing an imminent attack against Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine.

At the same time, Biden's advisor noted that the intelligence has no information yet on whether Putin has made a final decision on his further intentions as regards Ukraine. According to the official, the United States and our European allies and partners are prepared for multiple different eventualities.

Sullivan stressed that the American side aims to pursue further diplomatic efforts to advance security and stability.

"We are also united with our allies and partners that if Russia chooses to go a different way for whatever reason, or no reason at all  well, well be ready for that," the White House advisor said.

Describing the recent talks with the Russians on the part of the United States and NATO, Sullivan called them "frank and direct," adding that no agreement had been reached so far. In this regard, he noted that the United States would first consult with the allies in Europe.

He reiterated that the U.S. had been very clear with Russia on the costs and consequences of further military action or destabilization in Ukraine.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, talks with the Russian side took place this week in the formats of the U.S.-Russia Strategic Stability Dialogue in Geneva and the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels. Also, a meeting within the framework of the OSCE Permanent Council was held in Vienna on Thursday.

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had a phone call on January 13 with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, during which the parties discussed Russias continued military buildup in and around Ukraine.

Thats according to Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby, who spoke with the press on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Secretary Austin reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, including ongoing efforts to build the capacity of Ukraines forces through the provision of defensive assistance," Kirby said.

According to the Pentagon spokesman, the two defense chiefs expressed support for diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and committed to "continuing their close coordination."

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbok may pay a visit to Kyiv next Monday, January 17.

This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to an informed source in diplomatic circles.

According to the agencys interlocutor, the visit had been in the works for some time, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

During the meetings in Kyiv, Baerbock is set to discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional, and international issues, primarily the ongoing escalation on the Russian-Ukrainian border.

As reported earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Germanys top diplomat would visit Moscow January 18.

Photo: dpa

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The final text of the draft amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine in terms of decentralization could be developed as early as this February.

Oleksandr Kornienko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and head of the working group on preparation of comprehensive legislative proposals on amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine concerning decentralization, made the relevant statement on Rada TV, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Now its necessary for our colleagues from the Committee on Legal Policy, the Committee for Self-Government and State-Building to do some work. I believe they will finalize the draft in February," he said.

The first vice speaker stressed that the relevant project had been discussed with local government officials for the past two years. At the same time, he added that more proposals could still be submitted to him.

As reported, on December 13, 2019, President Volodymyr Zelensky registered in the Verkhovna Rada Bill No. 2598 "On Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine (on decentralization of power)."

The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy recommended that the presidential bill be forwarded to the Constitutional Court.

However, on January 17, 2020, the President withdrew the bill for further revision following consultations with the leadership of the ruling Servant of the People faction. Since then, work has continued on developing a new version of the amendments.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia's response to the United States refusing to guarantee NATO's non-expansion could be different, depending on the range of options offered to the Russian president by Russian military pundits.

This was reported by an Ukrinform correspondent with reference to the broadcast of Lavrov's final annual press conference.

"I can't add anything to what President Putin said The response may vary  it depends on the proposals that our Russian military experts put forward to the Russian president. Full stop!" Lavrov said.

He went on to criticize his Western counterparts, "Americans first and foremost, who are reading coffee grounds, and without waiting for developments, immediately grab their sanctions baton."

Multiple diplomatic efforts were taken this week to discuss European security issues and reduce tensions over Ukraine, provoked by Russia.

The first round of U.S.-Russia talks took place in Geneva on Monday. A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna was held in Brussels on the same day. A Russia-NATO Council met in Brussels on January 12.

On the evening of January 12, the situation on security issues in Europe and around Ukraine was discussed by EU defense ministers in an informal meeting in the French city of Brest, while on Thursday the discussion continued with the involvement of EU foreign ministers.

The current state of European security was also discussed at the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday.

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European Solidarity party leader and former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said he is confident that he will not be behind bars.

He stated this in a comment to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"First of all, I will not be behind bars. [...] He [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky] has to explain to the public what Poroshenko's treason is. When there were 120 cases with all that nonsense, from a tomos [of autocephaly] to the Minsk agreements, I still endured it. But this is the second case of treason. [...] The first treason charges were brought against me on the basis of my phone call with [Joe] Biden, even before Biden was elected President of the United States. Then they immediately closed the case of treason, and now they found another one," Poroshenko said.

He also stressed that he would definitely return to Ukraine.

Poroshenko said earlier that he would return to Kyiv early on January 17.

On December 20, Acting Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko signed a notice of suspicion for Poroshenko in the case of coal supplies from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

According to Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation, Poroshenko is suspected of "aiding the activities of the terrorist organizations 'LPR' and 'DPR' by acting in collusion with a group of individuals, including representatives of the top leadership of the Russian Federation."

In September-November 2021, an incumbent MP and a former energy minister were declared suspects in the case. They are suspected of buying coal from non-government-controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions using state funds. According to the investigation, through their actions they made Ukraine's energy sector dependent on Russia and terrorist organizations, which, in turn, undermined the economic security of the state in 2014-2015, depriving it of any opportunities for diversification of energy sources and providing Russia with greater opportunities for further interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine and subversive activities against the country.

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Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace have discussed the partnership between the two countries during a phone call.

Reznikov wrote this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"I was delighted to hold a very important phone call with UK Secretary of Defense, our close friend Ben Wallace. We continue advancing our strategic defense partnership in accordance with shared policy objectives," he said.

On January 13, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had a phone call with Reznikov during which both parties discussed Russia's ongoing military build-up in and around Ukraine.

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Kyiv's Pechersky District Court will start selecting a measure of restraint for former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at 11:00 on January 17, the press service of the State Bureau of Investigation has said.

"The Pechersky District Court of Kyiv has scheduled a court hearing in criminal proceedings regarding a criminal scheme on coal supplies from temporarily occupied territories and aiding the terrorist organizations 'LPR' and 'DPR.' On January 17, 2022, at 11:00, a petition will be considered to choose a measure of restraint in the form of detention against Petro Oleksiiovych Poroshenko," the statement reads.

The SBI also released a screenshot of a letter from the Pechersky District Court of Kyiv stating that the petition would be considered by Investigating Judge Oleksii Sokolov.

On December 20, 2021, Acting Prosecutor General Oleksiy Symonenko signed a notice of suspicion for Poroshenko in the case of coal supplies from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

According to Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation, Poroshenko is suspected of "aiding the activities of the terrorist organizations 'LPR' and 'DPR' by acting in collusion with a group of individuals, including representatives of the top leadership of the Russian Federation."

In September-November 2021, an incumbent MP and a former energy minister were declared suspects in the case. They are suspected of buying coal from non-government-controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions using state funds. According to the investigation, through their actions they made Ukraine's energy sector dependent on Russia and terrorist organizations, which, in turn, undermined the economic security of the state in 2014-2015, depriving it of any opportunities for diversification of energy sources and providing Russia with greater opportunities for further interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine and subversive activities against the country.

Poroshenko is to return from a foreign trip to Kyiv on January 17 at 09:00.

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Azerbaijan lifted restrictions and opened the air borders to Ukrainians.

"Ukrainian citizens get additional freedom of travel as Azerbaijan lifted restrictions in force since March 2020 and opened air borders to Ukrainians," Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba posted on Twitter.

Kuleba added that this step "means more opportunities for travel, business, and tourism."

All conditions of entry to Azerbaijan can be found on the website of the Consular Service of Ukraine.

As reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev who will arrive in Ukraine on a working visit on Friday, January 14.

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A massive cyberattack on Ukraine's government websites was carried out from Russian territory, according to a study conducted by the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security.

That's according to the press service of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, Ukrinform reports.

"On the night of January 13-14, a cyberattack hit a number of government websites - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Emergency Service, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy. Contrary to the allegations of the attackers, no data, including personal data, was leaked. The Diia app runs smoothly, all registers are securely protected. A number of government websites have been suspended as a precaution," the statement said.

It says that according to the study, the first data suggest that the attack was carried out from Russian territory. This is not the first time that Ukrainian websites have been exposed to attacks since the beginning of Russia's military aggression, and some cyberattacks have been so widespread that they have become part of the world's textbooks for cyber specialists. The purpose of such attacks is to destabilize the internal situation in the country and to sow chaos and despair in society.

"There has been no massive attack on government agencies for a long time. We assume that the current one is related to Russia's recent defeat in the talks on Ukraine's future cooperation with NATO. Moscow has recently resumed military exercises near Ukraine's borders. Cyberattacks on Ukraine's government agencies may also be part of this psychological attack on Ukrainians," the ministry said.

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| By Alex Likowski

Omicron, with its extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will, ultimately, find just about everybody. Those were the words of Americas top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to a Washington think tank on Tuesday.

First reported in the U.S. just six weeks ago, Omicron is now far and away the dominant COVID-19 variant in the U.S. The number of cases reported is exploding, with more than 1.4 million new cases reported in the U.S. on Monday.

However, evidence is starting to show that we may be close to the peak of the surge. In Great Britain, where the number of patients hospitalized with COVID has been shrinking, health officials announced on Wednesday the hospitalization rate fell below the 14-day average for the first time since November. And just up I-95 in New Jersey, where Gov. Phil Murphy had described what that state was experiencing as an Omicron tsunami, health officials reported a slight drop in hospitalizations.

Additionally, one highly regarded modeler, University of Washingtons Ali Mukdad, PhD, predicts infection rates will fall as fast as they rose, mostly, as seems to be the case after six weeks in South Africa, because there will be so many fewer people left who havent been infected.

But even if we are at or near the peak of infection, hospitalization rates tend to lag behind infection rates, prolonging the crisis. This weekend hospitalizations in the U.S. hit a record, more than 140,000  although thankfully both hospitalizations and deaths have risen much more slowly than the total number of COVID cases.

One big reason for that is the effectiveness of vaccines at preventing serious illness. The data shows that fully vaccinated people, particularly those who have been boosted, are far less likely to become seriously ill or die. Although its too early to tell for sure, another reason this variant seems to generally cause less severe disease may be how and where Omicron infects the body. For instance, theres some evidence it may replicate more slowly in the lungs than previous variants.

But whatever you do, dont call Omicron mild, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns, although lots of news outlets are doing that. "Just like previous variants, Omicron is hospitalizing people and it is killing people, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news conference last week. "In fact, the tsunami of cases is so huge and quick, that it is overwhelming health systems around the world."

Thats certainly a concern right here in Maryland, where the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) now reports well over 800 patients hospitalized with COVID  twice the previous peak. And its not just taking up beds, its taking out increasing numbers of health care providers and support staff.

At a virtual town hall meeting Jan. 6, UMMS President and CEO Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, said more than 1,100 UMMS team members had tested positive for COVID since the day after Christmas. As a result of patient loads and staff shortages, six of the systems hospitals are now operating under a crisis standard of care. Suntha also addressed another important aspect of the Omicron surge: who is getting seriously ill with this strain of COVID. Among UMMS patients, about three-fourths are unvaccinated, fewer than a quarter are vaccinated, and only about 1 in 20 are people who were fully vaccinated and boosted.

For those of us lucky enough not to land in the hospital right now, perhaps the two most difficult challenges are how to make sense of changes in the rules about testing and isolating and just finding a test so you can make decisions about your health and maybe get back to work.

To that last point, the White House has promised to distribute 500 million rapid test kits to Americans, but it may be weeks before they arrive, possibly long after Omicron has peaked and subsided. In the meantime, the Maryland Department of Health is setting up 10 new testing sites adjacent to hospitals, including one across from the University of Maryland Medical Center that is planned to open next week.

Joining University of Maryland, Baltimore President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, to discuss issues surrounding the state of COVID-19 on his regular program, Virtual Face to Face with President Bruce Jarrell, on Jan. 13 was Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH, FIDSA, professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and director of UMSOMs Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health.

Watch the entire discussion, including questions from the audience, by accessing the link at the top of the page.
Mairama carries her son in a wrap at a site for internally displaced families in Ouahigouya, northern Burkina Faso.  UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for concerted international action to end armed conflict in Africas Central Sahel region, which has forced more than 2.5 million people to flee their homes in the last decade.

Internal displacement has increased tenfold since 2013, from 217,000 to a staggering 2.1 million by late 2021. The number of refugees in the Central Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, now stands at 410,000. The majority of the regions refugees fled violence in Mali where the conflict began in January 2012.

A surge in violent attacks across the region in 2021 displaced nearly 500,000 people, with figures for December still pending.

Armed groups reportedly carried out more than 800 deadly attacks last year, according to partner estimates. Such violence uprooted some 450,000 people within their countries and forced a further 36,000 to flee into a neighbouring country.

In Burkina Faso alone, the total number of IDPs rose to more than 1.5 million by the end of 2021. Six in ten of the Sahels IDPs are now Burkinabe.

In Niger, the number of IDPs in the regions of Tillaberi and Tahoua increased 53 per cent in the last 12 months. In neighbouring Mali, more than 400,000 people are displaced inside the country  a 30 per cent increase from the previous year.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger is rapidly deteriorating amid crises on multiple fronts. Insecurity is the main driver, made worse by extreme poverty, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the worsening effects of the climate crisis with temperatures in the region rising 1.5 times faster than the global average. Women and children are often the worst affected and disproportionately exposed to extreme vulnerability and the threat of gender-based violence.

Host communities have continued to show resilience and solidarity in welcoming displaced families, despite their own scant resources. Government authorities have demonstrated unwavering commitment to assisting the displaced, but are buckling under increasing pressure.

UNHCR and humanitarian partners face mounting challenges to access people in need and deliver lifesaving assistance and protection. Humanitarians continue to face road attacks, ambushes, and carjacking.

UNHCR calls on the international community to take bold action and spare no effort in supporting the countries of the Central Sahel to bring about the urgently needed peace, stability, and development to the region.

In response to the ongoing crisis, UNHCR is leading the joint efforts of UN agencies and NGOs to provide emergency shelter, manage displacement sites and deliver vital protection services including combating gender-based violence and improving access to civil documentation.

UNHCR continues to coordinate with authorities and other partners to ensure the most effective humanitarian response to meet the needs of the Sahels refugees, IDPs, and host communities, despite myriad challenges.

With resources dangerously overstretched, UNHCR is urging more support to help save lives and address vulnerabilities. In 2021, more than a third of UNHCRs Central Sahel funding needs were unmet. To mount an effective response in 2022 in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, UNHCR requires US$307 million.

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Because omicron is so contagious, should you try to catch it and get it out of the way? Experts say no
South Koreans have the second-most powerful passport in the world, according to an index released by the Swiss-based research firm Henley and Partners earlier this week.

South Korea ranked second on the latest Henley Passport Index of 199 countries. The index does not reflect entry bans triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, however.

South Koreans can travel to 190 countries without obtaining a visa beforehand, the same number as Germans.

The index, which started in 2006, ranks passports based on the number of countries holders can enter visa-free.

Japan and Singapore topped the list, with their passports granting visa-free access to 192 countries. Coming in third were Finland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain with 189 countries, while Austria, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Sweden shared fourth place with 188.

North Korea ranked 104th as its passport allows visa-free entry to only 39 countries.
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
(@FahadShabbir)

The EU has officially extended the economic sanctions against Russia until July 31, 2022, the Council of the EU said in a statement

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2022) The EU has officially extended the economic sanctions against Russia until July 31, 2022, the Council of the EU said in a statement.

"The Council today decided to prolong the restrictive measures currently targeting specific economic sectors of the Russian Federation by six months, until 31 July 2022.

The Council decision follows the latest assessment of the state of implementation of the Minsk agreements - initially foreseen to happen by 31 December 2015 - at the European Council of 16 December 2021," the document says.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Brest, France, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jan, 2022 ) :The European Union is mobilizing "all its resources" to aid Ukraine after a cyberattack on the country's government websites, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday.

Borrell said the EU's political and security committee would convene later on Friday for an urgent meeting on the attack, which he said "merits condemnation".

The EU's rapid response cyber unit was also being activated, Borrell told reporters on the margins of an EU foreign ministers' meeting.

"We are mobilizing all our resources to help Ukraine deal with this type of cyberattack," he said.

All EU governments were being asked to participate, "even though Ukraine is not a member" of the bloc.

Borrell said it was too early "to point the finger at anybody. We don't have proof".

But he added: "You can imagine who did this." Several key Ukrainian government websites were taken offline on Friday, authorities said, in a sweeping cyberattack against the backdrop of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine's Western allies.

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said the cyberattack was "exactly the kind of thing that we have warned of and that we are afraid of".

The attack was "heightening tensions" at a time when the EU has warned Russia of the consequences of an attack on Ukraine, and "that's why we have to be very firm in our response to Russia", she said.

"If there are attacks against Ukraine, we will be very harsh and very strong and robust in our response," Linde said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said relations with Russia now had to be handled with patience and calm.

"Especially in moments of crisis, diplomacy requires much stamina, patience and strong nerves," she told reporters.

Baerbock, who is to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday in Moscow, added: "We are doing everything to avoid any further escalation." She said the trip was part of efforts "to use every possible channel of communication".

jh/tgb/yad LINDE
Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jan, 2022 ) :Lionel Messi said on Thursday he needs more time to recover before playing again after contracting Covid-19 earlier this month.

Paris Saint-Germain star Messi, 34, tested positive while on holiday in his hometown of Rosario before flying back to the French capital on January 5.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has missed two PSG matches while in self-isolation.

"As you know I had Covid and I wanted to thank you all for the messages I received," Messi posted on Instagram.

"It has taken me longer than I thought to be OK but I'm almost recovered and I'm looking forward to getting back on the field.

"I'm training to get back to being at 100%, great challenges are coming this year and I hope we can see each other again," he added.

Since testing negative last week he has trained alone at PSG's headquarters.

According to ESPN Argentina the former Barcelona attacker will miss this weekend's home Ligue 1 game against Brest.

Messi's club team-mates including Angel Di Maria, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Julian Draxler have also tested positive for coronavirus since the Christmas break.

The Parisians host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on February 15.
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In an intelligence based joint operation, Pakistan Navy along with Pakistan Customs, Balochistan apprehended around 4,600 bottles liquor at sea off Balochistan Coast on Thursday

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :In an intelligence based joint operation, Pakistan Navy along with Pakistan Customs, Balochistan apprehended around 4,600 bottles liquor at sea off Balochistan Coast on Thursday.

The confiscated liquor was valued at approximately Rs70 Million, said a Pakistan Navy media release here received.

Afterwards the seized liquor, smuggling vessel and apprehended personnel were handed over to Custom authorities for further legal proceedings.

The successful execution of intelligence based operation is a demonstration of Pakistan Navy resolve to deter and disrupt illegal activities in maritime zones of Pakistan.

Pakistan Navy is fully vigilant to thwart any unlawful act along own coastline and at sea, while promoting maritime security in the region. PN will continue to shoulder its National obligations to establish lawful order at sea.
(@FahadShabbir)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jan, 2022 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday launched the country's first-ever citizen-centric National Security Policy 2022-2026, saying that an inclusive development was inevitable for national security.

"Inclusive growth means not only to uplift the poor people but also the neglected areas (In such case) every common man becomes a stakeholder to protect the state The biggest security is when people stand behind state for its protection," the prime minister said addressing the launching ceremony of the public version of the otherwise secret document.

The prime minister, who earlier signed the historic document, appreciated the National Security Division for formulating a policy based on the consensus of the whole state and defining the national security in a "right manner".

First of its kind in Pakistan's history, the National Security policy articulates a citizen-centric framework, placing economic security at its core and seeking a secure and economically resilient Pakistan.

The formulation process of the policy includes multiple consultations with official stakeholders including Federal ministers, 120 experts, 300 students, and 600 people from all walks of life.

The prime minister said the NSP would also help correct the dimension and help the whole government machinery to move in one direction for achieving national security and stability.

Speaker National Assembly, federal ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, all services chiefs, diplomats, senior civil and military officers attended the launching ceremony.

The prime minister emphasized that our armed forces were our pride and glued the nation together. Given the threats the country faced in the region, and the growing threat of hybrid warfare, they would continue to receive even greater support and importance, he added.

The prime minister explained the significance of his government's successful initiative of producing the National Security Policy calling it a major priority of his government.

He also highlighted the importance of the policy's successful implementation and announced that the National Security Committee (NSC) would regularly review progress.

He said the NSP centered on the government's vision which believed that the security of Pakistan rested in the security of its citizens.

Any national security approach must prioritize national cohesion and the prosperity of people, while guaranteeing fundamental rights and social justice without discrimination, he added.

The prime minister said to achieve the vast potential of the citizens, it was necessary to promote delivery-based good governance.

Prime Minister explained that the foremost aim of the foreign policy and military capability would remain peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Our foreign policy would also focus much more on economic diplomacy going forward, he remarked.

The prime minister said the national security was also compromised when the country had to approach IMF to support its economy by accepting their conditions. In such a case, the common man had to face the burden, he added.

Reiterating his vision of replicating Madina State, the prime minister said by March every family in the PTI-led provinces would have health insurance of rupees one million a year which was even not available in developed countries.

He also highlighted the government's initiatives like interest-free loans for business, ration subsidy scheme, and housing construction loans to the low-income group.

He said for the first time, the government introduced a core national curriculum as in the past, the country had three parallel education systems of seminaries, English and urdu medium schools.

Calling rule of law a big challenge for the country, he said Madina State was the first to end discriminatory laws for the rich and poor. He said due to lack of rule of law, the country could not tap its immense tourism potential in Northern Areas which were far bigger and more beautiful than Switzerland.

National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf, in his remarks, briefly explained the National Security Policy vision and thanked the Prime Minister and all officials for their constant support.

Calling it an umbrella document linking all issues of national security, Moeed Yusuf said Pakistan was among a few countries that codified and publicized its security policy.

He said the National Security Policy had taken a broad view of national security as both traditional and non-traditional issues impacted the country's security.

While the National Security Policy is centered around economic security, the geo-strategic and geo-political imperatives also feature prominently to strengthen Pakistan security and standing in the world, he remarked.

He highlighted that this was a document finalized after full civil-military consensus.

He said the policy also sought to bring about good governance which was vital to protect the common man.

Moreover, through quality education, it would also bring cohesion in society. He said geo-economics was not different from geo-strategic as Pakistan's location could be used a corridor making other countries benefit from Pakistan's economy.

He said the National Security Division would provide monthly report to National Security Committee on the implementation of the policy.

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Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay a three-day visit to China from February 3 to attend the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics Games, Beijing 2022 at the invitation of Chinese leadership

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay a three-day visit to China from February 3 to attend the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics Games, Beijing 2022 at the invitation of Chinese leadership.

This was stated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar at his weekly news briefing here on Thursday.

The spokesperson said Prime Minister Imran Khan, during his visit, will have interaction with the Chinese leadership to further strengthen Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and to exchange views on regional and international issues.

The Spokesperson said Pakistan looked forward to the successful Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan welcomed the Global Development Initiative put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a timely and good intention step to facilitate implementation of the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

He noted it will help promote international cooperation required to overcome the triple challenge faced by the world including Covid-19, related economic crisis and climate change.

The Spokesperson said the Global Development Initiative will open up new avenues of collaboration with developing countries in support of their post pandemic economic recovery as well as long term sustainable growth. He said Pakistan and China were strong development partners and "we look forward to further strengthen this partnership under China's Global Development Initiative".

Responding to a question, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said Pakistan remained committed for peaceful relations with its neighbours including India.

He, however, said the onus was on India to create an enabling environment for dialogue. He regretted that there was no visible change in the hostile attitude and negative behaviour of India.

The Spokesperson said Pakistan will continue to highlight Kashmir dispute and the rights of oppressed Kashmiri people at all the international forums.

It was reprehensible that Indian occupation forces were continuing with the killing spree in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Since the start of this year, at least 15 Kashmiris had fallen victim to extra-judicial killings in fake encounters and so-called cordon-and-search operations. At least 210 Kashmiris were martyred in 2021. India was also shamelessly targeting journalists and human rights defenders.

The Spokesperson said there was a real possibility that India might stage another false flag operation to complicate the current situation. He said, "we continue to alert our friends in international community about this prospect".

He called on the international community to take immediate notice of the Indian state-terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and hold India accountable for the egregious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in IIOJK. He said India must allow unhindered access to international human rights and humanitarian organizations to conduct independent investigations in the IIOJK.

Talking about Afghanistan, the spokesperson said urgent action was required to avert a humanitarian disaster there.
At least 108 civilians have been killed so far in January in a series of airstrikes in the war-torn northern Tigray region of Ethiopia, the United Nations said Friday

Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jan, 2022 ) :At least 108 civilians have been killed so far in January in a series of airstrikes in the war-torn northern Tigray region of Ethiopia, the United Nations said Friday.

"We are alarmed by the multiple, deeply disturbing reports we continue to receive of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian objects resulting from airstrikes in Ethiopia's Tigray region.

At least 108 civilians have reportedly been killed and 75 others injured since the year began, as a result of air strikes allegedly carried out by the Ethiopian air force," Liz Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN human rights office, told reporters in Geneva.
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The United States has raised the issue of so-called Havana Syndrome with Russia, but Washington has no indication of who is responsible for the anomalous health incidents among diplomats, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told MSNBC on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2022) The United States has raised the issue of so-called Havana Syndrome with Russia, but Washington has no indication of who is responsible for the anomalous health incidents among diplomats, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told MSNBC on Thursday.

"We've raised this with the Russians, but we still don't have a determination of who may - of who is responsible. So we've made clear that if they are responsible, or for that matter, anyone who is responsible will suffer severe consequences. But I don't - I want to be very clear we don't yet have a determination," he explained.

Earlier in the day, the State Department told Sputnik that it was "vigorously investigating" cases of Havana Syndrome. The statement came after The Wall Street Journal reported that diplomats working at the US diplomatic missions in Geneva and Paris may have been affected by Havana Syndrome.

The incidents reportedly happened in the summer of 2021. In Geneva, three American officials reported symptoms similar to Havana Syndrome. At least one diplomat was evacuated to the US for treatment. Senior embassy officials in Paris also informed diplomats by email of one more suspected case and called on the mission's staff to report unusual symptoms.

US diplomats were first diagnosed with Havana Syndrome in Cuba in 2016 and then in China in 2018. The diplomats said they experienced piercing sounds that have caused longer-term health effects. American diplomats in Russia, Tajikistan, Austria and in several African countries have also reported experiencing Havana Syndrome symptoms, including nausea and dizziness.
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ALMATY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2022) Peacekeepers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) from Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan left Kazakhstan on Friday, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Three Russian Il-76 military transport planes evacuated Armenian peacekeepers from the airport of Almaty, while another one delivered Tajik troops home.

The Kyrgyz troops left Kazakhstan on military vehicles.

The CSTO started a peacekeeping operation in Kazakhstan in response to the request of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made amid the civil unrest that engulfed the Central Asian nation. On Thursday, the CSTO announced the end of the mission and started the evacuation of the peacekeepers.
US Vice President Kamala Harris said she could not care less about gossips when asked about a possibility of Joe Biden running with Republican Liz Cheney for a bipartisan presidential ticket in 2024

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2022) US Vice President Kamala Harris said she could not care less about gossips when asked about a possibility of Joe Biden running with Republican Liz Cheney for a bipartisan presidential ticket in 2024.

On Tuesday, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman suggested, citing an Israeli precedent of the current unified government, that Biden could pick Rep. Cheney as his running mate in 2024.

"We are thinking about today," Harris told NBC news in an interview, when asked whether the US will see the same Democratic ticket in 2024.

Asked about Friedman's article, she said that she had not read it and she "really could care less about the high-class gossip on these issues.

"

She added that she is focused on the "things in front of us."

"We are focused on what we need to do to address issues like affordable childcare ... The American people sent us here to do a job and there is a lot of job to be done and that's my focus," she added.

In November, a report came out of Harris feeling sidelined due to an alleged dysfunctional relationship with the President. The White House dismissed the rumor, calling the vice president not only a "vital partner" to Biden but a bold leader. Harris later said that they were not discussing plans for the 2024 election.

In spring 2021, Biden said he expects to run for another presidential term in 2024 when he turns 82.
The Japanese government has established a crisis management center following another suspected missile launch by North Korea, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Friday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2022) The Japanese government has established a crisis management center following another suspected missile launch by North Korea, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Friday.

At 2:55 p.m. local time (05:55 GMT) on Friday, the Japan Coast Guard issued a warning about a possible missile test by North Korea. Minutes later, it reported that a presumably ballistic missile fired by Pyongyang fell into the sea outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone. No damage has been reported.

"On the side of the government, the Cabinet Office has a crisis management center set up at the North Korea dedicated task force.

.. we set up an emergency team and discussed how to respond to missile launches from North Korea," Matsuno said at a briefing.

He described North Korea's actions as a "threat" and "grave issue" for both Japan and the entire region.

Following the launch, which will be North Korea's third this year if confirmed, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reaffirmed the taking of retaliatory measures, which include prompt gathering, analysis and sharing of information, ensuring the safety of aircraft and vessels, and other necessary precautions in the event of unforeseen developments.

North Korea test-launched what it said were hypersonic missiles on January 6 and 11.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2022) No date has been set for any more US-Russia talks on security in Europe but Washington is in contact with Moscow on what comes next after a week of diplomatic meetings, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Thursday.

"There are no dates set for any more talks. We have to consult with allies and partners. First, we're in communication with the Russians and we'll see what comes next," Sullivan told a press briefing.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th January, 2022) American rights activist and trafficking victims' advocate Virginia Giuffre, who accused UK's Prince Andrew of raping her when she was 17, said on Friday she will continue to reveal the truth about the abuse after a US court refused to dismiss the lawsuit at the prince's request.

On Wednesday, a US judge rejected the bid by Prince Andrew to dismiss the trial. The 61-year old prince is being sued by the 38-year-old over rape and sexual abuse that Giuffre says she was subjected to when she was 17. Prince Andrew denies all the allegations.

"I'm pleased with Judge Kaplan's ruling yesterday that allows my case against Prince Andrew to go forward.

I'm glad I will have the chance to continue to expose the truth & I am deeply grateful to my extraordinary legal team," Giuffre tweeted.

The activist said her main goal was to prove that the rich and powerful are not above the law and should be held accountable for their actions. She remarked that she does not "walk this path alone, but alongside countless other survivors of sexual abuse & trafficking."

Prince Andrew intends to continue fighting Giuffre's accusations, the Daily Mail reported, citing sources close to the royal family.
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has tested positive for Covid-19, her office said Friday, making her the third party leader to catch the disease following a meeting earlier this week

Stockholm, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jan, 2022 ) :Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has tested positive for Covid-19, her office said Friday, making her the third party leader to catch the disease following a meeting earlier this week.

"The prime minister has tested positive for Covid-19 in a rapid test.

She is following current recommendations and will conduct her work from home," press secretary Johan Ekstrom told AFP via text message.

Ekstrom said Andersson was feeling well "under the circumstances".

In addition to Andersson, Per Bolund -- who leads the Green Party together with Marta Stenevi -- and Centre Party leader Annie Loof have also contracted the illness following a party leaders' meeting on Wednesday.

The Nordic country of 10.3 million is currently registering record numbers of infections, with a high of 25,567 cases on Thursday.
(@FahadShabbir)

US President Joe Biden on Thursday said the government will double its purchase of Covid-19 tests with extra 500 million kits, bringing the total to one billion

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2022 ) :US President Joe Biden on Thursday said the government will double its purchase of Covid-19 tests with extra 500 million kits, bringing the total to one billion.

As the United States struggles against the Omicron variant sweeping the world, Biden urged Americans to wear good quality masks as "part of your patriotic duty." However, the White House faces pressure over the lack of easily available Covid tests, stymying efforts to keep schools open and get people to work when Omicron infections are surging.

Biden defended the response, saying about 15 million tests were being administered every day, compared to two million when he took office a year ago.

"Today I'm directing my team to procure an additional 500 million more tests to distribute for free," he said. The tests will be available via a soon-to-be launched government website, he said.

Ending his remarks at the White House, Biden made "a special appeal to social media.""The misinformation and disinformation. It's on your shows -- it has to stop," he said.

"It's been a long road but what's clear is that the way we get through this is everybody does their part..., no matter your political party," he said.
Student Spotlight: Giselle Vazquez-Soto Combines A Passion for Health Care and Finance

By Cameron Davis, intern

TAMPA (January 10, 2022) -- Giselle Vazquez-Soto, a senior majoring in finance at the USF Muma College of Business, has big career dreams that land somewhere between the dynamic worlds of business and health care.

While she is enjoying her last few months at the University of South Florida, her long list of leadership roles and volunteer work has been so varied that even a Venn diagram couldnt explain the connections.

She has volunteered at Moffitt Cancer Center, been a peer leader in the Muma College of Businesss Corporate Mentor Program and continues to work as a student accounting assistant for the USF Institute of Applied Engineering. She took part in the Collegiate Leadership Program through the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

She also found time to be a research assistant for political analyst Susan McManus, served as treasurer of the International Student Association, and volunteered as a Spanish translator for the BRIDGE Healthcare Clinic at USF Health. She even made time to volunteer in the Healthy Buddy Program at the USF Center for Urban Transportation Research.

I branched out and did things I never thought I would do, Vazquez-Soto said.

Varied, yet purposeful, all her roles and opportunities make sense to her. She hopes to use that experience and all she has learned in the classroom as a springboard for success. She said she keeps her plate full  with academics, work, and volunteerism  in part because of her familys humble beginnings. Plus, she has a difficult time saying no to opportunities.

Her family history in Tampa began when her great aunt immigrated from Cuba and started to work in the factories in Ybor City rolling cigars. Years later, her parents also came to the U.S. to escape the hardships of Cuba, settling in Tampa.

Knowing the hardships her family faced has only made her more determined to succeed, she said. Shes now making her family proud as a first-generation college student. Im more grateful for the position that Im in after hearing what theyve gone through.

She says its important to step out of ones comfort zone. She believes you can gain somethings valuable from every experience. And without that drive to explore the unknown, she wouldnt have pushed herself to excel far beyond any goal she set for herself.

Vazquez-Soto said she would advise any student to take advantage of opportunities, no matter what. Always be willing to try things not in your realm, she says. That mentality has made her feel fulfilled with all shes accomplished at USF.

Inspired by her familys journey and passion for helping others, she believes that anyone can persevere if they fight for what they want. In her eyes, anything is possible. After graduation, Vazquez-Sotos goal is to earn a medical degree as well as a masters degree in business administration.

Theres nothing that I cant do. Theres nothing that anyone here at USF cant do, she said.
Valdosta, GA (31601)

Today

Sunshine this morning. Increasing clouds with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 89F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Nearly 5 000 people displaced by the Central African Republics long-running civil conflict are without shelter or have lost essential belongings after a fire swept through their camp, the UN said on Wednesday.

Vatican News English Africa Service.

According to Agence France-Presse and the Catholic Churchs Agenzia Fides reports, the blaze was accidental. Twenty people are said to have been injured.

A devastating fire

The fire broke out after a child tried to cook with palm oil, said Philomene Dounda, the prefect of the Lower Kotto region where the camp is located.

Anita Cadonau, a communications officer with the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told AFP that the blaze happened on Tuesday at a camp in Alindao, 500 Kilometres east of the capital Bangui.,

About 5 000 people are now in urgent need of shelter, household necessities, food and water.



Galileo: An IDP site on Cathedral grounds



Galileo is a large IDP site located on the grounds of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Alindao. It is one of the most populous IDP camps in CAR and currently houses mostly displaced persons from Basse-Kotto Prefecture, fleeing violence. Agenzia Fides reports that about 1 500 houses were destroyed while other structures on site suffered extensive material damage.

Severe humanitarian needs

One of the worlds poorest nations, despite a rich supply of diamonds and uranium, the CAR has struggled to recover from a 2013 civil war.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, recurring violence, persistent shocks, and the degradation of basic services have significantly worsened the living conditions of Central Africans in 2021. At the same time, peoples resilience continues eroding under the weight of successive crises and economic recession, forcing nearly the entire population to adopt harmful coping mechanisms.

The humanitarian emergency in the Central African Republic has reached levels not seen since 2015 due to the new conflict dynamics observed since December 2020. This year, in 2022, 3.1 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection.

Of these, 2.2 million people will have needs so complex and severe that their physical and mental well-being is at risk. This is an increase of 16 per cent or 300 000 more people in severe humanitarian needs compared to 2021.
Protests in Kazakhstan have led the Archbishop of Astana to call on Catholics to pray and work for peace to resolve the political crisis in the Central Asian nation.

By Vatican News staff writer

Across Kazakhstan on Thursday, the clergy of the Archdiocese of Astana, including in the capital Nur-Sultan, celebrated Mass "to pray for the victims and for peace in our beloved Kazakhstan".

The initiative came from Astana's Archbishop Tomasz Peta, who in a message broadcast on national television on Monday, called on his fellow citizens to "do everything possible to peacefully resolve the current crisis in the country".

In his message, pronounced in Russian and sent to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACS), the pastor of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy of Astana, which covers the northern territory of Kazakhstan, lamented the tragic incidents of recent weeks, in the course of which nearly 200 people lost their lives. "We mourn the victims," he said.



Archbishop Peta himself celebrated Mass for this intention at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the capital Nur-Sultan, formerly known as Astana. He also recalled that "on Sunday, after the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis spoke about the incidents in Kazakhstan.

He entrusted Kazakhstan to the protection of Our Lady Queen of Peace of Oziornoje. Following the Pope's appeal, we too want to ask for peace through the intercession of the Patroness of our country, the Queen of Peace."

Situation in Kazakhstan

Sources have reported to Aid to the Church in Need that the situation in Nur-Sultan is currently fairly calm, while Almaty, in the south of the country, where the clashes were more serious, is still reporting difficulties in communication via the internet and mobile devices.

Despite these difficulties, the Bishop of Almaty and President of the Bishops' Conference of Kazakhstan, Bishop Jose Luis Mumbiela, was able to join the call to prayer on the national day of mourning for the victims.

In a message sent in Russian to Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Mumbiela said, "Here in Almaty we thank you all for your prayers, compassion, and concern," he said. "We want to remember in our prayers those who suffered the most during the last week. During those days and nights, Almaty was foggy because of the weather conditions, but there was also fog in the hearts of many people", he said in his message The prelate described the news as a fog or mist that makes it difficult to understand what is happening and how it could have happened. "The people of Kazakhstan, especially in Almaty, did not deserve anything like this".

The Bishop added, "We must remember that peace is in our hands and depends on us. Blessed are the peacemakers. Let us not limit ourselves to praying for peace, but let us create peace for others with God's help". To this end, he continued, "let us try to rebuild the Kazakhstan that we all dream of together, with all the people of this country and this city, an international and interreligious Kazakhstan, a Kazakhstan of peace and harmony".

Bishop Adelio Dell'Oro of Karaganda, in the centre-east of the country, recalled, in particular, the victims of his diocese, "where so many people have shed their blood", and stressed that "violence will not lead to a new society, to a new world".

The Bishop concluded by urging people to pray "for all the victims, hoping that everything will be resolved in peace, with justice and for the good of all".
The Catholic Church in Honduras and a coalition of ecumenical representatives have condemned the killing of an Indigenous leader and called for an investigation into the crime.

By Linda Bordoni

Pablo Isabel Hernandez was shot in the back by unidentified gunmen while he was on his way to church, where he was an active pastoral agent. The young leader of the Lenca people was well known for his environmental activism and his faith.

Decrying the murder, a statement by The Churches and Mining Network, which focuses on the effects of mining on local communities and the environment, was released on 10 January after Hernandez was ambushed the day before as he traveled to a local church with family members in the municipality of San Marcos de Caiquin.

We join our voices to the national and international people and institutions that condemn this murder because silencing the voices of those who defend human rights, the rights of mother nature, and those who inform society is an attack against democracy and the rights of communities, said the networks statement, issued in English and Spanish.

The Episcopal Conference of Latin America (CELAM), and the Mesoamerican ecological network (Reemam) also issued statements of condemnation. They described Hernandez as a man of God, who loved his family, loved his people and respected and fought for the protection of our common home.

Violence and intimidation against activists

Hernandez was an outspoken critic of municipal officials and had received threats that he made public. His radio station had also been sabotaged. He is the second Lenca leader killed in less than a year.

In 2016, Berta Caceres, a high-profile indigenous Lenca leader and environmental defender, was murdered in her home in western Honduras for organizing opposition against a hydroelectric project, provoking an international outcry. Eight individuals, including a former army intelligence officer, were convicted in the killing of Caceres.

In 2021, violent incidents against some 208 human rights defenders and 93 journalists were recorded (in Honduras) of which 10 were murders of human rights defenders.

CELAM, Reemam and the ecumenical network have demanded an investigation into this vile crime, that those who are responsible be persecuted, and for the protection of all social movement, environmental and human rights activists in Honduras.
Landslides and flooding over the weekend have killed at least 12 people in Brazil's Minas Gerais state.

By Vatican News staff reporter

Since the weekend, Brazils Minas Gerais State has seen intense rainfall and authorities are monitoring dams that could burst.

Those who died included women and children. In the southeastern state, firefighters found a family of five, including two children buried on a hillside near the state capital, Belo Horizonte.

There were also deaths in the city of Sao Goncalo do Rio Abaixo, Caratinga, and in the city of Ervalia.

State of Emergency

Officials in Minas Gerais state said 145 municipalities were in a state of emergency due to flooding that has already forced more than 17,000 people to leave their homes.

There has been torrential rainfall in other states in recent months.

The state of Bahia reported 26 rain-caused deaths in November and December, and more than 100,000 have been evacuated in various states during the rainy season.

Weather forecasters were predicting that rainfall would only let up after Thursday.

BBrazil flooding

Hydroelectric dams

State authorities said there were fears that dams could burst and that 42 were being monitored in Minas Gerais state.

Authorities also expressed concern that water was overflowing the retaining wall of the Carioca hydroelectric dam. A number of residents were evacuated from the area, including in the town Para de Minas.

In a post on social media, the town's mayor said firefighters used a helicopter to rescue 130 people stranded by the swollen river.

Over the years, Minas Gerais has suffered a least two dam ruptures. In 2019, more than 200 people died when a dam in Brumadinho gave way and in 2015, the collapse of another dam killed 19 people.
JORDAN MEAD is News Editor for The Vidette. Contact her at jnmead@ilstu.edu. Follow Mead on Twitter at @meadjordan19

IF YOU SUPPORT THE VIDETTE MISSION of providing a training laboratory for Illinois State University student journalists to learn and sharpen viable, valuable and marketable skills in all phases of digital media, please contribute to this most important cause. Thank you.
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Dear Colonel Richard Munn, I am writing you because of your deeply disturbing publication entitled the "Study Guide on Racism." The premise of your fallacious paper implies that the ghosts from the aftermath of the Civil War are back burning crosses on front lawns across America, and the lynching of Blacks by former Democrat Party brigades has risen its ugly head once again.

It's as if Biden's preference for segregated schools and the Democrats' past penchant for enforcing "White Only" drinking fountains and restaurants are still being played out on street corners and in neighborhoods across America.

Fortunately, none of this is true, and the days of racial injustice are behind us. Today thousands of black Americans have been lifted out of poverty by their initiative, strength of character, and God-given talents. People of all ethnic backgrounds have learned that the road to prosperity starts with one's own volition and not through government intervention. So why write such a divisive, backward-looking piece rather than penning a forward-thinking vision for all Americans?

But your manuscript implies that racism is embedded in the minds of all Caucasians, and you claim whites subconsciously display their racist impulses in all the choices and actions they make. What in the world possessed you to write such ignorant and ugly thoughts, much less publish them? Your words dishonor the Salvation Army's mission and defame your most ardent group of donors? Recently, you retracted this policy position, but your weak-kneed mea culpa reeks of insincerity and demonstrates how far the Salvation Army has strayed from its original mission.

Unfortunately, there are consequences for making poor choices for all of us. So, this will not come as a surprise to you to learn that your Christmas stocking, once brimming with charitable donations, will now be filled with carbon-producing lumps of coal in deference to your Study Guide on Racism. Congratulations and Merry Grinchmas to you and the ignoramuses on the Board of Directors at the Salvation Army for betraying your most coveted supporters by ingratiating yourselves with the infamous race-baiting hustlers of the Democrat Party and their surrogates in the Woke Mob.

I leave you with this last thought; Is wearing your Nike shoes more sacred to you than saving the lives of the enslaved Uighurs who make them? Perhaps, Colonel Munn, this is a noble cause worth pursuing?

Dave Maynard
On Jan. 6, the Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia met via a virtual meeting to sign a defense treaty in response to the growing military and economic aggression of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Against the backdrop of escalating CCP aggression, this is Japans second defense pact to tighten its security in the face of a possible attack by the communist-ruled nation.

Sealing the deal

Following a virtual summit held last Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison signed what is deemed a historic defense treaty  a treaty that had been in the works since 2014.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) was signed to form a defense cooperation framework, where both governments will send troops to each others countries to accommodate joint exercises between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military. It also aims to ease the mobilization of weapons and supplies, and provide disaster support, the Interpreter reported.

After the signing of the RAA, Kishida and Morrison came forth to address serious concerns regarding the developments within the South China Sea area, where the CCP continues to enforce its claims of territory, especially on the island of Taiwan.

Despite the island government not being recognized by the world as an official one, many nations vowed to provide unofficial support for the Republic of China (ROC), or Taiwan.

In Japans case, a territorial dispute exists between Tokyo and Beijing over the Senkaku Islands, which China calls the Diaoyu islands.

Kishida declared that the agreement is a landmark instrument which will elevate security cooperation between the nations to new heights. He also said Japan has plans for signing more pacts with the United Kingdom and France  both of which reciprocated the support from Tokyo in response to an increasingly assertive China.

The importance of security cooperation between Japan and Australia has increased significantly and it is a great pleasure to see the results of our vigorous negotiations have come to fruition, Kishida added.

Morrison stated that the RAA was an equal partnership of shared trust between two great democracies, committed to the rule of law, human rights, free trade and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

He then told reporters that the treaty would usher in a new chapter in advanced defense cooperation between Australia and Japan.

China reacts

On Jan. 5, in response to the signing of the treaty, Beijings foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the Pacific Ocean is vast enough for the common development of countries in the region.

State-to-state exchanges and cooperation should be conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and trust among countries in the region and safeguarding regional peace and stability, rather than targeting or undermining the interests of any third party, he added. We hope that the Pacific will be an ocean of peace, not a place to make waves.

The RAA has been recognized by several analysts for its importance of cooperation against Beijings military endeavors.

In an interview with the Associated Free Press, senior analyst Ali Wyne of the Eurasia Group said that the RAA highlights the efforts of the Quad, the unofficial naval alliance that consists of Japan, Australia, India and the United States. The grouping held joint military drills in response to Beijings previous movements.

Wyne added that China will likely cast [the RAA] as further evidence that advanced industrial democracies seek to stymie its resurgence.

According to a writer for Nikkei Asia, they hope that Tokyo continues to keep the momentum up and develop upon its cooperation with other like-minded allies.

They also expressed concern for Japans diplomatic rift with South Korea, while also pointing out the lack of development in the North Korean abduction issue.

Japan currently has had a status of forces agreement with the U.S. since the 1960s, giving the U.S. the permission to house their military forces in and around Japan.

In addition to raising its military budget on defenses, Tokyo also recently proposed a joint operation plan with Washington to prepare for a state of emergency should Beijing launch an attack on Japan.

Japan is breaking away from its post-war constitutional constraints on the use of military force because Tokyo recognises the challenges it is facing from China, said Malcom Davis, senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

On Dec. 13, Australia also signed a $717 million deal  the largest defense deal ever made between Australia and an Asian nation  to send artillery support, supply vehicles and radar equipment from Seoul to the Australian army.
On Jan. 11, North Korea reportedly tested a third ballistic missile that is believed to be more capable than the missile it tested a week earlier. The launches come after dictator Kim Jong-Uns New Year announcement that he would boost the countrys military prowess with cutting-edge technology.

North Korean media lauded the launch as a successful test of what it called a hypersonic missile under the leadership of Kim Jong-Un. After the missile was fired, it turned and hit its target 621 miles away at sea.

State media outlet Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed that the superior maneuverability of the missile has been verified.

According to KCNA, the missile performed a 375-mile glide jump flight and 240 km (149 miles) of corkscrew maneuvering before hitting the target. This is North Koreas third reported hypersonic missile test; the first was conducted in Sept. 2021. The latest test followed the second test of a hypersonic missile Pyongyang had conducted on Jan. 5.

The North Korean regime has been developing and testing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons for decades. Despite international sanctions and the nations crushing levels of poverty and hunger, the totalitarian regime has detonated several nuclear bombs of varying yield since 2006 and focuses much of its meager GDP on the construction of more powerful and longer-ranged weapons.

North Koreas two missile tests in less than a week caused concern among its neighbors, especially South Korea, which technically remains in a civil war with the North.

We assess that this is more advanced than the missile North Korea fired on Jan. 5, though South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are conducting detailed analysis, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement.

Initial estimates by the JCS put the distance traveled by the Jan. 11 missile at 700 km (435 miles). The missile is believed to have traveled at a top speed of 10 times the speed of sound to a maximum altitude of 60 km (37 miles). The South Korean National Security Council (NSC) soon held an emergency meeting and expressed strong regret regarding Pyongyangs most recent missile test.

While many ballistic missiles already travel at hypersonic speeds during certain stages of flight, the term hypersonic missile refers to weapons that are highly maneuverable and thus unpredictable, unlike existing ballistic rockets.

Officials in South Korea cast doubt on the North Korean claim that the Jan. 5 missile test had demonstrated hypersonic capabilities.

But according to Kim Dong-yup, a former South Korean Navy officer, North Korea could have conducted the Jan. 11 missile launch to send a message to those who doubted the Jan. 5 test.

Members of the NSC urged North Korea to swiftly respond to the international communitys expectations for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, and agree to resume dialogue and cooperation, the South Korean presidential Blue House stated.

The U.S. State Department called out the Jan. 11 launch as a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions.

The missile is also said to have landed outside the exclusive economic zone of Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called Pyongyangs continued testing of missiles regrettable.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Seouls Ewha University, believes the reason behind North Korea continuously testing its missiles is an attempt to normalize its military programs and missile capability in the eyes of the international community.

On Jan. 10, the United States, Albania, France, Japan, United Kingdom, and France issued a joint statement condemning North Koreas Jan. 5 missile test as a threat to global security.
A member of the European Union parliament (MEP) has called out mounting police violence on peaceful demonstrators in Europe, stating that the EU is transitioning from democracy to tyranny.

Christian Terhes of Romania, along with other representatives of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), decried the trend of mounting police violence at anti-COVID regulation and anti-government protests in Europe.

Under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, the EU is transitioning from democracy to tyranny, the MEP said during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 13.

Ive seen what happened in 1989, in December in Romania, when we took it to the streets to fight against communism, he said, equating the situation in todays Europe with that during the communist era.

Look where we are right now: from and Iron Curtain, handled by the USSR, we live right now in a world that you could easily call the Iron Fist, Terhes argued. This is what the EU became.

Amsterdam atrocities

Terhes was especially appalled by police actions during protests in Amsterdam on Jan. 2 and other protests elsewhere in the Netherlands last year.

What I saw I could not believe, the ECR member said. That in western Europe, a police department  a government  could treat people the way those people were treated by the police in Amsterdam on January 2nd.

This is just one out of the many pictures released by the media that were released by the media when innocent protesters were mauled by police dogs, he continued while he held up a picture of a police dog mauling a protester during the Amsterdam protest.

"Under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, the EU is transitioning from democracy to tyranny." More about the press conference here: https://t.co/M3uvShPHWC  Cristian Terhes MEP (@CristianTerhes) January 13, 2022

The only thing those people asked for was to have their basic, fundamental human rights respected by their own government, which did not happen.

Appreciation for the veterans

Terhes also voiced his appreciation for the military veterans who attended the Amsterdam protests and who formed a cordon to keep the demonstrators clear from the riot police squads.

They came, and they created a line of defense between these brutal police forces, and the innocent bystanders, he said. And if you look on the images, you will see that the ones who got beaten first were the veterans, the MEP said.

READ MORE:

Violence Erupts, Amsterdam Police Use Excessive Aggression Against Peaceful Demonstrators

He was probably alluding to a video that surfaced showing how riot police members stepped aside while another team of jean-clad fighters in riot gear bearing unknown insignia on their sleeves stepped in and attacked the veterans without giving any notice.

Some fear these troops belonged to the notorious Eurogendfor forces, a supra-national army especially dedicated to suppressing opposition during uproars. Mostly they are deployed on foreign soil and, purportedly, have a license to kill when it comes to opponents who resist their arrest.

Terhes lambasts French President Emmanuel Macron

Terhes also vented his anger for French President Emmanuel Macron who said that those who refuse the vaccine are not citizens, adding that his remarks intended to piss them off and make life miserable.

READ MORE:

Macron Says the 10 Percent Unvaccinated are Not Citizens Just to Piss em Off

Macron just said a few days ago that if youre not vaccinated or if you dont have a green certificate, you are not a citizen anymore, Terhes said. You know what that means? That you dont have rights.

Italian fury

Another ECR member, Francesca Donato grilled the Italian authorities for the way they handled the COVID-19 pandemic, which she deemed a true health service collapse.

Francesca Donato  Member of European Parliament pic.twitter.com/eFlRiZmasS  Bryan Ivermectin Pastor (@BryanACPastor) January 13, 2022

This minority is segregated and persecuted by the government for just political reasons, Donato said, referring to the vaccine-free who are increasingly being excluded from partaking in public life. I wonder how the EU institution can go on being indifferent to all of that, she added.
Autocratic leaders are facing a democratic backlash from their people in several countries around the world, according to the organization Human Rights Watch in its annual global report, which was published Thursday.

The report said that in the past 12 months there have been a series of military coups and crackdowns on opposition figures.

In Myanmar, the military seized power last February and ousted the democratically elected government, jailing President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

In Nicaragua, opposition members were jailed on treason charges ahead of the November election, as President Daniel Ortega consolidated power.

In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected in January 2021 after security forces arrested and beat opposition supporters and journalists, killed protesters, and disrupted opposition rallies.

Democratic Backlash

The conventional wisdom these days is that autocrats are in the ascendancy and democratic leaders are in the decline, but when we looked back over the last year, we found that that view is actually too superficial, too simplistic, said Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, in an interview with VOA.

In fact, there are encouraging signs of democratic uprisings, Roth said. There's an emergence of a series of popular demonstrations, popular protests for democracy against the autocrat. And we've seen this in a range of countries: in Thailand, Myanmar and Sudan, in Uganda, Nicaragua, Cuba, Poland, many parts of the world, these outpourings of support for human rights, for democracy, and against autocratic rule.

Despite the optimistic tone, the report catalogues the suppression of democracy and human rights in more than 100 countries. Tens of thousands of opposition activists, human rights defenders and civilians have been jailed, beaten or killed.

Russia

In Russia, opposition leader Alexey Navalny remains in prison on parole-related violations after surviving a nerve agent attack he blamed on the Kremlin. Russia denied involvement.

The legislative crackdown that started in November 2020 intensified ahead of the September 2021 general elections, the Human Rights Watch report says. Numerous newly adopted laws broadened the authorities grounds to target a wide range of independent voices. Authorities used some of these laws and other measures, to smear, harass, and penalize human rights defenders, journalists, independent groups, political adversaries, and even academics. Many left Russia for their own safety or were expelled. Authorities took particular aim at independent journalism.

Since December 2020, the report says, the number of individuals and entities (that) authorities branded (as) foreign mediaforeign agent exploded, reaching 94 by early November. Most are prominent investigative journalists and independent outlets, the report said.

Human Rights Watch says Moscow continues to suppress democracy at home and lend support to autocrats overseas, including President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, who has jailed hundreds of anti-government demonstrators and activists following the 2020 election that critics say was rigged.

Russia earlier this month sent troops to Kazakhstan to help its autocratic president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, crush anti-government protests. Russias president, Vladimir Putin, continues to offer military support to his Syrian ally, Bashar al-Assad, who is accused of crimes against humanity in his brutal suppression of the 2011 uprising and its aftermath.

China

The report says China has locked up thousands of pro-democracy activists and has intensified its crackdown on democratic freedoms in Hong Kong following the imposition of the National Security Law on the territory.

With President Xi Jinping at the helm, the Chinese government doubled down on repression inside and outside the country in 2021. Its zero-tolerance policy towards COVID-19 strengthened the authorities hand, as they imposed harsh policies in the name of public health, the Human Rights Watch report says.

Authorities (are) committing crimes against humanity as part of a widespread and systematic attack on Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, including mass detention, torture, and cultural persecution. Tibetans continued to be subjected to grave abuses, including harsh and lengthy imprisonment for exercising their basic rights, the report adds. China has denied committing abuses in Xinjiang.

Rule by force

Roth says, despite the seemingly overwhelming force wielded by oppressive states, there is cause for hope.

To maintain power by force is a very short-term strategy. If you look at Myanmar where the junta performed a coup almost a year ago, all they have is force. The entire population is against them. I think in Sudan, the military is facing something similar. They've just ousted the civilian prime minister, but they now face such a hostile population, Roth told VOA.

Opposition coalitions

The report says that in countries that still permit reasonably fair elections, opposition politicians  and electorates  are getting more sophisticated.

Weve seen the emergence in a number of countries that still permit reasonably fair elections of broad political coalitions, alliances for democracy. And we saw these coalitions oust Prime Minister (Andrej) Babis in the Czech Republic, they got rid of (Benjamin) Netanyahu in Israel, they were really behind the coalition that chose Joe Biden to contest (U.S. President) Donald Trump. And today in Hungary and in Turkey, Prime Minister (Viktor) Orban and President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan are facing similar broad coalitions that are really putting their grasp on power in jeopardy, Roth said.

Democratic duty

Human Rights Watch says the leaders of democratic countries must end their support for autocratic regimes, like Saudi Arabia and Egypt  and they must do a better job of delivering for their own people.

Particularly today when there really are big global challenges, climate change, the pandemic, poverty and inequality, the threats from technology. These are huge problems that demand visionary leadership, Roth told VOA.

But instead, typically we're getting from democratic leaders minimalism, incremental change, really short-term steps, and that's not enough. If that's all that they can come up with, they're going to generate despair and frustration, which are going to be a breeding ground for a second wind for the autocrats.

The Human Rights Watch report strikes an optimistic tone  but cautions that the outcome of the battle between autocracy and democracy remains uncertain.
The U.N. human rights office says at least 108 civilians have been killed and many more injured in several air strikes allegedly carried out by the Ethiopian air force in the countrys northern Tigray region since the start of the new year.

In the past two weeks, air strikes have hit Tigrays state-owned Technical Vocational Education and Training Institute, a camp for displaced people, a flour mill, a private minibus, and numerous other civilian targets.

U.N. human rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell says the number of dead and injured is based on information gathered from different sources by colleagues monitoring the situation in Ethiopia.

The deadliest airstrike so far, which hit the Dedebit Internally Displaced Persons camp on the 7th of January, left at least 56 people dead and 30 others wounded. We have since established that three of those who were critically injured later died in hospital while receiving medical treatment, pushing the death toll from that single strike to at least 59, she said.

Throssell says monitors continue to receive deeply disturbing reports of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian sites resulting from airstrikes in Tigray.

We call on the Ethiopian authorities and their allies to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects, in line with their obligations under international law. Any attack, including airstrikes should fully respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attackFailure to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality could amount to war crimes, she expressed.

The Ethiopian government has not commented on allegations of responsibility for airstrikes in Tigray.

The United Nations reports tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced since the conflict between pro-Ethiopian government forces and Tigrayan forces erupted in November 2020. It says 5.2 million people are in need of life-saving assistance, with 400,000 living in famine-like conditions.
Al-Shabab militants relentlessly carry out attacks in Somalia, such as Wednesday's suicide car bombing in Mogadishu that killed at least 10 people. The group claimed responsibility for the assault on a security caravan.

When the group is not staging direct attacks, it uses intimidation to collect "zakat," or taxes, and fees from Somali businesses to finance its operations.

The violent group, which has been trying to impose an extreme version of Islam in Somalia since 2007, inspires terror. But its own members fear judgment in Somalia's military courtrooms, says a Somali military judge, who has prosecuted hundreds of such cases.

Hassan Ali Nur Shute, chairman of the Somali National Armed Forces military court, told VOA Somali that he interviewed an al-Shabab suspect who related that "members are told to take their lives when carrying out attacks" rather than stand trial in a military court.

"They know about the court," Shute said of al-Shabab militants. "They tell each other that they will face justice."

As chairman, Shute supervises 11 other military judges. Since 2017, they collectively have tried 659 alleged militants on charges of murder, terrorism or both, Shute said. Of those, 455  mostly al-Shabab militants, and a few affiliated with the Islamic State group  have been convicted.

Seventeen have been executed, including Hassan Aden Isak, who coordinated a double truck bombing in Mogadishu on Oct. 14, 2017, that killed 587 people. Isak was executed exactly a year later.



Ten other al-Shabab fighters remain on death row.

Somalia's military justice system requires a three-judge panel for any trial, whether for alleged militants or defendants from the armed forces. The overwhelming majority of cases are heard in Mogadishu, but military judges also travel to various Somali regions and towns. The hearings are public  sometimes even televised  with attorneys for the prosecution and defense. Decisions involving the death penalty must be unanimous, and Shute must approve each one.

Concerns about rights

But the system faces opposition, mainly from rights organizations and others that contend cases involving defendants with suspected terrorist ties should be transferred to civilian courts.

"The military court does not have legal jurisdiction over al-Shabab-related cases," said Laetitia Bader, Horn of Africa director for Human Rights Watch (HRW).

She said the system operates under an outdated 2011 presidential decree that declared a state of emergency in parts of Mogadishu vacated by al-Shabab.

"Although the state of emergency expired after three months, the military court has continued to try a range of defendants beyond those envisioned under the Military Code of Criminal Procedure," HRW wrote in a 2014 report challenging what it called the court's "absolute power."

Ali Halane, a Somali defense lawyer based in Mogadishu, also contends that military courts should not try defendants with alleged ties to al-Shabab or any other terrorist organization. He said the military justice system, set up in 1964, limits the court's jurisdiction to defendants who are members of the armed forces.

"These are civilians, citizens," Halane said of alleged al-Shabab defendants. "They have a right to be tried by courts trying civilians. And if they are fighting against the army, they should have access to a fair trial. They should find a neutral body."

Bader also worries that the military courts do not respect due process, one of the issues HRW raised in its 2014 report. She questioned the reliability of interrogations conducted while a suspect is in custody of intelligence services. She fears detainees have limited access to legal counsel, noting that from 2011 to 2014 the court relied solely on confessions.

"Confessions taken from individuals when they were held in detention facilities" or without "access to legal counsel, to their relatives, are particularly concerning," said Bader, who also raised concern about the speed of trials.



Shute defended the military court system's practices, saying al-Shabab is treated as military because it's an armed organization engaged in a deadly war aimed at toppling Somalia's government. He said the very reason the court was established was to deliver "swift justice."

Brigadier General Abdi Hassan Hussein, a former intelligence officer and former police commander of Puntland region, also supports trying suspected al-Shabab defendants in the military court system. The official, also known as Abdi Yare, said some al-Shabab units are trained, organized, armed and uniformed like the military. They sometimes disguise themselves in military or police uniforms to undertake attacks.

Hussein said Somalia's Parliament should pass an anti-terrorism law to empower the military court.

Perilous profession

Shute, now 35, holds a master's degree in law. He joined the military court system in 2011 and was appointed to the bench the following year.

Trying terrorism cases inevitably has exposed him to personal threats and loss.

On Jan. 2, 2018, his father Nur Shute visited the judge's office, advising him to leave government service and study abroad. An hour after his father left, Shute received a phone call that his dad had been assassinated. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the killing.

Shute also has lost colleagues to al-Shabab killings: Deputy Attorney General Mohamed Abdirahman Mursal in March 2019, criminal investigator Hassan Dhere in April 2018, and military court prosecutor Abdullahi Hussein Mohamed in October 2016. On the day of Mohamed's death, an al-Shabab spokesman had threatened retaliation for executions ordered by the court.

So, Shute considers himself a marked man. Always under guard, he travels in bullet-proof vehicles  which helped him survive a roadside explosion while returning from a military base in Lower Shabelle on Sept. 25, 2019. He lives separate from his family, fearing that they could be vulnerable if al-Shabab came knocking at the door. He said even his relatives and friends avoid his company, worried they could be impacted.

But the chairman said he remains committed to his work, bolstered by public reaction. And the court's Facebook page shows considerable public support for trying al-Shabab members.

He said the military courts' efforts help Somalis feel more secure.

"Ordinary people  have seen that al-Shabab can be prosecuted," Shute said. "They were not even mentioning al-Shabab's name out loud before. They used code words like 'Arsenal is playing today.'"

This report was developed from VOA Somali Service's "Investigative Dossier" program.


Namibian authorities say thousands of Angolans who entered Namibia in the past year to escape drought back home, have been returning amid fresh rains. Authorities this month said at least 18 Angolan infants, whose parents fled hunger, died in Namibia from malnutrition.

The acting health director in the Omusati region of northern Namibia, Dr. Francina Ananias, said most of the Angolan migrants arrived in the country in terrible condition, leading to the deaths of several infants, who had accompanied their mothers in search of food and water.

We assessed them to find out that they had malnutrition," said Ananias. "So, we have been giving them formulas that we have so that they can pick up, but unfortunately some of them died.

The governor of the Omusati region, Erginus Endjala, who oversees the migrants' safe return to Angola, said the recent rains have encouraged them to return home in order to tend to their fields.

For the past five years, they did not receive enough rain. It means climate change have really brought severe drought to that part of Angola, thats now the southern part of Angola," Endjala Ananias. "When they came you could see from their bodies that they were malnourished and of course, as a result, some of those kids could not survive due to the lack of food and also their mothers did not have enough milk to breastfeed them. That is the reason I think we have recorded that high number of infant mortalities.

Local journalist Maria Davids spoke to some of the migrants who are being repatriated by the Namibian government to Angola.

The group were excited to return home, saying they were willing to re-start over and be re-united with their families," said Davids.

In Namibia and Angola, incidents of hunger, both rural and urban, are increasing. The COVID-19 pandemic, drought and changing weather patterns are reversing gains made in terms of both countries realizing United Nations sustainable development goals.
The White House reached out to Ukraine on Friday to offer its support after several of Kyivs government agencies suffered a cyberattack, as tensions simmered between Russia and Ukraine.

A White House National Security Council spokesman told VOA that U.S. President Joe Biden was briefed on the attack, which shut down as many as 15 of Ukraines government websites. The spokesman said the NSC has offered whatever support it can provide as it assesses the impact of the attack.

Ukraine's foreign ministry reported Friday that the ministries affected included the treasury, the national emergency service and the state services, where Ukrainians' electronic passports and vaccination certificates are stored.

When asked who was behind the attack, Ukraine foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said Friday, It's too early to draw conclusions, but there is a long record of Russian assaults against Ukraine in the past."

Message from hackers

The targeted websites contained a message from the hackers in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, saying Ukrainians' personal data has been leaked into the public domain, though Ukraines State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection told The Associated Press there was no evidence personal data has been leaked.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, told VOA on Friday that the hackers did not reach their goal, which he said was to shut key parts of Ukraines government. He said the attack came around 2 a.m. Friday, and many of the sites were brought back up immediately, while others were still down hours later.

While it is difficult to determine who was behind the attack, Danilov told VOA Russia is the only country that can perform a cyberattack on such a scale.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is on the Foreign Relations Committee, told VOAs Ukrainian Service that while we dont know yet who was behind the cyberattack, we do know thats Russias history when they are trying to make mischief.

I think it is not surprising and I think it is something we might see more of, she said.

European Union officials also condemned Friday's cyberattack and pledged to use EU resources to assist the nation.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance's cyber experts have been exchanging information with their Ukrainian counterparts on "the current malicious cyber activities." He said NATO-allied experts in the country are supporting Ukrainian authorities.

Stoltenberg announced NATO and Ukraine will sign an agreement on enhanced cyber cooperation, which would include giving Ukraine access to NATO's malware information-sharing platform.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brest, France, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell issued the "strongest condemnation" of the attack and said an emergency meeting of the EU political committee would be held to discuss how to react. He pledged to "mobilize all our resources to help Ukraine" increase its cyberattack-resistance capability.

'Hybrid warfare instruments'

A European official, speaking to VOA and other reporters on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive material, said, We know that the Russian regime acts using what the specialists call hybrid warfare instruments, and added, It's not something which is completely unexpected.

John Hultquist, vice president of intelligence analysis at cyber security firm Mandiant, said, This incident could be the work of government actors or government-sponsored actors, or it could have been done by elements of civil society reacting independently.

As tensions grow, we can expect more aggressive cyber activity in Ukraine and potentially elsewhere, he added.

These are tried and true Russian tactics. ... It has long waged massive cyberattacks against Ukrainian infrastructure, as well as information operations targeting Ukrainian soldiers and Ukrainian citizens, said David Salvo, deputy director at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, a national security advocacy group.

The cyberattack follows a week of largely fruitless diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Russian-Ukrainian border, where Moscow has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops and equipment, raising fears of an imminent invasion.

Russia insists the troops are there for its own protection but is demanding NATO provide guarantees it will stop its eastward expansion, beginning with not allowing Ukraine to join the alliance, a move Moscow perceives as a threat. NATO has repeatedly rejected that request, saying Russia has no veto over NATO membership for other countries.

VOA Eastern Europe Chief Myroslava Gongadze, VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin, VOAs Ukrainian Service and VOAs Russian Service contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
U.S. President Joe Biden met Thursday with Senate Democrats in a last-ditch plea to overhaul the countrys election laws even as one fellow Democrat pointedly said she would not support changing the Senates legislative rules to circumvent uniform Republican opposition to establishing national voting rules.

Biden met with most of the Senate Democratic caucus over lunch to voice his support for two measures that would greatly increase federal oversight over congressional and presidential elections and establish uniform voting rules across the country. The bills would erase more restrictive regulations adopted by Republican-controlled legislatures in at least 19 states.

As he left the lunch, however, Biden voiced little optimism about his chances of winning approval for the legislation, telling reporters, I hope we can get this done. The honest-to-God answer is, I don't know that we can get this done."

With all 50 Republicans in the 100-member Senate opposed to the two pieces of legislation Biden supports, Democrats can only approve them by changing the Senates filibuster rule that forces proponents of any contentious legislation to amass a 60-vote supermajority. Democrats want to pass the legislation by a 51-50 simple majority vote with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tiebreaker.

But shortly before Biden arrived on Capitol Hill to meet with the Democratic senators, Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona said in a Senate speech that she supports voting rights but would not vote to change the chambers filibuster, even for voting rights.

Another centrist Democratic lawmaker, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has also consistently voiced his opposition to changing the filibuster rule.

Sinema said, These bills help treat the symptoms of the disease, but they do not fully address the disease itself. And while I continue to support these bills, I will not support separate actions that worsen the underlying disease of division infecting our country by changing the Senates use of the filibuster that allows the minority party to block legislation it opposes.

Her view on the filibuster, while not new, was a blow to Bidens efforts to advance a major piece of his legislative agenda.

Change of view

The president, himself a senator for 36 years before serving as vice president and winning the presidency, had voiced reservations during his run for the White House about abandoning the Senate filibuster.

But on Tuesday in Atlanta, he said, Today I'm making it clear. To protect our democracy, 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.

Democrats say the legislation is needed to curb voting rules adopted in Republican-led states that make it more difficult to vote, such as by curtailing mail-in voting and limiting the number of days allowed for early balloting ahead of the traditional election days in early November.

Former President Donald Trump has falsely claimed the more lenient voting rules employed in 2020 led to fraud that cost him reelection, although voting officials for a year have concluded that any irregularities that occurred would not have changed the outcome of the election.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has adamantly opposed the Democrats efforts to approve the voting changes and assailed Bidens speech in Atlanta. McConnell has said the changes would amount to a federal overreach for Democrats to control elections, so that one political party can take over our nations elections from the top down.

On Thursday, as the legislative maneuvering came to a head, McConnell said, Nobody in this country is buying the fake hysteria that democracy will die unless Democrats get total control.

Theres a path forward for my Democratic colleagues to respond to the country they have so badly disappointed, but it isnt to try to break the Senate and rewrite election laws, its to actually start tackling the issues that American families need tackled, he said.

Another Republican lawmaker, Senator John Thune of South Dakota, said after Sinema spoke, Shes just expressing a frustration that [her Democratic colleagues] dont appear to be listening to her. Shes been clear. Shes been public from the beginning about this, and they seem to continue to think that somehow theyre going to switch her, and the more they do that, I think the more dug in shes gotten.
Britain's domestic intelligence agency, MI5, is coming under political pressure to explain why it did not alert lawmakers sooner about the activities of a suspected Chinese spy, who the security service now say was "knowingly engaged in political interference in the U.K."

The British security agencies have been warning in recent months about China increasing espionage activity in the country, but alleged spy Christine Lee, a 59-year-old mother of two and legal adviser to the Chinese embassy, was allowed to work unhindered and even received an award in 2019 from 10 Downing Street.

According to a rare alert sent by MI5 Thursday to authorities at the House of Commons, Lee facilitated and channeled financial donations from China to political parties and parliamentarians and spent the best part of three decades establishing connections with politicians and high-flyers.

The MI5 alert said Lee is an agent for the United Front Work Department, a department that reports directly to the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The alert says she has been using the financial donations to gain access to British politicians and to exert political influence. One of the biggest beneficiaries was senior Labour MP Barry Gardiner.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin denied the allegations on Friday.

"China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs," he said during a press briefing in Beijing. "We have no need and will not engage in so-called interference activities. Certain people may have watched too many '007' movies, resulting in too many unnecessary associations."

The Chinese embassy in Britain said the accusations against Lee were part of a campaign of "smearing and intimidation against the Chinese community in the U.K."

Between 2015 and 2020, Lee's law firm, based in the English town of Birmingham, alone donated $900,000 to Gardiner for the running of his office. The Labour lawmaker employed one of Lee's sons in his private office. Gardiner told a London broadcaster that Christine Lee would seek his view on "who was up and who was down in politics."

And in a statement, the British lawmaker said he had been "liaising with our security services for a number of years" about Lee and had correctly reported all donations. Gardiner served for a time as Labour's main spokesman on energy and climate change and on international trade. He has generally taken pro-Beijing stances and has been a supporter of a contentious nuclear power plant being built in Britain in partnership with a Chinese-state owned energy company.

But there has been no suggestion from British authorities of impropriety on his part. Gardiner said MI5 had advised him there was no intelligence that shows Lee's son, Daniel Wilkes, "was aware of, or complicit in, his mother's illegal activity."

After receiving a warning from MI5, Lindsay Hoyle, speaker of the House of Commons, alerted parliamentarians Thursday, saying Lee "has been engaged in political interference activities on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, targeting members here at Parliament and associated political entities." He said MI5 had informed him Lee had masked the origins of the donations she gave to serving and aspiring parliamentarians.

Born in China, Lee set up a home in the English Midlands in the 1980s and established a successful law firm with its main office in Birmingham and branches in London's Chinatown, Beijing, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. She is believed to be a naturalized British citizen.

Damian Hinds, the security minister, said Friday there would be a review to examine how Lee managed to forge ties with establishment figures. Hinds said the incident demonstrated the way in which hostile countries were trying to interfere with British politics.

"You have operators who specialize in trying to, you know, find ways of getting into influential positions and work in all manner of different ways," he told Sky News.

Hinds added, "This is a story, an incident, an item about how other states can seek to influence our country in different ways, one of which is political interference, and one of the ways of doing that is through provision of finance."

Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative party leader, has called for a wider ranging review to include examining why lawmakers were not warned much earlier by the security services about Lee, who has been making donations to British politicians for 17 years.

"Why in heaven's name is such an agent allowed in this country?" he asked Thursday in the House of Commons.

British officials say Lee was suspected of seeking to influence several MPs, regardless of their party affiliations. Several lawmakers, including senior ones, from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties received donations and she had access to a succession of British prime ministers. In 2019, she received a Points of Light Award from then-Prime Minister Theresa May for her work on behalf of the British-Chinese community. The award was rescinded Thursday.

A middle-aged, bespectacled and respected lawyer, Lee would seem at first glance to be an improbable spy. But British intelligence officials say her spycraft was a textbook case of influence peddling, enlisting the assistance of sympathizers and identifying potential recruits.

"People think spying is all glamorous James Bond stuff," a serving British intelligence officer told VOA. "But Lee's role was not to steal state and military secrets but to insinuate her way into political and business circles in ways useful for China's foreign-policy aims and to open up avenues of influence," he added.

"She is a classic case of a spy hiding in plain sight," he added.

Certainly, Lee was not low-key. She was a familiar figure in the British parliament, and she did not hide her high-level connections with the Chinese political establishment. Her law firm advised the Chinese embassy, and she has been photographed standing next to China's President Xi Jinping.

In December, Richard Moore, head of MI6, Britain's foreign intelligence agency, said the rise of China was the "single greatest priority" for his officers. He warned Beijing was increasing its espionage activities and focusing on politicians and government workers and those employed in industries and universities that could be useful to the CCP.

"They also monitor and attempt to exercise undue influence over the Chinese diaspora," he said.
California's governor on Thursday rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of America's darkest times.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has called RFK his political hero and embraced the historical significance of his decision, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners. Newsom said Sirhan, now 77, poses an unreasonable threat to public safety.

"Mr. Sirhan's assassination of Senator Kennedy is among the most notorious crimes in American history," Newsom wrote in his decision. "After decades in prison, he has failed to address the deficiencies that led him to assassinate Senator Kennedy. Mr. Sirhan lacks the insight that would prevent him from making the same types of dangerous decisions he made in the past."

He said factors in his decision including Sirhan's refusal to accept responsibility for his crime, his lack of insight and the accountability required to support his safe release, his failure to disclaim violence committed in his name, and his failure to mitigate his risk factors.



Sirhan will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023.

Sirhan will ask a judge to overturn Newsom's denial, said his defense attorney, Angela Berry.

"We fully expect that judicial review of the governor's decision will show that the governor got it wrong," she said.

State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that "not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society."

Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release "because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century," she said. "Since the mid-1980's Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public."

Kennedy, the U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in California's pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

His brother, President John F. Kennedy, had been assassinated in 1963.

The parole panel's recommendation in August to release Sirhan divided the Kennedy family, with two of RFK's sons  Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  supporting his release. But six of Kennedy's nine surviving children and Ethel Kennedy, RFK's wife, urged Newsom to block his parole.

The panel's decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016  the 15th time he'd lost his bid for release.

Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didn't object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascon's policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.

Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972.

He now has a heart condition and has survived prostate cancer, Valley fever and an attack by another prisoner in 2019, said Berry, his attorney.

Munir Sirhan has said his older brother can live with him, if he is freed and not deported to Jordan. Sirhan Sirhan waived his right to fight deportation.


Beijing says an organization of several oil-rich Arab monarchies has dismissed the Chinese governments controversial treatment of Uyghur Muslims as an internal matter.

During meetings with Chinese Communist Party officials this week in China, Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, expressed strong support for Chinas legitimate positions on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and human rights, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters Friday.

Al-Hajraf did not speak to reporters directly, but Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson said he supported the position that human rights issues should not be politicized and expressed opposition to interference in Chinas internal affairs.

Headquartered in Riyadh, the GCC is composed of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Al-Hajrafs visit to China is aimed at enhancing economic and security relations between GCC members and Beijing, the Saudi Gazette reported.

Chinas government has been widely criticized for its repressive treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the autonomous Xinjiang territory in northwest China, which the United States has labeled a genocide.

The Chinese government has committed  and continues to commit  crimes against humanity against the Turkic Muslim population, Human Rights Watch said in a recent report. In Xinjiang, Turkic Muslims continue to be arbitrarily detained on the basis of their identity, while others are subjected to forced labor, mass surveillance and political indoctrination.

Similar wording

When they face accusations of human rights abuses, GCC member monarchies like Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have often used the same internal affairs justification as China. Human rights groups criticize the Gulf Arab states for using broadly worded and vague counterterrorism laws to prosecute activists charged with undermining stability and national cohesion.

The worlds two largest economies, the U.S. and China, are intensely competing for greater influence in the Middle East for oil, gas and strategic interests.

In addition to improving trade and economic ties, China has pledged support for the GCC monarchies in resolving disputes and conflicts in the Middle East, analysts say.

China is slowly but steadily working its way into the Middle East as a powerful and strategic actor, Nicholas Heras, senior analyst at the Newlines Institute, told VOAs Mandarin Service.

Beijing appears to have altered its behind-the-scenes approach to the region and is now vigorously promoting its interests, according to Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute.

That said, the Gulf is not like the rest of the world. They will welcome partnership with China, but they will not welcome China's dominance, Rubin told VOA Mandarin.

VOAs Mandarin Service contributed to this report.
Dartmouth College, the Ivy League university in New Hampshire, has announced that it will admit international students through a "need blind" process, meaning that their ability to pay tuition will not dictate their admission.

Dartmouth already had a policy of "need blind" admissions for U.S. applicants, but now foreign students will be considered for admission regardless of their or their families' financial status.

The decision represents an effort to increase the number of international students at the university.

"Talent is spread all across the world. We want to remove any financial barriers," Darthmouth President Philip Hanlon told the Financial Times. "This move benefits every student on campus, not just international ones. Tomorrow's leaders have to be global citizens. By us bringing together students from all over the world ... they will learn from their peers."

In recent years, the college has increased its recruitment abroad, which is reflected in the growing proportion of international students in its student body. According to Dartmouth, its most recent class was composed of 14% international students, compared with 8% in 2013, when Hanlon became president.

Hanlon said in a statement from the college that there is no target for how many international students it now seeks, but he expects the proportion of international applicants to "skyrocket." He said he would not be surprised if this figure reaches 25% in coming decades.

What is 'need blind' admissions?

Within the U.S., higher education costs have risen considerably in just decades. As a result, prospective students may be discouraged from applying because of their inability to pay tuition and other educational costs.

"Need blind" admissions are intended to encourage students to apply, even if they may not necessarily be able to afford a university's tuition. This admissions process means that applicants are considered for admission without knowledge of their or their families' ability to cover tuition and other fees.

How many universities use this process?

Across U.S. colleges and universities, the type of admissions process used for domestic and international applicants varies.

About 100 colleges and universities offer "need blind" admissions for U.S. applicants. Dartmouth's new policy aligns it with five other universities using this process for international students.

Yale University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Princeton University and Amherst College are the other universities that use this admissions process for all applicants, U.S. and international.

What does this process mean for students?

The "need blind" process means that students are not disadvantaged in the admissions process because of their financial status. Financial need is not a factor in the consideration process.

Some universities that operate under this status also work to meet 100% of students' demonstrated financial need when determining how much financial aid they will provide them, including Dartmouth College.

"Under this policy, students are not disadvantaged in the admissions process because of their financial status," Hanlon said in a statement.

Complete "need blind" admissions policies alleviate a considerable worry for students across the globe when deciding to which schools they wish to apply or attend.


Drones sprayed holy water from the Ganges on thousands of Hindu pilgrims on Friday to reduce crowding during a massive festival being held despite soaring COVID-19 cases in India.

The Gangasagar Mela in the east of the country has drawn comparisons with another "superspreader" Hindu gathering last year that the Hindu nationalist government refused to ban. It was blamed in part for a devastating COVID surge.

Officials had said they expected around 3 million people -- including ash-smeared, dreadlocked ascetics -- to attend the festival's climax on Sagar Island, where the Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal.

"At the crack of dawn, there was a sea of people," local official Bankim Hazra told AFP by telephone.

"Holy water from the river Ganges was sprayed from drones on pilgrims ... to prevent crowding," he said.

"But the saints and a large number of people were bent on taking the dip... Pilgrims, most of them without masks, outnumbered the security personnel."

An AFP photographer said that there were fewer people than in recent years and that rain put off some pilgrims from making the journey.

But there were still huge crowds, mostly without masks, taking a holy dip in the river.

A police official on duty at the event said that it was "impossible" to enforce COVID restrictions.

"Most pilgrims are bent on defying the rules," he said.

"They believe that God will save them and bathing at the confluence will cleanse all their sins and even the virus if they are infected."

No lockdown

Fatalities from India's current wave of infections remain a fraction of what they were during the surge in April and May last year, with 315 deaths recorded Thursday compared with as many as 4,000 per day at the peak.

Infections are rising fast, however, with almost 265,000 new cases Thursday. Some models predict India could experience as many as 800,000 cases per day in a few weeks, twice the rate seen nine months ago.

Keen to avoid another painful lockdown for millions of workers reliant on a few dollars in daily wages, authorities in different parts of India have sought to restrict gatherings.

In New Delhi, all bars, restaurants and private offices are shut, and the capital is set to go into its second weekend curfew on Friday night.

In the financial capital of Mumbai, gatherings of more than four people are banned.

But in West Bengal state, the Calcutta High Court on Friday allowed the Gangasagar Mela to proceed.

As with 2021's Kumbh Mela, it has attracted people from across northern India who, after cramming onto trains, buses and boats to reach the island, will then go home -- potentially taking the highly transmissible omicron virus variant with them.

Amitava Nandy, a virologist from the School of Tropical Medicines in Kolkata, said the government "has neither the facilities nor the manpower" to test everyone attending or impose social distancing.

"A stampede-like situation could happen if the police try to enforce social distancing on the riverbank," Nandy told AFP.

Devotee Sarbananda Mishra, a 56-year-old schoolteacher from the neighboring state of Bihar, told AFP: "Faith in God will overcome the fear of COVID. The bathing will cleanse them of all their sins and bring salvation.

"Death is the ultimate truth. What is the point of living with fear?"
Conservationists and veterinarians are warning that plastic waste in an open landfill in eastern Sri Lanka is killing elephants in the region, after two more were found dead last weekend.

Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump in Pallakkadu village in Ampara district, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of the capital, Colombo.

Examinations of the dead animals showed they had swallowed large amounts of nondegradable plastic that is found in the garbage dump, wildlife veterinarian Nihal Pushpakumara said.

"Polythene, food wrappers, plastic, other non-digestibles and water were the only things we could see in the post mortems. The normal food that elephants eat and digest was not evident," he said.

Elephants are revered in Sri Lanka but are also endangered. Their numbers have dwindled from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011, according to the country's first elephant census.

They are increasingly vulnerable because of the loss and degradation of their natural habitat. Many venture closer to human settlements in search of food, and some are killed by poachers or farmers angry over damage to their crops.

Hungry elephants seek out the waste in the landfill, consuming plastic as well as sharp objects that damage their digestive systems, Pushpakumara said.

"The elephants then stop eating and become too weak to keep their heavy frames upright. When that happens, they can't consume food or water, which quickens their death," he said.

In 2017, the government announced that it will recycle the garbage in dumps near wildlife zones to prevent elephants from consuming plastic waste. It also said electric fences would be erected around the sites to keep the animals away. But neither has been fully implemented.

There are 54 waste dumps in wildlife zones around the country, with around 300 elephants roaming near them, according to officials.

The waste management site in Pallakkadu village was set up in 2008 with aid from the European Union. Garbage collected from nine nearby villages is being dumped there but is not being recycled.

In 2014, the electric fence protecting the site was struck by lightning and authorities never repaired it, allowing elephants to enter and rummage through the dump. Residents say elephants have moved closer and settled near the waste pit, sparking fear among nearby villagers.

Many use firecrackers to chase the animals away when they wander into the village, and some have erected electric fences around their homes.

But the villagers often don't know how to install the electric fences so they are safe and "could endanger their own lives as well as those of the elephants," said Keerthi Ranasinghe, a local village councilor.

"Even though we call them a menace, wild elephants are also a resource. Authorities need to come up with a way to protect both human lives and the elephants that also allows us to continue our agricultural activities," he said.
It has been 20 years since the first prisoners in the war on terror arrived at the U.S. military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. At least 800 people have been detained there over the last two decades, the vast majority of whom were never charged with a crime. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb speaks with Mansoor Adayfi, a former detainee who has devoted his life to closing the prison.
Supporters of Mali's military government demonstrated Friday against West African sanctions that have cut off the country from regional trade and finance.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed the punishment this week after coup leaders postponed promised elections to restore civilian rule by four years.

Malis military government called for mass demonstrations against ECOWAS sanctions that were imposed after a special summit last Sunday in Accra.

ECOWAS said it would further sanction Mali if elections werent held on a previously agreed upon date of February 2022. In December, leaders proposed a much longer transition with the next elections held in 2026.

Because of the new sanctions, which included border closures and the blocking of shipments of goods, except for essentials, such as food and medicine, Mali reciprocally closed its borders to ECOWAS neighbors as well.

Much of the country has been out of the control of the state since Mali was plunged into conflict in 2012.

Modibo Drame, a student at the University of Bamako who helped organize the demonstration, says that he supports the current military leaders for a period of five years, or even 10, because he thinks that is the only way Mali will finally see security.

"We want our country to have stability," he said. "If ECOWAS wants to, we can do this together. If they dont, we accept that  and we dont stay together."

In addition to Bamako, demonstrators gathered in major Malian cities like Gao and Timbuktu and in smaller towns across the country. The streets around Bamakos independence monument were blocked to traffic, as thousands of people gathered by 3 P.M.Demonstrators could be seen carrying Malian and Russian flags

Sixty-year-old Abdrahman Fofana, a pharmacist, came to the demonstration to support the military leaders, who he said are the first in Malis history to be able to stand up against France.

"For us Malians, whats missing in us?" Fofana said. "That we are united. We have this today thanks to the sanctions. We are united today. We will get through this. We are ready, even if it means death."

Several political and religious organizations have issued statements denouncing the sanctions against Mali, including those that have rejected the transitions 2026 elections proposal.

Etienne Fakaba Sissoko, a political and economic analyst and director of Malis Economic and Social Policy Analysis Research Center, echoed Fofanas assertion that the sanctions have united Malians politically.

"We are Malian first, before being part of the opposition or part of the majority," Sissoko said. "We know that the primary victims of these sanctions are not the authorities, but rather the population, who didnt ask to be in this situation, This is why we see these as sanctions against the population more than sanctions against the country or against the current authorities. So this explains in part the support, the union, the cohesion around the transitional leaders that we have today."

Malian President Assimi Goita said during a televised address on January 10 that he remains open to dialogue with ECOWAS to find a consensus.
North Korea launched what appear to be two more ballistic missiles, South Korea reported Friday, Pyongyangs third missile launch of the new year.

The launch came hours after North Koreas foreign ministry warned of stronger measures in response to U.S. imposition of sanctions for its previous missile tests.

We are aware of the ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which is responsible for U.S. military activities in the region, said in a statement.

While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of DPRKs illicit weapons program, the statement added. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad.

South Koreas military, which closely monitors such launches, said the North fired what are presumed to be two short-range ballistic missiles from North Pyongan province Friday afternoon.

Earlier, Japans Kyodo news agency reported that the test involved a single ballistic missile, which it said landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone.

The reason for the discrepancy between the Japanese and South Korean reports was unclear.

North Korea has already tested four missiles, during three separate launches, within the last 10 days  a pace reminiscent of 2017, when U.S.-North Korea relations were at a low point.

The previous two tests involved what North Korea claims are hypersonic missiles. Although defense analysts say North Korea may be overstating its capabilities in this area, such weapons are likely more difficult for U.S. missile defenses to detect and intercept.

It is not clear what missiles the North launched Friday. Typically, North Korea does not unveil its launches until state-run newspapers are published the following day.

Firmer US response

The United States this week issued a stronger than usual condemnation of the North Korean launches. It also imposed unilateral sanctions on five North Koreans it alleged were helping procure supplies for Pyongyangs weapons program.

In an interview Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the North Korean tests profoundly destabilizing and meant in part to get attention.

Its done that in the past, itll probably continue to do that. But we are very focused with allies and partners in making sure that they and we are properly defended and that there are repercussions, consequences for these actions by North Korea, Blinken told MSNBC, a U.S. cable news network.

North Korean response

Early Friday, before its latest launch, North Koreas Foreign Ministry lashed out at Washington, accusing the United States of intentionally escalating the situation with unilateral sanctions.

If the U.S. adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, according to state media, which used an abbreviation of North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Under President Joe Biden, the United States has repeatedly offered to hold nuclear talks with North Korea anywhere, anytime. North Korea has ignored or rejected the offers, saying Washington must first provide more concessions and drop what it calls a hostile policy.

North Korea walked away from talks with the United States in 2019, after the two sides could not agree on a deal to relax U.S. sanctions in exchange for steps by North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

Bigger tests coming?

Duyeon Kim, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said it is obvious that North Korea is angry and protesting the U.S. sanctions.

We should expect Pyongyang to protest through a show of force, which serves a dual purpose of perfecting its nuclear weapons technology through tests to achieve Kim Jong Un's goals he set out last year, Kim told VOA.

Washington is right to, and should, penalize any provocation that violates U.N. Security Council resolutions and threatens the region, she added in an email.

North Korea has several possible motivations for testing missiles, including shoring up domestic political support, ensuring the performance of new weapons, demonstrating deterrence, and provoking the United States and its allies.

However, since it resumed missile tests following the breakdown of talks in 2019, North Korea has refrained from any nuclear tests or long-range missile tests that would risk a firmer U.S. response.

Analysts have said North Korea may be unwilling to conduct more provocative tests ahead of the Winter Olympics, to be hosted next month by China, North Koreas ally.

VOA's Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.


New South Wales, Australias most populous state, has reported the most COVID-19 deaths in a single day since the start of the pandemic as a wave of omicron variant infections continues. However, the situation in Western Australia state is markedly different

Health authorities in New South Wales Wednesday reported Friday the deaths of 29 people with COVID-19. It is the states deadliest day since the pandemic began

In New South Wales, where many disease-control restrictions have been lifted and more than 90% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated; government data has shown there are more than 337,000 active coronavirus cases.

In Western Australia, where the state government has imposed some of Australias strictest internal border controls, there are just over 100 active cases.

Travelers are not allowed into Western Australia from so-called medium, high or extreme risk jurisdictions without official permission. Those who are allowed in are subject to strict quarantine regulations.

Western Australia has a population of about 2.6 million people and strict COVID-19 border measures have been popular.

Last year, state Premier Mark McGowan celebrated a landslide election win analysts said was the result of his coronavirus strategy.

Starting January 31, West Australians will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter bars, cafes, and restaurants, and to visit hospitals.

McGowan says the tough rules are necessary.

We know that unvaccinated people are well and truly, enormously, overrepresented when it comes to cases, serious illness, hospitalization, intensive care presentations and death," McGowan 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. 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.

Epidemiologist and World Health Organization adviser Mary-Louise McLaws, from the University of New South Wales, says she believes Western Australias strict measures have helped keep case numbers low.

It is very rare, and they have been enjoying it, not having to live with it," McLaws said. "So, I think they basically support the premier greatly."

McLaws says the state governments approach in Western Australia has gone down well.

Certainly, it is very, very popular because they basically have not had any problems in Western Australia. I have been looking at the data and it is very low-risk in Western Australia, indeed," McLaws said. "So, the active number of cases yesterday in Western Australia per 100,000 people was 3, and then you know what it was in New South Wales? Three thousand seven hundred forty-two.

Authorities in Western Australia say the state will embark on its Safe Transition away from tough coronavirus regulations February 5, when interstate and international travel restrictions are to ease.

For now, at least, Western Australia has avoided the wave of omicron variant cases sweeping other parts of the country.

Geographic isolation is an advantage. Perth, the Western Australian state capital, is about 3,300 kilometers from Sydney.

In Australia, the worst of the pandemic is concentrated in its most populous states in the southeast  New South Wales and Victoria.

Australia has recorded almost 1.2 million COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. 2,522 people have died.
The Biden administration should send a strong message to Pyongyang in response to North Koreas recent missile tests, a former U.S. defense secretary said.

Leon Panetta, secretary of defense and CIA director during the Obama administration, said the United States and its allies must make clear that were not going to tolerate aggression by the North Koreans, and if they continue to take provocative actions, they are endangering themselves and putting their own regime at risk.

In an interview Wednesday with VOAs Korean Service, Panetta said, That, I think, needs to be the message that we continue to send to the North Koreans  that if they act this way, they are going to confront not only the United States but our allies.

North Korea test-fired what it claimed was a supersonic missile on Tuesday. The test followed its first test of the year conducted on January 5, which the regime claimed also was a supersonic missile.

Calling North Koreas recent missile tests very provocative, Panetta said it would become much more difficult to be able to defend against it now that Pyongyang has raised the possibility of developing a hypersonic missile that can go almost 10 times the speed of sound.

Status quo not possible

Its very important that the administration not just assume (it) can take a status quo approach to North Korea, Panetta said. When youre dealing with an adversary  your relations are either getting better or theyre getting worse.

Right now, its getting worse, he said.

In response to Panettas comments, the U.S. State Department told VOAs Korean Service on Thursday that the United States harbors no hostile intent toward North Korea, and that it is prepared to meet with Pyongyang without preconditions for denuclearization talks.

The spokesperson said Washington hopes Pyongyang will respond positively to its outreach as it continues to consult closely with Republic of Korea, Japan, and other allies and partners about how to best engage North Korea.

In response to North Koreas missile launches, the U.S. on Wednesday imposed sanctions targeting five North Koreans for procuring goods for the regimes weapons programs.

Panetta said, The only way you get North Koreas attention for serious negotiations is by taking steps that challenge North Koreans. He suggested the U.S. and South Korea reopen exercises of our military capabilities.

The U.S. had held off large-scale military exercises with South Korea since 2018 to accommodate denuclearization talks with the former Trump administration.

Some analysts question whether a strong message from Washington would move Pyongyang toward talks.

Ken Gause, director of the Adversary Analytics Program at CNA, said, We have not offered any carrots that we can take away. Gause continued, North Korea has nothing to lose and is not going to pay any attention to what the regime perceives as empty threats by the U.S.

Harry Kazianis, senior director of Korean Studies at the Center for the National Interest, said North Korea is likely to match any perceived provocation with an action of its own.

After the second test launch, North Korea warned on Friday, January 14 Pyongyang time, that it will take stronger action in response to the sanctions the U.S. imposed on the regime over its missile tests.

Consequences of failed policy

Panetta said Pyongyang is likely to continue its nuclear and missile activities to raise tensions further.

Its only a matter of time (until) they renew testing of an intercontinental missile and testing of their nuclear capabilities, Panetta said. The path were on right now, I dont think this is a good path.

North Korea last tested a long-range missile and a nuclear weapon in 2017 while its leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump exchanged harsh rhetoric throughout the year.

Trumps fire and fury remarks unleashed at Kim that year drastically turned to showers of praise after the two held a historic summit in Singapore in June 2018.

President Trump was very naive in the way he approached Kim Jong Un in thinking that somehow just through the strength of personality alone, they could arrive at a denuclearization agreement, Panetta said.

I dont think leaders ought to meet unless there is an effort by both countries to lay the groundwork for those discussions, Panetta continued.

Panetta thinks the Biden administration must deal with the consequences of Trumps failed policy that focused on personal diplomacy with Kim.

The failure to achieve anything has led to the tension that were now facing, he said. Kim Jong Un is trying to figure out how does he get the attention of the world again, he continued. Thats why hes conducting these tests.

Chinas role

Panetta suggested China could play a positive role in diplomatic efforts to persuade North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons despite Washington-Beijing rivalry.

The relationship has gotten a lot more tense between the United States and China, but I still think theres a possibility that China might be able to serve as perhaps a go-between here to try to see if we can be successful at opening up discussions, Panetta said.

China, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, approved sanctions on North Korea in 2016 and 2017 passed in response to its nuclear and missile tests.

Jiha Ham of VOAs Korean Service contributed to this report.
At least three people were killed Thursday in a series of explosions, including two suspected suicide bombings, in northwest Syria near the Turkish border, witnesses said, in the first such attacks this year.

A rescue worker said one civilian was killed when an improvised explosive device went off in a vehicle near a transport office in the city of Azaz, near the main border crossing with Turkey.

A few hours later, a suicide bombing in a marketplace in the town of al-Bab wounded three and killed the suspected bomber, a police source said.

This was followed minutes later by another suicide bombing at a roundabout in the city of Afrin, a mainly Kurdish area that Turkish forces and their Syrian allies took from the Kurdish YPG militia in 2018.

Main towns in the northwestern border area, run by Syrian Arab rebels backed by Turkey, have in the last year been frequently hit by bombings detonated in crowded civilian areas.

Turkey and its allied rebels say the blasts aim to make ungovernable an area populated by more than 3 million Syrians who have fled government-controlled areas during the country's decadelong civil war.

Turkish-backed Arab rebels in Azaz and other parts of the enclave have blamed previous blasts on the YPG, which controls some areas in the northwest and holds sway over swaths of Syria's northeast.

The YPG has in turn accused Turkey of killing civilians in drone strikes during a war of attrition waged by Ankara over YPG-held territory in north Syria.

Turkey considers the YPG an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara designates a terrorist group, and has made incursions into Syria in support of Syrian rebels.

Ankara retains a large military presence in the area, deploying thousands of troops in what is the last rebel enclave.
Tunisia Police Turn Water Cannons on Protest Against President

TUNIS, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Tunisian police used water cannons and sticks to disperse more than 1,000 protesters trying to reach central Tunis Friday to demonstrate against the president in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions.

A heavy police presence prevented many protesters gathering in Habib Bourguiba Avenue, the main street in central Tunis that is the traditional focal point of demonstrations including during the 2011 revolution that brought democracy.

Police then tried to disperse several different groups of protesters, at least one of which had hundreds of demonstrators, witnesses said, kicking and pushing them to force them back.

The Interior Ministry said 1,200 people had protested and said its forces had exercised restraint.

Opposition parties including the moderate Islamist Ennahda are protesting against President Kais Saied's suspension of parliament, assumption of executive power and moves to rewrite the constitution, which they call a coup.

"Preventing free Tunisians from protesting on the revolution anniversary is shameful ... and is an attack on freedoms and represents a big decline under the coup authorities," said Imed Khemiri, an Ennahda member of the suspended parliament.

Dozens of police cars stood in the area and two water cannons were used outside the Interior Ministry building, which is located on the same street.

Friday's protest goes against a ban on all indoor or outdoor gatherings the government announced on Tuesday to stop a COVID-19 wave.

"Today Saied's only response to opponents is with force and the security forces ... it is so sad to see Tunisia like a barracks on the date of our revolution," said Chayma Issa, an opposition activist.

Ennahda and other parties taking part in the protest accused the government of introducing the ban and resuming its night curfew for political rather than health reasons as a way of preventing protests.

Though Saied's action in July appeared very popular at first after years of economic stagnation and political paralysis, analysts say he appears to have since lost some support.

Tunisia's economy remains mired by the pandemic, there has been little progress in gaining international support for the fragile public finances and the government Saied appointed in September has announced an unpopular budget for 2022.

Friday falls on what Tunisians had previously marked as the anniversary of the revolution, the day the autocratic former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country. Saied decreed last year that the anniversary would fall on the December date of a street vendor's suicide that triggered the uprising.
Special envoys from Turkey and Armenia met in Moscow on Friday for the first round of talks to normalize the decades-long strained relations between the two countries.

Some experts in Turkey view the meeting as a hopeful first step, given that Turkey and Armenia have had no diplomatic relations since the 1990s.

We are glad that the dialogue has started after many years. We are here talking about two neighboring countries, so we think that there should be neighborly relations, Luiz Bakar, a lawyer from the Armenian community in Turkey, told VOA.

Bakar noted that starting a dialogue is an important step and that she hopes it will continue.

Previous attempts

After decades of distrust dating from World War I, Turkey and Armenia signed a peace accord in 2009, but their parliaments did not ratify it. The meeting in Moscow is the first attempt to restore ties and open borders since then.

Friday's meeting was conducted in a positive and constructive atmosphere, the Turkish and Armenian foreign ministries said in written statements, adding that they are aiming for full normalization.

They said the envoys agreed to continue negotiations without preconditions, and the next meeting's date and venue will be finalized in due time through diplomatic channels.

Several contentions

The neighboring countries have many points of contention, including the mass killings of Armenians in 1915. Armenia says 1.5 million people were killed in 1915, calling it a genocide, as do the United States and some other countries.

Turkey denies genocide or any systematic killings of Armenians but accepts that many Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War I.

In 2020, tensions between the two countries flared again over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh territory.

Turkey backed Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and accused Armenia of occupying the land. During the conflict, Turkeys defense industry was a supplier to the Azerbaijani forces.

Some Turkish experts call the meeting in Moscow a turning point and argue that Azerbaijani control over Nagorno-Karabakh enabled such normalization attempts between Turkey and Armenia.

When Azerbaijan regained its territory after the 44-day-long war in Nagorno-Karabakh, there were developments about the public opinion on starting a dialogue. In a way, a fundamental problem on the normalization of diplomatic relations and the opening of borders has disappeared, Talha Kose, an associate professor at Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul, told VOA.

Of course, we are talking about a fragile peace here, so we still cannot say that the issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia have completely disappeared. An important step has now been taken to normalize relations, and I am optimistic about this, Kose added.

Aydin Adnan Sezgin, a former Turkish ambassador to Moscow and a deputy for the nationalist opposition Good Party (IYI Party), said he is pleased with the dialogue step between the two countries, noting that it is important to see how the Armenian diaspora responds to the normalization attempts.

"This time, I hope that the Yerevan administration will take steps for the welfare and peace of the people in Armenia and by considering them as a priority. Some sections of the Armenian diaspora will try to prevent relations. However, if the Yerevan administration shows determination, improving relations with Turkey will also help the people in Armenia, Sezgin told VOA.

VOAs Turkish Services Ezel Sahinkaya contributed to this report.

Some information in this report came from Reuters.
Im not supposed to be having this press conference right now. Its a familiar refrain from President Joe Biden as he walks away from questions fired off by reporters at the end of a planned speech or event.

Avoidance is perhaps an improvement from intense interactions the news media had with the Trump administration. Former President Donald Trump regularly branded reporters as purveyors of fake news and the enemy of the people. Still, journalists frustrations are mounting over a lack of access to Biden and the staff of an administration that vowed to be the most transparent in the nations history.

Those frustrations were detailed in research this month in separate reports from Towson University and the White House Transition Project as well as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

At the end of his first year in office, Biden has held nine press conferences, fewer than any of his five predecessors at the same point in their presidencies, according to Towson University and the White House Transition Project. He has participated in 22 media interviews, fewer than any of his six predecessors.

During Thursdays White House press briefing, press secretary Jen Psaki disputed any media shyness by Biden.

The American people have seen him out there answering questions, Psaki said in response to a question by VOA. That's an important part of his engagement with the press and the public.

Biden does take impromptu questions more frequently than his three predecessors but spends less time answering them, according to research author Martha Joynt Kumar, a professor emerita in political science at Towson University and director of the White House Transition Project.

When presidents take questions from reporters, they do so on their own terms, choosing settings they prefer, Kumar wrote in the report. For Biden, his favored setting is at the end of speeches or prior to getting on the presidential helicopter or plane to or from the White House.

He's just doing it the way he wants to do it, Kumar told VOA.

Others say the tightly choreographed and limited media access to the president is driven by his staff.

I think they see where the president has performed or not performed in press conferences in the past, both in the current role as well as in media appearances in previous walks of his life, and they see it as a risk, Angela Greiling Keane, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, told VOA.

The White House Correspondents' Association has demanded more access.

The free people of the world benefit when the American president demonstrates his willingness to stand for questions, the associations president, Steven Portnoy, told VOA. We believe more formal opportunities to engage the president on a broad range of public concerns would be in the public interest.

Limiting exposure

From a political management perspective, the strategy to limit Biden's exposure to journalists and the media may work, said Thanos Dimadis, executive director of the Foreign Press Correspondents Association, speaking with VOA.

Certainly, this isn't something journalists like, but just as journalists have the right to choose how to report, the people involved in the management of political communication have the right to choose how to exercise such communication, he added.

While the function of the media remains important in a democracy, Vanessa Beasley, a professor of presidential rhetoric at Vanderbilt University, argues there is room for debate about what the ideal amount and means of access might be in this context.

A presidents staff wants a presidents message to get framed and amplified for the intended audiences as effectively as possible, Beasley told VOA, adding that there will always be an inherent interest for staff to set limits and the press to push them. From a historic perspective, that tension can actually be productive; both sides have important jobs to do in a robust democracy.

In a change from the Trump administration, Psaki holds daily hourlong White House press briefings. Still, she is criticized for taking questions mostly from major American media outlets and television networks, frustrating international journalists and smaller outlets.

Its difficult to get a question in when youre not sitting in the briefing rooms first two rows, said Esther Oh, White House producer at Japanese broadcaster NHK.

The White House has repeatedly vowed to restore partnerships with its allies, Oh said. The most obvious way to do that would be to fully utilize major foreign outlets to show that America is indeed serious about restoring international trust.

Oh pointed out that during Bidens few press conferences, he has taken questions from only a handful of major media outlets, whereas Trump typically called on many more journalists, including from foreign outlets.

'Night and Day'

Bidens approach to the media is in stark contrast to Trumps rhetoric, but concerns about press access remain.

CPJ on Thursday published Night and Day: The Biden Administration and the Press. The report cited limited access to the president, slow responses to requests, the proposed extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, restrictions at the U.S. southern border and the administrations failure to assist Afghan journalists following the troop pullout and Taliban takeover in August.

While not responding to specific complaints, Psaki said that when she took her job as press secretary, Biden conveyed the importance of a respectful tone.

Media was a big priority for him and ensuring that there was respect even when there's a point of contention or a difficult conversation or back and forth, that is part of democracy, but our objective is to, has been to reinstill normalcy and engagement with reporters, she said.

While Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have repeatedly stressed the important role of a free press in a democracy, CPJ report author Leonard Downie Jr. told VOA there is a discrepancy between rhetoric and action.

There's also a discrepancy between what they've said about global press freedom and the lack of action that's been taken so far, Downie said, pointing to countries like Saudi Arabia and others where journalists are under fire for doing their jobs.

The CPJ report called on the Biden administration to do more for international media, including expediting visas for Afghan journalists at risk now that the Taliban are in power, and holding Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accountable for his role in the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press. VOA's Jessica Jerreat contributed to this report.
Abortion is a polarizing issue that is playing out in courts around the world. Benin has recently legalized abortion -- and in the U.S. -- the Supreme Court is weighing a state law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, in a case that could impact abortion rights worldwide. The controversial debate is coming to a head as both sides fight for pro-life or pro-choice. On the next Our Voices, well look at laws on reproductive rights -- and the possibility of overturning of Roe vs Wade in the U.S. and its impact on African nations.
The World Health Organization said Friday it is recommending two new drugs to treat COVID-19.

The two drugs are baricitinib and sotrovimab. Baricitinib is strongly recommended, WHO said, for patients with severe or critical COVID-19.

It said Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody drug, is conditionally recommended for treating mild or moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk of hospitalization.

The extent to which these medicines will save lives depends on how widely available and affordable they will be, WHO said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Swedens prime minister has tested positive for COVID. A spokesman for Magdalena Andersson said Andersson tested positive after taking a rapid test and that the prime minister will be working from home. Sweden, like many other countries across the globe, is experiencing an outbreak of the highly contagious omicron variant.

In India, officials say they expect 3 million people to attend the Gangassagar Mela, a spiritual pilgrimage, in the eastern region of the country.

"At the crack of dawn, there was a sea of people," local official Bankim Hazra told AFP on Friday.

In what could likely be a superspreader event during Indias raging COVID outbreak, drones have sprayed holy water from the Ganges River on the pilgrims as a deterrent to people submerging themselves in the river.

"But the saints and a large number of people were bent on taking the dip, Hazra said. Pilgrims, most of them without masks, outnumbered the security personnel."

The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center reported early Friday that it has recorded 320.5 million global COVID infections and over 5 million deaths. The center said 9.5 billion vaccines have been administered.
The worlds largest free trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), could help export-reliant Asian companies and may be good diplomacy, experts say.

The trade agreement went into effect Jan. 1.

In Thailand, Prapaipan Manathanya has high hopes for what the trade deal will mean for her company. As the managing director of the Thai rice exporting company CM Premium Rice, she expects the trade pact to increase the competitive advantage of her exports because the key markets of China, Japan and South Korea will waive tariffs. Thailand is one of 15 countries that form RCEP.

There will certainly be advantages, such as creating competitiveness opportunities for Thai products and allowing importers to obtain cheaper products from tax exemption, which may consequently allow them to gain more profits or sell products with cheaper prices, she said.

RCEP includes countries in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The deal will cut tariffs on more than 90% of goods traded. That means exporters would save money on shipping goods to other countries, including the massive Chinese market. The economies of Indonesia and Vietnam, among others, rely heavily on exports.

In Cambodia, Song Saron, chief executive officer of the exporter Amru Rice Cambodia, said the trade agreement will help his company grow business refining more goods from rice and cassava. He anticipates shipping refined noodles, flour and rice bran oil.

We have to look for technology to refine products to ensure that it has quality like neighboring countries, Saron said. We will try [to make products] to compete in the free-tariff framework.

A study by the Asian Development Bank, a low-interest lender, says RCEP will increase world real income by $186 billion, all but $21 billion of that in Asia.

RCEP also links complementary supply chains, experts believe. Vietnam, for instance, imports raw materials from China and uses them to make finished goods then exported to China and elsewhere.

Japans slow-growing economy should flourish if Tokyo digs deeper into China, said Alan Chong, associate professor at the Singapore-based S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Japanese multinationals see China as both a market and manufacturing base.

And economic improvement will eventually touch countries outside the Asia Pacific, Chong said.

Free trade is not quite in favor across much of the world, so RCEP may be just what the world needs, and (there) could be what you might call positive ancillary spinoffs when it comes to speeding up global economic recovery, because if (it) increases the volume of trade within its members it will also mean that people who are in manufacturing or even services will extend that demand into non-RCEP economies, he said.

China calls the pact a tool to close wealth gaps in Asia, state-run media report, and to replace protectionism with a more globalized post-pandemic recovery.

The RCEP will strongly offset the impact of raging protectionism and unilateralism, bringing free trade and multilateral cooperation back to the fore, Chinas official Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary on Jan. 1.

But not every country is onboard with RCEP. India was originally part of the trade negotiations but later backed out due to concerns about what lower-cost imports would do to its industries.

Diplomatic bridge

Diplomatically, the RCEP would especially improve attitudes toward China, where governments from Australia to Japan have been embroiled in political disputes for years or decades, experts say.

I think relations should improve slowly in this region, said Jayant Menon, a visiting senior fellow with the ISEASYusof Ishak Institutes Regional Economic Studies Program in Singapore. Especially as we work our way through this pandemic and people focus on getting back to growth again, then the role that China can play becomes more significant.

RCEP will build goodwill by sparing the tough legal requirements typical of Western-led trade deals, analysts believe.

The 15 members are unlikely to drag people to court over any disputes, Menon said, as its not really the Asian way. Their signatures to the deal do not obligate one another to follow labor or environmental rules to the degree other trade pacts do, he added.

RCEP, at the same time, eases pressure on China to reach separate trade deals with other countries, for example with Japan and South Korea, Menon said. China, Japan and South Korea, already mired in historic political disagreements, have been working on a three-way trade deal since 2012 with no breakthroughs. All three are now RCEP members.

The presence of many countries under one agreement stands to reduce the influence that China as the worlds No. 2 economy has in its two-way deals with inevitably smaller countries that are keen to ship goods to such a large market, said Alexander Vuving, professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, in Hawaii.

It opens up the opportunity for the other members in RCEP to create this sort of peer pressure, and the weight of the majority in the multilateral setting, theoretically, puts China in a less advantaged position than previously (when) China was able to deal bilaterally with each of the countries in the region, Vuving said.

Member countries signed the Asia-wide agreement in 2020, bringing together a $26.2 trillion GDP, about 30% of the worlds total.

Complicated relationships

China spars with Japan over World War II history and sovereignty over a chain of islets. China has pared back imports from RCEP member Australia since Canberra called for an inquiry into Beijing as the source of COVID-19. Four Southeast Asian countries, all members of the trade partnership, vie with Beijing over claims to the South China Sea.

Chinese officials handled many of their disputes last year, with few compromises, through a mix of diplomatic and military means.

China and its rivals will find through the trade pact a common frequency to explore other pragmatic ways of cooperation, Chong said.

Wasamon Audjarint from VOA's Thai Service and Narin Sun from VOA's Cambodian Service contributed to this report.
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FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The nomination of former U.S. Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Robert Califf to again lead the agency now heads to the full Senate for a vote, after a Senate committee on Thursday voted 13-8 for approval.

Among those who voted against Califf's nomination were Democrats who expressed concerns about his links to pharmaceutical companies, The New York Times reported.

No date for a Senate vote on Califf's nomination has been set. During the last year of the Obama administration, Califf had been confirmed in a 89-to-4 Senate vote to become FDA commissioner, the Times reported.

If confirmed again, Califf will take over an agency that's been under the spotlight during the pandemic as it dealt with decisions about vaccines, treatments, tests and masks, the Times reported.

The agency has been criticized for sluggish approval of rapid at-home tests, leading to test shortages as the Omicron variant raged across the country and consumer demand soared for tests for schoolchildren and workers, the Times said.

Meanwhile, high-risk COVID patients are facing severe shortages of treatments that can help battle Omicron -- even as the FDA remains the gatekeeper to therapies and diagnostics that could help.

Other major challenges facing the FDA are new e-cigarette rules and accelerated approval of drugs, an issue triggered by the agency's approval of the controversial, pricey new Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm.

Califf appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in mid-December, answering questions about the pandemic, the opioid crisis and other topics.

As a cardiologist, Califf led clinical trials at the Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina for decades. Recently, he led clinical policy and strategy for Verily, the life sciences arm of Google. During the hearing, he emphasized the value of existing data, much of it in patients electronic medical records, to help answer difficult questions about drugs and devices.

During the hearing, Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont took Califf to task for his ties to major pharmaceutical companies, which include consulting fees and stock ownership of as much as $8 million.

That is exactly the close relationship Big Pharma has exploited to regulate the FDA, instead of the FDA regulating them, Sanders said.

In response, Califf told the Senate committee that the FDA and its parent agency, the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, have strict ethics rules that he plans to follow.

More information

Visit Duke University for more on Robert Califf.

SOURCE: The New York Times
Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.), the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, revealed the cotents of emails showing that official US scientists deliberately lied about the origin of Covid-19.

In a secret meeting on 1 February 2020, prominent experts  including Robert Garry and Mike Farzan, discoverer of the SARS receptor)  disclosed that the structure of the Covid-19 virus is not consistent with that of other coronaviruses and that it must have been specifically designed to infect humans. According to them, it is impossible for this to have occurred in nature. Covid-19 was made in a lab.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIAID director (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and chief adviser to the presidents of the United States on Covid-19, who chaired the meeting, decided to bury this information. Two days later, on 3 February 2020, Dr. Fauci spoke at the request of the White House before the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. He vehemently defended, in full knowledge of the facts, the natural origin of Covid-19.

All those present at the secret meeting have kept the lid on their deliberations.

Dr. Fauci diverted public money from his institute to fund research, which was illegal in the USA, to be carried out at the Level-2 laboratory in Wuhan (China).
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has appointed a new Prime Minister and government. Eleven ministers out of twenty retain their functions. Nine are new.

What caused a stir was the ascension of former deputy information minister to the post of a fully-fledged minister. Pro-Turk Askar Umarov (pictured) is known for his anti-Russian statements, employing terms like alcoholics and colonizers.

The Russian press is outraged by this appointment which comes on the heels of the CSTO mission to deliver Kazakhstan from a wave of disorders and acts of terrorism. Yevgeny Primakov Jr. (grandson of the former prime minister and current director of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation Agency Rossotrudnichestvo), immediately announced that he refused to work with a russophobic scumbag.
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Both the Lamoille North Supervisory District and Lamoille South Unified Union are rolling out a new COVID-19 policy mandated by the Vermont Agency of Education, but the districts have found themselves in different stages of the shift.
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One of the best animated films of the past few years, Belle tells a roaring, tragic, uplifting new spin on Beauty and the Beast for the Extremely Online generation. The film follows a young girl who discovers she can overcome her social anxieties by hiding under an anonymous internet persona and overnight becomes the biggest pop star in U, the films version of the internet. Where many films portraying the online world show it to be a lawless place rife with danger and the abuses of late-stage capitalism, Mamoru Hosoda has been showing us a more hopeful view of what it can be since he directed Digimon Adventure: Our War Game! 22 years ago, highlighting the internets power to help us connect with one another and discover ourselves. In his latest directorial effort, Hosoda imagines a Technicolor metropolis with billions of users, where music has the power to change the world and the internet can help you save a life, all while delivering a rather funny coming-of-age tale with some of the catchiest bangers of the year.

In an interview with Vulture, Hosoda spoke via a translator about channeling the internet through film, the toxicity of social media, working with former Disney character designers, and why he made his Gaston a superhero.

You have been making movies about the internet for over 20 years. How has your perception of it changed over those years?

When I worked on Digimon Adventure in 2000, the internet was mainly used by young people, and it was kind of a new frontier full of possibilities, so we chose to represent it as a big, white, open space. By the time I made Summer Wars, it had a warmer and more vibrant color palette as more people started participating and using the internet. With Belle, Ive seen how everyone has begun using social media and the internet in general to connect with each other, not just young people. The internet has become much closer to reality, so I wanted it to feel like a full world. We designed U to feel more cramped with a lot of tall buildings. There is no left or right or up and down, so its got this mysterious megacity feel to it to show how much people have contributed to this space and how much its come to reflect the real world, including the bad. Trolling is a big problem in Japanese society, so the challenge was to make a film that remained positive and hopeful about the future of the internet despite all its issues.

How do you remain hopeful despite the toxicity of social media and the internet?

I think it is hard, but I want young people to not feel defeated by cyberbullying and trolling and to keep on expressing themselves and finding the strength to change themselves and society, which is why I came up with the character of Belle. In the film, Suzu is a quiet girl without self-confidence. But her online alter ego, Belle, is the total opposite, and she has an effect on Suzu in real life: She gives her the strength to protect people in the real world. So I want to show the internet as not a place to be attacked but a place to discover yourself and find hope.

A big source of conflict is the fear of being exposed online, of having your real identity be unveiled to the world.

One big difference between when I was young and young people nowadays is social media. And it seems like the worst thing for young people on social media is to be found out, exposing who they are. They enjoy the freedom of being anonymous and are scared of people finding out who they are. Although social media has the power to connect you to anyone in the world, there is an incredible number of lonely young people in Japan, and they have very low self-esteem. Social media should be somewhere you can enjoy yourself and feel confident, but it seems like in Japan at least, the opposite is happening  possibly in other countries as well. I wanted to empathize with those young people but at the same time to encourage them.

Compared to a lot of movies, especially recent ones, Belle focuses on the interpersonal connections that can be formed online rather than the commercialization of the internet.

This is not Ready Player One, and Im going to be quite frank here, but I think their expression of the internet is not really cool or forward-looking. And of course its imagined by Spielberg, who is an older guy who doesnt know what the next generation is going to look like. So of course he got a whole bunch of different intellectual properties, different characters, and threw them into one movie. Its like walking through a shopping mall. I dont really see the true nature of what the internet is intended to do and how its supposed to be used in that movie. I think the younger generation is going to use the internet to really shift their own reality in some ways, whether its their present lives or their persona on the internet. Thats what I think our narratives about the internet should be focused on.

Oftentimes, the internet is depicted as this dystopian space that strips us of our humanity and is somehow a negative technological advancement, and those movies to me are just exhausting to look at one after another because they dont understand how young people use the internet. I think old guys shouldnt make movies about the internet.

Despite a generally uplifting approach to the internet, you do portray some of its darkness, especially via the character of Justin, who kind of serves as this films Gaston but is a superhero.

One of the interesting things about the internet is that everyone believes theyre right. Theres no room for self-doubt. Maybe thats not the internet but just humanity, and the internet is revealing it and blowing it up bigger. Because there are no police on the internet, some people believe themselves to be cops, like Justin, who also found a way to make this a business. Hes a very American character, which is what happened with Gaston in the Disney Beauty and the Beast. That movie is set in France, of course, but Gaston is very clearly an American character, a self-criticism of the U.S. So I wanted to do that with Justin in Belle, and whats more American today than a superhero?

One interesting thing about the film is how little you explain about U, its origin, or how it works. Did you consider including more exposition about it at one point?

I think its like the real world in that there is a limit to how much one person knows about the world we live in. Its more important that you feel the scale of the world because you dont know everything about it and its evolving all the time as people add to it. I did add more detail in a novelization Ive written of the film, but I dont know if its going to come out in English.

The film has a distinct visual style that combines 3-D and 2-D animation. Can you talk about your approach to that?

If you ask me, 2-D versus 3-D is just a difference in the method you use to get to the goal. They each have their own pros and cons, but there is no difference in terms of inherent quality. With Belle, we did the virtual world of the internet using entirely 3-D because, if youre inside a computer, it makes sense to use CG animation. Then the real world was all done by hand. It was a very intentional conceptual separation for this movie as opposed to just doing it entirely in one mode or the other or just resorting to using 3-D for the difficult parts.

You gathered an international team to work on this film, which is rare in anime.

I wanted designers with different values from all around the world to be involved in creating this film. I couldnt have created a global society like the one we needed without input from legendary Disney animator Jin Kim or the super-talented architect Eric Wong or the studio Cartoon Saloon from Ireland.

Because the story is set in a more globalized future, we asked ourselves what a global style of animation looks like. Often, I think animation is perceived as either American-made or everything else, and that border used to be really, really strong with a really high wall separating the two. But I think that wall is coming down. There are just different forms of expression that are becoming more recognized, so we wanted to honor that by drawing from different influences and different viewpoints for the story were telling.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Julia Garner as Anna Sorokin as Anna Delvey. Photo: NICOLE RIVELLI/NETFLIX

Here is a list of things that Julia Garner resembles in these first-looks at her role as goddess of the Summer of Scam Anna Delvey in the upcoming Shonda Rhimes miniseries Inventing Anna on Netflix:

- Shiv Roy in a childrens-theater adaptation of Succession

- A Blue Jasmine prequel series a-la Young Sheldon

- That one rich girl on your IG feed who went to hospitality management school in Switzerland

- A shelved Orange Is the New Black plot

- Before-and-after shots from one of those Vogue videos where you watch a beautiful person take off all their makeup for 20 minutes but the after still looks better than you at your very best before

- Kaitlyn Dever

But mostly, she really does look like Anna Delvey.

The nine-episode Netflix series is based on the New York Magazine story How Anna Delvey Tricked New Yorks Party People, and going by the trailer, it will show the fallen socialite at both the peak of her powers and in prison. In real life, Delvey (real name: Anna Sorokin) was released from prison in February 2021 but remains in ICE custody and is facing deportation to Germany. Inventing Anna premieres February 11 and will also feature Laverne Cox, Anna Chlumsky, and Arian Moayed in its portrayal of conspicuous consumption and inconspicuous scams in New York City. How very rich.

This post has been updated.
Hey, its Che Diaz. Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/HBO Max

The words on everybodys lips in Manhattan right now: Che Diaz. In the latest episode of And Just Like That , the Sex and the City revival that HBO Max has pulled off by way of necromancy, Miranda Hobbs discovers that there are a bunch of women at a fancy private-school fundraiser who are almost as obsessed with Che Diaz as she is. They chatter about their love for the raunchy non-binary comedian and podcast host, whos played by Sara Ramirez, and one of them says that she read a piece about Che on Vulture and got addicted.

This raises all sorts of questions, like, for instance, what kind of Vulture piece was this? An interview? A profile? A review of Ches comedy concert? Unfortunately, that question is not answered in the mysterious amber-tinted universe of And Just Like That , and so instead, in this piece on Vulture, we must ask questions of our own about the shows most mesmerizing and confoundingly written character.

Who is Che Diaz?

Ches a comedian and host of the podcast X, Y, and Me alongside Carrie Bradshaw (who represents the perspective of cisgender women) and Jackie Nee (who represents the cishet perspective). Che refers to themself as a queer, non-binary, Mexican Irish diva and has a button to push during podcast recordings that goes woke moment!

Who is this podcast supposed to be for?

Truly, I do not know. The introduction of Che into the And Just Like That  universe feels like an attempt from the writers to acknowledge the original Sex and the Citys very rigid approach to the gender binary, including moments where the characters dismiss bisexuality and make derogatory jokes about trans people. But the shock jockslashsex tales vibe of the podcast doesnt really translate into something I can imagine listening to myself.

Whats Ches comedy about?

In the shows third episode, the main trio of friends goes off to see Che perform a stand-up set that mostly involves anecdotes about them coming out and shocking their Catholic family and preaching to the audience about how if youre not happy with you are, step out of that box and change it. Its more motivational speaking than comedy, but Carrie and the girls eat it up, especially Miranda, who becomes smitten with Che and also admits to listening X, Y, and Me, which does mean that the podcast has at least one fan. Anyway, Miranda lets Che shotgun a joint into her mouth, but thats just the beginning.

What is the deal with Che and Miranda?

Well, after that little flirtation, things escalate to the point that, in episode five, Che fingers Miranda while Carrie is confined to her bed after hip surgery, giving her the best orgasm of her life (were told Miranda and Steve have pretty much stopped having sex). From there on, Miranda is pretty much simping for Che to the point that she spends months waiting on an unanswered text and fantasizes about getting fingered again in her dreams (which all occur in a strange, brightly lit white space, as if they are both elves in Lord of the Rings).

Are we supposed to like Che?

I guess? The show has all the characters talk about them as a comedy prophet, but the comedy on its face is like Nanette sent through Google Translate a few times, and their actions with Miranda imply they freely fuck around with whoever  especially privileged cis women, given the fan attention Che gets at the school fundraiser. Thats all well and good, but as a general rule, maybe dont fuck around with your co-workers married friends?

What is Che getting out of all this?

Heres the thornier question, because as audience members we pretty much always see Che from either Miranda or Carries perspective, which means that theyre always depicted as sort of an intimidating younger, cool boss or a near fetish object. At one point in the latest episode, Che explains that they get a lot of DMs, further enforcing the idea that the character is some sort of Satyr-like sex god among New Yorkers of a certain age but doing nothing to give us a sense of Che on their own. Are they merely amused by Mirandas awkwardness? Whats the deal with the rebel posturing while spending all this time with these establishment types?

Whats And Just Like That  getting out of all this?

Its easy to dismiss Che because the character has been written as this jumble of traits to serve a bunch of plot purposes. But to be fair to the series, its easy to see why the writers wanted a character who could come in and mix up the dynamics of Carrie and Mirandas lives. Che provides some of the reboots more embarrassing scenes, the kind that are necessary for the sort of social awkwardness that the original series thrived on. Miranda ignoring her friends needs while getting fingered is a situation that demonstrates her fallibility, and it also leads to her defending herself with the line: It wasnt an affair, it was a finger! That is a pretty funny line!

But lets not give And Just Like That  too much credit. Yes, Che has provided some of the more enthrallingly weird scenes in the show, but all without being given much internal consistency as a person. Take the next step, And Just Like That  writers, and extend the humiliations outward from the trio of returning stars. Let their new friends also embarrass themselves and reveal their weird needs and anxieties in the process. Otherwise, Ches going to remain this unknowable, non-binary yet two-dimensional question mark.

What about Steve?

He doesnt even realize this is happening! And he cant hear! And he gets lost in Brooklyn farmers markets! Poor Steve.

When is Che Diaz?

At the beginning of the most recent episode of And Just Like That , we watch a years worth of seasons pass outside Carries window as she writes, but later on, Miranda says that she has been waiting for a text back from Che for three months. The only explanation for this is that Che has the power to exist out of time.

What is a comedy concert?

Miranda refers to Ches act as this, and I still have no idea.

How much weed has Che Diaz done?

Che Diaz has done a ton of weed.
Danielle Deadwyler Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images

This interview discusses the events of the Station Eleven finale.

The thing that unites the pre- and post-apocalypse stories in Station Eleven is a graphic novel, itself titled Station Eleven, written by Miranda Carroll (Danielle Deadwyler) that becomes an accidental guide to surviving incredible trauma. Before the Georgia Flu sweeps over the world, Miranda has a job in logistics but spends her free time writing Station Eleven  to the point of alienating her star actor husband (and later, ex) Arthur (Gael Garcia Bernal). Hours after learning of Arthurs unexpected onstage death, Miranda herself dies when the flu hits during her work trip to Malaysia, and her story makes up a large part of the third episode of the HBO Max series. But in its finale, Station Eleven returns to Mirandas final moments in her hotel room. There, she gets gets a call from Clark, Arthurs friend, who has managed to hole up at an airport in Michigan on his way to collect Arthurs body from Chicago.

Miranda decides to help Clark from all the way across the world by calling a pilot who has landed at the airport and convincing him to keep his likely infected passengers from exiting the plane. She also reveals that losing her family during Hurricane Hugo fueled her work on Station Eleven. Deadwyler plays Mirandas final moments with a heartbreaking, calm intensity, though speaking with Vulture in person, she was happy to crack jokes. Talking over Zoom, she discussed how Mirandas backstory informed her performance and how she thinks about TV acting in relation to her own performance art.

In the finale, the show introduces the story of Mirandas family, who died in Hurricane Hugo. Did you know her history when you first started playing the part?

I think I knew everything. I read the book, and obviously we deterred from it a little bit, but there was hella backstory available to me. There was stuff that me, showrunner Patrick Somerville, and director Hiro Murai developed along the way as well. But then I had a whole year in between shooting my first episode  the unintentional break of the pandemic  and coming back in March 2021 to shoot episode ten.

What did you want to know when you were filling out her backstory?

I was pulling from a lot of different things. I was reading a lot of poetry. I was hyperaware, when we started January 2020, that COVID was a thing. So the nature of a survivalist was a really interesting thing, let alone someone who was defining themselves as a non-artist artist. Miranda was intuitively creating for her own survival. Everything was available in the script, but I was trying to hone what her timeline was. How does a person come to be the kind of survivalist that she is and the kind of loner that she is? I think thats someone we fear. I think its something we feared in the pandemic. People have been resistant to being quiet, to being alone, with the nuclear family and the self. Miranda was dealing with that pre-pandemic, so shes an anomaly.

In the finale, Miranda makes a call to this pilot to say that hes going to have to make a decision that goes against all his instincts  to save the people at the airport by not letting his passengers get off the plane. How did you think about playing that scene?

You dont think! Because shes come full circle, in that way, because its not about her. Its not always about her. I have the capacity to take the last vestiges of my energy to express a deep, profound, unselfish love and enable others to thrive and create and do something beyond survival. It was a crazy place to be in. I sat for two weeks in Toronto by myself in quarantine. I had a lot of time to reckon with it. We had a full year in the COVID pandemic to look at the ramifications of not caring and not being a community member and witnessing the deaths. Miranda hadnt seen the deaths, but she had been doing what her Spidey senses were telling her to do, to get out on her own. But no, its not about that, especially in this moment when I know that I am succumbing. Its a deep love to think of Clark, to tell him you can do more and you can do better.

Miranda also has these visions of seeing Dr. Eleven, the spaceman whos central to her work and appears throughout the show. What was it like to play those encounters?

Strange and profound. Youre looking into the shield, and its this warped kind of expansion, like, rethink yourself. Dr. Eleven is the conscientious observer, an imaginary friend, and so many other things. Its just weird! But it was beautiful to come out into the great expanse in a scene where Miranda imagines watching the Earth from space with Dr. Eleven. Its a portal, a liminal space to get you to where you really want to be, some kind of ecstatic paradise. Which is where she gets to.

In the pre-pandemic scenes, Mirandas split between this logistics career, her secret obsession with this book, and her relationship with Arthur. How did you approach those divided aspects of her?

Shes tightly woven in that shes trying to protect that thing. I know what it feels like, and I think a lot of artists know what it feels like. Patrick said it feels like two relationships when youre in a relationship with somebody and then you have this art. There was a great joy that Arthur brought to Miranda. There was no coddling of the chaos she was existing in and expressing, and he appreciated that. When somebody does that, they blow your fucking mind, and you yield a bit, but whatevers at your root is still trying to come out, which is what Station Eleven the graphic novel was for her. Gaels great and has everything that makes Arthur so compelling as an entity, but theyre working in two different artistic paths.

Miranda releases a lot of coiled energy in that scene at the dinner party in episode three, where she turns on Arthur after discovering hes let Elizabeth read some of her work. She gives a toast quoting one of his movies and then turns over a glass of wine. Howd it feel to let all that out?

My heart was beating really fast. I think they called for quiet on the set, and someone was like, I can hear a beating? And it was me! But thats how it gets when somebody violates that kind of privacy. Oooh, yeah, youre gonna burn the fucking pool house down. Thats a survivalist action, the most interior kind of survivalist action. Its different from let me protect the flesh. Its let me protect the self, let me protect the spirit. A lot of women like that wine scene, and they want to do that. When someone makes you, down to your core, feel that way, you want to throw the damn glass all around. It was volcanic.

In addition to your film and TV work, you make your own performance art and visual art. Do you relate on that level to Mirandas own sense of needing that side of herself?

I do. Everything I do is deeply, deeply, deeply personal and not to come out until its ready to come out. I know a lot of people who work in visual art, and we hold it to the body a bit more, because its not necessarily as collaborative as TV and film and theater. There, you want options, you want to see where the holes are. Visual art is different. Performance art is different. You cant have people nitpicking at what youre creating  not that TV, film, and theater arent personal, but every medium has a different approach. I identify with Miranda. But the difference in myself is that I care about the aftermath a lot more, about the care and longevity and perpetuity of a project. Shes just like, I made this book, Im giving it to these people, and Im finished, like an amends-making. I have to do more than that. Theres a specificity to how and to whom this is being presented. Theres a conversation in the art world about who is collecting ones work and how you navigate how the artist is cared for after. Those are significant things that I carry forth and learned from peers of mine.

I read an interview you did where you said you were interested in appreciating what the commercial and experimental art-making worlds can learn from each other. What do you think you learned on Station Eleven?

You can be strange. Everybody doesnt necessarily get Station Eleven, but I dont know if you necessarily have to. Everything doesnt have to be understood. Youre not allowed every quality of a human being. I think thats something important to fuse and understand, between both sides. I think we always presume commercial means accessible and that experimental is not accessible. There may be a small number of pieces that you might get, but that doesnt mean you havent been invited to see them. I think everybody is invited to either, but the question is Do you want to come in?

What was the last scene that you filmed as Miranda? Shes such a charged, isolated character  I was wondering how you said good-bye to her.

It was the beach. It was a lot of takes of climbing out of the tunnel and stepping onto the sand and that joy. Its a spiritual joy that she comes to. It was a great release. It felt remarkable because it wasnt a burden but something you carry with purpose. Once you are able to loosen, its nice.
Hello, dealer? Yes, please, put it all on Berry. Illustration: by Carolyn Figel

Its a New Year and a new variant, and with that comes the need for new ways to plug Matt Berry into the areas of our culture that could use a little more zhuzh. On Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that this years ceremony will feature a host, and two days later, they posted a tweet so silly, so crazed, and so unnecessary it makes me wonder if theyve even read our numerous columns about Berrys many talents: Hypothetically, if we asked you who would you want to host the Oscars, and this is strictly hypothetical, who would it hypothetically be? Why would they need to ask this? Have they not paid good money to download a VPN so they can illegally watch all of Toast of Tinseltown in the U.S. within 24 hours of its release? Is this an academy of rubes? Clearly, Matt Berry should host the Oscars.

Oscar hosts come in all different genres. There are your big-personality hosts like Whoopi Goldberg and your old-school showmen like Billy Crystal or Hugh Jackman; theres also Ellen; and then there are the Oscar hosts I prefer: the people who strut onstage Regina Kingstyle, make some warm and funny remarks, then make this show happen so I can go to bed. Berry would excel at this because of how little he would care about doing it. There would be no attempts to make it about himself or to show off in front of Hollywood royalty. He likely would not know who half the nominees and presenters even are. If you told him, hed do an angry little shrug or something and ask if Glenn Close is here and if shed dance to his synth cover of Da Butt. You can get a taste for Berrys experience commanding a stage if you check out his performances for Letters Live, a live event series in the U.K. in which performers read interesting letters to raise money for literacy.

Berrys got everything an Oscar host needs in this clip: a strong presence, a loud voice, and the ability to read. This is the kind of no-frills hosting that could make for a dignified, refreshing 90-minute Oscar ceremony. But if you want a bit or two, Berry can deliver. Hes made several in-character appearances at other live charity events, and the character he plays tends to line up with whatever the public knows him for at the time. For the 2012 Secret Policemans Ball in New York City, he was mainly famous for Snuff Box and The IT Crowd, so he appeared as a version of the wicked-horny idiots he plays in both of those series.

More recently, Steven Toast has been Berrys go-to persona for public appearances. For 2017s Comic Relief telethon in London, he announced the show as Toast and even did a little comedy skit for the occasion.

Having the Oscars hosted by a character from a U.K. comedy series that cant (legally) be watched in the U.S. might be confusing for viewers, but there is a character Berry plays that Americans everywhere know, love, and trust. Thats right  he could be regular human Oscar host Jackie Daytona. People would freak out! He could murder celebrities who want to be in a funny bit (Dont worry, Nicolas Cage is slumped over in his seat for completely normal celebrity reasons and not because Ive drained all the blood from his bodyyy). He could mix drinks onstage. He could wear a hat. He could normalize wearing black nail polish to the Oscars. It would be insane. And this is what the Oscars need now: to lean hard into the insanity of watching actors hand each other awards for doing movies while the world around us dies. Why not have that night hosted by a fictional vampire played by a reluctant celebrity?

The only acceptable reason the Academy has not already booked Berry for this role is hed hate the idea with every fiber of his being. Berry, like a KN95 mask, is hard to get. But thats why our federal government should mobilize and use the resources at its disposal to increase the supply of Berry content available to us in the United States of America. Since the government is probably unwilling to use military force to acquire more imported Berry content, an act of Congress is likely what it will take. We can call it the Oscars Host Defense Act, and it would state that Matt Berry is the host of the 2022 Oscars, earmark numerous subsidies for his personal use to make it worth his while, and lightly suggest that should he refuse this offer, there would be consequences. Nothing major  just, like, every time Berry enters the U.S., he gets a parking-ticket-level summons for refusing to host the Oscars or something. He doesnt have to pay it; the hope is that the minor annoyance of being handed a small slip of paper whenever he goes through Customs somehow motivates him to just get this over with.

Awards season will probably never again be what it once was. People are watching live TV less and less, and even the Golden Globes have become just a Twitter thread. This is a jarring change in a time of constant jarring changes. Its scary when nothing feels secure or predictable, but maybe the Oscars can give us something familiar that subverts itself: a host whos also a reluctant king, who might make a few dry jokes or do a bit or two and then let us rest. A man who will bring gravitas to the ceremony and whose detachment will remind us this whole thing is just for fun and isnt real. A man with a loud voice who likely doesnt even know what an Oscar looks like. Give us Matt Berry.
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Outdoor activities banned in two north Italian regions due to swine fever.

Italy has banned hunting in areas of Piemonte and Liguria after the recent detection of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar in the two northern regions.

The highly contagious disease, fatal to pigs and wild hogs, is not transmitted to humans but can cause considerable financial losses to the farming sector.

In addition to hunting, the collection of mushrooms and truffles, fishing, trekking and mountain biking have been banned in the affected areas for the next six months.

The ban, issued by the ministries for health and agriculture, concerns the areas around 114 towns (78 in Piemonte and 36 in Liguria), reports news agency ANSA.

On Thursday the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore reported that China, Japan, Taiwan and Kuwait have blocked purchases of pork products from Italy, with restrictions introduced by neighbouring Switzerland.
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Over years of following American politics, Id come to regard Joe Biden as harmless  a back-slapper without strong conviction, given to exaggeration and the occasional outright lie, but no worse than average for a career politician and no threat to the republic. Lately Ive been wondering if I overestimated him.

His remarks on Tuesday settle the matter. His speech on election law was Trump-level demagoguery, the opposite of what the country needs and should expect of its president.

Biden is pressing for passage of two voting-reform laws. The first  the Freedom to Vote Act  is a compendium of measures to make voting easier. The other  the John Lewis Act  seeks among other things to restore requirements on some states to get federal permission for changes in their voting rules.

Together, they constitute a strong exertion of federal authority over states ability to conduct elections. Set aside what the Constitution may or may not require in that regard: Since the elections in question are federal, I see no principled objection. Voting should be as easy as possible, and to the naive observer, it isnt obvious why the rules should vary state by state.

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Yet theres a vast difference between advocating for these bills and equating opposition to them as support for Jim Crow 2.0 and the end of democracy. That is exactly what Biden did. It was hyperbole verging on hysteria.

The fate of the republic does not rest on what form of ID is required of people turning up at polling places. Nor does it depend on whether snacks can be served to voters in line, registration is automatic, Election Day is a national holiday, or states offer 15 consecutive days of early voting. These and countless other minutiae vary widely across the democratic world.

In contrast, the fate of the republic might indeed depend on whether the losing side accepts the election result as legitimate. In his response to the 2020 election, Trump overthrew that presumption, and was rightly slammed for it. Now Biden, who promised to unite the nation and repair the damage Trump has wrought, is doing just the same.

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If the reform bills fail to pass  as seems all but certain, since the Democrats lack a sufficient majority in the Senate and two of their senators are opposed to suspending the filibuster  Bidens rhetoric will have laid the groundwork for a truly chilling scenario: When Democrats next lose an election, they will view the result as illegitimate. In a country as closely and bitterly divided as the U.S., its hard to think of a more toxic intervention.

Granted, many Republican states are at least partially rolling back the easing of voting procedures demanded by the pandemic. Calculations, right or wrong, of partisan advantage are presumably influencing these maneuvers. (Does anyone believe Democrats would support more permissive rules if they thought the resulting additional votes would tilt Republican?) The elections of 2020 have been exhaustively investigated and were found to be well conducted, so on this account too the rolling back looks wrong.

Even so, Bidens account of the new laws was misleading. He singled out Georgias new rules, for instance, though theyre more permissive than those of some firmly Democratic states. And he ignored the most important fact of all: A substantial share of the electorate doesnt trust the 2020 results.

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Yes, that last fact is due in large part to Trumps lies. Still, the point stands: Restoring trust in the electoral system should be an overriding goal of every responsible politician, and above all the president. That means speaking to Republicans as decent fellow citizens. And it means recognizing the trade-off between making voting easier and making it more secure.

Biden is now calling for the filibuster to be set aside so the reform measures can be passed. For any ordinary piece of legislation, this would be unwise, for the reasons the president used to explain when he was a senator in the minority. But a partisan vote to remake election rules would be especially reckless. Its crucial to lift election procedures above the political fray so they command respect and confidence across the partisan divide.

Representative James Clyburn has reminded people that Congress passed the 15th Amendment, which gave freed slaves the right to vote, over solid partisan resistance. He makes a good point, except this is not 1870. It also isnt 1965, when the Voting Rights Act outlawed plainly discriminatory rules such as literacy tests. And just to confirm, Joe Manchin isnt Bull Connor.

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In 2022, the principal threat to American democracy is not racist voter suppression but the inability of two raging political tribes to come to terms about anything, including whether the orderly transition of power is still possible.

Biden campaigned as the return-to-normal candidate. He seemed suited to the role, and its why he won: His most vital job was going to be to show that elections can be trusted, that people with deep disagreements can still engage constructively and that, once in a while, something can get done. Until this week, he could have been fairly accused of making no great effort to do as he promised. The new charge is that, for political advantage, hes choosing to deepen the countrys divisions.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 What Bidens Voting Rights Speech Did and Didnt Do: Jonathan Bernstein

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 Republicans Are Winning the Debate on Voter ID: Ramesh Ponnuru

 Democrats Should Take Voting Rights More Seriously: The Editors

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Clive Crook is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and writes editorials on economics, finance and politics. He was chief Washington commentator for the Financial Times, a correspondent and editor for the Economist and a senior editor at the Atlantic.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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From next week, up to six people will be allowed to gather, up from the current four, but against expectations the 9 p.m. curfew for restaurants and coffee shops remains in place despite a massive campaign of civil disobedience.

The government is slightly easing a gathering ban for three weeks until the Lunar New Year holiday.

Even some in a meeting with government officials and experts demanded lifting the curfew, but most agreed to extend the current lockdown, which was only ever billed as a two-week circuit breaker as hospitals increase capacity for serious cases, due to the Omicron panic and resistance to vaccine passes.

The decision was based on concerns about the Omicron variant, the arrival of COVID pills and a successful court challenge against mandatory vaccine passes, according to a government official Thursday.

A ruling party official said, "We'll keep compensating small businesses as long as lockdown is extended."
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Europes relations with Russia are close to their lowest point in decades. Yet now President Vladimir Putins willingness to open the taps on Russias copious natural gas -- or not -- may be what determines how cold many Europeans get this winter and possibly even next. Thats despite the European Unions vow a decade ago to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, to avoid this kind of vulnerability. Its been a contentious issue within the economic bloc and has caused rifts with the U.S. Russias buildup of 100,000 troops near Ukraines border raises the stakes in the region, with a new gas pipeline to Germany exacerbating tensions.

1. How vulnerable is Europe?

A supply crunch in late 2021 provided a vivid insight into Europes reliance on gas flows from Russia. Storage tanks in the EU were at their lowest seasonal level in more than a decade, after longer-than-usual maintenance at Norwegian fields and Russia rebuilding its own inventories. Benchmark gas prices reached an all-time high on Dec. 21 and more than tripled in 2021. It was against this background that Nord Stream 2, the new Russian pipeline under the Baltic Sea to Germany, was completed in September but became entangled in politics and a lengthy regulatory process.

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2. Whats Russias agenda?

Russia has been sending less gas to Europe since the summer, first saying it needed to fill domestic storage sites ahead of the winter, and then citing lower requests for the fuel from its European buyers. Putin said in December that supplies via the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would undoubtedly lower the price on the spot market in Europe. The German regulator said its approval wont come before July at the earliest, while Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned against energy being used as a weapon. After Russias talks with the U.S. and NATO on security in Europe concluded in January without a clear path forward, an American diplomat said Russia must decide if its interested in resolving the standoff over Ukraine or is seeking a pretext to invade.

3. How disruptive could a war in Ukraine be?

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Conflict could delay or block approval for the Nord Stream 2 project. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has said it would support legislation proposed by New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez that would enact sanctions on the pipeline if Putin attacks Ukraine. In January the Senate blocked a separate measure advocated by Republican Senator Ted Cruz designed to impose sanctions on the pipeline. The more the start of operations on the pipeline is delayed, the higher the risk that gas flows to Europe will continue to be restricted, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. About a third of Russian gas flowing to Europe passes through Ukraine, and with a history of supply disruptions over price disputes, Russia would probably strive to be seen as a reliable supplier even if the military crisis escalates, analysts have said.

4. How did the situation get this way?

Gazprom PJSC supplied almost a third of all gas consumed in Europe in 2020 and will likely become an even more important source in the short term as the continent shrinks domestic production. Russian gas is attractive because its usually cheap and almost always available. The blocs top economies are shutting down coal plants, and some are even planning for the end of nuclear power. Russias role as a major supplier of natural gas has been enhanced by the depletion of North Sea fields controlled by the U.K. and the Netherlands.

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5. Whats been the reaction to the pipeline?

There was strong opposition from the U.S., which imposed sanctions that delayed construction but didnt prevent its completion. Both Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, warned against the risk of Europe becoming too dependent on Russian gas. Poland, Slovakia and other countries that host existing pipelines were also opposed, saying it would tighten Russias hold over the region by giving it the capacity to bypass countries at will, including Ukraine. Russia has been in conflict with Ukraine since 2014, when a pro-Russian president there lost power and Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula.

6. What other supply networks are there?

Outside supplies, mostly from Russia, Norway and Algeria, account for about 80% of the gas the EU consumes. Some of the biggest economies are among the most exposed, with Germany importing 90% of its needs. Countries such as Belgium, Spain and Portugal face the problem of low storage capacity, as does the U.K., which is no longer part of the bloc and closed its only big gas storage site. The continent has a mass of pipelines, including Yamal, which runs from Russia through Belarus and Poland before reaching Germany, and TAG, which takes Russian gas to Austria and Italy. Many cross several borders, creating plenty of possible choke points.

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7. How did Russia become so dominant?

With its vast Siberian fields, Russia has the worlds largest reserves of natural gas. It began exporting to Poland in the 1940s and laid pipelines in the 1960s to deliver fuel to satellite states of what was then the Soviet Union. Even at the height of the Cold War, deliveries were steady. But since the Soviet Union broke up, Russia and Ukraine have quarreled over pipelines through Ukrainian territory, prompting Russian authorities to find other routes. Gazproms shipments to Europe and Turkey were about 177 billion cubic meters in 2021, according to calculations by Bloomberg News and BCS Global Markets based on the companys data. The Russian producer missed its own conservative target for 2021 exports of as much as 183 billion cubic meters to the region, an estimate it stuck to since the spring and maintained at the end of October, even as Europe clamored for more supplies.

8. Is it able to disrupt the market?

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In 2006 and 2009, disputes over pricing and siphoning of gas led to cutoffs of Russian supplies. The second shutdown lasted almost two weeks in the dead of winter. Slovakia and some Balkan countries had to ration gas, shut factories and cut power supplies. Since then, the most vulnerable countries have raced to lay pipelines, connect grids and build terminals to import liquefied natural gas, a supercooled form of the fuel that can be shipped from as far as Qatar and the U.S.

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Europes power costs have been pushed through the roof by a supply crunch in natural gas, the risk of military conflict in Ukraine and bottlenecks for renewable energy. Wary of the discontent and disruption that often results from soaring energy bills, governments have stepped in with measures to keep homes warm and factories running. In one of the most radical interventions yet, France said on Jan. 14 it would force Electricite de France SA to sell more power at a steep discount, a move that could cost the state energy giant 7.7 billion euros ($8.8 billion).

1. Whats the problem?

Benchmark European gas surged above 180 euros a megawatt-hour to a record on Dec. 21, compared with about 20 euros at the start of 2021. Thats because, although the omicron coronavirus variant had dampened some demand, there was pressure on energy supplies. Coal plants had been shuttered, stockpiles of gas -- a key fuel in European power stations -- were lower than normal and the continents increasing reliance on renewables was becoming a vulnerability. Power prices also climbed, with German year-ahead electricity and futures contracts for the first quarter of 2022 in the Nordic region also reaching records.

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2. What are governments doing about it?

Several are trying to soften the blow to consumers with measures ranging from gas tax cuts to direct payments for struggling households and reductions in charges that finance subsidies for renewables. In France, the price spike has been worsened by a wave of nuclear reactor outages. Before it moved to curb EDFs prices, the government had already frozen gas tariffs until the end of 2022, pledged to compensate suppliers with loans until prices recede and offered financial help to struggling households. In Britain, support for winter fuel payments, discounts for low earners and other policies wont be enough to dent an estimated 18 billion-pound ($24.6 billion) combined increase in energy bills from April, when a cap on energy prices is expected to rise by more than 50%.

3. Why the gas shortfall?

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Gas inventories in Europe in January were the lowest on record for the time of year. China, which is by far the biggest consumer of energy and commodities in the world, ordered state-owned companies to secure supplies at all costs. Prices in Europe would need to stay high to attract cargoes of liquefied natural gas away from Asia, where China is stockpiling to power its economy and build reserves. Earlier in 2021, Norwegian gas flows were lower than average during maintenance work at its giant fields and processing stations, and supplies from Russia were limited while it was rebuilding its own inventories. Russian President Vladimir Putin calmed the gas market in October by offering to help stabilize the situation, saying Russia could potentially export record volumes of the vital fuel to Europe. Later, though, a key new avenue for Russian exports to Europe became complicated by geopolitics.

4. What is that avenue?

Natural gas prices rose due to delays in certifying the controversial, newly completed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea between Russia and Germany and market concerns about potential disruption of gas flows through Ukraine. Nord Stream 2, opposed by the U.S. government because of concerns over Europes energy dependency on Russia, must clear political hurdles before it starts operating, but is also entangled in bureaucracy and will need to wait several more months to gain regulatory approval. At the same time, a geopolitical crisis has been brewing after Russia built up troops at the border with Ukraine. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has said it would support legislation to enact sanctions on the pipeline if Putin attacks Ukraine. Talks so far with Russia have been inconclusive on Moscows likely next steps.

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5. How are power prices set in Europe?

Utilities and big companies buy and sell power years in advance, relying heavily on forecasts about the economy and long-term fuel costs. The broader European power market has traditionally been focused on the price for the following day, with auctions supplying a day-ahead price functioning as the benchmark. Traders submit bids and offers for each hour based on their calculations of supply and demand, and then an average price is calculated by the exchange handling that market. Consumer prices are set by state regulators after utilities request rate changes based on how much theyve paid for wholesale power, transmission investments and overall upkeep of their grids.

6. Whats new in the system?

The huge growth of renewable energy, which is more intermittent than fossil- or nuclear-fuel generators. Because weather patterns can create big price shifts, markets for shorter time periods later the same day have also become vital. Germany has closed most of its nuclear power stations as part of a longer-term policy, putting further strain on European grids already coping with one of the worst energy crunches in the regions history.

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7. How reliant is Europe on wind?

Northern coastal countries including the U.K., Germany and Scandinavian nations have become leaders in wind generation and technology. In Spain, the growth in wind and solar plants helped to send its share of renewable energy to a record 44% of total power in 2020. France also is producing more power from wind, but its electricity generation is still dominated by nuclear plants.

8. Which countries are most at risk of running out of power?

Those with limited cable links to their neighbors. In a crisis, they are less able to benefit from Europes interconnected market, which enables power to flow to where its needed the most and where it fetches the highest price. Irelands grid operator warned in September that there was a risk of blackouts due to lack of wind. Many U.K. plants are old and break down from time to time. If big outages coincide with little wind or sun, the nation could be close to running out of electricity.

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The Biden administration has assembled a group that will prepare new countermeasures for the emergence of future Covid-19 variants and other pandemic threats. Meantime, he faced calls from Democrats to improve his administrations pandemic response, including access to at-home tests. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight New York State is turning the corner on the omicron surge, Governor Kathy Hochul said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged businesses to bring workers back and parents to send kids to school.

Bank of America Corp. pushed back its return to office for staff in the U.S. again, until at least the fourth week of January. BP Plc told employees at its largest U.S. office, in Houston, to work from home until next month due to rising omicron cases in Texas.

The U.K. reported fewer than 100,000 new cases for the first time since late December, raising hopes the omicron wave has peaked. The Netherlands eased its strict lockdown. Germany reported record cases for the third straight day.

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Key Developments:

 Virus Tracker: Cases near 322.4 million; deaths pass 5.5 million

 Vaccine Tracker: More than 9.64 billion shots administered

 Poor NYC schools see twice the attendance hit from Covid surge

 Omicron surge gives bosses reason to order shots Biden cant

 Chaos at Hong Kong quarantine camp leaves some detainees trapped

 Canada plays dangerous game demanding U.S. truckers have shots

Biden Forms Task Force for New Threats (4:55 p.m. NY)

The Biden administration has assembled a group that will prepare new countermeasures for the emergence of future Covid-19 variants and other pandemic threats, after the arrival of the omicron strain led to tumult in the U.S. economy and health-care system.

The Pandemic Innovation Task Force, formed by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, or OSTP, will focus on developing vaccines, treatments, diagnostic tests and other tools, said officials familiar with the matter, who asked for anonymity as the details arent yet public. That will help prepare the country in case new versions of the virus surface, and for future biological threats beyond Covid-19, they said.

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Lawmakers Press Biden on Covid Response (4:48 p.m. NY)

President Joe Biden is facing calls from Democrats to improve his administrations pandemic response, including access to at-home Covid tests.

We write with grave concern regarding the current state of preparedness and response, five U.S. senators including Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema said in a letter to White House Covid-19 coordinator Jeff Zients released Friday.

It was the third letter this week from a group of congressional Democrats raising alarm about testing shortages, suggesting growing concern ahead of this years mid-term elections.

Utah Recommends Against Testing (4:44 p.m. NY)

Utah urged most residents to skip Covid tests if they have telltale symptoms, citing a critical shortage of home and in-person testing capacity.

If youre symptomatic, we encourage you to assume you have Covid, Leisha Nolen, Utahs state epidemiologist, said at a press briefing. Instead, stay home isolate for five days, act as if you are in fact Covid positive.

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Tests should be reserved for the elderly, medically vulnerable, or those working with or visiting those groups, she said.

Orders to Begin for Free U.S. Home Tests (3:37 p.m. NY)

The Biden administration on Wednesday will begin accepting orders for free at-home Covid-19 tests, the latest government response to a record number of infections.

Each U.S. household that asks for tests via CovidTests.gov, or by phone, will receive four kits drawn from a 500 million-test order approved by President Joe Biden in December.

The administration expects the tests to initially be delivered by the U.S. Postal Service in seven to 12 days, though shipping may move faster as the program ramps up.

Nebraskas Largest Hospital Limits Surgeries (2:31 p.m. NY)

The largest hospital in Nebraska is imposing crisis standards of care and suspending non-emergency surgery for 30 days as infections surge across the farm-belt state.

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In a statement issued Friday, Governor Pete Ricketts said the state granted Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha permission to curtail surgeries and that the halt will remain in effect until Feb. 13.

The hospital is licensed for 718 beds and Ricketts said it remains focused on prioritizing care for patients with the most urgent medical needs.

N.Y. Turning the Corner, Governor Says (2:11 p.m. NY)

New York State is turning the corner on the omicron surge, Governor Kathy Hochul declared on Friday.

The state had 49,027 cases as of Thursday, down from the high of 90,000 cases this time last week, she said at a virus briefing.

Downstate numbers including New York City and Long Island are trending downward, and Upstate numbers are lagging behind those, she said. The state had 12,207 hospitalizations and 177 deaths on Thursday, according to state data.

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Illinois Fatalities Climb (1:43 p.m. NY)

Deaths in Illinois caused by Covid-19 have continued to climb this week, reaching the highest daily number in a year.

On Friday, 153 Covid-19 deaths were reported, the highest in one day since January 2021, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health website. The deaths come after the state reported a daily record number of confirmed and probable cases last week and amid declining availability of hospital and intensive care unit beds in the state.

BP Tells Houston Workers to Stay Home (1:41 p.m. NY)

BP Plc told employees at its largest U.S. office to work from home until next month due to rising omicron cases in Texas.

The oil major reopened its sprawling glass-walled campus in west Houston last summer as the first waves of Covid-19 subsided, but its 3,500 employees were asked to return to remote work this week.

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Netherlands Eases Lockdown (1:38 p.m. NY)

The Dutch government eased the strict lockdown that has been in place since last month amid a drop in fatalities and intensive-care admissions.

The announcement came even as infections continued to rise, reaching a record 35,521 on Friday, according to government data.

Non-essential shops are set to re-open in the Netherlands from Saturday, with a closing time of 5 p.m. Hairdressers and other contact professions will be allowed to reopen but restaurants, cinemas, museums, theaters and concert halls will remain closed.

BofA Delays Office Return Again (1:04 p.m. NY)

Bank of America Corp. pushed back its return to office for staff in the U.S. again, until at least the fourth week of January, as Covid-19 cases remain escalated nationwide from the highly contagious omicron variant.

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The company told employees they can work remotely through at least next week, and until theyre advised its time to come back, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The move follows last weeks decision to delay bringing back workers through this week.

GE Halts Vaccine Rule After Court Decision (12:32 p.m. NY)

General Electric Co. is suspending implementation of the Biden administrations vaccine-or-test mandate for large employers after the Supreme Court blocked the federal rule.

The maker of jet engines, wind turbines and medical scanners confirmed the decision Friday via email. GE is the first major company to announce a halt after the courts decision Thursday to block the centerpiece of President Joe Bidens push to boost Covid-19 vaccinations.

U.K. Daily Cases Dip Below 100,000 (12:23 p.m. NY)

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The U.K. reported fewer than 100,000 new cases for the first time since late December, raising hopes that the country is past the worst of its omicron wave.

The 99,652 infections recorded on Friday compare with almost 200,000 a day at the peak of the outbreak.

Hospitalizations in London, the early center of the U.K. omicron onslaught, are below the recent high reached on Jan. 5., and show signs of decline elsewhere in the country as well. While the average number of fatalities is creeping upward, deaths have stayed relatively low compared with earlier waves.

Maryland Begins Distributing 20 Million Masks (11:44 a.m. NY)

Maryland began distributing the first of what it says will be a total of 20 million more-protective N95 and KN95 masks. Maryland, part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, has hit record cases and hospitalizations, though some health experts say the states omicron wave may be peaking.

Adams Says NYC Cant Function Remotely (11:06 a.m. NY)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged businesses to bring workers back and parents to send their kids to school.

We cannot run a city as complex as New York remotely, Adams said at a press conference at the Steinway & Sons factory in Astoria, Queens.

The mayor, who spoke on a podium in the middle of the factory as employees worked, continued his bid to will the city back to regular activity despite a daily average of more than 25,000 cases due to the omicron variant.

More U.K. Babies Hospitalized (9:30 p.m. HK)

Omicron has resulted in a higher hospitalization rate for babies in the U.K. than seen for previous variants of Covid-19, though most hospital stays were short, researchers said.

Infants under the age of one accounted for 42% of children hospitalized during the omicron wave, compared with 30% in May to mid-December when the delta variant was prevalent, the research team said in data presented on Friday. Outcomes for the hospitalized babies have been positive, however, with no deaths, less need for oxygen and proportionally fewer intensive-care admissions than during the delta wave.

Gene Linked to Severe Covid (6 p.m. HK)

Polish scientists have discovered a gene that they say more than doubles the risk of falling severely ill with, or even dying from Covid-19.

The Health Ministry in Warsaw expects the discovery to help identify people who are most at risk from the disease, which has already killed more than 100,000 people in Poland alone. It also plans to include genetic tests when it screens patients for potential Covid-19 infections as soon as the end of June.

Omicron Less Severe for Unvaccinated: S. African Study (4:04 p.m. HK)

The omicron coronavirus variant causes less severe disease than the delta strain even in those who are unvaccinated or who havent had a prior Covid-19 infection, a study from South Africas Western Cape province showed.

The findings add to growing evidence that while more infectious, omicron may be less virulent than predecessors. Data from South Africa, the first country to have a major outbreak caused by the strain, has so far shown lower hospitalization and death rates.

Cases in Germany Soar to Record (10:41 a.m. HK)

Infections surged by 92,223, the highest one-day increase since the start of the pandemic, according to numbers released Friday by the countrys RKI public-health institute. The seven-day incidence rate per 100,000 people climbed to a record high of 470.6.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz this week issued a strong appeal for Germans to get vaccinated, saying failing to do so puts others at risk as the nation grapples with omicron. More than 72% of the population is fully vaccinated with two shots, and over 45% have had a booster shot, according to the latest RKI data. But there remain pockets of intense opposition to inoculations.

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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. The latest Democratic priority to fall victim to filibuster politics is voting reform.

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. Sinema says the filibuster, and the 60-vote supermajority it enforces, protects the country from wild reversals on federal policy when control of Congress changes hands. Manchin says Senate rule by simple majority would pour fuel onto the fire of political whiplash and dysfunction that is tearing this nation apart.

3. Are there alternatives to ending the filibuster?

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Yes. Manchin says the filibuster should be made more painful to use by requiring senators who invoke it to speak continuously. Or 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. What is Bidens position?

He hoped that reluctant Senate Democrats, including Manchin and Sinema, would support relaxing the filibuster rule to permit passage of one Democratic priority, a bill on voting rights. But after Sinema expressed her opposition to the idea, Biden acknowledged, I dont know if we can get this done.

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5. Doesnt a filibuster already 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.

6. 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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Federal prosecutors are expected to soon seek dismissal of charges against a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology accused of failing to disclose research ties to China, according to three people familiar with the matter. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The dropping of the case against Gang Chen, a Chinese American academic, would probably happen in the coming weeks, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the litigation is still active.

Prosecutors in Boston this week sent a dismissal memo to the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, which has not yet signed off, but is expected to, the people said. It would mark arguably the most high-profile setback of the Justice Departments China Initiative, a wide-ranging and sometimes controversial effort launched in 2018.

Christina Sterling, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorneys office in Boston, which is prosecuting the Chen case, declined to comment on the matter.

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Robert Fisher, Chens attorney, said, We stand by his innocence.

Chen was indicted a year ago on charges of wire fraud, making a false statement on a tax return and failing to file a report of a foreign bank account. In 2017, he applied for an Energy Department grant to support his program as then-head of MITs mechanical engineering department.

Chen, who became a U.S. citizen in 2000, is not accused of stealing secrets and sharing them with China, which is a central thrust of the China Initiative. But his case was brought as part of the program, which Justice officials describe as an effort to counter the Communist Party-led governments widespread theft of the United States know-how and strategic technologies.

The criminal case against Chen began to falter in December, when prosecutors, under pressure from Chens attorneys, turned over evidence that the defense considered exculpatory, according to the people familiar with the situation. But what tipped the scale was new information that prosecutors obtained last week that substantially weakened their case against Chen, they said.

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The decision to move toward dismissing the charges comes amid a department review of the China Initiative, which has been criticized by some lawmakers and activists as engaging in ethnic profiling of academics.

Grant fraud cases such as Chens have been the Achilles heel of the initiative. They turn on information included in federal grant applications that are often confusing and vague. Proving an academic knowingly omitted relevant information is difficult.

Chens case stands in contrast to another highly publicized case of an academic, this one involving Harvard University chemistry professor Charles Lieber. Last month, Lieber was found guilty of lying to the government about receiving payments from Chinas Wuhan University of Technology, falsifying his tax returns and failing to report foreign finances.

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At trial, prosecutors played for jurors a videotape of FBI agents confronting Lieber with a copy of a contract he had signed with the Wuhan university, which called for him to receive $50,000 a month plus $158,000 in expenses.

Thats pretty damning, Lieber is shown saying.

He has not yet been sentenced.

Chen and Lieber are among about 20 academics and researchers prosecuted in the past three years under the China Initiative. Most were charged with making false statements or failing to disclose ties to Chinese institutions on federal grant forms or visa applications, rather than intent to spy. All but a few of those targeted are of Chinese descent.

At least eight defendants had their charges dropped or were acquitted over the past year, amplifying critics concerns that prosecutors are bringing cases without compelling evidence that the researchers pose a danger to the United States. Five of those were researchers affiliated with the Chinese military and accused of visa fraud.

Prosecutors alleged Chen failed to disclose ties to the Chinese government and a technology university in Shenzhen. But when they interviewed MIT grant administrators in early 2021, after the charges were filed, those officials said the application form Chen filled out in 2017 did not require disclosures such as ties to foreign institutions, according to one person.

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The MIT officials undercut their theory of the case, the person said.

Prosecutors also accused Chen of seeking to hide his membership in various talent recruitment programs funded by the Chinese government. They said Chen was an adviser to a talent program at a middle school in Chongqing. They also cited a WeChat communication between Chen and a colleague in which he asks her to strike language from a proposed draft contract with the Wuhan city government suggesting he would be willing to join a talent program. The colleague later told investigators that she was unaware of Chen having any involvement with any talent program, the person said.

This is Brady material, the person said, referring to a term for information that is exculpatory or can help prove a defendants innocence, and by law must be disclosed. The government did not disclose the information to the defense until December. But they had it for quite a while, the person said.

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Then, last week, prosecutors interviewed a senior Energy Department official, who, even more than the MIT administrators, was in a position to determine what disclosures were material on grant forms, the person said.

That official confirmed that the 2017 form did not require disclosures of Chens ties to the technology university or other Chinese government organizations and programs, the person said. A second person familiar with the situation described the conversation with the Energy Department official as key to the decision to drop the charges against Chen.

The case stirred controversy from the start, when then-U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling unveiled the charges at a news conference in Boston on the last full day of the Trump administration.

It is not illegal to collaborate with foreign researchers. Its illegal to lie about it, Lelling said then. The allegations in the complaint imply that this was not just about greed, but about loyalty to China.

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His remarks prompted Chens attorneys to seek a reprimand of Lelling for making highly inflammatory statements that amount to speculation about Chens loyalty in violation of local judicial rules. They noted that Chen was not accused of treason, violating export control laws or passing classified information to a foreign country.

In July, in a written order, Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell admonished Lelling for his remarks, saying they were not well-advised, but said he did not find they warranted a sanction.

Lelling, now in private practice, has since told The Washington Post and other news outlets that he favors ending the initiatives focus on prosecuting nondisclosure cases, saying the program has served as a deterrent.

He was succeeded as a prosecutor by Rachael Rollins, who was sworn in on Monday and is the first Black woman to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts.

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Prosecutors also alleged that Chen and his research group received $19 million from Chinas Southern University of Science and Technology. In response, MIT President L. Rafael Reif took the unusual step of issuing a public letter stating that the Chinese money was not for an individual collaboration but a departmental one.

In other words, Reif wrote, these funds are about advancing the work of a group of colleagues, and the research and educational mission of MIT.

Reif also sought to reassure MITs Chinese and Chinese American students and faculty, many of whom he said had expressed unease with a growing atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion.

He told them you are essential and integral members of MIT and we value your contributions  and we value you personally as friends  just as we value every member of the global family of MIT, including Professor Chen and his family.

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Chen has been on paid leave since he was arrested last January. MIT has been footing his legal bill.

The China Initiative has sparked anger from Asian American lawmakers and community leaders, who have accused the department of ethnic profiling of academics of Chinese descent.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has directed Matthew G. Olsen, the head of the Justice Departments national security division, to review the program, and changes are expected.

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PLANO, Tex.  From Day One of the Jan. 6 investigation, the FBI was after Person One  the Justice Departments legal term for Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, a Yale-educated military veteran who founded the extremist group Oath Keepers. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight He was not among the hundreds charged in the year after the attack with crimes ranging from assaulting a police officer to unlawfully entering the Capitol.

But he made frequent appearances in prosecutors court filings, which said that Person One was in regular contact with those who allegedly attacked Congress, pushing his disciples to prepare for an apocalyptic confrontation with those who would acknowledge Joe Bidens presidential victory and the end of Donald Trumps time in office.

On Thursday, a year and a week after the riot that rocked the U.S. Capitol, FBI agents in Texas arrested Rhodes, based on a newly unsealed indictment accusing him of the rare crime of seditious conspiracy.

He is the most high-profile person charged in the wide-ranging investigation to date.

Shackled at his wrists and ankles, Rhodes appeared briefly in federal court here Friday.

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Magistrate Judge Kimberly C. Priest Johnson ordered him to remain in jail at least until a detention hearing on Jan. 20.

Wearing jeans, work boots and a green T-shirt, Rhodes, 56, seemed calm as he sat in the courtroom chatting with his attorneys, seated among other defendants in unrelated cases and surrounded by U.S. marshals.

Outside the courthouse, Rhodess lawyers, James Lee Bright and Philip Linder, told reporters that their client would seek to be released pending trial.

Hes not a flight risk, he has no criminal history, no passport, and hes not guilty, Linder said.

Bright added that Rhodes looks forward to fighting the charges.

Another newly charged Oath Keeper, Edward Vallejo of Phoenix, appeared briefly before a federal magistrate judge in Arizona, who ordered that he, too, should be held in custody until a detention hearing next week.

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Most seditious-conspiracy precedents are drawn from cases in the late 1700s or the early 1900s. The last time the Justice Department filed such charges was during the Obama administration, against self-styled militia members, and a judge rejected the case.

The last successful federal sedition prosecution came 26 years ago, when Omar Abdel Rahman, also known as the blind sheikh, and nine others were convicted of plotting to blow up the United Nations, the FBI building in Manhattan, and bridges and tunnels between New Jersey and New York.

This will be a novel case in every way, since the precedent is extremely limited, but I think its an appropriate charge here, said Ryan Fayhee, a former national security lawyer at the Justice Department who is now in private practice. It takes a lot of care and courage to bring a case and use a statute that is very rarely used. . . . It will be one hell of a legal fight, no doubt about it.

The law, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, makes it a crime for people to conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof.

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The way the law is written, it offers a potentially low bar to file a charge  in theory, simply delaying the execution of any law or taking any government property could result in charges.

But Fayhee argued that the nature of what Rhodes and his followers allegedly did before the Capitol was breached shows that Jan. 6 is the rare instance in which the spirit of the seditious conspiracy law can rightly be applied.

What makes these defendants different is the alleged planning, the overt acts, the Capitol building, the communications and then the contradictions in the public record about the reason they were there, said Fayhee.

Justice Department officials weighed possible sedition charges against some Oath Keepers for nearly a year, while legal experts publicly debated the potential pitfalls and advantages of using the law.

In late February or early March, according to a person familiar with the matter, prosecutors in the Washington U.S. attorneys office prepared a memo outlining possible sedition cases that could be filed and sent it to the national security division at Justice Department headquarters.

Rhodes has denied any wrongdoing, saying he never entered the Capitol and never intended for members of his group to go in. Instead, he and other Oath Keepers have maintained that they came to Washington to safeguard high-profile individuals like Trump adviser Roger Stone during protests in support of the then-presidents false claims of widespread election fraud.

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A day before his arrest, Rhodes ripped the FBI in an online interview with Northwest Liberty News.

I have stuck my neck out and basically sacrificed myself, my own success, to do Oath Keepers. . . . I could be a wealthy lawyer if I had chosen that path, but I instead chose to sacrifice that and do the Patriot job, Rhodes said, venting frustration that some on the extreme right have suggested he is an FBI informant.

This is what the FBI does, they make you turn on each other, accuse each other and distrust each other, Rhodes said. It causes suspicion and distrust, even while they are manipulating people and groups.

The 48-page indictment against Rhodes and 10 Oath Keeper adherents portrays him as the driving ideological force behind the group, drawing largely on the defendants own communications on encrypted messaging apps and other forums.

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In one group message, on Dec. 11, 2020, Rhodes wrote that if Biden took office, it will be a bloody and desperate fight. We are going to have a fight. That cant be avoided.

He made similar statements a day later at a pro-Trump rally in Washington.

On Christmas Day that year, Rhodes said in a secure chat with Florida Oath Keepers that he expected that Congress would probably certify Bidens victory and that Trumps only chance . . . is if we scare the s--- out of them and convince them it will be torches and pitchforks time.

The indictment says Rhodes bought weaponry in the days leading up to Jan. 6, spending about $15,500 in the new year on firearms and equipment including a shotgun, scope, magazines, sights, optics, a bipod, a mount, a case of ammunition, and gun-cleaning supplies.

In the two weeks between Jan. 6 and the inauguration, he allegedly spent an additional $17,500 on firearms, attachments and additional equipment.

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The indictment charges that even after taking part in storming the halls of Congress, Rhodess followers were preparing to keep up their far-right rebellion.

We got food for 30 days, Vallejo allegedly said in a group chat on Signal, adding, We have only [begun] to fight!

On Jan. 11, another Oath Keeper, Jessica Watkins of Ohio, allegedly messaged a co-conspirator: Weve been organizing a bugout plan if the usurper is installed. . .Something like 20+ Oathkeepers going to Kentucky mountains on hundreds of acres apparently. She suggested that they might adopt tactics of the North Vietnamese army during the Vietnam War by hiding out in tunnels.

Nevins reported from Plano. Barrett and Hsu reported from Washington.

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The Russian government has sent operatives into eastern Ukraine in preparation for potential sabotage efforts that could serve as a pretext for a renewed Russian invasion, the Biden administration warned on Friday, escalating tensions with Moscow after preliminary diplomatic talks in Europe reached an impasse. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight U.S. intelligence has identified a group of operatives who have been prepositioned in east Ukraine potentially to conduct a false flag operation, a U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under ground rules established by the Biden administration, said in an email.

The operatives are trained in urban warfare and in using explosives to carry out acts of sabotage against Russias own proxy-forces, the U.S. official said, referring to Russian-backed separatists who have been waging a war against Ukrainian forces in Ukraines eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

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For months, top Russian officials have been warning that Ukraine is preparing an attempt to retake the separatist regions. Top Ukrainian and U.S. officials have denied any such plans and described the Russian comments as an effort to cast Kyiv falsely as an aggressor and lay the groundwork for a new invasion.

Administration officials declined to provide additional information about the identity or location of the Russian operatives in question. But the public accusation  first made at a briefing Thursday by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan  reflected concerns by top U.S. officials that the likelihood of a new Russian intervention in Ukraine is increasing.

We saw this playbook in 2014, Sullivan said Thursday. They are preparing this playbook again.

The new, more detailed accusations on Friday, first reported by CNN, came after crisis talks between Western and Russian officials this week failed to yield agreement on ways to defuse tensions over the more than 100,000 Russian troops massed near the border with Ukraine.

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The allegations also came as Ukrainian government websites fell victim to a large-scale cyberattack, in which visitors to the sites were presented with the message, Be afraid and expect the worst. Ukrainian officials said it was too early to say who was behind the hack  which Kyiv described as massive  but noted Russia had been behind similar attacks before.

As negotiations took place in Europe this week, military analysts spotted Russia moving weaponry and other hardware from its Eastern Military District toward Ukraine. The district, which is on the opposite end of Russia in the nations far east, also announced snap combat readiness inspections, fanning worries that Moscows preparations for a military intervention were continuing.

Russia has denied that it is preparing to further invade Ukraine. Speaking to the Russian state news agency Tass on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations by the United States about the Russian sabotage operatives in east Ukraine unconfirmed and unfounded.

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Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said U.S. intelligence indicates Russia is already working actively to create a pretext for a potential invasion, for a move on Ukraine. He said an operation designed to look like an attack on Russian-backed separatists or Russian-speaking people in Ukraine could serve as an excuse to intervene.

Theres a fidelity here to the information that we have that we believe is very credible, Kirby said. And again, weve seen this kind of thing before out of Russia. When there isnt an actual crisis to suit their needs, theyll make one up, and so were watching for that.

Also on Friday, Andriy Yermak, head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said that Kyiv had proposed holding trilateral discussions, potentially by videoconference, between Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Biden.

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The Biden administration has said that Putin has not made a decision yet about whether to invade, but the U.S. official said Russias information operations were on the rise.

Moscow is increasing its use of social and state media to fabricate Ukrainian provocations ahead of possible military action from mid-January to mid-February, the official said.

The U.S. official said such posts have made allegations about worsening human rights conditions in Ukraine and the increased militancy of Ukrainian leaders. They also blame Western nations for stoking tensions. Last month, the number of daily posts along such lines in Russian-language social media increased by 200 percent from the previous month, the official said.

Top Russian officials also have embraced that narrative. In December, Putin falsely suggested that a Ukrainian genocide was targeting ethnic Russians in the countrys east, reviving rhetoric that Moscow used during the 2014 invasion to justify Russian action.

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Later in the month, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said American military contractors had arrived near Ukraines eastern conflict zone with chemical weapons to stage a provocation  an allegation that the Pentagon said was false.

Putin has also argued that the United States and its allies have turned Ukraine into a beachhead from which to launch anti-Russian activities, creating a de facto NATO state on Russias border that is unacceptable to Moscow. He has demanded a security agreement from NATO that would formally stop the alliances eastward expansion and roll back its activities and presence in Eastern Europe.

The Biden administration has launched a full-scale diplomatic effort in response, offering to negotiate reciprocal security arrangements with Russia on missile placements and military exercises in Europe in the hopes of preventing a war. But top Russian officials have accused the United States of engaging only on issues of secondary interest to Moscow while stonewalling on the Kremlins central demands about limiting NATO and its activities.

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The Russian government has said it is waiting for U.S. negotiators to relay written responses to their demands related to NATO before making decisions about whether to engage in further talks. The Biden administration has not said whether it would provide such a response.

Top U.S. and European officials have categorically ruled out changing NATOs open door policy for new members or rolling back the alliances weaponry and infrastructure to its 1997 boundaries, as Moscow has demanded. Putin has yet to weigh in publicly on the results of the talks this week.

The administrations decision to release details about the alleged Russian saboteurs in Ukraine  an attempt to combat potential disinformation in real time  comes as top officials in the White House, Pentagon and State Department who served in the Obama administration during Russias 2014 invasion of Ukraine seek to apply lessons learned from the experience.

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I believe that our response in 2014 was too slow and too incremental, Celeste Wallander, who served as the senior director for Russia on the White House National Security Council at the time, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday during a confirmation hearing for a top Pentagon post. And if confirmed, I would apply the lessons that I learned.

Wallander also said she supported entreaties by certain senators for the administration to provide Ukraine far more advanced weaponry to defend itself, including Stinger antiaircraft missiles.



During his briefing on Thursday, Sullivan said that unlike in 2014, the United States would implement extremely costly sanctions on Moscow immediately upon a new invasion, rather than taking a graduated approach that escalated sanctions over time. He said export controls would also be applied.

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In recent weeks, the White House has tried to enhance Ukraines military capabilities without provoking an angry response from Moscow that would risk derailing diplomatic discussions with Russian officials in Geneva and Brussels.

In late December, the Biden administration quietly authorized an additional $200 million in security assistance for Ukraine, said congressional aides familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security matters. Administration officials declined to say whether the equipment had arrived yet.

The package, first reported by CNN, included small arms and ammunition, secure radios, medical equipment and spare parts. But aides said the package also included more lethal equipment, including Javelins and other anti-armor artillery, as well as heavy machine guns.

Aides said the shipment of those weapons was kept quiet to avoid the Russians from walking out of scheduled meetings. They didnt want this to get in the way of the talks, said one aide.

A State Department spokesperson declined to discuss the specific types of weaponry being sent to Ukraine but said the United States has given more security assistance to Ukraine in the last year than at any point since 2014.

Abigail Hauslohner, Karoun Demirjian and Dan Lamothe in Washington, David L. Stern in Kyiv, Robyn Dixon in Belgrade and Mary Ilyushina in Moscow contributed to this report.

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Leaders of the federal judiciary have had to backtrack after nearly three dozen law clerks and judge assistants affirmed in an informal survey that they had witnessed wrongful conduct in the workplace. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts said officials removed the question from a training registration form, sent last week to thousands of judiciary staffers who work for federal judges, but not before 34 of about 40 employees  nearly everyone who responded  indicated that they had observed some form of inappropriate behavior.

This was an unfortunate administrative error. No more  no less, David Sellers, a spokesman for the office, said in an email, adding that the question was too broad to elicit any meaningful information and that the number of responses was too small to reveal a trend. Some, Sellers said, referred to situations before employment with the federal court system.

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The judiciary wants employees to feel comfortable reporting any instances of wrongful conduct, he said. But a registration form was not the proper place to ask that type of question.

Concerns about how the judiciary handles allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and other misconduct in courthouses have for the past several years been part of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.s annual report on the federal judiciary. In his 2021 year-end report, Roberts acknowledged ongoing scrutiny from Congress but said the independent judicial branch is best positioned to resolve workplace complaints.

The judiciary has put in place a robust reporting system, expanded the Office of Judicial Integrity and hired workplace relations directors in each of the federal circuits, Roberts said. He noted that a previous internal study recognized the seriousness of several high-profile incidents, but found that inappropriate workplace conduct is not pervasive within the Judiciary.

Advocates for change said the employees responses show that problems are more widespread than the judiciary has acknowledged, and they questioned the judiciarys ability to police itself.

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The judiciary cannot adequately assess whether misconduct is pervasive without robust and retrospective reviews, including questions tailored to assess the nature and frequency of such conduct, Deeva Shah, an attorney with Keker, Van Nest & Peters who represents more than 20 current and former federal judiciary employees, said in an email. Although these issues are present in many workplaces, the judiciary is uniquely insulated from basic workplace protections and continues to insist on self-policing, which may explain these numbers and the lack of formal reports filed.

The federal court systems 30,000 employees are not covered by federal laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and retaliation. Instead, the separate branch of government has its own protection policies.

A congressional hearing is planned for February to review legislation the judiciary has opposed that would ensure anti-discrimination rights for employees, establish whistleblower protections and create a special counsel to investigate and report on misconduct complaints.

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Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.), a sponsor of the legislation, said she was not surprised by the high response rate to the question given the secrecy around misconduct in the judiciary.

It is unfair to these employees to say that the fox is guarding the henhouse, Torres said. We need to set up a system where judiciary employees feel confident that they will be protected and that no one is above the law, and clearly we have to acknowledge there is a pervasive problem. Congress is not going to stand by and not do anything about it.

Roberts declined to comment through a court spokesperson.

The chief justice proposed overhauling the reporting system after sexual misconduct claims against an appeals court judge, Alex Kozinski. The judge stepped down from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit after The Washington Post reported in 2017 that 15 women had accused him of a range of misconduct.

As part of the judiciarys response, its administrative office is holding training sessions for the people who work inside judges chambers  often an insular environment in which individual judges wield tremendous power and influence over their employees careers.

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Last week, the administrative office invited all law clerks, paralegals, judge secretaries and judicial assistants to attend an online training session titled Workplace Conduct Protections & Employment Dispute Resolution to explore employment rights in the federal judiciary, the avenues for reporting misconduct and obtaining guidance, the EDR process, and options for resolution.

The training, scheduled for Jan. 25, is for those who work in judges chambers  about 6,500 employees throughout the country.

A few hours after the invitation and registration link were distributed on Jan. 5, judicial integrity officer Michael Henry had the query removed. Henry was unaware anyone had responded or how they had responded until after the removal, said Sellers, the court spokesman.

This week, Henry began contacting the 34 individuals who responded affirmatively to the question to provide guidance on resources related to workplace protections.

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The courts administrative office declined to provide details about the locations or job titles of the employees who answered yes.

Torres said she was concerned to learn that the judicial integrity officer had contacted the employees, saying such a step could be viewed as an intimidation tactic.

Sellers said Henry had assured respondents that their confidentiality would be preserved.

The Judiciary has multiple well-established avenues for employees to report, Sellers said. They include safe, confidential, formal, informal, and even anonymous methods for Judiciary employees to alert us to matters of concern.

Glenn Fine, a former Justice Department inspector general, said this week that despite legitimate concerns about maintaining the courts independence, there should be an inspector general for the federal judiciary.

That person could help identify problems before they arise, and ensure that any allegations of misconduct are investigated effectively and with credibility, he wrote in a Washington Post opinion piece. This could be accomplished without compromising the judiciarys necessary independence  and, in the process, enhance public trust in the institution.

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DUBAI  Iranian shipping companies in league with international recruiting firms have been forcing large numbers of Indian seafarers to work in dangerous conditions, often with little or no pay, according to more than two dozen men who say they were tricked into taking this employment. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Thousands of Indian men are lured to Iran each year by recruiters guaranteeing salaries and experience aboard reputable ships and often promising assignments in other Middle Eastern countries, say Indian seafarers and maritime activists. Instead, the seafarers say, they are sent to Iran and put to sea, where they are overworked, denied enough food and at times forced to transport drugs and cargo that is under international sanctions.

They target seafarers for work without salary. Its all a big trap, said Ashkay Kumar, a 24-year-old deck cadet from Delhi who was among 26 Indian men interviewed about their experience with Iranian shipping. They forced us to work like slaves.

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When a job recruitment agent in India handed Ashwani Pandit a plane ticket and visa for Iran early last year, he panicked. The 24-year-old from Bihar state said he had taken out loans to pay the recruiter $2,600 to secure a job aboard a ship that Pandit believed was based in Dubai. He hoped it would give him the experience needed to start a career at sea.

When he found out at the last minute that he had been tricked, Pandit said, he was denied a refund and had little choice but to travel to Iran, where he toiled aboard a small cargo boat for seven months transporting urea and iron to Iraq.

My friends working on vessels in Iran warned me companies there dont pay salaries, he said. The same thing happened to me.

Pandit ultimately left Iran empty-handed in August 2020. His employer, Dashti Marine Co., arranged his exit visa on the condition he sign a contract stating he did not require payment for his work. The document, seen by The Washington Post, declares that his only compensation is a letter from the company confirming his work experience.

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Babak Dashti, the owner of Dashti Marine, declined to comment.

Indians represent a significant share of the seafarers employed by Iranian companies, in part because India is a major source of maritime labor worldwide. About 316,000 Indians work as seafarers, nearly 20 percent of the global total, according to data published by Indias Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Indian labor is especially appealing for Iranian companies because U.S. sanctions on Iran have made it difficult to hire workers from many other counties, said Andy Bowerman, regional director for the Middle East and South Asia at the Mission to Seafarers, a charity. There is a close relationship between Iran and India, and therefore it is quite attractive in terms of securing visas, he said.

Moreover, he said, there are a lot of desperate people who will take a contract that they may or may not know has some risk to it.

The pipeline for these migrant workers comprises recruitment agents in both India and Iran in addition to Iranian shipping firms, seafarers said. Those interviewed said they had paid between $2,019 and $6,732 to secure their jobs. Almost all were starting their careers and seeking experience needed to secure more-lucrative jobs.

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Families want their sons to get out of poverty and earn something better, so they put all their resources in, sell off their land and farms, to give to the recruitment agent, said Chirag Bahri, director of the Indian division of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN).

Amitabh Kumar, the Indian governments director general of shipping, said that most of these seafarers appear to have traveled abroad as undocumented recruitments and that it is difficult to provide an exact number of men involved. In addition to those men who are falsely told their work will be based outside Iran, there are some seafarers who knew they were headed to the Islamic republic but say they were still taken aback by the working conditions they found.

Neither Irans Ports and Maritime Organization nor the Shipping Association of Iran responded to requests for comment.

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Almost all the seafarers interviewed said they were denied adequate food and suffered regular attacks of hunger and subsequent weight loss.

I faced a problem with food. I asked for food from ships nearby if I didnt have lunch. If I asked for one bread or two eggs, they gave them to me, said Yaseen Sha, 32, who said he returned home to India in July after spending 19 months in Iran without pay.

Some seafarers reported they were put to work aboard Iranian-flagged vessels that transport narcotics.

Anand Maity, 28, from Kolkata, for instance, said he had been working in the kitchen of a tugboat sailing from Djibouti to Iran and was unaware that drugs were on board before a stash of heroin was discovered two years ago by the Iranian coast guard. He and seven other crew members were arrested. He said he spent 18 months in Tehrans Evin prison before being released in June. I try to forget that time, Maity said. I dont want to remember.

Several men recalled getting caught up in other types of illicit commerce.

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Jameel Akhtar, 29, from Mumbai, was among a number of seafarers who told of working on vessels smuggling fuel and other Iranian goods covered by U.S. sanctions.

After his tanker was caught transporting Iranian fuel in late 2020, Akhtar said, it was detained by authorities from the United Arab Emirates and remained anchored in port for months.

In July, four people wearing black masks and goggles and brandishing guns boarded the ship, tied the crew members hands behind their backs and threatened to shoot anybody who moved, he recalled. The crew was held hostage while the tanker was sailed to Bandar Abbas, Iran. They were then released and assisted by the Indian Embassy to fly home.

An official report on the incident, published by investigators from the maritime administration of Dominica, the Caribbean country where the vessel was flagged, said Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was likely responsible. Irans Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

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Seafarers interviewed in India said they ultimately returned home with little if any money to show for their work, as well as traumatized by their experience with Iranian shipping companies, but they remained unwilling to give up their dreams of working at sea.

Pandit is searching for a job but says he will never return to Iran. The shipping companies are total frauds, he said. These are big men. They dont understand the misery experienced by the poor.

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Terri Evans, 47, is the CEO and founder of Dockside Delivery. (Taylor Glascock for The Post)

Black businesses closed at twice the rate of other businesses at the start of the pandemic. Then Black entrepreneurship surged.
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Afterpay plans to start selling mortgages in 2022 through its recently launched banking app that is targeted at Gen Y women (those born between 1981 and 1996) and Gen Z (those born from 1997). Loading Afterpays mortgages will be funded by Westpac, but even so, it shows the potential of fintech apps to move into the banks core territory. Up, a youth-focused neobank bought by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank in 2021, also plans to start selling home loans through its app in early 2022. Up was launched in 2018 providing digital accounts - and in November it said it had 40,000 customers saving for a home loan. Up chief executive Xavier Shay says its mortgage product will aim to win over customers by giving them financial tips - such as a nudge to repay their loan faster if it notices they are saving more than thought. Right now, state of the art is you type some numbers into a calculator or maybe make a spreadsheet, and most people dont want to be making spreadsheets, Shay says.

Bendigo-backed Tic:Toc, which will provide technology for Up to approve digital loans, is another example of a fast-growing digital mortgage business - it also relies on Bendigo for funding. Up and away, Up chief executive Xavier Shay (second from left) says young people want their mortgage where their money is. Credit:... Non-bank lenders such as Nano Digital Home Loans and Athena Home Loans are also eyeing a piece of the action, alongside older businesses such as Loans.com.au, owned by Firstmac. Athenas co-founder and chief operating officer, Michael Starkey, says about 45 per cent of Athenas customers are Gen Y, and its commissioned surveys have shown 74 per cent of millennials are either somewhat or very favourable towards using a non-bank lender. With other digital businesses like REA Groups realestate.com.au also targeting home loans, Starkey argues theres an opportunity for the business to make finance more embedded in the wider process of buying a home.

Nanos co-founder and chief executive Andrew Walker argues COVID-19 has accelerated the shift to digital applications, arguing digital home loans are rapidly becoming the norm. If you look at the global data, youll see that Australia is far behind the rest of the world, where currently less than 3 to 5 per cent of mortgages are originated digitally, compared to 30 per cent in the US, Walker says. We originally anticipated it to be 3-5 year market shift, but we now believe that it will take place over the next 12  18 months. Not everyone is convinced that digital home loans are set to take over. Given the complexity and high stakes of taking out a home loan, mortgage brokers arrange a large share of new loans, and some survey data suggests even young digital-savvy customers still want to deal with a human when taking out a loan.

A 2020 survey by Finder.com suggested more than half of Gen Y and Gen Z still wanted to visit a branch for a mortgage. The surge in house prices in recent years has also made it even harder for many younger customers to break into the property market. But in any case, there is little doubt that digital home lending is emerging as a key battleground in banking - just as approval processes were a critical issue for lenders in 2021. At their full-year results, each of the big four banks were busily talking their moves to make mortgage lending more digital and faster, with both Commonwealth Bank and ANZ Bank talking up the prospect of a 10-minute mortgage in 2022. A spokeswoman for CBA, the countrys biggest bank, says the lender will launch its digital loan in the first half of the year. In the longer term, experts predict even more sweeping changes to mortgage lending from open banking, a system that allows consumers to securely share their financial data when applying for a loan. James Cameron, a partner at AirTree Ventures (which has invested in Athena), says in 10 years time taking out a loan could be as simple as answering a few questions on a smartphone: your name, some proof of identity, the amount you want to borrow, and the propertys address.

I think it will happen slowly, and then it will happen fast, Cameron says of the disruption in mortgages. The good banks will be able to keep up with these trends, he says. Technology giants such as Apple and Google are also lurking in the background, as they muscle into the payments market through their digital wallet apps. There is a question mark over how these global behemoths might use their enormous customer reach and huge amounts of customer data to target other parts of the banking business - including lending - in the long term. Afterpays future owner, US fintech giant Block, is another example of a foreign tech-based giant that could play a bigger role in the Australian market. I think it will happen slowly, and then it will happen fast. James Cameron, AirTree Ventures The intentions that giants such as Apple have in banking are unclear, but they would be formidable competitors if they sought to gain a bigger slice of the banking market beyond payments.
While Britain and others embraced rapid antigen tests, the Therapeutic Goods Administration was very cautious in Australia. It approved more than a dozen different brands for sale from November 1, but this was months after employers had asked for them and more than a year after Britain cleared its first kits. This might have made sense in the Delta outbreak but was poor planning for future variants  as things turned out when early results showed Omicron was less severe but more transmissible. Illustration: Andrew Dyson Credit: Asked in August about rapid antigen tests, chief medical officer Paul Kelly said they should only be used under the supervision of a health professional. The message from Canberra was that it did not want millions of people using RATs to find out for themselves whether they had the virus. Would the government change that approach? Were certainly looking at that as a component of our next steps, Kelly said on August 6. But those steps took forever. Today, of course, Morrison wants Australians to use RATs at home to keep track of infections, limit the spread and keep people at work whenever possible. He has finally embraced what he was asked to do five months earlier. As an aside, the testing nightmare should lead to a more thoughtful debate about health advice. The partisan arguments over the pandemic often include calls to respect the health advice and ignore economists or reject calls from business. On testing, the employers were right and the health chiefs were too slow. This weeks decisions prove this point.

It is important to note that the rapid tests are not as precise as PCR tests. Even so, a series of daily RAT results can increase that reliability. That means volume helps. And that is where governments failed. Its hard to find rapid antigen tests in retail outlets at the moment. Credit:Chris Hopkins One concern among federal ministers last year was that making RAT kits free would lead to unchecked demand and uncapped costs. In one estimate, matching the British approach could cost $200 million every week. But the government did not have to make them free to make them more widely available. It could have ordered more, and perhaps subsidised them, to prepare for the next wave  just as it has done with other medical items. Some state leaders were so confident about their PCR testing centres that they played down the need for RATs as well. Asked in July if he saw a place for rapid kits in major events and aged care, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews worried about false positives and said PCR remained the gold standard. With state test centres overwhelmed, the mess is not all Morrisons problem. It was up to the states to plan for their share of the load. Only now, reacting too late to immense pressure, have NSW and Victoria set up online systems to register RAT results  the very systems Britain has been running for months. There really is no excuse for that failure to prepare Australia for what was happening overseas.

Morrison admitted on Monday that Omicron had spread faster than he and his officials expected. Did they not think to prepare for a bigger wave of cases? While the Prime Minister has argued that testing is a job for the states, his excuse will not wash with voters. They expect the national leader to lead. Anthony Albanese has called for free rapid antigen tests. Credit:James Brickwood The test kit shortage has turned into a national emergency by leaving millions of workers in the dark about whether they have the virus at the very time the rules require them to use the rapid kits to find out if they should go to work. Most Australians have played by the rules throughout this pandemic and made everyday sacrifices to observe lockdowns and border controls, but now they are being asked to do the impossible: test themselves with kits they cannot find. This is fertile ground for Labor leader Anthony Albanese, given his call, which is uncosted but popular, to make the tests free. While the federal government has placed urgent orders for 70 million tests this month and next, those kits will come too late for some. The result is a bizarre disconnect between Morrisons assurances at his press conferences  we have to push through  and the lived experience of people staring at empty shelves in pharmacies and supermarkets.
There are no immediate plans to implement a fourth dose in Australias coronavirus vaccine program, with the countrys top vaccine advisory group warning it was too premature to determine if a second booster will be needed to halt the spread of the fast-moving Omicron variant.

But Professor Allen Cheng, who sits on Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, said the need for a second booster later this year could not be ruled out, especially if a more infectious, virulent and vaccine-evasive strain emerged or if Omicron continued to push healthcare systems to the brink.

Professor Allen Cheng Credit:Joe Armao

Debate around the need for a fourth dose of the vaccine is mounting globally after Israel broke ranks with the rest of the world and began rolling out a second booster to all healthcare workers and people aged over 60. To date, more than 450,000 Israelis have received their fourth dose.

This week, Denmark became the first European country to endorse a fourth dose for people at risk of serious illness with the virus, while Chile started rolling out fourth doses to higher-risk members of its population Monday.
Rents in northern NSW have jumped over the past year, buoyed by a spillover effect from coastal hotspot Byron Bay and the shift to remote work.

It now costs $850 a week to rent the median house in the greater Byron shire, Domain figures show, a 13.3 per cent rise in 12 months and $250 a week more than in greater Sydney.

Byron shire rents are higher than Sydney, and the growth is spilling into neighbouring areas. Credit:Peter Braig

Living in the town of Byron Bay itself costs a median $925 a week, up almost a third in five years and even more for larger family homes.

More affordable neighbouring towns have clocked double-digit price rises as sea-changers look for less expensive options than the hippie-turned-glamour destination, while some Byron locals have had little choice but to move to a cheaper town nearby.
Washington: The US House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol subpoenaed Meta, Alphabet, Twitter and Reddit on Thursday, seeking information about how their social media sites were used to help fuel misinformation in a failed bid to overturn the 2020 election.

Two key questions for the Select Committee are how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy, and what steps - if any -social media companies took to prevent their platforms from being breeding grounds for radicalising people to violence, panel chairman Representative Bennie Thompson said in a statement.

The assault on the Capitol on January 6. Credit:Bloomberg

Its disappointing that after months of engagement, we still do not have the documents and information necessary to answer those basic questions.

The subpoenas to the tech companies are the latest development in the House Select Committees investigation into the causes of the attack on the US Capitol by former President Donald Trumps supporters, and the role played by Trump, who has pushed false claims he lost a rigged election to Joe Biden.
Salisbury, MD (21801)

Today

Partly cloudy. High 68F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving overnight. Low 54F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Seaford City Councilman says he supports a lawsuit filed against his city by the Delaware Attorney General. Councilman, James King, says he's against the ordinance that deals with handling fetal remains after a surgical abortion.
FILE - In this March 22, 2019, file photo, marijuana buds are sorted into a prescription jar at Compassionate Care Foundation's medical marijuana dispensary in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. A New Jersey Assembly voting session that had been scheduled for Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, that was to include a measure setting up the new recreational marijuana market has been canceled, Assembly Speaker Speaker Craig Coughlin said Friday, Nov. 20.
Louisville rapper and Grammy-nomiated artist Jack Harlow interacts with fans on the sidelines of Louisville's football game against Kentucky in Cardinal Stadium on Nov. 27, 2021.
Measuring the benefits of film tax credits in Connecticut is akin to figuring out the ledger on a motion picture after factoring in box office, streaming, DVD sales and the overseas market.

No one has ever been able to definitively declare Connecticuts efforts a hit or a flop, but there are plenty of reasons to scrutinize the receipts.

A CT Mirror investigation published this week offers several plot twists surrounding credits awarded to Blue Sky Studios, which was Connecticuts marquee star just a few years ago. After producing hits such as the Rio and Ice Age franchises, along with The Peanuts Movie, the Greenwich-based studio seemed to anchor a future for film production in the state and launch careers in an enticing industry.

Disney, home of the happy ending, crushed those dreams when it purchased Fox studios, which included Blue Sky in its portfolio. Another cartoon factory was one asset Disney apparently didnt need. Blue Sky faded into the sunset, and 469 employees lost their jobs last February.

The Mirror reports Blue Sky was receiving Connecticuts Film and Digital Media Production Tax Credit rather than the Digital Animation Production Tax Credit. The difference is more than a few words. Blue Sky should have maxed out at $15 million a year, but was instead granted $32 million every 12 months. The result was reportedly an excess of $83 million.

And, just to put a cartoon exclamation point on the matter, the last $32 million payout was disbursed less than two weeks before Disney announced the closure of Blue Sky.

Did Connecticut give Disney $32 million for nothing? Shouldnt state residents at least get some FastPasses at Disney parks?

Alas, while companies have to surrender credits if they leave the state, thats not the case with Blue Sky because it was shuttered.

In its 2019 report, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) estimated the average economic impact of the Film and Digital Media Production Tax Credit resulted in a loss of $58,510,604. While thats not even half the price tag to produce, say, Ant-Man, it would seem to demand a closer look at the books.

The DECD apparently agreed, and hired a consultant. That act can seem like a copout.: When faced with a challenging financial kerfuffle, spend more money for an outside opinion.

The agency hit the pause button on its 2020 report to get feedback from the consultant. That result was expected last summer. Like any troubled film production, it was delayed again and is expected to be delivered soon.

Weve supported some of the states film measures, and they still merit reasoned consideration. The Film Infrastructure Tax Credit, which helps fund facility construction costs, for example, has boosted Connecticuts success stories with ESPN, World Wresting Entertainment and NBC.

The more fleeting film sets that occasionally roam around the state also deliver invisible benefits by luring tourists and backing local businesses.

But Connecticut has made other mistakes regarding tax credits, notably overlooking its own fine print that allowed producers to sell them to other entities.

Dont blame Disney, Blue Sky or any other filmmaker for the states box office woes. What should be coming soon to an auditors office near you is a closer look at Connecticuts bookkeeping.
Mickey Mouse has turned Leftist Lousedue to circumstances beyond his control, and the long love affair that Disney has enjoyed with almost every American family appears headed for the rocks. The company has chosen to go woke, and that decision could conceivably leave the entertainment gia
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.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Seasonably mild with some sunshine to start, then becoming mostly cloudy. .

Tonight

Cloudy with showers likely.
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Quincy, IL (62301)

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Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 54F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..

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Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 43F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
Senior Environmental Specialist, Washington, United States

Organization: The World Bank

Country: United States

City: Washington

Office: World Bank in Washington, United States

Closing date: Friday, 21 January 2022

Senior Environmental Specialist

Job #: req14211

Organization: World Bank

Sector: Environment

Grade: GG

Term Duration: 2 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish - Highly desirable

Closing Date: 1/21/2022 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Visit www.worldbank.org .

About the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and programs that address biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and adaptation, degradation of international waters, land and forests, ozone depletion, elimination or reduction of persistent organic pollutants and mercury, all within the framework of sustainable development.

The GEF unites 183 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, GEF is the designated financial mechanism for five international environmental conventions: The Convention on Biological Diversity, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Minamata Convention on Mercury. GEF is also a designated financial mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

In the years since its establishment, the GEF has funded over 4,500 projects in 170 countries, and many thousands more through the GEF Small Grants Program, providing $20.5 billion in grants that leveraged $112 billion in co-financing. The GEF Secretariat, construed for administrative purposes as a Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) within the World Bank, has approximately 70 professional and administrative and client support staff.

The Secretariat is seeking a Senior Environmental Specialist to support the GEF Programs Unit with a series of program management, analytical and policy needs.

Duties and Accountabilities

The GEF Secretariat is looking for a dynamic and experienced Senior Environmental Specialist, with a background and expertise in land use systems and land use planning, including in agriculture, forest conservation, and ecosystem restoration, as means to promote integrated and transformative approaches to reverse the environmental degradation and improve livelihoods.

The Senior Environmental Specialist will have a key role in GEF programming to transform food systems, including the on-going implementation of the GEF-7 "Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration" Impact Program and the design and launch of the GEF-8 Food Systems Integrated Program. He/she will support the GEFSECs mandate to deliver global environmental benefits by supporting developing countries in their commitments towards several Multilateral Agreements. The selected candidate will also ensure that generally recognized methodologies to estimate, monitor and report on the Global Environmental Benefits of the Food Systems Program are appropriately included in and applied to the GEF.

The ideal candidate should have a workable understanding of the complexity of the GEF partnership arrangement and of the dynamics of a complex set of GEF client countries. The candidate should have strong interpersonal skills, experience with agriculture and forests in a landscape approach, land restoration, climate change mitigation, carbon benefits accounting and biodiversity conservation projects in developing countries, along with political acumen and the capacity to work effectively on sensitive issues with senior management, the GEF Council and across different implementing agencies and partners of the GEF.

Reporting to the GPU Manager, the selected candidate will provide support to the GEF Programs Unit and work across regions and thematic focal areas, as required.

Project Review and Regional Team(s) Participation

Under the supervision of the Manager of the GEF Programs Unit, the selected candidate will:

Liaise with the Program Strategy Lead to provide oversight for review, delivery and reporting requirements of all projects developed under integrated programs focused on food systems and land use. This includes the GEF-7 "Food, Land Use, and Restoration" Impact Program and the GEF-8 "Food Systems Integrated Program", and engagement with their respective global coordination platforms to provide technical inputs on the areas of agricultural commodity production, sustainable food systems and value chains, land restoration and biodiversity conservation in a large-scale approach. This engagement also involves providing guidance and monitoring the application of appropriate methodologies and standards for the estimation of the GEBs associated with the program.

Act as the point person, including for the provision of technical support to GEF staff as needed, for all issues related to agricultural land use and production of food staples and major commodities, representing the GEF at important events and meetings on these topics.

Provide thought leadership across the organization on thematic areas relevant for the GEF-8 Food Systems as established in the GEF-8 Programming Directions, in particular on food systems, sustainable forest management, landscape approach and planning, and carbon benefits assessment of land-related activities.

Manage reviews of project proposals to be financed by the GEF Trust Fund, according to the agreed project review criteria, provide guidance on major issues involved in the development of project proposals and assist in overall preparation of work programs to be presented to council.

Participate in the GEF work within Regional Teams on GEF issues, including participation in country dialogues, expanded constituency workshops, and the GEF Country Support Program.

As required, represent the GEF at a senior level at selected international, political, scientific and operational forums.

Participate in the political outreach to relevant countries in international for a, with the UNFCCC and other related international instruments.

Provide quality inputs to the CEO and GPU Director on country and thematic briefings, talking points, speeches, analytical/strategic documents.

Lead and support the design and development of knowledge management products, brochures, outreach and communication material, and provide inputs on the revision of operational processes and procedures, as requested.

Support the development and delivery of GEF reports, Council documents, engagement plans, and other work products related to the Climate Change Mitigation, Biodiversity and Land Degradation Focal Area, as needed.

Undertake additional duties as required by Director and Manager of the GEF Programs Unit

Selection Criteria

The candidate should possess a masters with at least eight years of professional experience, or a Ph.D., with seven years of experience in the field of landscape management, agriculture, climate change, natural resources management/environmental sciences, economics, or other relevant discipline.

The candidate should demonstrate an excellent knowledge of food systems, land use planning, forest landscape restoration and land-based sources of GHGs emissions and corresponding mitigation methodologies, preferably within an international context.

The candidate should have demonstrable experience in the selection and application of generally recognized methodologies for the estimation of greenhouse gases emission reduction, removal and/or avoidance, as applicable to the forestry, agriculture and other land-use sectors.

In addition to the required skills above, the following skills would be desirable:

Experience with improving sustainability in food systems, integrating climate mitigation solutions, land restoration and biodiversity conservation, into comprehensive landscape planning.

Experience with projects and programs in developing countries, Asia, Latin America and/or Africa.

Knowledge of existing inter-governmental and private initiatives to combat deforestation and restore degraded land.

Ability to deal with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and NGOs would be an advantage.

Ability to think analytically, strategically, and programmatically.

Excellent technical and working knowledge in various sectors.

Proven record of constructive and positive engagement in leading a program and policy dialogue with client Governments, donors and other stakeholders;

Proven ability to work in teams, both as a team leader and team member c4UF3LC Dh7qKS

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. Second language (French, Spanish or Portuguese) is highly desirable.

Ability to work independently on complex tasks on tight deadlines.

Demonstrated ability to function as a team player within and across teams.

Ability to work in a multicultural environment in an international setting;

Working knowledge of the operations of the Global Environment Facility and its Agencies is preferable.

Required Competencies:

Deliver results for clients:

Sets challenging goals to support the delivery of the GEF mission and is always looking to improve

Understands clients most pressing challenges and contributes to solutions

Takes personal responsibility for producing high quality work, identifying and informing of risks, and delivering results for clients

Lead and innovate:

Applies critical thinking to current approaches, identifies areas for improvement, and tries new solutions that drive results

Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions

Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBGs values and mission

Operates in ambiguity and changing needs and supports others to do the same and helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context

Considers own behavior in context of World Bank Group values and mission and recognizes impact one has on others

Collaborate within Teams and across Boundaries:

Keeps others fully informed to ensure integration and work consistency and displays a sense of mutuality and respect

Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect

Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due.

Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved and leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes

Seeks and listens to input from others to inform own decision making and openly shares information

Frames thinking/actions with a WBG corporate perspective in mind

Create, apply and share knowledge:

Is known in the subject area and is sought out by peers to advise or contribute to knowledge products and is interested in building on personal and professional networks to advance GEF mission

Actively invests in own knowledge and seeks feedback and interested in contributing to the GEFs body of knowledge by applying lessons learned and expertise

Seeks opportunities to mentoring junior staff less to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge

Builds networks across the international development/environment community and as part of existing external professional groups/networks

Make smart decisions:

Applies critical thinking and contributes to decision making by providing data and relevant risk-analysis and takes initiative and makes decisions in a timely manner

Seeks and analyzes facts, data and lessons of past experience to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others work

Evaluates risk and anticipates the short and long-term implications of decisions and commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has been reached.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1642006965408
Willmar, MN (56201)

Today

Mostly cloudy early, then sunshine for the afternoon. High near 55F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 36F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Lizzo was named among the best dressed at Monday night's Met Gala, and the "Rumors" singer said she was "moved to tears" by the praise.

Lizzo reposted a video from fashion critic Mandy Lee highlighting her outfit, which consisted of a dramatic black coat with gold embroidery, a form-fitting black Thom Browne dress with a long corset, a gold choker, long black nails and, as an accessory, a golden flute.

"When I look at this, I see fashion-forward, passionate It Girl," Lee proclaimed.

"I wasnt gonna post this to my page but I was moved to tears so I gotta follow my heart society says fashion = thinness but b**** Im undeniable," Lizzo captioned the post. "My silhouette *is* fashion. *IS* sexy, *IS* art."

The Grammy winner continued, "Ive been showing out, carpet after carpet w my incredible team not because I have something to prove, but cus I f***ing can! Like it or not- this big body is here baby, and we aint goin NO-WHERE."

"Thank you to everyone who put me on they best dressed lists thank you to anyone who sees me for me," Lizzo closed. "I remember when the world didnt care about fat bodies and now we are front & center."

The "Truth Hurts" singer told Variety of her outfit on Monday night, "It took 22,000 hours to make this coat. Im just so happy to be in it, I feel like a piece of art."

She also revealed that gold flute in her hands was "rare" and valued at $55,000. She also played a few notes on the golden flute and remarked, "That's what I got for you today!"

Copyright  2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. Read more
Winchester, VA (22601)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 70F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 56F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP)  A small plane attempting to land minutes after beginning a flight to Florida crashed in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, killing all nine people aboard, including Puerto Rican music producer Jose Angel Hernandez, the aircraft's operating company reported.

Shelley Cook | Uplift A weekly review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe that is delivered to your inbox each Wednesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP)  A small plane attempting to land minutes after beginning a flight to Florida crashed in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, killing all nine people aboard, including Puerto Rican music producer Jose Angel Hernandez, the aircraft's operating company reported.

Helidosa Aviation Group said on its Twitter account that the Gulfstream jet was carrying two crew members and seven passengers.

The plane had departed from El Higuero airport for Orlando, Fla., shortly before seeking to land at Las Americas International Airport in the Dominican Republic's capital, Santo Domingo, the company said. The company gave no details on why the pilots aborted the flight or possible causes of the crash.

The airport shut down operations after the accident, canceling hundreds of flights.

Hernandez, 38, better known as Flow La Movie, produced Urban Latin songs such as Te Bote sung Bad Bunny and Ozuna. He also produced La Jeepeta by Nio Garcia, Brray and Juanka and Wow Remix, in which artists Bryant Myers, Arcangel, Nicky Jam, El Alfa and Darell participated.

Helidosa Aviation said Hernandez was accompanied by six relatives and colleagues. It identified them as Debbie Von Marie Jimenez Garcia, Keilyan Hernandez, Hayden Hernandez, Yeilianys Jeishlimar Melendez Jimenez and Jesiel Yabdiel Silva. The crew members were Luis Alberto Eljuri and Victor Emilio Herrera, the company said.
As celebrations go, this one is going to be somewhat muted.

As celebrations go, this one is going to be somewhat muted.

In a perfect world, Sam Rivait and Caitlin Bousfield, the owner-operators of Good Fortune Barbershop at 555 Osborne St., would be toasting the one-year anniversary of their business this weekend, joined by members of the LGBTTQ+ community they tirelessly champion, along with residents of the South Osborne neighbourhood they enthusiastically promote.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Good Fortune Barbershop owners Caitlin Bousfield (left) and Sam Rivait inside their South Osborne business. The couple never got the grand opening theyd imagined, but its exciting just to be able to cut hair again.

Of course, things are decidedly imperfect these days.

So, no, the engaged couple wont be doling out cake or blowing up balloons to mark the occasion. That and the January 2021 grand-opening date theyd originally circled on the calendar wound up being delayed over and over again, initially by provincially mandated restrictions, followed by supply chain issues that left their 960-square-foot premises, which they took possession of in November 2020, without a furnace for four bone-chilling months.

"With all we went through trying to get this place off the ground, I originally thought April 1, being April Fools Day and all, would have been the absolute perfect day to open, but we ended up waiting till the next day instead," Bousfield says with a laugh, seated on a couch in their waiting area, or what would be their waiting area if customers were allowed to linger ahead of a trim.

"COVID had already been a thing for almost 10 months when we signed the lease, so its not like we didnt know what we were getting ourselves into," adds Rivait, sporting a black Good Fortune T-shirt and matching face mask.

"It was disappointing not to have a true grand opening with friends and family  because of numbers, we couldnt even let passersby inside who simply wanted to see what wed done with the place  but it was definitely exciting when we were finally up and running and able to cut hair again."

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS  Caitlin Bousfield cuts Blair Doells hair at Good Fortune. She long dreamed of a place of her own.

Bousfield, 30, moved to Winnipeg from her hometown of Dryden, Ont., at age 18. She and Rivait, 32, who is originally from Windsor, Ont., met in Toronto in 2013. They lived and worked together there for about a year, until Bousfield expressed a desire to return to the Prairies. She missed friends shed left behind, sure, but she was also yearning for "a yard, a dog all the things you cant have renting a tiny-ass apartment in Toronto that you pay a lot of money for."

The pair spent the next six years cutting hair at the same West Broadway barbershop. While Bousfield admits to having long dreamed about a place of their own  "Its kind of like a rite of passage for lots of people in this industry," she says  that wasnt necessarily the case with Rivait, who describes her chief focus back then as, "showing up for work, and being really, really good at my job."

Rivaits mindset began to shift in the spring of 2020, when she and Bousfield found themselves unemployed for seven weeks, owing to the provincial governments first of three code-red shutdowns to slow the spread of COVID-19.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Bousfield always thought Good Fortunes South Osborne location would be ideal for a barbershop.

"It wasnt even so much about getting a place of our own after COVID struck. It was more, what did we want our lives to look like, going forward?" Rivait says. "Because you spend so much of your life working, we started asking ourselves if we really wanted to be putting so much of our emotional energy into somebody elses business."

The seed for Good Fortune was planted one crisp, fall morning when Bousfield was out walking their two Dachshunds, Carl and Louie, and spotted someone tiling the entranceway to a boarded-up property near the corner of Osborne Street and Morley Avenue, a block from where they live.

Bousfield had always thought the spot, neatly tucked between a restaurant and a bakery, would be an ideal fit for a barbershop. The second she noticed new activity going on there, though, she was afraid opportunity might have passed them by.

"I had left my phone at home so I literally ran back with the dogs to call the landlord to ask if he had rented it out," she says. "He told me there was another party interested, but quickly added, We need to talk. Yep, we sure do! I said."

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Sam Rivait cuts Brendyn Funks hair at Good Fortune Barbershop.

Like they mentioned earlier, there were umpteen delays associated with the renovations, mainly caused by pandemic-related rules that limited the number of contractors allowed inside at any one time to refinish the hardwood floors, repoint the exposed brick walls and install a new washroom.

(In another life, Good Fortune, together with the Oxbow restaurant next door, served as Corner Boys, a popular watering hole/live music venue in the late 1980s and early 90s, and, following that, as a dining spot specializing in Thai cuisine.)

They both chuckle, recalling how each dealt with their fair share of hair-donts versus hair-dos, when they finally got back to doing what they do best again. By April of last year, many of their regular clients hadnt been to a barber in months, and had taken matters into their own, untrained hands.

"All the home haircuts were completely fixable, but what really proved interesting were the people whod simply let their hair grow out (during the lockdown), and, because they had more length than they were used to, were super-open about trying new things," Bousfield says.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS It didnt take long for word to spread that Good Fortune, a feel-good tag they came up with around the dining room table one night, had a different vibe than most barbershops.

It didnt take long for word to spread that Good Fortune, a feel-good tag they came up with around the dining room table one night, had a different vibe than most barbershops, which tend to be masculine in design, as well as approach.

Rivait had been responsible for organizing regularly scheduled LGBTQ+ nights where they worked previously, which saw her and her co-workers openly welcome anybody looking for a gender-affirming cut. Naturally, that atmosphere carried over to their new space.

"Im not saying well never do LGBTQ+ nights, ever again, but there isnt really a need here because thats what our expectation is, all the time: to be a safe, inclusive space, where, for example, a parent can book a cut for teenager whos maybe exploring their identity without it being some intimidating experience," Rivait says, mentioning a client of Bousfields who, whenever they went to barbershops or salons in the past, were assumed to be a certain gender, and were almost always talked out of getting the sort of short cut they desired.

Another of their stated goals is to be a driving force in the neighbourhood. Since Day 1, a section of wall just past the front door has been reserved for works by local artists  photographs, watercolours, that sort of thing. Also, anybody who popped by before Christmas will probably remember having to step over a pile of games, toys and diapers they collected on behalf of North End womens centre Wahbung Abinoonjiiag.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The shop embraces an inclusive philosophy.

"We did a community cleanup last May that attracted over 100 volunteers; well be doing that again this year, for sure, and since October, weve been donating a dollar from every haircut to Manitoba Underdogs (Rescue), close to $2,000, so far," Rivait says.

With the number of reported COVID cases rising daily, Rivait and Bousfield allow that they wouldnt be overly surprised if they were forced to close their doors yet again. The thought of that weighs on their minds, of course, but they say theyre prepared for whatever comes their way in the days and weeks ahead.

"This time its not just us were worried about; its more the two people who work for us, and depend on us for their income," Rivait says, pointing out no matter what occurs, they wont be postponing their wedding, originally scheduled for last spring and currently slated for July, again.

"Weve been down this road before  "uh, yeah, three times," interjects Bousfield  and know that every shutdown has ultimately led to a reopening. So while another closure wouldnt be welcome news, we know it wont be the end of the world for the shop, either."

david.sanderson@freepress.mb.ca
Korea and the U.S. are putting off regular joint military exercises for the first half of this year from March to April in consideration of the upcoming presidential election here and the never-ending coronavirus pandemic.

A military source here said on Thursday, "We've had a discussion about the postponement of joint drills considering the presidential election and the spread of COVID-19 within the U.S. Forces Korea."

The two allies usually stage massive joint drills twice a year, in March and August. Last year, they drastically downscaled them by conducting computer-based simulations because of the pandemic.

But COVID-19 is spreading among American troops even though they are all fully vaccinated. Some 1,599 American soldiers tested positive between Jan. 4 and 10. A total of 4,626 American soldiers have been infected so far, taking up a significant 16.5 percent of all 28,000 American troops stationed here.

"More COVID cases have occurred among American troops here than among all 550,000 Korean soldiers, where cases stood at about 3,500," a government official said. "American troops, as well as Korean soldiers of the Combined Forces Command, are so scared of COVID that they are canceling meetings and appointments."
OTTAWA - Health Canada should be ready to make an authorization decision about Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral treatment for COVID-19 in a week to 10 days, chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma said Thursday.

Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser at Health Canada, arrives to hold a technical briefing in Ottawa on Friday, March 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

OTTAWA - Health Canada should be ready to make an authorization decision about Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral treatment for COVID-19 in a week to 10 days, chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma said Thursday.

But it's still unclear when shipments will start or how much Canada will get at first as supply issues for the American-made drug have made it incredibly hard to get even in the United States, where it was authorized before Christmas.

Canadian health leaders and some premiers have been publicly pressuring Health Canada to greenlight the medication, which prevents the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 from reproducing within a patient's body. Pfizer's clinical trial showed for high-risk patients it prevented hospitalizations by about 90 per cent.

The results were so good Pfizer ended the trial early to start getting the medicine approved and distributed more widely. It applied to the United States Food and Drug Administration Nov. 22, and to Health Canada Dec. 1.

The U.S. authorized it for use in patients at least 12 years old three weeks ago. The United Kingdom approved it Dec. 31.

But Sharma told The Canadian Press in an interview Thursday that the Canadian submission was incomplete, and more data came in the last week of December and again earlier this week.

"So maybe in the next week to 10 days, approximately, we should have a decision," she said.

But Sharma is pushing back at people who have been publicly critical of Health Canada for taking too long.

"Maybe this is being a bit blunt, but the people that are making those comments usually have no regulatory experience and don't have access or know about the to-ing and fro-ing that we're doing with the company," she said.

She added that Canada also tried to get Pfizer to ship some courses of the medication before approval using a regulation that allows medications approved elsewhere to be used in Canada when there is an urgent health need.

"They basically said they weren't able to do that, they didn't have supply," she said.

Sharma said even if Health Canada got all the data it needed three weeks ago, "we probably wouldn't have been able to have supply for Canada either."

The U.S. ordered more than 20 million courses of the drug, and was to get four million in January, but U.S. media reports that access to Paxlovid is next to impossible across most of the country currently.

Canada said last fall it had purchased one million courses of the treatment.

Pfizer Canada spokeswoman Christina Antoniou said information on shipments to Canada won't be available until Health Canada authorizes it. She did not specifically confirm that supply issues prevented Pfizer from making earlier shipments under the Urgent Public Health Need regulations.

"Through our discussions, we jointly determined the most efficient path to achieve this was the rolling submission process that is currently underway," she said.

Kevin Smith, the CEO of the University Health Network in Toronto, went public with demands for Paxlovid's approval in early January, calling it an "essential addition" to hospitals' needs.

While he said he has respect for the regulatory process at Health Canada, he struggles to understand why the United States and United Kingdom approved the drugs much more quickly than Canada.

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My problem is, at the moment, the perception of the clinical community who are struggling, greatly struggling, is we don't have approval for this drug," he said in an interview, adding that "Pfizer choosing not to supply Canada is a different problem and one that I think we would all willingly champion.

We'd be delighted to help bring pressure to Pfizer to make sure that we get that drug as soon as possible.

A second antiviral medication from Merck is facing a potentially bumpier ride to approval in Canada. The company applied in August for Molnupiravir after early results suggested it was cutting hospitalizations for high-risk patients by about 50 per cent.

Final results reduced that efficacy to just 30 per cent and there are more concerns about side-effects as well, said Sharma.

"It's a bit more complicated," she said. "So we're progressing with that, we've asked for additional data from the company and we will basically work through that review. We don't have a specific timeline for that."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022.
NEW YORK (AP)  Martin Shkreli must return $64.6 million in profits he and his former company reaped from jacking up the price and monopolizing the market for a lifesaving drug, a federal judge ruled Friday while also barring the provocative, imprisoned ex-CEO from the pharmaceutical industry for the rest of his life.

FILE - Martin Shkreli leaves after appearance on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Committee, Feb. 4, 2016. A federal judge on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, ordered Shkreli to return $64.6 million in profits he and his company reaped from inflating the price of the life-saving drug Daraprim and barred him from participating in the pharmaceutical industry for the rest of his life. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  Martin Shkreli must return $64.6 million in profits he and his former company reaped from jacking up the price and monopolizing the market for a lifesaving drug, a federal judge ruled Friday while also barring the provocative, imprisoned ex-CEO from the pharmaceutical industry for the rest of his life.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote's ruling came several weeks after a seven-day bench trial in December that featured recordings of conversations that Cote said showed Shkreli continuing to exert control over the company, Vyera Pharmaceuticals LLC, from behind bars and discussing ways to thwart generic versions of its lucrative drug, Daraprim.

Shkreli was no side player in, or a remote, unrelated beneficiary of Vyeras scheme," Cote wrote in a 135-page opinion. "He was the mastermind of its illegal conduct and the person principally responsible for it throughout the years."

The Federal Trade Commission and seven states brought the case in 2020 against the man known in the media as Pharma Bro," about two years after he was sentenced to prison in an unrelated securities fraud scheme.

Envy, greed, lust, and hate,' dont just separate, but they obviously motivated Mr. Shkreli and his partner to illegally jack up the price of a life-saving drug as Americans lives hung in the balance, New York Attorney General Letitia James said, peppering the written statement with references to the Wu-Tang Clan, whose one-of-a-kind album Shkreli had to fork over to satisfy court debt.

FILE - Former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli attends the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 4, 2016. A federal judge on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 ordered Shkreli to return $64.6 million in profits he and his company reaped from inflating the price of the life-saving drug Daraprim and barred him from participating in the pharmaceutical industry for the rest of his life. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

But Americans can rest easy because Martin Shkreli is a pharma bro no more."

Messages seeking comment were left with Shkreli's lawyers.

Shkreli was CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals  later Vyera  when it raised the price of Daraprim from $13.50 to $750 per pill after obtaining exclusive rights to the decades-old drug in 2015. It treats a rare parasitic disease that strikes pregnant women, cancer patients and AIDS patients.

Shkreli defended the decision as capitalism at work and said insurance and other programs ensured that people who need Daraprim would ultimately get it.

But the move sparked outrage from the medical community to Congress and was a rare source of bipartisan agreement on the 2016 presidential campaign trail, where Democrat Hillary Clinton called it price-gouging and future President Donald Trump, a Republican, called Shkreli a spoiled brat.

Shkreli eventually offered hospitals half off  still amounting to a 2,500% increase. But patients normally take most of the weekslong treatment after returning home, so they and their insurers still faced the $750-a-pill price.

Shkreli resigned as Turings CEO in 2015, a day after he was arrested on securities fraud charges related to two failed hedge funds he ran before getting into the pharmaceutical industry. He was convicted of lying to investors and cheating them out of millions and is serving a seven-year sentence at a federal prison in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, and is due to be released in November.

The FTC and seven states  New York, California, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia  alleged in their case that Vyera hiked the price of Daraprim and illegally created a web of anticompetitive restrictions to prevent other companies from creating cheaper generic versions. Among other things, they alleged, Vyera blocked access to a key ingredient for the medication and to data the companies would want to evaluate the drugs market potential.

Vyera and its parent company, Phoenixus AG, settled last month, agreeing to provide up to $40 million in relief over 10 years to consumers and to make Daraprim available to any potential generic competitor at the cost of producing the drug. Former Vyera CEO Kevin Mulleady agreed to pay $250,000 if he violates the settlement, which barred him from working for a pharmaceutical company for seven years.

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Shkreli proceeded to trial but opted not to attend the proceedings, instead submitting a written affidavit that served as his testimony.

The trial record included evidence showing Shkreli kept in regular contact with company executives, even after he went to prison. A spreadsheet kept by one executive showed more than 1,500 contacts with Shkreli between December 2019 and July 2020.

The record also included recordings of conversations Shkreli had from prison in which he discussed his control of Vyera, saying he had no problem firing everybody, boasting how he controlled the board, and comparing himself to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the pharmaceutical company to the social media behemoth.

Zuckerberg just happens to own the thing, and thats the way it is, Shkreli said in one of the recordings. You cant go in there and tell Zuckerberg what to do.

In 2019, Shkreli was sent to solitary confinement for a time after prison officials discovered him using a contraband smartphone to conduct business.

Whether he used a smuggled phone or the prisons authorized phones, he stayed in touch with Vyeras management and exercised his power over Vyera as its largest shareholder, Cote wrote.
OTTAWA - When news of the first cases of COVID-19 began cropping up in Canada in early 2020, Linda Silas was one of the first to ring alarm bells about the lack of proper personal protective equipment for health workers.

A nurse administers a COVID-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination clinic in Mississauga, Ont., Friday, Dec. 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

OTTAWA - When news of the first cases of COVID-19 began cropping up in Canada in early 2020, Linda Silas was one of the first to ring alarm bells about the lack of proper personal protective equipment for health workers.

While early indications showed the virus was spread by droplets that settled on surfaces, Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses, urged health authorities to learn from the SARS outbreak of 2003 and take the highest level of precaution.

Now she knows she was right  the virus is airborne  but she is still desperately calling for more protective equipment for nurses two years later.

Regional unions across the country report that nurses who have requested fit-tested respirators still can't get them in some cases, despite the Omicron variant being far more transmissible than previous variants.

The shortage of healthy nurses to address the massive wave of the Omicron variant has meant hospitals and other health institutions have deployed nurses with confirmed cases of COVID-19, and still some are not offered appropriate masks, she said.

"These vulnerable patients might have a COVID positive staff treating them, and without the proper PPE it's plain dangerous," she said.

Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, describes the spread of COVID-19 as a cloud of smoke coming from someone's mouth and nose. She and other medical officers have suggested the public use more effective masks to protect themselves.

Silas said often in places such as vaccine clinics, members of the public seem better outfitted with the proper protective equipment than the health workers.

"It's a mishmash, and it's a fight," Silas said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "In long-term care it's a real fight, in community care it's a real fight and in acute care it depends where you work."

Different hospitals seem to be taking different approaches when it comes to providing PPE to nurses, which doesn't make sense, she said, "because the science is the science."

Canada's supply chain is likely to blame, said University of Windsor professor Anne Snowdon, a registered nurse who studies health systems and supply chains.

"The problem has always been the supply chain. The outcome of the limitations of our supply chain is not being able to access those protective products that are so important in terms of reducing the risk of transmission of this virus to our workforce, and also to our patients," Snowdon said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

The scarce supply of PPE may have been more understandable in the early days of the pandemic, but critics like Silas question how Canada could still be in a similar situation in many parts of the health system.

The answer, Snowdon said, is that the infrastructure was so poor to begin with.

"We're building the bridges we're driving over," she said.

Tam said hospital outbreaks are happening, with both health workers and patients contracting the highly contagious virus in acute care settings like hospitals.

"It really does continue to stress the need for good infection prevention control practices, but it's been very, very difficult," Tam said at a briefing Friday.

"This is such a transmissible virus that we have to up our game everywhere, including mask wearing, ventilation and everything else in order to reduce those risks. Health care setting-related outbreaks are something that we should do everything to try and minimize."

In other sectors, like construction, essential workers would not be in the same situation, Silas said, because they would have the right to refuse to work in unsafe conditions.

But health workers can't do the same without the ethical guilt of abandoning patients. It's the same guilt that has nurses working 16 to 24-hour shifts, or taking on large patient loads, she said.

"It's that ethical guilt that presses on the health-care workforce."

In Quebec, unions representing nurses also expressed concern that N95 masks are not automatically given to nurses by their employers. They said this was particularly important as the province has ruled that some nurses who have tested positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms can go to work to treat patients with the virus.

Julie Bouchard, president of the Federation Interprofessionnelle de la Sante du Quebec, a Quebec union representing nurses and respiratory therapists, said she was worried that N95s were not available to all nurses in Quebec to protect them from the Omicron variant.

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Faced with a much more contagious variant, we stepped up our interventions to remind the government and CNESST (Quebec's workplace safety body) that it was their responsibility to apply the precautionary principle and to implement all the necessary measures, starting with access to the N95 mask, for all caregivers to protect them and their vulnerable patients," she said.

"However, the government is still slow to comply with the CNESST directives, as well as to ensure that the N95s are available in the field."

NDP health spokesman Daniel Blaikie called on the federal government to give nurses a pandemic pay bonus to recognize their key role in fighting the Omicron wave.

The NDP said, though health policy is determined by provinces, "hero pay" for nurses would be possible if the Liberal government wished to bring it in.

It said during the first COVID-19 wave the federal government introduced a fund to help provinces and territories offer a danger bonus to essential workers such as nurses.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2022.
TULSA, Okla. (AP)  State and federal authorities announced Thursday that they arrested and charged more than two dozen people for taking part in a multistate shoplifting ring that made off with more than $10 million in stolen goods over the past few years, most of which was over-the-counter medications.

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U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announces the break up of a large scale theft ring in Tulsa, Okla., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Looking on are Tulsa Police chief Wendell Franklin, center, and Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor. State and federal officials say more than two dozen people have been arrested and indicted for their involvement in a multi-state shoplifting ring involving more than $10 million in stolen merchandise. (Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World via AP)

TULSA, Okla. (AP)  State and federal authorities announced Thursday that they arrested and charged more than two dozen people for taking part in a multistate shoplifting ring that made off with more than $10 million in stolen goods over the past few years, most of which was over-the-counter medications.

U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson in Tulsa and Oklahoma Attorney General John OConnor announced state and federal charges against 29 defendants. Johnson said 25 of those charged had been arrested and four others were still at large.

Prosecutors said the defendants took part in a conspiracy to steal mostly over-the-counter medications from retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Walgreens, CVS and GNC in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. The ringleaders would then arrange for the sale of the items on websites such as Amazon and eBay.

Consumers and businesses incur a high price for thieves who commit larcenies and profit by selling their stolen goods to well-organized theft rings, said Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin, whose department launched its investigation in 2019 after an organized crime investigator from a pharmacy retailer shared information about bulk thefts from its Tulsa-area locations. Thieves should take notice. Tulsa is not going to capitulate and allow criminals to disrupt commerce in our city.

Prosecutors allege that a 48-year-old Tulsa woman, Linda Been, led the ring, which netted an estimated $4.5 million from the sale of stolen goods such as Flonase, Mucinex, Nexium and Allegra to fencing organizations outside of Oklahoma that then sold the merchandise on e-commerce sites. They allege that Been, whose name is listed in jail records as Linda Gann, would provide shoplifters with a detailed list of items to steal and pay for their expenses when they traveled out of state. She also would pay for the shoplifters' bond if they were arrested, prosecutors allege.

State and federal court records don't indicate whether Been has an attorney who might speak on her behalf.
OTTAWA -A variety of products distributed by Bistak Enterprises Inc. and Bistak Groceries Inc. are being recalled due to possible salmonella contamination from rodent infestation.

OTTAWA -A variety of products distributed by Bistak Enterprises Inc. and Bistak Groceries Inc. are being recalled due to possible salmonella contamination from rodent infestation.

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the products may includedry foods such as grains, beans, flour; grocery canned goods; fats and oils; drinks; meat products; fish products; baked goods; spices; and milk powder.

All products included in the recall were sold up to and including Dec. 29, 2021.

The CFIA says they were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and possibly other provinces and territories.

The products should be thrown out or returned to their place of purchase.

There have been no reports of illness linked to the products, however, symptoms of salmonella poisoning can include fever, headache, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2022.
For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.

President Joe Biden speaks about the government's COVID-19 response, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

For companies that were waiting to hear from the U.S. Supreme Court before deciding whether to require vaccinations or regular coronavirus testing for workers, the next move is up to them.

Many large corporations were silent on Thursday's ruling by the high court to block a requirement that workers at businesses with at least 100 employees be fully vaccinated or else test regularly for COVID-19 and wear a mask on the job.

Target's response was typical: The big retailer said it wanted to review the decision and how it will impact our team and business.

The Biden administration argues that nothing in federal law prevents private businesses from imposing their own vaccine requirements. However, companies could run into state bans on vaccine mandates in Republican-controlled states. And relatively few businesses enacted their own rules ahead of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirement, raising doubt that there will be rush for them now.

In legal terms, the Supreme Courts conservative majority said the OSHA lacked authority to impose such a mandate on big companies. The court, however, let stand a vaccination requirement for most health-care workers.

The National Retail Federation, the nations largest retail trade organization and one of the groups that challenged the OSHA action, called the courts decision a significant victory for employers. It complained that OSHA acted without first allowing public comments, although administration officials met with many business and labor groups before issuing the rule.

Chris Spear, the president of the American Trucking Associations, another of the groups that fought the OSHA rule, said it would interfere with individuals private health care decisions.

Karen Harned, an official with the National Federation of Independent Business, said that as small businesses try to recover from nearly two years of pandemic, the last thing they need is a mandate that would cause more business challenges.

But mandate supporters called it a matter of safety for employees and customers.

Dan Simons, co-owner of the Founding Farmers chain of restaurants in the Washington area, said vaccine mandates are common sense. He requires his 1,000 employees to be fully vaccinated; those who request an exemption must wear a mask and submit weekly COVID test results.

If your priority is the economy, or your own health, or the health of others, you would agree with my approach, Simons said.

Administration officials believe that even though the OSHA rule has been blocked, it drove millions of people to get vaccinated. Companies that used mandates to achieve relatively high vaccination rates may decide that they have accomplished enough.

Ford Motor Co. said it was "encouraged by the 88% of U.S. salaried employees who are already vaccinated." The car maker said it would review the court decision to see if it needs to change a requirement that most U.S. salaried workers get the shots.

Labor advocates were dismayed by the ruling.

This decision will have no impact on most professional and white collar workers, but it will endanger millions of frontline workers who risk their lives daily and who are least able to protect themselves," said David Michaels, who led OSHA during the Obama administration and now teaches at the George Washington Universitys School of Public Health.

For their part, labor unions had been divided all along about Biden's attempt to create a vaccine mandate, with many nurses and teachers groups in favor, but many police and fire unions opposed. Some unions wanted the right to bargain over the issue with companies.

The United Auto Workers, which encourages workers to get vaccinated, said the decision won't change safety protocols such as face masks, temperature checks and distancing when possible for more than 150,000 union members at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis factories.

Among 543 U.S. companies surveyed in November by insurance broker and consulting firm Willis Towers Watson, employers were split on what to do with their unvaccinated workers. Fewer than one in five required vaccination. Two-thirds had no plans to require the shots unless the courts upheld the OSHA requirement.

Jeff Levin-Scherz, an executive in the firm's health practice, said most companies with mandates will keep them because they are working. He said nothing short of a mandate can get vaccination rates to 90%, and you really need a very high level of vaccination to prevent community outbreaks.

United Airlines was one of the first major employers to announce a mandate, back in August. CEO Scott Kirby has said that 99% of United employees either got vaccinated or submitted a request for exemption on medical or religious grounds.

United declined to comment Thursday, but in earlier comments Kirby has sounded committed to the mandate for his employees because it was the right thing to do for safety.

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Airlines fall under a separate Biden order that required federal contractors to get their workers vaccinated. That requirement was not part of Thursday's Supreme Court ruling, but it has been tied up separately since early December, when a federal district judge in Georgia issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the mandate.

I would expect many federal contractors are going to wait and see because they don't want to implement something if they don't have to, said Christopher Slottee, a commercial law attorney in Anchorage, Alaska.

___

AP Staff Writers Anne D'Innocenzio in New York, Paul Wiseman in Washington and Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report.

___

This story was first published on January 13, 2022. It was updated on January 15, 2022 to correct the specialty of Chris Slottee. He is a commercial law attorney, not an employment attorney.
TORONTO - Cannabis companies are listing cultivation facilities, pot shops and warehouses for sale as the industry tries to streamline production and better align its capabilities with demand.

A young cannabis plant is shown in Fenwick, Ont., Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Cannabis companies are throwing cultivation facilities, pot shops and warehouses on the market as the industry tries to streamline production and better align its capabilities with demand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

TORONTO - Cannabis companies are listing cultivation facilities, pot shops and warehouses for sale as the industry tries to streamline production and better align its capabilities with demand.

Industry observers say there are so many cannabis assets available to buy right now because, while demand for pot is high, many companies have misjudged what consumers want and are cutting products and pivoting their businesses toward items more likely to fly off shelves.

"An increasing number of licensed cannabis businesses are coming to a crossroads where they're having to look at the realities of their business, the industry, the market, the challenges and the economics," said David Hyde, chief executive and co-founder of Hyde Advisory and Investments Inc., a cannabis-focused consultancy company in Toronto.

"They're having to make a decision about whether they're going to be able to continue on down the path and adjust themselves accordingly to the market or whether there is a merger or sale that's going to allow them to move forward in a better way."

Those conversations and ensuing urges to sell have ramped up over several years with companies as large as Canopy Growth Corp., Tilray Inc. and Aurora Cannabis Inc. letting go of assets.

But even more listings have materialized in recent months as companies saw the path to profitability wasn't quick and easy to traverse, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some companies have experienced demand for particular products that is well below their expectations and been left with a glut of pot to sell.

Others are struggling to stand out as the number of pot products for sale in the country swells, craft cannabis' share of the market grows and illicit sales remain mighty.

Many are also realizing their business plan isn't sound, said Hyde.

"The industry is replete with examples of companies that borrowed too much, had a very flimsy whiz bang sales pitch and a good story, but the story didn't have a lot of substance behind it," he said.

"They realize that trying to execute it isn't going to work and so we're seeing now this churn."

The churn is manifesting itself in dozens of pot facilities up for sale or available for investment on a web page Hyde's company compiles with current listings in the industry.

Among the listings are a 7,900 square metre licensed cultivation, processing, packaging, sales and distribution facility in B.C., which claims to be projecting $7.2 million annual sales this year.

The lister is seeking an equity investment, joint venture or outright divestiture of the property and will accept all "reasonable offers."

In Quebec, a company is looking for a licensed cannabis producer to take partial ownership of or buy outright a nearly 2,000 square metrecultivation facility with two flower rooms, two mother rooms and three clone rooms with space for drying, trimming, packaging and shipping.

The $4.25 million property has 52 hectares of land for outdoor cultivation.

There's also a newly renovated cannabis store in Toronto that has listed itself as being near a "prominent" but unnamed downtown intersection and says there are two years and nine months remaining on its lease and an option to renew for another five.

The shop is listed as part of a two-store deal available for $550,000 or the best offer.

Ian Dawkins, the founder of Althing Consulting in Vancouver, said the assets up for sale stretch through all corners of the cannabis industry.

"Some of the big shift is people coming up against the realities of either the business model or the facility that they built is fundamentally inadequate for the project they were undertaking at the same time that small, nimble craft players are coming online and changing the rhetoric," he said.

Pot shop entrepreneurs and small businesses producing items like low cost biomass for larger cannabis companies are in a selling mood too, as are major publicly traded pot companies, he said.

"We are seeing major structural shifts in the makeup of the market right now, and that's finally coming home to roost for some of the bigger players, especially those who had deeper pockets," said Dawkins.

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"They were trying to attrition their opponents out of the marketplace, but at the end of the day, they appear to have lost the war and now they're putting up assets for sale."

Hyde thinks the selloff won't slow down soon. He predicts it will last another 18 months.

But he doesn't believe the itch to sell means there are no cannabis opportunities. Micro and mid-sized companies will still find niches and ways to profit, even alongside big players, Hyde said.

"There's going to be a lane for them, but there's not going to be a lane for everyone."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022.

Companies in this story: (TSX:WEED, TSX:TLRY, TSX:ACB)
MONTREAL - Botched messaging from the federal government is wreaking havoc among the transport community, and could choke already strained supply chains, says the head of a Canadian trucking organization.

Vehicles sit idling on Thousand Island Parkway waiting to cross into the US, on Monday Nov. 8, 2021. The Canada Border Services Agency said Wednesday that a vaccine mandate for truckers would not come into effect this Saturday as planned. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

MONTREAL - Botched messaging from the federal government is wreaking havoc among the transport community, and could choke already strained supply chains, says the head of a Canadian trucking organization.

The Canada Border Services Agency said Wednesday that a vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States would not come into effect Saturday as planned. But the government backtracked the next day and stated the rule would go into force this weekend after all.

The end of the exemption for truck drivers and other non-essential workers means they must be fully vaccinated if they want to avoid a two-week quarantine and pre-arrival molecular test for COVID-19.

However, numerous big-riggers  some unvaccinated  were dispatched during the 20-hour window in which Ottawa's erroneous announcement spread through the sector, according to the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada.

"It's created a whole disaster," said president Mike Millian, who was surprised at news that seemed to reverse plans in the works for two months and discussed in an online meeting with government officials hours earlier on Wednesday.

"Governments are supposed to provide clarity and calmness, and what has gone on ... provided nothing but chaos and confusion."

The quarantine will leave truckers, who are typically paid by the mile, out a paycheque, said Millian, whose council represents companies with in-house fleets such as Loblaws and Home Hardware as well as several that bring oxygen supplies to Canadian hospitals.

"We're in favour of vaccines. But the issue is, we can't look at public health orders in a silo," he said Friday.

Federal officials told industry representatives in a virtual meeting that afternoon that border officers will be encouraged to use "discretion" when deciding whether to fine truckers who failed to complete a pre-arrival test, said Millian and the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

Border authorities will treat with "flexibility" truckers who have not submitted proof of vaccination via the ArriveCan app or web portal, said Alexander Cohen, spokesman for Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino.

But the quarantine rule is absolute, Millian added.

"Our frustration point is youre making drivers and industry pay for a mistake that was made by government."

Government representatives offered no explanation for the incorrect communications emailed to media Wednesday night.

"The health and safety of Canadians is our priority. The biggest threat to our supply chain is the COVID-19 pandemic and the best tool to end the fight against this virus is vaccination," Marjolaine Provost, spokeswoman for Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, said in an email Friday.

"Furthermore, calls have been made to industry associations to ensure that they have the correct information, and as such we are confident that the industry will work to adapt to the new requirements coming into (effect) for tomorrow."

Unvaccinated American big-riggers will also be turned back at the border beginning Saturday, with the U.S. preparing to impose similar restrictions on Canadian truckers on Jan. 22.

Up to 26,000 of the 160,000 drivers who make regular cross-border trips will be sidelined as a result of the mandate, adding further bottlenecks and potential price hikes to the flow of goods ranging from food to auto parts and medical devices, say the Canadian Trucking Alliance and the American Trucking Associations.

While returning truckers who have not been jabbed must quarantine "immediately" after making their delivery, that definition is flexible.

"A driver may deliver their load in Alberta but live in Ontario, so they'll be able to stay at hotels along the way so long as they abide by the local guidelines," Millian said, citing Friday's meeting with bureaucrats.

"Officials have clarified that a suitable place of quarantine does not include the cab of a truck and must be done at a verifiable address," notes the trucking alliance website.

The federal Conservatives and trade groups representing oil, manufacturing and export companies have called for a delay to the trucker vaccine mandate, which was announced on Nov. 19.

Health professionals are encouraging vaccine mandates across sectors in the long term as the Omicron variant continues to surge.

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"For the long haul, there would be a net benefit to maximizing vaccination in mobile people. But at the moment is it something where you're going to see a big, measurable difference across the board? Not exactly right now," said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta.

In the meantime Heidi Boudreault, president of the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association, says her members are struggling to find alternate sources of supply as backlogs build and bottlenecks contract.

"Were also facing price increases, almost on a daily basis throughout different suppliers," said Boudreault, who owns Calgary-based Denca Cabinets, founded by her parents in 1977.

The cost of laminates rose 10 to 20 per cent over the past two years, with wood products and painting supplies also more expensive, she said. Components for kitchen appliances and plumbing fixtures, which her company sells as well, are increasingly tough to source.

"Obviously, supply chain disruptions are becoming increasingly disturbing," she said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2022.
PRAGUE (AP)  The new Czech government will allow some workers who have tested positive for the coronavirus to stay on the job, in an extraordinary measure to ease possible staff shortages caused by an anticipated surge of the omicron variant.

FILE- Medical workers examine the rapid antigen tests for the coronavirus in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. Czech Republic's Health Minister Vlastimil Valek said Friday Jan. 14, 2022 that the new Czech government will allow some people who have been tested positive for the coronavirus to keep working, an extraordinary measure to ease possible staff shortages caused by an anticipated surge of the omicron variant. The measure, which was used during the previous coronavirus waves, would only apply for workers at the health care system and in nursing homes who have no symptoms of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, file)

PRAGUE (AP)  The new Czech government will allow some workers who have tested positive for the coronavirus to stay on the job, in an extraordinary measure to ease possible staff shortages caused by an anticipated surge of the omicron variant.

Health Minister Vlastimil Valek said Friday the measure, which was also used during previous coronavirus surges, would only apply to workers in health care and nursing homes who have no symptoms of COVID-19.

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Valek said it would be used only when absolutely necessary, amid strict safeguards to prevent such workers from infecting other people. Further conditions will be set by health authorities.

New infections in the Czech Republic had been declining since a record high in late November, but started increasing again last week. The highly infectious omicron variant is now dominant in the country.

The Health Ministry has said daily infections could reach 50,000 later this month, far exceeding a record of almost 28,000 on Nov 25.

The Czech Republic has reported almost 2.6 million confirmed infections and 36,799 deaths.

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Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
VALKENBURG, Netherlands (AP)  The Dutch government eased its coronavirus lockdown Friday, allowing non-essential stores, universities, sports clubs and contact businesses like hairdressers to reopen for the first time in nearly a month.

FILE- A lone girl waits for a tram in a near-deserted street full of closed restaurants, bars and shop under a partial lockdown in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. The new Dutch government was meeting Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, to discuss whether to extend or ease its coronavirus lockdown amid growing anger and plans for civil disobedience from businesses that have been shuttered for weeks. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

VALKENBURG, Netherlands (AP)  The Dutch government eased its coronavirus lockdown Friday, allowing non-essential stores, universities, sports clubs and contact businesses like hairdressers to reopen for the first time in nearly a month.

But while many businesses can open Saturday until 5 p.m., bars, restaurants, museums and theaters will remain shut as COVID-19 cases rise steeply.

I understand very well that it feels completely unfair after all those long months of closure and after all that effort to open safely," Prime Minister Mark Rutte said about anger in the hospitality industry.

The discontent led shops, bars and restaurants in a southern Dutch town to open earlier Friday in a protest action that underscored growing anger at weeks of coronavirus lockdown measures.

Locals flocked to eat and drink at outdoor tables of restaurants in the main street of Valkenburg in open defiance of a lockdown in the Netherlands. Authorities in the tourist town, which was devastated by flooding last year, didn't take action to enforce coronavirus restrictions.

All non-essential stores remain closed and only a few people are seen in the center of Nijmegen, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. The Netherlands are facing growing anger at weeks of coronavirus lockdown measures, a day before some of the restrictions are expected to be eased. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Its very difficult, it doesnt feel fair at the moment. The first few lockdowns were logical, I agreed with them, but it doesnt feel fair any more, said Didi Corten, who opened the outdoor terrace of Brasserie America for the day.

After the flooding, we want to open again very soon because otherwise Im afraid a lot of businesses will not survive, she added. It cant go on like this.

More towns in the region were planning similar protest openings on Saturday.

The country has been in a tough lockdown since Dec. 18 in a move the government says is aimed at buying time to ease pressure on overburdened hospitals and ramp up the vaccine booster program.

While infections have shot to record numbers recently as the omicron variant became dominant, hospital and intensive care unit admissions have been falling for weeks. The countrys public health institute recorded an average of more than 31,000 new cases a day over the last week.

New Health Minister Ernst Kuipers warned that the number could rise to 80,000 per day. He advised people to wear medical face masks in busy public places and elsewhere, including at work, where it is not possible to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Dirk Beljaarts, general director of the national hospitality industry group, said he met with new Economic Affairs Minister Micky Adriaansens to press for bars and restaurants to be allowed to reopen.

The Cabinet can't leave hospitality (& culture) as the only sectors out in the cold, Beljaarts tweeted earlier Friday ahead of the announcement that those sectors would not be allowed to reopen.

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The lockdown has led to frustration particularly in towns like Valkenburg that are close to the Dutch borders with Germany and Belgium that are seeing people visiting those neighboring nations to shop or dine out because they have fewer restrictions.

The booster drive was slow to get started in the Netherlands, but has gathered pace in recent weeks. Just over 86% of adults are fully vaccinated and 45% have had a booster shot.

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Corder reported from The Hague.

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Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
SEATTLE - Microsoft said Thursday it is opening an inquiry into how it responds to workplace sexual harassment and gender discrimination, including its handling of allegations about co-founder Bill Gates.

Arjuna Capital co-founder and managing partner Natasha Lamb speaks with a reporter from The Associated Press in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. Lamb talked with The Associated Press about Microsoft and investors' growing interest in environmental, social and governance assets, known as ESG. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

SEATTLE - Microsoft said Thursday it is opening an inquiry into how it responds to workplace sexual harassment and gender discrimination, including its handling of allegations about co-founder Bill Gates.

The review is a response to pressure from Microsoft investors. Nearly 78% of shareholders at Microsofts Nov. 30 annual meeting voted to demand more accountability from the company in responding to workplace sexual harassment complaints.

Were committed not just to reviewing the report but learning from the assessment so we can continue to improve the experiences of our employees, said CEO Satya Nadella in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Microsofts board hired a law firm to look into Gates in 2019 after a Microsoft engineer alleged in a letter that she had a sexual relationship with Gates over several years. Gates resigned from the board in 2020.

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Activist investor proposals to change corporate policy rarely succeed. Microsoft had urged shareholders to reject the December proposal seeking a report on the companys approach to harassment and discrimination complaints.

But the investment firm behind the proposal, Massachusetts-based Arjuna Capital, said it was pleased with how the company has responded since the winning vote.

Im actually quite impressed with how Microsoft has followed up on their commitment since the annual meeting, said Natasha Lamb, co-founder and managing partner of the socially-minded investment firm.

She said she has had talks with Microsoft about how the investigation would proceed. The board authorized the company to hire the law firm Arent Fox to conduct the review.

Our concern is not just what happened with Microsoft in the past but whether that behavior is being addressed and mitigated moving forward, she said in an interview Thursday. At the end of the day, from an investor perspective, this is about how the company is treating its employees and whether its able to attract and retain talent.

The company said its public report will include an assessment of the effectiveness of its policies against harassment and discrimination. It will also summarize the results of any harassment allegations against board members and senior leaders, including the handling of the 2019 investigation of Gates, and will outline steps to hold leaders accountable.
OTTAWA - Many Canadians put aside time early in the new year for a review of their finances and experts say a look at your will should be a part of the process in order to insure your estate plans are up to date.

Edmonton-based lawyer Wendi Crowe is shown in a handout photo. Many Canadians put aside time early in the new year for a review of their finances and experts say a look at your will should be a part of the process in order to insure your estate plans are up to date. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

OTTAWA - Many Canadians put aside time early in the new year for a review of their finances and experts say a look at your will should be a part of the process in order to insure your estate plans are up to date.

Lawyer Wendi Crowe says you don't need to update your will every year, but she says to have a read through it once a year to see if there are any changes you might need to make.

"You know the initial process of thinking about estate planning and putting something in place should be done with a whole lot of flexibility in mind so you don't have to change it every two weeks or every six months," says Crowe, who leads the national private client services group at Miller Thomson.

"But the fact is that you know you cant think of everything that might happen and you do need to update to let your plan serve you."

Having a will is an important part of your financial plan, but issues may arise if it sits in a desk drawer, unchanged for decades as life moves on from where you were when it was written.

As families and assets change, the plan will need to evolve. Marriages, divorces, births and deaths, often mean an update is required.

"Good planning at the outset means you don't need to update as much, but certainly any time any of those things happen, you should be reviewing," Crowe says.

A young person, she says, may go several years without needing to make changes, but if they get into a serious relationship or marry and start having children and those children start to grow up, changes may need to happen more frequently.

Moving between provinces may also prompt a review because while a will from another province would be considered valid, the rules governing wills and probate differ between provinces.

Crowe adds it isn't just your will that you need to remember to keep up to date. You also need to ensure that the beneficiaries for things like life insurance policies are kept current with your wishes.

Lawyer Tina Garbas-Tyrrell suggests having a lawyer read over your will once every three to five years.

"Quite often my clients will contact me and I'll take a quick read over the will and often I'm happy to tell them that no changes are needed, but it gives them peace of mind knowing that they, you know, put their mind to it," said Garbas-Tyrrell, a wills and estates expert at TGT Law.

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"But sometimes we find that a significant change is required, so you don't really know until you look at the documents."

Garbas-Tyrrell says people often name an executor or guardian for their children from the generation older than themselves and that can require changes as those people age.

"As time goes by, often those people pass away or have become disabled themselves, so you want to make sure that the people you've appointed as estate trustees and guardians are still alive, willing and capable of performing the duty you would hope that they would perform," she said.

Both Garbas-Tyrrell and Crowe say if you want to make changes to not just write them in by hand on your will, but instead have your will redrafted and signed properly to ensure your wishes are clear to avoid any disputes after your death.

"Writing on the face of the will, I think it's safe to say is always a bad idea," Garbas-Tyrrell says.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2022.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Sixteen years after their legal battle began, about 18,000 homeowners in central Florida will be paid more than $42 million collectively by the state of Florida for destroying their citrus trees during an effort to eradicate a harmful citrus disease.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  Sixteen years after their legal battle began, about 18,000 homeowners in central Florida will be paid more than $42 million collectively by the state of Florida for destroying their citrus trees during an effort to eradicate a harmful citrus disease.

The homeowners in Orange County will receive about $700 per healthy tree destroyed as part of an order issued in state court in Orlando last month. A judgment from a 2014 trial assessed the value of each healthy tree as $344, but fees and interests over the years doubled the per-tree payment.

More than 60,000 healthy, uninfected trees were destroyed in Orange County between 2002 and 2006 as part of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' efforts to eradicate citrus canker, according to the lawsuit.

While unharmful to humans, citrus canker can cause the leaves and fruit of citrus trees to drop prematurely and create unappealing lesions on the fruit. The lesions leak bacterial cells that can spread to other trees by wind, rain or contaminated equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services had argued that the homeowners' trees were a public nuisance and didn't have value worth compensating. Under the program, healthy trees that were within 1900 feet (580 meters) of an infected tree were destroyed in an effort to stop the disease's spread.

As compensation, the state in the 2000s offered Florida homeowners $100 Walmart gift cards for their first destroyed tree and $55 for each additional tree. In cases where homeowners resisted, authorities threatened arrest or obtained warrants to go onto private property and destroy trees.

The Florida Legislature approved payments for the Orange County homeowners last year. A third-party administrator will distribute the checks and track down homeowners whose addresses are no longer current.

Tens of thousands of homeowners in Broward, Lee and Palm Beach counties won class action lawsuits against the state over their destroyed trees, and compensations varied by county. A case in Miami-Dade County is still pending.

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In this undated handout photo released by Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Press Service, the building of Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is seen during snowfall in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian officials and media reports say a number of government websites in Ukraine are down after a massive hacking attack. While it is not immediately clear who was behind the attacks, they come amid heightened tensions with Russia and after talks between Moscow and the West failed to yield any significant progress this week. (Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  A cyberattack left a number of Ukrainian government websites temporarily unavailable Friday, officials said.

While it wasn't immediately clear who was responsible, the disruption came amid heightened tensions with Russia and after talks between Moscow and the West failed to yield any significant progress this week.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko told The Associated Press it was too soon to say who was behind it, "but there is a long record of Russian cyber assaults against Ukraine in the past.

Moscow had previously denied involvement in cyberattacks against Ukraine.

About 70 websites of both national and regional government bodies were targeted in the attack but no critical infrastructure was affected and no personal data accessed, according to Victor Zhora, deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection.

The hack amounted to a simple defacement of government websites, said Oleh Derevianko, a leading private sector expert and founder of the ISSP cybersecurity firm. The hackers got into a content management system they all use, but didnt get access to the websites themselves.

The main question, said Derevianko, is whether this is a standalone hacktivist action  patriotic Russian freelancers  or part of a larger state-backed operation.

A message posted by the hackers in Russian, Ukrainian and Polish claimed Ukrainians personal data was placed online and destroyed. It told Ukrainians to be afraid and expect the worst. In response, Poland's government issued a statement noting that Russia has a history of such disinformation campaigns and that the Polish in the message was clearly not from a native speaker.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been running high in recent months after Moscow amassed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell answers media as he arrives for a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brest, France, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. The European Union is prolonging economic sanctions against Russia for six months for failing to live up to its commitments to the peace agreement in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that the alliance will continue to provide strong political and practical support to Ukraine in light of the cyberattacks.

In the coming days, NATO and Ukraine will sign an agreement on enhanced cyber cooperation, Stoltenberg said in a statement.

Russia has a long history of cyberattacks against Ukraine, including nearly thwarting its 2014 national elections and briefly crippling parts of its power grid during the winters of 2015 and 2016. In 2017, Russia unleashed one of most damaging cyberattacks on record with the NotPetya virus that targeted Ukrainian businesses and caused more than $10 billion in damage globally.

Ukrainian cybersecurity professionals have been fortifying the defenses of critical infrastructure ever since. Zhora has told the AP that officials are particularly concerned about Russian attacks on the power grid, rail network and central bank.

Experts have said recently that the threat of another such cyberattack is significant as it would give Russian President Vladimir Putin the ability to destabilize Ukraine and other ex-Soviet countries that wish to join NATO without having to commit troops.

If youre trying to use it as a stage and a deterrent to stop people from moving forward with NATO consideration or other things, cyber is perfect, Tim Conway, a cybersecurity instructor at the SANS Institute, told the AP in an interview last week.

Conway was in Ukraine last month conducting a simulated cyberattack on the countrys energy sector. The U.S. has been helping Ukraine bolster its cyber defenses through agencies including the Department of Energy and USAID.

The White House didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

In a separate development Friday, Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, announced the detention of members of the REvil ransomware gang, which was behind last years Fourth of July weekend supply-chain attack targeting the Florida-based software firm Kaseya. The attack crippled more than 1,000 businesses and public organizations globally.

The FSB claimed to have dismantled the gang, but REvil effectively disbanded in July. Cybersecurity experts say its members largely moved to other ransomware syndicates. They cast doubt Friday on whether the arrests would significantly impact Russian-speaking ransomware gangs, whose activities have only moderately eased after a string of high-profile attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure last year including the Colonial Pipeline.

The FSB said it raided the homes of 14 group members and seized over 426 million rubles ($5.6 million), including in cryptocurrency as well as computers, crypto wallets and 20 elite cars bought with money obtained by criminal means. All those detained have been charged with illegal circulation of means of payment, a criminal offense punishable by up to six years in prison. The suspects weren't named.

According to the FSB, the operation was conducted at the request of U.S. authorities, who reported the leader of the group to officials in Moscow. It's the first significant public action by Russian authorities since U.S. President Joe Biden warned Putin last year that he needed to crack down on ransomware gangs in his country.

Experts said it was too early to know if the arrests signal a major Kremlin crackdown on ransomware criminals  or if it may just have been a piecemeal effort to appease the White House.

Bill Siegel, CEO of the ransomware response firm Coveware, said he'll be watching to see what kind of prison time those arrested get. The follow-through on sentencing will send the strongest signal one way or another as to IF there has truly been a change in how tolerant Russia will be in the future to cyber criminals, he said via email.

Yelisey Boguslavskiy, research director at Advanced Intelligence, said that while the arrests do follow a pattern of Kremlin pressure on ransomware criminals  including in some cases prompting them to hand over decryption keys  those arrested could simply be low-level affiliates, not the core group that managed the data-scrambling malware. The REvil syndicate also apparently ripped off some affiliates so it had enemies in the criminal underground, he said.

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REvils attacks crippled tens of thousands of computers worldwide and yielded at least $200 million in ransom payments, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in November when announcing charges against two hackers affiliated with the gang.

Such attacks brought significant attention from law enforcement officials around the world. The U.S. announced charges against two affiliates in November, hours after European law enforcement officials revealed the results of a lengthy, 17-nation operation. As part of that operation, Europol said, a total of seven hackers linked to REvil and another ransomware family have been arrested since February.

The AP reported last year that U.S. officials, meanwhile, shared a small number of names of suspected ransomware operators with Russian officials, who have said they were investigating.

Brett Callow, a ransomware analyst with the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, said that "whatever Russia's motivations may be, the arrests would "certainly send shockwaves through the cybercrime community. The gangs former affiliates and business associates will invariably be concerned about the implications.

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Frank Bajak reported from Boston, Litvinova reported from Moscow. Catherine Gaschka in Brest, France, Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia, and Eric Tucker in Washington, contributed to this report.
Theres little doubt Premier Heather Stefanson rejected calls by public-health officials for stricter measures to curb the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Theres little doubt Premier Heather Stefanson rejected calls by public-health officials for stricter measures to curb the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Judging by her surprising comments this week, it may not have been the first time she pushed back against recommendations to impose more stringent health orders.

Dr. Jazz Atwal, the deputy chief provincial public health officer, was asked during a news conference Wednesday whether public-health officials recommended stricter measures. Before he could respond, Stefanson jumped in to take the question.

She didnt answer, speaking instead about the need for Manitobans to learn to live with the coronavirus.

She (Premier Heather Stefanson) didnt answer, speaking instead about the need for Manitobans to learn to live with the coronavirus.

Atwal was asked a second time, but refused to answer directly.

When asked a third time, Stefanson interrupted again, but was cut off by a reporter who said the question was for Atwal, not her. She giggled. Stefanson clearly didnt like the line of questioning.

"We do provide recommendations to government and I think anything further would have to come from government in relation to answering your question," said Atwal, who wasnt about to spill the beans on discussions that had taken place behind closed doors.

Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, was asked the same question Thursday during an online news conference and said the specifics of those recommendations are "privileged".

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said the specifics of recommendations made to the government are privileged.

Stefanson didnt say so explicitly, but she hinted tighter restrictions were on the table. Its what she said next that was so revealing: the premier criticized her own government for relying too heavily on public-health measures.

She suggested health officials have had too much clout during the pandemic when it comes to issuing orders, such as banning household gatherings. She said other considerations  the effects of business closures and the impact on Manitobans mental health  have not been given sufficient weight.

"A lot of emphasis was put solely at the feet of public health and thats a lot of responsibility in one place," she said. "I think what we need is to go and have a more balanced approach moving forward."

I think what we need is to go and have a more balanced approach moving forward.  Premier Heather Stefanson

The premier said she will still listen to public health, but will consult more broadly with Manitobans, including businesses, when making decisions.

"We are policy-makers as government and its up to us to ensure that we take a balanced approach moving forward," she said.

MIKE DEAL/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Heather Stefanson hinted tighter restrictions were on the table.

Stefansons aversion to restrictions may help explain the provinces refusal during the third wave of the pandemic to impose stricter measures. Despite soaring COVID-19 cases in neighbouring provinces, the Progressive Conservative government rejected repeated calls from outside experts to take further steps to contain transmission. The results were deadly: cases skyrocketed, hospitals were overwhelmed and 57 intensive-care unit patients were airlifted to facilities in other provinces.

Brian Pallister, the now-retired Manitoba premier, was thought to be the leading opponent of stricter measures at the time. However, given this weeks revelations, Stefanson  who was health minister during the third wave  may have played a more influential role than originally thought.

Stefanson  who was health minister during the third wave  may have played a more influential role than originally thought.

Stefanson is right to say that decisions around public-health measures ultimately rest with the premier and cabinet, not public-health officials. Its up to elected officials to determine what the right balance is between measures used to mitigate the spread of a virus and the unintended harm they can cause.

Whats revealing is that Stefanson doesnt think her government got that balance right in the past. She believes there was too much emphasis on slowing the spread of the virus at the expense of the economy and on Manitobans mental health. It begs the question: how many more ICU patients would she have been willing to airlift out of province during the third wave if fewer restrictions were in place? How many more body bags would she have been comfortable with?

There are two sides to the "better balance" argument. The other is more deaths, more severe illness and more patients with tubes down their throats fighting for their lives in a critical-care unit.

The cost of Stefansons more "balanced" approach during the Omicron surge has yet to be tallied.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca

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THE province has approved a licence for a sand processing plant ahead of reviewing the more worrisome part of the project opponents say threatens the water source for thousands.

THE province has approved a licence for a sand processing plant ahead of reviewing the more worrisome part of the project opponents say threatens the water source for thousands.

Manitoba Conservation and Climate issued the licence to CanWhite Sands Corp. on Dec. 16, for the construction and operation of a silica sand processing facility in the Rural Municipality of Springfield.

Opponents have until Saturday to appeal it.

A statement from the department said issuance of the licence for the processing facility in no way guarantees licensing of a proposed underground extraction project.

However, by approving the above-ground plant before it reviews the underground extraction process, the province is "putting the cart before the horse," says Don Sullivan, spokesman for environmental advocacy group What the Frack Manitoba.

"If you do grant a licence to a company for a processing facility, you cant really deny them access to the resource that the processing facility requires," Sullivan said Thursday.

The Calgary-based company wants to mine 1.3 million tonnes of silica sand from the Vivian area annually for the next 24 years.

The processing plant would require drilling wells and piping up sand mixed with groundwater. The water would be separated from the sand, treated with an ultraviolet light and allowed to flow back into its formation.

Silica sand is used in cellphone screens, electronics, fibre optics and in the fracking (hydraulic fracturing) process to extract oil or gas.

CanWhite  which calls itself online "the worlds most environmentally friendly silica mine and supplier"  has said its project will be on land designated for aggregate and industrial activities, and plans to transport the sand by rail.

The facility would employ 40 to 50 people.

The mine would put the Sandilands aquifer  the source of drinking water for thousands of Manitobans  at risk, say opponents of the project.

Another licence is required to extract the sand. It will have to go through the Clean Environment Commission public hearing process before any decision is made, the government said.

The plan to extract the sand may be rejected even if the processing plant gets approved and built, said Climate Minister Sarah Guillemards press secretary.

"The plant could be used to process sand that is brought in from elsewhere," Ross Romaniuk said in a statement.

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The whole point of locating the processing plant in Springfield, though, was its proximity to the resource, said Sullivan.

Silica sand processors (most of which are in Wisconsin) locate their plants close to the resource to avoid the high costs of transportation, he said. "The cost of transporting it to market is where the big, big expense is for the buyers."

The entire operation should have undergone one licensing process for both, Sullivan said.

The "most egregious part"  the method of extracting sand from below the aquifer  was left for last, Sullivan said.

In its letter to CanWhite, the province said before the processing plant is built, it must also comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal regulations and bylaws and have a conditional use agreement with the RM of Springfield.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Manitobans have been told to look after themselves, but a group of senior doctors is again recommending a temporary lockdown.

Manitobans have been told to look after themselves, but a group of senior doctors is again recommending a temporary lockdown.

They fear students scheduled return to in-person school next week will be akin to pouring gasoline on the flames of an overflowing health-care system.

The ideal intervention right now would be a lockdown to act as a circuit breaker, keep the kids out of school, and obviously the government has no appetite for that, critical care physician Dr. Dan Roberts said Thursday.

At this point, I think the only thing to do is not to throw fuel on the fire.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Roberts has been a spokesperson for a group of experienced doctors who have been outspoken about gaps in the provincial public health response and who have, at every turn, urged a more restrictive approach in hopes of protecting the health-care system.

This week, Roberts and eight other doctors submitted another open letter to the Free Press. In it, they ask the province to delay sending young children back to school until more of them have had a chance to get their second doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

We strongly urge this government to delay in-person learning for K -8 students until most have received effective immunity from a second dose. We have been left with few options and only very difficult choices. This is one of the few remaining decisions that this paralyzed government and its public health officers can make that would actually help, the letter states.

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Cardiac critical care physician Dr. Eric Jacobsohn, who works at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, predicted the rest of the health-care system will have to endure a shutdown to solely treat COVID-19 patients if hospital admissions keep the current pace.

He said provincial leaders should have listened when the group of doctors recommended stricter gathering limits before Christmas.

They failed to make the difficult decisions, and we will pay the price now, he said. Hopes not a strategy.

Manitoba didnt act with the benefit of hindsight from the previous COVID wave, Jacobsohn added, and there will have to be accountability for this pandemic response when the crisis is over.

I understand everybody is struggling, but not everybody had a health-care system that had no redundancy in it, that clearly failed Manitobans last time during the (previous peak), and has, in Canada, an embarrassing backlog on care.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca
Winnipeg cab driver Fitsum Ghebrehet was just trying to be courteous when he went to pick up the Central Park fare on Christmas Eve.

Winnipeg cab driver Fitsum Ghebrehet was just trying to be courteous when he went to pick up the Central Park fare on Christmas Eve.

Now he has 15 stitches in his thigh. Ghebrehet was assaulted; slashed on the hand and leg with a big knife.

Such violence against cabbies is not an isolated incident, representatives from Winnipegs taxi industry told the Free Press.

In fact, Duffys Taxi and Unicity Taxi managers, board members, operators and executives said, unprovoked assaults on drivers and fare evasions have increased substantially amid the the COVID-19 pandemic, though they did not have hard data to provide.

Theres at least one incident every day in Unicitys cabs, company president Gurmail Mangat said Thursday.

The local industry representatives said they want to see better protections and more respect for drivers in the sometimes maligned industry that provides a vital, front-line service.

The group also want fare evaders fined under the City of Winnipeg vehicle for hire bylaw, and for assaults against drivers to be considered similarly by courts to assaults on other public transit operators.

"We want the city to treat us as fair as any other citizen, protect our drivers address the public. Were good guys, were there to provide a service when theres no other services there," said Rajwant Brar, Duffys board president.

In a 2015 Canadian Criminal Code amendment, courts were told to consider the fact that the victim of an assault is a public transit operator to be an aggravating circumstance during sentencing. That amendment included licensed cabbies.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Duffys Taxi driver Fitsum Ghebrehet was slashed on the hand and leg with a big knife.

"We dont deserve these kinds of things But Id like the public to know were there for them, we are there to give them a ride," Ghebrehet said. "People are working for their family, for food, to survive. We are the same as (any) other (worker)."

Ghebrehet, who has driven for Duffys for five years, said he pulled up to an apartment block on the 400 block of Kennedy Street at about 8:20 p.m. Dec. 24, when three men left the building. They said their goodbyes, and as one went to get into Ghebrehets cab, his hat fell onto the street, the 48-year-old driver said.

"I told him, Sir, sir, sir, your hat you dropped your hat. Then he said to me Youre very annoying," Ghebrehet said. "He starts swearing at me."

The driver closed his side window, but the man threw a cup at the glass, shattering it. Thats when a "very big knife" came out, Ghebrehet said, slashing the driver before the suspect fled.

He called police, as did onlookers. They arrived within minutes.

"(A police officer) said, Were going to try to save your life. He gave me first aid," Ghebrehet said. "He tied my thigh to stop the blood, then the ambulance came."

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He was taken to hospital in stable condition, treated and released hours later.

The husband and father of three children is still healing and hasnt been able to drive since, though the cab company has been supporting him.

"From now on, Im going to be scared," Ghebrehet said, noting he thinks he will go back to driving a taxi once his wounds are healed.

Winnipeg police confirmed officers responded to the assault, arresting a suspect around 9 p.m. Christmas Eve near QuAppelle Avenue and Balmoral Street.

A 24-year-old man from Winnipeg is charged with assault causing bodily harm and mischief under $5,000/obstruct in enjoyment, a Winnipeg Police Service spokeswoman wrote in an email. The accused was released on an undertaking, as mandated by the Criminal Code.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca
Manitoba families will no longer receive a COVID-19 notice from a principal if there is a single classroom exposure  even if their child is a close contact  as the provinces pandemic case management approach evolves to address the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Manitoba families will no longer receive a COVID-19 notice from a principal if there is a single classroom exposure  even if their child is a close contact  as the provinces pandemic case management approach evolves to address the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Days before K-12 students and teachers return to in-person learning, officials have announced a new strategy to manage the novel coronavirus at a school-wide level instead of on a case-by-case basis.

The update is in line with a recent overhaul in contact tracing at-large, which became an individuals responsibility late last month, to alleviate the workloads of public health nurses.

"We have to adapt to working, learning, living with COVID," said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, during a virtual news conference Thursday.

"Its not possible to manage cases at that individual level anymore. We have to focus on managing the risk at the community level. This is not giving up on dealing with Omicron or COVID-19. Because this virus has changed significantly, we have to change our approach significantly  and thats what weve done."

Since September 2020, school leaders have filled in template exposure letters and sent notices to families whenever a case is identified in their building.

We need to not frame this as abandoning anything; its shifting our approach, said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba chief public health officer. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Schools will continue to track cases when parents notify them about a positive test result, be it via rapid antigen or PCR test. They will now be expected to simply "regularly communicate" attendance patterns and absenteeism levels, per a provincial slideshow presentation provided to school leaders.

The provinces school case map will also continue to be updated.

Should a school record a significant number of cases or an unusually high number of absences, administrators will alert public health officials to figure out next steps.

Either of the above could prompt a recommendation to implement a local asymptomatic surveillance program, during which rapid tests will be supplied to staff and students to measure transmission, a pause of higher-risk activities at times of high spread, or a one-week long stint of remote learning.

Parents can expect to see a surge in cases in classrooms in the coming weeks, given how widespread community transmission is at present, so the new plan is to "manage our risk, not eliminate it," Roussin said.

"They say the next step is we mitigate the risk, so lets mitigate the risk by checking the CO2 levels in the classroom, opening the windows when the ventilation is not good, moving to another location, putting in portable HEPA filtration units, that can be delivered in a week, and N95 masks," said Luanne Karn, a mother of an elementary schooler and member of Safe September MB.

The grassroots movement has been advocating for additional resources for public health measures in schools that have been backed by science throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents want to know if there is a positive case in their childs class, Karn said, suggesting the provinces latest announcement contradicts the spirit of its own legislation.

Parents want to know if there is a positive case in their childs class, says Luanne Karn, pictured with her nine-year-old daughter, Anna Milne-Karn. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

According to the Public Schools Act, a principal must notify a local health authority if they have reason to believe a student attending their school "has been exposed to or is suffering from a communicable disease."

The provinces top doctor indicated a shift in case management is happening due to how contagious the new variant is, and how rarely children with COVID-19 infections end up with severe outcomes.

From Dec. 1, 2021, to Jan. 10, Roussin said there were 6,703 cases of COVID-19 among children ages newborn to 18. Of which, just 46 ended up in hospital, 31 of those were admitted for non-COVID reasons, both amounting to less than one per cent.

"This data tells us that, in general, the risk for children is relatively low," the doctor said, adding in-person learning helps students with skills, mental health and physical activity.

"We know that students learn best in the classroom, and those benefits cannot be understated," agreed Education Minister Cliff Cullen.

The minister added the province is confident divisions know their schools best and have implemented all guidance to ensure that students are protected.

Schools will enter restricted (code orange) on the provincial pandemic response system Monday, meaning physical distancing of two metres is being encouraged "to the greatest extent possible" and medical masks will be required among staff. Extracurriculars are still allowed, although tournaments and overnight trips are temporarily banned.

The Manitoba Teachers Society wants to know exactly how classrooms will have changed between mid-December and Monday to ensure staff and students are safe.

Students learn best in the classroom, says Education Minister Cliff Cullen. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

"The government said, Well take a week, were going to make the system safer, were going to invest a lot of money, but how is it safer?" said union leader James Bedford, who represents upwards of 16,000 public school educators.

Also Thursday, Bedford said contact tracing, which has been on the shoulders of principals for months, is now becoming "even more ad-hoc." Intervention will now happen if there are lots of cases or high absenteeism, when its too late, he said.

The province did not provide thresholds for "high" caseloads or absenteeism Thursday.

Principal Ross Meacham welcomes the changes, which he is hopeful will address "impossible" case management and free-up public health nurses so schools can consult them on concerns unrelated to COVID-19.

Pre-pandemic, schools could easily connect with officials to discuss issues ranging from students having impetigo to supporting families with bed bug infestations.

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In recent days, Meacham has been tracking down families and sending out various letters linked to five different cases connected to Riverbend Community School in north Winnipeg. He said hes been unable to get much else done, given how much work is required with the current protocols.

The school leader said he understands change can be difficult, but families can continue to expect schools to have childrens interests at heart, as they always have.

Meacham added: "Schools have never stopped being a place that communities can trust."

 with files from Dylan Robertson

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
A repeat sex offender from Winnipeg who started luring new child victims just hours after he was released from prison on day parole has been sentenced to 14 years in custody for his latest string of crimes.

A repeat sex offender from Winnipeg who started luring new child victims just hours after he was released from prison on day parole has been sentenced to 14 years in custody for his latest string of crimes.

"Im not sure if you are able to be rehabilitated or not  I certainly hope so, for the children  but you must be separated from society for a significant amount of time to keep you away from children for as long as possible," provincial court Judge Kael McKenzie told David Thomas Pearson at a sentencing hearing Tuesday.

Pearson, 39, pleaded guilty last year to five counts of internet luring involving five girls between the ages of 12 and 16, one count of possessing child pornography and one count of violating a court order he have no contact with children under 16.

Pearson appeared in court via video from Bowden Institution in Alberta, where he is serving the remainder of a prior six-year sentence for child luring offences.

McKenzie did not detail the facts of Pearsons latest crimes in court Tuesday, saying he did not want to "further revictimize the children" or give Pearson "an additional opportunity to relive that experience."

Court heard the 14-year-sentence was jointly recommended by the Crown and defence in a plea bargain that ensured a conviction and spared the victims the prospect of having to testify in court.

"It cannot be understated that the harm to the victims is real, it is traumatic and it is enduring," McKenzie said.

Posing as a 15-year-old boy, Pearson used several social media apps "designed to attract children" and communicated with more than 130 young girls and a handful of boys before he was arrested, Crown attorney Katie Dojack told court at a hearing last year.

Pearson was released on day parole to live in a halfway house March 6, 2019, and immediately bought a cellphone. Sometime later, during a search of his room, a probation officer saw messages from young girls "popping up" on Pearsons cellphone, Dojack said. The phone was turned over to RCMP, who arrested Pearson the following June.

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Police were ultimately able to identify five girls  four from the U.S. and one from Canada  who Pearson, over the course of three weeks, convinced to share intimate pictures and videos with him. Two of the victims told investigators they thought of Pearson as their boyfriend.

Pearsons victims live with the fear that "the images that they were duped into sharing with a sexual predator may resurface at any point in their lives," McKenzie said Tuesday.

In 2011, Pearson was charged with luring for communicating with a 15-year-old Las Vegas girl he met online while pretending to be a 16-year-old boy. It wasnt until May 2016 that he was sentenced to two years in prison, by which time he had already been arrested for new luring offences involving six young girls.

At a 2017 sentencing hearing for those offences, Pearson told a judge the lengthy delay in the 2011 case allowed him to reoffend.

Had his 2011 case been dealt with sooner, "I probably wouldnt be here before you today because I wouldve been incarcerated and I wouldve had the opportunity to reflect on what I have done as being negative, hearing the victim impact statements and learned from my wrongs," Pearson said.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca
A governance review found city council should pre-empt a practice it says provides Winnipegs mayor "extraordinary" influence.

A group of seven executive policy committee members, plus the deputy mayor and acting deputy mayor, is currently referred to by critics as "EPC+2," which they deem a nine-member voting block within the 16-member council.

With that entire group reportedly invited to more meetings than others, critics say its members receive more information than other councillors, with the expectation their votes will match the mayors on key policies.

Some of the remaining seven councillors have complained that leaves them with less influence over decisions and less information to base votes on.

A long-awaited city governance review released Thursday calls for council to set a "maximum number" of appointments by the mayor that would ensure the number does "not exceed 50 per cent of council" once the mayor is added to it.

"The net effect of the current process is that with nine of 16, the mayor and mayor-appointed roles can control decisions of council. Public engagement identified concerns with the associated power imbalance created by the current appointment structure. The influence of the mayor in Winnipeg is extraordinary," consultant MNP found, noting this was not duplicated by other Canadian cities the company studied.

Coun. Janice Lukes said the change would greatly improve council.

"This existing model, it allows a mayor to not speak to councillors, if he chooses not to, as long as hes got his nine votes," Lukes said Thursday.

Another recommendation calls for the city to ensure all wards are "reasonably represented on the executive policy committee over time," which Lukes expects would improve collaboration.

"If everyone had a chance to be on EPC, everyone (would know) that theyve got to work with each other and that their turn will come," she said. "Right now, in this current model, (some) councillors are asked to make multimillion-dollar decisions with no briefings, no background information Its just not a good model for the taxpayers."

Additional recommendations aim to increase public access to council information, create an overarching strategic plan and streamline the local development application process.

Lukes said all are needed: "I think we fail in communication and I also think the governance model prohibits the sharing of information so (residents) dont know whats going on."

Mayor Brian Bowman has shouldered the bulk of the criticism over EPC+2, as previous mayors traditionally appointed EPC members to the deputy mayor and acting deputy roles, meaning the full group would account for less than half of council.

Bowman was not available for an interview Thursday.

Coun. Brian Mayes, an EPC member, said he would accept the call to name a deputy mayor and acting deputy mayor from within EPC.

However, Mayes stressed there is value to having certain councillors lead policy committees (as EPC members do) for an extended period, which allows them to gain knowledge.

"Theres a federal cabinet, there are provincial cabinets for a reason We need to have people up to speed on these files (and) somebody from the elected ranks with some responsibility," he said.

The report also calls for changes to development processes, for the Indigenous advisory council to provide advice directly to council and other measures.

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One Winnipeg resident questioned why the city released the report just six days before it is scheduled for an EPC vote Jan. 19. A public service report notes the final review was submitted to the city in late October 2021.

"Its kind of unfair that the public only gets six days before EPC to comment and review a 300-page report on something as important as city governance," said Marianne Cerilli.

A spokesperson for the mayors office noted a lot of the information leading up to the final report, including preliminary findings, has been online since January 2021, though recommendations were not.

MNP notes some of its proposals could require new funding or changes to the citys charter. Any charter changes would require provincial approval.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga
Teenagers are organizing walkouts at public and independent schools across the city in protest of the few virus-safety protocols that will be in place when they return to in-person classes Monday.

Teenagers are organizing walkouts at public and independent schools across the city in protest of the few virus-safety protocols that will be in place when they return to in-person classes Monday.

Shortly before lunchtime Monday, the first day of face-to-face learning after an extended winter break, students at more than 30 schools are planning to protest the provincial governments response to the fast-spreading Omicron-variant COVID-19 surge.

"I want to go to the movies, I want to go to school, I want to do all of that, but doctors and scientists are saying that its not safe and theyre saying that 40 per cent of us already have COVID," said Cooper Vint, a Grade 10 student at Grant Park High School.

"I dont want (anyone else to get seriously sick) and I dont want to be responsible for that happening."

The students  taking action under the MB Student Walkout for COVID Safety 2022 banner  want an option to enrol in remote learning indefinitely so physical classroom attendance numbers can be reduced. They also want the province to ensure teens have immediate access to booster shots, N95 masks and rapid tests, as well as reassurance they will continue being notified when there is a positive case in their school, in order to feel comfortable returning to K-12 buildings.

The initiative, devised by 15-year-old Kelvin High School student Ava Byrne, was inspired by similar action taken in New York earlier this week.

"(The premier) basically told us that, Were just going to have to deal with it because everyones going to get Omicron, which was careless," said Byrne, a 10th-grader. "So I thought itd be a good idea to show the government that students have a voice and well use it when theyre putting us in danger."

The Winnipeg School Division is aware of the walkout plan and will monitor the situation Monday to ensure both participants and non-participants remain safe, said Radean Carter, senior information officer for Manitobas largest district.

"This protest action is not organized by WSD; however, we support students right to peacefully protest and put their education of the democratic process into action," Carter wrote in an email Friday.

Education Minister Cliff Cullen was asked about the planned demonstrations earlier in the week and encouraged students to "have a second thought," discuss the situation with their parents and reach out to individual teachers about the new safety protocols in schools.

Cullen said he has heard from pediatricians who say school closures have severely impacted some student mental health, as well as teachers, whove told him students learn best when they can do so in a classroom.

"Weve taken as many precautions as we can to really try to mitigate this risk as we have to work with COVID," Cullen told a news conference, noting the province has been distributing rapid tests and medical-grade masks to schools.

"Weve got to get back to some form of normalcy, whatever that may look like."

In response to rising Omicron cases, the province announced a phase-in return to school in 2022 after the winter break, and adjusted measures to ensure staff wear medical-grade masks, students wear three-ply face coverings and educators reorganize classrooms to expand physical distancing.

Sports tournaments and overnight trips have been suspended indefinitely. Some schools will soon receive portable air-filtration units as part of a new initiative to improve ventilation.

Grade 12 student Weldon Scott, however, wants to know how many politicians have physically set foot inside a school recently.

"They dont know what were going through," the 17 year old said during a Zoom call with the Free Press and a half-dozen student organizers.

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Many of the teens on the Friday video call indicated physical distancing of two metres is not possible in their classrooms, lunchtime protocols require students to remove their masks all at once in poorly ventilated areas, and not all of their peers or teachers strictly follow mask rules.

Grade 12 student Brie Villeneuve said remote learning is not, in and of itself, the cause of mental-health issues, no matter how many times government officials and walkout critics might suggest that it is. In fact, the 18 year old at Grant Park said learning of the provinces back-to-school plans only raised anxiety and depression.

"Were struggling with mental health because theres a global pandemic. Everyone is," Villeneuve said.

There have been at least 4,642 cases  77 per cent of which are among students  and more than 30 outbreaks connected to schools since Labour Day thus far.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
Premier Heather Stefanson got it half right.

In an alarming news conference Wednesday, Stefanson correctly acknowledged Omicron  the hyper-infectious variant of the novel coronavirus  cannot be contained. At least, not in the way previous variants have been curbed through vaccinations and restrictions.

"The virus is running throughout our community and its up to Manitobans to look after themselves," Stefanson said. "We must all learn to live with this virus; there must be a balance."

Stefanson is not alone in this perspective; an identical sentiment is being expressed by political leaders and public health officials all over the world.

On the same day Stefanson faced reporters in Winnipeg, Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to U.S. President Joe Biden, said that Omicrons "extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody." Also on the same day, Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said governments need to put their first focus on ensuring health-care systems do not collapse under the weight of Omicron infections.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson: "the government cant protect everyone out there."

However, after noting that Manitobans have to "learn to live with the virus," Stefanson argued that because Omicron cannot be controlled in the same manner as previous variants, "the government cant protect everyone out there."

Even though personal responsibility is a huge issue, that is simply not the right thing to say. Its a statement that will likely define Stefansons political career, particularly if it is portrayed as the moment she abandoned all hope. And that is, broadly speaking, how its being portrayed.

Stefansons error in logic is interpreting the properties of Omicron  highly infectious, generally milder symptoms  as a greenlight to make fewer public health interventions. This is a problem all over the world.

Yes, Fauci said Omicron may "find everybody," but he did not say that governments should do nothing to control the spread of the virus. To that point, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, cautioned governments not to "give the virus a free ride, or wave the white flag, especially when so many people around the world remain unvaccinated."

Clearly, we have reached a point in the pandemic where, perhaps not surprisingly, the phrase "learning to live with the virus" means radically different things to politicians than it does to medical and scientific experts.

Increasingly, political leaders are using the phrase to justify an end to lockdowns and only limited restrictions; medical and scientific experts are pleading with their political masters not to abandon restrictions, but apply them in a more focused fashion.

(AP PHOTO/SUSAN WALSH, FILE) Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the United States, said Omicrons "extraordinary, unprecedented degree of efficiency of transmissibility, will ultimately find just about everybody."

To be fair, there are still interventions in place here in Manitoba.

The Stefanson government continues to be bullish on vaccinations, limit indoor capacities and  despite the premiers apparent ideological objections  impose vaccine mandates for some indoor locations like bars, restaurants, fitness centres and sporting or cultural events.

However, as Omicron has gathered steam in Manitoba, Stefanson has tuned out the chorus of pleas  many from the front lines of health care  to further restrict some activities to ease pressure on the hospital system.

Social and economic restrictions cannot stop Omicron, but they could reduce the total number of infections just enough to keep the health-care system from total collapse.

Instead, the Stefanson government has left us in a hellish limbo where our lives are somewhat restricted but not to the extent where it provides any relief.

Why, for example, are we still allowing people into casinos and to attend in-person church services but schools were shut down for additional time after Christmas?

(SALVATORE DI NOLFI/KEYSTONE VIA AP) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), cautioned governments not to "give the virus a free ride, or wave the white flag, especially when so many people around the world remain unvaccinated."

These unexplained policy contradictions leave Stefanson in a precarious position.

Stefansons comments not only undermine restrictions in place now, they make it impossible to get public support for more stringent controls should they be needed in the future. After telling the public further restrictions are pointless, many members of the public will no doubt be asking themselves, "Why do we need any indoor capacity limits or mask and vaccine mandates? They dont work anyway."

Stefansons great failing at this stage in the pandemic is that she and her advisors seem unable to prioritize restrictions.

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If we were to rank pandemic priorities right now, protecting the health-care system would be at the top of the list, with keeping schools open a close second. Unfortunately, allowing anyone to gather indoors for any other reason makes it harder to protect hospitals and keep schools open.

So lets ask ourselves, what is more important? Keeping churches, bars, restaurants, casinos and gyms open with limited capacities, or giving those activities up in the hope it helps us keep hospitals from collapsing and schools open?

And lets remember, government has held back hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic relief money from this years budget. There has never been a better time for government to put that money where its mouth is by selectively closing places where people gather in the name of protecting health care and education.

Stefanson no doubt expects some pats on the back for being honest about our predicament. However, you only get to say that government cant do anything more to protect people if you have already proven you were willing to do anything and everything.

And the Stefanson government has fallen woefully short of that.

dan.lett@winnipegfreepress.com
OTTAWA  The federal Liberals are steering away from the Stefanson governments emphasis on personal responsibility, as COVID-19 cases among First Nations in just one week amount to one-10th of those logged since the pandemic started in Manitoba.

OTTAWA  The federal Liberals are steering away from the Stefanson governments emphasis on personal responsibility, as COVID-19 cases among First Nations in just one week amount to one-10th of those logged since the pandemic started in Manitoba.

It think its really important that we continue to protect each other from contracting COVID-19, Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said Thursday, while pledging to clear red tape around requesting federal help, at the urging of Manitoba chiefs.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs reported Thursday a staggering 2,504 new COVID-19 infections among First Nations in just a week, including probable infections detected with rapid tests.

That amounts to one-10th of all First Nations cases of COVID-19 that have been registered since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

I dont want these numbers just to become numbers; they actually mean things  theyre actually quite shocking, AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said in a virtual briefing.

More than 50 of the 63 reserves located in Manitoba had active COVID-19 as of Tuesday, including 12 with Omicron variant cases that were sent for genetic sequencing 10 days prior, according to Ongomiizwin Health Services.

The University of Manitoba-based group is assembling teams of medical students to fly into exhausted communities and help with things such as contact tracing, vaccination and rapid tests.

Hajdu said the federally funded project should help alleviate the pressure communities face, as Ottawa reports strained military and Red Cross teams.

Each request is done through the lens of assessing the needs of the community, the existing supports in place, and what kind of skill set the Canadian Armed Forces are being asked to provide, Hajdu said Thursday, in response to questions from the Free Press.

The minister said she met virtually Monday with Manitoba chiefs, many of whom said they are staring down bureaucracy in requesting federal aide.

Theyre asking that we reduce as much as we can any cumbersome request processes. My officials heard the calls for this efficiency and were working on ways we can streamlines processes every further.

NDP MP Niki Ashton (ChurchillKeewatinook Aski) has asked the Liberals to bolster supports for the dozen Manitoba communities entering lockdowns; Hajdu said bands can still tap existing funding for COVID-19 prevention.

On Wednesday, Manitoba officials said everyone in the province should expect being exposed to COVID-19 in the coming weeks, and Premier Heather Stefanson said shes focused on preventing deaths instead of constraining viral spread.

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This virus is running throughout our community and its up to Manitobans to look after themselves, Stefanson had said.

Hajdu wouldnt say whether she supports that viewpoint, but noted Indigenous communities remain highly vulnerable to COVID-19 despite high vaccine and booster uptake.

Some people nonetheless become very ill, and from my perspective, weve spent a long time doing everything we can to reduce the numbers of people that are getting sick.

The top doctor for Indigenous Services Canada, which runs medical services on reserves, said preventing COVID-19 exposure is crucial, along with vaccination. Dr. Tom Wong noted the novel coronavirus puts many at high risk of severe outcomes, particularly elders, pregnant women, chemotherapy patients.

All of those individuals need additional protection.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
With a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and a shortage of staff to care for them, news from Manitobas health minister that more than 90 foreign-trained nurses could soon be licensed and on the front lines comes as a surprise to industry advocates.

With a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and a shortage of staff to care for them, news from Manitobas health minister that more than 90 foreign-trained nurses could soon be licensed and on the front lines comes as a surprise to industry advocates.

On Thursday, a record 499 people were in hospital with COVID-19, up from 454 the day before, when Premier Heather Stefanson and Health Minister Audrey Gordon assured Manitobans they dont have to worry about sending ICU patients out of province again: more nurses were being added to increase hospital capacity.

"Were working diligently with the Manitoba Nurses Union to ensure that we make that happen," Stefanson said at the Wednesday news conference.

"The briefing I received shows theres over 90 internationally educated nurses that have been going through the process of licensure that could go into the system within the next few days," Gordon said.

It was news to Manitoba Nurses Union.

"The front line wasnt consulted about the onboarding of these nurses," union president Darlene Jackson said in an email Thursday.

Although the union has met twice with the health minister and want to work with the province on getting more nurses working in overwhelmed hospitals, Jackson said it is concerned about dropping newly-certified foreign-trained nurses into "absolutely horrible conditions" without the supports needed to succeed.

"This is not only ignorant but yet another recipe for disaster," Jackson email said, adding the province seems to be "downplaying" the severity of the situation.

Anecdotally, shes heard about nurses who tested positive for COVID-19 being pressured to return to work even when they are symptomatic. The union is urging members to stay home if ill.

Stefanson said this week the provincial government is pushing regulatory colleges to speed up the accreditation of foreign-trained nurses.

The province received 1,360 applications that "met the basic eligibility criteria to take the next steps in becoming nurses in Manitoba," she said Wednesday, referring to a program announced in July to provide financial assistance to internationally educated nurses working toward their Manitoba nursing credentials.

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"Of those 1,300, realistically, I want to see as many of those in the next week or two working in the front lines We will be challenging the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba and the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba to ensure we license as many of these applicants as soon as possible," the premier said.

On Thursday, the College of Registered Nurses questioned the governments numbers, saying it has been asking to meet with the province since it announced the program in July, and has no idea how the province is determining who meets its eligibility criteria.

A statement from the college said there are 48 open internationally educated nurse applications at various stages of the licensing process. How quickly theyre licensed depends on the results of the review of clinical competency, academic qualifications, ability to provide required documentation, whether or not they need to complete additional education, and passing the licensure exam.

"We will continue to be committed to finding solutions that help expedite registration, while maintaining appropriate controls that ensure all applicants who are licensed to practise as an RN in Manitoba have the appropriate training, knowledge, skills and judgment to practice competently and safely."

The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba was not prepared to comment Thursday.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, was denied parole Thursday by Californias governor, who said the killer remains a threat to the public and hasnt taken responsibility for a crime that altered American history.

FILE - In this image provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Sirhan Sirhan arrives for a parole hearing on Aug. 27, 2021, in San Diego, Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until sometime in January 2022 to allow or block the parole recommendation for Sirhan, who killed Robert F. Kennedy assassin. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, was denied parole Thursday by Californias governor, who said the killer remains a threat to the public and hasnt taken responsibility for a crime that altered American history.

Kennedy, a U.S. senator from New York, was shot moments after he claimed victory in Californias pivotal Democratic presidential primary. Five others were wounded during the shooting at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has cited RFK as his political hero, rejected a recommendation from a two-person panel of parole commissioners who said Sirhan, 77, should be freed. The panels recommendation in August had divided the Kennedy family, with two of RFKs sons  Douglas Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  supporting his release, and their siblings and mother vehemently opposing it.

In his decision, Newsom said the assassination was "among the most notorious crimes in American history," Aside from causing Kennedys then-pregnant wife and 10 children "immeasurable suffering," Newsom said the killing "also caused great harm to the American people."

It "upended the 1968 presidential election, leaving millions in the United States and beyond mourning the promise of his candidacy," Newsom wrote. "Mr. Sirhan killed Senator Kennedy during a dark season of political assassinations, just nine weeks after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s murder and four and a half years after the murder of Senator Kennedys brother, President John F. Kennedy."

FILE - In this image provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Sirhan Sirhan arrives for a parole hearing on Aug. 27, 2021, in San Diego, Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until sometime in January 2022 to allow or block the parole recommendation for Sirhan, who killed Robert F. Kennedy assassin. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP, File)

He said Sirhan still lacks insight, refuses to accept responsibility and has failed to disclaim violence committed in his name. That adds "to his current risk of inciting further political violence," Newsom wrote.

In 1973, terrorists took 10 hostages at an embassy in Sudan, demanding the release of Sirhan and other prisoners and killing three diplomats when their demands weren't met, he noted.

Sirhan, who will be scheduled for a new parole hearing no later than February 2023, will ask a judge to overturn Newsoms denial, defense attorney Angela Berry said.

FILE - In this image provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Sirhan Sirhan arrives for a parole hearing on Aug. 27, 2021, in San Diego, Calif. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of Americas darkest times. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP, File)

"We fully expect that judicial review of the governors decision will show that the governor got it wrong," she said.

State law holds that inmates are supposed to be paroled unless they pose a current unreasonable public safety risk, she said, adding that "not an iota of evidence exists to suggest Mr. Sirhan is still a danger to society."

She said the parole process has become politicized, and Newsom "chose to overrule his own experts (on the parole board), ignoring the law."

FILE - Sirhan Sirhan reacts during a parole hearing at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego on Feb. 10, 2016. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of Americas darkest times. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, Pool, File)

Parole commissioners found Sirhan suitable for release "because of his impressive extensive record of rehabilitation over the last half-century," Berry said. "Since the mid-1980s Mr. Sirhan has consistently been found by prison psychologists and psychiatrists to not pose an unreasonable risk of danger to the public."

During his parole hearing, the white-haired Sirhan called Kennedy the "hope of the world." But he stopped short of taking full responsibility for a shooting he said he doesnt recall because he was drunk.

"It pains me ... the knowledge for such a horrible deed, if I did, in fact, do that," Sirhan said.

FILE - Sen. Robert Kennedy aide Paul Schrade holds an evidence photo of gunman Sirhan Sirhan's revolver with the eight expended shell casings found in the chamber, and the Weisel, Goldstein, and Kennedy bullets, at his home in Los Angeles on May 31, 2018. When a gunman open fire toward Sen. Robert Kennedy, the first bullet missed the senator and struck Kennedy aide Paul Schrade in the head. Schrade woke up the next day and found out the Democratic presidential candidate was dead. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of Americas darkest times. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Kennedy's widow, Ethel, and six of his children hailed Newsom's decision in a statement that called RFK a "visionary and champion of justice" whose life "was cut short by an enraged man with a small gun."

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"The political passions that motivated this inmates act still simmer today, and his refusal to admit the truth makes it impossible to conclude that he has overcome the evil that boiled over 53 years ago," they wrote.

The panels decision was based in part on several new California laws since he was denied parole in 2016  the 15th time hed lost his bid for release.

Commissioners were required to consider that Sirhan committed his crime at a young age, when he was 24; that he now is elderly; and that the Christian Palestinian who immigrated from Jordan had suffered childhood trauma from the conflict in the Middle East.

In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors didnt object to his parole, following District Attorney George Gascons policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.

The decision had a personal element for Newsom, a fellow Democrat, who displays RFK photos in his official and home offices. One of them is of Kennedy with Newsoms late father.

Sirhan originally was sentenced to death, but that sentence was commuted to life when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea on Friday fired two short-range ballistic missiles in its third weapons launch this month, officials in South Korea said, in an apparent reprisal for fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration for its continuing test launches.

FILE - In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, attends a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea. The photo was taken during Dec. 27 - Dec. 31, 2021, according to the source. North Korea on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, berated the Biden administration for imposing fresh sanctions against the country over its latest missile tests and warned of stronger and more explicit action if Washington maintains its confrontational stance. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea on Friday fired two short-range ballistic missiles in its third weapons launch this month, officials in South Korea said, in an apparent reprisal for fresh sanctions imposed by the Biden administration for its continuing test launches.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles came from an inland area in western North Pyongan province.

Japans Prime Ministers Office and the Defense Ministry also detected the launch, while its coast guard urged vessels to pay attention to falling objects.

Hours earlier, North Korea issued a statement berating the Biden administration for imposing fresh sanctions over its missile tests and warned of stronger and more explicit action if Washington maintains its confrontational stance.

The sanctions targeted five North Koreans over their roles in obtaining equipment and technology for the Norths missile programs in its response to the Norths missile test this week. Washington also said it would seek new U.N. sanctions.

The previous test-launch of a hypersonic missile on Tuesday  the second a week  was overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, who said it would greatly increase his countrys nuclear war deterrent.

North Korea has been ramping up tests of new, potentially nuclear-capable missiles designed to overwhelm missile defenses in the region. Some experts say Kim is going back to a tried-and-true technique of pressuring the world with missile launches and outrageous threats before offering negotiations meant to extract concessions.

Following an unusually provocative run in nuclear and long-range missile tests in 2017 that demonstrated the Norths pursuit of an arsenal that could target the American homeland, Kim initiated diplomacy with former President Donald Trump in 2018 in an attempt to leverage his nukes for economic benefits.

But the negotiations derailed after Kims second summit with Trump in 2019, when the Americans rejected his demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of the North's nuclear capabilities.

Kim has since pledged to further expand a nuclear arsenal he clearly sees as his strongest guarantee of survival, despite the countrys economy suffering major setbacks after it shut its borders during the pandemic as well as persistent U.S.-led sanctions.

His government has so far rejected the Biden administrations open-ended offer to resume talks, saying Washington must abandon its hostile policy first  a term Pyongyang mainly uses to describe the sanctions and joint U.S.-South Korea military drills.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said North Korea appears to be signaling it will not be ignored and will respond to pressure with pressure.

North Korea is trying to lay a trap for the Biden administration, Easley said. It has queued up missiles that it wants to test anyway and is responding to U.S. pressure with additional provocations in an effort to extort concessions.

In a statement carried by North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency, an unidentified Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday defended the launches as a righteous exercise of self-defense.

The spokesperson said the new sanctions underscore hostile U.S. intent aimed at isolating and stifling the North. The spokesperson accused Washington of maintaining a gangster-like stance, saying that the Norths development of the new missile is part of its efforts to modernize its military and does not target any specific country or threaten the security of its neighbors.

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 defenses because of their speed and maneuverability.

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Such weapons were on a wish-list of sophisticated military assets Kim unveiled early last year along with multi-warhead missiles, spy satellites, solid-fuel long-range missiles and submarine-launched nuclear missiles.

Still, experts say North Korea would need years and more successful and longer-range tests before acquiring a credible hypersonic system.

In an interview with MSNBC, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the Norths latest tests profoundly destabilizing and said the United States was deeply engaged at the U.N. and with key partners, including allies South Korea and Japan, on a response.

I think some of this is North Korea trying to get attention. Its done that in the past. Itll probably continue to do that, Blinken said. But we are very focused with allies and partners in making sure that they and we are properly defended and that there are repercussions, consequences for these actions by North Korea.

___

Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
A Grand Marsh man faces nine felony charges including first degree attempted homicide after he allegedly attacked officers trying to take him into custody.

According to a press release, the Sauk County Sheriffs office was asked by Adams County Sheriff Brent York to help take a man into custody at a town of Springdale residence in Adams County Jan. 3. Online court records show that Timothy J. Owensby, 36, had 11 felony counts of possession of child pornography filed against him in Adams County Court on Dec. 31 and that a court summons was issued in that case.

When Adams County deputies responded Jan. 3, along with a Sauk County detective, people at the residence denied the subject was home. The homeowner allowed police to search the home for Owensby.

Authorities went into a bedroom and Owensby, allegedly was found on a bed covered under clothes and blankets with a knife in his hand. The deputies proceeded to negotiate for 90 minutes with Owensby to comply and release the knife. However, Owensby allegedly armed himself with another knife, which prompted more Sauk County deputies to assist.

Owensby was taken into custody using nonlethal force. Owensby allegedly made death threats toward deputies during the process and stabbing motions toward a deputy that penetrated the officers uniform jacket. After medical clearance, Owensby is incarcerated in the Adams County Jail.

In addition to the attempted homicide charge, Owensby is charged with two counts of resisting an officer causing bodily harm, five counts of battery or threat to an officer and one count of failing to comply with an officer. Cash bail was set at $15,000. Owensby remains in Adams County jail as of Jan. 13.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 1.
Ive always tried to understand why some people act or believe the way they do, including troubled adolescents Ive known while working in a detention home and a group home. After hearing about their troubled and chaotic childhoods, I could understand how and why they took the wrong paths.

But, Ive been completely baffled by adults who call themselves patriots and/or Christians who believe the lies of the former president, especially the lie about the election being stolen. They also believe the right-wing media that label Democrats elitists, which is laughable because Donald Trump supporters would gladly kiss the feet of the former president, an elitist of the highest order, who wouldnt be caught dead doing any physical work that would wrinkle his suit or tie, and who could never relate to their lives.

Their idol was a millionaire when he was 3-years-old. He was accepted at Ivy League colleges because his father gave lots of money. Not only was someone paid to take his admission tests, but his fathers money kept him from flunking out since Trump has bragged, and his oldest sister confirmed, that he never read books. Otherwise, why would he have ordered his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to threaten the colleges he attended with huge lawsuits if they released his grades?

Was it a coincidence that the doctor who said Trump had bone spurs and got him out of going into the military was a tenant in one of Fred Trumps buildings? Once, when asked which foot had the bone spurs, Trump said he couldnt remember.

This cowardly draft dodger made fun of Sen. John McCain whose plane was shot down during the Vietnam War while on a bombing mission over Hanoi, was then captured and spent more than five years as a Vietnamese prisoner of war. But, even when McCain was told he was free, he refused to leave until 108 of his fellow Americans were released. What did Trump say about that in 2015? I like people who werent captured. Unbelievably, many who are or were in the military still support him.

I especially dont get how any Christian can support a man who never goes to church, who bragged about sexually assaulting women, who cheated on all three of his wives and paid off porn stars to keep them quiet. Cohen wrote that as soon as a group of Evangelicals left the Oval Office after blessing Trump, the then-president told him, Can you believe they believe that sh##?

He continues to fool his followers, and they think he likes them even though, when COVID came on the scene, he told Cohen after one of his rallies that there was a good thing about the virus and said, Now I dont have to shake hands with those disgusting people.

They probably believed him, too, when he said that COVID-19 was a Democrat hoax, then believed him when he said it would be gone in two weeks. Later, he took credit for the vaccines that are fighting the devastating worldwide hoax the Democrats supposedly invented.

Unlike people who truly believe his lies, most Republican lawmakers know the truth, but are too cowardly to admit it because theyre afraid of the liars base. They obviously think the power they have as a lawmaker tops integrity and truth, so theyve abandoned their consciences and put our democracy at risk to keep that power.

But, Donald Trumps losing support, especially from those whove been arrested for their part in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. On Dec. 16, 2020, Dustin Stockton, one of the organizers of the Jan. 6, 2021, rally that preceded the insurrection, told CNN, Essentially, he abandons people when the going gets tough for people. And, you know, in some ways, its embarrassing to think that in a lot of ways, we bought into what essentially turned out to be a bluff or a con.

Donald Trumps been a con man his entire adult life. He persuades and/or pays others to do his dirty work while he sits in his gold-plated penthouse tower or his Palm Beach mansion. Just as he did Jan. 6, 2021, as he sat safely in the White House watching his gullible followers on television as they forcibly invaded the United States Capitol Building, smashed windows, destroyed property, threatened to kill Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence, and attacked and injured Capitol and D.C. police officers. Despite being urged by many, including his daughter Ivanka, to say something to stop it, he sat there for more than three hours, watching and amused as the worst invasion of our Capitol since the 1812 war with Britain took place only blocks away.

Yet he still has supporters and enablers. I dont get it.

Pat Nash has lived in the Baraboo area, off and on, for more than 35 years. Contact her at patnash5149@gmail.com.
A hallmark of the Leadership Beaver Dam class is the volunteer efforts put forth by its participants.

A requirement of the class is that members adopt a cause to promote  something in the community that needs addressing to make the area a better place to live and call home. Leadership Beaver Dam is a professional development training program held by the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce. The class meets once a month for nine classes. It is now in its 14th year.

Members of the current class include Nicole Fritz, Walmart Supply Chain Distribution Center; Allyssa Gilmore, American Bank; Renae Henning, Community Care Preschool & Child Care, Inc; Ryan Henning, WDS Construction; Todd Janssen, city of Beaver Dam; Walker Johnson, Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Laurie Kuehn, Moraine Park Technical College; Josh Labove, Wayland Academy; Dylan Lueck, Walmart Supply Chain Distribution Center; Clayton Mills, Green Valley Enterprises; Harper Mruk, United Way of Dodge County; Tracy Propst, Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce; Alexis Roth, WDS Construction; Chuck Stangl, Beaver Dam Community Activities and Services; Russ Tronsen, Beaver Dam High School.

This year, one class group is collecting personal items for the clients of Church Health Services. The charity is a faith-based healthcare organization that conducts primary, dental and mental health care for low income children and adults living in south central Wisconsin. Chuck Stangl, Ryan Henning and Renae Henning are organizing that drive.

We toured Church Health Services as part of our non-profit day, said Stangl. They made the comment that they needed personal items for the people they serve. Our group decided to take that on as our project. We contacted some businesses around Beaver Dam and the response was overwhelmingly supportive.

The drive runs from Jan. 10 to Feb. 11. Donated items can be dropped off in containers at American Bank (115 Front St., 1519 N. Spring St. and Walmart locations), Community Care Preschool and Child Care (130 E. Maple Ave.), Piggly Wiggly (810 Park Ave.), and the Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce Office (127 S. Spring St.) anytime during the drive.

Other drop off locations in traveling containers are:

 Jan. 10 to 14, Horicon Bank (105 E. Industrial Drive)

 Jan. 17 to 21, Park Plaza Pizza (233 Front St.)

 Jan. 24 to 28, American Family Insurance Kyle Schroeder Agency (1301 N. Center St.)

 Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, Rechek's Food Pride, (609 N. Spring St.)

 Feb. 7 to 11, WDS Construction, (100 Tower Drive).

The goal is to replenish needed supplies. That includes deodorant, hygiene or baby wipes, shampoo, mouthwash, soap, shaving cream, toilet paper, tissues, bandages, tooth brushes, tooth paste and feminine hygiene items.

Were suggesting people can collect items from their homes that they do not need any more or consider purchasing a few extra items the next time they visit a store, said Renae Henning.

Bring the items to various collection locations and help make a difference in your community, said Ryan Henning.

People should understand that these people are not choosing to have bad hygiene, its just that when you cant afford food you have to make hard choices, said Stangl. These items are costly, and often those in need just cant afford to buy them.

Items donated during the drive will be given to Church Health Services to be distributed to the clients they serve.

Other class projects this year include promoting connections between young people in the community and cleaning up and improving local parks. For more information, visit beaverdamchamber.com.

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JUNEAU  A 46-year-old Rubicon man was sentenced to return to prison as part of a four-year sentence in the Wisconsin Prison System and in a addition to a sentence he was originally given following a 2012 domestic abuse conviction.

This case is why the legislature created the repeater statutes, Dodge County District Attorney Jin Ho Pack said at sentencing.

According to the press release from the Dodge County District Attorney Office, Graham Lulich appeared before Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Kristine Snow on Thursday. Lulich was sentenced to serve 2  years in prison followed by 1  years of an extended sentence for felony battery.

Lulich had previously been sentenced to 5  years in prison and 2 years of extended supervision for Felony Substantial Battery with two repeaters, arising from the same incident on Oct. 31, 2012.

Dodge County District Attorneys Office managing attorney Bob Barrington said that the new sentencing was for a probation sentence that Lulich was sentenced on in 2012.

Probation was revoked shortly after he finished his prison sentence for violating the conditions of his probation.

According to the press release on April 29, 2012, officers received a domestic complaint in the town of Rubicon.

When officers arrived at the residence, they located the suspect, Lulich, armed with a knife, trying to escape out the window of the second floor bedroom.

Officers were able to detain Lulich without incident. The victim stated that she had been woken up by Lulich telling her that he was going to kill her.

Lulich then made himself vomit on her, and told her he was going to stab out her eyes to keep her from seeing what he was going to do to her.

The victim was bitten, kicked and Lulich even stood on her chest preventing the victim from breathing.

Lulich knocked her out twice, and she awoke the second time to Lulich threatening to cut her fingers off with a knife and did cut her nose and ear.
COLUMBUS  Students and staff in Columbus schools will have an extra day off of school Tuesday following two scheduled days off as the district battles a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Since we have returned from break, the district has had a high number of illnesses in the buildings, Superintendent Annette Deuman said in a letter that went out to parents earlier this week. However, more concerning for teaching and learning is that over 40 staff have experienced symptoms, been exposed to COVID or tested positive.

According to the districts COVID dashboard, cumulative totals up to the week of Jan. 7 show that 176 students and staff in the schools have been diagnosed with COVID or 12.44 percent of the total school population.

The staff remaining in the buildings had to pick up assignments and teach in additional classrooms, which have left the staff exhausted, Deuman said in the letter.

Because of the amount of illness among our students and especially our staff, we are dangerously close to the tipping point of having virtual learning, Deuman said in the letter to parents.

The restart strategy involves five consecutive days off. The students had a scheduled days off on Friday and Monday with Tuesday being added as well.

This will allow recovery time for families, students, and staff who may be experiencing illness, Deuman said.

Students will complete assignments from home, so class time will not be lost. However the buildings will be closed and activities canceled with hopes that everyone stays home and allows a recovery time for the district, Deuman said.

Follow Terri Pederson on Twitter @tlp53916 or contact her at 920-356-6760.

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Criticism is mounting against Milwaukee County's top prosecutor after one of the suspects in the Thursday afternoon shooting of an off-duty police officer was found to have been out of custody on a signature bond.

Some have called for Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, a Democrat, to be removed from office after an assistant district attorney requested a relatively low bail for Darrell Brooks, the man accused of driving into a Waukesha Christmas parade on Nov. 21, killing six and injuring more than 50 others.

Under a signature bond, suspects are allowed out of custody without posting any bail money. If the conditions of their bond are violated, such as if the suspect goes on to commit a crime while out on bond, they will be required to pay a pre-set amount.

Brooks had been in court 16 days before the parade attack after he allegedly hit the mother of his child intentionally with his car. He was let out of custody on a $1,000 bond.

One of the suspects in Thursday's shooting of the Milwaukee police officer is Dionta'e Hayes, 18. On Oct. 21, he was charged with operating a vehicle without the owner's consent, a misdemeanor, and resisting an officer causing substantial bodily harm, a felony. The next day, he got out on a $500 signature bond.

We saw it last Christmas in Waukesha. We saw it yesterday in broad daylight in Milwaukee. Weve seen it each of the last three years in Milwaukee and surrounding communities. John Chisholms catch-and-release, no bail or low bail policy, is making us all less safe," state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, and Rep. Janel Brandtjen, R-Menomonee Falls, said in a joint statement Friday. "Chisholms social justice cause has made neighborhoods in Milwaukee County and southeastern Wisconsin less safe. It has to stop."

Chisholm has resisted calls to step down. He said it was an oversight caused by "human error," committed by an overworked assistant district attorney, that allowed Brooks to be given such a low bond in light of the allegations against him.

Wanggaard, a retired Racine police officer, said that he is inviting Chisholm to attend a Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety hearing on Thursday regarding Republican-backed bail reform proposals.

"I encourage John Chisholm to come and testify. He can give his thoughts on improving bail in Wisconsin, because whatever hes doing isnt working," Wanggaard said.

Thursday's shooting

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said the 37-year-old detective suffered life-threatening injuries after he was shot multiple times at about 2 p.m. Thursday in the Third Ward, near the intersection of North Water and East Buffalo streets. Norman said Thursday that the detective was in stable condition at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa.

Hayes and Timonte Carroll-Robinson, 17, are accused of having attempted to rob a woman and the off-duty officer attempted to intervene. According to police, the officer fired a gun at the suspects but did not hit anyone.

This was an off-duty detective probably just ordering food, Norman said. He went into danger without any hesitation.

Other officers brought Hayes and Carroll-Robinson into custody upon their car being recognized after they fled the scene.

Evers not to move against Chisholm

A complaint demanding that Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, remove Chisholm was deemed not valid, an attorney hired by the governor's administration concluded Tuesday.

The complaint from a group of Milwaukee County taxpayers has a host of technical shortcomings, attorney Matthew Fleming wrote in a memo to Evers. Nothing indicates the group swore oaths that they believe their statements were true, notary verifications were incomplete and the group failed to allege any facts that show Chisholm neglected his duties, Fleming wrote.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Wisconsin residents not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with the virus and 14 times more likely to die from it than those fully vaccinated in December, when the highly transmissible omicron variant became the dominant strain.

People not fully vaccinated were three times more likely to get COVID-19 last month than those fully vaccinated, the state Department of Health Services said Friday.

The data offer the first statewide look at the impact of vaccination against the omicron variant, which was first detected in the state Dec. 4 and became the dominant strain by the end of the month.

Omicron may not have been spreading widely in Wisconsin during the first part of December, and hospitalizations and deaths from it may not have been seen much until this month. But the new data suggest vaccination is still offering considerable protection against the variant, even as numerous breakthrough cases involving omicron have been reported nationwide.

In November, before omicron was detected, state residents not fully vaccinated were five times more likely to be infected, 11 times more likely to be hospitalized with it and 12 times more likely to die from it, the state health department reported last month.

According to the latest age-adjusted data released Friday, there were 1,573.2 COVID-19 cases, 18.5 hospitalizations and 3.6 deaths per 100,000 fully vaccinated people in December. Among those not fully vaccinated, there were 4,746.4 cases, 176.4 hospitalizations and 50.8 deaths per 100,000.

In November, there were 722.5 cases, 17.1 hospitalizations and 2.8 deaths per 100,000 fully vaccinated people and 3,348.2 cases, 184 hospitalizations and 35 deaths per 100,000 people not fully vaccinated.

The state doesnt provide rates specifically for people who have received booster or additional doses of vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people nationwide were five times more likely to get COVID-19 and 14 times more likely to die from it in October than those fully vaccinated. The unvaccinated were 10 times more likely to be infected and 20 times more likely to die from COVID-19 in October than those who had booster or additional doses, the CDC said.

Catching up

Meanwhile, Wisconsin reported 19,783 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, by far the highest daily total of the pandemic, eclipsing the previous record of 13,004 cases reported Thursday. However, the state health department said it has updated its data system to allow positive test results to be automatically imported.

DHS expects COVID-19 data to be temporarily elevated over the next few days while this process occurs and back-logged cases are brought into the live system, the department said in a statement.

COVID-19 hospitalizations appear to be easing up slightly in Dane County, where officials on Friday said 189 patients with the virus were in hospitals, including 38 in intensive care. Thats down from a record 202 COVID-19 patients, including 43 in ICUs, on Wednesday.

Statewide, as of Friday, there were 2,255 COVID-19 hospitalizations, including 485 in intensive care, down a bit from record highs of 2,278 hospitalizations and 488 in the ICU on Wednesday, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
The UW Board of Regents will choose between a Milwaukee law firm leader and one of its own chancellors to be the next president of the University of Wisconsin System.

Jay Rothman, chair and CEO of Foley & Lardner, and UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Jim Schmidt were announced Friday as the finalists for the job leading the states public university system, its more than 160,000 students, 39,000 employees, 26 campuses and $6.6 billion budget.

Rothman and Schmidt offer two very different backgrounds. One has spent his career in the private sector, while the other has worked almost exclusively in higher education administration.

The next System president will face an avalanche of competing pressures from lawmakers, faculty and staff, students, community members and Regents. State funding for higher education continues to decline, the COVID-19 pandemic marches on, and a growing share of the public questions the value and affordability of a college degree. Many campuses are grappling with enrollment decline and the Republican-controlled Legislature isnt shy in sending demands about how it believes campuses should be run.

The finalists named Friday emerged from a search that yielded 44 applications, according to System data provided in response to a public records request. More than three-quarters of the applicants were men. Just seven were women. Ten of the 44 applicants did not report their race while 23 identified as white and 11 identified as a person of color.

This is the Systems second try in hiring a permanent successor to Ray Cross, who led the System from 2014 through the first half of 2020. The Regents previous search failed when the sole finalist, University of Alaska System President Jim Johnsen, withdrew his name from consideration because of process issues that many attribute to the absence of faculty and staff serving on the search committee.

Former four-term Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, 80, has been serving as interim president though he recently announced he will resign March 18.

The finalists will interview Tuesday with a Regent committee and some others, including chancellors and System executive leaders. Because of the extraordinary public input in the process, with more than 30 listening sessions held, there will be no public session with the finalists.

The board expects to vote on the new president by the end of the month.

Milwaukee attorney

Rothman, 62, has worked in the private sector for decades. He joined Foley & Lardner in 1986, became a partner in 1994 and has served as chair and CEO since 2011. The international firm employs more than 1,100 attorneys and 1,000 staff.

Rothman has lived in Wisconsin his entire life, except for the few years he attended Harvard Law School. He earned a bachelors degree from Marquette University.

Rothman, in a Friday interview with reporters, touted his connections to the states business community and fundraising experience while serving on the board for Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee. He said his skill set in overseeing information technology, talent recruitment, legal affairs, finance and other aspects of the firm would translate well in leading the System.

The System invited the Wisconsin State Journal and other news outlets to submit questions in advance of sharing the names of the finalists. The medias questions were not shared with the candidates, System officials said, and candidates were largely asked the same questions to ensure impartiality.

Rothman described a non-hierarchical structure to his firm, which depends on the entrepreneurial skills of its partners.

I suspect the same is very much true of leading the System, that you think about shared governance, and thats an important component of the System as I understand it, he said. I have functioned in that environment.

Whether to increase tuition, and by how much, will be one of the next presidents biggest recommendations to the Regents. The Legislature froze rates for in-state undergraduates in 2013 and just lifted the freeze last summer, though Thompson and the board decided against an increase this school year.

Rothman suggested looking at who has the means to pay for tuition but also said he would need to look at it with the Systems finance team.

Asked how he would navigate the Legislatures sometimes hostile relationship with the System, he said he would meet lawmakers in their districts, continually share the Systems value with the public and foster relationships based on trust, transparency and honesty.

Federal campaign finance records show Rothman has donated to politicians from both political parties. State campaign finance records show about $77,350 in donations mostly to Republicans but also to some Democrats, including Gov. Tony Evers.

Rothmans term as chair at Foley is coming to a close, and he said he is ineligible for reelection. He said it was an opportune time to think about his next chapter.

I have a passion for this state, he said. This is home for me. I want to see Wisconsin flourish.

Eau Claire chancellor

Hiring Schmidt as president would continue a trend of turning to internal candidates with academic backgrounds. The last two presidents, Cross and Kevin Reilly, led UW Colleges and Extension before their promotions.

Schmidt, 57, took over as chancellor of UW-Eau Claire in 2013. The school enrolls about 10,000 students and employs about 1,300 staff. He spent the first half of his career in various administrative positions at Minnesota institutions, including a technical college.

Nearly 40 years ago, Schmidt said he stood on the steps of the Minnesota state Capitol protesting a plan that would shift college costs from the state onto students. In his four years as an undergraduate at Winona State, he said tuition increased 146%.

Students deserve an affordable education and, Schmidt said, he did not support massive tuition increases, but keeping in-state, undergraduate tuition frozen is unsustainable.

Access without quality is no bargain, he told reporters.

Finding a funding solution is the biggest conversation Schmidt said he would need to have with the Legislature, governor and Regents.

If hired, Schmidt also plans to barnstorm the state to meet with civic and business leaders in his first 100 days, in a move similar to his pledge of meeting 50 CEOs in the Chippewa Valley region in his first 50 days at UW-Eau Claire.

Schmidt, who has an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a Ph.D. in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, emphasized giving campuses more decision-making power, such as when to cut programs. He was one of the only chancellors to publicly push back against Crosss 2020 blueprint plan to cut some programs that are available at many campuses.

The problem with the blueprint: it was top-down, he said. Its interesting, Im seeking to be UW president and one of the main things I want to accomplish is re-empowering the campuses to make these decisions.

The approach maybe wouldnt make sense decades ago when Wisconsin covered 90% of campuses costs, he said, but now, when the state kicks in between 10% and 20% of an institutions budget, schools need more flexibility to focus on leveraging partnerships with local employers.

Still, Schmidt recognized campuses need accountability. And hes accustomed to the reality of painful budget cuts, pointing to a voluntary separation incentive program he started, the first within the System that other campuses adopted in response to a $250 million budget cut. The move ended up eliminating 15% of the full-time positions on his campus.

I know the UW System, he said. I have strong opinions about what works and what doesnt.  I think I can hit the ground running.

Regents President Edmund Manydeeds, who leads the committee that will interview both Rothman and Schmidt, said in a statement that either would be an outstanding leader for our university system.
Absentee ballot drop boxes, which were used in several communities including Madison last year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, are not allowed under state law, a Waukesha County judge ruled Thursday.

Judge Michael Bohren also granted a request from the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, which brought the case, to prohibit the Wisconsin Elections Commission from issuing guidance allowing for the use of drop boxes. The ruling means such boxes will not be allowed in the the Feb. 15 spring primary unless the ruling is overturned on appeal.

The lawsuit was filed in Waukesha County on behalf of two residents and challenged the commissions guidance to clerks in 2020 that drop boxes can be unstaffed, temporary or permanent.

Bohren ruled that the states bipartisan Elections Commission should have gone through the formal rulemaking process, rather than issuing guidance to local election officials.

They have the effect of law, Bohren said regarding the commissions guidance. (Clerks) are going to rely on it as a statement of law.

Commission spokesperson Riley Vetterkind said agency staff and the commissioners will review Bohrens ruling in the coming days.

WILLs lawsuit was filed three days after the state Supreme Court in a 4-3 ruling turned back a separate attempt by a major Republican donor to ban the boxes.

While its likely attorneys could appeal Bohrens ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court also could take up the issue in a lawsuit filed last year by Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch challenging the commissions guidance on drop boxes. The states high court has not said if it will take up the case before it goes through lower courts.

Another lawsuit was filed earlier this month by a Waukesha County resident represented by WILL. The voter is suing the Elections Commission for rejecting a complaint he filed last year regarding ballot drop boxes.

Rick Esenberg, WILLs president and general counsel, said last year his firm does not object to drop boxes, per se, but disagrees that state law is silent on their legality. Because the statutes do not specifically allow them, he asserted, They are prohibited.

State statutes do not address the use of ballot drop boxes, though the state elections commission issued guidance in early 2020 to allow election clerks to make use of them. The boxes were widely used in the state that year as an alternative for voters worried that, with the crush of absentee ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic and potential delays in mail delivery, their ballots might not make it back before Election Day.

An attorney for the commission said the guidance was merely a suggestion meant to guide clerks and did not constitute a formal law.

Bohren ruled there is no statutory authority to have drop boxes used for the collection of absentee ballots outside of allowed use at an alternate absentee ballot location or at a clerks office. He said state law only allows absentee ballots to be mailed in or delivered to the clerk in person.

The commission also approved guidance in 2016 allowing clerks to correct common errors on absentee ballot envelopes, such as missing ZIP codes or address information entered on the wrong line.

Both issues were raised in an October report from the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, which did not find any evidence of widespread fraud in the states 2020 election but did make 48 recommendations to the Legislature and commission for how to improve elections.

The Elections Commission voted last month to begin the administrative rule-making process  which can take as long as 13 months to complete and requires approval from the governor and a Republican-controlled rules committee  for rules pertaining to ballot drop boxes. The commission will vote in a future meeting on specific rule proposals.

Separately, the Legislatures GOP-led joint rules committee earlier this week voted to require the Elections Commission to quickly create rules for ballot drop boxes and to clarify what missing information clerks can fill in on absentee ballot envelopes.

Republicans have claimed without evidence that both policies can lead to voter fraud. The committee voted 6-4 along party lines to require the commission to publish the guidance as emergency rules by Feb. 9 or withdraw the guidance. Once in rule form, the committee can vote to eliminate the policies.

The commission plans to meet on Jan. 28 to formally discuss the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules demand. Democratic commissioner Mark Thomsen asked staff to provide information on whether the committee can force the agency to create the emergency rules.

The Republican-led Legislature passed bills last year that would have enforced rules on ballot drop boxes and what errors local clerks can correct on absentee ballot envelopes, but the proposals were vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

It seems to me that if you cant pass it as a law you certainly cant force a commission to adopt the law, Thomsen said on Tuesday.

The GOP push to regulate ballot drop boxes is part of several ongoing efforts by Republicans scrutinizing the 2020 election. A recount and court decisions have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes.
FILE  Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., speaks during a House Committee on Homeland Security meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 22, 2020. Katko, who was one of just 10 Republican House members who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump, has announced that he will not seek reelection this year. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool, File)
File photo taken shows students having lunch at a primary school in Pozhang Township of Shannan, Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. [Xinhua]

The health condition of children in China has been improving in recent years due to more affordable services at the grassroots level, a health official said on Tuesday.

The country's infant mortality rate has fallen to 5.4 per 1,000 and the mortality rate among children under 5 years old is 7.5 per 1,000, said Song Li, director of the department of maternal and child health at the National Health Commission.

She added that the rate of stunting among children under 6 years old has dropped to below 7 percent, and the rate of low weight among the age group is now lower than 5 percent.

"The key barometers for evaluating children's health in China are higher than the average in upper-middle-income countries across the globe," she said during a briefing held by the State Council Information Office.

On Monday, China released a plan for public services during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. The plan called for intensified efforts to ensure sufficient provision of public services targeting children and people with medical needs.

Song said the commission will strive to build a complete network for pediatric healthcare based on a range of primary healthcare institutions.

She added that more efforts will be devoted to addressing prominent child health issues, including birth defects, obesity, anemia, poor vision, curvature of the spine, autism and hearing impairment.

"Early screening, diagnosis and intervention will be further promoted," Song said.

She said affordable and government-subsidized nursery care services will be expanded in the next few years to meet the public's increasing demands.

"The goal is to raise the number of nursery care slots per 1,000 people to 4.5," she said.

Yang Wenzhuang, head of the commission's population surveillance and family department, said in an earlier interview that there are about 42 million toddlers under 3 years old across China, and one-third of them are in urgent need of nursery care services.

However, the country's nursery enrollment rate for the age group stands at only about 5.5 percent, pointing to a great gap between supply and demand, he said.

(Source: China Daily)
Egypt-based Emirati Jenaan Pipes & Irrigations Systems company will use Borouge's piping raw materials to manufacture irrigation pipe systems for one of the world's largest sugar refineries in Egypt. Shown here is Jenaan's manufacturing plant. (File Photo)

CAIRO, EGYPT: Borouge said it is supplying its raw materials to the Egypt-based Emirati Jenaan Pipes & Irrigations Systems company (JPIS) to manufacture irrigation pipe systems for one of the world's largest sugar refineries in Egypt. JPIS has already started installing its pipes which were manufactured using Borouge's BorSafe HE3490 LS PE100 materials which eliminate water leakage from irrigation systems. The sugar refinery is scheduled to be operational in June 2022.

The strategic partnership between Borouge and JPIS, supported by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) funds, will not only reinforce the UAE's export economy as part of the country's National Economic Diversification Strategy, but will also support the Egyptian economy and food security needs.

JPIS produces polyethylene pipes ranging from 32-milimeter (mm) to 600 mm in diameter for more than 700 pivot systems. The water will be drawn from wells drilled into the

Nubian aquifer to irrigate an area of 76,000 hectares, to produce 2.5 million tonnes of sugar beetroot annually.

Once operational, the new sugar refinery will produce between 170,000 to 1 million tonnes of sugar. The project is very important and strategic for Egypt because it will contribute to reducing Egypt's reliance on sugar imports by 80 percent.

"We are delighted with the strategic partnership between Borouge and Jenaan Pipes & Irrigation Systems supported by ADEX, which facilitates exporting our Made in UAE products to supply local and global partners," said Khalfan AlMuhairi, senior vice president, Middle East and Africa Exports at Borouge. "We ensure collaboration with worldwide partners across the value chain to fulfil their demands and to introduce new solutions for their production requirements that meet the qualified standards."

In February 2021, ADEX, the export-financing arms of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), signed a $6 million (AED 22 million) loan agreement with JPIS to enable it to import raw materials from Borouge in order to manufacture and supply irrigation systems to one of the world's largest sugar refineries situated in Egypt. The agreement is an integral part of ADEX's core strategy to help national companies to expand their footprint and support the UAE's economic diversification effort.

 Worldofchemicals News
Four states have less than 10% remaining capacity in their ICUs: Kentucky, Alabama, Indiana and New Hampshire, according to data from the US Department of Health and Human Services, and pictured, a nurse suits up in Lebanon, New Hampshire, on January 3.
Weather Alert

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At the meeting, the Cabinet member affirmed that coordinated work with regions will be key to guaranteeing an adequate return of school students to classrooms this March.

"The urgent thing is to return to face-to-face classes; this is the main issue during the first two months, but we have to continue thinking about administrative reform in the medium term, and there we must focus our attention on the territorial approach," Serna expressed.

"It cannot be possible that solutions come to the Ministry of Education (Minedu) and then return to regions with the consequent loss of time," he added.

Referring to specific and isolated cases or situations that may arise in regions during the return to school, Serna said the immediate response will be put into practice because regional governments rely on administrative autonomy to respond (to said eventualities) in coordination with the Education Ministry.

On the other hand, the Cabinet member pointed out that a modern administration raises three fundamental aspects: e-government, administrative simplification, and multisectorality, so that users are satisfied with an efficient service.

Likewise, the high-ranking official indicated that in this multisectoral administration, and for the specific case of the health emergency, the health sector plays an important role.

The official went on to add that his portfolio is in permanent coordination with Health Minister Hernando Cevallos

"We will take into account the technical aspects of the epidemiological situation determined by the Health Ministry so as to make the best decision," he noted.





COVID-19 vaccination

Minister Serna argued that under current conditions the entire community should know that the vaccine is important in health emergency situations.

In this sense, he pointed out that teachers, parents, and students will have to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

"We are in the process of reflecting on the unvaccinated (population) to see what we do about it, we will surely provide an adequate solution to this issue," he added, after reporting that 95% of teachers have already received both doses and that his portfolio is working so that they receive a booster dose.





Remarks were made during an event also attended by Prime Minister Mirtha Vasquez , governors, and education sector officials.





(END) NDP/MVB

During a meeting with regional governors, Education Minister Rosendo Serna called for strengthening the decentralization process for a proper return to face-to-face classes and reiterated that his administration will be guided by a decentralizing and territorial approach.Publicado: 14/1/2022
Council forget to invite night time economy representatives to town centre debate, says local business owner

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 14th, 2022

Members of Wrexhams night time economy say they are baffled for not being invited to a meeting about the town centre, and question why a key piece of work forgot them.

The Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee met this week to discuss two linked items, an update to the town centre pandemic action plan, and a report from a task and finish group looking at the town centre.

One of the recommendations from the task and finish group included ensuring better communication regarding the town centre, including circulation of e-mails to as wide a range of affected businesses as possible.

The report itself did not contain the word night or night time or nighttime  with one mention in just one of the five appendices.

The report does examine the public realms and other such elements that affect both the night and day time economies, for example ease of access, travel and physical changes, eg. One aspect that can attract both businesses and people into the town centre could be an improvement in physical infrastructure.

The public realm programme contains an aim to develop a Green Infrastructure Project to improve the physical environment in the core of Wrexham town centre, complementing the emergence of a Market Quarter.

One hospitality business owner who read the report and watched the meeting commented: The night time economy of Wrexham is one of the bigger employers in the town centre and we have a lot of independent businesses.

I was quite surprised that there is no forward planning of support, or even consultation on this.

If one of us had been invited we could have asked where is the data to link the footfall figures to reality. One million people in the town centre does not, and is not, equating to one million spending money.

We need data to compare against, perhaps ask us was your turnover up and get some data.

The issue of correlation between spend and footfall was noted by Cllr Nigel Williams in the meeting, .

Cllr Andy Williams probed the reports before councillors, and questioned footfall data presented: You said you have got two footfall counters, one for the day economy, one for the night time, if thats the case, is the one set for nighttime economy and then figures used for daytime as well or not used in the day?

The officer told the meeting that there was a counter on Hope St and Hight St, both were operational all the time, with the data split hourly.

Cllr Williams noted We say, and we always have said, that weve got two economies in the town centre, we have the daytime and night time economies and questioned where the representation for business was at the meeting.

The officer said, It is a fair comment. There is a very good network for the nighttime economy through the Nightsafe scheme that Rachel supports as well. So and its very active network.

Later she added: Cllr Williams referred to the nighttime economy and bringing somebody in from that group, again, there is the night safe scheme is representative from the wider night time economy also with a chair and in hindsight and we take on board, we should have invited that chair so that group

The meeting was due to hear from Wrexham Business Group however no representatives were able to make the meeting despite being invited, meaning councillors and the meeting did not hear directly from the business community of either the night time or day time economy.

Council officers did defend the position during the meeting stressing they had good ongoing live networks of contacts with town centre officers pounding the streets, having digital contact lists and active Whatsapp groups.

Cllr Rodney Skelland stated he thought Wrexham was the only town in the UK without a town council, suggesting it would be a better and more democratic route for representation and communication.

Another town centre business person also queried the lack of representation at the meeting, telling us, No one sent a message out to say this meeting is on, do you have any questions or points? or This is the report. Do the councillors know the town centre, there should be actual representation from the businesses on the committee  not as councillors  but an independent business voice.

We put the argument that there is a business group, and the various methods mentioned in the meeting, to the individual and they said: There are too many small factions, there is no proper representation.

There is obviously no formal engagement  either way  and that is reflected in such a vital meeting having no business representation from either the day time or night time economy of Wrexham.
First minister yet to see that evidence for further reducing coronavirus self isolation

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 14th, 2022

Wales first minister has said we are yet to see that evidence to justify any further reductions to the self isolation period.

People who test positive for covid-19 in England will be able to stop self-isolating after five days if they have two negative lateral flow test results.

From Monday, people in England will be able to leave isolation after negative lateral flow tests on days five and six.

Sajid Javid told MPs in the House of Commons that UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data showed that around two-thirds of positive cases are no longer infectious by the end of day five.

The change is intended to maximise activity in the economy and education while minimising the risk of people passing on the virus, he said.

The move follows a similar policy change in the US.

In Wales people with Covid have to self-isolate for a minimum of seven days.

Asked if the Welsh Government will follow the changes made in England, during a press conference today, Mark Drakeford said:

What we will be doing is looking at whatever evidence the UK Government has used to come to a conclusion (to reduce isolation time from 7 to 5 days).

As I understand it (The UK Government decision) moves the removal of self-isolation by just 24 hours.

I know (the UK Government) is saying seven days to five days but when you look at the small print, its actually 24 hours.

He said that when the Welsh Government was given all the evidence in December prior to the decision to move the self-isolation period from 10 days to seven days in Wales, it showed that at day five, more than three out of 10 people are still infectious.

That did not seem sensible to us to have that number of people with Covid out and about spreading it to others.

We will study whatever evidence is now available if we think it is safe and our chief medical officer and scientific advisers say to us that we can now move down the days in a way that doesnt cause risk to others, of course, thats what we will do.

But were yet to see that evidence or to get that advice.

Current self-isolation rules in Wales.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate and take a PCR test as soon as possible. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 you must self-isolate and follow the guidance below.

You can leave self-isolation after 7 full days (on day 8 of your self-isolation period).

You should take a lateral flow test (LFT) on day 6 of your self-isolation period and another lateral flow test 24 hours later. This is to check if you remain infectious and could pass COVID-19 on to others.

You should not take a LFT before the sixth day of your self-isolation period because the risks of remaining infectious and the chances of passing it on to others before this period is significantly higher.

If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should follow this guidance. If you are not fully vaccinated, you are legally required to self-isolate as a close contact for 10 days.

More here: https://gov.wales/self-isolation
Glyn Ceiriog entrepreneur named one of 2022s most inspiring female founders

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 14th, 2022

A business owner from Glyn Ceiriog has been named as one of the UKs most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs.

Kerry Mackay founded ScrubbiesUK, a manufacturer of home-compostable cleaning pads, in 2019.

To celebrate her business achievements Kerry is being profiled alongside 100 female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of a campaign by f:Entrepreneuer to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK today.

Now in its fifth year, the growing campaign attracted a record number of applications for this years #ialso100 line-up.

Delivered by Small Business Britain  the leading champion of small businesses in the UK  f:Entrepreneur was established in 2017 to highlight the stories of amazing female business owners and help provide inspiration and role models across the wider small business community.

The f:Entrepreneur #ialso100 line-up particularly sets out to showcase trailblazing female founders who lead businesses alongside a roster of other responsibilities, such as volunteering, mentoring and community support. Many of the businesses featured in this years campaign also demonstrate a huge commitment to the environment by championing sustainability.

Kerry was also recognised for winning three national business awards in 2021 including Product of The Year at the National Environmental Awards and using Scrubbies as a means to highlight both environmental and social issues having started her eco business whilst in food-bank poverty.

From quantum computer engineers, and vegan fruit farmers, to sustainability advocates and inclusive fashion designers, this years campaign celebrates inspiring and resilient female entrepreneurs that have flourished despite the challenges of the past years, with many still growing or starting new ventures.

On being featured in the #ialso100 lineup, Kerry Mackay said: Its an incredible honour to be recognised alongside such inspiring female entrepreneurs.

Hard work and sheer determination really do pay off, even if your only dream is to escape poverty.

Both f:Entrepreneur and Small Business Britain were founded by Michelle Ovens CBE, who is also the director of Small Business Saturday UK.

Congratulations to Kerry Mackay at ScrubbiesUK, and all of the brilliant female entrepreneurs featured in this years #ialso100, said Michelle Ovens.

It is so vital that we recognise and celebrate the phenomenal contribution that women running businesses are making across the UK, and the far-reaching, positive impact they are having, not just on the economy, but on wider communities too.

The last few years have been hugely challenging for small businesses, yet despite this female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in the UK, and is very much at the heart of the UKs recovery.

To see the full line-up of the 100 amazing women featured in this years f:entrepreneur #ialso100 campaign visit https://f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2022/
Keep your eyes peeled! Wrexhams City of Culture bid is on tour the next three days

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 14th, 2022

Keep your eyes peeled over the next three days as Wrexhams City of Culture bid is going on tour across the county borough

Starting today (Friday 14) and continuing on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 January the buses will be touring Wrexham to raise awareness and support for the #Wrecsam2025 bid.

Wrexham is among eight towns and cities across the UK to have been shortlisted to host the City of Culture 2025 event.

The buses will have on board performers and artists who will be hopping off at different locations for a short performance, before jumping back on board and heading to the next location.

Due to current covid restrictions the City of Culture team have had to amend their original plans where over 40 events were to go ahead across the county.

#Wrexcsam2025 in Johnstown this morning on to next venue? pic.twitter.com/XnByWw7ytF  David A Bithell (@davebithell) January 14, 2022

This also means that the exact locations and timings of where and when the busses will be passing through cant be shared in advance  but keep your eyes out the next three days as they will be travelling across the county borough.

Performers taking part will be:

Delta Academy Ladies Choir

NEW Sinfonia Brass Quintet

Coleg Cambria Musical Theatre

Luke Gallagher

Megan Lee

Andy Hickie

Delta Academy Youth Dancers

Eleni Cymru Dance Group

Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Place and Partnerships at Wrexham County Borough Council said: The buses are a novel way of engaging with the entire community of Wrexham, without encouraging large gatherings or unnecessary journeys.

As much as we would have liked to have greater engagement, well need to wait until its safe to do so.

Becoming UK City of Culture in 2025 will be a fantastic tool in our future recovery from covid and I encourage everyone to learn more about the competition and the benefits it will bring to Wrexham.

In the meantime Ill be keeping my eyes peeled over the next few days for the big red culture buses.

If you see one of the buses Wrexham Council are inviting people to share their pictures on social media using the #tag #Wrecsam2025
La ciudadania tiene derecho a organizarse para exigir al Estado discutir los asuntos publicos. Por eso, desde el Ejecutivo hemos observado la autografa que modifica la Ley 26300, dado que esta atenta contra el derecho fundamental a la participacion politica plena y al referendum.
El retorno seguro y equitativo a clases solo sera posible con un enfoque descentralista y multisectorial. Asi lo hemos reafirmado hoy en reunion en @MineduPeru con los gob. regionales Sigamos trabajando no solo para el retorno a clases, sino por una mejor escuela para todos/as! pic.twitter.com/xGdRRyRujA
About 400 workers at Amazon in Leipzig took part in another 24-hour warning strike on Monday. The service sector union Verdi called for a work stoppage from the beginning of the night shift on Sunday until the end of the late shift on Monday. Similar strikes had already taken place on December 19 at other Amazon warehouses in Bad Hersfeld, Graben/Augsburg, Werne, Rheinberg and Koblenz.

Worker in an Amazon fulfilment centre (AP Photo/David McNew)

Verdi felt compelled to call for limited short-term strikes in order to defuse the growing anger of the Amazon workforce. Not only are workers currently facing the flood of returned and exchanged goods following the Christmas holidays, they are working under the constant threat of contracting the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Amazon has 17 logistics centres and more than 60 distribution centres in Germany with over 19,000 permanent workers, plus seasonal and subcontracted workers, and courier services. Verdi has repeatedly failed to address the exploitation of permanent and temporary workers, or the acute danger of corona infection.

There have been repeated outbreaks of COVID-19 at Amazon in Germanymost recently on January 6 at the Bad Oldesloe distribution centre in Schleswig-Holstein. There, 200 new infections were detected in the entire Stormarn district in one day, including cases of the Omicron variant. This was announced by the health department without giving any concrete information related to Amazon. Amazon has always kept information about where and how many workers have been infected carefully under wraps.

The topic of wearing masks is currently being discussed on the Facebook pages of Amazon workers: In Leipzig, masks are apparently only compulsory on walkways, but not at workstations. In other logistics centres, the health authorities have ordered the permanent wearing of masks following COVID outbreaks. In Bad Hersfeld, for example, one worker reported that she had to wear a mask for four hours non-stop while the company made no allowances for any additional breaks to allow workers to breathe fresh air.

In order to eliminate the coronavirus and enforce safe working conditions, Amazon workers must unite internationally in a joint struggle. Similar or identical conditions of exploitation prevail in all of the companys warehouses and shipping stations around the world, and the danger of becoming infected grows day by day. The first priority is for workers to be accurately informed about the real extent of new infections, so that they can protect themselves. Lockdowns with full compensation for all workers are needed to suppress the pandemic, combined with systematic contact tracing of all cases of infection.

The World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Parties have fought for the elimination of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Amazon workers must join together in rank-and-file committees that act independently of Verdi and other unions, the management and all of the bourgeois parties and politicians. These committees must then establish contact with colleagues in other logisitics warehouses and factories and in other countries. The pandemic can only be defeated internationally by working together to uphold the socialist principle of lives before profit!

The service sector union Verdi wants to prevent such a struggle at all costs. Its demands on the online mail-order giant are limited exclusively to Amazon accepting a federal, industry-standard, collective agreement. Verdi has been organising isolated, short term activities in line with this demand for eight years now. The unions tactics are completely predictable and are easily shrugged off by Amazon. The multinational can easily shift work affected by warning strikes to its other warehouses ensuring that profits remain untouched.

The works councils set up by Verdi at several Amazon sites are already working hand in hand with the corporation. This was explicitly acknowledged by the previous head of German operations, Ralf Kleber, who was recently replaced. In an interview with the business daily, Handelsblatt, Kleber said, 'We have works councils with whom we discuss every single step from break time to the changing rooms when necessary.' Verdi does not want to jeopardise this type of close cooperation under any circumstances.

Meanwhile, the company founded by multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos continues to perfect its divide-and-rule strategy: for example, parcel delivery workers are brutally exploited through the use of subcontracting. This was confirmed by a recent report made by the ZDF t.v. magazine 'Frontal' and Business Insider.

According to the report, subcontracted drivers work up to 11 hours a day for extremely low wages, which are arbitrarily set. One driver, for example, was promised a monthly salary of 2,000 euros, but after starting work, this sum was arbitrarily reduced to 1,600 euros. Frequently wages are paid late, sometimes weeks later. Several cases have been reported where a driver who fell ill was dismissed without notice on the same day. Reinstatement or severance pay, as well as payment of health insurance and social security contributions usually have to be fought out in court.

For example, a 48-year-old delivery driver who came to Germany from Pakistan thirty years ago, and has a family here, reported outstanding wages for five months since he started driving for various Amazon subcontractors. 'I had no problems until 2019,' the driver explained. Then I began working for Amazon - and then it was all downhill afterwards. Amazon denies it has any sort of responsibility for subcontracted drivers.

The attitude of the company management became abruptly clear recently when an Amazon shipping warehouse in the US state of Illinois was hit by a tornado. When the weather warning arrived on December 10, 2021, Amazon management refused to cancel the shift and protect workers, or send them home in time. Instead, they were forced to stay in the poorly built warehouse and continue working. The Edwardsville fulfilment centre was completely destroyed and six workers were killed.

The company has since pledged $1 million to assisst the surrounding community in its recovery efforts. This is the same amount that former CEO, Bezos, pockets in net worth every seven minutes.
In a text message sent to employees on January 7, Amazon announced it was cutting paid time off for people infected with COVID-19 from two weeks to one week, or a maximum of 40 working hours. The policy is effective immediately.

The text message, delivered on Amazons A-to-Z scheduling app, makes the demonstrably false claim that vaccination alone is enough to prevent the spread of severe infection, stating the risk is significantly decreased among the vaccinated. Notably, in citing this justification, Amazon did not then insist that its employees must be vaccinated to be at work.

It states: Throughout the past two years we have consistently based our response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the advice of our own medical experts. According to the memorandum, Amazon was updating its isolation and quarantine policy to one week.

In this Thursday April 16, 2020 file photo, The Amazon logo is seen in Douai, northern France. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler, File)

The new guideline comes amid a record-breaking spread of COVID-19 in the population, with the United States reporting over a million cases on Tuesday. Hospitalizations have increased 82 percent over the last 2 weeks and deaths have increased by 40 percent.

The U.S. has recorded more than 60 million COVID-19 cases, and according to New York Times data, more than 837,000 deaths.

On December 27, the CDC cravenly bowed to the interests of corporations, announcing that it would cut recommended quarantine time in half, from 10 days to five for employees infected with COVID-19. At the time, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky stated that the shortening of recovery time was needed in order to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science, or in other words, to make sure that mass infection does not interfere with the profit-making of corporate America.

The decision had come after the airline travel industry had lobbied the United States federal government for weeks. Massive outbreaks in the industry have led to the cancellation of thousands of flights over the last month and a half.

Commenting on the decision at the time, the Miami Herald said the updated guidelines are a result of a push from some experts to shorten the isolation period which wasnt sustainable as it would strain the workforce in critical industries.

On Thursday, Chris Smalls, the leader of a group seeking to establish a union at the JFK8 fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York City, announced on Twitter that at least 10 percent of the warehouse was out with COVID-19. This is a public health crisis [Amazon] hid cases from workers since 2020 the text they send to workers does not reflect the actual amount, he wrote. Last month, the New York state attorney ordered the JFK8 warehouse to increase its preventive measures against infection.

Im grateful that we at least are being given seven days [instead of the CDCs recommended five days], said an Amazon worker from Baltimore to the World Socialist Web Site. But who knows if that is a recommendation that is scientific or not. I honestly think they just set it at seven days because it is easier on Amazons payroll.

An article in Business Insider detailed Amazons drive to profit at all costs. It mentions an internal email sent by a warehouse manager during the December 2020 peak, who states, 'When I was hired, the term 'drinking from the fire hose' was the way it was described to all what it was like to work at Amazon.

This was not an accurate description at all, the letter continues. A better description would be something to the tune of drinking through the fire hose, underwater, while a group of people try to prevent you from coming up for air.'

The incident gives a rare look into the grueling life of Amazon's warehouse managers, the article states, adding that these corporate lieutenants are given a daily quota of handing out at least five write-ups, a written warning given to associates who fail to adhere to work policies.

Amazon burns through 3 percent of its workforce every week, or a 150 percent annual turnover rate in its workforce of close to two million workers. Some plants in rural communities have had to bus workers in from other areas.

The decision to cut isolation periods follows Walmarts policy announced on January 5 that it would cut pandemic-related paid leave in half, according to CNBC. According to the report, Amazon and other companies have repeatedly shifted their policies as the pandemic has lingered and new variants arise.

Amazons latest policy change contradicts other public health guidelines. In December, the company reintroduced a mask policy in its warehouses. 'In response to the rapid spread of the Covid-19 omicron variant in the U.S. and guidance from public health authorities and our own medical experts, face coverings are again required for everyone, an A-to-Z text declared.

This was one of many zigzags in policy. In May 2021, Amazon announced that workers were free to remove masks before bringing them back in August, and then again removing them in November. The company now again insists workers wear masks, yet insists on returning them to work after seven days of quarantine, during which many will still be infectious.

Amazon continues to conceal the number of infections at its US facilities. In October of 2020, Amazon released a report stating that 20,000 of its workers had tested positivethe last time Amazon has reported any figures publicly.

Meanwhile, Amazons profits are hitting record highs, with the latest figures showing profits of $3.2 billion in the quarter ending in September 2021. The earnings were up 15 percent from the same period in 2020, which itself was a record-earning year for the company.

Amazon workers must resist the corporate-driven campaign to force them back to work before they have recovered from COVID-19. Workers must form rank-and-file committees, such as have been formed by Amazonians in Baltimore against the managements efforts to expose them to the deadly disease in order to accumulate profit.

The committee is formed by and run by Amazon workers in order to protect their fellow Amazonians from the efforts to exploit them by management. It is independent from both the Democratic and Republican parties of big business and the established trade union bureaucracy, which itself is an arm of the corporations and has been essential in forcing workers back to work amid the pandemic.
Labors plan to create a so-called independent strategic fleet, announced by federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese in the New South Wales port city of Newcastle last week, has nothing to do with the provision of decent jobs and working conditions for merchant marine seafarers.

Rather, the plan is designed to channel hundreds of millions of dollars of public funds into the coffers of major shipping companies to allow them to purchase vessels for their own commercial requirements. At the same time, it is aimed at creating a marine fleet customised to support the Australian ruling classs role in US-led war preparations in the Indo-Pacific region, primarily directed against China.

The strategic fleet proposal is one of a series of policy releases delivered by Albanese over recent weeks, ahead of this years federal election. Like the others, it is pitched at the financial and corporate elite and is in line with his promise of a Labor government that backs Australian industry.

Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese [Credit: @AlboMP, Twitter]

In the Newcastle speech, saturated with unadulterated appeals to national chauvinism, Albanese declared: In times of conflict and crisis, our economic sovereignty and national security are dependent on Australian seafarers working on Australian ships.

Without a strategic fleet, Albanese proclaimed, Australias essential supply linesincluding fuel importsare vulnerable to the decisions of foreign governments or the whims of international shipping companies.

The fleet, Albanese said, was necessary because the risk of global or regional conflict leaves us vulnerable to the actions of foreign powers.

Just what global or regional conflict is the Labor leader referring to? Without naming the foreign powers that are supposedly threatening Australias security, Albanese clearly has China in his sights.

Albanese and Labor are in complete agreement with the Morrison Liberal-National governments AUKUS partnership with the US and the UK, including the acquisition of at least eight nuclear-propelled submarines. Albanese declared in a statement on September 16: [The AUKUS partnership] affirms what Labor has been calling for.

In a November interview, he outlined the supposed justification for stepped-up preparations for war with China: Australia is right to speak up for our own values. China is the nation thats changed in terms of their attitude towards Australian imports, for example, and Australian businesses are suffering.

This is simply war propaganda. In reality, it is the US that is aggressively preparing for war with China, in a bid to ensure American imperialist hegemony throughout the Asia Pacific. Australia is an active participant in the military and strategic preparations, which began under the last Labor government, of which Albanese was a prominent representative. And as part of the belligerent, Australia has imposed far more tariffs on Chinese goods, than Beijing has on Australian products.

In his Newcastle address, Albanese assured big business that the proposed strategic fleet of up to a dozen vessels including tankers, cargo, container and roll-on-roll-off vessels will be privately owned and commercially operated. This means seafarers employed on these vessels will be subjected to the very same measures taken by privately owned shipping companies over decades to slash operating costs at the direct expense of the workforce.

Seeking to exonerate Labor from any responsibility for this corporate assault on workers conditions in the Australian shipping sector, Albanese declared that the Liberal-National Coalition government has stood idle as large multinationals dumped Australian-flagged and crewed vessels so they could hire overseas crews.

This, Albanese declared, has destroyed the jobs of Australian seafarers and created a situation where none of the vessels our nation relies upon to deliver its essential supplies of crude oil, aviation fuel and diesel are registered in this country or crewed by Australians.

The massive destruction of jobs and working conditions has not taken place just over the last eight years, as Albanese claims, but has been ongoing in shipping and every industrial sector for almost four decades, beginning with the Labor governments led by Bob Hawke and Paul Keating from 1983 to 1996.

Acting on the dictates of global finance capital, Labor struck a series of Accords with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and big business. This cleared the way for deregulation of the economy, implementation of free market policies, privatisation of key infrastructure assets and an historic onslaught on workers conditions to make Australian capitalism internationally competitive.

This included the wholly government-owned ANL shipping line, which operated vessels on the Australian coast and in the Asia-Pacific region. The process to privatise ANL was launched by Labor in 1991 and included a far-reaching restructure in 1994 to dramatically slash operating costs after it failed to attract buyers.

The ANL sell-off was completed in 1998 by the Howard Liberal-National government, which had come to power after Keating was swept from office with the lowest working-class vote in history, a direct response to Labors relentless imposition of pro-market policies.

The ANL privatisation was fully supported by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). The unions national secretary, John Coombs, declared at the time that he had met with and had very productive discussion with the governments nominated buyer, key international freight business CGM.

Harking back to consensus, Albanese stated in his Newcastle speech that his government would immediately appoint a taskforce comprising representatives from the shipping industry, major charterers, unions, Australian business representatives and the Department of Defence to guide it on the establishment of the Fleet as quickly as possible.

Teresa Lloyd, CEO of Maritime Industry Australia Ltd (MIAL), which represents the collective interests of maritime businesses, registered her support for Labors strategic fleet policy. She declared the proposal will help to reignite Australian maritime activity, kick start home-grown capability and assist Australian businesses to be able to compete internationally, reinforcing our supply chain and civil maritime security.

The inclusion of maritime unions on the taskforce comes as no surprise. The MUA has long served as an industrial police force for the shipping and stevedoring companies. The unions role is to suppress workers opposition to the never-ending program of cost cutting and restructuring that has seen thousands of jobs axed, conditions torn up and increased reliance on casual labour.

At the same time, the MUA has conducted a reactionary nationalist campaign to blame foreign shipping workers for job losses. The purpose of this is to prevent the emergence of unified international struggle by Australian seafarers and their overseas counterparts to defend jobs and fight for decent wages and improved working conditions for all.

The MUA has fully backed Albaneses call for a strategic fleet to ensure national security in times of conflict, because it is exactly the perspective the union itself has advanced for years.

The unions position was expressed clearly by national secretary Paddy Crumlin at the Labor Partys national conference in March last year. Crumlin claimed Australia was being stood over by foreign powers and needed to establish a strategic fleet of warships and other vessels.

The MUAs recent declaration that it stands in solidarity with workers in all countries in opposing war and its promotion of limited No War With China rallies in December last year were entirely phony efforts to appeal to the genuine anti-war sentiment among its members and the broader working class.

At the same time, the union was attempting to conceal the true implications of its nationalist perspectiveto dragoon workers into the war preparations of the Australian capitalist class.

Maritime and waterfront workers should reject the poisonous program of national chauvinism being drummed up by Labor and the MUA and turn instead to a socialist perspective, based on developing the international unity of the working class in opposition to capitalism.

This means a fight for the establishment of a workers government that will place shipping, stevedoring and all vital industries under the democratic ownership and control of the working class. Under workers control, these key sectors can be operated to meet social need, not to line the pockets and fulfil the imperialist aims of the ruling elite.
A meeting of the National Cabinet yesterday, involving all of the countrys state, territory and federal governments, decreed that employees can be forced to remain working in a host of industries even if they live with someone who is COVID-positive and are thus likely to be infected themselves.

The announcement is the culmination of a weeks-long stripping back of close contact and isolation requirements. Having pursued a let it rip policy as Omicron emerged late last year, the governments are invoking the mass spread of the virus and a resulting supply-chain crisis to do away with even the most minimal infection controls. They are ensuring that their previous declarations that everyone will likely be infected with the deadly virus come to pass, so that big business operations can proceed.

This agenda is completely bipartisan, with Labor state and territory leaders constituting a majority of the National Cabinet. They have not only marched in lockstep with the federal government, but have become some of the most aggressive proponents of the live with the virus policy, especially Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

Meat workers at an Australian plant (Credit: Australian Beef Association submission to the 2015 Senate Inquiry)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison began a press conference after the meeting by bluntly stating: The idea that our measures, as governments across the country, Commonwealth and at a state and territory level, is to prevent everyone in the country from being infected with the virus, that is not the objective.

The very concept of protecting society from mass transmission, by isolating those exposed to the virus was outdated. This notion of exposure sites, which means youre a close contact, thats Delta. Thats in the past, Morrison declared.

All of these measures, allowing the uncontrolled spread of the virus, are based upon the claim that Omicron is mild, which was advanced by Australias governments, Labor and Liberal-National, within a week of the new variant having been discovered. Infections, the argument goes, have been decoupled from deaths and severe illness.

With this completely untested premise as justification, governments have allowed over a million confirmed infections to occur in the first fourteen days of this year, compared with fewer than 400,000 in the first two years of the pandemic.

But a journalist noted at yesterdays press conference that Morrison was repeating these claims of a mild virus, as Australia recorded its most daily deaths yet57 fatalities. There have been over 560 deaths in the past two months, more than 20 percent of the national total since the COVID crisis began.

Morrisons response was chilling. Omicron was mild, he insisted, because most people infected would experience a mild illness. This unsubstantiated claim completely ignores the potentially debilitating consequences of the conditions known as Long-COVID.

Even so, Morrison was forced to acknowledge that it was entirely possible that the new mild variant would kill more people than did Delta. So if youve got a much bigger number of people whove got the virus but a smaller proportion with severe illness, well, that number can be bigger simply because you got more people with a virus, he said.

Regardless, the governments were pressing ahead. Morrison pointed to Treasury warnings this week that up to 10 percent of the workforce could be furloughed as a result of COVID infections and exposures. If the schools were not opened at the end of January, there would be another five percent of parents out of the workforce.

The governments solution is to compel potentially sick workers onto the job, and millions of teachers and students into schools that should be renamed as mass incubation centres for the virus.

Two weeks ago, the National Cabinet redefined a close contact as somebody who had spent four or more hours inside a house with a COVID-positive individual, thereby excluding all workplace transmission.

At the beginning of this week, the Liberal-National government in New South Wales (NSW), together with the Labor governments of Victoria and Queensland, declared that the food production and distribution sectors would not have to adhere to even this stripped-back definition. They cited a supply chain crisis, caused by their own program of mass infection, which has seen up to half of the nations truck drivers off work isolating, and similar infection rates in food production plants.

At yesterdays meeting, the National Cabinet essentially declared that what began in food production will become the new normal of employers across the board forcing potentially-infected workers, who live with a COVID case, to remain on the job.

The long list of industries that may be exempted because they are considered essential indicates that millions of workers will be covered. It includes health, welfare, care and support; food, beverage and other critical goods; transport, freight and logistics; energy, resources and water, and waste management; telecommunications, data, broadcasting and media; financial and insurance services; education and childcare; emergency services, safety, law enforcements, justice and correctional services; essential research; critical government functions, federal, state, or local government and public works; accommodation and real estate, and jobs that support the above categories.

The state and territory governments will announce how broadly they are applying the listing, which was issued after days of talks between the federal government and big business representatives.

Significantly, Labor Premier Daniel Andrews announced the exempted industries in his state of Victoria, even before the National Cabinet had met. This was a clear signal of complete bipartisanship.

The Sydney Morning Herald has revealed that Andrews and extreme-right premier of NSW Dominic Perrottet are collaborating closely on planning for the forced resumption of in-person schooling in their states. The National Cabinet meeting assigned this task top priority. Not only will teachers be forced to stay on the job when they live with a COVID case. Everything will be done to ensure that the schools remain open, amid mass outbreaks.

As Morrison declared: The first principle is that child care and schools are essential and should be first to open and last to close. As he blurted out, this has nothing to do with the stated concerns over the mental health of children or the quality of their learning. The real issue is that, If schools dont open, then that can add an additional 5 percent to the absenteeism in the workforce. So it is absolutely essential for schools to go back.

The implications of the new rules are already clear. In some industries, including in NSW hospitals and several food-production plants, workers who are not only close contacts, but are actually COVID-positive, have been kept on the job.

This was the case at Teys Abattoir in the South Australian town of Naracoorte. Earlier this week it was revealed that a cohort of infected workers were being instructed to continue working because they were essential to operations and had been granted a state government exemption. Assurances were made that they would be isolated from their co-workers and transmission controls would be put in place. Today it was reported that the factory has now shut, after the virus spread to 140 of the plants workers.

One worker told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the decision to continue operations had been insane. The other staff that Ive spoken to, theyre bloody angry about it. Theres a lot of workers that have family here, you know, young kids and all that, nobody feels that they want to be the one going on and making someone sick just because work told them to.

Several trade union leaders have responded to the changing close contact requirements by expressing their concern, and even denouncing the measures as an endangerment of workers safety. The teacher unions have made mealy-mouthed statements, calling for enhanced safety measures in the schools, and for talks with governments on the timetable for the reopening.

But the unions are functioning as a linchpin of the entire live with the virus program. They are enforcing the dangerous workplace conditions, suppressing any industrial or political action by workers. Their role was epitomised by an open letter from Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus to Prime Minister Morrison this week, in which she pledged: We stand ready to work with government.

Workers must take matters into their own hands by forming rank-and-file safety committees in every workplace, completely independent of the corporatised unions. These must reject government herd immunity program, including by fighting for a shutdown of all non-essential industries and remote online learning in the schools and the universities, as the first step in a struggle for the elimination of the virus.

Above all, the fact that masses of workers are being infected by a deadly virus, so that big business activities can continue in full, exposes the bankruptcy of the capitalism system. The alternative is the fight for a socialist perspective aimed at reorganising society to meet social need, including by placing health and lives above corporate profit.
In a remarkable email sent out in the middle of the school day Wednesday, a principal of one K-8 public school in Brookline, Massachusetts, demanded that parents of middle grade students tell their children to stop worrying about their friends catching COVID-19and stop complaining.

The email obtained by the World Socialist Web Site states the following:

This morning has been a challenge. We have students who have tested positive, quarantined for 5 or more days, and returned to school with no symptoms. This is the proper procedure to follow. However, some students are sharing pictures of their rapid tests on social media or via text. You can test positive after the quarantine period for some time. We DO NOT require a negative test to return from the 5 days if you are vaccinated and symptom free. We are asking you to trust that our nurses and staff [are] working hard to keep everyone safe. We want to stay in school. Today we spent a lot of time answering calls, because worried students were texting parents. Students should not be in bathrooms texting during the school. Please reiterate this with your children at home. We will do the same.

This email is the result of the reckless school reopening policy implemented in all schools across Massachusetts. According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), schools must be open for in-person education to meet the required 180 days of instruction, despite the raging spread of the Omicron variant. On the day the Brookline email was sent, there were 22,184 new confirmed cases, a 21.61 percent 7-day positivity rate, 3,087 hospitalizations and 75 confirmed deaths.

The content of the email is suggestive of a significant fear spreading among students for their health and safety, as well as that of their friends and family. The principal of the school admonishes students for telling parents the truth of what is happening and demands that children and their parents accept the wisdom of school administrators who promote the lie of the Biden administration that schools are the safest places for children to be.

The school administration is attempting to defend the policies of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DESE, which aims to suppress concerns within the population about skyrocketing COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.

DESE has incorporated into its school guidance the unscientific CDC guidelines of reducing the quarantine of positive cases from 10 days to 5 days. DESE writes that individuals who test positive are to return to school after 5 days and once they have been without fever for 24 hours (and without taking fever-reducing medications); and experienced improvement in other symptoms. They note that these individuals must mask for 5 additional days when around others, adding,  Even with a 5-day isolation period, repeat viral testing prior to return is not recommended. (Emphasis added)

It is hardly surprising if students and their parents lack faith in the ability of nurses and staff  working hard to keep everyone safe, when actively infected and contagious children and educators are being sent back into school just five days after testing positive for COVID-19.

Despite all the pressure placed upon children to accept that it is normal for their friends, families and teachers to fall sick in record numbers, these studentsroughly 11 to 14 years oldare far from numb to what is going around them. Born in the age of the internet, they are concerned about not just their schools and neighborhoods but conditions in schools around the world.

Children worrying, questioning and discussing their concerns about health and safety are to be praised and supported, not admonished.

There is now a growing international movement of the working class and youth against the homicidal herd immunity being pushed by capitalist governments worldwide. In nearby Boston, high school students are planning a walkout today to protest the unsafe conditions in schools. Similar student-led walkouts have taken place in New York City and Oakland, California, with a demonstration planned in Chicago today. These students are joining educators who have entered into struggle against in-person learning across France, as well as Chicago, parts of Mexico and other parts of the world.

Student reports reveal that essentially no learning is taking place in reopened schools throughout the country. One student in Boston, adjacent to Brookline, spoke at an online meeting of Families for COVID Safety about conditions in the school: Many students were in the auditorium because there were not enough substitutes. I dont understand how that is not a lack of learning. That makes no sense. Were not doing anything.

Another stated, My teachers dont really know what to do with us. They dont know whether to choose new material because they dont want people out of school to be left behind. But they dont want to completely stop teaching us. So, my classes have honestly been a waste of time this week.

Despite the continual claims of government and school officials about the damage being done to students mental health by keeping schools closed, it is the unrestrained spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout schools and communities that is taking its toll on students.

Students ask themselves and their peers: Will I get sick? Arent some children dying? Will I get Long COVID? Will I bring home the virus to my parents? Will I infect my grandparents at a time when so many older people are dying from COVID-19?

Tasked with keeping schools open, administrators are demanding that children suppress such fears. They ask for blind belief in a system that is in shambles, while threatening to muzzle students who speak out and ask questions.

After a last-minute announcement on Sunday, January 2, the Public Schools of Brookline (PSB) closed schools for the first day of the new year, announcing: At this time, we simply do not have the staffing capacity to operate all schools safely. Schools were open the next day, however, without any explanation as to how the staffing problem was resolved.

In school districts across Massachusetts and the nation, staff members are being ordered to report to work despite not being fully recovered from a recent COVID-19 infection or being in close contact with someone infected, but who does not yet show symptoms. There is no reason to assume that these same methods are not being used in Brookline, and that the Brookline Educators Union, affiliated with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, has not participated in enforcing them.

In each country, the teachers unions are enforcing the ruling elites herd immunity policy which places profits over the lives of students, teachers and all workers. Educators, parents and students must form their own rank-and-file committees, independent of the unions and both big business parties, to carry out the necessary struggle to close schools as part of a broader strategy to stop the pandemic. We urge educators, parents and students in Brookline to sign up today to get involved.
Canadas Omicron-driven wave of COVID-19 infections has swept across the country like a tsunami, with official case numbers now dwarfing anything previously seen. Last week, the 7-day rolling average for new daily cases surged past 40,000 or more than four times its peak number in any of the four earlier waves of the pandemic.

Canadian Armed Forces personnel have repeatedly had to be deployed to assist overwhelmed health care facilities during the five waves of a pandemic that has now killed more than 30,000 Canadians and infected over two million. (CAF)

In the first 40 days following the identification of the first-case of Omicron in Canada on Nov. 29 there were more new infections than in all of 2020.

The efforts of the federal and provincial governments and corporate-controlled media to portray the new variant as mild are quickly being exposed to be a lie, as the lagging indicators of hospitalizations and deaths rise sharply. The number of patients in hospitals and intensive care units have risen from 1,446 and 451 respectively on December 15, to 4,425 and 665 on January 7. The 7-day average for deaths has quadrupled since mid-December, with 239 new deaths reported just on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Despite the increasing tendency among the media and the government to speak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past tense, the virus is spreading unabated and wreaking havoc on the population. The spike in Omicron cases represents the fifth wave of the pandemic in Canada and the third distinct wave since the introduction of vaccinations and widespread inoculation of the population began in late 2020.

Graph of daily new COVID-19 infections from January 2020 to the end of 2021 December, which clearly illustrates the five waves of the pandemic and the unprecedented number of infections during the current Omicron-driven fifth wave. (Government of Canada)

Approximately 15,000 Canadians officially died of COVID-19 in 2021, effectively matching the figure of around 14,700 for 2020. These official death figures undercount the actual toll by a significant margin when excess deaths are considered. The pandemic has now claimed more lives since the vaccine rollout began on December 14, 2020, than in the period prior to it. This horrific toll is the result of the governments abandonment of all non-pharmaceutical interventions based on the lie that vaccines alone could end the pandemicitself a thin cover for the ruling class murderous profit before lives agenda.

Elimination vs. mitigation

Dr. Malgorzata Gasperowicz of the University of Calgary explained at the World Socialist Web Sites Oct. 24, 2021 webinar, How to end the pandemic, that all community transmission of COVID-19 could be halted relatively quickly if a comprehensive range of public health measuresincluding the temporary closure of all schools and non-essential businesses, mass-testing, and systematic contact-tracingwere combined with mass vaccination. She further explained that even prior to the development of vaccines, it would have been possible through the application of well-established public health measures to keep the reproductive number (Rt), which shows how many people on average an infected person passes on the virus onto, below 1 for two to three months and thereby eliminate any new infections.

This Zero-Covid strategy has been successfully implemented, most notably in China, but also until recently in New Zealand and at varying times in Canadas Atlantic provinces and northern territories.

In contrast to this, the majority of Canadas governments, including those in the four most populous provinces (Ontario, Quebec, BC, and Alberta) that are home to more than 85 percent of all Canadians, pursued throughout the pandemics first four waves a mitigation policy, where restrictions were only implemented when health care systems were on the verge of total collapse. These limited measures often had the effect of temporarily bringing Rt below 1, but they were sabotaged by the political establishment long before community transmission was halted because they represented a drain on corporate profits.

With the emergence of Omicron, even the pretense of preventing infections has been dispensed with. The advocates of mitigation have now emerged as open proponents of herd immunity, arguing that the virus should be allowed to rip through the population on the spurious grounds this will result in widespread long-term immunity and that efforts to suppress and eliminate COVID-19 are too costly.

The third wave

Canadas second and third waves were severely exacerbated by the emergence of highly communicable variants of concern, first Alpha, then Gamma. The rollout of the vaccines, which still proved efficacious against these mutated versions of the coronavirus, combined with (half-hearted) lockdown measures as well as (belated) closures of in-person schooling, resulted in a sharp decline in new infections in most parts of the country by early summer 2021.

An example of this development is provided by Ontario, Canadas most populous province. The hard-right Ford government, facing public pressure and the impending collapse of the hospitals, issued lockdown orders to bring the third wave under control last spring. The closure of many workplaces and schools brought Rt from a high of 1.23 in early April to as low as 0.70 by the end of May.

Government officials responded by quickly abandoning the limited public health restrictions and pushing through a re-opening program in three stages. The province entered the last stage in July even as Rt exceeded 1 and nearly two-thirds of cases nationwide were being caused by the more transmissible Delta variant.

Increased vaccine uptake continued throughout the summer, helping mitigate the spread of the virus. Governments across the country went ahead with the return to in-person schooling in the fall, even though the vast majority of children had yet to be vaccinated. The result was an increase in cases as the burden of the pandemic shifted to kids. By mid-September, schools had become the most important vector of COVID-19 transmission, outpacing even workplaces.

(Public Health Ontario)

Official government spokespersons at all levels continually downplayed the risk the virus posed to children up until they became eligible for vaccinations, at which point they quickly made an about-face and pointed to the urgent need to get the jab into as many young arms as possible.

More than 250 children across the country have been admitted in to intensive care over the course of the pandemic. Children now make up 21.9 percent of new cases despite constituting only 10.8 percent of the population.

According to Statistics Canada, 35 percent of excess deaths between March 2020 and May 2021 (a period which includes all most all of the first three waves) occurred among those under 65 years of age compared to approximately 7 percent of official COVID deaths attributed to that cohort. While many of these excess fatalities can be attributed to the worsening opioid epidemic, this also indicates the degree to which COVID deaths among younger people are being underreported, a phenomenon that has likely increased with subsequent waves.

The fourth wave

The fourth wave was deadliest of all in the Prairie provinces, where hard-right governments eliminated virtually all public health protocols last summer and vaccination rates were lower than the rest of the country. The Delta-driven fourth wave nearly collapsed Albertas hospitals in the fall, with several health regions implementing care-rationing measures, known as triage, in September. This disaster was prepared two months earlier, when Alberta Premier Jason Kenney removed all public health measures at the beginning of July and declared the province open for summer. The government ended masking requirements and contact tracing, with its chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw declaring that Albertans would have to learn to live with COVID-19. This criminal indifference to public health led to a crisis, with federal intervention necessary to prevent the outright collapse of the hospital system.

Nationwide ICU occupancy rates during the fourth wave nearly eclipsed the peak of the second wave, despite the fact that almost two-thirds of the population was by that point fully vaccinated. Despite the experiences of the earlier waves, virtually nothing was done by governments to prepare health care systems for the fourth wave.

In Saskatchewan, under the right-wing government of Scott Moe, the repeal of restrictions in the summer led to a sharp rise in cases and hospitalizations in the fourth wave. Hospitalizations peaked in mid-October 2021 at nearly 350. Whereas there had been just once COVID death in the entire month of October 2020, there were 156 in the same month in 2021.

In early July 2021, the trade union-backed New Democratic Party (NDP) government in British Columbia ended the state of emergency that had been in place since the pandemics start in March 2020 and relaxed public safety measures along with it. Mask mandates were rescinded for those who had two vaccine doses. Even as the government recognized that cases were rising, they doubled down on their vaccine-only strategy, while herding children back into schools last September. The BC NDP government has continued to shroud school transmissions in secrecy by refusing to release figures on the numbers involved in school-based outbreaks.

In Quebec, Premier Francois Legault of the Coalition Avenir Quebec was among the first to call for an explicit herd immunity policy during the first wave. His government continued to keep children in overcrowded and poorly ventilated schools throughout 2021.

Across the country, the strain on health care systems caused by the virus is degrading the capacity to provide other services. Last September, 395 public health services were cut in Saskatchewan as a result of the provinces growing fourth wave. All regions of the country are reporting that severe burnout of staff and staff shortages threaten the provision of basic services. A study published in the spring in the Journal of Preventive Medicine found that the delivery of cancer screening tests in Ontario fell by 41 percent from 2019 to 2020. This trend likely repeated itself in 2021, with enormous implications for public health in the future. According to a report issued last month by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the pandemic resulted in 560,000 fewer surgeries being performed across Canada between March 2020 and June 2021.

Trudeau government responsible for policy of mass infection

The federal Liberal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has spearheaded the policy of mass infection during the pandemic, which has officially claimed over 31,000 lives to date. Trudeau has strongly supported and promoted the back-to-work/back-to-school drive, while cynically using the constitutions division of powers to leave day-to-day management of the pandemic to the provinces, so as to deflect responsibility for the resulting mass infection and death.

In its September 2020 throne speech, the Trudeau government declared that all future public health restrictions in response to COVID-19 should be short-term and at the local level, a framework that allowed the hard-right provincial governments to let the virus rip. It twice slashed federal aid to workers impacted by the virus, first from the measly sum of $500 per week to $400 in June 2021, and then further to $300 this November. Unveiling the latest cutback, which also included provisions designed to prevent most workers from accessing any financial aid at all, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland declared that the change would be the final pivot toward phasing out all government pandemic support entirely.

The federal government stubbornly resisted admitting that COVID-19 is transmitted through tiny airborne particles known as aerosols for almost two years. In November, the government did unveil new masking guidelines after belatedly conceding the airborne nature of the virus. However, no effort was made to inform the public about the necessity of using high-quality N-95 masks or elastomeric respirators, let alone to provide them to all workers or even those on the frontlines.

In November, the federal government even announced that the requirement for negative tests would be phased out for Canadians and permanent residents returning from trips less than 3 days long (the exemption was ultimately abandoned due to the surge in Omicron infections). Demonstrating who really calls the shots, Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, commented approvingly that the tests for travelers were unnecessary and outdated and that scrapping them would help Canada's businesses get back to workand compete.

When Omicron emerged, the Trudeau government sat on its hands while it spread like wildfire. Despite scientists rapidly identifying Omicrons more transmissible and vaccine-evading capabilities, and Canada already experiencing an expected late-November uptick in infections as people spent more time indoors with the approach of winter, the Liberal government took no action apart from imposing travel bans targeting southern Africa. Indeed, the prime minster waited a full three weeks before even addressing the public on the emergence of omicron.

Following Trudeaus lead, provincial governments have stubbornly refused to reintroduce even the piecemeal efforts used against Omicrons less transmissible cousins, promising even more morbidity and mortality. The variants ability to evade vaccine immunity has limited the benefit of fully vaccinating three-quarters of the population. Transmission is through the roof in every province with Rt no lower than 1.36 in Nova Scotia and as high as 1.70 in Saskatchewan by one early-January count. Case numbers have exploded in regions that previously had success in eliminating transmission, such as the Atlantic provinces, the northern territories and First Nations reserves.

Contact tracing has collapsed in most provinces, with Manitoba asking residents who test positive to notify those whom they may have exposed. PCR testing is also being abandoned as provinces push the public to rely on the rapid antigen tests with their corresponding high-false negative rates, or to not test at all.

(Public Health Ontario)

In Ontario, testing numbers have now approached the figures at the height of the second wave. The increasing test positivity rate, which was 26.9 percent according to the latest figures, points to the degree to which community spread under Omicron has run rampant. The World Health Organization advises that a test positivity rate of more than 5 percent indicates that the virus is spreading out of control.

While claiming that vaccines alone can end the pandemic, Canadas government has bungled the rollout of the third dose. Despite evidence indicating the waning effectiveness of the vaccine against the Delta variant and the threat of another winter surge, administration of booster shots was virtually non-existent outside of the most severely at-risk populations until Omicron produced a mad scramble last month. By December 1, only 3.4 percent of the population had received a third dose. The administering of the pediatric vaccine to children between 5-11 is also increasingly coming under criticism for its slow rollout, with only 39 percent having received a single dose so far. Governments have devoted precious little in resources to accelerate the campaign. In Nova Scotia, the premier has now appealed to Ottawa to send the military to assist with the vaccine rollout. Last week, Canadian Armed Forces personnel were deployed to Quebec to assist with vaccinations there.

All pretenses of a public health policy guided by science are now being dispensed with as the ruling class openly shows its hand by sabotaging attempts to curtail the spread of Omicron. The Retail Council of Canada openly applauded Ontarios recent reckless decision to reduce the period of self-isolation from 10 to 5 days as they struggle with staffing issues caused by COVID-induced absences.

As we begin the third year of the global pandemic, workers in Canada and around the world must resolve to put an end to COVID-19 once and for all. This requires that the social power of the working class be systematically mobilized against the profits before lives pandemic policy of the capitalist governments and financial oligarchy and in the fight for the only viable, science-based strategy to end the pandemic and the threat of new wavesa policy of global COVID-19 elimination.

Strict lockdowns covering all nonessential production and in-person learning must be paired with financial support for workers and small businesses as well as high-quality remote education, and the mobilization of societys resources to support a global campaign to eradicate COVID-19.

The ruling class is hoping that pandemic fatigue and its incessant propaganda will deter workers from demanding a scientific response to the pandemic and acquiesce to a situation of endemicity. In reality living with the virus means accepting tens of thousands of more preventable deaths just in Canada, and the ever-present threat of the emergence of new, even more lethal COVID-19 variants.
As Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students prepare walkouts Friday to oppose unsafe school reopenings during the deadly Omicron surge, anger is mounting against the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)s betrayal of the life-and-death concerns of teachers, students and parents.

On Monday, the CTU reached a miserable agreement with Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the CPS, in line with the Biden administration and the teachers unions, to keep schools open. The agreement shut down the collective action of 25,000 teachers who voted overwhelmingly to stop unsafe in-person learning in the school district, which is facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 cases. The rapid surge of Omicron cases over December and January across the country and the Chicago area spread throughout schools and workplaces, provoking widespread concern among teachers, workers and students.

The CTU leadership in the House of Delegates hastily stopped the remote job action this week and sent teachers back to schools before they even had a chance to vote on the agreement. On Wednesday, the CTU claimed the agreement passed by 55.4 percent of teachers in favor. Yet over 20 percent did not vote at all, meaning only 44 percent voted for the deal, which the CTU promoted as the best deal they could get.

Teachers in Chicagos Pilsen neighborhood march against the unsafe reopening of Chicago Public Schools last year [Credit: Twitter, @rcoppo1]

CTU President Jesse Sharkey sent a nervous email to teachers noting, The vote totals tonight are a clear show of dissatisfaction. He acknowledged, This agreement covers only a portion of the safety guarantees that every one of our school communities deserve.

He claimed, This agreement does give us the enforceable right to additional protections, and we have every intention of organizing at the school level across the city to continue protecting the safety of our students and their families.

In fact, the toothless measures agreed to by the CTU, including a modicum of testing and the handing out of N95 masks, will do nothing to stop the spread of COVID-19 cases throughout CPS schools and city neighborhoods. Minneapolis and other school districts around the country are shutting down as the virus rampages through schools and communities, with teachers, staff and students not showing up. The 7-day average of cases in Chicago is over 11,850, and the hospitalization rate is at the highest levels it has been, with over 196 Chicagoans current hospitalized every week. The official test positivity rate is currently at 17.7 percent.

In defiance of the treachery of the CTU, hundreds of Chicago working-class students are expected to walk out Friday as student protests spread across the country. The fight by educators and workers in the US is part of a global movement with 75 percent of primary school teachers in France going on a nationwide strike against unsafe conditions yesterday.

Chicago teachers returning to the classrooms this week spoke out against the unsafe conditions they are facing. Some classrooms are still dirty, the air quality is not that good, and children are not keeping their masks on their faces, an early childhood CPS teacher told the WSWS. Now, the CDC is saying its okay to go to work with COVID.

Another CPS teacher told the WSWS, I went back yesterday. We are at just about less than half capacity. I am still dealing with COVID symptoms so its pretty slow going. Nothing is normal. Its bittersweet being in the building. The thought of tomorrow and the next cycle's paycheck is looking ugly.

Parents expressed their anger at the CTU as well. Kimberly, a working-class parent in Chicago who attended the emergency meeting of the Midwest Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee on Wednesday, said, Ive never been more frustrated with capitalism. Im in alignment with everything shared yesterday. I want to do my best to change things.

Im really disappointed in the CTU vote last night. My kids currently have COVID. We are doing remote learning [because] two of their three classrooms have had to go remote anyway. We also live with my mom, who is immunocompromised.

Its like, as a culture, were saying the GDP is worth the death and disability this will cause. I really appreciate [the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee] reaching out. I was so frustrated and disheartened on Tuesday. Its helpful to have something useful to plug into in terms of changing things.

Another CPS parent, Dawn, added, Im really disappointed that the CTU did this. I dont know what happened at the bargaining table. You see the students swelling in these other districts. And some of the districts are taking a pause. Its maddening that they didnt close schools here too.

Even if the surge abates, were talking about extraordinarily high numbers. Kids are herded into auditoriums like Lane Tech High School. The idea that remote learning keeps them from learning is hogwash.

Opposition on social media by teachers also remained high. Bridey, a teacher-librarian, voiced her opposition to the CPS-CTU deal on the CTU Facebook page: What about the schools that were at the 40 percent threshold and still had students come in today? How did that keep any of us safe? Make it make sense.

Jessica said on Twitter, I just pulled my kid out of school because of an alarming lack of safety protocols. This is in an area with a huge amount of resources. Its like we are expected and encouraged to get the virus because of some unfounded idea that if we all get Omicron, the pandemic will blow over. We are called hypervigilant and neurotic for wanting not ... to ... get  sick! Bravo to any of us who push back.

Angry students also condemned the CTU and the Lightfoot administration. One student mocked the unions claims that it would listen to the students. They added, The safest thing to do now is stay at home for at least TWO weeks. The union and Lightfoot: Ok, [they do] the opposite. If you listen to students then, SEND US REMOTE PLEASE!

A student group called Good Kids Mad City stated, Safety is possible! For our members who attend charter schools theyve been remote learning since winter break! Our members who attend CPS have decided not to go back to school until its safe! Were in solidarity with students walking out on Friday in protest of.

The opposition of students, teachers and parents must be taken out of the hands of the unions like the CTU and the Democratic Party, which are conspiring to keep the schools open no matter what the human cost.

The Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, part of a global network of rank-and-file safety committees, is leading the fight to save lives and end the pandemic with a Zero COVID strategy. Such a strategy must include the immediate closure of in-person learning until community spread is contained, resources for parents and teachers for high-quality remote education, protection of incomes, and linking the struggles of teachers, workers and students across the country and internationally against the capitalist system that enforces the interests of profits over human lives.

Contact us to join the Chicago Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee.
With COVID-19 cases exploding across Europe, an international mass movement is building against government policies leading to massive infections in the schools. As French teachers mounted a nationwide strike against the disastrous handling of the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday, Italian students were preparing for a nationwide walkout today amid mass support for distance learning and opposition to studying in unsafe schools.

The French teachers strike, organized around a statement criticizing risky gambles on health as the state loosens testing and isolation measures, obtained massive support. French teachers unions claimed 75 percent participation by primary school teachers and 62 percent by high school teachers in the strike, which shut down approximately half of schools in France. The remainder functioned with skeleton staffs.

French riot police violently assaulted high school students who began the protest in a number of cities by blockading their schools when they normally would have opened. In Paris, they beat and tasered students outside Colbert high school, and kettled and searched students protesting outside Helene Boucher high school, arresting two. Police also wounded one student, driving a police car through a crowd of protesting students outside a high school in Nantes.

Teachers gather during a protest in Lille, northern France, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. French teachers have walked out in a nationwide strike Thursday to express anger at the way the government is handling the virus situation in schools, denouncing confusing rules and calling for remote learning. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)

Marches began in the early afternoon, after general assembly meetings held in several schools under the auspices of trade union officials later in the morning. Teachers chanted Their profits, our schools sacrificed, shouted slogans against Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer, and sang songs from the 20182019 yellow vest protests against social inequality. Large marches took place in Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nice, Grenoble, Chambery, and other cities, as well as in the capital, Paris.

In Paris, candidates in the upcoming April presidential elections tried to walk at the head of the march: Socialist Party (PS) mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF) deputy Fabien Roussel, and left populist candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon. These parties have not organized any left-wing opposition to President Emmanuel Macrons policies of mass infection, however. LFI in fact helped promote anti-vaccine protests this summer. Given their records, these candidates received a number of hostile comments from the crowd.

We dont care if youre prancing around, one protester shouted at Hidalgo, while another told France Info: Anne Hidalgo and the PS in general have really not defended education. Now, teachers and the entire world of education are really angry.  Anne Hidalgo, I dont care about her.

Mass protests are also unfolding today in Italy, as the Stalinist-linked Union of Students (UDS) calls a nationwide walkout against a dangerous return to school after Italian school holidays ended Monday. This followed walkouts earlier this week by high school students in the regions of Campania, Ancona, Ascoli and Sardinia opposing the return to schools. A student told ANSA News: We all agree that distance learning is harmful to the socialization and coexistence of students, but the right to health and not to be infected is now more important.

Announcing the nationwide student strike, UDS coordinator Luca Redolfi blamed the Italian government: After almost two years of the pandemic, it is unacceptable that schools are still unprepared.  Mass transit and classrooms are overcrowded, school buildings are unfit to deal with the pandemic, testing is often not done, N95 masks are not guaranteed, and contact-tracing system is exploded.

Nonetheless, while calls for distance learning are largely popular among Italian youth, the UDSs Redolfi echoed the Italian governments position, claiming: The solution cannot however be distance learning, as it has been shown that distance learning can only be a tool in emergencies. What this bankrupt argument overlooks is the fact that the pandemic is a European and global emergency.

This week saw 2 million new COVID-19 cases in France, 1.2 million in Italy, 1 million in Britain, and 7.7 million cases and 20,899 deaths in Europe overall. Infections are rising by 50 percent each week, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that government policies mean more than half of Europes population will catch COVID-19 in the next six to eight weeks. France and Italy alone have over 4 million and 2.2 million active cases of COVID-19, respectively. This means 6 percent of the French population and 3.6 percent of Italians currently have COVID-19.

These horrific conditions are provoking protests and strike actions internationally, with protests by US teachers in Chicago, San Francisco, New York, and Boston and now across Europe. The initial mobilizations of workers and youth are blowing apart the pretense that there is any popular support for state policies of mass infection. Measures to allow governments to force sick and infectious workers back to work after brief isolation periods of five to seven days, or to force students to stay in crowded, infected classrooms amid a massive upsurge of the virus, provoke mass anger and concern.

This was further underscored by two polls this month of European students. Last week, 78 percent of 10,000 Sorbonne University students in Paris said they opposed the universitys decision to force them to sit for exams by the hundreds in large rooms together, thus helping spread the virus. This week, as Italian students returned to classes, the Skuola teaching portal carried out a poll that found that 69 percent of Italian students support a shift to distance learning.

The decisive issue is what political perspective and leadership this emerging international movement of workers and youth needs to halt the pandemic and end the subordination of health and lives to private profit. The haphazard mitigation policies and one-day strikes advocated by the unions will not stop the virus, which is airborne and can infect both the vaccinated and the previously infected. Nor will they change the minds of governments that are determined to keep youth at school and workers at work, producing profits for the banks.

The alternative is to organize rank-and-file committees in schools, factories and workplaces across Europe and internationally, independent of the national trade union bureaucracies, to mobilize the working class and youth for a global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This requires a political struggle, organizing internationally the full industrial might of the working class to close schools and non-essential production and impose a scientifically guided Zero-Covid policy.

The danger is that without an international perspective and program, the political establishment can use one-day strikes to try to lull the population to sleep and delay action, when in fact, time is of the essence in order to prevent further mass death. Perhaps the most perfected example of this are the factions of the French trade union bureaucracy that the media traditionally promote as radical.

Yesterday evening, the French unions held an emergency meeting with Blanquer and via videoconference with Health Minister Olivier Veran, who has tested positive for COVID-19. While Blanquer promised more N95 masks, testing kits and substitute teachers to replace the sick, he made clear that the government does not intend to change its policy of refusing to block transmission of the virus in schools by shutting down classes where students fall ill.

Coming out of the meeting with Blanquer, high school teachers union official Sophie Venetitay indicated that the unions simply want Blanquer to more effectively market the inadequate policies he had announced. She said: There are a few signals, but we need more. Tonights promises must be kept because weve had big discussions without results before. The discussions that were scheduled must happen, and there must be changes in public relations.

Similarly, Frances Stalinist General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union has announced a further one-day strike in two weeks, for January 27. By that time, however, if nothing is done, tens of thousands more people will have died and tens of millions more will have fallen ill with COVID-19 across Europe.

The alternative is to link up the independent, rank-and-file organizations of the working class internationally, forge the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), and mobilize the working class in a political struggle to stop the pandemic. The Parti de legalite socialiste calls on to teachers, youth and workers interested in joining such committees to contact the World Socialist Web Site .
The strike of over 8,000 workers at the King Soopers supermarket chain in Colorado is continuing into its third day. Striking workers report that stores have been unable to find many scabs to fill positions, and salaried workers brought in from out of state have been inadequate to close the gap. Most shoppers have refused to cross the picket line, and those that do are often greeted by empty shelves and closed departments.

Strike action by King Soopers workers, who are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, is a demonstration of the growing opposition by workers to corporate exploitation. Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers, made over $4 billion in profit last year, yet has made every attempt to squeeze as much value out of its employees as it can.

Kroger workers across the country report that they are exhausted and fed up. For years, and especially during the pandemic, they have been consistently been asked to do more work for less pay.

Grocery store worker pickets outside a King Soopers store after the union rejected the latest contract offer from the chain that is owned by Kroger, Co., Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

One Kroger worker from Houston told the World Socialist Web Site, Its very stressful and exhausting. I used to care a lot about my job and trying to get everything right, but over the last few years I just couldnt do it anymore and gave up. It was the only way I could cope and not have another mental breakdown at work.

These kinds of conditions are reminiscent of working conditions from a hundred years ago, when workers were driven to the point of exhaustion only to receive barely enough to survive on. Today, two-thirds of Kroger workers cannot afford basic necessities, and one in seven has experienced homelessness while working for the largest grocery chain in the country.

Workers across the country have had enough, from workers in the auto industry to teachers seeking to oppose poverty wages, brutal working hours, and above all, the sacrificing of their lives to profit during the pandemic.

Striking workers at King Soopers must appeal to and link up with the wide support for their struggle. While the strike is confined to the Denver and Boulder area, it is inspiring and encouraging to workers around the state and across the country.

A Kroger worker from Seattle said, Kroger makes their entire company off of the blood sweat and tears of its workers. We make the company possible. And we sacrifice everything to do so. Dont give up. Dont give in. Dont settle for less than you deserve, because youre worth so much more.

Workers at King Soopers stand at the head of a growing wave of opposition within the working class. Across Colorado, contracts are expiring for grocery and retail workers. Railway workers for BNSF, which has major facilities in Denver, are pressing for strike action against a regressive attendance policy, and 30,000 oil refinery workers at Exxon will see their contract expire on February 1.

But workers are not just fighting the largest supermarket chain in the country, but also the United Food and Commercial Workers union. The UFCW is a pro-corporate outfit with $1.1 billion in assets and spent $287 million dollars in 2019, only 1 percent of which went to strike activities. UCFW International President Anthony Perrone makes $340,000 a year, and UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova makes over $200,000 a year.

The UFCW has spent the past two years forcing workers in food processing and grocery to remain on the job in spite of mass infections. UFCW Local 7 did nothing to oppose outbreaks at a JBS beef plant in Greeley, Colorado, except to rent a billboard with the pictures of the six workers who died. Their inaction prompted wildcat actions by workers themselves in the summer of 2020 to force a shutdown.

While the bureaucrats received their salaries from union dues, six workers died of COVID-19 at the JBS meat packing plant in Greeley, Colorado, the same plant where managers placed bets on how many workers would be infected. It would take a wildcat walkout by workers to enforce a temporary closure in 2020, due to a lack of support from UFCW 7.

Among grocery workers, the UFCW has sought to prevent one strike after another and kept workers on the job with expired contracts. In Arkansas, UFCW Local 2008 has kept Kroger workers on the job throughout the state without a contract, except for token job actions at individual locations.

If the UFCW has a strike now, it is because they are terrified that they could lose control entirely over the workers. This also accounts for why the local is paying up to $800 per week in strike pay for workers who participate in picket duty. However, the union has also capped the strike in advance to three weeks, giving the company advance notice of how long they need to weather the strike.

The UFCW is currently isolating its own workers on the picket line. While workers in Colorado Springs voted nearly unanimously to strike, the union suddenly called off their strike before they were supposed to walk out on Wednesday. Workers were confused and frustrated to learn that they would not be striking and that the union would not provide a clear answer as to why. As of this writing, no explanation has been provided by the union about why workers in Colorado Springs are still at work, and when, or if, they ever will go on strike.

A worker in Colorado Springs told the WSWS that there was a lot of enthusiasm and eagerness leading up to the strike before we got the news on Sunday that we wouldn't be going out to strike with Denver. That enthusiasm hasn't died out, but I am starting to see that people are growing more confused, anxious, and frustrated as we wait to hear what our plans are going forward. Especially since at this moment in time, we are currently operating without a contract, and won't be for however long this lasts. All of our union's leadership is currently focusing on Denver. So until they start redirecting there focus on the [Colorado Springs] area, we won't know when a strike will occur.

In addition, the strike is an unfair labor practices (ULP) strike, a legal-bureaucratic designation which prevents the union from explicitly raising economic demands, instead demanding only that the company negotiate in good faith. This gives the union and management an escape clause to end the strike at any time without any agreement, on the grounds that good faith negotiations are now taking place.

[The unions] have had the power and responsibility to make sure this didn't happen [low pay and harsh working conditions], said one Seattle-area Kroger worker. It's been a massive failure on their part as well. And they bring in millions in revenue from dues alone and pay out in the ballpark of 25 percent to their own interests and salaries. Not to mention hotels, airfare, donations, political contributions and so forth.

Another Kroger worker from Texas said, I feel like the union communication is severely lacking. Ive paid into the union for nine years and I dont feel like its been worth it.

Workers at King Soopers should draw the lessons from this universal experience and form rank-and-file strike committees in order to enforce workers control over the struggle and countermand any attempt by the union officials to sabotage their struggle. These committees must also build up the broadest possible unity with workers across Colorado and around the country, calling on them to support their efforts in the fight against the Kroger giant and build a unified movement of the working class.
That puts the future of Daewoo Shipbuilding, which has been managed by main creditor Korea Development Bank, on the line again after the EU antitrust watchdog cited concerns that the merger could threaten competition in the global market for large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

The EU has blocked a mega-merger between Korean shipbuilders Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. Hyundai Heavy had been seeking to absorb Daewoo Shipbuilding for the past three years.

Hyundai Heavy needs approval from all the countries where it operates, and even one veto could jeopardize the deal. China and Korea have already given the go-ahead since Hyundai Heavy signed a contract with KDB back in 2019 to acquire and absorb Daewoo Shipbuilding.

The two Korean shipbuilders would account for a 60-percent share of the global market for LNG carriers. If Hyundai Heavy and Daewoo Shipbuiling jack up LNG vessel prices, the EU fears shipping companies like Maersk of Denmark and CMA CGM of France could suffer damage. Among six countries Hyundai Heavy sought approval from, China, Singapore and Kazakhstan have given their unconditional approval.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Daewoo must find a new owner and pledged to come up with a new plan to strengthen the shipbuilder's competitiveness.
Con el objetivo de seguir trabajando de forma articulada por el retorno a las clases presenciales, la premier @MirtyVas participa en la reunion intergubernamental entre el @MineduPeru, el Consejo Directivo de la @ANGRPERU y los directores/gerentes regionales de Educacion. pic.twitter.com/ZEBjqLJZVV
Ahead of the scheduled reopening of Australias schools in late January and early February, the media is pumping out a daily barrage of propaganda and disinformation denying the dangers posed by record high COVID infections to teachers, school workers and children.

Among the most prominent piece was an open letter published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, For the sake of the forgotten voices of the pandemic, reopen Australias schools, issued by 35 academics, doctors and community leaders.

The four lead authors were epidemiologist Catherine Bennett, Professor of Psychiatry Patrick McGorry, Professor of Child Health David Isaacs, and Professor of Paediatrics and Epidemiology Fiona Russell.

Patrick McGorry [Source: Paul Hagon - Wikimedia]

At least two of these figures, Bennett and McGorry, have ties with the federal government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Bennett has clearly positioned herself as among the most right-wing epidemiologists who are regularly consulted by the mediaconsistently supporting every measure of the Morrison government and opposing lockdowns and other emergency restrictions. McGorry has received various state accolades including the Order of Australia and has promoted the federal governments grossly inadequate spending measures on youth mental health, of which tens of millions of dollars have flowed into his own initiatives.

Among the additional signatories are Dr Nick Coatsworth, the former deputy chief medical officer who has become notorious for his diatribes against any further restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID. Another is Tim Soutphommasane, University of Sydney political scientist, an individual with no medical training whatsoever, but who was last year promoted in the press for his calls to live with the virus, under conditions in which most states and territories had eliminated transmission.

Whatever the motivations of each of the various signatories, the content of the open letter can be summarised as combining scientific misinformation with callous indifference to the health impact of mass COVID infection among children and school workers. It serves to justify the homicidal herd immunity policy, based on encouraging infections to spread unchecked throughout the population, that is now the policy of every state and federal government, Labor and Liberal.

Three main arguments were advanced for opening the schools on schedule:

(1)A delay to return to in-person learning is not a proportionate response.

The open letters signatories insist that COVID is a mild disease in children and that the overwhelming majority of children recover from this virus without adverse effect.

The latter assertion represents a repudiation of basic principles of medical care and public health policy. An assessment of a diseases severity is not based on whether or not a majority of those who contract it are adversely affected. Polio, to take one example, permanently paralyses 1 in 200 of the children who contract the virus, i.e., 0.5 percent. The fact that the overwhelming majority of those who contract the virus that causes poliomyelitis are not severely affected has not prevented the global organisation of a decades-long and multi-billion dollar eradication drive.

With regard to COVIDs mildness for children, the authors of the open letter simply ignore the evidence documenting the devastating effects of the virus on a significant layer of young people.

The surge of Omicron variant infections globally has seen an escalation in the numbers of child hospitalisations. In the US, where overall daily infections are higher than 750,000, nearly 800 children are being hospitalised every day. While scientific research is still emerging on the health impacts of the Omicron variant compared to other COVID strains, there is evidence that it may cause greater upper-airway issues that are potentially more dangerous for children because of croup and bronchitis.

Among the most serious effects of the virus is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which can trigger multiple organ failure. Several cases have been documented of children with MIS-C having to endure the amputation of multiple limbs in emergency surgery.

The open letter made no mention of MIS-C. Even more strikingly, the 35 signatories never once referenced Long COVID. A substantial proportion of those infected develop long term symptoms, including fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and neurological issues including brain fog. The long term, potentially life-long, health effects remain unknown. A recent British study by researchers at UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital found that 1 in 7 children who contract COVID will still have symptoms 15 weeks after being infected. A report issued on January 6 by the Office for National Statistics estimated that 117,000 children in Britain now live with Long COVID.

(2) A delay to returning to in-person learning ignores the obligation to deliver the best education possible to children, greatly disadvantages the least privileged and causes unnecessary anxiety and harm.

The open letter was silent on the obligation to do everything possible to minimise entirely preventable illness and death. It likewise made no consideration of the unnecessary anxiety and harm that is being triggered in children by the infection of their families and friends, as a consequence of the herd immunity strategy.

In the last two years, teachers and school workers developed extraordinary skill in delivering online learning. This was despite being hamstrung by grossly inadequate government support, such as additional funding for information technology resources, professional development support and increased staffing to accommodate extra planning time. Efforts to whip up a moral panic over learning loss during lockdown periods suffered a blow last year when the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) showed test results almost exactly equivalent to those from 2019.

With regard to the disadvantages endured by the least privileged, there is no question that working class and poor children confront grossly inequitable conditions. The extensively privatised school system in Australia is an engine for perpetuating and deepening social inequality. To address this situation would involve ending the multi-billion dollar public subsidies given to private schools, and the funnelling of vast additional resources into public schools in working class communities.

Herding the least privileged children into COVID infested classrooms will do nothing whatsoever to address educational inequality.

(3) A delay in returning to in-person learning puts childrens mental health at risk.

Again, there is no question that the pandemic has created mental health pressures for many children, as it has for the population as a whole.

The open letter, however, presents the situation in an entirely one-sided manner. It referred to a worldwide surge in cases of mental ill health and of life-threatening presentations to emergency departments for suicidal risk and emerging mental illness. This ignored the latest available Australian suicide statistics, showing a decline in the number of suicides in 2020, to the lowest level since 2016.

Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, an epidemiologist from the University of Wollongong, last year told the Guardian: The reality is rarely as simple as binary statements make it out to be. What we found was that lockdowns may harm mental health to an extent, but they are not associated with any increase in suicide, and they also prevent COVID-19 epidemics which definitely cause mental health harms as well.

Properly implemented lockdown and related emergency health measures ought to involve a vast increase in public funding for medical resources, such as child psychologists and community programs for families. There also needs to be guaranteed income support for adversely affected workers and small business owners. Financial distress is a major trigger for mental health disorders in adults, and when parents suffer from conditions like depression and anxiety their children are invariably affected also.

The open letter, however, is silent on such matters. Instead, reopening schools is promoted as the panacea.

The signatories stated patronisingly that they recognise that mitigation measures such as improved ventilation and/or masks may help parents and teachers feel more comfortable with the return to school, but insisted that schools must open their doors on schedule, regardless of any problems with basic mitigation measures.

Due to vaccine supply and booking issues, only a minority of children under 12 years will have received a single shot before they return to their classrooms.

The open letter asserted that it is likely that schools pose no increased risk of transmission compared with the general community even when the virus is circulating at high levels, and that opening schools will not materially add to the burden on the health system. It added, most infections occur within households, and that schools in general reflect community transmission rather than being a key transmission driver.

Who do the signatories think they are kidding? Scientists know that the highly infectious Omicron variant is spread when people share the same air space, even for just a few seconds. Even prior to Omicron, schools emerged as centres of infection, in Australia and internationally. Almost all of the major infection clusters in Australia late last year were in schools. In the working class Victorian regional town of Morwell, to take one example, a local primary school that has about 400 students registered 80 infections in a cluster last November.

A major disaster is being prepared with the national school reopening drive. Unless halted by the independent action of parents, teachers and school workers, and students, the inevitable outcome will be mass infection, enormous disruption to childrens education, and needless suffering and death.

This agenda has nothing whatsoever to do with young peoples learning or mental wellbeing. It is a class measure, driven by the demands of big business and finance capital to ensure workers remain in their workplaces, as part of the wider program to eliminate all remaining health restrictions that impinge on the accumulation of profit and private wealth.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is no longer exerting much effort in concealing these calculations, yesterday declaring: If schools dont open, then that can add an additional five percent to the absenteeism in the workforce. So it is absolutely essential for schools to go back safely and to remain safely open if we are not to see any further exacerbation of the workforce challenges were currently facing. So schools open means shops open.

The open letter demanding the school systems reopening will serve as an enduring indictment of its 35 signatories, and, for the medical professionals among them, as a gross dereliction of duty.

The Committee for Public Education is holding an online meeting on January 23 at 11 a.m. (AEDT), No to Australian school reopenings amid record COVID infections! Educators, students, parentsjoin the fight for rank-and-file safety committees! We encourage everyone to register in advance.
As the spring semester is about to start for students in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the system administrations devastating restructuring plan, approved on July 14 of last year, has begun in full force. The plan entails the axing of staff, faculty and educational programs.

Daniel Greenstein, chancellor of Pennsylvanias State System of Higher Education [Source: Wikimedia Commons]

The so-called consolidation plan has merged six universities into two schools: California, Clarion and Edinboro, on the one hand, and Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield, on the other.

In a study conducted by the Political Economy Research Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, more than 1,500 jobs will be eliminated by the restructuring, including 809 faculty and over 600 staff. The most recent job cuts have happened at Lock Haven and Mansfield universities, where 26 faculty positions are on the chopping block for the academic year of 2023-24.

Both big business parties with the support of the trade unions have for years pushed for this destructive plan, salivating at the prospects of dropping the state system from the state budget permanently. As early as January 2019, Democratic Governor Tom Wolf noted when swearing in Dr. Daniel Greenstein as Chancellor of PASSHE that he was talking about fundamental transformation and redesign of state systems, entailing closures and public-private partnerships.

PASSHE officials and the state government point to the systems financial situation as justification for the layoffs and mergers and say this will reduce costs for students. However, they paper over the fact that PASSHE and the states policies have deliberately plunged the system into its financial mess and the plan will do nothing to alleviate the skyrocketing cost of tuition and the debt students will carry after graduation.

At the start of last years semester, Pennsylvanias 14 state-owned universities lost over 5,000 students, a drop in enrollment not seen in over three decades. The largest drops ranged from 12.19 percent (4,465 to 3,922) at Clarion to less than 1 percent (17,719 to 17,640) at West Chester. The system, founded in 1983, saw its enrollment peak at about 119,500 students in 2010 and has since fallen to 88,651.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ruling classs criminal profit-over-lives policy has prompted a mass exodus of students who are refusing to attend coronavirus-infested universities, accelerating a process that has been underway for over a decade. State officials are using the overall 5.4 percent downturn and the anticipated loss of $36 million (4.5 percent) in tuition revenues to further entrench their consolidation plan proposed and approved by the Democratic government-appointed Greenstein.

With the rapid surge of the highly transmissible Omicron mutation, spring enrollment numbers will be down across the board for each PASSHE school. Despite the freeze in tuition fees for the past three years by the state system to retain as many students as possible, the pandemics impact on family incomes has also compelled young people to postpone college education or seek cheaper forms of schooling.

According to Cody Jones, spokesperson for PASSHE: We suspect that we are finally seeing the COVID-19 effect on enrollment that some expected to see last fall.

PASSHES financial situation is compounded by its low financial support from the state legislature. Pennsylvania ranks 47th among the 50 states in per capita funding for state universities, including the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State.

Despite the rhetoric coming from Greensteins office, the merging of schools has not expanded opportunities for students but drastically limited their educational choices and academic aspirations.

In October 2020, Greenstein told the state legislature that mergers could mean that mechatronics engineering technology, a degree program within engineering offered only at California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U), would become available to students at all three merged universities in the western portion of the state.

But in December 2021, Christine Kindl, spokeswoman for Cal U, said in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the program will be taught only to those on Cal Us campusmore than 100 miles from both Clarion and Edinboro, and went on to list more academic programs which will be inaccessible for new students in the fall 2022 semester. Last month, PASSHE officials slashed majors such as physics, philosophy and art history at some schools for the coming academic year.

A faculty member at Bloomsburg University, Ms. Lee, in a letter sent to the Provost and cited in the Post-Gazette, scathingly attacked PASSHE officials for going forward with this plan to reduce the quality of education. What I have never seenand never thought I would see, said Lee, is an institution so hell-bent on its own short-term survival that it resorts to destroying its mission as a university. The teacher continued, Yet over the course of many mercenary decisions executed in a fashion callous as well as disingenuous, [Bloomsburg University] has not only lost its way but sold its proverbial soul.

The dissolution of the philosophy majoralong with physics, anthropology, and whatever programs are selected for extinction nextis not, I think, a cause of Bloomsburgs death as a university, but rather the effect of the decision to value the generation of revenue over education, she concluded.

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), the organization representing 5,000 workers at the state universities, has done nothing to stop the gutting of academic programs or elimination of faculty, who waged a courageous struggle in 2016 to defend the PASSHE system and their jobs.

Jamie Martin, the president of APSCUF, issued a trite, spineless statement on the most recent layoffs at Mansfield and Lock Haven universities. She reiterated that APSCUF will not lift one finger to stop the layoffs and then brazenly told faculty that the organization will work harder to move forward with the consolidation process.

I am heartbroken for my [terminated] colleagues  [but] our faculty members continue to do the important, valuable jobs they were hired to do, she stated. The consolidation  will not occur by flipping a switch, and, as the chancellor mentioned in this weeks Act 50 Senate hearing, there is still much work to be doneand our faculty will be doing much of the heavy lifting  the consolidation work cannot progress without the efforts and expertise of our faculty.

While APSCUF leaves faculty and students out to dry, allows educational programs to end and COVID-19 is running rampant in schools, new organizations, rank-and-file committees, are required to defend education. The Pennsylvania Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee (PERFSC), formed in 2020 by educators and independent of the pro-corporate unions, is fighting to save education from destruction and stop the pandemic to save lives.

PASSHE faculty and students who are interested in fighting the attacks on public education, the herd immunity policy of the ruling class which has resulted in the deaths for over 830,000 people in the United States and almost 5.5 million globally, should contact us today. The PERFSC and WSWS will do everything to assist you in the formation and development of a rank-and-file committee at your workplace.
Human rights organisation BTselem has highlighted the massive increase in Israels attacks against the Palestinians in 2021, the deadliest year since Israels criminal assault on Gaza in 2014.

According to BTselem, Israels security forces killed 313 Palestinians in the Palestinian territories it has illegally occupied since the 1967 Arab Israeli war: 236 in the Gaza Strip, almost all during the 11-day assault in May, and 77 in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Another six were killed either at the hands of soldiers or armed settlers. A further 25 Palestinians in Gaza were killed by rockets fired at Israel that landed within Gaza, while it was unclear whether another eight were killed by Israeli forces or Palestinian rocket fire. In the West Bank, Israels de facto subcontractors, the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, killed two Palestinians during their arrest.

An explosion caused by Israeli airstrikes is seen in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Sunday Jan, 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)

Of the 232 Palestinians killed by the military during the May assault on Gaza, at least 137 were non-combatants, including 53 minors and 38 women, many of whom were killed during the criminal bombardment of densely populated areas, a consistent feature of Israels operations. While senior Israeli officials claim that lethal fire is used as a last resort in accordance with Israeli and international law, this is clearly routine with no one held accountable.

BTselem investigated 336 incidents of settler violence, up from 251 in 2020, that resulted in at least eight Palestinian civilian deaths, including two minors, at the hands of security forces or settlers that occurred during the weeks of protests against the establishment of the illegal Eviatar outpost on Palestinian land. Violence was not simply a case of a few unruly settlers out of control, but a strategy aimed at taking over more and more Palestinian land with the full support of the military and the government.

Following an agreement with the government in June, the 50 settlers at Eviatar agreed to leave and allow Israeli troops to establish a base in the area, while the defence ministry studied land claims to assess whether to recognise a future settlement.

Since then, Israeli soldiers have prevented Palestinian farmers from accessing hundreds of dunams (one dunam is equal to one quarter of an acre) of their own land, blocked agricultural roads and repeatedly damaged them. On July 9, soldiers fired on Palestinian protesters, injuring nearly 400 people, making it clear that that the settlement will get government approval.

Civilian deaths and Israels rules of engagement

As well as killing and wounding Palestinian protesters, soldiers killed at least 36 Palestinians, including four minors and five women, accused of attacking or attempting to attack Israeli security forces or civilians with a car, knife, firearm or even stones. BTselem cited two of the most egregious examples of such unlawful shootings: the killing of Osama Mansur, who was not endangering the soldiers lives and was mistakenly suspected of trying to run them over; and of Fahmeyeh al-Hrub, 60, who was moving slowly towards the soldiers who killed her.

Together with right-wing settler groups demands that the military stop tying the hands of Israeli soldiers in the West Ban, citing such attacks provides the context for last months decision of the military, which has for years granted its soldiers near-total immunity and little legal accountability, to revise its Rules of Engagement (RoE) in relation to its open-fire policies in the occupied West Bank. Under the new rules, Israeli soldiers may shoot, even kill, fleeing Palestinians, including children, for allegedly throwing rocks at Israeli civilian cars, even when they no longer pose any danger. By civilians, the new army manual means the armed settlers who have taken over land in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and killed and wounded numerous Palestinians over the decades. The new RoE do not apply to armed settlers that assault or attempt to assault soldiers.

The security forces now have carte blanche to shoot-to-kill, without any fear of retribution in the courts since they are acting in accordance with the armys manual of operations. This enables Israel to plead in any investigation into human rights violations and war crimes in the occupied territories by the International Criminal Court that no war crimes have taken place, since the killing of Palestinians have been carried out in accordance with Israels military code and judicial system.

Israels soldiers and police have become judge, jury and executioner, free of all restraint.

Demolitions

Israeli authorities demolished 295 residential buildings in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, the highest number since 2016, making 895 Palestinians, 463 of them children, homeless; in addition to 548 non-residential buildings, including warehouses, agricultural structures, cisterns, businesses and public structures, the highest number since 2012.

Israel uses the Emergency Statutes of 1945, left over from the British Mandate, in the occupied territories to claim these demolitions were a matter of law enforcement as the homes and structures were built without permits. In the 1950s Menachem Begin, leader of the Irgun terrorist gang and future Likud prime minister, deemed this legislation when used against Jews as worse than the Nazi legislation.

The use of these laws serves to block almost all Palestinian development in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while greenlighting settlement expansion. The Palestinians have no option but to build without a licence, providing the pretext for the Israeli authorities to issue demolition orders.

Last month, Menachem Mazuz, a former attorney general and judge in Israels highest court, told Haaretz that he considers house demolitions as collective punishment, illegal and immoral, as well as ineffective. His frustration over the issue was a major reason for his leaving the court in 2020, some five years before his tenure expired.

Arrests, imprisonment and administrative detention

A report by several Palestinian organisations, including the Commission of Detainees Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS), Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, and Wadi Hilweh Information Center, revealed that the Israeli army had arrested nearly 8,000 Palestinians in 2021, including more than 1,300 minors and 184 women.

There were around 4,600 prisoners and detainees, including 34 women and a girl and about 160 children and minors, in Israeli jails. Some 547 prisoners were serving life sentences. According to the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA), Israel holds 10 journalists in its prisons, while 384 Israeli violations against journalists in the West Bank were registered in 2021.

Addameer said that there about 500, including nine members of the Palestinian Legislative Council and four minors, in administrative detentionopen-ended detention by the military authorities based on secret evidence without charge or trial. This is a practice that Michael Lynk, the United Nations human rights expert monitoring the occupied territories, has called an anathema in any democratic society that follows the rule of law.

Last month, Israeli military officials, concerned that the death of 40-year-old Hisham Abu Hawashwho had been on hunger strike for four months to protest his open-ended detentionwould spark civil unrest in the West Bank and Gaza, suspended his detention saying his failing health meant he no longer posed a danger to the state.

Nearly 600 prisoners were sick, including several with cancer. On Tuesday, rallies took place in the West Bank in a show of solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israel, with calls to free Nasser Abu Hamid, battling cancer in detention. Qadura Fares, the head of the PPS, a prisoners' rights advocacy group, said that Israel is practicing slow killing of Palestinian prisoners through medical negligence.
An autopsy report released in December found 17-year-old Cedric Lofton of Wichita, Kansas, sustained life-threatening injuries after being arrested by Wichita police. The autopsy report firmly ruled the African American teenagers death as a homicide, contradicting previous reports.

Lofton was arrested on September 24, 2021, after his foster family called the police due to him exhibiting some erratic and aggressive behaviors, resulting from a mental health episode.

According to the New York Times, Lofton was taken to a county juvenile center, where he allegedly fought with correctional staff members, who placed shackles on his ankles, rolled him onto his abdomen and handcuffed his wrists behind his back, according to an autopsy report. He appeared to calm down and made snoring sounds but when staff members checked for a pulse four minutes later, they could not find one, the report added. Lofton died in the hospital two days later.

Cedric Lofton in the hospital after his arrest (Family photo)

Chief Medical Examiner Timothy Gorrill, who performed the latest autopsy in December, did not mince words in his report. He wrote, The manner of death is homicide. He noted that the teenagers death was the result of the way Lofton was put in a restrained position that caused an anoxic brain injury, one resulting from the cutoff of oxygen to the brain.

Loftons family and their attorney were given a private viewing of the videos showing the Wichita police encountering Lofton but the videos thus far have not been released to the public. Loftons family attorney, civil rights attorney Andrew M. Stroth, said the video shows officers on top of the teen multiple times. The injuries in the autopsy report are consistent with the video that shows the officers using excessive force, Stroth said. The officers took Cedrics breath away. Cedric Lofton could not breathe.

In spite of the clear report and video evidence from that day, District Attorney Marc Bennett in Sedgwick County is denying that the police had any culpability. According to WIBW, Bennett said that whether or not criminal charges can be brought is a legal determination to be made by the Office of the District Attorney, not by the coroner. He said intent cannot be determined by the coroners report, dismissing the clear evidence presented by the report.

Community members have rejected the excuse-making coming from Bennett and have organized protests. The organizers and the family of Lofton have created an online petition and issued demands that include: an independent prosecutor for Loftons case, from outside of the Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office; the release of the video from the Wichita Police Department and juvenile center from the night of the incident; and the release of the names of individuals involved in the events leading up to Loftons death, including officers and corrections staff. Some local news outlets have referred to Lofton as the Wichita George Floyd.

After the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, inspired mass multiracial protests against police violence in May 2020, the Democratic Party and pseudo-left have worked continuously to channel popular opposition to police violence into the divisive dead end of racialist identity politics while promoting illusions that the police can be reformed. For instance, the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, which included tepid reforms such as limiting qualified immunity, was dropped by the Democrats after it failed to secure enough support to overcome a Republican filibuster in the Senate.

According to Mapping Police Violence, police killed 1,136 people in 2021, continuing the trend of police killing an average of three people every day.

While there is undoubtedly no shortage of racist cops, and those motivations may play a role in many killings and assaults, people of all backgrounds are subjected to police violence. The victims of the police are overwhelmingly poor and working class. As the crisis of capitalism intensifies, the ruling class will increasingly rely on police forces to repress social discontent or any working class movement that threatens its privileges.
The past two weeks since K-12 schools reopened across the US have proven to be an unprecedented disaster for working families amid the ongoing Omicron surge. Millions of staff and students have been infected, resulting in forced school closures and an explosion of opposition from educators, students and parents to unsafe schools.

Despite repeated claims by the political establishment and corporate media that schools are safe, infections among children have skyrocketed to record levels since schools reopened after the holiday break. According to the latest American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) child COVID-19 report, more than 905,587 children ages 0-17 have contracted the virus since January 3. Pediatric hospitalizations continue to surge with the latest daily average at 870 per day. Based on the official reports from the CDC, a staggering 50 children have died from COVID-19 since January 4.

Given the lack of systematic testing, contact tracing and reporting throughout the country, these numbers are undoubtedly far higher. Mass infection among students and staff has forced thousands of school closures across the country in recent weeks. According to the burbio.com School Closings Tracker, at least 9,641 schools have closed temporarily since January 3 due to staffing shortages.

Social media post on Oakland student sickout [Photo courtesy of @ousdstudents ]

Minneapolis Public Schools, the third largest K-12 school district in Minnesota, will be switching to online learning starting Friday for a two-week period due to severe staffing shortages. There have been at least 13 schools in the district that have reported school outbreaks within the past two weeks.

Cases have also skyrocketed in Rhode Island public schools. During a Wednesday night meeting of the Rhode Island Department of Education, most teachers and parents who spoke during public comment called for schools to go remote.

During public comment, Stephanie, a teacher in Central Falls, Rhode Island, explained the level of spread at her school noting, We were forced to emergency dismiss students on Thursday morning because we undeniably had internal spread. An entire kindergarten class, 100 percent of students tested positive, four out of six kindergarten teachers were positive. We had N-95s, my school has air purifiers in every classroom, we have most students eating lunch in classrooms to avoid crowded cafeteria spaces  COVID still spread in our school. Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green rejected pleas to close the schools, claiming they were the safest place to learn.

Showcasing the level of opposition to in-person schooling amid the current surge, a recently conducted poll indicates the majority of US adults support remote learning, including 63 percent of those with an income less than $50,000.

In Oakland, California, hundreds of teachers and thousands of students engaged in wildcat sickout action on Thursday in opposition to the lack of safety mitigations in schools and the high level of spread on campuses. Teachers and students in at least 16 school sites in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) participated in the sickout with at least two schools having the entire teaching and student populations refusing to go in person.

Demonstrating its contempt for educators and students alike, the Oakland Education Association (OEA) recently voted against any option for remote learning and reached a backdoor agreement with the district to keep open the schools. The agreement is in direct opposition to the most militant demands of teachers calling for temporary closures and higher mitigation measures. With anger erupting from rank-and-file educators, the entire OEA safety bargaining team, comprised of 20 OUSD teachers, resigned from their positions in the union Wednesday.

On Thursday during the sickout, representatives of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) attended an online meeting held by Oakland high school students who are calling for a strike starting January 18 in opposition to unsafe schools. Students voiced how they tried to attend an OUSD school board meeting Wednesday but were silenced and sidelined by the school administrators who made them wait more than five hours to speak. The IYSSE representative encouraged students to see their struggle in an international context, pointing to the recent strike of educators, school employees and school nurses in France and invited them to attend a Sunday meeting of the West Coast Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committees.

Hundreds of high school students in Round Rock, Texas, have issued a petition calling for better COVID-19 safety protocols in the Round Rock Independent School District and are calling for a remote option if their demands are not met. The petition notes the present unsafe conditions and students demands include district-wide contact tracing, an enforced mask mandate, KN95/N95 masks for every student, Rapid or PCR tests every two weeks for everyone on campus, and outdoor spaces to eat, even when it rains. Students are planning a walkout to show the level of opposition at each school site.

Chicago students have planned to walk out of classes Friday in opposition to unsafe schools. The walkout comes after the recent betrayal of the Chicago Teachers Union to stop the collective action by 25,000 educators and force them back into unsafe conditions. Many teachers returned to schools Thursday amid high community transmission and without increased safety.

Thousands of New York City Public Schools students walked out of classes Tuesday, effectively shutting down dozens of school sites for the day to showcase their opposition to unsafe schools. High school students in Portland, Oregon issued an open letter and in Boston, Massachusetts, students circulated a petition demanding remote learning and higher safety in schools.

During a Tuesday interview on NPRs Here and Now, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona reiterated the lie that schools are the safest place for children. In response to the severe staffing shortages taking place around the country as a result of mass infection Cardona said, we, through the American Rescue Plan, provided $130 billion across the US and have emphasized that those funds can be used to address these staffing shortages.  But I am pleased that the new CDC guidelines limits the quarantining time to five days which will help keep our schools staffed by the educators and give our students the best chance to learn in person.

The corporate and political establishment could not care less about the academic and emotional well-being of children. As a result of their criminal response to the pandemic, more than 167,000 children have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19.

The real reason schools are being kept open is to keep parents at work producing more profit. Far from opposing the further spread of COVID-19, the Biden administration is actively carrying out a policy of mass infection.

The growing opposition among educators and students must become part of an international movement of workers and youth to close schools and nonessential workplaces as part of a global strategy to eliminate the virus. These policies will not be carried out by capitalist governments across the world. Such a fight can only be waged through the formation of independent rank-and-file committees to carry out these demands.

All educators, students and staff engaged in the struggle to end in-person learning and who want to join this ongoing movement of the working class should get involved with the International Youth and Students for Social Equality or sign up to build an Educators Rank-and-File Committee at your school site.
The Global Workers Inquest initiated by the World Socialist Web Site into SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is attracting the support of workers, medical specialists, scientists and intellectuals in Sri Lanka and internationally.

The WSWS statement announcing the Inquest said: Drawing upon the research of scientists, the knowledge of public health experts and the real-world experience of working people and students, the Inquest will investigate and document the disastrous response of governments, corporations and the media to the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Published below are interviews with Sri Lankan migrant workers employed in the Middle East. They explain some of the enormous difficulties they faced due to the criminal response of the ruling elite to the pandemic in both the Middle East and Sri Lanka.

Stranded Sri Lankan job seekers in a Dubai park, October 2020 [Source: Facebook]

According to the latest report by the World Labour Organisation, more than 200,000 workers annually migrate from Sri Lanka to Europe, the Middle East, North Korea, Japan and other countries seeking employment. There are currently more than two million Sri Lankan migrant workers.

Sunil, an experienced engineering mechanic, first began working at the Al Jubar Industrial Zone in Saudi Arabia in 2008. He voiced his backing for the Global Workers Inquest and said that he is fighting to win the support of his work colleagues.

Sunil previously worked at the Elastomeric company in Piliyandala in Sri Lanka. When the factory shut down, he sought foreign employment because his earnings in Sri Lanka were insufficient to pay for the education of his two sons and other familial commitments and because he wanted to build a house.

Explaining conditions at his new workplace in Saudi Arabia, Sunil said: Newly-hired workers receive lower salaries than long-term employees but there are only a few older workers in the companys total workforce of 62. Workers wages, since the country reopened following a brief pandemic lockdown in 2020, are only 50,00080,000 rupees ($US246 - $US394) per month, including overtime payments, but the amount of work has trebled since before the pandemic.

In those days we worked nine hours, with two hours overtime, now were frequently working thirteen hours a day, and on Saturdays we have to work until 7 p.m. Overtime work is essential in order to receive enough income for a decent living. Factory owners, however, are more willing to get workers from Bangladesh and Nepal because they can be employed on low salaries.

Management classifies fast workers as clever, he continued. Those branded as not clever are not given overtime. This is an attempt to speed up work by creating competition among the employees.

Sunil said that if anyone is infected with COVID, the company owners regard it as the workers own mistake. Three months ago, when an Indian assistant production manager was infected, administration confined him to a separate room but did nothing to look after his health and fitness.

He was dismissed from the job after he recovered and had to seek relief because he was already heavily indebted, Sunil said, explaining that this meant employees would keep working even when they were ill.

The only measures taken by the factory to prevent COVID-19 infections spreading was to provide Dettol sanitizer and face masks, he added. It was not possible to practice physical distancing.

If you are caught not wearing a face mask by a supervisor you are fined 5,000 rupees. But wearing a face mask while working for long periods on hot days is difficult and therefore many workers only wear face masks when the supervisors come around, Sunil said.

Sachini worked as a housemaid in Kuwait but was forced to return to Sri Lanka before completing her contract because she was unable to bear ongoing physical harassment by her employer. After leaving the house where she worked, she went to the police and offered them money to protect her. The Kuwait police took her money and then sent her to a detention camp in Talha.

The detainees, which include migrant workers without visas, she said, were treated inhumanely in these camps, held for months in crowded and unventilated rooms, only wearing the clothes they arrived with.

Sachini explained her experiences as a housemaid. With the onset of the pandemic, our difficulties increased immensely. Many homes reduced their number of housemaids and salary payments are also delayed. I was the last servant in the house where I was employed and forced to do the work of two maids, she said.

The [detention] camps lack food, water and medicines and several people, including a woman from Sri Lanka, died because they were unable to bear the difficulties. We always appealed to the camp officers about our health but they only threatened us, calling us heiwan, the Arabic word for animal. Ill patients were given only sleeping tablets and Panadol, a kind of paracetamol. When we are taken to these detention camps, [Sri Lankan] embassy officials intervene but they do not follow up anything, Sachini said.

Asanka, a Sri Lankan worker employed in the Maldives tourist industry, said: I work at a safari boat company which provides services to the tourists. In the vicinity of the Maldives, there are about 80 to 100 safari boats, employing 110 to 120 Sri Lankan workers.

The tourists do not like employees wearing face masks and so management has instructed us to work without them. When the tourists enter the Maldives, they are not subjected to any COVID tests. They are only required to have had a test report 72 hours earlier from their own country. This means there is a high danger of us being exposed to the pandemic, he said.

Asanka explained how his employer had tried to send workers back to their home countries without paying them salaries when the Maldives was previously closed because of the pandemic.

Those who stayed only received half their salaries and some workers didnt even receive that and could only survive with the support of fellow workers. I had just come back from being on leave in Sri Lanka when that happened and so, despite the difficulties, I had to remain in the Maldives.

I helped others get back to Sri Lanka by appealing to the Sri Lanka embassy in the Maldives. Lists of names were handed over to the embassy but only 60 people were able to go back. Others were forced to remain here until the end of 2020, he said.

Asanka explained that many of those who returned to Sri Lanka faced a lot of difficulties. Those who agreed to quarantine under army control were sent to faraway camps.

Large numbers of people were being detained in quarantine rooms which meant that people could be infected with the virus and forced to spend more than two weeks there. Many people spent about a month there and for those who had agreed to personally pay for the quarantine it cost a large amount of money. Many went back home penniless. Considering this, it was like being punished by the government, he said.

In their initial discussions with WSWS reporters most of these migrant workers saw no alternative to the live with virus mantras of the government and the media. But after reporters explained that the pandemic could be eradicated and cited the zero-COVID policy pursued in China, they were optimistic about its global elimination and the Global Inquest.

Asanka said: If other countries took measures like mandatory face masks and social distancing, closure of non-essential service stations, establishing quarantine centres and health service facilities as China did, then the pandemic would have been stopped a long time ago.

The problem is, as you explain, that is not happening under the capitalist system, which gives priority to profits over human lives. This is why workers all over the world must fight for socialism and why the Global Inquest, which will provide this knowledge, is highly important.
On Thursday afternoon, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the Biden administrations policy requiring large employers to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory among workers. While every region of the country is facing an unprecedented surge of the Omicron variant, the decision impacts approximately 84 million workers, more than 20 million of whom are unvaccinated.

In a 6-3 vote, the high court overturned the decision of a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati that ruled in December that the Biden administrations large employer vaccine mandate was lawful. The original lawsuit was filed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, an organization that claimed the vaccine mandate restricts the freedom small business owners depend on to run their businesses and is a clear example of administrative overreach.

The judges in the majority were Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Brett M. Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Neil M. Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. Those in opposition to the ruling were Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

United States Supreme Court Building at Dusk (Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Joe Ravi)

In its nine-page decision, the right-wing majority ruled that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)the federal agency that published the new rules for large businesses in November and is responsible for enforcing the policydoes not have authorization from Congress to impose the mandate.

The specifics of the Biden proposal entitled COVID19 Vaccination and Testing; Emergency Temporary Standard would have mandated employers to require employees to get vaccinated or wear masks each day and get tested for COVID-19 weekly at their own expense. The rules had provisions for exceptions based on employee religious objections and for workers who do not have indoor close contact with other employees.

The six justices stated that the OSHA rules are not everyday exercise of federal power but instead are a significant encroachment into the livesand healthof a vast number of employees. In siding with business owners and against the public health interest, the court argued that COVID-19 does not qualify as an occupational hazard and therefore falls outside the responsibility of OSHA to regulate work-related dangers.

Significantly, the court majority brief states, COVID-19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather. That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases. Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily lifesimply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clockwould significantly expand OSHAs regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization.

By blocking the Biden administrations vaccine policyeven after 63 million Americans have contracted COVID-19 and more than 843,000 have died from the virusthe Supreme Court has endorsed in legal terms the standpoint of the corporations and Wall Street that the pandemic must be allowed to spread among the working population without restrictions and that the public must learn to live with the pandemic.

As a matter of fact, the Supreme Court decision barely even refers to the devastating impact of the pandemic on society as a whole. With its narrow focus on congressional authorization and jurisdiction, the court expresses indifference to the OSHA projection that the mandate will save over 6,500 lives and prevent hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations. The court majority responded to these life-and-death matters with, It is not our role to weigh such tradeoffs.

The court also justified its decision by arguing that OSHA lacked a historical precedent for a broad public health regulation of this kindaddressing a threat that is untethered, in any causal sense, from the workplace. For the Supreme Court majority, it matters little that OSHA was established by Congress in 1971 and that the COVID-19 virus represents an unprecedented global public health crisis with no historical parallel, with the possible exception of the Great Influenza epidemic of 1918-20 that killed an estimated 20-50 million people worldwide.

In contrast to the reactionary Supreme Court ruling, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision of December 17 upholding Bidens OSHA rules begins with the following, The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across America, leading to the loss of over 800,000 lives, shutting down workplaces and jobs across the country, and threatening our economy.

The claim by the Supreme Court majority that the coronavirus is not an occupational hazard is blatantly false. Transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace is a primary cause of the spread of the virus and has been the subject of significant studies and research. For example, a study conducted in May 2020 by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health showed that workplace transmission played a substantial role in the spread of the disease during the early stages of outbreaks in six Asian countries. Meanwhile, it showed that the majority of work-related cases occurred in occupations other than health care.

In October 2020, a report by the Century Foundation entitled Halting Workplace COVID-19 Transmission: An Urgent Proposal to Protect American Workers said that, while the initial wave of the pandemic hit health care and nursing home staff, tens of thousands of other workersemergency responders, corrections officers, transit workers, meat and poultry processing workers, farm workers, grocery store and warehouse workers, and many othershave been sickened and hundreds more of them have died.

In addition to its decision on the large business vaccine mandate, the Supreme Court upheld the OSHA rules requiring health care workers at medical facilities that participate in the federally funded Medicare and Medicaid programs to be vaccinated. The implementation of this aspect of Bidens policy will affect more than 17 million health care workers and would save hundreds or even thousands of lives each month.

In responding to the legal defeat, Biden appealed to the very same businesses which were behind the campaign to block the vaccine mandate. The Court has ruled that my administration cannot use the authority granted to it by Congress to require this measure.  I call on business leaders to immediately join those who have already stepped upincluding one-third of Fortune 100 companiesand institute vaccination requirements to protect their workers, customers, and communities.
The Democratic Party pretense that it is engaged in a fight over voting rights entered its final stage Thursday, with two right-wing Senate Democrats reaffirming their opposition to any significant change in the filibuster rule.

The rule empowers the Senate minority to block legislation unless 60 out of 100 senators support it. The Democrats hold a narrow one-vote majority, from the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris, and all 50 Republicans are united in opposition to any federal action on voting rights. As a result, the two bills which have passed the Democratic-controlled House are now dead in the Senate unless the filibuster rule is changed.

The filibuster is found neither in the Constitution nor in any legislation. It is merely a custom of the Senate, adopted as a rule by a simple majority at each new session. It was notoriously used by segregationist Southern Democrats in the 1950s and 1960s to block the passage of civil rights legislation.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to reporters outside the Senate Chamber after a voting rights bill failed to pass the Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

President Joe Biden visited the Capitol Thursday to meet with Democratic senators and urge them to carve out an exception in the filibuster rule for legislation dealing with basic constitutional rights such as the right to vote. But even before he arrived, Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced in a speech on the Senate floor that she was adamant in her support for the filibuster.

After Bidens hour-long meeting, the other leading right-winger in the Democratic caucus, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, announced that he too would oppose any significant curb on the right of the Republican minority to block the voting rights legislation, saying, I cannot support such a perilous course of action.

Biden himself seemed to admit the futility of the congressional exercise which is now under way. The honest to God answer is I dont know whether we can get this done, he told reporters. As long as Im in the White House, as long as Im engaged at all, Im going to be fighting.

Bidens fight has been long on rhetoric and short on action. In his speech Tuesday in Georgia, he compared the Republican state legislators pushing through restrictions on voting and provisions for state governments to override local election officials to the defenders of Jim Crow segregation and the slave owners of the Confederacy. Do you want to be on the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis? he asked.

But where Lincoln mobilized vast armies and ultimately gave his own life in the struggle for emancipation, Biden has mobilized no one and sacrificed nothing. Nor have the congressional Democrats, who stalled the voting rights question for nearly a year after they unexpectedly won control of the Senate in a Georgia runoff election.

The latest congressional maneuver is only an empty pretense. On Thursday morning, the House of Representatives voted on a party line 220203 to take an unrelated bill, previously approved by both House and Senate, strip out the previous text and substitute the provisions of the two voting rights bills, the Freedom to Vote Act, introduced to the Senate, and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, passed by the House. The resulting amalgam will then be sent as a letter to the Senate.

This arcane procedure means that the Senate can take up the letter and begin a debate on voting rights by a simple majority, bypassing the filibuster at that stage. But proceeding to a vote still requires 60 votes. The result is that there will be a debate on voting rights, at which the Democrats can posture and proclaim their undying devotion to democracy. Manchin and Sinema may well participate in this charade, since they both claim to support the voting rights provisions.

Then the bills will die, denied a final floor vote by the Republican filibuster. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer claimed that this would be followed by a vote on a rules change to limit filibusters, to be held by January 17, the federal holiday marking the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. In the face of the flat declarations of opposition by Sinema and Manchin, however, this deadline could well be put back further.

Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could have carried out the parliamentary maneuver forcing debate on the voting rights bills any time in the past year, but they had other priorities, including the American Recovery Act and a bipartisan infrastructure bill, as well as the failed effort to enact Bidens Build Back Better legislation, ultimately blocked by Manchin and Sinema.

In a memo to his Democratic colleagues, Schumer admitted the emptiness of the effort. To ultimately end debate and pass the voting rights legislation, we will need 10 Republicans to join uswhich we know from past experience will not happenor we will need to change the Senate rules, he wrote. He did not add that a change in the rules was being blocked, not just by Republicans, but by Democrats.

Senator Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, conceded that Bidens trip to Capitol Hill was purely for show. The president is not only demonstrating to the United States Democratic senators but to the American people that he is all-in on this, he said. But there is certainly no expectation that he is going to win tomorrow.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Democrat Sinemas declaration that she would vote to maintain the filibuster, calling her remarks an act conspicuous of political courage, adding, She saved the Senate as an institution. In a future Republican-controlled Senate, however, there is little doubt that McConnell, or an even more right-wing replacement, would swiftly overturn the filibuster if it suited the reactionary purposes of a Republican president.

Despite the parliamentary infighting and the rhetorical claims by Biden, the two pieces of voting rights legislation are relatively modest and do not even address many of the measures passed by Republican-controlled state legislatures at the urging of Trump supporters seeking to set a precedent for the overturning of a presidential election defeat.

The Freedom to Vote Act would make Election Day a national holiday, mandate 15 days of early voting and require all states to allow mail-in voting, among other changes. The John Lewis bill would restore sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act gutted by a Supreme Court ruling. Both bills would empower the federal Department of Justice to monitor and in some cases overturn the actions of state governments if they would have a discriminatory effect on the rights of minorities to cast ballots.

Neither bill would forbid state legislatures from defying the popular vote result in their state and submitting their own slate of electors to the Electoral College. Nor would they impede a future effort by Congress to use the January 6 certification of Electoral College resultsoriginally intended as a purely ceremonial actto overturn the result of a presidential election.
Weather Alert

...The National Weather Service in Indianapolis IN has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Indiana... White River at Elliston and Edwardsport. Wabash River at Montezuma. .Multiple rounds of rain over the last few days including today will lead to minor flooding along lower portions of the White River and upper portions on the Wabash River. Additional rainfall later this week should keep portions of the White and Wabash above flood stage through Saturday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/ind. This statement will be updated within the next 12 to 24 hours. && ...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT TO SUNDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Wabash River at Montezuma. * WHEN...From late tonight to Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, Montezuma agricultural levee is overtopped. Fourteen hundred acres of low bottomlands flood. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 10:45 AM EDT Tuesday the stage was 9.1 feet. - Forecast...The river will oscillate around flood stage with a maximum value of 16.4 feet early Saturday morning. - Flood stage is 14.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
?? En vivo | Suscripcion de la Declaracion Presidencial y clausura del VI Gabinete Binacional Peru-Colombia.

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GREENE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A local hospital says it is seeing the impacts of the pandemic on its workforce - and it's leading to staffing shortages.

Greene County General Hospital says healthcare workers near and far are experiencing burnout.

The hospital's CEO, Brenda Reetz, told us the hospital didn't lose employees over the vaccine mandate.

Instead, people are leaving the profession for other reasons, like being exhausted.

Reetz says those people are leaving a big void, and she hopes they'll reconsider.

"It is a stressful place, and it is a stressful job. But there's nothing more rewarding than what we are doing. Taking care of people and providing them the care they need," Reetz said.

Greene County General Hospital is one of the hospitals receiving support from the Indiana National Guard.
" " Harpia harpyja) is the largest eagle in the world. Would you mess with this guy? Wikimedia Commons ( CC By-SA 3.0 The harpy eagle () is the largest eagle in the world. Would you mess with this guy?

The Muppet Show was a television program for children, but there were certainly a few Muppets that made children uncomfortable. Sweetums was gigantic, ebullient and had little regard for personal space, Uncle Deadly was just plain creepy, but it's possible Sam Eagle was the most forbidding  pompous, ultraconservative and disapproving of nearly everything. He both censured the things he hated and rationalized the things he loved with the slogan "It's the American way!" He was an eagle, after all.

But the suffocatingly patriotic Sam Eagle wasn't a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), the national emblem of the United States. He appears to have been a harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja), the national bird of Panama. But why?

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Without seeing into the minds of the Muppets makers, the answer probably has to do with the fact that the harpy eagle is just about the most severe looking  the most judgey looking  bird on the planet. This is to say, the heavy brow, striking black, white and slate gray plumage and crown-like headdress doesn't exactly scream "Approach me! I'm extremely friendly!" Also, go with your gut on this one: They would definitely eye your toddler with interest.

Native to the American tropics, the harpy eagle is the largest eagle in the world, with tarsi (legs) the size of a human's and a claw the size of a grizzly bear's paw. They preside over gigantic territories that can exceed 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares), which they need because their prey is large, too  they eat big animals like sloths and monkeys, macaws and large snakes, picking them out of the tree canopy and carrying them away with ease. Harpy eagles mate for life and a mating pair produces only one chick every three years, feeding the baby for up to 10 monthsafter it leaves the nest at around 6 months of age. They build their nests out of sticks in the tallest, most imposing tree in the rainforest, and they use this roost as a watchtower for spotting all the monkey snacks.

"Most large eagles live in open country like savannas, deserts, oceans and lakes," says Dr. David Anderson, a program director at The Peregrine Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving birds of prey worldwide. "Harpy eagles have short wings and long tails, making them highly maneuverable as they fly through the dense forest canopy to attack prey. Not only can they fly through small openings in the forest, but they have to be massively powerful in order to snatch arboreal mammals out of the trees."

They are also one of the few day-hunting birds that have a facial disc  a structure common in owls, which helps the nocturnal raptors to navigate through trees in the dark and to listen for prey. Harpy eagles need one of these satellite-dish-shaped feather structures on their faces to collect soundwaves and funnel them toward their ears because they spend so much time zooming around in the dim understory of the rainforest, snatching iguanas off branches.

Harpy Eagles Are Listed as 'Near Threatened'

Although it's great to be the most giant and imposing raptor in the forest  apex predators, fearing nothing  it's also proving to be the harpy eagle's downfall. Harpy eagles are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "Near Threatened," but according to Anderson that classification is misleading:

"Harpy Eagles are definitely under threat," he says. "They are declining in nearly all countries where they are found, and in a few they have been extirpated  they no longer exist in Mexico and El Salvador, for instance. In many places, they are listed nationally as Endangered."

Anderson says there are two main reasons why Harpy eagles are threatened. "Harpy Eagles live in lowland tropical forests, usually below 900 feet (274 meters) elevation, and those forests are under intense pressure as they're rapidly being deforested by growing human populations," he notes.

"Secondly, as more people invade the forests where harpy eagles live, they shoot them out of fear or ignorance. Even though harpy eagles don't eat livestock and pose no threat to humans, it's a sad, common misconception. Because harpy eagles breed for the first time when they are about 6 years old, and they produce only a single young every three years, every time an adult harpy eagle is shot, it is a major loss for the population. They are a species that is not equipped to survive in a rapidly changing world."

" " Sensing danger, a harpy eagle unfurls its wing to take flight. Wikimedia Commons ( CC By-SA 3.0

Although no one knows exactly how many harpy eagles still exist in the wild, it's estimated that their numbers don't exceed 50,000.

What we do know is they appear to be judging us for our actions.

Now That's Interesting In the 1971 made-for-TV movie "Harpy," a man trains a harpy eagle to murder his manipulative ex-wife.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Greek Community of Australias Melbourne and Victoria, Bill Papastergiadis and the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Theo Theophanous, with the support of the Pontian Federations of Australia, have written to the Australian Prime Minister calling on the Government to formally recognise the genocides committed by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923 of Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and other Christian minorities, the Neos Kosmos newspaper reported.

This follows a motion that was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives on 29 November 2021 calling on the Government to formally recognise these genocides.

The presidents argued that as of 2021, there are 31 countries around the world that have recognised these genocides including the US, France, Italy, Brazil, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and the Vatican City, urging Australia to also step up.

We do not believe that this should not be a partisan political issue in the lead up to the coming elections, said the community presidents in their joint statement.

All we have asked of the Prime Minister and in fact we also ask of the Leader of the Opposition is that they respect the unanimous motion passed by the parliament and act upon it.

Given that the Turkish Government has steadfastly refused to acknowledge this legacy of past wrongs they said that they believe that it is in the interests of Turkey itself to confront its past and issue a formal apology.

This is precisely what Germany did following the genocide and holocaust they perpetrated on Jewish people in the second world war. It has been an important moral admission by Germany, they wrote.

Prime Minister, given the unanimous support by the Parliament for the government to take action to formally recognise the genocide of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks we ask that you take action to bring this about.

This should not be a partisan political issue in the lead up to the coming elections. Our communities would welcome action by your government to seek to address this historical wrong through the first step of recognising that it occurred. 

The call for action was also forwarded to the Foreign Minister, Marise Payne; the Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese; the Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesperson and Senator Penny Wong.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian national carrier Fly Arna plans to launch flights late May 2022, the Air Arabia CEO Adel Ali said at a media event.

Fly Arna, which is still waiting to receive its air operators certification, is a joint venture by Air Arabia and the Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF).

The airline will serve destinations in Central Asia, Russia and the Middle East.

The Air Arabia CEO said European destinations are also a part of the budget airline Fly Arnas business plan, albeit indirectly.

Asked to comment on Armenian airlines being blacklisted by the EU aviation authorities, Adel Ali said they will continue working parallel to the existing problem. He said Air Arabia cooperates with nearly 40 airports in Europe, and when the time comes they will find a resolution, but expressed hope that by then the Armenian aviation authorities would have settled the issue.

51 per cent of Fly Arna (based in Yerevans Zvartnots) will be owned by ANIF and the remaining is with Air Arabia.

ANIF CEO David Papazian said that when they were creating the plan for Armenian national airlines they were pursuing several objectives. First, to create a truly competitive economic entity based on an experienced and viable model, he said. Wed also aimed at having an airline which would make Armenia a more visible and attractive destination on the world tourism map thanks to this very competitive and viable model. And we had an objective to create a truly Armenian national airline that would be the first portal towards Armenias spirit and essence for potential tourists and passengers.

Papazian said that a decision was made to launch Fly Arna as a joint venture with Air Arabia because the Sharjah-based airline has many years of successful experience of a viable model.

Our mission is to bring Air Arabias commercial experience to Fly Arna and contribute to its growth and success. Fly Arna will also contribute to economic development in Armenia, creating opportunities like infrastructure, jobs for young and trained specialists. Big factors for contribution to the economy are developed wherever good airlines are launched, added Air Arabia CEO Adel Ali.

Fly Arnas brand and aircraft livery are in the Armenian flag colors and reflect the Armenian identity, the officials said.
Agape Boarding School, a Christian reform school in Cedar County, is under investigation by local authorities and the Missouri Attorney General's office.

Dr. David Smock, a physician charged late last month with 11 felony sex crimes against children in connection with his role as Agape Boarding School doctor, pleaded not guilty to the three charges originating from Greene County on Thursday.

Judge Ron Carrier set a preliminary hearing in the case for Feb. 3.

Meanwhile, Smock and his defense attorneys are still waiting to learn whether Carrier will let him out of jail on bond while Smock's trial is pending. After nearly 90 minutes of argument by prosecution and defense attorneys Thursday, the judge said he would take the bond matter under advisement and planned to issue a written ruling later.

New details about the case emerged during Thursday's hearing.

Smock's attorneys, Stacie Bilyeu and Craig Heidemann, argued that Smock had not been a fugitive from law enforcement before he was apprehended late last month by U.S. Marshals, but that he had been in contact with his attorneys and had planned to surrender himself to face charges in Missouri before contracting COVID-19 and being taken into custody in Boone County, Arkansas.

Greene County Assistant Prosecutor Megan Vincent countered that argument, saying there had not been a definite agreement with defense attorneys for Smock to appear in court at a certain time. "He was absolutely in no rush to come back (to Missouri)," Vincent said.

Bilyeu and Heidemann also raised serious concerns about the way evidence was gathered by law enforcement, filing a motion for the return of property seized from Smock and asking Judge Carrier to enjoin further searches.

One of Smock's attorneys, Craig Heidemann, argued that two containers of evidence contained materials subject to attorney-client privilege that should remain private, including text messages sent between Heidemann and Smock after Heidemann learned of the charges against Smock.

Vincent, the prosecutor, argued that her office was not aware whether protected materials were in the two containers belonging to Smock.

Story continues

"I haven't been told any search results," Vincent told the court.

More: Agape Boarding School doctor to remain in Arkansas custody during COVID isolation

But Heidemann argued that as Smock was being taken into custody by U.S. Marshals, he was on a voice call with Smock. He said he immediately texted the defendant's phone to indicate their ongoing conversation via text message, which began after Heidemann learned of felony charges against Smock, was protected under attorney-client privilege.

Smock later told him that an unnamed marshal laughed at attorney-client privilege for the messages. "Your lawyer thinks he's smart," the marshal was said to have told Smock, in comments Heidemann made before the judge. "He put that in there. He thinks that's going to keep us from looking at it."

Heidemann also accused a Missouri state investigator of attempting a "custodial interrogation" while Smock was in Arkansas jail, which he described as "shocking to me."

Judge Carrier denied the motion to return the seized property. But he instructed prosecutors that they were not to access any evidence marked attorney-client privilege that was seized at the time of Smock's arrest, without court permission.

More: Former Agape Boarding School students say FBI is now examining abuse allegations

Bond argument: 'Pillar of the community' or flight risk?

Smock's attorneys argued that he should be let out on bond because he had no criminal record and scored very well on a pre-trial assessment for flight risk. His foster children have never made an abuse allegation against Smock, attorneys Bilyeu and Heidemann argued.

They called Smock a "pillar of the community" who has practiced medicine in Missouri for nearly two decades. Smock plans to live with an associate and his wife who had no children in the home while awaiting trial, should he be allowed bond, they told the judge.

They also accused law enforcement and the news media of portraying Smock unfairly with inflammatory information contained in probable cause statements.

Prosecutor Vincent argued that Smock fit the profile of a sex offender.

"It's not uncommon for defendants in these cases to not have a criminal history," she said. "They know how to keep a good strong face in the community."

Vincent later added, "He knows how to keep (sexual abuse) behind closed doors" and argued, "This isn't a one-time thing, this isn't a one-time victim."

Since the case became public, Vincent said, "more young boys have come forward and made similar claims" to the ones made by the young alleged victim at the center of the three felony charges filed in Greene County.

Smock is accused of committing the three Greene County felonies during a 2018 trip in which prosecutors and law enforcement say Smock brought an Agape student from Cedar County to clean up a rental property he owned in Springfield.

Smock is accused of sexually abusing the boy, then age 13, during that trip. Charges include second-degree statutory sodomy; third-degree child molestation of a child younger than 14; and enticement or attempted enticement of a child younger than 15.

Smock's attorney Bilyeu argued that prosecutors had "done a lot of work" to translate the alleged 2018 crime into three felony counts, rather than a single charge.

At another point in the proceedings, she and Heidemann answered the judge's questions on Smock's health problems, which included heart and digestive system issues.

"We do have real concerns that Dr. Smock would not get the care he needed, should he be incarcerated," Bilyeu said.

More: Prosecutor letter to Missouri governor opens new chapter in feud over Agape Boarding School charges

Dr. David Smock's Case background

Smock, required by Missouri law as a physician to report abuse to authorities, also faces eight other charges in Cedar County. The Cedar County charges were filed late last month by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Vernon County Prosecutor Brandi L. McInroy, who is serving as special prosecutor for Cedar County.

As the News-Leader reported earlier, Schmitt has had a public feud with Cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither over the number and severity of charges that should be filed against people linked to Agape over accusations of abuse.

In late September, Gaither charged just five individuals linked to Agape  one of them Smock's son-in-law  with 13 low-level felonies. The Kansas City Star reported Dec. 29 that Gaither said he "knew" Smock and had visited a walk-in clinic Smock owns in nearby Stockton.

In Cedar County, Smock is accused of eight felonies: sexual misconduct involving a child under 15, four counts of statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy with deviate sexual intercourse involving a person less than 14 years old, second-degree statutory sodomy, fourth-degree child molestation and first-degree stalking. The Cedar County charges cover allegations of crimes said to have taken place between summer 2018 and spring 2021.

More: A huge slap in the face: Former Agape Boarding School students worry about prosecution of abuse allegations

In court on Thursday, Greene County Assistant Prosecutor Vincent said, "The Cedar County case envelopes most of the rest of the abuse, and I say 'most' because we know that (Smock) traveled across state lines with this victim and abused them in different states, including other states where he has his clinic."

David Smock

Should Smock be found guilty of the Cedar County charges, he could face potential life prison terms for the four counts of statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy, as well as terms of up to four years in prison for the other charges. The Greene County charges are also serious, including a child enticement count with a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison.

Smock was apprehended Dec. 28 by U.S. Marshals in Boone County, Arkansas. Around that time, he tested positive for COVID-19. Courts deliberated whether he should next face a bond hearing in Greene County or Cedar County after he exited isolation.

Agape Boarding School seeks to distance itself from Smock

For more than a year, the Independent Baptist-aligned Agape boys' school has come under scrutiny from the public, law enforcement and Missouri lawmakers. This came after numerous boarding school students went public with accusations of severe physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the Baptist boarding school.

Since Smock's arrest, Agape Boarding School officials have tried to distance themselves from Smock, whose home in Jerico Springs is located about 20 minutes by car from the school campus. Smock also owns Stockton Lake Walk-In Clinic nearby.

Earlier in January, the school released a statement to Springfield-based television station KOLR: "Stockton Lake Walk-In Clinic was not the only medical facility utilized by Agape, and Dr. Smock never held a title, role, or designation of Agapes primary medical resource or provided any medical oversight to Agape."

This claim appears false: A newsletter for families of Agape students dated March/April 2020 obtained by the News-Leader quotes Agape staffer Scott Dumar saying, "The school is medically overseen by Dr. David Smock, M.D."

Two former students, neither of whom are linked to the 11 felony charges filed recently against Smock, told the News-Leader in separate recent interviews that Smock treated them when they were students on Agape's live-in campus.

One, a 27-year-old Michigan man who filed a civil suit against the school last year, said Thursday that Smock had signed off on his medical paperwork while he was a student.

"He did a couple of my exams at the school," the man, dubbed "R.B." in court papers, said Thursday. "And there is a signature in my file, on my medical reports, from Dr. Smock at the school."

More: Agape Boarding School doctor wanted on felony sex crime charges arrested in Arkansas

Another man, a 19-year-old based in California who is separately suing Agape in civil court, previously told the News-Leader that Smock "would just put his hand on my thigh and like, slowly go toward my underwear and stop right there."

The man, identified in court papers as "John Doe II," said he was 12 years old the first time he experienced what he now regards as inappropriate touching from Smock. The behavior continued until he left the school at 14, he said.

R.B., the Michigan 27-year-old, has said Agape and its physician typically weaned new students off of standard behavior medications for conditions like depression or ADHD when they arrived at the school.

R.B. also said that Agape staff who took students to Smock's walk-in clinic were not truthful about the reasons their young charges needed to see a doctor.

When students were "restrained" for unruly behavior on campus by staff and suffered an injury, he said, "they took us to his office, and it was always reported as a sports injury or something-else injury," R.B. said Dec. 27.

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: Agape Boarding School doctor pleads not guilty to three felony charges
Surveillance footage shows David Moerschel (red arrow), one of 11 people charged with seditious conspiracy, walking towards the eastern facade of the Capitol at 2:27 pm on January 6. Department of Justice

The DOJ's Capitol riot probe took a big step forward when 11 people were charged with seditious conspiracy.

One legal expert said the charge represents "the closest crime we have to treason."

There are few historical examples of seditious conspiracy convictions, and the DOJ faces an uphill battle.

The Justice Department on Thursday silenced critics who accused it of being too lenient in the Capitol riot investigation when it charged the leader of the far-right extremist group Oath Keepers and ten others with seditious conspiracy.

It's the most significant charge yet in the department's sprawling investigation into the deadly Capitol siege on January 6, 2021 that resulted in the deaths of at least seven people.

The 48-page indictment alleges that the defendants planned the Capitol siege in advance and accuses them of attempting to use force to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. In bringing seditious conspiracy charges, experts said, the Justice Department confirmed that it sees at least some elements of the Capitol riot as a coup attempt.

The federal seditious conspiracy statute makes it a crime for two or more people to conspire to overthrow, put down, or destroy by force the United States government. It's also a crime to use force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States.

Barbara McQuade, the former US attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, told Insider that it's a "very serious charge and is rarely used."

In charging Oath Keepers leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes and ten others with seditious conspiracy, the Justice Department is acknowledging that the January 6 riot "was a threat to our democracy, not a simple protest that got out of hand," McQuade added.

Asha Rangappa, a director of admissions at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, noted that seditious conspiracy is "the closest crime we have to treason."

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Harry Litman, a longtime former federal prosecutor, also pointed out that the charges fly in the face of those who have criticized the Justice Department for being lenient toward those who were involved in the failed insurrection.

"Those who say DOJ hasn't delivered on the most serious charges have to be quieted today," Litman wrote after the charges were unsealed. "Seditious conspiracy is about as serious as it gets."

The sweeping indictment alleged that Rhodes and other co-defendants conspired to "oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power."

It went on to say that core members of the Oath Keepers not only forced their way into the Capitol but also extensively planned for the siege beforehand, communicating on encrypted messaging apps from December 2020 onward, keeping a "quick reaction force" on standby at a Virginia hotel, and in some cases bringing weapons to Washington, DC, on January 6.

Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, told Insider that a seditious conspiracy indictment "requires an agreement to overthrow the United States government or to prevent the execution of United States law by force, and one overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy."

In this case, he added, the US Capitol was breached, which would "easily satisfy" the overt act element.

Rhodes, for his part, repeatedly said during interviews with the right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones that he and others were prepared to take extraordinary measures to keep then-President Donald Trump in power.

Shortly after the November 2020 election, for instance, he said on Jones' Infowars show that he had armed men stationed outside Washington, DC, who were "prepared to go in if the president calls us up."

And on January 20, 2021, two weeks after the failed insurrection and on the day Joe Biden was sworn into office, Rhodes again appeared on Jones' show and urged "local militias" to "get together" and fight the "illegitimate" Biden administration.

The DOJ has its work cut out for it

That said, there have been relatively few federal cases involving the Civil War-era charge in US history, and the Justice Department has an uphill battle to fight in making the case against Rhodes and his co-defendants.

The last time federal prosecutors secured a seditious conspiracy conviction was in 1995, when Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, known as the "blind Sheikh," and nine others were found guilty in connection to their plan to blow up a bridge and two tunnels between New York and New Jersey, the United Nations headquarters, and the FBI's headquarters.

Four decades earlier, four Puerto Rican activists and more than a dozen others were convicted of seditious conspiracy after they stormed the US Capitol in 1954 and opened fire on the floor of the House of Representatives, the Associated Press reported.

The Justice Department also brought seditious conspiracy charges in a 2010 case in which nine members of a Michigan militia were accused of planning to kill a member of local law enforcement and attack law enforcement officers who would gather for the funeral. According to the AP, a judge ordered acquittals on the seditious conspiracy charges because he didn't believe prosecutors had proven that the defendants explicitly planned for a rebellion.

The department last brought sedition charges connected to white-supremacist violence in 1987, when it charged 13 white supremacists in Arkansas with conspiring to overthrow the federal government, said Kathleen Belew, a historian and assistant professor at the University of Chicago. But prosecutors failed to secure convictions in the trial, and all 13 defendants were acquitted.

McQuade told Insider that although there are few seditious conspiracy cases in US history that resulted in convictions, "the evidence here looks strong."

She noted that the encrypted communications between Rhodes and others which appear to show them planning ahead for the Capitol riot "will make for devastating evidence."

The next question, legal scholars said, is whether any of the defendants will strike cooperation deals, and who else may have been involved.

"The question that I have moving forward from this indictment is just how high does this conspiracy go?" Joyce Vance, a former federal prosecutor and a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, told MSNBC after Thursday's charges were revealed.

McQuade echoed that: Were any "Trump advisors working with the Oath Keepers to plan the attack? Who funded their travel and equipment? With a potential 20-year sentence for seditious conspiracy, DOJ now has leverage to see if they can obtain evidence from these defendants against others higher up in the chain."

Rhodes has said he never entered the US Capitol on January 6, and his lawyer, Jon Moseley, told a local CBS affiliate that his client was arrested as part of a political fishing expedition by Democrats.

"I don't think any of these charges can be proven at trial," Moseley told CBS 11.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux did an interview with FOX Sports' Joel Klatt during the 2022 College Football Playoff national championship game Monday. Thibodeaux discussed attending Oregon over Alabama, and he had some things to say about the supposed quality of education at both institutions and why he chose the Ducks.

"I already hate the stigmatism of football players being dumb jocks," Thibodeaux said. "So now, do you know the stigmatism of Alabama education? It aint the West Coast. It aint Harvard."

Later in the interview, Thibodeaux continued to talk about an Alabama education.

"If I would have went to Alabama ... I don't know if my degree would mean anything," Thibodeaux said.

More than an athlete @KayvonT offers perspective as to why choosing @OregonFootball was about more than just what happens on the football field 



(Presented by @FTX_Official #CFBPlayoff #FTXChampTailgate) pic.twitter.com/nNcCN6ktGf  FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 12, 2022

ESPN college football analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy took offense to Thibodeaux's statements. He discussed it for quite a while on his radio show with Cole Cubelic  "McElroy and Cubelic In the Morning."

"I just take real personal offense, man," McElroy said Thursday. "I genuinely do. I don't care. Don't come. If you think so little of us, don't come. Fine by me, because I know the people that live in this state. I chose Alabama, because I love Alabama. ... If you don't want to see Alabama for the greatness it can potentially provide you, it's on you. You're missing out."

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Cubelic and McElroy both chastised Thibodeaux for saying "stigmatism" when he meant "stigma."

"He says he doesn't like the stigma that athletes are dumb jocks, and yet, he sounds like a dumb jock," McElroy said.

McElroy played quarterback at Alabama from 2007-10. The New York Jets took him in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

"What I don't understand is why he felt the need to cut down Alabama," McElroy said. "And as someone who has always taken his academic situation very seriously, I'll just come at him with this  if he'd like to take an IQ test, I'm available. If he'd like to take the Wonderlic test, I'm available. As a proud graduate with multiple degrees from Alabama, I will put my degree up against his any day of the week."

Former Alabama QB and current ESPN analyst and radio show host Greg McElroy during SEC Media Days in July 2021.

McElroy was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship in 2010. The Rhodes Scholarship is a postgraduate award for 102 students to attend the University of Oxford in Oxford, England.

"I'd like to show him the offers, because I would be willing to bet that Harvard didn't offer him," McElroy said. "I think they probably would have taken him, but Harvard did offer me  as did Yale, as did Princeton, as did almost every Ivy League school along with Duke, Stanford, Northwestern and Vanderbilt. And I chose Alabama, so put 'er there Kayvon Thibodeaux."

Thibodeaux had 49 total tackles, 35 solo tackles, and seven sacks for Oregon during the 2021 season. He's projected by many to be on of the first picks  if not the first overall pick  in the 2022 NFL draft.

NFL mock draft 2022: Kayvon Thibodeaux goes first overall in USA TODAY Sports mock

Coaching carousel: Ranking the NFL's eight* open head coaching jobs from best to worst

Good riddance: The Wonderlic, one of the NFL's worst ideas, is practically dead | Opinion

"Meet me at the Wonderlic (test)," McElroy said later in the show. "Meet me there, Kayvon. Come get some. Match my 48  or 43, whichever one it was."

The Wonderlic test is an IQ test that used to be given at the NFL Combine for NFL Draft prospects. A perfect score for a Wonderlic test is 50 points.

During Monday's interview with FOX, Thibodeaux also talked about how Oregon's connection to Nike led him Eugene over Tuscaloosa.

"You know what I sat back and thought about? I sat back and said 'what world do I want to be a part of?' I said if I go to Alabama, Im going to win national championships, literally," Thibodeaux said. "But do I want to be a guy whos known as a national championship winner or do I want to be a guy whos known for being a part of the greatest organization in the world? ... A brand like Nike, for me what brand associations do I want to be tied to."

The 2022 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place April 28-30.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: ESPN analyst Greg McElroy challenges Kayvon Thibodeaux to IQ test
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty

Since Fox Nation host Lara Logan compared Dr. Anthony Fauci to a Nazi war criminal last November, she has all but disappeared from Fox airwaves. In fact, it would appear as though the conservative cable giant took a stand on her increasingly unhinged rhetoric and cut ties with the once-respected journalist.

But even Logan is in the dark on where she now stands with Fox News. I dont really know, she admitted during a podcast interview last week.

The former 60 Minutes correspondent, who since 2019 has hosted Lara Logan Has No Agenda on Foxs digital streaming service Fox Nation, has yet to make a single appearance across Fox News Media platforms since her Fauci comments. Her Fox Nation program has not aired any new episodes and is no longer actively promoted by the network. Even the production company contracted to produce Logans series has quietly distanced itself from her.

No stranger to controversy, Logan drew the condemnation of Jewish groups and Holocaust remembrance organizations after declaring Fauci to be like the Nazi physician known as the Angel of Death, during a Nov. 29 appearance on Fox News Primetime. What you see on Dr. Fauci, this is what people say to me, that he doesnt represent science to them, she exclaimed. He represents Josef Mengele. Dr. Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor who did experiments on Jews during the Second World War and in the concentration camps.

Logan continued to stoke outrage by doubling down on social media, at one point attempting to beef with the Auschwitz Museum of all places. But her presence on Fox News came to a complete stop.

Fox Nation Host Compares Fauci to Nazi Angel of Death: People All Across the World Are Saying This

Reached by The Daily Beast this week, Logan declined to comment, instead publishing to Twitter a text message sent to her by one of the reporters of this story. What do you think? Likely to be an honest attempt at real journalism or a hit piece? Logan captioned the tweet, before sharing an anti-vaccine conspiracy sites unhinged blog post accusing The Daily Beast of being a CIA plant.

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The network has not once publicly remarked on Logan, despite how shed been a frequent on-air presence and her digital show was featured prominently in promos for Fox Nation. Rather than make any on-record statements, the network merely noted to media outlets that Logan was an unpaid guest who hadnt appeared on-air since the ordeal. And the networks public silence continued even after Fauci himself said he was astounded that Fox hadnt punished Logan for her totally slanderous comments.

Warm Springs Production, the company that produces Lara Logan Has No Agenda, has been similarly tight-lipped. The company has not responded to repeated requests for comment, but it did remove No Agenda from both the Warm Springs show schedule and the list of shows produced by the company. (Three of the Montana-based firms productionsHow America Works, American Gold: The Legend of Bear Gulch and American Dream Homecurrently run in primetime on Fox News sister channel, the Fox Business Network.)

Representatives for both Warm Springs Production and Fox News did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this story.

Foxs Lara Logan Digs In, Boosts Attacks on Auschwitz Museum

But with media critics proclaiming shed been secretly sidelined, a Fox anchor brutally subtweeting her, and her absence from the network becoming highly conspicuous, Logan finally spoke out about the situation this month.

In a nearly two-hour conversation with Ivory Hecker, the former Fox 26 Houston reporter who infamously ended her career by secretly recording her bosses for right-wing activist group Project Veritas, Logan acknowledged its absolutely true that she has not appeared on Fox News since November.

Logan also confirmed she was an unpaid guest during her many appearances across the network, even after she began hosting her Fox Nation program.

I do and have done a lot of work on Fox News over the last few years and I've really enjoyed it, actually, because so many of the hosts and anchors are just, you know, they're really amazing and they have been so gracious with me and we respect each other, she told Hecker. But I would say to you that it's a lot of workand I have never been, I'm not paid for that. I was paid to do my series on Fox Nation. And there's an obvious benefit there.

Noting that Logan still lists herself as the shows host on her Twitter bio, Hecker wondered if the ex-60 Minutes reporter is at least still associated with Fox Nation.

Well, I dont know at this point how thats going to turn out. Im not very good at updating those things. I think you can probably find a Facebook page that still has me listed as a 60 Minutes correspondent, Logan replied, adding: So, I dont really care about the details. Of course, Ill update it. I want it to be accurate, and when we figure it out, I will definitely do that.

Later in the interview, Hecker suggested Fox has created a pickle for itself, because while the network ostensibly did not like the headlines caused by Logans comments, they also dont want to risk angering loyal right-wing viewers by publicly disowning her.

Fox is saying, like, Oh, whats gonna cause us less drama? It seems like thats where you are at right now, that youre kind of in this limbo. Is that whats going on? Hecker asked.

Lara Logan, the Fox Investigative Journalist Who Keeps Falling for Antifa Hoaxes

I dont really know, to be honest, because, you know, Im not on their payroll, Logan answered. So I, you know, Im not in communication with them.

Elsewhere, Logan confirmed that she was never hired by Fox Nation, and was instead paid through a production company, referring to Warm Springs. However, she claimed, there were talks about bringing Logan onto the Fox Nation payroll. It may happen, it may not happen. I dont know, she said.

Logan also confessed that while it would be the greatest thing if there was a nationwide uproar if Im not on their air, her more realistic assessment is that everyone is expendable to a certain degree. And so while people may not agree with it or maybe not like it, how many of them will actually stop watching Fox? she conceded.

I guess well just have to wait and see if Fox Nation has you back on, Hecker concluded. It would be really dumb of them not to. I think theyll lose viewers for it.

They might not care! Logan exclaimed. They just might not care.

Logans situation ultimately seems to parallel the one that befell right-wing vloggers Diamond & Silk. The MAGA diehard siblings came under fire in April 2020 for peddling a wide range of unhinged COVID-19 conspiracy theories, prompting Fox to completely cut ties with them.

Though the pair had been providing weekly videos to Fox Nation since the services 2018 launch, they were never actually Fox employees. Instead, Fox News paid them to license their content on the digital platform.

The network, in the end, never once publicly commented on Diamond & Silk falling out with Fox just as theyve remained mum on Logan.



Diana Falzone was an on-camera and digital reporter for FoxNews.com from 2012 to 2018. In May 2017, she filed a gender discrimination and disability lawsuit against the network and settled, and left the company in March 2018.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh has issued a statement, commenting on the recent remarks of the Azerbaijani President.

Armenpress presents the full text of the statement:

In his recent interview to a number of media outlets, President of the Azerbaijani Republic Ilham Aliyev, touching upon the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict settlement and regional processes, once again used anti-Armenian, destructive, expansionary vocabulary and ideas, dwelling upon relevant programs and goals.

Such a policy is a gross violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the agreements reached. It aims to torpedo peace and stability initiatives and dismantle the existing formats.

The Azerbaijani leader also specifically targeted the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship and the peacekeeping mission carried out in Artsakh by one of the co-chair countries- the Russian Federation, voicing absurd accusations against their activities.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship is the only format for the settlement of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict agreed by all sides.

We highly appreciate the mission of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh and consider unacceptable any attempt to cast a shadow on their activities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh strongly condemns the behavior of Azerbaijan, being convinced that such a policy carried out at the state level should be properly assessed also by the international community.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham highlights a package of public safety proposals during a news conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Lujan Grisham and other elected officials said the legislative session that begins next week marks an opportunity to shift the tide of violent crime in Albuquerque and elsewhere in the state.

ALBUQUERQUE  New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is aiming to put a wedge in the revolving door that many have blamed for persistent violent crime and record homicides in the states largest city.

The Democratic governor joined other elected leaders in Albuquerque on Thursday to highlight a few of the public safety proposals that will be pushed during the legislative session that begins Tuesday. The officials stood in front of a mural dedicated to victims of gun violence as they acknowledged that residents around the state are fed up.

This is not just an Albuquerque issue. This is a state issue. This is a neighborhood-by-neighborhood, community-by-community issue. New Mexico can and will do better, the governor said.

The measures include enhanced penalties for some crimes and a shift in New Mexicos pretrial detention system that supporters claim would ensure the most dangerous defendants accused of murder, rape or other violent crimes remain behind bars pending trial.

More: County law enforcement prioritizing crimes against people over property as COVID-19 cases rise

Lujan Grisham said the burden would be placed on defendants, rather than prosecutors, to prove they would not be a danger to the community if granted pretrial release.

Critics, including defense attorneys and public defenders, have raised concerns that the change would erode the checks and balances of the current system and would give prosecutors more power to detain people. They have pointed to efforts to narrow the presumptions used to hold defendants at the federal level as well as data from criminal cases in the Albuquerque area that showed a smaller share of those charged with rebuttable presumption offenses were arrested for a new crime while released.

More: Less property crime, more aggravated assaults. Here's our review of 30 year's worth of Las Cruces crime data.

Bennett Baur, the states chief public defender, said in a statement that evidence shows people on pretrial release are not a significant cause of the increase in violent crime and that incarcerating more people before trial will further harm New Mexico communities.

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Im concerned that the focus is all on police, prosecutors and punishment, and seems to ignore the effects that the proposals would have on the courts, public defenders, jails and prisons, and on what happens when anyone accused of a crime is eventually released, he said.

Republican Rep. Bill Rehm of Albuquerque, a retired police officer who has been working on the issue for more than a decade and supports the proposed legislation, described it as narrow and surgical to address the most violent offenders.

In 2017, New Mexico joined a growing number of states in adopting risk-based approaches to releasing defendants that put less emphasis on financial assurances, after voters approved a constitutional amendment the previous year to allow judges to deny bail to defendants considered extremely dangerous. The constitutional amendment also granted pretrial release to those who are not considered a threat but remain in jail because they cant afford bail.

The public has been frustrated with the outcome, and politicians have acknowledged that changes need to be made in the pretrial justice system.

District Attorney Raul Torrez, who oversees prosecutors in New Mexicos busiest judicial district in Albuquerque, called the upcoming legislative session an opportunity to fix what is broken.

Bernalillo County District Attorney Raul Torrez, center, is flanked by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller as he talks about pretrial detention during a news conference in Albuquerque, N.M., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Lujan Grisham and other elected officials said the legislative session that begins next week marks an opportunity to shift the tide of violent crime in Albuquerque and elsewhere in the state.

Torrez said the presumption standards that are being proposed would have no effect on non-violent, low-level offenders or the types of people who authorities believe can be safely monitored and provided resources to get them out of the criminal justice system.

The revolving nature of the system has left Torrez prosecuting one person for multiple events, rather than just one. He said that strains resources and that having deterrents throughout the process could help address that on the front end.

We have to send a signal right away, he said.

More: Overdue education plan frustrates New Mexico native leaders

When asked whether New Mexico could legislate its way out of the crime problem, Lujan Grisham said that changing human behavior and how people treat one another is a difficult effort.

But if you dont have guardrails, youre also signaling that its everyone for themselves and we arent going to do anything collectively that we know can have an impact. You have to lead by example and set the standards that this is intolerable what is occurring, she said.

Lujan Grisham said working across branches of government and jurisdictions can produce results. She pointed to a partnership between Albuquerque police and State Police that netted hundreds of arrests and resulted in a significant drop in auto thefts.

You have to have the resources, the tools and a strategy, she said. Were going to keep doing that.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico leaders aim to put wedge in revolving crime door
If movie genres were ice cream flavors, romantic comedies would be vanilla: Simple, satisfying, and unchallenging. You can jazz it up with toppings or mix in other flavors, but at the end of the day, its the comforting familiarity thats the selling point. That being said, theres a massive range in quality between a handcrafted artisanal pint and a two-gallon bucket of artificially flavored gloop. Theres an art to making a truly great romantic comedy, just as theres an art to making a truly great vanilla ice cream. And on the high end of that spectrum sits Roman Holiday, perhaps the finest vanilla gelato the rom-com genre has ever served up.



Like Harold And Maude or When Harry Met Sally, Roman Holiday is one of those romantic comedies thats inspired so many copycats that the original can almost seem too familiar to first-time viewers. Three years after Disney canonized our shared image of Cinderella with its 1950 animated classic, Roman Holiday popularized the reverse Cinderella romancethe story of a glamorous high-status woman who falls for an everyday guy, often while one or both of them is in disguise. Ironically, Disney would then regularly start to pull from that template, in movies ranging from Lady And The Tramp to Aladdin and Tangled.

Read more

Itself inspired by screwball comedies like It Happened One Night, Roman Holiday would go on to influence rom-coms ranging from Notting Hill and Chasing Liberty to Overboard, Long Shot, and Shakespeare In Love. The reverse Cinderella formula is a little bit fairy tale, a little bit Twelfth Night, and a little bit fish-out-of-water comedy (and not entirely dissimilar from the adventure romance subgenre either). The thrill comes from seeing two people who otherwise never wouldve crossed paths thrown together into a deeply intimate setting. And the romance comes from the way they shape each other for the better, even as outside forces conspire against themor their own deception puts them at a moral crossroads.

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What makes Roman Holiday special is how sweet and simple it is. In her auspicious, star-making American debut, Audrey Hepburn plays Princess Ann, a young royal on a goodwill tour across Europe. Exhausted by her endless public duties, and lightly hopped up on a sedative, Ann flies the coop in Rome, looking to finally experience the real world for herself. When she gets in over her head, however, shes rescuedfirst reluctantly and then self-servinglyby Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an American journalist hoping to score a big payday with a story about the princess wild day out.

Shot entirely on location in Rome, Roman Holiday unfolds over the 24 hours or so that Joe and Ann spend exploring the city together. Though its a splashy studio film, it has an unhurried, observational tone that calls to mind Richard Linklaters Before Sunset as much as a classic plot-driven romantic comedy. The stakes are high in the sense that Anns public dignity hangs in the balance should Joe publish his story. But Hepburn also gives Ann a refreshingly self-possessed competence underneath her naive exterior. You get the sense that shell be okay no matter what comes of this Italian adventure.

Indeed, Roman Holiday is a coming-of-age story as much as anything, one where we witness the birth of Hepburns movie star persona in a sequence where Ann trades in her pumps for flats and cuts her long bushy hair into a short, stylish bob. Roger Ebert once referred to Hepburn as the last of the silent stars, thanks to her incredibly expressive eyes. And theyre on full display in Roman Holiday, where one glance can tell a whole story unto itselfa quality Hepburn would continue to bring to her next decade and a half of stellar rom-com work.

In fact, while romantic comedies are traditionally driven by rat-a-tat patter, Roman Holidays story is foremost told visually. Working from a script by John Dighton and Dalton Trumbo (the latter fronted by Ian McLellan Hunter due to Trumbos place on the Hollywood blacklist), director William Wyler fills Roman Holiday with physical comedy beats worthy of a silent film. Take an early scene where Ann slips out of her high heel under her bustling ballgown, and then quietly panics when she cant find it again. Everything you need to know about the contrast between Anns dignified exterior and her playful humanity is immediately captured in that simple, wordless gag.

The same goes for an extended sequence where Joe tries to find a place for an inebriated Ann to sleep, or any number of gags involving bohemian photographer Irving Radovich (Eddie Albert) and his attempts to covertly capture Anns adventures. And then theres the iconic montage where Ann and Joe zoom around the city on a Vespa. You can watch this movie with the sound off and it works almost as well, thanks to the beauty of the location and the intimacy of physicality that sells the romance. During the famous Mouth of Truth scene, Peck and Wyler reportedly conspired together to prank Hepburn by having Peck pretend to lose a hand to the statue. The way she almost melts into his arms in relief when she realizes whats happening is a perfect rom-com moment of actor and character chemistry becoming one.

Yet what elevates Roman Holiday from good to greatthe secret ingredient in the gelato, if you willis its ending. The movie wanders such a whimsically familiar path that its easy to assume you know where its going. But in place of a conventional happily-ever-after, Roman Holiday swerves to something more poignant. One of my favorite movie-going memories is of attending an outdoor screening of Roman Holiday back in college with a friend who had never seen it before. Her absolutely flabbergasted reaction to the fact thatnearly 70-year-old spoiler alert!Joe and Ann dont end up together was a perfect reminder of how much a great movie can still pack a punch decades after its released.

Its here where the simplicity of the film really pays off. Where other versions of this story give their characters a big climactic fight when the truth is revealed, Roman Holiday takes an understated, dignified approach worthy of its royal protagonist. Joe and Anns mutual attraction slowly builds, until the bittersweet moment Ann decides to leave him behind to recommit to her royal duties. In the final scene, Joe attends a press conference with the princess as a way to reveal his real identity, reassure her he wont write about their time together, and say goodbyeeven as they cant let anyone else in the room know that theyve met before.

If this movie made Hepburn a star, Im convinced its the final scene that won her the Academy Award for Best Actress (one of Roman Holidays 10 nominations and three wins). Shock, worry, and anger flash across Anns face when she spots Joe among the press. And yet, theres something like relief in the fact that she wasnt the only one keeping a secret during their whirlwind romance. Though they cant speak openly, Joe and Ann finally meet as their true selves for the first time. And befitting the often wordless nature of their courtship, they find subtle ways to communicate just how much that day together meant to both of them.

Asked which European city she enjoyed visiting the most, Ann breaks with her stock diplomatic answer to speak honestly: Rome. By all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here, in memory, as long as I live. The lovely idea buried at the heart of Roman Holiday is that relationships dont have to last forever to be meaningful. Its the antithesis of the message that fairy tales and rom-coms often sell us, and it rings all the truer for it. Joe and Anns perfect Roman day wasnt enough to upend their lives over. But it was transformative for both of them.

More than anything, Roman Holiday is about loves influence as a maturing force. Ann gains the confidence she needs to assert herself more in her carefully managed royal life, while Joe comes to realize there are principles that matter more to him than money. Its an ending thats romantic for its realistic poignancy, rather than its wish-fulfillment fantasythe sort of perfectly calibrated finale that many romantic comedies aim for, but few actually manage to achieve.

Everything we do is so wholesome, Ann sighs in frustration at her royal handler early in the film. But Roman Holiday understands theres value to the sweetness and decency that Ann initially scoffs at. Simplicity isnt a bad thing, so long as its made up of the finest ingredients. The best romantic comedies prove that. And Roman Holiday remains one of the genres most perfectly balanced treats.

Next time: We Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!
With in-person learning resuming in schools across Ontario next week, one infectious disease expert is stressing that reopening schools is certainly a reasonable step.

I think it's easy to lose sight of all the other things that go to the wayside when kids are out of school, Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti told Yahoo Canada. Say hospital workers, they're essential workers and they have kids, so all of a sudden, you have people having to stay home to look after the kids, it becomes a much more difficult situation, it has a ripple effect in the community.

Let's not forget kids social development, language development So I think that the risks of disease transmission are strongly outweighed by the benefits that are afforded to kids by being in school, and that's why they shouldn't be closed in the first place. Going back is a good thing and they should never close again.Dr. Sumon Chakrabarti, Infectious Disease expert

In terms of the risks of COVID-19 transmission in schools, Dr. Chakrabarti identified that schools are a congregate setting where children and adults interact, which can lead to transmission of the virus, possibly more transmission with the Omicron variant in particular, but schools generally have been safe for the last two years.

A woman wearing a face mask waits outside a COVID-19 testing site in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 8, 2022. Canada reported 30,435 new COVID-19 cases Saturday morning, raising its national total to 2,512,577 with 30,742 deaths, according to local media CTV. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Changes to testing strategy could still work

With Ontario also having significantly changed its testing strategy in recent weeks to only the symptomatic, highest risk individuals in our community, Dr. Chakrabarti commented that indicators like percent positivity in testing, even with fewer people being tested, can be effective in assessing the current state of this wave of the pandemic.

If you're getting a whole bunch of higher risk people that we're testing now and you're seeing that the percent positivity is significantly dropping,...that's an indication things are getting better, he said. In pre-pandemic times, what we did with influenza, for example, we didn't test people in the community but we did have an idea of what was happening by some surveillance and also looking at the cases in the hospital.

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So even though we don't have the same level of detection that we did, let's say a month ago, we still have a level of detection that's there. But the big thing for us to remember is that in the grand scheme of things, you don't need to know what's happening to say, a healthy 35-year-old in the community who gets essentially a cold, and that's going to be a bit of an adjustment because we've been doing all this low risk testing for so long.

People with a thick coats line up to enter a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Toronto, Canada, on Jan. 3, 2022. The City of Toronto issued an extreme cold weather alert on Monday. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images)

When will the COVID-19 pandemic be over?

Dr. Chakrabarti identified that we are moving into a post-pandemic mindset and in terms of when the pandemic will be over, there will be a low amount of community transmission, but that does not have to be zero and we could still see spikes in cases in the wintertime.

He added that there also needs to be a sociopolitical change and a shift to take the focus off of dashboards of daily case data, and even hospitalizations, particularly for the general public.

That information will still be available, but it's just not going to be front and centre in our consciousness, Dr. Chakrabarti said.

Part of this is going to be the numbers, but part of this is going to be kind of changing our mindset and our perspective, and a lot of that's going to have to be through good communication.
harriet tubman

Source: Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer / Thomas Hengge

On Jan. 11, The City of Philadelphia unveiled a nine-foot bronze sculpture of Harriet Tubman at City Hall. Titled Harriet Tubman, The Journey to Freedom, the statue will be temporarily held outside the municipal building until the end of March  just as the city commemorates the anniversary of what would have been the freedom fighters 200th birthday.

Notably, Tubmans new statue will also be in front of City Halls North Apron for Black History Month and Womens History Month.

Tubmans roots in Philly run deep, so the statue symbolizes a true celebration of the abolitionists life. After escaping slavery in Maryland in 1849, Tubman used the Underground Railroads network in the city to help free over 70 enslaved people.

Wesley Wofford, the artist behind the piece, detailed Tubmans life journey by including the Pennsylvania state line and the Maryland-Delaware Pennisula is the shape of the monuments base, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. On that foundation, Tubmans bronze figure leads a young girl to freedom  a set of shackles on the Maryland side of the base on the ground behind them.

Tubmans strength, courage and fearlessness is depicted on her face as she leads the way and steps into Pennsylvania, while the childgripping Tubmans arm as they escapelooks worried and afraid.

Philadelphia holds a specific relevance to Harriets story as the city she found safe harbor in after her escape from Maryland, as well as staging many of her returning raids to free others from the bondage of slavery, Wofford said of the abolitionists connections to the city in a statement.

Along with the statue, the citys celebration of Tubman and her legacy includes over 30 events organized by Philadelphias Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy with local organizations and businesses. Additionally, 2019s Harriet will be playing throughout February and March with introductions from community activists and leaders.

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RELATED CONTENT: Twitter Users Have Mixed Emotions About Harriet Tubman Gracing Our $20 Bill. Heres Why.

Mayor Jim Kenney said telling and celebrating stories like Tubmans is essential to connecting with our communities.

Harriet Tubmans incredible legacy of heroism, resilience, hope, and activism is a story we can all learn from as individuals as well as a community, Kenney noted. The presence of stories like these in the form of public art is vital for learning and reflection, connecting with our communities and understanding our mutual histories.

RELATED CONTENT: Fight The Power: 16 Black Activists You Should Know
The Baltimore Police Departments Gun Trace Task Force was as rotten a squad as any detail in American policing. The public is just learning exactly how bad it was.

If there had been a sixth season of The Wireand God, we wish there wasit would have been about the Baltimore Police Departments historically corrupt Gun Trace Task Force. Showrunners wouldnt need to look far for source material, because a new report about the squad and how it came to be its own criminal enterprise reads like the best of creator David Simons scripts.



It has everything: Drug dealing cops who couldve picked up where the infamous Stanfield and Barksdale crews left off, plainclothes detectives who took off stash houses with the effectiveness of Omar Little in his prime (RIP Michael K. Williams), plus beatings, shootings and enough institutional rot to thread a backstory about the steady decline of post-post-industrial urban America.



Just imagine this scene set in The Pit after DAngleo Barksdales death in prison, or in one of the West Side rowhouses that once served as a Marlo Stanfield stash:



From the Baltimore Sun One convicted officer who spoke to the investigative team, Victor Rivera, joined the force in 1994 and said he learned early from others how to get down and dirty  beating suspects who ran from them in order to teach them a lesson. In 1997, during the execution of a residential search and seizure warrant, Rivera and a senior officer found cash, according to Riveras account. They exchanged a glance and a shrug. The supervisor, identified as William Knoerlein, allegedly took the money and shared a couple hundred dollars with Rivera after they left the scene, a practice that Rivera said continued for years. Ive got dirt on you, youve got dirt on me, Knoerlein allegedly told Rivera, who was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison last year for lying about stealing cocaine in 2009.

Riveting television, right? Come to think of it, that last part also has echoes of Denzel Washingtons psychopathic Alonzo Harris in Training Day.

Read more

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The problem is this isnt fiction. It all really happened. Literally off of it, including the part where an allegedly dirty cop was mysteriously shot in the head the day before he was scheduled to testify against his former buddies on the squad. He had been granted immunity from prosecution for his testimony, and his yet-unsolved murder is the central story in another HBO show, the documentary The Slow Hustle, which landed last month.



There are 500 pages of anecdotes, interviews and dissection of the blanket failure of Baltimores police and city governments failure to do anything about it all, which makes the treatise more of a dissertation than a simple report. This is bound to be taught to 400-level criminal justice students on college campuses in the near future.



The report itself cost the citizens of Charm City (maybe more like Harm City) more than $4.4 million to produce according to the Sun. Some of the cops it mentions, including former gun task force leader Sgt. Wayne Jenkins, will be in prison for more than two decades. Others, though, are still on the Baltimore Police Force.



That fact should have everyone anticipating, and dreading, the second book in the series.


Photo: Caroline Behman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc (Getty Images)

Congresswoman Sewell assured CBS News that having grown up in one of the most significant locations of Black history, she knows very well how much voting rights need to be adjusted. Sewell said she wished President Bidens speech came sooner in his presidency given legislators are actively placing new restrictions on voters and their access to the ballot.



Sewell told CBS News she believes it is critical to pass the Freedom to Vote Act which would expand the ways people can register to vote, allow incarcerated individuals to vote and keep already registered voters from being removed among many more progressive action items.



Read more

From CBS:



We have an ongoing concerted effort by state legislatures across this country to impose greater restrictions on voting and to actually stop certain segments of the population from voting, Sewell continued. Frankly, what these two bills will do will provide federal oversight for those most egregious state actors, and also provide the mechanism by which we promote voting and allow people the opportunity to be able to access the ballot box. Sewell noted that though Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema wont support changing filibuster rules, they support voting rights, and further, Manchin helped write the Freedom to Vote Act. The Freedom to Vote Act is actually a bill that was crafted by the senators, including Senator Manchin, Sewell said. I think that both bills are critically important to our democracy in helping to make sure that all Americans have equal access to the ballot box.

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Sewell also introduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act which would restore the parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that have been shaved down by the Supreme court. The right to vote would be irrefutable and solidified, like it was supposed to be in the first place.

Congresswoman Sewell also addressed the part of the bill that would concern voter ID disparities, which is basically the new form of voter suppression. The Brennan Center for Justice reported states like Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina share a pattern of imposing new restrictions just ahead of an election causing a dramatically large number of Black people and people of color to be affected.



More from CBS:



An ID in and of itself is not what Im saying is discriminatory. Frankly, you have to be able to prove who you are on that voter roll to get that ballot, thats fine, Sewell told Garrett. But when states are picking winners and losers based on the types of IDs that they are requiring, if you allow a hunting license but dont allow a university student ID, youre making a decision about which voters are more likely to vote, having an easier time getting to the ballot box than the other.

Sewell is a third generation Selmian and the first Black woman to represent Alabama in Congress, reported CBS. You dont grow up in Selma without a real understanding of the intersection between history, both Confederate history and civil rights history. It converges in Selma, Alabama, she told CBS.
Even when the Houston Texans hire their fifth full-time coach in team history, the talent acquisition will continue as the club gears up for the 2022 NFL draft.

After a 4-13 season in the lone year of the David Culley regime, there are plenty of areas to upgrade across the roster. The good news is Houston can actually do something about it with top-100 picks as they have a first-round pick (No. 3 overall), a second-rounder, and two third-round choices.

According to Luke Easterling from the Draft Wire, who released his latest three-round mock draft, the Texans miss out on edge defenders Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson, who go to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions in the first two picks. Instead, Houston has to go with best player available and take safety Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame.

This roster needs help just about everywhere, so this pick is about getting the best overall talent, regardless of position. Its rare to see a safety prospect worthy of a top-five pick, but Hamilton is absolutely that guy, with an impressive blend of athleticism, instincts and versatility.

The Texans address other areas of concern across the roster with their next three picks. Houston adds Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller with their Round 2 (No. 37 overall) pick, which provides an effective complement alongside veteran Rex Burkhead.

In the third round, the Texans continue to address defense by selecting Penn State edge defender Arnold Ebiketie with their first Round 3 (No. 68 overall) choice. With Houstons second Round 3 (No. 80 overall via New Orleans Saints) pick, they take cornerback Josh Jobe from Alabama.

With a first-round safety, presumable Houston has moved on from Justin Reid. With a second-round running back, they have bridged the transition between Burkhead and younger legs. Ebiketie would be a nice addition to have opposite of Jonathan Greenard off the edge. Jobe would provide Houston with a younger cornerback to team up with Lonnie Johnson, if the team decides to leave him alone along the perimeter.
Far-right social media personality Tim "Baked Alaska" Gionet, who is facing federal charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot, was sentenced Thursday in a separate criminal case to 30 days in jail for assaulting a Scottsdale bartender in December 2020.

An attorney for the 34-year-old internet streamer said he intended to immediately file an appeal, which would temporarily stop the jail sentence.

Scottsdale city prosecutors had asked for six months in jail, the maximum allowed under state law, calling Gionet "lost" and "a danger to society" after he was found guilty of misdemeanor charges of assault, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.

But Scottsdale City Court Judge James Blake said six months wasn't appropriate because this was Gionet's first criminal conviction. Blake said he went "back and forth" during the court hearing as to whether to sentence him to 60 or 90 days in jail and ultimately settled on 30 days.

"I believe jail is appropriate under the circumstances due to the violence that occurred, and there was no need for it," he said.

A former rapper and commentator for BuzzFeed, a news and entertainment website, Gionet is a social media personality known for livestreaming edgy, aggressive videos.

His attorney, Zachary Thornley, has described the confrontation at Giligin's Bar in Old Town Scottsdale as self-defense. But prosecutors portrayed Gionet as an attention-seeker, desperate for internet clicks, with a history of antagonizing people by filming them when they don't want to be filmed.

Gionet did not speak at Thursday's sentencing hearing. The bar employee he was found guilty of assaulting spoke briefly and asked the judge to not impose any jail time. Gionet's mother, Susanne Gionet, described her son to the judge as someone who grew up making films at a young age, someone who cares about other people.

"He's been a delight," she said.

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On the night of the assault, she said her son was getting thrown out of a bar and "was talking back and forth. That's his strength  to talk back and forth with people. It got out of hand, and he got traumatized," she said.

Tim Gionet was arrested on Dec. 11, 2020, in Scottsdale after police said he got into an argument with a bar employee and pepper sprayed him.

Scottsdale police reports say Gionet and three friends were inside the bar livestreaming video and making customers uncomfortable on the evening of Dec. 10, 2020. Security told them to leave.

Police said the three friends left. But Gionet refused and got into an argument with an employee on his way out, police said. The employee pushed him out the door, and Gionet pulled out a can of pepper spray and sprayed him twice in the face.

Video reviewed by Scottsdale police showed a stream of liquid sprayed in the employee's face, causing him to flinch and turn around. When the employee turned back to face Gionet, the livestreamer sprayed a second burst into his eyes and face.

When police arrived, the employee was unable to open his bloodshot, watery eyes. His face was flushed red, similar to a sunburn, police said.

Gionet told police he believed the employee was advancing toward him. He said he feared for his life and sprayed him after being shoved.

Tim Baked Alaska streamed live from Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2021, a day before the riot as he walked down the street. The stream has since been taken down.

He was arrested after being interviewed, and a release agreement he signed prohibited him from leaving the state without court permission. But a month later  without telling the court  he went to Washington, D.C., where he was seen interviewing people on the street on Jan. 5, the night before the U.S. Capitol riot. The next day, he livestreamed from inside the historic building as thousands of people overran Capitol Hill and drove lawmakers into hiding.

He was arrested on federal charges of knowingly entering a restricted building without lawful authority, violent entry and disorderly conduct on U.S. Capitol grounds. He is one of more than 700 people who face criminal charges in connection with the Jan. 6 riot.

A federal complaint against Gionet alleges he entered the U.S. Capitol between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Jan. 6 and livestreamed video for 27 minutes on the DLive platform. He said he was documenting the event.

The complaint alleges Gionet is repeatedly heard encouraging people not to leave. The video shows him entering a congressional office, sitting on a couch and placing his feet on a table.

His attorney has argued in court records the livestreamer was acting as a member of the press when he entered the Capitol.

"He did not arrive in Washington DC with an agenda other than to film what was taking place," Thornley, his attorney, wrote to the court. He said video footage will show Gionet did not engage in violence and told others not to break or vandalize anything. He said his client left the building when he was told to go.

Gionet has remained out of custody while facing federal charges. But he has twice been threatened with jail. In June, he had additional release conditions imposed after having three interactions with Valley law enforcement over six days. He is prohibited from having weapons and is required to report any interaction he has with law enforcement to his pretrial services officer.

At the time of his arrest, Gionet listed as his residence a home owned by his parents in Queen Creek. Recent court filings say he is leasing a residence in Clearwater, Florida.

In City Court on Thursday, prosecutors played several videos of Gionet's livestreams, including one where he tells his followers that his next court date is Jan. 13 and that he is "sick of paying for flights to Arizona."

He says his attorney intends to appeal the case, which will put the sentence on hold.

"They can't force me to serve whatever sentence they give," he said in the video.

Reach the reporter at anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8072. Follow her on Twitter @anneryman.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Far-right streamer 'Baked Alaska' sentenced to 30 days in jail
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Based on the results of the talks held in Moscow on January 14, the Special Representative of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan and the Special Representative of Turkey Serdar Kilic agreed to conduct the dialogue in a constructive and apolitical way in order to find common ground, ARMENPRESS reports the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on this.

"The parties showed readiness to conduct a dialogue on a constructive, apolitical manner, with an open spirit and aimed at practical results, moving in small steps, passing from simple to complex. An agreement has been reached to continue finding common ground for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries, for the benefit of regional stability and economic prosperity," the statement said.
Demonstrators march from the Cumberland County Law Enforcement Center to Fayetteville Police Dept. and back during a Justice for Jason Walker demonstration on Sunday. Jason Walker, 37, was shot and killed on Saturday by an off-duty deputy with the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office.

A Cumberland County Superior Court Judge on Thursday granted Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins request to make public three videos that officers made at the scene where Jason Walker of Fayetteville was shot to death on Saturday by an off-duty deputy of the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office.

And the city police chief on Thursday evening said the department is filing a follow-up request to make public all of the videos her officers made at the site where county sheriff's Lt. Jeffrey Hash killed Walker. Hash has not been charged with a crime and the investigation of whether he should be charged is now being handled by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Im trying to get as quickly as possible all the video to the public, Hawkins said. She was hopeful the videos will be available to the public next week.

Except for limited, exigent circumstances, North Carolina law prohibits law enforcement agencies from publicly releasing videos from body worn cameras, dashboard cameras and other department-operated video cameras without permission from a Superior Court judge.

The first three videos that Hawkins requested are police body camera recordings of three witnesses, a court document says.

Hawkins said she realized later some people might question what is being held back among the rest of more than two dozen videos her officers made in the hours after the shooting, so she decided Thursday she wants all the videos made public.

I am trying to be as transparent as possible  yes, period, Hawkins said. And theres no better way to be able to let the public see what we saw, the statements we saw.

The Walker homicide has generated daily protests since Sunday afternoon and national headlines. There have been questions about whether the deputy was justified in killing Walker, and whether the Police Department gave Hash special treatment by not immediately arresting and charging him.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins takes questions from the media Sunday about the shooting death of Jason Walker, 37, by an off-duty deputy with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

Will police video resolve conflicting reports?

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There have been differing accounts in the public sphere on the circumstances that led to the shooting.

There is no question that Hash shot Walker to death after Walker attempted to cross Bingham Drive  a 45 mph, five-lane thoroughfare with no crosswalks in the vicinity. Walker got in front of Hashs pickup truck as Hash was driving with his wife and daughter.

But there are key questions: Did Hash crash into Walker and did that impact throw him onto the hood of the truck? Or was there no impact  did Walker jump on the hood after Hash came to a stop while trying to avoid hitting him?

The videos that Hawkins plans to make public may have comments from witnesses that will provide more clarity.

The deputy said there was no impact, Hawkins has said. And on WFNC radio on Wednesday, she said, We have one other witness  outside of the deputy  that confirms what he said. This witness told the police Walker stopped in front of the pickup truck and jumped onto it, she said.

Meanwhile, another woman at the scene, Elizabeth Ashley Ricks of Fayetteville, has said publicly she and her fiance Chase Sorrell saw the truck hit Walker. Ricks is also in a video giving first aid to Walker in the moments after the shooting. Sorrell made the video and posted it to social media.

Ricks in an interview published online on Tuesday by television station ABC11 said she and Sorrell were driving behind the pickup truck, saw it stop, start going again and then strike Walker.

And then as we were approaching, I saw him hit Jason, she said. And from what I saw from behind, at first when that part happened, was he hit him, and Jason hit forward, and then slammed  his body was slammed onto the windshield.

She said it appeared to her that Hash fired the first shot through the windshield of the truck, and then stepped out and continued shooting.

At a news conference on Sunday, Hawkins said no shots were fired through the windshield. Instead, she said, the windshield had damage from where Walker had broken off a windshield wiper and hit the glass in several places.

Also on Sunday, Hawkins said the trucks impact sensors and its black box recording device did record an impact. However, an expert on such sensors has told The Fayetteville Observer that a collision with a person likely would not have enough force to trigger the trucks impact sensors.

Related: What we know about Jason Walker's shooting death in Fayetteville

Related: Fayetteville police chief asks court to release bodycam in Jason Walker slaying aftermath

Related: 911 call audio released in Jason Walker shooting death in Fayetteville

Redactions to protect witness privacy

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons said in an interview Thursday afternoon he approved the release of the initial three videos in the interest of justice.

Hawkins said she expects the judge will approve the release of the remaining video.

However, Ammons said any video released must have redactions to protect some of the things witnesses tell the police officers, such as their addresses and phone numbers.

It is a large task for the Police Department staff to review and redact all of the videos, Hawkins said. Its not instantly that it happens, but we are working the best and as quickly as possible, she said.

Senior North Carolina reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at 910-261-4710 and pwoolverton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Judge approves release of police camera video in Jason Walker homicide
A demonstration in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, in January 2022. KIM WON JIN/AFP via Getty Images

North Korea is struggling to source enough fertilizer for its crops.

State media is now encouraging people to make their own manure, The Daily Beast reported.

Workers are using human excrement to meet their manure-producing quotas, Daily NK said.

North Korea is asking its citizens to use their own poop to make manure as the country faces widespread food shortages, reports say.

The country has long sourced its agricultural manure from China, but that trade, along with a number of other goods, ceased after North Korea closed its borders at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, North Korea has declared securing enough manure the first "struggle" of 2022, Daily NK reported.

State-run media has also been encouraging people to make "homemade" manure, The Daily Beast reported. A source in North Hamgyong Province told Daily NK that residents had started "producing fertilizer from human waste" after authorities launched a 10-day drive to increase production.

Citizens were told to produce a quota of 150 kilograms of manure, with people working in state factories told to provide 500 kilograms between January 4 and January 14, Daily NK reported.

In an attempt to incentivize people, North Korea has also introduced a pass which will only be given to people who achieve that quota of manure production, Daily NK reported. The pass lets people trade manure, the outlet said.

The North Korean Central Committee also briefly shortened the manure trade markets by one hour, so that people had one more hour to make manure, Daily NK reported.

"As the coronavirus emergency has made producing or importing fertilizer difficult, it seems that they have increased our assigned amount," the source said, according to Daily NK.

"In the end, the burden of gathering the fertilizer necessary for farming has all fallen on the shoulders of ordinary people."

As well as a shortage of manure, North Korea is also struggling to secure enough food.

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In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared a "tense" food crisis and, in September, he urged North Koreans to come up with solutions to the "food problem," NK News reported.

In early October, a United Nations expert said that the situation was precarious, Reuters reported. That month, North Korea said it had started breeding black swans to slaughter to provide a new food source.

Read the original article on Business Insider
File footage of a North Korean missile launch airs on South Korean TV. Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile early Tuesday, Japanese and South Korean officials said.

The object landed in the waters off North Korea's east coast, near Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japanese media reports. This is believed to be the country's second weapons test in less than a week. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the tests are "extremely regrettable," while the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff released a statement saying it is "closely monitoring" the situation "in close cooperation with the United States."

Nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea are at a standstill, and on Monday, several members of the United Nations Security Council, including the U.S. and Japan, released a joint statement saying last week's missile launch was a "clear violation" of several resolutions and shows North Korea's "determination to expand its unlawful weapons capabilities."

Last week, Pyongyang said it successfully tested a "hypersonic gliding warhead" that hit a target 435 miles away, a claim that South Korean military officials called an exaggeration.

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What I got wrong in 2021
One said he felt justified declaring himself an elector and attempting to throw Arizonas votes to former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election because of the unprecedented questions surrounding how ballots were cast and counted.

Another said she thought that signing the documents empowering herself to cast Arizonas Electoral College votes for Trump was merely a backup plan.

A third said he was fulfilling his duty as an elector.

But none would detail exactly how they and the other official Trump electors came to sign a document that was sent to Congress with a false avowal that they constituted Arizonas official vote in the Electoral College.

That document, and recent revelations from the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, raise new questions about how the group was organized and how the false document came to exist.

Interviews and text messages previously obtained by The Arizona Republic have detailed how White House officials and Trump campaign officials extensively pressured Republican leaders in Arizona to take other steps to dismiss the results of the general election after Joe Biden's win.

A Republic report in December documented how Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani repeatedly spoke with Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers and asked him, in vain, to replace the state's electors  the people who were bound to certify Biden's win.

For subscribers: White House phone calls, baseless fraud charges: Origins of Arizona's partisan election review

But new questions emerged this week about whether efforts in various states, including Arizona, to create slates of fraudulent electors were similarly coordinated.

On Dec. 14, 2020, a group of prominent Republicans, including the party's chair, Kelli Ward, former lawmaker Anthony Kern and incoming legislator Jake Hoffman signed a document declaring themselves the state's electors, in favor of Trump.

All 11 people were listed on the general election ballot as the would-be electors for Trump.

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But Trump had lost Arizona. Gov. Doug Ducey had certified the election results in late November. By state statute, the only electors who mattered were those pledged to cast their votes for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, as they did Dec. 14, 2020, at noon.

The document the Republicans signed, obtained from the National Archives last year by the group American Oversight, overlooked that detail.

It described the undersigned as the duly elected and qualified Electors for President and Vice President of the United States of America from the State of Arizona 

The vote was sent to Congress, the state Republican Party said at the time. It was accompanied by a letter, signed by 22 Republican state lawmakers, that asked the Trump slate be accepted as the official votes  or, in the alternative, that no votes be accepted until the completion of a forensic audit.

A news release from the Arizona Republican Party on the day of the signing said the Trump electors met to "cast their votes and send them to Congress where they are to be opened and counted beginning on January 6."

The Signing. pic.twitter.com/6gPsfqrk7T  Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) December 14, 2020

In a video posted to the Arizona Republican Partys YouTube page on Dec. 15, 2020, Ward, the party chair, told viewers that the true electors for the presidency had met the previous day to cast their votes.

We believe that we are the electors for the legally cast votes here in Arizona," she said.

Other documents similarly listing would-be Trump electors were filed with the federal government by groups from other states at the same time.

A congressional resolution last month holding former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in contempt for failing to cooperate with the committee included texts and emails showing Meadows encouraged lawmakers in certain states to send alternate slates of electors to Congress.

One member of Congress, according to the report, described the plan as highly controversial. Meadows responded, the report said, with a message that said: I love it, and later, "Have a team on it."

Opposed: Arizona's Andy Biggs rejects contempt charge vs. Trump's chief of staff

On "The Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC on Wednesday, the host highlighted that portion of the congressional report about Meadows.

Congressional investigators have already interviewed Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, and Politico reported this week that the committee was scrutinizing how certain states had submitted unsanctioned slates of electors.

False electors' answers

One of the signees to the document proclaiming an alternate slate of electors was Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point USA, a group that aims to energize Trump support among younger voters.

For subscribers: How Turning Point's conservative gathering in Phoenix seeks to shift politics to the right

He said during a brief phone interview on Thursday that he was in his right to sign the document.

I was an elector, he said. I want to make sure were clear here. I was an elector for the Republican Party.

Another would-be Trump elector, Rep. Hoffman, a Republican from Queen Creek, on Wednesday said that he felt empowered to declare himself an elector because of what he saw as the singularly unique questions about the 2020 elections.

State Rep. Jake Hoffman speaks during a breakout session focusing on Arizona elections during the second day of AmericaFest 2021 hosted by Turning Point USA on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Phoenix.

In unprecedented times, unprecedented actions occur, he said.

Hoffman said that the election was being litigated at the time the electors met at Arizona Republican Party headquarters. He said there was no case law or rules about what would happen if the result remained in doubt.

Which is why we felt it appropriate to provide Congress and the vice president with dueling options, Hoffman said.

However, Hoffman would not say how the plan came together or whether the electors received advice on how to word the document. He also would not say who told him where to be on Dec. 14 to cast the alternate elector vote.

NEW In Arizona, journalism can be a team sport. GOP State Rep. Jake Hoffman refused to answer 12News photojournalist's question (which I provided) re why he signed phony declaration in 2020 that Arizona electors voted for Trump. Watch as AZRepublic's @ruelaswritings folos up... pic.twitter.com/Qp3YOLyBl9  Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) January 13, 2022

Video footage of The Republics interview with Hoffman, captured by KPNX-TV, Channel 12, was replayed across cable TV news Wednesday and Thursday.

Similar documents in other states

The documents submitted to Congress by five states had similar formats, wording and fonts.

Two states, New Mexico and Pennsylvania, inserted conditional language about the standing of the electors. New Mexicos declaration said that it might be determined that the Trump electors were the true electors. Pennsylvanias document said that the Trump electors would only be official following a final non-appealable court order.

Arizonas document contained no such wiggle room.

Loraine Pellegrino, another Trump elector, said that she understood the paperwork to be only a backup plan should the election be called into question.

That was in case there was a change in the decision here in the state, Pellegrino said. Things were up in the air for a while.

Pellegrino, who has been a state delegate at the past three national Republican conventions, rejected the idea of calling what she and her fellow electors did as creating an alternate slate of electors. She said they were just electors, nothing more.

Pellegrino said the electors were simply doing what they had expected to do after a Trump victory. In her mind, she said, only the venue changed. Rather than a ceremony at the state Capitol, it was a quieter affair at the headquarters of the Arizona Republican Party.

We signed exactly the paperwork we would have signed had we been at the Capitol, she said.

Pellegrino said she scrutinized the document closely before signing it. She said she didnt understand why there was a question about why she would sign a document avowing her position as an official elector.

We were electors for Trump and we were hoping things would change, she said Just in case, we signed our paperwork to be ready in the event that something was overturned.

Among the other Trump electors who signed the document were:

Kern, a former state lawmaker who lost his seat in the 2020 election. Kern was spotted at the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. He also briefly was among the volunteers counting ballots in the Arizona Senate-ordered review of the ballots cast in Maricopa County.

Jim Lamon, a businessman and current candidate for U.S. Senate.

Kelli Ward, the chair of the Arizona Republican Party.

The other electors who signed were Robert Montgomery, the head of the Cochise County Republican Party, Nancy Cottle, Sam Moorhead, Greg Safsten and Mike Ward, husband of Kelli Ward.

On Dec. 14, the day both the actual and alternate slates of electors met, Stephen Miller, a Trump adviser, said on Fox News Network that he knew that alternate slates of electors were casting votes in certain states.

As we speak, today, an alternate slate of electors in the contested states is going to vote and we are going to send those results up to Congress, Miller said.

Miller said that the administration would ensure that the alternate slates would be sent up side-by-side to Congress.

Some person tried to issue a forged slate of Arizona electors to the National Archives. This was quickly caught and debunked, thank goodness! Yet, oddly, the #FakeNews cant get enough of it. Below is the only slate of 11 you need to worry aboutignore the others. pic.twitter.com/WheyH3LDzv  Republican Party of Arizona (@AZGOP) December 15, 2020

Another group of 11 Republicans, saying they were representing the sovereign citizens of the Great State of Arizona also met in December to appoint themselves electors and cast votes for Trump. It also sent its notarized documents to the National Archives.

But, in response to a Republic story about that effort, the Arizona Republican Party decried that group of alternate electors as frauds. The party posted a picture of its 11 alternate electors on Twitter calling it the only slate of 11 you need to worry about  ignore the others.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rep. Jake Hoffman, other Arizona Trump electors draw renewed scrutiny
Berlins Martin Gropius Bau building wont be hopping with the European Film Markets frenzied deal-making, but the global film industry is still weighing up trips to Germany for an in-person Berlinale.

Sales companies with a film at the festival, which runs Feb. 10-16, are largely planning to show up, and numerous distributors are expected to attend. Efforts are also underway to get buyers to Berlin by setting up separate market screenings for films in the official selection, although its unclear how feasible this will be.

More from Variety

Europa International, the umbrella group representing European sales companies, has been in negotiations with the EFM to try and arrange some sort of informal, on-the-ground market activity, according to several sources.

We are in a constant dialogue with the sales agents and understand the need a top festival on the scale of the Berlinale generates for the commercial launch of films, EFM director Dennis Ruh tells Variety. We are currently exploring the safe offers we can make for sales agents with films in the Berlinale line-up in accordance with the strict protocol of the festival in its revised concept.

As far as a U.S. presence goes, senior CAA and Neon executives are expected to attend for at least part of the festival, but companies such as IFC Films, Bleecker Street and Participant Media are sitting out an in-person Berlin, preferring to take the virtual route. FilmNation and Sony Pictures Classics are still believed to be deliberating its on-the-ground presence.

Its going to be a very Euro-centric event, says one major U.S. buyer who preferred to speak anonymously. For the most part, [sellers] will do their presentations online, so it would be a little weird to be on Zoom from a hotel room in Berlin.

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Thats not to say, of course, that virtual market fatigue hasnt set in for the Americans. Virtual schmirtual. Make it stop, joked one big player, likely speaking for a healthy portion of the industry. I cant take another virtual festival.

Out of the U.K., Mubis co-head of acquisitions Kevin Chan says the arthouse streamer, which went on a buying spree in Cannes, has travel and hotels booked but will wait for the full selection and see how the situation develops over the next few weeks.

London-based sales agents like Altitude, Film Constellation and Embankment Films, which dont have movies in the program, are staying home, but Rocket Science will have a presence on the ground, with boss Thorsten Schumacher  who brought his whole team to Cannes  also planning to attend.

Susan Wendt, managing director of TrustNordisk, will bring a smaller team to the Berlinale, where the company will have at least one film in the official selection.

I was sad and even furious when I got the news that Sundance and then the EFM were going virtual, says Wendt, whose team is trying to score a conference room at a Berlin hotel to set up camp for a hybrid EFM.

Wendt, and others, expect that some buyers will make the trek to Berlin, as well as festival representatives and the executive teams of films at the fest. [We want] to make the best of it because we need to start the year on a positive note, and we need to get out and get the feeling that were at a festival, she says.

Cecile Gaget at Frances Anton Capital will also attend, as the company is representing Claire Deniss Fire, which is expected to be part of the competition roster, set to be unveiled Jan. 19.

Well be on the ground to support the films team and the Berlinale, notes Gaget, whose team will do the EFM online from a Paris apartment and then travel to Berlin for the weekend.

Fionnuala Jamison, managing director at Frances MK2 Films, which has at least one film in competition, also plans on attending the festival for a few days. The Berlinale and EFM are always important for arthouse films, says the exec, whose slate includes Mikhael Herss Les passagers de la nuit with Charlotte Gainsbourg and Emmanuelle Beart.

Last year, MK2 did more than 2 million ($2.2 million) worth of sales at the virtual EFM with their film Petite Maman by Celine Sciamma competing in the festival. The film has had a strong run across awards season, and was this week named best picture runner-up by the National Society of Film Critics in the U.S. I had buyers in tears talking about the movie on Zoom, Jamison recalls of last years virtual market.

But the online format works best with movies that are buzzed about or are backed by directors with strong track records, says Jamison. Like Gaget, she says the plan this year is to start with Zoom meetings and then go to the festival to see people and socialize in cafes, as we did at Venice.

Over at Paris-based Charades, co-founder Yohann Comte says he plans on going for four days and will attend the premiere of the companys selected movie.

I expect some producers, distributors of arthouse movies, film crews and festival programmers to be there, so it will be worth going, says Comte, who plans to take meetings at cafes and lobbies, as he does in Toronto.

Italian sales agent Paola Corvino, head of Intramovies which has a film at the Berlinale, will send one representative from her team, but says the big fear is getting stuck in a COVID hotel in Berlin if they test positive prior to leaving Germany.

Jean-Christophe Simon at Berlin-based Films Boutique says the company will operate as it does in Venice, Toronto or Sundance.

Well follow what we do at festivals that dont have a market, meaning well put ourselves in festival mode and take meetings with people who are there, says Simon, who adds that the Berlinale is considering giving accredited buyers privileged access to screenings.

Allowing distributors to attend screenings will be key to encouraging them to attend, otherwise theres no point for them to be in Berlin and watch movies on links, Simon adds.

As far as an international presence from West Asia and Asia proper, the jurys still out. Buoyed by the inaugural Red Sea Film Festival in December, there are promising signs that not everyone in the Arab film world plans on staying home.

Im planning to go unless they have a lockdown. The EFM is virtual, but I still want to go, says Alaa Karkouti, head of Egypt-based distributor-producer Mad Solutions.

For Asian delegates, its still unclear how many companies will take the plunge on international travel. Many Korean sellers had hoped that Berlin would be their first market in well over a year, but its believed theyre now looking towards Cannes instead.

Patrick Frater contributed to this story.

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FARMINGTON  The man charged with shooting a Farmington police officer last week was arrested in Phoenix earlier this morning, ending a weeklong manhunt for the suspect.

Elias Buck, 22, of Durango, Colorado, is accused of third-degree felony counts of aggravated battery on a peace officer and felon in possession of a firearm along with a fourth-degree felony count of tampering with evidence, according to court documents.

Buck allegedly shot Farmington police officer Joseph Barreto, 25, once in his right arm on Jan. 7 during a DWI investigation in the area of 10th Street and North Fairview Avenue.

Buck was arrested in the early morning hours of Jan. 14 after being spotted at a QuikTrip gas station at 8004 N. 27th Ave. in Phoenix, according to a Farmington police news release. He attempted to flee but was quickly detained.

Members of the Farmington Police Department SWAT team prepare to search Jumbo's Mini Storage at 908 N. Tucker Ave. on Jan. 8 for suspect Elias Buck

The gas station is about two miles south of Castles N' Coasters at 9445 N. Metro Pkwy, just off Interstate 17.

Buck's girlfriend Victoria "Rossi" Hernandez, a person of interest in the case, was released pending an ongoing investigation.

"This is the culmination of a very emotional week for FPD," Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said in a statement. "We look forward to working closely with the district attorney as this case moves through the courts, so we can achieve our goals of holding all people involved in this incident accountable and keeping our citizens and officers safe."

Barreto had surgery for his injuries on Jan. 8 at San Juan Regional Medical Center and is recovering at home.

Buck allegedly pulled a handgun on Barreto and fired the firearm multiple times at the officer, striking him once. Buck and Hernandez then fled the area after the shooting.

More: Farmington police release body camera footage from officer shot last week

Farmington police thanked multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI along with New Mexico and Colorado law enforcement agencies.

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Elias Buck

Farmington police and the county DA's office told The Daily Times Buck was charged in Phoenix with a count of battery on a peace officer.

Brown said Farmington police do not know when Buck will be extradited to New Mexico.

San Juan County Chief Deputy District Attorney Dustin O'Brien said the timing of Buck being brought back to Farmington depends on what the state of Arizona does with the charges he picked up in Phoenix.

Regional and state law enforcement conducted an exhaustive search in Farmington following the shooting as officers and SWAT members combed through nearby neighborhoods and businesses near the scene.

The defendant escaped from the La Plata County Jail in Colorado on Dec. 27. The La Plata County Sheriffs Office issued a $5,000 reward for information leading to Bucks arrest.

The U.S Marshals Service later kicked in $10,000 for reliable information leading to his arrest.

An incident command post was established on Jan. 8 in La Plata County after the sheriffs office there received two tips that Buck might be in the area.

Victoria "Rossi" Hernandez.

The U.S. Marshals Service, Colorado State Patrol and Durango Police Department assisted in the La Plata County search.

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.

A screenshot of body camera footage released by Farmington police shows a man police identified as Elias Buck pulling a handgun on Officer Joseph Barreto on Jan. 7. Buck is accused of shooting Barreto once in the right arm as the officer tried to detain Buck.

Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e

More: Farmington police identify Elias Buck as man accused of shooting police officer Friday

This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Man accused of shooting Farmington, NM, officer arrested in Phoenix
The sound of water pipes bursting could be heard like champagne bottles popping all over the city as last Februarys winter storm proved too extreme for Shreveports 70-year-old infrastructure.

While temperatures plummeted towards single digits, the cracks in those pipes and the attempts to access water by an entire city forced water pressure at area hospitals too low to flush toilets, cook food, or sanitize equipment, let alone perform surgeries.

Willis-Knighton Medical staff says a prayer for Kyle Park who is leaving for San Diego to get a lung transplant Sunday afternoon, November 7, 2021.

We started receiving calls from Willis Knighton directly saying we have patients that may die if you all dont get the water turned back on, said water maintenance supervisor Rodrigues Hayes.

Most impacted were dialysis patients. Their treatments require 500 gallons each visit.

"It was very difficult to provide the care we needed to patients, said Renee McCuller, director of nursing and senior vice president at Willis Knight Medical Center.

My team started sleeping in the hospital on night one because we thought it was going to be bad but I never thought we would be facing what we faced, she added.

The sleet-covered streets made it impossible for most nurses to commute, creating work shortages, and just as difficult for ambulances to reach emergency calls.

Drone photos by Twin Blends Photography of Shreveport Monday morning. January 11, 2021, when snow covered the ground.

Nurses who could suffer the storm were carpooled to the hospital by sympathetic neighbors and co-workers with four-wheel-drive trucks.

McCuller was among several nurses who slept at the hospital for six nights.

They realized the difficulties of their limited water supply when bathing patients became a stress. Then the heating and cooling systems began to fail. Drinking water became limited. And the threat of a fire without an operable sprinkler system was worrying.

Look back: Gov. John Bel Edwards stresses water restoration in visit to Shreveport

What happened when the water system failed?

Jerry Ivey has been WKMCs director of engineering for 27 years, and can only remember three times  each lasting less than 12 hours - when water pressure was too low to support the hospital. This outage lasted eight days.

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The system was predicted to experience issues, Ivey said. Hospital manuals indicate facilities start to fail when temperatures go below 20 degrees.

You have the combination of really severe weather shutting down the city and the lost in water pressure shutting down some operations, Ivey said.

"In Louisiana, were not designed to withstand temperatures in the single digits," Ivey added.

The inside of a water pipe in Shreveport photographed on November 24, 2021.

The City of Shreveport's water and sewerage department had been inundated with phone calls throughout the storm. As urgent as any were the ones from WKMC.

Look back: Shreveport police, fire salary raise not approved as public works depts. complain 'unfair'

Kedrick Chisolm, water and sewer supervisor of field operations, said the pipes essentially "dried out" because so many people in the city were attempting to use water at once.

"We had pipes that went dry that probably have not been dry since they went in service, which bought a lot of air into the system," said Chisolm.

Air bubbles in water pipes lower water pressure and inhibit the flow of water through the pipes.

Low water pressure mandates a boil water advisory because it allows back contamination to take place, said director of water purification Qiana Maple-Lars.

"We had to literally burp the system to run the water through, Maple-Lars said.

Impact on Restaurants: Local restaurants face water safety issues, weather-related damages amid pandemic

This process took ten days and the water department put employees on 12-hour shifts, doling out lots of overtime. The boil water advisory lasted nearly two weeks in some parts of Shreveport.

"It was pretty tedious," said Jerome Houston who worked with the sewerage department.

"We had to park on the street in the frigid cold and pull our hose to the manhole in the rear of a house, yelling from the front of the property to the back to get instructions to one another.

"At the same time customers were coming outside yelling about water pressure."

For WKMC, the moment of relief couldn't come fast enough.

Everyone was ecstatic," McCuller said. "It was an awful time. People talk about COVID but this presented a multitude of challenges that we were not prepared for in the city of Shreveport. Challenges you never think people living in this time have to be worried about.

Similar issues affected CHRISTUS Shreveport, Ochsner LSU Health Medical Center, and St. Mary Medical Center.

A multi-agency response

An 18-wheeler brings water from the Louisiana National Guard to Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport on Thursday.

A multi-agency front including the water and sewerage departments, the Shreveport Fire Department, the national guard, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and a number of businesses and citizens with proper equipment was formed to help the hospitals through their water challenges.

2020: Shreveport-area hospitals dealing with low water pressure following water main breaks

Many agencies, community groups, and individuals provided bottled water.

The fire department and national guard deployed tanker trucks to filling stations manned by water employees who would fill the trucks with thousands of gallons of water to be taken to the area's hospitals and dialysis centers. They transported over half a million gallons each day.

"The airport fire station provided round-the-clock support to WKMC for the first week of the outage," Ivey said. "They provided water to us every single day. Every six hours they came and helped us."

Speaking up: Shreveport water, sewer workers demand same raises as police, fire at Monday's city council

These water deliveries allowed hospitals to perform those essential duties like flushing toilets and sanitizing equipment.

Full operations returned to the hospital Feb. 17, 2021, ending an unprecedented eight-day emergency for WKMC.

A common takeaway from workers of the storm was a gratifying sense of respect gained for their co-workers and of community togetherness they felt when working with the other departments.

"We have some great folks that work for us," Maple-Lars said. "We have staff that spent more time at work during this freeze than they did taking care of their families. They were sliding in the ice going back and forth to work."

"It was one of the greatest coming together of all city departments ever. We had many unsung heroes," she added.

Ivey said it was "a great example of the great support out there for health care" in Shreveport.

"Some oil field water handling companies that can transport water provided water to our boilers and provided 22-hour service at no cost to the hospital," he added.

In preparation for dealing with future winter storms, WKMC has expanded and improved its water well system so they can rely on a private source of water should the unpredictable hundred-year winter storm happen again.

Subscribe today for more human interest features and in-depth government reporting from Kendrick Dante.

Kendrick Dante writes for the USA Today Network and is a government watchdog reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoys cooking, concerts, and content. Email him at kdbrown1@gannett.com or connect on Twitter @kendrickdante.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: How Louisiana agencies helped a hospital in the 2021 winter storm
Owner of the Late Instagram-Famous Feline Lil Bub Introduces Fans to His 'New Magical Space Cat' Mr. Marbles

The owner of the late Instagram-famous cat Lil Bub has a new furry friend!

Mike Bridavsky introduced Mr. Marbles to the world Thursday with a cozy photo of him cuddling with the "magical space cat" on Instagram.

"We adopted him from our local shelter, and he is truly a magical critter undoubtedly sent to us by our beloved BUB," the film producer shared in the caption. "He weighs five pounds, has an impressive snaggletooth, a head shaped like a donut, enormous blue eyes, and a double-wide half-length tail that probably belonged to a raccoon in a past life."

He boasted about Mr. Marbles' "magical energy that brings pure joy and wonder to anyone that meets him."

"I literally cried tears of joy when I first held him in my lap on our way home from the shelter - the same feeling I had the first time I held BUB 11 years ago," Bridavsky continued.

RELATED: London Zoo Tiger Cub Takes Its First Wobbly Steps Outside with a Little Encouragement from Mom

RELATED: Cats Block Owners from Opening Vitamix Blender Box by Taking Turns Sitting on it for Weeks

While the cat is the newest addition, Bridavsky said the "entire family (pets included) are quite literally addicted to Mr Marbles - he follows us around, snuggles any time we sit down, and sleeps quietly beside us at night."

Referencing Mr. Marbles' seemingly nonchalant expression in the snap, Bridavsky wrote, "Don't let his face fool you, he's incredibly happy, curious, confident, and sometimes a little confused."

"I am really looking forward to sharing more about Mr Marbles' life and adventures through videos and photos as he continues BUB's legacy and mission to help special needs pets," he concluded before sharing the cat's official Instagram profile. "You can follow his adventures here: @itsmistermarbles."

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.

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Lil Bub the cat died in December 2019 at the age of 8, Bridavsky announced on Instagram at the time.

Lil Bub obituary

Lil Bub/Instagram

"On the morning of Sunday, December 1st 2019 we lost the purest, kindest and most magical living force on our planet," he wrote in part. "BUB was cheerful and full of love laying in our bed with us Saturday night, but unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her sleep."

He later shared his plans to send Lil Bub's remains to outer space.

Bridavsky rescued Lil Bub in 2011 after she was found in an Indiana tool shed with her siblings and mother.

As her website describes, Bub had a "multitude of genetic anomalies." She was a perma-kitten, which meant she stayed kitten sized her entire life, and she had an "extreme case of dwarfism," so her limbs were disproportionately small compared to the rest of her body, making it difficult for her to move around. Her lower jaw was shorter than her upper jaw, and she never grew a full set of teeth, causing her tongue to hang out of her mouth. But that didn't stop her appetite or her popularity.

Lil Bub garnered over 2.3 million Instagram followers and close to 3 million Facebook subscribers in her 8 years.
prince-harry-3-2000

PA Wire/PA Images (2) Prince Harry in 2019 and Princess Diana in 1997

Twenty-five years ago, Princess Diana stepped out onto an active minefield in Angola to aid in the call for an international ban on landmines.

Now, decades later, her son Prince Harry is the only other person who matches his late mother's impact on the ongoing issue to rid the world of landmines.

That's the opinion of a man who joined the Duke of Sussex more than two years ago when he walked in the footsteps of Diana in a former warzone in Angola.

In 2019, Harry visited the same town, Huambo, where his mother made her trailblazing walk through an area being cleared by the charity HALO Trust on January 15, 1997.

"There's no comparison to the public attention that we get in moments like that with Prince Harry to anything else, not just HALO does, but the entire cause of organizations who work to remove landmines or to assist the victims thereafter through medical services," Chris Whatley, HALO USA's Executive Director, tells PEOPLE.

He continues, "Nothing gets the attention, whether it be at the highest level of governments or whether it's the boy scout troop that makes a small contribution on which we depend, and all of that is amplified and accelerated by Prince Harry because of this dynamic relationship between who he is as his own person, his own service, his own set of causes and his unique ability to connect with people."

RELATED: Prince Harry Meets Landmine Victim 22 Years After She Shared Special Moment with Princess Diana

And, of course, ahead of Harry was the late princess, "who sits out there as this continuing moral presence in the cause," Whatley adds.

prince-harry-3-2000B

PA Wire/PA Images; Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/PA Images Princess Diana and Prince Harry

Diana made the issue such an important one in the last year of her life.

"As soon as Princess Diana made her walk, it became a front of mind issue," he says of her visit to Angola. "It took the convening power of Princess Diana to do that, to put it on the world stage to create that public momentum that, that allows for the political support, the rallying that continues to this day."

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Following Diana's death in 1997, one of her key legacies was the signing of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, which called for all countries to unite to rid the world of landmines.

When Harry visited the town of Huamba in September 2019, Whatley was with him.

"He's a very approachable and dynamic guy. He walked down exact same street and there's a hospital on one side, there's a school on the other," he recalls. "There are all of these kids in the white uniforms lined up to greet him and sing, and he's there interacting with them. But then he pauses at the memorial, there's a tree leftover from that moment and the memorial for her. And you could empathize with him. There was an authentic moment of connection to his mother and her cause."

A lot has changed in the area since Diana made her famous walk  a testament to Diana's efforts and the work of HALO and others.

Diana Minefield

Tim Graham/Getty Images Princess Diana

"You could see that the presence of all that infrastructure, all those people, the houses on one side, people on their balconies cheering, all of that is a result of her presence 25 years ago. Had she not showed up there, this would still be a bombed-out hulk of a street," Whatley says.

That day was emotional for Harry, especially when he spoke publicly.

"You could see it in his expression  there was a kind of tension between his connection to his mom and realizing that he's in a place that was so much a part of who she was then and what her legacy is now," Whatley shares. "It was such a specific resonance to his mother who he obviously loves and continues to mourn. And then there was the kind of excitement and energy that you get when you see how much has changed and how much impact that she made and how much gratitude he was feeling."

The Duke of Sussex

PA Wire/PA Images The Duke of Sussex walks through a minefield in Dirico, Angola, during a visit to see the work of landmine clearance charity the Halo Trust, on day five of the royal tour of Africa.

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Back in 2017, Harry pledged his ongoing support to make the world free of landmines by 2025. Whatley believes that, while progress is being made, it is a tough target.

"War and other factors are making that difficult, but there are key countries who will get across that finish line," he says. "Zimbabwe's one, Sri Lanka is another and the voice of Prince Harry is key for maintaining that momentum. We will witness fantastic progress, but I still think that there will be more work to be done. And as a result, his voice is needed more than ever."

Whatley says in the U.S., both Republicans and Democrats have agreed on the support that is needed for organizations like the HALO Trust, which are clearing landmine areas. Since Diana made it such a prominent issue, 80 percent of the world's deadly mines have been cleared, Whatley says. But HALO is still spending around $120 million around the world with 10,000 operatives helping to make communities safe.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Dominic Lipinski/PA Images Prince Harry

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Reflecting on Diana's first visit (she later visited Bosnia, shortly before her death), he adds, "It's such a striking juxtaposition of the most famous woman in the world and this remote dangerous, desperately conflict setting. Angola was really at the sharp end of the stick of the global crisis at that moment in 1997. The imagery of that visit itself was just so compelling. Every American put that image in their head even if they're not that interested in foreign affairs."

He adds, "It's her voice that's maintaining the drumbeat, echoed now by her son."
Two years into the pandemic and COVID-19, and its variants of delta and omicron, are continuing to make leisure travel a no-go for many, at least in the conventional sense. With borders constantly opening and closing what is a traveler to do? Despite travel bans and self-isolating, there is still a way to feed our wanderlust and explore the world beyond our living room. And you don't even have to leave home to experience the journey.

We're talking about travelogues, books that transcend time and place and bring the actual experience of traveling the reader. Tag-along with fellow travelers or spend time with ex-pats chronicling their own experiences visiting and living in popular tourist destinations as well as out-of-the-way places.

Weve rounded up a selection of travel books that are guaranteed to transport you to another world, from the safety of your home.

Ghost Train to the Eastern Star: On the Tracks of the Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

Ghost Train to the Eastern Star: On the Tracks of the Great Railway Bazaar, by Paul Theroux

This travel writers works have spanned the globe and decades. In this book, Theroux recreates his 25,000-mile journey, stopping in some of the places he originally chronicled in his classic, "The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia," including Turkey, Sri Lanka, China, Japan and Siberia.

Other travel books by Theroux include traveling around China in Riding the Iron Rooster, through the Americas in The Old Patagonian Express and Africa in Dark Star Safari.

The Places in Between, by Rory Stewart

A British diplomat and politician, Stewart chronicles his almost-solo walk across north-central Afghanistan in 2002. (He adopted a traveling companion, his dog, a retired fighting mastiff called Babur, along the way.)

Stewart also wrote the travelogue The Marches: A Borderland Journey Between England and Scotland, chronicling his walk along the borderlands of England and Scotland with his 89-year-old father.

In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

In a Sunburned Country, by Bill Bryson

In this travelogue, Bryson explores Australia via railway and car. Through conversations with Australians, the author goes beyond the beaten tourist path, writing on the culture and history of the country.

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Other travel books by Bryson include his look at Great Britain in Notes from a Small Island, A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail and Bill Brysons African Diary.

More: Too nervous to buy a plane ticket? Delta Air Lines just sweetened the pot amid COVID surge

More: Which EU countries are open to US tourists? A breakdown of EU travel restrictions by country

Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time, by Mark Adams

The writer recounts his attempt to re-create the 1911 Peruvian expedition of American explorer Hiram Bingham III, who traveled into the Andes in search of the lost city of the Incas.

Adams also wrote Tip of the Iceberg: My 3,000-Mile Journey Around Wild Alaska, the Last Great American Frontier.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle

The British author writes of his experience moving his wife and two large dogs into a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in Luberon in Southern France. Readers are transported to a Provencal life that includes goat racing, regional cuisine and a slower pace.

Other travel books by Mayle include the food-centric French Lessons and Encore Provence: New Adventures in the South of France.

Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before, by Tony Horwitz

The late Pulitzer Prize-winning writer took to the seas to retrace the voyages of 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook. Horwitz brings the travels of Cook to life by signing on as a working crewman aboard a replica of Cook's vessel.

Other travel books by Horwitz include A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World and One for the Road: An Outback Adventure.

More: Here are the travel restrictions across Central and South America due to COVID-19

More: 20 winter books we can't wait to read by Valerie Bertinelli, Brian Cox, Bob Odenkirk and more

Eat Pray Love: One Womans Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert

A major life change led the 30-something author to go on this epic year-long quest that included a bit of continent-hopping. Gilberts memoir focused on the aspects of pleasure in Italy, devotion in India and a balance between the worldly and the divine in Bali.

While Gilbert is not known as a travel writer, her book Big Magic, a handbook to send readers on a creative journey, is equally adventurous.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes )

Food and travel writer Mayes takes readers along with her and her husband to Italy after they purchased and restored an abandoned villa called Bramasole in the Tuscan countryside.

Other books by Mayes include A Year in the World: Journeys of a Passionate Traveller, chronicling her travels to such places as Spain, Britain, Greece and North Africa, and See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy.

In Xanadu: A Quest, by William Dalrymple

The historian traces the path taken by Marco Polo 700 earlier from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem across Asia to Xanadu, the summer palace of Kubla Khan.

In addition to histories, Dalrymple also wrote the travel book City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi, which explores the city's centuries-long history.

The Best American Travel Writing 2020 by Jason Wilson and Robert MacFarlane

The Best American Travel Writing 2020, by Jason Wilson and Robert Macfarlane

Series editor Wilson and guest editor Macfarlane compile a list of the best travel writing essays of 2019.

Other editions, which go back to the year 2000, have been guest-edited by such travel writing luminaries as Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux, France Mayes, Anthony Bourdain, Elizabeth Gilbert and Cheryl Strayed.

Share recommendations of your own favorite travel writing with @USATODAYTravel and @USATODAYBooks, hashtag #armchairtraveler.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travel the world in spite of coronavirus with these 10 books
Concrete possibilities for limits on the missiles of Russia and NATO should not be discussed publicly, since this will undermine the chances for success, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference in Brussels on Thursday, Tass informs.

January 14, 2022, 09:24 Negotiations on missile limits should not take place in public, says Stoltenberg

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: "And we can engage in talks, re-establishing some kind of limits, different types of limits on missiles as long as this is reciprocal, balanced and verifiable. Exactly the numbers, exactly the scale and the scope and how we do that, I think that's the kind of diplomatic negotiations that should not take place in public that will only undermine the possibility for a successful outcome," Stoltenberg stressed.

He also stressed that the Alliance was ready to discuss not only limitations, but also a ban on intermediate range weapons. "We have clearly expressed our willingness to sit down and discuss different kinds of limitations at different levels, as long as they are balanced and verifiable. And we had an agreement, not only limiting but actually banning all intermediate range weapons, which are of great concern in Europe," the secretary general added.

However, he reiterated NATOs position that the termination of the INF Treaty after the US unilateral withdrawal from it in August 2019, came because of Russias alleged violations of it.
In December 2019, just weeks before Nicholas Alahverdian began spinning a lie to Rhode Island reporters of his impending death, a Utah investigator called an Ohio FBI agent regarding Alahverdians whereabouts.

The FBI had a warrant for Alahverdians arrest on charges he defrauded his foster father by taking out credit cards in his name and running up debts totaling more than $200,000.

Utah officials were looking for him for an alleged rape, court records show.

The FBI agent said he had actually recently spoken with Alahverdian, who had told the agent: He was living in Ireland because there is a non-extradition treaty with the United States.

Learn more: Six things to know about Nicholas Alahverdian, the RI man who apparently faked his death

Reports that Alahverdian died in 2020

Two months later, in February 2020, several Rhode Island media outlets reported that Alahverdian had lost his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. News of his supposed death was delivered by phone call and email by a woman claiming to be his wife.

A year ago: He was reported dead, but the state police kept looking for Nick Alahverdian

Nicholas Alahverdian, pictured in 2011.

Alahverdian nearly died of COVID in Scotland

Last month, however, Alahverdian, 34, almost really did die  of COVID-19. And the illness that put him on a ventilator in a Scottish hospital also placed him on the radar again of law enforcement officials.

The Utah County Attorney's Office has declined to say much about how Alahverdian was found, explaining it could "expose investigative techniques." It did say that through "diligent investigative effort" it acquired information about Alahverdian that was passed on to Interpol authorities who located him in Scotland.

Authorities at some point provided photographs of Alahverdian to staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasglow, where Alahverdian was a patient under a perhaps appropriate alias, Arthur Knight.

Those photos "confirmed that the person in the hospital matched the photos provided. As part of the extradition process, DNA and fingerprints were provided to Interpol as part of supporting evidence for extradition."

Story continues

Nicholas Alahverdian: RI man suspected of faking his death, was found in Scotland. What we know

'A dangerous mind': News of Nick Alahverdian's fake death shocks those who took him in

Utah rape investigation documents released

On Thursday that county attorney's office released the investigative information it used supporting his arrest.

The document charges, in specific detail, how Alahverdian allegedly raped a 21-year-old woman he had been briefly dating in 2008 in Orem, Utah. (DNA recovered from the assault didnt come back to match his until 2018, the document said.)

The document is based on the work of a Utah law enforcement officer who reported that through his research, he had located police reports in four states regarding Alahverdian involving criminal cases of sex assault, harassment, and possible kidnapping from 2007 through 2019.

The reports came from Rhode Island, Ohio, Utah and Massachusetts.

In each report, the officer, from the Utah Department of Public Safety, said, there is a consistent pattern of behavior similar to the Orem (Utah) rape of 2008.

Alahverdian was known as Nicholas Rossi

The report refers to Alahverdian by the last name he used for much of his life, Rossi, until he reportedly changed it to his biological fathers name.

According to the court document: On Sept. 14, 2008, the young woman reported to a local hospital that she had been sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Rossi.

The woman said she met him three months earlier on MySpace and then about two weeks later in person. In recent weeks, she told police she ended the relationship because her boyfriend was getting more rough with her when having sex and because he owed her money.

On Sept. 13, 2008, the woman said Alahverdian invited her over to where he was living, telling her he would repay the money he owed her.

Instead, while they were talking, the court record says, Alahverdian unzipped his pants, exposed himself, pushed her onto the couch and proceeded to rape her. Afterwards Alahverdian told her this was her fault because she is mentally unstable and too emotional to deal with.

The woman said he blocked the door to prevent her from leaving, but shortly afterward received a text message and she ran out while he was distracted.

The investigator said Alahverdian exhibited similar behavior in the other instances he had uncovered.

He would initiate some inappropriate contact leading the female to want to leave. Then he would either threaten suicide or will force a non-consensual sexual encounter.

When confronted by police, Alahverdian would say that the female is the aggressor.

Additionally, the investigator said he learned that Alahverdian had been married twice and in each case his ex-wife filed for a protective order based on the physical and/or emotional abuse.

Alahverdian is in custody

The Utah Attorneys Office reported earlier this week that Alahverdian was in custody and that the office was working with federal and international agencies to extradite Alahverdian back to Utah.

But it remained unclear as of Thursday when that might happen.

Email Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Documents connect Nick Alahverdian to assaults in four states
Virginia Giuffre says that the Prince Andrew sex assault trial will be a chance to expose the truth after a US judge allowed her case against the Queens son to proceed.

Her first comments on a federal judges decision to deny Andrews motion to dismiss her lawsuit comes after he was stripped of of his military titles and royal patronages by the Queen.

Ms Giuffre addressed the matter in a string of tweets on Thursday night, saying she was pleased that the case would move to trial.

Im pleased with Judge Kaplans ruling yesterday that allows my case against Prince Andrew to go forward. Im glad I will have the chance to continue to expose the truth & I am deeply grateful to my extraordinary legal team, she wrote on Twitter.

Their determination helps me seek justice from those who hurt me and so many others. My goal has always been to show that the rich and powerful are not above the law & must be held accountable.

Im pleased with Judge Kaplans ruling yesterday that allows my case against Prince Andrew to go forward. Im glad I will have the chance to continue to expose the truth & I am deeply grateful to my extraordinary legal team. 1/3  Virginia Giuffre (@VRSVirginia) January 14, 2022

And she added: I do not walk this path alone, but alongside countless other survivors of sexual abuse & trafficking.

Earlier in the day, Buckingham Palace palace announced that the Duke of York will now defend the case as a private citizen, while it is believed he will cease to be called His Royal Highness (HRH) in any official capacity.

In a statement, the palace said: With the Queens approval and agreement, the Duke of Yorks military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.

Story continues

Ms Giuffre is suing Andrew, 61, in New York for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager.

She claims she was trafficked by convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was aged 17 and a minor under US law.

Andrew has strongly denied all of the allegations.

Earlier this week Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote in his decision that, Ms Giuffres complaint is neither unintelligible nor vague nor ambiguous.

It alleges discrete incidents of sexual abuse in particular circumstances at three identifiable locations. It identifies to whom it attributes that sexual abuse.
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Ive got to hand it to Morgan Wallen: He played it perfectly.

Last February, shortly after video surfaced of the country music superstar using the N-word, things didnt look too good for him. His music was pulled from streaming services and radio. The Country Music Association and Country Music Television distanced themselves from him, and his record label, Big Loud, suspended his contract.

Considering how popular Wallen was, none of this was easy. But you have to consider the nations mood at the time. We were still grappling with the racially charged Jan. 6 terrorist attack and President Trumps second impeachment. We also had just passed 500,000 COVID-19 deaths and exceeded the number of Americans who died in World War I and World War II combined.

Oh, and it was Black History Month  not exactly the right time of year for a white guy from Tennessee to be heard using the N-word in a foul-mouthed exchange caught on video by his neighbors and published on TMZ.

But here we are, less than a year later. Wallen was not only back on the Grand Ole Opry stage last Saturday night but also managed to become just the fourth artist to hit No. 1 on Billboards Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. In fact, Broadway Girls, his collaboration with Lil Durk, debuted at the top of the latter chart. The video for it features the two in a bar filled with women dancing seductively, including Black women giving Wallen plenty of attention.

He aint no racist, Lil Durk said. Thats my boy. We had a long talk. He had his public situation. ... I vouch for him, and he good.

I wonder if Paula Deen is somewhere thinking, Damn, thats all I needed to do? The celebrity chef had many business deals canceled, including with the Food Network, after her dalliances with the N-word were made public in 2013, and she still hasnt fully recovered. Nearly a decade went by before Mel Gibson was being nominated for Oscars again after his antisemitic, homophobic and racist rants went public. No such timeout for Wallen.

He managed to top even the hip-hop chart less than a year after his public shaming. Not that he spent the meantime in the doghouse. A recent NPR headline read in part: Morgan Wallen and Adele topped music sales in 2021. Thats right, he ascended to Adele-level sales after the incident.

Seems like the old crisis-management playbook still has some juice left to it.

How many times have we seen a beleaguered figure issue an apology that includes something about a mind-altering substance, maybe talking about plans to meet with leaders of whatever community theyve offended, perhaps pledging a donation, then hoping for the best?

Remember when Roseanne Barr hilariously blamed Ambien for her racist tweets in 2018? Would you believe Lafayette, La., City Court Judge Michelle Odinet tried something similar just a couple of weeks ago by blaming a sedative for her racist rant that was caught on tape?

That tactic usually doesnt work, but for Wallen, it didnt just work  it accelerated the recovery process to lightning speed.

A couple of days after the video leaked, Wallen posted an apology on Instagram in which he said: The video you saw was me on hour 72 of 72 of a bender and I also accepted some invitations from some amazing Black organizations.

He then went on Good Morning America in July and told Michael Strahan: We got to a number somewhere around $500,000, and we decided to donate that money to some organizations, BMAC being the first one.

The Black Music Action Coalition told Rolling Stone in September that Wallens support was not close to that number. The magazine said it reached out to 56 other Black-led or Black-founded charities across the country and found they hadnt received a dime from him.

Like that great Jerry Seinfeld joke about taking a reservation versus holding a reservation, one doesnt actually have to keep a pledge to get positive media coverage from it, just make a showy promise. Not unlike the way the Grand Ole Opry pledged to fight discrimination back in 2020, in the wake of the George Floyd murder, stating in a public letter: Racism is real. It is unacceptable. And it has no place at our company, in our hotels or on our stages.

If I were a Black country artist, I wouldnt know what to think. The Twitter account for the Grand Ole Opry promoted Wallens appearance with the word surprise, as if he had come out of retirement.

But can anyone be upset with the Grand Ole Opry when Lil Durk said he vouches for him? Or when the song Wallen does with Lil Durk went to No. 1 on the chart that tracks music closely related to the Black community? Not that the Black community is monolithic or that white country artists didnt speak out against Wallens appearance.

While Broadway Girls is still in the top 10 for R&B/hip-hop three weeks after its release, Lil Durk is nowhere to be found on the country chart. However, Wallen is, with the song Sand in My Boots. Its a good tune with lyrics about doing tequila shots and drinking whiskey. Sounds like a bender.

Clearly, Wallen played his redemption tour perfectly. I just hope the rest of us didnt get played.
The current conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, the U.S., NATO and Europe are complex.

The principle, however, is not. In fact, it was summarized on Monday by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman after meeting her Russian counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

We will not allow anyone to slam closed NATOs open-door policy, which has always been central to the NATO alliance, Sherman told reporters in Geneva. We 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.

The anyone Sherman referred to in this case is Russia, whose repressive president, Vladimir Putin, has demanded deep concessions from the West to defuse a crisis he created regarding Ukraine.

Its not the first time. In 2014, Russia illegally cleaved Crimea and since then has deeply destabilized eastern Ukraine, resulting in a low-grade war with high numbers of casualties  at least 13,000 killed so far. Scores more could be killed if the already deployed Russian forces of more than 100,000 engage in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Thats what is implicitly at risk if Russias demands  already labeled as nonstarters  arent met.

This includes, Ryabkov said, iron, legal obligations, not promises, but guarantees that Ukraine not join NATO. This is a matter of Russias national security.

Based on Putins past and potentially future behavior, it would seem to be a matter of Ukraines national security that it not be shut out by NATO, especially since it and Georgia were told by the alliance that they would eventually be able to join. Neither is likely to ascend soon, but that decision should  and if the West holds firm, will  be made by Ukraine and NATO, not its oppressors in Russia.

Putin has made other demands, including curbing NATOs ties with former Soviet states and forbidding deployments of alliance troops on NATO members that joined the alliance after 1997.

These were well-telegraphed before Mondays meeting, as was the eventual U.S. response. It was very much as expected; it was simply each party laying out their positions that I think are fairly well known. So I dont see that the talk will change the trajectory of the possibility for further Russian military expansion in Ukraine, Timothy Frye, professor of post-Soviet politics at Columbia University, told an editorial writer.

Frye, author of a recent book on Putin, Weak Strongman: The Limits of Power in Putins Russia, added that all parties  Russia, the West and Ukraine  have all staked out very hard-line positions about what theyre willing to accept. Accordingly, it will take some creative diplomacy to avert an escalation of the crisis.

The U.S. seemingly attempted some of that creativity, including offering to broaden discussions on reinstating the recently abandoned Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty and, as Sherman stated it, ways we can set reciprocal limits on the size and scope of military exercises and to improve transparency about those exercises.

Those are appropriate, productive areas of exchange, and may offer Putin an off-ramp from his threats. But the U.S. and its NATO and Ukrainian partners should be prepared for everything  a full-scale invasion, cyberattacks, a trumped-up provocation from Ukraine that invites invasion, or half measures meant to split the alliance.

President Joe Biden was right to signal that severe sanctions will be triggered if Russia invades Ukraine. And Sherman was right to correctly state that statesmanship on issues like the INF treaty and troop exercises would not be rapid.

We must give diplomacy and dialogue the time and space required to make progress on such complex issues, she said. For his part, Ryabkov stressed that we cannot afford any additional delays.

What Russia, Ukraine, Europe and the world cant afford is war. Accordingly, diplomacy  undergirded by the principles espoused by Sherman  is the best way forward.
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 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
The President of the Greek Community of Australias Melbourne and Victoria, Bill Papastergiadis and the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Theo Theophanous, with the support of the Pontian Federations of Australia, have written to the Australian Prime Minister calling on the Government to formally recognise the genocides committed by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923 of Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and other Christian minorities, the Neos Kosmos newspaper reported.

January 14, 2022, 11:15 Greek, Cypriot communities call on Australian government to formally recognize Armenian Genocide

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 14, ARTSAKHPRESS: This follows a motion that was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives on 29 November 2021 calling on the Government to formally recognise these genocides.

The presidents argued that as of 2021, there are 31 countries around the world that have recognised these genocides including the US, France, Italy, Brazil, Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and the Vatican City, urging Australia to also step up.

We do not believe that this should not be a partisan political issue in the lead up to the coming elections, said the community presidents in their joint statement.

All we have asked of the Prime Minister and in fact we also ask of the Leader of the Opposition is that they respect the unanimous motion passed by the parliament and act upon it.

Given that the Turkish Government has steadfastly refused to acknowledge this legacy of past wrongs they said that they believe that it is in the interests of Turkey itself to confront its past and issue a formal apology.

This is precisely what Germany did following the genocide and holocaust they perpetrated on Jewish people in the second world war. It has been an important moral admission by Germany, they wrote.

Prime Minister, given the unanimous support by the Parliament for the government to take action to formally recognise the genocide of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks we ask that you take action to bring this about.



This should not be a partisan political issue in the lead up to the coming elections. Our communities would welcome action by your government to seek to address this historical wrong through the first step of recognising that it occurred. 

The call for action was also forwarded to the Foreign Minister, Marise Payne; the Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese; the Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesperson and Senator Penny Wong.
A new year begins with a flurry of activity and a look back over the projects that wrapped as 2021 came to a close.

The RAH - The Rotary After Hours Club of The Woodlands Rotary Club - ended their year with a shopping spree for the kids at Journey School. More than 65 children went shopping at Target, plus each family received a $150 gift card and groceries.

The RC of The Woodlands hosted their annual Senior Giving Lunch in partnership with Interfaith. Club members assisted with the set up and tear down and then served a wonderful lunch to more than 250 seniors. The report is that all seemed to have a wonderful time and they enjoyed being pampered and entertained.

The annual WRC Evening of Elegance Gala is just around the corner. It will be held Feb. 12 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott and this year will honor US Congressman Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, and his wife Cathy. The theme this year is Mardi Gras. Sponsorships are available now, and tickets will be on sale soon. See the WRC website and Facebook page for more information.

The Rotary Clubs of Lake Conroe and Conroe participated in the annual Candy Roll Project for The Mexico Childrens Ministry of The Montgomery United Methodist Church. Organized and facilitated by Rotarian Mike Landes for more than 20 years, this year the group took 9,300 candy rolls to Alamo, Texas for distribution to more than 40 churches across the Mexico border. More than 5,000 children benefited from this project and for many of these kids, this is Christmas. Such a small, simple project, but one that reaches across borders, language and religion to bring joy to needy children. Many thanks to The Landes Family for their dedication to this project all these years.

The new fountains in Memory Pond, the centerpiece of Memory Park, were lit in red and green during the holidays and provided a beautiful bit of holiday cheer in the park. What a wonderful addition to the park, provided by the generosity of two donor families.

The four small Rotary Clubs in Montgomery County - Conroe, Lake Conroe, Magnolia and East Montgomery County - held a joint meeting last week to hear about the 2022 Rotary International Conference, which will be held in Houston and hosted by The Rotary Club of Houston. Jeffrey Tallas of the HRC spoke to the four clubs about the upcoming conference and all the great events planned. What an opportunity this is to have an International Conference so close to us. This isnt something that happens very often. Well be hearing much more about this in the weeks to come.
The Hungarian Association of Trade Unions (MASZSZ) will hold a demonstration on Jan. 31 to express solidarity with a teachers strike called for the same day, MASZSZ said in a statement.

The action will also be aimed at supporting the wage talks of the member unions of the association, it said in a statement.



MASZSZ deputy president Tamas Szekely said the demonstration would be coordinated with the teachers strike but declined to disclose further details.



In its Thursday session, the association confirmed its support for extending the job seekers benefit from three months to 270 days.



MASZSZ demanded this move several times, most recently after the massive lay-offs that stemmed from the coronavirus pandemic, the statement said.





MTI Photo: Sandor Kovacs
YORK  Monica Robinson, 38, of York, who was charged with nine felonies related to delivery of a controlled substance after being arrested at Recharge Lake, has been sent to prison.

She was sentenced this week in York County District Court.

The case began when a deputy with the York County Sheriffs Department was on regular duty when he saw a white SUV parked in a parking lot at Recharge Road.

In the affidavit filed with the court, the deputy indicates he made contact with a woman in the drivers seat who was Robinson. He said the passenger was Jeremiah Pinaire, 40, who had a Missouri drivers license.

The deputy said he could smell the odor of burned marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

Jeremiah admitted he had a dugout which based on my training and experience is a wooden container which typically houses a small marijuana pipe and a small amount of marijuana, the deputy says in the court document. I had Jeremiah exit the vehicle and sit in the back seat of my patrol unit. I then spoke with Monica who admitted there was a roach in the vehicle and grabbed a small roach from a portable ashtray located in a cup holder between the driver and the passenger seat.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted. The following items were found:

 Ten individually packaged plastic baggies containing varying amount of marijuana. Some baggies contained approximately one ounce of marijuana and others contained just a few grams. The approximate weight of all the marijuana was 5.3 ounces.

 Four individually packaged plastic Ziploc style baggies containing a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine. One baggie contained approximately 2.1 grams of methamphetamine and the three remaining baggies contained methamphetamine residue. A field test of the white crystal-like substance inside one of the baggies field tested positive for methamphetamine.

 Two white tablets with the markings T258 etched on the tablet. These tablets were later identified as Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate which is a Schedule 2 controlled substance and available by prescription only. These tablets were located in a Tylenol container inside a bag in the third row of the vehicle. A prescription was not located in the vehicle.

 Eight blue tablets with the markings GG258 etched into the tablet. These tablets were later identified as Alprazolam, which is a schedule 4 controlled substance and available by prescription only. The markings on the bottle were not correct.

 One blue tablet with the markings C1 etched into the tablet. This tablet was later identified as Clonazepam, which is a schedule 4 controlled substance and available by prescription only. The markings on the bottle were not correct.

 Eleven concentrated cannabis cartridges, some of which were located in individually packaged plastic containers.

 Three packages of cannabis-infused edible products.

 One rubber container which contained a yellow waxy substance consistent with a concentrated form of cannabis in wax form. This substance later field tested positive for marijuana.

 $500 in cash which was folded and separated into five different bundles. The five bundles were then rubber banded together. The money was located in her wallet. There was also other money in Monicas wallet that was not folded, separate and rubber banded as the other money. A field test was conducted by rubbing a test strip across several different bills within two of the five bundles. This field test indicated the presence of cannabis particles on the money.

 Digital scale with a small amount of green leafy substance and a white substance were located in the groves, edges and top of the digital scale. The white substance later field tested positive for methamphetamine.

 Various items of drug paraphernalia, to include three glass marijuana pipes, wrapping papers, roller, dugout and marijuana roach.

It was indicated in the court documents that Recharge Lake is a recreation area, open to the public, which contains playground with three or more apparatus intended for the recreation for children.

She was charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance (with an enhancement because it was at a recreational area), Class 3A felonies; two counts of possession of a controlled substance, Class 4 felonies; three counts of having no drug tax stamp, Class 4 felonies; and possession of money while committing a drug-related violation, a Class 4 felony.

These were later amended to one count of an attempted Class 2 felony and two counts of attempted Class 2A felonies.

The defendant was on probation when she caught this case, said York County Attorney John Lyons, and that is significant. Also, a motion to revoke that probation was filed. And she had a prior unsatisfactory probation. There was evidence of drug dealing. She didnt even make an attempt to fight to get probation as she didnt meet with them or get her evaluation. She is aware she has mental health problems yet she continues to worsen them with drug use. I also object to her serving a term in the county jail as there are more services for her in the department of correctional services. She says she is open to treatment if the court orders her to do so  that is not a recipe for success. Probation is for defendants who want help. I dont see any accountability from her. We are recommending a straight sentence.

She knows she has a problem with illegal substances, said Deputy York County Public Defender Patrick Tarr. During the last two years, its been a problem for many and there has been a lot of self-medicating happening. She was on probation in Dodge County, which had been going well and this case is the reason for that revocation hearing. I believe treatment could be very helpful.

Your prior criminal history includes an unsatisfactory probation, two possessions and a pending revocation, Judge James Stecker said to Robinson. The court hears you saying today that you want to complete treatment but the PSI indicates you will only go to treatment if you are told to. If you wanted help, you would have lined up a bed and you would have done an evaluation, but youve done nothing.

For each conviction, she was sentenced to a term of 1-2 years in prison, to be served concurrently.
Dear Editor,

A sad anniversary will arrive January 22, which is the date the U.S. Supreme Court gave abortion legal status, basically condemning many unborn children to death in a free country. That was in 1973. That is a lot of years to endure this and it is appalling to realize that this leading cause of death is intentional.

To help stop this unjust situation, people will be able to vote with their feet and attend the Nebraska Walk for Life on Saturday, January 29, at 10 a.m., at the State Capitol in Lincoln. This has always been a peaceful protest. (Of course there is another national March for Life in Washington D.C., on the very date, January 22, but this one in Nebraska is more accessible).

Why expend this effort and endure the cold? Well, remember in the famous play by William Shakespeare when the good doctor says, Unnatural deeds breed unnatural troubles? He was referring to Lady Macbeth washing her hands in a slumbering agitation. This psychological principle of transference is being exhibited across our great nation as harmful decisions are being made daily by high level officials. Those currently holding power are punishing themselves and the people instead of recognizing the real problem.

The Walk for Life is a great way to remind our leaders to try and create basic justice for the unborn.

Sincerely,

William Dunavan, York
New Delhi: IT services major HCL Technologies on Friday, January 14, said it will acquire Hungarian firm Starschema for USD 42.5 million (about Rs 315 crore). HCL Technologies has signed a definitive pact for the acquisition of Budapest-based Starschema, which provides data engineering services, according to a regulatory filing.

The strategic acquisition will bolster HCL Technologies' capability in digital engineering -- driven by data engineering -- and increase its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, it added.

Founded in 2006, Starschema provides consulting, technology and managed services in data engineering to Global 2000 companies in the US and Europe. Its revenues stood at USD 13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Over 200 engineers are part of the transaction, the filing said.

The acquisition combines Starschema's high-value capabilities and data-focused expertise with HCL Technologies' existing presence in industry segments undergoing data-driven transformation.

In addition, HCL Technologies will strengthen its position in data engineering, which is an integral part of the company's digital engineering capabilities and next-generation offerings, the filing said.

Starschema founder and CEO Tamas Foldi said joining HCL will enable the company to keep its strategic focus and expand its data engineering capacity to provide a greater breadth and depth of services to clients.

"As part of HCL's full spectrum of technology services, we will leverage our expertise in data engineering and emerging data technologies to solve companies' data challenges, through building fast, scalable solutions that make people more effective and companies more profitable.

"This strategic move also represents exemplary career growth opportunities for our people," Foldi added.

HCL Technologies President (Engineering and R&D Services) Vijay Guntur said Starschema will strengthen the company's data engineering capabilities, providing HCL with the ability to leverage its solutions and talent in Central and Eastern Europe.

"Starschema's capabilities will further scale HCL's data engineering competencies at our integrated delivery centres across the world. Engineering talent will continue to remain in high demand, and Starschema offers a specialised talent pool in a strategic growth area for HCL," he added.

Following the acquisition, HCL Technologies will be able to offer data engineering consulting and near-shore access to digital engineering services to a wide base of clients, he stated. Also Read: Union Budget 2022: Industry leaders confident about India's economic recovery, finds survey

The transaction is subject to regulatory clearance from the Hungarian Ministry of Innovation and Technology and is expected to close in March 2022. Also Read: Google spends Rs 7,500 crore to buy new office in London: Check photos

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New Delhi: IT firm HCL Technologies on Friday posted a 13.6 per cent decline in net profit at Rs 3,442 crore in the December quarter but said it had seen all round "stellar performance" across verticals and geographies.

The IT major had registered a net profit of Rs 3,982 crore in the October-December 2020 quarter (as per US GAAP).

Its revenue grew 15.7 per cent to Rs 22,331 crore in the quarter under review. In the year-ago period, the same stood at Rs 19,302 crore, HCL Technologies said in a regulatory filing.

The profit after tax for the third quarter ended December 2021 was higher by USD 59.4 million (Rs 438 crore) on account of reversal of prior years' tax provision due to change in the method of calculating a tax deduction, basis evaluation of judicial rulings, the filing said.

Excluding the above, on an annual basis, profit after tax in the latest December quarter was down 4.7 per cent in dollar terms and lower by 2.9 per cent in rupee terms.

On a sequential basis, net profit was 5.4 per cent higher in the 2021 December quarter from Rs 3,265 crore, and topline was up 8.1 per cent from Rs 20,655 crore in September quarter last year.

In the third quarter, HCL Technologies recorded a revenue growth of 7.6 per cent sequentially on a constant currency basis, highest in the last 12 years.

Total Contract Value (TCV) of new deal wins was at USD 2,135 million in the latest December quarter, up 64 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y).

HCL Technologies has maintained its revenue guidance of double-digit growth in constant currency for FY22.

"We have delivered all round stellar performance this quarter with a revenue growth of 7.6 per cent in constant currency quarter-on-quarter, the highest recorded in the last 46 quarters," HCL Technologies CEO and MD C Vijayakumar said.

The company's Products & Platforms segment led the growth with 24.5 per cent, followed by Engineering and R&D Services with 8.3 per cent and IT and Business Services with 4.7 per cent, all in quarter-on-quarter constant currency.

"Our future looks bright as we had a very strong net new booking of USD 2.1 billion, a 64 per cent y-o-y increase. We also added more than 10,000 to our employee strength this quarter," he said.

"I believe we continue to be in a vantage position to address sustained demand momentum as our investments on strategic priorities like digital, cloud and engineering capabilities and our talent development plans are showing strong returns," he emphasised.

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The company has declared a dividend of Rs 10 per share for the third quarter of this fiscal.

At the end of December quarter, HCL had 1,97,777 employees with net addition of 10,143 people while attrition for IT services (on the last 12-month basis) was at 19.8 per cent. Also Read: Google spends Rs 7,500 crore to buy new office in London: Check photos

Attrition excludes involuntary attrition and digital process operations. Also Read: 7th Pay Commission: Centre govt employees may get bumper salary hike ahead of Republic Day
North Korea launched what appear to be two more ballistic missiles, South Korea reported Friday, Pyongyang's third missile launch of the new year.

The launch came hours after North Korea's foreign ministry warned of "stronger" measures in response to U.S. imposition of sanctions for its previous missile tests. "We are aware of the ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners," the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which is responsible for U.S. military activities in the region, said in a statement.

"While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of [North Korea's] illicit weapons program," the statement added. "The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad."

South Korea's military, which closely monitors such launches, said the North fired what are presumed to be two short-range ballistic missiles from North Pyongan province Friday afternoon. Earlier, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that the test involved a single ballistic missile, which it said landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The reason for the discrepancy between the Japanese and South Korean reports was unclear. North Korea has already tested four missiles, during three separate launches, within the last 10 days -- a pace reminiscent of 2017, when U.S.-North Korea relations were at a low point.

The previous two tests involved what North Korea claims are hypersonic missiles. Although defense analysts say North Korea may be overstating its capabilities in this area, such weapons are likely more difficult for U.S. missile defenses to detect and intercept.

It is not clear what missiles the North launched Friday. Typically, North Korea does not unveil its launches until state-run newspapers are published the following day.


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New Delhi: A Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) of the elite National Security Guard (NSG) on Friday defused an IED recovered from the Ghazipur area in east Delhi and started an inquiry to get details of the chemical compound used to manufacture the explosive.

The BDS team of the NSG was pressed at Ghazipur Flower Market soon after an alert was received from the Delhi Police, NSG officer Jagdish Maithani told ANI.

"The bomb disposal squad of NSG has defused the IED recovered from Ghazipur. Samples of the IED have been collected and the NSG team will later submit a report of the chemical component used to assemble the explosive," Maithani said.

A bomb disposal squad of National Security Guard has defused the IED recovered from Ghazipur. Samples of the IED have been collected; team to submit a report on the chemical component used to assemble the explosive: National Security Guard pic.twitter.com/xgTIRP2qXj  ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2022

The Improvised explosive device (IED) was disposed of in a controlled explosion by pressing it into an eight-feet deep pit, which triggered a loud sound and smoke, said sources.

#WATCH | Delhi: National Security Guard (NSG) carries out a controlled explosion of the IED found at East Delhi's Ghazipur Flower Market pic.twitter.com/tV0PMYxSLF  ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2022

RDX and Ammonium Nitrate chemical compounds are suspected to have been used in the manufacturing of the approximately 3 kg IED recovered from east Delhi`s Ghazipur area that sent security agencies into a tizzy ahead of Republic Day celebrations slated in the next two weeks. The Bomb Disposal Squad of the elite National Security Guard (NSG) has shared details of what it prima facie found during disposal of the explosive that was seized from Ghazipur Flower Market this morning.

However, a post-analysis lab report will only confirm which chemical was used in making the IED.

In a major security threat just two weeks ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Delhi Police recovered the IED from an unattended bag at Ghazipur Flower Market on Friday.

Fire engines were also sent to the site. Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana confirmed to media persons that "based on the information received, an IED has been recovered."

Officials from the Special Cell of Delhi Police have also started an inquiry and multiple agencies are engaged meanwhile to get inputs regarding the recovery of the IED.

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New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the financial year 2022-23 on February 1.

The Budget session of Parliament will commence from January 31 and the Economic Survey will be tabled on the same day. The Budget session of Parliament will begin with the joint sitting of the two Houses on January 31, while President Ramnath Kovind will address both the houses on that day.

Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) has recommended that the Part 1 of the Budget session will be held from January 31 to February 11, while the Part 2 of the Budget session is expected to be held from March 14 to April 8, after a month-long recess.

The session proceedings will fall in between the elections in five states, and the notification for the first phase of polls in Uttar Pradesh has been issued by the EC.

The Rajya Sabha Chairman and the Lok Sabha Speaker directed Secretaries-Generals of both the Houses to suggest measures for the safe conduct of the upcoming Budget Session.

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Tesla had plans to enter the Indian market by 2019, but it seems that still, they are a long way from achieving the goal. Recently, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet, "Still working through a lot of challenges with the government." The tweet from Musk came in response to a tweet from a person who inquired about Tesla's entry into India. The delay in Tesla's launch in India is a result of a slight disagreement between the central government and the electric car makers.

Still working through a lot of challenges with the government  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2022

The stalemate situation between the two is because of a country's import duty of around a hundred per cent. In 2020, Musk announced plans to open the production of Tesla electric vehicles in India and a subsidiary Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited was established in Bengaluru in Southwest India. Musk said he was ready to build a Tesla factory in India if the country reduced the cost of importing electric vehicles.

However, the government has criticised Elon Musk's tweet. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said that if Tesla assemble and sell the vehicles in India, they can reap the benefits of the PLI scheme for automobiles and specifically electric vehicles.

Also read: How Tesla found ways around global chip shortage

Tesla's request for tax cut has received support from Hyundai Motor India Ltd. and Volkswagen AG's India unit. However, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. requested import tariff reviews and lower domestic levies.

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A Tokyo-based aero tech startup - SkyDrive - unveiled its ultra-light and compact flying vehicle, Model SD-03, at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022. It is the first time for the company to showcase its full-scale SD-03 in countries other than Japan.

The flying car has completed testing for piloted flight. People from around the world taking the pilot seat of full-scale SD-03. SkyDrive's flying car is designed to vertically take off and land with superb stability and this emission-free electric vehicle enables fast and safe door-to-door transportation anywhere, including uses for emergency rescue.

SkyDrive was established in July 2018 with the mission of "Leading a once-in-a-century mobility revolution." Since then, it has been furthering its development of flying cars and cargo drones and working in partnership with others to promote the shared vision of a future world where people can use air mobility as a means of transportation in their daily lives.

Read also: Himachal CM inaugurates first heliport in Shimla under Swadesh Darshan scheme

SkyDrive recently advanced toward commercialization with the Japanese transportation ministry's acceptance of its type certificate application for SD-05 - a major milestone that no other flying vehicle developers have reached in Japan. Model SD-05 is currently under development and eyed as an air taxi for World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

"The SD-03 model is the culmination of our expertise in drone technologies and aerodynamic engineering. What we want to see in the future is that SkyDrive's emission-free vehicles take off from and land in your parking lot and helipads atop buildings, making door-to-door air travel a realistic choice of daily urban transportation," SkyDrive Chief Operating Officer Takehiro Sato said. "We are working harder and faster than ever to make this once-in-a-century mobility revolution a reality, he further said.

CES is one of the world's largest technology trade shows that takes place annually in Las Vegas. CES 2021 made history by bringing together more than 2,000 companies, including 700 startups online - a scale unheard of for all-digital events. CES will return to Las Vegas in 2022 while also holding digital exhibitions. At CES 2020 held prior to the new Covid-19 pandemic, 4,600 companies showcased 20,000 new products and services.

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New Delhi: Underscoring the significance of vaccination, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Friday (January 14) said that 75% of those who died of COVID-19 in the national capital were not vaccinated against the coronavirus.

75% of patients who died due to COVID-19 in Delhi were unvaccinated, PTI quoted Jain as saying.

About the current trend of COVID cases in Delhi, Jain said that the city is expected to report less than 25,000 new virus cases on Friday adding that more than 13,000 (88%) hospital beds are vacant in Delhi for any future exigencies.

Meanwhile, Delhi on Thursday reported 28,867 COVID-19 cases, the sharpest single-day spike since the pandemic began, and 31 deaths, while the positivity rate surged to 29.21 per cent, according to the health department data.

Delhi's previous biggest daily jump of 28,395 cases was recorded on April 20 last year.

A day before on Wednesday, Delhi had reported 27,561 COVID cases and 40 deaths.

"In view of the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi, it is hereby directed that routine/elective surgeries shall be suspended in LNH and GTB Hospitals of GNCTD, till further orders," an order issued on January 11 said.

According to the Delhi Corona app, the LNJP Hospital has 750 designated oxygen beds for COVID patients and 154 of these are occupied.

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New Delhi: A court in Kerala on Friday (January 14) acquitted Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal of the charges of raping a nun in a convent in the southern state.

As the prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused, the Additional District and Sessions Court II acquitted the Bishop.

Mulakkal, 57, was accused of raping the nun multiple times during his visit to a convent in this district when he was the Bishop of the Jalandhar diocese of the Roman Catholic church.

The rape case against the Bishop was registered by police in Kottayam district in June 2018.

Accused Bishop Mulakkal was arrested on September 21, 2018, after which, he was sent for three days of questioning.

On September 24, he was sent to two weeks of judicial custody.

The Kerala High Court in October 2018 had rejected the bail plea of Mulakkal.

As per reports, the victim, a nun from Kerala, was subjected to rape and unnatural sex 13 times in the same room between 2014 to 2016.

If convicted, Mulakkal would have been the first bishop in the country to be sent to jail on charges of rape.

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Mumbai: A local court on Friday remanded Shweta Singh and Mayank Rawat, arrested in the 'Bulli Bai' app case, to 14-day judicial custody, while the former alleged she was slapped during interrogation.

Both accused were arrested from Uttarakhand by the Mumbai police earlier this month in connection with the 'Bulli Bai' app which targeted Muslim women. Singh, 18, and Rawat 21, also filed their bail applications soon after the magistrate's court in suburban Bandra remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days.

Metropolitan Maigistrate Komalsing Rajput sent them to jail after being informed that Rawat had tested positive for coronavirus. Earlier this week, Vishal Jha, the first accused arrested in the matter, and the investigating officer in the case had also tested positive for COVID-19.

On Friday, the court was informed by the prosecution that Jha and Rawat were being treated at a COVID-19 care centre in the Kalina area of Mumbai, Jha's counsel Shivam Deshmukh said. The court scheduled the hearing on the bail applications filed by all the three accused on January 17 and directed the prosecution to file its response to their pleas by then.

During Friday's hearing, Singh's advocate alleged before the court that she was slapped during interrogation. The magistrate's court then asked the police to inquire into the alleged incident. The Mumbai police registered an FIR in the case following complaints made by several women, who were targeted by the 'Bulli Bai' app.

The app made public the details of several Muslim women, allowing users to participate in their 'auction'. The Delhi police's special cell, which has also registered an FIR in the case, on January 6 arrested another accused Niraj Bishnoi, an engineering student, from Assam, and claimed he was the main creator of the dodgy app.

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New Delhi: The IAF chopper crash on December 8 that killed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat and 13 others was due to an unexpected change in weather that led to spatial disorientation of the pilot, stated the preliminary findings submitted by the tri-services court of inquiry.

"The tri-services court of inquiry into the Mi-17 V5 accident on December 8, 2021, has submitted its preliminary findings," the Indian Air Force said in a statement on Friday.

The court of inquiry has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident, it said.

"The accident was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley. This led to spatial disorientation of the pilot resulting in Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT)," it stated.

According to US aviation regulator FAA, CFIT is defined as an unintentional collision with terrain -- the ground, a mountain, a body of water, or an obstacle -- while an aircraft is under positive control.

Gen Rawat, his wife Madhulika, his defence advisor Brigadier LS Lidder, staff officer to the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Col Harjinder Singh and decorated pilot Group Captain Varun Singh were among 13 others killed in the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

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New Delhi: Refuting media reports on COVID-19 vaccine shortage in Maharashtra, the Health Ministry said the state had over 24 lakh unutilised doses of Covaxin and received an additional 6.35 lakh doses on Friday.

According to the media reports, the state government is unable to increase the pace of vaccination due to a shortage in vaccine availability.

"As per their weekly consumption data available on Co-WIN, the average consumption by Maharashtra for Covaxin to cover the eligible beneficiaries for 15-17 years and for precaution dose is almost 2.94 lakh doses per day. Therefore, the state has adequate vaccine doses for about 10 days to cover the eligible beneficiaries with Covaxin," the ministry said in a statement.

"Furthermore, for Covishield, the state has 1.24 crore unutilised and balance doses available as on date. With an average consumption of 3.57 lakhs per day, this will sustain for more than 30 days for the beneficiaries to be vaccinated using the vaccine," it said.

Hence, the media reports are not factually correct and do not reflect the correct picture of the available stock of balance and unutilised Covid vaccine doses with Maharashtra, the ministry said.

ALSO READ: Centre refutes media reports claiming under-reporting of COVID deaths, calls it 'baseless'

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New Delhi: The Health Ministry has refuted media reports alleging a "significant undercount" of COVID-19 deaths in the first two waves in India, saying these are fallacious, ill-informed and mischievous in nature.

The Government of India has a very comprehensive definition to classify Covid deaths, based on globally acceptable categorisation, it said.

In a statement, the ministry refuted some media reports alleging a "significant undercount" of the actual number of people who have died in India due to COVID-19 in the first two waves and that the final toll may be "substantially greater" crossing the figures of about three million.

"It is clarified that such media reports are fallacious and ill-informed. They are not based on facts and are mischievous in nature. India has a very robust system of birth and death reporting which is based on a statute and is carried out regularly from the gram panchayat level to the district level and state level," the statement said.

The ministry said the whole exercise is carried out under the overall oversight of the Registrar General of India (RGI).

"Moreover, the Government of India has a very comprehensive definition to classify Covid deaths, based on globally acceptable categorisation. All deaths are being independently reported by states, and are being compiled centrally. The backlog in COVID-19 mortality data being submitted by the states at different times are being reconciled in the data of Govt of India on a regular basis," it said.

A large number of states have regularly reconciled their death numbers and have reported arrear deaths in a broadly transparent manner. Therefore, to project that deaths have been under-reported is without basis and without justification, it added.

The ministry clarified that there is an "extreme difference" in the Covid caseload and linked mortality between Indian states.

"Any assumptions putting all states in one envelope would mean mapping skewed data of outliers together with states reporting lowest mortality which is bound to stretch the median towards higher and wrong results," the ministry said.

Furthermore, there is an incentive in India to report Covid deaths as they are entitled to monetary compensation. Hence, the likelihood of under-reporting is less, it said.

"During a disruptive situation like the pandemic, the actual mortality could be more than the reported deaths due to many factors, even in the most robust health systems. However, any analysis with the view to deducing information collected from extremely varied caseload and outcome situations among Indian states is bound to be incomplete and incorrect," the statement said.

These current media reports on "significant undercount" of the actual number of people who have died in India are based on a study that seems biased in nature as only adults with COVID-19 symptoms were captured and cannot be thus representative of the general population, the statement said.

"There also appears to be selection bias as the survey is restricted to phone-owning people who can also take out time to answer questions comprehensively. The sample could be skewed towards urban areas in that sense, where more cases were reported, and thus, have a higher reporting. They are also people likely to be more aware and have greater reporting bias," it said.

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New Delhi: With a dip in daily cases, Delhi reported 24,383 new Covid-19 cases and 34 fatalities in the last 24 hours, as per the state health bulletin on Friday (January 14).

With 26,236 people recovering in the past 24 hours, the active cases stand at 92,273 in the national capital. The positivity rate jumped to 30.64 %, the bulletin added.

COVID-19 | Delhi reports 24,383 new cases, 34 deaths and 26,236 recoveries. Active cases 92,273 Positivity rate 30.64 % pic.twitter.com/IUYBNMl18V  ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2022

Delhi on Thursday had witnessed the highest single-day spike since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic with 28,867 daily infections.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that although Covid-19 cases are rising sharply there is no need to worry. Cases are rapidly increasing and there are no two ways about it. We all know that the Omicron variant is quite transmissible and infectious," he was quoted as saying by PTI.

"As a result, there is no need for people to be concerned or to panic. From the perspective of the Delhi government, everything is in order. There is no shortage of hospital beds. There are also plenty of ICU beds available. We do not need to panic, but we must act responsibly. We are keeping an eye on the coronavirus situation," the Delhi CM told reporters.

Further, he said that the curbs will be tightened only if necessary, adding "but if corona cases begin to decline, we will relax the restrictions."

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (January 14, 2022), in a series of tweets, greeted people on the occasion of various festivals being celebrated in different parts of the country.

People are marking different festivals across India, associated with the harvest and sun's northward journey. This signifies the country's vibrant cultural diversity, the prime minister said, extending his greetings.

Across India we are marking different festivals which signify Indias vibrant cultural diversity. My greetings on these festivals, PM Modi tweeted.

Across India we are marking different festivals which signify Indias vibrant cultural diversity. My greetings on these festivals.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2022

"Pongal is synonymous with the vibrant culture of Tamil Nadu. On this special occasion, my greetings to everyone and especially the Tamil people spread all over the world. I pray that our bond with nature and the spirit of brotherhood in our society are deepened," Modi said on Twitter.

Pongal is synonymous with the vibrant culture of Tamil Nadu. On this special occasion, my greetings to everyone and especially the Tamil people spread all over the world. I pray that our bond with nature and the spirit of brotherhood in our society are deepened. pic.twitter.com/FjZqzzsLhr  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2022

"Magh Bihu greetings to you all. I pray that this festival enhances happiness and prosperity in everyone's lives. Bhogi greetings to everyone. May this special festival enrich the spirit of happiness in our society. I pray for the good health and well-being of our fellow citizens," he added.

Magh Bihu greetings to you all. I pray that this festival enhances happiness and prosperity in everyone's lives. pic.twitter.com/mEiRGpHweZ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2022

PM Modi also wished people on Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan.

Greetings on Makar Sankranti. pic.twitter.com/4ittq5QTsr  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2022

Have a wonderful Uttarayan. pic.twitter.com/hHcMBzBJZP  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2022

Bhogi greetings to everyone. May this special festival enrich the spirit of happiness in our society. I pray for the good health and well-being of our fellow citizens. pic.twitter.com/plBUW3psnB  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2022

The festivals of Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bhogali Bihu, Uttarayan mark the harvesting season of crops as the winter season ends and ushers in the spring. People enjoy the fruits of a good harvest and celebrate these festivals which also underline the need to preserve the environment.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Ahead of the 2022 Goa Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shortlisted the names of candidates for 40 seats for recommendation to the party`s parliamentary board, said BJP`s national general secretary and party`s in-charge for Goa CT Ravi.

After consecutive meetings of the BJP`s state election committee and the party`s core committee, Ravi said, "We have shortlisted names for recommendation to the party`s parliamentary board for 40 seats. Some seats will be finalised soon after more decision."

The BJP leader also announced that the final list of candidates will be declared by the BJP parliamentary board in Delhi soon. Ravi confirmed that the party will contest the election on all 40 seats.

"BJP is going contest election on all 40 seats. BJP in Goa has already done alliance with the people," he added.

This statement of C T Ravi has cleared that BJP in goa is not in the mood to make an alliance with any other political party as of now.

Notably, Goa will go to the polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

(With ANI inputs)

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Chandigarh: An improvised explosive device (IED) and some Indian currency notes were found on Friday concealed in a bag lying on the Attari-Bachiwind road in Punjab's Amritsar, close to the India-Pakistan border, a senior police official said.

The Special Task Force of Punjab Police launched a search operation based on a specific input about drugs and explosives and recovered the bag, just a month before the assembly polls in Punjab.

It came on a day an IED stuffed with RDX and ammonium nitrate was found inside an unattended bag at the Ghazipur flower market in the national capital.

After the recovery of the IED in Amritsar, the police have cordoned off the area.

"...The IED weighing 5 kg...Was found concealed in a bag on Attari-Bachiwind Road. Some Indian currency notes were also found inside," Assistant Inspector General of STF Rashpal Singh, who was present at the site, told PTI over phone.

He said experts and bomb-disposal squad members were called to the site and further investigation is underway.

On Thursday, close on the heels of busting a terror module backed by the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Punjab Police had said it seized 2.5 kg of RDX, besides arms and ammunition, on the disclosure of the prime accused in two recent incidents of hurling of grenades in Pathankot.

Police had also seized a detonator, a detonating cord, five explosive fuses along with wires and 12 live cartridges of AK-47 rifles, Director General of Police (DGP) V K Bhawra said here on Thursday.

The explosive material was to be used in assembling IEDs, police had said.

"The recovery was made on the disclosure statement of accused Amandeep Kumar alias Mantri of village Lakhanpal in Gurdaspur, who is the prime accused in the two recent incidents of grenade attacks in Pathankot," the DGP was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the state police.

Kumar was among the six ISYF operatives arrested by police on Monday. He has confessed to have hurled grenades in two separate incidents in Pathankot, according to the statement issued on Thursday.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Kanwardeep Kaur had Thursday said following the revelations made by Kumar, teams were sent to Gurdaspur district and the explosive material was recovered.

She had said the consignment was provided to Kumar by the self-proclaimed chief of the ISYF (Rode), Lakhbir Singh Rode, who is currently residing in Pakistan, through his associate and the handler of this terror module, Sukhpreet Singh alias Sukh of Kharal village in Dinanagar.

According to the statement, since June-July last year, Rode has figured prominently in operationalising a series of terror modules through his network in Punjab and abroad.

A large number of militant hardware, including RDX, tiffin IEDs, associated explosive material for assembling IEDs, hand grenades and firearms, as also narcotics have been pushed in by him from across the international border, mainly via drones and using his network of cross-border smugglers, the police said.

On Monday, police had said they had solved a case involving a recent grenade blast outside the gate of the Army cantonment in Pathankot by busting a major terror module backed by the ISYF with the arrest of six of its operatives.

The ISYF is believed to have the backing of Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI.

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New Delhi: Police on Friday (January 14) claimed to have arrested two terrorist associates along with arms and ammunition in the Khujipora Zainapora area of Shopian district in South Kashmir.

A top police officer told that two arrested terrorist associates were about to join terror ranks. They tried to escape from the spot, but police and security forces managed to apprehend them. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from their possession, the officer added.

Police have registered case and further interrogation of both arrested is going on to get the clue about to whom they were in contact.

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Srinagar: The Intelligence wing had alerted security agencies forces after intercepting the two conversations of terror handlers across the border with the Pakistani terrorists active in Kashmir. As per the conversation, the terror handlers had instructed the foreign terrorists in Kashmir to radicalise the maximum number of local youth's and recruit them into terror groups.

The handlers asked them to target 14-18 age group youths as they can easily be motivated.

Sources in the army further said that terror handlers have admitted that from the last year it has become almost impossible for the terrorist outfits to push their trained men on the other side of LOC from Pakistan as the counter-infiltration grid is very strong.

After this alert security forces have shifted their focus to foreign terrorists and want to eliminate them as soon as possible. Police say that the three months of winter generally becomes a good opportunity for them for infiltration due to heavy snowfall.

''If one foreign terrorist comes in the valley, it means he will be recruiting 4 local boys into the terror ranks. And that's why we are focussing on foreign terrorists and want to neutralise all of them soon. Mostly to stop the recruitment of young boys into these terror outfits,'' said IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar.

The number of active foreign terrorists is about 84-85 said IGP and we have already shifted our focus on them with a stronger human intelligence grid.

We have launched 8 anti-terror operations in last two weeks and out them, in 4 operations we had input about the presence of Pakistani terrorists and we managed to kill 7 Pakistani terrorists in those operations, it's a big success for us" he added.

Aimed three tyre security grids on the line of control had made it impossible for terrorists to infiltrate and in last year only two infiltration bids were successful while 9 infiltration attempts were foiled by the army in Kashmir. On another side, the anti-terror operations are also being carried out regularly after every small input or information.

In the first two weeks, 8 encounters happened in Kashmir and security forces managed to kill 14 terrorists and among them, 7 are Pakistani nationals. Besides sophisticated weapons are also recovered which includes American made 2 M4 assault rifles, 2AK 56, 4AK 47 rifles.

Last year in the month of December in a press conference army GOC 15crops Dalip Pandey said that it's the first time in the last 30 years that the number of active terrorists in Kashmir had gone below 200.

An army official said that " amid three tyre security grid on the line of control had made infiltration almost zero, only two attempts in last year were successful for them in which 5 terrorists crossed this side among them we have neutralised 2 till now and arrested one."

He said that it's because the terror handlers across the border want more recruitment of Kashmiri youth in terror outfits so that the dropping number of active terrorists can grow, but we are aware of their plans so we are working on all fronts" he said.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with more than 150 startups from various sectors, including agriculture and health, on Saturday via video conferencing.

Startups from various sectors such as enterprise systems, space, industry 4.0, security, fintech, environment besides agriculture and health will be part of this interaction, the PMO said on Friday.

More than 150 startups have been divided into six working groups based on themes including growing from roots, nudging the DNA, from local to global, technology of future, building champions in manufacturing, and sustainable development, it said in a release.

Each group will make a presentation before Modi on the allotted theme in the interaction. The aim of the interaction is to understand how startups can contribute to national needs by driving innovation in the country, the release said.

As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, a week-long event, "Celebrating Innovation Ecosystem", is being hosted by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, during January 10-16.

The event marks the sixth anniversary of the launch of the 'Startup India' initiative.

"Prime Minister has been a firm believer in the potential of Startups to contribute significantly to the growth of the nation. This was reflected in the launch of the flagship initiative Startup India in 2016. The government has worked on providing an enabling atmosphere for boosting the growth and development of Startups, " it said.

This has had a tremendous impact on the startup ecosystem in the country and has led to a staggering growth of unicorns in the country, it added.

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Paradip: The proposed plant site of JSW Steel in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district on Friday turned into a battlefield as villagers clashed with the police over demolition of betel vines.

Villagers claimed at least 40 protestors, including children and elderly people, were injured as the police baton-charged them, while an official said the personnel of the force were also attacked leading to injury to five of them.

The incident occurred near Dhinkia village, the epicentre of a movement against setting up of a factory by South Korean steel major Posco a decade ago.

The government has planned to allot land to JSW for its Rs 55,000 crore project from various villages, barring Dhinkia.

Residents of Dhinkia alleged that they were stopped by the police at Mahala when they were on their way to nearby Patana village to oversee the condition of their betel vines, which they claimed to have been demolished by the authorities.

The administration has created Mahala village after carving out some portion of Dhinkia recently. A section of villagers had clashed with the police at least twice last month on this issue also.

We were prevented from going to our betel vines by the police. When the villagers said that they must go to the betel vines, the police resorted to lathi charge without any provocation, Debendra Swain, a former Panchayat Samiti member, said before being taken to police custody.

He claimed that 40 people were injured in police action. Eight of them were children in the age group of 9 to 11 years and 11 were above 60 years.

Swain alleged that even the injured persons were not taken to the hospital by the police.

Jagatsinghpur Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh, however, rejected the allegations.

The security personnel were attacked by the villagers. Our personnel tolerated it for long hours and later used minimum force. In the scuffle, about five policemen have been injured, the SP said.

Singh said there is no forceful acquisition of betel vines in the proposed plant site as villagers have accepted compensation for them.

We can show the documents having signature of the villagers who on their own accepted compensation and gave away betel vines. Everything has been done with the consent of the villagers, he said.

Erasama Tehsildar, P N Das, who was present at the site, said that the villagers have given consent to acquire their betel vines following which the administration demolished them.

There is no illegality, he claimed.

Five people, including Swain, were arrested in connection with the alleged attack on police personnel.

To a question whether he, as a magistrate, ordered the police to use baton on the villagers, Das said, I will not be able to speak everything right now.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Dhinkia Gram Panchayat area after the violence. Many men are hiding in a nearby jungle to avoid arrest.

The police have also demolished three bamboo gates earlier erected by the people at the entry points to Dhinkia village, Swain alleged.

As many as 15 platoons (450 personnel) of police were deployed in Dhinkia area in view of the prevailing situation, an official said.

Opposition parties condemned the police action against the villagers.

BJP state president Samir Mohanty said, "There is a gap between the administration and the people. The government cannot build any project forcibly. The project should be developed with support of people and not with help of the police."

Senior Congress leader Lalatendu Mohapatra demanded a judicial probe into the "police excesses".

Around a decade ago, South Korean steel major Posco had also proposed to establish its mega steel plant project in the region, but failed in its bid due to strong protest from the local villagers.

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New Delhi: A meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) for Punjab Assembly elections took place on Thursday (January 13, 2022) through video conferencing in which discussion was held to finalise candidates.

The first list of Congress candidates for Punjab polls will be out soon. Interestingly, Chief Minister Charanjeeet Singh Channi, who is currently representing the Chamkaur Sahib seat in Punjab Assembly, is likely to contest from two seats.

According to sources, Congress has finalised the list of more than 70 candidates which include a large number of sitting MLAs. Another round of the CEC meeting will be held and the first list of Congress candidates is likely to be announced on Friday.

A top source in the Congress informed that the party is keen to field current Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi from two seats in two different regions of Punjab.

"Apart from Chamkaur Sahib Assembly seat which comes in Maajha region of Punjab, Congress is all set to field CM Channi from Adampur Assembly constituency which falls in the Doaba Region where a large number of seats have a chunk of Dalit votes who are a deciding factor in the region. Along with that, it will not be a surprise to see sitting MPs as candidates for Assembly polls," the source added.

Talking to ANI, Congress MP Jasbir Singh Gill said that he is keen to fight if the party wants to field him for assembly polls.

"We are keen to fight if the party wants us to field for assembly polls, but it can be decided by party interim president Sonia Gandhi. If she will ask me to contest the polls, I will definitely fight the polls," Gill said.

Another Congress MP on the condition of anonymity said, "Yes, there is a discussion on fielding MPs like Pratap Singh Bajwa whose tenure is ending in March from Rajya Sabha."

When asked why Congress wants to field its sitting MPs in Assembly polls, the Member of Parliament replied that the aim behind putting them is to make the battle serious and build up the perception that the party wants to win the elections.

The MP gave the example of Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal Assembly polls where more than a dozen sitting MPs were fielded. Having lost several states to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in recent years, Congress is seeking another term in Punjab where the party is in a strong position from municipal corporations to Legislative Assembly.

The term of the Punjab Assembly will end in March. The Assembly polls in Punjab are scheduled to take place in a single phase on February 14. The votes will be counted on March 10.

In the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, Congress won an absolute majority in the state by winning 77 seats and ousted the SAD-BJP government after 10 years. Aam Aadmi Party emerged as the second-largest party winning 20 seats in 117-member Punjab Legislative Assembly.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could only manage to win 15 seats while the BJP secured 3 seats.

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Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and party's Punjab unit chief Bhagwant Mann met some farmers in Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's constituency, Chamkaur Sahib. In a short video of the meeting released by the party on Friday, Kejriwal and Mann are seen sitting on a cot placed in the mustard fields and interacting with some farmers.

In the video, Mann asks the farmers if they have got payment for the cane crop and the peasants reply that it has not yet been cleared. "Did you not get payment for your produce for two years?" Kejriwal then asks the farmers. Another farmer tells the AAP leaders that a number of youth of the area are unemployed. "So, this time are you going to bring a change (bringing AAP to power)?" quips Kejriwal during the conversation with peasants. "We are with you..," an elderly farmer tells Kejriwal, and the Delhi chief minister tells him that they only need their support.

Punjab goes to polls on February 14 and the AAP is eyeing to wrest power from the ruling Congress. Kejriwal was on a two-day visit to the northern state which concluded on Thursday during which he also campaigned door-to-door, ruled himself out of the race as the party's CM face, as the AAP launched its "Janta Chunegi Apna CM" drive a day earlier and said the name of the candidate for the top post will be announced after getting the feedback of people. Kejriwal, however, had said his own preference for the post is Bhagwant Mann.

During the conversation with peasants in a village in Chamkaur Sahib, in the video, another farmer tells Kejriwal that they got all support and help from the AAP dispensation, including making arrangements of water, ration and providing other essentials which was made when the peasants were agitating against farm laws at Delhi borders. "Did you come to know about our schools and hospitals in Delhi?" Kejriwal asks, to which the farmers reply they are aware about it.

The Delhi chief minister then asks the peasants whether there is a government school in their area. The elderly farmer replies only five teachers are there where 12 teachers are needed. "What will the children do?" he asks. Kejriwal tells them if AAP comes to power, it will improve the condition of government schools like his government did in Delhi and also provide employment to youth. "The way we brought about a change in Delhi, we will bring a change in Punjab too," he said.

The Channi-government has been under attack especially from the Aam Aadmi Party over the issues of schools. AAP leader and Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia had last month visited two government primary schools located in Chamkaur Sahib, alleging their pathetic condition. Sisodia had then alleged that the toilet there was stinking and classrooms were infested with spider webs and in one of the schools, there was only one teacher, who was getting just Rs 6,000 per month.

Sisodia, Kejriwal and Mann are not the only AAP leaders who have targeted Channi's constituency. Last month, senior AAP leader and Punjab affairs co-incharge Raghav Chadha had paid a surprise visit to Jindapur village in Chamkaur Sahib and alleged that illegal sand mining was being carried out in Channi's constituency.

However, the Punjab chief minister had trashed his claims and had given a strict warning to AAP leaders from Delhi that no "outsider" would be allowed to raise an "unfounded alarm" in the state.

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New Delhi: The Congress Screening Committee held deliberations on candidates for 50 constituencies in Uttarakhand Assembly elections in its nearly 10-hour long meeting on Thursday. However, the final decision regarding the candidates for these seats will be taken on Friday (January 14). The meeting lasted for 10 hours and concluded at 11.15 pm on January 13.

After the meeting concluded at 11.15 pm, former Uttarakhand chief minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat said, "We have reached a mutual understanding for around 50 seats. We will take the final decision tomorrow. CEC meeting may be on Saturday."

Besides Harish Rawat, screening committee meeting chairman Avinash Pande, PCC chief Ganesh Godiyal were present in the meeting.When asked if he would contest the Uttarakhand assembly election, Rawat said the party will take a decision.

"After the first screening meeting, the reaction which we received we have evaluated that and tomorrow again we will meet and evaluate on all the seats. On Friday, we will give the final shape. Approximately 50 seat agreement of screening committee has been done," he said.

Also read: UP assembly polls 2022: BJPs first list likely on Jan 17, CM Yogis seat may be declared

The next Congress Party's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting will be held on Saturday. The polling for Uttarakhand Assembly Election will take place in a single phase on February 14. The results will be declared on March 10. In the 2017 assembly elections, BJP won 57 out of 70 seats in the state.

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New Delhi: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow values its relationship with Delhi highly and will continue to develop ties.

In response to a WION question during his presser, Lavrov said, "We value our relationship highly. It is no coincidence that it is a special privilege strategic partnership and we are going to keep developing and advance that partnership."

Russian President Putin had visited India last month for the annual India-Russia summit. That month also saw first-ever India, Russia defence and foreign minister meeting that will alternate between the two countries. The Russian foreign minister said President Putin had "very useful negotiations" in Delhi and both "President and the Prime Minister (Modi) managed to spend several hours talking and that was a very useful exchange."

Defence and Space form the main pillar of the partnership between the two countries. BrahMos Missile System as well as the licensed production in India of SU-30 aircraft and T-90 tanks, are examples of such flagship cooperation in defence sector. In space cooperation, Russia trained 4 Indian cosmonauts will be part of the Gaganyaan mission India's first manned space mission.

In response to RIC summit or Russia, India, China summit, FM Lavrov termed RIC grouping as an "important structure", pointing that the foreign minister met "some 20 times since the creation of RIC." He highlighted that there are "sectoral meetings between ministers, their deputies, experts on trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation".

Last year, the foreign ministers of RIC countries had met virtually. Leaders of the RIC countries met on the sidelines of the G20 summits. The last leaders' level meeting at the level of PM Modi, Chinese President Xi and Russias Putin took place on the sidelines of the Osaka G20 summit. But Chinese aggressive action at line of actual control with India might make the holding of such meetings difficult.

Russian Foreign minister said, "We see that our Indian friends and Chinese friends are interested in keeping this format going forward and in developing this format going forward. He added, "I know India and China have a direct dialogue on many issues including security issue, I know there is declaration of strategic partnership between India and China" but if "RIC may be useful for strengthening trust and confidence-building this is something we are going to support".

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov is hopeful for the summit, was the first to talk about the meet happening this year. For Russia, both India and China have been close allies.

Lavrov said, "apart from political significance of this RIC format, the 3 countries are part of single geographical space, RIC format also deals with economic formats of cooperation which are promising." Russia, China, India are part of the SCO, BRICS groupings.

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Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration's order directing college heads in the union territory to organise large-scale virtual 'surya namaskar' on Makar Sankranthi drew sharp criticism from mainstream political parties.

A circular issued by the directorate of higher education on Thursday (January 13) read, "To mark the holy occasion of 'Makar Sakranti' on 14th January 2022, GoI (govt of India) has desired that on the occasion a large scale virtual Surya Namaskar be organised under Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations."

The circular further reads, "To make it a people-centric successful programme with tagline, "Surya Namskar For Vitality', kindly ensure that all faculty members and students actively participate in this programme by registering on any of the following portals."

Former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah took to Twitter and sharply criticising the move, wrote, "Why should Muslim students be forced to do anything, including yoga, to celebrate Makar Sankranti? Makar Sankranti is a festival and to celebrate it or not must be a personal choice. Would the BJP be happy if a similar order was issued to order non-Muslim students to celebrate Eid?"

Omar later retweeted his party leader Umesh Talashi's post: "If tomorrow, a Muslim CM issues an executive order that everybody should observe fast on Ramzan, how will that sound for non-muslim community members? Babus, should stop imposing religious practices over people, they have no right to interfere in these matters."

Another former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the Centre's "misadventures" aim to collectively "humiliate" the people of Kashmir. "GOIs PR misadventures aim to demean and collectively humiliate Kashmiris. Forcing students and staff to perform suryanamaskars by issuing orders despite their obvious discomfort with imposition of something laden with religious connotations gives an insight into their communal mindset," Mehbooba said in a tweet.

Sajad Lone, Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference President, slammed the government for undoing the works of liberals and tweeted, "Y is the govt so insensitive. Now comes the surya namaskar episode. I wish the govt of the day understands that along many bloody battles fought in Kashmir  of immense importance was the war between liberal and radicals. How ur actions undo all that the liberals had earned (sic)."

If tomorrow muslim CM issues an executive order that everybody should observe fast on ramzan, how will that sound for non-muslim community members? Babus, should stop imposing religious practices over people, they have no right to interfere in these matters. pic.twitter.com/KclY6oJrEo  Umesh Talashi (@UTalashi) January 13, 2022

Earlier, ANI had tweeted how the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has opposed the government's directive to organise 'Surya Namaskar' program in schools between Jan 1-Jan 7 on the 75th anniversary of Independence Day. The board said 'Surya Namaskar' is a form of Surya puja and Islam does not allow it."

Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party youth leader Junaid Azam Mattu said, "'Surya Namaskar has origins in deifying the sun. Read up. I respect those who consider the sun to be a deity as well as their right to deify and worship the sun. SIMILARLY, I respect those who dont deify the sun as well as their democratic right to not be forced to deify it."

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New Delhi: HDFC Securities has listed a stock that market investors can buy now to make a quick buck in a few months. The domestic brokerage and research firm is now bullish on Hitachi Energy, formerly called known as ABB Power Products and Systems India Limited.

According to HDFC Securities, the relative strength index and Money Flow Index oscillator is placed above 60 and rising upwards, indicating strength in the current uptrend.

Plus, DI is trading above -DI while ADX line has started sloping upwards, Indicating momentum in the current uptrend," the brokerage firms note read.

Hitachi Energy shares have provided fantastic returns to investors in the past year. The share of the company has rallied by more than 106% during the last year, providing multibagger returns to investors.

However, according to HDFC Securities, the share could witness a further upside in a three months time duration. The brokerage firm has a Buy rating on Hitachi Energy. The company has set a target price of Rs 2850 and Rs 3100 with a time frame of up to three months.

HDFC Securities has also advised investors to put a stop loss of Rs 2,370 on their investments in Hitachi Energy. The stock closed with a gain of 0.11% to Rs 2,646 on Friday, January 14.

Hitachi Energy India Limited is the Indian arm of global power technology company - Hitachi Energy. The company headquarter is located in Zurich, Switzerland. According to the companys website, Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader advancing a sustainable energy future for all. Also Read: HCL Tech Q3 FY22 net profit falls 13.6% to Rs 3,442 crore

The company serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain, the website added. Also Read: Budget to offer more fiscal support to economy amid uncertainty from third wave: Report

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New Delhi: The newlyweds Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal celebrated their first Lohri together and the pictures are too adorable. Dressed in a bright red salwar-kameez, Kat looked simple yet gorgeous while Vicky kept it casual.

The photos were put up on their Insta stories and later shared by popular pap Viral Bhayani too. Take a look here:

The dashing duo wrapped arms around each other and their pictures spill love all over the festival.

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal got married in an extremely private, intimate ceremony at the luxurious Six Senses Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan on December 9. Soon after their gala wedding, the duo jetted off to the exotic island country of Maldives for their honeymoon.

On the work front, she has Merry Christmas with Sriram Raghavan and a few portions of Tiger Zinda Hai 3 with Salman Khan to be completed.

Meanwhile, Vicky is currently shooting for Mimi director Laxman Utekars yet-to-be-titled film with Sara Ali Khan.
New Delhi: On the festival of Pongal, veteran actress Hema Malini took to Instagram to share pictures from her Pongal celebrations. The 'Dream Girl' was seen in the kitchen, cooking Ven Pongal while clad in a beautiful powder pink saree.

Captioning the post, the actress wrote, "Celebrated Pongal with the family today. Here I am making the Pongal at home."

Take a look at her post:

Hema Malini's daughter Esha Deol also shared a video from her Pongal celebration at home. In the video, Esha was seen cooking Pongal at home with her kids.

Along with the video on Instagram, she wrote, "As the country celebrates the harvest festivals of Sakranti, Pongal, Bihu and Uttarayan. I always make pongal at home for my family (a tradition I learnt from my grandmother) sweet pongal is a favourite with my kids & we all love screaming together  polgalo pongal  as its being cooked. Sending warm wishes to you and your loved ones. stay blessed."

Check out her post:

'Pongal' is being celebrated this year on January 14, Thursday. Also known as Thai Pongal, the 4-day long festivity grips the Southern states of the country.

The very first day of Pongal and Makar Sankranti festivities is called Bhogi. It is a major festival in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana namely. However, it is largely a pan India festival. Bhogi usually precedes Pongal.

Dedicated to Surya Dev or Sun God, the harvest festival coincides with Makar Sankranti. Pongal festival is spread over three days predominantly named Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal, however, some Tamilians celebrate the fourth day as Kaanum Pongal respectively.

'Pongal' means 'boil' or 'overflow' referring to the traditional dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery. After preparing the sweet Pongal dish, it is first offered to the gods and goddesses. Later, an offering is made to the cows and then shared by the family
New Delhi: In what could be good news, lakhs of central government employees impatiently waiting for an increment could soon receive a salary hike. According to media reports, the Central government could soon announce a hike in the salaries of government employees before January 26.

The Central government could reportedly announce an increase in the fitment factor of central and state government employees. A hike in the fitment factor will increase the minimum wages of central government employees.

Central government employees unions have long been urging the Centre to increase the minimum wages of Rs 18,000 to Rs 26,000, along with an increase in the fitment factor from 2.57 times to 3.68 times.

The Central government could give an update about the fitment factor of central employees before January 26. This means that government employees could receive the good news by Republic Day.

Currently, the central government employees are receiving salaries under the fitment factor of 2.57 per cent. The demand of the unions is to increase the fitment factor to 3.68.

If the government increases the fitment factor to 3.68 from per cent 2.57 per cent, the minimum pay of government employees will increase by Rs 8,000. The basic salary at 3.68 per cent fitment factor will increase to Rs Rs 26,000 from Rs 18,000. Also Read: Google spends Rs 7,500 crore to buy new office in London: Check photos

According to the basic calculations, upon increasing the fitment factor to 3.68 per cent, the basic salary will increase to Rs 26,000. Currently, the central government employees receive a monthly salary of Rs 46,260 (18,000 X 2.57 = 46,260) if their basic pay is Rs 18,000, as per the 2.57 fitment factor. Also Read: HCL Tech acquires Hungary-based IT firm Starschema for Rs 315 crore

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New Delhi: The price of Dogecoin cryptocurrency jumped as much as 16% to Rs 14.96 today (January 14). The sudden hike in prices of the popular meme coin came after Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that customers can now purchase merchandise from the electric car manufacturer using Dogecoin (DOGE).

Tesla merch buyable with Dogecoin, Musk said in tweeted on Friday. The announcement brought much joy to Dogecoin fans.

Currently, Tesla sells products such as the "Cyberwhistle" and "Cyberquad for Kids". These products can now be bought using cryptocurrency, according to the Tesla website.

However, Musk had made the initial announcement about Tesla accepting dogecoin as payment for merchandise in December. At that time, he had said that the electric carmaker will accept dogecoin as payment for merchandise on a test basis.

Previously, the Tesla chief had also announced that the carmaker would accept Bitcoin, the most popular and widely accepted cryptocurrency, as a payment mode to purchase electric cars. The news led to a pump in the prices of the popular coin. Also Read: Recovered from Covid? You will have to wait for 3 months to get new life insurance policy

However, a few days later he made a u-turn from his decision and said that Tesla wont accept Bitcoin as a mode of payment for the purchase of electric cars. The announcement led to a crash in the price of the digital coin. At that time, he had cited climate change as the main reason who Tesla discontinued accepting Bitcoin for payments. Also Read: ITR filing FY 2020-21: Here is how to check your income tax refund status online

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New Delhi: People who have recovered from coronavirus infection will have to wait for up to three months before they can take a new life insurance policy, with insurers making the waiting period requirement applicable for coronavirus cases like other ailments.

As a standard practice, all life and health insurance companies require people to wait for a specific period with respect to certain ailments and diseases to gauge the risk before selling a policy.

This condition of waiting period for people who have recovered from coronavirus infection will be applicable only for life insurance policies.

Industry experts said the waiting period for individuals, who have recovered from coronavirus infection, in order to take a new insurance policy has been implemented against the backdrop of high mortality rate related to coronavirus infection.

Reinsurers have asked insurance companies to bring coronavirus infection cases also under the standard waiting period norms as high mortality rates have impacted the reinsurance business. The waiting period is about one to three months, they added.

Reinsurance players provide the cover for insurance policies issued by insurers.

Sumit Bohra, President of the Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI), said Indian insurers do not have the capacity to write all these risks. So, most of the insurance policies that are above Rs 10-20 lakh are reinsured and the reinsurers want "good risk to come into the system" due to which the waiting period has been made applicable for coronavirus infection cases also, he noted.

"The term insurance plans are reinsured by the life insurance companies and given the last two years and the kind of experience that the industry has seen in terms of claims, this is a requirement that has been raised and put in place by the reinsurance companies. So we need to have this rule coming into force with immediate effect," Karthik Raman, Product Head of Ageas Federal Life, said.

Raman said insurance companies already have the waiting period requirement for various other ailments and coronavirus infection is one more ailment added to that list.

"It is a standard practice to have a waiting period. It is not just our country, it is worldwide and COVID comes under this practice," he said.

According to Bohra, coronavirus infection has also been included in the list of ailments where waiting period will be applicable since the mortality rate is high due to the infection.

"Previously, the mortality rate was less and there was acceptance for more risk. Any amount of premium is not good enough to pay the claims if the mortality rate is going to be high. With COVID, it is not like a simple cold or flu.

"It is damaging other parts/ organs of the body as well, especially the lungs. So, it is difficult to gauge the survival rate if a policy is being issued for a longer period of time," Bohra said.

Yogesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of Onsurity, said, "in our understanding, we have seen insurers asking for a one month kind of waiting period. It is part of a risk management strategy because of what had happened during the second COVID wave".

Term life insurance products are driven not only by the insurers but by the reinsurers as well in the ecosystem.

"We have seen that reinsurers have not been able to do good business over the last one-and-a-half years since the COVID pandemic," he said.

Agarwal said the waiting period condition for people who have recovered from coronavirus infection will be applicable only on life insurance policies, and not health. Also, it will be applicable to only new retail customers and the existing policyholders will not be impacted in any manner.

During 2020-21, the country's largest life insurer LIC gave over Rs 442 crore as reinsurance premium, up from Rs 327 crore in the previous fiscal. Private sector players together ceded Rs 3,909 crore as premium towards reinsurance, up from Rs 3,074 crore in the preceding financial year.

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New Delhi: From next month i.e, February 1, State Bank of India (SBI) will put in place new rules regarding transaction via IMPS.

SBI has enhanced the limit on IMPS transactions from Rs 2 lakh upto Rs 5 lakh. Though the bank will charge customers along with GST on IMPS through bank branches from next month, there will be nil charges on transactions through Digital Channels, said SBI.

In an aim to encourage customers to adopt digital banking, SBI has not levied any Service Charges on IMPS transactions upto Rs. 5 lacs, done through Internet banking/Mobile Banking including YONO. In case of Branch Channels, there has been no change in the service charges for IMPS done through the Branch Channel in the existing slabs. However, a new slab for  2,00,000 to  5,00,000 has been added and the proposed service charges for this slab is  20 + GST w.e.f 01.02.2022, SBI said in a statement recently.

Check out State Bank of Indias IMPS charges effective from 01 February 2022

Slab Transactions at Branches Transactions through Net Banking / Mobile / YONO Existing Revised

w.e.f. 01.02.2022 Upto Rs  1000 Nil No Change NIL Above  1000/- and upto  10,000/-  2 + GST Above  10,000/- and upto  1,00,000/-  4 + GST Above  1,00,000/- and upto  2,00,000/-  12 + GST Above  2,00,000/- and upto  5,00,000/- (New slab) N.A.  20 + GST

Check out State Bank of Indias NEFT transaction charges

lab Transactions through Branches Transactions through Net Banking / Mobile / YONO Upto Rs  10000  2 + GST NIL Above  10,000/- and upto  1,00,000/-  4 + GST Above  1,00,000/- and upto  2,00,000/-  12 + GST Above  2,00,000/-  20 + GST

Check out State Bank of Indias RTGS transaction charges

Slab Transactions through Branches Transactions through Net Banking / Mobile / YONO Above  2,00,000/- and upto  5,00,000/-  20 + GST NIL Above  5,00,000/-  40 + GST

The service charges on IMPS are in line with the Service Charges on NEFT/RTGS transactions, SBI has said.

What is IMPS

IMPS service is offered by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) that empowers customers to transfer money instantly through banks and RBI authorized Prepaid Payment Instrument Issuers (PPI) across India. It is also being extended through other channels such as ATM, Internet Banking, etc. IMPS Inward and Outward transactions are available 24X7 because there are no holiday restrictions on IMPS inward and outward transactions.

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From fishing in the spring and summer to duck hunting in the winter, the 11 Finger Lakes provide ample opportunities to enjoy a year-round pursuit of game.

Outdoor recreation and hunting increase ones familiarity with a landscape and instill an interconnectedness between oneself and ones environment. Hunting relies on renewable resources and provides a service to the ecosystem by assisting with the management of wildlife populations. Hunting requires healthy populations of game species that rely on undisturbed and diverse natural habitats, a relationship that speaks to the inextricable link between hunting and environmental stewardship. Contemporary hunters realize the impacts humans have on wildlife, and help with conservation measures by protecting and preserving habitat to sustain their hobbies for future generations.

Traditional bullets, or lead bullets, have been a reliable tool for hunters, but their use has been a subject of debate for several years. Lead, a well-known neurotoxin, is not biodegradable and can persist in soils for thousands of years. When used for hunting, lead bullets shatter and can be distributed across the landscape. Soil migration during heavy rain events can carry lead-laden soil to surface waters and threaten our water quality, public health and ecosystems. From a public health perspective, lead can accumulate in our bodies over time, increasing the likelihood of negative long-term health effects. The American Bird Conservancy, a nonprofit that protects bird populations nationwide, projects that about 16 million birds a year are poisoned by lead. The use of lead bullets can negatively impact the resources that hunters and watershed residents rely on, notwithstanding the condition and health of desirable game species.

This predicament has not escaped the Owasco Lake watershed, which serves as a drinking water supply to about 47,000 residents. Lead shell casings were recently found on the shoreline, and a concerned resident reported it to the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection and Protection Division. The residents report revealed not only the presence and use of lead ammunition within the Owasco Lake watershed, but also the concern of one who acts as an environmental steward within the hunting community. Local hunter Frank Ninivaggi, of Fire Lane 19 in Scipio, visited the division office the morning of Jan. 3. He expressed concern about the materials left behind from hunters within the vicinity of the lakeshore. He believes that hunters have the opportunity to collectively act as watershed stewards: People should pick up after themselves and follow the rules. He shared a spent shotgun shell casing, indicating that the casing is from a shotgun shell that contains lead.

As of 1991, the federal government prohibits the use of lead-based ammunition from being used for hunting waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. This decision was made due to the number of waterfowl that have perished from ingesting lead pellets. Current legislation bans the use of lead bullets for hunting on state-owned lands, and additionally, on lands that contribute to the New York City drinking water supply. Otherwise, there is minimal protection in New York state against the effects of lead ammunition on our drinking water supplies, ecosystems and health. Today, about 90% of the 10 billion rounds purchased every year in the United States still contain lead.

As watershed residents, we all have a collective responsibility to act as stewards of the land. Our voiceless landscape presents recreational opportunities year-round, filters and supplies our drinking water, and influences our economy through tourism and real estate. The use of lead ammunition threatens water quality and ecosystem health, thereby threatening this communitys capacity to enjoy the services the watershed has provided residents for generations. As a community that takes great pride in our resources, we have an obligation to reflect on how our behaviors and choices influence those resources, as well as our future, and the future of our successors.

Healthy landscapes give rise to healthy communities. We must continue to elevate our capacity for environmental stewardship not only to protect human health, natural and wildlife resources, and a sustainable and robust economy, but also to truly appreciate the renewable wealth we have been gifted.

Ally Berry is lead watershed inspector with the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection and Protection Division. For more information, visit owascoinspection.org.

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New Delhi: The festival of Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India, though different states have different names and distinct rituals and festivities.

&TV artists who belong to different parts of the country, including Mouli Ganguly (Mahasati Anusuya, Baal Shiv), Tej Sapru (Prajapati Daksh, Baal Shiv), Akshay Mhatre (Varun Agarwal, Ghar Ek Mandir-Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki), and Soma Rathod (Amma ji, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai) talk about the various ways and rituals of celebrating Makar Sankranti in their respective hometowns.

Mouli Ganguly, who plays the role of Mahasati Anusuya in &TV's Baal Shiv, shares, "Back in my hometown Kolkata, Makar Sankranti is known as Poush Sankranti, named after the Bengali month in which it falls. This festival is stretched to three days, from the day before Sankranti to the day after Sankranti. All the sections of the society participate in the same worshipping Goddess Lakshmi. My favourite part of the festival is the variety of Bengali sweets made with rice flour, coconut, milk and khejur gur. The khejur gur used to prepare sweet is made from freshly harvested paddy and date palm syrup. Just talking about it makes me drool. I will miss the Sankranti celebration this year but try to prepare some delicacies and bring Kolkata home.

Tej Sapru who has recently entered &TVs Baal Shiv as Prajapati Daksh, shares, Having a strong connection to my Punjabi roots, I vividly remember Makar Sankranti being celebrated as Maghi which holds a lot of religious and cultural values. The day starts with taking a bath in the river during the early hours and then lighting up lamps with sesame oil as it is believed to give prosperity and drive away all the sins. My most favorite part of the festival is getting to do bhangra! Everyone would sit down and eat some delicious delicacies specially prepared for the occasion which includes Kheer made of rice cooked in milk and sugarcane juice, khichdi and also jaggery.

Akshay Mhatre as Varun Agarwal in &TVs Ghar EK Mandir-Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki shares, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with a lot of joy in Maharashtra. My most favourite part of the festival is savoring the multicoloured halwa made of sugar granules coated with sugar syrup and til-gul laddoo made of sesame seeds and jaggery. The mouthwatering puran poli toasted in pure ghee is also a must have on this special occasion! I literally wait for this festival every year to dig into these authentic Maharashtrian delicacies. Til-gul is exchanged as a token of goodwill by saying til gul ghya aani god god bola. I am definitely going to miss Makar Sankranti this year in Mumbai but at the same time will celebrate it with my Ghar EK Mandir-Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki family in a new way in Jaipur.

Soma Rathod as Amma ji from &TVs Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai shares, We call it Makar Sankrant Uttarayan in Gujarati, and it is one of the most awaited festivals in Gujarat which is stretched for two days! In order to cut their competitors kite down, people put abrasives on the string and scream kai po che with joy. The vibe is very different, and you can feel positive energy all round. A variety of delicacies such as Undhiyu made by baking a mix of winter vegetables, chikkis made of til, peanuts and jaggery, and other special recipes are prepared to celebrate this special day. 

Tune in to watch Baal Shiv at 8:00 pm, Ghar Ek Mandir-Kripa Agrasen Maharaja Ki at 9:00 pm, Aur Bhai Kya Chal Raha Hai? at 9:30 pm, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 pm and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 pm airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV.
Islamabad: Pakistan`s Prime Minister Imran Khan has signed the public version of the first-ever National Security Policy of Pakistan on Friday, for the years 2022-2026.

"For the first time, the National Security Division has developed a consensus document which defines national security in a proper way", said Khan at the inauguration ceremony, which took place in Islamabad, reported Samaa TV.

The National Security Policy covers all internal and external security aspects, including the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the neighbourhood.

The Pakistani publication said that the draft puts economic and military security at the core of policy and outlines the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan in the coming years.

Aside from the military and economic issues, the document throws light on Pakistan`s water security as well as population growth, terrorism and foreign policy.

Earlier, Imran Khan had summoned a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to review the country`s first-ever national security policy on December 27. The information of the review meeting was provided by Pakistan`s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet.

The NSC is Pakistan`s highest forum for coordination on security matters and is attended by key federal Ministers, the national security adviser, services chiefs and intelligence officials.



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Kabul: Taliban on Friday (January 14) welcomed remarks of the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling on the international comunity to lift a ban on Afghan assets. Over the international community to quickly provide assistance to the central bank of Afghanistan and do more to inject liquidity in the country`s economy to avoid a collapse in 2022.

"We appreciate the UN Secretary General`s call for the release of Afghan capital from the United States," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a Tweet. On Thursday (January 13), the UN chief called on the international community to quickly provide assistance to the central bank of Afghanistan and do more to inject liquidity into the country`s economy to avoid a collapse in 2022.

"The function of Afghanistan`s central bank must be preserved and assisted, and a path identified for conditional release of Afghan foreign currency reserves," Sputnik quoted Guterres statement. "We must do even more to rapidly inject liquidity into the economy and avoid a meltdown that would lead to poverty, hunger and destitution for millions," Guterres added.

Following the Taliban takeover in mid-August, the US froze nearly 10 billion dollars in Afghanistan`s assets and slapped sanctions on the Islamic Emirate. In the meantime, the stoppage of foreign aids to Afghanistan has crippled the already fragile economic system of Afghanistan and has adversely affected the lives of millions of people.

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City

 Scott D. Mardsen, 57, 11349 Route 176, Cato, was charged Jan. 11 with violation of a local law.

 Johann A. Bass, 44, 6312 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church, Virginia, was charged Jan. 12 with third-degree robbery.

 Allen G. Henderson Jr., 37, 8 Miller St., Auburn, was charged Jan. 12 with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief and second-degree menacing.

 Gregory C. Horsford, 29, 112 S. Fulton St., Auburn, was charged Jan. 12 with second-degree criminal contempt,

 Elizabeth A. Yoensky, 33, transient, was charged Jan. 12 with third-degree robbery.

 Curtiss M. Pierson, 36, 12 Genesee St., 201, Auburn, was charged Jan. 13 with second-degree burglary, possession of burglar's tools and petit larceny.

 Patrick Tillmon, 52, 81 Seymour St., Apt. B, Auburn, was charged Jan. 13 with second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest.

County

 Jason M. Baker, 40, 218 State St., Apt. 2, Auburn, was charged Jan. 11 with second-degree criminal contempt and aggravated family offense.

 Roberto G. Jackson, 44, 16 Basin St., Union Springs, was charged Jan. 13 with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated family offense and second-degree criminal contempt.

 Keri Ann Ruth Miller, 27, 16 Basin St., Union Springs, was charged Jan. 13 with second-degree criminal contempt.

State

 Hayden A. Reeves, 19, Jordan, was charged Jan. 11 with fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal contempt.

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State Sen. John Mannion held a giveaway. In a neighboring district, state Sen. Pam Helming made deliveries at select nonprofit organizations.

That's how two state senators in central New York and the Finger Lakes region distributed the 1,000 KN95 masks and 1,000 COVID-19 test kits they received for their districts. A state Senate spokesperson confirmed that each of the 63 senators received the same allotment of masks and test kits.

Mannion, D-Geddes, organized a giveaway event at the Baldwinsville YMCA in the 50th state Senate District. His office required appointments for constituents to pick up the masks and the kits, which contain two COVID-19 tests. The appointments were necessary to avoid long lines at the YMCA and prevent traffic jams.

According to an advisory from Mannion's office, half of the masks and test kits were distributed at the event. The remaining masks and test kits will be delivered to programs serving seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Mannion told The Citizen that his office set up the giveaway within the last three days. His staff contacted constituents to inform them of the mask and test distribution event and scheduled appointments for them to pick up the masks and kits.

"We want to help," he said. "People have been through a lot. Some people are looking for tests. You have groups of people that it's more challenging for them and it's important for some of them to be tested frequently to keep themselves safe. It's really a wonderful thing to be able to do this."

Helming's office confirmed that the senator distributed her allotment of masks and test kits to nonprofit organizations in the 54th state Senate District, which includes part of Auburn and several towns in Cayuga County. A spokesman for state Sen. Peter Oberacker, who has part of southern Cayuga County in the 51st state Senate District, said they are talking to local officials to identify where there is the greatest need for supplies.

The demand for testing has increased as COVID-19 cases rise across New York. There were 60,374 new positive cases in the last 24 hours and the state's positivity rate was 16.93%. In central New York, which includes Cayuga and Onondaga counties, the positivity rate was 21.87%.

The surge in COVID-19 cases has been driven by the omicron variant, which experts say is highly contagious. With omicron spreading much faster than other variants, health officials have advised individuals to wear masks, such as N95 or KN95 masks, that can better protect against the virus.

Local governments have been holding events to distribute masks and COVID-19 test kits. Last week, Onondaga County handed out 4,000 test kits at the New York State Fair's Orange lot. Cayuga County worked with Community Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca to hold three drive-thru test kit distribution events last Saturday.

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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U.S. Rep. John Katko, a Republican who represented Cayuga County and three other central New York counties in Congress for four terms, announced on Friday that he will not run for reelection this year.

Katko, R-Camillus, said in a statement that he will not run for a fifth term " so that I can enjoy my family and life in a fuller and more present way."

"My conscience, principles and commitment to do what's right have guided every decision I've made as a member of Congress, and they guide my decision today," he said.

A former federal prosecutor, Katko left the U.S. Attorney's office in Syracuse to run for the 24th Congressional District seat in 2014. Republicans picked him out of a crowded field to be the party's nominee that year, and he went on to defeat U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei, a Democrat, by 20 points.

Early on in his time in Congress, Katko quickly established himself as a member who was willing to work with both parties and buck his own on occasion. When House Republicans attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act in 2015, Katko was one of three GOP members who voted against the bill.

He also emerged as a leader on homeland security issues. He has served on the House Homeland Security Committee through his four terms in Congress and became the ranking Republican member on the panel in 2021. Many of the bills he has introduced or co-authored with his colleagues have addressed a range of homeland security subjects, from cybersecurity to transportation security. According to his office, the congressman either authored or co-introduced 35 bills that became law. Nearly all of the bills he sponsored had a Democratic cosponsor.

Katko was recognized for his legislative successes. The Lugar Center and Georgetown University's McCourt School for Public Policy rated him the second-most bipartisan member of Congress in 2021 and he is a two-time recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship.

Those accolades were highlighted on the campaign trail. Katko won his first reelection bid by 22 points in 2016, becoming the first Republican to win the Syracuse-area congressional seat in a presidential year since former Congressman Jim Walsh in 2004.

In 2018, Republicans lost the House majority. But Katko was one of the few success stories. Despite Democrats investing millions to defeat him, he won reelection by five percentage points.

Katko won his fourth term by 10 points in 2020.

It wasn't long after he began his fourth term that his 2022 reelection prospects began to fade. Katko was one of 10 House Republicans who joined Democrats to impeach former President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

In an interview with The Citizen after the vote, Katko said he examined Trump's conduct after the 2020 election and the former president's false claims that he was the actual winner. He also looked at Trump's actions at a rally that was held shortly before the attack, which disrupted the certification of the presidential election results.

"All those things factored into it for me and it led me to the inescapable conclusion, based on the (impeachment charge), that I had to what I had to do," he said.

While Katko still had some support within his own party, there were GOP and Conservative Party leaders who criticized his vote. The Conservative Party, which typically endorses Republicans in New York congressional races, withdrew its support. Before his announcement on Friday, he had a few Republican primary challengers. Trump also pledged to get involved in the effort to prevent him from securing the GOP nomination.

After Katko announced he will not seek reelection this year, Trump released a statement.

"Great news, another one bites the dust. Katko, from Upstate New York, is gone!" he said.

But Katko faced another political fight. It's likely that Democrats in the state Legislature will take over the redistricting process to redraw congressional maps. There is a strong possibility that in a redrawn central New York district, Democrats will have a larger enrollment advantage than they do now in the 24th district. Even if Katko survived a primary challenge, he would've been an underdog to win reelection in a deep blue district.

As he prepares to depart Congress, Katko highlighted some of his achievements. He was one of the leading supporters of the bipartisan infrastructure package that President Joe Biden signed last year. Throughout his congressional career, he worked to combat the opioid epidemic and the rise of synthetic drugs. He became a leader on mental health issues and served as co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.

In his district, he supported the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn  he was in Congress when it was formally established  and has advocated for Fort Ontario in Oswego to be added to the national park system. He has been a proponent of efforts to protect the Finger Lakes and made the Interstate 81 project in Syracuse a priority.

"Representing central New York in Congress  solving real problems, and relentlessly championing bipartisanship  has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime," Katko said. "It is with profound gratitude for my colleagues, staff, supporters, team, and the people of New York's 24th Congressional District that I am thrilled to begin this next and best chapter of my life alongside Robin and our family."

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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Though New York's prison population has been on the decline, the state comptroller is urging policymakers to continue reducing that number and to be aware that a growing percentage of older inmates is leading to substantially higher health care costs.

And a group advocating for the release of older people said that decades of "extreme sentencing" and racial bias in parole determinations means that minorities are more likely to "continue to age without dignity, get sick, and die in prison regardless of their transformation and potential benefits to the outside community."

A report released Thursday from Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office says that the states prison population declined by half from March 2008 to March 2021, but the population of individuals aged 50 and above grew slightly while no age segment under the age of 50 showed an increase.

The number of older incarcerated individuals has grown from 7,511 in March 2008 to 7,586 in March 2021. As a percentage of the states shrinking prison population, however, the older population has doubled.

DiNapoli said that about 24% of the states 31,262 prisoners were 50 and older in March 2021. That number had been 12% 13 years earlier, when thew prison population totaled 62,597 were 50 and over.

The report indicates that at least two trends may explain the net gain in older prisoners: one is the rise in the number of admissions of older people to Department of Corrections and Community Supervision prisons for a new offense or parole violation, which increased by an average of 3.5% per year from 2008 to 2020.

"The average age of incarcerated individuals under custody in New York state prisons was 40.3 years in March 2021, an increase of 4.1 years, or 11.4%, since March 2008. The number and the percentage of older individuals released from prisons to parole supervision under DOCCS jurisdiction also rose," the report says.

In addition, Raise the Age legislation enacted in 2017 and fully implemented in 2020 removed anyone under the age of 18 from DOCCS prisons to facilities operated by the state Office of Children and Family Services.

Overall health care costs for the state prison system have averaged about $350 million per year since 2012-13, the report says, peaking at just under $400 million in 2016-17. Costs have trended significantly lower since, likely due in part to declines in the state prison population. Over the same period, health care costs for each incarcerated individual have averaged about $7,380 per year, 29% higher in 2020-21 than they were eight years earlier. DOCCS pays almost all the health care costs of incarcerated individuals in state prisons.

DiNapoli said that while DOCCS has acknowledged the potential of higher medical costs in testimony to the state Legislature, it has not provided specific information about those costs. DiNapoli said DOCCS should take the necessary steps to collect and share this information with policymakers to allow for more informed choices about the best way to address this challenge.

The safe and efficient operation of the corrections system is critically important to protecting public safety, providing incarcerated individuals with opportunities to find success upon release and ensuring wise use of public resources, DiNapoli said. In the months ahead, policymakers should examine opportunities to reduce the population of incarcerated individuals 50 and over where public safety would not be compromised.

Release Aging People in Prison said Thursday that the state should pass parole reform legislation "to ensure that people in prison have meaningful opportunities for individualized consideration for parole release based on who they are today, what they have done to change, and whether they pose a risk if released."

RAPP said that 55% of the roughly 31,000 people currently incarcerated in New York state prisons are Black, despite the fact that only 18% of the overall population in the state is Black.

Even while the overall prison population decreases, the incarceration of older adults continues to increase, robbing communities across New York State of elders who can be safely released, mentor young people, interrupt violence, provide peer-counseling to people with substance use disorder, and promote safety," Jose Saldana, director of the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, said in a statement. "We continue our calls for the New York State legislature to pass the Elder Parole and the Fair & Timely Parole bills and for Governor Hochul to grant clemency to effectively address this crisis.

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The Nick's Ride 4 Friends Board of Directors hosted an open house Wednesday at the addiction recovery support group's new location on Chapel S
ACCRA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, African Export-Import (Afrexim) Bank, and other partners launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) on Thursday in a bid to boost the intra-African trade.

The move followed the successful piloting of the system in the six West African Monetary Zone countries including Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

Launching the system, Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia said the PAPSS would end Africa's dependence on third-party currencies to pay for transactions on the continent and help drive the intra-African trade to stimulate industrialization and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Africa.

"This is an African solution for an African problem. It is the most practical and most important achievement in payment system integration on the continent since independence from colonial rule. This is the closest we have come as a continent towards the vision of issuing a common currency," he added.

The vice president lauded the vision of the AfCFTA secretariat and the Afrexim Bank in developing the system, saying it would benefit micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, manufacturers, and exporters in the continent-wide trade zone of 1.2 billion people.

Bawumia urged the central banks across the continent to develop their national switches to facilitate the ease of access to the payment system and ensure seamless transfer of funds.

Wamkele Mene, the secretary-general of AfCFTA, said, "The commercial roll-out of the PAPSS today is timely and will boost intra-African trade significantly by making cross-border payments less reliant on third currencies. It will save the continent up to five billion U.S. dollars annually."

"With the implementation of AfCFTA, we shall see an increase in trade transactions in Africa. This development will, in turn, create the greater demand for cost-effective payment services, underpinning the important nexus between PAPSS and implementation of AfCFTA," he added. 
A years-long legal dispute between the Seneca Nation and New York State over casino revenue sharing ended Wednesday night.

Seneca President Matthew Pagels announced that the nation and state officials have agreed to negotiate a new casino compact to replace the current pact, which expires in December 2023. Discussions are to begin within 60 days. As part of the agreement, the Senecas will release the revenue sharing payments that have been withheld since the dispute began in 2017 and will continue making quarterly payments to the state.

A percentage of the casino revenue payments are passed along to municipalities where the Seneca casinos are located. The Nation operates casinos in Niagara Falls, Salamanca and Buffalo.

Pagels said the Seneca Nation will seek greater control over its casino operations under a new compact. In the current deal, a state gaming commission regulates the casinos.

He noted that the Senecas have "vigorously raised many compact concerns in multiple legal challenges" during the four-year legal fight.

Rather than pursue continued legal action, Pagels said, we believe it's in the best interest of the Seneca Nation to address those important concerns through a negotiation of a compact that will provide clarity on our obligations and, equally as important, the obligations that New York State has to the Seneca Nation in return.

Pagels noted that the Nation has invested more than $1 billion in developing the casinos and has made revenue sharing payments totaling $1.4 billion since the current compact went into effect in 2002. The three casinos employ about 3,000 people.

In a statement Wednesday night, Gov. Kathy Hochul said: I am pleased to have reached an agreement for the resumption of payments on terms that serve both the State and the Nation and that benefit Western New York communities, and I look forward to beginning discussions toward a new compact.

Pagels noted that the agreement will save the Nation $40 million in legal expenses, disputed fees and other costs.

This financial gain, he said, comes at a time when our community continues to struggle with the health and economic impacts of the ongoing pandemic and as we are making significant investments on behalf of our people.

The agreement follows a third federal court ruling last month in favor of Albany in the dispute over casino operations and revenue sharing.

U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny declared that the Senecas must abide by an arbitration panels 2019 decision awarding the state a quarter of their slot-machine revenues from the three Western New York casinos.

The Senecas had contended that the decision should be reversed because the U.S. Interior Department secretary had not reviewed the renewal of the gaming compact in 2016. They further maintained that the renewal didnt specify that revenue sharing payments be continued.

The payments totaled more than $100 million annually and local municipalities depended on the funds. Since the dispute began, the Seneca Nation withheld about $450 million and placed it in an escrow account.

As part of a 2002 compact with the state, the Senecas received exclusive rights to operate full casinos in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca, with the understanding that 25% of slot proceeds would be shared with the state, which passed along a portion of that money to the casino host cities.

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HIT: An ambitious slate of events is being put together to celebrate the 200th birthday of Auburn Underground Railroad icon Harriet Tubman.

The New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center and the city of Auburn's Historic and Cultural Sites Commission said that the festivities will stretch over seven months after kicking off on March 10, Harriet Tubman Day. Events will include a memorial service at the Harriet Tubman Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, a ceremony at the Equal Rights Heritage Center and a traveling exhibition at the Tubman Home on South Street that will include a sculpture by Wesley Wofford. For more information, visit harriettubman200.com.

MISS: It was a scary day at work for some people in Auburn when police say a man entered a bank and demanded cash. Luckily for everyone, he ran off shortly afterward, and it didn't take long for police to make two arrests.

A description of the car the alleged robber got into was broadcast to area law enforcement, and state troopers and sheriff's deputies stopped the car a short time later in Aurora. A man and woman were taken into custody and charged with robbery. Police ask anyone who might have any information on the case to contact Auburn Police Department Detective Sean DeRosa at (315) 255-4706 or sderosa@auburnny.gov.

HIT: A longtime Auburn credit union is extending its reach into Onondaga County.

Auburn Community Federal Credit Union, which was founded in 1936, recently announced it has purchased the former M&T Bank branch on Oswego Road in the town of Clay, with plans to renovate it and open a branch there later this year. The credit union serves about 7,900 members and currently has offices in Auburn and Weedsport.

The Citizen Editorial board includes president and director of local sales and marketing Michelle Bowers, executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd.

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The Court of Justice of the European Union dismissed a complaint by Brussels, Madrid and Paris against the European Commission in which they accused it of setting car emissions limits for nitrogen oxides too high.

The European Union's top court dismissed a complaint that was brought by the cities of Brussels, Madrid and Paris against the European Commission in which they accused the latter of setting car emissions limits for nitrogen oxides too high.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) overruled an earlier judgement that went in the favour of the cities from the General Court, the EU's second-highest chamber, which prompted an appeal by Germany, Hungary and the commission. The case involves the commission's introduction after the 2015 Dieselgate scandal of real driving emissions testing to complement laboratory procedures and its setting of emission limits on nitrogen oxides for light passenger and commercial vehicles.

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Following this, the cities complained that the limits were higher than the Euro 6 standard that applies to light vehicles registered since 2015. Hence, they conveyed that it undermined their abilities to regulate the circulation of vehicles in an effort to reduce air pollution. Earlier, the General Court supported their view, however, they overturned the General Court's ruling.

The CJEU found that the commission's direction only concerning registration and sale of vehicles and not their circulation on roads, hence the cities were not directly concerned by the legislation. However, the higher court stated that cities can limit the circulation of vehicles in order to protect the environment without violating the EU law.

(Also read | What's driving Delhi to be the EV capital of India?)

Meanwhile, an earlier report has stated that France has directed car advertisements to include messages that will encourage its citizens to consider less-polluting travel alternatives this year. This comes as a part of the government's drive to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. The move will be implemented from March. Automakers will be given three choices such as carpooling, opting for public transportation in case of day-to-day use and using cycle or considering walking for short trips.

(With inputs from Reuters)

First Published Date:
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Ford Motor sold nearly 625,000 new vehicles in China in 2021, representing a year-on-year growth of 3.7%, the U.S.-based automaker said on Jan. 14.

To be specific, the annual sales of Ford-branded passenger vehicles (PVs) in China stood at 237,646 units, 71.6% of which were SUVs and high-end sedans. Besides, the full-year China sales of commercial vehicles (CVs) under Ford and JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation) brands reached 264,237 units, including 94,105 light trucks.

It is worth noting that the aforesaid CV sales of JMC didnt include the 14,294 units of export volume.

The luxury vehicle brand Lincoln posted a year-on-year surge of 48% in China with 91,621 vehicles sold. Locally built SUVs, including Lincoln Corsair, Nautilus and Aviator, accounted for 90% of sales, with 82,835 units sold. Notably, the sales of the Corsair in 2021 soared 57% from the previous year.

Ford Motor said it has to-day received over 2,300 orders of the all-new Lincoln Z, which made its world's debut at the Auto Guangzhou 2021.

The automaker is speeding up the deployment of direct-sales network in China with a total of Ford Select high-end-EV-dedicated stores opened so far.

Ford Motor revealed delivery of the first-batch locally-produced Mustang Mach-Es has already started.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Huizhou EVE Energy Co.,Ltd. (EVE Energy), a Chinese power battery maker headquartered in Huizhou city, announced earlier this week it has successfully obtained a 49% stake in Qinghai Qaidam Xinghua Lithium Salt Co.,Ltd. (Xinghua Lithium Salt), marking a significant progress for EVE Energy's deployment of battery raw materials.

Photo credit: EVE Energy



According to the latest announcement, EVE Energy took over a 35.2857% stake in Xinhua Lithium Salt from Qinghai Qaidam Development Construction Investment Co.,Ltd. (Qaidam Construction Investment). In this transaction, EVE Energy signed an equity transfer contract with Qaidam Construction Investment for buying the stake at 144 million yuan ($22.637 million) (excluding the service fee for the auction).

The other 13.7143% stake was previously held by Zhai Yanhong, a shareholder of Xinghua Lithium Salt. To obtain the equity interest, EVE Energy agreed to pay 56,015,800 yuan ($8.806 million).

Upon completion of the aforesaid two transactions, EVE Energy will directly hold 49% stake in Xinghua Lithium Salt. The battery maker said the move will help it further focus on the main business of lithium battery, develop upstream industrial chain, and improve its industrial deployment. All in all, the transactions are in line with EVE Energys development strategy and the benefit to the whole.

Founded in 2016, Xinghua Lithium Salt is permitted to produce and sell lithium salt and boron compound, according to the corporate database Tianyancha.

Just one day before the aforementioned announcement issued, EVE Energy claimed that it had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Sunresin, a Chinese leading special resin manufacturer based in Xi'an. Both parties plan to carry out in-depth collaboration in lithium resource industrial chain and actively engage in the development and utilization of the lithium resource of Tibetan Kyetse Tsakha Salt Lake.
Flagstaff City Council on Tuesday was presented with a breakdown of the citys 2021 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) that revealed Flagstaff has not improved its score since 2018.

The MEI is a score issued by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) that examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are for LGBTQ+ people who live and work there. Cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement and leadership on LGBTQ+ equality. In its 2021 assessment, the City of Flagstaff scored an 88/100, plateaued at the same place it was in 2018. By comparison, Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and Tucson all scored 100/100 on their 2021 MEI.

There were 11 areas where we could have gotten points, and we either received zero points or did not score the full points available, explained city management analyst Chris Rhode. That doesnt necessarily mean that were failing to provide a service for people. Its a scorecard given by the HRC, and I think it serves as a good framework to discuss some of these issues.

Some of the areas where Flagstaff lost points are highly subjective, Rhode said, such as the item Testing limits of restrictive state laws, in which Flagstaff city government received no points. Others are far more concrete, such as housing non-discrimination laws, provision of transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits and the presence of single-occupancy all-gender facilities. Currently, the City of Flagstaff has none of these.

In some cases, improvements to these areas are already in the works. Earlier in the same meeting, the Commission on Diversity Awareness recommended the creation and passage of a city ordinance requiring that all single-occupancy restrooms be available for use for everyone regardless of gender. Implementation of such an ordinance would help the City of Flagstaff come into compliance with the 2018 International Building Codes, which the city adopted in 2019, and earn more points on future MEI evaluations. Council was generally supportive of the recommendation.

Heavier fixes, such as the introduction of a housing non-discrimination law, will take more legwork and negotiation of legal boundaries, but Mayor Paul Deasy opined that city council should not be deterred.

[Housing non-discrimination law] is something we should be pursuing, he said.

To address this, Deasy called an executive session with City Attorney Sterling Solomon to investigate implementation of such a law.

Councils reactions to the citys MEI score varied.

Theres things on this list that I feel strongly that we should do, and then theres other things that I dont think we need to do, Councilmember Jim McCarthy said. We want to do whats right for our community, we want to be fair to everyone, but we dont want to put any single group on a pedestal and treat them better than other people.

Councilmember Austin Aslan took time to celebrate adequacy, by noting that the city scored full points in the category of Law Enforcement.

Law enforcement is the simplest category, because theres only two items on it, explained Rhode.

Flagstaff received full points because the local police department retains a LGBTQ+ liaison and reports hate crime data to the FBI.

I dont want to leave it at that, Aslan said. There is certainly work to be done; I dont want to white-wash the places where we are deficient, but I just wanted to lift that up and thank our city police department.

Overall, there was agreement that while this MEI score indicated work to be done, that work should start with community input.

Scorecards are one thing, but personally I think these are the kinds of decisions we should be making from the ground up rather than the top down, Deasy said. We need to open up this conversation far more broadly, get real input from the community, particularly the transgender community.

Council resolved to reach out to their relevant commissions and local organizations to discuss forward action. There was no public participation during this agenda item.

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The virtual town hall NAU hosted last Thursday about reopening as cases of omicron spike in our community was a missed opportunity to acknowledge the collective trauma the pandemic has been for so many of us, and the risks in-person instruction poses to vulnerable people and to our health care system.

The event was offered on YouTube Live with a chat feature. After presentations by local infectious disease experts Dr. David Engelthaler (TGen North) and Dr. Paul Keim (NAU), university administrators, relying on prepared scripts, explained policies planned for the 2022 spring semester. The term town hall suggests a level of engagement we didn't see, and disenfranchised students concerned about in-person instruction took to the chat with questions and frustrations.

As they should. NAU's current policies  in-person instruction, residential life, with masks required in some areas (but no N95s/KN95s required or distributed to students)  will likely expose them to a novel virus with documented but largely unknown long-term effects. In doing so, it may also expose their families, elders and other loved ones.

Despite some language about being flexible to change course "should the need arise," the message was delivered in a friendly, institutional tone, sent from a seemingly different world than we  the students, staff, and faculty in the chat  have been living in:

A world in which one of every 300 Arizonans have died from COVID. A world in which nearly one million people in the US have died from COVID, and new cases are mounting so fast graph-makers have had to extend the y-axis.

Weve been living in a world in which the state has transferred all risk calculus to the individual but failed to shore up the social safety net with measures we know would work to protect people and curtail transmission: universal indoor masking with N95s/KN95s, universal paid sick leave, adequate testing infrastructure, and robust social services for essential workers, at-risk communities, and COVID-positive people.

It would mean a great deal to hear our university acknowledge some of this. To validate what a terrifying, frustrating, draining two years this has been. To note that many in our NAU community have lost friends and family to COVID.

And to acknowledge the real danger that in-person instruction without universal respirators and testing poses to vulnerable people, including immunocompromised individuals, elders, and young children  us, and the people we live with and go home to. I understand that these policies are made in complex matrices of tough options, and we don't know how this danger factored into the policies that were communicated last Thursday. But when that risk goes unnamed, it is easy to feel like these lives and concerns were undervalued in the decision process.

It has been a fend-for-yourself pandemic in Arizona since May 2020, except thats not how airborne viruses work  so many people have done everything to keep themselves and their family safe and it still isnt enough. Individual choice cant protect us against omicron. Policies rooted in individual action have failed.

I encourage NAU to leverage the live format next time and enact responsive listening. It would be meaningful to hear one of the speakers stop reading from the script and say: I see some of you are angry and concerned. Let's take some of your questions now. Hearing concerns doesn't mean correcting course, necessarily, but it is critical to fostering trust and a sense of belonging.

At minimum, we deserve to better understand how this decision was made. How were the risks of mass illness and personal loss weighed, and what they were weighed against? In narrating that decision, NAU would show compassion for its community  on and beyond campus  and demonstrate that it takes seriously our communitys concerns. That didnt happen last week. People will get sick. But there is still time to listen and to tell a different story.

Kate Petersen is a writer who works at Northern Arizona University.

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Update: 14-01-2022 | 17:48:08

Thai cabinet has asked the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to quickly design and build a second bridge from Nong Khai province to Laos, to connect to the new China-Laos railway.

Illustrative image. (Photo: www.thestar.com.my)

Thai cabinet has asked the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to quickly design and build a second bridge from Nong Khai province to Laos, to connect to the new China-Laos railway.

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said a meeting of the government's committee on the Thai-Lao-Chinese railway, which he chaired on January 14, ordered the SRT to quickly make the new bridge a reality, the Bangkok Post reported.

It would cross the Mekong River from Nong Khai to Laos and facilitate cargo transport through the three countries on the transnational railway. The committee gave the green light for the SRT to request a budget for the project.

The deputy prime minister said the Chinese-Lao railway started operating on December 2 and would bring economic development from western China through Laos to Thailand when the railway extends to Thailand. It would cut cargo transport costs between China and Thailand via Laos by between 30 and 50 percent.

With the opening of the Chinese-Lao railway, cross-border cargo transport between Thailand and China was already one day faster than previous conventional transport and the cost was down by 25 percent. The railway transports vegetables and fruit, everyday products, machinery, computer equipment, electrical appliances, cars, natural rubber and processed wood, he said.

Late last month, the Thai government set up a working group as suggested by the Ministry of Transport to better coordinate with transport authorities in Laos on the construction of a railway connecting the two neighboring countries. It is part of a high-speed rail project linking Thailand's railway system with the China-Laos railway between Kunming in China's Yunnan province and Vientiane.

Meanwhile, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), in collaboration with SRT, is ready to turn Nong Khai province into a logistics hub for the China-Laos high-speed railway. The SRT is also eyeing Na Tha station in the centre of Nong Khai province for this purpose and is seeking funding for research and analysing options for public-private partnerships./.

VNA
It seems that worries are on the rise over the possibility of a new civil war in the US recently. More discussions on this matter occurred in US media especially after the first anniversary of the Capitol riots. For instance, The New York Times carried an opinion piece on January 6, titled "Are We Really Facing a Second Civil War?" A CNN video on Saturday asked a similar question: "Is America heading to civil war or secession?"

The US has seen increasing polarization in recent years. Historically, in the US, people with diverse political ideas made compromises. This is demonstrated, for example, in the founding of the US and the drafting of the Constitution. The spirit of compromise, however, has vanished and been replaced with confrontation.

Complex context lies behind the discussions of a potential civil war and divisions in the US. One, globalization has resulted in a growing gap between rich and poor, and the US government fails to narrow the gap. The COVID-19 epidemic has amplified this problem - the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer.

Against such a backdrop, the sense of political identity in the US has increased. As complaints from all classes are filling up society, people get emotional more easily. And they are using more and more intense ways to present their political demands, be they liberal or conservative, white or non-white.

Moreover, former US president Donald Trump intentionally created divisions during his tenure, leading to the inability of the current administration to recover from Trump's presidency.

In short, Trump's push for division, as well as the constant impact of factors like the imbalance of social development and the epidemic, has made confrontation a common phenomenon in US society.

US politics is so overwhelmingly dominated by the two major parties that the rise of a third party as an emerging force seems almost impossible. Those who belong to neither the Democratic Party nor the Republican Party have no chance but to attach themselves to one of the duo, or simply escape from the US political arena.

Meanwhile, amid constant conflicts, neither party is able or willing to cooperate for the sake of the people. Political stalemate emerges. The political struggle in the US goes on and on in the form of extreme confrontation, which will lead to internal conflicts.

This will have an impact on the US' sustainable development. For now, it can be seen mainly politically and socially. But if it continues to worsen, it may also affect the US economy, its science and technology innovation, education, and thus its international status.

Midterm elections will be held in the US this year. The confrontation between the two parties is expected to become fiercer. The US may slide into a quasi state of civil war. What makes an election year a little bit different though is that the individuality of each politician from both sides starts to become increasingly apparent. Take Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a centrist Democrat who has been a loyal supporter of US President Joe Biden in the Senate. Manchin recently turned his back on Biden over many issues, from the Build Back Better package to the president's call for eliminating a longstanding supermajority rule in the Senate known as the "filibuster."

According to US media, Manchin is a "coal magnate who represents one of America's reddest states." He has close ties to the coal industry and has made millions of dollars from US coal companies. Many suggest this is the real reason for his opposition of Biden's Build Back Better plan.

For individual politicians, they have to weigh which is more important to them, the interest of their party or the interest of their own. In this sense, the confrontation in the US is becoming not only intensified, but also complicated.

The article was compiled by Global Times reporter based on an interview with Liu Weidong, a research fellow at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Nebraska District 30 Senator Myron Dorn filed for re-election this week.

Sworn in during 2019, Dorn has stood, debated and voted through four sessions of the Nebraska State Legislature.

I want to continue to work to make the state strong, to continue to make sure the people of the 30th district have strong representation up here, Dorn said.

During this session, which started on Wednesday, Jan. 5, Dorn said he wants to focus on Nebraskas workforce and his role in readjusting the state budget. He sits on the Appropriations Committee, the only of the legislatures 14 committees which meets every day, Dorn said.

In the rhythm of daily meetings, the Appropriations Committee fashions the budget from hundreds of proposals every two years. The committee made the biennium budget last year, which makes this the year of touch-ups, Dorn said.

My priorities this year are to help with, I call it, the budget part of what we have going on through appropriations," he said. But also the appropriating of the ARPA funds to make sure we get the most impact from those dollars.

His bills wont bring sweeping change, but he said, if passed, some will get help to folks who need it. LB760 would appropriate federal funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for licensed emergency medical service programs. Dorn said it would send $5 million toward replacing outdated medical equipment.

One of the bills he has yet to introduce would allocate $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for nursing scholarships across the state. He said scholarships will help incentivize more people to enter nursing.

Thats my part of the bill is asking for $5 million from ARPA funds for scholarships for nurses, he said. I think we found out through Covid exactly how critical nurses are. And were finding out the shortage we have and how that shortage is impacting our care. So if thats something that helps bring people into that part of the workforce, thats fantastic.

Dorns bills also focus on the agricultural sector of Nebraska, which accounts for 26% of the states economic output. LB761, the Precision Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Act, would ask for $10 million in ARPA money to provided broadband to agricultural producers for connectivity and traceability. LB904 would use appropriate $50 million in ARPA funds to the University of Nebraska for cybersecurity instruction, which he said is important in protecting food producers.

I think thats critical, he said. We had a meat packing plant that was hacked We have to make sure we are secure.

In the past, Dorn introduced legislation aimed to alleviate the financial strain on Gage County residents for the $28.1 million Beatrice Six judgement. LB103 provided state funding to cover federal judgments against counties. Dorn said he will not be pursuing anymore legislation related to the Beatrice Six at this time.

Before his work as state senator, Dorn sat on the Gage County Board of Supervisors. He currently serves with the Adams rescue squad and is winding down his work in farming, which he did with his brothers his whole life.

Dorn said he enjoys seeing the work his colleagues put together every session.

What you really enjoy up here  is knowing that youre helping the people of the state of Nebraska, he said. Its how can we help make sure the state of Nebraska is in a good place financially.

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Four Yellowstone County residents died on Wednesday of COVID-19-related illness, raising the countys pandemic death toll to 486 lives lost since spring 2020.

None of the four latest pandemic victims were vaccinated. Each of them died in Billings hospitals and all had underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness. The deceased include:

 A woman in her 40s.

 Three men in their 60s.

Statewide, 2,935 Montanans have died of illness related to the pandemic virus, according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

On Thursday, Billings hospitals had 55 COVID-19 inpatients, including 39 who werent vaccinated and 16 who were vaccinated. Among the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, seven were in ICU and seven were on ventilators. Statewide, 178 Montanans were hospitalized Thursday with COVID-19 illness, according to DPHHS. Since the pandemic disease arrived in Montana in March 2020, a total of 10,602 Montanans have been hospitalized with COVID-19 related illness, DPHHS reports.

So far this week, more than 1,500 Yellowstone County residents have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. In the first 13 days of January, the county has had nearly 2,300 residents test positive for COVID-19. These case numbers are more current than the statistics on the states online map Thursday.

By contrast, in the entire month of December, the county had only 956 new cases of COVID-19 infection.

Vaccination remains the safest, most effective way to reduce risk of COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death. COVID-19 vaccines are available at local medical clinics and pharmacies. RiverStone Health will offer these free, walk-in community COVID-19 vaccination clinics for people age five and older:

 Thursday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m.  1 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium, 1125 Broadwater Ave.

 Thursday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m.  noon at Petro Theater, Montana State University Billings, 1500 University Dr.

 Thursday, Jan. 27, 1:30  3:30 p.m. at City College Tech Building, 3803 Central Ave.

 Thursday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.  1 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium, 1125 Broadwater Ave.

Free COVID-19 vaccinations also can be scheduled by appointment by calling the RiverStone Health Immunization Clinic at 406-247-3382.

Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are available at RiverStone Health clinics. People can receive first, second and booster doses as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who previously had one or two doses should bring their vaccination card. Parents must sign consent forms for children under 18. Masks are required at the vaccination clinic.

A list of Yellowstone County sites offering COVID-19 tests, along with cost and contact information is posted at covid.riverstonehealth.org. Click on the blue bar that says I need a COVID-19 test.

Along with being vaccinated, wearing a well-fitting mask, maintaining distance from others, frequent handwashing and staying home when you are feeling ill will help lessen the spread of the highly infectious Omicron variant.

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For the sixth time since the exchange was established, 28 Yellowstone National Park bison were shipped to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation on Wednesday.

The Bison Conservation Transfer Program allows the park to divert bison that have passed quarantine to the tribe. The quarantine ensures the animals are free of the disease brucellosis. The final phase of the quarantine process takes place on the reservation, after which the animals can be distributed to other tribal nations.

This program has made incredible strides in the cultural and ecological restoration of bison across the country, said Chamois Andersen, senior Rockies and Plains representative at Defenders of Wildlife, in a statement. Defenders has been a partner in the quarantine and transfer program.

In partnering with the InterTribal Buffalo Council, the park and reservation have moved almost 182 bison to the reservation. From there, 82 animals have been distributed to 18 tribal nations in 10 states, including as far away as Alaska, once the quarantine process is completed. The most recent transfers in December were of 56 bison moved to the Yakama Nation in Washington and Modoc Nation in Oklahoma.

Its something that were very proud of, said Cam Sholly, park superintendent, on Thursday. Were putting record amounts of money into bison conservation. Were not doing that alone.

Last year, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and Yellowstone Forever helped raise funds to pay for new fencing to allow the park to increase the number of bison held in quarantine from 80 to 200.

Improvements will be completed this winter, the Park Service said, resulting in the transfer of about 100 animals a year to tribes as an alternative to slaughter.

As part of an agreement with the state of Montana, the Park Service also diverts bison to slaughter to decrease their population in the park. Meat from the slaughtered bison is distributed to participating tribes. Tribal and state hunters also kill bison, mainly outside the parks northern boundary near Gardiner.

The bison transferred this week were captured at Stephens Creek in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park in March 2020, according to the Park Service. Twenty males completed quarantine in the park and a small family group of eight (one male, four females, three calves) completed quarantine in the nearby APHIS-leased facility at Corwin Springs. Currently, 67 animals are still in the Bison Conservation Transfer Program, and the park and APHIS intend to enter 80-120 new animals into the program this winter.

Yellowstones bison are direct descendants of the last bison saved from the mass slaughter of the 19th century. While the species once boasted a population of more than 30 million across North America, only about 1,000 remained by 1900, most in captivity, with one small herd in Yellowstone. Though saved from extinction and numbering 500,000 today, almost all bison are managed as livestock and contain cattle genetics. Yellowstone bison, because of their pure genetics, are therefore prized.

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Staff with the Office of Public Instruction provided an update on the new educator licensure system as well as the annual teacher licensure report to the Montana Board of Public Education on Thursday afternoon.

The OPIs licensure office has recently come under fire. In two letters, groups of school superintendents from around the state expressed their concerns with Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzens leadership.

OPIs previous online licensing system was closed to the public beginning on Jan. 1 and the new system from RANDA Solutions will not be open until June 1. During the closure, educators must mail a paper application to the OPI until May 6 or wait until the new system is launched.

A kickoff meeting with the vendor RANDA Solutions and the OPI is planned to take place this month as they begin to move forward with data migration from the old to the new system. The OPI is aiming that the new licensure system will be ready for use beginning on June 1.

The OPI anticipates it will begin testing the new system and training staff to operate it this spring between April and May.

A lot of whats happening right now is being driven by RANDA, however, from a project standpoint, with myself and the team, really facilitating our meetings and ensuring that every agency, every department, every data component is being accounted for, said Zam Alidina, a contracted employee with the OPI for project management.

Alidina explained that RANDA is a leader in the field for education licensure systems that have worked with state education departments in Tennessee, Colorado, Kentucky and South Carolina.

So they definitely are a leader, but not only because theyve worked with these organizations, but also because of their technical and business subject matter expert knowledge within this application, Alidina said.

That expert knowledge has come in handy when Alidina has approached RANDA with questions regarding risks with data, business or integration, he said.

The new RANDA system will provide more automation in the workflow at OPIs licensing office, therefore eliminating most of the manual work that was done previously. This will allow OPI staff to focus on high priority items that need to be met, Alidina said.

The display of the system will also be modernized compared with the previous MSEIS system used by the OPI.

Board member Mary Heller raised concerns to Crystal Andrews, OPIs director of educator licensure, about the implementation of a new system while her staff are swamped with licensing and renewals.

Im just very concerned about the overload, possibly, Heller said.

A lot of times when these systems go live, and then all of a sudden everybodys getting on them, they can crash, and Im really worried about our amazing staff at OPI and the overload, she continued.

Andrews replied that her office has prepared the licensure frequently-asked-questions page online and necessary documents for licensing have also been updated for the interim period. They have been receiving a lot of licensing paperwork since Jan. 1, including 200 paper renewals, and have been processing them with no issues.

Once we have the new system and the trainings we will be revamping the webpage, Andrews said. Thats the piece that Im most excited about.

I can assure you, as we saw the demo for RANDA, that its just so much better and user-friendly that it will ease everyones minds once we get there, she continued.

The new webpage will be more user-friendly and ultimately a positive change for her office, Andrews said.

She took the podium again to discuss educator licensure activity during fiscal year 2021-2022. During that time there were 5,204 licenses, including renewals, duplicates, license upgrades and endorsements. The highest number of licenses were for elementary education, Andrews said.

In that fiscal year, the OPI issued 1,646 new licenses and 62% of those were for standard teaching licenses, which means the educator has completed an accredited teacher preparation program with a bachelors degree.

As you can see, initial licenses have increased this year by almost 400 licenses, Andrews said. Our renewals, upgrades, endorsements and duplicates are down slightly but have maintained a very similar trend in the last five years.

For her presentation, Andrews analyzed critical endorsement shortage areas in Montana since 2017. Based on this years data, new licenses in those areas have increased by 1,297.

Im happy to know that special education has 138 new licenses knowing that that is such a huge area of critical need in our state, Andrews said. Im sure it is not enough but its positive to see that number had gone up quite a bit.

Andrews is optimistic that the states licensing numbers will increase in 2022 with the new licensing system and upcoming revisions to teacher licensing rules.

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A pair of Republican state lawmakers received a combined $1,500 in state funds for traveling to a symposium to hear election fraud conspiracy theories in South Dakota last summer.

The payments to Reps. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, and Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, were paid out of the legislators constituent services allowances. The reimbursements were first reported by the Montana Free Press.

Montana legislators are given biennial allowances to cover the costs of activities that benefit their constituents. The report, generated by the states Legislative Services Division, shows many Montana lawmakers have used those accounts to cover the costs of meeting with constituents, attending conferences or traveling to events like ceremonial bill signings in Helena.

Rep. Bob Phalen, a Republican from Lindsay, was reimbursed $979.37 of his allotted $2,000 for lodging and mileage to attend the event, hosted by businessman and outspoken Trump supporter Mike Lindell. Lindell, along with many of the speakers he hosted at the August 2021 event, has advanced unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud during the 2020 general election after former President Donald Trump lost.

None of those theories have held up to court scrutiny despite dozens of legal challenges and other attempts across the country to find evidence of malfeasance in the election. Nonpartisan elections experts have debunked many of those claims, yet they have found lasting traction among many Trump supporters who believe the election was stolen from him.

In an interview Wednesday, Phalen said he believed the information provided during the three-day conference to be credible, and said he has been putting that time and money to use by spreading it to his constituents in the months since he returned.

We have held seven election integrity meetings here in eastern Montana, and not a person has said it was a waste of time. So we did it for the people, we didnt do it for ourselves, Phalen said, noting that other state lawmakers who attended the conference have also helped organize meetings in the state.

He also rejected the suggestion that continuing to push election fraud theories without evidence could undermine voters faith in the democratic process.

No matter how you try to twist it, if you want to be honest with yourself, you know for a fact that there were problems, and there were problems in Montana too, Phalen said.

Phalen was one of six Republican lawmakers who attended the South Dakota event. The only other one who claimed the expenses on his constituency services account, Fielder, was reimbursed $528.04 to attend. He did not return a voice mail requesting comment on Wednesday.

Other lawmakers that attended the conference have been highly visible in recent months as they sought to drum up support for a special legislative committee to probe the security of Montanas elections during the interim. Sen. Theresa Manzella, a Hamilton Republican, emceed a September event in Hamilton that drew about 200 attendees.

Manzella has helped to spearhead the effort to form a special committee, which Republican legislative leadership has not yet indicated they will do. In September all but a dozen of the states 98 Republican lawmakers signed onto a letter asking their leadership to appoint a special committee.

A legal analysis requested by the leaders of the GOP-dominated House and Senate determined that a joint committee of members from both chambers would likely be impossible outside the every-other-year legislative session, although the leader of the Senate has the power to appoint one solely in that chamber.

Correction This story has been corrected to reflect the correct amount Rep. Bob Phalen was reimbursed for travel to the "election symposium" event in South Dakota last summer. A corrected report from the state's Legislative Services Division shows that Phalen was only reimbursed $979.37 of the $1,325.98 he requested.

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Wyoming's superintendent of public instruction, Jillian Balow, announced Thursday that she is resigning her post to take on the same role in Virginia. Her last day is Sunday.

I am honored, and deeply humbled, to announce that Virginia Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin has asked me to serve as Virginias Superintendent of Public Instruction," Balow said in a statement. "With a focused drive to lead on the front lines of educational transformation in this country, I have accepted. Therefore, I announce my resignation from the office of Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Serving as State Superintendent for the last seven years has been the greatest honor and challenge of my life."

Linda Finnerty, Balow's communications director, declined to offer more details about the conversation between her and Youngkin.

After a heated and closely watched election, Youngkin beat out former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe. He is set to be inaugurated Saturday.

Governor-elect Youngkin made educational transformation the centerpiece of his campaign. There is no more serious time to be in K-12 education governance than now, and Virginia is on the cutting edge of this battle for the future of our public schools," Balow's statement continued. "The work we will do to restore parents voices in education, push for innovation and student success, enhance school choice, and to eliminate political ideology from the classroom will set a new tone in Virginia and the nation. We have made great progress on these very items during my tenure in Wyoming."

One of Youngkin's main campaign platforms -- and arguably the one he was best known for -- was being against critical race theory in Virginia classrooms. For this reason, Balow seems like an appropriate fit for his cabinet.

"When it comes to politics in the classroom, Ive made my position crystal clear that partisan politics and radical theories should not be forced upon our children," Balow said in her statement.

Finnerty declined to comment on how Balow's views on critical race theory played into her decision to take a job in Youngkin's office.

Before this announcement, there were rumors swirling that Balow may run for governor of Wyoming in 2022, but these rumors were never substantiated.

The Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee will have 15 days to submit three candidates to Gov. Mark Gordon for consideration, according to a press release from the governor's office. The Governor will then have five days to appoint a new superintendent from the names submitted who will serve the remainder of Balow's term.

Until Gordon makes a decision, Balow will be temporarily replaced by the chief policy officer at the state's department of education, Kari Eakins.

Balow started her teaching career in Hulett, Wyoming. In the 25 years since then, she has served as a national literacy consultant, an executive in state government, a policy advisor in the governors office, and now the state superintendent of public instruction. Under Balow, Wyoming's schools remained in-person after the onset of the pandemic, with no districts going online for extended periods of time.

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The pandemic will preclude Yellowstone National Park from planning any large-scale events to mark its 150th anniversary this year.

That could change as the year progresses, the National Park Service qualified in a news release, but it set no parameters on what would need to change or how it defined a large event.

Yellowstone turns 150 on March 1. On that date in 1872, then-President Ulysses S. Grant signed an act creating the first national park in the United States.

Its an important point in time for us to really have some discussions about this anniversary and its importance, not only to America but the world, Superintendent Cam Sholly said during a Thursday press conference.

He remarked the anniversary provides an opportunity to learn from the past while focusing on the future and working with partners to protect and strengthen Yellowstone for the next 150 years against threats like invasive species, increasing visitation and climate change. Part of that emphasis also includes a greater focus on American Indians role in the park by taking steps in new and different directions.

Tribes

For over 10,000 years before Yellowstone became a national park, it was a place where Native Americans hunted, fished, gathered plants, quarried obsidian and used thermal waters for religious and medicinal purposes, the Park Service noted.

In recognition of this, the agency is creating a Tribal Heritage Center stationed through the summer at Old Faithful, one of the busiest areas in the park. Sholly said theres the potential to continue the project.

This is something we would like to make permanent, he said. We want to do a good job as stewards telling the stories of American Indian tribal nations, but no one can do it better than them.

Tribes are also coordinating with Yellowstone to install a teepee village near the Roosevelt Arch in August at the north end of the park, allowing tribal members to interact with visitors about their culture and heritage.

First person

Crow tribal member Scott Frazier has visited the park since he was a child. As an educator he led students on tours and conducted ceremonial blessings of park wildlife. Frazier said he sees the land as his mother and sacred. He also hailed the park as a place of healing, including for his father who was a World War II veteran.

In this time of struggle between the human beings, these places are very important, he said. To be able to come out and listen to nature  and not a machine, and not cars, and not your boss  to come out and sit and just listen to nature is very healing.

He recounted the gasps of surprise he has heard from students on tours to the geysers and mud pots in the park.

We are missing that in our world right now, he said. We need more time in the trees. We need more time to relax and just calm down.

Art and more

Also this year, Indigenous public art installations, titled Yellowstone Revealed, will be displayed in the park to offer viewers an opportunity to explore the longer Indigenous history of the park, according to Bozeman-based Mountain Time Arts, which is helping to coordinate the works.

On May 6, a Native American art exhibition is planned at the Old Faithful Inn, and tours in the parks historic buses will be offered by concessionaire Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

Tribes are also planning a gathering on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

"Yellowstone's 150th anniversary is an important moment in time for the world," Sholly said in a statement. "Its an opportunity for us to reflect on the lessons of the past while focusing our efforts to strengthen Yellowstone and our many partnerships.

Although not planning any large events, members of the parks staff will participate in several proceedings this year. These include the 15th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem hosted by Montana State University, the Wyoming Governors Hospitality and Tourism Conference, and the University of Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park 150 Anniversary Symposium.

Investing in infrastructure

Additionally, the anniversary provides Yellowstone officials a chance to highlight the continued investment in infrastructure.

During this anniversary year, Yellowstone will open 40 new employee housing units throughout the park along with groundbreakings on projects totaling more than $125 million funded through the Great American Outdoors Act, the Park Service said. These projects include two of the largest historic preservation projects in the country and a range of transportation projects that will address aging infrastructure. This year will also mark the reopening of Tower Fall to Chittenden Road (near Dunraven Pass), a $28 million road improvement project completed over the past two years.

Future work will include more vehicle charging stations, reducing the parks environmental footprint and tasks as simple as updating light bulbs to ones that use less energy, Sholly noted.

We have come a long way together, but we also have a very, very long way to go, he said. Were looking forward to continuing our progress to protect this incredible park for the future, and we definitely need everyones help to do just that.

Rick Hoeninghausen, director of hotels and lodging for Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which oversees operations of hotels and other guest services in Yellowstone, said the park isnt for everyone. Theres no televisions or air conditioning in rooms, cell phone service can be spotty and theres no night life.

Yet he said the park offers inspiring views, incredible wildlife and unique historic structures like the Old Faithful Inn. To protect these important assets, Hoeninghausen said the park needs more advocates and stewards.

Restoring the ecosystem

Yellowstone got off to a bad ecological start with the extirpation of predators like cougars and wolves and low populations of bison. Sholly noted the park has come a long way considering it was 40 years after Yellowstone was designated that the Park Service was created.

We arguably failed miserably initially, he said, by tinkering with the ecosystem, taking it out of its natural balance.

Id say for the first 80 to 90 years of Yellowstones existence we did not set the best example from a wildlife management and conservation perspective, he said. We started to get much smarter in the '60s and '70s and now the ecosystem is healthier than 150 years ago.

The reintroduction of wolves in the 1990s, although decried by lawmakers in surrounding states, was the single largest, successful conservation effort in the history of this country, if not the world, Sholly said. State management of the large canines has come under increasing fire by the park and conservation groups following the loosening of hunting and trapping regulations this winter.

On Thursday, 30 business owners added their voices to calls for Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to reinstate Endangered Species Act protections following the killing of 20 wolves in Montana this winter from packs that roam into and out of Yellowstone.

In a letter to Haaland, the business owners, who provide services like guiding and wildlife safaris, pointed to the economic value of the wolves, citing a 2005 assessment that estimated wolves contributed $35.5 million to the areas economy.

Montanas new aggressive hunting laws threaten our business, our local business partners, and our employees livelihoods, said Matthew Scott, co-owner of Yellowstone Safari Company and Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, in a statement.

Visitors can log on to go.nps.gov/Yellowstone150 and follow #Yellowstone150 to stay current on commemoration information.

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Its wake-up time. We have a governor with more game violations than any governor in our history. Last week 35 of the top biologists wrote a letter daylighting the damage done by Gov. Greg Gianforte and our Legislature. Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Worsech won't speak up for sportsman and is just a yes man to Gianforte and the Legislature. And now Mike Thompson, arguably the best, most reasonable and experienced wildlife manager in MTFWP, was suspended and driven into retirement. Experienced, rational and resource centric persons need not apply.

I support grizzly bear delisting, but not after Gianforte had the audacity to propose delisting after he signed a plethora of laws that further threaten the bears. Ranchers and residents are working hard to coexist with bears and those efforts need to be recognized and pursued. Gianforte is the same guy who stacked the Fish and Game Commission with commercial interests and reduced at large sportsman representation. Our record of science- and experience-based wildlife management is over. The value of wildlife for Gianforte and Worsech is just another head for Gianfortes trophy room and killing (not hunting) opportunities for political sycophants. Our state's public wildlife resource is a facing a direct assault by a small group intent on power, privatization and personal profit.

Meanwhile, the Legislature and Gianforte decided that despite a statewide vote in support of marijuana legalization, any county that voted against legalization could opt out. So  why cant any county that didnt vote for Gianforte or our anti-wildlife legislators opt out of them?

When Worsech took over as FWP director last year, he wrote a very fluffy and disingenuous introduction in Montana Outdoors. I wrote Montana Outdoors pointing out this and the record low morale of FWP field staff.

Were seeing a radical shift away from science-based management and toward Gianfortes and the Legislatures political agendas and pet peeves. I never heard anyone say Montana hunting regulations were too complicated. When I saw the nonsensical changes that were proposed, it was clear they were proposed because the biologists were told to make changes, not because there were any significant issues with the existing regulations.

Wildlife management is a complex mix of biological, social, and economic demands and our regulations addressed that mix. But now the emphasis is fix them till theyre broke. Did I miss that voter mandate too?

Ive hunted here for over 40 years, spend a lot of days in the field, do pretty well and have never had a grizzly bear conflict and have only heard wolves a couple times. Some hunters blame their failure to kill an elk on predators, but Im hunting the same places and all you have to do is hunt to find game. Wildlife populations are dynamic and you cant expect the same results with the same tactics every year. Thats why they call it hunting. Its the experience and lifestyle, its not about killing the most, the fastest or the biggest.

Ive always supported FWP, but heres a vote of no confidence to their management and director. Hopefully the remaining biologists can somehow survive the purge.

What to do? We need to vote these guys out and in the meantime keep daylighting their activities as they tear down the value weve placed on our wildlife resource and Montana values. So speak up.

Andy Kulla is a resident who has hunted in Montana for over 40 years, and worked professionally in natural resource management for those same years.

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The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right protected by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Montana. Thats a 2011 resolution expressed by the Montana Legislature. Lawmakers who voted to pass the measure include current Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen and U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale.

Supporting the right of parents to  ahem  parent seems like common sense. But just a month ago, eight public school officials found Arntzens support for parent rights in education cause to draft a letter of no confidence in her leadership. A response letter praising Arntzens support of parents was signed by over 500 citizens, including many parents with children in public schools.

What has happened to pit parents against public school officials? One reason is the COVID-19 pandemic revealed to many parents for the first time that Montanas public school system does not afford them basic rights to direct their childs education.

For example, when Billings schools announced a mask mandate last fall, parents who disagreed with the policy had little recourse and resorted to staging protests. And now that schools plan to be mask-optional in 2022, the tables have turned. What about parents who want everyone in masks?

Parents have an option to enroll children in a virtual learning platform, but the reality is not all students learn well through this method. Unless parents are wealthy enough to pay for an alternative school or lucky enough to find a support system to facilitate homeschooling, they are stuck with no control over what becomes of their childs education. Meanwhile, their hard-earned tax dollars continue to fund a system that isnt doing what they feel is right for their child.

Last year, parents in Bozeman received national attention when they succeeded in reversing a proposed school policy they viewed as advancing controversial Critical Race Theory. However, the victory came after a strong public outcry and months of negotiation with the school district by tenacious parents willing to participate in long and contentious meetings to ensure the school was adopting a policy they supported.

The hard truth for Montana moms and dads is that little stands in the way of a public school system implementing whatever curriculum standards or policies they deem fit, no matter how strong their objections. Without the freedom to choose another option, parents lack real control over directing their child's education.

But Montanas one-size-fits-all public school system doesnt afford parents the freedom to choose. Montana lags behind states that embrace education freedom, allowing parents to exercise control over their students share of public education funding and choose from a variety of education options that best fit their child's needs. In fact, Montana public school officials have called the very idea of allowing parents the right to opt out of school district policies and find alternatives dangerous and absurd.

In their condemnation of freedom of choice, public school officials suggest the right of parents to direct the education of their children applies in practice only to wealthy parents who can afford to seek alternatives to the public school system.

The purpose of the 2011 legislative resolution referenced earlier was to call for the rights of parents to be explicitly enshrined in our Constitution. Even a decade ago, legislators felt our laws, courts and public education system did not adequately protect the rights of parents. It seems now, more than ever, the rights of parents deserve protection.

Kendall Cotton is the president and CEO of the Frontier Institute, a Helena think tank dedicated to breaking down government barriers so that all Montanans can thrive.

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Electronic land posting appears to have been an overall success in its first year in North Dakota, with extensive digital traffic on the day of the deer hunting season opener.

Thousands of landowners last year posted nearly 4 million acres of private land electronically through the first system of its kind in the nation. The 2021 Legislature passed a law for electronic posting that also allows only lawful hunters and anglers to access fenced, unposted land, for hunting and fishing activities only.

The public is able to see the electronically posted land through digital and print maps, at gf.nd.gov/hunting/private-lands#id-posted.

One Game and Fish app had 3 million clicks, pans and zooms on the opening day of North Dakota's deer gun season in November, according to Game and Fish Business Operations Manager Brian Hosek. He called that traffic "pretty impressive."

"This is definitely a big change for North Dakota," he told the Legislature's interim Natural Resources Committee last month. "Were talking over 120 years of posting laws with the physical signage. Any time we bring in something new and we use the word 'technology,' you have varying degrees of comfort with that."

Game and Fish has fielded "a fleet of calls daily on a lot of different questions of this," he said.

Feedback has been mixed, according to Hosek. Some landowners struggled with the technology. Others appreciated the additional tool, especially since signs can blow over.

Hunters appreciated the communication ability with landowners; 56% of electronic posters gave phone or email contact information.

But not every hunter has a smartphone, Hosek said. And their usage of the system depends on how and where they hunt, he said.

Game and Fish Director Jeb Williams told the panel, "This was only year one, and keep it in mind that, all things considered, it went really well." He urged caution in implementing changes or adding features to the system that still is new.

North Dakota Wildlife Federation President David DeWald told the committee the first year was "a great success" for most hunters, with frustration from some people getting used to the technology.

The biggest complaint from hunters with smartphones was "how long it took to download the app," he said.

"If that's the biggest complaint you've got, that's not bad," DeWald said.

North Dakota's electronic posting allowed a group of nonresident duck hunters to plan their hunt a month in advance, according to Joe Schettler, a North Dakota Stockmen's Association district director.

Outdoors GPS app onX absorbed the state's data into its system. More than 15,000 hunters had used the North Dakota electronically posted layer of the onX app as of last fall.

Trespass violations and reports have been down over the past year, but it's unclear whether that's related to electronic posting, Hosek said.

Game and Fish could reopen the system for landowners to post new parcels as soon as Feb. 1, he said.

Land that was posted electronically before a July 15 deadline last year will remain designated through July 2022. Hosek said the system should be easy for landowners to renew their postings and "copy that information forward."

Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

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A Bismarck man has pleaded guilty to driving the wrong way in a Bismarck Expressway crash on New Year's Day last year that killed a South Dakota woman.

Kenyon Eagle, 19, was charged with criminal vehicular homicide, two counts of criminal vehicular injury, and one count of reckless endangerment after the Jan. 1, 2021, crash.

Authorities said Eagle drove a pickup truck east in the westbound lanes of the Expressway. The pickup collided head-on about 2:15 a.m. with a car driven by Tiffany Shaving, of Cherry Creek, South Dakota. Shaving died at the scene, the North Dakota Highway Patrol said. Her two passengers -- Ryan Whitebull, 28, and Carlin Mellette, 25, both of Bismarck -- were seriously injured and required hospitalization and surgery. Eagle was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Eagles blood alcohol content was 0.213% at the time of the crash, Assistant Morton County States Attorney Gabrielle Goter said at a Thursday hearing. The legal limit is 0.08%. She noted that Eagle has no criminal or juvenile history and has done well in pretrial services.

Goter and defense attorney Harvey Skees formed a plea agreement that calls for a six-year prison term on the vehicular homicide charge. Eagle would serve simultaneous five-year terms on each of the remaining three charges under the terms of the agreement. He would face nine more years if he miscued during a three-year probationary period. He must also complete chemical dependency evaluation and treatment while incarcerated.

Eagle after entering guilty pleas told South Central District Judge Cynthia Feland that he made a bad decision when he drove that night.

Its my understanding that one person died and two others were injured, Eagle said. Going the wrong way is considered reckless driving and I take responsibility for all of that.

Feland ordered a presentence investigation, which she said will give her more information about Eagle and allow the injured passengers and Shavings family members time to file impact statements. No sentencing date has been set.

Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com

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North Dakota is in the beginning of a COVID-19 surge that could last into February, Health Department officials said at a town hall meeting Thursday, as the state saw another record for daily cases.

Agency staff discussed the oncoming wave of the omicron coronavirus variant, the importance of vaccination and different treatment options for those with COVID-19.

Omicron is about three times more likely than the delta variant to spread through household contacts, according to Paul Carson, director of North Dakota State University's Center for Immunization Research & Education. The delta variant was already considered highly contagious compared to earlier variants.

Health officials say many omicron cases have few or no symptoms. Studies from the University of California Berkeley and the United Kingdom have found a "decoupling" of case numbers from hospitalization and death rates, but it might not hold true everywhere. Data from New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C., show that hospitalizations for the omicron wave matched or surpassed the peaks caused by the delta variant last year, according to Carson. The disparity might be due to the fact that England has more people who have some form of immunity to the virus than does the U.S., he said.

While omicron might cause less-severe disease, its increased infectiousness will create a spike in cases, hospitalizations and deaths that will stress the health care system, according to Carson.

"A low percentage of a very high number of infections can be a very high number of problems," he said.

Carson encouraged getting vaccinated against the virus or getting a booster shot, for those who previously received a full vaccine dose. Being vaccinated helps reduce the severity of disease in the case of a breakthrough infection, he said. Hospitalization lengths have averaged 5.4 days for those with breakthrough COVID-19, but they've averaged 13.5 days for those who haven't been vaccinated.

Carson also touched on omicron cases in children. He said that while children still tend to fare better than adults with COVID-19, hospitalization rates in kids are higher than they were in previous waves.

Carson gave a tentative estimate of mid-February for when the wave might start to end based on other cities around the country. Modeling by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests that.

North Dakota Health Resources & Response Section Chief Tim Wiedrich explained how COVID-19 treatments are allocated. Due to high demand and short supply, the federal government allocates two types of treatments to the state -- four kinds of monoclonal antibodies and two kinds of antivirals. Monoclonal antibodies act as substitute antibodies and can prevent the virus from attaching to cells, while antivirals kill or inhibit virus growth and reproduction. But two of the monoclonal antibodies will be discontinued because they aren't effective against omicron, Weidrich said.

He recommended vaccination to prevent the disease until drug production ramps up.

Daily data

Newly confirmed COVID-19 cases set a pandemic record in North Dakota for a second straight day on Thursday, with 2,631 positives from 15,937 tests handled Wednesday -- also a record for a second straight day.

The 5,031 new cases identified in the past two days pushed up active virus cases in the state to 7,463 -- nearly double the total at the start of the workweek and on pace to surpass the record of 11,656 active cases set Nov. 11, 2020, before the availability of vaccines.

There were 1,340 active COVID-19 cases in Burleigh-Morton counties on Thursday, nearly four times what there were at the beginning of the month.

The state's reported 14-day rolling test positivity rate jumped again, to 15.08%, near the record of 15.94% set on Nov. 15 and 17, 2020. The state target is less than 5%.

North Dakota's coronavirus dashboard showed two more virus-related deaths. The state no longer publicly reports the county, sex and age range of newly confirmed deaths. The dashboard death totals for Burleigh and Morton counties were unchanged Thursday, at 286 and 133, respectively. State-leading Cass County, home to Fargo, saw its total rise by one, to 293.

COVID-19 hospitalizations remained stable on Thursday, at 126. The most recent state data showed about 8% of staffed inpatient beds available statewide and about 5% of intensive care unit beds open. In Bismarck, neither Sanford Health nor CHI St. Alexius Health had any beds listed in either category for a second straight day.

There have been 190,144 confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Dakota during the pandemic that is now in its 23rd month. There have been 180,638 recoveries, 7,097 hospitalizations and 2,043 deaths.

Records are based off the state Health Department's daily reports. The agency often revises data on its dashboard later based on updated information.

The Health Department on Thursday upgraded the dashboard section dealing with breakthrough COVID-19 cases. It also updated the daily case total reported Tuesday, when the dashboard showed 1,610 cases but the actual total was 2,120. The undercount occurred due to technical difficulties with the system for reporting numbers, according to Disease Control & Forensic Pathology Section Chief Kirby Krueger.

More information

North Dakota continues to have one of the worst COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, according to the CDC. Agency data on Tuesday showed 64.1% of North Dakota adults being fully vaccinated. The rate for all vaccine-eligible people in the state -- age 5 and older -- is 57.2%.

The CDC recommends COVID-19 booster shots for all adults; 44.5% 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. North Dakota's Health Department hopes to add booster data for teens to the state vaccine dashboard sometime next week.

The coronavirus transmission risk is considered substantial or high in all of North Dakota's 53 counties, 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.

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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
On Monday, Russian president-for-life Vladimir Putin explained that the "peacekeeper" paratroopers he sent to Kazakhstan to help quash civil unrest were part of his larger policy of preventing "color revolutions" in former Soviet-bloc countries.

Putin made his remarks at a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which the New York Times described as "a body equivalent to NATO that includes six countries from the former Soviet Union."

I bring this up not to indulge in media criticism but to point out how easy it is to fall for Russian propaganda and the logic of false equivalence when discussing relations with Russia and authoritarian regimes generally. Yes, CSTO is, like NATO, a military alliance, but the similarities end there. Commitment to democratic principles is a membership requirement for NATO. None of CSTO's members -- Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- are democracies. Armenia comes closest; Freedom House designates it a "semi-consolidated authoritarian regime" with a "Democracy Score" of 33 out of 100. The rest are "consolidated authoritarian regimes."

In short, CSTO is a dictators' club in which authoritarians agree to protect each another's grip on power, including from internal threats from their own people. NATO doesn't send troops into member countries to prop up failed autocrats.

CSTO is also a tool for Putin to rebuild the lost empire of the Soviet Union.

Putin uses another tool toward the same end: military force, or the threat of it. That's what he's doing to Ukraine. Putin has deployed about 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border in preparation for what could be yet another invasion of Russia's neighbor. The U.S. and Russia are in Geneva this week to figure out a diplomatic exit from the crisis Putin has created.

The mere fact that the U.S. is meeting with Putin to discuss a diplomatic solution is a concession. He loves superpower summits like this because they buttress his government's propaganda about Russia's prestige. The fact that Ukraine itself has largely been sidelined in these talks is also a gift to Putin, because it bolsters his claim that a great power like Russia needn't consult with -- never mind recognize the sovereignty of -- the little countries it wants to bully.

None of this is to say that the U.S. shouldn't try to talk Putin out of invading Ukraine. But it does inform what the U.S. should say.

Putin's case for invading Ukraine is based on his nostalgia for the Soviet Union and Russian imperialism generally. Ukraine once belonged to Russia, and if Russia can't have it back -- still an "if" in Putin's mind -- it should at least be able to dictate Ukraine's destiny and alliances.

Putin subscribes to the myth -- promoted by Russian state propaganda -- that America and the West promised not to expand NATO during the negotiations over German reunification and other agreements in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union. No such assurances were made, but the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia did agree to the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances. In 1994, in exchange for Ukraine voluntarily giving up Soviet nuclear weapons on its soil -- then the third-largest arsenal in the world -- signatories agreed to defend Ukraine's territorial integrity and security. Putin declared that agreement null and void when Ukrainians elected a government that wasn't a vassal to Putin.

Putin's appetite is bigger than just Ukraine. According to draft treaties released by Russia, Putin wants a sphere of influence where smaller nations along its "near abroad" would have to defer to Russia's priorities. They would be barred from ever joining NATO, and countries that joined NATO after 1997 would be barred from hosting or training with NATO troops or military assets.

These demands are almost surely a nonstarter, and rightly so. Giving into them would undermine NATO, reward military blackmail and leave our Eastern European allies vulnerable to a regime that has already established it is willing to invade neighbors for its own aggrandizement -- most recently in the 2014 military seizure of Crimea from Ukraine.

But Putin is a master of asking for the whole store so he can settle for a shopping cart full of free goodies. And it sounds like the White House is considering concessions, including delaying military assistance to Ukraine.

The political temptation to appease Putin -- just a little -- is understandable. The last thing Biden needs is yet another international crisis, never mind a war. But one thing is certain: Any concessions to Putin will be little more than down payments on more down the road.

Jonah Goldberg writes for the Los Angeles Times.

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Shane Lee Brown, a 23-year-old Black man, was arrested and spent six days in a Las Vegas jail after police allegedly mistook him for a man with the same name who was wanted on outstanding warrants. The actual wanted man was 49-years-old, white, with blue eyes, and a "bushy white beard." He's also 5 inches taller than the younger Brown who has now filed a suit against the police departments and officials who didn't believe him and failed to properly check records. From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

"It's pretty hard to make a mistake of that magnitude when you have such different characteristics and races of a suspect," said attorney Brent Bryson, who wrote the lawsuit[]

Brown, now 25, was driving after finishing work on Jan. 8, 2020, when Henderson officers pulled him over. He didn't have his driver's license with him, but he gave officers his name, Social Security number and Social Security card, the lawsuit said[]

The 23-year-old was in the Clark County Detention Center for four days before he appeared in front of District Judge Joe Hardy. After Shane Lee Brown's public defender showed the judge the two men's booking photos, Hardy ordered the younger man to be released from jail[]

"This happens much more frequently then what the public hears about," [Bryson] said. "It's a result of either intentional or unintentional conduct by the officers."

The suit is asking for compensatory damages of $500,000 under federal law, as well as at least $50,000 under state law, in addition to punitive damages.
Three Long Island women were arrested yesterday for beating up a Delta Air Lines security officer at JFK airport in September, using his own radio as a weapon. The attack, in which the officer was pummeled to the ground, began after the officer wouldn't allow the "belligerent" travelers  who were "yelling and cursing"  to board their flight to Puerto Rico.

Once on the ground, the women continued to punch and kick the man. When a second employee tried to assist the officer, one of the women punched that person in the face, according to an indictment released yesterday.

Both employees ended up in the hospital.

From Daily Beast:
Using a whiteboard, author and Ohio politician David Pepper posted a video on his Twitter account (below) describing "two sides of an epic struggle in America right now." But each side is fighting for something different, "and that's why one side is winning."

Pepper explains the "Elections vs Democracy" battle in simple terms. Basically, the one side (Democrats) "views politics as a battle over elections," while the other side (Republicans) "is battling democracy itself." And of course if you "view the battle differently," you're going use a different set of strategies.

The Democratic strategy to win elections: focus on swing states and federal elections.

The Republicans strategy to demolish democracy: go "far deeper," and fight on a state level, across the whole dang country.

Pepper whose book Laboratories of Autocracy calls for those who value democracy to wake up and smell the gunpowder  says that until the Elections side sees the big picture and learns to fight everywhere, "at the roots of democracy," the battling-Democracy side (as in MAGA fascists) will always win.
For employers, one issue is dominant these days.

"Western New York, and our entire country, needs more people working," said Dottie Gallagher, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

No surprise, then, that helping solve the worker shortage tops this year's edition of the business advocacy group's agenda, which was rolled out Thursday.

While employers are trying to recruit more workers, the Partnership is calling for legislative solutions to get more people trained for jobs.

The region's largest business group backs federal legislation that would expand Pell Grant eligibility to students who are enrolled in short-term education and training programs that lead to employment in high-demand sectors or careers, including health care and skilled trades.

Why small business owners are optimistic and other economic takeaways for 2022 It's a new year, but a lot of the economic challenges look awfully familiar. A worker shortage. Inflation. Supply chain disruptions. Even so, prospects for growth this year remain strong after a bounce-back year in 2021, said James Glassman, head economist for commercial banking at JPMorgan Chase.

The Partnership also supports providing financial assistance to help people access registered and unregistered apprenticeships, along with other programs that train workers. The group is also calling for creation of and access to child care.

In November, a record 4.5 million Americans left their jobs voluntarily.

"That is a stunning number, when you think about it," Gallagher said. "So we are advocating more aggressively than ever before for policy that can help employers find and retain qualified talent."

Western New York faces the added challenges of lower-than-average workforce participation rates and "too many people trapped in poverty," she said.

"To unleash that talent in this community, it is going to require training for jobs that actually exist and supports to effectively upskill the underemployed," she said. The region also needs to find ways to break down barriers to employment, to make it easier for people like formerly incarcerated individuals to get hired.

11 ideas Buffalo's Partnership for Public Good is pitching to improve the city Creating a new approach to using and disposing of city-owned vacant lots is the top item in the Partnership for Public Good's community agenda this year.

The Partnership's agenda includes a number of pro-business ideas, including protecting employers from a potential hike in unemployment insurance rates.

The state owes $9 billion to the federal government, stemming from funds loaned to the state during the pandemic to pay for unemployment benefits. The Partnership argues the state should use some of its American Rescue Plan funds to repay what it owes.

"Employers did not cause the unemployment crisis  they were forced to close or reduce operations by government," said Grant Loomis, vice president of government affairs. "They should not be forced to shoulder the burden for increased (unemployment insurance) use."

The Partnership also supports a public-private partnership to fund a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills, to secure the franchise's presence here for the long term. Gallagher said successfully negotiating a new deal for a stadium is an important test for Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Gallagher said having a governor in office who is from upstate New York is a "significant opportunity" when it comes to economic issues.

"We remain very hopeful that Gov. Hochul will leverage her power in a way that benefits Western New York and upstate by making our economy more competitive, capitalizing on our resources and ensuring our employers and taxpayers do not get bogged down in one-size-fits-all, New York City-centric policy that is not needed or appropriate for our communities," Gallagher said.

Matt Glynn

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CHILDREN'S

Northwind by Gary Paulsen; Farrar Straus Giroux, 256 pages ($17.99) Ages 10-14.

...

A boy paddles a dugout canoe alone, ever northward, along the Norway coast in some bygone era in this gripping and eloquent survival tale by Gary Paulsen, author of "Hatchet" and a master of this survival genre. It seems fitting that this poetic narrative, in which a boy dreams of his dead mother and carves his experiences into a storyboard, should be the final work from the beloved author who died Oct. 13 at the age of 82.

Leif, an orphan who has endured ill treatment as a "wharf rat" passed from ship to ship, is stranded with a few others at a remote fishing camp when cholera strikes and the last man standing sends him and a younger boy off to sea in a dugout canoe. Both boys fall ill; Leif survives to discover he has much to learn in this perilous world.

Paulsen waxes eloquent in describing the drifting wooden ship that brought the plague to the camp: "Meant but not meant, not planned to be there but there, sending its death stink, the stink from blood-soaked decks and rotted gore and rendered fat, boiled off small whales, seals, dolphins  anything alive that had fat on it and could be made dead and the fat cooked out  ahead of the ship like a silent, dirty scream of filth. But something else, too: the smell of dying, rotting men."

With the vivid detail readers loved in "Hatchet," in carefully crafted prose with a hypnotic cadence, Paulsen describes the making of a fishing spear, the spearing of the salmon, the building of a fire, the satisfaction of eating your fill, the nearly fatal failure to notice signs of the presence of bears, the beauty of whale music, the spiritual communion with orcas.

In paragraph upon paragraph he describes Leif learning to navigate the currents, the nuisance of defending his food from ravens and eagles, the hazards of whirlpools and leaping whales, the wonder of sighting what at first appears to be a blue ship. Leif learns: ""pure raw hunger was the driving force of everything in nature. .... he decided he did not want only that in his life... did not want to be only hungry. Go north, be north, but see and be more than just what he shoved in his stomach." On this solo journey, the boy discovers "if you kept your mind open and aware and listened and smelled and watched, you learned."

Paulsen, who documented his lost childhood in his poignant 2021 memoir "Gone to the Woods," in an afterword says this book was inspired by tales of the sea told him by his Norwegian-born grandmother and by his own adventures sailing the coast of North America.

CHILDREN'S

Birdie's Billions by Edith Cohn; Bloomsbury Children's Books, 274 pages ($16.99) Ages 10 to 12.

...

A girl finds a half million dollars in $100 bills and wonders if it's OK to keep the money to help her struggling mother in this funny and charming middle grade mystery that manages to be both laugh-out-loud hilarious and a biting commentary on what it's like to be poor in the midst of plenty.

Birdie has just moved from the small town of Polkville to a rundown apartment complex in the upscale community of Valley Lake where her mother can make twice as much money cleaning houses for rich people. Birdie has a spectacular skateboard mishap at a client's home that gets her mother fired, and she and her mother are facing possible eviction when Birdie and her cousin go skateboarding in the empty swimming pool at a vacant mansion and Birdie discovers packets of $100 bills inside a wall.

Cohn paints a vivid picture of what it's like to be an 11-year-old wearing falling-apart sneakers and clothes from thrift shops, while her classmates want for nothing. When Birdie finds the $100 bills, she has already experienced being unfairly blamed by her friend's mother for a mishap that wasn't her fault simply because she lives on the wrong side of town. A class field trip to the Biltmore Estate finds Birdie unfairly accused again. Meanwhile Birdie finds herself telling lie after lie about the money she found and worrying that the rightful owner of the cash is going to come after her. "There was something about living in Valley Lake that made her feel like she had to be so much better than she was."

Cohn is a hilarious writer: "Aunt Laura thought wrinkles were life's true irreversible tragedies  as if the pound of makeup she wore couldn't make a 200-year-old woman look lively." Birdie's narrative also offers interesting truths about the middle school experience. After telling her mother that her day at school was "fine," Birdie ponders: "Birdie didn't mean to be a jerk, but school was a mortifying place ... There were just things that happened at school that once you escaped, you never wanted to think about again."

Readers will cheer for Birdie, an impulsive, goodhearted, daredevil of a girl struggling to figure out how to do the right thing.

Jean Westmoore

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A 2014 survey of law students across the U.S. found that one in three struggled with anxiety, 17% struggled with depression and 21% had suicidal thoughts.

Omicron intensified mental health challenges in WNY. Here's how you can address them Melissa Farrell of Spectrum Health encourages everyone to establish an intentional plan for wellness in the coming weeks.

Two years later, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation published a study of nearly 13,000 American lawyers that concluded as many as one in three had a drinking problem, and depression and anxiety challenged more than one in five.

A report last October by the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Attorney Well-Being concluded little has changed since.

That came as no surprise to Dan Lukasik, a veteran Buffalo attorney who wishes someone would have told him about those potential personal and professional pitfalls 30 years ago when he was a student at the University at Buffalo School of Law.

Maybe it would have helped me deal with major depression at 40 years old, he said.

Lukasik, now 60, has come a long way in 20 years. He overcame his crisis and started a support group for lawyers with depression. He has provided legal and personal expertise to Mental Health Advocates of WNY. He became a member of the state's bar association well-being task force and for the last two years has served as judicial wellness coordinator with the state Office of Court Administration.

Buffalo lawyer brings depression out of the darkness At 40, Buffalo attorney Dan Lukasik slipped into his first bout of clinical depression. Now, he and other mental health experts are reaching out to others to let them know theyre not

During winter break, he is also teaching his first course at his law school alma mater. He hopes "Mental Health and Well-Being in the Legal Profession" will become a semester-long course next school year.

Similar courses focus on stress management and well-being, Lukasik said. He believes this is the first of its kind nationally also to focus on anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse and suicide in the legal profession.

What better way to help young law students, he said, than for me to say to them, You can have a successful, productive career and, at the same time, address these mental health and well-being challenges? 

The one-credit class meets for three hours each Wednesday. Thirty-five of the 469 law school students attend. Lukasik and two students kicked off the class by sharing personal accounts as class participants began to learn more about the pressures they will face ahead. Lawyers suffer depression at two to three times the rate of Americans as a whole  a statistic that studies have tied, in part, to the stress, financial challenges and adversarial nature that often comes with success in their profession.

This pandemic has accelerated anxiety and depression rates for everyone, Lukasik said. Put it on top of the experience for law students and lawyers, and it's a perfect storm for things to go wrong.

On Wednesday, Shailini George, a professor of legal writing at Suffolk University in Boston, talked to students online about navigating distractions and focusing on the meaning of their work and home lives.

George is author of The Law Students Guide to Doing Well and Being Well, which Lukasik chose as the textbook for the UB course. He also assigned students to start a daily gratitude journal and make an entry each day for one month.

Others scheduled to speak, either in-person or online, include attorneys who addressed their own mental health challenges, the head of the bar association well-being task force and a national legal scholar who first raised mental health as an issue in the 1990s and will talk about personal and professional values.

Lukasik believes all will make an impression on students more likely to talk about stress, mental illness and substance abuse than those of decades ago. The biggest concerns he already has heard is whether the traditional legal culture is completely ready to address such challenges in a similar way.

We're starting to move in the direction of preparing our law students not just to know about torts and contracts, he said, but how to navigate on a physical and emotional level. Kudos to the law school for doing this. It's innovative.

Clinical depression is a debilitating condition that can strike anyone, anytime, from childhood into old age. The chronic disease  one to be respected and taken seriously like other chronic diseases  can flare up at any time. People wouldnt tell you to ignore your cancer or diabetes  or snap out of those diseases. It happens all too often when it comes to mental illness. The conditions differ, but all involve physical changes in the body  and some people can forget that the body includes the brain.

Depression will endanger one in three Americans at some point during their lives  and one in five in any given year. In half of those cases, it comes with anxiety. In many cases, substance abuse becomes part of its damaging force.

Leading symptoms include an unusually sad mood that lingers at least two weeks; an abandonment of interests and activities; fatigue and lack of energy; unwarranted, but intense, feelings of worthlessness and guilt; difficulty concentrating and making decisions; moving more slowly, becoming easily agitated, or both; sleeping too little or too much; and feeling numb.

Counseling and other support, sometimes in tandem with medication, often leads to recovery.

I am not discouraging anybody from going to law school, said Lukasik, whose daughter, Iliana, is a first-year student at UB. "I think it's a fantastic profession. Some of my best times have been as a lawyer, but at the same time, it's fair to say, and it's important to say, there are unique risks and mental health problems associated with the profession. We get somewhere by talking about it, and giving students good information.

Legal Resources

Erie County Bar Association Depression Support Group

Online meetings are strictly confidential from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday and Friday. They are open to all lawyers and law students who struggle with anxiety and depression. Contact Lukasik by phone or text at 716-913-6309, or email danieltlukasik@gmail.com.

The school has an experienced clinical social worker on-site two days a week. For more information, contact Thomas J. Neill at 716-645-2720.

Offers support services to law students, lawyers and their families who need assistance navigating everyday emotional health struggles, substance use disorders and more challenging mental health issues. All communications services are free and confidential. Contact Stacey Whiteley by phone or text at 518-360-2352 or email at swhitely@nysba.org.

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The jury, the prosecutor and the judge all were convinced that Joseph H. Belstadt killed Mandy Steingasser in 1993, which is why he is going to prison.

But at his sentencing Friday afternoon, Belstadt's lawyer entered a loud dissent.

This is not justice. Justice is not locking up an innocent man for the rest of his life, defense attorney Michele G. Bergevin said as Belstadt was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison for killing the 17-year-old Steingasser.

She was last seen alive in the early hours of Sept. 19, 1993. Two witnesses said they saw her entering Belstadts car.

On Oct. 25, 1993, her partially decomposed body was found in a ravine in what was then called Bond Lake County Park in Lewiston.

An autopsy concluded she had been strangled, and a skull fracture was found in front of her left ear.

For 28 years he evaded justice for that crime, Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman told reporters. We put the evidence before a jury, and they found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Belstadt wasn't arrested until 2018, after newly processed forensic evidence enabled prosecutors to obtain a murder indictment from a grand jury.

I would like to say to Mandys family and friends how sorry I am for the pain theyve gone through, but I am not the person who killed Mandy, Belstadt said. Ive been saying that since day one, and thats not going to change. I did not kill Mandy Steingasser.

Wyoming County Judge Michael M. Mohun disagreed.

Joe Belstadt has walked free longer than Mandy Steingasser was alive. He will walk free no longer, said Mohun, who was temporarily assigned to Niagara County for the trial in Niagara Falls.

"It was a horrendous and violent crime. He fractured this girl's skull and strangled her with her own bra," Seaman said. "That kind of calls for the maximum sentence."

During the time Joe Belstadt has been living his life, my daughter did not, Loraine Steingasser, the victims mother, tearfully told the judge.

She blasted Belstadt, 46, of the Town of Tonawanda, for the lies you told your family.

But as Belstadt was led from the courtroom, one of his supporters said, He didnt do it.

After 10 hours of deliberation over two days, the jury convicted Belstadt, of second-degree murder on Nov. 16, finishing a trial that began Oct. 25.

Friday, attorneys on both sides spoke of the volume of letters sent on behalf of the victim and the defendant.

Seaman cited one from a Steingasser relative who wrote of having to explain why Aunt Loraine doesnt have any children. Thats why she sometimes cries at Christmas.

Joe Belstadt is a gem. He is a very caring person, Bergevin said, drawing some murmurs and chuckles from the courtroom crowd of about 60.

She spoke of how Belstadt lived with and cared for his grandmother, whose car he was driving when he admittedly picked up Steingasser near the corner of Fifth Avenue and Oliver Street in North Tonawanda between 1 and 1:30 a.m. Sept. 19, 1993.

Two mushroom hunters found the body 36 days later in a ravine in the Meyers Lake area of the remote Lewiston park. Steingassers bra was knotted around her neck.

But the evidence that was most convincing, a juror told The Buffalo News after the trial, was the discovery of two of Steingasser's pubic hairs on the floor of Belstadt's car, and three fibers from the rug of that car stuck to her corpse.

Police had that evidence since the fall of 1993, when they seized Belstadt's car and thoroughly vacuumed it. But not until 2017 had DNA and other forensic technology evolved to the point that the hairs could be identified as Steingasser's.

During Fridays sentencing, Loraine Steingasser sat next to Niagara County Judge Caroline A. Wojtaszek, who as district attorney used the new forensic findings to obtain a grand jury murder indictment against Belstadt.

Wojtaszek was the lead prosecutor at Belstadts first trial, in March 2020, which was aborted after one day of testimony because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bergevin argued, correctly, that none of Belstadt's DNA was found on the body. In fact, the only DNA found on the body was that of Steingasser's ex-boyfriend, found in Steingasser's panties even after they, and the body, had been exposed to the weather for five weeks.

The ex-boyfriend, Christopher Palesh, testified that he left North Tonawanda to move to Florida on Sept. 17, 1993. Bergevin challenged his story and attempted to offer him as an alternative killer.

Belstadt, then an 18-year-old North Tonawanda resident, put himself on police radar by going to North Tonawanda Police Headquarters the day after Steingasser was reported missing.

He said he gave Steingasser a ride in his car to a church at Oliver Street and First Avenue, where he said a man was waiting for her on the church steps.

Belstadt told police he left for Canada after dropping Steingasser off, and testimony from friends showed he enlisted some of them to tell police that.

But it wasn't true, as Belstadt admitted to police a few days later. He gave police a revised statement that said after leaving Steingasser at the church, he went to a doughnut shop and then home.

Seaman told the jury he doesn't know where Steingasser was killed. He said it might have been at Meyers Lake or somewhere in North Tonawanda, perhaps at the old Roblin Steel plant.

We love you, Joe, relatives shouted outside the Angelo DelSignore Civic Building in Niagara Falls as three court officers led Belstadt across snow-covered Cedar Avenue to a Niagara County Sheriffs Office vehicle for a ride back to the County Jail. Soon, he will be shipped to state prison to await the results of his appeal.

I think this case will be upheld on appeal because it was done properly, Seaman predicted.

He saluted the North Tonawanda police, the Sheriffs Office and its forensic lab team for sticking with the case for so many years.

But Bergevin said the long delay in prosecuting the matter, and the refusal of Wojtaszeks predecessors to prosecute a case that almost entirely comprised circumstantial evidence, are arguments in favor of an appeal.

This was a wrongful conviction, and this will not end here, Bergevin vowed. I will not forget my commitment to make this wrong right.

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Multiple men physically abused Nateonna Roland, dragging her like a dog and tossing her against walls, according to her family.

According to prosecutors, Roland is manipulative, prone to rage and shows characteristics of a sociopath.

A judge on Friday sentenced Roland  who admitted fatally stabbing her boyfriend  to a decade in state prison, despite arguments from her defense attorney and testimony that she was a victim of domestic violence.

"A mans dead because you stabbed him, and I committed to no more than 10 years. To me, thats mercy," State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller said.

Roland, 25, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the July 24, 2019, killing of Brendan T. Benjamin, 21, on East Eagle Street. In addition to the prison term, Boller also sentenced her to five years of post-release supervision.

Assistant Erie County District Attorney Rachel L. Newton on Friday asked the judge to impose a 10-year term.

At the time of her plea in February 2020, Boller committed to sentencing Roland to no more than 10 years in prison and five years of parole. The judge also allowed Roland's defense attorney to argue she should spend even less time incarcerated. A pre-sentencing hearing was held over several days late last year.

Boller said Friday he was sympathetic to Roland's history but ruled she was not a victim of domestic violence at the time she stabbed Benjamin, one of the requirements under the state's Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act that would allow for a shorter sentence.

Roland and Benjamin had a "stormy relationship," Boller said, and around the time of the attack there was mutual verbal and physical abuse "of each other."

A tearful Roland, standing shackled in orange jail garb, asked for forgiveness and mercy before the judge sentenced her.

"I'm young and scared. Im lost. I just beg for a second chance," she said.

In a statement to the court read by the prosecutor, Yolanda Wright, Benjamin's mother, said she hopes she will be able to "fully forgive" Roland.

But Wright also asked the judge to consider "the bigger picture,"  her grandson, Bre'onn, Roland and Benjamin's young son.

In her statement, Wright asked members of both families who were in the courtroom "to leave at peace, for the child's sake."

Roland, who turned herself in to police shortly after the killing and has remained in custody since then, accepted responsibility for what she did, said Jessica A. Kulpit, her defense attorney. She asked the judge to consider the things Roland has gone through in her life, including being badly burned as a young child. Kulpit asked for a five-year sentence for her client.

The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, a law that went into effect in 2019, allows defendants to argue for a lesser sentence if the defendant at the time of the offense was a victim of domestic violence who was subjected to substantial physical, sexual or psychological abuse and such abuse was a significant contributing factor to their behavior.

Roland also faces a felony assault charge in connection with an allegation she injured a jail deputy at the Erie County Holding Center in January 2021. A pretrial hearing will be held in that case in March.

Reach Aaron at abesecker[at]buffnews.com or 716-849-4602.

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The winter surge of Covid-19 cases that has overwhelmed county contact tracers is overwhelming schools, too, some school leaders said.

Ever since acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett told counties Tuesday they did not have to do contact tracing in the face of increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases, school leaders began asking: What about us?

Schools are still waiting to hear from New York about any requirements for them regarding contact tracing, said Robert N. Lowry, deputy director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

Building administrators say they are spending so much time on contact tracing and filling in gaps for sick employees, that they have no time for such tasks as monitoring hallways and classrooms, he said.

"It's just become impossible to keep up for many schools," Lowry said. "It's just become unsustainable trying to do contact tracing."

Covid cases explode in area schools this month Its pandemic learning, Omicron style, where rising cases mean continued issues covering classrooms and securing enough bus drivers.

Their complaints come a day after Erie County announced more than two dozen districts and private schools will take part in the test-to-stay program aimed at keeping healthy children who come in contact with a positive case in school. Niagara County also has given the go-ahead to schools in its county.

A survey of school superintendents in Erie County in the fall and again in December found that school districts spend a total of about 2,000 hours a week, on average, doing contact tracing, case investigations and notifications of quarantines, according to Hamburg Superintendent Michael Cornell.

After hearing of a child who tests positive, the schools check seating charts for the classrooms and cafeteria where the child was, identifying who was within 3 feet of the child for more than 15 minutes in a class, or within 6 feet while children are eating. The school then notifies the parents of the close contact, and if the child is not vaccinated, the student must quarantine for five days.

Cornell, who also heads the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association, said that translates to an average of 70 to 80 hours a week that each district spends on contact tracing.

He said schools were not assigned the task of contact tracing, but they accept it.

Erie County rolls out test-to-stay program for all schools as Covid-19 cases skyrocket Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein announced Tuesday that Erie County will now work with schools throughout the county to implement a Covid-19-testing program to keep children who might have been exposed to Covid-19 from being sent home to quarantine.

"You name it, we're doing it," Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie said. "It's a real burden on our school nurses, but its worth it to keep kids in school."

Instead of two or three cases in Niagara Falls High School a day, there have been more like 10 recently, which take more time, he said. But if schools do not do contact tracing, the alternative could be closing a class or a school, he said.

"We don't want kids to get sick in school," Laurrie said. "We will do anything to keep schools open."

Niagara Falls will be using the test-to-stay program, he said. Parents of close contacts will use rapid tests of their children at home before school. Erie County is requiring the tests to be taken in school, not at home.

What the state decides about contact tracing may affect the test-to-stay programs aimed at keeping healthy, unvaccinated children in school. The program involves giving children who are close contacts rapid tests during their quarantine. If they are negative and do not have symptoms, they can attend class.

"If, literally, contact tracing were to disappear entirely, then no, I don't know how you do test-to-stay," Lowry said.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said that managing and communicating the test-to-stay program has been challenging because of changing rules.

"The state is constantly changing its guidance," he told The Buffalo News Editorial Board. "It's making it a little difficult."

The county has been cautious in rolling out the program because there have been reports of other similar programs being run badly, and the county Health Department wanted to make sure it was laying out the best protocols, he said.

"It's not a difficult program to implement, but to do it right, it's not simple," he said.

Poloncarz said it is important for schools to report back to the Health Department when a student tests positive, despite the work involved.

"I know that superintendents aren't always thrilled," he said. "Our goal is to keep society open, keep kids in school."

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Barbara O'Brien Reporter I grew up in Rochester, graduated from St. Bonaventure University and worked in radio before joining The Buffalo News. I report on issues in local communities. Over the years I have covered stories in every town in Erie County. Follow Barbara O'Brien 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 sad story in December of the woman who drove her vehicle into the Niagara River above the American falls and the harrowing rescue and recovery attempt made worldwide news. One only has to go back to 2019, when another individual had broken free of a rescue attempt and was drifting toward the brink when Major Clyde Doty of the New York State Park Police was able to get there just in time to get a hand on him and bring him back to shore.

A few years before, then Sgt. Pat Moriarty was featured as Americas best rescue as he pulled a despondent man standing at the brink of the falls out, when another helicopter rescue failed.

What people might not realize is although not always as dramatic, these rescues and interventions are a fairly common practice for the state Park Police. We have hundreds of documented calls for people having mental health crises in the parks per year throughout the state.

In Niagara Falls, vessels and personal watercraft become disabled and get stuck in the current drifting toward the brink of the falls. We have performed multiple rescues over the years and have a specialized boat near the waterfalls with special maneuverability to handle the currents and rocky terrain.

Our station is located so that we can respond to any emergency within seconds. Our officers attend specialized training year-round in marine patrol, snowmobile patrol, rappelling/gorge rescue, and swift water training. Other agencies have too many obligations to devote as much time on training to rescue operations.

If we are disbanded, we will be left to hope whatever nearby agencies respond have some familiarity with the situations they will be facing. Thats hoping they can get there fast enough, but outside resources could be stretched if say they are processing cases elsewhere. Our agency was designed to serve a specific purpose to the people of New York State all the way back in 1885.

New York State Park and Historic Sites set records at 78 million visits last year. Why, as visitors and revenue go up, do the Park Police continue to decline? Prior to the pandemic a merger was in the works with New York State Police, but it was ultimately rejected and now we sit in limbo.

An recent article in The Atlantic by Graeme Wood describes traveling over the border from Canada and dealing with an attempted robbery at gunpoint in Niagara Falls in only 11 minutes. What do you think the park will look like when that dedicated police presence is removed? I ask our members of Congress and Gov. Kathy Hochul to support funding of the Park Police.

David Szprygada is an officer and academy instructor with the New York State Park Police.
When a middle school teacher in the Williamsville Central School District gave students an assignment containing offensive language, the district responded with a statement calling it unacceptable.

Yes. And?

Darren Brown-Hall, district superintendent, read a statement at Tuesday nights meeting of the School Board that said the assignment fails to meet our standard and will be dealt with appropriately.

But what is being done, exactly? A spokesman for the School Board told The News that the district had no further comment. In other words, the public needs to take it on trust that its handling of the situation is appropriate. A publicly funded district needs to be more forthcoming, not only to meeting its civic obligations, but as a sign of respect for parents and taxpayers.

The controversy started when the teacher at Mill Middle School gave a homework assignment in which students had to translate sentences that included the phrases Mexican and ugly and pretty and American into Spanish.

Its hard to imagine what would go through a teachers mind in giving such an assignment. If the teachers excuse was simple carelessness, thats not a good thing for someone entrusted with molding young minds. A teacher is obligated to pay attention to the language they use. Homework assignments shouldnt be dashed off like a junk-food grocery list.

Brown-Hall, former chief of staff in the Buffalo Public Schools, gave a statement that shows he is taking the incident seriously.

We are addressing the situation to ensure this does not happen again, Brown-Hall said. The district does not condone any instructional material that denigrates our students, families, culture, or beliefs.

Our goal as a district is to create an intentionally welcoming learning environment, celebrating our community and its diversity.

Thats fine, as far as it goes  laudable, even. But it doesnt go far enough. For the moment, at least, its less important exactly how the district responds to this episode than it is for district taxpayers to know what action was taken.

A Mill Middle parent, Marcelo Florencio, told The News he was disappointed at the school for letting the disgusting and inexcusable language such as this to be presented in the classroom. I believe there is no place for it in school or our childrens lives.

Will the teacher be suspended or face other disciplinary action? The district still hasnt answered the question. Williamsville school parents and taxpayers are waiting for the answer. In a case such as this, Just trust us, is an insufficient response.

  

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.
I had never heard the word Ugogo before. It became part of my vocabulary when my daughter returned from her semester abroad in South Africa. Ugogo  Zulu for grandmother.

The idea of Ugogo was packed away with pictures of Table Mountain, charging elephants on nature preserves, and beautiful humans in tattered townships. My daughter's trip was memorable and life-changing.

Years later, I learned how life-changing my new title would be. I am a grandma now, fondly and enthusiastically called Gogo. I cherish every ounce of my role.

Christmas came this year to our very hesitant family. We tested, we refrained from joining large groups beforehand, we masked up, and we hunkered down. We were so anxious to be together for an un-Zoomed Christmas.

Our family arrived in dribbles and drabs with presents and luggage and coolers and high hopes, and they filled our house with everything that makes a house a home  laughter and love.

Im not sure theres a word for the wonder that shone from the little ones eyes when the daylight faded outside, and the lights came to life inside. The ceramic village awoke, the candles in the windows flickered, and the Christmas tree twinkled with tiny colors and memory-laden ornaments.

But the true wonder, the real magic, unfolded when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but Santa himself, warming up by the fire pit outside. A casual glance out the patio doors by Eli (4) began it all, I see Santa! I see Santa! Ooooohhhh, Santa!

The kids scrambled to open the kitchen windows, teetering on chairs, leaning out, trying to catch a glimpse of the old man. Nora (also 4) nearly crawled out the window exclaiming, I told you he was real.

And Ethan (2) wasnt all that anxious to have an up close and personal meeting, so he hung back  for a while.

The rapid-fire questions ranged from cookie preferences to dinner choices, from reindeer locations to Mrs. Claus. It was as magical as it was heart-warming for this Gogo to witness the wonder through the eyes of her grandchildren. And almost as if on cue, the snow started falling, gently and silently so as not to muffle the glorious sounds of the children.

There was great concern about the reindeer, but that too, was put to rest when Santa pulled out a strap with huge bells, and handed it to the kids. Each of you has to shake it three times to call the reindeer. I need to get back, he said. Eli, Nora and even Ethan dutifully shook the bells; in an instant Santa was gone. Just like that!

As they climbed down from their perches on the window, the children turned with a sense of amazement, the kind of magic you wish to see reflected in the eyes of the young, and the old as well. The wonder that awakens us from our daze, from the routine, and ignites a giddy appreciation for the unexpected joys that truly do exist.

As a Gogo I have been blessed with the gift of grandchildren who come wrapped in priceless wonder. Their squeals, their smiles as they run up the walk  its food for the soul. And as Nora announces as they exit the Thruway, Were in Gogo country now!

Jimmy Stewart was right. It is a wonderful life. Embrace the magic.
Brian Folmer used to plan at least a dozen trips every year to see friends and family around the country, but when the pandemic hit, he stayed put like everyone else, missing numerous holidays and important events. He even missed a best friends wedding  which he was supposed to be in.

The wedding was in Edmonton, Canada, and I couldnt get across the border. I got to the west coast, but only as far as Portland, said the 33-year-old from Brooklyn, New York.

This year, Folmer plans to make up for lost time.

Im going to a bachelor party in Colombia, skiing in Vail in March. Ive got a wedding in Cabo San Lucas in May, a trip to Boston to visit friends in July, a trip to Detroit to visit friends in August," he said. "And Ill probably add a music festival for New Years Eve to the list.

Travelers make their way through Miami International Airport on December 28, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Over the holiday weekend, COVID-19 cases in the U.S. reached their highest level in nearly a year. More than 2,000 flights were canceled over the weekend as airlines dealt with a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Folmer is part of a growing percentage of Americans who are jumping back on the vacation bandwagon with renewed confidence and excitement, said Lee Thompson, a travel expert and co-founder of Flash Pack, a boutique adventure firm for solo travelers in their 30s and 40s.

Everyone feels as if theyve lost two years of their life," Thompson said, "so theyre going all out.

Christie Hudson, Expedias travel expert, echos this sentiment.

People dont want to put plans on hold anymore if they can avoid it," Hudson said. "Theyre more determined than ever to travel, and theyre doing it in a big way.

Going big

For some vacationers, this means going all out on a once-in-a-lifetime trip overseas, according to Thompson. He said that while travel may be a bit bumpy right now due to the Omicron variant, Americans are looking ahead in what he projects will be a solid year.

Americans are going crazy for Africa right nowTanzania and South Africa are our top sellers this yea," Thompson said. "Argentina is doing very well, too.

Other popular destinations include London, Madrid, Rome, Paris, Dubai, Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen/Tulum, according to Expedias 2022 Travel Trends Report.

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People are also curious about Bali and the Maldives, although its still very intimidating to plan trips internationally, said Hudson. Theres so much in flux all the time, so many unknowns, and uncontrollable elements.

ARLINGTON, VA - NOVEMBER 23: A United Airlines plane takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport November 23, 2021 in Arlington, Virginia. With Covid-19 vaccinations on the rise and Americans now traveling more freely, U.S. airports and airlines are expecting millions more passengers this holiday season compared to 2020. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Its a nightmare, added Thompson, who has recently hired someone full-time at Flash Pack to stay on top of the regulations and restrictions. They change daily and theres so much misinformation, which makes it confusing  and expensive  for consumers, he said.

Just ask Rosie Zilinskas, who, over the past two years, has made two failed attempts to go the Beaches Resorts in Turks & Caicos on a pre-paid trip with her family. Both snafus involved Covid tests. Last year, Zilinskas and her 20-year old daughter were deported upon landing.

The immigration agent wouldnt let us enter the country because we didnt do PCR tests. At the time, I didnt know there was a difference between the rapid test and the PCR, said Zilinskas. Im kicking myself for not reading the fine print and relying on the Resorts customer service.

When Zilinskas rebooked the trip for another time, she ended up having to cancel because they didnt get their mandatory PCR test results back in time. Zilinskas has since rebooked again  not only because she refuses to forfeit the thousands of dollars she paid upfront, but also because shes desperate for a family vacation.

You have to be willing to go with the flow, she said.

Staying close

Given the hassles of traveling overseas, most Americans  59% per Expedia's report  are vacationing closer to home, going to warm weather hotspots such as Orlando and Destin, Florida, and Maui, Hawaii.

Domestic travel typically comes with fewer unknowns, which is one of the reasons it remains a top choice for Americans, said Hudson.

The one thing thats certain is that travel this year, regardless of the destination, will be about quality, said Hudson. For some, this means turning off the electronics, savoring the moments, and ultimately zoning out. For others, it means incorporating more outdoor activities/wellness or excitement and exhilaration into their vacation time.

Travelers carrying luggage walk through a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the holiday season as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Omicron variant threatens to increase case numbers in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 22, 2021. REUTERS/Bing Guan

For many, its also about investing in upgrades and amenities they otherwise wouldnt splurge on  not only to stay safe, but also to make the vacation more memorable.

For example, Danielle Taylor has booked a suite on the Ioanian Sea at a luxury five-star hotel for a wedding she and her husband, John, are attending in Sicily this July.

Im not doing cheap hotels anymore, said the 31-year old television booking producer from Leonia, New Jersey. Were going to wake up, look at the sea, eat, drink, and take it all in.

Taylor is currently brushing up on her Italian as she counts down the days until her departure.

I cant wait to get out of the house, said Taylor, who not only works full-time from home, but also cares for her 4 children ages 7 and under. Being at home for the past two years has been like being on house arrest.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misspelled Colombia. It has been corrected.

Personal Finance Journalist Vera Gibbons is a former staff writer for SmartMoney magazine and a former correspondent for Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Vera, who spent over a decade as an on air Financial Analyst for MSNBC, currently serves as co-host of the weekly nonpolitical news podcast she founded, NoPo. She lives in Palm Beach, Florida.

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After Paris faced Beijing's anger over high-level French delegations to Taiwan, China now seems to have turned the page, seeking to mend its relationship with the EU and France, which holds the union's rotating presidency.

Chinese Vice President and Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Qishan met via video link with diplomatic counsellor to French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday.

Symbolically, Wang did his part of the meeting from the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, traditionally the place where Chinese top leaders meet with foreign guests they deem of high importance.

"Relations between China and France have maintained a healthy and stable development momentum," Wang was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.

Bonne, who is in China but attended a strategy forum in the eastern city of Wuxi, also met with China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.

'Opportunistic'

The mild wording is a far ring from the agressive attacks France had to endure after two high level French cross-party delegations visited Taiwan: a Senate delegation lead by former Minister of Defence Alain Richard last October, followed by a parliamentary mission two months later.

China protested strongly against the missions, with the state-run Global Times calling them "silly," "self-contradictory" and "opportunistic".

China was also worried about France's willingness to take part in naval exercises of the Quad, a loose, strategic alliance between the US, Japan, India and Australia, designed to contain China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region, calling Paris's participation "a publicity stunt" that "won't strenghten the loose group".

Aukus

But things changed after the UK, the US and Australia formed the Aukus alliance, resulting in Canberra cancelling a billion dollar submarine deal with France in favor of US ships.

Comments in the Chinese press highlighted Paris' anger, mocking that with Aukus, the US "picks up stone to smash its own feet" at the expense of allies like France.

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France's refusal to participate in a diplomatic boycott, by the US, the UK, Australia and others, of the Olympic Winter Games to be held in Beijing in February, was duely noted.

But the turning point came when France took over the EU's presidency on January 1.

'Systemic rival'

Relations between China and the EU had been deteriorating gradually over the last two years, with tit-for-tat sanctions over Brussel's criticism on Beijing's handling of Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong and it's increasingly hostile tone towards Taiwan, with Brussels calling China a "systemic rival" in a recent policy paper.

China is also furious about EU member Lithuania, that first lobbied the World Health Organization on a full membership for Taiwan, and then allowed the self-ruling island to open a de-facto representative office in its capital Vilnius  a red line, as Beijing regards the island as an "unseparable part" of its territory.

But during Bonne's visit to China, Wang Qishan said France should lead other EU members towards a correct understanding of China, and independently develop relations and carry out cooperation with China.

And Wang Yi added that China supports the European integration, supports the EUs development and growth, and supports the EU playing a greater role in the international arena.

No matter whether China-EU relations are in good times or encounter setbacks, this policy will not change."
A Germany-made, Canada-distributed COVID-19 home test showing a negative result, pictured on Jan. 10. As COVID-19 cases level off in countries like the United Kingdom, experts in the province say they also anticipate a decline in cases, although when that would be remains unclear. (David Horemans/CBC - image credit)

At the B.C. government's pandemic press conference on Tuesday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said "we know this wave will move through quickly."

But when asked to clarify how the province could be so certain, Dr. Henry backtracked.

"If I sounded like I was sure about that, then that was my mistake," she said.

Dr. Henry then talked about how the number of COVID-19 cases have begun going down in the United Kingdom and levelling off in other jurisdictions with an Omicron wave that began at a similar time to British Columbia.

"We tend to see this with any pathogen that has a shorter incubation period. You see this rapidly explosive growth, and you see a rapid decrease once a certain level has been reached in the population."

The comments reflect some of the ongoing scientific discussion around Omicron's path: a lot of theoretical confidence, and a thesis that still needs to be played out.

A rapid fall

The independent B.C. COVID-19 Modelling Group, which consists of researchers from several universities, has differed from the provincial government's projections on several occasions.

But one of its members, University of British Colubia professor Dr. Sally Otto, said she, too, expects a rapid fall on the number of COVID-19 cases after the current rise.

"We know that in epidemiological principles in general, a disease that spreads more rapidly through a population runs out more quickly of individuals that are susceptible to it," she said, adding she believes B.C.'s numbers will begin declining by the end of January.

"It would be a real surprise not in keeping with our understanding of COVID that we don't build up an immunity to Omicron."

Similarly, Dr. Otto said the steepness of B.C.'s decline will be based in part on how quickly transmission has occurred.

"Bending down the curve can keep the peak kind of indefinitely long if you bend it down before it reaches the peak, and it just kind of putters on," she said.

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"But honestly, I think that the measures that we have in place are not substantially bending down that curve."

Testing wastewater

Many provinces have seen similar rapid upward curves, with similar health measures in place and similar limitations on testing.

This means pandemic observers from coast to coast are all looking at similar metrics  from rates of transmission in jurisdictions further along the curve, like Denmark and the United Kingdom, to new hospitalizations each day, to the amount of viral particles in your toilet.

"What we have to go on instead is wastewater testing," said Raywat Deonandan, epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Ottawa.

Measuring the viral load of COVID-19 in wastewater plants has been used in many places as a leading indicator of where the virus is heading, since it can track transmission before people feel the need to get tested.

But it's not without issues, said Deonandan, because of questions around the potentially smaller viral load of Omicron relative to other variants.

He also cautioned that different transmission rates will lead to different hospitalization numbers, depending on provincial factors like overall vaccine rates and the health of the population.

"We can't disentangle the fact that a high number of cases doesn't necessarily equate to an overburdened hospitalization system," he said.

B.C. has only begun reporting viral wastewater loads in Metro Vancouver on a daily basis. The number of new daily hospitalizations is now around 60, and has not yet gone down.

"How [this] will play out in hospitalizations, and the length of time that we're going to see hospitals being strained is also something we don't yet know," said Dr. Henry.
Ashling Murphy was attacked and killed while jogging. (Photo: alvarez via Getty Images)

When news broke that primary school teacher Ashling Murphy was killed while out jogging, the community was shocked. But given the astronomical figures of gender-based violence around the world, many of us werent surprised.

The 23-year-old, who was described as fantastic, beautiful, and an extraordinary sportsperson was attacked while running along the canal at Tullamore, County Offaly in Ireland, at 4pm.

Since then, women have been mourning her death and on social media, a popular phrase has been shared: She was just running.

Weve seen a similar sentiment in other cases of violence against women. When Sarah Everard was tragically killed last year by a police officer, she was just walking home began to trend.

But, some have pointed out why this sort of framing can be harmful.

Activist and author of Everyday Sexism, Laura Bates, pointed out that the inclusion of the word just suggests that these victims were doing normal things that shouldve kept them safe.

Crucially, Bates asks if we would have the same attitude if the victim had been a sex worker, a drug-taking woman, or out late at night, drunk.

I understand why people are posting she was going for a run. I get why she was just walking home and she did all the right things trended after Sarah Everard died. I know it comes from a place of grief and rage, she wrote on her Instagram.

But it doesnt matter what they were doing. When we say she was just doing this or she was just doing that, it suggests that the case wouldnt have been quite so awful or tragic if she had been doing something else. Like if she was walking down an alleyway at 2am, or going to meet her married lover or a sex work client or if she was drunk or she had taken drugs like it would be a little bit less awful in those circumstances.

Bates argues that such framing devalues womens lives and plays into the insidious narrative of the perfect victim who deserves our sympathy and our grief because she did absolutely everything right. She didnt deserve it.

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Of course she f*****g didnt, she added. But when we say that, no matter how unintentional, theres a tiny, unsaid implication that some women do deserve it. A tiny reinforcement of the rules that bind us so tightly we cant breathe, because if we step outside of them we know people will think we deserved our own deaths. A tiny little dehumanisation on top of a million other tiny cuts. It doesnt matter what she was doing. It doesnt matter. She shouldnt be dead.

Of course, people can grieve at a time like this in their own way  this is not about policing womens words  but Bates post, which now has thousands of shares on Twitter and Instagram, has caused many of us to reflect on the language we use.

Some have also countered the remarks, saying the she was just... framing only emphasises that womens actions are not the issue.

Im not sure. I agree on the one hand (and am huge fan of Laura Bates) but for me the statement she was just highlights that even when we do everything were *told* we should do to keep ourselves safe, we still are not because its not *our* actions that are the issue.  Nicola Washington (@toomuchmother) January 14, 2022

Still, Bates message is certainly not without reason. Weve seen in the past how womens actions have been used against them to somehow explain their deaths. A 2018 report concluded that pervasive stigma forces sex workers into more dangerous situations, ultimately leading to the asturomnically high number of occupational homicides.

Many also noted how Sarah Everard had been doing all the right things such as wearing layered, bright clothing, when she was walking home. But it begged the question, what about women who dont?

In fact, research shows that the majority of men believe women are more likely to be sexually assaulted if they are wearing revealing clothes.

In another Instagram post, Bates pointed out that in the case of Sabina Nessa, another primary school teacher killed while walking through a park, the second-most Googled question was what was Sabina Nessa wearing?.

But in asking this, we shift the onus on to women once again.

We would rather find a way, any way, to blame the women, than to fix the misogyny that kills them and the system that fails them, Bates added.

The grim news comes after earlier this week an app was launched, backed by the Home Office, which tracks those walking at night through a monitored route.

But it was slammed by people as it doesnt tackle the root of such violence and expects women to do more  and be surveilled  instead of living a safe, free, public life.

We need better solutions to the threats women face.

Its understandable that everyday activities  like running or walking home  resonate with the millions of women who do them every day. But its also crucial to remember that no one deserves to die while living their lives how they want.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated.

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Silver Range Resources Ltd (TSX-V:SNG, OTC:SLRRF) said it has acquired two new gold properties in western Nevada -- Tondo del Pueblo (TDP) and Alimony in Nye County. At Tondo del Pueblo, the company said gold has been found in east-striking shear zones hosting quartz veins cutting Triassic Excelsior Formation metasedimentary rocks, with one shear exposed for at least 400 meters (m) along strike. At the Alimony property, the company said that gold is found in silicified tuffs within Miocene Milltown Andesite with mineralization exposed in several shafts and pits. Grab samples returned up to 4.84 grams per ton (g/t) Au (gold) with six of 24 rock samples collected returning analyses greater than 1 g/t Au.

Kontrol Technologies Corp (OTCQB:KNRLF, NEO:KNR) has announced that it is expanding its BioCloud technology footprint into Japan through a partnership with a Japan-based trading company. Kontrol said it is negotiating a distribution agreement and is currently working with the trading company for technology demonstrations in the region. BioCloud continues to garner international interest given the growing, ubiquitous need for creating safer spaces and monitoring of heating, cooling and ventilation systems (HVAC) in real-time, Kontrol Technologies CEO Paul Ghezzi said in a statement.

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Universal Ibogaine Inc (TSX-V:IBO) (UI) has introduced the expert partners, who will help the life sciences group in its bid to carry out a clinical trial in Canada for opioid use disorder. The firm is currently working with its contract research organization (CRO) partners to finalize the study's design ahead of an expected pre-clinical trial application with Health Canada. "Our engagement with Health Canada to date has clearly highlighted the road UI must take to provide practitioners and patients access to authorized ibogaine in Canada to treat opioid use disorder," said Nick Karos, Universal Ibogaine's CEO in a statement. "The conduct of clinical trials is a very precise business requiring solid partnerships with the right expertise and players, and Universal Ibogaine is pleased that we have now secured these partnerships. We are confident that with our partners' expertise, we will move towards our goal of conducting clinical trials with Health Canada," he added.

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Numinus Wellness Inc said it has formally submitted the clinical trial application (CTA) to Health Canada for its Phase 1 study (HOPE) of its naturally derived psilocybe extract formulation NBIO-01. The company said this milestone further progresses and solidifies its long-standing work on developing safe and effective psychedelic products out of its Health Canada-licensed research facility, Numinus Bioscience. "This application significantly advances our product development pipeline, which is aimed at broadening access to safe and effective products for psychedelic-assisted therapies," said Sharan Sidhu, science officer and general manager for Numinus Bioscience in a statement.

Star Royalties Ltd (TSX-V:STRR) said it has increased its gross revenue royalty on carbon offset credits from forested lands in Elizabeth Metis Settlement (EMS) in Alberta to 40.5%. The royalty is owned by Stars pure green subsidiary Green Star Royalties, which will receive a share of revenue from the creation and sale of carbon offset credits. The royalty is now expected to generate annual revenues equivalent to approximately 9,000 carbon offset credits starting in 2023, expanding Toronto-based Stars unique carbon credit portfolio.

Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc said it has received positive feedback from the US Food and Drug Administration at its pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND) meeting for its investigation of NP-120, or Ifenprodil, for the treatment of chronic cough. Ifenprodil is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist specifically targeting the NMDA-type subunit 2B (GluN2B). The Vancouver-based company said that the FDA meeting produced helpful guidance on the Phase 2b protocol design that was submitted by the company as well as the endpoints that had been selected. The US federal agency also requested standard genotoxicity testing be completed prior to beginning the Phase 2b study, which the company estimates will take approximately 90 days to complete. We are very pleased with the response we received from the US FDA, said Christopher J. Moreau, CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals in a statement. We look forward to the final data set from our IPF and chronic cough study so that we can plan our next steps.

Hillcrest Energy Technologies (CSE:HEAT, OTCQB:HLRTF) Ltd said it has ended its license agreement with Oropass Ltd, as the energy company pivots to developing and commercializing its own intellectual property. Vancouver-based Hillcrest inked the agreement with Oropass in August 2020 to license technology related to step change efficiency gains for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other forms of sustainable technology. Hillcrest and Oropass were aiming to monetize the technology through an incorporated joint venture known as ALSET Innovations Inc.

Silvercorp Metals Inc (TSX:SVM, AMEX:SVM), the China-focused metals miner, reported fiscal third-quarter results that saw the company lift its gold, silver, lead, and zinc production levels quarter-over-quarter on the back of its flagship Ying Mining District projects in the Henan province of China. The Canadian mining company expects to release its 3Q fiscal 2022 unaudited financial results and provide an annual production guidance for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, on February 8, 2022, after the market closes. For the period ended December 31, 2021, the Canadian mining company reported that it increased production to roughly 1.8 million ounces of silver, 1,100 ounces of gold, 19 million pounds of lead, and 8 million pounds of zinc, representing an increase of 8%, 38%, 8%, and 7% respectively in all four metals, compared to fiscal 2Q ended September 30, 2021.

Tocvan Ventures Corp has announced that its vice president of exploration, Brodie Sutherland, will replace co-founder Derek Wood as the companys new president, CEO, and corporate secretary. Tocvan said the changes will better align with the technical and professional expertise required to advance the companys precious metals projects towards development.

Cloud DX (TSX-V:CDX, OTCQB:CDXFF) Inc has updated the terms of a previously announced placing of convertible debenture units set to raise up to C$3 million to fund sales, marketing, research and development and general working capital. Echelon Wealth Partners Inc is acting as lead agent and sole book runner for the placing, which will see the issue of up to 3,000 convertible debenture units of the company, each comprising C$1,000 principal amount and 1,430 (previously 1,250) common share purchase warrants. Echelon has also been granted an option to sell up to 450 additional convertible debenture units for maximum gross proceeds of C$3.45 million. The debentures will mature 36 months from issue and bear interest at a simple rate of 10% per year. Interest will be payable quarterly on the last business day of each quarter, beginning on March 31, 2022.

Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd said it has closed the second tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing by issuing 37,348,532 units at a price of $0.03 each for gross proceeds of $1,120,455.96. In total, the company has issued 109,032,378 units for gross proceeds of $3,270,971.34 under the entire private placement financing. The financing has been oversubscribed by $270,971.34. Each unit in the second tranche consists of one common share of Naturally Splendid and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share for a period of two years from the date of the issue at an exercise price of $0.05 per share. As previously announced, the proceeds of the financing will be directed primarily towards the purchase of new manufacturing equipment and facility upgrades to accommodate the manufacturing of plant-based entrees for the company's 10-year exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreement with Flexitarian Foods Pty. Ltd., a division of Australia's largest plant-based manufacturer.

Lifeist Wellness Inc has announced that its Cannabis 2.0 consumer-focused house brand Roilty has won the Canadian LP Brand of the Year award at the 2021 ADCANN Awards. The company said the annual industry awards, which are voted on by both industry peers and the public and saw over 100,000 votes cast nationwide, celebrate the best in marketing and advertising across Canadas cannabis industry. The win comes only months after the initial launch by Lifeists wholly-owned subsidiary Cannmart Inc, and the launch of sister company CannMart Labs Inc that produces live resin products. The company said that this confirms the significant potential that it sees in both the brand and Labs.

Logiq Inc, a provider of consumer acquisition solutions, has unveiled a sweeping restructuring of the companys senior management team in order to better execute the companys strategic goals focused on customer acquisition and opportunistic mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The New York-based technology company noted that the changes are effective immediately and Logiq co-founder and executive chairman Brent Suen has been appointed chief executive officer, a role he previously held for seven years from 2014-to-2020. He now succeeds Tom Furukawa. Logiq has grown tremendously and rapidly evolved in just the past two years, newly appointed CEO Suen said in a statement. With the pending spin-off of our mobile commerce business AppLogiq, our acquisitions of Push, Fixel and Rebel firmly integrated with solid customer traction underway, our entry into data-driven digital marketing is complete and we have the platform to move forward on customer acquisition as well as opportunistic M&A.

Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp (TSX-V:LIT, OTCQB:PNXLF) said it has retained Zoppa Media Group to act as an investor relations consultant to the company, to assist with corporate finance and investor relations programs. Zoppa has been engaged for a term of one year at a monthly fee of $1,500. Zoppa is at arm's length to the Company. Principals of Zoppa currently own 456,000 shares of the company as of the current date and may purchase securities in the company from time to time for investment purposes. Zoppa's appointment as an investor relations consultant to the company is subject to regulatory approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

Numinus Wellness Inc has announced that its annual general meeting (AGM) of shareholders, which was originally scheduled to be held on Friday, January 21, 2022, has been cancelled and rescheduled to be held on February 28, 2022. The company said its board of directors determined that it would be in the best interests of the company to reschedule the AGM for a variety of reasons, including a change to at least one resolution. Further details on the AGM will be contained in a new Notice of Meeting and Management Information Circular that will be mailed to shareholders of the company and filed on SEDAR.

Empress Royalty Corp (TSX-V:EMPR, OTCQB:EMPYF) said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the company's proposal to issue 7.5 million bonus warrants to Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund I LP in consideration of the loan in the amount of US$4.5 million. Each warrant is exercised into one common share at an exercise price of 27 cents for a period of two years. The loan has a term of 24 months with interest equal to the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) or a comparable or successor rate that is approved by the lender plus 10% per annum, with a minimum LIBOR floor of 1%.

OTC Markets Group Inc, the operator of financial markets for over 11,000 US and global securities, has announced that Jervois Global Limited, a leading cobalt minerals, metals and chemicals company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market and has today from the OTC Pink market. Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their US investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the US. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.
Wisconsin residents not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with the virus and 14 times more likely to die from it than those fully vaccinated in December, when the highly transmissible omicron variant became the dominant strain.

People not fully vaccinated were three times more likely to get COVID-19 last month than those fully vaccinated, the state Department of Health Services said Friday.

The data offer the first statewide look at the impact of vaccination against the omicron variant, which was first detected in the state Dec. 4 and became the dominant strain by the end of the month.

Omicron may not have been spreading widely in Wisconsin during the first part of December, and hospitalizations and deaths from it may not have been seen much until this month. But the new data suggest vaccination is still offering considerable protection against the variant, even as numerous breakthrough cases involving omicron have been reported nationwide.

In November, before omicron was detected, state residents not fully vaccinated were five times more likely to be infected, 11 times more likely to be hospitalized with it and 12 times more likely to die from it, the state health department reported last month.

According to the latest age-adjusted data released Friday, there were 1,573.2 COVID-19 cases, 18.5 hospitalizations and 3.6 deaths per 100,000 fully vaccinated people in December. Among those not fully vaccinated, there were 4,746.4 cases, 176.4 hospitalizations and 50.8 deaths per 100,000.

In November, there were 722.5 cases, 17.1 hospitalizations and 2.8 deaths per 100,000 fully vaccinated people and 3,348.2 cases, 184 hospitalizations and 35 deaths per 100,000 people not fully vaccinated.

The state doesnt provide rates specifically for people who have received booster or additional doses of vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people nationwide were five times more likely to get COVID-19 and 14 times more likely to die from it in October than those fully vaccinated. The unvaccinated were 10 times more likely to be infected and 20 times more likely to die from COVID-19 in October than those who had booster or additional doses, the CDC said.

Catching up

Meanwhile, Wisconsin reported 19,783 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, by far the highest daily total of the pandemic, eclipsing the previous record of 13,004 cases reported Thursday. However, the state health department said it has updated its data system to allow positive test results to be automatically imported.

DHS expects COVID-19 data to be temporarily elevated over the next few days while this process occurs and back-logged cases are brought into the live system, the department said in a statement.

COVID-19 hospitalizations appear to be easing up slightly in Dane County, where officials on Friday said 189 patients with the virus were in hospitals, including 38 in intensive care. Thats down from a record 202 COVID-19 patients, including 43 in ICUs, on Wednesday.

Statewide, as of Friday, there were 2,255 COVID-19 hospitalizations, including 485 in intensive care, down a bit from record highs of 2,278 hospitalizations and 488 in the ICU on Wednesday, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association.

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She figured out her dream career early on in life, but she only became a professional voice actor five years ago when she became a part of the "Dubbing Academy," a televised voice acting and dubbing workshop on the now-defunct anime channel Hero TV in 2016. Less than a year later, she dubbed her first anime in Tagalog, Pandora in the "Crimson Shell."

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  Tell the 11-year-old Vanille Velasquez, a self-confessed gaming and anime geek, that she will end up voicing Valorant's first-ever Filipino agent Neon years later, she might not have believed you.

That was the start of her flourishing career.

Velasquez told CNN Philippines she had two undergo two online auditions before she bagged the role in Valorant, a team-based tactical shooter online game. She described what she admires most in Neon, a player with speedy electricity-based abilities who hails from Manila but without the stereotypical traits of how a Filipino woman should behave.

"Shes a badass. Shes really confident and knows who she is and she knows what she wants and shes not afraid you know to go after that. Thats the type of girl she is, shes super confident," she said in an interview with New Day. "One of the things I love about how they created her is that they made her strong, female badass. Shes not a Maria Clara stereotype, I think thats super cool."

She also revealed the trait she shares with Neon, "She has a sarcastic, dry kind of humor; her jokes are like that and I kind of share that with her, her personality is very similar."

She is also the voice of Zeri from League of Legends, another video game created by Riot Games.

"She is Filipino-inspired, which is why she says hoy and she has a Filipino accent, things like that. Shes kind of the opposite of Neon wherein shes happy go lucky, shes very cheerful whereas Neon is more of sarcastic. But they share common Filipino core traits like love for their family; its in both of them and the strong sense of community. They both have that in them," Velasquez said.

Starring in two video games seems like an unattainable dream, but Velasquez was able to achieve them with a lot of passion and hard work.

"I used to think this was impossible. Ive never heard of a local voice acting here... There are no shortcuts  I started doing this as a hobby when I was just 10 years old and then I started doing it professionally around five years ago? So this didnt happen overnight. You have to be willing to put the work in," she said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  It would be better to beat former senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. than to boot him out of the presidential race, Vice President Leni Robredo said Thursday.

She made the statement as Marcos faces a string of petitions from various groups seeking to block his election bid on the grounds of his tax conviction.

Ako, ayokong mag-comment doon sa disqualification case. But if you were to ask me, mas gusto ko talunin natin siya sa eleksyon para matapos na ito, the vice president told CNN Philippines News Night.

[Translation: I dont want to comment on the disqualification case. But if you were to ask me, Id prefer to win against him in the elections, so as to end this.]

Robredo said defeating Marcos in May would definitively shoot down his claim that she committed election fraud in 2016. That year, the former senator lost to Robredo in the vice presidential polls, prompting him to file an electoral protest. The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed his appeal last year, but he filed a motion for reconsideration.

Kahit ilang beses pa ko nanalo sa Supreme Court, ito yung narrative na pinu-push niya, Robredo said. So, kailangan talagang talunin siya sa susunod na eleksyon para, once and for all, mahinto na yung ginagawa niya na pagpapaniwala sa tao.

[Translation: No matter how many times I have won before the Supreme Court, this is the narrative hes pushing. So, I really need to beat him in the upcoming elections to put a stop to the misinformation hes feeding people once and for all.]

Before winning in 2016, Robredo  who was then the lone female among the vice presidential candidates  made a striking statement: The last man standing is a woman.

Asked if she believes history will repeat itself this 2022, Robredo said most definitely.

Unang-una [Firstly], I am the only woman candidate again, she said. And number two, again, my record will speak for itself. Ang dami kong pinagdaanan [I went through a lot] in the last five and a half years that I was vice president, and nakatayo pa rin ako ngayon at lumalaban pa rin [I am still standing and fighting].

Meanwhile, Robredo urged vigilance this election season, following the alleged hacking of Commission on Elections servers.

Ako, I have to admit na its worrying, Robredo said. It is enough reason for us to stay vigilant.

Kailangan talagang tutukan natin yung buong proseso, just to make sure na kung ano yung will ng tao, yun yung lalabas during the elections [We really need to closely monitor the process, just to make sure that the will of the people will reflect in the election results], she added.

The Manila Bulletin reported the supposed breach earlier this week, but the poll body denied it.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  The OCTA Research group said it is "definitely possible" that the country's daily COVID-19 cases could reach 40,000 within the next few days.

This projection comes after the Department of Health reported another record-high 37,207 new infections on Friday.

"37,207 new cases today, within error of our blind projected range (35 to 37). This is obviously another new high in cases, and 40k is definitely possible within the next few days," OCTA Research fellow Guido David tweeted.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, he made the same projection "if the plateauing in the NCR [National Capital Region] or the peak may be slightly delayed."

In another tweet, David said NCR, Baguio City, Naga City, Angeles City, Santiago, Dagupan, and Lucena are currently at critical risk.

But he noted a decline is possible by next week in Metro Manila and in parts of Calabarzon where the surge started early, while the number of cases in other provinces may still go up until the end of January, then start to decline sometime in February.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles earlier announced that Metro Manila the epicenter of the local coronavirus outbreak will remain under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 31.
(CNN) -- A German court has sentenced a former Syrian army colonel to life in prison without the possibility of parole, in the first-ever torture trial against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Anwar Raslan, a senior regime official, headed the investigation unit at a notorious Damascus detention center known as Branch 251. On Thursday, he was found guilty of all the counts brought against him, with the court finding him to be a co-perpetrator in at least 4,000 cases of torture, 27 murders and two cases of sexual assault.

The judges described the crimes as systematic and part of decades-long practices by the Assad regime.

The court ruled that early release from prison would not be possible for Raslan. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which represented the joint plaintiffs, initially reported that he had been convicted on 30 counts of murder and five cases of sexual violence before revising its numbers.

Raslan's co-defendant, Eyad al-Gharib, a junior officer who also served in the facility, was convicted in February 2021 for aiding and abetting torture and deprivation of liberty as crimes against humanity. He is serving a four-and-a-half-year sentence.

Raslan is the most senior regime official to be punished for torture, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence believed to have been systematically committed by members of Assad's forces. He defected from the Syrian regime in 2012 and fled the country, and had denied all the charges against him.

'A victory for the victims'

Joumana Seif, a Syrian lawyer who is part of the plaintiffs' legal team, was one of those who waited outside the courthouse from 6 a.m. to hear the verdict. "It's a real recognition of [the survivors'] suffering," she told CNN as news of the conviction came out, her voice faltering with what she described as tears of joy. "This will hopefully restore their faith in justice."

"[The life sentence] was the least we could have done for them," said Yasmen Almashan, gesturing to photos of her five brothers who disappeared in Assad's prison system. "This is just the first step in a long path to justice."

"I'm happy because this is a victory for justice," said Anwar al-Bounni, a Syrian human rights lawyer and former political prisoner. "I'm happy because it's a victory for the victims sitting inside [the courtroom]. I'm happy because it's a victory for the victims in Syria who couldn't make it here."

The landmark ruling comes as the Assad regime -- accused of killing hundreds of thousands of civilians with conventional and chemical weapons -- has been repairing diplomatic ties with former regional foes, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The United States and the European Union have criticized its Arab allies for bringing Assad into the regional fold, but have said they can do little to stop the rapprochement.

'Maximum pain'

The court in the German town of Koblenz drew on nearly 100 testimonies, according to lawyers representing the plaintiffs. Several survivors of torture at Branch 251 took the stand and came face to face with their alleged persecutor. They offered detailed accounts of physical and psychological abuse, as well as severely overcrowded cells where they were deprived of food, water and medical treatment.

One unnamed female witness described being examined naked, as well as being beaten at the detention center. She detailed her encounter with Raslan after having been taken to him with her clothes torn from the assault, saying he ordered her blindfold removed, and offered her coffee. The next day, according to a summary of her interactions with Raslan by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, she was transferred to another district and released.

Co-plaintiff Wassim Mukdad, a Syrian musician living in Berlin, said he was hit on the soles and heels of his feet and on his knees during interrogations. "They knew exactly how to inflict maximum pain," he told the court.

In their closing statements, the plaintiffs delivered emotional speeches, praising the court and berating Raslan for denying the charges against him. More than 100,000 people are believed to have been abducted, detained or gone missing in Syria, the United Nations has said, and one co-plaintiff criticized the judicial process for excluding enforced disappearances from the charges.

The co-plaintiff, Hussein Ghrer, recalled that his captors at the detention center said he would "disappear behind the sun." He told the court that to his loved ones he was like Schrodinger's cat, appearing both alive and dead at the same time. He said he was "banished from life without actually dying."

"Regardless of how long [Raslan] will be imprisoned, he will have a clock near him, he will see the sun and know when it rises and when it sets," Ghrer told the court. "He will have medical care when needed, and he will receive visits from relatives who will know how he is doing, just as he will know how they are doing."

Raslan's trial was seen as the culmination of nearly a decade of evidence collected by activists and lawyers seeking to hold the Assad regime accountable for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In the early years of Syria's uprising-turned-war, which began in 2011, volunteers known as "document hunters" smuggled out hundreds of thousands of documents from abandoned regime facilities. Many said they braved an onslaught of bullets and rockets to smuggle out papers that served as evidence in investigations against the regime.

In 2013, a defector codenamed Caesar smuggled tens of thousands of photographs showing prisoners allegedly tortured to death in Assad's jails. The images were also part of the evidence in the landmark trial.

Lawyers and activists have vowed to continue to pursue the prosecution of former and current regime officials implicated in crimes. In Germany, Raslan and Gharib were arrested under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which gives a state jurisdiction over crimes against international law even if these did not occur inside that state.

The Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA), which provided evidence to the court, welcomed what it described as a "historic conviction" Thursday, saying it was "a critically important measure of justice for the survivors and victims of the Syrian regime."

"As our investigators continue collecting evidence of Assad's atrocities and tracking regime officials in Europe, we expect to see more such trials in the near future," the CIJA statement said.

"Our thoughts are with our Syrian colleagues whose selfless clandestine work behind the scenes of the world's most dangerous conflict continues to feed investigations and prosecutions in Europe."

The Syrian regime cannot be tried at the International Criminal Court because it is not party to it. Syria could be investigated by the ICC if the United Nations Security Council refers it, but Russia and China have blocked a previous attempt to do so by the UNSC.

In July 2021, a German prosecutor indicted a Syrian regime doctor, Alaa Mousa, who is accused of burning the genitals of at least one prisoner. His trial begins in Frankfurt this month.

"We all agree that this can only be a first step," Patrick Kroker, a lawyer with the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights representing the joint plaintiffs, said in a Monday news conference. "There are international arrest warrants still outstanding against even higher-ranking persons and we hope and we demand that these will be pursued.

"There will be no safe haven in the world for these people."

This story was first published on CNN.com "A Syrian colonel is jailed for life in a first torture trial for the Assad regime. It's one step in a 'long path to justice,' say victims' families".
(CNN)  Irish police have launched a murder investigation after a 23-year-old school teacher was killed while running along a canal path Wednesday.

Ashling Murphy, 23, from Tullamore, central Ireland, was found beaten to death at around 4 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET) on the Grand Canal Way at Cappincur in Tullamore, police said.

"At this stage there is no information that the victim and her killer were known to each other. From inquiries we have carried out to date we believe this crime was committed by one male who acted alone," Superintendent Eamonn Curley, of Tullamore Garda Station, said in a statement.

"At scene Gardai discovered a young woman with serious injuries. Medical attention was provided but despite the efforts of the medical team who attended, this young lady passed away," Curley's statement read. "The injuries we believe at this time are consistent with an assault."

Personnel from the family liaison unit are providing support to the family, said the statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Ashling's family at this time and indeed the wider community, her teaching colleagues and the children she taught who are without their teacher today," added Curley.

A man in his 40s has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently being detained, Ireland's national police force, known as the Gardai, said in a statement to CNN Thursday.

Police are appealing to the public for information and are urging anyone who was in the canal area on Wednesday afternoon to come forward.

Ireland's Justice Minister Helen McEntee also urged anyone with information to contact police.

"My thoughts tonight are with the family of the young woman killed in a truly shocking crime, with her friends and with her community", she tweeted on Wednesday.

Murphy graduated from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick just three months ago, according to college president Eugene Wall.

"The entire MIC community is heartbroken and shocked to the core to hear of the tragic and senseless killing," he tweeted Thursday.

He said "our heartfelt sympathy" goes out to her family, friends, colleagues and pupils.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Irish police launch murder investigation after woman killed while jogging"
Lagos, Nigeria (CNN)  Nigeria will lift its ban on Twitter from midnight, the government said Wednesday, a move that will give millions of people in Africa's most populous country access to the social media platform once again.

The decision was made after Twitter agreed to meet all conditions set by the Nigerian government, according to a government statement. Those conditions include "managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian law" and addressing issues of operations and tax.

Last June, the Nigerian government suspended Twitter's operations in the country, accusing the American social media giant of allowing its platform to be used "for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence."

The ban was announced just two days after Twitter deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari that was widely perceived as offensive. In the tweet, Buhari threatened citizens in the southeast region following attacks on public property.

"The new global reality is that digital platforms and their operators wield enormous influence over the fabric of our society, social interaction and economic choices. These platforms can be used as either a tool or a weapon," the government said in its Wednesday statement.

"Therefore, our action is a deliberate attempt to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for our nation without jeopardizing the justified interests of the Company. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful," it said.

The government added that its decision to lift the suspension "opens a new chapter in global digital diplomacy" and "sets a new operational template for Twitter to come back stronger for the benefit of Nigerians."

CNN has reached out to Twitter for its response to Nigeria's announcement.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Nigeria to lift Twitter ban after six-month suspension"
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  Money sent home by Filipinos abroad again rose in November 2021, just in time for the Christmas holiday spending, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed Friday.

The central bank said personal remittances from overseas Filipinos amounted to $2.77 billion, 4.8% higher than the $2.643 billion posted in November 2020.

The November figure brought the cumulative remittances to $31.586 billion in the first 11 months of last year, a 5.3% increase from $29.988 billion in the comparable period in 2020.

"The increase in personal remittances in November was due to remittances sent by land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more, which grew by 6.3% to $2.137 billion from $2.01 billion in the same month last year, and sea- and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year, which rose by 1% to $581 million from $575 million a year ago," the BSP said.

The US registered the highest share of overall remittances at 40.7% in the January-November period.

It was followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Taiwan, Qatar, and South Korea.

"The combined remittances from these top ten countries accounted for 78.9% of total cash remittances during the period," the BSP said.
In an attempt to inject some purpose into reality TV, American network CBS announced The Activist in September 2021: a show that subjects six activist and celebrity tandems to a series of challenges, in the hopes of drastically improving universal healthcare, education, and the environment. Outputs would be judged based on online engagement metrics and the input of their random panel of hosts, namely Usher, Julianne Hough, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Those who emerge victorious advance to the G20 Summit to get world leaders on board and raise funds to champion their causes on a larger scale.

Needless to say, critics panned the program based on concept alone, claiming that it was a great disservice to generations of activists. While the network and its producers quickly apologized and presented an alternative in the form of a documentary, the very idea of putting a single figurehead at the forefront of a movement and quantifying the impact they make across communities sparked conversation on how we view activism in the digital age.

Social media has undeniably played a vital role in radicalizing the current generation. Aesthetically palatable infographics and explanatory TikTok videos have made decades worth of progress digestible enough for the most feeble attention span, while platforms like Twitter and Facebook allow rapid mobilizations of volunteers to take place as a response to any ideological stimulus. But can this compare to actual work being done on the ground? Can this consistently produce changemakers, or just serial slacktivists at best?

Driven by action

Political and economic institutions have historically exploited and excluded the proletariat from conversations that concern their lives and means of livelihood. This has pushed certain groups to take their conviction to the streets, as was the case during the first recorded demonstration in the Philippines, where over 100,000 workers staged a massive rally, calling for an eight-hour working day.

Today, people dont even have to be a part of the affected community to be compelled to take action. This is exactly what makes activism a highly collaborative, rather than a competitive, process, contrary to what The Activist posits. All proponents seek grassroots solutions that ultimately aim to dismantle abusive systems that have only sought to service the power elite.

"When you are oppressed, you must achieve something extraordinary to attain wealth and power and thus, behave like your oppressor. But this is not the future activists want. We want something more liberating, inclusive. We want the marginalized to share power.

I guess when you are in a conflictual mode of change, it serves as a threat for those who want to preserve the status quo, said Dr. Jean Lindo, chairman of Gabriela Southern Mindanao. Our society is brainwashed that one achieves change only through internal behavioral means. When you are oppressed, you must achieve something extraordinary to attain wealth and power and thus, behave like your oppressor. But this is not the future activists want. We want something more liberating, inclusive. We want the marginalized to share power.

Lindo herself has been red-tagged in the past, considered by the government as an enemy of the state, a terrorist, a berdugo. Students are not spared from this kind of treatment: former League of Filipino Students (LFS) Baguio chairperson Cheska Kapunan saw her name, among many others, brandished on warning signs hung around the city. We are often accused of neglecting our education, brainwashing the youth, and recruiting them to fight the government, she shared. But last time I checked, a bunch of students holding up placards calling for an end to tuition fee increase is an essential facet of a democratic state. It is not a terrorist act.

These blatant forms of red-tagging are founded on the dangerous assumption that ending local armed conflict in the country starts with criminalizing all forms of dissent  even those that come from the harmless and unarmed. As a result, we bear witness to a vicious trend of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. There are still no recent and complete statistics, as the figures that we have do not capture the entire picture because there are a series of underreported and unreported cases of human rights violations among activists, explained CHR co-commissioner Gwen Gana. Worst of all, the government has yet to respond to these and ensure investigation and prosecution through a robust and strong justice system.

Shaped by socials

Since becoming a political tool, social media has repackaged activism as an avenue for individual  rather than collective  action and rebranded it as something to be revered rather than repulsed. The sociopolitical landscape we operate in has changed immensely in a Duterte and postTrump era, requiring us to be as cognizant of whats happening around us as we are vocal about where we stand. In fact, those who fail to do so much as share an Instagram story against rape culture or sexual assault can be instant victims of cancel culture.

The incentives we bestow to those deemed woke enough are all-encompassing  from likes and shares that serve as currency on every corner of the internet, to actual platforms and resources handed by media outlets such as CBS, among other reputable establishments. But if such online initiatives are not coupled with in-person engagement, these might be more fueled by a need to assert ones political correctness than anything else. Terry Nguyen sums it up best in an article for Vox: The intent, identity of the creator, and accuracy of [such posts] matter a great deal, but more often than not, that nuance is lost on the average [social media] user  flattened into a quick share or repost with a hasty tag as they scroll on and on.

This so-called slacktivism has taken on a more insidious form over the years, where subsects of advocates use [causes] for their own gain, to the point where you dont even know what theyre fighting for anymore, as explained by Kara Angan, advocacy and communications officer of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections. Teenagers now set up nonprofits to pad their resumes and subsequently qualify for their university of choice, and brands perform allyship in the form of rainbow logo changes and campaign launches for the sake of exposure. Angan elaborates: Its a circlejerk of romanticizing and commodifying the struggles of the marginalized. This often takes away very important bases of support that could have gone to grassroots communities and those who work alongside them.

The proliferation and general tolerance of such behavior has perpetuated a false dichotomy, where doing the bare minimum is frequently painted as good or harmless  a stark contrast to organizers whose calls for reform are often pegged as terrorism. These narratives can encourage patterns of shameless, unwarranted punishment among law enforcement officials, making it even harder for those at the forefront to get their message across.

But in a period where physical restrictions and safety regulations make organized mass gatherings nearly impossible, should all online forms of activism still be questioned and rejected at once? Dr. Louis Ignacio, a Philippine politics and social movements professor from the University of Santo Tomas, thinks otherwise. I believe we should not discard the value of actions like these. Instead, we should be critical in determining if the intent would be truly beneficial. [After all], one way for activism and its goals to become successful is if its popular. Given the available platforms today, activists will really utilize these platforms and maximize its reach.

At the end of the day, the key to a true inclusive development is putting as many sectors as possible in decision-making and agenda-setting seats, and ensuring that the reforms being lobbied for and passed into legislature are grounded in their personal circumstances rather than dictated by those who cannot fully capture their unique experiences.

This calls us to be more critical of the messages we choose to share, and the manner in which we do it. Rather than resort to meaningless expressions of support, circulate masterposts containing links to credible resources and petitions. Boost minority-owned businesses in need of funds, and post donation channels for affected communities. Most importantly, resist the urge to speak over those at the center of the issue and find ways to elevate their narratives.

Its not a completely adequate substitute for being on the ground but its enough to build on what others have already started. At the end of the day, the key to a true inclusive development is putting as many sectors as possible in decision-making and agenda-setting seats, and ensuring that the reforms being lobbied for and passed into legislature are grounded in their personal circumstances rather than dictated by those who cannot fully capture their unique experiences. The internet must simply serve as a means to reach participants who are willing to discuss how we can turn this into a reality.
People are eager to experience life, says retailer Jappy Gonzalez, who has brought in brands such as Fred Perry, Comme des Garcons, and Maison Kitsune to the country. This forms part of that. This forms part of your daily life. Getting a haircut, going to the shops getting yourself something, no matter how big it is.

Prior to the Christmas holidays, Gonzalez gave CNN Philippines Life a tour of the newly opened Univers, a multiconcept lifestyle store that features a mix of niche and established designer labels. After 10 years in the business, Univers has opened a branch in the newly renovated Greenbelt 3. The shop is right beside the other brands under H&F Retail Concepts, of which Gonzalez is the founder: heritage French beauty brand Officine Universelle Buly (their newest undertaking), and streetwear label Off-White.

From the view of the Greenbelt 3 arcade, not much announces the Univers store. Understated glass double doors are flanked by the Thom Browne store on one side  part of a new permanent concept they call shop in shop. A strong presence stands at the door by way of a gargantuan piece by artist James Clar: an otherworldly spherical installation made of vehicular headlights. Its chained to the wall and emits a low thrum as you pass by it. For Gonzalez, Clars work immediately had a clear place in the store.

An otherworldly spherical installation made of vehicular headlights by artist James Clar stands at the entrance of the Univers store in Greenbelt 3. Photo by JL JAVIER

I saw it in the showroom [at Silverlens Galleries] while we were building this, he recalls. I said, This is gonna look perfect where it sits right now. During the time, there were very few people who had any idea of how this store is gonna turn out.

Gonzalez emphasizes the importance of something natural and organic for Univers third store, to build around what exists and incorporate the brands perspective from there. He turned to his trusted architect Ed Calma  who also designed the Univers store at One Rockwell  to execute this vision. Stark white walls reflect the universality of the labels featured in the store, which Gonzalez notes that from the blueprints resembles the shape of a bladder.

There are moments of play to be found in between racks and shelves. An imposing royal blue bubble-esque seat from Belgian designer Maarten de Ceulears Mutation series sits in the stores nucleus, with its gray sibling  a longer gray bench meant for fitting footwear  rests near the counter and the stores small coffee corner. (Coffee is available to customers gratis upon request.) During our tour, Gonzalez mentions that someone offered to buy the Maarten pieces from them after visiting the shop.

An imposing royal blue bubble-esque seat from Belgian designer Maarten de Ceulears Mutation series sits in the stores nucleus. Photo by JL JAVIER

Huge coffee table books stand on the shelves and on wood tables at an Assouline book shop within the store. Photo by JL JAVIER

Hidden from the rest of the store, an Assouline book shop (the second shop in shop within Univers) sits at the tail end of the space; the other end of its bladderesque configuration. Huge coffee table books stand on the shelves and on glass counters, ready to be perused. With a direct view into a busy Makati street, the Assouline enclave features a lot of natural light, and provides an inviting atmosphere for reading. The H&F team shares that having Assouline instore was a practical decision  instead of having to lug the huge tomes from abroad, its much easier to simply purchase them locally. Gonzalez sees it as an end to a retail narrative that one takes upon entering the shop.

I thought Assouline would be a great addition to cap it off, Gonzalez says. Your journey really starts with an artwork, then you get into retail, and then you end up with something thats quite cultured, still.

Art and culture feature heavily in this retail space, and indeed, Univers has taken great effort in making the experience holistic for its clients. Right by the fitting rooms is a blank space that is intended for temporary art installations. This is going to be an art point, Gonzalez explains, and says that theyre set to feature the work of Jose Santos III soon. Each installation will likely stay in store for a few weeks, giving art enthusiasts a reason to come visit regularly.

Right by the fitting rooms is a blank space that is intended for temporary art installations. Photo by JL JAVIER

A mixed media triptych by H&F frequent collaborator Luis Santos can be viewed from the street. Photo by JL JAVIER

Aside from Clars installation, the other permanent piece is a triptych by Luis Santos, also a frequent collaborator of H&F. Santos mixed media work can be viewed from the street, and its corrugated metal pieces are illuminated in the evenings. It was a work that Gonzalez specifically commissioned for the window display, giving the artist a freehand to do what hed like with the given specs.

I think its easily missed, if youre driving. But if you stop there, you cant miss it. Its very subtle, Gonzalez says of Santos triptych. But if youre not conscious of art, you dont think of it as art. You think of it as lighting.

Retailer Jappy Gonzalez, who has brought in brands such as Fred Perry, Comme des Garcons, and Maison Kitsune to the country, in the newly opened Univers store in Greenbelt 3. Photo by JL JAVIER

Prior to its newest outpost, Univers also has a One Rockwell store and a second one at Solaire Resort and Casino, with each one having its own distinct identity. Univers Greenbelt feels like the end of a trilogy, offering the kind of grandeur and accessibility found in its Solaire store while giving a taste of the creativity and playfulness in Rockwell.

Its clear that this is what Univers has to offer in a sea of designer labels  that sharp edit and a space that speaks of a distinct perspective. Its a brand philosophy that comes to life in Greenbelt, where the space ultimately determines its final form. Were very clear about our culture, what we bring in the landscape of things in this case its retail, Gonzalez says. I think the journey is inspired through and through. Thats the whole point of coming to us. I mean it is commerce, but theres something to gain.

***

Univers is located on the ground floor of Greenbelt 3.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  The Supreme Court (SC) has again moved the date of the 2020-21 Bar Exams due to the current COVID-19 surge.

The exams will now be held on Feb. 4 and 6, from its previous rescheduled date of Jan. 23 and 25.

The High Court on Friday said almost 17% of the 8,546 examinees have been either infected with COVID-19, living with someone who tested positive for the disease, or under quarantine for being a direct contact.

The SC collated its data from the response of those who received an electronic mail from the Office of the Bar Chairperson.

The court also advised all Bar examinees to undergo quarantine by Jan. 20, or at least two weeks before the tests.

"Bar examinees are urged to remain in solidarity with those who have been severely affected by this pandemic and the last typhoon. Lawyering is not only about you. It is a noble profession founded on compassion for others," 2020-21 Bar Exams chairperson and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said.

Both the 2020 and 2021 Bar Exams have been rescheduled due to the health crisis.

The SC recently passed a resolution which cut the Bar Exams to two days, where aspiring lawyers will take four sets of tests covering the usual eight subjects.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  The Department of Health (DOH) is developing a system for people who have used antigen tests to log in and input their results even while at home.

Health Usec. Ma. Rosario Vergeire said the results may be uploaded anonymously since the DOH only needs to get the numbers.

"We started issuing out the policy and the template during the time that there was this Delta experience and alam natin na ginagamit na ang antigen para sa active case finding sa ating komunidad (we know that we have been using antigen tests for active case finding in our communities)," she said during a briefing on Friday. "Unfortunately, the compliance to these submissions has been low."

Vergeire said there have not been enough antigen reports sent by local government units, which is why antigen test results have not yet been added to the official tally of cases.

She shared that from April 2021 until Jan. 8 this year, the DOH had received only 1,168,801 antigen test reports. Only 30% or about 117,000 were positive. From the 117,000, only 30% were confirmed to actually have COVID-19.

Vergeire said the tests were used mostly on people with no symptoms.

The country on Friday logged another record-high 37,207 new infections, raising the nationwide total to 3,129,512. Vergeire earlier warned the figures could still be higher due to the absence of the antigen test numbers.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14) In a bid to ensure cooperation, the government will deploy mystery riders when it implements the policy banning the unvaccinated in public transport in Metro Manila, an official said Friday.

The so-called mystery passengers will be disguised as regular commuters, Transportation Undersecretary Steve Pastor said in a media briefing.

"Bakit ho sila kailangan ma-deploy? Para masiguro po natin na kahit walang nakauniporme na enforcer ay sumusunod po ang ating mga drivers sa ating polisiya," Pastor said.

[Translation: Why do they need to be deployed? So we can ensure that even without uniformed enforcers, drivers will still follow our policy.]

Pastor added several agencies will also help implement the policy, which starts on Monday.

The governments no vaccination, no ride policy will prohibit those who have yet to get their COVID-19 shots from taking any public transport whenever the capital region is under Alert Level 3 or higher.

As a general rule, a fully vaccinated person would need to show a physical or digital copy of his or her ID, as well as the vaccination card or certificate, before being allowed to buy tickets or enter a public utility vehicle (PUV).

But there are exemptions:

-If your medical condition disallows you to get vaccinated, you need to show a medical certificate with the name and contact details of your doctor;

-If you're availing of essential goods and services, you need to show a barangay health pass or any proof to justify the travel; and

-If you're going to a vaccination center to get inoculated.

PUV operators are meanwhile tasked to ensure that all their personnel are already fully inoculated. Drivers also need to display their vaccination cards, while conductors need to wear it with their IDs.

The no vaccination, no ride policy faced backlash from netizens, transport advocates, and officials who questioned the fairness and legality of the protocol. The Commission on Human Rights said the policy restricts the exercise and enjoyment of fundamental rights.

Please remember that the so-called right to ride needs to be balanced with our responsibility as transport regulator to maintain and preserve safe travel," said Reinier Yebra, Transportation Undersecretary for Legal Affairs.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the policy will have a big impact on workers as the business group bats for more commuter safety amid the COVID-19 case surge.

"This might constraint the commuters, especially the daily wage earners," PCCI president George Barcelon told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Friday.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  The National Capital Region will remain under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 31 despite the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, Malacanang announced on Friday.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said this comes as the region's healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) has yet to reach at least 71%, which is the minimum value for Alert Level 4.

NCR mayors earlier recommended to keep the Alert Level 3 status for Metro Manila beyond Jan. 15, likewise citing slight increases in the region's HCUR and the "self-regulation" among establishments and consumers alike.

Face-to-face classes, contact sports, amusement parks, live concerts, and casinos are prohibited in Alert Level 3 areas. Operations of select establishments and tourist attractions are also limited to 30% indoor and 50% outdoor venue capacity.

More areas placed under Alert Level 3, others under Alert Level 2

Nograles also announced more areas were placed under Alert Level 3 in addition to the 28 announced yesterday.

These are:

CAR: Baguio City, Ifugao, Mountain Province

Region 1: Dagupan City, Ilocos Sur

Region 2: City of Santiago, Cagayan

Region 3: Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Zambales

Region 4-A: Rizal, Baangas, Cavite, Laguna, Lucena city

Region 4-B: Marinduque, Romblon

Region 5: Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Naga City, Sorsogon

Region 6: Iloilo City, Iloilo Proivince, Negros Occidental, Guimaras

Region 7: Lapu-Lapu City, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental

Region 8: Ormoc City, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, Western Samar

Region 9: City of Isabela, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur

Region 10: Bukidnon, Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental

Region 11: Davao Del Sur, Davao Del Norte

CARAGA: Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte

BARMM: Lanao Del Sur

Alert Level 2 was also imposed in certain places from Jan. 16 to 31:

CAR: Apayao

Region 2: Batanes

Region 4-B: Palawan, Puerto Princesa City

Region 5: Masbate

Region 7: Siquijor

Region 9: Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay

Region 10: Camiguin, Lanao Del Norte

Region 11: Davao De Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental

Region 12: North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat

CARAGA: Dinagat Islands, Surigao Del Norte

BARMM: Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi

The Philippines reported an all-time high in daily COVID-19 cases on Thursday at 34,021  pushing the nationwide tally to over 3.09 million.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 14)  Filipinos can soon enter the Philippines more easily even if they're coming from countries classified as high-risk for COVID-19, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said on Friday.

Saudi Arabia, Canada, Spain, Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, Malta, Puerto Rico, Aruba, French Guiana, Mayotte, US Virgin Islands, Iceland, Mozambique, and Somalia were placed under the red list from Jan. 16 to 31.

The spokesperson said Filipinos coming from countries placed under the red list can enter through regular flights, an update to the previous resolution that only allows entry of Filipino citizens who will arrive via repatriation programs or the government's special Bayanihan flights.

"Napagdesisyonan na kahit sa red list countries na mga Filipinos, we will now allow them to come in as long as they comply with the red list protocols. Hindi na kailangan maghintay ng Bayanihan flight from these countries," he said.

[Translation: We decided that Filipinos coming from red list countries can come in as long as they comply with the protocols. They don't need to wait for Bayanihan flights.]

Nograles, however, clarified foreign tourists from red list areas are still prohibited from entering the country.

All inbound travelers, regardless of their country of origin and vaccination status, need to present a negative RT-PCR test result taken 48 hours prior to departure to the Philippines.

Fully vaccinated individuals coming from red list countries need to undergo facility-based quarantine and take an RT-PCR test on the 7th day. If negative, they need to undergo home quarantine until the 14th day, Nograles said.

For the unvaccinated or partially unvaccinated, the same rules apply, but they can only be discharged from the quarantine facility after 10 days.

Green, yellow list

The following countries/territories/jurisdictions were placed under the green list from Jan. 16 until month-end: Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Montserrat, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, and Uganda.

Fully vaccinated travelers from the green list no longer have to undergo facility-based quarantine. The unvaccinated and partially vaccinated have to stay in a quarantine facility until the release of their negative RT-PCR test result taken on the 5th day.

All other nations not placed under green or red list are part of the yellow list. Vaccinated travelers from the yellow list need to book a quarantine facility until the release of their negative swab test taken on the 5th day. Unvaccinated travelers have to wait until the 7th day to undergo an RT-PCR test.

Quarantine hotel to isolation center

Nograles said the IATF also approved allowing hotels used as the quarantine facility of returning Filipinos to double as an isolation facility if they test positive for COVID-19. He said this will cut down the current tedious process of having to transfer an infected traveler to a different isolation facility.

He said hotels can have a dedicated floor to be used for the isolation of COVID-19 patients.
(CNN)  When 40-year-old Zane Wedding went swimming last week, he left with more than he bargained for  a cockroach, which burrowed inside his left ear and stayed there for three days.

Wedding, who is Maori and works for Greenpeace, had taken a dip at his local pool in Auckland, New Zealand, on Friday, when, unbeknownst to him, the creature had crept inside his ear.

By the time he got home, he had the sensation that his ear was blocked.

"I used some drops to clear it up and fell asleep on the couch later that night," he told CNN Thursday.

"When I woke up in the morning and it was still blocked I went straight to the doctor. I was waiting for the doctor [surgery] to open up, it was that infuriating," he said.

Initially, the doctor thought he might have been experiencing blocked water, so advised him to go home and use a hairdryer to dry it out.

But Wedding knew something didn't feel right.

"I left the doctor with no relief at all. I spent most of the weekend laying on my side or jamming a hairdryer in my ear. When I had to walk around I would instantly be dizzy. When I would lay down, I could hear the water moving around my ear drum," he said.

"Over the weekend I tried anything I could for relief  ear candles, jumping on one leg, chewing gum, I went for a run  just anything I could think of [to] get the ear to clear."

'A cockroach moving in my head'

On Sunday night the wriggling suddenly stopped but the ear was still blocked, so Wedding booked in to see an ear, nose and throat specialist on Monday.

As soon as the doctor looked inside his ear, according to Wedding, she said: "Oh my god, I think you have an insect in your ear."

"In that moment I realized every movement I'd felt over the weekend was the cockroach moving around in my ear. I instantly thought of the fact I had just been pumping hot air into my head and cooking a cockroach in my ear canal all weekend. It made me feel sick," he said.

The doctor extracted the dead cockroach in a procedure that took less than five minutes.

"Every time she touched it I just imagined her squishing a cockroach into my eardrum, so I wasn't the perfect patient. It was instant relief... I felt a pop as soon as the doctor pulled it away," he said.

"Once I knew it was a bug it all clicked together... That's why the water would move even when I was still. It was a cockroach moving in my head."

This story was first publsihed on CNN.com, "'A cockroach moving in my head': Insect removed from man's ear after three days"
(CNN)  A number of Ukrainian government websites were targeted in a cyberattack with threatening text warning Ukrainians to "be afraid and wait for the worst" and alleging their personal information has been hacked.

"As a result of a massive cyberattack, the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of other government agencies are temporarily down," Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said on his official Twitter account on Friday.

"Our specialists have already started restoring the work of IT systems, and the cyberpolice has opened an investigation," he added.

The attack appears to be a low-level incident but is symbolic coming at the end of a week of frantic diplomacy involving NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and bilateral talks between Russia and the United States -- all aimed at trying to deescalate tensions on Ukraine's border.

"According to an investigation by the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security, the first data suggests that the attack was carried out by the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian Information Ministry said in a statement.

"This is not the first time or even the second time that Ukrainian Internet resources have been attacked since the beginning of the Russian military aggression," it added.

Most of the affected state resources have already been restored, according to Ukraine's security service, who said that personal data had not been breached.

What happened?

Early Friday morning local time, Ukrainian government websites, including that of the Foreign Ministry, displayed dark screens with a threatening text that said Ukrainians' personal information had been hacked.

"Ukrainian! All your personal data has been uploaded to the public network. All data on the computer is destroyed, it is impossible to restore them," the message, published in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, read.

"All information about you has become public, be afraid and wait for the worst. This is for you for your past, present and future. For Volhynia, for the OUN UIA [Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists Ukrainian Insurgent Army], for Galicia, for Polesie and for historical lands," the web page read.

The UIA and OUN were Ukrainian ultranationalist groups that fought for independence during the Soviet era, while Galicia, Volhynia and Polesie are areas from which they historically drew high levels of support.

A statement from Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Information Policy suggested that the text mentioned the groups and regions as a "way to conceal the "Russian footprint" by hackers."

"It is obvious that this was done on purpose to cast a shadow over the hacker attack on Poland: Russia and its proxies have been working for a long time to create the quarrel between two friendly neighboring countries," the ministry added in a statement.

The Security Service of Ukraine said in a statement that although "provocative messages were posted on the main page of these sites," the content of the sites was not changed, adding "the leakage of personal data, according to preliminary information, did not occur."

The websites of the ministries of education, foreign affairs, sport, energy, agrarian policy, veterans, environment and the state emergency service of Ukraine and the state treasury were targeted, according to state media Ukrinform.

The Ministry of Education and Science, whose official website is down, directed citizens to use the ministry's official social media channels on Friday while the issue is being resolved.

The head of Ukraine's technical security and intelligence service Yuri Shchigol said almost 70 websites of central and regional authorities had been affected.

"It appears that each of these sites was developed on behalf of the government of Ukraine by a Ukrainian firm named Kitsoft," said Matt Olney, director of threat intelligence and interdiction at Talos, the threat intelligence unit of technology giant Cisco, told CNN. "While obviously unfortunate, we do not see this event alone as indicating an increase or decrease of [cyber] risk in Ukraine," he added.

Kitsoft, a Kyiv-based software firm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

While the Ukrainian government has suggested Russian involvement in the hack, outside experts say they cannot make that attribution without forensic evidence.

Oleh Derevianko, found of Kyiv-based cybersecurity firm ISSP, said he wasn't surprised by the defacement of government websites.

"It's a good illustration how you can use a simple defacement attack as an informational operation tool when everyone is so nervous and agitated about potential invasion," he told CNN.

Attacks add to an 'already tense situation'

The EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell condemned the cyberattack, warning it contributes to the "already tense situation" in the region.

During a joint press conference with the French foreign minister in Brest, France, on Friday, Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said he convened an emergency meeting upon learning of the attack on Ukrainian government websites.

"Such actions aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian contribute to further escalation of the already tense situation," Borrell said.

When asked if Russian governmental or non-governmental actors were behind the attacks, Borrell responded that although he didn't want to "point fingers" there "is a certain probability as to where they came from."

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said Friday that it is "too early to draw conclusions" as to who is behind the attack, but said there is a "long record of Russian cyber assaults against Ukraine in the past."

Separately, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense alleged in a statement Friday that Russian special services are preparing provocations against servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces in order to accuse Ukraine.

The statement from the ministry's intelligence directorate said: "The military units of the aggressor country and its satellites receive orders to prepare for such provocations."

CNN has contacted Russia's defense ministry for comment on both allegations.

Tensions with Russia at a high

The US and Russia met this week for high-stakes talks aimed at averting a war, as Russia continued to mass troops near Ukraine's borders amid a dispute over NATO activities in Eastern Europe and the prospect that Ukraine could join the military alliance.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at their highest in years, with the Russian military build-up spurring fears that Moscow could launch an invasion in the coming weeks or months.

Ukraine has said that Russia is trying to destabilize the country ahead of any planned military invasion, and Western powers have repeatedly warned Russia against further aggressive moves.

The Kremlin denies it is planning to attack and argues that NATO support for Ukraine -- including increased weapons supplies and military training -- constitutes a growing threat on Russia's western flank.

A senior US official warned that the "drumbeat of war is sounding loud" after a week of talks ended Thursday without clear breakthroughs.

Russian officials suggested they were poised to abandon discussions over the US and NATO's refusal to entertain Moscow's key demands: a guarantee that Ukraine will never be permitted to join NATO and that the alliance roll back its expansion in Eastern Europe.

On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press briefing that while Moscow's proposals were "aimed at reducing the military confrontation, de-escalating the overall situation in Europe, exactly the opposite is happening in the West."

He said: "We absolutely do not accept the appearance of the North Atlantic Alliance on our borders, especially taking into account the course pursued by the Ukrainian leadership - both by the former and the current ones. These are truly the red lines and they know it."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Cyberattack hits Ukraine government websites."
The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM), a state association that represents the best interests of more than 650 nonprofit organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, recently named its board of directors for 2022. This years board includes executive director for Centro Hispano Comunitario de Nebraska, Karina Perez.

I look forward to learning from the organization and other board members who carry a wealth of knowledge, Perez said.

According to a press release from the organization, the NAM Board of Directors provides overall leadership, budgetary review and strategic direction to ensure the organization continues to strengthen the collective voice, leadership and capacity of nonprofits while enriching the quality of life in the communities they serve. Board members serve in their positions for two years.

In an email to The Columbus Telegram, Perez explained that she was nominated as a candidate for the board. Once she accepted the nomination, she met with past and present board members and others from the organization to understand what the board was looking for in its members. From there, she said, the board then votes on a slate to present the members of NAM which they then voted on.

We, as an organization (Centro Hispano Comunitario de Nebraska), have been NAM members for the past couple of years and understand the value that NAM brought to us, Perez said. I believe I will serve a purpose by providing the lens of rural organizations and our needs and wants.

Perez continued saying that being on the board will continue to make Centro Hispano a better organization, adding, the organization is exemplary for policies and understanding nonprofits and how to meet those needs. She also encourages others to get involved.

If you are a non-profit in our community and would like to learn more about membership to NAM feel free to reach out, Perez said.

For more information, visit NAMs website at nonprofitam.org.

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Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect a clarification regarding the last time the Columbus mayor and members of the Columbus city council received pay increases.

Of all the local representatives elected in Platte County, members of the Platte County Board of Supervisors are paid the most for their public service.

On Jan. 6, the Platte County Board passed a resolution granting the supervisors salary increases in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The supervisors currently receive $16,500 per year, and have since at least 2018. Next year, they will get $17,500, with a $500 raise each of the three subsequent years.

"The salary is already higher than the (Columbus) city council and the Loup (Public Power District) board," Board Chairman and District 6 Supervisor Jerry Engdahl said during a Jan. 4 discussion of the supervisors' salaries.

Engdahl, Ron Pfiefer and Jerry Micek voted in favor of the Jan. 6 resolution that gave the supervisors' salary increases, while Supervisors Kim Kwapnioski and Bob Lloyd voted against. Supervisors Fred Liss and Jim Scow were absent.

Not too far behind the supervisors are members of the Columbus City Council, Loup Power District Board of Directors and Nebraska Public Power District Board of Directors.

"(The) mayor is $10,642 annually and city council members (receive) $6,635 annually, both set by resolution in 2006," Columbus City Administrator Tara Vasicek said in a Wednesday email to the Telegram.

However, the mayor and council members have received pay raises since 2006. The 2006 resolution, R06-107, established automatic pay increases for city council members every two years and the mayor every four years. R06-107 says the increase will be equal to the total percentage of adjustment made to the City Pay Plan since the last increase. The consequent pay increases are reflected in an ordinance the city council passes every year near the beginning of September, which sets the pay scale for all city officers and employees, including the mayor and city council members.

Meanwhile, it has been roughly 20 years since compensation was adjusted for members of the Loup board or the NPPD board.

In a Wednesday email to the Telegram, Loup President/CEO Neal Suess explained how the Loup Board of Directors salaries are set.

"Our Board has the ability to change this, and they have looked at this in the past, but they have not done that since I have been President/CEO. I am not sure when the last time is that they changed this. It might have been prior to 2000, so over 20 years. In addition, the board does have access to obtain health insurance the same as our employees. This is a benefit allowed by state law," Suess said.

Suess said the Loup board chairman currently receives $650 per month, or $7,800 annually. Other Loup board members are paid $600 monthly, or $7,200 per year.

"(Nebraska) Statute 70-624.02 allows a maximum benefit of $15,120/year for the board chairman and $13,440/year (for the other board members)," Suess said.

State law also establishes maximum salary amounts for public power district board members, NPPD Media Relations Specialist Grant Otten said in an email to the Telegram on Wednesday.

"There are two categories based on the annual revenue of the district. NPPD is in the over $40 million annual revenue category (actual annual NPPD revenues are over one billion dollars). Under the statute, salaries are limited to $13,440 per year for all members except the chair of the board who can receive up to $15,120 per year. NPPD directors receive the amounts listed. These amounts have remained the same for more than two decades," Otten said.

The members of most local other elected boards receive little to no compensation, although many can be reimbursed for mileage and other expenses incurred as a result of their duties.

Public school board members for class III districts -- like Columbus Public, Lakeview Community and Humphrey Public schools -- are prohibited from receiving compensation under Nebraska law, as are community college board members.

Sanitary improvement district board of trustees members receive $15 for each meeting they attend, for up to 12 meetings each year.

Members of fire protection district boards may earn up to $50 per meeting, but not for more than 12 meetings in a year.

Natural resource district board members may get $70 for each day one "attends meetings of the board or is engaged in matters concerning the district," up to $3,600 per year.

Although Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) salary recommendations did not come up during discussion of either the Platte County supervisors salaries or the salaries of various elected Platte County officials, NACO recommends that all Nebraska county board members make at least $24,900 in 2023 and that salaries be adjusted annually to reflect cost of living changes, something the Platte County board does not do and has not done.

"It has been found that County Board members sometimes fail to adjust their own salaries. The committee strongly encourages County Board members to give serious consideration to adjusting their own salaries upward," the NACO guidance document said.

Molly Hunter is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at molly.hunter@lee.net.

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The Friedhof Building filled with applause Thursday afternoon as Columbus Area United Way officials and supporters learned the amount raised during the nonprofits 80 Years Strong campaign -- $862,400.

It takes a willingness and dedication in the heart of our community to raise the awareness and education on the importance of the United Way campaign, outgoing Columbus Area United Way (CAUW) Board President Chad Gonka said during Thursdays Community Celebration lunch. And those funds go to direct impact globally in the areas of education, financial stability and health.

Dollars raised by the United Ways annual campaign support the organizations 17 partner agencies. The CAUW services Platte, Boone, Butler, Colfax, Nance and Polk counties.

The general campaign begins with the Pacesetters, in which area companies kick off the giving by holding their own mini campaigns for the United Way. The rest of the campaign continues with the Duck Race held in August and wraps up at the end of the year.

Kurt Shevlin, the 2021 general campaign chairman, said the Pacesetters raised over 68% of campaign funds this past year.

Gonka noted the rest of the communitys support. In the campaign, 465 businesses and their employees were contacted, and 273 of those companies took part in fundraising efforts.

One hundred and sixteen of the participating businesses increased their giving, which is amazing  especially (since) we're going through a lot of a lot of tough times right now, Gonka said.

Also in 2021, the United Way saw its first Tocqueville donor, which is a donation of $10,000, he added. Out of 329 retired people contacted by mail to contribute, 160 donated. The CAUW also saw significant contributions from Bridgebuilders donors, which are individuals who give at least $500.

They had 356 donors at the Bridgebuilder level, Gonka said. Thirty-five percent of our total dollars raised come from those individuals, so certainly want to thank those builders.

The United Way also saw 103 Everyday Heroes donors, who are those that make a personal donation of $1 every day for a year  or a donation between $365 and $499.

Gonka added that in 2021, local businesses could take advantage of a new way to get involved in the CAUWs campaign, by becoming an iPLEDGE member.

iPLEDGE members pledge a portion of their sales or services during a designated time frame back to the Columbus Area United Way campaign, Gonka said. In return for their pledge, Columbus Area United Way highlights and features local businesses and services on their social media platforms.

CAUW Executive Director Hope Freshour noted her feelings in seeing $862,400 raised during the 2021 general campaign.

Just looking at some of that data and numbers also excites me because I think Oh, there is an opportunity to grow. And there's opportunity to make a bigger impact and difference within our community as well, Freshour said.

The next step, Freshour said, is for the United Ways partner agencies to submit their applications for funding. Applications will also be due for the nonprofits impact grants.

Every year 4% off of our endowment funds goes back to the community through impact grant dollars and those are available to any nonprofit to apply for she said. It's really seed funds to get something launched or off the ground, to start a new initiative in our community.

Once applications are submitted, its then up to the CAUW Board of Directors to meet with the applicant, interview them, hear a short presentation and then make the final decision.

As a board of directors, they will determine how those allocations are going to be spent, Freshour said. Not only does the partner agencies and impact grants provide an application and information about their program, they are also interviewed in regards to how they're going to use those dollars if they are received and what that impact is going to be made.

Shevlin told the Telegram after Thursdays lunch that it was a big moment to reveal how much the 80 Years Strong campaign raised. Along with community support, Shevlin credited the CAUWs strong leadership of Freshour and Development Director Jo Suess.

Because of our community, we continue to support 17 different local nonprofits providing over 30 programs and that's tremendous, Freshour said during the event.

Hannah Schrodt is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach her via email at hannah.schrodt@lee.net.

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The Lincoln Police Department's lead public information officer is the latest to file a lawsuit against the city alleging years of discrimination based on her sex and insufficient efforts to investigate her reports.

The filing comes less than a month after the city paid $65,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former officer who now works at the Omaha Police Department.

Officer Erin Spilker's civil suit against the city includes more than 30 pages of detailed allegations, ranging from LPD's handling of alleged sex assaults by male officers to inappropriate discipline being focused on the women who have come forward.

"She is under a microscope, and has been subjected to assaults, harassment, intimidation, threats and retaliation, which affect her ability to do her job," Spilker's attorney, Kelly Brandon said, in the complaint.

She said Spilker believes that LPD is trying to find ways to terminate all of the women who have engaged in protected activity against the city.

The lawsuit follows the firing late last month of two other officers who have made complaints and ended up being investigated by Internal Affairs at LPD.

Lincoln City Attorney Yohance Christie didn't immediately return a request for comment but has previously said he can't comment on litigation or personnel matters.

Police Chief Teresa Ewins also hasn't publicly commented on the allegations.

In the lawsuit, Brandon said on Jan. 20, 2021, Spilker and a group of other female LPD officers met with Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird about their concerns and to talk about the selection of a new police chief.

She said Spilker told her she "would never want her daughter to work for LPD because it wasn't a safe place for women" and said she would be devastated if her daughter chose to become a police officer and Spilker didn't do anything to bring about change.

They told the mayor how women were groomed not to report equal employment violations, "that LPD needed someone to come in to change that culture and let women know it's okay to report, and that they needed to a leader to come in and set a new tone."

Spilker said when Ewins was chosen as the new chief she was hopeful that she would bring change to the department for women. But that hasn't yet happened.

Instead, in the fall, Sgt. Angela Sands was subjected to several IA investigations that Spilker believes were unwarranted. Sands eventually was terminated for alleged dishonesty, though the IA sergeant who performed the investigation found the allegation not sustained, Brandon said.

She said the hostility created by LPD in response to female officers filing charges of discrimination has caused Spilker to want to search for new employment.

Last month, the city paid $65,000 to settle former Lincoln Police Officer Sarah Williams' lawsuit. Williams, who now works for the Omaha Police Department, told the Lincoln City Council that sexual harassment and discrimination "was and is pervasive" in the Lincoln department and implored the council to intervene.

During public testimony at the council meeting, Williams said female officers continued to face retaliation from the department because of formal complaints.

Sands, who had been in the council chambers to support Williams, was fired a week later.

Ewins said in an emailed statement issued after the meeting that the city and the police department "do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. We have strong anti-discrimination policies and have made extensive efforts to foster an inclusive and safe workplace. We take all complaints, external or internal, seriously."

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said her administration is "committed to responding to allegations of any wrongdoing within our organization, while ensuring that all employees are held accountable for their job performance."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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Bolivian Central Bank Bans Crypto, Says Tokens Have No Place in Domestic Market

Source: Adobe/SL-Photography

The Bolivian central bank has moved to ban the use of crypto in the nation  and has issued warnings about what it perceives to be the risks involved with investing in cryptoassets such as bitcoin (BTC).

According to the Telam news agency, the Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB) has issued a prohibition on crypto in the country and warned that users of these digital securities could be in line to experience financial losses or fall victim to scams  as they are not trustworthy in nature.

The bank said, in an official statement:

As cryptoassets are not a legal tender in [Bolivia], the BCB prohibits their use, as well as their commercialization and [purchase], because they [incur] potential risks of generating economic losses to their operators and holders.

Although the BCB does not seem to have attempted to criminalize holding or trading crypto, it appears keen to shut the door on all businesses and brokers seeking to provide crypto-related services in Bolivia.

The bank explained:

Private initiatives related to the use and commercialization of [...] cryptoassets may not be operated through the Bolivian financial system. They do not operate with the authorization of the BCB or the [regulatory] Financial System Supervision Authority.

The BCB added a further warning about the dangers of investing in crypto projects and justified its move, stating that its ban would protects against risk, fraud, and scams that ordinary Bolivians might otherwise be exposed to.

The bank has lashed out at crypto before. Back in December 2020, in the wake of that years general election, it issued a resolution aiming to prohibit the use of cryptoassets in the domestic market.

This warning appears to have fallen on deaf ears, however, with multiple media outlets noting that social media campaigns promoting crypto-related services had been circulating in the country in the months since its announcement.

____

Learn more:

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- Bitcoin & Crypto Mining Gets Another Latin American Hydroelectric Power Boost



- Uruguays First Bitcoin & BNB ATM an Instant Hit with 1,000 Transactions in First Hours

- Peru, Uruguay Edge Closer to Crypto Regulation with Draft Law, Policy Advisory Report
Local officials hope to present a united front against the states proposal to toll the Interstate 83 bridge over the Susquehanna, with Camp Hill borough council authorizing their solicitor to look into legal action that could involve other municipalities.

Camp Hill hosted a town hall event prior to Wednesdays borough council meeting to review the issue, with county officials and state legislators attending.

I dont think they considered what it would do to Camp Hill borough, said Rep. Greg Rothman, a sentiment that was widely shared among those in attendance.

Exactly how PennDOT believes the tolling would shake out for the surrounding communities, and why, is still a bit of a mystery, according to the borough. PennDOT has a traffic study but has not yet released it, Camp Hill borough engineer Mike Hess said. Questions as to what baselines and assumptions the study is working with are as yet unanswered.

If we dont agree with any of those aspects, we want to push back, Hess said.

PennDOT officials were invited to attend Wednesday but declined, Camp Hill council president Alissa Packer said.

Tolling the I-83 bridge that connects the lower West Shore to the south end of Harrisburg, commonly called the South Bridge, is intended to help pay for construction of a new bridge.

The current bridge is approaching the end of its lifespan, according to PennDOT. The replacement bridge would be widened to five lanes each direction, with a total cost of $500 million to $650 million, according to PennDOTs current plans.

Local opposition to the tolling is grounded in traffic diversion. Although the west end of the bridge runs along the southern edge of Lemoyne and the northern edge of New Cumberland, Camp Hill will likely be the most impacted by vehicles seeking other routes to avoid the toll. If tolling is put in place, a portion of motorists would be expected to re-route to the bypass through Camp Hill and onto the Harvey Taylor Bridge.

The I-83 bridge handles an average of 125,000 vehicles per day. Camp Hill officials have cited an estimate that roughly 20% of cars could be expected to avoid the bridge due to tolling, assuming PennDOTs typical tolls in the $1 to $2 range.

If all of these vehicles went to the Harvey Taylor Bridge, which averages under 25,000 vehicles per day, this would double the amount of traffic through Camp Hill.

PennDOT would be required to mitigate the impact, Hess said. This would likely involve changing signal timing and/or adding turn lanes; borough council members expressed concern over such an impact given that Camp Hill has dedicated pedestrian crossing timing at many of its lights, intended ensure the safety of students who travel to school on foot.

Nearly every municipality in eastern Cumberland County, along with the county commissioners, have issued resolutions opposing the tolling. County commissioners Jean Foschi and Vince DiFilippo, who also attended Wednesday, said the proposal seemed to be one of the worst possible ways to finance infrastructure.

Tolls are effectively a regressive tax, Foschi said, because the toll is not indexed to a persons income or ability to pay. County Planning Director Kirk Stoner said current figures are that 69% of the South Bridges traffic originates within 10 miles of the bridge, indicating that most of the users are local.

This is somewhat unique compared to other bridges that PennDOT is proposing to toll, Stoner said. Those bridges have much higher rates of through-traffic and freight that are less likely to divert.

The question I keep asking is why would you want to toll a bridge where most of the traffic is local traffic? DiFilippo said, because local diversions will create a spider web of problems.

Over the summer, PennDOTs Transportation Revenue Options Commission released a report that included dozens of possible funding mechanisms as part of a broader overhaul of how the state funds transportation; but this report does not seem to have impacted the pursuit of tolling to finance bridge replacement.

Several officials on Wednesday questioned why PennDOT has not moved to revise its proposals in light of the federal infrastructure bill signed into law by President Joe Biden in November. PennDOT is anticipated to receive about $4 billion through the federal infrastructure plan.

While there is interest in Harrisburg in pursuing other funding options, there does not seem to be a consensus yet.

The push needs to be getting the will and the votes there to do them, Rep. Sheryl Delozier said.

In the meantime, some municipalities have turned to the courts to stop or delay the implementation of tolls, something that Camp Hill may also be doing, after the borough council voted Wednesday to authorize the borough solicitor to pursue legal options as well as the interest of other municipalities in joining Camp Hill in such an effort.

This is happening in the western part of the state, where several municipalities in Allegheny County are jointly suing PennDOT over plans to toll I-79, according to reports from KDKA, the Observer-Report and other news outlets in the area.

That suit alleges that PennDOT and the states Public Private Transportation Partnership, or P3, board violated requirements to engage with local stakeholders on impact studies and analyses that, according to the claims in the suit, were not actually done prior to PennDOT soliciting P3 proposals.

The tolling program is the result of a November 2020 decision by the P3 board to authorize PennDOT to look into public-private partnership mechanisms to pay for bridge repair and replacement.

The P3 board has statutory power from the Legislature to enact such programs. In this case, the P3 deals would involve paying for bridge work by having a private entity essentially purchase a stake in a bridges future tolling revenue.

In February 2021, PennDOT came back with a list of nine bridges for which P3 proposals would be solicited.

The timing of these actions is problematic, Delozier said. By law, the Legislature has a certain number of days to pass a resolution against a P3 board decision, but the boards action was taken when the Legislature did not have sufficient session days left to actually move a vote against the proposal, Delozier said.

Even if it had, PennDOT did not issue a list of bridges until later on, which Delozier described as an attempt at skirting the language of the P3 law by not giving the Legislature enough information to actually make a decision until it was too late.

The Legislature has a bill, Senate Bill 382, that would add additional oversight to the P3 system and would potentially force the P3 board and PennDOT to re-do their proposal. The bill has passed the state Senate and House, and is awaiting additional Senate committee action before it goes to Gov. Tom Wolf.

The question beyond the impact of I-83 tolling is how to pay for Pennsylvanias dilapidated infrastructure. Stoner said there is little question that major items such as the South Bridge urgently need replacement.

PennDOTs revenue report from the summer includes a number of broader-based fees on vehicles and auto sales that would shoulder much of the weight. One of these has been championed by Rothman  a bill that would place a user fee on electric vehicles, given that these vehicles also place demand on transit infrastructure but do not pay gas tax. Negotiations on the proposal are ongoing, Rothman said.

Pennsylvanias reliance on a comparatively high gas tax is a fundamental part of the problem, according to the report. It is a volatile funding stream that is also used to fund the Pennsylvania State Police.

Funding the state police through other means would devote more gas tax dollars to infrastructure, and is something still under consideration, Rothman said. Wolfs preference has been his proposal to charge a fee on municipalities that do not have their own local police forces and rely on the state police, although this proposal has yet to make it through a budget negotiation.

Email Zack at zhoopes@cumberlink.com.

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Fifty nine years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and announced to the world that he had a dream. As Kings national holiday approaches Monday, Carlisle is honoring his legacy through its 33rd annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration.

The two-day event organized by the Carlisle Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday with service at the Meeting House church at 1155 Walnut Bottom Road in Carlisle. The following day, a virtual civic ceremony will be posted to the committees Facebook page at 10 a.m.

The purpose, its to honor and celebrate Dr. King, saidGale du Pont, co-chair of the commemoration committee. Its a way of bringing the community together to remember the values of Dr. King.

Due to COVID-19, this years it will be a hybrid event, meaning that some parts will be available for members of the public to attend in person while other parts will be offered exclusively online, du Pont said.

Prior to the pandemic, it was held on one day, so what would happen is we would designate a host church, one of the downtown churches, du Pont said. We would start there with a short prayer, we would march to the old courthouse for a civic ceremony with civic leaders, and then we would march back to the church for a service and a reception following that.

Sundays event at the Meeting House will focus on the theme: Remember! Celebrate! Act! Pursuing the Dream: Working together for unity, justice, and love. According to du Pont, the first three words remain part of the events theme each year and pursuing the dream pays homage to Kings famous 1963 speech. The remainder of the theme relates to books written by Drew G.I. Hart, an associate professor of theology at Messiah University and this years keynote speaker for Sundays service.

Hart is the author of Trouble Ive Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism and Who Will be a Witness: Igniting Activism for Gods Justice, Love, and Deliverance. He also serves as the director of Messiah Universitys Thriving Together: Congregations for Local Justice program.

In addition to Harts message, Sundays event will include prerecorded music by the Monumental AME Church of Steelton choir, projects created by local students and recognition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship winners.

This scholarship is awarded to students at Carlisle High School who meet Kings values, as demonstrated through an essay and references, and are considering post-secondary education including college, community college or skill training. Those who applied last year will be honored at this years ceremony.

According to du Pont, those eligible for the scholarship will expand next year to include students who many not have graduated from high school but went back for their GED and are interested in pursuing a higher education and people who are looking to change their careers later in life.

The service on Sunday will be in-person and live-streamed. It will also be recorded for people to view later. Attendees are limited to those who are fully vaccinated over age 5, and masks are required, according to a flyer announcing the event.

The second event, a virtual civic ceremony that will become available to the public Monday morning, features speakers from the community. These include:

Sean Shultz, Carlisle mayor

Paula Bussard, Carlisle Area School Board chair

Maj. Gen. David Hill, commandant of the U.S. Army War College

Minister Sonya Browne, executive director of Domestic Violence Services in Cumberland and Perry Counties

Daija Berry, Westchester University, past MLK scholarship recipient

In the past weve asked them to speak on something related to Dr. King, du Pont said. This year, we decided to pose a question for them: As a participant in our commemoration, we trust that you are aligned with Reverend Dr. Kings ideals. What are you doing to advance these ideals and what are you doing to heal the worsening division in the United States?

Each of those speakers will address that from their own perspective, du Pont said.

She believes the event is valuable to the community.

I think it just reminds people of the values of Dr. King and I think for individuals that are attending, it kind of puts them in a position where theyre looking at how they might be able as individuals to become involved in organizations in the community that are working towards Dr. Kings dream, and how they can be involved to really make Carlisle the beloved community that Dr. King envisioned, du Pont said.

For more information or to watch the events online, go to the Carlisle Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committees Facebook page.

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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Cumberland County reported 470 cases of COVID-19 and four deaths in Friday's update from the state Department of Health.

According to department open data, the seven-day average of new cases in the county sits at 433.7, the highest seven-day rate for the county during the pandemic.

There were 171 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Cumberland County in Friday's report, an increase of 13 since Thursday. That's the highest single-day total of hospitalizations for the county since Dec. 30, 2020. The highest total was 183 on Dec. 23, 2020. The 14-day average for hospitalizations in the county sits at 141.5. The county's highest 14-day hospitalization rate was 168.7 on Jan. 2, 2021. The 14-day average for COVID patients on ventilators sits at 17.9.

There are 28 adults in intensive care (an increase of six since Thursday) and 23 on ventilators. Three adult ICU beds remain open of the 114 currently staffed across the county, and 41 of 94 ventilators in the county are in use.

The county reported 56 deaths in October, 33 in November and 54 in December. It has 22 deaths so far in January.

Franklin County reported 136 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Friday (an increase of seven since Thursday), with three of 39 currently staffed ICU beds available in the county and 25 of 34 available ventilators in use. There are 25 adults in intensive care and 20 on ventilators.

Dauphin County reported 249 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Friday (an increase of five since Thursday), with 17 of 197 currently staffed ICU beds available in the county and 105 of 174 available ventilators in use. There are 50 adults in intensive care and 35 on ventilators.

Penn State Health cases update (Jan. 10)

Penn State Health lists a COVID-19 dashboard on its website tracking cases at each of its acute care hospitals  Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Hampden Medical Center and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. The dashboard is updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Monday's update shows 230 total cases (216 adults, 14 pediatrics) in the health systems four hospitals, an increase of 33 cases since Jan. 3 and 60 cases since Dec. 27. Of the known-status patients (30 are unknown status), 76 are fully vaccinated (38%) with seven in an ICU and three on a ventilator; 124 are nonvaccinated (62%) with 32 adults in an ICU and 22 adults on ventilators.

There are 14 pediatric patients, with 12 unvaccinated (one in an ICU and one on a ventilator) and one fully vaccinated patient.

Holy Spirit Medical Center in Camp Hill has 47 COVID patients. Nineteen are fully vaccinated adults (one in the ICU and no one on a ventilator) and 28 are unvaccinated adults (one in the ICU and one on a ventilator).

Hampden Medical Center has 13 COVID patients. Nine are unvaccinated (with three in the ICU and two on a ventilator) and four are fully vaccinated (with two in the ICU and one on a ventilator).

Vaccine update

In data updated Thursday evening, the CDC says Cumberland County has 65.8% of its total population fully vaccinated. The CDC also reported that 69.5% of the population 5 and older are vaccinated, while 73.7% of the population 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

The CDC also began reporting another set of numbers that include booster shots, with 33% of the county's total population having received a booster vaccine.

Early Warning Dashboard update (Jan. 7-13)

Cumberland County saw increases in its COVID-19 percent positivity and incidence rate per 100,000 people in the state Health Department's weekly update to its Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard this weekend.

The county's percent positivity increased to 35.2% for the week of Jan. 7-13, up from 29.7% the previous week. The incidence rate per 100,000 people increased to 828.4, up from 685.6 the previous week.

Lebanon and Dauphin counties lead the Midstate in both categories and ranks in the top 10 in the state.

Lebanon County has the second highest positivity rate in the Midstate at 40.9% (seventh highest in the state), an increase from 37.2% the previous week, and the highest incidence rate in the Midstate at 1,538.9 (sixth highest in the state).

Dauphin County has the highest positivity rate in the Midstate at 41.6% (fifth highest in the state).

Lehigh County has the highest positivity rate in the state at 49.3% and highest incidence rate in the state at 2,488.4.

Forest County had the lowest percent positivity in the state at 10.4%. Warren County had the lowest incidence rate per 100,000 people in the state at 354.7.

School-age children

In its weekly update for the 19th week of the school year, the department reported 262 cases among children aged 5-18 in Cumberland County during the week of Dec. 29-Jan. 4, an increase of 101 cases over the previous week. The total number of cases in Cumberland County for this school year is 2,768.

Statewide, the number of cases among 5- to 18-year-olds saw its largest increase of the school year with 20,456 cases reported during the week of Dec. 29-Jan. 4, compared to 12,518 during the previous week. The state said the total number of cases in that age group for the school year is 156,417.

County numbers in the southcentral region (updated Jan. 14):

Adams County (pop. 103,009): 191 new cases; 21,047 total cases (17,526 confirmed, 3,521 probable); 45,766 negatives; 298 deaths (+4); 52.4% of county population vaccinated

191 new cases; 21,047 total cases (17,526 confirmed, 3,521 probable); 45,766 negatives; 298 deaths (+4); 52.4% of county population vaccinated Bedford County (pop. 47,888): 74 new cases; 9,421 total cases (6,333 confirmed, 3,088 probable); 13,402 negatives; 236 deaths (+2); 37.6% of county population vaccinated

74 new cases; 9,421 total cases (6,333 confirmed, 3,088 probable); 13,402 negatives; 236 deaths (+2); 37.6% of county population vaccinated Blair County (pop. 121,829): 166 new cases; 24,798 total cases (19,676 confirmed, 5,122 probable); 49,853 negatives; 532 deaths (+2); 50.2% of county population vaccinated

166 new cases; 24,798 total cases (19,676 confirmed, 5,122 probable); 49,853 negatives; 532 deaths (+2); 50.2% of county population vaccinated Cumberland County (pop. 253,370): 470 new cases; 42,355 total cases (32,353 confirmed, 10,002 probable); 108,729 negatives; 755 deaths (+4); 65.8% of county population vaccinated

470 new cases; 42,355 total cases (32,353 confirmed, 10,002 probable); 108,729 negatives; 755 deaths (+4); 65.8% of county population vaccinated Dauphin County (pop. 278,299): 674 new cases; 51,399 total cases (43,120 confirmed, 8,279 probable); 133,542 negatives; 804 deaths (+6); 59.5% of county population vaccinated

674 new cases; 51,399 total cases (43,120 confirmed, 8,279 probable); 133,542 negatives; 804 deaths (+6); 59.5% of county population vaccinated Franklin County (pop. 155,027): 289 new cases; 34,095 total cases (28,105 confirmed, 5,990 probable); 66,218 negatives; 588 deaths (+3); 46.8% of county population vaccinated

289 new cases; 34,095 total cases (28,105 confirmed, 5,990 probable); 66,218 negatives; 588 deaths (+3); 46.8% of county population vaccinated Fulton County (pop. 14,530): 34 new cases; 3,467 total cases (1,732 confirmed, 1,735 probable); 5,202 negatives; 55 deaths; 34.3% of county population vaccinated

34 new cases; 3,467 total cases (1,732 confirmed, 1,735 probable); 5,202 negatives; 55 deaths; 34.3% of county population vaccinated Huntingdon County (pop. 45,144): 84 new cases; 9,326 total cases (7,679 confirmed, 1,647 probable); 22,812 negatives; 210 deaths (+1); 49.1% of county population vaccinated

84 new cases; 9,326 total cases (7,679 confirmed, 1,647 probable); 22,812 negatives; 210 deaths (+1); 49.1% of county population vaccinated Juniata County (pop. 24,763): 24 new cases; 4,093 total cases (3,764 confirmed, 329 probable); 7,056 negatives; 155 deaths; 38.8% of county population vaccinated

24 new cases; 4,093 total cases (3,764 confirmed, 329 probable); 7,056 negatives; 155 deaths; 38.8% of county population vaccinated Lebanon County (pop. 141,793): 260 new cases; 31,837 total cases (27,526 confirmed, 4,311 probable); 64,811 negatives; 424 deaths (+1); 52.1% of county population vaccinated

260 new cases; 31,837 total cases (27,526 confirmed, 4,311 probable); 64,811 negatives; 424 deaths (+1); 52.1% of county population vaccinated Mifflin County (pop. 46,138): 88 new cases; 10,077 total cases (9,558 confirmed, 519 probable); 18,365 negatives; 249 deaths; 47.7% of county population vaccinated

88 new cases; 10,077 total cases (9,558 confirmed, 519 probable); 18,365 negatives; 249 deaths; 47.7% of county population vaccinated Perry County (pop. 46,272): 61 new cases; 7,513 total cases (5,891 confirmed, 1,622 probable); 14,291 negatives; 160 deaths (+1); 46.2% of county population vaccinated

61 new cases; 7,513 total cases (5,891 confirmed, 1,622 probable); 14,291 negatives; 160 deaths (+1); 46.2% of county population vaccinated York County (pop. 449,058): 884 new cases; 100,851 total cases (83,337 confirmed; 17,514 probable); 200,423 negatives; 1,273 deaths (+4); 55.9% of county population vaccinated

ZIP code-level counts (updated Jan. 14):

17013: 4,859 positives, 16,677 negatives - +294 since Jan. 7

17015: 2,962 positives, 8,226 negatives - +202 since Jan. 7

17050: 4,750 positives, 17,723 negatives - +361 since Jan. 7

17055: 5,151 positives, 19,240 negatives - +327 since Jan. 7

17011: 4,784 positives, 16,059 negatives - +420 since Jan. 7

17007: 729 positives, 2,155 negatives - +48 since Jan. 7

17065: 546 positives, 1,436 negatives - +32 since Jan. 7

17324: 619 positives, 1,435 negatives - +45 since Jan. 7

17241: 1,349 positives, 3,590 negatives - +91 since Jan. 7

17257: 3,738 positives, 8,155 negatives - +437 since Jan. 7

17240: 365 positives, 748 negatives - +25 since Jan. 7

17025: 2,228 positives, 6,763 negatives - +148 since Jan. 7

17070: 2,117 positives, 6,239 negatives - +152 since Jan. 7

17043: 714 positives, 2,413 negatives - +44 since Jan. 7

17019: 2,476 positives, 6,352 negatives - +134 since Jan. 7

17266: 47 positives, 148 negatives - +1 since Jan. 7

School district and college case counts (updated Jan. 12)

The Sentinel's case counts for Cumberland County school districts and colleges or universities are updated Fridays. The policy for each school districts reporting is noted in the list below.

Big Spring School District (reports active cases in past 14 days with school exposure): 10 student cases and 3 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 7.

(reports active cases in past 14 days with school exposure): 10 student cases and 3 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 7. Camp Hill School District (posts chart that includes total case count): 17 student cases and 2 staff cases within a 14-day period. Chart last updated on Jan. 7.

(posts chart that includes total case count): 17 student cases and 2 staff cases within a 14-day period. Chart last updated on Jan. 7. Carlisle Area School District (reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 203 cases within the current 14-day rolling count, according to the charts last update on Jan. 13.

(reports cases as they occur and updates a chart): 203 cases within the current 14-day rolling count, according to the charts last update on Jan. 13. Cumberland Valley School District (reports weekly and total number of cases with school exposure): 80 cases in "current week" beginning Jan. 10, as of the charts last update on Jan. 11.

(reports weekly and total number of cases with school exposure): 80 cases in "current week" beginning Jan. 10, as of the charts last update on Jan. 11. Mechanicsburg Area School District (chart lists total cases actively being monitored, updated Tuesday and Friday): 48 positive and presumed positive cases being monitored as of Jan. 11.

(chart lists total cases actively being monitored, updated Tuesday and Friday): 48 positive and presumed positive cases being monitored as of Jan. 11. Shippensburg Area School District (reports weekly and total confirmed case counts involving school exposure): 128 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of charts last update on Jan. 11.

(reports weekly and total confirmed case counts involving school exposure): 128 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of charts last update on Jan. 11. South Middleton School District (posts notices as cases occur, updates table of case counts weekly on Fridays): 17 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of the charts last update on Jan. 7.

(posts notices as cases occur, updates table of case counts weekly on Fridays): 17 confirmed cases in the last 14 days, as of the charts last update on Jan. 7. West Shore School District (reports active cases with school exposure within past 14 days): 136 student cases and 27 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 11.

(reports active cases with school exposure within past 14 days): 136 student cases and 27 staff cases being monitored as of Jan. 11. Dickinson College : school is not currently in session; 59 student cases and 34 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 30). Chart last updated on Dec. 17.

: school is not currently in session; 59 student cases and 34 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 30). Chart last updated on Dec. 17. Messiah University : 36 student cases and 5 employee cases in the spring semester (starting Dec. 30); 139 student cases and 56 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 7). Chart last updated Jan. 12.

: 36 student cases and 5 employee cases in the spring semester (starting Dec. 30); 139 student cases and 56 employee cases in the fall semester (started Aug. 7). Chart last updated Jan. 12. Shippensburg University: school is not currently in session; 270 student cases and 31 employee cases the fall semester (started Aug. 1). Chart last updated on Dec. 16.

(Counties with a percent positivity above 5% in a week go on the Department of Health's watch list)

Pennsylvania: Percent Positivity - 35.7% last 7 days (33.3% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,249.2 (1,085.2 previous 7 days)

Adams County: Percent Positivity - 35.5% last 7 days (34.1% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,235.8 (1,147.5 previous 7 days)

Cumberland County: Percent Positivity - 35.2% last 7 days (29.7% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 828.4 (685.6 previous 7 days)

Dauphin County: Percent Positivity - 41.6% last 7 days (36.4% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,128.3 (968.4 previous 7 days)

Franklin County: Percent Positivity - 37.6% last 7 days (32.6% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,424.9 (1,042.4 previous 7 days)

Lebanon County: Percent Positivity - 40.9% last 7 days (37.2% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,538.9 (1,312.5 previous 7 days)

Perry County: Percent Positivity - 36.8% last 7 days (33.4% previous 7 days) Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 635.4 (507.9 previous 7 days)

York County:

Percent Positivity - 39.6% last 7 days (37.9% previous 7 days)

last 7 days (37.9% previous 7 days)

Incidence Rate per 100,000 people last 7 days - 1,481.5 (1,386.9 previous 7 days)

Email Jeff at jpratt@cumberlink.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelPratt.

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A man wanted by police in two counties was taken into custody after a high-speed pursuit early Thursday morning.

The St. Francois County Sheriff's Department said that shortly before 2 a.m., deputies were involved in a high-speed vehicle pursuit with 25-year-old Dakota Pace, who police have sought since earlier this month.

The chase reportedly ended after Pace crashed his vehicle into telephone poles on Karsch Boulevard in Farmington. Pace fled on foot from the vehicle crash and was soon apprehended by sheriff's deputies.

Pace evaded capture Jan. 4 "by driving a stolen vehicle deep into the woods in northern St. Francois County. A manhunt ensued with deputies and the sheriff's department K-9 teams tracking approximately 20 miles of rugged terrain," the department said in a previous social media post. "During the manhunt, it is suspected that Pace stole an ATV from private property to aid him in the escape."

In an update, the department posted, "Alert citizens who observed Pace operating the stolen four-wheeler provided this office with a possible location. With the valuable assistance of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the stolen four-wheeler was recovered in the area of Papin Road and US Highway 67."

Pace was wanted on a felony warrant related to charges pending in Madison County for second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. According to the probable cause statement, Pace threatened a 17-year-old male with a knife in November.

The warrant was issued on Dec. 2 for failure to appear in court.

The man was also being sought for multiple theft investigations in St. Francois County.

After Pace was apprehended on Thursday, 18 charges were filed in St. Francois County related to stolen property, including forgery, trafficking in stolen items and 16 counts of receiving stolen property.

A probable-cause statement from the Park Hills Police Department states that on Nov. 9, at about 3:31 p.m., an officer saw a 2005 black Ford Focus traveling west on Parkway Drive. The officer stopped the vehicle for having a cracked windshield and no front license plate.

The report states the officer ran Pace's identification and a records check of the man returned five active warrants. Pace was detained and reportedly he provided consent to search the vehicle.

According to the statement, during a subsequent search of the vehicle, the officer located two wallets with many currency cards and identifications that did not have Pace's name on them. The officer reportedly located a black duffel bag that contained sensitive paperwork, and the names on the paperwork did not match Pace's identity. Additionally, the officer found a total of five driver's licenses, one driver's license with a paper copy of another driver's license taped over the top of it, and 17 debit/credit cards.

The report states that on Nov. 10, an officer with Bonne Terre Police Department was dispatched to New Era Bank at 2 E. School St. in Bonne Terre, in reference to a forgery.

The officer made contact with the bank supervisor identified, who stated that on Nov. 9, at 2:05 p.m., Pace came through the drive-thru and requested a withdrawal slip. The teller sent out a blank counter check. The man reportedly filled out the counter check completely, including the account number, signed the front and back of the slip, and requested a withdrawal for $3,500. The teller claimed the man presented a driver's license which matched the name on the check.

The bank supervisor told police that the account owner later reported a fraudulent transaction for $3,500 had been withdrawn from his bank account. The supervisor stated the bank was able to verify the signature on the check used to withdraw the money was not done by the account owner by checking the signature card from the owner's account and pictures of his recent transactions.

The report states surveillance footage from New Era Bank shows a black or dark gray passenger car in lane three of the bank's drive-thru during the event. The vehicle's description matched Pace's car when he was stopped by police in Park Hills later that day. The man also reportedly had $3,500 cash on his person, and a paper copy of the New Era Bank account owner's driver's license taped onto a Missouri Driver License of another individual.

Following Thursday morning's pursuit, Pace was booked at the St. Francois County Jail, and a $200,000 bond was set in the newly filed case. If released on bond, the man is ordered to comply with GPS and pretrial monitoring.

According to court records, Pace has felony convictions for stealing, second-degree burglary, leaving the scene of an accident, and two counts of resisting arrest.

Investigations are ongoing, and officials have said Pace could potentially be charged with additional crimes. The Sheriff's Department officials said they would like to thank the Farmington Police Department for their help in bringing Pace to justice.

Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com

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Mackenzie McAllister, a Farmington 12th grader, was one of only five students in the state to compete in the preliminaries for the Music Teachers National Association's annual Piano Competition.

A national competition for students in the 10th-12th grades, each student prepares an extended program of memorized music representing various styles and time periods. Students first compete at the state level. One student is then selected to move forward to the national level.

The competition was held Nov. 13 at the University of Missouri-Columbia and was judged by a panel of concert pianists.

McAllister played 18 minutes of music, including Bach's Prelude and Fugue in G Major, Rachmaninoff's Prelude Op. 32 No. 5, and Ginastera's Sonata, Movement One. While she was not named the winner for the preliminaries, she received very positive reviews from the panel of judges. McAllister now plans to use her performance music in collegiate piano auditions.

A student of Emily Parker at the Arcadian Academy of Music in Ironton, McAllister plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall to pursue a degree in computer science with a minor in piano performance.

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JEFFERSON CITY  A state senator on Thursday compared one Wildwood-based company with an illegal drug dealer, calling the argument its video gaming devices arent games of chance loose and fictitious.

The comments by Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin, followed testimony during a Missouri Senate hearing by Thomas Robbins, lobbyist for Torch Electronics, who said opponents of the unregulated machines were on a mission against a single small business.

As far as stamping on small business, people that sell pot can be considered a small business too, White said. And it is illegal under our statutes.

The hearing Thursday was on Senate Bill 632, which targets the thousands of unregulated gaming devices that have flooded the state in recent years.

Similar legislation has failed in the past amid lobbying by Torch, which employs the lobbying firm of former House Speaker Steve Tilley, and disagreement among senators about how to expand legal gambling in the state.

In response to Whites comparison, Gregg Keller, spokesman for Torch, said in an email: I cant imagine why a Republican from southwest Missouri would go on record supporting increased taxes and fees, hurting law-abiding small businesses, enlarging government, and taking police officers off the street. But Im sure Sen. White has his reasons.

The legislation would state clearly that an illegal gambling device is one not regulated by state gambling authorities that involves cash payouts. It bans individuals and companies convicted of illegal gambling from participating in any future expansion of legal video gambling in the state.

It requires the Missouri Gaming Commission to refer tips to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which would be required to investigate. A spokesman for Sen. Dan Hegeman, R-Cosby, who is sponsoring the legislation, said the referrals are already occurring but that the bill puts the practice in statute.

The legislation also threatens the liquor licenses of establishments that gaming authorities or law enforcement report as in possession of an illegal gambling device.

No one should have a liquor license whos operating these illegal games, Hegeman said at the hearing.

Hegeman said he believed Missouri law already prohibited such devices, as evidenced by a 2020 court ruling in Platte County against Kansas-based Integrity Vending LLC, but that county prosecutors have been slow to take up illegal gambling cases.

The conviction, lack of appeal and destruction of machines in the court case in Platte County have taken any ambiguity about these games being illegal away, Hegeman said, referencing the public destruction of the companys games with a backhoe last year.

It was a very exciting event, said Hegeman, who attended the public destruction.

Hegeman said he was a little disappointed in the lack of action that weve seen  or havent seen  out of some of the prosecutors in the state of Missouri. Its always frustrating when it takes a second law to deem something thats illegal ... to try to address it because of the lack of action of the prosecutors.

Unlike regulated gaming, no proceeds are diverted to education. There are also no government-sanctioned resources for addicted gamblers or rules to protect consumers from low payouts.

Among those who testified in support of Hegemans bill were Mike Winter of the Missouri Gaming Association, which represents the states 13 licensed casinos, Ray McCarty of the Associated Industries of Missouri and Andy Arnold of J&J Ventures, an Effingham, Illinois, company that is seeking authorization of legal video gambling in Missouri.

J&J has contributed more than $100,000 to Missouri politicians over the past five years. Meanwhile, Torch, last June funneled more than $200,000 to political action committees connected to Tilley, according to state ethics commission records.

Robbins, the lobbyist for Torch, was the only person to testify against the legislation during the Senate Governmental Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee hearing on Thursday.

Its drafted, designed and targeted to put a single Missouri family-owned small business out of business, Robbins said. Senate Bill 632 will result in the cascading effect of ultimately forcing many more veterans organizations, c-stores and truck stops across Missouri to lay off employees and/or close.

The company is owned by Steven Miltenberger, who has contributed to the campaigns of Missouri politicians such as Gov. Mike Parson and Attorney General Eric Schmitt. (Schmitt said last year he was returning contributions from Miltenberger and his wife.)

Robbins, during the hearing, also said the legislation ran counter to the principles of the Republican Party.

Having grown up in a very conservative Republican household I was schooled in the merits of limited government, rugged individualism and the awesomeness of private enterprise, Robbins said.

He said the measure stands in stark contrast to those bedrock Republican principles as it balloons government on the backs of small business.

He said Torchs games werent gambling devices.

Players can see the outcome before they even play or deposit money, Robbins said, referencing a prize viewer function on the devices that players arent required to use.

Meanwhile, Torch faces an ongoing criminal prosecution in Linn County. In Greene County, Torch sued Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson in an attempt to stop an investigation into the company. The lawsuit followed the seizure in June by the Missouri State Highway Patrol of several of the companys devices.

Torch has also sued the Missouri State Highway Patrol in a similar attempt to ward off scrutiny.

Originally posted at 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13.

Jack Suntrup  573-556-6186 @JackSuntrup on Twitter jsuntrup@post-dispatch.com

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Jason Kessler and two other defendants have filed post-trial motions seeking to overturn a federal jurys verdict finding them responsible for a conspiracy to commit acts of violence surrounding the 2017 Unite the Right rally.

Kessler, Nathan Damigo and Identity Evropa are among more than a dozen defendants in the Sines v. Kessler lawsuit that spun out of the deadly events that rocked Charlottesville in August 2017.

After a month-long trial in Charlottesvilles federal court last fall, Kessler, Damigo, Identity Evropa and others were found by an 11-person jury to have entered into a conspiracy to commit violence in the Charlottesville events.

The jurys decision was based on Virginia conspiracy laws. The jury could not make a unanimous decision on two federal conspiracy counts based on a federal anti-Ku Klux Klan law. Those counts specifically alleged the defendants entered into a conspiracy to commit racially motivated violence.

Racial motivation was a factor in the state conspiracy claim, though not as explicitly as the federal claims.

The jury also ordered the defendants to pay $1 in compensatory damages to seven of the nine plaintiffs and $500,000 in punitive damages. Each corporate defendant was ordered to pay $1 million.

Kessler was additionally ordered to pay $200,000 for racial, religious or ethnic harassment or violence committed against plaintiffs Natalie Romero and Devin Willis.

However, in a post-trial motion filed last week, Kesslers and Damigos attorney, James Kolenich, argued that in spite of the jurys findings the plaintiffs failed to prove his clients entered into a conspiracy.

The plaintiffs were required to present specific facts that would allow a jury to reach a verdict that is based on more than mere speculation, Kolenich wrote, citing language from prior court cases. Pursuant to [federal law], a district court may grant judgment notwithstanding the verdict if there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find for the non-moving party.

The bulk of Kolenichs arguments end in the request for a directed verdict, which is a ruling entered by a judge who has determined there is insufficient legal evidence for a jurys conclusion. For practical purposes, a directed verdict overturns a jurys decision.

Kolenich argued that the plaintiffs evidence of unlawful conspiracy against Damigo included that he was friends with co-defendant Richard Spencer and Spencers friends and associates; that he was present at Alt Right parties where planning for Unite the Right was undertaken; that he asked for fake Antifa accounts to be set up; that he admitted that he and/or Identity Evropa were working with other Alt Right groups as to August 11th and 12th, among other related evidence.

None of that evidence provides anything that would allow the jury to find either unlawful agreement or foreseeability of any acts that injured any plaintiff, Kolenich argues.

First, there is no evidence of what the contents of any communications Mr. Damigo was proven to have, was, he wrote. Where evidence of contents was proven, it was innocuous such as working with other Alt Right groups.

Additionally, Kolenich argues that video depositions and other exhibits do not implicate Damigo in anything more than having what the law considers racial animus as well as being acquainted with other Alt Right personalities.

Kolenich further argues that the plaintiffs claims of conspiracy against Identity Evropa appear to depend entirely on the activities of defendant Elliott Kline, who declined to show up for the trial.

Klines actions were outside the scope of what Identity Evropa authorized him to do, Kolenich argued. He said the plaintiffs provided no evidence that [Identity Evropa] ever authorized Mr. Kline to enter into an unlawful conspiracy.

The arguments on Kesslers behalf are more complicated. Kolenich argued that evidence against Kessler was based on constitutionally protected rhetoric that does not amount to unlawful agreement or foreseeability.

The evidence at trial showed that Mr. Kessler limited his plans for physical altercation to legitimate self-defense, Kolenich writes. He was careful to include warnings that Antifa must start any fights or there could be no Battle of Charlottesville, though he was confident Antifa could be relied on to give the Alt Right a legal reason to fight them.

Kessler is entitled to a directed verdict on the plaintiffs fourth claim regarding the torch march injuries to plaintiffs Willis and Romero because, in part, neither plaintiff gave testimony that they saw him at the march.

The punitive damages awarded were also unconstitutionally excessive, Kolenich argued. He cited prior a U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that it is [the courts] obligation to order a remittitur or award a new trial in these situations.

A remittitur is the legal process by which an excessive verdict of the jury is reduced.

Kolenich also argued that punitive damages must bear some reasonable relationship to the compensatory amount awarded and that Virginia code limits punitive damages to $350,000.

As such, the court must reduce the [punitive damages] awarded to plaintiffs [Seth Wispelwey] and [Elizabeth Sines] to zero and order a new trial, Kolenich wrote. The Court should further reduce the awards to all other plaintiffs to no more than 526 to 1.

Kessler and Damigos filing is the latest post-trial filing from a defendant seeking either a new trial or reduced damages. Chris Cantwell, a neo-Nazi who represented himself during the trial, has already filed several motions and documents alleging he is entitled to a new trial.

Counsel on behalf of the plaintiffs has yet to respond to any of the motions from the defendants, though they are expected to respond to Cantwell in the coming weeks.

coming weeks.

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Local officials and the Region Ten Community Services Board are scrambling for solutions after a shortage of mental health workers forced the Albemarle-Charlottesville Behavioral Health Docket to pause admissions.

Started in 2015, Behavioral Health Docket  also sometimes referred to as the therapeutic docket or mental health docket  has become a successful tool for local courts to divert people from jail in favor of treatment.

In mid-November, however, the docket stopped accepting new clients due to staffing issues at Region Ten, causing significant impact on the program.

Jim Hingeley, Albemarle County commonwealths attorney, said prosecutors and mental health partners have cobbled together a process to work with those already in the program.

We can come up with alternatives but in no way are they as effective as the therapeutic docket, Hingeley said. I guess you could say we have a big box of Band-Aids and weve started putting Band-Aids on problems that need more than just bandages.

The alternatives actually existed before the docket was created and do not offer the same supports, said Nina-Alice Antony, senior assistant commonwealths attorney for Charlottesville.

The reason we really wanted the therapy docket from the beginning was that it provides a level of judicial oversight and community that is unlike any other experience youll have in the justice system, Antony said. It takes someones case out of an adversarial system and puts them into an alternative docket thats more of a collaborative community of people trying to get them where they need to be.

Liz Murtagh, head of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Public Defenders Office, said staff shortages at Region Ten are a huge issue for her clients, with some waiting more than a month for treatment.

If you have someone in crisis or who has a substance abuse problem and they need to be seen immediately, they still dont get seen immediately, she said. If youre trying to meet the needs of someone whos in a crisis  theyve been arrested, they need assistance and were trying to resolve the case  if that treatment or evaluation piece doesnt happen, it slows everything down.

Since the pause in new referrals began, current participants have continued to receive treatment. Those already approved to be assessed for docket eligibility have continued on through the process.

The docket currently has 16 active participants, four inactive participants and seven pending entries, with an additional two scheduled to be entered Wednesday.

The therapeutic docket is voluntary, but it begins with a referral from one of numerous sources, including jail officials, OAR, police, defense attorneys, prosecutors or a mental health professional at Region Ten.

The docket is currently overseen by Albemarle County General District Court Judge Matt Quatrara.

The docket is for those for whom a serious mental illness played a significant part in the crime committed. It is only open to those charged with misdemeanor offenses. Defendants are not eligible if they committed a felony or have a significant history of violent or sexual offenses.

Region Ten has continued its commitment, allocating other resources to attempt to support participants. Those include a peer support specialist, an intern to work with participants and a new clinician.

Region Ten is among several community service boards that assist with the local courts diversionary and treatment dockets. Like many mental healthcare providers across the nation, it has been experiencing a workforce crisis for years.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased need for mental health services, the crisis has only been exacerbated, said Joanna Jennings, community relations coordinator for Region Ten.

She said the community service board has had to temporarily pause additional referrals to maintain safety for current clients. That includes clients participating in the Mental Health Docket.

Jennings said unprecedented gaps in staffing combine with increased risk for staff and clients, increased complexity of cases and compassion fatigue to create stress and burnout among caregivers.

The burnout leads to some staff members leaving their positions for other jobs, more pay elsewhere, or to stay at home.

There are currently 2,400 open positions for community service boards across Virginia, said Jennings. The current average vacancy rate across the state is 15% but Region Tens vacancy rate is nearly 40% in some of the most essential programs.

Jennings said staff is wooed away by offerings from Virginia state hospitals that provide bonuses for recruitment and retention as well as state general funds directed at the Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Those funds are slated to bring that departments salaries up to 75% of the national average.

This approach creates inequity that has a significant negative impact on [a community boards ability] to hire, Jennings said. We are currently asking that every new dollar invested in Virginias psychiatric hospital system that a new dollar is also invested in community-based care.

The Virginia Association of Community Services Boards is currently advocating for a $167.5 million investment in recruitment and retention programs, according to Region Ten. The proposal includes a path to licensure by paying for clinical supervision hours, and funding for loan repayments and scholarships.

Katie Moore, the probation program manager for the mental health docket, said the Behavior Health Dockets advisory board recently was awarded a U.S. Department of Justice grant. The approximately $500,000 grant will be used to provide additional staff to support the docket, including one at Region Ten, one at OAR and one at Partner for Mental Health.

We were fortunate to receive federal grant funding that will help to expand capacity and we have applied for an increase in local funding from both the city and county, Moore said. Typically, we have received tremendous support for the program from both the city council and county board of supervisors. While we are faced with this current challenge, the support and resolve for the docket is strong and we look forward to expansion of these services in our community.

Although the federal grant provides a path forward, it is a temporary solution to a complicated issue, said several docket advocates.

The money is certainly welcome, but it doesnt change the fact that, on a basic level some positions OAR and Region Ten have been advertised for more than a year and no one wants the jobs because the pay is too low for work that requires a masters degree, Antony said.

Were all very excited about the possibilities the grant opens up but we still have fundamental issues with getting more funding across the board to these organizations so that they can recruit and retain the staff they need to run at full capacity, Antony said.

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Linn County reported four new COVID-19-related deaths in a report from the Oregon Health Authority on Thursday, Jan. 13, raising that countys death total to 217.

Those deaths included an 81-year-old woman who died Dec. 5, a 72-year-old woman who died Dec. 4, a 90-year-old woman who died Dec. 4 and 73-year-old woman who died Dec. 1.

Linn County reported 307 new cases of the virus on Thursday, raising that countys case total to 18,073.

Benton County reported 325 new COVID-19 cases, raising that countys case total to 9,501. No new deaths were reported, with Benton Countys death total remaining at 46.

Statewide, OHA reported 9,796 new confirmed and presumptive cases of the virus Thursday, raising the case load total to 504,731. There were 25 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state death total to 5,870.

In addition, information was released about the two Linn County and two Benton County deaths reported Wednesday.

In Linn County, an 81-year-old woman died Dec. 23, 2020, at her residence, and an 87-year-old woman died April 22 at her residence. Both had underlying conditions.

In Benton County, an 86-year-old man died Jan. 8 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, and an 80-year-old woman died April 5 at her residence. Both had underlying conditions.

Hospitalizations: There are currently 777 Oregonians hospitalized with COVID-19, 144 of whom are in intensive care unit beds. Of 656 total, there are 36 adult ICU beds unoccupied, a 5% availability. Of 4,127 adult non-ICU beds 233 are available, a 6% availability.

There are fewer unoccupied beds in the mid-Willamette Valley, which has a 1% availability for adult ICU beds and 3% for adult non-ICU beds.

Vaccinations: OHA reported that 21,825 new coronavirus vaccine doses were added to the state immunization registry on Wednesday, Jan. 12. There are now nearly 2.8 million Oregonians who have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and over 2.5 million Oregonians who have completed a vaccine series. Nearly 1.3 million people in the state have received a booster dose.

Nationally: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 855,805 new confirmed and presumptive cases of the virus on Thursday, raising the U.S. case total to nearly 63.4 million. There were 2,006 nationwide COVID-19-related deaths, raising the countrys death total to 842,873.

Joanna Mann covers education for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6076 or Joanna.Mann@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @joanna_mann_.

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Theres been no let-up in 5G activity lately, with Zambias MTN announcing the countrys first 5G launch and Telia highlighting a dynamic spectrum sharing-based 5G launch now underway in Lithuania.

The MTN rollout is described as a pilot launch. It is going ahead in partnership with Huawei and even gained ministerial recognition when the Zambian Minister of Science and Technology, Felix Mutati, attended a 5G demonstration in Lusaka earlier this week. While this is not a widescale rollout, the minister was able to claim that it puts Zambia among the first ten African countries currently piloting 5G.

Local press reports say that Huaweis cooperation with MTN dates as far back as 2013 when the two partners introduced the first 4G network, followed by a 4.5G network in 2016.

Theres also a 5G buzz in Lithuania where Telia has launched 5G in Vilnius. Telia Lietuva is using existing commercial frequencies in the 2100MHz band, having tested 5G technology in Lithuania for three years.

According to TeleGeography's CommsUpdate, 20 base stations have started operating in the Vilnius districts of Antakalnis, Sauletekis and Naujoji Vilnia. The firm has deployed dynamic spectrum sharing technology, which allows the same frequency band to be used in parallel for both 4G and 5G connections.

Further opportunities may present themselves after Lithuania finally goes ahead with an auction for spectrum in the 700MHz band; this is expected to happen in the next few months.
A rabbi, a pastor and an imam on NPR were discussing how their respective faiths were observing Passover, Easter, and Ramadan. This year those sacred periods overlapped. These representatives of world religions spoke of similarities and differences among their traditions.
More than 100 people in Alabama have died from coronavirus in 2022, less than two weeks into the year, an official said Thursday.

Dr. Donald Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, said during a video interview with AL.com that while the Alabama Department of Public Healths dashboard shows eight deaths this year, the state has actually lost more than 100 people. The ADPH death data typically lags behind real-time data and has throughout the pandemic.

I mean, clearly, you know, we dont have a hundred people die in weeks from the common cold. We dont have a hundred people die in two weeks from regular influenza. So clearly this is not regular influenza. This is not the common cold. This is unfortunately a variant of the COVID virus.

Williamson said more than 2,000 people are hospitalized in Alabama, which is now averaging over 10,000 new COVID cases per day.

While he agrees the now-dominant omicron variant of COVID-19 is less severe than delta or previous strains, Williamson said there is danger to saying its mild or similar to a common cold.

If you look at the way its being reported, it is absolutely less severe. Now let me put that in context, less severe does not translate to no harm, he said. An example is delta puts you on a ventilator. Omicron puts you in the hospital needing supplemental oxygen. Yeah, thats less severe, but thats not the place you want to be.

Vaccinations and boosters are continuing to protect people from severe illness, Williamson said. His data from Wednesday showed about 65% of hospitalized patients were not fully vaccinated, while about 35% had at least two doses of an mRNA vaccine.

Williamson said he has data from only a few days on the amount of hospitalized patients who have received a booster shot. While its still too early to make a lot out of this, I can tell you that for individuals whove been boosted, they account for a very small, less than 5% of the inpatients with COVID.

Intensive Care Unit capacity and ventilator usage is less than during the delta surge, Williamson said, and it is not rising at the same rate; but its still going up. Alabama went from about a hundred patients in the ICU at the beginning of December to 398 on Wednesday. He added ventilator use went up from about 60 to almost 200. As of Wednesday, there were about 113 ICU beds available statewide.

Williamson said about 10% of people who got the delta variant had to be hospitalized; about 3% of people with omicron will be hospitalized. Delta caused about 2% of infected people to die, while he said data shows that omicron causes about half the deaths that delta did. That doesnt say people wont die from omicron, he said. It just says theyre less likely to die.

Williamson provided an example: If 10,000 people have delta, 10% of them, or 1,000 people, are going to end up in the hospital. If 10,000 people have omicron, about 300 are going to end up in the hospital.

The difference is those are population numbers, not individual numbers. So you dont know as an individual, whether youre going to be in the 97% that dont need hospitalization, or youre going to be in the 3% that does need hospitalization. So people need to be very careful when they start saying omicron is less severe, he said.

So I just would caution people, please dont assume this is somehow mild. Please dont assume its simply the common cold, because it isnt. People will die from omicron.
A representative of Hyundai receives the VnExpress Car of the Year 2021 award in Hanoi on January 14, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

The SUV Hyundai Santa Fe has surpassed 14 other nominations to be the Car of the Year in VnExpress Car Awards 2021.

The mid-size car of the South Korean brand also won the best car title in the SUV-Crossover for segments D and E with a point of 81.58 over 100, organizers announced at the award event Friday.

The sedan Lux A2.0 claimed the title for the best car in the D-E sedan segment, while the hatchback VinFast Fadil was the Car of the Year in the A segment, which refers to small city cars.

In the small luxury SUV segment, BMW Series 3 and Porsche Macan were the winners.

The Mazda3 surpassed several competitors to be the Car of the Year in the sedan C segment, which refers to compact cars for small family.

Car Awards 2021 is the first major auto ranking event hosted by VnExpress to determine the best cars in Vietnam based on the votes of its readers and car experts.

Panelists speak at the Car Awards 2021 event in Hanoi, January 14, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Tuan Cao

The winning car model is selected based on a total point given by 40 percent of readers (who have to go through a survey to show their knowledge of cars) and 60 percent from experts in auto technicalities, sales and the media.

The five categories for determination are exterior, interior, convenience, function and costs.

From November 4 to December 31, Car Awards 2021 received 40,000 readers' votes in 15 segments.

Panelists spoke at the event that Vietnams auto industry still lags behind other countries in Asia, especially in manufacturing of auto parts.

Only 20-30 can be considered auto suppliers, said Truong Thi Chi Binh, deputy chairwoman of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries.

It is very difficult to enter the auto supply chain due to high requirements, she said, adding that the small profit margin also discourages local entrepreneurs to join the industry.

Among 46 suppliers of Toyota Vietnam, six are completely Vietnamese companies, and the number is set to increase to eight in the next several years, said Nguyen Trung Hieu, a member of the strategic planning department for the company.

Hoang Chi Trung, CEO of VinFast Trading Vietnam, said the automaker has a localization rate for electric cars of 60 percent and the figure is set to increase in the upcoming years.

VinFast last month began the construction of a VND4 trillion ($173.9 million) battery plant in the central province of Ha Tinh, which is set to hike the localization rate of its vehicles.
When gunfire began in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Minh Tuan's family hid in the house, telling each other not to open the door for anyone.

Tuan is vice president of the Vietnamese Association in Kazakhstan and has lived in the country since 1994.

He said: "I was informed that another riot had erupted on the evening of Jan. 4. At the time I had gone with my wife and children to a water park near the ring road in Almaty city.

"When I saw many cars with their number plates removed, I felt the situation was unusual, and immediately took my wife and children home".

Riots first erupted in Kazakhstan on Jan. 2 in response to the government's decision to discontinue subsidies for liquefied natural gas (LPG), which effectively doubled its price in many areas.

The protest movement then quickly spread to Almaty, the countrys largest city, before escalating into the worst riot in decades.

Tuan said he was shocked by the scale and intensity of the violence, given that Kazakhstan is a peaceful country. In the nearly three decades he has lived in Almaty, he has seen only a few protests, most of them nonviolent.

When his family returned home on the night of Jan. 4, he became aware of the gravity of the situation as he watched TV news about clashes between protesters and troops and the presence of extremists. Shops were being smashed and police cars were being burned.

"We contacted everyone in the Vietnamese community in the city and advised them to stay at home, avoid mass gatherings and strictly adhere to the country's policies to ensure their safety".

He said the sound of gunfire caused many people to panic. Police and firefighters were nearly impossible to contact since they were all focused on responding to the riots.

His family "hunkered down" at home for safety. When information about looting began to appear, he warned people in the community not to open the door for anyone, including the police, if they could not present proper documents since looters could masquerade as cops.

"The following two nights were even worse. Fortunately, the Vietnamese community in the city is still safe. I feel more secure now that the situation has been significantly controlled".

He was speaking VnExpress by phone and the call was constantly interrupted because of a poor connection.

"It is possible that the unstable signal is the result of Kazakh authorities responding to the riots and tracking down terrorists. For the past week Almaty residents could only go online for around three hours a day".

Duc Ton, a lecturer at Nazarbayev University, said the situation in the capital Nur-Sultan was not as bad as in Almaty.

"After a peaceful protest on Jan. 4 in the old quarter of the capital, the police and army were deployed. The government declared a national emergency, closed shopping centers and banned mass gatherings. However, people could still travel normally".

People could go online for two to four hours a day to get the news, but a poor Internet connection constantly disrupted banks payment systems, causing people to rush to withdraw cash.

Azhar Karatayeva, an office worker living in the Astana region, said she was not too surprised by the wave of protests, because the plan to increase gas prices was strongly opposed by the public since the beginning.

"I expected conflicts would occur, but did not expect it to be so severe. I was very worried for my loved ones and heartbroken when I read the news about the casualties.

"My loved ones were unable to leave the house during the days of emergency, but things seem to be slowly improving now".

The riots were quelled after the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) began to send a peacekeeping force to Kazakhstan on Jan. 6 at the request of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The peacekeepers were tasked with protecting key facilities, while the country's security forces dealt with the escalating violence.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced on Jan. 10 that basic order had been restored after authorities carried out an operation to clear and kill "26 armed criminals" and arrest nearly 9,000 people in connection with the violence.

At least 16 security officers and 164 Kazakhs were killed during the week of riots. More than 100 businesses and banks were looted, more than 400 vehicles were set on fire and property worth nearly $200 million might have been damaged.

Ton said Nazarbayev University may have to postpone the spring semester opening to Jan. 24 due to the state of emergency, but is optimistic that life would return to normal soon after security is restored.

Tuan said Almaty is returning to normalcy and he was able to return to the office after one week.

But even on the worst days during the past week, his family did not think about leaving Kazakhstan.

"The chaotic situation is a story no one wants," he said.

"We want to stay with the people of Kazakhstan through this difficult period".
" " If a random number you don't know keeps blowing up your phone, try searching it via reverse phone lookup. HowStuffWorks

If you've ever looked at a phone number on caller ID and wondered whose number it is, you can try using reverse phone lookup to find out. There are a few free ways to go about this on the internet, and some options will provide you with the person's name and address.

While finding phone numbers via reverse lookup is easier  and cheaper  for landline numbers, you also can get information about cellphone numbers, as well.

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Consider a few likely scenarios:

When you check caller ID on your phone, you see you missed a call from John Rogers at 513-555-1771. Who is he, and where is the 513 area code?

You're cleaning off your desk and find a scrap of paper with a scrawled phone number on it  no name, just the number. You know you wrote it down quickly while you were on the phone, but you don't remember whose number it is. Save and add to your contact list, or just toss?

Your cellphone shows a call from a number you don't recognize. Should you call it back, or is it a wrong number or sales call?

Your primary physician refers you to a specialist and provides the doctor's name and a phone number to call. Where is the new doctor located, and how do you get there?

You see several calls on your phone bill to an unknown number. Did you make these calls and don't remember Have you forgotten making the calls, or are they in error?

These are just a few of the situations in which reverse phone lookup can help you.
Please join the Elko Area Chamber for Business After Hours on Thursday, Jan. 20 at LeeAnnes Floral Designs at 638 Commercial Street from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Attendees can expect to enjoy an assortment of delicious food items, including a taco bar catered by Dreez, all in a comfortable setting assisted by amenities from Event Source. Be sure to sample a variety of tasty beverages and enter for a chance to win some incredible raffle prizes.

Business After Hours is a free event thats open to the public, and gives both community and business members the chance to network in order to create/maintain business and community relationships, generate referrals, and learn about upcoming events in our area.

LeeAnne's Floral Designs is a family-owned business and professional local florist, offering the best selection of healthy indoor plants in the Elko area. Their fresh flower arrangements are long lasting and made to order.

Their friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you when you need flowers delivered locally or anywhere in the world. For your convenience, they also offer daily delivery service to local hospitals and funeral homes.

Whatever the occasion, let one of their talented designers create a beautiful, eye-catching fresh or silk floral arrangement that's customized just for you. They offer traditional and contemporary floral design styles that are appropriate for birthdays, anniversaries, get well, new baby, sympathy, holidays or just because.

LeeAnnes also offers a variety of gifts for any age or occasion including plush stuffed animals, balloon bouquets, candy & chocolates, baby items, home decor, scented candles and more.

For more information, call 775-738-4728 or visit their website at leeannesfloraldesigns.com.

We hope to see you there, and for any questions, please contact the Chamber at 775-738-7135.

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ELKO  An Elko man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly threatening construction workers at a gun store and employees at Walmart.

Elko Police Department officers were called to the gun store at 9:30 a.m. on a report of a man waving a stick around and threatening a construction crew working in the area.

While officers were en route to the call, the suspect ran across the street and into the Walmart store, where he made threats to kill employees, stated police.

The man was not wearing shoes or a shirt, despite the below freezing temperature.

Cody Calli, 30, of Elko was found inside Walmart but police said he headed toward the exit doors, running into a Walmart employee as he fled.

An officer caught Calli but a struggle ensued.

During the altercation, Calli put his hands around the officers neck in an apparent attempt to strangle him, stated police.

A backup officer deployed a Taser, striking Calli in the torso. Officers were able to handcuff him without further incident, and he was provided medical attention from EMS at the scene.

Two EPD officers sustained minor injuries during the incident.

The suspect was booked into Elko County Jail under the name George Sanchez, but police said he was later identified as Calli. Charges include assault with a deadly weapon, battery on an officer, two counts of coercion, simple battery, and resisting a public officer.

His bail was listed at $34,780.



This weeks felony arrests:

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ELKO  Plans are underway for a pedestrian crossing over Union Pacific Railroad tracks at Hot Springs Road, and the Elko City Council has approved a reimbursement agreement with UP for an estimated $25,000 for engineering services for the crossing.

Elko City Manager Curtis Calder said on Jan. 12 that the crossing is simply a sidewalk across the railroad tracks, but the project is still complex and requires engineering.

The railroad crossing on the west end of town remained after Project Lifesaver moved tracks and built bridges over other crossings in the city in the 1980s.

Bob Thibault, the citys civic engineer, said in an email that he wasnt sure yet about the construction cost for the crossing, but we will start working with the engineering consultant to determine that.

Union Pacific requires that all new construction be coordinated through the UPs engineer consultant, so the $25,000 is the estimated cost for the city for preliminary engineering design assistance for the crossing. Thibault has already done a preliminary design.

So, we will work with them to hammer out some details, Thibault told the council.

The council on Jan. 11 approved the expenditure, after Mayor Reece Keener said he had asked what drives the need for action.

He said Calder told him the railroad has been after us to get this done for some time, and the location of the humanitarian camp at Hot Springs Road and the citys new shop building in that vicinity have increased pedestrian traffic over the tracks.

Calder told the council the Nevada Public Utilities Commission is the regulator, and if they came down today and saw the shop and camp, they would want to be visiting with us. I would just as soon get ahead of this.

He told the council, however, that construction of the sidewalk crossing is probably a year out, after the city and railroad work together to come up with a design that UP approves. The city would foot the bill for the crossing sidewalk.

According to the reimbursement agreement with the railroad, the city will reimburse UP for 100% of all the actual costs for the railroads engineering consultant, and the construction and maintenance of the project will be at no cost to the railroad.

The reimbursement pact also says that the project must be approved by the railroad, and no work can begin until a construction and maintenance agreement is signed by both the city and UP.

The citys humanitarian camp is for homeless people, but the city also takes steps during the extreme cold to provide a warm place for the homeless, including those at the camp.

Assistant City Manager Scott Wilkinson told the council on Jan. 12 that one hotel has now signed the memorandum of understanding for lodging, and the hotel made two rooms available on two recent bad-weather occasions when the city declared an emergency.

Thats the extent of our ability to provide shelter in cold weather so far this year, Wilkinson said.

The memorandum of understanding is for the city to rent rooms from a signing hotel or motel during the bitter cold when the city declares an emergency.

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Reps. Susie Lee (D-NV) and Dina Titus (D-NV) are joining conservationists and Indigenous leaders in urging the Biden administration to designate more than 380,000 acres spanning from the California-Nevada border to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The proposed monument would protect Avi Kwa Ame, or Spirit Mountain in the Mojave language, about 80 miles south of Las Vegas. Conservationists and Indigenous leaders have been advocating for the designation since 2020 as energy developers look to the Nevada desert for sites for potential wind and solar farms.

In a letter addressed to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe of New Mexico, Lee expressed her support for establishing the national monument and requested a meeting with Haaland, inviting her to Nevada to tour the area.

The region holds immense cultural, recreational, ecological, and economic value, Lee wrote in the letter, a copy of which was provided to The Nevada Independent. The entire area is considered sacred by ten Yuman speaking tribes, as well as by the Hopi and Chemehuevi Paiute.

The area is also home to rare and threatened wildlife, she added, including the Mojave Desert tortoise and desert bighorn sheep.

In a separate letter sent on Wednesday, Titus announced her support for the proposed national monument and intent to introduce legislation to establish it.

As you implement your priorities to address environmental justice, climate change, and improving the quality of life for our fellow Americans, I ask that you join me in supporting my legislation and the effort to make this a reality, Titus wrote in the letter to Haaland and Brenda Mallory, chair of the Council on Environmental Quality.

National monuments are defined as nationally significant lands and waters set aside for permanent protection by the National Parks Conservation Association. U.S. presidents create national monuments through the Antiquities Act of 1906, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt. Since 1906, 145 national monuments have been established, 72 percent of which are managed by the National Park Service.

The Antiquities Act allows the president to reserve federal lands or waters and protect them from commercial development and promote habitat preservation. The last national monument established in Nevada was Gold Butte National Monument, which protects nearly 300,000 acres of desert landscape in northeastern Clark County and was established by former President Barack Obama in 2016.

Advocates add that designating the region as a national monument falls in line with the Biden administrations 30 by 30 conservation proposal, which aims to conserve 30 percent of the countrys land and waters by 2030.

Titus is also scheduled to join Indigenous leaders and conservationists for a press conference on Friday to announce her support the national monument.

Avi Kwa Ame is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance to tribes in the region.

During the 2021 legislative session, Assemblywoman Cecelia Gonzalez (D-Las Vegas) sponsored a resolution sent to Congress that in part called for the establishment of the national monument. The bill was approved along party lines, with nine Republican lawmakers voting against it.

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An extensive State Pandemic Scorecard put Nevada tied for 48th  with Mississippi  in ranking the states overall COVID response. Only Wyoming ranked lower than Nevada in handling COVID issues, according to the report.

The scorecard pulled together what was known so far about how states fared during the pandemic, and how choices each state made impacted its residents, businesses and schools. It grouped available information for policy outcome into four categories: health, economy, social well-being and education.

The comprehensive report was issued on December 15 by Politico, the authoritative liberal-leaning political news publication. The scorecard showed vast differences across the nation with state decisions having major impacts.

Nevada placed 49th in the economy category with Hawaii coming in at 50. The report noted that states that rely on tourism were deeply impacted by the pandemic.

Governor Steve Sisolaks Draconian lockdown orders in March 2020 were devastating to Nevadas economy.

In February 2020, Nevadans were celebrating an all-time record low unemployment rate of 3.6%. By April 2020, Nevada set the highest unemployment rate ever recorded  30.5%. Thats higher than in the Great Depression. It also sent the states unemployment insurance system into meltdown.

During 2021, Nevadas monthly unemployment rate was regularly the highest in the country. The states unemployment declined to 6.8% in the November U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, yet thats still the second-highest state unemployment rate in the U.S. after neighboring California.

Southern Nevadas hotel and casino industry was particularly hard hit. Casinos closed in March 2020 remained closed until June 2020.

David Schmidt, Nevadas chief economist, told the Nevada Independent the Clark County-area gaming industry is now at a 65% level when compared to its peak employment before COVID. There are 66,200 fewer workers employed at casinos and hotels than before the pandemic.

Sisolaks lockdowns also destroyed many non-essential small businesses, closing them permanently. His arbitrary capacity orders wildly fluctuated from 50% to 25%, then back to 50%, making it difficult for businesses to plan and comply.

Nevada ranked 12th nationwide in the social well-being category of the Politico report, based on metrics for food insecurity, households economic hardship and violent crime.

It s notable that crime is up in Nevada. Statistics released by Las Vegas Metro show murders increased by 49% over 2020. As of December 17, Metro reported 143 murders committed in 2021 in Las Vegas.

Nevada ranked 35th in health concerns, even though the report concludes that states with better health outcomes tend to be run by Democratic or moderate Republican governors who impose health restrictions and reopened slowly.

Sisolaks onerous mask mandates in traditionally libertarian Nevada contributed to angry recall efforts against him. His indoor masking requirement for all people over nine regardless of vaccination status will continue through early 2022.

Critics note that even California Governor Gavin Newsom had a more limited indoor masking requirement. It applied only to the unvaccinated.

Nevada also received low marks for education, ranked 41st, with that score derived from changes in reading and math assessments from each states pre-pandemic baseline to the spring of 2021.

In education, a Reno Gazette-Journal analysis of K-12 proficiency exams and state financial reports found Nevada students doing worse on most tests than they did in 2000, when the state spent 79% less per pupil.

Under Sisolak directives, Clark County schools remained closed for an entire school year.

The Politico State Pandemic Scorecard ranking Nevada next to last in its COVID response bolsters the case for Republican gubernatorial opponents against the politically vulnerable incumbent.

In his announcement for governor, former U.S. Sen. Dean Heller blamed Sisolak for putting Nevada at the top of every bad list in America, including for unemployment rates, crime rates, graduation rates and suicide rates.

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo seized on the Politico report to criticize Sisolaks handling of the COVID pandemic in Nevada.

Jim Hartman resides in Genoa, Nevada. Email him at lawdocman1@aol.com.

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At the end of each podcast, Babylon Bee leaders ask guests the same 10 questions, including this stumper: Calvinist or Arminian?

That caught Elon Musk by surprise, and he needed clarification on the difference between Arminian believers and persons from Armenia. After some background on Protestant history, he said: My mind would say determinism and my heart says free will.

Why was the mastermind behind Tesla and SpaceX  a man worth $278 billion at the end of 2021  talking to a Christian satire website? The answer: Musk has 69.7 million Twitter followers, and he frequently responds to them, even if its a U.S. senator questioning his taxes.

You know, he engages with our content from time to time, Bee CEO Seth Dillon told Fox News. After email exchanges about a meeting, Musk said: Fly to me and well do it.

The result was 100-plus minutes of conversation in Austin, Texas, ranging from satire to science and from politics to pop culture. Topics included sustainable energy, superheroes (Musk would choose to be Irony Man), why entrepreneurs are fleeing California, the physics of reusable rockets, cyborgs, how wokeness threatens humor, CNN morality and the future of a planet near an expanding sun.

Musk discussed his journey from South Africa to America, including his days as a manual laborer while struggling to pay student loans. Then he dove into computer coding and online commerce, making millions of dollars that led to Tesla. The rest is history.

On celebrity websites, Musk is often described as an atheist or agnostic. Asked if he prays, Musk once replied: I didnt even pray when I almost died of malaria. But after the success of the first manned Falcon rocket mission, Musk said in his public remarks: You know, Im not very religious, but I prayed for this one.

In the Bee interview, Musk discussed his complex religious background, which included going to Anglican Sunday school, the Church of England, basically. But I was also sent to Hebrew preschool, although Im not Jewish. ... I was singing Hava Nagila one day and Jesus Our Lord the next. Later, he had an existential crisis, read the Bible and other religious classics and concluded: Theres a whole bunch of things in there they didnt teach you in Sunday school.

There was humor in these exchanges, along with serious questions, said Bee editor Kyle Mann, via email. After all, these podcasts have featured atheists, agnostics, Christians of all stripes and everyone in between.

This chance to pick Elon Musks brain and get his thoughts on God, faith, religion and the Gospel was incredibly humbling, said Mann. You could certainly feel him searching and working through the eternal questions everyone has to encounter at some point: Does God exist, and what do you do with Jesus Christ? Mann said the dialogue continued after the recording stopped.

In the podcast, creative director Ethan Nicolle did ask: To make this church, were wondering if you could do us a quick solid and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

After an awkward pause, and some laughter, Musk took the question seriously.

Theres great wisdom in the teachings of Jesus, and I agree with those teachings. Things like turn the other cheek are very important, as opposed to an eye for an eye. An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind, said Musk, paraphrasing a quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. Musk also quoted Albert Einstein, affirming belief in the God of Spinoza, in which the material universe is seen as an expression of God.

Forgiveness, you know, is important and treating people as you would wish to be treated, added Musk. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Very important. ... But hey, if Jesus is saving people ... I wont stand in his way. Sure, Ill be saved. Why not?

At the very end, Musk described his confusion as a 5-year-old, receiving Holy Communion without understanding what was happening and why. At that stage, he said, he was still asking basic Bible questions, like how Jesus fed the crowd with five loaves and three fish. ... Where did the fish and the bread come from? ... Would you, like, take a bite and the bread would come back to being a full (loaf of) bread? ...

They left out the details. ... Im not saying that I know all the answers.

Terry Mattingly leads GetReligion.org and lives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

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On 12 January, President Biden made history as the first president to endorse a change to Senate rules that would eliminate the filibuster. The Senate filibuster is a legislative tool that requires bills to gain sixty votes to bring debate to a close. This makes the passage of bills very difficult as neither party typically reaches this high of a majority. During his speech, Biden said "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."

The President noted that while in the past the filibuster has led lawmakers to compromise, it also forms part of a racist history where it was been used to "obstruct civil rights and voting rights."

After an onslaught of bills designed to restrict voting rights in nineteen states have passed since the 2020 election, Democrats in Congress have drafted two bills to protect franchise rights.

After the death of civil rights hero John Lewis, the Voting Rights Act of 2019 was renamed the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement (JLVRA) Act. When the bill was introduced in the Senate by Patrick Leahey (D-VT), it was co-sponsored by forty-seven Democrats and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).

The second bill, the Freedom to Vote Act, is a slimmed-down version of the For the People Act which Senator Joe Manchin said he would not support. Both bills have been approved by the House but the filibuster has made bringing either to a vote in the Senate impossible.

Together the two bills would establish new federal election standards, eliminate partisan gerrymandering, and enact automatic voter registration at the national level.

What is included in the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act?

In 2013, the Supreme Court hollowed out the Voting Rights Act when in the Shelby County vs Holder case. In the hours after the decision was made in the Shelby Country vs. Holder, states got to work enacting laws that made voting harder, particularly for minorities. The JLVRA Act would modernize the Voting Rights Act to ensure that states and localities that make changes to voting laws, rules, and procedures do not infringe on people's rights.

How is a Voting Rights Violation defined? A state or subdivisions rules and laws will have to be cleared if in the last twenty five years They have had more than fifteen violations,

They have had more than ten violations, one of which was carried out by the state rather

One subdivision has had more than three violations. A violation is described as "violations of the 14th or 15th Amendment, violations of this Act, or violations of any Federal law that prohibits discrimination in voting on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group."

Pre-Clearance

The law would reimpose clearance restrictions on states that have received voting rights violations from the federal movement over the last twenty-five years. Violations range from legal violations under the Fourteen and Fifteenth Amendments or "of any Federal law that prohibits discrimination in voting on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group." The law also expands clearance requirements to states where "two or more racial groups or language minority groups [that] each represent 20 percent or more of the voting-age population" or areas where Native Americans "represent 20 percent or more of the voting-age population on Indian lands."

Measures to address gerrymandering

Every ten years after the US Census is conducted and states redraw their congressional districts based on the updated population and demographic information. Gerrymandering can influence these drawing decisions in red and blue states and has been an issue since the founding of the country. The practice is named after Elbridge Gerry, governor of Massachusetts and one of the signers of the US Constitution.

What is gerrymandering? Gerrymandering is a way poltiical parties can manipulate electoral through two main ways: cracking: drawing districts to separate voting groups to ensure that the population of certain group is diluted compared to the rest of the population

packing: drawing districts so as many voters of a certain political preference are together, so that very few appear in other districts

The bill would require federal clearance to approve redistricting maps if the new map increases the population of any racial or language minority by more than 10,000 or Any racial or language minority sees an increase of at least 20% of the size of the voting-age population since the previous census.

Restrictions on voter ID laws

Any voter ID law implemented by a state passed after this bill is enacted, would need to be reviewed and approved by the federal government. While some REpublicna leaders have said that the bill unfairly targets their states, this provision would be applied to any state that chose to implement such a law.

Early Voting and Vote by Mail

Early voting requirements Early voting locations must be open for a minimum of ten hours a day

Hours must be uniform to avoid confusion by voters

Early voting would be required to begin on the 15 th before the election, and must be open on weekends between that date and the election

before the election, and must be open on weekends between that date and the election An early voting location must be established 'for each precinct on Indian lands, at no cost to the Indian Tribe, at a site selected by the applicable Indian Tribe.'

The Freedom to Vote Act would establish federal standards for early voting and vote by mail, but the JLVRA Act also includes some mandates for states that allow these practices. The rules would only be applied to states that have laws allowing these practices. Currently, thirty-five states have enacted some version of early voting which means they would be required to follow these rules.

Vote by mail requirements Mail in ballots must have the postage prepaid

States that allow for mail in voting, must provide a ballot without an excuse for why they wish to vote by mail

Ballots and other voting materials must be available in 'the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language, bilingual election voting assistance, and written translations of all voting materials in the language of the applicable minority group.'

Far fewer states have expanded voting rights to include vote by mail. Only nine states plus the District of Colombia have laws that ensure all voters are sent a ballot during each election. The remaining states allow a voter to request an absentee ballot: thirty-four states do not require them to provide an excuse, while the remaining seven do.

President Biden's speech and the Republican response

President Biden's speech has received backlash from Republicans. Biden justified the passage of the bills and abolishing the filibuster by saying "if state legislatures can pass anti-voting laws with simple majorities. If they can do that, then the United States Senate should be able to protect voting rights by a simple majority."

Republicans have been on the offensive, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel calling the President's comments "incorrect, incoherent, and beneath his office."

Sen. McConnell then argued that the President should direct his criticism elsewhere saying Georgia has more days of early voting than Delaware or New York. Georgia has no-excuse absentee voting which Delaware and New York do not have. If Georgia or Texas present Jim Crow emergencies, then so do a whole lot of Democrat-run states."

What the Senator neglects to mention is how the bill would not target Texas or Georgia, but all states who allow practices like early voting. While trying to score a political point against the Democrats to reject the bill, he makes a great argument for it.

Racism, gerrymandering, and segregation are not Republican issues, they are profoundly American issues. Pointing the blame at Democratic-led states only bolsters the case for the bill because no matter where someone lives, their vote should be counted and their voice heard.

What leaders must do is ensure an electoral system that gives voters the best chance to share their opinions and then they must do their job and fulfill the promises made to the people. Democracy is a project, but when leaders on both sides of the aisle abdicate their responsibilities because they are bought out by corporations and private donors, they jeopardize the project in its entirety.
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.
The top legislator noted that in 2021, despite complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in many localities, Vietnam carefully prepared for and successfully organised the 13th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 15th NA and all-level Peoples Councils in the 2021-2026 tenure.





NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (Photo: VNA)

Right in the first session of the 15th NA, for the first time, the lawmakers debated and approved five-year plans, enabling the Government, sectors and localities to actively realise resolutions of the 13th National Party Congress and the NA, which manifested the determination in reforming NA operations, he said.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his delight at the countrys socio-economic development achievements, with political security and social order ensured, national defence, security sovereignty and border safeguarded, and foreign affairs deployed synchronously, comprehensively, flexibly, diversely and effectively, thereby contributing to the maintenance of a peaceful, stable and favourable environment for national development and the enhancement of relations with foreign partners, and enhancing the countrys position in the international arena.

He said that the NA has completed a huge workload and coordinated with the Government and agencies in the political system to settle urgent issues to effectively implement the dual target of controlling COVID-19 and boosting socio-economic recovery, and creating a legal framework for the long-term growth of the nation.

According to the Chairman, in the first two plenary sessions, the NA completed its apparatus and adopted the plans for the 2021-2025 period, including the socio-economic development plan; the plan on national finance, capital borrowing and public debt payment; the plan on middle-term public investment; the investment policy for the National Target Programmes on new-style rural area building and sustainable poverty reduction; and the economic restructuring plan.

Regarding the NAs external affairs, he said that despite impacts of COVID-19, bilateral and multilateral parliamentary diplomatic activities still took place busily in both in-person and online formats with fruitful outcomes, spreading the message that Vietnam is always a responsible member of the international community.

The legislature actively conducted vaccine and economic diplomacy, while working to strengthen multilateral parliamentary cooperation to encourage countries and vaccine producers to prioritise global solutions such as transferring vaccine production technologies to competent countries, thus increasing COVID-19 vaccine sources, he stated.

The top legislator went on to affirm that the NA will ensure that the building and completion of the legal system will be put under the close direction of the Party, toward to the target for the people and humanitarian and humanity purposes, respecting and protecting human rights as well as the rights of citizens, democracy, equality, discipline and social order.

The NA will also collect more social feedback and increase peoples supervision mechanism over the implementation of State power, he stressed.

Mentioning priorities of the NA in 2022, he said that the legislature convened an extraordinary session right at the beginning of the year to debate urgent matters that directly affect the countrys recovery and development in the new normal, including a draft resolution on fiscal and monetary policies supporting the socio-economic recovery and development plan, and the investment policy for the eastern section of the North-South Expressway in the 2021-2025 period.

The NA and NA Standing Committee will be more active and work more closely with the Government and State agencies to create a synchronous and effective legal foundation for the completion of all plans and targets for 2022, while focusing on removing difficulties facing production and business activities and giving helpful support to people and enterprises, optimising opportunities to promote socio-economic development and maintain long-term growth motivations, ensuring macroeconomic stability and the resilience of the economy, enhancing the efficiency of law enforcement, paying more attention to cultural development and social welfare, and bettering external affairs, he stressed./.
(Photo for illustration/ Source: CPV)

The program aims to pay tribute to the great contributions of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy in the cause of protecting the sovereignty of the sea, islands and the sacred continental shelf of the Fatherland; to educate the young generation about the sacrifices and contributions of our army and people in preserving and protecting the country's sovereignty over the sea and islands; and to encourage soldiers to firmly hold the gun to guard the sacred sea and sky of the Fatherland, encouraging the fishermen to stick to the sea with peace of mind.

Along with gratitude activities, the program will be held at 8:10 p.m. on January 15, 2022 at Au Co Art Center and broadcast live on VTV1 Television.

Over the past time, the program drew the atte ntion of Party and State leaders as well as practical support from organizations, individuals and the whole society. The program has drawn love towards the soldiers in remote islands, calling for the support of organizations and individuals to join hands to contribute to the beloved Truong Sa.

Through the program, the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper has mobilized organizations and businesses to donate billions of dong to present navy soldiers and their families./.
Goertek Group has increased its investment capital to 500 million USD in a factory specialising in manufacturing electronic products, network equipment, and multimedia audio products in Nghe An (Photo: baodautu.vn)

Last year, despite the adverse impacts caused the pandemic, the country was still able to attract 31.15 billion USD in FDI, representing an annual rise of 9.2%.

Most notably, China's Goertek Group recently moved to increase its capital from 100 million USD to 500 million USD in a factory specializing in manufacturing electronic products, network equipment, and multimedia audio products in the central province of Nghe An, thereby becoming the largest investor in the locality.

Furthermore, Ju Teng International Holdings Ltd has been granted an investment certificate for its electronic component and automobile accessories project worth 200 million USD at the Hoang Mai Industrial Park in the central province of Nghe An with Excel Smart Global Limited being the main investor.

Moreover, the northern province of Bac Giang has granted investment certificates to a number of Taiwanese financiers, including Zhengzhou Boruikate Tools Co. Ltd and FUSHINI Vietnam Joint Stock Company. In addition, Capella Real Estate Joint Stock Company also received an investment certificate in order to build infrastructure for Yen Lu Industrial Park, with total investment reaching roughly 2,700 billion VND.

Prof. Nguyen Mai, chairman of the Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE), believes that moving forward the nation is likely to attract 40 billion USD of registered capital this year. This can largely be put down to the signing of new generation free trade agreements (FTAs), continued economic recovery, and the reopening of international routes as the COVID-19 pandemic has been brought under control.

Le Tuan, head of Investment Department under the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, revealed that several Taiwanese investors have devised their investment plans and were in the process of waiting for the country to reopen international flights before injecting their capital.

Aside from Taiwanese investors, Japanese, Korean, and Singaporean financiers have also unveiled their new plans in the Vietnamese market through a number of large-scale projects locally, all of which clearly demonstrates the trust of foreign investors in the Vietnamese investment climate.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) forecasts that global investment flows will recover this year and are likely to hit US$1,500 billion thanks to pandemic containment efforts at countries globally and new investment incentive policies.

In line with this, the country will remain an attractive investment destination for foreign financiers due to it being a key investment hub within the ASEAN region, along with its improved business climate and enhanced national competitiveness, experts said.

CAAV proposes increasing frequency of regular intl flights

Aircraft of Vietnamese airlines (Illustrative photo: VNA)

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed the Ministry of Transport allow to expand the scale and frequency of regular international flights, including those from/to Europe and Australia, reported Vietnam News Agency.

CAAV Director Dinh Viet Thang suggested the ministry permit the authority to inform aviation authorities of France, Germany, the UK and Russia on the resumption of regular international passenger flights, with the initial weekly frequency of 10 flights per leg for each side.

CAAV also sent documents to aviation authorities of Australia to inform that airlines of both countries can resume regular flights between the two nations with 10 flights per leg a week.

An airplane of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (Photo: VNA)

It also wants to take the initiative in working with countries and territories to decide on markets and frequency based on demand as well as aviation agreements.

In the first week of this year, 16 regular passenger commerce flights arrived in Vietnam from the US, Japan, Thailand and Cambodia, among others, bringing nearly 1,000 passengers.

The authority's statistics indicated that about 140,000 overseas Vietnamese are hoping to return home to celebrate the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year)  Vietnams longest and biggest traditional festival. In excess of 30,000 passengers per week are projected to fly home in the coming time.

CAAV has informed authorities in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan (China) on the increase of weekly passenger flights to 14 per leg amid rising demand.

Vietnam leads ASEAN in installed power capacity in 2021

Vietnams total installed power capacity totalled 76,620 MW in 2021, 7,500 MW higher than the previous year, and the highest among ASEAN member states, Vietnam News Agency quoted sayings of CEO of the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) Tran Dinh Nhan at the companys year-end meeting on January 14.

An offshore wind power project in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu. (Photo: VNA)

The installed capacity of the renewables hit 20,670 MW, up 3,420 MW year-on-year and accounting for 27 percent of total. The EVNs total power output, comprising generation and imports, rose by 3.9 percent year-on-year to 256.7 billion kWh.

The share of renewable power is increasing, with generating capacity reaching up to 60 percent of the load capacity at times, causing overloads on inter-regional transmission lines and several locations, Nhan said.

This year, the State-owned corporation plans to accelerate licence granting and budget allocation of five key power generation projects, namely Tri An Hydropower Plant Expansion, and thermal power projects Dung Quat I & III, O Mon III, and Quang Trach II. It will also focus on expanding Hoa Binh and Ialy hydropower plants and Quang Trach I Thermal-power Plant.

Vietnams export to Hungary ranks first in Southeast Asia

Vietnam continues to maintain its leading position in Southeast Asia in exporting to Hungary with turnover to the market estimated to reach over 1 billion USD in 2021.

Electronic components are among Vietnams key export items to Hungary. (Photo: vinhphuc.gov.vn)

According to the Hungarian Statistical Offices data quoted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnams export turnover to Hungary in 2020 reached more than 1 billion USD, up 86.4% over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Malaysias export turnover to Hungary reached 872.8 million USD; Thailand, 516.9 million USD; Singapore, 363 million USD; the Philippines, 136 million USD; and Indonesia, 115.3 million USD.

In the Jan-October period of 2021, Vietnams exports to Hungary were valued at 842.7 million USD, up 5% from the same period last year, while exports from Malaysia were 586.7 million, down 12.2%; Singapore, 494.4 million USD, up 56.5%; Thailand, 426.6 million USD, up 10.1%; Philippines, 141.7 million USD, up 28.2%; and Indonesia, 119.5 million USD, up 26.2%.

Vietnams key export group to Hungary is electronic components, accounting for the highest value and contributing significantly to promoting Vietnams exports to Hungary in recent years.

Hungarian statistics showed that Vietnams electronic components export to Hungary in 2020 reached 747 million USD, accounting for 74.1% of the markets total import turnover from Vietnam. In the first 10 months, export turnover of the group reached 574.8 million USD, accounting for 77%.

Thus, Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia exceeding 1 billion USD of export turnover to Hungary, and the value has been maintained since 2020./.
Cashew nut exports to the EU are estimated to increase by 15% in volume in 2022. (Photo: congthuong.com.vn)

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in 2021, Vietnam exported 135,000 tonnes of cashew to the EU, valued at 816 million USD, up 16.5% in volume and 7.9% in value year on year.

The above positive growth is due to the high demand for cashew nuts in the EU in the last month of the year, according to the cyclical factor, in order to serve the Christmas holiday and welcome the New Year.

Notably, the structure of Vietnams cashew exports to the EU market changed. In addition to focusing on exporting main types of cashew nuts W320 and W240, the Vietnamese cashew industry promotes export of high-value cashews such as W180.

In the Jan-Nov period of 2021, W320 cashew nut is the most exported product to the EU, accounting for 60.6% of the total volume and 67.8% of the total value. Accordingly, Vietnam exported 74,230 tonnes of W320 cashew nut to the market, worth 497.71 billion USD, up 9.9% in volume but down 1.7% in value from the same period in 2020.

In the 11 months, exports of many types of cashew nuts to the EU increased sharply, including: W240, W180, DW, and W210. In contrast, exports of the WS/WB, W450, LP and SP types of cashew nuts decreased.

The EU is now Vietnams second largest cashew nut export market, accounting for 23% of the total volume and 22% of the total value. Therefore, growth of cashew nut exports to the EU contributed significantly to the overall growth of the industry.

The tariff rate for products processed from cashew nut imported into the EU from Vietnam was reduced to 0% immediately after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect from August 1, 2020. This reduction is very important because before the EVFTA took effect, the tariff ranged from 7 to 12%./.
Electronic components are among Vietnams key export items to Hungary. (Photo: vinhphuc.gov.vn)

According to the Hungarian Statistical Offices data quoted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnams export turnover to Hungary in 2020 reached more than 1 billion USD, up 86.4% over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Malaysias export turnover to Hungary reached 872.8 million USD; Thailand, 516.9 million USD; Singapore, 363 million USD; the Philippines, 136 million USD; and Indonesia, 115.3 million USD.

In the Jan-October period of 2021, Vietnams exports to Hungary were valued at 842.7 million USD, up 5% from the same period last year, while exports from Malaysia were 586.7 million, down 12.2%; Singapore, 494.4 million USD, up 56.5%; Thailand, 426.6 million USD, up 10.1%; Philippines, 141.7 million USD, up 28.2%; and Indonesia, 119.5 million USD, up 26.2%.

Vietnams key export group to Hungary is electronic components, accounting for the highest value and contributing significantly to promoting Vietnams exports to Hungary in recent years.

Hungarian statistics showed that Vietnams electronic components export to Hungary in 2020 reached 747 million USD, accounting for 74.1% of the markets total import turnover from Vietnam. In the first 10 months, export turnover of the group reached 574.8 million USD, accounting for 77%.

Thus, Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia exceeding 1 billion USD of export turnover to Hungary, and the value has been maintained since 2020./.
PM Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China is the top priority in Vietnams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralism and diversification of foreign relations.





Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the phone talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on January 13 (Photo: VNA)

The two countries relationship is crucial to the stability and development of each side and also beneficial to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world at large, he emphasised.

The Vietnamese PM noted after 35 years of Doi moi (Renewal), under the leadership of many generations of leaders, currently Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam has been building, supplementing, and increasingly perfecting the theory on socialism and the path to socialism in the country.

Sharing his Vietnamese counterparts view, Premier Li congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in the COVID-19 combat and socio-economic recovery and development.

He stressed that China attaches great importance to the ties with Vietnam and wishes to enhance their time-tested friendship and unceasingly develop the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a substantive manner.

China highly values and consistently supports Vietnam in following the path to socialism that matches the latters situation, he affirmed.

The two PMs applauded the countries high-level meetings last year, especially the phone talks between their Party General Secretaries.

Despite the pandemics adverse impacts, bilateral trade still hit a record of over 160 billion USD in 2021, the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro line has been put into operation, and especially the two sides have worked closely with each other to deal with the farm produce congestion at border gates.

Regarding the goods congestion at border gates, PM Chinh underlined that both sides should coordinate closely and adopt effective and drastic solutions to this problem, thus ensuring smooth trading and maintaining supply and production chains between the two countries as well as in the region, particularly in the coming Lunar New Year holiday.

He asked China to continue increasing imports and accelerate the opening of its market to some agricultural products of Vietnam.

Premier Li highlighted his attention to Vietnams recommendations about economic, trade, and investment links, considering this as an important field in bilateral cooperation.

He ordered relevant ministries, sectors, and localities of China to settle the issue, and suggested both sides set up a joint working group to continue dealing with it, thereby facilitating Vietnamese farm products' entry into China and maintain the trade flow.

In terms of border and territorial affairs, PM Pham Minh Chinh asked the two sides to keep effectively implementing the three documents on the Vietnam - China land border; further bring into play negotiation mechanisms to sustain peace and stability in the East Sea; respect each others legitimate and legal interests that are in line with international law, properly handle sea-related issues in accordance with the high-level common perceptions and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; and actively boost talks so as to soon finalise a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea matching international law.

The Chinese leader expressed his hope that the negotiation mechanisms on sea-related issues between the two countries will be stepped up so that substantive progress is obtained, adding that his country is ready to join Vietnam and other ASEAN countries in striving to reach a COC early.

During the talks, the leaders agreed to maintain channels of discussion about land border and sea-related issues, promote consensus, iron out differences, and maintain common peace and stability./.
WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Takeshi Kasai, WHO Representative in Vietnam Kidong Park, and a delegation from Ministry of Health led by Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan, paid a working visit to Dai Son commune in Yen Bais Van Yen district on January 12 and 13 to inspect COVID-19 vaccination and school health.

The WHO and Ministry of Health delegation observes vaccination against COVID-19 at home for the elderly in Da Duc village, Dai Son commune. (Photo: VNA)

During the visit, Mr. Kasai expressed his impression of the operation of the medical stations, local pandemic fight and vaccination, in an attempt to protect peoples health.

He also said he hoped that the active participation of local authorities at all levels would minimize the number of deaths caused by the pandemic; and believed Van Yen district and Yen Bai province will effectively respond to COVID-19 in a safe and flexible manner in the long term, he affirmed that WHO will assist and accompany the provincial health sector in related information and experience exchange.

Receiving the delegation on January 13, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Do Duc Duy and Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Tran Huy Tuan expressed his thanks to WHO and the Ministry of Health for the sponsorship and support for the provincial health sector to achieve many high results, thereby contributing to improving the quality of people's health care in the area.

He added that he hoped WHO would continue coordinating with universities, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and relevant agencies to support Yen Bai in primary health care training for health workers, including those working at schools; and provide financial and technical support for Yen Bai to build a number of health improvement models at semi-boarding and boarding schools in upland districts and ethnic minority-populated areas.

According to the provincial leaders, by the end of 2021, Yen Bai had 140 communes, or 80.9 percent of the total, meeting the national health standards, 100 percent of local students received health checkups at the outset of the academic year, and 70 percent of local schools had an adequately equipped medical office.

Mr. Kasai expressed his impression with the development of the Yen Bai health sector. In particular, the Provincial General Hospital has been invested in spacious construction, developing many high and new techniques in examination and treatment, and the high percentage of medical staff who are ethnic minorities.

He added that the province is on the right path in COVID-19 prevention and control, Kasai affirmed that WHO will further support and share information and experience with Vietnam and Yen Bai regarding their responses to the pandemic.

Noting that the Omicron variant spreads very quickly, to cope with the spread, he emphasized the role of vaccines, and protection of vulnerable groups, including the elderly and the frontline forces.

He affirmed that WHO will accompany, support and share information and experiences with Vietnam and Yen Bai province in the process of pandemic prevention and control./.
A representative of Vietnam Airlines said that it is trying to resume regular international flights. Currently, the airline has reopened regular commercial routes to Vietnam from 7 markets of the US (4 flights/week), Japan (3 flights/week), the Republic of Korea (RoK) (2 flights/week), Taiwan (China - 1 flight/week), Singapore (2 flights/week), Thailand (2 flights/week), and Cambodia (4 flights/week).

Photo for illustration (Source: VOV)

The airlines all said that the operating frequency will be closely monitored by airlines and increased based on the market situation, especially to anticipate the expected increase in travel demand of Vietnamese tourists and citizens ahead of the Lunar New Year. The airlines ask passengers to monitor information and fully meet entry requirements at destinations as prescribed by authorities before buying tickets, such as requirements for vaccine passport, negative test result, vaccination status or COVID-19 recovery, accommodation at destination, and time of health monitoring.

According to a survey conducted on the website of Vietnam Airlines, air tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco (US) opened for sale on January 12, 2022 with a one-way price of 21.3 million VND including taxes and fees.

For Japan routes, on Vietjet Air's website, the route from Hanoi to Tokyo (Japan) has the lowest one-way ticket price of 6.6 million VND for economy class and 13.8 million VND for business class. The price of Taipei  Hanoi air tickets on January 8 was 6.8 million VND; and tickets for the Taipei - Ho Chi Minh City route on January 12 were 12.2 million VND.

Meanwhile, the one-way ticket from Hanoi to Tokyo of Vietnam Airlines has the lowest price of 10.6 - 16 million VND for economy class, and 25 - 41 million VND for business class. The round-trip ticket from Hanoi to Japan in January 2022 is 24-28 million VND for economy class. This price is much higher than before the outbreak of the pandemic (in 2019).

Ms. Dinh Thuy Anh, a representative of an airline ticketing agent in Hanoi, said that international air tickets are open for sale, but the frequency of flights is low, so the fare is higher than in previous years. These are flights on the route to open international commercial flights after 2 years of "freezing" due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, in the following months, as the frequency is increasing, ticket prices will "cool down".

So far, regular flights have been safely operated and received a wide response from passengers, especially overseas Vietnamese, who have been wishing to repatriate after a long time of not returning to Vietnam due to the complicated development of the pandemic./.
Da Lat is honored with the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award 2022. (Photo: CPV)

The award contributes to honoring and developing the brands of businesses, high-quality tourism products and services in the region, and is an opportunity for units to improve the promotion effectiveness of Vietnams tourism and the national destination brand Vietnam - Timeless Charm.

Vietnam has many units that will be awarded in 4 out of 5 categories of ATF 2022, including: ASEAN Green Hotel; ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award; MICE ASEAN venue; and Sustainable Tourism Product Award (rural and urban areas).

The Vietnamese delegation will join ATF 2022 with the theme A Community for Peace and a Shared Future. This is the biggest event in the framework of ASEAN tourism cooperation. The event will be held on January 19, 2022, at the Sokha Beach Resort hotel, in Cambodia.

Da Lat city is a leading tourist destination in Vietnam, with many types of services such as: Urban sightseeing tours, extreme sports, agricultural tourism, resort tourism in forests, lakes, and homestay with new and unique architecture.

According to statistics in 2021, despite being heavily affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, Da Lat still achieved remarkable tourism results with the total number of visitors estimated at 1,970,000; including 17,000 international tourist arrivals.

During the New Year holiday, the city greeted about 60,000 tourist arrivals./.
Vietnamese people are not ready to travel abroad and still prefer domestic tourism in 2022. (Photo: nhandan.com.vn)

Since the pandemic, Vietnamese travelers have had to call off travel plans and had to find alternative outlets for their wanderlust. Accordingly, there has been a spike in online travel as Vietnamese travelers viewed more travel-related photos and videos, filling out their bucket lists.

More than half (53%) of respondents watched YouTube travel videos and 40% took to travel sites on social media as an alternative, and as many as 38% took a virtual tour online.

Domestic destinations fit better for most Vietnamese travelers, with strong preference for weekend getaways and short holidays, said Ms. Dang Tuyet Dung, Country Manager for Visa Vietnam and Laos.

Almost twice as many Vietnamese travelers opt to travel domestically, to places that can best accommodate their new priorities. Businesses can capitalize on these trends by ensuring safety and comfort in all aspects of their offerings, including payments. The pandemic has spurred digital and contactless payment adoption among all consumer groups and made it a basic expectation, she added.

Despite the benefits they could bring through the controlled reopening of borders and industries, travel bubbles elicit only moderate interest among Vietnamese respondents, with over half (52%) saying they were keen to travel within a bubble but not in the immediate future.

As a particular consequence of the pandemic, people are rediscovering their immediate surroundings, giving rise to the growing trend of staycation  vacations in their own city. Around a third of respondents said they would be planning, booking or having a staycation as soon as possible if there were no longer any government restrictions. Thirty percent would also visit local attractions.

The Voice of the Consumer survey was conducted by Green Shoots Radar for Visa in June 2021 across 14 markets: China, Taiwan (China), Hong Kong (China), Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Australia, and New Zealand.

The total sample size is 8,400 including consumers in Vietnam aged 18 years old and above, covering all education groups with a minimum monthly household income defined (varies across markets)./.
By Wang Xinyuan

Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, released an article titled "Striding Forward Holding High the Banner of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind" on Jan. 1, 2022.

"The year 2022 will be an important one for global developments, with both crises and opportunities," the article noted.

"We will keep both the domestic and international imperatives in mind and endeavor to foster a more stable and favorable external environment for the great cause of the Party and the country," it said.

Here are the highlights regarding the year 2022:

First, we will make every effort to ensure the success of major and important events. The 20th CPC National Congress will be a most important event in the political life of the Party and the country in 2022. We will endeavor to do a good job on the external front in all directions, present the CPC story to the world, and forestall and defuse external risks and challenges in preparation for the successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the Party. The Beijing Winter Olympic Games, a big event for winter sports, will draw worldwide attention. We will promote the Olympic spirit of mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play, warmly welcome friends from around the world while rejecting the politicization of the Olympics, and work to bring the world greater confidence, joy, courage and strength with a streamlined, safe and splendid Games. Head-of-state diplomacy is the highest form of Chinas diplomacy. We will strengthen political planning and ensure good services for home-ground diplomacy and multilateral summits including the BRICS Summit and the CIIE, so that head-of-state diplomacy will fully play its guiding role.

Second, we will take proactive steps to tackle the challenges in the post-COVID era. The only way for the world to emerge from the pandemic is by working together. We will continue to promote the spirit of solidarity in fighting COVID-19 and advance the building of a global community of health for all featuring both robust COVID response and heartwarming cooperation. We will actively promote cooperation in vaccines upgrade and drug research, and take effective measures to close the immunization gap. We will uphold global solidarity against the pandemic, improve global public health governance, and work with all other countries to build lines of defense against the virus and create global synergy for responding to pandemics.

Third, we will work for the implementation of the two major initiatives on development and cooperation. The Global Development Initiative is a public good for the world. We will work closely with UN agencies and other countries to align the Initiative with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and follow through on cooperation in the eight key areas of the Initiative. We will champion a development-first vision, reinvigorate global development cooperation, promote global economic recovery, and help other developing countries achieve leapfrog development. The Belt and Road Initiative provides the biggest platform for open cooperation. We will work with BRI partners to further deepen and substantiate high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with hard connectivity as the direction, soft connectivity as the support, and people-to-people connectivity as the bond.

Fourth, we will expand and deepen global partnerships. We will continue to deepen shoulder-by-shoulder, back-to-back strategic cooperation with Russia, making it a pillar of global stability, a bedrock for peace, and a force for fairness and justice. We will strengthen high-level strategic communication with the EU, focus on the mainstream of dialogue and cooperation, stick to the keynote of mutual benefit, and continue to be partners and not adversaries. We will pursue integrated development with our neighbors and deepen convergence of interests and people-to-people affinity to jointly build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home. We will remain a sincere and reliable partner for other developing countries, support them in building capacity for self-generated development, and defend their legitimate rights to development.

Fifth, we will make efforts to bring China-US relations back on the right track. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of President Richard Nixons visit to China. The two countries should review the spirit of that ice-melting trip, follow through on the common understandings reached between the two presidents, observe the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, abide by the three China-US Joint Communiques, steer Americas China policy back to reason, and bring China-US relations back on the right track. The two sides need to jointly explore how two major countries with different systems, cultures and development stages can coexist in peace, for the good of the people in both countries and around the world.

Sixth, we will firmly safeguard Chinas core interests. We will resolutely fight off any attempts to infringe upon Chinas sovereignty, security and development interests, and we will firmly and effectively repulse any moves to undermine the Chinese peoples legitimate rights and interests. We have never been subordinate to anyone, we have never plundered others, and we will never give in to any coercion or blackmail. Taiwan has always been part of Chinas territory. Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity are not to be infringed upon. The general trend toward Chinas complete reunification is unstoppable, and Chinas resolve to oppose any attempt to create two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan is unshakable.

Editor: WXY
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He holds a virtual meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Thursday held a virtual meeting with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic counselor to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Liu and Bonne exchanged views on China-France and China-EU economic and financial cooperation, the global response to COVID-19, G20 financial issues, and climate change.

Liu said China attaches great importance to the development of the bilateral relations, and is willing to work with France to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and continuously push forward pragmatic cooperation.

Bonne said France is committed to realizing the cooperation goals set by the two heads of state and actively promoting the development of EU-China relations.

They agreed to maintain communication on bilateral and multilateral issues of common interest. 

Editor: JYZ
Uygur truck drivers Mansur Patar (L) and Manmanti Nurtou pose for a photo in front of a truck in the City of Kurla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Jan. 6, 2022. (Xinhua)

URUMQI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mansur Patar never expected that he would make the headlines one day for something that he considers "trivial."

In December last year, 38-year-old Mansur Patar and 42-year-old Manmanti Nurtou, both Uygur truck drivers from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, found themselves chauffeuring a truck across China as a favor to a recent acquaintance.

The journey from Xinjiang to the destination in east China's Jiangsu Province covered about 4,700 km and took eight days and nights. However, the two drivers performed the task entirely free of charge, bearing the cost of the journey, amounting to 3,000 yuan (about 472 U.S. dollars), all on their own.

Their only aim was to help Zhao Xulei, a man they had met just days before, and who had since suffered a serious eye injury.

"It's tiring to drive such a long distance and for so long, but it's quite rewarding," said Mansur Patar. "We don't think it's such a big deal, because this is the least we can do for our friend."

It all started in early November last year. Zhao, a 41-year-old truck driver from Jiangsu, met Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou in some cotton fields in the city of Korla, Xinjiang. They lived, worked and dined together for 11 days, forming a strong bond of friendship.

Disaster struck on Nov. 17 when Zhao's left eye was hit by a bundle of freight, causing serious damage.

"I was too badly injured to continue with my journey back home and didn't have anyone in the city or in Xinjiang that I could depend on. Faced with such a depressing situation, I called Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou for help," Zhao recalled.

Zhao was surprised when they rushed immediately to his hospital, helping him handle his medical procedures and offering to chauffeur his truck back to his hometown.

For Zhao, his truck was not just a means of transport. It provided him and his wife with a reliable income, while paying the tuition fees for his children and supporting elderly family members.

And most importantly, the truck gave him the confidence that he would eventually pay off his debts, totaling about 300,000 yuan, and could look forward to a bright future.

Unfortunately, the prognosis for his injury was not good. He would likely be blind in his left eye and would suffer reduced vision in the other one. As a consequence, he would probably have to give up on his driving career.

Had the accident not happened, Zhao would have made a sum of money from transporting cotton in Xinjiang and returned to his hometown of Jiangsu to be with his children he hadn't seen for months, just like he did in the past years.

For now, he faced the problem of what to do with his vehicle, which was sitting in a local parking lot with fees of 30 yuan per day.

"We knew that Zhao had spent more than 100,000 yuan on treating his eye, which was compounded by the delay to his work caused by his injury. The parking fees would come as a double blow for his debt-ridden family," said Mansur Patar.

To help Zhao pull through this most difficult situation, Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou decided to lend a hand -- chauffeuring his truck to his hometown, at their own expense.

They mulled the project over and discussed it with their family members. After winning their support, the two men made detailed arrangements ahead of departure.

"We decided to load some fruit onto the truck, transporting it from Xinjiang to Jiangsu to offset the fuel costs," said Mansur Patar. "We decided to take our rest and meals in the truck, so as to reduce both the costs and time. We bought bags of bottled water, instant noodles, pickles and naan, a staple food for Xinjiang people."

On Dec. 6, they drove to Aksu Prefecture to load up with apples. Three days later, they set out from the city of Korla and headed for Jiangsu, with about 4,700 km of road ahead of them.

They took turns driving and kept in touch with Zhao, who was in Beijing for further treatment, updating their real-time locations via their WeChat group.

On the early morning of Dec. 17, they arrived at Peixian County in the city of Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, after eight days and nights of driving. They informed Zhao of their arrival and Zhao's wife booked a hotel for them, emphasizing that they should stay in the county and wait until he returned after treatment.

Two days later, Zhao came back from Beijing and was reunited with his friends.

"When we met, the three of us hugged and cried," said Zhao. "We are like brothers now, and we will always be brothers."

In the following days, Zhao's family treated the men to fresh seafood, as well as other local specialties, and took them to various tourist sites.

On Dec. 27, Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou returned to Xinjiang. Thereafter, the three men spoke via video-chat every day, sharing funny events from their everyday lives. Zhao would always update them on his recovery status.

Before long, the story surfaced on social media, arousing widespread sympathy and respect among netizens.

Early this month, on hearing of their heroic deeds, the government of Peixian County sent a letter of thanks to the government of Korla, and entrusted the city officials with handing over a reward of 10,000 yuan to Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou.

Zhao says he has further plans to express his appreciation for the kindness that was shown to him.

"I made a deal with Mansur Patar and Manmanti Nurtou. I will come to Korla after the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, visit the local tourist attractions and savor Xinjiang delicacies, together with my two old friends," said Zhao. 

Zhao Xulei (C) poses for a group photo with Uygur truck drivers Mansur Patar (1st L) and Manmanti Nurtou during their trip to Jining City, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 21, 2021. (Xinhua)

Editor: JYZ
BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- News portal apps can automatically push users what they are probably interested in while e-commerce platforms can easily present on the homepage something catering to consumers -- such scenarios, seemingly to the convenience of netizens, have triggered debates in recent years.

Chinese internet users have also been troubled with other problems such as pricing products to the disadvantages of certain consumers, which experts say boil down to the abuse of users' personal information.

The situation will improve soon as the Chinese cybersecurity watchdog and other authorities have jointly rolled out a regulation on the management of algorithm recommendation services, which will come into effect on March 1.

The new regulation, which specifies the codes of practice for the service providers in using algorithm technologies, looks to address some of the major cyberspace irregularities that have long been criticized by internet users.

TECHNOLOGY IN CAGE

The so-called algorithm recommendation refers to a kind of information technology, which -- based on collected information from users like their browsing and shopping patterns -- provides personalized recommendations and discriminatory services.

The widely-applied computer algorithms have become inseparable from people's daily lives. Meanwhile, the inappropriate usage has bred social problems, posing challenges to maintaining social fairness and justice and the legitimate rights and interests of netizens, said the Cyberspace Administration of China.

"Technology is not evil. What we need to do is to put the technology in a cage of systemic checks," said Song Jianwu, a professor at the Renmin University of China.

Song added that the first principle in regulating algorithm-based services is openness and transparency and to ensure the protection of users' right to know.

In response to people's concerns, the regulation stipulates that service providers shall notify users of their algorithm recommendation services, including their purposes and operating mechanisms.

Internet users shall have the option to reject or turn off such services, according to the regulation.

It also prohibits service providers from using the technology to engage in illegal activities or spread illegal information, influence online public opinion, evade supervision and management, and engage in activities of monopoly and unfair competition.

DATA FOR GOOD

Wang Limei, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, said that algorithm recommendation service providers should adhere to the underlying guideline of mainstream values and strive to pursue excellence and moral integrity.

Prohibiting the use of algorithms to induce internet addiction or lure users to spend excessive amounts of money is a vivid embodiment of promoting the concept of "data for good," Wang said.

The new regulation also requires algorithm recommendation service providers to protect the interests of minors and elderly people.

China had 158 million internet users aged between six and 19 as of June 2021, accounting for 15.7 percent of the country's total more than 1 billion netizens, according to an earlier report released by the China Internet Network Information Center.

Lin Wei, deputy president of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the use of the internet has brought about the challenge of protecting minors online. The abuse of algorithms might cause all kinds of adverse effects and lead to internet addiction among minors.

Experts also highlighted the necessity of strengthening supervision in this field to build a long-term algorithm management mechanism.

Yang Jianjun, a senior official with China Electronics Standardization Institute, suggested enhancing algorithmic security technologies to support the implementation of the new regulation and improve the supervision capacity of relevant services. 

Editor: JYZ
The signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement is held via video conference in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, Nov. 15, 2020. (Photo Source: Xinhua)

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) has officially entered into force, marking the world's most populous and promising free trade area, which has also the largest economic and trade scale and the most diversified membership structure, set sail.

With the agreement coming into effect, trade and investment liberalization and facilitation measures and unified economic and trade rules will significantly reduce operating costs and reduce business risks. It will also stabilize regional industrial and supply chains to provide institutional safeguards, and accelerate the flow of goods, technology, services and capital. Then the "trade creation" effect will be achieved.

Against the backdrop of the world economic recession, de-globalization and global supply chain shocks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the RCEP, after eight years of negotiations, has entered into force as scheduled, which is not only a landmark achievement of regional cooperation in East Asia, but also a victory for multilateralism and free trade, and will certainly add new momentum to the development and prosperity of the region. It will also contribute to the recovery of world economic growth.

Rebuilding confidence and promoting post-pandemic economic recovery

At present, the global development environment is facing profound and complex changes. The severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have further increased instability, led to a deep recession in the global economy, a significant contraction in international trade and investment, and suppressed consumption. Under the current international situation, the scheduled entry-into-force of RCEP will help alleviate many risks facing regional economic recovery, boost market confidence, and inject new momentum into the regional and even global post-pandemic economic recovery and long-term development.

Overall, RCEP will substantially boost regional trade and investment growth, and will also play a positive role in promoting global trade and welfare growth. After RCEP coming into effect, more than 90% of intra-region trade in goods will eventually achieve zero tariffs, forming mutually complementary network with existing bilateral FTAs in the region. It will further improve the overall level of regional liberalization, significantly reduce intra-regional trade costs and generate noticeable trade-promotion effects. The "RCEP Impact Assessment Report on Regional Economy" released by the Research Institute of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce estimates that by 2035, RCEP will drive the cumulative growth of overall regional GDP, exports and imports by 0.86%, 18.30% and 9.63%, respectively. And regional economic welfare will grow by a cumulative $250.3 billion, world real GDP and import/export trade will also increase by 0.12% and 2.91% due to RCEP implementation, and economic welfare will increase by $169.6 billion. The higher level of trade and investment liberalization and more secure institutionalized cooperation environment after RCEP comes into force will accelerate the flow of economic factors to the mutual benefit of member countries. The agreement will not only promote regional investment growth and increase the return on capital for ASEAN countries, but also provide more employment opportunities for regional countries and promote the optimal allocation of human resources. The impacts of RCEP are positive, both in terms of real GDP growth rate and economic welfare. Among them, ASEAN has the highest cumulative real GDP growth rate of 4.47%, and China, ASEAN and Japan have the most significant improvements in economic welfare, with cumulative increases of $99.6 billion, $54.9 billion and $51.2 billion, respectively.

Breaking de-globalization and leading a new wave of globalization

The current globalization has encountered a counter-current, while protectionism and unilateralism have gained momentum. Under the overlapping impacts of the centenary changes and the new pneumonia pandemic, the world has become more foggy and chaotic, with "withdrawal", "dumping" and "decoupling" proliferating, and hegemony and bullying running rampant. That RCEP came into force as scheduled fully reflects the confidence and determination of all parties to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade and promote regional economic integration, allows people to see light and hope in the gloom, and will lead a new wave of globalization by promoting inter-regional free trade. RCEP is a large regional trade agreement jointly promoted by 15 free trade partners, including ASEAN, China and Japan, and the FTA with the world's largest population and largest economic and trade scale. In 2020, the total population of RCEP member countries reached 2.27 billion, GDP reached $26 trillion, total imports and exports surpassed $10 trillion, both accounting for about 30% of the global total, higher than the existing regional trade blocs.

By lowering or even eliminating market access barriers among member countries, RCEP will make economic ties between countries in the region more seamless and smooth, gradually forming a large open and prosperous regional integration market covering 15 countries, and making important contributions to regional trade and investment growth, economic recovery and development. In particular, as the world's second and third largest economies, in the absence of FTA links between China and Japan, as well as between Japan and South Korea, RCEP will promote the formation of a large market among China, Japan and South Korea, bringing considerable openness dividends, which will become a new source of impetus.

More importantly, RCEP has the most diverse membership structure, with countries having different political and social systems and different levels of economic development. Most of the international economic cooperation organizations represented by the OECD are composed of developed economies, and free trade between developed countries and emerging markets still faces greater challenges, while RCEP has made a useful exploration in this respect. The liberalization and facilitation measures and unified economic and trade rules of the RCEP agreement will not only help form new incremental trade and investment, but also further stimulate the potentials of regional markets, create more new consumer demands, and drive faster economic growth in each country.

Stabilizing expectations and ensuring global supply chain security

The pandemic has dealt a comprehensive blow to global production and demand, leading to a crisis of supply chain breakage or stagnation in many industries, highlighting the vulnerability of the global supply chain system under the international division of labor. Therefore, more and more countries have started to pay attention to the layout of industrial and supply chains from the security perspective, and promote the transformation of global industrial chains to make them more stable and resilient. RCEP, as a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial free trade agreement, provides institutional guarantees for stabilizing regional industrial and supply chains, helps alleviate many risks and uncertainties faced by enterprises in foreign investment cooperation, stabilizes expectations, and is expected to promote the deep integration of industrial and supply chains among members.

RCEP adopts the rules of origin accumulation in the field of trade in goods, which will bring the trade relations of RCEP members closer and promote the formation of closer and more resilient regional industrial and supply chains. The rules of origin accumulation will extend the scope of raw material accumulation to all member countries in the region and greatly reduce the threshold for enjoying tariff preferences. This will not only help promote the enterprises of member countries to carry out procurement, production and sales activities within the region, but also help deepen regional industrial and supply chain cooperation. Relying on the free trade platform established by RCEP, enterprises of member countries can flexibly procure raw materials and intermediate products within the region in accordance with the principle of optimal allocation of resources, make coordinated arrangements for the division of labor in production, and then export manufactured products duty-free to large markets within the region, thus promoting the construction of closer, stable and more resilient regional industrial and supply chains.

In addition to trade in goods, RCEP member countries have also made high-level openness commitments in trade, services and investment, and established high-level rules on intellectual property rights and e-commerce. The flow of various economic factors will be smoother, and the intra-regional industrial chain, supply chain and value chain will be further consolidated and developed, which will promote higher-quality and deeper regional economic integration in East Asia.

Contributed by Zhu Xiaoneng, Professor and Vice Dean, School of Finance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics; Li Pan, Assistant Researcher, Shanghai Institute of International Finance and Economics

Translated by Wang Ruoxin

Editor: 
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 13, 2022. Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans.

"We need to act now to prevent economic and social collapse and find ways to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans," the UN chief told reporters at the press stakeout at the UN headquarters in New York.

"Without creative, flexible and constructive engagement by the international community, Afghanistan's economic situation will only worsen. Despair and extremism will grow," he noted.

The top UN official also urged the United States and the World Bank to unfreeze Afghan funds, locked since the Taliban's return to power, to prevent "the nightmare unfolding in Afghanistan" from getting worse.

"The U.S. has a very important role to play because most of the financial system in the world operate in dollars and, obviously, there is a meaningful volume of funds that are frozen in the United States and in several other countries in the world. But the way to apply them in a way that is not diverted but really serves the interests of the Afghan people is something in which we are working hard to make sure that all the necessary guarantees are provided," said the secretary-general.

Noting that the World Bank administers a reconstruction trust fund for Afghanistan and last month the bank transferred 280 million U.S. dollars from that fund to UN Children's Fund and World Food Programme operations Afghanistan, Guterres said that "I hope the remaining resources - more than 1.2 billion dollars - will become available to help Afghanistan's people survive the winter."

Guterres also called on the Taliban to protect the rights of women and girls.

"No country can thrive while denying the rights of half its population," he said.

The United Nations and partners launched a more than 5 billion dollars funding appeal for Afghanistan on Tuesday, in the hope of shoring up collapsing basic services there, which have left 22 million people in need of assistance inside the country, and 5.7 million requiring help beyond its borders.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, on Jan. 13, 2022. Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent further suffering for millions of Afghans. (Xinhua/Xie E)

Editor: WXY
Olena Obukhivska, Communications Director Arricano

The thirty-fourth president of the United States of America, Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969), ruled the USA for eight years. From 1953 to 1961, in this position, he pursued a policy of a "New look" in nuclear deterrence, authorized the creation of NASA, and lobbied Congress for the "Formosa Resolution" on military support to pro-western China.

His "Eisenhower Doctrine" in the foreign policy course provided for assistance to countries that were subjected to aggression from other states, especially the communist camp. And he solemnly opened a monument to Taras Shevchenko in Washington.

In addition to a strong historical figure, strategist and diplomat, Eisenhower was also a brilliant manager. After all, the configuration about "important, urgent, not important, and not urgent" is also called the Eisenhower Matrix. According to him, "I have two problems: urgent and important. Urgent one is not important, and important one is urgent".

While "taking" this approach to the formation of public opinion in Ukraine, in my opinion, it is valuable to identify priority topics. At least in official communication at the state level in relation to events and circumstances that occur in the modern public life of the country.

I remember when I was still studying in Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, when the press highlighted our national idea, which can unite and "glue" Ukrainians together. And it was important, but not urgent.

Today, important things in politics have also become urgent  the anti-terrorist operation, annexation, threats of a new invasion, conflict resolution. These news, opinions, reviews, and assumptions dominate socio-political media platforms, the content of political and public figures, and experts. Consequently, the geopolitical theme blocks the access of attention and public understanding to other subjects and issues. And the national idea, culture, and heredity of Ukrainian thinking have moved to "not important" and "not urgent." And instead of forming a common stable Ukrainian position, events are responded to and commented on. The fluidity of communication tracks prevails over fundamental modeling.

Another observation of "urgent" in the media field is a lot of news to cover and keep up to date. What matters here is how readers' own position is formed  whether they track events and cause-and-effect relationships in a long way, or they consume content with ready-made and presented thoughts in the text.

In the media, you can see another interesting phenomenon, when "not important" and "not urgent" masterfully turns into "important". This is in order to switch attention from the actually significant thing to the secondary one, to make of this secondary "not important" one a hit and concentration of public attention.

Among the "important" in Ukrainian public opinion remains the development of the theme of patriotism, the national idea, politically correct understanding of geopolitical challenges, the reaction to the gigantomania of the neighbor and the border demarcation line. Not only in the style of "I think so", but "we think so", "in our strong opinion". This "important" positioning creates a common "we", at least an illusory association gives grounds to speak about a single Ukrainian position in responding to provocative statements and dissent. Especially the one that falls from behind border sources.

In fact, today in Ukraine there is freedom and many ways to express your personal position. It's easy to write a text, or create a video and post it somewhere. But how many people will read it, see it, share opinion or change it depends on the author's authority. Social media users with a large number of followers can consider themselves an opinion leaders and bloggers. Usually, bloggers generate content with the status "urgent", and significantly less often join the "important". Although this is my personal opinion. I would even add that bloggers have more about their own quick interpretation for hype and trend than about accumulation of vox populi.

The greatest patriotism in state and individual communications is when we are all proud of the achievements, progress and recognition of Ukrainians. It's emotional, important, and urgent. But the prolonged hereditary link between patriotism and the unification of the nation is an "important" issue. Since there are other quick priorities in public opinion, we are still proud, and the mental association of Ukrainians is still "not urgent".

Eisenhower's communications priorities were the loudest for Americans. A clear, strong, most important position, and only then molecular versatile discussions and debates democratically "descended". First patriotism and nation. And "I-positions" and superficial speed without a thorough national-thinking official "we-background" it are unlikely the benefit for Ukrainians.
NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy in a letter sent to the government at the beginning of this year warned of the risks of balancing the gas transmission system (GTS) of Ukraine in the current heating season, which, according to the company, are associated with the problems of forming sufficient natural gas resources for these purposes by Gas Transmission System Operator Ukraine (GTSOU).

In a copy of the document available to the Interfax-Ukraine agency, Naftogaz notes that, according to the law on the natural gas market, GTSOU must purchase gas for these purposes "in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner and on market conditions."

It notes that the current legislation in no way imposes on the participants in the natural gas market, in particular on Naftogaz, the obligation to provide the balancing service to GTSOU.

According to Naftogaz, GTSOU did not provide, as provided for by European rules, the possibility of trading gas for the needs of balancing the system on liquid exchanges or on its own trading platform.

Naftogaz recalled that the contract between GTSOU and the subsidiary of Naftogaz, Naftogaz Trading gas supply company LLC, on the provision of balancing services by the latter expires on January 19, 2022, and a new similar tender in December 2021 failed due to insufficient interest from market participants in the conditions proposed by GTSOU.

Naftogaz informs that it does not see an opportunity to participate in a new tender for the purchase of balancing services by GTSOU for 2022. According to Naftogaz, the GTS operator, by purchasing the balancing service from Naftogaz, actually resells it to gas market entities (primarily Naftogaz) and receives super profits.
More belligerent statements by Russian representatives led to a drop in Ukrainian eurobond quotes on Thursday by 2-4.7% (depending on the maturity), as a result of which the rates to maturity of almost all bonds exceeded 10% per annum.

Market participants told the Interfax-Ukraine agency the price of the "shortest" securities this year lost 2%, as a result of which the rate on them jumped from 10.6% to 14.25%.

Eurobonds maturing in 2023 decreased in price by 2.9%, which led to an increase in yields from about 10% to 12.2%. As a result, now the rates of these dollar securities are higher than domestic government bonds with similar maturities.

Falling prices of eurobonds maturing in 2024-2025 by 3.4-4.1% led to an increase in their profitability by almost 2 percentage points - to about 11.8% and 11.1%, respectively.

Rates on securities maturing in 2026-2027, which fell in price by about 4% on Thursday, also broke through the 10% level and now stand at about 10.7% and 10.2%.

Only the "longest" eurobonds maturing in 2032, although they lost in price more than others - almost 4.7%, still retained the yield to maturity just below 10% per annum, emphasizing a pronounced inversion of the yield curve (when rates on "short" papers are higher than for "long").

In addition, GDP warrants also fell in price by almost 7% on Thursday: now their price is about 80.3% of the face value - they have not been so cheap since the summer of 2019.
The trade turnover between Ukraine and Azerbaijan for the first time in seven years has reached an all-time high levels of almost $1 billion, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

"The commodity turnover [between Ukraine and Azerbaijan] not only did not decrease, despite what is happening around the world and our states are no exception, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time in seven years, the trade turnover has reached an all-time high of almost $1 billion ", Zelensky said during a joint briefing with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Kyiv on Thursday.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine and Azerbaijan set a goal to double the volume of joint trade by 2024, increase the amount of joint investments and projects, in particular, the participation of Azerbaijani companies in the Great Construction program, as well as mutual participation in the construction of new infrastructure in both states.

Also, according to the president, Ukraine counts on the active participation of Azerbaijani business in privatization in Ukraine.
Zelensky: Kyiv, Baku will work on creation of transport corridor, possibly within GUAM

Ukraine and Azerbaijan will work to create a transport corridor, possibly within GUAM, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

"We will continue to work on a number of prospects. Among other things, this is the creation of a transport corridor, possibly within GUAM, which unites Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova," Zelensky said at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Kyiv on Friday.

According to him, the current discourse is the development of transit potential and the creation of an appropriate modern infrastructure.

"We must step up cooperation in the field of international road and rail transport, as well as in the aviation industry," Zelensky said.

The President of Ukraine added that he also raised the issue of cooperation in agriculture and the titanium industry during the talk with the President of Azerbaijan.
The hryvnia exchange rate on the interbank FX currency market weakened to UAH 28.005/$1 on Friday from UAH 27.860/$1 on the previous business day, dealers of commercial banks has told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to them, the quotes of the national currency at the close of trading amounted to UAH 27.995-UAH 28.015/$1.

According to the data of the National Bank of Ukraine, the hryvnia reference rate on the interbank FX market weakened to UAH 27.94/$1 on Friday from UAH 27.70/$1 on Thursday.

At the same time, the regulator weakened the exchange rate of the national currency for January 17 to UAH 27.9514/$1 from UAH 27.7372/$1 the day before.
On Monday, January 17, members of the International Affairs Committee of the European Parliament will hold an emergency meeting on the Ukrainian issue, fifth president of Ukraine, MP and leader of the European Solidarity political party Petro Poroshenko said.

"Our proposal for an emergency meeting of the International Affairs Committee of the European Parliament on the fundamental Ukrainian issue was supported. It will take place on the evening of Monday 17th. This proposal was supported by all representatives. Despite the fact that the European Parliament will have a very busy day on Monday, we managed to put it on the agenda," Poroshenko said during a conversation with reporters in Brussels on Thursday, the press service of European Solidarity quoted Poroshenko as saying.

The fifth president noted that European partners "have no illusions" and understand that the security situation in Ukraine and in the world is "the worst since 2014 and perhaps one of the most difficult in the last 30 years."
The data of Ukrainians is safe, as the performance of some websites, and not registries, suffered in connection with a hacker attack, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov has said.

"Some government websites have been attacked. Some have been disabled by administrators for the purpose of localization and cyber investigation. Most of the websites have already been restored. The data of Ukrainians is safe, as the performance of some websites, not registries, has suffered," Fedorov wrote on his Telegram channel.

He stressed that the Diia application worked and is working stably.

"Specialists of the Ministry of Digital Transformation are included in the assistance of the SBU, the Cyber Police and the State Special Communications Service," the minister added.

Earlier, the SBU told the Interfax-Ukraine agency that on the night of January 13-14, a hacker attack was carried out on a number of government websites, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and others. Provocative messages were posted on the main page of these websites. At the same time, the content of the websites was not changed, and, according to available information, there was no leakage of personal data.
EU condemns cyberattack against Ukraine, but doesn't know its perpetrators  Borrell

on Friday, Head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell condemned the cyberattack against Ukrainian government departments.

Bloomberg quoted Borrell's words condemning the cyber attack on Ukraine.

At the same time, according to him, at the moment there is no information who is behind the cyberattack.

Borrell also said that the EU is providing technical assistance to Ukraine in connection with the incident.

Earlier it became known that in Ukraine on the night of January 14 there was a global hacker attack on government websites. Official information on this matter appeared on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Education and Science.

The websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Emergency Service, and the Cabinet of Ministers also did not work.
Woburn, MA (01801)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 58F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low near 45F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Sweden expresses solidarity with Ukraine over recent cyberattack, urges to find out who is behind it  FM

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde announced Stockholm's solidarity with Kyiv due to a cyberattack against Ukrainian government departments on Friday.

Ahead of the meeting at the level of EU Foreign Ministers in Brest Linde said Sweden officials are in full solidarity with the government of Ukraine on what happened this morning regarding this cyberattack. Sweden officials still do not know who is behind this attack as no one claimed responsibility for it.

"That is exactly one of the things that we have warned for and are afraid of, that kind of hybrid or cyberattacks," she said.

However, commenting on the hacker attack on the power structures of Ukraine, Linde stated the need for a firm unified position regarding Russia's actions.

"We have to be very firm in our messages to Russia, that if there are attacks against Ukraine, we will be very harsh and very strong and robust in our response," she said.
Full text of court ruling on seizure of Poroshenko's property to be disclosed on Jan 19  attorney

The full text of the ruling of Pechersky District Court of Kyiv to support the prosecutor's petition to seize the property of fifth president of Ukraine, MP Petro Poroshenko (from the European Solidarity faction) will be made public on January 19, attorney-at-law Denys Halansky has said.

"The session to announce the full text of the ruling to seize Petro Poroshenko's property... we were given a receipt that it will be at 13:50 it will be on January 19," Halansky told journalists on Friday.

The attorney said the court session was postponed since the judge was absent today.

"Now I found out that there is no judge," Halansky said, admitting that she might be on vacation.

Pechersky District Court of Kyiv released the full text of the ruling, in which Ukrainian law enforcement officers elaborate their suspicions of high treason and assistance to terrorism.
The Defense Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine warns of provocations being prepared by the Russian special services against the military of the Russian Armed Forces in order to blame Ukraine for this.

"The military units of the aggressor country and its client states receive orders to prepare for such provocations. According to the military intelligence of Ukraine, on January 13, a service meeting was held at the 3rd Specialized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, during which it was proved to the personnel that provocations were expected from Ukraine in the area of Kolbasna settlement (artillery units of the operational group of troops of the Russian Federation). There were no orders to bring the brigade to the highest degree of combat readiness, but the readiness of the personnel 'on the first command' to carry out tasks for their intended purpose was noted," the message posted on Facebook reads.

The Defense Intelligence Agency noted that to date, vacations and dismissals of personnel have not been canceled, but commanders were ordered to convey to their subordinates the need to arrive at the military unit at a certain signal.
Six bilateral documents have been signed between the presidents, ministers of Ukraine and Azerbaijan, state oil companies within the framework of the official visit of the head of the Azerbaijani Republic to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a joint Declaration of the President of Ukraine and the President of Azerbaijan, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent said.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of food safety. The corresponding document was signed by the heads of the joint commission of the two countries on economic cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereschuk and Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov.

The Ministries of Economy of Ukraine and Azerbaijan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on issues of urgent cooperation in bilateral trade.

The document was signed by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereschuk and Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikhayil Jabbarov.

A memorandum of understanding between the ministries on cooperation in the agrarian sector was signed by Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Roman Leschenko and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikhayil Jabbarov.

A memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the energy sector was signed between the National Joint Stock Company Naftogaz Ukrainy represented by head of the board of the company Yuriy Vitrenko and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) represented by Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikhayil Jabbarov.

A memorandum of understanding and cooperation regarding cooperation in the field of land relations, management of state-owned lands and the state land cadastre was signed between the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan. The document was signed by acting Head of the State Service for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Serhiy Zavadsky and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikhayil Jabbarov.
Pechersky District Court of Kyiv sets session on pretrial restrictions for Poroshenko at 11.00 on Jan 17  SBI

Pechersky District Court of Kyiv has appointed a court hearing on criminal proceedings on a criminal scheme for supplying coal from temporarily occupied territories and assisting terrorist organizations in the L/DPR, the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) press service said.

"On January 17, 2022 at 11.00, an application for imposition of the pretrial restrictions in the form of detention on Petro Oleksiyovych Poroshenko will be considered," the court said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has come up with an initiative to hold a trilateral meeting between the presidents of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak has said.

"President Zelensky proposed to President Biden, and we think it is can be work, to organize trilateral meeting, maybe via videoconference, between President Biden, President Zelensky and President Putin. We are still waiting for a reaction from the Russian side, but our American partners take our proposal with some interest," Yermak said during a conversation with U.S. diplomat John Herbst.
The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), together with the State Service of Special Communications and the Cyber Police, continues to investigate a cyberattack on the websites of government authorities that occurred on the night of January 13 and 14, 2022.

"So far, we can say that there are some signs of involvement in the incident of hacker groups associated with the special services of Russia," the SBU said in a statement on its website on Friday.

The SBU said that in total more than 70 government websites were attacked, ten of which were subjected to unauthorized interference. At the same time, the content of the sites was not changed, and there was no leakage of personal data. After the attack, the work of most web resources was resumed.

"At the SBU initiative, a number of critical public resources were disabled, including the Diia public services portal, until the technical problem was localized and in order to prevent the attack from spreading. The Diia mobile application worked and is working normally. At the same time, the message about the exploitation by hackers of a specific vulnerability in the content management system, which appeared in the media during the day, was only one of the versions being processed," the SBU said.

All details of the incident are documented within the previously opened criminal proceedings of the SBU.
Talks about the potential of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline before the de-escalation of the situation around the borders of Ukraine are untimely, Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak has said.

"Before we clearly see a de-escalation around the borders of Ukraine, it is necessary to stop any talk about the potential of this project. I think now is not the time to discuss which sanctions are correct and which are not. As long as there are more than 100,000 Russian soldiers around our borders, these questions should be postponed," Yermak said during a conversation with U.S. diplomat John Herbst hosted by the Atlantic Council on Friday.

The head of the President's Office said that Ukraine needs help "before something happens."

"This means that I would like to return to the policy of sanctions. I think that it is necessary to return to a 100% sanctions policy. This must be done before that. Including sanctions against Nord Stream," Yermak said.
The second part of an exclusive interview of CEO of Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) Yevhen Dykhne for the Interfax-Ukraine news agency

Text: Dar Hryschenko, Dmytro Koshovy

- How is the current situation developing as for your dismissal? Does this affect the work, production processes?

- I don't have time to pay attention to this right now. My lawyers in court are dealing with my failed dismissal, so today I am more concerned about the issues related to the situation in which the company is. And the situation is quite difficult, because we are now at the lowest point of the winter season. The emergence of a new Omicron virus strain complicated everything, as it brought additional restrictions on airlines. Just like last year, we need little help from outside in order to maintain our turnover, to pay wages on time, go through the winter period and realize plans for the next summer: bright, grandiose and important for the company.

Unfortunately, the help that we asked the shareholders was not provided to us. The management of the company has prepared a profitable deal, which for three weeks the supervisory board has been leading in a circle, it comes back for revision, we write comments and remarks to it. And, unfortunately, our people have been living in a situation with wage arrears for a month now. I hope that the shareholders and the supervisory board will nevertheless make the right decision, and the deal will be approved for us.

So that we understand the situation in the same way, it is within the powers of the president of the company to conclude contracts of up to $ 500,000. If we talk about the company's pre-crisis turnover of $ 1 billion, then these are very insignificant powers.

And as far as the question of my dismissal hinders me or not ... As before, I did my job professionally and honestly, and now I do it as well. It seems to me that the personal of the supervisory board chairman periodically dominates over the professional. But this does not harm me personally, but the UIA company, which is his company as well.

- Earlier, the chairman of the supervisory board of UIA, Aron Mayberg, said that you "did not cope with the change in the operating model of the company." At the same time, according to you, the company ends the year with a profit. How do you see the current situation for yourself?

- I heard that it was on this principle that the decision was made to dismiss me in November 2021. But what is interesting, today I've specially raised a public release about how the tasks for the management were defined by UIA with my arrival. It is written here: "The key task of UIA under the new president is to return to the zone of profitability with a sustainable balanced development of the network business model." And if we talk about the fact that our first conflict arose back in March 2020, that is, literally a month after the Iranian tragedy, at the time when all UIA planes were standing idle at Boryspil airport due to the pandemic, then I cannot understand what shortcomings of the company management could be discussed in March 2020? I think it's hard to come up with a business case here.

In November 2021, I was invited to a meeting with Mayberg and asked to write a resignation letter in connection with some kind of "quota principle" that exists between the shareholders.

But I do not live "by one's own rules," I do not know anything about "quota principles," which are not available to me as a company leader. I use the charter of the company, I use my contract, and there is nothing written about it. Naturally, I do not agree with the fact that a manager who was invited to the company at a difficult moment - at the end of 2019 - to perform tasks that were clearly voiced, would be fired in such a mysterious and strange way. I can't take it that way. It is, after all, a large European company, of which Austrian Airlines are the progenitors. There must be some kind of European order!

After more than two years of the most difficult work in the company, the management headed by me has something to report to the shareholders. A huge amount of work has been done. We are proud of how we went through this difficult period for the company, how we prepared for future competition, how we changed life within the company.

And I want a normal civilized approach in this matter. Please give me the opportunity to report back, to transfer the cases to the future president, because there are important issues that we talked about. This is preparation for the company's future hub in Boryspil, and all the contract negotiations, and, in the end, the issue of restructuring, which cannot be just taken and thrown away. It will be a completely different dialogue. Perhaps gratitude from the shareholders will be enough for me in this case.

- You say that you met with Aron Mayberg. And with Ihor Kolomoisky, who is also often mentioned in this conflict?

- I believe that public opinion exaggerates connection between UIA and Kolomoisky. But we understand why UIA is associated with him so well in the media ... Kolomoisky is a very sonorous surname that is sold well in the media. Therefore, UIA of Kolomoisky is more interesting than UIA of Mayberg. But this demonized surname of Kolomoisky is also unfairly used in matters of mistakes. You know, there is such a phrase "Every mistake has its last name, first name and patronymic name." In my opinion, there are mistakes of untimely decision-making to stop the execution of unprofitable Mayberg routes. There are processes related to UIA's litigation of its debts named after Bondar, etc. But in public opinion, all this merges towards (laughs) such a "lightning rod" named after Kolomoisky, who, at the same time, has the most distant relation to the company from the point of view of its management, decision-making, etc.

- In cases where there are conflicts between owners, one of the tools is bankruptcy and transition to external management. Is this option generally applicable in the case of UIA?

- Today I do not even see prerequisites for such a development of events. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that for me there are no individual shareholders. I am the public person of the company and only use legal information. And in the legal field there are only two shareholder companies: one is Cypriot, the other is Ukrainian.

In June 2022, the deadline will come when the final beneficiaries of the companies should be presented, I will receive this information officially, and then I will be able to comment in some way.

- I would like to clarify how you see your future plans for working with UIA? Thinking about leaving in 2022 or not?

- My contract terminates in September 2022. And for the duration of my work in the company, according to the contract, I have a lot of planned tasks. The first task is approved by the supervisory board: reaching the restoration of the company's hub model in the summer navigation of 2022. We expect the aviation market to improve and are preparing to restore our network model. At the same time, we want to adopt a new operating model of a three-wave hub, we want to return wide-body aircraft to the airline's fleet, to restore long-haul flights ... All these plans have been approved by the supervisory board, so the company, led by me, is preparing to implement them.

The second important point, which is a priority for me, is the issue of restructuring the airline's debts to the state-owned enterprises Boryspil airport and UkSATSE. Why is it important? Because we have grandiose joint plans with Boryspil airport for the development of the hub. I know very well how controversial issues interfere with work in the joint organization of processes.

At the end of 2014-the beginning of 2015, I was already dealing with the issue of settling the debts of UIA, but as the director of Boryspil airport. And that was a very important moment. Then UIA said: "We are ready to develop at Boryspil airport in such a way with such steps, but we have debts that are in courts, etc." And then we came to the conclusion that there are indisputable debts of UIA (which were restructured with subsequent payments), and there are disputed ones that remained in courts. Such a solution to the issue of financial relations between the two companies made it possible for both UIA and the airport to develop.

Now we are again on the verge of a new beginning at Boryspil airport after a complete shutdown, after mostly point-to-point flights, flights as more of a charter program than a regular one. For example, in 2021 we performed only 25% of scheduled flights compared to 2019, while the number of charter flights in the company was about 60%. An unprecedented share of charter flights for UIA! In the usual hub model of the company, charter flights account for 10-12% of traffic volumes. Therefore, debt restructuring is one of my priorities. We are in the negotiation process with the government on this issue, and I see that there is political will to resolve this issue in a mutually beneficial way.

If we talk about restructuring, the first step is the mandatory recognition of debts. Restructuring also requires a certain audit of the company's activities by the state, when you can say for what reasons these debts arose in order to remove the issue of mistrust. Another important factor is proof of solvency. And here our indicators for 2021, when we reached a sufficient operating profit and did not add new debts to the old ones, either to Boryspil airport or to UkSATSE, are also important.

- That is, there was no increase in debts?

- There was no increase in debts either in 2020 or 2021, because we initially, from the first day of my arrival at the company, began to work on the principle of prepayment. We paid money in advance for a week, worked it out - we pay the next. And these relations have been going on for more than two years. But the problems of debts of the previous periods still need to be solved.

What is also important in the issue of restructuring is that quite a long way has already been passed, and in this situation, in no case should the negotiating person be changed. As they say: one case - one voice. This is the principle that is indispensable in any negotiations so as not to complicate them. Moreover, we do not have much time to go through this path. After all, every day, until we reach an agreement, penalties and fines continue to accrue on all issues that are in courts. It is very expensive for the company to live in debt. They need to be made clear as soon as possible.

- And at what stage is the restructuring now?

- The week before last there was another meeting with Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, last week I talked with Deputy Minister Vasyl Shkurakov. Now the question of the state's consolidated position on the powers of the heads of these companies - Boryspil airport and UkSATSE - is moving. They should receive additional powers, as an act of good will on the part of the state, to meet the needs of airlines in stopping fines, penalties and in debt restructuring. Because today they do not have such a right as the heads of state-owned enterprises. We also need political will, which should be formalized into a government decision.

Today, we have about UAH 1.5 billion in courts with UkSATSE and about UAH 800 million with Boryspil airport. Of course, these are very significant sums, and we want to resolve this issue as soon as possible so that we can build joint development plans with our partners.

- Taking into account the forecasts for the recovery of the aviation industry, what would be a comfortable period for you so that the company could both develop and repay debts?

- We are talking with the companies and with the government about a five- or seven-year repayment schedule. Because we cannot talk about another restructuring, we cannot deceive anyone. We are talking about the situation that we can serve. Our audit, which we offer as an attachment to this restructuring, shows our payment options.

Unfortunately, the way it used to be, when it was possible to predict the growth of passenger traffic for 10 years, will no longer be the case. Today we live in completely new conditions. But after two years of being in the pandemic, we, nevertheless, can appreciate that humanity is finding new ways, and each new strain no longer causes the panic and those restrictions that were originally.

Yes, it has become much more difficult for a passenger to travel, the mobility of people around the world has decreased. But in general, we will already begin to move up.

- Not so long ago, we received a letter from your employees about wage arrears at UIA. How critical is this situation? We know that even in European countries, collectives in such situations often resort to strikes or something like that ...

- I generally learned about this letter from the media. Apparently, not only I understand what is actually happening in the company, and the role of the supervisory board chairman in these processes. It is important to note that our trade unions have a life of their own. This is normal, because we have a certain interaction, when we, as parties to the negotiation process, determine the principles of interaction between the trade union and the company's administration. We have an understanding of the interests of the two sides, we have a collective agreement that we comply with.

And I want to say that it was the trade unions, especially the pilots' union, that played an important role in the passage of the crisis by UIA. They made concessions in terms of the pilot pay model. For the period of the pandemic, we have used a model where, in the absence of flight time, we do not pay the pilots an hourly rate. And this turned out to be a great advantage for the airline and an opportunity to reduce costs during those periods when almost all aviation was stopped. Thus, we have relief in terms of payments to pilots, and this very seriously saves the company in going through the crisis.

- Previously, UIA announced the resumption in 2022 of long-haul flights to New York, Toronto and Delhi. Will there be other long-haul flights?

- There will certainly be a number of charter programs on long-haul flights, because life in the pandemic showed that when the nearest neighbors are closed, long-haul flights open up. This is attractive to passengers. We are not naming directions now, because this is a matter for the summer-autumn of 2022. It is hard to say which of the planned countries will be open, which will be attractive. But there will be a number of long-haul charters on board Boeing 777 aircraft. This could be Mexico, Thailand, and other destinations. We will see what directions the tourism market will be ready for, and we will support it.

- What aircraft do you want to attract for long-haul flights?

- We budgeted for the return of our three Boeing 777s. We flew these aircraft very comfortably and plan to return them to the fleet.

- And how many such long-haul aircraft are in Ukraine now?

- Long-haul aircraft for charter flights today is mainly used by Azur. It's a Boeing 767, but it's not a Triple Seven. In fact, we were and will be the only operators of the Triple Seven model in Ukraine, and then we'll see.

We are planning to return long-haul flights to the program sometime in June and, accordingly, we will operate aircraft and use them for charter flights as well. But in any case, we plan to focus more on our regular program - these are New York, Toronto, Delhi ... And the charter program should balance the utilization of the fleet so that the aircraft is more in the air. We will respond to the demands of the tourism market. Travel agencies with which we have been cooperating for many years prepare the program, determine the market capacity and offer destinations. We agree on certain financial conditions with them and begin to transport passengers for them. They are the operators of these transportations, and we are the carriers. Therefore, now it is very difficult to talk about how the tourism market will look like at the end of 2022. And now giving some signals to our readers is a thankless task.

- And what passenger traffic do you expect for 2022 and, accordingly, in what ratio of charter and regular flights?

- In 2022, we expect a decrease in the share of charter passenger traffic in the total UIA traffic to 24%, while in 2021 this share was about 50%. The total number of passengers scheduled for transportation in 2022 is about 4.3 million, which is 36% more than in 2021. We do not count on a rapid extension of the company and the volume of traffic, because the situation is such that we do not expect any special delights in 2022. But, nevertheless, today the company is in a very balanced and economically correct state. We received very important conclusions from our partners. For example, Lufthansa Consulting completed their audit in October, and we were highly rated by them in terms of the company's cost per "seat/kilometer." According to their data, UIA is practically lower than all conventional airlines in terms of its cost per "seat/km." That is, closer to Ryanair, Pegasus Airlines and Wizz Air. We, as a conventional airline with business class, with systems of sales through agents, etc., nevertheless, are very close to low cost airlines in a competitive environment. And this is what inspires confidence in our perspective in 2022-2023. So we also see 2022 as a positive year.

- Do you plan to restore domestic flights?

- From the history of the UIA network model, 70-80% of transit passengers were transported on domestic flights. That is, we brought passengers from the regions to Boryspil airport, and they then flew with us to other countries.

Today, the offer of flights from Boryspil for UIA is small, and in 2022 we are not restoring flights in the volume to be able to fly to the regions on board the same Boeing 737 with 186 seats or Embraer with 106 seats.

Today we connect a lot of flights and see that the level of transit passengers, for example, from Tbilisi or Munich, is about 30-33%. On domestic flights the figure is approximately the same - up to 49%. Today we are pleased with our collaboration with Windrose and have agreed on a joint schedule for 2022. And, of course, we will operate a certain number of flights within the country on our own, but the majority will be operated by Windrose, because their fleet is smaller, which means they have more opportunities to fill aircraft to an economically advantageous level.

- That is, the hub model you are talking about will be developed, including in collaboration with other airlines?

- It will be in collaboration with Windrose on domestic flights.

- In general, how interested are you, as a company, in the state program for the restoration of regional airports?

- It's a great program. We are happy to see how the state invests in airports. Over time, this will definitely give its result. This increases the mobility of the population in the regions, increases interest in air transport. Perhaps some charter flights will be launched from regional airports, perhaps we will start flying to those airports that we have not flown before. Or we will fly in better conditions: now, for example, Kherson airport is being reconstructed, and, finally, high-quality lighting and signaling equipment will appear there that will meet all safety requirements.

- I can't help but ask in the same vein about the "presidential thousand." UIA has announced it is ready to participate in this program. Are there already those who spent this money on air tickets?

- Yes, we have provided our passengers with the opportunity to use this money when paying for domestic flights. But it cannot be said that their share played any significant role for our cash flow. Since the launch of the e-Aid project, 1% of all tickets sold on UIA's only own domestic flight - Kyiv-Odesa-Kyiv, have been bought at a special price.

- Earlier UIA had a conditional low cost model for a part of air tickets. Is this planned in the near future?

- We, as an airline, do not have the task of becoming a low cost airline. We plan to develop a hub model at Boryspil airport. We are working to ensure that all the issues related to cost reduction, which are so well and efficiently implemented in low cost companies, become elements of our operations as much as possible so as not to receive negativity from our passenger. Because there is a savings limit that we, as a classic company, cannot cross.

- Predictions that, due to the general focus on reducing emissions, the hub model in aviation will gradually become a thing of the past, don't they scare you?

- In any case, no matter how technology develops, demand determines supply. Today, the demand for a comfortable trip is quite high. There is a demand for a cheap trip, but today there is a demand for comfort. And UIA, I believe, has found its place at the junction of these two requests. We try to make a comfortable trip at a low price. And today this is our product niche in the market. And there is a demand for this particular product.

- Boryspil airport says a lot about the fact that freight traffic in terms of amount has greatly increased over these two years, many airlines have switched to cargo transportation. As far as I know, you had one cargo plane in your fleet Have you thought about taking advantage of the current situation?

- This is not our core business. Taking into account the fact that passenger aircraft take a certain part of the cargo on each regular flight with passengers (depending on the model), this is the type of transportation we have always dealt with and plan to do. We are definitely not going to fly with empty trunks. And to say that today we have an interest in investing in the cargo fleet ... we do not evaluate the prospect of pure cargo transportation as part of our future business.

- From the point of view of the direct impact on the market of the creation of an airline by the state: whether this will be a factor that will postpone your return to a better financial result for some time?

- It is difficult for me to assess potential competition with a company that does not yet exist. As I said, we will launch our routes in the summer of 2022, which is almost tomorrow. Therefore, I don't know how the fate of the new airline will develop ... But we definitely consider the fact that the state pays so much attention to aviation today as a positive.

Perhaps, in the course of activities of the state-owned airline, the state will become more familiar with the conditions in which Ukrainian airlines operate. Because when this company, for example, starts telling the government that "sorry, but we are discriminated against on the principle of paying excise tax on fuel. Nobody pays, but we pay! And we must compete!" The state will have to pay attention to this as a shareholder. You know, self comes first, so the market will have more access to the solutions that aviation needs.

And competition ... we will never get away from it. Whether it will be a state-owned company, or a private company, or a foreign company, or another Ukrainian company ... That's it, we live in the world of a very tough competition. Only those who are ready for this competition better than others will be successful. And we are very well prepared for this competition.

- But won't you challenge this state aid in the Antimonopoly Committee?

- In general, I did not even look at this issue through the prism of some possible disputes. I think that we have enough useless disputes with Boryspil airport and UkSATSE, which I dream of ending as soon as possible. So who needs controversy? We need peace, harmony and understanding for further business.

- What is the financial result for 2021? What are your profit plans for 2022?

- We expect a positive financial result in 2021. We had a very good result for ten months. This was an operating result of about $15 million. We see that we will also end the year with positive numbers, but what kind? There will be a financial report, and then we will be able to talk about it.

- What about plans for 2022?

- I will not announce plans for 2022 in terms of finance. Our budget is not yet public in this regard. As a rule, we announce only directions, the number of passengers...

- Over the past few years, UIA has had a number of conflicts due to low-quality services from Aerohandling. Have you thought about changing the service company?

- My position in this situation is as follows: I am not completely satisfied with the handling services for UIA. There are quite lot moments when UIA suffers from low-quality handling services. As a result, our reputation suffers. After all, passengers believe that this is our responsibility. And they think correctly, if we talk about the consumer of services. Therefore, I definitely plan to change the position of UIA towards handling. Whether it will be a change in the contract with Aerohandling or it will be some other handling, I can't say right now. But I am for UIA to be a fair customer of handling services and receive a quality service for a fair price for its passengers. And in this process, every day we are moving towards the intended goal.

First part
The first resort town with an ecological philosophy, Dunaya Resort Ukraine in Tatarbunary district of Odesa region, will open in May 2023, project initiator Fazil Askerov has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"Our task is to open the first five hotels in May 2023. Then we will move at a rate of five to six hotels a year," Askerov said.

As reported, the year-round resort with a gambling zone Dunaya is planned to be created on a spit between Lake Sasyk and the Black Sea. It is proposed to create 95 hotels and infrastructure facilities on 500 hectares. In the future, the hotels of the resort with 20,000 beds will attract about 6 million tourists annually. According to Askerov, the project will create about 25,000 new jobs, and in general, it will initiate the creation of up to 100,000 jobs in related industries. The Dunaya Resort Ukraine project was demonstrated as part of the Ukrainian pavilion at EXPO 2020.

On December 29, 2021, Odesa Regional Administration registered the state enterprise Dunaya with a charter capital of UAH 10,000.

According to Askerov, at the first stage, the tasks of the state enterprise Dunaya will be the registration of a land plot, the creation of a feasibility study and the development of a detailed plan of the territory.

"In order to attract investors, it is necessary to develop a preliminary project. In fact, at the first stage, Dunaya performs the functions of an investment nurse. After all, if you attract investors at the current stage with an unresolved status of the site, then the paperwork will take 15 years," he explains.

After the launch of the project, Dunaya will act as a management company, namely, to monitor compliance with investment agreements and manage infrastructure facilities.

Askerov emphasized that when developing the concept, the experience of six countries was studied, which in the past 25 years have created gambling zones: Sri Lanka, Vietnam, South Korea, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and the Russian Federation.
Al-Azhar condemned Friday terrorist attack on a mosque in Afghanistans capital Kabul that left dozens of worshippers dead and injured.
Heavily armed Al-Shabaab jihadists stormed an African Union (AU) base in Somalia on Tuesday, triggering a fierce firefight that left an unknown number of casualties, a local military commander and witnesses said.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize, said Thursday that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the honour in 2019, bore special responsibility for ending the bloodshed in Tigray.

"As Prime Minister and winner of the Peace Prize, Abiy Ahmed has a special responsibility to end the conflict and contribute to peace," Berit Reiss-Andersen, chair of the committee, said in a statement to AFP.

Northern Ethiopia has been beset by conflict since November 2020 when Ahmed sent troops into Tigray after accusing the region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), of attacks on federal army camps.

The fighting between forces loyal to Abiy and the TPLF and their allies has killed thousands of people and forced several million from their homes.

Tigray is under what the United Nations calls a de facto blockade that is preventing life-saving medicine and food from reaching millions, including hundreds of thousands in famine-like conditions.

"The humanitarian situation is very serious and it is not acceptable that humanitarian aid does not get through sufficiently," Reiss-Andersen said.

Speaking at a press conference, Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth appealed for countries to press Abiy to allow aid to get through.

"The big threat there is the Ethiopian government's blockade of humanitarian assistance that is desperately needed by millions of people in the region," Roth told reporters.

"This is a classic case of collective punishment. This is not punishing Tigrayan military forces. It is punishing the people... in Tigray," he added.

The conflict in Tigray has sparked calls to strip Abiy of the Nobel, but this is not possible under the award's statutes.

The Norwegian committee said it could not comment on what factors were emphasised when the prize was awarded to Abiy beyond "the reasons given in connection with the award," as the panel's discussions are confidential.

Abiy's prize "was awarded on the basis of his efforts and the legitimate expectations that existed in 2019," Reiss-Andersen said.

"The peace initiatives that Abiy Ahmed launched and for which he received the Nobel Prize were based on his contribution to the peace agreement with Eritrea and his comprehensive political initiative for democracy and the development of civil rights," she added.

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Egypt's foreign ministry mourned on Friday the death of veteran diplomat Alaa Roushdy, the countrys ambassador to Rome, calling him an example of professional dedication and hard work.

Roushdy was the head of the technical secretariat of the Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights (SSCHR), which is chaired by the foreign minister.

Related Renowned Arabic Literature professor Gaber Asfour passes away at the age of 77

Established in 2018, the SSCHR seeks to enhance the institutionalisation of human rights promotion in Egypt.

Roushdy also served as the assistant minister of Foreign Affairs for human rights and as the assistant minister for multilateral affairs and international security.

Roushdy served in a number of missions abroad over the past decade, including as the countrys ambassador to Brazil and non-resident ambassador to Guyana.

The late diplomat was appointed as ambassador to Rome in June last year.

The late Ambassador Alaa Rousdhy was a role model of good manners, who was loved by all, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

He was also a model of professional dedication and an example of serious and hard work throughout his distinguished career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our missions abroad.

The ministry extended sincere condolences to the family of the late diplomat, praying God to bestow his mercy upon him and grant patience to his family.

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EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Friday that a renewed deal with Iran on curtailing its nuclear programme remained "possible" as talks in Vienna advance in a "better atmosphere".

"We're arriving at the end of a long process... there's a better atmosphere since Christmas -- before Christmas, I was very pessimistic. Today I believe reaching an accord is possible," he said after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers.

He said a final deal could be concluded "in the coming weeks".

"I still maintain the hope that it would be possible to remake this agreement and have it function as it did before the American withdrawal," he added.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman echoed that sentiment earlier this week, saying that efforts by "all parties" to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers had resulted in "good progress" during the Vienna talks.

But Borrell spoke alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who reiterated his view that the talks are progressing "much too slowly to be able to reach a result".

"We now have to conclude and come to a decision: Either the Iranians want to complete this, in which case we have the impression that there will be flexibility in the Americans' stance.

"Or they don't want to complete this, and in that case, we will be faced with a major proliferation crisis," Le Drian said.

"There will be nothing more to negotiate if nothing happens," he warned.

Negotiations to salvage the nuclear deal resumed in late November after they were suspended in June as Iran elected a new, ultra-conservative government.

The 2015 deal -- agreed by Iran, the US, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany -- offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme to ensure it would not develop atomic weapons.

But then-US President Donald Trump withdrew from the US in 2018 and reimposed biting sanctions, prompting Tehran to begin rolling back on its commitments.

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The widow of veteran journalist Wael El-Ebrashy, who died on Sunday aged 58 due to complications from the coronavirus, officially accused a doctor of assassinating her husband.

Renowned lawyer Samir Sabry, representative of widow Sahar Abdou, filed the complaint against doctor Sherif Abbas, who treated El-Ebrashy during the early stages of his illness with the coronavirus late in 2020.

The complaint accuses Abbas of using secret, unnamed and unregistered pills, which he discovered, and which he claimed could cure the coronavirus within a week no matter how severe the case.

El-Ebrashy was the victim of a full-fledged murder committed by the doctor, Sabry said.

Wael El-Ebrashy, the former presenter of the Al-Tasea (9 o'clock) program on national TV, contracted the coronavirus in late 2020 and was admitted to the intensive care unit of a quarantine hospital in Giza.

However, he left the hospital in March of last year after his health improved, but continued to receive treatment at home after developing pulmonary fibrosis due to the coronavirus.

This disease prevented him from returning to TV screens, despite frequent reports that he had almost recovered.

Fake treatment and lung fibrosis

Sabry said Abbass fake treatment caused El-Ebrashys condition to significantly deteriorate and ultimately to develop lung fibrosis.

El-Ebrashy was then admitted to the hospital with the disease and later died after suffering from its complications for a year, the complaint says.

Doctors tried over the course of a year to fix the effects of the murder crime that Abbas committed, the complaint says, describing the accused doctor as a heartless, unknowledgeable and unscrupulous show off.

Secondhand smoke

The doctor planned to assassinate the late Wael El-Ebrashy, Sabry said, claiming that Abbas kept on smoking heavily in the same room where he stayed with El-Ebrashy day and night throughout his treatment journey.

He did not stop smoking although he is a doctor who knows the dangerous and destructive effect that this amount of smoking will have in a closed room and next to a patient, Sabry added.

Full-fledged medical crime

Sabrys complaint to the public prosecution replicated remarks by renowned dermatologist and political author Khaled Montaser on his Facebook page on Thursday.

El-Ebrashys widow, Sahar Abdou, told media recently that El-Ebrashy died due to a medical error by his quarantine doctor, describing some doctors that she did not name as murderers.

Montaser said he considers that El-Ebrashy was the victim of a full-fledged medical crime and not a medical error as his esteemed wife says.

Groundless accusations

In a statement earlier this week, the Egyptian Medical Syndicate condemned and rejected the widows remarks, where she threw groundless accusations against a doctor.

The syndicate also rejected the widows claims that a medical error occurred and caused the death of the deceased, saying that the claims were made without any legal basis or medical proof, despite having a year since the incident in which to gather it.

The syndicate also condemned Abdous remarks where she described doctors as murderers.

The statement warned against unprofessional coverage of medical errors by media, citing frequent attacks on doctors in Egypt and the absence of a law to professionally and scientifically investigate issues of medical harm.

The syndicate warned that such phenomena will harm the reputation of the medical profession in Egypt and will cause Egyptian doctors, who are attracted by all the worlds countries for their skills, to continue to migrate.

Defamation complaint

Ayman Salem, the secretary-general of the Medical Syndicate, said Abbas issued a complaint to the syndicate against Montaser and El-Ebrashys family for defamation.

In remarks to media, Abbas denied claims of medical error or mistreatment, saying all the drugs he used to treat El-Ebrashy are registered.

Abbas warned that he would sue those who accuse him of medical negligence, affirming that he himself asked the syndicate to launch an investigation so that he can prove his innocence.

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Ethiopia has asked the UN health agency to investigate its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for "harmful misinformation" and "misconduct", accusing him of backing rebels in his native war-torn Tigray region.

Tedros -- the highest-profile Tigrayan abroad -- this week described conditions in the Ethiopian region as "hell" and said the government was preventing medicines and other life-saving aid from reaching locals.

Addis Ababa said his comments threatened the World Health Organization's integrity and called for Tedros to be investigated for "misconduct and violation of his professional and legal responsibility."

"He has been interfering in the internal affairs of Ethiopia, including Ethiopia's relations with the State of Eritrea," the foreign ministry said late Thursday, quoting a letter it sent to WHO.

The government accused Tedros of supporting the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), its adversary in the 14-month war in the country's north, and a listed terror group in Ethiopia.

The fighting has killed thousands and pushed many more to the brink of famine.

Tedros had "spread harmful misinformation and compromised WHO's reputation, independence and credibility which is evident from his social media postings that openly endorse the terror perpetrated by the TPLF against the Ethiopian people", the foreign ministry said.

Ethiopia's mission to the United Nations also protested against his remarks and called for Tedros to recuse himself "from all matters concerning Ethiopia."

"Partisan, politically and personally motivated staff, blindsided from serving their global roles, curtail the most needed work of UN agencies," it said on Twitter on Wednesday.

Tedros on Wednesday described restrictions on aid entering rebel-controlled Tigray -- which the UN has described as a de facto blockade -- as "an insult to our humanity".

It is "so dreadful and unimaginable during this time, the 21st century, when a government is denying its own people for more than a year food and medicine and the rest to survive," Tedros told reporters.

'Side Of Peace'

Addis Ababa on Friday blamed the TPLF for the blockade, accusing the rebels of impeding critical humanitarian corridors into their stronghold of Tigray.

The international community should "hold the TPLF accountable for the crime of starving people in Tigray, under whose name it has been wreaking havoc," the foreign ministry said.

Ethiopian forces and its allies have been fighting the TPLF since November 2020, when Prime Minister Abiy sent troops into Tigray after accusing the rebels of attacking army camps.

It is not the first time that Tedros, who in 2017 became the first African to head WHO, has attracted Ethiopia's ire over his remarks on the war.

At the outset of fighting, Ethiopia's army chief Berhanu Jula accused the 56-year-old of helping the TPLF acquire weapons.

The WHO boss rejected these allegations, insisting he was "on the side of peace".

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At least 108 civilians have been killed this month in a series of airstrikes in the war-torn northern Tigray region of Ethiopia, the United Nations said Friday.

The UN also warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in the region, with its food distribution operations on the verge of grinding to a halt.

The UN human rights office urged the Ethiopian authorities to ensure the protection of civilians, saying disproportionate attacks hitting non-military targets could amount to war crimes.

Northern Ethiopia has been beset by conflict since November 2020 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray after accusing the region's ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), of attacks on federal army camps.

"We are alarmed by the multiple, deeply disturbing reports we continue to receive of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian objects resulting from airstrikes in Ethiopia's Tigray region," rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell told reporters in Geneva.

"At least 108 civilians have reportedly been killed and 75 others injured since the year began, as a result of airstrikes allegedly carried out by the Ethiopian air force."

She detailed a series of airstrikes, including the January 7 attack on the Dedebit camp for internally displaced persons, which left at least 56 dead and 30 others wounded, of which three later died in hospital.

On Monday, 17 civilians were reportedly killed and 21 injured after an airstrike hit a flour mill, and on Tuesday, the state-owned Technical Vocational Education and Training institute was hit, reportedly killing three men, said Throssell.

Numerous other airstrikes were reported last week, she added.

"We call on the Ethiopian authorities and their allies to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects, in line with their obligations under international law," said Throssell.

"Failure to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality could amount to war crimes."

Meanwhile, the UN's World Food Programme said its distributions were at an all-time low, with the escalation of the conflict meaning that no WFP convoy has reached the Tigrayan capital Mekele since mid-December.

"Life-saving food assistance operations in northern Ethiopia are about to grind to a halt because intense fighting in the neighbourhood that has blocked the passage of fuel and food," WFP spokesman Tomson Phiri told reporters.

"After 14 months of conflict in northern Ethiopia, more people than ever need urgent food assistance.

"With no food, no fuel, no access, we are on the edge of a major humanitarian disaster."

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Tunisian police used tear gas and water cannons on Friday against hundreds of demonstrators who defied a ban on gatherings to protest against President Kais Saied's July power grab.

As the country marks 11 years since the fall of late dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, hundreds of Saied's opponents staged rallies against his July 2021 power grab.

They had gathered despite restrictions imposed on Thursday, ostensibly to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 300 protesters gathered on Mohamed V Avenue, where some broke through a police cordon before being forced back by police with batons.

AFP reporters saw several being arrested.

Security forces had deployed heavily to block them from reaching the central Habib Bourguiba Avenue and the Interior Ministry headquarters, where vast protests in early 2011 had forced Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia.

Some of the protesters on Friday chanted "down with the coup!", a reference to Saied's July 25 moves in which he sacked the government, froze parliament and seized an assortment of powers.

He has since virtually ruled by decree, to the outrage of his opponents, including the powerful Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party.

Some Tunisians, tired of the inept and graft-ridden parliamentary system, welcomed his moves.

The protests took place despite a string of measures including a nighttime curfew and a ban on public gatherings, brought in on Thursday evening purportedly to tackle a steep rise in coronavirus infections.

Ennahdha has said the measures are politically motivated.

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While it wasn't immediately clear who was behind the cyberattack, the disruption came amid heightened tensions with Russia and after talks between Moscow and the West failed to yield any significant progress this week.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko told The Associated Press it was too soon to tell who could have been behind the attack, "but there is a long record of Russian cyber assaults against Ukraine in the past.''

Moscow had previously denied involvement in cyberattacks against Ukraine.

The websites of the country's Cabinet, seven ministries, the Treasury, the National Emergency Service and the state services website, where Ukrainians' electronic passports and vaccination certificates are stored, were temporarily unavailable Friday as a result of the hack.

The websites contained a message in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, saying that Ukrainians' personal data has been leaked into the public domain. "Be afraid and expect the worst. This is for your past, present and future," the message read, in part.

Ukraine's State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection said that no personal data has been leaked. The country's minister for digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, said later on Friday that "a large part'' of the affected websites have been restored.

Victor Zhora, deputy chair of the State Service of Special Communication, said no critical infrastructure was affected.

The hack amounted to a simple defacement of government websites, said Oleh Derevianko, a leading private sector expert and founder of the ISSP cybersecurity firm. The hackers got into a content management system they all use.

"They didn't get access to the websites themselves,'' Derevianko said.

Derevianko said the hacker may have gained access to the hacked content management system long ago so the question to consider is the timing of the defacement and the provocative message.

"It could be just a regular information operation (seeking) to undermine the government's capability and to create and enhance uncertainty,'' added Derevianko. It could also possibly be "part of a planned hybrid attack or longer-term and more sophisticated cyber operation which is underway but has not culminated.''

The main question, said Derevianko, is whether this is a standalone hacktivist action or part of a larger state-backed operation.

Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been running high in recent months after Moscow amassed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border, stoking fears of an invasion. Moscow says it has no plans to attack and rejects Washington's demand to pull back its forces, saying it has the right to deploy them wherever necessary.

The Kremlin has demanded security guarantees from the West 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.

High-stakes talks this week between Moscow and the U.S., followed by a meeting of Russia and NATO representatives and a meeting at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, failed to bring about any immediate progress.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that the 30-country military organization will continue to provide "strong political and practical support'' to Ukraine in light of the cyber attacks.

"In the coming days, NATO and Ukraine will sign an agreement on enhanced cyber cooperation, including Ukrainian access to NATO's malware information sharing platform,'' Stoltenberg said in a statement.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Friday that the 27-nation bloc is ready to mobilize all its resources to provide technical assistance to Ukraine and help it improve its capacity to weather cyberattacks.

Borrell told a meeting of EU foreign ministers in the French port city of Brest that the bloc would mobilize its cyber rapid response teams. "We are going to mobilize all our resources to help Ukraine cope with these cyberattacks,'' Borrell said. "Sadly, we expected this could happen.''

Asked who could be behind the attack, Borrell said: "I can't point at anybody because I have no proof, but one can imagine.''

Russia has a long history of launching aggressive cyber operations against Ukraine, including a hack of its voting system ahead of the 2014 national elections and an assault on the country's power grid in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, Russia unleashed one of the most damaging cyberattacks on record with the NotPetya virus that targeted Ukrainian businesses and caused more than $10 billion in damage globally.

Ukrainian cybersecurity professionals have been fortifying the defences of critical infrastructure following state-backed Russian attacks that temporarily disabled parts of Ukraine's power grid in the winters of 2015 and 2016, and the crippling NotPetya cyberattack.

Zhora has told the AP that officials are particularly concerned about Russian attacks on the power grid, rail network and central bank.

Experts have said recently that the threat of another such cyberattack is significant as it would give Russian President Vladimir Putin the ability to destabilize Ukraine and other former Soviet countries that wish to join NATO without having to commit troops.

"If you're trying to use it as a stage and a deterrent to stop people from moving forward with NATO consideration or other things, cyber is perfect,'' Tim Conway, a cybersecurity instructor at the SANS Institute, told The Associated Press in an interview last week.

Conway was in Ukraine last month conducting a simulated cyberattack on the country's energy sector. The U.S. has been investing in improving Ukraine's cyber defences for several years through various departments, like the Department of Energy and USAID.

The White House didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

John Hultquist, vice president of intelligence analysis at cybersecurity firm Mandiant, said while it's too soon to say who is behind the defacements, such actions are in the Russian government's playbook. Russian hackers were blamed for defacing Georgian websites in 2019.

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When students and teachers at Kattegatt high school in Halmstad returned after the summer holidays, it was to a state-of-the-art, newly built school equipped with Swedens first brain gym. An automatic control lighting system from ABB helps to make the new school both energy-efficient, safe and comfortable.

After many years in older, dilapidated buildings and temporary premises, the joy is enormous from students, parents and teachers entering for the first time Halmstads largest high school  Kattegatt  as they move into the second and final stage of its completely newly built school which opened in August 2021.

Kattegatt high schools key word is brain smart, a concept that the school has developed based on brain research to give students brains good conditions for learning. In the new school entrance, Swedens first brain gym stands out. Here, students can train their brain, among other things, by playing mind ball: a headband that registers brain activity, participants get a ball to roll. The one who is most focused and relaxed wins.

We have been eager to build a school that is at the forefront of technology, both to become an attractive school for the future students and to build a sustainable and smart school of the future that inspires, provides comfort and care and places sustainable wellbeing at the heart of our activities, says Ida Ahlberg, school superintendent and the one responsible for the school building.

The new school, with more than 19,000 square meters and space for 1,600 students plus 200 teachers, is equipped with KNX, a system for building automation. At present, the KNX system controls the lighting throughout the school. All installed luminaires are equipped with DALI, a standardized interface for digital light control, which enables simple and scalable control via KNX. The school also features presence detectors which ensure that the lighting is dimmed and then switched off if the room remains vacant for a while. When the last person leaves the school and sets the alarm, all lighting is automatically turned off helping to preserve energy and reducing light pollution.

The combination of KNX and DALI is unbeatable in lighting. Calculations show that you save at least 30 percent energy compared to manually controlled lighting. In such large premises, there is always someone who forgets to turn off the lights, so this system provides piece of mind and helps save energy as lights can be turned off in rooms/areas that are not occupied, says Anders Holmen, sales specialist at ABB Electrification.

In the future, there is the opportunity to connect and control more things with the KNX system, such as heating and blinds.

This is by far the largest KNX system I have ever programmed and commissioned. But it has been great and much faster than I thought, even though I have only worked with KNX for a couple of years. The ABB team were always available when I needed any additional system support set-up or had any questions to help optimize the system, says Daniel Bengtsson at the company Prenad in Halmstad who installed the system.

For a building the size of Kattegatt high school, an automatic lighting control system means major energy savings. According to the Swedish Energy Agency, lighting accounted for almost a third of electricity consumption in an average Swedish school. With modern LED luminaires in combination with KNX control, it is possible to reduce the electricity consumption for lighting by more than 85 percent compared with older, manually controlled luminaires. At the school it is expected that its energy consumption will decrease significantly; from around 150 kWh per square meter each year in the old school to about 80 kWh per square meter each year in the new one.

In addition to the energy savings and the convenience, the KNX system also contributes to increased safety. If one of the emergency exits fails and is not unlocked when the school alarm is turned off in the morning, the school remains dark  a clear signal that it should not be used. Should the fire alarm set off, the light is regulated up to a maximum throughout the school at the same time as sound and projector in the auditorium are switched off. This facilitates safe and timely evacuation protecting pupils and teachers.

Weve really looked forward to moving into the new, modern premises and providing a safe and stimulating environment for everyone to learn and collaborate. We are excited to start using the premises to experience the state-of-the-art learning environment and continue to inspire, says Ida Ahlberg.

new.abb.com/low-voltage/products/building-automation/product-range/abb-i-bus-knx
Google on Friday agreed to buy a central London building complex for $1 billion but stressed it remained committed to new hybrid working patterns in the wake of Covid.

The tech titan will purchase the Central St Giles office site, where it is a tenant, for the equivalent of 872 million euros.

Google said it would give the site a multi-million-pound overhaul for flexible working patterns, including outdoor workspaces.

"This investment represents Google's continued confidence in the office as a place for in-person collaboration and connection," the group said in a statement.

The company expects about one-fifth of its workforce to continue working remotely as a result of pandemic-induced changes to work.

"We have been privileged to operate in the UK for nearly 20 years, and our purchase of the Central St Giles development reflects our continued commitment to the country's growth and success," said Ruth Porat, chief financial officer of Google parent group Alphabet.

"Our focus remains on creating flexible workspaces that foster innovation, creativity and inclusivity."

The purchase is part of Google's broader expansion in central London, where it is also building a large development.

Google will eventually have the capacity for 10,000 staff in the UK, up from 6,400.

The British government meanwhile welcomed Google's latest expansion as the UK looks to retain heavyweight companies in the wake of Brexit.

"This investment in jobs from Google is a big vote of confidence in the UK as a world-leading tech hub," said finance minister Rishi Sunak.

"It is also proof that this country continues to be one of the most attractive places in the world for leading firms to grow their business."

It comes after Google last year announced plans to buy a New York City office building for $2.1 billion.

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The United States' Omicron wave is beginning to recede in New York and other major cities, official data showed this week, even as Covid-19 hospitalizations, a lagging indicator, reached new highs.

The trend of explosive rises in Omicron cases followed by equally fast declines follows similar patterns seen in Britain and in South Africa, where the variant was first reported in late November.

In New York City, the seven-day average of new daily cases has been falling since around January 2, when they peaked at 40,000 a day -- an all-time record.

The figure stood at around 28,500 on January 10, still higher than anything seen in previous waves caused by other strains, an official tracker showed Friday.

Similar drops were visible in New York state, New Jersey and Chicago, the country's third-largest city, as well as in the capital Washington.

But the nationwide average is still rising, with more than 750,000 cases per day, as infections continue to shoot up in most states.

While milder for most people compared to past strains, the transmissibility of Omicron has meant the small fraction who become severely ill amount to a large number, overwhelming hospitals.

More than 157,000 inpatient beds are occupied by Covid patients, according to the Health and Human Services Department, a record high.

At the same time, the country has been hit by nationwide nurse strikes and protests over shortages of staff and equipment, as well as being forced to work while Covid positive.

The seven-day average of daily deaths is over 1,700, approaching the peak last seen during the Delta variant wave in September 2021, which was around 1,900 per day.

The all-time peak came in January 2021, when more than 3,400 people lost their lives per day.

Vaccine efficacy remains higher than 90 percent against severe cases, according to data from New York state.

On Thursday, the US Supreme Court delivered a blow to President Joe Biden by blocking his Covid vaccination-or-testing mandate for employees of large businesses.

However, the nation's highest court did allow a vaccination mandate for health care workers at facilities receiving federal funding.

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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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The death of an unarmed African-American man shot by an off-duty white police officer under mysterious circumstances has fueled outrage in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where relatives of the victim are calling for protests Thursday.

Pandora Harrington, right, cries as she holds a sign with an image of Jason Walker during a demonstration in front of the Fayetteville Police Department, Jan. 9, 2022, in Fayetteville, N.C. [File photo: Andrew Craft/The Fayetteville Observer via AP]

Prominent rights lawyer Benjamin Crump and the family of Jason Walker have scheduled a "rally for justice" at 8:00 pm (0100 GMT) in the city.

Small clusters of residents have already marched this week in Fayetteville to demand the arrest of officer Jeffrey Hash, in a case that has revived debate over whether police use excessive force in the United States, particularly against minorities.

Hash, employed by the city since 2005, was off duty when the shooting occurred on Saturday afternoon.

The officer was driving in his vehicle with his wife and daughter when they neared Walker, an unarmed 37-year-old Black man crossing the street near his parents' house.

Moments later, Hash opened fire, and soon Walker lay dead of gunshot wounds. Exactly what transpired is in dispute.

In an amateur video, filmed just after the shooting and posted online, the police officer explains to colleagues called to the scene that Walker jumped into the middle of the street and that he braked to avoid him.

According to Hash, Walker then threw himself on the vehicle, tore off a windshield wiper and used it to hit the windshield, prompting Hash to draw his weapon to protect his family.

But witnesses say Hash hit the pedestrian before stopping.

"I saw him brake, completely stop and then keep going," Elizabeth Ricks told an ABC station. "I saw him hit Jason... then his body was slammed into the windshield."

She then heard shots fired, Ricks said. "I think he fired the first shot through the windshield and three more times outside the vehicle," she said.

According to police, Hash's black pickup truck had no visible dents and Walker's body did not show any signs of impact other than bullet wounds.

The officer was placed on administrative leave, but has not been arrested or charged with a crime. State investigators have begun a probe into the killing.

Crump said the family and broader Fayetteville community were demanding answers to why Walker was "senselessly shot and killed" by an off-duty officer.

"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, known for his fight against police brutality, said in a statement.

US police officers kill an average of 1,000 people each year, with an overrepresentation of African Americans among the victims.

Police are rarely prosecuted, although the major anti-racism protests of 2020 prompted some changes in the courts, with convictions against some police and others in high-profile shooting deaths.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 15, 2022 - 02:10 | World, All, Coronavirus

Japan and France plan to hold virtual ministerial security talks in mid-January focusing on China's assertive territorial claims in the East and South China seas and North Korea's nuclear and missile development, Japanese government sources said Friday.

The defense and foreign ministers of the two countries are expected to release documents after the two-plus-two talks, the first of their kind since the last session was held in France in January 2019, the sources said.

The two sides are likely to discuss ways to boost response capability against military threats in the Indo-Pacific, especially after North Korea on Friday carried out what became the third launch of apparent ballistic missiles in 10 days.

Amid concerns about China's rising maritime assertiveness, the Japanese and French ministers are expected to affirm coordination in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific and deepen defense cooperation, according to the sources.

The upcoming talks will involve Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and their respective French counterparts Jean-Yves Le Drian and Florence Parly.

Tokyo and Paris had initially planned to hold an in-person two-plus-two meeting in Japan by the end of 2021 but postponed it due to the coronavirus pandemic, lately fueled by the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Japan and France have generally taken turns hosting such meetings since their first session in 2014.

Earlier this month, Japan and Australia signed a defense cooperation pact called the Reciprocal Access Agreement, which eases restrictions on the transportation of weapons and supplies for joint training and disaster relief operations.

France, which calls Japan "a special partner," has expressed its desire to sign such an accord with Japan, as Japan has been strengthening maritime security ties with the European nation that holds its overseas territories in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan has been reinforcing defense cooperation with European countries like Britain and Germany in response to an increasingly assertive China, and France's Jeanne d'Arc training fleet made a port call in Japan in May last year.

Japan and France have been conducting joint exercises as well, joined by the United States and Australia.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 15, 2022 - 00:22 | All, World

North Korea fired eastward on Friday two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles, the South Korean military said, Pyongyang's third launch in 10 days.

North Korea had earlier criticized the United States for expanding sanctions on its nationals following the recent launches of what Pyongyang claimed were hypersonic missiles, threatening a "stronger and certain reaction."

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile that is assessed to have landed in waters near the country's eastern coast and outside Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan.

Related coverage:

U.S. sanctions North Koreans aiding weapons programs after missile tests

North Korea conducts test-firing of hypersonic missile reaching 1,000 km

North Korea conducts 2nd missile test in less than a week

Calling the launch a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning North Korea from firing ballistic missiles, Kishi said Japan lodged a protest with North Korea through its embassy in Beijing.

The United States also condemned the latest launch as a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and said it "poses a threat" to North Korea's neighbors and the international community.

While emphasizing that the U.S. defense commitment to Japan and South Korea remains "ironclad," a State Department spokesperson said Washington will continue to call on Pyongyang to engage in dialogue over its nuclear and missile programs.

The South Korean military's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired from an inland area of North Pyongan Province in the North's northwest and traveled about 430 kilometers while reaching an altitude of about 36 km at one point.

The Japanese government estimated the missile flew about 400 km and reached a maximum altitude of around 50 km.

"It is obvious that the purpose of North Korea's frequent firing of missiles is to improve its missile technology," Kishi told reporters in Tokyo.

"We will consider all options, including the possession of so-called enemy base strike capabilities, and will continue to work to drastically strengthen our defense ability," he said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the latest launch, along with repeated firings of ballistic missiles by the North, poses a "serious problem" to the international community.

The top Japanese government spokesman said there were no immediate reports of damage caused by Friday's launch.

Meanwhile, Takehiro Funakoshi, director general of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, held phone talks with Sung Kim, U.S. special representative for North Korea, over the latest launch and confirmed close three-way cooperation including South Korea.

South Korean media, quoting the country's military, reported the missiles flew as fast as six times the speed of sound and were likely not hypersonic missiles.

The office of South Korean President Moon Jae In held an emergency meeting of the National Security Council and called the series of launches by the North "regrettable."

The latest launch follows ones on Tuesday and on Jan. 5 that North Korea said were newly developed hypersonic missiles.

After the earlier launches, the U.S. State and Treasury departments announced sanctions on seven individuals, mostly North Koreans based in Russia and China, over their alleged ties to Pyongyang's weapons programs.

On Friday morning, North Korea issued a statement saying beefing up national defense capabilities is the legitimate right of a sovereign state.

"If the U.S. adopts such a confrontational stance, the DPRK will be forced to take stronger and certain reaction to it," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

DPRK is the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
BAGHDAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Several rockets on Thursday hit the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses the U.S. embassy in central Baghdad, wounding a woman and a child, the Iraqi military said.

"The innocent people in the Green Zone were attacked by several rockets fired from the Doura neighborhood in southern Baghdad, targeting headquarters of diplomatic missions, which are protected by the Iraqi forces," the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said in a statement.

One of the rockets fell on a school building inside the zone, wounding a woman and a female child, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, an Interior Ministry source anonymously told Xinhua that the air defense weapons protecting the U.S. embassy opened fire on two rockets and blew them up before reaching their targets, while a third rocket landed on a school building, causing damage.

Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called the attacks on Iraqi military bases "absurd," stressing the end of the combat mission of the U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq after their withdrawal from the country.

The latest attack came as part of a recent series of drone and rocket attacks that targeted the Green Zone and Iraqi army bases, housing U.S. advisers and agencies. 
Joseph Maker Gordon (2nd R), his wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem (2nd L) and his son Ngok Joseph Maker (1st R) pose for a photo with a member of a Chinese medical team at Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Jan. 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Denis Elamu)

A South Sudanese man, who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to the capital Juba, is now grateful to Chinese medical doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments.

JUBA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A South Sudanese man, who fled conflict from his hometown of Malakal in Upper Nile state in 2014 to the capital Juba, is now grateful to Chinese medical doctors who treated his family members with complicated ailments.

Joseph Maker Gordon, a 59-year-old minister in a local church in Juba, was recently in pain after developing hemorrhoids under the skin around his anus and underwent surgical operation which did not go well as he continued to release blood in his stool.

To compound matters, his aging wife Nyanchuor Kiir Guem had chest and breast pain (mastalgia) while his 22-year-old son Ngok Joseph Maker needed an operation after suffering a cartilage piercing bump.

Gordon told Xinhua on Thursday that the 9th batch of Chinese medical team has eased the burden of treating his family after the trio were successfully examined and provided with proper treatment at the Juba Teaching Hospital.

"We came to Juba teaching hospital to visit Chinese doctors, my son was having pain in his ear and they managed to do the operation without consultation charges," he said after being examined following his operation two weeks back.

Gordon was operated on in a health facility outside Juba Teaching Hospital, but he continued to experience bleeding amid pain while releasing his stool.

Ngok Joseph Maker (2nd R), Joseph Maker Gordon's son, poses for a photo with members of a Chinese medical team at Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Denis Elamu)

"I personally came for hemorrhoid treatment, the operation was done late last year, they (Chinese) managed to stop the bleeding, and they said their role is to help patients as part of bilateral relations with South Sudan," he disclosed.

The 15-member medical team arrived in the country from Anhui Province in September last year.

"I call on South Sudanese who cannot afford medical costs in private health facilities to come to the Chinese, they have done several operations," added Gordon.

He expressed further relief after Chinese doctors assured him of a follow-up of his wife's medical recovery, noting that they also promised to operate Guem if the need arises.

Gordon, who underwent a successful operation on his ear last week by a team of Chinese doctors, said he had been enduring severe pain since 2019.

"The swelling in my ear started after piercing my ear with the needle in 2019. It was operated on in 2020 but the pain continued. I was again this year operated on at Juba Teaching Hospital," said Joseph who is now relieved of the pain.

Ding Zhen, general surgeon and team leader of the Chinese medical team who treated the family, said they will monitor Gordon's family.

He noted that Guem suffered pain in her chest and breast for five years.

"We will follow up with her (Guem) case to ensure she is totally healed of her pain," said Ding.

However, Gordon noted the need to support Chinese doctors in the translation of local languages in order to ease their communication with patients in need of their services.

"We have a problem with language, their work is practical but they need translators to pass the message to patients so that they can understand, their services, especially minor operations that I witnessed, are very good," he said. 
RABAT, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The coast guards of Morocco's Royal Navy have rescued 177 illegal immigrants in the South Atlantic, the official Moroccan news agency MAP reported Thursday.

The immigrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, included 52 women and 20 children, the report cited a military source as saying.

They were facing difficulties on board makeshift inflatable boats when they were rescued on Wednesday, the source said.

All the immigrants, who were trying to reach the Spanish archipelago of Canary Islands, received the necessary first aid, the source added.

Morocco has long been a transit country for African migrants seeking to reach Europe. 
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's lower house of parliament on Thursday passed the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2021 to generate additional revenue and bring financial reforms.

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin presented the bill before the National Assembly of Pakistan for voting during the session that concluded late Thursday night.

Addressing the session, the finance minister said the government presented the bill to bring financial and tax reforms for the socio-economic development of common persons in the country.

The minister added that the new reforms would bring more people into the tax net and help the country document the finance and businesses.

Speaker of the house Asad Qaiser read out all clauses of the bill and asked members to stand in favor of the bill and remain sitting if they are against it. The speaker gave the ruling that all the clauses of the bill presented by the finance minister had been passed in the house.

However, before the start of the voting, the finance minister took back clauses of the bill to impose taxes on bread, milk, bakery items, red chillies, iodized salt, solar panels and laptops following concerns from allied parties of the government.

Earlier in June last year, the government presented the annual budget for the period from July 2021 to June 2022, which was also passed by the lower house with a clear majority.

Local media quoting official sources said that the finance supplementary bill amended certain laws related to taxes and duties, a requirement by the International Monetary Fund to review Pakistan's extended fund facility.

Under the bill, the government will impose a sales tax of 8.5 percent on up to 1,800cc domestic and hybrid cars, 12.75 percent tax on 1,801cc to 2,500cc hybrid vehicles and will charge 12.5 percent taxes on imported electric vehicles, said the minister.

However, the government reduced duty on locally manufactured 1,300cc vehicles from 5 percent to 2.5 percent, from 10 percent to 5 percent on locally manufactured 1,300cc to 2,000cc cars, and kept 10 percent tax on locally manufactured cars having engine capacity of more than 2,000cc, added the minister. 
CANBERRA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Australians have been warned to prepare for COVID-19 infections to peak in late January.

Steven Marshall, the Premier of South Australia (SA), on Friday released modelling from Adelaide University that found the state's daily coronavirus case tally would peak at 6,000 to 10,000 between Jan. 15 and 25.

"This translates to about 370 cases in (hospital) beds and 50 in intensive care at that peak," he told reporters.

SA on Friday reported a pandemic record of 5,679 new coronavirus cases.

Nationally Australia reported more than 100,000 new locally-acquired infections for the second straight day and 56 deaths - 29 in New South Wales (NSW), 18 in Victoria, six in SA and three in Queensland.

Department of Health data published on Thursday night revealed there were about 734,000 active cases in Australia, 4,197 of which were being treated in hospital, including 306 in intensive care units.

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt on Friday announced that Australia on Thursday set a new record for booster vaccines administered for the third consecutive day.

"A record 254,515 boosters were administered yesterday. Over 4.6 million Australians have had a booster. Now up to 50.7 percent of those eligible," he wrote on social media.

Marshall also on Friday announced SA's plan to return to face-to-face learning at schools after the summer holidays.

From Feb. 2 the state's oldest secondary and youngest primary school students will return to classrooms.

All other age groups will begin online classes on the same date before returning to classrooms on Feb. 14. 
KABUL, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of the Afghan caretaker government on Friday left for neighboring Turkmenistan for talks on different issues, deputy spokesperson of the Taliban caretaker government confirmed.

"At the invitation of Turkmenistan, a senior delegation led by Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Mottaqi left for Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan on Friday morning," Bilal Karimi wrote on Twitter.

According to the source, the visit is aimed at holding talks on bilateral trade, energy, petroleum, railway and issues relating to education.

The two sides would also discuss the resumption of work on two major projects, namely the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power project, according to Karimi.

The construction of the TAPI project has reportedly been completed on Turkmenistan's soil. Construction of the project in Afghan territory was inaugurated in February 2018, but it has been in process due to the war and conflicts in the country.

Earlier this week, the Taliban authorities have announced that the administration was aiming to re-launch the TAPI project after setting up 30,000 strong security force members for the project.

According to officials, the project, once completed, is expected to export up to 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year to the three neighboring countries. 
COLOMBO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government said Friday that the huge star sapphire cluster found in the country last year has been registered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest star sapphire cluster.

State Minister of Gem and Jewelry Related Industries Lohan Ratwatte quoted in the local Daily Mirror said the stone, weighing over 500 kg, had entered the Guinness Book after it was certified as the largest star sapphire cluster by the Gubelin Gem Lab in Switzerland.

The star sapphire cluster was found in Ratnapura, a traditional center for the Sri Lankan gem trade, located 100 km southeast of the country's capital Colombo last year.

Sri Lankan officials said the cluster weighs around 510 kg or 2.5 million carats and has been named the "Serendipity Sapphire."

The minister said that the cluster which is currently in Switzerland will be taken to Britain for auction. 
MOSCOW, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday spoke highly of the "unique architecture of Russia-China ties" and Russia's and China's joint efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and solve international problems.

The annual summits of the national leaders, meetings of the heads of government, and sessions of various commissions at the level of deputy prime minister (premier) "have proved to be very efficient," Lavrov said during his press conference summarizing Russian diplomacy in 2021.

The outcomes of the mechanism "have been thought-through and can be implemented in practice. The mechanism allows us to achieve our goals," he said when answering a question raised by Xinhua.

One of the achievements is the record-high turnover of Russia-China trade in 2021, Lavrov said. The trade turnover surged by 35.8 percent year-on-year to reach nearly 146.9 billion U.S. dollars, according to the General Customs Administration of China.

In the international arena, Russia and China are jointly defending the United Nations Charter, the norms of international law, international fairness and justice, territorial integrity and independence, and upholding the settlement of all crises by diplomatic means and non-interference in the internal affairs of any state, Lavrov said.

The top Russian diplomat positively assessed the alignment of the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative.

The two countries are also closely cooperating within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where Afghanistan and Central Asian issues enjoy special significance, he said.

As Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to visit China early next month, Lavrov said that the two heads of state are expected to cover all aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation during their talks in Beijing. 
BEIJING, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 60 percent of surveyed Lithuanians oppose Vilnius' current policy toward China, while only 13 percent support it, according to a recent survey conducted by a private company on behalf of the country's foreign ministry.

With 21 percent of respondents rating "very negatively" and 37 percent "negatively" about the policy, the poll added to the mounting pressure on the ministry.

The poll's results came after Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda last week acknowledged the country had made "a mistake" by allowing the establishment of a "representative office" in Vilnius bearing the name of Taiwan instead of Taipei.

In response, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said recognizing one's mistake is a right step, but "it is more important to take actions" to return to the right track of upholding the one-China principle. 
STOCKHOLM, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has tested positive for COVID-19, her press secretary said on Friday.

Andersson's press secretary told local media that she is fine under the circumstances and will carry out her duties from home.

Following a debate session in the parliament earlier this week which the prime minister also attended, two other party leaders announced that they were infected.

Earlier this month, the Royal Court confirmed that King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden had tested positive for COVID-19.

After sweeping across several other European countries, the Omicron variant is now rampantly spreading in Sweden.

On Thursday, Sweden's Public Health Agency presented revised scenarios for the near future, estimating between 700,000 and 1.1 million new infections in the coming two weeks among the country's population of 10.4 million. 
New Delhi:

Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to meet JJP chief Dushyant Chautala on Friday night as the BJP looks to seek the latters party support to form the government in Haryana, according to the reports. The development comes hours after the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader asserted that neither the BJP or the Congress is untouchable for him, and said he will support any party which agrees with his organisation's common minimum programme.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting of the JJP legislative party of 10 MLAs, Chautala kept his cards close to chest over whether his party will support the BJP or the Congress.

He said he had so far not spoken to either the BJP or the Congress on the matter.

"No one is untouchable for us. We will support whichever party agrees to implement our agenda as part of a common minimum programme, " Chautala said. He was elected leader of the JJP legislative party.

The BJP has already claimed the support of a majority of MLAs in the 90-member Haryana assembly, with a number of independent legislators extending their support to the party. The BJP has won 40 seats followed by 31 of the Congress.

On Thursday, the BJP parliamentary board authorised Shah to take all decisions regarding government formation in Haryana and Maharashtra.

The board, which is the apex organisational body of the BJP, met after the party won a majority of seats in alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and appeared set to form government in Haryana as well after emerging as the single largest party.

Party sources said there will be no change in chief ministers of any state, a decision on expected lines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah, besides other senior party leaders, attended the board's meeting.
New Delhi:

Congress, CPI and other opposition parties on Friday flayed the Telangana Chief Ministers comments that the ongoing strike by TSRTC employees was illegal and reaffirmed their support to the stir. This is a strike being done voluntarily by the employees. Their request is that the CM fulfil the promise he made at the Karimnagar meeting (during separate Telangana agitation) that RTC workers would be recognised as government employees, employees unions leader Aswathama Reddy told reporters.

Claiming that an RTC employee came under pressure and died of a heart attack over Raos comments, he said such deaths are government murders.

Congress Legislature Party leader M Bhatti Vikramarka alleged that there is a conspiracy to make RTC unavailable to people.

Aswathama Reddy and other leaders met state BJP president K Laxman and Minister of state for Home G Kishan Reddy. Taking exception to Raos comments that a new law made by the Centre allows states to permit private players to run buses, Kishan Reddy said the Centre never made any law to suspend or remove workers from jobs. CPI said its state Assistant Secretary K Sambasiva Rao would launch an indefinite fast from Saturday in support of the strike by Telangana State Road TransportCorporation employees and other demands, including safeguarding RTC.

He told reporters here that he would go ahead with the fast even if government denied permission for it and he was arrested or admitted to a hospital by the authorities.

The neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh had recently merged the states transport department with the government and further increased the retirement age to sixty years.

The group of unions have submitted 26 demands including an increase in pay scale. Other demands include RTC being exempted from taxes, child care holidays for women employees, purchase of new buses and removal of hired buses, clearing dues to the corporation owed by the government, and allowing the Corporation to undertake parcel and courier services.

The last time the KCR-led government hiked the salaries of the TRC employees by 44 per cent was in 2015 when the workers demonstrated for their rights.

Taking a tough stand on the strike, the Chief Minister had made it clear that under no circumstances the RTC would be merged into the government.

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New Delhi:

A delivery agent, Mudassir working for an online food ordering platform on Friday registered a complaint against a customer for refusing to accept an order as the man on duty man was Muslim. Mudassir claimed that the customer, Ajay Kumar had requested for his food to be delivered by a Hindu delivery agent while placing the order.

However, the company sent Mudassir with the food, which was refused at the customers doorstep. A case has been registered against Kumar under relevant sections of the Indian Penal code (IPC). Further probe is under way, according to news agency ANI report.

Meanwhile, the delivery boy brought the issue to the notice of the Muslim outfit Majlis Bacao Tehreek president Amjed Ullah Khan who posted the matter in his twitter account.

The customer ordered chicken-65 and requested for a Hindu delivery boy, but Swiggy sent a Muslim boy for delivering the parcel... and the customer refused to take the parcel.

When contacted, Swiggy, in a statement, said ...we embrace diversity and respect different points of view. Every order is automatically assigned to delivery executives based on their location and availability, among others, and not based on individual preferences. As an organisation, we do not discriminate between our partners and customers on any grounds.

The customer who refused to accept the food item could not be contacted.

Incidentally, the food was ordered from a restaurant run by a Muslim, Khan said.

The incident comes over two months after a similar episode in Madhya Pradesh involving Zomato, another food delivery company.

A Zomato customer had declined to accept the food he ordered because it was brought by a non-Hindu, but the company refused to resolve the complaint, saying food does not have religion.

In response to his request for another delivery man, Zomato had tweeted: Food doesnt have a religion. It is a religion. The reaction had won the company many admirers.
Santiago:

More than one million people took to the streets in Chile Friday for the largest protests in a week of deadly demonstrations demanding economic reforms and the resignation of President Sebastian Pinera. The leader told the thronging masses that he had "heard the message" in a post on Twitter, characterizing the protests in a positive light and as a means towards change.

Demonstrators carrying indigenous and national flags sang popular resistance songs from the 1973-90 Augusto Pinochet dictatorship era as the country, usually seen as one of the most stable in Latin America, grapples with its worst violence in decades.

Santiago's governor Karla Rubilar described it as "a historic day" on Twitter, praising "a peaceful march... representing the dream of a new Chile." Rubilar said more than a million were demonstrating around the country, while Santiago's town hall put the number of people marching in the capital at 820,000, citing police figures.

For the past week, Chileans' pent-up anger has spilled over in the form of protests against a socio-economic structure that many feel has left them by the wayside, with low wages and pensions, costly health care and education, and a big gap between rich and poor.

Pinera, a conservative billionaire, wrote on Twitter that "the massive, happy and peaceful march today, where Chileans demanded a more just and supportive Chile, opens great paths for the future and hope." "We have all heard the message. We have all changed. With unity and help from God, we will travel the road towards a Chile that is better for all," he said.

Pinera apologized earlier in the week for failing to anticipate the outbreak of social unrest and announced a raft of measures designed to placate people, such as increases in minimum pensions and wages.

He also announced a plan to end a deeply unpopular state of emergency and to lift a nighttime curfew, although both of those are now into their seventh day.

On Friday he called on legislators to "urgently approve these projects rather than arguing and debating so much." Francisco Anguitar, a 38-year-old artificial intelligence developer attending the demonstrations, told AFP the protests would probably "be the biggest ever. We're asking for justice, honesty, ethical government."

"It's not that we want socialism or communism: We want fewer private enterprises, more state," he said. In an initial burst of violence, metro stations were destroyed, supermarkets torched and looted, traffic lights and bus shelters smashed, and countless street barricades erected and set alight.

Authorities deployed some 20,000 police and soldiers in Santiago, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Security forces have been blamed for five of the 19 protest-related deaths. Social media has lit up with accusations of torture and abuse.

The United Nations said on Thursday it was sending a team to investigate the allegations. Serious incidents and arrests have decreased in recent days compared with the beginning of the movement.

But the violence has still been the worst since Chile returned to democracy after Pinochet's right-wing dictatorship. And the protests show no sign of abating. As demonstrators passed by the presidential palace in central Santiago, they hurled insults at Pinera and the military.

While the mass street movement may appeared organized, it still lacks recognizable leaders and was mostly roused through social media. Regular media has also found itself a target of protesters' ire with the distribution of leaflets calling for people not to turn on their televisions.

Earlier on Friday, cars and trucks took part in a protest against highway tolls, moving at snail's pace as they clogged autoroutes and formed long caravans on roads leading out of the capital city. Luis Leiton, a participating taxi driver, said the toll system was expensive and abusive.

"If this is not resolved with concrete measures, this nation that has risen up is going to keep protesting," Leiton told AFP. The latest demonstrations came after a two-day strike on Wednesday and Thursday arranged by Chile's largest and most powerful trade union, although in Santiago business continued as usual for the most part.

The national human rights institute -- INDH -- said 584 people have been injured, 245 by firearms, and 2,410 detained during the protests. Soldiers have been guarding Santiago's metro stations as three of the seven lines -- which usually carry three million people per day -- have reopened.

Also Read: Chile Protests: Shaken Government Makes Concessions, No Hike In Electricity Prices

The government said on Thursday that next month's APEC trade summit in Santiago would go ahead despite the protests. US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are among those expected to attend the November 16-17 meeting to discuss ending their trade war.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Pakistan on Friday summoned Indias Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control that killed three Pakistani civilians.

The Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Mohammad Faisal told Ahluwalia that the ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.

He alleged that India committed unprovoked ceasefire violations in Shahkot and Khuiratta sectors on October 24 and due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian Army, three innocent civilians were killed and one was injured.

Faisal further alleged that the Indian security forces along the LoC and Working Boundary have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars, and automatic weapons which still continues.

Tension between India and Pakistan has spiked after New Delhi withdrew Jammu and Kashmirs special status and bifurcated it into union territoriesJammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

India has repeatedly urged Pakistan to respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement between the two countries.

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New Delhi:

IAS officer Girish Chandra Murmu has been appointed as the first Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, replacing Satya Pal Malik, who has been given the charge of Goa Governor on Friday. Besides Murmu, PS Sreedharan Pillai, Kerala BJP president, has been appointed as the new Governor of Mizoram, while RK Mathur has been appointed the new Lieutenant Governor Ladakh, an official communication said on Friday.

While Murmu, a 1985-batch Gujarat cadre officer, is serving as the Expenditure Secretary in the Union Finance Ministry, Mathur, a 1977-batch officer, has served as the defence secretary and is a former Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). Murmu was set to retire from service in November this year.

He will be administered oath of office on October 31 in Srinagar after which he will be the administrative head of Kashmir and Jammu provinces. The state's third province -- Ladakh-- has been carved out as a separate Union Territory.

The incumbent governor of the state, Satya Pal Malik, has been moved to Goa, a Rashtrapati Bhawan statement said. Malik was first appointed governor of Bihar in September 2017 and later shifted to Jammu and Kashmir last year in August. He succeeds Mridula Sinha, who completed her five-year tenure in August this year but continued to hold the post till October 23.

The two Union territories -- Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir -- will come into existence on October 31 after the Centre abrogated the special status of the state and bifurcated it into union territories on August 5.

In another order, former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief and Union government appointed interlocutor to Jammu and Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, has been appointed as administrator to Lakshadweep. An order to this effect was issued by the Union home ministry.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir to celebrate Diwali with security forces on Sunday. Modi has been spending Diwali festivals with soldiers in different locations along the borders with Pakistan and China ever since he became the prime minister.

Last year, Modi had visited Uttarakhand to celebrate Diwali with the personnel of Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police, mandated to guard 3,488 km Sino-India border, in Harshil. Harshil is situated at the confluence of Jalandhari Gadh and Bhagirathi rivers and at the foot of the mountain that lies at the head of the Baspa Valley at the height of around 8,000 feet. PM Modi was flanked by Army chief Bipin Rawat.

After becoming the prime minister in 2014, Modi had spent Diwali at Siachen with Army jawans.

In 2015, he had visited the Punjab border on Diwali. His visit had coincided with 50 years of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The next year, PM Modi was in Himachal Pradesh, where he spent time with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel at a border outpost.

He had spent his fourth Diwali as prime minister with soldiers at Gurez in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

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New Delhi:

Delhi woke up to a hazy, smog-filled morning on Monday with the Air Quality Index shooting to frightening 900 in some areas. Despite the Supreme Court ban, Diwali witnessed widespread use of firecrackers by people of Delhi-NCR. As predicted by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), Monday morning air was totally unbreathable. At Anand Vihar, PM 2.5 was hovering over 600. Whereas in RK Puram, it was at severe level of 524. Major pollutant PM 2.5 was recorded at 500 in 'severe' category in Lodhi Road area, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data. In neighbouring Ghaziabad, situation was no better. The city recorded PM 2.5 level of 500+ during early morning hours. In Uttar Pradeshs Moradabad, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was registered at 340 in 'hazardous' category.

People reported violation of the two-hour window in Malviya Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Kailash Hills, Burari, Jangpura, Shahdara, Laxmi Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Sarita Vihar, Hari Ngar, New Friends Colony, Dwarka among others places. Residents in Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad also reported extensive fireworks much beyond the timeframe.

According to SAFAR, although the air quality was touching severe levels, however, 50 per cent firecrackers were used as compared to an average of Diwali-2017 and 18. Despite alarming levels, SAFAR says the peak level of PM2.5 is likely to be lowest in past 3 years after 2015 as no so calm surfecae winds in Delhi will greatly help in dispersion. Haryana and Punjab fire counts almost doubled from during past 48 hours and increased from 1200 to 2700 as evident from SAFAR-multi-satellite product. The biomass plume transport-level winds are now northwesterly and will have high potential to transport significant biomass plume in next 3 days but the expected moderate surface winds in Delhi will not allow rapid accumulation of pollutants for longer period. The high boundary layer winds (20 kmph ) is likely during tonight and tomorrow morning will influence positively by flushing out the expected high impact of firecracker and biomass emissions to make AQI in the high-end of VERY POOR by late 28th October . Thereafter, winds are expected to be calm and accumulation of biomass related contribution may touch a peak value (~25%) on 29-30h Oct. AQI will continue to remain in very poor but no prolonged extreme pollution event is expected.

While air in Delhi was unbreathable, Mumbai had it easy. Mumbai recorded its cleanest Diwali air in five years, since real-time air quality monitoring began in the city. According to SAFAR project director Gufran Beig, Cyclone Kyarr managed to keep air pollution levels to its lowest for the west coast, and of the four cities where the government air quality monitor records air quality, Pune followed by Mumbai were the cleanest.
New Delhi:

An army jawan was injured after terrorists lobbed a grenade at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday announced a cash prize of Rs 30 lakh on any information leading to the capture of three more Hizbul terrorists, including Mohammad Amin alias "Jehangir Saroori", believed to be the brain behind the revival of militancy in Chinab valley region and active in Kishtwar district.

A day after the Doda police announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh on the capture of two alleged Hizbul militants, the Kishtwar police too came up with the "wanted - dead or alive" posters in the hilly district, which has been rocked by a series of terror strikes including the killing of a senior BJP leader and an RSS functionary since November last year.

On September 28, the security forces had achieved a major breakthrough against terrorists active in the district when they killed three ultras including Osama Bin Javed in an gunfight in nearby Ramban district.

They were killed while trying to escape arrest in face of stepped-up security drive in which over a dozen Hizbul Mujahideen members and over-ground workers were arrested and several of their hideouts busted.

Senior BJP leader Anil Parihar and his brother Ajit Parihar were killed outside their house in Kishtwar town on November 1, 2018 while RSS functionary Chanderkant Sharma and his PSO were assassinated in the district hospital on April 9.

The ultras had also struck on two more occasions this year and decamped with service rifles of two policemen.

The reward on Saroori and his two associates -- Riyaz Ahmad alias "Hazari" and Mudassir Hussain -- came just a day after police in nearby Doda district came out with posters announcing a cash prize on information leading to the capture of two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen members -- MBA graduate-turned-terrorist Haroon Abbass Wani of Ghat village and Masood Ahmad of Dessa village.

The posters in Kishtwar, put up at busy market places and carrying the pictures of the three active terrorists, also assured potential informants of keeping their identity secret. The posters also carried two phone numbers for informants to share the information.

Kishtwar's Senior Superintendent of Police Harmeet Singh said the three terrorists are active in the hilly district and the posters with their pictures have been put up to help people identify them.

With PTI Inputs

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New Delhi:

Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) will not take support of Haryana Lokhit Party leader Gopal Kanda for government formation in Haryana. Senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad confirmed that BJP will not take any form of support from the controversial MLA from Sirsa. He was speaking to media after the election of Manohar Lal Khattar as the leader of BJP legislative party in Haryana.

Earlier, Haryana Minister and BJP leader Anil Vij has said that there was no question of including Gopal Kanda in the government or taking his support.

"I want to clarify one thing that the BJP is not going to take the support of Kanda," Prasad said.

Kanda had, on Friday, said he had decided to extend his unconditional support to BJP. The ruling party in Haryana had came under attack from the Congress for seeking Kanda's support. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accused the BJP of doublespeak.

Former Union minister and senior BJP leader Uma Bharti had also cautioned her party, saying taking Kanda's support to form the government in Haryana could hurt the clean image of Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Kanda, the Sirsa MLA, was arrested in 2012 for allegedly abetting the suicide of an airhostess, who worked for his now-defunct aviation company. He was also initially booked for rape, but the charge was dropped when the Delhi High Court granted him bail in the abetment-to-suicide case in 2014.

In 2012, Kanda was Haryana's home minister in the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government. He also held the urban bodies, industry and commerce portfolios. Geetika Sharma, once employed with Kanda's now-defunct MDLR Airlines, was found dead at her Ashok Vihar home in northwest Delhi on August 5, 2012. In her suicide note, she said she was ending her life due to "harassment" by Kanda and one of his employees. Kanda had denied the charge. He was booked by the Delhi Police in the case, in which he is currently out on bail.

Six months later, Sharma's mother also allegedly committed suicide and Kanda was again accused of abetting it. Kanda tendered his resignation when the row erupted. Then in the opposition in Haryana, the BJP had held protests against the controversial politician, demanding his arrest.

Kanda, who was earlier associated with the INLD, fought the 2009 Haryana Assembly polls as an Independent and won, after being denied a party ticket. Later, he extended his support to the Congress when it fell short of majority and was made a minister.

Kanda's rise is well known in his hometown Sirsa, where he was the owner of a shoe shop once. He later joined the real estate business and then dabbled with the aviation sector.

(WITH PTI INPUTS)
New Delhi:

Diwali or Deepawali is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. The festival of lights is celebrated with much fervour and pomp in the country. The Diwali messages you send will be cherished forever and help to spread untold joy. Hindus celebrate the festival with great fervour as a triumph of good over evil across the country. People decorate their houses and workplaces by lighting lamps, drawing colourful rangolis, and many different antiques. Guests are welcomed with great enthusiasm and a variety of snacks and sweets are relished during the occasion.

10 Diwali wishes and quotes

Cherish the good times and the timeless memories made with friends this Diwali. Have a lovely festive time. Happy Diwali!

May thousands of lamps light up your life, With endless happiness, richness, health, and wealth forever. Wishing you and your family a Happy Diwali.

This Diwali, may you be blessed with: Good Fortune  As long as Ganeshjis trunk, Wealth and Prosperity  As big as his stomach.

Happiness  As sweet as his ladoos and Troubles  As Small As His Mouse. Happy Diwali!

Just like the colors of Rangoli, hope this Diwali brings fresh smiles, undiscovered avenues, a different perspective, and unbound happiness. Have a wonderful Diwali and a great New Year!

Hope the festival of lights brings your way bright sparkles of peace, contentment, joy, and happiness which stays with you throughout this year and also in the years to come. May the lamp of joy remain illuminated in your life now and forever. Have a joyous Diwali!

Pal Pal Sunhare phool Khile, Kabhi Na Ho Kaanto Ka Saamna, Jindagi Aapko Khushiyo Se Bhari Mile, Dipawali ke pawan absar par yehi hain humari Shubhkamnayen

May this Diwali not only your house light up but also your spirit, dreams, and hope. May Lord bless you with health and happiness and all your ventures fulfilled. Wishing you and family a very Happy Diwali!

Separated by distance, Joined by hearts. Sending you Diwali wishes, From miles apart. Have a happy and safe Diwali!

May thousands of lamps light up your life, With endless happiness, richness, health, and wealth forever. Wishing you and your family a Happy Diwali.

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Bengaluru:

Senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who returned to the city on Saturday after his release on bail from a Delhi prison in a money laundering case, said he was confident, strong and would fight for justice. The former Minister also claimed that he has not betrayed anyone at any point of time and would come out with facts and documents regarding the case in the days to come.

If my brother, myself and my family members had gone against the law, Im ready to accept any punishment... If I have done wrong let them hang me... but I wont remain silent, Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, I wont go against my conscience. I dont want to trouble or cheat anyone. I dont need such life. I come from a village.

Theres no question of going back. I will fight. Time and law will give answers. Im personally confident, he said adding he and his will power has grown stronger.

I will fight for justice, he added.

Hundreds of Congress workers and supporters of Shivakumar

gave him a grand welcome as he landed at the city airport in the afternoon.

The 57-year-old Vokkaliga strong man, who has his own support base in parts of old Mysuru region of Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mandya and neighboring areas was greeted by supporters with flowers, crackers and a mammoth apple garland upon his arrival.

Shivakumar was brought to KPCC office here from the airport in a procession, as he waved and acknowledged supporters from an open car, leading to traffic chaos, to which he apologised later.

Addressing a packed conference hall at KPCC office, Shivakumar flanked by senior Congress leaders including state president Dinesh Gundu Rao, working President Eshwar Khandre, said, Ive now come to my temple, the party office.

Asserting that he has done nothing wrong and all his assets, businesses and that of his family have been declared in his election affidavit, he said, I have brought everything before the people of the state and country.

Its being talked about and investigated... In the coming days, will come out with facts and documents. everything is in the public domain.. Im agriculturist by birth, business man by profession, educationist by choice and politician by passion, he added.

Shivakumar was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on September 3 in the money laundering case and walked out of the Tihar Jail in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, after the Delhi High Court granted him a bail.

Noting that he has fulfilled the responsibility that party had given him, he said the party has reposed faith in him and has stood by him, as he recollected with choked voice Congress President Sonia Gandhi visiting him at Tihar jail.

Expressing gratitude to party workers and leaders who visited him, prayed and wished for his release, Shivakumar said, .. all the people who came from far off to see me in Delhi - their faith shows that I have not erred. If Ive done wrong, let god and law punish me.

The Enforcement Directorate had moved the Supreme Court on Friday challenging the Delhi High Court decision granting bail to Shivakumar in a money laundering case.

Referring to EDs appeal in the Supreme Court, saying he was ineligible for bail, the Congress leader said  I dont want to comment on that now. I have also got to know that within a few minutes after permission was sought by CBI for inquiry against me it has been approved.Im ready to face it.

All the properties of my mother have been attached by I-T friends. Im the benamidar. A son is benamidar for his mother, he said.

He said he was worried about his children being ridiculed for their father having gone to jail.

During his stay in the prison, Shivakumar said he referred to various laws to prepare for the future battle.

Karnataka BJP has questioned the mindset of Congress for according a heros welcome to Shivakumar, released from jail on massive corruption and money laundering charges.

Reacting to Hegdes comments that corrupt people were being honoured instead of being boycotted, Shivakumar said, I have great respect for him. But I didnt ask anyone to come. They (supporters) came on their own.

Hegde made the comments while responding to a question by reporters on those released from jail being given a grand welcome.

To a question on campaigning for the December 5 by-polls, Shivakumar said the party president would guide him based on his legal schedule.

KPCC President Dinesh Gund Rao said the party was behind Shivakumar.

He alleged the BJP was purposefully targeting Shivakumar by using central agencies.

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New Delhi:

Mahindra Two Wheelers Europe already has 51 per cent stake in PMTC. This reaffirms the commitment of the Mahindra Group to the future growth of Peugeot Motocycles, M&M said in a regulatory filing.

We are seeing positive momentum at Peugeot Motocycles. Kisbee becoming the largest selling 50cc vehicle in Europe, Peugeot Metropolis getting stronger in Europe and China, the positive market response to the new launch of the Urban GT connected Pulsion, are all cases in point, M&M President - FES & Two Wheelers Rajesh Jejurikar said.

The homegrown auto major, however, did not disclose financial details. The acquisition would help the company introduce seven new products between 2019 and 2021. Commenting on the deal, Peugeot Brand CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said: This decision by the shareholders will ensure that Peugeot Motocycles benefits from the expertise of a significant global player in the two wheelers industry.

He further said: We at Peugeot will maintain our commitment through our utilisation of the Peugeot brand and extend our support to design and technological innovations. The transaction will be completed after due process, M&M said. The Peugeot brand will continue to be used in the future under the Trade Licence Agreement between PMTC and Peugeot, it added.

In addition, the Peugeot design teams will continue to assist in the design and development of PMTC products in close cooperation with the PMTC management and the Mahindra Group, M&M said. The Mahindra Group has a diverse portfolio of businesses including the two-wheeler division and markets products under several brands including the Peugeot brand.

In October 2014 M&M had announced that it would acquire 51 per cent stake in Peugeot Motocycles (PMTC) for 28 million euro. The acquisition was completed in January 2015. PMTC is a part of France-based PSA Group.

(With inputs from PTI)
Photos are a great way to reminisce about the past. They are a good reminder of how much things have changed and in what aspects. They bring the old memories back and enable you to travel to the past in a blink of an eye. But, for that to happen in the future, you have to capture the moments now. And in the context of Nepal, there are only a few people who have achieved the feat as technology developed late in Nepal.

Toni Hagen is a popular figure in that aspect, but not long after him, Gerard Toffin from France also travelled to Nepal and captured some glimpses of then Nepal. Now 50 years later, Toffin with the help of another photographer based in Panauti in Kavre, Prasant Shrestha, has presented Nepal with a collection of photos of Panauti, an ancient and culturally important town in central Nepal, that gives a glimpse of what Panauti was and how it has changed. As their partnership has resulted in the revival of lost traditions in the town, both photographers hope the recently-launched photobookPanauti: Past-Present [1976-2020] will be an asset to Nepal and Nepali people who aspire to learn more about the historical and socio-political changes that have affected its development over the years.

Why Panauti?

(Left) Gerard Toffin and Prasant Shrestha

While Toni Hagen travelled all over Nepal, he did not set foot in Panauti. It was because he was following the silk trade route to Tibet and travelled via Banepa to Solukhumbhu via Melamchi. In the process, he did not reach Panauti, shares Shrestha, who got a chance to talk to Hagen in one of his exhibitions.

But, the gap was minimised by Toffin who first arrived in Nepal in the 1970s as a diplomat assisting the first French ambassador to Nepal. With the embassys interest to restore Panauti and my interest in culture and anthropology, I travelled to Panauti. And, as I had a camera, I went around Panauti and captured the rich cultural and natural heritage of the town. Following this, I also published my dissertation and multiple research papers.

In a different decade, Shrestha got inspired by Toffins work and contribution to Panauti. As an amateur photographer, I went around taking photos. But, I felt that just taking photos is not enough. I wanted to make a difference and capture Panautis essence as well as promote and preserve the rich Newa culture there.

Panauti is a multi-caste and multi-ethnic culmination of people. They were very friendly and were in need of a preservation project. With the embassys involvement, many of the temples that were in a dire state were restored and preserved, shares Toffin, who would spend months at a time with the locals to observe them closely.

In 2010, Toffin met Shrestha during the Makar Mela that would be held there every 12 years. With similar interest, the duo started working together and went around. In the next decade, the duo have collaborated on many projects, including the recent photobook, research papers and photo exhibitions, with Shrestha being a local resource person and assistant to Toffin.

Deep observations

Toffin has observed Panauti has definitely changed its face since the 1970s as other places of the country.

The Triveni ghat in Panauti. The left photo was captured by Toffin in 1976 and the right one by Shrestha in 2019.

Toffin shares the first changes were noticeable in the early 2000s. The first changes would be the change in settlement areas as more houses and small factories were set up. As many as 97 per cent of the native settlers there were Newa communities, but the population is mixed today. With more people coming in, the market expanded too. Road expansion was also evident as the years went by.

In contrast to the observed modernisation though, Toffin observes that the people are still the same within the walls of their houses.

To support his observations, Shrestha has helped him capture photos of the present from the same spot, making the difference more visible.

Toffins travel was not limited to Panauti though. He has clicked many photos of Kathmandu and Dhading too, capturing the original settlement in the areas. Kathmandu was full of rice paddy fields and was very similar to Panauti. There was no traffic and the rivers were much cleaner. The modern architecture has further weakened the rich culture and traditions of the city,

Dhading also shared architectural and cultural similarities to Kathmandu as there were a few Newa communities that had settled there. Dhading also offered a great scenery of the Himalayas, he adds.

Historically, Toffin was here at the time when the country was witnessing major political changes too. Attempts to overthrow the monarchy, restoration of constitutional monarchy in the early years and later other protests that changed the course of Nepals history: I witnessed it all.

But, what changed Nepal the most, he says, is the 2015 earthquake. The post-earthquake reconstruction transformed the traditional houses to concrete houses. It damaged the cultural properties too even though it was possible to take the culture and modernisation together. Rabindra Puri, with his contributions, has proven this was very possible to achieve.

Reviving culture

The Indreshwar Mahadev temple in Panauti. The left photo was captured by Toffin in 1976 and the right one by Shrestha in 2019.

Toffin not only captured the history but became a resourceful person to present Panauti too. Shrestha says, With Toffins photos as a reference, Panauti has been able to revive many significant cultures and traditions, unique to settlements here.

One of the key revivals was of Devi Pyakhan, an ancient folk dance. Taking his photos as a reference of the old dance and traditions, the locals have recreated and revived the dance successful, Shrestha share, Another key revival was the re-establishment of the Kumari tradition. Toffin did not even realise that his camera had captured such a tradition yet when the locals came across it, they were inspired to revive the culture.

Meanwhile, Shrestha says that Toffins photos have been crucial to restoring the temples too. After Kathmandu valley, Panauti is probably the town with the highest number of temples, so the revival was very important for us. But, there was no scientific or concrete documentation from our side, so his photos were very resourceful in the process.

Inspired by Toffin, Shrestha also aspires to contribute to Panauti and future generations. Though professionally a physiotherapist, his hobby to photograph the landscape turned into the passion to capture stories, and he has Toffin to thank, shares Shrestha.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2022) - Asgard DAO was launched on BSC on December 10th as a platform that would mirror the possibilities of DeFi 2.0 and fix up the loopholes currently derailing the Defi space. Asgard's launch aims to create a DeFi platform by giving users the ideal experience of a community-backed and decentralized platform than what is currently obtainable on most DeFi platforms.

It's a decentralized treasury-backed currency on BSC with a $1 minimum value.

The purpose of Asgard is to develop a new asset class token that can be utilized in any portfolio. The platform launched equipped with the following features:

Staking: Many DeFi protocols use staking as their principal value-accretion mechanism. To receive incentives with Asgard, customers would bet their $Asgard on the Asgard dApp website.

These incentives are derived from bond sale profits and are subject to change according to the amount of Asgard invested in the protocol and the reward rate, which is determined by an algorithmic monetary policy.

Users who stake on Asgard receive compounding returns automatically. They also receive sAsgard when they stake Asgard. Staked Asgard on the platform is represented by sAsgard. sAsgard can always be swapped for Asgard 1:1, but earnings are rebased.

Bonds: Bonds are the process of exchanging Liquidity Provider (LP) tokens for discounted Asgard tokens that are below market price.

The process of purchasing bonds has been streamlined to a single step with Asgard. Instead of purchasing LP tokens and then selling them for Bonds, users simply need the asset pair (BUSD + Asgard) in their wallet to acquire the bonds. Bonds are paid out per block height and are vested for 5 days.

Bonds enable users to purchase Asgard at a lesser cost. The protocol will sell them Asgard at a discount in exchange for selling their asset-pair (LP). According to the platform, bonds will provide consumers with more Asgard than they would have earned if they had purchased on the market and then staked.

Story continues

NFTs: According to its roadmap, the platform would include an NFT feature next year where users can get NFTs as rewards.

Multi Chain Swap: Similar to NFTs, this feature is also included in its road map and falls under the third phase of its steps, which would be achieved next year. Users will be able to swap any of the 9500 + tokens from any 9 blockchain in just one click.

About Asgard DAO

Asgard exemplifies the revolutionary potential of DeFi 2.0's capacity to tackle some of DeFi's most pressing issues. For further information, connect with the following groups:

Contact Information:

Company website: https://asgarddao.live/

Social profiles: Telegram Chat Group, Discord, Twitter.

Media Contact:

support@asgarddao.live

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/109993
CasarsaGuru / Getty Images

This weeks news that certain cannabis compounds can prevent the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering healthy human cells caught the attention of the medical and scientific communities  but doesnt seem to have had much of a broader economic effect on marijuana stocks just yet.

See: COVID-19 Outbreak Pushes Army To Increase Enlistment Bonus To $50,000 For Skilled New Recruits

Find: As the US Awaits Pfizers Omicron Vaccine, Biden Administration Gets At-Home COVID Tests Privately Insured

The two compounds in question  cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)  are commonly found in hemp, Bloomberg reported. They were identified during a chemical screening as having the potential to fight COVID-19 by binding to proteins found in the virus and blocking a key step in the bugs path to infect people.

Results of the study  conducted by Oregon State University researchers in collaboration with scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University  were published Jan. 10 in the Journal of Natural Products.

Researchers tested the compounds effect against alpha and beta variants of the coronavirus in a lab. None of the supplements were given to people, and the study didnt involve comparing infection rates in those who use the compounds versus those who dont.

These compounds can be taken orally and have a long history of safe use in humans, Richard van Breemen, a researcher with Oregon States Global Hemp Innovation Center, said in a statement. They have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2.

Related: 7 Best Marijuana Stocks of 2021

How Did This Cannabis-COVID Study Influence Stocks?

But if you are looking to cash in on the news by investing in cannabis stocks, youll probably have to wait until more data emerges about how the study translates into containing COVID-19. Leading stocks in the cannabis sector such as Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ), Grow Generation (GRWG) and Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR) have all trended lower this week despite the study results.

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The overall cannabis sector has been sluggish over the past year despite early hopes that a Democratic president and Congress might pave the way for progress on federal legalization of marijuana. Recreational marijuana is legal at the state level in many parts of the country, but not at the federal level.

After peaking in February, many marijuana stocks have been in a steady decline since then, U.S. News & World Report recently reported. Because of federal prohibition, cannabis companies face higher taxes and compliance costs. Legalization would likely lead to more free cash flow and higher valuations.

Learn: Weekly Jobless Claims Rise as Omicron Cases Reach Record High Levels

Explore: Omicron Call Out  How Sick Days Could Hinder Economic Growth

But there has been progress in certain states regarding cannabis use, along with positive news on the medical marijuana front  including the COVID-19 study. For now, many industry watchers are taking a wait-and-see approach.

This year will be a telling sign on the industry, as many are looking for the sector to find a bottom, Brett Sifling, director of the financial planning program at Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, told Benzinga this week.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: As Cannabis Is Linked to COVID Prevention, How Can You Invest in the Windfall?
MARLBOROUGH  Superintendent of Schools Michael Bergeron is making a big career change.

He's leaving his post at the end of June and will take a job working at a board game publishing company in New Hampshire.

The name of the company is Tabletop Tycoon, and it's based out of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Bergeron will serve as chief operating officer at the company. In an email to the Daily News, he said he has been involved with the publisher for a "very long time."

Bergeron informed the School Committee of his decision during Tuesday's meeting. Fighting back tears, he thanked the committee for working with him.

Marlborough Superintendent of Schools Michael Bergeron announced this week that he is stepping down from his position at the end of this school year.

Bergeron has been with Marlborough Public Schools since January 2014, when he was hired as an executive director, according to his LinkedIn Page. In June 2017, he was promoted to assistant superintendent of finance and operations and then to superintendent a year later.

"My focus is on the next steps to support the School Committee to provide as smooth of a transition to the next superintendent as I can," Bergeron said during the meeting.

He said the transition was smooth when he took over, replacing the retiring Maureen Greulich.

"I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been provided such a high level of support in transitioning to this role and look forward to offering the same level of support to the next superintendent of schools," Bergeron wrote in his email.

During Bergeron's time as superintendent, the new Goodnow Brothers Elementary School on Bolton Street was constructed. It opened for students in grades K-5 during the last school year.

Mayor and School Committee Chair Arthur Vigeant told the Daily News he wishes the best for Bergeron and that his successor "will have big shoes to fill."

He said Bergeron was a smart hire because of his financial and management experience.

"Most superintendents have issues because they know education but they have more trouble managing," Vigeant said.

Cesareo Contreras can be reached at 508-626-3957 or ccontreras@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @cesareo_r.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Marlborough MA schools chief Michael Bergeron to step down, join game company
By David Henry

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc Chief Executive Jane Fraser faces a struggle to convince skeptical analysts and investors that she can turn the bank around despite overseeing a radical overhaul in less than a year at the helm.

Fraser took over at the helm of the Wall Street bank in February 2021, tasked with transforming a business whose share price had lagged rivals like JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America during her predecessor Michael Corbat's eight years at the helm.

Since her appointment, she has sought to simplify the firm, overseeing its biggest revamp since the 2007-09 financial crisis. The bank announced plans to exit non-core businesses, including consumer franchises in 13 markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa last April.

On Tuesday, it doubled down, saying it planned to sell or spin-off its Mexican consumer business, which Fraser had run as head of the bank's Latin American businesses, prior to becoming CEO.

The bank went further still on Thursday, announcing the sale of its consumer businesses in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The decision to sell the Mexican business, which Fraser had previously said had the scale to succeed which the bank's Asian consumer franchises lacked, is arguably her boldest move yet in reshaping the bank.

Citi's CFO Mark Mason said on Friday that the decision to exit that business was driven by the bank's strategy to focus on its institutional business. While the Mexico consumer business had delivered good returns, it would be more valuable to another owner, Mason said.

However, Citigroup's share price continues to lag rivals, suggesting that investors are yet to be convinced that Fraser's turnaround plans will bear fruit anytime soon.

"It is a show-me situation," said analyst Dick Bove of Odeon Capital. "This company has been mischaracterized, mismanaged, and poorly handled by one administration after the other for 25 years," he said.

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Since Fraser took up her post last February, its shares have gained 3% compared to JPMorgan shares rising 14%, Bank of America shares gaining 40% and Wells Fargo rising 55%.

On Friday, the shares were under further pressure, down 2.5% after Citi released earnings showing a 26% slump in fourth-quarter profit as it took a hit from higher expenses and weakness at its consumer banking unit.

Fraser was questioned by analysts on Citi's conference call on the direction of the bank, answering that she aimed for it to be "the preeminent bank for institutions with cross-border needs" and was focused on improving shareholder value.

To be sure, Fraser is less than a year into her mission to turn the bank's fortunes around and investors who support her strategy stress that it will take time for the changes to improve the bank's performance.

However, she must convince analysts and investors scarred by years of disappointment with previous efforts to restructure the business. Prior to handing over the reins to Fraser, Corbat had also exited dozens of non-core businesses.

The business had sprawled under the leadership of Sandy Weill, who led the bank between 1998 and 2003. Weill led the bank through an acquisition spree before its collapse and subsequent $50 billion government bailout.

Bove cited the failed strategies of six previous CEOs before saying that Fraser's plans alone are not enough to attract investors.

The bank habitually lags the financial performance of peers and has been under enhanced supervision from regulators for many of the years since its bailout during the financial crisis.

When Citigroup last changed its leadership in 2012, its shares surged and remained elevated for months after Corbat was installed in place of Vikram Pandit.

Corbat agreed in September 2020 to give up the post to Fraser at the end of February 2021. At the time the bank faced new questions over its financial controls, including that it should have caught an erroneous payment of nearly $1 billion to holders of bonds for which it was the trustee.

Fraser's strategy is designed to simplify the company, improve its focus on its institutional businesses and put its capital to better uses.

"The new Citi is a simpler firm that has greater focus as a global banking, payments, and investing provider to multinational firms and institutions, growing corporates, and affluent individuals," Wells Fargo analyst Mike Mayo, who has an 'overweight' rating on the stock, said in a research note.

However, the plan has not yet lifted the stock.

Bove, who applauds Fraser's moves so far and recommends the shares, blames the lousy share performance on "investor exhaustion."

(Reporting by David Henry in New York; Editing by Matt Scuffham and Nick Zieminski)
Workers at Jon Donaire Desserts factory in Santa Fe Springs, who have been on strike since Nov. 3, picket in front of the company Monday. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Cristina Lujan, 46, has worked on the line at the Jon Donaire Desserts plant in Santa Fe Springs for 19 years, nearly half her life, making and decorating cakes for food chains such as Ralphs, Walmart and Baskin-Robbins.

Since Nov. 3, however, she has been walking a picket line outside the plant, protesting a contract offer from Donaire's parent, Rich Products, that comes to a raise of $1.60 an hour over three years  50 cents an hour in the first year and 55 cents in each of the next two.

She and her fellow 165 unionized employees worked through the pandemic, except for two weeks when the company shut down, though they were required to use vacation time or sick days to keep money coming in.

Everything's going up, and they think we're going to make it on a 50-cents raise?

Cristina Lujan, striking Jon Donaire worker

The workers, mostly Latinas, received "hero pay"  a roughly $2 hourly addition to their standard wage of about $17 an hour  for a six-week period that ended in June.

Working conditions that haven't even been on the table in contract talks include management's habit of saddling workers with mandatory overtime assignments within minutes of the end of their shifts, making it nearly impossible for them to schedule medical appointments or arrange child care.

The main topic of contract talks is wages. "We feel we're getting underpaid," Lujan told me simply. The workers have asked for raises of $3 an hour over the life of the contract.

Just before Christmas, the company offered a $4.10 hourly increase over three years but would substitute the existing union-sponsored health plan with one workers considered inferior. The employees overwhelmingly voted it down.

No further talks are scheduled, according to the union and Buffalo-based Rich Products.

The strike has begun to get political support.

The five Los Angeles County supervisors recently wrote Rich in support of the strikers, prompting the company to respond with a letter stating it was "highly disappointed" at the outcome of the last vote.

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The company added that as several claims and counterclaims between the company and the union are before the National Labor Relations Board, "public officials should not therefore be taking a side." (The NLRB, however, is a federal agency, not a county-level body.)

The Donaire strike is also starting to receive national attention. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). along with five other Democratic senators, wrote Tuesday to Bob Rich Jr., chairman of family-owned Rich Products, expressing their support for the strikers.

The senators urged Rich to "reach an agreement as soon as possible on a contract that is fair and that includes good wages, decent benefits, reliable schedules and safe working conditions." The workers' goals, they wrote, are "not radical."

The company is plainly aware that it's being painted as a heartless monolith in the labor dispute.

"There is a very popular narrative that is trying to make corporations that have created lots of jobs the bad guy in a negotiation," says Ed Moore, Rich's chief human resources officer.

Moore says the Donaire strike is the first in the company's 77-year history, which the company argues shows that its employment practices are fair. More than 50 union members have crossed the picket line, as have Teamsters who perform equipment maintenance on overnight shifts.

"Weve worked hard to create ... a steadfast commitment to treating our associates, customers and communities the same way  like family," Jonathan A. Dandes, Rich's government affairs officer, told the supervisors in the company's letter.

That said, Rich Products has taken a firmly utilitarian approach to the wage issue at Donaire.

The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, which represents the Donaire workers, has noted that employees at a Rich plant in Murfreesboro, Tenn., earn an average $6 an hour more than those at Donaire, even though the cost of living is higher in Southern California.

"The way we determine wage rates is to look at the local labor market and make an assessment of what we need to pay to be able to attract and retain quality associates," Moore told me.

"Every market is different," he said. "It doesn't necessarily correlate to a cost of living.... In Santa Fe Springs, our wages prior to the negotiation were at or above market, as we understand it."

He said he asked the international union for data demonstrating that "our wages were not competitive to the market," but it "was never presented to us."

The Donaire strike is part of what looks like a reawakening of labor activism. Part of that trend is an expanding awareness of the working conditions and economic pressures on workers at the low end of the wage spectrum.

On Tuesday, for instance, a report by the Economic Roundtable of Los Angeles documented that more than 3 in 4 employees of the grocery conglomerate Krogers met government standards for food insecurity.

That means they "cannot afford balanced and healthy food" and "run out of food before the end of the month, skip meals, and are hungry sometimes," according to the report, which was based on surveys of nearly 37,000 Kroger workers in Southern California, Colorado and the Seattle area.

The workers' "exceptionally high rate of food insecurity is seven times greater than the U.S. average," the report observed. About 14% of the surveyed workers said they had resorted to food stamps or a community food bank.

The bakery workers union has emerged as an aggressive force for redressing years of declining quality of life for low-wage workers.

Over the last year, the union has won contract victories after a nearly five-month strike by 1,400 workers at Kellogg cereal plants, after a nearly five-week strike by 1,000 workers at Mondelez/Nabisco plants and after a 20-day walkout by more than 600 Frito-Lay workers.

Those are just the most obdurate employers, says David Woods, the union's secretary-treasurer.

"We've negotiated dozens of contracts this year with other employers that recognized that the labor shortage in this country has created opportunities for workers to get more and avoid a labor dispute," Woods told me. "Some companies were looking backwards as if these were normal times. They are not normal times, and workers are just fed up."

The Donaire strike underscores the widening gulf between the corporate suite and the factory floor. Rich Products is a privately-held firm that books about $4 billion in sales annually, mostly by providing bakery and confectionary products to grocery chains as private-label items.

The company's chairman, Bob Rich Jr., is ranked 367th on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index with an estimated net worth of $7.37 billion, and 622nd on Forbes' billionaires list, at $4.6 billion.

"Jon Donaire epitomizes the kind of corporate greed that is taking place in this country," Sanders told me in an interview. "Most of the workers are Latino women, who are working for extremely low wages and working really hard during the pandemic. Why somebody who's worth more than $7 billion and has become $2 billion richer during the pandemic wants to cut back on the needs of his workers, who are already struggling, is beyond my comprehension."

(Bloomberg estimates that Rich's net worth was $5.42 billion in mid-March 2020, at the dawn of the pandemic.)

It may be tempting to think of food production as less demanding than quintessentially heavy industries such as automaking. That would be a mistake.

The workers are on their feet through their working shift, causing sciatica and other back problems, performing the sort of repetitive tasks that lead to the pains of carpal tunnel syndrome, as the production line on ice cream cakes moves past them at a rate ranging from 13 to 38 cakes a minute.

"Fingers hurting, with crampy fingers, arthritis, and back pains  they didn't care," striking worker Michele S. Gonzalez said from the picket line, referring to plant management, in a video posted online. "They just said, 'No, we got to keep the machine going.'"

(The company says non-economic issues are not on the table.)

Adding to the stress is what workers describe as a point system that penalizes workers for taking days off from work, even with a medical excuse, or leaving a shift early. Seven points in the course of a year merits dismissal.

The Donaire workers have signaled that these conditions, as well as pay that nestles within a market average, will no longer do. During the pandemic they've gone the extra mile for their employers. In return, they feel they're being nickel-and-dimed. A raise of a dollar an hour would cost Rich $165,000 a year, union official Nate Zeff says.

"Everything's going up," Lujan said from the picket line, "and they think we're going to make it on a 50-cents raise?"

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Cellular Agriculture Platform Offers Investors Democratized Access to Portfolio Companies that are Advancing the Development of Novel Technologies to Provide a Sustainable, Environmental and Ethical Solution to the Global Factory Farming and Aquaculture Crises

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 14, 2022 /CNW/ - CULT Food Science Corp. ("CULT" or the "Company") (CSE: CULT), an innovative investment platform with an exclusive focus on clean, lab-grown food that is advancing the development of novel technologies to provide a sustainable, environmental and ethical solution to the global factory farming and aquaculture crises, is pleased to announce that its common shares have been approved for listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") and will commence trading on Monday, January 17, 2022, under the stock ticker symbol "CULT". To coincide with its listing on the CSE, CULT has recently updated its website with new information about the Company and its investee businesses, including but not limited to a current investor presentation, which can all be viewed at https://www.cultfoodscience.com/.

CULT Food Science Corp. logo (CNW Group/CULT Food Science Corp.)

Additionally, with the listing on the CSE complete, the Company will be pursuing options for increased liquidity for its shareholders in Europe and the United States. CULT also intends to submit an application to the Depository Trust Company (the "DTC") to have the Company's common shares eligible for delivery and depository services with the DTC to facilitate electronic settlement of transfers of its common shares in the United States. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through the DTC are considered "DTC eligible". This electronic method of clearing securities expedites the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors and greatly reduces transaction costs for participating brokerages firms.

Management Commentary

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"The listing of CULT's common shares on the CSE is a great milestone for the Company and our shareholders. As a public issuer, CULT stands to offer investors a democratized opportunity that is the first of its kind on the capital markets, which is to participate in the important, rapidly growing, and global cellular agriculture space that is expected to materially reduce the large and negative impact that the global food supply chain currently makes on the planet every day," said Dorian Banks, CEO of CULT. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Company's senior management team, I would also like to thank our employees, portfolio companies and other stakeholders for all of their support along the way. Our team will keep working to grow CULT's current portfolio of 13 companies, to add more of the world's leading cellular agriculture technologies and intellectual property to each shareholders' basket of opportunities," added Mr. Banks.

Service Provider Engagement

The Company has engaged Media Nation Corp. ("MN") of Toronto, Ontario for premium capital markets advertising and other related services (the "MN Services") to assist the Company in enhancing its online profile with the global investment community. The term of the engagement is for a period of 75 days (the "Term"), subject to the terms of the service agreement (the "MN Agreement") executed between the Company and MN. Pursuant to the terms of the MN Agreement, MN will be paid an aggregate, up-front, cash amount of $100,000 (plus applicable taxes) for the MN Services to be provided over the Term. The Company and MN are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and MN will not receive shares or options as compensation. MN business address is located at 302-370 King St W Toronto, ON, M5V 1J9 Canada, email is steve@medianation.ca and telephone number is (416) 367-7311.

About CULT Food Science

CULT Food Science Corp. is an innovative investment platform with an exclusive focus on clean, lab-grown food that is advancing the development of novel technologies to provide a sustainable, environmental, and ethical solution to the global factory farming crisis. The first-of-its-kind in North America, CULT Food Science aims to provide individual investors with unprecedented exposure to the most innovative start-up, private or early-stage cultivated meat and cultured dairy companies around the world.

Additional information can be found by viewing the Company's website at www.cultfoodscience.com or its regulatory filings on www.sedar.com.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. 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.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

CULT FOOD SCIENCE CORP.

"Dorian Banks"

Dorian Banks, CEO

Forward-Looking Information:

Information set forth in this news release may involve 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 but are not limited to the following risks: those associated with marketing and sale of securities; the need for additional financing; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors with certain other projects; and the volatility of common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and except as required by law, 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. For further information on risk, investors are advised to see the Company's MD&A and other disclosure filings with the regulators which are found at www.sedar.com

SOURCE CULT Food Science Corp.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2022/14/c5696.html
BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, DeleteMe (The Online Privacy Company) released its DeleteMe 2021 PII Marketplace Report , highlighting the metrics, trends, consumer behaviors, and attitudes shaping the ecosystem of online personal information.

The global data broker ecosystem is currently a $200bn industry, with over 4,000 data brokers worldwide and 230 in the United States, with hundreds of data points for every person who has ever spent any time on the internet.

DeleteMe's 2021 PII Marketplace Report reveals key insights that impact everyday consumers and businesses alike:

The amount of online PII (represented by the sample of DeleteMe users) has grown 150% in the past 2 yrs, driven by a combination of a growing level of detail included in data broker profiles, as well as more time spent online due to Covid-fueled remote work and commerce.

Online PII has changed qualitatively over time, from basic 'directory'-style data points to including detail on family networks, more information about past residences and employment, as well as emerging sources that can provide historical location-tracking or other behavioral insights.

Availability of detailed online PII is helping drive rapid growth in consumer fraud, social-engineering ransomware attacks businesses, and new forms of targeted harassment.

Consumer privacy concerns are rising due to the increased amount of daily life being spent online, and growing awareness of the potential for information abuse.

The biggest worries are about over-reliance on cell phones with weak privacy protections, growing awareness of the exploitability of account authentication processes, and daily annoyances like unsolicited robocalls.

'Big Brother isn't the problem'; respondents expressed least concern about Govt handling of PII, but expressed increased concern with unregulated commercial sale of personal info to 3rd parties.

More than 50% of consumers express a demand for greater limits on how PII is collected, shared, and used, as well as greater transparency about how information is already being employed.

The report leverages internal research conducted by DeleteMe and survey data. The full report can be found on the company's website .

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"PII proliferation poses a rising threat to individual privacy, corporate cybersecurity, and personal well-being," adds Rob Shavell, co-founder and CEO at DeleteMe. "Tighter regulation on data collection and processing is needed, and better education about privacy is essential. Although our study found that more consumers are now taking the time to understand the privacy features and tools available to them, many still take no measures at all to protect their privacy online. And that's a problem."

For a free scan to see which of the top data brokers are selling your personal information, visit JoinDeleteMe.com/scan.

About DeleteMe: https://joindeleteme.com/

DeleteMe is the leading online privacy personal information removal service. In business for over 10 years, DeleteMe's privacy advisors have successfully completed over 25 million opt-outs from data brokers, ensuring consumers and businesses' online privacy.

About DeleteMe for Business: https://joindeleteme.com/business-privacy/

DeleteMe for Business services tens of thousands of members, including Fortune 500 companies, with special plans for protecting executives, employees, and their families from harassment, doxxing, identity theft, phishing, telemarketing, robocalls, and scams.

Contact:

Steve Marcinuk

Stephen@getabine.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deleteme-releases-2021-personal-identifiable-information-pii-marketplace-report-301461243.html

SOURCE DeleteMe
Never mind what some emigrants may say about taxes or liberal politicians, these moves out of California now and always have been mostly about the money.

For most of the last decade, California has seen a steady outmigration to other parts of America, one that has somewhat outnumbered the also steady in-migration.

No place matches once-conservative Orange County in the number of migrants departing for more politically conservative places like Texas, Idaho, and the windswept plains of Nebraska.

Many of the 190 daily emigrants leaving California daily for Texas since 2011 claimed to move because of higher taxes and a poor business climate in California, spurred by a succession of Democratic-dominated state administrations that gave new privileges to undocumented immigrants while instituting many measures to fight climate change.

But a look at real estate prices in California and the favorite destination states reveals that the most likely reason migrants take off is simple: cash: Real estate the migrants buy is usually much cheaper and much larger than what they sell off when they leave.

This is particularly true for folks leaving Orange County for major areas of Texas.

The median home price in Orange County as of mid-2021 was $1.09 million. That means half the homes sold there went for more than $1.09 million, and half for less.

Meanwhile, the median home price in Texas at mid-year was $375,000. But most Californians who move to Texas dont head for the more rural parts of the state, where prices are lower. Rather, the most popular destinations, according to the StorageCafe real estate website, are Collin County in suburban Dallas, home to cities like Plano and McKinney; Tarrant County (Fort Worth), and Denton County, where the significant cities include Denton and Frisco.

The average Orange Countian moving to Collin County pays a median $400,000 less for a new house than their former home brought, calculates StorageCafe. Plus, the new home, on average is 940 square feet larger. So an Orange Countian moving to Collin County will have money to bank, besides adding space equivalent to a normal two-bedroom apartment.

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In Fort Worth, where the average price differential is $547,000, California emigres find themselves with 379 extra square feet, equal to many one-bedroom hotel suites.

In Denton County, the numbers are similar, with median home price differentials with Orange County running at $458,000 and homes averaging 747 square feet larger.

These are powerful motivations to move, even though new Texas residents quickly pay far higher electric and natural gas bills. Power outages also are more common in suburban Texas areas than anywhere in California.

Things arent much different in Star, ID, 17 miles northwest of Boise. Star is the fastest growing city in America largely because of ex-Californians.

Heres what folks can get, based on autumn real estate listings in Star: The most expensive home available was a 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home with 6,284 square feet on 1.16 wooded acres for $1.34 million. Thats far above the Orange County median but cheaper than anything comparable in pricier parts of the OC, like Irvine, Laguna Hills, and Newport Beach.

More typical was a three-bedroom, two-bath home of 1,773 square feet for $524,000, almost $500,000 below the Orange County median.

And folks moving to equally conservative, less fashionable Kearney, Nebraska could find a five-bedroom, three-bath, 2,471 square foot home for $424,000.

If these prices seem higher than expected, its because median home prices all across America have been dragged upward over the last few years by hot real estate markets in California, New York, and the Washington, DC area, especially its Virginia suburbs.

But the movement is still primarily from California to Texas. Even Texas urbanologists concur that money and not politics is the big motivator  many folks prefer to cash out and get financial security even if it means leaving Californias salubrious climate, beaches, and national parks.

Said William Fulton, director of an urban research institute at Houstons Rice University, Theres no question the main driver is housing prices in California. When housing prices there go up, so does migration to Texas. When housing prices in California go down, migration to Texas does, too.

So never mind what some emigrants may say about taxes or liberal politicians, these moves now and always have been mostly about the money.

Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What departing Californians gain when they move: Bigger houses
A Colorado pet owners worst nightmare came true when her beloved dog was found dead after being left in the care of a sitter hired through Wag!, a popular pet walking and animal caregiving app.

Liz Giorgi, the 35-year-old co-founder and CEO of startup company soona, was traveling to Kenya with her husband to scatter her fathers ashes on Jan. 5 when she first became aware that her dog, Fran, was missing.

Pictured: Liz Giorgi holding Fran

Credit: Supplied

Giorgi originally purchased the trip for herself and her father as a Christmas gift since he was a huge fan of The Lion King and had always wanted to see the African savanna in person. But following his unexpected death in November 2021, she reworked the trip in order to bring a small amount of [him] to Kenya to honor his memory.

As her usual kennel was unable to accommodate the new trip dates, Giorgi says she used the Wag! app and was initially pleased with its positive reviews and decent price point.

She located a pet sitter who had a five-star review through the app, dropped off Fran and her other dog, Hazel, with the caregiver and left for the airport on Jan. 4.

Giorgi explained that she was in the middle of her flight to Kenya when she received a text from her Wag! dog sitter, claiming that Fran had got out, and had possibly snuck out or jumped over the fence of the caregivers home.

We have had Fran [for] three years and she has never once jumped a fence, so Im skeptical, Giorgi told In The Know. There has been no home security footage, so no way to verify this either.

The sitter also said she had gone out looking for Fran but did not have any success locating her. Giorgi immediately put the sitter in touch with her best friend, who helped to mobilize friends and family to aid in the search party from the ground in Denver.

Meanwhile, Giorgi was still in the air, frantically trying to contact the Wag! customer support team for details on how to proceed.

I was on the plane so I couldnt call, so I emailed their customer support, she told In The Know. I got an autoresponder 30 minutes later. A formal email response didnt come until the next day, missing critical hours when we needed help finding her when she was presumably close to where the walker lost her.

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Pictured: Fran

Credit: Supplied

To Giorgis dismay, she also found that Wag! had no publicly available resources for a pet owner in her situation.

No checklist of next steps, no resource allocation and no explanation of who was my main point of contact, she said.

She spent the next few days distraught and stuck in rural Africa, unable to fly home due to reduced flight cadences amid the pandemic, trying to contact anyone at Wag! who might be able to provide her with better support.

Giorgi says she reached out to the apps CEO Garrett Smallwood multiple times, both through Twitter and through her professional network, but says he ignored our mutual contacts requests to introduce us.

Ultimately, after Giorgi  raised hell on social for four days straight, Wag! hired a dog-tracking company to search for Fran, in addition to the dog tracker she had already hired. Although Wag! apparently attempted to pull their tracker after 48 hours, Giorgi says social media pressure caused the company to keep their tracker on-site for another day.

On Jan. 12, Giorgi shared the tragic news on Twitter that her soul dog Fran, who had comforted her through the loss of her father, had died.

Giorgi told In The Know that the dog was found by a Good Samaritan about half a mile from where she had initially been lost. She had apparently been hit by a car.

The computer-generated communication she received from Wag! following the discovery, Giorgi says, only exacerbated the already painful situation.

Throughout the ordeal, Giorgi says she was never offered an apology, either by Wags support team or by Smallwood.

A Wag! spokesperson told In The Know the company was deeply saddened by Frans passing, adding that, our hearts go out to her family.

Safety is a top priority at Wag! and every service is insured and backed by the full support of our Trust and Safety team, the spokesperson continued. The team worked diligently with Frans emergency contact and pet parent, as well as the local community, to search for her and bring her home. This tragic incident is still under investigation, and the pet caregiver has been suspended from our platform pending the conclusion of an investigation.

As she awaits more information about what actually happened to Fran, Georgi says she hopes her experience can serve as a warning to other pet owners.

Its been a nightmare, Giorgi told In The Know. Hope this helps someone else avoid Wag.

Wag, which has been billed as the Uber for dog walking, has come under fire for multiple high-profile incidents involving its service, some of them deadly.

According to the New York Post, the company has lost at least eight dogs in New York City alone since its Big Apple launch in 2015. Some were fortunately found while others, sadly, were not.

In 2018, a Houston couple spoke out after their dog, Winnie, was struck and killed by a car while out with a walker hired through Wag. The company reportedly asked the couple to sign a nondisclosure agreement before it would agree to pay the $188 to have the dog cremated.

During the same year, another Wag! walker was investigated for animal cruelty after she was caught on camera returning a womans 8-year-old Yorkie, Bella, back to her home nonresponsive and limp after a walk. The dog later died.

In a bizarre 2019 incident, a Wag! dog walker stole a New York couples dog with the intention to gift the dog to someone else. The dog, Benny, was later reunited with his owners, while the walker was arrested and charged with burglary, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

The same year, a couple filed a lawsuit against Wag, alleging negligence and fraud, after their French bulldog, Burger, was struck and hit by a car in New York City while out with a Wag! walker. Patch.com reported that footage of the incident showed the elderly dog trailing far behind the distracted walker, who was apparently looking at her cellphone when the dog was struck and killed in a crosswalk.

In a 2019 post, Hilary Schneider, Wags CEO at the time, responded to public outcry following the aforementioned incidents, writing, We hear you loud and clear. We have some work to do on our end, and were committed to doing it.

In The Know cover star Storm Reid reflects on being a 'student of life':

The post Dog owners beloved pet dies after being left under care of Wag! pet sitter: Its been a nightmare appeared first on In The Know.

More from In The Know:

Optical illusion of two dogs 'sharing a mouth' has people baffled

Dad's attempted diaper check turns into a hilarious high-speed chase: 'He is concealing something deadly'

Mom-to-be's graveyard gender reveal brings TikTokers to tears: 'OMG, just got shivers'

Dog whines for sweater every time he gets cold
Northampton, MA --News Direct-- Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Hakim Savoy serves as the vice president of global manufacturing at Kimberly-Clark.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day is celebrated as a day of service in the United States in honor of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But for Kimberly-Clarks vice president of global manufacturing, Hakim Richard Savoy, MLK Day is more than a day to do good deeds and kind acts. Its a day to truly commit to championing human rights around the world.

Hakim was introduced to civil rights activism at a young age during his childhood in Philadelphia. His dad worked at a shipping yard but spent his free time as an activist in the Black community. While growing up during the 1970s and 1980s, Hakim watched his dad bring people together  from the churches to the streets  to fight injustice, educate youth and serve the underserved with food, clothing, and books.

Some of the earliest memories I have with my father are going out into the community to advocate for voter registration, hosting food drives, and establishing rites of passage programs for young men, said Hakim.

Hakims childhood taught him a powerful lesson  life is more significant than meeting ones individual needs. His parents instilled in him that life is about the collective work and responsibility we all have to ensure that everyone in the community has their basic needs met for the opportunity for a better life.

Hakim practices the same servant leadership in his community that his dad showed him. MLK Day is just one of the days throughout the year where he steps away from his day-to-day routine and spends time uplifting others in his community.

Ive been honoring MLK Day for as long as I can remember, Hakim said. Ive always viewed it as an obligation to do the same work centered on human rights, in service to those who engaged in the civil rights struggle.

For past MLK days, Hakim has focused on racial equality and equity, poverty, hunger, social justice, and education. This year, he plans to follow in his fathers footsteps by speaking to a small group of teenage boys in hopes of mentoring and connecting them to voting resources. Before he begins the day, he always pauses for a moment of remembrance and personal reflection.

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I remember the sacrifice it took for me to be here today and have the opportunities I do, said Hakim. I think about the physical price my Black ancestors paid  from slavery to emancipation to the Jim Crow era to marching in the Civil Rights Movement  Im a beneficiary of that.

While we cant pay back those who sacrificed their lives to create a better life for us today, Hakim believes we can pay it forward for future generations. He challenges himself and others with this question: When you see injustice and human rights trampled on, what are you doing in your sphere of influence to stop it?

Hakims favorite Dr. King quote aligns with his personal purpose of striving for equity and justice in the world, as well as Kimberly-Clarks purpose of Better Care for a Better World.

I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

There are millions of people in the world struggling to live a decent quality of life, and theyre not really living the full human existence, Hakim said. We have to collectively say, thats unacceptable, we wont tolerate it, and bring it to an end.

Hakim joined Kimberly-Clark in 2015, where he led supply chain and logistics for the companys global nonwovens business. In Hakims current role as vice president of global manufacturing, he is responsible for digital manufacturing transformation, external contract manufacturing, capital planning, and value engineering.

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An Assicurazioni Generali SpA's logo is seen on a building of their offices in Saint-Denis

(Reuters) - Europe's third-largest insurer Assicurazioni Generali said on Thursday that director Francesco Caltagirone has resigned from the board amid a boardroom fight between top investors regarding the reappointment of Generali CEO Philippe Donnet.

A construction and newspaper magnate, Caltagirone is Generali's second-biggest investor with an 8.04% stake. He has opposed the reappointment of Donnet, who is backed by Generali's leading investor Mediobanca and a majority of board members.

Generali said in a statement Caltagirone felt thwarted by the board's working methods, particularly its handling of a strategic plan, treatment of privileged information and relations with the media and other shareholders.

Generali Group's Chairman Gabriele Galateri di Genola rejected the reasons given by Caltagirone and said that the company has always conducted its business with absolute transparency and rigorous fairness.

Caltagirone began his offensive in April when he snubbed a general meeting to approve Generali's results. In September, he struck an accord with Leonardo Del Vecchio, the eyewear billionaire who is the third-largest investor in Generali, to consult on decisions about the company.

Smaller Generali investor CRT later joined the consultation pact which represents a combined stake of more than 16% after Caltagirone and Del Vecchio upped their holdings in recent months.

To counter their influence, Mediobanca has borrowed shares to reach a 17% voting stake. The two fronts will face off at an April general meeting to appoint a new board.

Caltagirone and Del Vecchio are ready to back an alternative CEO candidate and present their own slate of candidates for the board, people close to the matter have told Reuters.

(Reporting by Shivani Tanna and Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru and Valentina Za in Italy; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Jason Meador appointed Head of RCIS as Mike Day retires; Alban Laloum named Chief Customer Officer; Dawn Hiestand named Head of Captives; Kelly Kinzer is Head of Construction.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zurich North America today announced key leadership changes that will further position the organization to consistently deliver strong performance:

Jason Meador , currently Head of Captives at Zurich North America, has been appointed to lead the RCIS crop insurance business following the impending retirement of Head of RCIS Mike Day .

Alban Laloum , currently Head of Customer, Distribution, Marketing & Regional Management for Zurich Canada, has been selected for the role of Chief Customer Officer for Zurich North America.

Dawn Hiestand , currently Head of Operations for Zurich North America's Direct Markets business serving auto dealers, has been selected to replace Meador as Head of Captives.

Kelly Kinzer has officially become Head of Construction after serving in an interim role following the departure of Karen Reutter.

RCIS leadership transition

Jason Meador, who has been at Zurich since 2013, will move to Zurich's crop insurance business, Rural Community Insurance Services, on Feb. 1 as Head of RCIS. Reporting to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn, Meador will be responsible for the direction and strategic planning of Zurich's crop insurance business, including the expansion of precision agriculture and other advanced technology, and for ensuring strong relationships with key stakeholders in the agriculture industry, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS), crop agents and the U.S. Congress. He will work closely with Zurich's Government & Regulatory Relations team in Washington, D.C., on issues and advocacy related to the federally funded crop insurance program.

Mike Day will stay on through March 31 to assist in Meador's transition. Day's retirement comes after nearly 40 years in crop insurance, which included serving on the NCIS Executive Committee and the Executive Committee of the Crop Insurance & Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB).

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"Mike ensured RCIS, as one of the country's largest and most dependable crop insurance providers, earned and held the trust of farmers and agents. Mike played a significant role in the successful transition when Zurich acquired RCIS in 2016," said Terryn. "We thank him for his 33 years of leadership and advocacy at RCIS. Jason will draw on Mike's legacy and his own broad skills and experience to continue to support the strength and vitality of American agriculture."

Meador, a Navy veteran who enlisted at 18, joined Zurich years later as a Strategy Business Partner to the former Commercial Markets business unit and Technical Underwriting function. He then became Head of Strategic Execution for North America before moving to the former Alternative Markets business unit as its Chief Operating Officer. His 17 years of insurance experience, including at Boston Consulting Group, were preceded by his work in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, where he was Program Manager for Steam Generator Technology and Fleet Support at Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University.

Head of Captives

Succeeding Meador as Head of Captives on Feb. 1, Dawn Hiestand will be responsible for the overall strategy and operational management of Zurich North America's Group Captives insurance business, which includes member-owned, agency and fronted captives. She will report to Head of U.S. National Accounts Paul Horgan.

Since joining Zurich in 2000, Dawn has held leadership positions in Claims, Operational Transformation and Underwriting. She served as Chief Operations Officer for Alternative Markets before serving in the same role for Direct Markets. She is also Head of the Women's Innovation Network, Zurich's largest and oldest employee resource group.

She previously practiced law at private firms. She earned her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Valparaiso University and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1997.

Chief Customer Officer

Alban Laloum has been selected for the role of Chief Customer Officer for Zurich North America, reporting to Kristof Terryn. Effective Feb. 1, Laloum will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for the expanded Customer Office, which now will encompass Distribution in addition to Marketing and Customer Experience functions, to deliver distinctive expertise and customer experience, expand Zurich's reach and deepen distribution relationships. This will include building on digital and technical capabilities and enhancing end-to-end servicing across the customer journey.

Laloum has been with Zurich since 2013, joining as Global Broker Relationship Leader after leading Marsh's Multinational Practice globally for three years. His 26 years of experience as a broker include roles leading Marsh's international practice for the Midwest region and its Risk Management and Client Executive practice.

Laloum holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Insurance from the University of Hartford, a post-graduate degree from Centre des Hautes Etudes d'Assurances in Paris and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Head of Construction

Kelly Kinzer, previously Head of Construction Casualty and, before that, Head of Construction Property at Zurich North America, had been leading Zurich's Construction business on an interim basis since November, following the departure of Karen Reutter. Kinzer officially became Head of Construction on Jan. 1. She will be accountable for delivering underwriting results, sales execution, talent management strategies and innovative products and services, such as the Zurich Construction Weather Parametric solution that she helped launch in 2021. She will report to Paul Horgan.

Kinzer started her career at Zurich before moving to roles at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty then Marsh & McLennan, where she was Senior Vice President. She then spent four years at Willis Towers Watson, where she progressed to Executive Vice President and Head of Construction Broking for North America before rejoining Zurich in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Olaf College.

"These newly named leaders illustrate the outstanding talent and great bench strength we have here at Zurich North America," Terryn said. "They will continue to keep the focus on truly knowing our customers  their challenges and their goals  and ensure we deliver the differentiated solutions and excellent service they have come to expect from Zurich."

About Zurich North America

Zurich North America is one of the largest providers of insurance solutions and services to businesses and individuals. Our customers represent industries ranging from agriculture to technology. Zurich North America is part of Zurich Insurance Group, a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. Read more at www.zurichna.com/services/about-zurich.

Visit us on social media: LinkedIn and Twitter





Zurich Insurance (PRNewsfoto/Zurich North America)

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Dec. 19AUGUSTA  Maine Instrument Flight, a company with more than seven decades of history at the Augusta State Airport, has been sold to an Idaho company that has pledged to buildon whatisalready in place.

SprintBach Aviation plans to invest both in the flight school and the charter business as it extends its reach from its base in southwest Idaho.

"We're serial entrepreneurs, and we like that aspect of running businesses," Zach Erlebach, principal of SprintBach Aviation, said. "We fell in love with the legacy of this business, and we'll figure out how to make the business work. But we're going to do that with the community's help, and we're going to invest heavily in the employees and keep going."

The deal, a transfer of stock, closed Dec. 8. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.

Maine Instrument Flight encompasses a charter business, maintenance shop, flight school and fixed-base operator that offers support services to general aviation.

The company, founded by William L. Perry in 1946, was jointly owned by his children William H. Perry and Shirley Perry Whitney until the sale earlier this month.

"We were looking for history, not a business to buy," Erlebach, 31, said.

SprintBach Aviation worked with business brokers to find prospects, initially without much luck. What they found did not pique their interest, so they kept looking.

"We found Bill (Perry) and we flew out here without much expectation," Erlebach said. "Then we sat with Bill and Shirley and we swapped more stories that we talked about business. We just fell in love with it."

Perry, 81, said he and his sister had considered selling more than a decade ago, but interest in acquiring the business was not there. There were tire kickers and people who wanted to see what an airplane looked like, but no legitimate offers.

About a year ago, Perry said, they decided to try again with the Inbar Group, a business brokerage that focuses on the Northeast, when it opened an office in Augusta.

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Perry, who will continue as president of Maine Beechcraft, a standalone business, said the potential exists for expansion for the organization, including the flight training.

Brenda McAleer, associate provost and dean of the college of professional studies at the University of Maine at Augusta, said she was aware Perry and Whitney were considering moving on from the business.

McAleer said she met with Erlebach and Morris a month ago, and their first question to her was if she wanted UMA's pilot training program to grow.

"I said, 'Absolutely,'" McAleer said.

While all details have yet to be ironed out, the memorandum of understanding between Maine Instrument Flight and UMA, signed eight years ago, remains in effect.

"The contract does not change, because when Bill and Shirley sold, Maine Instrument Flight was sold as a unit, and our contract is with Maine Instrument Flight," McAleer said. "We're looking forward to working with the new owners. I think they are going to come in with some different ideas. It's just a new chapter in our relationship."

McAleer said she was aware about a year ago that Perry and Whitney were interested in selling the company, and she was concerned about who might buy it.

"This is a very small state, and people work on relationships and trust," McAleer said. "After meeting with Zach and Chad (Morris), I am so relieved and looking forward to moving forward with them."

Morris, 34, is president of Sprintbach Aviation and a U.S. Navy veteran.

The first focus for the company, he said, will be the UMA program.

"What they didn't have before is someone who has been through a veteran program and been through a university program," Morris said. "I already know a lot of the ins and outs of how it works, how it's supposed to function and how to draw veterans into the program. The primary focus for the school is how do we get more veterans."

Morris said he had been a flight instructor at a large flight school in Idaho, where Erlebach earned his pilot's license, and they started talking about finding a way to do a business together.

Erlebach said the flight school and the charter business, which will augment the company's existing charter business in Idaho, is where the company will invest heavily. The flight school presents a unique opportunity because of the demand for pilots, which is expected to extend into the next five to 10 years.

"You can get your pilot's license and not have an education to go with it," Erlebach said. "But airlines are much more comfortable if you can have both. And you make a lot more money. Young pilots can come out of the university program with the ratings they need and they can make a lot more money in the market."

Morris said the new owners plan to become part of the community and increase what already exists, including the relationships Perry has developed.

Members of the Erlebach family own and operate several businesses in the Treasure Valley of southwestern Idaho, west of Boise. Among them, SprintBach Aviation.

"We're really diverse and we're really successful in building businesses," Erlebach said. "We've taken businesses that are really nothing and turned them into something. We really like that."
GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 13, 2022 /CNW/ - Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould, along with the Prime Minister of Canada the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, will virtually join Premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston and Nova Scotia Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Becky Druhan, to make an early learning and child care announcement. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Sean Fraser will also be in attendance.

Media availability will follow the announcement.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local .

DATE : Friday, January 14, 2022



TIME : 10:15 a.m. AST

Journalists who want to participate must register by contacting Blaise.Theriault@novascotia.ca with their name and media outlet before 9:00 a.m. AST on Friday, January 14, 2022. The Zoom link will be provided to those who register.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

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Morgan County has administered more than 79,004 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of Jan. 10, according to data from the Indiana Department of Health.

That's up 1.77% from the previous week's tally of 77,629 COVID-19 doses administered.

In Morgan County, 48% of people living in Morgan County are fully vaccinated as of Jan. 10. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after they've been given a single-dose shot (Johnson & Johnson) or a second shot (either Pfizer or Moderna).

Indiana reported 1,366,754 total cases of coronavirus, an increase of 7% from the week before.

The five counties with the highest percentage of their population fully vaccinated in Indiana as of Jan. 10 are Hamilton County (77%), Boone County (72%), Hendricks County (66%), Hancock County (63%) and Warrick County (62%).

Here are the latest numbers on COVID-19 vaccinations in Morgan County as of Jan. 10:

How many people in Morgan County have received a COVID-19 vaccine?

51% of people in Morgan County have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 35,633 people

48% of people in Morgan County are fully vaccinated, for a total of 33,165 people

For a county-by-county look at the vaccination rollout, see our COVID-19 vaccine tracker, which is updated daily.

How many people in Indiana have been vaccinated so far?

59% of people in Indiana have received at least one dose of the vaccine, for a total of 3,940,764 people

53% of people in Indiana are fully vaccinated, for a total of 3,525,275 people

COVID vaccinations for kids and boosters

The percentages in this story reflect the total share of the population that has received vaccines. That now includes people as young as 5 years old, for whom vaccines have been authorized.

These weekly stories will be updated as more data on vaccination rates in children, as well as booster vaccination rates, are released.

We pull data on local vaccine distribution on a weekly basis. Check back for our next weekly update mid-week for the latest numbers.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Morgan County Indiana vaccine rate: How many people are vaccinated?
FILE PHOTO: Towers and smokestacks are silhouetted at an oil refinery in Melbourne

By Arathy Somasekhar

(Reuters) -Oil futures rose on Friday, boosted by supply constraints and worries of a Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine, pushing prices toward their fourth weekly gain despite sources saying China is set to release crude reserves around the Lunar New Year.

Brent crude futures rose $1.59, or 1.9%, to a near a 2-1/2-month high of $85.06 a barrel at 1:50 p.m. ET (1850 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.80 , or 2.2%, to $83.93.

"People looking at the big picture realize that global supply versus demand situation is very tight and that's giving the market a solid boost," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group.

Flynn added that traders did not want to be short in the market as tensions mounted between Russia and Ukraine and ahead of a long U.S. weekend for the Martin Luther King Jr Day holiday, which typically sees lower trading volumes.

U.S. officials voiced fears on Friday that Russia was preparing to attack Ukraine if diplomacy failed. Russia, which has massed 100,000 troops on Ukraine's border, released pictures of its forces on the move.

"There has been a bump up in the geopolitical risk factor that is boosting prices," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital Management in New York.

The dollar appeared headed toward its largest weekly fall in four months. A weaker dollar makes commodities more affordable for holders of other currencies. [FRX/]

Several banks have forecast oil prices of $100 a barrel this year, with demand expected to outstrip supply, not least as capacity constraints among OPEC+ countries come into focus.

Libya's National Oil Corp Chairman Mustafa Sanallah said oil prices were "expected to continue to rise unless the market fundamentals change and global investment ... increases," adding that oil output from the country totaled 1.045 million barrels per day.

"When you consider that OPEC+ is still nowhere near pumping to its overall quota, this narrowing cushion could turn out to be the most bullish factor for oil prices over the coming months," said PVM analyst Stephen Brennock.

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Issues also remain unresolved in indirect talks between Iran and the United States on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a source close to the talks said on Friday. If the United States lifts sanctions on Iran, the country could boost oil shipments, adding to global supply.

Sources told Reuters China plans to release oil reserves around the Lunar New Year holidays between Jan. 31 and Feb. 6 as part of a plan coordinated by the United States with other major consumers to reduce global prices.

The U.S. Energy Department on Thursday said it had sold 18 million barrels of strategic crude oil.

U.S. oil rigs also rose 11 to 492 this week, their highest since April 2020.

China posted its first annual decline in crude oil imports in two decades, though traders expect imports to recover this year.

Fuel demand was pressured in the world's second-biggest oil consumer as the Omicron coronavirus variant spread. Many cities, including Beijing, have urged people not to travel during the Lunar New Year holiday.

(Additional reporting by Shadia Nasralla, Noah Browning and Florence Tan; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Kirsten Donovan)
Independent Survey Shows Franchisees Are Highly Satisfied with Carpet Cleaning Brand's Performance

LAKEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, one of the nation's fastest-growing carpet cleaning franchises, was recently named a Top Franchise for 2022 by Franchise Business Review. This is the 17th annual ranking of the top franchise opportunities as rated by franchisees' overall brand satisfaction. The list is available at https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/top-franchises/.

Since first opening in 2006, Oxi Fresh has stood out amongst its competitors in the cleaning industry. Thanks to its eco-friendly, fast-drying cleaning system, Oxi Fresh has earned hundreds of thousands of positive reviews online. In addition, due to the company's commitment to providing strong levels of support to their franchises, Oxi Fresh has regularly appeared on this prestigious listing.

Franchise Business Review, a market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and employee engagement, provides the only rankings and awards for franchise companies based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of the top 200 franchises in its annual Guide to Today's Top Franchises.

Oxi Fresh was among over 300 franchise brandsrepresenting more than 30,000 franchise ownersthat participated in Franchise Business Review's research. Oxi Fresh's franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.

"While the pandemic impacted various business sectors differently, the last 18 months have clearly demonstrated the inherent strengths of the franchise business model. The old franchise adage of 'being in business for yourself, but not by yourself' has never been more important," said Franchise Business Review founder & CEO Eric Stites. "Thanks to fast innovations, significant support, and responsive crisis management, many franchise brands have emerged stronger from the pandemic, and that is reflected in high franchisee satisfaction."

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"As a brand, we are extremely proud of the perseverance we displayed throughout the past year," said CEO of Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning, Jonathan Barnett. "To receive recognition from Franchise Business Review is a great honor for us and motivates us to continue pushing our brand forward, providing only the highest-quality carpet cleaning services to our customers and the best support possible for our franchisees."

"As an independent research firm, Franchise Business Review is committed to helping prospective franchisees get an objective view of the best franchise opportunities, based on actual feedback from franchise owners," said Michelle Rowan, president & COO of Franchise Business Review. "We survey franchisees from franchise companies in the marketplace today and identify those with the highest levels of satisfaction and performance in order to educate potential buyers and help them choose which franchise to invest in. The companies on this year's list of Top Franchises are the top-ranked brands in the key areas critical to their franchisees' success."

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full description of the 2022 Top Franchises.

About Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning

Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning offers green carpet cleanings and exceptional results through innovative products and modern technology. The company's powerful combination of knowledgeable people, innovative technology, and robust processes has landed the brand in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500, ranked in Inc. magazine's Inc. 500|5000, and saw them named as one of "America's Best Franchises to Buy," by Forbes magazine. Oxi Fresh has hundreds of locations throughout the United States and Canada, with more locations currently in development. For more information, visit oxifresh.com.

About Franchise Business Review

Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures the satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,100 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/publications/.

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International artists at premier global art event to leverage Datavault's data visualization, valuation, and monetization capabilities to generate new income sources and provide new solutions for sustainable development

NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Data Vault Holdings Inc., leading the way in tokenomics and metaverse data visualization, valuation, and monetization, today announced it has developed a metaverse art gallery in collaboration with the inaugural international art event World Art Forum, hosted by the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The patented Datavault platform mints NFTs of participating artists in support of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through art in Egypt and the world. The gallery proves the resourcefulness of NFTsin its transformation of data objects through the metaverseto create new digital assets from existing works. It will also showcase ADIO's data packet technology to create custom call-to-actions within the NFT art itself. The World Art Forum will take place in Cairo, Egypt at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization from January 15-19, 2022.

(PRNewsfoto/Data Vault Holdings)

"We couldn't have envisioned just a few years ago the heights that NFTs would reach in their potential to not only improve the financial stability of artists, but also to address the social ills in the world. Sustainability and our collective carbon footprint are issues that the metaverse have helped to address. Through NFT art, Datavault can effortlessly repurpose art to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials via our patented technology. What this exhibit's attendees, artists, owners, and collectors will witness is the emerging capability of NFT art to provide sustainable alternatives for creators, and the NFT market overall," says Nathaniel Bradley, co-founder and CEO of Data Vault Holdings.

The World Art Forum, open to the public, will feature more than 150 pieces and sculptures from 27 countries. Art will be represented by more than 20 local, regional, and international galleries. The event will showcase NFTs minted by Datavault from cultural centers in Africa, Europe, Asia, the United States, and the Middle East.

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Datavault's novel technology will mint NFTs of distinguished artists in painting, ceramics, sculpture, and visual arts. Artists include: Heidi Fosli (Norway), Abinoro Akporode Collins (Nigeria), Giorio Piccaia (Italy), Jorg Van Daele (Belgium), Larissa Noury (France), Wissam Fahmy (Egypt), and Ahmed Nawar (Egypt).

The works will be featured alongside more than 1,000 anticipated visitors over the course of the five-day event, which will also include guest panelists across the fields of government, the arts, and global development. Datavault's metaverse gallery will provide a successful proof-of-concept for the utility of NFTs as a sustainable, revenue-generating art form for artists, collectors, and owners.

Datavault adds another layer to the Data Revolution through its support of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in conjunction with the United Nations Representative Office In Egypt. Datavault's metaverse gallery will help to specifically promote SDG #17, which focuses on building partnerships among artists, development partners, and organizations to integrate art with the fundamental social issues of todayissues such as equality, women's empowerment, and cultural dialogue. Additionally, Datavault's patented platform offers a securitized digital item that provides continual royalties and residual income. Datavault will also further authenticate the minted NFTs through the use of ADIO's proprietary data packet technology.

Previously, Datavault laid the groundwork for the multidisciplinary World Art Forum collaboration through the platform's inaugural metaverse gallery last month at the global art fair Art Basel Miami Beach, hosted December 2-5. Datavault demonstrated its patented crypto technology creating NFTs from original works of featured artists from around the world, as digital art for purchase. Also last month, Datavault completed the full metaverse exhibition "NFTs: Timeless and Ancient Art Exhibition", in collaboration with the New York art gallery Saphira & Ventura from December 28-30. This exhibit provided an accessible means for experiencing new and existing monetization capabilities within the emerging NFT space, through the minting of NFTs from participating artists' works as well as ancient masterpieces. Moreover, Saphira & Ventura will participate in this year's World Art Forum as one of more than 20 featured art galleries.

Starting January 15, in collaboration with the World Art Forum, Datavault will leverage the potential within the metaverse and use art as a universal language to promote artistic expression, financial viability, and sustainable development. Datavault has only begun to tap into the limitless possibility of NFTs across mediums and locations.

About the World Art Forum

The World Art Forum aims to use art to connect global regions, artists, and galleries; establish partnerships among them; and facilitate integration between art and societal issues. The event features artists from around the world who share the goal of raising awareness about global issues and establishing a more sustainable future. This year's inaugural event will be under the auspices of the Egyptian government in partnership with the United Nations Representative Office in Egypt. Learn more about the World Art Forum here .

About Data Vault Holdings Inc.

Data Vault Holdings Inc. is a technology holding company that provides a proprietary, cloud-based platform for the delivery of branded data-backed cryptocurrencies. Data Vault Holdings Inc. provides businesses with the tools to monetize data assets securely over its Information Data Exchange (IDE). The company is in the process of finalizing the consolidation of its affiliates Data Donate Technologies, Inc., ADIO LLC, and Datavault Inc. as wholly-owned subsidiaries under one corporate structure. Learn more about Data Vault Holdings Inc. here .

About Datavault Inc.

Datavault Inc. holds a patented, cloud-based technology that transforms the way in which businesses value and trade data. The Datavault Inc. team has transferred decades of experience in enterprise solutions, blockchain technology, and digital security to help clients transact data objects in real time. Datavault Inc. holds the Information Data Exchange (IDE), a first-of-its-kind exchange that enables registered buyers and sellers to trade data objects for cash or other monetary assets, including cryptocurrencies. Learn more about Datavault Inc. here .

About ADIO LLC

ADIO LLC has developed a breakthrough ad-driven monetization platform that enhances user experience through high-frequency audio advertising. ADIO uses its patented pioneering data pocket technology to integrate into an audio file for a more robust user experience. Learn more about ADIO LLC here .

About Saphira & Ventura

Saphira & Ventura Art Design Architecture, is a global talent management network focused on art, design and architecture as well as alternative forms of expression such as NFTs, working with artists and cultural creators from various countries. Saphira & Ventura Art Design Architecture challenges the traditional perception of the meaning of art, fashion, design, and customs, seeing through the lens of inclusion, purpose, and positive self-expression. In this spirit, the Saphira & Ventura group is bringing new technologies to seek, develop and validate its scalable business model, improve transactions through the use of blockchain technology, and enhance the user experience. Learn more about Saphira & Ventura here .

Company Contact:

Data Vault Holdings Inc.

48 Wall Street, Floor 11

New York, NY 10005

1-844-DATA-400

Media Contact:

Angry Apples Marketing

1-844-GO-ANGRY

hello@goangry.com

www.goangry.com

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SOURCE Data Vault Holdings Inc.
GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 13, 2022 /CNW/ - Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould, along with the Prime Minister of Canada the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, will virtually join Premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston and Nova Scotia Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Becky Druhan, to make an early learning and child care announcement. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Sean Fraser will also be in attendance.

Media availability will follow the announcement.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local .

DATE : Friday, January 14, 2022



TIME : 10:15 a.m. AST

Journalists who want to participate must register by contacting Blaise.Theriault@novascotia.ca with their name and media outlet before 9:00 a.m. AST on Friday, January 14, 2022. The Zoom link will be provided to those who register.

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

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TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Shimadzu Medical Systems USA, a leading manufacturer of advanced medical imaging systems and Methodist Health System (Dallas, TX), is supplying mobiles, radiographic, R&F and DR upgrades under a signed IDN contract effective August 12, 2021, for three years with a yearly renewal option.

(PRNewsfoto/Shimadzu Medical Systems USA)

Included in the Texas-based IDN purchasing agreement are the following Methodist hospitals: Charlton Medical Center, Dallas Medical Center, Mansfield Medical Center, Midlothian Medical Center, Richardson Medical Center, Southlake Medical Center, and Southlake Medical Center along with two community outreach clinics: Golden Cross Academic Clinic and Charlton Family Medicine Center.

About Methodist Hospital System

For more than 90 years, Methodist Health System has been striving to improve and save lives through compassionate, quality healthcare. All throughout North Texas the surround areas, residents have a close-to-home resource for quality health services through Methodist Health System. With world-class medical services, renowned teaching programs, and a strong commitment to the community, we have become a brand that the people of North Texas know they can trust and rely on.

About Shimadzu Medical Systems

Shimadzu Corporation, founded in 1875 in Kyoto, Japan, and the parent of Shimadzu Medical Systems USA (SMS), is a global provider of medical diagnostic equipment including conventional, interventional, and digital X-ray systems. Shimadzu Medical Systems USA is headquartered in Torrance, California, with sales and service offices located throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Canada. Its sales and marketing office is in Cleveland, Ohio, and has direct operations in Dallas, Texas and Kenmore, Washington. Visit Shimadzu Medical Systems USA at www.shimadzu-usa.com or call: (800) 228-1429.

To learn more about Shimadzu's advanced X-ray imaging systems and innovative technologies, please register for access to our new virtual Healthcare Center: https://www.shimadzuhealthcaresolutions.com/dollhouse-view/

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For more information, contact: Frank Serrao

Marketing Manager

serrao@shimadzu-usa.com

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SOURCE Shimadzu Medical Systems USA
BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corp's (NYSE: WHR) 110-year anniversary was a year that built on its Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG") initiatives and a continuation of the commitment to being the best kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. During 2021, the company focused on strengthening its global sustainability strategy by collaborating with organizations to drive meaningful change in communities and on the planet.

Whirlpool Corporation (PRNewsFoto/Whirlpool Corporation)

In recognition of all of these efforts, Whirlpool Corp.:

"Sustainability has remained a core part of our company's values and culture and we continue to innovate our products and operations to deliver on our social and environmental sustainability goals," said Pam Klyn, senior vice president of Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability for Whirlpool Corp.

Whirlpool Corp. focused its 2021 community efforts around House+Home, supporting affordable housing builds through Habitat for Humanity, and helping to create resilient communities through education and neighborhood development. Initiatives took place where Whirlpool Corp. operates in the U.S. and also embraced communities across North America, South America, Asia and its Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

Highlights from Whirlpool Corp's 2021 community-based projects include:

Whirlpool brand brought the Care Counts Laundry Program to Benton Harbor Area Schools and announced its first global expansion into Colombia.

Maytag introduced a new "Feel Good Fridge" Initiative to help provide access to healthy food for children.

Whirlpool Corp. appliance donations aided the Southwest Michigan community in their mission to support those in need.

Whirlpool Corp. launched a House + Home World Tour to highlight its expanded global work with Habitat for Humanity and other community initiatives across the globe.

Habitat for Humanity kicked off the BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative, which expands upon their efforts to help homeowners mitigate the impact of climate change, building more than 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes for those in need of affordable housing over the next three years.

Since 2002, Whirlpool Corp. has supported women entrepreneurs with Consulado da Mulher, which works to improve and empower the lives of socially vulnerable women, eradicate poverty, and promote gender equality in Brazil.

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To minimize its climate impact, reduce its carbon footprint, and be a leader in environmental sustainability, Whirlpool Corp. executed several actions in 2021, including:

Committed to achieving Net Zero emissions in its plants and operations around the world by 2030.

Made significant progress to reach Zero Waste to Landfill in 2022.

Reduced its carbon footprint over 30 percent with wind VPPA agreements covering 100 percent of US plant electricity emissions.

Issued its inaugural $300 million sustainability bond to finance social and environmental projects across the organization.

Launched a global No Place for Waste campaign to educate stakeholders on how to take small actions to make a collective environmental impact at home.

Redesigned its consumer-facing website ImprovingLifeAtHome.com to give simple, effective tips to consumers on how they can use their appliances to be more environmentally sustainable.

Remain committed to being a participant in the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and continue to expand efforts to uphold sustainable and responsible business practices in day-to-day global operations.

About Whirlpool Corporation:

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit and Yummly. In 2020, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 78,000 employees and 57 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

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SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
A group of local activists plan to hold a Conversation on the Bridge in Fredericksburg on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Rev. Mozett Petway, who heads the Spotsylvania County chapter of the NAACP, said a group of local leaders wanted to gather on the holiday to talk about voting rights, which he and many others believe is under attack.

The gathering will start at 12:30 p.m. Monday at the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge on Fall Hill Avenue in Fredericksburg. Petway encouraged people to attend the event live but added that the event will be livestreamed on the Spotsylvania NAACP branch Facebook page.

Its not a march, not a protest. Its a conversation at the bridge, said Petway, adding that the aim of the gathering is to remember what King did for voting rights while also focusing on the need to improve and protect those rights.

The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965 to protect against racial discrimination in voting. However, the Brennan Center for Justice says two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, along with a wave of restrictive voting legislation last year have put voting rights under threat.

The center supports the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which has passed the House and needs the Senate to pass it for the act to become law.

Local leaders, including pastor Gary Holland of Stafford County, former 28th District Del. Joshua Cole and former Fredericksburg City Council member Rev. Hashmel Turner will speak during the event.

Petway said another group he helps run, the Concerned Citizens of Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg Area, is hosting the event.

Meanwhile, the Caroline County Branch of the NAACP will mark the King holiday by hosting a virtual forum discussing the church and social justice issues on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The forum will be livestreamed on the Caroline NAACP Facebook page.

President Lydell Fortune said the Caroline branch has long sought to establish a relationship with clergy in the county. His hope is that clergy will become more active on social justice issues.

We thought of this as a way to commemorate Dr. King as a member of the clergy, Fortune said. We thought it would be good to come together as an NAACP family with clergy in Caroline just to discuss the theological underpinnings of social justice and have that conversation.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's top infectious disease expert, angrily accused a senator Tuesday of making false accusations that are leading to threats against him -- all to raise political cash.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has repeatedly said Fauci lies about the pandemic and in a hearing Tuesday also claimed that he tried to "take down" some scientists who disagreed with him.

Paul and other conservative critics have focused their ire at how the pandemic is being handled on Fauci, the National Institutes of Health infectious disease chief who also is President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser. Fauci has needed increased security since 2020 because of threats and harassment against him and his family.

Keep scrolling for photos of Dr. Fauci through the years

Tuesday, Fauci expressed frustration that this far into the pandemic the senator still "accuses me of things that are completely untrue" and "kindles the crazies out there."

He pointed to the arrest last month of a California man who was stopped for speeding in Iowa and told a sheriff's deputy he was on the way to the nation's capital to kill a list of people in power -- including Fauci. Court documents show the man, Kuachua Brillion Xiong of Sacramento, had an AR-15 style rifle, ammunition and body armor in the car.

Fauci said Paul's website has a "fire Dr. Fauci" page and includes a call for political contributions ranging from $5 to $100.

He accused Paul of using the pandemic "for your political gain," he said.

The feud overshadowed a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee designed to examine if policy changes are needed while the U.S. is battling the hugely contagious omicron variant.

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, testing's broken," said an exasperated Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, the committee's 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 Tuesday's hearing, Fauci lost his temper when Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, accused him of hiding financial disclosure forms required of public officials.

"You're so misinformed that it's 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."

***
As a doctor, Ralph Northam knows all about doing no

harm. As our governor, he did do some harm, but then he made up for it with a whole lot of good.

Slightly less than three years ago, few people expected Northam to last out the month, let alone the rest of his tenure as governor of Virginia.

On Feb. 1, 2019, a social media site revealed, on Northams 1984 medical school yearbook page, a photo of two individuals, one in blackface and the other in a Klan robe. First Gov. Northam said one of them was him, and then he said it wasnt, although he did admit hed once done a blackface Michael Jackson imitation. First Lady Pamela Northam may have saved the governor by preventing him from then displaying his moonwalking talents. All in all, it looked like curtains for Northam, barely a year into his term.

Everyone to the left of the aforementioned Klan was calling for his head, including both the states U.S. senators.

He didnt go, though, and now hes leaving on his own terms, generally conceded to have been one of the commonwealths most progressive governors ever, if not the most.

Among his achievements:

He ended the death penalty in Virginia, a state where the condemned have historically been disproportionately Black.

He oversaw the legalization of marijuana.

He enacted reforms that made it easier to vote and harder to deny aspiring voters.

He and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney oversaw to the removal of a host of Confederate statues along that citys Monument Avenue.

The minimum wage was raised to $11 an hour.

He expanded Medicare.

He helped ensure that Virginias COVID infections and deaths were below that of most states.

He spearheaded racial reform at his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, earning the enmity of many of his fellow alums.

He wasnt some socialist do-gooder giving away the store, either. For two consecutive years under his leadership, Virginia was named the best state for business by CNBC. Northam also could point to Amazon choosing Arlington County as the site of its much-coveted East Coast headquarters.

And, although as governor he had little if anything to do with it, he was in power when the state wrested gerrymandering away from the politicians.

Granted, his accomplishments were enabled greatly by a Democratic legislature, especially after the Dems gained control of both state houses in the 2019 state elections Trump backlash. Previous governors, equally high-minded, were often stymied by the lawmakers.

And it wasnt as if he batted a thousand after he survived the blackface debacle. The state was notoriously slow at first in dealing with COVID and seemed to stumble in its reaction to the pandemic from time to time, for one thing.

More recently, he failed to respond quickly when a Jan. 3 snowstorm left thousands stranded on Interstate 95 and then tried to shift blame to the motorists.

Still, he goes out a winner.

How did Gov. Northam get from 2019 to today?

Maybe the egregious yearbook photo was a moral wakeup call. Or maybe he saw that the only way to political redemption was to go big in the direction of the people that picture had so deeply offended. Maybe it is possible that a fair-minded person can commit a bad act, and that bad act does not define him.

Whatever the motivation, Northam reached out to Black clergy and other leaders and eventually gained their trust.

Ralph Northam goes out with high approval ratings, a quiet, decent man, a son of the Eastern Shore who seemingly will be happy to leave the Governors Mansion and return to his chosen profession, pediatric neurology.

Virginia governors who do well are usually enticed to seek higher political office. Whether Northam is tempted, and whether he yields to temptation, remain to be seen.

For now, though, he can look back and see a state made better by his guidance.

Nice recovery, Gov. Northam. Take a bow.
Fremont Public Schools announced changes to their COVID-19 protocols on Thursday.

Changes include temperatures being taken for entry into FPS facilities, classroom spacing, mask-wearing on buses and social distancing at activities.

The changes are in response to the increased numbers of individuals who have recently contracted the virus, said Hope Pierce, FPS coordinator of communications and public relations.

Changes also are part of the emphasis the district places on keeping its students and staff safe and in school.

The changes to be implemented on Friday, Jan. 14, are as follows:

Breakfast/lunch: Implement protocols to achieve social distance.

Entry into buildings: Temperatures will be taken upon arrival at the beginning of the school day and for entry/access to all FPS facilities including for extracurricular activities.

Classroom spacing: Classrooms will be arranged in a fashion that allows for maximum spacing between desks/tables with desks all facing the same direction when possible.

Activities: Gymnasiums and the Fremont High School Auditorium will have designated seating to create social distancing. Fans are encouraged to sit in pods (family members and those with whom they socialize).

Transportation: Students and staff will be required to wear masks while riding on district owned/leased/chartered buses. Buses will be disinfected at the conclusion of routes.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cleaning: The district and contracted cleaning services will increase the intensity of cleaning services and continue the daily use of electrostatic charged spraying equipment. Hand sanitizer will be readily available and its use is strongly encouraged.

Outside Visitors: Schools will be closed to outside visitors during the school day. Exceptions will be made for curriculum-based presenters/volunteers. Outside visitors during the school day are required to wear masks while in the building.

Vaccine Clinics: The district will continue to work with the Three Rivers Health Department (3Rivers) on providing opportunities for staff and students (with parent permission).

During the first semester, we moved to these advanced protocols when our numbers for students and staff began to elevate. Using this protocol allows us to mitigate the spread of the virus within our schools, said FPS Superintendent Mark Shepard.

Pierce said the district is working closely with Three Rivers and is in daily communication with Three Rivers Executive Director Terra Uhing.

Stay home if you are sick, Pierce said. Stay home if you have not been fever free for 24 hours without medication. Stay home if you have been tested for COVID-19 and have not received your test results.

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After almost 70 years of operation in the Fremont community, OfficeNet announced in late December that it had been acquired by Eakes Office Solutions.

I want to thank our customers across the state for their incredible support over the years, owner Russ Hoetfelker said in a press release. Im confident in Eakes ability to take care of all of our loyal customers moving forward.

Eakes also had OfficeNet locations in Columbus and Grand Island joining the team. With the acquisition also comes Hoetfelkers retirement after almost 20 years of owning the company.

Russ and his team at OfficeNet have provided a high level of customer service to many Nebraska communities for a long time, Eakes President and CEO Mark Miller said in the release. We take customer care seriously, and we look forward to continuing that tradition while expanding products and services in the area.

Founded by Robert Scott in 1954 as Fremont Office Equipment at 628 N. Broad St., OfficeNet provided office products, copiers, furniture and cleaning supplies for area businesses, schools, government agencies and local residences.

The company opened a second location in Columbus in 1978 and in Grand Island in 2001.

In 1964, Hoetfelkers father, Leigh, started work at the company before becoming president and CEO in 1995.

During middle school, Hoetfelker started working at OfficeNet, continuing even after his graduation from high school in 1982.

The part-time positions when I was in school, it was just kind of warehouse delivery positions, he told the Fremont Tribune. And then when I graduated from college, I came in as the controller, working with dad.

After Leigh Hoetfelkers death in 2003, his son took over OfficeNet as president and CEO.

From the beginning, Hoetfelker said he was drawn to the company as a way to work with his father.

We also have a lot of long, long, long-term employees that Ive worked with that were good to work with, he said. So I just really enjoyed working with the staff.

As to Eakes acquisition of OfficeNet, Hoetfelker said both parties were interested in the proposition, as he had turned 58 and was looking at retirement down the road.

We met with Eakes among other people over some lunches and were just kind of kicking tires and saying, You know, if you ever have an interest in doing something, let us know, he said. And I guess that time came, and here we are.

As the two are similar companies, Hoetfelker said more than 90% of OfficeNets employees transitioned into working for Eakes.

It was a good deal for them, and theyre just going to take over our accounts and go from there, he said. We were both strong competitors against each other for a lot of years because we did the same thing, so it was just kind of a natural way to merge the businesses together.

And even though hes officially retired, Hoetfelker said hes been helping Eakes with the transition since the acquisition.

Its been busy throughout the transition, but things are kind of starting to slow down here a little bit now, he said.

Hoetfelker called his retirement bittersweet and said he was thankful for his time at OfficeNet.

Thank you to the customers throughout the years that weve had, he said, and also to the employees that weve worked with.

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Nancy Morris and Cindy Tranmer had things well in hand.

For the most part.

The two retired schoolteachers went to a local store to buy underwear and other items for students at two elementary schools.

When they learned no carts were available, the women simply gathered packages of the items they needed and tried to carry them to the checkout stand.

We had about $250 worth of underwear that we were carrying around, Morris said.

Some of the many slick, plastic-covered packages slipped from their hands.

But other shoppers helped them pick up the packages so they could pay for them.

Days later, Morris chuckled about their cart-less shopping. At the same time, the Fremont woman is pleased with how a locally based group is helping schoolkids.

Morris is president of the Lambda Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international teachers sorority. Many Lambda Chapter members are in their 70s and 80s. Besides the immediate area, some are from Blair.

The chapter helps students in various ways.

Each year, it provides a scholarship to a Midland University student who wants to become an educator.

The 18-member chapter awarded a $1,000 scholarship for a student in December.

Last fall, it also donated hygiene and snack items to the Hub at Fremont High School, which provides a variety of items for students in need.

We like to donate items to different facilities, Morris said.

After helping older students, the group decided to help elementary schoolchildren from preschool through fourth grade.

Thats how the Undercover Undies project came about.

The retired teachers know that when children go outside for recess, they play in the snow and get wet.

They come in soaking wet and we have to send them to the office for dry clothes, she said.

Sometimes, young students have an accident, wetting or soiling their underwear and even outer clothing like sweat pants.

They then need a change of clothes.

With such thoughts in mind, Morris applied for a grant for seed money (starting funds) from Thrivent, a charitable organization. Members and friends donated to the project, too.

Altogether, the group raised almost $500 for the project. The teachers opted to donate items for boys and girls at Washington, Grant, Linden and Milliken Park elementary schools.

Teachers volunteered to call the schools and find out what they needed.

Some needed diapers, because they include a preschool. Socks, underwear and sweatpants were needed as well. Items ranged from smaller to larger sizes.

The women went in pairs to purchase items.

They figured they could donate about $125 worth of items to each of the four elementary schools.

Wearing masks, group members dropped off their first batch of items to a school last week.

Morris said school staffers appreciated the donations.

They were delighted, she said.

This is the first time the group has embarked on this type of project.

Morris said she can apply for another Thrivent grant this year.

We might try it (the project) for some other schools, whether theyre here in Fremont or in Blair, she said. Were hoping to do that, because it was received so well.

And two of the sorority sisters now have experience in cart-less shopping.

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I was amazed.

Throughout the years, Ive talked to a variety of people whove lost a home or business after a fire.

I expect them to tell me how the fire started and how bad it was and what they lost.

Thats what I expected when I called David and Christine Baker after a fire destroyed their Fremont home.

But I got a very different answer when I talked to David.

The first words out of his mouth werent about the fire.

David said he wanted to talk to me, because he had so many people to thank.

During the interview, Christine talked about how their oldest son, Devon, had been up at 4 a.m., playing video games on the morning of the fire.

An oscillating fan stopped and there was a burning smell. So the 18-year-old checked a fuse box in the basement.

One side was hot.

Meanwhile, Devons best friend, 19-year-old Kenny Wallin, whod been spending the night, went into the kitchen.

A spark fell in front of him. He looked up and could see the glow of fire coming through recessed kitchen lights.

He heard a crackling sound.

The young men knew they had to get the family  which included Devons brother, Garrett, who has special needs, and 89-year-old grandma, Norma  out of the house.

Quickly awakened family members scrambled into clothes and managed to get one pet outside.

Firefighters rescued the other pets, which included a couple of dogs (my favorite was the full-figured golden retriever named Daisy Mae) and a cat and even a turtle.

They retrieved soot-covered Christmas gifts, too.

But the house was a total loss.

The family could have focused on all the fire consumed.

Instead, Christine and David talked about how thankful they were that everyone got out safely and their pets were rescued. They are grateful for firefighters, police, utilities workers, friends, neighbors and family members whove helped them.

In a world where many people look at the negative side of life, it was heartwarming to hear this family talk about their blessings.

And their thankfulness.

It reminds me of a Bible story found in the 17th chapter of the New Testament book of Luke.

At this point, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. Hes traveling along the border between Samaria and Galilee.

As he goes into a village, 10 men with leprosy meet him.

Leprosy, a contagious disease that affects the skin and nerves, is treatable today.

In Bible times, it was a death sentence.

Lepers had to avoid the general population and even call out unclean if someone came to close to them.

They were despised.

When the lepers see Jesus, they stand at a distance.

But they call out loudly for help:

Jesus, Master, have pity on us!

When he sees them, Jesus says, Go show yourselves to the priests.

Thats what people were supposed to do if theyd been healed.

The priests were able to verify that someone had been cured and then they could reconnect with their families and resume jobs and worship.

It doesnt sound like the lepers were healed instantly.

But as they went, they were healed.

Can you imagine what that must have been like?

Did they break out in a full-fledged run, dropping the ragged cloths theyd used to bind their wounds?

Did they imagine the joy that would appear on their loved ones faces when they were reunited?

Did they suddenly feel better and lighter and more hopeful than they had in a long time?

Funny thing, but one of them  when he sees he is healed  comes back, praising God in a loud voice.

He throws himself at Jesus feet and thanks him.

And this guy is a Samaritan.

Jesus is a Jew. And Jews and Samaritans dont get along.

But this former leper is grateful to the Jesus, whos given him a second chance at life.

Suddenly, Jesus does a little math.

Were not all 10 cleansed? Jesus asks. Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?

Can you see his point?

Its not like the 7-year-old who was so excited to get her toy unicorn that she forgot to thank grandma for the birthday gift.

No, that never happened to me.

But seriously, these men were healed of a disfiguring and debilitating disease and certain death.

I wonder if Jesus was hurt and discouraged.

The Scriptures dont say much else except what Jesus tells the newly healed man.

Rise and go, Jesus says. Your faith has made you well.

As I read this story, I wonder what I would have done if Id been in those lepers sandals.

Would I have stopped, turned around and thanked the one whod basically saved my life?

Or would I only have been thinking about how my new-found health was going to benefit me?

I wonder, too, if I forget to thank someone whos done something that I might take for granted today.

Do I thank the waitress who brings a plate of food to my table or the clerk who hands me my order at the drive-thru window? Do I thank the clerk who sacks my groceries?

Or am I so preoccupied with where I have to go next or how many things are left on my mental to-do list?

I know the Bakers are grateful to the people whove helped them. Im sure theyll be thankful for people wholl help them in the future, too.

The other night, I was thinking about times when Jesus said thanks  like before the feeding of 5,000 people, before raising Lazarus from the dead and breaking bread at The Last Supper.

Jesus was grateful. He obviously didnt take blessings for granted, which makes me think I probably shouldnt either.

While Id never wish for a fire, I want to be like people who see blessings even after one.

I dont wish for sickness, but I want to be like the leper who even amid the thrill of being healed is so overcome with gratitude that he runs back to Jesus before he does anything else.

And I want to be thankful for blessings big and small that come from the hand of our great and generous God to whom we all owe a great debt of gratitude for the incredible gift he gave through the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus.

Tammy Real-McKeighan is news editor of the Fremont Tribune. She writes a weekly faith-based column.

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Welcome to Gandhara's weekly newsletter. This briefing brings you the best of our reporting from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

If youre new to the newsletter or havent subscribed yet, you can do so here.

TTP gains strength from Afghan Taliban victory

Daud Khattak reports on how the Talibans seizure of power in Afghanistan has strengthened its Pakistani Taliban allies. The two militant groups share a hard-line Islamist ideology and longstanding relations that have been forged through common struggle.

The Tehrek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has intensified its attacks against Pakistani security forces after peace talks facilitated by the Afghan Taliban broke down in December. The extremist group is responsible for most of the nearly 300 attacks that killed 395 people last year in Pakistan.

The groups change in focus and rhetoric coupled with the sanctuaries at its disposal in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime makes the TTP a long-term threat for Pakistan, said Abdul Basit, a Pakistani counterterrorism expert.

In a sign that Islamabad is targeting TTP safe havens in Afghanistan, Pakistani officials said a former TTP spokesman was shot and killed in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province. The militant group confirmed Khalid Balti had been killed.

The TTPs increased attacks in northwestern Pakistan, its former stronghold, have dashed the hopes of civilians who have called for a negotiated end to the conflict. Civilians have borne the brunt of TTP attacks and clashes between the militants and Pakistani forces.

The real problem is that the government and the TTP want to secure their own interests, said Abdul Salam, a tribal leader in South Waziristan. The result is trouble and destruction for the common people.

Talibans tense relations with Central Asia

Bruce Pannier writes about the increasingly complicated and fragile relations between the Taliban and Afghanistans Central Asian neighbors.

Since the beginning of the year, Tajikistan has accused the Taliban of amassing terrorists along its border with Afghanistan. Uzbekistan temporarily reduced its electricity supply to Afghanistan this week after the Taliban demanded Tashkent and Dushanbe hand over a group of Afghan pilots and the Afghan Air Force planes they flew across the border to escape the militants takeover.

Even Turkmenistan, a country keen on maintaining neutrality, has been the target of the Talibans fury and ridicule.

The first days of 2022 are another reminder to the Central Asian states bordering Afghanistan that they are dealing with a militant group, not politicians, Pannier writes.

Prosecutors at risk of revenge attacks

I write about Moshtari Danesh, who overcame a crippling disability and gender discrimination to get an education and land her dream job as a prosecutor in Afghanistan. But since the Taliban takeover, she has been barred from working.

As a prosecutor, Danesh faces constant danger. Prosecutors have had to change residences so that the convicts the Taliban freed could not find us, she said. "We are now permanently living in hiding, and even our families cannot move freely."

Several prosecutors, judges, and lawyers have been killed in recent months. Others have been attacked or threatened. Western nations have evacuated and granted asylum to hundreds of judicial workers from Afghanistan. But for the thousands who remain trapped in Afghanistan, particularly women, the future is bleak.



Fatana Mohammadi, a lawyer, was attacked by an unidentified man in broad daylight at her home in Kabul last month. He shot at me once, but I was able to dodge the bullet by throwing a blanket over him, Mohammadi told Radio Azadi. After that, his gun jammed."

Irans mistreatment of Afghans

In this video report, we look at how Iran is deporting a record number of Afghans, many of whom are fleeing repression and hunger.

Tehran expels around 3,000 Afghans each day. The estimated 3 million documented and undocumented Afghan refugees who remain in Iran face widespread discrimination and abuse.

They detained us and held us at the border, one refugee told Radio Farda. They kept us in cold barracks for a week and beat us so we don't come back.

I hope you found this weeks newsletter useful, and I encourage you to forward it to your colleagues.

If you havent subscribed yet, you can do so here. I encourage you to visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Yours,

Abubakar Siddique

Twitter: @sid_abu

P.S.: You can always reach us at gandhara@rferl.org.
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A Colorado program that allows students to anonymously report safety threats saw a 23% increase in tips last month, receiving 2,423 tips in December compared to 1,973 in November.
Soaring prices of commodities and spiking criminality took center stage at the state Capitol in Denver on Thursday, when Gov. Jared Polis outlined an ambitious agenda to lift the economic burden on Coloradans, keep them safe from violence and signaled the start of the campaign to pass what could become the state's most expensive spending plan to date.
Union member workers from King Soopers went on strike at 5:30 a.m. at many King Soopers in the Denver area. At the King Soopers on S. Parker Rd. In Parker picketers were out in force early Wednesday morning on Jan. 12, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Denver Gazette)
Press Release

January 13, 2022 Bong Go hails signing of bill granting survivorship benefits to deceased retired prosecutors' families Senator Christopher "Bong" Go lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for signing into law Republic Act No. 11643, which grants survivorship benefits to the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children of deceased retired members of the National Prosecution Service. "President Rodrigo Duterte and I have been steadfast in our commitment to fight corruption and criminality in our country. Prosecutors play a crucial role in this fight; without them, justice cannot be achieved and the rule of law cannot be upheld," Go remarked in his co-sponsorship speech, noting that President Duterte was once a prosecutor himself. "It is high time that we acknowledge their invaluable contributions to public service by granting our retired prosecutors survivorship benefits," he stressed. The measure is the consolidated version of House Bill No. 9087 and Senate Bill No. 2373, which Senator Go co-authored and co-sponsored. The law grants survivorship benefits to the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children in case of the death of a retired member of the NPS or a member of the same who is eligible to retire optionally at the time of death. The beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive all the retirement benefits that the deceased member was receiving or is entitled to receive. The measure defines "dependent" as both legitimate and illegitimate children or adopted children who are chiefly dependent on the deceased member of the NPS, are not over 21 years of age, unmarried and not gainfully employed or if they are incapable of self-support because of mental or physical health concern. For the surviving spouse, the retirement benefits will be given until he or she remarries. Meanwhile, members of the NPS who died one year prior to the law's effectiveness are likewise covered by the measure. As one of the authors of the measure, Go underscored the need to provide survivorship benefits to retired prosecutors, like what their counterparts in the Office of the Ombudsman are already enjoying, given the similar nature of their work. The measure was principally authored by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara. Other senators who co-authored the measure are Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay, Richard Gordon and Panfilo Lacson. Senator Gordon principally sponsored the measure as Chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. In his co-sponsorship speech, Go also expressed his optimism that these benefits would significantly help the kin of deceased prosecutors sustain their needs even after the latter's passing. The senator acknowledged the perils prosecutors are exposed to and stressed that the grant serves as a small gesture of appreciation for their dedication to serve the country. "I laud the enactment of this measure which honors the bravery of our prosecutors who confront real threats and risks to their lives and the lives of their families while dutifully carrying out their duties as officers of the courts," Go said.
Aaron Harber is host of "The Aaron Harber Show" (www.HarberTV.com/Info) and lives in unincoporated Boulder County.
Press Release

January 14, 2022 Angara: Enough funding available in 2022 GAA for free COVID testing, hiring of contact tracers Senator Sonny Angara today said that COVID-19 tests, if done at the government operated laboratories, should be free of charge to the public. With the demand for COVID-19 tests going up due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant, Angara said there is sufficient funding under the 2022 national budget to cover for the requirements of the public, particularly those who cannot afford to pay for expensive tests provided by private labs. The chairman of the Committee on Finance noted that there is P17.85 billion under the 2022 national budget for "COVID-19 Laboratory Network Commodities," which can be tapped for the provision of free tests. This consists of P7.92 billion under the budget of the Department of Health and another P9.92 billion under the unprogrammed appropriations. "The Senate pushed for the allocation of bigger amounts for COVID testingknowing fully well that we are still in a pandemic and the new, faster spreading variants continue to emerge," Angara said. Considering that a significant number of people infected with the omicron variant are either asymptomatic or are experiencing mere cough or colds, Angara said the likelihood of the same people spreading the virus to more people is very high, especially if they do not know they are positive. "Kaya mahalaga sa panahon na ito na lahat ng nagkakasakitmaging simpleng sipon man ito o ubo at lagnat ay sumailalim sa testing. Kahit walang sintomas pero may exposure sa may sakit ay mas maiging magpa test. Iniiwasan natin dito ang pagkalat ng virus at matamaan ang mga taong may comorbidities," Angara said. Angara called on the DOH to immediately download the funds to the government laboratories so that more free tests could be provided to those who require it. For those who opt to do their tests with the privately-operated labs, Angara said these could be subsidized by the government through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The Senator also urged the Food and Drug Administration to act swiftly on the pending applications for special certifications for self-administered home testing kits so that more products will be made available to the public and at lower prices. "The bottom line is that the more tests we conduct, the more effective our efforts will be in preventing the spread of COVID. We reiterate our appeal for people to get vaccinated if they haven't done so; to get their booster shots; wear your face masks; and stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out," Angara said. With regard to contact tracing, Angara clarified that there is P250 million lodged in the budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government for the hiring of contact tracers. Another P1 billion was placed under the unprogrammed appropriations for the same purpose.
The old cowboy saying that when you get bucked off the bronco, youve got to climb back on and try again applies to the National Western Cente
Russian soldiers take part in drills Thursday at the Kadamovskiy firing range in the Rostov region in southern Russia.
The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office has identified the victims in a December arson and double homicide as two men from Mexico.

County authorities announced Thursday night the medical examiner had made positive identifications. The two people found shot to death Dec. 12 at 152 W. Prospect St.  a property tucked away on a narrow dirt road off Old Mayfield Road in Pittsylvania County just outside the Danville city limits  were Onesimo Fermin Silva-Garcia, 25, and Victor Garcia-Mayorga, 33, both from Mexico.

"No arrests have been made as of this release in the arson and double homicide," Devin Taylor, an investigator with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office, wrote in the Thursday news release.

A neighbor reported smoke coming from a home in the community at about 10 a.m. Dec. 12 and firefighters found the two men dead inside.

Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor confirmed last month the men died of gunshot wounds. The bodies were transported to the Medical Examiners Office in Roanoke for autopsies.

In addition to the sheriffs office, the Pittsylvania County fire marshal, the Pittsylvania County commonwealth attorney, the Danville Police Department, the Virginia State Police and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are also investigating.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office at 434-432-7800. To remain anonymous, call Pittsylvania County Crime Stoppers at 800-791-0044.

Residents who provide information that leads to an arrest may quality for a cash reward, even if a name or phone number isn't provided.

If you have any information that leads to the arrest of an individual and/or recovery of property for another, you may qualify for a cash reward. You do not have to give your name and/or phone number to qualify for this.
COCONUT ISLAND, Hawaii (AP)  On a moonless summer night in Hawaii, krill, fish and crabs swirl through a beam of light as two researchers peer into the water above a vibrant reef.

Minutes later, like clockwork, they see eggs and sperm from spawning coral drifting past their boat. They scoop up the fishy-smelling blobs and put them in test tubes.

In this Darwinian experiment, the scientists are trying to speed up coral's evolutionary clock to breed "super corals" that can better withstand the impacts of global warming.

For the past five years, the researchers have been conducting experiments to prove their theories would work. Now, they're getting ready to plant laboratory-raised corals in the ocean to see how they survive in nature.

"Assisted evolution started out as this kind of crazy idea that you could actually help something change and allow that to survive better because it is changing," said Kira Hughes, a University of Hawaii researcher and the project's manager.

SPEEDING UP NATURE

Researchers tested three methods of making corals more resilient:

Selective breeding that carries on desirable traits from parents.

Acclimation that conditions corals to tolerate heat by exposing them to increasing temperatures.

And modifying the algae that give corals essential nutrients.

Hughes said the methods all have proven successful in the lab.

And while some other scientists worried this is meddling with nature, Hughes said the rapidly warming planet leaves no other options. "We have to intervene in order to make a change for coral reefs to survive into the future," she said.

When ocean temperatures rise, coral releases its symbiotic algae that supply nutrients and impart its vibrant colors. The coral turns white  a process called bleaching  and can quickly become sick and die.

For more than a decade, scientists have been observing corals that have survived bleaching, even when others have died on the same reef.

So, researchers are focusing on those hardy survivors, hoping to enhance their heat tolerance. And they found selective breeding held the most promise for Hawaii's reefs.

"Corals are threatened worldwide by a lot of stressors, but increasing temperatures are probably the most severe," said Crawford Drury, chief scientist at Hawaii's Coral Resilience Lab. "And so that's what our focus is on, working with parents that are really thermally tolerant."

A NOVEL IDEA

In 2015, Ruth Gates, who launched the resilience lab, and Madeleine van Oppen of the Australian Institute of Marine Science published a paper on assisted evolution during one of the world's worst bleaching events.

The scientists proposed bringing corals into a lab to help them evolve into more heat-tolerant animals. And the idea attracted Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who funded the first phase of research and whose foundation still supports the program.

"We've given (coral) experiences that we think are going to raise their ability to survive," Gates told The Associated Press in a 2015 interview.

Gates, who died of brain cancer in 2018, also said she wanted people to know how "intimately reef health is intertwined with human health."

Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the sea, provide food for humans and marine animals, shoreline protection for coastal communities, jobs for tourist economies and even medicine to treat illnesses such as cancer, arthritis and Alzheimers disease.

A recent report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other research organizations concluded bleaching events are the biggest threat to the world's coral reefs. Scientists found that between 2009 and 2018, the world lost about 14% of its coral.

Assisted evolution was not widely accepted when first proposed.

Van Oppen said there were concerns about losing genetic diversity and critics who said the scientists were "playing gods" by tampering with the reef.

"Well, you know, (humans) have already intervened with the reef for very long periods of time," van Oppen said. "All we're trying to do is to repair the damage."

Rather than editing genes or creating anything unnatural, researchers are just nudging what could already happen in the ocean, she said. "We are really focusing first on as local a scale as possible to try and maintain and enhance what is already there."

MILLIONS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING

Still, there are lingering questions.

"We have discovered lots of reasons why corals don't bleach," said Steve Palumbi, a marine biologist and professor at Stanford University. "Just because you find a coral that isn't bleaching in the field or in the lab doesn't mean it's permanently heat tolerant."

Corals have been on Earth for about 250 million years and their genetic code is not fully understood.

"This is not the first time any coral on the entire planet has ever been exposed to heat," Palumbi said. "So the fact that all corals are not heat resistant tells you ... that there's some disadvantage to it. And if there weren't a disadvantage, they'd all be heat resistant."

But Palumbi thinks the assisted evolution work has a valuable place in coral management plans because "reefs all over the world are in desperate, desperate, desperate trouble."

The project has gained broad support and spurred research around the world. Scientists in the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany and elsewhere are doing their own coral resilience work. The U.S. government also backs the effort.

Assisted evolution "is really impressive and very consistent with a study that we conducted with the National Academies of Sciences," said Jennifer Koss, the director of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program.

"We asked them to gather all the most recent cutting-edge science that was really centered on innovative interventions in coral reef management," Koss said. "And certainly, this assisted gene flow fits right in."

MAJOR HURDLES

There are still serious challenges.

Scalability is one. Getting lab-bred corals out into the ocean and having them survive will be hard, especially since reintroduction has to happen on a local level to avoid bringing detrimental biological material from one region to another.

James Guest, a coral ecologist in the United Kingdom, leads a project to show selectively bred corals not only survive longer in warmer water, but can also be successfully reintroduced on a large scale.

"It's great if we can do all this stuff in the lab, but we have to show that we can get very large numbers of them out onto the reef in a cost-effective way," Guest said.

Scientists are testing delivery methods, such as using ships to pump young corals into the ocean and deploying small underwater robots to plant coral.

No one is proposing assisted evolution alone will save the world's reefs. The idea is part of a suite of measures  with proposals ranging from creating shades for coral to pumping cooler deep-ocean water onto reefs that get too warm.

The advantage of planting stronger corals is that after a generation or two, they should spread their traits naturally, without much human intervention.

Over the next several years, the Hawaii scientists will place selectively bred coral back into Kaneohe Bay and observe their behavior. Van Oppen and her colleagues have already put some corals with modified symbiotic algae back on the Great Barrier Reef.

With the world's oceans continuing to warm, scientists say they are up against the clock to save reefs.

"All the work we are going to do here," said Hawaii's Drury, "is not going to make a difference if we don't wind up addressing climate change on a global, systematic scale.

"So really, what we're trying to do is buy time."

***

PHOTO GALLERY
WASHINGTON  The rhetorical high points of President Joe Bidens passionate speech on behalf of voting rights on Tuesday were rooted in the memories and achievements of the civil rights movement. But one of its most important passages was a flat, matter-of-fact recounting of history.

In 2006, Biden said, the Voting Rights Act passed 390 to 33 in the House of Representatives and 98 to zero in the Senate with votes from 16 current, sitting Republicans in this United States Senate. Sixteen of them voted to extend it.

In todays Senate, only one Republican, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted to permit consideration of a renewed voting rights act, and none  not even Murkowski  voted to take up the Freedom to Vote Act, designed to create federal voting standards that would undo voter suppression and election subversion efforts being enacted in many GOP-led states.

Thus this crisis point that has brought Biden, the proud institutionalist, at long last to offer an unequivocal endorsement of changing the Senates filibuster rules to allow the democracy bills to pass with only Democratic votes.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., struck a blow of his own against Republican obstruction on Wednesday by announcing plans to use an often-overlooked rule that will allow the Senate to open debate on voting rights without a supermajority. Closing debate would, absent reform of the filibuster, still require 10 Republican votes.

In the coming days, lets not hear talk of Biden and his party trying to muscle through democracy bills along partisan lines. As Biden made clear, they have to use their muscle only because Republicans have abandoned what was, for more than four decades, a cross-party commitment to national standards to guarantee the right to vote. Democrats have no choice but to do it alone.

State legislatures can pass anti-voting laws with simple majorities, Biden said. If they can do that, then the United States Senate should be able to protect voting rights by a simple majority.

This has been obvious since early last year, which made another of Bidens lines unintentionally revealing.

Im tired of being quiet! he said  to laughter and applause  of his earlier reticence in the voting rights battle.

Many of his allies were tired of his restraint too. Their frustration led some voting rights leaders to boycott his Atlanta speech. Biden should have engaged far earlier and more robustly. As it was, the New York Times reported in July, administration aides aroused the fury of many Biden allies when they claimed that it was possible to out-organize voter suppression.

At the time, Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, shot back: We cannot litigate our way out of this and we cannot organize our way out of this.

Biden has finally reached the same conclusion. His recent speeches on behalf of democracy, on Jan. 6 and on Tuesday, are among the most forceful of his presidency.

And Bidens message to Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) was unmistakable. Both have defended the filibuster as a way of promoting bipartisan accord (and Sinema said Thursday that she supports the voting rights bill but still opposes changing the filibuster rule unilaterally). But at this moment, protecting the filibuster from any change is the same as supporting the sabotage of democracy thats happening in GOP-led states.

This really is the yes or no question Biden framed. Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? he asked on Tuesday. 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?

This was, as Biden likes to say, not hyperbole. Vice President Kamala Harris was right to point out in Atlanta that odious practices come to be seen as normal if they are allowed to stand. Jim Crow seemed normal for a long time.

The test of the presidents persuasive powers will be whether his intervention bolsters the efforts of moderate Democratic senators  including Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jon Tester of Montana, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with Democrats  to persuade Manchin and Sinema that propping up the filibuster in its current form misreads the historical circumstance.

By moving the democracy bills to the Senate floor, Schumer dramatizes the stakes for the two holdouts. Its one thing to talk about rules in the abstract. Its quite another to kill a bill guaranteeing the right to vote.

Biden is all-in now, and the president plans to attend Thursdays Senate Democratic Caucus lunch to make his case personally.

The old Senate warhorse will tell his former colleagues that so much of what he once believed about Republicans, about his beloved Senate and about its traditions no longer meets the moment. Democracy matters more.

E.J. Dionne is on Twitter @EJDionne.
Press Release

January 14, 2022 A Commentary on the policy to restrict the movements of the unvaccinated

By: Sen. Leila M. de Lima Duterte's threat of "arrest" of unvaccinated only serves to divide us, the faster for the virus to kill us Most people would say that, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. But here, in the Philippines, it is more apt to say that whenever hard times strike, we, Pinoys, stick together. Kaya nga may kasabihan tayo, Anuman ang tibay ng piling abaka, ay wala ring lakas kapag nag-iisa. Kaya matibay ang walis, palibhasa'y nabibigkis. I am reminded of this, as I read the news that Octa Research has projected that the positivity rate in Metro Manila, may surpass 50% these coming days. This means that five out of every ten who get tested, will come out positive. For context, the highest recorded positivity rate before the current surge had been in April 2021, at "just" 21%. As it is, the DOH's Saturday bulletin already recorded a 43.7% positivity rate out of 77,004 cases, kung saan ang pinakamataas ay sa NCR na may 16,233 daily cases reported. The key point here being "a person tested." Ano pa kaya ang mga taong hindi nagpapa-test, o asymptomatic pero nakapanghahawa? Kung maaalala natin, ang benchmark para sa mga ekonomiyang nagbubukas ay 5% dapat ayon sa WHO. In short, malayo pa ang ating lalakbayin bilang isang bansa. Ang nakalulungkot, kung kailan kailangan nating magkaisa ay saka pa magsasalita ang Pangulo nang padalos-dalos, by recklessly ordering the arrest of the unvaccinated who leave their houses. Sige nga? Saan mo dadalhin ang mga aarestuhin mo? Sa siksik na mga kulungan na hindi mo inintindi nitong huling anim na taon, tulad ng pagpapabaya mo sa ating public healthcare system? This is the same President who thought Filipinos could be responsible enough to handle the rapid rollback of safety measures and restrictions over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Pero ngayon, he resorts to threatening people with arrest as if they are incapable of understanding social responsibility and could only respond to threats of harm and violence. This is not the time to pit the vaccinated against the unvaccinated. This is not the time for the President to resort to threats or violence to hide his failures in mass testing, contact tracing, and convincing the people to get vaccinated. Mabuti na lang, this is not Duterte's call to make. Even barangay officials are smart enough to ask "what is the legal basis for us to make these arrests?" Even a DILG Usec. had to go on record to clarify that there can be no arrests or penalties unless there is a valid law criminalizing the movement of the unvaccinated. I note that Metro Manila officials - those who are dealing with the bulk of the surge we are experiencing - have unanimously agreed that limitations to the movement of the unvaccinated are necessary. While I am not privy to their internal discussions, I would assume that it is because they are more likely to: (a) get infected by all variants of the virus; (b) suffer severe symptoms that require hospitalization once infected; and (c) have more viral load when infected, which means they are more likely to spread the virus. And I would hope that they have agreed on the standards or conditions that would trigger this policy, as what is being done in Germany, where these measures are only resorted to when a certain hospitalization rate is reached. But, notably, not even all of them agreed to resort to arresting the unvaccinated. If and when they pass ordinances, or local laws, criminalizing the failure to abide by the restrictions, I am confident that legal processes are in place to ensure that the laws are constitutionally valid, and free from abuse as implemented. And I will be in the frontlines of those who would abuse their power, especially those who would use "public safety" as an excuse to, ironically, make the public less safe from official abuse. But now is not the time to argue and be divided. This is the time to call on people to exercise the utmost care. Sabi ni CHR Commissioner Gwen Pimentel-Gana, rights come with responsibilities, which is the most important truism that should be remembered at this time. Rights and responsibilities are two sides of the same coin of being a human being living in a society. Kailangan natin magkaisa - kahit gaano pa tayo sinisira, pinahihina at pinag-aaway ng kapalpakan at walang saysay na pananalita ng isang Rodrigo Duterte. This is not a "war" against an enemy that can be defeated by violence. This is a fight for survival that can only be won by unity. Let us all do our part. Hindi lang para sa pansarili o indibidwal nating kaligtasan at kabuhayan, pero para sa kapakanan ng kapwa natin, lalong-lalo na ang ating mga healthcare workers na silang papasan ng bigat ng surge sa mga ospital, at para na rin sa pangkalahatang kaligtasan at kaunlaran ng ating bansa. Pare-pareho nating ayaw magkasakit, makahawa, at bumalik na naman sa sitwasyon ng mga malawakang lockdown. Let us all act responsibly. Be mindful of the symptoms. Isolate. Get a test or not, but isolate whenever there is even the slightest chance that you are carrying the virus. Contact trace on our own volition. Vaccinate if medically possible. Basically, have a care for others. No one wins when we fail to act as one. This is but another surge, but the enemy remains the same. And it isn't our fellow Filipino.
GREENSBORO  Guilford County is now under a countywide mask mandate after the Board of Commissioners, acting as the Board of Health, voted 6-3 on Thursday night to immediately impose the order to slow the stunning spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

That means all residents over age 5 must cover their face while indoors in public spaces and private businesses. Businesses that fail to require face coverings at their operations are subject to fines and risk being declared a public nuisance if violations are frequent.

Guilford County has 15 restaurant inspectors and roughly 20 people who have been hired specifically to address complaints about companies that are not following the mandate.

There will also be a hotline where residents can call to report businesses that are not in compliance.

The commissioners will reconsider the mandate intermittently and as health guidelines change.

The controversial decision comes as the number of positive COVID-19 tests is around a staggering 30%. It was just two months ago that the board lifted the last mandate.

But that was a much different time then. The swift onslaught of the omicron variant has been a reminder that the pandemic can be forgotten, but only for so long.

Painting a picture of overcrowded emergency rooms, overtaxed hospital staffs and needless death, public and private health officials told the commissioners during a nearly 90-minute meeting that enacting a mask mandate would blunt the number of cases and hospitalizations overwhelming the health care system.

Still, the boards three Republican members were unmoved as they voted against the directive.

The public kind of, you know, thinks this board is a joke because ... we did not enforce it last, said the boards newest member, Republican James Upchurch.

Upchurch, who was elected as a Democrat in 2020 but became a Republican a year later, incurred the wrath of Chairman Melvin Skip Alston and drew an emotional response from Dr. Mary Jo Cagle, the CEO of Cone Health.

Let me first of all take issue with Mr. Upchurchs analysis that this board is a joke, Alston said. This is not a joke.

Upchurch reiterated that he was speaking about the publics perception.

I never said this board was a joke. I never said that, he clarified. I said that is the perception of the public. I did not say that.

Alston responded: To the public, then, this board is not a joke. Our enforcement policies have been in place when we had the mask mandate. We did issue warnings, citations. It is not our desire to issue citations. We want the public to cooperate on their own.

Upchurch asked several questions of Cagle and Dr. Cynthia Snyder, a Cone Health epidemiologist.

Upchurch pointed to N.C. Department of Health and Human Services data that shows the omicron variant is less severe than other strains of the virus.

Have you seen a reduction of severity and things like that in your hospital? Upchurch asked.

Cagle answered: We have fewer in the ICU, but were being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the admissions.

Her tone grew more somber as she spoke.

Weve had 41 deaths since Christmas. So I guess for us, 41 deaths is a lot of deaths from one disease. So we can talk about that its less severe, but to have 41 of our citizens die since Christmas? That doesnt seem very mild to me.

Cagle told commissioners about one death, a 43-year-old man who came to the hospital with signs of a heart attack. But doctors found no evidence of cardiac arrest  only blood clots resulting from a COVID-19 infection.

And our doctors had to go tell that mom, and there were little kids involved, Cagle continued. This is a terrible disease. So I understand that most people who get this dont have to go to the ICU. But when its bad, its really bad. We cant predict for you guys how big or how bad its going to be on any given day. And its demoralizing.

Upchurch said quickly, theres no denying that. And then he moved on to other questions. One implied that staff shortages were, in part, caused when medical workers who refused the health systems vaccine mandate were fired. He asked if the hospital had considered changing that policy.

At that point, Cagle seemed exasperated.

The six Democrats who voted to impose the mandate said after some research, they concluded that wearing masks would be an effective way of slowing the diseases spread.

Commissioner Carolyn Coleman said a personal scare drove her to respect the coronavirus.

I can tell you this is no joke, she said. When someone tells you that they tested positive for COVID and now you are wondering if youre testing positive, that is one of the scariest feelings that Ive ever had.

Your constituents are my constituents. I dont care where they live. If one person in Greensboro, one person in America, dies from this disease, it impacts all of us.

Contact Richard M. Barron at 336-373-7371 and follow @BarronBizNR on Twitter.
Candidates for several Helena-area legislative offices made it official Thursday, registering on the first day of filing to run, with one race already lacking in elbow room.

There were 81 candidates statewide who filed for office as of 4 p.m. Of those, 12 filed in person at the Secretary of State's Office. In 2018, 145 candidates filed on opening day, officials said.

As of 5 p.m., the House District 81 race was already crowded as three Democrats entered to run for the seat being vacated by fellow Democrat Mary Caferro, who was termed out of that office.

Ben Kuiper, 27, said he was heavily involved last year with the Helena Citizens Council, and helped with budgeting and general operations. That awoke a passion for community involvement. He is a corporate tax auditor with the Department of Revenue and will fully launch his campaign soon.

Jacob B. Torgerson of Helena, 19, said he has been burning shoe leather on the campaign trail. He said he is focusing on child care access and affordable housing. Torgeson, who is gay, said he hopes to repeal the religious freedom restoration act. Democrats criticized the bill by saying it would give people a legal defense for discriminating against LGBTQ people.

Jake Troyer, 47, is owner of a strategic consulting company and served as communications director for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. Troyer said he will focus on safety and health issues, voting rights, protecting the rights and livelihoods of teachers and other public employees and having major corporations and the very wealthy pay their fair share of Montanas tax.

Filing ends March 14, with a June 7 primary election and general election on Nov. 8.

Senate District 4

Kyle Waterman, a Democrat from Kalispell, had filed for the seat now occupied by Sen. Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell.

Senate District 9

GOP incumbent Bruce Butch Gillespie of Ethridge filed for re-election.

Senate District 41

Incumbent Janet Ellis, a Democrat from Helena, filed to run for another four-year term.

Senate District 42

Mary Ann Dunwell, a Democrat from Helena, is filing for the seat now occupied by Democrat Jill Cohenour.

House District 79

Laura Smith, a Helena Democrat who is a former federal prosecutor and deputy director of Montanas Department of Public Health and Human Services, filed for the seat occupied by Democrat Robert Farris-Olsen. On Thursday, Farris-Olsen said he was not seeking re-election.

House District 82

Republican Alden Tonkay of Helena filed for the seat now held by Democratic Rep. Moffie Funk.

House District 84

Republican Kaitlyn Ruch of Helena filed for the seat now held by Democratic Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell.

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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RMDC to present course for caregivers

Rockys Agency on Aging will present a Powerful Tools for Caregivers course in January 2022.

This virtual six-week course will help caregivers build the skills to take care of themselves, so that they can better care for others. Whether caring for a spouse, partner, family member or friend, the role of the caregiver is vital, but can be stressful. This course is for nonprofessional caregivers looking for support and resources.

For information on course dates and times, contact Michele Mathot, Education & Outreach Coordinator with Rockys Agency on Aging at 406-441-3985 or at mmathot@rmdc.net. Course registration closes Jan. 15.

Rocky to host Memory Cafe program

The Rocky Mountain Development Council will host Memory Cafe on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Pre-registration begins at 9:15 a.m. and the full program begins at 10 a.m. January is National Hobby Month, and so January's Memory Cafe will feature participants' favorites hobbies or skills. Participants can even bring examples if they'd like. Email Claire Marshall at cmarshall@rmdc.net to pre-register.

Memory Cafe is a safe and welcoming community event for people living with memory loss and their caregivers. Memory Cafe offers a time to socialize and an opportunity to learn where to find support and services. Each Memory Cafe consists of a social and snack time, a presentation or class, and time to get in touch with local resources that are there to help you.

Participants are also invited to enjoy lunch at the Helena Senior Center. Lunch begins at 11 a.m.; there is a suggested $5 rate for seniors and $7 for the general public. For more information, visit www.rmdc.net.

Grants available to benefit arts

The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. has announced its annual grant cycle to benefit Montana indigenous, folk, traditional and media arts. Grants will be made from the William B. Pratt Endowment Fund at MCF. This fund is a legacy gift to the people of Montana to help them tell and share stories  especially the untold ones  about Montanas arts, culture, and history and to learn about the traditional art forms and cultures of this unique state.

Grants will range in size from $500 to $2,000 and must be matched dollar-for-dollar. Grant applications will be accepted from Jan. 14 to March 31, 2022. The grant process is competitive and incomplete applications will not be considered. Montana 501(c)(3) organizations, local, state, and tribal governments are eligible to apply. Media artists who are not staff of 501(c)(3) organizations may also apply under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)(3) organization. Apply at https://mtcf.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/william-b-pratt-fund.

Interested organizations and individuals are encouraged to review the grant guidelines to determine eligibility for funding, and contact Elisa Fiaschetti, MCF program officer, grantmaking, at 406-441-4953 or elisa@mtcf.org with any questions.

Explore new books at the library

Begin 2022 with a fresh reading list by joining a book discussion group at the library. From the classics to new authors and mysteries to young adult, there is a book discussion group for you.

Interested in popular fiction & nonfiction? Join the Premier Book Discussion Group. Established in 1999, the book group was the library's first book club in a long while, so it became known as the Premier Group. The group reads and discusses a variety of genres and meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.

Do you love mysteries? Do you wish you could compare "whodunit" notes? Come to the Library's Mystery Book Group to talk about all kinds of mysteries. The group meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.

International fiction more your liking? Then checkout The Daytimers Group. This group meets during daylight hours to discuss a variety of international fiction and some non-fiction. The Daytimers group meets at 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month.

The library added two new book discussion groups in 2021, the YA4A and the mlLp Book Group. Did you know that over half of today's Young Adult readers are over 18? Join a new book group for adults that enjoy Young Adult Literature. The YA4A group meets the last Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

A Monthly Book Club for Montanans with Disabilities, the mlLp Book Discussion group is cohosted by the Montana Independent Living Project and explores a different title every 2 months. A book group centered around Montanans with disabilities, mlLp group meetings are first Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m. on Zoom. Everyone is welcome to read and discuss the books with us so that we can all grow in our understanding of disability in the lives of our friends and neighbors.

Each book discussion group meets virtually and signup information, as well as a list of titles, can be found at https://www.lclibrary.org/180/Book-Groups.

Supplemental food available to seniors

Rocky Mountain Development Council, Inc. will have supplemental foods available for Helena- and East Helena-area seniors.

Pick up will be at the East Helena Food Share Pantry, 50 Prickly Pear Ave., on Monday, Jan. 24 from 2-3:30 p.m.

Pick up at the Helena Food Share, 1616 Lewis St., will be Monday, Jan. 26 and Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 8-10:30 a.m. There is no charge for the food.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is a program where seniors can receive regular allocations of free food every other month. The program guidelines mandate that the person receiving the food must be 60 years of age or older, a resident of Montana, and meet an income requirement. Food typically consists of canned fruit, vegetables, meats, juice, cereals, dry milk, shelf stable milk, cheese, pasta or beans and peanut butter.

For further information or questions, call Rocky at 406-447-1680.

Red Cross seeks blood donations

The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help end the ongoing critical need for blood with a blood donation. The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to give now and help ensure lifesaving transfusions are on the sidelines for those who rely on them.

Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Nar-Anon family group meeting

The Helena Nar-Anon Family Group, a 12-step program for families and friends of addicts, meets Mondays and Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Library of St. Pauls Methodist Church, 512 Logan.

The library is located on the lower level of the main church building. Please enter using the Cruise Avenue entrance. The group observes COVID-19 protocols required by the church.

Student news

Lena Conant and Allie Hicks, both of Helena, have been named to the dean's list for the fall 2021 semester at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time and must earn at 3.5 GPA or higher.

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A Helena pawn shop owner was sentenced to four years of probation on Thursday for facilitating straw purchases of firearms, according to U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson.

Catherine Suzanne Morsette, 39, of Boulder, owned Modern Pawn and Consignment when she pleaded guilty in September 2021 to two counts of making a false statement during a firearms transaction and to failure to keep proper records. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Brian M. Morris presided over the hearing and ordered $4,955 in restitution.

As part of an undercover investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Morsette was indited along with three other defendants. During the investigation, Morsette facilitated two straw purchases in the pawn shop in April 2021. She also sold a firearm in the pawn shop that was not listed in the inventory records, and she did not require the actual purchaser to fill out any required paperwork.

A man and woman went to the business to look at a Beretta 9mm pistol in April. The man let Morsette know that he was not a Montana resident and showed his out-of-state driver's license. Morsette told the woman to fill out the ATF form instead, because she couldn't sell the firearm to the man. The woman filled out the ATF form and bought the pistol for the man.

Morsette also sold the man a .45 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol after calling her husband Isaiah Morsette to confirm that it wasn't in the store's system.

Isaiah Morsette is one of the four defendants in this case. He has pleaded guilty to the charges against him and is awaiting sentencing.

Earlier this week, Douglas Wayne Sillivan pleaded guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of stolen ammunition in connection with this case. This ammunition had been stolen from Montana Outdoor Sports, sparking the investigation into Modern Pawn, authorities said.

According to the initial press release, 34-year-old Richard Joe Munoz was also charged in relation to this incident.

This case was investigated by the ATF, the Helena Police Department and the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office.

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The Montana Department of Corrections' COVID-19 dashboard tallied no new cases for over three months late last year, even while testing revealed nearly 80 cases within the state's prison facilities.

The Montana Department of Corrections website has a COVID-19 page that tracks positive cases among staff and inmates. One line on the page reads: "Charts are updated as new cases occur."

A Department of Corrections spokesperson confirmed Thursday that the dashboard had not been updated as new cases occurred, however.

Department spokesperson Carolynn Bright said in an email Thursday a "process issue" caused the update failure.

"We have corrected our process and it shouldn't be an issue in the future," Bright wrote.

On Wednesday, the Montana State News Bureau reported 99 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among inmates and prison employees since Dec. 28. That figure was according to the department's COVID-19 dashboard, which reported 13 new cases among inmates at Montana State Prison on Dec. 28. The last time the chart was updated prior to that was Sept. 17, and additional cases that followed that update weren't reported until the end of December.

But the Department of Corrections on Thursday said those 13 cases among Montana State Prison inmates occurred between September and December. In total, testing confirmed 79 cases of COVID-19 among inmates and staff across four prison facilities in that time frame. After reconciling the three-month gap in reporting, the department's report shows 20 cases have been confirmed across the state's prison facilities since Dec. 28.

In December, the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit advocating against mass incarceration, issued a report noting several states that had failed to regularly update their COVID-19 data, including Florida, New Jersey, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Utah, Mississippi, Alaska and Montana.

"Publicly available and regularly updated COVID-19 prison data  including vaccination and booster data  are crucial for holding public officials, politicians, and legislatures accountable, as well as for helping families and the general public obtain even the simplest information about COVID-19 in their loved ones facilities and local communities," the report states.

Inmates in Montana prisons began receiving booster shots for COVID-19 in late December, the Daily Montanan reported. The vaccination rate among inmates is roughly 60%, compared to 53% of the eligible population statewide.

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NorthWestern Energy has been ordered to stop construction of a natural gas pipeline under the Yellowstone River, following a county decision to withdraw a permit for the project.

Neighbors to the proposed pipeline won a court order Wednesday stopping the project because Yellowstone County permitted NorthWestern to drill in the floodplain without the county first informing the public or giving neighbors a chance to respond.

The pipeline is to serve a 175-megawatt gas-fired power plant that NorthWestern sited on the north side of the Yellowstone River near Laurel. The 18-stack power plant would be the utility's largest newly-constructed generation project in Montana by capacity. Prior to the order, boring equipment had been staged in the floodplain and trenching leading to the site was underway. Neighbors have raised concerns about the location of the power plant, as well.

Landowners adjacent to the project say theyre concerned about damage to their land and the floodplain.

They owe the people who are adjacent to this project an apology, in writing, neighbor Aaron Felder said of the county.

Yellowstone County insists that its done nothing wrong, but would follow the court order of District Judge Michael Moses, withdraw the permit, order NorthWestern to stop, and restart the permitting process, complete with public notice and participation.

The Board of County Commissioners will be asked on Tuesday, Jan. 18, to set a Public Hearing regarding whether to issue a new floodplain permit to the applicant for Tuesday, Feb. 1, Jeana Lervick, attorney for Yellowstone County, told the court. At and prior to the public hearing, if approved, all members of the public, including petitioners, will have the opportunity to submit comments and concerns regarding the permit application.

The county asked that the neighbors case be dismissed because the county was starting over.

NorthWestern spokeswoman Jo Dee Black said the following in an email:

"NorthWestern Energys installation design for the Byron Pipeline ensures the safety of the public and the environment, including the Yellowstone River, during construction and its use to deliver natural gas for our Montana customers.

"Although delaying work is costly, NorthWestern Energy has followed the permitting process and will continue to do so to secure approval, again."

The withdrawn floodplain permit isnt the first obstacle the power plant has faced. NorthWestern had initially sought an easement to bore a natural gas pipeline beneath Riverside Park, which offers the community its best public access to the Yellowstone River.

After the easement effort stalled, the utility rerouted the pipeline downstream from the city park where approval of the Laurel City Council wasnt needed. The Laurel City Council had delayed votes critical to the plants development and briefly formed a fact-finding mission to square NorthWesterns claims about the project with neighborhood concerns about noise and pollution.

Last October, the state Department of Environmental Quality was sued for allegedly ignoring the states Constitution when issuing an air permit for the power plant.

In a lawsuit filed Oct. 21, the Montana Environmental Information Center and Sierra Club said DEQ ignored the power plants contribution to local air and water pollution. The area where the power plant would be located has already been dinged by the EPA for excessive sulfur dioxide levels, mainly emanating from a CHS oil refinery near the gas-fired power plant site. Carbon dioxide from the gas-fired plant, some 769,706 tons a year, is a climate change contributor.

NorthWestern hasnt responded to questions about the status of the power plant for a few weeks, but told existing and potential investors in one-on-one meetings Dec. 8 that construction of the $275 million power plant is expected to begin this year, with the power plant operating by the winter of 2023-2024. The utility does disclose the air permit lawsuit against DEQ as an issue.

In September, NorthWestern withdrew its request to get the power plant preapproved by the Montana Public Service Commission for long-term customer billing. The utility informed the Montana Public Service Commission then that construction and supply chain challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the withdrawal because the project needed to start as soon as possible.

The preapproval process, which takes up to 270 days, is likely to continue until April.

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U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., says its time to change the filibuster, not only for voting rights legislation but for all bills, because the requirement of a 60-vote supermajority to override opponents has ground business to a standstill.

Speaking recently with the left-leaning Center for American Progress Action Fund, Tester said the filibuster has become politicized beyond usefulness. He called the voting rights legislation that Senate Democrats expect to take up in the coming days too important to be thwarted by procedural maneuvers.

I have to make the decision, Jon Tester, did you come to the United States Senate to sit around and watch folks like Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley just stop things, or did you come to the United States Senate to get things done?' Tester told CAP Action CEO Patrick Gaspard.

And I came to the United States Senate to get things done. I do think that bipartisan is always the best. But at some point in time, and in the case of voting rights, you have to say this is important for our democracy, its important for our country, maybe the most important thing Ill ever do as a United States senator. Am I going to sit here and allow a rule thats been weaponized stop us from doing something that could very well save our democracy?," Tester said.

The filibuster is a Senate tradition that historically has allowed lawmakers through debate to talk a bill to death by speechifying nonstop. At least initially there was no way to end debate, but then rules were changed to allow lawmakers to end a filibuster through a super-majority vote, now set at 60 senators, to invoke cloture. Some Senate matters were also ruled off limits to filibusters, like budget resolutions and judicial nominations. This is an abridged explanation of the Senates official history.

But the modern filibuster is free of nonstop debate. Rather, if 41 senators indicate they wont vote to invoke cloture, the threat of a filibuster is objection enough and bill votes are simply abandoned.

President Joe Biden and Senate Democratic leadership are now proposing a carve-out to the filibuster rule when it comes to voting rights legislation, specifically The Freedom to Vote Act, the Democrats response to state-level voting law changes in 19 states, including Montana, which make it harder for some people to vote.

After Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced on the Senate floor Thursday that she wouldn't back a filibuster change, the rally cry for voting rights deflated.

Tester, Montanas only statewide-elected Democrat, said he would settle for carving out a filibuster exception so voting rights legislation can advance, but his preference would be to change the way the filibuster is used in all cases. He also mentioned two new Montana laws passed on party lines in the 2021 Montana Legislature that made voting more difficult.

Specifically, Tester pointed out the new law wont allow university students to use school photo ID cards for voter identification without producing further documents, while concealed weapons permits qualify as sufficient identification. The state also made it more difficult for one person to submit ballots for multiple people. The state's new voting laws say the person gathering ballots cannot be paid to do so, which was met with objection by Indigenous lawmakers who said groups like Western Native Vote were important for registering Indigenous voters and gathering ballots.

Republicans have been adamant that Montanas election law changes were done for election integrity and not to make voting more difficult. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., last week framed Montanas new election laws as making it harder to cheat and said most people support voter ID requirements. Hes called Senate Democrats voting rights legislation a far-left power grab.

Cheating hasnt been a problem in Montana elections. The Gazette reported in 2020 that a decade-long study of more than 7 million ballots cast in Montana elections showed just one confirmed case of illegal voting.

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Press Release

January 14, 2022 De Lima alarmed over DILG directive to submit list of unvaccinated Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima expressed alarm over the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordering barangays to submit an inventory of unvaccinated persons in their localities. De Lima, former Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), said such directive may embolden authorities to abuse the information in their hands. "I have serious concerns on DILG's directive for barangays to make a list of the unvaxxed, as it has high potential for privacy rights and other human rights violations, especially given how this administration weaponized so-called 'drug lists' as 'Tokhang lists,'" she said in a statement posted on Twitter. "I echo the constant call of CHR to always infuse respect for human rights in all pandemic-related policy decisions," she added. DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya reportedly said DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano has already issued a Memorandum Circular ordering barangays to identify and submit a list of residents still unvaccinated against COVID-19. Such move is said to be in line with Mr. Duterte's order to restrict the movement of unvaccinated individuals amid the surge of COVID-19 infections in the country. It may be recalled that, in his televised address to the nation, Duterte ordered barangay captains to identify unvaccinated people in their communities and restrain them from stepping out of their residences. Amid the continued surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, De Lima said the last thing people need is for Duterte to resort to threatening people with arrest as if they are incapable of understanding social responsibility and could only respond to threats of harm and violence. "Ang nakalulungkot, kung kailan kailangan nating magkaisa ay saka pa magsasalita ang Pangulo nang padalos-dalos, by recklessly ordering the arrest of the unvaccinated who leave their houses," De Lima said in a Commentary on the policy to restrict the movements of the unvaccinated. "Sige nga? Saan mo dadalhin ang mga aarestuhin mo? Sa siksik na mga kulungan na hindi mo inintindi nitong huling anim na taon, tulad ng pagpapabaya mo sa ating public healthcare system?" she asked. De Lima further said: "This is the same President who thought Filipinos could be responsible enough to handle the rapid rollback of safety measures and restrictions over the Christmas and New Year holidays." Moreover, De Lima stressed that now is not the time to pit the vaccinated against the unvaccinated, and much less for the President to resort to threats or violence to hide his failures in mass testing, contact tracing, and address issues on vaccine hesitancy. "Kailangan natin magkaisa - kahit gaano pa tayo sinisira, pinahihina at pinag-aaway ng kapalpakan at walang saysay na pananalita ng isang Rodrigo Duterte," she said. "This is not a 'war' against an enemy that can be defeated by violence. This is a fight for survival that can only be won by unity," she added.
The pandemic will preclude Yellowstone National Park from planning any large-scale events to mark its 150th anniversary this year.

That could change as the year progresses, the National Park Service qualified in a news release, but it set no parameters on what would need to change or how it defined a large event.

Yellowstone turns 150 on March 1. On that date in 1872, then-President Ulysses S. Grant signed an act creating the first national park in the United States.

Its an important point in time for us to really have some discussions about this anniversary and its importance, not only to America but the world, Superintendent Cam Sholly said during a Thursday press conference.

He remarked the anniversary provides an opportunity to learn from the past while focusing on the future and working with partners to protect and strengthen Yellowstone for the next 150 years against threats like invasive species, increasing visitation and climate change. Part of that emphasis also includes a greater focus on American Indians role in the park by taking steps in new and different directions.

Tribes

For over 10,000 years before Yellowstone became a national park, it was a place where Native Americans hunted, fished, gathered plants, quarried obsidian and used thermal waters for religious and medicinal purposes, the Park Service noted.

In recognition of this, the agency is creating a Tribal Heritage Center stationed through the summer at Old Faithful, one of the busiest areas in the park. Sholly said theres the potential to continue the project.

This is something we would like to make permanent, he said. We want to do a good job as stewards telling the stories of American Indian tribal nations, but no one can do it better than them.

Tribes are also coordinating with Yellowstone to install a teepee village near the Roosevelt Arch in August at the north end of the park, allowing tribal members to interact with visitors about their culture and heritage.

First person

Crow tribal member Scott Frazier has visited the park since he was a child. As an educator he led students on tours and conducted ceremonial blessings of park wildlife. Frazier said he sees the land as his mother and sacred. He also hailed the park as a place of healing, including for his father who was a World War II veteran.

In this time of struggle between the human beings, these places are very important, he said. To be able to come out and listen to nature  and not a machine, and not cars, and not your boss  to come out and sit and just listen to nature is very healing.

He recounted the gasps of surprise he has heard from students on tours to the geysers and mud pots in the park.

We are missing that in our world right now, he said. We need more time in the trees. We need more time to relax and just calm down.

Art and more

Also this year, Indigenous public art installations, titled Yellowstone Revealed, will be displayed in the park to offer viewers an opportunity to explore the longer Indigenous history of the park, according to Bozeman-based Mountain Time Arts, which is helping to coordinate the works.

On May 6, a Native American art exhibition is planned at the Old Faithful Inn, and tours in the parks historic buses will be offered by concessionaire Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

Tribes are also planning a gathering on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

"Yellowstone's 150th anniversary is an important moment in time for the world," Sholly said in a statement. "Its an opportunity for us to reflect on the lessons of the past while focusing our efforts to strengthen Yellowstone and our many partnerships.

Although not planning any large events, members of the parks staff will participate in several proceedings this year. These include the 15th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem hosted by Montana State University, the Wyoming Governors Hospitality and Tourism Conference, and the University of Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park 150 Anniversary Symposium.

Investing in infrastructure

Additionally, the anniversary provides Yellowstone officials a chance to highlight the continued investment in infrastructure.

During this anniversary year, Yellowstone will open 40 new employee housing units throughout the park along with groundbreakings on projects totaling more than $125 million funded through the Great American Outdoors Act, the Park Service said. These projects include two of the largest historic preservation projects in the country and a range of transportation projects that will address aging infrastructure. This year will also mark the reopening of Tower Fall to Chittenden Road (near Dunraven Pass), a $28 million road improvement project completed over the past two years.

Future work will include more vehicle charging stations, reducing the parks environmental footprint and tasks as simple as updating light bulbs to ones that use less energy, Sholly noted.

We have come a long way together, but we also have a very, very long way to go, he said. Were looking forward to continuing our progress to protect this incredible park for the future, and we definitely need everyones help to do just that.

Rick Hoeninghausen, director of hotels and lodging for Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which oversees operations of hotels and other guest services in Yellowstone, said the park isnt for everyone. Theres no televisions or air conditioning in rooms, cell phone service can be spotty and theres no night life.

Yet he said the park offers inspiring views, incredible wildlife and unique historic structures like the Old Faithful Inn. To protect these important assets, Hoeninghausen said the park needs more advocates and stewards.

Restoring the ecosystem

Yellowstone got off to a bad ecological start with the extirpation of predators like cougars and wolves and low populations of bison. Sholly noted the park has come a long way considering it was 40 years after Yellowstone was designated that the Park Service was created.

We arguably failed miserably initially, he said, by tinkering with the ecosystem, taking it out of its natural balance.

Id say for the first 80 to 90 years of Yellowstones existence we did not set the best example from a wildlife management and conservation perspective, he said. We started to get much smarter in the '60s and '70s and now the ecosystem is healthier than 150 years ago.

The reintroduction of wolves in the 1990s, although decried by lawmakers in surrounding states, was the single largest, successful conservation effort in the history of this country, if not the world, Sholly said. State management of the large canines has come under increasing fire by the park and conservation groups following the loosening of hunting and trapping regulations this winter.

On Thursday, 30 business owners added their voices to calls for Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to reinstate Endangered Species Act protections following the killing of 20 wolves in Montana this winter from packs that roam into and out of Yellowstone.

In a letter to Haaland, the business owners, who provide services like guiding and wildlife safaris, pointed to the economic value of the wolves, citing a 2005 assessment that estimated wolves contributed $35.5 million to the areas economy.

Montanas new aggressive hunting laws threaten our business, our local business partners, and our employees livelihoods, said Matthew Scott, co-owner of Yellowstone Safari Company and Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, in a statement.

Visitors can log on to go.nps.gov/Yellowstone150 and follow #Yellowstone150 to stay current on commemoration information.

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Todays Highlight in History:

On Jan. 14, 2013, Lance Armstrong ended a decade of denial by confessing to Oprah Winfrey during a videotaped interview that hed used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France.

On Jan. 14th:

In 1784, the United States ratified the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War; Britain followed suit in April 1784.

In 1914, Ford Motor Co. greatly improved its assembly-line operation by employing an endless chain to pull each chassis along at its Highland Park, Michigan, plant.

In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and French General Charles de Gaulle opened a wartime conference in Casablanca.

In 1952, NBCs Today show premiered, with Dave Garroway as the host, or communicator.

In 1954, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married at San Francisco City Hall. (The marriage lasted about nine months.)

In 1963, George C. Wallace was sworn in as governor of Alabama with the pledge, Segregation forever!  a view Wallace later repudiated.

In 1964, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, in a brief televised address, thanked Americans for their condolences and messages of support following the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy, nearly two months earlier.

In 1967, the Sixties Summer of Love unofficially began with a Human Be-In involving tens of thousands of young people at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

In 1970, Diana Ross and the Supremes performed their last concert together, at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas.

In 1975, the House Internal Security Committee (formerly the House Un-American Activities Committee) was disbanded.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed an accord to stop aiming missiles at any nation; the leaders joined Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk in signing an accord to dismantle the nuclear arsenal of Ukraine.

In 2010, President Barack Obama and the U.S. moved to take charge in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, dispatching thousands of troops along with tons of aid.

In 2012, rescue workers scrambled aboard the stricken Costa Concordia cruise liner, seeking to help some 4,200 passengers a day after the ship ran aground and tipped over off Italys Tuscan coast; the death toll from the tragedy eventually reached 32.

In 2017, Donald Trump tore into civil rights legend and Georgia congressman John Lewis on Twitter for questioning the legitimacy of Trumps White House victory. Protesters gathered in Washington and other cities to denounce the president-elects anti-immigrant stance and his pledge to build a wall on the Mexican border. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a payload of satellites blasted off from California, marking the companys first launch since a fireball engulfed a similar rocket on a Florida launch pad more than four months earlier.

In 2020, Airlines and airports said they were stepping up security before the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration, with airlines saying they would prohibit passengers flying to the Washington area from putting guns in checked bags. An Arkansas man, Peter Stager, was in custody, accused of beating a police officer with a pole flying a U.S. flag during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. A global team of researchers sent by the World Health Organization arrived in the Chinese city where the coronavirus pandemic was first detected to investigate its origins. Authorities said a new investigation of the Flint water disaster had led to charges against nine people, including former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and key members of his administration.

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DECATUR  Two people on Thursday escaped a fire that officials say is "considered suspicious."

Crews were called to the 1200 block of East Hickory Street at 3 p.m. Thursday. A battalion chief arrived to find "the entire front of the 2 story residence engulfed in heavy smoke and fire," according to a fire department report.

Decatur police and the state fire marshal were contacted because the house had a suspicious porch fire on Wednesday, the report said.

The fire was put out and crews were on the scene for about three hours, according to the report.

The Red Cross is helping the two adults displaced by the fire.

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DECATUR  The courage and professionalism under fire of shot and wounded female Decatur police Officer Stephanie Vail was praised Thursday by the citys police chief.

Shane Brandel told the Herald & Review: One of the first things I noticed when I watched the (body cam) video was how brave she was under fire, and how well she handled herself."

And the fact that she stayed in the fight: That is something that we always train officers to do in this type of situation or in any situation where their lives are on the line and where they may literally be fighting for their lives; the best way to survive is to stay in that fight and never give up.

Brandel said that is exactly what 34-year-old Officer Vail, a member of his department for six years, was able to do even after she was hit in the face and shoulder with fragments from a shattered bullet.

Dramatic body cam footage released Thursday by the police shows Vail in foot pursuit of a driver who had fled a traffic stop in the early hours of Jan. 8 near the 700 block of East Clay Street. The camera dances around as Vail is running and then she is suddenly heard to cry out in pain and shock after the disintegrating bullet had slammed into a metal fence right next to her, peppering the officer with potentially lethal chunks of lead.

Shots fired, shots fired, still running northbound; I was hit with something  still running northbound on Maffit. I am bleeding, she gasps out between panting breaths and coughs while never losing focus on the fleeing suspect as she talks into her radio. If we have a K-9, I can let you know where to go; Maffit, just north of Clay.

She then manages to give a description of the man she has been chasing before adding: Give me a ... an ambulance.

Authorities in a sworn affidavit name Joseph L. V. Williams as the shooter and said he had opened fire with a 9mm Glock pistol modified to work as a machine gun. But it had jammed after firing one bullet, which Detective Brad Hall, who signed the affidavit, said probably saved Vails life.

Had the Glock not malfunctioned, Williams would have been able to fire all the rounds in the magazine with a single trigger pull  added Hall. This would have drastically increased the chances of this officer being murdered in the line of duty.

Williams has been booked on charges that include the attempted murder of a police officer and possession of a machine gun by a felon. He is being held in the Macon County Jail with bail set at $10 million.

He appeared in Macon County Circuit Court on Thursday for an arraignment hearing and is due to be back in court Friday, where he will argue that he should be allowed to defend himself without the aid of an attorney. Herald & Review media partner WCIA's cameras were at Thursdays hearing and captured Williams making an obscene gesture to their reporter.

Vail, meanwhile, is recuperating from her wounds and the police chief said she still faces some medical procedures to aid her recovery.

I could not be more proud of her for the way she acted under these circumstances, Brandel added.

Risk of harm

He said police officers accept the risk of personal harm as part of doing the job, but what drags morale down is when that risk is coupled with feelings of antagonism and hostility from the public they serve.

Its the negative narrative towards police officers that has a major impact on an officers morale as well as the fact it has a serious negative impact on the ability for us to recruit, Brandel said.

Why would somebody want to get into this profession, which they accept is an inherently dangerous job, and then they are vilified for it?

But the chief, who sees policing as an incredibly honorable profession, believes the pendulum of public opinion is swinging back in favor of support for law enforcement and the job they do. I know that here in Decatur our community, and I know our city council, supports the police department and we see that and we feel that, and we certainly appreciate it.

The chief has noted a general rise in violent crime of all kinds and repeated his call for the legal system to come down hard on those guilty of repeated gun violence. These people should not be let back out so they can continue to terrorize the community, he added.

That said, he believes the long-term answer to fighting crime involves not just stiff custodial penalties but a wider societal effort to tackle long-term issues like poverty, broken families and provide adequate educational resources. He believes that will require politicians and the public that votes for them to be willing to commit to finding and funding solutions that wont produce instant results.

The chief emphasized there is no quick-fix for the problem of rising crime. And until and unless we understand that, we are never going to get to where we want to be, he added.

Dangerous encounters

Vails brush with violent death while protecting and serving the public is the latest in a series of potentially deadly encounters between alleged criminals and Decatur police officers scattered over 2021.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 29, Gregory W. Lewis, 48, is accused of opening fire on patrol officer Michael Lawary as he confronted Lewis in a backyard after hearing gunfire. Lawary returned fire and both the policeman and Lewis escaped injury. Lewis, held in the Macon County Jail with bail set at more than $2 million, has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of a peace officer and the aggravated discharge of a firearm at an officer.

On the night of June, 18, Marcus D. Boykin, 39, is accused of driving up to within six feet of the parked squad car of Officer Chris Snyder and opening fire in an attempt to shoot him to death. Boykin is being held in custody with bail set at $500,000 and has pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and being a felon in possession of a weapon.

And on the night of Sept. 15 Decatur police say Detective Jason Hesse was lucky to escape with his life after a man he was attempting to arrest, 26-year-old Andre D. Cross, tried to ram and kill him with a vehicle. Cross, held in jail with bail set at $1 million, has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, two counts of committing armed violence and being a felon in possession of a weapon. Police say he had been armed with a pistol converted into a machine gun.

Deadly violence against police has also been a tragic trend across the state.

Officers from all over Illinois and the nation converged on Decatur for the funeral of Champaign Police Officer and Decatur native Chris Oberheim, fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call in the early morning hours of May 19. His partner, Officer Jeffrey Creel, was also shot and wounded but was able to return fire and shot dead suspect Darion Lafayette, 24.

On Dec. 29, Wayne County Sheriff's Office Deputy Sean Riley was shot and killed while responding to a disabled motorist call. The next day, Sgt. Marlene Roberta Rittmanic with the Bradley Police Department was shot to death and her partner, Officer Tyler Bailey, critically wounded while investigating a noise complaint. There is now a legal push to file federal murder charges against the suspects, Darius Sullivan, 25, and Xandria Harris, 26, making them eligible for the death penalty.

Overall, nine police officers in Illinois lost their lives in the line of duty in 2021. They numbered among the 509 officers nationwide who died from various causes in the line of duty.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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DECATUR  COVID infections are putting a strain on the Macon County Jail and have already added up to a big bill for taxpayers.

Sheriff Jim Root said the jail recently had 30 prisoners in quarantine and six staff members out sick from a total corrections staff of 70. Four deputies were also out because of COVID.

The big issue is when jail staff is out, because when staff gets affected that puts somewhat more of a burden on the rest of the staff, said Root.

He said the jail was able to cope with 30 inmates in quarantine but he was concerned about the jails rising overall population of inmates, which has pushed past 320 and is starting to cramp available space.

Our capacity is 405 maximum and so when the numbers get into the 320s and 330s, it starts to get uncomfortable, said Root. When we get to those numbers we have to start doubling people up in a cell, and some people just dont mix well with others, the sheriff added, citing discipline rather than COVID issues.

But part of the problem swelling the inmate population can also be traced back to COVID. Root said the jail was having to hang onto inmates for longer who have been sentenced but are awaiting transfer to state prison facilities. The Illinois Department of Corrections, citing COVID concerns, has put tough new guidelines in place that have slowed their intake of inmates.

We probably have 20 at least who are waiting to be taken to the Department of Corrections, Root said. And, at one point, we had almost 50 of those inmates.

Trend seen across U.S.

The issues are being mirrored at jails and prisons across the country as COVID cases bounce back and, like in many occupations, there are steep staffing shortages.

The Department of Corrections move pauses intakes from county jails because of outbreaks at prisons.

Congregate living facilities present unique infection control challenges due to the lack of quarantine and isolation space, IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys said in a statement. The Department recognizes the hardships county jails face when we cannot accept admissions, but we must take aggressive action to keep the community and everyone who lives and works in our facilities safe and healthy.

Root calculates the extra costs incurred between roughly April of 2020 through July of 2021 to house sentenced inmates who didnt ship out in a timely manner added up to almost $1.5 million. And weve just signed an agreement with the Illinois Department of Corrections that they are going to reimburse us for some of that cost, Root said.

But maybe not that much of it. Root said the IDOC has made some $25 million available so far, but thats shared among 102 counties up and down the state looking to recoup their extra prisoner expenses as well.

And while some smaller jails have just a handful of inmates, others are much bigger. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart recently filed a petition for relief with the Illinois Supreme Court complaining that the states failure to accept sentenced inmates is unacceptable.

A filing in support of the county cited more than 500 Cook County prisoners who were recently stuck waiting for transfer to state prisons.

'Some things you can control and some things you cant'

Troubling delays had started when Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order in March 2020 mostly suspending the transfer of all inmates from county jails, citing COVID-19 concerns. More than 100 county sheriffs then filed suit in response and Pritzker later rescinded his order but issued another order in July stating that IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys had complete control over the timing of inmate transfers.

In an emailed answer to questions from the Herald & Review, IDOC spokesperson Lindsey Hess said the department had resumed county jail intakes in August of 2020. But she said prisoner transfers were subject to aggressive guidelines designed to protect the health of staff, the incarcerated population and their surrounding communities.

Since that date, (August 2020) IDOC has processed 14,852 new admissions and 2,228 turnarounds for a total of 17,080 intakes, added Hess.

Watch now: Chief praises courage of Decatur officer shot in the line of duty Police say Joseph L. V. Williams opened fire with a 9mm Glock pistol modified to work as a machine gun. The bodycam footage was released Thursday.

Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to be quarantined upon arrival to an IDOC reception center. The more individuals in county jail custody who accept the vaccine, the greater the number of admissions IDOC can accept. Unvaccinated individuals put other people housed in IDOC facilities at risk. The Department is committed to taking the necessary precautions to maintain the health and safety of the individuals in custody.

Back at the Macon County Jail, Root said they are doing what they can to control inmate numbers, working with the court system to have non violent, less serious offenders released on bond rather than incarcerated.

He also said the county was looking at the possibility of tapping into federal COVID-related funds to try to recuperate some of the added jail costs linked to epidemic issues.

Some things you can control and some things you cant, said Root of the efforts to ease jail costs and population. And we have to work on the things we can control.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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House Speaker Chris Welch marked his one-year anniversary as his chambers top leader with a series of news media interviews last week. One of the questions I asked was what his legislative districts constituents were talking to him about the most.

The number one issue in my district, and this is across the state, is crime, Speaker Welch said.

Welch said he is telling people in his district that hes working on legislation to address carjacking, organized retail theft and other crime-related issues. He also said hes talking to mayors and police chiefs in his suburban district about their ideas.

And Welch said he wants to put money into the state budget. I want to make sure our police are properly funded, properly trained, properly educated.

When told about Speaker Welchs response, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said, in part, Democrats must just be getting their polling in, showing how disastrous their defund the police and anti-crime victim agenda has been with Illinois voters. Talk is nice, but actions are more important. Just last week the Democrats again passed a law that gives accused criminals more rights than victims. It is no surprise that the number one issue in Speaker Welchs district is crime, because Democrats have created a consequence free Illinois that has emboldened criminals.

Im hearing from people in both parties that current poll results are extremely ominous for Democrats, particularly in the suburbs. Welch told me hes well aware of the political climate as we head into the election season.

I mentioned that former House Speaker Michael Madigan was often criticized for living in 1994, when Democrats were swept out of office after a massive, racialized anti-crime backlash. But, in a somewhat bizarre twist, it was Madigans strong support for the Black Caucus criminal justice reform pillar as part of his last-minute attempt to hold onto power a year ago that resulted in the controversial bills passage. That bill has intensified the Democrats political woes.

We're going to be fine in 2022, but it's not going to be given to us, weve got to do the work, Welch said. And there's a lot of difference between 2022 and 1994. There's a lot of ways to communicate to voters that exist now that didn't exist in 1994.

Also, the Republicans drew the legislative district map ahead of that 1994 national blow-out. Madigans Democrats managed to hold on to the majority during the 1992 race, but lost it two years later (and then regained it in 1996).

As far as Leader Durkin is concerned, Welch was completely dismissive. Leader Durkin has proven that he can't get past Speaker Madigan, Welch said, adding that Durkin is stuck in a partisan fight in his own mind, and so we've got to find other ways to work with members on his side of the aisle.

Welch is disclosing that he has $12 million cash on hand in his caucus and personal campaign committee accounts. Madigans standard election cycle budget was $30 million, but Welchs operation also focuses on helping members raise money for themselves, which is not something Madigan ever did. Even so, he has a long way to go.

There was never a fundraising apparatus within the caucus political side, Welch said. Were also helping our members with their political messaging.  From a social media standpoint, we're providing them with content. That's never been done before. He also claimed that his members have had quite a successful year when it comes to fundraising.

And with petition circulation kicking off last week, I asked House Speaker Chris Welch what will happen if any of his House Democratic members attracts a primary opponent. Will he step in to help with money and people?

I have told our caucus members that it is my plan in every sense of the word to protect incumbent members, Welch said. And we will do that.

By the way, I also asked Senate President Don Harmon what people in his district are telling him.

What Im hearing most, Harmon said, is a longing for something that resembles getting back to normal. It is most often voiced in growing concerns about crime, schools and COVID.

Normal seems so far away right now.

Rich Miller publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.

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New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 89F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Press Release

January 14, 2022 Filipinos pay double price of pork, triple of chicken as Asian neighbors: Pangilinan AS the price of pork continues to spike, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan calls for a review on the tariff of pig feeds to lower pork prices to the levels of those in Vietnam and Thailand. "On average, ang bentahan ng baboy, retail, sa Vietnam ay P125 per kilo. Sa Thailand, P159. Sa China, 205. Dito, ang bili natin ng baboy sa palengke ay P276. Sa manok naman, pinakamura sa Thailand, P76 ang kilo. Sa Vietnam, P125. Sa China P162. Dito, P180," Pangilinan said. "Mahigit doble and presyo ng baboy natin kaysa sa Vietnam, at halos triple ang presyo ng manok natin kumpara sa Thailand," he said. "Kaya rin nating pababain ang presyo ng mga pagkain dahil nagawa na natin yan noon bilang Presidential Adviser on Food Security, specifically sa presyo ng bigas. Kailangan lang tutukan pareho ang production side at ang importation ng pagkain. Kailangan din walang smuggling," he added. Pangilinan said high food prices results in hunger. He said lowering food prices will lower hunger incidence rates in the country. "Yan ang dahilan kung bakit ginugutom ang marami sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Kaya nating pababain ang presyo ng pagkain," said the vice-presidential aspirant. Pangilinan made the statement following Thursday's Senate hearing, where Department of Agriculture's Dr. Karlo Adriano said Filipinos are paying more than double for pork compared to Thailand and 73% more compared to Vietnam. He said the same dilemma is also apparent in poultry, where Filipinos pay more than double for chicken compared to Thailand, and around 44% compared to Vietnam. At the same hearing, the DA attributed the high cost of pork to the high cost of producing corn, which is used to create pig feeds. "Clearly, the biggest portion of producing [and growing] our livestock is feeds. Ang biro nga ma'am, huwag kang magtayo ng babuyan, pumasok ka na lang sa negosyo ng feeds dahil doon ka kikita," Pangilinan said. "Ito dapat ang baguhin dahil mas kumikita ang mga nagbibenta ng feeds kaysa doon sa ating maliliit na magbababoy. This is really a challenge," he added. Senator Cynthia Villar, who chairs the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, said that there should be an alternative to corn like the ones that Thailand uses. "I am so impressed when I went to Thailand because they grow their own high-protein vegetables for their feeds. If we have a substitute for corn, [that's better]. But it's alright if we can afford to buy corn, but to those farmers who are so poor, maybe our farmers can have an alternative, so we can still grow [our livestock] without being dependent on corn," Villar said. Apart from high production cost, Adriano said that the high cost of pork is a result of unorganized and backward small-scale operation, as well as fragmented government support structure.
BRISTOL, Tenn. Tennessee State Legislators Sen. Jon Lundberg and Rep. John Crawford received suggestions for new legislation and heard about Bristol Tennessee plans to move its municipal election a breakfast meeting in downtown Bristol, Tennessee Friday morning.

The Bristol Tennessee City Council presented two proposals. The first is a series of amendments that would change the election dates of the Bristol, Tennessee City Council election.

"The most substantive changes dealt with the shift of our election from May an odd number of years to the second Tuesday in even number year, so that our next election will be the second Tuesday of this year in November," Bristol Tennessee City Manager Bill Sorah said. "Our council selects a mayor and vice-mayor from among the five members of the council. This is done at the organizational meeting in July of every year. So as we would seat a new council following a November of 2022 election, we would seat that council in January of 2022. That would be the time that the new mayor, and the new vice mayor would be selected. This would amend the charter to reflect that change."

This amendment also includes a few grammatical changes to the charter, an amendment that would allow the City Council to appoint a temporary juvenile court clerk, and changes to penalty and interest on delinquent property taxes.

The other proposal that the City Council presented to the Tennessee delegation is proposed open container district legislation, similar to the measure adopted by Virginia in 2021. The proposed law allows individuals to consume alcoholic beverages served by local businesses in disposable containers within designated outdoor refreshment areas. Danielle Smith, the Bristol, Tennessee city attorney, detailed conversations she has had with the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) about the proposed legislation.

"They (TABC) said that they would probably be willing to carry forward legislation themselves," Smith said. "So I'm really hoping that TABC will move forward with this and I would appreciate any calls you can make or pressure you could put on them to move forward, and if not, then in the next weeks, I'll be coming up with some legislation that will get us what we want."

Tennessee State Sen. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) provided a brief overview of current issues being considered to the city officials.

"The big thing obviously in the state that's being discussed, debated is changing PDP (Professional Development Points) in the education funding," Lundberg, who also serves as deputy speaker, said. "From my perspective, I think there's unanimity. We need to change the formula  Frankly, it's too big an item to do too quickly. Obviously, it takes about a third of our state budget."

Jason Mumpower, the comptroller of the Tennessee Treasury, gave an update on Tennessee's finances and encouraged members of the Council to reach out for funding.

"Six months into the fiscal year this year, we've over-collected 1.6 billion, over-collected 2.9 billion last year, of course, that's one-time money that's non-recurring money. But there are some recurring revenue streams right now. So you know, fortunately in Tennessee, things are good, Tennessee is firing on all cylinders," Mumpower said. "It's a great time to ask for capital spending."

Lundberg highlighted the importance of having an open dialogue between the two parties in more casual settings.

"I think it's crucial. It's not just what you hear here (during presentations). But it's frankly, the parties are sitting at the table and having discussions, the good part is this is not the anomaly, I talk and text with these folks throughout the year," Lundberg said.

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Im ashamed of the lack of attention and action from Virginia Foxx, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis when it comes to the pandemic. Ive experienced first-hand the agony people go through when diagnosed with the virus. I have also gone though and am still going through financial issues because of the pandemic.

To call you my representatives in Congress is a problem when they dont care about the people they were elected to represent. There are more COVID deaths in our country than the number of people living in Wyoming. The United States, alone, crossed a new case threshold previously held by all nations combined.

I am sick and tired of seeing constant news about how Republican members of Congress refuse to vote for relief for those actually working through this pandemic. Instead, they have meetings with PACs about how much money they can get for certain votes and huge gatherings that become superspreader events for COVID. Its even more exhausting seeing people who have the power to fix the country and put us back on the right path but choose not to because it violates our freedom.

Our representatives in Congress have no business saying anything about how the pandemic is ending or COVID isnt that bad until they go through the experiences their constituents have gone through. I wish I could say Im proud of my representatives, but Im embarrassed of them instead.

Dylan Eller

Hudson
Certain dates echo throughout history ... December 7, 1941; Sept. 11, 2001 and January 6, 2021. Thats Vice-President Kamala Harris on January 6.

On June 17, 2020, Stephen Colbert queried then candidate Harris about protests still happening in major cities. She replied: Right. Thats right. But theyre not gonna stop. Theyre not gonna stop. This a movement. Im telling you ... Because theyre not gonna stop. Theyre not gonna stop before election day in November. And theyre not gonna after election day ... Theyre not gonna let up. And they should not.

On June 1, 2020 Harris tweeted: If youre able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota.

Condoning the summer of riots likely sent a message to January 6 rioters. Wrong message. The rioters, looters and arsonists of 2020 were Biden voters. The rioters of January 6, 2021 were Trump voters.

January 6 was indeed profoundly disturbing. But it doesnt remind me of Pearl Harbor. I think of Ray Epps, Scaffold Commander and other seemingly professional instigators on the Capitol grounds that day. Revolver News has clips and analyses on several. See Meet Ray Epps, Part 2."

I think too of 14,000 hours of January 6 surveillance video: ...the feds continue withholding almost all of the 14,000 hours of surveillance video taken inside the Capitol Jan. 6." (New York Post, 1-5-22)

I think of the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The FBI announced they had uncovered this plot on October 8, 2020 as early voting began in Michigan. Twelve FBI informants were involved: Men accused in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer claim FBI set them up, New York Post, Dec. 23, 2021.

I think of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Shes in charge of the Capitol police. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich: She is the person most responsible for what happened. It was her job to ensure they had adequate police. And if the didnt have adequate police, it was her job to ensure that the National Guard was there.

January 6 may indeed echo throughout history.

Tom Shuford

Lenoir
Globally, it was the sixth hottest year on record for surface temperatures, according to data released by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their annual global climate report on Jan. 13, 2022. But under the surface, ocean temperatures set new heat records in 2021.

As climate scientist Kevin Trenberth explains, while the temperature at Earths surface is what people experience day to day, the temperature in the upper part of the ocean is a better indicator of how energy is accumulating on the planet.

The Conversation spoke with Trenberth, coauthor of a study published on Jan. 11, 2022, by 23 researchers at 14 institutes that tracked warming in the worlds oceans.

Your latest research shows ocean heat is at record highs. What does that tell us about global warming?

The worlds oceans are hotter than ever recorded, and their heat has increased each decade since the 1960s. This relentless increase is a primary indicator of human-induced climate change.

As oceans warm, their heat supercharges weather systems, creating more powerful storms and hurricanes, and more intense rainfall. That threatens human lives and livelihoods as well as marine life.

The oceans take up about 93% of the extra energy trapped by the increasing greenhouse gases from human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels. Because water holds more heat than land does and the volumes involved are immense, the upper oceans are a primary memory of global warming. I explain this in more detail in my new book The Changing Flow of Energy Through the Climate System.

Our study provided the first analysis of 2021s ocean warming, and we were able to attribute the warming to human activities. Global warming is alive and well, unfortunately.

The global mean surface temperature was the fifth or sixth warmest on record in 2021 (the record depends on the dataset used), in part, because of the year-long La Nina conditions, in which cool conditions in the tropical Pacific influence weather patterns around the world.

There is a lot more natural variability in surface air temperatures than in ocean temperatures because of El Nino/La Nina and weather events. That natural variability on top of a warming ocean creates hot spots, sometimes called marine heat waves, that vary from year to year. Those hot spots have profound influences on marine life, from tiny plankton to fish, marine mammals and birds. Other hot spots are responsible for more activity in the atmosphere, such as hurricanes.

While surface temperatures are both a consequence and a cause, the main source of the phenomena causing extremes relates to ocean heat that energizes weather systems.

We found that all oceans are warming, with the largest amounts of warming in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. Thats also a concern for Antarcticas ice and sea level rise  heat in the Southern Ocean can creep under Antarcticas ice shelves, thinning them and resulting in calving off of huge icebergs.

In what ways does extra ocean heat affect air temperature and moisture on land?

The global heating increases evaporation and drying on land, as well as raising temperatures, increasing risk of heat waves and wildfires. Weve seen the impact in 2021, especially in western North America, but also amid heat waves in Russia, Greece, Italy and Turkey.

The warmer oceans also supply atmospheric rivers of moisture to land areas, increasing the risk of flooding, like the U.S. West Coast has been experiencing.

2021 saw several destructive cyclones, including Hurricane Ida in the U.S. and Typhoon Rai in the Philippines. How does ocean temperature affect storms like those?

Warmer oceans provide extra moisture to the atmosphere. That extra moisture fuels storms, especially hurricanes. The result can be prodigious rainfall, as the U.S. saw from Ida, and widespread flooding as occurred in many places over the past year.

The storms may also become more intense, bigger and last longer. Several major flooding events have occurred in Australia this past year, and also in New Zealand. Bigger snowfalls can also occur in winter provided temperatures remain below about freezing because warmer air holds more moisture.

If greenhouse gas emissions slowed, would the ocean cool down?

In the oceans, warm water sits on top of cooler denser waters. However, the oceans warm from the top down, and consequently the ocean is becoming more stratified. This inhibits mixing between layers that otherwise allows the ocean to warm to deeper levels and to take up carbon dioxide and oxygen. Hence it impacts all marine life.

We found that the top 500 meters of the ocean has clearly been warming since 1980; the 500-1,000 meter depths have been warming since about 1990; the 1,000-1,500 meter depths since 1998; and below 1,500 meters since about 2005.

The slow penetration of heat downward means that oceans will continue to warm, and sea level will continue to rise even after greenhouse gases are stabilized.

The final area to pay attention to is the need to expand scientists ability to monitor changes in the oceans. One way we do this is through the Argo array  currently about 3,900 profiling floats that send back data on temperature and salinity from the surface to about 2,000 meters in depth, measured as they rise up and then sink back down, in ocean basins around the world. These robotic, diving and drifting instruments require constant replenishment and their observations are invaluable.

[Understand new developments in science, health and technology, each week. Subscribe to The Conversations science newsletter.]

Kevin Trenberth does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Historically long stretches of record-breaking ocean heat and loss of sea ice have fundamentally changed the North Pacific and Arctic ocean ecosystem:
" " Lost States/Michael J. Trinklein The 'lost state' of Franklin. On May 16, 1785, a Franklin delegation petitioned Congress for statehood, but received less than the two-thirds majority required under the Articles of Confederation to add additional states to the confederation.

Our 50, nifty United States may have had several more siblings if things had turned out differently. For over the past 150 years, more than a few additional states have been proposed, such as Texlahoma and Nickajack. Hosts Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown talk about these potential new states in a recent episode of the podcast Ridiculous History: The United States That Never Were.

The state of Texlahoma was proposed shortly before World War II. The state would have been a combination of rural swaths of northern Texas and western Oklahoma. It was pushed for by residents of these areas who wanted better roads. The car was becoming ubiquitous at this time, but American roads were in terrible condition, especially in the oft-overlooked rural areas. If Texlahoma came to be, citizens reckoned, they could build the good roads their region needed. The proposal, designed by Oklahoman A. P. Sights, did garner some attention, including the backing of then-American Vice President John Nance Garner IV. But the proposal died when the Texans realized it would result in their becoming Texlahomans  and losing their identity as Texans was unacceptable.

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At least two states were proposed during the Civil War as a protest against the Confederates States of America and its push for secession from the Union. Nickajack was one. A combination of southeast Tennessee and northern Alabama, this area was full of Southern Unionists  poorer residents who did not own plantations and slaves, and thus were not in favor of secession or the Confederacy. Residents of these areas put forth their idea in the hopes of squashing the secessionist movement in their states. But after a majority of Alabamans and Tennesseans voted in favor of secession, the Nickajack proponents decided it was too dangerous to proceed with their proposal, and the matter was dropped.

The residents of Scott County, Tenn., also wanted to secede from their state because they weren't wealthy, slave-owning plantation folk; thus, joining the Confederacy wasn't deemed necessary or wise. But unlike the Nickajackians, the people here were pro-active and made a formal proclamation of secession to the state government, dubbing themselves the Free and Independent State of Scott. The state didn't fight Scott; it simply ignored the proclamation. In 1986, Scott County formally requested to be readmitted to Tennessee. The state accepted the request, and even threw Scott a party.

Ever ponder Michigan's odd shape? The midwestern state is comprised of two pieces of land: a lower, mitten-shaped portion and the U.P., or Upper Peninsula, which is actually attached to the neighboring state of Wisconsin. The first whispers of the U.P. separating from Michigan to become the independent state of Superior came in 1858, but the ensuing Civil War quashed the discussion. Yet the idea of creating Superior  named after the Great Lake the region hugs  was broached several times over the ensuing century. While the initial proposal was for the new state to be comprised of the U.P. and some tracts of land in the upper portions of Lower Michigan and Wisconsin, more recent pushes were just for the U.P. to become Superior.

NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Delaware is comprised of the bulk of a small peninsula on the East Coast, with Maryland and Virginia laying claim to tiny chunks of it. Over the years, various proposals have been floated to create one peninsular state called Delmarva, with most plans calling for Maryland and Virginia to cede their land to Delaware.
" " BIL/CCA By-SA-4.0 The Norwegian-Russian border is seen from Skafferhullet, Norway. A fence was built to keep migrants out. While it has little value as a security barrier, it has become something of a tourist attraction.

The United States is far from the first country to ponder the construction of a border wall. Worldwide, there were 15 in 1989; now in 2019, there are at least 77, mostly to keep migrants from crossing borders. England funded a wall in the French port city of Calais to prevent undocumented immigrants from slipping into the Channel Tunnel. India has built fortified, barbed-wire barricades along its borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan. And we hear there's a pretty "great" wall in China.

But if you're looking for the oddest, least-effective investment in border security, check out the 650-foot (200-meter) Norwegian border fence that cost $500,000.

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The story of possibly the world's shortest border fence starts back in 2015 when Europe was embroiled in a migrant crisis. More than 1 million refugees, many fleeing war-torn Syria, made the long trek to Europe by boat, train and on foot. Overwhelmed by the humanitarian crisis, European politicians had to quickly decide how to process so many individuals and families seeking asylum.

Norway shares a 121-mile (195-kilometer) border with Russia along the chilly Barents Sea. In 2015, thousands of Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan migrants decided to bypass the dangerous Mediterranean crossing and take the so-called "Arctic route" through Russia to pass into Norway at the northernmost border crossing in Europe.

Around 5,500 refugees entered Norway in 2015 at the Storskog crossing. Oddly, a Russian law forbidding border crossings on foot meant that exhausted refugees had to make the final leg of their journey on children's bicycles.

In total, about 31,000 asylum seekers came to Norway in 2015, and although Scandinavian countries have a reputation for liberal social policies, the sheer number of refugees made some Norwegians uncomfortable. According to a 2015 poll, a third of Norwegians thought that the government should make it more difficult for asylum seekers to gain permanent residency in Norway, and roughly the same number believed that immigrants abused Norway's generous welfare system.

That spurred Norwegian politicians into action. In addition to adopting policies that put tighter restrictions on asylum applications, the federal government in Oslo decided to fortify its border with Russia. This was even though mass migration via this Arctic route had already ended.

In the fall of 2016, Norway erected the aforementioned border fence near the Storskog crossing. Before completion, a portion had to be moved because it was too close to the Russian side of the border. Locals scoffed at the puny chain-link fence, which at 13 feet (4 meters) tall is dwarfed by a Russian fence farther inland that runs the length of the border.

The fence, which has little value as a security barrier, is widely viewed as a symbolic move to show that the Norwegian government is taking a tougher stance on immigration and asylum seekers. And it's gotten a second life as something of a tourist attraction.

Now That Didn't Work Norway's minister of immigration and integration, who took a hardline stance on refugees, was ridiculed online after she took a quick dip in the Mediterranean Sea (in a bright orange survival suit) to see what it it felt like to be rescued.
" " Olaudah Equiano is shown on the cover of his memoir, which was a best-seller in the 1700s and one of the first written by a former African slave. Fotosearch/Getty Images

Slavery is a moral stain on humanity, and sadly one that continues even today. Thankfully there are people brave enough to hold a mirror to society's darkest sins and persistent enough to never stop fighting for freedom.

While you've likely heard of famous abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Nat Turner and John Brown, they weren't the only ones out there. Here are five other abolitionists you should know, including one working to abolish slavery in the 21st century.

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1. Olaudah Equiano Wrote a Best-Selling Memoir

When Olaudah Equiano was just 11 years old, he and his sister were abducted by slave traders from their village in what's now southern Nigeria. Years later, he wrote his first impressions of the kidnappers who would take him across the horrific Middle Passage to the American colonies:

"I feared I should be put to death, the white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner; for I had never seen among any people such instances of brutal cruelty; and this not only shewn towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves."

In Virginia, Equiano was sold to a Royal Navy officer who treated Equiano well, teaching the young boy to read and write and taking him along on sea voyages for the next eight years. But Equiano, like all slaves, was still property and was sold again to an English merchant in Montserrat who employed him as a deckhand, valet and barber.

Equiano never took his eyes off of freedom, though, and was able to work and trade on the side to save up 40 British pounds, the price of his freedom. Raised on the sea, he followed in his former masters' footsteps and became an explorer and merchant for the next 20 years, visiting far-flung ports like Turkey and the Arctic.

When Equiano finally settled in London, he joined the burgeoning movement to abolish slavery and became a member of the "Sons of Africa," a group of 12 free black men who lobbied for the end of the English slave trade.

In 1789, as Parliament was set to debate abolition, Equiano published his autobiography, "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African." The book was expressly written, as Equiano says, "to excite in your august assemblies [Parliament] a sense of compassion for the miseries which the Slave-Trade has entailed on my unfortunate countrymen."

Not only was his memoir one of the first English books written by a black African author, but it was a wildly popular best-seller and helped turn the tide of British public sentiment against slavery. Equiano died in 1797, 10 years before Britain formally outlawed the African slave trade.

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2. William Wilberforce Fought 18 Years to End the British Slave Trade

Those who knew William Wilberforce during his university days would have been shocked to learn that this rich and spoiled young man with an appetite for drinking, gambling and horse racing would go on to become the moral conscience of Parliament and a tireless advocate for abolition.

Elected to Parliament at just 21 years old, Wilberforce underwent a transformative Christian awakening and fell into a close friendship with Thomas Clarkson, the influential abolitionist. Starting in 1789, Wilberforce began regularly submitting bills to Parliament calling for an end to the British slave trade. He and his Christian supporters, ridiculed as "The Saints," won few votes from lawmakers who had grown rich on the fruits of slavery.

For the next 18 long years, Wilberforce submitted bill after bill, gradually wearing down the strength of the slavery lobby even as he himself suffered from debilitating bouts of colitis. Finally, on March 25, 1807, Parliament passed the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act to shouts of jubilation.

" " William Wilberforce was a British politician, philanthropist and leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. Culture Club/Getty Images

Following that triumphant day, Wilberforce went on to work for the abolition of slavery itself in the British colonies; the Abolition of Slavery bill was finally passed just three days before his death in 1833. A movie about his life, "Amazing Grace," was released in 2006.

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3. Josiah Wedgwood Combined Pottery with Protest

Today, it's taken for granted that people sell customized T-shirts, bumper stickers and mugs to support a political cause or campaign. That idea may have gotten its start in 18th-century England with the Wedgwood medallion, an abolitionist icon.

" " The "Am I not a Man and a Brother, medallion" was produced by Josiah Wedgwood's factory and modelled by William H. Hackwood. Brooklyn Museum/Wikipedia

Josiah Wedgwood was already England's most successful pottery manufacturer (you may know the trademark blue-and-white Wedgwood china) when he commissioned the creation of a wearable medallion to call attention to the inhumanity of the slave trade. The ceramic medallion showed an enslaved man kneeling in chains underneath the words: "Am I not a man and a brother."

The abolitionist Thomas Clarkson wrote that the words and imagery of the medallion became a popular fashion accessory among England's enlightened upper classes. Men carried snuff boxes engraved with the icon and women wore hairpins carrying the abolitionist message.

"[A]nd thus fashion, which usually confines itself to worthless things, was seen for once in the honourable office of promoting the cause of justice, humanity, and freedom," wrote Clarkson.

In 1788, Wedgwood sent a shipment of the medallions to America, to which Benjamin Franklin, then president of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery, replied, "I am persuaded [the medallion] may have an Effect equal to that of the best written Pamphlet in procuring favour to those oppressed people."

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4. Harriet Jacobs Exposed the Sexual Abuse of Enslaved Women

When Harriet Jacobs published her autobiography, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," in 1860, she became the first woman to write a fugitive slave narrative. Her book also sparked the first open discussion of the sexual harassment and abuse heaped upon enslaved women at the hands of their masters.

Starting when she was barely a teenager, Jacobs was hounded and harassed by her master, Dr. James Norcom, a North Carolina physician. Jacobs refused his foul advances and endured the double cruelty of Norcom's suspicious wife. In an effort to finally free herself of Norcom's unwanted attention, Jacobs began a sexual relationship with a sympathetic white lawyer, with whom she had two children. She later hid out in a tiny crawlspace in her grandmother's house for seven years, only occasionally coming out at night for exercise. She hoped that by doing this, it would make Norcom think she had escaped and induce him to sell her children to their father.

Eventually, Jacobs did escape to Philadelphia where she became involved with the abolitionist movement, giving speeches, raising funds to help other escaped slaves, and writing her book.

Jacobs' story didn't fit the mold of other fugitive slave narratives meant to pull on the sympathies of white readers. Although Jacobs wrote under the pen name "Linda Brent," she was honest about using her sexuality to get revenge on Norcom and to win her escape to Boston. To those who dared to judge her, Jacobs replied that the morality of free white northerners had no bearing on the choices of an enslaved black woman.

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5. Kevin Bales Draws Attention to Plight of Modern-day Slaves

Slavery did not disappear with the end of the African slave trade or the emancipation of enslaved people in Great Britain and the United States. According to the International Labour Organization, a division of the United Nations, there were still 40.3 million people worldwide trapped in modern slavery as of 2016. That number is more than triple the number of people trafficked during the transatlantic slave trade (10-12 million). Most present-day slaves work as domestic servants, miners, farmers or prostitutes all over the world. And one of every four of these is a child.

Kevin Bales is a professor of contemporary slavery at the University of Nottingham and the co-founder of Free the Slaves, an international nonprofit actively rescuing people from forced labor. His organization, founded in 2000, has to date has freed more than 14,000 people from slavery and helped get more than 300 traffickers and slaveholders arrested. Bales is also the author of numerous eye-opening books on modern slavery, including "Blood and Earth" about the destructive intersection of modern slavery and climate change.

A modern-day abolitionist, Bales works tirelessly to make the world aware of this invisible plague of the global economy and teach governments and industries how to eradicate it. He also gave a great TED Talk.

"It's kind of hard to describe how powerful job satisfaction can be when you know if you put in a good week, some people have come out of slavery," he told NPR in 2016. "That in a sense is the tonic, it's the balance, it's what allows me to keep going in those areas where I see the horror, but I also see the triumph of freedom and that's just worth it."

Now That's Cool Feminist pioneers Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott not only fought bravely and passionately for the rights of women, but were dedicated abolitionists.
In Cabarrus County were blessed with quite a few good trails, greenways, parks and historical venues that we can enjoy and within a short drive there are even more.

We often criticize our government leaders for spending too much money or interfering with our lives, but it comes to parks and recreation facilities I believe across the board they are to be commended. This week Cabarrus County Commissioners took another step toward making a bad situation a good one for county resident and visitors.

No. 1

The Barn at Frank Liske Park. Commissioners awarded a $5.2 million contract to Ikes Construction to rebuild The Barn at Frank Liske Park. The Barn was destroyed by fire March 26, 2020.

Since then Cabarrus County has worked with the community find out what they want in the new facility. Over the years, The Barn had been a meeting site for church picnics, wedding, birthdays and plenty of celebrations.

After the input period, designs were made to make The Barn (which had been a converted barn) into an even better venue for everyone to use.

The first floor will be 8000 square feet and an additional 4700 square will be in the second floor. The facility will also be completely accessible.

The commissioners vote to award to contract means construction signification construction can begin by mid-February or early March, according to Kyle Bilafer, area manager for Cabarrus County.

Construction is expected to take 12 to 13 months which will put The Barn back online in the Spring of 2023.

Meanwhile the scumbag who set the fire remains at large. If you have information about the fire, contact Cabarrus Area Crimestoppers at 704-93-CRIME.

No. 2

Buffalo Creek Preserve and Trail. Most everybody here knows about The Barn and Frank Liske Park, but have you been to the Buffalo Creek Preserve and Trail, just off Mount Pleasant Road, just outside of town.

My daughter, Jordan, and I did a virtual trail run out there Saturday. It is an easy trail. Most of the website that rate that sort of thing put it at medium difficulty. Its 2.1 miles from the trail head on Malibu Road to the end, just outside Oldenburg. I tripped on a root less than 100 feet from the car and nearly face-planted. I was more careful the rest of the run.

The first part of the trail is the roughest. Saturday there was a couple of ruts in places and some standing water. There are also lots of rocks. Once you past the first half mile or so the trail smooths out, with some along farm roads at the end of fields.

It ends up along Adams Creek, including a suspension bridge (like Grandfather Mountains Mile High Swinging Bridge, but five or six week above the creek and not nearly as scary). Running across it is not advised. I took two running steps with my 235 pounds and it was bouncing wildly.

I saw a few birds, deer trails and some manure, which I would guess is from a fox. It was pretty clean.

I picked a Busch Light can, a double-stuffed Oreos wrapper, a couple of tissues, and a small bag of dog poop. This was out along the trail. Near the parking lot it gets messier. There is no trashcan or bathrooms. A lot of the stuff from the parking lot has blown into the brush near the parking lot and one so and so sling a dog poop bag into the trees and its hanging beyond reach.

Despite a little litter at the beginning, this is a really nice trail. Another day we can talk about the Pharr Family Preserve Trail along Rocky River River down toward Midland. Its a little easier to walk or run.

No. 3

Reed Gold Mine on The History Channel. I watch The History Channel a lot  Ancient Aliens and Historys Greatest Mysteries and the like. The other day The States Got Their Shapes had an interesting section.

The guy was talking about in early settler days that all the money and power was in Virginia and South Carolina. The host said North Carolina was considered just a strip of land in between.

That changed when 12-year-old Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound gold nugget in Little Meadow Creek where Reed Gold Mine was established. That was in 1799, long before the California gold run (1849).

The show talked about all the other mines that followed the establishment of the U.S. Mint that put Charlotte on the map and that North Carolina was known then as The Golden State. I had never heard that name before.

I need to go to Reed Gold Mine again. Its been a while since weve been down there.

No. 4

The approach to litter. Most of you have seen The Graduate or at least heard a couple of the lines. Mrs. Robinson, I believe you are trying to seduce me. That really doesnt apply to this, but the seduction that is causing a lot of litter problems is another line  advice given to Dustin Hoffmans character from his friends father: Plastics.

A lot of plastic has been made since the movie in 1967 and most of it cant or has not been recycled.

There is one company that is advising its goal of eliminating plastic from its products. I think that is likely the right approach.

Maybe one thing that we all can do is try to use reusable containers, especially water bottles. Those insulated cups that keep the drinks hot or cold for a long time are especially encouraging.

No. 5

Carryout and delivery containers. Most cant be recycled. The City of Concord recently posted a graphic from Recycle More NC about what not to put in your recycle cart.

The bottom line according to this graphic is you cant recycle any of the to-go items including utensils, cups and containers.

Another thing I need to be better about is taking reusable bags to the store. I hit all those plastic bags, but at least you can recycle the ones that dont get blown out onto the roadside somewhere.

If you have a Friday Five, story idea, or something I can rant about, email mplemmons@independenttribune.com or call or text 704-786-0001.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  With Roe v. Wade facing its strongest threat in decades, a new poll finds Democrats increasingly view protecting abortion rights as a high priority for the government.

Thirteen percent of Democrats mentioned abortion or reproductive rights as one of the issues they want the federal government to address in 2022, according to a December poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That's up from less than 1% of Democrats who named it as a priority for 2021 and 3% who listed it in 2020.

Some other issues like the economy, COVID-19, health care and gun control ranked as higher priorities for Democrats in the poll, which allowed respondents to name up to five top issues. But the exponential rise in the percentage citing reproductive rights as a key concern suggests the issue is resonating with Democrats as the Supreme Court considers cases that could lead to dramatic restrictions on abortion access.

"The public have lots of things that they want to see government addressing," said Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. "You ask this kind of question in a time of economic turmoil and in the time of a pandemic and all of these other things going on, we might not expect abortion to rise to the top."

With a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, Republicans see this as their best chance in years to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion throughout the United States. In December, the Supreme Court left in place a Texas law that bans most abortions in the state and signaled during arguments that they would uphold a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. That decision will be made public in June.

Keep scrolling to see where the Supreme Court's nine justices stand on abortion rights

Calling the abortion polling numbers "stark," Benz noted that conventional wisdom holds that abortion is a motivating issue for Republicans and not for Democrats. Research from the 1980s and 1990s, Benz said, "regularly found that opponents of abortion had greater strength of attitudes and considered the issue important to them personally more than pro-choice people."

That may be changing. Sam Lau, senior director for advocacy media at the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, believes more Americans are recognizing this moment as a crisis for abortion access.

"I think what we have seen is absolutely an increase in awareness, an increase in urgency, an increase in the need to fight back," he said. "But I still actually think that huge swaths of this population still don't quite believe that the access to abortion and the 50-year precedent that is Roe v. Wade is really hanging in the balance."

The court's 1973 decision, reaffirmed in the 1992 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, allows states to regulate but not ban abortion up to the point of fetal viability, at roughly 24 weeks. If Roe and Casey are overturned in June, abortion would soon become illegal or severely restricted in roughly half the states, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights.

That's just months ahead of midterm elections that are expected to be challenging for Democrats.

Lau thinks people are starting to recognize they "simply cannot rely on the courts to protect our rights and our access to essential health care."

"We are currently pushing for elected officials who are champions of sexual and reproductive health care to be bold and to go on offense and to pass proactive legislation to protect access to abortion," Lau said. "I think voters are going to go to the polls and want to vote for candidates who they can trust to protect their health care and their reproductive freedom."

Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast, a survey of the electorate, showed 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling shows a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.

Still, Americans have nuanced attitudes on the issue, and many don't think that abortion should be possible after the first trimester or that women should be able to obtain a legal abortion for any reason.

For 41-year-old Rachelle Dunn, who knew girls in high school and women in college and her adult life who have needed abortions, it's "just health care."

"It's something that women I have known through my life have needed for different reasons," said Dunn, of Tarentum, Pennsylvania. "The government needs to step in because all of these laws are being written and passed, but none of them are for medical reasons."

She's concerned about a domino effect from these Supreme Court cases, adding that she worries about how they will affect her two daughters' futures, as well as her son's.

"It just seems like, if it's been affirmed, repeatedly, why are we still doing this?" Dunn said.

The AP-NORC poll of 1,089 adults was conducted Dec. 2-7 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.

***
CHARLESTON  Julie Coe has announced plans to seek a second term as Coles County clerk in the June primary.

It is with great excitement that I again ask for the support of the wonderful people of Coles County, said Coe, who was elected to the position in 2018 as a Republican after serving as a deputy clerk in the office.

Since assuming the job, Coe has served on the Illinois Association of County Clerks Special Action Committee, which works with all 102 counties in Illinois, and was recently elected by her peers as vice president for Zone 111 of the County Clerks and Recorders Association.

During her first term in office, Coe has applied for and received several grants for cyber security safety and has worked extensively with cyber navigation officers to implement those safety measures.

Coe also has added Illinois E-Pays services in the office to accommodate credit card purchases for document records and is currently working on upgrading the plat map storage.

Scanning and indexing older documents continues, making those documents more easily available for public use.

The people I have encountered have been gracious, kind and supportive in my first term as Coles County clerk, which included several challenging elections due to COVID-19, Coe said. It is my hope that I will have the opportunity to continue to serve my community, the place I call home, to the very best of my ability.

Coe is a Coles County native and worked as a real estate agent with her father, Jim Coffey, prior to joining the county clerks office in 2013, working part-time in the elections department before accepting a position in the recording department.

She is married to Jason, and they have three grown children and two grandchildren.

The primary election is June 28.

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ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis firefighter was killed and another injured Thursday after the roof of a home collapsed during a fire in north St. Louis.

Firefighters were called before noon to the 5900 block of Cote Brilliante Avenue in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood, according to the department. There, crews saw a fire consuming the 2.5-story building, long designated as vacant by the city.

Firefighters had put out the flames on the first floor and were checking to make sure no one was on the second floor when they decided to turn back because the fire was getting too intense, said St. Louis fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson.

As they turned to leave, the building's roof and top story collapsed, burying Benjamin Polson, who died at the scene. Another firefighter was injured, Jenkerson said.

"They made the right decision: Let's get out. And unfortunately, due to the condition of the building, they were caught in the collapse," Jenkerson said.

The surviving firefighter was transported to an area hospital. Jenkerson said the person was conscious and breathing.

Polson joined the department in November 2019, according to city salary records.

"There's no words to describe what the feeling is right now amongst the St. Louis Fire Department," Jenkerson said. "The fire department is a huge family. There's a lot of relationships on the inside that are involved here from sons to fathers. This kind of event weighs tremendously heavy on the entire department."

Tributes to Polson and expressions of solidarity poured in on social media from area police and fire departments.

The initial call said the building was vacant, but the chief said it wasn't clear whether anybody was living there, "legally or illegally."

Jenkerson said that city firefighters regularly respond to fires in buildings that other departments might not consider safe to enter, but the department searches the properties because people in St. Louis often stay in vacant and crumbling buildings to keep warm.

"We get paid to protect lives. We get paid to take a risk, and you know, it's hard to tell somebody on the street who is yelling and screaming at us that there might be someone in there, 'Well, this risk might be too great,'" Jenkerson said. "So we take the risk, and unfortunately, terribly, the risk we took today wasn't worth it. We lost a firefighter."

The building at 5971 Cote Brilliante Avenue was built in 1895, according to city records. It is listed on the city's vacant building registry and has been designated by the city as vacant since at least 2004, the records show.

It is one of roughly 10,000 structures tagged as vacant by the city's vacancy collaborative.

The home was condemned in 2019 after inspectors found six major violations. Several notices were sent to the owners, who list an address in Fordyce, Arkansas, and the case was then referred to court. City staff visited dozens of times to cut grass, chase rats away and board up windows and doors. Over the years, more than a dozen separate charges, $108 apiece, were sent to owners for mowing.

The owners could not be reached for comment.

A source at Ameren said no account had been active at the address for years.

Katesha Carter, whose grandmother lives next door to the property and was forced to flee her home for safety during the blaze, said her family had complained about the dilapidated house many times.

We would call the city and someone would come board it up, and the squatters would come take it back down, Carter said.

If someone would have done something a long time ago then maybe this wouldnt have happened, she added, referring to the death of the firefighter.

The building was deemed a total loss after the fire, Jenkerson said. The home next door also had some fire damage.

Post-Dispatch reporters Janelle O'Dea and Taylor Tiamoyo Harris contributed to this report.

Erin Heffernan  314-340-8145 @erinheff on Twitter eheffernan@post-dispatch.com

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SHELBYVILLE  Forest Frosty Herron and his wife Joan have been working non-stop for more than 70 years.

Were healthy and able to do it, Frosty said. And they keep asking.

Their latest jobs have been at the Shelby County Courthouse. At 95 years old, Frosty takes care of the jury. Im the assistant bailiff, he said. Every time the jury comes in, we have to seat them. Anything they need, were responsible for them.

Frosty understands his way around a courtroom. He was a deputy sheriff until he retired in 1992. Then I started as a bailiff, he said.

Joan, 92, was recently asked to assist with bailiffs duties. Were more or less the security, she said.

Courtroom proceedings are scheduled each month, allowing the couple to work part-time.

Janet Miller is the couples boss. She has worked with Frosty since he began as a bailiff. A female and a male bailiff are needed for each court proceeding, according to Miller. Its up to me who I get, she said. Ive had several over the years, but he and I work so, so well together.

Miller recently suggested Joan take her place when she was unable to work, for the first time in 40 years. I was so thankful, Miller said. Thats a situation where I dont have to worry about that anymore.

The bailiffs also have to follow the directions of the presiding judge to make sure the day runs smoothly.

Its a big job, Frosty said. You have to make sure the (jurors) behave themselves. And some of them dont want to.

He knows how to handle them, Joan said.

Always together, the couple has been married 73 years. And Ive worked all that time, Joan said. I think Ive had about 18 jobs.

The various jobs, including work with the the Illinois Veterans Commission and at Texas Tech University, gave Joan the experience the circuit clerk was looking for as a replacement when the bailiffs needed it. He told me what to do, she said about her husbands directions. Thats the only time I let him.

Frosty is a veteran of the Air Force and the Merchant Marines. And Ive been in lots of foreign countries, he said. Ive seen the world.

Their recent work in the Shelby County Courthouse is enjoyable for the couple. The idea of retiring doesnt sound as appealing. I dont know why, Frosty said. But we dont need the money.

The Shelby County Courthouse building also has an appeal. With all the state jobs they have worked, they have been to several throughout the state and beyond. This is the prettiest courthouse weve been to, Joan said. Inside and out.

The couples experiences and work ethics have been admired by their boss. They are wonderful parents. They have wonderful children. They are dedicated Christians, Miller said. Theyre an awesome couple.

The Herrons said they enjoy the work they do at the courthouse with Miller and others they meet. I love law enforcement, Frosty said. And weve had fun.

Frosty admits he is under doctors care. He has restrictions he is told to follow. You cant do this. You cant do that, but we do it anyway, he said.

His work as a bailiff isnt on the list. But I dont know if they know it or not, Frosty said.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is accepting applications on a rolling basis for need-based scholarships for Jewish overnight summer camp and Israel travel, including gap-year programs that enable children and teens to participate in these transformative Jewish educational experiences.Jewish summer camp and Israel trips are a critical part of building our childrens Jewish identity to help ensure our traditions continue for generations to come, said Hayley Feldman, chair of the Federations Scholarships and Grants Committee.The Federation provides $90,000 each year for camp and Israel travel scholarships, which are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is recommended to apply early. Last year, 122 camp scholarships and 15 Israel scholarships were awarded.The scholarships are for children ages 7-16 who attend an overnight Jewish-content summer camp for at least one week, and for high school students to have an intensive, more than three-week educational Israel experience. Israel gap-year programs also are included. All scholarships are need based, and applicants remain anonymous throughout the committee selection process.At Jewish summer camp and on trips to Israel, children have incredible experiences and make lifelong friends, but for our Jewish community, it does so much more, said Sara Sandhaus, Planning and Allocations manager at the Federation.Camp and Israel programs create a deep, personal bond between the next generation and our Jewish traditions and values. Children and teens dont just experience their Judaism at camp and in Israel, they celebrate it and develop a lasting connection, Sandhaus said.Camp programs can cost from $2,500 to $4,800, and Israel travel can cost $7,000 for a summer program and $26,000 for a gap year, so scholarships can make the difference in whether or not a child can participate.A scholarship recipient wrote: This amazing Israel trip would not have been possible without the support and funding from the Jewish Federation. When my parents found out the total cost for the trip, they apologized and told me I would not be able to go. I would like to thank you [the Jewish Federation] for helping me have the best experience of my life.For more information, contact Liz Garza at [email protected] . Scholarship applications are being accepted online through the Jewish Federation website, houstonjewish.org/camp-israel-scholarships
Q. I was suffering from arthritis when I read your column about the value of turmeric. I bought some at the local pharmacy to take, and the pain went away almost at once. Consequently, I put off the hip replacement that my doctor was only too eager to schedule.

A man from India owns my neighborhood gas station. When he asked me what I did to be able to walk so much better, I told him about the turmeric. Later, a lady who works at the pharmacy told me that suddenly four people had come in to get turmeric there. Can you tell me anything more about it?

A. Turmeric and its active ingredient curcumin are familiar to practitioners of centuries-old healing practices such as Ayurvedic medicine. Over the past few decades, scientists have been considering the anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds.

One review of clinical trials in people with osteoarthritis found that those taking curcumin had less pain and better quality of life (Drug Design, Development and Therapy, Sept. 20, 2016). They also used less pain medication.

To learn more about turmeric and other healing herbs, you may want to read our book Spice Up Your Health: How Everyday Herbs & Spices Can Lengthen & Strengthen Your Life. Look for it in the book section of the store at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

Q. I have heard for years that calcium tablets go through your system without ever dissolving and therefore do no good. Is there a liquid calcium on the market that might be better absorbed in my body?

A. Some calcium tablets are poorly formulated and dont dissolve well. As a consequence, you cant absorb the nutrient from them effectively. Others, however, work well.

ConsumerLab.com, which tests many supplements, has found that liquid calcium citrate (Bluebonnet) is absorbed well and makes a reasonable calcium supplement. It is less likely to pose a choking hazard for people who have trouble swallowing large tablets.

Q. Years ago, I suffered from IBS. My doctor recommended DGL, deglycyrrhizinated licorice. One cannot just eat black licorice, as it could raise blood pressure. I dont remember how long I took it, but I have been symptom-free ever since. Perhaps it will work for other people, too.

A. Irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, produces a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as stomachache, cramping, bloating and diarrhea or constipation. Back in the 20th century, before the development of drugs like omeprazole (Prilosec), scientists found that deglycyrrhizinated licorice could help heal stomach ulcers. In this product, the glycyrrhizin is removed. Since that is the compound that boosts blood pressure, taking DGL is safer. We could not find any studies demonstrating that it is effective for the symptoms of IBS, however.

There is growing interest in prebiotics, probiotics and the low-FODMAP diet to help manage IBS (Microorganisms, July 30, 2021). A low-FODMAP diet reduces or eliminates foods that intestinal microbes like to ferment. That includes beans, Brussels sprouts, garlic, onions, wheat, rye, dairy products such as milk and yogurt, and fruits including figs, mangoes and blackberries.

Questions for Joe and Teresa Graedon can be emailed via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
Forsyth County and North Carolina each set records with the number of new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said some of the record-high 44,833 statewide cases listed in Thursday's statewide report came from testing company GENETWORx submitting 10,791 delayed cases covering Dec. 31 through Tuesday.

Even when excluding the delayed test results, North Carolina reached a daily high of 34,042 cases. The previous daily high was 29,069 reported for Saturday.

DHHS has said it lists COVID-19 cases and deaths on the day they are confirmed by medical providers and public health officials, so individuals may have been infected or died days before their cases are counted.

Forsyth recorded 1,205 new cases for Thursday's report, topping the previous daily record of 1,186 reported Wednesday. The county also had three additional COVID-19 related deaths in Thursday's report.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Forsyth has had 70,417 cases and 640 related deaths.

DHHS did not immediately provide details about whether the delayed GENETWORx test results affected Forsyth County's latest report. Forsyth health director Joshua Swift said he is not aware of GENETWORx providing services in Forsyth or elsewhere in the Triad.

Even with the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, there's an expectation that the daily case count could begin to decline, according to Dr. Christopher Ohl, an infectious diseases expert with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

"We may be getting up close to our peak  possibly in the next week," Ohl said Thursday.

Ohl said he was basing that projection on how the omicron variant peaked in other areas, such as New York, states in New England and the United Kingdom.

"Just because you've rounded the curve doesn't mean you are out of the woods," Ohl said. "It takes a while for cases to come down from high levels, but it could be substantially down by the end of the month."

It is the second time during the pandemic that DHHS has notified of a bulk listing of previously unreported test and cases from a testing vendor.

In Feb. 3, 2021, DHHS said there were 7,912 belatedly reported cases statewide from FastMed Urgent Care that included unreported tests from the previous two months.

Hospitalizations

North Carolina reached a record high number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations for a second consecutive day amid the continuing surge in the omicron variant. There were at 4,275 patients across the state as of Thursday.

The previous high was 4,098.

The states number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased for 17 consecutive days. Of the latest total, 470 patients are on ventilators, including 119 in the 17-county Triad and Northwest N.C. region.

Hospitals in the 17-county region reported a combined 1,086 COVID-19 patients as of noon Thursday, up 49 from the previous day. The region's hospitalization count has increased for 20 consecutive days.

Swift said 55 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized in Forsyth, but he is concerned that hospitalizations and deaths will continue to rise even as cases may peak over the next two weeks.

There were 98 children hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, including 25 in the Triad region.

More booster data

Thursday, DHHS began releasing additional numbers involving COVID-19 booster shots.

Statewide, about 47% of adult North Carolinians have received a booster shot, or 2.73 million.

However, "fully vaccinated" continues to be defined as vaccinated with two doses of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Under that definition, 70% of North Carolina's adults are considered fully vaccinated.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is discussing whether to amended the definition of "fully vaccinated" to require at least three doses.

In Forsyth, 99,227 residents have gotten a booster shot, or 43.6% of the 227,782 considered fully vaccinated.

Forsyth update

Forsyths positive test rate over the past 14 days was at 33.7% as of noon Thursday, while the statewide rate was 30.1%.

The vast majority of new cases during the current COVID-19 wave are the omicron variant, according to local and state public-health officials.

With Thursdays report, Forsyth is averaging 203.8 cases per 100,000 people 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.

Most at-home test results arent reported to county health officials, and some infected individuals have mild cases and dont seek care, they say.

Statewide update

North Carolina has recorded 1.97 million cases and 19,850 COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began. The statewide death toll is up 87 from Wednesday.

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.

On Monday, the Triads three largest health care system leaders warned that their hospitals are at a critical stage in how effectively patients can be treated as the COVID-19 omicron variant spreads.

The chief executives of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Cone Health and Novant asked people to follow vaccination and testing recommendations and urged the public not to seek COVID-19 testing in emergency departments.

On Wednesday, the systems were part of a similar N.C. Healthcare Association appeal involving executives from all 115 hospitals in the state.

Other testing delays

DHHS said Wednesday that record numbers of people getting COVID-19 tests statewide are contributing to delays of multiple days in getting results back from 12 testing companies, including StarMed Healthcare in Forsyth.

More than 564,000 tests were conducted statewide last week, compared with 314,802 the first full week of December.

The average test turn-around time is 1.6 days over the past month, DHHS says.

But the agency said in a recent statement that testing demand has strained the already tight testing supply nationally and across the state.

Additionally, testing sites are experiencing illness-related staffing shortages across the country and throughout the state. DHHS continues to work to address staffing shortages, as well as distribute and secure additional tests from manufacturers to help with these strains."

Tuesday, StarMed chief executive Michael Estramonte released an open letter addressing the delayed test results, which numbered more than 8,000 as of Jan. 6, involving laboratory Premier Medical of Greenville, S.C.

Estramonte wrote that StarMed has been actively working with Premier to finalize the remaining outstanding test results.

In the meantime, StarMed will be reaching out directly to patients who were impacted by Premiers backlog and is offering re-tests with StarMeds internal lab.

DHHS recommends anyone seeking testing go to ncdhhs.gov/gettested to find test sites or request at-home testing kits.

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 ondemand.labcorp.com/nc for more information.

The program is available to all North Carolinians, with tests delivered to homes. Parents and guardians are required to place the order for anyone 5 to 17 years old.

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A Kernersville man convicted on charges of illegally entering the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021 led people toward the House Chambers, saying that was where the electors are, federal prosecutors allege in court papers filed Thursday.

Prosecutors want Anthony Joseph Scirica to spend 15 days in federal prison and pay $500 in restitution, according to a sentencing memorandum.

Scirica pleaded guilty in September 2021 to one misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 20.

FBI agents took Scirica into custody in Winston-Salem on a four-count indictment charging him also with entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; and violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Captiol building.

Under the plea agreement, those three charges will be dismissed at his sentencing on the parading, demonstrating or picketing charge. Scirica faces a potential six-month prison sentence and a fine of $5,000.

Federal prosecutors Grace Albinson and Amanda Fretto Lingwood said Scirica did far more than just follow the crowd on Jan. 6, 2021, when hundreds of people stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop lawmakers from certifying the presidential election. They did so because they falsely believed that there was rampant election fraud and that former President Donald Trump actually won. Theres no evidence that Trump won the election or that there was election fraud.

Scirica spent 31 minutes in the U.S. Capitol and went into the building, even though he knew he wasnt supposed to be there, Albinson and Lingwood argue.

Scirica had traveled from North Carolina to attend a Stop the Steal rally, where Trump spoke. Afterward, he walked with other people toward the U.S. Capitol, where he saw people going up the steps and climbing the scaffolding, prosecutors said. He heard people yelling and shouting and heard a window breaking. He also heard alarms going off inside the Capitol building.

Despite all of that, he went inside the Capitol building, prosecutors said. That happened at 2:24 p.m., making him one of the first people to enter the Capitol building, prosecutors said.

He said he walked through the Capitol and went in the direction of where he thought the electors were located, prosecutors said in the sentencing memorandum.

Albinson and Lingwood said Scirica anointed himself as leader to a group of rioters inside the Capitol. He directed a group of rioters who appeared lost through Statuary Hall and toward a line of police officers standing outside House Chambers, they said.

Lawmakers were inside the House Chambers, and Scirica chanted, USA, USA, at police, prosecutors said. He remained inside, even though at one point, police officers deployed tear gas.

Scirica took videos with his phone. Those videos showed that Scirica saw law-enforcement officers trying to keep rioters from advancing into the Capitol. He told FBI agents that he saw a man push a law-enforcement officer inside the Capitol and that a man told Scirica that he had a gun.

When asked by an FBI agent if he regretted going into the Capitol, Scirica said this: I dont know. Im not really sure. It might make a good story in like 50 years when I am a grandfather.

WGHP/Fox 8, the news partner for the Winston-Salem Journal, has reported that Mark Jones, Sciricas attorney, is asking a judge to sentence Scirica to probation.

Last week, Virginia Marie Spencer of Pilot Mountain was sentenced to three months in prison and three years of probation for her conviction on a charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Spencers attorney filed court papers arguing that the judge was wrong to impose both an active sentence and a probationary sentence.

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The attorney for a Charlotte man charged with first-degree murder in a 2018 killing in Kernersville is asking Forsyth County prosecutors to turn over information about an alleged deal with the purported getaway driver, who is now the DJ for popular rapper DaBaby, according to court papers filed Wednesday.

Julie Boyer is the attorney for Sajae Charles Woodley, 21. Woodley has been indicted for first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges in connection with the June 23, 2018, fatal shooting of Kenneth Daniel Kelly, 41. Two other men  Justin Norey Noland, 22, of Winston-Salem and Jacob Michael Townsend, 23, of Durham  are facing similar charges. Townsend was arrested in New York on unrelated gun charges and has not been extradited to North Carolina.

Boyer filed a motion to reveal deals or concessions on Wednesday in Forsyth Superior Court. She included email correspondence from Dec. 20, 2021, between Assistant District Attorney Belinda Foster and Gary Mundy of the Kernersville Police Department. Mundy included a copy of an email message he received that same day from Det. J.L. Redden, one of the lead investigators in Kellys death.

Redden mentions a man identified as Dejuane Malachi Dunwood in search warrants for the case.

The driver (Dunwood) was gave (sic) a deal by Jennifer Martin and his attorney Mr. Simpson (who is now disbarred), Redden writes to Mundy. We were told not tp (sic) charge Dunwood.

Jennifer Martin is the Chief Assistant District Attorney. Dunwoods attorney was identified in search warrants as Travis Simpson, who was a criminal defense attorney at the time. Simpson was not disbarred but the N.C. State Bar did suspend Simpsons law license in June 2019 over allegations that he mishandled two clients cases.

Based upon the email exchange, the plea deal had not been disclosed to Assistant District Belinda Foster, assigned to prosecute this matter, Boyer said in the motion. This arrangement was not disclosed in any police report or supplement submitted as discovery by Detective Redden until direct inquiry was made by Assistant District Attorney Belinda Foster.

Boyer said she found out about the alleged deal when she received the email exchange in discovery on Jan. 7.

Paul James, Nolands attorney, filed a motion Jan. 7 seeking information about an alleged deal but did not provide specifics in court papers. In an email Thursday, James said his motion was triggered by late discovery indicating there was a deal with a witness of which the prosecutor was recently made aware. James referred additional questions to Foster, who did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Martin said Thursday that she could not comment on pending criminal cases. Dunwood did not respond to a message sent through his Facebook page. Redden no longer works for the Kernersville Police Department, a dispatcher said Thursday. Details on when he left the department and why were not immediately available Thursday.

At the time of the shooting, search warrants said, Dunwood attended UNC Greensboro, where he was known as DJ DEDE. Through Instagram, detectives were able to link Dunwood to Noland, Townsend and Woodley, the search warrants said.

Dunwood is now known as DJ K.i.D. and has produced a number of songs for DaBaby and has performed as the rappers DJ, according to media reports.

According to search warrants, Kernersville police detectives interviewed Dunwood three separate times. In the first interview, Dunwood denied any involvement, but in the next two interviews, accompanied by Simpson, Dunwood gave full statements in which he said he drove Woodley, Townsend and Noland to Kellys apartment.

He told detectives that he knew the three men were planning a robbery but had no idea that they were going to shoot anyone. Dunwood also told detectives that he dropped the men off at the apartment complex twice, seeing them go in and picking them up later. The second time he picked them up that day, Townsend had blood on one of his hands and Townsend wiped his hand on the passenger seat, Dunwood told detectives, according to search warrants.

Detectives seized Dunwoods vehicle, a black Chevrolet Equinox, and found blood on the passenger seat where Townsend sat, the search warrants said.

Dunwood was never charged in the case. Boyer said in the motion that since June 2018, prosecutors have not turned over any information indicating that Dunwood was offered a deal in exchange for possible testimony.

Kelly was shot twice on the afternoon of June 23, 2018  once in the torso and once in the right thigh, according to an autopsy report. He later died at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Search warrants that Redden filed allege that three men were seen on video surveillance casing the apartment complex the day before the shooting. Kellys daughter, Diana Kelly, told detectives that she saw one of the three men go to the back of the apartment with her father. She heard screaming and then gunshots. She and her stepmother were in the kitchen, and when Diana Kelly said she tried to move, one of the other men pointed a gun at her and told her to stay where she was, the search warrants said.

A hearing on the motions has not yet been set.

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North Carolina has set another statewide high for daily COVID-19 cases, while Forsyth remained at a record level, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported Friday.

There were 35,759 new cases reported statewide between Thursday and Friday. That eclipsed the previous single-day record of 34,042 reported Thursday.

Meanwhile, Forsyth had 1,205 new cases for the second consecutive report, the highest the daily number since the pandemic began.

DHHS has said it lists COVID-19 cases and deaths on the day they are confirmed by medical providers and public health officials, so individuals may have been infected or died days or weeks before their cases are counted.

Forsyth also had one additional COVID-19 related death listed Friday,

Since the onset of the pandemic, Forsyth has had 71,622 cases and 641 related deaths.

North Carolina also reached a record high number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations for a third consecutive day amid the continuing surge in the omicron variant.

There were at 4,381 patients across the state as of noon Friday. The previous high was 4,275.

Even with the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, theres an expectation that the daily case count could begin to decline, according to Dr. Christopher Ohl, an infectious diseases expert with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

We may be getting up close to our peak  possibly in the next week, Ohl said Thursday.

Ohl said he was basing that projection on how the omicron variant peaked in other areas, such as in New York, states in New England and the United Kingdom.

Just because youve rounded the curve doesnt mean you are out of the woods, Ohl said. It takes a while for cases to come down from high levels, but it could be substantially down by the end of the month.

DHHS said it will not update COVID-19 numbers Monday because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

K-12 in-school testing

A total of 19 Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are included in a pilot COVID-19 testing program in conjunction with the Forsyth County Department of Public Health and Novant Health Inc. The schools are:

Elementary: Jefferson, Kernersville, Kimberley Park, Lewisville, Mineral Springs, Piney Grove, Rural Hall, Vienna, Walkertown, Whitaker.

Middle: Clemmons, Hanes.

High: Carter, Carver, North Forsyth, Reynolds.

Others: The Downtown School; Main Street Academy, Special Childrens School.

Testing is available only to students and staff members at those schools. Trained school staff members are conducting the rapid COVID-19 test that provides results typically in 15 minutes.

Testing in our communities is limited, and for some parents and staff its hard to make appointments and wait for test results, said Katie Key, the school systems director of nurses. This is time they could actually spend in school.

If they are symptomatic at school, they can get a test and possibly return within 24 hours if they are negative, and their symptoms are improving.

More schools will be added as more school staff members are trained.

Forsyth update

Forsyths positive test rate over the past 14 days was at 35% as of noon Friday, while the statewide rate was 31.6%.

The vast majority of new cases during the current COVID-19 wave are the omicron variant, according to local and state public-health officials.

With Fridays report, Forsyth is averaging 213.5 cases per 100,000 people over the most recent two-week period. Thats up from 67.6 cases per 100,000 as recently as Dec. 31.

Both Forsyth health director Joshua Swift and Dr. David Priest, an infectious diseases expert with Novant Health Inc., have said the number of COVID-19 cases likely is underreported.

Most at-home test results arent reported to county health officials, and some infected individuals have mild cases and dont seek care, they say.

Ohl recommendations

With medical projections that the COVID-19 omicron variant may begin to subside by February, a local infectious diseases expert is advising self-imposed restrictions for the rest of the month.

Ohl said his recommendations are based on the likelihood that the omicron surge will continue for at least the next two weeks.

I am of the mindset right now that if you really dont have to do it, put it off until February, Ohl said in a segment of his Facebook Live presentation he labeled Whats safe to do now.

Ohl suggested people postpone going out to eat or going to religious services and fitness centers.

Once we get through the end of the month, I think we can start loosening up, Ohl said.

If you have to do it, go ahead and do it, but consider getting more protective face masks when venturing out.

Its not really a lockdown, but being more prudent with what you are doing right now.

Baptist testing sites

In another development, Ohl said Baptist is preparing to offer at least three new community testing options as soon as next week, depending on the lingering effects of potential winter precipitation over the weekend.

The sites would be conducted in partnership with DHHS. Venues could include Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, Wilkes County Airport in North Wilkesboro and Providence Place in High Point.

Baptist spokesman Joe McCloskey said Friday that the system is working with the city of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University on setting up a testing site in the near future.

Ohl said the planned operational hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays with reduced hours on Saturdays. Individuals who are symptomatic and asymptomatic are eligible for testing, with an expected turnaround time of up to 72 hours.

Statewide update

North Carolina has recorded 1.97 million cases and 19,903 COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began. The statewide death toll is up 53 from Thursday.

Meanwhile, DHHS reported the states third flu-related deaths occurred last week. The typical flu season runs from Oct. 1 through March 31, but can linger into mid-May.

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.

Hospitalizations

The states number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased for 18 consecutive days.

Of the latest total, 482 patients are on ventilators, including 118 in the 17-county Triad and Northwest N.C. region.

Hospitals in the 17-county region reported a combined 1,077 COVID-19 patients as of noon Friday, down nine from the previous day. It was the first decline in the regions hospitalization count in three weeks.

According to DHHS, as of Jan. 8, unvaccinated individuals represented 76.6% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and 86.7% of COVID-19 ICU patients statewide. Those vaccinated patients tend to be those who are immunocompromised or with chronic health issues.

Swift said Thursday 55 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized in Forsyth, but he is concerned that hospitalizations and deaths will continue to rise even as cases may peak over the next two weeks.

There were 101 children hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, including 25 in the Triad region.

More booster data

On Thursday, DHHS began releasing additional numbers involving COVID-19 booster shots.

About 47% of adult North Carolinians have received a booster shot, or 2.73 million, as of noon Friday.

However, fully vaccinated continues to be defined as vaccinated with two doses of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Under that definition, 70% of North Carolinas adults are considered fully vaccinated, as well as 60% of the overall Forsyth population.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is discussing whether to amended the definition of fully vaccinated to require at least three doses.

In Forsyth, 99,227 residents have gotten a booster shot, or 43.6% of the 227,782 considered fully vaccinated.

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The Triads three main healthcare systems are in full compliance with meeting federal regulations to improve price transparency for patients, the states attorney general said Thursday.

However, the attorney generals office lists eight community or specialty hospitals in the 14-county Triad and Northwest N.C. region as not being fully compliant as of Thursday.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rolled out Jan. 1 implementation of a hospital price-transparency initiative.

Every hospital will be required to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide, CMS said. Hospitals may face civil monetary penalties for noncompliance.

The review released Thursday found that 122 hospitals statewide are fully compliant with the CMS regulations.

Meanwhile, 16 hospitals are not compliant with the requirement that they provide a machine-readable list of services and prices. Hospitals listed in that category are Alleghany, Ashe, Hugh Chatham in Elkin, Northern in Mount Airy and Randolph in Asheboro.

One hospital  Holly Hill  is not compliant with the requirement that it provide a consumer-friendly shoppable list.

Eight hospitals are not compliant with either, including Kindred in Greensboro, LifeBright in Stokes County and Select Specialty in Greensboro.

The attorney generals office said some hospitals in the non-compliant categories have said they still are in the process of updating their tools to comply with the regulations.

In June, Stein wrote North Carolina hospitals to encourage them to come into compliance to better provide patients with the information they need to make informed choices about their health care.

When hospitals make their prices transparent it empowers patients to shop around and keeps health care costs in check, Stein said.

Im encouraged with North Carolina hospitals widespread compliance with price transparency requirements, especially in light of the unprecedented strain two years of COVID has wrought.

I will do everything in my power to ensure that patients have access to the information they need to make the right choice for their care and their money, Stein said.

Melonie OConnell, vice president of pricing strategy for Novant Health Inc., said in June that the initiative requires hospitals to provide a cost estimator and a public list of prices for all procedures. OConnell said they are new offerings by Novant.

The initiative, implemented by the Trump administration, is the latest attempt at aiding consumers who want to comparison shop for health care, whether a hip replacement, annual physical or colonoscopy.

Its also meant to address concerns about surprise medical bills, typically patients being billed at an out-of-network rate without being notified of the higher out-of-pockets costs associated with that level of care.

Hospital price transparency helps Americans know the cost of a hospital item or service before receiving it, CMS said.

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The American Red Cross in the Greater Carolinas Region is experiencing nearly a 70% decrease in the number of donors signing up to give blood amid a national blood shortage the organization is facing.

The shortage of blood donors exists in the Triad, the Charlotte area and Asheville, said Maya Franklin, a Red Cross spokeswoman.

We have a pretty steady amount of blood drive hosts, but there are not enough people coming to donate blood, Franklin said. We encourage people to fill those appointments that are available and are convenient for those people.

The American Red Cross is facing its worst blood shortage in more than a decade, the organization said in a statement. The news coincides with January being National Blood Donor Month and Blood Donation Month in North Carolina.

Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions, and who will need to wait until more products become available, the Red Cross said.

Blood and platelet donations are needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments, the organization said. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment to give in the weeks ahead, the Red Cross said.

The organization is facing a blood shortage because of COVID-19, including about 10% overall decline in the number of people donating blood as well as ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations, the organization said.

In recent weeks, the Red Cross had less than a one-day supply of blood types and has had to limit blood products distributions to hospitals, the Red Cross said.

The blood supply also is limited at many hospitals in North Carolina, said Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, the state health director and the chief medical officer at the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Blood donations are critical to sustaining public health, Tilson said. One donation can save up to three lives.

The recent holiday season and winter also are contributing to a lack of people making appointments to donate blood, Franklin said.

In addition, the pandemic has contributed to a 62% decrease in blood drives in schools, colleges and universities, the Red Cross said.

The Red Cross recognizes that there may not be an immediate appointment available  but the Red Cross still needs donors, Franklin said. The Red Cross is grateful for donors understanding as the organization works tirelessly to meet the needs of patients.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Forsyth Medical Center are among the hospitals that receive their supply of blood from the Red Cross, she said.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is closely monitoring and managing its supply of blood, said Eryn Johnson, a spokeswoman for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

Its essential for individuals with all blood types to donate and especially imperative for those who have Type O positive or Type O negative blood  individuals with Type O blood are considered universal donors, meaning anyone can receive these particular red blood cells, Johnson said.

Wake Forest Baptist encourages those who are able to donate blood to connect with their local American Red Cross or other blood suppliers for sign-up options, Johnson said.

Novant Health Inc. also has an adequate amount of blood on hand for its patients care, said Dallas Britt, a spokesman for Novant Health.

Novant Health has community hospitals in Clemmons, Kernersville and Thomasville in the Triad, along with Forsyth Medical Center and Medical Park Hospital in Winston-Salem.

Novant Health has practices in place to manage expected and unexpected blood shortages, a Novant Health spokesperson said. This includes the coordination of inventory among its facilities in addition to policies outlining the appropriate use of blood products.

The organization also encourages people who are able to give blood to consider doing so as soon as possible, the spokesperson said.

Amid the national blood shortage, Novant Health has the continued ability to care for patients, and patients should seek care when they need it, the spokesperson said.

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If asked to identify a symbol for justice, most of us would picture a blindfolded Lady Justice holding aloft a balance scale in one hand and a sword in the other  the sword to declare that justice is worth fighting for, the scale demonstrates justice is balanced and the blindfold signifies that justice is blind to race, sex, class, nationality or partisan prejudice.

The question of partisanship in our courts is frequently being raised. Time and again you hear that a case was decided by a Democratic court, or a set of Republican judges. As one who has been following and commenting on public affairs for almost a half century, there are an increasing number of times when I feel charges of partisanship are justified. If true, this is a sorry commentary on the state of justice.

Take the case now before our courts on redistricting. Anyone not a fervent card-carrying member of the Republican Party can look at those maps and concur that they were drawn so as to keep a large plurality of North Carolinas congressional and legislative delegation in Republican control. A panel of three Superior Court judges, two Republicans and one Democrat, agreed the districts were gerrymandered.

In their ruling they said, This court has not been asked to eliminate all partisan gerrymandering, only extreme partisan gerrymandering. In short, we are asked to decide how much partisanship is extreme. In unanimously allowing the maps to remain, they decided they were unable (and unwilling) to make such a declaration.

Appeals are now heading to the N.C. Supreme Court and already Republicans are screaming partisanship, since our highest court has four Democrats and three Republicans. The GOP expects the maps will be declared unconstitutional and require new maps be drawn.

An initial solution to judicial partisanship would be to repeal the North Carolina law requiring judicial candidates to list their party affiliations.

The biggest justification given for reinstating the party affiliation was because people did not know anything about judicial candidates on the ballot and at least could vote for a member of their own party. As an aside, unaffiliated voters now outnumber Republicans in our state and, if current trends continue, could soon outnumber Democrats. Yet on judicial election ballots there is no way for a candidate to list he or she is neither R nor D, but is U.

I dont want my court case decided by either a Republican or Democratic judge. I want a jurist who is blind to whatever party in which I might be a member and decides the case based on state law, case law and our Constitution.

Lets not whitewash the issue of partisan courts. We are essentially reducing our courts to being yet another partisan political tool. George Washington, in his Farewell Address, warned us about the pernicious danger of political parties. Current reality is proving his admonition true.

This reopens the subject of how we put the best jurists on our bench.

We are so jaundiced that we dont trust any administration, any legislature or, for heavens sake, any group of currently robed judges to make such a decision. Instead, we choose primarily by whether they have an R or D beside their name.

Its farcical. Yes, I value and uphold the power of the public at the ballot box.

But tell the truth  we arent qualified to make informed selections regarding judges. For Petes sake, we dont even know who they are. We want our judges to be lawyers, to be students of the law who will research case law and who are imbued with large doses of common sense and wisdom.

Thirty-nine states have some form of judicial election; in 38 they elect those on the highest court. Fourteen states have nonpartisan judicial elections. Ten states high court judges are selected by gubernatorial appointment.

Some are appointed for life or until they reach a certain retirement age. Another side issue: our states mandatory judicial retirement age is 72. That age may have been appropriate 40 or 50 years ago, but most 70-year-olds today are still very much in their prime. The mandatory age needs raising.

The real issue is that North Carolina doesnt have a good solution to judicial selection. Regardless, theres no place on the bench for political partisanship. Bring back Lady Justices blindfold.

Tom Campbell is a Hall of Fame North Carolina Broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965. Contact him at tomcamp@carolinabroadcasting.com.
The Journals front page on Thursday was COVID, COVID, COVID, as Forsyth County reached a record high for new cases. Even the stories about worker shortages and the approaching winter storm that is predicted to cover our yards and roads with snow  mixed at times with freezing rain and sleet  this long weekend are related to the continued pandemic. Several of the workers who would normally drive the trucks that salt and clear the roads are at home, either with COVID or quarantined because of potential exposure, the Journals John Deem reported. Winston-Salem is trying to get ahead of the storm by treating bridges and overpasses on Friday, but if youve not bought the bread and milk yet, go now. Wear your mask.

In some ways, life seems to be returning to normal, especially among those who have been vaccinated. They can, to some extent, breathe and relax and mingle with others they know have taken the proper precautions.

But the record high of 1,186 COVID cases reported in Forsyth County on Wednesday serves as a harsh reminder that the omicron variant is living up to its billing as highly contagious. Nine-hundred new cases were reported among county students and staff last week, the highest since the school year began.

And though its thought to be less severe, the potential for death remains a cause for concern. As we write, 450 patients in the state are on ventilators.

Also earlier this week, the chief executives of the Triads three largest health care systems  Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Cone Health and Novant Health Inc.  warned the public that all of their hospitals were at a critical stage: Their ICU beds are reaching full capacity, overwhelmed by COVID patients. Infections have increased among their own staffs, also, the inevitable result of exposure to the virus among those sick enough to require medical attention. In a full-page ad in the Jan. 9 Journal, Novant Health wrote: We are not telling. We are not asking. We are begging. Get vaccinated. Do your part. So we can do ours.

The strain being placed on our doctors and nurses is incredible, and if something doesnt give, theyll eventually be unable to assist when theyre most needed. Thats not their failing  its the failing of a recalcitrant public, led astray by false prophets and political aspirants, that after more than a year still refuses to take personal responsibility.

And though some say theyd rather be infected than be vaccinated, we doubt theyve fully taken into consideration the very real long-hauler symptoms that linger indefinitely in up to 30% of COVID victims. They include shortness of breath, scarring of the lungs, inflammation of the heart, the loss of smell and taste, brain fog, fatigue and headaches. Some of these effects may last for life.

The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked the Biden administrations rule requiring larger businesses to ensure that workers receive the COVID vaccine or wear masks and get tested on a weekly basis  rules that many businesses are already enforcing on their own. Right or wrong, the Courts ruling will lead to more COVID deaths.

Its hard to process whats actually happening right now, which is, most people are going to get COVID, Dr. Janet Woodcock, the acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, said during testimony before the Senate earlier this week. That outcome would seem inevitable when faced with people who insist on their right to become infected and to infect others.

Imagine that indictment  that the United States failed to defeat an entirely preventable virus. We appreciate her candor  and she may be right  but weve not given up hope yet. Its possible to avoid COVID.

And, if infected, its still possible to survive. The point of power is in this moment. Its not too late, as President Biden urged on Thursday, to get vaccinated. Its not too late to abandon the contrarian philosophy of trying anything except whats been proven to be effective. (Are they really trying urine therapy? It seems so.)

Even former President Trump has been promoting the vaccines developed during his administration. The ones that get very sick and go to the hospital are the ones that dont do the vaccine, but its still their choice, he told conservative commentator Candace Owens in a recent interview. And if you take the vaccine youre protected, the results of the vaccine are good.

While COVID tests have been difficult to obtain, vaccines are available on practically every street corner.

This long weekend, with a possible snowstorm that might create a more pleasant sequestration experience  the vision of sitting in a warm room, drinking hot chocolate while watching snow fall outside has to be appealing  presents the perfect opportunity to get that first jab and go home to recover. Its a decision that would be greeted with praise and gratitude from family members, neighbors and healers. It would be patriotic  helping cut the line through which the virus travels to fellow citizens. It would be kind.
Putting together The Aching Beauty of It All: Paintings by Stephen Brown was a labor of love for Nebraska Wesleyan art professor David Gracie, who is paying tribute to his teacher with the Elder Gallery exhibition of Browns paintings.

Gracie, who studied painting with Brown at Hartford Art School in Connecticut, traveled to the Kentucky home of Browns widow Gretchen Treitz-Martin, selected some 75 works, brought them back to Lincoln in a van.

With Wesleyan colleagues, Gracie put together a catalog, with a bio written by Treitz-Martin, and effectively hung the show of small paintings in the gallerys three large spaces, showcasing the variety in Browns subject matter, the repetition of his figurative subjects and, in a space devoted to 30 works that were unfinished at the time of Browns 2009 death, his artistic process.

Primarily a figurative painter, who studied and worked as a studio assistant with Alice Neel, Brown used his wife, son Rushton, friends and fellow artists like magic realist painter Gregory Gillespie as his models.

As a traditionalist whose career began in the 70s, Brown also painted still lifes, interiors and landscapes.

But those subjects, whether the northern Colorado landscape of Near Home or Pawnee Butte, the rooftops of Brooklyn or the doorknobs that he repeatedly painted near the end of his life were all deeply connected to the artist, a Greeley, Colo. native who worked in New York City before moving to New England to teach at Hartford.

Everything hes done is about connecting his love of painting with everything he loved in life, Gracie said as we walked through the galleries. Its an optimistic thing that, I think, is appropriate for this moment.

The show of Browns paintings is appropriate for the moment for another reason. Figuration has, of late, returned to contemporary painting and work by Browns mentors and colleagues like Wayne Thiebaud, Lois Dodd, Philip Pearlstein and Rackstraw Downes is being examined under a new light.

Browns work deserves such a re-examination and, with close viewing, gets it via The Aching Beauty of It All, and Gracies illuminating catalog essay.

That examination instructively begins with the unfinished paintings, propped on shelves at easel-like angles.

Showing the masking of the subject matter, the layers of paint, the variation in looks at the same subject  including an pair of self-portraits, the unfinished works display something of a skilled artist at work, patiently striving to capture the combination of color, line, depth and luminosity that creates painting magic.

Other pieces when seen from inches away, reveal Browns techniques of scraping, sanding, layering and gluing in bits of dried paint to create a surface alive with texture and light while other figurative pieces explore the expression of their subjects, and, through a few pieces years done, Rushton growing up.

Treitz-Martin is the subject of multiple paintings, including the exhibitions nudes  that demonstrate that Brown was a superb, classic-style painter. But even when provocatively posed, the nudes arent exploitative, hence the title Gretchen, Leg Up.

Other pieces, like Boots seem odd. That is until Gracie explains that Brown loved Vincent Van Gogh, who painted his boots. So Browns take on the battered worn footwear is his nod to Van Gogh, via subject matter rather than aping his unmatchable painting style.

With 75 pieces, theres a lot to take in in The Aching Beauty of It All. Ive made two visits to Elder since the show has been on view and will likely return again before the show closes.

That way, I can take closer looks at, say, the detailed, precise, glowing renderings of the doorknobs, the still lifes with the classic Dutch-style black backgrounds, the flowers and trees and revisit the fascinating gallery of unfinished paintings from the impressive painter who Id never heard of before Gracie brought his work to Lincoln.

The Aching Beauty of It All is on view at Elder Gallery in NWUs Rogers Fine Arts Buiding at 5000 St. Paul Ave. through Jan. 30. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com. On Twitter @KentWolgamott

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Bob Saget was 30 years old when he gave his first hug as Danny Tanner, the clean-freak, embrace-prone widower raising three daughters with his best friend and brother-in-law in ABC's "Full House." He'd give roughly 10 trillion more from 1987 until the show's end in 1994: Before "virtual hugs" became part of the text lexicon, there was Danny Tanner on TV.

Though there were plenty of beloved TV dads before him, and plenty since, it's hard to overestimate how Saget's displays of affection on "Full House," beamed into the living rooms of millions of homes, soothed a generation of young viewers  even the cool ones who mocked the corniness.

"I didn't know I was being called the biggest geek in the world while it was happening or that I would be revered as the guy who loved hugging," Saget, who died Sunday at age 65, told the Los Angeles Times in 2016. "I came up with that. I made him a hugger. That was one of my contributions."

I spoke with Saget a couple of weeks before "Fuller House," the sequel to the beloved family sitcom, was set to make its debut on Netflix, and he couldn't have sounded happier about reprising the straitlaced, warm-hearted character who followed him throughout his career.

"There were a lot of chills going on through the whole thing, just as you would expect," he said. "I don't have that much hair on the back of my neck, but whatever hair I do have left stood up."

After graduating from Philadelphia's Temple University, where he studied film and already showed an interest in pursuing comedy, Saget moved to Los Angeles. He found the Comedy Store, where he developed his sharp, at times risque style of humor, and had bit parts in TV and film, including ABC's "Bosom Buddies" and a 1987 Richard Pryor film, "Critical Condition," before he landed what would become his most memorable role on "Full House."

The character was a decent and active father who wore cable-knit sweaters and pleated khakis. He assured his daughters "Everything's going to work out super great" and deep-cleaned for fun. And who could forget the hugging? It began three minutes into the pilot episode  a goodbye for Danny's mom, who was ending her stay helping her son with his daughters.

"I was having kids the whole time it started  my oldest daughter is a year younger than Ashley and Mary Kate [Olsen]," Saget said, reflecting on that era of his life. "It was a place where everyone was always trying to make it better, including the cast. I realized I was kind of the Rich Cunningham on the show. I was the straight guy. I wasn't the acerbic guy, which wouldn't have worked. I was the pure guy. And when I do comedy, people are like, why aren't you Danny Tanner? It's like, do you want Anthony Hopkins to eat people? I was acting, guys!

"It was a job and I was damn lucky to get it," he continued, "and really excited to get it, because I had gotten fired from a CBS job. I knew ['Full House' creator] Jeff Franklin because I used to do the warm-up on 'Bosom Buddies' and Jeff was a writer on 'Bosom Buddies' and one time they put me on the show and it was a big deal for me. I worked a long time with no jobs. I tested for it to make sure I was the right choice. And everyone knows that there was another actor [who was cast in the role originally], which I always feel bad [about]. But bottom line is, we did something that was magical in a Disneyland way. It had that element. and it still does have that element."

Saget's appreciation for the role that brought him fame didn't always come easy. His edge would be obscured by the wholesome image that came from playing Danny Tanner and hosting ABC's family-friendly clip show, "America's Funniest Home Videos."

"With my stand-up comedy, there's no way to avoid the fact that I did this and I'm proud of it [now]," he said. "My complaining only came from being a 30-year-old guy who has Jewish neurosis and was doing two shows that were very popular and very G-rated. I'm glad there wasn't Twitter back then because there would be many people to block."

Saget described returning to the character decades later as a special, albeit surreal, experience. He found it humorous that he and the other adults from the original were now referred to as the "legacy cast" as the promotion machine kicked into gear: "It sounds like we were inside an alien spaceship, like Sigourney Weaver. After a thousand years of space travel, the spaceship opened up and smoke came out and here we are: We are the legacy cast. There is an aged feeling to it. And I am the oldest member of the cast  though not mentally."

He even went to the series' original soundstage for inspiration. "Stepping foot back on that set was very personal for me," he recalled.

"They say you can never come home again, but we got to. Then I walked onto Stage 26, where the set for the new show is, and I was alone. I just stood there. They rebuilt the freaking kitchen. They rebuilt the freaking living room. I'm like, 'Wait a second, is that the right couch?' and then they made sure they had the right couch. They saved the fabric from 25 years ago of the original couch. It's a beautiful, wild thing to have walked onto the set. ... I walked into this house that was a part of my life. There were times when I spent more time on set than I did at home."

At the time of our 2016 interview, Saget already understood that his work on "Full House" had stood the test of time, and hoped that it would continue through "Fuller House" and beyond.

"It was part of a culture, part of a generation," he said. "There's a lot of the anecdotes we've heard through the years: 'You helped raise me' or 'I would watch this with my mother or my father.' I think that the show made a heartfelt impact on people  that's why it's exciting for people for it to come back. I pay homage to it in everything I do because it put me on the map. ... In 30 years we'll talk again when I come back to it at 90 years old. I'll be like Captain Pike in 'Star Trek.' I don't know what it will be  it'll be the three boys on the show coming back as older men. It'll be 'Fullest House.' People from other planets will enjoy this show."

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OMAHA  Nebraska Medicine activated its crisis plan Thursday for the first time in the health system's history in the face of a growing demand for health care and a shortage of staff to provide it.

Dr. James Linder, Nebraska Medicine's CEO, said the Omaha-based health system enacted what are known as crisis standards of care to prepare for an anticipated further surge in cases caused by the omicron variant and the need for additional health care expected to come with it.

A number of health systems across the country are enacting crisis plans as they face the dual challenges of rising case counts fueled by omicron and a growing number of health care workers sidelined by their own or their relatives' infections. About 24% of U.S. hospitals are reporting a "critical staffing shortage," according to data reported Saturday to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"Weve not yet reached the COVID-19 spike in our community, and (the crisis plan) positions us to respond to any spikes in the number of cases we have to care for in the community and do so in a safe manner," Linder said.

Activating the plan provides the health system with additional flexibility to redeploy staff, limit non-urgent services and modify how resources are distributed.

Officials with Methodist Health System, CHI Health and Children's Hospital & Medical Center said they have not activated their crisis plans.

At Lincoln-based Bryan Health, crisis standards have not been formally enacted, but offices said many of the elements in its plan are in place and have been for some time, including redeploying staff and repurposing clinical space. Like Nebraska Medicine and Methodist, Bryan has been limiting elective procedures and surgeries requiring overnight stays since August. Wojtalewicz said CHI Health also has been delaying cases that can safely wait.

Nebraska is tallying its highest coronavirus case counts of the pandemic. While omicron appears to be less severe than the delta variant, the sheer number of people it is infecting is expected to lead to higher rates of hospitalization. A total of 662 Nebraskans were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Wednesday, fueled by the easily transmitted omicron. By Thursday, 399 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in the Omaha metro area, a figure approaching the pandemic peak of 445 in November 2020.

Cory Shaw, Nebraska Medicine's chief operating officer, said the health system has seen a tenfold increase in staff absences because of COVID-19. The health system is dealing with shortages of staff not only in inpatient and outpatient settings but also among technology, facilities and testing staff.

"Without them here," he said, "the environment can't be maintained as safe."

Shaw said calling up the Nebraska National Guard to help with staffing would likely divert members with health care training from the facilities where they work, creating shortages there.

Dr. Harris Frankel, Nebraska Medicine's chief medical officer, said patients can still receive care at its facilities.

But appointments could be delayed or rescheduled, and fewer appointments may be available. Surgeries might be postponed, and clinical trials may be paused. Medical students and other staff may be deployed as support personnel. Classrooms or conference rooms may be used for some patients.

In addition, Frankel said, patient transfers from outside facilities will continue to be limited and the criteria to accept them restricted.

Enacting the plan also helps protect the availability of care for the 70% to 80% of patients who don't have COVID-19, he said.

In November 2020, health care leaders developed what's now called a health care crisis protocol for the state. The protocol looked ahead to a time when COVID-19 patients and others needing medical care might overwhelm the states health care system and providers would be forced to decide who received care.

Jeannette Wojtalewicz, CHI Health's interim CEO, said the health system is in what it calls contingency care, meaning that it adapts daily to patient numbers, staffing and bed availability.

Wojtalewicz said CHI Health's patient load and staffing needs have grown exponentially. The health system is currently caring for 223 COVID-19 patients. Of patients on ventilators, she said, 91% are unvaccinated. She said 379 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 or are quarantining.

"We are entering into a critical phase," Wojtalewicz said in a statement.

Dr. Kelly Cawcutt, a critical care physician and infectious diseases specialist, said Nebraska Medicine is seeing patients infected with omicron while still dealing with those brought in by the delta wave.

She called on people to get vaccinated, wear masks in indoor public places, avoid crowds and socially distance.

"We need our community to help us to get back to our standard of care that we all have enjoyed up to this point," she said.

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Bryan Health and Cancer Partners of Nebraska announced Thursday the hiring of a doctor who has started a new gynecologic oncology specialty, a first for Lincoln.

Dr. Peter Morris, a board-certified gynecologic oncology surgeon with more than 35 years of experience in women's reproductive cancers, is one of only a few gynecologic oncology surgeons in Nebraska and the first in Lincoln, adding a much-needed specialty to the community. He is currently seeing patients at Cancer Partners of Nebraska.

Its an honor and privilege to join Cancer Partners of Nebraska to provide specialized care to a population of women who need it most, Morris said in a news release. The current state of cancer care in Lincoln is excellent and will take a significant step forward in the future with the April Sampson Cancer Center. I cant tell you how excited I am to be a part of it.

Cancer Partners of Nebraska plans to locate in the April Sampson Cancer Center, which is being built near 40th Street and Rokeby Road. The 140,000-square-foot facility, which is scheduled to open in 2023, will centralize cancer care under one roof and offer advanced technology and treatment with a healing, comfortable environment.

The addition of Dr. Morris and his gynecologic oncology specialty are a great example of fulfilling our promise to bring leading physicians and new treatments options close to home, David Reese, vice president of clinical and support services at Bryan, said in the release.

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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All India Trade Union Congress

13 January 2022

Press Statement by National Secretariat of the AITUC

Central Governments Vi settlement is criminal

Reports appearing in the newspapers (IE, 12.01.2022) regarding the Central Government converting Rs.16000 Cr interest dues from Vi (Vodafone Idea) into equity shares are shocking.

It was known that Vi owed the Government Rs.58254 Cr as Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) alone, plus penal interest for late payment. The operators (Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications) had gone to Supreme Court challenging the definition of AGR. The Governments position was "revenue" included ALL revenue, whether telecom service-related or otherwise. Supreme Court had upheld Governments position on 1.09.2020.

Then came the "big bang" reforms announcement by the Government on 1.09.2021, allowing a moratorium on payment of AGR dues by the culprit telecom service providers (TSP) of four years, prospective change in the definition of AGR in line with what TSPs wanted and allowing 100% FDI through automatic route! And also an option was given to TPSs to convert the interest on AGR dues during the four years of moratorium into equity! All the TSPs hailed the bold reforms (one reluctantly, saying more should have been done!).

Now comes the news of the Central Government already buying equity shares of Vi worth Rs 16000 Cr, at par, i.e. for Rs.10/- each when its price was below par on 14.08.2021, the cut-off date fixed by the Supreme Court! That leaves the Central Government with 35.8% shares of Vi, Vodafone Idea holding 28.5% (down from 45%) and Aditya Birla Group holding 17.8% (down from about 28%). Now the Government also owns the liability of Vi debt, that is more than Rs.2 lac Cr. To top it all, the news item reports that the current promoters "also agreed to amend the shareholder agreement and have brought down the minimum qualifying shareholding threshold from 21% to 13%, thus both, Vodafone and Aditya Birla Groups will continue to hold rights to take important decisions about the company, while it is not clear if the Government will have the right to appoint executives to the Vi board.

Why this largesse to these TSPs, when the Governments own BSNL and MTNL are starved to death? Why buy shares of a bankrupt company when the Government swears by the philosophy "the government has no business to be in business"? Why give up what is due to the Government by way of taxes and then float the insidious scheme like the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP) allegedly to raise funds for new infrastructure? What if the corporates lapping up Government assets coming out of the NMP turn around saying we cannot pay the agreed lease rent? Will the government then shamelessly announce mother of all reforms?

AITUC condemns this deal as a criminal act on the part of the Government. The Government has no right to go about waiving off taxes like this when multitude of our people are reeling under pathetic living conditions. We demand that the Government simply withdraw this anti-people step.

National Secretariat-AITUC

New Delhi

Contact nos: 9810144958, 9869201422
A Lincoln man has lost an appeal over his conviction and 10-day jail sentence for yelling racial epithets and vulgarities from his apartment balcony at two painters and a neighbor in 2019.

Kenneth Grant Jr., 52, maintained the speech was protected under the First Amendment.

At a bench trial in 2019, Grant was accused of violating two provisions under the Lincoln Municipal Code: disturbing the peace and assault or menacing threats.

Jennifer Ponce, one of the victims, testified that on July 15, 2019, she was painting a house with a colleague when Grant started yelling vulgar things at them from across the street.

Progressively, his comments got worse. Ponce said he yelled lewd comments about her body and threatened to "put bullets in your boyfriends."

Ponce said, feeling threatened, she called police.

Gregory Patterson, another of the victims, testified that this was nothing new.

"Hed always sit on the porch and holler racial slurs, all the time, towards me, towards the neighbors, even towards people walking down the street, Patterson said.

That day, he said he heard Grant shouting "Kill them all" and "send them back to Africa."

Asked whether he viewed Grant's words as threatening, Patterson, the only Black person there, said he felt Grant's comments were directed at him.

Lincoln Officer Breanna Callese said Grant admitted he had called Patterson a racial epithet and yelled at the painters that "he was going to  'light them up.'" But he maintained that saying it was protected under his First Amendment right.

Callese ticketed Grant and he was charged.

Lancaster County Court Judge Laurie Yardley found him guilty and sentenced him to serve 10 days in jail. He appealed to the district court, which affirmed the sentence, then to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Deputy Lancaster County Public Defender James Sieben contended the speech was constitutionally protected and that the government couldn't restrict it because Grant had been on his private property at the time.

And the Lincoln City Attorney's Office argued the conviction should be upheld because they were "threats and fighting words," which aren't protected.

In Friday's decision, Chief Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Michael Heavican said the broad protections afforded by the federal and state Constitutions are not absolute.

Here, he said, the prohibition against disturbing the peace makes no reference to the content of speech and or target particular speech on its face.

Heavican said Grant's speech not only occurred on his own property but also at least 50 yards across a public street and sidewalk, making it public.

So the court didn't need to analyze whether Grant's speech included fighting words or true threats.

"Because, even if Grant's speech was protected, we conclude the state may regulate it through reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of speech," he said.

Heavican said if Grant had been communicating the same content without yelling loudly down the street, for a lengthy period of time, "we find no evidence in the record that he would have been cited under this ordinance."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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DETROIT (AP)  The federal government is moving forward with a plan to let teenagers drive big rigs from state to state in a test program.

Currently, truckers who cross state lines must be at least 21 years old, but an apprenticeship program required by Congress to help ease supply chain backlogs would let 18-to-20-year-old truckers drive outside their home states.

The pilot program, detailed Thursday in a proposed regulation from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, would screen the teens, barring any with driving-while-impaired violations or traffic tickets for causing a crash.

But safety advocates say the program runs counter to data showing that younger drivers get in more crashes than older ones. They say it's unwise to let teenage drivers be responsible for rigs that can weigh 80,000 pounds and cause catastrophic damage when they hit lighter vehicles.

The apprenticeship pilot program was required by Congress as part of the infrastructure bill signed into law Nov. 15. It requires the FMCSA, which is part of the Transportation Department, to start the program within 60 days.

Keep scrolling for a look at the occupations expected to grow the most over the next decade

The American Trucking Associations, a large industry trade group, supports the measure as a way to help with a shortage of drivers. The group estimates that the nation is running over 80,000 drivers short of the number it needs, as demand to move freight reaches historic highs.

Under the apprenticeship, younger drivers can cross state lines during 120-hour and 280-hour probationary periods, as long as an experienced driver is in the passenger seat. Trucks used in the program have to have an electronic braking crash mitigation system, a forward facing video camera, and their speeds must be limited to 65 mph.

After probation, they can drive on their own, but companies have to monitor their performance until they are 21. No more than 3,000 apprentices can take part in the training at any given time.

The FMCSA must reach out to carriers with excellent safety records to take part in the program, according to the Transportation Department.

The program will run for up to three years, and the motor carrier agency has to turn in a report to Congress analyzing the safety record of the teen drivers and making a recommendation on whether the younger drivers are as safe as those 21 or older. Congress could expand the program with new laws.

The test is part of a broader set of measures from the Biden administration to deal with the trucker shortage and improve working conditions for truck drivers.

In a statement, Nick Geale, vice president of workforce safety for the trucking associations, noted 49 states and Washington, D.C., already allow drivers under 21 to drive semis, but they can't pick up a load just across a state line.

"This program creates a rigorous safety training program, requiring an additional 400 hours of advanced safety training, in which participants are evaluated against specific performance benchmarks," Geale said. The program will ensure that the industry has enough drivers to meet growing freight demands, he said.

But Peter Kurdock, general counsel for Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, said federal data shows that younger drivers have far higher crash rates than older ones. "This is no surprise to any American who drives a vehicle," he said.

Putting them behind the wheel of trucks that can weigh up to 40 tons when loaded increases the possibility of mass casualty crashes, he said.

Kurdock said the trucking industry has wanted younger drivers for years and used supply chain issues to get it into the infrastructure bill. He fears the industry will use skewed data from the program to push for teenage truckers nationwide.

***

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An Omaha man who fled to Nicaragua while awaiting trial on child enticement charges wont be going to any remote locales anytime soon.

His next destination: either Tecumseh or Lincoln. As in prison.

Douglas County District Judge J Russell Derr on Wednesday sentenced Adam Hawhee, who turns 30 on Friday, to 48 years in prison on four counts of child pornography possession, two counts of enticement and one count of failure to appear. Under state law, which cuts most sentences in half, Hawhee will have to serve 24 years before he is eligible for parole.

Hawhee had faced up to 88 years in prison.

The sentence stunned Hawhees supporters. His attorney, Michael Tasset, had noted to Derr that there was no evidence that Hawhee had ever touched a child. Several years ago, he was accused of exposing himself to a young boy. And in this case, from March 2020, he had approached two 7-year-old girls who were playing at a park near 84th Avenue and Decatur Street. The girls said he arrived in a car, rolled down the window and asked if they wanted a ride.

He told one girl that she was cute and he liked her lips, according to a detectives sworn affidavit.

Hawhee asked the girls if he could take a picture of them, but they walked away.

Investigators then went to Hawhees home with a search warrant and confiscated his computers and other electronic equipment. Prosecutors said they found more than 100 child pornography photos, some involving 3-year-olds. The images also included naked or partially clothed 7-year-olds.

Judge Derr said Hawhee was stopped in the most recent case only because the 7-year-old girls walked away.

Prosecutor Kati Kilcoin, a deputy Douglas County attorney, also had pointed out that a presentence investigation had determined that Hawhee has a substantial risk to reoffend.

The defendant is a predator, Kilcoin said. He preys on the most vulnerable in society. His crimes are offensive.

Tasset, Hawhees attorney, made a distinction.

Adam has never laid a finger on any kid at any time for any perverted reason, Tasset said. Obviously, he has had some issues in regulating his sexual-related behavior, and that is of great concern to him.

Tasset had suggested the judge could sentence Hawhee in line with what federal judges give for child pornography possession. Most federal defendants who merely possess, but dont produce, child pornography receive about five years.

Derr fashioned the sentence to give Hawhee 10 years in prison on each count but he ran those four sentences one after the other.

Tasset said Hawhees problems started with an addiction to internet porn. Tasset said Hawhee has seen therapists, even a hypnotist, to try to cure his compulsion.

Tasset said Hawhees father died in 2018, leaving him with little familial support. Hawhee said his grandmother then died in 2019. He lost his job after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, leaving him with little structure or social outlet.

I was in an even worse place psychologically, Hawhee said in court. I was in a really dark place, feeling hopeless and just alone in my struggles.

He said he plunged deeper into weird places on the internet.

I want to be remembered as a good person when I pass away, Hawhee said. Im here today because of a porn addiction that grew to more abnormal and perverse behavior, and I lost control. Everything I did (then) was out of vanity. I was fragmented psychologically.

Hawhee apologized to the girls. My actions were inappropriate and unacceptable, he said.

Both the judge and Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine noted that the child pornography counts represent a warning sign of where Hawhees behavior was headed. And, they said, each child pornography image itself involves crimes against the children pictured.

Some of the images on Hawhees computers were of children, 7 and younger. Just like the girls at the park.

But for the fact that the young girls walked away, what would have happened there? Derr asked.

And then there was the fact that Hawhee ran away while his case was pending. In August 2020, he posted $135,000 in cash to bail out of jail on the two cases. He was released in August and disappeared sometime in the fall of 2020. He was tracked down in Nicaragua and returned to the Douglas County Jail in December 2020. Because he had absconded, he had to forfeit the $135,000 bail. Forfeited bail money goes into the county treasurers coffers, and the bulk goes to a public schools fund.

The police and the U.S. Marshals Office did a tremendous job in finding him and getting him back here so we could do justice, Kleine said.

On that note, Kleine said he wants to see penalties increased for fleeing  and for child enticement. Hawhee faced a maximum of only two years in prison on that charge. Child enticement, meanwhile, carries a three-year maximum term. Both of those maximum sentences are cut in half under the state law.

The Legislature should look at those penalties, Kleine said. Anything that hurts children should be more than a three-year maximum.

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These days, we have Denzel Washington.

We have Viola Davis, Kevin Hart and Jamie Foxx. We have Octavia Spencer, Regina King and Samuel L. Jackson. We have Idris Elba, Lupita Nyongo, Taraji P. Henson, Michael B. Jordan, Mahershala Ali, Tiffany Haddish and Will Smith. We have, in other words, a bounty of bona fide, mainstream Black movie stars.

But once upon a time, we  African Americans  had only one. His name was Sidney Poitier, and he died last week at the age of 94.

Praises have been raining upon his name ever since, and deservedly so. As an actor, Poitier was known for an economy of expression and movement that could be shattered at any moment by a sudden volcanic intensity. As a social activist, he was brave, supporting the Civil Rights Movement and using his art to illuminate and explore provocative racial themes. And he was a path breaker: first African American to be voted the nations top box-office attraction, first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, which he took home for 1963s Lilies of the Field.

But to fully appreciate what Sidney Poitier meant  to us, at least  you have to understand what it was like back when he was the only one. You have to know why Jet magazine felt it necessary to run a page listing the Negro performers who would be on television that week. You have to remember how word that the Temptations or Supremes were going to be on The Ed Sullivan Show was enough to make you alert all your friends. You have to understand why Martin Luther King said, You cannot, when Nichelle Nichols told him she was leaving her role as Uhura on Star Trek.

In other words, you have to have some sense of how it was to be Black in mainstream American culture. Which is to say, largely invisible.

From the porters toting Jimmy Stewarts bags in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to the maid Mae West commands to Peel me a grape in Im No Angel, Black film characters were almost always servile and incidental, orbiting the main action like satellites until it was time to serve coffee or provide comic relief.

In a society that draws so much of its sense of the world and of itself from what it sees on screen, to be unseen there  or to be seen only in demeaning caricature  is, in a very real sense, not to exist. Culturally speaking, it is a kind of death.

In his years of greatest impact  the late 50s through the 1960s  Poitier required the movie-going world to see Black people. In those years, the Miami-born Bahamian actor was a doctor, a teacher and a soldier, a cop, a convict and a warmhearted handyman. In other words, he embodied blackness in all its shades of humanity and did so with an unyielding insistence upon his own  and therefore, upon our  dignity and worth.

As they say these days, he represented.

It is not an easy thing to represent. Indeed, it is an unfair  albeit often necessary  burden. To represent a people  to be their avatar in unwelcoming places  is to surrender some of your own prerogatives as an individual, your ability to act according to your own tastes and moods without need of calculating whether that will adversely impact the millions of people whose hopes are embodied in you.

Yet Sidney Poitier did exactly that. Indeed, he bore upon himself the needs and aspirations of an entire people with singular grace and class. For so many years, he was the only one we had.

As it turned out, he was also the only one we would need.

Leonard Pitts writes for the Miami Herald.

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In 1983, President Ronald Reagan used a new word to describe the state of the union: strong.

That word has been repeated by his successors, creeping down to the state level, where governors use it annually when welcoming a new crop of lawmakers and laying out legislative priorities.

Gov. Pete Ricketts certainly was correct to use that adjective in his State of the State address on Thursday. That being said, the governors stated legislative priorities  tax relief, prisons, water and COVID-19 relief  are critical topics.

However, on all but the last one, the governors approach misses the mark slightly.

* Tax relief: The editorial boards objection here is not with the end goal but the means. Pumping hundreds of millions of dollars annually into the Property Tax Credit fund papers over the systemic problems plaguing Nebraskas tax system while decreasing incentive needed to accomplish the heavy lifting required for results.

Nebraska has some of the highest relative property taxes in the U.S., but thats largely because of an imbalance in how theyre collected. Inadequate state funding for K-12 schools puts the onus on local school boards  and property owners  to fulfill their constitutional obligation for universal public education. Increasing state support while decreasing the levy, as has been proposed by Sen. Lynne Walz, would help immensely.

* Prisons: We remain skeptical of the need for a new prison, but we agree with the governor that pursuing policies that aim to reduce crime and recidivism shouldnt interfere with that debate.

With the nations most overcrowded prisons system, Nebraska cannot sit by and let the status quo continue. Now that some progress has been made on staffing, structural improvements must follow.

Certainly, the Nebraska State Penitentiary is showing its age. And replacing a prison is a significantly better proposal than adding a new one to the fold, as had been proposed by Ricketts last year.

Still, criminal justice reform is more than just buildings, and reducing the crowding will require changes made at both the Capitol and county courthouses.

* Water: Ricketts is absolutely right to shine a light on Nebraskas water resources.

The Platte River not only powers Nebraskas economy but provides Lincolns drinking water  and water levels have declined over the years. And Colorados explosive growth would increase demand on the river, but the devil will truly be in the details for this proposed $500 million canal project.

And the biggest talking point  a $200 million proposed lake the size of Iowa's Okoboji, to be located between Lincoln and Omaha  would conceivably reduce the risk of flooding on the Platte, but it has so few specifics and so many question marks that its difficult to address.

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Gubernatorial candidates Jim Pillen and Charles Herbster oppose vaccinations and wearing of masks. Being livestock producers, they are required to vaccinate their animals so that they can be taken to market.

I suggest they know the reasons for vaccinations, and if vaccinations are good for their livestock, why arent they good for people?

I think its probably because it seemed to have worked for Donald Trump, so perhaps they can ride his coattails to the Capitol. They seem to have forgotten that Trump has been defeated, and that Gov. Pete Ricketts, one of his biggest supporters, will soon be gone.

We need someone who is interested in establishing policies to repair the damage that COVID and Trumps tariffs have done to Nebraska's economy. I think we can do better than Herbster or Pillen. Lets give it a try.

And by the way, Trump got both vaccinations and a booster.

Bob Hardy, Lincoln

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Dont hamstring local schools

I was not surprised that in a Jan 6. press conference Gov. Pete Ricketts and Sen. Lou Ann Linehan proposed putting a cap on public schools spending. Those two have always shown disdain for Nebraskas public schools.

Here in Omahas Westside School District, we were the first district to override the Legislatures tax limit for schools back in the early 2000s, and we did it again overwhelmingly last year.

Our community regularly votes a tax increase on ourselves to fund our schools the way we deem appropriate.

Republicans like Ricketts and Linehan refuse to listen to those who argue funding of schools belongs to the locals. Instead they pay heed to the farmers and ranchers out west who constantly complain about their property taxes.

My advice to Linehan and Ricketts is to tell those complainers to just clam up and pay their taxes. City folk have no sympathy for large landowners who get loads of crop subsidies from the federal government.

I hope the Legislature will defeat any bill that puts more limits on public school finances.

Ricky Fulton, Omaha

Voting should be made easier

A recent letter, Stamp out voter fraud, (Jan. 5) was very interesting. The author suggests that eliminating absentee or mail-in voting and requiring voter IDs will enhance voting security in the United States.

Id agree that voter IDs would be fine, provided they are furnished at no cost to anyone needing one.

As to eliminating absentee or mail-in voting, how would this impact the residents of Knox, Cedar and Dixon counties in Nebraska, which currently have 100% mail-in voting? We also shouldnt forget that five U.S. states (Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Hawaii) have 100% mail-in voting.

Donald Trumps own attorney general, William Barr, found there was no voter fraud in the 2020 election which would have changed the results. Trumps own Department of Homeland Security found that the 2020 election was the most safe and secure election in history.

Of course, when these findings go against the false narrative thats been created about the election being rigged, stolen, or that voter fraud is rampant, its convenient to ignore such findings.

Perhaps a better approach which might enable more voters to vote in person would be to either change Election Day to occur on a weekend (as is the case in many Western democracies) or to make Election Day a national holiday (as is currently done in France, South Korea, Israel, Mexico, India and Singapore). This would enable more of our citizens to exercise their right to vote.

We need to look at ways to make it easier to participate in our democracy, not to make it more difficult.

William Davenport,

Lincoln

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The discovery: Water vapor in the atmosphere of planet TOI-674 b.

Key facts: This recently discovered planet, a bit bigger than Neptune and orbiting a red-dwarf star about 150 light-years away, places it in an exclusive club: exoplanets, or planets around other stars, known to have water vapor in their atmospheres. Many questions remain, such as how much water vapor its atmosphere holds. But TOI-674 b's atmosphere is far easier to observe than those of many exoplanets, making it a prime target for deeper investigation.

Details: The planet's distance, size and relationship to its star make it especially accessible to spaceborne telescopes. At 150 light-years, it's considered "nearby" in astronomical terms. The star itself, relatively cool and less than half as big around as our Sun, can't be seen from Earth with the naked eye, but this too translates into an advantage for astronomers. As the comparatively large planet - in a size-class known as "super Neptune" - crosses the face of its smallish star, starlight shining through its atmosphere can be more easily analyzed by our telescopes. Those equipped with special instruments called spectrographs - including the just-launched James Webb Space Telescope - can spread this light into a spectrum, revealing which gases are present in the planet's atmosphere.

The discovery grew from a partnership between the tried-and-true Hubble Space Telescope and TESS, NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, launched in 2018. The planet was first found by TESS, then its light spectrum was measured by Hubble. Data from the now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope also helped astronomers tease out some of the planet's atmospheric components. If the Webb telescope, once it's up and running, is turned on TOI-674 b, it should be able to examine the planet's atmosphere in far more detail.

Only three other Neptune-sized exoplanets have had aspects of their atmospheres revealed so far, though the advent of telescopes like Webb promises a golden age in the study of exoplanet atmospheres.

Fun facts: The new planet can claim membership in another exclusive group: inhabitants of the so-called "Neptune Desert." TOI-674 b orbits its small star so tightly that a "year" on this planet, once around the star, takes less than two days. But among the thousands of exoplanets confirmed in our galaxy so far, a strange pattern has emerged: Planets in the size-class between Neptune and Jupiter are extremely rare in orbits of three days or less. The rarity of such planets, and the analysis of those that do turn up, could provide important clues to the formation of planetary systems in general - including our own.

The discoverers: An international team of scientists, led by Jonathan Brande of the University of Kansas, contributed to the discovery of water vapor on TOI-674 b. They included researchers from the NASA Ames Research Center and from IPAC and other research centers at Caltech.

Astrobiology

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A recent article entitled Trump invites a GOP challenge to Bacon, (Jan. 5), quotes Donald Trump as saying, Saving America starts by saving the GOP from RINOs, sellouts and known losers."

By RINO (Republican in name only), he apparently means anyone who does not toe the GOP party line. Evidently, dissent is not welcome in his accounting. This attitude both guarantees and enforces ignorance.

By sellouts, I assume he means anyone who respects and accommodates the views of others who have different life experiences. This shows he does not understand or appreciate his own limitations, which is another example of his vaulting arrogance (Only I can fix it).

And evidently, known losers are those he can beat up with impunity, which once again demonstrates he is a bully who tries to intimidate or destroy all who stand in his way.

Contrast this with the character of Jesus Christ, who took on himself the form of a servant, and dwelt among us ... full of grace and truth. Humility, grace and truth versus arrogance, intimidation and ignorance. The contrast could not be greater.

As a Republican and as a Christian, I reject Donald Trump based on his character, regardless of his policies. His own words condemn him, and his leadership has taken us down a very dark path, as his character dictates.

Congratulations to Don Bacon, who evidently took one or more positions that displeased Trump. I hope he wears that displeasure as a badge of honor. I wish more politicians would do the same more often.

Dayle McDermitt, Lincoln

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James Hulce, a college student and resident of Waukesha County, was in an online chatroom late one night when a fellow student started to make dark and disturbing comments.

Recalling a seminar he attended from the Wisconsin Office of Childrens Mental Health, alarm bells rang in his head, and he knew this behavior could signify a mental health crisis.

He attempted to get the attention of other users, moderators and assistants, but none responded at the late hour.

At that point I had to make a decision: Do I try to take action myself, or should I just go on? Besides, I didnt know this individual  surely someone closer to them will be much better positioned to intervene, Hulce said. Despite my doubts, I knew that I couldnt turn away.

Hulce asked the person if he or she was thinking about hurting or killing him or herself. The person said yes.

Hulce offered peer support and reassurance through conversation that night and beyond. He helped that student develop a safety plan and connected with university resources. Two months later, he helped another student in a similar situation.

Directly asking about suicidal thoughts or self-harm sounds intimidating and taboo, but actually enables the conversation by expressing your concern and overcoming shame, Hulce said. We need to build check-ins into our routines. Save time for these necessary conversations in your work and personal life. You could be the one to make the difference for someone else.

Stepping in to help children, teens and young adults in distress is something the Wisconsin OCMH has long been working towards. OCMHs goal for 2022 is to foster social connectedness of youth, making sure youth are socially connected, actively engaged in positive relationships and feel they belong, are safe, cared for, valued and supported.

OCMH Director Linda Hall discussed the offices annual report via a Zoom web conference Tuesday morning on the status of childrens mental health in Wisconsin, concerning trends and what people can do to improve youths well-being.

The annual report additionally highlighted OCMH activities throughout the year, such as trauma-informed care trainings for the workforce, listening sessions for youth and clinicians and the creation of tools and resources to help families address concerns they may have for their children.

Hulce is a Lived Experience partner and just started at OCMHs new Lived Experience Academy. The OCMH Lived Experience Partners are parents and young people taking part in a three-year program to build knowledge and connections in childrens mental health.

The first Youth Mental Health First Aid training event he attended happened just days before the fellow student made the disturbing comments.

Office of Childrens Mental Health Director Linda Hall called Hulces role in helping his fellow student heroic.

You have made such a profound difference in these young peoples lives, and you are an example for all of us, Hall said.

Pandemic has been rough on kids

Pandemic-related disruptions have upended life for many children and families throughout Wisconsin, and deepened existing disparities, Hall said.

Hall said there is much more people can do to support youth to be healthy in body and mind.

Were really going to be calling on people to come together and get engaged even more in terms of addressing this crisis, she said.

Adult mental health needs have decreased from earlier points in the pandemic, yet remain high, the report said. At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, almost half of Wisconsin parents reported frequently feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. Hall said that is very concerning.

Parental stress is another critical factor because when parents are stressed, kids pick up on it and often become more anxious, Hall said.

In the first few months of 2021, about 40% of Wisconsin families with children reported losing employment income due to the pandemic, according to data from OCMH.

Housing stability additionally remained a concern for many families. In 2021, 10% to 15% of Wisconsin families with children reported little to no confidence in their ability to pay the next months rent or mortgage. National data show that Latinx and black families have been hit particularly hard, the report said.

At least one-third of Wisconsins emerging adults, those ages 18-24, experienced anxiety most days from October 2020 to September 2021.

The pandemic has been rough on kids, especially kids and families experiencing lost income, housing instability or food insecurity, Hall said.

State and OCMH stepping in

First Lady Kathy Evers said childrens mental health is very important to her and state administration. Social and emotional learning and mental health are listed under her initiatives as first lady on Gov. Tony Evers website.

Kathy called childrens mental health a top priority for administration throughout the pandemic. Tony invested $19 million in the state budget for student mental health plus more than $150 million in federal funds to the schools and out-of-school programs.

In 2022, we want to continue to work with communities on improving the mental health of our children, Kathy said. As Tony has always said, whats best for our kids is whats best for our state.

The 2021-2023 biennial budget increased funding to reimburse school districts for school social workers from $6 million to $12 million. Hall acknowledged this state investment, and said that its made a difference, but the current supply still does not meet the youth treatment demands.

All this is so concerning, because we know that untreated mental illness as a child has lifelong negative effects for adult health and well-being, she said. We need increased attention, collaboration and support from state, county and community leaders to address this crisis.

Karen Katz, operations lead for OCMH discussed what the office has done to help Wisconsinites, including a mental health crisis card: a wallet-sized card to help people in a mental health crisis or agitated state to be able to communicate what will calm them.

OCMH additionally partnered with the Department of Public Instruction and developed free lesson plans on mental health for grades 3-12.

Theres also a feelings thermometer that promotes understanding and managing feelings in a very user-friendly way, Katz said. It basically identifies ways to shift your mood to feeling happy, calm and content.

Other resources include fact sheets, service guides, an image library, trauma-informed care training and support for families. All resources can be found on the OCMH website, children.wi.gov, and many of them are available in multiple languages.

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RACINE  Seventeen months after 30 gravesites were defaced at Mound Cemetery in Racine, two people have been charged for their alleged involvement in the destruction.

Kaitlyn B. Armstrong, 19, from Oak Creek, and Brandon S. Pfeifer, 20, of the 5200 block of Willowview Road, Caledonia, were each charged with a felony count of criminal damage to cemetery/mortuary.

According to a criminal complaint:

On July 31, 2020, an officer was sent to Mound Cemetery, 1147 West Blvd., for a vandalism complaint. The officer was advised that people overnight of the previous day had destroyed around 30 gravesites.

Multiple veteran, floral and other displays had been removed and thrown about.

Upon arrival, officers photographed the scene and located fingerprints on two of 24 damaged headstones. The prints had been submitted to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System for matches.

On Dec. 27, 2021, AFIS returned a hit on the fingerprints and one of the suspects was identified as Armstrong. An investigator was able to locate Armstrongs Facebook page and saw she had shared a post regarding the damage to the headstones. GPS information acquired by police showed that her phone was in the area of Mound Cemetery the night of the incident. It also showed that she called Pfeifer during that timeframe.

An investigator found Armstrong at her residence in Oak Creek. She told the investigator that she was at the cemetery the night of the vandalism. She said that she was with Pfeifer and another individual who was Pfeifers friend.

She and Pfeifer began to fight in the cemetery and she pushed him into a headstone, breaking it. Pfeifer then ran off screaming and broke other headstones. When asked to explain why her prints were on the headstone, she said I mean, Im not going to lie, I do admit, Im not going to say, I dont even know if it was an accident or just something I could push him into. It happened, and I did that.

Pfeifer was also located and taken into custody.

He admitted to being at the cemetery with Armstrong and his friend. He said he had used acid (LSD) and marijuana that night. He claimed that his friend was doing all the damage to the headstones and that he should have called police but he ran because he was scared. When confronted with Armstrongs story, he changed his and said he had been doing drugs and called Armstrong to come over. He then said his friend and Armstrong did most of the damage.

Court documents indicate the friend has been identified, but has not been arrested.

Both Armstrong and Pfeifer were given a $1,000 signature bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Friday. Both have a preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 19 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave., online court records show.

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RACINE  One of the most serious challenges for the Racine Fire Department recently has been in the sharp increase of COVID-19 cases.

On a daily basis, were transporting a number of COVID-positive cases, Chief Steve Hansen told a city committee Monday. We see that continuing to rise due to our low vaccination rate in the city.

Only a little more than half of Racine residents are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Across Wisconsin, 58.6% of residents completed their initial vaccine series (two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine), irrelevant of whether they received a booster dose. In Racine County, that percentage drops to 55.8%. In the City of Racine, the percentage drops further, to 53.2%.

Data show that vaccines work. According to November data from the state Department of Health Services:

Unvaccinated people are five times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 than the vaccinated in Wisconsin.

Unvaccinated people are more likely to be hospitalized than vaccinated people by a ratio of 11 to 1.

For every one vaccinated person who dies of COVID-19, 12 unvaccinated people are dying in Wisconsin.

To find a place close to you to get vaccinated, visit vaccines.gov.

Hansen also said the patients were not necessarily all seniors but also included youth as young as 15 and 16 whose primary issue was difficulty breathing related to COVID exposures.

What were seeing with omicron is the virus is settling in the upper respiratory tract more ... causing cold-like symptoms and, anecdotally, more croup associated with it, Dr. James Antoon, a pediatrician at the Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt, told a Denver TV station about how younger people are suffering more severe symptoms due to COVID-19 of late.

Croup often causes trouble breathing in young children, especially those under the age of 5.

Of young people getting sick, thats going to go on for a while, Hansen said, until we get the omicron variant under control, and the delta variant, too.

Spiking

More people than ever before are testing positive for COVID-19. From March 2020 through November 2021, there was never a single day where 8,000 positive tests were confirmed in Wisconsin. Since Dec. 1, thats happened 11 times; more than 10,000 positive tests have been confirmed in one day eight times, including more than 13,000 for the first time Wednesday.

As a result, hospitals are more full than ever.

The Wisconsin Health Association reported Wednesday that there were 2,278 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide. Thats up from 1,724 on Jan. 1, 1,406 on Dec. 1 and 895 on Oct. 30.

There are around 25 deaths attributed to COVID-19 per day in Wisconsin right now. Last summer, the average was often closer to zero than it was to one. The states peak in seven-day average deaths per day was 54.

Not just COVID-19

There are other medical emergencies on the rise daily locally, the RFD reported. They include an increase in calls for people who are experiencing other medical emergencies like strokes, broken bones, trauma, cancer, and bleeding disorders in addition to difficulty breathing or who are pulseless nonbreathers.

Hansen explained these types of emergencies require more than two paramedics, along with calls that require critical care life support, such as heart attacks.

Those have gone up over time, Hansen said, adding that there were 262 pulseless non-breathing calls in 2021 with an additional 10,069 medical emergency calls covering almost everything else.

Adam Rogan of The Journal Times contributed to this report.

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A man wanted for first-degree murder in Chicago was arrested in Racine on Friday morning by the Racine Police Department SWAT team, according to an RPD news release.

Jaran M. Hughes, 20, of Chicago was apprehended in the 4000 block of Erie Street by the SWAT team due to the belief that he was armed and dangerous, Sgt. Kristi Wilcox, the RPD public information officer, said in the release.

Earlier this week, the Chicago Police Department contacted the RPD/Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Violent Crime Task Force, indicating that a person wanted for first-degree murder was possibly hiding within RPDs jurisdiction, Wilcox said. Over the past couple days, a cooperative investigation involving the ATF, RPD and CPD led to the successful apprehension of Hughes at about 5:50 a.m.

No suspect or officers were injured during this operation.

Racine Police investigators are interested in any additional information that anyone may have about this incident. Any witnesses, or citizens with information, are urged to call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at (262) 635-7756.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers by phone at (262) 636-9330, or through the Crime Stoppers app by using the p3 app.

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RACINE  The loss of nine positions in the Racine Fire Department under last years city budget is creating a number of challenges now, not the least of which was that the reduction in personnel came at a time when demand was increasing, especially with COVID-positive patients.

Nobody was fired because of the elimination of those positions, but the fire department was not able to add staff, either. The 2022 budget could have seen further cuts if it werent for federal stimulus from the American Rescue Plan Act afforded to the City of Racine, Mayor Cory Mason said.

Chief Steve Hansen said that in the first 10 days of 2022 there were 375 calls for service. If things continue at that rate, the RFD could end the year with approximately 13,600 calls for service, a substantial increase over 2021s 12,348 dispatches.

Hansen was before the citys Finance and Personnel Committee to discuss an opportunity to restore the nine positions through the federal Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program, a.k.a. SAFER.

Hansen announced his intention to pursue $3.2 million in grant funding, which would cover fiscal years through 2025. There is no cost share or match required. After 2025, the city would then be required to keep on the firefighters and/or paramedics hired through use of the grant.

As such, should nine people be hired using the federal dollars, the city would be obligated to continue funding those positions even after the grant expires.

Paramedics

In response to the personnel reduction in the citys 2022 budget, the RFD decreased the number of paramedics in each rescue squad from three to two.

If the nature of the call required more personnel, such as someones life being in danger or there being multiple people in need of treatment, a first responder engine company or a second ambulance would also be dispatched.

As one example, if a person is having a heart attack or is found to be what is known as a pulseless nonbreather, one paramedic would be needed on the defibrillator while a second paramedic prepared the I.V. for the administration of medicines, while a third paramedic or EMT (emergency medical technician) performed chest compressions.

A fourth responder would then need to drive the ambulance to the hospital.

Response times worsening

Hansen said the result of reduced crews at a time when demand was up created delays in response time. On a typical day in 2022, ambulances are often running from call to call to keep up with the communitys medical calls for help in addition to any structural fires that occur without downtime, he noted.

What occurred in 2021 was our emergency response times for our first on scene unit to an emergency medical call has gone up by a minute-and-a-half to almost two minutes, he said.

It is also not clear the reduction saved money. If reduced crews means there are times other emergency vehicles have to be dispatched to assist, that may ultimately cost more.

Hansen has been collecting data on that issue that includes a five-year period and expects to release the results in a week or two.

Should the RFD receive the grant, the fire department will change its staffing pattern to accommodate the ever-increasing call volume for emergency medical services.

But, the grant expires in three years. What then?

The SAFER grant gives the fire department the opportunity to pursue other funding opportunities to sustain the delivery of EMS down the road.

Should it be necessary, the fire department will have 28 EMTs and paramedics eligible for retirement, so they might be able to find cost savings on personnel through attrition at the conclusion of the SAFER grant, Hansen told the committee.

Grant

SAFER was established in 2001. Since then, 1,887 grants have been awarded to the tune of $319.5 million.

As was noted in the briefing documents provided to committee members, this grant is a highly competitive program with fire departments across the nation competing for a limited amount of funding.

The grants are open to fire departments in all 50 states and U.S. protectorates, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, etc, as well as federally recognized Indian tribes.

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MINNEAPOLIS  The track of a big storm system that will hit hard from the upper Midwest to the South and up the East Coast has shifted slightly east, meaning more snow for western Wisconsin, according to forecasters. But Racine County and the rest of southeast Wisconsin are expected to only receive light snowfall.

National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Stumpf said southwestern Wisconsin will see snow totals below 2 inches, while other areas will see a trace to an inch. Along Lake Michigan in eastern Wisconsin, persistent northeasterly winds will result in a band of light lake effect snow that may push back out over the lake for a period of time.

Heavy snow spread Friday across a large swath of the Midwest, where travel conditions deteriorated and scores of schools closed or moved to online instruction.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for parts of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and Illinois, where forecasters were expecting up to 10 inches of fresh snow.

The Saskatchewan screamer storm could leave up to foot of snow across six states, with snowfall rates hitting 1 to 3 inches per hour, AccuWeather said.

"A Saskatchewan screamer is similar to an Alberta clipper, except that it forms in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan," AccuWeather meteorologist Jessica Storm said.

La Crosse could 1 to 2 inches Friday and less than a half-inch Friday night, the Weather Service said.

Dubuque, Iowa on the Mississippi River along far southwest Wisconsin is under a winter weather advisory through 6 a.m. Saturday, with 3 to 5 inches of snow expected.

A winter storm warning is in effect west of a line from Independence, through Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Burlington in Iowa and Carthage, Illinois, with snow totals of 4 to 8 inches common over portions of eastern Iowa, northeast Missouri, and far west central Illinois. Double-digit totals are possible toward central Iowa.

"This snow will combine with gusty winds to produce slippery, snow covered roads and significantly reduced visibility," the Weather Service said on Twitter. "Travel will likely become hazardous to dangerous at times."

The fast-moving storm may make travel difficult across parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest into the Mid-Mississippi Valley through Saturday morning, forecasters said.

Several southern states along with portions of the Northeast were bracing for the possibility of snow and ice over the weekend.

In the Midwest, Southwest Airlines warned of possible flight cancellations, diversions and delays Friday and Saturday at airports in St. Louis, the Twin Cities, Kansas, Des Moines, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.

"The duration of snowfall is likely to be from 14 to 20 hours in most locations which should allow for widespread accumulation of over 4 inches and some locations exceeding 8 or more inches," the weather service in Des Moines said.

Motorists traveling on Interstate 94 near Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota reported that the road had packed ice and snow, with driving speeds Friday morning down to about 45 mph or slower.

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The clock is ticking before the next election and we as a state have failed again to take action  putting us again in position to have last-minute election drama.

Going into an election with multiple races, all candidates and races should be subject to the same rules. Those rules should be clear. And election officials shouldnt have to worry about the rules changing at the last minute.

That is not the case.

The spring primary is about four weeks away on Feb. 15, followed by the April 5 spring election.

This is not a presidential election year and statewide general elections are not until November. But the April elections are just as important, with residents deciding who runs cities, counties and school districts. Now more than ever those races are so important.

Yet there is still uncertainty going into the elections, on issues like voter drop boxes and how clerks can correct absentee ballots missing a witness full address. Some things vary from municipality to municipality.

For instance, according to the Wisconsin Election Commissions website, its up to each municipality if they want to use ballot absentee ballot drop boxes.

The use of secure absentee ballot drop boxes is an accepted elections practice in the United States that far predates the 2020 elections cycle  Until the courts or legislature address this matter that remains a local decision, the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) states on its website.

As for how to fix an absentee ballot with missing witness information there is also ambiguity.

When the Wisconsin Election Commission met in December they directed staff to prepare drafts with guidance, one that mirrors current guidance and a best alternative proposal. Both were to be prepared for the March 9, 2022 commission meeting, which is about a month after the February primary.

On top of that, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, of which Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater is the co-chairman, voted on Monday, Jan. 10, to require the WEC to submit emergency rules within 30 days or cease issuing directives on ballot drop boxes and guidance on correction of errors and omissions on absentee ballots. And if the WEC does make rules, Nass has warned that his committee has the power to suspend parts or all of those rules if the committee determines the agency lacks statutory authority.

The WEC is now scheduled to meet Jan. 28 to consider the committees recent request to draft emergency administrative rules or withdraw existing guidance related to drop boxes and fixing absentee ballot errors, according to Riley Vetterkind, public information officer for the WEC.

That leaves a lot of uncertainty leading up to the spring primary and election.

It shouldnt have been this way. It shouldnt have come down to the wire like this.

Our state leaders need to do better. We dont need this drama leading into elections.

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Copperas Cove, TX (76522)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 67F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Scientists have shown how the freezing of a 'slushy' ocean of magma may be responsible for the composition of the Moon's crust.

The scientists, from the University of Cambridge and the Ecole normale superieure de Lyon, have proposed a new model of crystallisation, where crystals remained suspended in liquid magma over hundreds of millions of years as the lunar 'slush' froze and solidified. The results are reported in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

Over fifty years ago, Apollo 11 astronauts collected samples from the lunar Highlands. These large, pale regions of the Moon - visible to the naked eye - are made up of relatively light rocks called anorthosites. Anorthosites formed early in the history of the Moon, between 4.3 and 4.5 billion years ago.

Similar anorthosites, formed through the crystallisation of magma, can be found in fossilised magma chambers on Earth. Producing the large volumes of anorthosite found on the Moon, however, would have required a huge global magma ocean.

Scientists believe that the Moon formed when two protoplanets, or embryonic worlds, collided. The larger of these two protoplanets became the Earth, and the smaller became the Moon. One of the outcomes of this collision was that the Moon was very hot - so hot that its entire mantle was molten magma, or a magma ocean.

"Since the Apollo era, it has been thought that the lunar crust was formed by light anorthite crystals floating at the surface of the liquid magma ocean, with heavier crystals solidifying at the ocean floor," said co-author Chloe Michaut from Ecole normale superieure de Lyon. "This 'flotation' model explains how the lunar Highlands may have formed."

However, since the Apollo missions, many lunar meteorites have been analysed and the surface of the Moon has been extensively studied. Lunar anorthosites appear more heterogeneous in their composition than the original Apollo samples, which contradicts a flotation scenario where the liquid ocean is the common source of all anorthosites.

The range of anorthosite ages - over 200 million years - is difficult to reconcile with an ocean of essentially liquid magma whose characteristic solidification time is close to 100 million years.

"Given the range of ages and compositions of the anorthosites on the Moon, and what we know about how crystals settle in solidifying magma, the lunar crust must have formed through some other mechanism," said co-author Professor Jerome Neufeld from Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics.

Michaut and Neufeld developed a mathematical model to identify this mechanism.

In the low lunar gravity, the settling of crystal is difficult, particularly when strongly stirred by the convecting magma ocean. If the crystals remain suspended as a crystal slurry, then when the crystal content of the slurry exceeds a critical threshold, the slurry becomes thick and sticky, and the deformation slow.

This increase of crystal content occurs most dramatically near the surface, where the slushy magma ocean is cooled, resulting in a hot, well-mixed slushy interior and a slow-moving, crystal-rich lunar 'lid'.

"We believe it's in this stagnant 'lid' that the lunar crust formed, as lightweight, anorthite-enriched melt percolated up from the convecting crystalline slurry below," said Neufeld. "We suggest that cooling of the early magma ocean drove such vigorous convection that crystals remained suspended as a slurry, much like the crystals in a slushy machine."

Enriched lunar surface rocks likely formed in magma chambers within the lid, which explains their diversity. The results suggest that the timescale of lunar crust formation is several hundreds of million years, which corresponds to the observed ages of the lunar anorthosites.

Serial magmatism was initially proposed as a possible mechanism for the formation of lunar anorthosites, but the slushy model ultimately reconciles this idea with that of a global lunar magma ocean.

The research was supported by the European Research Council.

Jerome Neufeld is also affiliated with the Department of Earth Sciences. He is a Fellow of Trinity College.

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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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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. NW winds shifting to ENE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Volunteers with the Westby Snowflake Ski Club are gearing up to host the 99th annual Snowflake Ski Jump Tournament, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21 and 22.

This years tournament is being held in January instead of February because of the Winter Olympics, Scott Yttri, a member of the club, said. Another reason, he said, was to hold one big weekend of ski jumping by combining the junior and big hill tournaments.

This way the young kids get to see the big kids jump, he said.

Yttri said they are expecting about 25 jumpers from the United States, Norway and Slovenia, and possibly Finland, to compete both Friday night and Saturday. He said the club wont know for sure which countries will be represented or the number of jumpers until the athletes start arriving in Westby.

Skiers start to arrive in Thursday, Jan. 20, and will meet their host families at the Rod & Gun Club for hospitality night.

The annual kickoff breakfast will be held at Borgens Cafe in Westby, Friday, Jan. 21. The buffet meal will be served from 7 to 10 a.m.

Competition begins on the 90-meter hill Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m., with the opening ceremonies set for 6:30 p.m. The band High Mileage will be performing at the Rod & Gun Club following the competition.

Saturday, Jan. 22, starts with the junior ski jumping tournament beginning at 9:45 a.m. with the opening ceremony, followed by the competition at 10 a.m. The young skiers will be jumping on the 5-, 10-, 20- and 40-meter hills.

The large hill ski jumping tournament continues at 1 p.m.; the opening ceremony is set for 12:30 p.m. The long-standing jump and awards will take place after the competition.

The 2022 Westby Snowflake Royalty will be on hand to welcome skiers and spectators alike. The court includes Queen Isabella Bella Turben, daughter of Lisa Kabat and Eric Turben, First Attendant Kara Ofte, daughter of Deb Ofte and Rod Ofte, and Second Attendant Rhianna Steiger daughter of Sara and Tony Steiger.

The ski club is one of nearly a dozen other clubs in the Central Division, which is made up of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois, that hosts ski jumping competitions throughout the winter. According to the clubs website, its one of the two remaining all volunteer large hill ski jumping clubs in the Western hemisphere.

The Snowflake Ski Jumping Complex is located at E7940 County Road P, Westby.

2022 buttons

General admission buttons are available at various locations in the area prior to the tournament for $15. Buttons in the outlying areas will be picked up by Thursday, Jan. 20. A list of locations with presale buttons can be found on the ski clubs website and Facebook page. The buttons will cost $20 at the gate; 12 and under are free. The buttons are good for both days of competition and admission to Friday nights music.

A Gold Button is also available for $50. This years Gold Button is in memory of Arne and Terri Haugen. Arne was on the Norwegian Ski Team and won several national ski jumping tournaments after moving to the United State. Terrie was a Snowflake Ski Club Queen, and both were very involved in the club.

Proceeds from the Gold Button support the sport of ski jumping in the community. People can get their Gold Buttons by contacting the club on its Facebook page, at the Snowflake Clubhouse in Timber Coulee or at the gate during the tournament.

There is free military/veterans admission. The Snowflake Ski Club, along with Logistics Health Incorporated, continue to show support for U.S. service men and women by allowing all current and former military service members and their spouses to be admitted free of charge to the tournament.

To gain admission, each veteran or service member will need to show one of the following with a photo ID: a current military ID card, VFW card, Legion card, DAV current membership card, or DD 214 Form (record of discharge). Children under the age of 18 whose parent is currently on active duty in the National Guard or Reserves or is retired from any branch of the military is also admitted free. Each service member will be given a special button to be worn on their clothing to indicate their military affiliation. Visit www.snowflakeskiclub.com for more information.

All of the buttons were design by Amy (Kotek) Jankowski.

More information about the tournament can be found on the clubs website and Facebook page.

Angela Cina can be reached at angie.cina@lee.net.

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A collection of 270 medical professionals reportedly signed an open letter to Spotify asking the media platform to rein in Joe Rogan, its most listened to podcaster, whom they accuse of promoting junk science with regards to the COVID pandemic.

Their chief complaint is aimed at a Dec. 31 episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" featuring right-wing media darling Dr. Robert Malone, who is a COVID-vaccine skeptic.

The group behind the letter  first published by Rolling Stone  describes itself as a "coalition of scientists, medical professionals, professors, and science communicators spanning a wide range of fields such as microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, and neuroscience."

Their concerns include that year-ending program with Malone, which has "been criticized for promoting baseless conspiracy theories" on a podcast those experts accuse of having a "concerning history of broadcasting misinformation."

Among the things Malone asserted during his visit with Rogan was that "mass formation psychosis" is leading people to get vaccinated against the deadly and highly contagious coronavirus, which has killed more than 800,000 Americans since early 2020. Malone, who did not have a hand in developing COVID vaccines, was involved in early research of mRNA technology more that 20 years ago. mRNA technology is at the core of Pfizer and Moderna's tested and effective vaccination shots.

"Though Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, the company presently has no misinformation policy," the team of medical experts writes in its letter.

Malone was suspended from Twitter earlier this month for violating its rules regarding the dissemination of misinformation. YouTube removed a clip of his interview with Rogan for the same reason.

"The average age of (The Joe Rogan Experience) listeners is 24 years old and according to data from Washington State, unvaccinated 12-34 year olds are 12 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID than those who are fully vaccinated," Rogan's critics state in their missive.

The medical experts charge that the spreading of bad science is a "sociological issue of devastating proportions" and blames Spotify for giving bogus information a home. They call on the platform to "immediately establish a clear and public policy to moderate misinformation on its platform."

Spotify did not respond to a Daily News request for comment about the letter from the 270 medical professionals.

Speaking on his own behalf, Rogan told listeners last year that they should not come to him for medical advice.

"I'm not a doctor, I'm a f---ing moron," he said during in April podcast. "I'm not a respected source of information, even for me."

The 54-year-old podcaster admitted to his 11 million listeners that he doesn't usually think about what he's going to say before he speaks. Rogan is described on his website as a "stand up comic, mixed martial arts fanatic, psychedelic adventurer, host of the 'Joe Rogan Experience' podcast."

____

2022 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
City officials have asked Mayo Clinic Health System to provide more documents and expanded plans before approval for a new building project is considered.

Mayo representatives and their contractor on Friday morning met virtually with the City of La Crosse commercial/multi-family design review committee to present plans for a possible expansion and renovation of the hospital. Funding for the project has not yet been fully approved by Mayo, and meeting with the committee was in preparation of beginning construction pending internal approvals.

Mayos proposal includes construction of a a six story, plus basement, addition to the Center for Advanced Medicine and Surgery (CAMS) building. The addition would be approximately 290,000 square feet and include medical/surgical beds, ICU beds, a newborn/mom unit, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy procedural units, rooftop helistop and more.

The proposed renovation would not expand on services or add beds but is designed to modernize the inpatient environment with single-person rooms and closer proximity to the operating rooms in the CAMS.

Members of the commercial/multi-family design review committee requested updated and enhanced plans from Mayo before considering approval, with Stephanie Sward, city traffic engineer, seeking a construction traffic control plan and the inclusion of the required number of ADA compliant parking spaces and entrances. The hospital will not be allowed to fully close West Ave. for construction, Sward said, with at least one lane each way open at all times, and the neighboring Walgreens store must be informed by Mayo of its plans to temporarily close Mississippi St. during the building phase.

Chief building inspector David Reinhart stated Mayo would need permits for all signs and fences, and is requiring a parking study for the entire Mayo campus to make sure the number of spaces is sufficient. More information is also need for the proposed bike locker structure.

The submitted stormwater plans, said city engineer Yuri Nasonovs, need to be expanded and demonstrate compliance with chapter 105 (stormwater erosion control). Water quality plans must also be updated for additional review.

Tim Acklin, senior planner, said he had no issues with the building or with the required green space setbacks. If all requested/updated documents are submitted in time, the committee will add the Mayo project to the Jan. 31 calendar for continued review.

Should the request for zoning review and project plan receive City approval, and Mayo consents to funding, construction is proposed to start March 2022. Dr. Paul Mueller, regional vice president, Mayo Clinic Health System Southwest Wisconsin, told the Tribune in a statement earlier this week the project is one component of a larger revitalization plan for the La Crosse campus that will include updated facilities, more green space and greater connectivity to our neighbors.

Emily Pyrek can be reached at emily.pyrek@lee.net.

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It was a classic debate of cat vs. bird at the La Crosse Common Council meeting Thursday night.

The council ultimately adopted a change in law that will aim to fix and vaccinate stray cats, but not before questioning what impact it might have on the bird population.

The ordinance change specifically authorizes the Coulee Region Humane Society (CRHS) to target areas in the city where known groups of community cats, or strays, reside and capture them to be treated. The goal will be to rehome them, but those that are not able to be adopted will then be released back into the community.

These cats will have a small piece of the tip of their ear removed to identify that theyve been treated.

Its another tool in the toolbox as council president Barb Janssen said, as the CRHS currently euthanizes strays that are unable to find homes.

But some officials were hesitant about the program after research was shared with council members about the impact similar initiatives and stray cats in general have on bird populations.

A Georgetown University biology professor told WIZM News this week that the plan was a horrible idea, an interview that council members referenced directly. The professor highlighted a number of issues with the program, but council members were largely concerned with birds, of which 1.3 to 4 billion are killed annually by cats a year, according to the professor.

Theres more than just cats at stake here, council member Scott Neumeister said.

Council member Mackenzie Mindel agreed, saying that she supported the program but wondered if the consequences were fully fleshed out.

I dont disagree with doing trap-neuter-vaccinate-release. I like that, and Im also noticing that maybe we need a little bit more, Mindel said.

CRHS executive director Heather Drievold said that the goal of the program is to ultimately try and reduce the number of cats that are without homes in the community.

Were not trying to add more cats, were trying to hold up the reproduction of what is out there already, Drievold said.

The humane society currently takes in over 500 stray cats from the city every year, and often times those cats are pregnant, adding to the total.

But before this legislation change, trapping has only been done for nuisance cats or when there are problems, and healthy, non-disruptive stray cats largely go untouched  and unvaccinated and able to reproduce.

This new program will now become more targeted to help fix and give medical care to more cats beyond just nuisance cases, which would help reduce the amount of new cats born as strays.

Cats would also be released back into targeted areas where officials are aware of community caregivers who provide food and other care for the strays.

Officials emphasized that adoption is always the first goal for cats that are brought into the shelter, and that the city is not ceasing euthanasia through this legislation change, but it is likely to decrease with this program.

A proposal to refer the ordinance change for a month failed and it was ultimately adopted on Thursday with Neumeister the only council member in opposition.

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Two Japanese appointed as honourary consuls general of Vietnam

Two Japanese have been appointed as Honourary Consuls General of Vietnam in Nagoya and Mie cities who pledged to do their utmost to developing Vietnam and its ties with Japan.













Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam (R) hands over the decision to Prof. Dr. Nagato Natsume. (Photo: VNA)

During a ceremony held on January 14, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam, on behalf of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, handed over the appointment decisions to the two Japanese citizens.



Accordingly, Prof. Dr. Nagato Natsume is acting as Honorary Consul General of Vietnam in Nagoya for the second term. Moriyuki Taniguchi will hold the same position in Mie within the next three years.



Speaking at the event, Nam expressed his hope that the consuls general will help further expand the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, and provide assistance for Vietnamese students in Japan and Japanese enterprises in the two cities to invest in Vietnam. He himself also vowed to offer the best support for the consuls general so that they can successfully fulfill their mission.



Natsume is Director of the Japanese Cleft Palate Foundation. The 65-year-old doctor has worked tirelessly to support Vietnamese children with cleft palate to receive life-changing surgeries since 1990 and transfer technologies in this field to Vietnamese doctors. As Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Nagoya, he contributed to establishing Aichi-Vietnam Friendship Association in April 2018.



He plans to found a research institute in Vietnam that will focus on not only medical studies but also other fields this April.



73-year-old Taniguchi served as a member of Aichi council from 1983  1988. In 2011, he established the Japan-Vietnam association for friendship economic exchanges, acting as its president.
NEWS PROVIDED BY

Evangelist Alveda C. King

Jan. 14, 2022

ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2022 /Standard Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by evangelist Alveda C. King, she is available for comment:

Every year, from January 15 - 22, many Americans and people around the world remember the legacy of my uncle The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and many also pause to consider the observance of the issue of the sanctity of life during the first month of the year.

As we remember the birthday of my uncle, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this year, it is important that we remember to honor God, remember the American Dream; and value human life from the womb to the tomb.

"I still have a dream, a dream deeply rooted in the American dream -- one day this nation will rise up and live up to its creed, 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." MLK

What is the American Dream? To whom does the Dream belong? Are we not all dreamers; is the Dream still alive? I can't help believing that if we can finally see ourselves as the one blood human race, many of our problems including abortion, racism, which lives matter, critical race theory, systemic racism, and all human injustices will be resolved.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [and women and children] are created equal [in the image and likeness of God], that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." -- Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Here in the 21st century, we the governed need to speak up to the government we entrusted with its power. We need to let them know that babies in the womb are among those "men" who were created equal, and that to kill them in the womb is to deny them their inalienable right to life.

Obviously not all men and women were equal in America when Thomas Jefferson penned those words that were adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Blacks were still being held as slaves; Jefferson himself owned slaves. Native Americans would spend the next 100 years being dispossessed of their land. Women couldn't vote and had virtually no rights independent of their fathers and husbands.

Even years later, when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, the job was not finished. Here in the 21th century, we are still seeking truth.

There is one critical race; the human race; this includes the babies in the womb. It is wrong to discriminate against the critical human race for any reason, including skin color and gestational age. Further, we are not colorblind.

We must learn to see and love each other as the human race; the human family, from womb to tomb.

Acts 17: 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, "For we are also His offspring."

As we remember MLK, and also March for Life across America during this season; If we truly believe the right to life is unalienable and that the government serves with power we the people have given them, it's well past time that we right America's unconscionable wrongs and let freedom ring for everyone; for the babies, and for every; from the womb to the tomb.
Absentee ballot drop boxes, which were used in several communities including Madison last year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, are not allowed under state law, a Waukesha County judge ruled Thursday.

Judge Michael Bohren also granted a request from the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, which brought the case, to prohibit the Wisconsin Elections Commission from issuing guidance allowing for the use of drop boxes. The ruling means such boxes will not be allowed in the the Feb. 15 spring primary unless the ruling is overturned on appeal.

The lawsuit was filed in Waukesha County on behalf of two residents and challenged the commissions guidance to clerks in 2020 that drop boxes can be unstaffed, temporary or permanent.

Bohren ruled that the states bipartisan Elections Commission should have gone through the formal rulemaking process, rather than issuing guidance to local election officials.

They have the effect of law, Bohren said regarding the commissions guidance. (Clerks) are going to rely on it as a statement of law.

Commission spokesperson Riley Vetterkind said agency staff and the commissioners will review Bohrens ruling in the coming days.

WILLs lawsuit was filed three days after the state Supreme Court in a 4-3 ruling turned back a separate attempt by a major Republican donor to ban the boxes.

While its likely attorneys could appeal Bohrens ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court also could take up the issue in a lawsuit filed last year by Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch challenging the commissions guidance on drop boxes. The states high court has not said if it will take up the case before it goes through lower courts.

Another lawsuit was filed earlier this month by a Waukesha County resident represented by WILL. The voter is suing the Elections Commission for rejecting a complaint he filed last year regarding ballot drop boxes.

Rick Esenberg, WILLs president and general counsel, said last year his firm does not object to drop boxes, per se, but disagrees that state law is silent on their legality. Because the statutes do not specifically allow them, he asserted, They are prohibited.

State statutes do not address the use of ballot drop boxes, though the state elections commission issued guidance in early 2020 to allow election clerks to make use of them. The boxes were widely used in the state that year as an alternative for voters worried that, with the crush of absentee ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic and potential delays in mail delivery, their ballots might not make it back before Election Day.

An attorney for the commission said the guidance was merely a suggestion meant to guide clerks and did not constitute a formal law.

Bohren ruled there is no statutory authority to have drop boxes used for the collection of absentee ballots outside of allowed use at an alternate absentee ballot location or at a clerks office. He said state law only allows absentee ballots to be mailed in or delivered to the clerk in person.

The commission also approved guidance in 2016 allowing clerks to correct common errors on absentee ballot envelopes, such as missing ZIP codes or address information entered on the wrong line.

Both issues were raised in an October report from the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau, which did not find any evidence of widespread fraud in the states 2020 election but did make 48 recommendations to the Legislature and commission for how to improve elections.

The Elections Commission voted last month to begin the administrative rule-making process  which can take as long as 13 months to complete and requires approval from the governor and a Republican-controlled rules committee  for rules pertaining to ballot drop boxes. The commission will vote in a future meeting on specific rule proposals.

Separately, the Legislatures GOP-led joint rules committee earlier this week voted to require the Elections Commission to quickly create rules for ballot drop boxes and to clarify what missing information clerks can fill in on absentee ballot envelopes.

Republicans have claimed without evidence that both policies can lead to voter fraud. The committee voted 6-4 along party lines to require the commission to publish the guidance as emergency rules by Feb. 9 or withdraw the guidance. Once in rule form, the committee can vote to eliminate the policies.

The commission plans to meet on Jan. 28 to formally discuss the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules demand. Democratic commissioner Mark Thomsen asked staff to provide information on whether the committee can force the agency to create the emergency rules.

The Republican-led Legislature passed bills last year that would have enforced rules on ballot drop boxes and what errors local clerks can correct on absentee ballot envelopes, but the proposals were vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

It seems to me that if you cant pass it as a law you certainly cant force a commission to adopt the law, Thomsen said on Tuesday.

The GOP push to regulate ballot drop boxes is part of several ongoing efforts by Republicans scrutinizing the 2020 election. A recount and court decisions have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in Wisconsin by almost 21,000 votes.

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Despite several recent drenching rainstorms in the West and enough snow to top the second story of some buildings, the United States has tied an alarming drought record: At least 40% of the Lower 48 has gone 68 straight weeks in drought conditions.

Drought was present in nearly 55% of the contiguous U.S. this week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The last time drought has been so widespread for so long was October 2013. And without significant and unprecedented precipitation over the next seven days, the country will be in uncharted drought territory and break that record outright.

Almost all of the U.S. drought is located west of the Mississippi River, with extraordinarily dry conditions in far Western states, which scientists warn is a consequence of the climate crisis.

Much of the West's drought is actually a long-term phenomenon, persisting from year to year without enough precipitation to lead to a full recovery, said Brad Rippey, a meteorologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"The Southwest has been experiencing what many scientists have termed a 'megadrought' for about two decades," Rippey told CNN.

In November, U.S. drought coverage climbed above 50% for the first time since 2013. Before the 2013 records, the U.S. had also experienced 65 consecutive weeks of drought between March 2002 and June 2003. The Drought Monitor has been tracking conditions since 2000.

Current dry conditions are being exacerbated by water overuse, said Michael Anderson, a climatologist with the California Department of Water Resources. When the storms come, it might not be enough to replenish the aquifers, he said.

"That can take quite a bit of time, because its water is coming back to the aquifers," Anderson told CNN. "But water is continuing to be used, so you have to have enough water coming into the aquifer that exceeds the use for that restoration to occur."

Oregon also saw a huge increase in precipitation in December, but it did little to bring up the reservoirs around the Rogue River Basin, where half of the reservoirs are at less than 10% of capacity.

Even as recent winter storms have helped recharge the parched Western landscape, drought has worsened in the Southern Plains, especially in Texas, where it has increased from 15% to 82% in just the last three months.

Winter rain and snow helped, but not enough

The winter season started strong with remarkable rain and snow in December, especially in California. For the first time since December 2020, the state this week has no areas with exceptional drought  the highest designation, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported. Extreme drought, the second-highest, is down to 1%, whereas 80% of the state was considered extreme or worse just last month.

A quarter of the state's total average winter snowpack came in December alone, said Julie Kalansky, deputy director of operations for the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes.

"Currently, the snowpack is at about 50% of the end of season normal snowpack," Kalansky said. "The storms helped a lot, but if there are not some other large storms this winter, it will not be enough to end the drought."

Other states also saw huge gains, including Oregon and Washington, where several cities broke daily rainfall records in the final month of 2021.

"We call it a great start," Anderson said. "We are always appreciative when winter starts as fantastically as it did because that's the kind of start we needed. The challenge is that we kind of need to sustain that through the rest of January through March."

An analysis of temperature and population data shows exposure to extreme heat has tripled and now affects about a quarter of the worlds population:

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The track of a big storm system that will hit hard from the upper Midwest to the South and up the East Coast has shifted slightly east, meaning more snow for western Wisconsin, according to forecasters.

National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Stumpf said southwestern Wisconsin will see snow totals below 2 inches, while other areas will see a trace to an inch. Along Lake Michigan in eastern Wisconsin, persistent northeasterly winds will result in a band of light lake effect snow that may push back out over the lake for a period of time.

La Crosse could 1 to 2 inches Friday and less half an inch Friday night, the Weather Service said.

Dubuque, Iowa on the Mississippi River along far southwest Wisconsin is under a winter weather advisory through 6 a.m. Saturday, with 3 to 5 inches of snow expected.

A winter storm warning is in effect west of a line from Independence, through Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Burlington in Iowa and Carthage Illinois, with snow totals of 4 to 8 inches common over portions of eastern Iowa, northeast Missouri, and far west central Illinois. Double-digit totals are possible toward central Iowa.

The Saskatchewan screamer storm could leave up to foot of snow across six states, with snowfall rates hitting 1 to 3 inches per hour, AccuWeather said.

"A Saskatchewan screamer is similar to an Alberta clipper, except that it forms in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan," AccuWeather meteorologist Jessica Storm said.

The huge storm will hit the southern and eastern U.S. over the extended holiday weekend, possibly delivering an all-out ice storm for cities along the Interstate 85 corridor, AccuWeather said.

Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas could see widespread power outages that may last for days after the storm departs, with a winter storm watch already issued for portions of South Carolina, North Carolina and far northeastern Georgia due to the anticipated snow and ice.

Atlanta hasn't recorded measurable snow for more than 1,450 days, the second-longest streak in the city's history, but that streak may end this weekend.

With hefty snow amounts, significant icing, heavy rain and gusty winds forecast up the East Coast and inland, winter storm watches were issued for locations that include Roanoke, Virginia; Charleston, West Virginia; Pittsburgh; and Binghamton and Syracuse, New York, AccuWeather said.

It looks like a very strong storm system will unleash very significant snow across the interior parts of the Northeast, especially from the Appalachians up into the high ground of New York state and into northern New England, AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter said. In some locations, the snow can be measured in feet.

In Madison on Friday, theres a 40% chance for flurries between 11 a.m. and noon, then snow showers after noon, with cloudy skies, a high near 23 and northeast winds at 10 to 15 miles per hour, the Weather Service said.

Overnight, theres a 40% chance for snow showers before midnight, then flurries between midnight and 5 a.m., as the low falls to around 12.

Saturday should be mostly cloudy, with a high near 19, northeast winds at 5 to 10 mph, and wind chill values between zero and 10.

After an overnight low Saturday into Sunday around 6, Sundays forecast features a 20% chance for snow after noon, partly sunny skies, a high near 24 and south winds at 5 to 10 mph.

The Weather Service lists no chances for precipitation from Sunday night through Thursday as our mostly quiet snow season continues.

Skies over Madison should be partly sunny Monday and Tuesday, and mostly sunny Wednesday and Thursday, with highs near 29, 34, 20 and 12, and lows Sunday night through Wednesday night around 17, 17, 14 and 1 below.

27 Storm Track meteorologist Max Tsaparis forecasts light snow later on Friday, especially far west/southwest of Madison; light snow ending by midnight with an inch or less for most and 1 to 3 inches far west/southwest of Madison; light snow possible later on Sunday into Sunday night, with a half-inch or less; and spotty, light snow possible later on Tuesday into Tuesday night.

Tsaparis said highs for Madison Friday through Thursday should be near 24, 20, 25, 29, 31, 18 and 10, and overnight lows around 10, 4, 17, 14, 12 and zero.

Thursdays high in Madison was 40 at 3:56 p.m., 13 degrees above the normal high and 13 degrees below the record high of 53 for Jan. 13, set in 1961.

Wednesdays low in Madison was 24 at 7:57 a.m., 12 degrees above the normal low and 46 degrees above the record low of 22 below for Jan. 13, set in 1916.

Officially, a trace of precipitation was recorded at the Dane County Regional Airport on Thursday, leaving Madisons January and 2022 total at 0.07 inches, 0.53 inches below normal. The meteorological winter (December through February) precipitation total (rain plus snow converted to liquid) stayed at 1.76 inches, 0.47 inches below normal.

Madisons record precipitation for Jan. 13 is 1.21 inches, set in 1910.

Officially, a trace of snow was recorded at the Dane County Regional Airport on Thursday, keeping Madisons January and 2022 snow total at 1.9 inches, 3.2 inches below normal. For meteorological winter, Madison has received 8.4 inches, 8.7 inches below normal. For the snow season (since July 1), Madison has received 9 inches, 11.7 inches below normal.

Madisons record snowfall for Jan. 1 is 7.3 inches, set in 1979.

Madisons official snow depth is 3 inches.

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A restaurant that offers custom-made pizza is slated to open sometime next week in downtown Lancaster.

Located at 35 N. Queen St., Freshzza allows customers to select the crust, sauce, cheese and toppings for a pizza, which is cooked for them in 4 minutes. The menu also includes calzones and wings as well as salads and desserts.

Based in Tampa, Florida, Freshzza is a new franchise restaurant that is also developing locations in Florida, Louisiana and Texas. The franchisee for the Lancaster city restaurant is Jordan Steffy, the founder of Children Deserve a Chance Foundation, which offers a college preparatory program for middle and high school students.

Steffy said he hopes to open more Freshzza locations, saying he will emphasize the brands concept of enlightened hospitality, which he said includes offering meaningful employment, having an environmentally friendly restaurant and supporting local charities.

Freshzza is taking the former home of Jimmy Johns, a sandwich shop that closed in December 2020 when the space was offered for lease. At the time, the stores operators said they were considering whether to reopen, something they did not do.

Freshzza

Address: 35 N. Queen St., Lancaster

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday

Info.: Freshzza.com
After a 22-month long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg will return to hosting its series of live, in-person author talks and conversations featuring bestselling writers.

All attendees will be required to show proof of full vaccination status, according to CDC guidelines, and must be masked to attend events. Food and beverages will not be available during the events. The events will continue to be available to livestream via Zoom for those who wish to attend but arent comfortable with live events, according to a press release from the bookstore. Registration is required for all events.

The return to in-person events starts on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. and features author Jessamine Chan discussing her debut novel The School for Good Mothers, which was recently optioned by Jessica Chastain to be adapted as a television series. Chan will discuss the novel with New York Times bestselling-author Kate Baer. Chan will be available to sign copies of her book purchased at Midtown Scholar Bookstore.

New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink will appear at the bookstore on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. to discuss and sign copies of his book The Power of Regret: How Looking Backwards Moves Us Forward. Pinks book was included on Forbes list of 10 Must-Read Career and Leadership Books for 2022.

On Feb. 18 at 7 p.m., author and scholar Imani Perry will discuss and sign copies of her latest book South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation. Scholar and activist Yaba Blay will join Perry in the conversation.

The events begin at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Book browsing will not be permitted after 8 p.m. Virtual attendees will receive a link 24 hours and one hour before the event. Registration is required for all events. Some events are free to attend. Tickets options include in-person tickets with or without signed books and virtual tickets with signed books. Limited tickets are available. Visit midtownscholar.com to register for events, purchase tickets and to find more information.
There are lots of examples of French Eclectic design around Lancaster. This "sophisticated rustic" design style provides a glimpse of French countryside architecture as seen by the American soldiers fighting in France between 1915 and 1945. Click the arrow to move through the photos and see local examples of this architectural style  mostly from the 1920s and '30s.

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LANCASTER IN STYLE, PART 22:

FRENCH ECLECTIC STYLE, 1915-1945

Revival styles, especially the picturesque styles like Tudor, English Cottage and French Eclectic, permitted Americans to experience central Europe without a passport. Identified as another between-the-wars style, French Eclectic provides a glimpse of French countryside architecture as seen by the American soldiers fighting in France between 1915 and 1945.

This easily identifiable style, referred to sophisticated rustic eventually overtook Tudor in popularity, but not English Cottage or Colonial Revival.

While steep gable roof forms, dormers and cat slides characterize the English Cottage style, it is the distinctive hip roof design that identifies French Eclectic. The main body of the residence employs the hip or pavilion roof to establish the dominant design element for the dwelling.

Gables, if used at all, are secondary features to the primary hip roof. Dormers will often be hipped or truncated to avoid showing a full height gable. Wall dormers, or through-the-eave dormers, are common to this style as well.

Casement windows, slate roofs, half-timber and stone, stucco or brick walls are in keeping with the traditional picturesque style materials. Chimney locations are prominent but not dominant. Floor plans  like Tudor and English Cottage  are typically asymmetrical, relaxed and informal.

A subset style within French Eclectic is the Norman Cottage style, referencing the architecture found in the northern reaches of Brittany and Normandy, France. Norman features a rounded tower topped with a conical roof located at the center of the L-shaped floor plan; the tower is often the main entrance. Wrought-iron accents like window guards are common as are flared roof eaves. Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Ward offered mail order French Eclectic and Norman Cottage design options to their customers, which further expanded interest in the post-war European designs.

The French Eclectic style remains popular among Lancaster County homeowners today and continues to feature the prominent hip roof and chimneys, flared eaves, casement windows and the signature French doors. The scale of the newer homes tend to be larger than the homes built in the 1920s, but the distinctive personality remains unchanged. Finding historic examples of post-war French Eclectic residences will take some work but will be well worth it!

Which postwar revival style was the most popular?

Between 1910 and 1930, 40% of all new homes were constructed as Colonial Revival. The second most popular style was English Country.

When did French Eclectic see a resurgence in popularity?

The mid-1970s saw a renewed interest in French Eclectic and Norman Cottage styles. The use of stone for exteriors was replaced with brick.

Is there another name for the Norman Cottage style?

This style is also referred to as the French Tower style for obvious reasons. The tower was a carryover from medieval times.

This column is contributed by Gregory J. Scott, FAIA, a local architect with more than four decades of national experience in innovation and design. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. Email GScott@rlps.com.
Manheim Township Middle School and Manheim Township High School will transition to virtual learning today and Tuesday because more than 5% of each buildings population tested positive for COVID-19.

Manheim Township School District Superintendent Robin Felty informed families of the switch Thursday afternoon. The state departments of Health and Education recommend that a school building close for academic instruction if more than 5% of the buildings population tests positive for COVID-19.

Manheim Township declined to release the total number of exposures as of Thursday afternoon. Spokesperson ShaiQuana Mitchell said the districts COVID-19 dashboard would be updated today in keeping with the districts usual protocol.

There will be no school for students Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, according to the district calendar.

Families can pick up a grab-and-go meal for students in the back parent drop-off loop of Manheim Township Middle School from 1011 a.m. on both days of remote instruction.

Morning and afternoon Career & Technology Center students will not report to the center until Tuesday. Extracurricular activities that need to use district facilities can take place as scheduled, according to Felty.
Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00AM

by Nathaniel R

As you may have heard Best Supporting Actress Oscar hopeful Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) will be hosting Saturday Night Live when the show returns tomorrow, January 15th. That's just 12 days before the Academy starts voting on nominations. Which got us to thinking: How often is Saturday Night Live used as a campaign stop for Oscar hopefuls and is it successful? Let's do a little research. We're only going back five years for time constraint reasons but we do wonder when this became a thing or if it's always been thus? I have only ever been a casual SNL viewer but perhaps there are Saturday Night Live experts reading who could shed some light...

Before the 93rd Oscars (honoring the films of 2020)

This Oscar ceremony was held unusually late on April 25th. Two major hopefuls hosted earlier that month

Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman) April 10th, 2021

There was no skit about her buzzy movie but there was however a skit that poked fun at prestige movies with "Lesbian Period Drama" which went viral. Carey lost to Frances McDormand in the Best Picture winner Nomadland.

Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah) April 3rd, 2021

He talked about his Globe winning speech in the opening monologue and he would go on to win the Oscar as expected.

Before the 92nd Oscars (honoring the films of 2019)





Adam Driver January 25th, 2020 (Marriage Story)

For movie skits they stuck with his Kylo Ren in the Star Wars franchise. But he talked about making out with Scarlett Johansson in the opening monologue and poked fun at his intensity as an actor. He lost the Oscar to Mr Intensity himself, Joaquin Phoenix as Joker

Scarlett Johansson December 14th, 2019 (Marriage Story/Jojo Rabbit)

Among her sketches in her sixth (!) time hosting the show, Johansson plays a marriage counselor talking to a husband and wife on what they love about each other, a riff on the excellent opening of her movie.

She secured a double nomination at the Oscars the month after this show but lost both prizes.

Before the 91st Oscars (honoring the films of 2018)

Emma Stone hosted an episode of SNL this season but after the Oscars

Claire Foy December 1st, 2018 (First Man)

The Crown gets all the referencing in her episode but she does name-check First Man in her opening monologue when she jokes that nobody else wanted to be Ryan Gosling's wife. Unfortunately she didn't land the nomination when awards season turned a very chilly shoulder on the underappreciated austronaut drama, which was also a surprisingly effective marital drama.

Adam Driver September 29th, 2018 (BlacKkKlansman)

In one figurative reference to his current movie at the time, there's a skit set at the Neo-Confederate Meeting where his first-time attendeethrows off the meeting by continually referencing that Vermont is just like the all-white new society they're proposing which upsets the meeting leaders who consider it a "Yankee commune". Driver soon landed his first nomination for that excellent Spike Lee joint.

Before the 90th Oscars (honoring the films of 2017)

Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) hosted an episode this season of SNL but his episode was after the Oscars

Jessica Chastain January 20th, 2018 (Molly's Game)

She made for a truly excellent and game host -- we've long mantained that she should do more comedy -- but she missed the Oscar nod in a competitive year.

Sam Rockwell January 13th, 2018 (Three Billboards)

He had just won the Globe before this episode and made fun of his steady but arguably unspectacular career up until then " Just last week, the worst thing that can happen to a character actor happened to me  I won an award  He went on to win another even bigger one, the Oscar. (Well loved character actors began a theme of the episode since Stanley Tucci made a guest appearance in a short called "Tucci Gang")

James Franco, December 9th, 2017 (The Disaster Artist)

A month or so after this gig he was a mildly surprising snub given lots of precursor attention for his movie abotu the making of legendary bad movie The Room.

Saoirse Ronan, December 2nd, 2017 (Lady Bird)

It was a very Irish episode of SNL since the musical guest was U2. Saoirse brought along her director Greta Gerwig in one prerecorded sketch. Saoirse received the nomination but lost the Oscar which was a pity given that another Frances McDormand (Three Billboards) had another win right around the corner and Lady Bird remains THE BEST

Tiffany Haddish, November 11th, 2017 (Girls Trip)

Somehow she was the first black comedienne to ever host. (How is that possible? Had, say, Whoopi Goldberg never done the show in her heyday?) She scored points with critics and audiences that year for her big star breakthrough in Girls Trip but the major awards bodies ignored it. That said she did win an Emmy for hosting this episode!

Kumail Nanjiani, October 14th, 2017 (The Big Sick)

His opening monologue was all about his movie The Big Sick. He scored a nomination for Best Original Screenplay for this autobiographical dramedy and also a collective SAG nomination for Outstanding Cast.

Before the 89th Oscars (honoring the films of 2016)

Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) hosted an episode this season but after the Oscar ceremony

Casey Affleck, December 17th, 2016 (Manchester by the Sea)

He won the Oscar for a very depressing drama but the most popular skit was about Dunkin Donuts

Emma Stone, December 3rd, 2016 (La La Land)

Her third Hosting gig at SNL was to promote her blockbuster musical. She won.

Emily Blunt, October 15th, 2016 (Girl on the Train)

Her movie, then in theaters, netted her a surprise SAG nomination a few months later. But as everyone knows she's still waiting on her first Oscar nomination all these years later. She's come close so many times!

We'd be here all day if we kept going backward in time but out of curiousity we looked at SNL's first year to see if Oscar hopefuls had always hosted. And... they have if less often at the start.

Before the 48th Oscars (honoring the films of 1975)




As an arctic cold front made landfall thousands of miles west of Pennsylvania on Thursday morning, meteorologists began predicting how much snow it could bring to Lancaster County.

Friday's high temperature will reach the upper 30s, and the low and night will drop into the low teens. Saturday will be nearly 20 degrees cooler, according to the National Weather Service in State College.

The drop in temperature will be brought on by the arctic front that will be coming through the area Friday morning, NWS meteorologist Craig Evanego said.

Factoring in the wind  with gusts as high as 29 mph possible  it will likely feel like it's even colder, possibly in the low teens.

NWS predicts that Lancaster County will get between 3 and 5 inches of snow Sunday, mostly accumulating overnight.

"The snow could be heavy at times," NWS said in its forecast.

Meteorologist Kyle Elliott, the director of the Millersville University Weather Information Center, said that Saturday will likely be the coldest day of the year and possibly the coldest afternoon Lancaster's had since February 1, 2019.

"I don't think the winds are going to be strong enough to get us down to zero," Elliott said. "I think we'll see high single digits to around 10 (degrees)" adding in the wind chill.

Sunday night is when Lancaster County could begin to see snow, and Elliott said there are two possibilities for Lancaster County: several inches of snow accumulation or a little snow and a lot of sleet and rain.

"This is a very complex setup," Elliott said. "The exact track of the storm system is not yet set in stone. We know it's going to happen, but don't know the exact track yet."

The National Weather Service in State College is calling for a 50% chance of snow Sunday evening and 100% chance of snow and sleet overnight.

A mild afternoon is in store for central PA. However, an arctic cold front will cross the region on Friday, ushering in much colder air and setting the stage for a potentially significant winter storm late this weekend. Here are expected highs today, Friday, and Sat. #ctpwx #pawx pic.twitter.com/X8dIT6Zbah  NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) January 13, 2022

"We could get a pretty good front-end thump of snowfall later Sunday evening into Sunday night," Elliott said. "It could bring several inches of accumulation."

The determining factor, however, is the track of the storm.

"Storms like this are notorious for a changeover to rain in the lower Susquehanna Valley," Elliott said. "How much snow falls here, in all likelihood, is determined on that changeover of sleet and rain."

Evanego, the NWS meteorologist, said that Lancaster County "could see a bit of everything."

Both Evanego and Elliott said it's too far out to give a good guess as to how much snow Lancaster County could see. Elliott plans to put out his first-draft of snowfall amounts sometime Friday evening, when he can see how the storm is tracking in better detail.

AccuWeather meteorologists reported that the storm could "wreak havoc on a large corridor of the eastern United States."

AccuWeather senior broadcast meteorologist Chris Nallan said in a tweet that Harrisburg has about a 30% chance of getting between 6 and 10 inches of snow between Sunday at 7 p.m. and Monday at 6 p.m.

Here's the latest @accuweather #wintercast for a few of the many cities that will be impacted by this major winter storm. This storm will have it all... heavy snow, ice, rain, wind and even thunderstorms. A lot to follow here everyone, so be ready! pic.twitter.com/MwNImYIywz  Chris Nallan (@chrisnallan) January 13, 2022

Elliott said he's cautious about predicting a number this far in advance.

"Be wary of snowfall maps issued more than three days before the (storm) system," Elliott said, highlighting the drastic changes a storm could take in that time.

The "boom" scenario, where Lancaster County gets hit with another heavy snowfall, is about 25%, Elliott predicted on Thursday. The more likely scenario is for a brief period of snow that will change over to a wintry mix overnight Sunday into Monday morning.

The energy for the Sunday night/Monday storm is just now moving onshore in the Pac. NW, hence why its unwise to issue snowfall maps until tomorrow (which I will do). In terms of probabilities for LanCo: 75% chance of snow to mix to rain25% chance of all snow (Boom scenario)  MU Weather Center (@MUweather) January 13, 2022

"The main impact right now is snow-covered roadways Sunday evening and slushy conditions during the Monday morning commute," Elliott said.

As the system continues to develop, meteorologists will have a better idea of what's in store for Lancaster County.

As of Thursday afternoon, here's what other local forecasters are calling for:

Brett Thackara, ABC27 News:

"If this system was all snow, our team would be ready to start providing snow amounts. But its not going to be that easy," Thackara said in his Thursday forecast. "Warm air could play a large role in determining snow amounts Sunday night as the storm intensifies along the coast and changes the snow to rain in some areas."

TRACKING THE NOR'EASTER:The latest guidance from both the American (left) & Euro (right) models indicates warm air winning out. Seems like a period of snow to start Sunday night followed by mixing and then rain by Monday. We'll see if this trend continues. #27Weather #PAwx pic.twitter.com/Fi1wpTneIG  Brett Thackara (@BrettThackABC27) January 13, 2022

Christine Ferreira, WGAL:

 STORM SCENARIOSThe Sunday/Monday storm will definitely start as snow. Cold air is in place... but for how long? A track along I-95 will bring a mix to rain for part of our area, while a track farther west (along I-81) would bring a mix to rain for MOST of the area. #PAwx pic.twitter.com/yF4ySGFOsB  Christine Ferreira (@ChristineWGAL) January 13, 2022

Andrea Michaels, FOX43:

Here's the latest on the next winter storm. At this point, it's trended to a wintry mix. Track is still uncertain, so it is way too early for amounts. More west means more mixing with ice and rain, less snow. Impacts are likely. We'll keep you updated at https://t.co/0o3wl8KVrt! pic.twitter.com/eJN8lymtgx  Andrea Michaels (@amichaelswx) January 13, 2022

Steve Knight, CBS21:

As of Thursday morning confidence is high in an impactful winter weather event for Sunday night in to Monday morning. The track will be key, if it hugs the Coast we will see more snow, if it tracks further inland (Along I-81) we would see more of a mix to plain rain...Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/HIeQRxKeuS  Steve Knight (@KnightCBS21) January 13, 2022
When: Ephrata Borough council meeting, Jan. 10.

What happened: Borough Council offered a fond farewell to outgoing Borough Manager Robert Thompson, who is retiring Jan. 16 after more than three decades with Ephrata.

Remarks: Mayor Ralph Mowen said he worked with Thompson since Thompsons arrival in Ephrata. We havent always agreed, but we always kept making the borough better the main goal. Council President Thomas Reinhold said he appreciated all of the years of service Thompson provided. All of the kind words that have come your way are well deserved. Council member Ricky Ressler said Thompson served with distinction ... leaving this borough in a fine financial setting. Council Vice President Linda Martin told Thompson, The wealth of knowledge you have is just amazing.

Managers response: I want to thank everyone for their kind words, Thompson said to council. Its been a pleasure serving the borough for the last 32 years, and I wish you all well.

Background: Thompson began his relationship with Ephrata as director of engineering and became manager in 2011. Projects he oversaw included the Main Street beautification project, the new borough hall, construction of Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 and the solar panel field near the wastewater facility. All of these, he said, show how progressive the borough has been to stay in the forefront of technology.

Quotable: But I think the most rewarding thing was working with the borough staff, with the members of the community, and seeing good things happening in the community, Thompson said.

Thompson will remain involved with the borough for a little while, serving as a paid consultant on sewer and water projects with which he is familiar.

Whats next: Thompsons replacement, Michael McKenna, has been under Thompsons tutelage Im excited for the opportunity, McKenna said after the meeting. Im thankful that I got a couple of months with Bob. That way anytime I had a question I just had to run down the hallway and ask. He has been nothing but helpful.

In other business: Council voted to approve a five-year contract with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 1600. The contact covers salaries and benefits for the boroughs non-uniformed employees. Council member Vic Richard said the agreement now goes back to the IBEW members who must vote to ratify.
THE ISSUE: The American Red Cross says its facing its worst blood shortage, leading the organization to declare its first national crisis,  LNP | LancasterOnlines Enelly Betancourt wrote in an article that appeared on the front page of Thursdays edition. Blood supplies have never been this low, and the phrase national crisis is not being used lightly, explained Lisa Landis, an American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region spokesperson. Factors contributing to the shortage include pandemic-related cancellations of blood drives, staffing challenges and wintry weather. This is serious. Its a big deal, Landis said.

Health officials regularly issue requests for blood donations. Maintaining adequate blood supplies is critical if the health care system is to continue treating patients and responding to emergencies.

But when Red Cross officials deploy the phrase national crisis, its not just a stunt.

They want our attention for a serious reason.

And they should get it.

The confluence of events that has led to this crisis is not surprising. COVID-19, with the surge of the omicron variant, has again filled our hospitals with patients and pushed our health care system to the brink. Many Americans who are sick or worried about catching the virus during this surge are venturing out less; this includes both the donors and the volunteers needed to staff successful blood drives. And when the weather turns freezing or icy, additional people are disinclined to go out.

For nearly two years, the pandemic has changed our daily routines, forcing the Red Cross and other blood banks to work harder to find donors.

Perhaps we donated regularly at the workplace, but now were working remotely, we noted in a September 2020 editorial. We also pointed out that retired and older Americans, who are traditionally among the most reliable donors, were staying away from public settings to guard their health before the availability of vaccines.

Its been a roller coaster since March 2020, Landis told LNP | LancasterOnline. We put out multiple calls for more donors throughout the pandemic because donor turnout was low.

The blood shortage involves more than just the Red Cross, which provides 40% of the nations blood supply. The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, which serves Lancaster and 10 other counties, typically has 930 units of O-positive blood on hand. On Tuesday, it had just 471 units, Betancourt reported.

The challenge is to get the word out to all potential donors. And the good news is that many people are eligible, and the process is safe.

Betancourts reporting answered some key questions about COVID-19 and donating blood.

Those who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 are eligible to donate.

Being vaccinated for COVID does not preclude anyone from donating, Landis told LNP | LancasterOnline. We just ask that the person has not been diagnosed with COVID in the previous two weeks.

A Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank spokesperson told Betancourt that vaccinated donors are immediately eligible to donate blood if they arent experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

Meanwhile, donors who had COVID-19 are eligible 14 days after the onset of the virus if their symptoms are resolving and they have been fever-free for at least 48 hours, Betancourt reported.

Beyond that, as weve written in past editorials, fear neednt be a factor for potential donors, who must be 16 or older, and weigh at least 110 pounds (Red Cross guideline) or 120 pounds (Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank guideline). Donors who are age 16 will need parental consent.

The Central Pennsylvania Blood Banks website summarizes a donation as a safe and easy process which takes approximately 45 minutes. That 45 minutes includes registration and a mini physical. The actual time to donate one pint of blood is much shorter. After the process is complete, donors can relax for 10 or 15 minutes and have some refreshments.

Fewer than 10% of Americans donate blood on a regular basis, even though about 37% of us are eligible. Well need more eligible people to step up and donate in order to get through this shortage.

What were already facing with COVID-19 will become a greater crisis if the health care system doesnt have the blood supply it needs to meet patients needs.

 Those interested in donating through the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank can call 1-800-771-0059 or go to cpbb.org.

 To schedule an appointment to donate through the American Red Cross, call 1-800-733-2767 go to redcrossblood.org.

 Appointments to donate blood at the Lancaster General Health Blood Donor Center at the Suburban Outpatient Pavilion at 2104 Harrisburg Pike, Suite 202, in Lancaster city can be made by calling 717-544-0170 or going online to LGHealth.org/GiveBlood.

COVID-19 testing center

Were encouraged that Lancaster County and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health have coordinated to reopen a community COVID-19 testing center, starting today.

We could quibble that Lancaster County officials have been as slow to respond to the omicron surge as the Biden administration, which was caught flat-footed by a national shortage of at-home, rapid-test kits.

But some response is better than none, and this new availability of drive-thru testing helps to fill a void as cases and hospitalizations rise here. And we must note that Lancaster General Health officials have stepped up throughout this pandemic.

The site is the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center on Champ Boulevard, off the Salunga exit of Route 283, in East Hempfield Township. It will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. (It will not be open this Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.) The site is expected to remain open through the end of February.

Please note that appointments are required. They can be scheduled via the MyLGHealth mobile app and website, or by calling 717-544-5941.

Testing is only for patients who are symptomatic, though a physicians order will not be required.

And the testing is not free for all.

The cash price for COVID-19 testing is $57.24, Lancaster General Healths website notes. For patients with health insurance, LG Health will bill the patients insurance company. A patients final out-of-pocket cost will vary based on the specifics of their insurance coverage, coinsurance, copays or deductibles. For patients without health insurance, LG Health will assess the situation. Patients may be eligible for assistance with the cost of COVID-19 testing.

We wish cost wasnt a potential barrier for anyone. Equal access to health care, especially for those who are most vulnerable, is especially crucial during a deadly pandemic. Thats one lesson, of many, that those who guide our federal, state and local responses to health crises must learn from Americas subpar response to COVID-19.
THE ISSUE

Faced with a proposed new state House map that would diminish their power, GOP lawmakers are pushing to overhaul the process to sideline the current redistricting panel and put the ultimate power in the hands of the Legislature, Spotlight PA reported earlier this week. The redistricting overhaul, introduced by Rep. Seth Grove (a York County Republican), would eliminate the five-member Legislative Reapportionment Commission. That commission is charged with creating the state legislative maps. It consists of the state Senate Republican leader, the Senate Democratic leader, the House Republican leader, the House Democratic leader and a chairman selected by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Mark Nordenberg, University of Pittsburgh chancellor emeritus and current chair of Pitts Institute of Politics.

We believe deeply in the importance of voting. We also believe that voters deserve to be given choices, in both primary and general elections.

But what happened Monday in the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee, which is chaired by Grove, would not further the interests of voters. It only would advance the interests of Republican incumbents and discourage other candidates from vying for seats.

As The Associated Press reported, that committee passed, on party lines, a plan to replace the existing Legislative Reapportionment Commission with an 11-member panel of appointees that would have a distinct Republican slant under the states existing political dynamic.

At first glance, the proposed panel seems to mimic the kind of citizens commission that good-government advocates have fought for in Pennsylvania. But, significantly, under Groves proposal, the state House and Senate, both now controlled by Republicans, would get the final say on the legislative maps, the AP noted.

The whole thing is a sham designed only to create the illusion of reform while transferring the real power over redistricting to the legislature itself, Patrick Beaty, legislative director of the nonpartisan Fair Districts PA, wrote in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

Moreover, as The Philadelphia Inquirer pointed out, if the proposed constitutional amendment passes the Legislature this year and again early in 2023, it could be placed on next years primary election ballot. And, if successful, the House map that Republicans now are complaining about could be redrawn for the 2024 election.

Khalif Ali, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a nonpartisan good-government group, told the Inquirer that Groves proposal clearly is intended to disrupt the maps being considered now. Thats a very, very troubling part, he said.

We agree.

Whichever party is in power already holds too much sway over the redistricting process.

Which is why we continue to argue for a truly independent citizens commission, as most good-government advocates support.

But Groves proposal is a particularly nervy power play.

The issue of redistricting is very complex. Lawmakers count on our eyes glazing over so they can do what they want.

Lets not let them. Contact Grove and your state House members to tell them that partisan lawmakers shouldnt have ultimate control over redistricting.

Tell them that just because a state House legislative map has been drawn in a way that redresses past Republican gerrymandering, that doesnt make the map illegitimate.

Tell them that the notion of Republican lawmakers being given the power to determine their own districts, so that they  or their favored successors  can remain in power is the epitome of gerrymandering.

Giving the party in power an unfair advantage in elections is not supposed to happen in a democratic republic.

The conflict

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission approved its preliminary state Senate map in a 5-0 vote last month.

The commission passed its state House map by a vote of 3-2. Because Nordenberg, the commissions chair, voted with the two Democrats on the panel to pass it, hes being blasted by Republicans in attacks decried by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial Board as cynical and damaging.

Among the maps opponents: Republican state House Speaker Bryan Cutler, of Drumore Township.

As Sam Janesch, of The Caucus, an LNP Media Group watchdog publication, wrote last month, the new state legislative maps would likely mean safe reelection campaigns for local Republican incumbents and an additional seat in the state House for local Democrats.

The proposed House map, Janesch explained, splits (Lancaster) city, the only Democratic stronghold in a Republican-heavy county, in half  linking its northern precincts with most of Manheim Township and putting its southern precincts in a separate district with Lancaster Township, Millersville Borough and a bit of both Manheim and West Lampeter townships. Covering the whole city and its Democratic-trending suburbs, both seats would be considered locks for Democratic candidates in a general election.

So, after decades, Lancaster County finally may send two Democrats to Harrisburg. But the county House delegation likely would remain overwhelmingly Republican.

Nevertheless, Cutler has derided the proposed House map as a clear example of partisan gerrymandering.

And he called it insulting to all voters to see one political party so blatantly try to skew the lines in an effort to silence the voice of the people.

Irony dies yet again.

As The Philadelphia Inquirer has reported, the new state House map favors Republicans, but significantly less so than the current one, according to a detailed data analysis conducted for The Inquirer by the nonpartisan Princeton Gerrymandering Project.

Republicans dont want a map that favors them by just a bit. They want a map that favors them by a lot.

Constitutional ploy

Hence their desire to change the state constitution so they would have the power to draw the maps themselves.

As Spotlight PA noted, Groves proposal is the latest in a series of constitutional amendments being pushed by Pennsylvania Republicans as a way to take issues directly to the public, circumventing the veto power of the governors office.

Grove and his fellow Republican lawmakers know that if constitutional amendments are placed on the ballot in primary elections, voter participation will be low and many independents will stay away, because they cannot weigh in on the major-party nominees (though they can vote on ballot questions).

Grove and company claim that by passing proposals via state constitutional amendment they are giving power to the people  but what theyre really trying to do is to sneak something past the wider electorate.

This isnt transparency. This is a savvy political ploy thats harmful to democracy.

Changing electorate

The reality is that the commonwealths demographics have changed in recent years. Pennsylvania is just one of four states  Connecticut, Louisiana and Rhode Island are the others  that would have lost population over the past decade if it werent for Hispanic population gains, according to census figures, the AP reported.

In an op-ed published in LNP | LancasterOnline on Wednesday, Michael Jones-Correa, a University of Pennsylvania expert on Latino politics, noted that all population growth in Lancaster County, for example, was the result of increases in the numbers of communities of color, and today 11% of Lancaster County is Latino.

Jones-Correa argues persuasively that the new Pennsylvania legislative maps must reflect this diversity.

Not everyone is convinced that the Legislative Reapportionment Commission succeeded in this regard. As the AP reported, Spanish-language radio station owner Victor Martinez believes the commission created more districts that favor minority candidates generally, but not necessarily Latino candidates.

Just four Latinos serve in the 253-seat state Legislature, Martinez pointed out. Thats under 2%, the AP noted. Proportional representation would be more like 29 seats.

As proponents for Lancaster County, where Hispanics and other residents of color play a growing and valuable role in building our communities, we believe there needs to be greater diversity in the state Capitol. We also want to see all county voters have more choices at the polls.

Neither of these goals would be accomplished by giving Republicans the ultimate say in determining their own legislative districts.
Gov. Tom Wolf recently vetoed an effort by Republican legislators to block Pennsylvanias entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. This is an 11-state, cap-and-trade program that would aim to cut overall carbon dioxide emissions in Pennsylvania by 26% by 2025 and 80% by 2050.

With one state climate projection showing that Pennsylvania could be an average of 6 degrees warmer by 2050, Wolf says that the time to get serious in this fight is now.

Pennsylvanias addition to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative alone is projected to account for about 78 million tons of carbon emissions each year, which is slightly more than all of the first nine states combined. At the most recent prices, that could net Pennsylvania hundreds of millions of dollars per year.

The Wolf administration proposes that this money be split between helping businesses and homes become more energy-efficient; be highly targeted to help communities and workers in industries most hurt by the changing energy market dynamics; and help those who have been disadvantaged by past energy policies.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection modeling shows only small changes in employment and gross state product in the long term. Job losses in resource extraction would be offset by gains in construction of clean and renewable power production and the manufacturing to support it.

Republicans are striving to override the veto. Thus far, they do not have the votes. Contact your state legislators today and ask them not to override Wolfs veto. The climate is at risk!

Alan Peterson, M.D.

Pequea Township
In Tribute to Dr. King, We have a Responsibility!

In Ecclesiastes 3:1 it tells us, to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. This Monday, January 17, we remember the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a great American hero, preacher, and civil rights leader.

This American legend came along when our nation was sweltering with hatred and injustice. Too many people were reaping the benefits through the blood, sweat, and tears of people misused, abused, and treated less than second-class citizens.

God divinely orchestrated a situation in the deep south that inspired Martin Luther King Jr. to lead a civil rights movement against the injustices in our nation. This movement opened doors that were closed and tore down barriers that prevented people who had been devalued because of segregation, racism, and Jim Crow laws.

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Just as Moses had his time to lead a people out of Egypton December 1, 1955 in Montgomery Alabama, it was Martin Luther King Jr.s season and time. God placed a mantel in his hand, which gave him the power to march to the beat of a different drum. It was a drumbeat that had never been heard before in America and it shook the very foundation of our nation.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a drum major for justice, a drum major for peace, and a drum major for righteousness. He dreamed for a greater and better America, where people would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. We were able to see Black children walk and attend school together with children of all races and social classes.

Martin Luther King, Jr. knew that the fight to end racism, segregation, lynching, and persecution, could cost him his life. Yet, King never gave up dreaming. He dared to stand and make a difference that changed our nation and the world.

And later, before our very own eyes, we witnessed Barrack Obama elected to be the first African American president. As a tribute to King daring to dream the American dream, in 2011, President Barrack Obama dedicated a monument in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

We have a responsibility, not to just honor what King stood for, but to continue fighting for the injustices of local and state governments who dare to take away our rights to vote. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by thy might, lead us into the light, keep us forever in the path we pray.

There is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. This is our time to stand and fight. We cannot lose our right to vote. We must make the effort to stop election sabotage and do everything in our power to prevent discrimination and voter suppression against Blacks, Latinos, Asians, and other minority groups. Let us earnestly fulfil our responsibility!

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The Rev. Dr. Ralph Williamson is the senior pastor of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, a multicultural congregation of more than 3,000 located in Irvine, California.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Baku Energy Week will take place in Azerbaijan on June 1-3, 2022, Day.az has reported.

The event's program includes the following topics: "The future of the energy at the crossroads. Green Energy recovery", "Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the energy sector and forecasts for recovery", "New benchmarks for oil and gas in the new energy era. From Oil & Gas Company to Energy Company", "Oil & Gas Technologies and Artificial Intelligence", etc.

The most prestigious event in the oil-gas and energy sphere in the Caspian region - Baku Energy Week combines the 27th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition, 10th Anniversary Caspian International Energy and Renewable Energy Exhibition, and Baku Energy Forum which is the successor of Caspian Oil & Gas Conference.

The events are organized by Iteca Caspian and its international partners with the official support of the country's Energy Ministry and State Oil Company (SOCAR).

Azerbaijan successfully implements a consistent energy policy, which results in stability and energy security in the region.

In January-November 2021, Azerbaijan increased its electricity production by 1.8 billion kWh, bringing the volume to 25.2 billion kWh. Electricity imports increased by 15.3 million kWh to 141 million kWh, while exports increased by 400.5 million kWh to 1.3 billion kWh.

During the first 11 months of the year, Azerbaijan's natural gas production amounted to 39.7 billion cubic meters of gas, while gas sales abroad amounted to 16.9 billion cubic meters. Some 31.6 million tons of oil, including condensate, were produced in Azerbaijan and 25.7 million tons of oil, including condensate, were exported in the first 11 months of 2021.
Obama, Biden Honor Sen. Reid as Man Who Got Things Done

When Reid helped pass the Affordable Care Act at the start of Obamas first term, he didnt do it to burnish his own legacy, Obama said. When Reid was a boy, Obama explained, Reids family was so poor that he didnt even know what health care was. When a tooth went bad, his father pulled it himself. A brother let a broken leg heal on its own.

In Reids work in Washington, he did it for the people back home and families like his, who needed somebody looking out for them, when nobody else did. Harry got things done, Obama said.

The thing about Harry, He never gave up. He never gave up. He never gave up on anybody who cared about him, said Biden, who served for two decades with Reid in the Senate and worked with him for eight years when Biden was vice president.

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If Harry said he was going to do something, he did it, Biden added. You could bank on it.

A running and humorous theme throughout the funeral was `Harry Reiding _ Reids habit of abruptly ending telephone conversations without saying goodbye.

I have to tell you, every time I hear a dial tone, I think of Harry, Biden told mourners.

Reids son Leif sought to explain his fathers well-known habit, a move that sometimes left the other person _ whether powerful politicians or close family _ chatting away for several minutes before realizing he was no longer there.

I probably got hung up on the most by Harry Reid, two or three times a day, for 12 years, Pelosi said.

Sometimes I even called him back and said Harry, I was singing your praises, Pelosi said. To which Reid replied: I dont want to hear it, she said, before shed hear the phone click dead again.

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Leif Reid said that was part of the narrative of his fathers life, and a gesture about Reid preserving time for family.

When he hung up on you, maybe so quickly, it isnt as much about him being brusque as it is about him being devoted to my mom, Leif Reid said. All four of his siblings also spoke at the memorial service.

Reid served for 34 years in Washington and led the Senate through a crippling recession and the Republican takeover of the House after the 2010 elections.

Harry Mason Reid hitchhiked 40 miles (64 kilometers) to high school and was an amateur boxer before he was elected to the Nevada state Assembly at 28. He had graduated from Utah State University and worked nights as a U.S. Capitol police officer while attending George Washington University Law School in Washington.

In 1970, at age 30, he was elected state lieutenant governor with Democratic Gov. Mike OCallaghan. Reid was elected to the House in 1982 and the Senate in 1986.

He built a political machine in Nevada that for years helped Democrats win key elections. When he retired in 2016 after an exercise accident at home left him blind in one eye, he picked former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to replace him.

Cortez Masto became the first woman from Nevada and the first Latina ever elected to the U.S. Senate.

Reids body will be flown to Washington to lie in state at the Capitol rotunda, and another ceremony will be held there on Wednesday.

The host of Saturdays Las Vegas services, Marcus Faust, said Reids casket will return to Nevada for burial at the family plot in Searchlight.
Friday, January 14, 2022

Okay, here I go, diving into Seafarers Pension Plan v. Bradway, recently out of the Seventh Circuit. The appeal was argued in November 2020, which means this opinion took about 100 years to come down in Seventh Circuit time, and, well, to be honest, Im not sure they worked out all the kinks.

I blogged extensively about the district court decision in this case here (although in the interests of full disclosure I should probably mention I spoke with the plaintiffs attorneys about the appeal, after the blog post went up). The too-short version is that Boeing had a bylaw purporting to require that all derivative actions be filed in Delaware Chancery. Plaintiffs filed a derivative action in federal court alleging Exchange Act claims under Section 14(a). According to the plaintiffs, the Boeing defendants solicited shareholder votes in favor of their own reelection and compensation with false statements in the corporate proxy about the development of the 737 Max. Boeing moved to dismiss in favor of Chancery due to the bylaw. This was awkward because state courts, like Delaware Chancery, do not have jurisdiction to hear Exchange Act claims, and so enforcement of the bylaw in this case would be tantamount to a waiver of the claim. But the Exchange Act prohibits predispute waiver of claims, and so the plaintiffs argued that the bylaw was invalid as applied here.

The district court ruled in Boeings favor and dismissed. The plaintiffs appealed to the Seventh Circuit and, simultaneously, filed an action in Delaware Chancery alleging that the bylaw, as applied here, violated Delaware law. The Delaware case (Docket No. 2020-0556-MTZ) was stayed in favor of the Seventh Circuit, and last week, the Seventh Circuit reversed and remanded, by a 2-1 vote, with Judge Easterbrook dissenting.

[Warning: Very long discussion under the cut, which will get unfortunately into the legal weeds at times, cant be helped]

Given all that, you would think that the main issue before the Seventh Circuit would be whether the bylaw violates federal securities law by forcing a pre-dispute waiver. (You might also think the issue would be whether the bylaw even constitutes a contract for Exchange Act purposes in the first place, but no one  not litigants, not courts  seems terribly interested in talking about that issue, even to weigh in on the reasoning of Salzberg v. Sciabacucchi, which is not binding outside of Delaware, so Ill skip it).

Anyway, you might think that this case was about the requirements of the Exchange Act. But you would be wrong. Because the Seventh Circuit  sort of  decided this case as a matter of Delaware law. And through that lens, decided that Delaware would not permit a bylaw that violates federal securities laws, which this bylaw does, and so the bylaw was unenforceable as a Delaware matter.

If it was enforceable under Delaware law but violated the federal securities laws, would it still be invalid? I assume so but you would not know that by the Seventh Circuits reasoning, which was focused on determining what Delaware thinks.

Anyway, here are selected excerpts of the Seventh Circuits opinion:

Applying the forum bylaw to this case is contrary to Delaware corporation law and federal securities law. In Part III, we explain that the forum bylaw is unenforceable as applied to this case because its application would violate Section 115 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Delaware corporation law gives corporations considerable leeway in writing bylaws, including bylaws with choice-of-forum provisions, but it respects federal securities law and does not empower corporations to use such techniques to opt out of the Exchange Act. III. Applying Delaware Corporation Law . If it can be applied to this case, the by-law will force plaintiff to raise its claims in a Delaware state court, which is not authorized to exercise jurisdiction over Exchange Act claims. 15 U.S.C.  78aa; Cottrell v. Duke, 737 F.3d 1238, 124748 (8th Cir. 2013). If thats correct, checkmate for defendants. That result would be difficult to reconcile with Section 29(a) of the Exchange Act, which deems void contractual waivers of compliance with the requirements of the Act. 15 U.S.C.  78cc(a). Delaware Corporation Law on Forum-Selection Bylaws We read Delaware corporation law as rejecting Boeings use of its forum bylaw to foreclose entirely plaintiffs derivative action under Section 14(a). [In Boilermakers Local 154 Retirement Fund v. Chevron Corp., 73 A.3d 934 (Del. Ch. 2013)], [t]he plaintiffs asked a hypothetical question. Suppose the board of FedEx sought to enforce the forum bylaw to foreclose a plaintiff from bringing a claim within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts? Thats this case. The Delaware Court of Chancery explained that in such a case, the board would have trouble. [because the Boilermakers court believed such a bylaw would violate the Exchange Act] [I]t is sufficient for our purposes that the reasoning of Boilermakers Fund does not authorize application of the Boeing forum bylaw to this case, where it would effectively foreclose a claim under federal securities law. The Court of Chancery made clear that enforcement of a forum bylaw to foreclose a plaintiff from exercising her rights under the Exchange Act of 1934 would be inconsistent with the anti-waiver provision of that Act. 73 A.3d at 962. No Delaware law, at least to our knowledge, authorizes such an inconsistency.

This entire discussion, to me, is baffling, because its almost an afterthought that the Seventh Circuit concludes the bylaw as applied here violates the anti-waiver provisions of the Exchange Act. Normally, youd expect that to end the matter; whether Delaware does or doesnt authorize the bylaw is beside the point, because the Supremacy Clause beats Delaware. Instead, the primary focus of the Seventh Circuit is what Delaware thinks of such bylaws  and whether, amazingly, a Delaware Chancery court thinks they violate the Exchange Act.

I mean no disrespect to Delaware Chancery or then-Chancellor Strine, who authored the Boilermakers opinion, its just  normally, I wouldnt expect a federal court of appeals to defer to a trial-level state courts interpretation of what federal law requires. But apparently sprinkling the words bylaw or charter provision over something imbues Delaware with a mystical power to supersede all other sources of law.

(I have previously expressed concern about Delaware consuming all legal systems in its path; this is the most spectacular example yet.).

To be sure, in Part IV of the opinion, the Seventh Circuit focuses solely on federal law to reject the defendants argument that similar forum selection clauses have been upheld in other cases. But even then, I read the Seventh Circuit as framing the issue in terms of whether Delaware would authorize an illegal forum selection clause, so that the federal issue is only relevant insofar as it sheds light on how Delaware would approach the matter. I.e., the Seventh Circuit explains that defendants are trying [t]o avoid this result  that is, invalidation under Delaware law  by claiming that the bylaw is similar to other forum selection clauses that pass muster under federal law, and the Seventh Circuit concludes the bylaw is not, in fact, similar to those other forum selection clauses.

With that said, lets unpack this Matryoshka doll.

When it comes to the reasoning based solely on federal law, I think the Seventh Circuit has it right. The court begins by saying if the bylaw would deny the plaintiffs any forum for their claims, it would operate as a waiver, in violation of the Exchange Act (well, as you can see from the quoted bits above, it half says that, and half relies on Chancery saying that). The Seventh Circuit then addresses the argument that persuaded the district court: That there is precedent enforcing forum selection clauses  even those that operate as waivers of securities claims  so long as the plaintiffs can advance substantively similar claims in the chosen forum. The Seventh Circuit rejects that argument because the line of cases to so hold dealt with international securities transactions, where it was particularly important that the parties enjoy certainty as to which countrys law would apply.

Thats the point I made in my blog post on this case, that the international cases dont justify enforcing a forum selection/waiver in the context of a purely domestic transaction.

So far so good.

But all this discussion of federal law was embedded in a discussion of Delaware law, and thats where things went awry. Heres the relevant part of the Seventh Circuits reasoning:

We read Delaware corporation law as rejecting Boeings use of its forum bylaw to foreclose entirely plaintiffs derivative action under Section 14(a). Section 115 of the Delaware General Corporation Law addresses specifically bylaws that impose choices of forums for litigation involving corporate affairs. Section 115 provides in relevant part that bylaws may require, consistent with applicable jurisdictional requirements, that any or all internal corporate claims shall be brought solely and exclusively in any or all of the courts in this State. 8 Del. C.  115. Section 115 defines internal corporate claims to include derivative claims like this one: claims, including claims in the right of the corporation, (i) that are based upon a violation of a duty by a current or former director or officer or stockholder in such capacity  . 8 Del. C.  115. For present purposes, the two key phrases in Section 115 are consistent with applicable jurisdictional requirements and courts in this State. As applied here, Boeings forum bylaw violates Section 115 because it is inconsistent with the jurisdictional requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C.  78cc(a).  The statutory language shows that Section 115 does not authorize application of Boeings forum bylaw to close all courthouse doors to this derivative action. The synopsis accompanying the 2015 Amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law anticipated the question posed in this case. It cautioned that the new Section 115 was not intended to authorize a provision that purports to foreclose suit in a federal court based on federal jurisdiction, nor is Section 115 intended to limit or expand the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery or the Superior Court. S.B. 75, 148th Gen. Assemb., Reg. Sess. (Del. 2015) (synopsis). By eliminating federal jurisdiction over the Seafarers Plans exclusively federal derivative claims, Boeings forum bylaw forecloses suit in a federal court based on federal jurisdiction. Thats exactly what Section 115 was not intended to authorize. From these signals in the statutory text and Delaware case law, we conclude that Section 115 does not authorize use of a forum-selection bylaw to avoid what should be exclusive federal jurisdiction over a case, particularly under the Exchange Act.

The problem here is that Section 115 doesnt apply to derivative claims like this one. Heres what the Delaware Supreme Court said in Salzberg v. Sciabacucchi:

Neither side in this case argues that Section 115s definition of internal corporate claims encompasses Section 11 claims. We think Section 115 likely was intended to address claims requiring the application of Delaware corporate law as opposed to federal law. Stated differently, we do not think the General Assembly intended to encompass federal claims within the definition of internal corporate claims. Thus, Section 115 is not implicated.

In my original post on this case, I asked whether maybe 115 could apply if you consider that demand standards for derivative Section 14(a) claims are drawn from Delaware law (more on that below), and one could certainly argue that Section 115 and its history shed light on the propriety of the bylaw, but the Seventh Circuit seems to be straight up interpreting Section 115 to govern this bylaw, and concluding that the bylaw violates Section 115 by denying plaintiffs access to the only forum with jurisdiction. But Section 115 does not, in fact, govern this bylaw, at least, not in the way the Seventh Circuit seems to mean it.

Does that mean the Seventh Circuit is wrong, and Delaware law does authorize the bylaw?

No, because the Seventh Circuit did address the argument  made by defendants  that the bylaw was authorized by the general power in Section 109(b). And it rejected that argument, as well. Partly, the Seventh Circuit (erroneously) held that the specific Section 115 was more applicable than the general Section 109(b), see Op. at 11, but then the Seventh Circuit also held that Section 109(b) only authorizes provisions not inconsistent with law, which this bylaw is not, because, well, federal law. Further, the Seventh Circuit said, Boilermakers  which was dealing with Section 109(b)  strongly suggested that a bylaw that denied plaintiffs access to a federal forum on an Exchange Act claim would be invalid.

So, says the Seventh Circuit, whether you look at it as a matter of Section 115, or as a matter of Section 109(b), Delaware law does not authorize a bylaw that denies access to the only courts with jurisdiction, and for that reason, the bylaw is unenforceable as to these plaintiffs.

Okay. Thats the majority.

But Easterbrook dissents! Easterbrook points out, correctly, that Section 14(a) does not contain a private right of action; instead, one was inferred in J.I. Case Co. v. Borak, 377 U.S. 426 (1964). The bylaw does not apply to direct claims, and so plaintiffs are free to file direct claims in federal court. (Well, not these plaintiffs; as I explained in my prior post, theres already a direct federal securities class action pending against Boeing; thats why these plaintiffs filed derivatively. But the bylaw would not affect all plaintiffs ability to file direct Section 14(a) claims.)

But when it comes to derivative claims under Section 14(a), Easterbrook says, these are not really federal claims at all; instead, they are basically vehicles for state law claims:

Recall what a derivative action is. An investor who wants a corporation to sue members of its own board or management proceeds in multiple steps. First the investor demands action from the board. If the board says no, the investor sues the directors seeking a judicial order compelling them (or permitting the investor on their behalf) to require the corporation to sue. If a court issues such an order, the corporation (perhaps represented by the investor as its agent) litigates against the directors. The first two steps, which address the question Who speaks for the corporation?, are matters of corporate internal affairs under state law. So Kamen v. Kemper Financial Services, Inc., 500 U.S. 90 (1991), holds with respect to derivative suits whose ultimate (third) step would rest on federal law. It is state law, Kamen tells us, that determines both when demand is required and when investors can step into a corporations shoes. And the third stepin which a corporation, author of the proxy materials, sues its own directorsalso rests on state law. Plaintiffs theory at the third step would be that the directors violated their state-law duty of care by permitting Boeing to do things that exposed it to liability under federal law. Section 14(a) plays a role in such litigation, to be sure, but does not create the claim. Nor is the derivative claim necessary to enforce the federal rule, which is done through investors or the SECs direct suits. Suppose Delaware were to abolish derivative suits. Investors still could sue managers for violating the state-law duties of care or loyalty. Investors still could sue companies under statutes such as 14(a). Would abolishing derivative actions violate federal law? I cant see how. And if states can abolish derivative suits without violating 14(a), they can permit corporations to establish conditions on derivative suits. The federal right is for investors or the SEC to sue directly. The Supreme Court has never held or even intimated that there is a federal right to pursue a derivative claim under 14(a) when the investor can pursue a direct claim. J.I. Case Co. v. Borak, 377 U.S. 426, 432 (1964), holds that 14 supports a derivative claim when its denial would be tantamount to a denial of federal relief; that condition does not hold when the private plaintiff can pursue a direct action in federal court.

Without getting into too much detail, he eventually concludes that because derivative actions inherently arise under state law, they can be litigated in state court  even if the claim depends on Section 14(a). Which means that the bylaw has not effected a substantive waiver of the claim at all.

Im not really sure what to make of this and to be entirely honest, Im also not sure I completely understand his reasoning, but from what I think hes saying, Ill start with: Im not sure he understands that direct and derivative suits are not interchangeable. Right now, the legal system treats certain claims as necessarily derivative or direct depending on the nature of the harm alleged; if Delaware were to abolish derivative suits, that doesnt mean [i]nvestors still could sue managers for violating the state-law duties of care or loyalty; without more, it means there would be no claim at all for derivative harms arising from violation of the duties of care and loyalty. He does not seem to fully internalize that certain kinds of harms are characterized as direct or derivative, and simply eliminating one form of action does not mean investors automatically could sue under the other, let alone get the same relief.

Beyond that, he relies on Kamen to conclude that derivative claims are governed by state law, and here, I take issue with his reading of that case. Kamen was about the Investment Company Act (ICA), and heres the relevant quote:

It is clear that the contours of the demand requirement in a derivative action founded on the ICA are governed by federal law. Because the ICA is a federal statute, any common law rule necessary to effectuate a private cause of action under that statute is necessarily federal in character It does not follow, however, that the content of such a rule must be wholly the product of a federal court's own devising. Our cases indicate that a court should endeavor to fill the interstices of federal remedial schemes with uniform federal rules only when the scheme in question evidences a distinct need for nationwide legal standards, or when express provisions in analogous statutory schemes embody congressional policy choices readily applicable to the matter at hand. Otherwise, we have indicated that federal courts should incorporat [e] [state law] as the federal rule of decision, unless application of [the particular] state law [in question] would frustrate specific objectives of the federal programs. The presumption that state law should be incorporated into federal common law is particularly strong in areas in which private parties have entered legal relationships with the expectation that their rights and obligations would be governed by state-law standards. Corporation law is one such area.

In other words, for derivative Section 14(a) claims, you might incorporate state law demand standards to effectuate the right. But that doesnt transmogrify the claim into one originating in state law; the rule itself is still federal, with content borrowed from state law. And if the state law standard undermined federal law (by, say, abolishing derivative actions) it would not be used.

If there were any doubt that these are federal claims, well, theres Borak:

It appears clear that private parties have a right under s 27 to bring suit for violation of s 14(a) of the Act. Indeed, this section specifically grants the appropriate District Courts jurisdiction over all suits in equity and actions at law brought to enforce any liability or duty created under the Act. N.B.: Derivative suits are a tool of equity While the respondent contends that his Count 2 claim is not a derivative one, we need not embrace that view, for we believe that a right of action exists as to both derivative and direct causes. The purpose of s 14(a) is to prevent management or others from obtaining authorization for corporate action by means of deceptive or inadequate disclosure in proxy solicitation. While this language makes no specific reference to a private right of action, among its chief purposes is the protection of investors, which certainly implies the availability of judicial relief where necessary to achieve that result. The injury which a stockholder suffers from corporate action pursuant to a deceptive proxy solicitation ordinarily flows from the damage done the corporation, rather than from the damage inflicted directly upon the stockholder. The damage suffered results not from the deceit practiced on him alone but rather from the deceit practiced on the stockholders as a group. To hold that derivative actions are not within the sweep of the section would therefore be tantamount to a denial of private relief. As in anti-trust treble damage litigation, the possibility of civil damages or injunctive relief serves as a most effective weapon in the enforcement of the proxy requirements. We, therefore, believe that under the circumstances here it is the duty of the courts to be alert to provide such remedies as are necessary to make effective the congressional purpose.

That does not, to me, suggest you do a case by case analysis to see whether direct claims are sufficient in a particular case; it sounds like, because direct claims are not always sufficient, derivative claims are authorized under the statute. In Borak itself, after all, the Court specifically held it did not have to decide whether the claims were properly styled as direct or derivative because either way Section 14(a) authorized the action; it did not hold that derivative claims were available on those facts because direct claims on those facts were unavailable. And in the years since Borak, well, see Yamamoto v. Omiya, 564 F.2d 1319 (9th Cir. 1977) (a shareholder who alleges a deceptive or misleading proxy solicitation is entitled to bring both direct and derivative suits.); Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Harbert Discovery Fund, LP, 2021 WL 4443258 (S.D.N.Y. 2021) (In 1964, the Supreme Court held in Borak that a shareholder has an implied right of action to bring suit, either in a direct or derivative capacity, under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.). Etc.

Some of Boraks reasoning is that if youre not fooled by a false proxy, but other people are, you might not have direct standing  which may have been an issue 1964 but wasnt by 1970. See Mills v. Electric Auto-Lite Co., 396 U.S. 375 (1970). But the rest of Boraks reasoning is that Section 14(a) claims may be derivative because the harm falls on the corporation itself. Like, shareholders may be tricked into voting for some kind of action that harms the company rather than the shareholder individually. For example, what if directors issue a false proxy statement that tricks shareholders into voting to authorize a new stock issuance that is used to fund a bad acquisition? The harm is classically derivative (though yes I realize some 14(a) cases have alleged direct harms in that scenario). Delaware state law doesnt have a great remedy for that kind of harm, not if the misstatement was negligent rather than intentional, but Section 14(a)  which permits claims based on negligence  does.

So imagine such a claim. Is Easterbrook saying that theres no federal Section 14(a) derivative claim in that circumstance? Does that mean Section 14(a) necessarily provides a direct remedy (I can think of some defendants who would disagree)? What if there was no provable market reaction; what would the direct remedy be? Or is he saying that because direct claims under Section 14(a) would not be sufficient to capture the harm in that instance, Section 14(a) derivative claims would be authorized? And that these Boeing plaintiffs are different, because they arent arguing that they were tricked into authorizing a bad merger, but that they were tricked into voting for directors who then violated state law duties?

If that last point is what hes getting at here, it may be unnecessary to boot, because some courts have held that claims under Section 14(a) already have a tight loss causation requirement, to wit:

the mere fact that omissions in proxy materials, by permitting directors to win re-election, indirectly lead to financial loss through mismanagement will not create a sufficient nexus with the alleged monetary loss. Rather, damages are recoverable under Section 14(a) only when the votes for a specific corporate transaction requiring shareholder authorization, such as a corporate merger

Gen. Elec. Co. v. Cathcart, 980 F.2d 927 (3d Cir. 1992); see also Edward J. Goodman Life Income Tr. v. Jabil Cir., Inc., 594 F.3d 783 (11th Cir. 2010) (no Section 14(a) losses because it was managements failure to follow corporate policies, and not the actual election of directors, that contributed to the shareholders loss). To be fair, there is some disagreement about this, see discussion in Employees Retirement System of City of St. Louis v. Jones, 2021 WL 1890490 (S.D. Ohio 2021)  but my point is, thats the framing for addressing harms that are somewhat removed from the shareholder vote itself, not by treating the whole case as arising out of state law.

Given that, Im not sure how Easterbrooks analysis is, umm, helpful, though it is possible Section 14(a) could use some clarity on the direct/derivative distinction. Not as a matter of determining what private rights of action are authorized under the statute, but as a matter of determining when the harm alleged is properly identified as a corporate harm.

Anyhoo, neither side actually advocated for Easterbrooks proposal  that the Section 14(a) claims be litigated in Delaware Chancery  so Im guessing that it wont appear much in further arguments.

Which means were left with:

(1) Will the defendants seek certiorari? I will say this for the Seventh Circuit: By embedding the federal analysis within the Delaware law analysis, it conjured a pretty powerful Supreme Court-repelling charm. (This Law360 article also suggests Boeing might seek en banc review, but considering the headache the case apparently gave the panel, I would be surprised if the full court was tempted to wade into the mess.)

(2) What about the simultaneous Delaware Chancery action? Does Delaware Chancery now get to decide whether the Seventh Circuit was right or wrong when it says that a Delaware corporation cant authorize a bylaw that illegally waives federal securities claims?

(3) What about the Lee v. Fisher case, which I blogged about here? Its currently on appeal to the Ninth Circuit, and poses very similar questions.

I have no idea.

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/business_law/2022/01/the-battles-done-and-we-kinda-won.html


Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher we answer a question from a reader in China.

Question:

There is a question Ive been thinking about for a long time. What is the difference between even though and even if? Could you tell me the answer? Thank you.

Roy, China.

Answer:

Dear Roy,

Thanks for writing to us. You asked a question that many learners of English have. Let us begin with even though.

Even though

Even though comes before a statement of fact. It has a similar use to the word but. Here are examples about travel to your country, Roy:

I want to travel to China, but I cannot because of COVID travel restrictions.

Now, see how you can say the same thing with the expression even though:

Even though I want to visit China, I cannot because of the pandemic.

Compare these statements with even though and the expression despite the fact that.

Despite the fact that snow fell on Monday, our schools opened.

Our schools opened Monday even though there was snow.

In both statements, it is true that snow fell Monday and although our schools often close due to snow, they did not on this day.

Even if

Grammar expert Betty Azar says that statements with even if are similar to ones with whether or not. Even if tells us that there is a certain condition that does not matter. Compare these examples.

I will take the dog for a walk even if it is raining.

Whether or not it is raining, I will take the dog for a walk.



For both statements, the rain is possible, but may not happen.

You will sometimes find that even if describes an unreal situation.

Even if I could travel to Mars, I would not go there.

I cannot attend the party, even if you could change the time.

In these examples, it is impossible to travel to Mars and the time of the party cannot be changed. However, the speakers say that in any case, they are not interested in traveling to Mars and are not able to attend the party.

I hope this helps you understand the difference between even if and even though, Roy.

What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com

And thats Ask a Teacher.

Im Jill Robbins.

Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

__________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

despite  prep. without being prevented by (something)  used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true

Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.




In the West African nation of Burkina Faso, wives are often blamed when marriages run into trouble. The World Bank is supporting a project to teach men how to be better husbands by taking them to school.

The program was organized by the Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend, or SWEDD.

Yeli Ouigo attended one of the "husband schools" to help him become a better spouse to Kwama Zoupoka, his wife.

"Before taking part in the classes, life as a couple wasn't easy," Ouigo said.

He said that there was a time when he did not think that women and men had much in common when it came to problems with family life. After the classes, however, he understood that married couples can help each other.

The schools use many teaching techniques. They include role play, 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.

Nabalou Bibata of the Association for the Promotion of Women and Children organized the project. She said the classes have made a big difference to women in the community. Some men have even attended the childbirth of their wives, she said. Bibata said this is a part of taking responsibility for the care of the children by the fathers.

The program helps the men of the village who are not able to take part in the husband schools, Bibata said. That is because 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 brought to countries like South Africa and Niger.

Edward Wageni is world wide head for the United Nations Women HeForShe Initiative. He said the husband schools can help reduce incidents of violence in the home.

He said it helps men understand that womens rights are not just about women and girls.

Gender equality is about everybody," he said.

Wageni said the husband schools also could be be helpful in countries outside Africa, places where gender equality is better than in 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 great success, and said it will be expanded to other parts of the country. The second part of the project is due to start later this year.

Im Mario Ritter, Jr.

Henry Wilkins reported this story for VOANEWS. Mario Ritter Jr. adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_________________________________________________

Words in This Story

spouse n. someone who is married; a husband or wife

couple n. two people who are married; two people in a relationship

technique n. a way of doing something by using special knowledge or skill

role n. the part someone plays in an activity

hygiene n. the things that you do to keep yourself and your surroundings clean in order to maintain good health

encourage v. to make someone more likely to do something

replicate v. to repeat or copy something exactly

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The theatrical magic that keeps New Yorks Broadway going during the latest COVID-19 spread has been performers ready to step in in an emergency.

Actor Carla Stickler went a step further. She returned to acting from retirement to save the musical Wicked.

Stickler launched a new career as a software engineer in Chicago three years ago. But she canceled her vacation this winter and went to New York Citys center of theater performances, Broadway. She had agreed to replace a star of the show after much of the cast became infected with COVID-19.

Stickler played the green skinned Elphaba in the musical play. She may have been playing an evil witch, but Stickler's effort was all good.

It was like riding a bike, she said. I got out there and I was like, Oh, I remember this. This is really special, and Im just going to try to enjoy every second of it.



Her effort is just one example of the work Broadway's understudies do. They are standbys and fill-ins who keep shows open. Often, they learn several parts with little official rehearsing.

The heavy pressure on theater companies to keep shows open is eased by these skillful performers. Actor Hugh Jackman recently praised the many understudies who kept his revival of The Music Man open.

Stickler said the recognition of these less famous performers is important. I think they sometimes get overlooked, she said, adding, its been really emotional to see the outpouring of love for all what they do.

Stickler was not alone in trying to rescue Broadway. At one point over the holidays, eight of the 12 actors in Broadway's Come From Away were substitutes. They included two  Pearl Sun and Holly Ann Butler  who had left the production. Another, Marika Aubrey, returned to Broadway from the travelling show.

Josh Breckenridge is the musicals dance captain. He is also a standby performer for five of the six males in the play.

It really took a village and it was a beautiful village, Breckenridge said. Im very proud of us for nailing it.

He also praised the crowds who watched the show, describing the support as wonderful.

Breckenridge has been on Broadway with The Scottsboro Boys, The Ritz and other shows. He hopes the theater system will learn from recent experiences and make changes to better meet difficult times. He called on the industry to employ more standbys and fill-ins.

I hope that producers out there notice and start to hire more coverage so that we can avoid moments like this, he said. Breckenridge added, Were literally the reason for the phrase the show must go on.

Stickler was one reason Wicked could continue this holiday season. On December 27, she was driving with her husband and dog to Maine for a one-week vacation with friends. She got an urgent call from the producers to return to the musical.

Stickler had last performed the part on Broadway in 2015. She had spent 10 years with the Broadway company and starred in a national series of Wicked.

Elphaba is just kind of something that lives in my body, and I think a lot of other understudies will say the same thing, she said.

I think everybody is really doing the best they can, she said. I do think the fact that the show has been able to stay open is a testament to how devoted the actors are to the show and how great and talented the group of people that they have hired over the years are.

While actors and crews working on Broadway are all vaccinated, wear masks and get tested daily, infections have spread anyway. Several productions, including Aladdin, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Lion King and Six, suspended performances because of infected performers.

Stickler is staying in New York this week just in case Wicked needs her help. Then, she will then travel back to Chicago, but she would not likely refuse a similar call to act in the future.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. I love the show, she said. If I turn 100, Ill do it at my 100th birthday party.

Im Caty Weaver.

The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. 

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page

___________________________________________________

Words in This Story

understudy  n. an actor who prepares to take the part of another actor if that actor is unable to perform

rehearse  v. to prepare for a public performance of a play, a piece of music

revival  n. a new production of an old show

nail it  idiom to succeed at something in a notable way

literally  adv. in a way that uses the ordinary and usual meaning of a word

devoted adj. having strong love or loyalty for someone or something
Linn County reported four new COVID-19-related deaths in a report from the Oregon Health Authority on Thursday, Jan. 13, raising that countys death total to 217.

Those deaths included an 81-year-old woman who died Dec. 5, a 72-year-old woman who died Dec. 4, a 90-year-old woman who died Dec. 4 and 73-year-old woman who died Dec. 1.

Linn County reported 307 new cases of the virus on Thursday, raising that countys case total to 18,073.

Benton County reported 325 new COVID-19 cases, raising that countys case total to 9,501. No new deaths were reported, with Benton Countys death total remaining at 46.

Statewide, OHA reported 9,796 new confirmed and presumptive cases of the virus Thursday, raising the case load total to 504,731. There were 25 new COVID-19-related deaths in Oregon, raising the state death total to 5,870.

In addition, information was released about the two Linn County and two Benton County deaths reported Wednesday.

In Linn County, an 81-year-old woman died Dec. 23, 2020, at her residence, and an 87-year-old woman died April 22 at her residence. Both had underlying conditions.

In Benton County, an 86-year-old man died Jan. 8 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, and an 80-year-old woman died April 5 at her residence. Both had underlying conditions.

Hospitalizations: There are currently 777 Oregonians hospitalized with COVID-19, 144 of whom are in intensive care unit beds. Of 656 total, there are 36 adult ICU beds unoccupied, a 5% availability. Of 4,127 adult non-ICU beds 233 are available, a 6% availability.

There are fewer unoccupied beds in the mid-Willamette Valley, which has a 1% availability for adult ICU beds and 3% for adult non-ICU beds.

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.

Vaccinations: OHA reported that 21,825 new coronavirus vaccine doses were added to the state immunization registry on Wednesday, Jan. 12. There are now nearly 2.8 million Oregonians who have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and over 2.5 million Oregonians who have completed a vaccine series. Nearly 1.3 million people in the state have received a booster dose.

Nationally: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 855,805 new confirmed and presumptive cases of the virus on Thursday, raising the U.S. case total to nearly 63.4 million. There were 2,006 nationwide COVID-19-related deaths, raising the countrys death total to 842,873.

Joanna Mann covers education for Mid-Valley Media. She can be contacted at 541-812-6076 or Joanna.Mann@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter via @joanna_mann_.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijani and Ukrainian business officials have discussed the current and future prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation.

As part of his visit to Ukraine, the chairman of Azerbaijan's Small and Medium Business Development Agency Board, Orkhan Mammadov, held various meetings with Ukrainian officials.

During the meeting with Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Gennadiy Ghyzhykov, the parties discussed the expanding cooperation between SMBs of the two countries and the organization of joint events for the development of trade relations.

The favorable investment climate in the country and Agency's support for local and foreign investors were discussed during the meeting with Ukraine's Investment Attraction Office Director-General Sergiy Tsivkach. The parties also discussed the services the Agency can provide to Ukrainian investors and exchanged views on cooperation.

Moreover, during the meeting with Ukraine's Office of Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Acting Director Andrii Remizov, the sides discussed possible opportunities for cooperation in the SMBs sector, implementation of joint projects, and exchange of experience.

Mammadov briefed on the development of SMBs in Azerbaijan and state support rendered to them. He emphasized that the study of foreign experience in the sphere of rendering services to SMBs is the focus of the Agency's attention.

The parties also discussed the activities of the two agencies and the support and services provided to entrepreneurs.

Moreover, Mammadov held a meeting with Ukraine's Economy Deputy Minister Alexander Griban. During the meeting, they discussed joint cooperation, support, and services provided to SMBs to expand ties between the entrepreneurs of the two countries.

Azerbaijan and Ukraine are cooperating in different spheres of the economy. Ukraine was Azerbaijan's second-largest trade partner among the CIS countries with a trade turnover amounting to $771.5 million in 2020. In addition, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $866.4 million in January-November 2021, with exports accounting for $446.9 million and imports for $419.4 million.

Additionally, Ukraine was among the countries to voice support to Azerbaijan over its just position and its territorial integrity during the 44-day Second Karabakh War with Armenia in 2020. Ukrainian companies expressed their interest in reconstructing Azerbaijans liberated territories.
Three Santa Barbara County Jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak that began last month and has now infected more than 220 people, according to a spokeswoman on Tuesday.
Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net
Hi Meredith,

I got out of a relationship four months ago. I was with my boyfriend for about a year, and then I found out he cheated on me. Not just cheated; he was pretty much dating someone else at the same time. I started to notice in June because I found a secret social media account that he had, and this woman would comment on his stuff. I confronted him about it and he said it was because he "forgot the password" to his other account." I didn't have this form of social media, but a friend sent it to me so I didn't think much of it.

A month later I went back to the account to see if that girl was still around, and she was. He wasn't really commenting back, so I asked him who she was and he said "just this random girl I used to be friends with. I asked him why she would be so comfortable commenting on his stuff and why he would like a selfie of hers, and he immediately got defensive and called me crazy, etc. Obviously that didn't sit right with me so I had my friend stalk the woman's account. She also had two accounts  and on the other one she had posted a picture with my boyfriend; he had his arms wrapped around her and he was kissing her on the cheek. So that about did it for me!

I obviously ended things with him and blocked him on my social media and for texts because he was still trying to contact me and I had just had enough. Well, now for about the last three months, every time I go out with my friends and I'm in any of their social media posts, he will comment or reply the nastiest things. From calling me fat, ugly and all of the extremely mature things he could think of. My friends never respond but they tell me and obviously it bothers me. The kicker is, I saw him in person once a few weeks ago because he is in my extended group of friends. He did not say a single word to me and barely spoke all night.

My friends want me to "call him out and confront him, but is it even worth it? Clearly he has some issues. It was hard enough for me to get over the fact that my boyfriend who I loved was cheating on me and my relationship was over. But now when I'm starting to move on, he's doing this? Hes the one who hurt me. Do I just keep ignoring him? Do I say something? Help! (Side note don't worry everyone, I took the cheating as my closure.)

 Calling him out
Ann Woolhandler (University of Virginia School of Law) has posted Public Rights and Taxation: A Brief Response to Professor Parrillo on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

A division exists between scholars who claim that Congress made only limited delegations to executive officials in the early Republic, and those who see more extensive delegations. In A Critical Assessment of the Originalist Case Against Administrative Regulatory Power: New Evidence from the Federal Tax on Private Real Estate in the 1790s, Professor Nicholas Parrillo claims that congressional delegations under the direct tax of 1798 undercut arguments that early delegations of rulemaking either addressed unimportant issues or were limited to special categories. Nondelegation scholar Professor Ilan Wurman responded to Parrillo in the volume of the Yale Law Journal in which Parrillos article appeared, particularly arguing that Congress itself addressed the important issues as to the 1798 tax. This paper instead focuses on Parrillos claim that the 1798 tax did not fall within any limited special category for nondelegation purposes. Admittedly, Parrillos evidence undermines some generalizations that early rulemaking was not coercive and domestic. Taxation, however, falls into the category of public rights, which could include matters that were domestic and coercive, but that nevertheless allowed for a more lenient application of separation of powers strictures.
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva has been was awarded with

Gunay Afandiyeva was presented with this award for the recognition of her multifaceted activities to promote the heritage of Chingiz Aitmatov, as well as the rich culture of Kyrgyzstan and the Turkic World as a whole at the international level.

The medal was presented to the President of the Foundation by the Kyrgyz Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Kairat Osmanaliev.

Over the past years, the Foundation and Kyrgyzstan have successfully organized a number of projects aimed at the promotion of the cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan.

In Azerbaijan, the Foundation organized the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the outstanding writer Chingiz Aitmatov, where a performance based on the writers story "Jamila" in the Kyrgyz language was shown.

Additionally, during several visits to the Foundation by the Kyrgyz Ambassador, Kairat Osmanaliev, books on the culture, history and traditions of Kyrgyzstan were donated to the library of the Foundation, and an ancient Kyrgyz musical instrument  the komuz was presented to its museum.

Initiated in 2012, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on preservation of Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third countries.

The Foundation provides assistance in the protection, study and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects and programs. It carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy.

Cooperation Council of the Turkic Speaking States (CCTSS) is an intergovernmental organization, which aims at promoting comprehensive cooperation among Turkic Speaking States.

The organization was established by the Nakhchivan Agreement, which was signed at the Turkic Summit in 2009.

In order to fulfill the objectives and tasks of the CCTSS, the organization has been divided into the following structures: Council of Heads of States; Council of Foreign Ministers, Senior Officials Committee, Council of Elders, Secretariat, Coordination Committee, Representation Office of the Turkic Council in Budapest.
Three people were arrested last week in the town of Delavan after several firearms were stolen from a gun shop, police reported Thursday.

Richey Majors, 24, Madison Brakke, 19, and a juvenile suspect were tentatively charged with the burglary.

Town of Delavan police officers responded to a report of a burglar alarm at Dam Road Gun Shop at 4596 Dam Road in the town of Delavan shortly after 3:10 a.m. Jan. 7, police Chief Raymond Clark said in a statement.

Police arrived to find several guns had been stolen. City of Delavan police and the Walworth County Sheriff's Department also responded, Clark said.

As officers investigated at the gun shop, the Elkhorn Police Department found a suspicious car at a Speedway gas station in Elkhorn, Clark said. Elkhorn police found guns in the vehicle that matched those stolen from the Dam Road Gun Shop.

Majors, Brakke and the juvenile were later arrested in connection with the burglary. Clark did not specify how the arrests happened.

Majors, of Milwaukee, was tentatively charged with obstructing an officer, criminal damage to property, felon in possession of a firearm and burglary while armed, Clark said..

Brakke, of West Allis, and the juvenile were both tentatively charged with party to the crime of burglary, Clark said.

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Bail was set Friday at $3,000 for a woman who was charged last month with homicide by negligent driving for a crash in July that killed Gene Purcell, the director of Wisconsin Public Media, who was struck by a car as he rode his motorcycle to work.

It was the second attempt at an initial court appearance for Shawnicia N. Youmas, 31, of Madison, a one-time candidate for the Fitchburg City Council. Her first, on Jan. 6, was held remotely by Zoom video conference but ended when it appeared Youmas abruptly left the session and did not return.

Court Commissioner Brian Asmus and Assistant District Attorney Lillian Nelson, who were both taking part in that session, said Youmas appeared to leave right after Nelson recommended that cash bail be set for Youmas.

Attorney Jon Helland, appearing with Youmas on Friday, said Youmas told him her internet connection failed and she contacted the Dane County District Attorneys Office the next day.

When Youmas did not return to the video session, however, Asmus issued a warrant for her arrest. It was carried out in Rock County, Helland said, when police there had contact with someone who was with Youmas and discovered the warrant for her. Youmas appeared for Fridays video court session from the Dane County Jail.

A criminal complaint filed Dec. 21 states that on July 27, Youmas was driving behind Purcell on the West Beltline frontage road near Grandview Boulevard when he slowed to make a turn into the Wisconsin Public Media parking lot. According to data downloaded from the airbag system in Youmas car, she was traveling nearly 65 mph 1.5 seconds before the crash, which happened when she attempted to pass Purcell on the left as he was making a left turn, the complaint states.

The speed limit on the street is 30 mph.

A witness also saw Youmas go through a stop sign before the crash, the complaint states. After hitting Purcells motorcycle, Youmas car crashed into a utility pole and cut power to buildings in the area, according to the complaint.

Purcells wife, Ruth, in a statement read in court Friday by a victim-witness specialist from the Dane County District Attorneys Office, wrote that with Youmas recent driving record, which includes tickets for hit-and-run and speeding, What happened to Gene on the Beltline frontage road was inevitable.

She wrote that on social media recently, Youmas has written about falling asleep at the wheel, adding that Youmas doesnt seem to understand what shes done.

Again, on social media she proclaimed that 2021 was her happiest year ever, Purcell wrote. Meanwhile, I am shattered. Every waking breath is painful. Genes 84-year-old mother is shattered. Our family, Genes co-workers, our colleagues, are devastated. Ms. Youmas has learned nothing from what should have been a clear message to change her behavior. She needs to be held accountable for her actions.

Purcell, 61, was a longtime figure in public broadcasting in Wisconsin, and in 2018 he became director of Wisconsin Public Media, which is the parent organization of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television, now called PBS Wisconsin.

In February, Youmas survived a three-way primary for a seat on the Fitchburg City Council but dropped out of the race because she intended to move. That left former mayor Jay Allen to be elected to the seat in the April 6 general election.

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A Dane County judge cleared the way Friday for the resumption of testimony in the trial of a 23-year-old man accused of killing his parents last summer and then dismembering and hiding their bodies.

Chandler Haldersons murder trial was suspended Tuesday after he was one of 81 county jail inmates to test positive for COVID-19. The jail, where hes been held since his arrest July 8, has seen an increased level of coronavirus infection comparable to last winters surge. The week before, about 90 inmates tested positive at the jail, which as of Thursday held 599 people. Halderson is vaccinated against the virus.

In a short order, Circuit Judge John Hyland said that after a period of isolation and quarantine, no one involved in the trial is showing symptoms of COVID-19 and the trial will resume on Jan. 18.

The jury in the case was told Tuesday that the trial was suspended because someone involved in it tested positive, but at the request of Haldersons attorneys, they werent told it was Halderson out of concerns jurors might hold their extended jury service against him. The trial began Jan. 3 and testimony the next day. Prosecutors have indicated it could last the remainder of January.

While 18 people were chosen hear the case, only 12 will be tasked with reaching a verdict after six alternates are chosen at random and dismissed once closing arguments are over. With the omicron variant of the coronavirus surging, the court was trying to prepare for the possibility that some jurors could take ill or there could be other pandemic-related reasons they have to drop out.

The trial has garnered national attention, with local and national outlets livestreaming its often grisly testimony.

Prosecutors say Halderson murdered his parents, Bart, 50, and Krista, 53, at the Windsor home they shared 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 employment. In reality, they say, Halderson was unemployed and had dropped out of school.

He then allegedly attempted to burn their bodies in a family fireplace before scattering them around southern Wisconsin.

On Tuesday, before the trial was suspended, a former Dane County detective who lived across the street from the Halderson family told jurors he smelled what he thought was a barbecue on the evening prosecutors allege Chandler Halderson was burning his parents remains.

Steven Greiber told the court that he was in his driveway cleaning radishes after his granddaughters softball game when a burning odor filled the road, which made him think someone was barbecuing meat over a grill pit.

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A Milwaukee man accused of killing six people and injuring dozens more when he drove an SUV through a suburban Christmas parade must stand trial, a court commissioner ordered Friday.

Prosecutors have presented ample evidence to show Darrell Brooks Jr. probably committed felonies, Waukesha County Court Commissioner Kevin Costello said at the end of a preliminary hearing. Thats the point in the criminal justice process where court officials decide whether theres enough proof to bind defendants over for trial.

Brooks faces 77 charges in all, including six counts of homicide and multiple counts of reckless endangerment. He would face mandatory life in prison if convicted on even one of the homicide charges.

District Attorney Susan Opper called just one witness, police Detective Thomas Casey. He testified that he and other officers yelled at Brooks to stop as he drove the SUV through the parade in downtown Waukesha on Nov. 21.

He described how the vehicle zig-zagged across the street for blocks, smashing into marchers from behind and running them over. He said Brooks injured 61 people, including the six people he killed.

Brooks attorney, public defender Anna Kees, suggested that Brooks was high during the incident, noting that officers who arrested him noticed he smelled of marijuana and his eyes were red and glassy.

She maintained that he couldnt turn off the parade route because the side streets were barricaded and full of spectators. She noted, too, that he told detectives that he didnt mean to kill anyone and couldnt bring himself to look when detectives showed him photos of the carnage.

Opper countered that all Brooks had to do was stop the vehicle and even if he was high on marijuana he still committed multiple crimes.

Brooks sat quietly at the defense table in a red jail jumpsuit and surgical mask. He said nothing. Costello ordered him to appear for an arraignment on Feb. 11. Thats the point where Brooks will enter a plea. He remains jailed on a $5 million cash bond.

Any possible motives remain unclear. The complaint alleges Brooks beat the mother of his child minutes before driving into the parade because she refused to bail him out of jail after he was arrested for allegedly running her over with the same vehicle earlier in November.

Brooks had been arrested in neighboring Milwaukee County in that alleged earlier incident. He walked out of jail on Nov. 19, two days before the parade, after posting $1,000 bail.

Bail system

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, a Democrat, has taken intense criticism for his office recommending bail be set so low for Brooks.

Chisholm told county officials in December that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a backlog of cases in his office. An evaluation of the risk Brooks posed to the community never made it into his offices computer system and went unseen, Chisholm said, and a young, overworked assistant prosecutor recommended $1,000 bail for him so she could move on to other cases.

A group of Milwaukee County taxpayers filed a complaint with Gov. Tony Evers in December demanding he remove Chisholm from office. An attorney the Evers administration hired to review the complaint concluded Tuesday that the complaint suffers from technical legal deficiencies and isnt valid. Evers refused to take any action against Chisholm, a fellow Democrat.

Chisholm has pushed for ending cash bail, saying its not fair to poor defendants. He wants a new system in which only violent offenders are jailed until trial.
The city of Madison civil rights administrator tapped to be the citys first independent police monitor took himself out of consideration for the job after documents surfaced showing hed discriminated against a woman hed been having an affair with and violated state licensing requirements at his former company.

Byron Bishop, currently Equal Opportunities Division manager in the citys Department of Civil Rights, was the only candidate left in the running Dec. 16 when the Police Civilian Oversight Board voted in closed session to offer him the job  an offer that board member Ankita Bharadwaj said was rescinded in another closed session vote on Dec. 23. The other announced finalist, a university lecturer and assistant chief of staff at the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, dropped out of consideration in November.

In response to learning there was a board vote to rescind their conditional offer of employment, Byron Bishop chose to withdraw his candidacy for the Independent Police Monitor position. Mr. Bishop sent his gratitude to the board for their time and efforts and wished the board nothing but success in their search to fill this important and needed role, said Harper Donahue, city human resources director.

Had the offer stood, he would have still needed an OK from the City Council for the job that is expected to pay about $125,000.

The decisions from the state Department of Workforce Developments Equal Rights Division and the former Department of Regulation and Licensing date back to 2007 and 2005, respectively, and were shared with Madisons Human Resources Department by a member of the public. The Wisconsin State Journal obtained them through a public records request.

DWD found that Bishop had begun a relationship with a woman in 1998, then offered her a job at his former security company, APA of Madison, where she initially worked for free with the understanding that she would be given a stake in the company. Bishop fired her in 2003 after she continued to have a romantic relationship with another man while she was involved with Bishop.

Among the agencys findings were that Bishop made threats against the woman when she refused his sexual advances, told her she was his slave for life and made clear that if she wasnt involved in a relationship with him, she would suffer professionally.

The agency did not substantiate the womans sexual harassment claim against Bishop but did find he violated state law by firing her because of her sex. Bishop did not attend the hearing in 2006 when the allegations were considered. DWD ordered him to pay the woman about $146,000 in lost wages.

In the Department of Regulation and Licensing case, the agency found Bishop had violated state law by employing security guards who didnt have the proper state permits and violated state administrative code by bouncing checks to the department, and suspended his and his companys licenses and ordered him to pay $10,000.

Both cases stem from a time when Bishop appears to have been experiencing personal and business-related money problems, and he and APA were subject to an array of civil and small claims suits.

In 2008, Bishop pleaded guilty to two counts of being party to the crime of issuing worthless checks after some APA employees were not paid. He had originally been charged with 16 counts. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution.

Bishop did not respond to requests from the State Journal Thursday for comment. He said in an email last week that his family was opposed to him taking the job and cited job neutrality and the politics associated as further reasons, but declined to elaborate.

Private vote

Board members  who unlike the vast majority of the members of Madisons dozens of citizen boards are paid for their work  have also refused to comment publicly about their decision-making in the search for an independent monitor and voted to hire Bishop in closed session before announcing it publicly the next day.

While deliberating city hires in closed session is common among municipalities and legal under state open meetings law, voting on major hires often occurs in public, although private votes are allowed.

City Attorney Mike Haas points to the state Department of Justices Open Meetings Law Compliance Guide, which refers to the uncertainty in case law about voting in closed session and notes: The Attorney General advises that a governmental body vote in open session, unless the vote is clearly an integral part of deliberations authorized to be conducted in closed session. Hiring matters are among the reasons governmental bodies can legally go into closed session.

Haas pointed to the citys Police and Fire Commission and Public Library Board as examples of independent boards that hire department administrators, and could vote to do so out of the public eye. The 3-2 vote by the PFC to hire Police Chief Shon Barnes in December 2020, however, was done in open session. The 2012 vote by the Library Board to hire library director Greg Mickells does not appear to have been done in public, according to Mickells.

Only one oversight board member responded to a request for comment on the boards decision to vote on the monitors hire in private. Bharadwaj said the board did what we were told was legal and that Bharadwaj is hardcore into public transparency and accountability.

Hiring complaints

The city also faces another challenge in hiring a monitor: Eric A. Hill, a white former military police officer who sought the monitor position, filed state and federal discrimination complaints in November, alleging that nearly 30 social media posts by board members disparaging white men and the military put him at an unfair disadvantage. Hill is seeking $625,000.

Deputy City Attorney Patricia Lauten has pointed out that Bishop is a veteran as well, and we are confident that when the investigation is concluded it will show that Mr. Hills military service played no part in his failure to move on in the hiring process.

The City Council voted to create the oversight board and the independent monitor position in September 2020, nearly three years after they were included among 146 recommendations in an exhaustive consultants report on the Madison Police Department that deemed the department far from a Department in crisis whose use of force was limited in volume and primarily minor in nature.

But activists pointed to a string of seven fatal police shootings between 2012 and 2016 in which the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing, but the city or its insurer paid a total of $5.65 million in settlements in two of the killings, and a jury in 2017 determined officers had violated the civil rights of one of the victims, 26-year-old Ashley DiPiazza, and awarded the family $7 million.

The monitor will be able to conduct investigations of police, but under state law, only the citys Police and Fire Commission hires, fires and disciplines officers. Official investigations of officer-involved deaths also must be conducted by outside law enforcement agencies, under state law.

Editor's note: This story was updated on Jan. 14, 2022, to clarify that it was the city of Madison or its insurer that paid two settlements worth a total of $5.65 million in two police killings.

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Only about a day before investigators allege a woman was killed in her Far East Side home by her former boyfriend, police were called there to investigate a domestic disturbance, a Madison police detective testified Thursday at the mans preliminary hearing.

The detective, answering questions on cross-examination by a lawyer for Gregg G. Raether, 56, said police visited the home at 4517 Deerwood Drive after being called there on July 21. Raether is charged with first-degree reckless homicide for the death of Patricia A. McCollough, 55, who is believed to have died on or about July 22, though her body was not found until Sept. 16, after McColloughs daughter asked police to check on her mother.

Detective Joseph Buccellato testified that the daughter was concerned because her birthday had passed and she had not heard from her mother, and when she tried to call her mother, the phone number was disconnected.

Police who responded to the call on Sept. 16 looked through a window and saw the home in extreme disarray, and, getting no answer at the door, they forced their way inside. In a bedroom, police found McColloughs body, buried under a pyramid-shaped pile of items that included broken televisions, fans, drawers, shelving and bedding material.

Officers noticed a foot protruding from under the pile and began a death investigation that led to the reckless homicide charge against Raether. He is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

An autopsy found McCollough died from mechanical asphyxia, which can sometimes mean strangulation, along with blunt force trauma to her torso.

Circuit Judge Frank Remington ruled there is probable cause that Raether had committed a felony and ordered him to stand trial. Pleas of not guilty were entered on Raethers behalf by his lawyer, Erin Nagy.

The information about the prior police call to the Deerwood home came as Nagy questioned whether police could say what condition McColloughs home had been in prior to the discovery of her body, when police found furniture overturned, smashed pictures taken off walls, drawers removed from dressers and a refrigerator that had been unplugged and its cord cut, among other damage inside the home.

Buccellato testified that police responding to the July 21 call, when McCollough reported a domestic dispute with Gregg, did not see any disarray in the home at that time.

Police spokesperson Stephanie Fryer confirmed that officers were called to that address around 10:05 p.m. on July 21 for a domestic disturbance. A woman there wanted a man to leave the property, but he was gone before officers arrived, Fryer said.

Raether was arrested by Madison police on July 23, but it had nothing to do with McColloughs death, which was still nearly two months from being discovered. Instead, Raether was on state Department of Corrections supervision and there was a longstanding warrant out for his arrest because three years earlier he had cut off a GPS bracelet and absconded from his supervision.

Buccellato testified a neighbor dispute at the apartment of Raethers girlfriend, Sherri Albrecht, led to his arrest at that time. He was released from jail on Sept. 4 after serving a DOC sanction.

Raether was jailed again on Sept. 24 when police told DOC Raether was a person of interest in a homicide case. Charges in McColloughs death were filed on Dec. 17.

In addition to the homicide and the gun charges, Raether, along with Albrecht, was also charged with unauthorized use of food stamps, for using a benefits card belonging to McCollough in late July, August and September.

Albrecht, who is free on $1,000 bail, waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Thursday and pleas of not guilty were entered on her behalf.

In his testimony Thursday, Buccellato said Raether told police constantly shifting stories about when he had last seen McCollough and what happened on that occasion, what condition the house was in when he last saw it, and whether he had noticed McColloughs body or the odor of decomposition when he went to her home on Sept. 4, after his release from jail.

Raether has denied he killed McCollough.

Buccellato also pointed to recorded calls from the jail between Raether and Albrecht in which they talked about getting their stories straight and other matters apparently related to McCollough.

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Beloit College is requiring students and staff to get the COVID-19 booster shot by late January, continuing a trend among some private institutions that are tacking the additional measure onto their existing vaccine mandates.

Of the seven private colleges and universities with a vaccine mandate in Wisconsin, at least three  Beloit, Marquette University and Lawrence University  have announced a booster requirement, too.

At Beloit College, individuals must get their booster shot by Jan. 28. The school is also mandating everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before returning to campus. Classes start Jan. 25.

University of Wisconsin System campuses have encouraged but not required boosters nor the COVID-19 vaccine.

UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank told a faculty committee during a Monday meeting that she didnt know what percentage of the campus community is boosted beyond those who received it at University Health Services. The university will be encouraging students and staff to report if they have been boosted off-campus to get a better picture of booster status across UW-Madison.

UW-Madison will also expect but not require students to complete two tests, one before they return to Dane County and one after they arrive. Rapid antigen tests will be available in dorms for students who live on campus and at Memorial Union and Union South for students who live off campus.

On-campus booster vaccine appointment capacity will be expanded between Jan. 24 and Feb. 4. UW-Madison will provide targeted outreach to second and third shift employees, and to populations that are learning English.

National messaging around boosters, which initially encouraged elderly and immunocompromised individuals to seek the shot, may have reinforced to some students that they dont need it, Blank said. It was only in late November that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded booster eligibility to everyone 18 and up.

Blank, however, said she expected little reluctance among students to get the booster because about 95% of them are already vaccinated.

Health officials have said that even though there are breakthrough cases from the omicron variant, vaccinations  especially booster shots  are protecting against infection.

In late December, the age-adjusted rate of new COVID-19 cases in Dane County was 1.9 times higher among residents not fully vaccinated than those fully vaccinated, according to the city-county health department. The rate was 4.3 times higher among the unvaccinated than those who had received booster or additional doses.

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The UW Board of Regents will choose between a Milwaukee law firm leader and one of its own chancellors to be the next president of the University of Wisconsin System.

Jay Rothman, chair and CEO of Foley & Lardner, and UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Jim Schmidt were announced Friday as the finalists for the job leading the states public university system, its more than 160,000 students, 39,000 employees, 26 campuses and $6.6 billion budget.

Rothman and Schmidt offer two very different backgrounds. One has spent his career in the private sector, while the other has worked almost exclusively in higher education administration.

The next System president will face an avalanche of competing pressures from lawmakers, faculty and staff, students, community members and Regents. State funding for higher education continues to decline, the COVID-19 pandemic marches on, and a growing share of the public questions the value and affordability of a college degree. Many campuses are grappling with enrollment decline and the Republican-controlled Legislature isnt shy in sending demands about how it believes campuses should be run.

The finalists named Friday emerged from a search that yielded 44 applications, according to System data provided in response to a public records request. More than three-quarters of the applicants were men. Just seven were women. Ten of the 44 applicants did not report their race while 23 identified as white and 11 identified as a person of color.

This is the Systems second try in hiring a permanent successor to Ray Cross, who led the System from 2014 through the first half of 2020. The Regents previous search failed when the sole finalist, University of Alaska System President Jim Johnsen, withdrew his name from consideration because of process issues that many attribute to the absence of faculty and staff serving on the search committee.

Former four-term Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, 80, has been serving as interim president though he recently announced he will resign March 18.

The finalists will interview Tuesday with a Regent committee and some others, including chancellors and System executive leaders. Because of the extraordinary public input in the process, with more than 30 listening sessions held, there will be no public session with the finalists.

The board expects to vote on the new president by the end of the month.

Milwaukee attorney

Rothman, 62, has worked in the private sector for decades. He joined Foley & Lardner in 1986, became a partner in 1994 and has served as chair and CEO since 2011. The international firm employs more than 1,100 attorneys and 1,000 staff.

Rothman has lived in Wisconsin his entire life, except for the few years he attended Harvard Law School. He earned a bachelors degree from Marquette University.

Rothman, in a Friday interview with reporters, touted his connections to the states business community and fundraising experience while serving on the board for Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee. He said his skill set in overseeing information technology, talent recruitment, legal affairs, finance and other aspects of the firm would translate well in leading the System.

The System invited the Wisconsin State Journal and other news outlets to submit questions in advance of sharing the names of the finalists. The medias questions were not shared with the candidates, System officials said, and candidates were largely asked the same questions to ensure impartiality.

Rothman described a non-hierarchical structure to his firm, which depends on the entrepreneurial skills of its partners.

I suspect the same is very much true of leading the System, that you think about shared governance, and thats an important component of the System as I understand it, he said. I have functioned in that environment.

Whether to increase tuition, and by how much, will be one of the next presidents biggest recommendations to the Regents. The Legislature froze rates for in-state undergraduates in 2013 and just lifted the freeze last summer, though Thompson and the board decided against an increase this school year.

Rothman suggested looking at who has the means to pay for tuition but also said he would need to look at it with the Systems finance team.

Asked how he would navigate the Legislatures sometimes hostile relationship with the System, he said he would meet lawmakers in their districts, continually share the Systems value with the public and foster relationships based on trust, transparency and honesty.

Federal campaign finance records show Rothman has donated to politicians from both political parties. State campaign finance records show about $77,350 in donations mostly to Republicans but also to some Democrats, including Gov. Tony Evers.

Rothmans term as chair at Foley is coming to a close, and he said he is ineligible for reelection. He said it was an opportune time to think about his next chapter.

I have a passion for this state, he said. This is home for me. I want to see Wisconsin flourish.

Eau Claire chancellor

Hiring Schmidt as president would continue a trend of turning to internal candidates with academic backgrounds. The last two presidents, Cross and Kevin Reilly, led UW Colleges and Extension before their promotions.

Schmidt, 57, took over as chancellor of UW-Eau Claire in 2013. The school enrolls about 10,000 students and employs about 1,300 staff. He spent the first half of his career in various administrative positions at Minnesota institutions, including a technical college.

Nearly 40 years ago, Schmidt said he stood on the steps of the Minnesota state Capitol protesting a plan that would shift college costs from the state onto students. In his four years as an undergraduate at Winona State, he said tuition increased 146%.

Students deserve an affordable education and, Schmidt said, he did not support massive tuition increases, but keeping in-state, undergraduate tuition frozen is unsustainable.

Access without quality is no bargain, he told reporters.

Finding a funding solution is the biggest conversation Schmidt said he would need to have with the Legislature, governor and Regents.

If hired, Schmidt also plans to barnstorm the state to meet with civic and business leaders in his first 100 days, in a move similar to his pledge of meeting 50 CEOs in the Chippewa Valley region in his first 50 days at UW-Eau Claire.

Schmidt, who has an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a Ph.D. in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, emphasized giving campuses more decision-making power, such as when to cut programs. He was one of the only chancellors to publicly push back against Crosss 2020 blueprint plan to cut some programs that are available at many campuses.

The problem with the blueprint: it was top-down, he said. Its interesting, Im seeking to be UW president and one of the main things I want to accomplish is re-empowering the campuses to make these decisions.

The approach maybe wouldnt make sense decades ago when Wisconsin covered 90% of campuses costs, he said, but now, when the state kicks in between 10% and 20% of an institutions budget, schools need more flexibility to focus on leveraging partnerships with local employers.

Still, Schmidt recognized campuses need accountability. And hes accustomed to the reality of painful budget cuts, pointing to a voluntary separation incentive program he started, the first within the System that other campuses adopted in response to a $250 million budget cut. The move ended up eliminating 15% of the full-time positions on his campus.

I know the UW System, he said. I have strong opinions about what works and what doesnt.  I think I can hit the ground running.

Regents President Edmund Manydeeds, who leads the committee that will interview both Rothman and Schmidt, said in a statement that either would be an outstanding leader for our university system.

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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Azertag reported on January 14.

I cordially congratulate you and the fraternal Turkish people on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey and convey my most sincere wishes... I want to note with a sense of great pride that over the past period, Azerbaijani-Turkish relations have gone through a magnificent path of development. Coming out of historical trials with dignity and head held high, our countries have reaffirmed and maintained their adherence to the spirit of the One nation, two states slogan, Aliyev said in his congratulatory letter.

Recalling that the establishment of diplomatic relations dates back to January 14, 1992, the president stressed that Turkey was the first to recognize Azerbaijan, which gained independence for the second time in the 20th century, and established diplomatic relations with it, which is forever engraved in the national memory of people as an example of true brotherhood and solidarity.

Noting that bilateral interstate relations are now at the highest level, Aliyev expressed satisfaction about mutually beneficial cooperation in political, economic, trade, cultural, energy, military, and other spheres, as well as successful interaction within international institutions.

The gigantic energy, transport, and infrastructure projects we have implemented are a real triumph of our common initiatives and joint efforts. The incomparable successes we have achieved on the basis of bilateral cooperation contribute to the progress of our countries, the well-being of the two peoples, and the establishment of tranquility and stability in our region, the president wrote.

Aliyev highlighted that the signing, last June in Shusha, of the Declaration on Allied Relations was an important historic step, once again confirming the unbreakable unity of the two countries. He added that having defined the conceptual areas of development of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations, this document laid the foundation for a new stage, opening the way for future joint success.

He stressed that Erdogan made an invaluable contribution to the development and strengthening of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations.

The resolute and unambiguous position that you have always demonstrated on the issue of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the confident support that you have provided for our just cause have always inspired us and given us additional strength. The Azerbaijani people will never forget the moral support and solidarity demonstrated personally by you, Turkey, and your brotherly people from the first hours to the last minutes of the 44-day Patriotic War, he wrote.

And today, shoulder to shoulder with Turkiye, we are moving forward in the major reconstruction and restoration of the lands liberated from occupation, which causes deep satisfaction. We, in our turn, will always and in all matters continue to be close to fraternal Turkey, he added.

Additionally, Aliyev expressed confidence that the exemplary Azerbaijani-Turkish unity and brotherhood, which is the reality of today and a source of pride for peoples, will continue to serve as a strategic roadmap for future generations, as an eternal and indestructible heritage.

Moreover, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov sent a congratulatory letter to Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay.

Azerbaijan and Turkey, the first state with which we established diplomatic relations during the period of independence, have deep historical, friendly and fraternal ties. They are based on the will of our peoples, closely connected by common national and spiritual values," the letter reads.

He noted that the interstate ties based on a solid foundation have reached the highest level of sustainable strategic partnership thanks to the decisive efforts of the heads of the two countries, adding that the whole world witnessed this during the 44-day war.

I express my gratitude to Turkey for the political and moral support provided to Azerbaijan from the first days of the war. Azerbaijan is always on the side of Turkey in all matters," Asadov wrote.

The prime minister also expressed readiness to take joint steps to further strengthen allied, fraternal relations, which, with the signing of the Shusha Declaration entered a new stage.

In the meantime, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov shared a publication, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijani-Turkish diplomatic relations, on his official Twitter page.

"Today is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between One nation, two states. May our independence be eternal, our friendship unbreakable, and our brotherhood always strong! he tweeted.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the said occasion. The statement noted that Turkey has officially recognized Azerbaijan and with the signing of the protocol on the establishment of Azerbaijani-Turkish diplomatic relations the two countries resumed their diplomatic ties.

"The first country that established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan after the declaration of independence was Turkey," the statement stressed.

The Azerbaijani embassy in Turkey also shared a post on Twitter, noting that January 14 is a very important date for "one nation, two states".

"We proudly and excitedly celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries," the message said.

Azerbaijan and Turkey cooperate in various fields of economy and have jointly completed giant energy and infrastructure projects such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, and TANAP.

On June 15, Azerbaijan and Turkey signed the Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations, which focuses on defence cooperation, promoting regional stability and prosperity, and establishing new transportation routes.

In the first 11 months of 2021, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkey amounted to $4.1 billion. The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $4.1 billion in 2020.

The two countries set up a goal to bring the mutual trade turnover to $15 billion in 2023. It should be noted that so far, Turkey is Azerbaijans second-largest investor followed by the UK.

Additionally, Turkey was one of the first countries that expressed its interest and readiness to participate in the restoration of Azerbaijans liberated territories.
A federal judge has blocked a power line under construction in Iowa and Wisconsin from crossing the Mississippi River after finding the governments environmental review was inadequate.

Judge William Conleys ruling throws the fate of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line into question just months after utilities began construction on the $492 million project.

Conley sided with four conservation groups that sued two federal agencies over approvals of the contentious 102-mile line between Dubuque, Iowa, and Middleton.

In an order issued Friday, Conley said the Rural Utilities Services environmental review did not give adequate consideration to alternatives and therefore failed to comply with federal law.

He ruled the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services decision to grant a right-of-way through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was arbitrary and capricious and that the line is not compatible with the refuges mission.

Conley additionally found a proposed land exchange cannot be used to evade Congress mandate for the 240,000-acre refuge, which stretches from Rock Island, Illinois, to the confluence of the Chippewa River near Eau Claire.

Conley noted the utilities waited until after the lawsuit was filed to change their right-of-way permit application, and the Fish and Wildlife Service suddenly discovered errors in its approval just a week before arguments were due.

The utilities then proposed a land swap, which the Fish and Wildlife Service endorsed but Conley said is equally incompatible.

Meanwhile, the utilities have continued construction on either side of the river, which Conley said amounts to little more than an orchestrated train wreck at some later point in this lawsuit.

The case was filed by the Environmental Law and Policy Center on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, Driftless Area Land Conservancy, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and Defenders of Wildlife.

Two of the groups, Driftless Area Land Conservancy and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, are pursuing separate cases in state and federal court to block the line, a joint venture of American Transmission Co., ITC Midwest and Dairyland Power Cooperative.

Howard Learner, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, called the ruling a tremendous win for conservation groups that have been fighting the line for years.

This is a protected national refuge thats not where youre supposed to go, Learner said. The federal agencies responsibility is to protect the publics interest, not the utilities.

The utilities issued a statement saying they were reviewing the decision but are committed to completing this project, which will reduce energy costs, improve electric grid reliability, relieve congestion on the transmission system, support decarbonization goals and help support the interconnection of renewable generation in the Upper Midwest.

Spokespeople for the Fish and Wildlife Service did not respond to requests for comment Friday.

Conley gave the parties until Jan. 24 to advise him on any next steps.

Cardinal-Hickory Creek: Power line construction begins amid legal skirmishes The utilities announced they had begun work on the Wisconsin portion of the $492 million project despite an injunction temporarily prohibiting work on or near federally-protected waters.

A separate federal lawsuit challenging the Wisconsin Public Service Commissions permit is on hold while a state court resolves similar conflict of interest challenges.

Meanwhile the state case  before Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost  is on hold while the Wisconsin Supreme Court considers whether former commissioner Mike Huebsch must submit to questioning from power line opponents and whether his private communications with utility executives created an appearance of bias that could invalidate the lines state permit.

The utilities have separately appealed a federal court injunction barring construction in wetlands and other federally protected waters.

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COVID has divided people. Some of us take the virus as a serious health risk. Others believe it is, at best, a federal overreaction to a mild illness and, at worst, a government conspiracy to control people through pharmaceuticals.

But according to Derek Thompson, a staff writer at The Atlantic, the next big fight about our enduring pandemic is between those who are still willing to make sacrifices to rid the country of COVID and its variants, and those who are ready to live much as in the before-times.

About 9,000 Americans are dying of COVID every week, Thompson wrote. Preliminary state data suggest that more than 90% of todays deaths are still among unvaccinated people. This year, COVID is on pace to kill more than 300,000 unvaccinated people who would, quite likely, avoid death by getting two or three shots. The risk of death from omicron for boosted, healthy adults under 50 seems to be somewhere between that of riding a bike and going on an airplane. In isolation, this statistic makes the vaxxed-and-done perspective a no-brainer ... . But a pandemic is more than the sum of individual healthy-adult experiences.

You could divide up the members of any organization along this tectonic fault, but schools are among the most contested community spaces grappling with how to move forward. This is because its hard to make broad public health policies intended for everyone. The average numbers hide the distance between, for instance, how a policy impacts solidly middle-class people and those with far fewer resources.

Because Im no longer an employee of the Madison School District, I can say with 100% certainty that for many, many students, academic year 2020-2021 was perfectly fine, regardless of the interruption to regular school that lasted from March 2020 until April 2021. Not great, but fine.

A small portion even did better with the option to learn from home  the change in social dynamics enabled certain learners to thrive in less-structured environments.

But the vast majority of the students who were low-income, had special learning needs or came from homes where English is not the dominant language spoken  or all three, in the case of many of my students  experienced profound interruptions to the highly structured, safe and focused environment which assumed that, during a regular school year, that they could make any academic gains at all.

For students like these  and here Im talking specifically about all the students who had no caregiver available to navigate the move to virtual learning, the technical requirements of myriad education platforms, and all of the asynchronous work that teachers assigned to keep kids engaged  last year was an unmitigated failure.

And last April when school finally opened, it didnt always help the most vulnerable students  many of them literally threw in the towel and decided not to come back. One student, a fifth-grader at the time, told me as much and didnt make it to school more than a handful of times all year.

Virtual instruction was an agony. And after the return to in-person instruction failed to entice all families back, it became painfully obvious that school is one of those things that doesnt work if it isnt required, and reliably open and operational all the time.

Our schools need all kids  the affluent ones and the ones who lack, those with tons of book smarts and those with all different kinds of strengths  together in classrooms.

Yes, even now.

There is no right answer for all communities, much less all school districts. But in places where the school is the primary caregiver to a critical mass of families with too few resources to make up for kids missing in-class instruction, schools need to be open and stay open.

Its understandable that fear over an ever-mutating virus kept schools closed for so long. But at the end of the 2020-2021 academic school year, plenty of research had suggested that schools were, for the most part, extremely safe for students and teachers. And other research said that the neediest and most academically stunted students were poised to experience the most learning loss  if those students returned to the school system at all.

When you match up the long list of harms when kids are out of schools against this idea that were just going to close for two days or a week or two weeks, which might turn into three weeks, who knows? said public health expert Joe Allen, an associate professor at the Harvard Chan School, in a recent interview posted on Harvard Universitys website. I think thats a mistake. ... Schools should not close.

Lets make that: Schools must not close.

The Madison School District must instill confidence in teachers and staff by enforcing vaccination and quarantining mandates, and providing all the masks and personal protective equipment required for effectively interacting with students.

It also must instill confidence in their students families by not attempting to react too swiftly to indicators of increasing risk. Madison School District parents and students should have been spared the rough start to the second half of the school year caused by a last-minute switch to virtual learning with short notice to families.

Theres no other choice. This virus, sadly, will be with us for a long time and our kids simply do not have the luxury of waiting to return to a school life they can count on.

Cepeda, of Madison, can be reached at ejc@estherjcepeda.com and @estherjcepeda.
I grew up in the 1960s and 70s in the Midwest and East as the political junkie son of moderate Republican parents. My folks had a deep reverence and admiration for the countrys first Republican president and arguably greatest chief executive, Abraham Lincoln.

One of the things I was most passionate and proud about was the leadership and dedication the Republican Party had played in promoting democracy and extending the right to vote throughout much of American history.

It was Lincoln and the Republicans, of course, who led the effort to end slavery and extend voting rights to African Americans following the Civil War. Republicans more than Democrats led the way in the late 19th and early 20th century to extend the right to vote to women, culminating in the 1920 election for president when women, voting for the first time, overwhelming supported the GOP candidate, Warren Harding, of my native Ohio.

Republicans provided significant and critical votes in Congress for passage of the monumental Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. And virtually all Republicans joined Democrats to extend the vote to 18- to 21-year-olds in 1971, a measure signed into law by GOP President Richard Nixon.

But then, in the late 1970s, the Republican Party began to significantly lose its way on voting rights. Thats when I abandoned the GOP. As the party strayed inexorably to the far right, it also moved into the darkness. It embraced the divisive and negative vision of Paul Weyrich of the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation.

Weyrich infamously declared in 1980: I dont want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of the people. They never have been from the beginning of our country, and they are not now. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down.

Weyrich, a Racine native, sadly, was repudiating the very pro-voting, pro-democracy principles the Republican Party was founded on by abolitionists in Ripon in 1854. Instead of the open-armed and embracing political party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Wisconsins own Robert M. La Follette, Warren Knowles and Lee Sherman Dreyfus, Republicans instead began to fear voters and voting. They betrayed their heritage and history by moving to make voting more difficult and restrictive. They began to target whole groups of citizens they viewed as not being politically supportive: urban dwellers, people of color, college and university students and even people with disabilities.

In 2011, the Republican-run Legislature and its Ronald Reagan-wannabe Gov. Scott Walker rammed through and enacted the most extreme and restrictive photo ID law in the country. Even states with long histories of voter suppression and disenfranchisement of people of color such as South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia didnt limit as many types of photo ID that could be used to vote as much as Wisconsin did. We became the most challenging state in the nation for college students to vote in for students without Wisconsin drivers licenses.

Since the voter photo ID law went into effect in 2016, thousands of Wisconsinites have been unable to vote because of difficulties obtaining one of the required forms of photo ID. Thats wrong on every level. Some states such as Michigan, which also has a photo ID law, permit voters unable to obtain a photo ID to still vote by signing a sworn affidavit. Not so in Wisconsin.

Republican Donald Trump in 2016 narrowly carried Wisconsin by 22,748 votes and won the presidency. That was fair and fine, according to Republicans.

But four years later, Democrat Joe Biden narrowly carried Wisconsin by 20,682 votes and won the presidency. Suddenly, despite a statewide canvass and a recount confirming that margin, Republicans said the Biden victory was in doubt. They claimed there may have been widespread fraud (there wasnt) and illegal or inaccurate counting of absentee ballots (again, no proof or evidence). Conspiracy theories sprang up, and despite the filing of many pro-Trump lawsuits to reverse the result in Wisconsin in state and federal courts (all failed), Biden won Wisconsin decisively.

To try to appease the rabid Trumpers, conservative radicals and QAnon wingnuts  Wisconsin Republicans have fertilized the big lie that the 2020 election was somehow fraudulent and that Bidens more than 7 million popular vote margin nationally and 20,682 vote margin here was a fiction. Wisconsin Republicans have suggested nonpartisan state and local election clerks and officials diabolically cheated Trump out a second term as president.

This was all patently untrue, and Wisconsin Republican leaders know it.

This charade and clown show continued throughout 2021 with the sham, open-ended investigation into fraud authorized by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and conducted by the least impartial and least respected former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice in state history, Michael Gableman. Gableman consulted with Mike Lindell of Minnesota, the ridiculous Pillow Man turned Trump conspiracy theorist. The investigation is costing Wisconsin taxpayers nearly $700,000.

Then there are the outlandish and baseless allegations of voting fraud at nursing homes made against the Wisconsin Elections Commission  accusations even the Racine County district attorney wont touch.

During 2021, the Legislature introduced numerous partisan measures seeking to suppress voting in Wisconsin. They targeted absentee voting in particular and even voters with disabilities.

Why? Because Republicans have cynically calculated that more Democrats than Republicans voted by absentee ballot in 2020. They think that by needlessly making it more difficult to vote, Republicans will outpoll Democrats in future elections.

All of these outrageous and ill-conceived measures have passed in the Republican-controlled Legislature without a single Democratic vote, and Gov. Tony Evers has wisely vetoed them. But while these anti-voter measures have absolutely no legitimacy, they serve as bait to ramp up the Trump base. Their sole purpose is to create further false outrage for the 2022 elections in Wisconsin and 2024 presidential election.

Will this cynical strategy of voter suppression succeed? No. Why? Because it is so transparently undemocratic and so profoundly un-American.

This country needs to have two or more vibrant political parties contesting elections and trying to win the battle of ideas by persuading voters that their proposals are best. But when one of the major political parties doesnt really believe in elections and in democracy, then it follows that it cant possibly win the hearts and minds of citizens at the ballot box because the outcome of free and fair elections doesnt really matter to them.

That sick mindset will eventually destroy that party. If it ceases to believe in elections, then it will cease to be able to win them.

The great majority of Wisconsinites and Americans will never adopt that cynical and destructive vision. Its up to Republicans to dramatically change direction and to again work to strengthen democracy instead of trying to destroy it.

Heck is executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, a nonpartisan advocacy group for good-government causes: 608-256-2686 and commoncausewisconsin.org.
Proclaiming himself tired of being quiet, President Joe Biden Tuesday proposed retiring the filibuster  the 60-vote threshold for getting almost anything through the Senate  for a narrow category related to the core mechanics of our elections.

Under his exception, a bare majority of the 50-50 split Senate could pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would restore the federal governments authority to review some state voting laws to prevent discrimination, and a broader bill creating national rules for voting by mail, early voting and the like.

Unless democracy itself can be preserved and protected, goes the argument, nothing else matters, so a carveout is warranted.

We agree that state legislatures partisan gerrymandering and restrictions on the franchise are indeed pernicious, partisan thumbs on the scale. But be careful what you wish for: If Republicans narrowly regain control of the Senate in this Novembers elections, Democrats current howl about protecting the will of their majority will immediately be turned on its head, as theyll have fewer votes but represent millions more people. Imagine a Senate with 51 Republicans, the ruthless Mitch McConnell in charge, and a new principle established that the 49 Democrats can be summarily ignored.

In this case, even if Republicans were to show a glimmer of humility (dont laugh) and accept Bidens chosen carveout, one can easily imagine grave harm done: New laws requiring all voters present picture ID at the polling place and onerous rules to combat largely imaginary voter fraud.

The better answer for Democrats is to follow the wise advice of congressional scholar Norm Ornstein: Restore the true intent of the filibuster. Require 41 senators to maintain an exhausting, logistically complicated, all-eyes-on-them talk-fest to block passage of legislation. Today, in a rejection of the better part of our history, the mere threat of invoking the filibuster is the same as actually going through the grueling motions.

Rescue the will of the majority by making the minority work a lot harder, under klieg lights.
NAMPA (AP)  Authorities say a suspect in the decades-old sexual assault and slaying of a young Idaho girl has been formally charged with the crime.

David Dalrymple, 64, was arraigned Thursday on murder and rape charges in connection with the death of 9-year-old Daralyn Johnson. The child disappeared when she was walking to her Nampa elementary school in 1982, an a fisherman found her body near the Snake River three days later. She had been assaulted and drowned.

Within a year of the girls death, another man was wrongfully convicted of the killing. Charles Fain, then 34 years old, was sentenced to death and spent decades behind bars, at one point coming within days of his scheduled execution before it was canceled amid concerns about his innocence. He was later exonerated and released after DNA testing excluded him as the killer.

Dalrymple is currently serving a 20-year-to-life sentence for lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor. The Canyon County Sheriffs Office announced in 2020 that new DNA testing identified Dalrymple as a suspect in the unsolved case. But they held off on proceeding with the case until COVID-19 restrictions eased.

Dalrymple has not yet had an opportunity to enter a plea, and has not yet been assigned a specific attorney. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25.

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BOISE  A GOP-backed bill, introduced Thursday, would create a new deadline for the states more than 300,000 unaffiliated voters to participate in closed Republican primary elections.

The proposal comes as political pundits have recently called for independents and Democrats to register as Republicans so they can vote in the 2022 GOP primary. The Idaho Republican Party hosts closed primary elections, meaning only registered Republicans can vote in primaries.

House Bill 439, sponsored by Rep. Caroline Nilsson Troy, R-Genesee, strikes current state law that allows unaffiliated voters to change their party affiliation up to the day of a primary election. Instead, unaffiliated voters would have the same deadline as partisan voters to register with a party prior to a primary.

This year, the deadline is March 11, more than two months before the May 17 election.

Unaffiliated voters, if they choose to participate in a primary for the Democrats or Republicans, would have to change their party affiliation at the same time as the major parties in the state, Troy told the House State Affairs Committee, which unanimously voted to introduce the bill without discussion Thursday.

While the bill would alter state code dealing with affiliation changes, parties themselves dictate which voters can participate in their primary elections. The Idaho Democratic Party hosts open primaries, meaning all voters, regardless of their affiliation, can vote in the partys primary.

Republicans allow only registered Republicans to vote in their primary elections  that change came in 2011. The party platform says, To allow those who have no loyalty or allegiance to the Idaho Republican Party or its platform and resolutions to select our candidates is simply not proper.

More unaffiliated than Democratic voters in Idaho

Nearly 309,000 Idaho voters are unaffiliated, according to data from the Idaho Secretary of States Office. Thats more than twice the number of registered Democrats.

In recent months, the Idaho 97 Project, an anti-extremism and anti-disinformation nonprofit, and others, such as former Boise State University President Bob Kustra, have called on independents and Democrats to register as Republicans and vote in the GOP primary.

I know there are Idahoans who would not feel comfortable leaving the Democratic primary, and I respect that, but they might also think about where they can have the greatest impact on Idahos future, Kustra wrote in a September column in the Idaho Statesman.

Mike Satz, executive director of the Idaho 97 Project, told the Statesman by phone Thursday that Idaho is a one-party rule state, and making it more difficult to vote in the Republican primary  which typically produces the candidate that wins the general election  is akin to voter suppression.

An emergency clause in the bill would make it effective immediately upon passage, meaning the new rules would apply to the upcoming primary. This is a major change to the rules so close to the primary, Satz said.

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TWIN FALLS  St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center has denied responsibility in a wrongful death lawsuit and the presiding judge has disqualified himself from the case.

Sherry Thaetes family is suing St. Lukes and Dr. Michael Fry for wrongful death, saying the Buhl woman died of a lethal mix of antidepressants administered by the hospital after she was admitted for an infection.

St. Lukes has filed an answer to the Thaetes complaint, denying each and every allegation of wrongdoing, the Nov. 19 court document says.

Meanwhile, Fifth District Judge Benjamin J. Cluff on Wednesday disqualified himself from the case, citing Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure 40(c), which allows a judge to decline a case without stating a reason.

Thaete died one year ago from serotonin syndrome as a result of being given a dose of Paxil while she had Nardil in her system, the lawsuit says. The two antidepressants are serotonin-boosting drugs that can cause physical problems  even death  when combined.

To the extent a response is deemed required, St. Lukes denies the allegations and assert that St. Lukes and all of its employed providers, including Dr. Fry, met the applicable community standard of health care practice at all relevant times, Boise law firm Quane McColl wrote in St. Lukes answer to the complaint.

Before her death, the 70-year-old woman was under the care of a Twin Falls psychiatrist who had prescribed phenelzine (generic for Nardil) to treat depression and anxiety.

On Jan. 15, 2021, Thaetes husband took her to the emergency department after she showed symptoms of having a stroke. She was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and was admitted to the hospital for observation, says the civil complaint, obtained by the Times-News from John Kluksdal of the legal firm Hepworth Holzer.

Buhl family files wrongful death suit against St. Luke's A Buhl woman's family is suing St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center for wrongful death after the woman died of a lethal mix of antidepressants administered by the hospital.

Keith Thaete said he told nurses at the hospital numerous times that his wife was taking Nardil and showed them the prescription bottle.

The following day, Sherry Thaete was moved into the Intensive Care Unit when she went into distress after being given Paxil and was placed in a medically induced coma. She died Jan. 17.

I knew it was very dangerous to combine the medications, Keith Thaete told the Times-News in December.

The frustrating part for me is I had the (correct) medication right there in my hand.

Both sides have asked for a jury trial. A court date has yet to be scheduled.

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Idaho has an historic $1.6 billion revenue surplus, much of which can and should be used to finally satisfy the Legislatures constitutional duty to provide adequate funding for Idahos public school system. Article IX, Section 1 of the Idaho Constitution commands that it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform, and thorough system of public, free common schools. This is one of the most important responsibilities of the State.

The Idaho Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that these are not idle words. Rather, the Legislature must provide sufficient funding to properly operate our public school system. There can be no argument that the Legislature has failed to carry out this solemn obligation for many years. The issue was considered by the Supreme Court in a long-running case, titled Idaho Schools for Equal Educational Opportunity v. State, often referred to as the ISEEO case. The case was filed in 1990 and came before the Court on five occasions, producing five decisions.

In its second decision in 1996, the Court suspected that the State was not adequately funding the instructional side of the education system and sent the case back to the trial court for further consideration of that issue. The Legislature did increase school funding for a while but that did not last long.

In the third round of the litigation, the focus became the proper meaning of a thorough system of public schools. The Supreme Court ruled in 1998 that a safe environment conducive to learning is inherently part of a thorough system of public, free common schools. The Court said that further litigation was necessary to decide whether school facilitiesbuildings and fixtureswere being adequately financed by the State. The case was sent back to the trial court to find whether dilapidated school facilities were harming the work of educating our kids.

When the case came back in its fifth iteration in 2005, the Court ruled that the Legislature had not met its constitutional duty to provide a thorough system of education with regard to school facilities. The ruling specified, it is the duty of the State, and not this Court or the local school districts, to meet this constitutional mandate. It was made clear that the Legislature could not place the primary funding responsibility for school facilities upon local property tax payers. The Court approvingly quoted an Ohio Supreme Court decision for the proposition that property taxes are not the answer for satisfying the constitutional mandate:

The valuation of local property has no connection whatsoever to the actual education needs of the locality, with the result that a system over reliant on local property taxes is by its very nature an arbitrary system that can never be totally thorough.

In a special session of the Legislature in 2006, legislation proposed by then-Governor Jim Risch was approved to reduce reliance on property taxes and shift the burden to sales and income taxes. In the last ten years, the burden on property tax payers has substantially increased because the Legislature has failed to carry out its responsibility to provide adequate funding for either school facilities or instructional operations. Supplemental property tax levies amounted to $218.2 million in 2021-2022. Plant facilities levies were about $53 million last year and may well be more this year. These are obligations that the Legislature should pay out of general tax revenues. Local property tax payers should not be saddled with these costs.

The Legislature is clearly shirking its constitutional duty to provide a thorough system of public schools. Ever since the deep recession of 2008, public leaders, including former Governor Otter and any number of legislators, have admitted this to be the case. Instead of falling all over themselves to figure out how many hundreds of millions of the present surplus should be dished out in tax cuts, legislators should finally take the opportunity to meet their constitutional duty of adequately funding public school operations and facilities.

We clearly have the money so lets require the legislators to carry out their responsibility under the Idaho Constitution. Our kids education depends on it.

Jim Jones is a Vietnam combat veteran who served eight years as Idaho attorney general (1983-1991) and 12 years as justice of the Idaho Supreme Court (2005-2017). He is currently a regular contributor to The Hill online news. He blogs at JJCommonTater.

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Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Thursday that the Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre in Ridgeway is one of 11 projects across the state to receive grant money for site development from the Virginia Business Ready Site Program (VBRSP).

Northam announced a total of $7 million from the program administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Regionally, Henry County will get $1,036,250; Pittsylvania County will receive $1,312,400 for the Southern Virginia Megasite at Berry Hill; and Franklin County will get $1,017,870 for use in the development of the Summit View Business Park in Rocky Mount, a press release stated.

Companies want to invest in the Commonwealth, and this program is critical to making it easier for businesses to do business here, stated Governor Northam in the release. Virginia has been named the best state in which to do business in for three years, and investments like these are part of the reason why.

The VBRSP is discretionary and is used to enhance the states infrastructure and promote its competitive business environment by first assessing a site and then helping to develop it in order to increase the pool of potential sites across Virginia. Any site approved for the program must have at least 100 contiguous, developable acres, the release said.

The Virginia Business Ready Sites Program is a powerful economic development tool that gives localities the resources they need to assess and develop sites for economic development opportunities, stated Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. These projects across the Commonwealth will strengthen Virginias business portfolio and our overall competitiveness.

Grants are considered on a competitive basis and made at the discretion of the VBRSP Project Review Committee and the Funding Approval Committee. The most recent round of program funding was highly competitive, with 25 applications from communities across Virginia totaling more than $50 million in cumulative funding requests, the release stated.

Other recipients of this years grants include the Botetourt Center at Greenfield in Botetourt County, the Mid-Atlantic Advanced Manufacturing Center in Greensville County, the Shannon Hill Regional Business Park in Louisa County, the Project Intersection in the City of Norton, the Heartland Innovative Technology Park in Prince Edward County, the New River Valley Commerce Park in Pulaski County, the Wood Haven Technology Park in Roanoke County and the Staunton Crossing in the City of Staunton.
Morocco reaffirmed its willingness to negotiate a UN solution to the Sahara conflict on the basis of the autonomy platform provided Algeria takes part in round tables as a party.

This came in a foreign ministry statement issued following talks Thursday in Rabat between Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and the newly appointed UN envoy to the Sahara Staffan de Mistura who is having his first visit to the region.

De Misturas visit is part of the implementation of Security Council resolution 2602 which called on all parties to the conflict to pursue the round table process in a spirit of realism and compromise with a view to achieving a realistic, feasible and lasting political solution.

Bourita recalled during the meeting that Morocco remains committed to finding a solution within the exclusive UN framework and on the basis of the autonomy plan while stressing the need for the participation of Algeria as a party to the round table process.

In a speech in November, king Mohammed VI said Morocco is not negotiating over its Sahara. The Moroccanness of the Sahara never was  and never will be  on the negotiating table. Rather, we are negotiating in order to reach a peaceful solution to this artificial regional dispute.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijan has handed over back to Russian peacekeepers an Armenian citizen, who mistakenly crossed the state border in Lachin region, the Defence Ministry reported on January 13.

It was determined that at about 1600 on January 13, Surik Matevosyan got lost on the territory of Lachin region of the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border and crossed the Azerbaijani border, the ministry said.

It added that Matevosyan was handed over to Russian peacekeeping forces, which are temporarily deployed in Azerbaijan.

Overall, Azerbaijan returned 21 Armenian servicemen to Armenia on November 26, December 4 and December 19, 2021.

It should be noted that Armenia has failed to provide any information about more than 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens who went missing during the first Karabakh war in the early 1990s. At the same time, Armenia does not provide information about the Azerbaijani citizens who were in captivity during the first Karabakh war.

A Moscow-brokered ceasefire deal that Baku and Yerevan signed on November 10, 2020, brought an end to six weeks of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani army declared a victory against the Armenian troops. The signed agreement obliged Armenia to withdraw its troops from the Azerbaijani lands that it has occupied since the early 1990s.

The peace agreement stipulated the return of Azerbaijan's Armenian-occupied Kalbajar, Aghdam and Lachin regions. Before the signing of the deal, the Azerbaijani army had liberated around 300 villages, settlements, city centers, and historic Shusha city.
After more than a year of efforts and attempts at mediation between the opposing political forces in Lebanon, France has not yet succeeded in getting the Beirut government to make progress in implementing economic, political and social reforms to tackle the serious crisis plaguing the country.

However, in his diplomatic efforts, President Emmanuel Macron has secured the contribution of the United Arab Emirates to the Franco-Saudi fund set up at the beginning of December for humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people, reports the news website atalayar.

President Emmanuel Macrons visit enabled the Gulf Arab states to resume relations with Lebanon and saw the establishment of a Franco-Saudi fund to support the Lebanese, which will be supported by a contribution from the United Arab Emirates, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced during a parliamentary session.

Although the size of the budget and how it will work are still unknown, this commitment is also an opportunity for Riyadh and Beirut to resume relations.

Diplomatic ties between Lebanon and the Gulf states were severely compromised after former Lebanese information minister George Kordahi criticized Saudi Arabias intervention in the Yemeni conflict. This led to the departure of the Saudi ambassador from Beirut, the expulsion of the Lebanese ambassador to Riyadh and the cutting off of imports from Lebanon, in addition to retaliatory measures by Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait.
Egypt plans to develop industrial mining cities for the extraction of gold, copper, and phosphate in line with the aim of seeing the mining sector to grow tenfold over the next two decades.

Oil Minister Tarek El Molla reportedly told Bloomberg Asharq the zones would extract and process gold in the Eastern Desert, phosphates in the Western Desert, and copper in Sinai.

Molla also indicated that the ministry is working to establish a state-of-the-art certified gold refinery in Mersa Alam, south of the Eastern Desert. The move, he added, aims to maximizing the added value from gold resources and up economic returns from gold production within the mine-to-market value chain.

The future gold refinery boasts more than 1 million ounces of gold. The deposit could be worth up to $1 billion if estimates are proven correct. The area, additionally, has an average gold concentration of 1.5 grams per ton of rock.

Egypt, according to Molla, aims for the mining sector to grow tenfold over the next two decades, which would ultimately see it contribute 5% to annual gross domestic product (GDP).
Dubai has been chosen to host the fourth edition of the Global Business Forum Latin America, or GBF Latin America, scheduled to be held on 23-24 March 2022, reported the news outlet atalayar.com.

This event is part of a series of projects launched by the Dubai Chamber in 2013, under the name of the Dubai Chamber Global Business Forum. Its main mission is to explore the economic potential offered by Africa and ASEAN  Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The choice of this city is no coincidence. Latin American and Caribbean companies want to expand their reach to the emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and to make themselves known.

The forum will host more than 800 delegates, representing over 50 countries. Also expected to attend the GBF Latin America are government and business leaders, policy makers and investors from the Americas, as well as from the Gulf region.

The forum, to be held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, will be one of the closing events of the Dubai Expo 2020.
Transitional military president Mahamat Idriss Deby has rescinded an act he himself signed on December 31, 2021, appointing several personalities to command positions. The decree, that has just been canceled, was criticized by the enarques, who felt that their rights have been violated.

The first to come out of their silence were the enarques, integrated and placed at the disposal of the Ministry of Territorial Administration.

When there is a draft appointment to the Ministry of Territorial Administration, politicians send the names of their activists to ask for positions to the detriment of enarques trained in a renowned school such as ENA, National School of Administration, they said, denouncing in anonymity.

We say no, unanimously no, our rights are violated, these people should change, they should stop with these unhealthy practices, decried one of these enarques, who added that they had written to the Minister of Territorial Administration on several occasions and that a list of qualified people who had been given to him was not taken into consideration.

The discontent of the enarques seems to be heard by the transitional authorities. Nine days after the publication of this contested decree, the president of the Transitional Military Council backed down. He canceled his act outright.

A wise decision, according to jurists, who believe that this decree should not even have been taken since the position of sub-prefect was abolished in 2018.
ASECNA, the organization that manages airspace in much of Africa, has reported to the Malian authorities a violation of their airspace by a French military aircraft, Malian air authorities said on Wednesday.

The report, made Tuesday by the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA), raises the question of the impact on not only French but also international military operations of Malis closure of its air (and land) borders in retaliation for similar West African sanctions.

In a press release issued by the Malian government, the government said it had denounced this violation of Malis airspace to the French authorities, who have decided to support the ECOWAS sanctions, which include the closure of the land and air borders of its member countries with Mali.

The Malian government declines all responsibility for the risks to which the perpetrators of these practices could be exposed in the event of a new violation of our airspace, the communique added.

France, militarily engaged in Mali and the Sahel, but also the UN force in Mali (Minusma) constantly carry out flights between the sub-region and Mali, for supplies and operations.

When asked, a French military source in Paris said: At this stage we have not received any official indication of possible restrictions in the air. Moreover, we are bound by defense agreements.
In Cameroon, the body of an opposition senator was found riddled with bullets on Wednesday in the west of the country, a region plagued by bloody conflict between armed anglophone separatists and security forces. This is what an administrative official and the party of the deceased said.

Lawyer Henry Kemende, a senator for the Social Democratic Front (SDF), one of the main opposition parties, was killed last night by unidentified armed people in Bamenda, the capital of the North West, one of the two regions inhabited mainly by the English-speaking minority of Cameroon, a local official of the Ministry of Communication announced on condition of anonymity.

His body was found with his chest riddled with bullets, confirmed Joshua Osih, vice-president of the SDF, adding that the victims vehicle, in which the elected official was riding at the time of the attack, has disappeared.

The murder had not been claimed. Mr. Osih assumes that it was the work of the Ambazonians, the armed groups that call for the independence of the two English-speaking regions under the name of Ambazonia. He believes that the separatists are angry with the SDF because the predominantly English-speaking party participates in the institutions and opposes a partition of Cameroon.

For the past five years, armed separatists and the military have been engaged in a deadly conflict. International NGOs and the UN regularly blame the separatists and the military for crimes and atrocities against civilians.

The armed groups are regularly accused of abducting, killing or maiming civilians whom they accuse of collaborating with Yaounde and government officials or political figures.
The hundred or so Rwandans who had arrived in recent days in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) claiming to be fleeing the anti-Covid vaccination in their country were sent back to Rwanda on Thursday, a local Congolese source said.

All Rwandans who were staying illegally on the island of Idjwi, located on Lake Kivu, bordering the DRC and Rwanda, were returned to their country this Thursday morning, said Roger Ntambuka, head of the Ntambuka chieftaincy, an administrative entity located in the southern part of the island.

There were 101 people, men, women and children, who boarded a large private boat, he said. They were opposed to their repatriation but we negotiated with them all day yesterday, we forced them to embark, added the official.

These Rwandans had arrived in small groups and had settled in two villages. They claimed to be fleeing the vaccination against Covid-19, which is mandatory in Rwanda in public transport, bars and restaurants or during conferences and meetings. But the inhabitants of the island had shown some concern and wondered about their intentions.

In a statement, the Rwandan government said Wednesday that a handful of Rwandans had left for neighboring countries claiming to be against vaccination, mainly for religious reasons. Most of them have returned or are in the process of returning (to Rwanda) thanks to bilateral cooperation, including those who went to the island of Idjwi, the statement added, stressing that these Rwandans would be reassured () and informed of the benefits of vaccination.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A team of researchers at Aarhus University has found evidence that suggests feeling bored can be a factor in setting off sadistic behavior. In their paper published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology: Interpersonal Relations and Group Processes, the group describes their review of nine unique studies they looked at that involved the study of sadistic behavior by people in different settings and what they found by doing so.

Prior research has shown that a large number of people engage in sadistic behaviorfrom insulting others, to taunting, bullying or physical abusepeople have at their disposal a long list of ways to hurt other people. In this new effort, the researchers looked at the role boredom plays in such behavior.

To learn more about such behavior, the researchers looked at nine unique studies that had been conducted to learn more about sadistic behavior. The first involved researchers sending personality assessments to large numbers of people and happened to include some questions about boredom. A closer look showed that people admitted to intentionally harming others more often when bored. In a second study, the researchers looked at an effort that involved people in the military inflicting harm on their colleagues and once again found boredom appeared to play a role. The third study involved looking at the trolling behavior of people online and it showed that people reported doing so more often when bored. In the fourth study, researchers looked at adults abusing children, either verbally or physically and once again found boredom was a factor.

Noting that the first four studies were all based on self-reporting scenarios, the researchers looked at other studies that involved conducting experiments and studying the results. In the first, volunteers were asked to watch videossome of which were more boring than others. As they watched, the volunteers were allowed to push maggots through a coffee grinder as a way to alleviate their boredom, (the volunteers were deceived, no maggots were actually harmed). The researchers found that most of the maggot grinding was done by those watching the more boring videos. In two other experiments, online volunteers were allowed to decide whether to give more money to another participant or to deduct from their tally. In both studies, those feeling more bored were found more likely to deduct from others. The researchers also looked at a couple of studies that looked at the reasons behind sadistic behavior and found once again, that boredom seemed to play a role.

The researchers conclude by suggesting that boredom appears to play a role in sadistic behavior and that it appears to be tied to attempts to mitigate negative feelings associated with being bored.

Explore further Short social media breaks do not reduce boredom or fatigue: study

More information: Stefan Pfattheicher et al, On the relation of boredom and sadistic aggression., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2020). Journal information: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Stefan Pfattheicher et al, On the relation of boredom and sadistic aggression.,(2020). DOI: 10.1037/pspi0000335

 2022 Science X Network
A health worker gives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to 8-year-old Indigenous youth Davi Seremramiwe Xavante at the Hospital da Clinicas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. The state of Sao Paulo started the COVID-19 vaccination of children between ages 5 and 11. Credit: AP Photo/Andre Penner

Fifteen Brazilian children received COVID-19 vaccines on Friday, marking the start of an effort that was delayed several weeks by the federal government's reluctance to endorse the immunization of children.

The country's health regulator issued approval on Dec. 16 for the administration of the Pfizer shot to kids aged 5 to 11. The decision incensed Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, who has since complained about vaccinating children, saying he won't let his 11-year-old daughter get shots and warning of possible side effects.

A study released by U.S. health authorities in late December determined that serious side effects of the Pfizer vaccine in 5 to 11 year olds are rare. The results were based on approximately 8 million doses dispensed to youngsters in that age group.

Rather than follow the regulators' guidance, Bolsonaro's Health Ministry published an online questionnaire asking if children should need a doctor's prescription to get the shot. Some of the president's supporters, like him leery of vaccines, campaigned on social media apps for people to vote against them for children.

Despite that, a majority of the survey's almost 100,000 participants opposed the need for prescriptions and the Health Ministry announced last week that it would allow children to be vaccinated.

A health worker holds a vial of the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 during a vaccination campaign for children at the Hospital da Clinicas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. The state of Sao Paulo started the COVID-19 vaccination of children between ages 5 and 11. Credit: AP Photo/Andre Penner

An 8-year-old from the Xavante Indigenous group was the first to get a shot at the ceremony in Sao Paulo's Hospital das Clinicas, one day after 1.2 million doses designated for children arrived at an airport in the state.

The boy has been undergoing treatment in Sao Paulo for a genetic disease that requires him to wear braces on his legs. His father Jurandir Siridiwe, a tribal leader, watched his son's immunization broadcast via the internet.

"If we had started immediately after Anvisa (the health regulator) approved in December the Pfizer vaccine for kids of this age, today all the children in Brazil would have been vaccinated with at least one dose," Gov. Joao Doria said at the event.

The Health Ministry recommended an eight-week interval between children's first and second doses of the Pfizer shot, rather than the three weeks recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A health worker gives a shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to 9-year-old Indigenous youth Stella Para Poty Fernandes Martins at the Hospital da Clinicas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. The state of Sao Paulo started the COVID-19 vaccination of children between ages 5 and 11. Credit: AP Photo/Andre Penner

Eight-year-old Indigenous youth Davi Seremramiwe Xavante shows his COVID-19 vaccination card, alongside the Governor of Sao Paulo Joao Doria, after getting a shot of the Pfizer vaccine during a vaccination campaign for children at the Hospital da Clinicas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. The state of Sao Paulo started the COVID-19 vaccination of children between ages 5 and 11. Credit: AP Photo/Andre Penner

Nine-year-old Indigenous youth Stella Para Poty Fernandes Martins shows her COVID-19 vaccination card to the press after getting a shot of the Pfizer vaccine during a vaccination campaign for children at the Hospital da Clinicas in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. The state of Sao Paulo started the COVID-19 vaccination of children between ages 5 and 11. Credit: AP Photo/Andre Penner

In Sao Paulo state, that means children who are scheduled to return to in-person classes at public schools on Feb. 2 will do so before receiving a second dose.

While children are much less likely than adults to suffer severe illness or die from COVID-19, advocates say vaccinating them can minimize the virus' spread in their families and society as a whole.

Brazil has begun experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said Thursday that the highly transmissible omicron variant has become the dominant strain in Brazil.

By Friday afternoon, only six of Brazil's 27 states had received vaccines for children. The Health Ministry's press office cited logistical hiccups and told The Associated Press that the doses will be delivered to the remaining states over the weekend. Most of them will begin vaccinating kids on Monday.

Brazil has about 20 million children aged 5 to 11, according to the ministry.

Explore further Brazil regulator approves COVID vaccine for children

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The findings may validate some of the symptoms that people with long COVID experience, the authors say. Credit: Shutterstock

A team from UNSW's Kirby Institute and St Vincent's Hospital Sydney have uncovered an immune profile for long COVID, potentially paving the way for tailored treatment for those with ongoing symptoms.

Unvaccinated people with long COVIDeven those whose initial infection was mild or moderatehave a sustained inflammatory response for at least eight months following their infection, suggesting that long COVID is very different to other infections.

The new analysis by the Kirby Institute was published today in Nature Immunology. It uses data obtained from St Vincent's Hospital's ADAPT study which collected samples from unvaccinated individuals during Australia's first pandemic wave.

While evidence on long COVID has been accumulating through several clinical studies based on patient reporting, including the ADAPT Study, this is the first study to describe the impact of long COVID on the immune system through analysis in a laboratory setting.

"Our findings may validate some of the symptoms that people with long COVID experience," says Dr. Chansavath Phetsouphanh, who is a senior research associate at the Kirby Institute and co-lead author on the paper. "We found that there is a significant and sustained inflammation that indicates prolonged activation of the immune system response detectable for at least eight months following initial infection."

The team examined blood samples from people with and without long COVID for a variety of 'immune biomarkers."

"These are biological characteristics which can help us define a medical condition in an accurate and reproducible way. We compared these to people who had not had COVID-19, and we found persistently elevated levels of Type I and Type III interferonstypes of protein cells make in response to the presence of a virus. These interferons generally disappear after an infection clears, but in patients with long COVID we found they were present for an extended period."

In the Kirby institute's specialized laboratories, the researchers analyzed multiple samples from 62 ADAPT patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between April and July 2020. Patient samples were analyzed at three, four and eight months following initial infection, and compared to control groups.

"One of the most surprising aspects of our analysis is that people don't need to have had severe COVID to experience these ongoing immunological changes," says Dr. Phetsouphanh. "This suggests that the pathophysiologythat is the disordered physical processes associated with long COVIDapply regardless of disease severity."

Dr. David Darley from St Vincent's Hospital, who is also a lead author on the paper, says there is no data as to whether different variants like Omicron cause the same changes, or what role vaccination may play in reducing the risk of developing long COVID.

"From some early international data, we are very hopeful that with a milder variant and with high vaccination rates we may see less long COVID, but we will need further immunological data before we can say this for certain.

"We are currently looking at some data from the Delta wave to understand whether vaccination may reduce the possibility of long COVID."

The researchers say that understanding the immune profile for long COVID will help the development of treatment and management of long COVID.

"This study provides the strongest evidence to date for a clear biological basis for the clinically apparent syndrome of long COVID," says Professor Anthony Kelleher, Director of the Kirby Institute.

"We will continue our analysis in response to the Omicron wave. In the meantime, with so many unknowns with both COVID and long COVID, we should do everything we can to reduce transmission."

Like 'detectives at a crime scene'

When researchers screen blood samples to understand an infection or immune response to an infection, there are hundreds of different markers that they could potentially look for to help them analyze exactly what the disease is doing to the body.

"As immunologists we're almost like detectives at a crime scene. We have thousands of potential biomarkersor leadsto investigate, but only a handful of them will reveal something useful. We can use some of our knowledge of what's been measured in acute COVID and other post-viral fatigue syndromes to narrow the investigation down a little bit, but because long COVID is still a new syndrome, we have to take a broad examination of the evidence and look almost everywhere," says Dr. Phetsouphanh.

"In conducting this research, we were looking for proteins in the serum. These proteins, or biomarkers, are evidence of an abnormal process caused by a disease. We analyzed 31 different biomarkers that we suspected could be 'triggered' by COVID-19, and we identified a small subset that were associated with long COVID syndrome. Excitingly, by looking at subsets of cells within the immune system we found the possible site of production of these biomarkers, which could be crucial for developing treatments."

What does this mean for people with long COVID?

"COVID is the virus that keeps on giving," says Ms Doris Gal from Shellharbour, who is part of the ADAPT study. She tested positive for COVID in September 2020. "My initial infection was quite mild, however my long COVID symptoms are significant. I've lost the ability to comprehend the way I did before having COVID. I used to be a PA, but I can't do that job anymore. Hearing about this research, I feel like my symptoms have been validated."

Approximately 30 percent of unvaccinated people who contracted COVID and were followed in the ADAPT study have experienced some long COVID symptoms. Mr Rick Walters from Roseville contracted COVID in August 2020 and is part of the ADAPT study. He is experiencing long COVID symptoms, and he says the findings raise mixed emotions.

"I'm glad that the study has confirmed that long COVID is a valid result of COVID-19 infection and just not something in my head. At first, I thought I would get better, but it became apparent that the damage to my lung was permanent, and I became quite anxious," he said. "I have had some difficulties adjusting to my current health. COVID should not be taken lightly. I am gradually learning to live with the results."

Professor Gail Matthews co-leads ADAPT and is Head of Infectious Diseases at St Vincent's Hospital and Program Head of Vaccine and Therapeutic Research at the Kirby Institute. She says when someone has a virus, the immune system gets switched on to respond to the virus and eliminate it.

"But what we're seeing with long COVID is that even when the virus has completely left the body, the immune system remains switched on. If you measure the same thing after a standard cough or cold, which we did in this study through one of our control groups, this signal is not there. It's unique to sufferers of long COVID."

Prof. Matthews says that through research like this we are slowly starting to understand some of the mysteries of long COVID.

"Simply put, when we look carefully at the immune system in people who have had COVID-19 infection, and particularly at those with long COVID, it looks different to what we would expect in healthy individuals. This tells us that there might be something quite unique in the pathophysiology of this disease. The next steps are to apply this new understanding to other COVID-19 variants, and to further research to inform the treatment and management of long COVID."

More information: Chansavath Phetsouphanh et al, Immunological dysfunction persists for 8 months following initial mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection, Nature Immunology (2022). Journal information: Nature Immunology Chansavath Phetsouphanh et al, Immunological dysfunction persists for 8 months following initial mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-01113-x
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed condolences to Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Dear Mr. President, I was deeply saddened by the news of the demise of your mother  Aura Herzog. I share your grief due to this grave loss and offer my profound condolences to you and all your family members, the message said.
Passengers from more than 150 nations will be banned from transiting through Hong Kong, its airport said Friday, in the latest tightening of the city's strict anti-virus travel measures.

The move deepens Hong Kong's global isolation as the city pursues a staunch zero-Covid policy, and creates new headaches for airlinessome of which have begun avoiding the Chinese territory because of its strict quarantine rules.

Hong Kong ranks territories into categories based on how widespread their Covid-19 infections are, with 153 countries currently classified as Group Afrom which arrivals must spend 21 days in quarantine.

On Friday, Hong Kong's airport tightened those measures.

"Passenger transfer/transit services via Hong Kong International Airport for any persons who have stayed in Group A specified place(s) in the past 21 days will be suspended," the airport said in a statement, adding that the ban was needed to control the Omicron variant's spread.

The suspension will come into force on Sunday, for a month.

Eight Group A countriesAustralia, Canada, France, India, the Philippines, Pakistan, the UK and the USare already banned entirely from arriving in Hong Kong.

The city is battling a small outbreak of the Omicron variant that began with returning Cathay Pacific crew who breached home quarantine rules.

It has reimposed strict social distancing rules, including closing gyms and halting restaurant dining after 6:00 pm.

The government is also investigating Cathay Pacific and said the company might face legal action.

Cathay is flying a fraction of its pre-pandemic routes and many of its long-haul flights transit through its home city.

The transit suspension was first reported by Bloomberg News this week citing sources who said it would not apply to diplomats, officials and athletes heading to next month's Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The Hong Kong airport statement on Friday listed no exemptions for Olympic delegates.

Explore further Hong Kong to require quarantine camp stay for travellers from US

 2022 AFP
Figure S1. Design of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and chimeric costimulatory receptor (CCR) constructs and expression of CAR, CCR and CD38 on T cells. (A) Schematic diagrams of the vectors used for CARs and CCRs are shown. SP, signal peptide; P2A, self-cleaving 2A peptide; IC, intracellular domain; TM, transmembrane domain. (B) Surface expression of the B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-CAR and CD38-CCR with different costimulatory designs are shown from a representative experiment. BCMA-CAR expression was measured with an F(ab') 2 Fragment Goat Anti-Mouse antibody. CD38-CCR expression was measured after binding of Protein L. Surface expression of CD38 is shown on transduced T cells from a representative experiment. scFv, single-chain variable fragment; LNGFR, low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor; FSC-A, forward scatter area. Credit: DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abh1962

Despite high remission rates for patients treated with T cells that are supercharged in laboratories into elite cancer warriors, there is still a considerable population of patients who eventually relapse, their cancers invariably coming back.

It is estimated that CAR T cell therapya breakthrough form of cancer immunotherapyhas a 30 percent to 40 percent rate of success for durable remission. That means a significant number of patients aren't quite as lucky. To improve the odds, medical scientists in laboratories worldwide are searching for ways to make CAR T cell cancer therapy work more effectively.

CAR T cellschimeric antigen receptor T cellsstart out as the patients' own T cells isolated from a blood sample, but the cells are primed in a laboratory using a genetic modification process that causes T cells to express a cancer-seeking-and-destroying receptor on their surface.

That special receptor is known as the chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR, engineered to bind to a specific target the cancer's antigena molecular complex known as CD19. Cancer cell destruction can be swiftindeed, so much so that the therapy has been known to quickly force some cancers into remission. CAR T cell therapy is used in the treatment of certain cancers of the blood, primarily acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

CAR T cells' population is expanded into a formidable army before being transfused into the patient. A lab grows millions of altered T cells before shipping them back to the patient's hospital. Once returned, the modified T cells are stronger, bolder and cancer-seeking. Bearing the chimeric antigen receptor allows these T cells to hunt down and destroy cancer cells. Because they seek and destroy malignant cells around the clock, some doctors have referred to CAR T cell therapy as "a living drug."

"Immunotherapy with chimeric antigen receptor cells has emerged as a promising therapeutic tool against cancer," asserted Dr. Afroditi Katsarou, reporting in Science Translational Medicine. Even though the therapy works best in hematological cancers, it is not recommended for all forms of these malignancies. The approach remains under study as a form of treatment for solid tumors, which don't have as high a response rate to CAR T cells as cancers of the blood, although emerging clinical studies hint at eventual success.

Katsarou, lead author of the new research, along with a team of scientists in the department of hematology at Amsterdam University Medical Centers in the Netherlands, are embarking on a novel approach that involves attaching not one, but two engineered receptors to T cells. Scientists from throughout the Netherlands are working with the Amsterdam-based team, as well as with a collaborative group of international scientists, including American researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Their aim is solve one of the biggest problems in CAR T cell cancer therapy: It doesn't work for everyone. Cancers rebound in what the scientists describe as a considerable proportion of patients. The Amsterdam-led team theorizes that a dual-receptor strategy can increase the effectiveness of this form of immunotherapy and lower the rate of treatment failures.

The scientists posit that T cells wielding two receptors can double the capability of CAR T cells to fight cancer. Using a dual strategy additionally enhances the persistence of CAR T cells in the blood. It is therefore hoped that this new breed of CAR T cells can track down stealthy malignant cells that elude traditional single-receptor CAR T cells. Having two receptors diminishes the possibility of cancer cells seeding a re-emergence, sending patients into a relapse, scientists say.

"Second-generation CARs that provide combined activation and co-stimulatory signals have been shown to induce impressive clinical responses," Katsarou wrote in Science Translational Medicine.

Not long after the first CAR T cell therapies were first approved nearly five years ago, doctors noticed the therapy worked better for some patients with hematological cancers than others. "CARs are highly reliant on target antigen density, and, as a consequence, CAR T cells lose their functionality when antigen expression drops below a [certain] threshold," Katsarou wrote.

Most relapses occur either because the CAR T cells don't persist long enough after transfusion, according to the team of researchers, or because the CAR T cells struggle to recognize cancer cells that harbor fewer antigens to target. "T cell exhaustion and reduced persistence are other major factors limiting the efficacy of CAR T cells," the collaborating group reported.

In their study, Katsarou and colleagues tested dual-receptor T cells in laboratory dishes and in an animal model. The cells' performance suggests that this type of modification could address the twin challenges of poor CAR T cell longevity and ineffectiveness against low-antigen density, which prevent the altered cells from working for many patients. Key to the research were the two types of receptors introduced to T cells. One was the traditional chimeric antigen receptor and the other a chimeric costimulatory receptor, or CCR.

Compared with traditional CAR T cells, the CAR-CCR T cell combination was more sensitive "to low-antigen multiple myeloma and leukemia cells in culture," the scientists reported in their research. The new dual receptor T cells also expanded and persisted longer in mouse models of multiple myeloma and low-antigen leukemia, which extended survival times and delayed cancer progression, the researchers found.

CAR T cell therapy, also known simply as CAR T, was pioneered by medical scientists Isabelle Riviere, Michel Sadelain and Renier Brentjens of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Their deceptively simple hypothesis that T cells, if modified, could vanquish cancer became the basis for a series of laboratory and clinical studies, which took nearly 20 years. The first drugs capable of coaxing the expression of chimeric antigen receptors on T cells were approved in 2017.

This kind of therapy is defined as individualizedor customizedbecause patients' own cells are the key ingredients. Doctors send patients' blood samples to the drug manufacturer's laboratory, where the T cells are modified to recognize the cancer target,OK CD19. It can take up to three weeks for the supercharged cells to return to patients' hospitals.

Currently, there are five CAR T cell drugs that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel); Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel); Kymriah (tisaglenlecleucel); Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel), and Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel).

Side effects among patients transfused with the altered T cells have included fever, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. More serious side effects also have been documented, such as irregular heartbeats and difficulty breathing.

Scientists hope the early research involving dual-receptor T cells lays the groundwork for a new way to deliver the therapy. "The application of this strategy could improve clinical outcomes and accelerate the progress of CAR T cell therapy for various malignancies," Katsarou and the team concluded.

Explore further CAR-T immunotherapy could be improved to kill solid tumors

More information: Afroditi Katsarou et al, Combining a CAR and a chimeric costimulatory receptor enhances T cell sensitivity to low antigen density and promotes persistence, Science Translational Medicine (2021). Journal information: Science Translational Medicine Afroditi Katsarou et al, Combining a CAR and a chimeric costimulatory receptor enhances T cell sensitivity to low antigen density and promotes persistence,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abh1962

 2022 Science X Network
Scientists at work in AMLo Biosciences lab to predict the spread or return of a melanoma. Credit: AMLo Biosciences & Newcastle University

A pioneering test which reliably predicts the spread or return of the most deadly form of skin cancer has been developed by a team of Newcastle scientists and clinicians.

The technological advance came as they made a scientific breakthrough in understanding the mechanism of skin cancer growth.

Led by Professor Penny Lovat at Newcastle University, UK, in association with the University spin out company AMLo Biosciences, the test offers reassurance for patients diagnosed with an early stage melanoma.

By applying the testcalled AMBLor - to the standard biopsy of the primary melanoma on its removal, patients who are at low risk of the disease reoccurring or spreading can be identified.

With the support of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to develop the provision and working with AMLo Biosciences, a referral service is now available where sections from a patient's melanoma can be posted to a lab for analysis.

The test identifies a patient's true risk of disease progression and provides anyone diagnosed with a non-ulcerated early stage melanomaaccounting for around 75% of all new diagnosesmore accurate information about the risk of the disease spreading.

Now the scientists have demonstrated the mechanism in the skin which underpins the test, publishing the research in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Melanoma growth

Melanoma is increasing worldwide and every year more than 16,000 people in the UK and 96,000 people in the US are diagnosed with the cancer.

In the new research, the authors explain how early stage melanomas at risk of spreading secrete a growth factor, TGF2 which causes the reduction, or downregulation, of the proteins AMBRA1 and Loricrinboth of which are found in the skin overlaying the tumour. The growth factor TGF2 also causes the loss of claudin-1 leading to loss of the integrity of the skin and facilitating ulceration.

Applying the test - called AMBLor - to the standard biopsy of the primary melanoma on its removal, patients who are at low risk of the disease reoccurring or spreading can be identified. Credit: AMBLo Biosciences & Newcastle University, UK

Senior author Professor Penny Lovat, Professor of Cellular Dermatology and Oncology at Newcastle University and Chief Scientific Officer at AMLo Biosciences explains: "Like mortar and bricks holding together a wall, AMBRA1, Loricrin and Claudin 1 are all proteins key to maintaining the integrity of the upper layer of the skin. When these proteins are lost gaps developlike the mortar crumbling away in the wall. This allows the tumour to spread and ultimately ulcerate which we know is a process associated with higher risk tumours.

"Our new understanding of this biological mechanism underpins the test we have available."

Cory Inglis, 49, lives on the South Coast and AMBLor is about to be used on his standard biopsy after a diagnosis of a melanoma on his back. He explained: "When you sit down with a dermatologist after the initial excision, you hear that it wasn't a mole, it was a melanoma. You are in a state of fear. It's overwhelming. At that moment a lot of the information that is provided is in very impenetrable, technical language. You ask yourself, what does it mean for me? To be able to have a test like this which provides you with result of the melanoma being low or at risk can help your medical team communicate the information in a way that is comprehensible, and importantly to help them to make the right subsequent decisions for you.

"A test, like AMBLor which tells you that your tumour is genuinely low risk helps significantly with the anxiety of an already very stressful situation.

"Patients will understand what a low risk result means. If the result is at risk, it completely justifies the significant number of interactions that you will have with the dermatology team over a five year period. I don't see any downside in providing the dermatology team with more information about your melanoma."

Professor Penny Lovat added: "Our test offers a personalised prognosis as it more accurately predicts if your skin cancer is unlikely to spread. This test will aid clinicians to identify genuinely low risk patients diagnosed with an early stage melanoma and to reduce the number of follow up appointments for those identified as low risk, saving NHS time and money."

Phil Brady, Chief Operating Officer, British Skin Foundation said: "The British Skin Foundation is proud to support Prof Penny Lovat's ground-breaking melanoma research. The development of the AMBLor test can alleviate stress and anxiety for patients caused by this potentially deadly skin cancer, whilst increasing efficiency and reducing costs to the NHS."

Professor Nick Levell, Consultant Dermatologist & British Skin Foundation spokesperson who has not been involved in the research said: "This is excellent news. This new test for melanoma will help many people with skin cancer. People at low risk can be reassured and will not have to attend hospital so often for check-ups. This British Skin Foundation co-funded research is an important step forward in making care after melanoma more personal."

Currently, primary tumours are removed by surgery and pathologists study the biopsy under the microscope to determine the stage the skin cancer is at and the risk of it spreading (metastasis). Even if defined as low risk, the patient is followed up in clinic for as long as five yearsand it is these patients that the test is able to identify.

The AMBRA1 and loricrin test is accredited by UKAS and is already available through a private referral service from the spin out company, AMBLo Biosciences. The test involves tissue sections from the standard biopsy being sent in the post to the lab for analysis. The Newcastle team have also submitted an application for the test to be made available on the NHS.

Explore further First melanoma test identifies those at low risk of cancer spreading

More information: I. Cosgarea et al, Melanoma secretion of transforming growth factor2 leads to loss of epidermal AMBRA1 threatening epidermal integrity and facilitating tumour ulceration, British Journal of Dermatology (2021). Journal information: British Journal of Dermatology I. Cosgarea et al, Melanoma secretion of transforming growth factor2 leads to loss of epidermal AMBRA1 threatening epidermal integrity and facilitating tumour ulceration,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/bjd.20889
Credit: Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

More than 20,000 new coronavirus cases have emerged each day on average in Massachusetts for the past week. But in the bowels of Boston, there is a hint that the omicron-fueled surge may be on the verge of decline.

That glimmer of hope comes from an unlikely place: wastewater.

The coronavirus levels detected in samples from the Deer Island water treatment plant, which processes wastewater from communities around Boston and eastern Massachusetts, show a steep drop in recent days.

What can coronavirus levels in wastewater tell us about the omicron wave?

"Looking at wastewater readings is an important piece of the puzzle," says Neil Maniar, director of the master of public health program, associate chair of the department of health sciences, and professor of public health practice at Northeastern. But "the interpretation of the wastewater data is much more complex than when folks look at the regular case counts."

Case counts are fairly straightforward. Someone took a test that returned a binary result: Either the test detected SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, or it didn't. Case counts gives a head count of the number of individuals in a population that reported a positive test result.

But there are all kinds of reasons that someone might not get tested or report their positive result to public health officials, says Maniar. They might be asymptomatic and not realize that they have been infected. Or maybe testing was inaccessible to them, or they couldn't find the often-out-of-stock at-home antigen tests. Someone who takes a test at home also might not report a positive to authorities and simply quarantine on their own, too.

Wastewater readings offer something that case counts don't."Basically," says Maniar, "everybody poops."

"In a way, it's the most comprehensive reading that we have," he says. "It's capturing everyone who is positive, as opposed to the testing data that are only capturing those who are tested and report it."

But samples taken from city wastewater that has come from thousands of buildings can't offer detailed information about who or how many people are infected. That's because what scientists are actually measuring in a municipality's wastewater is the concentration of bits of the virus.

The detection is similar to a nasal PCR coronavirus test, explains Jared Auclair, who runs Northeastern's COVID-19 testing facility, the Life Sciences Testing Center in Burlington, Mass. When you swab inside your nostrils, you're scraping off cells. If you've been infected, scientists can detect the presence of the virus's RNA in those cells. Researchers also are looking for RNA from SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. But in that case, no scraping is necessary.

Credit: Data from Biobot Analytics/Massachusetts Water Resources Authority; Graphic by Xristopher Anderton/Northeastern University

"Your body's job is to clear all foreign agents," says Auclair, who is also associate dean of professional program and graduate affairs in the College of Science and an associate teaching professor of biotechnology at Northeastern. "That's what's happening. Your immune system is fighting off the virus and it's got to go someplace. It can't just hang out in your body. Generally speaking, we get rid of the stuff that we don't need in our body through waste."

By the time it reaches the wastewater, says Auclair, the virus is dead.

A big wrinkle in interpreting wastewater data is that everyone sheds virus differently, he says. Some people shed a lot of virus into wastewater, while others shed much less. And, he adds, there's still a lot to learn about how people shed SARS-CoV-2. So the concentration of RNA from that coronavirus in wastewater is best treated as an average of what is going on in the population, rather than as a tool for individual decision-making.

Depending on how localized the data is, however, it could be an "indicator of the level of risk that exists in your community," Maniar says. Or, he adds, it might add to demographic information about who is getting infected or at higher risk. But for now, most wastewater coronavirus tracking is happening at the large-scale level in cities.

The role for wastewater data in monitoring COVID-19, Maniar says, is largely as an early indicator of the trajectory of the pandemic. "It's that early warning, that beacon that says, "Hey, we've got to do something about this, because there's clearly something going on.'"

Part of the reason wastewater works well as an early warning system is because of the delay involved in testing. If you're getting a PCR test, it can take days to get a result. If you're taking a rapid antigen test, positive results generally show up later in the course of the infection. Or you might not think to get a test if you're asymptomatic.

"You're probably shedding virus before you have any symptoms," Auclair says. "And we can see that in the wastewater."

There was an exponential increase of SARS-CoV-2 in the Massachusetts wastewater from mid-March to mid-April 2020, followed by a decline, according to Biobot Analytics, the company conducting the tests. Four to ten days later, the number of cases and hospitalizations reported in Massachusetts rose dramatically. That was before testing was prevalent among asymptomatic people, so the timeline has likely shortened.

The more recent data from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority coming out of the Deer Island Treatment Plant show that the concentration of the virus's RNA has been falling over the past week. Readings of samples from the southern half of the system showed a seven-day average of 6,576 RNA copies/mL as of Tuesday, down from 11,446 RNA copies/mL on January 3. In the northern region, that metric fell to 4,365 RNA copies/mL on Tuesday down from a high of 8,644 RNA copies/mL on January 5.

"That's a pretty significant decline in those numbers," Maniar says. "That is a good sign that we're moving in the right direction. But it's going to be a little bit of time before we see those numbers reflected in case counts and in hospitalizations and other metrics."

The sharp spike in COVID-19 cases is expected to be followed by an equally sharp decline, according to projections by Northeastern's infectious-disease-modeling team. But hospitalizations are still high, and tend to lag a few weeks behind a change in case counts.

"The fact that there has been a big decline [in the wastewater readings] is good news, but it doesn't mean that we let our guard down," Maniar says. "It means that if we keep doing what we're doing, that we'll get out of this."
Graphical abstract. Credit: DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107072

A new, large-scale study led by scientists at the Yale School of Public Health has established a robust link between long-term ozone exposure and an increased risk of cognitive impairment in older adults.

Air pollution has long been considered a major risk factor for an aging society. Fine particulate matter floating in increasingly high concentrations around the globe can lead to dementia and other cognitive disabilities, and those affected can easily burden health care systems in areas with populations that skew older. But beyond airborne particles, little is known about the way in which other pollutants can pose a similar danger.

For their study, which was published in Environment International in January 2022, the researchers instead chose to focus on ambient ozone, a highly reactive gas that exists in much of smog at ground level. They then observed health outcomes in nearly 10,000 older adults across China and analyzed the extent to which long-term ozone exposure may have impacted their cognitive ability over time.

The results, they found, were startling. For every 10 microgram increase of yearly average ozone exposure, the risk for cognitive impairment grew by more than 10%. Through their analysis, the researchers also found that this association held even when they abstracted away individual risk factors such as smoking, drinking and education level. That is, older adults in China who were exposed to high levels of yearly ozone pollution were more likely to develop cognitive disabilities later in life, no matter what other activities they were involved in.

"Our findings suggest potential benefits in delaying the progression of cognitive decline among older adults if ozone levels are reduced below the new WHO Global Air Quality Guideline for ozone pollution," said Kai Chen, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Yale School of Public Health and the study's lead author.

There are limitations to their findings, however. The Yale-led team of researchers noted in their paper that the observational data alone are insufficient to establish a causal link between ozone and cognitive decline in older adults. More studies are needed to explore the mechanisms behind ozone's destructive capabilities in humans before such a claim can be made, they wrote. And since many older adults in China spend most of their time inside, indoor levels of ozone pollution could be different from the open-air averages the researchers used in their study.

Nonetheless, the study is the first to establish this link across large swaths of the Chinese population over several years. And they match what other researchers have found in areas across the globe: Over the past several years, studies have traced a similar link in adults in the United States and in Taiwan, and have also found an association between ozone exposure and other neurological diseases.

The results point to an urgent need to curtail ozone exposure across the globe, they wrote in their study, in an effort to keep healthcare systems from being overwhelmed as pollution rises and the world population gets older.

YSPH Professor Robert Dubrow, M.D., Ph.D., faculty director at the Yale Center on Climate Change and Health and a co-author of the study, said what makes this issue more urgent is that "ozone pollution is projected to be worsening under climate change." Strategies to reduce this threat, Dubrow said, "may help maintain a higher quality of life among older adults and bring significant public health benefits to an aging society."

Explore further Increase in US wildfires has led to increase in co-occurrence of two kinds of air pollution

More information: Qi Gao et al, Long-term ozone exposure and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: A cohort study, Environment International (2022). Journal information: Environment International Qi Gao et al, Long-term ozone exposure and cognitive impairment among Chinese older adults: A cohort study,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107072
Quebec's premier said Thursday the COVID-19 curfew he imposed across the French-speaking Canadian province in December will be lifted on Monday.

Premier Francois Legault said the order can be ended because health officials estimate that COVID-19-related hospitalizations are expected to peak in the coming days.

The 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was reimposed on Dec. 31 after having been used for almost five months between January and May 2021.

"The wave of hospitalization is expected to peak in the coming days. We're going in the right direction but we have to remain very careful," Legault said.

Legault also announced that the province's vaccine passport will be extended to big box retail stores, except for grocery stores and pharmacies.

Earlier Thursday, Quebec reported 45 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus and a rise of 117 COVID-19-related hospitalizations.

Legault said this week that adult residents who refuse to get vaccinated against the coronavirus will be charged a financial penalty. Quebec's health minister said appointments for the first dose increased this week.

The federal government, meanwhile, said a vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States will come into effect this Saturday as planned, despite a previous statement from the Canada Border Services Agency that said Canadian truck drivers would be exempt.

In a release, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos along with the transport and public safety ministers say the border services statement from Wednesday evening was ``provided in error, and that Canadian truckers must be vaccinated if they want to avoid quarantine and a pre-arrival molecular test, starting this weekend.

The cabinet ministers say unvaccinated American big-riggers will be turned back at the border, with the U.S. preparing to impose similar restrictions on Canadian truckers on Jan. 22.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance and the American Trucking Associations say up to 26,000 of the 160,000 drivers who make regular cross-border trips will be sidelined as a result of the mandate, adding further bottlenecks and potential price hikes to the flow of goods ranging from food to medical devices.

Explore further Quebec to levy financial penalty on unvaccinated adults

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

Researchers from the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences have developed a new machine learning tool that analyses brain MRIs and predicts the age of a brain compared to the rest of the population. Essentially a screening tool, it automatically detects older-appearing brains in real-time using routine clinical scans.

Published in Neuroimage, the research shows that as part of a natural process, brains lose volume with age and as long as the volume loss is appropriate for the patient's age, the new tool will predict the correct age of the patient.

But if a patient has a brain which is diseased and has lost a disproportionate amount of volume, such as in dementia, the tool will show the mismatch between the real age and the predicted age thereby alerting clinicians to this important discrepancy and flag that the brain is abnormal for age.

"We have shown it is possible to close that gap from point of scan to expert review, if the center is lucky enough to have experts, by automating that process."

Using a deep learning based neuroradiology report classifier, the researchers generated a dataset of 23, 302 'radiologically normal for age' head MRI examinations from two large UK hospitals, namely, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College Hospital using the pre-existing neuroradiology reports.

Then using an unusual approach whereby there is very little computational pre-processing of the scans, they applied another deep learning image algorithm to the large dataset of normal scans.

Further experiments used a variety of normal scan types from a third institute as well as an open-source dataset.

Their final model was tested using scans with a disproportionate amount of brain volume loss and then scrutinized their model findings by building heatmaps of the parts of the scans which the model predicted there was a disproportionate amount of brain volume loss.

First author Dr David Wood, researcher at the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, said a key aspect of this study was the use of a large, clinically-representative dataset for model training.

The researchers say this framework could have important implications for patient care, drug development, and optimizing MRI data collection.

"Currently abnormal older-appearing brains are detected sometime after the scan at the time of reporting. The most accurate reports will be in centers where there are neuroradiologists however few centers have neuroradiologists," Dr Booth said.

"Automatically detecting volume loss in real time helps screen for the common problem of neurodegeneration during scans obtained for all reasons. A subsequent diagnosis of, for example early-stage Alzheimer's disease, could potentially improve patient care through implementing early medical and social interventions. Similarly, patients could potentially be recruited into drug trials at an earlier stage."

Dr Booth said the framework could also be used to leverage the wealth of existing large hospital databases to provide powerful new resources for the training, testing and clinical validation of medical image analysis tools beyond brain-age such as abnormality detection.

Explore further AI-based system could help triage brain MRIs

More information: David A. Wood et al, Accurate brainage models for routine clinical MRI examinations, NeuroImage (2022). Journal information: NeuroImage David A. Wood et al, Accurate brainage models for routine clinical MRI examinations,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118871
PET scan of a human brain with Alzheimer's disease. Credit: public domain

Jay Reinstein and Michele Hall wouldn't seem to most people like they would be in danger of suffering from a disease typically associated with aging.

Reinstein is just 60 years old, and Hall is 54. Both of them have young adult children. Yet both already struggle with driving, and they can no longer work because their minds don't function as they once did.

They're two of the 200,000 Americans who suffer from early-onset Azheimer's disease, a group of people who received crushing news Tuesday when Medicare proposed limiting their access to a potential treatment called Aduhelm meant to slow the march of their debilitating illness.

When the government's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the news, it was a bombshell for Hall, Reinstein and others like them. Despite living 700 miles apart, the two are bound together by both their earth-shattering diagnoses that forced them to quit satisfying jobs in their 50s and their quest to slow the inevitable cognitive degeneration brought on by the disease. Their greatest hope as of late was that Aduhelm, Biogen Inc.'s controversial Alzheimer's treatment, could help enhance the quality of their still relatively young lives.

"Terrible. Horrible," said Hall, who until 2019 was general counsel for the Manatee County Sherriff's Office, a half-hour south of St. Petersburg, Florida, across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. "I wasn't prepared for that. I didn't see it coming."

"I'm one of the hundreds of thousands who could benefit and we can't get it," said Reinstein, who until a few years ago worked as an assistant city manager in Fayetteville, North Carolina. "You deflated the hope. Now what?"

All told, some 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's, about half of whom the National Institute on Aging says may have mild symptoms, the target group for Aduhelm. But it's an especially cruel blow to those in the prime of their lives. Hall and Reinstein are involved in an advocacy network for the disease that voiced its outrage over Medicare's preliminary decision. The Alzheimer's Association called it "shocking discrimination" that will leave only "a privileged few" the ability to get the monthly infusions of the drug.

Though younger than 65, Hall and Reinstein qualify for Medicare because of their condition. The unusual proposal not to fully cover Aduhelm reflects Medicare's doubt that the drug will do more good than harm. The Food and Drug Administration approved the infusion last June without clear evidence it works, resulting in a firestorm of bad press and a congressional investigation. The drug also has serious side effects: headaches, dizziness, falls and even brain bleeds.

Yet despite all the drawbacks, Reinstein and Hall were eagerly awaiting their chance for treatment. When you face a future of not knowing your own grandchildren or needing help with every little task, what else are you going to do?

"I'm willing to be a guinea pig," Reinstein said. "All we're looking for is an opportunity."

Reinstein and Hall met through the Alzheimer's Association about six months ago and FaceTime every couple of weeks. Hall recently joined one of Reinstein's support groups as well. They're also part of an observational study called the Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Study, or LEADS, funded by the National Institute on Aging, which seeks to learn more about the characteristics of cognitively impaired people ages 40 to 64.

Hall's journey started when she was having trouble following meetings at work and finding the right words to use in conversation, but she knew something was really wrong at the doctor's office seeking treatment for a hand injury: She looked down at the forms she was supposed to fill out and couldn't make sense of any of it. She saw the cup of pens on the front desk and tried to focus her mind by spelling "cup." After a half hour, she still couldn't, and she called her husband to rush over and help.

"Oh, another thing that made it clear," she said, then stopped and looked at her husband Doug before continuing her comments. "What was my title?"

"President of the Florida Association of Police Attorneys," he answered, one of many times he filled in the blanks for her.

She was scheduled to give a speech at the group's annual convention in 2019 but "nothing came to me. I decided I couldn't work anymore." Eventually, she got a spinal tap at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and was given the devastating diagnosis. Hall contemplated suicide and asked her law enforcement friends where to get a gun. She told her three children in their 20s that she didn't want them to see her waste away.

"The first two or three months were really miserable," she said. "It was hard because all the sudden you see yourself going away."

She and Reinstein have been on an emotional roller coaster with Aduhelm. They closely followed the progress of Aduhelm through the approval process, which itself was full of ups and downs as the drug seemingly failed and then was resurrected, and then saw a rare glimmer of hope when the FDA approved the monthly infusion last year.

Hall's husband said they're aware Aduhelm isn't a wonder drug, "but it could help keep her stable for six months," he said, "then hopefully something better will come along."

"Is it better than doing nothing? We think so," he said.

The FDA justified Aduhelm's approval citing the desperate need for an Alzheimer's treatment. Even though it lacked clear benefit and carries the risk of serious side effects, Biogen priced the drug at $56,000 a year.

The company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, slashed that price in half recently after blowback and low sales. Biogen said Tuesday that Medicare's draft decision, which limits coverage of Aduhelm to patients in a clinical trial, will result in the majority of patients being unable to access the treatment and left "to decline without hope of intervention." It's not yet clear which trials will be eligible for Medicare coverage.

Aduhelm is supposed to be used only on those with mild cognitive impairment. Hall and Reinstein feared their cognitive skills could decline beyond mild before they got to try the drug.

Hall decided late last year not to wait anymore. On Dec. 29, she and her husband drove half an hour to a small infusion center in St. Petersburg, an appointment that was facilitated by the University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute.

The needle went in her hand and the infusion lasted about an hour. She had her own room with a recliner where she watched Law & Order reruns. "Right now I feel completely fine," she said at the start of the infusion. "We've been waiting for this."

Patients begin Aduhelm on a small dose and eventually that amount is increased. The initial doses are relatively moderate in price. Hall plans to continue receiving monthly infusions for at least a couple more months. She isn't sure how she will manage the higher costs of the increased doses if Medicare doesn't cover them.

The government will hold a 30-day comment period for its coverage proposal and make a final determination in April. Reinstein is starting a nonprofit called Voices of Alzheimer's that is scheduled to meet with Medicare officials in less than two weeks to try to get them to change their minds.

That's a stark contrast to what he was preparing for until Tuesday's decision. Just last week, Jay drove from Raleigh where he lives to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., one of the locations for the LEADS study, to get a PET scan to check for the presence of abnormal protein deposits called amyloid plaque in his brain, a marker of Alzheimer's and a requirement for receiving Aduhelm. He'll get the results later this week and, though he isn't sure how he'll proceed, he desperately wants to find a way to get Aduhelm.

Jay has suffered bouts of anxiety and depression since his diagnosis about three years ago. Still, he manages to hide his distress. His outward persona is charismatic and self-effacing. He still co-hosts a weekly radio show with his friend and community activist Kevin Brooks called "Honest Conversations with Kev and Jay" on the local gospel music station in Fayetteville.

But in quiet moments it's a different story. "A lot of worries. I wake up at night sometimes and I'm worried. I hate it." There aren't many resources for those with early-onset Alzheimer's, Reinstein said, and finding people with shared experiences helps.

Those FaceTime sessions with Hall will be more important now than ever." You know you're not alone," Reinstein said.

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ZAMBOANGA CITY  Eight villages in the southern Philippine province of Sulu are now free from the influence of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf...
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and the American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris have discussed regional security and efforts to ensure lasting peace, the ministry reported on January 13.

"Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed the opposite side about the current situation in the region, including the steps taken by us to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the ongoing military provocations by Armenia, the killing of an Azerbaijani serviceman two days ago [January 11] and Armenia's responsibility in this regard,?" the ministry said.

In turn, Harris stressed the importance of lasting peace and security in the region. He thanked for the meeting and the provided information.

Bayramov highly appreciated his previous meeting with David Harris at the United Nations General Assembly's 76th session, as well as the discussions he conducted with the American Jewish Committee, the report added.

The sides agreed on the development of cooperation between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Jewish communities, the ministry said.

The two men also exchanged views on prospects for the further development of Azerbaijan-U.S. relations and other issues of mutual interest.

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is one of the oldest Jewish advocacy organizations established on November 11, 1906. Along with its activities in favour of civil liberties for Jews, the organization has a history of fighting against all forms of discrimination in the United States. The organization has 22 regional offices in the U.S, 10 overseas offices, and 33 international partnerships with Jewish communal institutions around the world.
FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Everyone knows cleaner air means healthier bodies, but new research suggests it might also help aging minds.

"Our study is important because it is one of the first to show that reducing air pollution over time may benefit the brain health of older women by decreasing their likelihood of developing dementia," said study co-lead author Xinhui Wang. Wang is assistant professor of research neurology at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, in Los Angeles.

Previous research had linked exposure to air pollution later in life with an increased risk of dementia, but how improved air quality affects brain health wasn't clear.

To find out, the researchers analyzed data from more than 2,200 U.S. women (aged 74 to 92) who had yearly tests of mental functioning between 2008 and 2018 as part of a long-term study. They did not have dementia when the study began.

The researchers used the women's home addresses to estimate their exposure to air pollution over the period.

Those living in areas with the greatest declines in two air pollutants  fine particulate matter and the traffic-related pollutant nitrogen dioxide  saw their risk of dementia fall by 14% and 26%, respectively, according to findings published online Jan. 11 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Although the study could not prove a cause-and-effect relationship, the brain benefit associated with cleaner air was consistent regardless of age, economic status, heart disease risk factors and a genetic risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's known as apolipoprotein E genotype.

"The takeaway message is that reducing air pollution exposure can promote healthier brain aging," Wang said in a university news release.

Dementia disproportionately affects women, the study authors noted.

Co-lead study author Diana Younan, a former senior research associate at the Keck School, said Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are immensely costly to the health care system and to families.

"Our research suggests that tightening the air quality standards may help to prevent Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in older women and, in turn, reduce its societal burden," she said.

More information

Alzheimers.gov has more on reducing dementia risk.

SOURCE: University of Southern California, news release, Jan. 10, 2022

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FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Want to look more alluring? Wear a mask.

Really.

That's the takeaway from Welsh researchers who found that masking up may make men look more attractive to the opposite sex and that some kinds of masks do a better job of this than others.

Research carried out before the pandemic found medical face masks reduce attractiveness -- so we wanted to test whether this had changed since face coverings became ubiquitous and understand whether the type of mask had any effect," said study author Michael Lewis of Cardiff University, an expert in the psychology of faces.

And, indeed, it did.

Lewis and his colleagues showed 43 women pictures of men's faces. They were asked to rate attractiveness of the guys without a mask, and with a cloth mask, a blue medical mask or as they held a plain black book over the area a mask would cover.

The experiment was conducted in February of last year -- seven months after COVID-19 made face masks mandatory in the United Kingdom.

Men with masks were rated more attractive, and those with blue medical masks got the highest marks, according to findings published Jan. 10 in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications.

Lewis suspects the preference for blue masks stems from seeing them on health care workers.

Now we associate these with people in caring or medical professions," he said in a university news release. "At a time when we feel vulnerable, we may find the wearing of medical masks reassuring and so feel more positive towards the wearer."

The women also found faces significantly more attractive when covered by cloth masks than when left uncovered.

Some of this effect may be a result of being able to hide undesirable features in the lower part of the face -- but this effect was present for both less attractive and more attractive people," Lewis said.

The findings run counter to a pre-pandemic study in Japan that found masks sparked thoughts of disease and a desire to avoid the wearer.

The current research shows the pandemic has changed our psychology in how we perceive the wearers of masks," Lewis said. "When we see someone wearing a mask we no longer think that person has a disease, I need to stay away.'"

He explained that this relates to evolutionary psychology and why we select the partners we do.

"Disease and evidence of disease can play a big role in mate selection -- previously any cues to disease would be a big turnoff," Lewis said. "Now we can observe a shift in our psychology such that face masks are no longer acting as a contamination cue.

Next up for the researchers: What about the guys? Do they think masks make women more attractive?

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a guide to masks.

SOURCE: Cardiff University, news release, Jan. 13, 2022

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FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Transgender people get greater mental health benefits if they start gender-affirming hormone treatment when they're teens instead of waiting until they're adults, a new study finds.

"This study is particularly relevant now because many state legislatures are introducing bills that would outlaw this kind of care for transgender youth," said study lead author Dr. Jack Turban. He's a postdoctoral scholar in pediatric and adolescent psychiatry at Stanford Medicine in California.

"We are adding to the evidence base that shows why gender-affirming care is beneficial from a mental health perspective," Turban explained in a Stanford news release.

For the study, Turban and his team analyzed data from the largest-ever survey of U.S. transgender adults, conducted in 2015.

Compared to those who began hormone treatment during adulthood, those who started the treatment in their teens were less likely to have thoughts of suicide, major mental health disorders and substance abuse problems.

The researchers also found that participants who received hormones at any age were far less likely to have such problems than those who wanted but never received the treatment.

The study was published online Jan. 12 in the journal PLOS ONE.

The goal of gender-affirming hormone treatment with estrogen or testosterone is to match a transgender person's physical characteristics with their gender identity.

Providing hormone therapy in adolescence means that a transgender teenager can go through puberty in a way that matches their gender identity, the study authors explained.

Of the more than 27,000 survey respondents, the researchers focused on the nearly 21,600 who said they wanted to receive hormone treatment. Of those who wanted treatment, 119 began at age 14 or 15 (early adolescence), 362 began at age 16 or 17 (late adolescence) and more than 12,000 began after their 18th birthday (adulthood). More than 8,800 wanted but never received hormone therapy (control group).

Respondents who received hormone treatment had a lower risk of severe psychological distress during the previous month and a lower risk of suicidal thoughts in the previous year, according to the survey.

Compared to the control group, the risk of severe psychological distress was 222%, 153% and 81% lower for those who began hormones in early adolescence, late adolescence and adulthood, respectively.

Also compared to the control group, the risk of suicidal thoughts in the previous year was 135%, 62% and 21% lower among those who began hormones in early adolescence, late adolescence and adulthood, respectively.

The study also found that respondents who began hormones in early or late adolescence had lower rates of past-month binge drinking and lifetime illicit drug use than those who began hormones in adulthood.

However, those who started hormone treatment in adulthood were more likely to binge-drink and use illicit substances than those who never had the treatment.

"Some individuals may become more confident and socially engaged when they begin taking hormones," and this increased confidence and socialization may be linked to substance abuse, Turban noted.

"This finding speaks to the importance of creating culturally tailored substance-use counseling programs for transgender individuals," he said.

More information

The Hormone Health Network has more on transgender health.

SOURCE: Stanford Medicine, news release, Jan. 12, 2022

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FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Face masks are touted as a key tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and a new study offers more proof that they work.

Florida researchers found face masks cut the distance that airborne pathogens such as the coronavirus can travel by more than half.

The findings suggest that some COVID-19 social distancing guidelines could be relaxed when people wear masks, according to the authors.

"The research provides clear evidence and guidelines that three feet of distancing with face coverings is better than six feet of distancing without face coverings," said study co-author Kareem Ahmed. He's an associate professor in the University of Central Florida department of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

For the study, Ahmed and colleagues used special instruments to measure the distance in all directions that droplets and aerosols traveled from 14 people, aged 21 to 31, when they spoke and coughed while wearing different types of masks or not wearing a mask.

Each participant recited a phrase and simulated a cough for five minutes without a face-covering, with a cloth face covering, and with a three-layered disposable surgical mask.

Airborne emissions produced by the participants when they spoke or coughed spread four feet in all directions when they had no mask, compared with about two feet when they wore a cloth face covering and about six inches when they wore a surgical mask, the investigators found.

The study was published Jan. 12 in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Learning more about how to reduce airborne transmission of infectious diseases can help keep people safe and manage responses to COVID-19 and other pandemics, according to the researchers.

The next step is to expand the study with more participants.

The idea for the study came from jet propulsion research conducted by the team.

"The principles are the same," Ahmed said in a school news release. "Our cough and speech are exhausted propulsion plumes."

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a guide to masks.

SOURCE: University of Central Florida, news release, Jan. 12, 2022

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FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The nomination of former U.S. Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Robert Califf to again lead the agency now heads to the full Senate for a vote, after a Senate committee on Thursday voted 13-8 for approval.

Among those who voted against Califf's nomination were Democrats who expressed concerns about his links to pharmaceutical companies, The New York Times reported.

No date for a Senate vote on Califf's nomination has been set. During the last year of the Obama administration, Califf had been confirmed in a 89-to-4 Senate vote to become FDA commissioner, the Times reported.

If confirmed again, Califf will take over an agency that's been under the spotlight during the pandemic as it dealt with decisions about vaccines, treatments, tests and masks, the Times reported.

The agency has been criticized for sluggish approval of rapid at-home tests, leading to test shortages as the Omicron variant raged across the country and consumer demand soared for tests for schoolchildren and workers, the Times said.

Meanwhile, high-risk COVID patients are facing severe shortages of treatments that can help battle Omicron -- even as the FDA remains the gatekeeper to therapies and diagnostics that could help.

Other major challenges facing the FDA are new e-cigarette rules and accelerated approval of drugs, an issue triggered by the agency's approval of the controversial, pricey new Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm.

Califf appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in mid-December, answering questions about the pandemic, the opioid crisis and other topics.

As a cardiologist, Califf led clinical trials at the Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina for decades. Recently, he led clinical policy and strategy for Verily, the life sciences arm of Google. During the hearing, he emphasized the value of existing data, much of it in patients electronic medical records, to help answer difficult questions about drugs and devices.

During the hearing, Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont took Califf to task for his ties to major pharmaceutical companies, which include consulting fees and stock ownership of as much as $8 million.

That is exactly the close relationship Big Pharma has exploited to regulate the FDA, instead of the FDA regulating them, Sanders said.

In response, Califf told the Senate committee that the FDA and its parent agency, the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, have strict ethics rules that he plans to follow.

More information

Visit Duke University for more on Robert Califf.

SOURCE: The New York Times

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As New York City forges ahead with its recovery, the pandemic is leaving lasting imprints, especially on city roadways: less room for cars and more space for people. As the COVID-19 outbreak ravaged New York City two years ago, one of the worlds most congested and bustling metropolises found itself transformed into grids of mostly deserted streets and sidewalks as businesses shuttered and virus-wary denizens shut themselves in. Now the city is drafting new rules that would allow eateries to make outdoor dining permanent, although the policy is being challenged in court. The city is also announcing plans to close off even more streets to vehicles on Sundays so pedestrians have more room to roam in warmer months.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and his newly-appointed Kazakh counterpart Alikhan Smailov have considered joint efforts to expand ties, the Cabinet of Ministers has reported.

In a telephone conversation, Asadov congratulated Smailov on his appointment and wished him success in his work.

The two officials focused on the development of ties of friendship and cooperation in various areas between the two countries. During the conversation, the hope was expressed for further strengthening and expanding ties by joint efforts.

Ali Asadov noted that Azerbaijan has witnessed with concern the events occurring in fraternal Kazakhstan in recent days, and also expressed confidence in the soonest normalization of the situation.

Ali Asadov expressed condolences to Alikhan Smailov regarding the numerous victims of the events in Kazakhstan.

Amid the fuel prices increase, big demonstrations erupted on January 2 in certain parts of Kazakhstan. It should be noted that public protests are illegal in the country unless their organizers file a notice in advance.

Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who took office in 2019, sacked the cabinet on January 5 in an effort to head off unprecedented turmoil, following an energy price hike.

More than 200 people were detained during protests that swept across Kazakhstan following a new year increase in prices for liquid petroleum gas (LPG), which is widely used to fuel cars in the west of the country.

Kazakhstan's authorities declared a state of emergency, following the illegal demonstrations. On January 5, the Kazakh president accepted the government's resignation. The curfew was imposed in Almaty and Mangistau region, as well as entry into and exit from these territories is prohibited.

Tokayev asked the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), for help. Some 2,500 troops from Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan arrived late last week and were planned to leave within 10 days.
FRIDAY, Jan. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- As the Omicron variant rages across the United States, an expert outlines how to reduce your risk of getting infected with COVID-19.

Be cautious when it comes to social activities and consider the amount of risk you're willing to accept in order to get together with others, said Dr. Michael Lin, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

"Any time people are gathering indoors, there's an inherent risk that the virus will spread," Lin said in a hospital news release.

You can reduce your risk of infection and serious illness by limiting yourself to small gatherings and making sure everyone is fully vaccinated and boosted, if eligible.

At indoor gatherings, anyone age 2 or older should wear a well-fitted mask. Wearing a mask is especially important if you have a weak immune system, even if you are vaccinated.

"We know that if you are immunocompromised, you may not be fully protected even if you did get your shots," Lin said.

It's also a good idea to take an at-home COVID-19 test before getting together with others, and anyone with symptoms such as a cough or runny nose should avoid socializing.

The safest way to connect with others is to hold a virtual gathering.

If you're thinking about going to a restaurant, you should:

Avoid packed, poorly ventilated places where you can't social distance.

Choose times when it wont be crowded.

If there are too many people, find another restaurant or opt for carryout.

Wear a well-fitted mask when you are not eating and drinking.

Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.

Bring your vaccination card and/or keep a copy on your phone if youre in a community that requires patrons to show proof they've been vaccinated.

Choose your dinner companions carefully. Most of the risk comes not from diners at other tables necessarily, but from those who are sitting at your table if they are from other households.

Shopping for groceries and running other errands tend to be less risky than eating at a restaurant. If you're at risk for severe illness, consider going out when stores are least busy, such as early morning, Lin suggested.

Travel poses challenges because it's difficult to stay at least 6 feet apart from strangers in airports, train stations, planes and trains. You also need to assess the risk at your destination. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers county-by-county COVID-19 rates.

Whatever you do, the best protection during the Omicron surge is to get vaccinated and boosted, but its important to remember that vaccines "are not 100% effective, which is why we are seeing some breakthrough infections, especially with the Omicron variant," Lin said.

"But in general, breakthrough infections are mild for those who are vaccinated, and vaccines do an excellent job of preventing severe infections and death," he added.

More information

For more on protecting yourself and others from COVID-19, see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCE: Rush University Medical Center, news release, Jan. 12, 2022

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, has been arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, authorities said Thursday.

Ten other people also were charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, when authorities said members of the extremist group came to Washington intent on stopping the certification of President Joe Biden's victory.

These are the first charges of seditious conspiracy that the Justice Department has brought in connection with the attack led by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Rhodes, 56, of Granbury, Texas, and Edward Vallejo, 63, of Phoenix, Arizona, were arrested on Thursday. The others who were charged were already facing criminal charges related to the attack. Rhodes is the highest-ranking member of an extremist group to be arrested in the deadly siege.

The arrest of Rhodes and the others is a serious escalation of the accusations against the thousands of rioters who stormed the Capitol. And the charges answer in part a growing chorus of Republicans who have publicly questioned the seriousness of the Jan. 6 insurrection, arguing that since no one had been charged yet with sedition or treason, it could not have been so violent.

Rhodes did not enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6 but is accused of helping put into motion the violence that disrupted the certification of the vote. The Oath Keepers case is the largest conspiracy case federal authorities have brought so far over Jan. 6, when rioters stormed past police barriers and smashed windows, injuring dozens of officers and sending lawmakers running.

The indictment against Rhodes alleges Oath Keepers formed two teams, or "stacks," that entered the Capitol. The first "stack" split up inside the building to separately go after the House and Senate. The second "stack" confronted officers inside the Capitol Rotunda, the indictment said. Outside Washington, the indictment alleges, the Oath Keepers had stationed two "quick reaction forces" that had guns "in support of their plot to stop the lawful transfer of power."

Jonathan Moseley, an attorney representing Rhodes, said his client was arrested Thursday in Texas.

"He has been subject to a lot of suspicion to why he wasn't indicted," so far in the Jan. 6 riot, Moseley said. "I don't know if this is in response to those discussions, but we do think it's unfortunate. It's an unusual situation."

___

Associated Press writers Jacques Billeaud, Nomaan Merchant, Eric Tucker, Michael Kunzelman and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report.

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Staff with the Office of Public Instruction provided an update on the new educator licensure system as well as the annual teacher licensure report to the Montana Board of Public Education on Thursday afternoon.

The OPIs licensure office has recently come under fire. In two letters, groups of school superintendents from around the state expressed their concerns with Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzens leadership.

OPIs previous online licensing system was closed to the public beginning on Jan. 1 and the new system from RANDA Solutions will not be open until June 1. During the closure, educators must mail a paper application to the OPI until May 6 or wait until the new system is launched.

A kickoff meeting with the vendor RANDA Solutions and the OPI is planned to take place this month as they begin to move forward with data migration from the old to the new system. The OPI is aiming that the new licensure system will be ready for use beginning on June 1.

The OPI anticipates it will begin testing the new system and training staff to operate it this spring between April and May.

A lot of whats happening right now is being driven by RANDA, however, from a project standpoint, with myself and the team, really facilitating our meetings and ensuring that every agency, every department, every data component is being accounted for, said Zam Alidina, a contracted employee with the OPI for project management.

Alidina explained that RANDA is a leader in the field for education licensure systems that have worked with state education departments in Tennessee, Colorado, Kentucky and South Carolina.

So they definitely are a leader, but not only because theyve worked with these organizations, but also because of their technical and business subject matter expert knowledge within this application, Alidina said.

That expert knowledge has come in handy when Alidina has approached RANDA with questions regarding risks with data, business or integration, he said.

The new RANDA system will provide more automation in the workflow at OPIs licensing office, therefore eliminating most of the manual work that was done previously. This will allow OPI staff to focus on high priority items that need to be met, Alidina said.

The display of the system will also be modernized compared with the previous MSEIS system used by the OPI.

Board member Mary Heller raised concerns to Crystal Andrews, OPIs director of educator licensure, about the implementation of a new system while her staff are swamped with licensing and renewals.

Im just very concerned about the overload, possibly, Heller said.

A lot of times when these systems go live, and then all of a sudden everybodys getting on them, they can crash, and Im really worried about our amazing staff at OPI and the overload, she continued.

Andrews replied that her office has prepared the licensure frequently-asked-questions page online and necessary documents for licensing have also been updated for the interim period. They have been receiving a lot of licensing paperwork since Jan. 1, including 200 paper renewals, and have been processing them with no issues.

Once we have the new system and the trainings we will be revamping the webpage, Andrews said. Thats the piece that Im most excited about.

I can assure you, as we saw the demo for RANDA, that its just so much better and user-friendly that it will ease everyones minds once we get there, she continued.

The new webpage will be more user-friendly and ultimately a positive change for her office, Andrews said.

She took the podium again to discuss educator licensure activity during fiscal year 2021-2022. During that time there were 5,204 licenses, including renewals, duplicates, license upgrades and endorsements. The highest number of licenses were for elementary education, Andrews said.

In that fiscal year, the OPI issued 1,646 new licenses and 62% of those were for standard teaching licenses, which means the educator has completed an accredited teacher preparation program with a bachelors degree.

As you can see, initial licenses have increased this year by almost 400 licenses, Andrews said. Our renewals, upgrades, endorsements and duplicates are down slightly but have maintained a very similar trend in the last five years.

For her presentation, Andrews analyzed critical endorsement shortage areas in Montana since 2017. Based on this years data, new licenses in those areas have increased by 1,297.

Im happy to know that special education has 138 new licenses knowing that that is such a huge area of critical need in our state, Andrews said. Im sure it is not enough but its positive to see that number had gone up quite a bit.

Andrews is optimistic that the states licensing numbers will increase in 2022 with the new licensing system and upcoming revisions to teacher licensing rules.

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A Missoula Community Medical Center nurse accused of diverting fentanyl and hydromorphone meant for patients for her own use admitted to charges Thursday in federal court.

Mary Schmidt Monahan, 61, pleaded guilty to unlawfully obtaining controlled substances as charged in an indictment, a Thursday news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Monahan faces a maximum of four years in prison, a $250,000 fine and one year of supervised release.

In the months spanning from January 2020 until about February 2021, Monahan diverted fentanyl and hydromorphone while employed as a nurse in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at CMC in Missoula. In January 2021, another medical center staff member observed Monahan engaging in what looked like diverting drugs from a patient, the news release said.

Monahan had two vials on her workstation when she placed something in her pocket, pulled up the sleeve of her jacket to her elbow and moved out of the employees field of vision. When Monahan emerged, she wiped her forearm with an alcohol pad and raised her arm in the air.

A short time later, Monahan requested that the employee serve as a witness to the disposal of drugs, including hydromorphone and fentanyl. A review of Monahans dispensing records noted that in December 2020, she had distributed amounts above the normal drug quantity for her unit.

"When questioned by supervisors, Monahan admitted she had been diverting drugs from patients for about a year. Monahan admitted to Drug Enforcement Administration agents that she had obtained medications for patients but administered only a portion of the drugs and kept the remainder for herself," the news release said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Missoula Police Department.

Sentencing was set for April 26. Monahan will remain released from custody pending further proceedings.

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The historic railway depot that houses the Boone and Crockett Club will get a restored roof and other improvements, thanks to some large grant awards.

Were going to bring it back to its original state with clay tile, club development program manager Jodi Bishop said on Friday. It originally had Spanish clay barrel tiles on every surface. At some point, those were replaced by asphalt shingles. Were restoring it to its original look when it was built in 1910.

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust gave $300,000 to support renovation of the former Milwaukee Road Depot, which sits just west of the Beartracks Bridge southern end. That, combined with a $500,000 historic preservation grant from the Montana state government, was enough to start work on the project. Bishop said the total estimated cost would be about $1.4 million.

That includes re-pointing the brickwork around the building, repairing windows and gutters, and other exterior maintenance. Bishop said the public visitor gallery of trophy big game displays will remain unchanged.

The Boone and Crockett Club was founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt and our organization has played a critical role in conservation ever since, club executive officer Tony Shoonen said. The exterior renovations will have our building looking much as it did when TR visited Missoula in 1911 shortly after the depot was completed.

Nationally known architect J. A. Lindstrand designed the depot for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad. The Mission Style building features a castle-like structure with two observation towers, mission-style parapet walls using brick imported from China, Romanesque windows, and a Spanish-style roof. It is listed on both state and national Register of Historic Places.

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For the sixth time since the exchange was established, 28 Yellowstone National Park bison were shipped to the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation on Wednesday.

The Bison Conservation Transfer Program allows the park to divert bison that have passed quarantine to the tribe. The quarantine ensures the animals are free of the disease brucellosis. The final phase of the quarantine process takes place on the reservation, after which the animals can be distributed to other tribal nations.

This program has made incredible strides in the cultural and ecological restoration of bison across the country, said Chamois Andersen, senior Rockies and Plains representative at Defenders of Wildlife, in a statement. Defenders has been a partner in the quarantine and transfer program.

In partnering with the InterTribal Buffalo Council, the park and reservation have moved almost 182 bison to the reservation. From there, 82 animals have been distributed to 18 tribal nations in 10 states, including as far away as Alaska, once the quarantine process is completed. The most recent transfers in December were of 56 bison moved to the Yakama Nation in Washington and Modoc Nation in Oklahoma.

Its something that were very proud of, said Cam Sholly, park superintendent, on Thursday. Were putting record amounts of money into bison conservation. Were not doing that alone.

Last year, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and Yellowstone Forever helped raise funds to pay for new fencing to allow the park to increase the number of bison held in quarantine from 80 to 200.

Improvements will be completed this winter, the Park Service said, resulting in the transfer of about 100 animals a year to tribes as an alternative to slaughter.

As part of an agreement with the state of Montana, the Park Service also diverts bison to slaughter to decrease their population in the park. Meat from the slaughtered bison is distributed to participating tribes. Tribal and state hunters also kill bison, mainly outside the parks northern boundary near Gardiner.

The bison transferred this week were captured at Stephens Creek in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park in March 2020, according to the Park Service. Twenty males completed quarantine in the park and a small family group of eight (one male, four females, three calves) completed quarantine in the nearby APHIS-leased facility at Corwin Springs. Currently, 67 animals are still in the Bison Conservation Transfer Program, and the park and APHIS intend to enter 80-120 new animals into the program this winter.

Yellowstones bison are direct descendants of the last bison saved from the mass slaughter of the 19th century. While the species once boasted a population of more than 30 million across North America, only about 1,000 remained by 1900, most in captivity, with one small herd in Yellowstone. Though saved from extinction and numbering 500,000 today, almost all bison are managed as livestock and contain cattle genetics. Yellowstone bison, because of their pure genetics, are therefore prized.

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A former state Supreme Court judge said Montana has the most progressive Constitution in the country and it is up to the people to keep it that way, and he blasted suggestions by a lawmaker to make changes to the document now entering its 50th year of being revised.

His comments have prompted that legislator to challenge the judge to a debate.

James Nelson said Wednesday toward the end of nearly one-hour-long webinar on Montanas Constitution that people applaud and vote for politicians who tell them what they want to hear.

He said that has manifested itself in the way people vote for candidates not because of what they can do for us, but to hurt perceived enemies.

It is not what you can do for me, it is how you are going to marginalize, demonize and nullify those who dont agree with my partisan or religious ideologies, Nelson said, adding that author Tom Nichols calls it the "power of resentment."

Nelson, who served as an associate justice on the state Supreme Court from 1993-2012, said this is how governments are turned over to those who would deconstruct the Constitution, calling them tyrants, authoritarians and fascists, adding that our democracy dies not from without but within.

Montana updated its 1889 Constitution, which some said was outdated and heavily influenced by the "Copper Kings," in 1972 through a constitutional convention. It includes provisions such the right to a clean and healthful environment and addresses environmental concerns, including water rights, cultural resources and protections. Officials noted it recognized that all the people should be involved in government, adding that 28 of the 100 delegates were women.

Nelson said there are politicians in Montana who are dishonoring the rule of law for the Constitution, singling out Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, for comments he made in November.

The Montana Free Press and Flathead Beacon reported that Skees had called the Montana Constitution a socialist rag. According to Nelson, Skees said the document gave courts the legal basis for blocking abortion restrictions.

Nelson said Skees has called for throwing out Montanas Constitution.

Skees seems to forget that when he was sworn in as a public official he took an oath to support and protect and defend Montana Constitution," Nelson said.

Skees on Friday defended his comments.

"I will debate anybody, anytime and anywhere on the merits of this Constitution," he said.

Skees said he and others have been trying since the late 90s to modify sections of the Constitution, only to have efforts thwarted by the state Supreme Court. He said it is no longer a living, breathing document that citizens have a chance of changing because the courts always reverse citizens efforts.

He challenged Nelson to a debate on the Montana Constitution.

In a column to state newspapers in December, Skees said he had the courage to say the hardest part of taking the oath of office was his belief the Montana Constitution has so many flaws.

I have never violated that sacred oath, as it is to God and the people of Montana. For a long time, I have advocated that we should vote YES in 2030 to have a call for a Constitutional Convention, he wrote.

He said his choice of words in calling it a socialist rag was perhaps too aggressive in an attempt to start this dialogue.

Skees also accused those calling on him to resign over his comments as displaying "fake moral outrage."

Nelson said Skees' style of attack is being used by dictators around the world.

This mindset also breeds the sort of violence that rewards and makes heroes out of insurrectionists, and those who have taken an assault weapon to a public assembly find that as justification to use the weapon to harm others and then themselves claim self-defense," he said.

Nelson said it serves to justify threats against public officials, school board members and health care workers.

It serves to justify partisan thuggery by public officials against other elected officials and the minority party, he said.

Skees dismissed Nelsons claims of being a tyrant.

A tyrant wants all of the decisions made in your life to be made by government, he said. I am the exact opposite. I want all decisions to be made by the sovereign citizens of the great state of Montana.

I see the citizens as the solutions for almost everything, he said.

Nelson said Montana, as well some other states, have passed voter suppression laws to ensure one-party rule to the exclusion of other parties and candidates. He said this was not constitutional and not the rule of law but the rule of lie, indeed the rule of the big lie.

Democracy is not a spectator sport, our constitutions cannot protect themselves from authoritarian takeover, he said. Democracy and the maintenance of our constitutions require the active support, protection and defense of each of us."

We cannot formulate a vision of the Constitution that works for us, as I have suggested we should, if the Constitution and the rule or law are ripped asunder by the fascists, the authoritarians and dictator wannabes in our midst, Nelson said.

He asked people to leave that night secure in the knowledge the constitutions belong to we the people, not to the government, not to corporations, special interests or wealth and privilege, and most certainly not to the authoritarians and fascists that want to destroy them.

He said constitutions are living documents adaptable to, and fully capable, of meeting the important challenges of the world now and into the future. He urged people to make their vision of what the Constitution is and should be as part of their life experience.

Dont ask why, ask why not. Think outside the box, Nelson said. To be sure, thinking outside the box is risky, forming your own constitutional vision is risky and acting on your vision is riskier still, but know too that risk is part of our human experience.

The webinar, The Montana Constitution celebrates 50 years  What your constitution can do for you," was sponsored by the League of Women Voters Helena Chapter and Lewis and Clark Library. There were 174 people who participated. To watch the webinar, go to: https://youtu.be/uK_8O3uCRnk.

Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021.

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